Written Answers of 19 June 1997

PRIME MINISTER

  Security Clearance
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Prime Minister what are the arrangements for hearing appeals from those who need to have access to protectively marked Government assets and have been refused security clearance or have had that clearance withdrawn. [4979]

  The Prime Minister
  An independent Security Vetting Appeals Panel, chaired by Sir Anthony May, will be established on 1 July to hear appeals against refusal or withdrawal of clearance at Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV) levels and to advise the head of the organisation concerned. The Panel will be available to all those, other than recruits, in the public and private

  Persons detained in purpose-built immigration detention centres and their current capacity

  Heathrow Queen's Building

  Harmondsworth

  Manchester Airport

  Campsfield House

  Tinsley House

  Gatwick Meadvale2

  Stanstead1

  Number of persons detained on:

  31 May 1996

  13

  91

  12

  196

  39

  36

  7

  30 June 1996

  14

  91

  7

  198

  92

  43

  7

  31 July 1996

  13

  85

  8

  193

  100

  41

  7

  31 August 1996

  15

  91

  10

  195

  120

  42

  —

  30 September 1996

  14

  88

  16

  197

  144

  44

  —

  31 October 1996

  13

  87

  13

  195

  136

  45

  —

  30 November 1996

  14

  89

  13

  189

  139

  45

  —

  31 December 1996

  15

  90

  4

  194

  132

  44

  —

  31 January 1997

  15

  90

  11

  195

  134

  42

  —

  28 February 1997

  14

  85

  6

  195

  139

  39

  —

  31 March 1997

  14

  88

  12

  195

  142

  44

  —

  30 April 1997

  15

  88

  7

  197

  145

  32

  —

  31 May 1997

  15

  91

  5

  195

  144

  —

  —

  Current detention capacity

  15

  93

  16

  198

  150

  —

  —

  1Closed on 7 August 1996.

  2Closed on 19 May 1997.

  Asylum Seekers
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers currently in detention have alleged that they are under 18 years of age; and where they are being held. [3940]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I regret that the information requested is not available. The available information on detained asylum seekers shows that none is recorded as being under the age of 18.

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers are currently detained in(a) prisons and (b) detention centres solely under the powers of the Immigration Act 1971. [3938]
  246
  sectors and in the Armed Forces who are subject to security vetting at these levels, have exhausted existing appeals mechanisms within their own organisations and remain dissatisfied with the result. Separate arrangements are available to staff of the security and intelligence agencies. The establishment of the Panel therefore brings to an end the role of the Three Advisers who, since 1948, have been available to consider cases where security clearance was refused or withdrawn on the grounds of subversion.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Immigration Detention Centres
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many people were detained in purpose-built immigration detention centres in each month in the last year; [3985]

  (2) how many places in purpose-built immigration detention centres are currently occupied; [3983]

  (3) what is the total current capacity of purpose-built immigration detention centres. [3984]

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

  Mr. O'Brien
  As at 31 May 1997, the most recent date for which information is available, 279 persons in Prison Service establishments and 374 persons in detention centres, who had sought asylum at some stage, were recorded as being solely detained under Immigration Act powers.

  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of state for the Home Department how many asylum seekers are currently being detained in Category B Her Majesty's prisons without being charged with a criminal offence. [3986]

  Mr. O'Brien
  As at 31 May 1997, a total of 279 persons, who had sought asylum at some stage, were recorded as detained solely under Immigration Act powers in Her Majesty's prisons. Of these, 204 were held in establishments capable of holding Category B prisoners.

  Road Accidents
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to bring forward primary legislation to make failure to stop after a road accident involving personal injury an arrestable offence. [4001]

  Mr. Michael
  The Government's intention is to legislate as soon as practicable, when a suitable opportunity arises in the legislative programme.

  Illegal Entrants
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people are currently being detained in Her Majesty's Prisons under the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1986, having entered the United Kingdom with false documents; how many of those have entered the United Kingdom as transit passengers on their way to a third country; and how many have applied for asylum in the United Kingdom. [3982]

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

  Alcopops
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what regulations he plans to introduce governing the production and sale of alcopops drinks. [3952]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Government are very concerned about the promotion and sale of certain alcoholic drinks to children, and I am holding urgent talks with the drinks industry. I am also chairing a Ministerial Group to examine options for Government action. We shall not hesitate to act if the industry response is unsatisfactory.

  Prisoners (Education)
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of the Prison Service budget is allocated to educational activities for prisoners in the current financial year; and what were the equivalent figures for(a) 1982, (b) 1987 and (c) 1992. [4176]

  Ms Joyce Quin
  There is no central education budget: decisions on the size of education budgets are taken by individual prison governors. The table below shows the proportion of the Prison Service's current expenditure spent on contracted-in education, library services and educational materials at directly run prisons for the years 1982–83,1987–88,1992–93 and (provisionally) 1996–97. The figures for 1996–97 may not be on precisely the same basis as those for earlier years due to changes in accounting arrangements.

  1982–83: 2.14 per cent.

  1987–88: 2.54 per cent.

  1992–93: 2.74 per cent.

  1996–97: 2.48 per cent.

  Public Houses
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will review the enforcement of the law in respect of absentee landlords of public houses. [4079]

  Mr. George Howarth
  I am not aware of any particular problems in this area of the law. If the hon. Member has specific concerns, I should be happy to look into them.

  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will establish a national database of(a) pub licensees and (b) persons who are barred from becoming pub licensees. [4077]

  Mr. Howarth
  I see no need to do so. Liquor licence applicants have to make a statutory declaration that they are not ineligible, and the licensing courts and police make appropriate enquiries about every applicant.

  Psychologists (Prisons)
  Dr. Brand
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the complement of psychologists at(a) Camphill, (b) Albany and (c) Parkhurst prisons; how many vacancies there are for these posts; how long the posts concerned have been vacant; and what plans he has to change the complements. [4081]

  Ms Joyce Quin
  Details of the complements of psychologists at Camp Hill, Albany and Parkhurst prisons and any vacancies are shown in the attached table.

  There are no plans to change the complements at Albany and Camp Hill. It is planned to change the Parkhurst complement on 1 July by removing the psychologist post and adding another psychological assistant. The other posts will remain unchanged.

  Psychologist complements at Isle of Wight prisons

  Complement

  Vacancies (effective from)

  Camp Hill

  —

  —

  (+1 Senior Psychologist)

  Albany

  1 Principal Psychologist

  —

  1 Senior Psychologist

  —

  1 Psychologist

  1 Psychologist

  3 Psychological Assistants

  (1 May 1997)

  1 Psychological

  Assistant

  (1 May 1997)

  Parkhurst

  1 Principal Psychologist

  —

  1 Higher Psychologist

  —

  1 Psychologist

  —

  ½ Psychological Assistant

  —

  Hare Coursing
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will assess the advantages of outlawing hare coursing. [4021]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Government are committed to allowing a free vote on whether there should be a ban on hunting with hounds. A Private Member's Bill to ban hunting with dogs is now before the House.

  Closed Circuit Television
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what plans he has to fund CCTV in 1997–98; [4277]

  (2) when new bids for CCTV will be considered. [4279]

  Mr. Michael
  Round three of the closed circuit television (CCTV) Challenge Competition provided £15 million for CCTV in the current financial year (1997–98). This money has already been allocated. A decision on 1998–99 will be made later in the summer.

  Special Advisers
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will indicate the number of salaries of his Department's special advisers falling within the range of(a) £24,349–£29,999, (b) £30,000–34,999,
  (c) £35,000–£39,999, (d) £40,000–£44,999, (e) £45,000£49,999, (f) £50,000–£54,999, (g) £55,000–£59,999, (h)£60,000—£64,999, (i) £65,000—69,999 and (j) £70,000—£73,484. [4555]

  Mr. Straw
  Consistent with the practice of previous administrations and to protect the privacy of individuals, only aggregate information on the salaries of special advisers will be published.

  Once all salaries have been agreed, the number of advisers paid in each of the appropriate £10,000 bands will be published.

  Prison Service (Private Sector Involvement)
  Mr. Patrick Hall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what conclusions he has reached about future private sector involvement in the Prison Service. [5060]

  Mr. Straw
  The Government have expressed reservations about the principle of contracting out the management of prisons. It is generally accepted that responsibility for the incarceration of offenders must remain with the state. The issue is whether that responsibility should, as a matter of principle, be discharged through direct management in the public sector or whether it can properly and effectively be discharged under a regulatory framework. This was addressed in the recent report on prison management by the Home Affairs Select Committee; and the Government now wish to give further and careful consideration to the arguments deployed in that report before settling their overall approach to this issue.

  Existing management contracts will be honoured, as I have already made clear. But we are considering ways in which the current regulatory framework might be strengthened. At present, all disciplinary hearings in contractually managed prisons are conducted by a state official—the Controller, a Prison Service governor, who also monitors the performance of the contractor on behalf of the responsible Prison Service Area Manager. This is an important principle from which we will not depart; and we are currently reviewing the scope for extending the Controller's powers in respect of prisoners' requests and complaints, sentence calculation, scrutiny of security classifications and frequency of security audits.
  250
  On the letting of new contracts and the renewal of existing contracts, our immediate approach is necessarily determined by current expenditure plans, to which we are committed, and by operational requirements.

  We have inherited a prison population rising sharply, (well above projections) with expenditure provision for new prisons limited to establishments to be designed, constructed, managed and financed by the private sector. Even with the new prison ship, Her Majesty's Prison Weare, there is huge pressure on capacity. We have therefore decided to proceed with existing procurement plans to provide additional new places on this basis by 1999–2000. This is an urgent operational requirement to overcome projected shortfalls in accommodation and to avoid dangerous levels of overcrowding and the use of police cells. We will shortly be launching competitions to provide an 800 place Category B local prison at Agecroft, Salford, and a 400 place Young Offender Institution at Pucklechurch, near Bristol.

  I have also authorised the renewal of the contract for the operation of Her Majesty's Prison Blakenhurst with the private sector operator, United Kingdom Detention Services. The existing contract expires on 25 May 1998; and we are required to give the operator one year's notice of a decision to renew the contract. The prison has been performing well against the current contract requirements and in comparison with comparable prisons in the public sector; and I am satisfied that the terms that have been negotiated for renewal of the contract offer value for money. The establishment could not be returned to public sector control without incurring additional expenditure, which would require offsetting savings elsewhere; and in the light of the current budgetary pressures on the Prison Service and pending our consideration of the Select Committee report, I am persuaded that no other course of action could be justified in current circumstances. However, in order to ensure that future options are kept as open as possible while our overall policy is under review, I have decided to renew the contract for 3 years only, the minimum practical—and contractually permissible—period.

  Moreover, before further decisions are made on prison procurement beyond the extra places within existing plans or on the renewal of any other existing contracts, I have asked the Prison Service to:

  (a) explore all possible methods of using private finance on terms which offer value for money including design, build and maintain new prisons with the public sector providing custodial services; and

  (b) seek to demonstrate that the public sector Prison Service has the capacity to match the performance of the private sector in comparable prisons, and that realistic plans can be developed to establish a case for returning contractually managed prisons to the public sector on value for money grounds when consideration is given to the issue on the expiry of contracts. I have asked senior Prison Service managers to engage in consultations with the Prison Service unions to this end.

  251
  Proposals for private sector area involvement in other areas of the Prison Service, which do not raise the same issues of principle, will be treated on their merits. I have authorised the extension of the contract with Group 4 to operate the court escort and custody service in Area 7. This is essentially a specialist service, distinguishable from the management of prisons; and I am satisfied both with the quality of the service being provided and with the terms negotiated for extension of the contract.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Cricket Test Matches
  Ms Gisela Stuart
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what is his policy on the televising of cricket test matches on terrestrial television channels. [3980]

  Mr. Fisher
  Test matches involving England are among the events listed under the Broadcasting Act 1996. Rights for live television coverage of these events must be made available to broadcasters offering a generally available free to air service: currently the BBC and Channels 3 and 4. The provisions do not apply retrospectively, and consequently only contracts agreed after the Act came into force are affected. I announced in the House on 19 May that the Government was initiating a review of this list of events and the work is under way in my Department. The review will include a consultation with all interested parties.

  Minimum Wage
  Mr. Tom King
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many(a) full-time and (b) part-time persons employed by his Department and its agencies are paid (i) less than £4 an hour, (ii) less than £3.50 an hour and (iii) less than £3 an hour. [4200]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  No full-time or part-time member of staff in the Department of National Heritage is paid less than £4 an hour.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Child Deaths
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what estimate she has made of the number of(a) people and (b) children under five dying each day in the developing world from (i) inadequate sanitation, (ii) lack of clean water, (iii) starvation and (iv) war. [3806]

  Clare Short
  DFID makes no such global estimates. However, I have approached the United Nations, who collect some of this data on a country by country basis, and will write to my hon. Friend when I have their response.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Minimum Wage
  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the precise criteria which the Low Pay Commission will apply in making their recommendation on the optimum level of statutory minimum pay. [4053]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The independent Low Pay Commission will recommend to Government the level at which the National Minimum Wage might be introduced having undertaken a wide-ranging consultation with employers, including small businesses, employees, the general public and other interested parties and taking into account relevant economic circumstances prevailing at the time.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to reduce the regulatory burden on small businesses. [3956]

  Mrs. Roche
  As we made clear in our manifesto, we are committed to relieving the regulatory burdens on small businesses. To achieve this, we plan to work in partnership with small firms to ensure that new regulations are simple and fair. We also want to ensure that regulations are enforced fairly. As part of this process we will maintain close links with small firms and their representative bodies to identify their key concerns. We will also reconstitute the Deregulation Task Force to increase its focus on small firms by increasing small business representation.

  Newsagents
  Ms Walley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she last met representatives from the Multiple Newsagents Association; what subjects were discussed; and if he will make a statement. [4175]

  Mr. Nigel Giffiths
  Neither my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade nor I have yet met the Multiple Newsagents Association since arriving at the Department.

  Astra Holdings
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will review the legal action against some of the former directors of Astra Holdings commenced under the previous administration. [2923]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  No information has been drawn to my attention which suggests that I should review the disqualification proceedings instituted against some of the former directors of Astra Holdings plc. A trial has now been fixed and it must be for the Court to determine the issues.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Government Car Service
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what targets he has set for fuel consumption by
  253
  the Government Car Service; if meeting such targets will involve the use of diesel vehicles; and if he will make a statement. [4056]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  For 1997–98, the Government Car and Despatch Agency has been set the target of achieving an annual average of 25.5 miles per gallon for the Government Car Service and Inter Despatch Service fleets. Responsibility for meeting this target has been delegated under the terms of the Framework Document to the Agency, and I have asked its Chief Executive, Mr. Nick Matheson, to write to the hon. Member about Agency's use of diesel fuelled vehicles.

  Letter from Nick Matheson to Mr. Tim Boswell, dated 17 June 1997:
  I have been asked by Mr Peter Kilfoyle MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (who has ministerial responsibility for the Government Car Service (GCS)), to provide a response to that part of your Parliamentary Question on fuel consumption targets for the GCS that relates to the use of diesel engined vehicles. I am the Chief Executive of the Government Car and Despatch Agency with operational responsibility for the GCS.
  The Agency fleet comprises 179 cars operated by the Government Car Service, all of which are petrol driven, and 63 diesel powered vans operated by the Interdespatch Service (IDS). The overall Agency fuel consumption target of 25.5 mpg includes both types of vehicle.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Burma
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Goverment's trade promotion policy towards Burma. [4898]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We will not provide any financial support to companies for trade missions to Burma or for trade promotion activities within Burma until there is progress towards democratic reform and respect for human rights in Burma. Officials in the UK and at the British Embassy in Rangoon will continue to provide British companies with routine advice about doing business in Burma. Wherever possible such advice will make clear the present realities in Burma, including the political and human rights situation and the state of the economy. It will also draw to businessmen's attention statements by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other pro-democracy leaders discouraging trade and investment in Burma. We shall encourage our EU partners to take similar action.

  Sierra Leone
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will make a statement on international efforts to restore democracy in Sierra Leone; [4159]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the implications of his Department's mission statement for relations with Sierra Leone following the recent coup d'état; [4158]

  (3) if he will make a statement on the actions of the Nigerian military in Sierra Leone; [4229]
  254
  (4)how Her Majesty's Government are assisting efforts to find a negotiated and peaceful settlement to the crisis in Sierra Leone; [4154]

  (5) if he will make a statement on his recent discussions on Sierra Leone with the United Nations Secretary General; [4155]

  (6) if he will make a statement about Nigeria's military intervention in Sierra Leone; [4156]

  (7) what assessment his Department has made of the regional implications of the crisis in Sierra Leone. [4157]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  [holding answer 17 June 1997]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Leicester, East (Mr. Vaz) on 12 June, Official Report, column 545. We deplore this coup and shall continue to work for the restoration of the legitimate government in Sierra Leone without further bloodshed. Those who led the coup have no support from their own people or from the international community. International stability and respect for human rights are core parts of the FCO mission statement. They have an evident relevance to the situation in Sierra Leone.

  Several West African states, including Ghana, Nigeria and Guinea, are working together to find a peaceful settlement to the current crisis in Sierra Leone. We strongly support their efforts, which are likely to include an early high-level regional meeting to identify a way forward. I discussed the situation in Sierra Leone with the Ghanaian Deputy Foreign Minister on 18 June. I am also in touch with the Sierra Leone High Commissioner in London. We are active within both the UN and the Commonwealth about their respective roles in the search for a negotiated settlement in Sierra Leone. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs met Mr. Annan, United Nations Secretary General, on 4 June. They discussed Sierra Leone and expressed the strong hope that a negotiated settlement would be found. With partners in the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) we will consider Sierra Leone at the next CMAG meeting on 10—11 July. I discussed the prospects for this meeting with the Commonwealth Secretary on 19 June. CMAG will report to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Edinburgh in October.

  Nigeria has long maintained a military presence of around 1,000 troops in Sierra Leone under bilateral and multilateral agreements. Twenty-four Nigerians died defending President Kabbah. Extra deployments after the coup followed appeals to regional states by President Kabbah and by the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) to assist in restoring constitutional order. We encourage Nigeria now to play a constructive role in the regional efforts to secure a negotiated settlement.

  We are concerned that the coup in Sierra Leone should not have a destabilising influence elsewhere in the region. In particular we are watching events in neighbouring Liberia where democratic elections are due on 19 July. The universal condemnation of the coup by African states offers some reassurance that the region itself is determined not to allow the instability in Sierra Leone to spread.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Early Years Development Plans
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment in what circumstances he will be willing to approve interim local authority early years development plans which specify that there should be only one point of entry for four-year-olds each year at the beginning of the Autumn Term. [3564]

  Mr. Byers
  Interim early years development plans will be approved only if they demonstrate how a good quality early education place can be secured for each eligible four-year-old for the three terms before compulsory school age.

  Engineering (Students)
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will take steps to encourage more young people to study engineering. [3567]

  Dr. Howells
  The National Curriculum makes the study of science, mathematics and technology compulsory for all pupils between the ages of 5 and 16, and this provides a suitable grounding for young people to move on to the study of engineering.

  More specifically, the Government is working in partnership with the industry itself to promote career prospects in engineering. We are currently involved with a wide range of engineering bodies, institutions, and major UK companies in the Year of Engineering Success campaign. This is intended to demonstrate the vital role played by engineering in the economy and in daily life and to encourage young people to consider engineering as a career.

  University for Industry
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the Government's proposals for a university for industry. [3566]

  Dr. Howells
  The Government will establish the University for Industry which will open up new opportunities for adults to improve their skills and realise their potential. By harnessing new technology the University for Industry will help improve the quality and accessibility of learning opportunities and will aim in particular to be of help to small businesses. It will enable greater participation in, and demand for, learning and modernise its supply. It will bring learning to the workplace, the home and the community.

  We are taking urgent steps to bring together a range of interests from across and outside Government to agree the way ahead on the University for Industry's development. An announcement is expected soon.

  Welfare to Work
  Mrs. Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will take into account when framing the welfare to work proposals the position of people who are not in their preferred employment but do not qualify as being unemployed for six months because they take on a series of temporary agency jobs. [3950]
  256
  Mr. Alan Howarth
  We are currently considering the detailed design of our New Deal programmes for young people out of work for six months or more. Our key priority is to help people who have experienced a continuous period out of work. We will however take other disadvantaged groups into account in designing the initiative, as far as resources and practicalities allow.

  Further Education
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will create a standard unit of resource for all 16 to 19-year-old students financed from the public purse irrespective of whether they attend local education authority or grant-maintained schools, sixth form colleges or further education colleges. [4163]

  Dr. Howells
  I currently have no plans to create such a unit of resource. In March this year the Department published a report comparing the costs of education and training for 16 to 19-year-olds. I will be looking further at these findings and consulting with our partners in the education service before making any proposals about future funding mechanisms for 16 to 19 education.

  Mrs. Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will readjust the cash base-line for further education to take account of the increased number of students in the further education sector. [4162]

  Dr. Howells
  I refer the right hon. Member to my answer to her of 10 June,Official Report, column 369.

  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will introduce measures to stop the loss of teaching staff in post-16 further education. [4202]

  Dr. Howells
  From incorporation on 1 April 1993, further education colleges assumed responsibility for their own finance and organisation, including the appointment, dismissal, redundancy and conditions of service generally of their staff. Decisions on recruitment and retention are, therefore, for individual colleges to make.

  Schools Capital Spending (Kent)
  Mr. Pond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what discussions he has had with Kent county council following the council's decision to freeze capital spending on schools. [4136]

  Mr. Byers
  My right hon. Friend has had no such discussions. We understand that Kent County Council has placed a temporary moratorium on all capital expenditure. We are concerned at this development and will be asking Kent County Council for a full explanation for its decision.

  Admission and Transfer Ages
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the applications received in each of the last five years from local education authorities or from grant-maintained schools for changes in the ages of admission or transfer, indicating in each case the changes proposed; and if he will make a statement. [4164]
  257
  Ms Estelle Morris
  The applications received in each of the last five years from local education authorities and grant-maintained schools for changes in the ages of admissions or transfer are listed below. All proposals will be considered on their individual merits.

  Local education authorities

  Proposal

  1992

  Surrey

  to move from a middle-school system to a system of primary and secondary schools with transfer at age 11

  Avon

  to change the age range of some primary schools

  1993

  Doncaster

  to move from a middle-school system to a system of primary and secondary schools with transfer at age 11

  Hampshire

  to move from a middle-school to a system of primary and secondary schools with transfer at age 11

  Wakefield

  to move from a middle-school system to a system of primary and secondary schools with transfer at age 11

  Kent

  to move from a middle-school system to a system of primary and secondary schools with transfer at age 11 in the Longfield area

  1994

  Leeds

  to change the age range of some primary schools

  Doncaster

  to move form a middle-school system to a system of primary and secondary schools with transfer at age 11

  Berkshire

  to change the age of transfer between primary and middle schools and reduce the age of admission to secondary schools in the Slough area

  Warwickshire

  to move from a middle-school system to a system of primary and secondary schools with transfer at age 11

  Devon

  to change the age range of some primary schools

  Kent

  to change the age range of some primary schools

  1995

  Birmingham

  to move from a middle-school system to a system of primary and secondary schools with transfer at age 11

  1996

  Buckinghamshire

  to change the age of transfer between primary, middle and secondary schools to change the age range of Loughton County Combined School from 5–12 to 8–12

  1997

  Berkshire

  to change the age-range of middle schools in the Slough area

  Grant maintained schools

  LEA area

  School

  Nature of change

  1992

  Ealing

  Brentside High School

  12–19 to 11–19

  Drayton Manor High School

  12–19 to 11–19

  Greenford High School

  12–19 to 11–19

  Northholt High School

  12–19 to 11–19

  Wood End Middle School

  8–12 to 7–12

  Hampshire

  Hardley School

  12–16 to 11–16

  Portsmouth Boys' School

  12–16 to 11–16

  258

  Grant maintained schools

  LEA area

  School

  Nature of change

  Kent

  Oakwood Park Grammar School

  13–18 to 11–18

  Kirklees

  Castle Hall School

  9–13 to 11–16

  Surrey

  Collingwood School

  12–18 to 11–18

  De Stafford School

  12–18 to 11–18

  Epsom and Ewell High School

  12–18 to 11–18

  Glyn School

  12–18 to 11–18

  Guildford County School

  12–18 to 11–18

  Roseberry School

  12–18 to 11–18

  The Beacon Secondary School

  12–18 to 11–18

  Warwickshire

  Ash Green Secendary School

  12–16 to 11–16

  1993

  Hampshire

  Abbotswood Middle School

  8–12 to 7–11

  Calmore Middle School

  8–12 to 7–11

  Front Lawn Middle School

  8–12 to 7–11

  Purbrook Park School

  12–16 to 11–16

  Testwood School

  Surrey

  Yattendon Middle School

  8–12 to 7–11

  Warwickshire

  Avon Valley School

  12–16 to 11–16

  Queen Elizabeth School

  12–18 to 11–18

  1994

  Berkshire

  Herschel GM Grammar School

  12–18 to 11–18

  Langley GM Grammar School

  12–18 to 11–18

  Slough GM Grammar School

  12–18 to 11–18

  Buckinghamshire

  Beaconsfield High School

  12–18 to 11–18

  Hampshire

  Lyndhurst Middle Primary School

  8–12 to 7–11

  Surrey

  Heathside GM Secondary School

  12–16 to 11–16

  Warwickshire

  Hartshill School

  12–16 to 11–16

  Myton School

  12–16 to 11–16

  Rugby High School

  12–18 to 11–18

  1995

  Berkshire

  Cippenham GM Middle School

  8–12 to 7–12

  The Westgate School

  12–16 to 11–16

  Lincolnshire

  King Edward VI School

  14–18 to 11–18

  Merton

  Ursuline Convent School

  13–18 to 11–18

  Warwickshire

  Middlemarch Middle School

  8–12 to 7–11

  1996

  Buckinghamshire

  Brushwood Middle School

  8–12 to 7–11

  The Cottesloe School

  12–18 to 11–18

  Chalfonts Community College

  12–18 to 11–18

  Great Marlow School

  12–18 to 11–18

  Waddesdon CE School

  12–18 to 11–18

  Royal Grammar School

  12–18 to 11–18

  1997

  Buckinghamshire

  Beechview Middle School

  8–12 to 5–11

  Departmental Wages
  Mr. Tom King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many(a) full-time and (b) part-time persons employed by his Department and its agencies are paid (i) less than £4 an hour, (ii) less than£3.50 an hour and (iii) less than £3 an hour.[4188]

  Dr. Howells
  At April 1997, of the people employed by DfEE (including DfEE staff in Government Offices) and the Employment Service:Full-time staff
  1,003 earned less than £ an hour; including 788 who earned less than £3.50 an hour.
  No full-time staff earned less than £ an hour
  Part-time staf
  131 earned less than £4 an hour; including 40 who earned less than £3.50 an hour
  No part-time staff earned less than £3 an hour

  Assisted Places
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many pupils benefit from an assisted place in the South-West Surrey constituency. [4278]

  Mr. Byers
  In the current academic year 1996–97, 93 children hold assisted places in three participating schools in the South-West Surrey constituency.

  Teacher Training
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) for each year of operation of school-centred initial teacher training courses, what has been the average cost per annum for a Post-Graduate Certificate in Education student(a) at an initial teacher training institution and (b) on a SCITT course; [4481]

  (2) how many school-centred initial teacher training courses have sought validation for the award of the Post-Graduate Certificate in Education for students on such courses; what proportion failed on (a) an initial validation visit and (b) a subsequent validation visit; and if he will make a statement; [4482]

  (3) if he will list for each year of operation of school-centred initial teacher training courses (i) the total number of students in teacher training, (ii) the total number of students training on SCITT courses and (iii) the number of SCITT course trainees as a percentage of total trainees; and what estimate he has made of the number of students entering SCITT courses in the 1998–99 academic year; [4484]

  (4) if he will list for each year of operation of school-centred initial teacher training courses the number of schools involved; what is his estimate of the number of schools likely to be involved in the 1998–99 academic year; and if he will make a statement. [4485]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  These are matters for the Teacher Training Agency. I will ask the Chairman of the Agency, Geoffrey Parker, to write to the hon. Member direct.

  Mr. Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many school-centred initial teacher training courses have been inspected by the Office for Standards in Education; what proportion have been judged unsatisfactory; and if he will make a statement.[4483]

  Ms Morris
  This is a matter for the Office for Standards in Education. I have asked the Chief Inspector to write to the hon. Member.

  Building Projects
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what guidance his Department currently offers to universities, colleges of higher education and further education corporations to ensure that they take into full account the environmental impact of new building projects. [4513]

  Dr. Howells
  Universities and colleges of further and higher education are autonomous, private sector bodies, responsible for the maintenance and development of their own estates. The Department does not issue any guidance 260
  to them about the environmental impact of new buildings. Of course, all buildings work must conform to the relevant planning and environmental health legislation.

  Mr. Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what guidance his Department currently offers to local education authorities to ensure that they take into full account the environmental impact of new building projects. [4514]

  Mr. Byers
  The Schools Environmental Assessment Methodology (SEAM) was published in 1996. It is intended to help designers of new schools—and major building projects at existing schools—to minimise the environmental impact of their designs and the materials they specify, and create school buildings which are in harmony with their surroundings.

  SEAM also enables schools to monitor their own energy use and provides opportunities for pupils to learn about the environment.

  Ethnic Minority Funding
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment by what date staff employed on current section 11 funded projects will need to be given notice of redundancy; what estimate he has made of the length of time needed by schools and local education authorities to prepare bids for new projects funded under section 11 or similar provisions; whom he has consulted on future arrangements for section 11 funding; and if he will make a statement. [4486]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I have been asked to reply.

  We are well aware of the need to reach conclusions about future arrangements for section 11 funding in good time for any necessary arrangements to be made.

  If questions of redundancy arise, they will depend on arrangements between the individuals concerned and their employers.

  Special Advisers
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer of 10 June,Official Report, column 369, on the number of special advisers in his Department, if an additional special adviser has not been appointed. [4238]

  Mr. Blunkett
  No additional advisers have been appointed since my previous reply. However, I am in the process of seeking approval from the Prime Minister to appoint an additional part-time adviser to share a full-time post with Sophie Linden, my existing part-time adviser.

  This will bring my complement of special advisers to 1 full-time and 2 part-time advisers occupying 2 full time posts.

DEFENCE

  Training
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will provide details of joint training exercises that British Special Forces have undertaken with(a)

  261
  Australian, (b) Malaysian, (c) New Zealand and (d) other Association of South-East Asian Nations special forces.[2779]

  Dr. Reid
  For reasons which are widely understood, it has been my Department's normal practice not to comment on the activities of the UK Special Forces. This practice will continue but will be kept under review in the light of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will provide details of the countries and military, security, paramilitary, police or special forces units which have received training in the United Kingdom MOD close quarter battle and internal security training facilities. [2777]

  Dr. Reid
  It has been the practice in the past not to release details of military assistance provided to other countries on the grounds that this information is confidential between governments and disclosure would risk damaging our international relations. This practice is now being reviewed against the background of the government's commitment to openness. I will write to my hon. Friend once the review is complete.

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the training provided by Britain's SAS to Indonesian military, police, paramilitary and special forces. [2778]

  Dr. Reid
  For reasons which are widely understood, it has been the Department's normal practice not to comment on the activities of the UK Special Forces. This practice will continue but will be kept under review in the light of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which countries and specific military, paramilitary, security, police or special forces units have received training at MOD facilities through formal or informal arrangements with private companies. [2781]

  Dr. Reid
  It has been the practice in the past not to release details of military assistance provided to other countries on the grounds that this information is confidential between governments and disclosure would risk damaging our international relations. This practice is now being reviewed against the background of the government's commitment to openness. I will write to my hon. Friend once the review is complete.

  US-UK Classification Guide
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when Her Majesty's Government received from the United States Government a copy of the document "A Joint Classification Guide for Exchange and Safeguards of Material between the United States and United Kingdom, CG-UK-1", completed in May 1996, and forwarded for approval for release by the Office of Declassification of the United States Department of Energy. [2679]

  Dr. Reid
  A copy of the document referred to, the reference of which is CG—UK—1, was received by British Defence Staff in Washington in draft form on 20 June, 1996. Approval for release was not requested.

  MOD Police (Colchester Garrison)
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will restore the number of Ministry of Defence police constables operating within the Colchester Garrison to that obtaining on 1 January 1997. [3522]

  Dr. Reid
  Having examined the position, I am content that the complement of 21 Ministry of Defence police constables at the Colchester Garrison is satisfactory to meet the MOD police responsibilities there.

  Defence Exhibition, Farnborough
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the companies exhibiting at the Royal Navy and British Army Equipment Exhibition in Farnborough in September 1997. [3592]

  Mr. Spellar
  The following companies have registered to participate as exhibitors at the third Royal Navy and British Army Equipment Exhibition:

  AB Connectors Ltd.

  Aeroflex Hose and Engineering Ltd.

  Aireshelta

  Alvis Industries Ltd.

  Applied Visuals Ltd.

  Archer Communications Systems Ltd.

  Armourshield Ltd.

  Avimo Ltd.

  Avon Technical Products

  B.C.B. International Ltd.

  Babcock Facilities Management Ltd.

  Basys Marine Ltd.

  Beechwood Equipment

  Blair Catton Defence Products

  Bolle UK Ltd.

  British Aerospace

  British Naval Equipment Association

  BTR Group

  Burmarc Ltd.

  CAE Invertron (CAE Electronics plc)

  Case United Kingdom Ltd.

  Chemring Group plc

  CMN Support Services Ltd.

  CMT Dynamics

  Cogent Defence Systems Colebrand Ltd.

  Combined Services Publications Ltd.

  Cummins Engine Company Ltd.

  David Brown Defence Equipment Ltd.

  Defence Manufacturers Association

  DESO—British Army Export Support Teams

  Devonport Management Ltd.

  Digital

  DSD Ltd.

  Dunlop-Beaufort Ltd.

  EKA Ltd.

  European Data Systems

  Ferranti Technologies Ltd.

  Firearms Training Systems UK Ltd.

  GEC plc

  GKN Westland/GKN Defence

  Graseby

  Greys Defence Systems Ltd.

  Holt Lloyd Export Ltd.

  Horstman Defence Systems Ltd

  Howeden Airdynamics Group

  Hunting Engineering Ltd.

  Ian Allan Regalia Ltd.

  Icore International Ltd.

  Imagebase Technology Ltd.

  Information Security Systems Ltd.

  Instro Precision Ltd.

  Interspiro Ltd.

  263

  ITT Defence Ltd.

  Iveco Ford Truck Ltd.

  J & S Franklin Ltd.

  Jane's Information Group

  John Crane Marine International

  Kelvin Hughes Ltd.

  Kidde Graviner

  Kudos 2000 Ltd.

  Land Rover

  Leyland Trucks Ltd.

  Light Alloy Ltd.

  Litton Data Systems

  Lockheed Martin

  Logica UK Ltd.

  Lynwood

  Macro Engineering Co Ltd.

  Mannesmann Rexroth Ltd.

  Marshall Specialist Vehicles

  Meggitt plc

  Ministry of Defence—Defence Public Relations

  ML Aviation Ltd.

  National Employers Liaison Committee

  National Engineering and Assessment Group

  Naval Bases and Supply Agency

  Nickleby and Co (Scotland) Ltd

  P W Allen and Co Ltd.

  Pandect Precision Components Ltd.

  Park Air Electronics Ltd.

  Partek Cargotec Ltd.

  PDQ Emergency Homes

  Peak Trailers Ltd.

  Pearson Engineering Ltd.

  Penman Specialist Vehicles

  Photon Security Services Ltd.

  Pilatus Britten-Norman

  Pilkington Optronics

  Premier Product Support Services

  Protex Fasteners Ltd.

  Racal Electronics Plc

  Radamec Defence Systems

  Radio Systems Ltd.

  Raytheon Computer Products Europe Ltd.

  Raytheon Cossor

  RBR Armour Ltd.

  Redifon MEL Ltd.

  Rescue and Medical Services

  Richmond Electronics and Engineering International Ltd.

  Rolls-Royce plc

  RTK Marine

  S and D Security (Equipment) Ltd.

  Scottish Trade International

  Seymour Systems Ltd.

  Shorts Missile Systems Ltd.

  Siemens Plessey Systems

  Silicon Graphics Computer Systems

  Simrad Optronics Ltd.

  Spanset Ltd.

  Stella Meta

  Stonebridge Facilities Ltd.

  Stop-Choc Ltd.

  Television Installation Services (Mansfield) Ltd.

  The Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency

  The Friends of the Royal Engineer Museum

  Thomson-Thorn Missile Electronics

  Toye Kenning and Spencer

  TRL Technology Ltd.

  UCC International Ltd.

  Ultra Electronics Ltd.

  Universal Vehicles Group

  Varity Perkins

  Vickers Defence Systems

  Vosper Thornycroft

  W L Gore and Associates (UK) Ltd.

  W Vinten Ltd.

  Westair Ltd.

  W S Atkins

  Trident
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will take steps to reduce the yield of Trident warheads in the light of the opinion of the International Court of Justice on the use of nuclear weapons. [3951]

  Dr. Reid
  Pending the achievement of the Government's goal of the global elimination of nuclear weapons, the International Court of Justice's Advisory Opinion does not require a change in the United Kingdom's nuclear policy.

  Departmental Wages
  Mr. Tom King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) full-time and (b) part-time persons employed by his Department and its agencies are paid (i) less than £4 an hour, (ii) less than £3.50 an hour and (iii) less than £3 an hour. [4190]

  Dr. Reid
  The information requested is shown in the table below for MoD civilian staff. The number of staff shown as earning less than a given figure includes those also shown in any lower pay category.

  Number of civilian stuff

  Number of staff earning less than £X per hour

  Full-time

  Part-time

  £4.00

  4,432

  685

  £3.50

  3,050

  416

  £3.00

  246

  1

  It is not possible to provide meaningful comparable figures for Service personnel in the form sought by the right hon. Member. Members of the Armed Forces are not paid by the hour. Nor do the long hours worked by many Service personnel equate to the average civilian working week; a factor which the Armed Forces Pay Review Body takes into account when making its annual recommendations to the Prime Minister.

  MOD Homes (Colchester)
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the number and proportion of Ministry of Defence homes currently vacant in Colchester; how many homes the Ministry of Defence has sold in the past year, and to whom. [4034]

  Mr. Spellar
  There are 1,361 properties pon the Colchester family quarters estate of which 138 (10.1 per cent.) are currently vacant. Of the 138 properties, 75 have been allocated to incoming families; nine have been set aside for major refurbishment and 36 have been identified for possible short-term leasing. The future of the remaining 18 remains under review.

  Within the past year, nine family quarters have been sold on the open market by the Defence Estates Organisation. I am withholding information on the companies and individuals involved in this sale for reasons of commercial confidentiality under exemption 7 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government information.

  A further 46 houses were sold freehold to Annington Homes Ltd. as part of the asset sale in November 1996.

  Married Quarters
  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the review being undertaken of the terms of disposal of the Ministry of Defence married quarters estates to the Nomura Investment Bank. [4043]

  Mr. Spellar
  The sale was completed on 5 November 1996. The Government is monitoring carefully the operation of the new arrangements.

  Accommodation Units (Uxbridge)
  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many accommodation units are currently empty on the RAF Uxbridge site. [4045]

  Mr. Spellar
  Of the 609 families quarters at RAF Uxbridge, 79 are currently vacant. Of these vacant quarters, 17 are allocated to incoming families and 44 are currently undergoing major works. The remaining 18 empty quarters fall within a total of 24 properties which are under review for possible release to Annington Homes.

  Plastic Baton Rounds
  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons no announcement was made in April that faulty plastic baton rounds that had been in use for three years were being withdrawn. [4542]

  Dr. Reid
  My hon. Friend will be aware that these events relate to a previous Administration. I am advised by officials that issues concerning the performance of plastic baton rounds were under consideration between the departments concerned and no decision had then been reached on the form or timing of a public announcement.

  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what was the highest muzzle velocity of the plastic baton rounds recently found to exceed the upper limit in the equipment specification; and what is that upper limit; [4541]

  (2) how often stocks of plastic baton rounds in operational use before April 1997 were tested to ensure that muzzle velocities were in line with the equipment specification;. [4538]

  (3) what tests were carried out by his Department on the faulty batch of plastic baton rounds supplied in 1994 and recently withdrawn from service;. [4543]

  (4) what action is being taken against the manufacturers of the plastic baton rounds issued from early 1994 which have been found to have a muzzle velocity in excess of the upper limit in the equipment specification;. [4540]

  (5) how many plastic baton rounds were withdrawn from operational use in April; how they are to be disposed of; who manufactured them; and what is the estimated cost of each round. [4544]

  Dr. Reid
  The highest muzzle velocity of plastic baton rounds recently tested was 76 metres per second; the upper limit specified in the contract is 70 m/s.

  All batches of rounds were tested by the Contractor at the time of manufacture to enable the Department to accept them against the proof specification.
  266
  In addition to initial Contractor proofing, the following tests were carried out. In 1995 trials were carried out on a number of rounds manufactured in 1994 as a part of the ongoing baton round development programme. Assessment of these initial tests in early 1996 indicated that some of the rounds were going marginally faster than the specified velocity, but the tests were not considered conclusive. Reproofing trials of the 1994 rounds started in April 1997 and the results have yet to be established. Further tests were carried out in 1996 on rounds manufactured in 1996 which indicated that those rounds did not exceed the maximum specified velocity.

  The issue of possible action against the manufacturer will be considered when all of the facts have been established.

  Approximately 45,000 rounds were withdrawn from service in April 1997; they will be disposed of either by reworking or incineration. I am withholding information about the name of the manufacturer under exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. The cost of each round is approximately £6.

  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what are the rules for the use of plastic baton rounds by members of the armed forces in Northern Ireland; on how many occasions they have been used by members of the armed forces in Northern Ireland since the batch with and excessive muzzle velocity was supplied in 1994; and if he will list the dates on which and the places where they were used;. [4546]

  (2) what estimate he has made of the number of plastic baton rounds used by the armed forces in Northern Ireland since the batch with an excessive muzzle velocity was supplied in 1994. [4545]

  Dr. Reid
  The use of force in Northern Ireland is governed by the Criminal Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1967 which provides that "A person may use such force as is reasonable in the circumstances in the prevention of crime, or in effecting or assisting the lawful arrest of offenders or suspected offenders or of persons unlawfully at large". Plastic baton rounds are used by the armed forces in situations of violent disorder where life or property is at risk and their use is judged to be minimum and reasonable force in the circumstances. They must be fired at selected persons and not indiscriminately and should be aimed so they strike the lower part of the body. Soldiers are fully trained in their use.

  As at 17 June 1997, a total of 1,424 plastic baton rounds had been used by the armed forces in Northern Ireland since the batch with an excessive muzzle velocity was supplied in May 1994, not all of which were from that batch.

  I will write to my hon. Friend with a schedule of the dates and places where these baton rounds have been used, once this has been prepared.

  Special Advisers
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will indicate the number of salaries of his Department's special advisers falling within the range of(a) £24,349–£29,999, (b)£30,000–£34,999,(c)£35,000–£39,999,(d)£40,000–£44,999, (e) £45,000–£49,999,

  267
  (f) £50,000–£54,999, (g) £55,000–£59,999, (h) 60,000–£64,999, (i) £65,000–£69,999 and (j) £70,000–£73,484. [4557]

  Mr. George Robertson
  Consistent with the practice of previous administrations, and to protect the privacy of individuals, only aggregate information on the salaries of Special Advisers will be published.

  Once all salaries have been agreed, the number of advisers paid in each of the appropriate £10,000 bands will be published.

  Building Projects
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what guidance his Department currently applies in ensuring that full account is taken of the environmental impact of its new building projects in Britain. [4516]

  Mr. Spellar
  My Department carries out an environmental assessment on all new buildings likely to generate environmental effects. The environmental assessment is included in the formal consultations with the local planning authority as part of the planning process.

  Strategic Defence Review
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what will be the scope of the proposed Strategic Defence Review; by whom it will be undertaken; and when the results are expected. [3632]

  Mr. George Robertson
  I have today written to all right hon. and hon. Members setting out the scope of the Strategic Defence Review and how we propose it will be undertaken. I have placed a copy of my letter in the Library of the House. I expect the Review to be completed around the turn of the year.

  Market Testing
  Mr. Jim Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what decision he has reached on the future of the market testing programme within his Department . [4978]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Government support market testing as one of several means at their disposal to secure better value for money in the provision of public services. There is, however, no dogmatic preference for private over public provision or vice versa, or for market testing where it is not appropriate. On this basis we have reviewed the Department's market testing programme and have set out our conclusions in a policy statement on getting the best value from defence resources. This is being widely distributed within the Department, to the Trade Unions and other staff representatives and to industry associations. I am placing a copy of the statement in the Library of the House.

  The statement emphasises the imperative for continuous improvements in efficiency; pays tribute to the huge contribution made by the Department's Service and Civil Service personnel working together; welcomes private sector involvement where this is cost-effective; and enjoins managers throughout the Department to pursue best value from defence resources in a manner which is rigorous, undoctrinaire, open minded and scrupulously fair.
  268
  Future projects will be judged against the policy statement at their key stages. We expect to announce the outcome in relation to several ongoing projects shortly.

  Meteorological Office
  Ms Dari Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what performance targets have been set for the Meteorological Office for 1997–98. [5062]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Chief Executive of the Meteorological Office is responsible for providing quality meteorological and related services for the government, the armed forces, the public, aviation and commercial customers. During 1997–98, the Meteorological Office will be set the following challenging targets:

  (a) to improve the Global Numerical Prediction (NWP) Index by eight index points from a baseline of 100, over a rolling three year period ending March 1998;

  (b) to improve the UK NWP Index by four index points from a baseline of 100 in 1996–97;

  (c) to achieve an index point improvement in the Service Quality Index from a baseline of 100 for 1996–97;

  (d) to improve efficiency in year by four index points as measured by the agreed Efficiency Index;

  (e) to achieve an overall Return on Capital Employed of at least 11.6 per cent. averaged over the two years 1997–98 and 1998–99 (not less than seven per cent. in year); and,

  (f) to achieve a total contribution to core and central services from commercial activity of £3 million.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Crown Prosecution Service
  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  To ask the Attorney-General what proposals he has for relieving the Crown Prosecution Service of unnecessary bureaucracy. [2925]

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Attorney-General what measures he proposes to increase the efficiency of the prosecution service. [2927]

  The Attorney-General
  The independent review which I announced to the House on 12 June 1997 will examine the organisation and structure of the Crown Prosecution Service, its policies and procedures and consider whether and, if so, what changes are necessary in order to provide for the more effective and efficient prosecution of crime through local public prosecutors.

  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Attorney-General when he expects to review guidance to Crown prosecutors. [2926]

  The Attorney-General
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend, the Member for Clwyd, West (Mr. Thomas). That Review will examine internal guidance including the Code for Crown Prosecutors.

  Racial Hatred
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Attorney-General how many prosecutions there have been for incitement to racial hatred in each of the last five years. [2929]
  269
  The Attorney-General
  In the last five years, the Law Officers have consented to the prosecution of 31 defendants for offences of incitement to racial hatred under Part III of the Public Order Act 1986.

  Cigarettes (Sales to Children)
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Attorney-General how many successful prosecutions there have been(a) nationally and (b) in Nottinghamshire in each of the last five years of retailers for selling cigarettes to children under 16 years of age. [3450]

  The Attorney-General
  Offences of selling tobacco to children are generally prosecuted by local Trading Standards offices, and proceedings are handled by the Crown Prosecution Service only on those occasions when they are initiated by the police.

  No figures are available for the cases handled by the Crown Prosecution Service since the CPS does not maintain central records by reference to particular offences. The Home Office have, however, provided the following statistics for the number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates' courts and convicted at all courts for the offence of selling cigarettes to persons under 161. in Nottinghamshire Police Force Area and England and Wales 1991–95.

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Nottinghamshire police force area:

  Prosecutions

  4

  4

  —

  3

  1

  Convictions

  4

  4

  —

  3

  1

  England and Wales:

  Prosecutions

  101

  74

  143

  98

  155

  Convictions

  85

  57

  108

  80

  128

  1An offence under the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 Section 7 as amended by the Children and Young Persons (Protection from Tobacco) Act 1991 Section 1.

  Source

  Home Office.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Departmental Documents
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, pursuant to his answer of 11 June,Official Report, column 450, what percentage of archival units produced by Government departments in 1965 have been (a) retained by Government departments with a specific future date identified for release into the public domain and (b) retained by Government departments with no specific future date identified for release into the public domain. [4311]

  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 Nicholas Cox to Mr. Norman Baker, dated 18 June 1997:
  In the absence of the Chief Executive on business I have been asked by the Lord Chancellor's Parliamentary Secretary to reply for the Public Record Office to your question about the above.
  270
  The great majority of records produced by Government departments in 1965 will by now have been destroyed under the normal arrangements for handling public records. Neither the Public Record Office nor Government departments kept statistics at that date of quantities of records created or destroyed, so that it is not now possible to give percentage figures for those records retained by their department.
  Approvals given by the Lord Chancellor for retention of records all give a date by which the approval is to be reconsidered. As stated in the White Paper Open Government (Cm 2290 July 1993), paragraph 9.24, records retained by departments for other than administrative reasons are subject to regular review, ie at least every 10 years
  The Chief Executive, Mrs Tyacke, or I would be very pleased to discuss any of these matters with you further, if you wished.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, pursuant to his answer of 11 June,Official Report, column 450, what percentage of the archival units passed to the Public Record Office from all Government departments in 1965 and what actual number have been subsequently (a) released into the public domain in their entirety and (b) released into the public domain in part. [4312]

  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 Nicholas Cox to Mr. Norman Baker, dated 18 June 1997:
  In the absence of the Chief Executive on business, I have been asked by the Lord Chancellor's Parliamentary Secretary to reply for the Public Record Office to your question about the above.
  During 1965 47,865 archival units were transferred to the Public Record Office.
  To produce actual and percentage figures for those archival units which have been subsequently released either in whole or in part could only be done by checking against each individual item its expected and actual release date, and to do so would incur disproportionate cost.
  The Public Record Office estimates that around 1 per cent. of its holdings are unavailable because they are closed for longer than 30 years.
  The Chief Executive, Mrs Tyacke, or I would be very pleased to discuss any of these matter with you further, if you wished.

  Legal Services Ombudsman
  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when the Legal Services Ombudsman intends to publish his sixth Annual report. [4873]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Legal Services Ombudsman has today published his sixth Annual Report, and copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

TREASURY

  Devolution
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to limit the powers of the Chancellor to itemise funds voted for Wales following devolution; and if he will make a statement. [2934]
  271
  Mr. Darling
  Treasury Ministers are discussing financial arrangements for devolution with the Secretary of State for Wales and other Ministers. The outcome of these discussions will be set out in the White Papers which we intend to publish shortly.

  Public Expenditure Surveys
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had regarding the dates of future public expenditure surveys and their publication; and if he will make a statement. [3678]

  Mr. Darling
  We promised in our Election Manifesto to conduct a comprehensive spending review, the details of which I announced in the House on 11 June.

  Public Borrowing
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his golden rule on public borrowing. [3423]

  Mr. Darling
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Sevenoaks (Mr. Fallon) on 12 June 1997 Official Report, column 568.

  UK Trade
  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what studies the Treasury has commissioned to identify the currencies in which the United Kingdom's trade is denominated. [3315]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The most recent official data on the currency of invoice of UK trade can be found in the Central Statistical Office's Business Bulletin, Issue 12/89 "Currency of Invoicing", published on the 15 December 1989. The currency of invoice of UK trade is one of many factors the Treasury considers in assessing the short-run impact of exchange rate changes on the economy.

  Bank of England (Monetary Policy)
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what parliamentary scrutiny there will be of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee. [3321]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The new arrangements will provide for the Bank to make regular reports and give evidence to the Treasury Select Committee. The Committee will have the opportunity to examine the Bank's performance on monetary policy on a regular basis, and the House will be able to debate the Bank's Annual Report.

  Departmental Correspondence
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what targets he has set for ministers in his Department to respond to correspondence from hon. Members; and if he will make a statement. [3543]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  Ministers aim to reply in 15 working days to letters relating to Treasury business, in 18 days to correspondence concerning the Chancellor's other departments and in 23 days where a report is required from a local office.

  Public Expenditure
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the arrangements for the autumn 1997 Public Expenditure Round. [3519]

  Mr. Darling
  We do not intend to hold a Public Expenditure Survey in 1997 but intend to conduct a Comprehensive Spending Review, the details of which I announced in the House on 11 June.

  Budget
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which organisations have so far made representations to him about the Budget on 2 July; and, of those, which have been invited to the Treasury to make personal representations to(a) Treasury ministers and (b) Treasury officials. [3367]

  Dawn Primarolo
  We have received written representations from many organisations, some of which have met Treasury ministers and officials.

  Drugs
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the street value of drugs smuggled into the United Kingdom in 1996–97. [3557]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Information available on a wholly illicit market is insufficient for making any reliable assessments of the street value of drugs illegally imported into the United Kingdom.

  Fuel Duty
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to paragraph 6.62 of the Financial Statement and Budget report 1997–98, if he remains committed to increasing fuel duty on average by at least 5 per cent. a year in real terms. [3381]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I cannot anticipate my right hon. Friend the Chancellor's Budget Statement.

  Oil Taxation
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what review of oil taxation is being conducted inside his Department. [3247]

  Dawn Primarolo
  All aspects of the tax system are kept under continual review.

  Scottish Environment Protection Agency
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to enable the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to obtain VAT refunds; and if he will make a statement. [4208]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 17 June 1997]: I have no plans to allow SEPA to claim VAT refunds in respect of its non-business expenditure. Tax liabilities of publicly funded bodies are taken into account when setting levels of public expenditure in Scotland.

  Knight Williams & Co. Ltd.
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what recent steps he has taken to ensure that former clients of Knight Williams & Co. Ltd. receive adequate compensation;. [4525]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the use of the locked box agreement to satisfy investors' claims against Knight Williams & Co. Ltd. [4524]

  Mrs. Liddell
  I welcome the fact that the Investors Compensation Scheme has now started to make offers of compensation to investors. I hope that progress will not be unnecessarily delayed. The Securities and Investments Board have made it clear to investors that their actions in relation to the "locked box" will not affect investors' rights to claim either on the ICS or in the Knight Williams & Co. liquidation.

  Inland Revenue Officers
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many(a) VAT and (b) Inland Revenue officers were in post on 6 May. [4009]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Staff in post numbers for the beginning of May 1997 are(a) 23,315 in Customs and Excise as a whole, of which some 6,850 are operational VAT officers, and (b) 53,500 Inland Revenue officers.

  BP Shares
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Government sold its BP shares. [3772]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  The last of the Government's shareholding in BP was sold in December 1995.

  Tax Levy
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what statements have been made by Ministers on the eligibility of(a) companies never nationally owned and never privatised and (b) BP for a special tax levy. [3773]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  Ministers have made it clear that the windfall tax will be levied on the excess profits of the privatised utilities. Details will be announced in the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Budget statement on 2 July.

  General Government Expenditure
  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals he has to change the definition of general government expenditure. [4050]

  Mr. Darling
  General government expenditure (GGE) is defined by the Office for National Statistics on the basis of national accounts concepts. The introduction of the new European System of Accounts (ESA95) in 1998 will lead to some changes in national accounts which will affect GGE.

  PSBR
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will revise the definitions of capital spending by 274
  local authorities to exclude investment in, and purchase of, long-term assets from the public sector borrowing requirement; and if he will make a statement. [4204]

  Mr. Darling
  We have no plans to change the definition of capital spending by local authorities included in the calculation of the public sector borrowing requirement.

  Tourism
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from(a) the English Tourist Board, (b) the Welsh Tourist Board and (c) the British Resorts' Association regarding the impact on tourism of a national minimum wage. [4023]

  Mrs. Liddell
  My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has not received any representations from these organisations on this matter. The UK tourist industry must compete on the quality of its product and service. The introduction of a national minimum wage, by helping to create a better rewarded and better motivated workforce, will drive up standards and promote business.

  Interest Rates
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the effects of a 0.5 per cent. increase in interest and mortgage rates on(a) inflation and (b) economic growth over one year. [4275]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The effects of changes in interest rates cannot be precisely estimated. In general, increased interest rates can be expected to result in lower underlying inflation and economic growth in the following year than would have occurred otherwise.

  Budget Projections
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to publish the report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on the assumptions for the 1997 Budget projections. [5077]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  The report is being published today as a Command Paper. Copies are available in the Vote Office.

WALES

  Welsh Assembly
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what studies his Department has undertaken of the effect on jobs and investment in Wales of the creation of a Welsh Assembly. [2936]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  None, but my Department is keeping these issues under review.

  Non-departmental Public Bodies
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which of the non-departmental public bodies in Wales exercise powers previously exercised by local authorities. [3737]
  275
  Mr. Ron Davies
  Both the Higher and Further Education Funding Councils exercise powers to fund education institutions that were previously exercised by local authorities.

  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which of the non-departmental public bodies in Wales are(a) specialist and advisory and (b) executive; and what is the annual grant-in-aid to each. [3738]

  Mr. Davies
  The information requested is as follows:

  Table A

  Advisory NDPBs and tribunals1

  1997–98 Grant-in-aid budget £

  Environment Agency Advisory Committee for Wales

  Nil

  Agriculture Dwelling House Advisory Committee

  Nil

  Hill Farming Advisory Sub-Committee

  Nil

  Historical Buildings Council for Wales

  Nil

  Ancient Monuments Board for Wales

  Nil

  Local Government Boundary Commission for Wales

  500,000

  Staff Commission for Wales

  11,000

  Welsh Council for Post Graduate Medical and Dental Education

  Nil

  Welsh Scientific Advisory Committee

  Nil

  Welsh Medical Committee

  Nil

  Welsh Optical Committee

  Nil

  Welsh Dental Committee

  Nil

  Welsh Nursing and Midwifery Committee

  Nil

  Welsh Pharmaceutical Committee

  Nil

  Welsh Committee for Post Graduate Pharmaceutical Education

  5,968

  Library and Information Services Council (Wales)

  9,000

  Place Names Advisory Committee

  Nil

  Welsh Industrial Development Advisory Board

  Nil

  Welsh Committee on Drugs and Alcohol Misuse

  10,000

  Valuation Tribunals (Wales)

  Nil

  Registered Inspectors Appeals Tribunal (Wales)

  Nil

  Mental Health Review Tribunal for Wales

  Nil

  Agricultural Land Tribunal (Wales)

  Nil

  Rent Assessment Panel for Wales

  Nil

  1Generally, advisory NDPBs do not employ staff or incur expenditure on their own account.

  Table B

  Executive NDPBS

  1997–98 Grant-in-aid budget £

  Welsh Development Agency

  83,460,000

  Development Board for Rural Wales

  9,480,000

  Wales Tourist Board

  14,570,000

  Cardiff Bay Development Corporation

  47,919,000

  Land Authority for Wales

  nil

  Countryside Council for Wales

  23,300,000

  National Museums and Galleries of Wales

  12,327,000

  National Library of Wales

  5,991,000

  Sports Council for Wales

  6,596,000

  Welsh Language Board

  5,748,000

  Arts Council of Wales

  14,459,000

  Tai Cymru

  2,770,000

  Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales

  9,100,000

  Welsh National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting

  975,000

  276

  Table B

  Executive NDPBS

  1997–98 Grant-in-aid budget £

  Royal Commission for Ancient and Historical Monuments in Wales

  1,391,000

  Higher Education Funding Council for Wales

  236,787,000

  Further Education Funding Council for Wales

  174,599,000

  Residuary Body for Wales

  nil

  Agricultural Wages Committee

  nil

  Speech Therapy
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Nil Wales what steps he is taking to recruit more speech therapists in Wales. [4459]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The recruitment of NHS staff is a matter for individual Trusts. Additional funding is being provided from 1997–98 onwards to increase the numbers of students being trained and to enhance the number of clinical placements across Wales. This will encourage recruitment in areas where qualified Speech and Language Therapists are required. I will be keeping a close watch on progress in recruiting qualified Speech and Language Therapists.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Drugs Research Unit
  Mr. Rhodri Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the terms of reference of, and funding provisions for, the drug utilisation research unit at Queen's University, Belfast. [4012]

  Mr. Worthington
  [holding answer 16 June 1997]: Acontractual agreement between the Department of Health and Social Services for Northern Ireland and the Queen's University of Belfast sets out detailed terms of reference for DURU, listed below.

  The Unit (DURU) shall:
  continue the work of the Department's (DHSS) Prescribing Information Unit of visiting general medical practitioners to encourage safer and more cost-effective prescribing and to collect further data on prescribing habits, consultation profiles, locum and home visit arrangements and other information necessary to understand present behaviour and to develop better prescribing practice;
  develop the work of the Prescribing Information Unit by advising, supporting and assisting the officers of the Health and Social Services Boards in making general medical practitioners aware of their prescribing patterns;
  collect and collate all available data on drug utilisation and construct a comprehensive prescribing data-base;
  support the work of the Royal College of General Practitioners in updating and disseminating the use of the practice formulary and other guides to rational prescribing, and to analyse the reluctant benefits;
  seek the optimal format for conveying new essential drug information to general medical practitioners;
  compile statistics on self-poisoning;
  identify inappropriate prescribing;

  277
  relate utilisation to indices of morbidity and analyse the reasons for intra and inter-regional variations;
  encourage and assist all hospital medical staff in improving the rationality and cost-effectiveness of their prescribing by the development and application of agreed hospital formularies and to assess the success of self-regulation.

  Running costs of DURU are met by an annual grant provided by the Department of Health and Social Services, as stated in the agreement with the Queen's University of Belfast. Funding for the year ending March 1997 amounted to £312,667.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the terms of reference and membership of the review committee on the work of the drug utilisation research unit, Queen's University, Belfast; what representations she has received concerning the outcome of the review committee's recommendations; and if she will make a statement. [4013]

  Mr. Worthington
  [holding answer 16 June 1997]: The terms of reference for the review of DURU were to assess four dimensions of the unit's work, comprising: scientific quality; policy, service relevance and value; management and accountability; and options for future management and funding.

  The Review Team comprised the following three members: Professor Mike Rawlins, Department of Pharmacological Science, University of Newcastle; Professor Peter Noyce, Department of Pharmacy, University of Manchester; and Dr. Colin Bradley, Department of General Practice, University of Birmingham.

  The Department has received written correspondence regarding the outcome of the review of DURU from Martin Caton (MP), David Morris (MEP) and Dr. McGavock, Director of DURU. The decision not to renew the contract for DURU was based on the Review Team's recommendations and peer review of those recommendations. Nothing subsequently raised in correspondence to the Department gives cause to change the original decision.

  Plastic Baton Rounds
  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate she has made of the number of plastic baton rounds used by the Royal Ulster Constabulary since the batch with an excessive muzzle velocity was supplied in 1994. [4550]

  Mr. Ingram
  A total of 7,437 plastic baton rounds have been used by the RUC since ammunition manufactured in 1994 was issued on 18 May 1994.

  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate she has made of the(a) number of people injured by plastic baton rounds since 1994 and (b) rate of injury per round used; and what are the figures for the previous three year period. [4549]

  Mr. Ingram
  There have been 94 alleged injuries associated with incidents involving use of plastic baton rounds between 1 January 1994 and 24 April 1997. This is a rate of one alleged injury for each 94 rounds fired (compared with a rate of one injury for each 95 rounds fired for the period 18 May 1994 to 25 April 1997).
  278
  The figures for the previous three years are as follows:

  Year

  Alleged injuries

  Rounds fired

  injuries/rounds fired

  1993

  14

  523

  1/37.3

  1992

  8

  77

  1/11

  1991

  10

  323

  1/32.3

  These statistics are based on total security force firings.

  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when plastic baton rounds were first used in Northern Ireland; how many rounds have been used to the latest available date; and how many deaths and injuries have been caused to(a) adults and (b) children over that period. [4553]

  Mr. Ingram
  Plastic baton rounds were first used in Northern Ireland in 1973, and a total of 65,204 rounds have been used. There have been 14 fatalities associated with their use. There have been 565 alleged injuries associated with incidents involving plastic baton rounds since 1981 when records of these were first kept.

  Of the 14 people killed, seven were under 16 years of age. The last fatality was in August 1989.

  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on what date the Royal Ulster Constabulary discovered that plastic baton rounds in use since 1994 had excessive muzzle velocities; on what date they were withdrawn; and how many of the faulty rounds were used by the RUC between those two dates. [4547]

  Mr. Ingram
  Rounds manufactured in 1994 entered service with the RUC on 18 May 1994. The RUC received notification from the MOD on 24 March 1997 that some 1994 rounds were outside the agreed specification.

  All 1994 rounds were withdrawn by 25 April 1997.

  The number of rounds with muzzle velocities in excess of the upper limit which were supplied to the RUC or actually used is not known.

  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the rules for the use of plastic baton rounds by the Royal Ulster Constabulary; on how many occasions they have been used by the RUC since the batch with an excessive muzzle velocity was issued in 1994; and if she will list the dates on which and places where they were used. [4551]

  Mr. Ingram
  The use of plastic baton rounds 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, or in effecting or assisting the lawful arrest of offenders or suspected offenders or of persons unlawfully at large."

  The RUC's operational guidelines specify that baton guns will be used only "in accordance with the principle of the minimum and reasonable amount of force necessary in the protection of life and property, the preservation of the peace and the prevention and detection of crime." They also place limitations on the firing of baton rounds at a range of less than 20 metres to situations where the safety of police officers or others is seriously threatened, direct that firing should be at selected persons and not indiscriminately at the crowd, and aimed so that they

  279
  strike the lower part of the target's body direct. A higher point of aim is permitted only if the safety of police officers or others is seriously threatened and the attacker's body is shielded from the firer.

  In his 1996 Inspection of the RUC Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary reported that "The RUC conditions/restrictions in use are clearly defined and accord with those issued by the Home Secretary to Forces in England and Wales, save that the authority levels for use of baton rounds and their subsequent operational controls are lower."

  The RUC, in conjunction with ACPO colleagues, in England and Wales is currently revising guidelines on the use of baton rounds with a view to recommending common guidelines for use by police throughout the United Kingdom.

  I will write to the hon. Member with the further information he requests once it has been prepared.

  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how the RUC discovered that plastic baton rounds in use since 1994 had an excessive muzzle velocity; and if she will make a statement. [4548]

  Mr. Ingram
  The RUC received notification from the MOD on 24 March 1997 that some rounds manufactured in 1994 were outside the agreed specification.

  Mr. Sedgemore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the numbers of each type of injury caused by plastic baton rounds since 1994. [4552]

  Mr. Ingram
  It is not possible to provide the information in the form requested. There have been 94 alleged injuries from incidents involving the use of plastic baton rounds from 1 January 1994 to 24 April 1997.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Dartford River Crossing
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was his Department's evaluation of the net present value of(a) each of the privately financed options and (b) the conventionally financed alternatives for the Dartford river crossing. [49]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  When compared on the same basis the net present values of the various private and public options were:

  NPV of costs

  Dartford river crossing plc

  Dartford river crossing plc

  Dartford tunnel group

  Thames tunnel company

  Structure

  Bridge

  Immeresed tube tunnels

  Tunnel

  Tunnel

  Privately financed options

  234

  240

  278

  271

  Publicly financed options

  180

  191

  199

  201

  Difference between options

  54

  49

  79

  70

  Departmental Publications
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what literature for bereaved relatives and friends of those killed on the roads his Department provides; and what plans he has to fund additional publications. [3690]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I understand that booklets are produced by several police forces and by the voluntary organisations with whom the police work closely. Since staff from my Department do not have regular contact with bereaved relatives of those killed on the roads, nor expertise in counselling, it would not seem helpful for the Department to provide such literature.

  National Air Traffic Services Computer System
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what actions he is taking to ensure that the computer system operating National Air Traffic Services is not affected by the millennium problem. [4448]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  National Air Traffic Services (NATS) commenced a review of the threat to its business from the millennium problem in May 1996. It has included some 700 items of operational equipment in the review process and has already commenced remedial work in areas where there are known problems. NATS is planning to conduct further remedial work during 1997–98 prior to running extensive integration tests for assurance during the winter of 1998–99. In addition to work on internal systems and with its suppliers, NATS has also initiated discussions on the Year 2000 problem with its customers and related air traffic control organisations.

  Train Operating Companies (Punctuality)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will place in the Library the quarterly punctuality figures recorded by OPRAF by train operating company. [4509]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I refer to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, East (Mr. Vaz),Official Report, 10 June 1997, column 413.

  Bus Route Tenders (London)
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on what basis London Transport's tendered bus routes are allocated; and for what reason tenders are not published. [4235]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  London Transport awards contracts for bus routes on the basis of best value for money. The content of tender documents is commercially confidential.

  Car Clocking
  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he intends to take in respect of advertisements for car clocking doctors; and if he will make a statement. [3837]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  It is illegal under the Trade Descriptions Act 1968 knowingly to sell a vehicle with a falsified mileage, but there is no offence of "clocking" and
  281
  it is not presently illegal to advertise a mileage correction service. Equally, it is not illegal to tamper with an odometer and there may be legitimate reasons for wanting to do so. Tampering might be an offence if, on evidence, it is found that such an action assisted in the commissioning of an offence.

  Salisbury Bypass
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what representations were made by English Heritage to the inspector during the public inquiry into the proposed Salisbury bypass;. [4314]

  (2) if he will place in the Library a copy of the letter from English Heritage to the Transport Minister objecting to his proposed Salisbury bypass. [4315]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  English Heritage did not appear at the public inquiry to object to the proposed bypass. The Inspector had before him a folio of correspondence between the Department of Transport and English Heritage. I will place a copy of that folio in the Library together with copies of the more recent exchange in which English Heritage now indicates opposition to the proposed bypass.

  Roads Programme
  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how he proposes to discharge the manifesto commitment to carry out a strategic review of the roads programme. [5061]

  Dr. Strang
  I am today launching the Roads Review. The objective of the Review will be to determine the role which roads should play in an integrated transport policy and to establish a forward investment programme for the trunk road network in England.

  The Review will be broadly based. Unlike reviews carried out by the previous Government, it will not merely consider what road schemes should be added to or deleted from the trunk roads programme. It will look afresh at the environmental impact of roads and take into account parallel work on developing an integrated transport policy for the UK which my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister announced recently, including, in particular, work on issues such as whether steps should be taken to manage demand for travel by road, and if so, what means should be used; and, the extent to which we should encourage the use of other modes of transport. It will also consider the role which new technology and improved information systems can play; and the impact which investment in roads could have on regional development. The Roads Review, work on an integrated transport policy and the comprehensive spending review will be very closely co-ordinated.

  We intend to consult widely during the Review. During the next few weeks my Department will be consulting key representative bodies both about the range of issues which need to be covered and how we might involve them effectively in the Review. We then intend to launch a public consultation in July, inviting responses by the end of October. We would particularly value contributions from the Regional Planning Conferences, local authorities and other regional bodies. We shall consider in due course what arrangements will be appropriate for continuing
  282
  regional consultations on trunk road planning beyond the Review, taking account of the comments received in response to the previous Government's proposal to bring trunk roads within the Regional Planning Guidance system.

  We hope to announce the conclusions of the Review next Spring. In the interim the Highways Agency will continue to take forward maintenance work, small safety schemes, and two re-signing projects in line with existing plans. Schemes on which construction is already well advanced will continue, but preparatory work on new major schemes will be put on hold at the end of the current stage, except in the relatively few cases in which some procedural step needs to be taken to ensure that work done to date is not lost should we ultimately decide that the scheme should be taken forward. Work on developer funded schemes will also continue as these schemes either have been or will be scrutinised thoroughly in the appropriate planning processes and they are generally small improvements which do not have any wider strategic significance.

  There are also 12 cases on which urgent decisions are pending. We therefore propose to carry out an accelerated review of these cases against the criteria of accessibility, safety, economy and environmental impact and announce our decisions on them in July. It may be that in some of these cases we decide in July that a decision cannot be taken in advance of the main Review. In the majority of cases we will take a decision either to take the scheme forward or to abandon it. The cases in question are:

  Birmingham Northern Relief Road (BNRR)

  M25 Junctions 12–15

  M66 Denton-Middleton Contract 3

  A2/M2 Cobham J4 widening

  Salisbury Bypass/Wessex Link DBFO

  A564 Derby Southern Bypass Contract B

  Weald and Downland DBFO

  Cumbria Bradford DBFO

  South Midlands Network DBFO

  A40 West London Approach DBFO

  A13 Thames Gateway DBFO

  M62E/M606 Link Roads.

  English Partnerships
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the names and salaries of the board members of English Partnerships. [4004]

  Angela Eagle
  The names and salaries of the board members of English Partnerships are:

  Salary from 1 April 1997 £

  Salary from 1 December 1997 £

  Days per week

  Lord Walker of

  Worcester MBE

  Does not

  Does not

  (Chairman)

  accept salary

  accept salary

  —

  Sir Idris Pearce

  (Deputy

  Chairman)

  28,730

  28,940

  2

  Bill Jordan, CBE

  6,980

  7,035

  0.5

  283

  Salary from 1 April 1997 £

  Salary from 1 December 1997£

  Days per week

  Councillor Michael Carr

  6,980

  7,035

  0.5

  Dennis Stevenson

  6,980

  7,035

  0.5

  Stephen Massey

  6,980

  7,035

  0.5

  Anthony Dunnett (Chief Executive) and Paula Hay-Plumb (Managing Director-Operations) also sit on the board as executive members.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received concerning the future of English Partnerships. [4003]

  Angela Eagle
  My Department receives frequent correspondence about English Partnerships' programmes and projects.

  Wild Animals and Plants (Illegal Trade)
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what further steps the Government plans to take to stop the illegal trade in wild animals and plants. [3800]

  Angela Eagle
  The Police and HM Customs are Excise are primarily responsible for enforcing the controls on the trade in wildlife. The Government is committed to supporting their work and recognises that controls on trade will contribute to wildlife conservation only if they are fully and effectively enforced.

  The Government will continue to contribute to efforts to crack down on the illegal wildlife trade both at home and abroad, through its participation in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Police and Customs officers are part of the UK delegation to the CITES Conference currently taking place in Zimbabwe. The UK signed a Memorandum of Understanding on enforcement with the CITES Secretariat on 12 June. This will secure more rapid and effective exchange of information between the Secretariat and UK enforcement agencies during investigations into the illegal wildlife trade.

  A new EC Regulation on the wildlife trade came into force on 1 June. The UK fully supports the new Regulation, and will continue to make a full contribution to the new EC Enforcement Working Group which was established last year.

  A new Statutory Instrument, The Control of Trade in Endangered Species (Enforcement) Regulations 1997, also came into force on 1 June. It strengthens enforcement officers' powers, and increases penalties for breaches of the EC Regulation.

  The Government also attaches importance to the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime. This has already shown that the Department of the Environment, the Crown Prosecution Service, the statutory enforcement agencies and responsible voluntary bodies can work together effectively in this field.

  Environmental Protection Legislation
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to introduce legislation on environmental protection. [3854]

  Angela Eagle
  We are considering all the mechanisms including legislation, available for delivering our Manifesto commitment to put the environment at the heart of decision-making across Government. Much can be done administratively, such as through the initiatives which we will introduce to green government and to strengthen co-operation in the European Union on environmental issues. Where we conclude that legislation is required, we will seek appropriate opportunities to introduce it.

  Water Charges
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to allow water companies to base their charges on the council tax banding of a dwelling; and if he will make a statement. [3417]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 18 June 1997]: As the Deputy Prime Minister announced at the recent Water Summit, the Government is to review the system of charging for water. Among other issues this review will consider alternative bases of charging, including the use of council tax bands.

  Environment Agency
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the responsibilities of the Environment Agency. [4226]

  Angela Eagle
  The Agency's main statutory responsibilities are to:regulate industrial processes with the greatest pollution potential;
  regulate the disposal of radioactive waste and (except on nuclear licensed sites) the keeping and use of radioactive material and accumulation of radioactive waste:
  regulate the treating, keeping, movement and disposal of controlled waste;
  preserve or improve the quality of rivers, estuaries and coastal waters;
  take any necessary action to conserve, redistribute, augment and secure proper use of water resources;
  exercise a general supervision over all matters relating to flood defence;
  maintain, improve and develop salmon, trout, freshwater and eel fisheries;
  promote the conservation and enhancement of inland and coastal waters, and their use for recreation;
  maintain or improve non-marine navigation;
  regulate the remediation of contaminated land designated as special sites; and
  administer, in accordance with regulations on producer responsibility, registration of businesses and exemption schemes.

  Ms Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what responsibilities the Environment Agency has in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [4228]
  285
  Angela Eagle
  The Secretary of State is the competent authority of transit for the whole of the United Kingdom for transfrontier shipments of waste under Council Regulation (EEC) No. 259/93. He has delegated the day-to-day administration of this function to the Environment Agency. Also, section 84(2)(b) of the Water Resources Act 1991 places a statutory duty on the Environment Agency to consult, in such cases as it may consider appropriate, with the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency over water quality objectives. This relates to parts of the rivers Esk, Sark and Tweed.

  Ms Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for The Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the organisations replaced by the Environment Agency in 1996, indicating in each case whether they had been operating under an exemption in terms of the Value Added Tax Act 1994, section 33. [4225]

  Angela Eagle
  The Environment Agency was formed from:

  (a) National Rivers Authority: Exempt from VAT

  (b Waste Regulation Authorities: Exempt from VAT

  (c) Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Pollution and other sections of the Department of the Environment: Not exempt from VAT

  Scotland
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what responsibilities he has in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [4227]

  Mr. Prescott
  I refer the hon. Member to my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell) on 3 June 1997,Official Report, column 158.

  Wyre Borough Council
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the factors underlying the non-receipt by Wyre borough council of the outstanding payments of ERDF non quota section: grant payments under reference number EPNW5299–72912, EPN-W529972916, EPNW52997291, EPNW52997291, EPNW-529972917, EPNW529972914, EPNW529972913 and EPNW5299–2917; and when he expects payments of the outstanding moneys to be made. [4059]

  Angela Eagle
  Regrettably, payment by the European Commission of the balance of ERDF due under the Non-Quota Fisheries Programme is still outstanding. This is because the European Commission have yet to approve the final annual report on the programme. The Commission have not yet formally responded, although I understand they will be seeking further clarification on a small number of details.

  Officials in the Department of Trade and Industry are in touch with officials at the Commission and hope to reach a conclusion shortly, which will enable the Commission to pay the final balance. Once this ERDF is received, we will ensure that all outstanding payments to Wyre Borough Council are made promptly.

  Housing
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will extend Part M of the Building Regulations to encompass new housing; and if he will make a statement. [4309]

  Mr. Raynsford
  I would refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave on 11 June 1997,Official Report, column 472, to a similar question asked by the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam (Mr. Burstow).

  Capital Receipts Initiative
  Ms Christine Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how he intends to take forward his proposals under the capital receipts initiative. [4842]

  Ms Armstrong
  We have today issued a consultation paper to all local authorities in England. That paper sets out our proposals for the distribution of any additional spending between local authorities.

  We wish to ensure that spending generated under the receipts initiative will be directed towards priority housing needs. Capital receipts themselves, however, have not always been generated in the areas of greatest need. Some authorities have generated significant volumes of receipts but have relatively low needs. Others have had little or no scope to generate significant receipts, yet have particularly high needs. We are, therefore, proposing that resources should be allocated on the basis of one third according to the proportion of eligible set-aside receipts and the remaining two thirds in accordance with assessed need.

  The paper also sets out our objectives for spending. Our intention is that the resources will be targeted on housing and housing-related regeneration schemes. We, therefore, wish to ensure that local authorities integrate the additional spending into their housing strategies, plan for badly needed repairs to dilapidated stock and support new provision where it is needed.

  It is also our intention that this initiative should contribute to and complement this Government's wider policy of increasing training opportunities and leading the young unemployed into work and financial independence.

  My Right hon. Friend, the Chancellor, will announce the amount of additional resources that will be available for 1997–98 and 1998–99 in the Summer budget.

  Copies of the consultation paper have been placed in the Library of the House.

  Garden Extensions
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to introduce a new permitted development right for householders to extend their gardens. [4977]

  Mr. Raynsford
  A consultation paper was issued last November on a proposal that householders should in future be able to extend their gardens onto adjacent land, without needing to submit a planning application. The Department received 425 replies, copies of which have now been placed in the Department's library. Three hundred and sixty-one expressed opposition and only 34
  287
  offered support. Many objections concentrated on the damage impact that such a proposal could have on the open countryside with the creeping suburbanisation of specially protected areas such as the National Parks and the Green Belt. Concern was also expressed about the resulting lack of control over the erection of ancillary buildings and the absence of any size limit on the land which could be added to a garden.

  The Government's view is that the impact of a proposed garden extension is best considered, as at present, through the normal planning process and my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of Wales and I have therefore decided to withdraw this proposal.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Housing Benefit
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment she has made of the impact of the £27.50 limit on the amount of rent which can be covered by housing benefit for single under-25 people; and if she will make a statement. [2237]

  Mr. Bradley
  There is no national limit on the amount of rent which can be covered by Housing Benefit for single people under 25. The single room rent is determined by independent Rent Officers for the locality in which the claimant lives. The single room rent restriction was introduced by the previous administration in October 1996. They initiated a monitoring exercise and we will look at the results carefully. The Government has also commissioned research to gauge the impact of this, and other measures. The results are expected next year.

  Conferences (Disabled Access)
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps his Department takes to make the conferences and public meetings which it sponsors accessible to disabled people, with particular reference to(a) the availability of hearing induction loops,(b) the availability of sign language facilities and (c) the use of accessible buildings for wheelchairs. [3976]

  Mr. Field
  An increasing number of the Department of Social Security buildings are accessible to disabled people, including those in wheelchairs, and have induction loop facilities for those with a hearing disability. Where accommodation outside the DSS estate is being used, organisers of events make every effort to take into account the needs of the people attending. Sign language interpreters are provided where a need is identified.

  The Department has also provided training for its staff on the Disability Discrimination Act which includes reference to the provision of services to disabled people. We will continue to make progress on this important issue.

  Child Support Agency
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to her answer of 3 June,Official Report, columns 143–44, on the level of compliance with CSA maintenance assessments, what plans she has to review the operational effectiveness of
  288
  the Child Support Agency; if she will undertake an investigation into (a) the types of case which are most likely to result in zero compliance and (b) the methods employed by the CSA to enforce compliance against those absent parents who have only ever made limited or zero contributions to their children's maintenance; what assessment she has made into the proportion of full compliance cases in which there was an existing maintenance agreement between the parents; and if she will make a statement on the effectiveness of the system of interim maintenance assessments adopted by the CSA.[4231]

  Mr. Bradley
  We intend to look closely at all aspects of the Child Support Agency to ensure that it provides an efficient and effective service. Children are entitled to the support of both parents wherever they live.

  We expect the Agency to provide an efficient and effective service to all its clients.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Cattle Slaughter Scheme
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cattle have been slaughtered in(a) the over-30-months scheme and (b) the accelerated slaughter programme. [2904]

  Mr. Rooker
  As at 13 June 1997, 1,494,040 cattle had been slaughtered under the over-30-months scheme, and 6,478 cattle under the Selective Cull Scheme.

  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy that relevant hon. Members and local authorities will be consulted over future proposals to store carcases or rendered material from the over-30-months scheme in their constituencies or areas. [2830]

  Mr. Rooker
  Commission Regulation 716/96, under which the over-30-months scheme (OTMS) operates, expressly prohibits the purchase of animals showing any clinical signs of BSE. BSE suspects are being sent for direct incineration under entirely separate arrangements. Nevertheless, it is now the practice of the Intervention Board, which has executive responsibility for the day to day operation of the OTMS, to consult the Environment Agency and the local authority about the suitability of any dry or tallow storage facilities offered to it for OTMS material. The local Member of Parliament is also informed that these consultations are taking place. Contracts would be let only for stores which comply with the waste management provisions of Part II of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and related Regulations and which have, or where appropriate, are likely to be granted, local authority planning approval which would allow for the storage of meat and bone meal or tallow. No new cold storage facilities for OTMS carcases are under consideration.

  Fruit Farming Industry
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to assist the fruit farming industry in the aftermath of the frosts in May. [2905]
  289
  Mr. Rooker
  The European Commission has the matter under review but I have no plans to provide any further specific assistance to the fruit farming industry. It is, in any event, too early to assess the economic consequences of the recent frosts.

  Fisheries Management
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress there has been on developing regional fisheries management at the intergovernmental conference. [2906]

  Mr. Morley
  In the context of negotiations on the Common Fisheries Policy the European Commission has committed itself to exploring ways of developing greater involvement of local fishing interests in the decision making process. This is a welcome step forward.

  Slaughterhouse Hygiene
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he is taking against slaughterhouse owners who fail to implement adequate standards of hygiene. [2907]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  My hon. Friend the Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has instructed the Meat Hygiene Service to enforce the Regulations vigorously. Ministers will not hesitate to revoke the licences of slaughterhouses which fail to maintain adequate hygiene standards.

  Cattle Traceability
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress he is making with the implementation of a cattle traceability system. [2908]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  I am considering responses to proposals for a computerised cattle traceability system. I intend to bring this system into effect in Great Britain as soon as possible.

  Quota-hopping
  Mr. Lawrie Quinn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his discussions with the European Commission on quota-hopping. [2909]

  Mr. Morley
  I refer my hon. Friend to the statement that my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food made on 18 June 1997,Official Report, columns 331–44.

  Food Standards Agency
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what criteria will be used to determine the location of the Food Standards Agency. [2910]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Food Standards Agency will need to be located where it can carry out its tasks most effectively, having regard to the costs involved. We shall consider this issue further in the light of the responses to Professor James's Report.

  Scrapie
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he is taking to prevent risk material from sheep affected by scrapie entering the food chain. [2911]

  Mr. Rooker
  Sheep with scrapie and the heads of all sheep are prohibited from being used for food. On 5 June my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food announced that he intends to extend the controls to cover the spleen and for older sheep the spinal cord and to require compulsory slaughter with compensation for sheep with scrapie.

  Imported Beef
  Mr. John Smith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures he will take to ensure that imported beef complies with the same standards of traceability, quality and hygiene in relation to the removal of specified bovine offals on domestic beef. [2913]

  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures are being taken to restrict imports of beef that do not conform to United Kingdom regulations introduced to guard against BSE-infected meat entering the human food chain. [2914]

  Mr. Rooker
  I refer the hon. Members to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on 5 June,Official Report, columns 227–28.

  Beef Ban
  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to announce progress on negotiations on the lifting of the EU ban on British beef. [2915]

  Mr. Rooker
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to the hon. Member for North Shropshire (Mr. Paterson) earlier today.

  BSE
  Mr. Ian Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the extent of BSE on the continent of Europe. [2916]

  Mr. Rooker
  The following table gives the total number of confirmed BSE cases in cattle in European countries other than the UK as at 27 May 1997:

  Country

  Number of cases1

  Number born in UK

  Denmark

  1

  1

  France

  27

  0

  Germany

  5

  5

  Republic of Ireland

  222

  12

  Italy

  2

  2

  Netherlands

  2

  0

  Portugal

  69

  7

  Switzerland

  250

  0

  1For Member States the numbers are those reported to the Commission under Council Directive 82/894/EEC (as amended). Figures for Switzerland were taken from notifiable disease statistics issued by the Swiss Federal Office of Veterinary Affairs

  Woodlands
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the management of Forestry Commission woodlands in England following Scottish devolution. [2917]

  Mr. Morley
  We are currently considering the possible effects of Scottish devolution on the Forestry Commission. However, the responsibility for forestry in England, including the Forestry Commission's woodlands, rests with the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and Scottish devolution would not affect this.

  Quarantine Regulations
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when and in what form he will consult on changes to quarantine regulations for pet dogs and cats. [2918]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  Because of the wide and legitimate interest in this subject, we would expect to consult at some point on this matter. Decisions on when and how to do so have yet to be taken.

  Health and the Environment
  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures his Department is considering undertaking for the long-term health of consumers and the safety of the environment. [2919]

  Mr. Morley
  The Department is committed to placing protection of the public first. To that end, my officials are working in close consultation with colleagues in the Department of Health and other Departments to prepare for the establishment of a Food Standards Agency. The Agency will be responsible for assuring public health in all matters of food safety policy.

  At the same time we are also taking a number of initiatives to drive up meat hygiene standards in abattoirs. Poor hygiene practices will not be tolerated and the Regulations will be enforced vigorously.

  The Department has a number of measures in place to protect the environment and is considering whether further measures are necessary. Existing measures include strict approval arrangements for pesticides, Codes of Practice on protecting air, water and soil, and voluntary incentive schemes to promote environmentally friendly farming.

  The Government also aims to secure reform of the CAP to reduce food prices, save money and provide more targeted support for the rural economy and enhancing the rural environment.

  Badger Setts
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the damage caused to farm machinery by holes associated with badger setts; and if he will make a statement on his Department's plans to limit such damage. [3923]
  292
  Mr. Morley
  The Department is aware that where badger setts undermine farm tracks or fields they can pose a serious risk to farm machinery. In such cases, farmers should apply to the relevant Regional Service Centre for a licence under the provisions of the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 to close down those holes of the sett which pose a risk.

  Live Animal Exports
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will ban the live export of animals from British ports by sea and air; and if he will make a statement. [4179]

  Mr. Morley
  The Government accepts that in general the export of live animals is a legal trade. However we have made clear our strong preference for meat to be exported on the hook rather than on the hoof; that we will seriously consider banning the export of calves for rearing in narrow veal crates if the European Court of Justice in its forthcoming judgment finds this to be legal; and that we wish the new EU rules on welfare in transit, as now implemented through the Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 1997, to be strictly and scrupulously enforced. We are also reviewing current procedure relating to the inspection and certification of live animals for export.

  Genetically Engineered Soya
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 9 June,Official Report, column 356, what steps he is taking to ensure that tryptophan is not present in genetically engineered soya imported into the United Kingdom. [3465]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 18 June 1997]: The amino acid tryptophan occurs naturally in a wide range of crops, including soya. In assessing the safety of the genetically modified soya, the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes compared the levels of tryptophan present with those found in non-GM varieties of soya and concluded that they were equivalent. The committee also considered the results of a range of animal feeding studies, none of which showed any adverse effects. As a further safeguard, the company which applied for the authorisation has agreed to monitor the genetic stability of the crop by providing periodic updates on the levels of nutrients in both the genetically modified and related non-genetically modified forms.

  Special Advisers
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will indicate the number of salaries of his Department's special advisers falling within the range of(a) £24,349–£29,999, (b) £30,000–34,999, (c) £35,000–£39,999, (d) £40,000–£44,999, (e) £45,000£49,999, (f) £50,000–£54,999, (g) £55,000–£59,999, (h) £60,000–£64,999, (i) £65,000–£69,999 and (j) £70,000–£73,484.[4554]

  Mr. Morley
  Consistent with the practice of previous administrations and in order to protect the privacy of individuals, only aggregate information on the salaries of special advisers will be published.

  Once all salaries have been agreed the number of advisers paid in each of the appropriate £10,000 bands will be published.

HEALTH

  General Practitioners
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many qualified general practitioners of working age are(a) resident in the United Kingdom and (b) in practice. [3803]

  Mr. Milburn
  The available information was published in "General Medical Services Statistics, England and Wales", on 1 October 1996, copies of which have been placed in the Library.

  Prescription Charges
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his policy on NHS prescription charges for pensioners. [3834]

  Mr. Milburn
  We will be examining the question of prescription charges as part of the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review. The Government remains committed to the historic principle of the National Health Service that health services will be available to all and access will be based on need, not on ability to pay.

  Doctors and Nurses
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) doctors and (b) nurses are employed in the NHS currently; and in each case how many were employed in (i) 1992 and (ii) 1987. [3439]

  Mr. Milburn
  The information requested is given in the tables.

  Table A: National Health Service Hospital and Community Health Services (HCHS) doctors and General Medical Services (GMS) doctors (headcounts) in England in 1987, 1992 and 19951

  1987

  1992

  1995

  HCHS medical staff and GMS General Medical Practitioners2 (Headcount)

  69,570

  75,740

  181,000

  11995 is the latest year for which figures are available.

  2Figures exclude hospital practitioners and clinical assistants to avoid double counting as most hospital practitioners and clinical assistants also work as general practitioners.

  Table B: NHS HCHS nursing and midwifery staff and GMS practice nurses in England in 1987, 1992 and 19961

  1987

  1992

  1996

  HCHS nursing and midwifery staff and GMS practice nurses2 (Whole-time equivalents)

  336,110

  353,170

  3342,480

  Not included in the above:

  HCHS Learners4

  64,560

  34,740

  2,670

  Project 2000 students4

  Not applicable

  18,300

  34,000

  Notes:

  11996 is the latest year for which figures are available.

  2Excludes agency staff.

  3The figure for 1996 is not directly comparable with figures for earlier years because of the introduction of a new system of classifying staff in 1995.

  4Learners are nurses on traditional nurse training courses, and are directly employed by the NHS HCHS. Project 2000 training was introduced in 1989 and has gradually replaced traditional pre-registration nurse training. Project 2000 students are funded by bursaries, they are supernumary not employees, and are thus
  294
  excluded from the count of NHS HCHS nursing staff. Figures for project 2000 students are headcounts and should not be added to other nursing figures in the table which are whole-time equivalents.

  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest ten.

  2. HCHS figures are as at 30 September each year.

  3. GMS figures are as at 1 October each year.

  Source:

  Department of Health's annual medical and dental and non-medical workforce censuses and bi-annual General Medical Services census.

  Hepatitis C
  Mrs. Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will require health authorities to provide counselling before and after blood tests for hepatitis C. [3379]

  Mr. Boateng
  No. In general, patients should be given sufficient information to enable them to make an informed decision before any diagnostic test. For hepatitis C, this would include discussion of the treatment options, the consequences of a positive test and advice about lifestyle. However, when the Chief Medical Officer wrote to all doctors on 3 April 1995 about the "Look Back" exercise to identify those infected with hepatitis C through blood transfusion, the letter specified that counselling should be made available before and after testing for those found to be infected in this way.

  Malaria
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many notified malaria cases there have been in each year since the abolition of NHS prescriptions for malaria chemoprophylaxis. [3802]

  Ms Jowell
  An amendment to the regulations covering the provision of malarial prophylaxis came into force on February 1995 and since then travellers have to pay for their anti-malarial drugs. The number of cases of malaria reported in the United Kingdom for the last 10 years is given in the table. There have been 325 cases of malaria reported to the Malaria Reference Laboratory for the period January to March 1997; this compares to 397 cases reported for the same period in 1996 and 314 in 1995. The number of cases of malaria varies each year and reflects the variations in transmission in the endemic areas as well as the number of people travelling to malarious areas. We will continue to monitor the situation.

  Number of cases of malaria reported in the UK to the Malaria Reference Laboratory, 1987–1996:

  Year

  Cases of malaria

  1987

  1,816

  1988

  1,674

  1989

  1,987

  1990

  2,096

  1991

  2,332

  1992

  1,629

  1993

  1,922

  1994

  1,887

  1995

  2,055

  1996

  2,500

  Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research he has evaluated on the change in incidence of the new variant form of CJD. [3835]
  295
  Ms Jowell
  New variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (nvCJD) came to light in early 1996. Mathematical modelling indicates that it is likely to be three or four years before we can make soundly based predictions of the likely course of the disease.

  NHS Staff Contracts
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to abolish confidentiality clauses within NHS staff contracts. [4203]

  Mr. Milburn
  The matter is currently being considered.

  Ethnic Monitoring
  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to ensure that hospital trusts send out ethnic monitoring questionnaires with application forms. [4041]

  Mr. Milburn
  The Department of Health recommends ethnic monitoring of job applicants as good personnel practice in "Ethnic minority staff in the NHS: a programme of action" and in guidance to the NHS on medical appointments. Chairs and Chief Executives of NHS trusts and health authorities are accountable for meeting equal opportunities objectives locally. Postgraduate deans conduct ethnic monitoring of specialist registrar appointments.

  The NHS Executive is working with NHS employers, professional bodies and Royal Colleges, education consortia, trade unions, Deans and others to tackle discrimination and encourage adoption of best practice.

  Wythenshaw Hospital
  Mr. Goggins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients have been transferred out of Wythenshawe hospital in each month since January 1996 because of a lack of available beds; and what estimate he has made of the cost of(a) transferring patients and (b) their treatment. [4181]

  Mr. Milburn
  A patient cannot be admitted to hospital unless a bed is available. The number of Accident and Emergency patients who were transferred to other hospitals as a result of Wythenshawe Hospital being full is set out in the table. Both Withington and Wythenshawe Hospitals are part of South Manchester University Hospitals NHS Trust.

  Withington

  Elsewhere

  Total

  January 1996

  —

  9

  9

  February

  2

  21

  23

  March

  4

  27

  31

  April

  8

  31

  39

  May

  2

  16

  18

  June

  2

  30

  32

  July

  6

  33

  39

  August

  16

  28

  44

  September

  21

  54

  75

  October

  7

  32

  39

  November

  9

  18

  27

  December

  24

  70

  94

  January 1997

  24

  32

  56

  February

  26

  42

  68

  296

  Withington

  Elsewhere

  Total

  March

  12

  27

  39

  April

  14

  37

  51

  May

  18

  49

  67

  Source:

  South Manchester University Hospitals NHS Trust.

  Minimum Wage
  Mr. Tom King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) full-time and (b) part-time persons employed by his Department and its agencies are paid (i) less than£4 an hour, (ii) less than £3.50 an hour and (iii) less than £3 an hour; and what estimate he has made in each case for the national health service generally. [4187]

  Ms Jowell
  No staff in my Department or its agencies earn less than £3 an hour. Sixty-one full time staff earn up to £3.50 an hour; 47 full time staff and two part time staff, earn between £3.50 and £4 an hour.

  For the NHS generally, I refer the right hon. Member to the reply my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Department of Trade and Industry gave the hon. Member for Romsey (Mr. Colvin) on 2 June 1997 at columns 20–21.

  Corticosteroids
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of people who(a) have been prescribed and (b) took corticosteroids in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.[4173]

  Mr. Milburn
  It is not possible to estimate the number of people prescribed and taking corticosteroids. Thirty-one million prescriptions items for corticosteroids were dispensed in England in 1996.

  Racial Discrimination
  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he proposes to take to tackle racial discrimination in the health service. [4044]

  MrMilburn
  We are determined to take action to ensure that the Health Service is free from racial discrimination. The NHS Executive has signed up to the Commission for Racial Equality's "Leadership Challenge" as a signal of our commitment in the European Year Against Racism.

  The NHS Equal Opportunities Unit is working with NHS employers, professional bodies, the Commission for Racial Equality, trade unions and others to enhance the capacity of the Service to tackle discrimination and encourage adoption of good practice. This work includes supporting NHS trusts and health authorities, whose Chairs and Chief Executives are accountable for meeting the goals of "Ethnic minority staff in the NHS: a programme for action", by promoting and disseminating best practice. Progress towards these goals forms part of the "NHS as a good employer" benchmark set out in the annual Priorities and Planning guidance.

  Gyms and Health Centres
  Mr. William O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to extend the provisions of access to gyms and health centres on prescription; and if he will make a statement. [4129]

  Mr. Milburn
  General Practitioner exercise on prescription schemes are being adopted at local level. For the price of a prescription, patients can make use of local health and leisure facilities for a planned programme of appropriate exercise. Some prescription schemes already make use of gyms. Individual local health care teams are best placed to decide which facility would deliver the greatest benefit to the patient. Detailed guidance for primary health care teams is contained in the Health Education Authority's document "Promoting Physical Activity in Primary Care".

  NHS Prescriptions
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of people receiving NHS prescriptions who do not follow the full course of treatment. [4284]

  Mr. Milburn
  In 1996 the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys survey of prescribed medicines in a random sample of 2,082 households found that 8 per cent. could be described as residual or wasted. Within this, 0.7 per cent. were completely unused, 4 per cent. were approximately half used and 3 per cent. were almost gone.

  Ophthalmic Service
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of the cost of the ophthalmic service in England and Wales is borne by the users. [4379]

  Mr. Milburn
  There are no charges for the general ophthalmic services provided under the National Health Service, but only selected groups are eligible for NHS sight tests and spectacle vouchers. We do not have information on the cost of similar services provided privately.

  Electricity Transmission Lines
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research he has commissioned into the health effects of electricity transmission lines on those living in their vicinity. [4281]

  Ms Jowell
  The Department obtains advice on the health implications of exposure to electromagnetic fields from the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) and other sources including its own funded research. The primary focus of concern has been on power lines and childhood cancer where the results have not shown a proven link: the NRPB's Advisory Group on Non-ionising Radiation conducted an extensive review of the subject in 1992 and concluded that there was no firm evidence of a carcinogenic hazard from exposure that might be associated with residence near major sources of electricity supply, the use of electrical appliances or work in the electrical, electronic and telecommunication industries. The Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment has endorsed the Advisory Group's report. A supplementary report in 1994 was published by the NRPB to take into account the results of epidemiological 298
  studies from Scandinavia, France and Canada. Copies of the Advisory Group's report and the supplementary documents are available in the Library.

  Several epidemiological studies are currently under way to investigate childhood cancer in relation to various possible causes including electromagnetic fields. The largest study of this type in this country is the United Kingdom Childhood Cancer Study which is funded in part by the Department of Health with technical support provided by the NRPB. The Department is also funding two pilot studies, one of adults and one of children, looking at cancer incidence near power lines.

  Prescription Fraud
  Mr. Olner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he intends to publish the report of the Efficiency Scrutiny into Prescription Fraud. [4843]

  Mr. Milburn
  I have now received the report of the "Efficiency Scrutiny into Prescription Fraud". I will be publishing it today, and placing a copy in the Library.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what criteria will be used to determine the health service's strategic need for hospitals to be financed under the private finance initiative. [4060]

  Mr. Milburn
  The Department of Health will develop its capital investment system so that it will prioritise all major acute sector hospital schemes in accordance with health service needs. This system will apply to both Private Finance Initiative (PFI) and publicly funded procurement options. Proposals for dealing with small-scale acute schemes and non-acute schemes under the PFI will be put forward in the near future.

  HIV/AIDS
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the numbers of HIV/AIDS sufferers receiving treatment (i) by health board area, (ii) in Wales and (iii) in England; what was the spending per head on treatment and care of HIV/AIDS sufferers in England; if he will give the spending in England and Wales on prevention of HIV/AIDS, in the most recent year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [4214]

  Ms Jowell
  The total number of HIV positive individuals (including those with AIDS) receiving treatment in 1995 in England was 13,146. In Wales the corresponding total was 197. These data are derived from the National Survey of Prevalent Diagnosed HIV Infections, and record all identified HIV infected patients treated by statutory services during 1995. This is the latest year for which figures are available. The data cover all areas in England but there may be a small element of under reporting. The breakdown of numbers treated in each Regional Office area in England is as follows:

  Number

  Northern and Yorkshire

  532

  Trent

  407

  Anglia and Oxford

  509

  North Thames

  7,014

  299

  Number

  South Thames

  2,693

  South and West

  686

  West Midlands

  410

  North Western

  895

  The total number for Wales is as follows:
  Wales: 197
  The total allocation for AIDS treatment and care in England in 1995–96 was £195.1 million. The funds are allocated to health authorities on the basis of the number of AIDS cases reported by the authority to the Public Health Laboratory Service. The funds are directed by health authorities mainly to the statutory health care services, but may also be used to fund a range of other service providers as determined by local needs assessment.

  The funds are no longer ringfenced and it is up to health authorities, taking account of local needs assessment and priorities, to determine their local priorities for expenditure. The allocations for AIDS treatment and care in England for 1996–97 totalled £185.7 million, the reduction was because the latest AIDS projections report indicated that the number of people alive with AIDS and severe HIV disease in 1996–97 would be around 10 per cent. lower than previously projected. The allocations for 1997–98 are £199.6 million. This increase represents a contribution towards the costs of new combination therapies. In 1995–96 £49.6 million was allocated to health authorities in England for HIV prevention. These funds continue to be ringfenced, and the corresponding totals for 1996–97 and 1997–98 are £51.3 and £52.3 million respectively. In Wales the majority of expenditure on HIV/AIDS is targeted at preventative measures. The expenditure in 1995–96 totals £2.2 million.

  Dental Services
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 10 June,Official Report, column 423, on dental services, if he will list equivalent figures for lapsed dental registration in the three years before the introduction of dental check-up charges, and in each year subsequent to it. [4219]

  Mr. Milburn
  The adult patient charge for dental examinations was introduced in January 1989. Adults were first registered under the new dental contract in October 1990; the first registration lapses occurred two years later. The number of adult registration lapses for each of the full years 1993–94 to 1996–97 is given in the table.

  General dental service: Number of adult registration lapses

  England

  Year

  Million

  1993–94

  4.2

  1994–95

  4.7

  1995–96

  4.6

  1996–97

  4.1

  1. The first adult registration lapses occurred in the autumn of 1992, mid-way during the financial year 1992–93. During that part year there were 2.8 million lapses
  300
  2. These figures relate to the number of adult registrations lapsed after a period of two years during which the patient had not attended the dentist. These figures are affected by improvements in the Dental Practice Board procedures for eliminating duplicate registrations.

  Proposed NHS Trusts Merger
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to oppose the proposed merger of the Ashford (Middlesex) Hospital and St. Peter's Hospital NHS trusts. [4310]

  Mr. Milburn
  Any merger proposal will be considered carefully according to its merits and the benefit to patient care.

  Norfolk and Norwich Hospital
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what consultations his Department and the NHS Executive have had about future possible uses of the west Norwich and Stephens sites of the Norfolk and Norwich Healthcare NHS Trust after the new Norfolk and Norwich Hospital has been opened. [4521]

  Mr. Milburn
  The Department and the Anglia and Oxford Regional Office of the NHS Executive have not had any consultations about future use of the sites of the present Norfolk and Norwich and West Norwich Hospitals and no decisions have yet been taken.

  Mr. Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimates his Department has made of the number of car journeys per day by(a) staff, (b) patients and (c) visitors that the new Norfolk and Norwich Hospital is likely to generate. [4522]

  Mr. Milburn
  A traffic impact assessment (TIA) commissioned by the Norfolk and Norwich Healthcare NHS Trust has identified likely daily flows of traffic to the new hospital as follows:

  Staff: 2,666

  Patients: 1,486

  Service vehicles: 180

  Visitors: 1,212.

  The TIA made proposals to provide public transport, cycleways and footpaths to the new site which were accepted by the Planning Authorities.

  Accident and Emergency Facilities
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what criteria his Department currently lays down for health authorities on accessibility to 24-hour accident and emergency facilities in urban areas. [4523]

  Mr. Milburn
  It is the responsibility of health authorities to decide what facilities are needed in their area, taking account of varying local conditions.

  In addition, on 29 October 1996 the NHS Chief Executive wrote to the Chief Executives of all health authorities and NHS trusts reminding them that their first priority was to meet pressures on emergency services. He went on to say that it is a fundamental expectation that accident and emergency departments must not close to emergency admissions. He stressed this point again last week in a speech to the Conference of the Institute of Health Service Managers
  301
  Mr. Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the towns and cities in Britain, with a population greater than 50,000, which currently have no NHS 24-hour accident and emergency service within their boundaries. [4512]

  Mr. Milburn
  In 1995–96 there were 211 National Health Service trusts, special health authorities and directly managed units with large accident and emergency departments. We do not hold information on which towns and cities have accident and emergency departments within their boundaries.

  1Source: The NHS Performance Guide 1995–96.

  Special Advisers
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will indicate the number of salaries of his Department's special advisers falling within the range of(a) £24,349–£29,999, (b) £–30,000–£34,999, (c) £35,000–£39,999, (d) £40,000–£44,999, (e) £45,000–£49,999, (f) £50,000–£54,999, (g) £55,000–£59,999, (h) £60,000–£64,999, (i) £65,000–£69,999 and (j) £70,000–£73,484. [4558]

  Ms Jowell
  Consistently with the practice of the previous administrations and in order to protect the privacy of individuals, only aggregate information on the salaries of special advisers will be published.

  Once all salaries have been agreed aggregate information will be published giving the number of advisers paid in £10,000 bands.

  Hospital Access
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines his Department issues to ensure that new hospitals are accessible to patients, visitors and staff by public transport(a) with regular frequency, (b) for 24-hours a day and (c) at a reasonable price. [4520]

  Mr. Milburn
  The policy on access by public transport is the responsibility of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions which produces guidance for local authorities. It is for the local authorities to interpret the guidance when considering planning applications by National Health Service trusts for new hospital sites.

  Guidance issued by NHS Estates, an Agency of the Department of Health, advises NHS bodies to provide facilities in a way which allows them to be accessible to patients and draws to their attention the need to consider access, circulation and vehicle parking, highlighting the need for a good public transport service to meet the needs of staff, patients and visitors, with the aim of reducing demand upon, and the expense of, car parking facilities.

SCOTLAND

  Diabetics
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to allow pen needles to be made available on prescription for people with diabetes who require insulin; and if he will make a statement. [4139]
  302
  Mr. Galbraith
  The Department of Health, on behalf of all the UK Health Departments, evaluates appliances for safety, efficacy and value for money.

  The Department of Health is currently considering whether needles for pen injection systems should be prescribable by general practitioners on the National Health Service.

  Council of Ministers
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many European Council of Ministers meetings Scottish Environment Ministers have attended since 1992; and if he will make a statement. [4224]

  Mr. Chisholm
  Scottish Environment Ministers have attended three Environment Councils since 1992. In line with our Manifesto commitment that a Labour Government would mean Scotland's concerns being heard at the heart of Europe, Scottish Ministers work closely with their colleagues to ensure Scotland's interests in European matters are taken fully into account. Their attendance at Council meetings, where matters of interest to Scotland are to be discussed, clearly contributes to the delivery of our commitment.

  Control of Pollution Act 1974
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many(a) persons and (b) organisations have been convicted under sections 31 and 32 of the Control of Pollution Act 1974 in each of the past 10 years; what was the range of fines imposed and the average financial penalty; and if he will make a statement. [4058]

  Mr. Chisholm
  The information requested is not held centrally and the data could be collated only at a disproportionate cost.

  Up to 1995–96 the information requested is within the annual reports of individual river purification boards, which are available in the House Library. However, information on convictions in the former island council areas is not held centrally. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency is presently considering the information which should be contained within its 1996–97 annual report and we will bring this issue to its attention.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to modify the Control of Pollution Act 1974; and if he will make a statement. [4057]

  Mr. Chisholm
  There are no present plans to modify the Control of Pollution Act 1974. The Act may however need to be amended in the light of developments in relation to the EC water framework directive currently under negotiation.

  Cattle (Computerised Traceability)
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the computerised traceability scheme proposed by Mr. Brian Pack of Aberdeen and Northern Marts; and if he will make a statement on the estimated time scale for the introduction of a fully computerised traceability scheme for beef herds in Scotland. [4217]
  303
  Mr. Chisholm
  Aberdeen and Northern Marts carried out a feasibility study on a computerised tracing system for Scottish cattle in 1994. This voluntary system was considered by the Department, as were contributions from other sources. Circumstances have changed considerably since then. Both the Government and the industry ascribe great importance to the introduction of a mandatory national system. We are proceeding urgently on this basis.

  Special Advisers
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will indicate the number of salaries of his 304
  Department's special advisers falling within the range of (a) £24,349–£29,999, (b) £30,000–£34,999, (c) £35,000–£39,999, (d) £40,000–£44,999, (e) £45,000–£49,999, (f) £50,000–£54,999, (g) £55,000–£59,999, (h) £60,000–£64,999, (i) £65,000–£69,999 and (j) £70,000–£73,484. [4556]

  Mr. Dewar
  Consistent with the practice of previous administrations and in order to protect the privacy of individuals, only aggregate information on the salaries of special advisers will be published. Once all salaries have been agreed the number of advisers paid in each of the appropriate £10,000 bands will be published.

  Legal Services Ombudsman: Annual Report
  Legal Services Ombudsman: Annual Report
  Security Vetting Appeals Panel
  Security Vetting Appeals Panel
  Religious Education in School
  Religious Education in School
  Theological Teaching
  Theological Teaching
  Sixth-form Colleges
  Sixth-form Colleges
  School Transport
  School Transport
  Student Loans
  Student Loans
  Jobseeker's Allowance
  Jobseeker's Allowance
  Prison Management: Contracting Out
  Prison Management: Contracting Out
  Prisons: Clergy Visiting Hours
  Prisons: Clergy Visiting Hours
  Albania: US Bases
  Albania: US Bases
  Baltic States: UK Support for EU and NATO Membership
  Baltic States: UK Support for EU and NATO Membership
  US Bilateral Military and Security Agreements
  US Bilateral Military and Security Agreements
  NATO/Russia Founding Act
  NATO/Russia Founding Act
  NATO/Ukraine Charter
  NATO/Ukraine Charter
  NATO Enlargement Costs
  NATO Enlargement Costs
  NATO: Accession of New Members
  NATO: Accession of New Members
  NATO: Members' Status
  NATO: Members' Status
  NATO: Equipment Procurement by New Members
  NATO: Equipment Procurement by New Members
  Trade with Burma: Policy
  Trade with Burma: Policy
  Year 2000 Date Change
  Year 2000 Date Change
  Prescription Fraud: Efficiency Scrutiny Report
  Prescription Fraud: Efficiency Scrutiny Report
  New Variant CJD Cases
  New Variant CJD Cases
  NHS Dentistry
  NHS Dentistry
  Fluoridation: Water Company Responsibilities
  Fluoridation: Water Company Responsibilities
  Community Dental Services
  Community Dental Services
  Crop Cultivation on ESAS
  Crop Cultivation on ESAS
  Tobacco Subsidies: EC Records
  Tobacco Subsidies: EC Records
  Emtryl
  Emtryl
  Transport Policy, Scotland
  Transport Policy, Scotland
  Magheramorne Quarry: Planning Application
  Magheramorne Quarry: Planning Application
  Dangerous Dogs: Northern Ireland Legislation
  Dangerous Dogs: Northern Ireland Legislation
  Parades Commission
  Parades Commission
  Garden Extension: Permitted Development Proposal
  Garden Extension: Permitted Development Proposal
  Salisbury Bypass
  Salisbury Bypass
  Vehicle Doorlock Security
  Vehicle Doorlock Security
  Driving Test Retakes
  Driving Test Retakes
  Roads Programme Review
  Roads Programme Review
  Planning Applications: Timescale
  Planning Applications: Timescale
  London Underground: Contract Awards
  London Underground: Contract Awards