Written Answers of 27 June 1997

PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Privy Council Members
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Council what criteria are used to select individuals for membership of the Privy Council. [5621]

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  Appointment to the Privy Council is an exercise of the prerogative. Appointments are made by Her Majesty The Queen on the advice of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister. A range of factors are taken into account. Those appointed mostly comprise Ministers, other Parliamentarians and members of the judiciary.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Jobseeker's Allowance
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people aged 17 to 25 years are claiming the jobseeker's allowance in Portsmouth; and what this figure is as a percentage of all those in the age group. [4741]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its Chief Executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Leigh Lewis to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 27 June 1997:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking how many people aged 17 to 25 years are claiming the Jobseeker's Allowance in Portsmouth and what this figure is as a percentage of all those in the age group.
  The numbers of claimants are collated by two age groupings: 17 to 24 and 25 to 29 year olds. The table below show the number of claimants at the April 1997 count.
  In the Parliamentary Constituency of Portsmouth South, the
  numbers were:

  Claimants

  Male

  Female

  Total

  Aged 17–24

  771

  288

  1,059

  Aged 25–29

  608

  133

  741

  In the Parliamentary Constituency of Portsmouth North, the numbers were:

  Claimants

  Male

  Female

  Total

  Aged 17–24

  572

  193

  765

  Aged 25–29

  344

  79

  423

  648
  In the Local Authority Area of Portsmouth the numbers were:

  Claimants

  Male

  Female

  Total

  Aged 17–24

  1,255

  450

  1,705

  Aged 25–29

  901

  201

  1,102

  Unfortunately, a percentage of 17–24 year unemployed claimants as a proportion of the entire workforce in that age group cannot be given, due to the age criteria used to compile the Population Census survey. However, I give below figures of all young people by available age group:

  Portsmouth South—Workforce

  Age group

  Male

  Female

  Total

  16–17

  862

  808

  1,670

  18–19

  1,414

  1,169

  2,583

  20–24

  4,816

  4,604

  9,420

  25–29

  4,933

  4,558

  9,491

  Portsmouth North-Workforce

  Age group

  Male

  Female

  Total

  16–17

  1,348

  1,246

  2,594

  18–19

  1,402

  1,359

  2,761

  20–24

  3,793

  3,825

  7,618

  25–29

  4,224

  4,479

  8,703

  Portsmouth Local Authority Area

  Age group

  Male

  Female

  Total

  16–17

  1,907

  1,746

  3,653

  18–19

  2,484

  2,203

  4,687

  20–24

  7,919

  7,736

  15,655

  25–29

  8,439

  8,212

  16,651

  Source: 1991 Census of Population.

  I hope this is helpful.

  Employment Service
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will place in the Library a copy of the documentation which has been issued to the staff of the Employment Service relating to the measures that they should take to encourage the long-term unemployed to opt for Government training programmes. [5388]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its Chief Executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Leigh Lewis to Mr. Brian H. Donohoe, dated 27 June 1997:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about the documentation issued to Employment Service staff relating to the measures they should take to encourage the long term unemployed to opt for government training programmes. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
  Guidance on all aspects of dealing with jobseekers following the introduction of the Jobseeker's Allowance was issued to Employment Service staff in October 1997 and amendments issued when appropriate. Copies of the guides are held in the Library.

  649
  It may be helpful if I explain that, in addition to regular fortnightly reviews, Employment Service advisers interview all jobseekers at six monthly intervals to review their situation, their work goals and the steps they have been taking to find work. As part of this they assess each jobseeker's needs, identify any barriers to employment and consider what options are available to help them back into work. Advice is tailored to meet an individual's needs and could include information about jobs; employment programmes such as Jobclub; and training opportunities, such as Training for Work.
  In addition to the advice and information provided during advisory interviews and at fortnightly reviews, information about a range of opportunities is available in the "Just the Job" leaflet which is held in all Jobcentres.
  I hope this is helpful.

  School Meals
  Mr. Pond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the average charge per pupil for school meals in the last year for which figures are available. [5439]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The Department does not collect this information centrally.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Visas
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for changes in the procedure for applying for a visitor's visa; and when he plans to introduce an appeal procedure. [5093]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Our manifesto commits us to providing a streamlined system of appeals for visitors denied a visa. We are examining the options for doing this.

  Police and Security (Indonesia)
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will identify by name, rank and number those Indonesian military, security, police and paramilitary police personnel invited by the(a) Home Office and (b) the Association of Chief Police Officers to attend the International Police and Security Expo 97. [5699]

  Mr. Michael
  Neither the Home Office nor the Association of Chief Police Officers is aware of any invitation being issued to Indonesian personnel to attend the International Police and Security Expo 97.

  Alcopops
  Ms Gisela Stuart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received concerning alcopops. [5615]

  Mr. George Howarth
  As Chairman of the Ministerial Group on Alcopops, I have received letters from and am holding meetings with the licensed trade and other interested organisations about underage drinking, industry self-regulation and options for Government action. I expect to make an announcement in July.

WALES

  Welsh Office Overseas Trade Services
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assistance the Welsh Office Overseas Trade Services section has given to the individual companies who are exhibitors at the International Police and Security Expo 97. [5698]

  Mr. Hain
  The Department is not aware of the companies who are exhibiting at this exhibition. Assistance has not been given in respect of this particular event.

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will ensure that assistance from the Welsh Office Overseas Trade Services section is not provided for the sale of military, security and police equipment to overseas regimes which do not respect the human rights of their citizens. [5695]

  Mr. Hain
  The Government will not permit the export of arms and related equipment to regimes which it is thought will use them for internal repression. That commitment is reflected in my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry's decisions on individual export licence applications.

  The Welsh Office's Overseas Trade Services section has no role in the consideration of export licence applications.

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment the Welsh Office Overseas Trade Services section has given to the organisers of the International Police and Security Expo 97. [5697]

  Mr. Hain
  None.

  Fibre-optic Cabling
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with(a) the chairman of the Welsh Development Agency and (b) the chairman of the Development Board for Rural Wales, with regard to the strategy each is adopting for the fibre-optic cabling of Wales; what assistance he has made of the compatibility of the strategies of the two bodies; and if he will make a statement. [5819]

  Mr. Hain
  Neither I nor my right hon. Friend have as yet met the Chairman of the Welsh Development Agency or the Chairman of the Development Board for Rural Wales to discuss the specific issues referred to.

  Both bodies are however working alongside the Department in an effort to ensure that all areas of Wales have access to modern telecommunications infrastructure.

  The hon. Member raised the issue of broadband telecommunications in Wales during the adjournment debate on 18 June 1997, and I undertook to write to him fully on the matter. I shall be doing so shortly and will arrange for a copy to be placed in the Library.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he is taking to ensure that the establishment of fibre-optic cable links with Ireland gives rise to similar links to north-west Wales; and if he will make a statement on his Department's policy for extending cable links to the rural areas of Wales. [5818]
  651
  Mr. Hain
  I am concerned to ensure that all areas of Wales benefit from a good telecommunications infrastructure. However, the question of individual links is a matter for the telecommunications companies concerned.

  I will write to the hon. Member on this matter and place a copy of my reply in the Library.

  Llanelli/Dinefwr NHS Trust
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he proposes to fill the vacancies on the board of the Llanelli/Dinefwr NHS Trust. [5645]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  My right hon. Friend has issued invitations to serve on the board to those concerned.

  Hospital Trusts
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish the names of the members of the steering group which is to be established to advise on the reconfiguration of the hospital trusts in Wales. [5646]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  I have not made a final decision on the individuals who will comprise the steering group but, when the decision has been made, I will publish their names.

  Freight Facilities Grant
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the amounts and the recipients of grants awarded in Wales under the Freight Facilities Grant scheme. [5623]

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

  Year

  Recipient

  Grant Award £

  1976

  BP Ltd., Baglan Bay, West Glamorgan

  110,000

  Tunnel Cement Ltd., Bangor

  75,165

  1977

  Batchelor Robinson Steel and Chemical Ltd., Llanelli

  12,385

  Gloda Distributors (South Wales) Ltd., Swansea

  60,000

  1978

  Duport Steels Ltd., Llanelli

  1,844,000

  Isis Link (William Cory Ltd.,)

  125,750

  Fords, Bridgend

  1,114,000

  Gower Chemicals, Swansea

  30,325

  A.J. Williams, Merthyr

  65,000

  1979

  Aberthaw Cement, Barry

  732,834

  1980

  Associated Octel, Amlwch, Anglesey

  52,000

  1982

  Steel Supply Co., (Western) Ltd., Skewen

  34,000

  1983

  Tunnel Cement Ltd., Padeswood

  149,500

  Railease Ltd.,

  587,250

  National Coal Board, Deep Navigation Colliery Treharris

  33,704

  National Coal Board, Wernos Central Washery, Ammanford

  130,025

  National Coal Board, Gwaun Cae Gurwen

  193,718

  National Smokeless Fuels Ltd., Aberaman Phurnacite

  64,350

  1984

  National Fuel Distributors Ltd.,

  20,500

  Blue Circle Cement, Aberthaw Works

  343,000

  1985

  National Coal Board, Marine Colliery

  154,648

  1986

  Camarthen Warehousing Ltd.,

  239,000

  1987

  National Smokeless Fuels Ltd., Aberaman

  209,784

  652

  Year

  Recipient

  Grant Award £

  1987

  British Coal, Merthyr Vale Washery

  104,076

  Kronospan, Chirk

  238,500

  1993

  Ryan Mining Ltd.,

  3,898,281

  1997

  Associated British Ports, Newport

  677,890

  Transport Grant
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he intends to announce the outcome of the recent review of the Transport Grant arrangements; and if he will make a statement. [6278]

  Mr. Hain
  I have considered the advice contained in the joint Welsh Office/Welsh Local Government Association working party report into the Transport Grant arrangements and I have introduced two changes for the 1998–99 settlement, for which bids have been invited today:support will be reduced, from a rate of 100 per cent., to 80 per cent. for cost increases incurred once a scheme has been accepted for a start of works;
  integrated transport package schemes costing over £1 million, will be eligible for support.

  I believe it is essential to obtain the best value from the Transport Grant resources made available. While I accept it is difficult to predict the costs of major construction projects with complete accuracy, I am concerned by the rate at which local authority Transport Grant schemes have increased in cost in recent years compared with our own Trunk Road projects. The generous grant arrangements do not help in this respect. My proposals will provide a strong incentive for authorities to control costs, ensuring both the best possible use of available resources and cost-effective solutions to transport problems. This in turn will help release resources to help tackle the growing number of local authority projects awaiting support.

  Transport Grant will continue to be available at a rate of 100 per cent. (50 per cent. grant and 50 per cent. supplementary credit approvals) up to the estimated project cost accepted at start of works. Therefore, schemes whose costs do not increase during construction will continue to receive full support, as will projects which have previously been accepted for a start of works, which are not subject to the new arrangements. I recognise that it is sometimes necessary or sensible to modify a scheme once construction has started. I do not intend to penalise authorities in these instances and, provided such changes are agreed with the Welsh Office in advance, any cost implications will also be exempt from the reduced rate of support.

  In reaching this decision, 1 have been mindful of the strong local authority opposition to earlier proposals to reduce the overall rate of Transport Grant support to 90 per cent. I accept their views that this would impose too great a burden on them and lead to the demise of many worthwhile schemes. I am sure that my proposals offer a reasonable compromise that will achieve my overall aim.

  My decision to introduce package funding in Wales reflects the Government's policy to achieve a balanced and integrated transport system in Wales. We have too long relied on the private car and while this still has a

  653
  very important role to play, we need to invest in less environmentally damaging solutions. Extending Transport Grant support in this way provides a mechanism for local authorities to look at combinations of public transport and other alternative measures to alleviate transport problems in specific areas. As well as public transport, I will expect authorities to explore the possibilities of traffic management proposals and provision for cyclists and pedestrians. These arrangements will subsume the existing Bus Priority scheme.

  The existing £5 million qualifying threshold for major road schemes will remain. I will also consider bids for major (over £5 million) public transport projects under Section 56 of the Transport Act 1968.

  The working party also reported on a possible reduction in the duration of Transport Grant support. I accept their views that any move in this direction would discourage early scheme development work and encourage early settlement of contractors' and land compensation claims without necessarily obtaining the best value for money. I have not therefore made any changes to these arrangements.

HEALTH

  Elderly People (Hospital Admissions)
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in the United Kingdom aged over 60 years have been admitted to hospital for one or more nights in each of the last three years. [5479]

  Mr. Boateng
  The information available is for the number of hospital spells for people age 60 and over in England. Information relating to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is a matter for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland, for Wales and for Northern Ireland, respectively.

  Number of hospital spells by duration of stay: age group—over 60 years

  NHS hospitals, England

  Duration of hospital spell

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1 night

  245,596

  278,257

  308,225

  More than 1 night

  2,128,588

  2,171,518

  2,162,919

  Total

  2,374,184

  2,449,775

  2,471,144

  Note:

  Data in this table are grossed for coverage.

  Source:

  Hospital Episode Statistics (HES).

  Region

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  Northern and Yorkshire

  48

  141

  717

  223

  279

  Trent

  33

  133

  163

  114

  150

  Anglia and Oxford

  29

  306

  387

  141

  133

  North Thames

  57

  602

  583

  153

  160

  South Thames

  45

  502

  567

  118

  196

  South and West

  38

  396

  407

  137

  145

  West Midlands

  29

  369

  525

  185

  212

  Heart Transplants
  Mr. Rhodri Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many heart transplants were carried out in United Kingdom NHS hospitals on United Kingdom residents in the latest year for which figures are available; how many hospitals are approved for carrying out heart transplant operations; and when and by what means the last new heart transplant centre was approved. [5839]

  Mr. Boateng
  278 heart-only transplants (out of a total of 437 cardiothoracic transplants, including heart, lung and heart/lung operations) were carried out, on United Kingdom residents in United Kingdom National Health Service hospitals, during 1996.

  Eight hospitals in England are designated, by the National Specialist Commissioning Advisory Group, to carry out cardiothoracic transplant operations:

  Harefield Hospital NHS Trust, Middlesex (in conjunction with the Royal Brompton, London)

  Papworth Hospital NHS Trust, Cambridge

  Northern General Hospital NHS Trust, Sheffield

  South Manchester University Hospitals NHS Trust

  Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, London

  St. George's Healthcare Trust, London

  Freeman Group of Hospitals, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

  University Hospital Birmingham NHS Trust.

  Under the arrangements which apply in Scotland, Glasgow Royal Infirmary is approved to undertake heart transplants.

  The last new heart transplant unit to be designated was the University Hospital, Birmingham, NHS Trust, with effect from April 1992. A bid from the unit was considered by the Supra Regional Services Advisory Group. After due consideration, the Advisory Group recommended to the then Secretary of State that the Unit should be included in the designation arrangements for cardiothoracic transplantation. In reaching this decision, availability of organs, geographical spread of transplant units and availability of suitable clinical expertise would have been taken into account.

  Mr. Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for the past five years as a whole, the regions in which the heart transplant patients operated on in each of the United Kingdom approved NHS heart transplant centres resided. [5838]

  Mr. Boateng
  The information available is provided in the attached table. The table, taken from information in the Supra Regional Services Advisory Group Annual Reports, shows the number of finished consultant episodes for assessment and transplantation and therefore add up to a number significantly greater than the number of transplants carried out in the period.
  655

  Region

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  North West

  52

  164

  162

  177

  174

  Others1

  70

  410

  499

  302

  244

  Total

  401

  3,023

  4,010

  1,550

  1,693

  1This includes residents of Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and overseas residents eligible for care under reciprocal health agreements.

  The following information shows the number of survivors of cardiothoracic transplantation, at Units in England, by Country and Region within the United Kingdom, as calculated in November 1996.

  Country/Region

  Number of cardiothoracic transplant survivors as at November 1996

  Northern and Yorkshire

  347

  Trent

  239

  Anglia and Oxford

  251

  North Thames

  308

  South Thames

  298

  South and West

  241

  West Midlands

  206

  North West

  277

  Wales

  122

  Scotland

  111

  Northern Ireland

  41

  Total

  2,441

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Salaried Solicitors
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he is considering for ending the present legal aid system and replacing it by a network of salaried solicitors. [5620]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Lord Chancellor has appointed Sir Peter Middleton to undertake a review of civil justice and legal aid. A preliminary report is expected at the end of September. Any decisions on the future of legal aid will have to await the outcome of that review.

  Access to the Law
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make it his policy to ensure that no citizen is deterred from having access to the law because of their financial circumstances. [5618]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Government's aim is to allow proper access to the law by reducing the price of civil litigation and its attendant delays and complexity. That is why the Lord Chancellor has asked Sir Peter Middleton to review civil justice and legal aid. We shall be able to look again at the policy on publicly funded access to the law in the light of that review.

  Collateral Benefit and Fatal Accident Damages
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when the Law Commission plans to publish its consultation papers on(a) collateral benefit in personal injury claims and (b) fatal accident damages. [5118]
  656
  Mr. Hoon
  The Law Commission hopes that publication of these two consultation papers will take place later this year.

  Psychiatric Injury
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when the Law Commission report on psychiatric injury, responding to consultation paper 137, will be published. [5120]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Law Commission hopes that publication of the report on Liability for Psychiatric Illness, following consultation paper 137, will take place later this year.

  Personal Injury Actions
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many personal injury actions were commenced in(a) the County Courts and (b) the High Court in (i) the last three months of 1996 and (ii) the first three months of 1997. [5115]

  Mr. Hoon
  The question concerns a matter which has been assigned to the Court Service under the terms of its framework document. I have therefore asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Michael Huebner to Mr. Andrew Dismore, dated 27 June 1997:
  The Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, has asked me to reply to your Question about the number of personal injury cases commenced in the county courts and the High Court.
  Detailed figures for personal injury actions issued are not kept centrally in the form requested and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. However, estimated figures, based on sample data, are shown below for the whole of 1996:

  Number

  Writs and originating summonses (issued in the Royal Courts of Justice):

  1,543

  Summonses issued in the county courts.

  253,500

  No data is yet available for 1997.

  Aggravated Damages
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when the Law Commission report on aggravated damages, responding to consultation paper 132, will be published. [5119]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Law Commission hopes that publication of the report on Aggravated, Exemplary and Restitutionary Damages, following consultation paper 132, will take place later this year.

PRIME MINISTER

  Minister Without Portfolio
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Prime Minister what access(a) the Minister without Portfolio and (b) his personal staff have to information obtained by the security services. [5414]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 25 June 1997]: As with other Ministers, such access as is authorised under the relevant legislation and as is necessary for the performance of their duties.

  OSCE (Parliamentary Delegation)
  Mr. Jim Murphy
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will announce the membership of the United Kingdom delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE. [6145]

  The Prime Minister
  I have appointed 13 representatives from the Parliament of the United Kingdom to act as the United Kingdom delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE. The next meeting of the Assembly will take place in Warsaw from 5 to 8 July. The delegation will consist of eight Members of the Labour Party, three Members of the Conservative Party and two Members of the Liberal Democrat Party. I have also appointed a number of substitute delegates.

  The appointment of Conservative and Liberal Democrat Party representatives and substitutes have been made on the basis of nominations by the parties concerned.

  Representatives from the Government Benches will be:
  The hon. Member for Swansea, East (Mr. Anderson), who will act as leader; the hon. Members for Stockton, North (Mr. Cook), for Tooting (Mr. Cox), for Birmingham, Hodge Hill (Mr. Davis), for Walsall, South (Mr. George), for Thurrock (Mr. Mackinlay) and for Dundee, West (Mr. Ross) and Baroness Ramsay of Cartvale.

  Representatives from the Conservative Party will be:
  The right hon. Members for East Devon (Sir Peter Emery) and for Wealden (Sir Geoffrey Johnson Smith) and Viscount Montgomery of Alamein.

  Representatives from the Liberal Democrat Party will be:
  The hon. Members for Somerton and Frome (Mr. Heath) and for Richmond Park (Ms Tonge).

  The following substitutes have been appointed to act as necessary on behalf of the delegates:
  From the Government benches—the hon. Members for Cynon Valley (Ms Clwyd), for Leyton and Wanstead (Mr. Cohen) and for Newcastle under Lyme (Mrs. Golding).
  From the Opposition benches—the right hon. the Lord Jopling and the hon. and learned Member for North-East Fife (Mr. Campbell).

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Nuclear Weapons
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Attorney-General what discussions have taken place in the past year in the North 658
  Atlantic Council on the International Court of Justice's advisory opinions of 8 July 1996 on the legality of nuclear weapons. [4912]

  Mr. Fatchett
  I have been asked to reply.

  The advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the legality of nuclear weapons has been discussed in NATO, in particular by the Staff Group of the Nuclear Planning Group. NATO allies agree that the Alliance's strategy of war prevention, including its nuclear component, is fully compatible with the United Nations Charter and international law.

CABINET OFFICE

  Ministerial Meetings
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will list the meetings he held with(a) ministerial colleagues and (b) others on each day from 16 June to 20 June. [5619]

  Mr. Mandelson
  I have nothing to add to the replies I have already given the hon. Member.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Internet
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what use he plans to make of the Internet to make Government more open. [5103]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  This Department will continue to develop its programme of Internet publishing to facilitate the wider dissemination of Foreign and Commonwealth Office news and information material, in line with the Open Government Code of Practice. This includes guidance on how to complain for those dissatisfied with Consular Services provided at British Embassies, High Commissions or consulates overseas.

  It is planned to establish websites for the following forthcoming international meetings which the UK will host: the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, the EU Presidency, the Asia-Europe Meeting and the "Summit of the 8".

  For an account of "FCO On-Line" (http://www.fco.gov.uk/), the world-wide web service of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the then Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the previous right hon. Member for Richmond and Barnes on 11 March 1997, Official Report, columns 151–52.

  Some British missions overseas also maintain Internet websites and for a list of these I refer the hon. Member to the answer the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs gave in another place on 3 June 1997, Official Report, House of Lords, columns 19–20.

  Special Operations Executive
  Mr. Andy King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he plans to release more records of the wartime Special Operations Executive. [6218]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  The next batch of SOE records for release, covering the Balkans, will be the largest so far. They have been transferred to the Public Record Office, and will be opened on 1 July 1997. Further SOE records will be released in due course.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Airline Merger
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action she will take to ensure that the proposed merger between British Airways and American Airlines will not prove to have anti-competitive consequences. [4632]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  [holding answer 26 June 1997]: 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 to comment publicly on the timing or substance of competition cases in which she will be responsible for making a decision.

  Military Equipment Sales (Indonesia)
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what military equipment is being sold to Indonesia by British defence companies; and which companies are making such sales. [1975]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 16 June 1997]: Statistics are available in the House of Commons Library which list by destination and by category the number of export licences issued. The latest date for which these are currently available is 30 June 1996. The following table is extracted from these statistics and relates to export licences issued for military goods to Indonesia from 1995 to June 1996. They are listed by the Export of Goods (Control) Order category for the main goods on the export licence:

  1995

  1st half 1996

  ML1–3

  ML11–18

  ML2–2

  ML13–2

  ML2–2

  ML13–3

  ML5–1

  ML14–2

  ML3–3

  ML14–8

  ML6–3

  ML15–4

  ML4–1

  ML15–9

  ML7–2

  ML24–2

  ML5–7

  ML24–1

  ML10–18

  PL5006–1

  ML6–14

  PL5006–7

  ML11–6

  PL5017–2

  ML10–9

  PL5027–4

  Export licences issued do not necessarily equate to actual sales; the Licensing Authority does not receive information on goods shipped. Any more detailed information on the licences themselves could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  The Licensing Authority does not have information on non-licensable equipment which may be intended for use by military entities.
  660
  The Foreign Secretary announced in Parliament on 22 May Official Report, column 135, that the Government will not permit the sale of arms to regimes that might use them for internal repression or international aggression. Whilst we support a strong UK defence industry, such support must go hand in hand with ensuring that exports are properly regulated.

  Ministers have therefore initiated an urgent joint FCO/DTI review of the criteria used in considering licence applications for the export of conventional arms to all countries, including of course, Indonesia. The new criteria will be made available to the House of Commons when the review is complete.

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade which British banks were granted export credit guarantee cover to finance British companies supplying military, security and police equipment or services to Indonesia since 1988; and if she will list (i) the amount of export credit guarantees provided in each case (ii) the services and equipment covered and (iii) for which countries the exports were destined. [3382]

  Mrs. Roche
  ECGD's current exposure on defence contracts with Indonesia (including police requirements) is in excess of £1 billion. A larger number of contracts are being supported involving a number of UK manufacturers and financing banks. As mentioned in ECGD's Annual Report and Trade Accounts, ECGD supported business included sale of Hawk Aircraft and the Scorpion Family of vehicles. Other supported business included Armoured Personnel Carriers, Forensic Laboratory Equipment and Aircraft Simulators.

  ECGD is constrained by legal commitments not to give details of contract without consulting the companies concerned. In view of the large number of banks and contracts involved, disproportionate costs would be involved in such a consultative exercise.

  On 22 May, Official Report, column 135, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs announced that the Government will not permit the sale of arms to regimes that might use them for internal repression or international aggression. Whilst we support a strong UK defence industry, such support must go hand in hand with ensuring that exports are properly regulated.

  Ministers have therefore initiated an urgent joint FCO/DTI review of the criteria used in considering licence applications for the export of conventional arms to all countries, including of course, Indonesia. The new criteria will be made available to the House when the review is complete.

  IDEX 97
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many British companies have been given public funds to attend IDEX 97; and if she will list the companies indicating the amount of the funding each received. [3699]

  Mrs. Roche
  The latest IDEX Exhibition took place in Abu Dhabi, 16–20 March 1997. The DTI provided support for UK firms to exhibit in the form of grants towards the cost of participation. Support totalling £380,000 was provided via the Defence Manufacturers
  661
  Association to 48 companies exhibiting at this event. A further 15 companies were part of the UK group but either did not apply for or were ineligible for grant. A list of UK companies participating is being placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

TREASURY

  Jobs
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to Treasury press release 60/97 of 4 June 1997, what is his definition of a real and lasting job. [3357]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer's "Getting Europe to Work" initiative (announced in Treasury Press release 60/97) is about promoting job creation and social cohesion in Europe. It focuses on the need for a skilled, trained and adaptable labour force and a flexible labour market, underpinned by minimum standards of fairness and decency including a national minimum wage. The Government is committed to introduce programmes to help young people and the long-term unemployed move from welfare and into work.

  These policies are aimed at creating and underpinning real and lasting jobs. They therefore mark a break from past cycles of unemployment followed by places on dead-end schemes and brief periods of unskilled temporary work which did nothing to enhance people's long term employment prospects or reduce their dependence on welfare.

  Departmental Advisers
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 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. [5348]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Four paid Special Advisers have been appointed in the following capacities:

  Ed Balls: Chancellor's Economic Adviser

  Charlie Whelan: Chancellor's Press Adviser

  Ed Miliband: Special Adviser to the Chief Secretary

  Andrew Maugham: Special Adviser to the Chief Secretary.

  They are employed under terms and conditions based on the model contract for Special Advisers, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House. They advise, in accordance with Schedule 1 (part 1) of the model contract, on the full range of subjects dealt with by the Treasury. Their principal areas of responsibility are as follows:
  Ed Balls: Public expenditure; growth; windfall levy; EU and European Monetary Union; international economic issues; welfare to work; debt management issues; low pay.
  Ed Miliband: Welfare to work: public expenditure; low pay; taxation; industry; devolution; financial services; briefing on the economy; women's issues.
  Andrew Maugham: Public expenditure (including comprehensive spending reviews); financial services; value for money in the public services; public sector pay; export credit; public/private partnerships; accounting issues.
  Charlie Whelan: Presentation of Treasury policies in all areas.
  662
  In the year to 1 May 1997, three Special Advisers were employed in the Treasury. Their dates of employment during that period were: 1 May 1996 to 1 May 1997; 9 May 1996 to 24 April 1997 and 13 May 1996 to 1 May 1997.

  Euro Coins
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost to the United Kingdom of minting coins for the euro if the United Kingdom adopts the single currency according to the specifications currently before the European Council. [5394]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Chancellor has not made any estimate of the cost of producing euro coins if the United Kingdom were to adopt the single currency. The costs would depend on detailed specifications of the coins beyond the scope of the proposal from the European Commission.

  Unemployment
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what targets he has for the reduction of unemployment(a) in the United Kingdom, (b) in England and (c) in London. [4116]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 26 June 1997]: Our policies aim to secure the goal of high and stable levels of employment. With this in mind, we will be announcing in the Budget details of our proposals to help young and long-term unemployed people move from welfare to work. We have not, however, set targets for the reduction of unemployment at either the national or local levels.

  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many persons aged under 25 years are registered unemployed in the constituency of Middlesbrough, South and East Cleveland. [5560]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Chief Executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Tim Holt to Dr. Ashok Kumar, dated 27 June 1997:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply as the Director of the Office for National Statistics to your recent question on how many persons under 25 years are registered unemployed in the Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland parliamentary constituency
  The data you have requested can only be derived from the monthly count of people claiming unemployment-related benefits (i.e. Unemployment Benefit and Income Support which were replaced by Jobseeker's Allowance in October 1996, or National Insurance credits). Essentially, all people who attend an Employment Service office to sign on the designated day are counted.
  In April 1997, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 937 claimants aged 18 to 24 years in the constituency of Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland parliamentary constituency.

  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made as to whether the unemployment figures published by his Department accurately reflect the number of people unemployed. [5490]
  663
  Mrs. Liddell
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Chief Executive of the office for National Statistics. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Tim Holt to Sir Richard Body, dated 27 June 1997:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply as the Director of the Office for National Statistics to your recent question on whether the unemployment figures accurately reflect the number of people unemployed.
  I am responsible for deciding the form, coverage and timing of release of statistics issued by ONS, taking into account the views of customers. ONS consulted customers on the future presentation of labour market statistics; the consultation exercise was launched through an article in the Labour Market Trends published on 8 May. These proposals included the possibility of producing a monthly report from the LFS. Comments on the proposals should have been sent to ONS by 14 June.
  The proposals set out for consultation reflect the House of Commons Employment Select Committee recommendation that more prominence should be given to the measure of unemployment which is based on the internationally agreed ILO definition.
  ONS will publicly make available a response commanding wide support. The Government is committed to ensuring the widest possible acceptable of these statistics.

  Home Births
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of babies were born at home in(a) England, (b) Scotland and (c) Wales in (i) 1994, (ii) 1995 and (iii) 1996. [5275]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Chief Executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Ronnie Fearn, dated 27 June 1997:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply, as Director of the Office for National Statistics, to your recent parliamentary question on the proportion of live births at home.
  The percentages of live births occurring at home for the countries and years requested are shown below

  1994

  1995

  1996

  England

  1.8

  1.9

  2.1

  Scotland1

  0.7

  0.9

  0.8

  Wales

  1.9

  2.1

  2.1

  1All livebirths outside hospital.

  Low Pay
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people earn less than £3.50 per hour in the constituency of Middlesbrough, South and East Cleveland. [5561]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Chief Executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
  664
  Letter from Tim Holt to Dr. Ashok Kumar, dated 27 June 1997:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply as the Director of the Office for National Statistics to your recent question on earnings in the Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland parliamentary constituency.
  The latest information, from the New Earnings Survey (NES) April 1996, precedes the creation of Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland parliamentary constituency. Data for the parliamentary constituencies before they were redefined prior to the last General Election are given below:

  Employees on adult rates whose pay for the survey pay-period was not affected by absence NES, April 1996

  Percentage of employees with hourly earnings (excluding overtime) less than £3.50

  Langbaurgh

  Middlesbrough

  Redcar

  Full-time

  10.9

  7.5

  4.7

  Part-time

  27.8

  33.0

  38.5

  All

  14.6

  15.6

  10.3

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

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  [pursuant to his reply, 11 June 1997, c. 448]: The Finance Bill will be published by The Stationery Office on Tuesday 8 July. Explanatory Notes on the Bill's clauses will be placed in the Vote Office and the Libraries of the House that day. Copies of the Bill will be available to Members from the Vote Office at the conclusion of the Budget debate on Monday 7 July.

DEFENCE

  Married Quarters
  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much was paid in fees to National Westminster Markets Ltd. for preparing and completing the asset sale of the Ministry of Defence married quarters to Nomura Investment Bank. [4042]

  Mr. Spellar
  I am currently considering our policy of withholding the information requested under exemption 7 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information and hope to reach a decision shortly

  Nuclear Weapons (Costs)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the proportion of the defence budget for (i) each of the last 10 years and (ii) the current year spent on(a) capital spending and (b) running costs for nuclear weapons. [4755]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 23 June 1997]: Polaris and Trident capital and running costs for years 1987–88 to 1996–97 as a percentage of the defence budget are as follows:

  Capital costs

  Running costs

  1987–88

  3

  2

  1988–89

  4

  1

  665

  Capital costs

  Running cost

  1989–90

  4

  1

  1990–91

  4

  1

  1991–92

  5

  1

  1992–93

  4

  1

  1993–94

  4

  1

  1994–95

  3

  1

  1995–96

  2

  1

  1996–97

  2

  1

  The estimate for 1997–98 for capital costs represents 1 per cent. of the 1997–98 defence budget. No consolidated estimate of Polaris and Trident running costs for 1997–98 is yet available. The costs of the WE177 free-fall nuclear bomb which will go out of service by 31 March 1998 and the Lance nuclear artillery system which was withdrawn from service in 1992–93 are not recorded separately. However, records show that there has been no major capital expenditure on WE177 in the last four years.

SCOTLAND

  Internet
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what use he plans to make of the Internet to make Government more open. [5101]

  Mr. Dewar
  The Scottish Office already makes use of the Internet to publish electronically information about its work. An updated Web site is being developed to replace the current version, which has been available since August 1995. The updated site will provide further information about the business of the Department, including named contacts; full text of Departmental publications, including press releases, consultation papers and statistical bulletins; national and Departmental Charter standards and information about performance against these; information about Departmental complaints procedures; and regulatory forms and guidance.

  My hon. Friend the Minister for Home Affairs and Devolution will launch a separate Scottish Devolution Web site in Edinburgh on 30 June. This will provide details of the Government's proposals for a Scottish Parliament including access to Ministerial speeches, details of meetings and Parliamentary proceedings.

  In addition, the Scottish Office is examining the delivery of further services electronically where that will deliver better quality or efficiency.

  Health Service (Administration)
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will list for each national health service trust operating in Scotland the names of the(a) chief executive, (b) chairman, (c) executive directors and (d) non-executive directors indicating the correspondence address for the trust; [5126]

  (2) if he will list for each health board in Scotland the names of the board (a) general manager, (b) chairman, (c) executive directors and (d) non-executive directors indicating the correspondence address for the health board. [5128]
  666
  Mr. Galbraith
  The information sought is lengthy and I will write to the honourable Member. These details will take account of appointments I have announced which will be effective from 1 July. A copy of this information will be placed in the Library.

  Departmental Advisers
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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. [5366]

  Mr. Dewar
  My Department employs two Special Advisers, Ms Wendy Alexander and Mr. Murray Elder. Both are responsible to me. They are employed under the terms and conditions based on the model contract for Special Advisers, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House. Both advise on the wide range of issues dealt with by my Department in accordance with Schedule 1 (Part 1) of the Model Contract. Mr. Elder advises specifically on education and industry matters and with issues relating to agriculture, the environment and fisheries. Ms Alexander advises on health and the Arts, local government, housing and transport. In addition, both deal with matters relating to Home Affairs and Devolution.

  Two Special Advisers were employed by my Department in the year up to 1 May 1997.

  Fox and Mink Factory Farms
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many fox and mink factory farms there are in Scotland by county. [5557]

  Mr. Chisholm
  There are no fox or mink farms in operation in Scotland.

  Scottish Grand Committee
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will announce his proposals for the dates, times, venues and membership for meetings of the Scottish Grand Committee during the current parliamentary session; if he will list the proposed dates, times, venues and membership; and if he will make a statement on the role of the Scottish Grand Committee. [2586]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 10 June 1997]: The Scottish Grand Committee is a forum for all Scottish Constituency MPs to consider and debate issues of relevance to Scotland. I intend that this continue. It is proposed that eight meetings will take place in 1997–98 on the basis of four subjects to be chosen by the Government for debate and two each to be debated on Liberal Democrat and the Scottish National Party subjects.

  I will announce the provisional timetable for Scottish Grand Committee meetings to the House in due course.

  Natural Heritage Designations Review
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the outcome of the natural heritage designations review discussion paper. [3823]
  667
  Mr. Chisholm
  [holding answer 23 June 1997]: We have received almost 80 responses to the discussion paper published last year following the Review of Natural Heritage Designations. Many of these responses are of considerable length and include detailed comments on the issues raised in the discussion paper. We are currently giving careful consideration to all the points made by respondents before taking decisions on the need for changes to the present system of land-based natural heritage designations in use in Scotland.

  Drugs
  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list by type of drug the number of persons for each

  Number of persons proceeded against for possession of drugs by type of drugs offence and police force

  Police force

  All drugs1

  Cocaine

  Heroin

  LSD

  MDMA

  Methadone

  Amphetamines

  Cannabis

  Other

  Number of persons proceeded against in all courts (1994)

  Central

  316

  0

  2

  13

  3

  0

  35

  284

  7

  Dumfries and Galloway

  183

  0

  3

  10

  1

  0

  29

  146

  14

  Fife

  176

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  18

  167

  3

  Grampian

  679

  1

  19

  25

  21

  2

  103

  583

  17

  Lothian and Borders

  809

  4

  2

  43

  31

  4

  153

  648

  60

  Northern

  199

  0

  2

  2

  2

  0

  24

  182

  2

  Strathclyde

  2,076

  13

  91

  69

  37

  7

  262

  1,703

  96

  Tayside

  366

  0

  0

  13

  12

  2

  53

  325

  24

  Scotland

  4,804

  18

  119

  176

  107

  15

  677

  4,038

  223

  Persons proceeded against in solemn courts (1994)

  Central

  23

  0

  1

  4

  1

  0

  5

  20

  0

  Dumfries and Galloway

  5

  0

  0

  2

  0

  0

  1

  4

  2

  Fife

  7

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  4

  7

  0

  Grampian

  26

  0

  4

  6

  4

  0

  5

  17

  2

  Lothian and Borders

  40

  4

  0

  11

  5

  1

  15

  22

  11

  Northern

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  0

  Strathclyde

  133

  4

  19

  12

  7

  2

  27

  79

  10

  Tayside

  17

  0

  0

  3

  3

  0

  8

  14

  2

  Scotland

  253

  8

  24

  38

  20

  3

  65

  165

  27

  Persons proceeded against in all courts (1995)

  Central

  163

  1

  2

  6

  2

  0

  15

  146

  4

  Dumfries and Galloway

  156

  0

  4

  2

  1

  0

  22

  139

  6

  Fife

  262

  0

  4

  4

  10

  0

  36

  237

  2

  Grampian

  808

  8

  34

  20

  34

  2

  136

  674

  45

  Lothian and Borders

  149

  0

  0

  3

  5

  0

  6

  140

  3

  Northern

  126

  0

  0

  2

  1

  0

  12

  113

  2

  Strathclyde

  2,389

  11

  155

  47

  87

  11

  326

  1,913

  87

  Tayside

  264

  0

  5

  2

  11

  2

  42

  226

  12

  Scotland

  4,317

  20

  204

  86

  151

  15

  595

  3,588

  161

  Persons proceeded against in solemn courts (1995)

  Central

  4

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  4

  0

  Dumfries and Galloway

  7

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  7

  1

  Fife

  6

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1

  5

  0

  Grampian

  17

  1

  2

  1

  3

  0

  7

  12

  2

  Lothian and Borders

  6

  0

  0

  0

  4

  0

  0

  4

  0

  Northern

  3

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  3

  1

  0

  Strathclyde

  118

  3

  23

  12

  11

  3

  25

  66

  15

  Tayside

  15

  0

  4

  1

  3

  2

  3

  12

  3

  Scotland

  176

  4

  30

  15

  21

  5

  40

  111

  21

  Note:

  1Columns cannot be added together since a person may be dealt with for more than one type of drug.

  Source:

  Home Office Research and Statistics Directorate.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Green Belt Policy
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if
  668
  police authority (a)cautioned, (b) proceeded against in a magistrates court and (c) tried at the Crown court for possession of a proscribed drug in (i) 1994, (ii) 1995 and (iii) the last 12 month period for which figures are available. [4791]

  Mr. McLeish
  [holding answer 19 June 1997]: Formal police cautions are not used in Scotland. Details of the number of persons proceeded against in all courts and the number proceeded against in solemn courts for possession of a controlled drug in 1994 and 1995 by type of drug and police force area are given in the tables below. Information is not available on the number of trials for persons proceeded against in solemn courts. Data for 1996 will not be available until the late autumn.

  he will make a statement regarding his Department's policy towards building on land designated as Green Belt. [5606]

  Mr. Raynsford
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, East (Mr. Vaz) on 22 May 1997,Official Report, column 152.

  Biotech Companies (Liquid Waste)
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with the Advisory Committee for Genetic Modification about its consideration of allowing direct discharge of untreated liquid wastes from biotech companies into the environment. [5647]

  Angela Eagle
  The Health and Safety Commission's Advisory Committee on Genetic Modification (ACGM) is currently considering, in consultation with interested bodies, the matter of direct discharge of those untreated liquid wastes which are judged, on the basis of thorough risk assessment, not to pose a risk of harm to the environment. This matter is covered by the Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 1992, as amended in 1996. The Health and Safety Executive enforces these Regulations and will consider ACGM's advice before agreeing with the relevant Departments (so far as matters relate to the environment) the best way to proceed.

  Water Companies (Investment)
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what has been the proportion of water service companies' total capital investment in(a) water leakage reduction, (b) renewal of mains water supply pipes, (c) sewage treatment and (d) replacement of public sewers in each of the past three years. [5154]

  Angela Eagle
  Information on total capital expenditure in sewage treatment and maintenance of mains water supply pipes and public sewers, generally referred to as maintenance of underground assets, is published in summary in OFWAT's annual reports on the "Financial Performance and Capital Investment of the Water Companies in England and Wales". Copies of these reports are available in the Library.

  Specific figures for expenditure on leakage reduction are not available, as spending on leakage is allocated across a number of expenditure headings in the water companies' July Returns to OFWAT. These returns give details of the companies' regulated activities, service to customers and expenditure on both capital investment and operating costs in the previous year. Copies of these returns are available in the Library.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what investment was made by Severn Trent plc in (i) 1994, (ii) 1995 and (iii) 1996 in(a) replacement and renewal of main water supply pipes and (b) replacement and renewal of public sewers. [5153]

  Angela Eagle
  Information on individual water companies' investment in the maintenance of water supply pipes and public sewers, generally referred to as maintenance of underground assets, is published in OFWAT's annual reports on the "Financial Performance and Capital Investment of the Water Companies in England and Wales". Copies of these reports are available in the Library.

  Council Tax
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to make changes to council tax band differentials. [5282]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The question of whether any changes should be made to the ratios between council tax bands is one that the Government will wish to discuss with the Local Government Association and others before reaching a view.

  Water Charges
  Mr. Desmond Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to reduce the variation in charges levied for water supply by different water supply companies, with special reference to variations within the same geographical areas. [5267]

  Angela Eagle
  Water charges levied by individual water companies are a matter for the Director General of Water Services, who is responsible for setting price limits for water and sewerage services.

  The Director General is currently conducting a periodic review of price limits which will set the framework for charges from 1 April 2000.

  Light Pollution
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his policy in respect of light pollution in rural areas. [5302]

  Angela Eagle
  The Government believes that the intrusiveness of lighting in rural areas should be kept to a minimum and that problems that may arise from artificial lighting are most appropriately dealt with by raising public awareness and by providing guidance on how these prolems might be mitigated.

  These issues and the wider ranging concerns of light pollution are now being considered by my officials.

  Radioactive Contamination
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he received from his French counterpart in respect of the level of radioactive contamination recently discovered in the English Channel off Cap de la Hague; and what plans he has to communicate with the Channel Islands states authorities over the environmental threat posed by the radioactive discharges. [5338]

  Angela Eagle
  No recent representation has been received from the French authorities in respect of radioactivity in the English Channel.

  Monitoring carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in the English Channel shows that the contamination of marine foodstuffs and environmental indicator materials attributable to discharges of radioactivity from the Cap de la Hague reprocessing plant is of negligible radiological significance.
  671
  Officials of United Kingdom Departments meet representatives of the Channel Islands states on a regular basis to discuss matters of common interest.

  Water Meters
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps are being taken to monitor the impact of the introduction of pre-payment water meters. [5380]

  Angela Eagle
  The Director General of Water Services informs me that OFWAT is actively monitoring the use of pre-payment water units.

  The legality of the installation of these units is to be the subject of a forthcoming judicial review and their use will be considered as part of the Government's review of the system of water charges, which we announced at the Water Summit on 19 May. I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Burnley (Mr. Pike) by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment and Countryside on 25 June 1997, Official Report, column 514, on the commencement of the review.

  Train Operating Companies
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much was paid by OPRAF in 1996–97 to each of the train operating companies under its performance regime; and how much those train operating companies paid to Railtrack under the access contract performance regime indicating separately(a) supplementary access charges and (b) performance payments. [4581]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The payments to and from train operating companies under the performance regime in franchise agreements are a matter for the Franchising Director. I understand that he will publish these details in his Annual Report in the coming weeks. Payments under the incentive schemes which operate between Railtrack and the train operating companies are commercially confidential to the companies concerned.

  Aircraft Departure Slots
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on BAA's policy in respect of aircraft queuing for take-off in order to maximise the number of departure slots. [5400]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The determination of departure slots at the UK's major airports is a matter for Airport Co-ordination Ltd. (ACL), in conjunction with BAA and National Air Traffic Services Ltd. ACL is wholly owned by 10 UK airlines. There is no policy on aircraft queuing to maximise the number of departure slots.

  Coastguard
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how many coastguard watch assistants originally recruited for(a) operational and (b) administrative duties are currently employed within HM Coastguard; [5597]

  (2) how many Coastguard watch assistants are earning less than (a) £6,000 and (b), £7,000 per annum; [5598]
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  (3) how many staff were employed in Coastguard Agency HQ for each of the last three years; [5599]

  (4) if he will list for each of the last five years Coastguard staff serving in the grades (i) regional controller, (ii) deputy regional controller, (iii) district controller/officer, (iv) station officer and (v) coastguard officer excluding those employed at Coastguard HQ. [5600]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I have asked the Chief Executive of the Coastguard Agency to write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from C. J. Harris to Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody, dated 27 June 1997:
  The Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions has asked me to reply to your recent Questions about staff levels and earnings in the Coastguard Agency.
  PQ 5597
  Of the initial Coastguard Watch Assistants recruited (174 operations and 34 administration), 150 operations and 30 administration remain in post.
  PQ 5598

  (a) No Coastguard Watch Assistants earn under £6,000 per annum (pro rata).

  (b) Currently 113 Coastguard Watch Assistants (79 full and 34 part time) earn less than £7,000 (pro rata). They all currently earn £6,928.00 per annum with a pay award pending which will be backdated to April 1997.

  PQ 5599

  1997

  1996

  1995

  Coastguard HQ

  82

  81.5

  80.5

  All figures given are for 1 April.

  PQ 5600

  1997

  1996

  1995

  1994

  1993

  (i) Regional Controllers

  5

  5

  6

  6

  6

  (ii) Deputy Regional Controllers

  6

  6

  7

  6

  6

  (iii) District Controllers

  21

  21

  20

  19

  21

  (iv) Station Officers

  42

  44

  43

  42

  45

  (v) Coastguard Officers

  318

  359

  362

  383

  383

  All figures given are for 1 April.

  Manchester Airport
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he has received an application for a grant for rail freight to the construction site of runway two at Manchester Airport; and if he will make a statement [5455]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We announced the award of almost £2.2 million in freight facilities grant on 23 June. The grant will lead to construction of a new temporary connection to the Manchester Airport Branch railway line so that the 1.4 million tonnes of limestone needed for the second runway can be carried by rail rather than by road, thereby avoiding 70,000 lorry journeys between the Peak District and Manchester.

  The grant underlines the Government's commitment to getting freight off the road and onto the railway. It is good news for the rail industry and good news for the environment.

  Cycling
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will encourage rail operators to sign the voluntary code of practice relating to the promotion of cycling. [5806]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I was delighted to have the opportunity to encourage operators to adopt the voluntary code of practice,Providing for Cyclists, when I spoke at the ceremony to announce it. The code is fully consistent with the Government's desire to see proper facilities for cyclists who wish to use the railway. We are currently reviewing the Franchising Director's Objectives, Instructions and Guidance and, as part of our review, we will be considering whether the Franchising Director should take further action to encourage increased provision for the carriage of cycles on trains.

  Train Services (South-West)
  Ms Atherton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what plans he has to review levels of train services to Penzance; [5485]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the impact on local businesses of the recent reductions in the train service between Plymouth and Penzance; [5487]

  (3) what plans he has to ensure that the level of rail service in the south west is sufficient to promote economic development in the region. [5486]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Franchising Director specifies minimum levels of service through the Passenger Service Requirement (PSR) which is incorporated in franchise agreements with train operating companies. Services operated over and above those required in the passenger service requirement are a commercial matter for the franchisee. There are no plans to review the PSRs relating to train services to Penzance.

  There has been no reduction either in the PSRs or in Summer 1997 timetables for services between Plymouth and Penzance. On the contrary, South Wales and West has introduced a new daily service between Manchester and Penzance with effect from the summer timetable, and
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  Great Western has introduced a number of new services on Sundays between Paddington and Penzance. There have been some operational problems in recent months which have affected service performance. The Government has made no assessment of the impact of local business of the recent operational problems in the south-west.

  The Franchising Director closely monitors service performance and operators are penalised for cancellations and delays. Passengers are entitled to compensation for services which are below specified standards under the terms of franchise operators' Passenger's Charters. The Government wants to see greater use of the railway, higher levels of investment in the rail network, proper enforcement of train operators' services commitments and all the benefits of having a national railway network.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Jet Ski Safety
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has for new measures to improve jet ski safety. [5459]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I have been asked to reply.

  Local authorities already have powers to make byelaws to regulate seaside pleasure boats for the prevention of danger, obstruction or annoyance to persons bathing in the sea or using the seashore.

  In addition, the Coastguard Agency promotes the safe use of recreation craft through national campaigns, like the primary schools sea safety campaign and local accident prevention projects. The Sea Safety Liaison Group set up by the RNLI, with the Coastguard Agency and other bodies, also promotes this work. The Agency has also launched a consultative document, "Non-legislative measures for the improved safety of non-regulated pleasure vessels", to promote debate and draw together views from a wide range of authorities, organisations and bodies about the ways in which incidents can be reduced. So far the Coastguard Agency has received over 20 responses which are currently being analysed.