Written Answers of 24 November 1997

TREASURY

  Tax Avoidance Schemes
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in his review of avoidance of direct taxes, he will examine the use of Jersey-based capital gains tax avoidance schemes by British companies. [12587]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Yes.

  Economic and Monetary Union
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the legislation which would need to be enacted prior to the United Kingdom joining a single currency. [15338]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The European Communities (Amendment) Act 1993 requires an Act of Parliament before the UK would be able to move to the third stage of economic and monetary union. In addition, as confirmed in the Chancellor's statement on 27 October 1997,Official Report, columns 583–88, whenever a decision to enter is taken by the Government, it should be put to a referendum of the British people, and this would require legislation. Separately, the Bank of England would need to be compatible with the terms of the Treaty which apply if we were to join and there would be changes needed to related UK legislation.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer from what decisions relating to the European Single Currency—other than those determined in treaties or protocols concerning the operation of the European Monetary Institute, the European System of Central Banks or the statutes and duties of the European central banks— member states unable or unwilling to participate in the single currency, or the representatives of their respective central banks, will be excluded. [15436]

  Mrs. Liddell
  All decisions relating the European Central Bank (ECB) will be taken pursuant to the Treaty establishing the European Community, including its various Protocols, in particular Nos. 3, 4, 8 and 11, which collectively lay down the rights and obligations of participating and non-participating member states and their National Central Banks.

  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representation he has made concerning the formation of a working group of first-round EMU participants distinct from the ECOFIN group. [16987]

  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his policy on the proposal of the French Government for a Conseil de 1'Euro. [17002]
  358
  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 19 November 1997]: The UK is in agreement with all other Member States that the ECOFIN Council will remain the decision-making body for economic and financial issues after the start of stage three of EMU, as it is now.

  Tax and Benefits Task Force
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the members of the Tax and Benefits Task Force chaired by Mr. Martin Taylor. [16845]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  Martin Taylor chairs a Task Force on which the Treasury, Inland Revenue, the Department of Social Security and Department for Education and Employment are represented by senior officials. It is not the usual practice to name individual officials.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many public appointments he has made since 1 May; and how many and what percentage of these(a) receive remuneration and (b) are of (i) Afro-Caribbean and (ii) Asian origin. [16782]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Chancellor's Department and Agencies have made 31 public appointments since 1 May 1997, of which eight (26 per cent.) receive remuneration. The information about ethnic origin cannot be provided since to do so would risk identifying individuals without their consent. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has provided information for all departments in an aggregated form.

  Wealth Tax
  Dr. Vis
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will calculate the revenue impact of imposing an additional 1 per cent. annual tax on individuals whose assets exceed £1 million. [17040]

  Dawn Primarolo
  It is not possible to assess precisely the number and wealth of millionaires in the United Kingdom at any one time. The only available estimates are derived from inheritance tax data on a year-of-death basis. On this basis it is provisionally estimated that living individuals with net marketable wealth—that is, excluding pension rights—exceeding £1 million in 1994, the latest available year, owned assets totalling £116 billion, of which 1 per cent. represents just over £1 billion.

  Exchange Rates
  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his answer of 13 November,Official Report, column 625, on exchange rates, if he will publish the available evidence which suggests that the use of foreign currency is fairly stable over time. [16899]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 20 November 1997]: The following figures, which are the most recent available, show exports and imports invoiced in foreign currency from 1979–88. It suggests that the proportion of trade invoiced in foreign currency was generally stable over that period, after allowing for a likely once-off adjustment by businesses to the lifting of foreign exchange controls.
  359

  Proportion of UK exports invoiced in sterling and foreign currency (by value) 1979–881

  Year

  Invoiced in currency of destination country2

  Invoiced in US dollars

  Invoiced in other foreign currencies

  Invoiced in sterling

  1979

  12

  12

  2

  74

  1980

  11

  11

  2

  76

  1981

  16

  9

  1

  74

  1982

  18

  15

  2

  65

  1983

  19

  14

  2

  65

  1984

  22

  15

  0

  63

  1985

  23

  18

  0

  59

  1986

  26

  20

  3

  54

  1987

  24

  19

  3

  57

  1988

  24

  15

  3

  62

  1Data 1979 based on annual figures; 83–88 based on November transactions except for 1987, which is based on May data.

  2 'Invoiced in currency of destination country' includes US dollar for US/UK trade.

  Proportion of UK imports invoiced in sterling and foreign currency (by value) 1979–881

  Year

  Invoiced in importing country currency2

  Invoiced in US dollars

  Invoiced in other foreign currencies

  Invoiced in sterling

  1979

  38

  21

  3

  38

  1980

  38

  27

  3

  32

  1981

  41

  23

  1

  3

  1982

  41

  22

  2

  34

  1983

  44

  19

  2

  35

  1984

  41

  25

  1

  34

  1985

  43

  24

  1

  32

  1986

  46

  17

  2

  37

  1987

  46

  13

  1

  40

  1988

  41

  16

  2

  43

  Notes:

  1 Data 1979–83 annual figures; 83–88 based on September transactions except for 1987 which is based on March data.

  2 'Invoiced in currency of importing country' includes US for US/UK trade.

  Sources:

  'British Business' 31 May 1985, 17 January 1986 and 24 April 1987 (DTI) and 'Business Bulletin' 15 December 1989 (CSO).

  Airbus
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the reasons for his Department not having approved the grant of launch aid to British Aerospace in respect of its involvement in the Airbus A340–500 and 600 aircraft. [17255]

  Mr. Darling
  [holding answer 21 November 1997]: The Government have yet to announce their decision concerning the application for assistance from British Aerospace.

  National Asset Register
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to be able to publish the National Asset Register. [17817]
  360
  Mr. Darling
  I am publishing The National Asset Register today. Copies are available in the Vote Office.

  The National Asset Register fulfils the Government's Manifesto commitment to publish a thorough inventory of the assets they own. Publication demonstrates the Government's commitment to greater openness and accountability by letting the nation see what assets the nation owns.

  This is the first time that any Government have had such a comprehensive picture of all the assets they hold. The National Asset Register will be an invaluable starting point in helping departments to identify whether they are making the best use of their assets and achieving value for money. It demonstrates the Government's commitment to maintaining prudent and sound financial management.

  To help departments do this the Treasury has also introduced two new measures to encourage departments to get the best from their assets:

  First, at present any receipts from the sale of surplus assets must be surrendered to the Consolidated Fund unless the Treasury agrees that the department concerned can retain them to increase its gross spending power. (The receipts then count as negative public expenditure so do not increase net spending or the Control Total.)

  From 1 April 1998 until 1 April 2001 when the new resource budgeting arrangements are in place, the Treasury will allow departments to retain 100 per cent. of the receipts from assets of which they dispose, subject to certain limits. These limits are that:

  the value of an individual sale does not exceed £100 million;

  the value of the total sales for any financial year does not exceed 3 per cent. of a department's cash-limited vote; and

  the receipts can only be used to finance capital spending. They cannot be used to finance current spending.

  These limits are necessary to ensure that these sales do not distort the Government's overall spending allocations.

  Second, Departments are also being encouraged to make better use of assets they retain. This more effective management may include increasing commercial activity which has generally been constrained by lack of incentives for departments and by current Treasury guidance.

  Under the new arrangements Departments will be helped to maximise the value they retain from their assets by

  being able to retain receipts from commercial activity;

  being encouraged to develop relationships with the private sector to bring in any necessary skills and expertise;

  the Treasury's Private Finance Task Force will provide support to Departments; and

  this new approach in being developed in partnership with departments which are being consulted on the arrangements.

  361

PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Press Releases
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the President of the Council what is her policy in respect of the faxing of press releases on the day of release to Opposition party spokesmen; what changes have been introduced since 1 May; and if she will make a statement. [16283]

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  All press releases issued on my behalf are posted to the relevant Opposition spokesman on the day of release. Press notices are not routinely faxed to Opposition party spokesmen unless requested. There has been no change since 1 May.

  Departmental Information
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the President of the Council if she will place in the Library a copy of the internal departmental guidance on the dissemination of information; and if she will make a statement. [16284]

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  In my small Department it has not bee necessary to issue detailed guidance on the dissemination of information.

  Maximum loan available to students and estimated length of repayment under new student support arrangements

  Earnings (as a percentage of average earnings)

  Number of years of study

  Maximum loan available (1990–00 prices) (£)

  50 per cent.

  75 per cent.

  85 per cent.

  100 per cent.

  125 per cent.

  150 per cent.

  200 per cent.

  300 percent.

  Number of years taken to repay loans

  3

  10,395

  1—

  17

  13

  10

  7

  5

  4

  3

  4

  14,020

  1—

  21

  16

  12

  9

  7

  5

  3

  5

  17,645

  1—

  25

  19

  15

  10

  8

  6

  4

  6

  21,270

  1—

  28

  22

  17

  12

  9

  7

  4

  7

  24,890

  1—

  32

  25

  19

  14

  11

  8

  5

  8

  28,520

  1—

  34

  27

  21

  15

  12

  8

  5

  1 Loans never fully repaid. 'Average earnings' have been taken from the 'New Earnings Survey 1997'. Average graduate earnings would be expected to increase more rapidly than average earnings for full-time workers as a whole, thus reducing the average length of the repayment period for any given amount of loan;

  Repayments will not begin until a graduate has a gross annual income of £10,000 and will stop if at any time their income falls below this threshold;

  The figures for 'maximum loan available' are based on the assumption that the graduates enter higher education in 1999–2000 and are therefore eligible for a 100 per cent. maintenance loan (as opposed to the 75 per cent. loan available in the 1998–99 transitional year). They also assume that loans will be uprated annually in line with inflation

  Child Care
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to build on the Child care Consultation carried out by the last Government. [17274]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  We have already taken action to improve childcare by extending the childcare disregard and offering young people the opportunity to obtain training and work experience in childcare as part of the New Deal programme. We are currently developing a National Childcare Strategy which will help parents, especially women, to balance family and working life and I will make an announcement in the first part of next year.
  362

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Student Loans
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what will be the total loan available to students whose parents are not required to provide a parental contribution for those undertaking higher education for(a) three years, (b) four years, (c) five years, (d) six years, (e) seven years and (f) eight years; and what is his estimate of how long the loan will take to repay in each case if a graduate earns (i) 50 per cent. average earnings, (ii) 75 per cent. average earnings, (iii) 85 per cent. average earnings, (iv) average earnings, (v) 125 per cent. average earnings, (vi) 150 per cent. average earnings, (vii) twice average earnings and (viii) three times average earnings. [16429]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 17 November 1997]: The table following sets out the estimated maximum amount of loan available to students studying outside London and living away from home during their studies, and the estimated number of years it would take to repay these loans. It should be noted, however, that the vast majority of students will be on courses lasting not more than four years. Of those few on courses lasting longer than four years, medical and dental students might also be eligible for income-related bursaries from the Department of Health to help with living costs.

  Student Fees
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list those non-degree education courses which will be subject to the Government's new student fees policy. [16541]

  Dr. Howells
  Undergraduate full-time courses of higher education leading to an HND or DipHE or to a certificate, diploma or other academic award comparable to a first degree will be subject to the new arrangements for student support starting in autumn 1998. Postgraduate and part-time courses of initial teacher training will also be covered. However, we have already announced that students on PGCE courses will continue to receive free tuition.
  363

  Teachers (Advanced Skilled Status)
  Mr. Fitzpatrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the percentage of teachers who achieve advanced skilled teacher status. [16909]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The Government intends to introduce a new career grade of Advanced Skills Teacher to reward the best teachers who are prepared to take on additional roles contributing to the quality of teaching in their schools. In the first instance, it is proposed that the new grade could be introduced on a pilot basis in September 1998. Further decisions will be taken following the pilots.

  University Admissions (Oxford and Cambridge)
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proportion of undergraduate students admitted to Oxford and Cambridge universities came from outside the European Union in the last year for which figures are available. [16760]

  Dr. Howells
  The most recent data available are for academic year 1996–97 and are given in the table:

  Entrants1 to undergraduate courses 1996–97

  University

  Percentage of non-EU undergraduate entrants

  Oxford

  7.2

  Cambridge

  8.0

  1 Students on their first year of study.

  Mandatory awards in England and Wales1

  Academic years 1991–92 to 1995–96

  Percentage of award holders receiving full, partial and nil rates of grant

  1991–922

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  Full maintenance grant

  39

  42

  44

  45

  45

  Partial maintenance grant

  36

  34

  33

  32

  30

  Nil maintenance grant

  25

  24

  22

  23

  24

  Source:

  F503G

  Notes:

  1Made by LEAs in England and Wales to students normally domiciled in their area who are studying in the United Kingdom. Includes awards made to postgraduate students on courses of initial teacher training.

  2Excluding awards made by the London Residuary Body for which full details are not available.

  University Funding
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the amount of university funding per student in England in(a) 1994–95, (b) 1995–96, (c) 1996–97 and (d) 1997–98; and if he will make a statement. [16935]

  Dr. Howells
  Public funding in cash terms per higher education student in England paid through grants to the Higher Education Funding Council for England and the Teacher Training Agency and through publicly funded tuition fees was £4,973 in 1994–95; £4,976 in 1995–96; £4,803 in 1996–97; and is £4,858 in 1997–98.

  Age Discrimination
  Dr. Vis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the protection afforded under(a) European Union and (b) United Kingdom law to employees against age discrimination. [17044]
  364
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proportion of undergraduate students admitted to Oxford and Cambridge universities came from grant-maintained schools in the most recent year for which figures are available. [16857]

  Dr. Howells
  The information requested is not held centrally. I understand that the Admissions Offices of both universities do produce annual statistics along these lines and my hon. Friend might care to speak to them directly.

  Student Maintenance Grant
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how many(a) first-year, (b) second-year, (c) third-year and (d) fourth-year undergraduate students at Oxford and Cambridge universities qualified for a maintenance grant in each of the last five years; [16758]

  (2) if he will list the proportion for each year of the last five years of (a) first-year, (b) second-year, (c) third-year and (d) fourth-year undergraduate students attending all United Kingdom universities who qualified for a maintenance grant. [16759]

  Dr. Howells
  Information is not collected centrally on maintenance awards by year of course nor on awards made to students at individual universities. The table below shows the percentage of mandatory award holders from England and Wales who received full, partial and nil maintenance grants in each of the last five years.

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Employees in the UK are afforded protection under employment legislation. However, there is no specific age discrimination legislation in either the United Kingdom or the European Union.

  Dr. Vis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what guidance his agencies issue to(a) employers and (b) employees about age discrimination in the work place. [17041]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  My colleagues and I take every opportunity to explain to employers the benefits of a diverse workforce. The Employment Service encourages employers to recruit on merit, irrespective of age. It also encourages jobseekers to treat age as a positive asset in jobsearch and provides advice on handling objection to employment which may be due to age.

  Dr. Vis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what is the Government's policy on age discrimination in the work place; [17042]
  365
  (2) what proposals his Department has to tackle age discrimination in the work place. [17043]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The Government believes that age discrimination in employment is unfair and makes no economic sense, either for business or society. I told my hon. Friend the Member for Walsall North on 22 May 1997,Official Report, column 825, that I intended to consult widely on the best approach to this issue. The consultation is taking place.

  LEA Funding
  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what criteria are laid down by his Department for LEAs obtaining support for bids under the New Deal scheme for replacing old school buildings; and if he will make a statement. [17024]

  Mr. Byers
  We issued guidance to Local Education Authorities (LEAs) on how to bid for the next tranche of New Deal for Schools funding on 5 November. In deciding allocations, we shall consider LEAs plans to meet their most urgent building needs as a whole. We are asking LEAs to assess the condition of their school buildings objectively in four priority bands. This will allow us to compare the needs of LEAs consistently across the country.

  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the procedure followed by his Department in approving funding for design work on the replacement of old school buildings and in allocating funding for the replacement of such schools. [17025]

  Mr. Byers
  For county schools, we do not allow separately for design fees when we allocate Annual Capital Guidelines (ACGs) or Supplementary Credit Approvals (SCAs); design fees are part of the project costs which LEAs meet from borrowing and other sources of funding at their disposal. For voluntary aided and special agreement schools, LEAs may bid for grant aid for design fees in the annual capital bidding round in October each year or, in the case of statutory proposals, before publication. The annual bidding letter sets out the priorities for distributing resources to schools. Authorities may bid to replace a school in the Exceptional Basic Need (EBN) category. EBN funding is only given if the building will have to be taken out of use within the next twelve months; repair is impracticable; and no alternative provision exists.

  For New Deal for Schools allocations in 1997–98, we gave priority to bids to cover the development costs of innovative Public Private Partnerships and building work which could be completed between 30 September 1997 and 31 March 1998. No whole-school replacements were supported.

  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list those schemes included in the 1997–98 financial year bids for school replacements which are due for completion by 31 March 1998. [17026]

  Mr. Byers
  No Annual Capital Guideline or Supplementary Credit Approval cover, grant aid for governors costs, or grant through the New Deal for Schools 366
  is being provided in 1997–98 for whole school replacements scheduled for completion before 31 March 1998.

  Lancaster Adult College
  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the allocation of additional resources to Lancaster Adult College. [17546]

  Dr. Howells
  On 12 November, my right hon. Friend set out the Government's vision and priorities for further education. He announced additional funding for the sector next year, totalling £83 million. The Further Education Funding Council will take decisions, in the light of guidance from my right hon. Friend, on the general principles to be applied to funding for the academic year 1998–99. Allocations of funding to sector colleges, and external institutions like Lancaster Adult College, are the responsibility of the Council which will make them early next year.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Local Government (South-East England)
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps the Government have taken to meet local government associations and council leaders for authorities covering South-East England since 1 May. [16504]

  Mr. Raynsford
  My Ministerial colleagues and I have met on a number of occasions with representatives of the Local Government Association, the Association of London Government and individual council leaders since 1 May, to discuss a wide range of topics, including the London and South East Regional Planning Conference (SERPLAN).

  Rural England White Paper
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the Government intend to continue the updating of statistics which the 1995 White Paper on Rural England and its 1996 update emphasised the importance of updating; and if he will make a statement. [16506]

  Angela Eagle
  We have no plans to publish an update of the commitments set out in the previous Administration's White Papers on Rural England, but statistics on issues affecting the countryside continue to be collected and updated. Much of this information is published.

  For example, we will be undertaking a major national survey of the habitats, plants, landscape features and land types of the British Countryside to mark the end of the Millennium. Countryside Survey 2000 will update and extend previous surveys undertaken at intervals over the last 20 years.

  Biocidal Products Directive
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what are the total
  367
  projected costs to British business of the amended European Union directive on the placing of biocidal products on the market; and what discussions he has had with British business interests on this matter. [16984]

  Angela Eagle
  I have had no direct discussions with British business about the Biocidal Products Directive. The Health and Safety Executive have consulted business on all aspects of this directive through regular meetings of a working group on biocides.

  When the directive is implemented, British business will benefit from the opening up of the EU-wide market in biocidal products and from the introduction of a single risk assessment procedure for approval of products, involving mutual recognition of product authorisations in all member states. HSE's estimate of the costs to industry of implementing the directive are set out in the cost benefit assessment (CBA) appended to the Department's Explanatory Memorandum 9600/97 submitted in August 1997. A copy has been placed in the Library.

  Costs are estimated on the basis of the additional costs over and above those which would be incurred by a compliance with existing chemical control regimes. The CBA shows estimated one-off costs in the range of £5–£20 million, with annual costs of around £6.7 million, depending on the number of new products placed on the market. This estimate of annual costs takes account of the significant reduction in costs achieved by the simplified administrative procedures negotiated by the United Kingdom. HSE are currently updating the cost estimates in the CBA in discussion with the Chemical Industries Association.

  Coastguards
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will list the locations of the permanently manned coast stations planned for 2001 which will have responsibility for marine and coastal safety in the Irish Sea; [16977]

  (2). if he will make a statement on the provision of coastguard services for the North West of England following the proposed closure of the Liverpool Centre in 2000. [16973]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Coastguard Agency plans that in the year 2001, the following permanently manned coastguard stations will have responsibility for marine and coastal safety in the Irish Sea:

  Maritime Rescue Sub Centre (MRSC) Belfast

  MRSC Holyhead

  MRSC Milford Haven

  Following the closure of Liverpool in 2000, the level of provision of coastguard services in the North West will be unaffected. Radio sites will remain at Calbeck, Walney Island, Blackpool, Liverpool and Heswall and will be controlled by MRSC Holyhead. An additional Sector Manager will be located at Liverpool.

  Local Authority Spending
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions by how much local authority spending increases for each 1 per cent. rise in the GDP deflator. [16870]
  368
  Mr. Raynsford
  There is no automatic link between inflation in the economy generally, as measured by any rise in the GDP deflator, and local authority spending. The impact would depend on the rate of increase in prices for the particular services and goods purchased by authorities, and on authorities' budgetary reactions to these pressures.

  Bus Lanes
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much has been spent on bus lane cameras since 1 May. [16840]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Traffic Director for London is currently developing a trial in north London as part of a project to test the use of cameras to enforce bus lanes, but nothing has been spent on cameras since 1 May. We understand that the London local authorities are also working towards using cameras to enforce bus lanes but we have no information on how much money they might have spent on cameras.

  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many people have been successfully prosecuted for driving in bus lanes since 1 May. [16841]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The information requested is not separately identified in the statistics collected centrally.

  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the average number of police man hours spent each week studying the film from bus lane cameras. [16843]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  From 5 December prosecutions will begin in the Traffic Director for London's project in north London to test cameras to enforce bus lanes. He estimates that it will then require about two police man hours per week to study the film from the cameras.

  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the revenue expected from fines for driving in bus lanes during the next financial year. [16842]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  No estimates are made of future fine revenue for specific offences.

  Social Housing
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what annual targets have been set for social housing construction. [16974]

  Mr. Raynsford
  My Department has not set annual targets for social housing construction. Official estimates of the newly arising need for social housing in England over the period 1991–2001, published in 1995, indicate a requirement for 60,000 to 100,000 lettings per year.

  My Department has commissioned the Department of Applied Economics at Cambridge University to carry out a feasibility study of an economic model of housing need for the period 1996–2006. Ministers have not yet reached conclusions on this research, or on the proportion of housing need which will be met by means other than new construction. A report on the research will be published shortly.
  369

  Carbon Dioxide Emissions
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will seek to negotiate an enforcement mechanism for reviewing carbon dioxide emission targets at Kyoto. [16868]

  Mr. Meacher
  Both the UK and the EU believe that the targets to be agreed in Kyoto should be legally binding. We consider that targets, as well as other commitments in the Protocol, must be backed by a strong compliance regime. However, the details of the regime provided for in the Protocol will be elaborated after Kyoto.

  Lord Sainsbury
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he last met Lord Sainsbury in an official capacity; and what subjects were discussed. [16836]

  Mr. Prescott
  I met Lord Sainsbury of Turville on 20 October 1997 for the first and only time since the General Election. We had a wide-ranging discussion on a number of issues relating to the policy areas of my Department. In particular, the meeting covered rail freight, lorry weights, mixed-use housing and retail developments and the speed and consistency of the planning process generally.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions by how much the interest rate bill of local authorities rises for each 1 per cent. rise in interest rates. [16861]

  Mr. Raynsford
  I estimate that English local authorities currently hold about £5 billion in variable rate debt, on which additional interest payments of £50 million would arise if interest rates rose by 1 per cent. generally.

  Further, if authorities borrow an additional £2 billion in 1997–98, broadly in line with the issue of new credit approvals, then a 1 per cent. rise in interest rates would increase interest payments on this new borrowing by about £20 million.

  Local authorities currently hold around £10 billion in bank deposits and other short-term investments and might therefore earn additional interest of up to £100 million, if rates rose by 1 percent.

  However, the additional costs or income arising from the increase in interest rates would tend to be offset over time by compensating changes in HRA subsidy and Revenue Support Grant paid to local authorities by central government.

  Tourist Coaches (London)
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the adequacy of parking facilities for tourist coaches in London; and what plans he has to make improvements. [16791]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  In London, the provision of coach parking and its enforcement is generally the responsibility of the local authorities. We aim to 370
  encourage the local authorities, the coach and tourist industries and other interested parties to discuss and implement measures to assist the operation and parking of coaches.

  Acid Rain
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the effect of acid rain on Britain's trees. [17170]

  Angela Eagle
  Maps of acid deposition in the UK based on work carried out for my Department have recently been published in reports by the Review Group on Acid Rain and the Critical Loads Advisory Group. Copies have been deposited in the House of Commons Library.

  Research into the sensitivity of trees to acid deposition is being carried out both in the UK and elsewhere in Europe. From the research, maps of the sensitivity of forest ecosystems to acid deposition have been developed on a UK and European scale. The areas of the UK forest at risk of damage can be identified by combining the maps of sensitivity and acid deposition.

  In addition, surveys of woodland tree condition in the UK are carried out annually. While these do not assess directly the impact of acid rain, the have provided evidence that, during the past few years, the previous decline in tree health has been reversed.

  Acid rain and damage to sensitive ecosystems including trees is an on-going transboundary problem. The UK was one of the first countries to ratify the Second Sulphur Protocol under the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Convention on Long Range Transboundary Air Pollution. This commits the UK to an 80 per cent. reduction in its 1980 sulphur emissions by 2010. My Department is currently taking an active part in negotiations in the EU and UNECE aiming to provide further protection to the environment from acid deposition.

  English Partnerships (Allocation of Funds)
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list, by region, the amount of money in each of the last five financial years which English Partnerships allocated to(a) housing development, (b) employment, and (c) retail development. [16894]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer: 20 November 1997]: English Partnerships became fully operational in April 1994, with statutory objectives focusing on the sustainable regeneration of areas of need promoting job creation, inward investment and environmental improvements through the reclamation and development of vacant, derelict and underused land and buildings. It operates through broadly based strategic partnerships throughout the English regions with local authorities, the private sector, voluntary bodies and others.

  Although English Partnerships does not keep information in the form requested, the table sets out, by region, English Partnerships' approved investment by development type under its Partnership Investment Programme, over its first three years of operation.
  371

  Approved Partnership Investment Programme

  £ million

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  North East Region

  Housing

  0.584

  3.408

  5.022

  Retail

  1.453

  —

  2.670

  Other

  Commercial/Industrial

  16.374

  8.574

  47.594

  Total

  18.411

  11.982

  55.286

  North West Region

  Housing

  11.628

  4.223

  6.440

  Retail

  0.300

  2.874

  6.416

  Other

  Commercial/Industrial

  14.878

  37.137

  39.086

  Total

  26.806

  44.234

  51.942

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  Housing

  1.018

  4.913

  1.926

  Retail

  —

  —

  2.744

  Other

  Commercial/Industrial

  8.861

  18.760

  34.276

  Total

  9.879

  23.673

  38.946

  Midlands

  Housing

  0.805

  1.777

  0.845

  Retail

  3.370

  0.982

  0.546

  Other

  Commercial/Industrial

  34.444

  37.385

  44.107

  Total

  38.619

  40.144

  45.498

  London and South East

  Housing

  8.287

  0.705

  2.084

  Retail

  6.000

  —

  —

  Other

  Commercial/Industrial

  6.800

  20.694

  26.700

  Total

  21.087

  21.399

  28.784

  South West

  Housing

  0.113

  —

  0.200

  Retail

  —

  —

  1.400

  Other

  Commercial/Industrial

  —

  9.321

  26.113

  Total

  0.113

  9.321

  27.713

  Total all regions

  114.915

  150.753

  248.169

  Fishing Vessels (Safety)
  Mr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 18 November,Official Report, column 127, (1) if he will list the organisations and other interested parties which were consulted over the proposed Code of Safe Working Practices for Fishing Vessels' and if he will make a statement; [17553]

  (2) when the new code of safe working practices for fishing vessel will be published. [17552]

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

  Letter from R. M. Bradley to Mr. Norman Godman, dated 24 November 1997:
  The Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions has asked me to reply to your Questions relating to the new Code of Safe Working Practice for Fishermen.
  372
  The first draft of the Code has recently been prepared for the Marine Safety Agency (MSA) by the Sea Fish Industry Authority. The MSA is convening an early meeting of the Fishing Industry Safety Group's Technical Sub Group to discuss the draft Code and to consider its further development.
  Publication of the Code, which will provide guidance on the regulations which implement the Framework Directive on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health of workers at work and associated daughter directives, is dependent on progress on its development and on consultation with the fishing industry. We aim to introduce the regulations to implement the Directive early in 1998 and, subject to completion of the Code, to bring them into force by 31 March 1998.

  CITES
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for what reasons the Government(a) abstained from the vote to down list three populations of African elephants at the CITES conference and (b) agreed to an exemption to the ban on ivory sales by Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe. [17578]

  Angela Eagle
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment to my hon. Friend the Member for Barnsley, East and Mexborough (Mr. Ennis) on 8 July,Official Report, column 449, which reports the main decisions taken by the Conference.

  Schools (Safe Routes)
  Mr. Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures his Department is taking to encourage more children to walk to school. [17432]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Lancaster and Wyre (Mr. Dawson) on 18 November,Official Report, columns 137–38.

  EU Structural Funds
  Mr. Peter Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the level of Objective 5b funding in the less-favoured areas of the North of England in (i) 1993, (ii) 1994, (iii) 1995 and (iv) 1996. [17310]

  Angela Eagle
  European Funds under Objective 5b became available for the Northern Uplands from 1 January 1994. However they must be supplemented by other funds from the public and private sectors. The full amount of the funding available is as follows:

  £ million

  European structural funds

  Public/private sectors

  Total

  1993

  —

  —

  —

  1994

  8.8

  12.4

  21.2

  1995

  11.5

  16.4

  27.9

  1996

  13.1

  18.8

  31.9

  373

  South Downs
  Mr. Lepper
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement about a timetable for public consultation on the long-term structure for the management of the South Downs; and if he will indicate the form that consultation will take. [16723]

  Angela Eagle
  At our request, the Countryside Commission is carrying out the consultation on the long-term arrangements for the South Downs. A conference will take place in Brighton on 26 November to launch the consultation document and mark the beginning of the further debate on the future of the Downs. Copies of the consultation document will be available from the Commission's London office from that date. Copies will also be freely available at libraries within the South Downs and surrounding towns from the following week. Written views are requested by 12 January 1998 when the Commission will start its analysis, but any significant points made later in January can still be taken into account. The Commission will analyse the responses and bring the results and advice to Ministers next spring.

  Genetically Modified Organisms
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many examples of the horizontal transmission of genetic material from genetically modified organisMs approved for(a) field testing and (b) marketing his Department has evaluated. [17339]

  Angela Eagle
  The risks of all types of gene transfer, including horizontal gene transfer, are evaluated when considering all applications for consent to release or market genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the UK. To date 134 applications for the experimental release of GMOs in Great Britain and 24 notifications for marketing GMOs in the European Community have been considered since the Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) Regulations 1992 came into force on 1 February 1993.

  Driving and Diabetes
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the members of the Honorary Advisory Panel on Driving and Diabetes, with their relevant expertise and date of appointment. [16901]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The members of the Honorary Advisory Panel on Driving and Diabetes, and their date of appointment to the Panel, are as follows:

  Appointed

  Dr. Peter J. Watkins (Chairman since 1977)

  Kings College Hospital, London

  1985

  Professor John D. Ward

  The Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield

  1985

  Dr. John L. Day

  Ipswich Hospital, Suffolk

  1985

  Dr. Nina Essex

  Mayday Hospital, Thornton Heath, Surrey

  1989

  374

  Appointed

  Dr. Brian Frier

  The Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh

  1996

  Dr. Stephen G. Gilbey

  St. James's University Hospital, Leeds

  1997

  Dr. Anthony B. Stevens

  Royal Hospitals Trust, Belfast

  1997

  All are consultant physicians who specialise in diabetes.

  EU Committee of the Regions
  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what plans he has to make British members of the EU Committee of the Regions directly elected by the regions they represent; [17197]

  (2) what plans he has to review the method of appointment of British members of the EU Committee of the Regions; and if he will make a statement. [17340]

  Angela Eagle
  My right hon. Friend has no such plans. Members of the Committee of the Regions are appointed by the Council of Ministers of the European Union following nominations by member states. Under the European Communities (Amendment) Act 1993 United Kingdom members of the Committee must be elected members of a local authority at the time of their nomination. Any change to the method of appointment, including the direct election of members, would require a Treaty amendment agreed by all European Union member states acting unanimously.

  London Government
  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many responses to the Green Paper "New Leadership for London"(a) expressed satisfaction with the proposals, (b) expressed concerns over (i) the length of time between the publication of the White Paper and the Referendum, (ii) the number of questions in the Referendum and (iii) the proposal for a directly elected mayor and (c) expressed opinions on the election of mayor; what percentage (a) to (c) constituted of the total number of responses; and if he will make a statement. [17586]

  Mr. Raynsford
  An analysis of the responses to the Green Paper "New Leadership for London" will be included in the White Paper.

  On 21 November copies of the responses were placed in the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions main library, 2 Marsham Street, SW1P. Lists of individuals and organisations who responded, were placed in the House of Commons Library on the same day.

  Office Space
  Mr. Tom King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what statistics his Department collates on the amount of empty office space in each region of England; and what estimate he has made of the amount of office space that has been empty(a) for more than six months and (b) for more than a year. [17716]
  375
  Mr. Raynsford
  None. Information on vacant office space in the major centres is available from leading commercial agents, but is not collated centrally.

  Thames 2000
  Mr. Fitzpatrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress has been made on his Thames 2000 river transport initiative. [17708]

  Mr. Prescott
  I am pleased to announce that excellent progress has been made as a result of my Thames 2000 initiative on proposals to establish new passenger transport services on the River Thames by the Millennium, and to leave a permanent legacy thereafter.

  Today I can announce three new developments which, taken together, should provide the blueprint for securing a new future for passenger transport on the Thames, which I believe is an important ingredient in developing a modern, integrated transport system for the capital. As well as providing an important access route to the Millennium Experience, the aim is to secure a lasting legacy of new investment and high-quality services, which will provide a convenient and attractive new means of travel for Londoners and for visitors.

  The initiative has been taken forward at my request by the Cross River Partnership, which includes the London Boroughs of Southwark and Lambeth, the Cities of Westminster and London, the Port of London Authority, London Transport and others, in collaboration with the New Millennium Experience Company and the Government Office for London.

  First, the Cross River Partnership and the New Millennium Experience Company have formally invited a shortlist of potential operators to tender to run new River services. Some of these would serve the Millennium Experience, with direct services from dedicated central London piers and downstream "park-and-sail" sites, as well as a shuttle service to Greenwich. Operators are also being invited to tender for longer-term services, including a "hopper" service linking key central London destinations, and "express" services to central London from both up-stream and down-stream. Potential operators may bid for any or all of these services.

  Second, the Partnership has drawn up a programme of new infrastructure works along the River. This will provide high-quality new piers at key locations, including close to Waterloo and Blackfriars Stations. It will also secure the much-needed improvement of some existing piers, and improved linkages with other public transport

  Board Members of the Housing Corporation

  Name

  Appointed to the Board

  Current appointment ends

  Remuneration (per annum)£

  Main areas of expertise

  Baroness Dean of Thornton-le-Fylde (Chairman)

  6 November 1997

  31 March 2001

  37,958

  Regulation, management and organisational expertise

  George Cracknell (Deputy Chairman)

  1 December 1994

  30 November 1997

  21,706

  Finance and banking

  Eric Armitage

  1 October 1997

  30 September 2000

  9,899

  Registered Social Landlords

  Sheila Button

  1 October 1997

  30 September 2000

  9,899

  Social housing sector

  Sylvia Denman

  1 March 1996

  28 February 1999

  9,899

  Legal

  John Foster

  1 June 1996

  31 May 1999

  9,899

  Local government

  Ken Griffin

  1 October 1995

  31 May 1999

  9,899

  Business

  David Kleeman

  3 September 1990

  30 September 1998

  9,899

  Business

  376
  modes. The Partnership has sought funding from the Millennium Commission for this project. Matching funding will come from a variety of sources, including local authorities, the PLA, the Single Regeneration Budget and the private sector. The New Millennium Experience Company is also developing new piers on the Greenwich peninsula and downstream.

  Finally, we have been working with members of the Partnership to develop new arrangements for managing piers and passenger services on the Thames. Our intention is that a new agency should be set up with responsibility for managing piers and for promoting and co-ordinating river passenger services in London. This agency would in due course come under the aegis of the new London Transport Authority proposed in the "New Leadership for London" Green Paper as part of the plans for a new Greater London Authority. In the interim a shadow agency will be set up under London Transport to commission the new river services and manage piers.

  Green Belt (Carrington Moss)
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received from employees of Manchester United regarding the club's planning application to build on green belt land at Carrington Moss. [17329]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Secretary of State received no representations from employees of the club on this matter.

  Housing Corporation
  Ms Jennifer Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will list the directors of the Housing Corporation, indicating the tenure of their directorships, their remuneration and the qualifications which led to their appointments. [14730]

  Mr. Raynsford
  [pursuant to his answer, 11 November 1997, c. 483–84]: Details of the directors of the Housing Corporation are in the table.

  In making appointments to the Board of the Housing Corporation, candidates are sought who, in addition to their individual areas of expertise and knowledge, are able to take a broad view of housing policy and related issues. Candidates should be able to contribute usefully in directing a major Non Departmental Public Body and to make constructive contributions to the development of social housing policy at the national level. The Board needs members with a range of skills and expertise extending from knowledge of finance and regulation to an understanding of how housing policy impacts on other areas of social welfare.
  377

  Board Members of the Housing Corporation

  Name

  Appointed to the Board

  Current appointment ends

  Remuneration (per annum) £

  Main areas of expertise

  Robin Thompson

  17 March 1989

  16 March 1998

  9,899

  Rural housing

  Julia Unwin

  26 February 1992

  25 February 1998

  9,899

  Homelessness and tenant participation

  Derek Waddington

  28 January 1994

  27 January 2000

  9,899

  Local government

  Dr. Peter Williams

  1 October 1995

  30 September 1998

  9,899

  Lending institutions

  Anthony Mayer (Chief Executive)

  30 April 1991

  n/a

  n/a

  Chief Executive of the Housing Corporation

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Small Claims
  Mr. Burnett
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will publish the results of the monitoring conducted by his Department into the effects on waiting times of the last increase in the small-claims limit. [17456]

  Mr. Hoon
  The last increase in the small claims limit was made on 6 January 1996 and, as the monitoring of waiting times was introduced that year, the information requested could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Burnett
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to increase the resources of the small claims court to ensure that the proposal to raise the small claims limit from April 1999 does not result in increased delays. [17408]

  Mr. Hoon
  The proposed increase in the small claims limit must be considered along with the other civil justice reform proposals. Resources will be allocated to reflect changes in workload consequent upon implementation of the reforms as a whole.

  Mr. Burnett
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will give a breakdown of the length of time taken by small claims cases in county courts by type of case; and what assessment he has made of the factors underlying delays. [17455]

  Mr. Hoon
  The table below shows the average length of time taken for small claims cases in 1996 from the issue of the summons to the hearing. It was previously published in "Judicial Statistics 1996" (CM 3716) in July 1997. These cases take a substantially shorter time than those which proceed to trial.

  Average waiting times1 for arbitrations, by nature of claim, 1996

  Nature of claim

  Average waiting time in weeks (issue of summons to arbitration)

  Debt

  21

  Negligence—personal injury

  23

  Other negligence

  22

  Non-possession housing dispute

  26

  Other

  22

  Total

  21

  1 Figures are based on three months sample data from selected county courts.

  378

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Arson Attacks
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list all recorded instances of arson attacks on(a) Protestant churches, (b) Catholic churches, (c) orange and other loyal institutions' premises and (d) Gaelic Athletic Association premises in the period and since July, indicating the estimated cost of damages. [14183]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 5 November 1997]: Recorded instances of fire caused by arson in these categories are listed below. Estimated costs of damage are not held centrally and are therefore unavailable.

  Arson attacks on protestant churches

  6. July 1997: 1st Kilrea Presbyterian Church, Church Street, Kilrea;

  6. July 1997: Presbyterian Church Hall, Dunloy

  9. July 1997: Presbyterian Church Hall, Castle Street, Ballycastle

  9. July 1997 Apostolic Church, Melmount Road, Strabane

  9. July 1997: Carnmoney Parish Church, Church Road, Carnmoney

  9. July 1997: Strathfoyle, Londonderry

  10.July 1997: Presbyterian Church Hall, New Street, Dungiven

  17. August 1997: Presbyterian Church, Ballyhoe, Newtownbutler

  30. August 1997: Church of Ireland Manse, Main Street, Dundrum

  31. August 1997: Whitehouse Presbyterian Church, Shore Road, Glengormley

  14. September 1997: St. Columbanus Church Hall, Groomsport Road, Bangor

  21 September 1997: May Street Presbyterian Church, May Street, Belfast

  26 October 1997: St. Stephens Church, Millfield, Belfast

  Arson attacks on catholic churches

  12. July 1997: Killowen Chapel, Kylesbrae, Coleraine

  29 September 1997: Tanaghmore RC Church, Fernisky Road, Kells

  Arson attacks on orange halls

  4 July 1997 College Square, Bessbrook

  6 July 1997 Old English Road, Dungannon

  6 July 1997 Newry

  6 July 1997 Antrim Road, Glengormley

  7 July 1997 Orritor Road, Cookstown

  7 July 1997 Tirooney Road, Sixmilecross

  7 July 1997 Brackey Road, Beragh

  379

  7 July 1997 Armagh Road, Newtownhamilton

  7 July 1997 Coleraine Road, Ballycastle

  8 July 1997 Station Road, Dunloy

  9 July 1997 Athernee Road, Carrickmore

  11 July 1997 Bond Street, Londonderry

  12 July 1997 Great Georges Street, Warrenpoint

  12 July 1997 Rasharkin, Ballymoney

  15 July 1997 Gortvale Road, Rock, Ballymoney

  6 August 1997 Dyan, Caledon

  6 August 1997 Newry

  12 August 1997 Ballycoran Road, Carryduff

  26 August 1997 Armagh Road, Newtownhamilton

  8 September 1997 Aughintober Road, Dungannon

  1 October 1997 Darkley Road, Keady

  14 October 1997 Main Street, Rasharkin

  Arson attacks on GAA premises

  13 July 1997 GAA Club, Mary's Lane, Killyleagh

  28 August 1997 GAA Clubhouse, Crosskeys Road, Ahoghill

  Overseas Travel
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list each of the overseas trips made by herself and other members of her 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 she will make a statement. [15252]

  Mr. Murphy
  [holding answer 11 November 1997]: The information is as follows:

  (a)

  (b)

  (c)

  (d)

  Secretary of state

  Washington (USA)

  Briefing influential audiences on Government Policy on Northern Ireland

  £15,209.25

  Paul Murphy

  Washington (USA)

  Briefing Americans on political situation in Northern Ireland

  £6,173.80

  Brussels

  Introduction as Northern Ireland Minister for European Affairs

  £2,586,88

  Adam Ingram1

  Paris

  To attend Paris Air Show

  £1,187.80

  Boston (USA) Washington

  Inward Investment Visit

  £5,961.60

  Chicago Minneapolis (USA) St. Louis New York Washington

  IDB Trade Mission

  £6,818.70

  Lord Dubs

  New York (USA)

  Delegate to 43rd Annual Conference of the International Downtown Association

  £4,941.70

  1 The costs refer to expenditure on flights only. However they do not include internal US flights, accommodation, or any miscellaneous expenditure, as this information is not readily available and can only be provided at disproportionate cost.

  380

  Joint Framework Document
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the Joint Framework Document is the preferred option of Her Majesty's Government for a settlement in Ireland. [15678]

  Mr. Murphy
  [holding answer 13 November 1997]: Our primary aim is to secure agreement amongst unionists and nationalists. So far as the Government is concerned, no outcome is either predetermined or excluded in advance, or limited by anything other than the need for agreement. The Joint Framework Document describes a shared understanding reached between the British and Irish Governments on the parameters of a possible outcome to the talks process. We believe it is, as the Prime Minister said in May, a reasonable basis for negotiation. The development under this Government of a wider constitutional reform programme, including our commitment to devolution elsewhere in the United Kingdom and to better protection of human rights through incorporation of the ECHR, may also have helpful implications for an agreed outcome to the current negotiations.

  Policing
  Mr. Burgon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will publish her key policing objectives and key performance indicators for the year 1998–99. [17816]

  Dr. Mowlam
  I am arranging for copies of the key objectives and key performance indicators for the year 1998–99 to be placed in the Library on Tuesday 25 November at 11.00.

WALES

  NHS
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what measures he has proposed for the NHS to ensure that the interests of pensioners are not overlooked, with particular reference to(a) hip and other joint operations and (b) bed blocking. [16105]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  While the National Health Service in Wales does not discriminate against pensioners, who receive access to services on the same basis as other patients, I am keen that the interests of elderly people are not overlooked. I stressed the point when announcing recently the provision of an extra £9.5 million this year for the NHS in Wales. Whilst I urged the Service to use the money to improve their emergency services, reduce the need for people to be admitted to hospital and reduce delays in discharging patients, I stressed that Trusts must not forget their elective surgery obligations.

  The Patient's Charter guarantees that
  "a patient will receive a hip or knee or a cataract operation within 18 months of being referred to their doctor".

  However, this guarantee embraces the total patient population and does not target any one group. Latest figures provided by Health Authorities show that there were 35 breaches to this guarantee during the last quarter—this is an improvement from the June quarter when there were 85 breaches. As yet we do not know where the breaches lie, but this will be thoroughly investigated.
  381

  A340–600 Aircraft
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement concerning applications for regional development assistance for the A340–600 aircraft project by British Aerospace. [16099]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  I expect to make a decision on the company's application for Regional Selective Assistance shortly.

  Student Funding
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will estimate the level of university funding per student in Wales in 1998–99; and if he will make a statement. [16936]

  Mr. Hain
  The level of funding per student in Wales in 1998–99 will depend upon the allocation for higher education within the Department's expenditure plans for next year which will be announced shortly.

  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the amount of extra funding which will be available for Welsh(a) further and (b) higher education in 1997–98; and if he will make a statement. [16855]

  Mr. Hain
  The final claim from the Further Education Funding Council for Wales for extra funding under the Demand-Led Element scheme is currently being considered. There are no plans to increase the 1997–98 budget of the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Lake Windermere Speed Limit
  Mr. Collins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what consultations the Sports Council had with anglers and walkers before deciding to support the opponents of the proposed speed limit on Lake Windermere at the public inquiry; [14604]

  Minister

  Date

  Location

  Purpose

  Cost to nearest £100

  Mr. Clarke

  12 May-14 May

  Cannes

  Support for the British film industry

  1,700

  Mr. Smith

  14 May-16 May

  Cannes

  Support for the British film industry

  1,500

  Mr. Banks

  10 June-11 June

  Paris

  Support for the FA bid for the World Cup 2006 and attend the Turnoi de France

  1,600

  Mr. Fisher

  28 June-1 July

  Rome/Luxembourg

  Attending State opening and Culture Council

  1,900

  Mr. Fisher

  28 July-same day

  Brussels

  Meet representatives of the EP Culture and Media Committee

  1,600

  Mr. Clarke

  31 August-3 September

  Venice/Rome

  Support for the British film industry/Meeting with Italian DPM

  2,600

  Mr. Clarke

  2 October-5 October

  Brittany

  Support for the British film industry

  500

  Mr. Clarke

  8 October-15 October

  Far East

  Promotion of British tourism

  10,200

  Mr. Banks

  10 October-same day

  Rome

  Support for the FA bid for the World Cup 2006 and attend the England v Italy qualifier

  1,600

  Mr. Fisher

  15 October-16 October

  Frankfurt

  Promotion of the British publishing industry and attend the European Book Fair

  1,200

  Mr. Banks

  23 October-30 October

  USA/Trinidad/Costa Rica

  Support for the FA bid for the World Cup 2006

  9,800

  Mr. Smith

  21 October-26 October

  USA

  Promotion of British creative industries

  112,100

  Mr. Smith

  11 November-same day

  Brussels

  Visit to the European Commission

  1500

  Total

  46,800

  1 Denotes full figures not yet available.

  382
  (2). what was the total cost incurred by the Sports Council in making representations to the public inquiry into the proposed speed limit on Lake Windermere. [14605]

  Mr. Banks
  The then GB Sports Council (GBSC) consulted a wide range of sports interests groups before deciding to support the opponents of the proposed speed limit upon Lake Windermere. Anglers and walkers organisations included:

  Salmon and Trout Association;

  Furness and South Cumbria Fisheries Consultative Association;

  Northern Federation of Sea Angling Societies;

  Fly Dresser' Guild;

  Ramblers Association; and

  Northumberland Long Distance Walkers' Association.

  In 1996–97, the GBSC and its successor, the English Sports Council (ESC) spent £7,200 on the Lake Windermere speed limit issue. In 1997–98 to date, the ESC has spent £4,600. Information on GBSC spending in previous years could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

  The Lake District National Park Authority successfully appealed to the High Court to have the original decision not to introduce a speed limit quashed. A hearing took place on 18 November at which the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions did not oppose the Authority's legal challenge. He is now required to re-consider the whole issue afresh and a further round of representations is necessary.

  Overseas Travel
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 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. [15208]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 11 November 1997]: The information requested is set out in the table.
  383

  E-mail
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the Answer from the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, on 10 November 1997,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. [15869]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  [holding answer 13 November 1997]: E-mail addresses exist for all Ministers at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Ministers can be reached at: chris.smith@culture.gov.uk, tom.clarke@culture.gov.uk, mark.fisher@culture.gov.uk and tony,banks@culture.gov.uk. The Permanent Secretary can be reached at hayden.phillips@culture.gov.uk. The Chief Executives of the Department's two agencies do not currently have e-mail addresses. More information on contact details can be obtained from the Department's website at www.culture.gov.uk.

  Press Releases
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is his policy in respect of the faxing of press releases on the day of release to Opposition party spokesmen; what changes have been introduced since 1 May; and if he will make a statement. [16307]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  My Department has made arrangements to fax press notices on the day of release to the main Opposition Spokesman, as was the practice before 1 May. On request we would do the same for other Opposition Parties.

  National Lottery
  Mr. Denis Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sports what has been the sum given in

  Table 2: Awards announced in the Wansbeck constituency

  Distributing body

  Recipient

  Project title description

  Award date

  Award amount (£)

  Heritage Lottery Fund

  Northumberland County Council

  West Wylam Bridge, Tyneside Riverside Country Park, West Wylam

  3 April 1996

  157,000

  National Lottery Charities Board

  Northumberland Womens Aid

  To improve inadequate staffing levels and provide transport

  23 October 1995

  124,742

  National Lottery Charities Board

  Chevington Community Initiative

  Encourage social cohesion by integrating disaffected youth into the community

  23 October 1995

  119,150

  National Lottery Charities Board

  Trinity Youth Association

  Provides leisure, recreational and educational opportunities to targeted vulnerable groups of young people

  11 June 1996

  115,809

  National Lottery Charities Board

  Northumberland Federation of YMCAs

  Promote and develop a range of youth and community initiatives for groups of young people living in rural areas

  11 June 1996

  106,090

  Arts Council of England

  Ellington Colliery Band

  Purchase of new instruments and equipment.

  16 July 1997

  54,478

  National Lottery Charities Board

  Spital Estate Community Association Ltd.

  A community training centre for the use of all community members on the estate

  11 June 1996

  47,915

  National Lottery Charities Board

  General Access Northumberland Group (G A N G)

  To improve access for disabled people to the built environment

  17 December 1996

  39,564

  384
  grant aid since the commencement of the National Lottery (a) in total, (b) by region and (c) in the Wansbeck constituency. [16168]

  Mr. Banks
  To date the National Lottery distributing bodies have announced awards worth £4.49 billion to over 30,000 projects throughout the UK. Table 1 below provides a breakdown by country and English region. Wansbeck has received awards worth over £1 million covering 31 projects; these are detailed in Table 2.

  Information on all Lottery awards is now available on the Department's website www.lottery.culture.eov.uk.

  Table 1: Breakdown of awards announced by value

  Total £

  As percentage of total awards

  England

  London (Local)1

  368,519,487

  8.2

  London (National)1

  622,407,546

  13.9

  North West

  376,894,368

  8.4

  North East

  232,927,750

  5.2

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  283,570,947

  6.3

  Eastern

  224,875,804

  5.0

  East Midlands

  183,698,156

  4.1

  West Midlands

  314,142,340

  7.0

  South West

  304,968,472

  6.8

  South East

  330,806,176

  7.4

  Merseyside

  91,801,641

  2.0

  England wide

  9,938,161

  0.2

  Total

  3,344,550,848

  74.5

  Scotland

  446,629,736

  9.9

  Wales

  214,094,982

  4.8

  Northern Ireland

  132,105,934

  2.9

  Total

  4,137,381,500

  UK wide

  329,499,704

  7.3

  Overseas

  24,600,000

  0.5

  Grand total

  4,491,481,204

  100.0

  1 Awards to bodies based in London include many to institutions that are of national importance and are of benefit to the country as a whole. These are therefore separated from local awards in London.

  385

  Table 2: Awards announced in the Wansbeck constituency

  Distributing body

  Recipient

  Project title description

  Award date

  Award amount (£)

  Arts Council of England

  Wansbeck's Ashington Colliery Band

  To purchase instruments

  11 December 1996

  38,026

  Arts Council of England

  Pegswood Brass Band

  To purchase instruments.

  21 January 1997

  34,195

  National Lottery Charities Board

  Womens Health Advice Centre

  To increase hours worked by womens health advice centre co-ordinator

  23 October 1995

  25,013

  National Lottery Charities Board

  Northumberland Federation of YMCAs

  To enable vital work to continue within a deprived community

  23 October 1995

  25,000

  National Lottery Charities Board

  Contact Morpeth Mental Health Group

  To purchase a caravan to use a permanent respite holiday facility for people with mental health problems and their carers

  17 December 1996

  22,620

  English sports Council

  Northumberland CC

  To upgrade the sports hall at Hirst High School, Ashington and to provide a district centre of excellence for cricket

  6 June 1995

  13,400

  English Sports Council

  Cambois Amateur Rowing Club

  Purchase of rowing equipment

  11 September 1997

  13,194

  National Lottery Charities Board

  Abuse Counselling and Training

  Provides office and travel costs for the expansion of a counselling service for abused young people

  11 June 1996

  10,000

  Heritage Lottery Fund

  Castle Morpeth Borough Council

  Morpeth, Carlisle Park, feasibility study

  12 December 1996

  9,000

  National Lottery Charities Board

  Access to the Working Countryside

  Providing access to the working countryside of North East England

  23 October 1995

  7,250

  National Lottery Charities Board

  Welfare Crescent Residents Association

  To improve living conditions/community facilities for local tenants

  23 October 1995

  6,000

  Arts Council of England

  Num Northumberland Area

  Miners picnic-Northumberland Coalfield visual art project

  19 March 1997

  5,000

  Arts Council of England

  Bothal Church Development Group

  Bothal church arts project

  11 June 1997

  5,000

  Arts Council of England

  Wansbeck Youth Concert Band

  In tune with youth

  11 June 1997

  5,000

  National Lottery Charities Board

  B. Ware (Blyth Women are …)

  To support women who are lone parents, on low income and victims of abuse

  1 July 1997

  4,992

  National Lottery Charities Board

  Cambois Camera Club

  To establish a club in a premises also used as a day centre for older people from Blyth as part of Age Concern

  13 May 1997

  4,879

  National Lottery Charities Board

  Castle Morpeth Mediation

  To provide a dispute resolution service led by victim support

  1 July 1997

  4,800

  Arts Council of England

  Quadro Ariano

  Quadro Adriano: ome and away

  11 June 1997

  4,790

  Arts Council of England

  Trinity Youth Association

  Schools out (summer programme)

  11 June 1997

  4,680

  National Lottery Charities Board

  Bedlingtonshire Community High School P.T.A.

  To provide equipment for the Duke of Edinburgh scheme

  1 July 1997

  3,629

  National Lottery Charities Board

  Northumberland Hospital Radio

  To provide a training resource for volunteers

  13 May 1997

  2,763

  Arts Council of England

  The Mid-Northumberland Chorus

  Chorus development project

  11 June 1997

  2,000

  Arts Council of England

  Blyth Town band

  Blyth Town band residential training weekend

  11 June 1997 31 awards

  1,264

  Total

  31 awards

  1,017,243

  Tourism
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to introduce a Tourism Development White Paper; and if he will make a statement. [16570]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  We are working closely with the tourism industry and we shall be discussing with the newly revitalised Tourism Forum on 26 November our ideas for developing tourism.
  386

  Heritage Lottery Fund
  Mr. Rhodri Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is the level of grant allocated to date by the Heritage Lottery Fund to(a) England, (b) Wales and (c) Scotland expressed as a percentage of population; what is the value of grants applied for, but not yet determined, as a percentage of the population in each country; and how many applications remain undetermined in each country more than 12 months after submission. [16580]
  387
  Mr. Banks
  [holding answer 18 November 1997]: As at 17 November 1997 the value of awards made by the Heritage Lottery Fund for projects in England, Wales and Scotland was as follows:

  £

  England

  630,937,408

  Wales

  19,575,315

  Scotland

  95,233,358

  Taking into account the value of awards for projects in Northern Ireland, the above figures represent, respectively, 83 per cent., 3 per cent. and 13 per cent. of the total value of awards made by the HLF.

  The populations of England, Wales and Scotland and their percentage—proportion of the total United Kingdom population, were estimated1 in 1996 as:

  Population

  Per cent.

  England

  49,089,085

  83

  Wales

  2,921,075

  5

  Scotland

  5,128,000

  9

  1Source: Office for National Statistics.

  The value of grants applied for, but not yet determined, in respect of each of the three countries is not readily available. However, the figure for the United Kingdom, as at 17 November 1997, was £839,882,885.

  The number of applications which remain undetermined more than 12 months after submission in respect of the three countries is likewise not readily available. However, the figure for the United Kingdom was 154 as at 17 November 1997.

  Visitor Numbers
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the impact on visitor numbers to the United Kingdom from(a) within and (b) outside the EU, of the introduction of a single currency not including the United Kingdom. [16792]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  Many factors influence the numbers of visitors to the UK, and it is difficult to quantify the effect of each factor. Anything which eases the movement of people is generally seen by the industry to be positive. The travel and tourism industry is represented on the Business Advisory Group established by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to consider the practical implications of the single currency for businesses, whether or not the United Kingdom joins. A report summarising the Advisory Group's work will be published early in 1998.

  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many visitors to the United Kingdom were from(a) the Far East, (b) the EU and (c) the USA in each of the last two years; and if he will make a statement on trends in visitor numbers. [16790]
  388
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  In 1995 and 1996, the number of visits made to the UK by residents of the Far East, the EU and the USA was as follows (in millions of visits):

  Million

  1995

  1996

  Far East

  1.7

  1.6

  EU

  13.9

  15.5

  USA

  3.1

  3.1

CABINET OFFICE

  Millennium Experience
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will ban smoking(a) within the Millennium Dome and (b) on the Millennium Experience site. [16449]

  Mr. Mandelson
  In developing their policy within the Dome and its environs the New Millennium Experience Company (the operating company for the Experience at Greenwich) will take fully into account relevant central and local government policies and all statutory requirements and best practice concerning health and fire safety.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio what arrangements have been made for the involvement of church, charitable and other non-commercial organisations in the Millennium Exhibition in Greenwich. [16408]

  Mr. Mandelson
  The New Millennium Experience Company is planning to focus on spiritual renewal as one of the themes of the Millennium Experience. This will, among other things, look at the major role Christianity has played in shaping this country and the rest of the world over the past 2000 years. It will also reflect the multi-faith nature of modern British society. To this end, the Company is liaising closely with the Churches and Other Faiths Sub-group of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport's Millennium Co-ordination Group.

  The Company is also in discussion with not-for-profit organisations, charities, interest groups and local authorities across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and with the Lottery Distributor bodies. The aim of this ongoing consultation process is to enable as many people as possible to contribute to the development of the NMEC's national programme and to maximise participation in it. The national programme, will be an integral part of the Millennium Experience, and will reflect the central Experience theme that
  "It's time to make a difference".

  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will make a statement on his meeting with the French Minister for European Affairs on 16 September. [16976]

  Mr. Mandelson
  We discussed a number of matters of mutual interest including the Luxembourg Jobs summit.
  389

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  E-mail
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster pursuant to his Answer of 10 November 1997,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. [15864]

  Dr. David Clark
  [holding answer 13 November 1997]: The list of e-mail addresses requested is as follows:

  Dr. Clark: (Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster)

  dclark@ccta.gov.uk

  Mr. Kilfoyle: (Parliamentary Secretary):

  pkilfoyle@ccta.gov.uk

  The Committee on Standards in Public Life:

  http://www.open.gov.uk\cspl\csplhome.htm

  Better Government:

  bettergov@gtnet.gov.uk

  Better Regulation:

  better.regulation@gtnet.gov.uk

  Central Information and Technology Unit:

  acarty@citu.gov.uk

  lwatson@citu.gov.uk

  cmuid@citu.gov.uk

  clefevre@citu.gov.uk

  mgladwyn@citu.gov.uk

  cholmes@citu.gov.uk

  Citizen's Charter Unit:

  charter@gtnet.gov.uk

  Civil Service Employer Group:

  opssecretariat@gtnet.gov.uk

  Fast stream and European Staffing Division:

  fsed.recruit.co@gtnet.gov.uk

  Development and Equal Opportunities Division:

  deod.ops@gtnet.gov.uk

  Office of the Civil Service Commissioners:

  ocsc@gtnet.gov.uk

  Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments:

  wwwhttp://ww.open.gov.uk/ocpa

  Management and Conditions of Service Division:

  jstrach.co.hgr@gtnet.gov.uk

  International Public Service Unit:

  ipsu.co@gtnet.gov.uk

  Efficiency and Effectiveness Group:

  efficiency.unit@gtnet.gov.uk

  Machinery of Government and Standards Group:

  open.co.wh@gtnet.gov.uk

  AGENCIES

  Civil Service College:

  hickey@cscollege.attmail.com

  Property Advisers to the Civil Estate:

  jcisc@property.gov.uk

  Security Facilities Executive:

  safe@ndirect.com

  The Buying Agency:

  Stephen.sage@ tba.gov.uk

  390

  Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency:

  rassirati@ccta.gov.uk

  Government Car and Despatch Agency:

  gcda@compuserve.com

  Central Office of Information

  COI are currently in the final stages of implementing e-mail. They hope to be on-line by the end of this month. The Chief Executive's e-mail address will then be: tdouglas@coi.gov.uk.

  The Minister without Portfolio, Mr. Mandelson and the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Mountfield do not have an e-mail address at the present time but the Department is giving consideration to their introduction.

  Web Sites
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if it is Government policy that all Government departments should have web sites on the World Wide Web and that they should make their site addresses well known. [17442]

  Dr. David Clark
  Whilst this is a matter for individual Departments to decide whether to establish and publish web sites on the World Wide Web, I am pleased to inform the hon. Member that all the major Departments of State do indeed already have public web sites.

  They form part of the nearly 600 public sector organisations that are accessible on World Wide Web via the Government Information Service run by CCTA (an Agency of my Department) through its web address http://www.open.gov.uk/. The service is accessed by users between 1.5 and 3 million times a week.

DEFENCE

  Departmental Information
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the internal departmental guidance on the dissemination of information; and if he will make a statement. [16314]

  Mr. Spellar
  I am placing my Department's guidance notes on answering Parliamentary Questions, Parliamentary Inquiries and letters from members of the public, together with the Departmental instructions on the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information in the Library of the House. The guidance on the Code of Practice can also be found on my Department's Internet site at http://www/mod.uk/pol_docs/dci1997.htm.

  Defence Evaluation and Research Agency
  Sir Michael Spicer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if consideration has been given to the development of science parks close to DERA sites in the Strategic Defence Review. [16670]

  Dr. Reid
  Yes.

  Sir Michael Spicer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the criteria by which DERA is to be assessed as part of the Strategic Defence Review. [16668]
  391
  Dr. Reid
  The Strategic Defence Review includes a rigorous scrutiny of Departmental assets to ensure best value for money. This includes an examination of Agencies, and options for the future of DERA are being considered as part of this process. Options will be assessed on the basis of value for money and on how best to meet the Department's requirements for access to a wide range of technology.

  Sir Michael Spicer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if the location of DERA sites will be considered as part of the Strategic Defence Review; [16669]

  (2) if the impact of DERA sites on locally-based high technology industries will be taken into account in the Strategic Defence Review. [16667]

  Dr. Reid
  Work on options for the future of DERA is concerned primarily with the overall role and organisation of the Agency rather than the location of particular sites. The relationship between DERA and high-technology industries will be an important consideration in this work, although not confined to particular geographical locations.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many public appointments he has made since 1 May; and how many and what percentage of these(a) receive remuneration and (b) are of (i) Afro-Caribbean and (ii) Asian origin. [16776]

  Mr. Spellar
  MOD has made 32 public appointments to its Non Departmental Public Bodies since 1 May 1997 of which 22, or 69 per cent. receive remuneration. In all but one case, the remuneration involved is a payment of £200–£250 a day for those days on which the Committee, the Defence Scientific Advisory Council meets. The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster is responding to part(b) of your question of behalf of all Departments.

  Cadet Forces
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what financial contribution his Department has made to the(a) Army, (b) Sea and (c) Air cadets for each of the last five financial years; what is the figure for the current year; what is the projected figure for the next financial year; and if he will make a statement. [16928]

  Dr. Reid
  The Ministry of Defence's financial contribution in support of Army, Sea and Air cadets during each of the last five financial years is shown below. Also shown, although not specifically requested, is similar detail in respect of the Combined Cadet Force (CCF). Figures given are in £ million.

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  Army Cadets(ACF)

  n/a

  20.9

  22.2

  23.4

  28.0

  Sea Cadets(SCC)

  5.6

  5.3

  5.6

  5.7

  6.2

  Air Cadets(ATC)

  16.1

  17.6

  18.3

  19.8

  17.5

  CCF

  n/a

  6.1

  6.6

  6.2

  5.8

  392
  Expenditure in current year: Forecast expenditure in Financial Year 1997–98 (£) is:

  £ million

  (a) ACF

  25.7

  (b) SCC

  6.3

  (c) ATC

  17.0

  (d) CCF

  6.4

  Projected funding for next financial year: The allocation of funds for the next financial year will be determined as part of the MOD's long term costing, which is the process by which the Department recosts and adjusts its internal plans. The Department's internal plans represent projections and assumptions, which inform advice to Ministers on the affordability of particular elements of the defence programme and it has been the policy of successive Governments not to publish detailed information arising from this. Accordingly, I am withholding the information requested in the third part of the question which constitutes internal discussion and advice, under exemption 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government information.

  Minister's Statement In February 1997, when in opposition, I addressed the Royal United Services Institute. When considering the question of re-fostering links between military and civilian society I made the following comments in respect of cadet forces:"… cadet forces are, in my view, perhaps the most under-utilised of all in reaching their true potential of civil utility, particularly in offering opportunities for self-development, initiative, character building and leadership qualities among our young people, many of whom are forced by circumstances into blind alleys".

  Whilst it would be inappropriate to comment upon future funding levels whilst the Strategic Defence Review work progresses, I can confirm that the Government's commitment to cadet forces, as a major national youth organisation, remains undiminished. Their value both to the civilian community and to our Regular and Reserve Forces is acknowledged, and they will receive our continued support.

  Officers (Education)
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many officers in each of the Armed Forces were educated in(a) state and (b) private schools. [17138]

  Dr. Reid
  The breakdown of the educational background of all presently serving officers in the Armed Forces is not readily available. However, figures are available regarding the educational background of those more recently joining the Armed Forces for direct entry officer training. The latest figures from the three officer training establishments show that 80 per cent. of those joining Britannia Royal Navy College in Dartmouth, 45 per cent. of those entering the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, and 82 per cent. of those entering RAF Cranwell come from State schools.

  RAF Menwith Hill
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what period was specified under the 21-year agreement reached in 1976 between the Government and US Forces in respect of RAF Menwith Hill to take account of
  393
  circumstances where the Government wished to terminate the US use of the base; and what period of notice now applies. [16990]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 20 November 1997]: No period of notice was specified. The arrangements were to facilitate the commitment of US funding and did not constitute any form of lease. As with all sites that are made available to the United States Visiting Forces, termination of occupation would be a matter for the Governments of the United Kingdom and United States under arrangements that exist for our mutual defence.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 17 July 1997,Official Report, column 324, what is the present status of the US Forces occupying RAF Menwith Hill following the expiry of the 21-year agreement. [16989]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 20 November 1997]: RAF Menwith Hill continues to be made available to the United States Visiting Forces on the same basis as other RAF sites in the United Kingdom.

  Service Women
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consultations he had with the Minister for Women before deciding to allow women on to the front lines. [17166]

  Dr. Reid
  Appropriate discussions took place at Ministerial level before my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence announced, on 27 October 1997, the Government's decision to expand opportunities for women serving in the Army.

  Amsterdam Treaty
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in respect of which sections of the Treaty of Amsterdam his Department contributed to the drafting. [17015]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 20 November 1997]: The United Kingdom's position on the draft Treaty of Amsterdam was reached after consultation between relevant Government Departments.

  Fox Hunting
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 18 November 1997,Official Report, column 154, what changes in his policy on fox hunting have been made since June; and what guidance his Department has issued on this subject since that date. [17344]

  Mr. Spellar
  There has been no change in my Department's policy on foxhunting since June. On a matter of detail, following the announcement on 8 August 1997 by the Masters of Foxhounds Association that the practice of digging out foxes once they have gone to ground will in future only take place at the request of the landowner or occupier, my Department has made it known to all hunts which have a licence to operate on the Defence Estate that the Ministry of Defence, as landowner, will not request or allow digging out on the Defence Estate.
  394

  Officer Training Corps
  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the membership of the Officer Training Corps in each institution in which it operates; [13757]

  (2) what percentage of members of the Officer Training Corps subsequently join the regular forces. [13756]

  Dr. Reid
  [pursuant to his answers, 5 November 1997, Official Report, col. 254]: The figures for OTC establishments given include not only the authorised numbers of Officer Cadets, but also a number of instructor and support staff. The number of Officer Cadets for which each Officer Training Corps is established is shown in the following table, together with the total establishment which was given in my earlier reply:

  Total establishment

  Officer cadets

  Aberdeen

  168

  140

  Belfast

  168

  140

  Birmingham

  168

  140

  Bristol

  168

  140

  Cambridge

  224

  198

  East Midlands

  168

  140

  Edinburgh

  168

  140

  Exeter

  168

  140

  Glasgow

  168

  140

  Leeds

  168

  140

  Liverpool

  168

  140

  London

  364

  322

  Manchester

  168

  140

  Northumbria

  168

  140

  Oxford

  224

  198

  Sheffield

  168

  140

  Southampton

  168

  140

  Tayforth

  168

  140

  Wales

  168

  140

  This means that the 260 members of the OTC commissioned into the Regular Forces in academic year 1995–96 represent nearly 9 per cent. of the Officer Cadet establishment, not 7.5 per cent. as I said in my separate answer of 5 November 1997.

  Land (Military Training)
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received from land owners whose land was formerly used for military training; and if he will estimate the amount of private land on which military training has been discontinued in the last year. [17345]

  Mr. Spellar
  My Department has received a number of representations from landowners who have on occasions allowed access to their land for training purposes. With the exception of a few landowners in Wales, I am not aware of any action by landowners to withdraw permission for military training.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Official Hospitality
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his estimate of the expenditure by(a) his Department, (b) its agencies

  395
  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. [15214]

  Mr. Fatchett
  [holding answer 11 November 1997]: Expenditure on official hospitality by this Department is shown in the following table:

  Year

  FCO £000

  Agencies £

  NDPB'S £000

  1980–81

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1987–88

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1990–91

  1—

  1—

  862

  1991–92

  5,688

  1—

  969

  1992–93

  1—

  1—

  967

  1993–94

  7,476

  1—

  958

  1994–95

  7,660

  455

  1,038

  1995–96

  9,282

  786

  1,091

  1996–97

  9,538

  687

  1,073

  1997–98 May-September

  4,083

  335

  423

  1 Figures unavailable.

  Overseas Travel
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his estimate of 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. [15215]

  Mr. Fatchett
  [holding answer 11 November 1997]: Details of expenditure by this Department (Diplomatic Wing) on official duty travel overseas by officers serving in the United Kingdom is shown below. Expenditure for air fares is not separately identifiable.

  Year

  £ million

  1980–81

  No details retained

  1987–88

  4.7

  1990–91

  5.6

  1991–92

  5.6

  1992–93

  8.3

  1993–94

  6.7

  1994–95

  6.8

  1995–96

  7.9

  1996–97

  8.4

  1997 1 May-30 September

  2.9

  Publicity and Advertising
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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. [15217]
  396
  Mr. Fatchett
  [holding answer 11 November 1997]: Total expenditure on advertising and publicity in this Department for the last five financial years is as follows:

  £

  1993–94

  458,000

  1994–95

  243,000

  1995–96

  573,000

  1996–97

  365,349

  1997 (to date)

  148,758

  The full year estimate for 1997–98 is: £436,774.

  The planned expenditure for 1998–99 is: £525,703.

  Total expenditure on advertising and publicity for Wilton Park Executive Agency for the last five financial years is as follows:

  £

  1993–94

  22,000

  1994–95

  20,000

  1995–96

  15,000

  1996–97

  21,000

  1997 (to date)

  8,000

  The full year estimate for 1997–98 is: £28,000.

  The planned expenditure for 1998–99 is: £30,000.

  Quota-hopping
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the draft protocol on quota-hopping, put forward at the Amsterdam summit. [16925]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The draft protocol put forward by the previous administration was not supported by any other Member State.

  Schengen Agreement
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his answers of 17 July 1997,Official Report, column 252 and 6 June 1997, Official Report, column 283, when he will reach a conclusion as to which documents of The Schengen Acquis will be placed in the Library; and when the Schengen Secretariat will complete its review of the classification of these documents. [16968]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The main Schengen Treaties are already in the Libraries of the House. Work under way within Schengen on the definition of the rest of the acquis is expected to be completed very soon.

  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Spanish amendment on voting arrangements on asylum and border controls put forward at the Amsterdam summit. [16913]
  397
  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The Spanish amendment on voting arrangements submitted at the Amsterdam summit is contained in Article 4 of the Schengen Protocols and states that the unanimous agreement of the Schengen States would be necessary for the UK or Ireland to participate in aspects of the Schengen Acquis.

  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the proposed Schengen-related agreement between the United Kingdom, Ireland, Iceland and Norway. [17080]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  In accordance with Declaration 47, adopted by the Inter-governmental Conference at Amsterdam, the Council is currently considering how to give effect to the requirement in Article 6 of the Schengen Protocol that an agreement should be concluded with Norway and Iceland for the establishment of rights and obligations between Ireland and the UK on the one hand and Iceland and Norway on the other in the domains of the Schengen acquis which apply to these States. No decisions have yet been taken on whether any part of the Schengen acquis should apply to the UK in accordance with the Protocol.

  Gibraltar
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he proposes to make with regard to(a) military and (b) civilian aircraft landing rights in Gibraltar. [16969]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  None. British military and civilian aircraft have no problems with landing rights at Gibraltar airport, which is owned by the Ministry of Defence and managed by the Royal Air Force.

  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what will be the impact of the proposals contained in the Amsterdam Treaty on the use of Gibralter's operational facilities during WEU operations by(a) Spain and (b) other WEU members. [17076]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  None.

  Qualified Majority Voting
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the policy areas in which he is opposed to an extension of qualified majority voting in principle. [16914]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  We are committed to retaining the national veto over key matters of national interest, such as taxation, defence and security, immigration, decisions over the budget and Treaty changes. These issues were settled for the foreseeable future at the Amsterdam European Council.

  Organisation of African Unity
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support the European Union proposes to give to the Conflict Prevention Unit of the Organisation of African Unity. [16983]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The European Union (EU) is giving 860,000 ecu (about £635,000) to the Conflict Prevention Unit of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) to improve communication links between its 398
  national and regional offices and its teams in the field. The EU is also actively considering further possible practical assistance.

  El Salvador
  Mr. Fitzpatrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on relations with El Salvador. [16869]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Relations with El Salvador are friendly. We welcome the near completion of the implementation of the 1992 Peace Accords which have restored peace and democracy to that country. We are involved in a political dialogue with El Salvador through the San Jose process which began in November 1985. The next Ministerial meeting of the EU/San Jose dialogue will take place during our Presidency in Costa Rica next February. Our trade relationship is also developing with our exports up by 7.7 per cent. We are currently negotiating an Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement with El Salvador and Air Services talks took place on 20 and 21 November to discuss ways of improving air services between our two countries.

  Nuclear Weapons
  Mr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his policy on the United Nations Resolution Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice on the legality of the threat or use of nuclear weapons. [16924]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We voted against the Resolution tabled in the United Nations First Committee by Malaysia about the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice on the legality of the Threat or Use of Nuclear Weapons, because of its selective quotation of the Advisory Opinion and its unrealistic call for time-bound multilateral negotiations.

  We remain committed to the goal of nuclear disarmament and continue to hold the International Court of Justice in high regard. We have said that we will press for multilateral negotiations towards mutual, balanced and verifiable reductions in nuclear weapons and, when satisfied with progress, will ensure that British nuclear weapons are included in multilateral negotiations.

  Congo
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations on the military intervention by Angola in Congo Brazzaville in the UN Security Council. [17154]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  On 17 October, the United Nations Security Council issued a statement condemning all external interference in the Republic of Congo and, in particular, the intervention of foreign forces in violation of the Charter of the United Nations, and calling for the immediate withdrawal of all foreign forces including mercenaries. The UK fully supports this statement.

  Ottawa Treaty
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects Her Majesty's Government will ratify the Ottawa Treaty. [17050]
  399
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We look forward to signing the Ottawa Convention on 3 December and will ratify it as soon as the necessary legislation is in place.

  Amsterdam Treaty
  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will define the term rights and obligations of natural and legal persons in Article 309 of the Treaty establishing the European Community as amended by the Amsterdam Treaty; which European institution will be responsible for interpreting this provision; and if he will make a statement. [17221]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The reference to"rights and obligations of natural and legal persons"
  in this Article refers to their rights and obligations under Community law. The Council will, in the first instance, be responsible for interpreting this provision. It is also subject to the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice.

  Electronic Communications
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the role of(a) the Home Department and (b) the Ministry of Defence on the discussions on COM(97)503 and a common European encryption procedure on electronic communication. [17266]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  Electronic communications are regularly discussed between interested Departments, including my Department and the Home Office. Both Departments were directly involved in consideration of the UK's response to COM(97)503, but the Ministry of Defence was not.

  Africa (Great Lakes Region)
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what new measures he will propose to the EU to deal with the situation in the Great Lakes region of Africa. [17151]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  During our presidency we will seek to ensure co-ordinated EU action in support of stability and economic development in the region, which takes account of humanitarian concerns, human rights issues and the need for improved and more accountable government. We will support the efforts of the EU Special Envoy for the Great Lakes, Aldo Ajello, to promote dialogue and the negotiated resolution of conflict in the region.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will propose the convening by the UN Secretary General of a conference on the problem of displaced people in the Great Lakes region. [17152]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We support the principle of convening, as soon as conditions allow it to produce concrete results, a conference under UN and OAU auspices to address issues of peace, stability and development in the Great Lakes region. We will consult closely with regional states, partners in the EU and at the UN on the practicalities of arranging such a conference.
  400

  Intelligence and Security Committee (Drug Trafficking)
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will submit his plans for the redirecting of intelligence resources towards combating the drugs trade to the Intelligence and Security Committee with an estimate of the time required(a) for that redirection and (b) to undo that redirection. [17021]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  It is for the Intelligence and Security Committee to request information on intelligence issues which it wishes to consider.

  Economic and Monetary Union
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if joining the single currency will be considered acquis communautaire for applicant countries to the European Union. [17222]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Acceptance of the Community aim of economic and monetary union will be part of the acquis communautaire for applicant countries. The Treaty imposes an obligation to join the Single Currency on Member States considered, in compliance with Articles 109j and k, to fulfil the necessary conditions. However this obligation does not apply to Member States which, like the UK and Denmark, have negotiated special provisions. Applicant countries will have to decide whether to seek to negotiate special provisions in their treaties of accession.

  War Crimes
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the definition of war crimes to be used in the draft statute of the International Criminal Court. [16059]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The definition of war crimes to be used in the draft statute of the International Criminal Court will be on the agenda for the next Preparatory Committee meeting in December. The United Kingdom will be an active participant in that discussion.

  Intergovernmental Conference
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government on the timing of a new intergovernmental conference. [17084]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  We see no need for a further intergovernmental conference (IGC) in the near future. Under the Protocol on the Institutions in the Treaty of Amsterdam, an IGC will be called to review the institutional provisions of the Treaties before the Union enlarges to 21 or more Member States.

  European Union (Co-operation)
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the co-operation envisaged by Article 127 of the treaty establishing the European Community will be restricted to that laid out in Article 129. [17287]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Article 127 (in the Amsterdam Treaty as Article 109p) gives the Community a general role of supporting and, if necessary, complementing
  401
  co-operation that is occurring or may occur at Member State level, while respecting the competences of the Member States. The only specific power given to the Community for this purpose is that in Article 129 (or Article 109r) to adopt incentive measures to encourage and support co-operation.

  European Union (Enlargement)
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government on European Union applicant countries and the desirability of expansion of the Western European Union. [17290]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Enlargement of the European Union is a priority for us. It will fulfil Europe's historic destiny and will enhance security and stability. Enlargement must remain an all-inclusive process.

  We broadly agree with the European Commission's recommendations on the applicants' readiness for membership based on the criteria laid down by the Copenhagen and Madrid European Councils of June 1993 and December 1995 respectively. Generally speaking, these criteria require the new Member States to be able to take on the obligations of membership. Membership of the Western European Union is not such an obligation.

  The criteria agreed by WEU Member States at Maastricht in 1991 established the eligibility of countries for different categories of WEU membership as and when they assume membership of NATO, the EU or both. The UK will welcome applications for these respective categories from new NATO and EU Members States should they choose to apply.

  Computers (Century Date Change)
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultation he has held with representatives of(a) other governments and (b) international bodies over computer millennium compliance. [17074]

  Mr. Fatchett
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has had no consultations with other governments or international bodies on computer millennium compliance. Officials continue to discuss this issue in appropriate contacts with other governments.

  European Union (International Agreements)
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Treaty of Amsterdam allows for the European Union to withdraw from international treaties and agreements. [17077]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The Treaty of Amsterdam allows the Council, acting unanimously, to conclude international agreements under certain circumstances in the areas of the Common Foreign and Security Policy and Police and Judicial Co-operation in Criminal Matters. Implicitly, any decision subsequently to withdraw from such an agreement would similarly be taken by the Council acting unanimously. It would also be subject to the relevant rules of international law.
  402

  Euro-Mediterranean Process
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Barcelona Euro-Mediterranean Process. [17083]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The United Kingdom is committed to the Euro-Mediterranean Process, which provides for economic, political and social co-operation with the 12 Mediterranean partners. We support progress towards a Euro-Mediterranean Free Trade Area by 2010: the new wave of Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreements are the first step towards this goal. The Euro-Med partnership will be an important part of our EU Presidency: we hope to host a Euro-Med Capital Markets Conference in London in March, and a seminar on the human dimension of the partnership in May. We are discussing with EU partners the idea of holding a meeting of Foreign Ministers to give impetus to the relationship.

  Amsterdam Treaty (Foreign Policy)
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, if the European Union decided to refrain from taking any military action against Iraq, with the United Kingdom abstaining from that decision under Article 1 (10) (J.13) of the Amsterdam Treaty, the United Kingdom would be prevented by the provisions of that treaty from committing United Kingdom forces or otherwise acting in support of any military action taken against Iraq by the United States of America. [17256]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The European Union does not take military action. The hypothetical scenario in the hon. Member's question could therefore not arise.

  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in relation to Article 1 (10) (J.13) of the Treaty of Amsterdam, whether, if a member state voted for the adoption of a foreign policy stance, requiring unanimity, but voted against a particular implementation of that policy requiring qualified majority voting, that member state would be precluded from taking unilateral action in a way contrary to the implementation agreed by qualified majority voting. [17258]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Member States are bound by implementing decisions taken in accordance with Article J. 13.2. If a Member State has difficulties with a proposed implementing decision, such that it would contemplate taking unilateral contrary action, it can prevent the adoption of the decision by invoking the "emergency brake" provisions in Article J.13.2 second paragraph.

  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in relation to Article 1 (10) (J.13) of the Treaty of Amsterdam, whether, if a member state abstained from a decision and the European Union apart from that state adopted a foreign policy and acted upon it, the abstaining member state is prevented from taking unilateral action in relation to that foreign policy. [17257]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  A Member State which abstains from a CFSP decision requiring unanimity is not prevented from taking unilateral action in relation to the policy concerned. But it is required to refrain from any action likely to conflict with or impede Union action
  403
  based on that decision. Any Member State can block rather than abstain from a CFSP decision likely to conflict with its interests.

  Fontainebleau Rebate
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he is making at European Union level regarding the Fontainebleau rebate. [17082]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The United Kingdom rebate is enshrined in the Own Resources Decision, which can be changed only with the agreement of the UK Government and following ratification by the UK Parliament. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer and I have repeatedly made it clear to our Community partners that we shall not agree any change to the rebate which results in a system less advantageous to the United Kingdom than the current arrangement. The rebate will remain fully justified given the size of our net contribution in relation to our relative prosperity.

  Amsterdam Treaty (Social Charter)
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made 404
  of the legal effect of the references in the preamble to the new Article 117 set out in Article 2 (22) of the Treaty of Amsterdam to the European Social Charter of 18 October 1961 and the 1989 Community Charter of the Fundamental Social Rights of Workers. [17226]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  These references indicate a political attachment to the rights identified in the Charters, the provisions of which will not become justiciable before the European Court of Justice.

  European Union (Common Concern Principle)
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if repeated rejection of recommendations made under Article 128 of the treaty establishing the European Community will be judged to be a breach of the common concern principle; and if he will make a statement. [17289]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Recommendations adopted under Article 128 (old Article 109q) of the Treaty establishing the European Community as amended by the Treaty of Amsterdam will have no binding force, and thus create no binding obligations on Member States. We fully endorse the principles set out in Article 125 (old Article 109n) which encourage the promotion of"a skilled, trained and adaptable workforce and labour markets responsive to economic change".
  405

PRIME MINISTER

  Political Donations
  Sir Brian Mawhinney
  To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to his oral Answers of 12 November 1997,Official Report, columns 898–99, if he will list the names of those with whom he or his advisers have had meetings or discussions in No. 10 Downing Street on policy matters since 2 May who have also made donations or loans to the Labour Party of £5,000 or more in the past 12 months. [16727]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 19 November 1997]: No. When individuals or groups meet me or my advisers on Government policy, they are not asked whether they have provided funding to the Labour Party or any other party.

  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will extend the remit of Sir Patrick Neill's Committee to include the identifying of all those individuals and companies who have donated money to political parties in the years 1992 to 1997 inclusive, indicating the sums they donated. [16366]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 17 November 1997]: I have proposed that all Parties disclose to the Neill Committee—on a confidential basis—the names of donors and the amounts over £5,000 donated since 1992, so that the Committee can properly assess the current state of affairs of party funding and see how the system had been working in practice. The leader of the Liberal Democrats has agreed to this. I have urged the hon. and learned Gentlemen's party to do the same.

  Tobacco Sponsorship
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to his oral Answer of 12 November 1997,Official Report, column 898, when he first learned of the £1 million donation from Mr. Ecclestone. [16755]

  The Prime Minister
  Before I became Prime Minister.

  Planning Policy (Supermarkets)
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Prime Minister what recent representations he has received regarding planning policy towards supermarkets. [16876]

  The Prime Minister
  I have received a variety of representations concerning planning policy. Our policy was set out in our Response to the Fourth Report of the Environment Select Commmittee on Shopping Centres. Our Response reaffirmed the policy set out in Policy guidance Note 6 (PPG6). This seeks to focus development, especially retail development, within existing town centres.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Environment, Transport and the Regions regarding planning policy towards supermarkets. [16877]

  The Prime Minister
  Along with other Ministerial colleagues, I was consulted on the Government's406
  Response to the Fourth Report of the Environment Select Committee on Shopping Centres (Cmnd 3729). This Response reaffirmed the policy set out in Planning Policy Guidance Note 6 (PPG6), which seeks to focus development, especially retail development, within existing town centres.

  Lord Sainsbury
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Prime Minister when he last met Lord Sainsbury in an official capacity; and what subjects were discussed. [16897]

  The Prime Minister
  I have not met Lord Sainsbury in an official capacity.

  Iraq
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to his oral answer of 19 November,Official Report, column 323 in what circumstances the United Kingdom would consult (a) France, (b) Russia, (c) China and (d) Arab states prior to endorsing military action by (i) the United Kingdom and (ii) the USA against Iraq. [17439]

  The Prime Minister
  Since the crisis with Iraq began, we have maintained close contact with the US, France, Russia, and China as permanent members of the Security Council, and a number of Arab states in our efforts to seek a diplomatic solution.

  It is not sensible to speculate on the circumstances in which military action would be appropriate.

  We are pleased that the solidarity of the Security Council has forced the Iraqi regime to resume full co-operation with UNSCOM United Nations Special Commission) without the need to resort to military action.

  Departmental Reviews
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) which Minister is responsible for co-ordinating the work and outputs of(a) the Treasury's departmental spending reviews of current public expenditure and tax and benefits, (b) the Department of Social Security's review of the future of the welfare state, (c) the benefit-by-benefit review, (d) the benefits integrity programme and (e) the review of pensions; [17035]

  (2) what are the anticipated time scales for (a) the Department of Social Security's review of the future of the welfare state, (b) the DSS benefit by benefit review, (c) the benefits integrity programme and (d) the Treasury's review of tax and benefits; and how and when the findings of each review will be reported to the House. [17038]

  The Prime Minister
  My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer is Chairman of the ministerial
  407
  committee on public expenditure which is overseeing the Comprehensive Spending Review announced by my right hon. Friend, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 11 June. It includes departmental and cross-departmental reviews and is expected to take about a year to complete.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security is conducting a wide-ranging review of the Social Security system within the framework of the Comprehensive Spending Programme. As a first step in the review, my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Social Security and the Minister for Welfare Reform expect to publish a Green Paper on the framework for welfare reform around the turn of the year.

  The Benefit Integrity Project, checking the correctness of Disability Living Allowance payments by means of postal inquiries and visits, is due to be completed by 31 March 1999.

  The review of tax and benefits, headed by Martin Taylor, Chief Executive of Barclays Bank, and involving officials from the Treasury, the Department of Social Security, the Department for Education and Employment and the Inland Revenue will inform my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer's, Spring Budget.

  Diana, Princess of Wales
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to his answer of 3 November 1997,Official Report, column 3, on his role in the events surrounding the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales, if he will list those from whom he sought advice. [17262]

  The Prime Minister
  No. It has been the long-standing practice, enshrined in the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, that the sources of advice to Ministers on such matters are not normally made public.

  Ministerial Task Force on Child Care
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Prime Minister what will be the long-term role of the Ministerial Task Force on Child Care. [17535]

  The Prime Minister
  In his statement in the House on 19 November 1997,Official Report, columns 327–29, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health announced that the first job of the Ministerial Task Force would be to prepare the full Government response to Sir William Utting's report. As part of that it will be asked to consider what, if any, its long-term role should be.

  Carrington Moss (Planning Application)
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) if he will list those organisations and individuals which have made representations to him(a) in favour of and (b) against Manchester United's planning application to build on green belt land at Carrington Moss; [17190]

  (2) what representations he has received regarding Manchester United's application for planning permission to build on green belt land at Carrington Moss; [17191]
  408
  (3) what discussions he has had with directors of Manchester United regarding its application to build on green belt land at Carrington Moss; [17189]

  (4) what representations he has received from employees of Manchester United regarding the club's planning application to build on green belt land at Carrington Moss. [17330]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 21 November 1997]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend, the Minister for London and Construction on 21 November, Official Report, column 336.

  UK Parliamentary Delegation
  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library the latest information bulletin on the activities of the United Kingdom delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the Assembly of Western European Union covering the period May to September 1997. [17545]

  The Prime Minister
  I have done so today.

  Mr. Jonathan Powell
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Prime Minister what steps were taken to ensure that no conflict of interest arises in respect of Mr. Jonathan Powell's role as Chief of Staff as a result of his knowledge of contributions to the Leader of the Opposition's office fund. [17562]

  The Prime Minister
  I have nothing further to add to the reply that I gave the hon. Member for Surrey Heath (Mr. Hawkins) on 26 June 1997,Official Report, column 611.

  Official Meetings
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Prime Minister when he met(a) Lord Levy, (b) Lord Merlyn-Rees, (c) Baroness Dean of Thornton le Fylde, (d) Baroness Jay of Paddington, (e) Mr. John Mendleson, (f) Mr. Colin Lehmann, (g) Mr. David Goldman, (h) Mr. Gary Bond, (i) Mr. David Pitt-Watson, (j) Sir Emmanuel Kaye, (k) Sir Trevor Chinn, (l) Mr. Alex Bernstein, (m) Mr. Ashley Mitchell and (n) Mr. David Ward in an official capacity; and what was discussed. [17585]

  The Prime Minister
  I have regular meetings with Ministerial colleagues and others.

  Anglo-French Summit
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to his answer of 13 November 1997,Official Report, column 617, who provided rooms in Canary Wharf free of charge, when he expects to have final figures for the cost of preparing and furnishing the rooms; and if he will place these figures in the Library. [17569]

  The Prime Minister
  Canary Wharf Limited provided rooms in Canary Wharf free of charge. We expect to have final figures for the cost of preparing and furnishing the rooms shortly. The figures will be placed in the Library.
  409

  British Film Industry
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Prime Minister who he met and what was discussed at his meeting with representatives from the British film industry held before the July budget. [17440]

  The Prime Minister
  I have discussed the British film industry with ministerial colleagues and others prior to and after the Budget.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Bicycle Allowance
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the President of the Council if she will introduce travel allowances for hon. Members using their bicycles on Parliamentary business. [16844]

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  I have asked the Senior Salaries Review Body to consider the merits of a cycling allowance for MPs in its next report. The report will, if appropriate, make recommendations on a possible mechanism for reimbursing the cost of using bicycles on official business—for Members of both Houses—and recommend an appropriate figure for any allowance. The SSRB's report is due to be published in the New Year.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has received the National Radiological Protection Board's report on the radiological significance of past dumpings of radioactive waste at(a) Beaufort's Dyke and (b) elsewhere; and if he will make a statement. [17615]

  Mr. Rooker
  I have now received the results of the independent assessment which I asked the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) to undertake, and I have arranged for copies of NRPB's report to be placed in the Library of the House.

  The report concludes that all the past dumpings which were identified during the searches of records would give rise to doses well within the International Commission on Radiological Protection's recommended dose limit for members of the public. Moreover, in all cases except one, the report states that the calculated doses were at a level considered trivial in radiological protection terms. Only in relation to the disposals in Liverpool Bay area were peak critical group doses estimated to have been above the 'trivial' level, and even these were well within the recommended dose limit. The NRPB conclude that, since estimated doses from the dispersion of radionuclides in marine waters are not significant in radiological protection terms, there is no need for additional environmental monitoring in connection with the disposals.

  The NRPB consider that the only eventuality which could give rise to a significant calculated dose is if one of the two anti-static devices dumped off the Isle of Arran in 1958 were to be washed ashore or trawled up and handled by a member of the public. They conclude that the likelihood of this situation occurring is extremely low but advise that it may nevertheless be prudent to ensure
  410
  that trawlermen and organisations responsible for dealing with material washed up on beaches are made aware of the possibility and advised to seek expert assistance if there is reason to suspect that one of these sources has appeared. In the light of this, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I are exploring with the NRPB how such advice can effectively be provided.

  Quarantine Reform
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the members of his Assessment Panel on Quarantine Reform indicating their qualifications. [16952]

  Mr. Rooker
  The members of the Advisory Group on Quarantine are:Professor Ian Kennedy LL.D (Chairman), Professor of Health Law, Ethics and Policy at the School of Public Policy, University College London. He was previously president of the Centre for Medical Law and Ethics, Kings College London and chaired the Government's Advisory Group on the Ethics of Xenotransplantation in 1995–96.
  Dr. Barbara Bannister MSc FRCP, Consultant in Infectious and Tropical Diseases at the Royal Free Hospital, London.
  Mr. Paul deVile BVetMed, a small animal veterinary practitioner in Eastbourne. He is a past president of both the British Veterinary Association and the British Small Animals Veterinary Association.
  Dr. Chris Dye who is on secondment from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicines as Senior Epidemiologist at the World Health Organisation, Geneva.
  Professor Os Jarrett, Professor of Comparative Virology at the University of Glasgow.
  Professor Herbert Sewell, Head of Immunology at University Hospital Medical School, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham.
  and
  Sir Joseph Smith who is the retired head of the Public Health Laboratory Service. He is a former member of the Committee on the Safety of Medicines.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the terms of reference for the Assessment Panel on Quarantine Reform; when it will begin and finish its work; and how many officials at which grades will be assigned in support of the work of the panel. [16953]

  Mr. Rooker
  The terms of reference for the Advisory Group on Quarantine are as follows:"To assess the risk of introduction of rabies into the United Kingdom under the current policy of quarantine for pet animals and under alternative policies, particularly the five set out below. The assessment should advise on, and take full account of the practical aspects of enforcement of the policies in determining the risk posed by each. The assessment should also consider and advise on the costs and benefits of each of the policies, and of the risk of introducing other animal diseases transmissible to humans.

  The alternative policies to be assessed are:
  Option (a): maintain the existing policy whereby imported animals are housed in secure quarantine facilities for six months;
  Option (b): reduce the length of time animals are required to spend in quarantine;

  411
  Options (c) and (d): allow in animals for which reliable alternative assurances can be obtained, in particular those from EU Member States and certain rabies-free countries, through restrictions based on identification, vaccination, blood testing, certification and a system of checks after entry. In option (c) checks would be made at the point of entry, in option (d) these checks would be made away from the point of entry in approved reception centres. Where these assurances cannot be met, animals would be quarantined as now;
  Options (e) and (f): give up quarantine altogether. Under option (e) imported animals only would be subject to pre-entry vaccination. Under option (f) all domestic cats and dogs would be vaccinated. Farm livestock and foxes in affected areas would be vaccinated were the disease to be introduced."

  The Advisory Group is beginning its work now and aims to produce its report in the Spring of 1998.

  One Grade 7, one Veterinary Adviser, one Higher Executive Officer and one Administrative Officer have been assigned to support the work of the Advisory Group. Other staff will be involved as necessary.

  Flood Warnings (Somerset)
  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to improve floodplain zoning and flood warning systems in Somerset. [17071]

  Mr. Morley
  The Environment Agency is responsible for carrying out surveys in relation to its flood defence function and for arranging for flood warnings to be issued. It has recently undertaken a survey of all main-river floodplain in Somerset, under the provisions of Section 105(2) of the Water Resources Act 1991. In its latest Corporate Plan, the Agency has set out targets for its flood warning arrangements which will involve the development of new telemetry, forecasting and warning dissemination systems.

  Bruton Flood Detention Dam
  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what survey of the reservoir site was conducted prior to the construction of the Bruton flood detention dam. [17072]

  Mr. Morley
  The Environment Agency has advised that surveys, including topographic and ground site investigation, were undertaken by consulting engineers to satisfy the requirements of the Engineers appointed pursuant to the Reservoirs Act 1975.

  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the design standards of the Bruton flood detention dam. [17073]

  Mr. Morley
  The Environment Agency has advised that the design standard of the Bruton flood detention dam was established at the time of construction by the consulting engineers, in accordance with current legislation and best practice. A review was subsequently undertaken in 1995–96, by consulting engineers Babtie using the latest methodologies. This independent hydrological assessment indicates that the dam currently provides protection against floods in excess of the 1 in 100 year return period.
  412

  Regional Panels
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food pursuant to his answer of 7 November 1997,Official Report, columns 363–65, on the former regional panels, if he will list the addresses of each of the individual panel members. [17348]

  Mr. Rooker
  No.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Biotechnological Invention
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment her Department has made of the impact of commercial monopoly rights over natural DNA sequences. [15341]

  Mr. Battle
  Under current United Kingdom law (the Patents Act 1977) it is possible to obtain patent rights for DNA sequences but only where they are isolated from the body, only where such sequences simultaneously meet the three general conditions for patentability: they are new, they are inventive and they are capable of industrial application. Discoveries, for example that a particular sequence exists in nature, are not patentable. This legislation provides for exceptions to patent rights for the benefit of those who wish to carry out research relating to protected DNA sequences.

  Significant progress in genetic engineering and biotechnology in general has been made in the United Kingdom throughout the twenty years this legislation has been in place. No assessment has been made during that time to identify the precise impact on patent rights to such progress, and to disentangle their role in facilitating the recovery of the costs of research and development from that of other factors which influence decisions to invest in research and the marketing of biotechnoligical products.

  However, the current uncertainty which exists in this area of law in Europe at present has the potential to act as a deterrent to investment in this industry. This Directive could play an important role in harmonising and clarifying national laws.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps the Government took to ensure that members of the public were informed of a consultation on the proposed EU Directive on the Legal Protection of Biotechnological Inventions. [16736]

  Mr. Battle
  Information concerning the Commission's proposal was circulated widely, including by use of the internet. As a result, over 150 organisations have made their views known to me or my Department and have taken part in a consultation exercise, including a major meeting of interested parties held in London in October. Organisations should include those representing environmental interests, health and patient groups, animal welfare, the professions, industry, trade unions and religious groups.

  Mr. Benn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the impact of the proposed EU Directive on the Legal Protection of Biotechnological Inventions on(a) employment and (b) small biotech companies. [16751]
  413
  Mr. Battle
  Since the European Commission's proposed Directive is substantially consistent with current United Kingdom legislation (The Patent Act 1977), no specific assessment has been made of the impact of the proposed Directive. The Patents Act has been in place throughout the development of the modern biotechnology industry in the United Kingdom, which already employs over 10,000 people, a figure forecast to rise to 14,000 over the next two years. A sound intellectual property regime is considered essential to financing support for small and medium biotechnology companies and to safeguard their contribution to improving the quality of life through developments in this technology.

  Patents (Biological Materials)
  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what research her Department has conducted into the benefits of granting patents on living biological materials. [16750]

  Mr. Battle
  Assuming general conditions for patentability are met, patent rights may be obtained for plant and animal materials under current United Kingdom legislation (The Patents Act 1977). This legislation has been in place throughout the development of the modern biotechnological industry in the United Kingdom.

  No specific research has been conducted. However, the industry has made significant progress in enhancing quality of life with medical advances in treatments for conditions such as Asthma, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Hepatitis B.

  Publicity and Advertising
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is her estimate of the total expenditure on all forms of publicity and advertising by(a) her 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. [15213]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 11 November 1997]: Total Departmental expenditure on publicity is not held centrally and could be produced only at disproportionate cost. Expenditure on publicity, including advertising, from centrally-managed budgets is as follows:

  £000

  1993–94

  8,468

  1994–95

  8,112

  1995–96

  9,211

  1996–97

  9,216

  April-October 1997

  2,348

  Planned spend for 1997–98 and 1998–99 is not available.

  Chief Executives of the Department's Executive Agencies have been asked to respond direct.
  414
  Letter from Seton Bennett to Mr. Malcolm Bruce, dated 24 November 1997:
  The President of the Board of Trade has asked me to reply on behalf of the National Weights and Measures Laboratory (NWML), a net running cost Agency, to your question about expenditure on publicity and advertising.
  The figures for NWML are as follows:

  Year

  £000

  1993–94

  n/a

  1994–95

  9

  1995–96

  16

  1996–97

  28

  1997–98 year to date

  12

  1997–98 full year estimate

  25

  1998–99 planned

  25

  n/a = not available.

  Letter from John Holden to Mr. Malcolm Bruce, dated 24 November 1997:
  I have been asked to respond to your question to the President of the Board of Trade regarding expenditure on all forms of publicity and advertising. The total for all forms for Companies House (shown in £000s) are:

  £000

  1993–94

  378

  1994–95

  448

  1995–96

  364

  1996–97

  289

  1997–98 (to date)

  49

  1997–98 (estimated)

  444

  1998–99 (plan)

  444

  Letter from P. R. S. Hartnack to Mr. Malcolm Bruce, dated 24 November 1997:
  I am replying for the Patent Office to your Parliamentary Question to the President of the Board of Trade about expenditure on publicity and advertising.
  The figures in £'000 are as follows:

  £000

  Marketing

  Recruitment advertising

  1993–94

  1,545

  0

  1994–95

  887

  7

  1995–96

  557

  17

  1996–97

  546

  48

  1997–98 (end of October)

  330

  40

  1997–98 (forecast)

  650

  60

  1998–99 (forecast)

  617

  62

  Letter from Ian Jones to Mr. Malcolm Bruce, dated 24 November 1997:
  You tabled a Parliamentary Question to the President of the Board of Trade, for named day reply on 11 November, about expenditure by her Department, its agencies and non departmental bodies on all forms of advertising and publicity. I have been asked to reply in respect of the Employment Tribunals Service.
  The Employment Tribunals Service was established as an executive agency on 1 April 1997. The Agency spent to 31 October 1997 £97,000 on publicity and advertising. We expect to spend £146,000 in the current financial year. This mainly covers the cost of explanatory leaflets for the public and, where appropriate, advertisements to locate parties who we are otherwise unable to trace. Plans for 1998/9 have not yet been finalised.
  415
  Letter from Peter Joyce to Mr. Malcolm Bruce, dated 24 November 1997:
  The President of the Board of Trade has asked me to reply to your question about The Insolvency Service's expenditure on publicity and advertising for 1993–94 to 1996–97, 1997–98 to date and full year estimates, and 1998–99 planned expenditure.
  The Insolvency Service has a statutory obligation to advertise each compulsory corporate and personal insolvency in the London Gazette and one other newspaper. The costs are charged to the estate of the insolvent company/individual, and not directly to the Department.
  Recruitment advertising is undertaken from time to time at both national and local level. Expenditure was devolved to the Agency from 1993–94, and the amounts expended have been:

  £

  1993–94

  14,900

  1994–95

  4,595

  1995–96

  4,060

  1996–97

  40,960

  1997–98 to date

  6,170

  1997–98 full year estimate

  20,000

  It is not possible to provide an estimate of planned expenditure for 1998–99 at this stage as financial and manpower settlements have not yet been agreed.
  In addition The Service incurred some £12,00 advertising costs during 1995–96 as part of the contracting out study taking place at that time.
  The Service also publishes a range of guidance material designed to provide its users and the public with information about various aspects of insolvency as well as its Annual Report and Accounts each year. Expenditure on these publications totalled:

  £

  1993–94

  n/a

  1994–95

  29,670

  1995–96

  24,465

  1996–97

  50,210

  1997–98 to date

  21,140

  1997–98 full year estimate

  47,000

  n/a = not available.

  Again, it is not possible to provide an estimate of planned expenditure for 1998–99 at this stage as financial and manpower settlements have not yet been agreed.

  Letter from Jim Norton to Mr. Malcolm Bruce, dated 24 November 1997:
  The President of the Board of Trade, Mrs Margaret Beckett MP, has asked me to reply, on behalf of The Radiocommunications Agency, to your question concerning details in respect of expenditure on publicity activities undertaken from financial year 1993–94, including proposed expenditure for financial years 1997–98 and 1998–99.
  The details are as follows:

  Financial year

  Spend £

  1993–94

  188,706

  1994–95

  211,634

  1995–96

  369,732

  1996–97

  304,049

  1997–98 to date

  366,000

  1997–98 estimate

  420,000

  1998–99 budget

  450,000

  I hope that this is helpful.
  416

  Competition Bill
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will exempt(a) newspaper distribution arrangements, (b) the arrangements between oil companies and filling stations and (c) the tie between brewers and pubs from the terms of the Competition Bill prohibitions. [15817]

  Mrs. Beckett
  Agreements which fulfil the criteria for exemption under European block exemption regulations, including those relating to beer tie agreements, petrol service station agreements and exclusive distribution will be automatically exempt from the Chapter 1 prohibition in the Competition Bill. There is no exemption from Chapter II prohibition in the Bill.

  Export Licences
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the average period for a company seeking an export licence from the Department of Trade and Industry, from its first contacts with the Department of Trade and Industry to seek information on how to apply, to the granting of the licence. [16143]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 14 November 1997]: The Export Control Organisation (ECO) of my department has a Helpline and other advisory facilities for exporters seeking to obtain export licences. Since individual circumstances are so varied, it is not possible to keep records relating the first date of inquiry to the received date of a formal application for an export licence (if indeed such an application is made). Inquiries are dealt with promptly—usually the same day.

  In some 'pre-licence' inquiries, exporters request advice on the licensable status (or 'rating') of goods that may be exported. Targets for dealing with such applications, provided full information is received with the inquiry, are:

  10 working days where circulation to other Government Departments is not required.

  20 working days where circulation to other Government Departments is required.

  For the last four week period for which statistics have been compiled (22 September to 17 October 1997) those targets have been met in 96 per cent, of non-circulated cases and 80 per cent, of circulated cases.

  Once an export licence application is received by the ECO, performance targets are applied to the length of time it takes Government to process. The targets, provided full information is supplied with the application, are:

  10 working days where circulation to other Government Departments is not required.

  20 working days where circulation to other Government Departments is required.

  For the last four week period for which statistics have been compiled (22 September to 17 October 1997), those targets have been met in 71 per cent of non-circulated cases and 48 per cent. of circulated cases.

  The ECO does not record the average length of time it takes for an export licence application to be issued.
  417

  Fossil Fuel Levy
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much revenue she plans to raise from non fossil fuel energy, in the first full year of the extended fossil fuel levy under the Fossil Fuel Levy Bill [Lords]. [16148]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 14 November 1997]: The amount to be raised from the Levy in 1998–99 is currently being estimated by the Levy Collector. I will announce their estimate when it becomes available. The Fossil Fuel Levy Bill will have no effect on the total amount of revenue raised. Levy is paid on electricity supplied by licensed electricity suppliers. It is not possible to plan how much Levy will be raised on electricity from specific sources as this will depend upon the volume of electricity supplied from those sources which is subject to a range of factors including the availability of plant and the commercial decisions of the companies involved.

  Mr. Fallon
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will estimate(a) the total amount expected to be raised by the fossil fuel levy in 1998–99 and (b) the amount to be raised from (i) the nuclear industry, (ii) hydro-electric generation and (iii) other renewable sources of energy. [16057]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 14 November 1997]: The amount to be raised from the Levy in 1998–99 is currently being estimated by the Levy Collector. I will announce their estimate when it becomes available. The Fossil Fuel Levy Bill will have no effect on the total amount of revenue raised. Levy is paid on electricity supplied by licensed electricity suppliers. It is not possible to plan how much Levy will be raised on electricity from specific sources as this will depend upon the volume of electricity supplied from those sources which is subject to a range of factors including the availability of plant and the commercial decisions of the companies involved.

  Business Opportunities
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what new steps the Government are taking to enhance opportunities for business start-ups and small businesses seeking to compete in established industry sectors. [16503]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Government recognise the value of providing a climate within which those starting new enterprises and those running small businesses can compete and win. This is why I support the work of the Business Links, which provide access to high quality business services, and why I have taken steps to make them more effective. I launched the vision for enhancing Business Links on 7 October, and I am sure that the commitment to continuous improvement in service standards which is required will be of immense benefit to emerging businesses.

  Electrical Retailing
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the impact of implementing the recommendations contained in the Monopolies and Mergers Commission Report on electrical retailing on the numbers of electrical retailing businesses operating. [16523]
  418
  Mrs. Beckett
  The MMC have found that, as a result of a number of entrenched practices by suppliers and dealers of domestic electrical goods, retail prices are higher than they would otherwise be, price competition in these markets is muted, new retailers have difficulty getting supplies, and innovation in retailing is discouraged.

  My proposed remedies, announced on 30 July 1997, would stop suppliers and dealers from relying on recommended retail prices and help dealers who want to compete on price but have difficulty getting supplies. They would allow consumers to benefit from lower prices through stronger price competition and more choice of retail outlets.

  During the consultation on my proposals small retailers have told me, as they did the MMC, that a number of them would close if the proposed remedies were implemented. I am considering these arguments.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many representations against her electrical retailing proposals she has received. [16522]

  Mrs. Beckett
  By the close of 14 November, I had received around 140 representations raising one or more objections to the proposals I announced on 30 July 1997.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate she has made of the impact on prices of her electrical retailing proposals. [16521]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The MMC found that a number of entrenched practices by suppliers and dealers of domestic electrical goods operated against the public interest by causing retail prices to be higher than they would otherwise be. I announced on 30 July 1997 my proposals to prohibit these practices, and that consumers would benefit from lower prices through stronger competition and more choice of retail outlets.

  Recommended Retail Prices
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the use of recommended retail prices in(a) electrical retailing and (b) newspaper distribution. [16576]

  Mrs. Beckett
  In relation to electrical retailing, the MMC found various practices which encouraged retailers to adhere to recommended retail prices, and concluded that the level of retail prices was influenced by recommended retail prices, and that tackling only the associated practices would be an insufficient remedy. They therefore recommended that recommended retail prices themselves be prohibited in these markets. I accepted their recommendation in my announcement of 30 July 1997.

  In relation to newspaper distribution the MMC, in its 1993 report, made no adverse findings against the publishers' practice of displaying newspaper cover prices, which are in effect recommended retail prices.

  Departmental Announcements
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade under what circumstances it is her Department's policy to make announcements to the media prior to informing Parliament. [16966]
  419
  Mrs. Beckett
  It is the Department's policy, as far as practicable, to inform Parliament of major policy decisions before making announcements to the media.

  Some announcements are market sensitive, and there is a need to ensure that the information reaches the market in an orderly fashion. The contents of MMC monopoly and merger reports and my decisions on them are, for example, market sensitive. My normal practice is to announce my decision to the market at the same time as the report is published and laid in Parliament.

  Stena and P&O Merger
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will investigate the report contained in The Observer newspaper of 16 November relating to the proposed merger of Stena and P&O with a view to identifying the source close to the authorities cited in the report. [16967]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I have seen the press report to which the hon. Member refers. The report was speculative, and inaccurate in a number of respects. It contained nothing which suggests that it was derived from a UK official source. Unless there is other evidence to suggest that it was derived from a UK official source, I do not intend to investigate the report further.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she plans to publish her decision on the P&O and Stena ferries merger; and if she will make an oral statement. [17065]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 21 November 1997]: I published the Monopolies and Merger's report on the proposed joint venture between P&O and Stena on 19 November. Copies of the report have been laid before Parliament. As is usual in such cases, I also issued a Press Notice announcing my decision on the report, copies of which are available in the libraries of both Houses.

  Plutonium
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade pursuant to her Answer to the hon. Member for South Down (Mr. McGrady) of 6 November 1997,Official Report, columns 296–97, if she will set out the ways in which the Euratom Safeguards Office scrutinises the United Kingdom plutonium stocks. [16853]

  Mrs. Beckett
  All civil nuclear material in the UK, including plutonium, is subject to Euratom safeguards and to the terms of the tripartite UK/Euratom/IAEA safeguards agreement. These require the regular provision of information by nuclear operators to the Euratom Safeguards Directorate. The UK's plutonium stocks, along with other civil nuclear material in the UK, are also subject to inspection by safeguards inspectors. Details of the reporting and associated procedures are set out in Commission Regulation (Euratom) No. 3227/76. I have placed copies of the Regulation in the library of the House.

  Coal Supplies
  Mr. Grogan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are the DTI forecasts for coal burn in the electricity sector and for deepmines and opencast coal production in(a) 1997, (b) 1998 and (c) 2001. [17136]
  420
  Mr. Battle
  UK deep-mined and opencast coal output in 1997 are likely to be about 31 million tonnes and 17 million tonnes respectively. The previous administration published energy projections for the UK as Energy Paper 65 in March 1995 which is available in the libraries of the House indicated that coal burn in 2000 was likely to fall within the range 14.6 to 23.7 million tonnes of oil equivalent.

  My Department is working on a new set of projections which I intend to publish next year.

  Low Pay Commission
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will publish the revisions which she has made to her instructions to the Low Pay Commission in the last month. [17066]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 21 November 1997]: There have been no changes to the Low Pay Commission's terms of reference.

  BP Power Station
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade which ministers(a) saw the relevant papers regarding, (b) discussed and (c) were involved in the decision concerning the approval for a new British Petroleum gas-fired power station. [17062]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 21 November 1997]: Departmental responsibility for applications for consent under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 rests with the Minister for Science, Energy and Industry and the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and it is those Ministers who considered the papers on BP's Salt End power station project and who will come to consider the papers on BP's other proposed power station project at Baglan Bay.

  Written Questions
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the average time her Department has taken to give substantive answers to named day questions in the current parliamentary session. [17560]

  Mrs. Beckett
  Eighty-nine per cent. of the named day questions were answered within 5 sitting days and 71 per cent, within 2 days of the date for answer.

  Fax and Telephone Installation Costs
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the cost to public funds of installing(a) a fax and (b) a telephone at her mobile home. [17561]

  Mrs. Beckett
  None.

SCOTLAND

  Departmental Information
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will place in the Library a copy of the internal departmental guidance on the dissemination of information; and if he will make a statement. [16302]
  421
  Mr. Dewar
  My Department disseminates information in a number of different ways. There is no central guidance held by my Department which covers all of the various means of issuing information.

  Press Releases
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his policy in respect of the faxing of press releases on the day of release to Opposition party spokesmen; what changes have been introduced since 1 May; and if he will make a statement. [16301]

  Mr. Dewar
  Scottish Office press releases are not faxed on the day of release to Opposition party spokesmen. Copies of the press releases are, however, mailed on the day of release to the Scottish headquarters of the four main political parties in Scotland. This was the position prior to 1 May and I have no plans to change these arrangements.

  Student Funding
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the average funding per student in further education in Scotland in each of the last five years. [16509]

  Mr. Wilson
  The average Government funding per full-time equivalent student in further education colleges in Scotland (in cash terms and rounded to the nearest £) over the last three years is shown in the list:

  1995–96: £2,812

  1994–95: £2,902

  1993–94: £2,811.

  Employment numbers (full-time equivalents)

  Body

  Total

  Glasgow

  Edinburgh

  Aberdeen

  Dundee

  Stirling

  Inverness

  Executive NDPBs

  Accounts Commission for Scotland

  157

  20

  77

  9

  —

  —

  11

  Crofters' Commission

  76

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  76

  Highlands and Islands Enterprise1

  350

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  174

  National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting for Scotland

  44

  —

  44

  —

  —

  —

  —

  National Galleries of Scotland

  164

  —

  164

  —

  —

  —

  —

  National Library of Scotland

  217

  —

  217

  —

  —

  —

  —

  National Museums of Scotland

  270

  —

  270

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh

  202

  —

  202

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland

  65

  —

  65

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Scottish Agricultural and Biological Research Institutes:

  Hannah Research Institute

  140

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Macaulay Research Institute

  260

  —

  —

  260

  —

  —

  —

  Moredun Research Institute

  156

  —

  156

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Rowett Research Institute

  276

  —

  —

  276

  —

  —

  —

  Scottish Crop Research Institute

  343

  —

  —

  —

  343

  —

  —

  Scottish Arts Council

  80

  —

  80

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Scottish Children's Reporter Administration

  327

  66

  22

  17

  18

  38

  16

  Scottish Community Education Council

  30

  —

  30

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Scottish Council for Educational Technology

  88

  88

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Scottish Enterprise1

  1,714

  694

  114

  94

  91

  79

  —

  Scottish Environment Protection Agency

  637

  12

  91

  64

  —

  101

  —

  Scottish Further Education Unit

  28

  —

  —

  —

  —

  28

  —

  422
  The figures for 1992–93 and 1991–92 are not compatible with those above. They include expenditure on other vocational education and assistance, transport, residential accommodation and bursary support and cannot be disaggregated.

  1992–93: £3,481

  1991–92: £3,228.

  Tuition Fees
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate his Department has made of the total annual sum likely to be required of students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland to pay towards the fees for their fourth year at a Scottish university once the scheme is fully in operation. [16645]

  Mr. Wilson
  From academic year 1998–99 new full-time undergraduate students will be required to contribute up to a maximum of £1,000 a year in tuition fees, depending on their parents', spouses' or own income. The Scottish Office does not have responsibility for assessing the contribution towards fees for students domiciled in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, and no specific estimate of the likely average fee per student for those students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland studying in Scotland is available.

  Quangos
  Mr. Ernie Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list all the quangos in Scotland employing more than 20 employees, with the total level of employment and the respective employment levels in each of the quangos in(a) Glasgow, (b) Edinburgh, (c) Aberdeen, (d) Dundee, (e) Stirling and (f) Inverness. [16520]

  Mr. Dewar
  The information is set out in the following table.
  423

  Employment numbers (full-time equivalents)

  Body

  Total

  Glassgow

  Edinburgh

  Aberdeen

  Dundee

  Stirling

  Inverness

  Scottish Higher Education Funding Council

  60

  —

  60

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Scottish Homes

  837

  218

  310

  8

  48

  —

  17

  Scottish Legal Aid Board

  273

  3

  270

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Executive NDPBs

  Scottish Natural Heritage

  613

  —

  199

  36

  —

  9

  39

  Scottish Qualifications Authority

  350

  350

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Scottish Screen

  38

  38

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Scottish Sports Council

  150

  —

  150

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Scottish Tourist Board

  157

  —

  120

  —

  —

  —

  37

  Water Authorities

  East of Scotland Water Authority

  1,963

  —

  714

  —

  —

  226

  —

  North of Scotland Water Authority

  1,928

  —

  —

  403

  370

  —

  253

  West of Scotland Water Authority

  2,725

  1,267

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1 Figures relate to the Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the Scottish Enterprise networks as a whole.

HEALTH

  Abortion
  Dr. Vis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average cost of a first trimester NHS abortion by vacuum aspiration in(a) Sheffield and (b) Newcastle. [15671]

  Ms Jowell
  Estimates of the costs information requested are shown in the table:

  Estimates of the average cost of a first trimester National Health Service abortion by vacuum in Sheffield and Newcastle

  Estimate of average cost of first trimester NHS abortion by vacuum £

  Trust

  Day case

  In-patient

  Central Sheffield Hospitals NHS Trust

  443

  443

  Royal Victoria Infirmary and Associated Hospitals NHS Trust (Newcastle)

  289

  343

  NHS Dentists Register
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of people expected to be removed from NHS dentists' registers because they have not made an appointment in the last 15 months. [16634]

  Mr. Milburn
  From 1 September 1996, the registration period for both adult continuing care and child capitation was harmonised to provide patients with a period of continuing dental care for 15 months following each course of treatment. The most recent estimate is that registration numbers may gradually fall by about 4 million as a result of this change. However, the actual effect on the number of patients registered with a dentist will depend on the response to the incentive for many patients to attend the dentist on a more regular basis.

  Fluoridation
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list those studies which his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the potential dangers and side effects of fluoridated water supplies; if
  424
  he will list those dangers or side effects; and when he expects his Department to complete the current review of the fluoridation programme. [16501]

  Ms Jowell
  Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of fluoridation of water supplies rests not on the results of a few studies but on the assessments of the very extensive, relevant published scientific literature on the effects of fluoride (including human exposure to fluoride present naturally in drinking water), and on the results of more than half a century of fluoridation. No serious side effects have been identified from fluoridating water by one part of fluoride per million parts of water (the optimum level), but we continue to monitor and evaluate the progress of the programme.

  We cannot at present predict when we will complete our review.

  Tobacco Sponsorship
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the decision was taken to exempt Formula 1 racing from the proposed ban on tobacco sponsorship of sport; what ministerial meetings took place on this subject between 16 October and 6 November; which Ministers attended these meetings; and if he will publish the minutes of these meetings. [16749]

  Mr. Dobson
  The issue was discussed in correspondence between Ministers which was brought to a close on 3 November when my hon. Friend the Minister for Public Health wrote to the presidency. It is not the Government's practice to disclose the nature or detailed records of inter-ministerial discussions on policy matters.

  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department made of the(a) advantages and (b) disadvantages of exempting formula one from the ban on tobacco sponsorship. [16741]

  Ms Jowell
  After considering the issue of sponsorship in great depth, the Government have proposed excluding formula one from the scope of the proposed EU Directive on tobacco advertising and sponsorship which is currently being negotiated. The Government have always made it clear that it is pursuing twin objectives of reducing smoking and of safeguarding sport from any effects arising from the loss of tobacco sponsorship. The fact is that a blanket Europe-wide ban on formula one
  425
  sponsorship would mean not only fewer grand prix in Europe but, perversely, more tobacco advertising on our TV screens beamed in from events from outside the European Union.

  General Practitioners (Correspondence)
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what factors underlay the decision of the Minister of State, the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn), to send the letter of 21 October to general practitioners; to which doctors it was sent and what is the estimated cost of printing and mailing these letters. [16767]

  Mr. Milburn
  The purpose of the letter was to inform general practitioners about a number of policy developments which are of direct relevance to them and to underline the priority the Government attach to primary care. The cost of printing and mailing these letters including postage, was £14,000.

  Trauma Centres
  Mr. Lock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department has issued to health authorities in respect of the development of major trauma centres following the report by Sheffield University on the clinical effectiveness of the trauma centre at Stoke on Trent; and if he will make a statement. [16955]

  Mr. Boateng
  A report, "The cost-effectiveness of the regional trauma system in the North-West Midlands" was published in March 1996. It was made available to health authorities and National Health Service trusts to help inform their decisions on the organisation of accident and emergency services. Copies are available in the Library.

  Nursing and Residential Homes
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 17 November 1997,Official Report, column 59, what plans he has to change the arrangements for remunerating general practitioners for care of patients in nursing and residential homes. [17175]

  Mr. Milburn
  With effect from April 1998, health authorities will be able, under amendments to the National Health Service (General Medical Services) Regulations 1992, to give general practitioners financial incentives beyond those set out in the Statement of Fees and Allowances to enhance the provision of local general medical services. Subject to local priorities which the health authority will determine, this may include the provision of specified general medical services tailored to the needs of those living in nursing and residential homes.

  At present, the Government have no further plans to change the arrangements for remunerating general practitioners for care of patients in nursing and residential homes.

  Cancer
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action his Department will be taking to address the differences in the incidence of cancers between the north and south of England. [16660]
  426
  Ms Jowell
  There is no clear pattern in the overall incidence of cancers when comparing the north and south of England. Stomach, lung and cervical cancers are registered more frequently in the north of England than the south, but female breast cancer and malignant melanoma rates are lower in the north. Death rates from all cancers combined are higher in the north of England.

  Sir Donald Acheson, former Chief Medical Officer, is carrying out an independent inquiry into inequalities in health which will report next summer. His recommendations, together with responses to the forthcoming Green Paper on the new public health strategy, will be used to develop next year's White Paper which will aim to reduce geographical health inequalities such as these.

  The Government is also committed to implementation of the recommendations in the document "A Policy Framework for Commissioning Cancer Services" which sets out the need for high-quality cancer care wherever a patient may live.

  Hospitals (Performance Indicators)
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans his Department has to introduce new clinical indicators of hospital performance; and what measures he plans to take against hospitals with low levels of performance. [16661]

  Mr. Boateng
  We are already consulting across the National Health Service and the clinical professions on a set of 15 provisional health authority and trust clinical indicators. These indicators may raise questions on aspects of the quality of clinical care for local investigations and are for use within the NHS. Decisions on taking them forward will be taken in light of the consultation process.

  We are committed to improving levels of performance throughout the whole of the NHS. Our plans will be set out in an NHS White Paper which we intend to publish shortly.

  Hospital Waiting Lists
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to ensure waiting lists will not rise in the next 12 months in England. [16662]

  Mr. Milburn
  We inherited record numbers of patients waiting for treatment from the previous Government. We cannot expect to turn this round overnight. Our immediate priorities are to ensure that the National Health Service deals effectively with emergencies during the winter and that by the end of next March there are no patients waiting more than 18 months for admission to hospital. We are determined to have shorter waiting lists by the end of this Parliament. The wide-ranging action plan for waiting lists and times announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 18 November and the considerable extra resources we have made available to the NHS for this year and next will ensure that we begin to turn the tide.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the proportion of waiting list initiative funding that has been spent in the private sector in the last three years; and what monitoring is
  427
  undertaken of clinical standards for the private sector in respect of patients being treated under the waiting list initiative. [17337]

  Mr. Milburn
  Central funding for the previous Government's waiting list initiative ran from 1987–88 to 1993–94 inclusive. Since then the money has been built into health authorities' recurrent revenue baselines and is no longer centrally earmarked for waiting list initiatives. It is for health authorities, as purchasers, to assess their population's needs and to target resources through contracts to ensure that those needs and national priorities such as waiting list and waiting time targets are met. It is also their responsibility to monitor the clinical standards and quality of care of any hospital with which they contract, whether this is an independent hospital or National Health Service trust.

  Guidance to health authorities and general practitioner fundholders effective from April 1998 is that they should explore the scope to make maximum cost-effective use of local NHS capacity before thinking about use of private sector provision.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients have died while on waiting lists in each of the last 10 years; and if he will indicate the treatment for which they were waiting. [17343]

  Mr. Milburn
  Information is collected on removals from waiting lists but this does not differentiate between the various reasons, which include death. Patients may die from any one of a wide range of causes, in common with the rest of the population, while waiting for treatment and the cause may have nothing to do with the condition for which they were on a waiting list.

  NHS Bureaucracy
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what criteria his Department will use to measure the savings achieved from the elimination of excess NHS bureaucracy; and by what date he expects to achieve his target for these savings. [16663]

  Mr. Milburn
  The Government are committed to reducing National Health Service bureaucracy. As a first step, we are tackling the worst features of the internal market and reducing NHS management costs in Great Britain by £100 million in 1997–98. The NHS Executive has set targets for 1997–98 with every health authority and trust in England to reduce their management costs.

  The NHS Executive calculates the costs of managing the NHS using two measures: health authority costs; and trust management costs. Health authority costs are monitored quarterly through regional offices. Where there is significant deviation from plan, it is for the NHS Executive regional offices to negotiate recovery plans for those health authorities concerned. Trusts report their management costs in their annual accounts. It is for the regional offices to ensure that trusts are taking the necessary steps to deliver the savings by the end of the year. Current information indicates that both health authorities and trusts are on target to achieve their 1997–98 plans by the end of the year.

  We will shortly be announcing further actions to reduce NHS bureaucracy linked to functional and structural change, as part of our plans to replace the internal market.
  428

  NHS Contracts
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many contracts have been made between purchasers and providers in the NHS in each of the last five years; and how many GP fundholder contracts with providers have been made since fundholding began. [17341]

  Mr. Milburn
  Information on the number of contracts between purchasers and providers and on general practitioner fundholders' contracts is not collected centrally. Some data have been held at a regional level but this has not been collected or validated on a consistent basis.

  Clinical Depression
  Ms Julie Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans his Department has to include consideration of targets for the diagnosis of clinical depression in a future review of health policy. [17196]

  Mr. Boateng
  We have no such plans.

  Ms Julie Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the cost of treating clinical depression, broken down into costs(a) of actual treatment, (b) associated with sickness benefit, (c) of working days lost to illness resulting in lost income revenue and (d) of community care. [17198]

  Mr. Boateng
  We have made no estimate of these costs.

  Ms Julie Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he last had meetings within the Department of Social Security, the Treasury and the Department for Education and Employment to discuss policy on the treatment of clinical depression. [17194]

  Mr. Boateng
  Treatment of clinical depression is a matter for the relevant bodies. We hold meetings with other Government departments as and when appropriate.

  In recent months, officials have had discussions with colleagues at both the Department of Social Security and the Department for Education and Employment on the problems mentally ill people face on securing employment.

  Ms Julie Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to set up a task force to examine the diagnosis and treatment of clinical depression. [17195]

  Mr. Boateng
  We have no such plans. The Clinical Standards Advisory Group, a statutory body that advises United Kingdom Health Ministers on standards of clinical care, began work in March this year to review the clinical management of depression in primary and secondary care. We expect to receive its report early in 1998.

  GP Fundholding
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list by(a) health authority and (b) region, the total savings made by general practitioners and the percentage of savings spent in each year since the inception of fundholding. [17334]
  429
  Mr. Milburn
  Information held centrally on savings made on general practitioner fundholder budgets, and on spending from these savings (excluding savings voluntarily returned by fundholders to their health authorities), has been placed in the Library.

  For 1991–92 and 1992–93, these are savings made at regional health authority level. From 1993–94 to 1995–96, data are available at family health services authority/health authority level on both savings made and spending from savings.

  "Retained savings" are savings made on fundholders' budgets, excluding amounts voluntarily returned to the health authority, retained for spending in future years. "Accumulated savings available for spending" are all savings made since entry to fundholding less any savings spent.

  In 1995–96, fundholders in England retained £84.8 million or 2.4 per cent. of their budgets in savings, and spent £47.6 million (32 per cent.) of their £150.9 million accumulated savings.

  All data are taken from audited accounts, returned by National Health Service Executive Regional Offices. Information is not yet available from 1996–97 audited accounts.

  Hospital Waiting Lists (Essex)
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in the Mid-Essex Hospital Trust area had been waiting for treatment for more than(a) 24 months, (b) 18 months and (c) 12 months, (i) on 31 March and (ii) at the latest available date. [17029]

  Mr. Milburn
  Information on patients awaiting admission to Mid-Essex Hospital National Health Service Trust on 31 March 1997 and 30 September 1997 is given in the table.

  Number waiting

  At 31 March 1997

  At 30 September21997

  For 12 months or more

  1104

  441

  For 18 months or more

  0

  3

  For 24 months or more

  0

  0

  1 Figure is final one and differs from provisional figure supplied in the reply given to the hon. Member for West Chelmsford on 11 June 1997 at column 479.

  2 Figures for 30 September 1997 are provisional.

  Minister for Public Health
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the Minister for Public Health informed him of her concerns over a potential conflict of interest arising out of her family links with the motor racing industry; and if he will publish(a) the advice he offered her and (b) the advice she received from the Permanent Secretary.[16747]

  Mr. Dobson
  My hon. Friend the Minister for Public Health first raised this issue with me when we discussed the division of responsibilities within the Ministerial team at the start of May.
  430
  Both the Permanent Secretary and I are fully satisfied that no conflict of interest arises for my hon. Friend the Minister for Public Health and that she has fully observed my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's guidance to Ministers on conduct and procedures.

  It is not the practice to publish internal advice on such matters.

  Funding Formula
  Mr. Burnett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health in what ways his Department's proposals to change the funding formula used to allocate National Health Service funds between health authorities reflects the sparsity of areas; and if he will make a statement. [17453]

  Mr. Milburn
  A geographical cost adjustment for emergency ambulance services was introduced into the national weighted capitation formula used to inform 1998–99 revenue allocations to health authorities. This includes a measure of rural sparsity.

  Bed Blocking
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the numbers and cost of elderly patients blocking beds. [17335]

  Mr. Boateng
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for North Devon (Mr. Harvey) on 12 November 1997,Official Report, column 602.

  Specific information on the cost of delayed discharges is not collected centrally and we have no plans to change this. The Department is seeking to reduce the burden of data collection by the National Health Service and rationalise data flows within the NHS and between the NHS and the centre. The amount of information required to calculate the average cost of delayed discharge would not be in line with this policy.

  NHS Trusts (Finances)
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many trusts have been assessed by his Department in respect of their long-term financial viability; and what has been the outcome in each case. [17333]

  Mr. Milburn
  The financial viability of all trusts is assessed as a part of each trust's annual business planning cycle. The financial monitoring process and independent auditing of accounts are also elements in the assessment framework. The outcome in the vast majority of cases has been the continued existence of the trusts as they were established.

  Trusts are merged or reconfigured for a number of operational reasons. The majority of reconfigurations are to improve local service provision although a small number have resulted principally from concerns over their long term financial viability. These are:
  the merger of West Dorset Community Health NHS Trust with West Dorset Mental Health NHS Trust to form the Dorset Community NHS Trust on 1 April 1994;

  431
  the merger of Royal Liverpool University NHS Trust and Broadgreen NHS Trust to form Royal Liverpool University and Broadgreen NHS Trust on 1 April 1995;
  the merger of Louth and District Healthcare NHS Trust and Lincoln Hospitals NHS Trust to form Lincoln and Louth NHS Trust on 1 April 1996;
  the merger of Royal Free NHS Trust and the Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital NHS Trust on 1 April 1996;
  the dissolution of Anglian Harbours NHS Trust on 30 September 1997.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Criminal Anti-social Behaviour
  Mr. Efford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to deal with criminal anti-social behaviour in neighbourhoods. [15791]

  Mr. Michael
  Anti-social behaviour which harasses or intimidates neighbours, or disturbs a community in general, is unacceptable and the Government intend to tackle it directly. The Crime and Disorder Bill will contain provisions to enable the police or a local authority to apply for a court order prohibiting an individual from behaving in this way. Breach of the Order will be a criminal offence.

  Juveniles
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to reduce the number of juveniles held within the prison system. [15793]

  Ms Quin
  Our aim is a faster, more efficient youth justice system with a clear emphasis on early and effective intervention to prevent young people offending. We will be bringing forward legislation to strengthen the scope for dealing effectively with young people in the community.

  We will shortly announce new custodial sentencing arrangements for young people. We are also reviewing the whole range of secure accommodation for remanded and sentenced young people.

  Our aim is to find ways of making better and more effective use of the accommodation and to ensure positive and constructive regimes which safeguard young people's welfare and tackle offending behaviour.

  Parole
  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration he has given to improving the system whereby the Parole Board takes fully into account representations from victims or their families. [15794]

  Ms. Quin
  The Parole Board considers any representations submitted to it from or on behalf of victmis when considering the conditions to be contained in the licence of an offender to be released from custody to supervision by the Probation Service. Under the Victims Charter and the Probation Service National Standards, probation services are required to make contact with victims of violent or sexual offences, or the victims of any offence for which the offender was sentenced to 432
  four years or more, to enable them to express any concerns they want to be taken into account when the Parole Board is considering the conditions to be attached to release licences.

  Victim Support
  Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the Government's plans to provide greater support for victims of crime. [15795]

  Mr. Straw
  I refer to the oral answer the Minister of State, Home Department, my hon. Friend the Member for Gateshead, East and Washington (Ms Quin) West gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Reading West (Mr Salter) earlier today.

  Criminal Justice System (Delays)
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to tackle delays in the criminal justice system. [15796]

  Mr. Michael
  The Government are committed to tackling delay throughout the criminal justice system especially in the youth justice system and have pledged to halve the time taken to deal with persistent young offenders. The Crime and Disorder Bill will contain the necessary measures and, will make provision for statutory time limits which will be tougher for young offenders than for adults, and tougher still for persistent young offenders.

  Prison Officers
  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he next plans to meet representatives of prison officers to discuss prison matters. [15797]

  Ms Quin
  I visited Prison Officer Association staff at their headquarters in London on 24 July and have had several other formal meetings with their representatives, which will continue, although no precise date has been arranged for the next meeting.

  Metropolitan Police Recruitment
  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on Metropolitan police recruitment. [15799]

  Mr. Michael
  I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that he has recruited 811 officers this financial year. He plans four further intakes, bringing the total for 1997–98 to 1,210.

  Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement concerning the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme. [15800]
  433
  Mr. Michael
  The Great Britain criminal injuries compensation scheme is one of the most generous in the world. In 1996–97 it paid out over £210 million to some 47,000 victims of crime. We are currently looking at expenditure on victims of crime, including expenditure on the scheme, as part of the Government's comprehensive spending review initiated earlier this year. We shall consider whether any changes should be made to the scheme in the light of the findings that emerge from the review.

  Police (Resources)
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he makes of the needs of the police force when allocating resources within his departmental budget. [15801]

  Mr. Michael
  The Government's overall aim is to ensure that the police have adequate resources to play their key part in cutting and preventing crime. In assessing the spending needs of the police we take into account, amongst other considerations, the budget pressures identified by the Association of Chief Police Officers and the Association of Police Authorities.

  Members of Parliament (Bribery)
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to make bribery of hon. Members an offence. [15802]

  Mr. Michael
  The Government are committed to tackling all forms of corruption, including bribery of hon. Members. My right hon. Friend expects to make a statement on the reform of the law in this area early next year, taking account of the results of the consultation exercise which he launched in June and of proposals which the Law Commission are preparing. He will also take account of any further recommendations which the Committee on Standards in Public Life might make and of the views of the Joint Committee on Parliamentary Privilege.

  European Elections (Electoral Arrangements)
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the electoral arrangements proposed for the next European elections. [15803]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The European Parliamentary Elections Bill, which is to have its Second Reading tomorrow, provides for elections to the European Parliament to be conducted using a proportionally-based regional list system.

  Restorative Justice
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of projects under evaluation by his Department relating to restorative justice. [15804]

  Mr. Michael
  Restorative justice is one way of fulfilling this Government's intention to confront offenders—especially young offenders—with the consequences of their actions.
  434

  Restraint Methods
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he has issued to police forces on methods of restraint, with particular reference to positional asphyxia. [15806]

  Mr. Michael
  The Association of Chief Police Officers has issued detailed guidance to all police self-defence trainers on this subject. This deals with the circumstances in which positional asphyxia is most likely to occur, risk factors, and how to recognise the symptoms and give first aid. The recent HMIC report of Officer Safety also made particular reference to the need for Police officers to have training in first aid and the care of individuals who have been restrained.

  Young Offenders (Parents)
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he will take to ensure that support and guidance is given to parents of young offenders. [15807]

  Mr. Michael
  Reform of the youth justice system is one of the Government'skey priorities. As part of our radical shift in priorities we will introduce a new Parenting Order which encourages parents to accept their responsibilities for the behaviour of their children. There will be an element which allows the courts to direct that parents exercise control over their children and an element which allows the court to impose a requirement on parents to attend training and guidance sessions. We intend to include proposals for the Parenting Order and the establishment of Youth Offender Teams in the forthcoming Crime and Disorder Bill.

  Prison and Probation Services
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to ensure integration and co-operation between the Prison Service and the probation service. [15808]

  Ms Quin
  As my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary announced in July, I am leading the work of a review into the efficiency and effectiveness of the ways in which the two services work together. There is no predetermined outcome to the review. We shall be considering options for improving their performance next year with a view to consulting widely about the future of both services in due course.

  Anti-social Neighbours
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made in respect of his policy to tackle anti-social neighbours. [15809]

  Mr. Michael
  In September we published a consultation paper outlining proposals for a new court order which would prohibit an individual who had engaged in anti-social behaviour from continuing to behave in that way. The responses received have been generally positive, and we will introduce appropriate provisions in the Crime and Disorder Bill shortly.
  435

  Alcopops
  Mr. Touhig
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment his Department has made of the report by the Office for National Statistics on alcopops; and if he will make a statement. [15810]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The findings of the Office for National Statistics' (ONS) report "Young teenagers and alcohol in 1996" support those of other surveys and research, which indicate worrying levels of alcohol misuse by young people. The Government's announcement on 17 July made clear our concern about this problem and set out the action which we expected all concerned, including the industry itself, to take.

  Sex Offenders
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to protect the public from serious sex offenders released early from non-life sentences. [15811]

  Mr. Michael
  The Sex Offenders Act 1997 requires offenders who have been convicted of sex offences against children and other serious sex offences to notify the police of their name and address and any changes to these details. The police will work with the Probation Service and other agencies to use this information to protect children and vulnerable people by alerting agencies and individuals of the presence of an offender in their area when appropriate. The Crime and Disorder Bill will also introduce provisions to allow for the extended supervision of sex offenders. This will enable probation services to ensure that offenders complete treatment programmes.

  Human Rights
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he intends to introduce to safeguard the rights of British citizens under the European Convention on Human Rights. [15812]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We introduced the Human Rights Bill in another place last month. The Bill gives further effect in domestic law to the rights and freedoms set out in the Convention, and will significantly improve the ability of people in the United Kingdom to rely on their Convention rights before our own courts.

  Drugs and Crime
  Gillian Merron
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to tackle the link between drugs and crime. [15813]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to tackle the link between drugs and crime. [15815]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Home Office has a research programme designed to shed further light on the links between drugs and crime. In addition, a Home Office Drugs Prevention Initiative study is testing the 436
  impact of drug treatment interventions in the criminal justice system—from arrest through sentence and beyond—to refer people with drug problems to drug treatment programmes.

  A new testing and treatment order will be introduced to give courts the powers to require drug misusing offenders to undergo treatment. The new order will be rigorously enforced and include the use of drug testing to ensure those in treatment are staying off illegal drugs.

  The new United Kingdom Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator Keith Hellawell, has been appointed and will be supported by a Deputy, Michael Trace. The immediate priorities for the Co-ordinator will include reviewing existing action against drug misuse and submitting proposals to Ministers for a new strategy as quickly as possible, aimed at tackling drug problems through effective enforcement, treatment and education.

  Youth Crime
  Mrs. Fiona Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what response he has received to his proposals to tackle youth crime. [15814]

  Mr. Michael
  The Government's formal proposals for tackling youth crime were set out in the three consultation documents and the consultation periods for these documents closed recently. Several hundred responses were received, and these are currently being assessed. The intention is to provide Parliament with a report on these consultation exercises as soon as practicable. More generally we have received an enthusiastic response from the police, the public and most other organisations in the field.

  Prison Service
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received regarding the use of private contractors in the management of the Prison Service. [15816]

  Ms Quin
  Since 1 May, my right hon. Friend has received representations from hon. Members, the Prison Service Trade Unions, members of staff, representatives of contractors and other members of the public. The subjects covered include: the building and running of new prisons under the private finance initiative; the involvement of the private sector in Prison Service administration under the Quantum project; and the contractual management of industries at Coldingley prison.

  Figures are available for Parliamentary Questions and Ministers' cases and are listed in the table:

  Representations received on private sector involvement in prison service management

  Subject

  Parliamentary Questions

  Ministers cases

  Quantum

  6

  2

  PFI and Prisons

  3

  —

  Prisons and Private sector

  4

  10

  Total

  13

  12

  437

  Police Officers
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers there are per head of population in(a) England as a whole and (b) the Devon and Cornwall constabulary. [15789]

  Mr. Michael
  The average ratio for England is one police officer: 414 people. In the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary the ratio is one police officer: 538 people. This is based on police numbers at March 1997, and the latest population figures which are for June 1996.

  Bus Lanes
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will raise the penalty for illegal use of bus lanes. [16839]

  Review

  Consultation

  Expected completion date

  Joint review with Northern Ireland Office to consider permanent United Kingdom wide counter terrorism legislation

  Consultation document to be published early 1998

  Autumn 1998

  Review of the law relating to bribery and corruption. "Prevention of Corruption— Consolidation and Amendment of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1889–1916: A Government Statement"—issued June 1997

  Discussion paper: "Clarification of the Law relating to Bribery of an MP"—issued December 1996

  Early 1998

  Strategic Review of National Police Training

  No formal consultation paper

  Early 1998

  Inter-Departmental Review of Police Pensions

  Consultation document still to be issued

  To be decided

  Review of Firefighters' Pension Scheme

  Consultation document still to be issued

  To be decided

  Review of Community Fire Safety

  Consultation document on the strategy proposed in the report of the Community Fire Safety Task Force published November 1997

  To be decided

  Review of Prison Nursing Services

  Consultation document issued 21 October 1997

  February 1998

  Review of long-term future of organisation of Prison Service Health Care

  Joint Prison Service/Department of Health Working Group. Consultation document not yet issued

  Mid 1998

  Review of Prison Service Drug Strategy

  No consultation document issued

  March 1998

  Review of Prisons Investigations Strategy

  No consultation document issued

  First stage completion April 1998

  Review of the operation of release of prisoners on temporary licence

  No consultation document issued, but consultation with Police/Probation Service and other interested parties to be carried out by the end of 1997

  Mid 1998

  Review of Government proposals on reform of Youth Justice System

  Three consultation papers: "Tackling Youth Crime"—September 1997, "New National and Local Focus on Youth Crime"— October 1997 "Tackling Delays in Youth Justice System"—October 1997

  Results of review to be reflected in Crime and Disorder Bill

  Review of measures to deal with anti-social behaviour

  Consultation document on community safety orders published 9 September 1997

  Results of review to be reflected in Crime and Disorder Bill

  438
  Mr. Michael
  Illegal use of a bus lane is an offence under section 36 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 and carries a maximum fine of £1,000. An offence can be dealt with under the fixed penalty procedure, in which case the penalty is currently £20.

  We have no plans to increase the maximum penalty which may be imposed by the courts, but we are reviewing the current level of the fixed penalty.

  Departmental Reviews
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the reviews being undertaken by his Department, indicating the consultation documents issued in relation to each review and the expected completion date for each. [16539]

  Mr. Straw
  The information requested about reviews is set out in the table.
  439

  Review

  Consultation

  Expected completion date

  Review of measures to deal with the protection of communities from known sex offenders who pose a continuing risk

  Consultation document on communtity protetion order issued November 1997

  Results of review to be reflected in Crime and Disorder Bill

  Review of measures on Communitity Safety

  Consultation paper "Getting to Grips with Crime" —issued September 1997

  Results of review to be reflected in Crime and Disorder Bill

  In addition, my Department is carrying out a Comprehensive Spending Review, and contributing to cross-Departmental reviews of the criminal justice system and of illegal drugs, in accordance with my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary's statement of 11 June 1997, Official Report, columns 1143–44. The statement said that these reviews were expected to take 12 months to complete. My Department is also carrying out a review of those non-Departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs) for which the Home Office is the sponsoring Department. This review is part of a Government-wide exercise which is referred to in the Government's public consultation paper "Opening Up Quangos" issued in November 1997.

  Huntingdon Life Sciences (Dog Breeding)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when Huntingdon Life Sciences was granted a licence to breed dogs at their laboratory at Occold; and to what extent his Department's inquiry into Huntingdon Life Sciences' treatment of dogs was taken into account in allowing the licence. [16726]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Certificate of Designation was amended on 23 May to allow the breeding of dogs.

  Careful consideration was given to the suitability of allowing Huntingdon Life Sciences to breed dogs in the light of the allegations made in the Channel 4 programme. The emerging findings from the Chief Inspector's investigation showed, however, that the problems uncovered by the broadcast were limited to the Huntingdon site.

  The Chief Inspector had specifically assessed conditions at Occold. The housing conditions for the dogs and the adequacy of the staffing arrangements to ensure the welfare of the animals were therefore checked before the Certificate of Designation was amended.

  Illegal Entrants
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what has been the total cost to public funds of the removal of illegal entrants between 1 May and 30 September; [16768]

  (2) how many illegal entrants have been removed from the constituency of Leicester, East since 1 May; and what has been the cost to pubic funds. [16769]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Statistics and costings in relation to the removal of overseas nationals as illegal entrants are not available on the basis of Parliamentary constituencies. Details of the costs of removing illegal entrants are not maintained separately from those of overseas nationals removed by the deportation process and the information requested could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
  440

  Breath Testing
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans the Government has to introduce random breath testing for alcohol. [16898]

  Mr. Michael
  The law already provides the police with wide powers to test drivers for drinking and driving: they may administer a test in the event of an accident or a moving traffic offence; of if they have cause to suspect a driver has alcohol in his body. These powers are used extensively. In England and Wales in 1996, it has been calculated that some 781,000 roadside breath tests were carried out, the highest number ever.

  My noble Friend the Minister for Roads is currently considering a number of options for improving road safety, including possible measures on drinking and driving.

  Electronic Tagging
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to use electronic tagging as a substitute for part of a custodial sentence so as to bring about the early release of convicted prisoners. [17158]

  Ms Quin
  I refer the hon. Member to the statement my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary made on 20 November 1997,Official Report, column 453.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list all foreign visits(a) Ministers and (b) officials from his Department have undertaken since 2 May separately identifying those examining the operation of electronic tagging systems; and if he will make a statement. [16582]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 20 November 1997]: I refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Gordon (Mr. Bruce) on 13 November 1997, Official Report, column 642. Of the foreign visits listed in that reply, only the one on 4–6 November involved study of electronic monitoring. That visit was undertaken by one Minister accompanied by three officials. No other foreign visits by officials on this subject have been undertaken since 2 May. The right hon. Member may, however, be interested to note that I looked at the operation of electronic tagging in one city in the United States of America while on a visit there in 1995.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. McCabe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will assess the(a) advantages and (b) disadvantages of requiring asylum seekers to live in reception centres; and if he will make a statement. [17407]
  441
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The interdepartmental study of the asylum process is looking at reception centres as one of a wide range of different options in the course of its examination of the arrangements for providing support and accommodation to asylum seekers. The study team will report to Ministers in the new year.

  WPC Fletcher
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the result of the interview between the hon. Member for Linlithgow and Commander David Venness in July 1997 on further investigations into the death of WPC Fletcher. [15887]

  Mr. Straw
  I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that the investigation into the murder of Woman Police Constable Fletcher is continuing. The investigation is taking account of all the circumstances of the case, including those raised by my hon. Friend.

  Telecommunications (Interception)
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will extend the law to protect calls on mobile and cordless telephones from intrusive interception. [15792]

  Mr. Straw
  It is already an offence intentionally to intercept a communication in the course of its transmission over a public telecommunications system. I shall, in due course, introduce legislation to bring interception on private networks into the statutory framework.

  Private Security Industry
  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received about regulation of the private security industry. [15798]

  Mr. Michael
  We have received over 60 responses to our recent consultation exercise with the industry and others on the best way to provide a comprehensive, effective and streamlined system for regulation of the private security industry. We shall be making recommendations for action once we have analysed all the responses.

  Right to Silence
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the operation of recent reforms relating to the right to silence; and if he will make a statement. [15805]

  Mr. Michael
  The Home Office Research and Statistics Directorate has been monitoring the effects of the 1994 right to silence legislation since its introduction. The findings of the research will be published in two parts: the first, due at the end of this year, will cover the changes in the frequency of the suspect's use of right to silence in police interviews; and the second, due early next year, will look at the wider impact of the provisions on the criminal justice system.
  442

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Ennis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many clients have appealed against their assessment since the establishment of the CSA; and what percentage of appellants have been successful in winning their appeal. [14545]

  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.

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

  Letter from Faith Boardman to Mr. Jeff Ennis, dated 21 November 1997:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about appeals to the Child Support Agency.
  I am unable to give you precisely the information that you have requested, so I have provided as much information as is available. Although appeals were received during the first year of operation, reliable information on this area of performance has only been collected since April 1994. From that date to 30 September 1997, 25,754 appeals have been received by the Agency.
  Not all appeals sent to the Agency are sent to the Independent Tribunal Service and not all of those sent to Independent Tribunal Service are heard by a tribunal. Some will be withdrawn by the appellant, others may lapse or be ruled as outside the jurisdiction of the tribunal before they are allocated a hearing.
  From April 1994 to September 1997 26,280 cases have been lodged with the Independent Tribunal Service (during the same period the agency has completed or in some way reviewed approximately 1.1 million assessments). More cases have been lodged with Independent Tribunal Services than have been recorded as received by the Agency, as this includes some cases which were received by the Agency in 1993–94. Of those cases lodged with Independent Tribunal Services 17,091 have been cleared by a hearing, 12,990 of which have been returned to the Agency for reassessment; the reassessment requested can be linked to the reason for the appeal, or may be a result of other factors which have come to light during the appeal process. This represents 49 per cent, of cases lodged with the Independent Tribunal or approximately 1 per cent, of assessments completed or reviewed during this period.
  I hope this reply is helpful.

  Official Hospitality
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is her estimate of the expenditure by(a) her 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. [15222]

  Mr. Field
  [holding answer 11 November 1997]: The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is set out in the following table.
  443

  £ 000

  1987–88

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1 May to 30 September 1997

  Department of Social Security Headquarters

  1,582,930

  75,778

  54,036

  78,833

  38,525

  40,493

  15,885

  7,160

  5,149

  Resettlement Agency

  —

  —

  231

  136

  0

  0

  —

  —

  —

  Information Technology Services Agency

  —

  —

  13,376

  24,026

  17,544

  7,229

  416

  0

  0

  Benefits Agency

  —

  —

  24,224

  60,429

  82,799

  62,064

  71,567

  22,331

  3,433

  Contributions Agency

  —

  —

  67

  1,040

  3,637

  6,021

  3,434

  7,066

  423

  Child Support Agency

  —

  —

  —

  11,437

  20,439

  5,992

  3,6002

  4,622

  0

  War Pensions Agency

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1,517

  5,340

  2,215

  2,007

  506

  Independent Statutory Bodies

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2,810

  3,010

  2,171

  1 Expenditure information for 1980–81 is not available.

  2 The Department's Non-Departmental Public Bodies are funded on-Vote and, as such, their expenditure prior to 1995–96 is subsumed within DSS HQ.

  3 The Resettlement Agency was disbanded in 1995–96.

  Overseas Travel
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is her estimate of the expenditure by(a) her 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,

  £ 000

  1987–88

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1 May to 30 September 1997

  Department of Social Security

  788,683

  213,231

  205,482

  202,253

  158,66

  200,154

  160,672

  79,629

  21,713

  Information technology Services Agency

  —

  38.014

  121,084

  174,274

  53,119

  56,364

  48,139

  44,704

  4,700

  Benefits Agency

  —

  —

  102,447

  62,517

  57,346

  113,266

  172,120

  185,752

  16,258

  Contributions Agency

  —

  —

  —

  12,960

  31,838

  15,040

  21,356

  —

  —

  Child Support Agency

  —

  —

  —

  8,988

  NIL

  9,584

  8,080

  7,046

  —

  War Pensions Agency

  —

  —

  —

  —

  47,198

  3,975

  2,134

  2,899

  874

  Non Departmental Public Bodies

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1,850

  199

  488

  1 A breakdown of air fares and other expenditure relating to overseas travel is not available.

  2 Figures for the 1980–81 financial year are not available.

  3 Figures include the amounts paid for subsistence.

  4 The Department's NDPBs are funded on-Vote and, as such, their expenditure prior to 1995–96 is subsumed within DSS HQ.

  Publicity and Advertising
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is her estimate of the total expenditure on all forms of publicity and advertising by(a) her 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. [15225]

  Mr. Field
  [holding answer 11 November 1997]: The information is set out in the table.

  £

  1993–94

  18,333,603

  1994–95

  20,054,914

  1995–96

  20,085,672

  1996–97

  17,724,255

  1997–981

  3,464,040

  1997–982

  12,937,210

  1998–993

  11,399,000

  1Figures as at September 1997.

  2Full year Estimate.

  3Planned Expenditure.

  444
  (v) 1992–93, (vi) 1993–94,(viii) 1995–96,(ix) 1996–97 and (x) 1 May to 30 September 1997; and if she will provide a breakdown to show (1) air fares and (2) other expenditure relating tooverseas travel. [15223]

  Mr.Field
  [holding answer 11 November 1997]: The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is set out in the table.

  Benefit Recipients (Income Tax)
  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will estimate the number of people receiving(a) income support, (b) housing benefit, (c) council tax benefit and (d) family credit who are also liable to pay income tax. [17568]

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

  As at May 1997, the latest date for which information is available, it is estimated that there were 424,000 Family Credit recipients who were paying income tax at the time the award began. This represents 57 per cent, of the Family Credit caseload.

  Information on the number of people receiving Income Support, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit who are also liable to pay income tax is not available.

  Note:

  Number is rounded to the nearest thousand. Percentage is given to the nearest full per cent.

  Source:

  5 per cent, sample of Family Credit awards as at 31 May 1997.
  445
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many recipients of family credit paid income tax in 1996–97. [17347]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  As at May 1997, the latest date for which information is available, it is estimated that there were 424,000 Family Credit recipients who were paying income tax at the time the award began. This represents 57 per cent, of the Family Credit caseload.

  Note:

  Number is rounded to the nearest thousand. Percentage is given to the nearest full per cent.

  Source:

  5 per cent, sample of Family Credit awards as at 31 May 1997.

  Health Action Zones
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for social Security what proposals she has to encourage the involvement of local Benefits Agency officers in the development of health action zones. [17227]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The Department is working closely with the Department of Health to consider what role Social Security, and the Benefits Agency, might play in the development of health action zones. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has no specific proposals at this time.

  Lone Parents
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average amount of which the 433 lone parents who were helped to obtain jobs by the New Deal pilot scheme were better off in work. [17559]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The information is not yet available.

  The evaluation of the New Deal for Lone Parents includes a quantitative survey of a sample of participants in all eight areas of the scheme which will collect information from lone parents on how much better off they are in work.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Burnett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the average eligible rent for housing benefit and the average housing benefit awarded to single people under 25 years under(a) previous scheme rules, (b) the local reference rent and (c) the single room rent, for the quarters ending February 1997 and May 1997. [17409]

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

  Estimated eligible rent for single people aged under 25 claiming housing benefit for accommodation in the private sector (excluding Housing Associations)—Great Britain—provisional

  February 1997 £

  Assessed under previous scheme rules

  55.60

  Assessed under local reference rent scheme

  49.10

  Assessed under single room rent scheme

  43.00

  Note:

  Comparable figures for May 1997 are not yet available.

  Source: Return from a representative sample of local authorities.
  446

  Eligible rent and housing for single people aged under 25 claiming housing benefit for accommodation in the private sector (excluding Housing Associations) and assessed under single room rent scheme —Great Britain

  May 1997 £

  Eligible rent

  40.30

  Average housing benefit

  37.80

  Notes:

  1. Comparable figures for February 1997 are not available

  2. Average housing benefit figure for single people under 25 and assessed under other schemes are not routinely collected.

  Source: Quartely 100 per cent. counts

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Overseas Travel
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what is her estimate of the expenditure by(a) her 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 she will provide a breakdown to show (1) air fares and (2) other expenditure relating to overseas travel. [15263]

  Clare Short
  [holding answer 12 November 1997]: Expenditure on overseas travel made by the Department for International Development and its agency, the Natural Resources Institute (NRI), for the years requested is as follows:

  £000

  DFID

  NRI

  Total

  1991–92

  1,066

  166

  1,232

  1992–93

  1,249

  170

  1,419

  1993–94

  1,375

  178

  1,553

  1994–95

  1,374

  112

  1,486

  1995–96

  1,514

  179

  1,693

  1996–97

  1,471

  —

  1,471

  1997–98 to 30 September

  531

  —

  —

  NRI was transferred to private ownership in 1996–97.

  Figures for years prior to 1991–92 and the breakdown between air fares and other expenditure cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate costs.

  World Bank
  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps she intends to take to use her position as a Governor of the World Bank to ensure that promises made to parliamentarians by the World Bank President in his letter of January 1996 are being kept. [17033]

  Clare Short
  The UK will use its influence in the World Bank to strengthen its poverty focus and encourage it to set quantifiable targets for poverty reduction and to measure progress towards these.
  447
  The World Bank is a key partner in our efforts to pursue the international development targets, which are based on agreements reached at a series of UN Summits. The President of the World Bank, Mr. James Wolfensohn, has already made a clear commitment to the targets, which I very much welcome. We will encourage the Bank to devote more attention to monitoring and evaluating the output and the impact of its activities, and to integrate gender considerations and environmental and social sustainability into its projects including enhanced support for activities which help the poorest, such as education, health and clean water.

  We will pursue these objectives through regular discussions with the President of the Bank and with senior management; through the extensive contacts which exist between professional advisers and programme managers in the Bank and my department; through our regular contacts with non-governmental organisations to discuss policy issues and specific Bank-funded projects; and through the interventions in formal Board proceedings made by our Director at the Bank and his team in the UK Delegation.

  El Salvador
  Mr. Fitzpatrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list current British aid projects in El Salvador. [16910]

  Mr. Foulkes
  In addition to a £100,000 British Partnership Scheme, administered by the British Embassy in San Salvador, which enables support to be provided for small local development projects, we are currently supporting the following projects through the Department for International Development (DFID) Joint Funding Scheme.

  Organisation

  Project title

  DFID contribution (£)

  Health Unlimited

  Relief and training programme

  257,000

  International Co-operation for Development

  Institutional strengthening of NGOs

  67,827

  It is likely that additional projects in El Salvador will be supported this year through the block grant arrangement of the Joint Funding Scheme, which operates on the basis of claims in arrears. Twenty-eight CAFOD, Christian Aid and Oxfam projects in El Salvador were supported in this way last year.

  Iraq
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the 1997 proposals for demining to be administered by the European Community Humanitarian Office in Northern Iraq. [16979]

  Mr. Foulkes
  The European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO) does not itself administer projects. It works in partnership with NGOs, UN and other international agencies that are themselves responsible for project administration.

  In 1997 the only ECHO funded partner for demining in Iraq was the British NGO Mines Advisory Group (MAG). MAG has a contract for £680,000 primarily to supply
  448
  mine detectors and other equipment such as protection jackets, helmets etc. ECHO has also provided £1.5 million for medical support for land mine victims. Britain contributes about a seventh of the cost of the ECHO programme.

  Aid and Trade Provision
  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what finances are budgeted for(a) 1997–98 and (b) 1998–99 for mixed credits in place of ATP for each agreed country programme. [17446]

  Clare Short
  There will be no separate budget allocation for mixed credit projects. In announcing the closure of the ATP scheme the White Paper on International Development also made it clear that any new mixed credit projects will be managed within agreed country programmes.

  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list(a) the countries to which ATP assistance has been given and (b) the amounts involved in each of the last five years. [17443]

  Clare Short
  The countries and amounts involved for all ATP agreements concluded in each of the last five years are as follows (figures in £ million):

  £ million

  Country

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  Chile

  0.0

  0.8

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  China

  2.0

  4.2

  12.3

  3.8

  27.2

  Ghana

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  8.7

  7.8

  India

  1.4

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Indonesia

  0.0

  0.0

  29.7

  9.5

  0.0

  Lesotho

  0.0

  4.8

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Malaysia

  1.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Morocco

  10.9

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Pakistan

  0.0

  0.0

  2.5

  0.0

  0.0

  Philippines

  0.0

  0.0

  4.2

  9.2

  0.0

  Sri Lanka

  0.0

  0.1

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Thailand

  0.0

  4.1

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Turkey

  6.6

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Zimbabwe

  4.3

  0.0

  1.4

  0.0

  0.0

  Total

  26.2

  14.0

  50.1

  31.2

  35.0

  Commonwealth Development Corporation
  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when she intends to bring forward legislation on the Commonwealth Development Corporation. [17449]

  Clare Short
  We shall be seeking to bring forward legislation to enable the creation of a new public/private partnership for the Commonwealth Development Corporation as soon as Parliamentary time permits.

  Zimbabwe and Zambia
  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance her Department is currently giving for the maintenance of order in rural areas in Zimbabwe. [17448]

  Clare Short
  DFID is supporting a programme of reforms by the Zimbabwe Republic Police to introduce community policing, including in the rural areas.
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  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to give development assistance to(a) Zambia and (b) Zimbabwe; and if she will make a statement. [17451]

  Clare Short
  We have substantial development programmes in both countries. These are being refocused in line with the recent White Paper (Cm. 3789).

  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions her Department has had with the Government of Zimbabwe on assistance with compensation in connection with land redistribution; and if she will make a statement. [17444]

  Clare Short
  The issue has been discussed with the Government of Zimbabwe by British Ministers and officials. We have told the Government of Zimbabwe that we cannot support the rapid programme of land acquisition that they seem to envisage. We would be willing to support a properly prepared programme of land reform as part of a partnership to eliminate poverty.
  450
  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has made to the Government of Zambia on(a) human rights and (b) good government; and if she will make a statement. [17445]

  Clare Short
  I raised these issues with the Government of Zambia earlier this year. Officials have pursued them frequently since.

  Somalia
  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance her Department is currently giving for disaster relief in Somalia. [17450]

  Clare Short
  I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Sutherland, South (Mr. Mullin) on 19 November 1997,Official Report, column 178. Since then, I have provided a further £0.5 million bilaterally to help—$0.25 million for UNICEF, which is co-ordinating the logistical operation and £0.25 million for the International Committee of the Red Cross.

  Sudan
  Sudan
  Japan: UN Convention against Torture
  Japan: UN Convention against Torture
  Former Yugoslavia: Arrest of War Criminals
  Former Yugoslavia: Arrest of War Criminals
  Sierra Leone
  Sierra Leone
  Abidjan Peace Accords and UN Monitors
  Abidjan Peace Accords and UN Monitors
  UN Security Resolution 1132
  UN Security Resolution 1132
  International Criminal Court
  International Criminal Court
  Traffic Islands
  Traffic Islands
  RMC Group plc, "Bowbelle" and "Sand Kite"
  RMC Group plc, "Bowbelle" and "Sand Kite"
  Sports Stadia
  Sports Stadia
  Gulf War: Attributable Benefits for Reservists
  Gulf War: Attributable Benefits for Reservists
  Teacher Training Courses: Fee Remission
  Teacher Training Courses: Fee Remission
  Single Currency: Deficit Penalties
  Single Currency: Deficit Penalties
  Smoking-related Disease: Treatment Cost
  Smoking-related Disease: Treatment Cost
  Prisoners: Suicides
  Prisoners: Suicides
  Cookham Wood Secure Training Centre
  Cookham Wood Secure Training Centre
  Blood Sports
  Blood Sports
  China: Coercive Population Policies
  China: Coercive Population Policies
  World Bank
  World Bank
  Petroleum Coke
  Petroleum Coke
  Agriculture Council, 17–18 November
  Agriculture Council, 17–18 November
  BSE: Moving Annual Total of Cases
  BSE: Moving Annual Total of Cases