Written Answers of 9 June 1997

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Entry Clearance
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many people are awaiting entry clearance to join their families in the United Kingdom from Bangladesh. [1899]

  Mr. Fatchett
  On 3 June 3,733 people were awaiting entry clearance for settlement to join their families in the United Kingdom from Bangladesh.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many people from India are awaiting entry clearance to join their families in the United Kingdom. [1900]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Posts in India are in the process of collating the information required. I will write to the hon. Member when the answer is complete.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many people from Pakistan are awaiting entry clearance to join their families in the United Kingdom. [1901]

  Mr. Fatchett
  On 4 June 3,470 people from Pakistan were awaiting entry clearance for settlement to join their families in the United Kingdom.

  Amsterdam Summit
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the policy that Her Majesty's Government will adopt at Amsterdam regarding the proposed new article 6a to the treaty of the European Community. [2168]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  We support the draft article.

  Visitor's Visas (Tunisians)
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Tunisians were(a) successful and (b) unsuccessful in obtaining a visitor's visa to enter the United Kingdom in 1996; and of those who were successful, how many were unmarried. [2186]

  Mr. Fatchett
  In 1996, 2,416 Tunisian nationals were issued visitors visas by the British Embassy in Tunis. A total of 406 visit applications were refused. The number of Tunisian applicants issued and refused visit visas worldwide and the numbers of those who were married is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
  292

  Nigeria
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement concerning relations between Britain and Nigeria. [2445]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Britain has a long-standing and close association with Nigeria and its people which continues. We are determined to ensure that their human rights are respected. We will need to see real progress towards the restoration of accountable, democratic government and respect for human rights, before our relations with the Nigerian regime can improve.

  St. Helena
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will name the previous five governors of St. Helena; and in each case list their subsequent two career moves. [1095]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The previous five Governors of St. Helena and their subsequent two career moves are as follows:

  (i) Geoffrey Guy CMG, CVO, OBE (1976–81). Retired from Diplomatic Service on departing St. Helena.

  (ii) John Massingham CMG (1981–85). High Commissioner Georgetown 1985–87, Consul General Johannesburg 1987–89.

  (iii) Francis Baker CBE, OBE (1984–88). Has worked in private industry since departing St. Helena.

  (iv) Robert Stimson CMG (1988–91). Retired from Diplomatic Service on departing St. Helena.

  (v) Alan Hoole OBE (1991–95). Governor of Anguilla 1995 to May 1997.

  Zimbabwe
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the High Commission takes to maintain contact with, and provide information to, British passport holders resident in Zimbabwe. [1966]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Our High Commission in Harare maintains contact with British residents in Zimbabwe through its Consular offices in Harare and annual Consular surgeries in Bulawayo and elsewhere. The High Commission also has a network of Consular Correspondents and have close links with the Zimbabwe Britain Society.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Zimbabwe
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what aid her Department allocates to Zimbabwe; if she will list the projects supported; and what checks her Department carries out to ensure the aid is deployed in accordance with its policy. [1965]

  Clare Short
  A Country Aid Programme Statement for Zimbabwe was issued in April 1996. I am also placing a list of current projects in the Library of the House. The projects are appraised and monitored by the Department's Development Division in Central Africa, which is based in Harare. In 1995–96 the total expenditure on the programme was £14.8 million.
  293

  Biodiversity
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what initiatives her Department will be pursuing at the United Nations General Assembly Special Session to further the work of
  the Biodiversity convention. [2218]

  Clare Short
  My Department is committed to helping developing countries to implement the Convention on Biological Diversity. We are still considering, with colleagues in Whitehall, what initiatives might be announced at the United Nations General Assembly Special Session.

  UNESCO
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what will be the Government's contribution to UNESCO once it resumes membership on 1 July. [2161]

  Clare Short
  I refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave to the hon. Member for Richmond Park, (Hansard 2 June 1997, volume 295 column 26) and to the right hon. and learned Member for Sleaford and North Hykeham, (Hansard 20 May 1997, volume 294 column 37).

  Indonesia
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if it is her policy to provide aid to Indonesia for projects of general application which treat East Timor as a province of Indonesia. [2268]

  Clare Short
  No aid given by us to Indonesia implies recognition of sovereignty over East Timor. Whether any future project of general application might affect East Timor would be a matter for consideration in each case.

  Project

  Indonesian Authority

  UK Company

  Agreement Date

  Type of Agreement

  Project Completion date

  Contract value (£ million)

  ATP value (£ million)

  Sector

  Auto Industry Development Study

  Ministry of Communications

  De Monfort Management Ltd.

  7 Janaury 1991

  ATP/TC

  1991

  0.49

  0.49

  Transport

  Western Universities Equipment

  Directorate General of Higher Education

  Philip Harris International/ Gallenkamp

  14 May 1991

  Soft Loan

  12,016

  14.28

  13.67

  Misc.

  Steel Bridging II

  Ministry of Public Works

  Mabey and Johnson

  22 May 1991

  Soft Loan

  12,016

  3.83

  3.67

  Transport

  Flight Simulator

  Merpati Nusantara

  Aeronautical Systems Designers

  20 June 1991

  Soft Loan

  12,016

  4.97

  4.66

  Transport

  Bali and Medan Airport Security

  Ministry of National Development Planning

  IAL International Aeradio Ltd.

  21 August 1991

  Soft Loan

  12,016

  11.45

  10.46

  Misc.

  Jambi Power Station

  Ministry of National Development Planning

  Mirrlees Blackstone (STPT) Ltd.

  21 August 1991

  Soft Loan

  12,016

  5.74

  5.35

  Power

  Cikampek-Padalarang Toll Road

  Ministry of Communications

  Cementation

  15 October 1991

  ATP/TC

  1992

  1.7

  1.7

  Transport

  Design Study Western Universities Training Centre

  Directorate General of Higher Education

  Sunderland Engineering Education Services

  29 August 1992

  ATP/TC

  1996

  2.21

  2.21

  Education

  Flight Simulator Consultancy

  Ministry of Communications

  Civil Aviation Authority

  24 Janaury 1992

  ATP/TC

  1996

  0.39

  0.39

  Transport

  Samarinda Power Station

  Perusahaan Umum Listrik Negara

  Rolls Royce

  6 Marh 1995

  Soft Loan

  21998

  45.81

  12.57

  Power

  Samarinda Transmission Line

  Perusahaan Umum Listrik Negara

  Clough Smith

  10 May 1995

  Soft Loan

  21998

  4.24

  1.60

  Power

  294
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the(a) allocated and (b) actual expenditure on each aid-and-trade provision project in Indonesia for each of the financial years since 1993–94. [2271]

  Clare Short
  The table below shows the Aid and Trade Provision projects in Indonesia for which aid agreements have been concluded since 1993. The table also shows expenditure to date. None of these projects has yet been completed.

  Project

  Date of agreement

  ATP value (£ million)

  Expenditure to date (£ million)

  150/500Kv Substations

  10 August 1995

  15.516

  12.978

  Samarinda Power Station

  6 March 1995

  12.570

  9.844

  Samarinda Transmission Line

  10 May 1995

  1.600

  1.359

  Piston Engine Research Laboratory

  12 January 1996

  4.640

  2.335

  Science and Technology Equipment

  6 September 1996

  4.340

  2.491

  Science and Technology Equipment

  6 September 1996

  0.550

  0.035

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the aid-and-trade provision project agreements concluded with the Indonesian authorities since 1991, listing for each project(a) the date of the agreement and the expected completion date, (b) the type of agreement, (c) the contract value and ATP value, (d) the United Kingdom company and Indonesian authority involved and (e) the sector involved. [2270]

  Clare Short
  Details of all Aid and Trade projects in Indonesia on which agreements have been concluded since 1991 are set out below.
  295

  Project

  Indonesian Authority

  UK Company

  Agreement Date

  Type of Agreement

  Project Completion date

  Contract value (£ million) 46.81

  ATP value (£ million)

  Sector

  150/1500KV Substation Project

  P.T. Perusahaan Listrik Negara (Persero)

  GEC Alsthom

  10 August 1995

  Mixed Credits

  21998

  46.81

  15.52

  Power

  Piston Engines Research Laboratory

  Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology

  G. Cussons Ltd.

  12 Janaury 1996

  Soft Loan

  21999

  14.76

  4.64

  Science and Technology

  Science and Technology Project, Java Universities

  Ministry of Education

  Phillip Harris International Ltd.

  15 March 1996

  Soft Loan

  21998

  14.13

  4.5

  Education

  Notes:

  1 These projects have been physically completed, but disbursements will continue over the length of the full loan period (25 years).

  2 These dates are provisional and final completion will depend on satisfactory progress with imnplementation.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement about the future provision of aid-and-trade provision assistance to Indonesia. [2272]

  Clare Short
  As I explained to the hon. Member for Liverpool, West Derby on 21 May, we will be reviewing all our expenditure programmes to ensure that we concentrate our efforts on poverty eradication. This means that we will be reviewing the Aid and trade Provision; and any review of ATP will naturally look at how it has operated in Indonesia, and whether it should continue to do so.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what training or assistance is currently being provided by her Department to the Indonesian police force; and if she will make a statement about the future provision of aid to the Indonesian police force. [2269]

  Clare Short
  Assistance to the Indonesian police force ended in March 1996. No further assistance is planned.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) what representations her Department will make at the forthcoming meeting of the Consultativie Group on Indonesia on(a) East Timor, (b) human rights and (c) good governance; [2273]

  (2) what level of aid commitment her Department plans to make at the forthcoming meeting of the Consultative Group on Indonesia; and if she will make a statement about the extent to which the aid commitment will be dependent on the improvement of human rights in Indonesia and East Timor. [2274]

  Clare Short
  We shall take every opportunity to make known to the Indonesian Government our concerns about these issues. As to future commitments this will be covered by the review I propose to undertake.Hansard, Volume 294, Col. 93 of 21 May refers.

  Military Equipment Sales
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement about the machinery which will be put in place to ensure that her Department is able to make representations to other departments on the impact on development of the sale of military equipment to developing countries(a) in general terms and (b) in respect of specific export licence applications. [2275]
  296
  Clare Short
  As my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary announced on 22 May Hansard column 135, we have initiated the urgent review of the detailed criteria used in considering licence applications for the export of conventional arms. This review will include the role of all Departments involved, including my own Department. This new criteria will be made available to the House when the review is complete.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement about the steps she will take to ensure that assistance provided by her Department is not linked to the sale of military equipment to that country. [2276]

  Clare Short
  This Government will never link sales of military equipment to the provision of British development assistance, either directly or indirectly.

CABINET OFFICE

  Cabinet Committees
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will list the Cabinet committees(a) of which he is a member and (b) which he chairs. [2560]

  Mr. Mandelson
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given today by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Key Stage 2 Results Booklet
  Audrey Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many copies of the booklet "Primary School Performance Tables 1996 Key Stage 2 Results", were distributed to schools; and how much this cost. [2135]

  Dr. Howells
  An initial total of 1.12 million copies of the booklets were sent to primary and nursery schools in England on the date of publication at a cost of £264,000 for production and £236,000 for distribution. Schools were invited to request further copies according to their needs. Copies were also available to the public and it is not possible to separate schools' requests from those of the public.
  297

  European Convention on Human Rights (Disabled People)
  Mrs. Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the implications for disabled people of signing the European Convention on Human Rights. [2172]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  We will introduce a Bill to incorporate the main provisions of the convention into domestic law. This will enable our domestic courts to consider claims that the rights of disabled people (and others) under the convention have been violated.

  School Discipline
  Liz Blackman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what action he proposes to take in support of teachers and schools confronted by persistent poor behaviour on the part of a small number of pupils. [2181]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Following wide consultation, we will issue detailed new guidance for schools and local education authorities, including advice on good practice, to accompany implementation of the discipline provisions in the Education Act 1997. We will support locally devised projects to tackle behaviour problems under the grants for education support and training (GEST) programme, and will take more active steps to disseminate examples of good practice emerging from these projects.

  School Deficits
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment whether school deficits, actual and projected have been included in the public sector borrowing requirement calculation, for(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97 and (c) 1997–98. [2206]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 6 June 1997]: The public sector borrowing requirement does not take account of the net deficit or surplus of funds held by schools.

TREASURY

  Illegal Drugs
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to prevent the importation of illegal drugs into the United Kingdom. [923]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Lead responsibility for preventing the importation of illicit drugs rests with HM Customs and Excise. The department's current Management Plan, a copy of which has been placed in the Library, gives details of how it will be taking its work forward over the period to 1999–2000. Tackling drugs smuggling is the department's top anti-smuggling priority.

  In recent years the department has moved to a system of flexible, mobile controls that are carefully targeted on the areas of greatest risk. It is making increased use of intelligence to target major criminals and drug smuggling organisations, and is currently implementing a range of measures to maximise its effectiveness in depriving drug traffickers of the proceeds of their crimes. A key element in the department's approach is close co-operation with other UK agencies involved in the fight against drugs,
  298
  including the police. The department is also active in fostering co-operation with overseas law enforcement agencies and the business community. Other measures under development include improved risk assessment, further steps to optimise the deployment of resources and the provision of better information for anti-smuggling staff.

  In 1996–97 the department prevented drugs to a street value of more than £1.5 billion from entering the UK, while dismantling or significantly disrupting 100 smuggling organisations.

  Tax Returns
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of tax returns were received by the Inland Revenue more than 12 months after the date of issue. [2131]

  Dawn Primarolo
  An exercise carried out for the 1995–96 tax year indicated that the percentage of returns outstanding 12 months after issue was as follows:

  Type of individual taxpayer served with a return

  Percentage of returns still outstanding 12 months after issue

  Directors, employees and pensioners

  3

  Self employed individuals

  23

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of tax returns were received by the Inland Revenue(a) prior to 31 October, (b) between 1 November and 31 January and (c) between 1 February and 5 April following the end of the tax year. [2129]

  Dawn Primarolo
  An exercise conducted for the 1995–96 tax year indicated that the percentage of tax returns received was as follows:

  Type of individual taxpayer served with a return

  Percentage of tax returns received by Inland Revenue

  Prior to 31 October

  1 November to 31 January

  1 February to 5 April

  Directors, employees and pensioners

  86

  9

  2

  Self employed individuals

  62

  13

  2

  Price Stability
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the requirements of the Maastricht treaty as regards price stability following monetary union. [499]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  Article 105 of the EC Treaty states:"The primary objective of the ESCB (European System of Central Banks) shall be to maintain price stability. Without prejudice to the objective of price stability, the ESCB shall support the general economic policies of the Community with a view to contributing to the achievement of the objectives of the Community as laid down in Article 2."
  299

  EU Agricultural Support
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the EU agricultural support budget is spent in(a) Germany, (b) France and (c) Italy. [2265]

  Mr. Rooker
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Commission's provisional outturn figures for CAP expenditure in 1996 indicate the following percentages:

  Percentages

  (a) Germany

  15.5

  (b) France

  24.5

  (c) Italy

  10.8

HEALTH

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the capital projects being undertaken by NHS trusts under the PFI and their value; and if he will make a statement. [1497]

  Mr. Milburn
  The information requested has been placed in the Library.

  This information is presented in the form of two tables. The first table (Table 1) lists all National Health Service trusts with capital projects which have been approved to test for the Private Finance Initiative following the approval of an Outline Business Case (OBC) but have not yet had the final PFI proposal approved in a Full Business Case (FBC).

  The second table (Table 2) lists all those NHS trusts which have had their PFI proposal approved in the Full Business Case and are at the stages between FBC approval and completion of the project (the list includes PFI capital projects which have been completed and are fully operational).

  Both tables include only PFI projects with a capital value of £1 million or over. Information on projects with a capital value of below £1 million is not held centrally.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 22 May,Official Report, column 176, on the Private Finance Initiative (1) how many merchant banks attended the meetings between the Minister of State and the principal financiers; [1936]

  (2) how many merchant banks contacted his Department between 2 May and 20 May, apart from those which took part in the meetings between the Minister of State and the principal financiers; [1934]

  (3) if the meetings between the Minister of State and the principal financiers were held at the request of his Department. [1937]

  Mr. Milburn
  The meeting between the principal financiers involved in the Private Finance Initiative schemes at Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust and Norfolk and Norwich Health Care NHS Trust and me and officials from the Department of Health was held at my request on 15 May. The financiers who attended the 300
  meeting were representatives from United Bank of Kuwait, Rabobank, BZW, Deutsche Morgan Grenfell, Innisfree, ABN Amro, and Midland Bank.

  Officials from the Department of Health speak on a regular basis to many potential financiers interested in PFI projects.

  Portsmouth Hospitals (NHS) Trust
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what was the purpose of his visit to Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth; who invited him; and when the visit was set up; [2398]

  (2) if he will take steps to assist Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust to recover the money from other health trusts which is currently owed for patient care; and if he will conduct an inquiry into the causes of the Trust's deficit; [2400]

  (3) what discussions he held on the budgetary problems of Portsmouth Hospitals Trust in the current financial year during the visit on 2 June; and if he will make a statement. [2399]

  Mr. Milburn
  Following an approach by my hon. Friend the member for Portsmouth, North (Mr. Rapson) in whose constituency Queen Alexandra Hospital is situated, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State expressed an interest in visiting the hospital and was warmly welcomed by the Chairman and the Chief Executive of Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust on 2 June. The purpose of the visit was to tour the hospital, inspect its facilities and meet staff and patients. The arrangements were made during the week preceding the visit.

  Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust had a very small deficit at the end of the last financial year, but is not currently in deficit. No monies are owed to the trust by other NHS trusts. Discussions during the visit centred around the contracting process, the level of costs incurred by NHS trusts and the internal market.

  Methadone
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to issue new guidance for the prescribing of methadone. [2453]

  Ms Jowell
  Guidelines on clinical management of drug misuse and dependence were last revised by the Department of Health in 1991, and included information on the appropriate prescription and dispensing of methadone to drug misusers. These guidelines are currently being revised by an expert working group chaired by Professor John Strang, the Chief Medical Officer's consultant adviser on drug misuse. The new guidelines, which will include updated advice on the prescribing of methadone based on the latest research evidence, are expected to be issued to all doctors at the end of 1997.

  Children in Care (Homelessness)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children in each local authority area are currently in care because of family homelessness. [2397]
  301
  Mr. Boateng
  The latest figures for the numbers of children looked after because of homelessness, by individual social services department responsible for care, were published in "Children Looked After by Local Authorities, Year Ending 31 March 1995, England" (Table 5). The figures in this publication relate to cases where a child's family was either homeless or evicted or where a child was over sixteen and was homeless or evicted. Copies of the publication are available in the Library.

  Weighted Capitation Funding
  Mr. Burnett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to review the weighted elements of his Department's national weighted capitation formula for health funding; if evidence of population sparsity will be included in that review; and if he will make a statement. [2485]

  Mr. Milburn
  We will look at how resources are distributed across both secondary and primary care to ensure that these fully reflect local population needs and operate as fairly as possible.

  We will continue with the research which has already been commissioned to investigate the possible extra costs associated with the provision of accident and emergency and ambulance services in sparsely populated rural areas. A report is expected in the autumn and the results will be carefully considered.

  Ambulance Service (Paramedics)
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if it is his policy that there should be a trained paramedic on all accident and emergency ambulances; what targets have been set relating to the provision of paramedics in the ambulance service; and what surveys have been carried out by his Department into the extent of such provision. [2429]

  Mr. Boateng
  It is the Department's policy that there should be a trained paramedic on every front line ambulance. There are some 6,500 paramedics working for National Health Service ambulance services in England and 32 of the 37 services are able to place a paramedic on every front line ambulance.

  Hospital Services (London)
  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the names of the team that will carry out his review of London's hospital services. [2563]

  Mr. Milburn
  We will be announcing details of the review and its method of operation in due course.

  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will direct the Royal Hospitals NHS Trust to halt its plans to close St. Bartholomew's Hospital pending the outcome of his review into London hospitals; [2564]

  (2) if he has informed Sir Derek Boorman, chairman of the Royal Hospitals NHS Trust, of his decision to carry out a review of the Trust's decision to close St. Bartholomew's Hospital. [2565.]
  302
  Mr. Milburn
  We will be announcing details of the review of London's health services in due course. Its effect on individual hospitals will be made clear at that time.

PRIME MINISTER

  Windfall Tax (Pharmaceutical Industry)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will impose a windfall tax on the pharmaceutical industry. [1957]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 5 June 1997]: It would not be appropriate to comment on any possible tax changes during the run up to the Budget.

  Cabinet Committees
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish a list of the Ministerial Committees of the Cabinet. [2975]

  The Prime Minister
  The names and membership of the Ministerial committees which I have established to date are as follows. In addition to the members listed, other Ministers are invited to attend meetings as and when the business requires.

  Ministerial Committee on Defence and Overseas Policy (DOP)

  Composition

  Prime Minister (Chairman)

  Deputy Prime Minister

  Chancellor of the Exchequer

  Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

  President of the Board of Trade

  Secretary of State for Defence

  The Chief of Defence Staff attends as required, as do the Chiefs of Staff when necessary. Others are invited to attend as necessary.

  Terms of reference

  "To keep under review the Government's defence and overseas policy."

  Ministerial Committee on Constitutional Reform Policy (CRP)

  Composition

  Prime Minister (Chairman)

  Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Environment, Transport and the Regions

  Chancellor of the Exchequer

  Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

  Lord Chancellor

  Secretary of State for the Home Department

  Secretary of State for Scotland

  President of the Council

  Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

  Secretary of State for Wales

  Lord Privy Seal

  Parliamentary Secretary, Treasury

  Minister without Portfolio

  Other Ministers may be invited to attend as necessary.

  Terms of reference

  "To consider strategic issues relating to the Government's constitutional reform policies".

  303
  Ministerial Committee on the Intelligence Services (CSI)

  Composition

  Prime Minister (Chairman)

  Deputy Prime Minister

  Chancellor of the Exchequer

  Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

  Secretary of State for the Home Department

  Secretary of State for Defence

  Terms of reference

  "To keep under review policy on the security and intelligence service."

  Ministerial Committee on Northern Ireland (IN)

  Composition

  Prime Minister (Chairman)

  Chancellor of the Exchequer

  Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

  Secretary of State for the Home Department

  Secretary of State for Defence

  Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

  Terms of reference

  "To oversee the Government's policy on Northern Ireland issues and relations with the Republic of Ireland on these matters."

  Ministerial Committee on Home and Social Affairs (HS)

  Composition

  Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (Chairman)

  Chancellor of the Exchequer

  Lord Chancellor

  Secretary of State for the Home Department

  Secretary of State for Education and Employment

  President of the Board of Trade and Secretary of State for Trade and Industry

  Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  Secretary of State for Scotland

  Secretary of State for Health President of the Council

  Secretary of State for National Heritage

  Secretary of State for Social Security

  Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

  Secretary of State for Wales

  Lord Privy Seal

  Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster

  Minister of Transport

  Chief Secretary, Treasury

  Parliamentary Secretary, Treasury

  Minister without Portfolio

  The Attorney General, the Lord Advocate and the Captain of the Gentlemen-at-Arms also receive papers. They and others are invited to attend as necessary.

  Terms of reference

  "To consider issues of home and social policy."

  Ministerial Committee on the Environment (ENV)

  Composition

  Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (Chairman)

  Chancellor of the Exchequer

  Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

  304

  President of the Board of Trade and Secretary of State for Trade and Industry

  Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  Secretary of State for Scotland

  Secretary of State for Health

  President of the Council

  Secretary of State for National Heritage

  Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

  Secretary of State for Wales

  Secretary of State for International Development

  Lord Privy Seal

  Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster

  Minister of Transport

  Chief Secretary, Treasury

  Minister of State, Departments of the Environments and Transport

  Minister without Portfolio

  The Secretary of State for Social Security also receives papers.She and other Ministers are invited to attend as necessary.

  Terms of reference

  "To consider environmental policy issues."

  Ministerial Committee on Local Government (GL)

  Composition

  Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (Chairman)

  Chancellor of the Exchequer

  Lord Chancellor

  Secretary of State for the Home Department

  Secretary of State for Education and Employment

  President of the Board of Trade

  Secretary of State for Scotland

  Secretary of State for Health

  President of the Council

  Secretary of State for National Heritage

  Secretary of State for Social Security

  Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

  Secretary of State for Wales

  Lord Privy Seal

  Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster

  Minister of Transport

  Chief Secretary, Treasury

  Minister of State, Departments of the Environment and Transport

  Minister without Portfolio

  Other Ministers are invited to attend for items in which they have a departmental interest.

  Terms of reference

  "To consider issues affecting local government, including the annual allocation of resources."

  Ministerial Committee on Economic Affairs (EA)

  Composition

  Chancellor of the Exchequer (Chairman)

  Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions

  Secretary of State for the Home Department

  President of the Board of Trade and Secretary of State for Trade and Industry

  Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  Secretary of State for Scotland

  Secretary of State for Health

  President of the Council

  305

  Secretary of State for National Heritage

  Secretary of State for Social Security

  Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

  Secretary of State for Wales

  Lord Privy Seal

  Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster

  Minister of Transport

  Chief Secretary, Treasury

  Minister without Portfolio

  Other Ministers are invited to attend for items in which they have a departmental interest. The Chief Scientific Adviser attends for issues relating to science and technology.

  Terms of reference

  "To consider issues relating to the Government's economic polices."

  Ministerial Committee on Public Expenditure (PX)

  Composition

  Chancellor of the Exchequer (Chairman)

  Lord Chancellor

  President of the Board of Trade

  President of the Council

  Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

  Lord Privy Seal

  Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster

  Chief Secretary, Treasury

  Minister of State, Department of Social Security

  Other Ministers are invited to attend for matters in which they have a departmental interest.

  Terms of reference

  "To review public expenditure allocations and make recommendations to the Cabinet."

  Ministerial Committee on The Queen's Speeches and Future Legislation (QFL)

  Composition

  Lord Chancellor (Chairman)

  Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions

  President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons

  Lord Privy Seal

  Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster

  Chief Secretary, Treasury Attorney General

  Lord Advocate

  Parliamentary Secretary, Treasury

  Captain of the Gentlemen at Arms

  Minister without Portfolio

  The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs is invited to attend for discussions of The Queen's Speeches.

  Terms of reference

  "To prepare and submit to the Cabinet drafts of The Queen's Speeches to Parliament and proposals for the Government's legislative programme."

  Ministerial Committee on Devolution to Scotland and Wales and the English Regions (DSWR)

  Composition

  Lord Chancellor (Chairman)

  Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions

  Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

  Secretary of State for the Home Department

  Secretary of State for Education and Employment

  President of the Board of Trade

  306

  Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  Secretary of State for Scotland

  Secretary of State for Health

  President of the Council

  Secretary of State for National Heritage

  Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

  Secretary of State for Wales

  Lord Privy Seal

  Chief Secretary, Treasury

  Parliamentary Secretary, Treasury

  Captain of the Gentleman at Arms Attorney General

  Lord Advocate

  Other Ministers are invited for items in which they have departmental interest.

  Terms of reference

  "To consider policy and other issues arising from the Government's policies for devolution to Scotland and Wales and the regions of England and to promote and oversee progress of the relevant legislation through Parliament and its subsequent implementation."

  Ministerial Committee on Legislative (LEG)

  Composition

  President of the Council (Chair)

  Lord Chancellor

  Secretary of State for Scotland

  Secretary of State for Wales

  Lord Privy Seal

  Attorney General

  Lord Advocate

  Parliamentary Secretary, Treasury

  Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office

  Minister of State, Home Office

  Parliamentary Secretary, Office of Public Service

  Financial Secretary, Treasury

  Captain of the Gentlemen at Arms

  Minister without Portfolio

  The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland also receives papers and is invited to attend as necessary.

  Terms of reference

  "To examine all draft Bills; to consider the parliamentary handling of Government Bills, European Community documents and Private Members' business, and such other related matters as may be necessary; and to keep under review the Government's policy in relation to issues of Parliamentary procedures."

  Ministerial Sub-Committee on European Issues ((E)DOP)

  Composition

  Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Chairman)

  Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions

  Chancellor of the Exchequer

  Secretary of State for the Home Department

  Secretary of State for Education and Employment

  President of the Board of Trade

  Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Secretary of State for Scotland

  Secretary of State for Defence

  President of the Council

  Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

  Secretary of State for Wales

  307

  Secretary of State for International Development

  Lord Privy Seal

  Attorney General

  Parliamentary Secretary, Treasury

  Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office

  Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe

  Minister without Portfolio

  Other Ministers are invited to attend as the nature of the business requires.

  The United Kingdom's Permanent Representative to the European Union is also in attendance.

  Terms of reference

  "To consider questions relating to the United Kingdom's membership of the European Union and to report as necessary to the Ministerial Committee on Defence and Overseas Policy (DOP)."

  Ministerial Sub-Committee on London (GL(L))

  Composition

  Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (Chairman)

  Paymaster General, Treasury

  Minister of State, Department of National Heritage

  Minister without Portfolio

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Departments of the Environment and Transport

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Departments of the Environment and Transport

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education and Employment

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Social Security

  Parliamentary Secretary, Office of Public Service

  Terms of reference

  "To co-ordinate the Government's policies on London, and report as necessary to the Ministerial Committee on Local Government (GL) and the Ministerial Committee on Devolution to Scotland, Wales and the English Regions (DSWR)."

  Ministerial Sub-Committee on Welfare to Work (EA(WW))

  Composition

  Chancellor of the Exchequer (Chairman)

  Secretary of State for Education and Employment

  Secretary of State for Scotland

  Secretary of State for Social Security

  Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

  Secretary of State for Wales

  Minister of State, Department of the Environment

  Paymaster General, Treasury

  Minister of State, Home Office

  Minister of State, Department for Education and Employment

  Minister of State, Department of Social Security

  Minister without Portfolio

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education and Employment

  Other Ministers are invited to attend for items in which they have a departmental interest.

  Terms of reference

  "To develop policies to get people from welfare to work and to report as necessary to the Ministerial Committee on Economic Affairs (EAR)."

  308
  Ministerial Sub-Committee on Incorporation of the European Convention of Human Rights (CRP(EC))

  Composition

  Lord Chancellor (Chairman)

  Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions

  Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

  Secretary of State for the Home Department

  Secretary of State for Education and Employment

  Secretary of State for Scotland

  Secretary of State for Defence

  Secretary of State for Health

  President of the Council

  Secretary of State for Social Security

  Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

  Secretary of State for Wales

  Lord Privy Seal

  Chief Secretary, Treasury

  Parliamentary Secretary, Treasury

  Attorney General

  Lord Advocate

  Other Ministers are invited to attend for items in which they have a departmental interest.

  Terms of reference

  "To consider policy and other issues arising from the Government's decision to legislate for the incorporation of ECHR in UK law and to promote and oversee progress of the relevant legislation through Parliament and its subsequent implementation, reporting as necessary to the Ministerial Committee on Constitutional Reform Policy."

  Ministerial Sub-Committee on Drug Misuse (HS(D))

  Composition

  President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Chair)

  Secretary of State for International Development

  Solicitor General

  Financial Secretary, Treasury

  Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office

  Minister of State, Ministry of Defence

  Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education and Employment

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Scottish Office

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Welsh Office

  The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment and Transport also receives papers and may be invited to attend as appropriate.

  Terms of reference

  "To co-ordinate the Government's national and international policies for tackling drugs misuse, and report as necessary to the Ministerial Committee on Home and Social Affairs (HS))."

  Ministerial Sub-Committee on Health Strategy (HS(H)

  Composition

  President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Chair)

  Secretary of State for Health

  Secretary of State for International Development

  Minister of State, Departments of the Environment and Transport

  Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  309

  Minister of State, Department of Health Economic Secretary, Treasury

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Departments of the Environment and Transport

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education and Employment

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Scottish Office

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Social Security

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Northern Ireland Office

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Welsh Office

  The Chief Medical Officer is in attendance.

  Other Ministers are invited to attend for items in which they have a departmental interest.

  Terms of reference

  "To oversee the development, implementation and monitoring of the Government's health strategy; to co-ordinate the Government's policies on United Kingdom-wide issues affecting health; and to report as necessary to the Ministerial committee on Home and Social Affairs (HS)."

  Ministerial Sub-Committee on Women's Issues (HS(W))

  Composition

  Secretary of State for Social Security (Chair)

  Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

  Secretary of State for International Development

  Financial Secretary, Treasury

  Minister of State, Home Office

  Minister of State, Scottish Office

  Minister of State, Department of Health

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Departments of the Environment and Transport

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Departments of the Environment and Transport

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education and Employment

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Social Security

  Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Welsh Office Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Office of Public Service

  Terms of reference

  "To review and develop the Government's policy and strategy on issues of special concern to women; to oversee their implementation; and to report as necessary to the Ministerial Committee on Home and Social Affairs (HS)."

  Ministerial Group on Food Safety (MISC 1)

  Composition

  Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Chairman)

  Secretary of State for Education and Employment

  Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  Secretary of State for Scotland

  Secretary of State for Health

  President of the Council

  Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

  Secretary of State for Wales

  310

  Chief Secretary, Treasury

  Minister of State, Departments of Environment and Transport

  Minister of State, Department of Trade and Industry

  Minster without Portfolio

  The Parliamentary Secretary, Treasury will also receive papers and may attend as necessary.

  Terms of reference

  "To co-ordinate Departmental consideration of issues arising from the establishment of a Food Standards Agency and other aspects of food safety, and to make recommendations to the Ministerial Committee on Home and Social Affairs".

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Minimum Wage
  Mr. Tom King
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what research has been commissioned and what estimates have been made by her Department, and what information presented to her, regarding the costs per annum to the DTI budget of the introduction of a minimum wage at(a) £3.50 an hour, (b) £4 an hour and (c) £4.40 an hour; and if she will make a statement. [2109]

  Mrs. Beckett
  We will ask the independent Low Pay Commission, before it reaches a recommendation on the level at which the national minimum wage might be set, to take into account all the economic circumstances, including its likely impact. I will not speculate about the possible effects of hypothetical levels before the Commission has had a chance to consider the issues.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Departmental Publications
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage by what means his Department makes available its publications in(a) Braille, (b) audio tape and (c) large print; and how this is publicised. [1665]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  The Department produces both Braille and large print copies of publications where a demand has been identified or where there is an obligation to inform people of their rights and entitlements.

  The Department is currently reviewing its policy on the production of accessible formats to agree a set of objective criteria for judging demand and to help develop cost-effective ways of providing information.

  Tourism
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what evidence he has of the effect on the balance of payments in tourism of changes in the real exchange rate measured in terms of export unit values; what were imports and exports of tourism in cash terms and as a percentage of gross overseas products for each year since 1983, together with the balance of payments in tourism; what estimate he has made of the extent to which the figures are affected by changes in the real exchange rate since 1994 as measured by changes in the nominal exchange rate and in the real exchange rate weighted by the percentage change in import and export unit values in
  311
  trade on manufactures with non-EC countries; and what is his estimate of the increase in output in the United Kingdom tourist industry in 1997 and 1998. [2127]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  The level of inbound and domestic tourism in the UK is affected by a number of factors such as the quality and range of hotels (and other facilities) and

  Exports of goods and services

  Imports of goods and services

  Tourism credits (£ million)

  Total export credits (£ million)

  Tourism as a percentage of all exports

  Tourism debits (£ million)

  Total debits (£ million)

  Tourism as a percentage of all imports

  Balance of payments in tourism (£ million)

  1983

  4,003

  79,880

  5.0

  4,090

  77,588

  5.3

  -87

  1984

  4,614

  91,632

  5.0

  4,663

  92,763

  5.0

  -49

  1985

  5,442

  102,041

  5.3

  4,871

  98,988

  4.9

  571

  1986

  5,553

  97,885

  5.7

  6,083

  101,221

  6.0

  -530

  1987

  6,260

  106,397

  5.9

  7,280

  111,737

  6.5

  -1,020

  1988

  6,184

  107,273

  5.8

  8,216

  124,796

  6.6

  -2,032

  1989

  6,945

  121,486

  5.7

  9,357

  142,808

  6.6

  -2,412

  1990

  7,748

  133,165

  5.8

  9,886

  148,285

  6.7

  -2,138

  1991

  7,386

  134,289

  5.5

  9,951

  141,009

  7.1

  -2,565

  1992

  7,891

  142,114

  5.6

  11,243

  150,268

  7.5

  -3,352

  1993

  9,487

  159,997

  5.9

  12,972

  167,941

  7.7

  -3,485

  1994

  9,919

  176,065

  5.6

  14,500

  182,149

  8.0

  -4,581

  1995

  12,092

  197,600

  6.1

  15,683

  203,086

  7.7

  -3,591

  19961

  12,693

  215,195

  5.9

  16,607

  220,792

  7.5

  -3,914

  1 Provisional.

  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what assessment has been made of the effect of the sale of British Rail International Ltd. on United Kingdom tourism. [2007]

  Mr. Clarke
  None. The sale of British Rail International Ltd. (BRIL) to Grandes Lignes International SA, a wholly owned subsidiary of Societe National des Chemins de fer Francais, (SNCF), the French state-owned railway was only completed on 24 March 1997 after competitive tender.

  National Lottery
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to allow purchasers of lottery tickets to determine which causes are supported as a consequence of that purchase; and if he will make a statement. [1955]

  Mr. Banks
  [holding answer 5 June 1997]: The national lottery is the people's money and its proceeds should go to projects which the people support. To that end, the Government plan to establish a £1 billion fund for health education and other initiatives and to review the way lottery funds are distributed to the existing good causes. We will be publishing a White Paper setting out our proposals next month.

  Television Licences (Pensioners)
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) what estimate he has made of the cost of making television licences available to pensioners at a discount of(a) 75 per cent. (b) 50 per cent. and (c) 25 per cent. of the normal fee for colour and black and white sets; and if he will make a statement; [2169]

  (2) what representations he has received from pensioner groups requesting him to exempt pensioners from having to buy a television licence; and if he will make a statement; [2170]
  312
  the marketing of attractions, as well as the relative cost of the holidays in the UK and elsewhere. The Government are aware that the sterling exchange rate can affect the level of inbound and outbound tourism but do not make forecasts of the specific effects. The figures requested are shown in the following table:

  (3) what would be the annual cost of exempting all pensioners from having to buy a television licence; and if he will make a statement. [2281]

  Mr. Fisher
  The estimated annual cost, in lost licence fee revenue, of providing concessionary television licences for all pensioners would be:

  £ million

  For a 25 per cent, discount

  157

  For a 50 per cent, discount

  314

  For a 75 per cent, discount

  471

  For free licences

  628

  Department of National Heritage records do not distinguish between representations from pensioner groups and those from other organisations or individuals, nor between those calling for free television licences for pensioners and those seeking a lesser concession. Since the Election, the Government have received 56 representations about television licence fees for pensioners and the concessionary television licence scheme, 25 of them from hon. Members. We have no plans to amend the concessionary television licence scheme.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS
  ENVIRONMENT AND THE REGIONS

    Environmental Protection and Sustainability
    Mr. Dais
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the initiatives taken by the Government since 1 May in respect of environmental protection and sustainability. [2084]
    313
    Angela Eagle
    We will fulfil our Manifesto commitment to put the environment at the heart of decision-making across Government and we are considering the mechanisms which will deliver this. The framework for this was outlined in the speech my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister gave on 5 June at UNED-UK. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister will reinforce our international commitments when he addresses the special session of the United Nations General Assembly at its conference on sustainable development at the end of this month. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary stressed the importance of the environment in his mission statement. The Department for International Development has announced a commitment to promoting sustainable development through its activities.

    In these first few weeks in Government it is right that we should build our policies carefully and coherently as well as imaginatively, and take time to consult widely about our future programme. But already we have begun to take steps to improve our environment. The appointment of my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister as Secretary of State for the Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, demonstrates our commitment to tackle environmental issues and sustainability in a more integrated way. We are setting up machinery to enable Departments to adopt a consistent approach to assessing the environmental consequences of policies. We are about to embark on discussions with the House authorities on a powerful new parliamentary environmental audit committee to scrutinise the sustainable development implications of policies and action across Government as promised in our Manifesto.

    Already some significant action has been taken in specific fields. At our summit on water resources and supply last month we set out a 10 point plan to help secure reliable, efficient and environmentally sustainable water supplies. This includes setting new mandatory leakage targets, doing more to help customers conserve water and reviews of the charging and abstraction systems. We have launched a fundamental transport policy review to deliver an integrated transport policy. We have set in hand work to analayse what carbon savings the main policy areas could contribute towards our Manifesto target of reducing CO, emissions by 20 per cent. by 2010. This is the beginning of our action to promote environmental protection and sustainability, delivered in just a few weeks. Much more is to follow.

    Sites of Special Scientific Interest
    Mr. Dafis
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has for legislation to strengthen the protection given to sites of special scientific interest. [2081]

    Angela Eagle
    The Government are currently considering the options for strengthening the protection of wildlife and sites of special scientific interest.

    Green Ministers
    Mr. Dafis
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many meetings of Green Ministers have taken place since 1 May; and what plans there are for further meetings. [2085]
    314
    Angela Eagle
    In fulfilling our commitment to put the environment at the heart of Government we are currently reviewing all the existing and potential machinery for effective delivery of our goal, including the network of Green Ministers that was established by the previous Administration. Final decisions have not yet been taken but one of the outputs of that review will be to ensure that every Department plays its full part and that Ministers in every Department are fully involved in the process.

    Inquiry (Merry Hill)
    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will be in a position to decide on the inspector's recommendations relating to Merry Hill. [2162]

    Mr. Raynsford
    A decision will be issued shortly.

    Mine Planning Applications
    Mr. John Cryer
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many planning applications for new drift or deep mines have been submitted in England, Scotland and Wales in each of the past five years; which companies have submitted the applications; and what are the localities to which the applications relate. [2028]

    Mr. Raynsford
    [holding answer 6 June 1997]: The number of planning applications for new deep mines in England in each of the past five years are as shown in the table. It is not possible to separate applications for deep and drift mines. Information concerning the companies who submitted the applications is not held centrally. The information relating to Scotland and Wales are matter for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Wales.

    Location

    1992

    1993

    1994

    1995

    1996

    Derbyshire

    1

    0

    0

    0

    0

    Warwickshire

    0

    0

    1

    0

    0

    Durham

    0

    0

    1

    0

    0

    North Yorkshire

    0

    0

    1

    0

    0

    Humberside

    0

    0

    0

    0

    1

    Totals

    1

    0

    3

    0

    1

    Council Tax
    Mr. David Heath
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many representations he has received from council tax payers in Somerset complaining about the level of the council tax levied by Somerset county council for 1997–98; and if he will make a statement. [2201]

    Mr. Raynsford
    [holding answer 6 June 1997]: None.

    Planning Application (South Yorkshire)
    Mr. Barron
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will publish his decision on whether to allow Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council to determine the planning application for a site at Catcliffe, South Yorkshire, to be called Waverley Leisure Park; and if he will make a statement. [2303]
    315
    Mr. Raynsford
    I have discussed this case with ministerial colleagues; and, as a result of these discussions, we shall be seeking from the local planning authority further information. When we have this information, we will be able to decide whether the application should be called in or left to the authority to determine.

  TRANSPORT

    Cones Hotline
    Mr. Flynn
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the total cost of the cones hotline; how many calls were received; how many raised issues that resulted in remedial actions; and what was the cost of each of these calls as a percentage of the total costs. [1932]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    The cones hotline operated from June 1992 until September 1995 when it was replaced by the Highways Agency information line. The cost of establishing and running the cones hotline prior to March 1994 is not available as, until then, calls were routed through the Department of Transport's general inquiry number. In the Financial year 1994–95, the cost of the dedicated service line was approximately £5,000. Staffing costs were met from within existing establishment and budgets. In the period April to September 1995 the cost of running the cones hotline is estimated at £20,000, including staff and call charges. The total number of calls received between June 1992 and September 1995 was 19,500. Approximately half the calls concerned traffic management (although only a small proportion were about traffic cones), and half were requests for information about road works or general queries about roads, planning policy and so on. Where appropriate, the Department took steps to alter the layout of road traffic cones, improve signposting at roadworks, review diversion routes, re-paint road markings and investigate road lighting at roadworks as a result of comments and complaints from hotline callers. The cost of each of these calls as a percentage of the total costs is not available.

    Rail Services
    Mr. Beith
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he requires the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising to notify him of any instances where permission is given to train operators not to run services set out in the Passenger Services Requirement; and if he has been notified by OPRAF that such permission to withdraw services has been given to GNER in respect of the east coast main line franchise. [2428]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    No. The Franchising Director is responsible for ensuring compliance with franchise agreements, including the conditions of Passenger Service Requirements. I understand that, in the case of GNER, no permission has been given to withdraw services specified in the PSR. I understand that the hon. Gentleman has written to the Franchising Director who will no doubt provide him with a full explanation of the position.

    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will issue guidelines for the improvement of rail services on Sundays. [2455]
    316
    Ms Jackson
    The Government want to see improvements to rail services generally, and is particularly keen to see enhancements made to off peak services including Sunday services. The Franchising Director is currently developing Criteria for the Appraisal of Support for Passenger Rail Services which will be used to assess, among other things, proposals for new subsidised services. The criteria will assist those bringing forward initiatives to enhance services. A number of franchisees—for example, Connex Rail and M40 Trains—have introduced new Sunday services as they committed to do in their franchise plans.

    Felixstowe-Liverpool-Holyhead Rail Link
    Mrs. Brinton
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is Government Policy concerning up-grading the Felixstowe-Liverpool-Holyhead rail link. [2178]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    I understand that Railtrack, in consultation with Freightliner, is considering options for investment which would permit greater utilisation of the cross-country route between Felixstowe and the west coast main line, primarily for the transport of container freight traffic.

    The Government have made it clear that they expect higher levels of investment in the railway network and is considering whether the current regulatory regime is strong enough to secure that.

    Emergency Towing Vessels (Falmouth)
    Ms Atherton
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has for the long term for emergency towing vessels in Falmouth. [2176]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    I have asked the Coastguard Agency to carry out an assessment of the trials of Emergency Towing Vessels over the last three winters. These results are expected by the end of July 1997. Meanwhile, the Coastguard Agency has extended the present contracts for all three Emergency Towing Vessels to provide cover during the coming winter in the Dover Strait, North West Scotland and the Western Approaches from October 1997 to March 1998.

    Bicycle Bells
    Mr. Pike
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what are the present regulations regarding bicycle bells; what representations he has received on the subject; and if he will make a statement. [2288]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    At present there are no requirements for bells on bicycles.

    As part of a public consultation exercise on proposals to update the Pedal Bicycles (Safety) Regulations, general views were requested on the fitment of bells on pedal cycles. Strong support was shown for the mandatory fitment of bells on pedal cycles at the point of sale, and as stated in a reply to a question in another place—Official Report, House of Lords, 21 May 1997 column 1—we are looking at the issues as a matter of priority.
    317

    Eurostar Services
    Mrs. Brinton
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his estimate of the start dates for Eurostar services north of London. [2177]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    I understand form Eurostar (UK) Ltd. that it plans to start running regional Eurostar services later this year.

    Rail Improvements
    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on plans for improvements to railway signalling and tracks; and what plans he has to meet officials of Railtrack to discuss these issues. [2454]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    Plans for improvements to track and signalling are a matter for Railtrack. We have made it clear that we expect higher levels of investment in the network and are considering whether the current regulatory regime is strong enough to secure that. My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister has met the chairman of Railtrack to discuss a range of issues.

    Public Transport
    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he plans to take to promote leisure travel by public transport. [2456]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    On 5 June my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions announced a fundamental review of transport policy—Official Report, column 226. The review will include measures to reduce car dependency and promote the use of public transport for all types of journey.

    Light Rail Schemes
    Mr. Baker
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to increase the funds available within his budget for the promotion of light rail schemes. [2405]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    [holding answer 6 June 1997]: Bids for funding light rail systems will be considered, on their merits, as part of the allocation of resources for funding transport capital expenditure by local authorities.

    But, as my right hon. Friend The Deputy Prime Minister said recently, there needs to be a co-ordinated approach to transport infrastructure. Light rail will not work in isolation but needs to be part of an integrated package of measures to achieve our overall objectives including the reduction of car dependency.

    Railtrack
    Mr. Colvin
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he last held meetings with representatives of Railtrack plc; and if he will make a statement. [2697]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister met the chairman of Railtrack on 21 May. The Government
    have made it clear that we expect higher 318
    levels of investment in the network. We are considering whether the current regulatory regime is strong enough to secure that.

    Rail Ticket Sales
    Mrs. Dunwoody
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects the Rail Regulator to complete his report into impartial ticket sales; and whether this report will be published. [2661]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    The Rail Regulator is still considering how and when to publish the results of his "mystery shopping" surveys on rail ticket outlets.

    Road Contracts
    Sir George Young
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he has imposed a moratorium on the letting of new road contracts. [2298]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    [holding answer 6 June 1997]: No, but no new starts on national schemes are planned for this financial year. We are committed to a review of the roads programme, the details and scope of which will be announced shortly.

    Bristol Channel
    Mr. Cotter
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he will take to improve the monitoring and regulation of shipping movements in the Bristol channel. [2638]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    The marine Safety Agency will continue to keep under review the need for additional routeing measures around the United Kingdom coast through its programme of maritime traffic surveys. however, the Bristol channel was not an area of concern in Lord Donaldson's report "Safer Ships, Cleaner Seas" and there are no immediate plans for a traffic survey.

    A comprehensive database—the COAST Ship Traffic Database—indicates an average of 22 merchant shipping movements daily through the Bristol channel comprising four tankers, 17 other cargo ships and one ferry. This is a low density compared to the 440 daily shipping movements in the busy Dover strait.

    Ships in the Bristol channel, as elsewhere, must navigate in accordance with the detailed Rules of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.

  PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

    Constitutional Bills
    Mr. Howard
    To ask the President of the Council on which previous occasion or occasions a Bill of constitutional significance has been made subject to a timetable motion before the commencement of the Committee stage. [2153]

    Mrs. Ann Taylor
    The Scotland Bill and the Wales Bill were the subject of allocation of time orders made on 16 November 1997, having been given a Second Reading on 14 and 15 November respectively.
    319

    Parliamentary Privilege
    Ms Southworth
    To ask the President of the Council what plans she has to establish a review of parliamentary privilege. [3046]

    Mrs. Ann Taylor
    The Government believe that, in the context of their initiative to modernize Parliament, the time is now ripe for a general review of parliamentary privilege. Various aspects of the relationship between Parliament and the courts have given rise to difficulties in recent years, and the boundaries between them have been redrawn without any fundamental reappraisal of the kind of legal immunities which Parliament and its Members ought to enjoy at the end of the twentieth century.

    The need for a review has become more pressing with today's announcement by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary of proposals for taking forward a general reform of the corruption statutes, which will include clarifying the law relating to bribery of Members of Parliament, as recommended by the Nolan Committee. The implications for parliamentary privilege, which would clearly be considerable, would need to be considered carefully in advance of the introduction of legislation.

    Since this is a matter for Parliament and one which affects both Houses the Government believes that such a review could be undertaken most appropriately by a Joint Committee. Consultations are taking place about setting up the committee and about the terms of reference it might have.

    The Government hope that it might be possible to complete this review by early next year.

  SCOTLAND

    Child Labour
    Mrs. Clwyd
    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to ensure the enforcement of existing legislation to outlaw the illegal employment of school age children. [1540]

    Mr. Wilson
    We are considering how the existing system for protecting children who work might be improved.

    Political and Special Advisors
    Mrs. Gillan
    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list(a) the name, (b) the salary, (c) the previous occupation and salary and (d) the terms and conditions of each political and special adviser in his Department; and what was the selection process used to appoint these persons. [2423]

    Mr. Dewar
    [holding answer 6 June 1997]: My Department employs 2 Special Advisers, Miss Wendy Alexander and Mr. Murray Elder. Immediately prior to appointment Miss Alexander was employed as a Senior Associate with Booz, Allen and Hamilton, International (UK) Ltd. and Mr. Elder already worked with me in an advisory capacity.

    The terms and conditions of each appointment are set out in the draft model contract, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House.
    320
    Special Advisers are paid within a range of £24,349 to £73,484. Their salaries are negotiated individually and are confidential within this range. Details of this and of previous salary are not provided in order to protect the privacy of the individuals concerned.

    These are personal appointments made by me following consultation with the Permanent Head of my Department and the Prime Minister.

    Scottish Screen
    Ms Roseanna Cunningham
    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total annual budget for Scottish Screen; and if he will provide a breakdown of the categories within that budget and the money allocated to each category. [2192]

    Mr. Galbraith
    [holding answer 6 June 1997]: The cash limit for Scottish Screen in 1997–98 is £1,975,000. Scottish Screen forecasts that it will receive additional income of £711,000 making a total budget of £2.7 million. Budgets for the 8 departments have been prepared for Board approval.

    Ms Cunningham
    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the names and designations of the persons within Scottish Screen with authority to make expenditure commitments on its behalf. [2193]

    Mr. Galbraith
    [holding answer 9 June 1997]: The expenditure of Scottish Screen is the responsibility of the Chief Executive, Mr. John Archer. He delegates as appropriate to the heads of the departments of Scottish Screen.

    Ms Cunningham
    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many meetings have been held by the Board of Scottish Screen since it inception. [2194]

    Mr. Galbraith
    [holding answer 6 June 1997]: One: the first meeting of the Board of Scottish Screen was held on 5 June.

    Ms Cunningham
    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how may times per year the Board of Scottish Screen is expected to meet; and how many times it is scheduled to meet in 1997. [2195]

    Mr. Galbraith
    [holding answer 6 June 1997]: The Board of Scottish Screen will decide how frequently it will meet. Three further meetings are planned for 1997.

    Ms Cunningham
    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what were(a) the total number of people and (b) the names of the people sent to the Cannes Film Festival at the expense of Scottish Screen; and what was the expenditure incurred by Scottish Screen in respect of representation at that festival. [2197]

    Mr. Galbraith
    [holding answer 6 June 1997]: Nine persons attended. Mr. John Archer, Ms Celia Stevenson, Mr. Eddie Dick, Ms Catherine Aitken, Mr. Oscar Van Heek, Ms Lesley Anderson, Ms Judy Anderson, Ms Emma Valentine and Ms Maxine Baker. The total includes four who were committed to attend the Festival by the organisation which employed them before April 1997. The expenditure incurred, including the launch of Scottish Screen at the Scottish film day, was approximately £20,000.
    321
    Ms Cunningham
    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions took place between the Government and the Opposition with regard to the appointment of the chairman of Scottish Screen. [2199]

    Mr. Galbraith
    [holding answer 6 June 1997]: No consultation took place between the previous Administration and the then Opposition about this appointment.

    Ms Cunningham
    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will provide a breakdown of the expenditure commitments made by Scottish Screen since its inception, listing the categories within the overall budget from which those commitments have been made. [2200]

    Mr. Galbraith
    [holding answer 6 June 1997]: Scottish Screen has made the following commitments since its inception:

    £

    Grant to the Edinburgh Film Festival (this is in addition to £366,000 inherited commitments for Regional Film Theatres and Festivals

    58,500

    Cataloguing the Archive (contingent on a Lottery fund application)

    41,200

    Training awards

    14,100

    Moonstone International

    17,500

    Film Development Awards

    16,250

    Total

    147,550

    Ms Cunningham
    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the current status of the Scottish Arts Council inquiry into the productions assisted by the Scottish Film Production Fund, with which the chairman of Scottish Screen was associated. [2209]

    Mr. Galbraith
    [holding answer 6 June 1997]: The Scottish Arts Council is satisfied that all Lottery film awards have met the requirements of public accountability.

    Ms Cunningham
    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what arrangement the Scottish Office has put in place(a) to monitor the performance of Scottish Screen and (b) to make publicly available reports on the performance of Scottish Screen. [2208]

    Mr. Galbraith
    [holding answer 6 June 1997]: The performance of Scottish Screen will be measured against the objectives set in its Corporate Plan which will be approved by Ministers each year. Scottish Screen's Annual Reports will reflect the extent to which the objectives set have been achieved.

    Registers of Scotland
    Mr. Eric Clarke
    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to reconstitute the Registers of Scotland Customer Advisory Group. [2877]

    Mr. McLeish
    My right hon. Friend has decided that the Customer Advisory Group is not the best way of meeting the need for a forum in which customers can seek to influence the Agency's activities, or for a body to provide independent advice on the Agency's strategic direction and has decided to discontinue it. Registers of Scotland now has a variety of ways of ensuring that 322
    customers of the Agency are fully consulted about its services and can seek to influence its activities. As regards a body to advise on the Agency's overall direction, my right hon. Friend proposes to set up a Registers of Scotland Strategic Advisory Group (ROSSAG) with the following remit:

    "to advise the Secretary of State on the Agency's:

    strategic and corporate planning;

    its Annual Report and Accounts;

    its major business developments.

    and to provide advice to the Keeper on his forward planning".

    The chairman and the membership will be representative of the following bodies and will be announced in due course.

    The law Society of Scotland

    The Scottish Consumer Council

    Scottish Homes

    The Council of Mortgage Lenders

    The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities.

    I am arranging for a copy of a revision to the Agency Framework Document reflecting this change to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament.

    Opencast Development
    Mr. Dalyell
    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what communications he has received from the Harthill Armadale Blackridge Against Opencast in relation to proposed development near the M8 motorway; and what response he has sent. [1971]

    Mr. Chisholm
    My right hon. Friend has received two letters form Harthill Armadale Blackridge Against Opencast expressing concern about proposals for opencast coal mining near Harthill. Both correspondents received replies from The Scottish Office indicating that, if North Lanarkshire Council were minded to grant planning permission for the proposed development, the planning application would require to be notified to my right hon. Friend in order that he might decide whether or not he would determine the issue.

    Mr. Dalyell
    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has in respect of the legal costs incurred by local authorities that reject planning applications by those who wish to develop opencast sites. [1972]

    Mr. Chisholm
    It is for local authorities out of the resources available to them to make provision for any legal costs that may be incurred in the exercise of their statutory planning responsibilities. There are no proposals to make an exception to this long established practice in relation to opencast developments.

    Structural Funds
    Mrs. Ewing
    to ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has made to the European Commission in relation to the review of Objective 1 and Objective 5b structural funds. [2558]

    Mr. Chisholm
    In relation to the interim period re-assessments of the current 6 year Objective 1 and 5b programmes, the consultants' reports on the Scottish areas have all been received. They are being discussed by the Partnerships, who will produce any initial proposals for
    323
    review of the programmes. I expect to put forward proposals to the European Commission late this Summer or in early Autumn.

    The Government has not put forward detailed submissions to the Commission at this early stage of the Reform of the Structural Funds. We expect to put forward some proposals after the completion of the Inter-Governmental Conference.

    Partnership Areas
    Mr. David Marshall
    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will extend the time scale for submissions on the programme for partnership area monitoring and evaluation guidance notes issued by the Scottish Office; and if he will make a statement. [2682]

    Mr. Chisholm
    I have no plans to do so. It is important for partnerships to put in place effective monitoring and evaluation systems as soon as possible, and they have accordingly been asked to submit monitoring and evaluation plans, together with annual reports, by the end of this month.

  HOME DEPARTMENT

    Urban Disturbances
    Mr. Sheerman
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to meet the Association of Chief Police Officers to discuss youth-led urban disturbances. [934]

    Mr. Michael
    Both my right hon. Friend and myself have met the Association of Chief Police Officers since taking office and have discussed offending by young people with several chief officers. My right hon. Friend has made plans to discuss youth-led urban disturbances with ACPO in the near future.

    Asylum and Immigration Act
    Mr. Baker
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce changes to the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996. [936]

    Mr. Mike O'Brien
    We are reviewing the Act's provisions and will consider the options for change that best meet our Manifesto commitments.

    Violent Crime
    Mr. Stephen Twigg
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the OECD countries in which there has been a rise in violent crime equivalent to that in England and Wales in the last 10 years. [937]

    Mr. Michael
    The latest information available shows that over the period 1987–95 the number of violent crimes recorded by the police rose by 60 per cent. in England and Wales, of the 13 OECD countries for which information is available only France (71 per cent.) and New Zealand (80 per cent.) had a higher percentage increase while the lowest increase was Italy at 4 per cent.
    324

    European Convention on Human Rights
    Mr. Drew
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to incorporate the European Convention on Human Rights into domestic law. [935]

    Mr. Mike O'Brien
    We will introduce a Bill for this purpose in this Session of Parliament.

    Drink-related Crime
    Mr. Sutcliffe
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to deal with drink-related crime. [938]

    Mr. Michael
    We plan to take early action to tackle drink-related crime including placing a new duty on local authorities and the police together to develop local community safety programmes. Our plans include introducing a tougher licensing regime, encouraging firmer measures to deal with offenders and promoting greater use of programmes aimed at preventing alcohol-related crime.

    Youth Crime
    Mr. Bernard Jenkin
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he intends to take to prevent children turning to crime; and if he will make a statement. [939]

    Mr. Michael
    We are pursuing a wide ranging programme of activities to reform and speed up the youth justice system and to prevent youth crime. We will introduce child protection orders to ensure that young children are not left to roam the streets unsupervised at nights, and a new parental responsibility order to ensure that parents face up to their responsibility for their children's misbehaviour and are given the help they need to deal with it.

    Asylum Applications
    Mr. Gerrard
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to reduce the current backlog of asylum applications awaiting determination. [940]

    Mr. Mike O'Brien
    As we said in our Manifesto, the system for dealing with asylum seekers is expensive and too slow.

    We are critically evaluating all aspects of asylum law and procedures. This includes the 1996 Act. Reducing the backlog of cases which we inherited is an important element of that process.

    The taxpayer and the asylum seeker are entitled to decisions which are swift and fair.

    Prisons (Illegal Drugs)
    Ms Abbott
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to restrict the availability of illegal drugs in prisons. [941]

    Mr. George Howarth
    The Prison Service is taking a number of measures to reduce the availability of illegal drugs in prisons. These include the use in many establishments of non-contact or closed visits for prisoners known or reasonably suspected to have used
    325
    drugs, improved liaison with local police forces over the charging of visitors who attempt to smuggle drugs, and the increased use of closed circuit television in visit areas. In addition some 70 establishments have dogs trained in detecting drugs, while others have arrangements for the regular loan of such dogs.

    Police Constables
    Sir Sydney Chapman
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to increase the number of police constables in England and Wales. [942]

    Mr. Michael
    It is for individual chief constables and police authorities to determine the number of constables in each force, having regard to the resources available to them. The Government will relieve the police of unnecessary bureaucratic burdens to allow chief constables to put more officers back on the beat.

    Prison Service
    Mr. Winnick
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for the management of the Prison Service. [943]

    Ms Joyce Quin
    We pledged in our Manifesto to take proper Ministerial responsibility for the Prison Service.

    There are no plans to end the status of the Prison Service as an executive agency within the Home Office. But I intend to examine the structure and organisation of the Prison Service and the Home Office's policy role, taking account of the Director General's organisational review which is already under way.

    Arrested Persons (Heroin Addicts)
    Mr. Corbett
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the proportion of heroin addicts among all those who are arrested. [944]

    Mr. George Howarth
    It is difficult to quantify the proportion of offenders addicted to drugs or dependent on them. The Home Office has a research programme designed to shed further light on the links between drugs and crime. It includes a study of drug use by samples of people arrested by the police in various cities. Preliminary results from this study point to a higher level of drug taking by arrestees than expected. However, the study is still incomplete; the university of Cambridge will be delivering a report to the Home Office in October, which is likely to be published around the end of the year.

    Police Authorities (Funding)
    Mr. Baldry
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review the method by which money is allocated to police authorities. [945]

    Mr. Michael
    I intend to give careful consideration to the funding formula by which resources are allocated between police authorities, to consider what modifications might be made both for the short and the longer term.
    326

    Young Offenders
    Mrs. Anne Campbell
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his Department's plans to shorten the period between arrest and sentencing for young offenders. [946]

    Mr. Michael
    We are taking immediate action to speed up proceedings against young offenders. The Crime and Disorder Bill will include reforms to the youth justice system and we aim to halve the average time between arrest and sentencing for young offenders.

    Crime Victims (Rights)
    Mr. Wareing
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to strengthen the rights of victims of crime; and if he will make a statement. [947]

    Mr. Michael
    We are committed to helping victims of crime and to taking action to redress the balance of the criminal justice system in favour of the victim. We will ensure that all the criminal justice agencies give a high priority to treating victims with sensitivity and respect, listening to their views and improving the services they provide to victims. We will ensure that victims of crime are informed of progress in their case—if they want to be—and that, following our reorganisation of the Crown Prosecution Service, local Crown Prosecutors become more involved in informing victims of their decisions.

    We are also committed to providing greater protection for victims in rape and serious sexual offence trials and for those subject to intimidation, including witnesses. We shall be bringing forward detailed proposals on this in due course. Victims will also benefit from our proposals to tackle violence in our society and for speeding up justice.

    Alcopops
    Mr. Waterson
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consider the banning of alcopops. [948]

    Mr. George Howarth
    The Government have make clear their concerns about underage drinking. A Ministerial Group on Alcopops has been set up and had its first meeting on 22 May. We are looking to the industry to take urgent action. If there is no satisfactory response, we shall be considering a range of options for Government action, up to and including a complete ban.

    Mr. Kirkwood
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to reduce the consumption of alcopop-type drinks by those under 18 years. [951]

    Mr. Howarth
    The Government have made clear its concern about underage drinking. A Ministerial Group on Alcopops has been set up and had its first meeting on 22 May. We are looking to the industry to take urgent action. If there is no satisfactory response, we shall be considering a range of options for Government action.
    327

    Serious Criminal Offences
    Mr. Peter Bottomley
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the number of people convicted for the first time of a serious criminal offence since 1 May. [950]

    Mr. Michael
    The information requested is not available.

    The latest figures available are for 1994 and it is estimated that some 2,300 persons were convicted for the first time of a "standard list" offence each week.

    Such offences, which include all indictable and some of the more serious summary offences, are listed in appendices 4 and 5 of "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales, 1995".

    Minimum Mandatory Sentences
    Mr. Blunt
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has in respect of minimum mandatory sentences for career burglars and dealers in hard drugs. [949]

    Mr. Michael
    We believe tough punishments are appropriate for career burglars and dealers in hard drugs.

    Crime
    Ms McDonagh
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what reports he has received regarding comparisons between the incidence of crime in England and Wales and that in other countries. [952]

    Mr. Michael
    I have recently received a draft report on key findings of the 1996 International Crime Victimisation Survey which shows that England and Wales are top of the international league for levels of burglary, car crime and violent crime. The full report of the survey is expected in July and a copy will be placed in the Library.

    Human Rights
    Mr. Lawrie Quinn
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to improve the United Kingdom's record on human rights. [953]

    Mr. Mike O'Brien
    We will incorporate the European Convention on Human Rights into domestic law. This will allow people to enforce their human rights in British courts, and will promote a greater awareness of human rights issues in society as a whole.

    Probation Service
    Mr. Viggers
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the resources available to the probation service. [928]

    Ms Joyce Quin
    We are reviewing a number of aspects of Home Office funding, including that of the probation service. We have not reached a considered view about the appropriate level of central Government provision.
    328

    European Convention on Human Rights
    Mr. Patrick Hall
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to incorporate the European convention on Human Rights into domestic law. [1062]

    Mr. Mike O'Brien
    As announced in the Gracious Speech, we will introduce a Bill for this purpose in this Session of Parliament. This will keep the commitment made in the Labour Manifesto.

    Firearms Compensation Scheme
    Mr. Maclean
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the differences between the draft Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997 compensation scheme laid before the House on 3 June and the scheme laid on 22 May. [2491]

    Mr. Michael
    With two minor exceptions in the main body of the draft scheme, the changes correct factual errors in the items and values listed in the annexes. Changes have been made as a result of comments received from the industry. A few listings were wrongly included and do not relate to items covered by the 1997 Act. In other cases more general generic descriptions have been given, replacing specific brand names. These changes improve the draft scheme, incorporating some information received after the initial version of the scheme was laid.

    Referring to the numbering of the latest version of the draft Scheme the alternations are as follows:

    Main text
    Paragraph 1
    The sentence now ends more specifically with the words..…the date on which section 1 comes into force."
    Paragraph 17
    The FCS is defined as the "Home Office Firearms Compensation Section." Previously there was no specific definition.

    Annex A
    Page x
    New sub-heading "Miscellaneous."
    Value of item 1149 (Lar Griffly) is reduced from £710 to £695.
    Page xi
    New sub-heading "Pardini."
    Page xii
    New sub-heading "Safari Enforcer."

    Annex C
    Page i
    Preamble originally at top of page moved to footnotes on page ii and expanded for additional clarity.
    Value of item 3005 (Primers) reduced from £10 to £1. This was an error in the original version where the value per 1000 was given as the value per 100.

    329
    Page ii
    Value of item 3009 increased from £40 to £100.
    Value of item 3017 reduced from £10 to £5.
    Value of item 3018 increased from £25 to £30. Wording allowing any other item not specifically listed now deleted.

    Annex D
    Page iii
    Value of items 4042 (Safariland 009 Ultimato Option 1911 Holster) reduced from £125 to £110.
    Page v
    Former item 4078 (Ruger Mini 14 Series Weaver Mount—181, 182, 183, 48602) deleted. These are rifle mounts.
    Page vi
    Former items 4098–4101 (B-Square Pistol Mounts) deleted. These are also rifle mounts.
    Page xi
    Sub-heading amended to "Weaver Qwik Point Red Dot Sights."
    Page xii
    Former items 4205–4217, which mistakenly related to rifles, deleted.
    Page xiv
    Former items 4269–4277, which mistakenly related to rifles, deleted.
    Page xv
    Former items 4288–4315, which mistakenly related to rifles, deleted.
    Page xvii
    New sub-heading "Generic Magazines."
    Page xx
    Former items 4440–4441 (Ruger Magazines), which both mistakenly related to rifles, deleted.
    Page xxi
    Former items 4499–4512 (Walther Magazines) renumbered as items 4405–4418.
    New sub-heading "CZ Magazines."
    Page xxiv
    Item 4544 (Clays Belt), which mistakenly related to shotguns, deleted.
    Page xxvii
    New sub-heading "Davis Handgrip" and former item 4589 (Hogue Wood Pistol Grips Davis S and W K/L Large Grip renumbered and renamed 4530 Davis Handgrip: S&W K/L Large Grip. No change in value.
    Former items 4590, 4593, 4594 (Pachmayr Grips) deleted. These were repeating other entries which would have caused confusion.
    Page xxx
    Former items 4646–4678 (Pistol Bullet Moulds) are deleted and replaced by a single generic description under item 4583.
    Former items 4679–4719 (Hodgdon and Miscellaneous Pistol Dies) are deleted and replaced by four generic descriptions under items 4584–4587.
    Former item 4720 (Lee Precision Pistol Press) deleted and replaced by item 4588 (Dillon Square Deal Pistol Press). No change in value.
    Former items 4722, 4724, 4725 (ammunition) deleted. These were repeating other items of ammunition of the same type and value and were removed to avoid confusion.
    Value of item 4589 (9mm Luger/Para 115 FMJ ammunition) reduced from £1.50 to £1.40 and item 4590 (Para 125 FMJ ammunition) reduced from £3.20 to £1.60.
    Name of item 4592 changed from ".32 S&W Long" to ".32 S&W."
    330
    Page xxxi
    Minor amendments made to names of items 4604 (letters "FMJ" deleted) 4605 ("SWC" deleted) and 4606 ("FMJ" deleted). No changes in values.
    Pages xxxiv and xxxv
    Values of items 4809–4819 (primers) reduced by an average factor of ten. The original values were wrongly shown as per 1000.
    Pages xxxvi and xxxvii
    New sub-heading "Fire Dragon Gun Parts" and "Wilson Custom Parts" and some consequent rearrangement of the listing on these two pages.
    Former item 4871 (Tanfoglio P9, 6" Barrel) deleted.
    Value of item 4865 (Wilson Custom Parts: Para-Ordnance P12 Barrel) (formerly item 4866) increased from £160 to £165 and 4866 (Wilson Custom Parts: Para-Ordnance P13 Barrel) (formerly item 4867) increased from £160 to £165. Items 4867–4869 (Wilson Custom Parts) are new entries.
    Page xxxix-xii
    New items 4892–4916 (Thompson Barrels-Blue).

    Ethnic Minorities
    Mr. Don Foster
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for the future of section 11 funding in the next financial year; and if he will make a statement. [2680]

    Mr. Mike O'Brien
    Existing funding is committed to projects which are due to run until August 1998. We will announce our intentions for the period after that as soon as we can.

    Mr. Foster
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the amount of section 11 funding awarded to each LEA, and in total, for(a) 1994–95, (b) 1995–96 and (c) 1996–97; and if he will make a statement. [2681]

    Mr. O'Brien
    The amounts of grant paid to, or expected to be paid to local education authorities in relation to their expenditure within each of these years are as follows:

    Section 11 Grant: LEA funding for 1994–95 to 1996–97

    LEA

    1994–95

    1995–96

    1996–97

    Avon1

    596,858

    527,013

    0

    Barking and Dagenham

    230,860

    258,362

    265,283

    Barnet

    704,622

    739,744

    785,198

    Bedfordshire

    2,223,694

    1,988,238

    2,042,915

    Berkshire

    1,012,585

    818,675

    839,709

    Bexley

    100,138

    100,848

    113,896

    Birmingham

    3,697,999

    3,324,125

    3,415,538

    Bolton

    713,642

    578,376

    594,282

    Bradford

    3,910,928

    3,612,026

    3,707,284

    Brent

    1,372,897

    1,121,660

    1,154,462

    Bristol1

    0

    0

    549,041

    Bromley

    0

    19,118

    22,671

    Buckinghamshire

    1,063,928

    761,564

    884,119

    Bury

    344,965

    300,468

    308,731

    Calderdale

    825,187

    698,055

    658,291

    Cambridgeshire

    943,296

    885,314

    910,170

    Camden

    1,087,986

    1,295,303

    1,399,822

    Cardiff

    0

    0

    353,806

    Cheshire

    73,862

    68,369

    70,249

    Cleveland1

    423,708

    408,228

    0

    Coventry

    2,108,375

    1,931,778

    2,036,693

    Croydon

    949,775

    1,082,251

    1,187,164

    Derbyshire2

    1,026,633

    944,899

    1,040,741

    Devon

    11,949

    42,249

    59,573

    Doncaster

    100,338

    86,240

    88,611

    Dorset

    0

    15,523

    20,316

    331

    Section 11 Grant: LEA funding for 1994–95 to 1996–97

    LEA

    1994–95

    1995–96

    1996–97

    Dudley

    760,100

    689,673

    764,936

    Durham

    119,090

    117,811

    121,051

    Ealing

    2,509,484

    1,153,361

    1,170,173

    East Sussex2

    139,412

    180,626

    210,224

    Enfield

    988,054

    1,148,465

    1,282,706

    Essex

    25,755

    24,258

    24,925

    Gateshead

    22,732

    21,211

    21,536

    Gloucestershire

    196,920

    201,468

    208,837

    Greenwich

    1,244,814

    845,944

    869,207

    Gwent1

    192,662

    221,407

    0

    Hackney2

    2,778,196

    2,377,959

    2,289,531

    Hammersmith and Fulham

    632,912

    369,128

    407,789

    Hampshire

    558,367

    513,435

    527,554

    Haringey

    2,460,693

    2,046,716

    2,114,106

    Harrow

    550,753

    511,042

    528,968

    Havering

    39,169

    35,875

    36,862

    Hereford and Worcester

    175,235

    154,930

    160,021

    Hertfordshire

    1,492,311

    1,365,025

    1,406,571

    Hillingdon

    266,974

    266,493

    302,925

    Hounslow

    1,157,155

    1,041,080

    1,069,711

    Hull1

    0

    0

    32,750

    Humberside1

    244,893

    232,011

    0

    Islington

    1,169,014

    1,199,552

    1,232,540

    Kensington and Chelsea

    820,563

    714,954

    734,815

    Kent

    983,921

    819,116

    827,576

    Kingston

    105,071

    83,838

    86,143

    Kirklees

    2,226,146

    1,912,360

    1,946,520

    Lambeth2

    979,980

    1,145,690

    1,167,544

    Lancashire

    4,320,913

    3,553,451

    3,777,052

    Leeds

    1,094,986

    731,034

    751,450

    Leicestershire

    2,759,321

    2,401,675

    2,480,992

    Lewisham

    1,515,585

    951,038

    978,279

    Lincolnshire

    61,319

    70,972

    72,924

    Liverpool

    130,702

    155,323

    158,872

    Manchester

    1,884,247

    1,805,380

    1,876,516

    Merton2

    438,356

    490,188

    509,289

    Middlesbrough1

    0

    0

    427,995

    Newcastle

    208,403

    209,981

    215,756

    Newham

    1,679,469

    1,330,349

    1,392,075

    Newport1

    0

    0

    244,900

    Norfolk2

    68,285

    52,246

    125,017

    North Lincolnshire1

    0

    0

    178,098

    North East Lincolnshire1

    0

    0

    27,543

    North Tyneside

    115,586

    95,879

    98,516

    North Yorkshire

    49,312

    44,675

    45,903

    Northamptonshire

    561,848

    439,464

    451,976

    Nottinghamshire

    1,239,988

    1,159,226

    1,213,544

    Oldham2

    1,543,130

    1,477,668

    1,541,970

    Oxfordshire

    667,371

    425,844

    437,555

    Redbridge

    850,258

    873,727

    970,010

    Richmond

    56,225

    47,343

    48,645

    Rochdale2

    1,091,635

    918,569

    944,401

    Rotherham

    313,826

    305,061

    318,653

    Salford

    47,498

    44,930

    45,695

    Sandwell

    1,211,738

    1,044,197

    1,072,913

    Sheffield

    1,434,076

    1,124,567

    1,152,446

    Shropshire

    84,104

    87,160

    93,768

    Somerset2

    0

    19,970

    40,201

    South Glamorgan1

    392,925

    344,337

    0

    South Tyneside

    0

    99,071

    101,795

    Southwark

    1,759,616

    598,029

    644,508

    St. Helens

    14,043

    14,571

    15,379

    Staffordshire

    896,677

    654,603

    677,458

    Stockport

    76,079

    70,839

    72,788

    Suffolk

    237,235

    206,326

    212,111

    Sunderland

    87,284

    79,456

    81,641

    Surrey

    262,375

    247,145

    253,942

    Sutton2

    46,902

    60,312

    73,755

    Swansea1,2

    0

    0

    250,937

    Tameside

    388,379

    327,957

    336,976

    Tower Hamlets

    6,392,945

    5,049,154

    5,188,006

    Trafford

    228,686

    228,795

    264,770

    Wakefield

    251,031

    210,797

    230,907

    Walsall

    1,362,482

    1,097,879

    1,116,727

    Waltham Forest

    1,480,809

    1,266,507

    1,301,336

    Wandsworth

    1,338,480

    1,112,048

    1,142,629

    Warwickshire

    764,395

    750,289

    770,922

    332

    Section 11 Grant: LEA funding for 1994–95 to 1996–97

    LEA

    1994–95

    1995–96

    1996–97

    West Glamorgan>1

    0

    224,304

    0

    West Sussex

    212,623

    192,511

    197,805

    Westminster

    1,350,477

    1,252,246

    1,340,792

    Wigan

    44,078

    55,801

    59,212

    Wiltshire

    121,565

    109,967

    112,991

    Wirral

    75,839

    0

    0

    Wolverhampton

    1,440,393

    1,145,760

    1,174,489

    Total

    89,018,102

    76,270,475

    79,368,916

    1. Where an authority's allocation of grant covered both education and non-education projects, an estimate has been given, based on the proportion of expenditure on education projects.

    2. Figures for 1996–97 reflect grant entitlement. Final payments will be made in 1997–98.

    1 Subject to local government reorganisation in 1995–96.

    2 Payments due to these authorities for the year on the basis of expenditure claimed. Some payments remain to be made.

    Deportees
    Dr. Lynne Jones
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were deported under Immigration Act powers from the United Kingdom in(a) January, (b) February, (c) March and (d) April; and what were the nationalities of those deported. [1926]

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

    Persons removed1 from the United Kingdom under the deportation process2 3

    January

    February

    March

    April

    Albania

    —

    —

    —

    5—

    Algeria

    5—

    3

    5—

    5—

    Angola

    —

    5—

    —

    —

    Australia

    4

    5—

    5—

    5—

    Bangladesh

    4

    5

    6

    3

    Bermuda

    5—

    —

    —

    —

    Brazil

    3

    5—

    5—

    —

    Bulgaria

    5—

    —

    5—

    5—

    Cameroon

    —

    5—

    —

    —

    Canada

    —

    5—

    —

    5—

    Chile

    5—

    —

    5—

    —

    China

    5—

    —

    —

    5—

    Columbia

    3

    3

    5—

    5—

    Croatia

    5—

    3

    —

    5—

    Cyprus

    5—

    —

    4

    3

    Denmark

    —

    —

    5—5

    5—5

    Ecuador

    5—

    —

    5—

    —

    Egypt

    5—

    5—

    3

    5—

    Ethiopia

    5—

    —

    —

    5—

    Gambia

    5

    5—

    3

    5—

    Germany

    5—

    6—

    5—

    —

    Ghana

    7

    13

    12

    15

    Grenada

    —

    5—

    —

    —

    Guyana

    —

    5—

    —

    5—

    Hong Kong—BDTC(Hong Kong)

    5—

    5—

    5—

    3

    Hungary

    5—

    5—

    —

    5—

    India

    13

    10

    21

    10

    Iran

    5—

    5—

    5—

    5—

    Ireland

    —

    5—

    —

    5—

    Italy

    5—

    —

    —

    5—

    Jamaica

    12

    16

    8

    15

    Japan

    —

    —

    5—

    5—

    Kenya

    6

    5—

    5—

    —

    Lebanon

    *

    *

    —

    —

    Libya (Arab Republic)

    —

    *

    —

    *

    Lithuania

    3

    *

    4

    3

    Malaysia

    8

    5

    6

    7

    Mauritius

    *

    —

    *

    —

    Morocco

    *

    —

    *

    *

    Nepal

    —

    *

    —

    —

    333

    Persons removed1 from the United Kingdom under the deportation process2 3

    January

    February

    March

    April

    Netherlands

    *

    *

    *

    *

    New Zealand

    3

    —

    —

    —

    Nigeria

    14

    17

    15

    16

    Pakistan

    20

    13

    13

    21

    Peru

    *

    *

    *

    —

    Philippines

    *

    *

    *

    *

    Poland

    5

    8

    12

    5

    Portugal

    *

    *

    —

    —

    Romania

    *

    *

    *

    —

    Russia

    —

    *

    *

    —

    Sierra Leone

    5

    4

    *

    5

    South Africa

    4

    3

    *

    *

    South Korea

    *

    3

    —

    —

    Sri Lanka

    *

    —

    —

    —

    St. Vincent and the Grenadlines

    —

    —

    *

    *

    Tanzania

    4

    *

    *

    3

    Thailand

    —

    *

    *

    *

    Trinidad and Tobago

    —

    *

    *

    *

    Turkey

    6

    5

    3

    *

    Uganda

    *

    *

    *

    *

    Ukraine (Ukranian SSR)

    3

    3

    *

    *

    United States of America

    5

    *

    4

    4

    Venezuela

    *

    *

    —

    —

    Zambia

    5

    *

    *

    —

    Zimbabwe

    5

    3

    5

    5

    Other4

    4

    4

    6

    3

    All

    185

    166

    164

    162

    1 Including voluntary departures after deportation action had been initiated.

    2 Excluding illegal entrants removed.

    3 Provisional data.

    4 Including nationalities where there has been only one deportation during the period.

    >5 1 or 2.

    Dr. Jones
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people who were convicted of a criminal offence in the United Kingdom, punishable by a prison sentence, were deported as part of their sentence in(a) January, (b) February and (c) March; what the (a) nationalities and (b) gender were of those deported; and from which prison establishments they were deported. [1929]

    Mr. O'Brien
    The information requested for January to March is given in the tables.

    Persons removed from the United Kingdom under the deportation process following a court recommendation1, first quarter 1997, by gender

    Number

    Male

    47

    Female

    12

    Total

    59

    1 Provisional data.

    Persons removed from the United Kingdom under the deportation process following a court recommendation first quarter 1997, by nationality

    Number

    Jamaica

    9

    Nigeria

    7

    Pakistan

    4

    Ghana

    3

    Portugal

    3

    Zambia

    3

    Angola

    2

    334

    Persons removed from the United Kingdom under the deportation process following a court recommendation1 first quarter 1997, by nationality

    Number

    Columbia

    2

    Hungary

    2

    Peru

    2

    South Africa

    2

    United States of America

    2

    Other2

    18

    Total

    59

    1Provisional data.

    2Includes nationalities where only one person is recorded as deported.

    Persons removed from the United Kingdom under the deportation process following a court recommendation,1 first quarter 1997, by month

    Number

    January

    20

    February

    24

    March

    15

    Total

    59

    1Provisional data.

    Persons removed from the United Kingdom under the deportation process following a court recommendation1 first quarter 1997, by last recorded place of detention

    Number

    HMP Holloway

    10

    HMP Rochester

    7

    HMP Highdown

    5

    HMP The Verne

    5

    HMP Wormwood Scrubs

    4

    HMP Brixton

    3

    HMP Cookham Wood

    3

    HMP Wandsworth

    3

    HMP Swaleside

    2

    HMP Wayland

    2

    Others2

    15

    Total

    59

    1Provisional data.

    2Includes nationalities where only 1 person is recorded as deported.

    Dr. Jones
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons were detained under Immigration Act powers, in the United Kingdom during(a) Janaury, (b) February, (c) March and (d) April; what the (a) nationalities and (b) gender were of those detained; and how many were deported. [1930]

    Mr. O'Brien
    The available information on persons detained under Immigration Act powers, and on the number deported from detention, is given in the tables. The number deported does not include those who are removed as illegal entrants or under port refusal procedures.

    Table 1: Number1 of immigration detainees2 deported3 during January, February, March and April 1997

    Month

    Number deported

    January

    60

    February

    51

    335

    Table 1: Number1 of immigration detainees2 deported3 during January, February, March and April 1997

    Month

    Number deported

    March

    55

    April

    47

    Total

    213

    1Provisional figures.

    2Persons detained solely under the powers contained in Schedules 2 or 3 of the Immigration Act 1971.

    3Removed under the deportation process, including those who departed voluntarily after deportation action had been initiated.

    Table 2: Number of people recorded as being detained1 2 3 under Immigration Act powers, by nationality of detainee, as at selected dates in 1997

    Nationality

    As at 31 January4 1997

    As at 27 March 1997

    As at 30 April 1997

    Albania

    4

    7

    12

    Algeria

    88

    85

    89

    Angola

    11

    17

    14

    Bangladesh

    26

    17

    26

    Bulgaria

    4

    10

    6

    Cameroon

    5

    5

    4

    China

    52

    57

    57

    Columbia

    13

    18

    18

    Congo

    3

    3

    4

    Cyprus

    19

    13

    19

    Ecuador

    6

    7

    4

    Ethiopia

    8

    6

    8

    Gambia

    19

    16

    16

    Ghana

    40

    32

    41

    India

    109

    134

    155

    Iran

    7

    8

    6

    Iraq

    3

    4

    4

    Israel

    17

    2

    2

    Ivory Coast

    3

    3

    6

    Jamaica

    30

    39

    43

    Kenya

    8

    12

    11

    Liberia

    9

    10

    10

    Lithuania

    10

    10

    12

    Malaysia

    6

    4

    6

    Morocco

    12

    10

    11

    Nigeria

    134

    138

    126

    Pakistan

    61

    59

    64

    Poland

    13

    23

    37

    Romania

    13

    17

    18

    Russia

    9

    9

    8

    Sierra Leone

    8

    7

    6

    Somalia

    8

    3

    6

    South Africa

    4

    5

    5

    Sri Lanka

    17

    16

    17

    Sudan

    7

    6

    4

    Turkey

    29

    27

    22

    Uganda

    8

    7

    10

    Zaire

    39

    35

    38

    Others5

    63

    73

    92

    Nationality doubtful

    11

    12

    13

    Total

    936

    966

    1,050

    1Provisional figures.

    2Persons detailed solely under the powers contained in Schedules 2 or 3 of the Immigration Act 1971. In some cases the asylum application will have been lodged subsequent to the applicant being detained. The figures include both detained asylum applicants who applied at ports, and those detained in after-entry enforcement work and include those awaiting removal following refusal of asylum, as well as those whose applications were under consideration or subject to appeal.

    3Excludes non-asylum port cases in detention.

    4Illegal entrants and those subject to deportation action are as at 31 January and Port cases are as at 3 February.

    5The "others" category may include nationalities already listed.

    336

    Table 3: Number of people recorded as being detained1 2 3 under Immigration Act powers, by gender of detainee, as at selected dates in 1997

    Gender

    As at 31 January4 1997

    As at 27 March 1997

    As at 30 April 1997

    Male

    851

    884

    950

    Female

    85

    82

    100

    Total

    936

    966

    1,050

    1Provisional figures.

    2Persons detained solely under the powers contained in Schedules 2 or 3 of the Immigration Act 1971. In some cases the asylum application will have been lodged subsequent to the applicant being detained. The figures include both detained asylum applicants who applied at ports, and those detained in after-entry enforcement work and include those awaiting removal following refusal of asylum, as well as those whose applications were under consideration or subject to appeal.

    3Excludes non-asylum port cases in detention.

    4Illegal entrants and those subject to deportation action are as at 31 January and Port cases are as at 3 February.

    Dr. Jones
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many notices of intention to deport were issued in(a) January, (b) February, (c) March and (d) April. [1935]

    Mr. O'Brien
    The information requested for January to April 1997 is given in the table.

    Persons issued, under the deportation process, with a notice of intention to deport', January to April 1997.

    Number

    January

    480

    February

    490

    March

    539

    April

    492

    1Provisional data.

    Asylum Seekers
    Mr. Corbyn
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to give asylum detainees access to the judicial process. [922]

    Mr. Mike O'Brien
    All detainees held under powers conferred by the Immigration Acts, some of whom may be asylum seekers, already have some access to the judicial process and are able to take legal advice. Posters advertising the services of organisations such as the Refugee Legal Centre, which offers advice free of charge, are prominently displayed in detention centres. The right to apply for bail to an independent adjudicator is open to most of those in detention, including asylum seekers. It is open to any asylum seeker to seek a judicial review of his or her case at any time.

    Dr. Lynne Jones
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people in the United Kingdom(a) applied for asylum and (b) were granted asylum in (i) January, (ii) February (iii) March and (iv) April; and what were their nationalities. [1927]

    Mr. O'Brien
    The requested information is given in the following tables.
    337

    Table 1: Applications1 received for asylum in the UK, excluding dependants, and initial decisions2 3 by nationality January 1997

    Number of principal applicants

    Applications

    Decisions

    Applications

    Recognised as a regfugee and granted asylum

    Not recognised as a refugee but granted exceptional leave

    Refused asylum and exceptional leave

    Europe

    Bulgaria

    35

    —

    —

    45

    Cyprus

    65

    —

    —

    55

    Poland

    90

    —

    —

    125

    Romania

    30

    —

    —

    35

    Former

    USSR

    220

    *

    —

    20

    Turkey

    165

    5

    —

    130

    Former

    Yugoslavia

    110

    155

    40

    35

    Others

    30

    —

    —

    10

    Total

    755

    165

    40

    455

    Americas

    Colombia

    110

    *

    —

    35

    Others

    80

    *

    *

    45

    Total

    190

    5

    *

    80

    Middle East

    Iran

    35

    40

    5

    30

    Iraq

    90

    10

    25

    5

    Lebanon

    15

    *

    5

    5

    Others

    50

    5

    5

    20

    Total

    195

    60

    35

    60

    Africa

    Algeria

    55

    5

    —

    100

    Angola

    15

    5

    *

    50

    Cameroon

    20

    —

    —

    10

    Ethiopia

    10

    5

    10

    20

    Gambia

    5

    —

    —

    35

    Ghana

    20

    *

    —

    145

    Ivory Coast

    *

    5

    —

    20

    Kenya

    40

    *

    *

    70

    Liberia

    15

    —

    10

    10

    Nigeria

    60

    *

    *

    350

    Rwanda

    5

    —

    —

    *

    Sierra Leone

    *

    —

    *

    95

    Somalia

    170

    —

    240

    35

    South Africa

    *

    —

    —

    20

    Sudan

    25

    10

    *

    25

    Tanzania

    *

    —

    *

    75

    Togo

    5

    —

    —

    10

    Uganda

    10

    *

    5

    30

    Zaire

    45

    *

    10

    80

    Zimbabwe

    *

    —

    —

    10

    Others

    25

    —

    5

    30

    Total

    530

    30

    285

    1,210

    Asia

    Afghanistan

    45

    5

    55

    *

    Bangladesh

    15

    —

    —

    55

    China

    300

    *

    *

    50

    India

    50

    —

    *

    265

    Pakistan

    65

    —

    —

    190

    Sri Lanka

    95

    5

    —

    175

    Others

    25

    —

    —

    30

    Total

    595

    10

    60

    770

    Other and unknown nationalities

    10

    —

    —

    —

    Grand total

    2,275

    265

    415

    2,580

    1Figures rounded to nearest 5, with * = 1 or 2.

    2Decision figures do not necessarily relate to applications made in the same month.

    3Information is of initial determination decisions, excluding the outcome of appeals or other subsequent decisions.

    338

    Table 2: Applications1 received for asylum in the UK, excluding dependants, and initial decisions2 3 by nationality January 1997

    Number of principal applicants

    Applications

    Decisions

    Recognised as a refugee and granted asylum

    Not recognised as a refugee but granted exceptional leave

    Refused asylum and exceptional leave

    Europe

    Bulgaria

    20

    *

    —

    25

    Cyprus

    40

    —

    —

    25

    Poland

    40

    —

    —

    105

    Romania

    10

    —

    —

    15

    Former USSR

    155

    —

    —

    25

    Turkey

    125

    10

    *

    140

    Former Yugoslavia

    135

    220

    20

    40

    Others

    40

    —

    —

    15

    Total

    565

    230

    20

    390

    Americas

    Colombia

    190

    5

    —

    25

    Others

    85

    —

    *

    50

    Total

    270

    5

    *

    70

    Middle East

    Iran

    50

    20

    5

    25

    Iraq

    70

    15

    30

    10

    Lebanon

    5

    *

    5

    10

    Others

    25

    10

    5

    30

    Total

    150

    50

    45

    75

    Africa

    Algeria

    35

    5

    —

    75

    Angola

    30

    —

    *

    65

    Cameroon

    10

    —

    —

    15

    Ethiopia

    10

    *

    10

    25

    Gambia

    *

    *

    —

    30

    Ghana

    20

    —

    —

    105

    Ivory Coast

    10

    —

    —

    20

    Kenya

    40

    —

    *

    105

    Liberia

    15

    —

    10

    25

    Nigeria

    55

    *

    *

    350

    Rwanda

    10

    —

    —

    —

    Sierra Leone

    5

    —

    —

    70

    Somalia

    105

    *

    170

    25

    South Africa

    *

    —

    *

    5

    Sudan

    10

    5

    *

    20

    Tanzania

    5

    —

    —

    50

    Togo

    5

    *

    —

    5

    Uganda

    15

    *

    5

    35

    Zaire

    40

    5

    5

    70

    Zimbabwe

    *

    —

    —

    10

    Others

    30

    —

    *

    30

    Total

    455

    20

    205

    1,135

    Asia

    Afghanistan

    65

    —

    100

    5

    Bangladesh

    15

    —

    —

    55

    China

    230

    —

    —

    50

    India

    35

    *

    —

    240

    Pakistan

    70

    —

    *

    175

    Sri Lanka

    90

    *

    *

    185

    Others

    20

    —

    —

    20

    Total

    525

    *

    105

    730

    Other and unknown nationalities

    15

    —

    —

    5

    Grand total

    1,985

    305

    375

    2,410

    1Figures rounded to nearest 5, with * = 1 or 2.

    2Decision figures do not necessarily relate to applications made in the same month.

    3Information is of initial determination decisions, excluding the outcome of appeals or other subsequent decisions.

    339

    Table 3: Applications1 received for asylum in the UK, excluding dependants, and initial decisions2,3 by nationality March 1997

    Number of principal applicants

    Applications

    Decisions

    Recognised as a refugee and granted asylum

    Not recognised as a refugee but granted exceptional leave

    Refused asylum and exceptional leave

    Europe

    Bulgaria

    35

    *

    —

    20

    Cyprus

    50

    —

    —

    35

    Poland

    30

    —

    —

    80

    Romania

    15

    —

    —

    35

    Former USSR

    140

    —

    —

    40

    Turkey

    105

    *

    *

    120

    Former Yugoslavia

    65

    180

    20

    30

    Others

    60

    —

    —

    55

    Total

    505

    185

    20

    415

    Americas

    Colombia

    235

    —

    20

    Others

    115

    —

    —

    25

    Total

    350

    —

    —

    45

    Middle East

    Iran

    45

    30

    5

    15

    Iraq

    65

    25

    25

    10

    Lebanon

    10

    5

    5

    10

    Others

    30

    15

    *

    40

    Total

    150

    70

    35

    75

    Africa

    Algeria

    45

    *

    —

    95

    Angola

    20

    *

    5

    40

    Cameroon

    5

    —

    —

    20

    Ethiopia

    15

    —

    5

    30

    Gambia

    *

    —

    —

    30

    Ghana

    20

    —

    —

    150

    Ivory Coast

    5

    —

    —

    25

    Kenya

    35

    10

    *

    95

    Liberia

    15

    5

    5

    15

    Nigeria

    55

    *

    *

    335

    Rwanda

    10

    —

    *

    —

    Sierra Leone

    5

    —

    *

    75

    Somalia

    130

    5

    —

    35

    South Africa:

    *

    —

    —

    5

    Sudan

    10

    5

    *

    10

    Tanzania

    *

    —

    —

    55

    Togo

    *

    —

    *

    15

    Uganda

    15

    *

    *

    15

    Zaire

    35

    5

    5

    50

    Zimbabwe

    5

    —

    —

    5

    Others

    20

    *

    5

    25

    Total

    440

    35

    35

    1,140

    Asia

    Afghanistan

    50

    5

    50

    5

    Bangladesh

    10

    —

    —

    50

    China

    135

    *

    —

    35

    India

    20

    —

    *

    250

    Pakistan

    55

    *

    *

    200

    Sri Lanka

    85

    *

    —

    170

    Others

    15

    —

    —

    25

    Total

    365

    5

    55

    735

    Other and unknown nationalitites

    10

    —

    —

    —

    Grand total

    1,820

    295

    140

    2,410

    1Figures rounded to nearest 5, with * = 1 or 2.

    2Decision figures do not necessarily relate to applications made in the same month.

    3Information is of initial determination decisions, excluding the outcome of appeals or other subsequent decisions.

    340

    Table 4: Applications1 received for asylum in the UK, excluding dependants, and initial decisions2 3 by nationality April 1997

    Number of principal applicants

    Applications

    Decisions

    Recognised as a refugee and granted asylum

    Not recognised as a refugee but granted exceptional leave

    Refused asylum and exceptional leave

    Europe

    Bulgaria

    45

    —

    —

    20

    Cyprus

    20

    —

    —

    20

    Poland

    30

    —

    —

    130

    Romania

    50

    —

    —

    35

    Former USSR

    180

    —

    —

    40

    Turkey

    80

    5

    *

    120

    Former Yugoslavia

    155

    190

    10

    70

    Others

    85

    —

    —

    30

    Total

    640

    195

    15

    500

    Americas

    Colombia

    290

    —

    —

    35

    Others

    150

    *

    —

    40

    Total

    440

    *

    —

    75

    Middle East

    Iran

    50

    10

    *

    25

    Iraq

    75

    15

    35

    15

    Lebanon

    10

    —

    5

    10

    Others

    40

    5

    10

    25

    Total

    175

    30

    50

    70

    Africa

    Algeria

    35

    5

    —

    65

    Angola

    15

    *

    *

    60

    Cameroon

    15

    —

    —

    10

    Ethiopia

    10

    5

    *

    25

    Gambia

    5

    —

    —

    35

    Ghana

    15

    *

    —

    165

    Ivory Coast

    5

    *

    —

    20

    Kenya

    55

    —

    *

    140

    Liberia

    15

    *

    *

    15

    Nigeria

    45

    *

    5

    475

    Rwanda

    10

    —

    —

    5

    Sierra Leone

    15

    —

    —

    80

    Somalia

    165

    5

    —

    35

    South Africa

    5

    —

    —

    *

    Sudan

    20

    5

    5

    25

    Tanzania

    10

    —

    —

    65

    Togo

    5

    —

    —

    5

    Uganda

    20

    —

    5

    50

    Zaire

    50

    5

    15

    5

    Zimbabwe

    5

    *

    *

    10

    Others

    25

    *

    5

    65

    Total

    540

    30

    40

    1,345

    Asia

    Afghanistan

    75

    *

    70

    10

    Bangladesh

    15

    —

    5

    65

    China

    175

    *

    *

    100

    India

    25

    —

    —

    295

    Pakistan

    65

    —

    5

    305

    Sri Lanka

    90

    5

    *

    160

    Others

    20

    —

    *

    15

    Total

    465

    5

    80

    955

    Other and unknown nationalities

    15

    —

    —

    —

    Grand total

    2,275

    265

    185

    2,945

    1Figures rounded to nearest 5, with * = 1 or 2.

    2Decision figures do not necessarily relate to applications made in the same month.

    3Information is of initial determination decisions, excluding the outcome of appeals or other subsequent decisions.

    341
    Dr. Jones
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers were held in detention in the United Kingdom at the end of (i) January, (ii) February, (iii) March and (iv) April; in which establishments they were held; what the(a) nationalities and (b) gender were of those detained; how many were deported; and from which establishments. [1928]

    Mr. O'Brien
    The available information on asylum seekers detained, and on the number deported from detention is given in the tables. The number deported does not include those who are removed as illegal entrants or under port refusal procedures.

    Table 1: Number of people recorded as being detained1 2 who had sought asylum at some stage, by detention location, as at selected dates in 1997

    As at 31 Janaury3 1997

    As at 27 March 1997

    As at 30 April 1997

    Prison

    HMP Armley

    3

    3

    3

    HMP Birmingham

    16

    15

    10

    HMP Bristol

    2

    2

    3

    HMP Brixton

    5

    3

    5

    HMP Greenock

    11

    14

    19

    HMP Haslar

    92

    89

    82

    HMP Holloway

    2

    2

    2

    HMP Liverpool

    4

    3

    2

    HMP Magilligan

    4

    8

    10

    HMP Manchester

    4

    3

    3

    HMP Rochester

    139

    132

    129

    HMP Wandsworth

    6

    6

    4

    HMP Wormwood Scrubs

    9

    8

    7

    Other prison4

    27

    25

    19

    Other places of detention

    Campsfield House

    159

    141

    137

    Dover Harbour

    6

    5

    5

    Harmondsworth

    88

    89

    91

    Manchester Airport

    6

    7

    8

    Meavdale Buildings

    32

    24

    36

    Police Cells

    35

    71

    84

    Queens Buildings

    12

    13

    15

    Tinsley House

    104

    111

    114

    Other place4

    2

    3

    9

    Total

    768

    777

    797

    1Provisional figures.

    2Persons detained solely under the powers contained in Schedule 2 or 3 of the Immigration Act 1971. In some cases the asylum application will have been lodged subsequent to the applicant being detained. The figures include both detained asylum applicants who applied at ports, and those detained in after-entry enforcement work and include those awaiting removal following refusal of asylum, as well as those whose applications were under consideration or subject to appeal.

    3Illegal entrants and those subject to deportation action are as at 31 January and Port cases are as at 3 February.

    4The "other" categories may include locations already listed.

    Table 2: Number of people recorded as being detained1 2 who had sought asylum at some stage, by nationality of detainee, as at selected dates in 1997

    Nationality

    As at 31 January3 1997

    As at 27 March 1997

    As at 30 April 1997

    Albania

    4

    6

    11

    Algeria

    78

    78

    75

    Angola

    11

    17

    14

    Bangladesh

    15

    13

    21

    Bulgaria

    4

    10

    6

    342

    Table 2: Number of people recorded as being detained1 2 who had sought asylum at some stage, by nationality of detainee, as at selected dates in 1997

    Nationality

    As at 31 January3 1997

    As at 27 March 1997

    As at 30 April 1997

    China

    48

    53

    53

    Columbia

    10

    18

    16

    Congo

    3

    3

    4

    Cyprus

    18

    12

    17

    Ethiopia

    7

    6

    7

    Gambia

    15

    13

    13

    Ghana

    37

    30

    28

    India

    96

    116

    129

    Iran

    7

    8

    6

    Iraq

    3

    4

    4

    Ivory Coast

    3

    3

    6

    Jamaica

    10

    9

    8

    Kenya

    7

    9

    11

    Liberia

    8

    10

    10

    Lithuania

    10

    8

    7

    Morocco

    6

    6

    5

    Nigeria

    108

    109

    101

    Pakistan

    44

    42

    49

    Poland

    7

    10

    11

    Romania

    13

    16

    13

    Russia

    8

    6

    7

    Sierra Leone

    7

    6

    5

    Sri Lanka

    16

    14

    14

    Sudan

    7

    6

    4

    Turkey

    28

    26

    21

    Uganda

    8

    7

    7

    Zaire

    38

    33

    37

    Other4

    75

    62

    70

    Nationality doubtful

    9

    8

    7

    Total

    768

    777

    797

    1Provisional figures.

    2Persons detained solely under the powers contained in Schedules 2 or 3 of the Immigration Act 1971. In some cases the asylum application will have been lodged subsequent to the applicant being detained. The figures include both detained asylum applicants who applied at ports, and those detained in after-entry enforcement work and include those awaiting removal following refusal of asylum, as well as those whose applications were under consideration or subject to appeal.

    3Illegal entrants and those subject to deportation action are as at 31 January and Port cases are as at 3 February.

    4The 'other' categories may include nationalities already listed.

    Table 3: Number of people recorded as being detained1 2 who had sought asylum at some stage, by gender of detainee, as at selected dates in 1997

    Gender

    As at 31 January3 1997

    As at 27 March 1997

    As at 30 April 1997

    Male

    698

    714

    730

    Female

    70

    63

    67

    Total

    768

    777

    797

    1Provisional figures.

    2Persons detained solely under the powers contained in Schedules 2 or 3 of the Immigration Act 1971. In some cases the asylum application will have been lodged subsequent to the applicant being detained. The figures include both detained asylum applicants who applied at ports, and those detained in after-entry enforcement work and include those awaiting removal following refusal of asylum, as well as those applications were under consideration or subject to appeal.

    3Illegal entrants and those subject to deportation action are as at 31 January and Port cases are as at 3 February.

    343

    Table 4: Number of asylum detainees1 2 recorded as being deported3, by location of detention4, January to April 1997

    Number of deported asylum detainees

    Prison

    HMP Rochester

    8

    HMP Haslar

    3

    Other prison

    7

    Other places of detention

    Tinsley House

    7

    Harmondsworth

    3

    Meadvale Buildings

    2

    Queens Building

    2

    Other

    12

    Total

    44

    1Provisional figures.

    2Persons detained solely under the powers contained in Schedules 2 or 3 of the Immigration Act 1971.

    3Removed under the deportation process, including those who departed voluntarily after deportation action had been initiated.

    4Information is of the last recorded detention location.

    Immigration
    Mr. Gerrard
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people in each of the last five years, having been given exceptional leave to remain in the United Kingdom, were refused extension of that leave(a) after one year and (b) after four years. [2097]

    Mr. Mike O'Brien
    I regret that the information requested is not held centrally.

    Essex Constabulary
    Mr. Bob Russell
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers there were in the Essex Constabulary on(a) 1 April 1979, (b) 1 April 1983, (c) 1 April 1987, (d) 1 April 1992 and (e) 1 April 1997. [2079]

    Mr. Michael
    The information available is set out in the table:

    Essex police

    Year1

    Number of police officers

    1979

    2,461

    1983

    2,641

    1987

    2,725

    1992

    2,898

    19972

    2,961

    1As at 31 March.

    2Provisional.

    WPC Yvonne Fletcher
    Mr. Mitchell
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what new evidence he has examined relating to the murder of WPC Yvonne Fletcher; and if he will make a statement. [2087]

    Mr. Straw
    The investigation of the murder of WPC Yvonne Fletcher is a matter for the police who I understand are keeping this matter under review. Anyone who has new evidence relating to this crime should pass it to them.
    344

    Immigration Officers (Heathrow)
    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many immigration officers are employed at each of the terminals at Heathrow Airport. [2159]

    Mr. Mike O'Brien
    On 1 May 1997, the following numbers of immigration officers were employed at Heathrow airport:

    Terminal 1: 152

    Terminal 2: 165

    Terminal 3: 251

    Terminal 4: 162.

    Policing
    Mr. Todd
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the police authorities in England and Wales indicating the number of people in the area served per police officer in each case and ranking the authorities in descending order of population per officer. [2256]

    Mr. Michael
    The information requested is set out in the table:

    Police force

    Population per police officer1

    Suffolk

    557

    Thames Valley

    554

    North Yorkshire

    546

    West Mercia

    546

    Norfolk

    539

    Warwickshire

    539

    Devon and Cornwall

    538

    Derbyshire

    535

    Cambridgeshire

    533

    Dorset

    529

    Wiltshire

    512

    Lincolnshire

    512

    Northamptonshire

    509

    Essex

    509

    Hampshire

    505

    Bedfordshire

    499

    Avon and Somerset

    489

    Gloucestershire

    488

    Hertfordshire

    488

    North Wales

    481

    Surrey

    478

    Cheshire

    478

    Staffordshire

    478

    Kent

    476

    Sussex

    474

    Leicestershire

    474

    Dyfed-Powys

    472

    Gwent

    447

    Nottinghamshire

    444

    Lancashire

    439

    Humberside

    435

    Cumbria

    428

    Durham

    416

    South Yorkshire

    413

    South Wales

    412

    West Yorkshire

    404

    Northumbria

    391

    Cleveland

    383

    Greater Manchester

    372

    West Midlands

    371

    Merseyside

    337

    Metropolitan

    281

    City of London

    6

    1Based on OPCS population data as at 30 June 1995 and police force numbers as at 31 March 1997.

    345

    Closed Circuit Television
    Mr. Letwin
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to make provision for the siting of CCTV cameras in parts of rural towns where vandalism is a persistent problem. [2362]

    Mr. Michael
    I am considering the future of the closed circuit television Challenge Competition as part of our review of existing expenditure programmes. A decision on whether there will be another round of the competition in 1998–99 will be made later in the summer.

    Criminal Record Certificates
    Mr. Beith
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to implement part V of the Police Act 1997; and what plans he has to provide for the waiving or abatement of charges to volunteers for the certificates referred to in the Act. [2383]

    Mr. Michael
    We are currently considering the detailed implications of part V of the Police Act 1997. In fulfilment of the undertaking I gave to the House during the report stage we will be consulting the voluntary sector before any final decisions are reached.

    Merseyside Constabulary
    Mr. Fearn
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers there were in the Merseyside Constabulary on(a) 1 April 1979, (b) 1 April 1983, (c) 1 April 1987, (d) 1 April 1992 and (e) 1 April 1997. [2481]

    Mr. Michael
    The information available is set out in the table:

    Merseyside police

    Year1

    Number of police officers

    1979

    4,427

    1983

    4,631

    1987

    4,598

    1992

    4,621

    19972

    4,230

    1As at 31 March.

    2Provisional.

    Number of persons convicted within the Lancashire police force area for specific drug offences1, 1992–95

    Offence

    1992

    1993

    1994

    1995

    Production or being concerned in the production of a controlled drug

    25

    26

    42

    46

    Supplying or offering to supply a controlled drug

    72

    54

    73

    117

    Possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply

    92

    80

    115

    160

    Possession of a controlled drug

    444

    295

    380

    618

    1Principal offence only.

    .22 Calibre Pistols (Deaths)
    Mr. Olner
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been killed with. 22 calibre pistols in the last 10 years. [1630]

    Mr. Michael
    In the past, information on the calibre of firearms used in homicide offences has not been collected centrally in England and Wales as a matter of routine.
    346

    Radioactive Waste Disposal (Hurd Deep)
    Mr. Llew Smith
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what requests he has had from the State of Jersey Authorities to discuss the report commissioned from Professor Sir John Knill and Dr. Mike Romerill concerning the disposal of radioactive waste in the Hurd Deep which was published in May. [2676]

    Mr. Mike O'Brien
    None.

    Bribery and Corruption
    Mr. Derek Twigg
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he proposes to take to reform and consolidate the law on corruption with particular reference to bribery of hon. Members. [3047]

    Mr. Straw
    The Government are committed to tackling corruption in all areas of public and private life, including the bribery of hon. Members.

    I am publishing today a statement on reform of the corruption statutes for consultation. A copy is available in the Library. The Law Commission will be producing proposals for reform of the law in this area later in the year.

    I shall consider carefully the results of all of these exercises, together with any further recommendations which the Nolan Committee may make in relation to the criminal law.

    I expect to make a further statement on the reform of the law in this area early next year.

    Controlled Drugs (Lancashire)
    Mr. Gordon Prentice
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convictions there were against people for(a) dealing in and (b) possessing controlled drugs in Lancashire for each year since 1992. [1635]

    Mr. Michael
    The available information is given in the table.

    However, a special exercise was conducted last year, and subsequently updated this year, to find out further information on homicides involving firearms.

    This covered the three years 1992 to 1994, and out of a total of 90 homicides involving the use of a handgun, information was available in 76 cases to show that seven persons were killed with a. 22 calibre handgun. It is not known, however, what type of. 22 cartridge was used.
    347
    For the remaining 69 cases, the calibre of the handguns involved, as reported by the police forces concerned, is as follows:

    Calibre

    Number of handguns

    9mm

    12

    .32

    20

    .38

    17

    .45

    9

    .357

    4

    .375

    1

    .445

    1

    .455

    3

    .635

    2

  WALES

    Teachers
    Mr. Barry Jones
    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the availability of full-time posts for unemployed teachers in Wales. [2002]

    Mr. Hain
    Local authorities and grant-maintained schools reported that, as at January 1997, there were 102 vacancies for full-time teachers in maintained secondary, primary and special schools in Wales. This represents less than 0.5 per cent. of teachers employed by local authorities and grant-maintained schools in Wales. It is open to any suitably qualified teacher to apply for appointment to a vacant post in Wales.

    Red Barn Development
    Mr. Edwards
    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will make a statement on the decision of Gwent health authority to cancel the proposed Red Barn development; [2374]

    (2) what role the private finance initiative has played in the Red Barn proposal at Nevill Hall hospital, Abergavenny. [2376]

    Mr. Win Griffiths
    Gwent Community Health Trust sought private sector interest under the Private Finance Initiative as required by the Department. A preferred bidder was selected and negotiations had been continuing.

    Gwent Health Authority's decision was taken because costs had increased, value for money was not demonstrated sufficiently, and the proposals no longer met the demand for services. The Authority will now discuss needs with local people, local authorities and other interested parties. This is a matter for the Health Authority and they have to decide on the most cost effective way of delivering services for their communities.

    Pen y Fal Hospital
    Mr. Edwards
    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what receipts accrued to his Department from the closure of Pen y Fal Hospital, Abergavenny. [2372]
    348
    Mr. Win Griffiths
    The Pen y Fal Hospital site has not yet been sold and no receipts have accrued to the department.

    Gwent Community Health Trust are at present marketing the major part of the site and interested parties have been asked to prepare a bid.

    Chepstow Community Hospital
    Mr. Edwards
    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement about the proposed Chepstow community hospital. [2375]

    Mr. Win Griffiths
    Glan Hafren NHS Trust in collaboration with local GPs, and with the support of Gwent Health Authority, are working on a proposal for a new Neighbourhood Health Unit to be built on the St. Lawrence Hospital site at Chepstow. The unit will provide for a range of primary, continuing, mental health, diagnostic and acute services. The development is a Private Finance Initiative and the Trust are currently in the final stages of negotiation with the private sector consortium.

    Ovarian Cancer
    Mr. Hanson
    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the availability of screening programmes via NHS hospitals for ovarian cancer in Wales. [2189]

    Mr. Win Griffiths
    I have made no specific assessment of the availability of screening programmes for ovarian cancer. Professional advice is that there is currently no screening test assessed as effective which can be used on a population basis.

    Private Finance Initiative
    Mr. Edwards
    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement about the future of the private
    finance initiative in relation to the national health service. [2379]

    Mr. Win Griffiths
    As my hon. Friend knows, the Government is currently undertaking an urgent review of the Private Finance Initiative. This is being led by the Paymaster General. In addition, officials in the Welsh Office Health Department are working with their colleagues in the Department of Health to determine what changes are necessary to ensure the PFI delivers the range of health care facilities which so far it has failed to do. As a first step, we have introduced the NHS (Private Finance) Bill in order to provide the necessary assurance to the private sector that Trusts can enter into PFI contracts. This should break the current logjam of projects.

    We expect all of this work to be completed quickly. The review led by my hon. Friend will report by 13 June. Officials are working to a slightly longer timetable; and if all goes well, the Bill will be enacted before the summer recess. We are determined to give the PFI a new impetus so that we can start building new health facilities to carry us through to the 21st Century.
    349

    Chepstow Bypass
    Mr. Edwards
    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement about the proposed outer bypass for Chepstow. [2369]
    350
    Mr. Hain
    A proposal has been put forward by a private developer for an outer bypass for Chepstow partly funded by residential development on the English side of the border. Most of the route is in England and will require planning approval from local authorities in the area.
    351

  DEFENCE

    Navy Personnel
    Mr. Hancock
    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Royal Navy personnel are currently employed ashore; and what were the equivalent figures in(a) 1981 and (b) 1988. [2395]

    Dr. John Reid
    Available statistics show that 25,252 Naval Service personnel were employed ashore at home and overseas on 1 April 1997; 44,352 on 31 March 1988; and 50,749 on 31 March 1981.

    National Service
    Ms Walley
    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the impact on occupational pensions rights of interrupted employment resulting from national service; and if he will make a statement. [2141]

    Dr. John Reid
    Public Service pension schemes allow members who had their careers interrupted by national service to credit that period towards their pension. The impact of National Service on the pension rights of members of occupational schemes outside the public service will depend upon the rules of the relevant scheme and the effect of the application of Inland Revenue limits on final retirement benefits.

    European Court of Human Rights
    Mr. Sanders
    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make representations to the European Court of Human Rights to bring forward the date of the appeal tribunal concerning McGinley and EEV UK. [1969]

    Dr. John Reid
    I have no plans to make representations to the European Court of Human Rights to bring forward its hearing of the case being brought by McGinley and Egan. It is, of course, open to the two applicants to do so.

    Departmental Land
    Mr. Hancock
    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the acreage of land(a) owned and (b) leased by his Department; and what were the equivalent figures in (i) 1974 and (ii) 1979. [2393]

    Unit

    Establishment

    Strengths

    Surplus/deficit

    1st Battalion The Duke of Wellingtons Regiment

    519

    573

    +54

    1st Battalion The Green Howards

    625

    603

    -22

    1st Battalion The Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire

    519

    512

    -7

    The Light Infantry

    1st Battalion

    539

    476

    -63

    2nd Battalion

    555

    522

    -33

    The Royal Dragoon Guards

    406

    402

    -4

    The Light Dragoons

    388

    383

    -5

    1st Royal Tank Regiment

    398

    359

    -39

    352
    Mr. Spellar
    This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Estate Organisation Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

    Letter from B. L. Hirst to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 9 June 1997:
    I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about MOD land holdings as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Defence Estate Organisation.
    The details of the land held by the Ministry of Defence at 31 March 1974, 1979 and 1997 are as follows:

    Acres

    Date

    Freehold

    Leasehold

    Total

    31 March 1974

    593,723

    54,142

    647,865

    31 March 1979

    579,478

    41,640

    621,118

    31 March 1997

    553,317

    38,978

    592,295

    I hope this is helpful.

    Gallium Removal
    Mr. Matthew Taylor
    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to undertake the removal of gallium from the military plutonium stockpile; and what assessment he has made of the discharges to the environment arising from this removal. [1785]

    Mr. Spellar
    When plutonium is returned from service use the gallium is removed in conditions designed to protect both the operators involved and the environment at large. As far as this Department is aware, there have been no discharges to the environment arising from such removal.

    Regimental Strengths
    Mr. Bayley
    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was(a) the establishment and (b) the nominal strength on 1 May of (i) The Duke of Wellington's Regiment, (ii) The Green Howards, (iii) The Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire, (iv) The Light Infantry, (v) The Royal Dragoon Guards, (vi) The Light Dragoons and (vii) The 1 Royal Tank Regiment. [2014]

    Dr. John Reid
    The establishments and strengths are as follows:
    353

    MOD Police, Colchester
    Mr. Bob Russell
    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Ministry of Defence police constables on the complement were operating full time within the Colchester garrison on(a) 1 January and (b) 1 June; and what is the number planned for 1 October 1997. [2078]

    Mr. Spellar
    This is a matter for the Chief Constable and Chief Executive of the Ministry of Defence Police Agency. I have asked him to write to the hon. Member.

    Letter from M. J. A. Smallwood to Mr Bob Russell, dated 9 June 1997:
    I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about Ministry of Defence Police at Colchester Garrison, on behalf of the Chief Constable/Chief Executive of the Ministry of Defence Police Agency, as this falls into his area of responsibility. The Chief Constable/Chief Executive is away from the office at present.
    There were 30 uniformed MOD Police officers of the rank of constable deployed at Colchester Garrison on 1 January and 25 on 1 June 1997. Based on current planning assumptions we anticipate that there will be 21 MDP constables deployed in and around the Colchester Garrison area on 1 October 1997.

    Flagship Training Ltd.
    Mr. Rapson
    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the proposal to transfer the running of naval training to Flagship Training Ltd.; and if he will consider allowing affected employees to remain within his Department for the foreseeable future. [2005]

    Dr. John Reid
    No proposals exist to transfer the running of Royal Naval training to the private sector. The management and control of RN training will remain the responsibility of the Chief Executive of the Naval Recruiting and Training Agency (NRTA)/Flag Officer Training and Recruiting and the Commanding Officers of his shore training establishments.

    Proposals are currently being considered for the transfer of a number of, mainly support, NRTA activities to Flagship Training Ltd. which would involve the transfer of some employees under the provisions of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 (TUPE).

    All Agency employees who may be affected by these proposals have been given the opportunity to register a preference to stay within the Department. Every effort is being made to find alternative posts for those who have registered such a preference.

    I will write to the hon. Member when a final decision has been taken on the activity transfer.

    Eurofighter Project
    Mr. Jack
    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his discussion with the German Minister of Defence on the future of the Eurofighter Project, if he will make a statement on the outcome of his meetings and give details of specific assurances he received about future German funding of the production investment and production phases of the project. [2493]

    Mr. Spellar
    When my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence met the German Defence Minister on 4 June in Bonn he pointed out that the Government was firmly committed to the Eurofighter programme and that 354
    the UK wanted to proceed rapidly to the production phase. He confirmed that the UK was ready to sign the relevant Memoranda of Understanding now. In turn Herr Riihe made it very clear that Germany needed and wanted Eurofighter. He hoped to secure Cabinet approval to proceed to the production phase of Eurofighter on 11 July when the German Cabinet meets to consider the 1998 Federal Budget. The approval of the Bundestag Parliament will then need to be obtained as soon as possible thereafter in advance of signature of the relevant Memoranda of Understanding by the four partner nations.

    When my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister met Chancellor Kohl in Bonn on 6 June, the Chancellor made very clear his personal commitment to the Eurofighter programme and his aim to secure the German Government's commitment to the production phase in July within the framework of the draft 1998 Federal budget.

  AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

    Broiler Chickens
    Mr. Hancock
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to review the present stocking density for table broiler chickens. [1902]

    Mr. Morley
    A maximum stocking density of 34 kg/m2 is recommended for broilers in the welfare code on domestic fowls. We will consider whether this provision needs changing in the light of(a) the results of scientific work commissioned following a recommendation from the Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC) in 1992 and (b) the further advice FAWC has undertaken to give when those scientific results are available.

    Laying Hens
    Mr. Hancock
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has for a total ban on all cage systems for laying hens throughout the EU.
    [1903]

    Mr. Morley
    The Government will be seeking substantial improvements to the EU welfare requirements for laying hens during the forthcoming review by the Council of Ministers of the battery hens directive 88/166/EEC. The detailed objectives will be determined in the light of the Farm Animal Welfare Council's report on the welfare of laying hens, which we expect to be published shortly.

    Ostriches
    Mr. Hancock
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to ban the keeping of ostriches on United Kingdom farms; and if he will make a statement. [1904]

    Mr. Morley
    I am aware of the concerns expressed about ostrich farming in this country. This Government are committed to promoting animal welfare and intend to look closely at the welfare implications of this developing industry.
    355

    Fisheries
    Mr. Letwin
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he will be taking to renew the six mile and twelve mile fisheries limits. [2293]

    Mr. Morley
    The current restrictions on foreign fishing vessels within our six and 12 mile fisheries limits will continue to apply until 31 December 2002. The Government are committed to securing their renewal after 2002 as part of the process of reviewing the Common Fisheries Policy.

    Beef Exports
    Mr. Edwards
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representation his Department has made to the European Commissioner for Agriculture about lifting the ban on the export of beef. [2526]

    Mr. Rooker
    My right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food met Commissioner Fischler on 12 May and their discussions covered, amongst other matters, the way forward on lifting the export ban. It was stressed that the Government will respect the framework set by the Florence Agreement and work constructively with the Commission and through the European Parliament on making progress on this issue. However, it is for Madame Bonino, the Consumer Health and Food Safety Commissioner, whom my right hon. Friend also met in May, to arrange scientific consideration of the UK's proposals for an Export Certified Herd Scheme. The results of this scrutiny are expected later this month.

    ADAS
    Mr. Martyn Jones
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the present situation with regard to ADAS; and if he will make a statement. [2632]

    Mr. Morley
    The sale of ADAS to a management and employee buy out team was completed on 1 April 1997 and it is now trading as a private limited company. ADAS's statutory functions and work directly concerned with the payment of grants and subsidies were not included in the privatisation and are now being carried out by the Farming and Rural Conservation Agency, an executive agency of MAFF and the Welsh Office.

    Genetically Modified Organisms
    Mr. Baker
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what allergic reactions have been established as being caused by the introduction of genetically engineered material into the food chain. [1961]

    Mr. Rooker
    We have no evidence that any allergic reactions have resulted from the genetic modification of food approved for use in the UK. All such foods are fully assessed by the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes for safety, including allergic potential, before being permitted to enter the food supply.

    Mr. Baker
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the possible increase in(a) resistance to antibiotics and (b) severe immune reactions from the use of genetically engineered viruses as delivery vehicles in the generation of transgenic plants and animals. [1962]
    356
    Mr. Rooker
    None of the GMOs released into the environment in the UK have involved the use of genetically modified viruses as delivery vehicles in the generation of transgenic plants and animals. The use of antibiotic resistance markers is kept under close review by the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes.

    Mr. Baker
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his policy regarding the transfer of animal genes into plants; and what consultations his Department has held with vegetarian groups and religious groups on this issue. [1963]

    Mr. Rooker
    In 1992 the Polkinghorne Committee was set up to consider ethical issues associated with genetically modified (GM) foods. Following extensive consultation with interested parties, including religious and vegetarian groups, the Committee issued a report, a copy of which was deposited in the Library of the House.

    Any plant containing animal genes which is intended for food use would need to be approved and labelled in accordance with the EC Novel Foods Regulation (258/97) before it could be sold to the public. As part of this process a thorough safety assessment would be carried out by the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes and, if the plant was also intended to be grown in Europe, by the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment. To date no applications for plants of this type have been received.

    Mr. Baker
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his policy regarding the use in food of genetically engineered bacteria to produce the supplement tryptophan. [1964]

    Mr. Rooker
    The addition of tryptophan to food is prohibited under the Tryptophan in Food Regulations 1990.

    Mr. Baker
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his policy in respect of crops engineered to produce their own pesticides. [1967]

    Mr. Rooker
    Before any genetically modified crop can be marketed in Europe it requires a marketing consent under Directive 90/220/EEC or approval under the EC novel foods regulation 258/97 based on a detailed safety assessment. Provided that such a consent or approval is given, I cannot see any reason why the use of such crops should not be allowed.

    Mr. Baker
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy to introduce a moratorium on the release of genetically modified organisms. [1968]

    Mr. Rooker
    No. The release of genetically modified organisms is only permitted following risk assessment in accordance with Directive 90/220/EEC or the EC novel foods regulation (258/97) and I am satisfied that this procedure provides a sufficient safeguard as regards public health and the environment.

    Mr. Baker
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to introduce full disclosure labelling for genetically engineered foods. [1959]
    357
    Mr. Rooker
    I am committed to ensuring that consumers are able to make an informed choice when purchasing food. I therefore intend to press at European level for the labelling of all foods that may contain ingredients which have been genetically modified.

    Mr. Baker
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his policy in respect of genetically engineered foods. [1960]

    Mr. Rooker
    The EC novel foods and novel food ingredients regulation 258/97 lays down an EU wide pre-market approval system for novel foods and novel food ingredients including those containing or produced from genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Provided that there are no safety concerns, and they are appropriately labelled, I see no reason why these types of foods and ingredients should not be sold to the public.

    Forestry Commission (Woodlands)
    Mr. Bayley
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many acres of woodland are managed currently by the Forestry Commission in each of the standard regions of England. [2683]

    Mr. Morley
    The subject of the question relates to matters undertaken by Forest Enterprise. I have asked its Chief Executive, Dr. Bob McIntosh, to arrange for a reply to be given.

    Letter from Bob McIntosh to Mr. Hugh Bayley, dated 9 June 1997:
    The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has asked me to reply to your Question about the area of woodland currently managed by the Forestry Commission in England.(2683)
    The Forestry Commission's woodlands in England are divided between two Regions and the total area of land managed by each at 31 March 1996 was:-

    North and East England: 159,171 hectares

    South and West England: 106,064 hectares

    The Forestry Commission's Annual Report for 1995–96 provides greater detail, on pages 106–107, including the area managed by each Forest District together with a map of the boundaries of the administrative regions. A copy is in the library of the House.

  NORTHERN IRELAND

    Departmental Computer Systems
    Mr. Nigel Jones
    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans she has to ensure that her Department's computer systems are millennium compliant; and if she will make a statement. [1240]

    Mr. Murphy
    All Northern Ireland Departments are actively working on the millennium problem. Departments are currently identifying which systems will be liable to failure, and will initiate projects to take the necessary remedial action as a matter of priority.

    Nursing Care
    Mr. Robert McCartney
    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when she will extend legislation to Northern Ireland to permit local authorities in England and Wales to pay for residential nursing care in Northern Ireland and vice versa. [1316]
    358
    Mr. Worthington
    The legislation governing the provision of residential and nursing home care, both in Northern Ireland and England and Wales, does not permit authorities to arrange to pay for placements within each other's territories. I have asked officials to consider, with the Department of Health, ways of overcoming this difficulty.

    Civil Service
    Mr. Robert McCartney
    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what restrictions have been placed on Sir David Fell, the resigning head of the Northern Ireland civil service in relation to taking up commercial employment; and if he will be paid the standard retirement pension in advance of the normal civil service retirement age. [1320]

    Mr. Murphy
    Sir David Fell sought permission from the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments to take up the post of non-executive Chairman of the Northern Bank and non-executive Director in its parent, National Australia Bank (UK) Ltd. The Committee's recommendation to the previous Secretary of State was that the application should be approved, subject only to the automatic three month waiting period for Permanent Secretaries. Accordingly, there will be a three month gap between Sir David's retirement on 30 September 1997 and the commencement of his employment with the Northern Bank on 1 January 1998.

    Sir David Fell is retiring from the Northern Ireland Civil Service before normal retirement age. The terms of his pension will be strictly within the provisions of the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme.

    Tower Hill, Armagh
    Mr. John D. Taylor
    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the estimated final cost of works at Tower Hill, Armagh, for the Headquarters of the Southern Area Health Board; and how many showers are provided in these buildings for(a) members of staff and (b) board members. [1291]

    Mr. Worthington
    The cost, including fees, of refurbishment work at Tower Hill, Armagh, for the headquarters of the Southern Area Health Board was £1,190,000. There is one shower provided for the use both of staff and board members.

    Incapacity Benefit
    Mr. Robert McCartney
    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will review the incapacity benefit all work test and make it her policy to replace it with a work-related scheme. [1322]

    Mr. Worthington
    The Secretary of State for Social Security is considering the evidence submitted to the Social Security Select Committee's review of incapacity benefit. In keeping with the principle of parity in social security matters any changes introduced in Great Britain will be mirrored in Northern Ireland.

    Family Law Act
    Mr. Robert McCartney
    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate she has made of the cost of the academic inquiry into the possibility of
    359
    extending the Family Law Act 1996 to Northern Ireland; and for what reason that inquiry was commissioned. [1321]

    Mr. Murphy
    The Family Law Act 1996 contains provisions relating to domestic violence and occupation of the family home, and the grounds for divorce. After examining the practicalities of direct extension, it was considered that proceedings by way of Order in Council would produce the most coherent and easily understood provisions on domestic violence.

    As regards the ground for divorce, it was considered that most information and public debate in the way that current divorce law is used in Northern Ireland was required before a decision could be taken on the way forward. It was for this reason that a major research project into divorce practice and procedure was commissioned and Ministers will await the outcome of that research before formulating any proposals for reform of the divorce law in Northern Ireland. The total cost of the research project is estimated at £50,000.

    Stalking
    Mr. Robert McCartney
    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when she plans to introduce an Order in Council bringing Northern Ireland legislation on stalking into line with the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. [1319]

    Mr. Ingram
    The Protection from Harassment (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 was made under the negative resolution procedure at Privy Council on 8 April and laid before Parliament on 14 May. Neither the Protection from Harassment Act nor the Order in Council have been commenced. It is my intention to introduce the Northern Ireland legislation simultaneously with the commencement of that for England and Wales.

    Disability
    Mr. Burstow
    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make it her policy to adopt a social model of disability in framing all future and amending previous relevant legislation and guidance; and if she will make a statement. [1664]

    Mr. Worthington
    Our manifesto commits us to establishing "comprehensive, enforceable civil rights for disabled people against discrimination in society or at work, developed in partnership with all interested parties". We shall be consulting and developing our proposals in partnership with disability organisations, employers, employers' organisations and trade unions. Interested bodies in Northern Ireland will be included in the consultation. An essential issue will be the definition of disability. It is not appropriate for me to pre-empt the outcome of that consultation.

    Retail Stores
    Mr. John D. Taylor
    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on what dates public hearings were held for the proposed retail stores at(a) D5 Suite Harbour Exchange, East Belfast, (b) Knocknagoney Site, East Belfast, (c) Armagh Road, Newry, (d) Beltrim Road, Lisburn and (e) Strand Road, Londonderry; and when in each case she expects decisions to be announced. [1292]
    360
    Mr. Murphy
    Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Planning Service under its Chief Executive, Mr. W. Stewart. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

    Letter from W. Reavie to Mr. John Taylor, dated 27 May 1997:
    The Secretary of State has asked Mr. Stewart to reply to your Question about public hearings into a number of proposed retail stores and the date decisions are expected. I am replying in Mr. Stewart's absence on annual leave.
    The information requested is as follows:-

    Location

    Dates of public hearing

    Current position

    D5 Site, East Belfast

    3 December 1996 to 14 January 1997

    Awaiting Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) Report

    Knocknagoney Site, East Belfast

    21 May 1996 to 18 June 1996 and 14 January 1997

    Awaiting PAC Report

    Armagh Road, Newry

    17 June 1996 to 28 June 1996

    PAC Report received. Decision expected during June 1997

    Bentrim Road, Lisburn

    16 September 1996 to 14 November 1996

    Awaiting PAC Report

    Strand Road, Londonderry

    20 February 1996 to 29 March 1996 and 16 April 1996 and 8 November 1996

    PAC Report received. Decision expected during June 1997

    I do hope this clarifies the position.

    Political and Special Advisers
    Mr. Forth
    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list(a) the names, (b) the salary, (c) the previous occupation and salary and (d) the terms and conditions of each political and special adviser in her Department; and what was the selection process used to appoint these persons. [2413]

    Dr. Mowlam
    [holding answer 6 June 1997]: Subject to the approval of the Prime Minister, I propose to appoint Mr. Nigel Warner and Ms Anna Healy as my special advisers. Mr. Warner was previously my researcher in the House of Commons and Ms Healy was the senior Parliamentary Press Officer for the Labour Party before joining the Press Office of the Leader of the Opposition before the last General Election.

    The terms and conditions of the appointments are set out in the draft model contract, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House. Special Advisers are paid within a range of £24,349 to £73,484. Their salaries are negotiated individually and are confidential within this range. Details of this and of previous salary are not provided in order to protect the privacy of the individuals concerned.

    The appointments are personal to me in consultation with my Permanent Under Secretary and the Prime Minister.

    Parades
    Mr. William Ross
    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will publish a list of the meetings she has had to discuss parades in Northern Ireland,
    361
    indicating the duration of each of those meetings, with (i) concerned residents and similar groups, (ii) Right to March groups, (iii) Orange Lodges, (iv) Apprentice Boys, (v) Black institutions, (vi) Ancient Order of Hibernians, (vii) Boys' Brigade, (viii) Girls' Brigade, (ix) Boy Scouts, (x) Royal British Legion, (xi) the Chief Constable and (xii) the RUC Superintendents responsible for the possible contentious routes since she took up her present status in Northern Ireland. [2562]

    Mr. Ingram
    The Secretary of State has held the following meetings to discuss the parades issue in Northern Ireland:

    10.30 am, 21 May 1997 Garvaghy Road Residents' Association

    12.00 noon, 21 May 1997 Lower Ormeau Concerned Community

    8.30 am, 21 May 1997 Dunloy Residents

    Right to March groups

    3.45 pm, 28 May 1997 ORDER (Ormeau Residents Demand Equal Rights)/Ulster civil rights groups

    Orange Lodges

    Evening of 20 May 1997 County Armagh Grand Orange Lodge

    2.45 pm, 28 May 1997 Grand Orange Lodge

    Apprentice Boys

    12.15 pm, 28 May 1997

    Royal Black Institution

    5.00 pm, 3 June 1997

    RUC Chief Constable

    The Secretary of State has met the Chief Constable regularly to discuss a range of issues, including parades.

    All of the meetings were scheduled for 45 minutes each.

    Police Complaints Commission
    Dr. Godman
    To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when she will lay before Parliament the 1996 annual report of the Independent Commission for Police Complaints for Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement. [2851]
    362
    Dr. Mowlam
    The 1996 Annual Report of the Independent Commission for Police Complaints is being laid before Parliament today.

    The Report, which follows the format of previous years, comments on the work of the Commission in 1996. It includes an introduction from the then Chairman, James Grew, and chapters on the supervision of investigation of complaints against the police and on the Commission's role in disciplinary procedures arising from those complaints. It also has the usual statistical and financial sections.

    Following 1995's reduction in the number of complaints, by 12 per cent. from the 1994 level, there was an increase of 9 per cent. in 1996. The Report states that a good deal of this increase arose from complaints made about public order policing last summer. The overall number of complaints, however, at 2,545, is similar to that seen in the early 1990s. The Commission supervised 390 cases, the highest number since its creation. The number and proportion of complaints informally resolved continue to rise, with 22.3 per cent. in 1996 compared to 18.3 per cent., 15.7 per cent. and 10 per cent. in the previous three years. The number of cases arising from the holding centres, 85, was the lowest figure since the creation of the Commission.

    I should like to thank the Members and staff of the Commission for supervising a greater number of cases than ever before, and to encourage them to keep up their excellent work. In addition, I think it appropriate to record my thanks to Jim Grew for his service to the ICPC over almost a decade. His contribution has been outstanding and I am grateful to him. I wish his successor, Paul Donnelly, who has written an insert to the Report, on the way ahead on police complaints following Dr. Hayes' review of the complaints system, every success. His first challenge will be in seeing the Commission through the changes that will result from Dr. Hayes' proposals. I look forward to working in partnership with Paul Donnelly and the other bodies directly affected by the proposals in taking forward these important changes.

  Corruption in Public Life
  Corruption in Public Life
  BSE: Additional Controls
  BSE: Additional Controls
  Beef Production Subsidies: Readjustment
  Beef Production Subsidies: Readjustment
  British Library
  British Library
  Nuclear Reprocessing
  Nuclear Reprocessing
  Prion Homologues
  Prion Homologues
  Investigating Accountants: Impartiality
  Investigating Accountants: Impartiality
  Parliamentary Privilege
  Parliamentary Privilege
  Ministerial Committees: Membership
  Ministerial Committees: Membership
  Ministerial Committee on Defence and Overseas Policy (DOP)
  Ministerial Committee on Defence and Overseas Policy (DOP)