Written Answers of 28 November 1997

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Crown Prosecution Service
  Mr. Bermingham
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will make a statement about his proposals to restructure the Crown Prosecution Service. [18857]

  The Attorney-General
  My written answer on 21 May 1997,Official Report, columns 73–74, to my hon. Friend the Member for Salford (Ms Blears) outlined the plans drawn up at my request by the Director of Public Prosecutions with a view to dividing England and Wales into 42 Areas, each having its own Chief Crown Prosecutor designated by 1 April 1998. These plans included establishing selection boards to advise the DPP in appointing CCPs. In order to facilitate speedy progress, this exercise was taken forward concurrently with the work of the independent Review of the Crown Prosecution Service which the Government had also decided to establish. The planning of the move to 42 Areas was to be informed by any views expressed by the Review Team led by Sir Iain Glidewell.

  The selection boards have now been held but no appointments will be made as a result of this. This follows unanimous advice from the Review Team to me and the DPP to the effect that such appointments would be premature. They consider it essential that the eventual selection of Chief Crown Prosecutors should take full account of important recommendations they will wish to make about the character and responsibilities of those posts as well as the service as a whole. They have also made it clear that their eventual recommendations will maximise the opportunity to build on the move to 42 Areas and provide an improved infrastructure more suitable to a truly locally based service within a national framework. Consideration has been given to deferring appointments rather than abandoning the competition. This would have meant on any view a delay of at least five months. After consulting widely I concluded that such a period of uncertainty would be unacceptable.

  This decision has inevitable consequences for the overall programme and the move to 42 operational Areas cannot now take effect until 1 December 1998 at the earliest. The precise time scale will be dependent on the full recommendations of the Review Team which I now expect to receive early next year and the Government response to them. No further steps towards appointments will be taken pending receipt of that report and its consideration. I regret the further period of uncertainty which this decision creates for the candidates concerned and all CPS staff. I am, however, convinced that it is in the best overall and long-term interests of the Service to proceed in this way.

CABINET OFFICE

  Food Standards Agency
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will list his responsibilities with respect to the Food Standards Agency. [17964]

  Mr. Mandelson
  I am a member of the Ministerial Committee on Food Safety, the Cabinet Sub-Committee in which collective discussion of issues arising from the establishment of a Food Standards Agency takes place.

  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will make a statement on his policy with respect to the dietary remit of the proposed Food Standards Agency. [17966]

  Mr. Mandelson
  As my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food said in the House on 17 November 1997,Official Report, column 22, the Government's White Paper on food standards will be published as soon as possible.

  Food Industry
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will list the meetings he has held with food industry representatives since 1 May. [17965]

  Mr. Mandelson
  I have held no such meetings, nor have I received any representations from the food industry.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many public appointments he has made since 1 May; and how many and what percentage of these(a) receive remuneration and (b) are of (i) Afro-Caribbean and (ii) Asian origin. [16778]

  Mr. Morley
  My right hon. Friend has made 211 public appointments since 1 May. Of these:

  (a) 46 (21 per cent.) receive remuneration (salary or fees);

  (b) The information about ethnic origin cannot be provided since to do so would risk identifying individuals without their consent. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has provided information for all departments in an aggregated form.

  Sea Defences (Waveney)
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which areas of coastline in the Waveney constituency the Environment Agency has assessed as most vulnerable to breaches of sea defence. [17598]

  Mr. Morley
  Environment Agency long-term plans indicate a potential need for improved capital defence works at Southwold, Easton Broad and Kessingland to Benacre within the Waveney constituency. Schemes will be promoted if it is technically sound, environmentally acceptable and economically viable to do so, and timing will depend on the Agency's assessment of priorities. In the meanwhile, the Agency will be responsible for maintaining existing defences.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many public appointments he has made since 1 May; and how many and what percentage of these(a) receive remuneration and (b) are of (i) Afro-Caribbean and (ii) Asian origin. [16772]

  Dr. David Clark
  I have made 33 appointments since the 1 May to bodies listed in the Cabinet Office publication "Public Bodies". One (3 per cent.) receives remuneration.

  I have agreed to provide information about ethnic origin for all Departments in an aggregated form. For individual Departments to give the number of appointments they have made to people of ethnic origin would risk identifying individuals without their consent. The number of public appointments made since 1 May of people of (i) Afro-Caribbean origin is 18 and the number of public appointments made of people of (ii) Asian origin is 49.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Crime Control
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the estimated cost to local authorities of their enhanced role in tackling crime, as set out in the consultation paper "Getting to Grips with Crime". [17961]

  Mr. Michael
  We do not expect these proposals to have any significant net cost to local authorities. They are not about requiring local authorities or the police to deliver a new service; rather, they will simply require them to put crime prevention and community safety issues at the heart of delivery of existing services, where they have always belonged. Furthermore, effective and well-targeted crime-prevention strategies should generate significant savings for local authorities and the police, through reduced crime levels.

  Prison Service
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the key changes made in the strategic aims for the Prison Service in the 1997–98 Business Plan of the Prison Service from those set out in the previous corporate plan, indicating the reasons for each change. [16537]

  Ms Quin
  The previous Corporate Plan set out six strategic aims for 1996–99. The present Business Plan continues those aims for this year, 1997–98, with only minor amendments to three aims. The text of these are as follows, with the changes underlined:Strategic Aim 1
  Previous Corporate Plan: "To achieve unit cost reductions of 10.2 per cent.; and to contain capital spending by encouraging greater private sector involvement; while maintaining the balance between security, control, purposeful regimes and support for staff".
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  Current Business Plan: "To achieve unit cost reductions of 5.3 per cent. in real terms over 1997–2000: and to contain capital spending by encouraging private sector involvement where appropriate: while maintaining the balance between security, control, purposeful regimes, and support for staff.
  The reasons for these changes are first to reflect the new targets for unit cost reduction set by the 1996 Public Expenditure Settlement, and secondly to emphasise that private sector involvement should be sought not as an end in itself, but only where it is appropriate.
  Strategic Aim 2
  Previous Corporate Plan: "To sustain a balanced step improvement in performance on escapes, building on what we achieved in 1995–96; in particular, to complete the programme of work to enhance security for Category A and high profile Category B prisoners, and to achieve a significant reduction in escapes from escort".
  Current Business Plan: "To sustain the reduction in the escape rate already achieved: and, in particular, to complete the programme of work to enhance security for Category A and high profile Category B prisoners, and to achieve a significant further reduction in escapes from escort".
  The reason for the change is that it would be odd to continue to refer back to 1995–96, particularly where there had been further improvement in performance since then.
  Strategic Aim 5
  Previous Corporate Plan: "To meet basic health care needs of the population, and to target particularly the transfer of mentally ill prisoners to hospital".
  Current Business Plan: "To maintain the primary (general practitioner level) health care needs of the population, referring prisoners to National Health Service specialists for treatment as appropriate and to target particularly the transfer of mentally ill prisoners to hospital".
  As the Business Plan states, the reason for the change was to describe policy more accurately.
  Strategic aims 3, 4 and 6 remain unchanged as follows:
  Strategic Aim 3
  To maintain control and a safe environment for staff and prisoners in the face of cost reductions and operational pressures; specifically, to carry through work on incentives, the drugs strategy and prevention of suicide.
  Strategic Aim 4
  To maintain balanced regimes which support control and include affordable, effective activities to reduce the risk of re-offending.
  Strategic Aim 6
  To strengthen effectiveness of staff at all levels and specifically to increase the effectiveness of financial controls and systems.

  Copies of the Prison Service's Business Plan are in the Library.

  New Prisons
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list all new prison projects currently being assessed by his Department indicating the progress to date in the development of each establishment; and if he will make a statement. [18095]

  Ms Quin
  At present, the Prison Service is actively considering four possible sites for the construction of new prisons. These are at: Ashworth (Maghull); Belmarsh (Woolwich); Winwick (near Warrington); and Peterborough. In the case of the latter, the Service's planning application was refused by Peterborough City Council on 19 November. Formal planning applications have yet to be prepared for the other three sites.

PRIME MINISTER

  Industrialists (Meetings)
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Prime Minister how many industrialists have been invited to hold one-to-one meetings with the Prime Minister at No. 10 Downing Street since 2 May to discuss the situation of their business. [18136]

  The Prime Minister
  I have nothing further to add to the reply I gave to the right hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire (Sir B. Mawhinney) on 25 November 1997,Official Report, column 459.

  Child Care
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Prime Minister what steps Her Majesty's Government have taken since 1 May to develop a comprehensive child care strategy. [18274]

  The Prime Minister
  The Government made a manifesto commitment to produce a national child care strategy which will help parents, especially women, to balance family and working life. Since 1 May, important steps have been taken across a number of Departments to carry forward this commitment, including this week's major announcement by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer of a £300 million investment in out-of-school child care over the next five years.

  This initiative is intended to deliver an out-of-school club in every community across the UK. We have already announced in the Budget that the disregard for child care costs in Family Credit, Disability Working Allowance, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit will be increased from a maximum of £60 to £100 a week from June 1998, as well as a £4 billion new deal package, including provision of work experience and training for young unemployed people who wish to work in child care and help for lone parents wanting to go back to work.

  My right hon. Friend the Chancellor announced this week that, to ensure that work pays for families with children, we will consider a working families tax credit, building on successful elements of family credit and involving better help through the tax system for child care costs.

  We are currently working on a range of features of a national child care strategy and will be publishing proposals in the Spring.

  British Film Industry
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to his answer of 24 November 1997,Official Report, column 409, to the right hon. Member for Wells (Mr. Heathcoat Amory), if he will list the representatives of the British film industry with whom he has had discussions. [18331]

  The Prime Minister
  I have nothing further to add to the reply I gave to the right hon. Member for Wells on 24 November 1997,Official Report, column 409.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Royal Family
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will release for public scrutiny File F0372/7708 relating to the Duke of Edinburgh's visit to Argentina in 1962. [16991]

  Mr. Hoon
  One extract from this item was previously unavailable because it was closed for 100 years. It has now been opened, and is available in the Public Record Office.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will review those documents relating to the Royal Family which came up for review before the publication of the White Paper on Open Government of 1993 (Cm 2290) with a view to their release under the current criteria relating to such documents. [17000]

  Mr. Hoon
  The 1993 White Paper, "Open Government", (Cm 2290) stated that records relating to the Royal Family would be treated in the same way as all other records and only closed for longer than 30 years if they fell into one or more of the three criteria governing closure (para. 9.22). It also stated (para. 9.28) that all departments would, as resources could be made available, review all material currently withheld for longer than 30 years to see whether its sensitivity had passed and to release it, if possible. One such release, relating to the Royal Family, is referred to in a later Answer. Questions of access to closed records are a matter for the Ministers of the Departments concerned.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will review the papers held, relating to the abdication of Edward VIII, with a view to releasing them for public scrutiny. [16998]

  Mr. Hoon
  Papers on the Abdication of King Edward VIII are at present closed until the year 2037. They may, however, be reviewed under the provisions of the 1993 White Paper, "Open Government", (Cm 2290), before that time. Many will continue to be personally sensitive for some time to come, but it is not ruled out that it may be possible to release them before 2037.

  Whaling
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department for what reasons papers relating to International Whaling Agreement 1939 (FO 371/23661) are closed to the public; and if he will review their status. [16997]

  Mr. Hoon
  The previously retained extracts from this item have now been transferred, and are available in the Public Record Office.

  British Council
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will bring records held by the British Council under the terms of the Public Records Act 1967. [16999]

  Mr. Hoon
  No. The British Council, as a Body operating under a Charter, independently of government, is not appropriate to be brought under the Public Records
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  Act. However the Council has, since 1977, made arrangements for making available in the Public Record Office those of its records which can be made available after 30 years.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many public appointments the Lord Chancellor has made since 1 May; and how many and what percentage of these(a) receive remuneration and (b) are of (i) Afro-Caribbean and (ii) Asian origin. [16771]

  Mr. Hoon
  One hundred and thirty five non-judicial appointments have been made to the Lord Chancellor's non-departmental public bodies since 1 May. Of these, six (i.e 4.4 per cent.) receive remuneration for their work on the NDPB.

  The information about ethnic origin cannot be provided since to do so would risk identifying individuals without their consent. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has provided information for all departments in an aggregated form.

  Court Service Costs
  Mr. Hill
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he expects to publish the study undertaken by the Court Service to analyse the economic cost of activities relating to existing charging points. [18171]

  Mr. Hoon
  The question concerns a matter which has been assigned to the Court Service under the terms of its framework document. I have therefore asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from M. D. Huebner to Mr. Keith Hill, dated 28 November 1997:
  The Parliamentary Secretary has asked me to reply to your Question about the publication of a study of the economic cost of activities relating to existing charging points.
  The Court Service has not yet made such a study. However, we will undertake an analysis of the economic costs of charging points as part of the revision of the fees structure for the civil courts, which will be necessary in the context of the implementation of the civil justice reforms in April 1999.

TREASURY

  Duty Free Trade
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals he has to seek a material damage derogation from the European Commission to permit the cross-channel duty-free trade to continue in perpetuity. [18061]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 27 November 1997]: None. The decision to allow intra-EU duty free sales to continue until 30 June 1999 was taken by the Council of Finance Ministers in 1991 so as to give all the economic sectors concerned time in which to adapt gradually to the new situation.

  Amsterdam Treaty
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures to strengthen customs co-operation will be agreed to take account of the Treaty of Amsterdam. [17075]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 24 November 1997]: Article 116 of the Amsterdam Treaty is designed to provide a clear and specific legal basis for strengthened customs co-operation between member states on matters which already fall within Community competence, for example, in relation to administrative co-operation on customs duty issues. A variety of measures in this area have already been agreed under Article 100a of the Treaty of Rome. The new Article makes it clear that customs co-operation in relation to criminal matters, such as drug smuggling, remains a matter for the inter-governmental third pillar.

  Museums (VAT)
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will calculate the rates of value added tax which would be payable for a museum which has(a) no admission charge, (b) a charge set at zero pence, (c) a one penny charge and (d) a £5 charge. [17580]

  Dawn Primarolo
  In the first two cases no VAT would be chargeable.

  In the other two cases the VAT rat e would be 171/2 per cent.

  EU Budget Council
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Budget Council. [18812]

  Mrs. Liddell
  I attended a meeting of the Budget Council yesterday to consider the Council's second reading of the 1998 EC draft budget. As a result, the level of payments in the draft budget has been reduced by approximately 1,1000 million ecu from the European Parliament's first reading. This represents an increase of approximately 1.4 per cent. over the 1997 EC budget, compared with 2.7 per cent. following the Parliament's first reading. The draft budget as amended will now be transmitted to the European Parliament, which will adopt the final budget for 1998 at its second reading in December.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Sickness and Incapacity Benefit
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average duration per claimant of receipt of(a) statutory sick pay, (b) the lower rate of short-term incapacity benefit, (c) the higher rate of short-term incapacity benefit and (d) the long-term rate of incapacity benefit. [18281]

  Mr. Denham
  The Department does not routinely collect information on the duration of claims to Statutory Sick Pay. However, information produced by the
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  Association of British Insurers suggests that the average duration of a claim to Statutory Sick Pay is around three weeks.

  The other information requested is in the table.

  Average duration of claim

  Incapacity Benefit short term lower rate

  13 weeks

  Incapacity Benefit short term higher rate

  18 weeks

  Incapacity Benefit long term rate

  5.26 years

  Source:

  DSS 1 per cent. sample of recipients in Great Britain.

  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Gravesham on 29 July,Official Report, column 248, if she will publish those statistics on which the calculation of an approximate £120 million cost of extending statutory sick pay to employees earning below the lower earnings limit was made. [18293]

  Mr. Denham
  The Government Actuary Department's best estimates of current weekly Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) beneficiaries are 305,000. The 1996–97 Office of National Statistics Labour Force Survey estimated the total number of employees earning above the lower earnings limit to be 19.6 million, and the number below this limit to be 2.6 million.

  A rate of sickness of 1.6 per cent. derived from the SSP caseload estimate is applied to the total employees below the lower earning limit and multiplied by the 1996–97 rate of SSP of £54.55, multiplied by 52 weeks to give an annual total of £120 million.

  Note: Figures are approximate and are subject to some margin of error.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement on her plans for the future benefit status of people awarded disability living allowance for life. [18223]

  Mr. Denham
  For those benefits where an award is made for life the individual is considered likely to continue to satisfy the relevant qualifying conditions. If evidence of change becomes available such an award will be reviewed in the normal way.

  Jobseeker's Allowance
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will estimate the annual number of new claims for jobseeker's allowance where the claimant had been in class one employment but contribution conditions were not satisfied; how many of these received(a) income-related jobseeker's allowance and (b) credits only; and how many of each group failed to meet contribution conditions because their earnings were below the lower earnings limit. [18282]

  Mr. Bradley
  The information is not available in the format requested, as the Benefits Agency Management Information Statistics can only provide information on the numbers of claims allowed and disallowed on an annual basis. However, the Jobseeker's Allowance Quarterly 676
  Statistical Inquiry shows a snap-shot of the stock of claims by benefit reason. Such information as is available is as follows.
  In February 1997, 1,473,000 claimants were not in receipt of contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance. Of these, 986,000 did not qualify because of a contribution deficiency, of whom 940,000 claimants were in receipt of income-based Jobseeker's Allowance and 46,000 claimants were receiving credits only.
  It is not known how many of these claimants had been in Class 1 employment, or had earnings below the lower earning limit.

  Notes:

  1. Figures rounded to the nearest thousand.

  2. Sample size 5 per cent.

  Source:

  Jobseeker's Allowance Quarterly Statistical Enquiry—February 1997.

SCOTLAND

  Prisoner Transfers
  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 17 November 1997,Official Report, column 76, if Jason Campbell's application for transfer made to the local management at Her Majesty's Prison Shotts on 10 September was notified to the Northern Ireland Office before it was sent to the Scottish Prison Service Headquarters on 25 September. [17459]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 24 November 1997]: As a result of inquiries made to SPS officials, the Northern Ireland Prison Service was aware that an application had been made to local management at HM Prison Shotts but had not been sent to SPS Headquarters for consideration.

  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 17 November 1997,Official Report, column 76, (1) to what extent the priority accorded to the wider peace process in the transfer of Jason Campbell is consistent with the terms of the Home Office memorandum on inter-jurisdictional transfers dated 27 October; [17457]

  (2) if the transfers of prisoners (a) from Scotland to Northern Ireland and (b) from England to Northern Ireland complied with the terms of paragraph 5 of the Home Office memorandum on inter-jurisdictional transfers dated 27 October. [17458]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 24 November 1997]: Jason Campbell's application for transfer was considered under section 27 of the Criminal Justice Act 1961, the legislation in force at the time. This was repealed by Schedule 6 of the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997, which came into force on 1 October. The policy statement to which the question refers relates to the procedures introduced by the Crime (Scotland) Act 1997. No prisoners have yet been transferred from Scotland to Northern Ireland under those procedures. Transfers from England to Northern Ireland are a matter for my right hon. Friends the Home Secretary and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to compensate local authorities in Scotland in respect of the abolition of tax credits for pension funds dividends. [17233]

  Mr. Chisholm
  [holding answer 25 November 1997]: My right hon. Friend will announce the 1997–98 Local Government Finance settlement in due course.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Post Office Facilities
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on Government policy concerning the provision of Post Office facilities within retail multiples, chains and franchises; and what changes there have been in this aspect of Government policy in the last 12 months. [17886]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  Decisions on the location and nature of post office facility provision are the operational responsibility of the Post Office. The Government are committed to the maintenance of a nationwide network of post offices and, in response to widespread concern about the Post Office programme of converting Crown post offices to agency status, in May asked the Post Office Chairman to suspend this programme until the review of the Post Office is complete and we are in a position to make informed decisions.

  Disability Discrimination Act
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what training is given to chairmen and members of industrial tribunals and the Employment Appeals Tribunal on the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. [18329]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  Training on the Disability Discrimination Act is a regular feature on the national refresher course for chairmen of industrial tribunals, and has been delivered to all the experienced chairmen who will be dealing with these cases. Training on the Act is also a part of the national programme of training for members of industrial tribunals.

  The President of the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) is planning a seminar on the Act for February for all lay members of EAT.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps the Employment Tribunal Service has taken to ensure that regional Employment Tribunal offices comply with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. [18328]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  Since the introduction of the Disability Discrimination Act, the Employment Tribunals Service (ETS) has reviewed all its premises and taken steps to comply with the Act by making alterations where necessary.

  All ETS leaflets are available in Braille, audio tape, disc and large print. The national Inquiry Line is equipped with a minicom textphone and is answered by RNID-trained staff. In addition, each office has a
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  Customer Services Officer, trained by the RNID and the RNIB, who will inform the Chairman of a tribunal if a person with special needs is attending a hearing.

  Tobacco Sponsorship
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate she has made of the impact on employment of the removal of tobacco sponsorship from(a) darts and (b) snooker. [16938]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 20 November 1997]: We have always made it clear that we are pursuing twin objectives of reducing smoking and of safeguarding sport from any effects arising from the loss of tobacco sponsorship. We are therefore looking very carefully at how best to achieve an end to the advertising and promotion of tobacco at sports events in a way which will minimise any damage to the sports concerned. Discussions are under way within Government on how best to achieve this. Plans for the removal of tobacco sponsorship include a transitional period to allow darts and snooker to find alternative sponsors. The Government will publish a White Paper next year setting out measures to tackle tobacco consumption.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many public appointments he has made since 1 May; and how many and what percentages of these(a) receive remuneration and (b) are of (i) Afro-Caribbean and (ii) Asian origin. [16781]

  Mr. Fatchett
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has made or approved six public appointments since 1 May: Director General of the British Council (paid), Director General of the Commonwealth Institute (paid), and four members of the Board of Governors of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (unpaid).

  The information about ethnic origin cannot be provided since to do so would risk identifying individuals without their consent. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has provided information for all Departments in an aggregated form.

  NATO Expansion
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimates of the cost of NATO expansion he plans to provide to the House. [18030]

  Mr. Fatchett
  NATO is currently conducting an assessment of the military and financial implications of enlargement. This will be the most authoritative study of the issue to date. Once this has been completed and considered by NATO Ministers in December we will publish as much information as possible as soon as we can.

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library a copy of NATO's cost study on enlargement after it has been approved by NATO Foreign Ministers on 16 December. [18028]
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  Mr. Fatchett
  The publication of NATO documents is a matter for NATO Member States collectively. The handling of NATO's assessments of the military and financial implications of enlargement is still under consideration at NATO.

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether NATO is keeping Russia informed of the financial implications of NATO enlargement. [18029]

  Mr. Fatchett
  No. The NATO/Russia Founding Act, which provides the basis for consultation between NATO and Russia on matters of European Security, does not provide for discussion on any aspect of NATO enlargement. Enlargement, including its financial implications, is a matter for members of the Alliance and those countries who have been invited to seek accession.

  Kaliningrad Enclave
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's policy on relations between the European Union and the Kaliningrad enclave. [17907]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  As an integral (albeit geographically separate) part of the Russian Federation, Kaliningrad enjoys no special relations with the European Union other than those established between the EU and the Russian Federation itself.

  The EU's economic and commercial relations with Russia are governed by the provisions of the Partnership and Co-operation Agreement (PCA) which was signed on 24 June 1994 and comes into force on 1 December 1997. Since 1 February 1996, the trade aspects of the PCA have been applied provisionally under the Interim Agreement. The inaugural Co-operation Council under the terms of the PCA is likely to take place during the UK presidency.

  EU Membership
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reasons he visited the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland; and what assessment he has made of the time scale for the admission to EU membership of(a) the Czech Republic, (b) Hungary, (c) Poland, (d) Slovenia, (e) Cyprus and (f) Estonia. [18031]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary visited Central Europe as part of the UK's continuing close bilateral relationship with the countries of that region (it is our fastest growing export market). He also set out our strong support for EU and NATO enlargement. Looking ahead to our EU presidency, he made it clear that we want the Luxembourg European Council to take the decisions necessary to allow accession negotiations to begin as early as possible next year.

  Negotiations will be conducted on an individual basis with each candidate. Progress will depend on each applicant's preparations for membership. So it would be misleading to set any firm deadlines for accession.

  Gibraltar
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he or his 680
  officials have had recently with their Spanish counterparts concerning (a) the status of Gibraltar in the new NATO command structure and (b) United Kingdom military access to Gibraltar; and if he will make a statement. [18032]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed this subject with the Spanish Foreign Minster most recently on 21 November in the margins of the Special Employment Summit in Luxembourg, and again on 24 November in the margins of the EU General Affairs Council. Further discussions between UK and Spanish officials took place on 27 November.

  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the UK and EU enactments that would need amendment for Gibraltarians to be enfranchised for European Parliamentary elections. [18333]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  An amendment would be required to the EC Act concerning the election of the representatives of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage, which was annexed to a Council Decision of 20 September 1976. An amendment would also be needed to the UK European Parliamentary Elections Act 1978.

  Export Licence (Range Rover)
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the approval of an export licence for the supply of an armoured Range Rover to the Office of the High Representative in Bosnia. [18540]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We recently approved the export of a light armour-plated Range Rover to the Office of the High representative (OHR) in Bosnia to help protect staff and visitors at the OHR who need to travel in the region as part of their normal duties. Given the important contribution made by the OHR to the international community's peacekeeping efforts in Bosnia, we were glad to be able to approve this export as an exception to our interpretation of the EU arms embargo on the former Yugoslavia. This decision does not affect our continued support of the EU common position on arms exports to the former Yugoslavia.

  Small Arms Report
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make available a copy of the Report of the UN Panel of Governmental Experts on Small Arms. [18541]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  A copy of the report of the UN Panel of Experts on Small Arms has been placed in the Library of the House. We endorse the panel's recommendations and urge other States to do likewise. The ready availability of small arms in several regions across the world contributes to serious problems of instability. Illicit transfers are the most common sources of supply. We strongly support the EU Programme for Preventing and Combating Illicit Trafficking in Conventional Arms and intend to take it forward vigorously during the UK presidency of the EU in the first half of 1998. As an initial
  681
  step, the Department for International Development will fund a seminar in Southern Africa to look at how we and others might assist affected countries in practical measures to combat the problems caused by illicit small arms trafficking.

  Afghanistan
  Ms Shipley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if it is his policy to maintain an arms embargo on Afghanistan in line with the EU's common position of 17 December 1996. [18275]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We remain committed to the EU arms embargo against Afghanistan which the UK interprets as covering all goods and technology entered on Part III to Schedule 1 to the Export of Goods Order 1994, as amended.

  Following consultation with this Department and the Ministry of Defence, the Department of Trade and Industry recently approved a licence for the export of bomb disposal equipment for use by the Untied Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Assistance to Afghanistan in its demining operations. The grant of this licence is for humanitarian purposes, and is consistent with the purpose of the embargo.

  Entry Clearance Applications
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when a decision will be made on the application for entry clearance by Sabreen Sarwar, in Islamabad (Ref. E4928). [18283]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We have asked our High Commission in Islamabad to provide a detailed account of the position. My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs will write to my hon. Friend within one week of receiving that account.

  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when a decision will be made on the application for entry clearance by Nisar Khan, in Islamabad (Ref. E0960). [18284]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We have asked our High Commission in Islamabad to provide a detailed account of the position. My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs will write to my hon. Friend within one week of receiving that account.

WALES

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many public appointments he has made since 1 May; and how many and what percentage of these(a) receive remuneration and (b) are of (i) Afro-Caribbean and (ii) Asian origin. [16773]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  I have made 56 appointments, singly or jointly, since 1 May. Of these appointments 19 (34 per cent.) are remunerated.
  682
  The information about ethnic origin cannot be provided since to do so would risk identifying individuals without their consent. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has provided information for all departments in an aggregated form.

  Ritalin
  Mr. John Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many children have been prescribed Ritalin in the community health area serving the Vale of Glamorgan. [17049]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The information requested is not held centrally.

  Health Authorities (Retirements and Redundancies)
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many staff in the family health and health authorities(a) took early retirement and (b) were made redundant as a result of the reorganisation of the authorities; and what have been the (i) redundancies costs, (ii) costs of enhanced pensions and (iii) transitional costs of the reorganisation. [17435]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The information that is readily available is held in a different form. In 1995–96, District Health Authorities and Family Health Services Authorities made provision of £3.3 million in respect of early retirement and redundancy costs. In 1996–97, the new health Authorities made a further provision of £1.9 million. These will have included (without distinction) costs of early retirements and dismissals on grounds of redundancy or in the interests of the efficiency of the service, but the bulk of these costs can probably be attributed to the reorganisation. Some further transitional costs may be incurred in 1997–98 and 1998–99, as health authorities were given 3 years from 1 April 1996 to reap the full savings. This was to avoid costs that too fast a transition to new staffing levels would have entailed.

  Wages
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the average wage in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [17639]

  Mr. Hain
  At April 1997, based on the New Earnings Survey, average gross weekly earnings of full-time employees in Wales were £330.

  The consultative document "An Economic Strategy for Wales" (October 1997, copy in the Library of the House) seeks views on the Government's ideas for developing a higher-skilled, higher-waged economy in Wales.

  Powered Wheelchairs
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on what date the multi-disciplinary team under the Aritficial Limb and Appliance Service in Wales commenced its work on establishing the eligibility criteria for the future provision of indoor-outdoor powered wheelchairs in Wales; on what date this work was completed; and when its proposals will be fully implemented. [17938]
  683
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The Artificial Limb and Appliance Service commenced work in January 1997 on the detailed eligibility criteria for electrically powered indoor/outdoor wheelchairs (EPIOCs). Following consultation and discussions with organisations for disabled people, wheelchair users and health service professionals, this was completed in September with the first EPIOCs issued to patients in November.

  Revenue Support Grant
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he plans to inform local authorities of their revenue support grant for 1998–99; and if he will make a statement. [17948]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  I plan to make my provisional local government revenue settlement announcement on 2 December.

  Welsh Assembly
  Mr. Rhodri Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the basis for his calculation of the cost of(a) refurbishment and (b) adaptation of the Cardiff City Hall for the purposes of housing the Welsh Assembly; and if he will place in the Library a copy of the supporting documentation on which this calculation is based. [18522]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  The full cost of bringing City Hall, Cardiff into a suitable condition for the Assembly was estimated at just over £32 million on the basis of purchase at the District Valuer's market valuation of £3.5 million. The minimum cost of adapting and equipping City Hall for a modern Assembly building would have been £8.5 million taking account of the building's grade 2* listing. Further essential repairs, refurbishment and upgrading would cost £20 million which could be spread over a period of years.

  These costings are based upon a schedule of accommodation requirements prepared by my officials covering both refurbishment and adaptation. A calculation was prepared on that basis by my professional property advisers. I have placed a copy of that schedule in the Library.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with Cardiff City Council concerning the possible use of Cardiff City Chambers for the proposed Welsh Assembly; and what estimate he has made of the costs of establishing the Assembly. [18179]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  None. Cardiff City Council was abolished on 31 March 1996.

HEALTH

  Kent Social Services (Asylum Seekers)
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what special arrangements he will make to assist Kent county council social services department with the costs incurred in respect of its statutory duties as a result of the recent influx of asylum seekers at Dover. [14496]
  684
  Mr. Boateng
  Kent, like other local authorities, will be able to claim for reimbursement of its costs in supporting asylum seekers through three Special grants for 1997–98, subject to Parliamentary approval being given for these grants.

  For adult asylum seekers, local authorities will be able to claim their full costs up to a limit of £140 per week, averaged out over the year, for each asylum seeker supported. Local authorities will also be able to claim an additional £10 per week for each asylum seeker accommodated in specially commissioned or re-commissioned premises.

  For asylum-seeking families Grant, local authorities will be able to recover 80 per cent. of the additional cost above the threshold set in Council tax Band D. This grant is provided in recognition of the additional burden which accommodating such families places on local authorities. The grant recognises that services for children and families have always formed a core part of social service functions, and so it would not be appropriate to meet costs in full.

  Responsibilities for unaccompanied asylum seeking children and associated costs have fallen on a limited number of authorities. In recognition of these costs, a special grant of £3 million will be made available to local authorities. The grant is intended as a contribution towards helping local authorities meet their spending on unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and it was never intended that the Government would be responsible for meeting the full costs.

  Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
  Kali Mountford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the identification and treatment of myalgic encephalomyelitis. [15359]

  Mr. Boateng
  The main agency through which the Government support medical and clinical research is the Medical Research Council. The Council currently provides support for one Small Project Grant in the area of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) entitled "The role of noradrenaline in the neuropsychological pathogenesis of the chronic fatigue syndrome". The total amount awarded is £37,000. The Council is always willing to consider new ideas for research and will consider applications on their scientific merits.

  The Department of Health has been funding one project at a cost of £60,000, which was recently completed, which considered whether a particular type of psychological treatment was effective in reducing disability in CFS patients. The Department is also funding another project, costing about £65,000, which is looking at whether general practitioners are best placed to manage CFS patients, the report of which is expected shortly.

  Consultant Episodes
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the(a) elective and (b) non-elective activity that took place in the NHS by year for the last five years in the period between 1 October and 31 March. [15673]
  685
  Mr. Boateng
  The number of general and acute elective and non-elective finished consultant episodes commissioned by health authorities is available for each year from 1992–93, and is given in the table. The information is from the quarterly monitoring of health authorities and has been converted to 1996–97 definitions to aid direct comparison.

  The number of general and acute elective and non-elective finished consultant episodes commissioned by health aithorities in England in the period between 1 October and 31 March each yaer since1992–93, in millions, converted to 1996–97 definitions

  Year

  Elective FCEs

  Non-Elective FCEs

  1992–93

  2.0

  1.8

  1993–94

  2.2

  2.0

  1994–95

  2.4

  2.0

  1995–96

  2.5

  2.1

  1996–97

  2.5

  2.2

  Tobacco Sponsorship
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which sports representatives Ministers met; on how many occasions and on what dates to discuss the implications of a ban on tobacco sponsorship of their sports; and what criteria were used when deciding to meet representatives from sporting organisations affected by the proposed ban on tobacco sponsorship. [16733]

  Ms Jowell
  On 24 June, my hon. Friend the Minister for Sport met Maurice Lindsay of the Rugby Football League, Richard Little of the England and Wales Cricket Board, Jonathan Ashman of the RAC Motorsports Association and Martyn Blake of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association. The Central Council of Physical Recreation, as the national association of governing bodies of sport, was invited to put together the delegation.

  In additioo, my hon. Friend the Minister for Sport was present when I met Max Mosley of the Federation Internationale de 1'Automobile on 23 September. This meeting was held at the request of Max Mosley.

  Representatives from the Sports Council of Great Britain, the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, the Institute of Sports Sponsorship, the English Sports Council, the British Darts Organisation, the Central Council of Physical Recreation and the RAC Motorsports Association were also present at the Government's anti-smoking summit, held on 14 July 1997.

  Representatives from the Football Association, the FA Premier League, the England and Wales Cricket Board, the Amateur Athletics Association and the United Kingdom and Scottish Sports Councils were invited to the summit, but did not attend.

  Osteoporosis
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of recent research concerning consumption of milk in childhood reducing the risk of osteoporosis in later life; and whether he has discussed with Ministers in the Department for Education and Employment the availability of milk for children in schools. [17160]
  686
  Ms Jowell
  An expert group of the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition Policy (COMA) is currently considering the recent research on the nutritional aspects of bone health and COMA is expected to publish a report next year.

  The Departments of Health and for Education and Employment, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Intervention Board Executive Agency have jointly considered the provision of school milk. Ministers from these Departments have met twice to discuss the issues and we intend to meet again soon.

  The Department continues to advise that milk is an important source of calcium and should be included as part of a healthy and balanced diet for children. Physical activity has been shown to be important in preventing osteoporosis in later life and the Department is currently funding the "Active for Life" physical activity campaign.

  Nutrition
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of Britain's adult population suffer from nutritionally based diseases. [17582]

  Ms Jowell
  Diseases which are entirely nutritionally based, that is protein or micro-nutrient vitamin and mineral deficiencies, are rare in the adult population.

  However, diet and poor nutrition are the primary causes of obesity; 15.3 per cent. of men and 17.5 per cent. of women were obese in 1995. Obesity itself is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and diabetes and a number of other diseases. In 1994, 24 per cent. of men and 26 per cent. of women reported having had a cardiovascular disorder. In the same year, 2.9 per cent. of men and 1.9 per cent. of women had diabetes.

  Diet and nutritional factors are also thought to account for around one third of all cancers.

  Almost one in three women of child-bearing age have low or absent iron stores. This is at least partly due to diet.

  Lead Pollution
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the extent of the damage to children's health caused by lead pollution. [17298]

  Ms Jowell
  Clinical lead poisoning in children is now very rare, and is expected to decrease as old leaded paint becomes less common. Controls on exposure to lead from many sources have resulted in a very substantial fall in blood lead levels in children generally. Recent surveys indicate that about 5 per cent. of children have blood lead levels in the range where there is persuasive evidence of subclinical harm to neuropsychological development. In nearly all such children, the estimated effect is a deficit of one to three IQ points. Exposure to lead will continue to decrease as a consequence of current and proposed measures.

  Long-term Care
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will publish his proposals for a Long-Term Care Charter. [17802]
  687
  Mr. Boateng
  We hope to make an announcement in the new year.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish a summary of the representations he has received concerning the terms of reference of the proposed Royal Commission on Long-Term Care. [17799]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Department has received views, from both individuals and organisations, in a variety of contexts, concerning the remit of the proposed Royal Commission on Long-Term Care. These representations have been given careful consideration as part of the planning process being undertaken by the Department. There are no plans to publish a summary of representations.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will publish the terms of reference and membership of the proposed Royal Commission on Long-Term Care. [17800]

  Mr. Boateng
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Health gave the hon. Member for Macclesfield (Mr. Winterton) on 11 November 1997,Official Report column 702.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to respond to the letters from the hon. Member for Bradford, North of 17 October and 7 November regarding female genital mutilation. [18285]

  Ms Jowell
  A reply was sent to my hon. Friend on Wednesday 26 November.

  Food Standards Agency
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the(a) food manufacturers and (b) other companies he has met with regard to the proposed Food Standards Agency. [18069]

  Ms Jowell
  Over the past six months, Health Ministers have met representatives from many organisations interested in the proposed Food Standards Agency. These have included academic and consumer groups, as well as those representing the food industry.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on how many occasions he has met the Minister without Portfolio with regard to the Food Standards Agency. [18054]

  Ms Jowell
  My hon. Friend the Minister without Portfolio and I are members of the Cabinet Committee MISC 1 which is overseeing the Food Standards Agency project. The Committee has met on five occasions, the last being on 21 October.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Housing
  Mr. Tom King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimates he has made of the amount of unused or undeveloped space above shops; how much such space, involving how 688
  many residential units, has been developed for use in the last five years; and what proposals he has to encourage further residential use of this space. [17712]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The 1991 English House Condition Survey estimated that there were 26,000 vacant dwellings above shops. Results from the 1996 Survey are still being analysed. My Department does not hold estimates of the potential number of dwellings that could be converted from unused commercial space.

  One thousand eight hundred and seventy two flats above shops were brought into use through schemes funded by the Department of the Environment and the Housing Corporation between 1991 and 1995. We do not hold information on schemes developed using other public and private sources of funding.

  We support and will encourage activity which makes the most effective us of spare space above shops through our planning and regeneration policies. Research for my Department, published in August 1997, found that flats above shops schemes are most effective as part of co-ordinated regeneration strategies which local authorities have a key role in developing and implementing.

  The conversion of space above and the reuse of other upper floor space in town centres is encouraged in our Planning Policy Guidance, especially PPG3 and PPG6.

  Mr. Tom King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions to what extent the latest housing projections for England take account of estimates of the numbers of individuals who were not included in the 1991 census. [17714]

  Mr. Raynsford
  A detailed account of the methodology and main statistical assumptions underlying the latest household projections is set out in the annexes of "Projections of Households in England to 2016", published by The Stationery Office in March 1995. In particular, a description of how the number of individuals who were not included in the 1991 census was taken into account in compiling the household projections is given as an appendix to Annexe B. A copy of this publication is in the Library.

  Mr. Tom King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions to what extent the housing projections for England take account of the increase in(a) home-sharing, (b) cohabiting and (c) rent-a-room arrangements since 1981. [17713]

  Mr. Raynsford
  A detailed account of the methodology and main statistical assumptions underlying the latest household projections is set out in the annexes of "Projections of Households in England to 2016", published by The Stationery Office in March 1995. A copy of this publication is in the Library.

  A household was defined in the household projections, as in the 1981 and 1991 Censuses and official surveys, as one person living alone, or a group of people who share common housekeeping or a living room. People who rent a room or share a house will be regarded as part of the larger household or as a separate household depending on such housekeeping arrangements. Information on the numbers of separate households is obtained from the

  689
  Censuses and (at national level) the Labour Force Survey. Additionally, estimates are made of concealed couples and concealed lone parents—those couples and lone parents who are part of another household—but these estimates do not form part of the total number of households. The incidence of cohabitation is taken into account in the compilation of the household projection by its separate categorisation in the underlying marital status projections, provided by the Government Actuary's Department. A detailed description of the treatment of the marital status projections and cohabitation is provided in Annexes D and G of the publication referred to above.

  Rail Signalling
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to ensure improved standards of signalling on the rail network; and if he will make a statement. [17870]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The maintenance, renewal and modernisation of signalling equipment are the responsibility of Railtrack. Details of the company's signalling strategy are in its current Network Management Statement. A recent modification to Railtrack's network licence means that future statements will contain more details of investment plans, including signalling improvements.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the estimated effect on aggregate local authority costs, in a full year, of(a) a rise in interest rates from 6 per cent. to 7.25 per cent. and (b) a rise in inflation from 2 per cent. to 2.75 per cent. [17968]

  Mr. Raynsford
  I estimate that English local authorities currently hold about £5 billion in variable rate debt, on which additional interest payments of about £62 million would arise if interest rates rose by 1.25 per cent. generally.

  Further, if authorities undertake new borrowing of £2 billion a year, broadly in line with the issue of new credit approvals, then a 1.25 per cent. rise in interest rates would increase interest payments on this new borrowing by £25 million.

  Local authorities currently hold around £10 billion in bank deposits and other short term investments and might therefore earn additional interest of up to £125 million, if rates rose by 1.25 per cent.

  The additional costs or income arising from the increase in interest rates will tend to be offset over time by compensating changes in Housing Revenue Account subsidy and Revenue Support Grant paid to local authorities by central government.

  As far as the effect on local authority costs of a rise in inflation is concerned, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to him on 24 November 1997, Official Report, columns 367–68.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what would be the average effect on band D council tax of a national increase in local authority costs of £300 million, assuming(a) that this cost is spent equally between authorities
  690
  according to the number of dwellings chargeable for council tax, (b) that there is no increase in central Government grant and (c) that the average gearing ratio applies in council spending; [17958]

  (2) what would be the effect on band D council tax for each local authority in England of a national increase in local authority costs of £300 million in 1997–98, assuming (a) that this cost is spread equally between authorities according to the number of dwellings chargeable for council tax and (b) that there is no increase in central government grants. [17959]

  Mr. Raynsford
  An increase of £300 million in the amount required from council taxes for England is equivalent to an increase in the average band D council tax of £18.37. I have today placed in the Library estimates of the effect on band D council taxes for each local authority area of an increase of £300 million in the amount required nationally from council taxes, assuming that this amount is spread equally between billing authorities according to the estimated number of chargeable dwellings in each area.

  Development Plans
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the(a) amendments and (b) observations made by the Government on (i) county, (ii) district and (iii) unitary development plans since 1 May. [17970]

  Mr. Raynsford
  When development plans are being prepared, altered or replaced the Secretary of State has powers to direct local authorities to modify their plans and may call all or part of a plan in for his own determination. A direction will indicate the nature of the change required to be made to the plan, but does not otherwise specify the amendment to be made. The Secretary of State can amend a plan he has called in for his own determination; but no plans have been called in since 1 May 1997. Government Offices, acting on behalf of the Secretary of State, are in regular contact with local authorities commenting on draft and deposited plans and proposed modifications. Information on all observations made in that context could be made available only at disproportionate cost.

  J. Sainsbury (Planning Appeal)
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he has met in an official capacity the objectors to the planning appeal No. APP/X5990/A/96/274698 lodged by J. Sainsbury and Network Housing Association Ltd. which was called in for his determination on 28 May. [18292]

  Mr. Prescott
  I have not met any of the objectors to discuss this case.

  The two week inquiry into the appeals closed last week and we await the Inspector's report.

  This case was automatically recovered for decision by Ministers rather than by the Inspector. The criteria for recovery of cases for Ministerial decision are precisely the same as those applied by this Department in which the hon. Member was a Minister before his resignation.

  Airports
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list for each United Kingdom airport(a) its current terminal capacity and (b) its current runway capacity, together with the dates when the airport is expected to reach these capacity figures. [18176]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The assessment of the capacity of both terminals and runways is a complex matter, depending on factors such as the type and mix of traffic, the extent to which traffic is concentrated in peak times and the quality of service standards applied by each airport. It is for individual airport operators, in consultation with airport users, to monitor both the existing and expected future position, and in the light of that to bring forward investment proposals and take such other steps as may be necessary and desirable.

  Ministerial Meetings
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 24 November 1997,Official Report, column 369, if he will publish the minutes of his meeting with Lord Sainsbury on 20 October. [18200]

  Mr. Prescott
  In accordance with normal and longstanding practice observed by previous Governments as well as this, I do not intend to publish detailed records of my meetings. However, in my previous answer of 24 November 1997,Official Report, column 369, I gave a summary of the issues discussed at my meeting with Lord Sainsbury on 20 October.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he last met Lord MacLaurin in an official capacity; and what subjects were discussed. [18202]

  Mr. Prescott
  I have not met Lord MacLaurin in my official capacity. However my hon. Friend the Minister for the Regions, Regeneration and Planning met Terry Leahy of Tesco on 31 July. He has also met several other leading retailers who have requested a meeting—in line with the practice of the previous Government.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he last met the Chairman of Safeway plc in an official capacity; and what subjects were discussed. [18201]

  Mr. Prescott
  I have received no request from the Chairman of Safeway plc for a meeting and I have not therefore met him in my official capacity. Nor have I met him personally with any other major retailers, including the Chairman of Asda, the hon. Member for Tunbridge Wells (Mr. Norman).

  Bus Services
  Mr. Stringer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what percentages of bus passenger miles are provided by municipal bus companies in the public sector; and if he will list the relevant companies. [18181]

  Ms. Glenda Jackson
  The most recent data available for bus miles operated and passenger journeys made on services provided by municipal bus companies in the 692
  public sector are for 1996–97. Approximately 5 per cent. of bus miles and 7 per cent. of passenger journeys were attributed to the services of municipal bus companies in Great Britain. The companies are listed below:

  Blackburn Borough Transport Ltd.

  Blackpool Transport Services Ltd.

  Bournemouth Transport Ltd.

  Cardiff City Transport Services Ltd.

  Chester City Transport Ltd.

  Eastbourne Buses Ltd.

  Halton Borough Transport Ltd.

  Ipswich Buses Ltd.

  Islwyn Borough Transport Ltd.

  Lothian Regional Transport plc.

  Newport Transport Ltd.

  Nottingham City Transport Ltd.

  Plymouth City Bus Ltd.

  Reading Transport Ltd.

  Rossendale Transport Ltd.

  Thamesdown Transport Ltd.

  Warrington Borough Transport Ltd.

  Mr. Stringer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the public subsidy to local bus services(a) for London, (b) English metropolitan areas, (c) English shire counties and (d) England separately identifying the (i) concessionary fare subsidy and (ii) fuel duty rebate. [18182]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The figures requested, for the most recent year, 1996–97, are shown in the table below. These comprise public transport support, concessionary fare reimbursement and fuel duty rebate. Data on fuel duty rebate are recorded for London and England but a more detailed geographic breakdown by English metropolitan areas and English shire counties is not available.

  Local bus services: public subsidy by area

  (£ million)

  1996–97

  London1

  English metropolitan areas

  English shire counties

  England

  Public transport support

  25

  102

  88

  215

  Concessionary fare reimbursement

  106

  177

  102

  385

  Fuel duty rebate

  29

  —

  —

  161

  All support

  160

  —

  —

  761

  1 Support in London was internally funded by London Transport with no direct revenue support from central government.

  Bus Passenger Journeys
  Mr. Stringer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the number of local bus passenger journeys in(a) 1994–95 and (b) 1995–96 in (i) London, (ii) English metropolitan areas, (iii) English shire counties and (iv) England. [18180]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The figures requested, plus those for the most recent year, 1996–97, are shown in the table. These and other interesting statistics
  693
  on the bus industry were published by my department on 30 October 1997 in "Bus and Coach Statistics Great Britain 1996–97".

  Local bus services: passenger journeys by area

  (millions)

  London

  English metropolitan areas

  English shire counties

  England

  1994–95

  1,167

  1,331

  1,277

  3,775

  1995–96

  1,205

  1,292

  1,265

  3,762

  1996–97

  1,242

  1,247

  1,269

  3,758

  Transport Safety
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the regulatory bodies within the United Kingdom which have a responsibility for transport safety. [18174]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Other than the Department, the list of agencies and other non-departmental bodies which regulate for transport safety, and which could therefore be defined as regulatory bodies, are as follows:

  The Marine Safety Agency

  The Vehicle Inspectorate Executive Agency

  The Vehicle Certification Agency

  The Driving Standards Agency

  The Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency

  The Traffic Commissioners

  The Civil Aviation Authority

  The Health and Safety Commission and Executive

  Local Authorities.

  >Sea Empress Incident
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund 1971 increased compensation payments for claims arising from the Sea Empress incident to 100 per cent. of eligible losses. [18548]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Executive Committee of the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund 1971 agreed on Tuesday 21 October that full compensation payments should be made to Sea Empress claimants for substantiated losses. The Government have worked hard for this decision. In particular, we have agreed that our own claim for the cost of clean-up operations arising from the Sea Empress incident should stand at the back of the queue for compensation from the Fund.

  Insulin-dependent Diabetics
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what data his Department has collated on motor vehicle accident rates involving insulin-dependent diabetics; [17611]

  (2) what studies his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated of the driving behaviour of insulin-dependent diabetics. [17612]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 26 November 1997]: Collection of information at the time of accidents is the responsibility of the Police. The information which
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  they obtain, and which therefore is available to the Department, does not cover medical cause because it is not possible routinely to establish any medical condition and its link to the accident. The Department has not felt it necessary to commission or to evaluate studies of the driving behaviour of insulin-dependent diabetics. There have been a number of studies by experts in the field on the consequences of insulin treatment. These have shown that insulin treatment leads to a significant risk of hypoglycaemia, which can lead to loss of consciousness, as well as other effects such as diminished judgment. It is well established that hypoglycaemia can occur without warning. The provisions on insulin-dependent diabetic drivers included in the Second EC Driver Licensing Directive, adopted by the Council of Ministers in 1991 (and coming into force in the United Kingdom in this respect on 1 January 1998), are based on these considerations. The view that the driving of the heavier vehicles by such drivers presents an unacceptable risk to other road users has been endorsed by the Secretary of State's Honorary Advisory Panel on Diabetes and Driving.

DEFENCE

  Eurofighter
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the numbers of Eurofighters and the timing of their delivery will be included for consideration in his Department's Fundamental Expenditure Review. [16978]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Strategic Defence Review will be the Ministry of Defence's contribution to the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review. It is our intention to order Eurofighter according to the conditions and numbers previously announced; the first aircraft is scheduled for delivery in December 2001. We are already committed to the purchase of 232 Eurofighter. Eurofighter might be a cost-effective replacement for the Harrier GR7, although no decision needs to be taken yet. Decisions taken during the Defence Review could affect this.

  Chatham Dockyard
  Mr. Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a complete list of unplanned incidents and accidents involving individuals of the civilian work force at Chatham dockyard which resulted, or may have resulted, in radiation exposure to one or more individuals. [17429]

  Mr. Spellar
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Armed Forces on 24 June 1997,Official Report, column 424. I am seeking information from my officials as to the practicality of providing such a list and hope to be able to write to my hon. Friend before the end of December. A copy of my letter will be placed in the Library.

  Defence Transport and Movements Executiv
  Ms Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the key targets for the Chief Executive of the Defence Transport and Movements Executive. [18786]
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  Dr. Reid
  The Chief Executive of the Defence Transport and Movements Executive has been set the following Key Targets for Financial Year 1997–98.Key Target 1—To provide the integrated surface transport and movemets element of the logistic support capability in peace, crisis and war.
  Key Target 2—To achieve greater value for money through the development of business management systems to support the drive for increased efficiency, economy and effectiveness.
  Key Target 3—To promote flexible personnel management to ensure that DTMX's work force is properly managed, motivated and trained to optimize effectiveness, productivity and job satisfaction.
  Key Target 4—To improve financial management systems to support the development of resource accounting and budgeting.

  These Key Targets take forward the work of the previous year's Key Targets in the context of the Agency's continuing provision of transport and movements services not just to the Armed forces but to other Government Departments as well. By specifically investing in both its people and its infrastructure, the Agency will be able to continue to provide the detailed technical expertise and physical force projection capabilities required to support operations such as the peacekeeping mission in Bosnia and the successful withdrawal from Hong Kong. Given all the pressures on the Agency, not least continual downward financial pressure, I believe these to be challenging but achievable.

  Army Base Storage and Distribution Agency
  Mr. Peter Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the Key Targets for the Chief Executive of the Army Base Storage and Distribution Agency for 1997–98. [18813]

  Dr. Reid
  The Chief Executive of the Army Base Storage and Distribution Agency has been set the following Key Targets for Financial Year 1997–1998.Key Target 1—To deliver the required level of storage and to process receipts and returns as defined in agreements with the Agency's Customers.
  Key Target 2—To meet the Standard Priority System 96 Supply Chain Processing Times for Material authorised for issue.
  Key Target 3—To deliver special to task and on the job training for Land Units Employed in the Base.
  Key Target 4—To implement the recommendations of the Army Base Storage and Distribution Agency Information Systems strategy.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  New Deal
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what support New Deal participants will receive after their six months placement has finished. [18290]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  New Deal options are designed to help young people to find work and be better able to sustain employment. Young people who need support to find work after their option will receive intensive help through the New Deal follow-through strategy. The 696
  strategy is detailed in "Design of the New Deal for 18–24 year olds", published on 9 October, which is available in the Library.

  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what measures have been taken to make the Environment Task Force and voluntary sector options attractive to applicants for the New Deal. [18291]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  We have consulted widely on the Environment Taskforce and Voluntary Sector options to ensure that they will provide New Deal participants with high-quality work experience placements. Young people on these options will undertake real work, improving their local communities and the environment, and will receive training towards approved qualifications and jobsearch help. They will also receive either a wage, or a grant of up to £400 over the six months in addition to their benefits.

  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what measures have been taken to ensure that employers taking on subsidised applicants through the New Deal are creating additional jobs. [18289]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Employers will be asked to give an undertaking that they have not made an existing employee redundant to make way for a New Deal participant. If there is evidence to suggest that this has happened, it will be investigated.

  It is not the principal purpose of the subsidy to create additional jobs. The main aim is to encourage employers to consider, when recruiting, people they would normally reject because of the time they have spent in unemployment. By doing this, the New Deal will help to create the conditions under which the economy can continue to grow and produce new jobs.

  In addition, some employers may be motivated to increase their workforce, in answer to real business needs, by the availability of a subsidy which offsets initial costs of recruitment and training.

  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the number of people aged over 25 years and unemployed for two or more years who will benefit from the New Deal. [18288]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  No such estimate has been made. The design of the New Deal for people aged 25 years or over and unemployed for two years or more is being considered.

  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the number of applicants who will enter(a) the subsidised employment option, (b) the full-time education or training option, (c) the voluntary sector option and (d) the Environmental Task Force option of the New Deal. [18287]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  No such estimates have been made. We will however want as many young people as possible to be able to take a place in the Employment Option, and our planning assumption is that over 40 per cent. of those entering options will do so. It is a key principle of the design of the New Deal for 18–24 year olds that young people should be helped to choose the
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  option most appropriate for them. Each of the options is to provide high-quality opportunities for work, education and training.

  Education Action Zones
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has for the development of education action zones. [18708]

  Mr. Byers
  Education Action Zones are a radical and important element in our plans to raise standards in schools, especially those in challenging circumstances. They will provide new exciting ways for schools and LEAs, and parents, business and community organisations, to work together to raise standards.

  Action Zones will be in urban and rural areas where schools are in need of additional focused support and will exist for at least three years, and often longer. Each will be run with the help of a Forum which will set challenging targets and put forward ambitious, innovative plans for meeting them. Local partnerships will need to bid to be in the programme. We expect to create at least 25 zones during this parliament. We shall very shortly be publishing the School Standards and Framework Bill which will provide the statutory basis for Education Action Zones.

  Education Expenditure
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the estimated cost to local authorities of the enhanced role of local education authorities set out in the White Paper "Excellence in Schools". [17960]

  Mr. Byers
  The main requirement on local education 698
  authorities flowing from the White Paper is to refocus their existing resources towards the delivery of higher standards of pupil achievement. The extent of the net costs or net savings will vary between authorities according to the extent that a given authority has already adjusted the balance of its support for schools in this direction in recent years. In accordance with the White Paper principle of intervention in inverse proportion to success, LEAs' plans should include a review of all existing activity to ensure that its work in support of raising standards is well targeted. The Government will ensure through the regular process of approving LEAs' Education Development Plans that the resources an LEA plans to commit are appropriate for the task.

  Wooden Classrooms
  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will ascertain the number of classrooms of wooden construction currently in use in Leicestershire, indicating their location, the number of pupils currently educated in them and the date their safety was last checked. [18203]

  Mr. Byers
  It is for LEAs to determine how they provide the school places for pupils in their own area. I recognise that many LEAs do currently have to rely on classrooms of wooden construction which are at the end of, or beyond, their design life. The New Deal for Schools (NDS) will help LEAs to redress such problems. It provides for bids covering a variety of school building needs. Over 2,000 schools will benefit from the £115 million which the Prime Minster announced would be spent in the current financial year. By the end of this Parliament we expect an additional £2 billion to be spent as a result of the NDS.