Written Answers of 6 November 1997

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Radio Channels
  Mr. Woolas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what meetings(a) he and (b) his officials have had with representatives of Children 2000 to discuss the possibility of a children's and schools' radio channel. [13369]

  Mr. Fisher
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not held any meetings with representatives of Children 2000. I understand that when they met his officials to discuss the White Paper "The People's Lottery" they set out their plans for a children's and schools' radio channel.

  Mr. Woolas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what plans he has to support the establishment of a children's and schools' radio channel; [13371]

  (2) what plans he has to ensure that one of the available digital radio channels on one of the new multiplexes will be devoted to children's and schools' broadcasting. [13370]

  Mr. Fisher
  My right hon Friend the Secretary of State has no plans to direct the Radio Authority in exercising its statutory
  responsibility to award independent radio licenses in the UK.

  Mr. Woolas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if the technology and planning permission issues have been addressed in respect of the transmission of the available 225kHz channel. [13368]

  Mr. Fisher
  The Radio Authority is presently considering the feasibility of using 225kHz for independent radio licensing. Any proposals put forward by the Radio Authority would need to be discussed with other countries by the Radiocommunications Agency under the International Telecommunication Union procedures which are designed to ensure that services can co-exist without causing interference with each other.

  Mr. Woolas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he plans to award a national radio franchise on the available 225kHz frequency. [13372]

  Mr. Fisher
  The award of national radio licences is a matter for the Radio Authority and not for Ministers. The Radio Authority is still considering the technical feasibility of using 225kHz for an independent national service.

PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Drugs Tsar
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the President of the Council what 258
  criteria will be applied to assess the efficiency of the work of the Drugs Tsar in respect of (a) prisons, (b) raves, (c) schools and (d) the use of illegal drugs by those who have MS. [13806]

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  The immediate priorities for Keith Hellawell—the recently appointed UK Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator—will be to review existing action against drug misuse, and then, as soon as possible, submit proposals to Ministers to develop the strategy to tackle drugs problems through effective enforcement, prevention, education and treatment. In drawing up his proposals, Mr. Hellawell will assess the effectiveness of the work currently being undertaken, which will help focus future efforts against drug misuse. The new strategy will contain objectives against which the Government's progress can be assessed.

TREASURY

  VAT (Historic Buildings)
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to remove VAT from the repair and maintenance of historic buildings. [14182]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 5 November 1997]I have no plans to remove VAT from the repair and maintenance of historic buildings.

  Tax Advice
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of his Department's expenditure on(a) tax consultants and (b) other external tax advice in (i) 1995–96, (ii) 1996–97 and (iii) 1997–98; and if he will make a statement. [13535]

  Mr. Darling
  [holding answer 30 October 1997]The Treasury has not sought external tax advice or employed tax consultants in order to reduce the Department's tax payments.

  Tax Harmonisation
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on direct tax harmonisation in Europe. [13529]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 30 October 1997]Direct taxation is a matter for Member States at national level. Proposals for action at the Community level must respect the principles of subsidiarity and unanimity.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussion took place at the most recent ECOFIN meeting about tax harmonisation; and if he will make a statement. [14087]

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the October ECOFIN agreement on a code of conduct for taxation levels in the European Union. [13530]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 3 November 1997]I refer to the answer my right hon. Friend the Chancellor gave to my hon. Friend the Member for East Ham (Mr. Timms) on 3 November 1997,Official Report, column 16.

  Public Sector Pay
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reasons he instructed the public sector pay review bodies not to allow their recommendations to be influenced by the headline rate of retail price inflation; and if he will make a statement. [13647]

  Mr. Darling
  Pay settlements next year must be affordable and will need to take account of our commitment to keep to the existing spending plans. We have asked the pay review bodies to give this priority over other considerations, including headline RPI where the current rate is high in relation to the 2½ per cent. inflation target. Keeping pay settlements under control will help Departments to maintain the delivery of services within their budgets.

  Economic and Monetary Union
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is the policy of the Government to make a declaration of intent regarding the European Single Currency on 21 November, and if he will make a statement. [13283]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  My statement to the House on 27 October set out clearly the Government's position on the European Single Currency.

  Tax and Benefits System (Review)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to publish the conclusions of his Review of the Tax and Benefits System; and if he will make a statement.(13290]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The work of Martin Taylor's task force on tax and benefits will inform my right hon. Friend's next Budget Statement.

  Budget
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the date on which he intends to present the Budget in 1998. [13285]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  I will present the Budget Statement in the Spring. I will make an announcement of the date in due course.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what date he plans to publish his consultative paper on the 1998 Budget; and if he will make a statement. [13289]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  I refer to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for East Ham (Mr. Timms) on 30 October 1997,Official Report, column 884.

  Comprehensive Spending Review
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to publish the outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review; and if he will make a statement. [13288]

  Mr. Darling
  It is intended to complete the Review in the middle of next year.

  Tuition Fees
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to change the present accounting procedures relating to Government loans made to support the introduction of higher education tuition fees in order to distinguish between Government spending and Government lending; and if he will make a statement. [13646]

  Mr. Darling
  [holding answer 5 November 1997]A response will be made to the Dearing Inquiry recommendation on the treatment of student loans in due course.

  Opencast Operations (Taxation)
  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has for taxes on opencast coal mining, gravel extraction and limestone quarries in accordance with the polluter pays principle; and how these would be administered. [14282]

  Dawn Primarolo
  As my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in his July Budget, work is being carried out on the environmental costs attached to quarrying. The results will inform consideration of whether there is a case for tax or other measures to ensure that these costs are reflected in prices.

  Duty-free Sales
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to ensure the continuation of duty free within the EU beyond 30 June 1999. [14288]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Any extension of intra-EU duty-free sales beyond 30 June 1999 would require a fresh proposal from the European Commission and unanimity amongst all 15 Member States.

  Duty-free sales for travel outside the EU will continue after 30 June 1999.

PRIME MINISTER

  Market Sensitive Information
  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Prime Minister on what occasions the Government have released market sensitive information to a selected individual or individuals and not the market as a whole. [13516]

  The Prime Minister
  The Government act only in line with long-established practice.

  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Prime Minister what is the Government's policy on the release of market sensitive information. [13517]

  The Prime Minister
  To act in line with long-established practice.

  Seal Killing (Russia)
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Prime Minister when the letter to the Prime Minister from Mr. Robert Mouland of Folkestone, on the subject of seal pups, dated 30 September 1997, and faxed to the British embassy in Moscow, was shown to him. [14083]
  261
  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 3 November 1997]I have not seen the letter. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office sent a reply on 30 October 1997.

  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Prime Minister if he raised the killing of baby seals in his recent talks with President Yeltsin. [14081]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 3 November 1997]No. The Russian Government are well aware of public concern in the United Kingdom about seal culling. The British embassy in Moscow are in regular contact with the relevant Russian authorities on this matter.

  Mr. Bill Gates
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he had at his recent meeting with Mr. Bill Gates concerning(a) the computer millennium compliance problem and (b) other issues; and what was the outcome of these discussions. [14191]

  The Prime Minister
  I held a constructive meeting with Mr. Gates on 7 October at which a number of issues relating to information and communications technology were discussed, including the Government's proposals for the National Grid for Learning, which I launched that day. Mr. Gates briefly commented on the current status of the computer millennium compliance problem, action in respect of which was announced on 29 September by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.

  President Yeltsin
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he had at his recent meetings with President Yeltsin concerning(a) the new Russian law on religion and (b) other issues; and what was the outcome of these discussions. [14192]

  The Prime Minister
  I did not discuss the law on freedom of conscience and religious association with President Yeltsin, but the British ambassador in Moscow has been assured by the Russian authorities that implementation of the law will not contravene Russia's international human rights obligations. My discussions in Moscow centred on political and economic reform, international trade issues, bilateral and foreign policy interests and the growing prospects for British business in Russia.

  Millennium Projects
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to meet members of the business community to discuss millennium projects. [14245]

  The Prime Minister
  I am planning to meet members of the business community to discuss the Millennium Experience early in the new year.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Prime Minister how many public appointments he has made since 1 May. [14246]

  The Prime Minister
  Ten.

  Lockerbie
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister what communication he has had with President Mandela since the Commonwealth conference relating to the Lockerbie bombing and the imposition of sanctions against Libya. [14413]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 4 November 1997]I have had no communication with President Mandela since the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting.

  Australian Prime Minister (Visit)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Prime Minister what subjects were discussed with the Australian Prime Minister when he visited Downing street; and if he will make a statement. [13993]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 4 November 1997]Subjects discussed included the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting, climate change and a range of other bilateral and international issues.

  Indebted Countries
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Prime Minister, further to his statement at the conclusion of the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting, what criteria will be applied to indebted countries to enable them to write off debts. [13996]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 4 November 1997]We are willing to cancel aid debts for those countries who are committed to the internationally agreed development targets, are pursuing good government, are encouraging transparency and bearing down on corruption, and are applying economic policies which benefit the poor and encourage sustainable economic development.

  Royal Yacht
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will take steps to ensure that the royal yacht Britannia is made available for visits by residents in Thames boroughs during the vessel's last voyage along the Thames. [14214]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 4 November 1997]HMY Britannia will be moored in the Pool of London from 13 to 21 November. During that time a large number of visitors will be invited to attend charitable and other events on board, and the fullest possible access is being arranged for local and national media. This approach, involving maximum use of the yacht for organised visits and events, has been adopted throughout the yacht's final tour of the British Isles; whilst she is still operational it is not safe or practicable to arrange unrestricted access for members of the public. HMY Britannia will sail under floodlight on the evening of 21 November, arriving in Portsmouth the following day to begin de-storing and other preparations for paying-off.

  Departmental Regulation
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Prime Minister which Ministers are responsible for better regulation in each Government Department. [13963]
  263
  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 5 November 1997]My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has overall responsibility for better regulation matters. However, all Ministers have a responsibility for ensuring good regulatory practice and the avoidance of unnecessary red tape. In order to give this initiative additional focus each Government Department has named a lead Minister responsible for better regulation. These are:

  Department

  Brian Wilson MP, Minister of State

  Scottish Office

  The right hon. the Lord Gilbert, Minister of State

  Ministry of Defence

  Baroness Margaret Jay, Minister of State

  Department of Health

  The right hon. Tom Clarke MP, Minister of State

  Department for Media, Culture and Sport

  Andrew Ingram MP, Minister of State

  Northern Ireland Office

  Lord Donoughue, Minister of State

  Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  Geoffrey Hoon MP, Parliamentary Secretary

  Lord Chancellor's Department

  Peter Kilfoyle MP, Parliamentary Secretary

  The Office of Public Service

  John Denham MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State

  Department of Social Security

  Angela Eagle MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State

  Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions

  Peter Hain MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State

  Welsh Office

  George Howarth MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State

  Home Office

  Dr. Kim Howells MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State

  Department for Education and Employment

  Glenda Jackson MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State

  Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions

  Barbara Roche MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of state

  Department of Trade and Industry

  Geoffrey Robinson Mp, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State

  Her Majesty's Treasury

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Victims and Witnesses
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Attorney-General when he last discussed care of victims and witnesses with the Director of Public Prosecutions. [12643]

  The Attorney-General
  I meet the Director of Public Prosecutions frequently to discuss matters of mutual interest. The CPS is, of course, involved in a number of major interagency initiatives to improve the service to victims and witnesses in the criminal justice system.

  Extradition
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Attorney-General what recent advice his Department has given on requests from other countries for extradition of people detained in British prisons. [12642]

  The Attorney-General
  It is not the practice to disclose such advice or to disclose whether or not advice has been given.

  Court of Appeal
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Attorney-General what plans he has to seek an extension of his power to refer sentences to the Court of Appeal for review. [12639]

  The Attorney-General
  I am in discussion with colleagues about the best way to implement our manifesto commitment to extend my powers to refer cases to the Court of Appeal for review where it appears to me that the sentence is unduly lenient.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Embassies
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the usual days and hours of manning United Kingdom embassies, including provision for answering telephone calls; and if he will make a statement. [13158]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The days and hours UK embassies open for business vary from country to country, according to local custom; details are available from Consular Division within this Department. All embassies operate a duty officer system to deal with emergency telephone calls out of office hours and this Department is always ready to answer queries about embassy services.

  European Treaties
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish the texts of any declaration, now appended to the treaty of Amsterdam not contained in the version of 16 June, stating for each(a) if it was agreed to by a Minister of the Crown at the preceding Inter-Governmental Conference and (b) what steps have been taken to publicise it. [13528]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 30 October 1997]Four Declarations were agreed after the Amsterdam European Council and attached to the draft Final Act of the intergovernmental conference. These are numbers 3, 10, 21 and 45. Three declarations (numbers 14, 40 and 51) were agreed before Amsterdam and were attached to the Final Act subsequently. In addition, there were eight national declarations of which the conference took note. None was made by the UK.

  Ministers have agreed the text which was signed at Amsterdam on 2 October, including all declarations attached to the Final Act. All declarations are included in the final texts which have been deposited in the Library of the House and are set out in Cm 3780.

  GCHQ
  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) how many former employees of GCHQ remain eligible for reinstatement as a result of the Government's decision to restore trade union rights at this establishment; and if he will make a statement; [14100]

  (2) how many of those eligible for reinstatement at GCHQ have applied; and how many of those applications were approved. [14101]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  About 130 staff left GCHQ as a result of the 1984 union ban, of whom 14 were actually dismissed. The remainder fell into various categories—for example, transfer to other Government Departments and early or normal retirement. I informed the House on 19 May of the procedures needed to restore normal trade union rights to the staff of GCHQ and a copy of this statement was sent to those who had been dismissed, together with an invitation to contact GCHQ's Head of Personnel to discuss re-joining on reinstatement terms. It is open to any former civil servant to apply for reinstatement, though there is no right to be reinstated, and applications are considered in terms of existing vacancies and the suitability of an applicant for a particular vacancy. Of the 14 who were dismissed, only seven were still below retirement age by the time initial discussions on the procedure for people to rejoin had taken place; discussions with these have reached varying stages. It is not known how many of the roughly 115 people who were not dismissed but who left GCHQ by other means are still below normal retirement age but GCHQ has received a total of five expressions of interest in reinstatement or transfer back to GCHQ and discussions have again reached varying stages.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many sub-bases of GCHQ are presently maintained in Northern Ireland. [13082]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  It is long-standing practice not to disclose the details of the operations of the security and intelligence services.

  Delegated Legislation
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list all(a) secondary, (b) other delegated legislation and (c) all deregulation orders his Department made during the summer adjournment. [14382]

  Mr. Tony Lolyd
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, on 5 November 1997,Official Report, column 216.

  Sri Lanka
  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many cases of persons missing in Sri Lanka his Department is dealing with; and if he will make a statement. [14099]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We are currently dealing with two cases of missing persons in Sri Lanka.
  266
  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many outstanding replies his Department is waiting for from the Sri Lanka Government with respect to requests for information on missing persons; and what is the average length of time taken for that Government to respond to letters on the subject of missing persons. [14098]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We have no replies outstanding from the Sri Lankan Government on requests for information on missing persons; on the basis of the two recent cases, the average length of time for the Sri Lankan Government to respond substantively to letters on missing persons is 10 months.

  Montserrat
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the circumstances of the citizens of Montserrat. [14297]

  Mr. Tony Lolyd
  The safety of Montserratians is paramount. Scientific advice indicates that the North of the island is relatively safe. We are committed to helping to sustain a viable community there for as long as it is safe to remain. If, however, Montserratians wish, and need help, we shall provide them with financial assistance for them to relocate elsewhere in the Caribbean or the UK.

  Antarctic
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received from the British Antarctic Survey on the depletion of the ozone layer over the southern polar regions. [14217]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  [holding answer 5 November 1997]The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) Meteorological and Ozone Monitoring Unit issues regular bulletins to interested scientists, Government officials and the media. These bulletins and further background information are available on the world wide web from the BAS home page (http://WWW.nbs.ac.uk).

  Indonesia
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement indicating the current state of negotiations on the proposed contract for the supply of Land Rovers to Indonesia. [13797]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Contractual negotiations are a matter for the company concerned.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Court of Appeal
  Mr. Savidge
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when the report of the Review of the Court of Appeal (Civil Division) will be published; and when the Lord Chancellor expects to respond to it. [15143]

  Mr. Hoon
  The report of the Review of the Court of Appeal (Civil Division) has been published today and copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
  267
  I am very grateful to the members of the review, and in particular to Sir Jeffery Bowman for chairing it. The Lord Chancellor is at present considering their conclusions and recommendations and intends to publish a detailed response early in the new year.

  Living Wills
  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will give people the statutory right to draw up an advance directive setting out their wishes with regard to future medical treatment should they become incapacitated in the future. [13909]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Law Commission report on mental incapacity published in 1995 includes recommendations relating to advance statements (sometimes referred to as advance directives). As I indicated in my written answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Corby (Mr. Hope) on 28 October 1997,Official Report, column 787, the Government do not consider that it would be appropriate to legislate on the basis of these recommendations without fresh public consultation. It is hoped that a consultation paper will be issued by the end of the year.

  Court Cases (Processing Times)
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment he has made of the time taken for courts to dispose of cases since May. [12644]

  Mr. Hoon
  The time taken from first listing to completion for indictable cases in magistrates courts is surveyed by the Department's time intervals survey. The June 1997 survey, the latest from which results are available, reports that the average time from first listing to completion for defendants in indictable cases was 58 days, and 21 and 29 days for defendants in summary non-motoring and summary motoring cases respectively.

  For defendants committed to the Crown Court for trial, information is collected on the time from committal to arraignment or start of trial. The average time for defendants over this interval since May 1997 has been as follows: May 1997, 11.79 weeks; June 1997, 11.95 weeks; July 1997, 12.49 weeks; August 1997, 11.74 weeks; and, September 1997, 11.74 weeks.

  In the county court and High Court, information on the time taken to deal with cases is recorded each March and September. Results for September 1997 are not yet available.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Haulage Companies
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he last met Commissioner Kinnock to discuss EU transport issues; and if he raised the problems United Kingdom lorry drivers and haulage companies face when transporting goods through other EU countries. [13035]
  268
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions maintains regular contact with Commissioner Kinnock on a wide range of issues. My right hon. Friend, the Minister of Transport last met Commissioner Kinnock at the Transport Council on 9 October, where the weekend lorry ban imposed by some member states was one of the issues discussed. In addition, my noble Friend, the Minister for Roads, met Commissioner Kinnock on 6 October to discuss a range of road related issues—including freight transport in the EU.

  Housing Needs
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what studies he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into ways in which (i) existing housing stock and (ii) new housing could meet changing household needs better over individual lifespans. [13011]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Department has commissioned three relevant studies:

  (i) a study has recently been completed on the conversion of local authority housing to meet the changing needs of tenants;

  (ii) research has just been commissioned on conversation, demolition and redevelopment, which will examine the potential of converting the existing housing stock of redeveloping sites to meet the increased demand for housing;

  (iii) a feasibility study to develop an economic model of the demand and need for social housing has also just been completed;

  (iv) a study has recently been completed into the cost implications of extending the building regulations to make new dwellings more accessible to disabled and elderly people.

  Since (ii) has just started and (i) and (iii) have recently been completed, the Department has not yet evaluated the outputs from these studies. Evaluation of study (iv) has been taken into account in reaching conclusions on extension of the building regulations, which will be announced shortly.

  Climate Change
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement about recent negotiations in Bonn on a draft treaty on climate change. [13128]

  Angela Eagle
  The negotiating meeting in Bonn from 20 to 31 October made slow progress. The UK remains determined to work to ensure a successful outcome at Kyoto. To this end, the Deputy Prime Minister will be chairing an important meeting of developed countries in Tokyo on 8-9 November.

  Rail Companies
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to increase the level of scrutiny of the performance of the newly privatised rail companies; and if he will make a statement. [13173]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Ministers have given the Franchising Director new objectives, instructions and guidance under the Railways Act 1993. These require him to maintain a comprehensive and rigorous programme of performance monitoring, and to publish a quarterly bulletin describing the operating performance of franchise operators. Comprehensive monitoring is also carried out to secure compliance with franchise agreements and to operate performance incentive regimes. Passenger Transport Executives carry out additional monitoring of performance within their areas.

  The Government intend to strengthen the regulation of the railway in the interests of passengers and to establish a new Strategic Rail Authority. Decisions about what new powers are required, and whether further scrutiny would be appropriate in the future, will be taken within our review of transport policy which will lead to a White Paper next year.

  Blood Alcohol Limits
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the compliance of the proposal by the European Commission to harmonize and review blood alcohol limits with the obligation of subsidiarity; and if he will make a statement. [13693]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We are actively considering the case for changing the UK blood alcohol limit. Our assessment of the European Commission proposals, including the relevance of subsidiarity, will be made in the light of what we conclude is appropriate for drivers in the UK.

  Municipal Public Transport
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to restore to local authorities the power to provide municipal public transport; and if he will make a statement. [13694]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  There are no current plans to change the powers of local authorities in this respect but my Department is reviewing all aspects of the provision and regulation of local bus services as part of the development of an integrated transport policy.

  Dry Stone Walls
  Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what information his Department has collated on the rate of destruction of dry stone walls. [14396]

  Angela Eagle
  The latest information on national losses of dry stone walls is derived from Countryside Survey 1990. This estimated that the total length of dry stone walls in Great Britain was 191,000 km in 1990, and that the overall length of dry stone walls had decreased by about 10 per cent. since 1984.

  Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to ensure the protection and good maintenance of dry stone walls in upland rural areas. [14398]

  Angela Eagle
  I refer to the replies I gave to my hon. Friend on 9 July 1997,Official Report, column 495, which described the grant assistance available from the Government and powers available to local authorities and National Parks for the protection and maintenance of dry stone walls.

  Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated to determine the effect on the biodiversity of the countryside and upland areas of the dismantling of dry stone walls. [14397]

  Angela Eagle
  My Department has not commissioned any such research. We are not aware of any directly relevant research on this subject, although the results of Countryside Survey 1990 showed that linear features in general were an important source of botanical diversity in the countryside.

  Rural England White Paper
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans the Government have to review the long-term policy proposals set out in the 1995 Rural England White Paper; and if he will make a statement. [14298]

  Angela Eagle
  The Government are committed to developing an integrated approach to tackling the problems of rural areas. Current policies and programmes are being reviewed as part of the Government's comprehensive spending reviews; notably the Countryside and Rural Policy spending review, conducted jointly by my Department and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

  Sewage
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the level of untreated sewage discharge released by storms or flash floods. [14036]

  Angela Eagle
  Sewerage systems are designed to handle the expected normal sewage load through continuous, controlled and treated discharges. Combined sewer overflows (CSOs) operate when this predetermined level is exceeded as a result of rainfall run-off entering the sewer. The sewage will be considerably diluted by the rainwater causing the overflow.
  271
  Except in areas of exceptionally high amenity value, these CSOs are not routinely monitored, so it is not possible to estimate the level of untreated sewage discharged in this way. However the design and construction of new and refurbished storm water overflows are controlled on a site specific basis by the Environment Agency on the principle that the frequency of discharge should be related to the dilution available and the uses made of the receiving water.

  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what was the level of sewage leakage for each of the water companies in the last year for which figures are available; [14035]

  (2) what plans the Government have to implement targets for a decrease in sewage leakage. [14037]

  Angela Eagle
  Leakage from sewers cannot be measured in any meaningful way and there are no plans at present to set sewage leakage targets. However, information on the condition and serviceability of assets was collected by the Director General at the last periodic review. Only 3 per cent. of critical sewers and 2 per cent. of non-critical sewers were in the worst condition grade. The Director General has asked companies to report on the state of their sewers in the asset inventory and serviceability return to Ofwat next summer, as part of the periodic review process.

  Car of Tomorrow Project
  Mr. MacGregor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to implement the recommendations contained in the Twentieth report of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution in respect of the United Kingdom's funding for the European Commission's Car of Tomorrow project. [14423]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Government are committed to working in partnership with industry to develop and promote less polluting vehicles, as demonstrated by yesterday's announcement by my hon. Friend the Minister for Science, Energy and Industry, at the launch of the Foresight Vehicle LINK programme. The Government will continue to attach considerable importance to the potential contribution that European research and development can make to the development of cleaner vehicles as it discusses the make-up of the fifth framework programme with the European Commission.

  Leasehold Valuation Tribunal
  Jacqui Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to investigate the speed with which cases are processed through the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal; and if he will make a statement. [14095]

  Mr. Raynsford
  My Department is working with the Presidents of the Tribunals to minimise delays in the procedures which are within their control. I understand that the West Midland Leasehold Valuation Tribunal typically issues decisions within a month of the hearing. My hon. Friend may, however, have in mind three cases relating to properties in Redditch which were heard in June. These are unusually important and sensitive cases 272
  on which the tribunal has found it necessary to deliberate at considerable length. It hopes to be able to issue its decisions later this month.

  County Structure Plans
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which draft county structure plans the Government office for each region has(a) responded to and (b) commented on since 1 May. [14076]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Since 1 May 1977, formal interventions have been made by Government Offices on behalf of the Secretary of State in respect of the deposited County Durham structure plan (objection submitted by Government Office for the North East) and the Cornwall structure plan (withdrawal of direction not to adopt by the Government Office for the South West).

  In addition, comments have been submitted by Government Offices in respect of the reviews of the following structure plans:

  County

  Government Office for the West Midlands

  Shropshire

  Staffordshire

  Warwickshire

  Government Office for the Eastern Region

  Essex

  Government Office for the South East

  Oxfordshire

  More generally, Government Offices maintain ongoing discussions with all structure planning authorities in their areas.

  Lighting Systems
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to legislate for the control of light pollution from domestic and commercial security lighting systems and general floodlighting systems. [14013]

  Angela Eagle
  The Government believe that any problems caused by such lighting are best dealt with by raising public awareness and by providing guidance on how these problems might be avoided.

  My Department, in conjunction with the Countryside Commission, has recently published a good practice guide, "Lighting in the Countryside", which provides advice to local authorities, developers, professionals and members of the public on the effects of lighting and how best to minimise its intrusiveness. Much of the advice it contains is equally applicable to urban areas.

  Other wider concerns about light pollution are being considered by my officials. Any decisions on action will be taken once their work is complete.

  Bridge Strengthening
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what studies his Department has undertaken to assess how
  273
  many bridges, owned by local authorities, will need strengthening in order to meet the requirements under directive 85/3/EC. [14194]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  My Department regularly monitors progress made by local authorities in implementing the programme of bridge assessment and strengthening, initiated in 1987.

  Rural Economy
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to review planning policy guidance to facilitate increased job creation in the rural economy. [14177]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Government's planning policy for rural areas is contained in Planning Policy Guidance note (PPG)7 which was revised in February 1997. This reaffirms that the guiding principle in the countryside should be that development should both benefit economic activity and maintain or enhance the environment.

  The revised PPG7 encourages business diversification and allows for greater discrimination in favour of re-use of rural buildings for business rather than for residential purposes.

  It also makes it clear that the range of industries which can be successfully located in rural areas, without causing unacceptable disturbance, is expanding. It advises local authorities to make provision for commercial development in their local plans, and gives greater encouragement to, and guidance on, development proposals for agricultural diversification.

  We have no plans to review PPG7.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many public appointments he has made since 1 May. [14244]

  Angela Eagle
  The Secretary of State has made the following appointments to non-departmental public bodies and nationalised industries sponsored by the Department since 1 May.

  Number

  NDPBs:

  Executive

  42

  Advisory

  30

  Tribunals

  59

  Nationalised Industries

  2

  Total

  133

  The Secretary of State also makes appointments to various small, mainly local, public bodies and other miscellaneous appointments. Details of these appointments are not held centrally.

  Delegated Legislation
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list 274
  all (a) secondary, (b) other delegated legislation and (c) all deregulation orders his Department made during the summer adjournment. [14381]

  Angela Eagle
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster yesterday, 5 November 1997,Official Report, column 216.

  Contaminated Land
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what further legislative steps he plans in order to deal with radioactively contaminated land. [14360]

  Angela Eagle
  The Environment Act 1995 contained powers to establish regimes for both radioactively, and non-radioactively, contaminated land by secondary legislation. The Government are considering how best to apply the provisions of this Act, and we expect to make an announcement shortly.

  Planning
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to require the obtaining of planning permission for the erection of all telephone and radio masts. [14012]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 grants a general planning permission for certain telecommunications masts providing:the mast is erected by a telecommunications code system operator licensed by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry under the Telecommunications Act 1984;
  the mast does not exceed 15m in height;
  the mast is not erected in a National Park, area of outstanding natural beauty, conservation area, or the Broads; and
  the mast is not refused prior approval by the local planning authority within the period allowed under the Order. The authority must be given the opportunity to say whether they wish to approve, within 28 days, details of the mast's siting and appearance. The authority may refuse approval if they consider there to be a serious threat to amenity.

  A full application for planning permission is normally required for any mast which does not meet these criteria. There are no current plans to amend the regulations in this respect.

  Mrs. Ann Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans she has to change the current guidance, in Policy Planning Guidance and the Town and Country Planning Acts, in respect of their presumption in favour of development. [14358]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Section 54A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 requires a planning application to be determined in accordance with the adopted development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. As explained in PPG1, this establishes a presumption in favour of proposals that conform to the prevailing development plan, rather than a general presumption in favour of development. The Government have no plans to change this "plan-led" system. Any changes to Planning Policy Guidance or Minerals Planning Guidance will be announced in the normal way.
  275
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make it his policy to include crime statistics as a material consideration in the determination of planning applications relating to change of use. [14176]

  Mr. Raynsford
  DoE Circular 5/94, "Planning Out Crime", advises that crime prevention is capable of being a material consideration when planning applications are considered. As with other material considerations, the weight that is given to it will depend on the individual circumstances of the case. Crime statistics may be useful in making this assessment.

  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to amend the Planning Regulations so that public houses and hot food takeaway premises do not fall within the same use class; and if he will make a statement. [14014]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Use Classes Order 1987 groups together various types of land use because, in planning terms, they have a similar impact on a neighbourhood. As public houses and hot food takeaway premises tend to raise the same land use issues, they are both included within Use Class A3, the Food and Drink Class. There are no plans to amend this class, although we keep the arrangements under review.

  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to remove permitted development rights and same category use rights from the privatised utilities and public bodies for buildings or land which formerly had the benefit of Crown immunity, but have subsequently ceased to be used in full or part for the original purpose, and to require the submission of planning applications for any changes of use which have been implemented or planned since privatisation. [14032]

  Mr. Raynsford
  We have no plans to remove permitted development rights or same Use Class rights from privatised utilities or public bodies. Last year my Department commissioned research to establish the extent to which statutory undertakers rely on permitted development rights and to consider whether any changes are needed. The research project is now complete and we are considering the findings.

  Driving Licences
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to change the licensing regulations for older motorists. [14203]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  There are no plans at present to change the present arrangements. Those aged 70 and over may renew their driving licences for periods of up to three years subject to satisfying the health requirements. All drivers are under a statutory obligation to notify the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency of any relevant disability from which they suffer.

  Road Schemes
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the road schemes by each local authority which make up the existing commitments in the local transport 276
  settlement 1997–98, indicating for each (a) the total costs and (b) whether contracts have been entered into between local authorities and construction firms. [14195]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The schemes which are being supported in 1997–98 are listed in the table. Information on contracts could not be provided except at disproportionate cost.

  Authority

  School name

  Total cost £000

  Bexley

  A201 Erith-Thamesmead Spine Road (phase IV)

  33,339

  Enfield

  A110 Nags Head Road/High Street Ponders End

  4,857

  Greenwich

  A206 Woolwich Road/improvements

  24,159

  Harrow

  A409 Wealdstone bypass

  16,517

  Harrow

  A409 Sheepcote Road widening for two-way traffic

  2,905

  Hillingdon

  A402 Uxbridge Town Centre improvements

  2,281

  Hounslow

  A315 Hounslow Town Centre-Urban Relief Road

  10,885

  Kensington and Chelsea

  A404 Harrow Road Junction/Ladbroke Grove Canal Bridge

  9,171

  Kingston

  A240 North-South Strategy-A240 Corridor improvements

  4,494

  Newham

  A 117 East Ham Town Centre Relief Road/pedestrianisation

  13,864

  Newham

  A 11 Stratford Gyratory modifications

  3,756

  Westminster

  A404 Harrow Road/Ladbroke Grove widening

  4,398

  Manchester

  A601 Intermediate Ring Road stage 2

  44,072

  Oldham

  A62 A62/A627 Oldham Way improvements

  5,850

  Salford

  A506 Trafford Road (The Quays-White City)

  20,782

  Trafford

  A56 City Link/White City interchange

  36,721

  Trafford

  A506 Trafford Road improvements

  23,952

  Knowsley

  A530 Link Road M57 to A562

  47,334

  Sefton

  A59 Aintree Park Lane improvements

  3,300

  Wirral

  A502 Birkenhead Freeport route

  4,687

  Barnsley

  A619 Dearne Towns link road

  39,510

  Doncaster

  A630 Wheatley Hall road

  8,608

  Sheffield

  A610 Outer Ring road (Darnall) stages II, Ill & IV

  20,669

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  A608 West Central route

  20,996

  Birmingham

  A512 Lichfield Road improvements phase 1

  19,004

  Birmingham

  A47 Heartlands Spine Road Phase 3

  26,004

  Birmingham

  A47 Heartlands Spine road phase 2

  58,220

  Birmingham

  A34/A435 South Birmingham improvements phase 1

  3,548

  Coventry

  A444 North-South road phase 1

  22,586

  Coventry

  A444 North-South road phase 2

  22,270

  Dudley

  A461 Dudley Southern bypass

  55,000

  Sandwell

  A403 Churchbridge improvements Sandwell

  3,840

  Solihull

  A45 West Midlands Renaissance Area improvements

  18,528

  Wolverhampton

  A412 Wednesfield Bypass and Industrial Access

  25,325

  Leeds

  Leeds inner ring road stages 6 and 7

  78,821

  Leeds

  Leeds City Centre Loop phase 3

  8,079

  Wakefield

  A628 Hemsworth bypass

  10,161

  Redcar and Cleveland

  A174 Skelton and Brotton bypass

  12,260

  Stockton on Tees

  A104 Portrack land dualling

  7,791

  Kingston upon Hull

  A103 Ennerdale link road

  30,487

  North East Lincolnshire

  A16 Grimsby Peakes parkway

  25,048

  York

  B1228 Peasholme Green Bridge

  4,728

  Peterborough

  A415 Werrington to Glinton phase 2

  9,578

  Buckinghamshire

  A413 Wendover bypass

  13,971

  Buckinghamshire

  A421 Tingewick bypass

  12,802

  Cheshire

  A533 Davenham bypass

  18,150

  Cheshire

  A534 Wheelock bypass

  11,548

  Cheshire

  Chester park and ride phase 2

  6,847

  Cornwall

  A39 Trispen bypass and A30 link

  6,050

  Cumbria

  A595 Dalton in Furness to Askam in Furness improvements

  4,618

  277

  Authority

  School name

  Total cost £000

  Derbyshire

  A6 London road diversion

  14,595

  Dorset

  A37 improvements

  8,869

  East Sussex

  A22 New route (Dittons to seaside)Eastbourne

  27,866

  Gloucestershire

  A430 Gloucester south west bypass

  22,290

  Hampshire

  A331 Blackwater valley route (centre section)

  39,338

  Hampshire

  A325 Woolmer link road

  2,803

  Hertfordshire

  Al21 Cheshunt link road

  16,297

  Kent

  A299 Thanet way dualling Sections 1-7A)

  184,605

  Kent

  A206 South Thames-side development route stage 1

  20,850

  Kent

  A228 Hale street bypass

  10,400

  Kent

  A256 Whitfield to Eastry/Whitfield bypass

  37,700

  Kent

  A28 A20 Barracks link Ashford

  3,950

  Kent

  A226 South Thames side development route stage 4

  18,354

  Kent

  A289 Wainscott northern bypass

  58,071

  Lancashire

  A6 South Ribble: M65 Interface improvements

  12,727

  Lincolnshire

  A57 Lincoln: Ropewalk to Carholme road. improvements

  11,090

  Lincolnshire

  A15/1 Market Deeping bypass

  10,561

  Northamptonshire

  A605 Warmington bypass and Tansor improvements

  4,810

  Northumberland

  A189 North Seaton duplication stage I

  10,645

  Nottinghamshire

  A609 Awsworth and Cossall bypass

  4,821

  Nottinghamshire

  A611 Mansfield eastern outer ring road (phase 2)

  3,007

  Nottinghamshire

  A608 M1 to A611 improvement Annesley

  5,099

  Oxfordshire

  B403 improvements between A421 Tingewick and A43

  6,073

  Somerset

  A39 Wells Relief road

  14,163

  Somerset

  A37 Yeovil to Dorset boundary phase 1

  5,813

  Staffordshire

  A50 Uttoxeter town centre bypass phases I and II

  17,224

  Staffordshire

  A527 Tunstall western bypass phases I and II

  2,788

  Surrey

  A331 Blackwater valley route (Aldershot road-Lynchford road)

  78,586

  West Sussex

  A230 Burgess Hill link road

  6,032

  Worcestershire

  A44 Broadway bypass

  8,405

  Worcestershire

  A422 Worcester Western bypass and link roads

  13,770

  Rural Transport
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list(a) new and (b) existing rural packages which have been submitted by local authorities in their Transport Policies and Programmes for 1998–99 and the amount bid for in each. [14193]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The packages which are targeted substantially on rural areas are:

  Local authority

  Package

  1998–99 bid £000s

  (a) New

  Kent CC

  Romney Marsh

  375

  Surrey CC

  STAR2

  502

  West Sussex CC

  SCRIPT Telematics Rural

  240

  Devon CC

  Rural

  220

  Cumbria CC

  Lake District

  640

  North Yorkshire CC

  North York Moors

  193

  North Yorkshire CC

  Yorkshire Dales

  203

  Suffolk CC

  Rural

  400

  (b) Existing

  East Sussex CC

  Ashdown Forest

  400

  278

  Local authority

  Package

  1998–99 bid £000s

  Hampshire CC

  New Forest

  500

  Cornwall CC

  Falmouth

  907

  Devon CC

  Dartmoor

  329

  Derbyshire CC

  Hope/Derwent

  322

  Air Safety
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what further steps will be taken to review flight paths and container safety standards in respect of the transport of mixed oxide fuel by air. [14285]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I am satisfied with current operational procedures which require that such flights should be made over water as far as possible, avoiding large conurbations.

  Container safety standards for the transport of radioactive material are kept under continuous review by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and made mandatory for air transport when incorporated into the International Civil Aviation Organization's Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air. The UK will continue to contribute to future regulatory developments through both the IAEA and the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

  Local Authority Capital Receipts
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to relax the current controls on local authorities re-investing their non-housing capital receipts. [14027]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Local Government Finance (Supplementary Credit Approvals) Act 1997, which has just come into force, will enable Ministers to take account of most receipts set aside by local authorities for debt repayment in determining amounts of supplementary credit approvals. The measure will allow the additional resources we have made available under our housing capital receipts initiative to be distributed to local authorities taking account of historically generated housing capital receipts, as well as need. The Government's immediate priority is for a housing initiative to get extra resources into tackling the backlog of housing need. We have no plans at present for a similar initiative for other services.

  National Parks and Marine Reserves
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to establish new(a) national parks and (b) marine nature reserves; and if he will make a statement. [13684]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 4 November 1997]: The designation of new National Parks in England is the responsibility of the Countryside Commission, subject to confirmation by the Secretary of State. The Countryside Commission proposes to bring together the results of current work on landscape designated areas next spring. Its report to Ministers will include advice on whether National Park status might be effective and appropriate for any areas where the landscape may be considered in need of greater protection.
  279
  There are no plans to establish any new Marine Nature Reserves in England.

  The designation of National Parks and Marine Nature Reserves in Wales is a matter for the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Channel Tunnel
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to ensure that the environmental protection measures in the Channel Tunnel Rail Link Act 1996 are adhered to. [14554]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  London and Continental Railways are contractually obliged to the Government to comply with the Environmental Minimum Requirements provided for under the Channel Tunnel Rail Link development agreement. These include a range of planning, environmental and heritage memoranda and agreements with local authorities and statutory environmental bodies, and the various undertakings and assurances given during the passage of the CTRL Act.

  Footpaths and Byways
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many miles of designated footpaths and byways exist in England and Wales. [14613]

  Angela Eagle
  In 1994, the last survey of rights of way in England indicated that there were 82,025 miles of footpaths and 1,864 miles of byways open to all traffic recorded under the provisions of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. A similar survey in Wales carried out in 1994–95 indicated that there were 19,441 miles of footpaths and 404 miles of byways.

  In addition, there were also estimated to be 18,021 miles of bridleways in England and 3,440 miles in Wales, and 3,107 miles of roads used as public paths in England and 1,485 miles in Wales.

  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to assist the re-establishment of ancient bridleways. [14179]

  Angela Eagle
  Local authorities are responsible for recording bridleways and ensuring that they are open and free from obstructions. They also have powers to create bridleways by agreement or order. With our statutory advisers, the Countryside Commission, we shall encourage authorities to make good use of their powers. As part of the Government's comprehensive spending review, we shall be considering the balance of expenditure between different recreational activities.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will receive deputations from local authorities in England to discuss this year's provisional local authority grant settlement. [14617]

  Ms Armstrong
  I am keen to ensure that we hear the views of those authorities that have constructive points to make on the settlement, whether in writing, face to face or otherwise. I am currently looking into the possibility 280
  of using local video-conferencing facilities to meet with local authorities. This could save some local authority delegations from having to incur the expense and time that would be involved in travelling to London.

  BSE
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidelines his Department issues to those handling tissue from the nervous system of cows infected with BSE; and if he will make a statement. [13805]

  Angela Eagle
  Occupational exposure to the agent BSE in nervous tissue may occur during work in research laboratories, post mortem rooms and during the slaughter and disposal of infected cattle. In view of the uncertainty about the risks from BSE, prudent and precautionary worker safety measures have been recommended since 1989. Guidance has been prepared on behalf of the Health and Safety Commission, the Department of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens (ACDP).

  Guidance from ACDP on the health and safety requirements for laboratory and post mortem workers was published in 1994. It recommends the use of special containment conditions, safety equipment and decontamination measures for all work with BSE. General ACDP guidance for other occupational groups was published in August 1996. It recommends the maintenance of high standards of occupational hygiene when working with cattle and new methods of working to avoid or minimise exposure to tissues of cattle that may carry the agent of BSE infectivity. Copies have been deposited in the House of Commons Library.

  Recent evidence on the link between BSE and the new variant of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (nvCJD) in humans means that BSE must now be considered a biological agent (human pathogen) within the meaning of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 1994. ACDP have advised that to date there is no evidence of occupational transmission of either BSE or CJD and that none of the cases of nvCJD has any obvious link with occupational exposure to BSE. ACDP consider that the existing published guidance on BSE continues to provide adequate control. The 1994 guidance is being revised and updated in any event and will be published early in 1998.

  Passenger Railway Services
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the Franchising Director plans to publish his criteria for the appraisal of passenger railway services. [14616]

  Dr. Strang
  The Franchising Director has today published "Appraisal of Support for Passenger Rail Services—Planning Criteria: An Interim Guide", which sets out the basis on which he intends to appraise the costs and benefits of new passenger rail investment and changes in service levels. I have approved these criteria on an interim basis, and instructed the Franchising Director to
  281
  keep them under review, revising the criteria as necessary in the light of the wider review of economic appraisal being undertaken as part of the Government's integrated transport strategy. Copies of the criteria have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Genetically Modified Maize
  Mr. Dewson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make it his policy in the European Council to support those member states of the European Community which have banned genetically modified maize. [14558]

  Angela Eagle
  At the Article 21 Committee on 5 November, Austria requested that the vote on the Commission proposal to require Austria and Luxembourg to repeal their bans on GM maize be postponed. The United Kingdom delegation, among others, supported the Austrian request, and consideration of the Commission's proposal has been deferred until the next meeting of the Article 21 Committee, in about two months time. In the meantime it is expected that the Commission will endeavour to find compromise wording for the proposal and the Government will consider its position in the light of these developments.

  Franchising Director
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to issue new objectives, instructions and guidance to the Rail Franchising Director. [14614]

  Dr Strang
  I have today written to the Franchising Director, enclosing a new set of Objectives, Instructions and Guidance, issued to him under section 5 of the Railways Act 1993. Copies of my letter and of the Objectives, Instructions and Guidance have been laid before the House and also placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Coastguard
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on coastguard provision in the Solent/Spithead area. [14684]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I have asked the Chief Executive of the Coastguard agency, Mr. C. J. Harris, to write to the hon. Gentleman.

  Letter from Mr. C. J. Harris to Mr. Peter Viggers, dated 6 November 1997:
  The Secretary of State for Environment, Transport and the Regions has asked me to reply to your recent Question about Coastguard provision in the Solent/Spithead area.
  The Coastguard District of Solent is part of the Southern Coastguard Search and Rescue Region, and comprises a Maritime Rescue Sub Centre at Lee-on-Solent along with Coastguard Sector Managers at Portsmouth, South Downs (Littlehampton), Southampton and the Isle of Wight who are responsible for Auxiliary Coastguard Response Teams trained in cliff and mud rescue and coastal search techniques. These teams are located at Havant, Hayling Island, Portsmouth, Selsey, Birling Gap, Brighton, Littlehampton, Newhaven, Shoreham, Hillhead, Lymington, Southampton, Bembridge, Needles, Newport, Ryde and Ventnor, plus two Coastguard patrol boats (based at Hayling Island and Southampton). Coastguard facilities within the Solent District are
  282
  completed by a contract rescue helicopter based at Lee-on-Solent and other search and rescue organisations such as the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and Solent Sea Rescue Organisation.

  Rail Regulation
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he has taken to improve the regulation of the rail industry. [14615]

  Dr. Strang
  I have today signed a voluntary Concordat with the independent Rail Regulator which provides a framework for better regulation of the railways. The Concordat includes a statement of the Government's objectives for the rail industry, the Rail Regulator's aims and objectives, and a framework for communication between Ministers, the Franchising Director and the Rail Regulator. Copies of the Concordat have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Fire Service
  Ms Blears
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who is to be the next Chief Inspector of Fire Services. [15140]

  Mr. Straw
  Mr. Graham Meldrum CBE, the Chief Fire Officer of the West Midlands Fire Service, will become Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Fire Services in succession to Sir Bryan Collins OBE, who retires on 31 December.

  Surveillance Systems
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to alter the draft code of practice on intrusive surveillance to(a) ensure equal rights for tenants as for property owners and (b) include a definition of urgency; and if he will make a statement. [13710]

  Mr. Michael
  We have received more than 60 responses to the public consultation exercise on the draft code of practice. Both of the issues raised by the right hon. Member were raised by respondees and are receiving careful consideration, along with other matters raised during the consultation process. We will table a revised draft when that consideration has been completed.

  Animals (Scientific Procedures)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what plans he has to record the number of animals(a) bred and (b) killed purely for body parts and tissue use in UK laboratories; and if he will make a statement; [13800]

  (2) what estimates he has made of the number of animals which have been (a) bred and (b) killed in UK laboratories purely for body parts and tissue use in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [13799]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 regulates the use of living animals in scientific procedures.
  283
  Killing animals by humane methods does not necessarily require licence authority under the Act and does not always need to be carried out in establishments designated under sections 6 or 7 of the 1986 Act. The Home Office cannot therefore collate, or even estimate, the number of animals bred and killed purely for body parts or tissue.

  Fundamental changes to the Act would be needed if statistics of this nature were to be collected and there are no plans to make any such changes.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when his Department plans to publish the revised(a) "Guidance on the Operation of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986" and (b) "Code of Practice for the Housing and Care of Animals Used in Scientific Procedures". [13643]

  Mr. George Howarth
  [holding answer 4 November 1997]Work has already commenced on updating the "Guidance on the Operation of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986". The revisions will, in part, depend upon exactly how we implement a number of the planned changes to the operation of the Act, including those recommended by the Animal Procedures Committee in its interim report on the review of the Act. A firm publication date cannot therefore be given at this stage.

  Work on the "Code of Practice for the Housing and Care of Animals Used in Scientific Procedures" will follow the revision of the Guidance. This will allow us to ensure that any changes made take full account of changes being made in Europe. The Council of Europe is currently setting up working groups to review Appendix A of the European Convention for the Protection of Vertebrate Animals used for Experimental and other Scientific Purposes, ETS 123. This Appendix sets out guidelines on the care and accommodation of laboratory animals.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much his Department has spent on funding the Home Office Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate in each of the last five years; what is the projected expenditure for each of the next two years; and if he will make a statement. [13638]

  Mr. George Howarth
  [holding answer 4 November 1997]In the last five years,(a) the pay budget and (b) the travel and subsistence budget for the Inspectorate have been as follows:

  (a)£

  (b)£

  1993–94

  1,037,000

  140,000

  1994–95

  1,031,000

  102,000

  1995–96

  991,000

  112,000

  1996–97

  1,047,000

  129,000

  1997–98

  1,033,000

  135,000

  Budgets for 1998–99 and for 1999–2000 have not yet been finalised, but an increase to cover two or three new inspectors has been agreed.

  Accommodation and other running costs are funded jointly with the administrative unit which operates the licensing system. They cannot easily be separated.
  284
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how much has been spent by his Department on work to find alternatives to the use of animals in scientific procedures in each of the last five years; what is the projected expenditure for each of the next two years; and if he will make a statement; [13677]

  (2) what assessment he has made of section 62 of the report of the Animal Procedures Committee for 1996; and if he will make a statement. [[13681]

  Mr. George Howarth
  [holding answer 4 November 1997]During the past five years, the budget made available to the Animal Procedures Committee to sponsor research to reduce, refine or replace animal experimentation has been as follows:

  1993–94: £308,000

  1994–95: £273,000

  1995–96: £253,000

  1996–97: £242,000

  1997–98: £182,000.

  Paragraph 62 of the Committee's annual report repeats the Committee's concern about the reduction in the 1996–97 budget and says that the Committee was
  "extremely annoyed to find that the budget for 1997–98 would be reduced by another £60,000".

  Both these reductions were made under the previous Government.

  The budgets for 1998–99 and 1999–2000 have not yet been finalised, but I hope to see an increase.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) inspectors and (b) administrative staff are employed (i) full time and (ii) part time as part of the Home Office Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate. [13637]

  Mr. George Howarth
  [holding answer 4 November 1997]Since June, three new Inspectors have been appointed to restore the complement of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate to 18 full-time inspectors and one full-time personal secretary. We have secured additional funding from next year for another two or three inspectors.

  In addition, there are 11 full-time and six part-time administrative staff in a separate unit which operates the licensing system.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date the ban on the use of animals in the testing and development of weapons will come into force; and if he will make a statement. [13676]

  Mr. George Howarth
  [holding answer 4 November 1997]No animals are being used to develop weapons. Animals can be used, however, to test and develop means of protecting United Kingdom service men and women against terrorist and battlefield weapons and to improve treatments. I have no plans, at this time, to ban such use.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce compulsory training programmes for scientists and technicians killing animals by methods outlined in Schedule 1 to the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. [13640]
  285
  Mr. George Howarth
  [holding answer 4 November 1997]We have accepted a recommendation made by the Animal Procedures Committee in its interim report on the review of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 that all those killing animals by Schedule 1 methods should be trained and competent to do so.

  We will be consulting the Institute of Biology, the Universities Group for the Accreditation of Training and other relevant bodies to develop a suitable training scheme. We then propose to add conditions to all Certificates of Designation to require establishments to maintain lists of all those who have been trained and are competent to kill animals by specified Schedule 1 methods.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what plans he has to introduce compulsory training programme for certificate holders in respect of the specific responsibilities they hold under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986; [13639]

  (2) on what date he plans to meet certificate holders under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 to discuss specific problems and best practice relating to the Act. [13641]

  Mr. George Howarth
  [holding answer 4 November 1997]In their interim report on the review of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, the Committee recommended that"training be developed to assist Certificate holders in carrying out the specific responsibilities they hold under the 1986 Act"
  and that
  "the Home Office arrange a meeting of certificate holders to consider specific problems and best practices".

  We have accepted these recommendations.

  The Animal Procedures Committee had previously recommended that all new applicants for Certificates of Designation should attend module 1 of an accredited training programme. This has already been implemented. We will now be consulting with the Institute of Biology, the Universities Group for the Accreditation of Training and other relevant bodies to develop additional training for Certificate holders.

  No date has yet been set for a meeting of Certificate holders, but informal discussions have already been held with several Certificate holders at both Ministerial and official level.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when his Department plans to publish the procedures by which infringements of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 are handled; and if he will make a statement. [13642]

  Mr. George Howarth
  [holding answer 4 November 1997]These have already been published in paragraphs 135 to 140 and in Appendix D to the 1986 annual report of the Animal Procedures Committee.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans his Department has to ban the LD50 test; and if he will make a statement. [13675]

  Mr. George Howarth
  [holding answer 4 November 1997]Regulators, both national and international, still require that LD50 tests be carried out in certain circumstances to ensure that products are safe to the 286
  consumer and to those involved in their manufacture and transport. A unilateral ban on the LD50 test would, at this stage, result in these tests being carried out in other countries, many of which have less rigorous controls on animal tests and less regard for animal welfare. Even if it could be maintained under current legislation, such a ban would also seriously disadvantage United Kingdom industry.

  The Government are instead pressing regulators to dispense with the need for the LD50 test.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the members of the Animal Procedures Committee who have held a licence under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986(a) during the last six years and (b) ever. [13680]

  Mr. George Howarth
  [holding answer 4 November 1997]Section 19(3) of the Act requires that, other than the Chairman, at least half of the members of the Animal Procedures Committee shall"neither hold nor within the previous six years have held any licence"
  under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 or its predecessor, the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876.

  The members of the Committee who currently hold or have held within the past six years either a project or personal licence under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 are as follows:

  Professor Ronald Anderson

  Professor Barry Bridges

  Professor Fiona Broughton Popkin

  Professor Paul Flecknell

  Mr. John Gregory

  Professor Susan Iversen

  Professor Michael Spyer.

  In addition, Mrs. Judy MacArthur Clark and Dr. Anthony Suckling have held licences under the Act, but not during the last six years.

  Two more members, Dr. Southee and Dr. Purchase, held licences before 1987 under the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876.

  All members of the Committee are appointed because of their commitment to animal welfare. We intend to make a number of new appointments shortly and to increase the number of members with animal welfare expertise.

  Racial Harassment
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to make racial harassment and violence a specific offence; and if he will make a statement. [14437]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Government intend to introduce new offences of racial harassment and violence in the Crime and Disorder Bill. These measures will send out a strong message to society that such crime is unacceptable and will be dealt with seriously by the courts. A consultation document setting out in detail the Government's proposals was issued on 2 October. We are now considering the responses.

  Strip Search Review
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 15 July 1997,Official Report, column 98, what is the target date for completion of the review of strip searching procedures. [13087]

  Ms Quin
  We expect the review to have been completed by the end of January 1998.

  Learning Difficulties
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to issue guidance to the police, Crown Prosecution Service and other relevant professional groups on dealing with cases of alleged crimes against people with learning difficulties; and if he will make a statement. [13736]

  Mr. Michael
  [holding answer 5 November 1997]The Government are concerned about the plight of vulnerable witnesses, including those with learning difficulties, and believe that more needs to be done.

  That is why on 13 June I announced an urgent, wide-ranging review of the way in which vulnerable or intimidated witnesses are treated by the criminal justice system with the aim of identifying measures to protect those likely to be subject to intimidation and to assist them and other adult vulnerable witnesses give their best evidence in court. This is being taken forward by an interdepartmental working group which includes representatives from the Association of Chief Police Officers and the Crown Prosecution Service. The review will include consideration of the need to issue guidance to the police and others involved in the criminal justice system who may deal with cases of alleged crime against people with learning difficulties.

  Work undertaken by the Crown Prosecution Service, headed by the Director of Public Prosecutions and under the superintendence of the Attorney-General, with the police has considered ways to improve information which assists with the early identification of vulnerable witnesses or victims or those who may have special requirements.

  A new edition of the Manual of Guidance for the preparation of police files was published in October 1997. It advises officers on the information they should report to prosecutors concerning the special needs of certain witnesses and the additional measures required when they attend court.

  Previous guidance relating to mentally vulnerable witnesses issued to Crown Prosecution Service staff in January 1995 draws attention to the fact that victims are often selected by offenders because of their vulnerability. This would be a public interest factor in favour of prosecution. The guidance also warns against assumptions being made about the capabilities of mentally vulnerable witnesses and their ability to give a reliable and complete account of events and urges decisions to be based on the known abilities of individuals.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Environmental Audit Committee
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the President of the Council (1) when she plans to establish the Commons Environmental Audit Committee; [14266]

  (2) when she plans to move the establishment of the Environmental Audit Committee. [12720]

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  I will be tabling the motion to establish the Environmental Audit Committee very soon.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Exclusion Orders
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many exclusion orders remain in force; what number involve(a) republicans and (b) loyalists; and if she will make a statement on her policy regarding their use. [13019]

  Mr. Ingram
  No exclusion orders have been renewed or issued by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State since May, and none for which she is responsible is currently in force.

  Preparatory Schools
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many pupils attend preparatory departments at voluntary grammar schools; if these pupils are entitled to bus passes; what is the cost of these pupils to public funds; what are the estimated staff redundancy costs of the closure of these preparatory schools; what is the estimated additional cost to public funds of the transfer of these pupils to maintained and controlled primary schools; and if she will make a statement about the future of voluntary preparatory schools. [13648]

  Mr. Worthington
  At October 1996, enrolments in the preparatory departments of voluntary grammar schools were 2,193. Pupils in these preparatory departments are not eligible for transport assistance. In 1996–97 grant aid to the preparatory departments of voluntary grammar schools totalled £1,307,380. The Department of Education is presently seeking the views of relevant schools on the implications of reducing or terminating public funding to them. Until those consultations have been concluded it is not possible to forecast possible redundancy costs or the additional costs, if any, resulting from preparatory department pupils transferring to primary schools.

  Late Payments
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the suppliers to her Department who are owed outstanding amounts, indicating the amounts and the due date on which the account should have been settled. [13539]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  [holding answer 30 October 1997]All Departments are required to pay all their bills within agreed contract terms, or 30 days from receipt of the goods or service or a valid invoice, whichever is later, where no such terms exist. Such detailed information on payment performance for the current financial year could
  289
  be provided only at disproportionate cost. The Treasury will shortly be publishing a league table of departmental payment performance for 1996–97.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the average time taken by her Department to give full answers to letters received from hon. Members. [13955]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  [holding reply 4 November 1997]:I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister in reply to a similar question from my hon. Friend the Member for Walsall, North (Mr. Winnick) on 3 November 1997, Official Report, column 5.

  Tax Advice
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate she has made of the expenditure by(a) her Department, (b) its agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies on (i) tax consultants and (ii) other external tax advice in (1) 1995–96, (2) 1996–97 and (3) 1997–98; and if she will make a statement. [13271]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  [holding answer 5 November 1997]The information requested in respect of the Northern Ireland Office, Northern Ireland Departments, their agencies and NDPBs for the years 1995–96,1996–97 and 1997–98 is as follows:

  1995–96 £

  1996–97 £

  1997–98 £

  Department

  (i) Tax consultants

  —

  6,514

  13,275

  (ii) Other

  —

  —

  —

  Agencies

  (i) Tax consultants

  —

  —

  —

  (ii) Other

  —

  —

  —

  NDPBs

  (i) Tax consultants

  6,764

  4,365

  7,016

  (ii) Other

  11,298

  20,128

  21,619

  Royal Ulster Constabulary
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many RUC barracks are maintained in Northern Ireland; and if she will list those currently being planned, built, replaced, renovated, reinforced, upgraded or extended or to be closed. [13057]

  Mr. Ingram
  The RUC estate currently consists of 164 establishments. There is an on-going programme of maintenance, including work to comply with health and safety requirements.

  Future requirements are currently being assessed against policing needs and availability of funding.

  Border Crossings
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the blocked border crossings in Northern Ireland in September 1994 and 290
  September 1997, indicating anticipated changes in the next six months providing there is no major change in the overall security context. [13060]

  Mr. Ingram
  At the beginning of September 1994,104 border crossing points were subject to closure orders which were all rescinded later that month and in October 1994 by the then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. A list has been attached.

  By September 1997 all were re-opened apart from three. Work is under way at BCP 171 Aghalane Bridge, Co. Fermanah, and is due to be completed by November 1998. There are currently no plans to re-open BCP 92 Annaghroe Bridge, Co. Tyrone or BCP 93 Knockaginny Bridge, Co. Tyrone.

  Border Crossing points subject to closure orders in early September 1994

  BCP 6 Newtown Road, Co. Armagh;

  BCP 71 The Plough Crossing, off Crossbane Road, near Middletown, Co. Armagh;

  BCP 75 Wilson's Crossing, off Rowan Road, near Middletown, Co. Armagh;

  BCP 83 Skerrie's Crossing, Rathtrillick Road, near Middletown, Co. Armagh;

  BCP 90 Annagola Bridge, off the Monaghan Road, Co. Armagh;

  BCP 91 Cortynan Road, Co. Armagh;

  BCP 92 Annaghroe Bridge, Annaghroe Road, Co. Tyrone;

  BCP 93 Knockaginny Bridge, Knockaginny Road, Co. Tyrone;

  BCP 94 Burns' Bridge, off the Derrycourtney Road, Co. Tyrone;

  BCP 96 Ravellea Bridge, Co. Tyrone;

  BCP 98 County Bridge, off the Favour Royal Road, Co. Tyrone;

  BCP 101 Off the Favour Royal Road, Co. Tyrone;

  BCP 102 Favour Royal Forest, Co. Tyrone;

  BCP 105 Off the Altadaven Road, Co. Tyrone;

  BCP 106 Off the Altadaven Road, Co. Tyrone;

  BCP 107 Cullamore, off the Altadaven Road, Co. Tyrone;

  BCP 108 Old Monaghan Road, Co. Tyrone;

  BCP 109 Mullynavale Road in the townland of Mullynavale, Co. Fermanagh;

  BCP 110 Mullaghfad Road in the townland of Mullaghfad, Co. Fermanagh;

  BCP 111 In the townland of Corragunt, Co. Fermanagh;

  BCP 113 Corragunt Bridge in the townland of Corragunt, Co. Fermanagh;

  BCP 114 Derryvolan Road, Derryvolan. Co. Fermanagh;

  BCP 115 Tattymore, Co. Fermanagh;

  BCP 116 Tattymore, Co. Fermanagh;

  BCP 117 Rellan, Co. Fermanagh;

  BCP 120 Clogh Road in the townland of Cloghmore, Co. Fermanagh;

  BCP 122 Off the Clogh Road in the townland of Cloghmore, Co. Fermanagh;

  BCP 123 North west of Rathkeevan Lough in the townland of Rathkeevan, Co. Fermanagh;

  BCP 124 Mullinahinch Road, Mullinahinch, Co. Fermanagh;

  BCP 125 Off the Lisroon Road in the townland of Annachullion Glebe, Co. Fermanagh;

  BCP 127 Benson's Bridge in the townland of Shannock Green, Co. Fermanagh;

  BCP 128 Priest's Bridge in the townland of Shannock Green, Co. Fermanagh;

  291

  BCP 129 Lacky Bridge in the townland of Lacky, Co. Fermanagh;

  BCP 136 Dummy's Lough, off Magheraveely Road, Co. Fermanagh;

  BCP 137 Clonatty Bridge, Clonfad Road, Clonfad, Co. Fermanagh;

  BCP 140 Munnilly Bridge, Clonfad Road, Clonfad, Co. Fermanagh;

  BCP 153 Derrygoas Road, Derrygoas, Co. Fermanagh;

  BCP 160 Clonelty Road in the townland of Clonelty, Co. Fermanagh;

  BCP 161 Leitrim Bridge in the townland of Leitrim, Co. Fermanagh;

  BCP 167 Drumboghan Road. Drumboghanagh Glebe, Co. Fermanagh;

  BCP 171 Aghalane Bridge in the townland of Aghalane, Co. Fermanagh;

  BCP 176 Caldragh Road in the townland of Caldragh, Co. Fermanagh;

  BCP 177 In the townland of Greaghafine, Co. Fermanagh;

  BCP 178 Springtown Road in the townland of Gortoral, Co. Fermanagh;

  BCP 179 Gortoral Bridge in the townland of Gortoral, Co. Fermanagh;

  BCP 180 Swanlinbar River in the townland of Gortoral, Co. Fermanagh;

  BCP 181 Stumpy Road in the townland of Stumpy's Hill. Co. Fermanagh;

  BCP 190 Aghavanny Road in the townland of Drumcully, Co. Fermanagh;

  BCP 191 Cashel Road in the townland of Frevagh, Co. Fermanagh;

  BCP 192 Off the Latone Road in the townland of Frevagh, Co. Fermanagh;

  BCP 193 Kilcoo Road in the townland of Carran West, Co. Fermanagh;

  BCP 197 Rossinver Road in the townland of Carran West, Co. Fermanagh;

  BCP 198 Abhomahela Bridge on the Drumnasreane Road, Co. Fermanagh;

  BCP 199 Manger Beg on the Manger Road, Co. Fermanagh;

  BCP 200 Laughill off the White Island Road, Co. Fermanagh;

  BCP 205 Cliff Road to the north of Belleek, Co. Fermanagh;

  BCP 207 Off the Boa Island Road, Co. Fermanagh;

  BCP 211 Meenatully Road in the townland of Meenatully, Co. Fermanagh;

  BCP 212 Tullyvogy Road in the townland of Tullyvogy, Co. Fermanagh;

  BCP 213 Letter Bridge on the Letter Road, Co. Fermanagh;

  BCP 215 In the townland of Tullyhommon, Co. Fermanagh;

  BCP 216 In the townland of Tullyhommon to the north of Pettigo, Co. Fermanagh;

  BCP 218 Lurganboy Bridge in the townland of Lurganboy, Co. Fermanagh;

  BCP 223 Termon Bridge on the Formil Road, Co. Fermanagh;

  BCP 224 Movarren Road in the townland of Gortnaree, Co. Fermanagh;

  BCP 227 Clogher Bridge on the Scraghy Road, Co. Fermanagh;

  BCP 228 The Black Gap, Tievanameenta Upper, Co. Tyrone;

  BCP 229 Shanaghy Road, Tievanameenta Upper, Co. Tyrone;

  BCP 230 Conthem, Co. Tyrone;

  BCP 231 Kelly's Bridge. Leaghany, Co. Tyrone;

  BCP 232 Sruhangarve Bridge on the Corgary Road, Co. Tyrone;

  BCP 233 Croagh Bridge off the Corgary Road, Co. Tyrone;

  292

  BCP 234 Meenreagh Bridge off the Corgary Road, Co. Tyrone;

  BCP 235 Laghtfoggy Road, Co. Tyrone;

  BCP 236 Laghtmorris Road, Co. Tyrone;

  BCP 238 Carn Road, Co. Tyrone;

  BCP 240 Moneygal Road, Co. Tyrone;

  BCP 241 Off the Moneygal Road, Co. Tyrone;

  BCP 243 Causey Road, Co. Tyrone;

  BCP 246 Lurganboy Road, Co. Tyrone;

  BCP 247 Listymore Road, Co. Tyrone;

  BCP 249 Orchard Road, Co. Tyrone;

  BCP 250 Off the Lisdoo Road, Co. Tyrone;

  BCP 253 Off the Lisdoo Road, Co. Tyrone;

  BCP 258 Clady Bridge, Urney Road, Co. Tyrone;

  BCP 259 Off the Urney Road, Co. Tyrone;

  BCP 261 Dismantled railway, Co. Londonderry;

  BCP 263 Ballougry Road, Co. Londonderry;

  BCP 265 Off the Mullenan Road, Co. Londonderry;

  BCP 267 Liberty Bridge, Co. Londonderry;

  BCP 268 Millbrook Bridge, Co. Londonderry;

  BCP 270 Glen Bridge, Bligh's Lane, Co. Londonderry;

  BCP 274 Groarty Road, Co. Londonderry;

  BCP 276 Coshquin Road, Co. Londonderry;

  BCP 278 Elagh Road, Co. Londonderry;

  BCP 279 Off the Upper Galliagh Road, Co. Londonderry;

  BCP 280 Upper Galliagh Road, Co. Londonderry;

  BCP 282 Fanny Wyllie's Bridge, Lenamore Road, Co. Londonderry;

  BCP 283 Alder Road, Co. Londonderry;

  BCP 285 Racecourse Road, Co. Londonderry;

  BCP 287 Off the Racecourse Road, Co. Londonderry;

  BCP 289 Coney Road, Co. Londonderry;

  BCP 290 Heyburn's Crossing, Coney Road, Co. Londonderry;

  BCP 291 Cannings Lane, Coney Road, Co. Londonderry.

  North Belfast (26 September Disturbances)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she has received a report on disturbances in North Belfast involving members of the Paratroop Regiment on 26 September; and if she will make a statement. [13063]

  Mr. Ingram
  It has been reported that there have been allegations made about the behaviour of military personnel on the Oldpark Road in the early hours of Sunday 27 September. The allegations have not been the subject of a formal complaint. However, a full inquiry has been carried out which ascertained that there were no military vehicles in the area at the time alleged.

  Security
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will consider introducing a greater level of transparency into the assessment of the security situation. [13061]

  Mr. Ingram
  Both the Chief Constable and Ministers regularly provide up-to-date assessments of the security situation which are as comprehensive as possible. Most recently members of the Select Committee on Northern Ireland visited Northern Ireland and were provided with a detailed up-to-date briefing on the current security situation. However, my hon. Friend will be aware that the
  293
  nature of some information available to the Government and the security forces is of such a sensitive nature that it cannot be placed in the public domain.

  Holding Centres
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many individuals have been

  Persons Detained in Holding Centres

  April to September 1997

  Castlereagh

  Gough

  Strand Road

  Total

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  April

  43

  4

  9

  —

  3

  —

  55

  4

  May

  21

  1

  9

  —

  —

  —

  30

  1

  June

  42

  3

  5

  1

  5

  1

  52

  5

  July

  23

  1

  3

  —

  2

  1

  28

  2

  August

  23

  1

  20

  —

  2

  —

  45

  1

  September

  18

  3

  11

  1

  1

  —

  30

  4

  Total

  170

  13

  57

  2

  13

  2

  240

  17

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what target date has been set for the conclusion of the consultation exercise on the recommendations made in the fourth annual report of the Independent Commissioner for the Holding Centres. [13066]

  Mr. Ingram
  Following consultation with the relevant interested parties, the Secretary of State wrote to the Independent Commissioner for the Holding Centres on 26 September 1997 in response to a number of the recommendations made in his fourth annual report. Some matters remain outstanding and when these have been resolved the Secretary of State will write again setting out the Government's full response. A copy of that letter, when it is issued, will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Vehicle Checkpoints
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the location of permanent vehicle checkpoints in Northern Ireland in September 1994 and September 1997, indicating anticipated changes in the next six months providing there is no major change in the overall security context. [13059]

  Mr. Ingram
  The locations of permanent vehicle checkpoints in Northern Ireland in September 1994 and September 1997 are as follows:

  As at September 1994

  As at September 1997

  Middletown

  Removed

  Cloghoge (Newry/Dublin Road)

  Inactive but structure still present

  Aughnacloy

  Inactive but structure still present

  Bessbrook X3

  Reduced structures but still in use

  Bessbrook High Street

  Removed

  Mahon Road, Portadown X2

  Still in use

  Letterkenny Road, Londonderry

  Inactive but structure still present

  294
  detained in each of the holding centres in each of the last six months, by (a) gender and (b) perceived religious/community origin. [13065]

  Mr. Ingram
  Set out below are details on the number of persons detained in each of the three holding centres in each month from April to September, categorised by gender. The religious/community origin of persons detained is not recorded.

  As at September 1994

  As at September 1997

  Buncrana Road, Londonderry

  Removed

  Muff, Culmore Road, Londonderry

  Inactive but structure still present

  The Hump, Strabane

  Inactive but structure still present

  Clady

  Removed

  Rosscor Bridge

  Inactive but structure still present

  Wattle Bridge

  Inactive but structure still present

  Mullan Bridge

  Inactive but structure still present

  Gortmullan

  Inactive but structure still present

  Annaghmartin

  Inactive but structure still present

  Killyvilly

  Inactive but structure still present

  Clonatty Bridge

  Inactive but structure still present

  Kilturk

  Removed

  Donegall Pass, Belfast

  Removed

  Belfast International Airport

  Inactive for a period, but returned to use following end of ceasefire

  Since the ceasefire many of the permanent vehicle checkpoints are no longer used as checkpoints, however the structures are still manned—they fall into the category which reads "Inactive but structure still present".

  In addition, the Civilian Search Unit manned vehicle checkpoints in Belfast at five locations—Royal Avenue, High Street, Queen Street, Donegall Place and Victoria Square. These were removed in September 1994.

  All security measures, including permanent vehicle checkpoints are continually reviewed; any changes will depend on the assessment of threat at the time.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Bus Companies
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to investigate developments in the bus industry as a result of mergers and take-overs of privatised former national bus companies and municipal bus undertakings; and if he will make a statement. [13705]
  295
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  [holding answer 30 October 1997]Each merger qualifying for consideration under the Fair Trading Act 1973 is considered on its individual merits. The President of the Board of Trade has said that her general policy will be to make merger references to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission primarily on competition grounds.

  The Government are currently reviewing the provision and regulation of local bus services as part of the development of an integrated transport policy.

  British Nuclear Fuels plc
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what agreements exist between her Department and BNFL relating to medium-term financial targets; when the most recent target was agreed; and if it assumed mixed oxide fuel would be manufactured by BNFL. [12949]

  Mr. Battle
  Three-year external financing limits are set for BNFL within the context of the annual corporate plan published by the company. BNFL's EFL for 1997–98 was adjusted from £–67,000,000 to £–169,000,000 to reflect an improved trading performance since the EFLs for three years 1997–98 to 1999–2000 were set in the 1996 Budget. The EFLs were set on the assumption that mixed oxide fuel would continue to be manufactured at Sellafield.

  Ministerial Financial Interests
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list the areas of departmental business from which the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State has excluded himself as a result of previous financial interests. [12585]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  Ministers in this Government will continue to make public statements about their involvement in specific cases where it is valuable for the conduct of a specific case.

  I knew on being appointed a Minister that a small shareholding in the companies detailed below were likely to be released from my late father's estate during summer 1997. For that reason I have stood aside from consideration of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission's report on P and 0/Stena, and papers relating to the European Commission's investigation under the European Community Merger Regulation of the proposed acquisition by Dupont of certain ICI businesses.

  Business Links
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what changes there have been since 1 May to her Department's planned funding for Business Links(a) in the current year, (b)(c) 1999; what were the figures on 1 May; and what are the figures now. [13521]
  296
  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 30 October 1997]There have been no changes to the planned funding for Business Links in the current financial year; £38.1 million is available towards the cost of establishing the Business Link network and £102.8 million towards the cost of Business Link services.

  As with all Government programmes, Business Link funding for 1998–99 and 1999–2000 is currently being considered as part of the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are the results of the latest survey of Business Links' levels of activity, including the number of small businesses using Business Links. [13520]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 30 October 1997]A detailed report on Business Link management information is issued quarterly and a copy placed in the House of Commons Library. The report for the period from April to June 1997 will be published later this month.

  Late Payments
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list the suppliers to her Department who have not been paid within the target period during the past year. [13525]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  [holding answer 30 October 1997]All Departments are required to pay their bills within agreed contract terms, or 30 days from receipt of goods or services or a valid invoice, whichever is the later, where no such terms exist. The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The Government will publish a league table of departmental payment performance for 1996–97 shortly.

  Plutonium
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action will be taken to dispose of Britain's stockpile of civil plutonium. [14304]

  Mr. Battle
  Decisions on the utilisation of United Kingdom's civil plutonium stocks are for the owners of these stocks, including Magnox Electric, British Energy and BNFL's overseas customers, subject to meeting the necessary physical protection and safeguards requirements. There is no quick and easy way to dispose of the United Kingdom's stocks of civil plutonium. One option is to use some of this plutonium to fabricate mixed oxide fuel to burn in civil nuclear reactors to generate electricity.

  The United Kingdom attaches great importance to ensuring that rigorous arrangements are in place to protect against the risk of theft, sabotage or diversion of any of

  297
  its plutonium stocks. These stocks are kept under the close scrutiny of the EURATOM Safeguards Office and International Atomic Energy Agency.

  Bangladesh
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the level of trade between Britain and Bangladesh in the last year for which figures are available. [14253]

  Mr. Roche
  In 1996, trade in goods between Britain and Bangladesh was worth £351 million, 9 per cent. higher than a year earlier. The value of UK exports of goods fell by 20 per cent. to £72 million while UK imports rose by 21 per cent. to £280 million. Information on trade in services with Bangladesh is not available.

  THORP Nuclear Plant
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what recent reports she has received from British Nuclear Fuels plc concerning how the THORP plant will operate. [14361]

  Mr. Battle
  My Department maintains regular contact with BNFL on a wide range of issues. Since THORP began operations in March 1994 some 680 tonnes of fuel had been sheared and dissolved to the end of March 1997.
  I understand that THORP is planned to reprocess 7,000 tonnes of spent fuel in the first 10 years of operation.

  Independent Research and Technology Institutions
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made since July in respect of the tax exempt status of those independent research and technology institutions which she is currently reviewing; and if she plans to amend the guidelines for exemption. [14399]

  Mr. Battle
  I am still considering the responses to my Department's recent consultation exercise on draft revised guidelines for applicants and will make an announcement in due course.

  Mersey Dock and Harbour Company
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations she has received concerning the industrial dispute at the Mersey Dock and Harbour Company; and if she will make a statement. [13991]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  [holding answer 4 November 1997]My Department has received representations about this dispute from trade union organisations, members of the public and the dockers, their representatives and supporters.

  The Government's position is that industrial disputes are matters for the parties concerned, with assistance of
  298
  the independent Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service where both sides agree. It is not for the Government to intervene.

  Computers (Century Date Change)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade 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. [13583]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 4 November 1997]The estimated cost of resolving the computer millennium problem in the core DTI is £2.7 million.

  Expenditure incurred and planned is as follows:

  £

  (i) To date

  266,000

  (ii) 1997–98

  1,353,000

  (iii) 1998–99

  1,090,000

  (iv) 1999–2000

  259,000

  These sums will be found from within existing and planned PES provision. Executive Agencies and other public sector bodies with which DTI is associated are finalising their own cost forecasts.

  Trading Standards
  Helen Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she intends to review the current law in respect of the use of minors by trading standards officers to make test purchases of items which should not legally be sold to them; and if she will make a statement. [14317]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  [holding answer 5 November 1997]Since local authorities, for which trading standards officers work, already have the necessary powers to make test purchases and use minors where appropriate, I have no plans at present to review the current legislation for which I am responsible in this respect. However, I am aware by virtue of my participation in the Ministerial Group on Alcopops that my colleagues at the Home Office are working towards clarifying the law on the use of children in relation to test purchases of alcohol.

  Small Business
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list the Government-sponsored organisations which provide(a) grant information and (b) grants to small businesses. [14619]

  Mr. Roche
  Details of grants for small firms are contained in the DTI publication "A guide to sources of help for small firms". In addition, there are local sources of financial help. Small businesses seeking grants and
  299
  advice about grants should contact their local Business Link. Grants and advice may also be available from Training and Enterprise Councils, Local Enterprise Companies in Scotland, LEDU in Northern Ireland, Local Enterprise Agencies, Local Authorities and Citizens Advice Bureaux.

  Energy Council
  Mr. Healey
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the outcome of the Energy Council meeting on 27 October. [15189]

  Mr. Battle
  The Council considered an amended proposal for a European Parliament and Council Directive concerning common rules for the internal market in natural gas.

  The Council discussed the mechanisms to be included in the Directive for opening up natural gas markets to competition on an incremental basis. It also considered the procedures and criteria for the granting of possible derogations from the Directive in respect of financial problems which might arise in a competitive market from the long-term contractual commitments of gas companies. In addition, it discussed a number of other issues relating to the Directive, including the treatment of emergent regions and upstream pipelines, the unbundling of company accounts, the authorisation of distribution and arrangements for access to downstream gas grids.

  The Council noted the substantial progress made to date in the negotiations and confirmed its political willingness to reach a common position on the Gas Directive at the next Energy Council on 8 December 1997.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when she plans to publish the fourth report of the Chief Child Support Officer; and if she will make a statement. [15187]

  Ms Harman
  I am today publishing the Annual Report of the Chief Child Support Officer for the year 1996–97. This report records the outcome of the monitoring of decision making in the Child Support Agency during 1996–97 by the Chief Child Support Officer, who reports to me on standards of adjudication. The Report indicates that there is still cause for concern, but that progress has been made. Twenty-two per cent. of decisions monitored had resulted in a child support liability that was wrong in cash terms but more than half had been decided in a way that did not meet all the requirements of the legislation. In his foreword, the Chief Child Support Officer comments on"continuing improvement but with some way to go before standards are acceptable widely".

  While we are aware that much still needs to be done, we acknowledge the progress which this Report reflects. All children have the right to the care and support of both their parents wherever they may live. Child support tackles child poverty and can also offer lone mothers the opportunity to provide for themselves and their children
  300
  by working, rather than relying on benefits. The effective operation of the child support scheme is essential to ensure these rights and provide these opportunities.

  I expect to see continuing progress both as the result of continued efforts by Child Support Agency staff and, in due course, as the provisions in the Social Security Bill are implemented. However, we will be looking closely at the operation of the Child Support Agency in the coming months to ensure that it provides an efficient and effective service to all its clients.

  Lone Parents
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement on the four schemes operated in the voluntary sector outlined in the New Deal for Lone Parents—October 1997 report, with special reference to(a) the funding which the Department of Social Security will make available to those schemes and (b) the ways in which these schemes will interact with the New Deal for Lone Parents scheme. [14681]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  Beta 2000, Instant Muscle, the Sandwell Afro Caribbean Development Agency and, jointly, Gingerbread and Training For Life have been contracted to set up and run innovative schemes to help lone parents on Income Support to take up work. Payments are made to contractors on a monthly basis, dependent on satisfactory performance, with additional amounts payable in respect of each lone parent helped into work. Precise payment details are commercial in confidence. The areas in which these contractors are operating do not overlap with areas covered by the first phase of the New Deal for Lone Parents.

  In addition to the four schemes being operated by the organisations listed above, the National Council for One Parent Families were contracted to produce a guide for employers which presents the business case for employing lone parents. This guide is being distributed throughout the country initially through the Opportunity 2000 network and can also be obtained by contacting a national helpline.

  All of the contracts concerned were set up in the context of testing different approaches to helping lone parents into work over a three year period. Contracts were initially issued for one year and decisions on their renewal will be made in the context of the national implementation of the New Deal for Lone Parents from October next year. Any lessons learned from the evaluation of both the first phase of the New Deal for Lone Parents and the voluntary sector innovative schemes will inform the design of the national programme.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to address the shortfall between the amount paid in housing benefit in respect of mortgage interest payments and the amount charged by building societies at variable interest rates. [14670]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  We have no current plans for shadowing actual interest rates charged to individual borrowers on benefit.

  Mortgages
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of mortgages are covered by those lenders on whose interest rates the standard interest rate for unemployed homebuyers is calculated. [14556]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The information is not available in the format requested.

  The standard interest rate is based on an average of approxiately 30 of the largest Building Societies. Currently 25 per cent. of mortgages for home purchase, by value, are covered by all Building Societies.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security on what date the entitlement of disability living allowance for Peter Walsh, N.I. No. WM 00 36 58C was disallowed; when the request for a review was made; at what stage a consultant's report was requested; and when the review will be determined. [14277]

  Mr. Denham
  One of our key aims is to rebuild integrity in, and public support for, the Social Security system and the way in which public money is spent. We need to focus on those who are properly entitled to benefit.

  This is why we have set up the Benefit Integrity Project. The administration of this programme is a matter for Peter Mathison, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Gentleman with further details.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Terry Rooney, dated 5 November 1997:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning Mr Walsh and his entitlement to Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
  The Benefit Integrity Project (BIP) was set up in response to the recent Benefit Review of DLA. Over the next two years, specially trained staff will make enquiries by postal questionnaire or home visit in around 425,000 cases to establish whether DLA is being paid correctly. Mr Walsh was contacted through the enquiry work of the BIP.
  Following receipt of a completed BIP questionnaire from Mr Walsh and based on the information he provided, Mr Walsh was disallowed DLA from 14 August 1997. A review of this decision was requested on 24 September 1997. After full consideration by an Adjudication Officer, further information was sought in the form of a Consultant's report on 22 October 1997. A decision will be made on Mr Walsh's entitlement on receipt of this report. The Agency aims to complete 60% of review decisions within 55 working days, and 80% within 75 working days.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  War Pensions
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many personnel in civilian capacities have been awarded war disablement pensions through service in the Gulf war; and to which units they were attached. [13509]
  302
  Mr. Denham
  One of our key aims is that delivery of service should be simpler and more efficient. Queries on operational matters concerning the War Pensions Agency are for its Chief Executive, Mr. Kevin Caldwell. I have asked him to write to the hon. Gentleman.

  Letter from K. C. Caldwell to Mr. Michael Hancock, dated 5 November 1997:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about how many personnel in civilian capacities have been awarded War Disablement Pension through service in the Gulf War and to which units they were attached.
  No awards of War Pension have been made in respect of service by civilians in the Gulf War.
  The only provision for civilians in the War Pensions arena is The Personal Injuries (Civilians) Scheme. This Scheme was introduced at the outbreak of World War II under the Personal Injuries (Emergency Provisions) Act 1939 to provide for civilians who were disabled by war injuries sustained as a result of enemy action during World War II. The Scheme does not cover injuries sustained in any other conflicts.
  Personnel employed in a civilian capacity who do not satisfy these provisions, and who wish to claim compensation for disablement due to their employment, should approach their employers direct.
  I hope you find my reply helpful.

SCOTLAND

  Goods and Services (Payments)
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list each of the functions relating to payment for goods or services supplied for which his Department is responsible indicating the management systems purchased, all sub-contractors involved in the work, co-operative arrangements with other departments; and the costs of the systems and processes in the last year for which figures are available. [12571]

  Mr. Dewar
  My Department is responsible for the following functions in relation to payment for goods and services:confirming the receipt of goods and services (done locally);
  checking the supplier's invoice (done locally);
  authorising payment (done locally by someone other than the person who ordered the goods and checked the supplier's invoice);
  Keying payment instructions into the main accounting system (done locally or centrally depending on specific arrangements). In a number of instances involving large numbers of individual payments, paying authorising information is supplied to the accounting system by separate systems which manage the individual schemes (though these tend to be for grant and similar schemes (e.g., student awards) rather than the supply of goods and services);
  issuing payment (done centrally, and may be by BACS or by payable order).

  Payment processing is carried out on my Department's accounting system which utilises cfacs, a package designed by Cedardata plc and supplied to my Department under a contract with International Computers Ltd.
  303
  No sub-contractors are involved in making payments for goods and services.

  Apart from two executive agencies and one of the associated departments, all Scottish Office and associated departments, including their respective executive agencies, share this one accounting and payments system.

  It is not possible to isolate the costs of setting up and maintaining those parts of the Department's accounting system which deal with payments (which in any event are for a wider range of activities than purchasing goods and services) from the costs of setting up and maintaining the system as a whole. In 1997–98 the sums paid to suppliers in connection with the operation of the accounting system as a whole will be £230,764. The cost, in 1997–98, of employing those staff whose duties related solely to the making of payments was £239,262. Nor is it possible, except at disproportionate cost, to calculate the cost of the time incurred by staff for whom the making of payments is only one of many duties.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total cost of external consultancies associated with the specification of the proposed PH contract at the Western General hospital trust, Edinburgh, and from which budgets these costs were met; what was the estimated cost of the proposed contract at the time the decision was taken not to proceed with the contract; and what is the estimated cost of the publicly financed development at the Western general hospital Edinburgh announced on 23 June. [12750]

  Mr. Galbraith
  [holding answer 27 October 1997]The Western General Hospital NHS Trust incurred around £1.6 million in fees for design, financial and legal advice in connection with the proposed PH project. The costs were met by the trust from its own resources including non-recurring revenue grants from the Scottish Office. Much of the expenditure incurred would be required under both PH and publicly funded routes.

  In June, the estimated capital value of the PH project was £70 million. The estimated cost of the smaller publicly funded development is £40 million excluding VAT.

  Prisoner Transfers
  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what role Ministers of the Northern Ireland Office undertook in relation to the application by convicted prisoner Jason Campbell for the transfer from HM prison Shotts, within the Scottish system, to the Maze prison in Northern Ireland; [13422]

  (2) when he was first made aware of the approval of the application to transfer convicted prisoner Jason Campbell from HM prison Shotts, within the Scottish system, to the Maze prison in Northern Ireland; [13417]

  (3) on what dates (a) he and (b) the Minister for Home Affairs and Devolution, were first made aware of the application to transfer convicted prisoner Jason Campbell from HM prison Shotts, within the Scottish system, to the Maze prison in Northern Ireland; and by whom; [13421]
  304
  (4) when the Minister of State at the Scottish Office responsible for Home Affairs authorised or consented to the transfer of convicted prisoner Jason Campbell from HM prison Shotts, within the Scottish system, to the Maze prison in Northern Ireland. [13414]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 30 October 1997]Northern Ireland Ministers received confirmation on 25 September that Jason Campbell had applied for a transfer. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland contacted the Minister of State at The Scottish Office, also on 25 September, with a request that the application be dealt with promptly. The Minister of State passed that request on to the Scottish Prison Service. He was told on 4 October that an offer of transfer had been approved. I was first made aware of the application, and the fact that it had been approved, on 5 October.

  Ministers have since reviewed the relevant procedures and will in future be notified at an early stage of any applications for transfer between jurisdictions.

  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what steps were taken by Scottish Office Ministers to ascertain whether in the case of the application by convicted prisoner Jason Campbell for transfer from HM prison Shotts, within the Scottish system, to the Maze prison in Northern Ireland the criteria for such a transfer were genuinely met; [13418]

  (2) on what specific grounds and in relation to which particular criteria he reversed the decision to authorise the transfer of convicted prisoner Jason Campbell from HM prison Shotts, within the Scottish system, to the Maze prison in Northern Ireland. [13415]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 30 October 1997]Investigations showed that Jason Campbell had provided false information on his application form, and I made it clear in my statement of 10 October that the transfer should not have been approved.

  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) under what statutory provision or regulation the original approval of a transfer for the convicted prisoner Jason Campbell from HM prison Shotts, within the Scottish system, to Maze prison in Northern Ireland was given; and at whose immediate request; [13420]

  (2) which Minister or official of the Scottish office first authorised the transfer of the convicted prisoner Jason Campbell from HM prison Shotts, within the Scottish system, to the Maze prison in Northern Ireland; and on what date. [13419]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 30 October 1997]The original application for transfer under the Criminal Justice Act 1961 was approved by the Scottish Prison Service under the delegated authority of the Secretary of State on 25 September 1997.

  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what applications for transfer of convicted prisoners from the Scottish prisons system to the Northern Ireland prisons system are currently under consideration. [13423]
  305
  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 30 October 1997]As of 4 November, applications from 3 prisoners have been submitted to the Scottish Prison Service for transfer to Northern Ireland and these will be considered on their merits.

  Political Prisoners
  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland in what circumstances a prisoner within the Scottish prison system may be described as political. [13416]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 30 October 1997]There are no circumstances in which a prisoner within the Scottish prison system would be described as political.

  Delegated Legislation
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list all(a) secondary, (b) other delegated legislation and (c) all deregulation orders his Department made during the summer adjournment. [14387]

  Mr. Dewar
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, on 5 November 1997,Official Report, column 216.

  Prison Service Recruitment
  Mr. Ernie Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the Scottish Prison Service recruitment policy. [15188]

  Mr. Dewar
  The Scottish Prison Service manages its recruitment in accordance with the Civil Service Commissioners Recruitment Code. This ensures that recruitment is carried out on the basis of fair and open competition and selection on merit. The recruitment arrangements in place are subject to internal management checks and were audited by the Civil Service Commissioners in 1996.

  Details of the recruitment carried out in 1996-97 including the use of permitted exceptions to the principles of open and fair competition are contained in the Scottish Prison Service Annual Report and Accounts for 1996–97, a copy of which is in the Library.

WALES

  Public Transport
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many passenger miles were travelled by people on public transport in Wales in each year since 1992; and if he will make a statement. [14077]

  Mr. Hain
  The National Travel Survey is the only source of comprehensive information on journeys by public transport. It provides information for Welsh residents rather than for journeys within Wales. The sample is insufficient to give reliable figures for individual years but the average annual mileage travelled 306
  by Welsh residents on public transport is estimated at 1.5 billion miles over the three-year period 1991 to 1993 and 1.2 billion miles for 1994 to 1996.

  The annual inquiry of Public Service Vehicle operators provides information on local bus and coach journeys within Wales, with an estimated 0.5 billion passenger miles per year since 1992.

  Farming
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consideration is currently being given to an application for European funds to offset the effects of Green Pound price fluctuations on agricultural prices and subsidies; and if he will make a statement. [14165]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  Paying the aid would have significant implications for UK public expenditure. We are keeping the case of payment under review, but on the evidence currently available have concluded that the case for payment is at present not proven.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many representations he has received in the past six months on the subject of Green Pound fluctuations in respect of the value of subsidies received by Welsh farmers; and if he will make a statement. [14078]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The Department has received written representations from the two farming unions in Wales and seven others on the impact of Green Pound fluctuations on agriculture. Ministers and officials have also received delegations from farming and farm-related organisations on several occasions.

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) when he last met representatives of the National Farmers' Union in Wales to discuss current farming issues; and if he will make a statement; [14080]

  (2) how many representations he has received on the review of hill livestock compensatory allowance; and if he will make a statement. [14084]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  My right hon. Friend and I have received seven representations from industry bodies and Members of Parliament concerning the 1997 Autumn Review of economic conditions in the hills and uplands. My right hon. Friend and I also recently met, separately, representatives of the National Farmers' Union of Wales and the Farmers' Union of Wales as part of the Review in Wales to discuss the level of rates for the 1998 Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowance scheme year. We are now considering, with Ministers from all the Agriculture Departments, the representations we have received before making final decisions on rate levels for 1998.

  Delegated Legislation
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list all(a) secondary, (b) other delegated legislation and (c) all deregulation orders his Department made during the summer adjournment. [14389]
  307
  Mr. Ron Davies
  A full list of statutory instruments laid before the House, whether under the affirmative or the negative procedure during the summer adjournment, is contained int he House of Commons "Votes and Proceedings" dated Monday 27 October 1997, which has been publicly available since Tuesday 28 October 1997.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Student Loans
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to extend access to student loans for part-time students in higher education; and if he will make a statement. [13170]

  Dr. Howells
  The Government agrees with the Dearing Committee's conclusion that in the light of other requirements for additional funding in higher education, and the fact that many part-time students have access to other resources, extending loans to part-time students should not be a priority. The Committee looked at other ways of securing equity for part-time students, and we are considering its recommendations. In this context, we have already announced that we shall be making funds available for the remission of fees for part-time students who have lost their jobs. We have also indicated that part-time students will benefit from support from increased access funds.

  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to extend eligibility for supplementary hardship loans to part-time students in higher education from 1998–99; and what estimate he has made of the cost. [14433]

  Dr. Howells
  The Government has no plans to extend eligibility for supplementary loans, but in line with the Dearing Committee's recommendations is considering other ways of supporting part-time students who experience financial hardship. We have already announced that we shall be making funds available for the remission of fees for part-time students who have lost their jobs. We have also indicated that part-time students will benefit from support from increased access funds.

  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what age considerations will be taken into account in decisions on eligibility for student loans in higher education from 1998–99. [14432]

  Dr. Howells
  In the 1998–99 academic year, students who are aged 50 or over when their courses begin will not be eligible for student loans, but will be entitled to fee support and maintenance grants on the same basis as other students. We are reviewing the eligibility criteria, including those relating to age, which will apply to student loans in 1999–2000 and beyond.

  Employment Zones
  Mrs. Humble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what progress has been made on introducing prototype employment zones; and if he will make a statement. [14422]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  On 15 September we published a prospectus and invited eight areas to bid to become prototype Employment Zones. All eight areas submitted outline bids on 6 October which were very encouraging. Final bids are due on 17 November and we expect to announce the successful partnerships in early December with the prototype Employment Zones starting in February 1998.

  New Deal
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what advice his Department has given to the Employment Service on the minimum weekly wage that should be payable to 18 to 25-year-olds offered employment under the New Deal. [14428]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  This Department's policy is set out in the Design of the New Deal for 18–24-year-olds which states that:"Employers [will] not make a direct cash profit from the subsidy, but that the New Deal employee [will cost] them in wages at least as much as they receive in subsidy. It is expected that the New Deal employees will receive the normal rate paid to comparable employees of the company".

  A copy of the Design of the New Deal for 18–24-year-olds has been placed in the Library.

  Office for Standards in Education
  Mr. Stevenson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list(a) the total costs of the Office for Standards in Education since being established and (b) the annual costs. [14363]

  Mr. Byers
  The total cost of Ofsted from April 1993 to March 1997 was £313 million. The costs from September 1992 to March 1993 were within the budget of the Department of Education and were not separately identified.

  Annual costs are as follows:

  £ million

  1993–94

  46

  1994–95

  63

  1995–96

  82

  1996–97

  122

  1997–98 (forecast)

  151

  Students (Fees)
  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to exempt unemployed students on part-time higher education courses from tuition fees from 1998–99; and what estimate he has made of the cost. [14431]
  309
  Dr. Howells
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State plans to make funds available from 1998–99 to the Higher Education Funding Council for England to enable universities and colleges in England to remit fees for part-time students in higher education who have lost their jobs. Some £2 million will be available for this purpose in 1998–99. Further information will be issued in due course.

  Adult Education
  Dr. Vis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement about his plans for adult vocational postgraduate education in the United Kingdom in colleges of education. [13108]

  Dr. Howells
  The Report of the National Committee of Inquiry into Higher Education chaired by Sir Ron Dearing, published on 23 July, recommended that more sub-degree provision should take place in FE colleges and that there should be no growth in degree level qualifications offered by FE colleges. The consultation on the report's recommendations ended in early October and we are still considering the responses. We will respond to this and other Dearing Report recommendations in due course.

  Recruitment (Non-EU Residents)
  Dr. Vis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what arrangements exist in respect of visas, work permits and length of allowable stay to encourage the recruitment of non-European Union residents with special qualifications and expertise in areas where(a) the United Kingdom and (b) EU states have shortfalls. [13112]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The work permit arrangements are designed to allow UK employers to fill posts requiring high level qualifications, senior level responsibilities, or rare technical skills for which no suitably qualified resident labour is available.

  These arrangements are continuously reviewed to take account of changes in the UK labour market. Other EU Member States generally have their own, broadly similar, systems.

  Work permits are approved for periods up to a maximum of four years. The period of approval depends on the skills and experience required and the length of time the need is expected to continue.

  Visas are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary.

  Special Educational Needs
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will produce copies of the report "Excellence for Children-Meeting Special Educational Needs" in a video format for British Sign Language users. [14594]
  310
  Ms Estelle Morris
  It is impractical to produce the SEN Green Paper in video format. I hope that, in consulting on the Green Paper, organisations representing hearing-impaired people will take into account the views of those who are unable to access the printed document.

  Foreign Students
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many students who did not hold a British passport enrolled at United Kingdom universities from(a) other EU countries and (b) south-east Asia for each of the last five years; and what are the projected enrolment figures for (i) the current academic year and (ii) the next two academic years. [14695]

  Dr. Howells
  I will write to the hon. Gentleman as soon as possible.

  Teachers (Redundancy)
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many teachers others than those in further or higher education or independent schools(a) were made redundant and (b) did not have their contracts renewed for each month from September 1996 to September 1997. [14694]

  Mr. Byers
  I will write to the hon. Gentleman as soon as possible.

  University Applications
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of university applications for 1997-98 and the levels of parental income of applicants compared to previous years; and if he will make a statement. [14559]

  Dr. Howells
  I will write to the hon. Friend as soon as possible.

  Retired Teachers
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer of 29 October,Official Report, column 819, what proportion of teachers, other than those in further or higher education or independent schools, who retired under the age of 60 years in the period October 1996 to September 1997 retired (a) on the grounds of (i) ill-health, (ii) efficiency or (iii) redundancy and (b) aged (1) under 30, (2) 30 to 34, (3) 35 to 39, (4) 40 to 44, (5) 45 to 49, (6) 50 to 54 and (7) 55 to 59 years. [14702]

  Mr. Byers
  I will write to the hon. Gentleman as soon as possible.

  Higher Education
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is his estimate of the annual cost of returning to the full grant system for higher education. [14562]

  Dr. Howells
  I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

  Trade Union Membership
  Mr. Forth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proportion of the work force are members of trades unions in each member state of the European Union. [14504]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  I have been asked to reply.

  The following table contains the information sought:

  Member state

  Union density, 1995

  Austria

  41

  Belgium

  54

  Denmark

  80

  Finland

  79

  France

  9

  Germany

  29

  Greece

  24

  Ireland

  55

  Italy

  44

  Netherlands

  26

  Luxembourg

  n/a

  Portugal

  26

  Spain

  19

  Sweden

  91

  United Kingdom

  33

  Sources:

  ILO World Labour Report, 1997–98, OECD Employment Outlook July 1997.

  Notes:

  All figures for 1995, the most recent consistently available, bar Belgium (1994) and Ireland (1990). Figures for Luxembourg are unavailable. Union density is union members as a proportion of wage and salary earners. Figures are compiled in a variety of different ways across member states and are not strictly comparable in all cases.

DEFENCE

  Executive Agencies
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency became operational; what targets have been set for it; what evaluation of it there has been; when he expects further evaluation to take place; and if he will make a statement; [13656]

  (2) when the Queen Victoria School became operational as a defence agency; what evaluation of it there has been; when he expects further evaluation to take place; and if he will make a statement; [13336]

  (3) when the Service Children's Education became operational as a defence agency; what evaluation of it there has been; when he expects further evaluation to take place; and if he will make a statement; [13376]

  (4) when the Defence Postal and Courier Service became operational; what evaluation of it there has been; when he expects further evaluation to take place; and if he will make a statement; [13340]

  (5) what evaluation of the Defence Secondary Care Agency there has been; when he expects further evaluation to take place; and if he will make a statement; [13652]
  312
  (6) when the RAF Signals Engineering Establishment became operational as a defence agency; what targets it has been set; what evaluations of it there has been; when he expects further evaluation to take place; and if he will make a statement; [13332]

  (7) when the Defence Transport and Movements Executive became operational; what targets have been set for it; what evaluation of it there has been; when he expects further evaluation to take place; and if he will make a statement; [13658]

  (8) what targets have been set for the Defence Vetting Agency; what evaluation of it there has been; when he expects further evaluation to take place; and if he will make a statement;[13338]

  (9) what evaluation of the Medical Supplies Agency there has been; when he expects further evaluation to take place; and if he will make a statement; [13650]

  (10) when the Naval Aircraft Repair Organisation became operational; what evaluation of it there has been; when he expects further evaluation to take place; and if he will make a statement; [13653]

  (11) what evaluation he has made of the Defence Analytical Services Agency; when he expects further evaluation to take place; and if he will make a statement; [13163]

  (12) when the RAF Personnel Management Agency became operational; what targets have been set for it; what evaluation of it there has been; when he expects further evaluation to take place; and if he will make a statement; [13333]

  (13) when the (a) Army Base Storage and Distribution Agency, (b) Army Individual Training Organisation, (c) Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency, (d) Army Base Repair Organisation, (e) Army Personnel Centre and (f) Army Technical Support Authority became operational; what targets have been set for each; what evaluation of each body's work has taken place; when he expects further reviews to take place; and if he will make a statement; [13167]

  (14) when the Navel Bases and Supplies Agency became operational; what targets have been set for it; what evaluation of it there has been; when he expects further evaluation to take place; and if he will make a statement; [13659]

  (15) when the Defence Intelligence and Security Centre became operational; what evaluation of it there has been; when he expects further evaluation to take place; and if he will make a statement; [13339]

  (16) what evaluation of the Disposal Sales Agency there has been; when he expects further evaluation to take place; and if he will make a statement; [13651]

  (17) what evaluation of the Defence Bills Agency his Department has made; when he expects further evaluation to take place; and if he will make a statement; [13164]

  (18) when the Defence Clothing and Textile Agency became operational; what evaluation of it there has been; when he expects further evaluation to take place; and if he will make a statement; [13378]
  313
  (19) what evaluation of the Ships Support Agency there has been; when he expects further evaluation to take place; and if he will make a statement; [13330]

  (20) when the Defence Animal Centre became operational; what evaluation of its work his Department has made; when he expects further evaluation to take place; and if he will make a statement; [13165]

  (21) when the RAF Training Group Defence Agency became operational; what targets have been set for it; what evaluation of it there has been; when he expects further evaluation to take place; and if he will make a statement; [13331]

  (22) when the Military Survey Defence Agency became operational; what evaluation of it there has been; when he expects further evaluation to take place; and if he will make a statement;[13654]

  (23) when the Logistic Information Systems Agency became operational; what evaluation of it there has been; when he expects further evaluation to take place; and if he will make a statement. [13655]

  (24) when the RAF Logistics Support Services became operational as a defence agency; what targets have been set for it; what evaluation of it there has been; when he expects further evaluation to take place; and if he will make a statement; [13335]

  (25) when the RAF Maintenance Group Defence Agency became operational; what evaluation of it there has been; when he expects further evaluation of it to take place; and if he will make a statement; [13334]

  (26) when the (a) Joint Air Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre, (b) Duke of York Royal Military School and (c) Hydrographic Office of the Royal Navy became operational as defence agencies; what evaluation he has made of their work; when he expects further reviews to take place; and if he will make a statement; [13168]

  (27) what evaluation of the Defence Dental Agency there has been; when he expects further evaluation to take place; and if he will make a statement; [13375]

  (28) when the Defence Estates Organisation became operational; what targets have been set for it; what evaluation of it there has been; when he expects further evaluation to take place; and if he will make a statement; [13657]

  (29) pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Newcastle under Lyme (Mrs. Golding) of 10 July, Official Report, columns 527–28, what evaluation of the Defence Medical Training Organisation there has been; and when he expects further evaluation to take place; [13661]

  (30) when the Pay and Personnel Agency became operational; what evaluation of it there has been; when he expects further evaluation to take place; and if he will make a statement;[13337]

  (31) when the Naval Recruiting and Training Agency became operational; what evaluation of it there has been; when he expects further evaluation to take place; and if he will make a statement. [13515]

  (32) when the Naval Manning Agency became operational; what evaluation of it there has been; when he expects further evaluation to take place; and if he will make a statement; [13649]
  314
  (33) what targets have been set for the Defence Codification Agency; what evaluation of it there has been; when he expects further evaluation to take place; and if he will make a statement. [13377]

  Mr. Spellar
  The information requested is given in the table; although the hon. Gentleman's questions related to only 40 agencies and trading funds, the information is provided in respect of all 43 of the Department's Agencies and Trading funds, for the sake of clarity and completeness.

  Agency

  Date of launch

  Date of evaluation1

  Key targets2 published in Official Report

  (a) Last

  (b) Date

  (b) Next due

  (b) Column

  Armed Forces

  1 April 1997

  (b) 2002

  (a) 20 February 1997

  Personnel

  (b) 720

  Administration

  Agency

  Army Base

  1 April 1993

  (a) Ongoing

  (a) 10 February 1997

  Repair

  (b) 7

  Organisation

  Army Base

  4 April 1995

  (b) 2000

  —3

  Storage and

  Distribution

  Agency

  Army Training

  1 July 19974

  (b) 2002

  (a) 1 July 1997

  and Recruiting

  (b) 71

  Agency

  Army Personnel

  2 December

  (b) 2001

  (a) 18 March 1997

  Centre

  1996

  (b) 505

  Army Technical

  16 October

  (b) 2000

  (a) 18 March 1997

  Support Agency

  1995

  (b) 506

  Defence Animal

  1 July 1993

  (a) Ongoing

  (a) 31 July 1997

  Centre

  (b)463

  Defence

  1 July 1992

  (a) Ongoing

  (a) 1 July 1997

  Analytical

  (b)72/73

  Services Agency

  Defence Bills

  1 January 1996

  (b) 1999

  (a) 31 July 1997

  Agency

  (b) 440

  Defence

  17 June 1996

  (b) 1999

  —3

  Codification

  Agency

  Defence Clothing

  22 November

  (b) 1999

  (a) 31 July 1997

  and Textiles

  1994

  (b) 464

  Agency

  Defence Dental

  1 March 1996

  (b) 2001

  (a) 10 July 1997

  Agency

  (b) 529

  Defence Estate

  17 March 1997

  (b) 2002

  (a) 18 March 1997

  Organisation

  (b) 514

  Defence

  4 April 19955

  (b) 2000

  —3

  Evaluation and

  Research Agency

  Defence

  1 October 1996

  (b) 2001

  (a) 31 July 1997

  Intelligence and

  (b) 462

  Security Centre

  Defence Vetting

  1 April 1997

  (b) 2002

  (a) 20 March 1997

  Agency

  (b) 857

  Defence Postal

  1 July 1992

  (a) Ongoing

  (a) 3 July 1997

  and Courier

  (b) 257–258

  Service Agency

  315

  Agency

  Date of launch

  Date of evaluation1

  Key targets2 published in Official Report

  (a) Last

  (a) Date

  (b) Next due

  (b) Column

  Defence

  30 April 1996

  (b)2001

  (a) 10 July 1997

  Secondary Care

  (b) 529

  Agency

  Defence

  4 April 1995

  (b) 2000

  (a) 10 July 1997

  Transport and

  (b) 529

  Movements

  Executive

  Disposal Sales

  3 October 1994

  (b)1999

  (a) 30 July 1997

  Agency

  (b) 353

  Duke of York's

  1 April 1992

  (a) Ongoing

  (a) 30 July 1997

  Royal Military

  (b)353

  School

  Hydrographic

  1 April 19965

  (b) 2001

  —3

  Office

  Joint Air

  19 April 1996

  (b) 2001

  (a) 31 July 1997

  Reconnaissance

  (b) 464

  Intelligence

  Centre

  Logistic

  21 November 1994

  (b) 1999

  (a) 31 July 1997

  Information

  1994

  (b) 257

  Systems Agency

  Logistic Support

  9 December 1996

  (b) 2001

  (a) 9 December 1997

  Services

  1996

  (b) 17–18

  Medical Supplies

  29 February 1996

  (b) 2001

  (a) 10 July 1997

  Agency

  1996

  (b) 528

  Defence Medical

  1 April 1997

  (b) 2001

  (a) 10 July 1997

  Training

  (b) 527

  Organisation

  Meteorological

  1 April 19965

  (b) 2001

  (a) 19 June 1997

  Office

  (b) 256

  Military Survey

  2 April 1991

  (a) Ongoing

  (a) 31 July 1997

  (b) 463

  Ministry of

  1 April 1996

  (b) 2001

  (a) 27 October 1997

  Defence Police

  (b) 662

  Naval Aircraft

  1 April 1992

  (a) 1996

  (a) 22 July 1997

  Repair

  (b) 1999

  (b)528–529

  Organisation

  Naval Bases and

  11 December 1996

  (b) 2002

  (a) 28 October 1997

  Supply Agency

  1996

  (b) 792–793

  Naval Manning

  1 July 1996

  (b) 2001

  (a) 30 July 1997

  Agency

  (b) 354

  Naval Recruiting

  1 April 1995

  (b) 2000

  (a) 30 July 1997

  and Training

  (b) 355

  Agency

  Pay and

  1 February 1996

  (b) 2001

  (a) 23 June 1997

  Personnel

  1996

  (b)354

  Agency

  Queen Victoria

  1 April 1992

  (a) Ongoing

  (a) 30 July 1997

  School

  (b) 465

  RAF

  2 April 1991

  (a) 1996

  (a) 31 July 1997

  Maintenance

  (b) 2001

  (b)465

  RAF Personnel

  1 February 1997

  (b) 2002

  (a) 30 July 1997

  Management

  (b) 1997

  (b) 351

  RAF Signals

  22 November 1994

  (b) 1999

  —3

  Engineering

  1994

  Establishment

  316

  Agency

  Date of launch

  Date of evaluation1

  Key targets2 published in Official Report

  (a) Last

  (a) Date

  (b) Next due

  (b) column

  RAF Training

  1 April 1994

  (b) 1999

  (a) 20 March 1997

  Group

  (b) 859

  Service

  1 April 1996

  (b) 2001

  (a) 30 July 1997

  Children's

  (b) 354

  Ships Support

  11 December 1996

  (b) 2001

  (a) 30 July 1997

  Agency

  1996

  (b) 354

  Specialist

  1 June 1997

  (b)2002

  (a) 3 June 1997

  Procurement

  (b)122

  Services

  1Evaluation is taken to mean the periodic review of the Agency, which involves a performance evaluation, the re-visiting of the Prior Options process, and the re-issue of the Framework Document. Initial Policy was this should take place at not more than 3 year intervals, but this was later extended to 5 years, with some specified exceptions. As the process takes a period of some months, only the year in which the review is expected to take place is given. Where the first review is described as "ongoing" the second review would normally be expected to take place 5 years after the re-issue of the Framework Document.

  2 The Date and column at which the Key Targets for FY1997–98 were published in the Official Report. For the sake of clarity and completeness this information has been included for all the Department's Agencies, although the hon. Member's questions did not ask this in all cases.

  3 The 1997–98 Key Targets for these five Agencies have not yet been published in the Official Report.

  4 Formerly Army Individual Training Organisation.

  5 Date of Launch as a Trading Fund; all were previously Agencies.

  Development Sites
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his estimate of the value of the development sites proposed for disposal by the Ministry of Defence, including the housing units; and when he expects the sales to be made. [13911]

  Mr. Spellar
  Based on the number of sites which are in disposal or are currently planned to become surplus, we estimate that disposal receipts for land and buildings will total some £140 million in 1997–98, £125 million in 1998–99 and £70 million in 1999–2000.

  Housing units for disposals within the Annington Homes portfolio are released to that company within the provisions of the contract of sale.

  CS Gas
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the report produced by the chemical and biological defence establishment, Porton Down, on the study of the medical effects of the CS gas solvent methyl isobutyl ketone conducted in 1996 at the request of the Police Scientific Development Branch. [14305]

  Mr. Spellar
  In 1996 the Chemical and Biological Defence (CBD) Sector of DERA at Porton Down was contracted by the Police Scientific Development Branch of the Home Office to conduct a study of the medical effects of the CS gas solvent methyl isobutyl ketone. This report is the property of the Home Office as the contracting authority.
  317
  However CBD in consultation with the Police Scientific Development Branch will make arrangements to place a copy of this 1996 report in the Library of each House.

  Contingency Operational and Procurement Exhibition
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what support his Department and DESO are providing for UK companies to attend COPEX Jordan 1998, COPEX USA May 1998 and COPEX USA (San Diego) October 1998. [14365]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Ministry of Defence does not subsidise or play any part in the organisation of these exhibitions. The MOD Defence Export Services Organisation, DESO, does, on occasion, inform UK companies about such exhibitions and may advise UK exhibitors.

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what MOD land will be made available for the 1998 Contingency Operational and Procurement Exhibition. [14367]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Ministry of Defence has not been approached by the organisers of the 1998 Contingency and Operational Procurement Exhibition.

  Delegated Legislation
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all(a) secondary, (b) other delegated legislation and (c) all deregulation orders his Department made during the summer adjournment. [14378]

  Dr. Reid
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster yesterday, 5 November 1997,Official Report, column 216.

  Porton Down
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the nature of the work which is being carried out jointly between the chemical and biological defence establishment, Porton Down, and Cortecs International; what is the purpose of this work; when did this work begin; when is this work expected to end; and what assessment he has made of the value of the work. [14307]

  Mr. Spellar
  The aim of the work being carried out jointly between the Chemical and Biological Defence (CBD) sector of DERA at Porton Down and Cortecs International is to investigate new technologies which will facilitate the future development of oral vaccines. The collaboration began in June 1996 with the preliminary phase completed in October 1997.

  The benefit is mutual. It allows CBD to exploit Cortecs expertise in creating oral drugs, and has given Cortecs access to CBD research on vaccines. The joint project will contribute to the development of vaccines to meet both Ministry of Defence and public health requirements.

  Tax Advice
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the expenditure by(a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies on (i) tax consultants and (ii) other external tax advice in (1) 1995–96, (2) 1996–97 and (3) 1997–98; and if he will make a statement. [13265]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 5 November 1997]Spending on tax consultants and other external tax advice was as follows:

  (£ pounds)

  Ministry of Defence (excluding agencies)

  Defence agencies

  NDPBs

  1995–96

  —

  27,450

  1,175

  1996–97

  5,500

  35,790

  1,175

  1997–98 (to date)

  —

  8,130

  90

  The following expenditure is anticipated

  1997–98

  4,500

  —

  1,085

  These figures exclude tax advice obtained by defence contractors and as part of wider consultancies, which could not be extracted without disproportionate cost.

  "Defence Agencies" includes all spending by the Ships Support Agency which became an Agency on 11 December 1996.

  Mine Information and Training Centre
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Mine Information and Training Centre will be set up; how many staff it will have; and what its budget will be. [14479]

  Dr. Reid
  The Mine Information and Training Centre will become fully operational on 1 January 1998. Its establishment will become fully operational on 1 January 1998. Its establishment will be one captain, one warrant officer and one senior non-commissioned officer and it will have an annual budget of £125,000.

  Harrier Accident (Wittering)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence it he will make a statement on the accident occurring on 31 October involving a Harrier jet at RAF Wittering, indicating the level of hazard caused by the plane's cargo. [14601]

  Mr. Spellar
  The only stores being carried by the aircraft at the time of the accident was a training missile, the seeker head of which had a coating containing a tiny amount of mercury thallium. As the component was destroyed on impact, the mercury thallium would have completely dissipated within about 10 seconds and, as a result, would have posed no hazard. This has subsequently been confirmed during the environmental health monitoring tests routinely carried out at aircraft crash sites.

  RAF Signals Engineering Establishment
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Royal Air Force Signals Engineering Establishment for 1997–98. [15141]

  Dr. Reid
  The Royal Air Force Signals Engineering Establishment Agency's Key Targets for the financial year 1997–98 are:

  Operational strategy
  KT I: Reduce the core as far as possible and continue to refine it against the charging military need.
  KT 2: Maintain 100 per cent. of core skills to support likely operations.

  Performance strategy
  KT 3: Deliver 100 per cent. of operational tasks to time.
  KT 4: Develop Customer Supplier Agreements with principal customers and Lodger Units by 31 March 1998.
  KT 5: Deliver 85 per cent. of non-operational tasks to time.
  KT 6: Reduce the number of quality failures in delivered systems by 5 per cent. on the previous year.
  KT 7: Maintain ISO 9000 quality standards.
  KT 8: Reduce the Cost per Task Manhour, at Full Cost, by 5 per cent. on the previous year.

  Personnel strategy
  KT 9: Achieve Investors in People Accreditation by 1 December 1998.

  Financial strategy
  KT 10: Integrate the Agency's Accounts into Headquarters Logistics Command's Resource Accounting and Budget (RAB) financial system by 1 April 1998.

  Information Technology strategy
  KT 11: Complete commissioning of the Future Business System (FBS) initiative by 1 April 1998.

  Defence Codification Agency
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Defence Codification Agency for 1997–98. [15142]

  Dr. Reid
  The Defence Codification Agency's (DCA) Key Targets for the financial year 1997–98 are:KT 1: Complete an annual policy review by 30 September of each year.
  KT 2: Examine 50,000 items per year to identify duplicate NATO stock numbers and report the duplicates to the relevant Design Authority.
  KT 3: Extend DCA's file purification service to the Army by 30 April 1998.
  KT 4: Extend DCA's file purification service to the RAF by 30 April 1998.
  KT 5: Reduce the unit cost of codification to less than £56 by 31 March 1998 (£51 by 31 March 1999, £48 by 31 March 2000, £46 by 31 March 2001 and £44 by 31 March 2002).
  KT 6: Reduce the Agency's Running Costs by 5.8 per cent. by 31 March 1998 (10 per cent. by 31 March 1999, 2 per cent. by 31 March 2000, 2 per cent. by 31 March 2001 and a further
  2 per cent. by March 2002).
  KT 7: Reduce the number of post codification queries to 13,000 in 1997–98, 12,000 in 1998–99, 11,000 in 1999–2000, 10,000 in 2000–01 and 9,000 in 2001–02.
  KT 8: To develop and encourage DCA personnel to realise their full potential through the 100 per cent. application of Investors in People (IIP) standards and practices.
  KT 9: TO provide effective leadership and to promote morale.

  Surveillance Towers
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the locations of British Army surveillance towers in Northern Ireland in September 1994 and September 1997; how may of these are on civilian property; what plans exist to withdraw some of these from use in the next six months; and if he will estimate the total annual cost of staffing and maintaining such installations in the past 12 months. [13058]

  Dr. Reid
  In September 1994 there were surveillance towers at 10 hilltop sites in the South Armagh areas, two towers in Londonderry and three surveillance posts mounted on blocks of flats within Belfast. In September 1997 there were the same number of sites in South Armagh and Belfast, but only one in Londonderry, the other having been closed in 1995. In addition to surveillance towers, the security forces maintain a number of other structures which are used for a variety of observation purposes.

  All the sites are on land either leased or requisitioned from civilians, civilian organisations or other Government agencies.

  The security situation is kept under constant review and the configuration of the military infrastructure adjusted accordingly. However, there are no plans to withdraw any of the towers from use over the next six months.

  The annual costs of staffing and maintaining these installations are not held centrally and could only be produced at disproportionate cost.

  Civilian Complaints
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many civilian complaints were made against each regiment of the British Army during the past three years; and how many of these led to disciplinary action. [13062]

  Dr. Reid
  Figures for complaints against the Army outside Northern Ireland are not recorded centrally. So far as the Army in Northern Ireland is concerned complaints are categorised as criminal or non-criminal. During the past three years the Royal Ulster Constabulary received the following number of criminal complaints:

  Criminal complaints

  Year

  Total

  1995

  28

  1996

  32

  1997

  165

  1 Figures up to 31 October 1997.

  A breakdown by regiment is not available. As regards non-criminal complaints the Independent Assessor of Military Complaints Procedures in Northern Ireland recommended in 1994 that these should be informally resolved at local level wherever possible. In the past three

  321
  years the numbers of non-criminal complaints dealt with in this way were as follows:

  Informal non-criminal complaints

  Year

  Total

  1995

  41

  1996

  264

  1997

  1483

  1 Figures up to 30 September 1997.

  Once again a breakdown by regiment is not available. Where informal resolution is not possible or appropriate, complaints are investigated more formally. The numbers of formal non-criminal complaints, by regiment, in the past three years are set out in the table.

  Formal non-criminal complaints

  1995

  1996

  11997

  The 1st Battalion The Staffordshire Regiment

  2

  —

  —

  The 1st Battalion Green Howards

  1

  —

  —

  42 Commando Royal Marines

  1

  1

  —

  The 1st Battalion The Parachute Regiment

  3

  —

  4

  The 1st Battalion The King's Regiment

  1

  —

  —

  The Royal Military Police

  2

  —

  —

  The 3rd Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment

  3

  8

  12

  The 4th Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment

  —

  —

  2

  The 5th Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment

  —

  —

  —

  The 7th Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment

  3

  —

  1

  The 8th Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment

  2

  3

  7

  The 9th Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment

  1

  —

  2

  Unit unknown

  2

  2

  3

  The 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment

  —

  1

  —

  The 1st Battalion The Royal Scots Regiment

  —

  1

  —

  The 1st Battalion the Grenadier Guards

  —

  1

  2

  The 1st Battalion The Coldstream Guards

  —

  2

  —

  The Duke of Wellington's Regiment

  —

  1

  —

  The 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment

  —

  2

  1

  The Scots Guards

  —

  1

  —

  The 1st Battalion The Royal Welch Fusiliers

  —

  —

  3

  The 3rd Battalion The Royal Air Force Regiment

  —

  —

  1

  The 3rd Battalion The Royal Horse Artillery

  —

  —

  1

  The 9th/12th Battalion The Royal Lancers

  —

  —

  1

  The 1st Battalion The Cheshire Regiment

  —

  —

  2

  The 1st Battalion The Royal Artillery

  —

  1

  2

  The 1st Battalion The Highlanders

  —

  —

  1

  The 1st Battalion The Welsh Guards

  —

  —

  2

  655 Army Air Corps

  —

  —

  1

  Lisburn Station Guard Force

  —

  —

  1

  42 Battery 22 Air Defence Regiment

  —

  —

  1

  Withdrawn Military not involved

  —

  —

  1

  The 1st Battalion The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

  —

  —

  —

  The 1st Battalion The Light Infantry

  —

  —

  —

  The 1st Battalion The Kings Own Scottish Borderers

  —

  —

  —

  24 Engineer Regiment

  —

  —

  —

  The King's Royal Hussars

  —

  —

  —

  Total

  21

  24

  51

  Disciplinary action taken

  2

  1

  4

  1 To 30 September 1997.

  Military Forces, Northern Ireland
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the numbers of part-time members of the RIR banded by salary levels in increments of £5,000 per annum and indicate the average number of hours per week in each band. [13081]

  Dr. Reid
  The information requested is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British Army and RIR barracks are maintained in Northern Ireland; and if he will list those currently being planned, built, replaced, renovated, re-inforced, up-graded or extended or to be closed. [13079]

  Dr. Reid
  The number of British Army bases in Northern Ireland having approximately 100 soldiers or more is 63.

  The Army estate is kept under constant review to ensure it provides best value for money and meets operational requirements. There are no plans to build additional barracks in Northern Ireland. The future of a number of bases is under consideration, but no final decisions have yet been made.

  A continual programme of maintenance and development exists to keep the Army estate in good operational order. At present major works projects costing £300,000 or more have been initiated or are underway at the following barracks:

  Alexander Barracks

  Abercorn Barracks

  Shackleton Barracks

  Kinnegar Barracks

  Palace Barracks

  Thiepval Barracks

  Massereene Barracks

  Lisanelly Barracks

  Girdwood Barracks.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the total staffing levels of the Royal Irish Regiment in September(a) 1995, (b) 1996 and (c) 1997, (i) in total and (ii) broken down (1) into numbers of full-time and part-time (2) by gender (3) by perceived religious/community origin and (4) battalion, and indicating those where service is limited to Northern Ireland. [13080]

  Dr. Reid
  The Royal Irish Regiment has one General Service battalion earmarked for world-wide duties, including taking turn on operations in Northern Ireland. The overall strength of the General Service Battalion as at 1 September was as follows: 572 in 1995, 576 in 1996 and 469 in 1997. There are no infantry cap-badged service women in these numbers. A breakdown by gender of other
  323
  cap badges is not readily available nor is detail on the perceived religious/community origin of serving members of the General Service Battalion.

  In addition to the General Service Battalion, there are six Home Service Battalions comprising full time (FT) and part time (PT) soldiers, who serve only in Northern Ireland, except for some training.

  1995

  1996

  HS(FT)

  HS(PT)

  HS(FT)

  HS(PT)

  M

  F

  M

  F

  M

  F

  M

  F

  3 R Irish

  Prot

  513

  56

  409

  72

  497

  62

  395

  65

  RC

  30

  3

  10

  —

  24

  1

  10

  1

  Other

  14

  1

  9

  —

  12

  1

  11

  —

  4 R Irish

  Prot

  510

  49

  408

  53

  467

  47

  392

  51

  RC

  13

  1

  3

  —

  10

  1

  3

  —

  Other

  2

  —

  3

  —

  2

  —

  —

  —

  5 R Irish

  Prot

  320

  32

  171

  20

  294

  27

  176

  17

  RC

  17

  2

  3

  1

  23

  2

  6

  1

  Other

  9

  3

  7

  2

  11

  3

  9

  1

  7 R Irish

  Prot

  392

  20

  317

  34

  374

  14

  325

  29

  RC

  12

  3

  5

  1

  15

  2

  7

  2

  Other

  10

  1

  14

  —

  3

  —

  1

  0

  8 R Irish

  Prot

  332

  46

  295

  49

  326

  39

  282

  46

  RC

  9

  1

  4

  1

  7

  1

  2

  1

  Other

  4

  —

  1

  —

  13

  2

  10

  0

  9 R Irish

  Prot

  362

  26

  211

  21

  339

  26

  185

  24

  RC

  31

  2

  15

  1

  32

  3

  30

  1

  Other

  12

  3

  9

  1

  10

  3

  6

  1

  Depot R Irish

  Prot

  208

  9

  —

  1

  194

  16

  —

  —

  RC

  29

  —

  —

  —

  25

  1

  —

  —

  Other

  12

  —

  —

  —

  10

  1

  —

  —

  Total

  5,250

  5,030

  Key:

  HS(FT)—Home Service (Full Time).

  HS(PT)—Home Service (Part Time).

  PROT—Protestant.

  RC—Roman Catholic.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the overall strength in September(a) 1995, (b) 1996 and (c) 1997 of British military forces in Northern Ireland broken down into numbers attached to the RAF, Royal Navy, RIR, RIR part-time and others. [13078]

  Dr. Reid
  The information requested is set out in the table:

  1995

  1996

  1997

  Army

  10,612

  10,395

  111,016

  Royal Air Force

  1,118

  1,124

  1,140

  Royal Navy

  289

  296

  321

  The Royal Irish Regiment

  Home Service Full Time

  3,036

  2,847

  2,754

  324
  The total strength of the Home Service Battalions as at 30 September was 5,190 in 1995, 4,855 in 1996 and 4,757 in 1997. The information requested on (1) the breakdown into full-time and part-time, (2) gender, (3) perceived religious/community origin and (4) battalion is not readily available for the month of September; however the figures for 31 December 1995 and 1996 are set out in the table. Figures relating to 1997 will not be available until early next year.

  1995

  1996

  1997

  The Royal Irish Regiment

  Home Service Part Time

  2,154

  2,008

  2,003

  Total

  17,209

  16,670

  17,234

  Figures as at 30 September.

  1 Includes the Province Reserve Battalion and the Rural Reinforcement Battalion which are fully committed to Northern Ireland although only one company of each is currently deployed in the Province.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the British Army regiments currently deployed in Northern Ireland, indicating the numbers attached to each and the estimated duration of their tour of duty; and if he will make a statement on planned deployment during the next 12 months. [13083]
  325
  Dr. Reid
  The British Army Infantry Battalions currently committed to Northern Ireland are listed in the table, along with their strength and planned tour length:

  Strength

  Length of tour

  The 1st Battalion The Cheshire Regiment

  604

  2 Years—until August 1998

  The 1st Battalion the Grenadier Guards

  527

  2 Years—until March 1998

  The 2nd Battalion The Light Infantry

  617

  2 Years—until August 1999

  The 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers

  598

  2 Years—until April 1999

  The 1st Battalion The Queen's Lancashire Regiment

  587

  2 Years—until August 1999

  The 1st Battalion The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's)1

  609

  2 Years—until March 1999

  The 1st Battalion The Kings's Own Scottish Borderes

  580

  6 Months—untill March 1998

  The 1st Battalion The Royal Highland Fusiliers (Princess Margaret's Own Glasgow and Ayrshire Regiment)

  568

  6 months —until November 1997

  The 1st Battalion The Queen's Royal Hussars (The Queen's Own and Royal Irish)

  417

  6 Months —until April 1998

  The 1st Battalion the Parachute Regiment

  517

  6 months—until December 1997

  The 1st Battalion The Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment)1

  462

  6 months —until December 1997

  The 3rd Battalion the Parachute Regiment

  440

  6 months—until January 1998

  Figures as at 30 September.

  1 The 1st Battalion The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and the 1st Battalion The Royal Scots, respectively the Province Reserve Battalion and the Rural Reinforcement Battalion, are fully committed to Northern Ireland, although currently only one company of each is deployed in the Province.

  In addition there are six Home Service battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment, totalling 4,757 soldiers, comprising both full-time and part-time members, which are wholly committed to service in Northern Ireland.

  The security situation is kept under constant review and the level of Army support to the Royal Ulster Constabulary adjusted accordingly in line with their requirements. However, it is the Department's policy not to disclose details of future deployments to the Province.

  Hunting
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those areas designated as sites of special scientific interest where his Department has issued a licence to hunt; and if he will make a statement. [14443]

  Mr. Spellar
  Those areas designated as sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) where a licence to hunt has been issued are as follows:

  Name of Hunt

  Name of SSSI

  Surrey Union

  Thursley and Hankley Commons

  Woolmer Forest, Bordon

  Ash to Brookwood Heaths

  Avon Vale Hunt

  Salisbury Plain

  Royal Artillery Hunt

  Salisbury Plain

  South and West Wiltshire Hunt

  Salisbury Plain

  East Kent Hunt

  Folkestone to Etchinghill Escarpment

  Great Shuttlesfield Down

  Alkham, Lydden and Swingfield

  Woods

  326

  Name of Hunt

  Name of SSSI

  Essex and Suffolk Hunt

  Roman River

  Border Hunt

  Ramsay's Bum Wood

  Grasslees Wood

  Durtrees Burn

  Harbottle Moors

  Barrow Meadow

  Linbriggs

  Barrowburn Meadows

  Cottonshopehead Quarry

  River Coquet

  Simonside Hills

  West Percy Hunt

  Barrowburn Meadows

  Linbriggs

  Harbottle Moors

  Barrow Meadows

  River Coquet

  Bewcastle Hunt

  Irthing Gorge

  Caudbeck Flow

  Spadeadam Mires

  River Eden

  Bedale Hunt

  Lower Swaledale Woodland

  West of Yore Hunt

  Stainton Moor

  Wensleydale Hunt

  Bellerby Moor

  Lunesdale Hunt

  Appleby Fell

  Ullswater Hunt

  Appleby Fell

  Brecon and Talybont Hunt

  Blaencilieni

  Irfon and Tywi Hunt

  Blaencilieni

  Glyn and Celyn Hunt

  Blaencilieni

  Sennybridge District Hunt

  Blaencilieni

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which hunts currently have a licence to hunt on his Department's land; to which areas of land licences apply; and if he will make a statement. [14441]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Foxhunts which currently have a Licence to operate on Ministry of Defence land are set out below.

  Area

  Surrey Union Hunt

  Elstead and Hankley Training

  Areas

  Avon Vale Hunt

  Sennybridge Training Area

  Royal Artillery Hunt

  Sennybridge Training Area

  South and West Wiltshire Hunt

  Sennybridge Training Area

  East Kent Hunt

  Cinque Ports Training Area

  Blankney Hunt

  Beckingham Training Area

  Zetland Hunt

  Feldom Training Area

  Bedale Hunt

  Dry Training Area, Catterick

  West of Yore Hunt

  Dry Training Area, Catterick

  Wensleydale Hunt

  Bellerby Ranges, Catterick

  Lunesdale Foxhounds

  Warcop Training Area

  Ullswater Foxhounds

  Warcop Training Area

  Brecon and Talybont Hunt

  Sennybridge Training Area

  Irfon and Tywi Hunt

  Sennybridge Training Area

  Glyn and Celyn Hunt

  Sennybridge Training Area

  Sennybridge District Hunt

  Sennybridge Training Area

  South Pembrokeshire Hunt

  Templeton Airfield

  Tanatside Hunt

  Nesscliffe Training Area

  North Shropshire Hunt

  Nesscliffe Training Area

  West Percy Hunt

  Otterburn Training Area

  Border Hunt

  Otterburn Training Area

  Bewcastle Hunt

  RAF Spadeadam

  Tynedale Hunt

  Albermarle Barracks

  327
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the licences granted to hunt on his Department's land in the hunting seasons(a) 1995–96 and (b) 1996–97 broken down into local authority area; and if he will make a statement. [14445]

  Mr. Spellar
  Those Licences granted to hunts broken down by Local Authority Area for 1995–96 and 1996–97 are as follows:

  a. 1995–96

  Name of Hunt

  Local authority

  Surrey Union

  Waverley District

  Guildford Borough

  Surrey Heath

  Taunton Vale Foxhounds

  South Somerset District

  Avon Vale Hunt

  West Wiltshire District

  Royal Artillery Hunt

  West Wiltshire District

  South and West Wiltshire Hunt

  West Wiltshire District

  East Kent Hunt

  Shepway District Council

  Dover District Council

  Essex and Suffolk Hunt

  Colchester Borough Council

  Zetland Hunt

  Richmond District Council

  Bedale Hunt

  Richmond District Council

  West of Yore Hunt

  Richmond District Council

  Wensleydale Hunt

  Richmond District Council

  Lunesdale Hunt

  Eden District Council

  Ullswater Hunt

  Eden District Council

  Brecon and Talybont Hunt

  Carmarthen County Council

  Powys County Council

  Irfon and Tywi Hunt

  Carmarthen County Council

  Powys County Council

  Glyn and Celyn Hunt

  Carmarthen County Council

  Powys County Council

  Sennybridge District Hunt

  Carmarthen County Council

  Powys County Council

  Tanatside Hunt

  Shrewsbury and Atcham

  Borough Council

  North Shropshire Hunt

  Shrewsbury and Atcham

  Borough Council

  West Percy Hunt

  Alnwick District Council

  Northumberland National Park

  The Border Hunt

  Alnwick District Council

  Tynedale District Council

  Northumberland National Park

  Bewcastle Hunt

  City of Carlisle District Council

  Tynedale Hunt

  Castle Morpeth Borough

  Council

  b. 1996–97

  Name of Hunt

  Local authority

  Surrey Union

  Waverley District

  Guildford Borough

  Surrey Heath

  Avon Vale Hunt

  West Wiltshire District

  Royal Artillery Hunt

  West Wiltshire District

  South and West Wiltshire Hunt

  West Wiltshire District

  East Kent Hunt

  Shepway District Council

  Dover District Council

  Blankney Hunt

  North Kesteven District Council

  Zetland Hunt

  Richmond District Council

  Bedale Hunt

  Richmond District Council

  West of Yore Hunt

  Richmond District Council

  Wensleydale Hunt

  Richmond District Council

  Lunesdale Hunt

  Eden District Council

  Ullswater Hunt

  Eden District Council

  Brecon and Talybont Hunt

  Carmarthen County Council

  Powys County Council

  Irfon and Tywi Hunt

  Carmarthen County Council

  Powys County Council

  328

  b. 1996–97

  Name of Hunt

  Local authority

  Glyn and Celyn Hunt

  Carmarthen County Council

  Powys County Council

  Sennybridge District Hunt

  Carmarthen County Council

  Powys County Council

  South Pembrokeshire Hunt

  Pembroke County Council

  Tanatside Hunt

  Shrewsbury and Atcham

  Borough Council

  North Shropshire Hunt

  Shrewsbury and Atcham

  Borough Council

  West Percy Hunt

  Alnwick District Council

  Northumberland National

  Park

  The Border Hunt

  Alnwick District Council

  Tynedale District Council

  Northumberland National

  Park

  Bewcastle Hunt

  City of Carlisle District Council

  Tynedale Hunt

  Castle Morpeth Borough

  Council

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the terms and conditions of hunt licences include a requirement that hunts follow the rules as set out by the Masters of Foxhounds Association; and if he will make a statement. [14447]

  Mr. Spellar
  Each Licence includes a Schedule of Hunting Rules for the hunt to abide by, one of which is that the"Masters of Foxhounds are to conduct their hunting in accordance with the Rules issued by the Masters of Foxhounds Association".

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many licences to hunt on his Department's land have been revoked in each of the last three years, indicating(a) the hunts involved and (b) the reasons for licence withdrawal; and if he will make a statement. [14439]

  Mr. Spellar
  No Licence for hunting over MOD land have been revoked in the last 3 years.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on whose authority licences are issued to hunt on his Department's land; how the terms and conditions are drawn up; and if he will make a statement. [14444]

  Mr. Spellar
  Licences are issued on the authority of the Secretary of State for Defence. The terms and conditions are agreed between the hunt and the local Defence Land Agent.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in what circumstances the terms and conditions of hunt licences permit hunts to(a) block up badger setts, (b) dig out and flush foxes and (c) construct or maintain artificial earths on his Department's land; and if he will make a statement. [14446]

  Mr. Spellar
  Hunting licences do not generally contain clauses prohibiting the stopping up of badger setts, although all contain clauses stating that hunts must not cause damage to land or the woods, banks, fences and crops thereon. It is my Department's policy not to allow the practices of digging out and flushing foxes on its estate. The construction or maintenance of artificial earths on the Defence Estate is not permitted.
  329
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which hunts were issued licences to hunt on his Department's land for the(a) 1995–96 and (b) 1996–97 hunting seasons; and if he will make a statement. [14440]

  Mr. Spellar
  The licences granted to hunts were:

  (a). 1995-96

  Surrey Union

  Taunton Vale Foxhounds

  Avon Val Hunt

  Royal Artillery Hunt.

  South and West Wiltshire Hunt

  East Kent Hunt

  Essex and Suffolk Hunt

  Zetland Hunt Bedale Hunt

  West of Yore Hunt

  Wensleydale Hunt

  Lunesdale Hunt

  Ullswater Hunt

  Brecon and Talybont Hunt

  Irfon and Tywi Hunt

  Glyn and Celyn Hunt

  Sennybridge District Hunt

  Tanatside Hunt

  North Shropshire Hunt

  West Percy Hunt

  The Border Hunt

  Bewcastle Hunt

  Tynedale Hunt

  b. 1996–97

  Surrey Union

  Avon Vale Hunt

  Royal Artillery Hunt

  South and West Wiltshire Hunt

  East Kent Hunt

  Blankney Hunt

  Zetland Hunt

  Bedale Hunt

  West of Yore Hunt

  Wensleydale Hunt

  Lunesdale Hunt

  Ullswater Hunt

  Brecon and Talybont Hunt

  Irfon and Tywi Hunt

  Glyn and Celyn Hunt

  Sennybridge District Hunt

  South Pembrokeshire Hunt

  Tanatside Hunt

  North Shropshire Hunt

  West Percy Hunt

  The Border Hunt

  Bewcastle Hunt

  Tynedale Hunt

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Genetically Modified Potatoes
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the deep-frying characteristics of genetically modified potatoes. [12620]

  Mr. Morley
  We are not funding any research on the deep-frying characteristics of genetically modified potatoes.

  Agenda 2000
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the impact on the income of United Kingdom farmers of the adoption of Agenda 2000 proposals. [12621]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  It is likely that the immediate result of the Commission Agenda 2000 proposals for reform of the arable, beef and dairy sectors would be a reduction in total income from farming in the UK in the order of 2 per cent. of 1996 levels. Because proposals relating to modulation are unclear, this estimate assumes changes are applied on an unmodulated basis.

  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the European Commission Agenda 2000 document on agriculture; and if he will make a statement. [12624]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  The Agenda 2000 proposals are a welcome step towards positive reform of the CAP. However there are areas, for example milk, where the proposals do not go far enough. We will be looking to make progress on discussion of these during the UK Presidency of the Agriculture Council.

  Meat Hygiene
  Mr. Cranston
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he plans to start publishing the hygiene scores of abattoirs and meat handling facilities. [12623]

  Mr. Rooker
  Hygiene Assessment (HAS) scores have been published in banded form in the Ministry's monthly Meat Hygiene Enforcement Report since May 1997. Publication of HAS scores for individual named licensed abattoirs and cutting plants will commence in January 1998.

  Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances
  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to publish the rates of hill livestock compensatory allowances for the coming year. [12625]

  Mr. Morley
  The rates will be announced as usual later this month.

  Dioxin
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about dioxin levels in the area around the Coalite works in Bolsover. [12626]
  331
  Mr. Morley
  The Department sampled milk from 19 farms in the Bolsover area in July this year. The results of this survey were published recently and show that the levels of dioxins in all samples of milk, except from one farm, are similar to those found in other parts of the UK. The one farm runs a suckler herd and does not produce milk for human consumption.

  Spongiform Encephalopathies
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects all transmissible spongiform encephalopathies to be eliminated from all farm animals. [12627]

  Mr. Rooker
  Research by Professor Anderson of Oxford, which was published in "Nature" last year, indicates that the BSE epidemic will reach insignificant levels by the year 2001.

  We are supporting research into sheep scrapie to learn more about this disease which we hope will enable the industry to develop future control strategies based on genetic resistance.

  Cattle Breeding
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what initiatives he will introduce to encourage the farming of British Belgian Blue cattle and other pedigree beef breeds; and if he will make a statement. [12628]

  Mr. Rooker
  There are no plans to introduce initiatives to encourage the farming of British Belgian Blue cattle or other pedigree beef breeds.

  Common Agricultural Policy
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the United Kingdom's(a) gross and (b) net contribution to the common agricultural policy for the year 1998–99; and if he will make a statement. [12629]

  Mr. Rooker
  The United Kingdom contributes to the EU budget as a whole, and not to any particular part. The draft budget for 1998 is set at 84.7 becu (£55.9 billion), of which the CAP accounts for 41.0 becu (£27.1 billion). The 1999 budget will not be prepared until next spring. Actual expenditure will depend on various factors, including the weather, trade flows and decisions to be taken by the Council of Ministers, and cannot be predicted.

  Mr. Pond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has made for reforming the common agricultural policy to provide greater value to consumers. [12631]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Government favour a more market-oriented Common Agricultural Policy through the phasing out of production related support. The European Commission agrees with our view, and has proposed reform of the cereals, beef and dairy regimes in that direction as part of its Agenda 2000 package. If the Commission's estimated reductions in market prices feed through fully to retail, total savings to consumers in the UK would be around £1 billion—equivalent to 2 per cent. of the retail food prices index.

  English Wine Industry
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to promote the English wine industry. [12630]

  Mr. Morley
  I am aware of the advances which the English and Welsh wine industry have made in recent years. My colleagues and I will lose no appropriate opportunity to promote the industry's products.

  Rural Needs
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals the Government have to address the special needs of people who live and work in rural areas. [12632]

  Mr. Morley
  The Government recognise the special needs of people who live and work in rural areas. We are committed to taking an integrated approach to tackling rural problems and want to encourage a vibrant rural economy in partnership with all those interested in countryside issues. The cross-departmental Comprehensive Spending Review of Countryside and Rural Policy which is currently underway will provide a basis on which to consider these issues.

  Fish Conservation
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, when he next intends to meet the National Federation of Fisherman's Organisations to discuss conservation. [12633]

  Mr. Morley
  I am always ready to meet the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations to discuss conservation.

  Farm Animal Welfare
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to improve the welfare of farm animals. [12615]

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures he has put in place recently to improve the welfare of farm animals. [12634]

  Mr. Morley
  New EU rules on transport were implemented only five weeks after the General Election. We are consulting about new regulations on the welfare of calves and we are reviewing pre-export procedures for animals intended for further fattening or slaughter. The agreement we secured at Amsterdam for a new EU Treaty protocol on animal welfare has given a firm basis from which we can seek real improvements to EU welfare standards both during our forthcoming Presidency and beyond. This is only the beginning: a number of further initiatives are planned.

  Beef
  Mrs. Butler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the stringency of the controls on British beef relative to those applying in the rest of the European Union. [12635]

  Mr. Rooker
  Controls on British beef are amongst the most stringent in the world.
  333
  The Commission carried out inspection missions to Member States in November and December 1996. Their report on Risk Factors and Surveillance procedures in the Community highlighted shortcomings in controls in some Member States. As a result the Commission have decided to take action against 10 Member States in respect of their apparent failure to enforce some aspects of Community legislation on BSE.

  In May the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee (SEAC) considered the Commission's draft report and concluded that action should be taken to extend controls on specified bovine material (SBM) to imports from the EU, and to imports from third countries, other than those where there is no known risk to BSE, unless resolved on an EU wide basis. A Commission Decision laying down controls for the removal and disposal of Specified Risk Material from cattle was adopted by the Commission on 30 July and will apply throughout the Community from 1 January 1998. In the meantime, only four other Member States have their own controls on specified material in cattle: the Republic of Ireland, France, the Netherlands and Portugal.

  Breed

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  11997

  Aberdeen Angus

  0

  0

  0

  1

  5

  17

  38

  51

  24

  16

  7

  6

  Aberdeen Angus x

  0

  0

  3

  7

  19

  46

  127

  164

  140

  63

  41

  13

  Aberdeen Angus x Ayrshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  2

  2

  3

  0

  0

  0

  Aberdeen Angus x Charolais

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  Aberdeen Angus x Friesian

  0

  0

  4

  14

  28

  76

  172

  184

  89

  52

  25

  6

  Aberdeen Angus x Holstein

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  Aberdeen Angus x Jersey

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  5

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Aberdeen Angus x Limousin

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  7

  6

  2

  7

  1

  0

  Aberdeen Angus x Shorthorn

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  Aberdeen Angus x Sussex

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Ankole

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  Ayr x Charolais

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  2

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Ayrshire

  0

  8

  31

  93

  195

  274

  381

  314

  209

  96

  64

  15

  Ayrshire x

  0

  1

  3

  8

  1

  7

  1

  5

  3

  1

  1

  0

  Ayrshire x Belgian Blue

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Ayrshire x Blonde D'Aquitaine

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Ayrshire x Galloway

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Ayrshire x Gelbvieh

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Ayrshire x Guernsey

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  3

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Ayrshire x Jersey

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Ayrshire x Limousin

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  4

  5

  2

  1

  1

  0

  Ayrshire x Red Friesian

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  2

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Ayrshire x Shorthorn

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  3

  2

  0

  0

  1

  Ayrshire x Simmental

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  3

  1

  0

  1

  0

  0

  Ayrshire x Sussex

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Ayrshire x Welsh Black

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Bazadaise

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Belgian Blue

  0

  0

  0

  0

  4

  6

  17

  27

  19

  6

  5

  1

  Belgian Blue x

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  3

  22

  22

  25

  17

  10

  1

  Belgian Blue x Aberdeen Angus

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Belgian Blue x Hereford

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  2

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Belgian Blue x Holstein

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  3

  0

  2

  0

  0

  0

  Belgian Blue x Shorthorn

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  Belted Galloway

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Black Hereford

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Black Hereford x

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  7

  1

  0

  Black Limousin x

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Blonde D'Aquitaine

  0

  0

  0

  1

  5

  2

  11

  9

  15

  8

  10

  3

  Blonde D'Aquitaine x

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  5

  4

  11

  4

  1

  Blonde D'Aquitaine x Charolais

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Blonde D'Aquitaine x Friesian

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  6

  17

  17

  10

  5

  3

  3

  Blonde D'Aquitaine x Guernsey

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Blonde D'Aquitaine x Hereford

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  Blonde D'Aquitaine x Holstein

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  0

  0

  Blonde D'Aquitaine x Limousin

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  2

  1

  0

  0

  Blonde D'Aquitaine x Lincoln Red

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Blue Grey

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  4

  4

  1

  1

  1

  0

  Blue Grey x

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  1

  0

  0

  BSE
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the full cost of the BSE crisis to(a) the United Kingdom and (b) other European Union countries. [12637]

  Mr. Rooker
  Our estimate of the financial cost of the BSE crisis to the Exchequer over the four years 1996–97 to 1999–2000 is approximately £3.7 billion. The Department has commissioned an independent study to provide a comprehensive assessment of the economic impact of BSE across the whole UK economy and within particular regions. We do not have details of the financial cost to other EU countries.

  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the incidence of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in cattle has been in the United Kingdom in each of the past 10 years, expressed as a percentage of each identifiable breed. [14180]

  Mr. Rooker
  The number of cattle confirmed as having BSE in the United Kingdom in each year of the last 10 complete years and the most recent figures for 1997 are listed by cattle breed in the table:
  335

  Breed

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  11997

  Blue Roan

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  British Shorthorn

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  British White

  0

  0

  0

  0

  8

  27

  4

  2

  1

  1

  0

  1

  British White x Aberdeen Angus

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  British White x Friesian

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  1

  0

  2

  1

  0

  British White x Jersey

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Brown Swiss

  0

  0

  2

  1

  2

  5

  4

  6

  4

  0

  9

  6

  Brown Swiss x

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  2

  4

  2

  3

  Brown Swiss x Friesian

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  3

  8

  6

  9

  11

  Brown Swiss x Guernsey

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Brown Swiss x Holstein

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  0

  Brown Swiss x Jersey

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  Brown Swiss x Shorthorn

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  Canadian Angus

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Canadian Angus x Friesian

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Canadian Guernsey

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Charolais

  0

  0

  2

  11

  17

  41

  103

  116

  66

  54

  18

  6

  Charolais x

  0

  0

  0

  6

  7

  31

  69

  102

  72

  51

  24

  11

  Charolais x Belgian Blue

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Charolais x Friesian

  0

  0

  0

  0

  4

  27

  54

  47

  33

  16

  11

  5

  Charolais x Guernsey

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  4

  3

  0

  0

  0

  Charolais x Hereford

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  1

  1

  0

  0

  1

  Charolais x Holstein

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  0

  0

  0

  Charolais x Limousin

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  3

  4

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Charolais x Murray Grey

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  0

  0

  Charolais x Simmental

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  4

  2

  2

  0

  1

  Charolais x South Devon

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  0

  2

  0

  0

  0

  Chianin x Simmental

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Chianina x

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Chianina x Friesian

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Devon

  0

  0

  0

  0

  5

  3

  4

  10

  5

  3

  2

  0

  Devon x

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  5

  11

  4

  3

  2

  0

  0

  Devon x Blonde D'Aquitaine

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Devon x Friesian

  0

  1

  0

  1

  6

  3

  16

  19

  14

  9

  3

  0

  Devon x Limousin

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  4

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Dutch Holstein

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Friesian

  3

  86

  2,089

  6,008

  11,615

  21,065

  29,572

  26,676

  18,632

  10,958

  6,072

  2,049

  Friesian x

  0

  0

  0

  0

  11

  40

  98

  96

  48

  25

  15

  5

  Friesian x Ayrshire

  0

  0

  0

  2

  6

  15

  22

  22

  16

  6

  2

  2

  Friesian x Belgian Blue

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  11

  41

  39

  27

  19

  11

  1

  Friesian x Blue Grey

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Friesian x Galloway

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  5

  4

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Friesian x Guernsey

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  5

  6

  5

  5

  3

  0

  0

  Friesian x Holstein

  0

  16

  127

  204

  388

  637

  999

  1,231

  1,179

  816

  494

  206

  Friesian x Longhorn

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  Friesian x Normandy

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  Friesian x Red Poll

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Friesian x South Devon

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  5

  8

  7

  5

  0

  0

  1

  Galloway

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  4

  1

  1

  1

  0

  Galloway x

  0

  0

  0

  2

  0

  0

  5

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  Galloway x Aberdeen Angus

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  2

  0

  0

  Galloway x Devon

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Galloway x Hereford

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Galloway x Saler

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  Galloway x Shorthorn

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  4

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Galloway x Simmental

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Gelbvieh

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  2

  3

  9

  1

  0

  3

  0

  Gelbvieh x

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  4

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Gelbvieh x Charolais

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Gelbvieh x Friesian

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  5

  1

  0

  1

  0

  Gelbvieh x Limousin

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Gloucester

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Gloucester x

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Guernsey

  0

  2

  19

  64

  146

  221

  332

  302

  198

  123

  68

  30

  Guernsey x

  0

  0

  3

  1

  1

  1

  2

  5

  5

  1

  1

  0

  Guernsey x Devon

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Guernsey x Jersey

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  2

  0

  4

  0

  1

  Guernsey x Merse Rhine Issel

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Guernsey x Murray Gray

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Guernsey x Red Friesian

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Guernsey x Shorthorn

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  Hereford

  0

  0

  1

  24

  44

  82

  138

  144

  100

  60

  25

  11

  Hereford x

  0

  0

  9

  65

  141

  362

  727

  830

  574

  386

  195

  63

  Hereford x Aberdeen Angus

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  Hereford x Ayrshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  4

  3

  2

  1

  3

  0

  Hereford x Devon

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Hereford x Friesian

  0

  4

  21

  106

  242

  571

  1,150

  1,370

  755

  433

  217

  63

  Hereford x Guernsey

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  0

  2

  0

  0

  0

  336 337

  Breed

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  11997

  Hereford x Holstein

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Hereford x Jersey

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  0

  0

  3

  1

  0

  0

  Hereford x Red Friesian

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  2

  3

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Hereford x Shorthorn

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  2

  2

  0

  0

  Hereford x Simmental

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  1

  8

  10

  7

  4

  4

  2

  Hereford x South Devon

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Highland

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  0

  2

  4

  4

  3

  2

  2

  Highland x

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Highland x Hereford

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Holstein

  0

  2

  62

  147

  272

  475

  475

  399

  267

  164

  116

  50

  Holstein x

  0

  0

  0

  0

  8

  42

  128

  103

  87

  22

  13

  1

  Holstein x Ayrshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  2

  4

  3

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Holstein x Jersey

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Jersey

  0

  0

  19

  60

  135

  210

  323

  290

  230

  114

  68

  27

  Jersey x

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  7

  4

  2

  0

  1

  1

  Jersey x Belgian Blue

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  0

  Jersey x Charolais

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  3

  2

  0

  1

  2

  0

  0

  Jersey x Devon

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Jersey x Friesian

  0

  1

  3

  2

  4

  10

  11

  4

  9

  5

  2

  3

  Jersey x Simmental

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Jersey x Welsh Black

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Limousin

  0

  0

  1

  10

  13

  46

  96

  114

  88

  56

  39

  10

  Limousin x

  0

  0

  0

  0

  28

  87

  217

  335

  221

  159

  91

  42

  Limousin x Belgian Blue

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  0

  Limousin x British White

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Limousin x Friesian

  0

  0

  2

  12

  32

  92

  246

  308

  183

  123

  46

  21

  Limousin x Guernsey

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  2

  5

  0

  1

  0

  0

  Limousin x Hereford

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  4

  5

  6

  1

  2

  0

  Limousin x Holstein

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  3

  3

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Limousin x Jersey

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  4

  6

  3

  2

  1

  1

  1

  Limousin x Luing

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Limousin x North Devon

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Limousin x Simmental

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  3

  1

  0

  1

  1

  Lincoln Red

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  3

  3

  1

  1

  0

  Lincoln Red x

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Longhorn

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  2

  0

  2

  2

  1

  1

  1

  Luing x

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  Luing x Friesian

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Marchigiana

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Meuse Rhine Issel

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  3

  5

  2

  2

  2

  1

  2

  Meuse Rhine Issel x

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  2

  0

  0

  1

  0

  Meuse Rhine Issel x Ayrshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  Meuse Rhine Issel x Friesian

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  3

  1

  0

  1

  0

  3

  0

  Meuse Rhine Issel x Guernsey

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  1

  Meuse Rhine Issel x Jersey

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Murray Grey

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  7

  4

  8

  6

  3

  1

  0

  Murrey Grey x

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  4

  4

  1

  1

  0

  Murray Grey x Friesian

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  5

  2

  3

  0

  0

  1

  Murray Grey x Jersey

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  Murray Grey x South Devon

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Normandy x

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Normandy x Friesian

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  North Devon

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  5

  2

  5

  0

  0

  0

  0

  North Devon x

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  North Devon x Friesian

  0

  0

  0

  2

  1

  5

  8

  9

  1

  4

  2

  0

  North Devon x Hereford

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Not Recorded

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Old English White

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  Piedmontese

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  2

  0

  1

  2

  0

  Piedmontese x

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  2

  0

  Piedmontese x Friesian

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  1

  0

  Red Friesian

  0

  0

  2

  8

  28

  50

  72

  45

  48

  20

  9

  5

  Red Friesian x Holstein

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  Red Friesian x

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  Red Holstein

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  3

  2

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Red Holstein x Friesian

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Red Poll

  0

  0

  0

  1

  4

  2

  6

  6

  11

  2

  5

  1

  Red Poll x

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Red Poll x Hereford

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Red Poll x Limousin

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Romagnola

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Romagnola x Friesian

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Romagnola x Jersey

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  0

  Saler

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  1

  1

  0

  0

  Saler x

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  0

  1

  Saler x Friesian

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Shetland

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  Shorthorn

  0

  2

  2

  20

  8

  21

  44

  67

  47

  23

  15

  1

  338 339

  Breed

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  11997

  Shorthorn x

  0

  0

  2

  2

  3

  7

  14

  11

  13

  5

  3

  0

  Shorthorn x Blue Grey

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Shorthorn x Friesian

  0

  0

  0

  0

  4

  9

  12

  11

  4

  3

  4

  1

  Shorthorn x Holstein

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Shorthorn x Jersey

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  Shorthorn x Limousin

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1

  1

  1

  0

  Shorthorn x Merse Rhine Issel

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Shorthorn x Red Friesian

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  0

  0

  Shorthorn x Simmental

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  2

  0

  0

  0

  Simmental

  0

  0

  2

  11

  16

  52

  123

  150

  111

  71

  33

  13

  Simmental x

  0

  0

  0

  0

  15

  72

  213

  299

  195

  144

  93

  33

  Simmental x Angus

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Simmental x Belgian Blue

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Simmental x Friesian

  0

  1

  2

  8

  28

  69

  239

  242

  166

  106

  51

  14

  Simmental x Galloway

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Simmental x Guernsey

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  2

  2

  0

  0

  2

  0

  Simmental x Highland

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Simmental x Holstein

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  1

  0

  2

  Simmental x Lincoln Red

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Simmental x Luing

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  1

  0

  0

  0

  South Devon

  0

  0

  2

  4

  4

  14

  20

  33

  19

  5

  9

  1

  South Devon x Aberdeen Angus

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  0

  0

  0

  South Devon x Guernsey

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  South Devon x Limousin

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  0

  0

  0

  0

  South Devon x

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  4

  6

  2

  2

  0

  0

  South Down

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Sussex

  0

  0

  1

  1

  5

  2

  4

  16

  9

  4

  6

  0

  Sussex x

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  5

  7

  3

  8

  0

  1

  1

  Sussex x Devon

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Sussex x Friesian

  0

  0

  0

  1

  5

  5

  7

  14

  16

  12

  3

  2

  Sussex x Limousin

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  1

  0

  0

  Sussex x Simmental

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Welsh Black

  0

  0

  1

  4

  1

  4

  8

  19

  11

  5

  1

  2

  Welsh Black x

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  3

  2

  7

  2

  0

  1

  Welsh Black x Friesian

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  3

  1

  2

  1

  0

  Welsh Black x Hereford

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Welsh Black x Limousin

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  1

  2

  0

  0

  1

  0

  White Park

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Unknown

  1

  194

  76

  271

  599

  291

  370

  296

  217

  148

  121

  47

  Total

  4

  318

  2,493

  7,193

  14,160

  25,244

  36,989

  34,828

  24,394

  14,537

  8,131

  2,830

  11997 figures for GB to 3 November 1997. 1997 figures for NI to 31 October 1997.

  The Department does not hold data on the numbers of resident cattle by breed and cannot therefore calculate the percentages requested.

  Food Labelling
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to ensure labels on foodstuffs carry accurate information. [12638]

  Mr. Rooker
  We are determined to improve openness and information to consumers. We have succeeded in getting EC agreement to better labelling of mechanically recovered meat and are pressing our EC partners for all foods to be labelled if they contain genetically modified material. When the review of nutrition labelling rules get underway we shall argue for more, simpler and better presented information.

  Countryside Stewardship Scheme
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many agreements under the countryside stewardship scheme involve access. [12636]

  Mr. Morley
  The Countryside Stewardship Scheme Currently has 1,207 agreements which include access elements, amounting to almost 20 per cent. of total agreements.

  Live Animal Exports
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make representations to other EU states to urge eastern European countries to end the export of live animals to the EU. [13854]

  Mr. Rooker
  The European Commission and other Member States are already aware of the UK Government's opposition to the long distance transport of live animals intended for further fattening or slaughter, irrespective of the origin of those animals or their destination. We will continue to make known our opposition to such trade whenever the opportunity arises.

  Animal Welfare
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the adequacy of time spent by local veterinary inspectors in inspecting animals destined for export to ensure that they are fit to travel as required by the Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 1997; and if he will make a statement. [13931]

  Mr. Rooker
  Local Veterinary Inspectors, as veterinary surgeons, must use their professional judgment in ensuring that sufficient time is given to assessing the fitness of animals to travel. The State Veterinary
  341
  Inspectors audit their procedures to ensure that the proper standards are maintained. In addition, for export health certification purposes, the Department will be producing clearer instruction for Local Veterinary Inspectors on what an inspection should comprise. It is proposed that this will include a benchmark for the length of time an inspection ought to take, according to the different circumstances which may prevail.

  Delegated Legislation
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list all(a) secondary, (b) other delegated legislation and (c) all deregulation orders his Department made during the summer adjournment. [14372]

  Mr. Morley
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, on 5 November 1997,Official Report, column 216.

  Sea Defence (Waveney)
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which areas of coastline in the Waveney constituency he considers to be most vulnerable to breaches of sea defence. [14295]

  Mr. Morley
  This Department is responsible for flood and coastal defence policy in England and significantly contributes to the funding of capital defence measures. However, individual flood and coastal defence works are designed, constructed and maintained by the Environment Agency, local councils and Internal Drainage Boards. These bodies identify the need for defence measures locally, including which areas of coastline are most vulnerable to breaching, and decide which projects to promote and their timing.

  Tax Advice
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the expenditure made by(a) his Department,(b) its agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies, on (i) tax consultants and (ii) other external tax advice in (1) 1995–96, (2) 1996–97 and (3) 1997–98; and if he will make a statement. [13253]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 5 November 1997]The Department has made no payments of the kind described in the relevant years. Only one such payment has been made by the Executive Agencies, this being for £4,000 to a consultant, on behalf of the Meat Hygiene Service, in 1995–96.

  Information on such expenditure by non-departmental public bodies is not centrally available, but is currently being sought. I will write to the hon. Member with the collated information as soon as possible.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the policy of his Department on the purchase of tax avoidance advice; and if he will make a statement. [13254]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 5 November 1997]The general policy of the Department and its Executive Agencies is that no use should be made of external 342
  consultants in respect of taxation matters. However, there was one such transaction by the Meat Hygiene Service in the financial year 1995–96, as reported in my reply to the hon. Gentleman's previous Question.

  Non-departmental public bodies enjoy greater freedom of action, and are responsible for their own tax affairs. However, the Department's resources are available to all such bodies and officials are sometimes consulted for advice.

  Over-30-months Scheme
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much meat and bone meal is in storage as a result of the over-30-months scheme. [14598]

  Mr. Rooker
  As at 31 October 267,387 tonnes of meat and bone meal were held in store.

  Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what guidelines he has issued to the directors of BBSRC about his Department's responsibility for core research and staff at BBSRC Institutes. [14502]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Department funds research in support of its policies and, within this framework, commissions a substantial amount of research at BBSRC institutes. However, responsibility for core-funding of science and for staff at these institutes rests with the Office of Science and Technology and BBSRC management themselves. It is not therefore appropriate for this Department to issue guidelines on these matters to BBSRC Directors.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Admiralty House
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the(a) official entertainment functions and (b) conferences which have been held at Admiralty House since May 1997. [12922]

  Dr. David Clark
  Admiralty House has four state rooms, which are available for use by Ministers and Senior Officials. The following official entertainment functions have taken place there since May 1997:

  Date

  Function

  Department

  Hosted by or on behalf of

  May

  12

  Lunch

  Ministry of Defence

  Chief of the General Staff

  14

  Dinner

  Ministry of Defence

  Chief of the Air Staff

  15

  Lunch

  Ministry of Defence

  Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff (Pol)

  15

  Dinner

  Ministry of Defence

  Permanent Under Secretary

  21

  Lunch

  Ministry of Defence

  Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff (Pol)

  22

  Lunch

  Ministry of Defence

  Chief of the Air Staff

  22

  Reception

  Ministry of Defence

  Secretary of State

  June

  9

  Lunch

  Ministry of Defence

  1st Sea Lord

  11

  Lunch

  Ministry of Defence

  Vice Chief of the Defence Staff

  343

  Date

  Function

  Department

  Hosted by or on behalf of

  16

  Lunch

  Ministry of Defence

  Chief of the General Staff

  18

  Lunch

  Ministry of Defence

  Chief Scientific Adviser

  July

  2

  Lunch

  Ministry of Defence

  1st Sea Lord

  7

  Lunch

  Ministry of Defence

  Vice Chief of the Defence Staff

  8

  Lunch

  Cabinet Office, Office of Public Service

  Permanent Under Secretary

  14

  Lunch

  Ministry of Defence

  Vice Chief of the Defence Staff

  16

  Dinner

  Ministry of Defence

  Secretary of State

  17

  Lunch

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office

  Minister of State (Europe)

  17

  Dinner

  Ministry of Defence

  Secretary of State

  21

  Lunch

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office

  Minister of State

  21

  Dinner

  Ministry of Defence

  Permanent Under Secretary

  22

  Lunch

  Ministry of Defence

  Vice Chief of the Defence Staff

  August

  4

  Lunch

  Ministry of Defence

  Chief of the General Staff

  5

  Lunch

  Department for International Development

  Parliamentary under Secretary of State

  15

  Lunch

  Ministry of Defence

  Permanent Under Secretary

  26

  Lunch

  Department for International Development

  Secretary of State

  September

  3

  Lunch

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office

  Minister of State

  3

  Dinner

  Department of Trade and Industry

  Minister for Trade

  4

  Lunch

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office

  Parliamentary Under Secretary of State

  8

  Dinner

  Ministry of Defence

  Chief Scientific Adviser

  9

  Lunch

  Ministry of Defence

  Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff (Pol)

  11

  Lunch

  Ministry of Defence

  Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff (Pol)

  16

  Lunch

  ministry of Defence

  Vice Chief of the Defence Staff

  18

  Lunch

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office

  Minister of State (Europe)

  22

  Lunch

  Ministry of Defence

  Chief of the Defence Staff

  23

  Dinner

  Department of Trade and Industry

  President of the Board of Trade

  24

  Lunch

  Ministry of Defence

  Secretary of State

  30

  Lunch

  Ministry of Defence

  Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff(Pol)

  30

  Dinner

  Lord Chancellor's Department

  Lord Chancellor

  October

  6

  Lunch

  Ministry of Defence

  Chief of the Defence Staff

  6

  Dinner

  Ministry of Defence

  Parliamentary Under Secretary of State

  7

  Lunch

  Ministry of Defence

  Secretary of State

  7

  Dinner

  Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  16

  Lunch

  Ministry of Defence

  1stSea Lord

  22

  Reception

  Department of Trade and Industry

  President of the Board of Trade

  23

  Dinner

  Ministry of Defence

  1st Sea Lord

  28

  Lunch

  Ministry of Defence

  Secretary of State

  No conferences have been held at Admiralty House during this period.

  Civil Service Pensions
  Mr. MacGregor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what would be the cost of indexing pensions paid to civil servants on early retirement under the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme from the ages of 50 to 55 years. [14424]

  Dr. David Clark
  Civil Service pensions, along with those paid to other public service pensioners, are increased in accordance with the provisions of the Pensions Increase Acts. Any change for the Civil Service scheme would have repercussions for other public service schemes; in very broad terms and additional cost of indexing all public service pensions from the ages of 50 to 55 years is likely to be at least £50 million a year. The cost for the Civil Service scheme alone would be some £2½ million. The government have no plans to change the current arrangements.

PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMISSION

  National Audit Office (Staff)
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Chairman of the Public Accounts Commission if he will make a statement on the number of staff employed by the NAO. [11705]

  Mr. Sheldon
  The current strength of the National Audit Office is 751 staff. In addition the Office has at present another 98 staff on secondment with other organisations or on maternity leave or career break.

CABINET OFFICE

  Millennium Dome
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio what is the expected entrance cost to the Millennium Dome at Greenwich; what number of United Kingdom citizens are expected to visit the Millennium Dome during the year 2000; and if he will make a statement. (13275]

  Mr. Mandelson
  The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) is developing a comprehensive pricing structure which will aim to maximise visitor income whilst ensuring that the Experience is accessible to all who wish to visit. The NMEC aims to achieve 12 million visits to the Experience from the UK and overseas.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio what measures are in place to ensure that there will be no cost overrun for the public sector or from lottery funds relating to the project to construct the Millennium Dome; and if he will make a statement. [13276]

  Mr. Mandelson
  The New Millennium Experience Company has robust management and financial controls in place which are in line with the terms set by the Millennium Commission for the award of its grant, and in line with conditions set by me as the Shareholder. When the Prime Minister announced the go-ahead for the project on 19 June, it was on the proviso that there would be no extra burden on the public purse over and above the grant-in-aid allocated to English Partnerships for acquisition and preparation of the peninsula site.
  345
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio what is the planned life expectancy of the Millennium Dome at Greenwich; and if he will make a statement. [13277]

  Mr. Mandelson
  The Government are currently considering a range of possible, self-financing, uses for the Millennium Experience Dome over the longer term. Its life expectancy will depend on future use and upkeep, with no significant structural refit expected for at least the first 25 years.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio (1) what private sector moneys have so far been secured for the Millennium Dome at Greenwich; what proportion of planned private sector moneys this represents; and if he will make a statement; [13274]

  (2) how many private sector sponsorship deals have so far been signed in relation to constructing and running the planned Millennium Dome at Greenwich; and if he will make a statement. [13279]

  Mr. Mandelson
  There is a significant level of interest from potential sponsors and this is expected to be translated into firm commitments in the coming months.

HEALTH

  Erb's Palsy
  Mr. White
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the incidence by health authority for each of the last five years of Erb's palsy; and what research into this condition his Department is currently undertaking. [13855]

  Mr. Boateng
  Information on the number of completed in-patient treatments of those patients admitted to National Health Service hospitals in England with a primary diagnosis of Erb's palsy for the five years up to 1994–95 has been placed in the Library. The main agency through which the Government support medical and clinical research is the Medical Research Council. The MRC does not currently fund any research into Erb's palsy. It has not received any applications for funds to carry out such work. However, a working group under the auspices of the Confidential Enquiry into Stillbirths and Deaths in Infancy (CESDI) is currently preparing guidance on the management of shoulder dystocia (misplacement of the baby's shoulder in the birth canal) which is considered to be a contributory factor in many cases of Erb's palsy.

  Deregulation
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list all(a) secondary, (b) other delegated legislation and (c) all deregulation orders his Department made during the summer adjournment. [14384]

  Ms Jowell
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster gave him on 5 November 1997,Official Report, column 216.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent changes have taken place in the private finance initiative aimed at reducing the financing costs of capital developments. [14106]

  Mr. Milburn
  Since August the National Health Service Executive has been undertaking a review of the process and product of the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) in the NHS. One of their tasks is to make specific recommendations on how the cost of the procurement process under the PFI can be reduced. The results of the review will be announced in early 1998.

  Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
  Jacqui Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate his Department has made about the future incidence of new variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. [14092]

  Ms Jowell
  On 15 September 1997 the Chief Medical Officer announced the formation of a sub-group of the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee (SEAC) with the following remit"To assess the information about the epidemiology of new variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and develop as far as possible advice on trends in the disease".

  The sub-group will have as an early task an assessment of what information will be needed to make soundly based estimates of the future incidence of the disease. However, on present indications it will be three to four years before they are in a position to do this.

  In the meantime it remains too early to make confident estimates of the likely number of cases.

  Jacqui Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has recently evaluated on the links between Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy and new variant CJD. [14094]

  Ms Jowell
  Two research papers were published in Nature on .2 October 1997—"Transmissions to mice indicate that new variant CJD is caused by the BSE agent" by M. E. Bruce and colleagues based at the Neuropathogenesis Unit in Edinburgh and "The same prion strain causes nvCJD and BSE" by A. F. Hill and colleagues based at Imperial College School of Medicine at St. Mary's, London.

  The Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee (SEAC) considered these findings and concluded that they provide convincing evidence that the agent which causes Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy is the same as that which causes new variant Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease (nvCJD). The Committee also stated that the most likely explanation of the cases of nvCJD to date remains exposure to BSE before the introduction of the Specified Bovine Offals (SBO) ban in 1989.

  SEAC also concluded that the necessary measures to protect public health and animal health are in place and saw no need for any changes in the light of these new findings.

  Incontinence
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evaluation(a) has been carried out and (b) is planned by his Department of the total cost of health care provided by the NHS for incontinence. [14029]

  Mr. Boateng
  No evaluation of these costs has been carried out and none is planned.

  Specific information on the cost of health care provided by the National Health Service for people with incontinence is not collected centrally and we have no plans to change this. The Department is seeking to reduce the burden of data collection by the NHS and rationalise data flows within the NHS and between the NHS and the centre. The collection of additional information on incontinence would not be in line with this policy.

  Community Care
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to issue formal guidance to local authorities so as to ensure that BD8 referrals automatically trigger a full community care assessment by local authorities. [14028]

  Mr. Boateng
  The proposal that BD8s should automatically trigger a full community care assessment by local authorities is made in a recent report by the Royal National Institute for the Blind,A Question of Risk: Community care for older visually impaired people in England and Wales. The department will study the report carefully.

  Health Trusts (Assets)
  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assets currently in the hands of health trusts are being considered for transfer to the private sector; and if he will make a statement. [14075]

  Mr. Milburn
  The value of surplus or redundant assets owned by National Health Service trusts can form part of the negotiations between the trust and the private sector in a Private Finance Initiative deal, but any such assets must be sold or disposed of at open market value.

  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health to what time scale the review of assets is being conducted; how much the review is expected to cost; and if he will make a statement. [14105]

  Mr. Milburn
  The next periodic revaluation of National Health Service land and buildings to take place in summer 1999 to allow NHS trusts, health authorities and other NHS bodies to establish accurate fixed asset values as of 31 March 2000. The exercise is expected to cost in the region of £ 2·25 million.

  NHS Patients
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many patients he estimates will require NHS treatment in each of the next five years; [14458]

  (2) how many patients he estimates will receive NHS treatment in each of the next five years. [14459]

  Mr. Milburn
  The health service will treat more patients over the next five years. The Government's election manifesto stated that the Government will raise 348
  spending on the National Health Service in real terms every year, and put money towards patient care. The manifesto also made clear our commitment to the historic principle of the NHS:
  "if you are ill or injured there will be a NHS there to help … access will be based on need … not on your ability to pay … or on who your GP happens to be or on where you live".

  We intend to keep to these promises.

  Waiting Lists
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients he estimates will be on NHS waiting lists on 30 April 2002. [14460]

  Mr. Milburn
  Despite the dreadful situation we inherited from our predecessors we are committed to having shorter waiting lists by the end of this Parliament.

  National Blood Service
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) hospitals and (b) NHS trusts have signed their annual contract with the National Blood Service (i) nationally and (ii) in each zone. [14456]

  Mr. Boateng
  The information is not collected in the form requested. However, details of the number of contracts signed for 1997–98 are as follows:

  Zone

  Number

  London and South East

  110

  Midlands and South West

  21

  Northern

  67

  Total

  198

  A further 22 contracts have been agreed, but not yet signed.

  To address the problems involved in the present arrangements, a working group has been set up to agree a common framework for commissioning and for national prices.

  Air Pollution
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Under-Secretary of State's letter of 22 October, (MR/EE/PSO/14053/97), what interim action he is taking as a result of the Poloniecki study on air pollution. [14462]

  Ms Jowell
  The Poloniecki study on the effects of air pollution on heart disease is currently being considered by the Department of Health's Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants (COMEAP). I shall write to my hon. Friend the Member for Linlithgow with the Committee's views as soon as possible.

  As part of the review of the National Air Quality Strategy the effects of carbon monoxide and particles on health will be examined. The Poloniecki study will form part of the research literature that will be considered.

  Emergency Services
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the final report of the group led by the Chief Medical Officer into the provision of emergency services in the community will be published; and if he will make a statement. [14487]

  Mr. Boateng
  The report was published on 19 September this year under the title 'Developing Emergency Services in the Community: The Final report' and was distributed widely within the National Health Service under cover of an Executive Letter, EL(97)46. Copies of the report and the letter have been placed in the Library.

  As part of the implementation programme, the Department of Health is funding telephone immediate care and advice lines to be piloted in three sites from early next year.

  Prescription Charges
  Jane Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will review regulations whereby two or more prescription charges are payable when two or more medicines are prescribed in circumstances where medicines are in one pack and cannot be taken separately. [14698]

  Mr. Milburn
  This and all other aspects of prescription charges are being considered as part of the Department of Health's Comprehensive Spending Review. We aim to complete the review by next spring. The Government remain committed to the historic principle of the National Health Service that health services will be available to all and access will be based on need, not on ability to pay.

  Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Trust
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to announce the appointment of the next chairman of the Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Trust. [14473]

  Mr. Milburn
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health will shortly be considering recommendations for this post. An announcement will be made as soon as possible.

  NHS Appointments
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what notice he plans to give to NHS trust and health authority members on their reappointment. [14583]

  Mr. Milburn
  We would normally prefer to give advance notice to serving members of National Health Service boards on whether they are to be reappointed. Trust appointments have been delayed this year because of the introduction of new criteria for board membership, and the need to consider new candidates arising from over 350
  1,800 nominations by Members of Parliament and local authorities. Apart from exceptional cases, these appointments will be confirmed very shortly.

  Health Authority Contracts
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list, by health care provider, for each of the last four years, the number of contracts each health authority had in place, indicating how many of these had been referred for arbitration within the NHS region; and how many were left unsigned by(a) the provider and (b) the purchaser at the end of the year to which they applied, or for 1997–98, at the end of October 1997. [14611]

  Mr. Milburn
  The information requested may be collected at a regional level but it is at the discretion of the regional office and is not authorised or validated centrally.

  Solihull Hospital
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the range of services provided to patients by Solihull Hospital. [13798]

  Mr. Milburn
  The range of services provided by Solihull Hospital is as follows:

  Accident and Emergency services;

  Outpatient Clinics for most specialities;

  Day surgery;

  Maternity services, including Special Care Baby Unit;

  Diagnostic facilities, including a Magnetic Resonance Imaging scanner;

  In-patient wards for emergency and elective admissions;

  Coronary care and intensive therapy units;

  Renal dialysis unit;

  Acute mental health services.

  Paint (Calcium Hydroxide)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans he has to encourage the use of paint containing calcium hydroxide on hospital(a) surfaces, (b) walls and (c) air ducts; and if he will make a statement; [13802]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the benefits of coating hospital surfaces in paint containing calcium hydroxide in relation to the control of Staphylococcus aureus; and if he will make a statement; [13803]

  (3) what assessment he has made of the benefits of coating the insides of hospital air ducts in paint containing calcium hydroxide in relation to the spread of Aspergillus niger; and if he will make a statement. [13804]

  Mr. Milburn
  The Department of Health is aware of the advances of technology in paint manufacture. The view of the Department's expert advisers is that wall and floor surfaces in hospitals, in practice, play little part in the transmission of infection, including Staphylococcus aureus. Aspergillus niger is a very uncommon cause of infection in hospitals. The source of such fungal spores is generally outside air.

  Duct coating designed to inactivate suspended microbes will make insufficient contact to produce significant reduction in their numbers.
  351
  Patients with severely reduced immunity, such as bone marrow transplant patients, are particularly prone to A. niger. Units for such patients are generally supplied with air that has passed through High Efficiency Particulate Air filters, tested to British Standard BS3928, located in ductwork. Such filters are highly effective at removing airborne microbial contamination, including spores of A. niger.

  Tissue Research
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to introduce a national scheme to distribute human tissue unfit for transplant for use in research; and if he will make a statement. [13801]

  Ms Jowell
  The donation of human tissue for research purposes is permitted under the Human Tissue Act 1961. However, if a person (or his/her family) has given permission for organs to be taken for transplantation and 352
  those organs prove unsuitable for transplantation they cannot automatically be used for research purposes. Separate consent must be obtained.

  Psychologists
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to introduce legislation to control the activities of those calling themselves psychologists who have been struck off the Register of Psychologists. [13796]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Government have no current plans to introduce a system of statutory registration of the title psychologists. I recently met with representatives of the British Psychological Society and indicated the Government's intention for officials to work with them to develop a programme of work in order to ensure that existing systems for regulating and promoting good practice are maintained and developed.

  Court of Appeal (Civil Division): Review
  Court of Appeal (Civil Division): Review
  Mr. Reginald Buckland: Court Documents
  Mr. Reginald Buckland: Court Documents
  Asylum Seekers: Detention Costs
  Asylum Seekers: Detention Costs
  Polaris Submarines: Chevaline Warheads
  Polaris Submarines: Chevaline Warheads
  Gulf War: Iraqi SCUD Missiles
  Gulf War: Iraqi SCUD Missiles
  US Defence Doctrine: Studies
  US Defence Doctrine: Studies
  Nuclear Weapons: Policy
  Nuclear Weapons: Policy
  Late Payment of Debt
  Late Payment of Debt
  Multilateral Agreement on Investment: Negotiations
  Multilateral Agreement on Investment: Negotiations
  Hammersmith Bridge: Closure
  Hammersmith Bridge: Closure
  Mental Health: Services
  Mental Health: Services