Written Answers of 17 November 1997

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Workplace Injuries
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 27 October,Official Report, column 721, on workplace injuries, what estimate he has made of the proportion of the increase in major injuries reported between 1995–96 and 1996–97 which is accounted for by the extension of the definition of major injuries in the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995. [14472]

  Angela Eagle
  Based on provisional figures for 1996–97 it is estimated that at least 45 per cent. of the increase in major injuries to employees, and all of the increase in major injuries to the self-employed reported to HSE and local authorities between 1995–96 and 1996–97 is accounted for by the extension of the definition of major injury in the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995. The remaining 55 per cent. of the increase in major injuries to employees could be due to extensions to the definition of injuries reportable under RIDDOR 1995. These cannot be separately identified since they are classified within general categories previously reportable as major injuries.

  Figures for 1997–98 will be available next summer. At that stage we will be able to make a better assessment of the effects of the changes brought by RIDDOR 1995. However, there is no room for complacency, any accidents at work are unacceptable and we have asked the Health and Safety Commission to analyse the statistics further and to try to identify the main influences.

  Bridge Strengthening
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 27 October,Official Report, columns 713–14, relating to bridge strengthening, how many bridges on the trunk road network have been strengthened to date; when he expects local authorities to complete their assessment of their bridge stock; and by what criteria and by whom decisions on which require strengthening will be made. [150331]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  With regard to bridges on the trunk network, the position at 1 April 1997 was that 528 had been strengthened. Work on the strengthening programme continues and I shall write to my hon. Friend in due course providing an update on progress.

  The vast majority of local authority assessments will have been completed by 31 March 1999. However, it seems likely that a small number, on roads of less strategic importance, will remain to be assessed in 1999–2000. It is for local authorities to decide, in the light of local needs and
  2
  circumstances, whether to strengthen individual bridges or to make use of alternative measures such as weight restrictions or traffic management.

  M6
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to make an announcement on the widening of the M6. [15644]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The two schemes for widening the M6 between Junctions 11A and 19 are subject to consideration within the strategic trunk road review which my right hon. Friend announced in June. We expect to announce the outcome of the review next year.

  Official Hospitality
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his estimate of the expenditure by(a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) its non-departmental public bodies on official hospitality for (i) 1980–81, (ii) 1987–88, (iii) 1990–91, (iv) 1991–92, (v) 1992– 93, (vi) 1993–94, (vii) 1994–95, (viii) 1995–96, (ix) 1996–97 and (x) 1 May to 30 September 1997.[15230]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 11 November 1997]Figures for years (i) and (ii) are not available. Figures for the Department and its Agencies, where these are available, for years (iii) to (x) are as listed. This information is not held centrally for Non-Departmental Public Bodies and the information could be gathered only at disproportionate cost.

  £000

  Department

  Agencies

  (iii) 1990–91

  92

  14

  (iv) 1991–92

  131

  27

  (v) 1992–93

  389

  36

  (vi) 1993–94

  408

  23

  (vii) 1994–95

  359

  102

  (viii) 1995–96

  253

  111

  (ix) 1996– 97

  318

  130

  (x) 1 May to 30 September 1997

  115

  44

  Sites of Special Scientific Interest
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the new sites granted SSSI status by English Nature in each year since 1990. [15675]

  Angela Eagle
  An up-to-date list of sites notified since April 1991 (when English Nature was set up) has been deposited in the Libraries of the House.

  Telecommunications Developments
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to introduce procedures to enable local planning authorities to extend the 28 day limit in their determination of prior approval for telecommunications developments; and if he will make a statement. [15662]

  Mr. Raynsford
  An application for prior approval determination in respect of telecommunications development provides the local planning authority with
  3
  the opportunity to say whether they wish to approve, within 28 days, details of its proposed siting and appearance. Currently we have no plans to extend the 28-day period allowed.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact of the 28 day prior notification limit for telecommunications developments on(a) consultation with parish or town councils and councillors, (b) the opportunities for comment from local residents and (c) the opportunities to negotiate and amend proposed schemes; and if he will make a statement. [15663]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Where an application for prior approval determination is to be made, Appendix E to the Department' s Circular 9/95 emphasises the importance of discussions between the operator and the local planning authority to minimise any difficulties about the proposal and avoid delay in processing the application. It also encourages publicity for such proposals so that people likely to be affected can make their views known to the local planning authority. It is important that authorities make satisfactory arrangements to enable them to deal with these applications. The Department's Code of Best Practice on telecommunications prior approval procedures as applied to mast/tower development provides guidance on how local planning authorities and operators can co-operate to make it easier for prior approval applications to be dealt with effectively within the 28 day period allowed.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will introduce national guidance in respect of(a) the circumstances in which the public health impact of telecommunications developments should be a planning consideration and (b) the weight which should be given to public health issues by local planning authorities; and if he will make a statement. [15665]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Planning Policy Guidance note 1 advises local planning authorities that any consideration which relates to the use and development of land is, in principle, capable of being a planning consideration. The issue of whether, in any individual case, a particular matter is a material consideration will depend on the prevailing facts and circumstances. It is for the body determining the application (usually the local planning authority) to decide which are the material considerations applicable in the first instance. This is the planning position. Any organisation engaged in telecommunications development should comply with Health and Safety legislation.

  Medium-density Fibreboard
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the findings of the Medical Research Council's Institute for Environment and Health's preliminary assessment of health risks associated with the domestic use of medium-density fibreboard. [16069]

  Angela Eagle
  The Medical Research Council's Institute for Environmental Health has not yet undertaken a formal assessment of the risks associated with the domestic use of medium-density fibreboard. Without wishing to prejudice the outcome of the assessment, the 4
  Institute has expressed the preliminary opinion that inhalation of dust from operations involving medium-density fibreboard is more likely to be an occupational rather than a domestic hazard. Although inhalation of any dust is to be avoided (especially very fine particles which can reach the deep lung) the Institute does not consider occasional "DIY" activities involving medium-density fibreboard to pose a particular risk. Good working practice when cutting or sanding medium-density fibreboard, would be to wear a suitable dust mask or where possible, perform this work out-of-doors. Like other types of particle board, medium-density fibreboard can give off formaldehyde gas (used in resin bonding) but only in exceptional cases is this likely to cause problems.

  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps his Department is taking to encourage the use of(a) alternatives to medium-density fibreboard and (b) low or zero formaldehyde emission fibreboard in do-it-yourself home construction. [16065]

  Angela Eagle
  The Department does not consider medium-density fibreboard a risk to health to individuals involved in do-it-yourself activities. Therefore, the Department does not have a policy to encourage the use of alternatives.

  Like other types of particle board, medium-density fibreboard can give off formaldehyde gas (used in resin bonding) but only in exceptional cases is this likely to cause problems—such as acute sensory irritation. However, fibreboard with low or zero formaldehyde emissions is available on the market and my Department is encouraging its use in general advice to professionals and the public.

  London Government
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will(a) publish and (b) place in the Library on or before 17 November (i) a list of those individuals and organisations that have responded to the Green Paper on the future on London government and (ii) the evidence submitted by them. [15883]

  Mr. Raynsford
  [holding answer 13 November 1997]By 1 December we will place in the House of Commons Library a list of individuals and organisations who responded to the Greater London Authority consultation exercise. We will place copies of the correspondence in the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions main library, 2 Marsham Street, SW1P on the same day.

  Sewerage Maps and Records
  Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has received for the transfer of maps and records of the sewerage network from the relevant local authorities to the statutory undertakers; and what response he plans to make. [15632]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 13 November 19971]No such proposals have been received. Under section 199 of the Water Industry Act 1991 sewerage undertakers are required to keep records of the location and other relevant particulars of every sewer or disposal
  5
  main vested in the company. Such records should include particulars shown on 31 August 1989 on sewer maps kept by local authorities under section 32 of the Public 32 of the Public Health Act 1936.

  Sewerage undertakers are not required to keep maps or records of sewers which have not been adopted.

  Social Housing
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions pursuant to the Answer of 3 November 1997 Official Report, column 54, if the results of the feasibility study to develop an economic model of the demand and need for social housing between 1996 and 2000 will allow for the unprotected expansion in the private rented sector since 1991. [16401]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The economic model of the demand and need for social housing developed by the feasibility study estimates the numbers of households in the private rented sector for England between 1991 and 2006. The model allows for an expansion of the private rented sector in the period 1991 to 1995 and the aim is to be able to model a range of scenarios for 1996 to 2006.

  Waste
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the correlation between the level of waste collected per head of population by waste collection authorities and the size of dustbin available. [15708]

  Angela Eagle
  Figures provided by district councils in a new DETR/Welsh Office survey of municipal waste management suggest that weekly arisings per household are up to 3kg higher in areas where households are provided with wheeled bins than in areas provided with plastic sacks. However, a direct relationship between bin size and waste volume cannot be assumed, as there are other factors which can influence the amount of waste generated, for example the socioeconomic characteristics of households and the type of housing. Local authorities may take these factors into account in any decision to introduce wheeled bins in a particular area.

  Environmental Information Regulations
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what plans he has to limit further the exemptions relating to the holding of information under the Environmental Information Regulations 1992; [15705]

  (2) if he will appoint an independent commissioner in respect of the Environmental Information Regulations 1992; [15702]

  (3) if he will require privatised utilities to comply with requests for information under the Environmental Information Regulations 1992; [15700]

  (4) if he will make it his policy to create a list of relevant persons in respect of the Environmental Information Regulations 1992;[15701]

  (5) what steps he plans to take to secure greater public access to information under the Environmental Information Regulations 1992. [15703]
  6
  Angela Eagle
  The Government are committed to a policy of greater openness, including improving public access to environmental information. A Freedom of Information Act is a key pledge in our manifesto. Issues relating to access to environmental information under the Environmental Information Regulations 1992, are now being carefully considered in the context of that wider legislation. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster will be publishing a White Paper shortly.

  We are determined that there should be no abuse of exemptions relating to the disclosure of information, and the nature of any exemptions is therefore being considered very carefully in the work on a Freedom of Information White Paper. Making any exemptions subject to a harm or public interest test is an option being considered.

  As to establishing an independent commissioner, the Freedom of Information White Paper will set out the Government's proposals for an independent appeals procedure on freedom of information issues generally, including environmental information. The establishment of an Information Commissioner is being considered.

  The option of listing bodies to ensure clarity about the coverage of freedom of information legislation, including the status of privatised utilities, is also being considered.

  Virgin Resources
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to encourage the reduction in use of virgin resources. [15709]

  Angela Eagle
  Prudent use of natural resources is an integral part of the Government's approach to sustainable development. We are currently reviewing the previous Government's Sustainable Development Strategy and a consultation paper is planned for early next year.

  Areas which the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions is currently pursuing include:
  programmes for improving energy and environmental awareness which aim to encourage more sustainable patterns of consumption;
  an aim to increase the proportion of waste managed by options towards the top of the waste hierarchy, defined in the 1995 Waste Strategy Making Waste Work as reduction, re-use, recovery (including recycling, composting and energy production) and finally disposal;
  research on efficient use of aggregates and increased use of recycled and secondary materials, and a trial Aggregates Advisory Service. These initiatives will help to take forward policies for the sustainable use of minerals set out in the Department's existing Minerals Planning Guidance Notes; and
  support for the Government's commitment to sustainable management of woodland resources and an expansion of woodland cover, together with activities promoting the increased use of biomass wherever possible as a renewable source of energy.

  Tree Damage
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated

  7
  in relation to the damage caused to native (i) oak and (ii) ash trees arising from (a) air pollution and (b) climate change. [15685]

  Angela Eagle
  An annual survey of woodland tree condition in the UK is carried out on behalf of my Department. While there was evidence of decline in the health of woodland oak over the period 1989 to 1993, this trend has been reversed during the past four years. Previous analysis for this survey has indicated that air pollution, such as acid deposition and low level ozone, could account for only a small proportion of the observed changes in tree health. Other stresses, including climatic factors, such as drought stress, are thought to be of much greater significance. Ash, which grows on lime-rich soils, is not susceptible to damage from acid deposition.

  Other research and monitoring, commissioned by my Department into the health of non-woodland trees, however, does show that both native ash and oak have experienced damage in recent years, probably due to drought stress. It is too early to say whether recent warm, dry years are a part of a long-term climate change, but they give an indication of the kind of damage which could, in future, become more prevalent.

  Genetically Modified Organisms
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the risks his Department considers for assessment purposes with respect to applications for the release of genetically modified organisms for(a) field-testing and (b) marketing. [16198]

  Angela Eagle
  The potential hazards and risks considered for field testing and marketing of genetically modified organisms are as follows: capacity to survive, establish and disseminate; potential for gene transfer; products of expression of inserted genes; phenotypic and genotypic stability; pathogenicity to other organisms; and, potential for any other effects including non-target effects. In accordance with the advice of the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment detailed information on the risk assessment has been published by the Department as DOE/ACRE Guidance Notes and these have been placed in the House of Commons Library.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if it is his Department's policy to differentiate between risk assessment and hazard assessment with respect to the interaction of genetically modified organisms with their environment. [16155]

  Angela Eagle
  An assessment of the potential hazards is an integral part of the risk assessment with respect to the interaction of genetically modified organisms with their environment. This approach to the risk assessment is in accordance with the advice of the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment. Detailed guidance on the risk assessment has been published by the Department as DOE/ACRE Guidance Notes and placed in the House of Commons Library.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what(a) risk and (b) hazard assessments have been (i) performed and
  8
  (ii) evaluated by his Department with respect to genetically modified soya that has been treated with glyphosate-based herbicide. [16149]

  Angela Eagle
  The hazard and risk assessment performed by Monsanto Europe for their consent application to market soya beans genetically modified for tolerance to glyphosate-based herbicide has been evaluated by the Department and the statutory Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment. The application was then forwarded to other European Member States for evaluation and following their agreement, the Department granted a consent on 7 May 1996 for import, storage and processing of the genetically modified soya beans. The procedure followed to assess this application was in accordance with the Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) Regulations 1992.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what safeguards exist to prevent the horizontal gene transfer of patented genes from genetically modified crops to certified organic crops. [16151]

  Angela Eagle
  The frequency of horizontal transfer of any genes of genetically modified crops to certified organic crops is very low and no formal safeguards exist to prevent this occurring with respect to the release of genetically modified crops. Where gene transfer between compatible species (vertical transfer) is feasible, consent conditions (including isolation distances) can be imposed to minimise undesirable effects.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what arrangements exist to monitor the horizontal transfer of patented genes to wild species. [16153]

  Angela Eagle
  The frequency of horizontal transfer of any genes to wild species is very low and no formal arrangement exists to monitor this with respect to the release of genetically modified organisms.

  Releases to the Environment
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the advisory bodies his Department would consult in advance of a decision to invoke Article 16 of Directive 90/220. [16200]

  Angela Eagle
  My Department would consult the statutory Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment.

  Right to Buy
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to include bungalows for elderly and disabled people with the right-to-buy scheme. [16483]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Disabled or elderly people are already able to buy bungalows under the right-to-buy scheme, unless the dwelling is sheltered accommodation which is specially built for people with disabilities, or let to elderly people and part of a group of dwellings with support services or facilities provided nearby. Under paragraph 11 of Schedule 5 to the Housing Act 1985, landlords may exclude from the right to buy non-sheltered bungalows if
  9
  they were first let to elderly people before 1990 and are particularly suitable for such people; however, tenants who disagree with their landlords have a right to appeal to the Secretary of State against such decisions. Housing which has been adapted to make it suitable for disabled people is not excluded from the right to buy.

  Local Government Commission for England
  Mr. McNulty
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he intends to undertake a review of the Local Government Commission for England; and if he will make a statement. [16713]

  Ms Armstrong
  We have today set up a finance, management and policy review of the Local Government Commission for England (LGC), as part of a programme of reviews of non-departmental public bodies.

  This review will be conducted in two stages. The first will be a "prior options" study focusing on whether the functions carried out by the LGC are needed and, if so, whether those functions are best undertaken by the LGC or some other body. Subject to the outcome of this first stage, the second stage will consist of a more detailed review of the LGC's structure, funding, financial management and methods of operation.

  I have appointed Robert Hazell, Director of the Constitution Unit in the School of Public Policy at University College London to undertake the prior options study. To oversee the review, I am establishing an Advisory Group, on which we are inviting representatives from the Local Government Association; Departmental officials and the Chairman and Chief Executive of the LGC will also serve on the Group.

  In carrying out the study it is intended that Mr. Hazell will consult with a wide range of interested parties and would welcome written representations from anyone who has views on the Commission and its work.

  Coastguard
  Mr. McNulty
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the search and rescue co-ordination provided by Her Majesty's Coastguard. [16728]

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to review the coastguard service; and if he will make a statement. [16176]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To improve still further the high level of service provided by Her Majesty's Coastguard I am able to announce today that I have endorsed a strategy for HM Coastguard which involves a substantial investment in new technology and which will take the Service into the next century. That investment will introduce operational flexibility which will increase the safety of those who use our sea and shores, and will improve the effectiveness and efficiency of an already highly proficient Service. The key to the strategy is the introduction of digital communications technology at Coastguard rescue centres and remote radio sites to replace aging equipment. Once the new technology is in place HMCG will be able to concentrate their operational expertise within fewer rescue co-ordination sub-centres by 10
  closing the rescue sub-centres at Oban and Pentland (Orkney) by the end of 1999, and Tyne-Tees and Liverpool by the end of 2000. Portland and Solent rescue sub-centres at present in unsuitable buildings will be bought together under the same roof by March 2002.

  By carefully planning the process we expect to be able to achieve the reduction of staff by a combination of natural wastage, early retirement and early severance. Staff and trade unions will be closely involved in the implementation.

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

  Angela Eagle
  [pursuant to her reply, 4 November 1997, c. 138]The correct figure for total expenditure is £103,000.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Diplomats (Private Education)
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to review funding for the private education of diplomatic personnel provided by his Department; and what is the estimated cost of such funding in the current financial year. [15823]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  An independent review of Diplomatic Service allowances was carried out last year by Sir Derek Hornby. The review confirmed the need for allowances to ensure continuity of education for many Diplomatic Service children. It also recommended some adjustments in the way the allowances are administered. Further detailed work is being carried out on these recommendations. The cost to this Department for the education of Diplomatic Service children worldwide during the current financial year is estimated to be £10.9 million.

  Yangtse Dam
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Chinese Government concerning the environmental impact of the damming of the Yangtse. [15732]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We have not raised the "Three Gorges" project with the Chinese.

  Chagos Archipelago (Mineral Rights)
  Mr. Collins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the ownership of mineral rights around the Chagos Archipelago. [15829]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The mineral rights on the continental shelf around the British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago) are vested in the Crown. But the Territory and the mineral rights will be ceded to Mauritius when the Territory is no longer required for defence purposes. Meanwhile we have no intention of allowing mineral prospecting.
  11

  Camilla Carr and Jon James
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has obtained about Camilla Can and Jon James; and what steps are being taken to ensure their will-being. [16036]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Hereford (Mr. Keetch) on 10 November 1997,Official Report, column 389.

  There has been no news of Camilla Carr and Jon James for several weeks. We do not know who has taken them, or where they are held. Their employers, the Centre for Peacemaking and Community Development, and we are doing what we can, in the difficult conditions of Chechnya, to contact anyone who may be able to help secure the couple's safe release.

  Ngawang Sangdrol
  Mr. Peter Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will press the Government of the People's Republic of China for the early release of the Tibetan nun Ngawang Sangdrol. [16050]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We are deeply concerned about many individuals detained in China, including Tibetans. We take every opportunity to raise with Chinese authorities our concerns about religious and political freedoms in Tibet. I last did this when I met the Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister on 3 November.

  Human Rights (India)
  Ms Jenny Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the report by the United Nations Human Rights Committee's inquiry of 30 July into breaches of human rights in India. [15932]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Parties to the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights are obliged to report to the Human Rights Committee every five years. The inquiry to which my hon. Friend refers is the Committee's routine examination of India's latest periodic report. We welcome the Indian Government's constructive responses to the points of concern raised by the Committee.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Film Industry
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment his Department has made of the impact of the Budget on the United Kingdom film industry's capacity. [15444]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  The introduction in the Budget of accelerated 100 per cent. write-off on film production and acquisition has been widely welcomed as an incentive to increase investment and hence capacity. The British Screen Advisory Council has estimated that the new tax relief will generate a 31 per cent. increase in investment in film production over the next three years.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what percentage of United Kingdom and co-produced films were(a) released
  12
  nationally,(b) released in the West end and arthouses only and (c) unreleased in the last year for which figures are available. [15445]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  In 1995, 23.1 per cent. of United Kingdom and co-production films were released nationally; 34. 6 per cent. were released in the West End and arthouses only; 42.3 per cent were unreleased.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what plans his Department has to encourage the wider distribution of a greater number of United Kingdom and co-produced films; [15446]

  (2) what discussions his Department has had with the main film distributors in the United Kingdom to encourage a greater distribution of United Kingdom and co-produced films. [15447]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  We have established an all industry working group, headed by myself and Mr. Stewart Till, President of International at PolyGram Filmed Entertainment, with the aim of doubling the domestic market share for British films. The working group includes representatives from several of the main distributors in the UK and has also invited evidence from the distribution sector. The recommendations of the Film Review will be published early next year.

  Tobacco Advertising
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if there are proposals to alter the extent or content of advertising in broadcast or non-broadcast media for any categories of products other than those contained in the forthcoming White Paper on Tobacco. [15625]

  Mr. Fisher
  The Government have no such proposals. The Independent Television Commission and the Radio Authority produce detailed guidelines for broadcasters on the scheduling and content of broadcast advertisements. These are reviewed from time to time in consultation with Government and broadcasters, but no reviews are currently under way or planned. For non-broadcast advertisements, the advertising industry also produces a code of practice for advertisers which is administered by the Advertising Standards Authority. The industry is currently conducting a general review of the code.

  Overseas Travel
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is his estimate for the expenditure by(a) his department, (b) its agencies and (c) its non-departmental public bodies on overseas travel for (i) 1980 –81, (ii) 1987 –88, (iii) 1990–91, (iv) 1991 –92, (v) 1992 –93, (vi) 1993–94, (vii) 1994 –95, (viii) 1995 –96, (ix) 1996 –97 and (x) 1 May to 30 September 1997; and if he will provide a breakdown to show (1) air fares and (2) other expenditure relating to overseas travel. [15207]
  13
  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 11 November 1997]The available information on expenditure on overseas travel and subsistence is given in the following table:

  £000

  1992–93 (actual)

  1993–94 (actual)

  1994–95 (actual)

  1995–96 (actual)

  1996–97 (actual)

  1 May–30 September 1997

  Department for Culture, Media and Sport

  86

  99

  161

  133

  163

  33

  Historic Royal Palaces Agency

  Nil

  1

  5

  17

  22

  10

  Royal Parks Agency

  n/a

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  Nil

  A breakdown in the format requested and information on our non-departmental bodies is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. An estimate of the expenditure for the earlier years, prior to the establishment of my department in April 1992 and Royal Parks becoming an Agency in April 1993, is not available.

  Creative Industries Task Force
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the members of the creative industries task force. [16035]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The membership of the task force is as follows:

  Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Chairman) Minister and officials from:

  The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions

  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office

  The Department of Trade and Industry

  HM Treasury

  The Department for Education and Employment

  Department of Social Security

  The Scottish Office

  The Welsh Office

  The Northern Ireland Office

  The Minister without Portfolio

  HM Government's Chief Scientific Adviser.

  Officials from:

  The British Council

  The Office of Science and Technology

  No. 10 Policy Unit

  The Department for Culture, Media and Sport

  Lord Puttnam

  Richard Branson

  Alan McGee

  Paul Smith

  Waheed Alli

  Gail Rebuck

  Eric Salama

  Janice Hughes.

  Official Hospitality
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is his estimate of the expenditure by(a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) its non-departmental public bodies on official
  14
  hospitality for (i) 1980–81 (ii) 1987–88, (iii) 1990–91, (iv) 1991–92, (v) 1992–93, (vi) 1993–94, (vii) 1994–95, (viii) 1995–96, (ix) 1996–97 and (x) 1 May to 30 September 1997. [15206]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 11 November 1997]The avail able information is given in the following table:

  £000

  1992–93 (actual)

  1993–94 (actual)

  1994–95 (actual)

  1995–96 (actual)

  1996–97 (actual)

  1 May–30 September 1997

  Department for Culture, Media and Sport

  22

  18

  15

  26

  41

  7

  Historic Royal Palaces Agency

  18

  17

  16

  46

  33

  18

  Royal Parks Agency

  n/a

  9

  26

  17

  14

  11

  Information on our non-departmental bodies is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportion cost. An estimate of the expenditure for the earlier years, prior to the establishment of my department in April 1992 and Royal Parks becoming an Agency in April 1993, is not available.

  Publicity and Advertising
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is his estimate of the total expenditure on all forms of publicity and advertising by(a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies for (i) 1993–94, (ii) 1994–95, (iii) 1995–96, (iv) 1996–97, (v) the 1997–98, year to date, (vi) the 1997–98, full year estimate and (vii) the 1998–99 planned expenditure. [15209]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 11 November 1997]The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (formerly the Department of National Heritage) has incurred no expenditure on advertising over the past six years, except in respect of advertising for vacant posts.

  Figures for publicity expenditure over this period are as follows:

  1993–1994: £25,000

  1994–1995: £57,000

  1995–1996: £348,000

  1996–1997: £609,531

  1997–1998: £112,705 (to date)

  £500,000 (estimate)

  1998–1999: allocations have not yet been made.

  Expenditure by the Department's agencies and non-departmental public bodies on publicity is a matter for each individual body within the parameters of their grant in aid allocations.

  Broadcasting
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans his Department has(a) to ensure maximum commercial access to opportunities for digital broadcasting and (b) to prevent monopoly control of (i) critical technology and (ii) customer data. [15826]
  15
  Mr. Fisher
  The Government encourage commercial access to the opportunities for digital broadcasting via terrestrial, cable and satellite delivery by maintaining the lightest regulatory regime compatible with protecting the public interest and with the capacity constraints of each delivery platform. Those with proposals for digital television services may approach the digital terrestrial multiplex operators; companies holding cable franchises or operators of digital satellites. Authority to provide programme content on digital broadcasting services is via the appropriate programme service licences, which are available effectively on demand from the Independent Television Commission to any fit and proper applicant. Plurality of voice is underpinned by the requirement that no single person may control licences which together have more than 15 per cent. of the total television audience.

  General competition law provides powers to act against the abuse of monopoly position or anti-competitive behaviour. The new Competition Bill will introduce two prohibitions which will prove a highly effective deterrent against cartels and abuses of dominance. The provisions of the Broadcasting Act 1996; the Advanced Television Service Regulations 1996 and the Class Licence for the running of telecommunications systems for the provision of conditional access services granted on 7 January 1997 by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry under section 7 of the Telecommunications Act 1984 collectively safeguard the use of critical technology and customer data.

PRIME MINISTER

  Civil Service
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Prime Minister which advertisements for Civil Service positions other than for departmental heads of information require applicants to be in sympathy with Ministers. [15731]

  The Prime Minister
  There is no question of appointments to the permanent Civil Service requiring applicants to be in sympathy with Ministers. The first Civil Service Commissioner in a recent letter to the press has emphasised that candidates for advertised posts are judged solely on their merits in the context of the job specification. Recruitment to the Civil Service follows the fundamental principle of selection on merit.

  Tobacco Sponsorship
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) if sports and pastimes other than Formula One motor racing were invited to make a presentation relating to partial exclusion from a comprehensive tobacco sponsorship ban; [16112]

  (2) what discussions he, other ministers or government advisers have had on tobacco sponsorship with representatives of international sports and pastimes other than Formula One motor racing. [16111]

  The Prime Minister
  My hon. Friend the Minister for Sport and officials at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Department of Health have met with representatives from governing bodies of sports currently in receipt of tobacco sponsorship. These meetings were at the initiation of the Department and will help determine 16
  how we achieve an end to the advertising and promotion of tobacco at sports events while minimising any damage to the sports concerned. The Government are also engaged in discussions with their EU partners on these issues. In addition, the Government will publish a White Paper next year setting out their plans for a range of measures to tackle tobacco consumption.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral answer of 12 November 1997,Official Report, columns 898–99, if he will list those Ministers whose knowledge of the donation referred to by him gave rise to a possibility of a conflict of interest; and if he will list the meetings attended by those Ministers with the donor or his representatives. [16463]

  The Prime Minister
  No conflict of interest arose for any Minister.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) when he and his advisers or Ministers have met representatives of Formula One motor racing; [16109]

  (2) how government meetings with representatives of Formula One motor racing were arranged; and who took the initiative in each case. [16110]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Mid Worcestershire (Mr. Luff) on 12 November 1997,Official Report, columns 898–99.

  Civil Contingencies Committee
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister on how many occasions since 1 May the Civil Contingencies Committee has met; and what matters have been discussed. [15691]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 3 November 1997]It is not the practice to disclose details of proceedings of the Civil Contingencies Committee.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister what is the membership of the Civil Contingencies Committee. [15692]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 13 November 1997]The composition of the Civil Contingencies Committee is as follows:

  Home Secretary (Chairman)

  Head of the Economic and Domestic Secretariat, Cabinet Office (Deputy Chairman)

  The Prime Minister's Chief Press Secretary Representatives of:

  Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions

  HM Treasury

  Home Office

  Department for Education and Employment

  Ministry of Defence

  Department of Health

  Department of Culture, Media and Sport

  Northern Ireland Office

  Welsh Office

  Office of Public Service.

  17
  Its terms of reference are:
  "To co-ordinate the preparation of plans for ensuring in an emergency the supplies and services essential to the life of the community; to keep these plans under regular review; to supervise their prompt and effective implementation in specific emergencies; and to report as necessary to the appropriate Ministerial Committee".

  Political Party Funding
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Prime Minister if he requires lobbyists and people asking ministers directly to make decisions favouring particular interests to disclose(a) in private and (b) in public any substantial help, services or funding provided to the minister's political party. [16114]

  The Prime Minister
  Ministers are required to take decisions on the merits of each case, not on the basis of whether the people concerned have provided assistance or funding to their political party.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will incorporate in the rules for ministers a requirement for disclosure before September 1998 of knowledge by ministers of help, services or funding exceeding £5,000 provided before May 1997 to the minister's political party. [16113]

  The Prime Minister
  I have asked the Committee on Standards in Public Life—chaired by Sir Patrick Neill—to undertake a wide ranging review of party funding and make recommendations to the Government.

  Yemen
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his recent meeting with the President of Yemen. [16471]

  The Prime Minister
  President Saleh's visit was the first by a Yemeni president to the UK. We discussed a number of bilateral and regional issues on 11 November, including trade and economic co-operation, UK aid to Yemen, the situation in Iraq, and Yemen's application to join the Commonwealth. I welcomed President Saleh's recent political reforms, and thanked him for the Government of Yemen's help in securing the release of the British hostage who was kidnapped in Yemen last month.

  Environment Agency
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Prime Minister which Department has lead responsibility for the Environment Agency. [16211]

  The Prime Minister
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions is the lead Minister responsible for the Environment Agency.

  Telephone Tapping
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Walsall, North (Mr. Winnick) of 30 October 1997,Official Report, column 861, on the interception of telephones of hon. Members, if the policy applies to other forms of electronic surveillance. [15728]
  18
  The Prime Minister
  I can confirm that the policy described in my previous Answer applies in relation to the use of electronic surveillance by the Security Service as well as to telephone interception.

TREASURY

  Investors Compensation Scheme
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations his Department has made to the Investors Compensation Scheme in respect of its handling of compensation for Knight Williams and Co. clients. [15944]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Officials keep in touch with developments in the Knight Williams case but the handling of claims for compensation is a matter for the Investors Compensation Scheme itself.

  Economic and Monetary Union
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his oral statement of 27 October,Official Report, columns 583–84, concerning the constitutional issues relating to European economic and monetary union, if he will list the issues; what published sources Ministers of the Crown assessed in reaching their conclusions; what consultations they had with constitutional lawyers concerning their assessment; and if he will place in the Library the written documents relating to that assessment. [15031]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  As I said in my Statement to the House, joining the single currency would involve a pooling of national sovereignty in relation to aspects of economic and monetary union pursuant to the relevant provisions of the Treaty of Rome as amended by the Treaty of Maastricht. Provided this step was endorsed by Parliament in accordance with the provisions of the European Communities (Amendment) Act 1993 and had been endorsed by the people in a referendum, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and I are satisfied that there is no overriding constitutional bar to participation by the United Kingdom in stage 3 of economic and monetary union.

  Public Expenditure
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he intends to revise the Government's public expenditure plans for(a) 1999–2000 and (b) 2000–01; and if he will make a statement. [13291]

  Mr. Darling
  [holding answer 6 November 1997]New plans for 1999–2000 and 2000–01 will be announced following the conclusion of the Comprehensive Spending Review.

  Low Pay
  Mr. Pond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many and what percentage of (i) male and (ii) female employees had total earnings below the lower earnings limit for national insurance contributions; and what percentage of these were part-time workers in(a) 1980, (b) 1990 and (c) the most recent available figures; [155091
  19
  (2) if he will list for April 1997 the number and proportion of manual, non-manual and all part-time employees on adult rates earning less than (a) £4.61, (b) £6.15 and (c) £6.60 per hour excluding overtime for (i) men, (ii) women and (iii) in total for (1) each county and unitary authority in England, (2) each unitary authority in Wales, (3) each London borough, (4) each unitary authority in Scotland, (5) Great Britain as a whole, (6) England as a whole and (7) each Government office region; [15555]

  (3) how many and what percentage of (i) male and (ii) female employees with total earnings below the lower earnings limit for national insurance contributions are (a) under 18, (b) 18 to 24, (c) 25 years or older and (d) below pension age; [15508]

  (4) if he will list for April 1997 the number and proportion of (a) full-time, (b) part-time and (c) all employees in Great Britain whose earnings excluding overtime payments are less than (i) £4.61 an hour, (ii) £6.15 an hour and (iii) £6.60 an hour, broken down into (1) 16–17, (2) 18–24, (3) 25– 44 and (4) 45–65-year-olds; [15556]

  (5) if he will list for April 1997 the number and proportion of manual, non-manual and all full-time employees on adult rates earning less than (a) £4.61, (b) £6.15 and (c) £6.60 per hour excluding overtime for (i) men, (ii) women and (iii) in total for (1) each county and unitary authority in England, (2) each unitary authority in Wales, (3) each London borough, (4) each unitary authority in Scotland, (5) Great Britain as a whole, (6) England as a whole and (7) each Government office region; [15558]

  (6) if he will estimate the average weekly hours of work and average hourly and weekly earnings of men and women with total earnings below the lower earnings limit for national insurance contributions; [15510]

  (7) what proportion of men and women with total earnings below the lower earnings limit for national insurance contributions have been in their current employment for over 26 weeks; [15623]

  (8) if he will list for April 1997 the number and proportion of (a) full-time, (b) part-time and (c) all employees on adult rates of pay in Great Britain whose earnings excluding overtime payments are less than (i) £4.61 an hour, (ii) £6.15 an hour and (iii) £6.60 an hour, broken down by standard occupational classification and by standard industrial classification; [15557]

  (9) if he will estimate the (a) number and (b) percentage of (i) men and (ii) women with total earnings below the lower earnings limit for national insurance contributions whose annual earnings exceed £1,600 in the last year for which figures are available. [15513]

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

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Chris Pond, dated 17 November 1997:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me, as the Director of the Office for National Statistics, to reply to your recent questions (15508, 15509, 15510, 15513, 15555, 15556, 15557, 15558 and 15623) on earnings.
  20
  The available information, from the New Earnings Survey April 1997 and the Labour Force Survey, is given in the attached tables.
  Information for employees earning below the lower earnings limit whose annual earnings exceed £1600 is not available. The LFS does not collect such data and the NES sample largely excludes employees earning below the lower earnings limit.
  I will arrange for a copy of this letter and the attached tables to be placed in the House of Commons Library.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Genetically Modified Foods
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will ensure that genetically modified foods are labelled as such. [15842]

  Mr. Rooker
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) on 9 June 1997,Official Report, columns 356–57.

  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what evidence his Department has evaluated with respect to(a) the effects of changes in the composition of diet and (b) the effects of genetic modification of food on the toxicity of pesticide residues in the human body; and if he will make a statement. [16203]

  Mr. Rooker
  When applications for pesticide approvals are evaluated, or existing approvals are reviewed, food consumption patterns are routinely taken into account. This information is derived from the National Food Survey and other sources.

  No approvals have been granted for the use of any pesticide specifically on a genetically modified crop. Where the genetic modification would be expected to alter the way the crop metabolises the pesticide, the resultant risks would be assessed. This is most likely to be an issue with genetically modified herbicide tolerant crops and I am taking steps to ensure that such new uses of herbicides will require specific evaluation.

  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what advice his Department has received from the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes with respect to elevated oestrogen levels in genetically modified soya. [16202]

  Mr. Rooker
  When the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes carried out its safety evaluation of the genetically modified soya produced by Monsanto—the only soya which it has evaluated to date—it found no differences in oestrogen levels compared with traditional soya.

  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated with respect to elevated oestrogen levels in genetically modified soya. [16197]

  Mr. Rooker
  When the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes evaluated the safety of the genetically modified soya produced by Monsanto, it found no differences in oestrogen levels compared with traditional soya and there was therefore no reason to commission further research on this point.
  21
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what advice his Department has received from the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes with respect to the bla gene in Ciba-Geigy's genetically modified maize line CG00526–176. [16199]

  Mr. Rooker
  The report of the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes on this genetically modified maize is contained in Appendix XII of its Annual Report for 1996, a copy of which is held in the Library of the House.

  Animal Feed
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will ensure that farm feed products are labelled so as to reveal their full contents. [15827]

  Mr. Rooker
  Ingredient listing of compound feed, either by specific ingredient or by category, has been a requirement of EC legislation since 1991. Commission Directive 97/47/EC, which takes effect in the UK in the New Year, deletes the "Land Animal Products" category and requires any animal material still permitted in compound feed to be separately identified. The European Commission is now considering the complete removal of the category option, which would receive UK support.

  EU Presidency (Priorities)
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the United Kingdom's agriculture, fisheries and food priorities for the period of the United Kingdom's Presidency of the European Union. [16348]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  There is still some substantive agriculture, fisheries and food business to be completed under the Luxembourg Presidency. It would, therefore, be inappropriate to go into the detail of priorities for the UK Presidency at this time.

  Unpasteurised Milk
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which European countries currently allow the use of unpasteurised milk in the production of dairy products of any type. [16378]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  All members of the European Union allow the use of unpasteurised milk in the production of dairy products. This is permitted and closely controlled by the EC Milk and Milk Products Hygiene Directive.

  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his reasons for seeking to bring the English and Scottish policies into line on the use, consumption and production of unpasteurised milk. [16379]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  Having studied the issues closely, the independent Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food has expressed concern about the microbiological quality of unpasteurised cows' milk for drinking and has recommended that the sale of such milk be banned in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Consequently, I have initiated a public 22
  consultation on a proposal to ban the sale of raw cows' milk for drinking, which aligns with the policy in Scotland.

  Fish Stocks
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his scientists' 1997 assessment of the state of fish stocks which are subject to annual consideration in terms of total allowable catches and community quotas; and if he will list the changes in that assessment from the 1996 assessment. [16380]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  The scientists of the Ministry's agency, the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, monitor fish stocks in order to contribute to the annual assessments made by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES). The 1997 ICES' assessments are expected to be published shortly.

  Food Standards Agency
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to publish his White Paper on the Food Standards Agency. [16386]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  As soon as possible.

  Organic Farming
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the compensation available to farmers of certified organic crops in the event of the spread of a patented gene to that crop by a process of horizontal gene transfer. [16150]

  Mr. Rooker
  The issue of compensation for farmers of certified organic crops affected by actions on neighbouring farms is a civil matter to be pursued between those concerned.

  Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowance
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to announce the outcome of his consideration of the rates for Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowance in 1998. [16377]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  I expect to make an announcement within the next month.

  Departmental Relocation
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his current estimate of the costs involved in moving his Ministry's offices from Whitehall Place to Nobel House. [16388]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  The latest estimate of the costs involved in moving my offices, and those of officials, from Whitehall Place to Nobel House remains at £120,000.

  Quarantine
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to publish his conclusions on the quarantine law consultation exercise. [16381]
  23
  Dr. John Cunningham
  I have asked Professor Kennedy, Professor of Health Law, Ethics and Public Policy at University College, London to carry out an assessment of alternatives to quarantine and of the current policy of quarantine. The assessment will consider the risk of introduction of rabies into the United Kingdom, the practical aspects of enforcement and the costs and benefits involved. The assessment will take several months. I will publish Professor Kennedy's report, and will thereafter hold a full public consultation.

WALES

  Military, Security and Police Equipment Sales
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what discussions he has had with the Welsh Development Agency about the Government's policy on the sale and supply of military, security and police equipment to oppressive regimes; and if he will place the minutes of the meeting in the Library; [15750]

  (2) what (a) instructions and (b) policy guidelines he has issued to the Welsh Development Agency about the Government's policy on the sale and supply of military, security and police equipment to oppressive regimes; and if he will place copies of them in the Library. [15754]

  Mr. Hain
  Neither my right hon. Friend nor I have had any discussions with the Welsh Development Agency on this matter, but Welsh Office officials have written to the Agency to ensure that they are aware of the Government's policy announced by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary which requires defence exporters to take account of ethical considerations. A copy of that letter has been placed in the Library.

  Expenditure by Welsh LEAs

  SSR (£k)

  Admin (£k)

  GSB (£k)

  PSB (k)

  ASB (k)

  Pupil Number

  1993–94

  Clwyd

  352

  1,725

  135,373

  111,116

  95,906

  62,008

  Dyfed

  *

  1,529

  139,792

  114,048

  96,363

  56,369

  Gwent

  555

  1,734

  169,795

  140,482

  119,164

  72,445

  Gwynedd

  390

  682

  86,131

  70,727

  60,520

  35,059

  Mid Glamorgan

  696

  2,447

  220,211

  183,546

  158,243

  96,181

  Powys

  *

  0

  42,332

  36,313

  33,411

  18,725

  South Glamorgan

  63

  1,286

  132,463

  111,343

  97,503

  65,041

  West Glamorgan

  1,303

  1,570

  130,449

  110,561

  92,267

  58,368

  Wales Total

  3,359

  10,973

  1,056,546

  878,136

  753,377

  464,196

  1994–95

  Clwyd

  359

  1,262

  145,458

  118,145

  99,312

  62,878

  Dyfed

  *

  1,301

  148,092

  120,145

  101,431

  56,889

  Gwent

  642

  2,000

  176,436

  145,710

  123,273

  73,706

  Gwynedd

  400

  695

  90,206

  74,613

  65,455

  35,533

  Mid Glamorgan

  696

  554

  234,886

  192,712

  169,859

  97,166

  Powys

  352

  54

  52,609

  39,326

  35,161

  19,112

  South Glamorgan

  57

  1,232

  146,848

  120,456

  105,131

  65,544

  West Glamorgan

  1,962

  1,552

  145,961

  119,690

  103,545

  58,848

  Wales Total

  4,468

  8,650

  1,140,496

  930,797

  803,167

  469,676

  1995–96

  Clwyd

  366

  1,116

  153,770

  121,636

  103,150

  63,246

  Dyfed

  *

  1,139

  152,134

  123,267

  104,514

  56,988

  Gwent

  1,031

  1,711

  244,161

  198,025

  174,638

  74,416

  Gwynedd

  400

  731

  93,306

  77,289

  67,489

  36,022

  24

  National Health Service
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to announce the new configuration of NHS trusts; and if he will make a statement. [ 16101]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  Our plan is to consult formally on a new shape of trusts in Wales over the summer of 1998. I hope to be able to make an announcement early in October 1998.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much extra money he has announced for the NHS since 2 May; and if he will make a statement. [16103]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  I recently announced an additional £9,548 million for health authorities this year to alleviate pressures on emergency admissions and hospital waiting lists. This is in addition to the package of measures for primary care which I announced in the summer for which I have set aside £2.5 million and funding of £1.747 million to improve cancer services. We have also earmarked an additional £60.2 million for the NHS in 1988–99.

  Schools Budget
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list for each local education authority in Wales for each of the three recent years(a) the actual expenditure on service strategy and regulation, (b) the actual expenditure within the general schools budget on education, management and administration, (c) the outturn expenditure within the general schools budget, (d) the outturn expenditure within the potential schools budget, (e) the outturn expenditure within the aggregate schools budget and (f) the number of pupils in the relevant year. [16095]

  Mr. Hain
  Information is available up to and including 1995–96. The details which relate to the former county councils are as follows:
  25

  Expenditure by Welsh LEAs

  SSR (£k)

  Admin (£k)

  GSB (£k)

  PSB (k)

  ASB (k)

  Pupil Number

  Mid Glamorgan

  696

  175

  153,661

  126,924

  109,912

  97,653

  Powys

  1,758

  56

  54,935

  41,177

  36,350

  19,586

  South Glamorgan

  78

  1,553

  157,600

  126,681

  109,669

  66,306

  West Glamorgan

  2,007

  619

  142,456

  124,132

  109,766

  58,792

  Wales Total

  6,336

  7,100

  1,152,023

  939,131

  815,488

  473,009

  Notes:

  SSR = Gross expenditure on service strategy and regulation (source (R01 returns).

  — * SSR figures for Dyfed and Powys (1993–94 only) are not separately available.

  Admin = Actual expenditure on management and administration in education department.

  —Powys figures are admin costs for special schools only—funding is delegated to primary and secondary schools.

  GSB = General schools budget)PSB = Potential schools budget)ASB = Aggregated schools budget) } Source: section 42 out-turn statements.

  Pupil Number = Number of full-time equivalent pupils on roll in primary, secondary and special schools in January.

  Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what representations he has made about the projected incomes for 1997–98 for Welsh hill farms to other Government Ministers; and if he will make a statement; [16382]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the reasons underlying his support for applying the 1996 levels of hill livestock compensatory allowance in 1998. [16383]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The Government are in the process of deciding the HLCA rates for 1998. My right hon. Friend and I met both Welsh farming unions recently and heard their concerns about hill farming in Wales. I share much of that concern, as I made clear in my speech in the House on 5 November.

  It is also important not to raise false expectations. The Government have indicated that they intend to live within public expenditure targets set by the previous Government. That Government provided an extra £60 million for HLCAs in 1997 only.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Health and Social Services
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what reference was made to(a) the Robson statistics on deprivation and (b) geographical rural isolation in the formulation of the capitation system of funding for health and social services boards. [15050]

  Mr. Worthington
  The Robson statistics on deprivation are not suitable for use in the capitation system of funding health and social services boards as they do not enable finance to be allocated in proportion to the need for health and social care. This is because differences in Robson statistics are not proportionate to differences in deprivation. For example, an area with a Robson score twice that of another area may not necessarily be twice as deprived. In addition, Robson is not the most focused measure of health and social care need. It is a very broad measure of general deprivation, combining a large number of indicators from areas such as environment and education as well as health and social care.
  26
  The Capitation Formula Review Group has recommended continued use of the existing rurality adjustment while specifically commissioned research in this area is completed.

  Greenhouse Gas Emissions
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list(a) her Department's policies and initiatives designed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and (b) the departmental policies and initiatives designed to reduce other greenhouse gases; if she will estimate for each the annual reduction in tonnage of greenhouse gas emissions achieved in the most recent year for which figures are available compared with those for 1990; and what estimate she has made of further reductions, or increases, predicted for 2000 and 2010, assuming continuation of current policies. [15540]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I refer the hon. Member to the United Kingdom's Second Report under the UN Framework Convention in Climate Change which was published in February 1997. It reports the UK's progress in implementing its programme for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and gives a projection of what the programme is expected to deliver by 2000. The report projects forward what the current programme is expected to achieve to 2020.

  Chiropody and Podiatry
  Angela Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list those health authorities which have notified her Department of(a) reductions or increases in chiropody services in 1996–97 relative to 1995–96 and (b) planned reductions or increases in chiropody services in 1998–99. [15377]

  Mr. Worthington
  Health and Social Services Boards and Trusts are not required to notify the Department of reductions or increases in particular services. It is for Boards and Trusts to assess the needs of their populations in respect of health and personal social services, including chiropody services, and to provide services accordingly in the light of available resources and local priorities.

  Angela Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what were the total numbers of(a) face to face contacts and (b) initial contacts, with chiropody and podiatry staff for (i) 1996–97, (ii) 1995–96 and (iii) 1994–95. [15366]
  27
  Mr. Worthington
  The total number of contacts with Chiropody/Podiatry staff in Northern Ireland is shown in the following table. Information on initial contacts is not separately available.

  Year

  Total contacts

  1994–95

  262,350

  1995–96

  297,612

  1996–97

  312,684

  Angela Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the guidelines that are issued and health needs assessments that health authorities undertake to ensure the availability of chiropody and podiatry services to meet the needs of their local populations. [15367]

  Mr. Worthington
  It is a matter for Health and Social Services Boards and Trusts to carry out appropriate needs assessments of their local populations, including their need for chiropody services. In seeking to meet that need they have to take into account the total resources available to them, but Boards and Trusts have been asked to give priority to elderly people, those with disabilities, expectant mothers, schoolchildren and people with diabetes.

  Angela Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the NHS expenditure on NHS chiropody and podiatry in(a) 1996–97, (b) 1995–96 and (c) 1994–95. [15376]

  Mr. Worthington
  This information is not available in the exact form requested. The following table discloses expenditure on chiropody and podiatry by the Northern Ireland Health and Personal Social Services Boards for 1994–95 and 1995–96. The expenditure on chiropody and podiatry for 1996–97 is not yet available.

  This information has been extracted from supplementary statements produced by HPSS Boards and HSS Trusts to provide further analysis of the expenditure

  Chiropody staff in Northern Ireland at September

  1994

  1995

  1996

  Headcount

  WTE

  Headcount

  WTE

  Headcount

  WTE

  Unit Senior Manager 11

  1

  1.00

  1

  1.00

  0

  0.00

  Technical Instructor 3

  0

  0.00

  1

  1.00

  1

  1.00

  Area Chiropodist Chf 2

  2

  2.00

  1

  1.00

  1

  1.00

  Chief Chiropodist 2

  3

  3.00

  3

  3.00

  2

  2.00

  Chief Chiropodist 3

  10

  10.000

  12

  12.00

  8

  7.93

  Chief Chiropodist 4

  3

  3.00

  6

  6.00

  5

  5.00

  Senior Chiropodist 1

  32

  30.06

  29

  26.08

  28

  24.61

  Senior Chiropodist 2

  87

  76.69

  95

  84.23

  98

  86.41

  Chiropodist

  2

  2.00

  3

  3.00

  7

  7.00

  Foot Care Assistant

  2

  2.00

  6

  5.01

  5

  5.00

  Total

  142

  129.75

  157

  142.32

  155

  139.95

  Irish Language
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which schools teaching in the medium of the Irish language(a) are and (b) are not under the management of the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools. [15613]
  28
  disclosed in their annual financial accounts. The format of these statements was revised in 1995–96. Prior to this the information requested was not separately identified on the financial returns and is therefore not available for every HSS Trust/HPSS board.

  Chiropody and podiatry expenditure for Northern Ireland 1994–95 to 1995–96

  Year

  Chiropody and podiatry £

  1994–95

  3,297,279

  1995–96

  3,569,148

  1996–97

  Not available

  1. The information for 1994–95 was provided by the Health and Social Services Trusts and Health and Social Services Boards' Directly Managed Units with the exception of North Down and Ards Trust who are unable to provide the information.

  2. The information for 1995–96 has been extracted from the analysis of expenditure reported in the Financial Return Statements (FR22) for the Health and Social Services Trusts and Health and Social Services Boards' Directly Managed Units.

  Angela Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the budget for each health authority or health board allocated for spending on chiropody and podiatry services in(a) 1997–98, (b) 1996–97 and (c) 1995–96. [15375]

  Mr. Worthington
  Health and Social Services Boards' general allocations are not hypothecated and it is for individual Boards and general practitioner fundholders to use their funds to best meet the health needs of their local regulations. Spending on specific services can only be determined accurately in retrospect once a Board and Health and Social Security Trust accounts have been completed.

  Angela Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the staffing and personnel figures by all NHS grades and whole-time equivalent staff for chiropody and podiatry for the years(a) 1996–97, (b) 1995–96 and (c) 1994–95. [15368]

  Mr. Worthington
  The information requested is set out in the table.

  Mr. Worthington
  No schools are managed by the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools. Eight grant-aided Irish-medium schools are managed by Boards of Governors and five registered independent Irish-medium schools are managed by their proprietors. In addition there is one Irish-medium unit in a maintained primary school.
  29
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps she is taking to ensure that Irish-medium teacher training courses are not located in venues associated with only one religious denomination. [15614]

  Mr. Worthington
  There are no plans to use other venues as the one grant-aided provider of Irish-medium teacher training for those intending to teach in Irish-medium schools is sufficient to meet needs.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  "Excellence in Schools"
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many of the responses not submitted on the tear-off slips to the White Paper, "Excellence in schools", came from(a) representative organisations, (b) local education authorities, (c) LEA-maintained schools, (d) grant-maintained schools and (e) individuals. [16375]

  Mr. Byers
  We received over 8,000 responses to the White Paper of which some 3,500 were written responses to the full version. The remainder were a combination of tear-off slips and other forms of communication.

  Of the 3,500, 138 were from Local Education Authorities and about 600, 2,100 and 700 came from representative organisations, schools and individuals respectively. A breakdown between grant-maintained and LEA-maintained schools is not currently available.

  Most responses addressed issues from more than one chapter and many ranged beyond the specific questions posed. There was broad support for the contents of the White Paper.

  We continue to consider all the responses in detail.

  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how many local education authorities, commenting on Chapter 7 of the White Paper "Excellence in schools", expressed(a) support for and (b) opposition to the proposed framework of community, aided and foundation schools; and in each case, how many (i) were and (ii) were not Labour controlled; [16053]

  (2) how many responses to the White Paper, "Excellence in schools", expressed (a) support for and (b) opposition to the proposed framework of community, aided and foundation schools; [16374]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 14 November 1997]The White Paper "Excellence in schools", published in July, has received widespread support from national organisations, LEAs, schools and others. Some 140 local education authorities have commented on Chapter 7 and/or the Technical Consultation Paper on the new framework for schools. Of these, around 30 per cent. either expressed support for the basic framework of community, foundation and aided schools or took it as their starting point, of which around half are Labour-controlled authorities. Some 70 per cent. of LEAs raised concerns about the foundation school category, of which some two thirds are Labour-controlled authorities.
  30
  We are currently considering all the responses in detail. The analysis to date indicates that, of some 1,500 responses to the Technical Consultation Paper (in addition to those from LEAs) the great majority did not comment explicitly on the framework. Of the some 300 responses which did comment, some 70 per cent. were content with the proposed foundation category for schools.

  Arts Education Task Force
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will assess the benefits of establishing an Arts Education Task Force. [15186]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  We recognise the benefits that a good aesthetic education can bring to any child's learning and believe all children should be given opportunities to experience the arts as part of a broad and balanced curriculum. However, we are working closely with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to make sure that the benefits that Arts can bring to education are recognised.

  Higher Education
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will estimate how many and what proportion of the total number of students studying in higher education expect their post-18 education to last(a) one year, (b) two years, (c) three years, (d) four years, (e) five years, (f) six years, (g) seven years and (h) more than eight years. [16431]

  Dr. Howells
  The available information, which shows the expected course length of students currently enrolled on higher education courses, is given in the following table. The information covers the current course of students only; it does not cover previous or future courses which students have undertaken or intend to undertake.

  Home and overseas higher educations students in higher education institutions in the UK

  1996–97

  Postgraduates

  Undergraduates

  Expected length of course

  Numbers

  Percentage1

  Numbers

  Percentage1

  Full-time

  1 year or less

  76,892

  56.8

  27,552

  2.9

  More than 1 year, up to 2 years

  20,717

  15.3

  54,625

  5.7

  More than 2 years, up to 3 years

  29,022

  21.4

  544,290

  56.4

  More than 3 years, up to 4 years

  6,039

  4.5

  301,862

  31.3

  More than 4 years, up to 5 years

  1,371

  1.0

  33,578

  3.5

  More than 5 years, up to 6 years

  421

  0.3

  2,927

  0.3

  More than six years

  995

  0.7

  73

  0.0

  Unknown2

  2,766

  —

  22,840

  —

  Total

  138,223

  —

  987,747

  —

  Part-time

  1 year or less

  39,303

  22.5

  43,657

  24.0

  More than 1 year, up to 2 years

  60,151

  34.5

  41,784

  23.0

  More than 2 years, up to 3 years

  40,830

  23.4

  25,802

  14.2

  More than 3 years, up to 4 years

  13,320

  7.6

  20,869

  11.5

  More than 4 years, up to 5 years

  11,295

  6.5

  29,656

  16.3

  31

  Home and overseas higher educations students in higher education institutions in the UK

  1996–97

  Postgraduates

  Undergraduates

  Expected length of course

  Numbers

  Percentage1

  Numbers

  Percentage1

  More than 5 years, up to 6 years

  6.931

  4.0

  16,285

  9.0

  More than 6 years

  2,583

  1.5

  3,515

  1.9

  Unknown2

  39,443

  —

  176,888

  —

  Total

  213,856

  —

  358,456

  —

  1 Based on courses with known length.

  2 Including courses where there is not a defined normal length for the study programme.

  Music Teaching
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) if he will increase the level of funding available to promote the teaching of music in schools; [14720]

  (2) what is the total projected amount of funding for the teaching of music in schools for the current financial year; [14722]

  what was the total annual funding for the teaching of music in schools for each of the last 10 years. [14723]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The Department does not provide funding to schools for specific subjects of the National Curriculum. Under Local Management of Schools, it is for LEAs and governing bodies of schools to decide what proportion of their total budget to spend on music provision.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to promote music teaching in schools. [14984]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The Department continues to promote music teaching in schools through the provision that is available as part of the National Curriculum for all children aged five to 14 in maintained schools. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport is also exploring ways of promoting musical instrument teaching for school pupils in addition to the National Curriculum requirements.

  European Dimension
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he is taking to give greater emphasis to the European dimension in education. [15185]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  European matters already have considerable coverage in the National Curriculum for schools, mainly through the mandatory study requirements for geography, history and modern foreign languages. To reinforce those and to celebrate the forthcoming United Kingdom Presidency of the European Union we are producing, with the professional help of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority and the Central Bureau for Educational Visits and Exchanges, a curriculum pack for schools. It will be entitled "Partners in Europe", and it will emphasise the importance of building a European dimension in the curriculum. We plan to publish the pack in December so that it will be available to schools in January for the start of the Spring term.
  32

  Positive Discrimination
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the impact on employees of the recent European Court of Justice ruling to permit positive discrimination in favour of women. [16418]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The judgment does not require an amendment to the Sex Discrimination Act 1975. It would therefore be inappropriate to make a statement.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what guidance he will issue to employers on the recruitment and employment of women following the European Court of Justice's ruling on positive discrimination in favour of women. [16415]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  We have no current plans to issue guidance.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what discussions he has held with(a) the Minister for Women and (b) the European Union Social Commissioner on the European Court of Justice's ruling relating to positive discrimination in favour of women. [16416]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  I have held no such discussions.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to amend United Kingdom sex discrimination legislation to permit positive discrimination in favour of women following the recent European Court of Justice ruling. [16414]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The issues raised by the judgment in the case of Marschall v. Land NordRhein Westfalen are complex. The implications are still being considered. The European Court of Justice's judgment does not require an amendment to be made to the Sex Discrimination Act 1975, because Article 2(4) of the Equal Treatment Directive (under which the judgment is made) operates as a derogation from the equal treatment principle. It permits Member States to have positive discrimination provisions in certain limited circumstances it does not require them to have such provisions.

  Teachers' Pay
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the basic starting salary for a newly graduated teacher(a) inside and (b) outside London; and if he will list the average earnings of teachers (i) inside and (ii) outside London in relation to length of service (1) in cash terms and (2) as a proportion of average earnings. [16430]

  Mr. Byers
  The basic starting salary at 1 April 1997 for a newly qualified teacher with a good honours degree in inner London was £16,341; in outer London it was £15,636; in the London fringe area it was £14,805; and outside London it was £14,280.

  The average earnings of full-time teachers (including heads and deputies) in the maintained nursery, primary

  33
  secondary and special sector at 31 March 1996 by five-year intervals of length of experience were, in cash terms:

  Length of service (years)

  Greater London £

  England and Wales excluding Greater London £

  0: 1

  16,200

  14,300

  5: 6

  22,500

  19,600

  10: 11

  25,100

  22,100

  15: 16

  26,100

  22,900

  20: 21

  26,900

  23,900

  25: 26

  28,200

  25,100

  30: 31

  29,200

  26,600

  Over 31

  30,200

  27,800

  Average full-time teacher salary as a percentage of average full-time earnings for all employees:

  Percentage

  Length of service (years)

  Greater London

  England and Wales excluding Greater London

  0: 1

  68

  82

  5: 6

  95

  113

  10: 11

  106

  128

  15: 16

  110

  132

  20: 21

  114

  138

  25: 26

  119

  145

  30: 31

  123

  154

  Over 31

  127

  161

  Greater London figures are the percentage of the average Greater London earnings for April 1996. England and Wales excluding Greater London figures are the percentage of the average England and Wales excluding Greater London earnings for April 1996.

  Welfare to Work
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how the benefits of those aged under 25 years who are unemployed and who refuse to take up any of the options offered by the Welfare-to-Work scheme will be affected. [14655]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Young people who without good cause refuse a New Deal place will lose their Jobseeker's Allowance for two weeks. Every time they refuse a further offer in the following 12 months they will lose JSA for four weeks.

  Oxford and Cambridge Universities
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what criteria for Higher Education Funding Council is using to evaluate value for money from college fees in its review of the funding of Oxford and Cambridge universities. [16364]

  Dr. Howells
  We have not yet received the Funding Council's advice on the mechanisms for setting future funding for universities and colleges at Oxford and Cambridge. It is for the Council to decide what criteria to use in formulating its advice.

  Universities
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what measures the Government(a) have taken and (b) are planning to take, to ensure that universities are responsive to the needs of the non-academic community. [16363]
  34
  Dr. Howells
  The Government are encouraging and will encourage universities to meet the needs of employers and others in their communities in a number of ways.

  We are continuing the Higher Education and Employment Development Programme, which exists to improve responsiveness to the labour market at a national level and to enhance the ability of employers to use the skills and knowledge that graduates bring. The Programme has a budget of £8 million over the next two years, during which we expect to support some 60 projects.

  The Higher Education Regional Development Fund came into operation this year. This initiative aims to engage higher education systemically in supporting competitiveness and economic growth at a regional level through close partnerships with employers and employer-led organisations. The 1997–98 budget of £2.7 million is supporting 58 projects. Although funding is due to end in April 1998, the Government are considering a recommendation from the National Committee of Inquiry into Higher Education—the Dearing Committee—to extend it.

  My Department is also supporting four feasibility studies on the development of graduate apprenticeships. These will explore the potential for creating opportunities for undergraduates and postgraduates that combine academic study with work-based learning.

  For the future, the Government are considering their response to the many other recommendations of the Dearing Committee intended to increase higher education's responsiveness to the needs of its non-academic stakeholders. We will announce our decisions soon.

  University Degrees
  Mr. Forth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of university degrees awarded were first class honours in(a) 1967, (b) 1977, (c) 1987 and (d) the latest year for which figures are available. [15316]

  Dr. Howells
  The available data are given in the table.

  First degree graduates1 in the United Kingdom who were awarded first class honours

  Year

  Percentage awarded first class honours

  1967

  26.7

  1977

  35.8

  1987

  36.1

  1996

  47.0

  1 Excluding the Open University.

  2 Former University Funding Council institutions only.

  3 All higher and further education institutions.

  4 All higher education institutions.

  Standards in Public Life
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what measures his Department(a) has taken and (b) is planning to take, to

  35
  take account of recommendations contained in the Second Report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life (Cm. 3270). [16362]

  Dr. Howells
  A summary of the actions taken so far on the Second Report by the Department, its funding and regulating bodies, and by local public spending bodies is contained in Appendices 2 and 9 of the Fourth Report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life "Review of the Standards of Conduct in Executive NDPBs, NHS Trusts and Local Public Spending Bodies".

  The Department is considering the observations made in paragraphs 12–14 of the Fourth Report and where further steps can be taken to improve its openness and accountability and that of its executive NDPBs, including funding and regulating bodies, of its local public spending bodies and of its public bodies generally. It will also be reflecting on the Cabinet Office consultation paper, issued this month, entitled "Opening Up Quangos".

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Tagging Orders (Norfolk)
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many tagging orders(a) have been issued and (b) are currently in operation in Norfolk. [15760]

  Ms Quin
  On 12 November 1997, a total of 186 curfew orders, enforced by electronic monitoring, had been imposed by the courts, of which 50 were still in force.

  Probation Officers
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many full-time probation officers there were in Wales in each year since 1985; and if he will make a statement. [15729]

  Ms Quin
  The number of full-time probation officers (Wales: 31 December) is as follows:

  1987: 322

  1988: 324

  1989: 332

  1990: 339

  1991: 359

  1992: 357

  1993: 366

  1994: 371

  1995: 354

  1996: 357.

  The numbers include probation officers seconded to work in prisons.

  Prisons
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many new prisons are under construction; and if he will make a statement. [15744]

  Ms Quin: One
  Her Majesty's Prison Lowdham Grange in Nottinghamshire. Construction at Her Majesty's Prison Parc, Bridgend, South Wales, which is due to open on 17 November, was certified to be completed on 25 September. The construction of Her 36
  Majesty's Prison Altcourse, Fazakerley, Merseyside is scheduled to be formally certified as completed on 14 November.

  Border Controls
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, pursuant to his answer of 29 October,Official Report, column 823, concerning border controls, what powers he will possess on activation of the Protocol of the Amsterdam treaty in respect of (a) citizens of the European Union and (b) nationals of member states of the European Economic Area, additional to verification of identity by personal travel documents. [15289]

  Ms Quin
  Powers for immigration officers to examine identity documents of passengers arriving in the United Kingdom are contained in Schedule 2 to the Immigration Act 1971. Schedule 2 applies to the examination of European Economic Area (EEA) nationals in accordance with Article 20(2)(e) of the Immigration (European Economic Area) Order 1994. Article 3 of that Order provides that (subject to article 15(1) of the Order) an EEA national will be admitted to the United Kingdom on production, on arrival, of a valid national identity card or passport issued by another EEA State and, if required, proof that he is the family member of an EEA national. "EEA nationals" includes all nationals of the European Economic Area, including European Community nationals, except British citizens. No new powers are conferred by the Protocol, which instead confirms the United Kingdom's (and Ireland's) rights to conduct checks on persons at the internal frontiers of the European Union.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set out the detailed procedures in place for processing asylum seekers on their arrival at United Kingdom ports of entry. [15085]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The procedures in place at ports of entry are designed to meet the United Kingdom's obligations under the 1951 United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees while minimising the scope for abuse of the asylum process. These procedures allow for the prompt identification of asylum seekers; information to be provided about the asylum process and the agencies that can offer assistance; and the asylum claim to be forwarded to the Asylum Directorate of the Home Office at the earliest opportunity.

  All procedures are kept under review and revised as necessary. More generally, a study of all aspects of the asylum process across Government is currently being carried out.

  Sex Offenders
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to allocate additional resources to treatment programmes for sex offenders, with special reference to offenders who are on short sentences and are released from prison without community supervision. [15476]
  37
  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 13 November 1997]The Prison Service has made available in the current financial year an additional £1 million in support of offending behaviour programmes, including sex offender treatment programmes.

  There are no plans at present to devote additional Prison Service resources to programmes aimed at sex offenders sentenced to short terms of imprisonment because they would not be in prison for long enough after sentencing for them to complete a meaningful programme.

  The Government intend to include provisions in the Crime and Disorder Bill to give the courts power to impose extended periods of post-release supervision on sex-offenders, including those who receive sentences of 12 months or less. The Government acknowledge that these proposals will have resource implications for probation services.

  E-Mail
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 10 November from the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster,Official Report, column 441, if he will list the e-mail addresses of (a) Ministers, (b) senior officials and (c) chief executives of agencies for which he is responsible. [15878]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 13 November 1997]No Minister in my Department at present has an e-mail address.

  Correspondence sent to the Home Office e-mail address, ho.gen@gtnet.gov.uk, is forward to the appropriate senior officials as necessary. Links to the e-mail addresses of the Research and Statistics Directorate and the Police Research Group are provided from the appropriate areas of the Home Office web site, www.homeoffice.gov.uk, and messages can be marked for the attention of senior officials.

  Chief executives of agencies for which my Department is responsible do not have individual e-mail addresses. However, appropriately headed messages sent to the Fire Service College, moreton@campus.bt.com, will be forwarded to the chief executive, and a feedback form on the Forensic Science Service website, www.fss.org.uk, can also be addressed to the chief executive.

  Prisons (Healthcare Managers)
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he intends to take to ensure that all prisons have a healthcare manager, following the report of HM Chief Inspector of Prisons in 1994; and if he will make a statement. [16368]

  Ms Quin
  Figures for 1996–97 indicate that health care managers have been appointed in at least 122 Prison Service establishments. Governors are not obliged to follow any particular model in setting up their management teams. However, the issue of health care managers, among others, will be examined by a joint Prison Service/Department of Health Working Group which has been set up in response to the 1996 Report by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons "Patient or Prisoner?", to look at the whole question of the future delivery of health care to prisoners.

  Telephone Tapping
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what procedures are required to be complied with before(a) the police and (b) MI5 can gain access to information generated within the System X telephone system in respect of call origin and destination related information. [15710]

  Mr. Straw
  Section 45 of the Telecommunications Act 1984, as amended by the Interception of Communications Act 1985, provides that public telecommunications operators commit an offence if they disclose any information concerning the use made of their telecommunications services by any other person except where disclosures are made for the prevention or detection of crime, for the purposes of any criminal proceedings, in the interests of national security or in pursuance of the order of a court. It is for the individual operator to satisfy himself that one or more of those exceptions apply before releasing any such information at the request of the police or the Security Service.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make unauthorised surveillance by electronic devices a criminal offence. [156951

  Mr. Michael
  To introduce a general offence outlawing unauthorised surveillance by an electronic device would raise particular technical and definitional problems. Remedies are already available to take action against those who carry out surveillance which transgresses the current criminal law, for example if they commit theft or criminal damage, behave in a threatening or violent way or where there is harassment. Furthermore, the act of simple trespass is a civil tort.

  There are also offences under the Interception of Communications Act 1985 and the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1967 to regulate the use of certain techniques and methods. On the other hand, there are legitimate uses of electronic surveillance by other than law enforcement agencies which are of benefit to society and the safety of the public. The use of closed circuit television in shopping centres, car parks, on housing estates and inside offices, banks, shops and public buildings is generally welcomed by the public and accepted as necessary for crime prevention.

  The media would argue that cameras and other equipment are an essential component of investigative journalism and that any prohibition on their use would be a form of censorship. To regulate the use of all such equipment would create a massive administrative burden. Existing offences under the criminal and civil law already provide a degree of cover and redress for infringements of privacy by the use of electronic surveillance. Incorporation of the European Convention on Human Rights will also impact upon this issue.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions since 1967 and for how long(a) Category 3 and (b) Category 2 phone numbers have been disconnected; at what locations; and for what reasons. [15778]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Category 3 disconnections have been made when the public telephone network has been severely damaged (storms, 1987 and 1990), heavily overloaded (Hungerford, 1987), or malfunctioning
  39
  telephone exchanges (Welford on Avon, Chadford, 1993). The action was taken by the telecommunications operator to ensure that essential users could use the network while restoration of service was being carried out.

  Central Government have never invoked the authority to disconnect Category 2 phone numbers.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what circumstances MI5 undertakes telephone tapping without first having obtained a warrant. [15718]

  Mr. Straw
  Under no circumstances are communications intercepted in the course of their transmission by means of a public telecommunications system by, or at the request of, the Security Service without the authority of a warrant.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what sum was paid out of public funds to British Telecom for each year since 1986 in respect of work carried out in telephone tapping services. [15726]

  Mr. Straw
  Interception of Communications is an important weapon in the fight against serious crime and threats to public safety. It has been the policy of successive governments not to disclose information which might assist criminals, terrorists and hostile foreign powers by revealing the extent of our capabilities in relation to interception.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the warrants authorising telephone taps for each year since 1986 were still in force on 1 November. [15716]

  Mr. Straw
  The available information is published in the annual reports of the Commissioner appointed under the Interception of Communications Act 1985 which lists the number of warrants issued by the Home Secretary and the Secretary of State for Scotland in the course of each year, and the numbers of warrants in force at the end of each year. The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make a statement on the discussions and decisions regarding surveillance of telecommunications undertaken within the EU since 23 November 1996;[15682]

  (2) what action has been taken since 23 November 1996 in respect of the provision of access for law enforcement agencies to (a) satellite-based communications and (b) other communications; and if he will make a statement. [15683]

  Mr. Straw
  On 23 November 1995, a Memorandum of Understanding concerning international user requirements for the lawful use of interception by law enforcement agencies was signed by all members of the European Union and Norway. A copy of the Memorandum was placed in the Library on 3 March 1997.

  Separately from this, the United Kingdom is working with European Union member states on a draft Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters between the member states of the European Union. This includes draft articles relating to the interception of satellite and terrestrial communications. The Convention is primarily designed to improve existing arrangements
  40
  for co-operation between judicial authorities in European Union member states under the 1959 Council of Europe Convention on mutual legal assistance. On 28 October, the Government placed before the scrutiny committees of both Houses, and in the Library, copies of the latest draft of the Convention.

  Prisons (HIV-AIDS)
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he intends to take to ensure that all prison establishments have a multi-disciplinary management group dealing with HIV-AIDS; and if he will make a statement. [16369]

  Ms Quin
  It is Prison Service policy that every prison should have a multi-disciplinary AIDS Management Team. Teams from 125 establishments have so far attended centrally organised training courses as part of an ongoing programme. The content of the training has now been revised to include other communicable diseases such as Hepatitis B and C, and tuberculosis. The Prison Service recently appointed an outside agency to develop further and deliver the training programme, and every establishment has been invited to send a team.

  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of prison establishments in England and Wales provide basic awareness training for prisoners in respect of HIV-Aids. [163701

  Ms Quin
  All Prison Service establishments are expected to provide basic awareness training for prisoners in HIV as part of their induction programme (usually within the first week of their arrival). In addition, all establishments are expected to have at least two trained HIV counsellors to deal with any concerns inmates may have during their stay in prison.

  MI5
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what are the mechanisms for authorising the vetting of an individual by MI5; [15713]

  (2) how many persons were vetted by MI5 in the last year for which figures are available; [15714]

  (3) if material collected by MI5 as part of vetting operations is always destroyed where those vetted are deemed not to be a security risk. [15715]

  Mr. Straw
  Security vetting is carried out in accordance with the policy set out by the then Prime Minister in reply to a Question from Sir Anthony Durant (then the Member for Reading, West) on 15 December 1994,Official Report, columns 764–66. It is for Departments to assess which posts, by virtue of their assess to sensitive Government assets, should be subject to security vetting. Before any vetting is carried out, the individual is informed of the processes involved and gives his or her consent to the relevant checks being made.

  As the policy makes clear, a check against Security Service records is a standard element of the vetting process. Apart from the checks made on individuals at the request of Departments, the Security Service is responsible only for the vetting of its own staff and contractors. Information obtained during the vetting process is retained for management purposes and to facilitate periodic vetting reviews.
  41
  It is not the Government's policy to provide details of the work of the Security Service, including the numbers of persons subject to vetting checks.

  Prisons (Pharmacists)
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of prison establishments in England and Wales have a pharmacist employed on the premises. [16371]

  Ms Quin
  Thirty four Prison Service establishments have a resident pharmacist. These establishments generally act as pharmacy cluster centres, providing services to a further 67 prisons or Young Offender Institutions. Thirty one establishments obtain pharmacy drugs or services through a variety of arrangements with the private sector or the National Health Service.

  Firearms Surrender (Compensation)
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the proposed timescale for the payment of compensation for the surrender of firearms prohibited by the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997 to those who surrendered guns before 30 September. [16367]

  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has to date been the average period between the surrendering of firearms under the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997 and the payment of compensation to the former owners of such firearms; to what factors he attributes delays in the making of payments; and what proposals he has to expedite the payment of such compensation. [15886]

  Mr. Michael
  Claims submitted under options A and B of the compensation scheme are being processed in 12 to 14 weeks. The more complicated option C claims will be processed when the bulk of these have been cleared.

  More than 37,800 compensation claims and ex gratia applications under the small calibre pistol scheme have been received since 1 July, and the volume is such that some delays are inevitable. More than 14,200 payments have been made to a value of more than £17 million.

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

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

  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many firearms have so far been surrendered under the provisions of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997; and how many of those firearms 42
  have been (a) melted down, (b) otherwise destroyed, (c) sold in (i) the United Kingdom or (ii) overseas and (d)otherwise handled. [15885]

  Mr. Michael
  Further to my statement of 3 November,Official Report, column 56, just over 142,000 handguns were surrendered to police forces during the three month period which ended on 30 September.

  The vast majority of these firearms are being destroyed under local arrangements in each police force area once the claimant has received compensation from the Home Office Firearms Compensation Section. Some forces have begun destroying firearms where the related claim has already been met, though no central record of actual destructions is being kept. None of the surrendered firearms will be sold either within the United Kingdom or abroad. A small minority of firearms may be retained by police forces for training purposes, and some by museums for public display.

  Exports Initiative
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the companies which have benefited from the Home Office Exports Initiative. [16212]

  Mr. Michael
  During the period of the Exports Initiative, the Home Office Exports Promoter is known to have had dealings with the companies listed. The list is not exhaustive as not all contacts will have been recorded. The Exports Promoter also worked closely with the main trade associations in the policing and security sector who between them have over 500 member companies. It has proved difficult to show what actual export orders have resulted directly from the initiative. It is a matter for the companies concerned to assess what benefits they derived from the Initiative, but I am told that companies proved unwilling to tell officials at the Home Office whether any orders had resulted from trade events etc.

  A 1 Security and Electrical Ltd. Aadver International

  Adams Electronics

  Agema Infrared Systems Ltd. AIGIS Ltd.

  Alexander Manufacturing (UK) Ltd.

  Amcomm International Ltd. AS and E

  Aspley Identifying Solutions

  Audiotel International Ltd.

  Baxall Security Ltd.

  Birmingham Gunmakers ltd.

  Bleinheim Exhibitions

  Bastion (North) Security Ltd.

  Bramah Security

  Broadcast and Surveillance Systems Ltd.

  Camlock Systems PLC

  Canford Audio

  Cardkey Systems

  CDR International

  Chameleon Management Systems Chubb PLC

  Corps of Commissionaires Management Ltd.

  CQR Security Components Ltd. Duncan Advanced PLC

  EEV Ltd.

  Eurosat Distribution (Scotland) Ltd.

  Expo Promotions

  Foster and Freeman Ltd.

  GB Information Management

  Geografix Ltd.

  43

  Glover Webb Ltd

  Grazeby Security

  Group 4 Ltd.

  Helmet Integrated Systems Ltd.

  Hiatt and Company Ltd.

  Horn Ltd.

  Hourglass Publishing

  ICL

  IES

  Imagebase Technology Ltd.

  International Trade and Exhibitions Ltd.

  Ion Track Instruments

  Island Security Systems

  Ivel Developments Ltd.

  Jarvis Engineering and Technology Ltd.

  K-Tech (UK) Ltd.

  Keygrove Marketing Ltd.

  Kinetic Group Ltd.

  Labelex Exhibitions Ltd.

  Latin American Trade and Investment Centre

  Latin American Trade Advisory Group

  Lightweight Body Armour Ltd.

  Litton Data Systems

  Martin Ison Associates Ltd.

  Maxon Europe Ltd.

  Mobile Radio Ltd.

  Neal Recording Systems Ltd.

  Notifier

  NTL Radio Communications

  Ogier Electronics

  PAC International Ltd

  PAFEC Ltd

  Photon Security Services Ltd.

  PJ Consultancy Services

  Police Aviation Services

  Probe FX (UK) Ltd

  Public Access Terminals Ltd.

  Pyronix Ltd.

  Racal Acoustics Ltd.

  Racal Messenger Ltd.

  Racal Radio Ltd.

  Racal Recorders

  Racal-Comseq Ltd.

  Rapiscan Security Products

  Recall Ltd.

  Redfern Consultancy

  Remsdaq

  RFR Marketing Ltd.

  Rover Group

  Scanna MSC Ltd.

  SDA Consultants

  Security Defence Technologies Ltd.

  Selectamark Security Systems PLC

  Sensor Electronics Ltd.

  Sensormatic

  Shepherd Surveillance Solutions

  Simoco Telecommunication Ltd.

  Sonic Communications (International) Ltd.

  Symonds Group

  Symonds Travers Morgan

  Task International Ltd.

  Texecom Ltd.

  The Archer Group Ltd.

  W. L. Gore and Associates (UK) Ltd.

  EU Conventions
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 1 July,Official Report, columns 74–76, concerning the draft convention of the European Community concerning rules applying to the crossing of external common frontiers of the community, when the convention was published by the Commission; what consultation with member states took place prior to its publication; what steps have been
  44
  taken by Her Majesty's Government to send copies of the draft convention to bodies or persons in the United Kingdom whose duties or obligations will be affected by its operation and requirements; if he will publish a white paper containing the changes which it will require in the existing powers available to the Government or Parliament; and what final powers the convention provides for the European Court. [15573]

  Ms Quin
  A revised draft External Frontiers Convention was presented to the Council by the Commission on 10 December 1993; a draft Convention had earlier been under consideration by member states of the European Union under the ad hoc arrangements for co-operation on immigration and asylum which preceded the coming into force of the Treaty on European Union (TEU).

  The Government are not aware of any specific consultations on the Commission's proposals but it was based on the earlier text of the draft Convention subject to the changes brought about by the TEU. The Commission's proposal for a Convention was deposited in Parliament on 1 February 1994, together with an Explanatory Note; the draft Convention which preceded it was deposited in Parliament in July 1992. The Commission's proposal was published in the Official Journal on 15 January 1994 and is publicly available. The Government did not formally consult on the Convention but the Government's Explanatory Note set out the legal changes which implementation of the External Frontiers Convention would require. It would not be appropriate to publish any more detailed proposals in the absence of final agreement on the text. Jurisdiction for the European Court of Justice remains an unresolved matter.

  The draft External Frontiers Convention has been blocked since 1991 because of Spain's objections to its application to Gibraltar, and no discussions of substance have taken place within the European Union since June 1996 during the Italian Presidency. However, arrangements have now been agreed allowing the Schengen countries to pass measures within the European Union framework relating to their external frontiers, while the United Kingdom and Ireland continue to operate the Common Travel Area. Given these changes, secured at the Amsterdam Summit, there is now little impetus behind the draft External Frontiers Convention.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 1 July,Official Report, columns 74–76, in respect of the draft conventions of the European Community concerning (i) matrimonial matters, (ii) co-operation between customs administrations and (iii) information on asylum applicants (a) when each was published, (b) what steps he has taken to forward the proposals to interested bodies or persons, (c) what matters raised by Her Majesty's Government in respect of the earlier consultation have not been incorporated in the draft, (d) when the texts were placed before Parliament, (e) what procedures will take place in Parliament prior to ratification, (f) what major changes in the rights or obligations of United Kingdom citizens are implied by the drafts, (g) what powers will be vested in the European Court in either preliminary or final judgments or rulings and (h) what memoranda he will publish. [15570]
  45
  Ms Quin
  The information requested is as follows:

  (i) Draft Convention on Jurisdiction and Enforcement in Family Matters

  This draft European Union Convention, on which my right hon. and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor has the policy lead, has not been published in the Official Journal but was submitted to the House of Lords Select Committee on the European Communities in May, together with an Explanatory Note. The Select Committee consulted a wide range of interested academic and professional individuals and organisations and published the evidence it collected in its report (HL Paper 19, printed on 22 July 1997). The matters raised in the memorandum submitted to the Select Committee by the Lord Chancellor's Department and the Scottish Court Administration are still under negotiation with other member states. The enactment of primary legislation will be needed before the Convention can be ratified.

  The draft Convention has the following main purposes; first, to establish grounds of jurisdiction in relation to proceedings for divorce, nullity and judicial separation and orders relating to children made in those proceedings; secondly, to make provision relating to concurrent matrimonial procedings in different jurisdictions; and thirdly, to provide for the recognition and enforcement of the relevant decrees and orders. Whether, and, if so, to what extent, the European Court of Justice should be given jurisdiction in relation to the draft Convention is a matter which is still under consideration and negotiation with other member states. The Lord Chancellor's Department and the Scottish Courts Administration will publish a memorandum on the draft Convention before it is finally agreed; the timing of such publication with depend on the future progress of negotiations.

  (ii) Draft Convention on mutual assistance and co-operation between customs authorities (Naples II)

  The text of this draft European Union Convention is still under negotiation and has therefore not yet been published in the Official Journal. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has the policy lead and intends to deposit the latest text and an Explanatory Note with Parliament shortly. It will be for the scrutiny committees to decide whether to call for evidence from interested bodies or persons. The Government have been fully involved in negotiations concerned with the drafting of the convention and, where appropriate, have sought changes to the text.

  If agreement is reached on the Convention, it will be tabled in Parliament in accordance with the Ponsonby rule for ratifying international agreements. The draft Convention does not provide for changes in the rights or obligations of United Kingdom citizens. The powers to be invested in the European Court of Justice in respect of the draft Convention are still under consideration.

  (iii) Draft Convention regarding the establishment of the EURODAC system for the comparison of fingerprints of asylum applicants

  The first version of this draft European Union Convention was brought forward by the Italian Presidency on 14 March 1996. The text, which remains the subject of negotiation under the Third Pillar of the Treaty of European Union, has not been published in the Official Journal but was deposited with Parliament on 6 June 1996, together with an Explanatory Note. The text has so far not been the subject of any wider consultation in the United Kingdom. The Luxembourg Presidency recently forwarded the draft convention to the European Parliament for an opinion.

  If adopted by the Council, the draft Convention would be laid before Parliament in the usual way prior to ratification and Parliamentary approval sought for any necessary changes to existing legislation. The inclusion of provisions relating to the European Court of Justice has yet to be determined.
  46

  IRA Prisoners (Transfers)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will indicate the time-frame within which the transfer of IRA prisoners to the Republic of Ireland, to which he has agreed in principle, will take place. [16475]

  Ms Quin
  Determination of repatriation requests requires detailed consideration by both the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. Repatriation cannot take place until all parties, including the prisoner, have given their formal consent. It is not possible to specify how long this process may take in any individual case.

  Prisoner Tariffs
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department following the letter of 9 July from the Northern Ireland Office to Mr. Martin McGuinness, when he will announce the tariffs for(a) Joe O'Connell, (b) Harry Duggan, (c) Hugh Doherty and (d) Eddie Bolton. [164741

  Ms Quin
  The four prisoners in question will be informed of decisions concerning their tariffs as soon as possible.

  Fair Trade (Coffee and Tea)
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the oral Statement by the Secretary of State for International Development,Official Report, 5 November, column 332, if he will instruct officials to serve coffee and tea furnished by suppliers who adhere to fair trade standards in his Department. [15492]

  Mr. Straw
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave on 13 November Official Report, column 617. All procurement decisions in my Department are based on the Government's policy of value for money. However, we are making inquiries across the Office with regard to the implications of offering such "fair trade" products.

  Telephone Preference Scheme
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who has the authority to order the disconnection of Category 3 phone numbers under the Telephone Preference Scheme. [15777]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Central Government have the authority to order the disconnection of Category 3 phone numbers under the Telephone Preference Scheme in response to a situation affecting defence or national security.

  Telecommunications operators can also disconnect Category 3 phone numbers to provide assured access to the public network for essential users in the event of a heavy overload or damage to the public network.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the allocation of telephone numbers under Categories l to 3 of the Telephone Preference Scheme was last reviewed; and by whom. [15780]
  47
  Mr. George Howarth
  The allocation of telephone numbers in the three categories was reviewed in 1996 by an Inter-departmental Working Party with representatives from the Home Office, Cabinet Office, Department of Trade and Industry, Ministry of Defence and Public Telecommunication Operators.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the companies and organisations in(a) Category 1 and (b) Category 2 under the Telephone Preference Scheme. [15779]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Telephone Preference Scheme Category 1 applies to Central Government emergency services, local authorities, the military and the utilities, all of which have a key role in an emergency. Category 2 applies to all public call boxes and coin operated telephones. It is not possible to provide a full list within the two categories without incurring disproportionate cost.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Economic and Monetary Union
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many copies of the "EMU—Practical Guidelines for Business" (July 1997) have been circulated to date(a) in total and (b) to firms in the small business sector. [14728]

  Mrs. Roche
  About 50,000 copies of the booklet "EMU—Practical Information for Business", published by HM Treasury, have been distributed.

  Small businesses have been targeted in the distribution of this booklet.

  Fireworks
  Mr. Goggins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will publish the amount of Government expenditure on firework safety campaigns for each year since 1979. [15532]

  Turnover

  Operating surplus/(deficit)

  Mining reports and records £ million

  Coal Authority £ million

  Percentage

  Mining reports and records £ million

  Coal Authority £ million

  Percentage

  1994–95

  1.749

  22.843

  7.7

  0.538

  (3.566)

  —

  1995–96

  4.796

  74.834

  6.4

  1.518

  27.187

  5.6

  1996–97

  5.734

  55.807

  10.3

  1.506

  22.203

  6.8

  Note:
  The figure for turnover from provision of mining reports and records includes reports provided in respect of house and land purchase, development proposals and infrastructure developments, and for access to geological and other records held by the Coal Authority. The Authority's mining records and reports service is required to cover its costs, and adjustments are made to the cost of the service to reflect this requirement. Following the computerisation of the reports service, fees for each mining report were reduced by 17.5 per cent. on 1 June 1997.

  Source:

  The Coal Authority Annual Report and Accounts, 1994–95, 1995– 96 and 1996–97.

  Coal
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action she is taking to expand the markets for United Kingdom coal. [15674]
  48
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  The cost of fireworks safety campaigns between 1979 and 1983 cannot be produced without incurring disproportionate cost. The figures from 1984 are as follows:

  £000

  1984

  35

  1985

  40

  1986

  51

  1987

  78

  1988

  57

  1989

  64

  1990

  111

  1991

  74

  1992

  84

  1993

  160

  1994

  191

  1995

  185

  1996

  284

  1997

  1350

  1Latest estimate

  Loan Guarantee Scheme
  Mr. Geraint Davies
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proportion of businesses applying for the DTI Loan Guarantee Scheme have been declared eligible during the last year for which figures are available. [15319]

  Mrs. Roche
  No figures relating to the proportion of applications declared eligible are available. All applications are made direct to lenders and no national records of approaches to lenders are kept.

  Property Sales (Coal Mining Searches)
  Ms Walley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what sums were collected by the Coal Authority in respect of coal mining searches on property sales in each of the last three years; and in each year what these were as a percentage of the Authority's total income. [15733]

  Mr. Battle
  The following table shows the Coal Authority's turnover and operating surplus from the provision of coal mining reports and records for the past three financial years, and their relationship to the Authority's total turnover and operating surplus or deficit.

  Mr. Battle
  The Government believe that there is scope for expanding the European sales of United Kingdom coal which is by far the lowest cost production in Europe. To this end, the Government are vigorously urging the Commission to block the subsidies to German and
  49
  Spanish coal producers that create barriers to 1998 sales of United Kingdom steam coal, anthracite and manufactured smokeless fuels in the European Coal and Steel Community.

  Other steps we have taken to encourage the continuation of markets for coal include:
  Setting up a review of the Electricity Pool.
  Encouraging the generators to offer their unwanted coal-powered stations for sale to RJB Mining or other coal producers.
  Encouraging the regulator to prevent generators from passing on excessive costs under the early take-or-pay gas contracts to ensure that there is no uneven playing field.
  Introducing the Fossil Fuel Levy Bill which will remove the advantage that nuclear and imported electricity from France currently enjoys.
  We are also working hard to find ways to support clean coal technology.

  Inward Investment
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the United Kingdom maximum limit on the amount of grant that can be offered in an assisted area or development area. [15761]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The maximum grant ceiling in the UK is 75 per cent. of the discounted fixed capital costs for qualifying projects in areas designated under Article 92(3)a of the Treaty of the EC. This ceiling is currently applicable to the whole of Northern Ireland. The maximum grant in Development Areas under Article 92(3)c is 30 per cent.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what mechanisms have been created to avoid competitive bidding between United Kingdom regions to attract new investment. [15762]

  Mrs. Beckett
  All three operating departments have subscribed to internal rules designed to avoid bidding up. There are also procedures for central handling of major cases where appropriate—for example, if more than one site is being considered.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade in what circumstances her Department(a) sees the papers, (b) influences decisions and (c) has a veto on inward investment packages offered by Wales and Scotland. [15820]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The territorial departments consult my Department on a range of matters, for example the market conditions in an industry, when relevant. The territorial departments will also consult my Department when more than one location is being considered because there are arrangements for a co-ordinating approach to dealing with the prospective inward investor. Decisions on inward investment packages offered by Scotland and Wales are matters for my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what guidelines she has issued to bring investment packages offered by Scotland and Wales into line with England. [15860]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 13 November 1997]Regional Selective Assistance scheme grants operate to common guidelines applied across Great Britain. In Northern Ireland, grants are available under the Selective 50
  Financial Assistance scheme, which operates on similar principles. I am discussing with my colleagues how best to ensure common UK criteria when dealing with the full packages of support offered to inward investors.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if the Secretary of State for Scotland has to submit investment packages to her Department before he is able to confirm them. [15884]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 13 November 1997]No.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what criteria she will apply to determine the size of grants for regional inward investment. [15882]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 13 November 1997]Applications for Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) grant are received from both domestic and foreign companies of all sizes, and are assessed against the same strict criteria. Eligible projects must create new or safeguard existing employment in the Assisted Area, be viable and contribute to both the regional and national economy. The project must be additional; that it would not go ahead in the assisted area unless RSA grant is forthcoming. The amount of grant awarded is always judged to be the minimum necessary for the project to go ahead, and is related to the fixed capital costs of a project and on the number of jobs expected to be created or safeguarded.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if the Invest in Britain Bureau has the power to vet regional development body grants and investment packages. [15881]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 13 November 1997]The Invest in Britain Bureau, which is jointly managed by the DTI and the FCO markets the UK abroad as an investment location and co-ordinates a regional delivery infrastructure, providing grant to 10 English Regional Development Organisations for an agreed programme of inward investment promotion activities. It does not have the power to vet Regional Selective Assistance packages since that is not its role but it works closely with Regional Assistance Directorate in the DTI, who are responsible for RSA policy.

  Car Boot Sales
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the impact of car boot sales on local businesses. [15690]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  Car boot sales do not compete with other retail outlets, but I am aware that many people, particularly charities and voluntary organisations, benefit from them. Consideration of licensing of this activity is the responsibility of DETR.

  Action 2000
  Mrs. May
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are the terms of reference for Action 2000. [16134]

  Mrs. Roche
  Under the Action 2000 initiative, there will be an Advisory Board to assist the Chairman in providing the advice detailed in the list of his responsibilities, and a separate company to carry out day-to-day operations, including implementation of a
  51
  programme of activities. The activities should be based on an assessment by the Board of what is needed to minimise the extent of failure with significant consequences by private sector business systems, including both IT systems and electronically controlled equipment using embedded software. In particular, the assessment should assess what external help businesses need, what help is already available from commercial or other sources, and what more needs to be done. It will also identify organisations which can participate in delivering additional help, and indicate where some element of public money is needed to achieve this.

  The activities are expected to fall under the following broad headings:

  Promotion—activities to promote the importance of the issue and signpost help,

  Advice and Guidance—identifying and providing available best practice advice and guidance,

  Assessment Schemes—providing self-assessment conformance tools for users, consultants and suppliers,

  People and Skills—develop and implement ways to address the current shortage of skilled IT staff,

  Tools and Techniques—make available details of tools, techniques, products and services,

  Practical help and advice for small and medium sized businesses.

  One of the tasks of the Company will be to encourage businesses and other organisations to participate in devising or delivering the activities which are needed.

  Mrs. May
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if the post of Chairman for Action 2000 was advertised; and how many job applications were received.[16135]

  Mrs. Roche
  The post was not advertised, because the Government wished to appoint a Chairman as rapidly as possible in view of the urgency of the problem.

  Telescopes
  Mr. Pound
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade which Ministers have visited the Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes since the inauguration in 1985.[16436]

  Mr. Battle
  My hon. Friend the Minister for Competition and Consumer Affairs visited the telescopes on 31 October. I am not aware of any other Ministerial visits to the telescopes since they were inaugurated.

  Mr. Pound
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will estimate the amount of United Kingdom Government expenditure on the Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes at the Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias.[16421]

  Mr. Battle
  The Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes is a joint venture between the UK and the Netherlands. In 1997–98, the Joint UK/Netherlands Budget was £2.247 million of which the UK provided 80 per cent. The UK also provided support for staff salaries, new instrumentation and research making the total UK contribution £5.533 million. The total UK contribution over the period from 1992–93 to 1996–97 was £26.134 million. Figures for previous years are not readily available.
  52

  Textphones
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will introduce statutory regulations to ensure the greater provision of public textphones for deaf and hard of hearing people.[15929]

  Mr. Battle
  The number of public textphones is on the increase and BT plans to increase the numbers from the current level of 90 to approximately 400 by the year 2000. Furthermore Oftel plan to launch a public consultation later this year dedicated to finding ways, including licence modifications if necessary, of improving telecommunications services for people with disabilities. The issue of the provision of public textphones will be raised as part of this consultation. My Department therefore has no plans at present to introduce such statutory regulations to ensure that public textphones are more widely available.

  Energy Efficiency
  Ms Walley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will take steps to enable the gas and electricity regulators to authorise the introduction of a levy on all consumers' bills to fund energy efficiency programmes; and if she will make a statement.[16171]

  Mr. Battle
  This issue falls within the remit of the Review of Utility Regulation, which is considering whether changes are required to the existing systems of regulation in telecommunications, electricity, gas and water, and which will report to Ministers by the end of the year. If we conclude that change should be contemplated, a consultation paper setting out the options will be published early next year.

  Travel Trade Monopoly Inquiry
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she plans to publish the findings from the Monopolies and Mergers Commission's travel trade monopoly inquiry.[16216]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The Monopolies and Mergers Commission (MMC) report on the travel trade will be published as quickly as is practicable. I cannot comment on the likely publication date of the MMC report or its contents. This information is market sensitive and must remain confidential. Copies of the report will be laid before Parliament at the same time as it is published.

  European Legislation
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she has asked the European Commission for full impact statements on the proposed items of European Union Legislation relating to(a) intellectual property rights, (b) financial services (distance contracts), (c) electronic waste, (d) air quality, (e) national emissions ceilings and (f) electric sockets, plugs and bases for 16 amp-250 volts for domestic uses.[14201]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 3 November 1997]The Government encourage the Commission to prepare impact assessments where there may be a significant impact on business. We are working with the Commission and other Member States to improve the system of impact assessment at European levels.
  53
  There are, among the policy areas cited, current legislative proposals in the areas of intellectual property and emissions and air quality, where the Commission has prepared impact assessments. In intellectual property rights, the UK opposes the draft directive on artists' re-sale rights and is pressing the Commission to consider more fully the impact upon business. In the area of air quality and vehicle emissions, the Commission has produced impact assessment work for the proposals currently being negotiated. In the other areas cited, electronic waste, distance selling of financial services and the domestic usage of electrical plugs and sockets, there are not published Commission legislative proposals at present. However, we understand that the Commission is preparing a draft Directive on the distance selling of financial services, which features in the Action Plan for completion of the Single Market. The Commission has not included any proposals for electronic waste or for domestic plugs and sockets in its 1997 Work Programme.

  Post Office (Scottish Powercards)
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the impact on the business of small rural-post offices of the withdrawal of Scottish Powercard sales.[15355]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  [holding answer 12 November 1997]Assessments of the viability of sub-post offices are a matter for individual subpostmasters and Post Office Counters Limited.

  Working Time Directive
  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what progress is being made in implementing the EU Working Time Directive (1993).[15767]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  [holding answer 13 November 1997]We are currently finalising our proposals for implementation of the Directive.

  Manufacturing
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what measures are being taken to ensure that future growth in the United Kingdom manufacturing sector does not lag behind that of the rest of the economy.[15475]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 13 November 1997]Our prosperity depends on creating a modern economy—strong in manufacturing and services. To help build a modern economy the Department of Trade and Industry is promoting competition and consumer protection; seeking high standards and fairness at work; and looking to the long-term in science and technology. This agenda is being advanced in partnership with firms in all sectors.
  54

  Industrial Underperformance
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what criteria she used to determine which industries underperformed in the United Kingdom.[16147]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 14 November 1997]I have made no such determination.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what rate of return on capital she uses to enable her to distinguish between competitive companies and companies in need of improvement.[16144]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 14 November 1997]I do not distinguish between competitive companies and companies in need of improvement on the basis of rate of return on capital.

  New Taxes (Advice)
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what advice she gave to the Chancellor in respect of the effects of new taxes on businesses, on cash flow and investment levels.[16145]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 14 November 1997]I maintain regular contact with the Chancellor about the impact on business, including on cash flow and investment, so that this can be taken into account in decisions on taxation and other aspects of economic policy.

  Coal Industry
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to meet miners' representatives to discuss(a) the coal industry and (b) proposed pit closures.[16140]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 14 November 1997]Ministers have had a number of meetings with miners' representatives to discuss the present position in the coal industry.

  Euro
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate she has made of the costs to British business of converting to using the euro (i) as a second domestic currency in the transitional period and (ii) as the sole legal currency in the United Kingdom.[16146]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 14 November 1997]I refer the right hon. Gentleman to the reply my hon. Friend the Economic Secretary to the Treasury gave to the right hon. Member for Wells (Mr. Heathcoat-Amory) on 11 November,Official Report, column 512.

  Sports Sponsorship
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade which tobacco companies have requested a meeting with ministers to discuss sports sponsorship; and which have been granted such a meeting.[16141]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 14 November 1997]None.

  Know-how Fund
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade in the last two financial years, how many know-how fund projects were awarded to(a) companies, (b) large partnerships or institutions and (c) individuals or small partnerships; in each case how many were based in Scotland; and what was the total value in categories (a) to (c).[13978]

  Mr. Foulkes
  I have been asked to reply.

  Information on know-how consultancy contracts is not recorded in the categories sought and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Information can be provided in two categories: corporate (companies, partnerships and institutions-small and large) and non-corporate (self-employed individuals) contracts. This is set out below:

  Year

  Number

  Value (£) of contracts awarded

  Total value (£)

  1995–96

  Corporate

  333

  45,644,200

  —

  Non-corporate

  49

  3,678,126

  49,322,326

  1996–97

  Corporate

  488

  81,757,274

  —

  Non-corporate

  81

  3,315,631

  85,072,905

  Contracts awarded to companies with headquarters in Scotland are not recorded separately.

  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the total budget allocated to the know-how fund for each of the last two years; and how much of that budget was spent on administration.[13972]

  Mr. Foulkes
  I have been asked to reply.

  Know-how fund expenditure in the last two financial years was as follows:

  1995–96: £86.26 million

  1996–97: £90.70 million

  In addition, DFID and FCO provided a total of £3 million each year from their running cost budgets to administer the fund.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Conditional Fees
  Mr. Gamier
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the academic research into the use of conditional fees referred to in his answer of 10 November,Official Report, column 575; and what research underlay his assessment of the success rate of conditional fees.[16432]

  Mr. Hoon
  I was referring to the research carried out by the Policy Studies Institute. Of the 837 cases entered into by the solicitors who responded to their survey they 56
  examined 197 cases in detail. The research was conducted between November 1996 and January 1997 and referred to agreements made no later than September 1996. PSI estimated that some 10,500 agreements had been made in a little over the first year that conditional fees were available and acknowledged that they had become an established method of funding personal injury litigation. I understand that something in the region of 1,500 agreements are now being entered into each month. By the time I spoke at the PSI conference on 23 September some 28,000 cases had been entered into. I do believe that 28,000 agreements in a little over three years is a remarkable success and I am keen that more of our citizens should have the access to justice that these agreements provide.

  E-mail
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department pursuant to the answer of 10 November from the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster,Official Report, column 441, if he will list the e-mail addresses of (a) Ministers, (b) senior officials and (c) chief executives of agencies for which he is responsible.[15877]

  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 13 November 1997]The Department and the Agencies and Associated Departments which report to the Lord Chancellor have established the following principal e-mail addresses.

  LCD HQ

  Enquiries: enquiries.lcdhq@gtnet.gov.uk

  Court Service

  Enquiries and Chief Executive: cust.ser.cs.@gtnet.gov.uk

  Public Trust Office

  Enquiries: enquiries@publictrust.gov.uk

  Chief Executive: chiefexec@publictrust.gov.uk

  Land Registry

  Enquiries: hlmr@dial.pipex.com

  Chief Land Registrar: shclr@dial.pipex.com

  Public Record Office

  Enquiries: enquiry.pro.rsd.kew@gtnet.gov.uk

  Chief Executive: styacke.pro.kew@gtnet.gov.uk

  Northern Ireland Court Service

  Enquiries: info.nicourts@nics.gov.uk

  In addition, some of the Lord Chancellor's Departments and Agencies have established e-mail addresses for senior management and other officials and for enquiries on specific topics. Full details are available on the World Wide Web sites for each organisation.

  External e-mail access to a larger number of officials is being considered as part of the development of the Government Secure Intranet.

  EU Conventions
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, pursuant to the answer of 1 July,Official Report, columns 74–76, relating to the

  57
  convention concerning serving of legal and court documents in civil and commercial matters, when and by what means this convention was ratified; what changes are required in the Rules of Court; what consultation was undertaken by Ministers with affected bodies or persons prior to the ratification; and if he will make a statement concerning future steps he expects to take in respect of this convention.[15569]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Convention was signed on 26 May 1997 but has not been ratified. Public consultation on the draft Convention and how it might be implemented was carried out in March and April 1997. We shall ratify the Convention once proposals for implementation are finalised. Until then it is not known what changes to Rules of Court might be required.

HEALTH

  Per Capita Spending
  Sir Michael Spicer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the per capita spending on health services in England in the most recent year for which figures are available.[14919]

  Mr. Milburn
  Total gross expenditure on the National Health Service in England in 1996–97 was £706 per capita.

  Speech Therapists
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many speech therapists are currently employed within the NHS; how many vacancies exist for speech therapists within the NHS; and what steps the Government are taking to recruit more speech therapists.[14732]

  Mr. Milburn
  There were 3,580 whole-time equivalent speech and language therapists, excluding assistants and trainees, employed by the National Health Service Hospital and Community Health Services at 30 September 1996—the latest year for which figures are available. Information on the number of vacancies is not available centrally. The Government are ensuring that effective recruitment and retention policies are in place to make the best use of trained staff and that training levels are sufficiently high to match supply and demand.

  National Health Service current expenditure 1993–94 to 1998–99

  Gross expenditure

  Net expenditure

  Real growth2

  Percentage real growth2

  Real growth2

  Percentage real growth2

  Year1

  £ million 1996–97 prices

  £ million 1996–97 prices

  1993–94

  304

  1.0

  395

  1.4

  1994–95

  932

  3.0

  998

  3.4

  1995–96

  754

  2.4

  749

  2.5

  1996–97

  593

  1.8

  626

  2.0

  1997–983

  727

  2.2

  692

  2.2

  1998–994

  644

  1.9

  677

  2.1

  1 1978–79 to 1996–97 are outturn figures, 1997–98 is forecast outturn and 1998–99 is planned expenditure.

  2 Using GDP deflator of 2 July 1997.

  3 Forecast outturn for 1997–98 includes the extra resources announced for this winter on 14 October.

  4Planned expenditure for 1998–99 includes the extra £1 billion announced at the 2 July Budget.

  58

  Home Care Service
  Gillian Merron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for the introduction of regulation of the home care service, indicating the likely scope and timetable for introduction.[15734]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Government are committed to improving standards in domiciliary care and intend to publish a White Paper in the spring of 1998 outlining proposals for the regulation of such provision.

  NHS Trusts (Non-executive Appointments)
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS trust non-executive appointments were due on 1 November; how many individuals concerned had been informed of the outcome by that date; how many appointments were outstanding on 7 November; when he anticipates all such appointments to be announced; if he is following the guidelines on NHS appointments established in line with the recommendations of the Nolan Committee; and if he will make a statement on delays in the NHS appointment process.[15442]

  Mr. Milburn
  A total of 570 trust board vacancies were due to be filled on 1 November; 261 of these appointments had been made by that date and a further 105 had been made by 7 November. This left 204 of these appointments still to be confirmed. We expect virtually all of them to have been made by the end of November. All appointments are made in accordance with the guidance issued by the Commissioner of Public Appointments and the principles established by the Nolan Committee. The slight delays that have occurred have been due to the introduction of new procedures designed to make boards more representative of the communities they serve.

  NHS Budget
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the real terms change against the previous year in the NHS current budget in England in each year from 1993–94 to 1998–99.[15312]

  Mr. Milburn
  The information requested is set out in the table.

  Climate Change
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received on the impact of climate change on(a) health risks and disease control and (b) hygiene and public health standards; and if he will make a statement.[15588]

  Ms Jowell
  We know of no representations made to the Department on health impacts of climate change.

  Independent Review Panels
  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list, by date of issue, each national and statutory set of guidelines governing the conduct of independent review panels.[15631]

  Mr. Milburn
  The documents listed were all issued on 12 March 1996 under cover of EL(96)19. They form the statutory framework for the operation of the National Health Service complaints procedures.

  Directions to NHS trusts, health authorities and special health authorities for special hospitals on hospital complaints procedures;

  Directions to health authorities on dealing with complaints about family health services practitioners;

  Miscellaneous Directions to health authorities for dealing with complaints.

  A further document, "Complaints … Listening … Acting … Improving: Guidance on implementation of the NHS Complaints Procedure", giving guidance to the NHS on these matters, was issued at the same time.

  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for each health authority the membership of the independent review panel appointed to hear complaints about NHS hospital services and general practitioner services.[15629]

  Mr. Milburn
  Neither health authorities nor National Health Service trust hospitals have a standing independent review panel with fixed membership. Where it is decided that a panel investigation of a complaint is appropriate, a three person panel with an independent lay chairman is set up specifically to consider that complaint.

  Mr. Etherington
  to ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for each health authority the number of complaints about(a) NHS hospital services and (b) general practitioner services and the number of independent review panels (i) requested, (ii) refused and (iii) held since 1 April 1996, indicating the average time between request for a panel hearing and the hearing date.[15630]

  Mr. Milburn
  Statistics on the first year of the new National Health Service complaints procedures are not yet available. The Government expect to publish them early in the New Year.

  Nursing and Residential Homes
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to commission research into the overuse of sedatives in nursing and residential homes.[15772]

  Mr. Milburn
  We have no plans to commission specific research into the use of sedatives in nursing and residential homes. The responsibility for prescribing,60
  including repeat prescribing and the prescribing of sedatives, rests with the doctor who has clinical responsibility for that particular aspect of a patient's care.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to review the guidelines published by his Department for the administration of medication in nursing and residential homes.[15740]

  Mr. Boateng
  We have no such plans at this time. The Department has worked with other organisations with an interest in residential care and nursing homes and there are various sources of available guidance on the administration of medication. Under the Registered Homes Act 1984 local and health authorities are responsible for regulating homes and should ensure that homes have proper arrangements for the administration of medicines.

  The MedicinesAct 1968 governs the prescribing, supply and administration of medication in residential care homes and nursing homes. Dr. June Crown is currently chairing a wide-ranging Review of Prescribing, Supply and Administration of Medicines, which will include issues of prescribing, supply and administration of medicines in nursing and residential care homes. Dr. Crown is due to report to Ministers next year.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans his Department has to review the arrangements by which general practitioners are remunerated for care of patients in nursing and residential homes.[15736]

  Mr. Milburn
  All arrangements for remunerating general practitioners are kept under review, and Ministers and officials consult with the representatives of the profession regularly.

  Prescribing
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to improve the quality of prescribing through the greater use of information technology, with specific reference to ensuring the greater transfer of information regarding older patients between primary and secondary care.[15739]

  Mr. Milburn
  Much has gone into improving the quality of prescribing through information technology including piloting the Prescribing Rationally with Decision support in General Practice S tudy—PRODIGY—a computer-aided prescribing decision support system for general practitioners. The aim of this system is to improve the quality of GP prescribing decisions using evidence-based recommendations and faster dissemination of information about new drugs, safety alerts and other research evidence which could affect prescribing choice. PRODIGY is being trialed in some 180 general practices and is in its second phase.

  In addition, there has been significant progress towards the development of an NHS network which would allow National Health Service information about patients to pass between primary and secondary care. There has also been development in standards for GP systems, which include holding a database of prescribable items incorporating knowledge about drug interactions and contra-indications and cross-checks for patient sensitivities.

  Community Pharmacists
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what factors underlie the greater increase in prescriptions dispensed by community pharmacists and appliance contractors between 1986 and 1996 for elderly people than for the remainder of the population.[15738]

  Mr. Milburn
  A greater proportion of prescriptions dispensed in the community by pharmacists and appliance contractors are for elderly people than for other age groups because they have a greater need for treatment. There is an increasing proportion of elderly people in the population, more treatments are now available for conditions which affect the elderly and there is increased recognition that the elderly can benefit from treatment. In addition, more elderly people are being cared for in the community and thus receiving their medication there, rather than in hospital.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans his Department has to evaluate the role of community pharmacists in providing advice on therapy of minor illnesses, monitoring drug therapy and reviewing repeat prescriptions for older people.[15737]

  Mr. Milburn
  Advice on self-care and the treatment of minor ailments is a traditional role of community pharmacists and one which we are keen to encourage. The Department has funded a range of pilot projects designed to test how community pharmacists can play a wider role in the provision of primary health care locally. Subjects covered in these pilots include repeat dispensing and monitoring of drug therapy, including that of elderly people. All the projects will be evaluated.

  Cash (£000)

  Devon

  Cornwall

  Year

  Exeter DHA

  North Devon DHA

  Plymouth DHA

  Torbay DHA

  North and East Devon DHA

  South and West Devon DHA

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly DHA

  1992–93

  120,932

  51,216

  115,952

  98,125

  —

  —

  175,092

  1993–94

  —

  —

  —

  —

  172,695

  224,672

  179,458

  1994–95

  —

  —

  —

  —

  182,155

  233,778

  190,088

  1995–96

  —

  —

  —

  —

  186,673

  241,552

  194,552

  1996–971

  —

  —

  —

  —

  298,276

  373,336

  303,290

  Notes11996–97 data are provisional

  Source
  Annual accounts of district health authorities 1992–93 to 1995–96 and the annual accounts of health authorities 1996–97.

  At 1992 prices

  (£000)

  Devon

  Cornwall

  Year

  Exeter DHA

  North Devon DHA

  Plymouth DHA

  Torbay DHA

  North and East Devon DHA

  South and West Devon DHA

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly DHA

  1992–93

  120,932

  51,216

  115,952

  98,125

  —

  —

  175,092

  1993–94

  —

  —

  —

  —

  167,860

  218,381

  174,433

  1994–95

  —

  —

  —

  —

  173,958

  223,258

  181,534

  1995–96

  —

  —

  —

  —

  173,793

  224,885

  181,128

  1996–971

  —

  —

  —

  —

  271,133

  339,362

  275,691

  Notes
  11996–97 data are provisional.

  Source
  Annual accounts of district health authorities 1992–93 to 1995–96 and the annual accounts of health authorities 1996–97.
  62

  Biotechnological Inventions
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate his Department has made of the cost to the NHS of genetic tests and treatments involving biological material patentable under the terms of the draft Directive on the Legal Protection of Biotechnological Inventions.[16154]

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State (1) what estimate his Department has made of the cost to NHS public laboratories of providing genetic medicine services if the EU Biotech patent directive is passed;[16360]

  (2) what research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b)evaluated on the cost to the NHS over the next five years of the patenting of genes if the European Union Directive on the Legal Protection of Biotechnological Inventions is passed; and how much this research indicates the cost to the NHS of gene patenting will be in the next five years.[16373]

  Ms Jowell
  The European Commission's proposed Directive on the Protection of Biotechnological Inventions aims to harmonise the existing body of law in this area across the European Union; as such, no significant change to the current position in the United Kingdom is anticipated.

  NHS Spending (South-West)
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list by health authority the spending on health services(a) in cash terms and (b) at 1992 prices for (i) Cornwall and (ii) Devon in each year since 1992.[15382]

  Mr. Milburn
  [holding answer 12 November 1997]The information requested is shown in the following tables.
  63
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the per capita spending on health services(a) in cash terms and (b) at 1992 prices in (i) Cornwall, (ii) Devon, (iii) the South Western National Health Service Region and (iv) England in each year since 1992.[15381]

  Mr. Milburn
  [holding answer 12 November 1997]The information requested is shown in the attached tables.

  Cash per capita (£)

  Year

  Devon

  Cornwall

  South Western Region

  England

  1992–93

  509

  518

  508

  607

  1993–94

  540

  542

  544

  626

  1994–95

  579

  580

  577

  656

  1995–96

  593

  597

  606

  684

  1996–97

  634

  628

  595

  705

  Notes

  1.1996–97 data are provisional.

  2. Per capita figures are calculated using crude population which does not reflect differences in relative age and need of populations.

  Source

  Annual accounts of regional and district health authorities and family health services authorities 1992–93 to 1995–96 and the annual accounts of health authorities 1996–97.

  At 1992 prices per capita (£)

  Year

  Devon

  Cornwall

  South Western Region

  England

  1992–93

  509

  518

  508

  607

  1993– 94

  525

  527

  529

  609

  1994–95

  553

  554

  551

  627

  1995–96

  552

  556

  564

  637

  1996–97

  576

  571

  541

  641

  Notes

  1.1996–97 data are provisional.

  2. Per capita figures are calculated using crude population which does not reflect differences in relative age and need of populations.

  Source Annual accounts of regional and district health authorities and family health services authorities 1992–93 to 1995–96 and the annual accounts of health authorities 1996–97.

  Domiciliary Services
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health in what circumstances local authorities, in assessing ability to pay for domiciliary services which do not include personal care,(a) should discount attendance allowance benefit and (b) have discretion to exclude from consideration attendance allowance benefit.[16417]

  Mr. Boateng
  Under the current system local authorities have complete discretion whether or not to charge for non-residential social services.

  In assessing ability to pay for non-residential services, authorities may take into account all types of income including social security benefits except the Mobility component of Disability Living Allowance and income from capital.

DEFENCE

  Future Large Aircraft
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the number of defence industry jobs likely to be generated by a British order for the future large aircraft.[13136]

  Mr. Spellar
  As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence announced on 31 July,Official Report, column 446, we have agreed to join our partners in issuing a Request for Proposals to Airbus Military Company for a future large aircraft (FLA). Additionally, we are seeking competing bids from other aircraft manufacturers to meet our future air transport requirements. We expect that all proposals will involve substantial benefits for the UK defence industry. If FLA were to be selected, we would expect it to create several thousand jobs in the UK over the life of the project.

  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his assessment of the market potential for the(a) FLA and (b) C130J worldwide.[13139]

  Mr. Spellar
  The estimates supplied to the Department by potential aircraft suppliers are commercially confidential. Accordingly, I am withholding the information requested under exemption 13 of the Code of Practice.

  Hercules C130J Aircraft
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the number of British defence industry jobs likely to be supported by United Kingdom involvement in the C130J project.[13135]

  Mr. Spellar
  There are some 36 companies in the UK Industrial Support Group supplying equipment for C130J with a potential total value of over £2 billion. This is expected to provide several thousand jobs over the life of the project. As announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on 31 July,Official Report, column 466, we are seeking bids for aircraft manufacturers to meet our future air transport requirements. We expect that, additionally, each of these proposals will involve substantial benefit for the UK defence industry.

  Christmas Island
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps have been taken since 1967 to clean up radioactive and toxic waste, and surplus military materials, on Christmas Island; what has been the cost to date of the clean-up; how many United Kingdom military personnel are currently involved in this activity; what is the estimated date of completion of this work; and if he will estimate the likely future costs of the operation.[14718]

  Mr. Spellar
  My Department is aware of the waste and equipment remaining on Christmas Island after the atmospheric tests in the 1950s. Three separate radiological surveys, including one by the New Zealand Department of Health, have concluded that there is no radioactive contamination which would present a hazard to the inhabitants of Christmas Island.
  65
  On completion of the atmospheric testing and related programmes, the United Kingdom undertook extensive radiation surveys and rehabilitation work in areas which may have been affected. Surveys and rehabilitation work on Christmas Island would have been completed before the final evacuation of the Island in July 1964. The costs of these operations to the United Kingdom cannot be separated from the overall expenditure on the whole test series.

  We have found no existing records of any action being taken since 1967 to clean up waste and equipment on Christmas Island; nor are there any records of costs being incurred or estimated for such an operation, or of military personnel participating in any clean-up. No clean up is currently being carried out by military personnel; nor are there any current plans to initiate such an operation.

  We are prepared to discuss with the Government of Kiribati options which they might put forward for the disposal of the equipment and waste on Christmas Island; and what advice or assistance we might be able to provide.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment he has made of the environmental and health legacies of the testing of H-bombs on Christmas Island.[15706]

  Mr. Spellar
  The British nuclear test programme was carried out in the Central Pacific area between May 1957 and September 1958. Between April and July 1962, with United Kingdom agreement and participation, the United States conducted a series of tests on Christmas Island.

  Christmas Island has been subject to three radiological surveys since the end of the nuclear weapons tests. These were conducted by the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment (AWRE), which reported in June 1964, the University of Washington in September 1975, and the New Zealand Department of Health which reported in 1981. Only the AWRE survey was sponsored by the United Kingdom; the others were conducted at the request of the Island's Government. The conclusion reached by all three surveys was that there was no evidence of any radiological contamination which would present a hazard to the inhabitants of Christmas Island.

  I am not aware of any other recent surveys of Christmas Island having been conducted by my Department.

  A survey of the Island was conducted by the then Overseas Development Administration (ODA) in May 1996. A copy of the ODA' s report of that survey has been placed in the Library of the House. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office are not aware of any environmental or health surveys of Christmas Island other than that carried out by the ODA last year.

  Auxiliary Oiler Contract
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what(a) detailed and (b) major changes his Department has sought to make to the design of the ships under the Auxiliary Oiler contract; what was the cost to the Ministry of Defence of such changes; and what measures have been taken to ensure that costs do not escalate on the contract;[15505]

  (2) if the Auxiliary Oiler Contract is (a) on schedule and (b) proceeding to budget; and if he will make a statement.[15506]
  66
  Mr. Spellar
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 11 June 1997,Official Report, column 483.

  Atomic Weapons Establishment
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many series of technical papers or reports are being produced by the health and safety department of the Atomic Weapons Establishment, Aldermaston; and what are the names of each series.[15618]

  Mr. Spellar
  The AWE Directorate of Environment, Safety and Health (DESH) does not produce formal series of technical papers or reports, although papers are produced when required for conferences or other purposes. The DESH also produces an Annual Environment, Safety and Health Report, a Quarterly Health and Safety Report and a Monthly Report to the Environment Agency on Discharges from AWE. As I said previously on July 22 1997,Official Report, column 529, no numerical details of reports and papers produced by AWE divisions are held centrally.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Facilities Project Division at the Atomic Weapons Establishment, Aldermaston was set up; what its purpose is; how many series of technical papers are currently being produced by this division; and what are the names of each series.[15619]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Project Director Facilities Division was set up in 1986 and disbanded in 1991. Its purpose was to oversee the major programme of building and refurbishment projects then underway at the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment, Aldermaston. Since the Division no longer exists, no technical papers are being produced.

  Bosnia (Entertainment of Armed Forces)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the entertainers booked on behalf of the armed forces to perform in Bosnia.[15637]

  Dr. Reid
  The following acts performed for British forces participating in the NATO-led Stabilisation Force in former Yugoslavia between 7 and 19 May this year:

  The Stranglers (Musicians)

  Robin Ince (Comedian)

  The Knave of Clubs (Juggler)

  Under Wraps (Dancers)

  Currently performing on a tour lasting from 7 to 17 November are:

  The Divas (Musicians)

  Miles Crawford (Comedian)

  Sonny and Hayes and Co. (Comedy Magicians)

  Sax Education (Musicians)

  Under Wraps (Dancers)

  Booked to perform between 9 and 21 February next year are:

  Showaddywaddy (Musicians)

  Roy Hastings (Comedian)

  Amazing Louise (Contortionist)

  Under Wraps (Dancers)

  Colchester Garrison
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are his proposals for the future of the Colchester garrison; and if he will make a statement. [15859]

  Dr. Reid
  As I announced, by writing to the hon. Gentleman on 13 October, my Department is actively pursuing the redevelopment of the whole of Colchester Garrison through a major Private Finance Initiative project. The aim is to provide high quality, modern barracks and facilities which are of an appropriate standard, are flexible to use, and have the potential for further development.

  It is likely that surplus MOD land at Colchester will become available as a result of this development. I believe this will be of great benefit to the local Borough Council as it would allow the construction of modern housing and amenities for the local community.

  Six consortia have now been issued with an Invitation to Submit Outline Proposals for the project which are due for return by 24 November. The proposals will then be evaluated, a final shortlist drawn up early in the New Year, and detailed bids sought from the shortlisted consortia. It is our intention to identify a preferred bidder by the end of 1998 and to let a contract by the middle of 1999.

  Hunting
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will prohibit hunting with hounds on all of his Department's land. [16075]

  Mr. Spellar
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Cotswold (Mr. Clifton-Brown) on 30 July 1997,Official Report, columns 352–53.

  Courts Martial
  Mr. Sutcliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the procedures relating to courts martial. [16088]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 14 November 1997]: A series of reforms to the court-martial system were included in the Armed Forces Act 1996 and came into effect on 1 April 1997. The reforms were wide ranging and affected the pre-trial, trial and post-trial stages of the court martial system. The purpose of these reforms was to reinforce the independence of the court-martial, principally by reducing the apparent influence of the chain of command, whilst preserving its necessary involvement.

  The reforms meet the European Court's concerns about the shortcomings of the system. The ECHR has recognised our actions, noting
  "with satisfaction that the UK authorities had made changes to the court-martial system with a view to ensuring the observance of their Conventional commitments".
  Although we are not taking any further steps at present to improve the procedures, we are aware that we cannot afford to be complacent. The system is kept under review and will, of course, be looked at as part of the process of preparing for the next quinquennial Armed Forces Bill.
  68
  Mr. Sutcliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current average waiting time for independent appeals following courts martial in the(a) Army, (b) Navy and (c) Royal Air Force. [16087]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 14 November 1997]: I regret that I am unable to provide the information precisely in the format requested. However, in the last twelve months 32 applications for an appeal to be heard have been submitted to the Court-Martial Appeal Court. Of these, six have been heard within an average period of six months each. The remainder are still awaiting a hearing date. The information by single-Service is as follows:

  Date of petition to CMAC

  Hearing date

  Army

  October 1996

  June 1997

  November 1996

  December 1996

  January 1997

  not known

  February 1997

  not known

  March 1997

  not known

  March 1997

  not known

  May 1997

  not known

  June 1997

  not known

  July 1997

  not known

  July 1997

  not known

  July 1997

  November 1997

  August 1997

  not known

  August 1997

  not known

  September 1997

  not known

  September 1997

  not known

  October 1997

  not known

  October 1997

  not known

  October 1997

  not known

  October 1997

  not known

  November 1997

  not known

  Royal Navy

  November 1996

  December 1997

  June 1997

  not known

  July 1997

  not known

  Royal Air Force

  November 1996

  April 1997

  January 1997

  not known

  February 1997

  not known

  March 1997

  not known

  March 1997

  not known

  April 1997

  not known

  May 1997

  October 1997

  June 1997

  not known

  August 1997

  not known

  The dates for hearings are provided by the independent Court-Martial Appeal Court which is part of the Lord Chancellor's Department.

  Military Exhibitions
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's policy on allowing private companies to host military, security and police events on Ministry of Defence property. [14366]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Ministry of Defence would consider any request for use of its land on a case-by-case basis.
  69

  Arms Exports
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the annual cost of promoting arms exports. [15300]

  Mr. Spellar
  The net cost in financial year 1996 –97 of operating the Defence Export Services Organisation in my Department was £16.6 million.

  This sum should be judged in the context of the substantial benefit to the taxpayer which in the same year included receipts of more than £50 million in Commercial Exploitation Levy, income of £84 million from the sale of surplus military equipment, and contributions of more than £300 million in reduced overheads on the MOD's own procurement costs.

  Major Eric Joyce
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what advice he has received from the Lord Chancellor concerning the case of Major Eric Joyce, Adjutant General to Corps. [15333]

  Dr. Reid
  I am withholding this information under Exemption 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Chinook Helicopters
  Kate Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment his Department has made of the reliability of the FAD1C computer system controlling Chinook helicopters; and if he will make a statement. [15437]

  Mr. Spellar
  For the Chinook HC Mk2 aircraft, a Full Authority Digital Electronic Control system, FADEC, was procured to replace the hydro-mechanical fuel control system which had been used on the Chinook HC Mk1. An initial FADEC target reliability figure of 1.1 failures per thousand flying hours was agreed, to improve to 0.6 after seven years in service with the RAF. After five years, the FADEC system reliability is currently about 0.4 failures per thousand flying hours, and has thus improved upon the contractual target.

  Greenhouse Gas Emissions
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list(a) his Department's policies and initiatives designed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and (b) the departmental policies and initiatives designed to reduce other greenhouse gases; if he will estimate for each the annual reduction in tonnage of greenhouse gas emissions achieved in the most recent year for which figures are available compared to those for 1990; and what estimate he has made of further reductions, or increases, predicted for 2000 and 2010, assuming continuation of current policies. [15546]

  Mr. Spellar
  I refer the hon. Member to the United Kingdom's Second report under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change which was published in February 1997. It reports the UK's progress in implementing its programme for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and gives a projection of what the programme 70
  is expected to deliver by 2,000. The report projects forward what the programme is expected to achieve to 2020.

  RAF Wittering (Accident)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the accident on 31 October involving a Harrier jet at RAF Wittering, indicating the level of hazard at the accident site, with special reference to the proximity of nuclear material. [15636]

  Dr. Reid
  The aircraft crashed half a mile southwest of RAF Wittering and the usual post crash management procedures, to eliminate or contain any hazard to the public or the environment, were carried out. There were no nuclear materials involved in the accident.

  Private Education
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to review funding for the private education of service personnel provided by his Department; and what is the estimated cost of such funding in the current financial year. [15825]

  Dr. Reid
  There are currently no plans to review the funding provided by my Department for the private eduction of Service personnel. Costs for such provision for 1996–97, the last year for which figures were available, were £660,000 for Royal Naval personnel and £300,000 for Army personnel. Figures for the RAF are not available as this information is not held centrally.

  Vanguard Nuclear Submarines
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to have four fully commissioned Vanguard nuclear submarines in service. [15893]

  Dr. Reid
  The fourth Vanguard class submarine, Vengeance, is planned to enter service early in the next century.

  Defence Budget
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will provide a breakdown of the defence budget by amount spent in each of the regions of the United Kingdom(a) in cash terms and (b) as a percentage of the total, ranked according to percentage per region. [15937]

  Dr. Reid
  Ministry of Defence budgetary data are not maintained in manner which would allow the regional analysis requested. However, estimates of the value of defence expenditure on equipment by UK region are given in "UK Defence Statistics 1997", Table 1.9, a copy of which is in the House of Commons Library.

  Strategic Defence Review
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the submissions to the Strategic Defence Review which have not been placed in the Library. [15934]

  Mr. George Robertson
  No. We have placed in the Parliamentary Libraries the submissions from all of the outside bodies and individuals from whom we have
  71
  received consent to do so. We will be placing further batches of submissions in the Parliamentary Libraries in due course as we receive the appropriate consent.

  Nuclear Weapons
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on the Government's policy towards maintaining the United Kingdom's independent nuclear deterrent; [15894]

  (2) if the Strategic Defence Review will examine the role, shape, size and cost of the United Kingdom's independent nuclear deterrent. [15940]

  Mr. George Robertson
  This Government were elected on a specific manifesto commitment to retain Trident while also pressing for multi-lateral negotiations towards mutual, balanced and verifiable reductions in nuclear weapons. The Strategic Defence Review will examine all aspects of our deterrence requirements to ensure they reflect changing strategic circumstances.

  Widows' Pensions
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures will be taken to improve the AFPS pensions for widows whose husbands retired before 31 March 1973. [15942]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Government have no plans to alter the rules of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme which apply to Service Widows whose husbands retired before 31 March 1973.

  Gulf War
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his Answer of 22 May,Official Report, column 115, if his Department has completed its work on dead animals found and analysed during the Gulf war; and if he will make a statement. [15847]

  Dr. Reid
  My Department has now completed a survey amongst a sample of serving Gulf War veterans on this subject and collated the contemporary documentation which has been found. My officials are, however, still seeking information in respect of one important aspect of this matter from outside MOD. We deem the outstanding issue to be sufficiently significant to delay publishing a report until we know whether further information is likely to be available.

  RAF Menwith Hill
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who will pay for the construction and operation of the two radomes to be situated at RAF Menwith Hill for which planning permission has recently been granted; and what is their operational purpose. [15698]

  Dr. Reid
  The costs will be borne by the United States Government. These facilities will support the new Space Based Infra Red System developed to replace the existing satellite system to provide early warning of ballistic missile launches.

  Pattern Room
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will retain the Pattern Room in public ownership. [16204]

  Mr. Spellar
  The future of the Ministry of Defence Pattern Room at Nottingham is currently under review. No decisions have been taken.

  Challenger 2
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current status of the Army's Challenger 2 programme; and if he will make a statement. [16724]

  Mr. Spellar
  I am pleased to announce that the sequence of three production reliability growth trials has been successfully completed and the contractor, Vickers Defence Systems, has met the agreed technical milestones. The company have successfully demonstrated, therefore, that the high technical and reliability standards demanded by the Ministry of Defence have been met. Work continues to ensure that logistic support arrangements are established prior to the completion of deliveries of tanks to the first regiment in June 1998, as planned.

  Agent Orange
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what research Her Majesty's Government have sponsored into the effects of Agent Orange; and if he will make a statement. [14488]

  Mr. Spellar
  As far as can be established from records, no research on Agent Orange has been undertaken by MOD or its Agencies or their predecessors.

SCOTLAND

  University Students
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was(a) the total number of students on first degree courses at Scottish higher education institutions in each of the past five years and (b) the number of those students taking four-year honours degree courses. [15057]

  Mr. Wilson
  The total number of first degree students—full time and part time—in Scottish higher education institutions for the most recent five years available is set out in the table.

  Number of first degree students in Scottish HEIs

  Year

  Full time

  Part time

  Total

  1991–92

  78,182

  5,169

  83,351

  1992–93

  87,057

  7,014

  94,071

  1993–94

  93,394

  7,722

  101,086

  1994–95

  97,928

  6,012

  103,840

  1995–96

  99,434

  6,198

  105,632

  However, it is not possible to ascertain how many of these students undertook a four-year honours degree course. The only point at which it is known that a student has studied for an honours degree is when they obtain their qualification. The following tables set out data for

  73
  full-time first degree graduates from Scottish higher education institutions for 1994–95 and 1995–96. It is not possible to identify the number of years taken to obtain the qualification in data prior to 1994–95.

  1994–95

  Year of student

  Honours

  Other

  Total

  Less than four years

  3,545

  5,407

  8,952

  Four years

  10,187

  928

  11,115

  More than four years

  2,041

  342

  2,383

  Total

  15,773

  6,677

  22,450

  The following table shows that of the 15,773 honours graduates for Scottish HEIs in 1994–95, 10,187–65 per cent—obtained the qualification after completing four years of study. The 3,545 graduates who completed an honours degree in less than four years will include direct entrants into second year and also students transferring between higher education institutions to study the same course.

  1995–96

  Year of student

  Honours

  Other

  Total

  Less than four years

  2,900

  6,162

  9,062

  Four years

  12,219

  1,149

  13,368

  More than four years

  2,031

  642

  2,673

  Total

  17,150

  7,953

  25,103

  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland further to his answer to the hon. Member for Tiverton and Honiton (Mrs. Browning) of 4 November,Official Report, column 156, how many potential university entrants had confirmed places for Scottish universities by 1 August; and if he will make a statement. [15314]

  Mr. Wilson
  The information requested is not held centrally. Information on university applications may be obtained from the University and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), Fulton House, Jessop Avenue, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL50 3SH.

  Chiropody and Podiatry
  Angela Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will list the budget for each health

  NHS chiropody staff by grade1 Headcount and whole time equivalent: at 30 September

  Number

  WTE

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1994

  1995

  1996

  Chiropody

  664

  698

  716

  593.6

  619.0

  628.3

  Chiropodists

  632

  664

  680

  564.5

  588.4

  595.7

  Area

  6

  8

  8

  6.0

  8.0

  8.0

  Chief

  57

  59

  66

  55.7

  57.7

  64.4

  Senior

  555

  573

  583

  490.0

  499.9

  501.9

  Basic/general

  14

  24

  23

  12.8

  22.8

  21.4

  Footcare assistant

  32

  34

  36

  29.1

  30.7

  32.6

  1 Chiropody staff directly employed by the NHS in Scotland. The figures do not include any privately employed chiropodists who may be engaged by the NHS on a sessional basis.

  Source:

  National Manpower Statistics from payroll ISD Scotland Adhoc ref. 97/9541.
  74
  authority or health board allocated for spending on chiropody and podiatry services in (a) 1997–98,(b)1996–97 and (c) 1995–96; [15372]

  (2) what was the NHS expenditure on NHS chiropody and podiatry in (a) 1996–97, (b) 1995–96 and (c)1994–05. [15373]

  Mr. Galbraith
  Health Boards are not given specific budgets for spending on chiropody and podiatric services. Resources for these services are met from within Health Boards' general revenue allocations and will reflect their assessment of need.

  The majority of chiropodists employed by the NHS in Scotland are engaged in Community Health Services. The costs are not identifiable separately in financial returns. However, information on hospital expenditure is collected centrally and the data, covering both chiropody and podiatry, are in the following table:

  Year

  £000

  1994–95

  1,360

  1995–96

  1,813

  1996–97

  2,342

  Angela Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will list those health authorities which have notified his Department of(a) reductions or increases in chiropody services in 1996–97 relative to 1995–96 and (b) planned reductions or increases in chiropody services in 1998–99; [15374]

  (2) what are the staffing and personnel figures for all NHS grades and whole-time equivalent staff for chiropody and podiatry for (a) 1996–97, (b) 1995–96 and (c) 1994–95. [15362]

  Mr. Galbraith
  Health Boards are not required to notify the Department of changes in activity in particular services. Although the Department wishes to see health authorities and GP fundholders provide the full range of NHS services including chiropody, detailed planning decision on levels of provision are taken locally according to the needs of the population served.

  Information available on changes in chiropody services relates to the number of chiropody and podiatry staff employed by the NHS in Scotland. This information is shown in the following table:
  75
  Angela Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the guidelines that are issued and health needs assessments that health authorities undertake to ensure the availability of chiropody and podiatry services to meet the needs of the local population. [15361]

  Mr. Galbraith
  Health Boards are responsible for undertaking local needs assessments and for providing chiropody services to meet the needs of their local populations within available resources.

  Angela Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many(a) face to face contacts and (b) initial contacts there were with NHS chiropody and podiatry staff in (i) 1996–97, (ii) 1995–96 and (iii) 1994–95. [15360]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The total number of contacts with NHS chiropody and podiatry services, including hospital and community-based services and services provided by voluntary organisations acting on behalf of the NHS, is shown in the following table:

  NHS in Scotland—Chiropody and podiatry contacts: year ending 31 December

  Number

  1994

  1,731,715

  1995

  1,986,911

  1996

  1,944,630

  There were 43,696 new patients seen by hospital chiropody services during 1996. Information on other contacts is not readily available.

  Business Rates
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what steps he has taken to monitor the differential between business rates for hotel properties in Scotland and England; [15520]

  (2) if he will commission an investigation into the level of business rates faced by hotels in Scotland and rates for comparable properties in England; [15521]

  (3) what representations he has received concerning differences between Scottish and English business rates since 1995. [15522]

  Mr. Chisholm
  [holding answer 12 November 1997]: Valuation for rating of non-domestic property in Scotland is the responsibility of local assessors who together with the Valuation Office Agency have assured the Government that the 1995 Revaluation has been carried out using cross-Border harmonised valuation techniques. Representations arising since the revaluation have been received from, amongst others, the caravan industry, the hotel industry and representatives of those providing self-catering accommodation. The majority of difficulties have been resolved through negotiation with the assessors and through the well established formal appeals system. There are no plans to commission an investigation into these matters.

  Prisoner Transfers
  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when the Scottish Prison Service was first made 76
  aware of the application for transfer of Jason Campbell from HM prison Shotts to the Maze prison in Northern Ireland. [16206]

  Mr. Dewar
  The application from Jason Campbell was made in the first instance to local management at HM Prison Shotts on 10 September. It was sent to Scottish Prison Service Headquarters on 25 September.

  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if between 25 September and 5 October, transfers of prisoners(a) from Scotland to Northern Ireland and (b) from England to Northern Ireland required the consent of the Secretary of State of both the sending and receiving jurisdictions; [16205]

  (2) what factors underlay the delay between the informing of the Scottish Prison Service about the application for transfer of Jason Campbell from HM Prison Shotts to the Maze Prison in Northern Ireland and the informing of the Minister of State at the Scottish Office; [16207]

  (3) what factors underlay the delay between the approval by the Scottish Prison Service of the application for transfer of Jason Campbell from HM Prison Shotts to the Maze Prison in Northern Ireland and the informing of the Minister of State at the Scottish Office of this approval; [16208]

  (4) what reports the Minister of State at the Scottish Office sought on the progress of the application for transfer of Jason Campbell from HM Prison Shotts to the Maze Prison in Northern Ireland between 25 September and 4 October. [16376]

  Mr. Dewar
  Transfers of prisoners require the consent of both jurisdictions. They are administered by officials under delegated authority and Ministers would not routinely be consulted or receive reports. The question of a delay in informing Ministers in the case of Jason Campbell's application therefore does not arise. My hon. Friend neither sought nor received reports about the progress of the application between 25 September and 4 October. Ministers have since reviewed the relevant procedures and will in future be notified at an early stage of any application for transfer between Scotland and Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if the request from the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland or representations from the Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office to the Scottish Office to deal promptly with the application for transfer of Jason Campbell to Northern Ireland was in accord with normal procedure for such transfers; [16209]

  (2) what reasons were given to the Minister of State at the Scottish Office by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on 25 September for the request that the application for transfer of Jason Campbell from HM Prison Shotts to the Maze Prison in Northern Ireland be dealt with promptly. [16217]

  Mr. Dewar
  Contact between Ministers is a normal part of the conduct of Government business. In their conversation on 25 September, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland indicated to the Minister of State at the Scottish Office that the transfer of Jason Campbell had importance in the context of the wider peace process.

  Unpasteurised Milk
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on current controls on the production, use and consumption of unpasteurised milk in Scotland, giving the reasons underlying the introduction of the current policy and when the policy changed. [16385]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The production and use of raw milk is controlled in Scotland by the Dairy Products (Hygiene) (Scotland) Regulations 1995. They prohibit the sale in Scotland of unpasteurised cows' milk for drinking and unpasteurised cream. Unpasteurised drinking milk from goats and sheep is permitted to be sold only from the farm premises direct to the ultimate consumer. Raw milk may be used in the manufacture of dairy products, in accordance with the conditions specified in the Regulations.

  The sale of raw cows' milk for drinking was banned in 1983, as a result of increasing numbers of cases of illness associated with its consumption. The restrictions on the sale of raw sheep and goats' milk for drinking were introduced by the 1995 Regulations based on the same potential risks but reflecting the small specialist nature of this market.

CABINET OFFICE

  Millennium Dome
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio what representations he has received regarding the location of the Millennium Dome. [14983]

  Mr. Mandelson
  I have received no such representations since becoming the shareholder of the New Millennium Experience Company on 25 June 1997.

  Millennium Experience
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will make a statement on the operation of Millennium Central. [13441]

  Mr. Mandelson
  [holding answer 10 November 1997]: Millennium Central Ltd. (MCL) was the previous name of the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC). The NMEC is a Non-departmental Public Body responsible for delivering and running the New Millennium Experience at Greenwich and associated National Programme.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio what is the basis of his recent estimate that the Millennium Exhibition will contribute up to £1 billion to the economy; and to what extent this estimate takes into account the use of public and Lottery money to build the Millennium Dome. [15686]

  Mr. Mandelson
  I was quoting from a letter to my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, from the Chairman of the British Tourist Board, David Quarmby who wrote in June:"Here at the BTA we estimate that the existence of the Exhibition and the way in which it will be the 'jewel in the crown' of the London and Britain tourism offer could account for an additional £300–£550 million of overseas visitor revenue to Britain in the year 2000. This is only 1–1.5 per cent. of total overseas visitors revenue of £32 billion forecast for 2000, and could be conservative; it is
  78
  conceivable that the halo effect of the Greenwich Exhibition in terms of the overall marketing of Britain could double the impact to 2–3 per cent., i.e. up to £1 billion"

  With Mr. Quarmby's permission I have placed a copy of this letter in the Library for reference by hon. Members. The BTA's calculation does not take into account the contribution from Lottery funds towards the Greenwich Experience. No taxpayers' money is involved in building the Dome.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Code of Practice on Access to Government Information
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what has been the expenditure by Government for each year since its inception on the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. [15687]

  Dr. David Clark
  The costs of implementing the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information are not identified separately and could not be obtained without incurring disproportionate cost.

  Overseas Travel
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list each of the overseas trips made by himself and other members of his ministerial team since 2 May, specifying in each case(a) the participating Minister or Ministers, (b) the destination of the trip, (c) the purpose of the trip and (d) the cost of the trip; and if he will make a statement. [15244]

  Dr. David Clark
  [holding answer 11 November 1997]: My hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Secretary, and I have undertaken the following overseas visits:

  Minister/Destination

  Purpose of the trip

  Cost £

  Chancellor of the Duchy

  Washington

  To meet with key figures in the US as part of the preparation for the Better Government White Paper

  24,227

  Austria

  Trilateral discussions with Austrian and German Ministers on co-ordinating a better EU regulation strategy across the three countries' consecutive EU Presidencies

  3,905

  Canada and Boston

  To investigate how the Canadian Freedom of Information system works and to follow up discussions with leading academics at Harvard on Better Government

  16,994

  New Zealand and Australia

  Fact finding visit on Freedom of Information and Better Government

  29,235

  Parliamentary Secretary

  Malaysia and Thailand

  Investigate the use of IT in the delivery of public services in these countries and the public service reforms which both have introduced

  10,528

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Cold Weather Payments
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations she has received in the last month concerning the operation of the cold weather payments system; and if she will make a statement. [14646]

  Mr. Denham
  Since 17 October I have received 29 representations on a number of aspects of the scheme.

  Mr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in relation to cold weather payments, how many new weather stations are to be created in the United Kingdom as a whole; and how many will be located in(a) Northern Ireland, (b) Scotland and (c) Renfrewshire. [14665]

  Mr. Denham
  Two additional weather stations will be introduced into the scheme this winter within Great Britain. Both are located in Scotland but neither are in Renfrewshire.

  Questions concerning Cold Weather Payments in Northern Ireland should be referred to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations she has received about cold weather payments. [14657]

  Mr. Denham
  We have received 59 representations from hon. Members, members of the public and national organisations on a number of aspects of the scheme.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the expected increase in Government expenditure on cold weather payments this year. [14653]

  Mr. Denham
  Entitlement to Cold Weather Payments is based on either the recorded or the forecast average air temperature over any seven consecutive days. It is not possible to estimate the expected level of expenditure as it depends entirely on temperature conditions.

  Social Security Review
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement on her review of social security payments and proceedings with particular reference to the treatment of the poorest members of society. [14647]

  Ms Harman
  Reforming the welfare state to tackle poverty and welfare dependency is a key priority of the Government.

  We believe that work, not welfare, is best for people of working age, and we are already transforming the Social Security system to provide opportunities to work so that people can provide a better life for themselves and their children.

  Fraud
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to tackle fraud in the social security system. [14648]
  80
  Mr. Denham
  Rebuilding integrity in—and public support for—the social security system is a key element of reforming the welfare state. Tackling fraud is central to this.

  We are determined to make real and permanent reductions in fraud. We will modernise the welfare system so that it is secure from the point of benefit design, through to the point of payment, unlike the previous Government who focused mainly on detection after the event.

  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to reduce fraud in the information provided to the Child Support Agency. [14649]

  Mr. Field
  We are determined to stamp out fraud throughout the benefits system—that includes the CSA.

  The Agency already has powers to gather and confirm the information necessary to make a child support assessment. But we are considering whether further powers are needed to ensure that maintenance liability is based on accurate information.

  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what progress has been made in tackling fraud in the social security system. [14663]

  Mr. Denham
  We are determined to make real and permanent reductions in fraud. We will do this by modernising the welfare system and transforming the way in which it is delivered. Our aim is for an Active Modern Service where integrity is key, and where security is built in throughout, rather than focused mainly on detection after the event. A system which is secure from the point of benefit design, through to the point of payment.

  Welfare Reform
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the planned date of publication of the Minister for Welfare Reform's Green Paper on welfare reform. [14652]

  Mr. Field
  It is our intention to publish a Green Paper on Welfare Reform at the turn of the year.

  Lone Parents
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what measures she proposes to take to assist low-income working lone parents. [14651]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The Government firmly believe that work is the best form of welfare and are committed to supporting all families, including lone parents, to improve their standard of living through work.

  We recognise that lone parents, in particular, need assistance if they are to prosper. We are therefore taking a number of steps which will support low income working lone parents.

  We are committed to the development of a National Childcare Strategy to plan the provision of childcare and will make an announcement by the end of the year. As a first step, from June 1998, the childcare disregard in Family Credit will be increased to £100 for families
  81
  paying childcare costs for two or more children and the age limit will be extended to the September after the 12th birthday.

  We are reviewing all aspects of the Child Support Agency to ensure it provides a fair, efficient, and effective service. Maintenance is a portable income which lone mothers keep when they move into work and they need to know the Child Support Agency will take every action to ensure that it is paid.

  We will implement a Minimum Wage which will provide a statutory level beneath which pay should not fall and will remove the worst excesses of low pay and exploitation of vulnerable workers.

  We are also examining the interaction of the tax and benefit systems so that they can be streamlined and modernised, so as to fulfil our objectives of promoting work incentives, reducing poverty and welfare dependency, and strengthening community and family life.

  Mr. Andy King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement on the role of childcare in the Government's new deal for lone parents. [14664]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The Government recognise the importance of good quality, affordable childcare, for all working parents, but in particular for lone parents who have to cope with bringing up children alone. That is why, when we launched the New Deal for Lone Parents in July this year, additional funds were made available to meet childcare expenses while lone parents undertake jobsearch activities.

  New Deal Advisers are able to offer up to £60 per week to each lone parent to help them pay for childcare while they attend job interviews or training.

  New Deal Advisers also have access to information on local childcare services so they can help lone parents find the most suitable childcare for their children.

  In addition, the Cambridge and Peterborough New Deal for Lone parent areas have the added facility of public access to information via the Internet. This is provided through an information kiosk in the waiting area of each and allows lone parents to access information personally on childcare, jobs, training and benefits. We intend to extend this service to around other offices in the 8 New Deal areas.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many lone parents(a) receiving income support and (b) not receiving income support but receiving one-parent benefit are (i) widowed, (ii) divorced, (iii) separated and (iv) never married. [16210]

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

  Lone parents receiving income support/one parent benefit (November/December 1996)

  Number

  Income support

  1,022,000

  Not receiving income support but receiving one parent benefit

  639,000

  82

  Percentage

  Marital status of recipients

  Income support recipients

  Non-income support/one parent benefit recipients

  Widowed

  22

  23

  Divorced

  28

  50

  Separated

  23

  216

  Never married

  47

  31

  Notes:1 Information taken from the 1995–96 Family Resources Survey as no information is available from Departmental administrative data.

  2 Figures based on very small sample sizes and so may be unreliable.

  1. Lone parents on income support are defined as those in receipt of the lone parent premium.

  2. All figures have been rounded to the nearest thousand.

  3. Survey and administrative data are not directly comparable.

  Sources:Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry, November 1996 (5 per cent. sample).

  2. 1 per cent. sample of the Child Benefit Computer System, 31 December 1996.

  3. 1995–96 Family Resources Survey.

  Jobseeker's Allowance
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she intends to review the operation of the jobseeker's allowance. [14656]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  Our welfare-to-work objectives are to provide work incentives, to reduce poverty and welfare dependency and to strike a new balance between rights and responsibilities. As the main benefit for the unemployed, Jobseeker's Allowance has a major role to play in the transition from welfare-to-work and an extensive programme of monitoring and evaluation of both the policy and delivery is under way to enable us to ensure that it is achieving these objectives.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will estimate the total revenue savings by the awarding of nil benefits to recipients of jobseeker's allowance since its inception. [15776]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  No such estimate has been made.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many recipients of Jobseeker's Allowance have had an award of nil benefit reconsidered by(a) officials and (b) Ministers; and if she will make a statement. [15775]

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

  Awards of Jobseeker's Allowance are made by independent Adjudication Officers. Information regarding awards reconsidered by officials is not available.

  Benefits Advice
  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement on the telephone facilities for dealing with inquiries to benefits agencies. [14658]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  Telephones are used extensively by Agency officers to provide information and advice to customers and their representatives.
  83
  The Benefits Agency is leading a project to ensure that the telephone service provided by the Department's Executive agencies, meets customer needs now, and in a future modernised Social Security delivery system.

  Pension Sharing
  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proposals she has to enable men and women to share pension rights on divorce. [14659]

  Mr. Denham
  Our Manifesto committed us to introducing pension sharing for divorcing couples. My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, announced in June that we would be publishing a draft Bill this parliamentary session with the intention of implementing pension sharing from April 2000. This is an important step in helping meet our objective of narrowing the pensions gap between women and men.

  Poverty
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans the Government have to alleviate poverty for financially disadvantaged individuals who are not in employment. [14660]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  We are determined not to continue down the road of a permanent have-not class, unemployed and disaffected from society. We believe that the best way to alleviate poverty is to help people into work.

  We will achieve this aim with our New Deal which will help people back to work. The New Deal will provide real opportunities for the long-term unemployed, young unemployed people, lone parents, and sick and disabled people who are able to do some work.

  We are also carrying out a wide ranging review of pension provision, and have commissioned research to help establish why a million pensioners do not claim their income support entitlement.

  Local Benefits Offices
  Mr. Fallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to give more discretion to local benefits offices in the payment of social security benefits. [14661]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  Our aims for welfare reform are to modernise the structure and delivery of Social Security and encourage financial independence while simultaneously promoting social cohesion and well-being; to develop an active welfare system which supports work, savings and honesty; and to help tackle effectively unjustifiable social and economic inequalities. To that end we are reviewing all major components of the social security system.

  Domestic Violence
  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to increase the number of female judges dealing with cases of domestic violence. [14666]
  84
  Mr. Hoon
  I have been asked to reply because although violence against women is a key priority for the Minister for Women, as this is a specific question relating to female judges, it falls to the Lord Chancellor's Department to answer.

  The Lord Chancellor has the fullest confidence that all judges, regardless of gender, deal with cases of domestic violence with impartiality and consideration for the victims of domestic violence. The Lord Chancellor's policy is that all judicial appointments are, and will continue to be, made strictly on merit. He does however very much wish to encourage applications by well qualified women and is taking steps, including increased flexibility in part-time sittings arrangements, to that end.

  Pensions
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement about her proposals to reform pensions. [14667]

  Mr. Denham
  The pensions review, announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 17 July, is looking at the central areas of insecurity for elderly people, including all aspects of the basic pension and its value. A key objective of the review is to ensure that pensioners should have an adequate income in retirement, that they should share fairly in rising national prosperity, and that public finances should be both sustainable and affordable.

  The first part of the review ended on 31 October and we are now carefully considering the many responses we have received. The Government intend to publish an initial framework for change in the first half of 1998. There will then be a period of further consultation before firm proposals are developed.

  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement on the role of the pensions education and awareness working group. [14650]

  Mr. Denham
  Raising awareness of pensions, and improving the level of financial education is one of the key challenges for the pensions review. People need to understand the importance of saving for their retirement, and they must be able to make the right choice about what sort of pension is best for them.

  That is why we established a working group of top finance, consumer and regulatory experts to consider how we can ensure that existing initiatives are co-ordinated, well-targeted and effective. The group will also advise what other actions are needed to improve people's knowledge of pensions in general. It will report at the end of January.

  Pensioners
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what measures will be taken to assist the poorest pensioners in receipt of income support, and living in the coldest parts of the UK, with their heating bills. [14668]

  Mr. Denham
  The Government are already tackling the problems associated with vulnerable people keeping warm during cold weather. We have already taken action to cut fuel costs and make homes easier to heat.
  85
  Social Fund Cold Weather Payments of £8.50 will again be issued automatically to those pensioners in receipt of Income Support, when the average temperature in their area is recorded as, or forecast to be an average of 0°C or below, over a consecutive seven day period. Last winter, the Cold Weather Payments scheme triggered a total of 125 times, involving 55 of the 70 Meteorological Office weather stations used. Almost 5 million payments worth over £42 million were issued to an estimated 2.7 million people.

  We are committed to examining the means of delivering more automatic help to the poorest pensioners.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to increase take-up of income-related benefits for pensioners. [14662]

  Mr. Denham
  We believe that all pensioners should share fairly in the increasing prosperity of the nation.

  We are committed to examining means of delivering more automatic help to the poorest pensioners. We have commissioned research to identify reasons why some pensioners do not claim the Income Support to which they are entitled, and to inform ways of getting help to them.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. David Davis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to help local authorities adapt to the changes to the minimum funding requirement. [14654]

  Mr. Denham
  The Local Government Pension Scheme is not subject to the minimum funding requirement (MFR) and would not therefore need help in adapting to any changes, even had there been any.

  In fact, the MFR has not changed since it came into effect from 6 April this year. The actuarial profession is at present reviewing the requirement and we will consider their recommendations when they become available.

  Pensions Review
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many responses were received to her Department's invitation for contributions to the Pension Review; and if she will place in the Library lists of those who have responded and those to whom individual invitations to respond were sent. [15955]

  Mr. Denham
  The public consultation exercise and the first part of the Pensions Review ended on 31 October. Responses are still coming in but to date we have received approximately 1,700 responses from pensions providers, employers, employees, consumers, pensions experts and pensioners themselves.

  A list of the organisation invited to respond to the Pension Review and a list of those organisations who submitted their views has been placed in the Library. Approximately 1,300 individuals, mostly pensioners, also submitted their responses.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will place in the Library copies of the contributions which her Department has received on the Pensions Review. [15959]
  86
  Mr. Denham
  A number of the responses to the Review were submitted on a confidential basis. It is a matter for the respondents—pensions providers, employers, employees, consumers, pensions experts and pensioners—whether to make their responses public.

  A list of organisations who have responded has been placed in the Library. The Department is prepared to make publicly available individual responses to the Pensions Review, provided the organisation or individual who responded is agreeable.

  Consultation Papers
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security is she will make it her practice to inform those invited to respond to departmental consultative papers that their responses may be placed in the public domain unless they request that their responses be kept confidential. [15958]

  Mr. Field
  It is already existing practice to do so in line with the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. However, because of an oversight this was not done in the case of the public consultation exercise on the Pensions Review.

  Pension Sharing (Divorce)
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when she will publish the draft Bill on pension sharing after divorce. [15960]

  Mr. Denham
  The Government are committed to introducing pension sharing for divorcing couples and we aim to do so from April 2000. We welcome input from all interested groups to ensure that we deliver effective and workable arrangements which recognise the contribution that both women and men make to a marriage. We are currently working in partnership with the pensions industry, family lawyers and other key groups and will publish draft Bill clauses for consultation during the current Parliamentary session. This is the first time that this Department has consulted on draft primary legislation in this way, demonstrating our commitment to open and consultative Government.

  Benefits Agency Staff
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many Benefits Agency staff are themselves in receipt of income-related benefits. [15837]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the current backlog of cases at the CSA. [14227]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  We expect the Child Support Agency to provide an efficient and effective service to all its clients throughout the child support assessment process. We are looking for substantial and sustained operational improvements from the Agency, in particular on getting more maintenance paid, reducing the backlog and improving customer service.
  87
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mrs. Faith Boardman. She will write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Mrs. Faith Boardman to Mr. Keith Vaz, dated 14 November 1997:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question concerning the backlog of cases at the Child Support Agency.
  Any maintenance application which is over 52 weeks old is considered to form part of the Agency's backlog. At 30 September 1997, there were approximately 199,000 such cases.
  The Agency has developed and is now implementing a strategy for meeting its undertaking to clear its backlogs. All Business Units have put in place operational plans which will guide them towards the achievement of our stated objective of clearing backlogs by 31 March 1999.
  The Agency is tackling the backlog of cases. However, we must balance the demands placed on us—to delivery Secretary of State targets, to continue to improve performance and improve customer service—and clearance of the backlogs.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what were the staffing levels at the CSA on (i) 1 October 1996 and (ii) 1 October 1997. [14226]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  We expect the Child Support Agency to provide an efficient and effective service to all its clients throughout the child support assessment process. We are looking for substantial and sustained 88
  operational improvements from the Agency, in particular on getting more maintenance paid, reducing the backlog and improving customer service.

  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mrs. Faith Boardman. She will write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Mrs. Faith Boardman to Mr. Keith Vaz, dated 14 November 1997:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about staffing in the Child Support Agency.
  Details of Agency staffing levels are collected at the end of each calendar month. The table below shows the number of Agency staff at 30 September 1996 and 30 September 1997. The figures in the table do not include personnel at the Belfast Child Support Agency Centre; staff in this Centre are part of the Northern Ireland Child Support Agency, which provides a service to an area of the mainland on our behalf. The number of such staff at Belfast at 30 September 1996 was 745.91, and the figure for 30 September 1997 was 876.61.

  Child support agency staff1

  Permanent and fixed term contract staff

  Casual staff

  Total

  30 September 1996

  7,191.6

  455.4

  7,647

  30 September 1997

  8,043.2

  462.7

  8,505.9

  1 Figures are an amalgamation of full-time and part-time staff and are expressed as whole time equivalents.

  I hope this is helpful.

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