Written Answers of 27 November 1997

DEFENCE

  Military Personnel
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many military personnel have left the Army since 1 May; how many have been recruited since that date; and how many vacancies existed at the end of October. [16926]

  Dr. Reid
  A total of around 5,000 personnel left the Army between 1 May and 1 October 1997. More than 6,000 personnel entered the Army from civilian life during the same period. At 1 October the Army was undermanned by around 4,500 trained personnel. The figures to 1 October are provisional, and include trained Gurkha personnel but exclude the Royal Irish (Home Service). The figures to the end of October 1997 are not yet available.

  Genetically Modified Organisms
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many research projects have been commissioned by his Department in each year from 1987 to date concerning the genetic modification of(a) organisms and (b) micro-organisms. [17736]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 25 November 1997]: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA). I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from J. Chisholm to Mr. Paul Tyler, dated 27 November 1997:
  I have been asked to reply to your question about research projects concerned with the genetic modification of organisms and micro-organisms as most work of this nature is carried out for the Ministry of Defence by the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA).
  The genetic modification work undertaken at DERA's Chemical and Biological Defence Sector (CBD) at Porton Down is all concerned with micro-organisms. None of the work is concerned with the genetic modification of higher organisms.
  Health and Safety legislation requires that all projects involving genetic manipulation in the UK must be approved by local Genetic Manipulation Safety Committees (GMSC). The GMSC at CBD has approved the following experiments per year since 1987.

  Year

  Number of projects

  1987

  8

  1988

  11

  1989

  19

  1990

  8

  1991

  12

  1992

  19

  1993

  15

  602

  Year

  Number of projects

  1994

  13

  1995

  8

  1996

  20

  1997 (to 18 November 1997)

  14

  All these projects are part of an overall defensive research programme to provide safe and effective protection for the UK Armed Forces in the event of chemical or biological attack.

  It would not be in the national interest for me to give details of these projects.

  I am sorry I cannot be more helpful on this occasion.

  Foxes (MOD Estate)
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate his Department has made of the number of foxes on his Department's estate in each of the past five years. [18033]

  Mr. Spellar
  No estimates have been made of the numbers of foxes on the Defence Estate.

  Buildings and Installations (Servicing)
  Mr. McWilliam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will list each civilian company and subsidiary employed by his Department to service Ministry of Defence installations and buildings, indicating the functions they carry out; [17864]

  (2) if he will list by company the cost to public funds to date in payments to each company contracted to service MOD buildings and installations. [17863]

  Mr. Spellar
  This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  University Air Squadrons
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will ensure that(a) cadets learning to fly through the university air squadrons and (b) those taking air experience flights will be trained in British-built aircraft. [18059]

  Dr. Reid
  A final decision has still to be taken on the contract to provide the University Air Squadron and Air Cadet Air Experience Flight flying requirements. A UK-manufactured aircraft is one of the options being considered. All factors will be taken into account in reaching a decision on which options offers best operational performance and best overall value for money.

  Fox Hunting
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 24 November 1997,Official Report, column 393, if he will discuss with the Masters of Foxhounds Association his Department's interpretation of the MFHA's press release of 8 August in respect of the practice of digging out foxes on the estate; and if he will make a statement. [17954]

  Mr. Spellar
  My Department's position on the practice of digging out is clear: it will be neither requested nor permitted on the defence Estate.

  Remembrance Sunday (Union Flag)
  Mr. McWilliam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who was responsible for the Union Flag flown above Whitehall main building on Remembrance Sunday. [17865]

  Mr. Spellar
  Under the terms of their contract, day to day responsibility for ensuring that flags on MoD Main Building, Whitehall, are maintained in good condition, regularly washed and flown correctly at the appropriate times lies with Building and Property Defence Limited. Under new arrangements instituted since Remembrance Sunday, visual checks carried out by Departmental staff will ensure that correct procedures are followed.

PRIME MINISTER

  President of the Board of Trade
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Prime Minister if he gave permission for the President of the Board of Trade not to attend oral questions on 20 November. [17556]

  The Prime Minister
  I gave my permission for my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade to be overseas on 20 November.

  Ministerial Interests
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the issues and companies which each Minister is unable to handle in order to avoid a conflict of interst. [17557]

  The Prime Minister
  No. Ministers are required to ensure that there is no conflict of interest between their public duties and their private interests. There is no static list of issues or companies. Ministers are asked to remain alert to the possibility of conflicts of interests when dealing with Government business.

  Mr. Rupert Murdoch
  Sir Brian Mawhinney
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the issues of public policy which he discussed with Mr. Rupert Murdoch during their meeting on 13 November. [17655]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 25 November 1997]: We discussed a range of issues.

  Political Donations
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Prime Minister when he became aware of the possible conflict of interest arising from a second donation on behalf of Mr. Bernie Ecclestone. [17943]

  The Prime Minister
  I have nothing further to add to the oral answer I gave in the House on 12 November 1997,Official Report, columns 898–99.

  Diabetics
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to his oral answer of 19 November 1997,Official Report, column 325, what scientific advice the Government received recommending driving licence restrictions on insulin-dependent diabetics; and if he will publish that advice. [17610]
  604
  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 26 November 1997]: As I told the hon. Gentleman in my earlier reply, the Government receives advice from the Honorary Advisory Panel on Driving and Diabetes, one of a number of such panels comprising experts in their field. At a recent meeting they confirmed that in their view there was no new evidence to support a change in the policy with regard to granting licences to drive the heavier vehicles to diabetes sufferers treated by insulin. Their advice draws on their experience and assessment of the scientific literature. There is therefore no scientific advice as such from the Panel which could be published.

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Prime Minister if it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government that(a) all visits undertaken by Ministers in connection with their duties be notified, reasonably in advance, to the hon. Member of the area visited and (b) that hon. Member is permitted to participate in the visit. [17843]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 26 November 1997]: I set out guidance to my Ministerial colleagues on these matters in paragraph 79 of the Ministerial Code, a copy of which was placed in the Library of the House in July.

  Government Information Service
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the Government Information Service. [18408]

  The Prime Minister
  I am today placing in the Library of the House the Report of a Working Group on the Government Information Service. The Report is about modernising the Government's communications with the media to make them more effective and authoritative—an integral part of a democratic Government's duty to govern with consent. Its main proposals are:to improve co-ordination with and from the centre, so as to get across consistently the Government's key policy themes and messages, through a new strategic communications unit serving the whole Government; a reformed Cab-E-Net system; and clearer rules on attribution;
  to improve co-ordination within each Government Department so that Ministers, their special advisers, their press offices and their policy civil servants all play their part in the coherent formulation and communication of policy;
  to bring the practice and procedures of all Government press offices up to the standards of the best, geared to quick response round the clock with help from a new central media monitoring unit;
  to retain a politically impartial service and to sustain the trusted values of the service embodied in its rules of guidance;
  on the basis that communication is an integral part of policy formulation, to develop closer and better working relations between policy civil servants and press offices;
  to offer high quality management and leadership, staffing and training and development tailored to meet the needs of the 24-hour media world.

  I have accepted the recommendations of the Report. The costs of the two new Units will be contained within the Department's running costs. Together, these proposals will produce a service, renamed the Government Information Service and Communication Service, which is fit for its purpose and fit for the future.

  European Council
  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Prime Minister at what time he left the European Council meeting at Amsterdam. [18035]

  The Prime Minister
  At its conclusion.

  Iraq
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister for what reasons the request by Mr. Tariq Aziz to meet representatives of the British Government at the United Nations to enter into a dialogue on the situation in Iraq was declined. [17918]

  The Prime Minister
  Mr. Aziz wished to enter into dialogue on the subject of the UN Special Commission (UNSCOM). It is not for Iraq to attempt to lay down conditions on this subject. UNSCOM received its mandate under Security Council Resolution (SCR) 687. It is non-negotiable. Iraq must comply with all relevant SCRs.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Emergency Provisions
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Attorney-General, pursuant to the statement of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland of 18 November 1997,Official Report, columns 215–16, what factors led him to conclude it would appear invidious for him to deny a person a jury trial in some scheduled offences; and for what reasons he assesses it not to be invidious for him to deny jury trials in other scheduled offences. [17570]

  The Attorney-General
  It is the legislation itself, the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1996, which provides that the scheduled offences are tried by a judge without a jury. The Schedule permits the Attorney-General, in respect of certain offences, to certify that a particular offence is not to be treated as a scheduled offence. My certificate therefore operates to confer the right to be tried by jury in the normal way. The right to trial by jury is currently removed only by Parliament and it would be invidious for a Minister to have that power. The Attorney-General's function is purely to reduce the severity of the law in favour of individuals where appropriate.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Attorney-General what would be(a) the extra cost and (b) the necessary increase in personnel of the certifying in procedure for scheduled offences coming under the terms of the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Bill. [17571]

  The Attorney-General
  Under the current legislation the Attorney-General may "certify out" certain scheduled offences with the effect that such an offence will not be treated as a scheduled offence. It is impossible to quantify the extra cost and the necessary increase in personnel which would be required were offences to be subject to a "certifying in" procedure, whereby they would be certified in to the Schedule by the Attorney-General, since the amount of work involved is entirely dependent on the number of offences committed. Under the provisions contained in the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Bill it is anticipated that there will be an increase in the work 606
  load of my office because of the proposal to increase the number of offences which are capable of being certified out.

  Sexual Offences
  Ms Beverley Hughes
  To ask the Attorney-General (1) what percentage of cases of alleged sexual offences against children investigated by the Police in 1995–96 and 1996–97 and referred to the Crown Prosecution Service(a) were judged to have passed the evidential test, (b) proceeded to prosecution in court and (c) resulted in a conviction; [17660]

  (2) what percentage of cases (a) proceeded to prosecution in court and (b) resulted in a conviction, in cases involving alleged sexual offences against children in 1995–96 and 1996–97 when the only evidence was the testimony of the child or children; [17662]

  (3) what were the reasons for the decisions not to proceed to prosecution in respect of those alleged sexual offences against children investigated by the Police in 1995–96 and 1996–97, in which the Crown Prosecution Service decided not to prosecute. [17663]

  The Attorney-General
  The Crown Prosecution Service holds no central records on the outcome of proceedings in respect of particular offences. The information is held in Branch offices on individual case files and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Ms Beverley Hughes
  To ask the Attorney-General what factors the Crown Prosecution Service takes into account in applying the evidential test in cases involving alleged sexual offences against children where the only evidence was the testimony of the child or children. [17661]

  The Attorney-General
  Each case is unique and must be considered on its own merit but, generally, a principle of fairness is applied to the evidence of children. This means that the evidence of a child is considered no less reliable than that of an adult simply because it comes from a child. As in all cases, prosecutors will consider whether the evidence can be used in court and whether it is reliable in deciding if there is a realistic prospect of conviction. Prosecutors are urged to use all the procedures available to assist child witnesses to give evidence.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Prisoners (Home Leave)
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department at what stage in a sentence a prisoner becomes eligible for home leave. [16182]

  Ms Quin
  Following changes in the Prison Rules in April 1995, a new system of release on temporary licence was introduced to replace home leave and temporary release. The eligibility of prisoners to be considered for release on resettlement licence under the new system is set out in "Prison Service Instruction to Governors 36/1995," a copy of which is in the Library.

  European Parliamentary Elections
  Mr. Curry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library a draft of
  607
  the ballot paper which would be issued to voters before the second reading of the European Parliamentary Elections Bill. [16957]

  Mr. Straw
  The final format of the ballot paper for elections to the European Parliament has not yet been determined. Parliament will be able to approve the final design. I have, however, placed a copy of an initial sketch in the Library.

  Mr. Curry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people will be eligible to vote in the European Parliament elections in(a) each of the English regions upon which the proposed new constituencies will be based, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland. [17060]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 21 November 1997]: The number of people eligible to vote in the next elections to the European Parliament in June 1999 will depend on the number of people on the relevant electoral registers on polling day. The number of people on the local government electoral registers in each of the proposed English electoral regions and in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland on 16 February 1997 was as follows:

  Number

  East Midlands

  3,167,433

  Eastern

  4,027,466

  London

  5,027,796

  North East

  1,984,212

  North West

  5,214,413

  South East

  5,988,686

  South West

  3,747,003

  West Midlands

  4,032,835

  Yorkshire and The Humber

  3,811,254

  Scotland

  3,995,923

  Wales

  2,226,923

  Northern Ireland

  1,190,977

  The number of people entitled to vote in an election to the European Parliament would be slightly smaller since not all European Union citizens on the local government register chose to exercise their right to vote in European Parliamentary elections in the United Kingdom.

  East European Students
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many students from eastern Europe who in the last six months have been given permits to work in agriculture have applied for political asylum. [17250]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I regret that the information requested is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many students from eastern Europe who have been given permits to work in the United Kingdom have been recruited by gangmasters to work in the food processing factories in Lincolnshire. [17248]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I regret that information on the number of eastern European students recruited by gangmasters to work in food processing factories in Lincolnshire is not held centrally.
  608
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many permits he has granted to students from eastern Europe to work in agriculture in the United Kingdom during the last six months. [17249]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Eight thousand five hundred such students entered the United Kingdom in the six months from May to October.

  Amsterdam Treaty (Asylum Seekers)
  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the implications of the Amsterdam Treaty for future asylum seekers from within the European Union; and for what reason his Department did not seek an exemption from the Asylum Protocol similar to that acquired by Belgium. [17217]

  Ms Quin
  The Asylum Protocol to the Amsterdam Treaty will require that member states treat asylum applications from European Union nationals as either inadmissible or against a presumption that they are manifestly unfounded. Belgium has made a declaratory statement to the effect that it will apply the latter approach. This is not an exemption from the Protocol. There was no need for the United Kingdom to make a similar declaration. In accordance with United Kingdom asylum law, we will continue to give individual consideration to asylum applications from European Union nationals.

  Tagging
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the savings which will arise as a result of the use of tagging to bring about the early release of prisoners from custodial sentences. [17742]

  Ms Quin
  I expect the costs of electronic monitoring to be considerably smaller than the expenditure on prisons which would otherwise be necessary. Fuller information will be given in the Financial Memorandum to the Crime and Disorder Bill.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the criteria by which the Prison Service will carry out a risk assessment of offenders under consideration for early release through tagging. [17744]

  Ms Quin
  I shall publish more detailed information about the working of the home detention curfew scheme in due course. The risk assessment procedures will build on those applying at present to release on temporary licence, as set out in Instruction to Governors 36/95, a copy of which is in the Library. A copy of the Instruction to Governors on home detention curfew will also be placed in the Library.

  Prison Sentences
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many offenders convicted of offences involving(a) sex and (b) violence were sentenced to periods of imprisonment of between three months and four years in the last year for which figures are available. [17743]
  609
  Mr. Michael
  For England and Wales in 1996 (latest available figures) of the 4,426 offenders convicted of indictable sexual offences, 1,763 were sentenced to periods of immediate custody of between three months and up to and including four years.

  Similarly, for the indictable offence group of violence against the person, 30,011 offenders were convicted, of whom 7,366 were sentenced to periods of imprisonment of between three months and up to and including four years.

  Integrated Transport System
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his Department made submission to the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions consultation on an integrated transport system; and if he will make a statement. [17749]

  Mr. Michael
  No formal submission was made but our two Departments have been and continue to be in close contact at Ministerial and official level about issues of mutual interest arising from the development of an integrated transport policy.

  Prisons (Food)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to improve the quality and service of prison food. [17719]

  Ms Quin
  The Prison Service has introduced a number of changes to improve catering procedures, including increased flexibility for caterers to provide food suited to the needs of prisoners, and greater choice and reduced waste, for example through the use of pre-select menus.

  A recent National Audit Office report (published on 7 November 1997) acknowledged these improvements and confirmed that prison caterers do well in difficult conditions. The report also identified a number of areas where further improvement is desirable, and the Prison Service is currently considering its recommendations.

  1982 ANC Offices Bombing
  Mrs. Ann Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his letter of 30 August 1992 to the hon. Member for Neath (Mr. Hain), what progress there has been in the inquiry into the bombings, in 1982, of the African National Congress offices in London; and what representations his Department has received on this matter. [17624]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 26 November 1997]: The Metropolitan Police are continuing to monitor the situation in South Africa in relation to revelations made to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. It is their intention to interview more people in the course of their investigation into the bombing in due course. As for representations received in the Home Office, records relating to the period between 1982 and the end of 1991 are not kept centrally and I will therefore write to my hon. Friend as soon as it is possible to check the relevant papers.

  Fire Safety
  Mr. Heppell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress he has made in considering legislation on fire safety. [18334]
  610
  Mr. George Howarth
  In my reply to the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed (Mr. Beith) on 23 June 1997,Official Report, column 360. I indicated that the Government strongly support the aims of the Fire Safety Bill which my hon. Friend the Member for Nottingham, East (Mr. Heppell) introduced in the last Parliament. Since then. I have received advice from the Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council on the main principles incorporated in that Bill and officials have held discussions with a number of key stakeholders.

  On 28 November, the Government intend to publish a consultation document entitled "Fire Safety Legislation for the Future" and copies will be placed in the Library. The consultation document sets out proposals for a new fire safety regime based on the main principles included in the Fire Safety Bill which in turn picked up many of the recommendations of the June 1994 Inter-Departmental Review of Fire Safety Legislation and Enforcement.

  The proposed new regime should enable rationalisation and consolidation of existing legislation. It would be based on a new universal duty of fire safety care on the occupiers and owners of almost all premises (except single private dwellings) to provide and maintain fire precautions. There would be additional requirements for high risk premises and enforcement would generally be by fire authorities. To combat the deaths and casualties in people's homes, we are attracted to the possibility of a new statutory duty on fire authorities to undertake community fire safety.

  The consultation document generally covers fire safety in England and Wales and in Scotland. But where there are differences in the situation or proposals for Scotland these have been stated in a separate chapter.

  We intend that this consultation document should be a first step towards a legislative regime which will serve to meet the fire safety challenges of the future. The proposals also form one strand of the Home Office Comprehensive Spending Review and are interrelated to other aspects of that review on the funding and structure of the fire service and the potential for more flexible standards of fire cover.

  The consultation period lasts until the end of February 1998. The proposals at this stage are cast in broad terms. We will consider carefully the responses to them and, if we then seek to proceed with new legislation, there will be further consultation on detailed and costed proposals.

  Religious Discrimination
  Ms Beverley Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to make discrimination on religious grounds unlawful. [18559]

  Mr. Straw
  The Government are alive to concerns about religious discrimination. This issue raises many difficult, sensitive and complex questions, which need to be carefully considered before we reach conclusions. My current priority is the forthcoming legislation on racial harassment, violence and other racially motivated crimes. In the meantime, I am happy to receive views on whether legislation in due course would be desirable.

  Telephone Tapping
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 17 November 1997,
  611
  Official Report, column 39, what factors underlay the interval between the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, concerning international user requirements for the lawful use of interception by law enforcement agencies, and its being deposited in the Library. [17867]

  Mr. Straw
  The Memorandum of Understanding concerning international user requirements for the lawful use of interception by law enforcement agencies was placed in the Library on 3 March 1997 in response to a Question from Lord Lester of Herne Hill.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if MI5 is obliged to apply for a warrant of authorisation to tap a telephone in a public phone box. [17868]

  Mr. Straw
  Under the Interception of Communications Act 1985, a warrant authorised by a Secretary of State is required by the Security Service to intercept any communications in the course of their transmission by means of a public telecommunications system. The Interception of Communications Act applies irrespective of the type of telephone which is intercepted.

  Unsupervised Children
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research undertaken by his Department has identified a problem of unsupervised under-10-years-olds being on the streets at night; if he will publish that research; and if he will make a statement. [17774]

  Mr. Michael
  There is considerable research within the Home Office and elsewhere which indicates those influences which are strongest on young people, particularly in relation to commencement of offending. One of the strongest of these is poor parental supervision. This was dealt with in some detail in the 1995 Home Office Research Paper 145 "Young people and crime". The need for more responsible parenting is supported in a survey which was carried out for the Audit Commission in 1996 for its report "Streetwise Effective Police Patrol". Similar surveys for that report also revealed that there was a public concern about the need to deal with issues of juvenile nuisance and anti-social behaviour.

  The objectives of the Government's youth justice reform programme seek, amongst other things, to address these concerns. That is why one of the measures in the reform programme is the proposal to give local authorities the power, following consultation with the police and local community, to introduce local child curfews for unsupervised children under 10 who are out on the streets late at night. The aim of such curfews is two-fold. Not only will they address the need to protect young children from being drawn into anti-social or criminal behaviour, but they will protect communities from the misery and distress which can be so often caused by groups of unsupervised children acting in this way.

  Animal Experiments
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what assessment he has made of the recommendations of the National Anti-Vivisection Society's report "Accountability—Animal Experiments and Freedom of Information"; and what steps he plans in response; [17775]
  612
  (2) if he will set out the procedures for (a) appointing members to and (b) reviewing the membership of the Animal Procedures Committee; if the Public Appointments Unit list is consulted; and if he will make a statement. [17777]

  Mr. George Howarth
  We will be meeting with representatives of the National Anti-Vivisection Society next week and expect to discuss a number of issues with them, including their Accountability report.

  Copies of the report have also been given to all members of the Animal Procedures Committee.

  Much of the report is taken up with criticism of the membership of the Animal Procedures Committee, the way new members are appointed and the ways in which the Committee works.

  The procedures for appointing members to the Committee have been reviewed in the light of the recommendations made by the Nolan Committee: We have recently written to a number of professional bodies, representative organisations and animal protection groups seeking nominations for new Committee members. The field of potential candidates will then be considered by an advisory panel.

  In deciding whom to appoint, the requirements set down in section 19 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1996 must be met and we must maintain the necessary breadth of expertise needed by the Committee. All appointments are announced publicly.

  We have no plans to review the current membership. The existing members do an excellent job and bring to the Committee a valued mix of skills and expertise. However, four members will complete their second (and final) term on the Committee at the end of the year and we will be making a number of new appointments shortly. We have already announced our intention to increase the number of animal welfare experts on the Committee.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many project licences, and for what projects, have been awarded which involve experimentation on monkeys at the Institute of Neurology in London since 1 January 1995. [17776]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Since 1 January 1995, no new licences under the terms of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 have been granted which authorise the use of primates at the Institute of Neurology.

  Juvenile Justice
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what United Nations standards his Department recognises in relation to(a) the administration of juvenile justice and (b) the welfare of children; and if he will make a statement. [17773]

  Mr. Michael
  The United Kingdom signed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in December 1991. In doing so, the then Government gave a commitment to implement and disseminate the Convention's terms and principles, subject to certain reservations which it entered. The United Kingdom made its first report to the Committee on the Rights of the Child in January 1995. In formulating policy on juvenile justice
  613
  and child welfare, the Government aim to take into account the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, and other similar instruments, guidelines and rules.

  New Prisons
  Sir Brian Mawhinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the new prison building projects(a) he has authorised and (b) he has assessed prior to authorisation since 2 May. [18047]

  Ms Quin
  Since 2 May, authorisation has been given to proceed with the building of four new prisons:

  800 place Category B prison on the site of the former Agecroft Power Station, Salford;

  400 place Young Offender Institution on the site of the former remand centre at Pucklechurch near Bristol;

  600 place Category B prison adjacent to the current prison establishment at Onley, Warwickshire;

  600 place Category B prison at Marchington, Staffordshire.

  All four are to be built under the Private Finance Initiative.

  Planning approval has been obtained for a low security establishment to be built on land between Parkhurst and Albany prisons on the Isle of Wight, although no final decision has been taken to pursue this option. In addition, a planning application was made for a temporary prison at Middleton Tower, Heysham.

  Since 2 May, agreement has also been given to the Prison Service pursuing to the formal planning application stage possible new prison sites at Ashworth (Maghull), Belmarsh (in Woolwich), Peterborough and Winwick (near Warrington).

  World Cup
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the proposed membership of the committee established to liaise with the police in advance of next year's FIFA World Cup, separately identifying Scottish representation; what relationship this Committee will have with(a) the Scottish Office, (b) Scottish police and (c) the Scottish Football Association; what responsibility it will have for liaising with the World Cup authorities on behalf of Scottish football fans; and if he will make a statement. [17848]

  Mr. Michael
  The World Cup Co-ordination Group had its first meeting on 21 November 1997. Membership of the group includes officials from the Home Office, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (including representation from the British Embassy, Paris), the Scottish Office, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Football Licensing Authority. Representatives of the Football Association and the Scottish Football Association are members. There is police representation from the Association of Chief Police Officers of England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, the National Criminal Intelligence Service and the British Transport Police. The group is chaired by the Home Office.
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  The aim of the group is to co-ordinate the interests and responsibilities of those on the group into a strategy for the World Cup finals in 1998. The strategy will help to: promote and foster an enjoyable, positive and safe World Cup for British supporters travelling to France; minimise the potential for trouble and football hooliganism; and ensure that the French authorities are made fully aware of intelligence and information which would assist them in dealing with Scotland and England supporters travelling to and attending matches.

  The group will provide a co-ordinating function and a forum to discuss and seek solutions to potential difficulties. It is the responsibility of individual members of the group to liaise, in conjunction with other members of the group where appropriate, with the relevant French authorities in respect of their particular areas of interest.

  A committee has been formed in Scotland to draw up a strategy for the safety and security of Scotland fans travelling to France. Membership consists of the Scottish Office, senior police officers and the Scottish Football Association.

  Charities
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what restrictions are placed on registered charities controlling the use of their title, style or logo by their subsidiary trading companies or other associates in(a) promoting, (b) marketing and (c) selling goods or services unrelated to their declared charitable aims. [18048]

  Mr. Michael
  There are no such restrictions. It is for the trustees of a charity to determine how its title, style or logo could be used by its subsidiary. Charity trustees are obliged to act in the best interests of their charity. Consequently, they should ensure that any use of the logo by a trading subsidiary, or any other licensee, does not put the charity's funds at risk or being negative publicity to the charity.

  Charities are permitted to the same legal protection for their intellectual property rights as any other person or body, and have the same powers as any other person or body to license others to exploit those rights, provided, of course, that the licensing arrangements are in the charity's interests (which includes economic interests).

  The Charity Commission has certain powers to act to protect the property of a charity—including its intellectual property.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Euro (Dependent Territories)
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from dependent territories and what consultations he plans with them over the euro; and if he will make a statement. [17209]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The Gibraltar Government have raised with us the possibility of issuing commemorative coins denominated in Euros. No other dependent territory had made representations, and no consultations are planned.

  Spain
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will ensure that United Kingdom acceptance of the integration of Spain within the NATO structure is conditional on the dropping by Spain of restrictions on United Kingdom civil and military flights over its territory. [17193]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 24 November 1997]: We are currently negotiating with Spain over arrangements for military air access to Gibraltar. We will be dealing separately with civil air access, which is not part of NATO negotiations.

  Turkey
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to the Government of Turkey concerning their military activity in Iraq; and if he will make a statement. [17833]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 26 November 1997]: I raised this issue with the Turkish Foreign Minister during my visit to Ankara on 14 October, and made further representations to him on 27 October. We have told the Turkish government that their involvement in the inter-factional Kurdish fighting in northern Iraq is not compatible with their role as a co-sponsor of the Ankara process of reconciliation.

  General Pinochet
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings members of his Department have held with General Pinochet over the last three years. [17825]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  [holding answer 26 November 1997]: There have been no meetings between members of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and General Pinochet over the last three years. British Embassy staff in Santiago have attended several official state and military functions in Chile at which General Pinochet was also present, in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Chilean Army. No discussions took place between these staff and General Pinochet at these events.

  EU General Affairs Council
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will report on the outcome of the General Affairs Council in Brussels on 24 and 25 November. [18542]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  At the General Affairs Council in Brussels on 24–25 November, the nine A points in document 12483/97 were approved, and the European Parliament resolutions of 5–6 November in document 11487/97 were noted. The texts of both documents will be placed in the libraries of the House as soon as they become available.

  Agenda 2000

  Ministers held their first discussion of the report to the Luxembourg European Council in December on Agenda 2000. Ministers re-stated their positions on enlargement (with the majority still in favour of differentiation), future
  616
  financing and policy reform. Discussion will continue, and we hope substantial progress will be made at the next meeting of the Council on 8 December.

  Turkey

  The Council discussed Turkey's participation in the European Conference and the Commission's proposals for strengthening relations with Turkey by building on the Customs Union. Most Member States expressed support in principle for both.

  EC/Israel Trade Issues

  The Council agreed that the EC/Israel Co-operation Committee with Israel on 28 November should address the issue of miscertification of goods from third countries under the EC/Israel Interim Association Agreement, notably orange juice.

  Transatlantic relations

  The Council took note of the preparations for the EU/US and EU/Canada Summits which will take place in Washington and Ottawa in December and agreed that the EU should agree a statement of general principles governing electronic commerce with the US. The Council also encouraged the Commission to continue its efforts to negotiate with the US an agreement to ban leg-hold traps.

  Former Yugoslavia

  The High Representative, Carlos Westendorp, briefed the Council on progress in peace implementation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Council also discussed the situation in the FRY in light of forthcoming Presidential elections in Serbia, expressing its concern at the authorities' failure to respect fundamental democratic principles.

  Switzerland

  The Council reiterated its wish to conclude bilateral sectoral negotiations with Switzerland but highlighted the outstanding problems in certain areas, including transport. The Council instructed COREPER to reconsider proposals to resolve this issue and called on the Swiss to exercise some flexibility in pursuit of their common objective.

  Mid term review of Overseas Countries and Territories Decision

  The mid-term review of the Decision on the association of Overseas Countries and Territories with the EU was formally agreed.

  MEPP

  Following discussions at the Foreign Ministers' dinner in the margins of the Special European Council on Employment on 20 November, the Council discussed developments in the Middle East peace process following the visit to the region by the President of the Council and Vice President Marin of the European Commission from 11–14 November. The Council confirmed the importance of close co-ordination with the US Administration, and that the Middle East peace process would be discussed at the 5 December EU/US Summit. The Council also reviewed the importance of EU aid to the Palestinians, and took note of the Commission's forthcoming communication on the programme.
  617
  Russia: Preparation for first Co-operation Council

  The Council emphasised the importance that the EU attaches to EU-Russia relations. In light of this, the Presidency asked Ministers to confirm whether they would be able to attend the inaugural Co-operation Council under the terms of the Partnership and Co-operation Agreement (PCA) on 15 December (Primakov being unable to attend on 8 December as originally planned). If this is not possible, the Co-operation Council will fall to the UK Presidency. Preparations in the meantime would continue in COREPER.

  EU-Jordan

  The Association Agreement between the EU and Jordan was signed on 24 November by EU Foreign Ministers, the Commission and Crown Prince Hassan.

  Yemen

  The EC/Yemen agreement was signed on 25 November by the Commission and the Yemeni Deputy Prime Minister.

  Afghanistan

  The Council exchanged views on the conflict in Afghanistan and took note of the Conference of donors which will take place in New York on 3 December. The Council confirmed that the UN has the principal role and expressed its support for the efforts of the UN Secretary General and his special envoy Lakhdar Brahimi.

  European Economic Area Council

  The 8th Council of the European Economic Area (EEA) was held on 25 November. Ministers welcomed the continued development of the EEA. Conclusions were agreed which took stock of developments and looked forward to future work (Commission Press Release EEE 1608/97 Presse 368).

  £000s

  DoE

  DoT

  VI

  HA

  DVLA

  DSA

  VCA

  MSA

  CA

  PI

  QE2

  1993–94

  12,227

  8,275

  18

  —

  1,882

  58

  nil

  —

  nil

  nil

  209

  1994–95

  9,028

  8,039

  21

  n/a

  1,807

  53

  nil

  104

  241

  nil

  167

  1995–96

  7,670

  8,356

  40

  546

  2,171

  67

  8

  63

  297

  16

  167

  1996–97

  4,665

  9,679

  55

  1,100

  1,966

  63

  9

  79

  311

  17

  180

  £000s

  DETR

  VI

  HA

  DVLA

  DSA

  VCA

  MSA

  CA

  PI

  QE2

  1997–98 to date

  4,574

  58

  546

  1,219

  46

  nil

  65

  214

  17

  52

  1997–98 full year estimated outturn

  13,725

  111

  1,300

  3,584

  111

  5

  100

  280

  17

  196

  DoE—Department of the Environment DoT—Department of Transport

  DETR—Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions

  VI—Vehicle Inspectorate

  HA—Highways Agency

  DVLA—Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

  DSA—Driving Standards Agency

  VCA—Vehicle Certification Agency

  MSA—Marine Safety Agency

  CA—Coastguard Agency

  PI—Planning Inspectorate

  QE2—Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre

  European Council (Amsterdam)
  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs at what time he left the European Council at Amsterdam. [18034]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The Fourth Session of the European Council Meeting in Amsterdam broke up at 0340 hours, and my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary left the closing Press Conference when it finished at about 0400 hours on Wednesday 18 June. He departed for the UK from Valkenburg Naval Air Base 1010 hours that same day.

  Social Chapter
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff in Directorate General V of the European Commission are engaged in work relating to future Social Chapter legislation. [17070]

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

  This is a matter for the Commission. We do not keep this information.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Publicity and Advertising
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his estimate of the total expenditure on all forms of publicity and advertising by(a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies for (i) 1993–94, (ii) 1994–95, (iii) 1995–96, (iv) 1996–97, (v) the 1997–98, year to date, (vi) 1997–98, full year estimate and (vii) the 1998–99 planned expenditure. [15233]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 11 November 1997]: Advertising and publicity expenditure by my Department for the years requested is as follows:
  619
  The Department of the Environment and the Department of Transport were amalgamated on 16 June 1997. Figures are shown separately for 1993–97 but aggregated for the current fiscal year.

  Figures quoted include expenditure on statutory advertising (recruitment, official notices etc.) where applicable.

  Expenditure figures for Executive Agencies have been compiled and supplied by the Agency concerned.

  Information on publicity and advertising expenditure by non-departmental public bodies is not held centrally and could be compiled only at disproportionate cost.

  Plans for 1998–99 have yet to be finalised.

  Road Accidents
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many motorway and trunk road cross-over accidents have occurred in the past five years involving the rupture or crossing of safety barriers; and what form of construction was used for those road barriers. [17171]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The total number of accidents involving rupture or crossing of safety barriers on motorways and trunk roads is not known. However, the numbers of injury accidents which involved one or more vehicles striking or crossing the central safety barrier are as shown below. No information is available regarding the form of construction of the barriers involved in these accidents.

  Injury accidents on motorways and trunk roads in Great Britain

  Year of Accident

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  One or more vehicles hit central safety barrier

  1,388

  1,490

  1,594

  1,621

  1,736

  One or more vehicles crossed central reservation

  230

  182

  188

  171

  156

  One or more vehicles hit central safety barrier and crossed the central reservation.

  46

  57

  56

  64

  61

  Mr. Plaskitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many drivers have(a) been involved in and (b) suffered (i) serious injury and (ii) death from road traffic accidents within 12 months of passing their test in each of the last five years. [17635]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The information is not available in the form requested. However, it is estimated that:

  (a) about one driver in five has an accident involving at least damage within 12 months of passing the driving test;

  (b) about one in five casualties (to all road users) occur when at least one driver involved is within three years of passing the driving test;

  (c) there are around 25,000 casualties per year (to all road users), of which around 3,500 are fatal or serious, in accidents involving a driver aged 17–25 and within 12 months of passing the driving test.

  Telecommunications Masts
  Mrs. Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 2 June 1997,Official Report, columns 48–49, on applications for telecommunications masts, if he will list the types of serious threat to amenity which might give sufficient grounds for rejecting an application. [17567]

  Mr. Raynsford
  An application for prior approval determination allows the local planning authority the opportunity to say whether they wish to approve, within 28 days, details of the siting and appearance of a telecommunications mast permitted under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995. It is for the local planning authority to determine whether the siting or appearance of the development would pose a serious threat to amenity on a case by case basis. Guidance on factors the authority may take into consideration when determining whether to give or refuse such approval is contained in Planning Policy Guidance note 8 and Appendix E to Circular 9/95. The answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Regions, Regeneration and Planning on 4 November 1997,Official Report, columns 152–53, announced a further factor for consideration in these circumstances.

  Mrs. Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many local authority planning refusals for telecommunications masts were overturned on appeal by planning inspectors in(a) 1994–95, (b) 1995–96 and (c) 1996–97. [17530]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The number of appeals allowed against local authority refusals for telecommunications masts/towers information is as follows:

  Year

  Total number of mast appeals

  Number of appeals allowed

  1994–95

  58

  23

  1995–96

  55

  37

  1996–97

  85

  37

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many redundant telecommunications masts have been removed; and if he will list their locations: [17751]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the procedures in place to monitor the removal of redundant telecommunications masts. [17752]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Development carried out by a telecommunications code system operator under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 is subject to the condition that apparatus shall be removed as soon as reasonably practicable after it is no longer required for telecommunications purposes. Where telecommunications development requires a planning application to the local planning authority, it is open to the authority to impose a similar condition on any planning permission granted. It is for the local planning authority to take any necessary enforcement action where they consider that planning conditions have not been observed. In addition, the provisions of the Telecommunications Act 1984 allow occupiers of land to require the removal of redundant apparatus from their land where access for the purposes of installing that apparatus was originally
  621
  granted to the operator under the Code Powers granted to them by that Act. Data on the number of redundant masts removed are not held centrally.

  Mr. St. Aubyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many telecommunication posts(a) under 15 metres and (b) over 15 metres were erected in the United Kingdom in each of the years since 1993 to the latest available date. [17633]

  Mr. Raynsford
  This information is not collected centrally. We attach considerable importance to minimising the environmental impact of telecommunications mast development. It is for the that reason that my hon. Friend the Minister for the Regions, Regeneration and Planning recently stated our expectation that operators will provide evidence to local authorities that they have carefully considered the use of existing masts, buildings and other structures before seeking to erect any new mast.

  Waste-derived Compost
  Mr. Eric Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures he is taking to improve the markets for waste-derived compost. [18127]

  Angela Eagle
  I am today announcing the publication of two guides which are aimed at improving the markets for waste-derived compost. The first contains practical guidance for large-scale producers of waste-derived compost, such as local authorities and the waste industry, setting out how they can design and market their product effectively to a variety of end users, particularly those in the horticulture and landscaping industries. The second guide is aimed at potential users, such as landscape architects and contractors, and explains the benefits of using waste-derived compost in their operations.

  One of our major environmental objectives is to promote sustainable waste management across the country. Every nine months we produce enough waste in the United Kingdom to fill lake Windermere. And of the estimated 26 million tonnes of municipal solid waste produced in 1995–96, around 85 per cent. was landfilled. It is therefore vital that, in future, we choose waste management options which preserve and enhance our environment and safeguard human health. We are therefore committed to increasing the quality and quantity of organic waste which is composted. This means a greater degree of centralised composting by local authorities and the waste management industry. But to make such schemes viable, we also need to expand the markets for waste-derived compost and thereby increase the demand for the product.

  We hope that these guides will make a valuable contribution to this by providing practical advice to compost producers and specifiers. They will be widely distributed free of charge to local authorities in England, waste management companies, composting organisations, landscaping architectural practices and selected landscaping contractors.

  Copies of the guides have been placed in the house Libraries.

  Fire Safety
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures he is taking to improve fire safety in homes. [17554]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Part B of Schedule 1 to the Building Regulations 1991 makes requirements with regard to fire safety when building work is undertaken with regard to all buildings, including homes. Guidance on ways of meeting these requirements is given in Approved Document B. This Document is currently being revised and changes will be proposed that will improve fire safety in the home. The draft Approved Document will be issued for public consultation in the near future. Most relevant to homes there will be additional guidance on the siting and installation of smoke alarms, including in loft conversions to two storey houses, and on means of escape, in particular the provision of suitable windows in habitable rooms.

  Unoccupied Homes
  Mr. Tom King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the total number of unoccupied homes in England (i) in 1990 and (ii) at the latest date for which figures are available; and what proportion was owned by(a) local authorities, (b) central government departments, (c) the private sector, (d) housing associations and (e) others. [17711]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Estimates are given below of the numbers of vacant dwellings in England on 1 April in 1990 and, the latest date for which figures are available, in 1996.

  1990

  1996

  Number

  Proportion

  Number

  Proportion (per cent)

  Local authority1

  99,400

  14

  79,600

  10

  Housing associations2

  19,700

  3

  23,600

  3

  Other public sector3

  17,000

  2

  20,000

  3

  Private sector1

  587,000

  81

  667,000

  84

  Total

  723,000

  100

  790,000

  100

  Sources:

  1 HIP1 returns from local authorities.

  2 Housing Corporation HAR10/1 returns from housing associations.

  3 Govnerment Departments and HIP1 returns from local authorities.

  There are doubts about the quality of some authorities' estimates of the number of private sector vacants; independent survey data suggest that the HIP1 figures may over-estimate the total number of these vacants. Total vacants have been falling in recent years after increasing by around 20 per cent. between 1990 and 1993, and at any one time around half of the private sector vacants are empty as a function of the housing market.

  Council Tax (Home Annexes)
  Mr. Tom King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what financial incentives are available through the local authority council tax system which encourage elderly or young relatives to live in annexes adjoining the main family home. [17709]
  623
  Mr. Raynsford
  An annex which is classed as a separate dwelling for council tax purposes is exempt from council tax if a resident is a dependent relative. A relative is regarded as dependent if they are aged 65 or over, if they have a severe mental impairment, or if they are substantially and permanently disabled. In addition, there are exemptions for dwellings occupied only by those under the age of 18 or only by students.

  EU Environment Council
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures were agreed at the Luxembourg European Environment Council meeting of 16 October; and what are the projected compliance costs to the United Kingdom. [17081]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 24 November 1997]: I informed the House of the outcome of the Environment Council in Luxembourg in October in the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Stoke-on-Trent, North (Ms Walley) on 19 November 1997, Official Report, column 199.

  One measure was agreed at the Environment Council in October: the proposal for a revised Drinking Water Directive. The current best estimate for the total capital or non-recurring costs of this for the UK is in the range £2,200 to £3,500 million at current prices with the majority of expenditure over 15 years from adoption of the Directive. This estimate was provided to the House in this Department's Compliance Cost Assessment under cover of Explanatory Memorandum 7208/95 in September 1996. The costs of measures will continue to be covered in the Department's explanatory memorandum to Parliament.

  Local Authority Elections
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to bring forward proposals for annual elections for local authorities; and if he will make a statement. [17592]

  Mr. Raynsford
  A wide ranging consultation exercise on the agenda for modernising local democracy will begin in the coming few weeks. This will include options for the introduction of annual elections. The consultation process will feed into a comprehensive White Paper on Local Government in the late Spring or early Summer 1998.

  Smoke Alarms
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the proportion by region of local authority owned dwellings fitted with smoke alarms. [17616]

  Mr. Raynsford
  In 1996 the proportion of local authority homes in each region estimated to be fitted with smoke alarms was as follows:

  Region

  Percentage with smoke detectors 1996

  North-east

  55

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  54

  North-west

  69

  624

  Region

  Percentage with smoke detectors 1996

  East Midlands

  66

  West Midlands

  68

  South-west

  71

  Eastern

  56

  South-east

  80

  London

  41

  Merseyside

  55

  England

  66

  Local Authorities (Housing Strategy)
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he plans to take to support local authorities wishing to convert derelict land, vacant offices and difficult-to-let shops, in town and city centre areas, into housing units. [17240]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Local authorities are responsible for drawing up housing strategies that set out how they intend to meet local housing needs. In drawing up these strategies, they have to assess the need for additional housing as well as other housing needs. They then have to consider how to use the resources available to them, both financial and other, to meet those needs. It is for the local authority to decide the best way of using available resources to the benefit of their residents and tenants while achieving the best value for money.

  To assist local authorities meet housing needs we have recently made available additional resources through the Capital Receipts Initiative to assist with housing and housing related regeneration. Over £600 million will be available in England in 1998–99.

  More specifically, as far as local authority assets are concerned, in April this year the capital finance system was relaxed so that if an authority disposes of certain assets, more of the capital receipt can be recycled into regeneration schemes in deprived areas rather than being set aside for debt redemption. Assets covered by the concession are unoccupied council dwellings (except those sold under right-to-buy or large scale voluntary transfer), occupied industrial estates, docks and harbours, leisure facilities, shops and offices and land for development. Receipts from the sale of these assets can be applied to regeneration schemes in listed wards and wards adjacent to listed wards.

  In addition, planning policy guidance notes, both on housing (PPG3) and on town centres and retail developments (PPG6), advise local planning authorities, where appropriate, to reallocate land allocated for other uses to housing, and to encourage conversions of vacant offices and vacant accommodation over shops by taking a flexible approach to residential car parking and other standards.

  Local Authority Duties
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will publish his proposals to place on councils a new duty to
  625
  promote the economic, social and environmental well-being of their area; and what plans he has to consult on the scope of the duty. [18121]

  Mr. Raynsford
  We will shortly be publishing a consultation paper on democracy and community leadership, which will include details of our proposals to place a duty on councils to promote the economic, social and environmental well-being of their area. It will be one of a series of consultation papers on local government matters including best value, the ethical framework and finance, that will feed into a comprehensive White Paper on local government next Spring. We will consult widely on our proposals, including with the Local Government Association, local authorities, business, the voluntary sector and other interested organisations.

  Regional Airports
  Mr. Stringer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his policy towards the granting of transatlantic fifth freedom rights from regional airports in cases where the granting of such rights would contribute materially to the development of other long-haul services from that airport. [17782]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Department takes many factors into account in preparing its strategy for air services negotiations, including the granting of transatlantic fifth freedom rights from regional airports.

  Mr. Stringer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment was undertaken of the wider benefits to the economy of north-west England of increased flights between Manchester and Pakistan with onward connections to the USA in connection with the recent negotiations between his Department and representatives of the Government of Pakistan; what criteria and methodology were used in the assessment of regional benefits; and if he will publish the study. [17772]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The CAA carried out an economic analysis on behalf of the Department before the recent negotiations with Pakistan. It was made available to all members of the UK delegation before the talks, including representatives of Manchester Airport, and taken into account when Ministers agreed the strategy for the negotiations. It is not our policy to publish such analyses, given their bearing on the UK negotiating position in air services negotiations.

  Mr. Stringer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if his Department will carry out a comprehensive study of industrial and tourism development benefits to regional economies of improved access to global air services. [17783]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Government welcomes increased international services to regional airports. As the economic impact of a new air service is dependent on the characteristics of an individual route the Department considers it a more effective use of resources to ask the CAA to carry out a specific economic analysis before air services negotiations with bilateral partners.

  Air Services (Malaysia)
  Mr. Stringer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when his officials plan to meet representatives of the Malaysian government to discuss the project of commencing air services between Manchester and Kuala Lumpur before the 1998 Commonwealth Games. [17784]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  My officials have no current plans to meet representatives of the Malaysian government for discussions on air services.

  Fly Tipping
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the incidence of fly tipping since the introduction of the landfill levy. [18096]

  Angela Eagle
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Ceredigion (Mr. Dafis) on 19 November 1997,Official Report, column 198.

  Lewes-Uckfield Railway Line
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his assessment of the viability of the financial case and of the arguments advanced in the Mott Macdonald Report on the possible reopening of the Lewes-Uckfield railway line. [17780]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I understand that the financial case will be presented to the Franchising Director very shortly and it will be for him to consider using his Criteria for the Appraisal of Support for Passenger Rail Services, a copy of which my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport placed in the Library on 6 November.

  Building Regulations
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will announce the results of his consultations on the extension of Part M of the building regulations; and if he will make a statement. [18120]

  Mr. Raynsford
  I expect to announce my conclusions on Part M next month.

  Water Quality
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has for the use of economic instruments to improve water quality; and if he will make a statement. [18473]

  Mr. Meacher
  My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister made clear on World Environment Day our determination to find the best way to address environmental concerns and to make polluters pay for necessary remedial action. Regulation has achieved a good deal but it may not represent the most cost-effective means by which environmental objectives can be achieved, nor does it always make polluters pay for the cost of their activities.

  We want to find a mix of instruments that will be environmentally effective and economically efficient. Many of these will be regulatory in nature. Others may

  627
  be voluntary. But we believe that economic instruments have a role to play in improving the environment. So, as my right hon. Friend the Chancellor announced in the Budget, we are actively considering their role as part of our environmental policy and as a contribution to reform of the tax system.

  Today, we are setting out ideas for the use of such instruments to protect and enhance the quality of our rivers and other waters. A copy of the consultation paper has been placed in the library. This is an important initiative. Water is of enormous environmental and economic importance and water pollution causes great concern to the public. We look forward to a period of active debate on these issues.

  Drink Drive Casualties
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what new measures he proposes to introduce to achieve further reductions in drink drive casualties. [18517]

  Dr. Strang
  The Government will be publishing a consultation paper in the New Year setting out a range of proposals for discussion, including the reduction of the legal blood alcohol limit and measures to deal with serious or persistent drink drive offenders.

SCOTLAND

  Official Hospitality
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the expenditure by(a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) its non-departmental public bodies on official hospitality for (i) 1980–81, (ii) 1987–88, (iii) 1990–91, (iv) 1991–92, (v) 1992–93, (vi) 1993–94, (vii) 1994–95, (viii) 1995–96, (ix) 1996–97 and (x) 1 May to 30 September 1997. [15246]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 11 November 1997]: Expenditure on official hospitality by The Scottish Office and its departmental agencies is shown in the table.

  Year

  The Scottish Office£

  Scottish Office agencies£

  1980–81

  18,427

  not applicable

  1987–88

  41,983

  not applicable

  1990–91

  65,123

  nil

  1991–92

  83,836

  5,700

  1992–93

  1125,118

  4,979

  1993–94

  76,088

  24,145

  1994–95

  79,510

  28,603

  1995–96

  282,978

  27,635

  1996–97

  86,167

  20,200

  1997–98 (May to September)

  19,774

  12,046

  1 This figure includes expenditure on hospitality during the EC Council Meeting in Edinburgh in December 1992.

  2 In addition, in 1995–96 The Scottish Office spent £34,680 on hospitality as part of the Government's contribution to the VE Day and VJ Day commemorations.

  Information on hospitality spending by non-departmental public bodies is not held centrally and could be collected only at disproportionate cost.

  Nursery Education
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what arrangements he intends to put in place to increase the level of pre-school provision once the pre-school education voucher scheme is withdrawn in June 1998. [18474]

  Mr. Wilson
  We believe that every child should have the chance of good pre-school education. That means a major expansion of services. We have pledged, first, to make a good-quality, part-time education place available, without charge, to every child in the pre-school year; and we aim to achieve this by the winter of next year. After that, and as new resources are found, we will set staged targets for three-year-olds. This is an ambitious and exciting programme.

  For too long in some areas, pre-school education was neglected and ignored. Then it was subjected to the experiment of vouchers. Pre-school education needs a fresh start. It needs clear national priorities and targets, a fair and stable funding system, strong support for quality, and a framework for consultation and planning that will strengthen co-operation amongst providers.

  I am delighted today to announce the launching of a major consultation paper, Education in Early Childhood: The Pre-school Years. Through this paper, I am initiating a national debate about the future of pre-school education in Scotland. The paper sets out our policy priorities; it discusses how services should be planned and funded, how providers, parents and others can work together in mutually rewarding ways, and how high standards of service can be assured. It also asks questions about the educational needs of three-year-olds and the kind of provision that parents want for them; and how best we should plan to offer learning to these very young children. The consultation paper also lays the foundations for more integrated early years services linking education to daycare and other services for children.

  Football
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what arrangements he is putting in place in respect of Scottish police liaison with(a) FIFA, (b) the French authorities and (c) the French police over the World Cup; and if he will make a statement. [17849]

  Mr. McLeish
  The police in Scotland are represented on the World Cup Co-ordinating Group, set up by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, to co-ordinate arrangements at UK level. In addition, a committee consisting of officials from The Scottish Office, senior police officers and representatives from the Scottish Football Association has been established to draw up a strategy for the safety and security of Scottish fans travelling to France. The committee will liaise with the French authorities after the draw on 4 December when venues for matches will be known. The Scottish Football Association will then deal directly with FIFA. The police plan to contact their counterparts in France where the Scotland team will play to exchange intelligence and invite representatives to attend matches in Scotland to gain first-hand experience of Scottish supporters who have a world wide reputation for good behaviour.

  Attendance Allowance
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland in what circumstances local authorities, in assessing ability to pay for domiciliary services which do not include personal care,(a) should discount attendance allowance benefit and (b) have discretion to exclude from consideration attendance allowance benefit. [17917]

  Mr. Galbraith
  Local authorities in Scotland have similar powers to charge for domiciliary services to those which apply in England. I therefore refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Under-Secretary of State for Health on 17 November 1997,Official Report, column 63.

  Dounreay Nuclear Plant
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what action will be taken to prevent further contamination of land and sea adjacent to the Dounreay nuclear plant. [14302]

  Mr. Battle
  I have been asked to reply.

  Contamination in and around the Dounreay site is an historic legacy and one that the UKAEA is urgently addressing, subject to strict independent regulation by the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate and the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency. Government continues to monitor the situation closely.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Royal Ulster Constabulary
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many RUC officers have been seconded to other jurisdictions inside and outside the United kingdom over the past year; and how many officers of other jurisdictions have been seconded to the RUC over the same period. [13073]

  Date

  CB1

  CB2

  CB33

  Total

  Percentage CB1

  Percentage CB2

  Male

  Female

  Total

  Percentage female

  Royal Ulster Constabulary

  1 September 1995

  7,536

  672

  256

  8,464

  89.04

  7.94

  7,589

  875

  8,464

  10.3

  2 September 1996

  7,447

  677

  260

  8,384

  88.82

  8.07

  7,494

  890

  8,384

  10.6

  1 September 1997

  7,522

  701

  273

  8,496

  88.54

  8.25

  7,576

  920

  8,496

  10.8

  Full-time reserve

  1 September 1995

  2,780

  199

  166

  3,145

  88.39

  6.33

  2,994

  151

  3,145

  4.8

  2 September 1996

  2,653

  196

  162

  3,011

  88.11

  6.51

  2,859

  152

  3,011

  5.0

  1 September 1997

  2,567

  200

  156

  2,923

  87.82

  6.84

  2,706

  217

  2,923

  7.4

  Part-time reserve

  1 September 1995

  1,447

  77

  21

  1,545

  93.66

  4.98

  1,009

  536

  1,545

  34.7

  2 September 1996

  1,411

  79

  21

  1,511

  93.38

  5.23

  972

  539

  1,511

  35.7

  1 September 1997

  1,297

  68

  17

  1,382

  93.85

  4.92

  899

  483

  1,382

  34.9

  630
  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 6 November 1997]: During the past year seven RUC officers have been seconded to other jurisdictions and one officer is presently seconded to the Royal Ulster Constabulary from a GB force.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the principal functions of E4A squads, special support units, headquarters, mobile support units and special military intelligence units within the RUC; the annual cost of each; the numbers of officers and administrative staff employed; and the composition of each based on gender and religious/community origin. [13075]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 6 November 1997]: The information sought is confidential to the Chief Constable.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the terms of reference of the joint RUC and Police Authority for Northern Ireland working group to address the under-representation of women, Catholics and minorities within the RUC; and when it is expected to report. [13069]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 6 November 1997]: The terms of reference of the joint Royal Ulster Constabulary, Police Authority for Northern Ireland and Civilian Working Group are:
  to review the representation of Catholics, women and ethnic minorities within the RUC;
  to assess the reasons for any under-representation and to make recommendations how suitable applicants from all communities can be encouraged to apply;
  to examine selection procedures and satisfy the group that they assure equality of opportunity.

  The group is expected to report to the Chief Constable in early 1998.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what were the staffing levels of the RUC in September(a) 1995, (b) 1996 and (c) 1997 (1) in total and (2) broken down (i) into numbers and percentages of full-time, reserve full-time and part-time staff (ii) by gender and (iii) by perceived religious/community origin. [13071]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 6 November 1997]: The information sought is set out below:
  631

  Date

  CB1

  CB2

  CB33

  Total

  Percentage CB1

  Percentage CB2

  Male

  Female

  Total

  Percentage female

  Combined

  1 September 1995

  11,763

  948

  443

  13,154

  89.43

  7.21

  11,592

  1,562

  13,154

  11.9

  2 September 1996

  11,511

  952

  443

  12,906

  89.19

  7.38

  11,325

  1,581

  12,906

  12.3

  1 September 1997

  11,386

  969

  446

  12,801

  88.95

  7.57

  11,181

  1,620

  12,801

  12.7

  1 Perceived to be from the Protestant community.

  2 Perceived to be from the Catholic community.

  3 Other.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will publish the rules relating to the display by a uniformed RUC officer of clear personal identification. [15898]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 18 November 1997]: RUC instructions require that Sergeants and Constables display numerals on the epaulettes of all outer garments. All other officers are required to display their badge of rank.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what her policy is on the RUC indicating adherence to the Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials adopted by the 8th UN Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders in September 1990; [15903]

  (2) what her policy is on the RUC indicating adherence to the UN Rules for the Protection of Juveniles Deprived of their Liberty, adopted by the General Assembly Resolution 45/113 of 14 December 1990; [15904]

  (3) what her policy is on the RUC indicating adherence to the United Nations Principles on the Effective Prevention and Investigation of Extra-Legal, Arbitrary and Summary Executions recommended by the Economic and Social Council Resolution of 24 May 1989; [15905]

  Royal Ulster Constabulary

  Year

  CB11

  CB22

  CB33

  Total

  Percentage CB1

  Percentage CB2

  Percentage CB3

  1993

  518

  86

  129

  733

  70.67

  11.73

  17.60

  Acceptances

  58

  3

  4

  65

  89.23

  4.62

  6.15

  CompA 1994

  2,836

  442

  339

  3,617

  78.41

  12.22

  9.37

  Acceptances

  62

  9

  5

  76

  81.58

  11.84

  6.58

  CompB 1994

  1,704

  512

  165

  2,381

  71.57

  21.50

  6.93

  Acceptances

  86

  17

  8

  111

  77.48

  15.32

  7.21

  CompC 1995

  1,448

  467

  143

  2,058

  70.36

  22.69

  6.95

  Acceptances

  98

  20

  9

  127

  77.17

  15.75

  7.09

  CompD 1995

  1,774

  438

  188

  2,400

  73.92

  18.25

  7.83

  Acceptances

  128

  28

  14

  170

  75.29

  16.47

  8.24

  CompE 1996

  1,573

  367

  155

  2,095

  75.08

  17.52

  7.40

  Acceptances

  67

  9

  6

  82

  81.71

  10.98

  7.32

  CompF 1996

  2,058

  403

  268

  2,729

  75.41

  14.77

  9.82

  Acceptances

  126

  12

  5

  143

  88.11

  8.39

  3.50

  CompG 1997

  2,166

  412

  212

  2,790

  77.63

  14.77

  7.60

  Acceptances

  Not yet processed

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  CompF 1996 is still subject to withdrawals by applicants.

  1 Perceived to be from the Protestant community.

  2 Perceived to be from the Roman Catholic community.

  3 Other.

  632
  (4) what her policy is on the RUC indicating adherence to the United Nations Body of Principles for the Protection of All Persons under any form of Detention or Imprisonment adopted by the General Assembly Resolution of 9 December 1988; [15906]

  (5) what her policy is on the RUC indicating adherence to the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, approved by the Economic and Social Council of 13 May 1977. [15907]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 18 November 1997]: The instruments to which my hon. Friend refers, which are not legally binding as their wording shows, are recommendatory in nature. None carries a requirement or mechanism for indications of adherence. However, the importance of the recommended standards has been acknowledged by the United Kingdom's support for their adoption.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many applications for employment in the RUC were made in each year since 1993; from which community they came; and how many from each community were recruited. [15897]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 18 November 1997]: The number of applications for membership of the RUC for each year since 1993 is shown in the following tables together with the community background of the applicants and the numbers accepted from each community.
  633

  Full-time reserve

  Year

  CB11

  CB22

  CB33

  Total

  Percentage CB1

  Percentage CB2

  Percentage CB3

  1993

  1,039

  111

  124

  1,274

  81.55

  8.71

  9.73

  Acceptances

  95

  8

  11

  114

  83.33

  7.02

  9.65

  1994

  No vacancies advised for FTR

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  CompB 1995

  1,042

  282

  130

  1,454

  71.66

  19.39

  8.94

  Acceptances

  19

  4

  3

  26

  73.08

  15.38

  11.54

  CompC 1996

  1,075

  255

  101

  1,431

  75.12

  17.82

  7.06

  Acceptances

  129

  24

  8

  161

  80.12

  14.91

  4.97

  CompD 1997

  1,154

  184

  135

  1,473

  78.34

  12.49

  9.16

  Acceptances

  51

  7

  2

  60

  85.00

  11.67

  3.33

  CompE 1997

  613

  105

  55

  773

  79.30

  13.58

  7.12

  Acceptances

  Not yet processed

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  CompD 1997 not yet fully processed.

  1 Perceived to be from the Protestant community.

  2 Perceived to be from the Roman Catholic community.

  3 Other.

  Part-time reserve

  Year

  CB11

  CB22

  CB33

  Total

  Percentage CB1

  Percentage CB2

  Percentage CB3

  1993

  830

  90

  38

  958

  86.64

  9.39

  3.97

  Acceptances

  123

  13

  2

  138

  89.13

  9.42

  1.45

  CompA 1994

  451

  45

  15

  511

  88.26

  8.81

  2.94

  Acceptances

  59

  6

  3

  68

  86.76

  8.82

  4.41

  CompB 1994

  1,416

  236

  102

  1,754

  80.73

  13.45

  5.82

  Acceptances

  128

  19

  5

  152

  84.21

  12.50

  3.29

  1 Perceived to be from the Protestant community.

  2 Perceived to be from the Roman Catholic community.

  3 Other.

  Police Authority
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the total work force of the Police Authority, including staff seconded from the Civil Service; and what is their gender and perceived religious/community origin. [13074]

  Mr. Ingrain
  [holding answer 6 November 1997]: The Police Authority for Northern Ireland provides an annual monitoring return to the Fair Employment Commission in respect of the gender and perceived religious affiliation of its work force.

  The review includes employees directly recruited by PANI and those staff on secondment from the NICS, Department of Finance and Personnel. The last review was completed on 1 Janaury 1997, when the breakdown was as follows:

  Number

  Total number of employees

  3,489

  (a) Gender

  Male

  1,242

  Female

  2,247

  (b) Perceived religious affiliation

  Protestant

  2,885

  Roman Catholic

  414

  Not determined

  190

  Robert Hamill
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what inquiries are presently under way into the circumstances of the death of Robert Hamill in 634
  Portadown town centre on 27 April; and what assurances she has given the nationalist community that the RUC will protect the right to life of all citizens without prejudice. [13064]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 6 November 1997]: Inquiries into the death of Robert Hamill are on-going and papers have been submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

  The Royal Ulster Constabulary has given and will continue to give all the citizens the full protection of the law without prejudice.

  Hoax Bomb Alert, Markethill
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the result of the police investigation into the hoax bomb alert in Markethill on 27 September; and what action the Director of Public Prosecutions intends to take. [15900]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 18 November 1997]: The Police have conducted a thorough enquiry into the events in Markethill on 27 September 1997.

  The file is now with the Director of Public Prosecutions for consideration.

  Southern Area Health and Social Services Board
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the names of the members of the Southern Area Health and Social Services Board. [17022]
  635
  Mr. Worthington
  The membership of the Southern Health and Social Services Board is:

  Mr. W. F. Gillespie—Chairman

  Non-Executive members Mr. J. Brown

  Mrs. M. K. P. Hagan

  Mr. S. T. Hogan

  Mrs. S. G. Ingram

  Mrs. J. Power

  Mr. D. J. Ryan

  Executive members

  Mr. B. Cunningham—Chief Executive

  Dr. A. Telford—Director of Public Health

  Mrs. S. Reid—Director of Commissioning and Planning

  Mr. S. McKeever—Director of Finance

  Mr. R. Blair—Director of Social Services

  Telecommunications Masts
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the proposed Orange telephone mast at Portavogie has received planning permission; if the Ards Borough Council was consulted; what representations she received in connection with this mast; and if she will make a statement. [17433]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Planning Service under its Chief Executive, Mr. T. W. Stewart. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from T. W. Stewart to Mr. John D. Taylor, dated 26 November 1997:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the proposed Orange telephone mast at Portavogie.
  The mast in question has planning permission as it is permitted development by virtue of Article 3 and Part 17 of Schedule 1 to the Planning (General Development) Order (Northern Ireland) 1993. Ards Borough Council was not consulted on the proposal, and no written representations have been received by Planning Service in connection with this mast.
  I do hope this clarifies the position.

  Royal Victoria and City Hospital
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will refer the rationalisation of the Royal Victoria and City Hospital to the National Audit Office to examine the reasons for proposed capital expenditure at a time when beds are vacant. [17768]

  Mr. Worthington
  [holding answer 25 November 1997]: No. The Eastern Health and Social Services Board with the Royal Group of Hospitals and Dental Hospitals Health and Social Services Trust and the Belfast City Hospital Health and Social Services Trust, as part of the on-going process of rationalisation, are currently considering a range of options for the utilisation of capacity being freed up at Belfast City Hospital.

  Ambulances
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland at what (i) age and, (ii) mileage an ambulance is expected to have reached the end of its normal working life; how many and what percentage of 636
  ambulances are beyond that normal span (a) in Northern Ireland and (b) in each health and social services board area. [17357]

  Mr. Worthington
  [holding answer 25 November 1997]: DHSS Guidelines for the replacement of accident and emergency ambulances stipulate that those vehicles should be replaced after they have reached seven years of age or whenever they have covered 140,000 miles, whichever is the sooner. For non-emergency ambulances this is five years or 70,000 miles.

  In Northern Ireland, 22 representing 17 per cent. of Accident and Emergency Ambulances are beyond the normal span of age and mileage. Seventy-four non-emergency ambulances representing 88 per cent. are beyond the normal span of age and mileage.

  The position in each Board area is given in the following table.

  Accident and Emergency Ambulances

  Number in Board area

  North

  South

  East

  West

  Total

  Number in board area

  37

  30

  39

  27

  133

  Exceed on both

  14

  1

  3

  4

  22

  Age and mileage (per cent.)

  38

  3

  8

  15

  17

  Non-emergency Ambulances

  North

  South

  East

  West

  Total

  Number in board area

  16

  14

  38

  16

  84

  Exceed on both

  16

  13

  30

  15

  74

  Age and mileage (per cent.)

  100

  92

  79

  93

  88

  Health Expenditure
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will estimate the total real level of her Department's planned expenditure on health in 1995–96 prices in(a) 1997–98 and (b) 1998–9; and what such figures were for (i) 1997–98 and (ii) 1998–99, following the November 1996 budget on the basis of the estimates of the GDP deflator contained in that Budget. [17566]

  Mr. Worthington
  [holding answer 25 November 1997]: The figures requested are as follows: (a) £1,565 million, (b) £1,544 million, (i) £1,576 million and (ii) £1,570 million. The figure for (b) reflects the spending plans of the previous Government as 1998–99 public expenditure reallocations for the individual Northern Ireland programmes will not be announced until early December.

  >Jubilee Maternity Hospital
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many job losses the proposed transfer of the Jubilee Maternity Hospital will entail. [17767]

  Mr. Worthington
  [holding answer 25 November 1997]: I have asked the Royal Group of Hospitals and Dental Hospitals HSS Trust and the Belfast City Hospital HSS Trust to work closely together to take forward the arrangements for the transfer of services from the Jubilee. There are no indications of job losses at this early stage of the process.

  Regional Cancer Centres
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the proposed cancer centre at the Belfast City Hospital will be operational. [17764]

  Mr. Worthington
  [holding answer 25 November 1997]: The time scale for the establishment of a regional cancer centre will be considered when consultation on the future location of radiotherapy services has been completed and a detailed business case agreed for the capital investment required.

  Belvoir Park Hospital
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the funding provided for updating Belvoir Park Hospital will result in increased funds for treatment of cancer patients. [17766]

  Mr. Worthington
  [holding answer 25 November 1997]: No specific funding has been identified for updating Belvoir Park Hospital. Bids essential for the maintenance of a quality service at Belvoir will, however, be considered sympathetically.

  Judicial Procedures
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to her answer of 18 November 1997,Official Report, column 174, if she will list the colleagues and those with responsibility for judicial matters whom she consulted on certifying procedures, indicating the positions they held; and which other bodies she consulted on this matter. [17572]

  Mr. Ingram
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State consulted with the Attorney-General, the Lord Chief Justice for Northern Ireland and the Lord Chancellor on the matter of certifying procedures; these consultations were confidential. Before making final decisions on the matter, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State charged officials to confer with the Chief Constable's office and the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (Northern Ireland); she then advised the Attorney-General, the Lord Chief Justice for Northern Ireland and the Lord Chancellor of her decision.

WALES

  Nursery Education
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many four year olds were receiving 50 per cent. nursery education in May (i) 1997 and (ii) 1996 in(a) the public and (b) the private sector; [17304]

  (2) what is his estimate of the number of four year olds who will be receiving 50 per cent. nursery education in 2000 in (a) the public sector and (b) the private sector. [17305]

  Mr. Hain
  The information is not available in the form requested. The January 1997 Schools census showed 35,313 pupils aged four were receiving at least half-time education in maintained nursery, primary and special schools, compared with 35,251 at January 1996. Nursery Voucher redemption statistics indicate that 2,407 four 638
  year olds were receiving at least half-time nursery education in private and voluntary sectors in the Summer term 1997.

  The intention is that from September 1998 local authorities should fund at least half-time education places for all four year olds whose parents want them, either in maintained schools or through partnerships with the private and voluntary sectors. The number of 4 year olds who will receive nursery education in each sector in 2000 will depend on arrangements adopted in each local authority area.

  Coal Industry
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on assistance for the coal industry in Wales. [17638]

  Mr. Hain
  I am holding a workshop with a wide range of organisations on 5 December to discuss development opportunities for the Welsh coal industry to which I attach great importance. The outcome of this will be carefully considered.

  Anti-social Neighbours
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the number of complaints involving anti-social neighbours in each of the last two years; and what advice and assistance his Department gives to social housing landlords. [17640]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  In 1996, 46 written complaints were received by the Welsh Office about anti- social behaviour by neighbours. To date, in 1997, 50 have been received. We have no information on the number of complaints received by social landlords.

  We are determined to take and support measures which protect the majority of citizens who respect the law and the rights of others. The proposed Crime and Disorder Bill will contain a number of measures to reduce petty crime and neighbourhood disorder. These include such measures as community safety orders to restrain the behaviour of individuals; and a new responsibility on local authorities to develop statutory partnerships to help prevent crime and enhance community safety.

  There are a number of legal measures, including eviction, which landlords can use against tenants guilty of anti-social behaviour. The Welsh Office has issued good practice guidance (entitled 'Getting the Best Out of the Court System in Possession Cases') to all local authorities in Wales to help them make more effective and speedier use of these measures. In addition, the Housing Act 1996 contains provisions to improve the legal processes and strengthen the powers available to landlords to deal with anti-social behaviour by tenants and their visitors.

  Guidance on these provisions was issued to local authorities earlier this year in Welsh Office circulars 2/97 'Conduct of Tenants—Introductory Tenancies and Repossession for Secure Tenancies' and 38/97 'Conduct of Tenants—Injunctions Against Anti-Social Behaviour'. Guidance on anti-social behaviour for housing association landlords is contained in paragraph 8.4 of 'The Regulatory Requirements' issued by Tai Cymru.
  639
  Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, the Noise and Statutory Nuisance Act 1993 and the Noise Act 1996, local authorities have responsibility for investigating incidents of noise nuisance in their area. Should a statutory nuisance be detected, local authorities have wide-ranging powers to prevent or abate noise from premises (including land) and vehicles. Guidance on the duties and powers of local authorities in implementing the Noise Act 1996 and the Noise and Statutory Nuisance Act 1993 is provided in Welsh Office Circulars 41/97 and 42/97.

  Beef Industry
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on prospects for the beef industry in Wales. [17636]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The government has continued to support various initiatives to help restore and improve consumer confidence in beef. As a result we have seen significant increases in the level of beef consumption. Every effort is being made to have the export ban lifted and that should see a further improvement in prospects for the industry. Nevertheless, the beef sector remains in long term structural surplus and reform of the CAP beef regime is essential.

  CELTEC
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on his Department's inquiring into CELTEC and its associated holding companies. [17929]

  Mr. Hain
  Copies of the letter which I sent to my hon. Friend the Member for Conwy (Mrs. Williams) on 29 October pursuant to her question of 11 July,Official Report column 629, have been placed in the Library of the House. The letter encloses a note by my officials on the investigations made into the various allegations received. Subject to checking of the final accounts of Hightown Holdings and its subsidiary companies for the financial year 1996–97, these investigations have found no evidence of loss or impropriety in the handling of public funds.

  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what safeguards he has put in place to ensure the debts of CELTEC's associated companies do not become a charge upon public funds. [17930]

  Mr. Hain
  CELTEC has associated undertakings with "The Careers Company" and "Careers Plus", the Careers Service Companies for North West Wales and North East Wales respectively. CELTEC's liability is limited to £ 1 in each case.

  CELTEC also has a trading relationship with the subsidiary companies of the Hightown Holdings Group— Alkemy and Business Advance. CELTEC is currently negotiating the integration of Alkemy and Business Advance Functions into the TEC by means of a Business Transfer Agreement. This will involve the acquisition by CELTEC of defined assets and liabilities of both companies. Welsh Office officials will not approve the transfer unless CELTEC acquires sufficient assets from those companies to cover any liabilities transferred. This should ensure that any liabilities do not become a charge upon public funds.
  640
  It is also intended that, following the planned transfer, the Hightown Holdings Group will then be wound up with any residual assets, after all liabilities have been met, being transferred to the TEC.

  Regional Selective Assistance
  Mr. Rhodri Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list each regional selective assistance offer made to former privatised utility companies in Wales. [17955]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  There have been none.

  Cardiff Bay Development Corporation
  Mr. Rhodri Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the urban development grants made by the Cardiff Bay Development Corporation since its inception by(a) year agreed and (b) amount agreed. [17956]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  This is an operational matter for the Corporation and I have asked the Chief Executive to provide the information my hon. Friend has requested; a copy of his letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Food Safety
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what(a) research and (b) opinion surveys his Ministry has conducted to determine the current level of public confidence in safety of (i) British, (ii) European, (iii) non-European produced food and procedures for dealing with food safety issues. [17533]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  My department has a research programme into the management of risk which has examined public perceptions of food safety risk. We also take note of other relevant opinion surveys.

  Safe Food
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his Ministry's definition of safe food. [17532]

  Mr. John Cunningham
  The Food Safety Act 1990 makes it an offence to sell food which is injurious to health; unfit for human consumption; or so contaminated that it would not be reasonable to expect it to be used for human consumption.

  Milk Development Council
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has made to the Department of Trade and Industry concerning the impact of proposed tax changes for non-profit making research organisations on the Milk Development Council. [18066]
  641
  Mr. Rooker
  The Department has drawn to the attention of the President of the Board of Trade our assessment of the potential impact on the Milk Development Council of the proposed changes to the guidelines on granting exemption from corporation tax to scientific research association.

  Aeron Valley Creameries
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received on Milk Marque's acquisition of Aeron Valley Creameries; and if he will make a statement. [18065]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Department has received representations from the Dairy Industry Federation and from a major UK dairy company.

  Dietary Supplements
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the consideration of dietary supplements by(a) the Codex Alimentarius Committee, (b) the European Commission, and (c) the Committee on Toxicity, indicating his Department's policy in respect of each body. [18124]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses is in the process of drawing up guidelines on supplements containing vitamins and minerals. The current draft, which addresses a number of issues, including the setting of maximum vitamin and mineral content of supplements, is due to be discussed again in September 1998. Codex standards and guidelines are advisory and it is for individual Governments to decide what use, if any, they wish to make of them.

  In June of this year, the EU Commission issued a discussion document on the possible harmonisation of national controls on vitamin and mineral supplements and foods with added vitamins and minerals. This reviewed the current situation and presented for consideration various issues relating to the control of these products, including the question of the need for establishing maximum limits on their vitamin and mineral content. It made no proposals for action on this or on any of the other issues covered. Nor did it commit the Commission to bringing forward proposals for legislation. A copy of the UK's response has been deposited in the Library.

  The Committee on Toxicity of Chemical in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT) have not considered dietary supplements as a class of products but have provided advice on the safety of supplements containing vitamin B6. After reviewing the data from scientific literature, the COT advised that the level of vitamin B6 in dietary supplements sold under food law should be limited to a maximum of 10 mg per daily dose. The Government has accepted this recommendation. A copy of the statement issued by the COT is already available in the Library.

  In each case, the products being considered are those sold as foods: products classified as medicines are not affected.
  642
  The Government's main concern is to ensure the safety of dietary supplements sold under food law. In the case of the Codex guidelines and the EU discussion document, we have argued that any controls should be based on safety considerations. The proposed controls on supplements containing vitamin B6 are wholly consistent with this policy.

  Unpasteurised Milk
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans his Department has to introduce a ban on the sale of unpasteurised milk; and if he will make a statement. [18039]

  Mr. Rooker
  We have initiated public consultations on a proposal to ban sales of raw cows' milk for drinking in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Such milk is already banned in Scotland. These consultations have no effect on sales of unpasteurised cows' milk for further processing.

  I cannot predict the outcome of public consultation. We shall take careful stock of the responses before proposing how we wish to proceed.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what procedures exist for the monitoring of unpasteurised milk. [18040]

  Mr. Rooker
  All production holdings and processing establishments are inspected regularly to check milk is produced hygienically and to monitor compliance with the Dairy Products (Hygiene) Regulations 1995, as amended.

  Enforcement authorities monitor the microbiological status of unpasteurised milk at all stages of distribution and check the conditions under which the milk is handled and packaged. Samples of milk from all registered sellers of unpasteurised cows' milk are officially tested on average on two occasions each year.

  Processors themselves are required to monitor and control critical points in the production and packaging of unpasteurised milk.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many farms are currently selling unpasteurised milk; and what is the volume sold each day. [18041]

  Mr. Rooker
  The majority of milk producers sell unpasteurised milk for further processing. Statistics are not collected and so the exact number of these is not known.

  Production statistics for raw cows' drinking milk are not collected.

  There are currently 578 registered producers of raw cows' drinking milk in England and Wales. Production, in some cases, is known to be linked to seasonal demand.

  Production of raw cows' drinking milk is thought to be in the region of 1,000 litres per day.

  Israeli Goods
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what discussions he has had with food retailers marketing goods labelled "Made in Israel" on measures to verify their attribution; [17543]

  (2) what response he has made to the representations from the government of Israel on alleged abuses of the preferential rate applied to fruit juice imports; [17544]

  (3) what plans he has to stop abuses of the preferential rate applying to fruit juice imports from Israel. [17541]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  I have been asked to reply.

  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to her on 26 November 1997, Official Report, column 544.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Tuition Fees
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assistance will be given to students beginning courses in 1998 lasting longer than three years towards the cost of their tuition fees for the additional years. [17866]

  Dr. Howells
  Under our plans, students from lower-income families resident in England will have the whole of their tuition fees paid for them in the fourth as in the previous three years, whilst others from middle-income families will have part of their fees paid, depending on an assessment of their parents' spouses' or own income. Medical and dental students in their fifth and subsequent years will have their fees paid.

  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment at what(a) net and (b) gross parental or household income level English students will be required to pay full university tuition fees. [17862]

  Dr. Howells
  The rates for student awards and loans, and the associated contribution scales, for academic year 1998–99 have not yet been determined.

  It is therefore not possible at this stage to give precise figures about contributions to tuition fees in the 1998–99 academic year. However, had tuition fee contributions been in effect in academic year 1997–98, English students with a residual (ie net) parental income after allowable deductions of about £26,500 would have been assessed as due to pay the full £1,000.

  It is not practicable to give precise individual figures for the equivalent gross income at which the full £1,000 fee will become payable in 1998–99, as this will depend on the circumstances of the family concerned. However, because it may not be immediately clear to prospective students and their parents what is meant by "residual income," we have illustrated the sort of gross family income above which the full £1,000 will be payable. In 1998–99 it will be about £35,000 a year.

  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the cost of financing tuition fees for the fourth year of study for English domiciled students studying at Scottish universities. [17861]
  644
  Dr. Howells
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 18 November 1997,Official Report, column 162.

  Student Fees
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment pursuant to his answer of 24 November 1997,Official Report, column 362, if he will list the certificate, diploma or other academic awards comparable to a first degree which will be subject to the new arrangements for student support in autumn 1998. [17953]

  Dr. Howells
  A list of these courses is not maintained centrally.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Transnational Corporations (Code of Conduct)
  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress her Department has made in establishing an international code of conduct for transnational corporations in developing countries. [17753]

  Clare Short
  We are working with the Department of Trade and Industry and other Departments on initiatives aimed to introduce codes of conduct for transnational corporations. We are considering whether the OECD guidelines for multinational enterprises, at present covering operations in OECD member countries only, should extend world wide when they are revised next year.

  I have recently approved a grant for the Ethical Trading Initiative which will bring together a group of development NGOs, major private sector interests and non-profit organisations in the UK in a joint effort to produce a set of ethical guidelines for businesses.

  Aid Programmes (Audit)
  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what changes she proposes to make in the methods used to audit aid programmes. [17746]

  Clare Short
  Our audit of our aid delivery systems is continually under review but there are no current proposals for improving the methods used by my Department to audit aid programmes.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Laser Pens
  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to ban or impose restrictions on the sale and use of laser pens. [13353]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  [holding answer 30 October 1997]: I met Trading Standards Officers on 23 October to discuss the safety of laser pens. Heriot-Watt University was asked to test these products. The results were available to me on 28 October. I immediately issued a press notice urging Trading Standards Officers to remove all dangerous laser pens from sale.
  645
  Laser pens in classes 3a, and 3b and 4 as classified in BS EN60825, part 1, 1994 would present an unacceptable risk when used by the general public and are unsafe under the General Product Safety Regulations 1994. Those supplying them to the general public could be prosecuted.

  Export Credits
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what amount of money underwritten by the ECGD for defence equipment has been claimed by manufacturers, but not recovered from the Governments of(a) Venezuela, (b) Jordan, (c) Kenya, (d) Egypt and (e) Algeria. [15981]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 14 November 1997]: The amounts of money paid in claims but not yet recovered for guarantees to defence ministries are as follows:

  £ million

  Venezuela

  Fully Recovered

  Jordon

  214.4

  Kenya

  27.3

  Egypt

  52.5

  Algeria

  97.8

  Export Licences
  Mrs. May
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many export licence applications are outstanding; and how many have been outstanding for more than(a) one month, (b) three months and (c) more than three months. [16320]

  Mrs. Roche
  At 18 November, a decision had not yet been taken on 2,306 applications for new individual export licences received since 2 May 1997. These are broken down as follows:

  Applications received between 2 May 1997 and 17 August 1997

  Applications received between 18 August 1997and 17 October 1997

  Applications received between 18 October 1997and 18 November 1997

  Standard individual export licences

  447

  835

  869

  Open individual export licences

  75

  54

  26

  However, this information should be considered in the light of my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Don Valley (Caroline Flint) on 30 October 1997, Official Report, columns 256–58.

  Ministerial Responsibilities
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on ministerial responsibilities in her Department. [16355]
  646
  Mrs. Beckett
  Ministerial responsibilities in my Department are as follows:

  MINISTER FOR TRADE AND COMPETITIVENESS IN EUROPE

  Lord Simon of Highbury

  Lord Simon is a Minister of State in both Treasury and the DTI.

  Responsible for internal EU issues including business preparations for EMU the European single market, enlargement and plans for the UK Presidency of the EU; for the co-ordination of EU issues generally within the DTI; and for insurance.
  Chairman of the inter-departmental taskforce on competitiveness in Europe. Attends the Internal Market Council. Responsible with Lord Clinton-Davis for DTI issues in the Lords.
  Responsible jointly with Ian McCartney for corporate governance, corporate affairs and relations with the City of London. Lord Simon has specific responsibility for corporate governance.

  MINISTER FOR COMPETITION AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS

  Nigel Griffiths MP

  Responsible for competition and consumer affairs and investigations. Supports John Battle on environment issues. Responsible with Mr. Battle for the Competition Bill.

  Responsible for the Insolvency Service.

  MINISTER FOR SMALL FIRMS, TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Barbara Roche MP

  Responsible for small firms; Business Links; regional policy; Regional Selective Assistance; Structural Funds; communications and information industries and deregulation within the DTI. Attends the Industry and Telecommunications Council. Supports Ian McCartney on inward investment, and Lord Clinton-Davis on trade and export matters in the Commons.

  Responsible for the Radiocommunications Agency.

  PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE AND SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY.

  The right hon. Margaret Beckett MP

  Overall responsibility for the Department of Trade and Industry and the Export Credits Guarantee Department. Special responsibility for competitiveness and science and technology.

  MINISTER FOR TRADE

  Lord Clinton-Davis

  Responsible for the export promotion of goods and services, including oil and gas projects, and for overseas investment and international trade policy; Projects Export Promotion; export control and non-proliferation issues; and the Export Credits Guarantee Department. Attends the GAC on trade policy matter.

  Responsible jointly for DTI business in the Lords.

  MINISTER FOR SCIENCE, ENERGY AND INDUSTRY

  John Battle MP

  Responsible for the Office of Science and Technology; the British National Space Centre; technology and standards; design and innovation. Attends the Research Council.
  Responsible for the Competition Bill (with Mr. Griffiths); manufacturing and services, including engineering, automotive and metals, consumer goods and services, chemicals and biotechnology, and aerospace. Takes an over-arching view of Information Society issues. Also responsible for energy and energy policy including electricity, nuclear fuels, oil and gas, energy technology, renewables and industry sponsorship aspects of the Oil, Gas and Petrochemicals Supplies Office; and for environment issues. Attends the Energy Council.

  647

  MINISTER OF STATE

  Ian McCartney MP

  Responsible for the labour market; inward investment; and the Post Office. Attends the Social Affairs Council.

  Responsible jointly with Lord Simon for corporate governance, corporate affairs and relations with the City of London. Mr. McCartney has specific responsibility for corporate affairs.

  Responsible for the Employment Tribunals Service, Patent Office and Companies House.

  Mr. Prior
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the responsibilities of(a) the Minister for Trade and (b) the Minister for Small Firms, Trade and Industry. [16525]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The Minister for Trade's responsibilities are for the export promotion of goods and services, including oil and gas projects, and for overseas investment and international trade policy; Projects Export Promotion; export control and non-proliferation issues; and the Export Credits Guarantee Department. He attends the GAC on trade policy matter.

  He is responsible jointly for DTI business in the Lords.

  The Minister for Small Firms, Trade and Industry's responsibilities are for small firms; Business Links; regional policy; Regional Selective Assistance; Structural Funds; communications and information industries and deregulation within the DTI. She attends the Industry and Telecommunications Council. She supports the Minister of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Makerfield (Mr. McCartney), on inward investment, and Lord Clinton-Davis on trade and export matters in the Commons.

  She is responsible for the Radiocommunications Agency.

  Formula One Racing
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate she has made of the number of job losses which would result from the withdrawal of Formula One racing in the United Kingdom; and if she will provide a breakdown of her estimate. [16939]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 20 November 1997]: There are no official figures for employment in the motor sport industry. However, about 8,000 jobs are believed to depend on the supply of equipment and services related to Formula One. Many of these jobs would be at risk if Formula One were to withdraw from the United Kingdom. There would also be an unquantifiable adverse effect on the whole motor sport industry, which is estimated to provide around 50,000 full-time jobs.

  Amsterdam Treaty
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade in respect of which sections of the Treaty of Amsterdam his Department contributed to the drafting. [17009]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 20 November 1997]: The United Kingdom position on the draft Treaty of Amsterdam was reached after consultation between relevant Departments.

  Late Payments Green Paper
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if the Minister for Small Firms, Trade and Industry will place in the Library a copy of all responses to her Green Paper on Statutory Interest on Late Payment Debts. [17441]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 24 November 1997]: In line with recent guidance from the Library of the House, we will place in the Library a schedule of all responses received except where the author has specifically requested that we do not publish their response.

HEALTH

  Dental Amalgam
  Mrs. Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has conducted into the toxic effect of mercury in dental amalgam. [16859]

  Mr. Milburn
  The Department is advised by an independent Committee on the Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT). In 1986 the COT conducted a review and concluded that the use of dental amalgam is free from the risk of systemic toxicity and only a few cases of hypersensitivity occur. Similar reviews by national and international expert bodies have reached the same conclusions. COT is currently preparing an updated opinion.

  Sussex Ambulance Service
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the funding procedures for the pension scheme of the Sussex Ambulance Service; what contributions are provided by the(a) employees and (b) employers; what is the median age of retirement for ambulance men; and what assessment he has made of the structure of the fund relative to the retirement profile of the service. [17213]

  Mr. Milburn
  In common with all other National Health Service employees the Sussex Ambulance Service personnel are eligible to join the NHS Pension Scheme. The scheme is based on a notional fund assumed to be invested entirely in gilts.

  The Government Actuary reviews the fund at quinquennial intervals. Factors such as the scheme's retirement profile form part of his valuation reports in which he recommends an appropriate rate of employer contribution. Currently this is 4 per cent. of pensionable earnings.

  Employee contributions are levied at the rate of 5 per cent. for manual employees and 6 per cent. for non-manuals.

  The median retirement age for ambulance men is not known because within the valuation data they are included with other employment groups. The scheme's normal retirement age is 60.

  Kidderminster Hospital
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people are employed at Kidderminster hospital
  649
  (a) as doctors or consultants, (b) as nursing staff, (c) providing domestic services and (d) in other capacities. [17178]

  Mr. Milburn
  Information is not available in the form requested. Such information that is available is shown in the table.

  National Health Service Hospital and Community Health Service staff directly employed by Kidderminster Healthcare NHS Trust asat 30 September 1996

  whole-time equivalents

  Kidderminster Health Care NHS Trust

  Medical staff

  90

  Nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff1

  540

  Support staff in the hotel and property area of work

  80

  Other staff

  530

  All directly employed staff

  1,230

  Notes:

  1 Excludes learners who are counted within "Others".

  Figures are rounded to the nearest ten.

  Source:

  Department of Health Non-Medical Workforce Census.

  Community Pharmacists
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 17 November 1997,Official Report, column 61, on community pharmacists, when he plans to publish the Department's evaluation of the pilot projects and his proposals for promoting best practice among community pharmacists. [17176]

  Mr. Milburn
  The Department is keen to make better use of community pharmacists' skills where this is cost effective.

  The funding of these pilot projects is a part of that commitment. We will consult with representatives of the profession about any proposals for additional pharmaceutical services.

  We have not made any decisions yet about whether or how the project results will be given wider dissemination.

  Health Action Zones
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) by what methods Ministers intend to take account of differing rural and urban needs when reviewing applications for health action zones; [17252]

  (2) if health action zones can apply in rural areas; and if he will make a statement. [17251]

  Mr. Milburn
  Health Action Zones will include areas of pronounced deprivation and poor health and will, therefore, be targeted at those parts of the country where health inequalities are greatest. We will look to identify those bids, whether from urban or rural areas, that promise to have the greatest impact in delivering measurable and sustainable improvements in the health of the public and in the outcomes and quality of services.

  Computers (Century Date Change)
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his estimate of the cost of reprogramming 650
  or replacing computer systems in the NHS which are not millennium compliant; and if he has issued guidance to health authorities on how the expenditure involved should be kept within existing budgets. [17434]

  Mr. Milburn
  The likely cost to the National Health Service of ensuring that systems are millennium compliant is difficult to forecast accurately. Guidance has recently been issued to Chief Executives in the NHS outlining the action they are expected to take to deal with the millennium problem. Much of the work required is likely to be funded from budgets already allocated to supporting NHS information management and technology needs.

  Drug Addiction
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals he has for the co-ordination of services to deal with the problems of young people addicted to heroin and other similar drugs. [17238]

  Ms Jowell
  The current drugs strategy "Tackling Drugs Together" makes young people a priority. On 25 November three new documents about young people were launched by the Standing Conference on Drug Abuse following consultation with the Department and service providers. My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State was present and endorsed the documents. They outline the need for services which are appropriate for children and young people, which take a holistic approach, and which have staff with appropriate training for working with young people. They also provide detailed information about good practice, models of services and information about critical success factors. All three documents emphasise the necessity of inter-agency partnerships to deal with the problems of young people who misuse drugs.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what treatments are available from the National Health Service for heroin and other opiate addictions. [17239]

  Ms Jowell
  A wide range of treatment services is available through the National Health Service ranging from substitute prescribing to intensive residential rehabilitation. The Department of Heath does not have a central record of services provided. It is for health authorities to determine what services to commission from the NHS and voluntary agencies according to their assessment of local needs and priorities.

  Mental Health Services
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were seen by(a) acute and (b) community mental health services in each health authority in each of the last five years. [17385]

  Mr. Boateng
  Information in the form requested is not available centrally. Between June and September 1997, approximately 640,000 people were receiving care from specialist mental health services but there is no breakdown centrally of the type of care provided to these patients. Data are available on specific services but these will involve an element of double counting since some patients will have received more than one service or, in the case of hospital in-patient episodes, have had more than one episode in hospital. The table shows figures for England for the last five years for numbers of in-patient finished consultant episodes, first attendances in the year at out-patient clinics, first contacts in the year with
  651
  community psychiatric nurses and first attendances in the year at National Health Service day centres. These figures are published for hospital trusts in the following publications:

  Ordinary and day cases admissions, England, Financial year 1996–97

  Out-patient and ward attenders, England, Financial year 1996–97

  NHS day care facilities, England, Financial year 1996–97

  Patient care in the community, community psychiatric nursing, summary information for 1995–96, England.

  Copies of all these publications are available in the Library.

  Contacts with NHS services for mentally ill people: 1992–93 to 1996–97

  England

  Thousands

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  Finished consultant episodes

  233

  236

  237

  240

  239

  First out-patient attendances

  238

  254

  257

  271

  285

  First contacts with community psychiatric nurses

  406

  475

  493

  530

  1566

  First attendances at NHS day centres

  92

  105

  97

  100

  99

  Sources:

  KP70, KH09, KC57, KH14.

  Note:

  1Provisional.

  Winter Funding Initiative
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for each health authority the amounts allocated to each social services department under the winter funding initiative. [18123]

  Mr. Milburn
  Details of individual agreements between health authorities and local authority social services departments are not held centrally. However, initial estimates indicate that, nationally, between £35 million and £40 million of the additional resources made available to meet winter pressures in 1997–98 will be transferred to social services departments.

  Pig Organs
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the dangers posed by viruses in pig organs identified for possible use in pig-to-human transplants. [17778]

  Mr. Boateng
  "Animal Tissue into Humans", the Report of the Advisory Group on the Ethics of Xenotransplantation, published in January 1997, concluded that there was insufficient knowledge of the risks associated with the transmission of infectious 652
  diseases, including viruses, for clinical trials involving humans to be ethically acceptable. Research into these and other relevant issues is continuing.

  The Government is advised by the United Kingdom Xenotransplantation Interim Regulatory Authority (UKXIRA) on these issues and on the acceptability of any application to undertake trials in xenotransplantation involving humans. Any application will be expected to include a full assessment of the microbiological risk of any proposed procedure. Within the United Kingdom we will allow clinical trials involving humans to take place only if and when we are satisfied that the risks associated with such procedures are acceptable. The UKXIRA will take the latest evidence available into account in its advice. The Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens is also working with the UKXIRA on microbiological issues involved in xenotransplantation.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with Imutran concerning the transplantation of organs from pigs to humans; and if he will make a statement. [17779]

  Mr. Boateng
  The United Kingdom biotechnology industry is at the forefront of international research and development into xenotransplantation. The views of industry are important to the development of a regulatory structure and have been formally sought through consultation exercises. The United Kingdom Xenotransplantation Interim Regulatory Authority, established to advise on and oversee developments in xenotransplantation, is in contact with Imutran, and other companies in the field, and has visited some of Imutran's animal facilities. My noble Friend the Minister of State, Baroness Jay of Paddington, at Imutran's invitation, recently visited its facilities during which she was advised of the developments in its work.

  NHS Vacancies
  Sir Brian Mawhinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS trusts and health authority non-executive positions fell to be filled on 1 November; how many were filled on that date; and how many are currently vacant. [18051]

  Mr. Milburn
  Five hundred and seventy non-executive appointments to National Health Service trusts fell to be made by 1 November. Two hundred and eight had been made by that date. Eighty-five vacancies remained on 26 November.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many vacant posts there are currently by region for(a) hospital doctors, (b) general practitioners and (c) nurses. [17391]

  Mr. Milburn
  The available information on vacant posts by region is as follows:

  (a) National Health Service hospital and community health services: doctors vacancies in England at 30 September 1996:

  England

  Number

  Northern and Yorkshire

  180

  Trent

  130

  Anglia and Oxford

  110

  North Thames

  350

  South Thames

  160

  653

  (a) National Health Service hospital and community health services: doctors vacancies in England at 30 September 1996:

  England

  Number

  South and West

  120

  West Midlands

  110

  North West

  260

  Special hospitals

  10

  Total

  1,410

  Source:

  The Medical and Dental Workforce Census 30 September 1996.

  Notes:

  1. All figures are whole-time equivalents rounded to the nearest ten.

  2. Totals may not agree due to rounding.

  3. Vacant posts are not collected for all grades—the figures above cover the following grades: Consultant, Staff Grade, Senior Registrar (including Specialist Registrar), Registrar and Senior House Officer.

  (b) Information relating to general practitioner vacancies is collected by the Medical Practices Committee. However, this does not include regional data comparable to that above.

  (c) Figures on vacancies for Hospital and Community Health services nurses and midwives are collected by the Office of Manpower and Economics and published in the annual reports of the Review Body for Nursing Staff, Midwives, Health Visitors and Professions Allied to Medicine. Copies of these documents are in the Library.

  NHS Staff
  Sir Brian Mawhinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the names of those NHS trust and health authority members, in post on 30 October, who are no longer in post because they failed to comply with the terms of his Department's guidance to regional health authorities relating to(a) political allegiance and (b) personal allegiance to the NHS. [18050]

  Mr. Milburn
  The only guidance issued by the Department on political allegiance and personal allegiance to the National Health Service is that contained in the information pack sent to all applicants for posts on trust and health authority boards. The guidance makes clear that candidates must have a strong personal commitment to the NHS but a candidate's political activity will not be a factor in their appointment. New candidates and those applying for reappointment are considered against all the criteria set out in the information pack.

  Psychiatric Beds
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many psychiatric beds have closed in each year since 1980–81. [17386]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Department does not collect information on bed closures.

  Data are, however, collected centrally on the average daily number of available beds. These figures are shown in the table:

  Average daily number of available beds in mental illness wards in National Health Service hospitals in England, 1980 to 1996–97

  Year

  Mental illness

  1980

  87,396

  1981

  85,436

  1982

  83,831

  1983

  81,786

  1984

  78.911

  654

  Average daily number of available beds in mental illness wards in National Health Service hospitals in England, 1980 to 1996–97

  Year

  Mental illness

  1985

  75,866

  1986

  72,402

  1987–88

  67,127

  1988–89

  62,999

  1989–90

  59,290

  1990–91

  55,239

  1991–92

  50.278

  1992–93

  47,308

  1993–94

  43,532

  1994–95

  41,827

  1995–9

  39,477

  1996–971

  37,624

  Source:

  DH form SH3—1980 to 1986.

  DH form KH03—1987–88 rds.

  Note:

  1 The return was revised and included a count of NHS managed beds in residential care. Several trusts reclassified beds previously counted as mental illness beds in hospitals, and counted them as residential. These figures are not included in the table. The average daily number of mental illness bed days in residential care is 1,155.

  Nurses
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his estimate of the shortfall in nurses in each specialty. [17387]

  Mr. Milburn
  In submitting evidence to the 1998 Review Body for Nursing Staff, Midwives, Health Visitors and Professions Allied to Medicine, the Department said there was growing evidence of work force pressures in mental health, nursing in the larger conurbations and specialist nursing posts in areas of high dependency care.

  In addition to the comprehensive collection of work force information to support national workforce planning, the National Health Service Executive is running a quarterly survey seeking information about recruitment and retention difficulties and examples of good practice across a sample of trusts. This will provide more systematic information on work force pressures across England.

  GP Fundholders
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what have been the payments made to GP fundholders in each region in each year since 1990–91 in(a) management allowances and (b) computer costs.[17388]

  Mr. Milburn
  Available data on general practitioner fundholders' management allowances (PFMA) since 1990–91 are set out in the tables, which distinguish PFMA (general) from PFMA (computing).

  The PFMA (general) coverage was increased in 1995–96, to include an element for the running costs of fundholding computer systems, which had previously been paid separately.

  PFMA (computing) was introduced as a separate component of PFMA in 1996–97 to cover the costs of purchase or lease of fundholding computer systems. Up until April 1996 GP fundholders received reimbursement for these computer costs via the Statement of Fees and Allowances. As a result, audited information is not held

  655
  centrally which identifies GP fundholding costs. However, estimates of moneys allocated to support GP fundholding computing costs from 1991–92 to 1994–95 are also shown.

  Practice Fund Management Allowance by RHA in England— 1990–91 to 1995–96

  £000

  Regional health authorities

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  Northern and Yorkshire

  1,082

  2,343

  4,466

  6,040

  8,254

  14.859

  Trent

  425

  1,356

  3,432

  6,279

  8,003

  11,647

  Anglia and Oxford

  1,015

  2,210

  4,816

  7,212

  9,278

  13,163

  North Thames

  287

  944

  2,115

  3,364

  5,558

  12,511

  South Thames

  515

  1,500

  3,139

  6,262

  9,354

  16,504

  South West

  724

  1,708

  3,377

  5,315

  6,921

  11,537

  West Midlands

  334

  1,412

  3.288

  6.466

  9,233

  15.067

  North West

  856

  1,997

  3,987

  6,663

  8,205

  14,377

  >England

  5,238

  13,470

  28,620

  47.601

  64,806

  109,668

  Practice Fund Management Allowance by NHS Executive RO in England—1996–97 and 1997–98

  £000

  Regional office

  1996–97

  1997–98

  General

  Computing

  General

  Computing

  Northern and Yorkshire

  17,886

  2,175

  19,186

  294

  Trent

  15,953

  1,350

  15,439

  0

  Anglia and Oxford

  13,771

  1,200

  13,853

  294

  North Thames

  21,193

  1,850

  22,130

  420

  South Thames

  18,937

  1.425

  19,486

  0

  South West

  15,389

  2,800

  16,258

  0

  West Midlands

  18,070

  650

  18,034

  63

  North West

  19,371

  1,325

  19,633

  294

  England

  140,564

  12,775

  144,019

  1,365

  Source:

  1990–91 to 1995–96: annual accounts of Family Health Services

  Authorities.

  1996–97: FDL(96)35 and FDL(96)42, revised slightly.

  1997–98: FDL(97)32.

  Note:

  Data for 1990–91 to 1994–95 presented on Regional Office boundaries.

  Estimated spend on Information Technology to support GPFundholding by Regional Health Authority inEngland— 1991–92 to 1994–95

  £000

  Regional health authorities

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Northern and Yorkshire

  2,099

  3,093

  2,129

  2,717

  Trent

  1,337

  2,949

  2,395

  2,662

  Anglia and Oxford

  1,446

  1,989

  2,144

  1,894

  North Thames

  836

  1,809

  1,665

  1,819

  South Thames

  1,812

  2,371

  3,028

  2,659

  South West

  2,117

  1,747

  2,088

  1,906

  West Midlands

  1,152

  2,371

  2,413

  3,129

  North West

  824

  1,725

  2,643

  2,060

  England

  11,623

  18,054

  18,505

  18,846

  Source

  Estimates taken from FIS4 returns by FHSAs.

  Bed Occupancy Rates
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the bed occupancy rates for(a) acute, (b) psychiatric and (c) care of the elderly wards for each of the last 10 years. [17389]
  656
  Mr. Boateng
  Figures on bed occupancy were collected in 1996–97 for the first time since 1986. The information is based on broad ward type and is contained in "Bed Availability and Occupancy, England: 1996–97", copies of which are available in the Library.

  Data for 1986 were collected on a different basis and are not directly comparable. The figures were 75 per cent. for the acute specialties, 85 per cent. for psychiatric and 89.2 per cent. for geriatric.

  Cancelled Hospital Operations
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospital operations were cancelled by(a) quarter and (b) region for the last 10 years; and how many of these were (i) hip replacements, (ii) cataract operations and (iii) heart bypasses. [17390]

  Mr. Boateng
  Information on the number of operations cancelled on the day they were due to take place, or after patients had arrived in hospital is available in the Library. This goes back to 1994–95, the first year that data were collected. Details of the type of operation are not recorded centrally.

  Domiciliary Care
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of state for Health when he will publish his proposals for the independent inspection and regulation of domiciliary care. [18122]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Government intend to publish a White Paper in the spring of 1998 outlining proposals for the independent inspection and regulation of domiciliary care.

  Paedophile Treatment Centres
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of paedophile treatment centres, with particular reference to the Faithfull Foundation's Wolvercote Clinic. [17536]

  Ms Quin
  I have been asked to reply.

  The following two studies published by the Home Office include an assessment of treatment programmes for sex offenders who are in the community: "Community-based treatment for sex offenders: an evaluation of seven programmes" (1994) and "Does treating sex offenders reduce offending?" (1996). Both are in the Library. The effectiveness of the treatment programme now running at the Wolvercote Clinic, which receives Home Office financial support, is currently being evaluated for the Home Office by the researchers who wrote the 1994 study.

TREASURY

  Public Expenditure
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on future public expenditure planning. [16603]
  657
  Mr. Darling
  The Government have set up a Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) to examine all areas of Government spending. New public expenditure plans will be announced after the conclusion of this review.

  Financial Services (Regulation)
  Mr. St. Aubyn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which(a) EU and (b) G8 countries have a single regulator responsible for every aspect of financial services. [16604]

  Mr. Darling
  Within the EU and G8 countries only Sweden presently has a single regulator for financial services.

  The Government's proposed regulatory reforms based around a single regulator, the Financial Services Authority, will therefore make the United Kingdom a world leader in financial regulation amongst the major financial centres.

  Economic and Monetary Union
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to help business prepare for a single currency. [16606]

  Kali Mountford
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the steps he is taking to prepare for economic and monetary union. [16599]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  The Government are committed to ensuring that British business is well equipped to take advantage of the introduction of the euro in other member states from 1999. We have set up a new Standing Committee, the Members of which include the President of the CBI and the President of the British Chamber of Commerce, alongside the existing Business Advisory Group, to co-ordinate and press forward the preparations agenda. I will be publishing a summary of the Advisory Group's findings early in the New Year.

  I have also arranged for the Treasury to publish a practical guide on EMU for business, and 55,000 copies have already been issued to a wide range of businesses.

  Mr. Caplin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from business about preparations for the single European currency. [16611]

  Mr. Hutton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to help business prepare for the use of the euro in the period before the United Kingdom joins economic and monetary union. [16616]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  I refer my hon. Friends to the answer given today to my hon. Friend the Member for Dudley, North (Mr. Cranston).

  Mr. Rhodri Morgan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received concerning the introduction of economic and monetary union. [16618]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Loughborough (Mr. Reed).
  658
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures he is pursuing to ensure that the United Kingdom economic cycle is harmonised with other potential EMU countries; and when he estimates that this aspect of convergence will be achieved. [15765]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 13 November 1997]: My right hon. Friend the Chancellor's pre-Budget Report describes a range of measures designed to promote economic stability and achieve high levels of growth and employment. The policies set out there will contribute to the settled period of stability which is needed in order that Britain will be in a position to join the single currency, should we wish to, early in the next Parliament.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how will(a) exchange costs and (b) fluctuations in the rate of the pound against the euro be dealt with when the use of the euro in the United Kingdom is permitted in the period prior to the United Kingdom becoming a member of the single currency. [15925]

  Mrs. Liddell
  It is currently possible to use foreign currencies for an extensive range of activities in the United Kingdom. After 1 January 1999, this facility will also apply to the euro. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor has announced publicly that, as with the dollar today, firms will be able to file company accounts, issue shares, have bank accounts and pay taxes in euro.

  However, the Government consider that use of the euro is likely to be more widespread than with other major foreign currencies. We are considering steps that the Government might take to ensure that British firms are able to use the euro as effortlessly as possible where it makes commercial sense and they choose to do so. This includes, for example, developing with the banking sector a "seal of approval" so that firms and individuals can recognise those banks which offer reliable information and allow customers to bank in euro without paying high charges.

  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 4 November 1997,Official Report, column 98, what research his Department has undertaken into the ease with which the euro currency symbol will be distinguishable from that for sterling where physical display of coin or note is not involved. [17277]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Treasury has not carried out research aimed specifically at the ease with which the euro currency symbol is distinguishable from the pound sterling symbol. However, through the work of the Business Advisory Group, we are involved with business and consumer groups to discuss how the changeover to the single currency could be made with minimum confusion, were the United Kingdom to join the single currency.

  Interest Rates
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the changes in interest rates since 1 May. [16607]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  I increased interest rates by ¼ point in May. On 6 May I gave the operational responsibility for setting interest rates to the newly formed
  659
  Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of England. Since then, the Committee has raised rates by a further 1 percentage point in four equal stages.

  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact of interest rate rises since 1 May on average personal disposable income. [16610]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  Interest rates are set by the Bank of England in order to achieve the Government's inflation target, taking account of all relevant economic indicators.

  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on trends in interest rates since 1 May; and what is his policy on interest rate levels. [16613]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  Since May, interest rates have been increased by 1¼ per cent. to 7¼ per cent. In the new framework for monetary policy, the Bank of England has the operational responsibility for setting interest rates to meet the Government's inflation target.

  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about his responsibility for interest rate levels. [16615]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  In the new framework for monetary policy the responsibilities are absolutely clear. The Government's role is to set the economic objectives and, in particular, the inflation target. The Bank of England's role is to take the operational decisions to meet the inflation target. The Government are satisfied that the new monetary policy arrangements will deliver long-term price stability, and prevent a return to the cycle of boom and bust.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what forecasts he has evaluated on the prospects for long-term interest rates. [16617]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  Long-term interest rates have fallen in recent months, partly reflecting the fall in inflation expectations that arose as a result of the introduction of the new monetary policy framework.

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received on the effect of EMU going ahead in Europe on interest rates in the United Kingdom. [16621]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  I have received many representations on economic and monetary union and my statement on 27 October 1997,Official Report, columns 583–604, has been widely welcomed in this country and in the rest of Europe. Official interest rates in the UK are set in order to achieve our inflation target.

  Welfare to Work
  Mr Barry Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received about his welfare to work strategy. [16608]

  Mr. Fitzpatrick
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with industry about his welfare to work strategy. [16619]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  The participation of employers is crucial to the success of the welfare to work initiative. Since I launched the New Deal for unemployed people at 660
  a business breakfast at No. 11, the Government have had extensive contacts with a wide range of employers— nationally and locally—in small firms and large—and in every sector of the economy and every region of the country.

  The response and good will have been extremely encouraging. Sainsburys, Tesco, BT, Lloyds Bank, Ford, Rover, Marks and Spencer, Unipart, WH Smith—and many others—are coming up with ways that they can help the New Deal.

  They realise that helping the unemployed people move from welfare to work is in the interest of business as well as the unemployed people themselves. It is only by helping to improve skills and employability, that we can address the long-standing weaknesses of our economy and allow businesses to thrive.

  Financial Services Authority
  Miss Mcintosh
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he made of financial regulation in other countries when drawing up his proposals for the new Financial Services Authority. [16609]

  Mr. Darling
  The Government are aware of the approaches to regulation taken in other countries but are working to develop the best solution for the United Kingdom. Our plan is for a modernised and harmonised system of financial regulation based around a single regulator, the Financial Services Authority. The reforms will make the United Kingdom a world leader in financial regulation.

  Inflation
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the effect of higher than planned inflation on the real value of public expenditure plans in(a) the current and (b) the next financial year. [16614]

  Mr. Darling
  Public expenditure planning is carried out on a cash basis. The plans announced in July for the Control Total will be adhered to. Departments need to keep a tight grip on their pay and other costs in order to provide the best possible services to the public.

  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the operation of his inflation target regime. [16623]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  I am satisfied that the new monetary policy arrangements will deliver long-term price stability, and prevent a return to the cycle of boom and bust.

  Charities
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures he proposes in respect of the tax treatment of charities. [16620]

  Dawn Primarolo
  A review of Charities' Taxation was announced in the Budget. A public consultation document is due to be published in spring 1998, and a consultation process will follow. It is too early to say what the outcome of the review will be.

  Dividend Tax Credits
  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact on those shareholders who have no liability for income tax of his decision to end their eligibility for dividend tax credits from April 1999. [16622]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  All relevant factors were considered when deciding whether shareholders should continue to receive payment of tax credits on their dividend income, including the position of those individual shareholders who are not liable to tax. Given that pension providers and most UK companies are no longer entitled to payment of tax credits on dividends paid on or after 2 July, it would not have been sensible to leave part of the incentive for companies to distribute profits through a payable tax credit to other investors. Nevertheless, tax credits will continue to be paid to non-liable individual shareholders until 1999, when they will have the opportunity to switch into Individual Savings Accounts, which will provide a tax-favoured environment for savings.

  Fiscal Policy
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what new fiscal measures he is taking to assist business. [16624]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  The Government are committed to a tax system that encourages employment opportunities and work incentives for all; promotes savings and investment; is fair and is seen to be fair. This is good for the UK and for UK business. The level of taxation on business in the UK is the lowest of any major EU economy and lower than the OECD average.

  The Pre-Budget Report presented to Parliament on Tuesday launched a pre-Budget debate on the policies needed to deliver high and stable levels of growth and employment. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor announced further reform of corporation tax including another 1p cut in the main corporation tax rate and the abolition of advance corporation tax in 1999 together with a move to quarterly payments by larger companies. The spring Budget will include measures to reform capital gains tax to promote long-term investment.

  International Trading (Internet)
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of potential losses of tax revenues due to international trading on the Internet. [16612]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Government are examining the tax implications of international trading on the Internet in close consultation with other Governments, at OECD and in other forums, and with the business community. The Government's objective, shared with our trading partners, is to ensure that tax revenues are protected without inhibiting the growth of trading on the Internet.

  Insurance Industry
  Mr. Caplin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will assess the advantages of establishing a single professional body for the insurance industry under his review of financial services regulation. [17941]
  662
  Mrs. Liddell
  Our planned reforms will create a single statutory regulator for the financial services industry. We have no plans to set up other bodies in this area.

  Departmental Payments
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he proposes to publish the league table of Departments' payment performance. [18471]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  Departments' performances in paying invoices within the agreed credit terms, or 30 days where no such terms exist, for the period 1 June 1996 to 31 March 1997 are contained in the following table:

  Government Departments' (including agencies) payment performance 1996–97

  Departments

  1995–96 Percentage

  1996–97 Percentage

  National Investment and Loans Office

  100.0

  100.0

  Privy Council Office

  0.0

  100.0

  Office of Electricity Regulation

  99.6

  99.9

  Defence, Ministry of

  99.9

  99.4

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office

  93.3

  99.0

  Land Registry

  0.0

  99.0

  Office of the National Lottery

  89.0

  98.0

  Office of Fair Trading

  96.0

  98.0

  Office of Water Services

  1—

  98.0

  Ordnance Survey

  91.0

  98.0

  Trade and Industry, Department for

  93.0

  97.9

  National Savings Department

  99.2

  97.6

  Office of the Rail Regulator

  98.7

  97.4

  Exports Credit Guarantee Department

  0.0

  97.3

  Government Actuary's Department

  0.0

  97.0

  Serious Fraud Office

  92.0

  96.9

  Health and Safety Executive

  93.8

  96.8

  Crown Prosecution Service

  94.3

  96.7

  Welsh Office

  95.0

  96.7

  Office of Telecommunications

  94.0

  96.0

  Registry of Friendly Societies Commission

  96.0

  95.9

  Public Record Office

  0.0

  95.8

  HM Treasury

  86.0

  95.6

  Office of Passenger Rail Franchising

  97.4

  95.4

  Treasury Solicitors Department including Law Office Department

  0.0

  95.3

  Inland Revenue

  92.3

  95.2

  Northern Ireland Departments

  96.6

  95.2

  Forestry Commission

  86.0

  95.0

  Office of Gas Supply

  99.8

  95.0

  Social Security, Department of

  96.0

  95.0

  Office for Standards in Education

  0.0

  94.0

  Royal Mint

  0.0

  93.0

  Home Office

  91.0

  92.9

  Health, Department of

  95.2

  92.6

  International Development, Department for

  90.0

  92.4

  Education and Employment, Department for

  —

  92.2

  Education

  75.2

  —

  Employment

  97.8

  —

  Department of the Environment, Transport and Regions:

  Environment

  92.0

  92.2

  Transport

  90.3

  91.4

  Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  83.0

  91.8

  Crown Office, Scotland (including Lord Advocates Department)

  0.0

  91.5

  Culture, Media and Sport, Department for

  91.0

  91.1

  Charity Commission

  88.8

  90.6

  Lord Chancellor's Department including Public Trustee Office

  93.9

  90.6

  National Statistics, Office for

  88.0

  88.7

  Intervention Board for Agricultural Produce

  0.0

  88.6

  663

  Departments

  1995–96 Percentage

  1996–97 Percentage

  Cabinet Office (including Office of Public Services)

  84.0

  88.4

  Customs and Excise

  94.0

  86.0

  Scottish Office

  94.0

  83.6

  1 Under Department of the Environment. The figures for 1995–96 and 1996–97 are not directly comparable due to differences in the method of calculation.

  The figures for 1996–97 cover a 9 month period from 1 June 1996, from the introduction of the revised method of calculation.

  The figures for 1996–97 overlap those in the interim table published on 17 December 1996. This table covers a 9 month period to allow closer comparison to future full year tables.

  Questions on individual department's results should be addressed to the relevant department.

  Tax Law Rewrite Project
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the current progress on the Tax Law Rewrite Project. [18472]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Tax Law Rewrite project aims to bring clarity to our direct tax legislation, making the tax system more accessible to taxpayers and their advisers. The project is continuing to make good progress, and the publication today of a Technical Discussion Document testing how well the rewrite techniques work on complex legislation is a further step towards a clearer and more user friendly tax system. Copies of the document have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

  I am keen that anyone with an interest takes this opportunity to comment on the rewrite techniques being used. Consultation with all those involved in taxation is the key to successfully producing a clear and logical structure for tax legislation.

  Cattle Slaughter Scheme
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment the Inland Revenue has made of the impact on herd valuation of(a) the reduction in payment rates and (b) the introduction of a maximum weight limit for all cull cows through the over 30 months scheme. [18064]

  Dawn Primarolo
  None. The Inland Revenue has no business need to assess this and has not done so.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Cold Weather Payments
  Ms Abbott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate she has made of the additional costs which would arise from the use of wind-chill factor on cold weather payments if payments in respect of properties not affected by wind-chill remained the same. [14940]

  Mr. Denham
  This option was among a number which have been considered. Full details are contained in the Building Research Establishment's report, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Lone Parents
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many of the lone parents who received initial letters as part of the New Deal pilots were in receipt of income support three months later. [14736]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  [holding answer 7 November 1997]: The New Deal for Lone Parents will fulfil the Government's commitment to help lone parents to get off benefit and into work. The programme is currently running in eight areas in England, Scotland and Wales. The New Deal for lone parents will be rolled out nationally from October next year.

  The programme was launched on 21 July. In the period to the 10 August, 2,672 lone parents had been invited to participate in the programme. Of these, at the 10 November, 2,421 were in receipt of income support.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will set out, in respect of the calculation that lone parents are on average –50 per week better off in work than on benefit,(a) the sample size, (b) the proportion of lone parents in the sample with zero child care costs, (c) the proportion with positive receipt of child maintenance, (d) their average ages and (e) their average travel-to-work costs. [18053]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The average £50 a week "better off figure refers to the additional income in work lone parents currently on Family Credit are likely to receive over and above the corresponding estimate of their out of work incomes.

  The figure is based on the 1994 PS1 survey of lone parents, updated to take into account recent benefit changes.

  The sample size was 375, of which 79 per cent. were not paying for child care. 37.5 per cent. received child maintenance and their average age was 35. The average travel-to-work costs were £4.93 per week.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security for how many of the 433 lone parents who were helped to obtain jobs by the New Deal pilot scheme she currently has information on the amount by which they were better off in work; and what was the average gain for these people. [18097]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  Up to the end of October, 542 lone parents had been helped into work in the first eight areas of the New Deal for Lone Parents. Lone parents can ask for in-work "better off calculations obtained by New Deal Advisers from the Integrated Benefit Information System (IBIS). This system provides estimates of the likely entitlements to in-work benefits such as Family Credit, but we do not know the amount by which they are actually better off in work. The evaluation of the programme includes a quantitative survey of a sample of participants in all eight areas of the scheme which will collect systematic information from lone parents on how much better off they will actually be in work.

  Research has shown that most lone parents want to work and the New Deal will provide the opportunities to do so. The advantages of work for lone parents are in terms of not only financial gain but improving self-esteem for the parent and providing a more positive role model for the children.

  Industrial Disablement Benefit
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much was recouped from accident victims' compensation in respect of industrial disablement benefit in each of the last three years. [16396]

  Mr. Denham
  Reform of the Compensation Recovery scheme took place on 6 October. The compensator is now liable for the repayment of benefits paid as a consequence of an accident, injury or disease. The reforms also mean that compensation for pain and suffering will be paid to the victim in full.

  The administration of the Compensation Recovery Unit is a matter for Peter Mathison, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Andrew Dismore, dated 26 November 1997:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how much was recouped from accident victims' compensation in respect of Industrial Disablement benefit in each of the last three years.
  The information is not available in the format requested. The overall amount of Industrial Injuries Disablement benefit recouped from both accident and disease victims, in the last three financial years, is given in the table below:

  Financial year

  Amount recovered £million

  1994–95

  12.5

  1995–96

  16.4

  1996–97

  28.9

  Figures are provisional and subject to change.

  In the first half of the current financial year £9.4. million has been recovered.

  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate she has made of the number of families who would receive mobility component disability 666
  living allowance if children under the age of five years were assessed and their mobility needs in the same way as DLA care component recipients. [17235]

  Mr. Denham
  The information is not available in the format requested.

  If the current entitlement conditions for receipt of the mobility component were to be extended to children under the age of five an estimated 40,000 children might benefit.

  Notes:

  The figure is highly speculative.

  Source:

  Department of Social Security Analytical Services Division.

  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many persons who receive DLA mobility component are aged between 65 and 80 years. [17236]

  Mr. Denham
  As at 31 August 1997, there were 370,000 people aged between 65 and 80 receiving the mobility component of disability living allowance.

  Disability living allowance is available for people who become disabled before the age of 65. Once awarded there are no upper age limits and benefit continues for as long as the disabled person continues to satisfy the conditions of entitlement.

  Notes:

  Ages go from 65 to 80 inclusive.

  Source:

  Department of Social Security Analytical Services Division— 5 per cent. data.

  Benefit Fraud
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security by what methods she monitors the efficiency of cross-agency working to combat social security and child maintenance fraud. [17237]

  Mr. Denham
  The efficiency and effectiveness of cross-Benefits Agency/Child Support Agency working are monitored in a variety of ways and at a number of levels. These include quarterly meetings of senior officials of both agencies, regular meetings of operational and headquarters staff, and the recording and analysis of management information.

  Sierra Leone
  Sierra Leone
  Republic of Congo: Angolan Intervention
  Republic of Congo: Angolan Intervention
  Israeli Bombing of Iraqi Civil Nuclear Facility, 1981
  Israeli Bombing of Iraqi Civil Nuclear Facility, 1981
  Iraq: Security Council Resolutions
  Iraq: Security Council Resolutions
  UNSCOM Teams Operating in Iraq
  UNSCOM Teams Operating in Iraq
  Weapons of Mass Destruction in the Middle East
  Weapons of Mass Destruction in the Middle East
  Weapons of Mass Destruction, Israel
  Weapons of Mass Destruction, Israel
  R v Gloucestershire County Council ex parte Barry
  R v Gloucestershire County Council ex parte Barry
  Scotland: Openness in Local Government
  Scotland: Openness in Local Government
  Scotland: Local Government
  Scotland: Local Government
  Government Information Service
  Government Information Service
  Royal Naval Division Memorial, Greenwich
  Royal Naval Division Memorial, Greenwich
  Drink Drive Controls
  Drink Drive Controls
  Waste-derived Compost
  Waste-derived Compost
  Water Quality
  Water Quality
  Access to Work Scheme
  Access to Work Scheme
  Coercive Population Policies
  Coercive Population Policies
  Forced Abortions: US Policy
  Forced Abortions: US Policy
  Sudan
  Sudan
  Hull Resettlement Project: General Manager
  Hull Resettlement Project: General Manager
  Organophosphate Pesticide Exposure: Dr. Davies' Report
  Organophosphate Pesticide Exposure: Dr. Davies' Report
  Male Homosexuality
  Male Homosexuality
  Unaccompanied Minors Detained at Campsfield House
  Unaccompanied Minors Detained at Campsfield House
  Polish Citizens: Entry to UK
  Polish Citizens: Entry to UK
  Religious Discrimination
  Religious Discrimination
  Fire Safety Legislation: Consultation
  Fire Safety Legislation: Consultation