Written Answers of 26 November 1997

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Closed Circuit Television
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for a further round of CCTV bids supported by Home Office funding in 1998–99. [17159]

  Mr. Michael
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Normanton (Mr. O'Brien) on 24 November 1997,Official Report, columns 630–31.

  Amsterdam Treaty
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in respect of which sections of the Treaty of Amsterdam his Department contributed to the drafting. [17012]

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

  Youth Crime
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the youth organisations he has consulted over the causes of youth crime; and if he will make a statement. [17412]

  Mr. Michael
  The Government have set out their policy on tackling youth crime and its causes in three consultation documents published since September 25: "Tackling Youth Crime", "New National and Local Focus on Youth Crime" and "Tackling Delays in the Youth Justice System". We have sent out over 2,000 copies of each to interested parties, including youth organisations. As of 21 November, we had received a total of 955 responses. The consultation period is now over and we aim to provide a report to Parliament on the responses as soon as is practicable.

  Schengen Agreement
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what circumstances the technical and operational documents relating to Schengen apply to United Kingdom nationals; and what further co-operation with Schengen countries will be(a) requested and (b) expected of United Kingdom authorities. [17078]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 24 November 1997]: The United Kingdom is not a member of Schengen and under the Treaty of Amsterdam the Schengen acquis will apply as a matter of European law in all member states except the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. The Treaty of Amsterdam provides for the
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  United Kingdom to participate in provisions of the Schengen acquis; no decision has been taken about possible United Kingdom participation.

  General Pinochet
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many visits to the United Kingdom have been made by General Pinochet of Chile in each of the last three years; and what security protection is provided for him. [17827]

  Mr. Straw
  General Pinochet has visited the United Kingdom on three occasions in the past three years. On each occasion, he has been admitted to the United Kingdom as a visitor in accordance with the Immigration Rules. No security protection has been provided.

  Extradition
  Mrs. Ann Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his letter of 30 August 1997 to the hon. Member for Neath (Mr. Hain), when he expects the United Kingdom will be designated under the South African Extradition Amendment Act. [17625]

  Mr. Michael
  I understand that the necessary Memorandum of Understanding has been signed by President Mandela and that designation of the United Kingdom under the Extradition Amendment Act 1996 was approved by the South African parliament during its last session. The designation is to be published in the Government Gazette shortly and will come into effect on the date it is published.

  Firearms Compensation Claims
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what proportion of compensation claims made under the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997, excluding option C claims, had been settled in(a) the Surrey County Constabulary area, (b) the Metropolitan Police area, (c) the Northern Constabulary area, (d) Orkney and (e) Shetland by 1 November; [17658]

  (2) what proportion of claims, excluding option C claims, for compensation for those who surrendered weapons and ancillary equipment under the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997 had been settled by 1 November: [17657]

  (3) by what date he expects all compensation claims under the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997, excluding option C claims, to have been settled; and if he will make a statement. [17659]

  Mr. Michael
  It has always been recognised that the pressure of claims received over the short hand-in period was bound to mean processing delays, and claimants were advised that they may have to wait several weeks before receiving any payment.

  The target for the completion of claims submitted under Option A and B is the end of March 1988, and that for the completion of claims submitted under Option C, the end of December 1998, although the great majority of claims will have been settled well within these target times. Claims are dealt with in the order in which they are received. Information about the number of claims submitted by different force areas is not yet available.

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  As at 21 November 1997, 39,553 claims had been received, including those for small-calibre pistols submitted under the ex-gratia scheme. Of these, 18,673 payments had been made, to a value of £24 million.

  A number of measures have been taken to increase the processing rate by minimising distractions to examining staff. Weekend overtime is being worked, staff have been temporarily promoted to boost examiner numbers, and efforts are being made to recruit additional staff. I would like to pay tribute to the hard work of everyone in the Home Office and in individual police forces who is working so hard to cope with the challenge. It is appreciated that any delay will irritate those who have handed in their weapons, especially those who were opposed to this legislation. However, we are honouring the commitments made by the previous Government during the passage of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997 and doing as much as is reasonable to minimise delay, consistent with the need to control public expenditure, while fulfilling the clear will of Parliament.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Fazal-Ur-Rahman
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the case of Fazal-Ur-Rahman, formerly of 6 Edgecote Court, Leicester, who has applied for a visa in Islamabad (Foreign Office ref. E452510/97). [16847]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We have asked our high commissioner in Islamabad for a detailed account of the case and my noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs will write to my hon. Friend within one week of receiving that account.

  Police Training
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the countries to which assistance in the training of police(a) is currently being given and (b) has been given since 1992. [17421]

  Mr. Fatchett
  This Department or the Department for Internationa] Development are funding police training for the following countries in the present financial year:Anguilla, Belarus, Bosnia, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Bulgaria, Cayman Islands, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Estonia, Fiji, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Lithuania, Malawi, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Mongolia, Montserrat, Nepal, Pakistan, Palestine Autonomous Territory, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Phillipines, Poland, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Seychelles, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, St. Helena, St. Kitts and Nevis, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Uganda, Uruguay, Vanuatu.

  Individual serving police officers from foreign forces may currently be undertaking academic studies sponsored by this Department or the Department for International Development, or receiving training funded from other public or private sector sources, but it would involve disproportionate cost to try to establish a record of this additional training.
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  Police and security forces receiving sponsored training in previous years were listed in answers given on 28 February 1996, Official Report, columns 546–47, and 14 May 1996, Official Report, columns 385–87, by the then Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to my hon. Friend the Member for Cardiff, Central (Mr. Jones); on 31 October 1996, Official Report, columns 218–19, in an answer given by the then Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, to my right hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Ladywood (Clare Short) and on 12 December 1996 in an answer by the then Minister of State for Defence, to my hon. Friend the Member for Cynon Valley (Ann Clwyd).

  Imports (Verification of Labelling)
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with importers handling goods labelled "Made in Israel" on measures to verify their attribution. [17542]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  In a notice to importers, published in the Official Journal of the European Communities on 8 November, the European Commission advised importers of serious doubts about the validity of all preferential certificates issued by Israel, for all products. HM Customs and Excise have given this notice wide publicity through trade associations and journals.

  Within the framework of the EC-Israel Agreement, Customs are carrying out inquiries to establish the true origin of a wide range of products imported from Israel. The Subjects of these inquiries include fruit juice. Customs experts from all Member States will meet shortly to discuss what further measures can be taken to verify Israeli origin declarations. EC officials will meet Israel representatives soon, following consultations with Member States, to seek a solution to this problem.

  DNA Tests (Immigration)
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the procedures for the provision of free DNA tests in circumstances where the authenticity of a family relationship is contested, for immigration purposes. [17234]

  Mr. Fatchett
  DNA tests are provided for first-time applicants wishing to settle in the UK and for persons seeking to establish an entitlement to the Right of Abode in the UK. Applicants are advised that the service is free and that participation is voluntary. Blood samples are sent to the UK for DNA analysis for comparison with a DNA sample taken from a family member in the UK. Results are normally notified to Posts within 6 weeks.

  Western Sahara
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings have been held with representatives of the Polisario movement of the Western Sahara in the past six months; and if he will make a statement. [17840]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The United Nations have held direct talks with the parties involved in the Western Sahara issue. We support the UN's role in securing a settlement to the dispute.
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  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what funding HMG has provided towards UN operations in the Western Sahara for each of the last five years. [17829]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We have made the following contributions to the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) in each of the last five financial years:

  1992–93: £815,057

  1993–94: £310,496

  1994–95: £22,527

  1995–96: £3,676,702

  1996–97: £641,173

  The first three figures are the costs of a UK military contribution (15 military observers and the Chief of Staff) which was made from 1991–93. The last two figures show our UN-assessed contributions.

  The UK pays 6.568 per cent. in assessed contributions of the total yearly cost of every UN peacekeeping operation. However, because the UK's contribution to MINURSO was over-assessed in 1991–92, no bills for assessed contributions were received in the following three financial years. Our estimated contribution for 1997–98 is £700,000.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans his Department has to ensure observers are present in the Western Sahara until the United Nations referendum on its future is held; and if he will make a statement. [17842]

  Mr. Factchett
  We support the UN mission in the Western Sahara. We have welcomed the Secretary-General's report dated 13 November 1997 to the Security Council, which contains recommendations on MINURSO's deployment. As a permanent member of the Security Council, we are playing a leading role in discussion on that deployment.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made by United Kingdom representatives at the United Nations concerning the holding of a referendum on the future of the Western Sahara; and if he will make a statement. [17839]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The United Nations is helping to prepare the ground for a referendum in Western Sahara. As a permanent member of the Security Council, the UK is playing an active role in discussions on the future deployment of MINURSO and on the UN mission.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have been held with the Government of Morocco concerning the future of the Western Sahara. [17841]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The United Nations has held direct talks with the parties involved in the Western Sahara issue. We support the UN's role in securing a settlement to the dispute.
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  Egypt
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information, and from what sources, his Department has evaluated on the security of visitors to Egypt; and what guidance his Department has issued to tour operators. [17826]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We gather information from a wide range of reliable sources. We are in close contact with our Embassy in Cairo who, in turn, are in contact with the Egyptian government.

  Information from these sources has been distilled into the travel advice notice issued on 18 November as follows:
  "In a major incident near Luxor on 17 November gunmen killed more than sixty tourists, including at least six British visitors. Since 1992 extremists have conducted a campaign of violence against the Egyptian Government, mainly in the provinces of Minya and Assiut (half way between Cairo and Luxor) but with sporadic attacks in other areas. Most of these incidents have been directed at the police, or were sectarian in nature.
  Extremists have warned tourists not to visit Egypt. In April 1996 gunmen killed 18 Greek tourists in Cairo. On 18 September two men, acting alone, killed 10 people, mainly German tourists, also in Cairo.
  The Luxor attack suggests that the threat to tourists visiting Upper Egypt has increased. British visitors are advised to exercise great caution when visiting Upper Egypt (defined as the area of the Nile valley south of and including Minya province). They are strongly advised to avoid the Luxor area until further notice.
  Visitors to all other parts of Egypt, including Cairo, the Red Sea and Sinai, are advised to be vigilant and to respect any advice from the local security authorities.
  Local driving conditions and poor vehicle maintenance make road travel outside the main cities hazardous, especially at night. In the event of an accident emergency medical facilities are limited.
  Travel advice is widely available to the travel trade and tour operators. We would be prepared to offer further advice to tour operators if asked. None have approached us following the events in Egypt on 17 November.

  Kurds
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what actions have been taken by his Department to promote dialogue between Kurdish movements in Iran, Iraq and Turkey; and if he will make a statement. [17838]

  Mr. Fatchett
  With the US, the UK has brokered a ceasefire between the two Iraqi-Kurdish parties, the PUK and KDP. This came into effect on 24 November. It is the first essential step towards peace in the region. We have taken no steps to promote dialogue between Kurdish movements in other countries.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the British presence in the Kurdish area of Northern Iraq. [17832]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The UK has no permanent official presence in the Kurdish area of northern Iraq. UK officials based in Ankara visit the area regularly. Several UK non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are also carrying out humanitarian work in northern Iraq.
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  Antarctic Treaty
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to be able to announce the establishment of the Antarctic Secretariat following ratification of the Antarctic Treaty. [17828]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Establishment of the Secretariat to the Antarctic Treaty will depend on the consensus of the Treaty Parties, which have yet to agree on its location.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to the Government of Japan on its approval of the Antarctic Treaty; and if he will make a statement. [17835]

  Mr. Fatchett
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 5 November 1997,Official Report, column 202.

  EU (Immigration and Asylum)
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in what ways Her Majesty's Government will be able to influence policy making in the European Union in respect of immigration and asylum matters. [16499]

  Ms Quin
  I have been asked to reply.

  The United Kingdom participates fully in the intergovernmental co-operation on immigration and asylum policy provided for in the Treaty on the European Union. We shall use the opportunity of the United Kingdom's presidency of the European Union, in the first half of 1998, to carry forward that co-operation. Future co-operation on immigration and asylum policy will, as a result of the Amsterdam Treaty, be taken forward in the First Pillar; the Government have secured a Protocol which enables us to opt into such co-operation. We shall seek to do so where it is in our national interest.

  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy that individual consideration will be given to all asylum applications made by European Union nationals. [16491]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I have been asked to reply.

  The 1951 United Nations Convention requires that we consider applications for asylum individually, irrespective of where they come from and we will comply with that obligation.

  European Commission (Employees)
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what study has been conducted of the pension liabilities of the European Commission staff; and what proportion of employees hold private pensions. [17265]

  Mrs. Liddell
  I have been asked to reply.

  In response to requests from the Council, the Commission prepared a paper on financing the Community pension scheme, which was discussed earlier this year. It included projections up to the year 2015 showing costs rising as the number of pensioners increase.
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  The Commission is working on further studies, including an actuarial assessment of the scheme, on which we expect them to report in 1998. We do not have any information about the number of staff who may have private pensions.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Museum Funding
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of differences in the level of funding between the museums formerly funded by the metropolitan county councils and the GLC since 1986; and what account he will be taking of this in his current review of museum funding. [16125]

  Mr. Fisher
  Funding for most of the former metropolitan museums is a matter for the local authorities in each area. Amongst the 16 museums my Department directly sponsors, there are five that were once funded by the Metropolitan County Councils, and the Greater London Council (the National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside; the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester; the Geffrye Museum; the Horniman Museum and the Museum of London). An annual allocation is made to these institutions following an assessment of their needs as expressed in their respective corporate plans. In addition the Museums and Galleries Commission currently awards an annual grant to the Tyne and Wear Museum Service, following their assessment of the relative needs of the various client bodies funded by them.

  Allocations are made on grounds of affordability and need. Institutions and museum services are very different and are funded on different bases from different sources. Funding levels are therefore not directly comparable.

  My Department is currently considering all of its public funding commitments as part of its contribution to the Government's comprehensive spending review.

  EU Culture Council
  Mr. Singh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Culture Council on 24 November. [18305]

  Mr. Fisher
  EU Ministers of Culture met on 24 November 1997 in Brussels. Ministers agreed Conclusions on music in Europe which are intended to inform the Commission's thinking as it develops proposals for the future of EU cultural action.

  The European Commission presented its proposal for a European Parliament and Council Decision establishing a Community initiative for the "European City of Culture" programme.

  Ministers held an exchange of views on the selection of a European City of Culture for 2001; the funding of EC cultural action in 1999 to cover the period between the expiry of the Ariane and Kaleidoscope programmes and the establishment of a successor programme.

  The Council asked the Commission to carry out a study into the reduction of VAT on recordings.
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  Ministers discussed a proposal for a Council Decision establishing a European Guarantee Fund to promote cinema and television production, and follow-up to the Commission Green Paper on the protection of minors and human dignity in the audiovisual and information services.

  The Council invited the ten associated countries of Central and Eastern Europe to participate in a structured dialogue on measures taken and to be taken to prepare new legislation and adapt existing national legislation, to bring it into line with EU audiovisual legislation and to address questions concerning the protection of minors and human dignity in audiovisual services.

  Ministers also touched upon the future of digital television, European Cities of Culture for 1997 and 1998, the UNESCO Intergovernmental Conference in March 1998 on cultural policies for development, fixed book pricing, co-operation between the EC and the Council of Europe and follow-up action in the cultural field to the Euro-Mediterranean partnership.

TREASURY

  European Central Bank
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the agendas and minutes of the(a) governing council and (b) governing board of the proposed European Central Bank will be made available to any statutory body of (i) participating, and (ii) non-participating member states. [15311]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Article 10.4 of Protocol No. 3 to the Maastricht Treaty (on the Statute of the European System of Central Banks and of the European Central Bank) states in relation to the Governing Council that:"The proceedings of the meetings shall be confidential. The Governing Council may decide to make the outcome of its deliberations public".

  Under Article 12.3 of the same protocol the Governing Council must adopt Rules of Procedure for the Executive Board.

  ECOFIN
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the Council meeting of the Economic and Finance Ministers of the European Union held on 17 November. [17135]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  I represented the UK at the Economic and Finance Council—ECOFIN—of the European Union in Brussels on 17 November. The Economic Secretary accompanied me.

  The Council focused on the issue of economic co-ordination in State 3 of the EMU, in response to the remit from the Amsterdam European Council in June this year. There was a good deal of support for the principle that ECOFIN should continue to be the centre of economic co-ordination. The possibility of informal discussions was also considered. The Council will look again at these issues at its next meeting on 1 December.

  The Council also discussed the date for the introduction of euro notes and coin, and the technical specifications for the coinage.
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  The Council was also presented with two documents by Commissioner Monti. These papers were a Communication on Financial Services: Enhancing Consumer Confidence, and a Green Paper on Supplementary Pensions in the Single Market.

  The report of the SEM2000 (Sound and Efficient Management) group was presented to the Council. This group has been looking at ways to improve the management of Community budget expenditure. The Economic Secretary emphasised the importance we attach to this work.

  Following the main ECOFIN meeting, a joint meeting with Social Affairs Ministers was held to discuss the preparations for the extraordinary European Council on Employment (the "Jobs Summit"), which took place in Luxembourg on 20–21 November. The Secretary of State for Education and Employment and I jointly represented the UK. The Council held further discussions about the proposals for Employment Guidelines.

  Commemorative Coins
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans Her Majesty's Government has to issue new commemorative coins. [18204]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  Her Majesty The Queen has been graciously pleased to approve my recommendation that a fifty pence piece of special design should be issued in 1998 to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the National Health Service and that a two-pound coin should be issued in 1999 to celebrate the hosting of the Rugby World Cup. Both coins will be made available for general circulation and there will be collector versions in base and precious metal.

  She has also been graciously pleased to approve my recommendation that a crown piece with a face value of five pounds should be issued to celebrate the millennium. These crown pieces will be struck in base and precious metal for collectors, and in addition will be available at face value from banks and post offices in 1999 and 2000.

  Hauliers (Fuel Fraud)
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the effectiveness of measures in place to combat the fraudulent use of red diesel and similar fuels by some hauliers operating within and through Northern Ireland. [16190]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Enforcement measures must always strike a balance between the risk to the Exchequer, the impact on legitimate trade and the cost of those measures. In the case of fraudulent misuse of Red Diesel and similar fuels in Northern Ireland I am satisfied that Customs and Excise devotes sufficient resources to the problem.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Carry-over of Bills
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the President of the Council what plans she has for the carry-over of government, hybrid and private bills from one session to another; and when she expects to make a statement. [17247]
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  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  The principle of the carry-over of government bills from one session to the next was set out in the First Report of the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons (HC 190) which was approved by the House on 13 November. The exact procedure for carry-over will now be developed in consultation with the House of Lords. The Government have not yet identified any bill to be subject to such a procedure this session. No recommendation about the procedure nor any statement about bills which might be carried over is imminent. I am not aware of any public bills being hybrid this session and I am not responsible for private bills.

  Parliamentary Business
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the President of the Council if she will list those types of business for which time for debate on the Floor of the House has ceased to be available since 1979. [17089]

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  Supply days were replaced by Opposition and Estimates Days in 1982. At the same time Consolidated Fund Bills ceased to be debated, with the same time allocated instead for overnight private Members' adjournment debates. The separate debate on public expenditure plans was amalgamated with the Budget debate when the unified budget was introduced in 1993 and a debate on the summer economic forecast was introduced. Estimates days and three Wednesday mornings now provide up to 12 opportunities for debates on select committee reports which did not exist in 1979.

  Money resolutions and ways and means resolutions, if taken on the same day as the second reading of the bill, are now put without debate, but are debatable for 45 minutes if taken at other times. The second reading of Law Commission Bills is now normally taken in a second reading committee but may still be taken on the floor of the House.

  Similarly, the committee stage of consolidation bills may be dispensed with and the third reading taken without debate. Although more statutory instruments and EU documents are now taken in committee rather than on the floor of the House, they may be debated on the floor.

  Since 1979 the only item of business which has ceased to exist is the Private members' motion. Until 1994 up to about 18 Members a year moved such motions, mainly on Fridays. These, together with the three overnight sittings on the Consolidated Fund Bill and the last day before recess debates, have been replaced under the Jopling reforms by private Members' adjournment debates on Wednesday mornings. A total of 128 hours was spent on such debates in the last normal-length session (1995–96) compared with 106 hours on the previous business in the session before the change. These have created some 160 separate opportunities each session for backbenchers to raise subjects of their choice.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Western Sahara
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what aid payments(a) through the EU, (b) through non-governmental organisations and
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  (c) made directly have been made by her Department in each of the last five years to refugees from the Western Sahara; and if she will make a statement. [17830]

  Clare Short
  The only figures immediately available from the EU are that 7 million ECU were spent on refugees in the Western Sahara in 1996, the UK share being approximately £1.8 million. The EU are planning to spend a similar amount in 1997.

  My Department has made a commitment of up to £60,000 in 1997–98, the first year that we have provided bilateral assistance to the Saharawi refugees, to fund War on Want to assist in the improvement of food storage facilities for refugees. So far £25,474 has been paid.

  We have also provided emergency funds in 1997–98 amounting to £30,000 to help improve water supply and distribution for Saharawian refugees.

  World Bank (Independent Inquiry Committees)
  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has made to the World Bank about the establishment of independent inquiry committees. [17786]

  Clare Short
  The Government through our Executive Director has made a number of representations to the World Bank President, management and the World Bank Inspection Panel itself on the need for openness and transparency in the Panel's work, and for its independence to be protected.

  Overseas Investment Insurance Scheme
  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what has been the outcome of her review of the overseas investment insurance scheme of ECGD; and if she will make a statement. [17447]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 24 November 1997]: I have been asked to reply.

  When ECGD relaunched its Overseas Investment Insurance Scheme in 1994 it was agreed that the Scheme would be reviewed every three years. The first of these reviews is about to commence. ECGD will work closely with the Department for International Development in this matter to see if the facilities can be made more readily available to poor countries.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Fair Trade (Coffee and Tea)
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to the oral statement by the Secretary of State for International Development,Official Report, 5 November 1997, column 332, if he will instruct officials to serve coffee and tea furnished by suppliers who adhere to fair trade standards in his Department. [15490]

  Angela Eagle
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, on Thursday 13 November 1997,Official Report, column 617.
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  Widdecombe Rules
  Mr. Fitzpatrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to review the Widdecombe rules. [16911]

  Mr. Raynsford
  My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, told the House on 8 July 1997,Official Report, columns 389–90, that we accepted the recommendation of the Committee on Standards in Public Life in its Third Report, that a new start should now be made on building an ethical framework for local government. In addition, my hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government and Housing announced on 30 September that, while we are firmly committed to the tradition of political impartiality by senior officials employed in both central and local government, we are reviewing the detail of the current regulations on politically restricted posts in local government.

  Motor Traders (Pre-sales Inspections)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make it a statutory duty for motor traders to publish comprehensive pre-sales inspections of all sales vehicles. [17145]

  Ms. Glenda Jackson
  There are no plans to do so. It is already an offence for motor traders to sell an unroadworthy vehicle unless they make it perfectly clear to any prospective purchaser that it would be illegal to use the vehicle on the road in that condition. It would not be appropriate to make it a legal requirement for vendors to provide additional information about issues which are not concerned with vehicle safety and environmental performance. Those are matters for the prospective vehicle purchaser to determine.

  Motor Cycles (Deaf Riders)
  Mrs. Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to change the Driving Standards Agency regulations in respect of the application to deaf riders of the requirement on motor cycle riders to be in radio contact with an instructor. [17269]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We have recently announced our intention to put amending regulations before Parliament that will exclude, from January 1998, persons who are hearing impaired from the requirement for learner riders training on large motorcycles to be in radio contact with their instructor.

  Also, when the radio link requirement is extended to all learner riders taking compulsory basic training, from April 1998, persons who are hearing impaired will be exempted.

  Road Users (Disabled People)
  Mrs. Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will ensure that orange badges for disabled people are produced in a form which will fit into a normal vehicle tax disc holder. [17268]
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  Ms Glenda Jackson
  No. Orange badges should be displayed only when in use, and then on the dashboard or facia panel, not the windscreen.

  Vehicle Identification Number Plates
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make it an offence for any person other than the original manufacturer to supply replacement vehicle identification plates. [17156]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We have no plans to do so. It is already an offence, under section 173 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, for anyone to forge or alter a vehicle identification number (VIN) plate with intent to deceive. The vendor of a vehicle with a defective VIN might also be committing an offence under the Trade Descriptions Act.

  Enterprise Zones
  Mr. Denis Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list(a) the number of areas which benefit from enterprise zone status, (b) the date enterprise zone status was awarded to each and (c) the number of jobs created in each individual area since the introduction of enterprise zone status. [17149]

  Angela Eagle
  The information available is:

  Existing enterprise zone

  Date of designation

  Number of jobs created in enterprise zone (see note)

  Inverclyde

  March 1989

  2,655

  Lanarkshire

  February 1993

  12,839

  Tyne Riverside Nos. 1–11

  February/August/October 1996

  1830

  Sunderland Nos. 1–3

  April 1990

  3,063

  East Durham Nos. 1–6

  November 1995

  1859

  Dearne Valley Nos. 1–6

  November 1995

  1392

  East Midlands Nos. 1–7

  September/November 1995

  1201

  1 The figures for Inverclyde and Sunderland show the number of jobs created up to 31 March 1997. Figures for other Enterprise Zones show the number of jobs in the zone at 31 March 1997. Specific employment numbers for these before designation are not available but would have been very low because of the nature of the sites.

  Environment Agency (Staffing)
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many posts have been lost in the Environment Agency in the current financial year; and what estimate he has made of further losses based on current planned expenditure in 1998–99. [17294]

  Angela Eagle
  The Environment Agency has not lost any posts overall in the current financial year. Resource allocations for 1998–99 have yet to be decided. The Agency's latest Corporate Plan shows a budgeted increase of 101 staff between 1996–97 and 1997–98, and a further planned increase of 37 in 1998–99.

  Technology Foresight
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) in what way the Department's research priorities have been modified in response to Technology Foresight; [17466]
  555
  (2) what Technology Foresight priorities are being taken into account in the forward planning of the Department's scientific research programme. [17465]

  Angela Eagle
  My Department is represented on the Panels dealing with Natural Resources and Environment (NRE), Construction, Marine and Transport. The process by which the Department's research priorities are established takes place in parallel with the Panel's own priority-setting process. Foresight informs a broad range of priorities within the Department, including specific programmes. We consider all relevant Foresight priorities during the planning process, and modify research requirements accordingly.

  For example, the Department has embedded many Foresight findings within the Construction Research and Innovation Business Plans. The Business Plans and their Key Priorities set the agenda for the Department's future involvement in construction research and innovation. This includes a new LINK Programme, "Meeting Clients' Needs Through Standardisation", funded by the Department and the Engineering and Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC). The Department is also helping the Panel to follow up its recommendations on the social and environmental impacts of construction by funding research into indicators of sustainable construction.

  Similarly, the Department has responded to the Transport Panel's principal recommendations for three projects aimed at nurturing the developments necessary to improve transport in the key areas of efficiency and the environment. The Department is funding a programme co-ordinator for the Clear Zones programme and, with EPSRC, the Economic and Social Research Council and DTI we are sponsoring the Inland Surface Transport LINK programme, in large part designed to support research relevant to the Panel's recommendations related to mode-specific and generic technologies and transport systems. The Transport Panel is currently considering the technological aspects of integrated transport.

  Eurostar
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects Eurostar services through the Channel Tunnel on to the West Coast Main Line to commence. [17593]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The provision of these services is a matter for Eurostar (UK) Ltd. (EUKL). I understand from EUKL that they intend to introduce these services as soon as possible, once the necessary testing and commissioning of the new rolling stock has been completed.

  Household Growth Green Paper
  Mr. Tom King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidance he(a) has issued and (b) plans to issue to local authorities regarding the development of more flexible parking standards in urban areas, as proposed in the Household Growth Green Paper (Cm 3471), paragraphs 5.30 and 5.33. [17715]
  556
  Mr. Raynsford
  Existing Planning Policy Guidance on Transport (PPG13) encourages local authorities to be flexible in the requirements for off-street residential parking space and reduce them or waive them where necessary in order to provide good-quality and affordable high-density development in areas with good access to other means of travel.

  We are considering parking issues for them in the current review of transport policy, the results of which will be published as a White Paper next spring.

  Mr. Tom King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many responses to the Green Paper "Household Growth: Where Shall We Live" (Cm 3471) have supported the proposal to phase the release of land in paragraph 4.33; and if he plans to implement this proposal. [17718]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Nearly 100 responses out of the approximately 700 received supported the concept of phasing. We are considering all the issues raised by the Green Paper and will announce our decisions in due course.

  Kyoto Conference
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to publish the results of, and to report on, the Kyoto Conference on Climate Change. [17374]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 25 November 1997]: We will be informing the House of the outcome of the Kyoto Conference on Climate Change in due course and will place in the Library a copy of relevant documents, including any Protocol and decisions adopted.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the British delegation to the Kyoto Conference on Climate Change; and if he will publish all the Government's position papers in advance of the Conference. [17359]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 25 November 1997]: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. member for Hazel Grove (Mr. Stunell) on 11 November, Official Report, column 464.

  I am also placing in the Library a copy of the EU position papers and statements for the most recent negotiating meeting in Bonn in October.

  Single Person Households
  Mr. Tom King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidance he issues to planning authorities in respect of the design of dwellings for single person households. [17710]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Planning policy guidance on housing (PPG3) and several regional planning guidance documents advise local planning authorities to take account of demographic and social changes in the region, including the increasingly varied types of housing required, such as for single persons, small households and the elderly. The guidance, however, is concerned with the mix of types of housing, and does not give advice on the design of dwellings as such.
  557
  The issue of the special needs of small households was raised in the Green Paper on household growth and a large number of comments were received. These are still under consideration.

  Dry Stone Walls
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to extend the legislation protecting hedgerows to dry stone walls. [17351]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 25 November 1997]: The Government have no plans to introduce legislation to control the removal of dry stone walls.

  We consider that the most appropriate way of tackling the loss of dry stone walls is by encouraging their upkeep. Management grants are currently available in England under the Countryside Stewardship and Environmentally Sensitive Areas schemes operated by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

  Local Authority Rents
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guideline rents he proposes for local authority tenants in England for 1998–99. [18125]

  Ms Armstrong
  We are proposing that the average guideline rent for 1998–99 should increase from £35.38 to £36.35 a week. This is 97p per week more than the current year's guideline rent in cash terms. Guideline rent increases for individual authorities would range between 72p and £1.22.

  To encourage authorities to keep their rent increases within the guideline increase, we propose to continue with the present rule that limits rent rebate subsidy. This gives authorities a strong incentive to keep rent increases down to reasonable levels, but does not affect tenants' entitlement to housing benefit.

  Total provision within the subsidy system for expenditure by authorities on management and maintenance in 1997–98 will be more than £3.3 billion. This is about the same per dwelling as in the current financial year.

  Our proposals are set out in the draft Housing Revenue Account Subsidy and Item 8 determinations for 1998–99, which we have sent to housing authorities today. Authorities have been invited to let my Department have their views by 17 December 1997.

  So that they can make full use of the extra capital resources released under the Government's Capital Receipts Initiative, the draft determinations also provide for authorities to receive additional revenue support where there resources are used in respect of council housing.

  Copies of the draft determinations have been placed in the House Library.

  Valuation Tribunals
  Mr. Watts
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what response was received to the consultation paper on the appointment 558
  of members of valuation tribunals in the light of local government reorganisation in parts of England in April 1998. [18126]

  Ms Armstrong
  The list of responses received has been placed in the Library of the House: copies of individual responses may be obtained through my Department's library. Regulations will be introduced shortly to give effect to the following measures:(i) That, with effect from 1 April 1998, the appointing bodies for the Valuation Tribunals listed in column 1 below be those authorities listed in column 2 below, who will be entitled to appoint members in the proportion given in column 3—the membership, revised in some cases, being that shown in column 4.

  column 1 Name

  column 2 Appointing bodies

  column 3 Proportion

  column 4 Complement

  Berkshire

  Newbury (W Berkshire) DC

  2

  30

  Reading BC

  2

  Slough BC

  2

  Windsor and Maidenhead BC

  2

  Bracknell Forest BC

  1

  Wokingham DC

  1

  Cambridgeshire

  Cambridgeshire CC

  3

  48

  Peterborough City Council

  1

  Cheshire

  Cheshire CC

  7

  60

  Warrington BC

  2

  Halton BC

  1

  Devon

  Devon CC

  5

  42

  Plymouth City Council

  1

  Torbay BC

  1

  Essex South

  Essex CC

  9

  30

  Southend on Sea BC

  4

  Thurrock BC

  2

  Herefordshire

  Worcestershire CC

  3

  32

  and

  County of Herefordshire

  1

  Worcestershire

  DC

  Kent

  Kent CC

  8

  45

  The Medway Town DC

  1

  Lancashire

  Lancashire CC

  15

  100

  Blackpool BC

  3

  Blackburn with Darwen BC

  2

  Nottinghamshire

  Nottinghamshire CC

  2

  54

  Nottingham City Council

  1

  Shropshire

  Shropshire CC

  3

  36

  The Wrekin DC

  1

  (ii) Existing members should continue to hold office until their term of office expires.
  (iii) Vacancies should be filled as they arise (whether through retirement of members or an increase in complement) by the new appointing authorities, until their entitlement is reached. All subsequent vacancies would be filled by the authority who appointed the departing member.

  Earlier regulations provide that, where the appointing body by which a member was appointed has ceased to exist, it will fall to the President of the Tribunal to give notice of termination of office, if so directed by the Secretary of State.
  559

DEFENCE

  Overseas Travel
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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

  Ministry of Defence Ministers overseas visits

  Date

  Destination

  Purpose

  Type of travel civil/RAF

  Cost (£)

  Secretary of State for Defence

  12–13 May

  France

  WEU Ministerial Paris

  RAF Air

  Not yet notified

  19–20 May

  Bosnia

  Visit British Forces

  RAF Air

  5,843.00

  2–3 June

  USA

  Visit UN/Bilateral

  Civil Air

  11,418.00

  4 June

  Germany

  Bilateral

  RAF Air

  1,557.00

  11–12 June

  Belgium

  NATO Ministerial Meeting Brussels

  RAF Air

  3,330.00

  23 June

  Germany

  Visit British Forces

  RAF Air

  1,609.00

  7–9 July

  Madrid

  NATO Summit

  RAF Air

  Not yet notified

  15–17 September

  Poland/Ukraine

  Trilateral

  RAF Air

  19,200.00

  20–23 September

  Oman/Kuwait

  Bilaterals

  Civil Air

  10,149,00

  30 September-1 October

  Netherlands

  NATO Informal Ministerial Meeting

  RAF Air

  4,244.00

  20–22 October

  Bosnia/Italy

  Visit British Forces/Bilateral

  RAF Air

  5,962.00

  30 October

  France

  Bilateral

  RAF Air

  2,417.00

  3–4 November

  Russia

  Bilateral

  RAF Air

  15,740.00

  Minister of State for Defence Procurement

  16–17 June

  France

  Visit to Paris Air Show

  Rail/RAF Air

  1,967.00

  3–12 October

  USA

  Bilateral

  Civil Air

  10,774.00

  24–27 October

  Netherlands

  Bilateral

  Civil Air

  876.00

  Minister of State for the Armed Forces

  23–24 May

  Bosnia

  Visit British Forces

  RAF Air

  10,895.00

  12–13 June

  Belgium

  Attend Euro Atlantic Partnership Council, Brussels (for SofS)

  RAF Air

  2,350.00

  13 July

  Passendaele and Menin Gate, Belgium

  80th Anniversary and Commemoration

  RAF Air

  1,706.00

  7–10 October

  Poland/Romania and Hungary

  Bilaterals

  RAF Air

  9,683.00

  14–21 October

  USA

  Bilateral

  Civil Air

  5,067.00

  Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Defence

  19–20 June France

  Visit to Paris Air Show

  Civil Air

  502.00

  9–23 September

  New Zealand/Australia

  Bilaterals

  Civil Air

  15,916.00

  16–17 October

  Gibraltar

  Handover of The Mount to Gibraltar Government

  Civil Air

  436.00

  The overall costs shown (rounded to the nearest £) are those which can be separately identified as incurred by the offices of the Ministers concerned.
  560
  Minister or Ministers, (b) the destination of the trip, i(c) the purpose of the trip and (d) the cost of the trip; and if he will make a statement. [15268]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 11 November 1997]: Details of overseas visits by Ministers in my Department between 2 May and 11 November 1997 are as follows:
  561

  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
  [pursuant to his answer, 24 November 1997, c. 391–92]: I regret the answer was incorrect. The correct answer is as follows:
  The Government recognises the value given by the Cadet Forces to both the civilian community and to our Armed Forces. The Ministry of Defence's financial contribution in support of Army, Sea and Air cadets during each of the last five financial years and the forecast for the current financial year is shown in the table. Similar detail in respect of the Combined Cadet Force has been included. The Department has not yet finished its financial planning for 1998–99 and the forecast for that financial year will not be available until Class I Supply Estimates for 1998–99 are published in March.

  £ million

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  11997–98

  Army Cadets (ACF)

  n/a

  20.9

  22.2

  23.4

  28.0

  25.7

  Sea Cadets (SCC)

  5.6

  5.3

  5.6

  5.7

  6.2

  6.3

  Air Cadets (ATC)

  16.1

  17.6

  18.3

  19.8

  17.5

  17.0

  Combined Cadet Force (CCF)

  n/a

  6.1

  6.6

  6.2

  5.8

  6.4

  1 Forecast.

  Land Mines
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many anti-personnel mines in the possession of United Kingdom armed forces have been destroyed since 1 May; [17051]

  (2) what percentage of anti-personnel mines will be kept for training purposes; [17052]

  (3) how many anti-personnel mines in the possession of United Kingdom armed forces are awaiting destruction. [17153]

  Dr. Reid
  I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Technology Foresight
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) in what way his Department's research priorities have been modified in responses to Technology Foresight; [17467]

  (2) what Technology Foresight priorities are being taken into account in the forward planning of the Department's scientific research programme. [17468]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Ministry of Defence continues to be deeply involved in Foresight, mainly through its membership of the Defence and Aerospace Panel. Foresight has been welcomed by MOD as a means of improving its dialogue with industry and academia, both 562
  to add value for money to MOD's research activities and to support national wealth creation within defence priorities.

  The initiative has been reflected in defence research programmes both directly and indirectly. The detailed work of the Defence and Aerospace Panel Technology Working Groups has been taken forward in the development of MOD's technology strategy. Collaboration in research between Defence Evaluation and Research Agency and industry/academia has been encouraged through the Beacon fund and the Pathfinder scheme, which provide mechanisms for the proposal of innovative solutions to meet MOD research requirements. An Innovative Engineering and Rapid Prototyping initiative has been started, which is also aligned with Foresight priorities.

  In addition, some six Dual Use Technology Centres have been established with the purpose of facilitating exploitation of defence driven research for civil and commercial use, and Corporate Research Programme proposals are now routinely assessed for their civil as well as their defence potential.

  Moreover, there is an increased emphasis on technology demonstration, including the realignment of a number of projects in the context of Foresight Action.

  MODIX
  Mr. Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the MODIX System was installed and commissioned at the nuclear-propelled submarine refuel-refit yards at Devonport and Rosyth. [17428]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Mild Multi-Stage Oxide Decontamination with Ion Exchange system, MODIX, was installed and commissioned at Rosyth and Devonport in 1985–86.

  HMS Dreadnought
  Mr. Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in what year and month his Department decided to withdraw HMS Dreadnought from active service; on what date it determined that HMS Dreadnought was to be finally defuelled and prepared for decommissioning at Chatham dockyard; and what was the total collective radiation dose received by the civilian workforce from the final defuelling and decommissioning preparations whilst HMS Dreadnought was at Chatham dockyard. [174311]

  Mr. Spellar
  The decision to withdraw HMS Dreadnought from active service was taken in February 1982. HMS Dreadnought underwent final defuelling and preparations for decommissioning between March 1982 and March 1983. The total collective radiation dose received by the civilian workforce during defuelling and decommissioning preparations was approximately 1 Sievert.

  The Mount, Gibraltar
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the residence in Gibraltar, known as The Mount, was last occupied; when it will be occupied again; what proposals he has for its future use; and if he will make a statement. [17308]
  563
  Mr. Spellar
  The residence in Gibraltar known as The Mount was formerly owned by the Ministry of Defence and was last occupied in April 1997 by the Commander British Forces. The Ministry of Defence gifted The Mount to the Government of Gibraltar on 3 November 1997. The future use of The Mount is a matter for the Government of Gibraltar.

  Royal Squadron
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what safeguards are in place to ensure that planes of the Royal Squadron are properly maintained. [17415]

  Dr. Reid
  The BAe 146s, BAe 125s and Wessex helicopters of No. 32 (The Royal) Squadron are required to be maintained to RAF standards, which are at least as robust as those applying to civil aircraft. The terms of the engineering support element of the multi-activity contract at RAF Northolt stipulate that contractor personnel should be capable of maintaining the aircraft to the same standards as would be required of RAF personnel. The Squadron also operates Twin Squirrel helicopters provided and maintained by a different contractor, which are required to meet CAA standards. We will, however, ensure that all the lessons from the recent incident involving a BAe 146 from No. 32 (The Royal) Squadron are identified and acted upon.

  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to revert to Royal Air Force servicing and maintenance of aircraft of No. 32 (The Royal Squadron) at Royal Air Force, Northolt. [17376]

  Dr. Reid
  There are no such plans. We will, however, ensure that all the lessons from the recent incident involving a BAe 146 from No. 32 (The Royal) Squadron are identified and acted upon.

  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the findings of the inquiry into the technical causes of the airborne emergency of a BAe 146 aircraft of No. 32 (The Royal Squadron) on 6 November. [17377]

  Dr. Reid
  It would not be appropriate to publish the Station Inquiry as it will deal with named individuals. I will, however, write to the hon. Member once our investigation is complete, and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

  Air Space (Military Use)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of United Kingdom air space is reserved for exclusive military use. [17721]

  Mr. Spellar
  Less than 0.02 per cent. of United Kingdom airspace is permanently available for exclusive military use.

  RAF (Civilian Servicing Contracts)
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what disciplinary sanctions are available to the Commanding Officer of Royal Air Force, Northolt over civilian servicing and maintenance contractors on the station in the event of negligence in the servicing or maintenance of aircraft based there. [17378]
  564
  Mr. Spellar
  The Station Commander at RAF Northolt has access to contractual sanction if he is dissatisfied with any aspect of performance of the contractor. He does not have direct disciplinary authority over individuals employed by the contractor.

  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will review the discipline and continued contracts of civilian servicing and maintenance personnel at RAF bases. [17379]

  Mr. Spellar
  Our contracting procedures are reviewed regularly and, in all cases, exacting quality standards are required from defence contractors. Firm action will be taken against any contractor who fails to meet the mandated standards.

  Land Disposal (Gosport)
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the disposal of land at Priddy's Hard, Gosport, to Barratt Homes was on an unconditional basis. [17596]

  Mr. Spellar
  The offer for land at Priddy's Hard, Gosport by Barratt Homes was on an unconditional basis.

  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the disposal of land at Priddy's Hard, Gosport, to Barratt Homes has been completed; and how much money has been received as a result. [17597]

  Mr. Spellar
  The sale to Barratt homes at Priddy's Hard, Gosport has not been completed, although we expect to exchange Contracts for Sale shortly. I am withholding information on the agreed sale for reasons of commercial confidentiality under Exception 7 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Military Personnel (Turkey)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what British military personnel are stationed in Turkey under(a) NATO and (b) bilateral contracts. [17834]

  Dr. Reid
  Eight British military personnel are stationed in Turkey under NATO auspices. These comprise: one Royal Navy Commander, one Colonel, two Lieutenant Colonels, one Major, two Squadron Leaders and one Flight Sergeant.

  There are no British military personnel stationed in Turkey under bilateral contracts. However, as of 24 November 1997, there were 191 British military personnel stationed in Turkey as part of Operation Northern Watch. Operation Northern Watch is a trilateral coalition operation comprising the UK, the US and Turkey, which enforces the No-Fly-Zone over Northern Iraq.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Reduced Earnings Allowance
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people to date have lost their reduced earnings allowance in each of the benefit districts in Wales. [13771]
  565
  Mr. Denham
  The administration of Reduced Earnings Allowance is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Llew Smith, dated 25 November 1997:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many people to date have lost their Reduced Earnings Allowance (REA) in each of the benefit districts in Wales.
  I have assumed your question refers to Adjudication Officer's decisions to transfer over pension age REA recipients to Retirement Allowance (RA) following the introduction of the Social Security (Industrial Injuries and Diseases) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 1996 on 24 March 1996.
  The information is shown in the attached table. Statistics on transfers were maintained up to 31 March 1997.
  I hope this reply is helpful.

  Number of reduced earnings allowance (REA) recipients over pension age cases transferred to retirement allowance (RA)

  Benefits agency district1

  Number of cases transferred where pension age attained before 24 March 1996

  Number of cases transferred where pension age attained between 24 March 1996 and 31 March 1997

  Total

  Wrexham and North Wales

  176

  44

  220

  Cardiff and Vale

  82

  13

  95

  Gwyneddigion Maldwyn

  102

  26

  128

  Eastern Valleys

  335

  46

  381

  Swansea Bay

  275

  45

  320

  Gwent Borders

  59

  24

  83

  West Wales

  242

  45

  287

  Mid Glamorgan

  695

  92

  787

  Figures are provisional and subject to amendment.

  1 Benefits Agency districts as at 24 March 1996.

  Benefits (Taxation)
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will list those Social Security benefits which are(a) taxable and (b) not taxable and the reasons underlying the two categories. [14673]

  Mr. Denham
  The information is as follows:

  Taxable benefits

  Incapacity Benefit

  Invalid Care Allowance

  Jobseeker's Allowance

  Retirement Pension

  Widowed Mother's Allowance

  Widow's Pension

  Statutory Maternity Pay

  Statutory Sick Pay

  Industrial Death Benefit

  All other Social Security Benefits are not taxable.

  Whether or not particular benefits should be taxable is kept under review.

  This Government is committed to examining the interaction of the tax and benefit systems so that they can be streamlined and modernised so as to fulfil the objectives of promoting work incentives, reducing poverty and welfare dependency and strengthening community
  566
  and family life. Mr. Martin Taylor, Chief Executive of Barclays Bank plc, has been appointed to lead a Whitehall task force to take forward this remit

  War Disablement Pension
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment she has made of the current arrangements for examinations of applicants for the war disablement pension, and if she will make a statement. [15344]

  Mr. Denham
  One of our key aims is that delivery of service should be simpler and more efficient. Queries on operational matters concerning the War Pensions Agency are for its Acting Chief Executive Mr. Steve Johnson. I have asked him to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from K. C. Caldwell to Mr. Paul Keetch, dated 25 November 1997:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the current arrangements for the medical examinations of persons claiming War Disablement Pension.
  Most examinations, where considered necessary for the individual case, are conducted locally by War Pensions Examining Medical Practitioners, the majority of whom are General Practitioners.
  The Benefits Agency Medical Services (BAMS) who organise examinations for Social Security benefits are responsible for recruiting and training doctors to undertake medical examinations and for arranging these examinations for the War Pensions Agency (WPA). Doctors undertaking medical examinations for War Pensions must be registered with the General Medical Council and be experienced in medical examinations for Benefit purposes. BAMS are responsible for ensuring the satisfactory completion of the training of the doctors who conduct examinations for the WPA. The training of these doctors is based on the Handbook for Examining Medical Practitioners (War Pensions) which has been written and recently revised by Medical Advisors employed by the WPA. The WPA Medical Advisors make, on the medical evidence, decisions as to whether a condition is attributable to or aggravated by service and the degree of any disablement.
  The monitoring of completed examination reports is the responsibility of the WPA. All medical examination reports are reviewed by the WPA's Medical Advisors. Any reports which do not fulfil the WPA's requirements are returned to BAMS. In addition to these arrangements the WPA is currently developing a structured monitoring scheme to provide formal feedback to BAMS on the general quality of the examining doctors' medical reports.
  In the specialist area of hearing loss claims, audiometric examinations are conducted for the WPA by British Medical International, part of General Healthcare Group PLC. The reports from these examinations are considered by the WPA Medical Advisors as part of the evidence in these cases. These arrangements are formally monitored, both internally by the WPA Medical Advisors and through a regular external professional scrutiny.
  In addition to War Pension medical examinations, the WPA also requests specialist and Regional Consultant medical examinations. Specialist appointments are arranged through BAMS who in many cases nominate a local specialist with suitable expertise. In some cases the WPA's Medical Advisors nominate a specialist, normally the specialist who has been responsible for the clinical care of the claimant/pensioner.
  Regional Consultants are recognised authorities in their speciality and are appointed by the DSS Chief Medical Adviser. Regional Consultant examinations are requested by the WPA to resolve conflict of medical opinion and also in exceptionally complex cases. A list of Regional Consultants is held in the WPA and the WPA Medical Advisor is responsible for nominating the Regional Consultant. BAMS are responsible for arranging appointments on behalf of the WPA.

  567
  All the specialist and Regional Consultant reports are reviewed by the WPA's Medical Advisors. Any unsatisfactory reports are returned directly to the specialist or Regional Consultant. BAMS would be advised of any specialist who consistently provided unsatisfactory reports and use of that specialist's services would cease. Any Regional Consultant who consistently provided unsatisfactory reports would be notified to the Chief Medical Advisor with a view to removal from the list.
  I am satisfied that these arrangements work satisfactorily.
  I hope you will find my reply helpful.

  Incapacity Benefit
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of claimants of incapacity benefit are currently undertaking limited paid work on the grounds that the work is (i) voluntary and (ii) therapeutic. [15843]

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

  It is estimated that 1 per cent. of Incapacity Benefit recipients undertake paid work on the grounds that it is therapeutic.
  Sources:
  Lonsdale, S., Lessof C. and Ferris, G. (1993) "Invalidity Benefit; a survey of recipients, London: HMSO". This survey found that 2 per cent. of Invalidity Benefit recipients had ever done therapeutic work and fewer still were doing it at the time of the interview. The 1995–96 Family Resources Survey shows that 1 per cent. of Incapacity Benefit recipients had done any paid work in the week before the interview. Information is not collected directly on use of the permitted work provisions.

  Welfare and Pensions Green Papers
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the planned dates of publication of the Green Papers on(a) welfare and (b) pension reform. [15828]

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

  The first part of the Pensions Review ended on 31 October and we are now carefully considering the approximately 1,800 responses we have received from pensions providers, employers, employees, consumers, pensions experts and pensioners themselves. We intend to publish an initial framework for change in the first half of 1998. There will then be a period of further consultation before final, detailed proposals are developed.

  Motability
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to increase the level of competition for the financing and administrative services provided by Motability Finance Limited. [15969]

  Mr. Denham
  Motability is an independent organisation and the administration of the Scheme is a matter for Motability's Governors.

  We regard competition as a healthy measure in ensuring value for money and in line with the National Audit Office's recommendations, Motability's Governors are currently reviewing the scope for increasing the level of competition in the Scheme. This includes benchmarking for Motability's administrative services
  568
  and a sub-committee of Governors are looking at funding of the Scheme. Competition must, however, bring long term benefit to Motability's disabled customers.

  Former Miners
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many former miners have been diagnosed to be suffering from(a) chronic bronchitis and (b) emphysema; and how many were diagnosed after April. [16477]

  Mr. Denham
  The information is set out in the table.

  Chronic bronchitis and emphysema diagnoses from September 1993

  Percentage disabled assessment

  September 1997 to March 1997

  April 1993 to October 1997

  September 1993 to October 1997

  1–13

  101

  38

  139

  14–100

  5,428

  5,865

  11,293

  Total (1–100)

  5,529

  5,903

  11,432

  Source:

  100 per cent. count from DSS BREM systems and DSS Central Data Unit. Figures are provisional and subject to amendment.

  Note:

  Chronic bronchitis and emphysema, prescribed disease D12, was
  introduced from 13 September 1993.

  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many former miners have been rejected for a disablement award because they have failed the FEV1 test since April. [16478]

  Mr. Denham
  Since April 1978, 768 people have failed the FEV1 test, at a medical examination made in connection with a claim to Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit, for chronic bronchitis and emphysema (prescribed disease D12). This is the latest figure available and covers the period up to 31 October 1997.

  Source:

  100 per cent. count from Department of Social Security BREM system. Figures are provisional and subject to amendment.

  Industrial Disablement Benefit
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total amount paid in industrial disablement benefit to claimants in each of the last three years. [16395]

  Mr. Denham
  The information is in the table.

  £ million

  Year

  Amount

  1994–95

  645

  1995–96

  670

  1996–97

  661

  Source:

  Social Security Departmental Report 1997.

  Notes:

  1.The figures include reduced earnings allowance.

  2.The figures for 1994–95 and 1995–96 are actual spending, whilst that for 1996–97 is an estimate.
  569

  Maternity Allowance
  Mrs. Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to ensure that self-employed mothers are eligible for the same maternity allowance as employed mothers. [16358]

  Mr. Denham
  We aim to help women balance their careers and family responsibilities. Both employed and self-employed women are eligible for Maternity Allowance for up to 18 weeks if they have worked and paid 26 class 1 and/or class 2 National Insurance contributions in the 66 weeks before the week the baby is due. The self-employed, however, receive Maternity Allowance at a lower weekly rate.

  We will consider any changes to the current maternity arrangements in the context of our modernisation and streamlining of benefit provision.

  Pensions (Overseas Residents)
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate she has made of the cost of uprating the pensions paid to those British citizens living overseas, whose pensions are not presently uprated. [16671]

  Mr. Denham
  We estimate that it would cost some £250 million' a year fully to unfreeze UK pensions paid to people living abroad, that is to bring them up to the rate which would be paid if the pensioners were living in the United Kingdom.

  Notes:

  1 Estimate rounded to the nearest £25 million. Based on the number of UK pensions paid abroad in July 1997 and on current pension rates.

  1. The cost is calculated from the actual uprating cost of some 90 per cent. of all cases (£1,900 million) and an estimated uprating cost for the remainder, which date from 1978.

  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in which countries special arrangements are made to uprate the state retirement pension for British citizens living abroad. [16673]

  Mr. Denham
  UK state retirement and widows pensions are uprated in the Member States of the European Economic Area1 and in the following countries with which the UK has a social security agreement which provides for uprating:

  Barbados

  Bermuda

  Bosnia-Hercegovina

  Croatia3

  Cyprus

  Guernsey

  Isle of Man

  Israel

  Jamaica

  Jersey

  Macedonia3

  Malta

  Mauritius

  Philippines

  570

  Slovenia3

  Switzerland

  Turkey

  USA

  Yugoslavia

  Notes:

  1 Comprises EC Member States plus Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein.

  2 Formerly a constituent republic of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY). Annual pension increases payable by virtue of the 1958 reciprocal agreement with FRY.

  3 Formerly a constituent republic of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY). Annual pension increases payable by virtue of the 1958 reciprocal agreement with FRY.

  Pensions are also uprated on Sark under the Social Security Benefit (Persons Abroad) Regulations 1975.

  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate she has made of the number of British citizens living aborad who do not receive uprated state retirement pensions. [16672]

  Mr. Denham
  There are some 440,000 UK retirement and widow pensioners living in countries where pensions are not uprated. No record is held of the number who are British citizens.

  Means-tested Benefits (Pensioners)
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for Northavon (Mr. Webb) of 5 November 1997,Official Report, columns 249–50, on pensioners on benefits, if she will list the number of pensioners identified in each category resident in the area of the Government Office North-East Region. [16644]

  Mr. Denham
  The information is not available on a regional basis.

  Income Support
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what factors are taken into account in deciding changes of standard interest rate for mortgage interest in income support; what recent changes in the rate have been made and on what dates; what the levels were; and what plans he has to review the arrangements. [16626]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The standard interest rate is based on the weighted average of basic building society interest rates. Changes are triggered when the average rate moves by 0.25 per cent. or more. We have no current plans to change the existing arrangements.

  Information about changes in the standard interest rate since its introduction are listed below:

  Rate (per cent.)

  Date

  8.39

  2 October 1995

  8.00

  28 January 1996

  7.74

  28 April 1996

  7.48

  30 June 1996

  7.16

  1 September 1996

  6.89

  22 December 1996

  7.20

  20 April 1997

  7.57

  28 September 1997

  7.97

  30 November 1997

  571

  Christmas Bonus
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the value of the £10 Christmas bonus in 1998–99 if it had been uprated by(a) prices and (b) earnings since its introduction; and if he will estimate how much it would cost to increase it to these levels. [16573]

  Mr. Denham
  The information is in the table.

  Christmas bonus in 1998–99

  Value (£)

  Additional cost (£)

  Uprated by prices

  70.80

  830,000,000

  Uprated by earnings

  120.30

  150,000,000

  1. The table shows the value and estimated additional costs of the Christmas Bonus in 1998–99 if it had been uprated by each of prices and earnings since its introduction. All costs are rounded to the nearest £10 million.

  2. The uprated levels of the Christmas Bonus have been calculated using the Retail Price Index (All items) and the Average Earnings Index (Whole Economy) as supplied by the Officer for National Statistics. The figure for September 1997 earnings is provisional. The value of the Bonus has been rounded to the nearest 5 pence at each uprating.

  3. The extra costs of paying the uprated Christmas Bonus in respect of National Insurance Fund benefits were estimated by Government Actuary's Department and those in respect of non-National Insurance Fund benefits were estimated by the Department of Social Security.

  State Pension
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the value of the 25p age addition to the state pension in 1998–99 if it has been uprated in line with(a) prices and (b) earnings since its introduction; and if he will estimate how much it would cost to increase it to those levels. [16543]

  Mr. Denham
  The value of the 25p age addition to the State Pension in 1998–99 would be £1.75 if uprated in line with prices and £3.95 if uprated in line with earnings, since its introduction.

  The table shows the estimated additional gross and net costs of paying the age addition at these levels for 1998–99. All costs are rounded to the nearest £10 million.

  £ million

  Age addition in 1998–99

  Uprated by prices

  Uprated by earnings

  Gross cost

  190

  460

  Net cost

  110

  270

  1. The figures for the value of the age addition were calculated using the Retail Price Index (All items) and the Average Earnings Index (Whole Economy) as supplied by the Office for National Statistics. The figure for September 1997 earnings is provisional. The value of the age addition has been rounded to the nearest 5 pence at each uprating.

  2. The gross costs were estimated by Government Actuary's Department. The net costs by the Department of Social Security.

  Cold Weather Payments
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the administrative cost of the disbursement of cold weather payments as a proportion of their value. [17361]
  572
  Mr. Denham
  The administration of cold weather payments is a matter for Mr. Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Jeremy Corbyn, dated 25 November 1997:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the administrative cost of the disbursement of cold weather payments as a proportion of their value.
  During the cold weather season for 1996/97 4,964,966 cold weather payments were made at a total programme cost of £42,202,211 and an administrative cost of £7,512,414. The administrative cost per cold weather payment was £1.51 which equates to 17.8% of the actual value of each payment.
  I hope this reply is helpful.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Computers (Century Date Change)
  Mrs. Ballard
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate her Department has made of the proportion of British companies that will go bankrupt as a result of the year 2000 virus. [15205]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 11 November 1997]: I have made no such estimate. Businesses which take appropriate action now are unlikely to become insolvent as a result of this problem, but the longer a business with a serious problem delays the greater the risk it runs. That is why the Government has recently launched the Action 2000 initiative under the chairmanship of Don Cruickshank.

  Development Area Status
  Mr. Denis Murphy
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list(a) the number of areas which benefit from development area status, (b) the date development area status was awarded to each area and (c) the number of jobs created in each individual area since the introduction of development area status. [17146]

  Mrs. Roche
  (a) The number of areas benefiting from development area status is set out in Statutory instrument 1993 No. 1877 "Industrial Development: The Assisted Areas Order 1993", laid before parliament on 23 July 1993. A copy of which is a available in the Library of the House.

  (b) Development area status was awarded to these areas on 1 August 1993, when the current Assisted Area map came into operation.

  (c) Information available on the number of jobs created in development areas is limited to employment created under DTI's Regional Selective Assistance scheme The most recent figures are published in the Industrial Development Act 1982 Annual Report for the year ending 31 March 1997, Appendix 5—tables 2 and 3 refer, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.
  573

  Nuclear Power Industry
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is her estimate of(a) the total liabilities of the nuclear power industry and (b) the liabilities which are currently unfunded. [17297]

  Mr. Battle
  The total lifetime nuclear liabilities of the UK nuclear power industry at 31 March 1997 were £15.1 billion. This total arises from the contributions of three companies. The individual components are:

  British Energy: £5.2 billion

  BNFL: £1.481 billion

  Magnox Electric: £8.4 billion

  These figures are discounted at 3 per cent. for British Energy and Magnox and 2 per cent. for BNFL. In the case of British Energy the above figures take into account the new and revised BNFL contracts announced on 4 June 1997.

  British Energy's nuclear liabilities comprise decommissioning and backend fuel costs, and the company has made provision in its accounts for £3.8 billion of those liabilities. A segregated fund has been set up to cover the costs of decommissioning. This was endowed, by British Energy, with £228 million and receives payments of £16 million per year. It is designed to cover 110 per cent. of decommissioning costs based on independent engineering assessments. Payments for backend fuel disposal will arise over many years. Funds for dealing with those payments will come from existing funds and amounts built up from future business operations.

  BNFL has already made provisions in its accounts for £1.158 billion of its nuclear liabilities. A further £323 million will be provided, in accordance with company policy, from the income generated over the remaining lifetime of plant which is still operating. More than half of the amount provisioned is in a separate fund, the bulk of which is held in gilts.

  Magnox Electric has significant assets to meet its nuclear liabilities, most of which will not fall due for payment for a considerable number of years. Furthermore, the proposed integration of Magnox and BNFL will bring additional benefits in the cost and management of these liabilities. At 31 March 1997 there was a gap of £682 million between the company's assets and liabilities. This is covered by a long-standing Letter of Comfort from the Government originally given to Nuclear Electric in 1990.

  Telecommunications
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to authorise OFTEL to require providers to establish packages tailored for low-use businesses; and if she will make a statement. [17741]

  Mr. Battle
  Low-use businesses are increasingly offered a variety of packages by telecommunications providers in today's competitive multi-operator market. Low-use businesses are also protected from price increases by the regulator Oftel. Oftel has required BT to provide a safeguard tariff package for small businesses for which the call charges are the same as those paid by residential customers whose prices are covered by the RPI-4.5 per cent. price cap. The package also ensures that 574
  line rental does not increase by more than RPI each year. My Department therefore has no plans at present to authorise Oftel to require telecommunications providers to establish packages tailored for low-use businesses.

  Biodiversity and Biomedicine Conventions
  Ms Walley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the United Kingdom's progress in the implementation of(a) the Convention on Biodiversity and (b) the principles of the 1996 Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine and their incorporation into United Kingdom legislation. [17803]

  Mr. Battle
  (a) The United Kingdom is undertaking a range of activities at home and abroad to work towards the three goals of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity: to conserve biodiversity, ensure its sustainable use, and achieve the equitable sharing of the resultant benefits. Domestically, a Government-led partnership is implementing our national biodiversity action plan, with individual action plans for a range of species and habitats, and for particular localities, building on existing domestic and European legislation. Internationally, we recently hosted a conference to help Central and Eastern European countries plan and implement their own biodiversity strategies, and through both our general aid programme and the Darwin Initiative, we continue to support developing countries' efforts to meet their Convention obligations. Our first national report under the Convention, due by the end of this year, will record these efforts in detail.

  (b) The Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine contains a wide range of provisions covering a number of complex ethical and legal issues. The Government is considering the implications of the provisions carefully. No decisions on a timescale for signature or ratification have been made.

  BT (Special Share)
  Ms Dari Taylor
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade pursuant to her answer of 15 July 1997,Official Report, column 141, if the redemption of the Government's special share in British Telecommunications plc has now taken place; and if the Government holds any other shares in BT. [18058]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Government redeemed the Special Share, in exchange for a payment by BT of £1, on 10 September. This means that the Government no longer holds any share which has a direct influence on the terms of the company's Articles of Association. HM Treasury retains for the time being a residual holding of some 10.7 million BT Shares (around 0.2 per cent. of BT's overall share capital) remaining from earlier flotation offers. As has been the policy since privatisation, the Government will not vote with these shares.

  Register of Quality Assessed Companies
  Mr. Andy King
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the future of the United Kingdom Register of Quality Assessed Companies. [18268]
  575
  Mr. Battle
  The Register was introduced in 1983 as a voluntary guide to ISO 9000 certification bodies and the companies they certify. The Register was compiled and published by Her Majesty's Stationery Office. My Department's role, as the accreditor of certification bodies, was to invite accredited certification bodies to contribute to the Register and to check the accuracy of those contributions before they were published. My Department also provided a complimentary copy of the Register to each contributing certification body.

  In 1995 my Department established, as a company limited by guarantee, the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) as the sole national accreditation body for certification bodies, testing and calibration laboratories and inspection bodies. Accreditation consequently passed from the public to the private sector, although my Department retains firm links with UKAS through a memorandum of understanding and a licensing agreement, As a result of this shift in responsibility, UKAS was asked to consider taking over my Department's functions in relation to the Register.

  In 1996, following the privatisation of Her Majesty's Stationery Office, compilation and publication of the Register passed to The Stationery Office Ltd.

  I have now agreed with UKAS and The Stationery Office Ltd. that the functions previously undertaken by my Department will pass to UKAS. In recognition of this, and of the increasingly international nature of accreditation and certification, the title of the Register will be amended to the QA Register with effect from the 1998 edition. The Stationery Office Ltd. will continue to publish the Register. The precise content and style of the Register will be matters for UKAS and The Stationery Office to decide jointly.

  My Department will continue to fund complimentary copies of the Register for each contributing certification body. This provision will be reviewed after two years.

  Policy Guidelines
  Dr. Moonie
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps she is taking to ensure that the Office of Science and Technology's guidelines on "The Use of Scientific Advice in Policy Making", are implemented effectively by each Government Department. [18267]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The Government has given a firm commitment to strengthen the role which science plays in its decision making. One important aspect of this is ensuring that the OST's guidelines are taken fully into account across Government and, following consultation with Ministerial colleagues, I am now introducing a number of measures to achieve this. A Minister is being designated within each Department with special responsibility for ensuring that the Department's general procedures for taking account of scientific advice are consistent with the guidelines. In addition, departmental Chief Scientists will be reporting regularly to Sir Robert May, the Government's Chief Scientific Adviser, on how the guidelines are being taken into account by departments and on any emerging scientific issues of which other departments should be aware.
  576

  Food Imports
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the quantity by weight of the main primary food products imported to the UK for the last two years for which figures are available. [17723]

  Mr. Rooker
  I have been asked to reply.

  Imports of food products in a raw form or which retain their recognisable raw form, as recorded in the Overseas Trade Statistics, for 1995 and 1996 are given in the following table:

  UK imports of food products in a raw form or which retain their recognisable raw form

  000 tonnes

  Category

  1995

  1996

  Bovine meat

  153

  133

  Pig meat

  399

  440

  Poultry meat

  229

  234

  Sheep meat

  143

  145

  Other meat

  42

  48

  Total meat and meat preparations

  966

  1,000

  Birds' eggs

  28

  30

  Butter

  114

  113

  Cheese

  213

  252

  Milk and cream

  216

  158

  Other milk products

  23

  19

  Total dairy products and birds' eggs

  594

  572

  Fish

  495

  534

  Cereals

  3,202

  2,848

  Fruit

  3,300

  3,408

  Nuts

  98

  85

  Vegetables

  3,060

  2,898

  Total vegetables, fruit and nuts

  6,457

  6,392

  Sugar

  2,314

  2,188

  Coffee, tea, cocoa and spices

  557

  661

  Oils and fats

  9,279

  10,027

  Grand total

  23,865

  24,222

  These figures are provisional and subject to amendment.

  The majority of foods in the categories "Oils and Fats" and "Vegetables" are destined for human consumption, but include some products used for other purposes.

SCOTLAND

  University Funding
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the amount of university funding per student in Scotland in(a) 1994–95, (b) 1995–96, (c) 1996–97 and (d) 1997–98; and if he will make a statement. [17216]
  577
  Mr. Wilson
  The funding allocated to Scottish Higher Education Institutions by the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council for teaching and research per full-time equivalent student since 1994–95 is set out in the following table:

  Funding of Scottish Higher Education Institutions from the Funding Council

  Financial year1994–95

  Financial year 1995–96

  Financial year 1996–97

  Financial year 1997–98

  Total funding available for allocation to institutions (£ million)

  508.6

  541.6

  535.2

  545.5

  FTE students eligible for funding

  114,452

  116,361

  117,409

  118,700

  Total funding expressed on a FTE student basis

  4,444

  4,654

  4,558

  4,596

  Training
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has made to the Department of Education and Employment concerning the decision to invite bids for the management of New Deal solely from private sector bodies; and if he will make a statement. [17331]

  Mr. Brian Wilson
  The decision to introduce a greater private sector role into the planning and delivery of the New Deal in an area of Scotland was taken by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State after consultation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment.

WALES

  Further Education
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many whole time equivalent students there were in(a) further and (b) higher education in May 1997. [17306]

  Mr. Hain
  Information on the number of further and higher education student full-time equivalents (FTEs) for the latest available years may be found in the following table:

  Student FTEs on Further and Higher Education Courses in Wales1

  1995–96

  1996–97

  Higher education courses2

  69,969

  n/a

  Further education courses3

  56,319

  60,683

  1 The information provided comes from the following Publications; "STUDENTS in Higher Education Institutions 1995–96" produced by the Higher Education Statistical Agency, and the "Further Education Funding Council for Wales" bulletin on "Further Education Early Student Enrolments 1995–96 and 1996–97".

  2 Student FTEs at higher education institutions at 1 December 1995. Excludes students on higher education courses at further education institutions. Data not yet available for 1996–97.

  3 Student FTEs on all further education courses at 1 November each year. Includes students at all further education and higher education institutions.

  578
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on his Department's expenditure on further education. [17637]

  Mr. Hain
  Total expenditure made available through the Further Education Funding Council for Wales (FEFCW) in 1996–97 amounted to just over £180 million. The FEFCW's budget for 1997–98 is £177 million. Provision for 1998–99 will be announced shortly as part of the Department's expenditure plans for next year.

  Flintshire LEA
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what share of additional resources he has given Flintshire local education authority for the restoration of the fabric of schools. [17643]

  Mr. Hain
  Flintshire local education authority was allocated £233,000 of the additional £5,025,000 made available in 1997–98 for capital works at schools in Wales.

  North-East Wales Institute
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the funding of the North-East Wales Institute. [17642]

  Mr. Hain
  The funding of individual institutions is a matter for the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales, who will announce their allocations for 1998–99 in due course.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Peace Process
  Mr. Savidge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment she has made of progress in the Northern Ireland peace talks. [16239]

  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the progress of the political talks. [16250]

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the peace process in Northern Ireland. [16251]

  Mr. Fitzpatrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the current state of relationships between the parties involved in the Northern Ireland peace talks. [16252]

  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement about the development of the peace process. [16258]

  Majorie Mowlam
  Since substantive discussions began on 7 October, the talks have covered a great deal of ground: a large number of papers have been tabled and discussed, covering all the essential elements of a settlement.

  It is taking time to bring all the participants to engage on the key issues, but I believe there are increasing signs that they are doing so. The Government will do all that they can to facilitate progress towards a settlement.
  579

  United States
  Mr. Quinn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the contribution made by the United States towards the achievement of peace and stability in Northern Ireland. [16240]

  Mr. McWalter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment she has made of the United States contribution to efforts to achieve peace and stability in Northern Ireland. [16241]

  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the contribution of the United States towards the achievement of peace and stability in Northern Ireland. [16248]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  The United States Administration share our desire for an enduring peace and lasting political settlement in Northern Ireland. This was all the more evident during my recent visit to the United States. We greatly value their rejection of violence; their commitment to the talks process; their support for the principle of consent; and their continuing support for the International Fund for Ireland, which has contributed significantly to Northern Ireland's economy. The President himself takes a close personal interest in Northern Ireland affairs; the First Lady visited Northern Ireland last month and Senator George Mitchell and Donald Johnson are playing a vital independent role in the talks and on decommissioning respectively.

  Employment
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps she is taking to increase employment in Northern Ireland. [16242]

  Mr. Ingram
  As in the rest of the United Kingdom, we are pursuing a range of initiatives to improve employment prospects. From measures to improve the skill base through to Welfare to Work and New Deal we will be raising employability. Our targeted economic development programmes will help create jobs through promotion of investment, creation of growth and the raising of Northern Ireland's international competitiveness.

  Deregulation
  Siobhain McDonagh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans she has to repeal unnecessary regulations in Northern Ireland. [16243]

  Mr. Ingram
  Regulations are constantly under review to determine their continued need. A recent example of positive action is the Draft Deregulation (Northern Ireland) Order, considered in Standing Committee on 18 November 1997.

  Convicted Terrorists
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions she has had during the peace talks in Northern Ireland with representatives of Sinn Fein about the transfer to Ireland of persons convicted and imprisoned for terrorist crimes in Great Britain. [16244]
  580
  Marjorie Mowlam
  My Ministerial colleagues and I have had a number of discussions with Sinn Fein since the IRA ceasefire, during some of which prisoner issues— including the issue of repatriation of prisoners to the Republic of Ireland—have been raised. Our approach in these meetings has been to listen to Sinn Fein's concerns and to explain the Government's policy which is that the British Government will continue to honour its obligations under the Convention on the transfer of sentenced persons.

  Parades
  Ms Moran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action she has taken to prevent premature disclosure of security information relating to parades. [16246]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  On 8 July this year Sir John Chilcot, permanent under secretary of state at the Northern Ireland Office instigated an inquiry to investigate the leaking to the media of a confidential Northern Ireland Office document concerning the Government's position on the Drumcree parade. That inquiry has now been completed. The report made a number of recommendations that are intended to prevent the re-occurrence of such a leak. Each recommendation has been examined and most have already been implemented. However, it would not be appropriate to comment on such internal security matters in any detail.

  Mr. McNulty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans she has for legislation to encourage local agreements on parades in Northern Ireland. [16249]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  As my hon. Friend will know, the Public Processions etc. (Northern Ireland) Bill has completed its passage through Committee in another place on 13 November. Report Stage will take place on 1 December. The Bill is designed to tackle the difficulties that have surrounded the parades issue in recent years by encouraging local agreement, and by giving the Parades Commission the power to make determinations where appropriate.

  Look-out Posts (County Armagh)
  Mallon
  16. Mr. To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when she plans to close the look-out posts in County Armagh. [16247]

  Mr. Ingram
  The decision to relocate 250 troops to Great Britain and the closure of the army base at Kilkeel are the most recent examples of actions taken commensurate with the changing situation in Northern Ireland. These follow significant de-escalatory measures already taken since the Provisional IRA ceasefire on 20 July. There are no plans, at present, to close the observation towers in County Armagh.

  Tourism
  Ian Bruce
  22. Mr. To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on current trends in tourism in Northern Ireland. [16253]

  Mr. Ingram
  During 1995, a record 1.56 million visitors came to Northern Ireland. In 1996, following the ceasefire breakdown, visitor numbers fell to 1.44 million,
  581
  an 8 per cent. decline on 1995, encouragingly remaining above pre-ceasefire levels. Current estimates for 1997 suggest the possibility of a further 1 per cent. decline, falling to around 1.4 million visitors.

  Emergency Provisions
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement about the renewal of the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1991. [16254]

  Mr. Ingram
  A bill to amend and extend the life of the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1996 was introduced on 30 October 1997,Official Report, column 1050. The Bill received its Second Reading on 18 November 1997, Official Report, columns 168–218 and Committee stage took place on 25 November.

  Guardsmen Fisher and Wright
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to her oral answer of 29 October 1997,Official Report, column 887, what representations she has received on the case of Guardsmen Fisher and Wright from serving Scots Guards officers. [16255]

  Majorie Mowlam
  I have received no representations which have been identified as coming from a serving Scots Guards Officer.

  Ceasefire
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment she has made of the commitment of(a) Sinn Fein and (b) the IRA to the current ceasefire. [16256]

  Mr. Ingram
  I am content that the current PIRA ceasefire remains stable and I am confident that Sinn Fein's commitment to the peace process remains firm.

  Inward Investment
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations she has received concerning increasing inward investment into Northern Ireland. [16257]

  Mr. Ingram
  I receive many representations from those interested in the matter of inward investment including Members of this House, local government interests, business and commercial organisations and potential investors.

  Employment
  Mr. Connarty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proposals she has to take affirmative action on employment measures for areas of serious economic and social deprivation in Northern Ireland. [16259]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Department of Economic Development's Action Plans for targeting employment measures on disadvantaged areas over the period 1995–98 are currently being implemented by its economic development agencies. In addition further consideration is being given to these issues in light of the recent report on employment equality published by the Standing Advisory 582
  Commission on Human Rights. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State hopes to publish a full response early next year.

  Castle Buildings Negotiations
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the designation is of Senator Mitchell and General De Chastelain in relation to strand two of the Castle Buildings negotiations; and if she will list the names of the chairmen of the committees. [13017]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The talks participants decided on 24 September that Senator Mitchell, Prime Minister Holkeri and General de Chastelain should act as Joint Chairmen of Strand Two of the negotiations.

  On the same date, they agreed that the Liaison sub-committees on Decommissioning and Confidence-Building Measures should be chaired by Senator Mitchell, as Chairman of the Plenary. General de Chastelain is under the rules of procedure Chairman of the Business Committee. Prime Minister Holkeri is by virtue of the rules Alternate Chairman of all the committees.

  Fair Trade (Coffee and Tea)
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to the oral statement by the Secretary of State for International Development,Official Report, 5 November 1997, column 332, if she will instruct officials to serve coffee and tea furnished by suppliers who adhere to fair trade standards in her Department. [15495]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I refer to the answer which the Prime Minister gave on the 13 November 1997,Official Report, column 617. All procurement decisions in my Department are based on the Government's policy of value for money.

  E-mail
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer of 10 November 1997 from the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster,Official Report, column 441, if she will list the e-mail addresses of (a) Ministers, (b) senior officials and (c) chief executives of agencies for which she is responsible. [15867]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The Internet e-mail address for the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland is MM@NICS.GOV.UK.

  Apart from the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, no other Northern Ireland Minister currently has an Internet e-mail address.

  As far as senior officials and Chief Executives are concerned, some e-mail addresses do exist, but the issue of putting these addresses into the public domain in the Northern Ireland context is still under consideration.

  Press Releases
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 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. [16291]
  583
  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Press releases are sent by fax only to people who have requested this service to meet urgent needs. Opposition spokesmen have not sought this service. Releases are distributed widely by courier and by mail, including the House of Commons Library, and are posted on the Internet immediately upon issue. No changes have been sought or introduced since 1 May.

  University Funding
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the amount of university funding per student in Northern Ireland in(a) 1994–95, (b) 1995–96, (c) 1996–97 and (d) 1997–98; and if she will make a statement. [16937]

  Mr. Worthington
  The information requested is as follows:

  Financial year

  Amount of funding per student1

  1994–95

  5,471

  1995–96

  5,178

  1996–97

  25,002

  1997–98

  24,899

  1 In cash terms.

  2 Estimated figure.

  NHS
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what factors underlay the recent allocation of additional funding to the National Health Service in Northern Ireland; what estimate she has made of the proportionality of this additional funding in relation to(a) England, (b) Scotland and (c) Wales; and if she will make a statement. [16959]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The package announced on 14 October provided an additional £300 million of funding for health care across the UK. One Hundred and ninety million pounds of this money was apportioned in line with the Barnett formula which reflects population size, and Northern Ireland got its fair share. For England, the Department of Health's share was supplemented by internal reallocations and a long-standing claim on the Reserve.

  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when she expects to publish the consultation paper on the revised health service structure in Northern Ireland. [16934]

  Mr. Worthington
  I intend to publish a consultation paper on new arrangements for commissioning and delivering health and social services in Northern Ireland in January 1998.

  Schools
  Mr. Casale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many integrated schools in Northern Ireland(a) exist at present, (b) existed in 1992 and (c) are at the planning stage. [16390]

  Mr. Worthington
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend, the Member for Corby (Mr. Hope).
  584

  Sinn Fein
  Mr. Cobyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what guidelines are issued to Government offices in Northern Ireland concerning dealings with representatives of Sinn Fein; and if she will make as statement. [17836]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Government offices in Northern Ireland adhere to current Government policy which is that Sinn Fein should be treated on the same basis as any other political party.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Vitamin B6 Supplements
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which organisations dealing with the treatment of pre-menstrual tension have made recent representations in support of the restrictions on the retail sale of higher dose vitamin B6 supplements. [17218]

  Mr. Rooker
  The only organisation dealing specifically with pre-menstrual tension which has made representations about dietary supplements containing vitamin B6 is PMS Help. It has expressed support for the controls that the Government intend to introduce.

  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has recently received in connection with the restrictions on the retail sale of higher dose vitamin B6 supplements from(a) Dr. Shrimpton, (b) Dr. Gaby and (c) Dr. Munro. [17208]

  Mr. Rooker
  Dr. Shrimpton and Dr. Gaby were among those who attended a meeting that the Minister for Public Health and I had with representatives of industry and complementary medicine organisations on 23 July to discuss the Government's proposed controls on dietary supplements containing vitamin B6. They also met with officials from the Department earlier on the same day. We have subsequently received a number of letters from both Dr. Shrimpton and Dr. Gaby on the subject of the proposed controls.

  Animal Identification Scheme
  Mrs. Ballard
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the United Kingdom is taking part in the Identification Electronique des Animaux trials. [17267]

  Mr. Rooker
  No, principally because our resources in the area of cattle identification are already at full stretch in creating a national database of cattle movements. We are, however, keeping in touch with the trials being conducted in other Member States and various trials of electronic identification are taking place on a smaller scale in the UK.

  Multi-annual Guidance Programme
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 4 November 1997,Official Report, column 134, if the United Kingdom has been deemed to have complied with multi-annual guidance programme objectives; what tonnage cut-back

  585
  requirements now exist before vessel construction or modernisation grants are made available; what sums of (a) upgrade grants and (b) decommissioning grants are involved; and if he will make a statement. [17276]

  Mr. Morley
  As the table showed in my previous answer, the United Kingdom had shortfalls against target in a number of its MAGP III segments as at the end of 1996 and does not currently qualify for EU funding in respect of vessel construction or modernisation grants, other than for safety-related improvements, which do not result in an increase in fishing effort.

  Under the terms of MAGP IV, these shortfalls continue to have to be met in addition to our new objectives, which the Commission has still to confirm. The resulting percentage reductions will vary according to the segments and fisheries concerned and will in some cases be expressed in terms of fishing effort rather than tonnage. It is not possible to give definitive figures in advance of the Commission's formal Decision. As far as future expenditure is concerned, the Government are still considering the position in relation to decommissioning but have no plans to pay upgrade grants other than under the existing safety schemes.

  Ritually Slaughtered Animals
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has to end the ritual slaughter of animals. [17253]

  Mr. Morley
  The Government do not propose to remove the right of the Jewish and Muslim communities to slaughter animals in accordance with the requirements of their religion. We do, however, believe that animals should be stunned before slaughter wherever possible. We will continue to discuss our concerns with representatives of the religious communities, with a view to encouraging, where possible, an increase in the incidence of stunning before slaughter.

  Vitamins Ban
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the UN Codex (Ban on Vitamins); and if he will make a statement. [17318]

  Mr. Rooker
  There is no Codex ban on vitamins. The Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses is currently in the process of drawing up guidelines on supplements containing vitamin and minerals. These address a number of issues, including the setting of maximum vitamin and mineral content of supplements. The latest draft, which is due to be discussed again in September 1998, includes a number of possible options for this. One of these provides for the vitamin and mineral content of supplements to be limited to 100 per cent. of the recommended daily intake. Other options included establishing maximum limits on a case by case basis, and having no maximum at all.

  Codex standards and guidelines are advisory and it is for individual Governments to decide what use, if any, they wish to make of them.
  586

  Hill Farmers
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the average age of hill farmers in(a) 1977, (b) 1987 and (c) 1997. [17417]

  Mr. Morley
  Information is not available for the years requested; the closest years are 1975, 1985 and 1995. The following table provides estimates of the average age of holders of hill farms based on analysis of age band data from the Structure Survey.

  Estimated average age of holders1 of hill farms2 in the United Kingdom

  Year

  Average age3

  1975

  54

  1985

  56

  1995

  57

  1 The holder of the farm is that (natural or legal) person in whose name the farm is operated.

  2 A hill farm is defined as a farm wholly or mainly in less favoured areas.

  3 A holder working on more than one holding will be represented more than once within the average.

  Scientific Research and Development
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much money was spent or is budgeted to be spent on scientific research and development in each of the last 10 financial years; and how much is budgeted to be spent in 1997–98. [17423]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Department's total research and development expenditure for each of the last 10 financial years is set out as follows, together with the budgeted expenditure for 1997–98.

  Year

  £ million

  1996–87

  118.3

  1987–88

  113.8

  1988–89

  115.0

  1989–90

  112.2

  1990–91

  119.1

  1991–92

  121.5

  1992–93

  132.9

  1993–94

  135.0

  1994–95

  137.2

  1995–96

  139.7

  1996–97

  137.4

  1997–98

  1 146.3

  1Budgeted figure.

  Research Institutes
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what were the redundancy costs caused by reductions or redeployments of his Department's research and development funding to(a) MAFF-sponsored research institutes, (b) AFRC/BBSRC-sponsored institutes and (c) other public sector research institutions, in each year from 1987–88 to 1997–98; and of these costs, how much in each year was borne by MAFF and how much by which other Departments. [17424]

  Mr. Rooker
  I regret that information on redundancy costs in these bodies is not held centrally. Much would be available only at disproportionate cost. Moreover, it would not be possible to link directly the changes in the
  587
  Ministry's R and D funding at public sector research establishments to the particular decisions they reached on staff redundancies, and their costs, given the wide variety of other factors involved.

  Organic Farming
  Charlotte Atkins
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what support his Department gives to farmers wanting to change to organic farming practices. [17632]

  Mr. Morley
  Prospective organic farmers can obtain free technical advice under the Organic Conversion Information Service. Financial help for those converting to organic systems is available under the Organic Aid Scheme. In addition, there is a research and development programme for organic farming and we also fund the United Kingdom Register of Organic Food Standards.

  Badgers
  Charlotte Atkins
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects the Krebs Report on badgers and bovine tuberculosis to be published. [17631]

  Mr. Rooker
  I expect Professor Krebs' Report to be published before Christmas.

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 18 November 1997,Official Report, column 120 (1) what is the level of radioactivity associated with the miss-distance indicators disposed of in the Holyhead Deep in 1974; [17380]

  (2) if he will place in the Library details of the advice he received on the implications for human health and the environment of the disposal of miss-distance indicators in the Holyhead Deep in 1974. [17381]

  Mr. Rooker
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Workington (Mr. Campbell-Savours) on 24 November 1997,Official Report, columns 409–10, and to the report by the National Radiological Protection Board, which was placed in the Library of the House.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Child Care
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what incentives are being offered to child care providers to take on and train young people as child care assistants. [17273]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The New Deal for young unemployed people will create opportunities for young people to train as child care assistants on the Voluntary Sector, Employment, and Full Time Education and Training options. We have been talking to key child care organisations to facilitate their involvement. We will be providing financial assistance to help child care organisations employ and train young unemployed people, the amount of which will vary according to the type of placement on offer, and the needs of the participant.
  588

  Expenditure
  Mr. Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on his Department's expenditure plans for 1998–99. [18306]

  Mr. Blunkett
  The Department's control total for 1998–99 is £13,372 million. We are committed to working within the Department totals for 1998–99 which we inherited from the previous administration and therefore this sum is the same as that announced in November 1996 except in respect of agreed inter-Departmental transfers. I have reallocated this expenditure to align the Department's programmes with the Government's new objectives, policies and priorities.

  The voted expenditure for 1998–99 will be supplemented by up to £856 million from outside the control total, financed by the windfall tax, for the welfare to work programme and the New Deal for Schools. In addition, the bulk of expenditure on schools is provided through the local authority finance settlement. The level of expenditure next year on the New Deal for people with disabilities or a long-standing illness, and the New Deal for lone parents, will be announced when plans are finalised.

  SCHOOLS

  Local authority finance

  My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in the Budget an addition to local authority Education Standard Spending of £1,017 million, a year on year increase of 5.7 per cent., taking the total to £19,384 million including the transfer back into local government finance of the deduction made for the Nursery Voucher Scheme introduced by the previous administration. The details of the local authority finance settlement will be announced next week by my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister. It is for local authorities to decide how to allocate the available funding, but the Government expects that the funds will be passed on to schools and devoted to raising standards.

  Under fives

  We are returning to local education authorities the deduction of £527 million from standard spending assessments made by the previous administration. These funds will allow authorities to work in partnership with the private and voluntary sectors to develop their Early Years Development Plans, designed to provide a high quality nursery education on demand to all four-year-olds. Central government funds of £135 million will provide additional grant support to local authorities, to support expansion of the number of places available, and the development of Early Excellence Centres.

  School standards and effectiveness

  We have set up a new and expanded Standards Fund, replacing the Grants for Educational Support and Training programme. The total Standards Fund programme expenditure is to be £500 million.

  Schools capital and the New Deal for Schools

  £250 million will be made available from the windfall tax in 1998–99 for the New Deal for Schools, to start tackling the backlog of repairs to school buildings and to develop public private partnerships to maintain an repair schools. The total includes £15 million for school security, to be deployed as part of the Standards Fund. These sums are in addition to the existing schools capital

  589
  programme of £648 million, including the Department's contribution to the Government's local authority capital challenge fund.

  National Grid for Learning

  £50 million of the New Deal for Schools funds in 1998–99 will support expenditure of £100 million on the capital and infrastructure requirements of setting up the National Grid for Learning, to give schools easier access to high quality materials to support the raising of standards. This will be delivered through the Standards Fund.

  Specialist schools

  The specialist schools programme will be increased by £6 million to £41 million to support public/private partnerships, allowing the expansion of the programme to 330 schools by September 1998. At the same time we shall broaden the reach of the programme, ensuring that it is open to as many children as possible—both those attending specialist schools, and those in neighbouring schools enjoying their facilities.

  Teacher Training Agency

  The total grant for the Teacher Training Agency will be £206 million in recognition of the central role they have to play in the Government's drive on standards through action to recruit sufficient high quality entrants to teaching; to ensure that new and existing teachers receive the support and training they need to raise pupil achievement, particularly in the priority areas of literacy, numeracy and ICT; and to underpin effective school leadership.

  LIFELONG LEARNING, FURTHER AND HIGHER EDUCATION

  Lifelong learning

  The Government is committed to creating a learning society. This will involve both greater and wider participation, giving access and opportunity to those hitherto excluded so that equality of opportunity and lifelong learning become a reality. We have been able to redirect expenditure so as to make a start on the recommendations of the Kennedy report to widen participation in lifelong learning amongst disadvantaged groups with low or no qualifications.

  Further Education

  A total of £83 million, including £63 million of new public funding and an estimated £20 million increase in employers' contributions to course fees, will be available to the further education sector in 1998–99, taking the Further Education Funding Council's grant for 1998–99 to £3,114 million.

  Higher Education

  I have already announced a package of measures that will allow an extra £165 million to be spent on higher education in 1998–99. Universities and colleges will have an extra £125 million to maintain quality and improve standards and to make a start on the backlog of maintenance and equipment replacement. There will be a £36 million access package to benefit part-time students and those facing particular hardship, allowing the doubling of access funds. £4 million will be made available to increase HE participation through sub-degree programmes. The grant for the Higher Education Funding Council will be set at £3,504 million.

  Training and Enterprise Councils

  The Government is committed to the role of TECs in meeting local needs and contributing to local economic development. The Department's programmes to be delivered through TECs in 1998–99 amount to £1.3
  590
  billion. In addition, TECs will be playing an important strategic role as a key local partner in a wide range of other initiatives including New Deal, the Single Regeneration Budget, and European funding schemes.

  Employment programmes

  Welfare to work

  The Government is committed to helping unemployed people, particularly the most disadvantaged, enhance their employability and get into work as quickly as possible. Following my right hon. Friend the Chancellor's announcement in the Budget, we will be spending up to an additional £606 million in 1998–99 for the introduction of the New Deal for unemployed 18–24 year olds and for those over 25 unemployed for two years or more. The New Deal for unemployed 18–24 year olds will be launched in January next year in pathfinder areas, with the national start in April. The New Deal for the long-term unemployed will start in June 1998.

  In addition, the Secretary of State for Social Security and I are working closely together on plans for launching the New Deal for people with disabilities or a long-standing illness, using up to £195 million which the Budget made available, and on plans to launch the national roll out of the New Deal for lone parents with an additional £150 million, over the lifetime of the Parliament.

  Employment Zones

  We have reallocated expenditure within the Employment Service to allow £30 million to be deployed in 1998–99 to setting up the first prototype Employment Zones, which will offer new help for unemployed people, providing innovative pathways into sustainable work.

  Other measures for helping the unemployed

  In addition to the above, we have refocussed some £289 million provision within the Employment Service to enable it to help other unemployed people and those with disabilities back to work.

  Oxford and Cambridge Universities
  Mr. Wickes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the combined asset value of Oxford and Cambridge Universities, including constituent colleges; and what percentage this represents of the equivalent asset values of all other British universities. [16490]

  Dr. Howells
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Tamworth (Mr. Jenkins) on 10 November 1997,Official Report, column 448.

  Mr. Wickes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proportion of student entrants at(a) Oxford and (b) Cambridge University attended state secondary schools in each year since 1975. [16489]

  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 may care to speak to them directly.
  591

HEALTH

  Accident and Emergency
  Mr. Lock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has commissioned to study the relationship between clinical outcomes and the distance patients have to travel to accident and emergency departments at district hospitals; and if he will make a statement on its conclusions. [16956]

  Mr. Boateng
  In January 1996 the Department published a review of Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments as part of the Health Care Needs Assessment series. In addition in May 1995 the Department published the "Review of Literature on Accident and Emergency Departments and Clinical Outcomes". Copies are available in the Library.

  Health authorities and National Health Service trusts should provide an accident and emergency service which meets the needs of local people. The distance people have to travel to accident and emergency departments will therefore vary according to local circumstances.

  There is evidence that seriously ill and injured patients do better in larger departments where a high proportion of care is offered by consultant staff, with access to backup from a range of specialist departments.

  Ritalin
  Mr. John Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has commissioned into alternatives to the use of Ritalin in the treatment of children. [17053]

  Ms Jowell
  Ritalin can be used as a treatment for attention deficit disorder (ADD) in cases when medication is considered to be appropriate. Ritalin has been subjected to controlled trials and can be effective when given to the right children. Other types of medication can also be used as alternative or complementary treatment but Ritalin is the most comprehensively researched medication and is usually considered to be the drug of choice. It should be used under the supervision of a specialist in childhood behavioural disorders as part of a comprehensive treatment programme, which also includes psychological, educational and social measures, to stabilise children with a behavioural syndrome.

  The Department of Health has not commissioned any research into alternatives to the use of Ritalin in the treatment of children. The main agency through which the Government supports medical and clinical research is the Medical Research Council. The MRC supports a number of studies into the causes and treatment of ADD, but is not currently supporting any research into pharmacological interventions. However, the MRC always welcomes high quality applications for support into any aspect of attention deficit disorder and these are judged in open competition with other demands on funding. Awards are made according to their scientific quality and importance to human health.

  Children in Care
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children were accommodated by local 592
  authorities other than under care orders in (a) Staffordshire, (b) the West Midlands and (c) England and Wales in 1996. [17162]

  Mr. Boateng
  As published in Table 3 of "Children Looked After by Local Authorities, year Ending 31 March 1996, England" the figures for children looked after at 31 March not under a care order were(a) 350 for Staffordshire, (b) 2,300 for West Midlands (excluding Solihull, for which no data are available), and (c) 22,300 for England.

  These figures exclude children who were looked after under an agreed series of short-term placements.

  Questions relating to Wales are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many care orders were made in(a) Staffordshire, (b) the West Midlands and (c) England and Wales in 1996. [17165]

  Mr. Boateng
  Figures for care orders made during the year ending 31 March 1996, the latest year for which information is available, were(a) 170 for Staffordshire, (b) 1,070 for West Midlands (excluding Solihull, for which no data are available), and (c) 10,100 for England.

  Figures include both interim and full care orders, excluding renewals.

  Questions relating to Wales are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children(a) in care under care orders and (b) otherwise accommodated by local authorities left the care of local authorities in (i) Staffordshire, (ii) the West Midlands and (iii) England and Wales in 1996; for what reasons; and where they went. [17163]

  Mr. Boateng
  The latest available figures for children at the point of leaving care are given in the table. Statistics are not collected centrally on the subsequent history of such children after they have left care, but a Department of Health funded research project published in 1995 looked at the experiences of a small sample of care leavers. About half moved first to some form of transitional accommodation (e.g. hostel, lodgings, or to stay with friends); 20 per cent. moved directly into independent tenancies in the public, voluntary or private sector; 12 per cent. returned to live with parents or relatives; and 15 per cent. made no move when they first ceased to be "looked after", choosing to remain with parents, relatives or foster carers.

  As the research sample was very small (74 individuals), care must be taken in drawing any general conclusions from these figures.

  Questions relating to Wales are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.
  593

  Children who ceased to be looked after during year ending 31 March 1996, by reason that the final episode of care ceased, England

  England

  West Midlands

  Staffordshire

  All children

  31,600

  3,340

  390

  Reason ceased to be looked after:

  Children under care orders

  All children under care orders

  5,350

  570

  90

  Reached maximum age

  1,800

  180

  20

  Care order discharged or expired

  1,900

  220

  50

  Care order replaced by supervision order

  170

  20

  —

  Adopted

  880

  70

  10

  Other reason ceased to be looked after

  600

  70

  10

  Other legal status

  All children who were looked after under other legal statuses

  26,250

  2,740

  300

  Reached maximum age

  1,270

  110

  30

  Adopted

  830

  90

  20

  Placement ceased in accordance with plan

  14,020

  1,280

  120

  Placement ceased at request of parents

  4,700

  610

  50

  Placement ceased at request of child

  1,600

  170

  20

  Police protection order expired

  430

  50

  —

  Accommodation on remand ceased

  1,030

  80

  20

  Other reason ceased to be looked after

  2,400

  340

  50

  Figures are rounded to the nearest 10; totals may not sum due to rounding. Figures for care orders include both Interim, full and deemed Care Orders, and relate to the latest recorded legal status when the child ceased to be looked after.

  Figures exclude children who are accommodated under an agreed series of short-term placements.

  Where a child already looked after moved into respite care, that child is regarded as having ceased to be looked after for the purposes of this statistical analysis.

  These figures include estimates for missing data. The West Midlands figure covers the Government Office Region, excluding Solihull for which no data are available.

  Kidderminster Hospital
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what medical services are provided at Kidderminster hospital. [17177]

  Mr. Milburn
  The following medical services are currently provided at Kidderminster General Hospital:

  Accident and Emergency Services

  General Surgery

  Urology

  Trauma and Orthopaedics

  Ophthalmology

  Oral Surgery

  Anaesthetics/Pain Relief

  Gynaecology

  Orthodontics (Outpatients only)

  ENT

  General Medicine

  Haematology

  Dermatology

  Rheumatology

  Gastroenterology

  Chest Medicine

  Cardiology (Outpatients only)

  594

  Neurology (Outpatients only)

  Geriatrics

  Paediatrics (except in-patient medical)

  Psychiatry

  Psychology

  Radiotherapy (Outpatients only)

  Obstetrics (Midwifery led)

  Radiology

  Pathology

  Audiology

  Source:

  Finance Department, Kidderminster General Hospital.

  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the impact of the closure of the accident and emergency unit at Kidderminster upon the population of North Worcestershire and South Shropshire. [17180]

  Mr. Milburn
  The strategic review of services in Worcestershire is considering a number of options.

  Decisions about the future of accident and emergency services will reflect carefully researched evidence on staffing issues and the effect they will have on clinical effectiveness and safety at each site. The evidence is currently being collated and tested and will be made available as part of the public consultation process which will commence in December.

  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much capital has been expended on Kidderminster hospital in each of the past 10 years. [17179]

  Mr. Milburn
  The information requested is not collected centrally, but the Kidderminster General Hospital Finance department reports capital expended on Kidderminster hospital in the last 10 years; approximately £25 million has been spent in the last 10 years; £20 million on buildings and £5 million on equipment.

  Major schemes include: (a) £14 million on Phase VI— new theatre suite, 120 beds and out-patient clinics (completed 1995); (b) £870,000 on Cancer Resource Centre (£350,000 donated)—completed October 1997; (c) £1.5 million on Pathology/Mortuary buildings; (d) £570,000 on X-ray equipment.

  Source:

  Kidderminster General Hospital.

  Nurses
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment he has made of staff shortages in areas of care formerly undertaken by state enrolled nurses; and what plans he has to create a replacement position to that of state enrolled nurse. [17212]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the impact on health services of ending the position of state enrolled nurse. [17211]

  Mr. Milburn
  The professional status of the second level (enrolled) nurse remains unchanged. There are currently 332,660 (whole time equivalent) nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff employed by the National Health Service Hospital and Community Services of which some 10 per cent. are second level
  595
  (enrolled) nurses. Second level (enrolled) nurses continue to make an important contribution to the NHS and their skills and experience have been fully recognised by the clinical grading structure, which rewards nurses for the jobs they do.

  Ambulance Service
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what system is used by ambulance services in England and Wales to eliminate hoax and unnecessary calls for emergency assistance; what plans he has to review these mechanisms; in what circumstances ambulance services may decide not to attend calls considered to be hoax or unnecessary; and if he will make a statement. [17214]

  Mr. Boateng
  Measures are being taken to reduce the number of hoax calls in a joint initiative between emergency services and telephone operating companies. Ambulance services are also introducing priority dispatch systems which will help identify unnecessary calls. If hoax calls are a particular problem, ambulance services may develop local policies and protocols for not attending in such cases. These must be agreed with local clinicians.

  Radiotherapy
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many women have been diagnosed as suffering injury or other adverse effects as a result of radiotherapy for breast cancer in each year since 1970; [17405]

  (2) how many women have received radiotherapy treatment for breast cancer in each year since 1970; [17404]

  (3) what information his Department collates centrally from regional radiotherapy centres. [17406]

  Mr. Boateng
  The most recent central information on numbers of radiotherapy exposures is for the financial year 1992–93 but this did not record the site of the cancer treated. Since then information has not been collected from radiotherapy departments. The number of women receiving radiotherapy for breast cancer includes women who receive it as part of the primary treatment to the breast and surrounding areas and those who receive it for treatment of recurrent breast cancer in the breast or other parts of the body, particularly the bones. In 1992 in England (latest year for which Office for National Statistic figures are available) 30,000 women were diagnosed with breast cancer and it is estimated that around half of these would have received radiotherapy as part of primary treatment. Statistics are not routinely collected on the adverse effects of treatments in any medical discipline although this is done in clinical trials.

  Technology Foresight
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what Technology Foresight priorities are being taken into account in the forward planning of the Department's scientific research programme. [17463]

  Ms Jowell
  The scope of the Department's scientific research programmes is sufficiently broad to encompass many of the recommendations made by the Foresight Programme in general and by the Health and Life Sciences Panel in particular. Foresight principles have been incorporated into the forward planning processes used by the Clinical Horizons Scanning Group. A corporate 596
  knowledge base on health trends and related information has been developed and is available to provide support for the forward planning of the Department's scientific research programmes.

  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health in what way the Department's research priorities have been modified in response to Technology Foresight. [17464]

  Ms Jowell
  The Central Research and Development Committee has recently recommended that the structure of the centrally funded R and D programmes of the National Health Service should be reconfigured around three broad themes—Health Technology Assessment, Service Delivery and Organisation and New and Emerging Technologies. The latter theme is Foresight related; the full scope of the projects to be included in this new theme has yet to be agreed.

  Child Care Task Force
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list the programme of work of the Ministerial Task Force on Child Care and the dates on which it will report; [17537]

  (2) what are the (a) terms of reference and (b) membership of the Ministerial Task Force on Child Care. [17539]

  Mr. Boateng
  We shall be announcing the terms of reference and membership of the Ministerial Task Force shortly.

  Cannabis
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to implement the recommendations of the BMA's report on the therapeutic use of cannabis. [17416]

  Mr. Boateng
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health has no plans to do so at present.

  Community Care
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to review the legal framework of community care to take account of the recent Gloucestershire judgment. [17555]

  Mr. Boateng
  The judgment given on appeal from the Court of Appeal in the House of Lords on 20 March in the case of R versus Gloucestershire County Council and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health, ex parte Barry (the "Gloucestershire Judgment"), confirmed the law as the Department of Health has always understood it and we have no plans to review the legal framework of community care in the light of that judgment.

  Food Poisoning
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will provide a breakdown of the foods accounting for the notified bacterial food poisoning cases in 1996. [17534]

  Ms Jowell
  The information requested is not collected centrally. The great majority of food poising notifications are sporadic cases notified on the basis of clinical symptoms in which it is seldom possible to establish the vehicle of infection.
  597

  NHS Trusts (Membership)
  Mr. Prior
  To ask the Secretary of state for Health (1) if he will make a statement on his policy on the selection of(a) chairmen and (b) board members of NHS trusts; [17382]

  (2) when he expects to announce (a) the next chairman of the Norfolk and Norwich Health Care NHS Trust and (b) the next chairman of the Norfolk Mental Health Care NHS Trust; [17383]

  (3) if he will make a statement on the re-appointment of (a) the chairman and (b) other board members of the Norfolk and Norwich Health Care NHS Trust. [17384]

  Mr. Milburn
  All National Health Service appointments are made on merit, and in accordance with guidance from the Commissioner for Public Appointments and the Government's criteria on the qualities required for chairmen and non-executives. Outstanding appointments to the boards of the Norfolk and Norwich Health Care Trust and the Norfolk Mental Health Care Trust will be made as soon as possible.

  Ministerial Meetings and Visits (London)
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list, separately by Minister, and by date, each(a) meeting attended by and (b) visit undertaken by Ministers (i) in London and (ii) with people working for the National Health Service in London since 1 May, other than meetings with, or visits to, civil servants working for his Department centrally or for the South Thames or North Thames NHS regional offices. [17831]

  Mr. Milburn
  The table shows all Ministerial visits to National Health Service trusts, health authorities and primary care sites in London since 1 May 1997.

  Ministerial visits in London since 1 May 1997

  Date

  Minister

  Visits

  30 May

  Baroness Jay

  London Ambulance Service NHS Trust

  3 June

  Mr. Boateng

  Health and Care Centre at Wembley Hospital

  23 June

  Mr. Milburn

  South Westminster Centre for Health (Riverside Community Healthcare NHS Trust)

  24 June

  Mr. Boateng

  North West London Mental Health NHS Trust

  25 June

  Mr. Milburn

  Central Middlesex Hospital NHS Trust

  10 July

  Mr. Milburn

  Kingston Hospital NHS Trust

  16 July

  Baroness Jay

  Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospital NHS Trust

  17 July

  Mr. Milburn

  St. George's Healthcare NHS Trust Pathfinder Mental Health Services NHS Trust St. John's Therapy Centre, Wandsworth (Wandsworth Community NHS Trust)

  21 July

  Mr. Milburn

  St. Mary's Hospital NHS Trust

  24 July

  Mr. Milburn

  St. Andrew's Hospital (Newham Healthcare NHS Trust) Newham District General Hospital (Newham Healthcare NHS Trust) Globe Town Surgery, E2 Dr. Varma's Surgery. E1

  598

  Ministerial visits in London since 1 May 1997

  Date

  Minister

  Visits

  24 July

  Mr. Boateng

  Law Medical Centre, Wembley (Brent and Harrow HA)

  12 August

  Mr. Dobson

  Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trust

  2 September

  Mr. Boateng

  Central Middlesex Hospital NHS Trust

  9 September

  Baroness Jay

  Teddington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust

  15 September

  Mr. Milburn

  London Ambulance Service NHS Trust Battersea Locality Group, Queens Town Road Medical Practice

  16 September

  Mr. Milburn

  Kings Healthcare NHS Trust The Maudsley Hospital (The Bethlem and Maudsley NHS Trust) Optimum Healthcare NHS Trust

  22 September

  Baroness Jay

  Dr. Shah's Surgery and Parkside Health Centre (Parkside Health NHS Trust)

  6 October

  Mr. Milburn

  Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospital NHS Trust (included visits to Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospitals)

  9 October

  Mr. Milburn

  The Royal Hospitals NHS Trust Homerton Hospital NHS Trust

  14 October

  Mr. Dobson

  Central Middlesex Hospital NHS Trust

  15 October

  Mr. Milburn

  Richmond Twickenham and Roehampton NHS Trust (Queen Mary's University Hospital)

  16 October

  Mr. Boateng

  Central Middlesex Hospital NHS Trust

  29 October

  Mrs. Jowell

  Practice Managers Forum (Lambeth Southwark and Lewisham HA)

  30 October

  Mr. Milburn

  Havering Hospitals NHS Trust (included visits to Haroldwood and Oldchurch Hospitals)

  12 November

  Mr. Dobson

  Kenton Bridge Medical Centre (Brent and Harrow HA)

  12 November

  Baroness Jay

  Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospital NHS Trust

  20 November

  Mr. Dobson

  Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Hospital (University College London Hospitals NHS Trust)

  Influenza
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what contingency plans his Department has evaluated for dealing with a flu epidemic this winter; and if he will make a statement. [17342]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 24 November 1997]: Outbreaks of influenza occur every winter and measures to ameliorate illness and cope with the increased demand on health care services are part of routine planning. The first priority for health authorities and National Health Service trusts is to make adequate provision for emergency care and there will be plans in place for responding to any increases in demand for treatment. There is currently no reason to believe that this year's flu season will be worse than those seen in recent years. The Department recommends that people with underlying diseases which put them at increased risk of serious illness should they develop flu should receive flu vaccine each

  599
  year. Doctors were reminded of this policy in August 1997, and at the launch of flu awareness week in October. We know that those most 'at risk' for flu, the complications of flu and those most likely to be admitted to hospital for flu are patients with chronic risk conditions: studies have continued to show that those in 'at risk' groups benefit most from vaccination.

  So far this year a record 6.9 million doses of flu vaccine have been distributed. General practitioners and practice
  600
  nurses are encouraged to make sure they give flu vaccine to as many people at risk from the complications of flu as possible. Leaflets entitled 'Flu vaccination' and 'What should I do about flu?' have been made available to practices through the Department of Health. Copies are also available in the Library. Flu activity is reported on a weekly basis. We monitor the situation closely once the normal winter increase in flu activity begins and situation reports are used to keep health authorities advised of any unusual levels of activity.

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  Broadcasting: Freedom of Reception
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  Royal Parks: Cycle Tracks
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  HMS "Cavalier"
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  The Arts: Waverley Criteria
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  Culture Council, 24 November
  Culture Council, 24 November
  Bahrain Citizens: Asylum Applications
  Bahrain Citizens: Asylum Applications
  Campsfield House
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  Prison Service: Annual Report and Accounts
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  Women's Prisons: Management
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  Juveniles: Secure Remand
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  Local Authority Guideline Rents
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  Valuation Tribunals: Response to Consultation Paper
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