Written Answers of 4 November 1997

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Child Labour
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on progress at the Oslo Conference on preventing the exploitation of child labour in third world and developing countries. [13359]

  Clare Short
  The Conference was organised by the Norwegian Government with the joint support of the ILO and UNICEF. Building on an earlier conference in Amsterdam, as well as three subsequent regional conferences in Asia, Africa and Latin America, its purpose was to achieve agreement on an Agenda for Action, to be taken forward by governments—41 were represented, the majority from developing countries; representatives of multilateral organisations, trades unions, employers associations and NGOs were also represented at the conference.

  The Conference was a success. It produced a sensible and balanced agenda for action; it provided the opportunity for the different constituents to understand each other's viewpoints and agree more collaborative ways of working together. While some further work will be required to achieve agreement next year on the new ILO Convention on Intolerable Child Labour, the Oslo Conference will have strengthened in-country and international partnerships for tackling the problem on the ground.

  The Conference was largely devoted to working sessions on the themes of legislation, education and social mobilisation. Views on priorities and sequencing between these themes depended largely on each participant's constituency and country of origin. Cutting across each working group was a discussion of how to take measures to end child labour while protecting the livelihoods of working children and their families.

  In my statement to the Conference I said that the industrialised world should re-read its own history concerning our own past exploitation of children and then approach this subject with due humility. But our own history reminds us how destructive child labour can be. It stunts childhood and damages health, and the deprivation of education it entails sentences the child concerned to a lifetime of poverty. At the same time, child labour undermines the wages of adults and entrenches families in poverty. If the poor countries are to develop, they must ensure that the children are in school and their parents at work.

  I mentioned the great public concern in the UK about child labour. UK consumers are increasingly supporting ethical movements and are not prepared to buy goods produced by exploiting children. But we have learnt that boycotts or over-night exclusion of children from
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  industries can drive the children into worse exploitation. So we must devise strategies that benefit the children and their families. Football stitching is not the most intolerable type of work for children in Pakistan, but it is one which drew international attention. We have to start work where we can. I therefore announced our intention to fund Save the Children to implement a social protection programme in Sialkot so that when, at the end of next year, children stop working in the football stitching industry, they are not forced into more hazardous and exploitative work. We intend that the model developed in Sialkot will then be adapted and applied in another province, focusing on removing and protecting children from more intolerable forms of work which are less susceptible to pressure form international consumers.

  Computers (Century Date Change)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will publish the action plan, due by 1 October 1997, for resolving the computer millennium problem in her Department, its agencies and other public bodies for which she is responsible; if such was fully completed on time; and if she will make a statement. [13627]

  Clare Short
  Because of the extent of public interest in the issue, DFID's costed action plans, along with that of other government departments, will be reported first to Parliament after analysis by the Central Information Technology Unit (Cabinet Office) and Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency to which DFID's plans were notified in October 1997. They will be available thereafter.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when her Department, its agencies and other public bodies for which she is responsible completed the millennium computer compliance audits of systems; and if she will make a statement. [13630]

  Clare Short
  An audit of DFID's systems was completed in June 1997 and identified a small number of departmental systems that were not millennium compliant in addition to those corporate systems that had already been identified.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which(a) Minister and (b) civil servant has overall responsibility for ensuring millennium computer compliance in her Department and its associated public bodies. [13631]

  Clare Short
  As Secretary of State I have overall responsibility. The responsible official within the Department is Mr. A. Davis, Head of the Information Systems Department.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on what funding provision has been made to accommodate the expenditure needed to resolve the computer millennium problem; and if she expects to have sufficient funding to pay for the work necessary to achieve complete millennium compliance by 1 January 2000. [13629]
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  Clare Short
  For 1997–98 we have made provision for £145,000 consisting of £100,000 for purchasing assistance and £45,000 of departmental staff's time working on year 2000 issues. For 1998–99 provision of £65,000 has been made to cover departmental staff time testing changes. The budgets are adequate unless there are unforseen difficulties.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what is her latest estimate of the total cost of resolving the computer millennium problem in(a) her Department, (b) its agencies and (c) other public bodies for which she is responsible; if she will state in each case (i) expenditure incurred to date, (ii) expenditure planned for 1997–98, (iii) expenditure planned for 1998–99 and (iv) expenditure planned for 1999–2000; and if she will make a statement. [13628]

  Clare Short
  The figures of expenditure to date are not available for the corporate systems already made millennium compliant. This is because they were being transferred to a new system for resource accounting and no separate costs for staff input were kept. An estimated £10,000 of staff time establishing inventory, planning and reporting on other systems has been incurred to date.

  Ethiopia
  Jane Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the effect of the lack of rule of law in southern Ethiopia on the delivery of United Kingdom supported aid programmes to that country. [13750]

  Clare Short
  There has been no disruption to UK supported aid programmes in southern Ethiopia arising from legal or security problems in that region.

  Banana Imports
  Ms Jennifer Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the World Trade Organisation's ruling on Caribbean banana imports to the EU and its impact on overseas aid to the Caribbean. [14048]

  Clare Short
  The EU bananas regime represents a serious attempt to meet our obligations to our trading partners and developing countries. We are obviously disappointed that parts of it have been found incompatible with the WTO, but accept that the Community must now set about revising the EU arrangements to bring them into conformity with the WTO's rules.

  The Government is considering the WTO findings on the EU banana regime in liaison with the Commission in Brussels, which have the principal responsibility for proposing a new WTO compatible regime. We intend to play a major role as leading advocates of the legitimate interests of those developing countries in the Caribbean which have traditionally supplied the UK market. They can rest assured that we have their interest high on our agenda.

  The Windward Islands, already have large allocations of aid from the European Union under the Stabex facility. These are being deployed to strengthen the competitiveness of the banana industry, assist economic diversification and develop social safety nets. The case
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  for additional finance from the European Union will be examined as the implications of the WTO findings become clearer.

  Papua New Guinea
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to his Department's letter to the hon. Member for Linlithgow on the peoples of the New Guinea highlands, what measures he is taking to help the victims of drought in Papua New Guinea. [14414]

  Clare Short
  As stated in the letter of 20 October to the hon. Member for Linlithgow, we have already provided £50,000 for the purchase of food, medicines and water containers. We are now considering the 28 October appeal from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and are expecting proposals from CAFOD and World Vision.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Market Testing
  Mr. Alan Keen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the 12 guiding principles for using market testing and contracting out. [14544]

  Dr. David Clark
  Following consultation with the Council of Civil Service Unions and the CBI, I have published "12 Guiding Principles in Using Market Testing and Contracting Out" for central Government Departments, including their agencies. I am grateful for the assistance of the Council of Civil Service Unions and the CBI. Wherever possible I have incorporated their suggestions.

  The "12 Guiding Principles" have been very well received. They will also apply to private finance initiative projects that involve staff transfers.

  The Government's "12 Guiding Principles" are as follows.
  1. Our aim is to develop modernised, high quality, efficient, responsive, customer-focused central Government services. Our approach to this is pragmatic not dogmatic.
  2. We will work in partnership with the private sector, extending the circle of those involved in public service.
  3. We will use market testing and contracting out when in individual cases these can be shown to offer better value for money, that is: better quality services at optimal cost. Our approach to this is pragmatic not dogmatic.
  4. Existing plans for market tests and contracting out, therefore, should proceed, unless the Minister is satisfied that in the circumstances of an individual case, better value for money can be achieved by other means, which will enable a Department to live within its running costs ceilings. This judgment should be based on a robust and objective comparison of the particular market test or contracting out exercise and the alternative means available.
  5. Ministers remain accountable for services contracted out to the private sector. (That is the Carltona principle is replicated).
  6. The energy, skill and commitment of staff are our best assets in modernising public services. They should be properly trained to carry out market testing, contracting out, benchmarking, restructuring and other means for achieving better value for money that is: better quality services at optimal cost.

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  7. The concerns of those affected by change should be fully taken into account and properly addressed.
  8. Where the relevant circumstances apply when work transfers, staff will be protected by the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations (TUPE) and the consultation and information requirements of those regulations should be followed scrupulously. To avoid a successful claim for constructive unfair dismissal when staff transfer from Crown employment in circumstances to which TUPE applies, Departments should ensure that the new employers offer broadly comparable occupational pension provision or suitable compensation.
  9. Full, effective and continuous communication is a key to successful improvement and change. It should begin as soon as a review which might lead to change is mooted and it should continue afterwards to share what has been achieved. It should happen even when there may be little to report. That way, staff, and their recognised trade union representatives, can be engaged throughout and rumours can be avoided.
  10. There should also be full and open information and communication with Departments' customers and stakeholders.
  11. Relations with the private sector need to rest on two-way openness and trust. Until the Government's new arrangements on freedom of information are in place, Departments should apply a liberal interpretation to the existing "Code of Practice on Access to Government Information" and its "Guidance on Interpretation." Unsuccessful bidders need to know why they were unsuccessful and how they could succeed next time. For the public, it is important to know how much central Government services cost, no matter who provides them. Commercial confidentiality must not be used as a cloak to deny the public's right to know.
  12. Senior management in Departments must give leadership in all these areas and should encourage innovation and continuous improvement.

  The guidance on market testing and contracting out, by central Government departments, is being up-dated to reflect these 12 guiding principles. The Council of Civil Service Unions and the CBI are being involved in this work.

  Computers (Century Date Change)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) what is his estimate of the total cost of the United Kingdom public sector of resolving the computer millennium problem; and if he will make a statement; [13229]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the progress being made by departments towards computer millennium compliance; if he expects all departments and public bodies to have achieved complete computer millennium compliance prior to 1 January 2000; and if he will make a statement. [13231]

  Dr. David Clark
  I have asked Government Departments to provide me with detailed and costed plans for dealing with the year 2000 date change problem as soon as possible after 1 October 1997.

  I am awaiting an analysis and report on these plans from the Central Information Technology Unit and the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency so that I can form an overall picture of progress, costs and future plans. Once I have done so I will inform Parliament.
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  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list those Departments and agencies which did not respond to the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency questionnaire regarding progress towards millennium computer compliance, sent out in December 1996 to January 1997. [13230]

  Dr. David Clark
  In December 1996 and January 1997, the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency issued a year 2000 questionnaire to a sample of 133 central government departments, executive agencies and other public sector organisations. The majority of large departments and agencies responded to this questionnaire. Departments and agencies which did not respond are listed in the table. Most of these have responded to a follow-up survey carried out in the summer. All departments and agencies are required to complete a full and detailed costed action plan as soon as possible after 1 October 1997.

  Export Credits Guarantee Department;

  General Register Office for Scotland;

  Intervention Board;

  Legal Aid Board;

  Lord Chancellor's Department;

  Scottish Office Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries Department;

  Serious Fraud Office;

  The Royal Parks;

  UK Passport Agency.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will publish the action plan, due by 1 October 1997, for resolving the computer millennium problem in his Department, its agencies and other public bodies for which he is responsible; if such was fully completed on time; and if he will make a statement. [13632]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The action plans for resolving the computer millennium problem in the Cabinet Office, Office of Public Service, its agencies and associated public bodies are complete. These plans will be published by my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, when he has completed his analysis of the situation across Government as a whole.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is his latest estimate of the total cost of resolving the computer millennium problem in(a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) other public bodies for which he is responsible; if he will state in each case (i) expenditure incurred to date, (ii) expenditure planned for 1997–98, (iii) expenditure planned for 1998–99 and (iv) expenditure planned for 1999–00; and if he will make a statement. [13633]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  Estimates of the total cost of addressing the computer millennium problem within the Cabinet Office, Office of Public Service, its Agencies and associated public bodies are:

  To date

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–00

  (a) Cabinet Office, Office of Public Service

  minimal

  £27,600

  minimal

  minimal

  (b) Office of Public Service Agencies

  £61,128

  £50,520

  £136,457

  £99,350

  (c) Other public bodies

  nil

  nil

  nil

  nil

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  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when his Department, its agencies and other public bodies for which he is responsible completed the millennium computer compliance audits of systems; and if he will make a statement. [13635]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  In the Cabinet Office, Office of Public Service, its Agencies and associated public bodies for which I am responsible, millennium computer compliance systems audits were completed between 1994 and September 1997.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on what funding provision has been made to accommodate the expenditure needed to resolve the computer millennium problem; and if he expects to have sufficient funding to pay for the work necessary to achieve complete millennium compliance by 1 January 2000. [13634]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The expenditure required to address the computer millennium problem will be met from within existing planned expenditure totals.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster which(a) Minister and (b) civil servant has overall responsibility for ensuring millennium computer compliance in his Department and its associated public bodies. [13636]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  Within the Cabinet Office, Office of Public Service, its agencies and associated public bodies, ministerial responsibility for ensuring millennium computer compliance rests with my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. The Cabinet Office civil servant with responsibility for this work is the head of infrastructure. Responsibilities within the agencies are as follows:

  Responsibility

  Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency

  Year 2000 Programme Manager

  The Buying Agency

  Director of Finance and IT

  Property Advisers to the Civil Estate

  Director of Corporate Services

  Security Facilities Executive

  Director of Finance and IT

  Civil Service College

  Head of IS Services

  Government Car and Despatch Agency

  Director of Finance

  Central Office of Information

  Principal Establishment and Finance Officer

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Protection from Harassment Act 1997
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he intends to implement sections 3(2) to 3(9) of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. [13005]

  Mr. Hoon
  Subsections 3(3) to 3(9) of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 introduce, among other things, a system whereby the breach of an injunction granted by a civil court may be dealt with as a criminal offence. Rules and forms have been drafted for use by the High Court, county courts, the crown court and magistrates 98
  courts to ensure that the process works effectively. Consultation on these is under way, and as soon as it is complete the outstanding subsections will be commenced.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the average time taken by his Department to give full answers to letters received from hon. Members. [13958]

  Mr. Hoon
  For letters received since 1 May 1997 the average time is approximately 23 days, including weekends and bank holidays.

  Access to Neighbouring Land Act
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what proposals he has to extend the provisions of the Access to Neighbouring Land Act 1992 to Northern Ireland. [11995]

  Mr. Hoon
  There are no such proposals. The differences between the land laws of Northern Ireland and of England and Wales make such an extension impossible.

TREASURY

  Euro Symbol
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what research his Department has undertaken into the ease with which the euro currency symbol will be distinguishable from that for sterling. [12534]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 27 October 1997]: The Royal Mint and Bank of England have been closely involved in preparatory work with other member states and national central banks on the design and specifications of euro coins and banknotes. On the basis of the provisional specifications for euro coins and the specifications for banknotes agreed in the European Monetary Institute they will be easily distinguishable from sterling coins and banknotes.

  Late Payments
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the suppliers to his Department who are owed outstanding amounts, indicating the amounts and the due date on which the account should have been settled. [13551]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 30 October 1997]: At 29 October, there were 24 invoices outstanding with a value of £9,002. This represents 2·4 per cent. of invoices paid in a typical month. The value represents less than 1 per cent. of the typical average value of invoices paid per month.

  The following table lists the 24 payments that are due to suppliers on 29 October, that will be paid more than 30 days after the receipt of the invoice and which are not in dispute.

  99

  Supplier

  Number of invoices

  Amounts due (£)

  Due date

  Ariane Languages

  2

  506

  11 October 1997

  Avis Rent a Car Ltd.

  1

  345

  19 October 1997

  Business Systems Group

  1

  100

  17 October 1997

  Corporate Express

  3

  802

  2 October 1997

  Corporate Express

  2

  3,072

  26 October 1997

  GBM Services

  1

  243

  9 October 1997

  Mitie Maintenance

  1

  1,079

  2 October 1997

  OHSA Ltd.

  1

  80

  17 October 1997

  Spkoectrum Computer Supp.

  1

  144

  24 October 1997

  Spectrum Computer Supp.

  2

  9

  29 October 1997

  Sykes and Son Ltd.

  1

  760

  12 September 1997

  Terminix Peter Cox Ltd.

  2

  197

  13 September 1997

  The Green Alliance

  1

  55

  24 October 1997

  The Royal York Hotel

  1

  70

  26 October 1997

  The Stationery Office

  1

  644

  21 September 1997

  Tigemeyer

  1

  244

  24October 1997

  Vodaphone Corporate Ltd.

  1

  37

  12 October 1997

  University of Durham

  1

  615

  15 October 1997

  Total

  24

  9,002

  Economic and Monetary Union
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the amount allocated in each budget of the European Community for information relating to implementation of EMU; on what occasions such expenditure was authorised by the Economic and Finance Council; and what(a) observations and (b) votes were made by Ministers on each occasion. [12965]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 27 October 1997]: Funding for information relating to the implementation of EMU has been made available since 1996 under the European Commission's information programme for European citizens (Prince). The relevant budget line is B3306.

  The EC Budget does not break down the overall level of Prince by individual programme. I would suggest that the hon. Member approaches the European Commission directly for this information.

  The Budget Council have so far considered the budget allocation for Prince on four occasions—during their second reading of the 1996 budget on 17 November 1995, their first and second readings of the 1997 budget on 25 July 1996 and 19 November 1996, and their first reading of the 1998 budget on 24 July 1997.

  On each occasion the Budget Council, supported by the UK, have reduced the budget allocation for Prince. However, since this spending is not obligatory under the treaty it has been the European Parliament that has in each case set the final level in the budget.
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  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent Government investment in(a) additional building for maintained schools, (b) the national health service, (c) London Underground and (d) new roads counts within the totals of Government revenue, expenditure and borrowing used for the European monetary union convergence criteria.[12944]

  Mr. Darling
  [holding answer 27 October 1997]: All current and capital expenditure by central and local government contributes to the general government financial deficit (GGFD), the Maastricht measure of the budget deficit. This includes all government grants to maintained schools and London Underground, and all Government spending on the national health service and new roads.

  Government lending and government transactions in shares are not included in the GGFD. For example, government lending to London Underground, NHS trust hospitals and students does not increase GGFD. However, the government has to finance such lending through higher taxes or increased borrowing. Increased borrowing would add to general government gross debt—the Maastricht measure of Government debt.

  Similarly, receipts from repayments of government lending, and from privatisation proceeds, do not reduce the GGFD but would reduce gross debt.

  Taxation (EU)
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to preserve the protection of the British veto on tax matters in the European Union. [12843]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Government has made it clear that EU tax matters will continue to be subject to unanimous agreement.

  Savings
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what tax regime and investment allowances he proposes to apply to individual savings accounts; and if he will make a statement; [13031]

  (2) if he plans to allow existing personal equity plans and tax-exempt special savings accounts account holders to retain their current tax incentives and annual investment allowances, under these schemes, following the introduction of the individual savings account in 1999; [13033]

  (3) what estimate he has made of the annual cost or benefit to the Exchequer of introducing the individual savings account; [13039]

  (4) if the introduction of the individual savings account will alter the contractual obligations between savers and saving institutions; and if he will make a statement. [13032]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  Consideration is currently being given, with interested parties, to the scope of tax-privileged savings from 1999. The matters referred to will be covered in a consultative document to be published later this year.

  Insurance Premium Tax
  Mr. Plaskitt
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many representations his Department has received on insurance premium tax for the travel industry. [13123]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I have received a number of representations on this subject.

  Mr. Plaskitt
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the Government's review of insurance premium tax; and what is the timetable for the review. [13122]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I have asked officials in Customs and Excise to monitor the effect of the introduction of the higher rate of insurance premium tax and this will include the impact of the differential tax treatment on travel agents. It is too early yet to draw any firm conclusions from this process and I anticipate that the monitoring will continue for some time. The issue of the application of the higher rate to travel insurance sold by travel agents will also be the subject of a judicial review hearing on 4 November. The conclusions of that hearing will clearly need to be taken into account when considering whether changes are necessary to this measure.

  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his Department's review of the impact of different rates of insurance premium tax as between travel agents and brokers. [14006]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I have asked officials in Customs and Excise to monitor the effect of the introduction of the higher rate of insurance premium tax and this will include the impact of the differential tax treatment on travel agents. It is too early yet to draw any firm conclusions from this process.

  Computers (Century Date Change)
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with banks on the need for their computer systems to be millennium compliant. [13157]

  Mrs. Liddell
  This subject has been raised in Treasury discussions with the British Bankers Association, which has issued guidance and a timetable to the industry. The Bank of England has been talking to banks about their implementation of the timetable.

  Trade Statistics
  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what(a) proportion and (b) value of Britain's trade was conducted in (i) German marks, (ii) United States dollars and (iii) other European currencies in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [13764]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The following two tables show the most recent official data on currency of invoice other than sterling, relating to 1984–1988. The data requested are only available for US dollars. Data for individual European currencies other than sterling are not available, although a special exercise to determine Deutschmark usage suggested that, in 1987 and 1988, this was 4 per cent. for exports and 14 per cent. for imports.102

  Percentage of UK trade denominated in dollars and currency of partner country

  Year

  Denominated in dollars

  Denominated in currencies of partner countries

  Exports2

  Imports3

  Exports

  Imports

  1984

  15

  25

  22

  41

  1985

  18

  24

  23

  43

  1986

  20

  17

  26

  46

  1987

  19

  13

  24

  46

  1988

  15

  16

  24

  41

  1Including US for US/UK trade.

  2Export data based on November transactions except for 1987 which is based on May data.

  3Import data based on September transactions, except for 1987 which is based on March data.

  Value of UK trade denominated in dollars and currency of partner country

  £ million

  Year

  Denominated in dollars

  Denominated in currencies of partner countries1

  Exports

  Imports

  Exports

  Imports

  1984

  13,745

  24,440

  20,159

  40,083

  1985

  18,367

  23,757

  23,469

  42,565

  1986

  19,577

  17,207

  25,450

  46,562

  1987

  20,215

  14,526

  25,535

  51,399

  1988

  16,091

  19,967

  25,745

  51,166

  Source:

  "British Business" 17 January 1986 and 24 April 1987 (DTI) and "Business

  Bulletin"

  15 December 1989 (CSO).

  Note:

  1Including US for US/UK trade.

  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what(a) proportion and (b) value of Britain's trade was denominated in sterling in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [13763]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The following table shows the most recent official data on currency of invoice, relating to 1984–1988.

  Proportion and value of UK trade denominated in sterling (1984–1988)

  Proportion of trade (Per cent.)

  Value of trade (£million)

  Year

  Exports1

  Imports2

  Exports

  Imports

  1984

  63

  34

  57,728

  33,239

  1985

  59

  32

  60,204

  31,676

  1986

  54

  37

  52,858

  37,452

  1987

  57

  40

  60,646

  44,695

  1988

  62

  43

  66,509

  53,662

  Source:

  "British Business" 17 January 1996 and 17 April 1987 (DTI) and "Business Bulletin" 15 December 1989 (CSO).

  Notes:

  1Export data based on November transactions, except for 1987 which is based on May data.

  2Import data based on September transactions, except for 1987 which is based on March data.

  Elderly People (Winter Mortality)
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the excess winter mortality deaths for elderly people in the winter of 1996–97. [14208]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 3 November 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. Chris Ruane, dated 4 November 1997:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply as the Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) to your recent question on the number of excess winter deaths among the elderly in the winter of 1996–97.
  Based on the latest available data, there were an estimated 37,800 excess winter deaths among people aged 75 years and over, and 44,800 excess deaths among people aged 65 years and over, in England and Wales during the winter of 1996–97.
  Excess winter deaths are defined as the number of deaths in the four months from December to March less the average of the numbers during the preceding autumn (August to November) and the following summer (April to July).

  EC Spending
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Government intends to pursue the four challenges made by the United Kingdom in the European Court of Justice to spending without a legal base by the European Commission. [14576]

  Mrs Liddell
  The Government has decided to continue with the four cases currently before the European Court of Justice. These cover expenditure on social exclusion projects, for both the 1995 and 1996 budget years; and, for the 1996 budget year, measures in favour of older people and the "pilot action" for a European Voluntary Service.

  I should like to make it clear that in choosing to retain these challenges the Government is seeking to uphold an important matter of budgetary principle. We believe that it is essential for the proper and effective control of public expenditure that the European Commission should be bound by the same rules of propriety that apply elsewhere in the EU.

  At the same time, I am anxious to stress that this decision in no way reflects our views on the policy content of the challenged measures nor calls into question the Government's commitment to Community action in the social field where this is agreed by the Council. Our support for the new treaty provisions agreed at Amsterdam, which allow the Council to adopt small spending programmes on employment and social exclusion by QMV, is evidence of this.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library the latest list of signed PFI projects. [14578]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  Yes, I have done so today.

  International Meetings
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the international meetings he attended in September. [14577]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  I attended the Commonwealth Finance Ministers Meeting in Mauritius on the 15–17 September. I then attended the first meeting of Asian and European Finance Ministers on 19 September in Bangkok. This was followed by a series of meetings in Hong Kong. The G7 was held on 20 September with the G10 Finance Ministers and central bank governors meeting on 21 September. The IMF's interim committee meeting was also held on 21 September, and was followed by the IMF/World Bank annual meeting on 23 September. I also attended the IMF/World Bank Development Committee with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development on 22 September.

  My over-arching priorities for these meetings were the reduction of developing country debt and the promotion of the benefits of openness and transparency in economic policy.

  I announced the UK's "Debt 2000" initiative at the Commonwealth Finance Ministers meeting. This initiative, which has now been dubbed the "Mauritius mandate", is designed to resolve the debt problems of poor countries once and for all and set them on a path to sustainable growth. It proposes that every poor country eligible for debt relief should have at least embarked on the process of securing the full relief they need by the year 2000. This will contribute to the international target of halving the proportion of the world's population living in absolute poverty by 2015.

  I stressed that the success of this mandate depends not only on the commitment of the creditor countries but also on solid action by the debtors. Debtor countries must adopt and maintain sound economic policies which are necessary for sustainable economic development. Each country is unique and no one policy will be right for every country. But accountable economic decision-making and a focus on productive expenditure, including basic health and education, will be vital aspects of their economic programmes. My right hon. Friend, the Minister for International Development announced that the UK is willing to cancel the remaining aid debt due to the UK from poorer Commonwealth countries. These countries could be relieved of the need to repay as much as £132 million.

  I encourage other creditors to provide the maximum possible relief to ensure a robust exit from unsustainable debt to those countries who focus on transparency and productive expenditure. I expressed my desire for these countries to receive the necessary debt relief in less than the maximum six years that is presently envisaged under the rules of the initiative. The Mauritius mandate was well received and was supported by other Commonwealth Ministers.

  I also launched a new initiative on openness in economic decision making at the interim committee. My central proposal was that the IMF should develop a code of good practice for promoting openness in fiscal and monetary policy. I believe that this should focus on basic principles that apply to all IMF members. As such, I

  105
  proposed that the IMF should, as a matter of course, comment on such practices in their IV consultations with all member countries. I also suggested that this code could be used operationally in the design of IMF programmes for financial assistance. These proposals attracted considerable interest and the fund is now developing such a code on the fiscal side.

  I stressed that long-term stability in monetary and fiscal policy is necessary to achieve sustainable growth. But, the role of government must also be to equip individuals and companies to succeed in the ever more competitive global market-place. Part of this entails ensuring that policies which provide economic stability are combined with institutions and procedures which create the confidence that stability will be maintained. It was agreed that greater openness and transparency would enhance policy credibility and limit the potential for corruption.

  In keeping with this, I announced that the UK would publish a full set of annual accounts and a quarterly report on the region exchange reserves detailing the UK's outstanding forward position.

  Another key feature of the discussions at these meetings was capital flows. It was agreed that private capital flows can bring substantial benefits and as such, the report of the Commonwealth working group on private capital flows was endorsed by the Ministers. The importance of sound macroeconomic policies and financial systems, strong regulatory and supervisory frameworks and political stability were recognised as essential for encouraging inward investment.

  There was general agreement that the international financial institutions also have a key role to play in putting in place multilateral arrangements and mechanisms for promoting and coping with private capital flows. More specifically for the Commonwealth, Ministers agreed on the key elements of a code of good practice for national policies that attract and sustain private capital flows. The secretariat was asked to develop these elements into a full code as soon as possible.

  The interim committee adopted the statement on "The Liberalisation of Capital Movements Under an Amendment of the Fund's Articles" and considered that an amendment of the fund's articles will provide the most effective means of promoting an orderly liberalisation of capital movements consistent with the fund's role in the international monetary system. The proposed amendment to the articles will also ensure that liberalisation can be phased in at a country's chosen pace and that controls can be reintroduced on a temporary basis.

  The first ever meeting of Asian and European Finance Ministers represented an important addition to the Asia-Europe Meetings (or ASEM) process which began only last year, and reflected the growing co-operation between two regions whose economic and financial interests are rapidly converging.

  The meeting began with an exchange of views on the macroeconomic outlook and developments in foreign exchange markets. I offered my full support to the programmes of adjustment which Thailand and the Philippines have agreed with the IMF, and stressed how crucial it would be to adhere to these programmes. Asian
  106
  partners were keen to learn more about the implications of EMU, and we agreed that every opportunity would be taken to keep them fully informed on latest developments.

  In the second session on financial sector issues, I stressed the need for close co-operation, and the importance for both Asia and Europe of sharing and learning from each other—especially through a greater openness, in the trade in financial services and a welcoming attitude to foreign capital. We agreed a number of useful initiatives, including closer co-operation on financial supervision and the fight against money laundering.

  The Government places great importance on the ASEM process, and the Prime Minister very much looks forward to welcoming Asian and European Heads to London next April as host of the second ASEM summit. The G7 meeting considered recent developments in south-east Asia in the context of surveillance. We were informed of international efforts to assist Thailand and expected the Thai authorities not only to implement the Fund program but also to continue to co-operate with the other international financial institutions. We agreed on the importance of minimising contagion and will continue to monitor closely developments in south-east Asia. In accordance with this, the importance of increased transparency within and supervision of financial systems was stressed. We also discussed recent developments in exchange and financial markets and agreed to monitor developments in these markets and cooperate as necessary.

  My colleagues were interested in the plans that we have for our presidency of the G7 and G8 next year. I informed them that employability will be one of the main themes of the UK presidency.

  The G10 meeting welcomed the broad endorsement given to the concerted strategy to promote financial stability in emerging market economies that has been developed in collaboration with representatives of these economies. The finalisation of the Basle core principles of effective banking supervision was welcomed and the importance of their endorsement and implementation by national authorities was stressed.

  I was nominated as Chairman of the Group of Ten for the coming year. At the interim committee, I welcomed the agreements in the executive board on the eleventh review of quotas which provides a 45 per cent. increase for the fund—$;90 billion—and the special equity allocation of 21·4 billion SDRs which was formally approved at the meetings.

  Both the Secretary of State for International Development and I attended the Development Committee meeting where we stressed that corruption and weak governance undermine macroeconomic stability, private sector activity and sustainable development objectives, and may erode international support for development objectives, and may erode international support for development cooperation. We supported calls for criminalisation of bribery and the abolition of tax deductibility of bribes, and for the fund to examine the effects of corruption in governance on countries macroeconomic performance.

  A package to alleviate the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency's resource constraints was agreed.
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  At the joint IMF/World Bank annual meeting I outlined the changes we have made to both monetary and fiscal policies in the UK. I outlined the benefits of giving operational independence to the Bank of England and the benefits clear rules, a new discipline, openness and accountability will bring to fiscal policy. I explained that our task is to secure high and sustainable levels of growth and employment in the UK as well as in the rest of the world.

  I stressed the importance of our dependence upon each other and the importance of international cooperation to maintain an open economy. Although we are committed to a constructive partnership with Europe, we must remain open and outward looking to the rest of the world. And above all, regional concerns must never replace international commitments.

  Copies of my speeches and the communiqués of these meetings have been put in the Library of the House. There was no G7 communiqué.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Welfare-to-work Programme
  Siobhain McDonagh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what work opportunities the tourism industry can offer under the welfare-to-work programme. [13397]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  Tourism is well placed to play a key role in the new deal/welfare-to-work initiative. It already supports some 1·7 million jobs. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has invited around 200 people involved in tourism, hospitality and leisure to a conference later this month to hear more about the proposals and the opportunities they present for the industry to meet its own staffing needs while offering young people real jobs leading to long-term, worthwhile careers.

  Computers (Century Date Change)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which(a) Minister and (b) civil servant has overall responsibility for ensuring millennium computer compliance in his Department and its associated public bodies. [13611]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  As with all matters relating to the running of the Department, ultimate responsibility for ensuring millennium computer compliance for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport rests with the permanent secretary who is supported in this matter by the head of information systems. Responsibility for the Department's sponsored bodies rests with the individual accounting officers.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) when his Department, its agencies and other public bodies for which he is responsible completed the millennium computer compliance audits of systems; and if he will make a statement; [13610]

  (2) what is his latest estimate of the total cost of resolving the computer millennium problem in (a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) other public bodies for which he is responsible; if he will state in each case
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  (i) expenditure incurred to date, (ii) expenditure planned for 1997–98, (iii) expenditure planned for 1998–99 and (iv) expenditure planned for 1999–00; and if he will make a statement. [13608]

  (3) if he will publish the action plan, due by 1 October 1997, for resolving the computer millennium problem in his Department, its agencies and other public bodies for which he is responsible; if such was fully completed on time; and if he will make a statement. [13607]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has submitted its costed action plan to CCTA. This plan along with those of other Departments will be analysed by CITU and CCTA. The conclusions will be reported to my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster who then will inform Parliament.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on what funding provision has been made to accommodate the expenditure needed to resolve the computer millennium problem; and if he expects to have sufficient funding to pay for the work necessary to achieve complete millennium compliance by 1 January 2000. [13609]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  The cost of preventive and remedial action on Year 2000 will be met from existing PES provision.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is the average time taken by his Department to give full answers to letters received from hon. Members. [13953]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  Since 1 May 1997, my Department has received 1,647 letters from hon. Members. The average time taken to give full answers is 15 working days.

DEFENCE

  Computers (Century Date Change)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is his latest estimate of the total cost of resolving the computer millennium problem in(a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) other public bodies for which he is responsible; if he will give in each case (i) expenditure incurred to date, (ii) expenditure planned for 1997–98, (iii) expenditure planned for 1998–99 and (iv) expenditure planned for 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [13598]

  (2) which (a) Minister and (b) civil servant has overall responsibility for ensuring millennium computer compliance in his Department and its associated public bodies.[13601]

  (3) if he will make a statement on what funding provision has been made to accommodate the expenditure needed to resolve the computer millennium problem; and if he expects to have sufficient funding to pay for the work necessary to achieve complete millennium compliance by 1 January 2000. [13599]
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  (4) if he will publish the action plan, due by 1 October 1997, for resolving the computer millennium problem in his Department, its agencies and other public bodies for which he is responsible; if such was fully complete on time; and if he will make a statement. [13597]

  (5) when his Department, its agencies and other public bodies for which he is responsible completed the millennium computer compliance audits of systems; and if he will make a statement. [13600]

  Mr. Spellar
  In accordance with Cabinet Office guidelines, an audit of all computer-based systems across MOD, including the Defence Agencies, has been under way since mid-1996. The audit is being used to identify and assess the Year 2000 compliancy of systems that process date-related information and to measure progress in modification or replacement of affected systems. The audit covers equipment ranging from office systems to front-line military hardware. The audit is one component of the MOD action plan for managing the Year 2000 problem. As is the case with other Departments, a costed action plan has been provided to the Cabinet Office, who are preparing a report for my right hon. Fiend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster who will then inform Parliament of the conclusions. The plans are exempt from disclosure under Category 2 of the Open Government Code of Practice on Access to Government Information which permits non-disclosure prior to an announcement. However, once the announcement has been made the plans will be available to the public.

  No new money is available for resolution of the Year 2000 problem, the costs of which will be met from within existing financial resources.

  The Minister with responsibility for Year 2000 action is the Minister for Defence Procurement, Lord Gilbert. Within MOD all budget holders have been made responsible for ensuring that affected systems within their departments are modified or replaced. Overall responsibility for managing the MOD response to the Year 2000 problem lies with the Director General of Information and Communication Services, Major General W. J. P. Robins.

  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he(a) has had and (b) plans to have with his North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and Western European Union counterparts on the problems facing computer systems through the century date change; and if he will make a statement. [13504]

  Mr. Spellar
  The MOD initiated a departmental programme 18 months ago to address Year 2000 date change problems within its computer systems. During this time, the Year 2000 question has been raised with our counterparts in NATO and Allied Nations. They are fully aware of the serious nature of the problem and the actions being taken within UK MOD to ensure that Defence operations are not at risk from failure of systems to process date-related information correctly. We are discussing with our Allies the need for a collaborative approach to ensuring the continued effectiveness of the interconnection between systems on which allied operations depend. Senior-level discussions have taken place with the US Department of Defense on solutions to 110
  the Year 2000 problem, which has also been raised within the NATO Command, Control and Communication Board, the most senior committee in NATO dealing with Command and Control Systems, and is being raised within the WEU information systems forum. This will be kept as a high-priority topic within NATO and the WEU, and established as a regular agenda item on the appropriate committees so that progress can be monitored.

  Equipment Exhibition (Indonesian Delegation)
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which Indonesian delegates attended the Government's Royal Navy and British Army equipment exhibition in September. [13970]

  Mr. Spellar
  The official Indonesian delegation referred to in the answer that I gave to the hon. Member on 23 June 1997,Official Report, column 344, did not attend the Royal Navy and British Army Equipment Exhibition. The Indonesian Defence Attaché in London did, however, attend the exhibition.

  Appointments
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list by appointment the officers who constitute the selection board for three and four star appointments in the(a) Army, (b) Royal Navy and (c) Royal Air Force. [14233]

  Dr. Reid
  The officers who constitute the Services selection boards for promotion to 3 and 4 star appointments are:

  Army

  Chief of the General Staff,

  Commander in Chief Land Command,

  Adjutant General,

  Quartermaster General,

  Master General Ordnance.

  Royal Navy

  Chief of the Naval Staff,

  Second Sea Lord and Commander in Chief Naval Home Command,

  Commander in Chief Fleet,

  Chief of Fleet Support.

  Royal Air Force

  For 3 star appointments the Board comprises:

  Chief of the Air Staff,

  Air Officer Commanding-In-Chief Strike Command,

  Air Member for Personnel/Air Officer Commanding-In-Chief,

  Personnel and Training Command,

  Air Officer Commanding-In-Chief Logistics Command.

  For 4 star appointments, the Chief of the Air Staff makes recommendations to the Secretary of State.

  Trident
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his current estimate of the(a) running costs, (b) service life expectancy and (c) de-commissioning costs of Trident [13988]

  Mr. Spellar
  Our latest estimate of the running costs of Trident remains as stated by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Armed Forces in his answer of 23 June,
  111
  Official Report, column 356. As was stated, that estimate included an element for de-commissioning and disposal costs; this represented some 3 per cent. of the total. Trident is currently programmed to have an overall service life expectancy of some 30 years.

  Eurofighter
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated cost per unit of the Eurofighter. [13103]

  Mr. Spellar
  The current estimated unit cost of Eurofighter for the UK is £40·2 million at today's prices.

  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date the Eurofighter will enter squadron service with the Royal Air Force. [13102]

  Mr. Spellar
  The first Eurofighter is scheduled to be delivered to the Royal Air Force in December 2001.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when Eurofighter will enter service. [13864]

  Mr. Spellar
  The first Eurofighter is scheduled to be delivered to the Royal Air Force in December 2001.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Eurofighter aircraft have been ordered by(a) the UK, (b) Germany, (c) Italy and (d) Spain; and what is each country's workshare. [13862]

  Mr. Spellar
  The declared aircraft offtake requirements of the nations is: United Kingdom 232, Germany 180, Italy 121 and Spain 87 and these give workshare entitlements of, United Kingdom 37·42 per cent., Germany 29·03 per cent., Italy 19·52 per cent. and Spain 14·03 per cent.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment his Department has made of the advantages of Eurofighter over(a) Refale, (b) Gripen (c) Mig 29. [13859]

  Mr. Spellar
  Studies by the Ministry of Defence have confirmed that Eurofighter is the most cost-effective option to meet the Royal Air Force's currently assessed future needs.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the original estimate of the cost of the Eurofighter project to each of the partners; what are the current projected costs in equivalent terms; and how much each country has already spent. [13863]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Ministry of Defence does not have all the information requested in respect of our Eurofighter partners. On the basis of a requirement for 232 aircraft, the UK's estimated procurement cost for Eurofighter at the start of development in 1988 amounted to £13·2 billion at 1997 prices, and the current estimate is £15·9 billion at 1997 prices. Up to 30 September 1997 we have spent a total of £2·8 billion.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his current estimate of the costs to his Department of(a) research, (b) construction and (c) commissioning in respect of the European fighter aircraft. [13987]
  112
  Mr. Spellar
  The latest estimated costs to the UK of the Eurofighter programme are £4·4 billion for the full development phase, which includes the costs of earlier phases. Further, we currently estimate that it will cost £11·5 billion for the procurement of 232 aircraft. This figure includes the cost of initial support for the aircraft.

  NATO Expansion
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the increased defence burden and resulting financial costs placed on(a) Poland, (b) Hungary and (c) the Czech republic as a result of NATO membership. [14003]

  Dr. Reid
  By joining an alliance whose essential purpose is to safeguard the freedom and security of all its members by collective means, Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic will lighten their defence burden, as no single Ally is forced to rely on its own national efforts alone in dealing with basic security challenges.

  The costs of enlargement to the three invited countries will fall into two categories: the development of their ability to operate alongside other NATO countries on the full range of Alliance missions; and their contribution to NATO common-funded budgets.

  The countries concerned were, in any case, intending to modernise and restructure their Armed Forces. Their contribution to NATO common-funded budgets is being discussed.

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the costs of NATO expansion for Britain. [14004]

  Dr. Reid
  NATO staff are currently studying the military and financial implications of enlargement, and a report will be made to NATO Ministers in December.

  NATO Heads of State and Government stated in the Madrid Declaration:
  "We are confident that, in line with the security environment of the Europe of today, Alliance costs associated with the integration of new members will be manageable and that the resources necessary to meet those costs will be provided."

  That remains our assessment. If additional spending is required, Britain will pay its share.

  Arms Exports (Indonesia)
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many United Kingdom armed forces or Ministry of Defence personnel are involved in the servicing and maintenance of British Aerospace Hawk aircraft sold to Indonesia; and if he will make a statement. [13969]

  Mr. Spellar
  None.

  Ships (Names)
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the criteria for selecting names for new ships of the Royal Navy. [13701]

  Mr. Spellar
  Proposals for ships names for both the Royal Navy and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary are initiated by the Admiralty Ships Names and Badges Committee which takes into consideration a number of criteria, including the promotion of links with communities, the
  113
  geographical spread of names and opportunities to revive those with an honourable history. Selected names are submitted, through the Controller of the Navy and the First Sea Lord, to the Secretary of State for approval. In the case of major vessels, final approval is sought from HM The Queen.

  Defence Diversification Agency
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what funding his Department intends to allocate to the Defence Diversification Agency. [14202]

  Mr. Spellar
  No decision on funding has yet been taken. This will depend on the outcome of the consultation period on our forthcoming Green Paper on diversification.

  Naval Forces (Gulf)
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what United Kingdom naval forces are currently on station in the Gulf. [14300]

  Dr. Reid
  The Royal Navy currently has a destroyer and a frigate deployed in the Arabian Gulf engaged on Armilla Patrol duties. They are ably supported by a Royal Fleet Auxiliary.

  Contingency and Operational Procurement Exhibition
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost to public funds of the Ministry of Defence police presence at the COPEX exhibition in 1997. [13995]

  Mr. Spellar
  The cost of the Ministry of Defence Police presence at the COPEX exhibition has not yet been fully assessed. I will write to the hon. Member shortly.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the average time taken by his Department to give full answers to letters received from hon. Members. [13947]

  Mr. Spellar
  Statistics are not held in the form requested. My Department has a target of replying to letters from hon. Members within 15 working days of receipt. Since the start of the Session Ministers have replied to 65 per cent. of letters within this target and to 80 per cent. within 20 working days.

  Equipment Exhibition
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons questions were not allowed at the press conference at the Government's Royal Navy and British Army equipment exhibition in September. [13672]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Royal Navy and British Army Equipment Exhibition (RNBAEE) was opened formally by my noble Friend the Minister for Defence Procurement on 1 September. In light of the tragic death of Diana Princess of Wales the previous day, my noble Friend decided to make only a brief opening statement.
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  At the opening of the press day on 31 August, the Head of Defence Export Services gave a short presentation on the work of his organisation and outlined the key themes of the exhibition. This was an address of welcome and was not planned as a press conference. In the event, in view of the death of the Princess only a few hours earlier, he also severely limited his opening remarks.

  Late Payments
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the suppliers to his Department who are owed outstanding amounts, indicating the amounts and the due date on which the account should have been settled. [13543]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 30 October 1997]: This is a matter for the Chief Executives of the Defence Bills Agency, the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency, the Meteorological Office and the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office. I have asked the Chief Executives to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from I. S. Elrick to Mrs. Cheryl Gillan, dated 4 November 1997:
  I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about outstanding debts to suppliers as, in the main, this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Defence Bills Agency.
  Departmental policy is to pay bills promptly within agreed contract terms or, where no such terms exist, within 30 days from receipt of the goods/service or a valid invoice, whichever is the later. The Defence Bills Agency pays very high volumes of bills and individual instances where these payment targets were not met could only be listed and valued at disproportionate cost. During the period 1 April–30 September 97, this Agency received 1·75 million bills of which 188 narrowly missed their due 30-day target. Howeve,r I can assure you that these bills were paid shortly after 30 days.
  I hope this is of assistance.

  Letter from John Clarke to Mrs. Cheryl Gillan, dated 4 November 1997:
  You recently asked the Secretary of State for Defence a Parliamentary Question about outstanding debts to suppliers. As this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office, I have been asked to reply to you directly.
  All departments are required to pay their bills within agreed contract terms, or 30 days from receipt of the goods or service or a valid invoice, whichever is the later, where no such terms exist. Such detailed information on payment performance for the current financial year could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The Treasury will shortly be publishing a league table of departmental payment performance for 1996–97.
  I hope the information provided has been of some assistance.

  Letter from John Chisholm to Mrs. Cheryl Gillan, dated 4 November 1997:
  The Secretary of State for Defence has asked me as Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency to reply to your question about suppliers who are owed outstanding amounts.
  The Agency's policy is to pay bills promptly within agreed contract terms or, where no such terms exist, within 30 days of receipt of a validated invoice. DERA currently pays 98% of invoices without queries within these targets; during the month of October 1997, 98·2% of cleared invoices were paid on time. Detailed data on individual suppliers could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
  The Treasury will shortly be publishing a league table of departmental payment performance for 1996/97.
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  Letter from Peter Ewins to Mrs. Cheryl Gillan, dated 4 November 1997:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about outstanding debt to suppliers. For the Meterological Office, this matter falls to me as the Chief Executive.
  Our payment policy is to pay suppliers within 30 days of receipt of the invoice within the Meteorological Office, or of the delivery date if later. For the period 1 June 1996 to 31 March 1997, over 90% of the valid invoices were paid within 30 days of receipt. We will continue to work to improve this performance. The Treasury will shortly be publishing a league table of departments payment performance for 1996/97. Detailed information on payment performance for the current financial year could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Delegated Legislation
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will list all(a) secondary, (b) other delegated legislation and (c) all deregulation orders his Department made during the summer adjournment. [14376]

  The Attorney General
  None.

PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Drugs
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the President of the Council if she will make a statement about the Government's policy to curb the misuse of drugs. [12033]

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  The Prime Minister announced last month that Keith Hellawell—currently Chief Constable of West Yorkshire—would be the new UK anti-drugs co-ordinator, and will take up his post early in the New Year. He will be supported by a deputy, Michael Trace. The co-ordinator's first priority will be to review existing action against drugs across the board, and then make recommendations to Ministers for further developments.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the President of the Council what assessment she has made of the result of the Government's strategy on the reduction in the use of illegal drugs. [12037]

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  The most recent national data on the prevalence of drug misuse are from the 1996 British Crime Survey (BCS). The report concludes that between the 1994 and 1996 BCS, there was essentially no change in levels of drug misuse across England and Wales as a whole. I have asked Keith Hellawell to consider the implications of these findings.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Probation Studies Diploma
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the proposed diploma in probation studies will require a full-time course of study; how long the course will last; and at which institutions it will be available. [12731]
  116
  Joyce Quin
  The new arrangements for the recruitment and training of probation officers, which I announced in a reply to the hon. member for Enfield, Southgate (Mr. Twigg) on 29 July,Official Report, column 151, will be employment led. Trainee probation officers will be employed by their local probation services while they work towards the new combined diploma and national vocational qualification. The length of the training period will vary according to trainees' previous work and academic experience. Work is under way to implement these new arrangements, but it is too early to say which institutions will offer the diploma.

  Remand
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to limit the period for which people accused of non-violent crimes may be held on remand prior to cases coming before the courts; and if he will make a statement. [13324]

  Mr. Michael
  The Government are determined to ensure that defendants should spend as little time as possible on remand awaiting trial. The period for which those charged with indictable offences may be held in custody on remand is already restricted by statutory custody time limits. Unfortunately, it is clear that in far too many cases it has been necessary for the courts to extend those time limits and the Government intend to introduce stricter criteria in the forthcoming Crime and Disorder Bill to govern the court's decision to grant extensions to limits.

  The remand decision, whatever the offence charged, is, of course, a matter for the court in the exercise of its judicial discretion in accordance with the Bail Act 1976. That Act establishes a statutory right to bail for all defendants involved in criminal proceedings, subject to certain exceptions. Bail may be withheld only in the case of a person accused of an offence punishable with imprisonment if the court is satisfied that there are substantial grounds for believing that, if released on bail, that person would abscond, commit an offence, interfere with witnesses or otherwise obstruct the course of justice.

  In taking a remand decision, the court has to consider the nature and seriousness of the offence, the character, antecedents and community ties of the defendant, his past record under any previous grants of bail and the strength of the evidence against his having committed the offence, as well as any other considerations which appear relevant.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to reform the remand system; and if he will make a statement. [13720]

  Mr. Michael
  [holding answer 3 November 1997]: The consultation paper, "Tackling Delays in the Youth Justice System", published on 15 October, sets out a number of legislative proposals which are intended to remove obstacles to the speedy and efficient handling of cases, introduce new and more effective procedures and establish greater discipline in the processing of cases through the setting up of statutory time limits. The deadline for comments on the paper is 12 November 1997.

  The consultation paper, "Reducing Remand Delays", was issued on 23 October 1997. It sets out the time limits proposals in the context of the adult courts. It provides a little more detail on the procedural aspect of the new

  117
  measures—for example, the mechanics of reinstituting proceedings—than the "Tackling Delays in the Youth Justice System" paper. For the sake of completeness, the "Reducing Remand Delays" paper also includes the other non-Narey legislative measures aimed at reducing delays in all courts: the two new bail measures and the power to conduct pre-trial hearings by live television link. The deadline for comments on the proposals in this paper is 14 November 1997.

  Copies of both these documents have been placed in the Library.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to amend the Bail Act 1976 to ensure that courts take notice of the effects that remands in custody may have on the mental and physical health of defendants; and if he will make a statement. [13723]

  Mr. Michael
  [holding answer 3 November 1997]: The remand decision is a matter for the courts in the exercise of their judicial discretion in accordance with the Bail Act 1976. That Act establishes a statutory right to bail for all defendants involved in criminal proceedings, subject to certain exceptions. Bail may be withheld only in the case of a person accused of an offence punishable with imprisonment if the court is satisfied that there are substantial grounds for believing that, if released on bail, that person would abscond, commit an offence, interfere with witnesses or otherwise obstruct the course of justice. In taking a remand decision, the Bail Act requires courts to consider the nature and seriousness of the offence, the character, antecedents and community ties of the defendant, his past record under any previous grants of bail, and the strength of the evidence against his having committed the offence as well as any other considerations which appear relevant. Courts may seek information from the probation service and advice of health care professionals to assist them. They will also have regard to any representations made by the prosecution or defence. In addition, courts may use the provisions of the Mental Health Act 1983 to enable appropriate mentally disordered persons to be remanded to hospital rather than prison.

  I have no plans to alter these arrangements but will consider ways of improving the information available to the court on the mental health of defendants the better to inform decisions, including an assessment of risk to the public.

  Firearms Compensation Scheme
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the average time taken to process compensation payments for people who have handed in handguns to the police; [13904]

  (2) what action he is taking to reduce the time it is taking to process compensation payments for people who have handed in handguns to the police. [13905]

  Mr. Michael
  Claims submitted under options A and B of the compensation scheme are being processed in 12–14 weeks. The more complicated option C claims will be processed when the bulk of these have been cleared.
  118
  More than 37,800 compensation claims and ex gratia applications under the small calibre pistol scheme have been received since 1 July, and the volume is such that some delays are inevitable. More than 14,200 payments have been made to a value of more than £17 million.

  It has always been recognised that the pressure of claims received over a short hand-in period was bound to lead to processing delays, and claimants were advised that they may have to wait several weeks before receiving any payment. Despite that, an additional factor in delay is the burden of telephone enquiries about the progress of claims. A recent survey showed that the Home Office was receiving around 2,000 such calls a week.

  As I promised in July, everything possible is being done to process claims in the shortest time possible. For instance, weekend overtime is being worked and staff have been temporarily promoted to boost examiner numbers. I wish to record my thanks to everyone who has contributed to the efforts to date including officials and the police officers involved.

  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received about non-payment of claims submitted under the firearms compensation scheme which have been agreed by the receiving constabulary; and if he will make a statement. [14049]

  Mr. Michael
  [holding answer 3 November 1997]: A number of inquiries have been received about the progress of individual compensation claims. The firearms compensation section is dealing with claims as quickly as possible, and in the order in which they are received. It has so far made over 14,200 payments to the value of over £17 million. The sheer number of claims received over the three-month hand-in period means that some processing delays are inevitable. That was explained to the House when the scheme was approved, but, as promised, we are doing all that we can to keep these to a minimum.

  New Prison (Colchester)
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment exercises his Department has conducted into the possibility of establishing a prison in the Colchester constituency during the past five years. [13700]

  Joyce Quin
  The Prison Service has had a long standing interest in developing a new prison in the east London/Essex area. This will provide new prison places to meet the population increases now being projected and help reduce the overcrowding currently being experienced within London prisons, to which large numbers of young offenders and adult prisoners from the Essex area are sent.

  A number of sites in the east London/Essex area have been looked at by the Prison Service in recent years. One site in the Colchester area was investigated some two years ago, but was considered too small for a prison development.

  Another possible site in Colchester has been recently drawn to the attention of the Prison Service. This is now being assessed, but it is too early to say whether it will prove suitable to be pursued further.

  Feltham Young Offenders Institute
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Prison Service about alleged assaults by prison officers against Mr. Carlos Pulgaria at Feltham young offenders institute on 5 September; if the officers against whom the allegations were made are still on duty; and if he will make a statement. [13971]

  Joyce Quin
  Mr. Carlos Pulgarin has alleged that while he was in Feltham young offender institution in September he was assaulted by prison officers. Because of the seriousness of the allegations, the governor referred the matter to the police to investigate. I understand that the police have sent their report on the incident to the Crown Prosecution Service, who are considering what action to take. The officers against whom the allegations were made are at present on special leave.

  Butane Gas
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will amend the terms of the Intoxicating Substances Supply Act 1985 so as to introduce a strict liability clause with regard to the sale of Butane gas lighter refills to under 16-year-olds, if he will nominate an enforcement agency for the application of the act; and if he will make a statement. [13703]

  Mr. George Howarth
  We have no plans to amend the Intoxicating Substances (Supply) Act 1985. The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs undertook a study into volatile substance abuse, the results of which were published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office in 1995. A copy of their report is in the Library. They concluded that there were no acceptable legislative changes that would do more than the Act already does to protect young people. Responsibility for enforcement of the provisions of the Act rests with the police.

  Daylight Saving
  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the evidence of the effect of the end of British summer time on levels of crime. [13760]

  Mr. George Howarth
  A 1996 Home Office analysis suggested that an extra hour's light at the end of winter days might slightly reduce overall notifiable offences. However, this assumed no offsetting changes in offenders' and the general public's behaviour. If there were, some opportunities for crime might increase.

  Intrusive Surveillance
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what circumstances MI5 operatives are allowed to undertake intrusive surveillance without first obtaining a warrant.[13781]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 3 November 1997]: There are no circumstances under which Security Service officers would be allowed to carry out intrusive surveillance involving entry on to or interference with property which would otherwise be unlawful, except under authority of a warrant issued by the Secretary of State under the Intelligence Services Act 1994.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average time taken by his Department to give full answers to letters received from hon. Members. [13952]

  Mr. Straw
  The average time taken to reply to letters from hon. Members is 25 working days. The target response times in my Department are 15 days for the Home Office, 25 for the immigration and nationality directorate, the United Kingdom Passport Agency and Her Majesty's Prison Service. Departmental performance is shown in the annual statistics that were published on 17 June 1997 in response to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Ellesmere Port and Neston (Mr. Miller) on 17 June 1997,Official Report, columns 107–12. Some targets were shortened earlier this year. These will be reflected in the 1997 annual statistics that will be published in due course.

  Computers (Century Date Change)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will publish the action plan, due by 1 October 1997, for resolving the computer millennium problem in his Department, its agencies and other public bodies for which he is responsible; if such was fully completed on time; and if he will make a statement; [13572]

  (2) what is his latest estimate of the total cost of resolving the computer millennium problem in (a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) other public bodies for which he is responsible; if he will state in each case (i) expenditure incurred to date, (ii) expenditure planned for 1997–98, (iii) expenditure planned for 1998–99 and (iv) expenditure planned for 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [13573]

  Mr. Straw
  My Department's costed action plans will be sent to the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency (CCTA) this week. The plans will be analysed by the Central Information Technology Unit and CCTA and the conclusions reported to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster who will then inform Parliament. The plans will be exempted from disclosure under the Open Government Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, which permits non-disclosure prior to an announcement. However, once the announcement has been made the plans will be available to the public.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on what funding provision has been made to accommodate the expenditure needed to resolve the computer millennium problem; and if he expects to have sufficient funding to pay for the work necessary to achieve complete millennium compliance by 1 January 2000. [13574]

  Mr. Straw
  My Department is proceeding on the basis that the cost of preventive and remedial action on the millennium problem will be met from existing public expenditure survey provision.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when his Department, its agencies and other public bodies for which he is responsible completed the millennium computer compliance audits of systems; and if he will make a statement. [13575]
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  Mr. Straw
  My Department's main information technology service provider—Sema Group—completed an audit covering the bulk of our systems in late 1996. Since then, business areas have been reviewing, updating and prioritising their inventories as part of the process of preparing their costed action plans.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which(a) Minister and (b) civil servant has overall responsibility for ensuring millennium computer compliance in his Department and its associated public bodies. [13576]

  Mr. Straw
  I am the Minister responsible for ensuring millennium compliance in my Department. The civil servant with responsibility for this work is the director of corporate resources.

  Animal Experiments
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the(a) dates of and (b) participants in meetings he has held with the cosmetics industry and researchers to discuss a voluntary ban on cosmetic testing on animals. [13679]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The industry has been consulted through representative groups and by informal means. no meetings have been necessary. My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State will be in a position to make an announcement on Thursday about developments concerning cosmetics testing, the use of great apes in scientific procedures, welfare committees in designated establishments and the composition of the Animal Procedures Committee.

  Car Boot Sales
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received requesting the introduction of a licensing system for car boot sales. [13309]

  Mr. Caborn
  I have been asked to reply.

  My Department has received seven letters making such a request since May 1997. We are currently considering whether further controls are required over temporary markets, such as car boot sales, which are currently permitted for up to 14 days in any calendar year under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Parliamentary Answers
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the President of the Council what discussions she has had to encourage greater transparency in the answers to parliamentary questions. [12031]

  Mrs Ann Taylor
  Ministers are under a duty—set out in the ministerial code—to be as open as possible with Parliament and the public, refusing to provide information only when disclosure would not be in the public interest, which should be decided in accordance with relevant statute and the code of practice on access to Government information.

  WPC Yvonne Fletcher
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the President of the Council if she will set up a Select Committee on the re-analysis by the Metropolitan police of the circumstances surrounding the murder of WPC Yvonne Fletcher. [12034]

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  No, this would not be appropriate in the circumstances. The police investigation is continuing. The necessary analysis and inquiries are complex; and the police will complete them as soon as is possible.

  Semicircular Seating
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the President of the Council what progress she has made on assessing the advantages of a semicircular seating arrangement for the House. [12035]

  Mrs Ann Taylor
  None. As I said in the House on 17 June at column 111, I believe that we are a long way from any consensus that the shape of the Chamber should be changed. I have no proposals to make any structural changes to the Chamber.

  Modernisation of the House
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the President of the Council if she will make a statement on the progress made in respect of the proposals from the Modernisation of the House Committee.[12036]

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  The Committee reported on 23 July and a debate on its conclusions is to be held shortly.

  Recesses (School Holidays)
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the President of the Council what plans she has to arrange parliamentary business so that recesses coincide with school holidays. [12030]

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  I am aware of my hon. Friend's concern. As I previously told the House, I am in favour of our periodic Adjournments coinciding with school holidays whenever possible.

  I remain mindful of hon. Members' views and of the representations that have been made. The Modernisation Committee will soon be looking at the parliamentary calendar, and school holidays and half-terms will be one of the issues to be addressed.

  Advisory Committee on Works of Art
  Sir Patrick Cormack
  To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, what are the membership and terms of reference of the Advisory Committee on Works of Art. [14034]

  Mr. Kirkwood
  I understand that Madam Speaker has appointed the following Members to the Advisory Committee on Works of Art: the hon. Members for Stockton, North (Mr. Cook), for Staffordshire, South (Sir P. Cormack), for Dudley, North (Mr. Cranston), for Wantage (Mr. Jackson), for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross (Mr. Maclennan), for Blackpool, South (Mr. Marsden), for Glasgow, Cathcart (Mr. Maxton) and for Windsor (Mr. Trend).
  123
  The terms of reference of the Committee are:
  to advise the Speaker generally on matters relating to works of art, including acquisitions; and to advise the Accommodation and Works Committee on the policy on, conservation of, and curatorial management of the collections of pictures, statues, murals, historic furniture and furnishings and decorative interior of the Palace; and advise on the decorative interiors of other buildings in the Parliamentary Estate when requested by that Committee.

  Members' Staff
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Council what proposals she has to increase the numbers of staff available to hon. Members. [12025]

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  None. Members can employ staff out of their office costs allowance, which was reviewed by the SSRB in July 1996.

  Statutory Instruments
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the President of the Council how many Statutory Instruments have been made since 31 July without parliamentary scrutiny; and if she will make a statement as to the future arrangements for dealing with these instruments. [13956]

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  The number of Statutory Instruments laid was 153. I have no plans at present to make a statement on the future arrangements for dealing with these instruments.

  Student Visits
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee if he will take measures to assist(a) hon. Members, (b) members of the press gallery and (c) officials of the House in giving access to the precincts of the House to work experience/school students. [12032]

  Mrs. Roe
  The Administration Committee has no responsibility for(a) and (b). With respect to (c), I wish to advise the hon. Gentleman that the Establishments Office of the Finance and Administration Department co-ordinates a work experience scheme through which Departments of the House accommodate students who wish to spend a period of time working at the House of Commons.

  Students who express an interest in such work experience are asked to supply details of the type of work in which they are interested and the dates on which they are available. Details are then circulated to departments to ascertain the availability of suitable opportunities.

  The Establishment Office endeavours to place 12 students each year for periods of between one and two weeks—more than 20 students have been placed within departments of the House in the last 12 months. The students are not paid, but travelling expenses are re-imbursed.

  The education unit has for 17 years arranged a special programme of autumn visits for senior school students, and an extension to this scheme, to run on sitting Wednesdays, was approved in March this year. This is in addition to the large numbers of tours given by hon. Members themselves for individual school parties.

  Smoking
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee if he will seek to extend non-smoking policies to the division lobbies and other Members' facilities in the House. [12026]

  Mrs. Roe
  Hon. Members should be aware already that smoking is not permitted in the Division Lobbies at any time. The Administration Committee has no responsibility for smoking policy in hon. Members' offices—this is a matter for the hon. Member or Members concerned. Similarly, smoking policy in Refreshment Department outlets is a matter for the Catering Committee. However, I shall draw to the attention of my Committee any proposals from hon. Members concerning the possible extension of non-smoking policies to other Members' facilities in the House.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Coal Board Housing
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will investigate what records of the disposal programme of houses by the Coal Board have been retained by British Coal. [13662]

  Mr. Battle
  British Coal retains records relating to property sales as long as there remains a prudent commercial reason for so doing. This is generally for a period of 12 years to ensure that British Coal can assess any claims made against it by a purchaser.

  Cornish Tin Mining Industry
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action her Department is taking to assist the Cornish tin mining industry. [13225]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 30 October 1997]: Following the announcement on 7 August by South Crofty plc of the intention to close the South Crofty tin mine, officials from the Government Office for the South West have been working closely with the mine on a range of proposals. A delegation led by my hon. Friend the Member for Falmouth and Camborne (Ms Atherton) met my hon. Friend the Minister for Small Firms on 10 September. An application from South Crofty plc for regional selective assistance was received by the Department of Trade and Industry on 20 October 1997. The assessment of the application is being given the highest possible priority so that an early decision can be reached. It will be considered against the normal criteria for the scheme. These include demonstrating the viability of the project.

  Bank of Credit and Commerce International
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she plans to meet the liquidators of BCCI; and when she expects the next payment to be made to the creditors of BCCI. [14252]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I have no plans to meet the joint liquidators. The timetable for future payments to creditors is a matter for the liquidators but I understand that they hope to pay a substantial further dividend as soon as possible.

  Yemen (Trade Mission)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the recent trade mission to Yemen led by HRH the Duke of Gloucester. [14228]

  Mrs. Roche
  HRH the Duke of Gloucester visited Yemen from 28 September to 3 October in his capacity as President of the British Consultants Bureau. He was accompanied by 29 representatives of UK companies on a DTI supported trade mission jointly sponsored by the BCB and the Middle East Association. The DTI export promoter and country officer for Yemen were also in attendance.

  During this high profile and successful mission, HRH met the President and Vice President of Yemen, the Governors of Taiz and Aden as well as five Ministers, senior Government officials, businessmen and diplomats. HRH attended the missioners' meetings with the Sana' s chamber of commerce and the seminar organised by BCB. He also visited Taiz and in Aden he inaugurated the premises of the new consulate-general and opened the new British Council teaching centre. Missioners held a meeting with Aden chamber of commerce and attended briefings on Aden's infrastructure development needs and the port/free zone development.

  Small and Medium Enterprises
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action she is taking to encourage the establishment and growth of small firms in Staffordshire. [13890]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 3 November 1997]: The Government recognises the vital role that small firms play in a successful enterprise economy and is firmly committed to providing the right conditions for the sector to compete and grow.

  Government funding supports initiatives which help both the establishment and growth of small firms in Staffordshire.

  Under the first round of the single regeneration budget challenge fund up to £1·28 million over six years has been committed towards establishing 2,000 new businesses and 3,600 jobs in Staffordshire. The Government Office for the West Midlands has contracted with Staffordshire training and enterprise council to manage this programme.

  The Government Office also holds an annual contract with the training and enterprise council, worth approximately £1·7 million, to fund Business Link Staffordshire. The purpose of the Business Link is to help small businesses become more competitive, more successful and better able to meet challenges of the next decade. The Business Link offers independent specialist advice to help businesses identify and address their problems through a tailored package of support.

  Partnership Legislation
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when further progress is planned on limited liability partnership legislation. [14580]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  We are working towards a policy announcement and publication of draft legislation as soon as possible next year.

  Regional Challenge
  Mr. Derek Twigg
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if there will be a further round of the regional challenge competition for the allocation of European structural funds grants.[14582]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The Government has decided that the further round of the regional challenge competition will not go ahead and the prize fund of £160 million will return to the regions eligible for structural funds grants. This will restore decision-making on funding allocations to the regions and relieve local partners of the considerable burden involved in the administration of the challenge approach.

  The first round of regional challenge did, of course, produce some imaginative projects with potentially significant regional benefits, and we wish these projects every success. However, the original aims of the challenge can now be achieved through other mechanisms. The new "action plan" approach, to be introduced on a flexible basis in England, will encourage a strong strategic focus on high quality projects which can make a real difference to the regional economy and attract private sector contributions, whilst avoiding the additional administrative burdens of regional challenge.

  Computers (Century Date Change)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade which(a) Minister and (b) civil servant has overall responsibility for ensuring millennium computer compliance in his Department and its associated public bodies. [13586]

  Mrs. Roche
  The President of the Board of Trade has overall responsibility for the Department's work including that related to the year 2000 compliance of its computer systems. The Department's director of information management and technology, Dick Wheeler, has management responsibility for the core Department's programme of compliance projects and related activities. Chief executives of agencies and other public bodies have similar responsibilities for their programmes.

  EU Enlargement
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she plans to consult United Kingdom businesses on the enlargement of the EU to the countries of central and eastern Europe. [14579]

  Mrs. Roche
  Today Lord Simon is publishing a consultation document which seeks the views of UK businesses, consumers and employees on the enlargement of the EU to the countries of central and eastern Europe.

  The Government is committed to successful EU enlargement. It will not only enhance the security and stability of the continent, but also introduce 100 million extra consumers into the internal market, bringing greater opportunities for British businesses and greater choice and value for British consumers. We think British businesses appreciate this—indeed, they are already increasingly turning towards these important emerging markets. But enlargement presents major challenges as well as great opportunities for the EU, and we want to be sure that we are representing the interests of UK businesses, employees and consumers as accurately as we can in

  127
  discussions in Brussels and elsewhere. So I urge all those with an interest in the future development of the EU to take this opportunity to let us know what they think.

  I have placed a copy of the consultation document in the library of the House. Copies can be obtained from:

  EU Enlargement Consultation

  EU Enlargement Unit

  Department of Trade and Industry

  66-74 Victoria Street

  LONDON

  SWIE 6SW

  Tel. 0171 215 4407

  Fax 0171 215 4469

  Comments should be sent to the same address, to arrive by 20 March 1998.

  The document can also be found on the DTI internet homepage at: http://www.dti.gov.uk

  Bio-Technology
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade on what date the ethical and welfare review of bio-technology and the patenting of animals began; and if she will make a statement.[13678]

  Mr. Battle
  A report produced in 1995 by a committee chaired by Professor Michael Banner and appointed by the then Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food produced a report which considered the ethical implications of emerging technologies in the breeding of farm animals. The committee's review included the question of patenting genetically modified animals.

  The DTI is in the process of consulting widely on the question of animal patenting in the context of the proposed directive for the protection of bio-technological inventions.

  Export Forum
  Mr. Goggins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will publish the conclusions of the Export Forum. [14581]

  Mrs. Beckett
  "Towards an Export Initiative"—the report of the Export Forum—has today been published and a copy placed in the Library of the House.

  The Export Forum was established by the Department of Trade and Industry and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in July of this year. Its remit was to examine the effectiveness of current Government support for UK exporters and to make recommendations for a new export initiative.

  The forum has concluded that government has a vital and essential role to play in export promotion. It recommends that the Government could discharge this role more effectively by taking action in the following areas.
  focusing additional effort on a small number of key overseas markets, as opposed to dividing all its effort between 80 "priority markets";
  selecting these markets both with a view to the needs of the new and inexperienced exporter and with a view to helping all exporters attack difficult but promising markets where the UK is currently underperforming;
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  incorporating the strengths and priorities of key sectors of UK industry into the planning process, with a better focus on service industries in particular;
  enhancing the support that it gives to UK firms seeking to invest overseas;
  ensuring greater consistency and improved quality in the export services delivered by Business Links and in the chargeable work of FCO posts;
  strengthening the marketing and branding of Government export support to obtain greater coherence and a more customer-friendly interface;
  making greater use of IT and the Internet in delivering services to UK exporters;
  restructuring and strengthening the British Overseas Trade Board as the Government's key advisory body on export promotion.

  The Government welcomes the forum's report and the thrust of its recommendations. We will be looking to respond positively and to start work now in many of the areas outlined by the forum as requiring change. Our response in respect of some of the forum's recommendations will need to await the completion of the DTI and FCO comprehensive spending reviews.

  European Council
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what documents Her Majesty's Government intends to place before the European Council due to meet in Luxembourg on 21 to 22 November to discuss employment in the European Community; and if he will place in the Library any such submission at least 10 days before that event. [13386]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  In the context of the remit established at the Amsterdam European Council, the Government has submitted two papers: "Employment Policies and Initiatives in the UK", July 1997, and "United Kingdom Employment Action Plan", October 1997. Copies of both these papers are in the Library.

WALES

  Beta Interferon
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the cost of prescribing beta interferon in each year since 1995 for each health authority. [13476]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The expenditure on Beta Interferon across the NHS in Wales since 1995 is £8,764. This figure excludes clinical trials for which there is no data available. There is a risk that to provide a more detailed breakdown of this figure might breach patient confidentiality.

  Schools (Funding)
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the amount of extra funding which will be available for Welsh school education in 1997 as a result of the windfall tax. [14175]

  Mr. Hain
  £5,025 million capital funding is available this financial year for repair, refurbishment,improvements to school buildings; improvements to school security; and improvements to information technology facilities.

  Dental Services
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are the latest figures(a) in total and (b) by county for the number of dental practitioners in practice in Wales offering treatment on the national health service; and if he will make a statement. [14082]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The information is given in the following table. The information is collected on a health authority basis.

  General dental practitioners who treat at least some NHS patients at 30 June 1997

  Health authority

  Number

  North Wales

  198

  Dyfed Powys

  142

  Morgannwg

  173

  Bro Taf

  221

  Gwent

  173

  Wales

  907

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many dental practitioners were in practice in Wales in(a) 1995, (b) 1996 and (c) at the latest available date; and if he will make a statement; [14086]

  (2) how many dental practitioners offering treatment under the national health service there were in practice in Wales in each year since 1992; and if he will make a statement. [14090]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  Information on the number of general practitioners who treat at least some NHS patients is given in the following table. Information on the number of practitioners only treating patients privately is not collected centrally.

  General dental practitioners who treat at least some NHS patients

  Number

  September 1992

  831

  September 1993

  843

  September 1994

  849

  September 1995

  876

  September 1996

  900

  June 1997

  907

  Inward Investment
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many jobs were created or secured by inward investment in each North Wales county in each of the last five years. [14211]

  Mr. Hain
  The following statistics relate to companies' intentions at the time of the decision to invest and do not take account of any subsequent changes. The employment figures—safeguarded and new combined—are forecasts, not actual, and relate to inward investment from elsewhere in the United Kingdom as well as from overseas.

  Year

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  Clwyd

  2,414

  3,072

  1,256

  752

  1,337

  Gwynedd

  1,009

  885

  654

  89

  231

  130
  Information on a unitary authority basis is not yet available; the statistics are for the areas covered by the former counties of Clwyd and Gwynedd.

  Computers (Century Date Change)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which(a) Minister and (b) civil servant has overall responsibility for ensuring millennium computer compliance in his Department and its associated public bodies. [13626]

  Mr. Ron Davis
  As Secretary of State I have overall responsibility for ensuring compliance in my Department. The civil servant responsible for Millennium issues within the Department is Dr. A. G. Thornton. In the case of public bodies it is the responsibility of the relevant chief executive.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will make a statement on what funding provision has been made to accommodate the expenditure needed to resolve the computer millennium problem; and if he expects to have sufficient funding to pay for the work necessary to achieve complete millennium compliance by 1 January 2000; [13624]

  (2) what is his latest estimate of the total cost of resolving the computer millennium problem in (a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) other public bodies for which he is responsible; if he will state in each case (i) expenditure incurred to date, (ii) expenditure planned for 1997–98, (iii) expenditure planned for 1998–99 and (iv) expenditure planned for 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [13623]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  My Department has made an assessment of the effect of the millennium date change. I do not expect there to be any major costs involved in ensuring that my Department's computer systems can cater for the year 2000. Cost of future preventative and remedial action on year 2000 will be met from existing PES provision.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish the action plan, due by 1 October 1997, for resolving the computer millennium problem in his Department, its agencies and other public bodies for which he is responsible; if such was fully completed on time; and if he will make a statement. [13622]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  The costed action plans for all Departments will be analysed by officials in the central IT unit at the Cabinet Office and the CCTA and the conclusions reported to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster who will then inform Parliament. The plans will be exempted from disclosure under the open government code of practice on access to government information which permits non-disclosure prior to an announcement. However, once the announcement has been made the plans will be available to the public.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when his Department, its agencies and other public bodies for which he is responsible completed the millennium computer compliance audits of systems; and if he will make a statement. [13625]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  The central IT unit at the Cabinet Office and its agent the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency set a model timetable for
  131
  Departments to follow. The Welsh Office has followed this timetable and completed by January 1997 a full survey of the work which needed to be done.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Food and Drink Industry
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the impact on United Kingdom food and drink producers of(a) a national minimum wage, (b) the Government's welfare-to-work proposals and (c) economic and monetary union. [13379]

  Mr. Morley
  We are aware of some early assessments of policies within the responsibility of other Departments and where many decisions both of principle and of detail remain to be taken. Although we have not at this stage undertaken separate studies of the impact of such policies specifically on United Kingdom food and drink producers, we carefully consider the likely implications for all the sectors for which the Department is responsible.

  Bananas
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list in respect of imports of bananas into(a) the European Economic Community and (b) the United Kingdom (i) the Community quotas in percentage, approximate tonnage, and value of imports of each of category A, B and C of imports, together with the principal producers in each category, (ii) the approximate difference between the production and selling price to consumers of dollar, category A, and African, Caribbean and Pacific country, category B, African, Caribbean and Pacific country, bananas and (iii) the tonnage and value of banana exports from each Commonwealth source exported to the United Kingdom in the year before and each year since the introduction of the 1993 banana regime. [13388]

  Mr. Morley
  (i) Twelve African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries which traditionally supplied bananas to the EU have individual export allocations under the EU regime. These total 857,700 tonnes of bananas. The countries are Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Jamaica, Belize, Suriname, Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Somalia, Cape Verde and Madagascar.

  Other imports of bananas enter the EU within an annual tariff quota; since the enlargement of the EU in 1995 this has been set at 2·553 million tonnes. This figure includes a small allocation for ACP imports outside the traditional quotas. There are three types of licences for importing bananas within the tariff quota: Category A licences (66·5 per cent. of the tariff quota) are allocated on the basis of past trade in third country and non-traditional ACP bananas; Category B licences (30 per cent. of the tariff quota) are allocated on the basis of past trade in EU or traditional ACP bananas; Category C licences (3·5 per cent.) are allocated to traders who do not have a record of trade in bananas before 1993. The tariff quota licences can be used freely to import third-country or non-traditional ACP bananas, i.e. their use is not linked to imports from a particular supplying country. The principal
  132
  suppliers of bananas within the tariff quota are Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Panama.

  The table shows imports from ACP and third country sources into the EU and UK between 1992 and 1996:

  UK and EU1 imports of ACP and non ACP2 fresh bananas Value (in thousands of ECU3) and volume (in tonnes)

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  ACP imports

  UK

  Value

  224,921

  232,142

  216·610

  216,987

  239,559

  Volume

  363,274

  377,734

  348,488

  381,315

  411,857

  EU

  Value

  407,970

  437,728

  439,612

  417,394

  437,442

  Volume

  680,185

  748,109

  728,064

  765,489

  802,055

  Non ACP imports2

  UK

  Value4

  37,901

  33,034

  45,899

  46,880

  47,653

  Volume

  92,524

  77,113

  93,241

  100,769

  88,347

  EU

  Value4

  973,392

  902,595

  1,088,005

  1,279,786

  1,390,653

  Volume

  2,367,348

  2,220,521

  2,122,999

  2,399,162

  2,689,041

  Notes:

  The above figures were extracted from the EUROSTAT Comext database on 30 October 1997 and may be subject to future amendment.

  1Up to 1994 figures are for the EU12, thereafter the EU15.

  2 Not including the Canary Islands, Guadeloupe and Martinique, which are part of the EU.

  3Animal ECU/£ exchange rates are as follows: 1992: 0·7376; 1993: 0·7800; 1994: 0·7736; 1995: 0·8290; 1996: 0·8108;

  4Values do not include import tariffs.

  Source:

  European Commission.

  (ii) Information on production prices of bananas for ACP suppliers or dollar suppliers is not available. Average UK retail prices for bananas from all sources since 1992 were as follows:

  Pence per pound

  1992

  47·99

  1993

  45·56

  1994

  45·15

  1995

  41·48

  1996

  42·17

  I regret that no information is available on the average price paid by EU consumers.

  (iii) Volumes and values of imports from Commonwealth countries into the United Kingdom since 1992 are set out in the table below:

  UK imports of fresh bananas from Commonwealth countries Value (in thousands of ECU1) and volume (in tonnes2)

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  Dominica

  Value

  28,926

  28,336

  22,761

  17,577

  21,633

  Volume

  44,658

  46,498

  37,819

  31,773

  39,307

  St. Lucia

  Value

  70,810

  65,878

  51,062

  53,758

  61,982

  Volume

  111,348

  106,224

  85,741

  99,599

  106,670

  133

  UK imports of fresh bananas from Commonwealth countries Value (in thousands of ECU1) and volume (in tonnes2)

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  St. Vincent

  Value

  35,746

  32,538

  17,455

  25,593

  25,476

  Volume

  56,233

  53,380

  28,236

  46,852

  44,175

  Grenada

  Value

  3,850

  4,039

  3,265

  2,394

  1,133

  Volume

  6,011

  6,720

  5,325

  4,556

  2,007

  Jamaica

  Value

  46,625

  46,932

  52,424

  49,699

  52,594

  Volume

  74,775

  77,057

  76,401

  83,824

  89,496

  Belize

  Value

  15,064

  23,643

  28,172

  24,215

  25,402

  Volume

  28,323

  38,366

  46,980

  42,033

  52,130

  Cameroon

  Value

  5,127

  5,999

  13,184

  13,217

  19,473

  Volume

  6,702

  10,847

  25,046

  20,457

  25,008

  Ghana

  Value

  118

  255

  166

  50

  233

  Volume

  91

  181

  139

  51

  189

  Total value

  206,806

  207,618

  188,490

  186,502

  207,926

  Total volume

  328,140

  339,273

  305,686

  329,146

  358,982

  Notes:

  The above figures were extracted from the EUROSTAT Comext database on 30 October 1997 and may be subject to future amendment.

  1Annual ECU/£ exchange rates are as follows: 1992: 0·7376; 1993: 0·7800; 1994: 0·7736; 1995: 0·8290; 1996: 0·8108.

  2Volumes released into free circulation in the UK.

  Source:

  European Commission.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he is taking to protect the Caribbean banana producers market in the United Kingdom and Europe; and if he will make a statement. [13664]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 3 November 1997]: The Government are considering the World Trade Organisation (WTO) findings on the EU banana regime in liaison with the Commission in Brussels, who have the principal responsibility for the Community's response.

  UK fishing fleet: MAGP III objectives (as revised for MAGP IV) and position at 31 December 1996

  Segment

  MAGP III objective

  Position at end 1996

  MAGP III objective

  Position at end 1996

  Shortfall from revised objectives (per cent.)1

  GRT

  GRT

  kW

  kW

  GRT

  kW

  Over 10 metre vessels

  Pelagic gears

  24,323

  27,801

  82,168

  71,876

  13

  –14

  Beam trawls

  19,004

  22,104

  91,140

  117,616

  14

  23

  Demersal, seines, nephrops2

  78,195

  75,570

  422,876

  400,127

  —3

  —6

  Lines and nets

  13,134

  13,613

  67,364

  51,977

  4

  —30

  Shellfish mobile

  8,394

  8,504

  51,232

  55,648

  1

  8

  Shellfish fixed

  5,264

  5,387

  35,895

  44,463

  2

  19

  Distant water

  10,204

  12,423

  22,384

  26,853

  18

  17

  Under 10 metre vessels3

  22,697

  20,851

  286,154

  286,367

  –9

  0

  Total

  181,216

  186,262

  1,059,212

  1,054,927

  3

  0

  1A negative percentage figure represents the over-achievement of the objective.

  2 For MAGP III, there were separate segments for demersal trawls and seines and for nephrops gears. The revised objectives and positions at end–1996 were:

  Demersal trawls and seines—GRT objective: 59,470; GRT position: 64,534; Power objective: 316,399; Power position: 332,337.

  Nephrops—GRT objective: 18,725; GRT position: 11,036; Power objective: 106,477; Power position: 67,790.

  3 The previous non-active/non-TAC segment has been eliminated by redistributing the vessels and related objectives across the remaining over 10 metre segments.
  134
  We are disappointed by the WTO ruling but we accept that the Community must now set about revising the EU arrangements to bring them into conformity with WTO rules.

  The UK's commitment to banana production in the Caribbean is a long-standing one. This Government are in no doubt about the vital importance of the banana industry to the Caribbean and will continue to ensure that the interests of the Caribbean banana growers are fully recognised in the negotiations on the new WTO-consistent arrangements. The Caribbean must be given the opportunity to prove that it can sustain a viable industry committed to providing a good quality product at a competitive price to the European consumer.

  Multi-annual Guidance Programme
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the European Commission proposes to apply financial penalties following the report on multi-annual guidance programme III; and if he will make a statement. [13869]

  Mr. Morley
  Under the terms of Council Regulation 3699/93, Member States which have not complied with their Multi-Annual Guidance Programme (MAGP) objectives are not eligible for EU funding in respect of vessel construction or modernisation grants. It is also open to the European Commission to invoke the provisions of the Treaty in respect of any failure to meet obligations which they consider sufficiently serious.

  As far as the Commission's Report on MAGP HI is concerned, the section devoted to the UK refers to two outstanding requests for adjustments to our objectives and to the need for certain discrepancies in fleet registers to be corrected.

  The Commission subsequently put proposals to the Fisheries Management Committee on 27–28 October which are expected to be adopted shortly. They have the effect of amending the UK MAGP III objectives for the purposes of setting new objectives for MAGP IV. These changes would meet all the points which we have put to the Commission. Details are given in the table.

  Sheep
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will ensure that sheep exported from the United Kingdom are identified in such a way that they can be traced back to the holding of birth in accordance with the requirement of EC directive 92/102; and if he will make a statement. [13932]

  Mr. Rooker
  A consultation letter was issued on 13 October 1997 to GB trade organisations seeking their views on changes to the legislation in Great Britain which would enable better tracing of sheep to the holding of birth. The consultation period ends on 24 November 1997. Legislation came into force in Northern Ireland from 1 August 1997 requiring sheep moved from the holding of birth to be identified with a flock or herd mark.

  Cows
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the total number of cows of each identifiable breed in(a) the national dairy herd and (b) the national suckler herd. [14178]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Department collects no information
  on the breakdown of cattle by breed, but the provisional results for England from the 1997 June Agricultural Census show that there are a total of(a) 1,701,000 cows in the national dairy herd and (b) 798,000 cows in the national suckler herd.

  Computers (Century Date Change)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his latest estimate of the total cost of resolving the computer millennium problem in(a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) other public bodies for which he is responsible; if he will give in each case (i) expenditure incurred to date, (ii) expenditure planned for 1997–98, (iii) expenditure planned for 1998–99 and (iv) expenditure planned for 1999–00; and if he will make a statement. [13588]

  Mr. Morley
  The current best estimate of cost for resolving the computer problem for each financial year is as follows:

  £

  Expenditure incurred to date (1996–97)

  354,000

  Expenditure allocated for 1997–98

  2,710,000

  Expenditure estimated for 1998–99

  4,514,000

  Expenditure estimated for 1999–2000

  1,813,000

  Making a total of

  9,391,000

  Including Agencies, non-IT "embedded chip" aspects and possible replacement of scientific equipment, total final costs are expected to exceed £11 million.

  Non-Departmental Public Bodies' costs are not included; all have been contacted and asked to progress required action.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when his Department, its agencies and other public bodies for which he is responsible completed the millennium computer compliance audits of systems; and if he will make a statement. [13590]
  136
  Mr. Morley
  Audits of all the Department's major business-critical systems are now complete. Although the scope of the overall millennium programme continues to widen, all residual audit activity (including that relating to non-IT "embedded chip" aspects and scientific equipment) will be completed by the end of 1997.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on what funding provision has been made to accommodate the expenditure needed to resolve the computer millennium problem; and if he expects to have sufficient funding to pay for the work necessary to achieve complete millennium compliance by 1 January 2000. [13589]

  Mr. Morley
  It is currently planned that funding for preventive and remedial action to resolve the computer millennium problem will be met from existing PES provision. The estimated costs are shown in the table in the reply given to the hon. Member today; current financial plans include coverage for these figures.

  However, some aspects of the programme are still largely an unknown quantity. There is a likelihood, therefore, that some non-critical work may need to be deferred beyond the end-December 1998 target set by the Central IT Unit of the Cabinet Office, that additional funds may need to be sought, or a combination of both.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish the action plan, due by 1 October 1997, for resolving the computer millennium problem in his Department, its agencies and other public bodies for which he is responsible; if such was fully completed on time; and if he will make a statement. [13587]

  Mr. Morley
  In compliance with the Government-wide target set by the Cabinet Office's Central IT Unit (CITU), MAFF has submitted an action plan, required by October 1997. The costed action plan will be analysed by CITU and the CCTA and the conclusions reported to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster who will then inform Parliament. The plans will be exempted from disclosure under the Open Government Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, which permits non-disclosure prior to an announcement. However once the announcement has been made the plans will be available to the public.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which(a) Minister and (b) civil servant has overall responsibility for ensuring millennium computer compliance in his Department and its associated public bodies. [13591]

  Mr. Morley
  The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has overall responsibility for ensuring millennium computer compliance in his Department and its associated bodies. The Director of IT is in charge of the Department's overall Millennium Programme which consists of a number of parallel projects covering different aspects of the Department's computer systems and associated technical infrastructure. The Director (Estates) co-ordinates all aspects of a separate project which has been established to address 'non-IT' equipment containing embedded microprocessor chip technology.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the average time taken by his Department to give full answers to letters received from hon. Members. [13957]

  Mr. Morley
  The Department receives in excess of 10,000 letters a year from hon. Members. The figures for 1996 were published along with those of other Departments on 17 June 1997,Official Report, column 107–12. So far this year, the Department has received about 6,000 letters, 77 per cent. of which have been replied to within our target of 15 working days.

  Cattle Passports
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the average length of time taken to process cattle passport applications(a) nationally and (b) in each of the west country offices of MAFF. [13944]

  Mr. Rooker
  The average processing time for cattle passport applications in England is six working days. The average processing time in each of the west country offices of MAFF is three days (Bristol) and eight days (Exeter).

  Poultry (De-beaking)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to outlaw the de-beaking of poultry for non-veterinary reasons; and if he will make a statement. [13687]

  Mr. Morley
  The current welfare codes make it clear that beak trimming of poultry should be carried out only where necessary to avoid a worse welfare problem such as might be caused by outbreaks of cannibalism in laying hens. We are addressing through our research programme the need to develop commercial systems which can reliably meet the welfare needs of poultry without recourse to this procedure.

  The results of these studies will be taken into account in any revisions to the welfare codes and when reviewing the need for further legislative controls.

  Fur Farms
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action his Department has taken to improve the conditions of animals in the fur farms; and if he will make a statement. [13686]

  Mr. Morley
  We have already put in place improved arrangements for the monitoring of compliance with existing national legislation protecting the welfare of animals farmed for fur. Internationally we are participating actively in the review of the Council of Europe's recommendation with the aim of ensuring adoption of the highest possible standards consistent with scientific evidence and expert opinion.

  Following completion of our recent consultation exercise, we are considering how best to take forward our proposals for ending fur farming in the United Kingdom as soon as practicable.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Official Hospitality
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what has been the total expenditure on official hospitality by his Department in the current Session. [12583]

  Angela Eagle
  Total expenditure by my Department and its agencies for the previous parliamentary session, ending in July 1997 was £75,000.

  Diesel Fuel Subsidies
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what information his Department has collated concerning the subsidy policies of EU countries with regard to diesel fuel used by heavy goods vehicles; and if he will make a statement. [13037]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Government collects information concerning taxation and subsidy policies of EU countries on diesel fuel used by heavy goods vehicles from a range of sources. These include the European Commission, other member states, the oil industry, and road haulage industry representatives. An important source of information is the EC Working Document, "vehicle Taxation in the European Union 1997", a copy of which is to be found in the House of Commons Library.

  Rivers and Canals (Safety)
  Mrs. Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to ensure adequate provision of life-saving equipment near rivers and canals. [13328]

  Angela Eagle
  Provision of life saving equipment is governed by the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. This places a duty on operators of canals and waterways towards members of the public who may be affected by the way in which they carry out their work. The extent to which operators must safeguard the public depends upon the nature of the risks involved and the cost and effectiveness of possible precautions. Relevant factors include the costs of installing life saving equipment, the practicalities of maintaining and protecting it against vandalism and theft, and the availability of someone nearby to deploy it. British Waterways has set up a user safety programme to review the risk to any groups who use its canal network.

  "Rural England" White Paper
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to publish the next annual update of the countryside White Paper, "Rural England". [13129]

  Angela Eagle
  We have no plans to publish an update of the commitments set out in the previous government's Rural White Paper "Rural England".

  Jet-skis
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, transport and the Regions what
  139
  representations he has received urging greater control over jet-skis and similar powered water craft; and if he will make a statement. [13327]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Some 150 responses have been received to wide-ranging consultation exercises intended to establish views on possible improvements to the control of personal watercraft and other non-regulated pleasure vessels. The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions is in an excellent position to bring together those dealing with marine safety, harbours and coastal authorities to review means of improving safety. The responses are being analysed and recommendations are expected to be made to Ministers within the next few months.

  Train Services
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of state for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list by train operating company for each of the last 12 months the(a) punctuality targets and (b) levels achieved. [13132]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  This information is published in the Opraf bulletins, copies of which have been placed in the Library.

  Transport Services (Mill Hill Broadway)
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received on the transport service from Mill Hill broadway; and if he will make a statement. [13118]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I have received one representation from the hon. Member, about a decision by Thameslink Trains in respect of a morning peak rail service, and one representation about the price of rail fares which relates to journey from Mill Hill Broadway. I have received no representations relating to bus services in the area.

  I expect franchised train operators to alter service patterns over time to respond to demand, and to do this in the interests of their passengers. I understand that Thameslink Trains have made a change to the morning peak timetable in order better to accommodate the passengers expected at that time and to mitigate overcrowding. Thameslink have to meet the Franchising Director's standards in respect of overcrowding, and plan a timetable which complies with their passenger service requirement. Decisions about how they achieve this are a matter for them.

  Sea Transport (Fuel)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which ships have been licensed for the sea transport of Mox fuel assemblies to(a) other European Union member states, (b) Japan and (c) other countries from the United Kingdom. [13749]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  There is no requirement for United Kingdom ships to be licensed for this purpose. However, the International Maritime Organization has adopted the "Code for the safe Carriage of Irrradiated Nuclear Fuel, Plutonium and High-Level Radioactive Wastes in Flasks on board ships"—INF code. United 140
  Kingdom companies involved in transporting MOX fuel assemblies by sea use ships complying with this code, irrespective of destination.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Watts
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the level of Government revenue support grant allocated to each local education authority in each metropolitan and London authority for each child in secondary and primary school. [13872]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Revenue support grant is paid to authorities in support of their general revenues. It is not allocated for particular purposes. The total revenue support grant allocated to each education authority in metropolitan areas and London is shown in the table.

  Table showing revenue support grant (RSG) for London and Metropolitan Authorities in 1997–98

  Local authority

  RSG (£m)

  Greater London

  City of London

  59·755

  Camden

  141·305

  Greenwich

  143·598

  Hackney

  180·699

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  94·795

  Islington

  142·351

  Kensington and Chelsea

  66·642

  Lambeth

  176·797

  Lewisham

  157·724

  Southwark

  176·612

  Tower Hamlets

  199·884

  Wandsworth

  129·395

  Westminster

  151·614

  Barking and Dagenham

  78·249

  Barnet

  101·958

  Bexley

  73·585

  Brent

  144·644

  Bromley

  77·609

  Croydon

  114·926

  Ealing

  127·934

  Enfield

  118·790

  Haringey

  137·723

  Harrow

  63·369

  Havering

  64·408

  Hillingdon

  85 ·037

  Hounslow

  102·656

  Kingston upon Thames

  37·496

  Merton

  53·036

  Newham

  192·196

  Redbridge

  94·657

  Richmond upon Thames

  27·506

  Sutton

  57·157

  Waltham Forest

  119·635

  Greater Manchester

  Bolton

  100·720

  Bury

  50·727

  Manchester

  268·020

  Oldham

  101·999

  Rochdale

  84·894

  Salford

  100·575

  Stockport

  63·835

  Tameside

  79·722

  Trafford

  69·735

  Wigan

  97·588

  Merseyside

  Knowsley

  87·136

  Liverpool

  263·399

  Sefton

  97·851

  141

  Table showing revenue support grant (RSG) for London and Metropolitan Authorities in 1997–98

  Local authority

  RSG (£m)

  St. Helens

  65·703

  Wirral

  124·227

  South Yorkshire

  Barnsley

  74·107

  Doncaster

  117·119

  Rotherham

  99·665

  Sheffield

  195·941

  Tyne and Wear

  Gateshead

  81·913

  Newcastle upon tyne

  123·810

  North Tyneside

  70·692

  South Tyneside

  67·806

  Sunderland

  126·001

  West Midlands

  Birmingham

  537·660

  Coventry

  124·904

  Dudley

  87·233

  Sandwell

  133·469

  Solihull

  52·074

  Walsall

  117·194

  Wolverhampton

  108·220

  West Yorkshire

  Bradford

  225·916

  Calderdale

  70·653

  Kirklees

  131·230

  Leeds

  259·101

  Wakefield

  105·616

  Education Expenditure, Derbyshire
  Mr. McLoughlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much money has been given to Derbyshire county council in respect of education for each year since the introduction of revenue support grant. [13754]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The table below shows the education SSA figures for Derbyshire county council, along with Derbyshire's share of the national total, since the introduction of revenue support grant in 1990–91.

  Year

  Education SSA for Derbyshire (£)

  Percentage of national total

  1990–91

  271·798

  1·84

  1991–92

  311·313

  1·82

  1992–93

  329·858

  1·80

  1993–941

  296·017

  1·79

  1994–951

  302·673

  1·80

  1995–961

  302·839

  1·78

  1996–971

  319·922

  1·80

  1997–981,2

  236·431

  1·33

  Occupational exposure limits and guidelines for formaldehyde

  Country or region

  Year

  Concentration

  Interpretation

  (mg/m3)

  (ppm)

  Australia

  1991

  1·5

  1·2

  TWA; probable human carcinogen, sensitizer STEL

  3

  2·5

  Austria

  1982

  1·20

  1·00

  TWA

  Brazil

  1978

  2·30

  1·90

  TWA

  142
  1SSA figure is not comparable with that for the previous year as a result of changes to the Education SSA formula e.g. removal of further education in 1993–94 from local authority responsibility.

  2 SSA figure is much lower following reorganisation in Derbyshire on 1 April 1997. The total Education SSA of Derbyshire CC and the City of Derby is £320·622 million (1·80 per cent. of the national total).

  Wood Dust and Formaldehyde
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the research centres whose work has been evaluated by his Department in respect of research into(a) exposure to fine wood dust and (b) exposure to formaldehyde particles; what contact his Department has had with them; and what contact is planned in the future. [13866]

  Angela Eagle
  Comprehensive reviews of the international scientific literature were undertaken by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and considered by the Health and Safety Commission when advising on the setting of Maximum Exposure Limits for formaldehyde and softwood dusts under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations.

  Studies have been carried out on formaldehyde for HSE by the Medical Research Council toxicology unit. HSE has also commissioned work on wood dust with the Health and Safety Laboratory. Future contact will depend on the nature of the new research commissioned and the findings that emerge.

  Studies on non-occupational exposure have been carried out for my Department by the Medical Research Council's Institute for Environment and Health and by the Building Research Establishment, where long term studies are continuing. My Department will maintain contact with these research organisations.

  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the safety exposure limit, in parts per million, for formaldehyde emissions set by(a) the Health and Safety Executive and (b) other EU member states; and what international figures his Department has evaluated. [13865]

  Angela Eagle
  Formaldehyde has a maximum exposure limit (MEL) of two parts per million for an eight-hour time weighted average and for a 15-minute reference period under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH).

  The occupational exposure limits for other EU member states and worldwide, where information is available, is in the table below. Under COSHH, employers are required to control exposures to formaldehyde to a level as low as is reasonably practicable and in any case below the MEL. It is therefore misleading to compare the numerical value of the MEL with limits in other countries, where limits have different definitions and applications.
  143

  Occupational exposure limits and guidelines for formaldehyde

  Country or region

  Year

  Concentration

  Interpretation

  (mg/m3)

  (ppm)

  Belgium

  1991

  1·2

  1

  TWA; probable human carcinogen

  2·5

  2

  STEL

  Bulgaria

  1984

  1·00

  0·80

  TWA

  chile

  1983

  2·40

  2·00

  Ceiling

  Chine

  1982

  3·00

  2·50

  TWA

  Czech Republic

  1991

  0·5

  0·4

  TWA

  1

  0·8

  STEL

  Denmark

  1991

  0·04

  0·03

  STEL; suspected carcinogen

  Egypt

  1959

  6020

  5·00

  TWA

  Finland

  1993

  1·30

  1·00

  STEL, 15 min; significant absorption through skin

  France

  1991

  3·00

  2·50

  STEL

  Germany

  1993

  0·60

  0·50

  TWA; suspected carcinogenic Potential; local irritant; sinsitizer

  Hungary

  1991

  0·60

  0·50

  Ceiling; Probable human carcinogen; irritant; sensitizer

  India

  1983

  3·00

  2·50

  Ceiling

  Indonesia

  1978

  6·00

  0·50

  Ceiling

  Italy

  1978

  1·20

  1·00

  TWA

  Japan

  1991

  0·61

  0·50

  TWA; suspected carcinogenic Potential

  Mexico

  1983

  3·00

  2·50

  TWA

  Netherlands

  1986

  1·5

  1·2

  TWA

  3

  2·5

  Ceiling, 15 min

  Norway

  1990

  0·6

  0·5

  TWA; allergen; suspected carcinogen

  1·2

  1

  Ceiling

  Poland

  1991

  2·00

  1·60

  TWA

  Romania

  1975

  4·00

  3·00

  MAX

  Russian Federation

  1991

  0·50

  0·40

  TWA; senginificant absorption through skin

  Sweden

  1991

  0·6

  0·5

  TWA; sensitizer

  1·2

  1

  Ceiling

  Switzerland

  1991

  0·6

  0·5

  TWA; sensitizer

  1·2

  1

  Ceiling

  Taiwan

  1981

  6·00

  5·00

  TWA; significant absorption through skin

  United Kingdom

  1992

  2·5

  2

  TWA; maximum exposure limit

  2·5

  2

  STEL, 15 min

  USA

  ACGIH1

  1993

  0·37

  0·3

  Ceiling; suspected human carcinogen

  0·02

  0·01

  TWA; potential human carcinogen

  NIOSH2

  1992

  0·12

  0·1

  Ceiling, 15 min

  0·9

  0·75

  TWA

  OSHA3

  1993

  2·5

  2·0

  STEL

  Key

  1ACGIH: American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists—This is a non statutory body and the limits they prescribe are only a recommendation.

  2NIOSH: National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health: A research institute whose limits are only advisory.

  3OSHA: Occupational Safety and Health Administration: The statutory agency whose limits apply by law.

  MEL: Maximum exposure limit. MELs have a particular status under COSHH. Under the Regulations, there is a duty to control exposure to substances with a MEL to a level as low as is reasonably practicable, and in any case below the MEL. This duty to reduce exposures thus does not stop once the MEL level has been achieved, but continues until all that is reasonably practicable has been done. This special status of MELs means that it is misleading simply to compare the numerical value of a MEL with a limit that applies in another country, where limits have different definitions and applications.

  TWA: Time weighted average. Both the long-term and the short-term exposure limits are expressed as airborne concentrations averaged over a specified period of time. The period for the long-term limit is usually eight hours; the short-term exposure limit (STEL) in the UK is 15 minutes but may be different elsewhere.

  Fibreboard
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the health risks associated with medium density fibreboard. [13867]

  Angela Eagle
  The Health and Safety Executive is conducting a literature review into the health effects of medium density fibreboard (MDF). My Department has commissioned the Medical Research Council's Institute for Environment and Health to carry out a preliminary assessment of the potential risks from the domestic use of MDF. Both those studies complement earlier extensive research and reviews on the possible health risks to which MDF could give rise. Machining of MDF can result in exposure to formaldehyde and wood dust.
  144
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received concerning the health risks associated with medium density fibreboard; and if he will publish these. [13868]

  Angela Eagle
  The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has recently received many enquiries about the use of medium density fibreboard from employers, employees, the self-employed, members of the public, trade associations, trade unions and the press.

  Two representations have also been received by HSE, one from an individual and another from a trade union. Such representations are normally treated in confidence

  145
  and HSE will disclose them only with the prior consent of those who made them. These will, however, be taken into account in any future action that may be proposed.

  Local Authority Housing
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many local authority homes have been transferred since the inception of the stock transfer policy; what capital receipts have been received as a result of the stock transfer policy; if he will make a statement on the impact of stock transfer policy since 1988; and how much private finance has been attracted to the stock transfer policy. [13977]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Since 1988, 58 local authorities have completed 63 large scale voluntary transfers of all or part of their housing stock. These transfers have led to the transfer of over 252,000 dwellings, many of the tenants have benefited as a result of increased investment in their homes. So far, transfers have generated over £2·4 billion in capital receipts and raised over £4 billion in private finance for the acquisition, repair and maintenance, and management of the properties.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his estimate of(a) the capital repair backlog to council housing in each London borough and (b) the capital spending approved for the current year. [13495]

  Mr. Raynsford
  [holding answer 3 November 1997]: Authorities' estimates of the cost of the capital work required to their housing stock on 1 April 1996 and the allocations made to local authorities in London for the current financial year under the housing improvement programme are listed in the table.

  £ thousands

  Column 1

  Column 2

  Column 3

  Estimated need for capital work to council housing in London

  Total capital work required at 1 April 1996

  Housing annual capital guideline 1997–98

  Barking and Dagenham

  1130,848

  3,944

  Barnet

  37,553

  3,704

  Bexley

  24,226

  1,485

  Brent

  49,013

  8,002

  Bromley

  2—

  1,329

  Camden

  —

  9,924

  City of London

  18,164

  342

  Croydon

  92,385

  7,118

  Ealing

  70,642

  5,689

  Enfield

  46,241

  3,266

  Greenwich

  99,069

  8,459

  Hackney

  495,000

  12,451

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  78,457

  7,325

  Haringey

  38,962

  8,692

  Harrow

  40,981

  1,613

  Havering

  91,394

  2,144

  Hillingdon

  175,750

  4,431

  Hounslow

  74,383

  3,879

  Islington

  216,768

  9,255

  Kensington and Chelsea

  35,029

  5,519

  Kingston upon Thames

  21,999

  1,570

  Lambeth

  938,443

  12,308

  Lewisham

  164,744

  10,086

  Merton

  21,523

  2,322

  Newham

  207,562

  10,394

  Redbridge

  23,993

  2,335

  Richmond upon Thames

  91,742

  2,059

  146

  £ thousands

  Column 1

  Column 2

  Column 3

  Estimated need for capital work to council housing in London

  Total capital work required at 1 April 1996

  Housing annual capital guideline 1997–98

  Southwark

  3—

  11,540

  Sutton

  160,155

  2,058

  Tower Hamlets

  162,605

  8,608

  Waltham Forest

  158,080

  5,435

  Wandsworth

  77,980

  7,429

  Westminster

  77,377

  9,619

  Local housing authorities are required to submit returns from which the data in column 2 is collected. Local authorities use different methods to produce their estimates. The figures in column 3 are net of allocations for renewal of private sector stock and for disabled facilities grants.

  1Indicates that authorities were unable to provide precise information, but they were able to provide their best estimates of the need for capital work to their stock.

  2Indicates that authorities have transferred their entire council housing stock to a registered social landlord and are no longer required to submit the return from which this data is collected.

  3Indicates that authorities were unable to supply an estimate of the need for capital work to their stock.

  The Local Government Finance (Supplementary Credit Approvals) Bill provides the legislative framework for the Capital Receipts Initiative, under which the Government expects to provide additional resources to support local authorities' capital expenditure on housing. The Government plans in the current financial year to make available £174 million under the Initiative to local authorities in England.

  Local authority housing benefits from resources provided under other programmes such as the single regeneration budget challenge fund and the estates renewal challenge fund. Local authorities can also use their own resources to support capital expenditure on housing.

  Bus Companies
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many national bus companies and municipal bus undertakings were privatised; and how many are still owned by the first owners following privatisation. [13712]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The 72 subsidiaries of the National Bus Company and the 10 companies in the Scottish Bus Group were privatised; 31 municipal bus companies have been sold by the local authorities concerned.

  There is no requirement to report to this Department subsequent changes of ownership, which are a matter for the commercial market and, where relevant, the competition authorities.

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what decisions were taken at the International Atomic Energy Agency annual general conference held in September in regard to assessment of the adequacy of existing IAEA regulations covering the transport of plutonium and high-level radioactive waste. [13699]
  147
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The general conference requested the IAEA to prepare, for its board of governors, a report on legally binding and non-binding international instruments and regulations concerning the safe transport of radioactive materials and their implementation.

  Nursery Vouchers
  Mr. Watts
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will take steps to ensure that no local authority will be financially disadvantaged as a result of the scrapping of nursery vouchers. [13898]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The combined effect of the revenue support grant allocations and specific grants to be given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment will ensure that all authorities are treated fairly, following the abolition of the scheme for nursery vouchers.

  Paper Pulp Waste
  Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will review the guidelines for controlling the tipping of paper pulp waste from paper manufacture on farmland, upland and moors. [13691]

  Angela Eagle
  The previous Government's response to the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution's Nineteenth Report on the Sustainable Use of Soil—C0428, January 1997—stated in paragraph 28 that the Water Research Centre and ADAS had been commissioned to develop further the criteria that determine in what circumstances the spreading on land of particular wastes benefit agriculture or result in ecological improvement; and that it would issue for public consultation good practice guidance reflecting the outcome of that research.

  The Government plans to fulfil these commitments on receipt from the Environment Agency of the results of the research project. The original research project has been extended by the Environment Agency and is now expected to be completed by the end of March 1998.

  Music (Sound Levels)
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will list those regulations governing the level of sound played in clubs where music is played; [13706]

  (2) what assessment he has made of measures to encourage voluntary limitation of exposure to high decibel noise levels in clubs where music is played; [13708]

  (3) what research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the long-term effects of unprotected exposure to high levels of sound in clubs where music is played; [13707]

  (4) what plans he has to extend existing legislation on noise safety at work to clubs where music is played. [13709]

  Angela Eagle
  Risks from noise exposure to people who work in clubs are covered by the Noise at Work Regulations 1989, while the health and safety of members of the public who attend clubs is governed by the general 148
  requirements of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. There are no plans to change this legislation in relation to clubs.

  The licensing of clubs where music is played is the responsibility of the relevant licensing authority. It is for them to attach to licences such conditions as they consider necessary to protect the interests of both those attending the venue and those living nearby.

  There has been substantial worldwide research on the effects of noise exposure on hearing, including work commissioned over many years by the Health and Safety Executive. In particular, the Health and Safety Executive published in 1985 a review by the Medical Research Council Institute of Hearing Research of the literature on damage to hearing arising from leisure noise, including noise in discotheques.

  There has been no assessment of measures to encourage the voluntary limitation of exposure to high decibel noise levels in clubs where music is played.

  Solar Panels
  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is considering to increase the installation of solar panels in domestic property and public buildings; and what part he expects this to play in meeting renewable energy targets. [14290]

  Angela Eagle
  My hon. Friend the Minister of Science, Energy and Industry announced a review of new and renewable energy policy on 6 June, including consideration of what would be necessary and practicable to achieve 10 per cent. of the UK's electricity needs from renewables by the year 2010. The Government's support for solar panels will be considered in the context of this review. It is hoped that solar energy will be able to make a worthwhile contribution to UK power needs. However, currently the installation of photovoltaics in the UK is not cost-effective compared with other power generation options.

  Regional Development Agencies
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the number of representations he has received concerning regional development agencies. [14243]

  Mr. Caborn
  We have received around 1,500 responses to the issues paper on regional development agencies which we published on 11 June.

  Al Red Route (Accidents)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the accident rates on the A1 red route for each of the last four years. [13990]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  For the section of the Al red route from Stirling Corner to its junction with Pentonville Road the accident rates (in injury accidents per 100 million vehicle kilometres) are:

  1993: 90

  1994: 98

  1995: 99

  1996: 88

  Zoo Directive
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to support the EU zoo directive; and if he will make a statement. [13683]

  Angela Eagle
  The Government supports efforts to improve zoo standards throughout the Community, which are long overdue. We believe that a directive would be the most effective way to achieve this. In deciding whether to pursue a directive in the Environment Council, we will need to consider whether it would attract sufficient support from other member states to secure its early adoption. We are discussing this with other member states as part of the groundwork for the forthcoming UK Presidency. If a directive is unattainable, the main alternative is to finalise a Council recommendation on zoos, which would be a significant step forward.

  Hedgerows
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures his Department has taken to protect hedgerows; and if he will make a statement. [13682]

  Angela Eagle
  Regulations for the protection of important hedgerows in England and Wales came into force on 1 June 1997. They control the removal of such hedgerows through a system of prior notification to the local planning authority. Although an important first step, we have instigated a review to consider how the regulations might be strengthened so that they give better protection for hedgerows. The review is being undertaken by a group which includes the statutory agencies, local authorities and the main farming and conservation bodies. It has been asked to report its recommendations by the end of December 1997.

  Expenditure planned for

  Latest estimate of total of cost (£)

  Expenditure incurred to date (£)

  1997–98 (£)

  1998–1999 (£)

  1999–2000 (£)

  DETR (a)

  3 million

  0·2 million

  1 million

  1·5 million

  0·5 million

  Executive agencies1

  15·5 million

  0·095 million

  2·2 million

  13·3 million

  Other public bodies (b)

  375 thousand

  25 thousand

  70 thousand

  210 thousand

  95 thousand

  1For Highways Agency (HA) the Latest Estimate of Total Cost is £15 million, mainly the cost of traffic control systems and the like. HA has not been able to break down Expenditure Planned between 1998–1999 and 1999–2000.

  Figures are currently not available for:

  (a) Government Offices (GOs).

  (b) London Transport (LT). The Chairman of LT has been asked to write to you on this matter.

  London Regional Passengers Committee (LRPC)

  Northern Lighthouse Board (Scotland and IOM).

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish the action plan, due by 1 October 1997, for resolving the computer millennium problem in his Department, its agencies and other public bodies for which he is responsible; if such was fully completed on time; and if he will make a statement. [13557]

  Angela Eagle
  The costed action plans will be analysed by the central IT unit (CITU) and the CCTA and the conclusions reported to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster who will then inform Parliament.
  150
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to take steps to bring the height of hedges under planning law; and if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on the height of hedges. [13945]

  Angela Eagle
  We have no plans to bring the height of hedges under planning law, but are considering whether there could be a case for some form of Government intervention in what, in general, are disputes between neighbours.

  Computers (Century Date Change)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which(a) Minister and (b) civil servant has overall responsibility for ensuring millennium computer compliance in his Department and its associated public bodies.[13561]

  Angela Eagle
  The Minister responsbile is the Secretary of State, my right hon. Friend the Member for Hull, East (Mr. Prescott).

  Each central directorate in DETR, executive agency and individual public body is responsible for ensuring compliance for the systems under its control. The Head of DETR' s information technology services division has overall responsibility for co-ordinating the central Department's millennium computer compliance.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his latest estimate of the total cost of resolving the computer millennium problem in(a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) other public bodies for which he is responsible; if he will state in each case (i) expenditure incurred to date, (ii) expenditure planned for 1997–98, (iii) expenditure planned for 1998–99 and (iv) expenditure planned for 1999–00; and if he will make a statement.[13558]

  Angela Eagle
  The figures are provided in the following table:

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when his Department, its agencies and other public bodies for which he is responsible completed the millennium computer compliance audits of systems; and if he will make a statement. [13560]

  Angela Eagle
  In DETR, auditing was completed in October 1997.

  In the Government offices for the regions, scoping of systems is being finalised and audits will follow.
  151
  In the executive agencies, half had completed their audits in the first half of 1997. Some agencies have conducted audits in two stages with a high level audit already complete and a second more detailed investigation either under way or planned for early 1998.

  In the other public bodies, auditing has been completed in a minority, is under way in others, and, in all cases, is planned to be completed by mid 1998.

  Mr Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on what funding provision has been made to accommodate the expenditure needed to resolve the computer millennium problem; and if he expects to have sufficient funding to pay for the work necessary to achieve complete millennium compliance by 1 January 2000. [13559]

  Angela Eagle
  The cost of preventive and remedial action on year 2000 will be met from existing PES provision.

  Traffic Speed (Central London)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish his Department's estimates of traffic speed in central London for each of the past 10 years; and if he will give the estimate for the current year so far. [13989]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Published estimates of average traffic speeds (mph) in central London since 1968 are as follows:

  Morning peak

  Daytime off-peak

  Evening peak

  1968

  12·7

  12·1

  11·8

  1971

  12·9

  12·6

  12·7

  1974

  14·2

  12·9

  13·2

  1977

  12·3

  12·6

  11·9

  1980

  12·1

  11·6

  12·2

  1983

  11·8

  11·9

  11·5

  1986

  11·5

  11·0

  11·0

  1990

  10·3

  10·6

  10·3

  1994

  10·9

  10·9

  10·8

  Morning peak: 7·45 am-9·15 am

  Daytime off-peak: 10·00 am-4·00 pm

  Evening peak: 4·45 pm-6·15 pm

  Speed surveys in central, inner and outer London are conducted on a rotating basis, with each of these areas surveyed every three to four years. Data from the recently completed 1997 central survey are currently being validated and the survey results will be available later this year.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the average time taken by his Department to give full answers to letters received from hon. Members. [13949]

  Angela Eagle
  My Department seeks to answer letters from all hon. Members within 15 working days. As indicated by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister in his reply to the hon. Member for Walsall, North, (Mr. Winnick) on 3 November,Official Report, column 5, it has been customary for the Government to publish
  152
  annual statistics showing Departments' and agencies' performance against their targets for reply to ministerial correspondence. The 1996 figures were published on 17 June 1997, Official Report, columns 107-12.

  Genetically Modified Maize
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will support the stance of Austria and Luxembourg on GM maize at the article 21 Committee meeting on 5 November; and if he will make a statement. [13689]

  Angela Eagle
  I am considering the UK's position and I will write to the hon. Gentleman once we have reached a conclusion.

  White Rock Business Park, Paignton
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to announce the result of the inquiry into the proposed White Rock Business Park, Paignton. [13245]

  Mr. Caborn
  As the hon. Member will now be aware, my letter of 29 October 1997 announced the Secretary of State's decision to refuse consent for a planning application by Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd for a business park at White Rock, Paignton.

  Telecommunications Masts
  Mr. Alan Johnson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidance he has issued concerning the erection of telecommunications masts. [14543]

  Mr. Caborn
  Current planning policy guidance on telecommunication development is set out in planning policy guidance note 8 (PPG8 revised December 1992). That guidance reflects the importance attached to keeping to a minimum the number of telecommunications masts, and of sites for such installations. At paragraph 27, the PPG states that the sharing of masts will help to achieve this aim, where such sharing is practicable, as will the use of existing buildings to site new antennas. Telecommunications operators, licensed by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry under the Telecommunications Act 1984, are required by their licence conditions to take all reasonable steps to investigate the possibility of mast sharing. We already advise local planning authorities in the PPG that they may reasonably expect applicants for planning permission for large masts to show evidence that they have explored the possibility of erecting antennas on an existing building, mast or other structure.

  It will henceforth be our policy to extend this guidance to the development of smaller masts, particularly those which are permitted under Part 24 of Schedule 2 to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995. Where an operator seeks a prior approval determination for a mast under that Order, clear evidence should be presented to the local planning authority that the operator has investigated carefully the siting of antennas on existing buildings or other structures, including masts. This is a further factor to consider alongside the sitting factors set out in appendix E to Department of the Environment circular 9/95. If the evidence regarding the consideration of such alternative

  153
  sites is not considered satisfactory, the planning authority, or the Secretary of State on appeal, may be justified in refusing approval to the mast's siting.

  Operators will be assisted in exploring alternatives to new mast development by the register of mast sites maintained by the Radiocommunications Agency. Operators and local planning authorities can now access that information which should help in the consideration of alternative sites that have already been cleared for radio transmission purposes.

SCOTLAND

  Health Living
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State what discussions he has had with the Greater Glasgow health board and other bodies in Glasgow on healthy living initiatives. [12049]

  Mr. Galbraith
  My right hon. friend has had no discussions with the Greater Glasgow Health Board or other bodies in Glasgow in healthy living initiatives. However, within the context of the Glasgow Healthy Cities Partnership, which provides a focus for community-based health promotion action within the East End of Glasgow, he is aware of a number of initiatives such as the Fossil Stress Centre and I have myself visited the Centre for Women's Health and Eastbank Health Promotion Centre. These are all initiatives which I commend.

  The hon. Member's record of campaigning against drugs is well known and he is to be commended for it. I was pleased to receive a proposal from COSLA to provide funding for two years for the appointment of a drug misuse co-ordinator. I am pleased to announce that the Government supports this proposal and I have asked officials to discuss the arrangements with COSLA in order to bring it about.

  Criminal Cases Review Authority
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State when he expects to establish a criminal cases review authority; and if he will make a statement. [12051]

  Mr. McLeish
  My right hon. Friend is aiming to have the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission in operation by 1 April 1999.

  Fisheries (Quota Hopping)
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State when he last met European Fisheries Ministers to discuss the problem of quota hopping in Scottish waters. [12052]

  Mr. Chisholm
  My noble Friend, the Minister for Fisheries at The Scottish Office attended a meeting of the Council of European Fisheries Ministers on 30 October. Quota hopping was not on the agenda and was not discussed. Fisheries Departments are continuing to develop proposals to tackle this issue, in consultation with industry and the Commission, following the exchange of letters between the Prime Minister and the Commission President in June.

  Devolution
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the additional costs to public funds which would stem from the devolution proposals. [12053]

  Mr. McLeish
  The costs of the devolution proposals will be met from within existing public expenditure provision.

  Dearing and Garrick Reports
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many submissions he received in response to his Department's consultation on the Dearing and Garrick reports. [12054]

  Mr. Wilson
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received 46 submissions in response to his Department's consultation on the Dearing and Garrick reports.

  Scotch Whisky Association
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met the Scotch Whisky Association to discuss the future development of the industry in Scotland. [12055]

  Mr. Wilson
  I and my right hon. Friend are in regular informal contact with The Scotch Whisky Association. In addition my right hon. Friend is due to meet the Association on 21 November.

  Health Boards
  Miss Begg
  To ask the Secretary of State when he next plans to meet the chairmen of the health boards in Scotland to discuss the reduction of bureaucracy. [12056]

  Mr. Galbraith
  I meet Chairmen of Health Boards regularly to discuss matters of current interest including the reduction of bureaucracy.

  New Prisons
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State what discussions he has had with the Home Secretary about the use of the private finance initiative to finance new prisons. [12057]

  Mr. McLeish
  Discussions on this issue are still taking place between officials, including whether the use of private finance would offer value for money where custodial services were provided by the public sector. It is as yet too early to predict the outcome of this work.

  Nursery Education
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the future availability of nursery education combined with day care. [12059]

  Mr. Wilson
  Our first priority is to offer pre-school education to all children in their pre-school year, as we undertook in the Manifesto and I shall be issuing a major consultation paper on pre-school education later in the autumn. We shall move as soon as practicable thereafter to consider associated daycare needs, as well as the extension of pre-school education to younger children.

  Agriculture
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next plans to discuss Scottish agriculture with his European Union counterparts. [12060]

  Mr. Chisholm
  My noble Friend the Minister with responsibility for Agriculture, the Environment and Fisheries has recently met both Commissioner Fischler and the Finnish Agriculture Minister to discuss Scottish agriculture. He also attended the October Agriculture Council. He will undertake further discussions and attend further meetings of the Agriculture Council as appropriate.

  Referendum
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from Scots not currently resident in Scotland who were excluded from voting in the recent referendum. [12061]

  Mr. McLeish
  Around 100 representations have been received in writing together with a number of telephone enquiries seeking clarification about eligibility to vote.

  Eligibility to vote in the referendum was determined by residency in Scotland. This reflected the fact that the Scottish Parliament will mainly affect people resident in Scotland.

  Eligibility to vote was debated at length during the passage of the Referendums (Scotland and Wales) Bill earlier this year.

  Class Sizes
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State when he expects to meet his target for class sizes of 30 pupils. [12062]

  Mr. Wilson
  Our intention is to achieve class sizes of 30 pupils or fewer in the first three years of primary school by the end of this Parliament.

  Funding
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State what discussions he has had with Her Majesty's Treasury regarding the size of the Scottish block. [12063]

  Mr. Dewar
  The size of the Scottish block is set for this year and next by the published expenditure plans and the July Budget announcements. The figures for subsequent years will depend on the outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review in comparable English departments, which will feed into the block through the normal operation of the Barnett formula.

  Forestry Commission
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State what are his plans for the Forestry Commission after Scottish devolution with particular reference to its responsibilities outside Scotland. [12064]

  Mr. Chisholm
  After devolution, the functions of the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Wales, in relation to forestry, will be transferred to the Scottish Executive and the Welsh Assembly respectively. The Commission will, however, continue to be the Government Department with responsibility for forestry throughout Britain.

  Caledonian MacBrayne
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State what plans he has to meet the managing director of Caledonian MacBrayne to discuss its ferry services. [12065]

  Mr. Chisholm
  My right hon. Friend met with the Managing Director of Caledonian MacBrayne on 1 August, and I met with the Chairman and previous Managing Director on 24 June. Neither I nor my right hon. Friend are planning to have a further meeting with the company's Managing Director at the present time. However, Scottish Office officials maintain frequent contact with the company's executive directors in connection with all aspects of Caledonian MacBrayne's business activities.

  Health Service
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on his planned increased in health expenditure in Scotland for 1998–99. [12066]

  Mr. Galbraith
  Net expenditure in Scotland in 1998-99 is planned to be £4,581 million, which is an increase of £205 million or 4·7 per cent. over 1997–98 planned expenditure.

  Residential and Nursing Homes
  Mr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to modify the regulations governing the registration and inspection of residential and nursing homes for the elderly. [12067]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The Scottish Office issued guidance to Health Boards and interested parties on 8 July this year on national core standards for the registration, operation and inspection of nursing homes. Following consultation, guidance will be issued soon to local authorities on the registration and inspection of residential care homes. Legislation on the regulation and inspection of residential and nursing home care and domiciliary care will follow when a suitable opportunity presents.

  Degrees Course Tuition Fees
  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish the annual tuition fees for a four-year degree course at universities in Scotland from September 1998 for students from(a) Scotland, (b) England and Wales and (c) EU countries. [13363]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 30 October 1997]: The tuition fees which will apply to new students entering higher education in session 1998–99 are expected to be £1,000 and will be increased in line with inflation for subsequent years. New entrants in session 1997–98, existing students and those with a confirmed place by 1 August 1997 for 1998 will not be affected. For Scottish and EU students undertaking an Honours degree course at a Scottish university, which is a year longer than comparable courses elsewhere in the UK, The Scottish Office will waive the student's tuition fee in the final year and pay the fee to the institutions directly. Some students will be exempt altogether from making a contribution toward tuition fees throughout their higher education,

  157
  dependent on family circumstances. Further details will be made available in a leaflet, a copy of which will be placed in the Library of the House of Commons.

  Health Education
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the findings of the project funded jointly by his Department and the Health Education Board for Scotland to formulate the planning and provision of health education, including drug education, in Scottish teacher education institutions; and if he will make a statement. [13219]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 30 October 1997]: The project referred to is not a research project. Its purpose was to make it easier for teacher educators and their students to acquire the relevant knowledge and insights to deliver health education in schools. Health education and promotion are central to the curriculum and ethos of primary, secondary and special schools in Scotland. Our new teachers must, therefore, be well prepared for their responsibilities in teaching their pupils about health and in encouraging them to develop healthy styles of living. The project has been under way since April 1996 and will be completed in April 1998. From the start, it has been a co-operative venture involving staff from each of the teacher education institutions (TEIs), and representatives from the Health Education Board for Scotland (HEBS), the General Teaching Council and the Scottish Office Education and Industry Department (SOEID). The materials developed are to be made available to each of the TEIs to be adapted to fit their own courses. The materials, which are based on existing good practice in health education, will be relevant to students preparing to work with all children and young people of primary and secondary school age.

  Scottish Parliament
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State if he will make a statement on the proposed powers of the Scottish Parliament in relation to European Union matters. [12058]

  Mr. McLeish
  The Government's proposals for involving the Scottish Parliament in relations with the European Union are set out in Chapter 5 of the White Paper, "Scotland's Parliament".

  Mr. Ernie Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on progress in choosing a site for the Scottish Parliament. [14674]

  Mr. McLeish
  We will select a site for the new Scottish Parliament as soon as possible, in the light of the best available information. This information must include independent costings of building construction or conversion projects on the possible sites. My Department has today commissioned design feasibility studies, an independent costing exercise and a transport and environmental impact assessment.

  Page and Park Architects of Glasgow will look at how best to fit the needs of the Scottish Parliament into and around St. Andrews House on Calton Hill. Benson and
  158
  Forsyth Architects, will look at how an appropriate building could best be placed on the site at Leith. RMJM (Scotland) will consider the design of a building for the Haymarket site.

  The Glasgow office of quantity surveyors and cost consultants, Davis Langdon and Everest, is being asked to prepare comparative costings on the basis of the design feasibility studies.

  Scott, Wilson, Kirkpatrick and Partners of Glasgow have also been commissioned to carry out a transport and environmental impact assessment on the sites under consideration.

  The firms concerned have been asked to complete their work by mid-December. The total cost of the various studies is estimated to be about £250,000. This is a small fraction of the estimated cost of the building and will help the Government to reach a much better-informed view on the suitability of the possible sites.

  Health Trust Deficits
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the(a) actual deficits and (b) projected deficits of each health trust as a percentage of their budgets for the last three years. [14273]

  Mr. Galbraith
  In 1994–95, one Trust reported a retained deficit as a result of a loss on disposal of fixed assets. In 1995–96, two Trusts reported retained deficits, which were technical in nature, as a result of a loss on disposal of fixed assets. In 1996–97, three Trusts reported retained deficits. Fife Healthcare experienced a deficit of £1·9 million as a result of a funding gap and the Victoria Infirmary's deficit of £6 million was caused by a combination of loss on disposal of fixed assets of £4·2 million and £1·8 million due to financial difficulties. One other Trust had a deficit which was technical in nature as a result of loss on disposal of fixed assets.

  Computers (Century Date Change)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when his Department, its agencies and other public bodies for which he is responsible completed the millennium computer compliance audits of systems; and if he will make a statement. [13595]

  Mr. Dewar
  My Department and associated agencies completed audits for Year 2000 computer compliance purposes on 8 October 1997. Responsibility for ensuring millennium compliance in other public bodies rests with the bodies themselves.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish the action plan, due by 1 October 1997, for resolving the computer millennium problem in his Department, its agencies and other public bodies for which he is responsible; if such was fully completed on time; and if he will make a statement. [13592]
  159
  Mr. Dewar
  The Scottish Office has sent an updated report on the computer millennium problems to the Central Computing and Telecommunications Agency (CCTA). Reports from all Departments will be analysed by the Central Information Technology Unit and the CCTA. The conclusions will be reported to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster who will then inform Parliament.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what is his latest estimate of the total cost of resolving the computer millennium problem in(a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) other public bodies for which he is responsible; if he will give in each case (i) expenditure incurred to date, (ii) expenditure planned for 1997–98, (iii) expenditure planned for 1998–99 and (iv) expenditure planned for 1999–00; and if he will make a statement; [13593]

  (2) if he will make a statement on what funding provision has been made to accommodate the expenditure needed to resolve the computer millennium problem; and if he expects to have sufficient funding to pay for the work necessary to achieve complete millennium compliance by 1 January 2000. [13594]

  Mr. Dewar
  It is not possible at this stage to predict accurately the total cost of resolving the computer millennium problem across my Department, its Agencies and other public bodies. However it is expected that the cost of Year 2000 preventative and remedial action will be met within existing planned financial provision.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which(a) Minister and (b) civil servant has overall responsibility for ensuring millennium computer compliance in his Department and its associated public bodies. [13596]

  Mr. Dewar
  I intend to retain overall responsibility for millennium computer compliance matters within my Department. The Director of Telecommunications is responsible for the compliance programme within The Scottish Office. Responsibility for ensuring millennium compliance in other public bodies rests with the bodies themselves.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Medical Students
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many students applied for admission to medical schools this autumn, and how many were admitted; how many of those admitted, achieved three A grades at A level; how many had lower grades; and how many students with three A grades failed to secure a place. [13310]

  Dr. Howells
  The information requested is not held centrally or is not yet available. Information on applications received up to May 16 by subject were released by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) in their press notice in June 1997. Fuller information on applicants by subject together with information on acceptances by subject and entry qualifications will be published by UCAS in their annual 160
  report in spring 1998. These figures will not, however, analyses the entry qualifications held by applicants who were not accepted.

  Employment Service
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what assessment he has made of(a) the effectiveness of the Employment Service's preferred supplier system for administering contracts with third-party suppliers and (b) the reaction of the agencies which deal with young people to the administrative processes involved; [13510]

  (2) how much it cost the Employment Service on average to place a young person in work through a jobcentre in the last year for which figures are available; [13511]

  (3) how many young people the Portsmouth jobcentre has placed in work through jobcentre notices in the latest 12-month period for which figures are available; [13512]

  (4) what assessment he has made of the planning undertaken by Employment Service managers in each district in Hampshire in relation to delivery of the new deal. [13513]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Responsibility for the subject of the questions has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its chief executive. I have asked him to arrange for replies to be given.

  Letter from Leigh Lewis to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 4 October 1997:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question regarding the average cost of placing a young person into work. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive.
  The Employment Service does not separately monitor the average cost of placing a young person into work. It is required, by its annual agreement with the Department for Education and Employment, to monitor and report the average cost of placing an unemployed person into work (regardless of age). The last year for which this figure is available is 1996–97, when the average cost was £234.
  In addition to this, the Employment Service also monitors the average cost of placing a long term unemployed person into work (£431 in 1996–97) and the average cost of placing a person with a disability into work (£321 in 1996–97). Neither of these unit costs are analysed by age of client and there are, at present, no plans to do so.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Letter from Leigh Lewis to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 4 October 1997:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question concerning the effectiveness of the Employment Service preferred supplier system and the reaction of agencies who deal with young people to the administrative processes involved.
  I am satisfied that the preferred supplier system being used by the Employment Service is effective in helping both it and potential contractors to make the best use of their resources. The Employment Service benefits from the ability to invite competitive tenders from a manageable number of organisations, while potential contractors benefit from knowing that their bid will be taken seriously.
  This approach is being used for Employment Service programmes designed to help unemployed people of all ages to improve their prospects of finding work. The Employment Service, is not, however, operating a preferred supplier system for the New Deal initiative for young people aged 18–24.

  161
  Organisations have generally accepted the rationale behind the preferred supplier system in relation to established programmes, and I am not aware of any problems—either from agencies dealing with young people or from others—about the administrative processes involved. I would, of course, be happy to look into any specific issues of which you are aware.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Letter from Leigh Lewis to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 4 October 1997:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question requesting information about young people placed into employment by Portsmouth Employment Service Jobcentre during the latest 12 month period. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
  The two Employment Service Jobcentres in Portsmouth—Portsmouth North and Portsmouth Central—placed 920 young people aged 16–24 into employment in the 12 months ending September 1997.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Letter from Leigh Lewis to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 4 October 1997:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question relating to the planning undertaken by Employment Service managers in each district in Hampshire with respect to New Deal delivery.
  All New Deal district plans are due to be assessed by regional assessment panels starting next week. These panels, which will include senior Employment Service management, Government Office Directors and senior employer and voluntary sector representatives, will assess plans against agreed criteria to establish whether they represent robust and realistic proposals to implement New Deal. Where necessary, the panel will require plans to be amended or, in extremis, recast to ensure that this is so.
  Delivery planning for New Deal in all Employment Service districts has been subject to progress monitoring and reporting on a fortnightly basis since the end of August 1997. The latest fortnightly progress reports (for the period ending 20 October 1997) show that the Employment Service Hampshire districts of Mid-Hants, Portsmouth, Southampton and Guildford, which covers parts of Hampshire, are all on course to submit their delivery plans on time for regional assessment. All plans, once approved, will be published.
  If you have any specific concerns my Director for London and the South East, Richard Foster (tel: 0171 211 4395), will be happy to discuss them with you.
  I trust that this is helpful.

  School Meals
  Mr. McLoughlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much has been spent on subsidising school meals in Derbyshire in each of the last 10 years. [14200]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  This information is not collected centrally in the form requested. The following table shows Derbyshire local education authority's total net expenditure on its school catering service from 1986–87 to 1995–96, the latest year for which data are available.

  Derbyshire County Council school catering services—net expenditure

  Cash terms

  Year

  £000s

  1986–87

  12,432

  1987–88

  14,525

  1988–89

  15,759

  1989–90

  15,064

  1990–91

  15,312

  1991–92

  18,695

  162

  Derbyshire County Council school catering services—net expenditure

  Cash terms

  Year

  £000s

  1992–93

  18,319

  1993–94

  13,908

  1994–95

  13,456

  1995–96

  12,698

  Mr. McLoughlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much has been spent on subsidising school meals in each shire county over the last 10 years, arranging the counties in descending order of expenditure. [14199]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  This information is not collected centrally in the form requested. The following table shows in descending order each shire county's total net expenditure on its school catering service between 1986–87 and 1995–96, the latest year for which outturn figures are available.

  School catering services total net expenditure from 1986–87 to 1995–96

  Cash terms

  LEAs

  £000s

  Derbyshire

  150,168

  Lancashire

  132,156

  Humberside

  129,490

  Nottinghamshire1

  99,096

  Avon

  95,627

  Cleveland

  92,944

  Hampshire

  88,751

  Essex

  71,106

  Leicestershire

  69,166

  Devon

  65,969

  Cheshire

  64,996

  Staffordshire

  64,356

  Hertfordshire

  63,476

  Kent

  61,902

  Durham

  59,873

  Norfolk

  50,028

  Bedfordshire

  42,253

  East Sussex

  40,523

  Surrey

  39,502

  Cambridgeshire

  38,877

  Cumbria

  35,797

  North Yorkshire

  35,724

  Northamptonshire

  33,530

  Warwickshire

  33,349

  Oxfordshire

  31,499

  Wiltshire

  31,430

  Cornwall

  30,757

  West Sussex

  28,525

  Shropshire

  28,345

  Suffolk2

  28,158

  Somerset

  26,848

  Northumberland

  24,798

  Gloucestershire

  23,083

  Buckinghamshire

  21,712

  Berkshire3

  17,734

  Dorset

  17,397

  Hereford and Worcester

  16,199

  Lincolnshire

  15,073

  Isle of Wight

  9,491

  1Excludes net expenditure for 1991–92.

  2Excludes net expenditure for 1989–90.

  3Excludes net expenditure for 1987–88.

  Computers (Century Date Change)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) if he will publish the action plan, due by 1 October 1997, for resolving the computer millennium problem in his Department, its agencies and other public bodies for which he is responsible; if such was fully completed on time; and if he will make a statement; [13577]

  (2) what is his latest estimate of the total cost of resolving the computer millennium problem in (a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) other public bodies for which he is responsible; if he will state in each case (i) expenditure incurred to date, (ii) expenditure planned for 1997–98, (iii) expenditure planned for 1998–99 and (iv) expenditure planned for 1999–00; and if he will make a statement; [13578]

  (3) if he will make a statement on what funding provision has been made to accommodate the expenditure needed to resolve the computer millennium problem; and if he expects to have sufficient funding to pay for the work necessary to achieve complete millennium compliance by 1 January 2000; [13579]

  (4) when his Department, its agencies and other public bodies for which he is responsible completed the millennium computer compliance audits of systems; and if he will make a statement; [13580]

  (5) which (a) Minister and (b) civil servant has overall responsibility for ensuring millennium computer compliance in his Department and its associated public bodies.[13581]

  Dr. Howells
  My Department has assessed carefully and systematically the extent to which its processes and outputs would be vulnerable to disruption from the computer millennium problem. We have defined the scope of the problem and realistically assessed the risks; planned for the effective testing of solutions; initiated the preparation of contingency plans and are taking steps to strengthen contracts with suppliers. Compliance audits of 164
  the Department's IS/IT systems were completed in August 1997: those for the Employment Service were completed in September 1997. Steps have been taken to ensure that all of the agencies and non-departmental public bodies that are answerable to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment are adopting a comparably rigorous approach.

  The estimated cost of securing full millennium compliance of DfEE's IS/IT is £4·55 million, of which £1·08 million will be spent in 1997–98 and the remainder in 1998–99. The current comparable estimate for the Employment Service is £23·15 million—£0·95 million in 1997–98, £20·7 million in 1998–99 and £1·5 million in 1999–2000. The cost of securing millennium compliance of embedded chips in the Department's building control and associated systems is estimated at £0·25 million, which will be spent in 1998–99. The necessary funding is being found from existing financial provision.

  I am the Minister with overall responsibility for the Department's year 2000 compliance programme. The civil servant with overall responsibility in DfEE is Mr. Kenneth Jordan, the head of procurement and contracting who is also responsible for assessing the extent of the vulnerability to year 2000 problems in the key parts of the Department's supply chain. The civil servant with overall responsibility in the Employment Service is Mr. Ray Phillips, the director of policy and process design.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the average time taken by his Department to give full answers to letters received from hon. Members. [13948]

  Dr. Howells
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to a similar question from my hon. Friend the Member for Walsall, North (Mr. Winnick) on 3 November,Official Report, column 5.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Six-month Entry Visas
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many six-month entry visas to the United Kingdom were granted by the entry clearance section in Bangkok in each of the last two years for which statistics are available; and how many applications were rejected. [12574]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The majority of visas for the UK are valid for presentation at a port within six months of date of issue. It is then for an immigration officer to determine the period of stay. The total number of visas including settlement visas issued in Bangkok was as follows:

  1995: 50,433

  1996: 50,696

  Of these, the total number of non-settlement visas issued and refused was:

  1995

  1996

  Granted

  49·863

  50,253

  Refused

  830

  1,138

  The number of multiple entry visas valid for presentation for six months granted and refused in Bangkok was:

  1995

  1996

  Granted

  7,830

  8,927

  Refused

  72

  116

  Cuba
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Britain's relations with Cuba. [12763]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We have normal diplomatic relations with Cuba and support normal trade relations in civil goods and services. UK firms are encouraged to exploit the growing civil market opportunities which arise as Cuba undergoes a process of economic liberalisation. We continue to urge the Cuban Government to reach an early settlement of outstanding debt to ECGD and UK firms.

  We and EU partners share the goal of a peaceful transition to democracy in Cuba. We favour constructive engagement not isolation. The EU adopted a common position on Cuba on 2 December 1996, reaffirming the EU's commitment to promoting political, economic and human rights reform in Cuba. This was presented to the Cuban Government on 21 July and we look forward to furthering this dialogue.

  Israeli Service Men
  Dr. Vis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will endeavour to locate the Israeli service men Zachary Baumel, Yehuda Katz, Zvi Feldman and Ron Arad, to obtain news of their welfare and to negotiate for their release from captivity.[13111]
  166
  Mr. Fatchett
  Efforts to establish the fate of missing Israeli service men have been hindered by the lack of information about which organisations are holding them.

  Nevertheless, we support all efforts to obtain information on their fate. This message was underlined when I took part in a satellite link-up with members of the Knesset in May to mark Ron Arad's birthday. I also raised the case when I visited Syria later that month.

  We shall continue to raise the cases of these service men whenever the opportunity arises.

  Immigration Correspondence
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what were the staffing levels of the migration and visa correspondence unit on 1 October(a) 1995, (b) 1996 and (c) 1997. [13998]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The answer is as follows:

  (a) 13

  (b) 12

  (c) 12 permanent, four temporary.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will create a dedicated unit to deal with hon. Members' correspondence at the migration and visa correspondence unit. [14001]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The migration and visa correspondence unit's primary role is to deal with members' correspondence, which accounts for the greater part of its workload.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many complaints have been received about the level of service of the migration and visa correspondence unit in the last 12 months. [14002]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Our correspondence statistics are not broken down in a way that enables complaints to be identified separately. To provide the information requested would involve disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the average time taken by the migration and visa correspondence unit to answer correspondence from an hon. Member. [14000]

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the average time between hon. Members writing on behalf of constituents in immigration and related cases and the reply being sent to the hon. Member. [13198]

  Mr. Fatchett
  As the result of a 35 per cent. increase in correspondence from Members since the general election the migration and visa correspondence unit has been unable to maintain its normal target of a reply within 15 working days. The average time for non-urgent correspondence is currently five weeks. Extra staff have been deployed with the aim of eliminating delays.
  167
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many letters were received by the migration and visa correspondence unit in each month of 1997. [13999]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The migration and visa correspondence unit has received the following number of letters from Members:

  Number

  January

  556

  February

  517

  March

  459

  April

  600

  May

  427

  June

  982

  July

  1,278

  August

  1,158

  September

  956

  Total

  6,933

  In addition, 4,461 letters were received during the same period from other correspondents.

  Congo
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will investigate human rights abuses relating to the disappearance of refugees from the camps south of Kisangari in rebel-held Congo-Zaire; and if he will make a statement. [13976]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We fully support the mission of the UN human rights inquiry team in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The inquiry team will investigate alleged human rights violations between 1993 and 1997—including the disappearance of refugees from the Kisingani area—throughout the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have been held with the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo; what diplomatic relations the United Kingdom has with that country; and if he will make a statement. [13501]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  [holding answer 3 November 1997]: We enjoy normal diplomatic relations with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. HM ambassador and diplomatic staff in Kinshasa are in regular contact with all levels of the Government, and I met President Kabila during the EU ministerial troika visit to Kinshasa on 4–5 August. We have made clear that our future relationship with the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including the resumption of development assistance, is conditional upon respect for democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

  NATO Expansion
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the(a) civilian and (b) political elements of NATO expansion.[13917]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  At the Madrid summit in July NATO member states invited the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland to begin accession discussions. We expect these to 168
  be completed in time for my right hon. Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary to be able to sign accession protocols at the North Atlantic Council on 16 December. After ratification of the three Protocols by all 16 NATO allies the three new members would enter the political, military and civil structures of the alliance. NATO's existing political consultations, civil emergency planning, economic, scientific and environmental activities will all involve the new member states.

  UN Disarmament Debate
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what matters in regard to the retention of nuclear weapons by the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council have been raised by nations addressing the United Nations First Committee on Disarmament and International Security in its annual debate. [13748]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Questions of nuclear disarmament were widely discussed in the First Committee's general debate. Progress by the US and Russia on reductions of their nuclear forces through the bilateral START negotiations was widely welcomed. Other issues relevant to the retention of nuclear weapons by the nuclear weapon states included the comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty, a fissile material cut-off treaty, the International Court of Justice's advisory opinion on the threat or use of nuclear weapons, nuclear weapon free zones and security assurances.

  Kenya and Uganda
  Jane Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the current human rights situations in Kenya and Uganda. [13927]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We strongly believe that the Governments of Kenya and Uganda should meet their obligations under the international human rights instruments to which they are parties. I raised the human rights situation in Kenya, including the concerns set out by Amnesty International, with President Moi and Attorney General Wako when I visited Nairobi in June. In Uganda we have condemned atrocities committed by the Lord's Resistance Army against the Acholi people in the north. We continue to make clear to the Ugandan Government that operations by their security forces must conform with international human rights standards.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the United Kingdom's European partners on the repeal of article 223 of the treaty of Rome. [13857]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  There have been no such discussions.

  Sea Level Rises
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what decisions were taken at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Scotland to assist small low-lying island states threatened by sea level rises. [13751]
  169
  Mr. Fatchett
  Small island developing states are particularly vulnerable to rise in sea level as a result of global warming. Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Edinburgh discussed the threat of climate change and called for developed countries to pursue significant reductions in their greenhouse gas emissions at December's Kyoto negotiations. They also agreed to initiate action in the international community to strengthen assistance to small states which suffer the effects of natural disasters.

  Arms Exports
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the United Kingdom's European partners on the development of a common policy on arms exports. [13858]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We have discussed the possibility of a code of conduct informally with a number of partners, and will formally take forward an initiative during our Presidency of the European Union in early 1998.

  Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his Department's policy towards the expansion of the OSCE. [13918]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We are committed to strengthening the OSCE's role in conflict prevention, including through support for the work of its Missions in the field. Together with EU partners we are also contributing actively to the development within the OSCE of a security model for Europe.

  United Nations Day
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what initiatives Her Majesty's Government took in(a) the United Kingdom, (b) British overseas territories, (c) the United Nations in New York and (d) the United Nations in Geneva to mark United Nations Day on 24 October. [13747]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Staff at the United Nations in New York and Geneva attended special commemorative events. We took no specific initiatives to mark United Nations Day.

  Lockerbie
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his oral statement of 28 October,Official Report, columns 700–02, if Her Majesty's Government have had sight of that part of the Lockerbie evidence held by the United States. [13934.]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  [holding answer 3 November 1997]: As my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Scottish Office, told the hon. Member on 30 October, Official Report, column 876, there has been very full co-operation throughout the investigation between the Scottish and United States authorities. Appropriate arrangements have been made for the sharing of information and evidence.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his oral statement of 28 October,Official Report, column 700–02, what
  170
  evidence he has now evaluated to establish that, with the exception of Mr. and Mrs. Cohen, the majority of US relatives do not want a trial outside the US or Scotland. [13936]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  [holding answer 3 November 1997]: Our embassy in Washington is in touch with a number of American Lockerbie relatives, some of whom represent groups of other families. I understand that most favour trial in Scotland or the United States, in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions.

  "Victims of Flight 103"—the group which represents the largest number of American relatives, shares this view.

  The US Administration, on the basis of its contacts with a wide range of the families, also believes that the overwhelming majority are opposed to a trial outside the United States or Scotland.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his oral statement of 28 October,Official Report, columns 700–02, for what reasons it is not possible to mount a prosecution of Libyan suspects for the Lockerbie bombing in Scotland without the co-operation of the US authorities. [13935]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  [holding answer 3 November 1997]: The UK and US authorities have co-operated closely throughout this investigation. As my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary told the House on 28 October, Official Report, column 700–01, it would not be possible to mount a prosecution without the co-operation of the US authorities who hold part of the evidence.

  Human Rights
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions have been held with the Government of Ghana concerning human rights abuses; and if he will make a statement on United Kingdom relations with Ghana. [13665]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  [holding answer 3 November 1997]: We have not held any recent discussions with the Government of Ghana concerning human rights. We continue to monitor the human rights situation in Ghana closely, and raise specific issues with the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice.

  We have excellent bilateral relations with Ghana.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have been held with the Government of Sri Lanka concerning the conflict with Tamil groups; what mediation services have been offered; and if he will make a statement. [13667]

  Mr. Fatchett
  [holding answer 3 November 1997]: We have regular discussions with the Sri Lankan Government on a range of issues, including their efforts to find a resolution to the ethnic conflict. We have said publicly that we stand ready to help in those efforts if both sides ask us to play a role.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made by the Government to the Government of Algeria concerning human rights abuses; and if he will make a statement. [13488]
  171
  Mr. Fatchett
  [holding answer 3 November 1997]: I continue to be seriously concerned about the security situation in Algeria. I condemn the violence unreservedly and call on those responsible to end the appalling atrocities which have been inflicted on innocent civilians for much too long. We urge the Algerian Government and all interested parties to find early solutions to this major internal problem. I was concerned to learn about reports of fraud in the local and municipal elections held on 23 October 1997 and hope that the Algerian Government will continue to make active progress in its programme of democratisation.

  Individual Cases (Ministerial Meetings)
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many requests since 1 May he and his Ministers have received from hon. Members to discuss individual cases; and how many of these have been granted. [13878]

  Mr. Fatchett
  [holding answer 3 November 1997]: I regret that we do not keep records that would enable us to answer this question. Requests from hon. Members to discuss individual cases are not declined.

  European Court of Justice
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations were made by Her Majesty's Government after 1 May concerning reform of the European Court of Justice. [14411]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  None. There was little support for such reform in the intergovernmental conference.

  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will list the additional areas in which the European Court of Justice will gain jurisdiction as a result of the Amsterdam treaty; [14408]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice over the third pillar of the European Union following the Amsterdam treaty. [14409]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for South-West Devon (Mr. Streeter) on 18 July,Official Report, column 360.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the average time taken by his Department to give full answers to letters received from hon. Members. [13950]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer that my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave to the hon. Member for Walsall, North (Mr. Winnick) on 3 November,Official Report, column 5.

  In 1996 Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers replied to 10,674 letters from hon. Members, of which 94 per cent. were replied to within the target of 10 working days.

  Social Chapter
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what percentage of the powers available under the social chapter of the treaty of European Union are subject to qualified majority voting. [14406]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The agreement on social policy allows for legislation to be adopted in 10 different areas. Five of these are subject to qualified majority voting.

  Amsterdam Treaty
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the additional powers gained by the European Parliament as a result of the treaty of Amsterdam. [14412]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for South-West Devon (Mr. Streeter) on 18 July,Official Report, column 361.

  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what additional legislation will be required in the United Kingdom to implement the provisions of article 141 of the treaty establishing the European Community, as amended by the treaty of Amsterdam, relating to equal pay for work of equal value; and if he will make a statement.[14310]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The amendments to the EC Treaty provided for in the treaty of Amsterdam will be implemented in the UK by the European Communities (Amendment) Bill.

  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has consulted other departments in assessing the legal implications of article 137 of the treaty establishing the European Community as amended by the Amsterdam treaty as concerns increased litigation in the areas so covered. [14270]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  All Government departments with an interest were involved in preparing our negotiating position for Amsterdam.

  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals are currently being prepared at European Union level to assist harmonisation in the fields of the promotion of(a) employment (b) improved living conditions and (c) improved working conditions, under article 136 of the treaty establishing the European Community, as amended by the treaty of Amsterdam. [14312]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  No proposals are planned under article 136.

  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if decisions to impose sanctions under the common foreign and security policy of the European Union under the provisions of the Amsterdam treaty will be taken by qualified majority voting. [14410]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Under the Amsterdam treaty unanimity will remain the general rule for decision making in the common foreign and security policy, including for the imposition of any sanctions. However, the treaty also provides for the Council to act by qualified
  173
  majority when taking decisions based on a common strategy, or when implementing a joint action or common position. But any member state may block such a decision for important and stated reasons of national policy.

  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the status of the agreement on quota hopping reached at the Amsterdam summit. [14407]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  In an exchange of letters at Amsterdam between my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and the President of the European Commission, the Commission set out measures we can take to address the problem of quota hopping. The Commission confirmed that the UK can require UK-flagged vessels to demonstrate that their activities contribute substantial economic benefits for populations dependent on fishing and related industries in the UK. Fisheries departments are currently working up a package of measures based on the Commission guidance in consultation with the fishing industry.

  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the institutions referred to as management and labour in section 4 of article 137 and section 1 of article 139 of the treaty establishing the European Community as amended by the Amsterdam treaty, include institutions other than the Social Partners; and if he will make a statement.[14311]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Social partners is simply another way of describing representatives of management and labour.

  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has held with other departments on article 140 of the treaty establishing the European Community, as amended by the treaty of Amsterdam; what reservations were expressed; what study is currently being undertaken on projects to be undertaken under this article; and if he will make a statement. [14309]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  All Government Departments with an interest were involved in preparing our negotiating position for Amsterdam and were content that we should agree article 140 (ex article 118c). Article 140 is not yet in force and no projects under it are planned.

  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what cost-benefit analysis he has undertaken of programmes planned to be introduced under article 137 of the treaty establishing the European Community, as amended by the Amsterdam treaty. [14313]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Article 137 is not yet in force. But it is likely that measures under discussion under article 2 of the agreement on social policy when the Amsterdam treaty came into force would subsequently come under article 137. The costs and benefits of any such proposals would be assessed in the normal way.

  Computers (Century Date Change)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which(a) Minister and (b) civil servant has overall responsibility for ensuring millennium computer compliance in his Department and its associated public bodies. [13571]
  174
  Mr. Fatchett
  Responsibility within this department for millennium compliance rests with myself and Roy Dibble, director general services.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his latest estimate of the total cost of resolving the computer millennium problem in(a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) other public bodies for which he is responsible; if he will state in each case (i) expenditure incurred to date, (ii) expenditure planned for 1997–98, (iii) expenditure planned for 1998–99 and (iv) expenditure planned for 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [13568]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The cost of resolving the computer millennium problems in this Department is estimated at £4,100,000.(i) expenditure incurred already is £193,000.

  Annual planned spends are:
  (ii) 1997–98: £750,000
  (iii) 1998–99: £1,907,000
  (iv) 1999–2000: £1,250,000

  These figures could be reduced by up to £1,050,000 if no slippage occurs in existing strategic Information Systems infrastructure replacement plans.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on what funding provision has been made to accommodate the expenditure needed to resolve the computer millennium problem; and if he expects to have sufficient funding to pay for the work necessary to achieve complete millennium compliance by 1 January 2000. [13569]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We expect to achieve millennium compliance by the year 2000. Provision has been made for £2,857,000 for resolution of millennium problems within this Department. There is an additional contingency provision of £1,050,000 to cover the costs of remedial action to existing systems should the planned replacement of strategic systems incur any slippage. Both these sums will be met from the existing PES provision.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish the action plan, due by 1 October 1997, for resolving the computer millennium problem in his Department, its agencies and other public bodies for which he is responsible; if such was fully completed on time; and if he will make a statement. [13567]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The costed action plans will be analysed by the Central Information Technology Unit (CITU) and the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency (CCTA) and the conclusions reported to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster who will then inform Parliament. The plans will be exempted from disclosure under the open government code of practice on access to Government information, which permits non-disclosure prior to an announcement. However, once the announcement has been made the plans will be available to the public. Information systems department submitted this Department's plans to CCTA on 17 October 1997.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when his Department,
  175
  its agencies and other public bodies for which he is responsible completed the millennium computer compliance audits of systems; and if he will make a statement. [13570]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We completed an initial scoping study in June 1996, followed by a detailed study of the problem and its likely impact on this Department's core IT systems in August 1996. Since then analysis and remedial work on individual systems is being carried out in priority order on those systems for which millennium-compliant replacement is not already planned.

  European Movement
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the total of public funds given to the European Movement in the most recent annual period for which figures are available; and what record is kept of payments to this organisation by the EU. [14213]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  No Government funding has been made available to the European Movement in the current financial year. The European Commission does not publish a list of grants made to organisations providing information about Europe.

  Bull Fighting
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek to meet representatives from the Spanish Government to encourage a ban on bull fighting; and if he will make a statement. [13685]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  There are no plans to do so. We are committed to higher standards of animal welfare and will continue to work to achieve improved welfare protection at the EU level.

  Australia
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations his Department has made to the Government of Australia concerning proposed changes in aboriginal land title. [13994]

  Mr. Fatchett
  None.

  India
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received urging him to apologise to the Indian people for the Amritsar massacre of 1918; and if he will make a statement. [13985]

  Mr. Fatchett
  There were a number of representations over the 1919 massacre, whether addressed to the Queen or Her Majesty's Government, in advance of Her Majesty's successful visit to Amritsar where the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh laid wreaths at Jallianwala Bagh.

  France
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the meeting between his Department and the French Minister for European Affairs on 16 September. [14269]
  176
  Mr. Doug Henderson
  On 16 September I met Pierre Moscovici, French Minister for European Affairs, during his visit to London. We discussed a range of European issues, including employment and enlargement in particular. I outlined our approach to the Employment Agenda and in particular the need to address the real problems of competitiveness and employability facing workers in European countries and to make this agenda attractive to citizens. We discussed preparations for the British-French Summit and Luxembourg Special European Council, both of which focus on employment policies. British and French views on enlargement and handling the European conference are similar. I stressed the importance of related issues such as reform of the common agricultural policy. I also raised the urgent need for a solution to the problem of illegal immigrants arriving via Eurostar.

  Western Sahara
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made at the United Nations concerning the proposed referendum on the future of the Western Sahara. [13997]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We have not made any representations at the United Nations concerning the proposed referendum in Western Sahara.

  As a permanent member of the Security Council, and a member of the Friends of Western Sahara Group at the United Nations, we are directly involved with the international efforts to secure a lasting solution to the dispute over Western Sahara led by Mr. Baker. We have assisted, and will continue to support, the UN Secretary General and his Personal Envoy.

  Kenya
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions his Department has held with the Government of Kenya concerning human rights abuses; and if he will make a statement. [13986]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Hayes and Harlington (Mr. McDonnell) on 29 October,Official Report, column 824.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Housing Improvement Grants
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many applications have been made to each regional division of the Housing Executive for each type of improvement grant; if she will indicate the length of time taken to process a grant application; and how long an applicant has to wait within each division for an inspection of property from the time of submission of an application form. [12554]
  177
  Mr. Murphy
  This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. The chief executive has advised me that the information requested is as follows, in respect of the period April to September 1997:

  Region

  Number of preliminary inquiries received1

  Average time for inspection—weeks2

  Average time taken to process—weeks3

  Belfast

  1,296

  16

  29

  North East

  850

  28

  29

  South East

  596

  52

  25

  South

  616

  79

  31

  West

  1,062

  72

  32

  1 The grants scheme requires the completion of a preliminary inquiry form. This is not an application, but is the "trigger" for an inspection of a property. Figures are not held by grant type.

  2 These figures represent the average time lapse between receipt of a preliminary enquiry and the date of inspection and only relate to the main "improvement" (i.e. renovation and replacement grants).

  3 These figures represent the average time lapse between the date of inspection and the date of approval for a full application for renovation or replacement grant.

  The executive regularly reviews performance standards across its regions and has allocated additional resources to those regions where inspection times are particularly lengthy. Present performance is influenced by the backlog of applications which exists due to unprecedented demand for grants. It is anticipated that performance standards will improve as the benefit of additional resources takes effect. In addition, performance on renovation and replacement grants has been severely effected by the diversion of financial and personnel resources to the administration of repairs grants. These grants are mandatory, on foot of public health notices issued by local councils. Recent years have seen an unprecedented demand for this grant. Very recent legislative changes have led to a significant reduction in repair grant applications. There are already signs of small improvements in performance on other grants as the impact of this reduction takes effect.

  Computers (Century Date Change)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if she will make a statement on what funding provision has been made to accommodate the expenditure needed to resolve the computer millennium problem; and if she expects to have sufficient funding to pay for the work necessary to achieve complete millennium compliance by 1 January 2000; [13619]

  (2) what is her latest estimate of the total cost of resolving the computer millennium problem in (a) her Department, (b) its agencies and (c) other public bodies for which she is responsible; if she will state in each case (i) expenditure incurred to date, (ii) expenditure planned for 1997–98, (iii) expenditure planned for 1998–99 and (iv) expenditure planned for 1999–00; and if she will make a statement; [13618]

  (3) when her Department, its agencies and other public bodies for which she is responsible completed the millennium computer compliance audits of systems; and if she will make a statement; [13620]

  (4) if she will publish the action plan, due by 1 October 1997, for resolving the computer millennium problem in
  178
  her Department, its agencies and other public bodies for which she is responsible; if such was fully completed on time; and if she will make a statement; [13617]

  (5) which (a) Minister and (b) civil servant has overall responsibility for ensuring millennium computer compliance in her Department and its associated public bodies. [13621]

  Mr. Murphy
  The cost of preventative and remedial action on Year 2000 will be met from existing PES provision. Action is planned to be completed before the year 2000.

  The Northern Ireland Office and the Northern Ireland Departments had completed their system audits by early summer 1997 and are working to a local target date for submission of detail costed plans to the department of finance and personnel of 1 December 1997. Until these plans have been completed and collated it will not be possible to provide estimates of the costs likely to be involved.

  Following analysis of the plans, Parliament will be informed of the outcome. The plans will be exempted from disclosure under the open government code of practice on access to Government information, which permits non-disclosure prior to an announcement. However, once the announcement has been made the plans will be available to the public.

  The Northern Ireland Office, Northern Ireland Departments, their agencies and other public bodies are responsible for ensuring millennium compliance for their own systems. The role of the department of finance and personnel is to provide advice and guidance under my direction. In this I am supported by the head of central IT unit within my Department.

HEALTH

  Beta Interferon
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the cost of prescribing beta interferon in each year since 1995 for each health authority. [13475]

  Mr. Milburn
  The available information is shown in the table. Comparable information for the complete 1997 year is not yet available. In order not to disclose information that may relate to an individual patient, information is only provided where 50 items or more have been dispensed. In no health authority in 1995 were 50 or more items dispensed.

  The cost of prescribing beta interferon in hospitals is not available.

  Net ingredient cost of prescriptions for beta interferon dispensed in the community

  £000

  1995

  1996

  Berkshire

  —

  80

  West Surrey

  —

  113

  East Surrey

  —

  52

  Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow

  —

  69

  England

  132

  681

  179
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many complaints his Department has received concerning the prescribing of beta interferon in each year since 1995. [13473]

  Mr. Milburn
  The Department of Health has received a number of representations about the prescribing of beta interferon, by letter and telephone. However, a central record of all such representations is not available.

  Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the cost of beta interferon to the NHS in(a) 1995, (b) 1996 and (c) 1997. [13808]

  Mr. Milburn
  The available information is shown in the table. Comparable information for the complete 1997 year is not yet available.

  1995

  1996

  England

  132

  681

  The cost of prescribing beta interferon in hospitals is not available.

  Roads (Al2–A134 Junction)
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the cost, including consultancy fees, of preparing plans for a proposed junction between the A 12 and A134. [13306]

  Mr. Milburn
  The junction onto the Al2 is part of a phased development for a new major road in North Colchester. Costs for producing the master plan for the road have been borne by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health and the local authority for the area. Generally the costs of preparing the design for the junction itself has been the responsibility of the local authority. Information relating to the precise costs should be sought from the local authority.

  Health Service Management Savings
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of additional patients the NHS will be able to treat due to management savings between 1 October 1997 and 31 March 1998. [13323]

  Mr. Milburn
  We set targets to reduce National Health Service management costs in 1997–98 by £100 million. Many of the savings achieved will already have been re-invested locally in direct patient care services. In addition, we have directly invested £10 million of the savings from deferring the 8th wave of general practitioner fundholders in improving breast cancer services, so that all women have speedy access to high quality diagnosis and treatment. We have also invested a further £5 million in strengthening paediatric intensive care services in readiness for the winter. It is estimated that at the start of this financial year health authorities were planning to purchase an additional 66,000 elective episodes—cases treated from waiting lists—in 1997–98 when compared with 1996–97.

  Public Health Laboratory Service, Colindale
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement consequent on the recent visit of the Minister for Public Health to the public health laboratory service, Colindale. [13121]
  180
  Ms Jowell
  I am pleased to note that my hon. Friend the Member for Hendon (Mr. Dismore) also visited the Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS) at their headquarters in Colindale, and trust that he was as impressed as I was by my visit in June. The PHLS has provided microbiological and epidemiological services for fifty years and plays a key role in protecting the population from communicable disease threats. We expect this key role to continue to be central to the Government's emphasis on public health.

  Emergency and Elective Treatments
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) emergency patients the NHS plans to receive and (b) elective finished consultant episodes the NHS plans to complete between October 1997 and 31 March 1998. [13321]

  Mr. Milburn
  Plans are only collected on an annual basis. The table gives the 1997–98 plans for elective finished consultant episodes (FCEs) and non-elective finished consultant episodes and first consultant episodes. Non-elective first finished consultant episodes have been collected for the first time this year as a measure of the number of non-elective hospital spells.

  Elective and non-elective FCEs: 1997–98 plans, in thousands

  Regional office

  Elective plan—FCEs

  Non—elective plan —FCEs

  Non-elective plan—first FCEs

  Northern and Yorkshire

  735

  629

  533

  Trent

  507

  521

  455

  Anglia and Oxford

  481

  422

  346

  North Thames

  648

  540

  469

  South Thames

  582

  527

  455

  South and West

  733

  562

  485

  West Midlands

  499

  469

  432

  North West

  845

  710

  589

  England

  5,030

  4,380

  3,764

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many emergency patients the NHS planned to receive between 1 October 1996 and 31 March 1997; and how many were received. [13319]

  Mr. Milburn
  Plans are only collected on an annual basis. The table gives the non elective activity plans for 1996–97 as a whole. The activity is the total number of finished consultant episodes.

  Non-elective FCEs: plans in 1996–97 and activity in last two quarters of 1996–97, in thousands

  Regional office

  Plan 1996–97

  Activity 1 October 1996 to 31 March 1997

  Northern and Yorkshire

  597

  322

  Trent

  492

  263

  Anglia and Oxford

  397

  215

  North Thames

  524

  278

  South Thames

  504

  268

  South and West

  540

  284

  West Midlands

  449

  238

  North West

  665

  353

  England

  4,168

  2,221

  181
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many elective finished consultant episodes the NHS planned for between 1 October 1996 and 31 March 1997; and how many took place. [13320]

  Mr. Milburn
  Plans are only collected on an annual basis. The table gives the elective activity plans for 1996–97 as a whole and the elective activity that took place during the period October 1996 to March 1997. The activity is the total number of elective finished consultant episodes and is expressed in thousands.

  Regional office

  Plan 1996–97

  Activity, 1 October 1996 to 31 March 1997

  Northern and Yorkshire

  734

  356

  Trent

  498

  249

  Anglia and Oxford

  474

  243

  North Thames

  631

  324

  South Thames

  633

  295

  South and West

  707

  350

  West Midlands

  503

  251

  North West

  819

  412

  England

  4,999

  2,480

  GP Fundholding
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate his Department has made of the total financial surpluses held by general practitioner fundholders on 1 April 1997. [13175]

  Mr. Milburn
  Information on the balance of general practitioner fundholder savings on 1 April 1997 is not yet available. I therefore refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave him on 26 June 1997 at column 620.

  Health Authority Budgets
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of the likely pressures on health authority budgets arising from the High Court ruling in R v. North Derbyshire health authority ex parte Fisher. [13474]

  Mr. Milburn
  We do not expect the ruling in the recent judicial review to have any impact on health authority budgets. The ruling requires health authorities, in deciding how best to allocate their available resources to meet the health needs of their population, to have regard to Departmental guidance. It does not require them to give any particular degree of priority to any particular treatment.

  Crime Victims (Guidance)
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to issue guidance to social services and NHS staff on procedures they should adopt in relation to the advice and support they should offer to people with learning difficulties within their care who have been a victim of a crime. [13383]

  Mr. Boateng
  We have no plans to do so at present. However, we will be considering what, if any, guidance should be issued in the light of a substantial programme of projects the Department of Health has funded on the 182
  issue of abuse of people with learning disabilities, a forthcoming consultation seminar on abuse of vulnerable adults in residential services and the work of the Home Office's inter-departmental group on vulnerable and intimidated witnesses. The group is seeking to identify measures that will help vulnerable people including people with learning disabilities who come in contact with the criminal justice system as a result of being a victim of, or a witness to, a crime.

  Dental Services
  Mrs. Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many adults and children in Great Britain were registered with a dentist on 30 September. [13329]

  Mr. Milburn
  In England and Wales 20,558,282 adults and 7,804,254 child patients were registered with a General Dental Service dentist on 30 September 1997.

  For Scotland the latest available data are for 1 September 1997 when 2,098,734 adults and 754,012 child patients were registered.

  Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
  Mr. White
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has funded into chronic fatigue syndrome; what plans he has to commission further research; and what steps have been taken to inform doctors of the results of such research. [13919]

  Mr. Boateng
  The main agency through which the Government supports medical and clinical research is the Medical Research Council. The MRC is an independent body which receives its grant-in-aid from the Office of Science and Technology, which is part of the Department of Trade and Industry. The Council currently supports one project grant in the area of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. This is being undertaken by Dr. R. K. Morriss at the University of Manchester and is entitled "The role of noradrenaline in the neuropsychological pathogenesis of the chronic fatigue syndrome". The total amount awarded is £37,000. The Council is always willing to consider new ideas for research and will consider applications on their scientific merits.

  The Department of Health has also funded a research project through the National Health Service Research and Development programme called "Should GPs manage chronic fatigue syndrome? A controlled trial", the report of which is expected shortly. Comprehensive information is not available centrally on all expenditure in the NHS on research into chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis.

  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the present research projects funded by the Government into the causes and effects of ME, indicating the Government's research objectives in this area. [13965]

  Mr. Boateng
  The main agency through which the Government supports medical and clinical research is the Medical Research Council. The MRC is an independent body which receives its grant-in-aid from the Office of Science and Technology, which is part of the Department of Trade and Industry. The Council currently supports one project grant in the area of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. This is being undertaken by Dr. R. K. Morriss at the
  183
  University of Manchester and is entitled "The role of noradrenaline in the neuropsychological pathogenesis of the chronic fatigue syndrome".

  The Department of Health is also funding a research project through the National Health Service Research and Development programme called "Should GPs manage chronic fatigue syndrome? A controlled trial", the report of which is expected shortly. Comprehensive information is not available centrally on all the activity in the NHS on research into chronic fatigue syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis.

  Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority
  Mr. Leslie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects the sixth annual report of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority to be published; and if he will announce changes in the membership of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. [14542]

  Ms Jowell
  We have received the report and copies have today been laid before both Houses of Parliament in accordance with the requirements of section 7(3) of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990. Copies have also been placed in the Library.

  I am pleased to announce the following appointments made on behalf of the United Kingdom Health Ministers:
  Mrs. Ruth Deech, Principal of St Anne's College, Oxford, re-appointed as Chairman until 6 November 2000.
  Mrs. Jane Denton, Nursing Director of the Multiple Births Foundation and currently a member of the HFEA, appointed as Deputy Chairman until 27 October 1998, when her existing term of membership ends.
  Professor Allan Templeton, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Aberdeen, re-appointed as a member until 6 November 2000.
  Professor Andrew Grubb, Professor of Health Care Law, King's College, London, appointed as a member until 6 November 2000.

  I am very grateful to Lady Brittan, CBE, Mrs Angela Mays and the right Rev. Richard Holloway who are retiring on 6 November having served with the Authority since its inception in 1990. I also wish to thank Professor Rory Nicol who has asked to leave the Authority on 6 November.

  The new appointments and re-appointments have been made in accordance with guidance issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

  Three vacancies remain, about which we shall make an announcement in due course.

  Multiple Sclerosis
  Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to ensure uniformity of treatment for multiple sclerosis sufferers across the United Kingdom. [13785]

  Mr. Boateng
  We are keen to ensure a greater degree of equity in the availability of treatment for people with multiple sclerosis, wherever they may live. Existing guidance requires all health authorities to develop policies which allow the prescribing of beta interferon, in relation to alternative uses of available resources, in suitable cases.
  184
  Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients suffering from multiple sclerosis were offered beta interferon by each heath authority in(a) 1995, (b) 1996 and (c) 1997. [13807]

  Mr. Milburn
  We do not know how many patients were offered beta-interferon, but the number of prescription items for beta-interferon products dispensed in the community in England is shown in the table. In order not to disclose information that may relate to an individual patient, information is only provided where 50 items or more have been dispensed. In no health authority in 1995 were 50 or more items dispensed.

  Prescription items for beta-interferon dispensed in the community in England

  1995

  1996

  Berkshire

  —

  75

  West Surrey

  —

  142

  East Surrey

  —

  81

  Ealing Hammersmith and Hounslow

  —

  85

  England

  182

  806

  Comparable data for 1997 are not yet available.

  The cost of prescribing beta interferon in hospitals is not available.

  Departmental Budget
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the total real level of his Department's budget, in 1995–96 prices, in(a) 1997–98 and (b) 1998–99; and if he will estimate what such figures were for (i) 1997– 98 and (ii) 1998–99 following the November 1996 Budget on the basis of the estimates of the GDP deflator contained in the Budget. [13232]

  Mr. Milburn
  The figures requested for the Department's spending plans within the Control Total are as follows:(a) £33,306 million, (b) £33,516 million, (1) £33,422 million and (2) £33,174 million. (Source: Treasury).

  Expenditure
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his latest estimate of expenditure by(a) his Department, (b) NHS trusts and (c) other health bodies for which he has responsibility, on tax advice; and if he will make a statement. [13236]

  Mr. Milburn
  For the expenditure on tax advice by the Department, I refer the hon. Member to the reply my hon. Friend the Minister for Public Health has given him today. National Health Service trusts and other health bodies provide analyses of their expenditure to the department but expenditure on tax advice is not shown separately.

  Tax Avoidance
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his policy on the purchase of tax avoidance advice by the NHS; what directives he has issued on the purchase of tax avoidance advice by the NHS; and if he will make a statement. [13237]
  185
  Mr. Milburn
  Last month we agreed that an Executive Letter should be sent to all National Health Service bodies setting out the Government's policy on this. This will be issued shortly.

  Health Trusts (Deficits)
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the(a) actual deficits (b) projected deficits of each health trust in England as a percentage of their budget for the last three years. [14272]

  Mr. Milburn
  The information requested has been placed in the Library. Percentages have been given with respect to the income or turnover of each trust.

  Health Authorities (Deficits)
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the(a) actual deficits and (b) projected deficits of each health authority in England as a percentage of their budget for their last three years. [14276]

  Mr. Milburn
  The information requested has been placed in the Library. Percentages have been given with respect to the income or turnover of each health authority.

  Private Medicine (Tax Reliefs)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the effects on demand for NHS treatment of the decision to abolish the tax relief on private medical insurance payments; and if he will make a statement. [13239]

  Mr. Milburn
  We have made available substantial additional resources to the National Health Service, both this year and next, which dwarf any additional demand created by the abolition of tax relief on private medical insurance premiums.

  Computers (Century Date Change)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the action plan, due by 1 October 1997, for resolving the computer millennium problem in his Department, its agencies and other public bodies for which he is responsible; if such was fully completed on time; and if he will make a statement. [13602]

  Ms Jowell
  Year 2000 plans covering the Department of Health were sent to the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency (CCTA) in October 1997. The plans and supporting documentation will be analyzed by the Central Information Technology Unit and the CCTA and their conclusions reported to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster who will then inform Parliament of his findings. The plans are exempted from disclosure under the Open Government Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, prior to an announcement.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his latest estimate of the total cost of resolving the computer millennium problem in(a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) other public bodies for which he is responsible; if he will give in each case (i) expenditure incurred to date, (ii) expenditure planned
  186
  for 1997– 98, (iii) expenditure planned for 1998–99 and (iv) expenditure planned for 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [13603]

  Ms Jowell
  Information on planned expenditure by the Department will be sent to the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency as a part of the action plan requested by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and as such will become available once a statement on this activity has been made to Parliament.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which(a) Minister and (b) civil servant has overall responsibility for ensuring millennium computer compliance in his Department and its associated public bodies. [13606]

  Ms Jowell
  The Minister responsible for ensuring Year 2000 compliance is my Noble Friend the Minister of State, Baroness Jay and the work programme within the departments is being coordinated by the head of the applications development and support who reports to a senior departmental information system steering committee on the Year 2000 issue.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when his Department, its agencies and other public bodies for which he is responsible completed the millennium computer compliance audits of the systems; and if he will make a statement. [13605]

  Ms Jowell
  The Department and its Agencies have completed their millennium computer compliance audits, with the exception of National Health Service Estates who expect completion by 31 January 1998.

  For each separate NHS organisation, by 31 December 1998, all critical systems should be ready and fully tested, or detailed plans made for coping with those systems or equipment that cannot be repaired or replaced in time. We will require that any trust or health authority which has not got its systems ready and fully tested should notify the Department by 31 December 1998.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on what funding provision has been made to accommodate the expenditure needed to resolve the computer millennium problem; and if he expects to have sufficient funding to pay for the work necessary to achieve complete millennium compliance by 1 January 2000. [13604]

  Ms Jowell
  The Department is committed to resolving any Year 2000 problems on business critical systems by the Central Information Technology Unit recommended deadline. The cost of preventative and remedial action will be met from existing financial provision.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average time taken by his Department to give full answers to letters received from hon. Members. [13951]

  Ms. Jowell
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Wallsall, North (Mr. Winnick) on 3 November,Official Report, column 5.

  Figures for 1997 are not yet available.

  Waiting Lists
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of trends in hospital waiting lists over the next six months; and if he will make a statement.[13233]

  Mr. Milburn
  Our predecessors left the National Health Service with rising waiting times and a record number of patients waiting to be treated. It will take time to turn around the situation we inherited. The £269 million redirected to the NHS in England for 1997–98 will help health authorities and trusts to begin to restrain the growth in waiting lists and times as will the £1 billion increase for next year announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in July.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has undertaken on the relationship between NHS funding and hospital waiting lists; if he will publish such research; and if he will make a statement. [13235]

  Mr. Milburn
  Waiting lists are influenced by a number of factors, of which funding is only one. New treatments are becoming available all the time and new techniques are being introduced which enable people to undergo surgery who previously could not have been treated. We are working with health authorities and trusts to ensure that the best possible use is made of the resources available to them and that more of each pound spent on the National Health Service goes on direct patient care. The £269 million we have re-directed to the NHS in England for 1997–98 and the £1 billion increase for next year announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in July are significant steps towards fulfilling our commitment to shorten waiting lists.

  NHS Capacity
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his assessment of the ability of the NHS to deal with seasonal demand pressures this winter [13238]

  Mr. Boateng
  We have made clear that the first priority of health authorities and National Health Service trusts, above all other, is to make adequate provision for emergency care. Health authorities, NHS trusts and local authority social services departments around the country are working hard to prepare for this winter. The Government has made available an additional £269 million for the NHS in England in the current year to help in this task. In addition in 1998–99 there will be a · per cent. real terms increase in general revenue allocations to health authorities, the largest for five years.

  Diabetic Pen Needles
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what factors are being considered in determining whether pen needles for insulin dependent diabetics should be available on prescription; [13240]

  (2) what representations he has received about pen needles for the use of insulin dependent diabetics; and if he will make a statement. [13242]

  Mr. Milburn
  We have received representations from the British Diabetic Association and others which we are considering, taking all relevant factors into account.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Benefits Agency
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are her plans for the out-of-hours payment service operated by the Benefits Agency. [14018]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The administration of benefits is a matter for Peter Mathison, The Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Steve Webb, dated 3 November 1997:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking about the plans for the out-of-hours payment service operated by the Benefits Agency.
  In line with the Government's commitment to modernise the Social Security system a consultation exercise between officials from the Benefits Agency (BA) and other Departments on the future of the current Out of Hours Service has recently been undertaken.
  As a result of those discussions there are no plans at present to change the way in which the current service is administered. BA offices will therefore continue to provide an Out of Hours Service.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Mortgage Interest Payments
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations she has received about the level of the mortgage interest rate paid to those on benefits; and if she will make a statement. [13243]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Eltham (Mr. Efford) on 30 October,Official Report, column 856.

  We have received 562 representations from hon. Members, members of the public and national organisations.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the guidelines for the minimum levels of income which absent parents should expect to live on following calculations by the CSA. [13735]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  For those in work, child support assessments made under the maintenance formula ensure that an absent parent is generally left with at least 70 per cent. of his net income and at least £30 a week more than he would have if claiming income support. Most absent parents are left with significantly higher amounts, though lower figures may apply where, for example, an interim maintenance assessment has been imposed in an effort to secure the absent parent's co-operation or the absent parent is in arrears with his payments.

  Absent parents who receive income support or income-based jobseeker's allowance are generally required to pay a standard weekly amount, currently £5·00, unless for example they are sick or disabled or have a dependent child living with them. This payment recognises that absent parents are important to their children and should normally be expected to contribute to their maintenance.
  189
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if travel to work costs are taken into consideration by the CSA in making assessments of payments by an absent parent; and if she will make a statement. [13734]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  Travel to work costs are taken into consideration under the standard maintenance formula. Where the straight line distance of journeys from home to work exceeds 150 miles per week an allowance of 10 pence per mile is made for each excess mile.

  Parents may apply for a departure from the standard assessment where they face high travel to work costs of more than £15·00 per week. This gives the flexibility to take account of individual circumstances in the minority of cases where the formula assessment does not give a fair result.

  Computers (Century Date Change)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will publish the action plan, due by 1 October 1997, for resolving the computer millennium problem in her Department, its agencies and other public bodies for which she is responsible; if such was fully completed on time; and if she will make a statement. [13612]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The costed action plan produced by the Department of Social Security was submitted to Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency (CCTA) on 30 September 1997. This plan, together with the plans of other Government Departments, will be analysed by Central Information Technology Unit (CITU) and the CCTA and the conclusions reported to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, who will then inform Parliament. The plans will be exempted from

  £000

  Total cost

  Cost to date

  1997–981

  1998— 99

  1999–00

  Benefits Agency

  7,326

  533

  2,574

  4,181

  571

  Contributions Agency

  3,107

  87

  708

  1,974

  335

  Child Support Agency

  3,442

  42

  1,744

  1,656

  42

  Information Technology Services Agency

  26,861

  40

  6,801

  10,562

  9,498

  War Pensions Agency

  279

  22

  32

  242

  5

  Headquarters

  3,469

  211

  94

  2,456

  919

  ISBs/NDPB

  261

  14

  91

  170

  —

  Central Project costs

  1,037

  491

  594

  239

  204

  Departmental Totals

  45,692

  1,440

  12,638

  21,480

  11,574

  1 Total expenditure for the year which includes seven months costs to date.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement on what funding provision has been made to accommodate the expenditure needed to resolve the computer millennium problem; and if she expects to have sufficient funding to pay for the work necessary to achieve complete millennium compliance by 1 January 2000. [13614]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  This work has been afforded the highest priority across the Department. Business Cases to secure the necessary funds from existing PES provision have been produced and a Corporate Business Case seeking approval to spend will be submitted to HM Treasury in November 1997.
  190
  disclosure under the open government code of practice on access to Government information, which permits non-disclosure prior to an announcement. Once the announcement has been made the plans will be available.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when her Department, its agencies and other public bodies for which she is responsible completed the millennium computer compliance audits of systems; and if she will make a statement. [13615]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The year 2000 compliance audit of the Department's systems, comprising its agencies and other public bodies, was completed by 31 March 1997.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security which(a) Minister and (b) civil servant has overall responsibility for ensuring millennium computer compliance in her Department and its associated public bodies. [13616]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  I have ministerial responsibility for the year 2000 compliance work and Mr. Ian Magee, the chief executive of the Information Technology Services Agency, is the civil servant accountable for this work on behalf of the Department of Social Security, reporting to the departmental board and the permanent secretary.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is her latest estimate of the total cost of resolving the computer millennium problem in(a) her Department, (b) its agencies and (c) other public bodies for which she is responsible; if she will state in each case (i) expenditure incurred to date, (ii) expenditure planned for 1997–98, (iii) expenditure planned for 1998–99 and (iv) expenditure planned for 1999–2000; and if she will make a statement. [13613]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The information is in the table.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what recent representations her Department has received on benefit payments to asylum seekers. [13992]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave the hon. Member for St. Ives (Mr. George) on 27 October,Official Report, columns 728–29.

  Reciprocal Pension Agreements
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to extend reciprocal pension agreements to other countries; and when she expects such arrangements to be made. [13946]
  191
  Mr. Denham
  The Government has no plans to extend reciprocal pension agreements to other countries.

  Mobility Allowance
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what assessment her Department is currently undertaking into the lower age limit for mobility allowance; [13241]

  (2) what representations she has received regarding the upper and lower age limits for mobility allowance. [13244]
  192
  Mr. Denham
  There have been 95 representations from hon. Members, members of the public and national organisations, since June 1997, of which 61 related to the rules about the upper age limit for the benefit as a whole.

  The comprehensive spending reviews in this Department, which were announced in June, include those benefits paid to sick and disabled people. The reviews will include an examination of the entitlement rules to disability living allowance to ensure that help is provided to those people with greatest needs.

  China: Family Planning
  China: Family Planning
  Commonwealth Development Corporation
  Commonwealth Development Corporation
  Development Education Expenditure
  Development Education Expenditure
  Tribunal Case 13528
  Tribunal Case 13528
  OECD Agreement on Investment
  OECD Agreement on Investment
  EU Enlargement: Consultations
  EU Enlargement: Consultations
  Unemployment Comparisons
  Unemployment Comparisons
  Mentally Ill Patients and Crime
  Mentally Ill Patients and Crime
  Foetal Pain
  Foetal Pain
  Vitamin B6 Prescriptions
  Vitamin B6 Prescriptions
  European Fisheries Council, 30 October
  European Fisheries Council, 30 October
  Vitamin B6: Sales Restrictions
  Vitamin B6: Sales Restrictions
  Organophosphate Exposure: Scientific Studies
  Organophosphate Exposure: Scientific Studies
  North East Coast Drift Net Fishery
  North East Coast Drift Net Fishery
  European Council: Future Programme
  European Council: Future Programme
  Export Forum Report
  Export Forum Report
  Pregnant Women: Seat Belt Wearing
  Pregnant Women: Seat Belt Wearing
  London Bus Routes
  London Bus Routes
  Hammersmith Bridge
  Hammersmith Bridge
  Road Safety: Unpublished Research
  Road Safety: Unpublished Research