Written Answers of 21 May 1997

SCOTLAND

  Residential Care Report
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to implement the recommendations contained in the report of the Working Group on Residential Care Home Registration Procedures; and if he will make a statement. [129]

  Mr. Galbraith
  We will be consulting this month on draft guidance to local authorities on a wide range of measures recommended in the Working Group's report. A Bill on the regulation and inspection of residential and domiciliary care will be introduced at a suitable opportunity.

  Mental Illness Grant
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the cost to public funds of the mental illness specific grant in each of the last seven years; what sums have been allocated for(a)1997–98 and(b) 1998–99; and if he will make a statement. [117]

  Mr. Galbraith
  Expenditure on projects supported by the mental illness specific grant in each year since 1990–91 has been £0, £2.3 million, £5.7 million, £9.9 million, £14.0 million, £18.0 million and £18.0 million. The allowance for 1997–98 is £18.0 million. The allowances for community-based services for people with mental health problems in 1998–99 will be considered along with other elements of the local government settlement. The grant has been the subject of a Scottish Office review and an independent evaluation which will be published later this year.

  Prison Service
  Mr. Doran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how he proposes to reply to questions about the Scottish Prison Service. [1068]

  Mr. Dewar
  In view of the special sensitivity of prison matters, I have decided that all Questions about the Scottish Prison Service will be answered by a Scottish Office Minister and not by the Chief Executive of the Service. This is no reflection whatever on the Chief Executive who has discharged well his responsibilities in this regard, nor does it have any implication for the Scottish Prison Service as an Agency; but it recognises particular concerns that Ministers should answer personally on matters relating to imprisonment.

DEFENCE

  Salisbury Plain (Water Plants)
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many invitations to tender were issued, and to whom, in respect of maintenance of water treatment plants on or near Salisbury Plain during 1996, listing the establishments; and which contractors were successful. [97]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Army's water and sewage treatment plants on or near Salisbury Plain are managed from the five military stations at Upavon, Larkhill, Warminster, Netheravon and Tidworth. All are maintained in accordance with our normal practice of appointing a Works Service Manager from the commercial sector whose responsibility it is to maintain the estate and to issue invitations to tender for the work involved. The Works Service Manager contract in respect of the plants managed from Tidworth was reviewed in 1996. The contract was awarded to BP Defence following competition in which the following firms were also invited to tender: Serco, Laings, Trant, Amey and Trafalgar House. Invitations were also issued in 1996 to companies interested in making proposals for the provision of water and sewage treatment at Tidworth under a Private Fiance Initiative exercise.

  Pensions (Service Men's Widows)
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the pension entitlements of widows of service men(a) who retired before March 1973 and (b) who retired after that date; what effect remarriage of a widow under either of these circumstances has upon that widow's entitlement; and if she will make it her policy that such widows receive pensions equal to at least half of the pensions to which their husbands would have been entitled. [651]

  Mr. Spellar
  I am replying to this question as it concerns benefits payable to Service widows under the provisions of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme (AFPS).

  Under the provisions, a widow of a Serviceman who retired before 31 March 1973 is entitled to a pension equal to one third of her late husband's pension. A Service widow whose husband retired on or after that date is entitled to a pension equal to one half of her husband's pension. On remarriage a Service widow's entitlement to an AFPS pension ceases. However, if the subsequent marriage should end, there is discretion to restore the original Forces Family Pension. 80 per cent. of such applications are successful. In the case of those widows whose husband's death is accepted as attributable to their military service the original Armed Forces pension is automatically restored.

  One of the principles which underpin the way in which the major public service schemes operate is that improvements to the scheme should not be retrospective. An extension of widows' pensions to half rate would breach this principle. If improvements to pensions schemes were to include the cost of backdating, it would become very difficult for schemes to afford any worthwhile changes. The AFPS therefore operates on the principle that when Service personnel retire, they and their dependants are entitled only to the provisions of the pension scheme in force at the date of retirement

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Share Dealings (Lord Archer)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make available for public inspection her Department's inspectors report on Lord Archer's share dealings; and if she will make a statement. [277]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  No. Reports of inspections under section 177 of the Financial Services Act 1986 are not published and are therefore prepared on that basis. The inspectors undertake their task with the knowledge that there is no power in the Act providing for publication and that they need not, therefore, be inhibited in expressing their views. Individuals who are criticised in a section 177 report are not given any opportunity to comment upon the criticisms, as would be the case if the report was to be published. Section 177 reports are prepared to enable the Secretary of State to consider further action including possible criminal proceedings.

  Debt (Late Payment)
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what research her Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on late payment of debt by companies. [69]

  Mrs. Roche
  My Department is aware of the continuing difficulties experienced by small businesses as a result of the late payment of commercial debts. Although this Department has not commissioned any research on this matter it has closely analysed the findings of other key pieces of research including the recent work undertaken by NOP which showed that 80 per cent. of British businesses wanted a statutory right to interest. These findings are supported by similar research undertaken by Lloyds Bank and Office World which show that the majority of small firms are in favour of legislation.

  The Government is determined to change the payment culture in the UK and that is why we have responded to the calls from small businesses and announced in the Queen's Speech that we will introduce the Fair Payment of Commercial Debts Bill. The Government will consult on the most appropriate way of introducing legislation and plans to bring forward a Green Paper in the Summer to enable interested parties to put their views forward.

  Minimum Wage
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what research her Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the impact on jobs of setting a minimum wage at different levels. [70]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The independent Low Pay Commission will recommend to Government the initial level at which the National Minimum Wage might be set according to the economic circumstances of the time.

  Civil Servants (Ethnic Minorities)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many civil servants, of each grade, in her Department, were of Asian origin, on 5 May. [732]
  66
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  On 5 May 1997 the DTI employed, on headcount basis, 241 staff of Asian Origin in the following grade levels:

  Number

  Grade 7 level and above

  9

  SEO—level

  14

  HEO—level

  21

  EO—level

  66

  AO—level

  101

  AA—level

  30

  The figures provided are on a headcount basis. They include staff in the DTI but exclude casual staff and staff in Executive Agencies. About 8 per cent. of staff have chosen not to respond to the Department's ethnic origin survey.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proposals she has to increase the number of ethnic minority employees in her Department. [733]

  Mr. Griffiths
  My Department's recruitment procedures take full account of the need to attract ethnic minority applicants when posts are available. This includes the use of ethnic minority press to advertise vacancies; advertising in inner city job centres; race awareness training and guidance for those involved in recruitment activity; and detailed monitoring of recruitment campaigns.

  However, the number of staff in the Department has reduced significantly in recent years, and there has been little recruitment at any level. When there is a need to recruit new staff, the Department will actively seek to attract applications from all sections of the community. It will also keep under review the effectiveness of the Department's recruitment procedures in this respect.

  Bank of Credit and Commerce International
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will commission a report into the liquidation of BCCI. [712]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  My officials expect to receive the annual report of the liquidators as to the progress of the liquidation of BCCI shortly. It will cover the fifth year of the liquidation ie the 12 months to 14 January 1997 and will be made available to creditors. I undertake to send my hon. Friend a copy of that report and to place a copy in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to meet the liquidators of BCCI. [711]

  Mr. Griffiths
  I understand that my predecessor met my hon. Friend and others in November 1996 and met the joint liquidators of BCCI in December 1996. I do not have any present plans to meet the joint liquidators but would be grateful if my hon. Friend would write to me if there are any matters to do with the liquidation to which he particularly wishes to draw my attention.

  Insolvency Service
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what changes she plans to make to the Insolvency Service. [713]
  67
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  I have no plans to make changes to the Insolvency Service but if there are any matters in relation to its operations to which my hon. Friend wishes to draw my attention I should be grateful to hear from him.

  Businesses (Deregulation)
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to reduce regulatory burdens on businesses. [701]

  Mrs. Roche
  As we made clear in our manifesto, we are committed to relieving the regulatory burdens on businesses, particularly on small businesses. To achieve this we plan to work in partnership with business to cut red tape for small firms, ensure that new regulations are simple and fair, and establish simpler means by which businesses can undertake their dealings with Government.

  Trade Fairs
  Ms Angela Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what future provision is being made for the support of trade fairs abroad. [1199]

  Mr. Beckett
  My officials will shortly be writing to potential sponsors inviting bids for trade fair and seminar support in 1998–99 under the Trade Fair and Seminar Support Schemes and with a view to announcing the successful ones later this year. Industry had told us that it believes a separate scheme is more effective than including trade fairs in a Challenge approach. In the light of these representations we have decided that support for trade fairs will not be included in any future round of the Sector Challenge. Together with industry we will be reviewing all forms of export assistance, including trade fairs, through the new Export Forum. These actions fulfil commitments made in our business manifesto to review the previous government's decision to change the arrangements for supporting British participation in trade fairs.

  Price Marking Order
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the impact on(a) business and (b) small businesses of the Price Marking Order 1991; and if she will make a statement. [100]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  A compliance cost assessment was prepared prior to the making of the Price Marking Order 1991.

  Implementation of the new Price Indications Directive—currently at an advanced stage of negotiations—will require the making of a new Price Marking Order and the revocation of the 1991 Order. My Department will consult business organisations and others, and will prepare a new compliance cost assessment before the new Order is laid before Parliament.

  Mersey Docks and Harbour Company
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what contact has been undertaken by her Department with the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company in respect of measures to reach an agreement with the dismissed employees. [513]
  68
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  [holding answer 20 May 1997]My Department has had no contact with the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company concerning the resolution of this dispute. However, I understand the independent Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service has been in touch with the two sides to this dispute and remains ready to provide assistance if both sides agree.

NATIONAL HERITAGE

  Television Licence Evasion
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how many prosecutions for television licence evasion in the Preston TVLEO area took place in each year since 1992. [705]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  From 1993–94, the Preston Television Licensing Enquiry Office (TVLEO) area also included Morecambe. From December 1996, the Preston TVLEO area was incorporated into TV Licensing's Northern Region and prosecution figures for the Preston area are no longer separately recorded. The number of prosecutions for television licence evasion during the period in question was:

  Year

  Number of prosecutions

  Preston TVLEO

  1992–93

  4990

  Preston TVLEO (including Morecambe)

  1993–94

  6571

  Preston TVLEO (including Morecambe)

  1994–95

  5505

  Preston TVLEO (including Morecambe)

  1995–96

  5169

  Preston TVLEO (including Morecambe)

  April to

  November

  1996

  3726

  Civil Service (Ethnic Minorities)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what proposals he has to increase the number of employees from ethnic minorities within his Department. [240]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  The Department has increased the complement of staff engaged in Equal Opportunities work from 1997–98 which will enable plans to be developed for improving the opportunities for employees from ethnic minorities. Current figures show that the percentage of ethnic minority employees in my Department is above the Civil Service average.

  Sport
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to encourage more people to participate in sport. [388]

  Mr. Banks
  The Government will take the lead to extend opportunities for participation in sport through a national strategy for sport which will embrace all sections of the community regardless of where they live, social background, age or ability. This will be dedicated to providing excellence at all levels and improving sporting performance, while increasing sporting opportunities for the many not the few.

  Minister of Sport
  Mr. Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if the statement made by the Minister of Sport that the support of Lord MacLaurin, former chairman of the United Kingdom Sports Council, for the Conservative Party was not a good career move, represents Government policy.[606]

  Mr. Banks
  My right hon. Friend has accepted Lord MacLaurin's resignation, which was tendered by him for his own reasons.

  National Lottery
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what proportion of lottery grants has been made to(a) large and (b) small-scale projects. [804]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The following table shows the proportion of lottery awards to date by value.

  Award amount

  Per cent.1

  Under £50,000

  54

  £50,000–£99,999

  20

  £100,000–£499,999

  21

  £500,0004–£1,000,000

  2

  £1 million+

  3

  1Rounded to the nearest per cent.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to increase the share of lottery proceeds distributed to the regions.[802]

  Mr. Smith
  It is clear that some areas of the country have benefited a great deal more from the Lottery than others. We will be looking at the reasons for this as part of our overall review of Lottery distribution and considering what changes might be made as a result.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what proportion of lottery proceeds currently goes to ethnic minority projects; and what steps he is taking to ensure that ethnic minority projects are well represented and supported. [803]

  Mr. Smith
  Our best estimate suggests that over 3 per cent. of Lottery awards so far announced, representing around 2 per cent. of total value of awards have been to ethnic minority projects, though many other projects provide benefits for people from ethnic minorities. I am conducting a thorough review of the distribution of Lottery proceeds including how best to ensure that all sections of the community benefit fully from the National Lottery.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a statement on the mechanisms for the public accountability of the operation of the lottery. [807]

  Mr. Smith
  The operation of the National Lottery is regulated by the Director-General who is appointed by the Secretary of State for National Heritage under the National Lottery etc. Act 1993. The Director-General is head of the Office of the National Lottery (OFLOT) which is an independent, non-Ministerial Government Department. As its head, the Director-General is 70
  accountable for the exercise of his statutory functions under the National Lottery etc. Act 1993, and for the financial operation of his Department.

  The Director-General must report each year to me on the exercise of his functions. This report is then laid before Parliament. He is also accountable to Parliamentary committees. The Director-General must also provide me with information relating to the National Lottery, or a lottery forming part of it, as I may direct.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage over what timetable he proposes to divert proceeds from the midweek lottery to health and education projects; and to which type of health and education projects he intends funds to be allocated. [805]

  Mr. Smith
  I intend to publish a White Paper in the summer setting out our plans for reforming the National Lottery and to introduce the National Lottery (Amendment) Bill before Christmas. The first priorities will be after-school clubs to provide homework centres and extra-curricular opportunities in the arts and culture; establishing a national network of one-stop healthy living centres promoting health and fitness; training teachers in the IT skills they need in the information age; and the establishment of the National Endowment for Science and the Arts. These programmes will begin as soon as the necessary legislation is in place.

  Mr. Patrick Hall
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to reform the distribution of the proceeds of the national lottery. [383]

  Mr. Smith
  [holding answer 19 May 1997]In addition to establishing new good causes to benefit from the National Lottery, we will review the existing distribution system to ensure that there is the widest possible access to Lottery funds throughout the UK. We will consider particularly the need for a proper strategy for the distribution of funds and co-ordination between the distributing bodies.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to limit the level of the national lottery operator's profits. [806]

  Mr. Smith
  I do not have the powers to restrict the level of profit which Camelot makes under its current licence. We will seek a competitive and efficient not-for-profit operator to run the National Lottery when Camelot's licence runs out so that the maximum amount of money possible goes to the goods causes.

  Globe Theatre Site
  Sir Peter Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what steps he plans to take to ensure that the fullest practicable archaeological investigation is made of the original Globe Theatre site.[605]

  Mr. Banks
  When the Globe's remains were discovered in 1989, part of the site was excavated and fully recorded. English Heritage is prepared to consider the case for further archaeological investigations beneath the basement of Anchor Terrace, provided it can be shown convincingly that there is a high probability of discovering valuable and particular information about the Globe as a result.

  Royal Collection
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when the computerised inventory of the Royal Collection will be completed. [702]

  Mr. Fisher
  I understand from the Royal Household, which is responsible for the Royal Collection Department, that they expect the inventory to be completed by the end of this year.

  Millennium
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans his Department has to celebrate the Millennium. [369]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  My Department is responsible for co-ordinating the Government's interests in the Millennium. Through the Millennium Commission we will be spending nearly £1.8 billion of National Lottery money on projects—great and small—to mark the year 2000. My Department is also working with other organisations involved in the process of planning for the Millennium to ensure proper co-ordination.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Gibraltar
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to discuss Gibraltar with his Spanish counterpart. [717]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs will be meeting his Spanish counterpart on a number of occasions in the coming weeks. As well as EU issues, he will discuss a wide range of bilateral issues, including Gibraltar.

  Arms Trafficking
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to give support for the programme for preventing and combating illicit trafficking in conventional arms put forward by the Netherlands Government during their presidency of the EU. [621]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Yes. We hope it will be possible for the programme to be adopted during the current EU Presidency, and will play a full part in taking it forward.

  Dr. Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to advance an EU code of conduct on the arms trade at the EU intergovernmental conference. [622]

  Mr. Lloyd
  We are committed to working for the introduction of an EU Code of Conduct on arms exports, setting out high common standards. Work is in hand on ways to implement this commitment, which we intend to discuss with our EU partners at an early stage.

  South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the summit meeting of the South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation; and if he will make a statement.[746]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation can play an important role in promoting trade liberalisation, stability and security within the region. The Summit in Male from 12 to 14 May saw a number of positive developments on these issues.

  Arms Trade
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next intends to visit the UN to discuss the supply of arms to third world regimes. [319]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary had no immediate plans for such a visit. As a major arms exporter, the UK will exercise its responsibility to ensure that the arms trade is properly regulated. We have made a number of commitments in this area. In particular, we will not permit the export of arms to regimes which might use them for internal repression or international aggression. We shall work for increased transparency on defence exports at the national and international level. We shall also work for the introduction of an EU code of conduct setting high common standards to govern arms exports from all EU countries, and for the strengthening of the UN Register on Conventional Arms.

  Land Mines
  Mrs. Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government on the import, export, transfer, manufacture and use of anti-personnel land mines. [1067]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  As announced earlier today by my right hon. Friend we shall implement our manifesto commitment to ban the import, export, transfer and manufacture of all forms of anti-personnel land mines.

  We will accelerate the phasing out of our stocks of anti-personnel land mines, and complete it by 2005 or when an effective international agreement to ban their use enters into force, whichever comes first. In the meantime, we have introduced a complete moratorium on their operational use, while we participate constructively in the Ottawa Process and push in the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva for a wider ban.

  That moratorium will be suspended only if we judge that for a specific operation the security of our Armed Forces would be jeopardised without the possibility of the use of anti-personnel land mines. In such an exceptional case we would report to Parliament the decision, and the circumstances which led to it.

  We shall also examine how we can make more progress in removing mines already laid across the world.

TREASURY

  Unemployment (Humberside)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the number of households in(a) Hull and (b) Kingston upon Hull, North without a wage earner.[164]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 19 May 1997]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. Kevin McNamara, dated 21 May 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 the number of households in Hull and Kingston upon Hull North without a wage earner.
  Estimates of non-pensioner households with no-one in employment are available from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) at national and regional level. They are also available for counties, except a few for which the numbers are not sufficiently reliable.
  No information on households or families is available from the LFS below county level because the analyses would not be sufficiently reliable.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Prosecution Arrangements
  Ms Blears
  To ask the Attorney-General what plans he has for improving the effectiveness of prosecution arrangements. [1198]

  The Attorney-General
  The pledges we made in our manifesto and the paper "The Case for the Prosecution" published before the election envisaged a change to the organisational structure of the Crown Prosecution Service so that there would be a one-to-one relationship between a police force and its corresponding CPS area as equal partners. In addition, we undertook to establish a review under the auspices of a person of the calibre of a High Court Judge to examine more closely the internal structures of the CPS, together with its policies and procedures and in particular whether they have been a factor in the extent to which convictions have fallen—by more than a third—whilst crime has risen so dramatically in recent years.

  Immediately on taking office I asked the Director of Public Prosecutions to work up proposals for dividing the Crown Prosecution Service into 42 areas each having its own Chief Crown Prosecutor ie. one for each police force outside London with the Metropolitan Police and City of London Police beings served by one CPS area. She has now done so. The basic timetable of the arrangements to be implemented is as follows:
  1. By 1 June 1997:
  DPP will have, as an interim measure, identified and named individuals to be known as the Crown Prosecutor for each of the proposed new CPS areas. The immediate role for those persons would be to assume oversight of the casework in the relevant area, together with the responsibility for local, consistent delivery of casework practices; and a personal involvement in serious or sensitive cases. He or she would also represent the CPS within the police force area and act
  74
  as principal point of contact for the Chief Constable having a general role in developing and influencing local relationships with other criminal justice agencies and the wider public.
  2. The broader management and administrative arrangements within the CPS, apart from the casework and representational functions mentioned above, would remain unaltered for the time being.
  3. By April 1998:
  The DPP will formally vary the division of the CPS into the 42 new areas through a direction made under Section 1(5) of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985.
  Selection boards will have been held to appoint 42 Chief Crown Prosecutors for the areas.
  The 42 Chief Crown Prosecutors will assume their full management responsibilities for areas. They will manage their areas within an agreed framework with responsibility for their budgets, but accountable ultimately to the DPP for the performance of the service in their areas.

  The detail surrounding these arrangements will be informed by the proposed review of the CPS on which I will be making a further announcement shortly. I should add that we are firmly committed to the principle of an independent prosecution service within a coherent national framework: our aim is to build on and adapt the underlying strengths and real achievements of the CPS in the past 10 years, so that the Service is able to deliver its full potential.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lanscaster how many civil servants there are currently. [1045]

  Dr. David Clark
  At 1 January 1997 there were 482,770 permanent civil servants. There were also 23,450 casual staff. Information for 1 April will be available shortly.

WALES

  Housing (Energy Efficiency)
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how he proposes to enable councils to modernise houses with defective windows and doors and install central heating; and if he will make a statement.[631]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  We are taking forward the Manifesto commitments to a phased release of capital receipts for building new houses and rehabilitating old ones; to support effective schemes, involving partnership with the private sector and registered social landlords, and to deploy private finance to improve the public housing stock and to introduce greater diversity and choice.

  Nursery Vouchers
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the nursery voucher scheme. [633]

  Mr. Hain
  I announced on 12 May that nursery vouchers in Wales are to be abolished from the end of this term.

  Young People
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how he proposes to move young people aged 24 years and under from benefits to work or training; and if he will make a statement. [635]

  Mr. Hain
  The Government's Welfare to Work proposals will ensure that no young person between the ages of 18 and 24 need be unemployed for longer than 6 months. We intend to offer these young people the choice of working and training with employers, voluntary or environmental organisations or participating in full time education or training. The Government is determined to break the vicious cycle of unemployment, frustration and alienation experienced by too many young people in Wales.

  NHS Treatment Costs
  Mr. Forth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the average cost of NHS treatment per patient in Wales. [649]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The average cost of NHS treatment per patient for primary healthcare in Wales is not available centrally. For secondary healthcare the 1995–96 average cost per episode, for cases using a bed, is £1,053 in Wales.

  Health Service Repairs and Maintenance
  Mr. Opik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the outstanding repair and maintenance backlog at NHS facilities by health authority in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [780]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  Backlog Maintenance statistics were collated by Health Authority area until 31 March 1995 but following reorganisation are collected and presented on a Trust basis.

  £ million

  Health authority(Including Trusts)

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Clwyd

  40.3

  44.5

  49.6

  31

  East Dyfed

  25.4

  18.9

  14.6

  17

  Gwent

  36.7

  33.9

  25.5

  36

  Gwynedd

  12.6

  16.3

  16.2

  8

  Mid Glamorgan

  38.1

  25.5

  33.8

  28

  Pembrokshire

  8.8

  9.6

  7.6

  7.5

  Powys

  3.5

  5.9

  5.8

  6.0

  South Glamorgan

  83.9

  84.9

  88.3

  95.0

  West Glamorgan

  16

  20.9

  24.4

  46.5

  Totals

  265.3

  260.4

  265.8

  275

  £ million

  Trust name

  1996

  Bridgend and District

  6.7

  Cardiff Community Healthcare

  20.6

  Carmarthen and District

  6.1

  Ceredigion and Mid-Wales

  4.8

  Clwydian Community Care

  10.8

  Dental Hospital, Heath

  4.8

  Derwen

  1.5

  East Glamorgan

  9.7

  Glan Clwyd

  15.6

  Glan Hafren

  31.2

  76

  £ million

  Trust name

  1996

  Glan y Mor

  22.1

  Gwent Community

  5.6

  Gwynedd Community

  5.8

  Gwynedd Hospitals

  5.2

  Llandough

  22.7

  Llanelli/Dinefwr

  3.7

  Morriston

  6.0

  Nevill Hall and District

  1.4

  North Glamorgan

  25.7

  Pembrokeshire

  8.2

  Powys Healthcare

  8.4

  Rhondda Healthcare

  6.2

  Rhymney Valley

  6.5

  Swansea

  2

  UHW/Royal Group

  55.1

  Velindre

  0.5

  Wrexham Maelor

  4.5

  Total

  301.4

  GP Lists
  Mrs. Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on how many occasions in each of the last five years patients have been removed from GPs' lists(a) in Wales and (b) in each health authority. [788]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The information requested is not held centrally.

  HOME DEPARTMENT Citizenship Applications
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will ensure that persons who have been resident in the United Kingdom for at least 10 years and whose application for British citizenship has been turned down will be given the reason for refusal. [263]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The question of giving reasons for decisions on applications for British citizenship is currently before the courts. We are reviewing our practice and shall continue to do so in the light of the judgment of the House of Lords. It would not be appropriate for the length of a person's residence in the United Kingdom alone to determine whether reasons are given.

  Residency Applications (Hong Kong)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for permanent residency in the United Kingdom have been received from non-Chinese ethnic minorities in Hong Kong.[269]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The information requested is not available as the ethnic origin of persons seeking settlement in the United Kingdom is not recorded.

  New Prison (Onley)
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what environmental impact assessment he has carried out of the proposals for a new Category `B' Prison at Onley. [130]
  77
  Ms Joyce Quin
  An assessment of the visual impact of the proposed new prison has been carried out by independent consultants. An illustrative landscape scheme has been prepared on the basis of this assessment: a wildlife study will follow.

  Wrongful Convictions
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to make a final financial compensation offer to Judith Ward, wrongly convicted of the 1973 M62 coach bombing. [181]

  Mr. Michael
  Judith Ward's final claim for compensation was only received in the Home Office in April 1997. The next stage involves reaching agreement with Ms Ward on the terms of a memorandum setting out the details of her claim, which will then be forwarded to the independent assessor who is responsible for determining the amount of compensation to be offered. In the circumstances, it is not possible to say precisely when the final offer will be made.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many claims for financial compensation in the case of individuals who were found by the Court of Appeal to have been wrongfully convicted were settled in 1996–97; and on what dates their convictions were quashed. [183]

  Mr. Michael
  Sixty-five compensation claims were settled during 1996–97, including 50 stemming from the quashing of a high number of drink-driving convictions in Greater Manchester following possible contamination of blood samples. No central record is maintained of the dates on which the convictions were quashed in those cases involving wrongful conviction.

  Special Secure Units
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will review the policy under which inmates in prison special secure units may only receive visits if they are physically separated from their visitors by a glass screen. [184]

  Ms Joyce Quin
  The policy of mandatory closed visits for exceptional risk prisoners will be kept under review.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he proposes to take in respect of the March 1997 Amnesty International report relating to conditions in the special secure units at HMP Full Sutton, HMP Belmarsh and HMP Whitemoor. [309]

  Ms Quin
  Ministers will consider the Amnesty International report and a response will be submitted in due course.

  Mohammed Al Fayed
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if Mohammed Al Fayed has lodged a fresh application for British citizenship. [1023]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  It would be for Mr. Al Fayed to disclose any such details.

  Hunger Strikes
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how long prisoner Ellis Sherwood has been on hunger strike; and if he will make a statement. [159]

  Ms Joyce Quin
  [holding answer 19 May 1997]Mr. Sherwood first began his food refusal on 12 April 1997 in protest at being held on the basic regime wing at Long Lartin prison

  Mr. Sherwood suspended his protest between 20 and 24 April during a short stay in the Health Care Centre. He was moved back to normal location on 24 April and re-commenced his protest on 27 April. His health is being monitored daily by a doctor.

  Danny McNamee
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made in considering the request of Danny McNamee currently detained at HMP Full Sutton for his exceptional risk security classification to be reduced and for him to be moved out of the special secure unit. [161]

  Ms Joyce Quin
  [holding answer 19 May 1997]Mr. McNamee's security categorisation and escape risk classification were reviewed by the category A committee of the Prison Service on 23 April 1997. The committee's recommendation, approved by the Director of Dispersal Prisons, was that he should remain a category A prisoner and continue to be classified as an exceptional escape risk. Mr. McNamee will be notified shortly of the reasons for this decision.

HEALTH

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the public sector equivalent cost assessments for each project which is the subject of a PFI funding bid application currently under consideration by his Department. [18]

  Mr. Milburn
  The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will ensure that community health councils are given access to information on each relevant PFI funding application for NHS facilities. [20]

  Mr. Milburn
  Health authorities have a statutory duty to consult their local Community Health Councils (CHCs) on proposals brought forward by National Health Service trusts for substantial developments or variations in services. In any major private finance initiative scheme, the views of CHCs will therefore have to be considered.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will review each NHS PFI bid where the projected number of specialty beds is less than currently provided for under existing facilities.[27]

  Mr. Milburn
  Any private finance initiative proposal must have the full backing of its purchaser health authorities before it is approved. Purchasers must be
  79
  consulted so that they can satisfy themselves that a PFI scheme is affordable, is consistent with their healthcare strategies and represents the best way of meeting patient needs. The number and types of bed required will be one of the factors they will take into consideration. The local health authority must, in turn, consult the relevant Community Health Council—who represent the public interest in the health service—when any major service change, including major changes in bed numbers, is proposed by a trust.

  Life Support Engineering Ltd.
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received from NHS purchasers of cases of repeat invoicing by Life Support Engineering Ltd. [16]

  Mr. Milburn
  We have received no representations from National Health Service purchasers about this company.

  Drugs Deaths
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals he has to reduce the number of deaths(a) resulting from the use of medicinal drugs and (b) of those addicted to medicines. [107]

  Ms Jowell
  No medicine which is effective is completely risk-free. Therefore, there are well-established systems for licensing and monitoring the safety of all medicines available in the United Kingdom. These ensure the benefits of medicines outweigh any risks and prevent users coming to unnecessary harm.

  The clinical needs of the patient can be decided only by the doctor treating the patient at the time. To assist doctors, the Department of Health provides and funds a full range of educational information and advice. The Medicines Control Agency alerts health professionals to unexpected drug hazards.

  These measures are kept under regular review and we will take action as appropriate to maintain necessary safeguards to protect public health.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Public Records
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will review section 5 of the Public Records Act 1958 to allow public inspection of classes of public records earlier than 30 years after they were created. [270]

  Mr. Hoon
  Section 5 of the Public Records Act 1958 already gives power to the Lord Chancellor to prescribe a public access period of less than 30 years for particular public records in the Public Records Office. For example, records of British Coal and of the Treasury Solicitor concerning the Aberfan Disaster in 1966 and the subsequent inquiry were all opened together, although a number of them were less than 30 years old.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Class Sizes
  Mr. Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on his proposal to cut class sizes, stating the maximum class size that will be allowed and the estimated cost of achieving that.[596]

  Mr. Byers
  Our policy is to phase out classes of over 30 for all five, six and seven-year-olds during the lifetime of this Parliament. The detailed costs of achieving that objective will depend on how LEAs and school implement reductions in class sizes.

  Assisted Places Scheme
  Mr. Hogg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the savings that will result from phasing out the assisted places scheme. [597]

  Mr. Byers
  Phasing out the assisted places scheme will lead to savings of about £100 million in total by the year 2000 which will be used to reduce class sizes for five, six and seven-year-olds.

  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will name the independent schools and number of assisted places in each presently available in the Cambridge constituency. [602]

  Mr. Byers
  The number of entry places available at each of the three participating schools in the Cambridge constituency in academic year 1996–97 is given in the following table:

  School name

  Number of entry places available

  Perse School for Boys

  16

  Perse School for Girls

  25

  St. Mary's School

  25

  Mrs. Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will estimate the eventual savings from phasing out the assisted places scheme in the schools located in the Cambridge constituency.[603]

  Mr. Byers
  Estimates of the eventual savings from phasing out the assisted places scheme have not been compiled on a local education authority or constituency basis. The current annual cost of the scheme at the three participating schools in Cambridge totals some £750,000.

  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many pupils have been accepted on to the assisted places scheme for September 1997; if these pupils will be allowed to take up their places in independent schools; and if he will make a statement. [752]

  Mr. Byers
  The number of children who will have taken up assisted places at the start of the academic year 1997–98 will not be available until participating schools have made their statistical returns by the middle of the Autumn term 1997. Some 10,700 assisted places on entry will be available at 1 September, and we propose to allow
  81
  any pupil selected during the current school year to take up such a place, provided he or she joins the school at the start of the 1997–98 school year.

  Nursery Education (Lancashire)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of children were in nursery education in Lancashire in each year since 1992. [699]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The information available is shown in the following table:

  Year

  Percentage of children in nursery education in Lancashire

  1992

  18

  1993

  19

  1994

  21

  1995

  21

  1996

  21

  Participation rates for all children under 5 in maintained nursery and primary schools in Lancashire are as follows:

  Year

  Percentage of children under five years of age in maintained nursery and primary schools in Lancashire

  1992

  50

  1993

  52

  1994

  53

  1995

  54

  1996

  54

  This table does not include those pupils in Special schools.

  Doodfield Primary School, Stockport
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he has received an application from the governor of Doodfield primary school, Hawk Green, Stockport, to opt out of LEA control; what criteria he will use in determining such applications; and what factors govern his timetable in making such decisions. [627]

  Mr. Byers
  An application for grant maintained status was published on 23 April by the governors of Doodfield primary school and has been received in the Department. All proposals in respect of schools will be considered on their individual merits, taking account of all relevant considerations. There is a two-month period following publication during which statutory objections may be made to the proposals. We would aim to reach a decision as soon as is compatible with consideration of all the relevant issues, including consideration of any related statutory proposals.

  Primary School Teachers
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the average cost of each full-time primary school teacher in the present financial year. [764]
  82
  Mr. Byers
  The Department's estimate of the average cost of each full-time primary school teacher in the present financial year is around £25,600. This includes salary, national insurance and employers' superannuation costs.

  Secondary School Pupils (Cost)
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the average cost per full-time pupil in secondary education, excluding pupils in receipt of special needs provision, in the present financial year. [765]

  Mr. Byers
  In 1995–96, the latest year for which data are available, the net institutional expenditure per pupil in LEA maintained secondary schools, excluding special schools, in England was £2,286.

  Literacy and Numeracy
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of pupils currently reach level four in(a) literacy and (b) numeracy standard assessment tests; and if he will make a statement. [750]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  In 1996, the percentages of 11 year old pupils achieving level 4 or above in English and mathematics in England were as follows:

  Teacher assessment test

  Per cent.

  Per cent.

  English

  60

  58

  Mathematics

  60

  54

  The Secretary of State announced last week, 13 May, tough new national targets: by the time of the tests in 2002, 75 per cent. of 11 year olds would be reaching the standards expected for their age in maths, and; 80 per cent. would be reaching the expected standards in English. To support these targets he has established separate Literacy and Numeracy Task Forces to report on how best to boost standards in schools.

  Class Sizes
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many classes in the new county of Wiltshire have over 30 children in(a) primary schools, (b) first schools and (c) middle schools.[98]

  Mr. Byers
  The information requested is shown in the following table.

  Number of classes with 31 or more pupils taught by one teacher in maintained primary schools in the new unitary authority area of Wiltshire1

  January 1996

  Classes in primary schools

  Of which classes in first schools

  291

  11

  1There were no middle schools in the new unitary authority area of Wiltshire in January 1996.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS
  ENVIRONMENT AND THE REGIONS

    Civil Service (Ethnic Minorities)
    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the regions what proposals he has to increase the number of employees from ethnic minorities within his Department.[306]

    Mr. Prescott
    My Departments' current measures to enhance and encourage the employment and advancement of ethnic minorities are as follows.

    Action plans for people of ethnic minority origin were first published in 1991 and are under constant review along with other equal opportunities action plans for women and disabled staff within which they are consolidated. Examples of how the action plans for ethnic minorities are put into practice include: the provision of a range of equal opportunities training for managers and staff; positive action training for developing the potential of ethnic minority staff only; training for members of interview panels; publicising staff vacancies in specialist recruitment publications which feature role models to help encourage ethnic minority group representation; a revised approach to staff appraisal procedures, backed up by mandatory training programmes, to eliminate prejudice by focusing on clarified objectives and a competency-based framework for assessing individuals' performance; participation in the Windsor Fellowship Scheme, providing vacation work experience for ethnic minority undergraduates and in the Office of Public Service's Double Disadvantage Study relating to ethnic minority women; membership of a mentoring consortium led by the East London University to contribute to the development of ethnic minority students through establishing links with role models in employment; offering networking opportunities for ethnic minority staff and positively encouraging them to apply for promotion and sit as panel members; monitoring and analysing success rates by ethnic origin of the processes of recruitment, internal postings, advancement, staff appraisal; identifying any barriers to progress and improving the processes to ensure equality of opportunity in the workplace and reflect local needs; and formal annual reporting to Board level, the Trades Union Side and staff generally about equal opportunities progress. Executive Agencies have autonomy to develop comparable local strategies.

    I shall want to review and consider the adequacy of these measures.

    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many civil servants at each grade within his Department were of Asian origin on 5 May. [305]
    84
    Mr. Prescott
    Through voluntary and confidential surveys, the total number of civil servants at each grade who have declared their ethnic origin as Asian are:

    DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT, Regions and Agencies (excluding Health and Safety Executive)

    Grade and grade equivalents

    Grade 6

    0

    Grade 7

    5

    SEO

    2

    HEO

    14

    EO

    29

    AO

    53

    AA

    24

    Department of Transport, Regions and Agencies

    Grade and grade equivalents

    Number

    Grade 6

    5

    Grade 7

    17

    SEO

    33

    HEO

    18

    EO

    48

    AO

    156

    AA

    52

    Cottamwear District Centre Site, Preston
    Mr. Jack
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what powers the Commission for New Towns has to revise its present proposals for the use of the District Centre Site at Cottamwear, Preston. [251]

    Mr. Caborn
    Proposals for the site were originally made by the former Central Lancashire Development Corporation under Section 7(1) of the New Towns Act 1981 and were approved by the then Secretary of State in 1983 under Section 7(2) of the same Act.

    Any changes to the approved development are subject to the normal planning application procedures and must be approved by the local planning authority.

    Mr. Jack
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what factors led the Commission for the New Towns to alter its original plans for the use of the District Centre Site at Cottamwear, Preston. [252]

    Mr. Caborn
    I understand that the Commission for the New Towns wished to modify its original plans so as to allow for a single large supermarket, which it believes would be more appropriate to a large new housing area and would offer a wide range of facilities than could have been provided under the constraints of the existing planning permission.

    Contaminated Land
    Mr. Bennett
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects(a) to publish the regulations on contaminated land and (b) to reply to the Environment Committee's report on contaminated land (Second report, Session 1996–97, HC 22). [36]
    85
    Ms Angela Eagle
    We hope to make an announcement on how we propose to proceed before the Summer Recess and to provide a full response to the Environment Committee's report when Parliament reassembles in the Autumn.

    Competitive Tendering
    Mr. Bercow
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what studies his Department has undertaken concerning a replacement for compulsory competitive tendering. [261]

    Mr. Raynsford
    We are currently considering, with local government and other interested parties, the bet means to take forward our Manifesto commitment to replace compulsory competitive tendering with a duty on local authorities to secure 'Best Value'

    London Strategic Authority Referendum
    Mr. Hill
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the timetable for the referendum on an elected strategic authority and mayor for London. [135]

    Mr. Raynsford
    Subject to the necessary legislation being enacted by Parliament, we propose to hold a referendum in May next year.

    Planning Policy Guidance
    Mr. Jack
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to ensure that local authorities follow the current contents of PPG 6; and what is his Department's policy towards PPG 6. [249]

    Mr. Caborn
    The Government is concerned to ensure that development of key town centre uses, whether shopping, offices, leisure or other appropriate uses, actively assists the regeneration of our town and city centres, as well as key district centres. I am keen to see our policy applied firmly and consistently, taking due account of local circumstances. We are also currently considering our Response to the Environment Committee's recent report on Shopping Centres.

    Housing Development (Towns and Cities)
    Mr. Bercow
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the Government remain committed to 60 per cent. of all new housing development being in existing towns and cities. [236]

    Mr. Raynsford
    Sixty per cent. was an option put forward in the Green Paper on Household Growth published for consultation last year. We are now considering all the responses received before deciding how the issues surrounding household growth should be taken forward.

    Urban Commons
    Mr. Gordon Prentice
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make it his policy to mark urban commons as such on Ordnance Survey maps. [260]
    86
    Mr. Raynsford
    The recording of information in Ordnance Survey's National Topographic Database and its depiction on maps at various scales are primarily a matter of resources. Funding to collect, store and disseminate information comes from two sources—commercial sales of OS products and from government funding for those OS activities which are judged to be in the national interest. Discussions are currently underway on the funding of a National Interest in Mapping Service Agreement (NIMSA) and the Ordnance Survey activities to be covered by it. I have ensured that the question of recording urban commons is included in the considerations. A decision on NIMSA is expected to be taken by Ministers later in the year.

    Leghold Traps
    Mr. Gummer
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will support the ban on the import of furs caught by leghold traps agreed to by Environment Ministers in the EU.[638]

    Mr. Prescott
    We expect to receive formal proposals from the Commission shortly about resolving this issue. We will consider these in the light of our aim to end the use of such cruel trapping methods.

    Mr. Gummer
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what discussions he plans to hold with the incoming Luxembourg presidency to carry through the ban on fur imports from countries using leghold traps; [854]

    (2) when he plans to meet his (a) US, (b) Canadian and (c) Russian colleagues to confirm the United Kingdom's decision to insist upon a ban on fur imports from countries not proposing to phase out leghold traps; [856]

    (3) what discussions he has had with the Dutch Presidency on the implementation of a ban on the import of furs caught by leghold traps.[853]

    Mr. Prescott
    My hon. Friend the Minister of State will be meeting his opposite numbers from the Netherlands and Luxembourg on 4 and 9 June to discuss a number of issues of mutual concern, including the 1991 EC Leghold Traps Regulation. I have no immediate plans to meet Ministerial colleagues from the fur exporting countries.

    Council of Ministers
    Mr. Gummer
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to attend the next meeting of the Council of the European Union Environment Ministers. [636]

    Mr. Prescott
    I expect to attend the next Environment Council in Luxembourg on 19 and 20 June, together with my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment.

    Forest of Dean
    Mrs. Organ
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his plans for environmental protection in the Forest of Dean.[589]

    Ms Angela Eagle
    Various protective measures already apply within the Forest of Dean. The Wye Valley is already designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural
    87
    Beauty. The Wye Valley and Forest of Dean Bat Sites, and Wye Valley Woodlands are candidate Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), and the River Wye is a possible Special Area of Conservation. Once adopted by the European Commission the SACs will received full protection under the EC Habitats Directive. These internationally important sites are also already designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs); as such, they form part of a larger network of SSSIs which receive additional consideration within the planning control system. English Nature, the Government's scientific advisors, have a duty to continue to identify further sites which meet the SSSI criteria.

    Homelessness
    Mr. Corbyn
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his estimate of the number of people in London who are(a) rough sleepers, (b) accommodated in hostels and (c) concealed as homeless and sharing accommodation. [168]

    Mr. Raynsford
    [holding answer 20 May 1997]Comprehensive data on the numbers of rough sleepers and on persons accommodated in hostels in London are not available. However, counts of rough sleepers in Central London are conducted on a regular basis and the most recent one, on 14 November 1996, found 357 people sleeping rough in Central London areas plus Whitechapel, the City and W1 and W2. Counts were also conducted in a number of other London Boroughs during the summer of 1996 and the numbers of rough sleepers found were as follows

    Number

    Barnet

    2

    Ealing

    24

    Hammersmith and Fulham

    19

    Kensington and Chelsea

    25

    Richmond on Thames

    12

    Tower Hamlets (areas not covered in regular count)

    8

    Waltham Forest

    2

    Information on households sharing non-self contained accommodation is available from the annual Survey of English Housing. The latest data are for 1995–96, when around 140,000 households in London were sharing in non-self contained accommodation. The Department's mid-1995 household estimate for London includes about 30,000 "concealed households" (married couples or lone parents living with relatives or friends) not included in the households sharing non-self-contained accommodation as they are not living as separate households. A number of these sharing/concealed households will be adequately housed and not seeking alternative accommodation.

    Local Government Association
    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans next to meet the chairman of the Local Government Association. [810]

    Mr. Raynsford
    My right hon. Friend met the Chairman of the Local Government Association on 4 May and again on 12 May, and further regular meetings are planned.

  TRANSPORT

    Road Maintenance
    Mrs. Dunwoody
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the regions what action he is planning to take following the publication of the National Road Maintenance Condition Survey. [3]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    We expect to be considering plans for roads expenditure and investment generally in the coming months, and as part of this will consider the needs for road maintenance. The 1996 NRMCS will no doubt be of assistance along with many other aids to assessment.

    Heavy Goods Vehicles
    Mrs. Dunwoody
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to introduce legislation to permit the impounding of illegally operated heavy goods vehicles. [52]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    We are considering the possibility for legislation on this issue.

    A46 Dualling
    Mr. Hogg
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on proposals to dual the section of the A46 between Lincoln and Newark; and when it is intended to commence construction works. [119]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    We are committed to a strategic review of the Trunk Road programme. The terms of the review are not yet settled, but the question of whether and how quickly we take forward schemes which are at or near construction will be a key early decision.

    Merchant Fleet
    Mr. Letwin
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the diminution of the British Merchant fleet in the last 100 years; and if he will seek to augment the size of the fleet by(a) introducing 100 per cent. tax allowances for investment in ships and (b) other measures. [629]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    The size of the British Merchant fleet has declined dramatically over the last 10 years. I intend to work with those in the industry to help to develop its economic potential. Any relevant measures will be examined.

    A303 (T)
    Mr. Key
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions his Department has held with English Heritage, Amesbury Town Council and the Navy, Army and Air Force Institution on improvements to the A303 (T) between Countess Roundabout and the east Amesbury junction; and what modifications are under consideration.[96]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency to write to the hon. member.
    89
    Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Robert Key, dated 21 May 1997:
    The Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions has asked me to reply to your recent question about what discussions have taken place between his Department, English Heritage, Amesbury Town Council and the Navy, Army and Air Force Institution on improvements of the A303 between Countess Roundabout and the East Amesbury junction and what modifications are under consideration.
    While no discussions have taken place with the Navy, Army and Air Force Institution, discussions about the A303, particularly the East Amesbury Junction, have taken place between the Highways Agency, Salisbury District Council, English Heritage and Amesbury Town Council.
    It is proposed that a study will be carried out this year to investigate the feasibility of modifying the junction to provide the additional slip roads required to make all movements possible.

    Mr. Key
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement about progress on the proposed A303 (T) Chicklade bypass.[94]

    Ms Jackson
    [holding answer 20 May 1997]A decision on whether to proceed with this scheme will be taken following a decision on the proposed Salisbury Bypass.

    Severn Bridge
    Mrs. Organ
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to review the terms of the contract for the management of the first Severn bridge. [588]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    There are no plans to review the terms of the contract for the management of the Severn Bridge.

    Salisbury Bypass
    Mr. Key
    To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will announce his decision on the Salisbury bypass project. [89]

    Ms Glenda Jackson
    [holding answer 20 May 1997]A report on aspects of the route of this proposed bypass was published on 21 March. No decision will be taken until the comments received on this report and other relevant representations have been considered.

  PRIME MINISTER

    EU Social Chapter
    17. Mr. Butterfill
    To ask the Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the implications of the EU social chapter for the competitiveness of British industry. [356]

    The Prime Minister
    The two measures adopted so far under the Social Chapter—European Works Councils and Parental leave—will promote good working relations. That can only be good for competitiveness. By ending the last Government's futile opt-out, we will play a full part in negotiations and ensure that the Social Chapter promotes flexibility and employability, not high social costs.

    Minimum Wage
    Mr. Nicholas Winterton
    To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy on the minimum wage. [359]

    The Prime Minister
    The Gracious Speech made clear our commitment to the introduction of legislation to set in place a National Minimum Wage. It will be set sensibly and will provide a wage floor to remove the worst excesses of low pay and exploitation of workers.

  INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

    Development Policy (Ethical Issues)
    Mr. Miller
    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans her Department has to address ethical issues in determining Britain's international development policy; and if she will make a statement. [322]

    Clare Short
    Ethics will be at the heart of our international development policy.

    Third-world Debt
    Ms Abbott
    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to promote debt forgiveness initiatives. [323]

    Clare Short
    The Government is giving its full support to the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Debt Initiative. As I have said, the aim is to give the poorest, most indebted countries a once and for all exit from their debt problems.

    Rwanda, Burundi and Zaire
    Mr. Russell Brown
    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what is her estimate of the numbers and needs of the refugees and internally displaced persons who have not yet returned home following the crises in Rwanda, Burundi and Zaire. [324]

    Clare Short
    UNHCR estimates that 1.5 million people have returned home since January 1996. The airlift to Rwanda continues at about 2,000 people a day. But just under 1 million refugees and internally displaced persons remain in the region. Up to 70,000 may be ex-FAR and Interahamwe involved in the Rwandan genocide. I intend to play an active role in the international effort to resolve these problems.

    Aid (Poorest Countries)
    Mr. Bayley
    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proposals she has to use a greater proportion of United Kingdom bilateral aid to promote long-term development for the poorest people in the poorest countries. [325]

    Clare Short
    I am reviewing existing spending programmes to ensure our resources are directed towards helping the poorest people. But bilateral programmes alone are not sufficient. We must have coherent policies in all areas such as finance, trade and the environment
    91
    which can make a real difference to eliminating poverty. We will set out our strategy in the White Paper promised in the Queen's Speech.

    Aid Budget
    Mr. Bernard Jenkin
    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement about the proportion of United Kingdom gross domestic product devoted to overseas aid. [326]

    Clare Short
    Unlike the previous government, we will keep our word. We remain committed to the 0.7 per cent. UN aid/GNP target.

    Sir Teddy Taylor
    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans Her Majesty's Government have to increase the level of overseas aid. [321]

    Clare Short
    As we promised during the election we will work within existing ceilings this year and next, we are committed to reversing the decline in UK aid spending.

    The previous government committed 30–40 per cent. of our aid budget to be spend through the EU. We are determined to ensure this is spent more effectively.

    Indian Sub-continent
    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement about current aid support to the Indian sub-continent. [327]

    Clare Short
    Britain spent £201 million on bilateral aid to India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka in 1995–96. South Asia receives the second largest allocation of British bilateral aid of any region in the world, after sub-Saharan Africa. The overall objective of our assistance programme is to help reduce poverty and promote sustainable development.

    Poverty Elimination (Women)
    Ms Maria Eagle
    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what are her plans for ensuring that women are included in poverty elimination strategies.[328]

    Clare Short
    The evidence is clear that empowering poor women is essential for effective poverty reduction. The education of girls is also a key priority. A commitment to women's development will be a major theme in the forthcoming White Paper.

    United Nations
    Mr. Hanson
    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when she intends to next meet United Nations officials to discuss development issues. [329]

    Clare Short
    My first meeting will be with UNESCO's Director-General shortly. There will be other important opportunities over the coming months to take forward matters of mutual concern with UN development agencies.

    European Union Funds
    Dr. Godman
    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when she last met her European counterparts to discuss the regulations governing the distribution of Know How and Phare funds.[330]

    Clare Short
    I have not yet hand the opportunity to meet with my EU counterparts to discuss these issues. The Know How Fund is a British Government bilateral programme and therefore part of our current review of spending plans. It is independent from the Phare programme, which is subject to EU procedures.

    Bangladesh
    Mr. Bennett
    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement about aid to Bangladesh.[331]

    Clare Short
    Bangladesh is, rightly, our second largest development assistance programme. We intend to increase the emphasis on poverty reduction and to support the Government's efforts to accelerate sustainable economic and social development. I hope to visit Bangladesh later this year.

    Mr. Gapes
    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to provide assistance to the Bihari people living in refugee camps in Bangladesh. [137]

    Clare Short
    There are no current plans to provide assistance exclusively for Bihari people living in refugee camps in Bangladesh. Since 1990 HMG has provided bilateral assistance totalling £0.77m for health and education projects involving Bihari communities in Bangladesh. We would hope to see the Biharis increasingly benefiting from more general development programmes run by Government and NGOs.

    Sustainable Development
    Ms Hewitt
    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what are her plans to promote sustainable development internationally.[332]

    Clare Short
    The Government will establish coherent policies to tackle global poverty and promote sustainable development. We will publish a White Paper setting out our future strategy and how we will implement it. Central to the strategy will be greater consistency between our development, trade, agriculture, environment, human rights and economic reform policies.

    Cuba
    Mr. Pickthall
    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps she plans to take to assist Cuba. [333]

    Clare Short
    We have a small British Partnership Scheme supporting the economic reform process in Cuba, and we contribute to the EC programme there. Over the next few months we shall be conducting a comprehensive review of all our cooperation programmes to ensure that they properly reflect the Government's new development priorities.

    Ethical and Social Responsibility
    Mr. Connarty
    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what are her Department's plans for encouraging ethical and socially responsible practices by businesses which are active in developing countries. [334]

    Clare Short
    We see sound ethical practice as central to international development policy. We are looking at a range of ways of working with business and interested non-Governmental organisations to achieve this and to assist the formulation of practical codes of conduct.

    Indonesia
    Mrs. Clwyd
    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will review aid to Indonesia. [335]

    Clare Short
    Yes.

    Population Control
    Mrs. Ann Winterton
    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on expenditure on family planning programmes in developing countries. [338]

    Clare Short
    Better sexual and reproductive health, including family planning, will be a priority for department. We believe that women and men in the developing world are entitled to the means to plan their families, to maintain good sexual and reproductive health and to have safe pregnancies. We will work at all levels to promote the principles of the 1994 Cairo Conference and ensure that the Programme of Action is realised.

    Child and Bonded Labour
    Mr. Corbyn
    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to end child and bonded labour in the poorest countries. [339]

    Clare Short
    In addition to strengthening support for actions aimed at eliminating exploitative and hazardous forms of child labour, we intend to strengthen our support for initiatives aimed at assisting families at risk of falling prey to bonded labour and to play a full part in international dialogue on this issue.

    Nepal
    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to re-evaluate Her Majesty's Government's development aid to Nepal. [742]

    Clare Short
    Our current bilateral aid to Nepal is designed to support broad-based growth, promote human development, encourage competent and accountable government and enhance the status of women. [This is set out in more detail in the Country Aid Programme Statement for Nepal which I am placing in the Library of the House]. We are looking for ways to give the programme a sharper strategic focus with greater emphasis on reducing poverty.

    Iran
    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what measures are planned by Her Majesty's Government to assist the earthquake victims in Iran.[741]

    Clare Short
    We have already provided £212,441 of emergency aid for the local purchase of relief items by the Iranian Red Crescent Society and the costs of an Oxfam consignment to the affected region. We are continuing to monitor the situation and relief effort and remain ready to provide further help.

    Civil Service (Ethnic Minorities)
    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proposals she has to increase the number of ethnic minority employees in her Department. [737]

    Clare Short
    The Department is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from ethnic minority candidates. We monitor those applications. Appointment is based on merit through fair and open competition.

    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many civil servants, of each grade in her Department, were of Asian origin on 5 May. [736]

    Clare Short
    The latest figures are:

    Grade

    Number of Asian employees

    Senior Civil Service

    1

    Grade 6

    1

    Grade 7

    2

    SE0 and equivalent

    1

    HEO and equivalent

    5

    EO and equivalent

    11

    AO

    16

    AA

    2

    SPS

    0

    PS

    2

    Typist

    5

    Support grades

    0

    Total

    46

    Kurds
    Mr. Vaz
    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the implications for Her Majesty's Government's humanitarian assistance to(a) refugees and (b) the rest of the population in Northern Iraq of the clashes between Turkish troops and Kurdish political factions. [744]

    Clare Short
    We are following with concern the Turkish incursion in Northern Iraq. We have not received any reports of new refugees, and no programmes for previous refugees are affected.

    Some supplies for the Pest Control Programme were temporarily held up. The Demining Programme has been interrupted in some areas. We have made representations to the Turkish Government.

    St. Helena
    Mr. Key
    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what is her Department's planned expenditure on St. Helena in the current financial year. [587]

    Clare Short
    Planned aid expenditure on St. Helena in 1997–98 is £8.675 million, relating to the first year of a three year aid commitment of £26 million linked to the St. Helena Country Policy Plan and agreed with the St. Helena Government.

    UNESCO
    Mr. Timms
    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what are the aims of her Department in respect of UNESCO. [336]

    Clare Short
    Our principal aim, in concert with UNESCO management and other members, is to ensure that the organisation works efficiently and effectively in the delivery of assistance that meets the changing needs of developing countries.

    Mr. Gapes
    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when she plans to meet the Director-General of UNESCO to discuss United Kingdom membership. [337]

    Clare Short
    I look forward to meeting the Director-General of UNESCO, Federico Mayor, shortly, to discuss our future work with UNESCO.

    Ms Rosie Winterton
    To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what her Department's priorities will be in its activities within UNESCO once the United Kingdom has rejoined UNESCO. [320]

    Clare Short
    Our commitment to development for the poorest people in the world requires better world governance and a more effective UN. Our rejoining of UNESCO will help us achieve these ends.

  AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

    BSE
    Mr. Baker
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how many carcases of cattle affected or suspected of being affected with BSE were disposed of by burial at Beddingham landfill site up to the end of 1991; and if these carcases were buried with their spinal cords; [101]

    (2) what scientific evidence underlay his Department's policy of disposing of cattle carcases affected by or suspected of being affected by BSE in landfill sites prior to 1991; [103]

    (3) for what reason spinal cords were not removed from the carcases of cattle affected or suspected of being affected by BSE before they were buried in landfill sites before 1991. [105]

    Mr. Rooker
    In the early years of BSE epidemic, incineration capacity was insufficient to deal with all the cattle involved. Therefore, during the summer of 1988 this Department approached East Sussex County Council seeking licensed landfill facilities for the disposal of cattle suspected of having BSE. At that time, the County 96
    Council was responsible as a waste disposal authority for the granting and supervision of licences under Part I of the Control of Pollution Act 1974. Following an assessment by the authority of the landfill sites then it its ownership, Beddingham was identified by that authority as suitable for the disposal of waste of this kind. The Ministry's records, cross checked with those available to the Environment Agency, indicate that the carcases of fewer than 10 cattle affected, or suspected of being affected, with BSE were disposed of at the Beddingham landfill site between August 1988 and October 1989.

    Compulsory slaughter of all cattle suspected of having BSE, with compensation, was introduced from August 1988. Under these arrangements the heads of suspects were removed from the carcases for confirmation of the presence, or otherwise, of BSE and were subsequently incinerated. The removal of spinal cord was not necessary for this purpose. The Southwood Committee, the group of independent experts initially set up to advise Ministers on BSE, recommended precautionary action against spinal cords and other cattle tissues which might carry the BSE agent in respect of certain foodstuffs. The bovine offal controls introduced in November 1989 in response to the Committee's advice went further than the Committee recommended. The Committee noted without objection that some cattle were disposed of by burial.

    No cattle suspected of having BSE have been disposed of by landfilling since 1991, since when sufficient carcase incineration capacity has been available to process the number of animals involved.

    Mr. Baker
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the dangers to(a) public health and (b) the contamination of the water table, from the disposal of carcases of cattle affected or suspected of being affected by BSE in Beddingham landfill site; and if he will make a statement. [102]

    Mr. Rooker
    In May last year a sub-group of the independent Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee (SEAC), which advises Ministers on BSE, considered the issue of BSE and the environment, including the past disposal of BSE suspect cattle to landfill. They considered that, although the spongiform encephalopathy agent was not yet fully characterised, there was good evidence to believe that individual molecules were not infectious and that infectivity was associated with macro molecular agglomerations and possibly with tissue fragments, albeit small ones. On this basis they concluded"it was unlikely that leachate from landfill sites would present a significant risk and there was certainly no justification for taking heroic measures to excavate sites, even those which had previously been used for material such as BSE-confirmed cattle".

    The Environment Agency has regulatory responsibility for supervising the safe operation of landfill sites and is in possession of SEAC's advice. The Agency monitors ground water quality in the vicinity of licensed landfill sites as a check for any leachate contamination. They are assessing data on a typical selection of identified sites to determine whether there is a possibility of impact on water quality.
    97
    Mrs. Helen Jackson
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many, and what percentage of, cattle(a) have been (i) slaughtered, (ii) incinerated and (iii) rendered and (b) are in storage, under the over 30 months scheme. [611]

    Mr. Rooker
    Up to 11 May 1997, some 1,420,866 cattle have been slaughtered under the over 30 months scheme. Of these:

    Number

    Per cent

    Method of disposal

    69,075

    4.9

    have been incinerated;

    1,227,763

    86.4

    have been rendered for subsequent destruction;

    124,0281

    8.7

    are in cold storage.

    1Estimate based on the tonnage of product taken into store.

    Mrs. Jackson
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list, for each rendering firm, the amounts paid to them for rendering cattle covered by the over 30 months scheme(a) in pounds sterling and (b) as a percentage of the total; and if he will list the (i) tonnage and (ii) number of such cattle rendered by each rendering firm. [613]

    Mr. Rooker
    The provision of details of payments made to individual renderers, or other information from which such payments could be deduced, would breach commercial confidentiality. Companies to which payments were made were:

    Canterbury Mills Ltd.

    Duncrue Food Processors Ltd.

    Dundas Bros Ltd.

    Fats and Proteins (UK) Ltd.

    William Forrest and Sons (Paisley) Ltd.

    Gilberts Animal By-Products

    Lisburn Proteins Ltd.

    J G Pears (Newark) Ltd.

    Peninsular Proteins Ltd.

    Prosper De Mulder Ltd.

    Ulster Farm By-Products Ltd.

    The information sought, on a UK basis is as follows:

    Total

    Tonnage of material rendered on which payment made to 15 May 1997

    527,814

    Total payments (excluding VAT) made to renderers to 15 May 1997 (£ million)

    54,882

    Estimated animals covered by above payments1

    1.139,361

    1Based on 460 kg of processed material per animal.

    Mr. Campbell-Savours
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what advice his Department has received as to the role of cattle feed as the infective agent leading to BSE. [245]

    Mr. Rooker
    The conclusions of epidemiological investigations have been published in peer reviewed journals and submitted to Government advisory committees from time to time. These have also been included in the six-monthly Progress Reports on BSE in Great Britain which are laid in the Library of the House. Cattle feed is still considered to have been the primary route of infection, although advice recently received from SEAC suggests that a small proportion of cases may arise 98
    as a result of maternal transmission. The SEAC statement on their findings on maternal transmission was issued as a MAFF News Release on 18 April 1997 which was laid in the Library of the House.

    Mr. Campbell-Savours
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what projections he has evaluated in respect of the incidence of BSE in each of the next 10 years. [298]

    Mr. Rooker
    My officials have evaluated the epidemiological analysis carried out by Professor Anderson of Oxford University and his team, in collaboration with Wilesmith and others at VLA, which was published in Nature, Vol. 382. Their research indicates that the BSE epidemic will reach insignificant levels by the year 2001 irrespective of any further measures. This analysis supports Government predictions on the future pattern of the disease.

    Mr. Campbell-Savours
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate as to the projected cost of the culling of cattle under each of the BSE-related cull schemes. [293]

    Mr. Rooker
    We estimate that the selective cull will cost £185 million, although this is partly financed by the European Union and there will be savings on other schemes. The cost will depend, however, on the distribution of exposed animals and the number of animals which have to be slaughtered which can only be estimated at this stage.

    It is impossible to predict with any accuracy the total cost of the Over Thirty Month Scheme, given the duration of this demand-led Scheme is unknown. However, by the end of the current financial year expenditure is expected to amount to around £1,230 million, part of which is financed by the European Union.

    Expenditure on the Calf Processing Aid Scheme, which is wholly financed by the European Union, is expected to amount to around £140 million by November 1998. The Scheme's operation after that date is subject to consideration by the Council of Ministers.

    Mr. Campbell-Savours
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the projected level of incidence of BSE over the next 10 years. [10]

    Mr. Rooker
    I refer my hon. Friend to the paper published in Nature in August 1996 by Professor R. M. Anderson et al, a copy of which can be found at Appendix 5 of the November 1996 Progress Report which has been placed in the Library of the House. That paper gives a prediction of future tends in the incidence by year of BSE infections. It is anticipated that the BSE epidemic is likely to fade close to extinction by the year 2001 as a result of the control measures which are already in place. It is, however, pertinent to point out the many assumptions that had to be made in making such estimates. Significant deviation from such assumptions will inevitably affect the predicted outcome.

    Mr. Campbell-Savours
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish the reports relating to the diagnosis and incidence of BSE received by his Department over the last 12 months. [12]
    99
    Mr. Rooker
    Reports relating to the diagnosis and incidence of BSE are already available in the fortnightly report to the Commission on BSE measures taken by the UK, copies of which are placed in the Library of the House.

    Mr. Campbell-Savours
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what incidence of BSE-related contamination in dairy products has been reported to his Department in each of the last three years; and if he will publish such reports. [40]

    Mr. Rooker
    No BSE infectivity has ever been detected in cows milk including milk from animals clinically affected by BSE, nor has it been found in bovine mammary gland tissues.

    Mr. Campbell-Savours
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on what date Ministers were first informed of the dangers of a BSE-related infective agent. [246]

    Mr. Rooker
    Ministers were first informed of the possibility that BSE might be caused by a transmissible agent on 5 June 1987.

    Mr. Campbell-Savours
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the transmission of BSE-related conditions through pet food. [47]

    Mr. Rooker
    No research has been commissioned into the transmission of BSE-related conditions through pet food. Epidemiological investigations into Feline Spongiform Encephalopathy (FSE) in domestic cats and our knowledge of the disease lead us to conclude that cases occurred because Specified Bovine Offal (SBO) could be legally incorporated in pet food until its use was prohibited in September 1990.

    Mr. Nicholls
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to receive the SEAC report into the safety of EU beef production; and if he will make a statement. [136]

    Mr. Rooker
    The European Commission's draft report 2001/97 on risk factors and surveillance procedures on BSE in the Community has been put to SEAC and we are awaiting its views.

    Scrapie
    Mr. Baker
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what scientific evidence underlay his Department's policy of forbidding the burial by farmers of sheep which died of scrapie. [104]

    Mr. Rooker
    This Department has not introduced a policy of forbidding farmers from burying the carcases of sheep which die from scrapie except in the case of heads which are sent to Veterinary Investigation Centres for diagnostic purposes. These carcases must be disposed of in accordance with the Animal By-Products Order 1992 (as amended) and, where on-farm burial takes place, guidance is provided to farmers in the Code of Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Water.

    Set-aside Land
    Mr. Gordon Prentice
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what area of agricultural 100
    land in (a) Lancashire and (b) North Yorkshire is currently subject to set aside under the common agricultural policy. [706]

    Mr. Rooker
    The information requested is not available at present. Most farmers have only recently submitted their 1997 IACS applications which detail the areas they have set aside. Once the applications have been processed I will write to my hon. Friend with the information requested.

    Rendering Industry Support
    Mrs. Helen Jackson
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list for each rendering firm, the amounts due to them under the rendering industry support scheme for each year in the period 1995 to 2000. [614]

    Mr. Rooker
    Rendering industry support schemes have been introduced for 1996–97 and 1997–98. Total expenditure for 1996–97 is estimated at about £100 million, with a provision of up to £59 million for 1997–98. As at 21 May about £90 million had been paid to renderers for 1996–97. No money had yet been paid in respect of 1997–98.

    Individual companies' entitlements to support for the whole of 1996–97 have yet to be finally determined. Under the 1997–98 scheme, support payments depend on eligible renderers' production profile during the year. Entitlements for the year as a whole will therefore not be known until after the scheme ends.

    I am unable to disclose information about the support which has to date been paid to individual renderers for reasons of their commercial confidentiality (exemption 13 in the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information).

    Food Safety
    Mr. Campbell-Savours
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list each occasion on which issues relating to the safety of food have been referred to Ministers in the last five years. [39]

    Mr. Rooker
    Issues relating to the safety of food are a significant part of the work of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and Ministers are consulted regularly on these matters. My hon. Friend's question is so wide-ranging that a detailed reply could only be given at disproportionate cost.

    I can inform my hon. Friend that food safety issues have been considered by Ministers each day since the Government took office.

    Mr. Campbell-Savours
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the current manpower resources available to ensure that food hygiene standards are adequately maintained. [41]

    Mr. Rooker
    This is one of the areas we shall be considering as we take forward the proposals to establish a Food Standards Agency.
    101
    Mr. Campbell-Savours
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many veterinarians have been dismissed for failure to ensure compliance with health inspection regulations over the last 36 months. [13]

    Mr. Rooker
    The Meat Hygiene Service was established as an Executive Agency of MAFF on 1 April 1995 and took over responsibility from local authorities for meat hygiene and inspection in licensed fresh meat premises.

    Operational and staffing matters are the responsibility of the Meat Hygiene Service and I have asked the Chief executive to reply to my hon. Friend.

    Letter from Johnston McNeill to Mr. Dale Campbell-Savours, dated 21 May 1997:
    As Chief Executive of the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) your Parliamentary Question to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food concerning the number of veterinarians dismissed for failure to ensure compliance with health inspection regulations over the last 36 months has been passed to me for reply.(13)
    The Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) was established as an Executive Agency of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) on 1 April 1995. It took over from some 300 local authorities responsibility for enforcing meat hygiene, inspection and animal welfare at slaughter legislation in licensed fresh meat premises in England, Scotland and Wales. The MHS has no information about veterinarians dismissed prior to this date.
    The MHS directly employs 45 Official Veterinary Surgeons. In addition, the Agency makes use of 131 full time equivalent contract OVS. These OVSs work together with Meat Hygiene Inspectors as meat hygiene and inspection teams in abattoirs. MHS staff take appropriate action to ensure plant operators comply with the relevant hygiene, inspection and animal welfare legislation. The MHS operates a clear hierarchy of enforcement starting with informal advice and guidance escalating, where problems persist or are severe, to the service of statutory notices, and ultimately progressing in severity to prosecution or action by the State Veterinary Service to revoke the premises licence where there has been a failure to respond to earlier requirements. No directly employed OVSs have been dismissed for failure to ensure compliance with this legislation. A number of contract OVSs have had their contracts terminated as their performance has not proved satisfactory.
    The MHS has recently reinforced its instructions to its staff on ensuring compliance with hygiene legislation. All MHS staff have been reminded of the importance of ensuring full compliance with hygiene controls, and of those procedures which must be followed in relation to hygienic carcase dressing. In particular staff were reminded that meat showing evidence of contamination must not be health marked as fit for sale for human consumption. Where there is evidence that the health mark has been applied to a carcase showing signs of visible contamination, this will be regarded, prima facie, as a potential gross misconduct, and will be the subject of disciplinary investigation. Gross misconduct is a dismissable offence.
    The MHS is also responsible for enforcing Specified Bovine Material (SBM) controls in licensed premises. These controls are central to the protection of public health from any risk of BSE. They require the removal from all cattle at slaughter of all those tissues that might, in theory, harbour BSE infectivity. MHS staff are also fully aware that they may face disciplinary action as a result of any failure to enforce these controls. One contract OVS has received a written caution.

    Mr. Campbell-Savours
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the food safety regulations; and to what extent they are currently being applied. [42]
    102
    Mr. Rooker
    This is one of the areas we shall be considering as we take forward the proposals to establish a Food Standards Agency. In his report, Professor Philip James states that the Food Safety Act 1990, which provides the framework for food legislation, is generally acknowledged to be a good tool for ensuring food safety.

    Mr. Campbell-Savours
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the budget allocated for food safety in his Department relative to the responsibilities and liabilities placed on his Department arising from(a) BSE and (b) other food safety issues; and if he will make a statement. [45]

    Mr. Rooker
    The Ministry's spending priorities and the budgets allocated to them are about to undergo a thorough examination in the context of the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review.

    Animal Identification
    Mr. Campbell-Savours
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made in the development of a computerised animal identification system. [14]

    Mr. Rooker
    Cattle born from 1 July 1996 are already registered on the Agriculture Departments' computer databases.

    I am considering responses to proposals for a computerised database of cattle movements. I intend to take forward rapidly the creation of this database, so that it can be brought into effect in Great Britain well ahead of the Community's deadline.

    Mr. Campbell-Savours
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the extent to which the current proposals for the identification of cattle meet European requirements for the lifting of the beef ban in the Florence agreement. [15]

    Mr. Rooker
    The existing GB cattle passport system, implemented in July 1996, fulfils the Florence pre-condition for an affective animal identification movement recording system with official registration. A cattle database already existed in Northern Ireland.

    In addition, there are proposals for the introduction of a fully computerised cattle traceability system in Great Britain to record details of cattle movements centrally. These were sent to interested parties in December 1996.

    I am currently considering the responses to the proposals for a cattle traceability system which I hope to introduce at an early date.

    Quota Hopping
    Mr. Baldry
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the Government's policy towards quota hopping. [71]

    Mr. Morley
    Tackling the quota hopping issue is a top priority for the Government and we shall be looking to make real progress at Amsterdam.

    Beef Ban
    Mr. Campbell-Savours
    To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the estimates of the time when the beef ban is likely to be lifted that have been provided to his department by(a) representatives of the farming industry and (b) others. [38]

    Mr. Rooker
    I refer my hon. Friend to the statement given by the right hon. Member for Huntingdon (Mr. Major) on 24 June 1996 (Official Report, columns 21–24) and his belief that the conditions necessary for a decision to lift the ban on the fourth stage—meat from animals under 30 months—would be met by November.

    I am not aware of any other estimates received by my Department.

  SOCIAL SECURITY

    Funeral Payments
    Mr. Flynn
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will initiate an inquiry into alternatives to social fund funeral payments to take account of the recommendations made by the Social Security Advisory Committee in its report of 13 February 1997 (Cm 3585). [114]

    Mr. Keith Bradley
    We have no plans at present to look into alternatives to the social fund funeral payments scheme.

    We will, however, keep the current scheme under close review.

    Pensions
    Mr. Flynn
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much higher the basic pension for a person now aged 85 years would be if it had been increased in line with average earnings. [116]

    Mr. Denham
    If the Basic State Pension had been increased in line with the higher of earnings or prices since 1980, the standard rate, which would apply to all those over State Pension age, would now be £86.00 a week, £23.55 higher than the current standard rate. Those aged over 80 would also receive the 25p per week age addition.

    Notes:

    1. All calculations are rounded to the nearest 5p at each uprating date.

    2. The alternative uprating has been calculated using either the Average Earnings Index (Whole economy unadjusted) as published by the Office for National Statistics of the Retail Prices Index (all items), whichever was the higher.

    Mr. Flynn
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the pensions review will commence; what form it will take; and what arrangements will be made to ensure that the views of pensioners are heard. [113]

    Mr. Denham
    We propose to announce details of the review shortly.

    Mr. Flynn
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the present value of the basic retirement pension as a percentage of average earnings; and what it will be in (i) 2000, (ii) 2010, (iii) 2020, (iv) 2030 and (v) 2040 if it is increased only in line with prices. [115]
    104
    Mr. Denham
    The information is in the table.

    Year

    Standard rate basic retirement pension as a percentage of average earnings

    1996

    17.4

    2000

    16.4

    2010

    14.1

    2020

    12.2

    2030

    10.5

    2040

    9.0

    1. Percentages are rounded to the nearest 0.1 per cent.

    2. 1996 figure is calculated compared with the average earnings of all full time employees taken from the New Earnings Survey.

    3. Forecast figures are based on the assumption that the real value of the standard rate of basic retirement pension remains unchanged while average earnings increase by 1.5 per cent. more per year than the Retail Prices Index.

    Appeal Tribunals
    Mr. Flynn
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what reports he has received from(a) the Independent Tribunal Service and (b) other sources regarding the effect of the Social Security (Adjudication) and Child Support Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 1996 on the number of oral hearings held by social security appeal tribunals, disability appeal tribunals and child support appeal tribunals.[108]

    Mr. Keith Bradley
    Data on the number of oral hearings since the regulation changes came into effect are not yet available. Initial information from the Independent Tribunal Service suggests that currently paper hearings are being arranged in around 5 per cent. of cases.

    Mr. Flynn
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will discuss with the president of the Independent Tribunal Service measures to ensure that doctors who are members of disability appeal tribunals are seen to be independent of her Department. [109]

    Mr. Bradley
    Appointments of members of Disability Appeal Tribunals are a matter for the President of the Independent Tribunal Service, His Honour Judge Bassingthwaighte, who has informed me that measures are in place to prevent any conflict of interest arising.

    Mr. Flynn
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will place in the Library a copy of Dr. Roy Sainsbury's analysis of the responses to the consultation document on decision-making and appeals. [110]

    Mr. Bradley
    We expect to receive Dr. Sainsbury's analysis of responses to the consultation document shortly. A copy will be placed in the Library.

    Benefits Agency Medical Services
    Mr. Flynn
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement about the Government's policy regarding the contractorisation of the Benefits Agency Medical Services. [111]

    Mr. Field
    We are reviewing this and other initiatives designed to test the value for money of involving external contractors against: our objectives for modernising the delivery of the welfare system; our approach to partnership with the private sector where there is scope to apply its expertise, discipline and economies of scale in procuring public services and investment; the implications for customer service, staff and the taxpayer; and our commitment to work within announced spending totals for the first two years of the Government. We will make announcements in due course.

    Incapacity Benefit
    Mr. Flynn
    To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will review the conceptual basis and practical operation of the all work test to take account of the evidence submitted to the Social Security Committee's inquiry into incapacity benefit (HC 80, Session 1996–97); and if she will report on the progress already made in evaluating the all work test. [112]

    Mr. Denham
    The evidence provided to the Social Security Select Committee and the findings of the survey of people who have left Incapacity Benefit, currently under way, will enable us to consider whether changes are necessary to ensure that the test provides a fair assessment of a person's incapacity for work for benefit purposes.

    An initial evaluation of the reliability and validity of the all work test was carried out by this Department last year. A report of the findings is in the Library.

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