Written Answers of 23 June 1997

TREASURY

  Gross Domestic Product
  Mr. Townend
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the Government's long-term targets for the percentage of Gross Domestic Product which public expenditure constitutes. [3355]

  Mr. Darling
  The Government is currently undertaking a comprehensive review of public expenditure and will determine its plans in the light of the findings and the prospects for the economy generally.

  Public Expenditure
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals he has to change the convention which governs what capital spending by local authorities is included in the public spending total. [3251]

  Mr. Darling
  I have no plans to change the definition of local authority capital spending in General Government Expenditure. The definition is consistent with international statistical conventions as laid down in the European System of accounts (ESA).

  Tax Bands
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current starting rate of income tax and the width of the lowest tax band in each member state of the European Union. [3452]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The information is given in the table. It is based on OECD information for 1995 or 1995–96 tax years, the latest for which comprehensive information is available. The income figures relate to earned income of single taxpayers and have been converted to £ sterling using 1995 OECD purchasing power parity figures.

  Starting rate of central government income tax %

  Income band for starting rate £

  Tax threshold for single person £

  Austria

  10

  0–2,380

  6,980

  Belgium1

  25

  0–4,500

  4,830

  Denmark2

  13

  2,300–10,160

  2,780

  Finland3

  7

  4,680–6,470

  5,140

  France

  12

  2,290–5,000

  3,910

  Germany4

  19

  1,820–2,640

  3,800

  Greece

  5

  3,220–8,050

  3,830

  Ireland

  27

  2,580–9,170

  3,810

  Italy

  10

  0–2,860

  3,460

  Luxembourg

  10

  4,100–5,890

  6,010

  Netherlands

  6.15

  1,960–14,290

  1,980

  Portugal

  15

  0–5,330

  3,340

  Spain

  20

  2,220–3,320

  4,630

  Sweden5

  see note

  0–13,700

  0

  344

  Starting rate of central government income tax %

  Income band for starting rate £

  Tax threshold for single person £

  United Kingdom

  20

  3,525–6,725

  3,525

  Notes:

  1Central income tax subject to surcharge of 3 per cent. in 1995. Local income taxes, averaging 7 per cent. of central tax (before surcharge) are also charged.

  2Local income tax at average rate of 30.6 per cent. is charged in addition to 13 per cent. central rate.

  3Local and church taxes at average rate of 18.8 per cent. are also charged and operate at a lower tax threshold than central tax.

  4Excludes solidarity surcharge (7.5 per cent. of tax) and church tax (9 per cent. of tax).

  5All taxpayers with any employment income pay tax at a flat rate of about £7 a year. Apart from this, central government tax is only charged on incomes above £13,700 at a rate of 25 per cent. However, local income tax, at an average rate of 31.5 per cent., is charged on all incomes above £610.

  Computers (Millennium Date Change)
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost(a) to the Treasury and (b) to public expenditure throughout Government of making the adaptations to computer programmes required by the change to the year 2000. [3540]

  Mr. Darling
  The Treasury and other Government departments are producing, by October 1997, fully costed plans for undertaking the work needed.

  The cost of the work will be met from within the published departmental expenditure plans for 1997–98 and 1998–99.

  Capital Gains
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how he defines short-term capital gains. [3364]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I refer the right hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave him on 3 June, column 152.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will report the Government's response to Mr. Malcolm Bates's review of the Private Finance Initiative; and if he will make a statement. [5392]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  I am today placing in the Members' Library a summary of the Bates review and a list of all its recommendations. It is a thorough piece of work for which the Government is most grateful. It builds upon the 12 Point Plan for Partnership originally published in the Labour Policy's Business Manifesto.

  The Government promised to re-invigorate the PFI and that is what we have done. Malcolm Bates has applied a businessman's mind to this policy and produced specific recommendations which we accept in full as an agenda for action.

  The review says that the PFI can secure improved value for money when handled well. But the public sector structure must be simplified and responsibilities made entirely clear.
  345
  Departments and agencies must be accountable for their own procurement decisions. However, it identifies a temporary need for a strong central input to help ensure delivery of quality transactions that provide a sound basis for future business.

  To meet this need, we will, as recommended, create a new Treasury Private Finance Taskforce—combining central project and policy expertise. Its Chief Executive on the projects side will report direct to me. We will make an appointment in due course.

  This individual will focus on the quality of PFI transactions. He will be supported by 6–8 Executives from the private sector with direct project management experience and financial skills. Until now, the Treasury has been involved too late in the process, leading to frustration and increased costs. The Taskforce will help central government departments and agencies road-test significant projects for their commercial viability before procurement begins.

  The Taskforce's policy side will also have its hands full. The review includes specific recommendations to produce rapidly more standardised documentation for key stages of the procurement process. The Government wants greater certainty wherever it can be provided to help reduce bidding costs.

  The Private Finance Panel will be stood down. I have written to all members today thanking them for their past contribution. The review acknowledges the immense value that high calibre members made in freely giving their time to meet key players, speak at conferences, write articles and support a growing band of Executives. However, it concluded that their on-going role was unclear and that there was a need to simplify organisational structures.

  The recommendation to strengthen departmental Private Finance Units alongside the new Treasury Taskforce also takes away the need for the Private Finance Panel Executive. The Government accepts the Review recommendation that it should be disbanded by the end of September. Opportunities will, of course, exist within the new structure for those individuals currently with the Executive who have the skills and experience now required.

  The agenda for action is detailed, practical and full of common sense. It will be welcomed as long overdue by companies and departments who have struggled for two long under previous management.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Arms Exports
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions were held between the British and German Governments prior to granting a license allowing the export of Henckler Koch MP5 sub-machine guns to Indonesia in 1995. [2776]

  Mr. Fatchett
  I am not aware of any such discussions.

  COPEX Exhibition, Farnborough
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will identify by name,346
  rank and unit, the Indonesian (i) military, (ii) security, (iii) police, (iv) paramilitary or (v) special forces personnel invited by the British Government to attend the forthcoming COPEX Exhibition at Farnborough in September 1997. [3585]

  Mr. Fatchett
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence on 18 June, column 217.

  Defence Equipment Exhibition, Farnborough
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the visas granted to Indonesian(a) military, (b) security, (c) police, (d) paramilitary and (e) special forces personnel invited by the British Government or private companies to attend the forthcoming Royal Navy and British Army Equipment Exhibition at Farnborough in September. [3588]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We have not been asked to issue visas specifically for Indonesians attending the RNBAEE 97 at Farnborough.

  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will identify by name, rank and unit, such Indonesian(a) military, (b) security, (c) police, (d) paramilitary and (e) special forces personnel invited by the British Government to attend the forthcoming Royal Navy and British Army Equipment Exhibition at Farnborough in September 1997. [3584]

  Mr. Spellar
  The following Indonesian personnel have been invited to attend this year's Royal Navy and British Army Equipment Exhibition:

  General Tanjung (Commander In Chief Indonesian Armed Forces);

  General Wiranto (Chief of Staff Army);

  Admiral Kushariadi (Chief of Staff Navy).

  BBC World Service
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received on the jamming of BBC World Service broadcasts; and if he will make a statement. [4165]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  None recently. We deplore all attempts to jam World Service broadcasts and make representations to the Governments concerned.

  Departmental Wages
  Mr. Tom King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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. [4191]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Full Time Staff: Two persons are employed earning less than £4 per hour. Four persons are employed earning less than £3.50 per hour. One person is employed by this Department's Executive Agency (Wilton Park) earning less than £3.50 per hour.
  347
  Part Time Staff: One person is employed earning less than £3.50 per hour. No staff earn less than £3 per hour. Earnings quoted take account of 1997 pay award. In all these cases, staff are employed outside London are not eligible for Recruitment and Retention Allowance.

  Disability Discrimination (European Union)
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs is he will introduce proposals to revise the treaty on European Union so as to(a) introduce a general power at a European level to outlaw discrimination against disabled people in policy areas where the European Union has competence under the treaty and (b) introduce a change to article 100a of the treaty on European Union so that all proposals put forward to regulate the internal market take into account the needs of disabled people. [3617]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 18 June 1997]: At the Amsterdam European Council, we supported Article 6a allowing the Community to combat discrimination on grounds of disability. We also tabled a Declaration attached to Article 100a, calling on the institutions of the Community to take the needs of the disabled into account when framing internal market legislation. Both measures were adopted.

  Polygraphs
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what use his Department makes of polygraphs; and if he will make a statement. [4584]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  This Department does not make use of polygraphs and has no plans to do so.

  Kenya
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he plans next to visit Kenya. [4874]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has no immediate plans to visit Kenya. I will pay an official visit there from 25 to 27 June 1997.

  Nuclear Arms
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he has taken to promote nuclear disarmament; and if he will make a statement. [4406]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We have made clear our commitment to the goal of the global elimination of nuclear weapons and determination to press for multilateral negotiations towards mutual, balanced and verifiable reductions in such weapons. We will be considering how best to implement these commitments, particularly in the context of the Strategic Defence Review.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the impact of the International Court of Justice ruling on nuclear arms on United Kingdom policy; and if he will make a statement. [4758]
  348
  Mr. Lloyd
  I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave on 22 May to the honourable Member for Great Grimsby (Mr. Mitchell) column 135–36.

  Antarctic Treaty Secretariat
  Mr. Corybn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made on the siting of a secretariat for the Antarctic treaty; and if he will make a statement. [4413]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  There is as yet no consensus amongst the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties on the location of the Treaty Secretariat. We are reviewing our policy in the light of developments at the recent Antarctic Treaty meeting in Christchurch.

  Rockall
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will set out the legal basis for his Department's assertion that Rockkall is part of the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [4414]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  British sovereignty over Rockall was proclaimed in 1955. It was confirmed by the subsequent passing of the Island of Rockall Act 1972 which made Rockall part of Scotland.

  NATO Expansion
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his estimate of the costs of NATO expansion to include Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic on the defence budgets of those countries and no other NATO members separately identifying the costs to the United Kingdom. [4403]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Twelve countries have applied to join NATO.

  No decision has been taken on which countries will accede to NATO membership. The costs of enlargement, which fall both on the countries which join and on existing members of the Alliance and which will be incurred over a long period, will depend on that decision. Subject to that caveat, we expect the costs of enlargement to be manageable.

  The US Government report to Congress in February 1997 gives an estimate of the direct additional costs of NATO enlargement of between $9 billion to £2 billion.

  Qualified Majority Voting
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the various areas of extension of qualified majority voting under the Amsterdam treaty. [5026]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The Presidency text on the extension of qualified majority voting (QMV) agreed at Amsterdam is below.

  There will also be QMV for implementing decisions under the Common Foreign and Security Policy as provided for by Article J13. However a Member State may prevent a vote from being taken for important and stated reasons of national interest, whereupon the decision may be referred to the European Council for decision by unanimity.
  349
  The flexibility provisions in Articles 5a and K12 are also subject to qualified majority voting. However a similar national veto mechanism applies. The new Articles B (2) (b) (i) and (iii) in the new chapter on free movement of persons, asylum and immigration shall also be subject to QMV. The UK will not be obliged to take part in cooperation under this chapter.

  Qualified majority voting

  Area

  New Treaty provisions

  Article 4, new Title on Employment

  Employment guidelines

  Article 5, new Title on Employment

  Incentive measures

  Article 118(2)

  Social exclusion

  Article 119(3)

  Equality of opportunity and treatment of men and women

  Article 129(4)

  Public health

  Article 191a

  Transparency

  Article 209a

  Countering fraud

  Article 213a

  Statistics

  Article 213b

  Establishment of independent advisory authority on data protection

  Article 227(2)

  Outermost regions

  New Article

  Customs cooperation

  Existing Treaty provisions

  Article 45(3)

  Compensatory aid for imports of raw materials

  Article 56(2)

  Coordination of provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action for special treatment for foreign nationals (right of establishment)

  Article 130i(1)

  Adoption of the research framework programme

  Article 130i(2)

  Adapting or supplementing the research framework programme

  Article 130o

  Setting up of joint undertakings in R&T development

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  BSE-infected Material (Disposal)
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the arrangements for the future disposal of BSE-infected carcases. [2825]

  Mr. Rooker
  It will continue to be the Ministry's practice to use incineration wherever feasible to dispose of cattle suspected of having BSE.

  Abattoirs (Licences)
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the criteria by which abattoirs are licensed by the Intervention Board to slaughter cattle under the 30 month scheme. [3933]

  Mr. Rooker
  Abattoirs wishing to slaughter cattle qualifying for the Over Thirty Month Slaughter Scheme are currently being selected by competitive tender. The evaluation criteria are set out in the invitation to tender. They include compliance with statutory requirements, quality of service, geographical location and price.

  BSE
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if it is his policy that all cows born in a given BSE-infected cohort within a given herd, regardless of the location of subsequent rearing, should be culled in any case where one or more cows in such a cohort are culled under the selective cull scheme. [3916]

  Mr. Rooker
  The scientific basis of the cull is that animals which ate the same feed as BSE cases in the first six months of their lives are likely to be at risk of exposure to infection through that feed. Any such exposed animals which have been sold from the natal herd will be traced as far as possible. Those animals found alive will be restricted and slaughtered.

  We intend also to include animals which were reared together in their first six months of life, irrespective of where they were born, provided we can be reasonably sure that it was there, rather than in the natal herd, that exposure to infection took place. We are currently seeking agreement from the European Commission that to do so would be in line with the relevant EC legislation.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when his Department first contacted other member states of the EU advising them that BSE-contaminated feed should be removed from farms. [4282]

  Mr. Rooker
  The measures which Member States should take in order to avoid the feeding of BSE contaminated feed were discussed with representatives of the Commission and the other Member Stases in the Standing Veterinary Committee of 18–19 July 1989.

  Mr. Prentice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the dates on which farmers were advised by their national authorities to dispose of BSE-contaminated feed, in respect of each member state in the EU which imported such feed from the UK. [4285]

  Mr. Rooker
  Advice given by the authorities of the other Member States to their farmers is a matter of national competence and we do not have records of such advice.

  Swine Fever
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to ensure that the United Kingdom's EU partners take steps to eradicate classical swine fever; and if he will make a statement on the extent of classical swine fever in other EU countries. [3920]

  Mr. Rooker
  European Community legislation lays down requirements for the control and eradication of classical swine fever within the territory of a Member State and to prevent the spread of the disease from one Member State to another. Classical swine fever is currently present in Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Spain. The situation is being kept under continuous review by the EC Standing Veterinary Committee (SVC), on which the UK is represented. The SVC may adopt additional ad hoc safeguard measures which they believe are necessary to consolidate existing control and eradication measures.

  Sellafield
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what notification his Department has received from British Nuclear Fuels in respect of increases in the discharge of radioactive waste materials from Sellafield. [3820]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Department receives routine discharge data from BNFL at Sellafield within three months of the end of the appropriate accounting period. In circumstances where a unusually high discharge occurs, the information is passed rapidly, as soon as it is available. Routine discharges are authorised by the Environment Agency. There are statutory powers to protect the safety of food, should it in any way be compromised.

  Beef Imports
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what advice he has received on the legality, under EU law, of a unilateral ban on imports of European beef into the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [3793]

  Mr. Rooker
  We have not sought advice on the legality of a unilateral ban on imports of European beef since we are not proposing to introduce such a ban. The announcement made on 5 June by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food,Official Report, columns 227–8, related to a proposal to apply current UK controls on specified bovine material to imported as well as home produced beef.

  Mrs. May
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what mechanisms for monitoring standards in overseas slaughterhouses his Department has evaluated in connection with its consideration of an import ban on beef from slaughterhouses not meeting United Kingdom standards; and what conclusions have been reached. [4137]

  Mr. Rooker
  No import ban on beef from slaughterhouses not meeting UK standards is under consideration.

  All fresh meat imported into the UK, whether from other Member States or third countries, must have been produced in accordance with harmonised Community rules laid down in Council Directive 64/433/EEC as amended, on health conditions for the production and marketing of fresh meat.

  These rules require that, amongst other things, all fresh meat which is intended for human consumption fulfils the required public health standards. As far as slaughterhouses are concerned, they must be approved as meeting the requirements of the Directive and all meat leaving the slaughterhouse must bear a health mark. The inspection, approval and monitoring of slaughterhouses in third countries is the respnsibility of the European Commission. The inspection, approval and monitoring of slaughterhouses in Member States is the responsibility of the competent authority of the Member State concerned, although the Commission make on-site checks to ensure uniform application of the Directive.
  352
  Following advice from the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee, however, and in the absence of EU wide rules on the removal and disposal of specified bovine material (SBM), we are now consulting on proposals which would mean that our requirement to remove and dispose of SBM would apply not only to cattle which have died or been slaughtered in the UK, but also to bovine material which has been imported into this country. This is not an import ban.

  Hunt Kennels
  Mrs. Ballard
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list those hunt kennels which the State Veterinary Service has assessed to be unsatisfactory under the BSE enforcement programme, since 1 January. [3826]

  Mr. Rooker
  The State Veterinary Service (SVS) makes monthly unannounced visits to hunt kennels handling specified bovine material to audit the controls under the Specified Bovine Material Order 1997. Those premises at which failings were found during such visits since 1 January 1997 are listed below. The fact that failures have occurred does not necessarily mean that there is a risk to public health. Visits may be recorded as unsatisfactory for a variety of reasons, including minor, technical and short-lived problems. Following an unsatisfactory visit the operator of the premises is required to take immediate remedial action. A further unannounced visit is made shortly afterwards to check that this has been carried out.

  List of hunt kennels that the SVS has assessed to be unsatisfactory since 1 January 1997

  Sandhurst and Aldershot Beagles

  Wishton Cottage

  RMA Sandhurst

  Camberley

  Surrey

  Belvoir Hunt Kennels

  Woolsthorpe by Belvoir

  Grantham

  Lincolnshire

  NG31 6QG

  Puckeridge Hunt

  Brent Pelham Hall

  Buntingford

  Hertfordshire

  Holderness Hunt Kennels

  Main Street

  Etton

  Beverley

  North Humberside

  HU17 7PG

  The Chiddingfold Leconfield and Cowdray Foxhounds

  The Hunt Kennels

  Petworth

  West Sussex

  Bramham Moor Hunt Kennels

  Hope Hall

  Bramham Moor

  Bramham

  Boston Spa

  West Yorkshire

  353

  Pennine Foxhounds

  Upper Snape Farm

  Harder Mill Road

  Meltham

  Huddersfield

  West Yorkshire

  Llangibby Foxhounds

  Hunt Kennels

  Llangibby

  Usk

  Gwent

  Devon and Somerset Stag Hounds

  The Kennels

  Exford

  Minehead

  Somerset

  The Kennels

  Brocklsby park

  Habrough

  South Humberside

  DN37 8PJ

  Zetland Hunt Kennels

  The Kennels

  Aldborough St. John

  Richmond

  Surrey

  Tedworth Foxhounds

  The Kennels

  Westcourt

  Burbage

  Marlborough

  Wiltshire

  SN8 3BW

  Number of staff less than £4/hour

  Full-time Number of staff less than £3.50/hour

  Number of staff less than £3/hour

  Number of staff less than £4/hour

  Part-time Number of staff less than £3.50/hour

  Number of staff less than £3/hour

  Core MAFF

  606

  55

  0

  33

  0

  0

  CEFAS

  13

  2

  0

  0

  4

  0

  PSD

  8

  5

  0

  0

  0

  0

  VMD

  4

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  FRCA

  8

  5

  0

  2

  1

  0

  VLA

  27

  0

  0

  7

  0

  0

  MHS

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  CSL

  2

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  Total

  669

  67

  0

  43

  5

  0

  The figures in the left-hand columns do not incorporate the totals from the other columns.

  The above figures reflect 1996–97 salaries as the 1997 pay reviews have not yet been implemented.

  Genetically Modified Food
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which countries require the labelling as such of genetically modified food. [4283]

  Mr. Rooker
  There are currently no internationally harmonised rules for labelling genetically modified (GM) foods. The main producers of these, the United States, Canada and Japan, do not require them to be labelled as such. In Europe, Germany, Austria, Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands and ourselves have all operated rules or guidelines governing the labelling of these materials for
  354

  Stevenstone Foxhounds

  The Old Kennels

  Torrington Station

  Torrington

  Devon

  Pentyrch Hunt Kennels

  The Kennels

  Twyncoed Road

  Pentyrch

  Cardiff

  Mid Glamorgan

  Modbury Harriers

  The Kennels Flete

  Ermington

  Ivybridge

  Devon

  South Shropshire Hunt

  Annscroft

  Shrewsbury

  Shropshire

  SY5 8AA

  Departmental Wages
  Mr. Tom King
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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 (ii) less than £3 an hour. [4189]

  Mr. Morley
  Staff in the Department are salaried and are not paid by the hour. However, I am able to provide a breakdown based on salary levels divided by normal full-time working hours of 36 hours per week in London or 37 hours elsewhere. This is set out in the table below.

  some time. As from 15 May, these were superseded by the labelling requirements of the EC Novel Foods Regulation (258/97) and we shall be pressing to ensure that the application of these leads to all foods being labelled if they contain GM material regardless of whether or not they have been segregated from conventional materials at an earlier stage in the food chain.

  Beef Farmers
  Mr. Burnett
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will raise the 30 month cull limit to 36 months, with special reference to beef farmers using traditional, extensive grass-based systems. [3051]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer given on 19 June 1997]: No. The Beef Assurance Scheme already provides for eligible animals aged to and including 42 months to be sold for human consumption. Eligible animals are those

  355
  from specialist, mainly grass reared beef herds in which no case of BSE has ever occurred and in which the risk of BSE occurring in the future is considered very low.

  Cod Liver Oil (Toxin Levels)
  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish the results of the official survey of the toxin levels in code liver oil supplements. [4992]

  Mr. Rooker
  The results of the MAFF survey for dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in fish oil dietary supplements and licensed medicines were announced on 14 May 1997 by the Chief Medical Officer, Sir Kenneth Calman. Further details are available from MAFF on request and are also on the Internet.

  Rabies
  Mr. Malin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if his officials have completed the review of rabies policy options begun in October 1996; and when he expects to publish the report; [5027]

  (2) when he expects to publish the Green Paper on Rabies policy reform. [5028]

  Mr. Rooker
  The review referred to by the hon. Member was a matter for the previous Government. However, we are reviewing whether alternatives to quarantine might give equal or better protection against rabies. We would expect to consult at some point on this, but decisions on when and how to do so have yet to be taken.

DEFENCE

  Army (Buy-outs)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many soldiers bought themselves out of the Army in each year since 1992. [4861]

  Dr. Reid
  The number of soldiers who have bought themselves out of the Army in each year since 1992 is as follows:

  Financial year

  Trained soldiers outflow (premature voluntary release by purchase)

  Outflow of recruits (on payment)

  Total soldier outflow (on payment)

  1991–92

  2,465

  1,118

  3,583

  1992–93

  2,130

  1,038

  3,168

  1993–94

  1,727

  797

  2,524

  1994–95

  1,603

  869

  2,472

  1995–96

  1,410

  815

  2,225

  1996–97

  821

  1,219

  2,040

  Total

  10,156

  5,856

  16,012

  Polygraph
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what use his Department makes of the polygraph; and if he will make a statement. [4582]

  Dr. Reid
  My Department does not use the polygraph and has no plans to do so.

  Pay and Personnel Agency
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what performance targets have been set for the Pay and Personnel Agency for 1997–98. [4917]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Chief Executive of the Pay and Personnel Agency (PPA) is responsible for providing pay and personnel services for the Ministry of Defence as defined in the Agency Framework Document. During 1997-98, the PPA will be set the following challenging key performance targets:

  1.

  (a) While making 100 per cent. of payments of pay by the due date, the number of errors not to exceed 12 per 1,000 payments of weekly industrial pay.

  (b) While making 100 per cent. of payments of pay by the due date, the number of errors not to exceed six per 1,000 payments of monthly non-industrial pay.

  (c) While authorising 100 per cent. of awards of pensions by the due date, the number of errors not to exceed 20 per 1,000 awards.

  (d) While making 100 per cent. of payments of expenses within 10 working days of receipts, the number of errors not to exceed 15 per 1,000 payments.

  (e) To pay 100 per cent. of claims for fees and personal payments within nine working days of receipt.

  2. By 31 August 1997 to introduce methods of measuring how well its services meet the customers' needs, building on the findings of the customer satisfaction study report completed in December 1996.

  3. By 31 March 1998 to achieve efficiency savings to meet at least the Departmental target of 2 per cent. efficiency savings of annual operating costs.

  4. To publish by 31 March 1998 a business case setting out the options available from potential private sector partners, in comparison with the cost of providing services from agency resources.

  5. By 31 March 1998 to introduce a new personnel information system.

  Prince Consort Library, Aldershot
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of the Prince Consort Library in the Aldershot Garrison and its contents. [4616]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding reply Friday 20 June 1997]: My Department is currently considering a number of options for the co-location within the United Kingdom of the Army Command Libraries, including the Prince Consort's Library at Aldershot. No decision has yet been taken.

  US Nuclear Bases
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the costs to public funds of cleaning up the former United States nuclear bases; what is his estimate of the costs to the US authorities of thee operations; and if he will make a statement. [4407]
  357
  Mr. Spellar
  Remediation will normally be undertaken on MoD land if there is a significant risk to health and safety or the environment, for instance where contamination poses a threat to individuals, water courses or neighbouring property. No special arrangements apply to bases formerly occupied by US forces. No significant costs incurred to date on their remediation have been identified. The Environment Act 1995 may impose additional remediation responsibilities on landowners and new enforcement arrangements, but the full implications for MoD land, including any formerly occupied by US forces, cannot yet be assessed.

  Training Land
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list(a) the number of landowners making their land available for training on private land and (b) the number of hectares they make available, adjacent to (i) Salisbury Plain training area, (ii) Otterburn training area and (iii) Sennybridge training area; and by what percentage training land is extended by the availability of training on private land in each of the three areas. [4750]

  Mr. Spellar
  The type of training undertaken on private land will usually differ from that conducted on MoD training areas: for example, training on Salisbury Plain training area is primarily armoured training whereas that on adjacent private land will not involve armoured vehicles. Training on private land cannot therefore be regarded as a simple extension of training on adjacent MoD land. The quantity and locations of training on private land will also vary from year to year. Subject to these qualifications, in the past 12 months, the figures requested have been as follows:

  a. Number of landowners making their land available:

  (i) Areas adjacent to Salisbury Plain training area (SPTA): 77

  (ii) Areas adjacent to Otterburn training area (OTA): 21

  (iii) Areas adjacent to Sennybridge training area (SENTA): 2

  b. Numbers of hectares made available:

  (i) Areas adjacent to Salisbury Plain training areas (SPTA): 10,000ha approximately

  (ii) Areas adjacent to Otterburn training areas (OTA): 675ha approximately

  (iii) Areas adjacent to Sennybridge training area (SENTA): 3ha approximately

  c. Private land made available as a percentage of adjacent MoD training land:

  (i) Areas adjacent to Salisbury Plain training areas (SPTA): 25 per cent. of SPTA

  (ii) Areas adjacent to Otterburn training area (OTA): 2.9 per cent. of OTA

  (iii) Areas adjacent to Sennybridge training area (SENTA): less than 0.1 per cent. of SENTA

  Note: Private land adjacent to SENTA has been used for access only rather than manoeuvres.

  Diversification Agency
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action his Department is taking to establish a defence diversification agency; and if he will make a statement. [4754]

  Mr. Spellar
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Halifax (Mrs. Mahon),Official Report, 16 June, col. 11.

  Expenditure
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to publish the estimates for defence expenditure; and if he will make a statement. [4756]

  Dr. Reid
  Estimates of defence expenditure in the current financial year are contained in "Supply Estimates 1997–98: Main Estimates", which were published in March this year. As I explained in my written reply to the hon. and learned Member for North-East Fife, (Mr. Campbell) on 3 June,Official Report, column 121), we do not intend this year to publish a forward looking statement of policy in the form of a Statement on the Defence Estimates (SDE). Factual material on the activities of my Department and the Armed Forces in the last year, which is usually contained in the SDE, will however, appear in an expanded MOD Performance Report which the Department plans to publish in the Autumn.

  European Fighter Aircraft
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his estimate of the total cost of the European fighter aircraft project; and what proportion of these costs will be borne by the United Kingdom. [4405]

  Mr. Spellar
  The estimated procurement cost of the Eurofighter projet is £41.6 billion. As I told my right hon. Friend the Member for Llanelli (Mr. Davies) on 2 June,Official Report, column 14, up to 31 March 1997 the UK's expenditure on the Eurofighter programme totalled £2.7 billion. Future UK procurement expenditure is currently estimated at £12.7 billion. Figures are at average 1996–97 prices.

  Trident
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 16 June,Official Report, column 3, if he will give a breakdown of the annual operating cost of Trident; and if he will estimate future capital expenditure on the project. [4759]

  Dr. Reid
  It is too early in the life of the Trident programme accurately to assess operating costs but we estimate them to be in the order of £200 million per annum over a 30 year in-service life. This estimate encompasses manpower and related costs, refits of the submarines, stores and transport costs, a share of the running costs of shore facilities, an element of the costs of the Atomic Weapons Establishment, in-service support of the submarines and their weapon systems and decommissioning and disposal costs. Estimated future capital expenditure on the project is as stated by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Defence in his answer of 16 June,Official Report, column 3.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the operational purpose of the Trident nuclear missile system. [4416]

  Dr. Reid
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 16 June 1997 to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak (Dr. Jones),Official Report, column 81.
  359
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cost of keeping the Trident fleet(a) on 24 hour patrol and (b) on stand by. [4757]

  Dr. Reid
  Figures are not available in the form requested.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the ordering of a fifth Trident submarine. [4417]

  Mr. Spellar
  We have no such plans.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the report from the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament concerning the costs of Trident, a copy of which has been sent to him; and if he will make a statement. [5025]

  Dr. Reid
  We are not aware of a recent report from the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament concerning the costs of Trident. We have, however, recently received a number of letters and postcards on this subject. Our latest estimate of the total acquisition cost of the Trident programme is £12.57 billion at 1996–97 economic conditions, over £3.6 billion less in real terms than the original 1982 estimate. Operating costs are estimated to be some £200 million per annum over a 30 year in-service life.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for a nuclear weapons system to replace Trident; and if he will make a statement. [4408]

  Mr. Spellar
  Decisions on a successor to Trident would not be needed for a number of years. They could be taken in the light of progress towards our goal of verifiable global nuclear disarmament.

  Beef
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what volume of beef and beef products was purchased by his Department in 1996 and what percentage originated(a) in the United Kingdom, (b) in Germany, (c) in other European Union countries and (d) in non-European Union countries. [4654]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 20 June 1997]: Approximately 1.25 million kilograms of beef is purchased annually by my Department. This figure excludes beef in finished products for which figures are not readily available. Purchase records are not kept in sufficient detail to allow the identification of the percentage of beef originating from the particular trading areas requested, but the majority is known to come from non-European countries.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  WPC Yvonne Fletcher
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 10 June,Official Report, column 388, on WPC Yvonne Fletcher, what is the result of the review of the contents of the programme by the Metropolitan police. [3782]
  360
  Mr. Straw
  The Metropolitan Police are continuing their review. This involves a good deal of detailed analysis of the extensive documentation already generated by their investigation. They expect to have completed their analysis by the end of September 1997.

  Immigration (Detention Policy)
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the scope of the general review of the Government's immigration detention policy; what the time scale is for the review; and whether external organisations will be consulted. [3939]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The review is being conducted internally in the Home Office. Its scope is wide ranging to cover all aspects of immigration detention policy. We expect the results to be available later in the summer. External organisations have been informed that the review is taking place.

  Minimum Wage
  Mr. Tom King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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. [4196]

  Mr. Straw
  The information for the core Home Office and its Agencies, based on gross hours and on basic pay, is as follows:Full-time

  (i) less than £4 per hour = 828

  (ii) less than £3.50 per hour = 459

  (iii) less than £3 per hour = nil

  Part-time

  (i) less than £4 per hour = 329

  (ii) less than £3.50 per hour = 12

  (iii) less than £3 per hour = nil

  Allowances in regular payment (for example, London Weighting) reduce these totals as follows:
  Full-time

  (i) less than £4 per hour = 449

  (ii) less than £3.50 per hour = 304

  (iii) less than £3 per hour = nil

  Part-time

  (i) less than £4 per hour = 6

  (ii) less than £3.50 per hour = 8

  (iii) less than £3 per hour = nil

  Land Development (Wandsworth)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans his Department has to develop land adjacent to Wandsworth Prison; if Wandsworth Council has been fully informed of these proposals; and if he will make a statement. [4439]

  Ms Joyce Quin
  It is proposed to provide a stores building, a pre-release hostel, a visitors' centre and a 125-place car park on the land adjacent to Wandsworth prison. These proposals were discussed at a meeting with Wandsworth Council prior to an application for outline planning permission being submitted on 1 May.

  Sexual Offences
  Mr. Kemp
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the ratio of reported sexual attacks and offences to population in(a) designated new towns and (b) other towns of similar size. [4467]

  Mr. Michael
  Information on recorded crime in England and Wales is collated centrally only on the basis of police force areas. Individual police forces do collate more localised data but this would not necessarily equate to new town boundaries.

  Confiscation of Alcohol (Young Persons) Act 1997
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress he has made in preparing the necessary statutory instruments for the Confiscation of Alcohol (Young Persons) Act 1997. [4865]

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he proposes to implement the Confiscation of Alcohol (Young Persons) Act 1997. [4604]

  Deaths (Proscribed Drugs)
  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many deaths arising from overdoses of a proscribed drug there were in each of the last five years for which figures are available by type of drug. [4840]

  Mr. Michael
  Summary statistics of deaths involving controlled drugs are given in the table. It is not possible to determine accurately which of these were caused by drug overdoses. Fuller details, including the type of drug involved, are contained in tables 17, 18 and 19 of the following Home Office Statistical Bulletins—issue 6/92, "Statistics of drug addicts notified to the Home Office, United Kingdom, 1991"; issue 15/93, "Statistics of drug addicts notified to the Home Office, United Kingdom, 1992"; issue 10/94, "Statistics of drug addicts notified to the Home Office, United Kingdom, 1993"; issue 15/95, "Statistics of drug addicts notified to the Home Office, United Kingdom, 1995". Copies of these publications are in the Library.

  United Kingdom

  Number of deaths

  Underlying cause of death

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Drug dependence and non-dependent abuse of drugs1

  294

  307

  345

  322

  489

  Deaths from poisoning where a controlled drug was mentioned2 Accidental

  233

  255

  327

  358

  442

  Suicide

  440

  433

  400

  340

  334

  Undetermined

  262

  295

  274

  252

  243

  AIDS

  55

  79

  82

  107

  112

  Total

  1,284

  1,369

  1,428

  1,379

  1,620

  1Includes solvents and other non-controlled drugs such as alcohol.

  2Excludes Northern Ireland.

  Treason and Piracy (Maximum Sentences)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to abolish the death penalty for the offences of(a) treason and (b) piracy; and if he will make a statement. [4646]

  Mr. Michael
  [holding answer 20 June 1997]: The Government have no such plans at present.

  Fire Safety
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce legislation on fire safety analogous to the Fire Safety Bill introduced in the last Parliament. [5015]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Government strongly support the aims of the Fire Safety Bill and will be looking for appropriate opportunities to achieve those aims. I have asked my officials, as a priority, to provide me with an outline of the options that are available. As part of that process, officials are in the middle of a series of discussions with some of the key stakeholders to hear their views on the best way to proceed. Discussion of the Fire Safety Bill will then be at the top of the agenda for discussion by the Joint Fire Safety Committee of the Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council at its next meeting on 8 July.

  Sport (Crowd Control)
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the impact of measures to deal with soccer-related crowd problems on other major spectator team sports. [3103]

  Mr. Michael
  The measures taken to deal with crowd disorder in football have been specific to football. These include controls on the sale and possession of alcohol under the Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol etc.) Act 1985; the exclusion order scheme under Part IV of the Public Order Act 1986; the restriction order scheme under Part II of the Football Spectators Act 1989; and the creation of four football specific offences under the Football (Offences) Act 1991 and section 166 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.

  The police have other powers which apply at all sports. In particular, the 1986 Public Order Act enables the police to take action against a broad range of disorderly behaviour. There are also powers to deal with vandalism, damage to property and assault.

  If there is evidence from the police that the problem of crowd disorder has become more widespread and is having a significant impact on other sports, we will review the need for further measures.

  Representation of the People Act 1983
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will undertake a review of the law as it applies to the Representation of the People Act 1983. [3116]

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

  Coroners
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will review the role and functions of coroners. [3119]

  Mr. George Howarth
  We have no plans to do so. but arrangements are kept under review.

  Fines (Motorists)
  Professor Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to allow(a) local authorities and (b) police forces to retain some of the proceeds from fines levied upon speeding motorists caught by speed cameras. [4415]

  Mr. Michael
  None. Hypothecating the revenue from speeding fines would result in expenditure on traffic enforcement being determined by the income generated, rather than the relative priority of the activity.

  In the light of the Home Office's study of the cost-benefit analysis of traffic light and speed cameras, we have decided to examine the funding arrangements for the cameras and consider what more might be done.

  Entry Visas
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to reduce the cost of entry visas to the United Kingdom. [4015]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I have been asked to reply.

  We continually look at ways to make efficiency savings to enable us to reduce entry clearance fees. Fees, which are set to recover the cost of processing an application world wide to minimise the burden on the taxpayer, are reviewed annually. The standard single entry fee has not been increased since January 1995. The current fees, introduced on 10 June 1997, include a reduction in the cost for a five year multiple entry visa.

SCOTLAND

  Private Finance Initiative (Health Service)
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to conclude his review of PFI projects in the health service in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [4201]

  Mr. Galbraith
  Alongside the review being undertaken by the Minister of State, Department of Health, my hon. Friend the Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) I have been undertaking a similar review of Health PFI schemes 364
  in Scotland. I have today written to all Scottish MPs, giving full details of the conclusions I have reached.

  I am committed to delivering PFI-led service improvements in the Scottish Health Service. A number of high quality PFI projects, such as those at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and the hospitals at Law and Hairmyres, which will deliver clear health care benefits, are well placed to proceed to financial close. I wish to see those benefits on the ground as quickly as possible and have asked my officials to push forward with these.

  However it has become clear that other projects are not appropriate for the PFI process. Last week (Monday 16 June) I announced that, in view of the urgent nature of the maternity and theatre proposals at Glasgow Royal Infirmary, we would push these aspects of the project forward through £36 million of public funding. Other aspects of the original project, such as catering and the car park facilities, will continue to be pursued under PFI.

  After consideration, I have concluded that the PFI process at the Western General in Edinburgh should also be halted. The PFI project for the Western is complicated by the fact that it is an existing NHS site with a large number of buildings of varying ages, functions and conditions. My view is that in the case of the Western General, PFI is not the right route. Instead the Government intend to provide around £40 million to fund a new ward and theatre block which is so clearly needed. Our proposals will also enable the go-ahead of the midwife-led maternity unit.

  I think it only right that further major PFI projects such as the Western Infirmary should be taken forward only once the overall review of the PFI process in Health has been completed. However there are numerous other relatively smaller Scottish Health projects exploring PFI. I want Trusts and Boards to continue to pursue these projects and to come forward with new proposals. There will be rigorous scrutiny of these projects at every stage of their development. A project must be proven to be affordable, value for money and, most importantly, offer real health care improvements for Scotland.

  I will be working closely with my hon. colleague, the Minister of State, Department of Health, over the coming months at improving the PFI product and will also be exploring the possibility of developing other models of structured private finance schemes in the longer term.

  Illegal Weapons
  Mr. Willian Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list by police force the number of persons shot with illegal weapons in each of the last three years and the current year, indicating(a) how many persons were (i) killed and (ii) injured, (b) the type of firearm used, (c) the calibre of firearms used, (d) the number of persons made answerable to the courts in respect of such crimes and (e) the number of occasions the police have sent an armed response team to an incident. [4052]

  Mr. McLeish
  The following tables detail the number of persons (i) killed and (ii) injured with illegal weapons
  365
  in the years 1992–95 in Scotland. The figures relate only to cases in which both the accused and the weapon were identified; in other cases, it is not possible to say whether or not the weapon was legally certificated.

  Since January 1994, Scottish police forces have despatched armed police officers to over 2,000 incidents where a firearm was reported or suspected. The number of these incidents where an illegal firearm was actually involved is not recorded. The remaining information is not collect centrally.

  Number of persons killed by type of weapon, 1992 to 1995

  Shotgun

  Rifle

  Pistol/revolver

  Total

  1992

  Grampian

  2

  —

  —

  2

  Strathclyde

  3

  —

  —

  3

  Total

  5

  —

  —

  5

  1993

  Dumfries and Galloway

  —

  —

  1

  1

  Strathclyde

  1

  —

  2

  3

  Total

  1

  —

  3

  4

  1994

  Northern

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Lothian and Borders

  —

  —

  1

  1

  Strathclyde

  1

  1

  1

  3

  Total

  1

  2

  2

  5

  1995

  Tayside

  1

  —

  —

  1

  Total

  1

  —

  —

  1

  In addition, there were a number of fatalities in which the weapon was unidentified and therefore it could not be determined whether or not it was legally held or not. There were two such cases in 1994 and six in 1995.

  Number of persons injured by type of weapon, 1992 to 1995

  Shotgun

  Rifle

  Pistol revolver

  Total

  1992

  Central

  2

  —

  —

  2

  Lothian and Borders

  1

  —

  —

  1

  Strathclyde

  9

  —

  2

  11

  Tayside

  2

  3

  —

  5

  Total

  14

  3

  2

  19

  1993

  Central

  1

  —

  —

  1

  Dumfries and Galloway

  —

  —

  3

  3

  Strathclyde

  10

  —

  2

  12

  Tayside

  4

  —

  —

  4

  Total

  15

  —

  5

  20

  1994

  Central

  —

  —

  2

  2

  Fife

  3

  —

  —

  3

  Lothian and Borders

  —

  —

  1

  1

  Strathclyde

  4

  —

  1

  5

  Total

  7

  —

  4

  11

  366

  Number of persons injured by type of weapon, 1992 to 1995

  Shotgun

  Rifle

  Pistol revolver

  Total

  1995

  Fife

  —

  —

  2

  2

  Lothian and Borders

  1

  —

  2

  3

  Strathclyde

  4

  —

  —

  4

  Total

  5

  —

  4

  9

  In addition, there were a number of injuries in which a weapon was fired but unidentified and it was not therefore possible to determine whether the weapon was legally held or not. There was one such case in 1993, 11 in 1994 and 15 in 1995.

  Low Pay
  Mr. Tom King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many(a) full-time and (b) part-time employees or 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. [4193]

  Mr. Dewar
  Of those employed in my Department and its Executive Agencies in April 1997, 383 full-time employees have basic salaries below £4/hour; 3 adults and 25 staff aged under 18 have basic salaries below £3.50/hour; with a further 17 staff all aged under 18 below £3/hour. Among part-time staff, 27 have basic salaries below £4/hour with no-one under £3.50/hour.

  Radioactive Discharges
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he intends that the Scottish Environment Protection Agency's regulation of radioactive discharges in Scotland will fall within the responsibilities of the proposed Scottish Parliament. [4223]

  Mr. McLeish
  [holding answer 19 June 1997]: The Government's proposals for a Scottish Parliament will be set out in a White Paper which my right hon. Friend expects to publish before the House rises for its summer recess.

  Environment Protection Agency
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will indicate for each of the organisations replaced by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency in 1996; and whether they operated under an exemption in terms of the Value Added Tax Act 1994, section 33. [4220]

  Mr. Chisholm
  [holding answer 19 June 1997]: The predecessor bodies of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency were River Purification Boards, District and Islands Councils, Her Majesty's Industrial Pollution Inspectorate (HMIPI) and the Hazardous Waste Inspectorate (HWI). With the exception of HMIPI and HWI, both formerly parts of The Scottish Office, all those bodies had the right to precept on local taxation and thus were entitled to claim refunds of VAT under the terms of Section 33 of the Value Added Tax Act 1994.

  SEPA does not have the power to precept on local taxation and is therefore not eligible to claim refunds of VAT in this way.
  367
  Ms Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the responsibilities of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. [4221]

  Mr. Chisholm
  [holding answer 19 June 1997]: The principal responsibilities of SEPA are:-
  consenting of discharges to the water environment (surface, tidal and ground waters);
  conserving water resources as far as practicable and promoting the conversation and enhancement of the natural beauty and amenity of controlled waters;
  providing flood warning systems, assessing the risk of flooding
  on any area and advising planning authorities on flood risk;
  granting abstraction licences for irrigation where a control order is in force;
  issuing authorisations to prevent, minimise or render harmless the release of substances into the environment from prescribed processes;
  authorising the handling and disposal of radioactive materials and registering persons holding or using such materials;
  licensing of waste management activities;
  registering waste carriers and brokers and regulating the transfrontier shipment of waste;
  taking enforcement action against persons breaching licence conditions or illegally polluting the environment;
  carrying out assessments of the general state of the environment (if required by the Secretary of State);
  keeping up-to-date on pollution control technology, with powers to undertake relevant research and development;
  creating smoke control areas;
  ensuring compliance with the "producer responsibility" regulations as directed by the Secretary of State.

  In carrying out these specific responsibilities, SEPA is required to:-
  have regard both to the desirability of conserving and enhancing the natural and man-made environment and to the social and economic needs of any area; and
  take into account the likely costs and benefits of exercising its powers.

  Ms Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer regarding the refusal to grant the Scottish Environment Protection Agency an exemption in terms of the Value Added Tax Act 1994, section 33; and if he will make a statement. [4222]

  Mr. Chisholm
  [holding answer 19 June 1997]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland regularly discusses various issues with colleagues, including my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

  Forestry
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate for each of the past five years for (i) England, (ii) Scotland and (iii) Wales the total(a) broadleaf tree cover, (b) evergreen tree cover, (c) area felled and (d) area planted; and if he will make a statement. [4409]
  368
  Mr. Chisholm
  The information is set out in the tables below.

  All areas in thousands of hectares

  Year ending 31 March

  Area of broadleaved woodland1

  Area of conifer woodland1

  Area approved for felling2

  Area planted3

  ENGLAND

  1993

  574

  393

  11

  12

  1994

  581

  392

  11

  13

  1995

  587

  390

  8

  10

  1996

  591

  390

  8

  9

  1997

  596

  389

  7

  9

  SCOTLAND

  1993

  171

  976

  8

  20

  1994

  181

  975

  9

  18

  1995

  188

  979

  10

  20

  1996

  192

  984

  11

  17

  1997

  197

  990

  10

  19

  WALES

  1993

  77

  171

  4

  3

  1994

  79

  169

  3

  3

  1995

  80

  167

  4

  3

  1996

  81

  167

  4

  3

  1997

  82

  166

  4

  3

  1The areas of broadleaved and comfier woodland are based on the 1980 Census of Woodlands. They have been updated by including the estimated changes since then.

  2The Forestry Commission does not record the areas felled by private woodland owners, but it does record the areas approved for felling. However, approvals are valid for a five year period, and large areas which are approved for felling are never felled.

  3The areas planted include both the areas of felled woodland which are replanted and the areas of new woodlands which are created.

  Transport Policy
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how he proposes to provide an effective and integrated transport policy; and what plans he has to carry out a strategic review of the roads programme in Scotland.[5142]

  Mr. Dewar
  My noble Friend, the Minister with responsibility for agriculture, the environment and fisheries announced on Thursday—Official Report, House of Lords, column 136—our intention to publish a White Paper early next year which will set out our proposals for a workable, effective and integrated transport policy appropriate to the needs of Scotland. Our development of that will operate in parallel with the development of the planned White Paper on integrated transport policy announced by my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister on 5 June, column 226.

  One key strand of developing an integrated transport strategy is the strategic review of the trunk roads programme promised in the Manifesto. We believe that we need a thorough examination of our rationale for new roads construction. Possible new roads projects must be properly examined in the context of their local and wider economic and environmental impacts and with the possible provision of alternative modes of transport properly considered in parallel. Our eventual decisions must meet our commitment to sustainable development.

  This review will consider the full range of factors, including traffic growth, which will give rise to pressure for further major improvements across the trunk road

  369
  network over the next decade. In parallel with the review, as part of the work leading to the White Paper, we shall examine means of restraining growth, including consideration of the opportunities for doing so on the trunk road network. We will also consider the role which new technology and improved information systems can play.

  The review will examine the criteria (including accessibility, safety, economy and environmental impact) for setting priorities within the trunk road programme. It will also review the scope for improved value for money for expenditure on maintenance, structural repairs and minor schemes.

  The review is being conducted against the background of our clear commitment to control public expenditure overall and fundamentally to review expenditure priorities through the comprehensive spending review. Given this, no further procedural work on major schemes will be undertaken before the reviews are concluded. However, schemes under construction will continue; and the schemes for the A828 (Creagan Bridge) and the A75 (The Glen), which are both close to commencement, will also continue. Tenders are expected in July for a privately financed design, build, finance and operate contract on the M8 (Baillieston to Shotts) and a decision on that will be announced after the evaluation of tenders, in the light of the information provided by the tenders and other relevant factors. The review will reach conclusions on options for the Kincardine Bridge in advance of those on other projects because of the uncertainties attaching to the operational condition of the bridge and the need to progress contingency plans.

  The Scottish Office will continue to invest in the maintenance and structural repairs of the existing network and take forward small schemes, costing less than £3 million, where route action and accident plans have identified measures to alleviate congestion and improve safety.

  There has been extensive comments about the previous Government's Green paper "Keeping Scotland Moving" and these, where appropriate, will be considered as part of both the development of our White Paper and the review of the trunk roads programme. We intend to consult about the options and the findings emerging from the review, with the objective of concluding the review by the Summer of 1998.

  Home Energy Efficiency Grants
  Mrs. Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to amend the home energy efficiency scheme to encourage applications from the Scottish islands and remote areas. [3797]

  Angela Eagle
  I have been asked to reply.

  Major revisions to this scheme, which were made by the previous administration, come into force on 1 July. From that date the scheme will include cavity wall insulation, loft insulation, heating control system upgrades, draughtproofing, energy efficient lamps, hot water tank insulation and personal advice. Installers have been appointed throughout Great Britain and they will undertake local marketing throughout their areas to bring the scheme to the attention of eligible householders. Every
  370
  local authority will shortly receive guidance, issued jointly with the Scottish Office, about the scheme and the part they can play in promoting it.

  We shall be taking an early opportunity to review the scheme to check whether the changes are meeting the needs of customers.

CABINET OFFICE

  Cabinet Committees
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will make a statement on his role in respect of each Cabinet committee on which he sits. [4661]

  Mr. Mandelson
  Like my colleagues on these committees, I contribute to collective consideration of the issues under discussion.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Government Car Service
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if the Government car service will assess the advantages of using Triumph motorcycles for its dispatch riders. [4316]

  Dr. David Clark
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated under the terms of the Framework Document to the Government Car and Despatch Agency. I have asked its Chief Executive, Mr. Nick Matheson, to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Nick Matheson to Mr. Peter Bottomley, dated 20 June 1997:
  I have been asked by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to reply to your Parliamentary Question on using Triumph motorcycles for the InterDespatch Service's courier despatch service. I am the Chief Executive of the Agency with operational responsibility for the InterDespatch Service.
  The current fleet of six motorcycles was purchased in April 1996 following a technical and operational evaluation of suitability for courier work. This included research with existing users, particularly in assessing load carrying capacity.
  The motorcycle fleet is due for replacement in approximately two years, and I will be carrying out a new assessment towards the end of this year. That assessment will include machines produced by Triumph.

  Compliance Cost Assessments
  Mr. Fallon
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if the rules relating to the deposit of compliance cost assessments in the Library prior to the publication of Bills in force in Session 1996–97 continue to apply; and if he will list those Bills for which compliance cost assessments have not been duly deposited in the current session. [4747]

  Dr. David Clark
  We intend to develop a more succinct, open and relevant system for assessing the costs and benefits of new legislative proposals. In the meantime, the existing rules for publishing a compliance cost assessment alongside bills presented to Parliament
  371
  continue to apply. The responsibility for the preparation of individual compliance cost assessments rests with the relevant Minister.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Departmental Advisers
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will list the special advisers in his Department, the Minister to whom each is responsible, the subjects on which they advise and the number of advisers in his Department in the year up to 1 May. [5347]

  The Attorney-General
  No special advisers are, or have been, employed in my Department.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Tourism Industry
  Mrs. McGuire
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has for encouraging the improvement of training and qualifications in the tourism industry. [3090]

  Ms Jenny Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has for encouraging the improvement of training and qualifications in the tourist industry. [3102]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  Training and investment in people is one of our key policy aims for the tourism and hospitality industries. We will pursue this aim in partnership with those industries, tourist boards, local authorities and others, together with colleagues in the Department for Education and Employment.

  Mr. Dobbin
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to increase the United Kingdom income from tourism. [3101]

  Mr. Clarke
  The Government is working with the industry, the tourist boards, local authorities and others to ensure that tourism is making its full contribution to the UK economy. In 1995, the industry was worth £38 billion, equivalent to over 5 per cent. of the UK's GDP, and it has great potential for growth.

  Mrs. Humble
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what work opportunities the tourism industry will provide to the welfare-to-work programme. [3111]

  Mr. Clarke
  The tourism industry is well placed to play a key role in the welfare-to-work initiative. The industry has enormous potential for employment

  National lottery awards to 31 March 1997

  Population

  Total number of awards

  Total award amount £

  Amount per capita £

  England

  London: Total

  6,933,000

  1,664

  774,055,059

  111.65

  London (National Institutions)

  —

  39

  478,007,408

  68.95

  London (Other)

  —

  1,625

  296,047,651

  242.70

  North-west

  5,478,725

  1,008

  300,729,369

  54.89

  372
  generation. It already supports some 1.6 million jobs, a number which could grow up to one million in the next decade. We shall be looking to leading employers within the industry to support the Government's initiative.

  National Lottery
  Mr. Pearson
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to ensure a fairer distribution of lottery proceeds across the regions. [3094]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  It is clear that some areas of the country have benefited a great dal more from the lottery than others. We will be looking at the reasons for this as part of our review of lottery distribution. We will publish a White Paper containing our proposals in July.

  Ms Atherton
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to change the terms of the operation of the national lottery. [3099]

  Mr. Banks
  My Department does not have the power to change the terms of operation for the current licence holder. We will seek an efficient and competitive not-for-profit operator when the existing licence expires in 2001.

  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make it his policy to allow the national lottery to operate overseas; and if he will make a statement. [3105]

  Mr. Smith
  The operator of the national lottery may under the terms of its licence sell tickets in other member states of the European Community and the European Economic Area provided such sales are not prevented by the state's domestic legislation. Ticket sales outside this permitted area are not allowed under the licence. Any change to the licence would require the Director General's consent.

  Mr. Desmond Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to review the terms of the lottery operator's licence. [3107]

  Mr. Smith
  I have announced our intention to seek an efficient not-for-profit operator when the current licence expires. I do not have the power to change the terms of operation for the current licence holder.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will list the(a) grants of and (b) expenditure of lottery moneys by economic region up until 1 April 1997 (i) in total and (ii) expressed in terms of expenditure per capita in the region. [3185]

  Mr. Banks
  [holding answer 16 June 1997]: A full list of awards is available from the Library of the House. The table sets out the summary of the total number and value of awards by region and country, including a per capita breakdown:
  373

  National lottery awards to 31 March 1997

  Population

  Total number of awards

  Total award amount £

  Amount per capita £

  North-east

  2,607,991

  499

  125,497,849

  48.12

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  5,035,194

  929

  200,307,425

  39.78

  Eastern

  5,259,958

  969

  142,183,266

  27.03

  East Midlands

  4,114,069

  820

  120,472,373

  29.28

  West Midlands

  5,311,676

  1,121

  252,515,234

  47.54

  South-west

  4,816,084

  1,143

  198,923,974

  41.30

  South-east

  7,813,949

  1,282

  255,618,101

  32.71

  Merseyside

  1,441,000

  313

  71,045,017

  49.30

  Total

  48,811,646

  9,748

  2,441,347,667

  50.02

  Scotland

  5,120,200

  1,681

  366,992,062

  71.68

  Wales

  2,906,500

  1,555

  180,000,285

  61.93

  Northern Ireland

  1,632,000

  941

  74,058,147

  45.38

  Total

  9,658,700

  4,177

  621,050,494

  64.30

  UK wide

  58,470,346

  5,580

  83,182,384

  1.42

  Grand total

  58,470,346

  19,505

  3,145,580,545

  53.80

  1Population figures are drawn from the Registrar Generals' population projection for 1994 based on the estimated resident population at mid-1991, for County Councils and the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys 1993, for Metropolitan areas.

  2London figures indicates amount per capita once awards to National institutions are discounted.

  Film Industry
  Barbara Follett
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what measures he proposes to encourage Britain's creative industries with particular reference to film. [3096]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  My Department recently announced the setting up of a Film Policy Review Group whose task will be to formulate an agenda for action for the film industry and for the Government's support to it. It will be the aim of the group to double the audience for British films and to help the film industry to achieve its full creative and economic potential.

  More broadly, the Government will take action to help the creative industries to flourish, thereby creating new jobs and new opportunities in the domestic market, boosting exports, and encouraging tourism and inward investment.

  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to assist the British film industry. [3109]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  My Department recently announced the setting up of a Film Policy Review Group whose task will be to formulate an agenda for action for the film industry and for the Government's support to it. It will be the aim of the group to double the audience for British films and to help the film industry to achieve its full creative and economic potential.

  The Group will be co-chaired by myself and Stewart Till of PolyGram Filmed Entertainment. The members all have a real working knowledge of what it takes to achieve artistic and commercial success, both in Britain and abroad.

  Regional Orchestras
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a statement concerning his policy on regional orchestras. [3097]
  374
  Mr. Fisher
  The Government has placed access at the heart of its arts policies. I have the highest regard for the excellence of our regional orchestras and for the opportunities they create for more people to enjoy music. The regional orchestras, including the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, in which I know my hon. Friend takes a particularly keen interest, are bringing music of the highest standards to audiences across the country and, indeed, abroad.

  Public Library Services
  Dr. Lynda Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to increase the availability of public library services. [3098]

  Mr. David Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to increase the availability of public library services. [3112]

  Mr. Fisher
  The Government is committed to developing the public library service as an essential part of an informed and educated society. The harnessing of new technology will play a vital part in this. I have therefore asked the Library and Information Commission to report on how public libraries can respond effectively to the challenge of new information and communication technology. Its report is due at the end of July.

  Millennium Exhibition
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what are his Department's proposals for the millennium exhibition. [3100]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  Last week my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister confirmed our full backing for the millennium exhibition. We took this decision on the basis of five clear commitments to the British people: the exhibition will have a durable legacy; it will have
  375
  nationwide relevance and links; it will have a content that reflects technological progress and provides a window to the future; it will cost no more public money, other than that required for site clearance; and it will have an enhanced creative team.

  Arts (Public Access)
  Mrs. Ann Keen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the National Heritage what plans he has to enable greater access by the public to the arts. [3104]

  Mr. Fisher
  Access is at the heart of my Department's policies. We believe strongly that the public has a right to better access in return for the public funding which goes into the arts. We have made a number of specific proposals aimed at, increasing access to the arts. These include plans to pilot open theatre nights and an Artscard scheme for young people and to review the case for admission charges to core collections in our national museums and galleries.

  Land (National Heritage Memorial Fund)
  Mr. Macdonald
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will review the provisions relating to the purchase of land in the national interest through the national heritage memorial fund.[3106]

  Mr. Banks
  The Government is reviewing the distribution of lottery proceeds generally. We will be considering the funding strategies of all the distributing bodies as part of that review. But we see no immediate need to amend the statutory powers of the National Heritage Memorial Fund in relation to land acquisition projects.

  Royal Naval College, Greenwich
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will discuss with the Secretary of State for Defence the future of the Royal Naval College, Greenwich. [3110]

  Mr. Banks
  Officials in my Department are working closely with officials in the Ministry of Defence, the Greenwich Foundation for the Royal Naval College, (the new trust), and Greenwich Hospital in working up proposals for the future of this historic site, following the Royal Navy's departure.

  Guest Houses and Hotels
  Shona McIsaac
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to introduce a national scheme for the grading of guest houses and hotels. [3163]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  The AA, RAC and ETB announced in February plans for a new harmonised scheme which for the first time would give a single rating for hotels according to both the quality of their service and the facilities they offer. They will be consulting the industry on the details of this and on a scheme covering non-hotel serviced accommodation, such as guest-houses, B&Bs, farmhouses and inns.

  Broadcasting
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what steps he is taking to increase the provision of local broadcasting by(a) radio and (b) television. [4739]

  Mr. Fisher
  The existing regulatory framework already allows for increased local provision.

  The Radio Authority is required to secure a range and diversity of local services. Since its creation, the number of commercial local radio services has increased from 130 in 1991 to 177 in 1996. The Authority has also recently introduced small-scale alternative location licencees, and the number of short-term Restricted Service Licences continues to increase. These mechanisms provide a flexible structure within which more modest local operations can flourish.

  The Independent Television Commission has recently published guidance on how it intends to implement the provisions of the Broadcasting Act 1996 which introduced a new category of licence for local services and special events—the Restricted Service Licence. Subject to spectrum availability, this new licence category will enable the ITC to oversee the expansion of local television services.

  We aim to secure a wide diversity of broadcasting services, and local services are an important element of that diversity. The Government will monitor the effectiveness of the existing and recently enhanced licensing arrangements in providing more local services.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when he will next meet the Director General of(a) the Radio Authority and (b) the Independent Television Commission to discuss the conditions of ownership of local radio stations. [4740]

  Mr. Fisher
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State meets the Chairmen and Chief Executives of the Radio Authority and the Independent Television Commission from time to time to discuss a variety of broadcasting issues. The conditions of ownership of radio stations are laid down in the Broadcasting Acts 1990 and 1996 and the use of powers under that legislation is solely a matter for the Radio Authority.

  School Sport
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans the Government have for encouraging sport in schools. [3188]

  Mr. Banks
  We are working to extend the opportunities for sport and physical recreation for all people by widening access and encouraging participation. Promoting physical education and sport in schools will be a key element of our strategy. A number of initiatives aimed at promoting sport in schools are already being taken forward by the English Sports Council, and we will shortly be meeting the Department for Education and Employment to consider further action.

  National Academy for Sport
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when the decision on the location of the National Academy for Sport is to be made. [3190]
  377
  Mr. Banks
  I have visited the three short-listed sites
  and am now examining the bids in light of the visits. We will make an announcement of how we intend to proceed in due course.

  Seaside Resorts
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to visit(a) Southport and (b) other north-west England seaside resorts. [3310]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  I shall be visiting Southport on Wednesday 25 June to address the National Conference of the Institute of Leisure and Amenity Management. I will be visiting north-west England again later in the year.

  Coastal resorts are an important part of our heritage and account for some 44 per cent. of holiday spending in the United Kingdom. I am keen to see them build on this in the future so that local communities and businesses can share fully in the economic benefits of tourism.

  Football
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will assess the advantages of permitting restricted standing room areas in new football grounds. [3809]

  Mr. Banks
  I believe we are striking the right balance in providing some of the most modern all-seater facilities in the world at our top clubs and allowing some standing accommodation at lower division grounds subject to stringent safety requirements. The Government is committed to delivering essential football ground safety improvements following the Taylor Report on the Hillsborough disaster. The £55 million funding package announced recently to assist the Football Trust with Taylor-related safety work demonstrates our commitment to this.

  Television Licences
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many letters have been received by his Department concerning concessionary television licences since 2 May; and what response he has given to such letters. [5070]

  Mr. Fisher
  Since 2 May, the Department of National Heritage has received 49 letters from hon. Members and 71 letters from members of the public about reduced-fee television licences. The Government accepts that the current concessionary scheme can give rise to anomalies and is not wholly satisfactory, and will continue to examine ways in which it might be improved, but has no plans at present to introduce any changes.

  Tourism (Social Chapter)
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a statement on the impact on the tourism industry of the United Kingdom adopting the social chapter. [3108]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  Basic standards of employment, by creating a better rewarded and motivated work force, can help to improve business performance. Basic minimum standards will help improve competitiveness.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Water Charges
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will make a statement on the use of council tax banding as the basis for water charges; [3844]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on water metering; [3842]

  (3) what plans he has for legislation to enable water companies to continue to base their charges on the rateable value of properties; and if he will make a statement. [3843]

  Angela Eagle
  Under Section 145 of the Water Industry Act 1991, water companies must not base their charges on the rateable value of property after 31 March 2000. The Deputy Prime Minister announced at the recent Water Summit that the Government is to review the system of charging for water. Among other issues this review will consider alternative bases of charging, including the future use of rateable values, the use of council tax bands and metering policy. We shall be looking at the way in which metering works at present, taking special account of the effect on low-income households. We have made clear our opposition to compulsory metering for essential household use.

  Technetium 99 Contamination (West Cumbrian Coast)
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of recent British Nuclear Fuels monitoring figures in respect of the level of technetium 99 in crustaceans off the west Cumbrian coast; and what action he plans to take to eradicate the contamination. [4263]

  Angela Eagle
  Assessments of monitoring data of the levels of technetium 99 in crustaceans off the west Cumbrian coast are, in the first instance, matters for the Environment Agency and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. British Nuclear Fuels plc has applied to the Environment Agency for variations to the certificates of authorisation under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993 for the Sellafield site. These include a proposed reduction in the discharge limit for technetium 99. The Environment Agency is currently considering the applications and will shortly issue for public consultation the changes to the authorisations that it is minded to grant.

  Housing (Improvements)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many properties underwent works through home improvement agencies in each of the last three years. [4292]
  379
  Mr. Raynsford
  The table shows the number of jobs completed in the last three years by home improvement agencies in England funded by my Department:

  Year

  Number of jobs

  1994–95

  21,735

  1995–96

  24,129

  1996–97

  27,137

  Some properties benefited from more than one job but information about the number of properties receiving works is not kept.

  Playing Fields
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will take steps to prevent the disposal for development of playing fields owned by(a) local authorities, (b) companies and (c) other bodies. [4478]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Under current legislation local authorities only need the consent of the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions to a disposal of land at less than open market value. However, the Government intends to ensure that those playing fields which schools and their communities need are not sold in future. My right hon. Friends, the Deputy Prime Minister, the Secretary of State for Education and Employment and the Secretary of State for National Heritage are discussing this as a matter of urgency, looking at a wide range of options.

  Green Ministers
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the Green Ministers appointed to date in other Government departments; and what guidance has been produced by his Department on the role to be played by Green Ministers. [4305]

  Angela Eagle
  The Ministerial Committee on the Environment has been set up to consider environmental policy issues with the following membership:

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

  Chancellor of the Exchequer

  Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

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

  Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  Secretary of State for Scotland

  Secretary of State for Health

  President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons

  Secretary of State for National Heritage

  Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

  Secretary of State for Wales

  Secretary of State for International Development

  Lord Privy Seal and Leader of the House of Lords

  Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster

  Minister of Transport

  380

  Chief Secretary, Treasury

  Minister of State, Department of the Environment and Transport

  Minister without Portfolio.

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

  We are still in the process of appointing Green Ministers and a further announcement will be made once they have been established.

  English Partnerships
  Mr. Pearson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment. Transport and the Regions if he will list for each region the amount of money spent by English Partnerships in each of the last three financial years. [4608]

  Angela Eagle
  English Partnerships' expenditure by region on its development programme, excluding expenditure on the Greenwich Peninsula, in the last three financial years is as follows:

  £million

  Region

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  North-east

  47.7

  34.3

  31.8

  North-west

  52.9

  52.0

  50.4

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  43.8

  55.0

  40.5

  Midlands

  63.4

  58.0

  67.8

  South-east

  10.3

  25.6

  36.0

  South-west

  7.3

  11.8

  8.5

  Total

  225.4

  236.7

  235.0

  Natterjack Toad
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the sites designated as the natural habitat of the natterjack toad. [4593]

  Ms Angela Eagle
  Fifty sites have been designated for the natterjack toad in Great Britain, A list giving details of these has been placed in the Library.

  Leasehold Land
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the advantages of increasing protection for home owners in flats whose property lies on leasehold land. [3126]

  Mr. Raynsford
  We are committed to simplifying the current rules restricting the purchase of freeholds by leaseholders when a suitable legislative opportunity arises. We will consult on our proposals in due course. Meanwhile, we will lay before the House shortly Orders to implement the provisions of the Housing Act 1996 which will transfer jurisdiction for determining disputes over service charges to Leasehold Valuation Tribunals.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will provide a Keeling schedule in respect of the relevant sections of
  381
  (a) the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and (b) other Acts amended by the Local Government Finance (Supplementary Credit approvals) Bill. [5123]

  Mr. Raynsford
  We do not propose to add such a schedule to the Local Government Finance (Supplementary Credit Approvals) Bill. However, the following sets out the text of section 55(3) of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 as it would be if amended by Clause 1 of the Bill, and the text of section 54(5) of that Act as it would be if amended by Clause 2 of the Bill:Section 55
  (3) In determining the amount of a basic credit approval, the Secretary of State shall not take account of capital receipts to the extent that the authority concerned are required to set aside the receipts as provision for credit liabilities; and in determining the amount of a basic credit approval or a supplementary credit approval, the Secretary of State or other Minister shall not take account of capital receipts to the extent that they are applied or paid as mentioned in subsections (7) to (9) of section 59 below.
  Section 54
  (5) In the case of a supplementary credit approval issued in respect of expenditure which is treated by the authority concerned as expenditure for capital purposes by virtue only of direction sunder section 40(6) above, the approval may specify an amortisation period.

  Departmental Land
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action his Department is taking to monitor the disposal of land by other Government Departments for compliance with the terms of local development plans, with particular reference to the National Physical Laboratory site at Teddington. [4587]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Any Crown body wishing to secure planning permission for land prior to its disposal must apply for permission under section 299 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. As with applications for planning permission from non-Crown bodies, it is for the local planning authority to determine the application. Such determination shall be in accordance with the development plan for the area, unless material considerations indicate otherwise. Other than where the matter is expressly referred to the Secretary of State—e.g. under the Town and Country Planning (Development Plans and Consultation) Directions 1992, or on appeal—my Department is not concerned with the specific proposals of other Government Departments to dispose of their land, nor the proposed use of any such land. The National Physical Laboratory is within the London Borough of Richmond, and the Unitary Development Plan policy for the site is for employment uses. We understand that no planning application has been made to the planning authority in respect of the site.

  Airports
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the cost of constructing a 1,400 metre runway in the south-east of England; and what costs would be incurred by the construction of a 2,000 metre runway. [4471]
  382
  Ms Jackson
  No assessment has been made of the costs of runway construction, which would vary greatly depending on the site chosen.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the time required to(a) construct and (b) bring into operation a new runway in south-east England. [4474]

  Ms Jackson
  The time required for constructing a new runway and bringing it into operation would depend on the nature of the particular proposal and on the planning procedures followed.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will reintroduce traffic distribution rules; and what plans he has to direct charter services to specific airports in the London area. [4473]

  Ms Jackson
  Traffic distribution rules remain in place at Heathrow and Gatwick which prevent all-cargo services and general aviation from using the airport at peak periods. There are no plans to reintroduce them for scheduled and charter services. In any case, powers do not exist to direct services to an airport—only to exclude them.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to address problems relating to runway capacity in the south-east of England. [4539]

  Ms Jackson
  Work has been under way since February 1995 to assess the implications of runway capacity enhancement at Heathrow and the feasibility of a close parallel runway at Gatwick. When completed, these studies will help to inform the assessment by Ministers of all available options.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the extra slots made available at Heathrow by the proposed BA/AA alliance will be allocated to services to regional airports. [4401]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  I have been asked to reply.

  The previous President of the Board of Trade announced on 6 December 1996 that he intended to refer the proposed alliance between British Airways and American Airlines to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission, unless suitable undertakings were given by the parties to the alliance. He took the view that, without such undertakings, the alliance would be likely to lead to a significant loss of actual and potential competition on air routes between the UK and the US. He asked the Director General of Fair Trading to seek appropriate undertakings from the parties, and also to consider views from all interested third parties on the undertakings and other conditions which he proposed. The proposed undertakings and conditions included the release by the alliance of up to 168 take-off and landing slots at Heathrow. These slots were to be made available for use by competitor airlines only on transatlantic services, in order to ensure that the slot release addressed the competition concerns raised by the alliance.
  383
  My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has not yet made a decision on the proposed alliance. The Office of Fair Trading and the Department of Trade and Industry are still considering the case in consultation with the European Commission.

  Red Routes (London)
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his plans for red routes in London. [4720]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The red route programme delivers improved conditions for all road users by making effective use of the road space while taking into account the needs of those who live and work along the route. I have no plans to vary the red route network although I shall naturally consider individual representations on their merits. I intend to look at how these improvements can be further enhanced, giving particular attention to what can be done to assist buses, cyclists and pedestrians. The timetable for completion of the network will be reviewed, along with all other expenditure programmes, as part of our Comprehensive Spending Review.

  Footpaths and Bridleways
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for what reasons notice was not given to the statutory consultees under the Transport and Works Act about the proposed closure of footpaths and bridleways for the proposed Welsh Highland Railway Order; and if he will place a copy of his reply to the Ramblers Association concerning these issues in the Library. [4590]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The promoters of the proposed Order, the Ffestiniog Railway Company, consider that the Transport and Works Act applications rules were complied with in respect of the placing of notices and serving of documents on statutory consultees. However, in the light of representations made by the Ramblers Association and others, they have agreed to put up notices and serve documents in respect of all footpaths affected by the Order as if they were public rights of way for the purposes of the rules. Persons who wish to object to the proposals relating to footpaths will have a further six weeks in which to lodge such objection in writing with the Secretary of State. A copy of the Department's reply to the Ramblers Association will be placed in the Library.

  Radioactive Materials (Transportation)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to improve safety standards for the transportation of (i) nuclear waste and (ii) spent nuclear fuel. [4639]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 20 June]: The safety standards for the transport of nuclear waste and spent nuclear fuel are already extremely high. They are based upon the recommendations of the International Atomic Energy Agency and are reviewed on a regular basis to ensure that the excellent safety record is maintained. The Government is active in and will continue to support the work of the international Atomic Energy Authority and the other international bodies that regulate the carriage of radioactive material, such as the International Maritime Organisation, the International
  384
  Civil Aviation Organisation, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (for road transport) and the Intergovernmental Organisation for International Carriage by Rail.

  South West Trains (Bicycles)
  Jane Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will seek to ensure that South West Trains retain space for the carriage of bicycles when renewing their rolling stock. [5088]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Southampton, Test (Mr. Whitehead) on 16 June,Official Report, column 41.

  Pilotage (Thames River)
  Mr. Pond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what consultations he has had with the Port of London Authority over their proposals to relax pilotage regulations along the Thames. [5008]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Port of London Authority has informed my Department that it is reviewing its pilotage directions. There is no requirement for harbour authorities to consult the Secretary of State before issuing new directions but they have a duty to consult those operating in their harbour. I understand that the Port of London Authority intends to do this once its proposals are finalised.

  Railways (Ticket Machines)
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will ensure that automatic train ticket machines have facilities for accepting railcards held by disabled people; and what progress his Department has made in pursuing this matter with the office of the Rail Regulator in relation to its code of practice. [4087]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We will be looking at this in the context of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. We will also ask the Rail Regulator to consider expanding the advice in his Code of Practice, which already includes design guidance on ticket machines, to address this point.

  Ports
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment. Transport and the Regions what representations he has received from smaller trust ports on the anti-competitive action of larger ports; what response he has made; and if he will make a statement. [4662]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  No such representations have been received.

  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to encourage the remaining trust ports to become private companies. [4663]

  Ms Jackson
  We will consider on their merits any privatisation schemes put forward by trust port authorities. Where a scheme is approved in principle, our officials
  385
  will provide advice to the authority on carrying out the privatisation in accordance with the provisions of the Ports Act 1991.

PRIME MINISTER

  Earth Summit 2
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Earth summit 2 conference. [4800]

  The Prime Minister
  I will make a statement on my return.

  Polygraphs
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Prime Minister what use the security services make of the polygraph; and if he will make a statement. [4586]

  The Prime Minister
  The Security and Intelligence Services make no use of the polygraph and have no plans to do so.

  Food Poisoning
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Prime Minister which Government departments and agencies are involved in the examination of E. coli. [3607]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 17 June 1997]: The following Government departments and agencies are involved in the examination of E. coli:
  Departments

  Department of Health

  Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  Department for the Environment and Transport

  Department of Health and Social Services—Northern Ireland

  Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland

  Welsh Office

  Scottish Office Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries Department

  Scottish Office Department of Health

  Agencies

  Veterinary Laboratories Agency

  Central Science Laboratory

  Public Health Laboratory (Northern Ireland)

  Public Health Laboratory Service (England and Wales)

  The Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health Environment Agency

  Drinking Water Inspectorate.

  Ministerial Residences
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Prime Minister how much public money is budgeted for expenditure on refurbishing official residences occupied by Ministers. [3710]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 16 June 1997]: This is a matter for individual Boards of Trustees or Departments.

  Devolution (Referendums)
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Prime Minister how many requests he has received from current residents of Colchester, born in Scotland or Wales, who want to vote in the Scottish and Welsh devolution referendums. [4035]

  The Prime Minister
  I have received a number of representatives on this issue. It is not possible to identify the information as requested.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Uranium Fuel
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what tonnage of spent uranium fuel elements was discharged in each of the past 10 years from (1) magnox reactors, (2) advanced gas-cooled reactors, (3) pressurised water reactors and (4) fast reactors; and what in each case were the(a) initial uranium enrichment, (b) initial plutonium content, (c) initial fissile plutonium content and (d) the spent fuel burn-up rate. [1843]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 2 June 1997]: Information relating to the majority of tonnage of spent nuclear fuel discharged from various reactors during the last 10 years is kept by the private sector operator (British Energy). Information as far as the public sector is concerned, in respect of Magnox Electric reactors, Calder Hall and Chapelcross (operated by BNFL) and Dounreay (operated by UKAEA), in each of the last 10 years, is not readily available in the format required and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Low Pay
  Mr. Tom King
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many(a) full-time and (b) part-time employees of her 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. [4192]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  The Department employs no staff with an hourly rate of pay less than £3.50. It employs a total of 100 staff paid at less than £4 an hour. Of these 12 work part-time. Part-time staff are paid at the same annual rate of pay as full-time staff.

  Retail Petrol Industry
  Mr. Moss
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) for what reasons the Director General of Fair Trading did not meet the undertaking given to the Trade and Industry Committee in 1996 that the quadrennial review of the retail petrol industry would be brought forward to early 1997; [3838]

  (2) what are the terms of reference for the quadrennial review of the retail petrol industry to be undertaken by the Director General of Fair Trading; and if she will make a statement. [3839]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  I am informed that, following the Trade and Industry Select Committee hearing on 16 December 1996, the Office of Fair Trading did in fact start preliminary work on the review in January. They commenced the review itself in April, as the Director General of Fair Trading stated in his recent press notice.
  387
  The review is focusing on the key indicators identified by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission in their 1990 report on the supply of petrol: market structure, profitability and prices. It is also looking at the longer-term market trends to see whether it is possible to draw any conclusions about the future competitiveness of the market and whether it will continue to operate to the benefit of consumers.

  Oil Exploration Licences
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade under what circumstances she has the power to suspend oil exploration licences issued in the 17th round; and what would be the impact on public funds of such action. [3849]

  Mr. Battle
  There is no provision in the United Kingdom's petroleum licensing legislation for the suspension of production licences such as those awarded in the 17th Seaward Round. The circumstances in which 17th Round licences can be revoked are set out in Schedule 4 to the Petroleum (Production) (Seaward Areas) Regulations 1988 as amended.

  Renewable Energy
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will provide increased support for(a) solar energy and (b) other renewable energy technologies. [3018]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 16 June 1997]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Stoke on Trent, North (Ms Walley) on 10 June 1997, Official Report, column 417.

  Wind Power
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many wind power generating farms there are in the United Kingdom; how many machines they contain; and how many of the blades she estimates have been broken in each of the last 10 years. [4049]

  Mr. Battle
  At 18 June 1997, there were 43 windfarms, each comprising three or more turbines, operating in the UK, totalling 740 turbines in all. My Department does not maintain records of broken wind turbine blades.

  Dounreay (Contamination)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what notification she has received from the Atomic Energy Authority management at Dounreay in respect of their plans to clean up radioactive particles from the beaches close to the plant; and if she will consult the National Radiological Project Board on its recent radiological assessment of beaches near to Dounreay. [3819]

  Mr. Battle
  The UKAEA has kept my Department fully informed of their plans for dealing with the Dounreay beach particles. The UKAEA is conducting an extensive search to find the source of these particles. Meanwhile it continues to monitor local beaches removing any particles it finds.

  The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), the independent environmental regulator, recently commissioned the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) to undertake a survey of the beach at Sandside
  388
  Bay near Dounreay following discovery of a particle there by UKAEA during routine monitoring. No further particles were detected.

  Patenting of Animals
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations she has received concerning the patenting of animals; and if she will make a statement. [3227]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 17 June 1997]: I am replying because my department has overall responsibility for intellectual property policy. My department has received one representation from Compassion in World Farming concerning a proposal from the European Commission on the patenting of biotechnological inventions. I understand that the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has also received a representation from Compassion in World Farming concerning the patenting of animals.

  Solar Power
  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what factors underlie the allocation of funding by her Department to the promotion of(a) the oil and gas industry and (b) the deployment of solar power in Britain. [4443]

  Mr. John Battle
  (a) The DTI sponsors the UK companies which supply goods and services to the oil, gas and petrochemicals industry in the UK and abroad. Funds are directed at actions to increase the technological capability and international competitiveness of these supplier companies and to promote exports.

  (b) The DTI sponsors the new and renewable energy industry, which encompasses solar energy. In line with our manifesto commitment to undertake a new and strong drive to develop renewable energy sources, I recently announced a review of policy including considerations of what would be necessary and practicable to achieve 10 per cent. of UK's electricity needs by the year 2010, and how renewables, including solar, can make an effective contribution to meeting requirements for future greenhouse gas reduction commitments. In the meantime, the Government's new and renewable energy programme, currently under way, will continue.

  The Government will be considering the balance of activities within the spending plans it inherited to ensure that they reflect the Government's priorities, through the Comprehensive Spending Review, announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 11 June 1997.

  Mr. Cook
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the number of jobs which could result from the development and widespread use of solar power in Britain. [4441]

  Mr. Battle
  My Department has not yet made any assessment of this kind. The current estimate of the number of people working directly on photovoltaics in the UK is around 250 and on active solar heating it is 160.

  Mr. Cook
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what measures her Department is undertaking to ensure that(a) its own and (b) other suitable Government buildings are fitted with solar photovoltaic panels. [4386]
  389
  Mr. Battle
  Continuing energy savings targets require that departments consider and implement means of reducing energy consumption. The use of photovoltaic cells is one method that departments and their professional advisers consider in seeking to reduce the amount of electricity supplied from the grid to buildings they are responsible for.

  At the time of the refurbishment of the DTI Headquarter's Building at 1 Victoria Street and the designing of the Department of Environment's new Headquarter's building Eland House, thorough cost-benefit analyses of the potential for utilising PV were carried out. In the light of those analyses, it was decided that it would not be cost-effective to install PV modules in either building. Cost-benefit analyses typically consider the life cycle costings and total energy consumption for an installation.

  Mr. Cook
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade pursuant to her recent speech, (1) what measures her Department is undertaking to promote the use of solar power; [4385]

  (2) what measures apart from the Scholar Programme her Department is undertaking to increase the use of solar electric power in (a) homes and (b) offices; [4440]

  (3) what measures her Department is undertaking to create a market in Britain for the British solar photovoltaic industry. [4442]

  Mr. Battle
  I announced on 6 June,Official Report column 273, a review of Government policy on new and renewable energy including looking at all aspects of its support for solar energy. In the meantime my Department's New and Renewable Energy Programme, which includes work on solar energy, will continue.

  Also, in addition to the SCOLAR programme under the Technology Foresight initiative, the Office of Science and Technology funds a programme of basic and applied research into solar energy, including photovoltaics, through the Engineering and Physical Science Research Council.

  Transco (Price Controls)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Presidents of the Board of Trade when she expects to make a decision on the Monopolies and Mergers Commission inquiry into price controls on Transco. [4392]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  The Director General of Gas Supply published the MMC report on 18 June. Under the provisions of the Gas Act 1986, it is her responsibility to respond to the MMC's conclusions.

  Airlines (Alliance)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she expects to make a decision on the proposed alliance between British Airways and American Airlines. [4387]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  The UK competition authorities are currently considering the proposed alliance between British Airways and American Airlines, in consultation with the European Commission. It is not the practice of my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade 390
  to comment publicly on the timing or substance of competition cases in which she will be responsible for making a decision.

  Travel Industry
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she expects to receive the report from the Monopolies and Mergers Commission on vertical integration in the travel trade. [4390]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  The Monopolies and Mergers Commission (MMC) report on foreign package holidays is due to be delivered to my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade on 6 November 1997.

  Beer Companies (Merger)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she expects to make a decision on the proposed merger between Bass and Carlsberg Tetley. [4389]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  The Monopolies and Mergers Commission (MMC) report on the proposed merger between Bass and Carlsberg-Tetley will be published as quickly as is practicable. I cannot comment on the likely publication date of the MMC report or its contents, since this information is market sensitive. Copies of the report will be laid before Parliament at the same time as it is published.

  Electrical Goods
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she expects to make a decision on the inquiry into the alleged price fixing of electrical goods. [4391]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  The Monopolies and Mergers Commission (MMC) report on domestic electrical goods will be published as quickly as is practicable. I cannot comment on the likely publication date of the MMC report or its contents, since this information is market sensitive. Copies of the report will be laid before Parliament at the same time as it is published.

  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will include an assessment of public opinion on the operation of manufacturers' recommended retail prices in her consideration of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report into the electrical goods industry. [4602]

  Mr. Griffiths
  The report remains confidential until publication. I am not able to comment until then.

  Electricity Industry (Competition)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions she has had with the Director General of Offer over the timetable for the introduction of competition in the domestic electricity market. [4396]

  Mr. Battle
  I have had discussions with the Director General on many of the strategic issues on the 1998 electricity supply market liberalisation. At my request, he made a report on the current status of the programme of work, and his proposals for future progress to a timely and successful conclusion. PA Consulting, the Overall Programme Managers for the electricity market liberalisation, also produced a report. Both of these reports were published on 29 May. Recently, the Director
  391
  General and I met the Chief Executives of the Public Electricity Suppliers and the Electricity Pool to discuss the practical implementation of the proposals. It was agreed that the Director General's proposals should be accepted as the basis to take the programme forward.

  Recommended Retail Price Scheme
  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what public consultations she has held in respect of the future of the recommended retail price scheme; and if she will make a statement. [4601]

  Mr. Griffiths
  My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has held no public consultations in respect of the future of the recommended retail price scheme.

  The Government plans, as part of its reform of competition law, to replace the Resale Prices Act 1976 with a tough prohibition approach to deal with anti-competitive agreements, practices and behaviour. There will be a consultation process over the summer before a Competition Bill is introduced in the autumn.

  Pembroke Power Station (Orimulsion)
  Mr. Page
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she expects to announce her decision on the National Power application to convert the Pembroke power station to orimulsion. [4592]

  Mr. Battle
  My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has called for a public inquiry to be held into the application.

  Arrangements for the inquiry are currently in hand and the date, time, venue and the statement of matters which she considers relevant to her consideration of the application will be announced in due course.

  ISDN Telephone Lines
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she will next have discussions with the Director General of Oftel regarding the cost of installing ISDN telephone lines; and if she will evaluate the costs of installing lines in the United Kingdom relative to those in Europe. [4733]

  Mr. Battle
  The pricing of ISDN is a matter for Oftel. Oftel reviewed ISDN prices in 1996 and as a result BT provided more flexible connection pricing arrangements in October of that year for basic rate ISDN (ISDN 2). Although BT's connection charges are high compared with our European neighbours, recent benchmarking studies have shown that the monthly rental and call charges are both very competitive, which means that the overall annual cost of using ISDN in the UK is one of the most competitive in the world.

  Nuclear Material
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what were the volumes of(a) low-level nuclear material, (b) medium-level nuclear material and (c) high-level nuclear material which were (i) imported into and (ii) exported from Great Britain for each year from 1980 to 1996. [4648]
  392
  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 20 June 1997]: Approximately 3,507 tonnes of spent fuel, which is categorised as high-level nuclear material, from overseas is currently held in the UK, after which the majority of the nuclear material will be reprocessed and exported to the country of origin.

  The volumes of nuclear material for the whole of the UK cover many thousands of import and export transactions every year, and involve other nuclear materials such as isotopes for hospitals, industry, and academic institutions. The data requested, in respect of all these transactions covering each year from 1980 to 1996, could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list the countries in 1996 (i) from which Britain imported(a) nuclear fuel, (b) spent nuclear fuel and (c) nuclear waste and (ii) to which Britain exported (1) nuclear fuel, (2) spent nuclear fuel and (3) nuclear waste. [4649]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 20 June 1997]: In 1996, (i) Britain imported (a) nuclear fuel from Germany, France and Belgium (b) spent fuel from Japan, Germany, Switzerland, Netherlands and Australia (c) no nuclear waste and (ii) exported (1) nuclear fuel to Indonesia, Netherlands, France, Germany, Canada, Australia (2) spent nuclear fuel to France, and (3) no nuclear waste.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what the estimated volume is of(a) high-level nuclear material, (b) medium-level nuclear material and (c) low-level nuclear material currently in Great Britain. [4645]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 20 June 1997]: The volumes of undisposed radioactive waste in stock and predicted to arise in the UK are routinely reported in the UK Radioactive Waste Inventory, published by Nirex Limited, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House. Based on the latest update, provided by Nirex, together in the 1994 Inventory, and assuming uniform rates of future arisings the estimated volumes of waste in stock on 1 April 1997 are:

  (i) high-level: 2,000m3

  (ii) intermediate-level: 74,000m3

  (iii) low-level: 18,000m3

  1Low-level waste is routinely disposed of to Drigg and hence it has been assumed that the vast majority of arisings, between 1994 and 1997, have been disposed of.

  Calculating the total of all nuclear materials currently in the UK, which would include industry, hospitals and academic institutions, could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Nuclear Industry (US Representations)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations the Government have received, since 1 May, from the United States Government concerning the nuclear industry; and what discussions between representatives of the two Governments have taken place on this issue. [4644]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 20 June 1997]: My Department has received no specific representations from the US Government on nuclear issues since 1 May 1997.

  393
  My officials have had discussions with representatives of the US Government with whom they maintain regular contact on both a bilateral and multilateral basis. These discussions have covered a range of issues of continuing mutual interest, including disposition of surplus US and Russian fissile materials; verification of nuclear materials; management of decommissioning; nuclear transport; the international liability regime; fusion research; and nuclear safety in Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Union including preparations for the discussions on these issues at the Summit of the Eight at Denver on 20–22 June.

  Dixons
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will investigate the timing of sales of shares in Dixons. [5109]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  It is the Department's longstanding policy not to discuss the affairs of individual companies.

  My Department takes seriously its role in the investigation of any misconduct, and is always keen to receive any information which might assist in deciding if enquiries are needed.

  If the hon. Member has any information which he feels ought to be brought to my attention, he should do so as soon as possible.

  Gas Industry (Competition)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussion she has had with the Director General of Ofgas over the establishment of criteria for effective competition in the domestic gas market; and if she will make a statement. [4394]

  Mr. Battle
  The Government consider that the extension of competition on as wide a basis as possible is in the, interests of gas consumers. The securing of effective competition is a part of the Director General's statutory duties, and it is for her as an independent regulator to decide how to interpret and achieve that duty.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she expects Ofgas to announce the next phases of gas competition. [4393]

  Mr. Battle
  I understand that the Director General of Gas Supply intends to issue proposals for consultation shortly.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Adult Education (Funding)
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement about the future funding of adult education. [3276]

  Dr. Howells
  Under the Further and Higher Education Act 1992, statutory responsibility for securing the adequate provision of adult further education is divided between local education authorities—which are responsible for the more informal adult further education courses in their areas—and the Further Education Funding Council—which is responsible for those courses described in the Act under schedule 2 as having national 394
  significance, such as basic skills course, access courses and those which lead to academic or vocational qualifications.

  My right hon. Friend recently announced that Professor Bob Fryer will chair a national advisory group on adult learning to advise on all issues relating to adult learning.

  Welfare-to-work Programme
  Mrs. Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what employment or training initiatives the Government plans to introduce under the welfare-to-work programme for those who have been unemployed for less than six months. [4376]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Our current priority is the introduction of the New Deal for young people out of work for six months or more. Help will continue to be available immediately to all those who become unemployed.

  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the proposed locations of the Government's welfare-to-work projects; and what criteria govern these decisions. [4579]

  Mr. Howarth
  Our New Deal for young and long-term unemployed people will operate throughout the United Kingdom. All unemployed people who are eligible will have a chance to participate in this initiative, which is designed to help them from welfare into sustained employment as quickly as possible.

  Drugs
  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the total amount(a) spent and (b) allocated by his Department on tackling problems relating to drugs in respect of (i) developing prevention publicity, education and community action and (ii) improving treatment and rehabilitation, for (1) 1994, (2) 1995, (3) 1996 and (4) 1997. [4797]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Information on total Government and individual Departments' expenditure on tackling drug misuse is not recorded on an annual basis. The most recently available estimates were published in the White Paper "Tackling Drugs Together" in May 1995. They show that at least £526 million of expenditure in 1993–94 could be directly attributable to drug programmes and activities across the UK.

  The Government will be appointing a "drug czar" to co-ordinate action against drugs, working to the President of the Council as Chair of the Cabinet's co-ordinating committee on drug misuse. One of his/her first tasks will be to review urgently the existing drugs strategy, and to put forward proposals for tackling the problem with renewed vigour. This review will include current Government expenditure.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what research has been commissioned by his Department to identify the level of drug abuse at each level of the education system. [5089]
  395
  Ms Morris
  A good deal of research is available on levels of drug abuse which, while not necessarily commissioned by my Department, is taken into account when planning initiatives to support drug education in schools.

  My Department did provide funding for an evaluation of The Advisory Council for Alcohol and Drug Education's—TACADE's—"Skills for Life" PSE programme for secondary schools, which had a particular emphasis on drug education. This included research into students' experience of drugs and the level of reported drug taking by students in a small sample of schools, as well as an in-depth study of how those schools were implementing the programme. A report will be published shortly. In addition, my Department has recently produced a booklet outlining the results of the independent evaluation reports of a number of LEA innovative drug education projects supported by our Grants for Education Support and Training—GEST—programme in 1995–96. These projects researched and trailled a range of different approaches to drug education work. A copy is in the Library.

  Early Excellence Centres
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment where he proposes to site the 25 early excellence centres; and on what criteria his judgment as to their location will be based. [4578]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  We shall invite proposals for a national pilot programme of early excellence centres. We are considering the criteria for centres, and will make an announcement soon.

  Assisted Places
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received about primary aged children in receipt of an assisted place who will lose assisted status at the age of 11 years. [4744]

  Mr. Byers
  I have received correspondence from bodies representing schools offering assisted places to primary age children, and from others, about the phasing out of the assisted places scheme.

  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many pupils residing in the Colchester parliamentary constituency benefit from an assisted place. [5005]

  Mr. Byers
  Information about the constituency area from which assisted pupils originate is not collected centrally. There are no schools participating in the assisted places scheme in the Colchester constituency.

  Class Sizes
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the average class size in state sector education in(a) England, (b) Wales, (c) Scotland, (d) Northern Ireland and (e) the United Kingdom for the most recent year for which he has figures. [4589]
  396
  Mr. Byers
  The available information on average class sizes is shown in the table.

  Average class sizes1,2: 1995–96

  One teacher classes

  Primary

  Secondary

  Primary

  All classes3 Secondary

  United Kingdom

  4—

  4—

  27.0

  521.6

  England

  27.3

  21.7

  27.5

  21.9

  Wales

  4—

  4—

  25.9

  20.2

  Scotland

  4—

  4—

  24.8

  19.5

  Northern Ireland

  24.1

  4—

  24.1

  —

  1Data on class sizes was collected at different times of the academic year in the different countries: January 1996 for England and Wales, September 1995 for Scotland and October 1995 for Northern Ireland.

  2In Northern Ireland, for data collection purposes, a class is defined as a group of pupils normally in the charge of one teacher.

  3"All classes" figures include classes where more than one teacher may be present.

  4Not available.

  5Great Britain only.

  Passive Smoking
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he is taking to raise awareness in schools of the dangers of passive smoking. [5084]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Education about the harmful effects of smoking remains a statutory requirement as part of National Curriculum science. The Department has issued guidance to schools on their contribution towards ensuring that pupils are made aware of all the health risks associated with smoking, including passive smoking; and to teachers on addressing smoking within the school curriculum and on appropriate smoking education materials.

  Teacher Education
  Jane Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on his plans to improve initial teacher education. [5072]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  I hope to be announcing new requirements for courses of initial teacher training later this week.

  White Paper
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he will publish an Education White Paper. [4891]

  Mr. Byers
  A White Paper setting out the Government's agenda for raising standards in schools will be published in early July.

  Specialist Schools
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the criteria will be for the next round of applications for specialist schools. [4892]
  397
  Ms Estelle Morris
  The new criteria will retain the benefits of the existing arrangements but will include an emphasis on collaboration with other schools and the wider community. We expect that revised criteria will be available to schools during July.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what resources he plans to provide to ensure that sports specialist schools in the state education system develop into a network. [4893]

  Ms Morris
  The resources for specialist sports colleges, as with all programmes, will be considered as part of the Department's review of its spending plans.

  State Schools
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the total value of balances held by state schools in England. [5066]

  Mr. Byers
  Balances carried forward at the end of the financial year 1995–96 by county, voluntary and special schools maintained by LEAs in England are provisionally estimated by the Department to have amounted in total to about £580 million. These figures are derived from the LMS outturn statements published by LEAs under section 122 of the Education Act 1996—formerly section 42 of the Education Reform Act 1988£and represent surpluses net of any deficits.

  The financial monitoring of schools in the grant-maintained sector is the responsibility of the Funding Agency for Schools, and I have asked the Chairman of the Funding Agency to arrange for a reply to be sent to the hon. Member in respect of the sector.

HEALTH

  Brachial Plexus Injuries
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if all health authorities record the incidence of brachial plexus injuries. [4047]

  Ms Jowell
  Information is collected on the number of babies admitted to hospital with a primary diagnosis of brachial plexus injuries. The number of babies with brachial plexus injuries diagnosed at birth who are not readmitted to hospital is not known.

  Smoking
  Mr. Barron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will publish the 1996 smoking prevalence data. [4507]

  Ms Jowell
  It is planned to publish as follows:

  (i)preliminary results from the 1996–97 General Household Survey including smoking prevalence for adults, during autumn 1997;

  (ii)"Smoking Among Secondary Schoolchildren in 1996", later this year.

  Dental Services (Wiltshire)
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the money allocated to the Wiltshire health authority from the general dental service access fund 1996–97 has been 398
  allocated to dental practices in the health authority region; how it has been distributed; and to what extent this funding has satisfied the criteria set out in the bid. [4790]

  Mr. Milburn
  Yes. The funding is being used to meet the aims identified in the health authority's bid.

  Private Medical Insurance (Tax Relief)
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment he has made of the impact on NHS(a) costs and (b) receipts from private medical insurers if tax relief on private medical insurance for the over-60s were removed; [5081]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the potential impact on NHS waiting lists as a result of increased demand if tax relief on private medical insurance for the over 60s were removed. [5108]

  Mr. Milburn
  None.

  Funding Formula
  Mr. Truswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to review the market forces factor in the NHS funding allocation formula; and what weight he will attach to representations submitted to his Department by(a) Leeds Community Health Council and (b) others. [52911

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

  We will consider all representations received.

  Accident and Emergency Departments
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the average waiting times at accident and emergency departments at the Royal Free Hospital, Whittington, Homerton, Royal London and the North Middlesex; and if he will make a statement. [4410]

  Mr. Milburn
  The Department does not currently collect information on average waiting times in accident and emergency departments.

  Information is collected on the Patient's Charter standards for immediate assessment in accident and emergency, which is published annually in the NHS Performance Tables; and admission to a hospital bed through accident and emergency by health authority.

  We understand from the health authorities concerned that the percentages of patients needing hospital admission through accident and emergency who were admitted within two hours and four hours for the three months to 31 March 1997 were as set out in the table.

  Hospital

  Percentage of patients admitted within two hours

  Percentage of patients admitted within four hours

  The Royal Free Hospital

  56.8

  83.9

  Whittington

  32.0

  69.0

  Homerton

  77.5

  95.0

  Royal London

  87.2

  98.5

  North Middlesex

  79.0

  100.0

  Source:

  Health authorities' unpublished information.

  Northwick Park and St. Mark's Hospital Trust
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what specific proposals have been put forward by the Northwick Park and St. Mark's Hospital Trust to recover from its deficit; what targets his Department has set; and what progress has been made towards them. [4619]

  Mr. Milburn
  The trust has in place a recovery plan, jointly agreed with Brent and Harrow Health Authority and the NHS Executive, which includes a variety of measures to ensure that it achieves financial balance within a 2-year time scale. Progress has been made on this with the trust having identified just under £6 million savings for this year, predominately from non-clinical budgets. The NHS Executive will continue to monitor the situation.

  Drugs and Medicines Spending
  Ms Hodge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent in real terms on drugs and medicines by the NHS in each of the last 10 years. [5076]

  Mr. Milburn
  The information requested is shown in the table.

  Total NHS spending on drugs

  £ million

  Year

  Family Health Services drugs

  Hospital and Community Health service drugs

  Total (Cash)

  Total (Real)

  1986–87

  1,378

  318

  1,696

  2,619

  1987–88

  1,536

  352

  1,888

  2,768

  1988–89

  1,744

  380

  2,124

  2,919

  1989–90

  1,942

  414

  2,356

  3,026

  1990–91

  2,080

  460

  2,540

  3,021

  1991–92

  2,317

  591

  2,908

  3,251

  1992–93

  2,641

  643

  3,284

  3,523

  1993–94

  2,951

  710

  3,661

  3,817

  1994–95

  3,230

  764

  3,994

  4,091

  1995–96

  3,498

  874

  4,372

  4,372

  Please note that the real figures are given to a 1995–96 baseline.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Legal Profession (Recruitment)
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is his Department's policy concerning the recruitment of people to the legal profession from a wider variety of social backgrounds; and if he will make a statement. [3121]

  Mr. Hoon
  Recruitment to the legal profession is primarily a matter for the profession itself. Both the Bar Council and the Law Society have adopted policies designed to ensure that entrance to the profession is based on merit alone. The Government believes that opportunities in the legal profession should be open to those from the widest possible variety of social backgrounds.

  Civil Aid Certificates
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what are the current rights of a non-assisted third party to challenge the issue of a civil aid certificate to a party in a proceeding; and if he will make a statement. [3122]

  Mr. Hoon
  It is open to anyone to make representations to the Legal Aid Board about the issue of a legal aid certificate in civil proceedings, in relation either the merits of the case or the financial eligibility of the applicant.

  Crown Courts
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the administration of the Crown courts. [3123]

  Mr. Hoon
  Since April 1995, the administration of the Crown courts has been the responsibility of the Chief Executive of the Court Service under the terms of the Framework Document for the Agency.

  Magistracy
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what proposals he has to ensure that the magistracy is representative of political opinions and ethnic balance. [3124]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Lord Chancellor requires his Advisory Committees to draw candidates for the lay magistracy from a broad a spectrum of the community so as to ensure, as far as is possible, that those recommended for appointment broadly reflect the communities which they will serve. Both political affiliation and ethnic origin are taken into account.

  Monmouth and Chepstow Magistrates Courts
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the future of Chepstow and Monmouth court house. [3125]

  Mr. Hoon
  1 would refer my Hon. Friend to the written answer I gave to his question, on 12 June this year,Official Report, 12 June 1997, column 548.

  Magistrates Courts Committees
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department by what mechanism local magistrates courts committees consult(a) local authorities and (b) local hon. Members on proposals to merge benches of magistrates. [3127]

  Mr. Hoon
  Section 33 of the Justices of the Peace Act 1997 provides that a magistrates courts committee may submit to the Lord Chancellor a draft order proposing changes to the petty sessional divisions, or PSDs, in its area. Section 34 of the Act requires a magistrates courts committee to consult all the magistrates of the affected benches and the relevant paying authority, before the Lord Chancellor may consider any application for change under section 33.
  401
  MCCs are not required to consult Members direct, although section 34 also requires that notices be placed in local newspapers and the local courthouses. In practice the vast majority of MCCs consult more extensively than the Act stipulates.

  Marriage Support
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what evaluation he plans to make of the current pilot programme of marriage support projects. [4075]

  Mr. Hoon
  The main aim of the pilot programme is to identify the types of service which support marriage most effectively. All the projects include an element of monitoring and evaluation, and organisations are required to provide an interim report on progress to the end of the calendar year 1997, followed by a full evaluation on completion of the project.

  The Department will assess the effectiveness of the pilot projects in terms of their achievement of specific aims and objectives, and their cost-effectiveness.

  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what support he proposes to give to enable successful marriage support projects to continue once the current pilot programme has been completed. [4074]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Department's programme of marriage support projects started on 1 April 1997. The programme will run for a year, and it is too early yet to identify the successful projects. The results of the pilot programme will be one of the factors taken into account by my right hon. and noble Friend the Lord Chancellor in deciding on the future funding of marriage support projects.

  Magistrates
  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if records are kept which show in relation to lay justices and stipendiary magistrates(a) the average length of trials before them, (b) the average fines imposed by them and (c) the number of successful appeals from them. [5031]

  Mr. Hoon
  This information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what criteria exist to enable comparisons between the performance of lay magistrates and stipendiary magistrates. [5033]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Lord Chancellor's Department does not attempt to draw comparisons between the performance of judicial officers.

  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to require stipendiary magistrates to sit with lay justices. [5034]

  Mr. Hoon
  There are some situations, for example in the youth court and the family court, where either law or practice requires stipendiary magistrates to sit with lay justices. There are no current plans to add to these categories.
  402
  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment he has made of the savings in cost and time from appointing a higher proportion of stipendiary magistrates. [5035]

  Mr. Hoon
  No formal assessment has been made of the savings in cost and time which might result from appointing a higher proportion of stipendiary magistrates. The Study of Delay in the Criminal Justice System (the Narey Report), contained no specific cost-benefit analysis.

  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many of the justices of the peace in England are qualified barristers or solicitors. [5036]

  Mr. Hoon
  No records are kept of the numbers of justices of the peace who are qualified barristers or solicitors.

  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what percentage of the magistrates courts in England and Wales are equipped to cater for magistrates who are registered disabled. [5038]

  Mr. Hoon
  As magistrates court buildings are the responsibility of the local authorities this information is not centrally held. The design standards set down for magistrates courts since 1991 require the magistrates' entry into the courthouse and access to a proportion of the courtrooms to be suitable for wheelchairs. Provision is also made for loop induction systems to be provided for those with hearing impairments. Disabled toilet facilities are also provided within the magistrates' circulation area. Applications by local authorities for grant aid to adapt older magistrates courts to provide improved facilities for disabled users including magistrates are treated as high priority bids when allocating capital grant.

  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what percentage of magistrates in England and Wales are registered disabled. [5040]

  Mr. Hoon
  No records are kept for the percentage of magistrates in England and Wales who are registered disabled.

  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what percentage of(a) lay magistrates and (b) stipendiary magistrates are from an ethnic minority background. [5041]

  Mr. Hoon
  (a) a survey of the ethnic origin of lay magistrates was begun in February 1997 and the results are expected to be available in early October.

  (b) 2 per cent. of stipendiary magistrates are from an ethnic minority background.

  Mr. Malone
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will establish a working group to report on the quality of justice and the relative case disposal rate of lay justices and stipendiary magistrates. [5030]

  Mr. Hoon
  The working party on the role of the stipendiary magistracy reported in February 1996. There are no current plans to commission a further study.

  Court Costs
  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the average cost per day
  403
  to the Exchequer of (a) a Crown court, (b) a magistrates court with lay justices sitting and (c) a magistrates court with a stipendiary magistrate sitting. [5032]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Home Office "Model of Flows and Costs in the Criminal Justice Process" for 1995–96 shows the total cost excluding capital expenditure in the Crown Court was £202,544,937 and in the magistrates' courts for criminal matters was £257,885,498. The number of days sat in the Crown Court in 1996 was 90,956. The number of hours sat in the magistrates' courts in 1996 was 1,173,071. It is not possible to break this information down between lay and stipendiary magistrates.

  Judicial Training
  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to improve the(a) race and (b) gender awareness of (i) judges, (ii) stipendiary magistrates and (iii) lay justices. [5042]

  Mr. Hoon
  Judicial training is the responsibility of the Judicial Studies Board (JSB), which is a non-departmental governmental body. Following a major programme of seminars in ethnic minority awareness between 1994 and 1996 for circuit judges, recorders, assistant recorders, district judges and stipendiary magistrates, the JSB continues to include such training as part of induction training for newly appointed assistant recorders and deputy district judges. It has also held a number of sessions in both induction and continuation training on equal treatment, including gender awareness, and is considering how training in this area might be developed.

  Lay magistrate training is delivered by magistrates courts committees but the JSB has a role in setting the syllabus. Lay magistrates already address the issue of equal treatment for all in the light of their judicial oath and the JSB has recently begun a study to identify the skills and knowledge required by lay magistrates to ensure equality of treatment for all who appear in their courts.

  Legal Aid
  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what percentage of persons charged with serious criminal offences in(a) 1994, (b) 1995 and (c) 1996 were legally aided. [5044]

  Mr. Hoon
  96.6 per cent of those dealt with on indictment in the Crown Court in 1994 were legally aided. The figures for 1995 and 1996 were 96.0 per cent. and 95.3 per cent. respectively.

  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what percentage of legally aided persons in all criminal proceedings in(a) 1994, (b) 1995 and (c) 1996 received custodial sentences. [5045]

  Mr. Hoon
  This information is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

  Justices Clerks
  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many clerks and deputy clerks to justices there are in England and Wales; and how many of these are qualified solicitors or banisters. [5037]
  404
  Mr. Hoon
  According to records held by the Justices Clerk Society there are 204 justices clerks in England and Wales. All are qualified banisters or solicitors. There are around 230 people who are designated as deputies for justices clerks. Of these some 30 are neither banisters nor solicitors.

  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if it is his practice to ensure that lay magistrates always sit with clerks who are qualified as solicitors or barristers. [5039]

  Mr. Hoon
  Under the provisions of the Justices of the Peace Act 1997, magistrates courts are local managed. Decisions on which clerk advises which bench are therefore taken locally. The qualifications required of clerks in magistrates courts are set out in the Justices' Clerks (Qualification of Assistants) Rules 1979.

  Chief Stipendiary Magistrates
  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the future of the office of chief stipendiary magistrate. [5043]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Lord Chancellor hopes shortly to designate one of the metropolitan stipendiary magistrates to be chief metropolitan stipendiary magistrate in succession to Mr. Peter Badge.

  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if it is his policy to appoint future chief stipendiary magistrates from among existing stipendiary magistrates. [5029]

  Mr. Hoon
  Section 16(3) of the Justices of the Peace Act 1997 requires the Lord Chancellor to designate one of the metropolitan stipendiary magistrates to be the chief metropolitan stipendiary magistrate.

  Judicial Appointments
  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to review the system for appointing judges. [3118]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Government proposes to consult later this year on the merits of a Judicial Appointments Commission and whether it should be established.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Integrated Schools
  Kate Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will ensure that when an integrated school is established in an area, funds are not reduced for other local schools. [3342]

  Mr. Worthington
  A key principle of the local management of schools arrangements is that a large part of a school's budget is determined largely by the enrolment. If the take-up of places in new grant-maintained schools affect the enrolments in other schools, it could also have implications for the budgets of those schools which will, of course, then have lower running costs.
  405
  Kate Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will provide additional funding in the next financial year to encourage the establishment of integrated schools. [3343]

  Mr. Worthington
  In the coming months I intend to review, in consultation with relevant interests, the present approach to the establishment of integrated schools to determine how best to encourage the development of this sector. It is too early to say how much, if any, additional funding will be made available next year.

  Bed Blocking
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many hospital patients(a) in Northern Ireland and (b) in the Ulster, North Down and Ards Trust, assessed as ready for institutional care in the community, are currently bed blocking; and if she will make a statement on the factors underlying the bed blocking. [3830]

  Mr. Worthington
  This information is not collected on a routine basis. However, recent surveys carried out be the four health and social services boards indicated that there were some 127 hospital patients who had been assessed as needing either residential or nursing home care and who had been waiting more than two weeks while arrangements were being made for that care. Of these patients 29 were in the Ulster North Down and Ards Trust. A survey of discharge delays carried out by the Eastern Health and Social Services Board found that there were a number of reasons for such delays. While pressure on community care budgets was a contributory cause in more than half the cases,"patient or relative disagreement with the assessment outcome",
  and
  "patient choice of accommodation not being available"
  were causes in nearly 20 per cent. of cases. The remaining were due to other reasons such as "housing preparation", "changes in medical condition" and "unavailability of specialist equipment."

  Hunt Kennels
  Mrs. Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list those hunt kennels which the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland Veterinary Service assessed to be unsatisfactory under the BSE enforcement programme, since 1 January. [3825]

  Mr. Murphy
  The following list details the hunt kennels which the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland Veterinary Service assessed to be unsatisfactory under the BSE enforcement programme, since 1 January:

  Killultagh Hunt Kennels

  Newry Harriers

  East Antrim Hounds.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many disability living allowance reviews and appeals took place last year; what percentage were successful; what is the average cost of each such procedure; and if she will make a statement on the impact on the work of her Department of the total number of decisions which were overturned. [3828]
  406
  Mr. Worthington
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Social Security Agency under its Chief Executive, Mr. Alec Wylie, and I have asked him to arrange for a response to be given.

  Letter from Alec Wylie to Mr. Robert McCartney, dated 17 June 1997:
  I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about Disability Living Allowance reviews and appeals.
  The information you requested on the number of reviews and appeals is set out in the attached tables.
  I regret that information on the cost of review and appeal procedures is not maintained separately and to provide this would require a major clerical exercise generating disproportionate costs.
  As many customers provide additional evidence throughout the adjudication process, it is inevitable that some of the original decisions will be overturned at the review and appeal stages. Experience also shows that most customers routinely ask for a review or appeal where the higher rates of Disability Living Allowance have not been awarded. In most cases, arrears of benefit arising from overturned decisions are calculated and paid by computer which means that the impact of this work on the Social Security Agency is minimal.
  I hope this explains the position for you but I would be happy to provide any further information you require.

  Table No. 1: Review decisions implemented during 1996

  Year

  Number of review decisions

  Success rate

  1996 (January to December)

  22,253

  33.7 per cent. (7,497)

  Table No. 2: Tribunal decisions implemented during 1996

  Year

  Decisions of appeal tribunal implemented

  Success rate

  1996 (January to December)

  3,358

  36.6 per cent. (1,230)

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will permit housing benefit to be made available in the form of loans for deposits and first month's advance rental on private sector accommodation. [3831]

  Mr. Worthington
  No. There is no provision within the housing benefit legislation for the award of loans and there are no plans to change this policy.

  The Northern Ireland Housing Executive is supporting a rent guarantee scheme, which avoids the requirement for an advance or deposit, operated by the Simon Community (NI), a voluntary organisation working with the homeless. The scheme is currently operating as a pilot exercise in the Belfast area and, if successful, is likely to be extended in its scope.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will ensure that the Child Support Agency distinguishes in correspondence to parents between basic payment amounts and arrears amounts; and if she will make a statement. [3827]
  407
  Mr. Worthington
  Responsibility for this subject has been delegated to the Northern Ireland Child Support Agency under its Chief Executive, Mr. Patrick Devlin, and I have asked him to arrange for a response to be given.

  Letter from P. Devlin to Mr. Robert McCartney, dated 19 June 1997:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question about distinguishing between basic payment amounts and arrears amounts in correspondence to parents.
  When a child maintenance assessment is calculated notifications are issued to both the absent parent and parent with care informing them of the amount and the effective date of the weekly liability. At this stage accounts are set up and further notifications setting out the method, frequency, amount and date of the first regular payment are sent to both parents. They are also advised of the amount of maintenance due for the initial payment period. The absent parent is advised that if he has paid any maintenance during this time for any of the children named the amount of the initial payment may be reduced to take account of monies already paid.
  If an absent parent fails to make payment on the due date he is advised that child maintenance payments are in arrears. The notification sets out the due date, amount due, amount paid/adjusted and arrears. He is also asked to pay the arrears in full or if he is unable to do so to contact the Agency immediately to discuss an agreement to pay them. The notification also advises that if an agreement to pay the arrears is reached then payments of regular maintenance must be maintained.
  I hope you find this information useful.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will estimate the cost of providing public sector dwellings for all homeless cases. [3833]

  Mr. Murphy
  It is not possible to provide an accurate estimate, since those classified as homeless by the Housing Executive are considered for allocations from the existing housing stock or from newly constructed dwellings. They may also be temporarily housed at present in hostels or bed and breakfast accommodation. The national cost of providing new dwellings for the estimated 4,000 currently classified as homeless would be £140 million.

  Right to Buy
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will amend the rules of the Housing Executive preventing sales of ground floor dwellings to those becoming tenants after the age of 60 years so as to permit house sales in certain circumstances. [3829]

  Mr. Murphy
  This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and its Chief Executive has advised me that in August 1996 the Housing Executive Board reviewed this aspect of its house sales policy. It decided not to change the scheme because the present policy achieved the necessary balance between the competing needs of tenants who require an adequate supply of such accommodation and potential purchasers who wish to buy their homes.

  Rateable Values
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list for each council area the 408
  rateable value of (a) domestic and (b) other hereditaments, indicating the sums she expects to raise for each sector this year; and what were the sums raised in each of the last three years. [4071]

  Mr. Murphy
  Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Rate Collection Agency under its Chief Executive, Mr. D. W. Gallagher. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from D. W. Gallagher to Mr. William Ross, dated 18 June 1997:
  I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question on rateable values, the total rates to be collected in the 1997/98 rating year and the total rates collected in each of the past three years.
  I attach as Annexes 1' to '3' tables showing by District Council the Domestic and Non-Domestic Net Annual Values, the Gross Collectable Rate for these sectors for this rating year and the amount collected by the Rate Collection Agency from 1993/94. You will note that the Annexes have included comments where necessary to clarify the tables.
  I hope that this information is of use to you but should you require further explanation please do not hesitate to contact me.

  Annex 1

  £000s

  District council

  Domestic net annual values 1997–98

  Non-domestic net annual values 1997–98

  Antrim

  2,851

  26,885

  Ards

  5,036

  23,542

  Armagh

  3,010

  16,115

  Ballymena

  3,962

  29,250

  Ballymoney

  1,498

  7,145

  Banbridge

  2,544

  11,365

  Belfast

  17,348

  265,220

  Carrickfergus

  2,577

  12,483

  Castlereagh

  4,911

  23,855

  Coleraine

  4,342

  23,651

  Cookstown

  1,657

  11,654

  Craigavon

  4,882

  35,543

  Derry

  5,678

  53,696

  Down

  3,827

  18,822

  Dungannon

  2,375

  19,834

  Fermanagh

  3,065

  23,648

  Larne

  1,993

  16,493

  Limavady

  1,645

  9,767

  Lisburn

  7,313

  49,046

  Magherafelt

  2,022

  12,362

  Moyle

  1,006

  3,733

  Newly and Mourne

  4,571

  28,259

  Newtownabbey

  5,367

  36,988

  North Down

  6,356

  31,157

  Omagh

  2,443

  19,025

  Strabane

  1,806

  11,384

  Northern Ireland

  104,085

  820,922

  Notes:

  1. Net annual value is the yearly rent which a property could be let for assuming it was vacant and that the tenant agreed to pay the rates, keep the property in repair and be responsible for its insurance.

  2. Rateable value is the value by reference to which rates are assessed and is either the NAV or a figure derived from it taking into account any relief or exemption.

  Source:

  Valuation and Lands Agency.
  409

  Annex 2

  £000s

  District council

  Gross collectable rates—domestic 1997–98

  Gross collectable rates—non domestic 1997–98

  Antrim

  4,059

  10,639

  Ards

  8,086

  8,909

  Armagh

  4,909

  6,346

  Ballymena

  5,675

  10,376

  Ballymoney

  2,267

  2,863

  Banbridge

  3,877

  4,477

  Belfast

  28,499

  107,750

  Carrickfergus

  4,282

  5,353

  Castlereagh

  7,115

  8,359

  Coleraine

  6,588

  9,770

  Cookstown

  2,504

  3,627

  Craigavon

  7,708

  13,215

  Derry

  9,018

  24,000

  Down

  6,567

  7,983

  Dungannon

  3,486

  5,523

  Fermanagh

  4,584

  8,114

  Larne

  3,300

  6,248

  Limavady

  2,405

  3,710

  Lisburn

  10,382

  17,740

  Magherafelt

  3,097

  4,084

  Moyle

  1,584

  1,687

  Newly and Mourne

  7,624

  11,660

  Newtownabbey

  8,894

  15,693

  North Down

  12,176

  12,198

  Omagh

  3,953

  6,973

  Strabane

  2,552

  4,410

  Northern Ireland

  165,191

  321,707

  percentage to collect

  97

  98.55

  Notes:

  1. From 1 April 1997 all non-domestic NAV's and subsequently gross collectable rates for that sector require to be identified separately from domestic NAV's and rates.

  2. Non-domestic NAV's etc are in line with the Fourth General Revaluation List operative from 1 April 1997 while Domestic NAV's reflect still the values at 1 April 1976.

  Source:

  Rate Collection Agency.

  Annex 3

  £000s

  District rate

  1993–94 collected

  1994–95 collected

  1995–96 collected

  1996–97 collected

  Antrim

  10,904

  12,539

  13,326

  14,509

  Ards

  12,678

  13,553

  14,342

  15,531

  Armagh

  7,836

  8,626

  9,330

  10,205

  Ballymena

  11,753

  12,839

  13,899

  14,883

  Ballymoney

  3,789

  4,052

  4,307

  4,692

  Banbridge

  5,961

  6,706

  7,450

  8,018

  Belfast

  110,040

  116,975

  121,942

  127,304

  Carrickfergus

  8,007

  8,404

  9,072

  9,451

  Castlereagh

  10,967

  11,912

  13,215

  14,934

  Coleraine

  11,695

  12,790

  13,852

  15,387

  Cookstown

  4,307

  4,553

  4,912

  5,338

  Craigavon

  15,891

  17,034

  18,183

  20,051

  Derry

  22,589

  25,439

  28,665

  31,712

  Down

  10,033

  11,000

  12,216

  13,443

  Dungannon

  6,304

  6,828

  7,531

  8,152

  Fermanagh

  8,680

  9,334

  10,562

  11,123

  Larne

  7,149

  7,010

  7,180

  7,696

  Limavady

  4,466

  4,888

  5,405

  5,847

  Lisburn

  19,634

  21,645

  22,805

  25,053

  Magherafelt

  4,827

  5,408

  5,883

  6,425

  Moyle

  2,520

  2,700

  2,928

  3,085

  Newry and Mourne

  12,700

  14,052

  15,312

  17,569

  Newtownabbey

  18,071

  19,505

  21,128

  22,233

  410

  Annex 3

  £000s

  District rate

  1993–94 collected

  1994–95 collected

  1995–96 collected

  1996–97 collected

  North Down

  15,959

  18,019

  19,867

  21,585

  Omagh

  7,768

  8,312

  9,160

  10,166

  Strabane

  5,088

  5,425

  5,856

  6,098

  Northern Ireland

  359,414

  389,453

  417,518

  450,490

  Percentage collected

  98.23

  97.92

  98.01

  98.05

  Notes:

  1. Prior to 1 April 1997 Agency collected of rates did not differentiate between domestic and non-domestic Sectors.

  2. Rates collected includes discharges such as vacant property etc.

  Source:

  Rate Collection Agency.

  Motor Sports Events
  Mr. Trimble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what consultation motor clubs are required to undertake with residents in respect of the closing of public roads for the purpose of motor sports events. [4025]

  Mr. Murphy
  None. However the promoter of a motor race for which the Department of the Environment is making a road closing order is required by the Road Races (Northern Ireland) Order 1986 (SI 1986/1887 [NI 17]) to give adequate notice of the event. The order also requires the Department to ensure that public notice of the provisions of any road closing order are brought to the attention of the public.

  Mr. Trimble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many times public roads in Northern Ireland have been closed in each of the last five years for the purpose of staging motor sports events. [4026]

  Mr. Murphy
  The number of road closing orders made by the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland was:

  Year

  Road races

  Hill-climbs

  Kart races

  Total

  1992

  10

  9

  4

  23

  1993

  10

  8

  4

  22

  1994

  10

  8

  4

  22

  1995

  10

  8

  3

  21

  1996

  10

  7

  3

  20

  Mr. Trimble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what consultation is required between the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland, the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the Ulster Automobile Club with regard to the closing of roads in Northern Ireland for the circuit of Ireland rally. [4024]

  Mr. Murphy
  The Road Races (Northern Ireland) Order 1986 (SI 1986–87 [NI 17]) requires the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland to consult the Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary before making any road closing order in respect of a motor racing event. The Department is not required to consult the Ulster Automobile Club which is the promoter of the Circuit or Ireland Rally.

  Business Rates
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is her estimate of the rates paid as a percentage of the turnover of retail business. [4069]

  Mr. Murphy
  The information is not available because there is no estimate for Northern Ireland retail turnover separate from that of the United Kingdom.

  Electricity Prices
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland by how much the price of a unit of electric power has increased in cash and percentage terms in each of the last five years; and what factors have contributed to this increase, separately identifying those relating to the non-fossil fuels obligation. [4072]

  Mr. Ingram
  The prices charged under Northern Ireland's tariff in each of the last five years, and the year by year increases are given in the following table:

  Northern Ireland electricity tariff charges

  Year

  p/kWh1

  Percentage increase/decrease

  Percentage of which due to NFFO

  1992–93

  6.827

  —

  —

  1993–94

  7.238

  +6.02

  —

  1994–95

  7.050

  -2.60

  +0.13

  Wind

  Hydro

  Year

  GWh

  p/Kwh1

  GWh

  p/kWh1

  Other non-fossil fuel sources GWh

  p/kWh1

  Total GWh

  1992–93

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1993–94

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1994–95

  13.496

  6.507

  0.139

  7.098

  —

  —

  13.635

  1995–96

  65.252

  6.546

  0.662

  7.036

  —

  —

  65.914

  1996–97

  80.815

  6.553

  2.322

  6.851

  —

  —

  83.137

  1Average unit price.

  The total paid by Northern Ireland Electricity for non-fossil fuel energy from each source in each of the last five years is given in the following table:

  Year

  Wind £

  Hydro £

  Other non-fossil fuel sources

  Total £

  1992–93

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1993–94

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1994–95

  878,214

  9,859

  —

  880,073

  1995–96

  4,271,420

  46,592

  —

  4,318,012

  1996–97

  5,295,819

  159,049

  —

  5,454,868

  All the electrical energy generated by the renewable energy sources shown above was transmitted to customers via the electricity grid.

  Mr. Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will publish the formula used to determine the price paid for electrical power under the non-fossil fuel obligation contracts awarded under each tranche of contracts indicating the figures used in the calculations. [4067]

  Mr. Ingram
  Non-fossil fuel obligaton contracts are awarded to developers after an open competition on the basis of lowest priced bids within each renewable
  412

  Northern Ireland electricity tariff charges

  Year

  p/kWh1

  Percentage increase/decrease

  Percentage of which due to NFFO

  1995–96

  7.370

  +4.54

  +0.61

  1996–97

  7.517

  +1.99

  +0.74

  1Average unit cost based on sales.

  There were a number of factors which contributed to these increases, including the cost of coal and fuel oil on the international markets, the effects of general inflationary pressures and, to a less significant degree, the increase in the level of renewable energy production.

  Mr. Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much electrical power has been generated by(a) wind, (b) water and (c) other non-fossil fuel sources in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years for which figures are available; what was the price (i) per unit and (ii) in total paid by Northern Ireland Electricity for such energy from each source in each of these years; and how much of the electrical power generated by each source in each year was transmitted to customers via the electricity grid. [4070]

  Mr. Ingram
  The amount of electrical power which has been generated by non-fossil fuel sources in Northern Ireland during the last five years and the price paid per unit by Northern Ireland Electricity is given in the following table.

  technology band. Bid prices are expected to reduce in each succeeding NFFO competition towards the prices prices paid to fossil fuel generators.

  Retail Petrol Industry
  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans she has to keep under review the retail petrol industry in Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement. [3840]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  The Director General of Fair Trading recently announced a review of the wholesale and retail petrol market in the United Kingdom. The review will cover Northern Ireland.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  State Retirement Pensions (Overseas Residents)
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will implement the recommendation of the Social Security Committee in its third report, "Uprating of State Retirement Pensions Payable to People Resident Abroad" (HC 143, 1996–97) relating to the granting of a
  413
  free vote to hon. Members on the payment of upratings to pensioners living in countries where uprating are not paid at present; and if she will make a statement. [604]

  Mr. Denham
  We recognise the strong feelings regarding this long-standing policy among UK pensioners who live in those countries where pensions are not uprated.

  However, there are competing demands and constraints on social security spending. In these circumstances, the Government believes that it would be wrong to raise expectations that an uprating of these pensions would be likely to attract priority.

  Poverty
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment her Department has made of the report prepared by the European Commission's Eurostat secretariat on the comparative levels of poverty in EU member states. [863]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The Government has considered the report. We are determined to tackle unjustifiable social and economic inequality through a range of initiatives.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will estimate the number and proportion of United Kingdom households living under the Council of Europe poverty threshold; and if she will publish this information monthly. [4404]

  Mr. Bradley
  The Council of Europe decency threshold relates to individual earnings. It is therefore not meaningful to compare this with total disposable income of households. Information on the numbers and proportions of individuals, whose household income is below various levels, is published annually in the DSS statistical series "Households Below Average Income," a copy of which is in the Library. The estimates are drawn from household surveys, whose sample sizes would not allow any valid estimates to be made on a monthly basis.

  Incomes
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many households to date are currently in receipt of below average income(a) nationally and (b) by regions. [866]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  Reforming the welfare state will be one of our key priorities. We will modernise the welfare system to reduce poverty and social division.

  The DSS series "Households Below Average Income" reports the numbers of individuals in households below average income rather than the numbers of households.

  The information in the table shows the numbers of individuals living in households with below national average income. Figures are provided both on income before housing costs are deducted (BHC) and on income after housing costs are deducted (AHC), in line with DSS conventions on income statistics.

  The latest estimates for the United Kingdom are for 1993–94 and 1994–95 financial years combined—shown in the table as "1993–94"—and are based on data from the Family Expenditure Survey (FES). The FES sample is not sufficiently large to allow regional analysis but
  414
  regional estimates are available from the Family Resources Survey (FRS) for 1994–95. The FRS has a very much larger sample but does not include Northern Ireland.

  No allowance has been made for any regional variations in the cost of living.

  Numbers of individuals living in households with below average income (millions)

  Numbers—BHC

  Numbers—AHC

  1993–94

  United Kingdom

  36.0

  35.5

  Great Britain (FES)

  35.0

  34.5

  1994–95

  Great Britain (FRS)

  34.8

  34.4

  England

  29.8

  29.5

  Wales

  1.9

  1.8

  Scotland

  3.1

  3.0

  Government Office region

  North-east

  1.9

  1.9

  North-west

  3.9

  3.7

  Merseyside

  0.7

  0.7

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  3.5

  3.4

  East Midlands

  2.7

  2.6

  West Midlands

  3.4

  3.4

  Eastern

  3.0

  3.1

  London

  3.8

  3.9

  South-east

  3.8

  3.9

  South-west

  3.0

  3.0

  Note:

  Numbers may not add to national totals because of rounding.

  Source:

  DSS 'Households Below Average Income' (HBAI) datasets, from Family Expenditure Survey and Family Resources Survey.

  Housing Benefit (Winchester)
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people are currently claiming housing benefit in Winchester(a) under the age of 25 years and (b) in total; and if she will make a statement. [1288]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is set out in the table:

  Housing benefit recipients

  May 1995

  November 1996

  All ages: Winchester City Council area1

  5,300

  5,100

  All ages: Rest of South-east region (excludes Greater London but includes Winchester)1

  650,000

  647,400

  Aged under 25 years: Rest of South-east region (excludes Greater London but includes Winchester)2

  67,000

  Not available

  Source:

  Housing Benefit Management Information System.

  1100 per cent. quarterly caseload counts-these do not provide age breakdown of Housing Benefit recipients.

  2The annual 1 per cent. caseload sample-last available date from May 1995 (May 1996 date not yet available).

  Notes:

  1. Reliable estimates of the number of recipients aged under 25 are not available below regional level.

  2. Recipients may be a single person or a couple.

  Widowers (Child Care)
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to provide widowers looking after children with the same benefits as widows. [2382]

  Mr. Denham
  Modernising the Social Security system is a key priority of the Government. In our examination of the current Social Security structure, we will take account of the needs and responsibilities of the bereaved in pursuit of our aim of reducing poverty and welfare dependency, promoting work incentives and providing better, simpler more efficient services to clients.

  Incapacity Benefit
  Mrs. Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will restore an element of local discretion on decisions relating to the award of incapacity benefits. [2173]

  Mr. Denham
  Modernising the Social Security system is a key priority of the Government. Our objective is to reduce poverty and welfare dependency and to promote work incentives. We will develop a system that supports work, savings and honesty. We will streamline services to provide better, simpler, more efficient services to clients.

  As part of this aim we will be seeking to ensure that decisions relating to the award of incapacity benefits provide a fair assessment of a person's incapacity for work for benefit purposes.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claimants appealed against refusal by the Benefits Agency to allow incapacity benefit in 1996–97; what was that number as a percentage of the total number of claims refused; and what percentage of appeals were successful. [3759]

  Mr. Denham
  One of the Government's first priorities for social security is to modernise both the appeals system and the decision making process. We intend to bring forward measures early to streamline and simplify the system to make it easier to understand and more cost effective.

  The specific information requested on incapacity benefit appeals is in the table:

  Period

  Number of incapacity benefit appeals against disallowance

  Appeals as a proportion of claims disallowed

  Percentage of appeals heard and decided in the claimant's favour

  April 1996 to March 1997

  100,703

  50 per cent.

  44

  Source:

  Benefits Agency and Independent Tribunal Service.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what reforms she plans to the Child Support Agency; and if she will make a statement. [2474]
  416
  Mr. Keith Bradley
  We will be looking closely at all areas of the Child Support Agency's operations over the coming months to ensure it provides an efficient and effective service to assess and collect maintenance that is due.

  Minimum Wage
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is her estimate of revenue expenditure and savings, broken down by (i) income tax, (ii) national insurance and (iii) means tested benefits, arising from the introduction of a national minimum wage at(a) £3.50 per hour and (b) £4.20 per hour, accompanied by a reduction in housing benefit and family credit tapers to 50 per cent. and replacing the current 20 tax band with 10p. [2969]

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

  Benefits (Immigrants)
  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of spouses of British citizens admitted under the Immigration Rules obtained social security benefits in each of the three most recent years for which figures are available; and what was the cost of such benefits in each year. [2867]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  Spouses of British citizens admitted to the United Kingdom under the Immigration Rules are required to demonstrate they can be supported and accommodated without claiming public funds.

  Carers (Earnings Limited)
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to make the earnings limit for carers on income support equivalent to the earnings limit for invalid care allowance; and if she will make a statement. [2868]

  Mr. Denham
  There is no fixed limit to the amount a carer can earn and continue to receive income support. Carers are exempt from the normal income support remunerative work rule. This means that they can continue to receive income support to top-up their earnings even if they work more than 16 hours each week. The first £15 of a carer's earnings is disregarded in the income support calculation. Most other groups can earn only £5 before their benefit is affected.

  The invalid care allowance (ICA) earnings limit is fixed at £50 per week, after the deduction of certain expenses. It is intended to help carers keep contact with employment. However, unlike income support, ICA is not an income-related benefit. People with earnings below the earnings limit can get ICA in full but people whose earnings are above the limit cannot get ICA at all.

  We have no plans to change these limits at present but are keeping the position of carers under review.

  Lone Parents
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many lone parents there are in the constituency of Bolton, West; and of these how many are not in work or training. [3056]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  There are no reliable estimates of the number of lone parents by constituency. As a broad indication of the number of lone parents not in work it is estimated that, in November 1995, there were 5,000 lone parents claiming income support in the metropolitan district of Bolton, which encompasses a larger area than Bolton, West.

  Our welfare-to-work programme will help get young unemployed people, long-term unemployed people and lone mothers off benefit and into work.
  Notes:

  1. Caseload figures have been rounded to the nearest thousand.

  2. Income Support figures are based on a 5 per cent. sample and are therefore subject to a degree of sampling error.

  Source:
  Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry, November 1995 (5 per cent. sample).

  Pensions
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to review the additional 25 pence a week paid to pensioners over 80 years of age. [3147]

  Mr. Denham
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Hornchurch (Mr. Cryer), on 10 June,Official Report, column 431.

  Benefits (Take-up)
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what targets she has set the Benefits Agency to increase the level of take-up of benefits to which claimants are entitled for each type of benefit administered.[3217]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  Our priority is to get help to around 1 million pensioners not taking up their income support entitlement. We are determined to address this issue, and we are currently commissioning research to establish why they do not claim the benefit which is their due.

  Means-tested Benefits
  Professor Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many individuals lived in benefit units receiving at least one means-tested benefit(a) in 1978–79 and (b) in the latest year for which figures are available; and if she will break down this total according to the combinations of benefits received.[4306]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  We are committed to looking closely at all aspects of the welfare state to reduce the levels of poverty and welfare dependency.

  Information for 1993–94 and for 1979 has been published in table B4 of Households Below Average Income (HBAI): 1979 to 1993–94, a copy of which is in the Library. No information is available for 1978. Information for 1979 is restricted to that published in HBAI.
  418
  An indication of the numbers of beneficiaries of the main combinations of benefits at May 1995 is given in the table.

  Beneficiaries of means-tested benefits for may 1995 by combinations of benefits received

  Combination of benefit

  Total beneficiaries

  Family credit or disability working allowance only

  1,230,000

  Income support only

  2,370,000

  Family credit or disability working allowance and income support

  20,000

  Housing benefit and/or council tax benefit only

  3,190,000

  Housing benefit and/or council tax benefit, and family credit or disability working allowance

  780,000

  Housing benefit and/or council tax benefit, and income support

  7,230,000

  Housing benefit and/or council tax benefit and family credit or disability working allowance and income support

  80,000

  All beneficiaries of means tested benefits

  14,900,000

  Notes:

  1. Mean tested benefits are defined as income support, housing benefit, council tax benefit, family credit and disability working allowance.

  2. Beneficiaries are defined as the recipient, their partner and their dependants.

  3. Figures are rounded to the nearest ten thousand.

  4. Income support figures include people in residential care/nursing homes.

  Sources:

  1. Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry May 1995.

  2. Family credit 5 per cent. sample of awards.

  3. Disability working allowance 100 per cent. count of claims.

  4. Housing benefit management information system, annual 1 per cent. sample enquiries, with and without income support taken at the end of May 1995.

  Benefits Statistics
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if she will list the estimated unclaimed benefit in each of the 13 area directorates of the Benefits Agency for each of the last five years for which figures are available(a) as amounts of benefit unclaimed and (b) as a percentage of total payments made for each type of benefit administered; [3215]

  (2) if she will make it a requirement for the Benefits Agency to collect and publish annual statistics estimating the level of unclaimed benefit each year for each type of benefit administered by the Agency. [3216]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The regional figures requested are not collected. The latest estimates of national take-up of Income Related Benefits were published in "Income Related Benefits: Estimates of Take-up 1994–95", a copy of which is in the Library. These are the benefits of last resort and it is right that we pay particular attention to their take-up.

  We will examine means of delivering more automatic help to the poorest pensioners—one million of whom do not even receive the income support which is their present entitlement. We are commissioning research to establish why they do not claim the benefit which is their due.

  Adapt Programme
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to review the Adapt programme. [4915]

  Mr. Field
  The Department is engaged in a range of private sector initiatives, one of which is Adapt. We will review all proposals in the light of our objectives for modernising the delivery of the welfare system; the implications for customer service, staff and the taxpayer; our commitment to work within the announced spending totals for the first two years of Government; our aim of getting best value for public money; the scope to apply the private sector's expertise, discipline and economies of 420
  scale in procuring pubic services and securing investment; and the flexibility for government to make changes at a later date. Announcements will be made in due course.

  Green Paper
  Mr. Leslie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will publish the analysis of responses to the Green Paper, "Improving Decision-Making and Appeals in Social Security." [5181]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  We have today published the analysis of responses to the Green Paper carried out by the Social Policy Research Unit at the University of York and arranged for copies to be placed in the Library.

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