Written Answers of 30 October 1997

DEFENCE

  Cyprus
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions during October(a) Greek and (b) Greek Cypriot military aircraft flew over United Kingdom sovereign base territory on the island of Cyprus; what representations were made; and if he will make a statement. [12872]

  Dr. Reid
  Two Hellenic Air Force F-16 fighter aircraft which were participating in a joint military exercise with the Republic of Cyprus overflew the Akrotiri sovereign base area at low altitude on Tuesday 14 October. The British high commission in Nicosia wrote to the Government of the Republic on 16 October reminding them of the existence of sovereign airspace over the SBAs and of the safety requirements.

  Security Clearances
  Dr. Naysmith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will review the procedures whereby individuals with dual nationality, with security clearance to access MOD and NATO protectively marked material, are precluded from access to internal caveat information. [12800]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Ministry of Defence recently revised policy on access by dual nationals to national caveat information. Under the new policy there is no general ban on access by dual nationals to national caveat information. Decisions on access are made on a case-by-case basis. In the case of contractors' employees, the Department is required to seek the permission of the originator of the material before granting access.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Works of Art (Exports)
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when the 1996–97 annual report of the reviewing committee on the export of works of art will be published. [14159]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The reviewing committee's annual report for 1996–97 has been published today and copies have been laid before Parliament.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Public Record Office
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what factors he takes into account when considering appeals against the non-release of documents from the Public Record Office. [13214]

  Mr. Hoon
  Neither the Lord Chancellor nor I have considered any such appeals. The Advisory Council on Public Records advises on requests for the release of records made by historians and other members of the public which Departments reject, but the final responsibility for the release or otherwise of withheld records rests with the Ministers of the Departments concerned.

  Magistrates (Warrington)
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many women magistrates were appointed to the Warrington bench in the past year; and what proportion of women applicants for that year this figure represents. [13193]

  Mr. Hoon
  One woman was appointed to the Warrington bench in 1997 out of 13 women applicants. One man was also appointed out of a total of 18 male applicants. Following the appointments, there were 55 women and 56 men on the Warrington bench.

  Helen Jones
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many magistrates currently serving on the Warrington bench are resident in the Warrington, North constituency; and what proportion of serving magistrates in Warrington this represents. [13194]

  Mr. Hoon
  Forty magistrates on the Warrington bench are resident in the Warrington, North constituency—36 per cent. of the Warrington bench.

  Late Payments
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the suppliers to his Department who are owed outstanding amounts, indicating the amounts and the due date on which the account should have been settled. [13549]

  Mr. Hoon
  All Departments are required to pay all their bills within agreed contract terms, or 30 days from receipt of the goods or service or a valid invoice, whichever is later, where no such terms exist. Such detailed information on payment performance for the current financial year could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The Treasury will shortly be publishing a league table of departmental payment performance for 1996–97.

  Immigration Appeals
  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many appeals in immigration cases, excluding asylum cases, are currently outstanding. [13345]

  Mr. Hoon
  At the end of September 1997, there were 9,410 non-asylum appeals outstanding.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Criminal Justice System
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 30 July,Official Report, column 263, to the hon. Member for South Derbyshire (Mr. Todd), on the review of delay in the criminal justice system, which recommendations for procedural changes in the youth court will be contained in the Crime and Disorder Bill. [12730]

  Mr. Michael
  The Crime and Disorder Bill will introduce wide-ranging reform of the youth justice system. The measures in the Bill, including the new final warning scheme and a range of new sentencing options, will improve the effectiveness of the youth justice system and the speed with which cases can be concluded.

  The Bill will include the legislative provisions necessary to implement the following recommendations from the review of delay in the criminal justice system for procedural reform in the youth court:
  recommendation 31: stipendiary magistrates should be able to sit alone in the youth court and should specialise in the management of particularly complex cases;
  recommendation 32: when the Crown Court deals with a grave offence it should also deal with other related charges;
  recommendation 33: the requirement that there should be an hour's interval between sittings of the magistrates' court and the youth court in a courtroom should be abolished.

  The Government also intend to give the youth court discretion to remit a case to the adult court where a juvenile, aged under 18 at the outset of his case, is likely to turn 18 during the course of the proceedings. This is a modification of recommendation 26 from the review of delay in the youth justice system. The necessary legislative changes will be included in the Crime and Disorder Bill.

  Chief Constable/Commissioner

  Assistant Chief Constable (Designate)/Deputy Commissioner

  Length of ACPO service prior to current appointment (years)

  Date of current appointment

  Length of ACPO service prior to current appointment (years)

  Date of current appointment

  Avon and Somerset

  12

  5 June 1989

  2

  8 August 1994

  Bedfordshire

  7

  3 January 1996

  2

  1 January 1996

  Cambridgeshire

  7

  1 January 1994

  3

  3 May 1994

  Cheshire

  Vacant

  Vacant

  1

  1 November 1995

  City of London

  9

  4 April 1994

  5

  1 May 1995

  Cleveland

  5

  5 April 1993

  4

  12 May 1997

  Cumbria

  5

  1 October 1991

  9

  1 February 1989

  Derbyshire

  8

  1 June 1990

  11

  1 October 1996

  Devon and Cornwall

  9

  1 January 1989

  5

  1 April 1993

  Dorset

  6

  1 January 1995

  4

  1 January 1995

  Durham

  10

  12 September 1997

  7

  29 September 1997

  Dyfed Powys

  5

  5 June 1989

  7

  1 April 1994

  Essex

  11

  1 February 1988

  3

  1 September 1997

  Gloucestershire

  6

  23 August 1993

  3

  5 April 1993

  Greater Manchester

  8

  1 July 1991

  4

  30 September 1991

  Gwent

  9

  1 January 1997

  2

  5 September 1994

  Hampshire

  7

  1 September 1988

  4

  28 March 1995

  Hertfordshire

  6

  1 August 1994

  6

  3 March 1997

  Humberside

  11

  1 January 1992

  2

  1 September 1997

  Kent

  9

  1 March 1993

  5

  6 June 1997

  Lancashire

  3

  31 July 1995

  7

  1 January 1996

  Leicestershire

  6

  16 June 1997

  Vacant

  Vacant

  838
  In addition to these measures, the Crime and Disorder Bill will include legislative provision to give effect to a number of other recommendations from the review of delay in the criminal justice system which apply to both youth and adult proceedings. The Government's response to all the recommendations of the review is set out in a document which has been placed in the Library.

  Electronic Tagging
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of(a) the average cost per case of electronic tagging and (b) the costs to the police of dealing with an offender who breaks the terms of the tagging. [12732]

  Ms Quin
  (a) Based on the experience of the first year of the trials of curfew orders with electronic monitoring, the estimated cost per order for a national roll-out was estimated to be about £2,300. Better estimates based on the second year of the trials will be published shortly.

  (b) An offender who breaches the terms of the order is returned to court by the electronic monitoring contractors and the police are not involved. However, if an offender then fails to appear in court, a warrant for arrest is issued. Too few such cases have arisen during the current trials of electronic monitoring to enable a meaningful estimate of police costs to be made.

  Chief Constables
  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list, by constabulary, the length of service at Association of Chief Police Officers rank prior to their current appointment of each(a) chief constable and (b) assistant chief constable designated as deputy, indicating for each the date of appointment to their present position. [12354]

  Mr. Michael
  The information requested is shown in the tables.
  839

  Chief Constable/Commissioner

  Assistant Chief Constable (Designate)/Deputy Commissioner

  Length of ACPO service prior to current appointment (years)

  Date of current appointment

  Length of ACPO service prior to current appointment (years)

  Date of current appointment

  Lincolnshire

  12

  29 November 1993

  4

  14 November 1994

  Merseyside

  6

  25 June 1989

  2

  1 July 1995

  Metropolitan

  6

  1 January 1993

  18

  24 April 1995

  Norfolk

  6

  5 July 1993

  3

  11 February 1992

  Northamptonshire

  5

  2 December 1996

  4

  1 April 1997

  Northumbria

  Vacant

  Vacant

  2

  15 October 1993

  North Wales

  4

  31 August 1994

  4

  2 December 1991

  North Yorkshire

  9

  12 June 1989

  1

  1 April 1996

  Nottinghamshire

  9

  6 July 1995

  1

  13 November 1995

  South Wales

  7

  25 November 1996

  2

  17 December 1996

  South Yorkshire

  8

  1 June 1990

  5

  26 April 1993

  Staffordshire

  5

  31 March 1996

  7

  2 September 1996

  Suffolk

  6

  1 May 1989

  2

  1 September 1994

  Surrey

  Vacant

  Vacant

  3

  1 August 1994

  Sussex

  10

  1 September 1993

  6

  1 January 1992

  Thames Valley

  6

  28 January 1991

  3

  1 July 1997

  Warwickshire

  7

  6 June 1983

  2

  2 December 1996

  West Mercia

  5

  28 August 1996

  2

  1 April 1994

  West Midlands

  12

  26 August 1996

  6

  1 July 1995

  West Yorkshire

  10

  1 February 1993

  8

  1 April 1996

  Wiltshire

  6

  1 April 1997

  6

  1 January 1995

  Force

  Chief Constable/Commissioner

  Assistant Chief Constable (designate)/Deputy Commissioner

  Length of ACPO service (years)1

  Date of current appointment

  Length of ACPO service (years)

  Date of current appointment

  Avon and Somerset

  12

  5 June 1989

  2

  8 August 1994

  Bedfordshire

  7

  3 January 1996

  2

  1 January 1996

  Cambridgeshire

  7

  1 January 1994

  3

  3 May 1994

  Cheshire

  Vacant

  Vacant

  1

  1 November 1995

  City of London

  9

  4 April 1994

  5

  1 May 1995

  Cleveland

  5

  5 April 1993

  4

  12 May 1997

  Cumbria

  5

  1 October 1991

  9

  1 February 1989

  Derbyshire

  8

  1 June 1990

  11

  1 October 1996

  Devon and Cornwall

  9

  1 January 1989

  5

  1 April 1993

  Dorset

  6

  1 January 1995

  4

  1 January 1995

  Durham

  10

  12 September 1997

  7

  29 September 1997

  Dyfed Powys

  5

  5 June 1989

  7

  1 April 1994

  Essex

  11

  1 February 1988

  3

  1 September 1997

  Gloucestershire

  6

  23 August 1993

  3

  5 April 1993

  Greater Manchester

  8

  1 July 1991

  4

  30 September 1991

  Gwent

  9

  1 January 1997

  2

  5 September 1994

  Hampshire

  7

  1 September 1988

  4

  28 March 1995

  Hertfordshire

  6

  1 August 1994

  6

  3 March 1997

  Humberside

  11

  1 January 1992

  2

  1 September 1997

  Kent

  9

  1 March 1993

  5

  6 June 1997

  Lancashire

  3

  31 July 1995

  7

  1 January 1996

  Leicestershire

  6

  16 June 1997

  Vacant

  Vacant

  Lincolnshire

  12

  29 November 1993

  4

  14 November 1994

  Merseyside

  6

  25 June 1989

  2

  1 May 1995

  Metropolitan

  6

  1 February 1993

  18

  24 April 1995

  Norfolk

  6

  5 July 1993

  3

  11 February 1992

  Northamptonshire

  5

  2 December 1996

  4

  1 April 1997

  Northumbria

  Vacant

  Vacant

  2

  15 October 1993

  North Wales

  4

  31 August 1994

  4

  2 December 1991

  North Yorkshire

  9

  12 June 1989

  1

  1 April 1996

  Nottinghamshire

  9

  6 July 1995

  1

  13 November 1995

  South Wales

  7

  25 November 1996

  2

  17 December 1996

  South Yorkshire

  8

  1 June 1990

  5

  26 April 1993

  Staffordshire

  5

  31 March 1996

  7

  2 September 1996

  Suffolk

  6

  1 May 1989

  2

  1 September 1994

  Surrey

  Vacant

  Vacant

  3

  1 August 1994

  Sussex

  10

  1 September 1993

  6

  1 January 1992

  Thames Valley

  6

  28 January 1991

  3

  1 July 1997

  Warwickshire

  7

  6 June 1983

  2

  2 December 1996

  West Mercia

  5

  28 August 1996

  2

  1 April 1994

  West Midlands

  12

  26 August 1996

  6

  1 July 1995

  West Yorkshire

  10

  1 February 1993

  8

  1 April 1996

  Wiltshire

  6

  1 April 1997

  6

  1 January 1995

  1Prior to current appointment.

  Prisoners (Release)
  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners not excluded by paragraph 2.3 of IG 36/95 have left prison since April 1995 without resettlement leave having been granted. [13055]

  Ms Quin
  The information requested is not recorded centrally and could be made available only at disproportionate cost by an examination of individual prisoner records.

  Prisons (Psychiatric Services)
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of doctors currently working in the Prison Service are qualified in psychiatry; and what plans he has to increase the numbers qualified. [13197]

  Ms Quin
  Twenty-one out of 197 doctors employed by the Prison Service are either members of the Royal College of Psychiatrists or holders of the diploma in psychiatric medicine. In addition, visiting specialists from the national health service provide the Prison Service with specialist psychiatric services.

  The Prison Service, in conjunction with Nottingham university, introduced the diploma in prison medicine in October 1996. The aim of the diploma is to support the professional development of prison doctors. It has a significant psychiatric component which should be helpful to those doctors who are not specifically qualified in psychiatry.

  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners in England and Wales are currently awaiting transfer to NHS psychiatric hospitals; and what is the average waiting time for such a transfer. [13195]

  Ms Quin
  On 28 October 1997, 49 prisoners—25 sentenced and 24 unsentenced—were awaiting transfer to a national health service psychiatric hospital. The average time taken in 1996 between receipt in the Home Office of an application for transfer, which includes the two medical reports required under the Mental Health Act 1983, and the issue of a warrant authorising transfer to hospital, was eight days in the case of unsentenced prisoners and 16 days for sentenced prisoners.

  Only in very exceptional circumstances would transfer not take place within 14 days of the issue of a warrant.

  European Convention on Human Rights
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultations he has conducted and with whom concerning the most effective manner of incorporating the European convention on human rights into United Kingdom statute law. [13556]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Maidenhead (Mrs. May) on 31 July 1997,Official Report, column 567.

  Identity Cards
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will assess the advantages of introducing identity cards to assist the prohibition of the sale of(a) cigarettes, (b) alcohol and (c) solvents and other volatile substances to those under age. [13131]

  Mr. George Howarth
  We are considering the options but have yet to decide whether identity cards should be introduced in the United Kingdom. The issues go far wider than proof of age for purchases. However, the fact that an identity card scheme could help to prevent the sale of age-restricted goods such as tobacco, alcohol and solvents to youngsters is one of the potential benefits which will be taken into account.

  Fire Safety
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list his Department's priorities in relation to fire safety for the United Kingdom presidency of the EU. [12983]

  Mr. George Howarth
  We do not propose any initiative relating to fire safety specifically as a result of the United Kingdom presidency of the European Union. However, on the domestic front, as I announced in a reply to a question from the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed (Mr. Beith) on 23 June,Official Report, column 360, we are developing proposals to consolidate and rationalise our fire safety legislation. We hope shortly to publish a consultative document setting out our proposals.

  Fire Service
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the financial difficulties facing the London fire service and on his response to it. [13224]

  Mr. George Howarth
  I have received representations from the London fire and civil defence authority about expected future funding difficulties. The revenue provision for the authority in 1998–99 will be announced in the coming weeks as part of the provisional local government settlement for England. I understand that the authority is making a number of proposals for reductions in firefighting resources. Before these could be implemented, they would require the approval of my right hon. Friend under the provisions of section 19 of the Fire Services Act 1947.

  Mr. Horam
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will set out the calculations by which a fire service in a C risk category area must meet its attendance time requirement of eight to 10 minutes under Home Office standards; [13485]

  (2) if, when a fire service in a C risk category area is moved from round-the-clock cover to a retained basis, it is still expected to meet its attendance time target of eight to 10 minutes; and what the revised time calculations are; [13481]

  (3) what action is taken if a fire service in a C risk category area does not meet its eight to 10 minute attendance time standard. [13487]
  843
  Mr. George Howarth
  Statutory responsibility for the provision of a fire service to meet efficiently all normal requirements rests locally with the fire authority. In performance of their duties, fire authorities have regard to the national standards of fire cover, which have been endorsed by the Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council and are recommended by the Home Secretary.

  The national standards set out for fires in each category of fire risk the recommended minimum number of firefighting appliances which should attend within predetermined times. The recommended response is the same whatever time of day an incident takes place. In conducting reviews of fire risk, brigades carry out timed runs, making assumptions about the time it will take for a fire appliance to reach a given point in accordance with local traffic conditions. Such evidence will also be supported by an examination of actual attendance times.

  The national standards are not statutory and they do allow for the possibility of brigades not meeting the recommended response time for every fire call, for example in circumstances where a number of simultaneous incidents occur. For each response to a fire call, brigades record the time from the despatch of the applicant to arrival at the incident and it is the practice to investigate the reasons if in the case the national recommended response times have not been met.

  Each brigade is inspected annually by Her Majesty's inspectorate of fire services to monitor, among other things, whether the national recommended standards are in general being maintained.

  The overall performance of brigades in meeting the recommended response times is also monitored by the Audit Commission, which publishes the results of its findings. The Audit Commission said earlier this year that the fire service was one of the most consistently high performing services in local government.

  A fire authority may not change the staffing of a fire station from whole-time to day-crewed or retained without the approval of the Home Secretary under section 19(4) of the Fire Services Act 1947. He will approve only if he is satisfied that the fire authority has consulted about its proposals and, on the advice of Her Majesty's inspectorate, that the national standards will continue to be maintained.

  Mr. Horam
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set out the pension arrangements for firemen in the London area. [13486]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Regular firefighters in London, as elsewhere in England and Wales, are members of the firemen's pension scheme, the current provisions of which are set out in the Firemen's Pension Scheme Order 1992, as amended.

  Mr. Horam
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimates he had made of the forward cost of pensions for firemen retiring in the London area; and what assessment he has made of the impact of that cost on the provision of fire services. [13480]

  Mr. George Howarth
  In reaching its decisions on the provisional local government settlement for 1998–99, the Government will have regard to the pressures on the fire 844
  service, as on other local authority services. These pressures include the increasing pension commitments of fire authorities.

  The Government take into account both estimates of future pensions expenditure provided by the Local Government Association and detailed projections of net pensions expenditure provided by the Government Actuary's Department. For London, they also have estimates of future pensions expenditure provided by the London fire and civil defence authority.

  Immigration
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the latest position regarding restoring a right of appeal for those refused entry clearance for visiting the United Kingdom. [13200]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Our manifesto commits us to providing a streamlined system of appeals for visitors denied a visa. We are examining the options for doing this.

  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in relation to the concessionary arrangements outside the immigration rules of 13 October; if he will define a relationship akin to marriage with a person of either sex, and specify the criteria to be used to establish such a relationship. [13348]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  A relationship akin to marriage is one which is similar in its nature to a marriage in that it involves a committed relationship which can be demonstrated by evidence such as joint commitments, financial or otherwise. In order to benefit under the new concession, an unmarried couple will need to demonstrate, among other matters, that they are legally unable to marry; that they have been living together for four years or more; that they intend to live together permanently; that any previous marriage or similar relationship has permanently broken down and that they will be able to maintain and accommodate themselves without recourse to public funds.

  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what percentage of the current serving prison population lacks entry clearance certificates; [13343]

  (2) how many persons were convicted of or pleaded guilty to indictable offences who lacked entry clearance certificates; how many of these were recommended for deportation by the courts; and how many have been deported in each of the last four years. [13341]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I regret that the information is not held on the relevant computer databases but the great majority of prisoners will not have entry clearance certificates and do not require them.

  Police Constables
  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police constables were in post(a) in May 1992 and (b) in May 1997. [13318]

  Mr. Michael
  At the end of April 1992, there were 95,810 constables in England and Wales. By the end of March 1997, the latest date for which figures are
  845
  available, this had increased by 2,322 to 98,132. Between March 1996 and March 1997, overall police numbers fell by 469 to 127,158.

  Licensing Hours
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received to allow extensions of licensing hours where the provision of liquor is ancillary to performances of live music. [13311]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Licensing law already provides for extensions of licensing hours as an ancillary to live music. We are considering representations received from the restaurant and entertainments industries to relax some of the restrictions on the grant of such extensions.

  Surveillance Systems
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many chief officer authorisations by(a) the police, and (b) HM Customs and Excise and (c) both, of intrusive surveillance operations were made which affected Sussex for the most recent year for which figures are available. [13355]

  Mr. Michael
  Figures on the total number of authorisations of intrusive surveillance operations are not collected centrally but a review undertaken to inform parliamentary debate of part III of the Police Act 1997 estimated that there were around 2,550 chief officer authorisations by police and Customs in the United Kingdom in 1996.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will amend the terms of the Interception of Communications Act 1985 to cover interception of telephone communication other than by a physical tap. [13223]

  Mr. Straw
  The Interception of Communications Act 1985 applies to the intentional interception of communications in the course of their transmission by means of a public telecommunications system however the interception is effected. It is not therefore necessary to consider an amendment of the kind proposed by my hon. Friend.

  Deportation
  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his policy in relation to deportation is the same for those aged under 60 years as it is for those aged over 60 years. [13347]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The age of 60 is not of itself significant. Each case is considered on its individual merits. This means that all relevant factors, including the age of the person, will be taken into account when deciding whether deportation is appropriate. The general policy of the previous Government was not to remove those aged 65 or more. I am examining all aspects of this issue as part of our general review of immigration and asylum policy.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum appeals are currently outstanding. [13344]
  846
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  As at 30 September 1997, an estimated 26,500 asylum appeals, excluding dependants, were awaiting determination.

  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the number of persons who have sought asylum in the United Kingdom in the last five years, and give the proportion whose whereabouts are known to the authorities. [13349]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  During the period 1 January 1993 to 30 September 1997, approximately 153,000 asylum applications, excluding dependants, were lodged in the United Kingdom. I regret that the other information requested is not available.

  Prison Population
  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the prison population has been in each of the last six months. [13342]

  Ms Quin
  The information requested is given in the table.

  Population in prisons in England and Wales on the last day of the month, April to September 1997

  On last day of month

  Number

  April

  60,131

  May

  60,335

  June

  61,467

  July

  62,324

  August

  61,940

  September

  62,652

  Mr. Shayler
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which friends and associates of Mr. Shayler were questioned by the police; when the questioning occurred; and what were the reasons for it. [13424]

  Mr. Straw
  This investigation is a matter for the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis. I understand from the commissioner that inquiries are proceeding and the Metropolitan police will report in the normal way to the Crown Prosecution Service.

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if it is his policy that Mr. Shayler will be arrested if he returns to the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [13527]

  Mr. Straw
  This is not a matter for me but for the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis. I understand from the commissioner that the Metropolitan police would like to interview Mr. Shayler in connection with a possible offence under section 1 of the Official Secrets Act 1989.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  International Whaling Commission
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the members of the British delegation to the annual meeting of the International
  847
  Whaling Commission, and identify (a) their qualifications, (b) their other paid or voluntary employment and (c) their other current appointments. [12929]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 27 October 1997]: The members of the official UK delegation to the International Whaling Commission and current appointments were as follows:

  Mr. C. I. Llewelyn: (UK Commissioner, MAFF, Fisheries Division II)

  Mr. R. W. Bowman: (Alternate Commissioner, MAFF, Fisheries Division II)

  Mrs. F. A. Walters: (MAFF, Fisheries Division II)

  Miss S. Jeyabalan: (MAFF, Fisheries Division II)

  Dr. J. T. Addison: (MAFF, Fisheries Scientist (CEFAS))

  Mr. I. G. Muchmore: (DETR, Global Wildlife Division)

  Mr. M. G. Whatley: (FCO, Environment, Science and Energy Department)

  Professor P. W. Birnie: (Visiting Fellow at London School of Economics)

  Ms H. McLachlan: (Senior Scientific Officer, RSPCA)

  Mr. C. Stroud: (Campaigns Director, Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society).

  None had other paid or voluntary employment.

  The following also acted at technical advisers to the UK delegation at the humane killing working group:

  Mr. K. Meldrum: (former Chief Veterinary Officer, MAFF)

  Mr. M. Cooke: (Veterinary Adviser)

  Mr. W. Swann: (Head of Veterinary Department, RSPCA).

  For reasons of confidentiality I am unable to provide further details of qualifications or other paid or voluntary employment.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to encourage the International Whaling Commission to ban the use of the electric lance at its annual meeting; and if he will make a statement. [12928]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 27 October 1997]: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Stourbridge (Ms Shipley) on 28 October 1997, Official Report, columns 789–92.

  Chocolate Directive
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if his Ministry plans to(a) support the European Commission's draft chocolate directive, (b) oppose the European Parliament's amendments to the draft directive and (c) make a statement about the Government's policy on the draft directive. [13350]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Government broadly support the European Commission's proposals on chocolate and are opposed to a number of the amendments proposed by the European Parliament, particularly those which would have the effect of discriminating against chocolate containing small additions of vegetable fat and against high-quality UK "milk chocolate". As my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food announced on 23 October, the Government will continue to press strongly for a new directive which protects names traditionally used in the UK and resist measures which would mislead consumers and unfairly penalise our chocolate industry.

  Hunt Kennels
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will assess the extra costs which will fall on farmers from the closure of hunt kennels; and if he will make a statement. [13209]

  Mr. Rooker
  MAFF figures are not available. The private Member's Bill of my hon. Friend the Member for Worcester (Mr. Foster) is due to receive its Second Reading on 28 November. The Government's stance is neither to support nor to oppose a ban on hunting but to allow a free vote. The Bill will provide Parliament with an opportunity to study the pros and cons of any ban on hunting, including the ramifications on the service offered by hunt kennels to the farming community.

  Thames (Flooding)
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what reports he has received from the Environment Agency into the potential flooding dangers posed to areas abutting the Thames estuary, east of the Thames barrier, consequent upon the increase of sea levels and dangers of surge tides; and if he will make a statement. [13215]

  Mr. Morley
  The Department has not received any specific reports from the Environment Agency.

  Food Safety
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if it is his Department's policy to separate risk assessment and risk management in matters of food safety. [13184]

  Mr. Rooker
  The process of risk analysis, which comprises risk assessment, risk management and the third component of risk communication, is, in the case of food safety, the joint responsibility of my Ministry and the Department of Health. In general we seek to ensure that risk assessment and risk management are considered separately, although they do also have a measure of interdependence, as has been made clear in recent expert FAO/WHO consultations on risk analysis and risk management. Officials in the joint MAFF/DH food safety and standards group are, however, studying current procedures in the light of recent developments in thinking to ensure that best practice is being followed.

  Late Payments
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the suppliers to his Department who are owed outstanding amounts, indicating the amounts and the due date on which the account should have been settled. [13545]

  Mr. Rooker
  All Departments are required to pay all their bills within agreed contract terms, or 30 days from receipt of the goods or service or a valid invoice, whichever is later, where no such terms exist. Such detailed information on payment performance for the current financial year could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The Treasury will shortly be publishing a league table of departmental payment performance for 1996–97.

  Six-month Entry Visas
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many six-month entry visas to the United Kingdom were granted in each of the last two years for which statistics are available. [12575]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The majority of visas for the UK are valid for presentation at a port within six months of date of issue. In the last two years for which statistics are available, entry clearance posts issued the following:

  1995

  1996

  Total number issued

  1,076,531

  1,273,156

  Number of non-settlement

  1,042,667

  1,240,341

  Number of multiple entry visas valid for presentation within six months

  168,711

  221,001

  Goods and Services (Payments)
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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 sub-contractors involved in the work, co-operative arrangements with other Departments; and the costs of the systems and processes in the last year for which figures are available. [12560]

  Mr. Fatchett
  This Department makes payments both in the United Kingdom and through embassies and high commissions overseas. No sub-contractors are involved. We also make a large number of payments overseas on behalf of other Government Departments.

  In the United Kingdom, spending Departments input the invoice details electronically, but actual payment is issued centrally. During 1996–97, 33,517 payments—covering one or more invoice—were issued at a cost of £124,533 in central staff costs.

  No figures are available for payments made overseas and to obtain the information required would involve disproportionate cost.

  Argentina
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what new exceptions to the arms embargo on Argentina there have been since 1 May. [13766]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We have recently approved the export of a single sporting rifle to Argentina following its repair by the original manufacturer in the UK. This is an exception, but not a change, to the embargo.

  Rwanda
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will notify his decision on licensing the export of armoured Land Rover vehicles to the UN High Commission for Refugees in Rwanda. [13902]
  850
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has recommended approval of an export licence for this item, which has been issued by the Department of Trade and Industry. UN Security Council resolution 1011 prohibits the export of military goods to non-governmental agents in Rwanda. However, the UN secretariat has confirmed that this embargo does not cover the export of equipment destined for UN operations. This export follows similar exemptions made for UNHCR in the Former Republic of Yugoslavia.

  Bosnia and Herzegovina
  Fiona Mactaggart
  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 riot shields to the United States army in Bosnia and Herzegovina. [13850]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We recently approved the export of 340 riot shields of UK manufacture to the US Army for use in Bosnia to protect US SFOR troops. Given the tension in Bosnia around the time of the municipal elections on 13 to 14 September, we were glad to be able to approve this export as an exception to the EU common position on arms exports to the former Yugoslavia. This decision does not affect the Government's continued support of the EU common position.

  Late Payments
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the suppliers to his Department who are owed outstanding amounts, indicating the amounts and the due date on which the account should have been settled. [13550]

  Mr. Fatchett
  All Departments are required to pay all their bills within agreed contract terms, or 30 days from receipt of the goods or service or a valid invoice, whichever is later, where no such terms exist. Such detailed information on payment performance for the current financial year could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The Treasury will shortly be publishing a league table of departmental payment performance for 1996–97.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Pensioner Savings
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate she has made of the mean and median level of savings held by pensioners aged(a) 60 to 64 years, (b) 65 to 69 years, (c) 70 to 74 years, (d) 75 to 79 years and (e) 80 years and over (i) in total and (ii) for (1) single male pensioners, (2) singe female pensioners and (3) married pensioners. [12824]

  Mr. Denham
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the following tables.
  851

  align="center">Capital holdings of all pensioners

  align="right">Percentage

  align="center">Age

  60 to 64

  65 to 69

  70 to 74

  75 to 79

  80+

  Total

  None

  41

  27

  26

  28

  31

  29

  <£1,500

  15

  13

  14

  15

  15

  14

  £1,500 to £3,000

  4

  8

  9

  11

  12

  9

  £3,000 to £8,000

  13

  12

  14

  14

  15

  14

  £8,000 to £10,000

  4

  3

  4

  3

  3

  3

  £10,000 to £16,000

  7

  7

  7

  7

  5

  6

  £16,000 to 20,000

  3

  3

  3

  4

  3

  3

  £20,000 or more

  12

  27

  23

  19

  17

  21

  Source:

  Family resources survey 1995–96.

  align="center">Capital holdings of single male pensioners

  align="right">Percentage

  align="center">Age

  65 to 69

  70 to 74

  75 to 79

  80+

  Total

  None

  35

  33

  32

  29

  32

  <£1,500

  12

  10

  15

  15

  13

  £1,500 to £3,000

  10

  10

  9

  11

  10

  £3,000 to £8,000

  10

  16

  14

  15

  14

  £8,000 to £10,000

  2

  3

  2

  4

  3

  £10,000 to £16,000

  6

  7

  9

  4

  6

  £16,000 to £20,000

  2

  3

  3

  3

  3

  £20,000 or more

  23

  18

  16

  19

  19

  Source:

  Family resources survey 1995–96.

  align="center">Capital holdings of single female pensioners

  align="center">Age

  60 to 64

  65 to 69

  70 to 74

  75 to 79

  80+

  Total

  None

  41

  37

  33

  33

  36

  35

  <£1,500

  15

  15

  17

  18

  16

  17

  £1,500 to £3,000

  4

  7

  9

  12

  13

  10

  £3,000 to £8,000

  13

  15

  13

  14

  14

  14

  £8,000 to £10,000

  4

  5

  4

  4

  3

  4

  £10,000 to £16,000

  7

  5

  6

  6

  4

  5

  £16,000 to £20,000

  3

  3

  3

  2

  2

  3

  £20,000 or more

  12

  13

  15

  12

  12

  13

  Source:

  Family resources survey 1995–96.

  align="center">Capital holdings of pensioners couples

  align="center">Age

  65 to 69

  70 to 74

  75 to 79

  80+

  Total

  None

  21

  17

  19

  21

  19

  <£1,500

  13

  13

  10

  10

  12

  £1,500 to £3,000

  7

  9

  11

  10

  9

  £3,000 to £8,000

  11

  14

  15

  15

  13

  £8,000 to £10,000

  3

  4

  4

  3

  3

  £10,000 to £16,000

  7

  9

  9

  8

  8

  £16,000 to £20,000

  4

  3

  5

  5

  4

  £20,000 or more

  35

  31

  29

  28

  32

  Source:

  Family resources survey 1995–96.

  Independent Tribunal Service
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will review the operation of the independent tribunal service in order to reduce waiting times. [12762]
  852
  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The Social Security Bill, which will be debated in Committee from 28 October, contains measures to provide a more efficient and faster appeals system for social security benefits, child support and vaccine damage payments. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has said that she will take personal
  853
  responsibility for the administration of the new system and will set and publish demanding targets for clearing appeals and report on the results achieved.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of gross rents in(a) the private rented, (b) local authority and (c) the housing association sectors is met by housing benefit. [12817]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The information is in the table.

  align="center">Proportion of total rental income covered by housing benefit Great Britain 1995–96

  Private rented sector

  Local Authority sector

  Housing association sector

  38 per cent.

  58 per cent.

  53 per cent.

  Note:

  The information is based on housing benefit expenditure in Great Britain as a proportion of estimated total rental income in each sector, including tenants not in receipt of any housing benefit.

  Source:

  Figures based on the 1995–96 family resources survey. The number of housing benefit recipients has been calibrated to match 1995–96 local authority case load counts.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will estimate the effect on the number of recipients of housing benefit of cutting the taper to(a) 60 per cent., (b) 55 per cent. and (c) 50 per cent. [12815]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The information is in the table.

  align="center">Estimated effect on case load of reducing the housing benefit taper

  Taper (per cent.)

  Housing benefit case load

  Increase on current case load

  Current taper 65

  4,700,000

  —

  60

  4,725,000

  25,000

  55

  4,770,000

  70,000

  50

  4,825,000

  125,000

  1. Estimates obtained from policy simulation model based on the 1995–96 family resources survey uprated to 1997–98 case load levels.

  2. Figures are rounded to the nearest 5,000.

  Mr. Hope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when she plans to publish the Social Security Advisory Committee's 1996 report on proposed amendments to the housing benefit regulations governing service charge eligibility; and if she will make a statement. [14186]

  Ms Harman
  The committee's report was published today. It provides valuable insight into the interaction of the various funding streams in supported housing. It is vital that such an important document is in the public domain to feed into the group's discussions on long-term funding arrangements.

  The inter-departmental group is seeking to implement a sustainable long-term funding arrangement for this valuable social provision. The work of the inter-departmental group is unlikely to conclude this year. We inherited a situation whereby many people relied on a benefit designed to meet housing costs to meet charges for services which bear little relation to the provision of accommodation. A recent divisional court ruling has confirmed that this is clearly an unsatisfactory arrangement. We have introduced interim measures to
  854
  protect the many thousands of vulnerable people living in supported accommodation and stabilise the position of existing supported housing provision until such time as we can implement a sustainable long-term funding arrangement. We shall shortly announce our objectives for these arrangements and we shall be seeking the views of stakeholders on how best to translate them into a modern, practical and sustainable funding mechanism.

  Means-tested Benefits
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assumptions about the take-up of means-tested benefits underlie(a) the most recent departmental spending plans and (b) the previous year's spending plans; and if she will make a statement. [12820]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The Department's estimates of expenditure on means-tested benefits do not make any assumptions about the level of take-up. Estimates are based on information drawn from the administrative data sets for individual benefits and reflect the level of take-up that exists at the time the data are collected.

  Notes:

  1. Further information can be found in the Department's "Income Related Benefits Estimates of Take-Up" publications. A copy of the newly published 1995–96 report is available the Library.

  2. The expenditure forecasts assume that recent trends, including trends in take-up rates, continue into the future. There has been no change in the relevant methodology between the latest plans and the previous year's plans.

  Lone Parents
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many lone parents in receipt of income support have a youngest child below school age; and what proportion this represents of all lone parents on income support. [12821]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  As at November 1996 there were 517,000 lone parents with a youngest child below school age. This figure represents 50.5 per cent. of all lone parents on income support.

  Notes:

  1. Below school age is defined as under five years of age.

  2. Figures have been rounded to the nearest thousand and percentages to one decimal place.

  3. Lone parents are those receiving the lone parent premium.

  4. Sample size 5 per cent.

  Source:

  Income support statistics quarterly inquiry, November 1996.

  Social Security Advisory Committee
  Ms Stuart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when she will respond to the eleventh report from the Social Security Advisory Committee, published on 5 August; and if she will make a statement on the future role and membership of the committee. [12787]

  Mr. Field
  The eleventh report of the Social Security Advisory Committee gave an account of the committee's work since November 1995 and no response was required. The committee is an independent statutory body whose role and membership criteria are set out in the Social Security Administration Act 1992. There are no plans to amend the legislation.

  Cold Weather Payments
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will assess the appropriateness of using weather stations in(a) Bradford and (b) Manchester airport to determine cold weather payments in High Peak. [12758]

  Mr. Denham
  Entitlement to cold weather payments is based on either the recorded or forecast temperature data at one of 72 weather stations throughout Great Britain. Each weather station is considered to reflect fairly the temperatures of the area it covers. Postcode districts are linked to weather stations, taking into account expert advice from the Meteorological Office.

  The list of weather stations to be used this winter and their respective linked postcode districts are contained within the amending regulations which were laid on 9 October, S.I. 1997 No. 2311. The weather stations at Bingley and Ringway—Manchester airport—will continue to be used for postcode districts in the High Peak constituency.

  After the end of each winter, representations made regarding the suitability of individual weather stations or their respective links with individual postcode districts are reviewed. Expert advice is sought from the Meteorological Office.

  Mr. Hill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when she expects to announce the outcome of the annual review of the cold weather payments and if she will make a statement. [14188]

  Mr. Denham
  The annual review has taken place against a backdrop of successful Government moves to cut fuel costs and a wide-ranging programme to make homes easier to heat. The Government are determined to tackle the problems associated with vulnerable people keeping warm during cold weather. Action will go well beyond the scope of cold weather payments.

  Fuel costs for many of the poorest claimants are falling. The annual fuel bills for people eligible for CWPs are estimated to be £60 million less this year than last. This fall itself is equivalent to nearly three CWPs. Last year eligible people received an average of two payments.

  This winter, fuel bills will fall due to the Chancellor of the Exchequer's reduction in VAT on fuel bills from eight to 5 per cent., removal of the gas levy, and recent reductions in the cost of fuel and light.

  Help with energy efficiency grants will continue for householders on low income benefits, disability allowances, or who are aged 60 or over. A further 400,000 vulnerable households will receive help this year. The grants have been extended to cover two new main measures—cavity wall insulation and upgrading of heating system controls.

  The environmental task force element of the Government's welfare-to-work new deal is now taking shape. It is expected to include a programme of energy efficiency improvements in homes of the elderly.

  This year's review also concluded that two further changes could not be implemented without increasing the complexity and uncertainty of the scheme and would not have provided a guaranteed improvement in the perceived fairness of the scheme.
  856
  The first proposed change made use of a new product from the Meteorological Office, which would have removed the need for an annual review of post code to weather station links, but would have lead to the number of post code groups within Great Britain increasing from the present 70 to over 600. Increasing the number of areas would have created far more occasions when people in neighbouring streets received a different number of payments and made the scheme far more difficult to understand. Therefore, we decided not to introduce this change, but to keep the current arrangements under review.

  We also considered a new report commissioned from the Building Research Establishment into the effect of wind speed on domestic heating needs during very cold weather. Copies of the BRE report have been placed in the Library. The report was considered alongside the action the Government have already taken to cut fuel bills and promote energy efficiency. We were also mindful of our manifesto commitment to live within inherited expenditure plans.

  Allowing for the effects of wind speed would increase the complexity and uncertainty of the scheme without ensuring that the payments went to those with the greatest need for additional heating. The amount of additional heating required depends on a number of varying factors, including the house type, insulation standard, method of heating used and its efficiency.

  If the current level of expenditure was maintained, but the scheme was changed to take into account wind speed, it is highly likely that many people in less windy areas would lose payments which they could expect to receive under the current arrangements.

  Taking into account all the relevant considerations we have decided not to amend the scheme to take account of wind speed.

  The annual review of the CWP scheme has now been completed. The review involved consideration of representations made during last winter regarding the suitability of individual weather stations or their respective links with post code districts. Amending regulations were laid on 9 October.

  In line with the Meterological Office expert advice, we have increased the number of weather stations used in the scheme from 70—the number used last winter—to 72. The two additional weather stations will improve the fairness with which payments are made in the affected areas. The two additional weather stations will be in Scotland. One at Waterstein head will represent most of the Isle of Skye and the other at Salsburgh will represent some inland areas in the south of Scotland.

  Income Support Mortgage Interest Scheme
  Mr. Efford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to change the way that standard interest rate used in the income support mortgage interest scheme is calculated. [14184]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  We have no current plans to change the existing arrangements for calculating the standard interest rate.

  Late Payments
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will list the suppliers to her Department who are owed outstanding amounts, indicating the amounts and the due date on which the account should have been settled. [13540]

  Mr. Field
  All Departments are required to pay all their bills within agreed contract terms, or 30 days from receipt of the goods or service or a valid invoice, whichever is later, where no such terms exist. Such detailed information on payment performance for the current financial year could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The Treasury will shortly be publishing a league table of departmental payment performance for 1996–97.

PRIME MINSTER

  Computers (Century Date Change)
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Prime Minster what proposals he has to address the century date change problem relating to computer systems during the British presidency of the European Union; and if he will make a statement. [13151]

  The Prime Minister
  The Government have launched Action 2000, a new initiative to provide UK businesses with the help that they need to tackle the century date change problem.

  We intend to raise with colleagues in Europe the need for all Governments to address this issue urgently.

  Ministers (Conflict of Interest)
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the responsibility of the President of the Board of Trade for ensuring that her Ministers do not see papers or attend meetings which may cause them to have a conflict of interest. [12463]

  The Prime Minister
  In accordance with the ministerial code, all Ministers have an individual responsibility for ensuring that they do not see papers or attend meetings which may cause them to have a conflict of interest

  WPC Yvonne Fletcher
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to the Adjournment debate of 23 July,Official Report, columns 994–1022, if following the meeting between Assistant Commissioner David Veness and the hon. Member for Linlithgow in Scotland Yard on 10 July, concerning the murder of WPC Yvonne Fletcher, he will reconsider Her Majesty's Government's policy towards UN sanctions against Libya. [12539]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 27 October 1997]: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him by my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, North (Mr. Henderson) the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, on 30 June, Official Report, column 38.

  Lockerbie
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to the Adjournment debate of 23 July,Official Report, columns 994–1022, if he will set out what steps Her Majesty's Government have taken to consider circumstances which have come to light since the fatal accident inquiry on the destruction of Pan Am 103 over Lockerbie; and the application of UN sanctions against Libya. [12538]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 27 October 1997]: Any new information is scrutinised carefully. The Lockerbie investigation remains open and its work is kept under constant review. The Lord Advocate has stated that he is satisfied, on the information available to him, that there is no reason not to proceed with the petitions against the Libyans accused of the Lockerbie bombing. Until Libya complies with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, sanctions should be maintained.

  Written Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he or his Ministers had with the hon. Member for Coventry, South (Mr. Cunningham) prior to the tabling of the question by the hon. Member for answer by the Prime Minister on 31 July; and what was the purpose of such discussion. [12735]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 27 October 1997]: As far as I am aware, none.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Coventry, South (Mr. Cunningham) of 31 July,Official Report, column 495, and the answer by the Chancellor of the Exchequer of 21 July, Official Report, column 442, what was the basis of the calculation in the answer of 31 July. [12736]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 27 October 1997]: The average cost of answering a written parliamentary question is £107.

  The average cost was multiplied by the number of questions the hon. Member had tabled, 295, to give an estimated total cost of £30,000 since the beginning of May.

  The cost detailed on 21 July, Official Report, column 442, applies to direct staff costs only.

  Chequers
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the(a) official entertainment functions and (b) conferences which have been held at Chequers since May. [12919]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 27 October 1997]: Since the general election, my family and I have used Chequers in a variety of ways, both official and private, consistent with the wishes of the donor, Lord Lee, and the Chequers Estate Acts.

  Social Exclusion Unit
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Prime Minister what are the terms of reference of the social exclusion unit; how many full-time equivalent staff it will have; and what estimate he has made of its annual running cost. [12825]
  859
  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 27 October 1997]: The full membership of the unit and its precise terms of reference will be announced shortly. Its budget is currently being determined, but will be funded from within existing resources.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Prime Minister what is Her Majesty's Government's definition of social exclusion.
  [12827]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 27 October 1997]: Social exclusion can be broadly defined as covering those people who do not have the means, material and otherwise, to participate in social, economic, political and cultural life.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Prime Minister how he will assess whether social exclusion has decreased as a result of the work of the social exclusion unit. [12826]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 27 October 1997]: The social exclusion unit will have clear public terms of reference, against which its work can be judged.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Prime Minister what estimate he has made of the number of people experiencing social exclusion at present; and what are the principal causes of that social exclusion. [12828]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 27 October 1997]: One of the social exclusion unit's key tasks will be to draw together information on the key indicators of social exclusion and improve understanding of its causes.

  Unpaid Advisers
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Prime Minister what has been the cost to public funds of official secretarial support to unpaid advisers; and from what source these sums are met. [12524]

  The Prime Minister
  Unpaid special advisers may have access to departmental typing facilities. In practice, only one unpaid adviser currently has requested access to typing facilities and this is being provided from a shared resource with other special advisers. It is not possible to distinguish the precise cost to departmental resources of this support to the unpaid adviser.

  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 22 July,Official Report, columns 556–57, if Ministers with unpaid advisers have procured a list of private concerns for each relevant adviser and a list of issues on which conflict with those concerns may arise. [12520]

  The Prime Minister
  Yes. Ministers and their unpaid advisers are required before any appointment is confirmed to ensure that no conflict arises, or appears to arise, between their public duties and of their private interests.

  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Prime Minister if the notification of the Prime Minister prior to appointments of unpaid advisers constitutes approval by the Prime Minister of each appointment. [12521]

  The Prime Minister
  Before agreeing to the appointment of an unpaid adviser, the appointing Minister has to satisfy me that the appointment is necessary, and 860
  that arrangements have been put in place to ensure that no conflict arises, or appears to arise, between their public duties and any of their private interests.

  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) if unpaid advisers have been or may be subject to positive vetting; and who pays for the vetting; [12522]

  (2) if a ministerial instruction is needed in each case before an unpaid adviser may see classified papers; and if unpaid advisers who have not been positively vetted are permitted to see papers normally seen only by officials and advisers who have been positively vetted. [12523]

  The Prime Minister
  It is for the appointing Minister to determine the papers to which an unpaid adviser may have access. If this involves access to classified papers, then the adviser will be subject to appropriate vetting clearance, the cost of which will be met from the relevant departmental budget.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the special advisers in his Department and indicate the subjects on which they advise. [12330]

  The Prime Minister
  The special advisers in No. 10 Downing street and their responsibilities are as follows:

  Responsibility

  Jonathan Powell

  Chief of Staff

  Kate Garvey

  Diary

  Anji Hunter

  Planning and Visits

  Fiona Miller (part time)

  Assistants to Mrs. Blair

  Roz Preston (part time)

  No. 10 Policy Unit

  David Milliband

  Director of Policy, Education

  Derek Scott

  Economy

  James Purnell

  Culture, Media and Sport and Office of Public Service

  Robert Hill

  Health and Local Government

  Liz Lloyd

  Agriculture, Environment and Home affairs

  Pat McFadden

  Constitutional Reform

  Geoffrey Norris

  Trade and Industry, Transport and Regional Policy

  Roger Liddle

  Europe, Defence

  Peter Hyman

  Communications

  Geoff Mulgan

  Social Exclusion

  No. 10 Press Office

  Alastair Campbell

  Press Secretary

  Tim Allan

  No. 10 Press Office

  Hillary Coffman

  No. 10 Press Office

  Security Service
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Prime Minister what files on individuals held by the Security Service were brought into the public domain as a result of the statement made by Mr. Shayler; and if he will make a statement. [13356]

  The Prime Minister
  No files have been released into the public domain as a result of Mr. Shayler's statements to the press.

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the prime Minister if Mr. Shayler is to be allowed to give evidence to the Intelligence and Security Committee. [13425]
  861
  The Prime Minister
  This is a matter for the Committee itself to decide.

  Telephone Tapping
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Prime Minister if it is Govnerment policy that interception of telephones of hon. Members by the Security Service requires his authorisation; and if he will make a statement. [13358]

  The Prime Minister
  This Government's policy on the interception of telephones of Members of Parliament remains as stated in 1966 by the then Prime Minister, the Lord Wilson of Rievaulx, and as applied by successive Governments since. In answer to questions on 17 November 1966, Lord Wilson said that he had given instructions that there was to be no tapping of the telephones of Members of Parliament and that, if there were a development which required such a change of policy, he would at such moment as seemed compatible with the security of the country, on his own initiative, make a statement in the House about it.

  Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Edinburgh. [13003]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer my hon. Friend to the Statement I made in the House,Official Report, columns 707–709.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Grace and Favour Residences
  Mr. Ernie Ross
  To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, which Officers of the House enjoy grace and favour residences; and what is(a) their rateable value, (b) their market rent, (c) the rent actually paid and (d) the total amount of public funds spent on renovation of each property over the past 10 years. [12457]

  Mr. Kirkwood
  [holding answer 31 July 1997]: There are no grace and favour residences in the parliamentary precincts. However, certain Officers of the House are required to reside in the precincts when the House is in session. It is not the practice to give details of the conditions of service of individual staff.

  Expenditure on the refurbishment of the residences since 1 April 1993 has totalled £169,000. Figures for earlier years are not available.

HEALTH

  Childbirth Costs
  Dr. Vis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the average cost of childbirth in the NHS in England and Wales including ante-natal and post-natal care for each of the last five years. [12956]

  Mr. Boateng
  The average cost of childbirth in the national health service in England, including ante-natal and post-natal care provided both in hospitals and the 862
  community, is shown in the attached table. Questions relating to Wales are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  Total expenditure on maternity services (hospital and community)— in £000s

  1,011,857

  1,007,065

  1,006,546

  1,012,530

  11,048,651

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  Total numbers of births (livebirths and stillbirths)

  654,561

  640,094

  632,539

  616,663

  617,529

  Average cost per birth

  £1,546

  £1,573

  £1,591

  £1,642

  £1,698

  Note:

  1Provisional.

  Sources:

  Office of National Statistics, Key Population and Vital Statistics 1992, 1993, 1994, VS5 Tables 1995, 1996.

  Annual financial returns of health authority directly managed units and NHS trusts.

  Hospital Appointment Cancellations
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to issue guidance to health authorities and NHS trusts on methods to reduce cancellations by hospital outpatients, with specific reference to the use of post and phone reminder systems. [12810]

  Mr. Boateng
  Best practice guidance, including the issuing of reminder letters and the use of freephones and answer-phones, to reduce non-attendance in outpatients clinics was issued by the NHS executive's north-west office and has been widely distributed throughout the NHS. Copies are available in the Library.

  The Government are developing a new NHS charter which, among other things, will be looking for a proper balance between patients' rights and their responsibilities towards the NHS. This includes keeping appointments or informing the NHS if they are unable to do so.

  Abortions
  Dr. Vis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the average cost of a first trimester NHS abortion in England and Wales for each of the last five years. [12957]

  Ms Jowell
  Information on the costs of specific operations is not held centrally because of a number of factors including the many different types of operations, the variation in cost from hospital to hospital and the logistics of administering such a diverse range of data.

  Charging Policy (Disabled People)
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the impact of current charging policies on disabled people and carers; and if he will introduce national guidelines on charging. [13308]

  Mr. Boateng
  Under the current system whereby local authorities have complete discretion, there are considerable variations in local authority charging practices. We are looking at how this may be addressed both in the short-term and as part of a fundamental review of long-term care.

  Hospitals (Cornwall)
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if the statements made by the Minister of State in Torbay on 23 October 1997 in response to questions about the threatened closures and cuts in Cornwall's community hospitals represent Government policy; [13180]

  (2) if it is his intention that Ministers who have expressed views on the merits of proposed closures and cuts in Cornwall's community hospital services should play any part in the approval process for these proposals. [13179]

  Mr. Boateng
  During media interviews on 23 October, my noble Friend the Minister of State made general points about the need to see improved community services to enable patients to be treated in their own homes, rather than in hospital. My noble Friend did not comment upon, or pass judgment on, the service review of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly health authority.

  Dental Health (Children)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what studies his Department has evaluated relating to the level of plutonium in the teeth of children(a) in the Sellafield area and (b) elsewhere in the Untied Kingdom; what were the results of these surveys; and if he will make a statement. [13210]

  Ms. Jowell
  A study, jointly funded by the Department of Health, the Department of Trade and Industry and the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Agency entitled "Variations in the concentration of plutonium, strontium-90 and total alpha-emitters in human teeth collected within the British Isles" was published in "The Science of the Total Environment 201 (1997) 235–243". Copies of the study have been placed in the Library.

  The results of the study suggest that the Sellafield nuclear reprocessing plant may contribute to the plutonium found in teeth in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. However the levels of plutonium measured were 1,000 times less than other radioactive substances also present in teeth from natural sources. The authors have acknowledged that the levels of plutonium were so low that they present an insignificant risk to health.

  Trusts (Appointments)
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) in which instance the final interviews for trust non-executive directors' posts in the North Thames region 864
  have been conducted during the appointment process for the new chairman of the trust, and before the Secretary of State made the appointment; [13204]

  (2) when he made the appointment of the new chairman of the Basildon and Thurrock Hospital trust; and when the final interviews for non-executive directors for the Basildon and Thurrock Hospital trust were conducted. [13203]

  Mr. Milburn
  In the current round of appointments to national health service trusts in the North Thames region, there are vacancies for 24 chairmen and 91 non-executive directors. All these appointments are made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health on the advice of the regional chairman. Given the time constraints for this year's trust exercise, it has not always been possible to involve new chairmen in shortlisting candidates for non-executive directors for their trusts. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State wrote on 30 October inviting a candidate to accept the post of chairman of Basildon and Thurrock General Hospitals NHS trust. The new chairman's views will be taken into account on who should fill the two non-executive posts at the trust which fall vacant on 1 December.

  Late Payments
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the suppliers to whom payments from NHS trusts are outstanding beyond the due date for payment, indicating in each case the name of the trust and when the payment was due. [13526]

  Mr. Milburn
  National health service trusts make over 3 million payments per quarter to a very large number of suppliers. The details are not therefore collected by the Department. In the first quarter of 1997–98, approximately 80 per cent. of payments were made on time.

  Information on the compliance of individual NHS trusts with the public sector payment policy is collected quarterly. The information provides the numbers of bills paid, the numbers paid within the prompt payment target and the percentage paid within target.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the suppliers to his Department who are owed outstanding amounts, indicating the amounts and the due date on which the account should have been settled. [13542]

  Ms Jowell
  All Departments are required to pay all their bills within agreed contract terms, or 30 days from receipt of the goods or service or a valid invoice, whichever is later, where no such terms exist. Such detailed information on payment performance for the current financial year could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The Treasury will shortly be publishing a league table of departmental payment performance for 1996–97.

  Transplants
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how may(a) kidney, (b) heart, (c) lung, (d) heart-lung, (e) liver and (f) other transplants have been carried out in each of the last 10 years, broken down into health authority district; and if he will make a statement. [12906]
  865
  Mr. Boateng
  [holding answer 27 October 1997]: The information available on numbers of transplants has been placed in the Library. These show the numbers of transplants carried out for the last 10 years broken down by region. Many hospitals do not perform kidney transplants, and there are just eight designated cardiothoracic transplant units and six designated liver units in England. This is the main reason for the considerable variation in the numbers of transplants performed in different regions.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Jobseeker's Allowance
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the Transport costs incurred by jobseeker's allowance claimants in rural areas in meeting the requirement regularly to sign on at their local jobcentre by virtue of their residence within four hours' travelling distance; and if he will make a statement. [13218]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  We want as many jobseekers as possible to have regular access to jobcentre advice and services, to help them return to work as quickly possible. The great majority therefore attend each fortnight. However, a small minority sign by post instead, because of the distance they live from the jobcentre. Postal signing is normally agreed for anyone whose normal door-to-door journey to the jobcentre using public transport using public transport would take more than an hour in either direction, or would have to be away from home for more than four hours in total.

  We have made no estimate of the costs incurred in fortnightly attendance at the jobcentre. Most people incur some costs, and it has never been the practice to refund them. Jobcentres can of course consider accommodating jobseekers' normal day of attendance to any weekday on which they may regularly travel to the town concerned.

  Southampton University (Merger)
  Mrs. Betty Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what arrangements have been made to transfer the relevant assets from La Sainte Union college of higher education to the university of Southampton following the merger of the college with the university. [14239]

  Dr. Howells
  La Sainte Union college of higher education merged with university of Southampton on 1 September 1997. The congregation of La Sainte Union des Sacres Coeurs owns the land and buildings used by the college. The congregation has agreed to sell the academic and associated buildings to the university and to grant the university an option to purchase the student residence at a later date. The estate has been partly financed by public funds and Government have an interest in ensuring that any disposals or transfers comply with requirements for propriety, regularity and value for money.
  866
  The Government have agreed that the Higher Education Funding Council for England may waive the standard condition in its financial memorandum with the college requiring it to repay the Government interest in the estate to the Exchequer when it is transferred to the university. In return, the university has agreed that the estate will continue to be used for higher education, and has accepted responsibility to repay the Government interest in the estate to the Exchequer if it is disposed of in the future.

  TEC Efficiency Scrutiny
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will place in the Library a copy of his Department's implementation report following the efficiency scrutiny into the training and enterprise company contract and management fee; and if he will make a statement. [14238]

  Dr. Howells
  A copy of the implementation report that his Department has produced in response to the findings of the above scrutiny has been placed in the Library.

  The great majority of the scrutiny's 40 recommendations have been implemented in line with the agreed action plan. The overall result is a less bureaucratic and more productive relationship between his Department and TECs.

  The Government will continue to seek ways to ensure that the cost of administering programmes is the minimum that is necessary, consistent with proper accountability for public funds.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the total additional budget allocation for grant-maintained schools in England, in addition to that which they received through their local management of schools funding allocation, for(a) 1989–90, (b) 1990–91, (c) 1991–92, (d) 1992–93 and (e) 1993–94. [13176]

  Mr. Byers
  For the years in question, the annual maintenance grant for grant-maintained schools consisted of three principal elements. The first—direct AMG—is what the GM school would have received under the local management of schools scheme of its former maintaining LEA. The second—meals AMG—consisted of an amount for school meals reflecting subsidy levels in the relevant LEA for net expenditure on school meals. The third—central AMG—is an amount for services which LEA schools received free of charge but for which GM schools assumed direct responsibility, and was a simple percentage of the first sum. The central percentage is determined by the Secretary of State and under current arrangements is calculated for individual local education authorities by reference to the financial returns that they make.
  867
  We recognise that the current arrangements for funding GM schools treat them differently from LEA schools, and can lead to unwarranted financial advantage to some GM schools. We are proposing in 1998–99 to move to a fairer funding system and we are presently considering the responses to consultation on our proposals. These proposals include transitional arrangements, where necessary, to minimise disruption to individual GM school budgets.

  Tuition Fees
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how he intends to deal with those students who fail to meet their repayments on tuition fees; what provision he has made for this; and if he will make a statement. [13160]

  Dr. Howells
  Universities and colleges will be responsible for collecting tuition fees from their students and for deciding what should happen in the case of students who fail to pay their fees, bearing in mind that their grants from the Higher Education Funding Council for England will assume this new source of income.

  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if all university students from throughout the United Kingdom will be charged a flat rate tuition fee of £3,000 for a degree level course. [13361]

  Dr. Howells
  Full-time undergraduate students will be required to contribute up to £1,000 a year towards tuition fees, depending on the assessment of parental or spouse's income. It will be possible for full-time undergraduate students from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to undertake a degree course for a maximum contribution of £3,000 to tuition fees, but students may opt for degree courses lasting longer than three years. In that case, the total level of contribution, depending on assessment of parental or spouse's income, will be higher, subject to the special arrangements which will apply to students on medical and dental courses in year five and beyond and to Scottish students taking four-year honours degrees, in recognition of the fact that many Scottish students will have spent only one year in the sixth form. No contributions will be required from students from low-income families.

  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has made to the Scottish Office in respect of university tuition fees for students from England and Wales. [13362]

  Dr. Howells
  We have asked the Scottish Office to encourage Scottish universities, where they do not do so already, to admit English and Welsh students with appropriate A-levels into the second year of their four-year honours degree courses, so that English and Welsh students will be able to obtain a Scottish honours degree for the same maximum contribution—£3,000—
  towards tuition fees as Scottish students. Students from low-income families will not, however, be required to contribute to fees.

  Late Payments
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the suppliers to his Department who are owed outstanding amounts, indicating the amounts and the due date on which the account should have been settled. [13547]

  Dr. Howells
  All Departments are required to pay all their bills within agreed contract terms, or 30 days from receipt of the goods or service or a valid invoice, which ever is later, where no such terms exist. Such detailed information on payment performance for the current financial year could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The Treasury will shortly be publishing a league table of departmental payment performance for 1996–97.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Timeshare Industry
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the regulation of the timeshare industry. [12757]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  The timeshare industry in the United Kingdom is regulated by the Timeshare Act 1992, as amended by the Timeshare Regulations 1997, which implemented the EU timeshare directive. Member states were required to implement the directive by 29 April 1997. A number have not yet done so, including Spain where many UK citizens buy timeshares. I have written to the Spanish Government about this and will raise the matter when I meet the Spanish Consumer Minister later this month.

  Minister's Unpublished Articles
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list those articles written by the Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Edinburgh, South (Mr. Griffiths), awaiting publication. [12542]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  I have written a number of articles awaiting publication, in accordance with paragraphs 101, 102, 104–106 of the ministerial code: "A Code of Conduct and Guidance on Procedures for Ministers".

  Inward Investors
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps she is taking to establish a code of practice on the offering of state aids to inward investors; and when she expects to report to Parliament on this matter. [12977]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  [holding answer 27 October 1997]: As foreshadowed in the Scotland and Wales White Papers on devolution, common UK guidelines and consultation arrangements on financial assistance to industry will be set out in a published concordat, which is currently being prepared. 1 shall report to Parliament when that concordat is published.

  Competition Policy
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will place in the Library copies of the responses to the draft Bill on competition policy. [12987]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  Copies of the responses to the consultation document "A prohibition approach to anti-competitive agreements and abuse of a dominant position: draft bill" will be placed in the Library shortly with the exception of the responses from those respondents who have requested that their responses be kept confidential. Copies will also be placed in the library of the Department of Trade and Industry, which is open to the public. In the consultation document, we said it would be helpful to have responses by September 30. However, we said that responses received after that date would still be considered, and responses are accordingly still being received.

  Used Car Sales
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action she proposes to take following the publication of the Office of Fair Trading report on the sale of used cars. [12989]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  I have asked the Director General of Fair Trading to bring forward detailed proposals on the legislative changes he sees as necessary to implement the recommendations contained in his report.

  Consumer Affairs
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list her Department's prioritises in relation to consumer affairs for the United Kingdom presidency of the EU. [12985]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  While preparations are well under way to conduct a successful presidency of the Consumer Council, with over a third of the Luxembourg presidency still to run, we have not finalised our plans. I am to pursue the Government's policy of ensuring that UK consumers achieve the best possible consumer protection.

  Goods and Services (Payments)
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list each of the functions relating to payment for goods or services supplied for which her Department is responsible indicating the management systems purchased, all sub-contractors involved in the work, co-operative arrangements with other Departments; and the costs of the systems and processes in the last year for which figures are available. [12572]

  Mrs. Roche
  In line with other Government Departments, the DTI is responsible for payments relating to the goods and services it procures. There are well-established procedures aimed at promoting efficient and effective procurement and prompt payment. In general, each management unit within the Department is responsible for purchases in relation to its own needs. The Department's central procurement standards unit formulates overall policy and disseminates best practice. Payments of invoices are contracted out to CSL Managed Services, which provides the Department's accounts services and similar services to a range of other public 870
  sector bodies. As procurement is an integral part of each management unit's activity, it is not possible to disaggregate the costs.

  Minimum Wage
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if it is her policy to implement whatever recommendation the Low Pay Commission makes on the minimum wage. [13044]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  [holding answer 29 October 1997]: The Government will decide the level at which the national minimum wage will be set after considering the Low Pay Commission's recommendations.

  Export Licences
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when the statistics on export licences issued and refused for the second half of 1996 will be placed in the Library. [14185]

  Mrs. Roche
  1. It has been normal practice for statistics relating to decisions on applications for standard individual export licences for strategic goods to be placed periodically in the Library. However, a number of problems have been identified with the export control licence information processing system, ECLIPS, which came into operation in March 1995, on which details of such applications are recorded.

  2. It should be made clear that the problems identified relate to the accuracy of recording and subsequent retrieval of information from the databases; they have not affected the processing of, and decision-making on, individual export licence applications. They fall into three main categories:

  (i) In general, over the last few years, where a single application has involved a range of goods, only the major item of goods on the application has been recorded on ECLIPS, together with the entry in the legislation under which this item is controlled (known as the "rating"). Any other goods on the application have been considered in the licensing process, but not recorded on the computer system.

  (ii) Conversion and input errors have been found in data transferred to ECLIPS from earlier computer systems.

  (iii) Errors and omissions have been found in the entry and updating of information on ECLIPS since it came into operation.

  The House will be aware that it has been necessary in the past to correct a number of answers to questions, for example the question asked by the hon. Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell), Official Report, 13 June 1996 column 263.

  3. Data integrity problems also arise with the separately recorded data on applications for open individual export licences, on which information has not been included in the statistics placed in the Library.

  4. Having identified these problems, this Government have taken urgent steps to improve the situation:
  Checks have been made on all answers given to parliamentary questions since this Government took office;
  New procedures have been put in place to ensure that all goods listed on export licence applications and their ratings will be recorded for all applications in future, and this work will be backdated to cover all applications on which a decision has been taken since 2 May;

  871
  Data input procedures and their enforcement have been reviewed and strengthened;
  In order to assist industry and minimise input errors, work is in hand to allow companies to complete standard individual export licence applications electronically and it is hoped that this will be ready for testing in the new year; and
  In the same time scale, a new database is being developed to hold the data. All this work is being undertaken to a rigorous timetable and the result will be a significant advance on the present situation. However, some goods on an application may be listed under a range of different terms or even brand names.

  While these can be searched by rating, comparison with a generic or specific description may be possible only in some cases by examining the original paper records.

  5. As a result of checking answers given to parliamentary questions since this Government took office, three errors have now been identified affecting the answer to five separate questions; four asked by the hon. Member for Cynon Valley (Mrs. Clwyd) and one by the hon. Member for Westbury (Mr. Faber). Both have been informed by letter, copies of which have been placed in the Library of both Houses. Apart from this, however, as it is now clear that the databases do not provide a fully accurate record, some previous answers, using information obtained from the databases, could be proved wrong if recourse were made to the original paper records, of which there are some 280,000. In the light of this, all information given by this and previous Administrations—either in answer to parliamentary questions, or in correspondence, or elsewhere—relying on data obtained from these databases, should be read in conjunction with the following caveat:
  "This information is based on data retrieved from computer databases that have been found not to be fully comprehensive. It should therefore be treated as indicative only. For any single application involving a range of goods, all of the entries in the legislation under which all of these goods were controlled may not have been recorded. Additionally, there may have been errors and omissions in recording some information. The information could only be verified by undertaking a complete search of all paper records, which would entail excessive cost".

  6. However, while it would not be cost-effective to seek to correct all the data available in the Library, the data for the second half of 1996 is being corrected by examination of the paper records. This work will be completed as soon as possible and the aim is to place in the Library before the end of the year statistics covering this period, albeit subject to the above caveat.

  For the first time, these will include statistics on open individual export licences granted; copies of all current open general export licences will also be provided.

  7. The Government are committed, in spirit of openness, to reporting annually on the state of strategic export controls and their application.

  Late Payments
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list the suppliers to her Department who are owed outstanding amounts, indicating the amounts and the due date on which the account should have been settled. [13546]
  872
  Mrs. Roche
  All Departments are required to pay all their bills within agreed contract terms, or 30 days from receipt of the goods or service or a valid invoice, whichever is the later, where no such terms exist. The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The Government will publish a league table of departmental payment performance for 1996–97 shortly.

  Export Credits (Indonesia)
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the value of the export credits furnished to Indonesia in each of the last five years; and what percentage of these were allocated to defence exports. [12342]

  Mrs. Roche
  According to readily available information, figures show that the value of ECGD supported export credits to Indonesia in each of the past five years was as follows:

  Year

  Total £ million

  Per cent. attributable to defence

  1993

  100.0

  8

  1994

  232.9

  47

  1995

  649.8

  64

  1996

  337.0

  43

  1997 to date

  56.9

  2

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Sex Offenders
  Rev. Ian Paisley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people have been(a) charged and (b) convicted under the Sex Offenders Act 1997 in relation to Northern Ireland. [12753]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 27 October 1997]: The Sex Offenders Act 1997 came into being on 1 September 1997 and to date no persons have been charged or convicted under the Act in Northern Ireland.

  Rev. Ian Paisley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many sex offenders have registered their place of abode by category of offence. [12754]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 27 October 1997]: A total of 49 persons in Northern Ireland have registered as required under current legislation. This figure is made up as follows:

  Number

  Indecent assault on children

  33

  Indecent assault

  7

  Gross indecency

  4

  Rape

  1

  Attempted rape

  1

  Incest

  1

  Unlawful carnal knowledge

  1

  Taking indecent photographs

  1

  Drumcree Disturbances
  Rev. Ian Paisley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many prosecutions of(a) members of the loyalist community and (b) members of the nationalist community have taken place in respect of the Drumcree disturbances. [12864]

  Mr. Ingram
  As a result of disturbances during the period 5 to 13 July 1997, 35 persons have been prosecuted. Of these police perceive 19 to come from the loyalist community and 16 to come from the nationalist community.

WALES

  Voluntary Sector
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on his proposals to promote and create partnerships between his Department and the voluntary sector, and for the allocation of funding to the voluntary sector in Wales. [12861]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  Officials are currently discussing with representatives of the voluntary sector the development of a compact between the Government and the voluntary sector in Wales. I expect this compact to set out the principles, including those relating to funding, which will govern our future relationship. We will consult on the final form which the compact should take.

  Late Payment
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the suppliers to his Department who are owed outstanding amounts, indicating the amounts and the due date on which the account should have been settled. [13538]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  All Departments are required to pay all their bills within agreed contract terms, or 30 days from receipt of the goods or service or a valid invoice, whichever is later, where no such terms exist. Such detailed information on payment performance for the current financial year could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The Treasury will shortly be publishing a league table of departmental payment performance for 1996–97.

  Local Government Funding
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received from local authorities in Wales concerning the negative impact of proposed changes in the distribution of financial support to local government in Wales with particular reference to the more economically deprived counties. [13360]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  In addition to comments and proposals on the distribution arrangements for the forthcoming revenue settlement from the Welsh Local Government Association, I have received representations from a number of individual local authorities. I discussed the arrangements with the association on 27 October. I will also be consulting Cardiff county council and Rhondda Cynon Taff county borough council on the options
  874
  I am considering a package of measures which will implement the proposed changes to the distribution formula whilst protecting individual authorities? spending power and limiting the impact on council tax payers. For the longer term, I propose to commission, jointly with the Welsh Local Government Association, an independent review of the concept of expenditure need and the main factors that influence it. This review should be completed in time for early consideration by the Welsh Assembly.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Local Government Reorganisation
  Mr. Caplin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what resources he will make available to authorities that have been or are to be reorganised on 1 April 1995, 1996, 1997 or 1998 for reorganisation costs incurred by them in 1997–98; and if he will make a statement. [14067]

  Ms Armstrong
  On 18 July I invited authorities that have been or are to be reorganised on or before 1 April 1998 to submit estimates of the amount of expenditure they expect to incur on transitional costs of reorganisation in 1997–98. On the basis, inter alia, of the information provided by the authorities, I have decided the revised maximum amounts that it would be appropriate to allocate towards such costs in 1997–98. In the initial round, priority was given to authorities that were reorganised on 1 April 1997 and will be reorganising on 1 April 1998; I have adopted the same priorities for the mid-year stage of the scheme. The majority of the authorities to be reorganised in 1998 requested at the beginning of the scheme that allocations in respect of redundancy be deferred until this round. Accordingly, the allocations listed below for authorities reorganising in 1998 are intended to cover redundancy costs.

  The amounts are as follows:

  Maximum amounts: £000s rounded

  Authority

  1997–98

  1996 reorganisations

  Hartlepool borough council

  1,400

  Redcar and Cleveland council

  1,300

  Middlesbrough borough council

  1,500

  Stockton on Tees borough council

  1,300

  Bristol city council

  1,100

  Bath and North East Somerset council

  1,700

  North Somerset council

  1,000

  South Gloucestershire council

  1,200

  Kingston upon Hull council

  1,200

  East Riding Yorkshire council

  2,500

  North Lincolnshire council

  1,200

  North East Lincolnshire council

  1,900

  York city council

  800

  Total

  18,100

  1997 Reorganisations

  Bedfordshire county council

  1,000

  Luton borough council

  3,500

  Milton Keynes borough council

  3,000

  Derbyshire county council

  650

  Derby city council

  2,950

  Bournemouth borough council

  2,900

  Poole borough council

  3,000

  875

  Maximum amounts: £000s rounded

  Authority

  1997–98

  Durham county council

  350

  Darlington borough council

  2,000

  East Sussex county council

  1,800

  Brighton and Hove council

  4,000

  Hampshire county council

  1,600

  Portsmouth city council

  2,600

  Southampton city council

  3,200

  Leicestershire county council

  1,100

  Leicester city council

  3,100

  Rutland council

  1,160

  Staffordshire county council

  720

  Stoke on Trent city council

  2,600

  Wiltshire county council

  400

  Swindon borough council

  2,000

  Total

  43,630

  1998 Reorganisations

  Berkshire county council

  4,100

  Bracknell forest borough council

  2,100

  Newbury district council

  2,400

  Reading borough council

  3,000

  Slough borough council

  2,600

  Royal borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

  2,200

  Wokingham district council

  3,500

  Hereford and Worcester county council

  2,300

  Hereford city council

  250

  Leominster district council

  350

  Malvern Hills district council

  600

  South Herefordshire district council

  200

  County of Herefordshire district council (shadow)

  13,000

  Worcestershire county council (shadow)

  12,300

  Malvern Hills district council (shadow)

  1385

  Devon county council

  3,000

  Plymouth city council

  2,900

  Torbay borough council

  3,400

  Essex county council

  2,800

  Southend on sea borough council

  2,950

  Thurrock borough council

  2,850

  Nottinghamshire county council

  2,400

  Nottingham city council

  3,100

  Cheshire county council

  2,500

  Halton borough council

  2,500

  Warrington borough council

  3,300

  Shropshire county council

  2,100

  The Wrekin district council

  3,000

  Kent county council

  3,200

  Gillingham borough council

  400

  Rochester city council

  600

  Medway Towns council (shadow)

  13,000

  Cambridgeshire county council

  1,400

  Peterborough city council

  3,400

  Lancashire county council

  2,800

  Blackburn with Darwen borough council

  3,200

  Blackpool borough council

  3,000

  Total

  87,085

  Combined total allocations

  148,815

  1 Supplementary credit approval to be issued. The figure includes SCA issued in May 1997. Isle of Wight council, Buckinghamshire and Dorset county councils did not submit bids.

SCOTLAND

  Land Ownership and Management
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how the Government plan to take forward their commitment to initiate a study of land ownership and management in Scotland. [14189]
  876
  Mr. Dewar
  I am establishing a land reform policy group, under the chairmanship of my noble Friend the Scottish Office Minister for Agriculture, the Environment and Fisheries, which will have the following remit:to identify and assess proposals for land reform in rural Scotland taking account of their cost, legislative and administrative implications and their likely impact on the social and economic development of rural communities and on the natural heritage.

  The group comprises senior officials from the Scottish Office and the Forestry Commission; and Professor John Bryden of Aberdeen university, who has long experience of land tenure issues, will act as external assessor. Over the next year the group will assess carefully the range of available options and I expect is report to provide a sound basis for early action by the new Scottish Parliament. Along with two related reports from the Scottish Law Commission on the abolition of feudal tenure and on reform of the law on real burdens, this should pave the way for early land reform legislation for the new millennium.

  Lockerbie
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the Crown Office has access to all the United States evidence relating to Lockerbie. [13212]

  Mr. McLeish
  As has been repeatedly stated, there has been very full co-operation throughout between the Scottish and United States authorities. Appropriate arrangements have been made for sharing of information and evidence and many inquiries have been pursued jointly or in parallel with those of the United States authorities.

  Pupils with Medical Needs
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he proposes to issue guidance to social work departments on supporting pupils with medical needs. [13217]

  Mr. Galbraith
  There are no plans to issue such guidance to social work departments. However, my officials are currently discussing with directors of education in Scotland draft guidance on legal and administrative issues related to the administration of medicine in schools.

  Travellers
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to extend the work of the advisory committee on Scotland?s travelling people in Scotland beyond the end of 1997. [13221]

  Mr. Chisholm
  This is currently under consideration. My right hon. Friend expects to reach a decision shortly.

  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what evidence the advisory committee on Scotland?s travelling people in Scotland has received about the location and availability to travelling people of pitches within Highland council area. [13222]

  Mr. Chisholm
  The advisory committee receives information on pitches across Scotland from its own members and, from time to time, from a range of other sources. In May 1997, the Scottish Office published a
  877
  report on "Local Authority Sites for Travellers" intended to assist the advisory committee in its work. The report included a survey of all local authority sites then open, including those in Highland council?s area. A copy has been placed in the Library.

  Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd.
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list by airport the Scottish Office grant made available to Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd. in(a) 1995–96 and (b) 1996–97. [13220]

  Mr. Chisholm
  Scottish Office grant to Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd. is not hypothecated in respect of individual airports. The amount of deficit subsidy attributed by HIAL to each airport operated by the company was as follows:

  1995–96 £

  1996–97 £

  Barra

  426,000

  864,000

  Benbecula

  637,000

  708,000

  Campbeltown

  899,000

  856,000

  Inverness

  2,651,000

  1,075,000

  Islay

  509,000

  457,000

  Kirkwall

  2,722,000

  926,000

  Stornoway

  430,000

  408,000

  Sumburgh (non-oil1)

  340,000

  270,000

  Tiree

  510,000

  388,000

  Wick

  741,000

  1,052,000

  1 Sumburgh's oil-related activities are not subsidised and in the years in question made a positive contribution to HIAL's overall finances of £1,475,000 in 1995–96 and £367,000 in 1996–97.

  Woodland Sales
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list(a) the areas of Forestry Commission woodland that are currently being advertised for sale and (b) the steps being taken to safeguard public access in these areas. [13413]

  Mr. Chisholm
  We imposed a moratorium on the sale of Forestry Commission land when we took up office. The commission and its selling agents therefore explain to anyone making inquiries about buying woodlands that there are currently no Forestry Commission woodlands available for purchase.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Montserrat
  Mr. Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what are her current plans for the development of Montserrat; and if she will make a statement. [13351]

  Clare Short
  We have always made clear that we are committed to maintaining a viable community in the north of the island as long as it is safe for people to live there. This assurance means that essential facilities including health care, education, utilities and internal and external communications will be available for Montserratians who wish to remain on the island.
  878
  As we have agreed with the Government of Montserrat, the next major step is the preparation and agreement—in consultation with the people of Montserrat—of a long-term sustainable development plan for the island to provide the level of services and infrastructure appropriate to the needs of the community. Work on the preparation of the SDP is now under way and is expected to be completed early in the new year.

  Commonwealth Development Corporation
  Mr. Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what are her plans for the future of the Commonwealth Development Corporation; and if she will make a statement. [13352]

  Clare Short
  As the Prime Minister announced on 22 October, my intention is that the CDC should develop a new partnership with the private sector in order to increase the flow of investment into the least developed countries. This will require legislation to allow private investors to invest in the CDC. The Government will retain a substantial minority holding and a golden share and will continue to set a framework for the corporation?s operations in order to preserve its developmental character and special skills.

  Bananas
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what are the(a) current activities and (b) future plans for expenditure arising from the proposal of the Commission of the European Community for the creation of an Africa, Caribbean and Pacific diversification and development programme for banana producers in Latin America in document COM(92) 496 and any subsequent measure; and if she will list for each state concerned (i) the finance committed and already expended and for what purposes and (ii) the authorising body and budget lines in the Community Budget. [13412]

  Clare Short
  We understand the proposal of the Commission of the European Communities for a Council regulation—COM(92) 496—to introduce a diversification and development programme for certain banana-producing countries of Latin America in document COM(92) 496 was not taken forward. There are therefore no current activities or future plans for expenditure.

  Late Payments
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the suppliers to her Department who are owed outstanding amounts, indicating the amounts and the due date on which the account should have been settled. [13537]

  Clare Short
  All Departments are required to pay all their bills within agreed contract terms, or 30 days from receipt of the goods or service or a valid invoice, whichever is later, where no such terms exist. Such detailed information on payment performance for the current financial year could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The Treasury will shortly be publishing a league table of departmental payment performance for 1996–97.

  Kenya
  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans her Department has to review its policy towards Kenya in respect of its human rights record. [12552]

  Mr. Foulkes
  My Department will be reviewing Britain?s development assistance programmes, including that for Kenya, in the light of the White Paper on international development. Our future policies towards Kenya will take account of the Kenyan Government?s commitment to poverty eradication, which will include respect of human rights and the rule of law.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Small Businesses
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) how many regulations affecting small businesses have come into effect since 1 May; and if he will list them; [13482]

  (2) how many regulations affecting small businesses have been abolished since 1 May; and if he will list them. [13483]

  Dr. David Clark
  This information is not held centrally in the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. We are committed to reducing the burden of unnecessary regulation, particularly on small business, and ensuring that regulation delivers benefits to ordinary citizens. As promised in our manifesto, we have established the new better regulation task force with half of its members with small business interests. The access business group led by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary is overseeing a range of projects with clear benefits to small business.

  Late Payments
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the suppliers to his Department who are owed outstanding amounts, indicating the amounts and the due date on which the account should have been settled. [13536]

  Dr. David Clark
  For this purpose, I have responsibility for the Cabinet Office, including the Prime Minister?s Office and the Office of Public Service and its agencies and the Central Office of Information.

  All Departments are required to pay their bills within agreed contract terms, or 30 days from recept of the goods or services or a valid invoice, whichever is the later, where no such terms exist. Such detailed information on payment performance for the current financial year could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The Treasury will shortly be publishing a league table of departmental payment performance for 1996–97.

TREASURY

  Welfare to Work
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has had about the implementation of his welfare-to-work strategy. [12665]

  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with industry about his welfare-to-work strategy. [12668]

  Mrs. Heal
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with employers about his welfare-to-work strategy. [12669]

  Laura Moffatt
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with employers about his welfare-to-work strategy. [12671]

  Ms Kelly
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with business about his welfare-to-work strategy. [12680]

  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with business about the implementation of his welfare-to-work strategy. [12684]

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

  The response and good will has been extremely encouraging, Sainsbury?s, Tesco, BT, Lloyds bank, Ford, Rover, Marks and Spencer, Unipart, WH Smith—and many others—are coming up with ways that they can help the new deal. They realise that helping young people move from welfare to work is in the interest of business as well as the young people themselves. It is only by helping to improve the skills and employability of our young people that we can address the long-standing weaknesses of our economy and allow businesses to thrive.

  Foreign Income Dividends
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made regarding the consultation process on the budget proposals for the future of FIDs. [12666]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  In response to the invitation I announced in the Finance Bill Standing Committee on 22 July, we have received a number of representations on behalf of UK-owned companies and UK investment funds that obtain a high proportion of their profits from overseas. These representations are being carefully considered with a view to finding a way forward following the abolition of FIDs in 1999 in 1999 that balances the interests of the Exchequer with those of the companies involved.

  Advance Corporation Tax
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from
  881
  the London borough of Sutton concerning the effect of abolition of the advance corporation tax refund on local authorities. [12667]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  The leader of the council of the London borough of Sutton wrote to the Government on 22 July about the impact of the loss of these tax credits to local authority pension funds. In my reply to him, I explained that the extent to which these changes affect local authority budgets will depend on the overall judgments made by the funds? actuaries as they undertake revaluations due from next year.

  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the total pension fund available at the age of 65 years to an individual currently aged 35 years who remains on average earnings throughout his working life as a result of his changes to ACT. [12685]

  Dawn Primarolo
  No estimate is available.

  Single Currency
  Mr. Walter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received on the consequences of British entry into the European single currency in 1999. [12670]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  I have received a wide range of representations on the consequences of British entry into the European single currency.

  Tax and National Insurance
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what actions he has taken against employers who deduct tax and national insurance contributions from their employees but fail to pass them on the Inland Revenue; and if he will make a statement. [12673]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Inland Revenue will take appropriate action to secure payment of unpaid pay-as-you-earn and associated national insurance contributions, commensurate with the amount outstanding and the period during which it remains unpaid. The decision on what enforcement action is appropriate is made in the light of the particular circumstances of each case.

  The Inland Revenue publishes a code of practice on collection of amounts due from employers—code of practice 7—which is available from tax offices and explains the recovery action it will take and taxpayer?s rights and obligations.

  Public Investment Projects
  Mr. Quinn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made in attracting private participation in public investment projects. [12674]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  Implementation of the Bates review of the private finance initiative is streamlining the initiative, reducing costs to the public and private sectors and making such investment a much more attractive proposition. Recent major contracts, such as Dartford and Gravesham hospital and Clarendon school, provide real evidence of the benefits to be gained from public-private partnerships.

  Securities and Investments Board
  Mr. Khabra
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he next plans to meet the chairman of the Securities and Investments Board. [12675]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Chancellor meets with the chairman of the Securities and Investments Board from time to time.

  Bank of England
  Ms Kingham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the representations he has received on his reforms to the Bank of England. [12676]

  Mr. Darling
  The Bill that was published on 28 October will put on a statutory footing the important reforms to the Bank of England, which we announced in May. These reforms have been widely welcomed and will be a significant step towards reducing short-termism and putting decision making on the right basis to deliver the long-term growth and employment that is a major objective of our economic policy. The Bill also represents a major move toward creating the single regulator that will deliver more effective and efficient regulation for financial services.

  Economic Stability
  Mr. Bill Michie
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures he is taking to ensure economic stability. [12677]

  Mrs. Liddell
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Dudley, North (Mr. Cranston).

  Sterling Exchange Rate
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the current sterling exchange rate. [12678]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Sterling has fallen back in recent months and has been more stable. The Government want to see a stable and competitive pound over the medium term, consistent with the objective of price stability.

  Ms Stuart
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures he intends to take to protect manufacturing industry in the west midlands from the adverse effects of the current sterling exchange rate. [12683]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Government want a stable competitive pound over the medium term, consistent with the objective of price stability. Industry is best helped by Government preventing any return to the cycle of boom and bust, and to pursue sound, long-term macroeconomic policies.

  Inflation
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest inflation forecast. [12679]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The July Budget forecast, published in the "Financial Statement and Budget Report", showed underlying retail price—RPI ex MIPs—inflation at 2½ per cent. in the fourth quarter of 1997, before edging up temporarily to 2¾ per cent. in both the second and fourth quarters of 1998.

  VAT (Domestic Fuel)
  Gillian Merron
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his reduction in VAT on domestic fuel from 8 per cent. to 5 per cent. [12681]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The change to a 5 per cent. rate came into effect on 1 September, benefiting all households well in time for winter fuel bills. I have received a few representations on the implementation of the measure.

  Small and Medium Enterprises
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received about the increase in capital allowances for SMEs which he announced in the Budget. [12682]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I have received representations from a range of individuals and business organisations, mainly those with a particular interest in the small businesses sector who welcomed the useful cash flow advantage and boost to investment this measure provides.

  VAT Crime Prevention Devices
  Mr. Gunnell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will assess the advantages of reducing or removing VAT on crime prevention devices when these are purchased by local crime prevention panels for fitting in the homes of pensioners at no cost to those pensioners. [12686]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Government are committed to reducing crime and creating safer communities through a wide range of strategies. EC law does not allow the introduction of new VAT zero rates, nor does the directive provide for a reduced rate to be introduced for purchases of crime prevention devices.

  Private Health Insurance
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the public expenditure implications of the withdrawal of tax relief for private health insurance for pensioners. [12687]

  Dawn Primarolo
  No firm estimate is available of the public expenditure costs arising from the withdrawal of tax relief for private medical insurance for those aged over 60. This depends on the number of those affected who give up their policies. In the light of past experience, we believe that no more than a small proportion will give up their policies so that the public expenditure cost will be significantly lower than the full-year saving of £140 million. Details of the public expenditure element of that saving are given at paragraph 2A.6 of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report 1997".

  Capital Gains Tax (Avoidance)
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he has taken to counter Jersey-based capital gains tax avoidance schemes. [12661]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  The Chancellor said in his Budget Statement that he had asked the Inland Revenue to review all areas of tax avoidance. Specific measures arising from that review will be announced as necessary.

  Environment (Tax Incentives)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to introduce tax(a) incentives and (b) disincentives to encourage good environmental practice. [12672]

  Dawn Primarolo
  On Budget day in July we issued a statement of intent on the use of environmental taxes, which said that we will aim to reform the tax system to increase incentives to reduce environmental damage. We also outline, specific areas where we were taking this forward.

  Aviation Fuel
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to tax aviation fuel. [12656]

  Dawn Primarolo
  We have no plan to tax aviation fuel at present.

  Consultation Paper
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will publish the consultative paper foreshadowed in paragraph 1.30 of the July 1997 "Financial Statement and Budget Report"; and if he will make a statement. [14156]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  It will be published on Tuesday 25 November.

  Its purpose will be to begin a national debate on major economic issues in advance of the spring 1998 Budget and to report on the state of the economy including the forecast for the coming year.

  The analysis in the paper will form the Background to the policy measures to be announced in the Spring Budget.

  Comprehensive Spending Review
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which other reviews have been set up as part of the comprehensive spending review since the Chief Secretary?s answer on 24 July; and if he will make the terms of reference available. [14157]

  Mr. Darling
  Five further reviews have been set up. They are departmental spending reviews of the Crown Office (Scotland) and the Northern Ireland criminal justice system and cross-departmental reviews of the intelligence agencies, provision for young children and illegal drugs. The terms of reference have been placed in the Library today.

  The collected set of terms of reference also includes a correct copy of those for the review of the criminal justice system. I regret that an incorrect early draft of the terms of reference was mistakenly included in the set deposited in the Library on 24 July. The changes are highlighted in italics.

  These additional reviews underline the commitment of the Government to look at all items of public spending and produce spending plans for the long term. In particular, the cross-departmental reviews announced today further reinforce the commitment to a truly comprehensive review throughout all parts of government and across traditional departmental boundaries.

  COT: Members' Financial Interests
  COT: Members' Financial Interests
  Malathion Exposure
  Malathion Exposure
  Pesticide and Chemical Pollutant Exposure: Survey Proposal
  Pesticide and Chemical Pollutant Exposure: Survey Proposal
  Partial-birth Abortion
  Partial-birth Abortion
  The Reference Nutrient Intake
  The Reference Nutrient Intake
  Euthanasia and Advance Directives
  Euthanasia and Advance Directives
  Abortions and Human Embryos
  Abortions and Human Embryos
  Vitamin B6 Supplements: Adverse Reactions
  Vitamin B6 Supplements: Adverse Reactions
  Vitamin B6 Supplements: Studies
  Vitamin B6 Supplements: Studies
  Child Protection: Royal Commission Proposal
  Child Protection: Royal Commission Proposal
  Firearm Certificate Additional Conditions: Appeals
  Firearm Certificate Additional Conditions: Appeals
  Firearms Law: Police Guidance
  Firearms Law: Police Guidance
  Asylum
  Asylum
  Export Licences: Information Processing System
  Export Licences: Information Processing System
  International Whaling Commission's AGM, 20–24 October
  International Whaling Commission's AGM, 20–24 October
  Northern Iraq: Turkish Troops
  Northern Iraq: Turkish Troops
  Tibet: Forced Sterilisation Reports
  Tibet: Forced Sterilisation Reports
  FCO: BBC Monitoring Service Reports
  FCO: BBC Monitoring Service Reports
  FCO: "Le Monde Diplomatique" Reports
  FCO: "Le Monde Diplomatique" Reports
  Congo (Brazzaville)
  Congo (Brazzaville)
  Ascension Island: Radar Site
  Ascension Island: Radar Site
  Chadrel Rinpoche
  Chadrel Rinpoche
  Nuclear Weapons: Prohibition Goal
  Nuclear Weapons: Prohibition Goal
  Rwanda Refugees: Armoured Land Rovers
  Rwanda Refugees: Armoured Land Rovers
  Argentina: Arms Embargo Exception
  Argentina: Arms Embargo Exception
  Former Yugoslavia: Riot Shields
  Former Yugoslavia: Riot Shields
  Khamisiyah Weapons Dump: 32 Field Hospital
  Khamisiyah Weapons Dump: 32 Field Hospital
  African Group: Greenhouse Gas Emissions
  African Group: Greenhouse Gas Emissions
  Asylum Seekers Housed by Kent County Council
  Asylum Seekers Housed by Kent County Council
  Single Vehicle Approval Test
  Single Vehicle Approval Test
  London Taxis: Passenger Seat Belts
  London Taxis: Passenger Seat Belts