Written Answers of 11 June 1997

SCOTLAND

  Disabled People
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will appoint a Minister to have responsibility for policy on disabled people. [2291]

  Mr. Galbraith
  My Ministerial responsibilities include disability issues and I will be working with Ministerial colleagues to ensure that all the needs of all disabled people are addressed.

  Scottish Homes
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to allow Scottish Homes tenants the option of a local authority landlord in the event of a housing stock transfer. [2479]

  Mr. Chisholm
  We are reviewing the arrangements for the transfer of Scottish Homes' houses in the light of the Government's commitment to give tenants choice in their landlord.

  Homelessness
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to tackle homelessness in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [2724]

  Mr. Chisholm
  A revised Code of Guidance on Homelessness will shortly be issued. It will give clear encouragement to local authorities that they should seek to secure, either at their own hand or from other housing providers, permanent rather than temporary accommodation for unintentionally homeless people in priority need. We have also allocated an additional£1 million for the Rough Sleepers Initiative this year, bringing the total available funding to £16 million over three years; and we are making available a further £2 million as the first instalment in a new long term initiative to bring empty homes back into use. Subject to a satisfactory evaluation, we will make additional funding available to the Scottish Homeless Advisory Service to extend it throughout Scotland.

  Poverty
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to tackle poverty in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [2725]

  Mr. Chisholm
  The Government are committed to mounting a concerted attack against the multiple causes of social and economic decline. For many, the best path out of poverty is work, where it is appropriate. Our New Deal initiative will give young people opportunities to do 440
  so as part of our Welfare to Work programme. We also intend to provide help for people over the age of 25 who have been out of work for 2 years or more.

  The Government's commitment is not restricted to those seeking work, but to all of the most deprived in our society. A significant way in which this is taken forward in areas with the worst concentrations of deprivation is through the multi-agency partnership approach to regeneration, established under Programme for Partnership, where comprehensive strategies are taken forward to improve the conditions in which local people live.

  Islay (Air Services)
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total subsidy for air services to Islay in(a) 1995 and (b) 1996; to which company the subsidy was awarded; and what obligations are placed on the company to run weekend services. [2855]

  Mr. Chisholm
  No subsidy is provided by either central or local government for scheduled air services to and from Islay.

  Pennington Report
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what response the Government have made to the recommendations of the Pennington report. [3509]

  Mr. Dewar
  The Government accept all the recommendations in the final Pennington Report. We are fully committed to introducing the measures which we believe will help strengthen existing food safety legislation.

  Central to the Pennington Report are the recommendations to license butchers who are handling raw and cooked meat to ensure adequate separation. The Government are actively considering the detail of these proposals and will shortly seek views from health professionals, consumer organisations and the trade on issues such as the premises to be covered, the degree of physical separation and on timescale for implementation. Final decisions on all these matters will have as its overriding concern the protection of public health.

  The Government will also promote the introduction of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles into the meat production chain, from slaughterhouse to butcher shop. This internationally recognised approach to identifying and controlling food hazards will secure improved levels of food safety in the longer term.

  As Professor Pennington has recognised, many of the recommendations will require careful development to ensure that they are effective when introduced. At the same time we are fully aware of the need to have the measures in place quickly to strengthen food safety and restore public confidence, particularly given the recent new outbreaks of E.coli in Scotland.

  Finally, the Government wish formally to record its appreciation of the work carried out by Professor Pennington and the members of the expert group. Our acceptance of all the Group's recommendations illustrates our commitment that the safety of public health will be of the highest priority.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Closed Circuit Television (Chelmsford)
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the impact of the introduction of CCTV on the crime level in the centre of Chelmsford; how many arrests have been made as a result of CCTV; and by how much the crime rate has fallen in that part of Chelmsford. [2251]

  Mr. Michael
  The police in Chelmsford report that, in the 12-month period since the cameras became operational (January 1996-January 1997), 200 arrests were directly attributed to the presence of the cameras, and town centre crime overall fell by 21 per cent.

  Departmental Documents
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage and how many documents in 1996 he estimates were(a) passed on to the Public Record Office intact, (b) passed on to the Public Record Office in censored form, (c) retained by his Department in full,(d)retained by his Department in part, (e) destroyed, (f) otherwise disposed of, and (g)otherwise unaccounted for. [2513]

  Mr. Straw
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department today.

  Puppy Farms
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to increase animal welfare standards in puppy farms; and if he will make a statement. [2989]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Government is giving careful consideration to the laws regulating dog breeding establishments.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of asylum seekers held(a) in gaol and (b) otherwise in custody on the first day of each month for the years (i) 1994, (ii) 1995, (iii) 1996 and (iv) 1997 to date. [2845]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The available information on detained asylum seekers for selected dates during 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997 is given in the table.

  Table 1. Number of people recorded as being detained 1,2, who had sought asylum at some stage, by location of detention, as at selected dates in 1994, 1995, 1996. and 1997.

  Detained as at

  Prison Service establishments

  Detained in Other places of detention

  Total

  18 November 1994

  278

  376

  654

  13 January 1995

  257

  315

  572

  29 March 1995

  274

  345

  619

  10 May 1995

  240

  406

  646

  3 July 1995

  323

  367

  690

  21 November 1995

  378

  398

  776

  31 January 1996

  432

  301

  733

  29 February 1996

  346

  356

  702

  29 March 1996

  344

  341

  685

  30 April 1996

  353

  372

  725

  442

  Table 1. Number of people recorded as being detained 1,2, who had sought asylum at some stage, by location of detention, as at selected dates in 1994, 1995, 1996, and 1997.

  Detained as at

  Prison Service establishments

  Detained in Other places of detention

  Total

  31 May 19963

  352

  399

  751

  27 June 1996

  351

  421

  772

  30 July 19964

  340

  436

  776

  4 September 1996

  339

  470

  809

  1 October 1996

  343

  521

  864

  5 November 1996

  325

  483

  808

  11 December 1996

  292

  462

  754

  31 January 19975

  324

  444

  768

  27 March 1997

  313

  464

  111

  30 April 1997

  298

  499

  797

  1 Provisional figures.

  2 Persons 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.

  3 Port cases are as at 7 June 1996 and In-country cases are as at 31 May 1996.

  4 Port cases are as at 2 August 1996 and In-country cases are as at 30 July 1996.

  5 Port cases are as at 3 February 1997 and In-country cases are as at 30 January 1997.

  Immigration (Same Sex Partnerships)
  Mrs. Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will put on hold all immigration appeal cases for established same sex partnerships, pending a review of immigration policy. [3052]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  No. Home Office Presenting Officers have, however, been instructed not to oppose requests for adjournments in same sex relationship appeals unless there are strong reasons on other grounds for proceeding with the case.

  CS Gas
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what plans he has to review the use of CS gas by the police; and if he will make a statement; [2138]

  (2) what research his Department has commissioned into the effects of CS gas; and if he will make a statement; [2136]

  (3) if he will make a statement on the regulations governing the use of CS gas by the police. [2137]

  Mr. Michael
  My right hon. Friend has no plans to review police use of CS at this stage. In 1969, the then Home Secretary, my noble Friend Lord Callaghan, set up an inquiry into the medical and toxicological aspects of CS following its use in Londonderry. The report of the inquiry was published, in two parts, in 1969 and 1971 (Cm 4173 and Cm 4775 respectively). The possible use of CS cartridges and grenades by police forces as a last resort in dealing with serious disorder is the subject of confidential Home Office guidelines. The Home Office Police Scientific Development Branch reviewed all the available scientific data relating to CS which, along with advice from the Chief Medical Officer and the Ministry
  443
  of Defence, was taken into account by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) in deciding to recommend CS spray as an aerosol incapacitant for police defensive use. ACPO has provided chief officers with guidance on the use of CS spray, copies of which are in the Library. The use of any force by officers is governed by section 3 of the Criminal Law Act 1967, which provides that a person may use such force as is reasonable in the circumstances in the prevention of crime.

  Driving Without Insurance (Fines)
  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average fine imposed by(a) justices of the peace and (b) stipendiary and metropolitan stipendiary magistrates in relation to cases of driving with no insurance in each of the last three years.[2939]

  Mr. Michael
  [holding answer 10 June 1997]: The information collected centrally does not allow a distinction to be made between the types of magistrates who deal with a case.

  However, the following table shows the average fine imposed by all magistrates' courts for driving uninsured against third party risks in England and Wales in the years 1993, 1994 and 1995. Figures for 1996 are not yet available. It also shows separately figures for metropolitan police forces, where stipendiary and metropolitan stipendiary magistrates are most likely to operate, and other police forces. Those fined for driving without insurance are often dealt with for other offences as well. It is difficult to know whether there is a significant difference in the case profiles of offenders dealt with by courts in different areas.

  Average fine in England and Wales for the offence of using a motor vehicle uninsured against third party risks

  All magistrates' courts(£)

  Magistrates' courts in, metropolitan forces (£)

  Magistrates'courts in other police forces (£)

  1993

  188

  180

  194

  1994

  209

  205

  212

  1995

  223

  224

  223

  Animal Experimentation
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures are to be taken to ensure proper observance of the regulations introduced under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. [3005]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 remains one of the most rigorous pieces of legislation of its type. All those who work under the Act have a duty to ensure that its regulations, including the terms and conditions of the relevant licences and certificates, are fully observed. The holders of Certificates of Designation have a particular responsibility to ensure that animal work within their establishments is properly controlled.

  The Home Office, through the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate, carries out spot checks on establishments to monitor compliance with the
  444
  regulations, but inspectors cannot be at establishments at all times and observance of the law must lie primarily with the scientists and animal technicians.

  James Hanratty
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to issue a pardon for James Hanratty. [2815]

  Mr. Michael
  My right hon. Friend has no current plans to issue a pardon for James Hanratty. Representations on the case of James Hanratty have been passed to the Criminal Cases Review Commission for its consideration and it will be for it to decide if the case should be referred to the Court of Appeal.

  Electoral Registration
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he proposes to increase the percentage of(a) persons aged over 18 years, (b) people from ethnic minority backgrounds and (c) people in rented accommodation who are registered to vote. [3073]

  Mr. George Howarth
  We are considering how best to publicise this autumn's canvass for electoral registration and in particular how to reach groups whose members tend to be more likely not to register. These include the young, members of ethnic minority groups and people who are not in settled accommodation.

  Entry Clearance Refusals (Appeals)
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average cost to public funds in the last year for which figures are available of an appeal to an adjudicator against a decision by an entry clearance officer to refuse family settlement to an applicant, from the time of the refusal to the issue of a determination by the adjudicator. [2531]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The information requested is not held centrally, but I will write to the hon. Member.

TREASURY

  Departmental Documents
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage and how many documents in 1996 he estimates were(a) passed on to the Public Record Office intact, (b) passed on to the Public Record Office in censored form, (c) retained by his Department in full, (d) retained by his Department in part, (e) destroyed, (f) otherwise disposed of, and (g) otherwise unaccounted for. [2510]

  Mrs. Liddell
  No document falls due for transfer to the Public Record Office until it is 30 years old. The suitability of a document for selection for permanent preservation under the terms of the Public Records Act 1958 will be reviewed during that period. The Act does not require statistics to be kept in the form requested. To do so would incur disproportionate cost. However, in order to comply with their duties under the Act, Departments are obliged to make arrangements for the safe keeping of their records, with a view to their possible selection and transfer to the Public Record Office and
  445
  eventual release to the public. The general arrangements for extended closure or retention of public records are set out in Chapter 9 of the White Paper on Open Government of July 1993 (Cm 2290).

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the Government's proposals for the future of the private finance initiative; and if he will make a statement. [2569]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  I have asked Malcolm Bates to conduct a rapid review of present arrangements. I have placed a copy of his terms of reference in the Library. Mr. Bates is due to report to me by 13 June, and I expect to announce the Government's response to the findings of that review shortly thereafter.

  Terms of Reference
  The purpose of the review, to be submitted to the Paymaster General by 13 June, is to make recommendations as to how best to accelerate the flow of sound PFI (Public/Private Partnership) projects. Taking as its starting point the 12 point plan for partnership, published originally in Labour's Business Manifesto, it will address in particular:

  (i) The role that can best be played by a new public/private taskforce within the Treasury, reporting to the Paymaster General.

  (ii) The respective roles and effectiveness of the Private Finance Panel, the Executive to the Private Finance Panel and the departmental officials active in advancing partnership projects across the public sector.

  (iii) Generic obstacles to progress and recommendations for their removal in ways that maintain value for money as the litmus test for what is acceptable and what is not.

  (iv)The extent to which a lack of skills in the public and private sectors is a barrier to progress and what could best address that.

  (v)How best to learn the lessons of success (and failure) so that public and private sector practitioners do not constantly reinvent wheels.

  Building Societies
  Ms Keeble
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about Government policy on mutuality, with special reference to the Nationwide Building Society; and what assessment he has made of the possible impact on homeowners of building societies converting into banks. [2981]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Government welcomes diversity and competition in the mortgage market, where both the mutual building societies and plc banks provide a range of varied and innovative products.

  As only one building society has converted to a bank before this year, it is too early to say what the impact on homeowners will be.

  Ms Drown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the long term impact(a) on interest rates for homeowners and savers and (b) on choice of lending and saving institutions, of mutual building societies converting into banks. [2985]

  Mrs. Liddell
  As all but one of the societies converting to banks are either about to do so, or have done so very recently, it is too early to say what the long term impact on interest rates for homeowners and savers will be.
  446
  The Government welcomes diversity and competition amongst lending and saving institutions, whatever their constitution.

  Christian Aid: Change the Rules Campaign
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many individual contributions of £ 1 coins the Treasury has received in the last 12 months from supporters of Christian Aid's Change the Rules campaign; and what he proposes to do with the sum contributed. [2837]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 10 June 1997]: The Government has received a total of £3,624.67 as of 10 June. All the money received as part of the £1 coin campaign is being paid into the Consolidated Fund at the Bank of England and will be used to provide additional debt relief for Tanzania.

  Public Sector Borrowing Requirement
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether NHS trust and health authority deficits, actual and projected, have been included in the public sector borrowing requirement calculation for(a) 1995ߝ96, (b) 1996ߝ97 and (c) 1997ߝ98. [2207]

  Mr. Darling
  [holding answer 6 June 1997]: Outturns for the public sector borrowing requirement in 1995ߝ97 and 1996ߝ97 cover the cash borrowing requirements of all public sector bodies, including NHS Trusts and health authorities. The forecast of the public sector borrowing requirement for 1997ߝ98 made in the last Budget was based on the previous Government's spending plans. It included the planned borrowing of NHS trusts and assumed that health authorities' expenditure remained within their allocated cash limit.

  Income Tax
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for a married taxpayer with earned income and no other income of (i) £5,000, (ii) £10,000, (iii) £15,000 and (iv) £20,000 and a single taxpayer with earned income and no other income of(a) £5,000, (b) £10,000 (c) £15,000 and (d) £20,000, how much they would gain each week from the introduction of a 10p starting rate of income tax on the first (1) £1,000, (2) £1,500, (3) £2,000, (4) £2,500 and (5) £3,000 of taxable income to replace the first £2,000 of the current 20p income tax band while leaving all other tax rate bands and allowances unchanged. [1859]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 2 June 1997]: Based on the right hon. Member's assumptions, the weekly gains from a new lop starting rate of income tax are given in the table. 1997ߝ98 allowances and rates are used.

  Gain per week (£) Width of 10p band

  Earnings

  £1,000

  £1,500

  £2,000

  £2,500

  £3,000

  £5,000

  1.84

  1.84

  1.84

  1.84

  1.84

  £10,000

  1.92

  2.88

  3.85

  4.81

  5.77

  £15,000

  1.92

  2.88

  3.85

  4.81

  5.77

  £20,000

  1.92

  2.88

  3.85

  4.81

  5.77

  447
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much reserve would be forgone by the introduction of a starting rate of income tax at lop on the first(a) £1,000, (b) £1,500, (c) £2,000, (d) £2,500 and (e) £3,000 of taxable income to replace its first £1,000, £1,500, £2,000, £2,500, £3,000 respectively, of its current 20p income tax band, while leaving all other tax rate bands and allowances unchanged. [1860]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 2 June 1997]: The estimated full-year costs, based on the right hon. Member's assumptions and assuming that all other allowances and tax rates in 1997ߝ98 are left unchanged, are given in the table:

  New 10p starting rate on first

  Full year cost at 1997–98 income levels(£ billion)

  £1,000

  2.5

  £1,500

  3.6

  £2,000

  4.8

  £2,500

  5.9

  £3,000

  6.9

  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with a starting rate of income tax at 10p on respectively the first £1,000, £1,500 to £2,000; £2,500, £3,000 of taxable income replacing the first £1,000, £1,500, £2,000, £2,500 and £3,000 of the current 20p income tax band, at what starting point of taxable income the basic rate would have to be set to ensure no overall loss of tax receipts either in the year of assessment for which these changes were made or in either of two following years. [1875]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 2 June 1997]: Based on the right hon. Member's assumption of no loss of tax revenue in a full year, the basic rate limit would need to be set at the levels given in the table. These assume 1997ߝ98 income levels and that all other allowances and tax rates in 1997ߝ98 are unchanged.

  New 10p starting rate on first

  Value of basic rate limit

  £1,000

  £21,100

  £1,500

  £19,400

  £2,000

  £18,000

  £2,500

  £16,850

  £3,000

  £15,850

  To repeat the same analysis in terms of no overall loss of tax receipts in 1997ߝ98 and the following two years could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much the basic rate limit would have to be reduced to ensure that with a starting rate of tax of lop on the first(a) £1,000, (b) £1,500, (c) £2,000, (d) £2,500 and (e) £3,000 of taxable income to replace the first £1,000, £1,500, £2,000, £2,500 and £3,000 respectively, of the current 20p income tax band, while leaving all other tax rate bands and allowances unchanged, nobody currently paying tax at the higher rate of 40p would experience any reduction in their aggregate income tax liability. [1858]
  448
  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 2 June 1997]: Based on the right hon. Member's assumptions that the higher rate taxpayers do not gain from a new 10p starting rate, the basic rate limit would be as shown in the table below.

  Width of 10p band

  Reduce basic rate limit to

  (a)£1,000

  £25,512

  (b) £1,500

  £25,218

  (c)£2,000

  £24,924

  (d)£2,500

  £24,629

  (e)£3,000

  £24,335

  Mortgage Interest Tax Relief
  Mr. Goggins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost of mortgage interest tax relief in(a) 1997ߝ98, (b) 1998ߝ99 and (c) 1999ߝ2000. [1642]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 2 June 1997]: The estimated total cost of mortgage interest tax relief in 1997ߝ98 is £2.4 billion. The estimate is based on the assumption, by convention, of no change from the latest available estimated average building society interest rate of 6.66 per cent. The cost of the relief in 1998ߝ99 and 1999ߝ2000 would depend on future interest rates, the future distribution of the number and value of outstanding mortgages.

  Finance Bill
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to publish the Finance Bill; and when he will make notes on the Bill's clauses available to hon. Members. [3506]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  We expect the Finance Bill to be published the day after the conclusion of the Budget debate. Explanatory Notes on the Bill's clauses will be placed in the Vote Office and the Libraries of the House that day. Members of the public will be able to obtain copies of the Explanatory Notes from the Treasury; these will also be available on the Treasury's internet site (http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk).

  Customs and Excise (Northern Ireland)
  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures are in place to monitor and enforce fair employment and equal opportunities policies in Customs and Excise in Northern Ireland. [1912]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 6 June 1997]: Customs and Excise, along with all other civil service departments and agencies with staff in Northern Ireland, submit an annual return via the Cabinet Office to the Fair Employment Commission. This covers the perceived religious composition of the workforce in Northern Ireland and those who apply for vacancies.

  Customs also undertakes a full review of its policies and procedure relating to equality of opportunity in employment in Northern Ireland for the Fair Employment Commission every three years. The last such review was in 1996.
  449
  Individual personnel systems, such as appointments, personal appraisal, pay and grading and training and development opportunities are monitored in respect of community background for Northern Ireland, taking account of the Codes of Practice from the Fair Employment Commission and the Equal Opportunities Commission.

  As a matter of policy all Customs staff in Northern Ireland are receiving equal opportunities training.

  Capital Gains Tax
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been(a) the rate of and (b) the revenue raised through capital gains tax in each financial year since 1987ߝ88. [2791]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 9 June 1997]: Figures on receipts are shown in Table 1.2 and rates of capital gains tax in Appendices A.5 and A.2 of the Inland Revenue Statistics 1996, a copy of which is in the Library.

  Mr. Winterton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information his Department has obtained concerning capital gains tax rates, thresholds and tapers in each of the other member countries of the European Union; and if he will make a statement. [2795]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 9 June 1997]: The taxation of capital, including capital gains, varies widely between different member States.

  Inheritance Tax
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been(a) the rate of and (b) the revenue raised through inheritance tax in each financial year since 1987ߝ88. [2792]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 9 June 1997]: Figures on receipts are shown in Table 1.2 and rates of inheritance tax in Appendix A.6 of Inland Revenue Statistics 1996, a copy of which is in the Library.

  Economic Policy
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will review the relationships between capital gains and inheritance tax rates, investment decisions and Exchequer revenues in advance of the Budget. [2794]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 9 June 1997]: This is a matter for the Chancellor in considering his Budget.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Departmental Documents
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the number of documents passed to the Public Record Office in 1996 from all Government departments. [2504]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Question concerns a specific operational matter on which the Chief Executive of the Public Record Office is best placed to provide an answer and I have accordingly asked the Chief Executive to reply direct.
  450
  Letter from Sarah Tyacke to Mr. Norman Baker, dated 10 June 1997:
  I have been asked by the Lord Chancellor's Parliamentary Secretary to reply for the Public Record Office to your question about the above.
  103,997 documents were passed to the Office in 1996.
  A "document" is an archival unit, usually comprising a file, a volume or a bundle of papers rather than an individual sheet of paper.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department of the documents passed to the Public Record Office from all Government departments in 1965 what percentage he estimates have been(a) released under the 30-year rule in their entirety, (b) released under the 30-year rule in part only, (c) retained with a specific future date identified for release into the public domain, retained with no specific future date identified for release into the public domain, (e)destroyed, (f)otherwise disposed of and (g)otherwise unaccounted for; and what is the total of (a) to (g) as a percentage of all those documents passed to the Public Record Office in 1965. [2505]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Question concerns a specific operational matter on which the Chief Executive of the Public Record Office is best placed to provide an answer and I have accordingly asked the Chief Executive to reply direct.

  Letter from Sarah Tyacke to Mr. Norman Baker, dated 10 June 1997:
  I have been asked by the Lord Chancellor's Parliamentary Secretary to reply for the Public Record Office to your question about the above.
  Regarding (a) and (b), records passed to this Office in 1965 were subject to a fifty year rule. The thirty year rule came into force in 1968, under the Public Records Act 1967.
  Regarding (c) and (d), records passed to this Office could not as the same time have been 'retained' by government departments. Retentions were for specified periods, which were renewable.
  Regarding (e), 44 Cause Books of the Chancery Division of the Supreme Court (J 12), dating from 1939, were destroyed in 1972, following the recommendations of the Committee on Legal Records in 1966 (Cmnd 3084). In addition, items from among the War Office, Registered Papers, General Series (WO 32), dating from 1855 to 1925, were destroyed in 1967 following a re-review of the contents of the class, as were a small number of items from the War Office reports and Miscellaneous Papers (WO 33), dating between 1925 and 1930, in 1968.
  Regarding (t) and (g), no records passed to this Office in 1965 have been disposed of otherwise than by destruction, or are otherwise unaccounted for.
  Details of the records transferred to the Public Record Office in 1965 appear as appendix II to the Report of the Keeper of Public Records for that year, laid before Parliament in 1966.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what percentage and how many documents in 1996 he estimates were(a) passed on to the Public Record Office intact, (b) passed on to the Public Record Office in censored form, (c) retained by his Department in full, (d) retained by his Department in part, destroyed, (f)otherwise disposed of, and (g)otherwise unaccounted for. [2508]

  Mr. Hoon
  No document falls due for transfer to the Public Record Office until it is 30 years old. The suitability of a document for selection for permanent preservation under the terms of the Public Records Act 1958 will be reviewed during that period. The Act does
  451
  not require statistics to be kept in the form requested. To do so would incur disproportionate cost. However, in order to comply with their duties under the Act, departments are obliged to make arrangements for the safekeeping of their records, with a view to their possible selection and transfer to the Public Record Office and eventual release to the public. The general arrangements for extended closure or retention of public records are set out in Chapter 9 of the White Paper Open Government of July 1993 (Cm 2290).

  Civil Legal Aid
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans the Government have to extend the eligibility for civil legal aid to hearing before(a) industrial tribunals and (b) social security appeal tribunals; and if he will make a statement. [2843]

  Mr. Hoon
  There are no immediate plans to increase the scope of the legal aid scheme. There is to be a review of civil justice and legal aid and we will be able to consider the current scope of the scheme in the light of the outcome of that review.

  Legal Services Ombudsman
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to review in the public interest the effectiveness of the self-regulatory Office for the Supervision of Solicitors and the powers of the Legal Services Ombudsman. [2220]

  Mr. Hoon
  The effectiveness of the Office for the Supervision of Solicitors is, in the first instance, a matter for the Law Society. My Department intends later this year to carry out the first review of the office of the Legal Services Ombudsman since it was established at the beginning of 1991.

  Abbas Gokal
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will call for a report from the Legal Aid Board into the case of Abbas Gokal. [1913]

  Mr. Hoon
  It is the courts not the Legal Aid Board that consider applications for legal aid in criminal cases. The Central Criminal Court granted legal aid in the case of Mr. Gokal. I obtained a report from the court about Mr. Gokal's application for legal aid in the light of the publicity following the jury's verdict in the case. I have since asked the Administrator at the court to review the court's procedures in relation to legal aid. I have also asked for all Crown Court centres to be alerted to the need for great care in the processing of applications for legal aid.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Minimum Wage
  Mr. Tom King
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what research has been commissioned and what estimates have been made by his Department, and what information presented to him, regarding the costs per annum to his Department's budget of the 452
  introduction of a minimum wage at (a) £3.50 an hour, (b) £ 4 an hour and (c) £4.40 an hour; and if he will make a statement. [2108]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade on 9 June 1997,Official Report, column 310.

  Concessionary Television Licences
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) if he will change the rules of the television licence concessionary scheme for retired persons in sheltered complexes with wardens to enable the concession to continue once granted in circumstances where the warden's hours of work are reduced; [2883]

  (2) if he will introduce a personal concession for retired persons in sheltered complexes of the kind granted in May 1988 to protect the television licence concessionary scheme for those in receipt of the concession at 1 January; [2884]

  (3) what plans he has to extend the television licence concessionary scheme to retired residents in sheltered complexes with wardens working on site for 16 hours each week. [2882]

  Mr. Fisher
  Entitlement to the concessionary television licence fee is linked primarily to the accommodation occupied and the way in which it is provided or managed, rather than being a personal and portable benefit. The requirement for qualifying sheltered accommodation to have a carer who either lives within the scheme or works on site for at least 30 hours a week is designed to limit the scheme to sheltered housing directly comparable to a residential home. The Government has no current plans to amend the concessionary licence fee regulations.

  Political and Special Advisers
  Mr. Forth
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage 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. [2415]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 6 June 1997]: I have two Special Advisers, Mr. Julian Eccles and Mr. John Newbigin. Mr. Eccles was previously employed as an Associate Director with the Public Affairs Division of Hill and Knowlton. Mr. Newbigin, who works three and a half days a week for me, continues to work for Enigma Productions for one day and a half.

  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.

  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 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 Secretary of my Department and the Prime Minister.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Playing Fields
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement concerning the sale of school playing fields by local education authorities; and what plans he has to change present policy. [2145]

  Mr. Alan Campbell
  To aks the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to change Government policy regarding the sale of school playing fields. [3621]

  Mr. Byers
  We intend to make sure that those playing fields which schools and their local communities need are not sold in future.

  My right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Education and Employment and the Secretary of State for National Heritage are discussing this as a matter of urgency. We are looking at a wide range of options to ensure that all school pupils will have access to proper sports facilities.

  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many acres of playing fields and at what locations have been sold over the last 10 years by the Durham local education authority. [2462]

  Mr. Byers
  Local education authorities are not required to report their disposals of playing fields to Central Government.

  LEA

  1991£92 imports 11 to 15

  Imports as percentage of pupils Per cent.

  1993£94 imports 11 to 15

  Imports as percentage of pupils Per cent.

  1996£97 imports 11 to 15

  Imports as percentage of pupils Per cent.

  City

  0

  0

  4

  50

  7

  88

  Camden

  4,423

  52

  4,453

  50

  4,460

  50

  Greenwich

  2,074

  16

  2,292

  18

  2,094

  17

  Hackney

  1,258

  17

  1,075

  14

  991

  13

  Hammersmith

  2,714

  48

  2,702

  47

  2,590

  48

  Islington

  1,863

  28

  2,371

  34

  2,440

  33

  Kensington

  1,893

  68

  1,562

  56

  1,980

  68

  Lambeth

  1,375

  21

  1,226

  17

  1,276

  18

  Lewisham

  2,305

  24

  2,016

  20

  1,957

  19

  Southwark

  2,548

  28

  2,544

  28

  2,379

  25

  Tower Hamlets

  1,080

  10

  785

  7

  784

  6

  Wandsworth

  2,467

  30

  2,550

  30

  2,481

  28

  Westminster

  3,321

  53

  3,670

  57

  3,606

  54

  Barking

  741

  9

  969

  11

  933

  10

  Barnet

  3,052

  20

  3,887

  24

  4,020

  24

  Bexley

  1,016

  8

  1,474

  11

  1,349

  10

  Brent

  551

  6

  1,162

  11

  1,188

  10

  Bromley

  903

  7

  2,006

  13

  2,105

  13

  Croydon

  1,501

  11

  1,470

  10

  1,835

  12

  Ealing

  627

  5

  824

  7

  822

  6

  Enfield

  1,186

  8

  2,133

  14

  2,192

  14

  Haringey

  918

  12

  1,305

  16

  1,358

  15

  Harrow

  770

  8

  1,384

  13

  1,295

  12

  Havering

  1,003

  7

  1,127

  8

  1,201

  9

  Hillingdon

  562

  5

  840

  7

  919

  7

  Hounslow

  1,956

  17

  3,016

  24

  3,015

  23

  Kingston

  1,002

  16

  1,498

  22

  1,558

  23

  Merton

  1,026

  14

  1,338

  18

  1,382

  18

  Newham

  687

  5

  511

  4

  539

  4

  Redbridge

  854

  7

  1,340

  10

  1,356

  10

  Richmond

  2,434

  34

  3,120

  40

  3,233

  42

  Sutton

  1,549

  17

  1,921

  20

  1,791

  17

  Waltham Forest

  318

  3

  485

  4

  493

  4

  454
  Provided that their schools continue to comply with the requirements for minimum playing field area in the Education (School Premises) Regulations 1996, local education authorities may dispose of land belonging to them without reference to the Secretary of State. However, before considering any land as surplus, local authorities should consider carefully both future demand, from projected pupil numbers, and the needs of the wider communities that their schools serve.

  As my hon. Friend is aware, the Sports Council has established a register of recreational land and the Government is considering how best to tackle the whole question of playing fields and sports provision for schools as a matter of urgency.

  Secondary Schools
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many pupils in each local education authority in England and Wales in each academic year from 1988ߝ89 to 1996ߝ97 who were educated in either grant-maintained or local education authority secondary schools came from outside the local authority area; and what percentage of the total school population that represents in each case. [2214]

  Mr. Byers
  The following table sets out the number of pupils aged 11ߝ15 in each English local education authority who were educated in maintained schools and who came from outside the area of the local education authority in which they were educated. These numbers are expressed as a percentage of the total numbers of pupils aged 11ߝ15 educated by the authorities. Data are available only for the academic years 1991ߝ92 and 1993ߝ94 and 1996ߝ97.
  455

  LEA

  1991£92 imports 11 to 15

  Imports as percentage of pupils Per cent.

  1993–94 imports 11 to 15

  Imports a percentage of pupils Per cost

  1996£97 imports 11 to 15

  Imports as percentage of pupils Per cent.

  Birmingham

  1,073

  2

  1,296

  2

  1,208

  2

  Coventry

  342

  2

  400

  2

  383

  2

  Dudley

  647

  4

  1,173

  6

  1,255

  7

  Sandwell

  917

  5

  1,425

  8

  1,458

  8

  Solihull

  1,313

  11

  2,258

  17

  2,498

  18

  Walsall

  1,216

  7

  1,513

  9

  1,622

  9

  Wolverhampton

  431

  3

  547

  4

  560

  4

  Knowsley

  422

  5

  569

  6

  490

  5

  Liverpool

  907

  3

  1,265

  5

  1,059

  4

  St. Helens

  733

  7

  894

  8

  326

  3

  Sefton

  811

  5

  1,174

  7

  1,097

  6

  Wirral

  17

  0

  99

  1

  209

  1

  Bolton

  690

  4

  813

  5

  844

  5

  Bury

  604

  6

  862

  8

  816

  7

  Manchester

  1,109

  5

  1,100

  5

  1,168

  5

  Oldham

  1,235

  8

  2,082

  13

  2,139

  13

  Rochdale

  318

  3

  298

  2

  301

  2

  Salford

  408

  4

  430

  4

  347

  3

  Stockport

  364

  2

  502

  3

  169

  1

  Tameside

  516

  4

  842

  6

  984

  7

  Trafford

  511

  4

  1,207

  10

  1,414

  11

  Wigan

  1,577

  8

  1,487

  8

  1,071

  5

  Barnsley

  172

  1

  221

  2

  224

  2

  Doncaster

  212

  1

  218

  1

  218

  1

  Rotherham

  677

  4

  1,278

  7

  1,230

  7

  Sheffield

  186

  1

  152

  1

  136

  1

  Bradford

  270

  1

  238

  1

  235

  1

  Calderdale

  188

  2

  437

  4

  390

  3

  Kirklees

  270

  1

  315

  1

  304

  1

  Leeds

  920

  2

  1,017

  3

  1,186

  3

  Wakefield

  416

  2

  528

  3

  566

  3

  Gateshead

  241

  2

  407

  4

  371

  3

  Newcastle

  817

  6

  848

  6

  803

  6

  North Tyneside

  211

  2

  291

  3

  276

  2

  South Tyneside

  377

  4

  330

  3

  304

  3

  Sunderland

  295

  2

  436

  2

  503

  3

  Isles of Scilly

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Avon

  681

  1

  716

  1

  696

  1

  Bedfordshire

  708

  2

  679

  2

  690

  2

  Berkshire

  1,579

  4

  1,463

  3

  1,344

  3

  Buckinghamshire

  459

  1

  991

  3

  1,118

  3

  Cambridge

  340

  1

  372

  1

  397

  1

  Cheshire

  1,425

  3

  2,259

  4

  2,245

  4

  Cleveland

  196

  1

  259

  1

  218

  1

  Cornwall

  213

  1

  242

  1

  277

  1

  Cumbria

  258

  1

  326

  1

  420

  1

  Derbyshire

  780

  1

  600

  1

  587

  1

  Devon

  299

  1

  504

  1

  522

  1

  Dorset

  1,418

  4

  1,298

  4

  1,286

  4

  Durham

  162

  0

  133

  0

  209

  1

  East Sussex

  494

  2

  707

  2

  604

  2

  Essex

  754

  1

  1,021

  1

  1,497

  2

  Gloucestershire

  692

  2

  837

  3

  922

  3

  Hampshire

  779

  1

  1,128

  1

  481

  1

  Hereford and Worcester

  843

  2

  1,196

  3

  1,119

  3

  Hertfordshire

  2,976

  5

  3,260

  6

  3,667

  6

  Humberside

  1,227

  2

  1,183

  2

  1,070

  2

  Isle of Wight

  6

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Kent

  743

  1

  1,212

  1

  1,289

  1

  Lancashire

  699

  1

  835

  1

  899

  1

  Leicester

  418

  1

  486

  1

  530

  1

  Lincolnshire

  436

  1

  929

  3

  1,007

  3

  Norfolk

  408

  1

  542

  1

  537

  1

  North Yorkshire

  1,583

  4

  1,888

  5

  2,226

  5

  Northamptonshire

  571

  2

  749

  2

  730

  2

  Northumberland

  368

  2

  553

  3

  562

  3

  Nottinghamshire

  450

  1

  730

  1

  728

  1

  Oxfordshire

  1,472

  5

  1,680

  6

  1,708

  6

  Shropshire

  360

  2

  582

  2

  389

  2

  Somerset

  204

  1

  242

  1

  349

  1

  Staffordshire

  684

  1

  1,266

  2

  1,339

  2

  Suffolk

  667

  2

  728

  2

  727

  2

  Surrey

  1,532

  4

  2,221

  5

  1,478

  3

  456 457

  LEA

  1991£92 imports 11 to 15

  Imports as percentage of pupils Per cent.

  1993£94 imports 11 to 15

  Imports as percentage of pupils Per cent.

  1996£97 imports 11 to 15

  Imports as percentage of pupils Per cent.

  Warwickshire

  502

  2

  915

  3

  797

  3

  West Sussex

  1,106

  3

  1,450

  4

  1,467

  4

  Wiltshire

  253

  1

  472

  1

  408

  1

  England

  100,135

  4

  124,667

  5

  124,332

  5

  1. The 1996–97 figures for Avon, Cleveland, Humberside and North Yorkshire represent the position prior to Local Government reorganisation.

  2. The import figures are gross figures and not net of exports to other authorities. Hence the figures for England are not zero.

  3. In some cases where no data were available, the 1996–97 figures have been estimated on the basis of previous returns.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list(a) capital projects in schools which have taken advantage of PFI and (b) planned and actual costs to public funds of each of these schemes over their lifetime; and if he will make a statement. [3020]

  Mr. Byers
  A number of schools PPP/PFI projects are being actively considered, and some are approaching contract signing stage. My right hon. Friend the Paymaster General is conducting a wide ranging review of PPP/PFI, and we plan to encourage the use of PPP/PFI to improve the condition of school buildings, in the light of the outcome of that review.

  Dyslexia
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what provision is made by his Department to assist adults with dyslexia; [2446]

  (2) what grants are available from his Department for adults with dyslexia; [2447]

  (3) what steps he proposes to take to improve access to education and resources for adults with dyslexia; [2448]

  (4) what plans he has to improve the funding available for adults with dyslexia. [2450]

  Dr. Howells
  The Department provides financial help to adults with dyslexia in a number of ways of which the following are among the most significant.

  In higher education, dyslexic students, who are eligible for a mandatory award from their LEA, may qualify for one or more of the Disabled Student's Allowances available as part of their maintenance grant. The cost of these grants is met in full by my Department. The Department has also provided £28 million to further education colleges and universities for 1997ߝ98 for Further and Higher Education Access Funds. These funds are available to students whose access to further and higher education might be inhibited by financial considerations or who, for whatever reason, including learning difficulties, face financial difficulties.

  The Further and Higher Education Funding Councils make some funding available specifically in respect of provision for students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, including dyslexia.

  There are no current plans for the Department to make additional provision in this area.
  458
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what funds are available to local authorities to provide grants for adults with dyslexia. [2449]

  Dr. Howells
  The total education spending allowed for within the revenue support grant settlement for 1997ߝ98 was £18,088 million. It is for individual local authorities to decide how to allocate the funding they receive between and within the services they provide, including whether to make grants available to adults with dyslexia.

  Mature Students
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what estimate he has made of the average maintenance(a) grant and (b) loan awarded to mature students in each year of study; and if he will make a statement; [2749]

  (2) what estimate he has made of the average maintenance (a) grant and (b)loan awarded to mature students in Wales, in each year of study; and if he will make a statement. [2736]

  Dr. Howells
  The available information on student awards does not identify separately those awards received by mature students. Information on the average student loan is not available in the form requested, either in the Department or in the Student Loans Company. However, the average loan to students aged 26 years and over at the start of their course in the academic year 1995ߝ96 according to place of study is given in the table.

  Student loans: average loan (£)1 to those aged 26 and over

  Academic year

  1995–96

  England2

  1,190

  Wales2

  1,110

  United Kingdom

  1,170

  Source:

  Student Loans Company.

  1Average loan rounded to nearest £.10.

  2Country of study.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what estimate he has made of(a) how many and (b) what percentage of those studying for (i) undergraduate degrees and (ii) equivalent vocational qualifications are mature students; and if he will make a statement; [2746]

  (2) if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on mature students. [2747]
  459
  Dr. Howells
  There are no direct equivalences between undergraduate degrees and vocational qualifications. The table below provides an analysis by qualification aim of those studying at undergraduate level in HE institutions in England in 1996ߝ97.

  Undergraduate students in higher education establishments1 in England 1996–97 (thousands)

  Qualification aim

  Mature students2

  All students

  Percentage mature

  First degree

  471.1

  866.8

  54.4

  Professional qualifications

  13.0

  13.4

  97.2

  Diploma/Certificate in HE

  41.3

  48.9

  84.5

  HND/HNC

  26.8

  56.4

  47.5

  NVQ/SVQ levels 4 and 5

  1.7

  1.7

  99.3

  Institutional credit

  53.8

  56.3

  95.6

  Foundation course

  3.0

  3.9

  77.5

  Other undergraduate

  60.7

  63.9

  95.1

  Total

  671.4

  1,111.2

  60.4

  1Excludes He in FE establishment.

  1Students aged 21 or over in the current academic year.

  My right hon. Friend welcomes the substantial increase that has taken place in the number of mature students in higher education, to the point where the number of mature entrants now exceeds the number of 18ߝ21 year olds starting in higher education. Our policy is to widen the opportunities for all individuals to enable them to fulfil their intellectual and personal potential and to engage in learning throughout life and we shall be considering very carefully the relevant recommendations of the National Committee of Inquiry into Higher Education, which is expected to report next month.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what estimate he has made of(a) how many and (b) what percentage of mature students studying for (i) undergraduate degrees and (ii) equivalent vocational qualifications currently (1) are entitled to and (2) claim grants for (A) teaching fees and (B) maintenance, broken down into local authority areas; and if he will make a statement; [2748]

  (2) what estimate he has made of (a) how many and (b) what percentage of mature students studying for undergraduate degrees and (ii) equivalent vocational qualifications in Wales currently (1) are entitled to and (2) claim grants for (A) teaching fees and (B) maintenance, broken down into local authority areas; and if he will make a statement. [2735]

  Dr. Howells
  The information is not collected centrally.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what estimate he has made of the average amount owed by further education(a) students and (b) mature students in Wales to (i) the Student Loans Company and (ii) personal banks as a result of and at the end of their period of study, broken down into local authority areas; and if he will make a statement; [2737]

  (2) what estimate he has made of the average amount owed by further education (a) students and (b) mature students to (i) the Student Loans Company and personal banks as a result of, and at the end of, their period of study, broken down into local authority areas; and if he will make a statement. [2750]
  460
  Dr. Howells
  Information on student indebtedness to banks is not collected centrally. I have asked the Chief Executive of the Student Loans Company to write to the hon. Member about average debt to the Student Loans Company at 31 March 1997.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to publish a timetable for(a) the removal of the differences in funding between grant-maintained and local education authority schools, (b) the removal of grant-maintained status, (c)transferring responsibility for planning of all school places to the local education authorities and (d)introducing legislation to reverse the Greenwich judgment; and if he will make a statement. [3028]

  Mr. Byers
  Our plans for schools will be set out in a White Paper which we shall be publishing shortly. That will be followed by legislation in the Autumn.

  SSA Methodology
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the time scale for the publication of the current review of SSA methodology for 1998ߝ99; and if he will make a statement. [3034]

  Mr. Byers
  The review of the SSA methodology for 1998ߝ99 is following broadly the same timetable as in previous years. Consultative meetings between central and local government representatives are taking place over the summer leading up to a report on options for possible SSA changes to be published in the autumn.

  Standard Assessment Tasks
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to reduce the paperwork associated with the SATs; and if he will make a statement. [3030]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  We are determined to reduce the administrative load on teachers wherever possible. We have already combined the Department's separate annual consultations on assessment and reporting into a single consultation paper. And we are setting up a new Working Group to find ways of cutting bureaucratic burdens on teachers from whatever source.

  Assisted Places
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the number of assisted places available in the(a) Birmingham, Yardley, (b) North Tyneside and (c) Sheffield, Brightside constituencies. [3079]

  Mr. Byers
  There are no schools participating in the assisted places scheme in any of the constituencies mentioned.

  Class Sizes
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the average class size in each grant-maintained and LEA-controlled primary and secondary school, in the west Chelmsford constituency on 31 March, or the latest available date before that. [2252]
  461
  Mr. Byers
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Spelthorne (Mr. Wilshire) on 10 June 1997,Official Report, column 365 which explains the Department's present position on the publication of data for individual schools.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many classes of five, six and seven-year-olds in each local education authority had more than 30 children on 1 January 1997 based on returns from the All Schools Census; and what this figure is as a percentage of the total number of classes of five, six and seven-year-olds in each case. [3192]

  Mr. Byers
  Information on classes of five, six and seven-year-olds was not collected centrally.

  Departmental Documents
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage and how many documents in 1996 he estimates were(a) passed on to the Public Record Office intact, (b) passed on to the Public Record Office in censored form, (c) retained by his Department in full, (d) retained by his Department in part, (e) destroyed, (f) otherwise disposed of, and (g) otherwise unaccounted for. [2511]

  Dr. Howells
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given today by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Schengen Agreement
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to how many pages the full Schengen Agreement runs; and how many of these pages are not released for public perusal. [2008]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The Schengen Agreement of 1985 consists of 11 pages, which are in the public domain. The Schengen Convention of 1990 consists of 81 pages, also in the pubic domain. In addition, we understand that there are a number of technical and operational documents relating to implementation of these agreements, which are not in the public domain.

  Laos
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to discuss the issue of unexploded bombs in Laos with(a) the Laotian Government, (b) the American Government, (c) the UN and (d) other relief agencies. [2972]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We are in touch regularly with the United Nations, who co-ordinate international assistance towards unexploded ordinance projects with the Lao Government. We have contributed more than £600,000 through various relief agencies in the last two years. There are no immediate plans for direct discussions with the Lao or United States Governments.

  Leghold Traps
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he 462
  has had with the EC Commission on the use of leghold traps in the importation of wild caught fur; and if he will make a statement. [3044]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The Commission reported to the 2 June General Affairs Council on the negotiations with Canada and Russia to conclude a Framework Agreement on Humane Trapping Standards. A decision on the Framework Agreement will be taken by the 19ߝ20 June Environment Council.

  Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when Her Majesty's Government will introduce the legislation necessary for the United Kingdom's ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban treaty. [2722]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Legislation is being drafted and we hope to introduce it as soon as possible.

  Departmental Documents
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what percentage and how many documents in 1996 he estimates were(a) passed on to the Public Record Office intact, (b) passed on to the Public Record Office in censored form, (c) retained by his Department in full, (d) retained by his Department in part, (e) destroyed, (f) otherwise disposed of, and (g) otherwise unaccounted for. [2517]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  In 1996 records for 1965 held by this Department were due for transfer to the Public Record Office in accordance with the Public Records Acts of 1958 and 1967. Ninety-seven per cent. of those records selected for permanent preservation amounting to some 636 feet were opened to public scrutiny. Figures on the number of documents involved are not kept owing to the disproportionate cost of keeping such statistics. 1.5 per cent. of these records were released with parts blocked out and a further 1.5 per cent. were withheld in their entirety. All withheld documents will be re-reviewed at intervals of not less than 10 years and will be released when their sensitivity is judged to have passed. The criteria for release are set out in the White Paper on Open Government of July 1993 (Cmd 2290).

  This Department generally selects records for permanent preservation when they are 27 years old. In 1996 402 feet of records were selected for permanent preservation and 2,743 feet were destroyed. This destruction rate of 85 per cent. was unusually high owing to the volume of duplicated material between the files of the Colonial, Commonwealth Relations and Foreign Office in that year. No records were otherwise disposed of and all were accounted for.

  Nuclear Weapons Register
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the establishment of a nuclear weapons register as proposed by the German Foreign Minister in December 1993. [2716]
  463
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We will examine the contribution to our goal of the global elimination of nuclear weapons which might be made by proposals such as a nuclear arms register, particularly in the context of the Strategic Defence Review.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Jamaica, Trinidad and Belize
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what aid and other forms of assistance the Government plans to give to the Governments of (i) Jamaica, (ii) Trinidad and (iii) Belize in each of the next three years. [3045]

  Clare Short
  We will continue to provide bilateral assistance in the form of Technical Co-operation to Jamaica and Belize. Priority sectors are currently poverty alleviation, primary education, public sector modernisation and forestry projects.

  We have no bilateral aid programme to Trinidad and Tobago.

  Departmental Documents
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what percentage and how many documents in 1996 she estimates were(a) passed on to the Public Record Office intact, (b) passed on to the Public Record Office in censored form, (c) retained by his Department in full, (d) retained by his Department in part, (e) destroyed, (f) otherwise disposed of and (g) otherwise unaccounted for. [2521]

  Clare Short
  No document falls due for transfer to the Public Record Office until it is 30 years old. The suitability of a document for selection for permanent preservation under the terms of the Public Records Act 1958 will be reviewed during that period. The Act does not require statistics to be kept in the form requested. To do so would incur disproportionate cost. However, in order to comply with their duties under the Act, departments are obliged to make arrangements for the safekeeping of their records, with a view to their possible selection and transfer to the Public Record Office and eventual release to the public. The general arrangements for extended closure or retention of public records are set out in Chapter 9 of the White Paper Open Government of July 1993 (CM.2290).

  Laos
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance was given by Her Majesty's Government to the Laotian Government for clearance of unexploded bombs in each of the last three years. [2971]

  Clare Short
  We have not provided any bilateral support to the Laotian Government for the clearance of unexploded ordnance (UXO). However, we have contributed over £543,000 in 1995–96 through United Nations and British NGO programmes for UXO clearance and community awareness activities in Xieng Khouang 464
  province and capacity building for the newly formed Lao National UXO Programme. In 1996ߝ97 we gave a further £148,000 to Xieng Khouang project.

  Mr. Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the casualty rates arising from unexploded bombs in Laos; and if he will make a statement. [2970]

  Clare Short
  No official data are currently available on casualty rates from unexploded ordnance in Laos.

PRIME MINISTER

  Economic and Monetary Union
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will put the protocol on the third stage of economic and monetary union and the issue of the single currency on the agenda of the intergovernmental conference at Amsterdam. [1425]

  The Prime Minister
  Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) is not on the IGC agenda. The Government has no intention of reopening the protocol which protects our right to choose whether or not to join the third stage of EMU.

  Trustees
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will arrange for(a) Lord Nolan's Committee on standards in Public Life and (b) the political and public honours scrutineers to be advised by the trustees of the funds that provided help in opposition to him and to other ministers, of the sources of those funds. [1706]

  The Prime Minister
  The Leader of the Opposition's Office Fund was set up in accordance with guidelines discussed and agreed with Sir Gordon Downey.

  The fund was set up as a blind trust to prevent me being aware of the sources of the contributions to it. But the practice established in Opposition whereby the Chief Whip consults the trustees of the fund when he is preparing the information needed by the Political Honours Scrutiny Committee, will continue. If an individual recommended for such an honour has been a contributor to the Leader of the Opposition's Office Fund, that information will be made available to the PHSC.

  G7 Economic Summit, Denver
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister what matters with regards to the environment he plans to raise at the G7 meeting in Denver. [2874]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 10 June 1997]: I shall be pressing for strong action on climate change, where the Government has already given a firm lead to the rest of the world through our commitment to reduce CO2, emissions by 20 per cent. by 2010. I shall also be looking for practical measures to reduce pollution, help sustain our oceans, and supporting a new convention on the world's forests.

  Political Appointees
  Mr. Gamier
  To ask the Prime Minister which political appointees since 1 May have been given executive authority over civil servants. [2852]

  The Prime Minister
  Two. Alastair Campbell as my Press Secretary, and Jonathan Powell as my Chief of Staff. On the terms of their appointments, I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Sevenoaks (Mr. Fallon) on 2 June,Official Report, column 96.

  Ministerial Responsibilities
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister for what reasons the responsibilities of the previous Deputy Prime Minister in respect of the implementation and presentation of Government policy have been allocated to the Minister without Portfolio. [2836]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding reply Tuesday 10 June]: I cannot answer for the last Government's arrangements. As regards the role of the Minister without Portfolio, I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Worthing, West (Mr. Bottomley) on 3 June, Official Report, column 134.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Departmental Documents
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what percentage and how many documents in 1996 he estimates were(a) passed on to the Public Record Office intact, (b) passed on to the Public Record Office in censored form, (c) retained by his Department in full, (d) retained by his Department in part, (e) destroyed, (f) otherwise disposed of, and (g) otherwise unaccounted for. [2507]

  Dr. David Clark
  No document falls due for transfer to the Public Record Office until it is 30 years old. The suitability of a document for selection for permanent preservation under the terms of the Public Records Act 1958 will be reviewed during that period. The Act does not require statistics to be kept in the form requested. To do so would incur disproportionate cost. However, in order to comply with their duties under the Act, departments are obliged to make arrangements for the safekeeping of their records, with a view to their possible selection and possible transfer to the Pubic Record Office and eventual release to the public. The general arrangements for extended closure or retention of public records are set out in Chapter 9 of the White Paper on Open Government of July 1993 (Cmnd. 2290).

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Regional Aid
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proposals she has to transfer to Wales and Scotland(a) powers to award or remove assisted area status and (b) powers to vary the system of selective regional aid; and if she will make a statement. [2935]
  466
  Mrs. Roche
  The Government's proposals on the powers to be exercised by the new Welsh Assembly and Scottish Parliament in respect of regional assistance will be set out in White Papers to be published before the House rises for the Summer recess.

  Radioactive Wastes
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the public financial liability for the long-term management of radioactive wastes, including plutonium, arising from the current and historical operations of British Energy. [1782]

  Mr. Battle
  British Energy is responsible for meeting all the liabilities associated with its assets. There is no public liability for British Energy's current or historical operations. These liabilities will be financed by British Energy out of its own earnings and cashflow or through a segregated fund. The recently concluded contract for future AGR supplies potentially involves BNFL taking on liability for some of the waste arising from AGR reprocessing although the terms and value of the contract fully reflect this option.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment her Department has made of Professor Carlo Rubbia's proposals for a prototype 10 megawatt nuclear waste burning reactor. [2245]

  Mr. Battle
  The Department is aware of the proposals of Professor Carlo Rubbia for the development of a nuclear waste burning reactor, generally known as an energy amplifier. The Euratom Scientific and Technical Committee, which has members from all the member states of the EU, has reported to the European Commission on the proposals, and the report will be published shortly. The conclusions, with which my Department concurs, are that it is unrealistic, on the grounds of both cost and technical risk, to pursue the whole system at once, but that there are several aspects which may merit further work at this stage.

  MOX Fuel
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to use MOX fuel in United Kingdom reactors. [1799]

  Mr. Battle
  A decision to use MOX fuel in United Kingdom reactors is a matter for the operators, concerned, British Energy, subject to meeting the necessary regulatory requirements.

  Electricity Standing Charges
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will bring forward proposals to repeal section 18(3)(a) of the Electricity Act 1989; and if she will make a statement. [2931]

  Mr. Battle
  I have no current plans to repeal section 18(3)(a) of the Electricity Act 1989 which allows Public Electricity Suppliers to levy standing charges. I will, however, continue to examine ways to reduce fuel poverty.

  Overseas Aid
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assistance her Department is proposing to provide to the Governments of (i) Jamaica, (ii) Trinidad Tobago and (iii) Belize over the next three years; and what assistance in each case is currently provided. [3042]

  Mrs. Roche
  My Department provides advice and assistance to British companies interested in trade and investment in Jamaica, Trinidad Tobago and Belize. We do not provide assistance to the governments of those countries, nor do we have any plans to do so.

  British Steel
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations she has made to the United States Government to secure the withdrawal of the anti-dumping tariff imposed on British Steel on 30 November 1992. [2266]

  Mrs. Roche
  Exports to the United States of various British Steel products are subject to anti-dumping and countervailing duties. HM Government and the European Commission have made repeated representations to the US authorities on these cases. DTI has maintained close contact with British Steel on the cases, some of which are the subject of continuing legal action in the US courts. My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade will be ready to make further representations if that is likely to help settle the matter.

  Assisted Areas
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she intends to review the allocation of assisted area status in Britain. [2476]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Government is considering whether a Review of the Assisted Area Map is necessary and will carry out a review as needed. I will announce the extent and nature of any review when we have looked at this issue.

  Aerospace Industry
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the restrictions on foreign ownership of shares in(a) British Aerospace and (b) Rolls-Royce. [2184]

  Mr. Battle
  At the time of the privatisations of British Aerospace (1985) and Rolls-Royce (1987), the Government imposed a foreign shareholding limit on both companies. Since 1989, that limit has been set at 29.5 per cent.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list the payments by the United Kingdom Government to(a) British Aerospace and (b) Rolls-Royce in each of the last five years, indicating in each case the reasons for the payments. [2185]
  468
  Mr. Battle
  The payments made by my Department to British Aerospace and Rolls Royce in the last five years were as follows.

  Launch aid

  £ thousand

  Bae

  RR

  Payments

  Repayments

  Payments

  Repayments

  1992–93

  28,600

  40,900

  0

  22,700

  1993–94

  0

  29,400

  0

  16,600

  1994–95

  0

  19,200

  0

  19,500

  1995–96

  0

  29,300

  0

  13,200

  1996–97

  0

  42,710

  0

  23,600

  Launch aid is a repayable but risk-sharing Government investment in specific projects for the design and development of civil aircraft, helicopters and aeroengines in the UK. If the project proves successful HMG will receive repayment of its contribution plus a real rate of return.

  Civil aircraft research and demonstration (CARAD)

  BAe

  RR

  1992–93

  1,749

  *4,352

  1993–94

  1,539

  *4,790

  1994–95

  1,361

  5,402

  1995–96

  2,631

  6,075

  1996–97

  2,224

  4,609

  CARAD ensures that essential aircraft technologies are available in the long term through an integrated national programme of research. It supports basic and applied pre-competitive research and technology demonstration. (Some of these payments are for extramural research managed by the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency and will include amounts paid by Rolls-Royce and British Aerospace to other research collaborators. An asterisk denotes estimated payments under the extramural programme managed by the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency.)

  Innovation and technology support

  BAe

  RR

  1992–93

  733

  470

  1993–94

  436

  442

  1994–95

  308

  647

  1995–96

  271

  307

  1996–97

  93

  163

  These programmes encourage UK firms to undertake research and development in collaboration with others, including European partners and academia.

  Other Departments, including MoD, may have made payments to these companies; this information is not held by my Department.

  Life Forms Patents
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is her policy on the patenting of life forms. [2844]

  Mr. Battle
  Apart from the exclusion of plant and animal varieties from patentability, current United Kingdom patent law permits the patenting of life forms.
  469
  Such inventions are considered against the same general criteria of novelty, inventive step and industrial applicability applied to all fields of technology.

  Royal Greenwich Observatory
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to transfer the functions undertaken at the Royal Greenwich Observatory from their present location. [2570]

  Mr. Battle
  The Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council (PPARC) discussed the future of the Royal Greenwich Observatory and the Royal Observatory Edinburgh at its meeting on 21 May. I am now considering its advice with a view to an announcement as soon as possible.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS
  ENVIRONMENT AND THE REGIONS

    Single Regeneration Budget
    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he intends to invite bids for the next round of the Single Regeneration Budget. [1814]

    Angela Eagle
    I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Regions, Regeneration and Planning to his question on 22 May 1997,Official Report, column 152, which dealt with arrangements for Round 4 of the Single Regeneration Budget Challenge Fund. We would like to see a more strategic approach to regeneration initiatives which encourages innovative local partnerships whilst directing resources to where they are needed most. Future arrangements for the Single Regeneration Budget Challenge Fund will therefore be subject to the outcome of the comprehensive review of regeneration policies announced by my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister on 3 June.

    Challenge Funds
    Ms Walley
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received in respect of a review of the single regeneration budget challenge funds; and if he will make a statement. [2150]

    Angela Eagle
    Many organisations involved in the Single Regeneration Budget Challenge Fund have asked about the Government's future intentions towards this scheme. There is a clear desire for a more strategic approach to regeneration initiatives and for a system which responds to need whilst keeping the innovation that was the result of the competitive process. In addition, therefore, to the interim arrangements which we have already announced for Round 4, my right hon Friend the Deputy Prime Minister announced on 3 June a comprehensive review of the Government's regeneration policies, which will include a review of the SRB Challenge Fund.

    HFC 134
    Mr. Dafis
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he is taking to restrict the use of the gas HFCߝ134. [2083]

    Angela Eagle
    HFC-134a and other HFCs are greenhouse gases but do not damage the ozone layer. They have an important role to play in phasing out the use of ozone depleting substances controlled under the Montreal Protocol. The Government fully supports the concept of minimising emissions of HFCs and has voluntary agreements with the refrigeration, foam, fire, aerosols and vehicle air conditioning sectors to do so. Whilst the Government recognises that the responsible use of HFCs as replacements for ozone depleting substances can be justified, it is unlikely to be convinced that any new emissive applications of HFCs are necessary. Recent reports of plans to market self-chilling drinks cans, which would use and emit HFC-134a, are a very worrying development and the Government is urgently considering what action should be taken.

    Water Companies
    Mr. Martyn Jones
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he plans to take to ensure that, in seeking to avoid hosepipe bans, water companies take account of the implications for aquifer resources; and if he will make a statement. [2788]

    Angela Eagle
    Abstractions by water companies from aquifers and surface water sources have to comply with the maximum quantity and any other operational conditions specified in the licence for each abstraction. The Environment Agency has made plain that it will expect water companies to have in place a full range of demand management measures, including the imposition of hosepipe bans, before applying for variations in abstraction licence conditions under drought orders or permits.

    The Government announced on 19 May 1997 its intention to review the water abstraction licensing system, and to introduce legislation requiring each water company to agree a detailed publicly available drought contingency plan with the Environment Agency.

    Watercraft
    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what assessment he has made of the impact of personal watercraft on wildlife and the marine environment; [2663]

    (2) what plans he has to take action against personal watercraft. [2664]

    Angela Eagle
    No assessment of the impact of personal watercraft on wildlife and the marine environment has been made by the Department.

    Section 76 of the Public Health Act 1961 already provides for local authorities to make byelaws to regulate seaside pleasure boats for the prevention of danger, obstruction or annoyance to persons bathing in the sea or using the seashore. It is likely that personal watercraft can be regulated as pleasure boats under this Act, although a definitive interpretation is a matter for the courts.
    471
    My Department is leading an Inter-Departmental Working Party which is undertaking a review of byelaw powers for the coast. A discussion document issued in December 1996 identified coastal recreation management as a major issue. The many responses to this document are being analysed. The Working Party will meet again towards the end of the year to consider this analysis and agree an appropriate way forward.

    Plutonium Waste
    Mr. Llew Smith
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Truro of 2 June,Official Report, column 48, if he will list (a) the authors, (b) the date commissioned and (c) the expected completion date of the report on the disposal of high-level radioactive waste and spent fuel. [2751]

    Angela Eagle
    The study into research strategies for the disposal of high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel follows from a commitment given in the previous Government's White Paper "Review of Radioactive Waste Management Policy. Final Conclusions" (Cm 2919). QuantiSci Limited was appointed to undertake the work in March of this year following competitive tendering. The scheduled completion date for its work is April 1999.

    Endangered Species
    Mr. Flynn
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many(a) arrests, (b) prosecutions and (c) convictions for breach of the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act 1976 have taken place in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [2701]

    Angela Eagle
    The 1976 Act originally implemented the Convention on International, Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in the UK. In 1984, however, it was largely superseded by EC legislation, which implemented CITES throughout the European Community. The 1984 legislation has recently been replaced by revised EC Regulations which came into force on 1 June 1997.

    There is no central record of arrests, prosecutions or convictions for CITES offences. However, we are aware that since May 1996 at least 15 cases have been brought under CITES legislation, including one which resulted in a conviction. Of the remaining 14 cases, three have led to a formal caution and 11 are awaiting trial. No cases have been brought under the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act itself.

    Bathing Water Quality
    Mr. Gibb
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on viral monitoring of sea water in respect of bathing water quality; and what are(a) the testing frequency requirements, (b) the types of viruses tested for and (c) the arrangements for publication of results. [2849]

    Angela Eagle
    My Department's policy is governed by the EC Directive on the quality of bathing water. As stated in the Commission's Report on the quality of bathing water for the 1996 bathing season published last month,472
    the United Kingdom is the only Member State to have organised an enterovirus monitoring programme. Concentrations of enteroviruses are checked at least twice in the season at bathing waters which failed the coliform bacteria standards in the previous season. The results for England and Wales are entered in the public register of the Environment Agency. The UK results are also published annually by my Department and are available in the Library.

    Departmental Integration
    Mrs. Ann Keen
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress he has made in integrating the Department of the Environment and the Department of Transport. [3218]

    Mr. Prescott
    Significant progress had already been made in integrating the policies of the two Departments. To secure the maximum advantage from integration, and to simplify lines of responsibility, my right hon. Friend the Minister for Transport and I have concluded that the two Departments should now be merged into a single Department to be known as the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

    This change will take place from Monday 16 June. Detailed decisions on organisational structures will not be taken before the end of September, and will be preceded by a process of review and consultation with staff and Trade Unions.

    Building Regulations
    Mr. Burstow
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to extend Part M of the Building Regulations to ensure that all new residential dwellings are accessible for disabled people. [2308]

    Mr. Raynsford
    In January 1995 the Department of the Environment issued a consultation paper on extending Part M of the Building Regulations, covering access and facilities for disabled people, to dwellings. The analysis of the responses to the consultation is complete, and active consideration is now being given to issues identified in the responses. These issues include technical points raised and also the cost of some of the measures proposed.

    Social Housing (Disabled People)
    Mr. Burstow
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to ensure that social housing built or renovated under the release of capital receipts meets the access requirements of disabled people. [2309]

    Mr. Raynsford
    Social housing, however funded, will have to comply with the relevant requirements of the Building Regulations. At present Part M of the Building Regulations, covering access and facilities for disabled people, does not apply to dwellings, but active consideration is being given to extending Part M in the light of the consultation exercise initiated in 1995.

    Departmental Documents
    Mr. Baker
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what percentage and how many documents in 1996 he
    473
    estimates were (a) passed on to the Public Record Office intact, (b) passed on to the Public Record Office in censored form, (c) retained by his Department in full, (d) retained by his Department in part, (e) destroyed, (f) otherwise disposed of, and (g)otherwise unaccounted for. [2519]

    Angela Eagle
    I refer the hon. Member to the answer given today by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department.

    Regional Development
    Mr. Gunnell
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how he proposes to implement his plans for regional development agencies in England; and if he will make a statement. [3158]

    Mr. Caborn
    We plan to bring forward legislation in the Autumn to create regional development agencies in England to improve regional economic competitiveness and to provide for effective, co-ordinated regional economic development. It is intended that the boundaries of Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) will be the same as the administrative areas of the Government Offices for the Regions, except that there will be a single RDA for the north-west region including Merseyside.

    I am today beginning a series of regional tours to seek local views and to open a dialogue on how to take matters forward. The Government recognise that the English regions have different characteristics and different problems, and we do not wish to impose a single prescriptive model for the agencies. We want to ensure that the legislation allows each region to have arrangements which fit its particular circumstances, building on the work that many bodies are currently doing.

    This morning I met representatives of the national organisations with a major interest in regional development, to outline my plans for touring the regions, to hear their views, and to encourage them to participate fully in the regional process.

    As a means of focusing debate, I have produced a paper setting out the issues for discussion, and inviting any written views by 5 September. I have placed a copy of the paper in the Library.

  TRANSPORT

    Nuclear Fuel (Rail Transportation)
    Ms Walley
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to conduct a safety review of the transport by rail of nuclear fuel flasks; and if he will make a statement. [2217]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    The safety regulations of the transport of radioactive material by rail, including nuclear fuel, are reviewed on a regular basis to ensure that the safety record of this transport is maintained. There are no plans for a safety review at this time.

    Heavy Goods Vehicles
    Mrs. Dunwoody
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to ensure that the heavy goods vehicle driving test includes a test using a laden vehicle. [2645]
    474
    Ms Glenda Jackson
    We are looking very closely at training and testing learner lorry drivers on laden vehicles with a view to issuing a Consultation Paper. I will ensure that copies of such a Paper are put in the House Library and a personal copy is sent to my hon. Friend the Member for Crewe and Nantwich.

    Boeing 737
    Mrs. Dunwoody
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what further action his Department proposes to take following Boeing's instructions regarding defective rudders on Boeing 737s. [2653]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    Under the terms of the Chicago Convention, the United States of America is responsible, as the state of design, for the continued airworthiness of Boeing 737 aircraft.

    The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) published a notice of proposed rulemaking on modifications to the Boeing 737 in March. The FAA is currently reviewing comments on its proposals and is expected to publish its final rule shortly.

    The CAA had no fundamental concerns with the proposals and will ensure that appropriate action is taken by operators of UK registered B737 aircraft to comply with the terms of whatever modifications are promulgated by the FAA.

    Boeing 747
    Mrs. Dunwoody
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action(a) his Department and (b) the CAA have taken to ensure that the technical problems associated with the fuel tanks on Boeing 747s have been addressed by operators based in the United Kingdom. [2662]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    Safety regulation of UK registered aircraft is the statutory responsibility of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

    Under International Civil Aviation Organisation rules, primary responsibility for promulgating information necessary to maintain the continued airworthiness of an aircraft type rests with the State of Design. In the case of the Boeing 747 the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the body responsible.

    As a result of its investigation, the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has made some interim safety recommendations to the FAA, which are intended to reduce the risks of explosions in partially empty fuel tanks. The FAA is publicly consulting industry and other interested parties and if it determines that mandatory corrective action is necessary, it will issue an Airworthiness Directive.

    In addition, Boeing has recommended some precautionary fuel tank inspections which are being carried out by United Kingdom operators of 747s. These inspections are primarily intended to seek information on the condition of equipment in and around fuel tanks; they are not checking for the existence of specific identified problems.
    475
    If the FAA issues any Airworthiness Directive related to this issue, it is likely that the CAA will make it mandatory for UK operators.

    Air Bags
    Mrs. Dunwoody
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what work he intends to undertake on the dangers posed by air bags to children in rear-facing child seats. [2647]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    The Department is very aware of this danger. The key factor is not research but ensuring that the public understand the hazard.

    The wide media coverage of the hazard is especially welcome and I hope that it will continue. A poster by the motor industry, warnings contained in the Department's publication "Choosing Safety" and in the forthcoming editions of "Seat Belts and the Law" and "The Highway Code" should also help.

    European legislation now requires manufacturers to fit a warning label to cars to alert motorists to the hazard. This is a minimum requirement, and I welcome any effort the car industry can make to improve the clarity of this warning.

    We will continue to monitor the situation and press for whatever further action is appropriate.

    Driving Examiners
    Mrs. Dunwoody
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many approved driving examiners have been found to be operating in an unsatisfactory manner and have had their licence removed in the last five years. [2646]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    In 1996ߝ97 10 instructors were removed from the Register of Approved Driving Instructors because they were considered not to be "fit and proper" persons. A further 80 instructors were removed from the Register because they failed to meet the minimum acceptable standards of instructional ability when assessed by the Driving Standards Agency. The corresponding figures for 1995ߝ96 were 12 and 75 respectively. Figures for the preceding years cannot be separately identified from those leaving the Register for reasons such as retirement.

    London Underground (Wheelchair Users)
    Mr. McDonnell
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions by what date the London Underground will be accessible to wheelchair users. [2998]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    This is a matter for London Underground. However, as the Underground system was originally built with little regard to the needs of disabled people, and in view of the cost of rectifying this situation at over 270 stations, it is difficult to give a specific date for when the Underground will be fully accessible to all. London Underground's policy is to maintain and improve existing levels of access for disabled passengers where practicable and to incorporate improved accessibility into all new and rebuilt trains, new lines and extensions and 476
    station redevelopments. For example, the Jubilee Line Extension, when completed, will be fully accessible to wheelchair users.

    Access to underground stations, as to other public transport stations and terminals, is covered by the provisions of Part III of the Disability Discrimination Act. There are specific provisions in the Part of the Act which deal with the removal of physical barriers to access where that is deemed reasonable. The Department for Education and Employment (which is responsible for that part of the Act) will be consulting on its proposals for its implementation.

    Rail Regulation
    Mr. Kidney
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the relationship between the Government and the Rail Regulator. [2864]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    The Rail Regulator is currently independent of Government, working to statutory duties in the Railways Act 1993. We have made clear that we intend to establish more effective and accountable regulation by the Regulator; we are now reviewing the options.

    Al
    Mr. Cousins
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the reported accidents on the Al north of Newcastle to the Scottish border over the last three years. [2959]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    The number of reported injury accidents over the last three years is shown in the following table:

    Number of reported injury road accidents on the Al North of Newcastle to the Scottish border: 1994–96

    Accidents

    Severity

    1994

    1995

    1996

    Fatal

    0

    1

    2

    Serious

    16

    9

    16

    Slight

    29

    52

    51

    All

    45

    62

    69

    Mr. Cousins
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how much of the length of the Al from the Gosforth Interchange to the Scottish border is dual carriageway; and how much consists of single carriageway constructed within the last 18 years; [2960]

    (2) if the state of the A 1 north of Newcastle to the Scottish border will form part of his strategy review of the trunk road programme. [2961]
    477
    Ms Glenda Jackson
    I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency to write to my hon. Friend.

    Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Jim Cousins, dated 11 June 1997:
    The Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions about the A I north of Newcastle.
    There is 34km of dual carriageway and 60km of single carriage way between the Gosforth Interchange and the Scottish border.
    During the last 18 years the following single carriageway schemes have been completed providing, generally, 7.3m wide carriageway with marginal strips:

    Scheme

    Opened

    Length of carriageway(—million)

    Warenford Bypass

    1978–79

    2.0

    Felton Bypass

    1981

    4.9

    Belford Bypass

    1983

    5.0

    Berwick Bypass

    1983

    9.0

    Alnwick Bypass Stage 2

    1985

    6.5

    You asked also if the Al north of Newcastle to the Scottish border will form part of the Secretary of State's Strategic Review. Ministers have yet to announce the terms of reference for the strategic review, which I understand will cover the whole roads programme.

  HEALTH

    Corticosteroids
    Mr. Cousins
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the expenditure on GP-prescribed corticosteroids in each health district in England expressed as a value per head of resident population in the last year for which figures are available. [1341]

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

    Dental Services
    Mr. Cann
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the level of wastage of qualified dentists from the general dental service in each of the last five years; what estimate he has made of the total costs of such wastage to the NHS budget; and if he will make a statement. [1891]

    Mr. Milburn
    We do not collect information on wastage. Dentists are independent contractors and as such are free to choose the amount of work they carry out for the National Health Service. Their level of commitment to the NHS may vary for a number of reasons driven by personal choice and circumstances, including part-time working, early retirement and varying balance between private and NHS work.

    Mr. Cann
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimates he has made, by value or volume of individual treatments, of the increased amounts of private dentistry undertaken by general dental practitioners. [1893]

    Mr. Milburn
    Private dental work is a matter for the dentist and the patient customer. There is no Government funding and no detailed information on private dental treatment is centrally collected.
    478
    Some gross earnings information on dentists is collected from the Inland Revenue survey, solely to inform the Doctors and Dentists Review Body recommendations on gross fees by giving information on dentists' expenses. This can be used to get a broad indication of the amount of other earnings by general dental service dentists. The latest data are for 1994ߝ95, and indicate that there was an increase in the amount of earnings from sources outside the general dental service between 1992ߝ93 and 1994ߝ95.

    Mr. Sanders
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health how long a national health service dental patient may remain on a dentist's patient list without seeking treatment; and if he will make a statement. [1917]

    Mr. Milburn
    This area is under review. The registration periods were changed with effect from last September and now stand at 15 months for adults and children.

    The continuing care arrangement between the dentist and patient is normally rolled on for a further 15 months each time the patient attends that dentist. It is not necessary to receive treatment in order to extend the registration but if a patient does not attend, his or her registration will lapse. There is no charge for registering or re-registering with a dentist prepared to accept a patient.

    Medical Insurance (Tax Relief)
    Mr. Letwin
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals he has to(a) reduce and (b) remove the tax relief upon medical insurance premiums; and what consultations he has had with Treasury Ministers upon this subject. [2364]

    Mr. Milburn
    This is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

    Surrogacy
    Mr. Healey
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to review the law on surrogacy; and if he will make a statement. [3622]

    Ms Jowell
    It is important that in an area as sensitive as surrogacy the law is kept under review in order to ensure that it continues to meet public concerns.

    The legal position regarding surrogacy is clear:

    surrogacy must not he commercialised; and

    surrogacy arrangements are unenforceable.

    However, since this issue was last examined, the number of difficult cases which have attracted public attention has increased, although because so many arrangements are entirely private it is always difficult to make any assessment of the numbers of cases.

    In view of current concern, UK health ministers have invited a small team with the relevant expertise to take stock and reassess the adequacy of existing law in this difficult area.
    479
    The Terms of Reference for the review are as follows:
    to consider whether payments, including expenses, to surrogate mothers should continue to be allowed, and if so on what basis;
    to examine whether there is a case for the regulation of surrogacy arrangements through a recognised body or bodies; and if so to advise on the scope and operation of such arrangements;
    in the light of the above to advise whether changes are needed to the Surrogacy Arrangements Act 1985 and/or section 30 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990.

    Margaret Brazier, Professor of Law at Manchester University, will lead the review. The other team members will be: Susan Golombok, who is Professor of Psychology at the City University, London; and Alastair Campbell, Professor of Ethnics in Medicine, University of Bristol.

    We have specifically asked the review team to consider the issue within the context that surrogacy should not be commercialised and that any woman who has a baby as part of a surrogacy arrangement should not be compelled to give it up if she changes her mind. We also want to know whether there is, realistically, any practical way in which surrogacy arrangements could or should be regulated and if so how.

    Mid Essex Hospital Trust
    Mr. Burns
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for the most recent date for which figures are available the number of people in the Mid Essex Hospital Trust area awaiting non-emergency treatment(a) up to 12 months, (b) up to 18 months, (c) up to 24 months and (d) over 24 months. [2250]

    Ms Jowell
    The latest available information gives the position on 31 March 1997. On that date 6,164 patients were waiting for admission to Mid Essex Hospital Trust, on either an inpatient or day case basis, of whom 6,063 had been waiting less than 12 months and none of whom had been waiting more than 18 months.

    Carers' Rights
    Mr. Burstow
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans he has to issue guidance to general practitioners and primary health care teams about carers' rights under the Carers (Recognition and Services) Act 1995; [2310]

    (2) what steps he intends to take to ensure that carers are informed of their rights under the Carers (Recognition and Services) Act 1995; [2311]

    (3) what steps he intends to take to ensure that (a) carers receive written results of assessments carried out under the Carers (Recognition and Services) Act 1995 and (b) local authority staff are informed about carers' rights. [2312]

    Mr. Boateng
    The Department issued Policy Guidance and a Practice Guide on implementing the Act to social services departments, health authorities and National Health Service trusts in February 1996. The Guidance notes that general practitioners and other primary care staff are well placed to advise carers who are their patients of their assessment rights under the Act. The Guidance makes clear that social services departments should ensure that primary care staff have the relevant information to fulfil this role.
    480
    The Guidance also requires social services departments to ensure that their published information on community care tells carers about their rights under the Act. Information should be available to carers when they need it; it should be accessible to all members of the community and easy to understand.

    It should also be part of routine assessment practice and, specifically, authorities are expected to inform carers who appear to be eligible under the Act of their right to request an assessment. Care plans and results of assessments should be confirmed in writing, or in a form which is accessible both to users and carers.

    As part of our programme of research on community care, we are considering the impact of the Act. An inspection by the Social Services Inspectorate is also in preparation, which will look at how local authorities are implementing the Act.

    Departmental Documents
    Mr. Baker
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage and how many documents in 1996 he estimates were(a) passed on to the Public Record Office intact, (b) passed on to the Public Record Office in censored form, (c) retained by his Department in full, (d) retained by his Department in part, (e) destroyed, (f) otherwise disposed of, and (g) otherwise unaccounted for. [2509]

    Mr. Boateng
    I refer the hon. Member to the reply my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department gave today.

    Neuroleptic Drugs
    Mr. Flynn
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received concerning the overuse of neuroleptic drugs in residential homes for the elderly; and if he will make a statement. [2988]

    Mr. Milburn
    Some representations regarding possible overuse of drugs, although not specifically neuroleptics, in residential homes for the elderly have been received from members of the public. It is for the clinician to decide what treatment should be prescribed to best meet individual patients' medical needs.

    Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus
    Mr. Flynn
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of MRSA have been recorded in each health authority district in each of the last 12 months. [2983]

    Ms Jowell
    Information on the total number of cases of infection or colonisation with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is not collected centrally in England.

    National epidemiological data on MRSA are compiled by the Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS) rather than centrally by the Department of Health, from isolates submitted voluntarily by hospitals in England and Wales for specialist microbiological tests. From these data the number of incidents of MRSA—ie. three or more patients infected or colonised by the same strain of MRSA in a month from the same hospital—is recorded. The total number of affected cases is not recorded. A table showing

    481
    the number of incidents for the year ending April 1997 for each of the old regional health authorities in England has been placed in the Library.

    Farmed Fish (Invermectin)
    Mr. Flynn
    To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the human health risks posed by the use of ivermectin in the treatment of farmed fish; and if he will make a statement. [2103]

    Mr. Rooker
    I have been asked to reply.

    We are not aware that any assessments of the human health risks posed by the use of ivermectin specifically in the treatment of farmed fish have been made.

    Ivermectin is authorised in the EU for use in bovines, pigs, sheep and horses following thorough assessments of all required safety data by the Committee of Veterinary Medicinal Products (CVMP) in order to set a maximum residue limit (MRL). The purpose of MRLs is to ensure that no consumer, however extreme their diet, is at risk from the consumption of animal products containing residues at or above the level of the MRL.

    However, an MRL has not been fixed for ivermectin in fish and there is no product authorised for such treatment. Nonetheless, ivermectin could be used to treat farmed fish under the prescribing cascade. Under this system, veterinarians may use their clinical judgment to prevent an animal from suffering by prescribing a veterinary medicine authorised in the UK for use in another species, a medicine authorised for human use or one made up "one-off'.

    The Veterinary Medicines Directorate tests for ivermectin in salmon under its non-statutory residues surveillance scheme. As no Maximum Residue Limit has been set for ivermectin in farmed fish, the Limit of Quantification, or LOQ (the point at which we can detect a measurable level of residues) is used as the Action Level for the purposes of reporting results in the quarterly Medicines Act Veterinary Information Service (MAVIS) and following-up with retailers and producers. The LOQ of the method used is 2 µg/kg. None of the 415 salmon samples collected under the 1996 non-statutory programme contained quantifiable residues of ivermectin.

  DEFENCE

    ASTOR Project
    Mr. Barry Jones
    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the ASTOR project, with special reference to the employment implications and the timetable of the contract. [1922]

    Mr. Spellar
    Two contractors, Lockheed-Martin and Raytheon E-Systems, have completed competitive Project Definition studies. Invitations for Best and Final Offers for the Full Development and Production phase are being prepared, and we expect to issue them shortly. Both Lockheed-Martin and Raytheon have set up UK-based subsidiaries to carry out ASTOR work, and both are supported by UK sub-contractors. They have both offered UK industrial participation packages amounting to 100 per cent. of the contract value, over half of which 482
    work will be directly related to the ASTOR programme. Any export sales of the ASTOR system would further enhance employment prospects in the UK.

    Consideration of the companies' detailed industrial participation proposals will form part of the assessment of the companies' Best and Final Offers.

    Monkeys
    Mr. Hancock
    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many monkeys died(a) during 1996 and (b) in 1997 to date in his Department's research establishments. [2396]

    Mr. Spellar
    This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA). I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

    Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 11 June 1997:
    I have been asked to reply to your question about the number of monkeys which have died since 1996 in Ministry of Defence research establishments since as Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) this matter falls within my area of responsibility.
    An essential but relatively small part of the work of DERA involves a number of experiments with animals, mainly rodents, in order to ensure that the protective measures provided to the Armed Forces are effective and safe.
    I can assure you that all experimental work is carried out in accordance with the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. In compliance with this Act all animals used in scientific procedures are reported annually to the Home Office, the responsible authority for overseeing the implementation of provisions of the Act. The Home Office publish national annual statistics about the number of animal experiments in the UK in Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals in Great Britain.
    A very small number of non-human primates are used in essential DERA research work and a total of 14 monkeys were reported in the 1996 annual return to the Home Office as used in experiments and were, or will be, humanely killed in accordance with the provisions of the 1986 Act. The 1997 return has not yet been made. In recent years our figures have usually represented significantly less than 1% of the number of non-human primates reported as being used in scientific procedures.

    National Service
    Ms Walley
    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received from ex-national service men regarding recognition for their role between 1947 and 1963; and if he will make a statement. [2142]

    Mr. Spellar
    The Ministry of Defence has received and replied to in excess of 50 representations from ex-National Servicemen, particularly through their constituency MPs, on a variety of subjects relating to their service to the Nation in the post-war years.

    Their concerns have included the provision of a memorial to those who performed National Service, the institution of a new medal, pensions, and the formation of a Veterans' Affairs Unit.

    On memorials, I have indicated that in the event that funding by private donation or public subscription for a memorial were to be found, my Department would be happy to assist in identifying a suitable site and to provide representation at any dedication ceremony.

    Auxiliary Oiler Contract
    Mr. Davidson
    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what(a) detailed and (b) major changes his Department has sought to make to the design of ships under the Auxiliary Oiler contract; what was the cost to the Ministry of Defence of such changes; and what measures have been taken to ensure that costs do not escalate on the contract; [2850]

    (2) whether the Auxiliary Oiler contract is running to the agreed tender price; and if he will make a statement; [2857]

    (3) if the Auxiliary Oiler contract is on schedule; and if he will make a statement. [2856]

    Mr. Spellar
    The MOD has not sought any detailed or major design changes to the vessels to be procured under the Auxiliary Oiler (AO) contract. The Prime Contractor, VSEL, is designing the vessel to the agreed contract specification and price. The AO contract is currently on schedule and to cost.

    Flight Data Recorders
    Mr. Cohen
    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will reconsider his Department's policy on the fitting of flight data recorders to military aircraft. [2550]

    Mr. Spellar
    It is our policy to fit all new aircraft with flight data recorders. Retrofits are considered on a case-by-case basis taking account of service life remaining, aircraft safety record, cost and operational limitations. We have no plans to change this policy.

    Data recorders have already been fitted to the following in-service aircraft fleets: Harrier GR7/T10, Hawk, Lynx, Nimrod, Sentry, Tornado F3, Tornado GR1, Tristar, Tucano and VC 10 C1. Retrofit programmes are planned for the BAe 125, BAe 146, Chinook, Lynx, Puma, Sea King and VC10 K fleets; installation into the Jaguar and Sea Harrier/Harrier T4 fleets is under consideration.

    Military Personnel (Attached Duties)
    Mr. Hancock
    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many military personnel are currently on attached duties with foreign military forces; and which countries are involved. [2394]

    Dr. John Reid
    As a country with significant overseas interests and global responsibilities, the UK provides support and assistance, to a wide variety of Organisations and foreign Armed forces. The numbers vary from time to time. However according to available records, on 1 June this year there were 749 UK Service personnel on attached duties with the following countries:

    Australia

    Antigua

    Bangladesh

    Barbados

    Belize

    Bermuda

    Belgium

    British Virgin Islands

    Brazil

    Brunei

    Baltic States

    484

    Canada

    Czech Republic

    Denmark

    Egypt

    France

    Germany

    Ghana

    Indonesia

    Italy

    Kenya

    Kuwait

    Malaysia

    Monserrat

    Namibia

    Netherlands

    New Zealand

    Norway

    Pakistan

    Oman

    Saudi Arabia

    Singapore

    Sri Lanka

    South Africa

    Spain

    Turks and Caicos Islands

    United Arab Emirates

    Ukraine

    United States

    Zimbabwe

    In addition there were 1,883 UK Service personnel attached to NATO Headquarters and Agencies in the United States, United Kingdom, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Norway, Netherlands, Denmark, Portugal and Turkey. There were also 7 Service personnel attached to the United Nations Headquarters in New York, 6 attached to the WEU Headquarters in Belgium, and 4 attached to the Five Power Defence Arrangements Integrated Air Defence System Headquarters in Malaysia.

    The above figures do no include UK Service personnel who are deployed overseas but are not attached to foreign military forces, for example Service personnel working in our Embassies, UK forces deployed on UN operations, or our forces deployed on coalition operations in the Gulf or in Former Yugoslavia.

    Parachute Training Systems
    Mrs. Clwyd
    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which private companies have formal arrangements or are permit holders with the MOD for the exploitation of the British Army Training and Parachute Training Systems. [2780]

    Mr. Spellar
    MOD's only extant licence for parachute training equipment relates to a parachute training mat and is held by Recticel Sutcliffe Ltd. MOD has several licences for other training equipment, but those are not related to parachute training and are mainly in the field of computer software.

    Mrs. Clwyd
    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what facilities are available to Sector Ltd.; and whether it is the only company to have a formal
    485
    agreement with the UK Defence Secretary which permits the exploitation of British Army Training and Parachute Training Systems. [2782]

    Mr. Spellar
    Sector Ltd. does not hold a current licence for the exploitation of British Army parachute training items. The company terminated its previous licence by joint agreement on 8 May 1997 after many years in which no sales under the licence were reported to MOD. Accordingly, no special facilities are currently available to Sector Ltd. They will be accorded the same treatment as any other company approaching MOD for access to its facilities. No other company has been licensed by MOD to exploit the parachute training items formerly licensed to Sector Ltd.

    Tactica Armoured Vehicles
    Mrs. Clwyd
    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Tactica armoured vehicles have been purchased by his Department; which type of weapons are fitted to the vehicles; and if he will make a statement. [2784]

    Mr. Spellar
    My Department has purchased 35 Tactica armoured vehicles. The vehicles have no offensive capability and are not fitted with weapons.

    Water Cannon
    Mrs. Clwyd
    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if it is standard military operating procedure to use marker dye when deploying water cannon against peaceful demonstrators. [2783]

    Dr. John Reid
    Water cannon is not currently used by the Army in any circumstances, with or without marker dye.

    Prisoners of War (Pay)
    Mr. Alasdair Morgan
    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he plans to make available the review of deductions from the pay of officer prisoners of war and protected personnel. [3027]

    Mr. Spellar
    The detailed report of the Review has been submitted and is now being studied with care. The result will be announced as soon as possible.

    Departmental Property
    Mr. Hancock
    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of the homes his Department owns are currently empty; how many have been empty for more than six months; and if he will provide a breakdown in each case by location. [3037]

    Mr. Spellar
    As at 31 March 1997, the most recent date for which figures are available, the Ministry of Defence held a stock of 65,800 Service families quarters in Great Britain of which 13,142 were empty. In addition, the Department has 3,059 families quarters in Northern Ireland of which 222 were empty.

    Of the empty properties in Great Britain: 1,755 had been identified for disposal; 3,364 had been allocated to incoming families; 2,533 were awaiting major upgrade works; 633 had been identified as temporarily surplus and were being offered to local authorities or housing associations for short to medium term leasing and, finally,
    486
    1,117 were not available for disposal or leasing out as they were on military bases and security considerations prevent such action. Taking these management and security consideration into account results in a net voids level of 3,740—that is 5.86 per cent. of stock.

    It is not possible to identify how many of these have been empty for over six months as such information is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

    The best available breakdown by location, that is by Defence Housing Executive (DHE) Area, is as follows:
    Area I: 322; Area 2: 189; Area 3: 270; Area 4: 91; Area 5: 102; Area 6: 54; Area 7: 348; Area 8: 149; Area 9: 190; Area 10: 270; Area 11: 139; Area 12: 85; Area 13: 121; Area 14: 170; Area 15: 31; Area 16: 47; Area 17: 36; Area 18: 125; Area 20: 120; Area 21: 260; Area 22: 166; Area 23: 189; Area 24: 112; Area 25: 154.

    A map showing the coverage of DHE Area across Great Britain is available in the Library of the House. It should be noted that there is no Area 19.

    Nuclear Weapons
    Mr. Menzies Campbell
    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what initiatives his Department will undertake to further the prospects of achieving the global elimination of nuclear weapons. [2715]

    Dr. John Reid
    We have already made clear our commitment to the goal of the global elimination of nuclear weapons and to press for multilateral negotiations towards mutual, balanced and verifiable reductions in nuclear weapons. We will be examining how best to implement that commitment, particular in the context of the Strategic Defence Review.

    Mr. Campbell
    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is his Department's assessment of the total number of deployed nuclear warheads that represents a minimum deterrent for the United Kingdom; [2719]

    (2) when he intends to implement Her Majesty's Government's policy not to deploy more warheads on Trident than were deployed on Polaris. [2721]

    Mr. Reid
    The Government has already made plain its commitment to the retention of Trident. Our deterrence requirements, including warhead numbers, will however be examined as part of the Strategic Defence Review.

    Mr. Campbell
    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Trident D5 missiles his Department intends to purchase from the United States. [2720]

    Mr. Spellar
    The present planning assumption is that the UK will purchase 65 Trident missiles. This requirement will be tested during the Strategic Defence Review before final decisions are made.

    Mr. Campbell
    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's latest estimate of the unit cost of purchasing Trident D5 missiles from the United States in the present financial year. [2718]

    Mr. Spellar
    If it is decided to proceed in accordance with present planning assumptions, my department will be placing further orders for Trident D5 missiles during the current UK financial year. The unit cost of the missiles will be a matter for negotiation between the manufacturers
    487
    and the US Department of Defence, which order on their own behalf and on ours in identical terms. The US DOD estimate a cost of %21 million per missile in respect of recent orders. The figure excludes guidance equipment, re-entry bodies and spares.

    WE-177s
    Mr. Menzies Campbell
    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when his Department expects to remove all remaining WE-177s from operational service. [2717]

    Dr. John Reid
    It was announced in April 1995 that all WE-177 bombs would be withdrawn from operational service by the end of 1998. In line with the Government's commitment to be as open as possible, I am now able to confirm that all these bombs will be withdrawn by 31 March of that year.

    Departmental Documents
    Mr. Baker
    To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage and how many documents in 1996 he estimates were(a) passed on to the Public Record Office intact, (b) passed on to the Public Office in censored form, (c) retained by his Department in full, (d) retained by his Department in part, (e) destroyed, (f) otherwise disposed of, and (g) otherwise unaccounted for. [2518]

    Mr. Spellar
    No document falls due for selection and transfer to the Public Record Office until it is at least 30 years old. The suitability of a document for permanent preservation under the terms of the Public Records Act, 1958, will be reviewed during that period. The Act does not require statistics to be kept in the form requested. To do so would incur disproportionate cost. However, in order to comply with their duties under the Act, Departments are obliged to make arrangements for the safekeeping of their records, with a view to their possible selection and transfer to the Public Record Office and eventual release to the public. The general arrangements for extended closure or retention of public records are set out in Chapter 9 of the White Paper on Open Government (Cm 2290) published in July 1993.

  WALES

    Assisted Places Scheme
    Mr. Barry Jones
    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many pupils currently receive support from the assisted places scheme in each of the recipient schools; if he will state the total amount of cash received by each school since the assisted places scheme began; and if he will make a statement. [1996]

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

    School

    Number of APS pupils in scheme 1996–97

    Cash received from financial year 1981–82 to date

    Christ College

    101

    3,546,477

    Ffynone House1

    7

    22,032

    Howell's, Cardiff

    186

    4,847,708

    Howell's, Denbigh

    83

    23,664,341

    Kings Monkton1

    11

    39,177

    Llandovery College

    69

    2,288,966

    488

    School

    Number of APS pupils in scheme 1996–97

    Cash received from financial year 1981–82 to date

    Lowther College3

    —

    38,953

    Monmouth Boys

    146

    4,810,473

    Monmouth Girls

    82

    2,078,708

    Rougemont School1

    15

    50,660

    Ruthin School1

    11

    49,622

    Penrhos College4

    —

    2,452,683

    Rydal School4

    —

    2,241,682

    Rydal Penrhos

    142

    750,478

    St. Clare's School1

    14

    38,770

    St. Gerard's School1

    9

    24,655

    St. John's College1

    11

    28,557

    Total all Wales

    887

    26,973,943

    1 Joined the scheme September 1996.

    2 Excludes final payment for academic year 1995–96 which has yet to be claimed.

    3 Lowther College closed in July 1982.

    4 Amalgamated to become Rydal Penrhos with effect from 1996–97.

    Low Pay Commission
    Mr. Barry Jones
    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representatives there will be on the Low Pay Commission from Wales; and if he will make a statement on prospects for a minimum wage in Wales. [2000]

    Mr. Hain
    The Low Pay Commission will comprise representatives of employers, including small businesses, employees and independents. Before making its recommendations to Government on the level at which the National Minimum Wage might be set, it will take into account the economic circumstances prevailing at the time throughout the UK. I have specifically requested that it takes evidence from businesses and others in Wales.

    Nursery Education
    Mr. Barry Jones
    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the percentage of four-year-olds in nursery education in each LEA area in Wales. [1998]

    Mr. Hain
    The information requested is shown in the following table. Pupils may attend other schools outside the LEA area in which they reside, and there are inconsistencies between the dates on which pupil and population numbers are assessed. These affect all LEAs and have resulted in percentages exceeding 100 in two cases.

    LEA area

    Percentage of 4 year olds in schools1

    Blaenau Gwent

    95.3

    Bridgend

    87.5

    Caerphilly

    87.1

    Cardiff

    82.2

    Carmarthenshire

    99.0

    Ceredigion

    87.7

    Conwy

    88.3

    Denbighshire

    94.2

    Flintshire

    96.2

    Gwynedd

    72.9

    Isle of Anglesey

    78.6

    Merthyr Tydfil

    99.0

    Monmouthshire

    79.2

    Neath Port Talbot

    96.0

    Newport

    93.5

    Pembrokeshire

    95.2

    Powys

    103.9

    489

    LEA area

    Percentage of 4 year olds in schools1

    Rhondda, Cynon, Taff

    90.7

    Swansea

    99.5

    The Vale of Glamorgan

    92.0

    Torfaen

    97.5

    Wrexham

    102.5

    Wales

    91.5

    1The number of pupils aged four at 31 December 1995 on roll at maintained nursery, primary and special schools and at independent schools at Janaury 1996 as a percentage of the estimated resident population of four-year-olds at mid-1995.

    Source:

    January 1996 Schools' Census and Registrar General's population estimates.

    Mr. Jones
    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he plans to increase the number of three and four-year-olds in nursery education. [1999]

    Mr. Hain
    Our initial aim is to ensure a free, at least part-time, place for every four-year-old whose parents want one; with targets for extending provision to three-year-olds. We shall be consulting shortly with the local authority, voluntary and private sectors and other interested bodies in Wales about arrangements for early years education from April 1998.

    Women Employees
    Mr. Barry Jones
    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the number of women in(a) part-time and (b) full-time jobs (i) in 1987 and (ii) at the latest available date. [2001]

    Mr. Hain
    The following table shows the number of women in part-time and full-time jobs, including the self employed.

    Women in part-time and full-time jobs in Wales

    Not seasonally adjusted

    Spring 11987

    Autumn 1996

    Part-time

    192,000

    257,000

    Full-time

    244,000

    281,000

    Source:

    Labour Force Survey.

    1Prior to 1992 data are available for Spring (March to May) only.

    Investment
    Mrs. Clwyd
    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will list the incentives available for enterprises located in areas of high unemployment which plan further investment to(a) create new jobs and (b) safeguard existing jobs, with particular reference to south Wales; [2257]

    (2) if he will list the incentives available for inward investors in areas of high unemployment with particular reference to south Wales. [2258]

    Mr. Hain
    The main form of Welsh Office incentive available in the south Wales Assisted Areas is Regional Selective Assistance (RSA). Grant is available to indigenous companies and inward investors alike, to help with eligible investment projects which create and/or safeguard jobs. Other Welsh Office assistance includes four types of innovation grant offered under the SMART WALES banner, which are available to small and medium 490
    sized enterprises. Various other incentives are offered by the Welsh Development Agency, Cardiff Bay Development Corporation, the Training and Enterprise Councils and local authorities. Comprehensive details of the forms of assistance available in specific areas is available from Business Connect Wales (telephone: 0345 96 97 98 or Internet http://www.bc-wales.org.uk).

    Later this summer we will publish a Welsh Economic Strategy, which will set out our general approach and priorities. My right hon. Friend is currently consulting the business community in Wales about how their voice may best be heard within Government.

    Telecommunications
    Mr. Edwards
    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received about the provision of telecommunication services in the Llanthoney Valley near Abergavenny. [2371]

    Mr. Hain
    None.

    Departmental Documents
    Mr. Baker
    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage and how many documents in 1996 he estimates were(a) passed on to the Public Record Office intact, (b) passed on to the Public Record Office in censored form, (c) retained by his Department in full, (d) retained by his Department in part, (e) destroyed, (f) otherwise disposed of, and (g) otherwise unaccounted for. [2514]

    Mr. Ron Davies
    No document falls due for transfer to the Public Record Office until it is 30 years old. The suitability of a document for selection for permanent preservation under the terms of the Public Records Act 1958 will be reviewed during that period. The Act does not require statistics to be kept in the form requested. To do so would incur disproportionate cost. However, in order to comply with their duties under the Act, departments are obliged to make arrangements for the safe keeping of their records, with a view to their possible selection and transfer to the Public Record Office and eventual release to the public. The general arrangements for extended closure or retention of public records are set out in Chapter 9 of the White Paper Open Government of July 1993 (Cm 2290).

    Environmentally Sensitive Areas
    Mr. Charles Kennedy
    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the species and habitats included as performance indicators for Welsh ESAs and the specific objectives relating to each; and if he will make a statement concerning progress made by farmers in respect of these species and habitats. [2684]

    Mr. Win Griffiths
    The information requested is in the Welsh Office report: Targets and Performance indicators for ESAs in Wales October 1995. Copies of the report have been placed in the Library of the House. Reports on progress are not yet available.

    Mr. Kennedy
    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on his policy towards environmentally sensitive area schemes in Wales; and what is(a) the budget currently available for ESAs, (b) the number of farmers and landowners entered into

    491
    each ESA scheme, (c) the area of land so entered and (d) the number of project officers employed to promote schemes. [2688]

    Mr. Griffiths
    The Government is committed to an effective agri-environmental schemes for Wales. The ESA programmes are included in a review of agri-environmental schemes, the results of which will be announced later this year. The provision for 1997–98 is £5.89 million. The current number of agreement holders and area under agreement for each ESA is shown in the following table. Countryside and Agricultural Information Service (CAIS) and ESA Project Officers all promote the scheme. I estimate that 2.4 staff years are spent on this activity.

    ESA

    Number of agreement holders

    Number of hectares under agreement

    Cambrian Mountains

    372

    45,690

    Lleyn Peninsula

    391

    18,741

    Ynys Mon

    342

    17,345

    Radnor

    399

    32,329

    Preseli

    234

    12,676

    Clwydian Range

    64

    3,033

    Total

    1,757

    129,814

    Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus
    Mr. Flynn
    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many cases of MRSA have been recorded in each health authority district in Wales in each of the last 12 months. [2987]

    Mr. Win Griffiths
    The available data on the number of reported cases are given in the following table:

    Laboratory confirmed cases of MRSA in Wales1

    Health Authority area

    Bro Taf

    Dyfed Powys

    Gwent

    Morgannwg

    North Wales

    May 1996

    38

    19

    48

    51

    34

    June 1996

    71

    14

    42

    49

    29

    July 1996

    157

    27

    25

    27

    32

    August 1996

    126

    10

    37

    49

    28

    September 1996

    95

    15

    36

    50

    26

    October 1996

    122

    20

    32

    70

    55

    November 1996

    61

    8

    16

    49

    45

    December 1996

    66

    21

    68

    77

    55

    January 1997

    159

    29

    77

    106

    86

    February 1997

    82

    42

    64

    96

    91

    March 1997

    79

    34

    62

    94

    63

    April 1997

    28

    27

    39

    107

    85

    Source:

    CDSC Welsh Unit MRSA Surveillance Programme in Wales.

    1 As the reporting of cases by laboratories is a continuous process the level of completeness of the figures shown may vary. Data may include some GP referrals. The number indicated are patients identified with MRSA (methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus). Only a proportion of these will have clinical illness (estimated at 50 per cent.) due to MRSA infection. The remainder will be carriers of the organism. Cases where the area of residence of the patient was not provided have been included with data for the Health Authority in which the reporting laboratory is located.

    Abergavenny Slaughterhouse
    Mr. Edwards
    To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received about the proposed closure of the Abergavenny slaughterhouse; and if he will make a statement. [2377]
    492
    Mr. Win Griffiths
    We have received several representations about the future of the Abergavenny slaughterhouse and whether it will participate in the Over Thirty Months Scheme, which allows for the purchase, slaughter and ultimate destruction of cattle over 30 months of age. The Intervention Board Executive Agency will announce the successful bidders soon.

  SOCIAL SECURITY

    Disability Benefits
    Mr. Burstow
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what assessment she has made of the impact of the Benefits Integrity Programme on the(a) staffing and (b) delivery of the ordinary claiming process for disability benefits; [2442]

    (2) what procedures Benefit Agency staff will be expected to follow in relation to claimants who are revealed as claiming a lower level of disability living allowance than they are eligible for under the Benefit Integrity Programme; [2443]

    (3) what training and over what average length of time will be provided to Benefits Agency staff who will be visiting claimants of disability living allowance from July onwards under the Benefits Integrity Programme. [2444]

    Mr. Denham
    One of our key aims is rebuilding integrity in, and public support for, the Social Security system and the way in which public money is spent. Research by the Department indicates that we may be paying £0.5 billion a year to people who are not entitled to receive it. We need to focus on those who are properly entitled to benefit.

    This is why we have set up the Benefit Integrity Project. However, we do regard it as essential that disabled people are treated fairly and with respect, and in an unthreatening way. The administration of this programme is a matter for Peter Mathison, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with further details.

    Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Paul Burstow, dated 10 June 1997:
    The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions about the Benefit Integrity Programme.
    The Benefit Integrity Project was set up in response to the recent Benefit Review of DLA. Over the next two years, specially trained staff will make enquiries by postal questionnaire or home visit in around 425,000 cases to establish whether Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is being paid correctly.
    The Benefit Integrity Project is a completely separate operation from the processing of new claims to DLA and as such, will have no effect on the staffing and delivery of the normal claims process.
    The Benefit Integrity Project is intended to confirm that the correct rate of benefit is in payment. Where it appears that the incorrect rate is in payment, the case will be passed to an independent Adjudication Officer to consider a review of the existing decision. Any new decision will be based on all the available evidence and where appropriate will lead to an increase in the rate of benefit. All new decisions will carry the normal rights to seek a further review or appeal.
    Visiting Officers for the Benefits Integrity Project will be drawn from existing experienced staff located at Disability Benefit Centres. If there is a need to transfer experienced staff currently processing claims to the Project, they will not be released until their

    493
    replacements are fully trained. Building upon their existing knowledge, each Visiting Officer will attend a five day course which will cover the background to the Project, visiting and interviewing skills, security awareness and staff safety.
    I hope you find this reply helpful.

    Correspondence
    Mr. Winnick
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to the letter of 12 May, ref. YM631037C, why the hon. Member for Walsall, North has not received a full reply from the Disability Benefits Directorate over the case of a constituent; and why the direct line 01253 337792 was unobtainable on 5 June. [2840]

    Mr. Denham
    One of our key aims is to improve the service provided to claimants and other customers. Queries on Benefits Agency operational matters are the responsibility of Peter Mathison, its Chief Executive. He will write to the hon. Member.

    Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. David Winnick, dated 10 June 1997:
    The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning a reply from the Disability Benefits Directorate over the case of a constituent and why the direct line 01253–337792 was unobtainable on 5 June.
    It may help if I explain that at as you copied me your letter of 8 May to the Director of Disability Benefits, I arranged for the issues raised to be investigated. The acknowledgement letter of 12 May from the Disability Benefit Director should have advised you that I would be responding by 9 June and not by 27 May. Unfortunately this was a mistake for which I apologise. My reply was issued on 9 June. The Benefits Agency Business Plan states that the Agency will reply to MPs within an absolute target of 20 Working days from the date of receipt of the correspondence.
    Due to a reorganisation of the Disability Benefits Unit Official Correspondence Section, one of the direct line numbers, 01253 337792, was disconnected earlier this year. Immediate action was taken to amend existing stocks of stationery. Unfortunately this did not happen in the acknowledgement sent to you and I offer you my sincere apologies. I can assure you that procedures are in place to prevent a reoccurrence.
    I have arranged for the list of current direct line numbers to be sent to you.
    I hope you find this reply helpful.

    Child Maintenance
    Mrs. Gillan
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make it an offence to(a) conceal assets from the Child Support Agency and (b) try to reduce income in order to avoid paying maintenance. [1118]

    Mr. Bradley
    The Child Support Agency already has wide powers to obtain and verify information required to assess child support maintenance. Also, where clients believe that income or assets have been misrepresented they can seek a departure from the formula assessment. However, we will be looking closely at this and other areas of the Agency's operations over the coming months to consider whether improvements can be made.

    Benefits Agency
    Mr. Wigley
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will list(a) the terms of the moratorium which will apply to the Benefits Agency (Wales)
    494
    Blueprint for the Future and (b) the mechanism for undertaking a review of this and other Benefits Agency change proposals. [1727]

    Mr. Field
    The "Benefits Agency Wales - Blueprint for the Future" consultation document was published on 15 November 1996 and the period of public consultation was extended to 28 February 1997, to ensure that Benefits Agency customers and their representatives were able to make the representations that they wished on the consultation document.

    These representations will be considered by Ministers in due course, and announcements will be made in the light of these considerations.

    We will be assessing our proposals in the light of this document, and also each of the proposed Benefits Agency initiatives which are part of the Department's current programme of changes to ensure that they will provide the improved services, better security and value for money that we want to see in a modernised Social Security system. Announcements will be made in due course.

    Departmental Documents
    Mr. Baker
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage and how many documents in 1996 she estimates were(a) passed on to the Public Record Office intact, (b) passed on to the Public Record Office in censored form, (c) retained by her Department in full, (d) retained by her Department in part, (e) destroyed, (f) otherwise disposed of and (g) otherwise unaccounted for. [2522]

    Mr. Field
    In 1996 the Department of Social Security did not transfer any documents to the Public Record Office. However, during that year 17,935 files were reviewed of which 1,392 were selected for permanent preservation and transferred to the Public Records Office in March 1997. None of the files was censored. No applications were made to the Lord Chancellor to retain documents in full or in part. A total of 15,957 files were destroyed, no files were otherwise disposed of or unaccounted for.

    NORTHERN IRELAND

      Education Standards
      Mr. Savidge
      To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans she has to improve education standards in Northern Ireland. [1382]

      Mrs. Humble
      To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans she has to improve education standards in Northern Ireland. [1404]

      Miss Melanie Johnson
      To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans she has to improve education standards in Northern Ireland. [1405]

      Mr. Worthington
      The Government is committed to raising standards across all sectors. In working up plans for Northern Ireland, I will be giving particular attention to the provision for pupils at pre-school and early primary school; and to laying secure foundations in literacy and numeracy. We will be developing provision for vocational education and strengthening the linkage between
      495
      secondary schools, Further Education and Training. Improving school discipline and teaching quality, and in particular promoting strong leadership from headteachers, will also be given priority.

      Peace Campus Project (University of Ulster)
      Mr. Kirkwood
      To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the peace campus project proposed by the University of Ulster. [1384]

      Mr. Worthington
      The Government is very much aware of the efforts to find appropriate means of achieving economic and educational regeneration in the Springvale area, and of the innovative proposals under consideration which seek to deliver these objectives. My officials are currently in discussion with both the University of Ulster and the Belfast Institute of Further and Higher Education about ways of delivering the desired outcomes.

      Peace Process
      Mr. Dawson
      To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the Northern Ireland peace process. [1386]

      Mr. Gunnell
      To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the Northern Ireland peace process. [1387]

      Mr. Wareing
      To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on discussions she has had with the Northern Ireland political parties in respect of the peace process. [1388]

      Ms Beverley Hughes
      To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the Northern Ireland peace process. [1390]

      Dr. Tony Wright
      To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on current progress in the peace process. [1392]

      Mr. Todd
      To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on progress in the Northern Ireland peace process. [1395]

      Mr. Winnick
      To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on current talks taking place in order to reach a political settlement. [1396]

      Mr. Burden
      To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the Northern Ireland peace process. [1399]

      Mr. McNulty
      To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the Northern Ireland peace process. [1402]

      Marjorie Mowlam
      I refer my hon. Friends to the answer I gave earlier to my hon. Friend the Member for Amber Valley (Judy Mallaber).

      Mr. Robathan
      To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment she has made of the intention of Sinn Fein and the IRA to seek a peaceful settlement in Northern Ireland. [1394]
      496
      Marjorie Mowlam
      Two meetings have been held between Sinn Fein and officials to assist us to assess whether Sinn Fein is genuinely ready to give up violence and commit itself to politics alone. It has not been possible to make a firm assessment yet.

      Youth Unemployment
      Mr. Pond
      To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans she has to reduce unemployment among young people in Northern Ireland. [1389]

      Mr. Worthington
      The Government will pursue policies to promote economic growth and job creation, and we will offer young people constructive alternatives to benefit. In particular, the New Deal is our pledge to 18–24 year olds who have been unemployed for over six months, to enable them to develop and realise their potential. They will be offered training and employment opportunities with employers, the voluntary sector and an environmental task force. I believe that both young people and industry will be keen to make the most of these new opportunities.

      Constitutional Proposals
      Mr. Dalyell
      To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on her constitutional proposals. [1391]

      Marjorie Mowlam
      I would like to see new and widely acceptable political institutions established in Northern Ireland as part of a wider political settlement. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has said that the Framework Documents published by the previous administration and the Irish Government in February 1995 provide a reasonable basis for discussion, but these issues are all for consideration in the multi-party negotiations and can only be taken forward by agreement among the parties and subject to a referendum in Northern Ireland.

      Small and Medium-sized Enterprises
      Dr. Vis
      To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment she has made of the performance of small and medium-sized enterprises in Northern Ireland. [1393]

      Dr. Iddon
      To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment she has made of the viability of small and medium-sized enterprises in Northern Ireland. [1401]

      Barbara Follett
      To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment she has made of the performance of small and medium-sized enterprises in Northern Ireland. [1379]

      Mr. Ingram
      The Small Business Agency for Northern Ireland, LEDU, has just published its results for 1996–97, recording its best year to date in terms of the performance of its client companies.

      The 1996 survey of LEDU client companies revealed a net increase in employment of 3,710 jobs; an increase of 11 per cent. over the previous year well ahead of overall national and regional trends for the fifth consecutive year. In addition LEDU assisted 1,543 new businesses to start-up during 1996–97, 136 of which represented

      497
      businesses with potential to engage in future export led growth; an increase of 72 per cent. over the past two years.

      Marches
      Mr. Hunter
      To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action she(a) has taken and (b) proposes to take, to implement the recommendations of the North commission regarding marches. [1397]

      Mr. Ingram
      As set out in the Queen's speech, the Government is committed to bringing forward legislation on parades, which will fully reflect the analysis in the North Report. Our overriding principle is to uphold the rule of law, creating new structures to respect all the rights at issue. The legislation will draw upon the experience of this marching season, to achieve any enhancements which are possible to the proposed measures in the North Report.

      Parades
      Ms Hewitt
      To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans she has to help reduce tensions over parades in Northern Ireland. [1398]

      Mr. Hanson
      To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proposals she intends to bring forward to reduce tensions relating to parades. [1400]

      Marjorie Mowlam
      I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier to my hon. Friends the Members for Wigan (Mr. Stott) and for South Ribble (Mr. Borrow).

      Bloody Sunday
      Mr. Barnes
      To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations she has received concerning Bloody Sunday; and if she will make a statement. [1403]

      Marjorie Mowlam
      We have received four letters on "Bloody Sunday", two from the Bloody Sunday Justice Campaign, one from the Standing Committee on Human Rights and one from a Member of this House. We have also received eight letters from members of the public. I do not think it appropriate to make a statement at this time.

      Carers
      Rev. Martin Smyth
      To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps she plans to take to ensure that carers are informed of(a) their rights and (b) the opportunities for a carer's assessment. [2492]

      Mr. Worthington
      [holding answer 9 June 1997]: Health and Social Services Boards and Trusts were directed by the Department to offer carers a separate assessment of their own needs if so requested from 1 April 1996. Guidance on Carers' Assessments, issued in February 1996, requires Trusts to determine their criteria for separate carers' assessments; to update their publicity material to include separate assessment for carers; and to put in place arrangements to ensure that all concerned are made aware of the criteria for obtaining such assessments. The Department will continue to monitor the implementation of the guidance as part of its Regional Strategy monitoring arrangements.

      Education Funding
      Mr. Roy Beggs
      To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans she has for additional funding for education in Northern Ireland. [1523]

      Mr. Worthington
      The Government has begun a Comprehensive Spending Review to ensure that, within the published plans for 1997–98 and 1998–99, expenditure is aligned with the Government's priorities, including education. We have already reallocated £4 million to address the problems facing schools in 1997–98. Decisions on the Comprehensive Spending Review will help to inform allocations in future years.

      Child Support Agency
      Mr. Forsythe
      To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many Child Support Agency cases were finalised by the Belfast Office of the Agency between 1 April 1996 and 1 April 1997. [1524]

      Mr. Worthington
      Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Northern Ireland Child Support Agency under its Chief Executive, Mr. Patrick Devlin. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

      Letter from Pat Devlin to Mr. Clifford Forsythe, dated 11 June 1997:
      I am replying to your Parliamentary Question about the number of cases finalised by the Belfast Office between 1 April 1996 and 1 April 1997.
      The number of applications cleared by the Northern Ireland Child Support Agency between 1 April 1996 and 31 March 1997 was as follows:

      Number

      Applications assessed

      4,335

      Applications cleared without assessment

      5,299

      Total

      9,634

      Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus
      Mr. Flynn
      To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many cases of MRSA have been recorded in each health authority district in Northern Ireland in each of the last 12 months. [2982]

      Mr. Worthington
      This information is not available centrally.

      Royal Ulster Constabulary
      Mr. Maginnis
      To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans she has for fundamental changes within the Royal Ulster Constabulary; what plans she has for consultation in this respect; and if she will make a statement. [1380]

      Mr. Ingram
      We want the Chief Constable's Fundamental Review implemented. We will also bring forward proposals on the tripartite structure, and on police complaints. We will consult widely about possible improvements to community police links, and aim for comprehensive parliamentary scrutiny of these proposals. Taken together our proposals represent an effective
      499
      response, appropriate to Northern Ireland, to growing public expectations both within the UK and beyond of what the Police Service can deliver.

    AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

      BSE
      Mrs. McGuire
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on what date the most recently born bovine animal with BSE was born; and if he will make a statement. [3508]

      Dr. John Cunningham
      BSE has been confirmed in a Highland cow born in Wales on 17 January 1994. This animal was two years and 10 months old when clinical signs were first observed. This is the first case of BSE in an animal born in 1994 but is unlikely to be the last as the risk of exposure through feed was not significantly different in the early months of 1994 compared with the closing months of 1993 when cases have already been confirmed. The dam of this particular cow is still alive and shows no signs of BSE.

      Mr. Ancram
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what scientific advice he has received on preventing BSE infected beef being imported from Germany; and what steps he is taking to implement such advice. [2484]

      Mr. Rooker
      SEAC considered the issue of bovine imports into the UK, taking into account the Commission's assessment of surveillance and controls in other Member States, and advised Ministers on 2 June. I refer the right hon. Member to the Statement made by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on 5 June(Official Report, Columns 227–28).

      Mr. Campbell-Savours
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the comparative effectiveness of eliminating BSE in cattle of(a) the 30 month scheme and (b) the selective cull. [2800]

      Mr. Rooker
      [holding answer given on 10 June 1997]: The Over Thirty Months Scheme (OTMS) is a measure to protect public health, not to eliminate BSE. On the other hand, the selective cull is aimed at reducing the number of cases of BSE by culling cattle which as young calves may have been exposed to the same feed as animals that have already succumbed to BSE. We estimate that the selective cull might prevent a maximum of 1,500 confirmed cases of BSE up to the end of 1999. The OTMS might prevent between one third and a half of that number, although the number of animals slaughtered under OTMS is many times greater than under the selective cull.

      Mr. Campbell-Savours
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his assessment of the use of BSE-testing developments by Messrs Proteus. [2248]

      Mr. Rooker
      The Department's involvement with Proteus has been confined to the assessment of a PrP antiserum for the diagnosis of BSE by immunohistochemistry in brain sections of cattle killed with clinical signs of BSE.
      500
      In a joint study between the Veterinary Research Laboratories, Dublin and the Central Veterinary Laboratory (CVL), Weybridge, the performance of the Proteus PrP antiserum, designated 168, was compared with that of another PrP antiserum 971 raised at CVL. Each laboratory replicated the PrP immunostaining protocols used in both participating laboratories. Closely similar results were obtained in each laboratory with both antibodies performing similarly in the confirmation of clinical cases of BSE.

      The studies did not include evaluation of the use of the 168 antibody for the diagnosis of BSE during the incubation period of the disease.

      Mr. Campbell-Savours
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects SEAC to have completed its consideration and given its advice on the European Commission's march draft report on risk factors and surveillance procedures on BSE in the community. [2249]

      Mr. Rooker
      SEAC considered the European Commission's draft report and advised Ministers on 2 June. I would refer my hon. Friend to SEAC's statement which was placed in the Library of the House on 5 June.

      Bread and Flour Regulations
      Mrs. McGuire
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for what reasons the Government is planning to replace the Bread and Flour Regulations 1995; and if he will make a statement. [3507]

      Mr. Rooker
      European law requires draft national legislation to be notified to the European Commission (and through them to other member states) to ensure that it does not introduce new technical barriers to trade. The Bread and Flour Regulations 1995 were a simplification of earlier Regulations. They did not introduce any new standards and at the time it was considered that they did not need to be notified.

      However, the ECJ has recently ruled that even a simplification of existing Regulations should be subject to the notification procedure.

      The European Commission has indicated that it considers the Bread and Flour Regulations 1995 to be technically in breach of Community law and the Government has therefore agreed to revoke and remake them in accordance with EU notification procedures.

      Draft Regulations are now being issued for public consultation. They revoke and re-enact the Bread and Flour Regulations 1995 and incorporate amendments made by the Bread and Flour (Amendment Regulations) 1996.

      Common Agriculture Policy
      Mr. Martyn Jones
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what scope there is in the existing CAP structure for redirecting United Kingdom agricultural support toward more sustainable practices including argi-environmental based subsidies; what are the main administrative and policy changes required for argi-environmental CAP reform to be feasible on a European-wide basis; and if he will make a statement. [2642]
      501
      Mr. Rooker
      CAP rules on farm supports, with few exceptions, allow no discretion to Member States to vary the rates of payment. Reform of the CAP as advocated by the Government would result in due course in EU expenditure savings, some of which should be directed towards well-defined agri-environmental objectives.

      Pesticides
      Mr. Martyn Jones
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of the active ingredients in common use within pesticides have no safety data; and if he will make a statement. [2629]

      Mr. Rooker
      All pesticides must be approved by Ministers before they may be marketed or used in the United Kingdom. The Pesticides Safety Directorate in my Department takes the lead in evaluating agricultural pesticides and holds safety data on all active ingredients used in approved agricultural pesticides. The Health and Safety Executive plays a similar role for non-agricultural pesticides.

      Mr. Jones
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many different pesticides products are on the market; how many active ingredients they are formulated from; of those active ingredients how many are(a) in common use and (b) adequately tested; and if he will make a statement. [2627]

      Mr. Rooker
      Approximately 3,700 pesticide products are currently approved for use in agriculture and the home garden. The number of active ingredients contained in one or more of these products is approximately 340.

      There is no clear definition of "common use". Levels of active ingredient used will change substantially as new chemicals replace old ones and will vary year by year according to factors such as pest pressures and weather patterns. So far as agricultural uses are concerned, the weights of active ingredients and crop areas treated are monitored and published as Pesticide Usage Surveys.

      No active ingredient may be included in an approved pesticide until it has been assessed according to current standards. In addition, under United Kingdom and EC arrangements, programmes to review, "old" active ingredients are carried out to ensure that supporting data packages are brought up to modern standards.

      Mr. Jones
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many of the pesticides in common use in the United Kingdom are possible(a) carcinogens, (b) mutagens and (c) allergens; and if he will make a statement. [2631]

      Mr. Rooker
      There are a number of different classification systems for mutagens, carcinogens and allergens. These are mainly based in a laboratory assessment of the innate hazard of the compound.

      Pesticides are approved following a thorough evaluation by the independent Advisory Committee on Pesticides of the risk that they pose in use. This assessment looks not only at the laboratory estimate of hazard but also at the conditions of use and the consequent exposure of operators, bystanders, food consumers and the environment. If the risk is acceptably small, approval can be granted.
      502
      Because the pesticides regulatory system is focused upon acctual risk rather than potential hazard, the figures requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

      Mr. Jones
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information is(a) held and (b) regularly gathered on the health effects of pesticides; how this information is collected; and if he will make a statement. [2628]

      Mr. Rooker
      Pesticides are approved on the basis of scientific information supplied by applicant companies; health effects are a key part of this data package. Companies are also required to supply any data that they subsequently generate or receive that may indicate a need to reconsider the risk assessment.

      The Health and Safety Executive collect and investigate reports of incidents involving agricultural pesticides. The Department carries out and publishes a comprehensive programme of monitoring of pesticide residues in food and the results are considered by the Working Party on Pesticides Residues, a sub-group of the independent Advisory Committee on Pesticides.

      Food (Colourings)
      Mr. Martyn Jones
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list those artificial colours permitted for use in food within the United Kingdom; if he will indicate those which are banned in(a) the USA and (b) Norway; and if he will make a statement. [2630]

      Mr. Rooker
      The following artificial colours are permitted for use in food within the United Kingdom:

      EC number

      Name

      E 102

      Tartrazine

      E 104

      Quinoline Yellow

      E 110

      Sunset Yellow FCFOrange Yellow S

      E 122

      Azorubine, Carmoisine

      E 123

      Amaranth

      E 124

      Ponceau 4R, Cochineal Red A

      E 127

      Erythrosine

      E128

      Red 2G

      E 129

      Allura Red AC

      E 131

      Patent Blue V

      E 132

      Indigotine, Indigo carmine

      E 133

      Brilliant Blue FCF

      E 142

      Green S

      E 151

      Brilliant Black BN, Black PN

      E 153

      Vegetable carbon

      E 154

      Brown FK

      E 155

      Brown HT

      E 170

      Calcium carbonate

      E 171

      Titanium dioxide

      E 172

      Iron oxides and hydroxides

      E 173

      Aluminium

      E 174

      Silver

      E 175

      Gold

      E 180

      Litholrubine BK

      All of these have been approved under harmonised rules which apply throughout the EU, following safety clearance by the European Commission's Scientific Committee for Food. The information requested about bans which may exist in the USA and Norway is not readily available. I will write to my hon. Friend.

      Animal Feed
      Mr. Flynn
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many and what percentage of feed compounders currently list full ingredients when labelling animal feeding contents; and if he will make a statement. [2694]

      Mr. Rooker
      A survey by UKASTA, the trade association representing compound feed manufacturers, has indicated that around 90 per cent. of the animal feed manufactured by its members is now subject to full ingredient listing. The Government is continuing to monitor the situation and will take action if necessary.

      Beef
      Mr. Prior
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what actions he plans to take to support(a) beef prices and (b) the beef production industry. [2530]

      Mr. Rooker
      The current problems of the UK beef market are not simply the result of BSE, but reflect the fact that there is significant structural imbalance between supply and demand on the EU market. In discussion with Commissioner Fischler and representatives of other Member States on the Agriculture Council, the Government has repeatedly stressed that reform of the beef regime is urgently necessary to address that imbalance. In the meantime, we are urging the Commission to make progress towards lifting the export ban and to introduce controls on beef production in other Member States equivalent to those applied here. In the absence of agreement on such controls, we will not hesitate to take unilateral action to ensure that any beef imported onto the UK market and competing with the domestic product meets the same high standards as apply in the UK.

      Mr. Campbell-Savours
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement as to the difference in treatment by the regulatory authorities of(a) imported beef and (b) beef produced in the United Kingdom. [2246]

      Mr. Rooker
      All fresh meat produced in or imported into the United Kingdom must be produced in accordance with harmonised hygiene rules laid down in Council Directive 64/433/EEC (as amended). Also, meat derived from bovines which, at the time of slaughter, were more than 30 months old is prohibited under the Fresh Meat (Beef Controls) (No 2) Regulations 1996 for sale for human consumption unless it comes from animals covered by the Beef Assurance Scheme, or born, reared and slaughtered in those third countries specifically excluded by the Regulations where there is no known risk of BSE.

      In addition, since 1989 there has been a requirement for specified bovine material (SBM) to be removed from bovine animals which have died or been slaughtered in the United Kingdom. SBM is currently defined in the Specified Bovine Material Order 1997 as the whole head (excluding the tongue), spinal cord, spleen, thymus, tonsils and intestines of cattle over six months old and the thymus and intestines of calves under six months. The SBM may not be used in food, animal feed, cosmetic, pharmaceutical or medical products. It has to be stained and disposed of under strictly controlled conditions.
      504
      On 5 June, following advice from the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee, my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food announced the opening of consultations on an amendment to the 1997 Order, Official Report, columns 227–28, which would extend these controls to imported beef, other than from those countries excluded by the Fresh Meat (Beef Controls) (No 2) Regulations 1996. This is not an import ban. We intend to implement these measures in late July if agreement to introduce similar Community-wide controls is not forthcoming by then.

      Newcastle Disease
      Mr. Flynn
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the total amount of compensation to be paid by his Department as a result of the(a) Ross on Wye and (b) Sussex outbreaks of Newcastle disease in 1996–97; and if he will make a statement. [2692]

      Mr. Rooker
      The Department has paid £1,559,803 to date in respect of three outbreaks of Newcastle disease near Ross on Wye and £21,235 for two outbreaks in Sussex which occurred during 1996–97. A further sum of about £300,000 in compensation is expected to be paid in connection with one of the outbreaks near Ross on Wye.

      Mr. Flynn
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment his Department has made of the reasons behind the 1996–97 outbreaks of Newcastle disease in(a) Ross on Wye and (b) Sussex; and if he will make a statement. [2693]

      Mr. Rooker
      The State Veterinary Service has conducted an epidemiological investigation into the cause of three outbreaks of Newcastle disease in Ross on Wye and one in Sussex which occurred in January this year. It has not been possible to confirm either a definitive source for the infection or how the virus had spread between premises. However, it is believed that the virus may have originated from migrating birds and was subsequently spread between premises by the movement of people, vehicles or equipment.

      An outbreak of Newcastle disease in a pheasant farm in Sussex in May 1996 was attributed to contact with wild pigeons or doves which were infected with the PMV1 virus.

      Milk Quotas
      Mr. Ancram
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if his Department insists on duly completed milk quota transfer forms being submitted before proceeding with dairy produce quota regulation apportionment. [2482]

      Mr. Rooker
      Yes. However, in cases where the parties are in dispute as to the apportionment of quota or where the Intervention Board has reasonable grounds for believing that a correct apportionment of quota may not have been made, the Dairy Produce Quotas Regulations 1997 provide for the matter to be referred to arbitration. Once the arbitrator has arrived at his decision on the appropriate apportionment, the quota register held by the Intervention Board will be amended, if required, in accordance with the arbitrator's findings.

      Food Safety
      Mr. Ancram
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to ensure that imported foodstuffs meet the same safety criteria as required of home grown foodstuffs. [2483]

      Mr. Rooker
      Where harmonised Community rules exist, imports must comply with the EU legislation designed to protect public and animal health. Where there are no harmonised rules, imports must comply with national importation rules. Control checks are carried out at the port of importation for products from third countries and at retail level.

      Food Additives
      Mr. Martyn Jones
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of food additives in use in the United Kingdom are regulated by the EU; and if he will make a statement. [2634]

      Mr. Rooker
      Harmonised EU rules have now been introduced for the vast majority of food additives in use in the United Kingdom. These include all colours, sweeteners, flavourings and extraction solvents and 24 classes of miscellaneous additives. Harmonised rules for the use of flour treatment agents are currently being discussed. Only a very few miscellaneous additives and some carrier solvents now remain subject to national controls only.

      Processed Food
      Mr. Martyn Jones
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of food consumed in the United Kingdom is processed food; and if he will make a statement. [2636]

      Mr. Rooker
      Virtually all foodstuffs undergo some form of processing before sale to consumers. If my hon. Friend has a particular concern, perhaps he will write to me.

      Canine Spongiform Encephalopathies
      Mr. Martyn Jones
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of recent research regarding canine spongiform encephalopathies; and if he will make a statement. [2633]

      Mr. Rooker
      No cases of transmissible spongiform encephalopathy have been confirmed in canines.

      We are aware of a case of a Norwegian dog showing a spongiform change in the brain. We have sought clarification from the Norwegian authorities on the results of their investigation into this case.

      Quota Hopping
      Mr. Blizzard
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on progress towards resolving the problem of quota hopping. [3025]

      Mr. Morley
      There have been extensive discussions with the Commission and others in recent weeks about measures to deal with quota hopping. Progress is being made and we expect to be able to make an announcement shortly.

      Genetically Modified Organisms
      Mr. Stunell
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce measures to require processed food to be labelled to indicate whether it contains any material which has been genetically engineered; and if he will make a statement. [2932]

      Mr. Rooker
      I will be pressing at European level for all foods which may contain genetically modified ingredients to be clearly labelled so as to give consumers a real choice in what they buy.

      Tuberculosis
      Mr. Campbell-Savours
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 22 May,Official Report, columns 167–69, what conclusions his Department has drawn from that evidence on the responsibility of badgers for the transmission of TB to cattle. [2247]

      Mr. Rooker
      There is a great deal of circumstantial evidence that badgers are implicated in the transmission of bovine tuberculosis to cattle. Professor Krebs is looking at the incidence of tuberculosis in cattle and badgers and assessing the scientific evidence for the links between them. I expect him to report later this year. We will consider any recommendations Professor Krebs makes very carefully.

      Environmentally Sensitive Areas
      Mr. Charles Kennedy
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his policy towards environmentally sensitive area schemes in England; and what is(a) the budget currently available for ESAs, (b) the number of farmers and landowners entered into each ESA scheme, (c) the area of land so entered and (d) the number of project officers employed to promote schemes. [2685]

      Dr. John Cunningham
      A total of £34.8 million has been allocated for payments to English ESA agreement holders in the current financial year.

      The number of farmers and landowners and the area of land entered into the English ESAs at the end of the 1996 application period are shown in the attached table. MAFF Regional Service Centres are currently processing applications made during the 1997 window.

      The English ESA scheme is currently supported by 29 ESA Project Officers and 16 Assisted Project Officers.

      Number of agreements and area of land entered into English environmentally sensitive areas at the end of 1996 scheme year

      ESA

      Number of hectares under ESA agreement

      Number of ESA agreements

      Pennine Dales

      26,616

      789

      South Downs

      11,563

      247

      Somerset Levels and Moors

      14,998

      996

      The Broads

      15,818

      805

      West Penwith

      6,308

      199

      Breckland

      5,692

      129

      Suffolk River Valleys

      9,515

      495

      Clun

      14,652

      215

      North Peak

      40,383

      94

      Test Valley

      1,331

      49

      North Kent Marshes

      4,065

      67

      507

      Number of agreements and area of land entered into English environmentally sensitive areas at the end of 1996 scheme year

      ESA

      Number of hectares under ESA agreement

      Number of ESA agreements

      Avon Valley

      1,023

      56

      South Wessex Downs

      20,279

      147

      Exmoor

      45,766

      494

      South West Peak

      20,005

      527

      Lake District

      114,437

      1,047

      Blackdown Hills

      8,614

      331

      Cotswold Hills

      43,283

      622

      Dartmoor

      19,172

      504

      Essex Coast

      3,080

      105

      Shropshire Hills

      14,127

      292

      Upper Thames Tributaries

      5,074

      221

      Total

      445,801

      8,431

      Mr. Kennedy
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the species and habitats included as performance indicators for English ESAs and the specific objectives relating to each; and if he will make a statement concerning the progress made by farmers in respect of those species and habitats. [2686]

      Dr. Cunningham
      Five year objectives and targets for each of the 22 English Environmentally Sensitive Areas have been produced and copies of these have been placed in the Library of the House. These include targets for specific habitats and species.

      A summary of the results of a comprehensive programme of monitoring of the five Stage I ESAs, launched in 1987, was presented as evidence to the House of Commons Select Committee Enquiry into ESAs last year. (Ref HC 45–11 pages 10–14). This describes the achievements for targets set up to 1997.

      Reports on the environmental monitoring of the five Stage II ESAs, launched in 1988, and the six Stage III ESAs, launched in 1993, will be published later this summer and those on the first five years of the six Stage IV ESAs are expected to be available in the summer of 1998.

      Revised objectives and targets for the Stage I ESAs for the period 1997–2002, reflecting targets under the Government's Biodiversity Action Plan, are in preparation and should be available in the Autumn.

      Countryside Stewardship Scheme
      Mr. Charles Kennedy
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the eligibility criteria for land managers who wish to enter the Countryside Stewardship Scheme; what financial limits are applied(a) annually and (b) over five years to applications for the scheme; and what is the total budget available over each of the next four years. [2687]

      Dr. John Cunningham
      The Countryside Stewardship Scheme is available throughout England, other than in Environmentally Sensitive Areas, to anyone who owns or manages land, including farmers and non-farming land managers, voluntary bodies, local authorities and community groups.

      The annual financial limit for new agreements is £5 million. An additional provision of £0.5 million will be available for approvals in 1998 under a pilot scheme for arable land to be introduced as part of Countryside Stewardship.

      The total budget for payments to farmers is £16.7 million for 199–98, £22.1 million for 1998–99, and £26.7 million for each of the years 1999–2000 and 2000–2001.

      Departmental Documents
      Mr. Baker
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage and how many documents in 1996 he estimates were(a) passed on to the Public Record Office intact, (b) passed on to the Public Record Office in censored form, (c) retained by his Department in full, (d) retained by his Department in part, (e) destroyed, (f) otherwise disposed of, and (g) otherwise unaccounted for. [2516]

      Mr. Morley
      I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him today by my hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department.

      Pet Passports
      Mr. Flynn
      To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has to introduce a trial passports for pets scheme to replace quarantine for animals from the EU and approved rabies free countries; and if he will make a statement. [2984]

      Mr. Rooker
      We are considering whether alternatives to quarantine might give equal or better protection against the importation of rabies.

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