Written Answers of 29 April 1998

TREASURY

  Earnings
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate how many employees earn between £81 and £450 a week. [39773]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 27 April 1998]: 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.

  Letter from John Kidgell to Mr. Nick Gibb, dated 29 April 1998:

  In the absence of the Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your parliamentary question on weekly earnings.

  The latest estimates from the New Earnings Survey conducted in April 1997, are that 72.1 per cent of employees on adult rates of pay, and whose gross weekly earnings during the survey pay period in April 1997 were unaffected by absence, were paid between £81 and £450 per week. Comparable percentages for full time and part time employees are 76.5% and 57.2% respectively.

  Historic Registration Records
  Mr. Alan Campbell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what estimate he has made of the cost of making historic registration records available by means of microfilmed copie; [39720]

  (2) what proposals he has to make historic registration records available by means of microfilmed copies; [39721]

  (3) what proposals he has to make historic registration records more than 75 years old open to public scrutiny. [39722]

  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.

  Letter from Les D. Mayhew to Mr. Alan Campbell, dated 29 April 1998:

  In the absence of the Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary questions on registration records.

  The Registration Acts are quite specific as to the means of access to all the records of births, deaths and marriages. The Acts allow members of the public to search the indexes in order to identify the entries they are looking for and to obtain certifies copies (certificates) on payment of the appropriate statutory fees. The Registrar General has no powers to make available or disclose registration information in any other way. No assessment has been made of the cost of making records available by means of microfilmed copies.

  International Debt
  Ms Drown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the progress of the Commonwealth Debt Initiative laid out in his Mauritius speech in September 1997, indicating which countries have received, or are to receive, relief, the level of that relief and when it will be applied. [39669]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Government have made considerable progress in securing international agreement to the Mauritius Mandate and will continue to press for its speedy and determined implementation.

  To date, decisions have been made on the timing and level of relief to be granted under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative to six countries. Uganda has actually completed the process and bilateral creditors signed an agreement to give it 80% relief on its stock of debt on April 24 in Paris.

  The table illustrates how much additional debt relief the countries that have had decision points under the HIPC initiative will receive after all other debt relief mechanisms have been applied (ie after a reduction in their stock of debt of 67% by Paris Club creditors), and when they are due to receive that relief (assuming that they stay on track with their current IMF programmes).

  Country

  Completion point

  Amount of HIPC debt relief (USD million)

  Bolivia

  September 1998

  448

  Burkina Faso

  April 2000

  115

  Cote d'Ivoire

  March 2001

  345

  Guyana

  December 1998

  253

  Mozambique

  Summer 1999

  1,487

  Uganda

  Completed April 1998

  347

  Ms Drown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much is owed to the European Union by countries identified under the Highly Indebted Poor Countries initiative; and how much it has already agreed to write off. [39667]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The total exposure of the EU to the 20 countries that are presently thought likely to get debt relief under the HIPC initiative is about 5% of the total debt owed to all multilateral creditors by HIPCs. This amounts to approximately $1 billion.

  The EU has agreed to put 40 million ECU of interest on European Development Fund assets towards financing the first part of the EU's component of HIPC debt relief to these countries.

  Insurance Premium Tax
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will assess the benefits of using a share of increased revenue of the insurance premium tax for a neighbourhood risk reduction fund for areas where a high proportion of residents have difficulty in affording home contents insurance. [38173]

  Dawn Primarolo
  No. I am sure, however, that the Home Office would be interested to hear about any ideas my hon. Friend has for better targeting public expenditure at areas where the risk of crime is high.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Western Sahara
  Ms Kingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings have taken place or are planned between ministers of Her Majesty's Government and(a) the Moroccan Government and (b) Polisario to discuss the implementation of the UN Peace Plan for Western Sahara. [39951]

  Mr. Fatchett
  I propose to visit Morocco on 19 and 20 May and while there to meet ministers of the new Government. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary will meet Mr. Filali, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Morocco, at Palermo during the Euro-Med ad hoc Ministerial on 3 and 4 June.

  Ministers have not yet met any representatives of Polisario. At present, no meetings are planned.

  Public Appointments
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many and what percentage of the (i) paid and (ii) unpaid appointments which he has made to non-departmental public bodies since 1 May 1997 were women. [39406]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has made or approved 2 paid and 11 unpaid appointments of women to non-departmental public bodies since 1 May 1997. These appointments account for 50% and 58% respectively of the total made in the same period. We are committed to increasing the representation of women in public life. In support of this, we are currently drawing up an action plan for increasing the number of women and ethnic minorities holding public appointments.

  Argentina
  Mr. Caplin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what new exceptions there have been to the embargo on Argentina. [40345]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We have recently granted an exception to the embargo to allow the sale of a further 110 NBC suits and 110 pairs of boots for use by the Argentine contingent of the UN task force in Kuwait. This is an exception but not a change to the embargo.

PRIME MINISTER

  Companies (Promotion)
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 6 April 1998,Official Report, column 73, if he will list the occasions on which he has promoted and supported British companies abroad. [38553]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 20 April 1998]: As a Prime Minister concerned with ensuring we have a prosperous and competitive economy, I have taken and will continue to take formal and informal opportunities in meetings and visits both in the UK and overseas to promote British business interests.

  White Papers
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) how many white papers published since May 1997 have been considered and approved by the full cabinet prior to their publication; [39255]

  (2) if the submission of a draft white paper to the full cabinet for consideration and approval is a matter determined by the sponsoring Minister; and what factors are taken into consideration in determining if the drafts are so submitted. [39256]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 20 April 1998]: Paragraphs 90–93 of the Ministerial Code set out guidance for Ministers and Departments on the handling of White Papers. The guidance is exactly the same as that applied by the previous administration.

  Collective consideration of draft White Papers is generally appropriate where major policy issues are raised or the proposals can be expected to be of critical importance to the public. The detailed policy contained in White Papers is normally considered and approved by members of the relevant Cabinet Committee.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Prime Minister if the proposed White Paper on industrial relations and employment law will be considered and approved by the full cabinet prior to publication.[39257]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 20 April 1998]: The White Paper will be considered in accordance with the normal procedures for White Papers.

  Economic and Monetary Union
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list those individuals and organisations he has consulted on the legal basis of his Government's claim that there is no constitutional bar to United Kingdom participation in economic and monetary union. [39756]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to my hon. Friend the Member for Great Grimsby (Mr. Mitchell) on 17 November 1997,Official Report, column 18.

  Engagements
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 29 April. [39226]

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 29 April. [40182]

  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 29 April. [39787]

  The Prime Minister
  This morning, I had meetings with Ministerial colleagues and others. I also did a live video broadcast on the Internet. In addition to my duties in the House, I will have further meetings later today.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Public Appointments
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many and what percentage of the (i) paid and (ii) unpaid appointments which he has made to non-departmental public bodies since 1 May 1997 were women. [39408]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  Since 1 May, 1 have made a total of 80 appointments including reappointments. Of these, 24 (30 per cent.) were women.

  Women were appointed to 8 (36 per cent.) of the 22 paid appointments and to 16 (28 per cent.) of the 58 unpaid appointments.

  The Government are committed to increasing the representation of women in public life. In support of this, my Department is currently drawing up an action plan for increasing the number of women and people from ethnic minority backgrounds holding public office.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Public Appointments
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many and what percentage of the (i) paid and (ii) unpaid appointments which his Department has made to non-departmental public bodies since 1 May 1997 were women. [39398]

  Mr. Hoon
  Of the non-judicial appointments made to our non-departmental public bodies since 1 May, 3 (or 33%) of the paid appointments have been women and 91 (or 36%) of the unpaid ones have been women.

  The Government are committed to increasing the representation of women in public life. In support of this, my Department has drawn up an action plan for increasing the number of women and ethnic minorities holding public appointments.

  Small Claims Court
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will review the small claims court procedure as it operates in respect of prisoners serving custodial sentences; and if he will make a statement. [40117]

  Mr. Hoon
  Prisoners have the same rights of access as other persons to civil procedures, including small claims.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Regional Settlement Grant
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much of the regional settlement grant remained unclaimed by the London boroughs of(a) Hackney, (b) Islington, (c) Lambeth and (d) Southwark in each of the years 1990 to 1997. [38239]
  128
  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 8 April 1998]: There are no grants of that name.

  Footpaths
  Sir Michael Spicer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what statistical analyses of the usage of footpaths designated under rights of way legislation he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated; and if he will publish the results of the latest available. [39891]

  Angela Eagle
  Highway authorities have statutory responsibilities for recording and maintaining public rights of way, including footpaths, in their areas. My Department does not hold records of footpath usage, nor have we commissioned or evaluated any statistical analysis of usage.

  Housing Development
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what assessment he has made of the amount of brownfield land available for development(a) in each region and (b) in each county; [40098]

  (2) if he will take into account the amount of brownfield land available for development in each region and county when setting regional and county targets for housing provision. [40099]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Government's policy statement "Planning for the Communities of the Future" proposes that regional planning conferences, not the Government, should set targets for their regions for the provision of new homes on previously-developed land.

  To help assess what is feasible in each region, the Department is working with the Local Government Management Board, local authorities, English Partnerships and others to establish a National Land Use Database that will provide, as a priority, a consistent assessment of previously developed land available for housing. We already monitor land use change, including the degree to which new housing is being built on previously-developed land, and this should enable the regional planning conferences to assess what has been achieved. Both these sources will provide information both at regional and county level and will help ensure that the targets set by the regional planning conferences are both challenging and realistic.

  Mr. Hesford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on progress towards implementing the proposal in "Planning for the Communities of the Future" to establish a task force to examine the use of recycled land for housing. [40243]

  Mr. Caborn
  I am pleased to announce that the membership of the Urban Task Force, to be chaired by Lord Rogers of Riverside, has now been finalised. The Task Force is:

  Lord Rogers: Chairman

  Richard Burdett: (Director, City Policy, London School of Economics)

  Tony Burton: (Assistant Director (Policy), CPRE)

  Alan Cherry: (Chairman, Countryside Properties plc)

  129

  Martin Crookston: (Director, Llewellyn Davis)

  Anthony Dunnett: (Chief Executive, English Partnerships)

  Peter Hall: (Bartlett Professor of Planning, University College London)

  Stuart Lipton: (Chief Executive, Stanhope Property Developers)

  David Lunts: (Chief Executive, Urban Villages Forum)

  Anthony Mayer: (Chief Executive, Housing Corporation)

  Anne Power: (Head of Housing, London School of Economics)

  Sir Crispin Tickell: (Government Panel on Sustainable Development)

  Wendy Thompson: (Chief Executive, London Borough of Newham)

  Lorna Walker: (Director, Ove Arup)

  This membership ensures a wide range of knowledge and experience relevant to the work of the Urban Task Force. The Task Force will act as a forum for developing best practice and innovation on housing on previously developed land, especially in urban areas. It will also act as a sounding board for work on the assessment of available, previously developed land.

  Public Appointments
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many and what percentage of the (i) paid and (ii) unpaid appointments which he has made to non-departmental public bodies since 1 May 1997 were women. [39397]

  Angela Eagle
  The Secretary of State has made 180 paid and 153 unpaid appointments to non-departmental public bodies since 1 May 1997 of which 39 (22%) and 27 (18%) respectively are held by women.

  The Government are committed to increasing the representation of women in public life. In support of this, my Department is currently drawing up an action plan for increasing the number of women and ethnic minorities holding public appointments.

  Dioxins (Derbyshire)
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what tests of dioxin levels at the site of the former Avenue Cokeworks at Wingerworth in Derbyshire he has commissioned; and if he will make a statement. [40172]

  Angela Eagle
  No tests of dioxin levels have been commissioned at the site of the former Avenue Cokeworks at Wingerworth in Derbyshire as the activities at this site are not considered to be significant sources of dioxins. While all combustion activities are likely to generate some dioxins, the Environment Agency report that the levels detected in or on the ground within the site would be expected to be similar to those which have been detected in urban areas. The Environment Agency and its predecessors have undertaken extensive dioxin monitoring in the river sediments in and around Chesterfield since the early 1990s. There have been no significant dioxin levels in the sediments of the River Rother upstream of its confluence with the River Doe Lea indicating that there have been no significant inputs of dioxins from the Avenue site. In addition, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) has been 130
  monitoring dioxins in cow's milk from farms in the Derbyshire area since 1991; these results have been published.

  West Midlands Regional Development Agency
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects the location for the headquarters of the Regional Development Agency in the West Midlands will be announced. [39784]

  Mr. Caborn
  The location of the offices of the West Midlands RDA will be a matter for the Agency itself to decide. I expect that the RDA Board will be appointed by the autumn.

  Local Agenda 21 Groups
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress his Department is making in identifying good practice among the Local Agenda 21 Groups. [39871]

  Angela Eagle
  In partnership with the Local Government Management Board, the Department funds the 'Local Agenda 21 Case Study Project' which aims to identify and disseminate examples of best practice by Local Agenda 21 Groups. The project is managed by a cross-sectoral Steering Group of organisations concerned with Local Agenda 21 implementation, including representatives of the LGMB, DETR, the Worldwide Fund for Nature, the Environment Council, the Community Development Foundation, Shell Better Britain Campaign, UNED-UK, Community Matters and Groundwork. During the first year, thirty five case studies were published and disseminated and a further sixteen are to be published shortly. The case studies can also be accessed via the Internet either through the DETR website (http://www.environment.detr.gov.uk) or through the Local Sustainability pages of the European Good Practice Information Service (http://cities21.com/europractice).

  Wychavon Local Plan
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 29 January 1998,Official Report, column 327, if he will provide a revised figure for the representations received by his Department from residents of Fernhill Heath, Worcestershire. [40163]

  Mr. Caborn
  In total, over 90 representations have been received in respect of Wychavon Local Plan but having examined our records carefully I can now confirm that the actual number received from residents of Fernhill Heath amounts to 30.

  Coastal Erosion
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research has been(a) carried out and (b) commissioned by his Department on the problems of coastal erosion, the causes, and costs of necessary repairs. [39985]

  Mr. Morley
  I have been asked to reply.
  131
  The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food commissioned strategic research, amounting to some £1.7 million in 1997–98, relating to coastal defence problems. In particular, a three-year project looking into the processes associated with the erosion of soft cliffs has been completed recently and the final report will be published later this year. A five-year programme of major investigations into coastal morphology (including the development of understanding of coastal processes which contribute to coastal erosion, and the ability to model them) has also been completed recently.

  In addition, a report on the Ministry-commissioned coast protection survey of England was published in 1994. The survey examined the extent, adequacy and state of repair of defences. Subsequent update reports have been commissioned, concentrating on those defences identified as being in the worst condition.

DEFENCE

  Territorial Army
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the average cost in(a) the 1996–97 financial year and (b) the 1997–98 financial year of members of (i) the Territorial Army and (ii) the regulars. [39633]

  Dr. Reid
  The information requested is as follows.

  The capitation rates show the average cost of Army personnel. They include all pay, allowances, earnings-related national insurance contributions and benefits, as well as allowances for support, accommodation, individual training and higher formation costs.

  Capitation rate regular army1

  Capitation rate territorial army2

  Rank

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1996–97

  1997–98

  Colonel

  91,780

  97,820

  12,174

  14,169

  Lt Colonel

  82,763

  88,027

  8,015

  8,988

  Major

  62,495

  66,819

  6,578

  6,784

  Captain

  49,119

  52,588

  4,521

  4,769

  Lieutenant

  39,878

  42,755

  2,787

  2,762

  2nd Lieutenant

  30,416

  32,401

  1,089

  1,288

  WO1

  50,461

  ·52,375

  7,016

  7,658

  WO2

  46,369

  48,138

  7,855

  8,428

  Staff Sergeant

  41,951

  43,701

  7,214

  7,437

  Sergeant

  39,777

  41,489

  6,303

  6,587

  Corporal

  35,585

  37,252

  5,250

  5,394

  Lance Corporal

  29,858

  31,387

  4,114

  4,211

  Private

  24,069

  25,747

  1,372

  1,228

  1Based on 365-day liability for duty.

  2Based on the following average training days achieved at each rank:

  Colonel: 61

  Lt Colonel: 45

  Major: 42

  Captain 36

  Lieutenant: 26

  2nd Lieutenant: 15

  W1: 58

  W2: 67

  Staff Sergeant: 61

  Sergeant: 57

  Corporal: 50

  Lance Corporal: 44

  Private: 14

  Chatham Naval Base
  Mr. Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what pay codes and definitions were used relating to working in a radiation environment at Chatham Dockyard; [39578]

  (2) if he will make a statement on codes 37 (obnoxious condition) and 38 (extremely obnoxious conditions) as applied for industrial employees at Her Majesty's Naval Base, Chatham; [39580]

  (3) what the definitions were for the permanent allowance codes (a) 12, (b) 13, (c) 15 and (d) 16 as applied for industrial employees at Her Majesty's Naval Base, Chatham. [39579]

  Mr. Spellar
  The pay and allowance codes referred to are no longer in use. It is not possible, without making further inquiries, to establish to which industrial allowances they related or to provide definitions.

  The circumstances in which Obnoxious Conditions and Exceptionally Obnoxious Conditions Allowances were payable at Chatham Dockyard are also being investigated. Both allowances are currently payable generally to Ministry of Defence industrial staff where conditions include work in an enclosed environment, where the ambient temperature is above 32°C or below 0°C and the work is undertaken in a confined space.

  I will write to my hon. Friend on both aspects when these inquiries are complete.

  Military Attaches
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which British embassies and high commissions have a military attaché; what are their ranks; what staff they have; and what is the cost of the military department in those embassies and High Commissions. [39940]

  Dr. Reid
  The following British Embassies and High Commissions have a resident military attache: Abu Dhabi, Accra, Amman, Ankara, Athens, Bangkok, Beirut, Belgrade, Berne, Bogota, Bonn, Brasilia, Bratislava, Bridgetown, Brussels, Bucharest, Budapest, Buenos Aires, Cairo, Canberra, Caracas, Colombo, Copenhagen, Damascas, Dhaka, Doha, Dublin, Guatemala City, The Hague, Harare, Helsinki, Islamabad, Jakarta, Kampala, Kathmandu, Kiev, Kingston, Kuala Lumpur, Kuwait City, Lisbon, Madrid, Manila, Mexico City, Moscow, Muscat, Nairobi, New Delhi, Nicosia, Oslo, Ottawa, Paris, Peking, Prague, Pretoria, Rabat, Riga, Riyadh, Rome, Santiago, Seoul, Singapore, Sofia, Stockholm, Tel Aviv, Tokyo, Vienna, Warsaw, Washington, Wellington, Zagreb. A further 70 countries are covered by non-residential accreditations. The military attaches are provided by the three armed services and comprises of, 1 Major-General, 2 Commodore RN, 17 Captains RN, 8 Commanders RN, 2 Lt Commanders RN, 9 Brigadiers, 33 Colonels, 17 Lt Colonels, 2 Majors, 3 Air Commodores, 12 Group Captains, 9 Wing Commanders, and 2 Squadron Leaders. They are supported by 3 Commissioned Officers, 66 Senior Service Non-Commissioned Officers, 45 Civil Servants (Personal Secretaries/Administrative Officers) and 125 Locally Engaged civilians.

  The cost to the Defence Budget is £20.8m. The direct cost to the FCO budget is estimated at around £10m.
  133
  The overall cost of the Military department in those Embassies and High Commissions is £30.8m.

  Mustard Agent
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons his Department stopped exposing service personnel at the defence nuclear biological and chemical centre at Winterbourne Gunner to mustard agent; and what health and safety guidelines applied to such exposure. [38615]

  Dr. Reid
  I regret that surviving records reveal very little about the exposure of personnel to Mustard Agent at the Defence Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Centre (DNBCC). It is known, however, that, between 1966 and 1980, students at the Centre were exposed to a small amount of the Agent, about the size of a pinhead, on their wrist as part of Confidence Training. The intention was to prove and give confidence to the chemical agent decontamination process which was taught by the Centre and which the students were expected to teach to members of their parent units on their return. The practice was stopped on advice from the Chemical Biological Defence Establishment at Porton Down because it was not compatible with emerging health and safety guidelines.

  Procedures for the conduct of the test were laid down in a NBC Defence Training Pamphlet and were explicit in their instructions as to the safety precautions to be observed, but no specific health and safety guidelines were extant at the time covering these specific types of test. I regret that no further details are available.

  Nuclear Test Veterans
  Mr. Wills
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if British veterans of nuclear tests received different lengths and degrees of exposure to radiation in the course of the tests; and what was the extent of such variations. [39427]

  Mr. Spellar
  Of the 21,358 test participants included in the study carried out by the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB), only 1,716 (8 per cent.) had non-zero recorded radiation doses. To determine the length of time over which the doses were accumulated could be done only at disproportionate cost. The NRPB report, published in 1993, contains (on page 12) details of the collective dose and other relevant information. A copy of the report is in the Library of the House.

  Reserves
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the establishment targets for(a) the High Readiness Reserve and (b) the Sponsored Reserve; and if he will make a statement. [39635]

  Dr. Reid
  Since the Reserve Forces Act 1996, which introduced the concepts of High Readiness and Sponsored Reserves, came into force on 1 April last year, the Services have been developing these concepts. Although some initial estimates have been produced, there is at present no formal establishment target for High Readiness Reservists. The use of Sponsored Reservists will depend on a detailed assessment of the costs and operational risk in each particular case, and the proposals that we receive 134
  from Industry for meeting our requirements. It would, therefore, not be appropriate for us to set overall establishment targets for Sponsored Reservists.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list by(a) unit, (b) strength and (c) purpose, deployments of Territorial Army units in 1997 in military aid to the civil community (MACC) tasks, stating in each case the costs, if any, to the civil authorities. [39626]

  Dr. Reid
  I have placed a list of incidences of military aid to the civil community undertaken by Territorial Army units during 1997, together with the costs charged to local authorities (note 1) or other clients (note 2) in the Library of the House.

  Public Appointments
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many and what percentage of the (i) paid and (ii) unpaid appointments which he has made to non-departmental public bodies since 1 May 1997 were women. [39410]

  Mr. Spellar
  Since 1 May 1997, to date, women have been appointed to 2 paid and 1 unpaid appointments to the Department's Non-Departmental Public Bodies, representing 2.5% and 3.8% respectively of the total appointments and reappointments made in that period. The Government are committed to increasing the representation of women in public life. In support of this, my Department has drawn up an action plan for increasing the number of women and ethnic minorities holding public appointments.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Forensic Science Service Agency
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what targets he has set for the Forensic Science Service Agency for 1998–99. [40529]

  Mr. Straw
  I expect the Forensic Science Service (FSS) Agency to continue to improve its efficiency and effectiveness during 1998–99.

  The financial targets for 1998–99 are to recover full economic costs; to achieve a unit cost efficiency improvement over the three years ending 1998–99 of 9 per cent.; to meet 90 per cent. of delivery dates agreed with customers; to maintain accreditation to the National Measurement and Accreditation Service and the International Organisation for Standardisation 9001 standards and to audit customer satisfaction through a biennial external survey.

  The FSS is looking to increase output by 32 per cent. over the next two years to improve further its service to the criminal justice system. This will mean the creation of around 300 jobs.

  The FSS will also continue its pioneering research programme. Over the last two years, around £6 million has been invested in new developments, mainly in DNA services.

  Mr. Emmanuel Ekpo
  Mr. Fitzpatrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what procedures were followed to establish the availability of appropriate treatment in Nigeria for people with mental illness prior to a decision being made on Emmanuel Ekpo's immigration case; and what assessment he made of the treatment available for people with mental illness in Nigeria. [39364]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  It is normal practice, when the Immigration Service receives representations on medical grounds against the removal of a person who is here unlawfully, for inquiries to be made about the availability of suitable treatment in the destination country. These inquiries are normally made through the British diplomatic post there. These were the procedures followed in Mr. Ekpo's case.

  It was established that the medication Mr. Ekpo has been taking is readily available in Nigeria. Psychiatric treatment is also available, albeit less widely than in the United Kingdom and at a cost.

  Mr. Fitzpatrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the conduct of prison officers and Group 4 officers who removed Emmanuel Ekpo from HMP Rochester's hospital on 31 March, indicating for what reasons(a) he was not given a health check prior to removal from the hospital, (b) he was not allowed to use the telephone to ring his solicitor, Member of Parliament or family members,
  (c) the usual exit was not used to remove Mr. Ekpo and
  (d) he was not allowed to collect his personal belongings prior to removal. [39366]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Mr. Ekpo was located in the Health Care Centre at Rochester prior to removal and was seen daily by a medical officer. He was under constant observation by staff and a full running medical observation was recorded on him. Mr. Ekpo had access to a telephone throughout the morning period and immediately after the lunch time meal. He was refused a request to use the telephone at the time of departure of the escort as it would have delayed his removal. It was decided to remove him direct from the Health Care Centre and not from Reception to reduce the opportunity for Mr. Ekpo to attempt to harm himself. His personal belongings were placed into sealed bags and handed to the escorting staff, according to standard procedure.

  Mr. Fitzpatrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the conduct of Group 4 officers on the arrival of Emmanuel Ekpo at their headquarters in Harmondsworth, with particular reference to toilet facilities not being available to him. [39365]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Mr. Ekpo resisted removal from Her Majesty's Prison Rochester and twice attempted self harm en route to Harmondsworth. On arrival at Harmondsworth, a decision was made to keep him in the cellular van with three members of staff in attendance at all times, while arrangements were made to find suitable accommodation for him. This decision was made both in the light of his disruptive behaviour at a time when visitors were visiting the centre, and also in his own interests as it was considered that the opportunity for 136
  further self-harm was minimised while he remained in the van. Group 4 informed the Immigration Service that at no stage while in the van did Mr. Ekpo request toilet facilities. If staff had been made aware of such a request all possible steps would have been taken to arrange this. Mr. Ekpo was escorted to a Harmondsworth building and was examined by a doctor who declared him fit to be detained. Mr. Ekpo was offered, but declined to accept, both food and medication. He was finally detained at Northside Police Station, Heathrow Airport.

  Mr. Fitzpatrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who authorised the removal of Emmanuel Ekpo from HMP Rochester's hospital on 31 March and his planned deportation the next day. [39367]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  In accordance with authority received from the Deportation Section of the Home Office, removal directions were set by the Immigration Service at Becket House for Mr. Ekpo to be removed from the United Kingdom at 11.35 am on 1 April from Terminal 4, Heathrow Airport. Arrangements were made for Mr. Ekpo to be accompanied by escorts from a security company. This information was then passed to the Harmondsworth Detention Management Unit, which made arrangements for Mr. Ekpo to be transferred out of Rochester on 31 March 1998 and for him to be accommodated overnight in a police station near to Heathrow Airport, pending his deportation on the morning of 1 April.

  Drug-related Offences
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his estimate of the number of criminally-active drug users who were convicted of offences in England and Wales in the last year for which figures are available. [40137]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The information requested is not available. However, the Home Office has a research programme designed to shred further light on the links between drugs and crime. A study conducted by the University of Cambridge of drug use by samples of people arrested by the police in various English cities was published recently (Home Office Research Study 183—Drugs and crime: the results of research on drug testing and interviewing arrestees), a copy of which is available for consultation in the Library. Key points to emerge were that:
  Urine tests showed high levels of recent drug consumption among arrestees—61 per cent. had taken at least one illegal drug.Comparatively high proportions of arrestees across all sample areas tested positive for heroin/opiates (18 per cent.) and cocaine/crack (10 per cent.). These are costly drugs, often thought to be funded by acquisitive crime.Nearly half the arrestees who reported taking drugs within the last year said their drug use was connected with their offending. Among various factors, they emphasised the need for money to buy drugs.
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were imprisoned for drug-related offences(a) nationally and (b) in the North-West in each of the last five years. [39370]
  137
  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 23 April 1998]: The available information is for England and Wales and is given in the table. Information on receptions of drugs offenders into prisons in England and Wales is published in successive volumes of "Prison statistics, England and Wales" (tables 3.9, 4.6 and 5.6 of the 1996 edition, column 3732), copies of which are in the Library.

  Receptions under sentence1 into Prison Service establishments in England and Wales for drugs offences, 1993–1997

  Year

  England and Wales

  North West Region2

  1993

  3,139

  685

  1994

  3,483

  423

  1995

  4,729

  743

  1996

  6,100

  1,023

  19973

  7,074

  1,203

  1Excludes fine defaulters.

  2Includes the Prison Service Areas of Mersey, Manchester and the North West.

  3 Provisional figures.

  Public Elections
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will reduce the age of candidature for public elections to 18 years; and if he will make a statement. [40130]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Working Party on Electoral Procedures, which I chair, will, as part of its review, consider what should be the minimum age for standing as a candidate for election.

  Feltham Young Offenders Unit
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Twickenham (Dr. Cable), of 20 April 1998,Official Report, columns 511–12, on Feltham Young Offenders Unit, how many of the self-inflicted deaths and incidents of self-injury between 1993–94 and 1997–98 involved 15 and 16 year olds on remand. [39757]

  Ms Quin
  There were no self-inflicted deaths at Feltham among 15 and 16 year olds on remand between 1993–94 and 1997–98. Information on incidents of self-injury for each of the dates given is not recorded centrally according to age or status. This information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Public Appointments
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what percentage of the (i) paid and (ii) unpaid appointments which he has made to non-departmental public bodies since 1 May 1997 were women. [39405]

  Mr. Straw
  I have made 111 paid appointments to Home Office public bodies since 1 May 1997. Of these, 20 were women (18 per cent.). I have also made 42 unpaid appointments, of which 9 were women (21 per cent.).

  The Government are committed to increasing the representation of women in public life. In support of this, my Department is currently drawing up an action plan for increasing the number of women and ethnic minorities holding public appointments.

  Small Claims
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 20 April 1998,Official Report, column 515, if he will list the issues at stake in the 10 cases heard at small claims courts in Long Lartin prison in the last year. [40162]

  Ms Quin
  The issues heard by small claims courts held at Long Lartin prison over the last year are listed in the table.

  Small claims cases heard at Long Lartin prison March 1997-March 1998

  Date

  Details

  25 March 1997

  Claim for £250 plus costs for damage to property

  25 March 1997

  Claim for £300 for loss of property

  25 March 1997

  Claim for £209 for loss of property and income

  12 August 1997

  Claim for £178.92 for loss of property

  12 August 1997

  Claim against third party—no information

  available from county court

  12 August 1997

  Claim for £500 for loss of property. Claim settled prior to hearing

  12 March 1998

  Claim for £650 for loss of property

  12 March 1998

  No information available from county court on nature of claim but award to prisoner was £250 and £60 costs

  12 March 1998

  Claim for £200 for damage to property

  12 March 1998

  Claim for £224 for damage to property

SCOTLAND

  Cancer Treatment
  Mr. Moore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people in Scotland had been waiting over(a) one, (b) three, (c) six and (d) 12 months for cancer surgery in the year ended 31 March; and what was the total number of people in Scotland treated or waiting for cancer treatment in the same period. [37792]

  Mr. Galbraith
  [holding answer 6 April 1998]: The precise information is not available centrally since the waiting times data collected nationally do not explicitly identify patients waiting for cancer surgery.

  Cancer-related diagnosis covers a very wide range of surgical treatments, not all of which are of a serious nature. Information is collected nationally on the number of patients who were admitted to hospital from the waiting list with a cancer-related diagnosis and who were later discharged following a surgical procedure. The figures therefore do not relate to initial diagnosis nor the necessity for immediate treatment. The latest available information is provided in the table. It would be noted that, in the year to 31 December 1997, over 57% of patients who waited more than a month had minor surgical procedures for the bladder or for skin lesions.

  The total number of patients discharged from hospital following cancer-related treatment in the year to 31 December 1997 was 118,191.

  Patients waited

  Year ending 31 December 1997 (provisional)

  over one month

  5,906

  over three months

  961

  over six months

  201

  over twelve months

  18

  Source:

  SMRI, ISD Scotland

  Drugs
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many deaths of people aged over 60 years in

  Deaths to persons aged 60 years and over, Scotland: selected causes

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  (a) Accidental poisoning by drugs, medicaments and biological substances

  2

  1

  2

  1

  1

  1

  4

  1

  1

  1

  (b) Suicide and self-inflicted poisoning (and poisoning undetermined whether accidentally or purposely inflicted) by drug or medicament

  64

  41

  52

  48

  38

  45

  45

  49

  39

  45

  (c)Drug dependence and nondependent abuse of drugs

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  ICD codes:

  (a) E850-E858

  (b) E950.0-E950.5, E980.0-E980.5

  (c) 304, 305.2-305.9

  Cause of death is classified under the Ninth Revision of the World Health Organisation's International Classification of Diseases, Injuries and Causes of Death (ICD). There is no agreed definition of medicinal drugs, and deaths resulting from drugs are classified to the ICD categories given above irrespective of how the drugs were obtained or the purpose for which they were used.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many deaths in each of the past nine years in Scotland resulted from the use of(a) heroin, (b) temazepam, (c) cocaine/crack, (d) LSD, (e) solvents, (f) amphetamines, (g) ecstasy, (h) paracetamol, (i) co-proxamol, (j) khat, (k) alcohol, (1) tobacco and (m) cannabis. [38355]

  Mr. Galbraith
  [holding answer 8 April 1998]: The information is given in the table.

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  (a) Heroin

  11(2)

  19(1)

  49(4)

  32(10)

  alone

  3

  8

  25

  11

  with other drugs

  8(2)

  11(1)

  24(4)

  21(10)

  (b) Temazepam

  49(8)

  84(20)

  68(12)

  48(19)

  alone

  12

  12

  4

  1

  with other drugs

  37(8)

  72(20)

  64(12)

  47(19)

  (c) Cocaine/crack

  2(1)

  2

  3

  3

  alone

  0

  2

  1

  1

  with other drugs

  2(1)

  0

  2

  2

  (d) LSD

  0

  1(1)

  0

  0

  alone

  0

  0

  0

  0

  with other drugs

  0

  1(1)

  0

  0

  (e) Solvents

  8

  7

  6

  9

  (f) Amphetamines

  4

  3(3)

  3(1)

  5(1)

  alone

  4

  0

  1

  0

  with other drugs

  0

  3(3)

  3(1)

  5(1)

  (g) Ecstasy

  0

  4

  3

  6

  alone

  0

  4

  2

  0

  with other drugs

  0

  0

  1

  6

  (h) Paracetamol

  59(8)

  59(17)

  82(15)

  56(14)

  alone

  38

  32

  24

  24

  with other drugs

  21(8)

  27(17)

  58(15)

  32(14)

  140
  Scotland resulted from (a) over-medication, (b) suicide and (c) other misuse of medicinal drugs in each of the past 10 years. [38352]

  Mr. Galbraith
  [holding answer 8 April 1998]: The information available is given in the table.

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  (i) Co-proxamol

  19(8)

  27(11)

  26(10)

  35(11)

  alone

  11

  13

  15

  20

  with other drugs

  8(8)

  14(11)

  11(10)

  15(11)

  (j) Khat

  0

  0

  0

  0

  (k) Alcohol

  421

  513

  599

  709

  (1) Tobacco

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  (m) Cannabis

  0

  0

  6(2)

  2(1)

  alone

  0

  0

  0

  0

  with other drugs

  0

  0

  6(2)

  2(1)

  The figures correspond to the number of deaths where the substances were mentioned on the death certificate or were identified following investigation. Where, for example, both heroin and temazepam were involved, each will be counted in the table; once under 'heroin with other drugs' and once under 'temazepam with other drugs'. The figures in brackets are those deaths with a mention of alcohol and are included in the non-bracketed figures. None of these cases is included in line (k) which covers deaths certified as due to alcoholic psychoses, alcohol dependence syndrome, non-dependent abuse of alcohol, alcoholic cardiomyopathy, chronic liver disease and cirrhosis, and toxic effects of alcohol.

  Data for years prior to 1994 are available but there are undercounts of the types of drugs involved due to the methods of data collection and processing in use at the time. From 1994, a new method was introduced which gives a more accurate count of drug deaths. Data for 1993 are not directly comparable and are provided for information purposes only.

  Nurses
  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what expenditure by health trusts in(a) Scotland and (b) the Argyll and Clyde area was on agency nurses in the last financial year. [39563]
  141
  Mr. Galbraith
  The information required to answer this question is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Specialist Children's Nurses
  Ms Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the(a) number and (b) percentage of children's wards and departments in Scotland which had two registered specialist children's nurses or equivalents on duty 24 hours a day for each of the years 1992 to 1998. [39930]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The information is not held centrally.

  The NHS in Scotland Management Executive issued Guidance on the care of children and young people in Scotland to the NHS in Scotland in 1993. This advised Health Boards and NHS Trusts to take account of a number of standards including the provision of at least 2 Registered Specialist Children's Nurses (RSCN) on duty 24 hours a day in all hospital children's departments and wards. The guidance also advised that a RSCN should be available 24 hours a day to advise on the nursing of children in other departments.

  I have asked my Department to undertake a review of the Patient's Charter in Scotland that will begin soon. Children's services in particular will be looked at as part of this review including the provision of children's nurses in hospitals in Scotland.

  Ms Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the(a) number and (b) percentage of child admissions to all wards, including those on adult wards which had access to appropriately skilled nursing care for each of the years 1992 to 1998.[39929]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The information is not available in the form requested.

  The available information on the number and percentage of discharges of patients aged less than 18 years from non-psychiatric and non-obstetric hospitals for the year ending March 1998 is set out in the table. All NHS patients are cared for by appropriately skilled nursing staff.

  Discharges

  Percentage

  Children's hospitals

  38,655

  32.0

  Children's units in non-children's hospital

  18,296

  15.2

  General facilities1

  63,735

  52.8

  Total

  120,686

  100.00

  1Children's wards not separately identified

  Children (Hospital Treatment)
  Ms Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the(a) number and (b) percentage of

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  Dundee Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

  Income

  108,288

  114,524

  119,624

  128,675

  135,900

  Expenditure

  106,946

  113,534

  116,509

  127,181

  138,335

  142
  children in Scotland who were admitted to hospital with psychiatric disorders who were treated in settings specifically designed for children and young people with mental health problems in each of the years 1992 to 1998. [39931]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The information is not available in the form requested.

  The number of children discharged from hospital, having been admitted with a psychiatric disorder, who were treated in settings specifically designed for children and young adults from 1992 to 1996, the latest year for which figures are available, and total discharges for that group are set out in the table.

  (a)

  (b)

  (c)

  (d)

  Year

  Total discharges from all settings

  Discharges from settings for children and young adults

  Percentage (c) to (b)

  1992–93

  599

  263

  43.9

  1993–94

  463

  248

  53.6

  1994–95

  485

  302

  62.3

  1995–96

  557

  354

  63.6

  Ms Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the(a) number and (b) percentage of children who were treated on adult wards in Scotland for each of the years 1992 to 1998. [39928]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The information is not available in the form requested.

  The available information on the number and percentage of discharges of patients aged less than 18 years from non-psychiatric and non-obstetric hospitals for the year ending March 1998 is set out in the table.

  Discharges of patients under 18 from non-psychiatric and non-obstetric hospitals—year ending March 1998

  Discharges

  Percentage

  Children's Hospitals

  38,655

  32.0

  Children's units in Non-Children's Hospital

  18,296

  15.2

  General facilities1

  63,735

  52.8

  Total

  120,686

  100.00

  1Children's wards not separately identified

  Tayside Health Board
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the income and expenditure of each of the five NHS healthcare trusts in the area of Tayside Health Board in each financial year since their establishment. [39781]

  Mr. Galbraith
  [holding answer 28 April 1998]: The information requested is provided in the table.
  143

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  Dundee Healthcare NHS Trust

  Income

  -

  58,211

  59,002

  61,039

  60.733

  Expenditure

  -

  57,091

  58,732

  60,901

  61,026

  Angus NHS Trust

  Income

  -

  40,874

  41,162

  42,618

  43,074

  Expenditure

  -

  39,978

  41,011

  42,269

  42,689

  Perth and Kinross NHS Trust

  Income

  -

  58,057

  58,017

  60,717

  70,807

  Expenditure

  -

  56,608

  57,770

  60,285

  70,850

  In some years, a Trust's expenditure may exceed its income. This is generally as a result of a loss on the disposal of assets.

  Note that there are only four NHS Trusts in the area of Tayside Health Board.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  International Labour Conference
  Jane Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will lay before Parliament the instruments adopted at the 84 (Maritime) Session of the International Labour Conference 1996. [40465]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The texts of the instruments have today been laid before Parliament.

  Engineering and Construction Training Boards
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will announce the outcome of the quinquennial reviews of the Construction Industry Training Board and the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board. [40464]

  Dr. Howells
  Against the background of the established practice of carrying out quinquennial policy and financial reviews of non-Departmental Public Bodies, the Department conducted a thorough review of the Construction Industry Training Board and the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board during 1997–98.

  The first stage was a policy review of the continued need for the Boards and resulted in approval for their statutory status and levy raising powers to be extended for a further 5 years, subject to implementation of a number of recommendations to improve their strategic capability, operational effectiveness and responsiveness.

  Stage 2 consisted of an update to the main recommendations from Stage 1 and a financial management survey of both organisations.

  The policy review updates noted that both Boards had made significant progress in implementing many of the recommendations from Stage 1 and made a number of further,specific recommendations, including: measures to strengthen their strategic capabilities as National Training Organisations, eg publication of full labour market assessments at both national and regional level, and dissemination of the more strategic elements of the Board's work; promoting the take up of the IIP standard among companies, encouraging employers to take more
  144
  responsibility for their own training and involving clients more closely in promoting and encouraging training; and moving to reduce (CITB) or eliminate (ECITB) the differential levy rate between direct employers and those using labour only sub-contractors, and establishing whether there is a consensus within the respective industries for a move to a longer levy period.

  The financial management surveys, carried out for the Department by external consultants Pannell Kerr Forster, concluded generally that both Boards were adequately managed organisations, but made a number of recommendations for improvement in the areas of: planning and budgeting; financial and management control; staffing and organisation; and development of a hierarchy of key performance indicators and targets to measure progress towards achieving objectives and ensure value for money.

  All recommendations from the Quinquennial Reviews will be included in timed action plans drawn up by the Boards. Implementation will be monitored and reviewed by the Department within a reasonable period.

  The Policy Review Updates and Financial Management Surveys for both CITB and ECITB are published today and a copy of each is being placed in the library. Further copies can be obtained on request from: Pat Simpson, Department for Education and Employment, National Training Organisations Division, Level E4c, Moorfoot, Sheffield S1 4 PQ.

  New Deal (West Wales)
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many clients have been interviewed in the Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire New Deal Pathfinder Area at the latest available date; and what percentage of that number have been allocated (i) unsubsidised jobs, (ii) subsidised jobs, and (iii) full-time education and training. [38657]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  As at 9 April, 714 New Deal clients had been interviewed in the Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire New Deal Pathfinder area. Of these, 468 are still in the Gateway, receiving advice including help with basic skills etc. Of the 157 who have left the Gateway, 34 (21.6 per cent.) have been placed into unsubsidised jobs. Of the 123 taking up New Deal options, 80 (65 per cent.) are on the employment option, 27 (22 per cent.) are on the full-time education and training option, and 16 (13 per cent.) are on the voluntary sector and/or environment task force options.

  Secondary Education
  Dr. Ladyman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list for each education authority(a) the prevalent type of secondary education offered and (b) the number of (i) secondary, (ii) grammar, (iii) secondary modern or high and (iv) comprehensive schools. [38297]

  Mr. Byers
  The number of maintained secondary comprehensive, grammar and modern schools in each local education authority is shown in the table.

  The number of secondary schools for each LEA2 (April 1998 and the percentage of pupils in grammar schools (January 1997)

  Number of schools

  LEA

  Comprehensive1

  Grammar

  Modern

  Camden

  11

  0

  0

  Greenwich

  14

  0

  0

  Hackney

  9

  0

  0

  Hammersmith and

  Fulham

  8

  0

  0

  Islington

  9

  0

  0

  Kensington and

  Chelsea

  4

  0

  0

  Lambeth

  10

  0

  0

  Lewisham

  13

  0

  0

  Southwark

  13

  0

  0

  Tower Hamlets

  15

  0

  0

  Wandsworth

  9

  0

  0

  City of

  Westminster

  8

  0

  0

  Barking

  8

  0

  0

  Barnet

  18

  3

  0

  Bexley

  8

  4

  4

  Brent

  13

  0

  0

  Bromley

  15

  2

  0

  Croydon

  21

  0

  0

  Ealing

  12

  0

  0

  Enfield

  15

  1

  0

  Haringey

  9

  0

  0

  Harrow

  10

  0

  0

  Havering

  18

  0

  0

  Hillingdon

  15

  0

  0

  Hounslow

  14

  0

  0

  Kingston upon

  Thames

  0

  2

  8

  Merton

  11

  0

  0

  Newham

  14

  0

  0

  Redbridge

  13

  2

  0

  Richmond upon

  Thames

  8

  0

  0

  Sutton

  9

  5

  0

  Waltham Forest

  16

  0

  0

  Birmingham

  70

  8

  0

  Coventry

  19

  0

  0

  Dudley

  22

  0

  0

  Sandwell

  20

  0

  0

  Solihull

  13

  0

  0

  Walsall

  18

  2

  0

  Wolverhampton

  17

  1

  0

  Knowsley

  11

  0

  0

  Liverpool

  34

  1

  0

  St. Helens

  12

  0

  0

  Sefton

  22

  0

  0

  Wirral

  12

  6

  5

  Bolton

  16

  0

  0

  Bury

  14

  0

  0

  Manchester

  28

  0

  0

  Oldham

  15

  0

  0

  Rochdale

  14

  0

  0

  Salford

  18

  0

  0

  Stockport

  14

  0

  0

  Tameside

  18

  0

  0

  Trafford

  3

  7

  8

  Wigan

  21

  0

  0

  Barnsley

  14

  0

  0

  Doncaster

  17

  0

  0

  Rotherham

  17

  0

  0

  Sheffield

  27

  0

  0

  Bradford

  82

  0

  0

  146

  The number of secondary schools for each LEA2 (April 1998 and the percentage of pupils in grammar schools (January 1997)

  Number of schools

  LEA

  Comprehensive1

  Grammar

  Modern

  Calderdale

  13

  2

  0

  Kirklees

  31

  1

  0

  Leeds

  44

  0

  0

  Wakefield

  18

  0

  0

  Gateshead

  12

  0

  0

  Newcastle upon

  Tyne

  21

  0

  0

  North Tyneside

  23

  0

  0

  South Tyneside

  11

  0

  0

  Sunderland

  17

  0

  0

  Isles of Scilly

  1

  0

  0

  Bath and North East

  Somerset

  8

  0

  0

  City of Bristol

  20

  2

  0

  North Somerset

  8

  0

  0

  South

  Gloucestershire

  14

  0

  0

  Hartlepool

  6

  0

  0

  Middlesbrough

  11

  0

  0

  Redcar and

  Cleveland

  13

  0

  0

  Stockton-on-Tees

  14

  0

  0

  City of Kingston

  upon Hull

  17

  0

  0

  East Riding of

  Yorkshire

  18

  0

  0

  North East

  Lincolnshire

  12

  0

  0

  North

  Lincolnshire

  14

  0

  0

  North Yorkshire

  41

  3

  3

  York

  12

  0

  0

  Bedfordshire

  58

  0

  0

  Luton

  12

  0

  0

  Buckinghamshire

  2

  13

  20

  Milton Keynes

  10

  0

  0

  Derbyshire

  47

  0

  0

  City of Derby

  14

  0

  0

  Dorset

  37

  0

  0

  Poole

  4

  2

  3

  Bournemouth

  1

  2

  7

  Durham

  36

  0

  0

  Darlington

  7

  0

  0

  East Sussex

  25

  0

  0

  Brighton and

  Hove

  10

  0

  0

  Hampshire

  72

  0

  0

  Portsmouth

  9

  0

  0

  Southampton

  13

  0

  0

  Leicestershire

  55

  0

  0

  Leicester City

  21

  0

  0

  Rutland

  3

  0

  0

  Staffordshire

  69

  0

  0

  Stoke on Trent

  16

  1

  0

  Wiltshire

  28

  2

  3

  Swindon

  11

  0

  0

  Bracknell Forest

  6

  0

  0

  Windsor and

  Maidenhead

  13

  0

  1

  Newbury

  11

  0

  0

  Reading

  6

  2

  0

  Slough

  1

  4

  6

  Wokingham

  9

  0

  0

  Cambridgeshire

  31

  0

  0

  Peterborough

  13

  0

  0

  Cheshire

  46

  0

  0

  Halton

  9

  0

  0

  Warrington

  12

  0

  0

  Devon

  36

  1

  0

  Plymouth

  15

  3

  0

  Torbay

  5

  3

  0

  Essex

  76

  4

  0

  Southend

  5

  4

  3

  Thurrock

  10

  0

  0

  Herefordshire

  14

  0

  0

  Worcestershire

  61

  0

  0

  Kent

  28

  33

  47

  Medway Towns

  2

  6

  12

  Lancashire

  81

  4

  4

  Blackburn

  9

  0

  0

  147

  The number of secondary schools for each LEA2 (April 1998 and the percentage of pupils in grammar schools (January 1997)

  Number of schools

  LEA

  Comprehensive1

  Grammar

  Modern

  Blackpool

  8

  0

  0

  Nottinghamshire

  58

  0

  0

  Nottingham City

  21

  0

  0

  Shropshire

  22

  0

  0

  The Wrekin

  11

  2

  0

  Cornwall

  31

  0

  0

  Cumbria

  41

  1

  0

  Gloucestershire

  35

  7

  0

  Hertfordshire

  88

  0

  0

  Isle of Wight

  21

  0

  0

  Lincolnshire

  34

  15

  14

  Norfolk

  52

  0

  0

  Northamptonshire

  62

  0

  0

  Northumberland

  61

  0

  0

  Oxfordshire

  44

  0

  0

  Somerset

  39

  0

  0

  Suffolk

  78

  0

  0

  Surrey

  53

  0

  0

  Warwickshire

  22

  5

  10

  West Sussex

  39

  0

  0

  Total

  3,236

  166

  158

  1 Schools fully selective on grounds of aptitude rather than ability and partially selective schools have been included with comprehensive
  schools.

  Source:

  2 The Register of Education Establishments.

  Young People in Care
  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what measures he will take to ensure that young people in care have their education, employment and training needs met. [40114]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The Department is examining urgently ways to secure that the education, employment and training needs of young people who are looked after by the local authority are met more effectively. We have set up a national forum, including representatives of leading statutory and voluntary agencies, to look at a range of possible initiatives. These include issuing statutory guidance to authorities and schools, providing better information on, and setting targets for, educational outcomes, and promoting advocacy schemes.

  Public Appointments
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many and what percentage of the (i) paid and (ii) unpaid appointments which he has made to non-departmental public bodies since 1 May 1997 were women. [39404]

  Dr. Howells
  The total number of appointments and re-appointments to Non-Departmental Public Bodies sponsored by this Department since 1 May 1997 is 83, of which 20 have been women. Of these (i) 3 have been paid appointments (this represents 27 per cent. of all paid appointments and re-appointments), and (ii) 17 have been unpaid (this represents 24 per cent. of all unpaid appointments and re-appointments).

  The Government are committed to increasing the representation of women in public life. In support of this, this Department is currently drawing up an action plan for increasing the number of women and ethnic minorities holding public appointments.

  Job Creation
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what progress is being made, with Britain's partners in the European Union, towards establishing an integrated approach to job creation measures across Europe. [39788]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The key elements of the Conclusions at the Luxembourg Special Summit on Employment, held in November 1997, included agreement on a set of Employment Guidelines. The Guidelines are designed to focus member states' efforts to tackle unemployment across Europe through, among other things, fostering the macro-economic and labour market conditions that will allow companies to create more jobs.

  All member states have produced National Employment Action Plans which set out how they intend to implement the Employment Guidelines. These are now being assessed and will be discussed at the Cardiff European Council in June.

  Copies of the UK Employment Action Plan are available in the Library.

WALES

  Osteoporosis
  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what assessment he has made of the incidence of osteoporosis; and what estimate he has made of the cost of osteoporosis to the NHS in Wales in the last 12 months; [37312]

  (2) what estimate he has made of the cost of treating osteoporotic fractures in the last 12 months; [37319]

  (3) what percentage and number of (a) accidents and (b) orthopaedic hospital admissions in Wales are directly attributable to osteoporosis; [37325]

  (4) what estimate he has made of the projected number of osteoporotic fractures in Wales in the next 12 months and the number of (a) orthopaedic beds and (b) days of hospitalisation required to treat them. [37332]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  [holding answer 6 April 1998]: Information on the incidence of osteoporosis or the number of accidents caused by osteoporosis is not available centrally. It is estimated that around 0.1 per cent. of the 56,000 hospital admissions in the specialty of "Trauma and orthopaedics" during 1996–97 were attributable to osteoporosis. No estimate has been made of the number of osteoporotic fractures which are likely to occur during the next 12 months but 35 cases were treated as in-patients or day cases in NHS hospitals in Wales during 1996–97, accounting for 586 bed-days. Of these, only three cases were treated in beds in the specialty of "Trauma and orthopaedics", accounting for 78 bed-days. No information is available centrally concerning the cost of treating osteoporosis or osteoporotic fractures.

  National Assembly
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received on access by disabled people to the National Assembly. [39740]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  I have received a number of representations, including those from Disability Wales and Wales Council for the Blind. In my consultation paper, I made it clear that one of the fundamental requirements of the Assembly was access for the public, including those with disabilities. My decision to construct a new building will provide the best scope for meeting the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Coal Mining Subsidence
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she expects to receive the Coal Authority's third report on the Administration of the Coal Mining Subsidence Damage Repair and Compensation Scheme. [40528]

  Mr. Battle
  I have now received this report from the Coal Authority and have arranged for copies to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses today.

  PVC Toys
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) if the Government will support proposals from other EU member states for emergency measures to restrict the marketing of soft PVC toys; [39974]

  (2) if the Government will require retailers and manufacturers to withdraw soft PVC toys for infants; [39975]

  (3) if the Government support the Dutch Government's proposals to use human volunteers to test the hazards of soft PVC toys; and if she will take steps to ensure that this testing does not delay emergency restrictions in the EU on the marketing of soft PVC toys. [39976]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  None of the evidence available suggests that soft PVC toys currently on the market in this country would, in foreseeable conditions of use, lead to the release of dangerous levels of phthalates. Under the Toys (Safety) Regulations 1995 suppliers have a statutory duty to supply safe toys and action can be taken against a supplier of toys found to release unacceptable levels of phthalates.

  Following my instructions last year, UK safety experts have been leading the research into the release of phthalates. They are working with experts from other member States including those carrying out the Dutch study. I am most concerned to ensure that articles intended for use by children are safe and, if the research being carried out shows that there is cause for concern, the Government will not hesitate to act.

  Public Appointments
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many and what percentage of the (i) paid and 150
  (ii) unpaid appointments which she has made to non-departmental public bodies since 1 May 1997 were women. [39399]

  Mrs. Beckett
  Of the appointments and re-appointments I have made to non-departmental public bodies since 1 May 1997:

  (i) 31 were women to positions which received some remuneration (24.4% of remunerated appointments);
  and

  (ii) 32 were women to unpaid positions (18.8% of unpaid appointments).

  The Government are committed to increasing the representation of women in public life. In support of this, my Department is currently drawing up an action plan for increasing the number of women and ethnic minorities holding public appointments.

  Single Currency
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of companies in each Government office region he estimates are undertaking measures to prepare themselves for the introduction of the European single currency. [39782]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The information is not available in the form my hon. Friend requests. As part of its work to increase awareness of the single currency and to help businesses to prepare, the Treasury's Euro Preparations Unit will be monitoring the general level of business preparations over the coming months, which will give us an indication of regional activity.

  EU Works Council
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many employees are covered by European Works Councils in(a) Coventry, (b) the West Midlands and (c) the UK. [39783]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The European Works Councils Directive has to be implemented in the United Kingdom by 15 December 1999. Until it is implemented, there is no obligation on companies to include workers in the United Kingdom in arrangements for European-level information and consultation, although a considerable number have already done so voluntarily.

  The Government do not collect information on the numbers of employees affected by voluntary arrangements or likely to be covered when the directive comes into force. From research carried out for the TUC, it appears that around 4 million workers in the United Kingdom may be covered by the Directive once it is in force here.

  Astra Holdings
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the comments of Lord Justice Rattee on the proceedings in the case against Mr. Gerald James; and if she will make a statement. [38922]
  151
  Mrs. Beckett
  Following my assessment of Judge Rattee's comments at a pre-trial review hearing, I announced my decision to discontinue the disqualification proceedings against Mr. Gerald James and 3 others.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when during the last eight months the contents of the letter of 7 April 1993 from J. M. Moulsdale to the Deputy Inspector of Companies were drawn to her attention. [38923]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I became aware of the existence of the letter from Mr. Moulsdale, secretary to the Astra Holdings plc inspection, in February 1998 following a newspaper article suggesting, mistakenly, that I had tried to suppress its disclosure on public interest grounds. The letter itself became a particular issue for me when, later in February, the trial judge presiding over the Astra directors disqualification proceedings invited me to give the disqualification proceedings my personal consideration.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade why proceedings for disqualification as company directors were dropped in the case of two of the directors of Astra. [38921]

  Mrs. Beckett
  Proceedings for the disqualification of two directors of Astra Holdings plc were discontinued after considering their evidence in reply to the then Secretary of State's allegations of unfit conduct.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the cost of the investigation into the activities of Mr. Gerald James in relation to his employment by defence contractors. [38897]

  Mrs. Beckett
  There has been no investigation by the Department into the activities of Mr. Gerald James in relation to his employment by defence contractors. The cost of the Companies Act inspection into the affairs of Astra Holdings plc, of which Mr. James was a director, was £2.3m.

  Clean Coal Technology
  Sir Raymond Powell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she expects the review of clean coal technology to be completed. [38828]

  Mr. Battle
  We shall be publishing an Energy Paper setting out our new policy on clean coal technology in the summer.

  Arms Exports
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to her answer of 27 November 1997 to the hon. Member for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn),Official Report, column 645, on export credits, if she will list the defence exports specifying (i) type of equipment, (ii) exporting company, (iii) customer in recipient country and (iv) year of defence sale which were underwritten by ECGD and for which claims have been made by manufacturers but not recovered from the governments of (a) Venezuela, (b) Jordan, (c) Kenya, (d) Egypt and (e) Algeria. [39268]
  152
  Mrs. Roche
  ECGD is not in a position to provide such detailed information in the form requested because of disproportionate cost and the need to maintain commercial confidentiality.

  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what export controls her Department exercises over the supply of military, security and police equipment to Kenya. [35895]

  Mrs. Roche
  The export to any destination of military, security and para-military goods and arms, ammunition and related material is subject to control by virtue of being listed in Part III of Schedule 1 to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994, the so-called "Military List".

  Arms Sales
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps the Government have taken to increase parliamentary scrutiny of arms export procedures. [28716]

  Mrs. Roche
  Guidance material on export licensing procedures is published by the Export Control Organisation of the Department.

  The possibility of introducing parliamentary scrutiny of Export of Goods (Control) Orders (EGCOs) is one of the issues being considered in the current DTI-led review of strategic export controls. The Government expect to publish their proposals during the current parliamentary session, probably in the form of a White Paper.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Public Health
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what are the public health priorities of her Department. [39058]

  Mr. Foulkes
  Our top priority for public health in poor countries is to strengthen health systems to meet better the needs of poorer people. Many developing countries currently spend less than £3 per person per year on all health needs. But it is recognised that as little as £9 per person per year is needed to make a major difference to poor people's health. We work to support health sector reform and improvements in water and sanitation. We have seen real progress in the last decade with new approaches to reduce suffering from TB and Malaria. More needs to be done. Poor people are at high risk of death from communicable disease and ill health increases their poverty.

  Japan
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on co-operation with Japan in international development. [39070]

  Clare Short
  I am keen to increase our collaboration with Japan and have visited Tokyo to meet Ministers and others to this end. We are working closely with Japan and other countries to take forward the International Development Strategy, which Japan strongly supported in the Development Committee of the Organisation for
  153
  Economic Corporation Development. We are also successfully co-operating with Japan on specific projects in Africa, Asia and in Bosnia.

  Debt Relief
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the discussion she has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on initiatives being taken by Her Majesty's Government to help relieve developing countries' debt. [39071]

  Clare Short
  My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer and I recently gave evidence before the Select Committee on International Development, which is conducting an inquiry on debt, and set out the Government's position. While recent progress on the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) debt Initiative is welcome, there is no room for complacency. We are keen to seek ways of assisting post-conflict countries like Rwanda.

  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with non-governmental organisations on the subject of debt relief; and if she will make a statement. [39079]

  Clare Short
  I regularly meet NGOs and church groups to discuss international debt. Most recently, I met with Jubilee 2000, CAFOD, and representatives of the Archbishops of Canterbury and Westminster, to discuss the rally they are organising in Birmingham on 16 May. I very much welcome the leading role that such groups have played in keeping debt high up the international policy agenda.

  Montserrat
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on development aid to Montserrat. [39072]

  Clare Short
  We have committed £62 million to Montserrat in emergency and development assistance since the volcanic crisis began in 1995. We are increasingly moving away from crisis management and are working with the Government of Montserrat to agree a sustainable development plan so that the north of the island is able to meet the needs of those remaining on the island.

  UN Population Fund and International Planned Parenthood Federation
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her Department's contributions to UNFPA and IPPF for 1998– [39073]

  Clare Short
  The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) provide essential sexual and reproductive health care information and services for many millions of the world's poorest people. They make a significant contribution to better health and control over their fertility, particularly for women. In 1998–99, the Department for International Development (DFID) plans core contributions of £13 million to UNFPA and £5.5 million to IPPF.

  EU Aid
  Ms McCafferty
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what are her Department's priorities during the EU presidency in respect of improving the EU aid disbursement management and mechanisms to allow increased access by nongovernmental organisations concerned with population and reproductive health. [39074]

  Clare Short
  We are encouraging the Commission to amend the EU's Financial Regulation to make all EC aid management procedures faster and more flexible. We hope that the establishment of the Common Services Directorate which the Commission are currently working on will also contribute to increased effectiveness and transparency.

  Jamaica
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions she has had with the Government of Jamaica regarding human rights and debt relief; and if she will make a statement. [39075]

  Clare Short
  My officials have held extensive discussions with the Jamaican Government over the last few months with regard to the Commonwealth Debt Initiative. As a result, we have been able to offer Jamaica relief from aid debt repayments for the 1998–99 financial year to the value of £7.3 million. We have also held discussions with the Jamaican Government on prison conditions. We have offered to provide technical assistance in a number of areas, including improvements in the remand process, protection and non-custodial sentences.

  Multilateral Aid Programmes
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when she next plans to meet her colleagues from other member states of the European Union to discuss matters relating to multilateral aid programmes. [39076]

  Clare Short
  I meet my colleagues from other Member States regularly to discuss the EU's and other development programmes. I will be meeting them next at the Development Council on May 18, which I will chair.

  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what measures have been taken to co-ordinate European Union and United States aid programmes. [39081]

  Clare Short
  I regularly meet Brian Attwood, who is the head of US AID. I also took the opportunity of the spring meeting of the World Bank to meet officials of the State Department, Treasury and US Aid to discuss development policy. Our aim is to encourage the EU and US to collaborate to implement the international poverty eradication strategy.

  Western Sahara
  Ms Kingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her Department's assistance to the Saharawi refugees from Western Sahara. [39077]
  155
  Clare Short
  Saharawi refugees fled to Algeria in 1975 to escape fighting between the Moroccan army and the Polisario Front. Despite recent signs of progress, the two side have still not resolved all their differences, and some 80,000 refugees remain in four camps in Algeria's harsh desert area of Tindouf.

  The camps receive support from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), World Food Programme (WFP), Saharawi Red Cross and various NGOs. The UK is a major contributor to UNHCR: we recently announced a £10 million package of support for 1998, of which £7 million will go to general programmes which include assistance to the Saharawis. Last year, my Department also agreed to provide £50,000 to War on Want for the improvement of food storage facilities for the refugees, and £30,000 to Action Water to improve water supply and distribution in the camps.

  Jubilee 2000
  Mrs. Betty Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what consultations she has had with Jubilee 2000; and if she will make a statement. [39078]

  Clare Short
  I have met representatives of the Jubilee 2000 Coalition on a number of occasions, most recently on 25 March, when we discussed the rally it is organising in Birmingham on 16 May. I very much welcome the leading role that Jubilee 2000 has played in keeping debt high up the international policy agenda.

  Southern Africa
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her Department's aid programmes to the people of southern Africa. [39080]

  Clare Short
  My Department's priority in Southern Africa is to tackle poverty and meet international development targets through sustainable economic and social development, helping build and maintain efficient and accountable government, and securing fair access to international markets for Southern African trade. We plan bilateral assistance of around £40 million in the current financial year to help develop regional co-operation and to build local capacity in South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland, as well as our share of multilateral programmes.

  Know-how Fund
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what measures are proposed to promote market economies in the emerging democracies by way of expanding the know-how fund and related schemes. [39082]

  Clare Short
  The Know How Fund exists to support the transition countries to develop democratic and market economy institutions.

  We also support World Bank, EBRD, TACIS and PHARE Programmes to assist these aims.

  The Know How Fund spent approximately £90 million in 1997–98, and will spend about £80 million in 1998–99. We also contribute substantial sums to the transition countries through multilateral channels.

  Multilateral Agreement on Investment
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to protect the interests of developing countries within the continuing negotiations on the multilateral agreement on investment. [39083]

  Clare Short
  My Department's report on the development implications of the Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI) was presented to our negotiating partners and has been warmly welcomed for its contribution to discussion of how the interests of developing countries may be accommodated by the MAI. It was agreed that the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Secretariat should conduct further analytical work on the MAI and development, and officials from my Department will be contributing to that process. Yesterday, OECD Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to a successful and timely conclusion of the MAI negotiations. Ministers also agreed to pursue active dialogue with non-Member countries, including their development interests. The period of assessment and consultation before the next meeting of the Negotiating Group in October provides an opportunity to continue analysis and consultation.

  Bosnia
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the aid programme in Bosnia. [39084]

  Clare Short
  My Department has provided more than £400 million of humanitarian and reconstruction aid and technical assistance to, Bosnia-Herzegovina since 1992. As the large World Bank and European Union programmes, to which Britain contributes substantially, are now coming on stream, the focus of my Department's work is moving from emergency to development assistance.

  During my visit to Bosnia-Herzegovina in February, I reviewed our programme and the focus of our activities for the forthcoming year will be refugee return and reconciliation, additional advice and support to the Government of Republika Srpska, health financing system reform, media training, development of the small and medium enterprise sector, institutional development and advice on enterprise restructuring. We shall conclude activities in inter-entity electricity transmission reconstruction. We are also considering how we might help further with demining.

  International AIDS Vaccine Initiative
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has held recently concerning the international AIDS vaccine initiative. [39085]

  Clare Short
  Officials from my Department maintain regular contact with the administrator of the Initiative. We are currently exploring opportunities for greater collaboration.

  Refugee Camps (Abortion)
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a
  157
  statement on her Department's policy on programmes to protect women in refugee camps from using inappropriate post-coital and abortion techniques. [39086]

  Clare Short
  It is my Department's policy to support programmes that offer all women and men essential health care, including reproductive health care, information and services, that responds to their demands and to offer them informed choices. We work to ensure that women in refugee camps have free and informed choices in line with best medical practice.

  Caribbean Banana Producers
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what support her Department is giving to Caribbean banana producers. [39087]

  Clare Short
  The Government are working hard to ensure that the interests of the Caribbean banana producers are taken fully into account in revising the EU' s current banana regime. In addition, we are also providing support, through the EC and bilaterally, for the banana industry—through restructuring and help to improve efficiency; for economic diversification; and for general economic and social development.

  Public Appointments
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many and what percentage of the (i) paid and (ii) unpaid appointments which she has made to non-departmental public bodies since 1 May 1997 were women. [39396]

  Mr. Foulkes
  Since 1 May 1997, the Secretary of State has made 13 new public appointments—all of them unpaid. Five of them (38%) were women.

  Rwanda
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the level of Government aid to Rwanda. [39066]

  Clare Short
  Our priority is to support the Rwandan Government's efforts to achieve sustained economic growth and poverty reduction. We have committed £25 million in rehabilitation assistance to this end targeted on national reconciliation, including human rights protection; economic reform; and human resource development. We want to do more.

  Pakistan
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on aid provision for Pakistan. [39063]

  Clare Short
  Our bilateral programme for Pakistan is running at about £25 million annually. Its main focus is on improving essential social services, such as elementary education and basic health facilities for the poor—especially women and girls.

  Indonesia
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on assistance given by her Department to Indonesia. [40183]
  158
  Clare Short
  Shortly after we took office, I reviewed our programme in Indonesia and decided that, in future, we would provide support for sustainable forestry management with an increased emphasis on benefits to poor people living in forest areas. In addition, we are working with the International Labour Organisation to develop a programme of support to trade unions. In East Timor, we are supporting the International Committee of the Red Cross's water and sanitation programme, and the preparation of a programme to develop the capacity of local community organisations.

  Since the crisis, we have supported World Bank efforts to mitigate the damage to poor people. Our normal practice is to provide food aid through international agencies. A World Food Programme mission has recently returned and we are ready to provide help if needed. But food aid can undermine local production and it is preferable that implementation of IMF reforms enables the country to afford food imports.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Organic Production
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has made to the United States Government regarding their proposal to redefine organic agriculture;[39870]

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has made to the US Food and Drugs Administration in respect of their plans to redefine organic food; and if he will make a statement. [39973]

  Mr. Morley
  I refer the hon. Members to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Stroud (Mr. Drew) on 16 March 1998,Official Report, column 480.

  Vets
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will investigate the possibility of co-ordinating insurance policy premiums organised by, and for, vets. [39867]

  Mr. Rooker
  No; there are a number of independent companies offering insurance policies to cover some of the cost of veterinary treatment for animals.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will investigate the fees charged by vets. [39868]

  Mr. Rooker
  No. Clients are free to choose their veterinary surgeons. The fees charged by a veterinary surgeon to a client are a private matter between the client and the veterinary surgeon and are not the responsibility of this Department.

  Milk Quotas
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has to secure an updating of the butterfat base to give a better representation of the milk quota.[39866]
  159
  Mr. Rooker
  An update of the butterfat base for the UK milk quota would be equivalent to an increase of quota. In the context of the Agenda 2000 proposals for the reform of the EU dairy regime, the Government are pressing for an increase in milk quotas as a transitional measure towards their removal.

  Cattle Exports
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his policy in respect of the provision of subsidies by the EU to encourage the export of cattle from the EU to the Middle East. [39971]

  Mr. Rooker
  Our strong preference is for cattle to be exported as meat rather than as live animals. Nevertheless, we recognise that, at the present moment, export refunds continue to be an economic reality. The EU beef sector remains in structural surplus and if these exports did not take place, the beef would probably be offered into intervention at considerably higher cost to the EU budget.

  As part of our commitment to improving animal welfare, we successfully pressed for the adoption of an EU Council Regulation which provides that the payment of refunds for live animals is subject to compliance with Community legislation concerning animal welfare and, in particular, the protection of animals during transport. We consider that this will help achieve our aim to reduce the number of live animals being exported to third countries and traded within the Community and ensure that those animals that are exported receive an appropriate standard of welfare.

  The UK fishing fleet: 1988, 1993 and 1998

  Total UK fishing fleet

  of which:

  Coastal vessels Vessels under 10 metres

  Deep water vessels Vessels over 27 metres

  Vessels between 10 and 27 metres

  At end-years

  Numberof vessels

  Registered tonnage

  Number of vessels

  Registered tonnage

  Number of vessels

  Registered tonnage

  Number of vessels

  Registered tonnage

  19881

  8,132

  145,377

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  2—

  1993

  11,108

  213,667

  7,666

  25,363

  289

  90.357

  3,153

  97,946

  1997

  7,809

  206,308

  5,470

  19,135

  281

  111,951

  2,058

  75,221

  1Figures refer to the active fleet and are on a different basis from the later figures which relate to the registered fleet

  2 Not available

  EU Subsidies
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) when(a) the Sheep Annual Premium Scheme Record Flock Book and (b) the Sheep and Goats on Farm Movement Book was first printed; through which outlets they were made available; and what was the earliest date on which they were available at these outlets; [39717]

  (2) how many farmers had their subsidies withheld for failing to complete (a) the Sheep Annual Premium Scheme Record Flock Book and (b) the Sheep and Goats on Farm Movement Book in 1997; and what was the total value of the subsidy so withheld; [39718]

  (3) how many farmers had their subsidies withheld in 1997 on the grounds that they had failed to complete (a) the Sheep Annual Premium Scheme Record Flock

  Public Appointments
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many and what percentage of the (i) paid and (ii) unpaid appointments which he has made to non-departmental public bodies since 1 May 1997 were women. [39400]

  Mr. Morley
  Of the paid appointments made since 1 May 1997, twelve (9.75 per cent.) were women. Ten (17.5 per cent.) of the appointees to unpaid posts were women.

  The Government are committed to increasing the representation of women in public life. In support of this, the Department has drawn up an action plan for increasing the number of women and ethnic minorities holding public appointments.

  Fishing Fleet
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current registered size of the UK(a) coastal and (b) deep water fishing fleet; and what was it in (i) 1993 and (ii) 1988. [39890]

  Mr. Morley
  The available information is given in the table. The information for 1988 was collected and compiled on a different basis from that for 1993 and 1998 and the figures are therefore not directly comparable.

  The registered tonnages comprise measurements partly as Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) and partly as Gross Tonnage (GT or according International Tonnage Convention 1969). For the same vessel, these measures can differ significantly. Further information can be found in "UK Sea Fisheries Statistics 1996" published by HMSO, a copy of which is in the Library.

  Book, and (b) the Sheep and Goats on Farm Movement Book and gave as their reason for not filling in the specified forms the difficulty of obtaining them. [39719]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Sheep and Goats (Records, Identification and Movement) Order 1996, among other things, lays down the requirements for recording flock numbers and animal movements which producers must follow in order to receive Sheep Annual Premium. The Order specifies the information that must be recorded but not the precise format. Full details, including recommended formats, are given in a booklet 'Sheep and Goat Identification, Records and Movement—A Guide to the Legal Requirements' which was distributed to sheep farmers early in 1996. In addition, a recommended format is reproduced in the Notes for Guidance on the Sheep Annual Premium Scheme which are distributed with the claim form each year to all known producers.
  161
  The Sheep Annual Premium Scheme Record Flock Book and the Sheep and Goats on Farm Movement Book referred to in these questions are not produced by the Government.

  In England, eighty three 1997 Sheep Annual Premium claims (involving one hundred and seven producers) were not paid because of irregularities which included inadequate records to support the claim. The total value of these claims is estimated as £235,000. All of the claimants would have received copies of the suggested format for a combined Sheep on Farm Movement and Flock Record annexed to the Notes for Guidance with their claim forms.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the outstanding Written Questions tabled by the Right hon. Member for Fylde; and when replies will be given. [37172]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  [holding answer 2 April 19981]: As of 29 April, 1 have no outstanding Written Questions tabled by the right hon. Member for Fylde (Mr. Jack).

HEALTH

  Notional Rent Scheme
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for the continuation of the notional rent scheme for general practitioners. [38766]

  Mr. Milburn
  The notional rent scheme continues. As with all aspects of the National Health Service, we continue to look at ways of improving value for money and the quality of services for patients.

  Ambulance Staff
  Mr. Alan Johnson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received about establishing a professional register for ambulance technicians and paramedics; and if he will make a statement. [39770]

  Mr. Milburn
  My noble Friend the Minister of State met the Ambulance Services Association on 11 February 1998 and asked to be kept informed of the profession's efforts in working towards recognition as a profession supplementary to medicine.

  Public Appointments
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what percentage of the (i) paid and (ii) unpaid appointments which he has made to non-departmental public bodies since 1 May 1997 were women. [39409]

  Mr. Milburn
  Of the paid appointments made to the Department's non-departmental bodies since I May 1997, 13 (26 per cent.) were filled by women. Of the unpaid appointments made to the Department's non-departmental public bodies since 1 May 1997, 36 (86 per cent.) were filled by women.
  162
  We are committed to increasing the representation of women in public life. In support of this, the Department is currently drawing up an action plan for increasing the number of women holding public appointments.

  Medical School (Warwick and Leicester)
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement regarding Warwick and Leicester Universities proposals for a joint medical school. [39786]

  Mr. Milburn
  The third report of the medical workforce standing advisory committee (MWSAC), published at the end of 1997, recommended an increase of about 1,000 in the intake of medical students in the United Kingdom. When the report was published, we said that we would announce our decisions on all of the MWSAC's recommendations in a few months time in the light of the comprehensive spending review.

  We are aware of proposals by the Universities of Warwick and Leicester to establish a new joint medical school. However, we will not give detailed consideration to how any possible increase in medical student numbers might be implemented until after the decisions on the MWSAC recommendations have been announced later in the year.

  Health Inequalities (Coventry)
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what strategies his Department is undertaking to tackle health inequalities in Coventry.[39785]

  Ms Jowell
  Tackling inequalities is a central plank in both "Our Healthier Nation" and "The New NHS". Consultation on "Our Healthier Nation" concludes on 30 April, and a White Paper setting out the Government's strategy for promoting health and tackling inequalities will be published in the autumn.

  New statutory duties of partnership will ensure that all parts of the National Health Service as well as local authorities work together to tackle health inequalities.

  At the local level, Coventry Health Authority has decided upon a pattern of action, published in their paper of January 1998 "Combating Inequalities and Developing Health". This is a policy framework for combating inequalities in health in Coventry through partnership and effective development of joint action locally.

  Care Leavers
  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he will take to ensure that local authorities make appropriate arrangements to meet the housing needs of young people leaving care. [40115]

  Mr. Boateng
  Current Children Act Guidance and Regulations give extensive advice to local authorities on how to meet the accommodation needs of children leaving care. The housing needs of care leavers should be met through joint planning and action by the social services and housing departments of the local authority.
  163
  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he will take to ensure that local authorities monitor the(a) accommodation arrangements, (b) educational attainment and (c) employment status of young people at the point they leave car [40113]

  Mr. Boateng
  Local authorities are required to draw up a plan for each child they are looking after and to review the case at regular intervals. The Children Act Guidance and Regulations advise on the formulation of a continuing care plan in preparation for leaving care, including accommodation arrangements, education attainment and employment status for the child when leaving care.

  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will amend the Children Act 1989 to require that the responsibility for a young person placed outside his local authority area remains with the placing authority. [40116]

  Mr. Boateng
  Where a young person is living in another local authority area at the point of leaving care, or after having left care moves to another area, the responsibility for providing after-care services rests with the new authority. We have consulted on whether the Children Act 1989 should be amended to place this responsibility on the local authority which has been

  NHS hospital and community health services (HCHS) health care assistants and percentage of health care assistants within the total NHS HCHS workforce in North West regional office area by trust as at 30 September 1996

  Whole-time equivalents

  HCAs

  Total HCHS workforce

  Percentage of total HCHS workforce

  North West

  1,830

  97,020

  1.9

  Mersey Regional Ambulance Service NHS Trust

  1—

  970

  0.0

  Wirral Hospital NHS Trust

  10

  3,610

  0.3

  St. Helens & Knowsley Hospitals NHS Trust

  110

  3,280

  3.4

  Chester & Halton Community NHS Trust

  30

  640

  4.7

  Liverpool Cardiothoracic NHS Trust1—

  1—

  630

  0.0

  Royal Liverpool children's Hospital NHS Trust

  2—

  1,690

  0.0

  The Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust

  150

  1,990

  7.5

  Central Manchester Healthcare NHS Trust

  2—

  4,810

  0.0

  Christie Hospital NHS Trust

  2—

  1,040

  0.0

  South Cumbria Community & Mental Health NHS Trust

  10

  530

  1.9

  Westmoreland Hospitals NHS Trust

  1—

  500

  0.0

  Aintree Hospitals NHS Trust

  110

  3,250

  3.4

  Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology NHS Trust

  1—

  330

  0.0

  Liverpool Womens Hospital NHS Trust

  80

  730

  11.0

  Southport & Formby NHS Trust

  10

  1,210

  0.8

  St. Helens & Knowsley Community Health NHS Trust

  1—

  620

  0.0

  North Mersey Community NHS Trust

  20

  2,240

  0.9

  Walton Centre for Neurology/Neurosurgery NHS Trust

  10

  380

  2.6

  Burnley Health Care NHS Trust

  2—

  3,100

  0.0

  Lancaster Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

  1—

  1,540

  0.0

  Lancaster Priority Services NHS Trust2—

  1,170

  0.0

  Oldham

  60

  2,640

  2.3

  Wrightington Hospital NHS Trust

  1—

  420

  0.0

  Rochdale NHS Trust

  2—

  2,240

  0.0

  East Cheshire NHS Trust

  20

  1,990

  1.0

  Southport & Formby Community Health Services NHS Trust

  1—

  520

  0.0

  Warrington Community Health Care NHS Trust

  1—

  1,130

  0.0

  Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Trust

  70

  1,660

  4.2

  Halton General Hospital NHS Trust

  20

  730

  2.7

  Cheshire Community Healthcare NHS Trust

  1—

  630

  0.0

  Chorley and South Ribble NHS Trust

  2—

  1,520

  0.0

  West Lancashire NHS Trust

  30

  1,250

  2.4

  Calderstones NHS Trust

  20

  1,260

  1.6

  Wigan & Leigh Health Services NHS Trust

  10

  3,830

  0.3

  Warrington Hospital NHS Trust

  240

  1,810

  13.3

  West Cheshire NHS Trust

  50

  660

  7.6

  Wirral Community Health Care NHS Trust

  20

  1,130

  1.8

  South Manchester University Hospitals NHS Trust

  2—

  4,690

  0.0

  Salford Royal Hospitals NHS Trust

  10

  2,800

  0.4

  Trafford Healthcare NHS Trust

  10

  2,170

  0.5

  164
  looking after the young person and the issue is being considered by the Ministerial Task Force on the Children's Safeguards Review. The task force is expected to report in the summer.

  Health Care Assistants
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list, for each healthcare trust in the North West Region,(a) the number of healthcare assistants employed by that trust and (b) the percentage of the total workforce which that figure represents.[39977]

  Mr. Milburn
  The table gives the number of healthcare assistants employed in each trust within the North West region, and the per cent. represented in each trust by this group of staff. These figures are based on the Department's medical and dental and non-medical workforce censuses as at 30 September 1996.

  Health care assistants (HCAs) are defined as support staff who are trained, or who are undertaking training, in the various competencies related to their job through National Vocational Qualification or other local HCA training. The figures in the table exclude staff acting as unqualified nurses or therapy helpers or assistants.
  165

  NHS hospital and community health services (HCHS) health care assistants and percentage of health care assistants within the total NHS HCHS workforce in North West regional office area by trust as at 30 September 1996

  Whole-time equivalents

  HCAs

  Total HCHS workforce

  Percentage of total HCHS workforce

  Mancunian Community Health NHS Trust

  10

  1,170

  0.9

  Furness Hospitals NHS Trust

  1—

  1,150

  0.0

  Greater Manchester Ambulance Service NHS Trust

  3210

  940

  22.3

  Blackburn Hyndburn & Ribble Valley Healthcare NHS Trust

  10

  2,560

  0.4

  Bolton Hospitals NHS Trust

  90

  2,730

  3.3

  Lancashire Ambulance Service NHS Trust

  1—

  630

  0.0

  Communicare NHS Trust

  2—

  930

  0.0

  Preston Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

  110

  2,790

  3.9

  Guild Community Health Care NHS Trust

  2

  1,050

  0.0

  Mental Health Services of Salford NHS Trust

  1

  1,370

  0.0

  Salford Community Health Care NHS Trust

  1

  610

  0.0

  North Manchester Health Care NHS Trust

  10

  2,730

  0.4

  Blackpool Wyre & Fylde Community Health Services NHS Trust

  1

  2,040

  0.0

  Community Healthcare Bolton NHS Trust

  2

  640

  0.0

  Bury Health Care NHS Trust

  1

  1,890

  0.0

  Tameside & Glossop Acute Services NHS Trust

  1

  1,430

  0.0

  Tameside & Glossop Community/Priority Services NHS Trust

  20

  1,390

  1.4

  Blackpool Victoria Hospital NHS Trust

  2

  2,360

  0.0

  Stockport Acute Services NHS Trust

  40

  1,770

  2.3

  Stockport Healthcare NHS Trust

  60

  1,860

  3.2

  Royal Liverpool & Broadgreen University Hospital NHS Trust

  170

  3,970

  4.3

  Manchester Childrens Hospitals NHS Trust

  2

  1,230

  0.0

  1 Denotes zero.

  2 Denotes less than five and greater than zero.

  3 The 210 HCAs for Greater Manchester Ambulance Service NHS Trust are Ambulance Care Assistants

  Notes:

  Figures are rounded to the nearest ten.

  Percentages were calculated using the unrounded figures.

  Source:

  Department of Health medical and dental and non-medical workforce censuses 1996.

  NHS Databases
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to introduce national standards for clinical and administration information held on NHS databases, and to encourage their operational interactivity. [39588]

  Mr. Milburn
  [holding answer 27 April 1998]: The White Paper "The New NHS— Modern, Dependable" emphasises the importance the Government attach to ensuring that the right information is made available to clinicians to support direct patient care. It also states that performance against the wider goals of improving health and healthcare outcomes, the quality and effectiveness of service, efficiency and access will be judged by greater use of comparative information.

  We accept that the development and introduction of national standards for clinical and administrative information is an essential element in meeting these information needs of the new National Health Service. We are making further investments to build on the progress already made in collaboration with the health professions in establishing national standards covering data items, codes, and Electronic Data Interchange messages. Targets have been set in the White Paper which depend on the availability of such national standards. The new information management and technology strategy for the NHS which will shortly be published by the Department will set out in greater detail the information targets to be met and the steps being taken to ensure their delivery. These steps will embrace both the further enhancement of the definitions of national information standards and the expansion of the use of the NHS electronic superhighway.
  166
  NHSnet, to ensure that consistent quality information can be shared and made available at the right time and right place with appropriate safeguarding of patients' confidentiality and privacy.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has for greater use of home visits to supplement the information provided on self-assessment questionnaires for disability living allowance; and if she will make a statement. [35094]

  Mr. Denham
  Disability benefits, including Disability Living Allowance (DLA), are included in the Department's Comprehensive Spending Review, which was announced on 11 June last year. The review is an important step in our plan to modernise and improve the Social Security system, so that it helps people to work as far as they are able; provides appropriate support to those who cannot work; and makes the most effective use of the resources available.

  No decisions have been taken to make greater use of home visits to supplement the information provided by new claimants for DLA. However, as part of the review, we are looking at ways of improving the claims process and we will take account of concerns expressed by the Disability Living Allowance Advisory Board, adjudication officers, disabled people and organisations which represent them.
  167
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average waiting time for appeal hearings for people applying to claim disability living allowance in(a) Portsmouth and (b) Southampton; and what were the averages in each of the last three years. [35042]

  Mr. Denham
  The operation of the appeals system is a matter for the Independent Tribunal Service (ITS) who report that the information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available from the ITS is set out in the table.

  The national average clearance times for disability appeal tribunals as a whole in each of the last three financial years

  Financial year

  Time (in weeks)

  1995–96

  32

  1996–97

  33

  1997–98

  29

  Notes:

  1. Appeals relating to Disability Living Allowance are heard by Disability Appeal Tribunals (DATs).

  2. Statistics do not differentiate between appeals to DATs concerning Disability Living Allowance and those concerning other benefits.

  3. ITS does not maintain statistics which relate to individual DAT or other tribunal venues.

  Benefit Take-up
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what guidance the Government have issued to encourage full claiming of benefits; and if she will make a statement. [36103]

  Mr. Denham
  We would encourage anyone who thinks they may be entitled to a benefit to make a claim. The Benefits Agency produces a wide range of leaflets and posters to make people aware of the benefits available.

  In particular, we are determined to get help to the million pensioners who do not claim the Income Support to which they are entitled. We have already commissioned research to find out why they do not claim, and from April we will be running pilot exercises in nine areas at a cost of £15 million to find the best ways of identifying these pensioners and encouraging them to claim their entitlement.

  Social Security Budget
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will publish a breakdown of the individual items of expenditure making up the increase in the Social Security Central Total from the 1997–98 Estimate to the planned 1998–99 total as set out at Table B 18 of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report." [35631]

  Mr. Field
  Detailed breakdowns of total expenditure figures in the Financial Statement and Budget Report are made available in the subsequent Social Security Departmental Report. This will be published in April 1998.

  Habitual Residence Test
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security for each year for which figures are 168
  available, how many applicants for income support have been refused because they have not passed the habitual residence test; and what proportion were granted benefit (a) on appeal and (b) after a further application within four months of the original. [35085]

  Mr. Field
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is set out in the table.

  Number of income support claims refused as a result of the habitual residence test

  Year

  Number of claims

  April 1995-March 1996

  19,767

  April 1996-March 1997

  13,338

  Note:

  In October 1996 income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA(IB)) replaced Income Support as the main benefit for the unemployed. Over the period October 1996 to March 1997 5,902 JSA (TB)) claims were refused as a result of the habitual residence test.

  Source:

  Benefits Agency Management Information Statistics.

  Housing Benefit Fraud
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the cost to the housing benefit account of fraud in cases where more than one person has been prosecuted; what percentage that cost was of the overall loss through fraud over the last five years; and if she will make a statement. [35092]

  Mr. Denham
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is set out in the table.

  Great Britain

  1995–96

  1996–97

  Number of cases where Housing Benefit/Council Tax Benefit fraud was established and weekly benefit savings claimed by local authorities (LAs)

  160,000

  190,000

  Total number of cases referred for prosecution by LAs

  1,700

  1,400

  Total number of successful prosecutions by LAs

  700

  600

  Notes:

  1. Prior to 1995–96 data was collected on a different basis and data prior to 1994–95 is not readily available.

  2. Data collected from local authorities does not distinguish between prosecutions involving one person and those involving more than one person.

  3. No data is collected centrally on the amount of fraud established in cases which are prosecuted by local authorities.

  Source:

  Administrative Returns 1995/96 and 1996/97

  Pensioners (Benefits in Kind)
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the cost to the Exchequer in the most recent year for which figures are available of those benefits in kind which are taken up by pensioners on income support and which are not available to pensioners on incomes above income support levels. [34149]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is not available.
  169
  Pensioners receiving Income Support are entitled to free sight tests and dentistry, the full value of spectacle vouchers, free wigs and fabric supports and refund of necessary travel costs to hospital for NHS treatment through arrangements which are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health. The cost to the exchequer is not identified separately in respect of pensioners.

  Children of pensioners receiving Income Support are entitled to free school meals, but no figures for the national costs of the scheme are held. Pensioners receiving Income Support may also be entitled to other benefits in kind administered by local authorities.

  Child Care Tax Credit
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if the proposed child care tax credit will be treated as income for the purposes of assessing entitlement to housing benefit. [36025]

  Mr. Field
  The Child Care Tax Credit, as part of the Working Families Tax Credit, will be treated as income for Housing Benefit purposes. However, we will be increasing child care disregards in Housing Benefit to ensure that claimants receive the full value of the Child Care Tax Credit.

  Lower Earnings Limit
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security on what basis the proposed protection for those earning above the lower earnings limit but below the tax threshold will be provided.[36021]

  Number of paid appointments

  Number of paid appointments

  Name of non-departmental public boby

  M

  F

  M

  F

  Central Advisory Committe on War Pension

  —

  —

  1

  0

  Disability Living Allowance Advisory Board

  6

  1

  —

  —

  Industrial Injuries Advisory Council

  2

  0

  —

  —

  Occuptional Pensions Regulatory Authority

  3

  3

  —

  —

  Social Security Advisory Committee

  1

  1

  —

  —

  War Pensions Committees

  —

  —

  53

  13

  Total

  12

  5

  54

  13

  Since 1 May 1997, the Secretary of State has made a total of 17 paid appointments, of which 29 per cent. were women. There were 67 unpaid appointments made and 19 per cent. of these were women.

  The ratio of War Pensioners to War Widows is reflected in the representation on War Pension Committee. The total percentage of female appointments on these conunittees is 22 per cent.

  Focus Groups
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to her answer of 7 April 1998,Official Report, columns 223–24, if she will publish (a) the brief given to each company in respect of the people to be interviewed, (b) the questions asked and (c) the results of each of the surveys listed. [39247]
  170
  Mr. Denham
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Newbury (Mr. Rendel) on 20 March 1998,Official Report, column 775.

  Employer's National Insurance Contribution
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is her estimate of the cost in 1999–2000 of his Budget changes in employer's national insurance contributions to the public sector broken down between, (i) the NHS, (ii) schools, (iii) local authorities, (iv) higher education, (v) the armed forces and (vi) others. [36091]

  Mr. Denham
  The information is not available.

  Widows' Benefits
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will list the main factors behind the decline in the number of people receiving widows' benefits between 1992–93 and 1998–99. [38942]

  Mr. Denham
  The main factors behind the decline in the number of people receiving Widows' Benefits are considered to be demographic trends and the 1988 reforms of the scheme. Social trends such as the growth of cohabitation and increased divorce also have a influence on this benefit.

  Public Appointments
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many and what percentage of the (i) paid and (ii) unpaid appointments which she has made to non-departmental public bodies since 1 May 1997 were women. [39401]

  Mr. Field
  The information is set out in the table.

  Mr. Field
  [holding answer 20 April 1998]: Most of the research contracts in question were commissioned as part of the Department's Research Programme and relate to the development and evaluation of policy. These are:
  Newchurch & Company—Child Support Agency customer and compliance research.Market Opinion Research International—Attitudes towards welfare reform.Social and Community Planning Research—On-going contract for qualitative research on welfare reform issues.Market Opinion Research International—Attitudes to disability benefits.Centre for Research in Social Policy, Loughborough University—Invalidity Benefit and the contributory principle.British Market Research Bureau International—Attitudes towards housing benefits.Institute for Employment Studies—People management in DSS Headquarters.171 Social and Community Planning Research—Survey of women; development work.Social and Community Planning Research—Preparation for Women's Juries.Social and Community Planning Research—Work incentives and intermediaries.Centre for Research in Social Policy, Loughborough University—Earnings Top Up staff panel.Social and Community Planning Research—Take-up of income support amongst older citizens.Alan Hedges—Preparation and retirement planning.Alan Hedges—Behavioural response to the evidence requirements.
  In accordance with the Open Government Code of Practice on Access to Government, the standard practice is that reports of such studies commissioned by the
  172
  Department are published on completion unless they are covered by a specific exemption under that Code. All research reports include, as standard, information on the research remit (covering details of the sample and questions asked) and findings. These studies are running to different timetables, but we expect all to be published within the next year, except the work on Earnings Top Up, which is part of a longer-term study.

  The remaining contracts were commissioned to develop and evaluate publicity campaigns or to inform other presentational issues. Reports of this sort of research are not usually published, but are made available on request. A report of each of these studies, discussing the remit and findings, will be placed in the Library once the decision-making process is completed and/or the relevant publicity campaign has started. We anticipate that this will be within the next
  12 months for the specified contracts.

  Argentina: Arms Embargo Exception
  Argentina: Arms Embargo Exception
  Children and Armed Conflict
  Children and Armed Conflict
  Children in Front Seats of Cars
  Children in Front Seats of Cars
  Trunk Roads: Advertisement Control
  Trunk Roads: Advertisement Control
  Thorne and Hatfield Moors: Peat Extraction
  Thorne and Hatfield Moors: Peat Extraction
  Urban Task Force
  Urban Task Force
  Government Defeats in the House of Lords
  Government Defeats in the House of Lords
  Forensic Science Service Agency: Targets
  Forensic Science Service Agency: Targets
  School Standards and Framework Bill
  School Standards and Framework Bill