Written Answers of 21 April 1998

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Waste Disposal
  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what volume of waste was imported for disposal into each local authority area in the North West Region in each of the last three years. [38467]

  Angela Eagle
  Information relating to transnational shipments of waste into and out of England and Wales is collected on behalf of my Department and the Welsh Office by the Environment Agency; this information is no longer collected by local authorities. The Table shows the latest available statistics on the amount of waste imported into the North West region of the Environment Agency for disposal. This does not include imports relating to recovery or recycling operations.

  Year

  Amount imported for disposal(tonnes)

  1995

  7,925

  1996

  111,505

  1Provisional figure

  Diabetes (Drivers)
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the relative involvement in injury crashes of drivers (i) known in advance and (ii) discovered afterwards to have diabetes. [39167]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 20 April 1998]: In 1983, the then Senior Medical Adviser at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency reviewed police-reported accidents, finding that insulin-treated diabetes was responsible for 17 per cent. of 1,600 reported accidents involving collapse at the wheel in which the driver survived. An analysis of 100 of those accident cases revealed that 35 per cent. of the drivers had suffered from altered consciousness and 62 per cent. had suffered from complete loss of consciousness. More recent monitoring by the DVLA of information from the police and other sources revealed on average 10 road traffic incidents involving insulin-treated diabetics per month. In neither study is information available on the proportion of drivers who are discovered to suffer from diabetes after they have been involved in an accident or incident.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the numbers of drivers with diabetes, who(a) know and (b) do not know that they have the condition. [39168]
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  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 20 April 1998]: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency records indicate that some 100,000 drivers have advised that they have insulin-treated diabetes. The Agency has no information on the number of drivers with diabetes who either have failed to advise DVLA of their condition or are unaware of their condition.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list those member states which have obtained an exemption for insulin-dependent drivers from the EU Driving Licence Directive. [39032]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Second EC Directive on Driving Licences (91/439/EEC) does not provide for member states to be granted exemption from its requirements in respect of insulin-dependent drivers.

  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many insulin-dependent diabetics have been informed to date by the DVLA that they can no longer drive Group C and D vehicles; and how many the agency plans to contact before the end of 1998. [39181]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Drivers whose licences are due for renewal are advised of this in advance by the DVLA. Where such drivers are insulin-dependent, they are being advised that they are no longer eligible to drive category C1 and D1 vehicles. Some 16,500 insulin-dependent diabetic holders of such entitlements have already been so advised. A similar number will be contacted before the end of the year.

  Abnormal Loads
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what discussions he has had with the power generation and transmission industries regarding possible capital contributions by those industries towards the cost of maintaining a strategic highway network to the 45HB standard; [39041]

  (2) what representations he has received for heavy industry regarding the ending of the system of designated routes for abnormal loads; [39045]

  (3) for what reasons the Highways Authority has ended the system of designated routes for abnormal loads; and what assessment he has made of the current arrangements; [39044]

  (4) what is the division of responsibility between his Department, the Highways Agency and appointed contractors for maintaining a network of road routes suitable for abnormal loads;[39043]

  (5) what discussions he has held with the power generation and transmission industries regarding the movement of abnormal loads on public roads. [39046]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 20 April 1998]: My officials have had a number of meetings with representatives of the power generation and transmission industries, who have made representations on the subject of maintaining a network of road routes suitable for abnormal loads. These discussions have touched on a

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  number of subjects, including current arrangements for meeting the cost of assessment and strengthening work. A further meeting is to take place on 24 April.

  My Department is responsible for the policy on the carriage of abnormal loads on roads. The Highways Agency puts this into effect on the motorway and trunk road network in England, and local highway authorities do so on those parts of abnormal load routes lying on local roads. The highway authorities appoint contractors to carry out works on their behalf.

  Discussions to date have established that the former designated routes need to be revised because the location of relevant manufacturers, power generation and transmission sites etc. have changed. Also, in some instances, assessments of structures on the network have shown they are no longer capable of carrying the intended loads. The discussions with the industry are intended to identify what arrangements might be appropriate for their current and foreseen needs.

  Regional Boundaries
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received regarding boundary changes of the English regions. [39258]

  Angela Eagle
  In response to our consultation on regional development agencies in England, we received over 1,500 responses. Of the small proportion who commented on the issue of boundaries of the RDAs, the majority supported the Government's decision to base RDA boundaries on the Government Office boundaries, with one RDA covering Merseyside and the North West. Since then, we have received a large number of pro-forma representations seeking a separate regional identity for Cornwall, and a small number of other representations about regional boundaries.

  A6 Bypass
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) when planning permission was granted for the construction of the PVC spur road onto the A6 Chapel-en-le-Frith bypass; [38977]

  (2) what (a) legal and (b) other obstacles there are to the immediate construction of the PVC spur road onto the A6 Chapel-en-le-Frith bypass; [38974]

  (3) if his Department has been asked to provide funding towards the construction of the PVC spur road onto the A6 Chapel-en-le-Frith bypass; [38975]

  (4) what source of public funds are available to aid the construction of the PVC spur road onto the A6 Chapel-en-le-Frith bypass. [38976]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. Lawrie Haynes, to write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Tom Levitt, dated 21 April 1998:
  The Transport Minister, Glenda Jackson, has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions about the provision by the PVC Group PLC of an access road to their works from the A6 Chapel-en-le-Frith Bypass.
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  The High Peak Borough Council granted planning permission for the access on 26 February 1997. A condition of the permission, included at the direction of the Secretary of State, is that the access must be completed to DETR design standards. Consultants working for the PVC Group wrote to the Agency on 31 March this year seeking advice on this.
  The new access onto the bypass will require works to the trunk road. As with any case of this kind the developer is required to enter into an agreement under Section 278 of the Highways Act 1980 to fund work to the trunk road specified in the agreement. The consultants returned to the Agency on 2 April, the standard forms which we had supplied about a year ago to allow preparation of the agreement.
  The Agency has not been asked to make any contribution towards the cost of the access. It is to form a private access to and from the Group's re-processing plant and as such cannot be financed from trunk road funds.

  M25
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the Highways Agency used the same lane capacity calculation for the M25 in respect of the T5 spur road as it used in the proposals for widening the motorway between junctions 12 and 15; and if he will make a statement. [38750]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 20 April 1998]: When assessing options for trunk road improvements, the Highways Agency takes into account operational requirements, economic costs and benefits and environmental effects.

  In the case of the M25 between J12 and J15, the widening proposals were restricted to dual 5 lanes and dual 6 lanes in order to limit the environmental impact.

  These road widths were then used in the computer models for assessing both the M25 widening scheme and the T5 Spur Road.

  Evidence on these matters has been given to the Inspector at the Terminal 5 Public Inquiry and he will be making his report to the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions in due course.

  Traffic Congestion (A380)
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his oral answer of 31 March 1998,Official Report, column 1029, concerning the A380, what evidence underlay his statement that Devon County Council will require at least another two years work before a contract can be signed for a PFI scheme. [38846]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Devon County Council have provided the DETR with documentation supporting their case for the A380 Kingskerswell Bypass as a PFI scheme. In that material, the programme timetable envisages contract signature no earlier than November 2000.

  Road Tax
  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the additional revenue that will be raised in(a) 1998–99, (b) 1999–2000, (c) 2000–01, (d) 2001–02 and (e) 2002–03 from excluding cars built after 1 January 1973 from the exemption of historic vehicles from road tax. [38717]
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  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The additional revenue is expected to be some £3 million in each of the financial years from 1998–1999. However, the rate of scrapping of vehicles over twenty-five years old is significant and this will largely offset annual growth in the additional revenue.

  Building Control Services
  Mr. Truswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the health and safety standards achieved by private contractors providing building control services. [38742]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Private contractors providing building control services are required to comply with the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974. It places duties on employers to ensure the health and safety of their employees. It also places duties on employers and the self-employed to other persons who might be affected by their work activities. Health and safety legislation is enforced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and local authorities.

  Building control provision is governed by the Building Act 1984 and Regulations made under that Act. Private contractors are required by Regulation 10 of the Building (Approved Inspectors etc.) Regulations 1985 to take such steps as are necessary, within the limits of professional skill and care, to ensure that the Building Regulations 1991 are complied with. These Regulations are primarily concerned with protecting the health and safety of those in and around buildings.

  As with local authority building control, the Department currently conducts no formal monitoring of private contractors providing building control services.

  Lead Paint
  Miss Melanie Johnson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to publicise the dangers of lead in surfaces in houses painted before 1960 to(a) pregnant women, (b) carers of young children and (c) the general public; and when they will be implemented. [39310]

  Angela Eagle
  We will shortly be publishing a revised leaflet on lead in paint which is intended to raise awareness of the associated dangers. The leaflet will provide accurate, readily assimilated information on the problems associated with old leaded paint and how to take effective safety measures. The intended audience will be the general public and the leaflet will be made widely available, but we will be discussing with the Department of Health appropriate means of bringing the leaflet to the attention of environmental health and health professionals, as well as providing more detailed information for these groups.

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the representations he has received on the dangers of lead in painted surfaces; and place a copy of the representations in the Library. [39308]

  Angela Eagle
  In the six months from October 1997, the Department has received seventeen individual representations from Members of Parliament on lead in 552
  paint, of which eight were forwarded from other Government Departments. In the same period, the Department received ten private inquiries from members of the public on the same topic.

  It would be inappropriate to list these representations or place copies in the Library.

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which organisations he has consulted about publicising and providing information for the public on the risks of lead in old paintwork; and when the consultation will be completed. [39311]

  Angela Eagle
  The Department's own scientific and communications experts have liaised with other Government Departments, industry representatives and technical and design consultants in the provision of information to the public on the risks associated with lead in old paintwork.

  The Department will continue to consult widely on risks from lead in all media, as part of the strategic overview of chemicals in the environment which it is conducting within the wider framework of the sustainable use of chemicals, as announced by the Deputy Prime Minister.

  Coastguard Agency
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how many responses were received to the HM Coastguard five-year strategy consultation document; [38668]

  (2) how many of the responses to the HM Coastguard five-year strategy consultation document expressed opposition to the possible closure of one or more coastguard stations. [38669]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  A total of 1,600 copies of the HM Coastguard five-year strategy consultation document were issued. 215 responses were received. Response to the consultation on the Strategy is currently with Ministers for consideration. It would, therefore be inappropriate to release details until Ministers' deliberations are complete. A copy of the relevant document will be placed in the House Library as soon as the way forward is decided.

DEFENCE

  Atomic Weapons Establishment
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 16 March 1998,Official Report column 444, if he will place in the Library a list of the unclassified papers in the Technical Memoranda series produced by the Chemical Technology Division of the Atomic Weapons Establishment, indicating the title of each paper and the date on which each paper was produced. [38962]

  Mr. Spellar
  I am today placing a list in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Quality Management Group at the Atomic Weapons Establishment, Aldermaston was set up;
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  what is the purpose of this group; how many series of technical papers or reports are currently being produced by this group; and what are the names of each series. [38992]

  Mr. Spellar
  A quality management group, originally called the Superintendency of Inspection, has existed at the Atomic Weapons Establishment AWE since the 1960s. It is currently part of the Directorate of Quality and Safety Assurance whose function includes the stewardship of the AWE quality system. The Directorate of Quality Assurance maintains the AWE Quality Manual, and supporting documentation. It also produces quality plans, audit programmes, audit reports and quarterly analysis reports.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 16 March 1998,Official Report columns 443–44, how many reports in the untitled series of papers produced by the Warhead Engineering Division of the Atomic Weapons Establishment, Aldermaston are currently unclassified. [38963]

  Mr. Spellar
  There are some 140 unclassified reports in the untitled series.

  Chemical Defence Establishment
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in which scientific journals and other open publications staff from the defence microbiology division of the Chemical Defence Establishment (Porton Down) have published papers in 1995 and 1996; and if he will specify the titles of the papers and the date on which the papers appeared. [38605]

  Mr. Spellar
  During 1995 and 1996, staff from the microbiology section of the Chemical and Biological Defence Sector of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency at Porton Down have published a number of papers in scientific journals and other open literature publications, the details of which are set out.A new improved sub-unit vaccine for plague: the basis of protection. FEMS, Immunol Med Microbiol 1995 Dec, VOL: 12(3–4), P:223–30, ISSN: 0928–8244.
  Williamson E.D, Eley S.M, Griffin K.F, Green M, Russell P, Leary S.E, Oyston P.C, Easterbrook T, Reddin K.M, Robinson A, et-al.
  Doxycycline or ciprofloxacin prohylaxis and therapy against experimental Yersinia pestis infection in mice.
  J. Antimicrob Chemother 1996 Apr., VOL: 37 (4), P: 769–74, ISSN: 0305–7453. Russell P, Eley S.M, Bell D.L, Manchee R.J, Titball R.W.
  Immunisation with DNA polynucleotides protects mice against lethal challenge with St. Louis encephalitis virus.
  Arch. Virol 1996, VOL: 141 (3–4), P: 743–9, ISSN: 0304–8608. Phillpotts R.J, Venugopal K, Brooks T.
  The vaccinia virus 4c and A-type inclusion proteins are specific markers for the intracellular mature virus particle.
  J. Virol 1996 Jun, VOL: 70 (6) P:3372–7, ISSN: 0022–538X Ulaeto D, Grosenbach D, Hruby D.E.
  A comparison of Plague vaccine, USP and EV76 vaccine induced protection against Yersinia pestis in a murine model.
  Vaccine 1995 Nov, VOL: 13 (16), P:1551–6, ISSN: 0264–410X.
  Russell P, Eley S.M, Hibbs S.E, Manchee R.J, Stagg A.J, Titball R.W.
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  Role of lipopolysaccharide and a major outer membrane protein from Francisella tularensis in the induction of immunity against tularemia.
  Vaccine 1995 Sep, Vol: 13 (13), P: 1220–5, ISSN: 0264–410X. Fulop M, Manchee R, Titball R.
  The construction of a reporter system and use for the investigation of Clostridium perfringens gene expression.
  FEMS Microbiol Lett 1995 Aug 15, VOL: 131 (1), P: 99–105, ISSN: 0378–1097.
  Bullifent H.L, Moir A, Titball R.W.
  Nucleotide sequence of the NS5 gene of Banzi virus: comparison with other flaviviruses.
  J.Gen Virol 1995 Sep, VOL 76 (Pt 9), P: 2317–21, ISSN: 0022–1317.
  Fulop L.D, Barrett A.D, Titball R.W.
  Role of two outer membrane antigens in the induction of protective immunity against Francisella tularensis strains of different virulence.
  FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology, 1996, Vol/Iss/Pg. 13/3 (245–247), ISSN: 0928–8244.
  Fulop L, Manchee R, Titball R.
  The level of expression of alpha-toxin by different stains of Clostridium perfringens is dependent on differences in promoter structure and genetic background.
  Anaerobe 2 (6), 365–371. ISSN: 1075–9964.
  Bullifent H.L, Moir A, Awad M.M, Scott P.T, Rood J.I, Titball R.W.
  Local and systemic immune response to a microencapsulated sub-unit vaccine for plague.
  Vaccine 14 (17–18). 1996.1613–1619. ISSN: 0264–410X.
  Williamson E.D, Sharp G.J.E, Eley S.M, Vesey P.M, Pepper T.C, Titball R.W, Alpar HO.
  Evaluation of monoclonal antibodies for generic detection of flaviviruses by ELISA.
  Journal of Virological Methods 62 (2). 1996. 143–151. ISSN: 0166–0934.
  Brown J.M, Coates D.M, Phillpotts R.J.
  Transformation of Burkholderia pseudomallei by electroporation. Analytical Biochemistry 242 (1). 1996.73–76. ISSN: 0003–2697. Mack K, Titball R.W.
  Electrospray mass spectrometry for detection and characterization of purified cricket paralysis virus (CrPV).
  Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry 10 (8). 1996. 937–941. ISSN: 0951–4198.
  Despeyroux D, Phillpotts R, Watts P.
  An aroA mutant of Yersinia pestis is attenuated in guinea-pigs, but virulent in mice.
  Microbiology (Reading) 142 (7). 1996. 1847–1853. ISSN: 1350–0872.
  Oyston P.C.F. Russell P, Williamson E.D, Titball R.W.
  A rapid, highly sensitive method for the detection of Francisella tularensis in clinical samples using the polymerase chain reaction.
  American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 54 (4). 1996. 364–366 ISSN: 0002–9637.
  Fulop M, Leslie D, Titball R.
  Attenuated Salmonella typhimurium expressing an F1-V antigen fusion protein protects mice against plague.

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  96th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, May 19–23, 1996. Abstracts of the General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology 96 (0). 1996. 193. ISSN: 1060–2011.
  Leary S.E.C, Griffin K.F, Williamson E.D, Titball R.W.
  Characterisation of monoclonal antibodies raised against various antigens of Yersinia pestis.
  96th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, May 19–23, 1996. Abstracts of the General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology 96 (0). 1996. 193. ISSN: 1060–2011.
  Prior J.L, Fulop M.J, Titball R.W, Wren B.W.
  Immunogenicity of V antigen fragments of Yersinia pestis.
  96th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, May 19–23, 1996. Abstracts of the General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology 96 (0). 1996. 193. ISSN: 1060–2011.
  Hill J, Leary S.E.C, Griffin K.F, Williamson E.D, Titball R.W.
  Active immunisation with recombinant V antigen from Yersinia pestis protects mice against plague.
  INFECT-IMMUN, 1995, Vol/Iss/Pg. 63/8 (2854–2858), ISSN: 0019–9567.
  Leary S.E.C, Williamson E.D, Griffin K.F, Russell P, Eley S.M, Titball R.W.
  Expression of Yersinia pestis V antigen in attenuated Salmonella typhimurium: Development of a novel vaccine for plague.
  Ravagnan, G. and C. Chiesa (Ed.). Contributions to Microbiology and Immunology, Vol. 13. Yersiniosis: Present and future; 6th International Symposium on Yersinia, Rome, Italy, September 26–28, 1994. xi+340p. S. Karger AG: Basel, Switzerland; New York, New York, USA. ISBN 3–8055–6138–5. 13 (0). 1995. 216–217. ISSN: 0301–3081.
  Leary S.E.C, Eley S.M, Williamson E.D, Titball R.W.
  Molecular, variation between alpha-toxins from the type strain (NCTC 8237) and clinical isolates of Clostridium perfringens associated with disease in man and animals.
  Microbiology (Reading) 142 (1). 1996. 191–198. ISSN: 1350–0872.

  Ginter A, Williams E.D, Dessy F, Coppe P, Bullifent H, Howells A, Titball R.W.
  Stability of airborne microbes and allergens.
  Cox, C.S. and C.M. Wathes (Ed.). Bioaerosols handbook. xx+623p. CRC
  Press/Lewis Publishers Inc.: Boca Raton, Florida, USA; London, England, UK.
  ISBN 0–87371–615–9. 0(0). 1995.77–99.
  Cox C.S.
  Physical aspects of bioaerosol particles.
  Cox, C.S. and C.M. Wathes (Ed.). Bioaerosols handbook. xx+623p.CRC
  Press/Lewis Publishers Inc.: Boca Raton, Florida, USA; London. England, UK.
  ISBN 0–87371–615–9. 0 (0). 1995. 15–25.
  Cox C.S.
  Bioaerosols in the environment.
  Cox, C.S. and C.M. Wathes (Ed.). Bioaerosols handbook. xx+623p CRC
  Press/Lewis Publishers Inc.: Boca Raton, Florida, USA; London, England, UK.
  ISBN 0–87371–615–9. 0 (0). 1995. 11–14.
  Cox C.S, Wathes C.M.
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  Bioaerosols handbook.
  Cox, C.S. and C.M. Wathes (Ed.). Bioaerosols handbook xx+623p. CRC
  Press/Lewis Publishers Inc.: Boca Raton, Florida, USA; London, England, UK.
  ISBN 0–87371–615.9 0 (0). 1995 XX+623P.
  Cox C.S, Wathes C.M.
  Evaluation of the Biolog system for the identification of Bacillus anthracis.
  Letters-in-Applied-Microbiology 20 (4). 1995. 209–211. ISSN: 0266–8254.
  Baillie L.W.J, Jones M.N, Turnbull P.C.B, Manchee R.J.
  Immunisation with live recombinant Salmonella typhimurium aroA producing F1 antigen protects against plague.
  Infection and Immunity 63 (2). 1995. 563–568. ISSN: 0019–9567 Oyston P.C.F, Williamson E.D, Leary S.E.C, Eley S.M, Griffin K.F, Titball R.W.

  Singapore Air Show
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the(a) Ministers and (b) civil servants who attended the Asian Aerospace 98 air show in Singapore, giving the costs of their attendance along with any other costs incurred by his Department in connection with the air show. [39246]

  Mr. Spellar
  I attended Asian Aerospace 98 as a guest of the Singaporean Government, who paid all costs associated with my attendance. A further thirty one MOD personnel have been identified as attending. The cost incurred by the Ministry of Defence was some £217,500. This includes costs associated with travel, accommodation, construction of a small stand, general participation and a Royal Navy Lynx participating in the flying display.

  It should be noted that overseas orders, which result from the activities of the Defence Export Services Organisation, DESO, including UK participation at such exhibitions, help to reduce the unit cost of equipment procured for the British Armed Forces-conservatively estimated at some £350 million saving per annum. DESO also helps to secure Commercial Exploitation Levies, forecast to be £56 million during the next financial year. The total benefits generated by DESO for the MOD therefore more than cover the total cost of all its operations.

  Challenger II
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the export orders obtained for the Challenger II tank to date, indicating the value of (i) each order, (ii) offset commitments entered into as part of each order and (iii) export credits extended to support these orders. [39271]

  Mr. Spellar
  The value of contracts is a matter for Vickers Defence Systems and its customers. Vickers Defence Systems has, however, publicly stated that it has concluded two export contracts with the Royal Army of Oman for Challenger II in a number of variants; Main Battle Tank, Driver Training Tank and Repair and Recovery Vehicles. The contracts, which included logistics support packages, were valued at £130 million and £100 million.
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  While there is no contractual commitment to offset, Vickers contributes to the Omani-British Offset Programme.

  Export credit guarantees amounting to some 80 per cent. of the value of each contract have been extended or are under consideration by ECGD.

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what support his Department has provided to Vickers in marketing the Challenger II abroad. [39270]

  Mr. Spellar
  As part of its normal activities, MOD's Defence Export Services Organisation has supported the sale of Challenger 2 in co-ordination with Vickers. The support has included appropriate provision of advice on the Government's foreign, defence and export control policies, facilitation of, and participation in, discussions with the Omani authorities, including visits and the provision of military, marketing and diplomatic advice.

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) What estimate his Department has made of the relative economic benefits of purchasing(a) Challenger II and (b) the alternative proposed by each of the overseas contenders for the contract taking into account their offset proposals; [39253]

  (2) if he will list the final offset proposals indicating the value of offsets proposed (i) in absolute terms and (ii) as a percentage of the contract made by the overseas suppliers who tendered for the contract to replace the Chieftain tank. [39252]

  Mr. Spellar
  I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Export Agreements
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what studies have been undertaken by his Department on the cost and benefits of offset obligations incurred by UK defence companies as part of export defence agreements. [39251]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Ministry of Defence holds no comprehensive record of offset agreements entered into by UK defence companies. While general support and advice is provided, no studies on the cost and benefits of offset obligations incurred by UK defence companies have been undertaken by the MOD.

  Saudi Arabia
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the offset obligations incurred under the Al Yamamah(a) I and (b) II agreement with Saudi Arabia, (i) as a percentage of the sales agreed and (ii) in absolute terms. [39248]

  Mr. Spellar
  The UK Government, in conjunction with British Aerospace, the Al Yamamah Prime Contractor, agreed to establish and develop a non-contractual Economic Offset Programme to promote commercial ventures between British and Saudi investors. The present target for the non-Saudi investment in ventures taken forward under the Al Yamamah Economic Offset Programme is to generate value of at least £ 1 billion.
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  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the value of the offset obligations which have been met to date under the Al Yamamah(a) I and (b) II agreement, the individual offset projects agreed and the value of the offsets credited to each project. [39249]

  Mr. Spellar
  The projects which have been implemented to date under Al Yamamah Offset Programme, and the UK technology partner involved are as follows:

  Glaxo Pharmaceutical Factory

  Tate & Lyle Sugar Refinery

  BP/UOP Cyclar Aromatics Chemical Plants

  BAe Training Company

  Harco Dispersion Products

  Flover Instrument Repair Company.

  Offset credits have not yet been negotiated with the Saudi authorities, but the UK estimate of the anticipated total value of the above projects is in the region of £450 million. Work continues to develop and promote further viable projects.

  Offset Programme
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what offset targets are included in the Omani-British Offset Programme. [39250]

  Mr. Spellar
  A Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, was signed in 1990 between the Government of Oman and HMG on co-operation in the field of defence equipment and related services. Under the MOU, both parties agreed to work to encourage and identify viable opportunities for Offset for designated defence contracts. Offset in this context covers any form of new industrial or economic activity introduced for the benefit of Oman through the direct or indirect involvement of designated UK contractors.

  A Joint Oman/Uk Offset Steering Group, JOSG, oversees the programme. It has identified 'priority areas' for investment, procedures, and pro-active roles to be taken by both the British and Omani Offset Secretariats. All proposed projects are considered by the JOSG and, if agreed, registered under the Offset Programme. Specific details of the projects registered are confidential between the Governments of the UK and Oman under Exemptions 1 and 13 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Football-related Arrests
  Mr. Caplin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list the total number of football-related arrests in each of the past five football seasons, broken down according to(a) Premier League, (b) League Division One, (c) League Division Two and (d) League Division Three football matches; [39009]

  (2) if he will list the total number of people arrested in connection with a football match who were subsequently convicted of a violent crime in each of the last five football seasons. [39010]
  559
  Mr. Michael
  The following figures, provided by the Football Intelligence Unit of the National Criminal Intelligence Service, summarise the statistics on numbers of arrests for football-related offences and attendances at Premier and League matches for each of the relevant seasons.

  Arrests

  Attendance(millions)

  Season 1992–93

  Premier league

  1,647

  9.8

  Division one

  1,347

  5.9

  Division two

  1,081

  3.5

  Division three

  513

  1.5

  Total

  4,588

  20.7

  Season 1993–94

  Premier league

  1,630

  10.6

  Division one

  1,359

  6.5

  Division two

  782

  3.0

  Division three

  456

  1.6

  Total

  4,227

  21.7

  Season 1994–95

  Premier league

  1,713

  11.2

  Division one

  1,227

  6.0

  Division two

  674

  3.0

  Division three

  226

  1.6

  Total

  3,840

  21.8

  Season 1995–96

  Premier league

  1,697

  10.5

  Division one

  945

  6.6

  Division two

  506

  2.8

  Division three

  289

  2.00

  Total

  3,437

  21.9

  Season 1996–97

  Premier league

  1,759

  10.8

  Division one

  891

  6.9

  Division two

  626

  3.2

  Division three

  301

  1.9

  Total

  3,577

  22.8

  These figures do not include cup competitions and play-off matches. Records are not kept centrally of how many of those arrested were subsequently convicted of specific offences.

  Witness Support Schemes
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assistance his Department gives to witness support schemes at court centres. [37654]

  Mr. Michael
  The latest available information is for 1996–97. In that year, some £1.6 million of the total Home Office grant of £11.7 million to Victim Support was used by them to run a witness support service at every Crown Court centre in England and Wales. There are 86 such services, including satellite courts. In 1996–97, the grant enabled 92 paid staff and 1,100 volunteers to provide help to 97,618 people.

  Animal Experiments
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has 560
  received from interested parties and individuals about the need to establish a Royal Commission on the use of animals for experimental purposes. [38630]

  Mr. George Howarth
  We have received a large number of cyclo-styled letters from supporters of Naturewatch. A petition was also handed in at Downing Street by representatives of this organisation. My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State has written to Naturewatch and will meet the organisation's Director shortly.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will establish a Royal Commission on the use of animals for experimental purposes. [38631]

  Mr. George Howarth
  We have not yet decided whether a Royal Commission is necessary.

  The Animal Procedures Committee is carrying out a review of all aspects of the operation of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. We will be in a better position to decide on the need for and the remit of any Royal Commission once this review has been completed.

  A Royal Commission would be extremely expensive, both in terms of money and human resources, and we estimate could take over two years to complete. We would rather use the resources that are currently available to make immediate improvements to the operation of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986-for example by implementing the 13 recommendations made in the Animal Procedures Committee's interim report on the review of the Act and the policies I announced on 6 November.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the current licensing arrangements to protect animals used in scientific experiments; [38632]

  (2) if he will review the present provisions governing authorisation of experiments on animals for scientific research; and if he will make a statement. [38633]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Animal Procedures Committee is reviewing the operation of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. One of the specific areas it is looking at is the arrangements for personal and project licences and, in particular, the application of the cost/benefit assessment required by section 5(4) of the Act and the accessibility of information on alternatives to animal experiments.

  The licensing arrangements under the 1986 Act are most rigorous in requiring certificates of designation, personal licences and project licences.

  Certificates of designation ensure that establishments where animals are used in scientific procedures (or bred or supplied for such use) have high standards of care and accommodation and suitable veterinary and animal welfare personnel.

  The project and personal licences ensure that those carrying out regulated procedures are qualified and suitable; that alternatives to animals are used wherever possible; and that any suffering or other harmful effects experienced by the animals have been weighed against the potential benefits (to humans or animals). Project licences

  561
  also contain detailed arrangements for the control and minimisation of any pain or suffering, and ensure that the number of animals used is minimised.

  Prison Officers' Association
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to address the informal industrial action by the Prison Officers' Association. [38933]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 20 April 1998]: We have made clear on a number of occasions that there can be no place for disruptive industrial action in our prisons. In order to help create a positive industrial relations framework, my right hon. Friend and I have instructed the Prison Service to draw up plans for new pay determination and dispute resolution procedures.

  In the handful of establishments where the local branch of the Prison Officers' Association has held an unofficial meeting during work time, pay has been stopped for the period of the meeting.

TREASURY

  Italian Gross Domestic Product
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the methodology of the calculation by the Italian Government of gross domestic product as published by the International Monetary Fund. [38215]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 7 April 1998]: All EU Member States make available gross domestic product figures compiled according to the System of National Accounts (1968 of the United Nations) and published by the IMF in "International Financial Statistics".

  Mersey Docks and Harbour Company
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much ABN Amro Rothschild was paid for handling the sale of the Government's stake in the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company. [38554]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  [holding answer 20 April 1998]: ABN AMR() Rothschild (AAR) acted as financial adviser and bookrunner to the Treasury for the sale in March 1998 of its remaining 12.4 million shares in the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company. The total fee due to AAR for these services is £175,734, representing 0.25 per cent. of the gross proceeds of £70,126,647.

  Median Ages
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the median age of the population at five-yearly intervals from 1971 to 2031. [38722]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Chief Executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
  562
  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Peter Bottomley, dated 21 April 1998:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to answer your parliamentary question about the median age of the population at five-yearly intervals from 1971 to 2031. The data you requested are as follows:

  Median age of the population of the United Kingdom 1971–2031

  Year

  Median age

  1971

  34.1

  1976

  33.8

  1981

  34.5

  1986

  35.4

  1991

  35.7

  1996

  36.4

  2001

  37.8

  2006

  39.3

  2011

  40.7

  2016

  41.7

  2021

  42.0

  2026

  42.5

  2031

  43.2

  Source:

  Population Estimates Unit, ONS Government Actuary's Department.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Post Office
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps she is taking to ensure that the freedom of the Post Office to enter into domestic joint ventures does not give rise to unfair competition with other service providers. [38988]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  [holding answer 20 April 1998]: The Post Office is subject to national and European competition rules. In addition, the guidelines for Post Office domestic joint ventures, set by the Government annexed to the response to the Trade and Industry Select Committee and published by the Committee as its fifth special report, are intended to safeguard against the possibility of unfair competition. The guidelines require, inter alia, that any proposed venture should satisfy normal commercial criteria, that its prices should at least fully meet long-term marginal costs (including a full contribution to overheads), that it should treat the element of the price which represents the charge for access to the monopoly infrastructure in a transparent way, and comply with state aids rules.

  Fireworks
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will enter into discussions with the Home Office on the provision of a scheme for retailers to hand in fireworks which have become illegal to sell, to be operated by the fire brigades. [38721]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  Although the Fireworks (Safety) Regulations 1997 prohibit the supply of certain fireworks to the general public, they may continue to be supplied to persons who are exempt from the prohibition. As far as we are aware, industry efforts to date have been to attempt
  563
  to find alternative legal markets for the prohibited fireworks. If there are signs that a significant number of retailers want to explore a system of simply disposing of the fireworks, we would be prepared to look at this possibility with the fire service authorities and anyone else who may be in a position to offer practical assistance.

  Employment Rights Act
  Mr. Wills
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many Treasury ex-gratia payments in relation to claims under the provisions of the Employment Rights Act 1996 have been made. [38927]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  Since the Employment Rights Act became effective on 22 August 1996, eighteen ex gratia payments have been made.

  Nuclear Power Stations
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list for each nuclear power station in the United Kingdom her estimate of(a) the current life expectancy and (b) the costs of decommissioning. [32063]

  Investment by region/country in £ millions (current prices), 1987/88–1996/97

  1987–88

  1988–89

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  English regions:

  North East

  303

  113

  632

  219

  248

  228

  158

  1,972

  3,257

  629

  North West

  258

  448

  1,045

  429

  488

  198

  257

  364

  151

  348

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  44

  61

  136

  497

  181

  135

  944

  137

  35

  658

  East Midlands

  22

  50

  737

  166

  30

  3

  910

  1,928

  752

  120

  West Midlands

  322

  288

  493

  584

  275

  250

  459

  951

  850

  2,655

  South West

  40

  21

  62

  28

  340

  45

  31

  51

  73

  216

  West of England

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  3

  457

  East

  2

  15

  1

  48

  222

  206

  59

  18

  84

  58

  South East

  369

  281

  23

  1,212

  112

  105

  255

  731

  480

  101

  London

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  1n/a

  97

  123

  Countries:

  England

  1,359

  1,268

  3,131

  3,183

  1,896

  1,169

  3,073

  6,151

  5,783

  5,364

  Wales

  453

  894

  552

  255

  969

  710

  304

  730

  869

  2,063

  Scotland

  318

  490

  1,603

  266

  336

  413

  625

  1,111

  1,059

  3,028

  Northern Ireland

  72

  240

  135

  173

  41

  229

  346

  352

  374

  476

  Not attributable to any one region

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  50

  -

  UK Total (£ millions)

  2,203

  2,891

  5,421

  3,877

  3,241

  2,520

  4,348

  8,344

  8,135

  10,931

  1Not applicable.

  Notes:

  1. Included in the South West before 1995–96.

  2. Included in the South East before 1994–95.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Broadcasting
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with the Director General of the BBC concerning the Corporation's proposals to fund the converting of BBC Services into digital form by BSkyB. [39056]

  Mr. Fisher
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has had no such discussions with the BBC. However, the Government support the BBC's stated aim of making its licence fee funded digital television services available on all digital delivery platforms, including digital satellite.
  564
  Mr. Battle
  Decommissioning of a nuclear power station is a matter for the operator, taking into account the requirements of the regulatory authorities. This includes details of timing and finance.

  Inward Investment
  Mr. Love
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list the total amount of inward investment by region in the United Kingdom for each of the past 10 years. [38380]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The available data are shown in the table. These are based on administrative information provided to the Department's Invest in Britain Bureau (IBB) by companies. There is no requirement to notify the Department of investment decisions, therefore the data are probably underestimates of actual investment.

  Although investment will usually be spread over a number of years, the total amount of the investment is recorded only in the year the announcement to invest was made.

  The regions shown are Regional Development Organisations (RDOs).

  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with the Director General of the BBC concerning the corporation's commercial relationships with private companies. [39057]

  Mr. Fisher
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's discussions with the Director General and others at the BBC frequently touch on the Corporation's commercial relationships. It is, however, primarily for the BBC Governors to ensure that such relationships are conducted on a basis which maximises the return to the licence fee payer while respecting fair trading and competition rules and promoting the overall interest of the BBC as a public service broadcaster.
  565
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what policies his Department has to stimulate the development of public service digital terrestrial broadcasting. [39011]

  Mr. Fisher
  The offers of guaranteed places on digital terrestrial television multiplexes, which have been accepted by all the existing terrestrial television broadcasters, will safeguard public service broadcasting and will enable those broadcasters to increase greatly the amount of programming they can deliver. The BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and S4C have all stated their intention to offer new services, some of which will be free to air.

  Kick Boxing
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what support, indicating separately financial assistance for(a) travel, (b) equipment and (c) training, is given to individuals who represent England and Wales in kickboxing; what plans there are to increase such support, with particular reference to the National Lottery; and if he will make a statement. [38415]

  Mr. Banks
  The United Kingdom and Home Country Sports Councils, through whom Government support for sport is primarily channelled, do not provide financial support to kickboxing, and have no current plans to do so.

  As independent bodies, established by Royal Charter, it is for the Sports Councils to decide which activities and organisations should be eligible for support, including funding from the National Lottery

  Canal Restoration
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with the National Heritage Lottery Fund on changes to the eligibility of canal restoration projects for funding; and if he will make a statement. [38591]

  Mr. Banks
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has had no such discussions. The criteria for Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) awards are determined by the Trustees of the National Heritage Memorial Fund, the body responsible for the HLF, in accordance with their statutory powers and the policy directions issued by the Secretary of State. The HLF plans to issue revised guidance on canal projects later this year, which will take account of the Inland Waterways Amenity Advisory Council's review of Inland waterway restoration priorities.

  Tourism
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps are taken by(a) the Millennium Commission and (b) the Heritage Lottery Fund to obtain the opinion of local people in areas where applications are made for grants to support major tourism projects. [38564]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  So far as the Millennium Commission is concerned, I will write to the hon. Member in my capacity as Chairman of the Commission and place copies of my reply in the Libraries of the House. The Heritage Lottery Fund takes into account evidence of 566
  community support and involvement in a project, including details of public consultation, in considering applications for funding.

  Millennium Declaration
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what was the outcome of discussions concerning the proposed international Millennium Greenwich Declaration. [38299]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  My Department, the Millennium Commission and the New Millennium Experience Company have not received a formal proposal for an international Greenwich Millennium Declaration. However, were such a proposal to be forthcoming, it would be considered on its merits.

  Women's Boxing
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has received from women's boxing groups; and if he will make a statement. [37916]

  Mr. Banks
  Since May 1997, this Department has received one representation from the Women's Boxing Commission at the Amateur Boxing Association.

  I appreciate the interest this issue creates, but I should explain that the Government do not control women's boxing—or indeed any other sport in this country. We are, of course, keen to see that the proper medical safeguards and regulations are in place for all sports, especially those which may carry a higher level of physical contact, and believe that the sport's governing bodies are well equipped to keep these in place.

  IT Contracts
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list those companies awarded contracts by his Department for the supply of computer hardware and software in each year since 1992 indicating the value of each contract. [37976]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  The Department of Culture, Media and Sport has outsourced the provision of IT support and services to Sema Group who are responsible for the bulk of computer hardware and software procurement. Through Sema, the Department spent £385,000 on software and £189,000 on hardware in 1997–1998, £223,000 on software and £540,000 on hardware in 1996–1997, and £213,000 on software and £145,000 on hardware in 1995–1996. Figures for previous years are not available.

  The only contract for software and hardware let by the Department in this period was with CSL, the software cost was £88,000 and the hardware cost was £39,000.

  Tourist Information Centres
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many tourist information centres are currently operating in the United Kingdom; how many operate(a) all year round and (b) seasonally; and what plans there are to open new tourist information centres. [37981]
  567
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  There are 792 tourist information centres currently operating in the United Kingdom of which 564 open all year round and 228 are open seasonally. We are not aware of any plans at present to open new tourist information centres.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Court Service
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what efficiency savings he expects the Court Service to achieve in the years(a) 1998–99, (b) 1999–2000 and (c) 2000–01. [37645]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Court Service is planning initiatives to save £4.25 million in 1998–99; £9.95 million in 1999–2000; and £12.05 million in 2000–01. The savings will come from computerisation of administrative tasks in both the Crown and county courts, improved energy efficiency and the better use of resources.

  Legal Expenses Insurance System
  Mr. Cranston
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment he has made of the advantages and disadvantages of a legal expenses insurance system; and if he will make a statement. [37652]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Government are keen to encourage the widespread use by individuals of legal expenses insurance, which provides a means for people to pay for legal actions. In the recently published consultation paper Access to Justice with Conditional Fees we invited suggestions as to whether changes to the law, practice and procedure might be needed to encourage the expansion of legal expenses insurance.

  Family Law
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what recent representations he has received on proposals for the reform of family law. [37656]

  Mr. Hoon
  I have received a number of representations on a variety of issues concerning the reform of family law.

  Security Services (Records)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the availability of public records relating to the security services. [37657]

  Mr. Hoon
  In 1992, the then Lord Chancellor, following consultation with the Ministers concerned, renewed the approval to retain the records of the security and intelligence agencies and the retention of related departmental records until the end of 2011.

  This approval to retain the records is not mandatory, it is permissive. All the agencies have programmes in place to review related records held by other government departments and these are released to the Public Record
  568
  Office wherever possible. In addition, the Security Service and GCHQ are reviewing their own older records and releasing them to the PRO whenever such release is possible without compromising operational effectiveness. In the case of the Secret Intelligence Service, I refer the hon. Member to the answer he received from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on 12 February 1998, Official Report, column 324.

  Legal Aid
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what recent discussions he has had with trades unions regarding legal aid. [37653]

  Mr. Hoon
  I met representatives of the trades unions and the TUC on 9 December last year, and 27 January and 24 February this year to discuss a number of matters including our proposals for legal aid reform. As I told my hon. Friend in an oral answer on 4 March 1998,Official Report, column 1067, we discussed with the trades unions their excellent schemes, which provide legal advice and representation to trade union members. We also discussed the possibility of opening up these arrangements to a wider category of people.

  Access to Justice
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to improve access to justice for those with learning difficulties. [37655]

  Mr. Hoon
  I am committed to improving access to justice for everyone. Those with learning difficulties will benefit from a number of existing initiatives. Magistrates' Courts Committees have recently been issued with a Good Practice Guide for Disabled Court Users, which sets specific performance standards for the courts. Each Crown and county court has appointed a Customer Service Officer whose role includes helping those with special needs. In the civil courts, there are provisions for the appointment of a next friend or guardian ad litem for those who are under a disability. Members of the judiciary, including the magistracy, are trained in equal opportunity matters, including those relating to disability. In addition, the report of the Interdepartmental Review of Vulnerable or Intimidated Witnesses has recently been completed and is being actively considered by Home Office Ministers.

  Weymouth Land Registry
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many staff are currently working in the Weymouth Land Registry; and if he will make a statement on trends in their work load. [37648]

  Mr. Hoon
  At 1 April 1998, there were 429 people working at the Weymouth District Land Registry. The volume of work at Weymouth is continuing to increase reflecting increased activity in the property market. The 1997–98 financial year showed an increase of 4½ per cent. over the previous year.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Charter Mark
  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) what plans he has to extend the Charter Mark Awards Scheme to those organisations not currently eligible for consideration under the scheme; [38744]

  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what criteria organisations have to meet to be considered for inclusion in the Charter Mark Awards Scheme. [38743]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The scheme is currently open to all public sector services that provide a service directly to members of the public. We have extended the scheme to cover other areas that receive a significant element of public funding, such as careers services, training and enterprise councils and registered housing associations.

  Each year, we carry out a review of the current eligibility criteria for Charter Marks and I have recently considered whether eligibility should be extended to voluntary organisations and charities (and indeed private sector organisations). As a result, the 1998 scheme was extended to include independent schools, hospitals and hospices which are registered charities and receive at least 75 per cent. public funding. I have decided that, for the time being, our priority must be for the resources of the scheme to be focused on improving the quality of public sector organisations. However, I will continue to evaluate the comments of interested organisations as the scheme continues to develop and expand.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Vitamin B6
  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if his draft Statutory Instrument on the retail sale of vitamin B6 supplement has been passed for comment to(a) the European Commission and (b) other member states of the European Union. [38887]

  Mr. Rooker
  A copy of the draft regulations required to implement the proposed controls on dietary supplements containing vitamin B6 was sent to the European Commission on 3 April. It is the responsibility of the Commission to inform other member states of the European Union of the notification.

  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from the United States Government concerning freedom of trade as regards his proposed restrictions on the retail sale of vitamin B6 supplements. [38883]

  Mr. Rooker
  Officials in the Department of Trade and Industry have received one letter from the Office of the United States Trade Representative which, among other things, notes that the Government's proposed controls on dietary supplements containing vitamin B6 would have implications for US trade in this product. The Government have also received a representation on this subject from two United States senators.
  570
  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent discussions he has had with(a) the American National Academy of Science and (b) representatives of the United States Government about the Academy's current investigation into the safety of vitamin B6. [38886]

  Mr. Rooker
  I am aware that the United States National Academy of Sciences (NAS) has been undertaking a review of dietary reference intakes for B vitamins, including vitamin B6, but I have not had any discussions on this matter with either the NAS or with representatives of the United States Government. However, officials in the Department of Trade and Industry have confirmed in correspondence with the Office of the United States Trade Representative in Washington that if further data on the safety of vitamin B6 were to become available during the current consultation exercise on the draft regulations required to implement the proposed controls on dietary supplements containing vitamin B6, it will be taken into account by the Government.

  Badgers
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current cost of(a) research into the cause of bovine TB related to badgers and (b) the experimental culling programme for badgers. [38882]

  Mr. Rooker
  The estimated cost of the MAFF TB research programme in the financial year 1997–98 was more than £1.7 million. Of this, about £1.2 million was concerned with understanding the relationship between TB in badgers and TB in cattle, and developing control methods to prevent transmission of TB to cattle. The research programme for 1998–99 is currently being finalised. I am not able to estimate the cost of the culling experiment until we have received the advice of the Expert Group looking at the design of the experiment, and decided how to proceed.

  Food Standards Agency
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many responses he received to the consultation on the White Paper, "A Food Standards Agency: a Force for Change"; and of those how many were (i) broadly in favour of the proposals, (ii) broadly opposed to the proposals, (iii) in favour of including nutrition within the Agency's remit and (iv) in favour of the proposed funding arrangements. [39013]

  Mr. Rooker
  As of 17 April, 1,011 responses have been received. We are analysing these in detail and will make a statement in the near future.

  All but a handful broadly welcomed our proposals, but crude analysis of numbers does not do justice to either the complexity of the issues or the subtlety of respondents' arguments.

  Many major interest groups including consumer, public health, local authority, medical and other academic bodies favour including nutrition within the remit of the Agency, but others, including representatives of the food industry, remain opposed to the Agency having responsibility for nutrition.
  571
  A wide range of respondents, including production, manufacturing, retail and consumer groups, opposed funding the Agency through charges on industry, arguing that food safety and standards activity should be funded by the taxpayer. Many respondents raised points on the organisation and administration on the proposed licensing/registration scheme. The Government have undertaken to consult again on the options for the scheme before proposals are finalised.

  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he will take to ensure that the composition of the Food Standards Agency reflects all sectors of the food industry. [39016]

  Mr. Rooker
  Our proposals on the composition of the Agency's Commission are set out in the White Paper "The Food Standards Agency: A Force for Change" (Cm3830) which was published for consultation on 14 January.

  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will ensure that the remit of the Foods Standards Agency is limited to matters of food safety and does not include general public health issues. [39017]

  Mr. Rooker
  Our proposals on the remit of the Food Standards Agency were set out in the White Paper "The Food Standards Agency: A Force for Change" (Cm3830) which was published for consultation on 14 January. The Bill establishing the Agency will specify the scope of its remit on food standards and safety.

  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what arrangements will be made within the Food Standards Agency to ensure the protection of commercially confidential material. [39015]

  Mr. Rooker
  Within the parameters which will be set out in the Bill to establish the Agency, and subject to the requirements of the forthcoming freedom of information legislation, the Agency will be expected to establish and make public its own procedures for protecting legitimate commercial confidentiality. However, as our White Paper "The Food Standards Agency: A Force for Change" (Cm3830) explains, it will publish information where there is a clear need for this to be in the public domain.

  Home Grown Cereals Authority
  Sir Raymond Powell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects the review of the Home Grown Cereals Authority to be completed. [38803]

  Mr. Rooker
  Ministers expect to receive the recommendations of this review shortly.

  Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowance
  Sir Raymond Powell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects the review of the hill livestock compensatory allowance scheme to be completed. [38799]

  Mr. Rooker
  The review of the hill livestock compensatory allowance scheme is being taken forward as part of this Department's Comprehensive Spending Review.

  Central Science Laboratory
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will set out the extent by which the Central Science Laboratory failed in 1996–97 to achieve its formal financial target of complying with PES budgetary controls and the supply estimates; and if he will set out the reasons for this failure. [37963]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 6 April 1998]: The cash financial position for the Central Science Laboratory changed considerably during the year compared to the original plan. The extended and phased move to the York site, combined with the implications of the closure of the other sites, created a £467,000 shortfall compared to the PES target.

  Scottish Fisheries
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will make a statement on how the Working Time Directive will affect the Scottish fishing industry; and when industry representatives will receive full details on these matters; [39233]

  (2) if he will make a statement on how the Working Time Directive will affect each category of shore fishermen. [39234]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  I have been asked to reply.

  The sea fishing industry is currently excluded from the provisions of the Working Time Directive. The Commission has recently published its second consultation document on the excluded sectors. We shall be examining the Commission's proposals on their merits and in the light of the current arrangements and specific needs of each sector.

WALES

  Education Units (Hospitals)
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many education units for children have been established in Welsh hospitals. [38449]

  Mr. Hain
  There are no hospital schools in Wales. Local education authorities have a responsibility under section 19 of the Education Act 1996 to provide suitable education for children of compulsory school age who are not in school. Where a hospital school is not involved, the arrangements which they make for children in hospital are a matter for them and for the health authority concerned. Information on this provision is not available centrally.

  Young Athletes
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he has taken to ensure the provision of facilities for young athletes in the north of Wales. [38437]

  Mr. Hain
  Through SPORTLOT—the Lottery Sports Fund for Wales—we are seeing a substantial growth in facilities to serve the local, regional and national needs of sport. Since it began operating in 1995, SPORTLOT has made 76 awards totalling £11.7 million towards the provision of new or improved sports facilities throughout
  573
  North Wales. This includes an award of over £0.5 million to help with the construction of an all-weather athletics track and stadium at Deeside College.

  Island Green Redevelopment
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much money from grants for which he is responsible has been paid to date to developers working on the Island Green and Wrexham Central Station site. [38534]

  Mr. Hain
  The Welsh Development Agency (WDA), acting as the Secretary of State's agent, is now responsible for the Urban Investment Grant (UIG) scheme. The Island Green redevelopment, of which the Wrexham Central Railway Station area is part, is the subject of a legal agreement for the provision of an UIG of £3.5 million. Payment of UIG is in arrears of expenditure on site and is proportionate to progress of the works. Whilst details of the payments made to developers are commercially confidential, the WDA has confirmed that, in this case, the first claim for payment of UIG has not yet been received.

  Birth Control
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will estimate the cost to the NHS of(a) providing the contraceptive pill free, (b) providing abortions and (c) births in the last year for which figures are available. [37835]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  (a) The total estimated cost of free contraceptive pills in 1997 to the NHS in Wales was £2.55 million.

  (b) In 1996, there were 6,178 abortions to women in Wales paid for by the NHS.

  (c) There were 35,066 births to Welsh residents in 1996.

  Information on the costs of abortions (b) and (c) is not collected centrally. However, information is collected by medical and surgical specialty and the total expenditure by NHS Trusts on paediatrics, gynaecology, obstetrics, maternity general practice, community maternity services and community health education programmes in 1996–97 was £139.07 million.

  Blood Donation Service
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the impact of shortages of blood in the blood donation service in Wales on hospital waiting lists for operations in the last 12 months. [37672]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  There has been only one occasion in the last 12 months, for a period of 48 hours, when a shortage of blood led to NHS Trusts in the Welsh Blood Service's area being advised to postpone elective surgery. It is difficult to assess accurately the impact on hospital waiting lists but it is likely to represent less than 1 per cent. of the NHS Wales activity and I expect NHS Trusts to rectify this as soon as possible. There have been no similar occurrences in North Wales.

  National School Standards Task Force
  Sir Raymond Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects the National School Standards Task Force to report. [38800]

  Mr. Hain
  The Standards Task Force was established by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment to advise him on education matters in England. Its terms of reference do not require it to report. In Wales, the Secretary of State consults widely on all measures proposed under his BEST programme to raise education standards.

  New Deal
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the differences in priorities in respect of the implementation of the New Deal in Wales relative to other parts of the United Kingdom. [38732]

  Mr. Hain
  In Wales, we have our own New Deal Advisory Task Force, comprising representatives of private and public sector employers, the voluntary and environmental sectors and training and education providers. Since its establishment last summer, the Wales Task Force has actively pursued its remit of ensuring that the New Deal is tailored to meet the needs of Wales.

  The Employment Service Strategic Plan for Wales highlights a range of issues that need to be considered in the delivery of the New Deal in Wales. Copies of this document have been placed in the Library of the House.

  Postmarks
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the importance to local communities of a bilingual postmark. [37881]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  I have been asked to reply.

  Decisions relating to postmarks are the operational responsibility of Post Office management. I understand from Royal Mail that it is their policy to use bilingual postmarks for mail originating in Wales wherever possible. I also understand that mail from North Wales to be processed at the planned new mail centre in Chester will have a bilingual postmark.

HEALTH

  3M Capital Hip System
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list those hospitals which used the 3M Capital Hip system. [31979]

  Mr. Boateng
  The information requested has been placed in the Library.

  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the co-operation he has received from the suppliers of the 3M Capital Hip system. [31981]

  Mr. Boateng
  We welcome the clear statement that 3M Health Care has made about their responsibilities and particularly their commitment to provide funding for the assessment, treatment and long term follow-up of patients
  575
  who were given the capital hip implant. The company is cooperating closely with the Department and the Medical Devices Agency to establish the reasons for the early failure of this implant to see whether there are wider lessons to be learned.

  Lead Paint
  Miss Melanie Johnson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps are being taken by his Department to alert(a) GPs and (b) other health professionals to symptoms of lead poisoning and the risks associated with contact with lead in older paintwork in houses for (i) children and (ii) adults engaged in DIY. [39309]

  Mr. Milburn
  An item on lead poisoning from paint and other sources will be included in the issue of "CMO's Update" to be published on 5 May. "CMO's Update" is a communication from the Chief Medical Officer to all doctors in England. Copies will be placed in the Library.

  Cleft Lips and Palates
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans he has to improve the coordination of surgeons, speech therapists and psychologists in the delivery of cleft lip and palate services; [31984]

  (2) what plans he has to extend local access to cleft lip and palate services; [31985]

  (3) what plans he has to improve the delivery of cleft lip and palate services in the United Kingdom. [31983]

  Deaths associated with the abuse of butane gas products UK: 1986 to 1995

  Ages

  10–141

  15–19

  20–24

  25–29

  30 and over

  Total

  North

  3

  22

  1

  1

  1

  28

  North West

  6

  33

  13

  3

  1

  56

  Yorkshire/Humberside

  7

  30

  8

  3

  3

  51

  East Midlands

  4

  22

  3

  4

  0

  33

  West Midlands

  4

  35

  8

  2

  1

  50

  East Anglia

  0

  10

  1

  0

  2

  13

  South East

  18

  61

  23

  12

  7

  121

  South West

  1

  19

  7

  1

  2

  30

  England total

  43

  232

  64

  26

  17

  382

  Wales

  0

  8

  4

  0

  2

  14

  Scotland

  5

  39

  10

  3

  4

  61

  Northern Ireland

  0

  7

  1

  0

  0

  8

  United Kingdom total

  48

  286

  79

  29

  23

  465

  1Includes one aged nine.

  Tamoxifen
  Ms Julie Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the indicators so far from the tests of the Tamoxifen drug in Britain. [38945]

  Mr. Boateng
  The International Breast Cancer Intervention Study is co-ordinated by the United Kingdom Co-ordinating Committee on Cancer Research (UKCCCR) with Dr. Trevor Powles as the principal investigator in the UK. The study is investigating the use of Tamoxifen for the prevention of breast cancer in otherwise healthy women who are at increased risk of breast cancer because of a family history. The UKCCCR
  576
  Mr. Boateng
  The Clinical Services Advisory Committee's report on cleft lip and/or palate, and the Government's response, were published on 23 February. Copies are available in the Library. We are committed to implementing the Committee's recommendations relating to raising quality standards and improving clinical outcomes by concentrating cleft lip and palate services in a fewer number of centres in the United Kingdom. We will establish an implementation group to progress this work, taking account of access, delivery and the coordination of services.

  Heart Attacks
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list figures for the survival rates of(a) men and (b) women after their first heart attack. [37869]

  Mr. Milburn
  Figures in the form requested are not available centrally. Figures held by the Office for National Statistics show that in 1996, 37,717 men and 30,639 women in England and Wales died from heart attacks, making a total of 68,356.

  Butane Gas Misuse
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many deaths have occurred by age and region in each of the last 10 years due to the volatile substance misuse of butane gas products. [38146]

  Mr. Milburn
  The available figures are set out in the table. Tables for deaths cannot be broken down on a more detailed basis without rendering individual cases identifiable.

  established a data and safety monitoring committee for the study which has met at six-monthly intervals in the light of recently announced findings from a similar study in the United States of America and Canada. It will shortly be issuing a report.

  NHS Expenditure
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the NHS element of health expenditure as a percentage of gross domestic product for the years 1968–69 to 1998–99. [38723]
  577
  Mr. Milburn
  The information requested is set out in the table.

  United Kingdom National Health Service expenditure as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product

  Year

  UK NHS gross expenditure as a percentage of GDP1

  1968

  3.9

  1969

  3.8

  1970

  3.9

  1971

  3.9

  1972

  4.0

  1973

  4.1

  1974–75

  4.8

  1975–76

  5.1

  1976–77

  5.0

  1977–78

  4.8

  1978–79

  4.7

  1979–80

  4.7

  1980–81

  5.3

  1981–82

  5.5

  1982–83

  5.5

  1983–84

  5.3

  1984–85

  5.4

  1985–86

  5.2

  1986–87

  5.1

  1987–88

  5.1

  1988–89

  5.1

  1989–90

  5.1

  1990–91

  5.2

  1991–92

  5.7

  1992–93

  6.0

  1993–94

  5.9

  1994–95

  5.8

  1995–96

  5.8

  1996–97

  5.7

  1997–982

  5.6

  1998–992

  5.6

  1Using GDP deflator of 17 March 1998.

  2Estimated outturn position.

  3Planned expenditure on the NHS.

  Health Care Priorities
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received on the setting up of a national council on health care priorities; and if he will make a statement. [38716]

  Mr. Milburn
  A range of suggestions to improve priority setting in the National Health Service has been made, including setting up a national council on health care priorities. We have set out our plans for the NHS in The New NHS White Paper. It sets out measures to improve national consistency while allowing local flexibility to ensure services are responsive to local needs and wishes. We do not see a place for a national council within these arrangements.

  Hospital Consultants
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will review the merit award system for hospital consultants. [38754]

  Mr. Milburn
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for West Lancashire (Mr. Pickthall) on 7 April 1998,Official Report, column 197.

  Specialties
  Audrey Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) ECG technicians, (b) orthotists, (c) prosthetists, (d) neuro-physiologists, (e) audiologists, (f) clinical biochemists, (g) clinical psychologists, (h) pharmacists and (i) physiotherapists are employed by the NHS in each grade; and for each grade how many of these are women. [39029]

  Mr. Milburn
  The information is not available in precisely the format requested, as the Department's non-medical workforce census no longer collects information about grade, and does not separately identify all of the staff groups requested. The table gives the information that is available.

  National Health Service hospital and community health services scientific, therapeutic and technical staff by sex working in specific areas of work in England as at 30 September 1996.

  Whole-time equivalents

  Male

  Female

  Total

  All scientific, therapeutic and technical staff

  25,480

  73,550

  99,030

  All physiotherapy staff

  1,340

  12,520

  13,860

  Manager

  20

  140

  160

  Therapist

  1,070

  9,780

  10,860

  Tutor

  30

  30

  Student/trainee

  50

  270

  330

  Helper/assistant

  190

  2,300

  2,490

  All clinical psychology staff

  1,000

  2,340

  3,340

  Manager

  50

  30

  80

  Scientist

  810

  1,720

  2,530

  Scientific officer

  90

  380

  470

  Technician

  10

  20

  30

  Student/trainee

  50

  180

  230

  All pharmacy staff

  1,900

  6,620

  8,530

  Manager

  90

  70

  160

  Scientist

  970

  2,260

  3,230

  Scientific officer

  130

  260

  390

  Technician

  470

  3,240

  3,710

  Student/trainee

  20

  1,401

  70

  Helper/assistant

  220

  660

  880

  1five or less

  Note:

  Figures are rounded to the nearest whole number.

  Source:

  Department of Health 1996 non-medical workforce census

  Medicines Review
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the work and proposed reporting arrangements of the review of prescribing, supply and administration of medicines. [39227]

  Mr. Milburn
  [holding answer 20 April 1998]: We plan to publish shortly the review team's first report on the supply and administration of medicines under group protocols. The second and final report of the review will be published after the review has been completed, which is expected to be during the summer.

  Discharge Plans
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make it his policy to require hospital trusts to involve carers and patients in the production and signing-off of discharge plans; [39054]
  579
  (2) if he will make it his policy to require hospital trusts to provide patients and their carers with a copy of their discharge plan. [39051]

  Mr. Milburn
  [holding answer 20 April 1998]: General good practice guidance on hospital discharge procedures—"Hospital Discharge Workbook—a manual on hospital discharge procedures"—makes it clear that the patient, their family and carer, should be consulted and informed at all stages of their discharge, they should have their own copy of an agreed discharge plan, the discharge plan should contain no big surprises, and the discharge should happen according to the plan.

  Health Service Guidance (95)8, "NHS Responsibilities for Meeting Continuing Health Care Needs" included, in its discharge section, a reminder about the workbook. The HSG added that patients and their families and carers should be kept fully informed about how procedures for hospital discharge and the multi-disciplinary assessment of patients continuing health care needs will work, and should receive relevant information (in writing and in other formats appropriate to their needs) they require to make decisions about continuing care.

  Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth Health Authority
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the representations made by the Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth Health Authority in their report, "The River Runs Dry", concerning the impact of the current capitation formula on the allocation for 1998–99. [39049]

  Mr. Milburn
  [holding answer 20 April 1998]: We have noted the comments about the national weighted capitation formula in the consultation document "The River Runs Dry".

  The weighted capitation formula has been updated since the document was published. For 1998/99 allocations, services for people with learning difficulties were weighted for additional need.

  As part of their work programme, the Advisory Committee on Resource Allocation will consider the possible extra unavoidable costs associated with providing services for ethnic populations and the health needs of mentally disordered offenders.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the final full year figures for(a) Merton and Sutton and (b) Wandsworth district health authorities for (i) the amount by which they were above or below target, (ii) the level of recurring overspend against allocation and (iii) the comparable figures for the new Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth Health Authority. [39053]

  Mr. Milburn
  [holding answer 20 April 1998]: Merton and Sutton District Health Authority and Wandsworth District Health Authority were merged on 1 April 1994. The final year that they existed as two separate authorities
  580
  was therefore 1993/94. However the allocation for 1994/95 was calculated on the old basis and information on the allocation for both years is given in the tables.

  1993/94

  Allocation (£000)

  Weighted capitation target(£000)

  Distance from target(£000)

  Distance from target(Per cent.)

  Merton and Sutton

  122,724

  119,610

  3,114

  2.6

  Wandsworth

  87,243

  72,023

  15,220

  21.1

  Total

  209,967

  191,633

  18,334

  9.6

  1994/95

  Allocation (£)

  Weighted Capitation Target(£)

  Distance from Target(£)

  Distance from Target(£)

  Distance from Target(Per cent.)

  Merton and Sutton

  122,065

  120,060

  2,005

  1.7

  Wandsworth

  85,574

  72,545

  13,029

  18.0

  Total

  207,638

  192,604

  15,034

  7.8

  Currently, the allocation and weighted capitation position for Merton Sutton & Wandsworth Health Authority is:

  1998/99

  Baseline Allocation(£)

  Weighted capitation target(£)

  Distance from target(£)

  Distance from target(Per cent.)

  Merton Sutton and Wandsworth

  309,537

  293,327

  16,210

  5.5

  Infomation on recurrent expenditure was not recorded before 1997/98 so information on recurrent overspending of the two district health authorities at the time of the merger is not available.

  The reported surplus/(deficit) in the accounts of the two authorities for 1993/94 (before adjusting for directly managed units and common services) were:

  £000

  Merton and Sutton

  (£51)

  Wandsworth

  £1,003

  Watford and Mount Vernon NHS Trust
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much of the extra money promised for the NHS in the Budget will be given to the Watford and Mount Vernon NHS Trust to reduce waiting lists. [38864]

  Mr. Milburn
  [holding answer 21 April 1998]: Of the extra £417 million made available in the Budget to the National Health Service in England for 1998–99, £320 million will be targeted directly on cutting waiting lists. Ninety per cent. of this will be allocated to health authorities in line with their initial general allocations for this financial year against targets for reduced waiting lists by the end of March 1999. These targets will in turn be built into service agreements with NHS Trusts. The other

  581
  ten per cent. will be used to reward good performance and to tackle poor performance. Further announcements on the remaining £97 million will be made in due course.

SCOTLAND

  Scottish Parliament
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on progress on the design for the Scottish Parliament. [37623]

  Mr. McLeish
  The design team selection process is proceeding to schedule. From some 70 firms submitting bids, 12 have been chosen to take part in competitive interviews in May and, thereafter, 3 or 4 firms will be asked to prepare indicative design proposals for the Holyrood site which will go on public display. The design team will be appointed in July.

  Education Expenditure
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate what expenditure on education in Scotland in 1998–99 will be as a proportion of Scottish gross domestic product. [37626]

  Mr. Wilson
  It is estimated that expenditure on education in Scotland this year will be approximately 6; per cent. of Scottish gross domestic product.

  Inward Investment
  Mr. Russell Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he is taking to secure inward investment for rural areas. [37627]

  Mr. Wilson
  Locate in Scotland promotes the whole of Scotland as a location for inward investment.

  Its approach is, first, to interest potential investors in Scotland and then to identify those locations which best meet their requirements. Where appropriate, Locate in Scotland ensures that potential investors are fully aware of rural locations which may be suited to their requirements.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the level of inward investment in Scotland in 1997. [37630]

  Mr. Wilson
  Inward investment in Scotland has been running at record levels for the past few years and that success is continuing. Only last Friday, I was delighted to be able to announce another 800 new jobs at a call centre in Dundee. The detailed inward investment figures for 1997-98 will be published in the Locate in Scotland Annual Review in June.

  "Working Together for a Healthier Scotland"
  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many representations he has received in response to his consultation document, "Working Together for a Healthier Scotland". [37628]

  Mr. Galbraith
  Since the publication on 5 February 1998 of the Green Paper, "Working Together for a Healthier Scotland", 214 responses have been received to date.

  Abortion
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland pursuant to his answer of 17 February 1998,Official Report, column 579, on abortion law, what response he has made to the six letters. [37629]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The six letters sought changes in the current abortion law. They received responses explaining that this Government, like their predecessors, do not adopt a collective position on the ethical issues of abortion and that proposals for changes in the abortion law have always been decided in Parliament on the basis of free votes.

  Petrol and Diesel Prices
  Mrs. Laing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received regarding the price of petrol and diesel in rural Scotland. [37631]

  Mr. Wilson
  My right hon. Friend has received a number of representations regarding petrol and diesel prices in rural Scotland from companies, community and interest groups, and from members of the public.

  Passenger Registration Directive
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received on the EU Passenger Registration directive. [37633]

  Mr. McLeish
  My right hon. Friend has received no representations concerning the EU Passenger Registration Directive.

  The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions has consulted widely with industry about the proposed Directive. It has set up a working group of shipping representatives which includes the Chamber of Shipping and the British Ports Association, to consider how the Directive should be implemented. Full consultation with affected parties will take place once the Directive has been adopted.

  Ferry Services
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what contingency plans his Department has made against a major ferry breakdown in the Caledonian MacBrayne fleet. [37634]

  Mr. McLeish
  Decisions on the deployment of vessels in the event of a major vessel breakdown within the Caledonian MacBrayne network are operational matters for the company. I am well aware that the recent breakdown of the "Isle of Lewis" has made it necessary to redeploy vessels throughout the CalMac network and temporarily to suspend and re-schedule some services. I do regret the inconvenience which may be caused to the company's customers and I understand that Caledonian MacBrayne is doing all it can to minimise disruption of services. I hope that normal scheduled services can be resumed as soon as possible.

  Decentralisation
  Mr. Forth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to decentralise Government departments and agencies throughout Scotland. [37635]
  583
  Mr. McLeish
  Staff of The Scottish Office and its related Agencies already work from a number of locations around Scotland. Staffing dispositions are kept under review to ensure continued efficiency and value for money. There are no present plans to make significant changes to existing staff dispositions. Future arrangements would be a matter for the Scottish Executive and the Scottish Parliament.

  Scottish Economy
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met the chief executive of Scottish Enterprise to discuss trends in the Scottish economy. [37636]

  Mr. Wilson
  My right hon. Friend last met the Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise on 9 January 1998 when he accompanied the Chairman to discuss Scottish Enterprise's strategy for economic development and related issues.

  Trunk Roads Review
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to conclude the strategic review of the trunk road network; and if he will make a statement. [37638]

  Mr. McLeish
  We intend to issue a consultation document on a revised appraisal framework for assessing future expenditure on the trunk road network shortly after the publication of the Scottish Integrated Transport White Paper. Investment decisions will be based on the criteria of integration, accessibility, economy, safety and environmental impact. The Review will be completed once responses to the consultation document have been considered in the autumn.

  Council Housing
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he has had with Scottish local authorities on the future provision of council housing in Scotland. [37639]

  Mr. Macdonald
  I frequently meet Scottish local authorities to discuss matters related to council housing stock, and other housing issues.

  Rural School Closures
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on his policy in respect of rural school closures. [37640]

  Mr. Wilson
  I have invited authorities to apply a test of proportional advantage to any proposed closure of a rural school, demonstrating whether the educational and financial gains outweigh any negative effects on the community.

  Employment
  Mr. Galloway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met the Scottish TUC to discuss the employment situation in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [37641]
  584
  Mr. Wilson
  My right hon. Friend has had frequent meetings with the Scottish TUC during which a great number of issues of importance to the Scottish economy have been discussed. He took the opportunity yesterday when he addressed the Annual Congress of the STUC to emphasise the importance of modernisation and partnership to help the Scottish economy become more internationally competitive.

  Millennium Compliance
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received on the millennium compliance of his Department's information technology systems. [37642]

  Mr. Dewar
  I have received no representations on the millennium compliance of my Department's computer systems. My Department is taking appropriate steps to ensure that its information technology systems are thoroughly checked for millennium compliance, and that any necessary remedial action is completed in line with the timetable set out in the statement made to the House by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 3 March 1998,Official Report, column 622. My Department contributes quarterly progress reports on millennium compliance; these are published on the Internet.

  Child Care
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he is taking to assist lone parents seeking jobs or training to obtain child care. [37637]

  Mr. Wilson
  We are taking action in a number of important ways. Under the New Deal for Lone Parents, the Employment Service offers advice and assistance on childcare to lone parents seeking employment. Assistance with childcare is available on all four options under the New Deal for young people. We are committed to developing a national childcare strategy for Scotland which will increase the range of childcare options available to parents, including lone parents. Almost £30 million extra in public funding and from lottery funds will be available for childcare in Scotland over the next five years. The new childcare tax credit in the Working Families Tax Credit will be a big improvement in childcare help.

  Carbon Emissions
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he intends to take to reduce carbon emissions from(a) power generation and (b) road traffic in order to meet the targets agreed by the Government at Kyoto. [38562]

  Mr. Macdonald
  The UK share of the European Union's target of 8 per cent. arising from Kyoto will be agreed in discussion with Member States. This will place an obligation on the UK as a whole to cut a basket of 6 greenhouse gas emissions. The UK provisional target, reached in March 1997 and based on a 3-gas basket, stands at 10 per cent. We indicated before Kyoto that we were prepared to consider doing more than this but we would not do so simply to enable others to do less. We have a separate domestic aim of a 20 per cent. cut in CO2 emissions.
  585
  The Government plan to issue a consultation paper in the summer. This will discuss policy options for meeting the UK's legally binding target. It will also discuss measures which would move beyond that towards our 20 per cent. CO2 aim.

  The contribution that might be made by the power generation and road transport sectors is being considered as part of the various wider reviews in these areas. I would not want to pre-judge the outcome of these reviews.

  Pre-school Education
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to ensure that local education authorities undertake partnerships in respect of the provision of pre-school education in 1999 with providers in the private and voluntary sector. [38628]

  Mr. Wilson
  I announced on 30 March 1998,Official Report, column 383 the detailed arrangements for funding pre-school education in the 1998–99 school session. I again confirmed that local authorities carry the lead responsibility for planning, co-ordinating and delivering pre-school services in their area. I expect them to collaborate with providers in the voluntary and private sectors wherever this would best serve the needs of children and their parents and fulfil the principles of 'best value'. Whilst decisions on partnerships will rest with local authorities, I have again drawn their attention to the Government's wider policy goals in welfare reform and the development of a national childcare strategy. It would be counter-productive if expansion of pre-school education services at authorities' own hand inhibited the ability of other sectors to contribute to the Government's overall objectives.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what criteria he will use when reviewing progress made by local authorities in establishing partnerships with the private sector to provide pre-school education in 1999. [38629]

  Mr. Wilson
  The autumn review of partnership will look at the full range of possible partnership relations, as set out in last autumn's consultative paper "Education in Early Childhood: The Pre-School Years". It will include an assessment of the volume, type and location of pre-school education places which authorities have decided to commission from the private and voluntary sectors; and it will look at quality assurance initiatives in support of those places. I shall not be seeking to reach judgments about optimal levels of partnership activity, either locally or nationally, although I shall of course consider very seriously any evidence that cost-effective opportunities for partnership are being neglected.

  Council Tax
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for
  Scotland if he will list for each local authority area in Scotland the estimated additional council tax revenue which could be collected if the appropriate percentage referred to in section 79(3) of the Local government Finance Act 1992 was(a) 30 per cent., (b) 40 per cent. and (c) 50 per cent. [38670]

  Mr. Macdonald
  The "appropriate percentage", currently 25 per cent., is a discount from council tax bills where there is one person resident in a dwelling.586
  Increasing that percentage would therefore, other things being equal, reduce rather than increase council tax revenue. The table estimates the additional revenue which would be forgone by each council in Scotland for each of the suggested "appropriate percentages", assuming no change to the council tax set by each council.

  Estimate of revenue forgone—£ million

  'appropriate percentage' of:

  Council

  30%

  40%

  50%

  Aberdeen City

  1.4

  4.1

  6.8

  Aberdeenshire

  0.9

  2.8

  4.6

  Angus

  0.5

  1.5

  2.5

  Argyll & Bute

  0.8

  2.4

  4.0

  Clackmannanshire

  0.2

  0.7

  1.2

  Dumfries & Galloway

  0.7

  2.1

  3.5

  Dundee City

  1.2

  3.7

  6.2

  East Ayrshire

  0.5

  1.4

  2.4

  East Dunbartonshire

  0.5

  1.4

  2.4

  East Lothian

  0.5

  1.4

  2.3

  East Renfrewshire

  0.4

  1.1

  1.9

  Edinburgh City

  3.4

  10.3

  17.2

  Eilean Siar

  0.2

  0.5

  0.8

  Falkirk

  0.7

  2.0

  3.3

  Fife

  1.8

  5.3

  8.9

  Glasgow City

  4.5

  13.5

  22.5

  Highland

  1.4

  4.2

  7.1

  Inverclyde

  0.5

  1.4

  2.3

  Midlothian

  0.4

  1.1

  1.9

  Moray

  0.4

  1.2

  2.0

  North Ayrshire

  0.7

  2.1

  3.4

  North Lanarkshire

  1.3

  3.8

  6.4

  Orkney

  0.1

  0.3

  0.4

  Perth & Kinross

  0.8

  2.3

  3.8

  Renfrewshire

  0.9

  2.7

  4.5

  Scottish Borders

  0.5

  1.5

  2.5

  Shetland

  0.1

  0.2

  0.4

  South Ayrshire

  0.6

  1.8

  3.0

  South Lanarkshire

  1.4

  4.2

  7.0

  Stirling

  0.5

  1.4

  2.3

  West Dunbartonshire

  0.6

  1.9

  3.1

  West Lothian

  0.7

  2.0

  3.3

  Scotland

  28.6

  85.7

  142.8

  Note:

  Calculation based on council tax levels set by councils in 1998–99, and allows for the effect of the 'appropriate percentage' on those receiving one discount and two discounts.

  Sources:

  Council Tax Base Return 1997 (CtaxBase97), completed by all councils;

  Council Tax Assumptions Return 1998 (CTAS98), completed by all councils.

  Tourist Boards
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list in respect of each area tourist board in Scotland, the amount of funding (i) received from each local authority in the area in(a) 1996–97 and (b) 1997–98 and (ii) to be received from each local authority in the area in 1998–99. [38666]

  Mr. Wilson
  The information is as follows:

  £

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  Aberdeen and Grampian

  Aberdeen City

  300,000

  300,000

  150,000

  Aberdeenshire

  400,000

  300,000

  300,000

  Moray

  120,000

  100,000

  150,000

  Total

  820,000

  700,000

  600,000

  587

  £

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  Angus & City of Dundee

  Angus

  158,000

  158,000

  158,000

  Dundee

  246,000

  246,000

  246,000

  Total

  404,000

  404,000

  404,000

  Argyll, the Isles, Loch Lomond, Stirling and Trossachs

  Argyll and Bute

  210,000

  189,000

  190,000

  Clackmannanshire

  33,890

  28,807

  28,807

  Falkirk

  67,640

  62,417

  55,420

  Stirling

  174,950

  157,455

  158,100

  West Dunbartonshire

  67,325

  56,325

  59,260

  Total

  553,805

  494,004

  491,587

  Ayrshire and Arran

  East Ayrshire

  97,000

  82,450

  79,200

  North Ayrshire

  200,000

  170,000

  163,200

  South Ayrshire

  180,000

  153,000

  146,900

  Total

  477,000

  405,450

  389,300

  Dumfries and Galloway

  400,000

  360,000

  345,000

  Edinburgh & Lothians

  Edinburgh

  1,047,616

  989,616

  989,616

  East Lothian

  185,000

  185,000

  185,000

  West Lothian

  51,500

  46,500

  46,500

  Midlothian

  35,000

  35,000

  35,000

  Total

  1,319,116

  1,256,116

  1,256,116

  Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley

  Glasgow

  1,475,000

  1,425,000

  1,425,000

  East Dunbartonshire

  0

  0

  40,000

  East Renfrewshire

  0

  0

  0

  Inverclyde

  100,000

  100,000

  100,000

  North Lanarkshire

  5,000

  0

  60,000

  Renfrewshire

  56,000

  68,000

  56,000

  South Lanarkshire

  102,000

  102,000

  102,000

  Total

  1,738,000

  1,695,000

  1,783,000

  Highlands of Scotland

  542,805

  550,000

  495,000

  Kingdom of Fife

  500,000

  490,000

  450,000

  Orkney

  185,500

  185,500

  190,140

  Perthshire

  638,674

  530,000

  483,000

  Scottish Borders

  295,000

  275,750

  266,985

  Shetland

  92,545

  137,180

  137,180

  Western Isles

  64,223

  70,000

  82,000

  Total

  8,030,668

  7,553,000

  7,373,308

  Bus Services
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Sectretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the additional number of bus services which will be established as a result of the rural transport funding package announced by his Department in March; and if he will make a statement. [38667]

  Mr. McLeish
  I am confident what the £4.5 million package, the major part of which I am earmarking for aiding rural bus services, will significantly improve public transport links in rural areas. However, as we are currently 588
  Consulting about the distribution of that proporation of the funding which will be made to local authorities, we havae not yet made any predictions about the number of additional bus services which will be provided.

  Student Loans
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to(a) give part-time students access to loans on the same basis as full-time students and (b) change the accounting rules so that student loans are counted as investment; what discussions he has held on this subject; with which bodies; and if he will make a statement. [38821]

  Mr. Wilson
  We have, at present, no plans to extend loans to part-time students. However, the provisions of the Teaching and Higher Education Bill would allow loans to be extended to part-timers in the future. We have already taken steps to assist part-time students who experience financial hardship by extending the availability of the Access Funds. We are also considering what other measures might be appropriate to their particular circumstances.

  The Government's proposal to move to a system of full resource accounting and budgeting in 2001–02 will result in student loans being treated as a balance sheet asset in the Department's accounts. The precise treatment of student loans in the public accounts is ultimately a matter for the Treasury, but the Education Departments are exploring the question.

  Licensed Premises
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what response he has made to proposals by Glasgow Council for amendment of the laws and regulations covering licensed premises. [37619]

  Mr. McLeish
  Glasgow City Council has not submitted any recent proposals on laws and regulations covering licensed premises. Any such proposals would, of course, be given careful consideration.

  Secondary Schools (Glasgow)
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the educational performance of Glasgow's secondary schools. [37625]

  Mr. Wilson
  The Government and Glasgow City Council share the common objective of raising standards in all secondary schools and are pursuing a range of policies at national and local level to realise that objective.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  New Deal
  Mr. Fitzpatrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many young people entered Gateway services to date in each of the Pathfinder areas; what was the average duration of the Gateway period; and how many have been referred or placed on the(a) employment,(b) education and training, (c) voluntary sector and (d) environmental task force options. [36346]
  589
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  At week ending 3 April, 16,840 young people had entered the Gateway nationally. There have been 4,838 referrals (with, in some cases, more than one relating to any particular individual) to the Employment Option, 1,311 to the Full-time Education and Training Option, 353 to the Voluntary Option and 211 to

  Vacancies

  Number invited to initial Gateway interview

  Number of unsubsidised job submissions during Gateway

  Number of submissions to Employer Option

  Number of referrals to FTE/Training Option

  Number of referrals to VS Option

  Number of referrals to ETF Option

  Sheffield

  2,768

  1,094

  1,194

  284

  30

  22

  Tayside

  1,075

  454

  348

  49

  26

  9

  Swansea

  1,854

  2,389

  623

  193

  45

  41

  Cornwall

  1,689

  935

  937

  168

  130

  57

  Newcastle

  2,276

  906

  573

  335

  83

  12

  Eastbourne

  440

  320

  54

  60

  8

  0

  Lambeth

  1,218

  471

  154

  49

  19

  11

  S'Derby

  1,185

  750

  69

  8

  0

  0

  B'Country

  2,559

  2,623

  318

  79

  1

  4

  Harlow

  493

  289

  29

  37

  3

  21

  Cumbria

  995

  760

  636

  113

  54

  38

  Wirral

  1,112

  395

  368

  81

  20

  43

  Totals

  17,664

  11,405

  5,305

  1,456

  419

  239

  Mr. Derek Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to monitor the success of the New Deal in increasing employment rates for those young people with a history of delinquency. [38390]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The term "delinquency" is very broad and could legitimately be defined as including a range of anti-social behaviour, some of which could not be identified formally, for example, through a criminal record. As a key part of the evaluation of the New Deal, we will seek to relate the employment outcomes of individual New Deal participants to the characteristics, circumstances and labour market history of the individual, and to assess the extent to which these outcomes might have occurred in the absence of New Deal. As part of this work, we shall be addressing the significance of a criminal record in employment and the success of the New Deal in overcoming barriers it may create.

  Skill Shortages (Seaham and Peterlee)
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received from(a) industrialists and (b) other employers in the Seaham and Peterlee areas concerning skill shortages of the unemployed. [37859]

  Dr. Howells
  The Department received no representations from industrialists, and other employers in the Seaham and Peterlee areas concerning skill shortages of the unemployed.

  Jobcentres
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what is his estimate of the cost of refurbishing and repainting Employment Service offices in connection with the introduction of the New Deal; [38317]
  590
  the Environment Task Force Option. A table showing the breakdown of Pathfinder areas follows. It is too early to give the average duration of the Gateway period as the pathfinders only started on 5 January and there are insufficient numbers completing the Gateway to give a valid sample.

  (2) how much orange paint has been used in the redecoration of Employment Service offices in connection with the New Deal; and at what cost. [38318]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  [holding answer 7 April 1998]: Responsibility for the subject of these questions has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its Chief Executive. I have asked him to arrange for replies to be given.

  Letter from Leigh Lewis to Mr. David Willetts, dated 21 April 1998:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions about the estimated cost of refurbishing and repainting Jobcentres in connection with the introduction of the New Deal, and how much orange paint has been used, and its cost. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Employment Service.
  As part of the overall programme of preparation for the introduction of New Deal, Ministers have authorised improvements to the environment of our Jobcentres including the provision of New Deal furniture and fittings.
  You will see from the following table that overall capital expenditure in Jobcentres, including the improvements for New Deal, will be less in 1998–1999 than in previous years.

  £ million

  Year

  Total

  1993–94

  57

  1994–95

  45

  1995–96

  38

  1996–97

  60

  1997–98 (estimated)

  40

  1998–99 (estimated)

  32

  Much of this expenditure will substitute and accelerate other work which was already in planned expenditure. The expenditure, which is being monitored closely, has been authorised under strict guidelines that match the work to be done with the existing condition

  591
  of the Jobcentre, its size, and the level of New Deal business expected. In connection with the introduction of New Deal, some £6.8M has so far been committed to this work.
  It is not possible to identify precisely the cost of the orange paint used as part of the redecoration. However, in a typical Jobcentre the cost is likely to be around £20.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Mobile Children
  Sir Raymond Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the local education authorities who have applied for support of

  Local education authorities in receipt of grant under section 488 of the Education Act 1996

  Local Education Authorities

  1996–97 Allocation

  1996–97 Grant

  1997–98 Allocation

  1997–98 Grant

  1998–99 Allocation

  1998–99 Grant

  Barnsley

  T

  32,836

  21,343

  38,680

  25,142

  39,763

  25,846

  Bedfordshire

  T

  240,535

  156,348

  245,346

  159,475

  252,216

  163,940

  Bolton

  T

  52,622

  34,204

  57,093

  37,110

  58,692

  38,150

  Bradford

  T

  174,364

  113,337

  177,851

  115,603

  182,831

  118,840

  Brent

  T

  76,517

  49,736

  97,195

  63,177

  98,380

  63,947

  Bromley

  T

  55,980

  36,387

  60,025

  39,016

  61,706

  40,109

  Buckinghamshire

  T

  196,000

  127,400

  199,920

  129,948

  205,518

  133,587

  Bury

  T

  13,377

  8,695

  14,613

  9,498

  15,022

  9,764

  Cambridgeshire

  T

  344,912

  224,193

  351,810

  228,677

  361,661

  235,080

  Camden

  T

  75,680

  49,192

  88,183

  57,319

  90,652

  58,924

  R

  27,221

  17,694

  29,102

  18,916

  29,917

  19,446

  Cheshire

  T

  148,292

  96,390

  151,258

  98,318

  188,500

  122,525

  Cornwall

  T

  57,530

  37,395

  58,681

  38,143

  60,324

  39,211

  Cumbria

  T

  47,880

  31,122

  48,255

  31,366

  49,606

  32,244

  Derby

  T

  149,581

  97,228

  152,573

  99,172

  173,945

  113,064

  R

  50,669

  32,935

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Devon

  T

  219,817

  142,881

  224,213

  145,738

  230,491

  149,819

  Doncaster

  T

  111,643

  72,568

  113,876

  74,019

  117,065

  76,092

  Durham

  T

  160,207

  104,135

  163,411

  106,217

  167,987

  109,192

  Ealing

  T

  90,629

  58,909

  92,442

  60,087

  95,030

  61,770

  East Riding

  T

  248,950

  161,818

  263,929

  171,554

  271,319

  176,357

  East Sussex

  T

  80,777

  52,505

  82,393

  53,555

  119,172

  77,462

  Enfield

  T

  37,588

  24,432

  52,956

  34,421

  54,439

  35,385

  Essex

  T

  385,181

  250,368

  392,885

  255,375

  360,266

  234,173

  Gateshead

  T

  32,243

  20,958

  32,888

  21,377

  33,809

  21,976

  Gloucestershire

  T

  139,432

  90,631

  142,221

  92,444

  146,203

  95,032

  Greenwich

  T

  62,584

  40,680

  63,836

  41,493

  65,623

  42,655

  Hackney

  T

  80,480

  52,312

  82,090

  53,359

  84,389

  54,853

  Hammersmith

  T

  40,864

  26,562

  56,253

  36,564

  57,828

  37,588

  Hampshire

  T

  175,071

  113,796

  146,424

  95,176

  150,524

  97,841

  Haringey

  T

  118,310

  76,902

  120,676

  78,439

  124,055

  80,636

  Harrow

  T

  71,353

  46,379

  72,780

  47,307

  74,818

  48,632

  Hertfordshire

  T

  441,846

  287,200

  450,683

  292,944

  463,302

  301,146

  Hillingdon

  T

  70,969

  46,130

  72,388

  47,052

  100,199

  65,129

  R

  24,294

  15,791

  29,851

  19,403

  30,686

  19,946

  Hounslow

  T

  102,525

  66,641

  104,576

  67,974

  107,504

  69,878

  Kensington

  T

  33,150

  21,548

  33,813

  21,978

  34,760

  22,594

  Kent

  T

  401,136

  260,738

  423,159

  275,053

  476,615

  309,800

  Kirklees

  R

  25,954

  16,870

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Lambeth

  T

  28,000

  18,200

  35,504

  23,078

  36,498

  23,724

  Youth Project

  R

  82,208

  53,435

  87,562

  56,915

  90,014

  58,509

  Adult Project

  R

  37,784

  24,560

  38,920

  25,298

  40,098

  26,064

  Lancashire

  T

  266,477

  173,210

  271,807

  176,675

  297,418

  193,322

  Leeds

  T

  227,465

  147,852

  232,014

  150,809

  238,510

  155,032

  Leicestershire

  T

  250,874

  163,068

  256,841

  166,947

  264,033

  171,621

  Lewisham

  T

  18,558

  12,063

  18,929

  12,304

  19,459

  12,648

  Lincolnshire

  T

  184,485

  119,915

  188,175

  122,314

  193,444

  125,739

  Manchester

  T

  214,499

  139,424

  218,789

  142,213

  224,915

  146,195

  Middlesbrough

  T

  107,414

  69,819

  109,562

  71,215

  112,630

  73,210

  Newcastle

  T

  25,276

  16,429

  26,026

  16,917

  26,755

  17,391

  592
  mobile children under section 488 of the Education Act 1996 indicating the amount granted for (a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98 and (c) 1998–99. [38058]

  Mr. Byers
  The total number of Local Education Authorities in England applying for support under Section 488 of the Education Act 1996 was 96 in 1996–97, 108 in 1997–98 and 125 in 1998–99. Total grant allocated for the financial years in question was £6,838,000 in 1996–97; £7,055,000 in 1997–98 and £7,275,000 in 1998–99.

  Detailed information relating to England is shown in the following table.
  593

  Local education authorities in receipt of grant under section 488 of the Education Act 1996

  Local Education Authorities

  1996–97 Allocation

  1996–97 Grant

  1997–98 Allocation

  1997–98 Grant

  1998–99 Allocation

  1998–99 Grant

  Newham

  T

  64,657

  42,027

  65,950

  42,868

  67,797

  44,068

  Norfolk

  T

  252,555

  164,161

  257,606

  167,444

  264,819

  172,132

  Northamptonshire

  T

  223,088

  145,007

  249,800

  162,370

  256,794

  166,916

  Northumberland

  T

  44,104

  28,668

  44,986

  29,241

  46,246

  30,060

  North Yorkshire

  T

  134,472

  87,407

  176,368

  114,639

  181,306

  117,849

  Nottinghamshire

  T

  125,807

  81,775

  117,467

  76,354

  120,756

  78,491

  Oldham

  T

  30,246

  19,660

  32,544

  21,154

  16,755

  10,891

  Oxfordshire

  T

  323,233

  210,101

  329,698

  214,304

  338,930

  220,305

  Poole

  T

  72,946

  47,415

  74,405

  48,363

  76,488

  49,717

  Richmond

  T

  20,690

  13,449

  21,104

  13,718

  21,695

  14,102

  Rochdale

  T

  83,646

  54,370

  90,680

  58,942

  93,219

  60,592

  Rotherham

  T

  33,032

  21,471

  33,693

  21,900

  32,945

  21,414

  Salford

  T

  38,386

  24,951

  54,154

  35,200

  55,670

  36,186

  Sheffield

  T

  118,473

  77,007

  120,842

  78,547

  124,226

  80,747

  Solihull

  T

  39,005

  25,353

  41,340

  26,871

  42,498

  27,624

  Somerset

  T

  107,099

  69,614

  109,241

  71,007

  112,300

  72,995

  S. Glouc.

  T

  268,586

  174,581

  273,958

  178,073

  281,629

  183,059

  Southwark

  T

  49,900

  32,435

  50,898

  33,084

  52,323

  34,010

  St. Helens

  T

  0

  0

  30,000

  19,500

  30,840

  20,046

  Suffolk

  T

  148,371

  96,441

  151,338

  98,370

  155,575

  101,124

  Sunderland

  T

  25,333

  16,466

  30,329

  19,714

  314,178

  20,266

  Surrey

  T

  242,192

  157,425

  247,036

  160,573

  253,953

  165,069

  R

  21,053

  13,684

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Sutton

  T

  0

  0

  0

  0

  57,580

  37,427

  Tameside

  T

  99,602

  64,741

  94,800

  61,620

  97,454

  63,345

  Thurrock

  T

  0

  0

  0

  0

  60,050

  39,033

  Tower Hamlets

  T

  32,550

  21,158

  33,201

  21,581

  34,131

  22,185

  Trafford

  T

  28,920

  18,798

  29,498

  19,174

  30,324

  19,711

  Wakefield

  T

  57,209

  37,186

  57,354

  37,280

  58,960

  38,324

  Warwickshire

  R

  28,000

  18,200

  0

  0

  0

  0

  West Sussex

  T

  141,350

  91,878

  144,177

  93,715

  148,214

  96,339

  Wigan

  T

  72,524

  47,141

  73,974

  48,083

  76,045

  49,429

  Wiltshire

  T

  162,418

  105,572

  165,666

  107,683

  170,305

  110,698

  Wokingham

  T

  196,491

  127,719

  200,421

  130,274

  206,033

  133,921

  Wolverhampton

  T

  787,906

  512,139

  803,664

  522,382

  826,167

  537,009

  Notes:

  1. LEAs involved in consortia. Listed is the lead authority receiving grant, with the partner authorities listed in brackets

  Bedfordshire: (Luton)

  Buckinghamshire: (Milton Keynes)

  Cambridgeshire: (Peterborough)

  Cheshire: (Halton, Warrington)

  Derby City: (Derbyshire)

  Devon: (Plymouth, Torbay)

  Durham: (Darlington)

  East Riding of Yorkshire: (Hull, NE Lincolnshire, N Lincolnshire)

  East Sussex: (Brighton & Hove)

  Essex: (Southend)

  Hampshire: (Portsmouth, Southampton)

  Kent: (The Medway Towns)

  Lancashire: (Blackburn, Blackpool)

  Leicestershire: (Leicester, Rutland)

  Middlesbrough: (Hartlepool, Redcar & Cleveland, Stockton-on-Tees)

  North Yorkshire: (York)

  Nottinghamshire: (Nottingham)

  Poole: (Bournemouth, Dorset)

  South Gloucestershire: (Bath, N E Somerset, City of Bristol, N Somerset)

  Wiltshire: (Swindon)

  Wokingham: (Bracknell Forest, Newbury, Reading, Slough, Windsor, & Maidenhead)

  Wolverhampton: (Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Herefordshire, Sandwell, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, The Wrekin, Walsall, Warwickshire, Worcestershire)

  2. T = Traveller project. R = Refugee (displaced persons) project

  3. Grant is paid at a rate of 65% on approved expenditure.
  594

  Workplace Nurseries
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proposals the Government have to encourage the provision of more workplace nurseries at affordable cost to parents. [38417]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  We are keen to persuade employers of the benefits of helping employees with their childcare needs. Workplace nurseries are one way of doing this, but other ways may be more appropriate for, in particular, smaller companies.

  Employers can claim their day-to-day expenditure on childcare provision or subsidies for their employees as an allowable expense when calculating their business profits for tax purposes. And the childcare tax credit announced in the Budget will make childcare more affordable for working parents.

  Our national childcare strategy Green Paper, which we will be publishing in the next few weeks, will be considering how companies can be encouraged to adopt more "family-friendly" policies.

  Teacher Training Agency
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to review the decision of the TTA to re-direct in-service funding in the South West; and if he will publish the reasons underlying the re-direction. [39022]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  I understand that the Teacher Training Agency reached its decisions on the allocation of the relevant funding on the basis of competitive bids from providers to deliver in-service training for teachers judged according to their quality in meeting identified national priorities. The Agency has issued contracts for the academic year 1998–99. Final allocations for later years will be determined by the Agency in due course, taking account of the representations which have been received.

  Disability Rights Task Force
  Sir Raymond Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the members of the Disability Rights Task Force and the criteria governing their appointment. [38870]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The members of the Disability Rights Task Force are:

  Name

  Stephen Alambritis

  Head of Press and Parliamentary Affairs, Federation of Small Businesses

  Bob Benson

  Director of Disability Scotland

  Jane Campbell

  Member of the National Centre for Independent Living and British Council of Organisations of Disabled People

  Caroline Gooding

  Member of Trades Union Disability Alliance

  David Grayson

  Chair of the National Disability Council, Business Links National Advisory Panel, a director of Business in the Community

  Rachel Hurst

  Chair of Rights Now

  David Jenkins

  General Secretary of Welsh TUC

  Su Jenkins

  Legal Adviser, J. Sainsbury PLC

  Brian Lamb

  Assistant Director and Head of Public Affairs, SCOPE

  596

  Name

  Colin Low

  Vice Chair, Royal National Institute for the Blind

  Tracey-Jane Malthouse

  Employment Research Executive, Institute of Directors

  Joe Mann

  General Secretary, National League of the Blind and Disabled

  Bert Massie

  Director of Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation

  Denise Platt

  Head of Social Services, Local Government Association

  Brian Pomeroy

  Senior Partner, Deloitte & Touche Consulting Group

  Philippa Russell

  Director of the Council for Disabled Children

  Liz Sayce

  Policy Director, Mind (National Association for Mental Health)

  Susan Scott-Parker

  Chief Executive, Employers' Forum on Disability

  Ranjit Sondhi

  Former Deputy Chairman of Commission for Racial Equality

  James Strachan

  Chief Executive, Royal National Institute for Deaf People

  Richard Taylor

  Chief Executive, Lifespan NHS Trust

  Keith Welton

  Group Chief Executive, Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry Limited

  Monica Wilson

  Chief Executive of Disability Action

  Richard Wood

  Chief Executive, British Council of Organisations of Disabled People

  EU Labour and Social Affairs Council
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the EU Labour and Social Affairs Council of Ministers meeting on 7 April. [37182]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  [holding answer 20 April 1998]: The Secretary of State for Education and Employment chaired the meeting of the Social Affairs Council on 7 April. The Minister of State, Department of Trade and Industry, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, and I also attended.

  There was discussion on National Employment Action Plans, the production of which was agreed at last November's "Jobs Summit" in Luxembourg, and on the Social Affairs Council's role in assessing them in advance of the Cardiff European Council in June 1998.

  The Council adopted Conclusions on worker protection from asbestos, calling on the Commission to bring forward proposals. A Directive on the protection of workers from chemical agents was adopted.

  The Council adopted a Directive extending to the United Kingdom the Part-time Work Directive, which had been adopted by the other 14 Member States last December under the Agreement on Social Policy. The Council had further discussion on the follow-up to the Davignon report on worker participation under the proposed European Company Statute.

  The UK Presidency reported on the informal meeting of Education and Social Affairs Ministers held in London in March.
  597
  The Council noted Presidency Conclusions about the Commission's fundamental review of co-ordination of social security for migrant workers.

  The Commission made presentations on reform of the Structural Funds; on its Action Plan on Racism and Xenophobia; on sectors excluded from the Working Time Directive; on a draft report from the High Level Group on Industrial Change; on draft amendments to the Carcinogens Directive; and on the PHARE Programme.

  Student Loans
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to(a) give part-time students access to loans on the same basis as full-time students and (b) change the accounting rules so that student loans are counted as investment; what discussions he has held on this subject; with which bodies; and if he will make a statement. [38820]

  Dr. Howells
  We agree with the Dearing Committee's recommendation that extending loans to part-time students in higher education should not be a priority. While we have taken alternative steps to protect part-time students who experience financial hardship, we have no plans to extend loans to them at this stage. The provisions of the Teaching and Higher Education Bill would, however, allow loans to be extended to part-timers at some time in the future and we will keep the position under review.

  The Government's proposal to move to a system of full Resource Accounting and Budgeting in 2001–02 will result in student loans being treated as a balance sheet asset in the Department's accounts. Discussions on this issue are taking place as part of wider preparations for the introduction of Resource Accounting and Budgeting across government, which is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

  Cost (£000s)

  Commission date

  Estimated

  Actual

  Planned

  Actual

  (a) Departmental Systems

  1993–94

  Nil

  1994–95

  Upgrade of Department of Education VAX system

  128

  129

  March 1994

  June 1994

  Department of the Environment Office Automation

  3,460

  -

  March 1995

  Ongoing

  Department of Finance and Personnel Network and System Management

  120

  120

  May 1994

  May 1994

  1995–96

  Department of Education Inspectorate

  142

  220

  September 1995

  September 1996

  Department of Education Presentation Unit

  105

  108

  February 1996

  April 1996

  Department of Agriculture VAX system

  203

  222

  May 1995

  August 1995

  1996–97

  Nil

  1997–98

  Department of Education Resource Accounting

  364

  -

  April 1997

  Ongoing

  Department of Finance and Personnel Resource Accounting

  478

  -

  April 1997

  Ongoing

  Parliament Buildings Network

  255

  255

  April 1997

  June 1997

  NIO Automation System

  4,050

  4,380

  June 1997

  November 1997

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he expects to make available details of the training programme to equip the Millennium Taskforce with the skills necessary to deal with the millennium bug; how this programme will be advertised through jobcentres; and if he will make a statement. [39055]

  Dr. Howells
  A national leaflet has been produced for employers and individuals describing the help that is available. Officials are discussing with the Employment Service how the leaflet can be best used in Jobcentres.

  The members of the Task Force were drawn from organisations of and for disabled people, business (including small business), local government and trade unions with the intention of forming a group with the necessary breadth of knowledge, skills and experience of disability to report to Government on how best to secure comprehensive, enforceable civil rights for disabled people, taking account of the interests of all interested parties.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Computer Systems
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list each major new computer system that(a) her Department, (b) non-departmental bodies and (c) agencies under her responsibility have purchased in the last five years; what was the initial purchase cost and what was the final cost; what was each system's (i) planned and (ii) actual date of commissioning; what major computer systems will be purchased by bodies in categories (a), (b) and (c) in the next financial year; and what is their estimated cost. [27848]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The information for the Northern Ireland Office and the Northern Ireland Departments is listed in the table.
  599

  Cost (£000s)

  Commission date

  Estimated

  Actual

  Planned

  Actual

  1998–99

  Office of the Director of Public Prosecution

  750

  -

  -

  -

  Department of Education PC Roll Out

  592

  -

  -

  -

  Department of Education Sun System Upgrade

  247

  -

  -

  -

  Department of Agriculture Communications Strategy Implementation

  220

  -

  -

  -

  Animal and Public Health System

  2,400

  -

  -

  -

  (b) Non Departmental Public Bodies System

  1993–94

  RUC Criminal Intelligence System

  118

  125

  January 1994

  April 1994

  Police Authority Fleet Management System

  470

  505

  January 1994

  January 1994

  Prism Specialist RUC System

  517

  530

  March 1994

  June 1994

  1994–95

  RUC Automated Fingerprint Recognition

  900

  900

  April 1994

  April 1994

  Police Authority Financial Stores and Purchasing Systems

  845

  900

  April 1994

  April 1994

  Fire Authority (NI) Business Systems

  341

  341

  December 1994

  December 1994

  Fire Authority (NI) CAD and Scanning System

  189

  189

  March 1995

  June 1995

  1995–96

  Nil

  1996–97

  RUC Message Handling System with Data Network

  5,773

  6,900

  August 1996

  November 1996

  Computerised Information for the Management of Further Education in NI

  1,194

  1,257

  June 1997

  August 1997

  Fire Authority (NI) Geographical Information System

  164

  164

  September 1996

  Ongoing

  Fire Authority (NI) Business Support Contract

  420

  -

  March 1997

  Ongoing

  1997–98

  Police Authority Office Automation System

  160

  160

  January 1998

  February 1998

  1998–99

  RUC Integrated Criminal Information System

  1,000

  -

  -

  -

  Policy Authority Payroll Computer System

  250

  -

  -

  -

  RUC Manpower Administration and Registry System

  3,146

  -

  -

  -

  Education and Library Boards Accruals Accounting System

  1,500

  -

  -

  -

  Belfast Link Laboratories Laboratory Management System

  1,170

  -

  -

  -

  South and East Belfast Trust Community Information System

  458

  -

  -

  -

  Fire Authority (NI) Command and Control Communication System

  2,800

  -

  -

  -

  Fire Authority (NI) Business Support Systems

  2,100

  -

  -

  -

  Fire Authority (NI) Payroll System

  155

  -

  -

  -

  Housing Executive Financial Systems

  476

  -

  -

  -

  (c) Agencies Systems

  1993–94

  Construction Service CAD Expansion

  208

  208

  February 1994

  February 1994

  Roads Service Fleet Management

  180

  191

  October 1993

  March 1995

  Roads Service Date Communications

  750

  819

  February 1994

  February 1994

  1994–95

  Rate Collection Agency Billing System

  1,200

  1,200

  November 1994

  February 1995

  Roads Service Traffic Accident Analysis

  186

  222

  December 1994

  October 1995

  Water Service Laboratory Information Management

  364

  407

  March 1995

  March 1996

  1995–96

  Construction Service CAD Expansion

  125

  125

  January 1996

  March 1996

  Construction Service MACAWS

  171

  182

  April 1995

  Ongoing

  Road Service Maintenance (Client) System

  1,395

  1,490

  July 1995

  November 1997

  Water Service Oracle Financials

  1,089

  1,733

  April 1995

  April 1995

  T&EA Training Information Management System

  160

  160

  April 1995

  April 1995

  1996–97

  Construction Service Maintenance Management

  207

  228

  December 1996

  July 1997

  Water Service Stores and Purchasing

  375

  223

  March 1997

  June 1997

  600 601

  Cost (£000s)

  Commission date

  Estimated

  Actual

  Planned

  Actual

  1997–98

  Construction Service CAD Upgrade

  290

  -

  March 1998

  Ongoing

  Public Records Office (NI) Management System

  200

  200

  December 1997

  February 1998

  Water Service Metered Billing

  446

  489

  April 1997

  April 1998

  Industrial Research and Technology Unit Laboratory Information Management System

  310

  310

  May 1997

  March 1998

  1998–99

  Construction Service Work Order Processing

  120

  -

  -

  -

  Construction Service Costing, Charging and Project Control

  122

  -

  -

  -

  Training and Employment Agency Information Systems

  750

  -

  -

  -

  Forensic Science Agency DIP

  200

  -

  -

  -

  Prisons Office Automation

  247

  -

  -

  -

  Marches and Parades
  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons have been charged with offences relating to obstructing(a) the republican Rosslea Martyrs procession on 12 October 1997 and (b) traditional Orange Order and Black Institution church parades during 1997 in Newtownbutler. [37383]

  Mr. Ingram
  Of the thirty-nine people interviewed and charged in relation to the Rosslea Martyrs Parade, thirty-eight have been charged with 'obstructing a lawful activity in a public place'. Other offences charged include `possession of an offensive weapon', 'disorderly behaviour', 'obstructing police' and 'dangerous driving'.

  In relation to the Royal Black Preceptory parade in Newtownbutler, thirteen persons have been charged with the principal offence of 'obstructing a lawful activity in a public place' and a variety of ancillary offences including `disorderly behaviour', 'riotous behaviour', 'possession of an offensive weapon', 'provocative conduct', 'criminal damage' and 'playing a recording of sounds which are threatening, abusive, or insulting'.

  Stevens Inquiry
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will publish the terms of reference given to Mr. John Stevens prior to and during his inquiries. [37738]

  Mr. Ingram
  The terms of reference given to Mr. John Stevens were those stated in the summary of the Report published in 1990. They were recorded in the published summary of his report:"investigating: the Dunmurra Police Station incident; the alleged disappearance of photo montages from Ballykinler Army Camp; the alleged leak of information associated with the murder of Mr. John Anthony Loughlin Maginn; and following consultation with the Chief Constable, any associated matters which came to light during the course of the Enquiry."

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will publish the full findings of the second Stevens Inquiry. [37734]

  Mr. Ingram
  A summary was published. The full report remains confidential to the Chief Constable. It was not published because to do so would endanger the confidential nature of operational procedures.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will commission independent research to assess the numbers of individuals who have 602
  become vulnerable following the loss, theft or misuse of information, personal files or documents originating from the security services. [37735]

  Mr. Ingram
  An inquiry into this was conducted by Mr. John Stevens. Any individuals who became vulnerable were informed at the time.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will ask the Director of Public Prosecutions in Northern Ireland to re-examine evidence presented by Mr. John Stevens in his January 1995 report. [37737]

  Mr. Ingram
  No. No useful purpose would be served by asking the DPP for Northern Ireland to re-examine information unless new evidence was produced that had a material bearing on the conclusions of the report.

  Public Interest Immunity
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will take steps to ensure that public interest immunity is not used to prevent evidence of collusion being introduced in proceedings taking place in(a) criminal courts, (b) coroners' courts and (c) public or judicial inquiries. [37811]

  Mr. Ingram
  As was indicated by my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General on 11 July 1997,Official Report, columns 616–17, Ministers of the present Government assent to public interest immunity only where the relevant Minister believes that disclosure of a document or piece of information will cause real damage to the public interest. The Secretary of State applies this test vigorously.

  Where public interest immunity applies, the Secretary of State's policy is to make voluntary disclosure if she considers that the interest of justice outweighs the public interest in withholding the document or information in question. In all cases, a claim for public interest immunity is subject to the power of the court or other tribunal to order disclosure.

  RUC Investigations
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many RUC investigations have been conducted into the loss or theft of documents and
  603
  security files since 1982; how many officers and soldiers were charged with (i) disciplinary offences and (ii) criminal offences arising from such investigations; and how many were subsequently disciplined or punished. [37810]

  Mr. Ingram
  The required information is not readily available and would incur disproportionate cost to provide.

  Planning, Newtownards
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the extent of the developments at the Ballyreagh, Bowtown and Movilla Road districts in Newtownards(a) which have received planning permission and (b) for which planning applications are presently under consideration; and what proposals there are to improve the existing road infrastructure in this part of Newtownards. [37557]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Responsibility for these matters have been delegated to the Planning Service and the Roads Service under Mr. T. W. Stewart and Mr. W. McCoubrey respectively. I have asked them to arrange for replies to be given.

  Letter from T. W. Stewart to Mr. John D. Taylor, dated 8 April 1998:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Question about housing developments in Newtownards.
  The extent of the housing development in Ballyreagh, Bowtown and Movilla areas of Newtownards is most appropriately considered within the context of the North Down and Ards Area Plan. Since the commencement of the Plan in 1984, approximately 1650 houses have been built on land zones for development in the east of the town, and it is estimated that there is potential for a further 700 new houses. Planning permission has been granted for a substantial proportion of these dwellings.
  There are two current planning applications proposing housing development on land not zoned for development in the Plan. These are:

  (i) a site of 4.6 hectares at the Movilla Road end of Ballyreagh Road; and

  (ii) a site of 20 acres at Bowtown Road end of Ballyreagh Road.

  I hope this clarifies the position.

  Letter from G. P. Fraser to Mr. John D. Taylor, dated 6 April
  1998:
  The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked the Chief Executive to respond to the roads element of your recently tabled PQ about the extent of developments and proposals to improve the existing roads infrastructure in the Ballyreagh, Bowtown and Movilla Road districts in Newtownards. In his absence, I am replying.
  Roads Service has 2 proposals for the area in question. A scheme to provide a link between Bowtown Road and Portaferry Road, at an estimated cost of £1M, is currently included in the 6-15 year major road works programme and a scheme to realign a section of road adjacent to 116 Movilla Road, at an estimated cost of £50K, is included in a list of possible schemes for inclusion in the minor works programme for the Ards Borough Council area.
  I hope you find this information helpful.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Pensioners (Canada)
  Mr. Godsiff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received from the Canadian Government concerning the situation of British expatriate state pensioners living in Canada who do not receive any uprating of their pensions. [38727]

  Mr. Denham
  The Canadian Minister of Human Resources Development wrote to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State last September about this issue. Canadian Ministers have raised the matter from time to time in meetings with their UK counterparts. The last such occasion was in October 1997 when my Noble Friend, the Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean, met the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs in Ottawa.

  There are competing demands and constraints on Social Security spending. In these circumstances, the Government believe that it would be wrong to raise expectations that uprating UK pensions paid abroad would be likely to attract priority.

  National Insurance
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate she has made of the cost to public funds of the increase in national insurance rebates on appropriate personal pensions to compensate for the impact of lost investment income as a result of the removal of ACT credits on dividends on UK equities. [38792]

  Mr. Denham
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Northavon (Mr. Webb) on 12 March 1998,Official Report, columns 355–56.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment she has made of the(a) advantages and (b) disadvantages of (i) taxing and (ii) means-testing disability living allowance. [38994]

  Mr. Denham
  We have concluded and made clear in the Green Paper, "New ambitions for our country: A new contract for welfare", that Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Attendance Allowance (AA) will remain universal, national benefits and as such they will not be subject to a means test. Taxation matters are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The Green Paper does not include any proposals to tax DLA or AA.

  Lone Parents
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to her answer of 19 March 1998,Official Report, columns 738–39, how many lone parents who gained employment between: (a) 1 July and 22 October 1997, (b) 23 October and 30 November 1997, (c) 1 December and 31 December 1997, (d) 1 January and 31 January 1998 and (e) 1 February and 28 February 1998, are now in receipt of income support and have no earnings. [37592]
  605
  Mr. Keith Bradley
  [holding answer 7 April 1998]

  The number of lone parents who obtained employment and who are now in receipt of income support and have no earnings

  Period

  Number of lone parents who obtained employment/increased hours

  Number of lone parents who obtained employment/increased hours, but who are now in receipt of Income Support and have no earnings

  21 July-22 October 1997

  518

  87

  23 October—

  30 November 1997

  391

  69

  1 December—

  31 December 1997

  141

  20

  1 January—

  31 January 1998

  228

  23

  1 February—

  28 February 1998

  240

  28

  The Government are conducting a full independent evaluation of the New Deal for Lone Parents which will report in Autumn 1999. This will assess the programme's overall effectiveness, and will measure the percentage of lone parents moving into work as a result of the New Deal for Lone Parents.

  Notes

  1. Figures are given from the 21 July rather than 1 July as this was when the first prototype of the New Deal for Lone Parents started.

  2. The figures given for the number of lone parents who have found employment include those lone parents who have increased their hours whilst participating in the New Deal for Lone Parents.

  3. The figures in the third column differ slightly from those in my Written Answer 7 April 1998, Official Report, columns 738–739, which sought similar information for the periods of 23 October-30 November 1997, 1–31 December 1997, and 1-31 January 1998. This is because the figures given in this reply represents information as of 17 April 1998 and not as of 18 March 1998.

  Welfare Reform Review
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will place in the Library a list of consultees for the Welfare Reform Review. [38389]

  Mr. Field
  We are encouraging the widest possible debate on how best to rebuild the welfare system so it is fit for the 21st century. The Green Paper, "New Ambitions for our Country: a new contract for welfare", which we published on 26 March, is the next stage on the road to reform and we are seeking views on its proposals from all sections of the community by 31 July 1998.

  There is no narrow list of consultees, all views are welcome and to maximise this debate we have published a free summary version and made this and the full document accessible via the Internet (www.dss.gov.uk). Copies of both documents are also available on request in braille, audiocassette, Welsh and large print.

  Incapacity Benefit
  Mr. Cummings
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will list the average length of time taken to hear appeals from people whose incapacity 606
  benefit has been withdrawn under the all-work-test in the Seaham and Peterlee areas; and how many appeals remain outstanding. [37865]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The operation of the appeals system is a matter for the Independent Tribunal Service (ITS) who report that the statistics it maintains do not differentiate between those appeals which concern the All Work Test and those which concern other aspects of entitlement to Incapacity Benefit.

  Incapacity Benefit appeals for people living in the Seaham area are heard at ITS's Sunderland tribunal venue, whilst those for people living in the Peterlee area are heard at Durham. The latest available figures show that the average length of time between lodgement and hearing of an Incapacity Benefit appeal in Sunderland is 20 weeks and in Durham is 23 weeks. For the North East Region of ITS as a whole, the average time is 20 weeks. Figures for the number of Incapacity Benefit appeals awaiting determination are not available for the individual tribunal venues, but for the North East Region as a whole the current total is 4,306.

  Benefits Agency
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what initiatives her Department is undertaking to involve the private sector in Benefits Agency business; which companies are involved; which areas of Benefits Agency core business are affected; when the results are expected; and if she will make a statement. [38990]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  [holding answer 20 April 1998]There are currently two initiatives under way within the Benefits Agency involving the private sector. Neither has yet reached a contract stage. The Accommodation and Office Service (AOS) Project is exploring whether further private sector involvement could improve the delivery of office related services. The Area Directorates and Partnering Team (ADAPT 98) Project involves three private sector consortia working in partnerships with three BA Area Directorates in order to gain a full understanding of BA operations and to formulate proposals for improvements in service delivery.

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

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Brian M. Donohoe dated 21 April 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what initiatives her Department is undertaking to involve the private sector in Benefits Agency (BA) business; which companies are involved; which areas of BA core business are affected and when the results are expected.
  There are currently two initiatives under way within the BA involving the private sector. Neither has yet reached a contract stage.
  Accommodation and Office Services (AOS) Project
  The AOS Project is exploring whether further private sector involvement could improve the delivery of office related services, mainly within the BA. The services involved are typing and word

  607
  processing, messengerial, fleet management, shuttle buses, secretarial, reprographics, some archival storage, post opening and despatch, stationery and telephony.
  The companies invited to tender to provide the services are: Rentokil Initial Management Services, Haden Building Management Limited, SERCO Government Services Limited, AMEC Facilities Limited and Partnership Property Management Limited. On current timetable, a decision is expected in the summer.
  Area Directorates and Partnering Team Project (ADAPT 98)
  The ADAPT 98 Project involves three private sector consortia working in partnerships with three of the BA's Area Directorates (ADs). The private sector partners are:
  Eisis, a consortium comprising EDS as the prime contractor with AT Kearney, Price Waterhouse Management Consulting Ltd and Manpower Plc as subcontractors. Eisis are partnering AD1 East London and Anglia;
  Equip, an alliance between Capita and AT&T with Aon Risk Services, Bull Information Systems and Group 4. Equip are partnering AD10 Yorkshire; and
  SeAD, a consortium led by Sema Group and made up of Sema Group, WS Atkins and Deloitte and Touche with Hays plc and Nat West Bank Group as sub-contractors. SeAD are partnering AD4 West Country.
  The partnerships between the private sector and the ADs began on 13 August 1997 and will last for up to 12 months. During this Partnership Period, the private sector partners' primary activity is to gain a full understanding of BA operations and to formulate proposals for improvements in service delivery.
  We expect to receive proposals from all the private sector partners by the end of the Partnership Period. There are no predetermined outcomes to the Project and no commitments have been given about the nature and timing of any contracts which may be let following the Partnership Period.
  Proposals will be evaluated against Ministers' criteria for use of the private sector as well as value for money considerations.
  I hope that this is helpful.

  Focus Group Research
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will list the companies she has commissioned to undertake focus group research indicating the individual projects they are undertaking and the companies that tendered for each contract. [38218]

  Mr. Field
  [pursuant to his reply, 7 April 1998], c. 223–24]: The Department publishes a Research Yearbook which contains details of contracts awarded in the relevant financial year.
  608
  Organisations commissioned to undertake focus group research for the Department and the title of each contract are as follows:

  Newchurch and Company—Child Support Agency customer and compliance research.
  Market Opinion Research International—Attitudes towards welfare reform.
  Market Opinion Research International—Attitudes to disability benefits.
  British Market Research Bureau International—Attitudes towards housing benefits.
  Institute for Employment Studies—People management in DSS Headquarters.
  Social and Community Planning Research—On-going contract for qualitative research on welfare reform issues.
  Social and Community Planning Research—Survey of women; developmental work.
  Social and Community Planning Research—Preparation for Women's Juries.
  Social and Community Planning Research—Work Incentives and Intermediaries.
  Social and Community Planning Research—Take up of Income Support amongst Older Citizens.
  Centre for Research in Social Policy, Loughborough University—Earnings Top Up Staff Panel.
  Centre for Research in Social Policy, Loughborough University—Invalidity Benefit and the Contributory principle.
  Alan Hedges—Pensions and Retirement Planning.
  Alan Hedges—Behavioural Response to the evidence requirements.
  Andrew Irving Associates—Counter fraud publicity.
  One World—New Deal for Lone Parents: development of publicity work.
  Navigator—Fraud: attitudes to national benefit fraud hotline publicity.
  Reflexions—Fraud: reporting changes in circumstances. Michael Herbert—Pensions: approaches to information material.
  Cragg Ross Dawson—Creative Development Research for a New Deal for Lone Parents Newsletter.
  Market Opinion Research International?evelopment for New Deal for Lone Parents' Messages.

  Research contracts are normally let by competitive tender, although the Department also makes use of the Central Office of Information's framework agreement with approved suppliers. Single tender may be used, for example where a supplier has special expertise or experience, is the sole supplier or has sole access to records or data, or in cases of extreme urgency. Details of organisations who have tendered unsuccessfully for contracts is commercial in confidence.

  Homicides by Previously Convicted Killers
  Homicides by Previously Convicted Killers
  European Convention on Human Rights: Legislative Changes
  European Convention on Human Rights: Legislative Changes
  Location of Prisoners: Computerised System
  Location of Prisoners: Computerised System
  Mr. Kandeya of UNITA
  Mr. Kandeya of UNITA
  Traffic Light Offences, Edgware
  Traffic Light Offences, Edgware
  Associations of Chief Police Officers: Funding
  Associations of Chief Police Officers: Funding
  Rough Sleeping in Westminster
  Rough Sleeping in Westminster
  Smallpox Vaccination and Operation Granby
  Smallpox Vaccination and Operation Granby
  Iran: Human Rights
  Iran: Human Rights
  Turkey: Human Rights
  Turkey: Human Rights
  Kyrgyzstan: Relations
  Kyrgyzstan: Relations
  Democratic Republic of Congo: Human Rights
  Democratic Republic of Congo: Human Rights
  Trident
  Trident
  Treaties: Explanatory Memoranda
  Treaties: Explanatory Memoranda
  Algeria: Violence
  Algeria: Violence
  Environmental Resource Depletion: Measurement
  Environmental Resource Depletion: Measurement
  Motor Neurone Disease
  Motor Neurone Disease
  Voluntary Work
  Voluntary Work
  Drama Teaching
  Drama Teaching
  Development Awareness Working Group
  Development Awareness Working Group
  Benefit Fraud
  Benefit Fraud
  Private Members' Bills
  Private Members' Bills
  House of Lords Amendments to Bills
  House of Lords Amendments to Bills
  Fraud in the Community: ECC Recommendations
  Fraud in the Community: ECC Recommendations
  Crown Copyright Material: Sales Revenue
  Crown Copyright Material: Sales Revenue
  Work and Economic Growth: Measurement
  Work and Economic Growth: Measurement
  Barnett Formula Allocations
  Barnett Formula Allocations
  Scotland: Computerised Data on Location of Prisoners
  Scotland: Computerised Data on Location of Prisoners