Written Answers of 29 October 1997

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Road Scheme Tenders
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what has been the overall cost of compensation for abortive tenders as a result of the Government's announcements of deferrals under the accelerated consideration of major road schemes announced in July. [12263]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Relevant claims for compensation will be considered on their merits. Once agreement has been reached on any sums payable in compensation these will be made public.

  West Coast Main Line
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for what reasons an advance warning note on the engineering work conducted on the west coast main line on the weekend of 18 to 19 October was not issued by Virgin Trains or Railtrack. [12878]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  This is an operational matter for Railtrack and Virgin Trains.

  Weald and Downland Roads Project
  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Enviornment, Transport and the Regions what criteria will apply to the Weald and Downland design, build, finance and operate project under the general roads review; what is the timing of the roads review; and what is the earliest date by which tenders for the project could be revitalised. [12781]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Following the announcement in July of the decisions made under the accelerated review, the Weald and Downland design, build, finance and operate project is no longer being taken forward as a single project. The individual schemes which were included in the project are being considered as part of the main Roads Review and will be assessed along with all other schemes against the five criteria of accessibility, safety, economy, the enviornment and integration. We hope to announce the results of the review next year. Any revitalisation of tenders for the project would be dependent on the results of the Roads Review.

  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what compensation has been paid to companies involved with the Downland design, build, finance and operate scheme for the cancellation of the project. [12782]
  816
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  No compensation has been paid. Relevant claims for compensation will be considered on their merits.

  Environmental Health Regulations
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will require local authorities issuing enforcement notices to(a) hotels and (b) other establishments in respect of environmental health regulations to register such findings in the public register; and if he will make a statement. [12807]

  Angela Eagle
  The Environment and Safety Information Act 1988 requires all authorities, including local authorities, responsible for the issue of enforcement notices under the Fire Precautions Act 1971, the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, the Safety of Sports Grounds Act 1975 and the Food and Environmental Protection Act 1985 to place details of the substance of such notices on a public register if the notices have public safety or environmental implications. This requirement applies to all types of premises. Each responsible authority maintains its own registers, which may be inspected free of charge.

  Humber Bridge
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he intends to introduce legislation to obtain powers to suspend or write off part of the Humber bridge debt. [12854]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  In the new year I hope to lay before Parliament, with the approval of HM Treasury, an Order under the Humber Bridge (Debts) Act 1996. This will provide that the Humber Bridge Board will not have to meet a proportion of its current debt or, on the residual debt, a proportion of the interest that would otherwise be due. Officials of my Department are currently considering options and financial projections with officers of the Board.

  Sonus Studies
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what were the results of the Sonus studies. [12857]

  Angela Eagle
  The Sonus research programme is leading to a better understanding of the flux of nutrients, particularly nitrogen, from the land, though estuaries, to the sea, especially in relation to the nitrification/ denitrification processes in estuaries. The main work in the Southampton Water/Solent region indicates that algal blooms of phytoplankton occur only when tidal energy is below a certain level and light levels are sufficiently high. We hope to extend this work to allow data from the whole of 1997 to be incorporated. A final report will be produced at the end of the contract.

  Montserrat
  Mr. John Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps his Department is proposing to ensure that adequate housing is available for evacuees from Montserrat. [13848]
  817
  Ms Armstrong
  Local authorities need to be able to respond as flexibly as possible to the needs of Montserratians arriving here under the Government's Montserrat assisted passage scheme, which provides for voluntary evacuation.

  We recognise that authorities will incur additional costs when making accommodation available to people who would not normally have applied to them for housing. Montserrat is a British Dependent Territory and the evacuees have lost their homes. We must do our best to ensure that evacuees coming here under the MAP Scheme are given as smooth a reception as possible, although it may not always be possible to accommodate them in the area they would prefer.

  We are proposing to offer a special grant to encourage authorities to make vacant property more quickly available to house evacuees who have come to this country under the MAP Scheme and who have nowhere to stay. This should help settle evacuees throughout the country under arrangements set up by the Home Office. Evacuees with a Montserratian passport are already broadly eligible for the same welfare benefits, state education, healthcare and access to social housing as UK nationals.

  The special grant would be provided under the Local Government Finance Act 1988, and we intend to submit a report for the House's approval early next year. The Department has written today to Chief Executives and Chief Housing Officers of English local housing authorities, setting out details of the scheme and arrangements for making claims. Copies of the letter have been placed in the Library. Subject to approval of the House, £1,500 will be made available for each unit of accommodation provided for qualifying households placed with local authorities by the Home Office between 27 August 1997 and 31 January 1998. The grant scheme has been drawn up after consultation with the Local Government Association.

  Grant will be offered on a similar basis by the Housing Corporation to registered social landlords who independently offer to provide accommodation for evacuees under the Home Office's arrangements.

  National Forest
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will report on the National Forest Company's progress in creating the national forest in the east midlands. [13849]

  Angela Eagle
  Copies of the National Forest Company's annual report and accounts for 1996–97 are to be placed in the House Libraries.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Trainees
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what his definition is of a trainee. [13043]

  Dr. Howells
  A trainee, as defined by the Oxford English Dictionary and myself, is a person undergoing training.

  Social Affairs Council
  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the outcome of the EU Social Affairs Council on 7 October. [13738]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The Minister of State at the Department of Trade and Industry and I represented the UK at the Social Affairs Council on 7 October.

  A structured dialogue with Social Affairs and Employment Ministers from the applicant states in central and eastern Europe discussed the accession strategy in relation to health and safety for workers, equal opportunities for men and women, and social dialogue.

  The presidency gave further details about the preparatory work for the Extraordinary European Council on Employment (taking place in Luxembourg on 20–21 November), and announced that there would be a supplementary meeting of the Social Affairs Council on 6 November to contribute to preparations.

  Informal political agreement was reached on the proposed amendment to the regulation establishing the European Training Foundation. The amendment will extend the foundation's remit to provide vocational education and training assistance to the MEDA partnership countries and territories, and will introduce procedural changes to increase the foundation's efficient management.

  Political agreement was reached on the proposal for a recommendation to introduce a Community model parking badge for people with disabilities, which will be recognised across member states.

  There was continuing discussion of the proposals for a European company statute, following the report of the Davignon group.

  The Council noted the work programme of the Employment and Labour Market Committee.

  The Commission gave two presentations: first, on the draft directive to give effect to the social partners' framework agreement on ensuring that part-time workers should be treated no less favourably than full-time workers, and secondly on a White Paper on the sectors excluded from the working time directive—transport, sea fishing, offshore sectors, and doctors in training.

  The presidency withdrew from the agenda an item on the programme for research, analysis and co-operation in employment.

  Early Retirement
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list for each month from September 1996 to September 1997 the number of teachers, other than those in further or higher education or independent schools, who retired under the age of 60 years. [13048]
  819
  Mr. Byers
  The number of retirements aged under 60 from the maintained schools sector in England and Wales between September 1996 and September 1997 are given in the following table:

  Month1

  Number of retirements2,3

  September 1996

  7,880

  October 1996

  340

  November 1996

  420

  December 1996

  220

  January 1997

  1,800

  February 1997

  260

  March 1997

  2,460

  April 1997

  2,560

  May 1997

  590

  June 1997

  390

  July 1997

  270

  August 1997

  1,070

  September 1997

  8,920

  1 Represents the month in which benefits first become payable.

  2 Provisional. The figures for August and September 1997 are particularly likely to increase because of late notifications.

  3 Figures rounded to nearest 10.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Goods and Services (Payments)
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list each of the functions relating to payment for goods or services supplied for which his Department is responsible, indicating the management systems purchased, all subcontractors involved in the work, co-operative arrangements with other Departments; and the costs of the systems and processes the last year for which figures are available. [12567]

  Mr. Morley
  MAFF has developed procurement procedures based upon guidance issued by the Central Unit on Purchasing in HM Treasury. These procedures are designed to ensure probity and fairness in all procurement decisions and provide the necessary checks and authorisations in accordance with Government Accounting and separate the functions of verification and authorisation from the process of payment.

  MAFF has implemented a fully integrated computerised accounting system (RAMIS—Resource Accounting and Management Information System) running on proprietary software and hardware. Implementation of the system has been supported fully by the primary software and hardware suppliers supplemented with specialised external service providers as necessary. These have been provided for under contract. Generally the Ministry does not use subcontractors for payment work; the exception is the use of managing agents to pay small contractors for minor building maintenance work to ensure that they are paid quickly. Payments for goods and services are made using RAMIS either by bank transfer (CHAPS and BACS) or as system-generated payable orders. Significant work has been undertaken by Ministry staff to ensure that the system has been developed to meet initial and changing requirements.

  As part of a suite of functions within RAMIS the Accounts Payable application is one element of a much wider financial management system and specific capital
  820
  and development costs are therefore not readily available. However, information collected from within the management system suggests that the administrative costs of making payments via the system (for Headquarters Groups) is approximately £4 per payment based upon inner London staff costs.

  MAFF is an active member of the Oracle Applications User Group in which other Government Departments may be involved.

  Fur Farming
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what proposals he has made for improvement in fur farming husbandry to the Council of Europe; and what recommendations he has made relating to an increase in the present minimum cage dimensions; [12769]

  (2) if, in the current discussions at the Council of Europe on fur farming, he will ensure that only housing systems which meet the biological needs of mink, pine martens and arctic foxes, with particular reference to the provision of (a) a stimulating environment, (b) social contact and (c) swimming water, will meet the statutory minimum standards; and if he will ensure that a timetable will be laid down for the phasing out of all housing for these animals which does not meet such standards. [12770]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 27 October 1997]: The Standing Committee of the European Convention on the Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes is reviewing its 1991 recommendation on the welfare of animals farmed for fur. The text currently under discussion proposes detailed requirements for the welfare of mink, polecat, silver and Arctic fox, coypu and chinchilla. We shall be working to ensure that the outcome of this exercise is the adoption of the highest possible standards consistent with the scientific evidence and expert opinion.

  We would support a timetable for the phasing out of all housing for these animals that does not meet the standards adopted by the Council of Europe.

  River Medway
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what reports he has received from the Environment Agency, and on what dates, concerning the potential flood dangers in areas abutting the River Medway consequent on increasing sea levels and surge tides; and if he will make a statement. [12969]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 27 October 1997]: The Department has not received any specific reports from the Environment Agency on this subject.

TREASURY

  Goods and Services (Payments)
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list each of the functions relating to payment for goods or services supplied for which his Department is responsible indicating the management systems purchased, all subcontractors involved in the work,
  821
  co-operative arrangements with other Departments; and the costs of the systems and processes in the last year for which figures are available. [12557]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The table lists the Treasury functions and management systems and their costs during 1996–97 that relate to the payment for goods and services in the Treasury:

  align="right">£000

  Capital cost

  Running cost

  Functions

  Goods receipt

  —

  17

  Invoice registration

  —

  101

  Budget holder confirmation

  —

  7

  Payment of invoice

  —

  204

  Management system

  Financial and Management Information Systems (FAMIS)—Estimated cost of invoice processing elements

  20

  11

  Totals

  20

  340

  The FAMIS accounting system purchased runs the cfacs software from Cedardata plc. Their sub-contractors were The Oracle Corporation UK Ltd. and Waverley.

  During the procurement process several Departments, including the Ministry of Defence and the Scottish Office, were approached for information on Cedardata and the cfacs product. Departments including the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food and other organisations were consulted regarding the competing products.

  Asbestos-related Diseases
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the figures for deaths through asbestos-related diseases in Norfolk over the last five years. [12954]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 27 October 1997]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Chief Executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Tim Holt to Dr. Ian Gibson, dated 29 October 1997:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply, as Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), to your recent Parliamentary question asking for the figures for deaths through asbestos-related diseases in Norfolk over the last five years.
  The latest data available are given in the following table:

  Deaths from asbestos-related diseases in Norfolk 1993–1996

  Number

  1993

  12

  1994

  18

  1995

  24

  1996

  21

  Note:

  Since 1993, the ONS has coded all diseases, injuries, drugs, operations and external causes mentioned on death certificates. This information is held electronically and the ONS was able to extract data for 1993–1996. It is not possible to produce comparable figure for years prior to 1993, and any figures that could be produced would be in excess of the advisory limit for answering Parliamentary Questions.
  822
  Deaths from asbestos-related diseases were identified as those deaths certified with:

  1. An underlying cause of asbestosis (International Classification of Diseases Ninth Revision [ICD9]501), or

  2. An underlying cause of lung cancer (ICD9 162) with secondary cause accidental poisoning-other metals (ICD9 E866.4); or

  3. Any other case where mesothelioma was mentioned on the death certificate.

CABINET OFFICE

  Millennium Experience
  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio in respect of the millennium experience (1) what plans he has to ensure that the millennium experience is fully accessible to disabled people; and if he will make a statement; [12851]

  (2) what consultations he has had with disabled people regarding accessibility to the millennium experience by disabled people; [12852]

  (3) what plans he has to ensure that the millennium experience is available to people with a sensory impairment. [12853]

  Mr. Mandelson
  The Government and the New Millennium Experience Company aim to ensure that all who wish to visit the Millennium Experience can do so, regardless of any disability an individual may have. An Advisory Group has been established by the NMEC to consider accessibility and special needs issues, reflecting the NMEC's concern to meet all relevant statutory requirements and to apply, wherever possible, voluntary codes, guidance and specifications.

  The Advisory Group held its first meeting on 24 June. It is chaired by David Phillips, Chief Executive of Holiday Care Service, and its members are drawn from a range of voluntary sector organisations covering physical, sensory and learning disabilities, mental health issues, and the needs of older people. The group will provide best practice guidance to the NMEC on a wide range of accessibility issues including transportation, parking, the natural and the built environment, displays and facilities, on-site information and promotional materials, ticketing arrangements, and disability awareness training.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Border Controls
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in respect of the opt-out from the general application of the treaties of the European Community and Union concerning control by(a) the United Kingdom and (b) the Republic of Ireland of their national borders, what rights will arise for (a) and (b), to (i) examine official identity documents carried by an entrant, (ii) search their person, (iii) examine their belongings, (iv) detain them temporarily for further inquiries and (v) detain them in custody; and if he will state for each of (i) to (v) the originating and authoritative national or Community-Union legislation providing such

  823
  powers, and their manner of execution, in respect of (1) citizens of the European Union and (2) citizens of third nations. [12808]

  Ms Quin
  The Treaty of Amsterdam contains a Protocol which recognises the right of the United Kingdom to exercise, at its frontiers with other member states, such controls on persons seeking to enter the United Kingdom as it may consider necessary for the purpose of:verifying the right to enter the United Kingdom of European Union and other nationals of the European Economic Area and their dependants; and
  determining whether or not to grant other persons permission to enter the United Kingdom.

  The Protocol states that nothing in the Treaties, or in any measures deriving from the Treaties, prejudices the United Kingdom's right to exercise such controls.

  No powers will arise as a direct result of the Protocol. The United Kingdom will, however, continue to maintain the controls provided for under the Immigration (European Economic Area) Order 1994 and the Immigration Act 1971. Schedule 2 to the Immigration Act 1971 provides powers for immigration officers to examine and identify documents of passengers arriving in the United Kingdom, to search their person and belongings and to detain them pending a decision to give or to refuse leave to enter.

  The operation of immigration controls in the Republic of Ireland is a mater for the Irish authorities.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  British Aerospace Employees
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will name the British Aerospace employees who have been loaned to his Department to work on commercial projects setting out the embassies to which they are attached; whether they will work on(a) civil or (b) military projects; and if their function will be (i) executive or (ii) advisory. [12541]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The Chairman of British Aerospace has given support to our programme of business attachments to overseas posts by committing his company to providing a member of staff for secondment. BAe is still in the process of identifying suitable candidates to put forward for the scheme. No specific Posts or projects have been identified at this stage.

  European Commission Committees
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many committees are appointed to assist the European Commission in implementing Community legislation; how often they meet; what is the nature of their(a) ministerial and (b) parliamentary supervision; and if he will make a statement. [12745]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The Council comitology decision of 13 July 1987 provides for certain types of committee to assist the Commission in the implementation of Council legislation. The European Community budget for 1997 provides for 374 such committees. They meet as 824
  and when their opinion is required for the implementation of Council legislation. The majority of these committees are made up of officials who represent the Member States. UK officials are under the supervision of Government Ministers, who in turn are answerable to Parliament.

  Kenya
  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next expects to meet representatives of the Kenyan Government to discuss human rights issues. [12549]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary raised human rights issues with the Kenyan Foreign Minister during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Edinburgh. We shall follow this up vigorously in the run-up to the forthcoming Kenyan elections.

  Kyoto Climate Change Conference
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the agenda for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting will include discussion relating to the Kyoto climate change conference. [12711]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I refer the hon. Member to the statement that my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister made to the House yesterday,Official Report, columns 707–19.

  Electro-shock Weapons
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Portsmouth, North (Mr. Rapson), of 28 July,Official Report, columns 65–66, on the export of certain types of equipment, what is the evidence that equipment designed primarily for torture, sold abroad by Britain, has in the past been used for torture; and if he will place a copy of the evidence in the Library. [12592]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We have received many reports of equipment being used overseas for torture from, for example, UN Rapporteurs, NGOs, the media and our Diplomatic Posts. Most of this information is publicly available.

  We have decided on measures to prevent the export or transhipment from the UK of particular items of equipment where such reporting provides a clear pattern of abuse. These measures, announced on 28 July, Official Report, columns 65–66, are based on such reports of the use of similar equipment of any origin, not specifically the use of British equipment.

  Dependent Territories
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library a copy of the terms of reference of the review of the status of dependent territories. [12962]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  [holding answer 27 October 1997]: There are no formal terms of reference. However, a memorandum about the review has been submitted to the Foreign Affairs Committee.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Engineering Industry
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what support the Engineering Council received from her Department in developing its regulatory document, "Standards and Routes to Registration"; what is her Department's policy towards the document in respect of its application to the engineering profession and the engineering industry in the United Kingdom; and if she will make a statement. [12799]

  Mr. Battle
  The Department of Trade and Industry has provided strategic advice to the Engineering Council during the drafting of the revised edition of Standards and Routes to Registration (SARTOR)—especially concerning the needs of industry. I support the requirements set out in the revised SARTOR in so far as they aim to raise standards within engineering to improve the UK's competitiveness.

  Torture Equipment
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will estimate the monetary value of torture equipment, as defined under the Government's new arms export criteria, exported overseas, in each of the last five years. [12340]

  Mrs. Roche
  The criteria that were announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on 28 July,Official Report, columns 26–29, do not include any definition of "torture equipment".

  In a separate announcement on 28 July, Official Report, columns 65–66, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs identified certain equipment for which there is evidence of its use for torture or other abuses, and whose export the Government were banning. As my right hon. Friend made clear, some of this equipment is not at present controlled and the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994 will be amended to bring them under control; this will be done soon. As companies are generally not required to report exports to my Department, we do not know the extent or value of any exports from the UK of equipment covered by the ban.

  Biotechnology
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to the Minister of State's letter of 23 August to the Member for Linlithgow, what assessments she has made of proposals she has received from(a) the Gaia Foundation and (b) other organisations concerning the European Commission's proposed directive on the Legal Protection of Biotechnological Inventions; and what reply her Department has sent. [12860]

  Mr. Battle
  Consultation on the proposed directive has so far involved written representations from well over 100 interest groups, including those concerned with health care, the environment, animal welfare and the Church. There has also been a special meeting of the Standing Advisory Committee on Industrial Property which advises the Government on matters relating to patents, at which the Gaia Foundation and others gave their views on the 826
  proposed Directive. Following this meeting, the Gaia Foundation, the Women's Environmental Network and others met my officials at the Patent Office to discuss the directive. During this consultation, there has been ongoing discussions with all other Government Departments having an interest in the directive.

  Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are her plans for the future of the Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation; and if she will make a statement. [12480]

  Mr. Battle
  The Charity Commission is currently reviewing the role of the Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation and the associated mining charities and are due to report soon. I wish to await the outcome of the review and assess its implications before taking a view on the way forward.

  Ministerial Working Arrangements
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many days she spent in the office between 1 August and 5 October inclusive, counting a working day as eight hours of meetings or working on papers in the office. [13046]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I have not worked it out and have no intention of spending the time required to do so.

  Ministers' Shareholdings
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list all the shareholdings of Ministers in her Department and their wives or husbands, whether now held in a blind trust or not, including where they have been transferred, and the shares held at the point of transfer. [13045]

  Mrs. Beckett
  No. The Government have published the requirements on Ministers in the ministerial code; DTI Ministers are acting in accordance with these requirements. It has never been the practice of previous Ministers, including DTI Ministers, to publish details of their shareholdings, except insofar as this is required by the Register of Members' Interests; they have from time to time made public statements about their decision to stand aside from particular issues where that has been thought desirable in particular circumstances. This approach, reflecting that of previous Administrations to this issue, seems to the Government to satisfy the public interest.

HEALTH

  Hepatitis C
  Miss Melanie Johnson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his Department's policy in respect of screening for, and treatment of, hepatitis C. [12300]

  Ms Jowell
  Blood donations have been screened for antibodies to hepatitis C virus since September 1991 when reliable tests first became available. Recipients of blood or blood components donated before that date from donors since found to be carriers of hepatitis C virus are being traced in order to provide counselling, testing and
  827
  specialist referral as appropriate. Organs and tissue, resulting from either live or cadaveric donations, are also screened for hepatitis C.

  Injecting drug misusers who share contaminated equipment are at increased risk of acquiring hepatitis C infection. The guidance to purchasers of drug treatment and care services, which the Department issued in March 1997, included advice for purchasers on dealing with those who seek testing for hepatitis C. The "Guidelines for Doctors on the Clinical Management of Drug Misusers" last issued in 1991 are currently being revised and will be published next year. They will include updated advice on the management of hepatitis C in drug misusers.

  There is a need to increase knowledge about the natural history, prevalence, transmission and treatment of hepatitis C so that the National Health Service is equipped to deliver services based on the best scientific advice available about the disease. In 1996, the Department made £1 million available for research in these areas. The results of the research commissioned so far will become available over the next three years. A further £500,000 will be allocated this year to expand the research programme.

  In addition, the NHS Health Technology Assessment is considering research proposals to establish the effectiveness of the early treatment of chronic hepatitis C with alpha interferon. The NHS Executive is funding the Royal College of Physicians to facilitate the development of clinical guidelines on the appropriate use of alpha interferon in patients with hepatitis C.

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made as to the economic and social consequences to individuals and to the Exchequer of not treating hepatitis C. [12301]

  Ms Jowell
  Attempts to estimate the long term consequences of hepatitis C to the individual and the Exchequer are confounded by the unpredictability of the progression of the disease. Some individuals will clear the virus naturally, developing no long term symptoms, and others will go on to develop liver disease but often not for 20 to 30 years after initial infection with the virus. A proportion of those with liver disease will go on to develop liver failure or liver cancer.

  Current knowledge about the natural history is insufficient to make firm estimates of the type requested. There is a comprehensive programme of research in place examining the natural history, transmission and prevalence of hepatitis C. Consideration is also being given through the Health Technology Assessment Programme to funding a clinical trail to examine the clinical and the cost effectiveness of treating hepatitis C with drug therapy at an earlier stage than is current clinical practice. These studies should enable some comparison to be made about the relative clinical effectiveness of treatment at different stages of the disease and will facilitate the evaluation of the economic and social costs of hepatitis C.

  Drinking Water (Phosphates)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his Department's letter of 24 September 828
  (POH/3/5437/14), if he has taken steeps to ascertain the background and results of Finnish research on phosphates in drinking water. [12858]

  Ms Jowell
  The background and results of the Finnish research have been considered. We do not believe that they have any implications for the levels of phosphorus present in United Kingdom drinking water supplies.

  Hospital and Community Health Services
  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will announce the 1998–99 hospital and community health services revenue allocations for health authorities. [13394]

  Mr. Dobson
  The 1998–99 hospital and community health services revenue allocations for weighted populations are given, by health authority, in the following table.

  1989–99 Health Authority General Allocations

  £000

  Avon

  429,674

  Barking and Havering

  190,213

  Barnet

  155,454

  Barnsley

  110,005

  Bedfordshire

  224,367

  Berkshire

  310,601

  Bexley and Greenwich

  222,784

  Birmingham

  506,138

  Bradford

  229,200

  Brent and Harrow

  239,173

  Bromley

  134,830

  Buckinghamshire

  263,789

  Bury and Rochdale

  183,925

  Calderdale and Kirkless

  272,948

  Cambridge and Huntingdon

  170,382

  Camden and Islington

  251,800

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  227,525

  County Durham

  298,927

  Coventry

  142,724

  Croydon

  152,812

  Doncaster

  138,789

  Dorset

  327,559

  Dudley

  134,546

  Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow

  359,671

  East and North Hertfordshire

  205,,436

  East Kent

  289,217

  East Lancashire

  253,100

  East London and the City

  366,867

  East Norfolk

  270,403

  East Riding

  261,793

  East Surrey

  182,949

  East Sussex, Brighton and Hove

  372,547

  Enfield and Haringey

  248,639

  Gateshead and South Tyneside

  187,624

  Gloucestershire

  242,648

  Herefordshire

  72,096

  Hillingdon

  118,252

  Isle of Wight

  67,949

  Kensington, Chelsea an Westminster

  212,220

  Kingston and Richmond

  156,580

  Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham

  442,521

  Leeds

  339,927

  Leicestershire

  378,967

  Lincolnshire

  278,608

  Liverpool

  253,814

  Manchester

  250,313

  Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth

  322,343

  Morecambe Bay

  151,742

  Newcastle and North Tyneside

  248,792

  North and East Devon

  221,388

  829

  1989–99 Health Authority General Allocations

  £000

  North and Mid Hampshire

  215,612

  North Cheshire

  151,836

  North Cumbria

  144,729

  North Derbyshire

  167,949

  North Essex

  370,351

  North Nottinghamshire

  174,754

  North Staffordshire

  221,771

  North West Anglia

  180,010

  North West Lancashire

  234,450

  North Yorkshire

  318,712

  Northamptonshire

  252,747

  Northumberland

  141,701

  Nottingham

  286,648

  Oxfordshire

  234,530

  Portsmouth and South East Hampshire

  240,760

  Redbridge and Waltham Forest

  231,328

  Rotherham

  119,916

  Salford and Trafford

  224,171

  Sandwell

  146,261

  Sefton

  145,852

  Sheffield

  271,140

  Shropshire

  178,325

  Solihull

  83,831

  Somerset

  210,919

  South and West Devon

  280,719

  South Cheshire

  292,831

  South Derbyshire

  246,395

  South Essex

  303,047

  South Humber

  145,527

  South Lancashire

  138,391

  South Staffordshire

  239,424

  Southampton and South West Hampshire

  235,558

  St. Helen's and Knowsley

  162,218

  Stockport

  126,212

  Suffolk

  280,922

  Sunderland

  147,757

  Tees

  269,175

  Wakefield

  152,248

  Walsall

  120,285

  Warwickshire

  218,459

  West Hertfordshire

  235,060

  West Kent

  406,653

  West Pennine

  225,704

  West Surrey

  274,394

  West Sussex

  342,161

  Wigan and Bolton

  273,219

  Wiltshire

  251,545

  Wirral

  163,688

  Wolverhampton

  118,036

  Worcestershire

  222,806

  England

  22,895,307

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Economic Policies
  Shona McIsaac
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the Government's economic policies for Northern Ireland. [12413]

  Mr. Ingram
  The main thrust of our economic policies is in line with that applying to the rest of the United Kingdom.

  We will put in place measures to improve the skill base and to tackle the deep-rooted problem of unemployment among young people and the long-term unemployed.
  830
  We will also implement programmes to encourage investment to achieve economic growth and improvement of the international competitiveness of Northern Ireland business and industry.

  Comprehensive Spending Review
  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the impact on Northern Ireland of the Government's spending review. [12416]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Northern Ireland Ministers and their Departments are examining the inherited spending plans for Northern Ireland to ensure that they align with the Government's objectives and to see how better use can be made of resources. I expect that the outcome of this review will have a positive impact on Northern Ireland.

  Peace Process
  Mr. White
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made in the multi-party talks on the future of Northern Ireland. [12417]

  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement about developments in the peace process. [12418]

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on progress in the peace process and the decommissioning of weapons. [12421]

  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made in multi-party talks on the future of Northern Ireland. [12424]

  Mr. Pound
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the peace process in Northern Ireland. [12425]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  I refer hon. Members to the answer I gave earlier to my hon. Friends the Members for Islington, North (Mr. Corbyn), for Glasgow, Maryhill (Mrs. Fyfe), for Northampton, South (Mr. Clarke) and for Ealing, Acton and Shepherds Bush (Mr. Soley).

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the Government's plans for the next steps in all-party talks in Northern Ireland. [12422]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  The multi-party talks are now addressing issues of substance. The Governments will make every effort to facilitate the process of reaching a settlement which would be acceptable on both sides of the community in Northern Ireland, and more widely.

  Anglo-Irish Conference
  Mr. Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if she will make public the agendas, deliberations and decisions of the meetings of the Anglo-Irish conference and the activities of the Maryfield secretariat. [12419]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The Government are committed to greater openness and transparency in the workings of the Anglo-Irish agreement and this issue will be discussed at the next meeting of the conference. Statements are already issued by the two Governments recording the agendas, deliberations and decisions reached at meetings of the
  831
  conference and a list of the subjects on which briefings take place in the secretariat involving officials is published quarterly.

  Terrorist Arms and Explosives
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment her Department has made of the amount of arms and explosives which terrorist organisations currently hold; and if she will make a statement. [12420]

  Mr. Ingram
  The security forces maintain information about terrorist weaponry but it would not be appropriate for me to make this public. Terrorists retain sufficient arms and explosives to mount a sustained campaign of violence and bombing. There is no justification for this. The Government, together with the Government of the Republic of Ireland, have put in place the mechanisms for decommissioning and, though it is necessarily a voluntary process, those in possession of paramilitary weapons need to avail themselves of this unique opportunity to build confidence and contribute to lasting peace.

  Decommissioning
  Siobhain McDonagh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress is being made on the decommissioning of illegal weapons in Northern Ireland. [12423]

  Mr. Ingram
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave earlier to my hon. Friend the Member for South Ribble (Mr. Borrow).

  Northern Ireland Assembly
  Mr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when she last met the Taoiseach and Tanaiste to discuss matters relating to the creation of a Northern Ireland Assembly. [12426]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  I last met the Taoiseach on 1 July 1997 and the Tanaiste on 25 October 1997. At neither meeting did I discuss the creation of a Northern Ireland Assembly.

  It will be for strand one of the multi-party talks, in which the Irish Government do not participate, to consider what political arrangements might be established for Northern Ireland.

  Parades
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps are being taken to reduce tensions over parades in Northern Ireland. [12427]

  Mr. McNulty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps are being taken to reduce tensions over parades in Northern Ireland. [12428]

  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps are being taken to reduce tensions over parades in Northern Ireland. [12430]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  I refer my hon. Friends to the answer I gave earlier to my hon. Friends the Members for Bristol, East (Ms Corston) and for Aberdeen, North (Mr. Savidge).
  832
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made in the implementation of the recommendations of the North
  report. [12432]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  As the hon. Member will know, the Public Processions etc. (Northern Ireland) Bill received its second reading in another place yesterday in line with the Government's commitment to the implementation of the North report's recommendations.

  Unemployment
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the trends are in long-term unemployment in Northern Ireland. [12429]

  Mr. Ingram
  The latest available information relates to September 1997 and at that time there were 29,509 claimant long-term unemployed in Northern Ireland. This represents a reduction of 15,821 compared with a year earlier and reflects a generally downward trend in claimant long-term unemployment since spring 1993.

  Energy Market
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment she has made of the energy market in Northern Ireland. [12431]

  Mr. Ingram
  Northern Ireland's energy market is characterised by lack of competition, diseconomies of scale and isolation from other markets. Considerable progress is being made, within the region's energy strategy, to redress these problems.

  Education
  Mrs. McKenna
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on education in Northern Ireland. [12434]

  Mr. Worthington
  Education standards in Northern Ireland are generally good and are reflected in the level of participation in higher education, the standards achieved in GCE A level and GCSE and the levels achieved by 8,11 and 14-year-olds in the first year of statutory assessment in schools. These standards must, however, be improved if Northern Ireland is to compete successfully with the rest of Europe and plans are already being put in place to accelerate the rate of improvement. Particular priority will be given to measures to address underachievement which is a matter for concern in many schools.

  Terrorism
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the number of(a) punishment beatings and (b) other terrorist activities since the first IRA ceasefire was declared. [12406]

  Mr. Ingram
  From 1 September 1994 to 12 October 1997, 685 paramilitary assaults have been recorded: 279 are attributed to loyalist groups and 406 to republican groups. In addition, there have been a further 100 punishment shooting attacks. A total of 331 shooting
  833
  incidents, 231 bombings and 42 deaths have been recorded during the same period and have been attributed to the security situation.

  The security forces will continue to seek ways to deter and detect such crimes while the political parties work towards achieving a lasting and peaceful settlement.

SCOTLAND

  Learning Difficulties (Adults)
  Mr. Doran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his policy regarding future provision of residential care for adults with learning difficulties; and if he will make a statement. [12699]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The way in which people with learning difficulties are cared for, including where they live, is best determined by what best meets their needs. Local authorities, in consultation with their planning partners, will continue to have responsibility for ensuring that an appropriate range and volume of community care services are in place to respond to individuals' assessed needs and local circumstances. This includes residential accommodation for people with learning disabilities.

  The Department of Health has commissioned research into the costs and outcomes of various types of residential accommodation for people with learning disabilities in England and Ireland. The research is expected to be completed around the end of 1998. We will give careful consideration to the findings.

  Constables (Oath)
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish the oath taken by constables in Scotland and give the reasons why it differs from the oath taken in(a) England and Wales and (b) Northern Ireland. [12308]

  Mr. McLeish
  A person appointed to the office of constable of a police force in Scotland is required to make the following declaration, prescribed in regulation 10 of the Police (Scotland) Regulations 1976, before a sheriff or justice of the peace:"I hereby do solemnly and sincerely and truly declare and affirm that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of constable."
  834
  It differs from the oath in England and Wales, or the declaration in Northern Ireland, because it derives from separate Scottish legislation. The declaration, largely in its current form, was first given statutory force by the Police (Scotland) Act 1857.

  Ecstasy
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what follow-up action has been taken in respect of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs report on Ecstasy misuse. [12855]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The results of this work were made known to Parliament on 28 February 1997 in a written answer to the hon. Member for Essex, North (Mr. Jenkin),Official Report, columns 442–43. The Government are using the Advisory Council's advice to inform work on future drug education strategies and campaigns and ensure that messages and advice for young people and parents about the risks associated with Ecstasy are as well informed and accurate as possible. The information was shared with the Health Education Board for Scotland, The Scottish Advisory Committee on Drug Misuse and the Scottish Against Drugs Campaign.

  Food Poisoning
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his Department's letter of 21 March, Ref. MMM 51837, what were the results of the research on the fingerprinting methods based on DNA technology in relation to E. coli. [12856]

  Mr. Chisholm
  Although the Department has not yet received final reports for these projects, interim results obtained from the two groups indicate that using a combination of different methods, both phenotypic and genotypic (DNA-based) isolates from three Scottish E.coli 0157 outbreaks—West Lothian, Central Scotland and Highland—although closely related were distinguishable from each other.

  Kidney Services
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his letter of 19 August, when he expects to receive the result of the consideration by the sub-group on renal services in respect of(a) organ donation rates, (b) the quality of organs retrieved and (c) the effectiveness of the retrieval arrangements. [12859]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The Renal Disease Sub-Group is part of the Acute Services Review which is chaired by the Chief Medical Officer at The Scottish Office Department of Health. The Sub-Group's recommendations will be taken into account in the report which the Review is expected to present to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland in May 1998.

  State Pension Provision to Taxpayers
  State Pension Provision to Taxpayers
  No. 2 Marsham Street
  No. 2 Marsham Street
  Heads of Information: Resignations
  Heads of Information: Resignations
  Scottish and Welsh Development Agencies: Job Creation
  Scottish and Welsh Development Agencies: Job Creation
  "Family": Definition
  "Family": Definition
  Asylum Seekers
  Asylum Seekers
  Greenhouse Gases
  Greenhouse Gases
  Filwood Playing Fields, Bristol: Development
  Filwood Playing Fields, Bristol: Development
  National Forest
  National Forest
  National Bee Unit
  National Bee Unit
  Vitamin B6 Supplements
  Vitamin B6 Supplements
  Vitamin B6: Letters to MPs
  Vitamin B6: Letters to MPs
  Health Authority Revenue Allocations
  Health Authority Revenue Allocations