Written Answers of 30 April 1998

PRIME MINISTER

  Millennium Compliance
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his speech to the Midland Bank Conference on the Millennium, if he will list the members of the central team located in the Cabinet to work on the year 2000 problem; when this team will first meet; and what is its remit. [37474]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 2 April 1998]I am setting up a new team in the Cabinet Office to support the Ministerial Group on the Millennium date change (MISC 4) and its public sector sub-group in co-ordinating the drive by Government across the public and the private sector to prepare for the Year 2000, with a particular focus on preventing damage to the national infrastructure. The team will manage the study into the risks the country faces in the run up to the Year 2000 which I announced in my speech to the Action 2000/Midland Bank conference on 30 March. It will liaise with Government departments across Whitehall to ensure that the action Ministers are taking in relation to their own departments and the other areas of the public sector for which they are responsible is properly co-ordinated and fits with Action 2000's work with the private sector. It will work with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and other departments on our drive for action internationally. And it will co-ordinate the presentation of Government action.

  Appointments to the Unit are now being made.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his article in The Independent newspaper of 30 March, if he will publish the analysis underlying his statement that the cost of dealing with the millennium computer problem across the public sector is up to £3 billion; and if he will make a statement. [38140]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 7 April 1998]The figure of up to £3 billion for the cost of millennium compliance across the public sector was an estimate to indicate the possible scale of the problem which is faced by the sector. It took account of forecasts which have been made by independent experts and companies with experience of dealing with the costs of tackling this problem. Such forecasts have ranged from £1 billion to £3 billion. These forecasts are within a range because the actual costs of compliance are not easy to predict accurately in advance and historically have tended to be underestimated.
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  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Prime Minister if it is his policy that the money to resolve the millennium computer problem across the public sector can be found from existing budgets; and if he will make a statement. [38139]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 7 April 1998]The Government's policy remains that the cost of resolving the millennium computer problem across the public sector will be met from within existing funds. This will be closely monitored as part of the reporting arrangements which have been put in place.

  Astra
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Prime Minister what information was made available to or from the DTI to or from Mr. Stephen Hatch in the course of the DTI inquiry into the affairs of Astra on commission payments for defence contracts paid to intermediaries [38550]

  The Prime Minister
  The Companies Act inspection into the affairs of Astra Holdings plc was concerned with the acquisition by Astra of a number of subsidiaries, and with accounting issues arising therefrom. It was not concerned with commission payments for defence contracts.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) on what dates Mr. Stephen Kock met DTI officials to discuss matters relating to the supply of equipment to Iraq between 1985 and 1990;[38545]

  (2) on what date the appointment of Mr. Stephen Kock to the Board of Astra was first discussed by DTI officials. [38547]

  The Prime Minister
  A search of the potentially most relevant sources of information held by DTI has produced no evidence to suggest either that Mr. Stephen Kock discussed matters relating to the supply of equipment to Iraq between 1985 and 1990 with DTI or that discussions were held within the DTI about his appointment to the board of Astra. Indeed, the appointment of individual directors to a private sector company is not an issue with which the DTI would normally concern itself.

  Royal Commissions
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the last 10 ad hoc Royal Commissions, the time which elapsed between their establishment and the publication of their reports and, for each, the total cost. [39888]

  The Prime Minister
  The details of the last ten Royal Commissions are as follows:

  Title

  Date established

  Presented to Parliament

  Constitution

  15 April 1969

  October 1973

  Civil Liability and Compensations for Personal Injury

  19 March 1973

  March 1978

  Press

  16 July 1974

  July 1977

  Standards of Conduct in Public Life

  6 December 1974

  July 1976

  Gambling

  24 February 1976

  July 1978

  National Health Service

  19 May 1976

  July 1979

  Legal Services

  20 July 1976

  October 1979

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  Title

  Date established

  Presented to Parliament

  Criminal Procedure

  3 February 1978

  January 1981

  Criminal Justice

  14 March 1991

  July 1993

  Long Term Care for the Elderly

  17 December 1997

  Due December 1998

  Details of cost are not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  UN (Drugs Special Session)
  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Prime Minister if he plans to attend the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on Drugs on 8 to 10 June. [39945]

  The Prime Minister
  It has not yet been decided who will lead the United Kingdom Delegation to the UN General Assembly Special Session on Drugs.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Heathrow Airport
  Kate Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the experimental scheme for planes landing at Heathrow Airport was introduced; if this scheme resulted in more planes flying over areas of South and South East London; and when the experiment is to be assessed. [39581]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The trial began on 4 September 1995 and the assessment is underway. The results should identify the areas affected and the associated noise impact. As indicated in Annex 5 of the preliminary consultation paper on Night Restriction at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted that we published on 27 February, the results should be available in time to take into account when drawing up proposals for the next night restrictions consultation paper. A copy of the preliminary paper was placed in the House Library. (Ref;Official Report, 27 February 1998, columns 403–04).

  Shipping
  Sir Raymond Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he intends to take action on the report submitted to him in March by the Shipping Working Group. [39849]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is currently considering the recommendations of the Working Group.

  Euratom
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will place in the Library all reports submitted by the Government to the European Commission under Article 18 of Directive 92/3/EURATOM. [39942]

  Angela Eagle
  Article 18 of Directive 92/3 EURATOM requires Member States to submit reports every two years on the transboundary shipments of radioactive waste which they have authorised. The first such report was made in 1994 and the second in 1996. I am arranging for copies of these to be placed in the 176
  Library. The third report is being compiled and I shall place a copy in the Library once it has been lodged with the Commission.

  Carbon Dioxide Emissions
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the expected change in carbon dioxide emissions as a result of estimated gross domestic product growth in(a) 1998, (b) 1999 and (c) 2000. [40088]

  Angela Eagle
  We expect that gross domestic product will grow by around 2.25% per year between 1998 and 2000. As I said in my answer to the hon. Member on 27 April 1998,Official Report, column 6, we estimate that the present relationship between gross domestic product growth and carbon dioxide emissions is such that every 1% increase in gross domestic product would increase emissions of carbon dioxide by around 0.5%, other things being equal. This approximate relationship may continue to apply to 2000. However, the trend in total UK emissions of carbon dioxide is likely to continue downwards over this period because the types of fuels used, the structure of the economy, and energy efficiency are also changing over time.

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for what reason the UK delegation to the 10 session of the negotiations for a UN ECE Commission for Europe Convention concerning public participation in environmental decision-making did not support a proposal to provide for public participation in transfrontier movements of radioactive waste. [39943]

  Angela Eagle
  The proposal would have added all transboundary and internal movements of hazardous and radioactive substances, including wastes, for which a specific permit is required under national law, to the list of those practices requiring formal public consultation. Consultation on every such movement would be impracticable. The relevant legislation and associated guidance provides a stringent system of checks which ensure the safety of radioactive waste during transit, radiological protection of the public and protection of the environment.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what statutory provisions govern the international shipment of radioactive waste; whether there is a requirement for a public register of applications or authorisations for such shipments; what records(a) he and (b) the Environment Agency keep of (i) applications and (ii) authorisations for such shipments; if he will place a copy of such records in the Library; and if he will make a statement. [39941]

  Angela Eagle
  The import and export of radioactive waste from the UK is governed by SI 1993 No. 3031, the Transfrontier Shipment of Radioactive Waste Regulations 1993. The Regulations provide for a system of authorisation and approval by competent authorities of the shipment of radioactive waste. There is no statutory requirement within the Regulations for the provision of a public register. The Environment Agency maintains records of applications, approvals and authorisations for
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  England and Wales, in the form prescribed by the Regulations, and I have arranged for copies of these to be placed in the Library. Arrangements for shipments of waste involving Scotland and Northern Ireland are dealt with by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and the Department of the Environment in Northern Ireland respectively.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many, and which, United Kingdom local authorities have(a) promoted and (b) participated in schemes under the Private Finance Initiative in the last year. [39988]

  Ms Armstrong
  My Department's press release of 10 February, a copy of which is available in the House of Commons Library, lists 42 individual PFI schemes in England, promoted by 34 local authorities. Local authorities whose projects appear on this list can be confident that they will receive support for their contractual commitments. In Wales, so far no PFI schemes have been signed but the Welsh Office is treating six projects as pathfinders. 26 Scottish authorities have indicated to the Scottish Office an intention to apply for support towards PFI schemes.

  SSSIs
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the(a) number and (b) total area in hectares of sites of special scientific interest in (i) East Sussex and (ii) the United Kingdom. [39989]

  Angela Eagle
  The figures requested are as follows:

  Number of SSSIs (ASST in Northern Ireland)

  Area in hectares

  East Sussex

  64

  18,543

  United Kingdom

  6,510

  2,181,312

  Rail Services
  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to ensure that the information services provided at railway stations are improved. [40105]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Government are reviewing the regulation of the railway as part of our overall review of transport policy, and our proposals for the long-term reform of the railway will be published in our White Paper later in the year. In the interim, the Government have issued the Franchising Director with revised objectives, instructions and guidance which require him to secure a progressive improvement in the quality of passenger and station services and to manage existing franchise agreements in a manner which promotes passengers' interests.

  The existing franchise agreements require operators to meet minimum station standards, which include the provision of communication and information systems within three years of taking over the franchise. Therefore these standards must be implemented during 1999 in
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  respect of the first franchises to be awarded in 1996. Some operators are achieving higher standards than those specified within a shorter timescale.

  Housing (Care Leavers)
  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will amend the Housing Act 1996 Code of Guidance with respect to youth homelessness strategies to make specific reference to meeting the particular housing needs of care leavers. [40164]

  Mr. Raynsford
  [holding answer 29 April 1998]The revised Code of Guidance, which we hope to issue later in the year, will draw local authorities; particular attention to the considerations which they should bear in mind when assessing care leavers' housing needs.

  Politically Restricted Posts
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to review the Widdecombe definition of politically restricted posts. [39869]

  Mr. Raynsford
  [holding answer 29 April 1998]The Government are firmly committed to the principle of political impartiality among senior and other front line public servants. In our consultation paper, "Modernising Local Government—A new ethical framework", a copy of which was sent to all hon. Members on 7 April, we are inviting views on an approach we are proposing for designating posts as politically restricted, and in particular on the level of any salary threshold.

  Local Government Pay
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on local authorities' responsibilities when implementing national pay review body awards for chief executive officers. [39979]

  Mr. Raynsford
  [holding answer 29 April 1998]Agreement was reached last year in the national negotiating body for chief executives on a new package of pay and conditions. The principal pay-related features of the package were a 2.5 per cent. pay rise from 1 July 1997; and local reviews in each local authority of the salary of their chief executive, to be completed by 1 April 1998 in the light of the new national pay structure and the accompanying national agreement on implementation. Any further pay rise stemming from the local review is to be paid from 1 January 1998.

  Housing (Disabled Access)
  Angela Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what plans he has to reduce waiting times for local authority disability facilities grants; [40334]

  (2) what was the average waiting time for a disabled facilities grant for (a) all applications, (b) council tenant applications, (c) housing association tenant applications, (d) private tenant applications and (e) owner occupier applications in the last year for which figures are available. [40335]
  179
  Mr. Raynsford
  Information on the average waiting times for disabled facilities grants is not collected by the Department. Local authorities already have a statutory duty under section 34 of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 to notify the applicant within six months of the date of application whether the application is approved or refused. We have no plans to change this.

  Genetically Modified Organisms
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many applications to release GMOs into the environment have been considered in each year since 1990; for each year how many have been(a) approved and (b) refused; and how many are outstanding. [40321]

  Angela Eagle
  Following the introduction of our regulations in March 1993, a total of 152 applications have been considered. These breakdown per year as:

  Year

  Applications approved

  Applications refused

  Applications outstanding

  1993

  15

  0

  0

  1994

  24

  0

  0

  1995

  40

  0

  0

  1996

  28

  0

  0

  1997

  25

  0

  0

  1998

  14

  0

  0

  Whilst no consents have been refused, in many cases applicants have been required to significantly amend their applications to provide further information to enable a decision to be made. Also, some consents would have been refused unless the applicant had agreed to implement the strict risk management procedures recommended by the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what level of quantifiable risk must be reached before permission to release a GMO into the environment is refused. [40323]

  Angela Eagle
  The Department's approach to risk assessment for GMO releases is set out in Chapter 4 of "The Regulation and Control of the Deliberate Release of Genetically Modified Organisms" and this is consistent with the approach published in "A Guide to Risk Assessment and Risk Management for Environmental Protection". These have been placed in the House of Commons library.

  In all cases we obtain expert advice from the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE).

  Greater London Authority
  Sir Norman Fowler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the financial effect of the establishment of the Greater London Authority on revenue support grant levels for other regions; and if he will make a statement. [40365]

  Ms Armstrong
  As we said in our White Paper "A Mayor and Assembly for London" (Cm 3897), we have carefully considered how the costs of the Mayor, Assembly and new central service of the Greater London 180
  Authority should be paid for, and have decided to meet most of the costs ourselves through grant. We have no plans to cut support to other parts of the country to pay for the Authority.

  Urban Foxes
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of(a) the measures required to control urban foxes and (b) the effects of releasing urban foxes into the countryside. [39112]

  Angela Eagle
  A recent decline in reported sightings suggests that the number of urban foxes has fallen in some cities, and a study in 1987 showed that urban foxes tend to be self-regulating. Furthermore, although foxes could in theory transmit certain infections to man, such a toxocariasis, hydatid disease or pasteurellosis, from the limited data available foxes have not been implicated in any cases of these diseases among humans. It is not therefore thought necessary to consider measures to control them.

  It is not in general an offence to move wild animals around the country, and relocation of native foxes is not prohibited by our conservation legislation. Reports of large-scale releases of foxes into the countryside have not been substantiated.

  Personal Water Craft
  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will make a statement on the outcome of the inter-departmental review of coastal safety, with particular reference to the use of personal water craft; [40318]

  (2) if he will make a statement on progress made by his Department in encouraging more responsible use of personal water craft. [40319]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Consideration is currently being given to the results of consultation on the ways in which safety of non-regulated pleasure vessels can be improved, which incorporates input from both the Environment and Transport points of view. A decision on the way forward will be made in the next few months.

  Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what targets he has set for the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, the Vehicle Inspectorate and the Vehicle Certification Agency. [40786]

  Dr. Strang
  The key targets have been set for the agencies. They are included in the agencies' business plans, which include management objectives, performance indicators and key tasks, where appropriate to the agencies' business. Copies of the business plans will be placed in the Library in due course.
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  The key targets for the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency are to:
  make an efficiency gain (on the basis of an overall efficiency index) of 2.5 per cent;
  to recover, through penalties and duty from licensing, at least £2.90 for every £1.00 full cost spent by DVLA on vehicle excise duty enforcement;
  deliver 95 per cent. of ordinary driving licences to customers within 10 working days, 95 per cent. of vocational driving licences within 9 working days, and 95 per cent of first provisional driving licences within 9 working days;
  deliver 95 per cent. of registration documents for new vehicles within 12 days, and 95 per cent. of changes to vehicle registration documents within 13 days;
  deliver answers to 96 per cent. of written inquiries within 8 working days, and to answer 92 per cent. of telephone inquiries within 30 seconds;
  ensure that at least 98 per cent. of driving licences, 98 per cent. of registration documents for new vehicles, and 97 per cent. of changes to registration documents, are issued without a DVLA induced error.

  The key targets for the Vehicle Inspectorate are to:
  meet the requirements on levels and types of activity laid down in the Memorandum of Agreement on each Road Enforcement Transport Scheme;
  meet the quality and general effectiveness levels as specified in the Business Plan measures;
  improve customer service by extending the range of structured interviews and surveys, acting on the results and devising satisfaction indices;
  achieve an efficiency target (on the basis of an Aggregated Cost Efficiency Index) of 0 per cent;
  break even while achieving an average 6 per cent. rate of return on capital, over the period 1 April 1998 to 31 March 2003;
  improve staff awareness and satisfaction as measured through the annual survey;
  secure the long term development of the organisation, in the context of the DVO Review, through the implementation of an Information Systems Strategy and progression of the MOT Computerisation Project.

  The key targets for the Vehicle Certification Agency are to:
  achieve break-even or better on the commercial accounts whilst achieving at least a 6 per cent. rate of return on capital employed;
  ensure that at least 98 per cent. of approval certificates are issued error free;
  ensure that at least 98 per cent. of invoices are issued error free;
  audit at least 50 per cent. of VCA's approved type-approval, and 100 per cent. of the management system certification, procedures with all major non-compliances found having corrective action plans agreed within 30 working days at the most, with those plans being completed within the specified time.

  Water Prices
  Mr. Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement about progress towards the setting of price limits for water companies from 1 April 2000. [40790]

  Mr. Prescott
  The Director General of Water Services has sent an open letter and accompanying paper "Setting the Quality Framework" to me and my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Wales, on 30 April, seeking guidance on the quality obligations to be placed on water 182
  companies in the period 2000 to 2005. Copies of the Director General's letter and accompanying paper have been placed in the Library of the House.

  We expect also to receive advice on this issue from the Environment Agency in mid-May, which we shall take into account in formulating the guidance to the Director General. The advice will, similarly, be placed in the Library of the House.

  My Department will issue a consultation letter on 1 May, seeking the views of all those who have an interest in or involvement with the water industry on the issues raised in the Director General's letter and accompanying paper, and inviting the submission of reasoned arguments over the appropriate level of obligations to place on water companies, to be funded from customers' bills. We are keen to strike the right balance between investment to deliver desirable environmental and quality improvement and the level of water bills.

  At this stage in the periodic review, costings have not been finalised. Further work will be needed to refine this information. There also remain uncertainties in relation both to the precise nature of some of the EU obligations that water companies will have to meet, as well as to the costings of possible obligations. Against that background, however, we shall seek to give guidance in the summer which is as clear as possible when responding to the Director General. We should welcome views on the issues raised in the Director General's letter and paper, which we shall take into account in providing guidance.

  A copy of the Department's consultation letter, which will seek comments by Friday 12 June, will be placed in the Library of the House.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Magistrates Courts
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many appeals against closures of magistrates' courts were made in(a) 1992, (b) 1993, (c) 1994, (d) 1995, (e) 1996 and (f) the first four months of 1997; and how many were (i) upheld and (ii) rejected. [39684]

  Mr. Hoon
  The number of appeals against the closure of magistrates courts made between 1992 and April 1997 were:(a) 1992, 10; (b) 1993, 12; (c) 1994, 3; (d) 1995, 2; (e) 1996, 11 and (f) in the first four months of 1997, 4. In 1992, 2 appeals were upheld. All other appeals were dismissed.

  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many appeals against closures of magistrates' courts have been lodged since 1 May 1997; and how many(a) were upheld, (b) were rejected and (c) have still to be determined. [39685]

  Mr. Hoon
  Since 1 May 1997, 16 appeals against the closure of magistrates courts have been lodged.

  In the same period, 2 appeals were upheld and 17 were rejected. There are 6 appeals pending. (These figures include appeals outstanding at 1 May 1997).

  Fines Revenue
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what was the total amount of revenue raised from all forms of fines in(a) 1993–94, (b) 1994–95, (c) 1995–96, (d) 1996–97 and (e) 1997–98; what estimate he has made of revenue in 1998–99; and if he will make a statement. [40222]

  Mr. Hoon
  The figures requested are shown in the table. There is no estimate available for 1998–99.

  £ million

  Year

  Revenue raised

  1993–94

  228.0

  1994–95

  219.8

  1995–96

  216.0

  1996–97

  224.2

  1997–98

  173.6

  1 Covers the period I April 1997 to 31 December 1997

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Intellectual Property
  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has made to the WTO about the forthcoming review of the Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property; and if she will make a statement. [40151]

  Clare Short
  The WTO Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs) is overseen by the TRIPs Council which meets on a regular basis and comprises all WTO members. The TRIPs Agreement requires the Council to review the provisions of Article 27(3(b) of the Agreement concerning the exclusion from patentability of plants and animals in 1999, and the implementation of the Agreement as a whole after 2000. The UK Government will take full part in discussions alongside developing countries in the Council before and throughout the reviews. The TRIPs Council operates by consensus and therefore will need to take into account the views and interests of all members.

  Bananas
  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent representations she has made to the European Commissions about the findings of the WTO Appellate Body on the EU banana regime; and if she will make a statement. [40157]

  Clare Short
  The Government have been keeping in close touch with the European Commission since the WTO Appellate Body published its findings on the EU banana regime last Autumn. The Commission made proposals earlier this year for changes to the banana regime, to bring it into line with the WTO ruling, and for the new assistance framework for traditional producers in African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries.

  Negotiations on these proposals are now well advanced in Brussels. As the leading advocate of the developing countries in the Caribbean who have traditionally supplied bananas to the UK, the Government have made it a priority of its current Presidency of the EU to reach agreement.

  Biotechnology
  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what has been the outcome of her discussions with the Patent Office about the proposed EC Directive concerning the protection of biotechnological inventions and the potential implications for developing countries. [40152]

  Clare Short
  The proposed EC Directive on the Legal Protection of Biotechnological Inventions is currently being considered by the European Parliament, following adoption of a Common Position by the Council of Ministers in February 1998. The Directive addresses which biotechnological inventions can be patented in Europe and does not affect national patent laws. When agreeing to support this Common Position, the UK set down a statement which noted that there had been no consideration as to whether the provisions of the Directive would be appropriate for other countries outside the European Union, in particular developing countries.

  In its statement the UK also considered that in preparing its annual report on the development implications of patent law in the field of biotechnology and genetic engineering [under Article 16.3 of the proposal] the Commission should consider the breadth of patent rights, the effects of patents on research and, in accordance with Article 130v of the Treaty of Maastricht, take account of the implications for developing countries.

  Generalised System of Preferences
  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has made to the Generalised System of Preferences Working Group about the proposed regulation; and if she will make a statement. [40149]

  Clare Short
  Two key regulations have been discussed and agreed within the Generalised System of Preferences Working Group during the UK Presidency. These are the Regulation on Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and the Regulation on Special Incentives. UK policy on both of these is set out in the Government's White Paper on International Development published in November 1997. DFID has worked closely with DTI—which is the lead Department in formulating and implementing the Government's policy.

  The proposed Regulation on LDCs was agreed by the Council in March this year. This requires the EU to extend market access terms, similar to those available under the Lome Convention, to the nine non-ACP LDCs and to apply these retrospectively from 1 January 1998. We therefore welcome this Regulation which we see as an important first step towards our long-term goal of duty-free market access to the EU market for all LDCs and for the eventual agreement to eliminate tariffs on LDC products within a bound WTO scheme.

  The proposed Regulation on Special Incentives provides for additional trade preferences to be granted to developing countries that meet certain labour and environmental standards. The Government attach considerable importance to these proposals as a mechanism for signalling to the developing world that our

  185
  concerns about raising standards are not driven by protectionist motives. The GSP Working Group has concluded its deliberations on the proposal which will be submitted to the Council in May. The Group will soon be considering how technical assistance can be offered to those developing countries who wish to access the scheme but who lack the capacity to meet the required standards.

  Trade Barriers
  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions she has had with (i) the Department of Trade and Industry (ii) the WTO and (iii) multilateral and bilateral aid donors about ways to achieve further reductions in trade barriers faced by LDCs; and if she will make a statement. [40150]

  Clare Short
  UK policy towards elimination of barriers to trade for Least Developed Countries is set out in the Government's White Paper on International Development published in November 1997. The UK has taken a lead within Europe and internationally (including through the G8) in pushing for the elimination of tariffs on imports from the least developed countries (LDCs) and for eventual agreement to eliminate tariffs within a bound WTO scheme. A number of member states made commitments to extend their market access for LDCs at the WTO hosted High Level Meeting for LDCs in October last year. Progress will be reviewed at the WTO Ministerial in May this year.

  Under the UK Presidency agreement has been reached within the EU to extend market access to the imports of the nine non-ACP LDCs on terms similar to those available under the Lomé Convention. The UK see this as a first step and will continue to press for duty-free access to the EU market for all Least Developed Countries. In addition the UK recognises that complex rules of origin can act as a constraint on taking up preferential access. The UK is therefore pressing for an EU commitment to simplify and harmonise the EU preferential origin rules.

  Development Co-operation
  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has made to the (i) WTO, (ii) UNCTAD, (iii) ITC, (iv) IMF, (v) World Bank and (vi) UNDP about the implementation of the Integrated Framework for the co-ordination and delivery of trade-related development co-operation; and if she will make a statement. [40154]

  Clare Short
  The Integrated Framework was discussed in the WTO hosted High Level Meeting in October 1997. The Integrated Framework seeks to enhance the effectiveness of trade-related technical assistance in order to promote the integration of Least Developed Countries into the multilateral trading system.

  This Government have consistently supported discussion of the Integrated Framework in the senior bodies of the WTO, IMF, UNCTAD, ITC, World Bank and UNDP. Each of these bodies has indicated their support for the Framework and agreed to co-ordinate their efforts in this area. Further, the agencies have agreed to set up an Inter-Agency Working Group and an Administrative Unit to be housed at ITC.
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  I believe that good progress had been made on setting up the machinery to operationalise the Integrated Framework and over the coming months, my Department will be working to ensure this is used to design and implement effective country-level programmes.

  Development Council
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will raise the issue of the environmental record of the Commission's funded programmes in developing countries at the Development Council meeting in May. [40353]

  Clare Short
  My Department continues to work closely with the Commission to promote the full integration of environmental considerations into EC programmes and projects. One of our Presidency priorities is to seek to improve the effectiveness of the EC's development programmes. I will not, however, be raising this issue at the Development Council in May.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what issues are on the agenda for the Development Council meeting in May. [40347]

  Clare Short
  The agenda is still under discussion. However, the main items are likely to be:

  (a) The EU's Negotiating Mandate for the successor to the Lomé Convention.

  (b) Conclusions on follow-up to the 1993 Poverty Resolution.

  (c) Conclusions on follow-up to the 1995 Gender Resolution.

  (d) Progress Report and Exchange of views on the Evaluation of European Union Development Aid.

  (e) Commission Presentation on Indigenous People.

  (f) Commission Presentation on Humanitarian Aid.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Organophosphates
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps she proposes to take in response to the conclusions and recommendations of the report of the Agriculture and Fisheries Committee of the Northern Ireland Forum on Organophosphate Insecticides-their use by the farming community; and if she will make a statement. [39654]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  [holding answer 27 April 1998]The Forum's report will be considered in the light of the findings of the High Level Officials' Group on Organophosphates. The establishment of that Group was announced in another place by my noble friend, Lord Donoughue, on 13 January 1998. Those findings will be published when Ministers have fully considered them.

  Public Appointments
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 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. [39395]
  187
  Mr. Paul Murphy
  [holding answer 29 April 1998]The following appointments have been made to non-departmental public bodies since 1 May 1997:

  Total

  Female appointments

  Percentage

  Paid appointments

  222

  87

  39

  Unpaid appointments

  461

  138

  30

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

  Construction Service
  Mr. Fitzpatrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what performance targets have been set for the Construction Service in 1998–99. [40730]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  For the 1998–99, the following performance targets have been set for Construction Service.

  Quality of Service
  1. To achieve a 90 per cent. compliance in customer assessment of Agency performance against Service Level Agreements.
  2. To obtain a 90 per cent. positive response in customer assessments on project work.
  3. To place 80 per cent. of orders in response to requests for maintenance work within 7 days.
  4. To place 75 per cent. of order in response to requests for supplies work within 7 days.
  5. To respond to 85 per cent. of customer advisory inquiries within 6 weeks.

  Efficiency
  6. To achieve 3 per cent. efficiency gains on running cost expenditure.
  7. To ensure that actual costs as a percentage of agreed target costs on project work do not exceed the agreed percentage.
  8. To ensure that staff costs as a percentage of construction spend for maintenance work do not exceed the agreed percentage.
  9. To ensure that staff costs as a percentage of construction spend for supplies work do not exceed the agreed percentage.

  Financial Performance
  10. To maintain expenditure within cash limits and to approved budgetary plans.
  11. To recover the full cost of Agency operations from customers.

  Social Security Agency
  Mr. Fitzpatrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what performance targets have been set for the Social Security Agency for the current financial year. [40731]

  Mr. Worthington
  The targets are in line with the objective of improving the service provided to customers and fully support the Active Modern Service principles laid down for public services. I am satisfied that the targets represent a demanding challenge for the Agency.
  188
  The targets will be included in the Agency's 1998–99 Strategic and Business Plan, which is due for publication this month. A copy of the Plan will be placed in the library. The targets are as follows:

  1. Benefit Accuracy

  Disability Living Allowance

  to pay the correct amount in at least 85% of cases.

  Family Credit

  to pay the correct amount in at least 94% of cases.

  Incapacity Benefit

  to pay the correct amount in at least 98% of cases.

  Income Support

  to pay the correct amount in at least 87% of cases.

  Jobseeker's Allowance

  to pay the correct amount in at least 87% of cases.

  2. Customer Satisfaction1

  of customers to regard the Agency's service as satisfactory or better.

  3. Financial Recovery

  recovery of overpayments—£2.9 million.

  benefit savings from detection and prevention of fraud—£14.4 million.

  sign-offs as a result of anti-activity—4,600.

  Class I contributions identified as underpaid to the National Insurance Fund—£1.70 million.

  Collection of Contributions owing to the National Insurance Fund—£2.05 million.

  4. Resource Management

  to achieve cash efficiency savings of the order of £3.3 million.

  1 The customer satisfaction target is presently measured by independent survey and usually covers a two year period, in this case 1997–98 and 1998–99. It will be measured again early in 1999.

  Rate Collection Agency
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when she intends to carry out a market test of the functions of the Rate Collection Agency. [40732]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  The Government have decided to defer plans to market test the functions of the Rate Collection Agency until the next quinquennial review of the agency which is planned for 1999.

  This will allow time to assess the potential impact on the work of the agency of the current review of charging arrangements for water and sewerage services. Ratepayers currently contribute to the cost of these services through the Regional Rate.

  The Agency's Framework Document will be amended to reflect the position.

  Students (Tuition Fees)
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what decision she has taken on whether to provide funds for the payment of fourth year tuition fees for eligible Northern Irish students at Scottish universities; and if she will make a statement. [40257]

  Mr. Worthington
  Northern Ireland students will not receive public support for fees in the fourth year of Scottish 4-year degrees where similar degree courses in Northern Ireland, England and Wales are of 3 years' duration.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  CS Gas
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints have been received to date against the use of CS gas by the police force. [38523]

  Mr. Michael
  During police trials of CS sprays between 1 March and 31 August 1996, in which about 4,000 officers carried CS spray canisters, 45 complaints were made to police forces. During the 12 months up to 31 March 1997 (the most recent period for which figures are available) the police referred 28 complaints to the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) of which 19 resulted in investigations supervised by the Authority. Five complaints were withdrawn, eight were unsubstantiated, three are under or are awaiting disciplinary review, one is subject to criminal proceedings against an officer for assault (the complaint about the use of CS is a secondary issue in this case), and in another case an officer was found not guilty of abuse of authority. One complaint is still under investigation and the PCA granted the police dispensations from the requirement to investigate the remaining nine cases. This is allowed by the Police (Dispensation From Requirement to Investigate Complaints) Regulations 1985 where it is not reasonably practicable to conduct an investigation or the complaint is vexatious, repetitious or otherwise an abuse of the complaints procedures.

  The PCA estimates that in the twelve months up to 31 March 1998 there were about 250 complaints to police forces referring to CS spray.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps are being taken by the Government during their presidency of the EU to promote discussion on problems caused by the flow of asylum seekers through the EU; and if he will make a statement. [39984]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The United Kingdom Presidency is promoting discussion in the European Union of a wide range of issues relating to asylum seekers. In particular, under the Presidency, member states have adopted a comprehensive Action Plan on the influx of migrants from Iraq and the neighbouring region. Under this Action Plan, the Presidency is taking forward a number of measures aimed at ensuring that those in genuine need of protection receive it and to prevent abuse of asylum procedures in the European Union.

  In addition, the Presidency is seeking to secure agreement on a programme of action designed to improve the operation of the Dublin Convention. This Convention governs arrangements for determining which member state should be responsible for examining asylum claims made in the European Union.

  Ms Drown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the criteria used by an immigration officer to decide if an interview with an unaccompanied child seeking asylum is unavoidable. [39847]
  190
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  A child will not be interviewed about the substance of his claim to refugee status if it is possible to obtain, by written inquiries or from other sources, sufficient information properly to determine the claim. In the vast majority of cases, the required information is obtained without an interview. In those rare cases where an interview is deemed necessary it will be conducted only in the presence of an independent adult, and by an immigration officer who has received specialist training.

  Ms Drown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what procedures must be followed by an immigration officer when an unaccompanied child arrives at a port of entry seeking asylum. [39858]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  When an unaccompanied child arrives at the immigration control a brief interview is undertaken to establish age, the basis upon which entry is sought, and whether anyone has accompanied the child on the journey or is meeting him/her. If the child is an asylum seeker the Refugee Council's Panel of Advisers for Refugee Children is notified without delay, and the child is issued with a self-completion asylum questionnaire. Temporary admission is normally granted, and if the child has nobody to turn to in the United Kingdom, the social services are contacted. It is not the practice of the Immigration Service to detain a child for longer than absolutely necessary before passing the child to the responsible adult or social services.

  Homosexual Offences
  Ms Stuart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) prosecutions and (b) convictions there have been in each of the last three years of 16 to 18 year old men for offences involving consenting homosexual acts. [39987]

  Mr. Michael
  Information for 1994 to 1996 (latest available) is given in the table. It does not include offences such as male rape or indecent assault on a male. It should be noted that section 145 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (which came into force in November 1994) amended section 12 of the Sexual Offences Act 1967—by lowering from 21 to 18 the age at which men may lawfully perform consenting homosexual acts in private.

  Number of males cautioned, prosecuted and convicted1 for specific homosexual offences by age, 1994–1996

  England and Wales

  Year/offence

  Aged 16

  Aged 17

  Aged 18

  1994

  Buggery offences

  Cautioned

  5

  3

  1

  Prosecuted

  9

  13

  5

  Convicted

  4

  6

  5

  Indecency between males

  Cautioned

  3

  5

  3

  Prosecuted

  1

  3

  3

  Convicted

  1

  2

  3

  1995

  Buggery offences

  Cautioned

  1

  —

  —

  Prosecuted

  3

  3

  6

  Convicted

  —

  5

  3

  191

  Number of males cautioned, prosecuted and convicted1 for specific homosexual offences by age, 1994–1996

  England and Wales

  Year/offence

  Aged 16

  Aged 17

  Aged 18

  Indecency between males

  Cautioned

  1

  1

  2

  Prosecuted

  —

  4

  4

  Convicted

  —

  2

  1

  1996

  Buggery offences

  Cautioned

  3

  1

  —

  Prosecuted

  4

  —

  2

  Convicted

  1

  —

  1

  Indecency between males

  Cautioned

  2

  5

  1

  Prosecuted

  —

  —

  1

  Convicted

  —

  —

  1

  1Includes persons proceeded against in earlier years or for other offences.

  Racial Incidents
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to change the method of recording racial incidents in order to record more accurately(a) the nature of incident, (b) the local distribution and (c) the ethnic origin of the victim or the offender. [39958]

  Mr. Michael
  At present, individual forces submit their racial incidents figures to Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary at the end of each financial year on the basis of the Association of Chief Police Officers definition of a racial incident:"Any incident in which it appears to the reporting or investigating officer that the complaint involves an element of racial motivation, or any incident which includes an allegation of racial motivation made by any person".

  The figures are not broken down into the nature of the incidents, the local distribution or the ethnic origin of the victim or offender. However, some forces hold such information locally.

  The Association of Chief Police Officers have recently published a Good Practice Guide for the Police Response to Racial Incidents which advises police forces that it is essential to keep an accurate record of the number and types of racial incidents that are reported to ensure that management information is available to inform resource deployment and to monitor trends. It also advises that information should be shared with other local partnership agencies.

  The Home Office will, however, look at the way in which the racial incidents figures are submitted centrally and will consider ways for improving the recording of information in consultation with the police.

  Intrusive Surveillance
  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he plans to publish the revised Code of Practice on Intrusive Surveillance; and if he will make a statement. [40077]
  192
  Mr. Michael
  We intend to lay the draft code of practice on intrusive surveillance before Parliament during the Summer. Detailed work is continuing on a number of fronts in relation to Part III of the Police Act 1997 with a view to implementing the provisions as quickly as possible.

  Crime Statistics
  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of the(a) male and (b) female population (i) under 30 and (ii) over 30 years of age has committed at least one (1) minor criminal offence and (2) serious criminal offence. [40026]

  Mr. Michael
  The information that is available centrally on the prevalence of offending relates solely to convictions for standard list offences. These include all indictable offences and some of the more serious summary offences (a complete list can be found in Appendices 4 and 5 of Criminal Statistics England and Wales, 1996, Cm 3764). There is no standard definition for seriousness among these offences.

  Information on prevalence of offending is contained in "Criminal careers of those born between 1953 and 1973" (Home Office Statistical Bulletin 14/95). It is estimated that among males born in 1953, 31 per cent. had been convicted of a standard list offence by the age of 30, and 34 per cent. before the age of 40. Comparable figures for females were 7 per cent. and 8 per cent. No figures are available for age 40 and over.

  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convictions there were for(a) violent crime, (b) car crime, (c) serious crime and (d) in total, in each year since 1988 for which figures are available. [40021]

  Mr. Michael
  The information is given in the table.

  Number of offenders convicted, at all courts, for certain crimes 1988–1996

  England and Wales

  000s

  Offence description

  Year

  Violent crime1

  Car crime2

  Serious crime3

  Total crime4

  1988

  65.5

  32.7

  5396.7

  51,604.9

  1989

  70.9

  29.8

  5348.8

  51,583.5

  1990

  69.2

  30.3

  5352.1

  51,562.7

  1991

  63.6

  30.5

  5346.8

  51,519.9

  1992

  61.6

  24.9

  5330.1

  51,528.4

  1993

  57.3

  22.1

  307.6

  1,425.3

  1994

  58.4

  21.6

  314.1

  51,424.6

  1995

  57.5

  20.1

  302.2

  51,429.7

  1996

  59.7

  20.1

  300.6

  51,440.8

  1Includes the indictable offence groups of violence against the person, sexual offences and robbery and the summary offences of common assault.

  2Includes the indictable offences of theft from a vehicle, theft or unauthorised taking of a motor vehicle, aggravated vehicle taking and the summary offences of stealing and unauthorised taking of a conveyance and aggravated vehicle taking.

  3Taken as all indictable offences.

  4Taken as all indictable, summary non motoring and summary motoring offences.

  5Includes allowance for known shortfalls in the data. It is not possible to produce estimates for the more detailed offence categories.

  Victims of Crime
  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the percentage of young people who have been victims of crime; and if he will make a statement. [40023]

  Mr. Michael
  While it is difficult to make a dependable estimate of the overall percentage of young people who have been victims of crime, a good deal of information is available from the 1992 British Crime Survey (BCS), the 1993 Youth Lifestyle Survey (YLS), and from a special data collection exercise on violent crime recorded by the police.

  According to the 1992 BCS, 60 per cent. of 12 to 15 year olds had experienced a theft, non-family assault and/or harassment in the six to eight months prior to the survey. Most of these incidents were not judged to be crimes by the victim: 18 per cent. had experienced something they regarded as a crime. The full findings are

  Victimisation rates by offence, average 1990–94 Rates per 100,000 population2

  Violence against the person

  Indecent assault1

  Robbery and theft from the person

  Rape Male

  Female

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Age of victim

  0–9

  94

  62

  6

  25

  94

  8

  2

  10–15

  704

  373

  59

  66

  327

  331

  54

  16–24

  1,234

  704

  58

  11

  130

  305

  116

  25–39

  634

  463

  21

  3

  37

  168

  93

  40–59

  273

  153

  5

  1

  10

  109

  66

  60 and over

  64

  26

  1

  0

  2

  44

  81

  Total

  477

  271

  18

  7

  63

  144

  67

  Coverage of recorded offences

  (50%)

  (72%)

  (64%)

  (55%)

  1 Including buggery offences

  2 Represents the number of victimisations per 100,000 population in each respective age group

  Recidivism
  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what research his Department has conducted which compares re-offending rates following prison and following alternatives to prison; and if he will make a statement; [40078]

  (2) what were the re-conviction rates in the (a) one year and (b) two years following (i) release from custody and (ii) completion of community sentences in the most recent period for which figures are available; if he will indicate the methodology used; and if he will make a statement; [40028]

  (3) what were the re-offending rates for young people leaving custody in each of the last three years for which figures are available. [40085]

  Mr. Michael
  The most recent information available on the reconviction rates of those released from custody is based on a sample of sentenced prisoners discharged during the first quarter of 1995. The reconviction rate one year after release is 39 per cent., and after two years is 55 per cent.
  194
  published in Home Office Research Study 140 'Young people, victimisation and the police: British Crime Survey findings on experiences and attitudes of 12 to 15 year olds', available in the Library.

  The 1993 YLS found that 51 per cent. of young people aged 14 to 25 had experienced one incident or more of vandalism, theft, violence or threats in the 12 months preceding the survey. 29 per cent. had experienced theft, 23 per cent. vandalism, 17 per cent. violence and 13 per cent. threats. The YLS will be conducted again later this year, providing up to date findings on the victimisation of young people.

  Information on the age of victims of crimes recorded by the police is not collected routinely by the Home Office. However, an ad hoc survey on violent crime shows the rates of recorded offences per 100,000 population by age and sex of victims for each of the violent crime offence categories (see table below). This information is published in Home Office Statistical Findings 1/96 'Victims of Violent Crime Recorded by the Police 1990–94', available in the Library.

  These rates and others quoted in this reply relate to reconvictions for standard list offences. These include all indictable offences and some of the more serious summary offences (a complete list can be found in Appendices 4 and 5 of Criminal Statistics England and Wales, 1996, Cm 3764).

  Reconviction rates for community sentences are most commonly quoted in terms of a period following commencement of the order. The most recently available rates for a period following completion of a community sentence (probation or community service) relate to a sample of offenders whose orders commenced in 1987. Completion of an order does not imply completion without reoffending and a proportion of those completing orders will be reconvicted on or before the termination date. The overall reconviction rate within two years of completion for the sample was 50 per cent. (if reconvictions on the termination date are included) but falls to 45 per cent. if reconvictions on the termination date are excluded. The respective rates at one year after completion are 39 and 30 per cent.

  Figures in respect of reconviction within two years of commencing an order are more up to date. The most recent available information relates to a sample of

  195
  offenders who commenced probation, community service or combination orders during the first quarter of 1995, of which 42 per cent. had been reconvicted one year after commencement and 56 per cent. after two years.

  The methodology used to produce the rates for custody was published in 'Reconvictions of prisoners discharged from prison in 1993, England and Wales' (Home Office Statistical Bulletin 5/97) and for community sentences in 'Reconvictions of those commencing community penalties in 1993, England and Wales' (Home Office Statistical Bulletin 6/97). Copies are in the Library.

  The most recent information available on the reoffending of young offenders leaving custody relates to reconviction rates within two years of discharge from Prison Service Establishments:

  Reconviction rates for standard list offences, within two years of discharge, for young offenders discharged from Prison Service establishments in England and Wales

  Percentage

  Period of discharge

  Reconvicted

  1992

  71

  1993

  74

  1994

  75

  1st quarter of 19951

  75

  1The coverage of standard list offences increased in July 1995 and January 1996. These changes had the effect of increasing the reconviction rate for young offenders discharged in the first quarter of 1995 from 74 per cent. to 75 per cent. to 75 per cent.

  The most recent detailed analysis of reconviction results is contained in Home Office Research Study 136. This used a two year follow-up for reconviction rates and is based on samples of offenders released from prison or commencing orders in 1987. After taking account of the characteristics of offenders and pseudo-reconvictions the authors concluded:
  "The key finding of this study—in common with previous studies—is that there was little difference between actual and predicted reconviction rates, suggesting that sentence on its own did not have a major impact upon the likelihood of reconviction. We found no clear evidence to suggest that custody outperformed community penalties or vice versa in preventing reoffending".

  Their results are broadly in line with those obtained from more recent samples of offenders described above. Some limited comparisons of those fined or conditionally discharged in 1993 have been made with rates for other disposals. A summary of results was presented to the Home Affairs Committee Inquiry into alternatives to prison sentences.

  Research on the relationships between social factors and reconviction rates for those given community sentences is currently underway.

  Drug Treatment Orders
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his estimate of the number of drug treatment orders which will be made in the first full year of operation of the orders. [40139]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The purpose of piloting the drug treatment and testing order in three areas will be to evaluate its cost, effectiveness, and the demand for it from 196
  the courts. It is not possible at this stage to estimate with any accuracy how many orders will be made in the first full year of operation.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his estimate of the number of drug testing and treatment orders which will be made in each of the pilot areas under the Crime and Disorder Bill [Lords] in (a) 1998–99 and (b) 1999–2000. [40138]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Each of the areas will receive an equal share of the funding available for the pilot and should make approximately the same number of drug treatment and testing orders. We estimate that the funds available will purchase 150–250 drug treatment and testing orders per annum, depending on the type of treatment proposed in each case. It would seem reasonable to assume that approximately one-third of these would be made in 1998–99 and two-thirds in 1999–2000.

  Remand Custody
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans the Government have to implement section 9 of the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997. [40212]

  Mr. Michael
  The Government plan to implement section 9 of the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997 early next year, subject to the satisfactory completion of pilots currently in progress. Section 9 requires a court, on passing a sentence of imprisonment, to identify the number of days spent on remand in custody or police detention by the defendant that are to be credited against the sentence imposed. It is essential that the courts have confidence in the remand information when sentencing. Pilots have been running since January with the aim of establishing a reliable system for passing remand details to the court.

  The Crime and Disorder Bill currently before Parliament contains technical amendments to section 9 consequential on the Government's decisions to repeal certain measures in the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997. Rules, which are subject to the affirmative resolution procedure, are being drafted to govern the disallowing of remand time in cases where there are consecutive or wholly or partly concurrent sentences, and where some or all of a remand in custody is concurrent with a sentence of imprisonment.

  Embarkation Control
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the changed arrangements for embarkation control at United Kingdom ports and airports, with particular reference to(a) the manning of closed circuit television monitors, (b) the training of staff to monitor CCTV equipment, (c) which categories of immigration officers are being trained to monitor CCTV equipment, (d) how many immigration officers have been re-deployed as a result of the changes and (e) how many of these have been seasonal immigration officers. [40310]
  197
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Implementation of the new embarkation arrangements which I announced on 16 March commenced on 14 April. The transition is running smoothly. The answers to the hon Lady's specific questions are as follows:

  (a) the closed circuit television (CCTV) monitor will be staffed on the basis of operational need and intelligence received by the respective enforcement agencies;

  (b) basic instruction by an established company in this field has already been delivered and further training is being planned.

  (c) a number of relevant operational staff in the chief immigration officer, immigration officer and assistant immigration officer grades have received instruction in basic techniques of CCTV monitoring.

  (d) we estimate that it should be possible to re-deploy the equivalent of up to a maximum of 90 permanent posts in a full year once all the changes have been made; and

  (e) it is unlikely that in the long term any seasonal immigration officers will be re-deployed.

  Travellers
  Sir Michael Spicer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to give greater powers to the police to evict travellers who are occupying private land against the wishes of the owners of the land. [40165]

  Mr. Michael
  [holding answer 29 April 1998]We will consider any proposals for strengthening the law if this will have a practical effect in helping the police to be more effective. The police already have wide powers under sections 61 and 62 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 to remove trespassers and their vehicles where they have, for example, been abusive to the owner, a member of his family or his agent; or they have between them six or more vehicles. These powers complement the powers available to local authorities under sections 77 and 78 of the Act to direct unauthorised campers to leave land. Decisions about how to enforce the criminal law are an operational matter for chief police officers.

  Human Rights
  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason the United Kingdom has not ratified Protocol 7 of the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. [40369]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  There are a few provisions in our domestic law—for example, at common law a husband has a duty to maintain his wife, but not vice versa—which are not compatible with Protocol 7. We intend to legislate to remove these inconsistencies, when a suitable opportunity occurs, and then to sign and ratify the Protocol.

  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason the United Kingdom has not ratified Protocol 4 of the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms signed in September 1963. [40370]
  198
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Ratification of Protocol 4 will be possible only if potential conflicts with our domestic laws can be resolved. There is a particular concern in relation to Article 3(2) of the Protocol, which protects the right of nationals not to be excluded from their home state. This could be taken as conferring the right of abode in the United Kingdom on various categories of British nationals who do not have it.

  Fines
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the Government's policy towards income-related fines. [40218]

  Mr. Michael
  A scheme of unit fines was introduced by the previous administration in the Criminal Justice Act 1991, but the public did not have confidence in the system and it was abolished by the Criminal Justice Act 1993.

  When imposing a fine on an offender, the courts are required to take into account the circumstances of the offence and the offender. This includes the financial means of the offender, so far as it is known. This should ensure that the fine will be set at a level which is commensurate with the seriousness of the offence, but which the offender can afford to pay.

  Sporting Events (Policing)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the percentage of commercial sporting events for the policing of which police forces presently charge; and if he will make a statement. [40235]

  Mr. Michael
  There is no information held centrally on which to base such an estimate. It is for chief officers of police to decide when to charge for the policing of commercial sporting events.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Sportsmatch
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the total value of grants agreed by the Sportsmatch business sponsorship incentive scheme for sport has been since November 1992. [40169]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  Since its launch in November 1992, the Sportsmatch scheme has made 2,055 awards worth a total of £16,355,366.

  National Heritage Memorial Fund
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many applications to the National Heritage Memorial Fund have been(a) made and (b) approved from organisations in the Warrington, North constituency since the fund was set up. [40224]
  199
  Mr. Banks
  The National Heritage Memorial Fund encompasses two separate funds: the heritage memorial fund and the heritage lottery fund. The heritage memorial fund has since 1980 served as a fund of last resort for the support of heritage projects throughout the United Kingdom. Information concerning funding applications to and awards from the memorial fund is not readily available on a constituency basis. The heritage lottery fund constitutes the heritage tranche of proceeds from the National Lottery. It has so far received four applications for funding from organisations in the Warrington, North constituency, two of which were successful.

  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the total value of grants awarded from the National Heritage Memorial Fund for each constituency in England and Wales. [40225]

  Mr. Banks
  Such information is available only in respect of awards by the heritage lottery fund. I am placing in the Library of the House a copy of the list of awards for each constituency in the United Kingdom.

WALES

  Teachers (Early Retirement)
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many teachers in local education authority schools in Wales were given early retirement at the age of 55 years and over in each of the last five years. [39435]

  Mr. Hain
  The number of teachers in local education authority schools (that is, maintained nursery, primary, secondary and special schools) in Wales who were given early retirement at the age of 55 years and over in each of the last five years is as follows:

  Ill health

  Premature

  Total

  1992–93

  108

  271

  379

  1993–94

  125

  323

  448

  1994–95

  114

  311

  425

  1995–96

  92

  295

  387

  1996–971

  97

  267

  364

  1 1996–97 data are still provisional

  Source:

  Database of teacher records and Pensioner statistical system

  Beef and Lamb
  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he is taking to ensure the effective

  £000

  Year

  WDA

  DBRW

  WTB

  EC 5b grant

  Welsh Office Other/fees

  Other/fees

  Total

  1991–92

  48

  7.5

  17.5

  0

  0

  62

  135

  1992–93

  1,019.5

  100.0

  40.0

  0

  0

  0

  1,159.5

  1993–94

  1,372.0

  102.6

  45.0

  0

  0

  0

  1,519.6

  1994–95

  1,400.0

  100.9

  50.0

  0

  0

  0

  1,550.9

  1995–96

  1,350.0

  105.0

  55.0

  0

  0

  0

  1,510.0

  1996–97

  500.0

  108.0

  55.0

  9

  550.0

  279

  1,451.0

  1997–98

  0

  110.0

  55.0

  378

  700.0

  185

  1,428.0

  200
  promotion of Welsh beef and lamb, with particular reference to the production methods of Welsh food producers. [39502]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The Welsh Office provides support to Welsh Food Promotions Limited which through the marketing and promotional activities of its sister company, Welsh Lamb and Beef Promotions, is responsible for stimulating demand for Welsh lamb and beef. A key element of this is the Farm Assured Welsh Livestock scheme.

  The scheme is aimed at livestock producers and encourages the highest standards of animal husbandry and provides consumers with assurances on quality, traceability and animal welfare. Through direct Welsh Office support for a recruitment campaign, membership of the scheme has increased four fold to 3,500 in recent years.

  In addition, we are providing grant aid totalling over £2 million to two major projects aimed at improving breeding and production systems for Welsh lamb and beef. These projects, which are assisted under the Objective 5B scheme, are the Beef Development Project sponsored by ADAS and the Welsh Sheep Strategy.

  Finally, the Welsh Office will be seeking to develop organic and conservation grade farming as part of our plans to develop a long-term food strategy for Wales.

  Environmental Task Force
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 20 April 1998,Official Report, column 444, how the aims and operation of the Environmental Task Force in Wales differ from those in (a) England and (b) Scotland. [39696]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The aims and operation of the New Deal Environment Task Force option in Wales are not significantly different from those in England or Scotland. However minor variations have been made to reflect the needs of each home country.

  Welsh Food Promotions Ltd.
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much public funding has been given to Welsh Food Promotions Ltd in each financial year since it was formed; and how much the Welsh Office has committed to it for the current financial year. [39644]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  Welsh Food Promotions was established in 1991 and the public funds it has received since then is shown in the table.
  201
  Funding for the current financial year has not yet been announced as discussions on Welsh Food Promotions' 1998–99 business plan are continuing.

  Agricultural Finance
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what assessment he has made of the effect of centralising the payment of agricultural grants on the economies of those areas in which regional offices are currently based; [39743]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the impact of the centralisation of the farmers' grants payment system on the length of time taken to issue payments to farmers. [39733]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  On 16 March I announced plans to commission a study from consultants to assess the options for securing improved administration of Common Agricultural Policy payments in Wales.

  Work on the study has just begun and at this early stage the consultants have been asked to collect information from staff on all feasible options for developing the service. These could include options for centralising the service, for transferring responsibility for administering payments to MAFF or the Intervention Board, or for developing the service using the existing office structure.

  In line with the terms of reference for the study each option identified will be assessed in terms of the costs, benefits and risks it represents for the Welsh Office. All feasible options will be expected to deliver a bilingual service to farmers that meets the Welsh Office's objectives and the standards set out in the Charter Standard for Farmers in Wales, and complies with the requirements of EC regulations. All options will be assessed in terms of their impact on the number and distribution of employment opportunities within Wales.

  All these factors will be taken in to account in the study's final report which will inform my decision on the best way forward.

  Local Government Elections
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the benefits of introducing a system of proportional representation for local government elections in Wales. [39737]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The emphasis so far has been on developing proposals for increasing the frequency of local elections. Little work has been done on the merits of alternative electoral systems for local government. Decisions on the way ahead in Wales will be informed by the response to the consultation document, "Local democracy and community leadership", published by my Department on 19 March.

  Milk Industry
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent steps he has taken to support the Welsh milk industry. [39738]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  On 16 December 1997 officials from the Welsh Office attended the Mergers Panel meeting investigating the acquisition by Milk Marque of the Felinfach based Aeron Valley Cheese Company to underline the importance of this investment for the West 202
  Wales economy and dairy industry in particular. More recently, we have given written evidence to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission inquiry into the selling of raw milk reinforcing these points and more generally the important contribution that the dairy sector makes to agriculture in Wales.

  The Welsh Office is currently considering an application for grant aid from Aeron Valley Cheese concerning their expansion plans.

  I have also, in recent months, discussed with colleagues the Milk Development Council's campaign to be allowed to retain its exemption from Corporation Tax.

  The EC's proposals for reform of the dairy sector as part of the Agenda 2000 are part of the on-going dialogue that I and my officials are having with the farming unions in Wales.

  Dyfed Powys Health Authority
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he intends to advertise publicly to fill the post of Chairman of the Dyfed Powys Health Authority when the present incumbent's term ends. [39949]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The post was advertised in October 1997 and an announcement will be made before the period of appointment of the present incumbent ends on 30 June 1998.

  Training
  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many training providers are currently on the promotional file of Business Connect; [40108]

  (2) how many training providers have received contracts from each TEC in Wales for the year 1998–99. [40111]

  Mr. Hain
  This information is not held centrally. However the Department will be compiling a training database with the assistance of TECs in Wales for 1998–99 in preparation for the planned start of inspection of vocational training by OHMCI from 1 April 1999. This is subject to the passage of the necessary enabling vires for OHMCI in the Teacher and Higher Education Bill which is currently before the House.

  Assisted Places
  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what factors underlie the differences in the administration arrangements of the assisted places scheme in Wales. [40107]

  Mr. Hain
  Under the Education (Schools) Act 1997 and associated Regulations, the Secretary of State for Wales is responsible for the operation of the Assisted Places Scheme (APS) at participating independent schools in Wales.

  The Secretary of State has powers to vary, subject to consultation and Parliamentary approval of revised Regulations, certain administrative and financial elements of the Scheme. These include the determination, usually annually, of the relevant income levels in the Parental Contribution Tables and the maximum level of fees and other incidental expenses that may be remitted in relation

  203
  to APS pupils at participating schools. In practice, any changes in these elements have been consistent across England and Wales in percentage terms.

  There are some differences in the coverage of the APS in Wales compared with England. In Wales, the Scheme does not include places for pupils below age 7 nor places at preparatory schools that are not an integral part of a school with secondary provision.

  Local Government
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he will publish his proposals for a new ethical framework for local government in Wales. [40787]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  I have today placed in the Library of the House copies of the seventh and final consultation paper in the series inviting views on the options for modernising local government in Wales.

  The paper sets out the Government's proposals for a new ethical framework for Welsh local government. It will underpin the modernising process by ensuring that councillors and council employees are aware of the conduct expected of them and that all allegations will be investigated and appropriate action taken if they are upheld. These changes will ensure that the public retains confidence in Welsh local government.

  Social Exclusion
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to tackle social exclusion in Wales. [40788]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  I will announce tomorrow that funding of £750,000 will be made available for the initial, development phase of a new Social Exclusion Programme for Wales. The focus of the Programme will be on tackling social exclusion in a co-ordinated way, through community development and with an emphasis on action research.

  Cadw
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what targets he has set for Cadw: Welsh Historic Monuments Executive Agency. [40789]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  Cadw has been set the following key targets for 1998–99:

  1. To complete 90 per cent. of the approved conservation maintenance programme.

  2. To complete 80 listing resurveys.

  3. To resolve 75 per cent. of ad hoc listing cases within 17 weeks.

  4. To complete 120 scheduling actions, of which at least 70 per cent. involve additional protection.

  5. To resolve 80 per cent. of listed building consent cases within 4 weeks and 90 per cent. of cases in 7 weeks.

  6. To resolve 75 per cent. of scheduled monument consent cases within 13 weeks and 90 per cent. of cases within 17 weeks.

  7. To resolve 80 per cent. of historic buildings grant applications in 18 weeks.

  8. To resolve 80 per cent. of ancient monument grant applications within 6 weeks.

  9. To pay 90 per cent. of properly presented claims for historic buildings and ancient monuments grants within 5 weeks of receipt.

  204

  10. To achieve a market share of 63 per cent. of the number of visitors to the top twenty heritage sites in Wales.

  11. To reduce the direct net cost per visitor at Cadw's sites to an average of 30p.

  12. To operate within allocated programme and running cost budgets.

  13. To achieve efficiency gains of at least 2 per cent.

  Full details of Cadw's performance against targets for 1998–99 will be published in the Agency's Annual Report.

  Education
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list those grants and bursaries to educational establishments which have been in existence for three years or more which it is his policy to withdraw. [40374]

  Mr. Hain
  The following are to be withdrawn:

  Grants to grant maintained schools under sections 250–252 of the Education Act 1996. Such schools will come within the local authority funding arrangements from 1 April 1999 under the provisions of the School Standards and Framework Bill.

  Funding for assisted places under the Education (Schools) Act 1997, which is being phased out over a period of 7 years from September 1998.

  Training Grants
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list those grants and bursaries for training which have been in existence for three years or more which it is his policy to withdraw. [40375]

  Mr. Hain
  I have no plans to withdraw any training schemes which are currently open to new applicants, although, as with all such programmes, they are reviewed regularly.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what proportion of public appointees appointed since 1 May 1997 have been selected from outside the central list of nominees. [39690]

  Dr. David Clark
  The Government are committed to obtaining a wide field of candidates for public appointments. Sources of candidates can include advertising, executive search, consultation with interested bodies, and searches of central and departmental lists.

  Since May, the Public Appointments Unit has made nominations for around 700 appointments. Over the same period, it has learnt of 82 appointments which have been made following nomination by the Unit. A number of recent appointments will still be under consideration.

  Figures on the total number of new appointments made to executive non-departmental public bodies and health bodies within his remit since April 97 will be published in the Annual Report of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.
  205
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on his responsibilities relating to senior and public appointments; and what policy initiatives he has taken in this area. [39686]

  Dr. David Clark
  My responsibility for public appointments includes setting the policy framework in which public appointments are made; liaising with the independent Commissioner for Public Appointments who sets standards for the process of making appointments within his remit; and responsibility for the Public Appointments Unit in OPS which works with departmental appointments units in disseminating best practice, and maintains a central list of potential candidates for public appointments. Recent initiatives in this area have included the publication of the green paper on Opening up Quangos which set out proposals on extending the Commissioner's remit and attracting a wider range of candidates to public appointments; and the development of a public appointments register on the internet. In addition, I have responsibility for a number of appointments to Cabinet Office non-departmental public bodies.

  My responsibility for the senior civil service extends to policy oversight for their pay and personnel management framework, including general appointment procedures. Responsibility for appointments to the most senior civil service posts resides with the Prime Minister and the Head of the Home Civil Service. An important recent initiative in this field was the creation of an inter-departmental Working Group on Equal Opportunities in the Senior Civil Service.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the use of information technology in the selection of candidates for public appointment. [39689]

  Dr. David Clark
  The Government are committed to effective and efficient use of modern technology in carrying out their function. Information technology is used in public appointments in a variety of ways, including maintaining databases of potential candidates. In addition, information technology is used to provide information about public appointments, for example via the public appointments website (Public Appointments Unit @ Cabinet-Office.gov.uk).

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the role of headhunting bodies in the selection of public appointees;

  Disabled staff as a percentage of all staff at 1 April 1997 by Department and responsibility level

  %

  Departments

  SCS

  Grade 6

  Grade 7

  SEO

  HEO

  EO

  AO

  AA

  Disabled

  Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service

  20.0

  0.0

  0.0

  3.5

  4.2

  1.7

  5.3

  12.9

  4.5

  Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  0.9

  2.9

  5.3

  2.1

  2.6

  2.4

  4.4

  3.7

  3.5

  Cabinet Office (incl. OPS)

  0.0

  0.0

  0.4

  2.2

  0.8

  1.7

  1.6

  2.4

  1.4

  Charity Commission

  0.0

  1—

  6.5

  2.9

  4.7

  6.3

  2.3

  2.5

  3.8

  Crown Prosecution Service

  0.0

  1.9

  6.7

  0.0

  2.2

  1.8

  2.2

  3.6

  2.2

  Culture, Media and Sport, Department

  9.1

  0.0

  1.5

  2.7

  0.0

  0.0

  1.0

  0.8

  1.1

  Customs and Excise

  0.0

  1.2

  0.6

  0.9

  1.2

  1.4

  3.0

  4.8

  2.2

  Defence

  1.3

  1.6

  2.0

  2.6

  4.7

  4.6

  3.6

  4.1

  3.9

  206
  and what assessment he has made of the extent to which those from ethnic minority backgrounds are represented on such headhunting bodies. [39691]

  Dr. David Clark
  The Government are committed to obtaining a wide field of candidates for public appointments. The guidance of the Commissioner for Public Appointments makes clear that sources of candidates can include advertising, consultation with interested bodies, search of central and departmental lists and the use of executive search can be particularly helpful in seeking to attract people who are not currently looking for a job, or who would not normally think of putting themselves forward for public appointment.

  The employment of members of the ethnic minorities is a matter for the executive search companies themselves. Departments will engage such companies in line with normal Government rules on tendering. All government contracts have provision against unlawful discrimination; and oblige the contractor to take all reasonable steps to ensure that their employees or agents do not discriminate.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the average interval between the nomination of candidates for appointment to a public body, and the taking up of the appointment. [39688]

  Dr. David Clark
  Information on the time between nomination and any appointment is not held centrally. The time is likely to differ substantially, depending on the circumstances.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what assessment he has made of the accountability of public appointments bodies to ministers. [39687]

  Dr. David Clark
  Ministers are directly responsible for around 30,000 public appointments. The Commissioner for Public Appointments, appointed under the Public Appointments Commissioner Order in Council 1995, produces guidance on the public appointments process, which sets out the role of Ministers, the alternative sources of candidates and the Commissioner's own responsibility to monitor and report on public appointments within his remit.

  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list by grade and by Government department the percentage of employees in the Civil Service who are disabled. [39913]

  Dr. David Clark
  [holding answer 27 April 1998]The proportions of non-industrial civil servants by grade and by Government department who are disabled as at 1 April 1997 are set out in the table.
  207

  Disabled staff as a percentage of all staff at 1 April 1997 by Department and responsibility level

  %

  Departments

  SCS

  Grade 6

  Grade 7

  SEO

  HEO

  EO

  AO

  AA

  Disabled

  Education and Employment, Department for

  1.4

  2.8

  3.7

  4.2

  3.7

  4.6

  6.1

  10.8

  5.6

  Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED)

  11.1

  2.6

  0.0

  9.1

  4.2

  1.6

  2.1

  5.2

  3.2

  Environment (including Property Holdings)

  0.0

  0.0

  1.0

  1.1

  1.2

  1.7

  1.4

  3.6

  1.4

  Health and Safety Commission/Executive

  1.2

  0.8

  1.7

  1.0

  2.7

  3.1

  4.3

  6.9

  2.9

  Export Credits Guarantee Department

  0.0

  50.0

  27.9

  8.8

  10.5

  7.4

  4.0

  14.0

  9.7

  FCO: Diplomatic Service

  0.9

  1.2

  2.6

  2.2

  2.1

  1.2

  2.9

  3.4

  2.0

  Friendly Societies, Registry of

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  4.5

  0.0

  2.5

  14.3

  2.9

  Government Actuary

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  16.7

  20.0

  0.0

  3.8

  Health

  1.8

  0.0

  3.6

  3.3

  3.1

  4.3

  2.8

  2.7

  3.1

  HM Prison Service

  0.0

  0.6

  1.0

  0.9

  1.0

  0.6

  0.2

  0.7

  0.3

  Home Office

  0.0

  0.0

  0.4

  0.7

  1.4

  1.8

  3.1

  2.8

  2.0

  Information, Central Office of

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  1.9

  3.7

  0.5

  Inland Revenue

  2.5

  2.8

  2.7

  3.2

  3.6

  3.6

  3.2

  5.5

  3.9

  International Development, Department for

  0.0

  0.0

  1.1

  0.0

  2.0

  1.7

  2.4

  9.4

  2.6

  Intervention Board

  0.0

  0.0

  4.0

  12.8

  6.1

  6.2

  9.1

  10.2

  8.2

  Land Registry

  0.0

  0.0

  22.0

  2.3

  1.7

  2.6

  4.0

  8.6

  4.2

  Legal Secretariat

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  1—

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Lord Chancellor's Department

  0.0

  1.7

  1.4

  2.0

  1.2

  2.2

  2.6

  4.1

  2.6

  National Investment and Loans Office

  0.0

  1—

  0.0

  0.0

  1—

  8.3

  0.0

  1—

  2.7

  National Savings, Department for

  0.0

  10.0

  2.6

  2.0

  2.0

  1.8

  1.9

  5.1

  2.8

  National Statistics, Office for

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.6

  0.6

  1.6

  1.1

  4.0

  1.5

  Northern Ireland Office

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  3.7

  0.9

  Office of Electricity Regulation

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Office of Fair Trading

  9.1

  0.0

  2.1

  0.0

  4.3

  2.9

  4.3

  0.0

  3.0

  Office of Gas Supply

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  3.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.9

  Office of Passenger Rail Franchising

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  8.3

  0.0

  5.6

  16.7

  0.0

  2.9

  Office of Telecommunications

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Office of the National Lottery

  0.0

  1—

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Office of the Rail Regulator

  12.5

  0.0

  0.0

  1—

  0.0

  5.6

  0.0

  0.0

  1.7

  Office of Water Services

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  6.7

  0.6

  Ordnance Survey

  0.0

  0.0

  2.6

  2.8

  2.0

  2.4

  3.2

  14.3

  2.6

  Privy Council Office

  0.0

  1—

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Public Record Office

  0.0

  0.0

  11.8

  8.3

  4.2

  3.6

  4.0

  14.2

  7.2

  Royal Mint

  0.0

  0.0

  14.3

  0.0

  4.6

  1.1

  1.0

  3.3

  2.5

  Scottish Office

  0.0

  1.2

  0.0

  0.3

  0.5

  0.8

  1.5

  4.2

  1.5

  Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  2.0

  0.0

  0.8

  0.5

  General Register Office—Scotland

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  1.3

  2.1

  0.9

  Lord Advocates Department

  0.0

  0.0

  1—

  1—

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Registers of Scotland

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.5

  2.3

  4.4

  5.3

  2.9

  Scottish Courts Administration

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Scottish Courts Service

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  1.3

  1.0

  1.0

  1.3

  1.0

  Scottish Prison Service

  2.4

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.1

  0.0

  0.2

  0.0

  0.1

  Scottish Record Office

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  7.7

  6.3

  0.0

  2.4

  Security and Intelligence Services

  0.0

  0.0

  1.3

  1.5

  0.5

  1.0

  1.7

  1.0

  1.1

  Serious Fraud Office

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  6.3

  0.0

  0.0

  7.1

  0.0

  1.8

  Social Security

  4.3

  1.3

  1.2

  2.8

  5.0

  6.4

  6.3

  8.7

  6.6

  Trade and Industry

  2.1

  3.0

  3.0

  3.4

  2.6

  3.2

  4.5

  6.1

  3.8

  Transport

  0.0

  1.2

  0.2

  0.8

  0.7

  0.5

  1.2

  2.6

  1.1

  Treasury

  3.9

  0.0

  0.0

  0.4

  1—

  0.0

  0.9

  4.8

  1.0

  Treasury Solicitor

  2.1

  6.1

  2.2

  4.0

  5.7

  8.6

  13.2

  11.4

  6.9

  Welsh Office (including OHMCIS)

  1.4

  1.9

  4.5

  5.0

  6.2

  4.2

  2.9

  4.4

  3.9

  Total

  1.3

  1.6

  2.3

  2.1

  3.1

  3.7

  3.9

  5.4

  3.8

  1No staff at this responsibility level.

  Note:

  1. Figures are for non industrial staff and are calculated on a head count basis.

  2. Since April 1996, service-wide grades no longer exists. The "responsibility levels" shown in this table assign staff to eight levels of responsibility broadly equivalent to the previous grades.

  Source:

  Mandate and Departmental Returns.

DEFENCE

  NATO Enlargement
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he intends to hold a public debate on NATO enlargement prior to ratification. [40391]

  Mr. George Robertson
  We have undertaken to provide time for debates in both Houses before Her Majesty's Government accept the Protocols of Accession 208
  enabling the accession to NATO of the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland. The Protocols were tabled with explanatory memoranda by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, on 8 April 1998. We will respond in the normal way to the recent report by the Defence Select Committee. We have also taken steps to increase the amount of information available about NATO and NATO enlargement by establishing web pages on the Ministry of Defence's World Wide Web site at http://www.mod.uk.

EDUCASTION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Undergraduate Students
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the numbers of(a) full-time and (b) sandwich undergraduates broken down by socio-economic categories A to E attending former polytechnics and colleges in 1995. [39423]

  Dr. Howells
  The available data held centrally on full-time and sandwich undergraduate students by social classes A to E are provided in the table. Figures for full-time and sandwich students separately are not available. The table shows the numbers of accepted applicants to full-time and sandwich courses in former polytechnics and colleges who apply through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS); however not all full-time and sandwich undergraduate students in these institutions enter through UCAS.

  Accepted applicants through UCAS to full-time and sandwich undergraduate courses in the former Polytechnics and Colleges1 in the UK, by Social Class: Autumn 1995 entry

  Home domiciled, all ages

  Social class

  Numbers

  A. Professional

  15,735

  B. Intermediate

  54,561

  Cl. Skilled non-manual

  17,860

  C2. Skilled manual

  27,838

  D. Partly skilled

  13,174

  E. Unskilled

  3,578

  18,720

  Not Known Total

  151,466

  1All institutions other than the former UFC funded institutions.

  Higher Education Qualifications
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the proportion of people with higher education qualifications by parliamentary constituency in(a) 1981 and (b) 1991. [39424]

  Dr. Howells
  Data from the 1991 Census showing the proportion of people with higher education qualifications in each constituency are published by the Office for National Statistics in the "New Parliamentary Constituency Monitor" series. Copies of these, and the equivalent publications covering the 1981 Census, are available in the Library. These figures are not reproduced here because of the volume of data involved.

  Special Educational Needs
  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the spending by local education authorities in England was on special educational needs for the years(a) 1994–95, (b) 1995–96, (c) 1996–97 and (d) 1997–98. [39616]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  It is not possible to disaggregate expenditure on all pupils and students with special needs. The table shows expenditure by local education 210
  authorities on pupils and students with statements of special educational needs for 1994–95 to 1996–97, the latest year for which figures are available.

  1994–95: £1.82 billion

  1995–96: £1.63 billion

  1996–97: £1.69 billion

  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the spending by local education authorities in England was on teacher training and development for special educational needs in(a) 1994–95, (b) 1995–96, (c) 1996–97 and (d) 1997–98. [39617]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Details of total LEA expenditure on teacher training and development are not held centrally. The Government do provide support to local education authorities for teacher training and development for special educational needs through the Standards Fund, known as the Grants for Education Support and Training (GEST) programme up to 1997–98. This provides specific resources for teacher training in special educational needs, but allows local education authorities to determine spending, in accordance with local needs. LEAs may use other funds for teacher training and development in addition to that supported through the Standards Fund.

  GEST programme—elements of the grant for teacher training and development for special educational needs

  Year

  £million

  1994–95

  15.2

  1995–96

  20.6

  1996–97

  20.1

  1997–98

  16.9

  Note:

  In 1994–95, 1995–96 and 1996–97 there were two separate grants, one to support training for SEN and one to support implementation of the SEN Code of Practice. These have been combined to provide an overall figure for training and development for special educational needs. In 1997–98 there was only one combined grant.

  Arts Subjects
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the provision in the National Curriculum for the promotion and classroom study of areas of artistic specialisation and subjects other than those concerned with literacy and numeracy. [39850]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Music and art remain National Curriculum foundation subjects and continue to be taught in all schools. In addition, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment has asked the National Advisory Committee on Creative and Cultural Education to make recommendations on how we might identify, encourage and nurture creativity in young people. The Committee will be taking a close look at the arts in schools as part of its work.

  Hansard (CD-Roms)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make available free of charge CD-ROMS of Parliamentary Debates to public libraries and secondary schools. [39909]
  211
  Dr. Howells
  Hansard is available on the Internet website of the Stationery Office. Most secondary schools and many public libraries have access to the Internet and it is the Government's intention that all will have access by 2002. Hansard is also available in CD-ROM format to schools and at special rates to public libraries and it is open to schools and library authorities to consider its purchase.

  School Toilets
  Mr. Truswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will extend the scope of funding for the replacement of outside toilets to include those schools which will continue to depend substantially on such facilities. [40168]

  Mr. Byers
  There is no need to extend the scope of the funding. Our guidance to local education authorities (LEAs) states that:
  "grant will be available for projects which will ensure that a school's principal toilet accommodation will be accessed from indoors either by remodelling, the building of an extension, or the construction of enclosed links between the main buildings and current externally accessed toilet blocks".
  LEAs will be able to apply for funding for all schools which have outside toilets which fall within this definition. We would not normally, however, consider support for the replacement of toilets in temporary teaching accommodation which the LEA or governors expect to be taken out of use or replaced by permanent accommodation within a reasonable period.

  International Labour Organisation
  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment for what reason the United Kingdom has not ratified Convention 138, on the minimum age of child labour, of the Core Conventions of the International Labour Organisation. [40372]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The Government fully support the principles embodied in the Convention and are currently reviewing the United Kingdom position with regard to ratification.

  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment for what reasons the United Kingdom has not ratified Convention 111, on discrimination on grounds of race, sex, religion, social origin and political opinion, of the Core Conventions of the International Labour Organisation. [40373]

  Mr. Andrew Smith:
  Although the Government have not yet ratified this Convention we are strongly committed to the principles contained in it. Therefore we are currently reviewing the position towards ratification.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Gender Issues
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement on her Department's policy towards COM (98) 82 on gender issues. [37000]
  212
  Ms Ruddock
  It is a priority of this Government to ensure that women's needs and interests are at the heart of Government in all policy development, across all departments.

  The Ministers for Women have issued new guidance for policy makers to achieve this objective (often referred to as "mainstreaming"). The guidance will be launched on 18 May at a major conference for senior civil servants and representatives of women's organisations. The guidance is backed up by a new civil service training initiative, and a programme to monitor progress, with regular reports from all departments.

  The Regulation on Integrating Gender Issues in Development Cooperation is currently under discussion in the European Community. It will ensure that resources are directly targeted at the pursuit of gender equality in the European Community's development programme. The Government welcome this initiative.

  During the UK Presidency of the EU, Department for International Development has made it a priority to improve the effectiveness of the Community's development programmes. As part of this, the UK launched an initiative to review the implementation of the 1995 Gender Resolution to consider what more needs to be done to improve performance and impact in this key area. We expect conclusions on this to be adopted at the May Development Council.

  Benefits Agency
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what estimate she has made of the value of debts outstanding to the Benefits Agency, what resources are being devoted by the Agency to their recovery; and what is the average age of such debts; [39221]

  (2) how many and what percentage of outstanding debts were recovered by the Benefits Agency over the most recent period for which figures are available; what methods were employed; and in what percentage of cases litigation was pursued; [39223]

  (3) what estimate she has made of the expenditure incurred by the Benefits Agency in the recovery of debts for the most recent period for which figures are available; and what was the total amount recovered as a result. [39224]

  Mr. Denham
  We are transforming the Social Security system into an Active Modern Service that commands the support and confidence of those who fund it, those who use it, and those who administer it, and provides a better, simpler, more efficient service to clients. As part of this, we are introducing a new overpayment recovery strategy for the Benefits Agency which will ensure that:
  causes of overpayments are identified and dealt with;failures in recovery of overpayment are minimised; and overpayments are identified, calculated and recovery is effected as quickly as possible
  The administration of debt recovery action is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
  213
  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Archy Kirkwood, dated 27 April 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions concerning the recovery of outstanding debts.
  Debt owning to the Benefits Agency (BA) falls into two main categories, recoverable overpayments of benefit and loans made through the Social Fund (SF). The estimated total debt currently outstanding is £691m, in benefit overpayments and £400m in SF loans.
  Resources available for recovery work for 1998/99 are estimated at £24.9m for overpayments of benefit and £1 Om for the SF. As far as overpayments of benefits are concerned, information relating to the age of debts is not available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. Information on the current age of debts owning to the SF is not available. However, the following information is held for the year ending in March 1997.

  Age

  Percentage of total

  Less than 1 year

  64.95

  1-2

  19.25

  2-3

  7.18

  3-4

  3.61

  4-5

  2.09

  Over 5

  2.82

  The total volume of overpayments of benefit cleared for the fiscal year 1996/97, the most recent period for which figures are available, was 224.771, representing 22% of the total stock of overpayments. A total of 1,298,778 SF loans were recovered in 1996/97, representing 65% of the outstanding debt.
  As far as overpayments of benefit are concerned, the method of recovery depends on whether the debtor remains in receipt of benefit. If this is the case and the debtor is unable to repay immediately, recovery is made by deduction from ongoing benefit entitlement. The amount deducted can vary depending on the debtors circumstances and whether other deductions are being made from benefit, for example to clear arrears of housing or fuel costs.
  The maximum that can be deducted from Income Support and income based Job Seekers Allowance under current regulations is currently £7.65 per week, rising to £10.00 per week in cases of proven fraud. For other benefits, the rate is set at a maximum of one third of the personal allowance for that benefit.
  For those people no longer in receipt of benefit, voluntary arrangements for repayment are sought. Where these are not forthcoming, recovery is pursued through the civil courts if appropriate.
  The vast bulk of SF loans are recovered by deductions from benefit.
  When recovering both overpayments of benefit and SF loans, civil action is not taken against those still in receipt of benefit. For those not in receipt of benefit, litigation is pursued as a last resort. It was taken in approximately 7% of overpayment of benefit cases and approximately 14% of SF cases in 1996/97.
  The expenditure incurred by the Benefits Agency in the recovery of debts in 1996/97, the most recent period for which figures are available, was:
  £15.6m for overpayments of benefit.
  £22.1m for SF.
  The total amounts recovered for this period were:
  £102.6m for overpayments of benefit.
  £299m for SF.
  I hope that this is helpful.

  Benefit Integrity Project
  Ms Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has for reforming the Benefit 214
  Integrity Project; and if she will make a statement on the review of the gateways into disability living allowance and attendance allowance. [38949]

  Mr. Denham
  The Benefit Integrity Project aims to help ensure the correctness of awards of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) which evidence has shown to be vulnerable to change over time. Up-to-date information is being gathered from beneficiaries about their care and mobility needs, so that we can check that they are receiving the correct amount of DLA.

  Since taking office last year, we have made a number of improvements to the way in which the Project operates. On 9 February, we introduced an extra safeguard, to help ensure that we get decisions right and restore confidence.

  Following consultation between my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State and my noble Friend, the Baroness Hollis and the disability organisations, we took the decision that people aged 65 or over would not be contacted as part of the Project. We will work with the disability organisations to look at ways of improving Project literature and staff training, at speeding up reviews and appeals and at extending the categories of people who need not be contacted directly as part of the Project.

  This demonstrates our determination to be fair and to keep under review the way in which the Project operates. We are setting up a forum with organisations of and for disabled people to discuss how the gateways to DLA and Attendance Allowance (AA) can be improved. We are committed to the principle of providing special allowances to help with the extra costs of disability and we intend to maintain DLA and AA as universal, national benefits for those who meet the entitlement conditions.

  Lone Parents
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to her answer of 31 March 1998,Official Report, columns 485–86, on lone parents, if he will list the common characteristics of the lone parents who will be worse off overall. [40256]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  Less than 5 per cent. of lone parents will be worse off as a result of these changes, those who will be fall into three groups:

  (a) Those who will not be entitled to the lone parent rate of Child Benefit and make a new claim for Income Support, assessed Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit, and who do not have a child under 11;

  (b) Those who will not be entitled to the lone parent rate of Child Benefit and remain on maximum Family Credit/Working Families Tax Credit after all of the benefit changes;

  (c) Those who will not be entitled to the lone parent rate of Child Benefit or any income related benefits.

  Disability Living Allowance Advisory Board
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many Disability Living Allowance Advisory Board Small Board sessions(a) were held between 1 August 1997 and 31 March 1998 and (b) have been held since 1 April 1998. [39884]

  Mr. Denham
  The Disability Living Allowance Advisory Board held 62 small boards sessions between 1 August 1997 and 31 March 1998. One has been held since 1 April 1998.

  Pensions Review
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to consult with(a) pensioners' organisations and (b) other interested groups and charities in advance of the publication of the Government's Pensions Review. [40392]

  Mr. Denham
  The first stage of the Pensions Review has involved an extensive public consultation exercise with pensioners' organisations, employers, employees, consumer groups, charities, the pensions industry and others. We have met representatives of many of these organisations since the review was launched last July and we are meeting the National Pensioners' Convention on a regular basis reflecting their central and specific role to ensure that the views of today's pensioners are at the heart of the review process.

  We received over 2,000 responses to the first part of the review and over 200 responses to our proposals on stakeholder pensions. As set out in the Green Paper, "New Ambitions for our Country: A New Contract for Welfare" (Cm 3805), we will publish a Green Paper on pensions later this year. There will then be a period of further consultation before final proposals are developed.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  European Union Council
  Mr. Quinn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the forthcoming business in the Council of the European Union for May and the major European Union events for the next six months. [40785]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  This calendar is primarily concerned with European Union matters, but certain other relevant events are also included. Events and dates quoted are based on the information available on the date of issue.

  European calendar: May-October 1998

  Date

  Venue

  Council

  May 1998

  1–3

  Brussels

  Ecofin and Special EMU Council

  5

  Brussels

  Political Committee (t.b.c.)

  5–6

  Belfast

  EU Ministers Women's Forum (Informal)

  7

  Brussels

  Industry Council

  7–8

  Barbados

  ACP-EC Council

  8

  London

  EU/Japan Troika Ministerial (t.b.c.)

  8–9

  London

  G8 Foreign and Finance Ministerial

  10–12

  Newcastle

  Meeting of Agriculture Ministers

  11

  Brussels

  Energy Council (t.b.c.)

  11

  Brussels

  Euro-Med Energy Ministerial

  11–15

  Strasbourg

  European Parliament Plenary

  12

  Brussels

  Political Committee

  14

  London

  EU/Canada Summit

  14–15

  London

  Innovative Partnerships for Competitiveness Conference

  14–16

  London

  Conference on Culture and Employment

  15–17

  Birmingham

  G8 Summit

  18

  London

  EU/US Summit

  18

  Brussels

  Development Council

  18

  Brussels

  Internal Market Council

  18–20

  Northern Ireland

  Regional Affairs Committee

  19

  London

  Conference on Developing EU Public Health Policy

  216

  European calendar: May-October 1998

  Date

  Venue

  Council

  19

  Brussels

  Telecommunications Council

  19

  Brussels

  Ecofin Council

  20

  London

  EU Public Administration Ministers Meeting

  25–26

  Brussels

  General Affairs Council

  25–26

  Brussels

  Agriculture Council

  27–28

  Brussels

  European Parliament Plenary

  28

  Brussels

  Culture and Audiovisual Council

  28–29

  Brussels

  Justice and Home Affairs Council

  June 1998

  2

  Luxembourg

  Political Committee

  3–

  Palermo

  Ad-hoc meeting of Euro-Mediterranean Foreign Ministers

  4

  Luxembourg

  Education and Social Affairs Council

  5

  Luxembourg

  Ecofin Council

  8

  Luxembourg

  Fisheries Council

  8–9

  Luxembourg

  General Affairs Council

  8–9

  Glasgow

  Regional Policy/Spatial Planning Ministers' informal

  15–16

  Cardiff

  European Council

  15–19

  Strasbourg

  European Parliament Plenary

  16–17

  Luxembourg

  Environment Council

  17

  Luxembourg

  Joint Environment and Transport Council

  18

  Luxembourg

  Transport Council

  19

  Glasgow

  Energy and Environment Conference

  22

  Luxembourg

  Research Council

  22–23

  Luxembourg

  Agriculture Council

  25

  Brussels

  Presidency Biotechnology Round Table

  29–30

  Luxembourg

  General Affairs Council (t.b.c.)

  July 1998

  1–2

  Brussels

  European Parliament Plenary

  6

  Brussels

  Ecofin Council

  6–7

  Luxembourg

  Political Committee

  8–10

  Innsbruck

  Employment/Social Affairs/Women (Informal)

  13

  Luxembourg

  Political Committee

  13–14

  Luxembourg

  General Affairs Council

  17–19

  Luxembourg

  Environment Council (Informal)

  20–21

  Brussels

  Agriculture Council

  23

  Luxembourg

  Political Committee

  27

  Luxembourg

  Budget Council

  August 1998

  There are no Councils scheduled for this month.

  September 1998

  3

  Brussels

  Political Committee

  5–6

  Salzburg

  Foreign Ministers (Informal)

  7–8

  Brussels

  Special Committee on Agriculture

  10–11

  Brussels

  Culture Council

  15–16

  Brussels

  Transport Council (Informal)

  21

  New York

  Political Committee

  215–222

  St. Wolfgang, Austria

  Agriculture Council (Informal)

  24

  Brussels

  Justice and Home Affairs

  24

  Brussels

  Internal Market

  25–27

  Brussels

  Ecofin Council (Informal)

  28–29

  Brussels

  Agriculture Council

  October 1998

  1–2

  Luxembourg

  Transport Council

  2–3

  Luxembourg

  Industry/Research and Technology Council (Informal)

  5

  Luxembourg

  Work and Social Affairs Council

  5–6

  Luxembourg

  General Affairs Council

  6

  Luxembourg

  Environment Council

  12

  Luxembourg

  Ecofin Council

  13

  Luxembourg

  Research Council

  217

  European calendar: May-October 1998

  Date

  Venue

  Council

  13

  Luxembourg

  Political Committee

  16–17

  Luxembourg

  European Council

  19–20

  Luxembourg

  Agriculture Council

  22

  Luxembourg

  Fisheries Council

  23–24

  Luxembourg

  Education Council (Informal)

  26

  Luxembourg

  Political Committee

  26–27

  Luxembourg

  General Affairs Council

  28–29

  Luxembourg

  Transport Council

  29–30

  Luxembourg

  Justice and Home Affairs Council

  Christmas Island
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his letter of 8 January 1998, concerning Christmas Island, what action has been taken on the costs and technical issues involved in the clean-up of Christmas Island. [39312]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Since my letter of 8 January there has been a further round of correspondence between myself, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence and the Secretary of State for International Development. Officials have drawn up a three stage plan to identify the cost and technical issues that would be involved in any future clean-up of Christmas Island.

  General Affairs Council
  Mrs. McKenna
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will report on the outcome of the General Affairs Council held in Luxembourg on 27 and 28 April. [40535]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  1. The General Affairs council in Luxembourg on 27 April adopted the A points, and noted the resolutions, decisions and opinions adopted by the European Parliament in its session of 30 March—3 April. Copies of the documents listing the A points and resolutions will be placed in the House Libraries as soon as they become available.

  2. The Council invited COREPER to continue work on preparations to the EU/Canada and EU/US Summits on 14 May and 18 May respectively, including taking forward an EU position on transatlantic trade and on US sanctions legislation.

  3. The Presidency reported on progress on Agenda 2000 negotiations. Some Foreign Ministers commented on political aspects of the dossier, including the Own Resources system. The Council agreed how to handle European Parliament involvement.

  4. The Council heard a report from Commissioner van den Broek on the Commission's exploratory contacts with Turkey on the elements of the proposed European strategy for Turkey identified at Luxembourg. It reaffirmed the importance it attaches to a successful Association Council and invited the Presidency and Commission to continue the necessary preparation on the European Strategy to that end. Most Member States noted the importance of releasing the financial protocol for Turkey to allow full implementation of the strategy.

  5. The Presidency briefed partners on the recent visit of the Prime Minister to the Middle East. The Council welcomed the agreement of Prime Minister Netanyahu
  218
  and President Arafat to meet US Secretary of State Albright in London on 4 May, as well as additional meetings of all three with the Presidency. These meetings represent an important opportunity to reinvigorate negotiations. The EU strongly urged the parties to approach the London meetings with the necessary determination to find a compromise along the lines put to them by the US. The EU is ready to help facilitate progress.

  6. The Presidency briefed the Council on Northern Ireland and thanked EU partners for their constructive support, including through Objective One Funding.

  7. On Kosovo, the Council expressed concern at the mounting violence and reiterated its calls for restraint from both sides. It called for an urgent dialogue between the parties without pre-conditions, and with international involvement, to help secure a lasting solution. The Council regretted that President Milosevic had thus far failed to promote a peaceful settlement and passed a Regulation implementing at the Community level those measures against the FRY agreed by common position on 19 March. The Council agreed that further measures against the FRY would be taken in the event of continued failure to address international concerns. But the Council also underlined a wish to develop relations between FRY and the rest of Europe in return for a real willingness to engage in constructive dialogue.

  8. On Montenegro, the Council welcomed positive developments in political and economic reform, and agreed to allocate an initial sum of 3 million ECU to help the new Montenegrin Government meet outstanding social welfare commitments.

  9. The Council also considered its regional approach to the development of contractual relations between the EU and countries in the Western Balkans region. It concluded that the Commission should look closely at the feasibility of improved trade relations with Albania, and how best to implement existing arrangements with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. It considered that the time was not yet right for further deepening of contractual links with FRY, Bosnia or Croatia; and called into question Croatia's continued eligibility for EU trade preferences unless it improved its performance against agreed EU conditionality.

  10. The Presidency reported on preparations for the EU/Russia Summit, which will be held in Birmingham on 15 May.

  11. The fourth EU/Slovakia and EU/Romania Association Councils took place on 28 April. The meetings took stock of the past year's developments in the enlargement process, and Slovakia and Romania's preparations for accession, notably their progress towards meeting the Copenhagen criteria for membership. The EU/Slovakia Council paid particular attention to the shortcomings in Slovakia's democratic institutions. The EU/Romania Council concentrated on economic reform.

  12. The state of relations between the EU and Slovakia and Romania under the Europe Agreements was noted, particularly recent progress and problems in trade and agriculture.
  219
  13. The joint dinner on 27 April discussed the following issues: strengthening of democratic institutions, relations with neighbouring countries, including regional cooperation, and border management.

  14. The tenth EC/Malta Association Council met on 28 April, and adopted a Joint Declaration on future relations, including a political commitment to establish a Free Trade Area. In the margins, two further Joint Declarations were adopted: on political dialogue and on Justice and Home Affairs cooperation. Over lunch, Member States discussed the Euro-Mediterranean partnership.

TREASURY

  Individual Savings Account
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 5 February 1998,Official Report, column 775, when he will place the results on the consultation exercise on the ISA Green Paper in the Library. [36873]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  [holding answer 30 March 1998]The Government will publish a summary of the consultation exercise on the individual savings account when draft regulations for the new account are issued for consultation.

  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he intends to respond to the question from the hon. Member for East Worthing and Shoreham tabled for answer on 30 March regarding placing the results of the ISA consultation exercise in the Library; and if he will ensure that the responses to the consultation paper are available to hon. Members before he makes further reference to them. [40394]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  I have done so.

  Single Currency
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the effect of transfers of European Communities moneys expressed in SEC (1998) 153 on the Single Currency information programme. [37772]

  Mrs. Liddell
  This transfer covers expenditure under two EC Budget lines relating to the Commission's information and communication policy: B3–300 (General information and communication work concerning the European Union) and B3–306 (Information programme for European citizens (Prince) Information activities in connection with specific policies), which covers expenditure on the Single Currency information programme.

  When the 1998 EC budget was adopted, in respect of B3–306 the European Parliament entered 15 million ecu (about £10 million1) in commitment appropriations and 10 million ecu (about £6.7 million) in payment appropriations in the Reserve pending further information on the breakdown and coverage of resources between the two main information campaigns for 1998: "Euro, a single currency for Europe" and "Building Europe Together".
  220
  The Commission attached detailed plans on both campaigns to the transfer proposal.

  1Converted at the rate of £1=1.4998 ecu, which is the rate set for UK VAT and Fourth Resource contributions to the 1998 Community Budget.

  Deutschmark
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the rise or fall in(a)real and (b) nominal terms of the Deutschmark against (i) sterling and (ii) the US dollar for (1) each three month period in the four years up to the end of March 1998 and (2) in total for that period and indicating the balance of trade with Germany for each period. [39351]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The real and nominal movements in the sterling and dollar rates against the Deutschmark from 1994Q2 until 1998Q1 are given in the table alongside the quarterly UK balance of trade in goods with Germany. The effects of exchange rate movements on trade balances are difficult to isolate. However, recently the UK's deficit on trade in goods with Germany has been similar to its level four years earlier.

  Percentage change on previous quarter

  DM/Sterling exchange rate

  DM/Dollar exchange rate

  UK balance trade in goods with Germany (£ million)3

  Nominal1

  Real2

  Nominal1

  Real2

  1994Q2

  -2.3

  -2.9

  -3.5

  -3.8

  -1,068

  1994Q3

  -3.2

  -3.3

  -6.0

  -6.3

  -1,346

  1994Q4

  1.2

  0.8

  -1.1

  -0.9

  -1,164

  1995Q1

  -4.4

  -3.3

  -4.3

  -4.2

  -1,282

  1995Q2

  -4.7

  -3.0

  -5.5

  -4.7

  -1,631

  1995Q3

  0.9

  2.7

  2.5

  3.8

  -1,447

  1995Q4

  -1.3

  0.0

  -0.6

  0.3

  -1,567

  1996Q1

  1.3

  2.7

  3.1

  4.0

  -1,774

  1996Q2

  3.1

  4.0

  3.7

  5.1

  -1,528

  1996Q3

  0.4

  0.9

  -1.6

  -0.3

  -1,484

  1996Q4

  7.2

  8.7

  2.3

  3.8

  -1,651

  1997Q1

  8

  9.3

  8.1

  10.0

  -1,407

  1997Q2

  3.7

  4.9

  3.5

  4.8

  -1,245

  1997Q3

  4.6

  5.8

  5.3

  6.1

  -1,353

  1997Q4

  -0.7

  1.0

  -2.7

  -2.5

  -1,372

  1998Q1

  2.7

  4.7

  3.5

  3.6

  n/a

  Total change

  16.8

  22.5

  5.6

  8.8

  —

  1A minus sign denotes sterling/dollar depreciation.

  2 Nominal exchange rate changes adjusted for changes in relative consumer prices.

  3A minus sign denotes a deficit.

  Vitamin B Supplements
  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people have died as a result of taking vitamin B supplements in each of the last 20 years. [39877]

  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.
  221
  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. David Tredinnick, dated 30 April 1998:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary question on how many people have died as a result of taking vitamin B supplements in each of the last 20 years.
  Between 1993 and 1997 (the latest year for which data are available; 1997 data are provisional) there were no deaths in England and Wales certified as due in part or whole to taking vitamin B supplements.
  Data for earlier years are only available at disproportionate cost.

  Monetary Policy Committee
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 1 April 1998,Official Report, column 555, if the Monetary Policy Committee has responsibility to assess the use of alternative monetary instruments. [39745]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Bank of England Bill gives the Monetary Policy Committee the responsibility for formulating monetary policy. This includes assessing the use of alternative monetary instruments which were reviewed at the meeting in August 1997.

  LG Investment, South Wales
  Mr. Alan Campbell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the exact date upon which Treasury approval was given for the LG investment in South Wales to receive regional selective assistance exceeding the cost per job ceiling for intermediate status areas. [39724]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The year was 1996. The exact date falls under advice given to the previous administration and so is confidential.

  Economic and Monetary Union
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effect on national gross domestic product of the United Kingdom joining economic and monetary union. [39754]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Chancellor has set five tests for determining if the economic case for joining the single currency is clear and unambiguous. The fifth test is whether joining EMU would promote higher growth and jobs. On 27 October 1997 the Treasury published "UK membership of the single currency: as assessment of the five economic tests". It concluded that, while joining EMU had the potential to enhance growth, the UK economy was not yet sufficiently converged and flexible to realise these potential benefits.

  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assistance his Department provides to business in preparation for the United Kingdom joining economic and monetary union. [39946]

  Mrs. Liddell
  HM Treasury intends to publish by the end of the year an outline national changeover plan setting out the steps which would be involved in joining the single currency. A wide range of activities is also under way, organised by the Euro Preparations Unit in HM Treasury, to help businesses prepare for the launch of the euro elsewhere in the European Union on 1 January 1999.

  Economic and Finance Council
  Sir Michael Spicer
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his oral answer of 23 April 1998,Official Report, columns 953–55, if there was informal discussion about the Maastricht criteria at the Ecofin Conference in York. [40084]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The convergence criteria of the Maastricht Treaty were not discussed in the ECOFIN meeting at York.

  Public Appointments
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 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. [39407]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 29 April 1998]The Government are committed to increasing the representation of women in public life. In support of this I have drawn up an Action Plan for increasing the number of women and ethnic minorities holding appointments in public bodies of the Chancellor's Departments and Agencies. The information for the NDPBs to which the Chancellor and other Treasury Ministers make appointments is as follows:

  Number of appointments since 1 May 1997

  Paid

  Unpaid

  Number of women appointed

  1

  —

  Women as percentage of appointments

  20

  —

  Number of women appointed

  —

  4 appointments

  —

  13 re-appointments

  Women as percentage of appointments and re-appointments

  —

  23.5

  Public Expenditure
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide a breakdown for each department, by accounting heading of the amount spent in the years 1995–96 and 1996–97 on central administration and associated expenditure as set out in Table 5.4 of Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses 1997–98 (Cm 3601, March 1997); and if he will identify for each department and each accounting heading the amount of such expenditure defined as identifiable and non-identifiable in terms of allocation by geographic area of the UK. [40095]

  Mr. Darling
  [holding answer 29 April 1998]The most recent data for central administration expenditure by department for 1995–96 and 1996–97 were published in table 5.7 of Public Expenditure: Statistical Analyses 1998–99 (Cm 3901, published on 3 April 1998). Information regarding the breakdown of these departmental administration figures across specific functional categories is not held centrally.
  223
  The latest analysis of expenditure by country is presented in Section 7 of the same publication. For most government departments, nearly all central administration costs are included in the identifiable spending which has been apportioned between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. However, where the expenditure which the administration supports is deemed to have been incurred for the benefit of the UK as a whole, central administration expenditure has not been allocated between countries, and is included in non-identifiable expenditure. With the exception of Scottish Office, Welsh Office and Northern Ireland Departments (whose administration expenditure is assigned to the relevant country), precise information as to the allocation by country of departmental administration costs, separate from the rest of a department's expenditure, is not collected and held centrally.

  Office for National Statistics
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has agreed the business plan for the Office for National Statistics for 1998–99. [40660]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Yes. Copies of the plan, giving details of the performance targets I have set for 1998–99, have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Crown Prosecution Service
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will make a statement on the reorganisation of the Crown Prosecution Service. [39143]

  The Attorney-General
  The Government are committed to restructuring the CPS into 42 Areas. Sir kin Glidewell will make recommendation about the organisation necessary to support that structure. The review team have advised that this cannot take effect until 1 December 1998 at the earliest. Sir lain is considering what further changes might be necessary to provide for the more effective and efficient prosecution of crime through local CPS prosecutors.

  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Attorney-General what plans he has to reduce bureaucracy in the Crown Prosecution Service. [39144]

  The Attorney-General
  Sir lain Glidewell is examining the structure and organisation of the Crown Prosecution Service's procedures in his Review of the CPS. He will consider what changes, if any, are necessary

  £

  A (1995–96)

  B (1996–97)

  C & D (1997–98)

  (a)

  (b)

  (a)

  (b)

  (a)

  (b)

  (i) Departments

  1,678

  371,139

  88,482

  1,205,806

  108,825

  544,639

  41.650

  524,000

  —

  —

  57,900

  300,000

  (ii) Agencies

  Total

  43,328

  895,139

  88,482

  1,205,806

  166,725

  844,639

  224
  to ensure that available resources are focused in the most efficient and effective manner on the prosecution process itself.

  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Attorney-General what assessment he has made of the success of joint performance management as operated by the police and the Crown Prosecution Service.[39145]

  The Attorney-General
  Joint performance management is proving to be a valuable tool for enabling the police and the CPS jointly to monitor key aspects of their performance in order to identify problems and develop solutions.

  Trade Union Recognition
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Attorney-General what advice has been sought from his Department on trade union recognition. [39146]

  The Attorney-General
  There is a long standing Convention, followed by successive Governments, that neither the substance of Law Officers' advice, nor the fact that they have been consulted is disclosed outside Government. I see no reason for departure from that Convention on this occasion.

  Treasury Solicitor's Department
  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will make a statement on the operation of the Treasury Solicitor's Department. [39137]

  The Attorney-General
  The Treasury Solicitor's Department provides legal services to a number of Government departments and publicly funded bodies in England and Wales. It recovers its costs by charging its clients. Since April 1996 it has operated as an Executive Agency and I have recently approved its performance targets for the financial year just started.

SCOTLAND

  Empty Properties
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the(a) annual cost and (b) total value of the empty properties owned by (i) his Department, (ii) his agencies and (iii) other public bodies for which he has responsibility, in (A) 1995–96, (B) 1996–97, (C) 1997–98 to date and (D) 1997–98 full year. [26642]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 5 February 1998]: The information set out relates to empty properties owned by The Scottish Office and its Agencies. Information about empty properties owned by other public bodies is not held centrally.

  The information is as follows:

  Cairngorm Mountains
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has for developing the Cairngorm mountains range; and if he will make a statement. [39457]

  Mr. Macdonald
  We are making available resources through Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Moray, Badenoch and Strathspey Enterprise to support a range of projects aimed at boosting tourism and economic development in Aviemore and the surrounding area. In

  Electorate in each electoral ward: 16 February 1998

  Electoral ward No.

  1

  2

  3

  4

  5

  6

  7

  8

  9

  10

  11

  12

  13

  14

  Name of council

  Aberdeen City

  3,407

  3,050

  3,005

  3,321

  3,802

  3,138

  2,843

  3,745

  4,374

  2,909

  3,328

  3,574

  3,342

  2,973

  Aberdeenshire

  3,926

  3,435

  3,470

  3,522

  4,059

  4,046

  4,180

  4,298

  4,180

  3,333

  3,291

  3,484

  3,491

  3,298

  Angus

  3,388

  3,042

  3,291

  3,470

  3,440

  3,477

  3,657

  2,926

  3,417

  3,276

  3,274

  3,631

  3,658

  3,508

  Argyll and Bute

  1,550

  1,575

  1,737

  1,648

  1,745

  1,864

  2,073

  2,000

  2,376

  1,516

  1,428

  2,567

  2,247

  2,604

  Clackmannanshire

  3,334

  2,973

  2,834

  2,949

  2,921

  2,734

  3,205

  3,273

  3,629

  3,310

  3,175

  2,660

  —

  —

  Dumfries and Galloway

  1,563

  1,888

  1,776

  1,519

  1,521

  1,865

  1,667

  1,979

  1,615

  1,757

  1,688

  1,625

  1,025

  1,926

  Dundee City

  3,907

  3,604

  3,623

  3,147

  3,522

  3,232

  2,821

  3,942

  3,680

  3.578

  2,939

  3,343

  3.362

  3,048

  East Ayrshire

  3,199

  2.871

  3,165

  3,015

  3,040

  2,737

  3,621

  2,901

  2,996

  3,332

  3,338

  3,221

  3,517

  2,896

  East Dunbartonshire

  3,352

  3,520

  3,631

  3,472

  3,417

  3,122

  3,112

  3,081

  3,228

  3,035

  3,282

  3,851

  2,980

  3,428

  East Lothian

  4,090

  3,572

  4,209

  3,910

  3,614

  3,808

  4,037

  4,095

  3,950

  4,083

  3,536

  4,029

  3,625

  3,893

  East Renfrewshire

  3,141

  3,237

  3,244

  3,160

  3,469

  3,138

  3,388

  3,619

  3,094

  3,320

  3,467

  3.485

  3,260

  3,494

  Edinburgh, City of

  6,295

  6,304

  5,879

  6,836

  6,551

  6,091

  5,500

  5,773

  5,543

  5,958

  6,252

  6,263

  6,112

  5,971

  Eilean Siar (formerly Western Isles)

  672

  709

  635

  757

  752

  608

  740

  739

  978

  846

  912

  803

  834

  874

  Falkirk

  3,522

  2,379

  2,824

  2,972

  3,037

  2,942

  2,939

  2,757

  2,810

  2,933

  3,331

  2,743

  3,039

  3,081

  Fife

  3,102

  2,748

  3,321

  3,056

  2,792

  3,489

  2,758

  2,703

  2,817

  3,437

  3,142

  2,225

  2,780

  2,596

  Glasgow City

  5,592

  5,627

  5,303

  6,301

  5,648

  6,242

  6,141

  5,770

  6,413

  5,985

  5,829

  6,308

  7,437

  6,615

  Highland

  3,366

  2,768

  2,979

  2,640

  2,347

  2,138

  2,422

  1,969

  1,824

  1,338

  1,148

  1.669

  1,201

  1,363

  Inverclyde

  4,346

  3,487

  3,473

  3,359

  3,498

  3,057

  3,304

  1,847

  4,179

  3,162

  3,344

  3,223

  3,379

  3,364

  Midlothian

  4,946

  4,103

  4,442

  3,858

  3,953

  3,642

  3,968

  4,455

  4,028

  4,480

  4,147

  3,794

  4,038

  4,101

  Moray

  4,033

  3,707

  3,701

  3,969

  3,865

  4,145

  3,920

  3,739

  3,389

  3,708

  3,776

  3,552

  3,460

  3,648

  North Ayrshire

  3,253

  3,348

  3,068

  3,007

  2,925

  3,456

  2,894

  3,636

  3,626

  3,994

  3,418

  3.257

  3,502

  3,659

  North Lanarkshire

  3,589

  3,493

  3,476

  3,217

  4,075

  3,226

  3,428

  3,878

  3,676

  3,344

  3,488

  3,606

  3,342

  3,642

  Orkney

  653

  553

  582

  776

  568

  597

  587

  644

  574

  528

  578

  668

  636

  718

  Perth and Kinross

  3,460

  3,035

  3,676

  3,534

  3,432

  3,779

  3,848

  2,806

  3,255

  3,217

  3,663

  3,211

  3,575

  3,349

  Renfrewshire

  3,682

  3,173

  2,731

  3,758

  3,773

  3,095

  3,354

  3,759

  3,627

  3,252

  3,609

  4,373

  4,105

  3,593

  Scottish Borders

  1,614

  1,428

  1,812

  1,692

  1,484

  1,384

  1,811

  1,619

  1,443

  1,634

  1,523

  1,513

  1,697

  1,311

  Shetland

  651

  670

  634

  600

  637

  731

  678

  580

  583

  597

  328

  575

  600

  718

  South Ayrshire

  3,840

  3,972

  3,934

  3,801

  3,622

  3,614

  3,542

  3,752

  3,708

  3,878

  3,845

  3,946

  3,647

  3,565

  South Lanarkshire

  3,673

  3,510

  3,138

  3,257

  2,291

  2,025

  1,692

  2,552

  2,670

  2,823

  2,140

  3,403

  3,642

  3,361

  Stirling

  3,216

  3,169

  3,030

  2,516

  3,044

  3,086

  2,557

  2,836

  3,082

  2,835

  3,087

  2,751

  2,921

  3,075

  West Dunbartonshire

  3,508

  3,822

  3,325

  3,496

  3,322

  2,841

  3,135

  2,839

  3,017

  2,817

  3,449

  3,320

  3,306

  3,494

  West Lothian

  5,146

  5,088

  4,230

  4,785

  4,469

  4,588

  4,852

  4,229

  4,219

  4,013

  4,217

  4,892

  4,538

  4,724

  Electorate in each electoral ward: 16 February 1998

  Electoral ward No.

  15

  16

  17

  18

  19

  20

  21

  22

  23

  24

  25

  26

  27

  28

  Name of council

  Aberdeen City

  2,919

  3,479

  3,436

  3,482

  3,592

  3,495

  3,261

  3,526

  3,808

  3,608

  3,259

  3,278

  2,983

  3,536

  Aberdeenshire

  3,991

  3,706

  3,710

  3,634

  3,556

  3,041

  4,786

  3,914

  3,963

  4,102

  3,669

  3,576

  3,582

  4,202

  Angus

  3,284

  3,010

  3,387

  3,440

  3,733

  3,699

  3,805

  3,692

  2,169

  2,423

  3,627

  3,212

  —

  —

  Argyll and Bute

  2,175

  2,253

  733

  1,554

  1,461

  1,707

  1.376

  2,077

  2,248

  1,876

  1,762

  2,048

  2,071

  3,259

  Clackmannanshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Dumfries and Galloway

  1,492

  1,652

  1,473

  1,863

  1,448

  1,756

  1,594

  1,575

  1,562

  1,542

  1,715

  1,511

  1,868

  2,050

  Dundee City

  3,083

  2,966

  1,518

  3,176

  3,222

  3,158

  2,753

  2,985

  3,419

  3,405

  3,236

  3,263

  3,245

  3,055

  East Ayrshire

  3,261

  3,165

  2,940

  2,884

  2,771

  3,224

  3,330

  2,775

  3,312

  3,160

  3,083

  3,189

  2,804

  3,073

  East Dunbartonshire

  3,785

  3,111

  3,079

  2,675

  2,975

  3,143

  3,535

  3,096

  3,155

  3,200

  3,143

  3,976

  —

  —

  East Lothian

  3,887

  3,895

  3,715

  4,500

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  East Renfrewshire

  3,295

  4,178

  3,396

  3,671

  3,647

  3,318

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Edinburgh, City of

  6,356

  6,034

  6,446

  6,374

  6,432

  6,239

  5,723

  6,556

  6,883

  6.392

  5.170

  5,963

  6,402

  6,054

  Eilean Siar (formerly Western Isles)

  773

  985

  897

  824

  782

  820

  615

  556

  554

  616

  727

  942

  731

  847

  Falkirk

  2,702

  3,454

  3,109

  2,896

  3,066

  2,712

  2,679

  3,350

  3,257

  2,681

  3,389

  3,811

  3,147

  2,893

  Fife

  3,352

  2,949

  3,327

  2,841

  2,411

  2,882

  2,141

  3,631

  3,743

  1,551

  2,901

  2,776

  2,878

  3,053

  Glasgow City

  7,074

  7,275

  6,284

  7,248

  6,228

  5,551

  6,031

  5,468

  5,354

  5,064

  5,746

  5,540

  5,527

  5,165

  Highland

  2,225

  1,678

  1,351

  1,745

  1,536

  1,773

  1,549

  3,675

  3.517

  3,313

  3,439

  3,493

  2,266

  3,656

  Inverclyde

  3,201

  3,842

  3,645

  3,239

  2,922

  3,692

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Midlothian

  4,308

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Moray

  3,221

  2,983

  3,224

  3,009

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  North Ayrshire

  3,684

  3,774

  3,625

  3,004

  3,262

  3,160

  3,355

  3,941

  3,162

  3,705

  3.528

  4,517

  3,937

  4,660

  North Lanarkshire

  3,524

  3,414

  3,524

  3,812

  3,487

  3,080

  4,202

  4,007

  3,879

  3,810

  4,051

  3,719

  3,731

  3,570

  Orkney

  697

  512

  611

  575

  601

  641

  560

  460

  444

  207

  248

  398

  498

  545

  Perth and Kinross

  3,704

  2,623

  3,179

  4,111

  3,017

  1,518

  2,836

  3,083

  2,925

  3,147

  3,988

  3,125

  3,206

  3,222

  Renfrewshire

  3,402

  3,379

  3,401

  3,088

  3,303

  3,256

  3,563

  3,699

  3,584

  3,521

  3,900

  3,329

  3,434

  3,003

  Scottish Borders

  1,858

  1,421

  1,601

  1,798

  1,938

  1,788

  1,597

  1,156

  1,653

  1,579

  1,448

  1,455

  1,607

  1,759

  Shetland

  685

  430

  1,007

  858

  834

  673

  566

  856

  769

  609

  594

  642

  —

  —

  South Ayrshire

  3,463

  4,012

  3,897

  3,784

  3,767

  3,877

  3,719

  3,596

  2,850

  2,957

  2,794

  —

  —

  —

  South Lanarkshire

  2,788

  3,140

  3,024

  3,073

  3,136

  3.130

  2,966

  3,183

  3,237

  3,555

  3,246

  3,034

  3,007

  3,400

  Stirling

  3,299

  2,862

  3.553

  2,021

  3,258

  2,887

  2,896

  3,041

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  West Dunbartonshire

  3,783

  3.763

  2,518

  3,680

  3,347

  3,203

  3,450

  3,237

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  West Lothian

  4,338

  3,917

  3.745

  1231

  4,476

  4,180

  3,975

  3,886

  3,618

  3,680

  4,731

  4,146

  3,615

  —

  226
  addition, we provide support to the Cairngorms Partnership to promote the sustainable development of the Cairngorms area.

  Electorates
  Mr. Doran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the electorates at 16 February for each ward of each local authority area in Scotland. [39752]

  Mr. Dewar
  The information requested is set out in the tables.
  227

  Electorate in each electoral ward: 16 February 1998

  Electoral ward No.

  29

  30

  31

  32

  33

  34

  35

  36

  37

  38

  39

  40

  41

  42

  Name of council

  Aberdeen City

  3,345

  3,441

  3,068

  3,007

  4,946

  3,218

  3,726

  3,514

  3,956

  2,925

  3,379

  2,908

  3,420

  3,210

  Aberdeenshire

  4,038

  3,962

  4,165

  3,705

  3,734

  4,082

  2,304

  2,373

  2,779

  4,137

  3,284

  3,780

  4,000

  3,735

  Angus

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Argyll and Bute

  3,259

  3,181

  3,613

  3,261

  3,339

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Clackmannanshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Dumfries and Galloway

  1,679

  1,743

  1,708

  1,761

  1,544

  1,713

  1,432

  2,027

  1,757

  1,659

  1,500

  1,968

  1,999

  1,704

  Dundee City

  3,105

  2,336

  3,157

  3,129

  3,419

  3,515

  3,215

  3,707

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  East Ayrshire

  3,872

  3,608

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  East Dunbartonshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  East Lothian

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  East Renfrewshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Edinburgh, City of

  6,475

  6,380

  6,171

  6,925

  7,162

  6,092

  6,458

  5,726

  6,541

  5,857

  5,927

  6,005

  6,706

  5,546

  Eilean Siar (formerly Western Isles)

  534

  477

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Falkirk

  3,201

  3,104

  3,913

  3,159

  3,309

  3,322

  3,350

  3,243

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Fife

  2,777

  3,168

  3,540

  3,584

  2,672

  2,795

  2,447

  2,746

  3,316

  3,151

  2,757

  2,898

  2,803

  3,099

  Glasgow City

  5,937

  5,739

  6,159

  6,549

  5,514

  5,921

  6,432

  6,011

  5,250

  5,541

  5,009

  4,624

  5,550

  4,740

  Highland

  4,053

  3,632

  3,065

  1,324

  2,432

  1,300

  2,016

  1,761

  1,728

  1,306

  1,695

  1,920

  3,047

  3,058

  Inverclyde

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Midlothian

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Moray

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  North Ayrshire

  4,878

  3,826

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  North Lanarkshire

  3,561

  4,060

  3,381

  3,844

  3,609

  4,093

  3,485

  3,778

  3,367

  3,662

  3,381

  3,150

  3,841

  4,070

  Orkney

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Perth and Kinross

  3,163

  4,425

  3,823

  2,234

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Renfrewshire

  3,246

  3,359

  3,831

  4,008

  3,224

  2,759

  3,690

  4,176

  3,288

  3,227

  3,638

  3,219

  —

  —

  Scottish Borders

  2,219

  2,307

  1,698

  1,674

  1,446

  1,230

  1,500

  1,452

  1,531

  1,504

  1,593

  1,537

  1,628

  1,581

  Shetland

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  South Ayrshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  South Lanarkshire

  3,036

  3,177

  3,567

  3,938

  4,252

  3,095

  3,718

  3,705

  3,108

  2,850

  3,301

  3,473

  3,084

  3,059

  Stirling

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  West Dunbartonshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  West Lothian

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Electorate in each electoral ward: 16 February 1998

  Electoral ward No.

  43

  44

  45

  46

  47

  48

  49

  50

  51

  52

  53

  54

  55

  56

  Name of council

  Aberdeen City

  3,436

  3,354

  3,304

  3,018

  3,367

  3,211

  3,396

  4,058

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Aberdeenshire

  3,855

  2,887

  3,215

  3,938

  3,218

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Angus

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Argyll and Bute

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Clackmannanshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Dumfries and Galloway

  1,644

  1,952

  1,766

  1,494

  1,745

  1,869

  1,470

  1,493

  1,264

  2,153

  1,735

  1,267

  1,329

  1,658

  Dundee City

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  East Ayrshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  East Dunbartonshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  East Lothian

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  East Renfrewshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Edinburgh, City of

  5,952

  6,240

  6,864

  6,269

  6,749

  7,007

  6,304

  6,388

  6,454

  6.099

  6,169

  5,915

  6,264

  5,846

  Eilean Siar (formerly Western Isles)

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Falkirk

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Fife

  2,858

  2,829

  2,904

  3,336

  2,849

  2,620

  2,657

  2,650

  3,218

  2,941

  3,000

  3,083

  2,910

  2,825

  Glasgow City

  5,156

  4,919

  6,010

  6,940

  6,262

  6,505

  4,529

  4,966

  4,946

  5,394

  5,024

  5,821

  5,538

  6,056

  Highland

  3,225

  2,453

  3,179

  2,854

  2,661

  3,045

  2,949

  2,552

  4,457

  3,759

  3,435

  1,971

  1,794

  1,759

  Inverclyde

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Midlothian

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Moray

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  North Ayrshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  North Lanarkshire

  4,251

  3,900

  3,750

  4,309

  3,702

  4,505

  4,660

  4,229

  3,301

  3,587

  3,058

  3,103

  3,067

  3,584

  Orkney

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Perth and Kinross

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Renfrewshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Scottish Borders

  1,487

  1,477

  1,391

  1,452

  918

  1,009

  980

  1,023

  897

  1,182

  1,140

  1,118

  886

  1,480

  Shetland

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  South Ayrshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  South Lanarkshire

  3,272

  3,166

  3,354

  2,962

  2,868

  3,369

  2,980

  3,034

  2,971

  3,066

  3,248

  3,097

  3,216

  3,480

  Stirling

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  West Dunbartonshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  West Lothian

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  228 229

  Electorate in each electoral ward: 16 February 1998

  Electoral ward No.

  57

  58

  59

  60

  61

  62

  63

  64

  65

  66

  67

  68

  69

  70

  Name of council

  Aberdeen City

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Aberdeenshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Angus

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Argyll and Bute

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Clackmannanshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Dumfries and Galloway

  1,582

  1,803

  1,504

  1,663

  1,810

  1,845

  1,441

  1,463

  2,029

  1,472

  1,891

  1,548

  1,520

  1,800

  Dundee City

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  East Ayrshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  East Dunbartonshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  East Lothian

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  East Renfrewshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Edinburgh, City of

  6,301

  5,678

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Eilean Siar (formerly Western Isles)

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Falkirk

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Fife

  2,795

  2,808

  2,862

  2,743

  3,133

  3,016

  3,077

  2,578

  2,809

  3,230

  2,987

  2,658

  2,940

  2,601

  Glasgow City

  5,669

  5,757

  6,806

  5,301

  4,643

  6,507

  5,371

  4,708

  4,072

  5,138

  6,134

  6,268

  6,042

  5,576

  Highland

  1,372

  1,890

  1,204

  1,732

  1,998

  1,761

  920

  1,847

  1,454

  1,667

  1,727

  2,113

  2,136

  1,646

  Inverclyde

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Midlothian

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Moray

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  North Ayrshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  North Lanarkshire

  3,859

  3,672

  3,692

  3,037

  2,857

  2,801

  3,240

  3,102

  3,241

  3,371

  3,282

  3,319

  2,806

  —

  Orkney

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Perth and Kinross

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Renfrewshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Scottish Borders

  1,079

  1,185

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Shetland

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  South Ayrshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  South Lanarkshire

  3,606

  3,669

  3,660

  3,197

  4,311

  3,402

  3,663

  3,121

  3,215

  3,741

  3,638

  2,921

  2,856

  3,816

  Stirling

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  West Dunbartonshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  West Lothian

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Electorate in each electoral ward: 16 February 1998

  Electoral ward No.

  71

  72

  73

  74

  75

  76

  77

  78

  79

  80

  81

  82

  83

  84

  Name of council

  Aberdeen City

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Aberdeenshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Angus

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Argyll and Bute

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Clackmannanshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Dumfries and Galloway

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Dundee City

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  East Ayrshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  East Dunbartonshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  East Lothian

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  East Renfrewshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Edinburgh, City of

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Eilean Siar (formerly Western Isles)

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Falkirk

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Fife

  3,136

  3,932

  3,024

  2,599

  3,822

  3,296

  3,783

  2,807

  3,161

  2,697

  2,990

  3,148

  3,630

  3,478

  Glasgow City

  6,408

  5,384

  4,979

  5,056

  6,289

  6,840

  5,287

  5,664

  4,574

  5,195

  4,425

  4,570

  3,606

  —

  Highland

  2,248

  2,348

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Inverclyde

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Midlothian

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Moray

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  North Ayrshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  North Lanarkshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Orkney

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Perth and Kinross

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Renfrewshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Scottish Borders

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Shetland

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  South Ayrshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  South Lanarkshire

  2,636

  2,726

  4,164

  2,984

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Stirling

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  West Dunbartonshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  West Lothian

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Electorate in each electoral ward: 16 February 1998

  Electoral ward No.

  85

  86

  87

  88

  89

  90

  91

  92

  Name of council

  Aberdeen City

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Aberdeenshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Angus

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Argyll and Bute

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  230 231

  Electorate in each electoral ward: 16 February 1998

  Electoral ward No.

  85

  86

  87

  88

  89

  90

  91

  92

  Clackmannanshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Dumfries and Galloway

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Dundee City

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  East Ayrshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  East Dunbartonshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  East Lothian

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  East Renfrewshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Edinburgh, City of

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Eilean Siar (formerly Western Isles)

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Falkirk

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Fife

  3,314

  3,316

  3,507

  3,161

  3,228

  3,853

  3,565

  3,064

  Glasgow City

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Highland

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Inverclyde

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Midlothian

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Moray

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  North Ayrshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  North Lanarkshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Orkney

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Perth and Kinross

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Renfrewshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Scottish Borders

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Shetland

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  South Ayrshire —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  South Lanarkshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Stirling

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  West Dunbartonshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  West Lothian

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Mr. Doran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the size of the electorates as of 16 February for each(a) parliamentary constituency and (b) local government area in Scotland. [39751]

  Mr. Dewar
  The information is set out in the tables.

  Electors

  Parliamentary Constituency

  Aberdeen Central

  53,713

  Aberdeen, North

  55,009

  Aberdeen, South

  60,968

  Airdrie and Shotts

  58,534

  Angus

  60,427

  Argyll and Bute

  50,271

  Ayr

  57,000

  Banff and Buchan

  58,949

  Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross

  41,902

  Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley

  66,588

  Central Fife

  59,123

  Clydebank and Milngavie

  52,963

  Clydesdale

  64,548

  Coatbridge and Chryston

  52,501

  Cumbernauld and Kilsyth

  49,201

  Cunninghame, North

  56,374

  Cunninghame, South

  50,727

  Dumbarton

  57,013

  Dumfries

  63,513

  Dundee, East

  58,629

  Dundee, West

  56,937

  Dunfermline, East

  52,200

  Dunfermline, West

  53,361

  East Kilbride

  66,479

  East Lothian

  58,577

  Eastwood

  68,021

  Edinburgh Central

  64,051

  Edinburgh, East and Musselburgh

  60,364

  Edinburgh, North and Leith

  61,786

  Edinburgh Pentlands

  60,729

  232

  Electors

  Edinburgh, South

  63,775

  Edinburgh, West

  61,988

  Falkirk, East

  57,629

  Falkirk, West

  53,427

  Galloway and Upper Nithsdale

  53,406

  Glasgow Anniesland

  53,397

  Glasgow Baillieston

  49,062

  Glasgow Cathcart

  50,429

  Glasgow Govan

  50,870

  Glasgow Kelvin

  57,058

  Glasgow Maryhill

  53,506

  Glasgow Pollok

  48,303

  Glasgow Rutherglen

  51,059

  Glasgow Shettleston

  48,209

  Glasgow Springburn

  53,427

  Gordon

  59,621

  Greenock and Inverclyde

  49,400

  Hamilton North and Bellshill

  54,403

  Hamilton, South

  47,145

  Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber

  66,531

  Kilmarnock and Loudoun

  62,171

  Kircaldy

  52,079

  Linlithgow

  54,728

  Livingston

  61,800

  Midlothian

  48,772

  Moray

  58,845

  Motherwell and Wishaw

  53,004

  North East Fife

  59,820

  North Tayside

  62,230

  Ochil

  57,715

  Orkney and Shetland

  32,761

  Paisley, North

  49,915

  Paisley, South

  54,436

  Perth

  61,457

  Ross, Skye and Inverness, West

  56,448

  Roxburgh and Berwickshire

  47,907

  Stirling

  53,452

  Strathkelvin and Bearsden

  64,016

  233

  Electors

  Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale

  51,811

  West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine

  60,270

  West Renfrewshire

  53,223

  Western Isles

  22,539

  Total

  3,992,502

  Local authority

  Aberdeen City

  171,445

  Aberdeenshire

  173,140

  Angus

  87,049

  Argyll and Bute

  70,350

  Clackmannanshire

  37,049

  Dumfries and Galloway

  117,126

  Dundee City

  115,890

  East Ayrshire

  94,477

  East Dunbartonshire

  85,476

  East Lothian

  70,592

  East Renfrewshire

  68,116

  Edinburgh, City of

  364,612

  Eilean Siar

  22,565

  Falkirk

  111,114

  Fife

  277,321

  Glasgow, City of

  474,620

  Highland

  165,308

  Inverclyde

  67,636

  Midlothian

  62,370

  Moray

  65,243

  North Ayrshire

  107,242

  North Lanarkshire

  248,028

  Orkney Islands

  15,697

  Perth and Kinross

  105,488

  Renfrewshire

  139,662

  Scottish Borders

  86,431

  Shetland Islands

  17,130

  South Ayrshire

  91,579

  South Lanarkshire

  237,165

  Stirling

  66,415

  West Dunbartonshire

  72,701

  West Lothian

  116,683

  Total

  4,005,720

  Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about performance targets for the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency for 1998–99. [40809]

  Mr. Dewar
  For the financial year 1998–99 I have set the following targets:

  Aerial surveillance
  per cent. of hours flown on task—86 per cent.
  cost per flying hour on task—£922

  Marine surveillance
  utilisation of available patrol days—97 per cent.
  cost per effective patrol day—£3,432

  Sea Fisheries Inspectorate
  cost per catch inspection—£72
  landing declarations checked against actual catches—45 per cent.
  82 per cent. of cases for prosecution to be reported within 6 weeks of offence being detected and 95 per cent. within 8 weeks.
  Number of cases where court proceedings are taken as percentage of offences reported to prosecuting authorities—83 per cent.

  In order to ensure that the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency uses its resources efficiently, I have set it a target to achieve cash releasing efficiency gains of 2.0% during 1998–99.
  234
  The Chief Executive will be directly accountable to me for the achievement of these targets, which will be reported in the Agency's Annual Report.

  National Galleries
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will place in the Library his response to the letter written to him by Helen Stevens, Negotiating Officer for Scotland of IPMS, in relation to the appointment of the Deputy Keeper of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery; [39372]

  (2) if he will set up a review of the means by which appointments are made in the National Galleries of Scotland. [39373]

  Mr. Galbraith
  I am arranging for a copy of the reply which I issued today to be placed in the Library. No appointment has been made to the position of Deputy Keeper at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, but a new Assistant Keeper took up post in December 1997.

  The National Galleries of Scotland Act 1906 provides that the staff of the National Galleries of Scotland (NGS) are not to be regarded as Crown servants and that responsibility for the appointment of employees lies with the Board of Trustees. In addition, the appointment of the Director requires the approval of the Secretary of State.

  The staff are appointed on terms and conditions determined by the Board, subject to the approval of the Secretary of State. Under the terms and conditions of NGS staff, employment by the Board is subject to the Civil Service Management Code which incorporates appropriate procedures for appointing staff. It is the responsibility of the Board to secure the proper application of those procedures and I therefore do not consider that a review is necessary.

  Soft Fruit Sector
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met representatives of the soft fruit sector to discuss market conditions; and if he will make a statement. [39133]

  Mr. Macdonald
  My right hon. Friend met representatives of the farming industry earlier this year when there was discussion of market conditions generally, including the soft fruit sector.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Nuclear Materials
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what matters relating to the smuggling of nuclear materials were raised at the recent G8 Energy Summit in Moscow; and what decisions were taken on this matter. [38725]

  Mr. Battle
  The recent formal meeting of G8 Energy Ministers focused on issues relating to the future of world energy production. The issue of smuggling of nuclear materials was not raised. The detailed communique issued after the meeting can be found on my Department's website at http://dti.gov.uk/index html.

  Dounreay
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will estimate the total cost of the sodium treatment facilities built at Dounreay; for how many years they are expected to remain in operation; and what potential exists for selling the technology abroad. [39675]

  Mr. Battle
  I am advised by the UKAEA that the cost of design, manufacture, installation, construction, commissioning and decommissioning of the liquid metal disposal facility to treat the sodium from the Prototype Fast Reactor (PFR) at Dounreay will be approximately £17 million. It will operate from 1999 to 2001. The facility uses licensed French technology and there is therefore no potential for the UK to sell the technology abroad. As several countries (eg. USA, France, Russia) have sodium cooled reactors which are undergoing decommissioning, there is potential to sell British experience in sodium disposal operations.

  The Dounreay Fast Reactor (DFR) used a sodium potassium alloy (NaK) as a coolant. The total cost of the plant to dispose of this material will be approximately £22 million and disposal will be complete by 2003. Internationally, fast reactors use sodium as a coolant so there is not likely to be significant overseas interest in this technology.

  AEA Technology have constructed a sodium disposal plant at Dounreay for the disposal of sodium from Germany. As this is a commercial venture the details of cost and programme are confidential to AEA Technology.

  Power Station (Anglesey)
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to approve the building of a 400 mw CCGT power station in Anglesey; and if she will make a statement. [39736]

  Mr. Battle
  An application for a 400 MW CCGT power station at Porth yr Ogof, Wylfa, is currently with the Department. Our general approach to decisions on current applications is as set out in the reply given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade to my hon. Friend the Member for Rugby and Kenilworth (Mr. King) on 22 December 1997,Official Report, columns 519–20.

  Miners
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate she has made of the number of disabled miners who have been assessed to date for PDD12 emphysema and chronic bronchitis; and how many of these were aged (i) 50 to 55, (ii) 55 to 60, (iii) 60 to 65, (iv) 65 to 70 and (v) over the age of 70 years. [39856]

  Mr. Battle
  I understand from the Analytical Services Division of the Department of Social Security that at 5 April 1997 the number of disabled miners with PD D12 assessments were 11,463. Only 4,386 of these have been assessed by age band and these break down as follows:

  Age band

  Number assessed

  Under 50

  10

  50-55

  43

  236

  Age band

  Number assessed

  55-60

  280

  60-65

  505

  65-70

  682

  Over 70

  2,866

  There have been a further 7,077 successful claimants following relaxation of the qualifying criteria for PD D12 in April 1997 but, at present, the DSS have no age analysis available.

  We are continuing to offer interim payments of £2,000 to those miners seeking compensation for emphysema who are also in receipt of PD D12 benefit. Such offers are being made to those in the 80+ age band as a priority on receipt of PD D12 certificates from claimants' solicitors. However, we are also making offers to claimants in age brackets below 80+ (in descending order) wherever practicable, to ensure that we reach our minimum target of 5,000 offers by the end of June.

  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate her Department has made of the number of miners or their widows who will be excluded from compensation for respiratory diseases by the Limitation Act 1939 in(a) Wales, (b) England and (c) Scotland. [39855]

  Mr. Battle
  As part of our proposed scheme for handling respiratory disease claims, we have made it clear that no attempt will be made to use the limitation defence (other than under the 1939 Act as provided by the judgment) where emphysema is established in the claim, including claims from widows. However, we intend to take limitation arguments, where appropriate, in respiratory disease claims where emphysema is not established. Our proposals are currently being discussed with the Solicitors' Group representing the majority of claimants.

  We are, at present, unable to estimate the total number of claims we are likely to receive, either from ex-miners or widows, or the number of claims for each specific condition. I am therefore unable to provide my hon. Friend with the regional breakdown requested.

  Academy of Invention
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will take steps to investigate the creation of an Academy of Invention. [39948]

  Mr. Battle
  I know, in addition to the advice currently available from the Institute of Patentees and Inventors and the Intellectual Property Development Confederation, there are a number of proposals in existence to provide more substantive help to lone inventors.

  I have received a number of representations about the creation of an Academy of Inventors and will be discussing it with the leading proposers in the near future.

  UKAEA Constabulary
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what reviews of manpower of the UKAEA
  237
  Constabulary have been undertaken in 1997–98 and with what outcome; and what manpower reviews of the UKAEA Constabulary are planned for the future. [40215]

  Mr. Battle
  The Police Authority for the UKAEA Constabulary has a duty to consider all issues relating to the Constabulary. Following consultation with the Chief Constable, the Authority considers and formulates an agreed view of the Constabulary's objectives. One such objective (ongoing) is to ensure that the Constabulary has the right number of people at the right places to carry out their functions effectively and efficiently. To achieve this goal there is frequent liaison between the Chief Constable, Operational Unit Commanders, site management, and the Director of Civil Nuclear Security. The conclusion of these discussions and any disagreements are raised at the full meetings of the Police Authority.

  Following discussions in the last year about two sites in particular, an increase in staff at both sites was agreed on the advice of the Chief Constable. Manpower will continue to be kept under review at all sites in the coming year, during which a full inspection by Her Majesty's inspectorate of Constabulary is also likely.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what guidance Ministers have issued to the UKAEA on policing levels and security at nuclear installations; and if he will place a copy of that guidance in the Library. [40216]

  Mr. Battle
  Requirements on policing levels and security at nuclear installations are issued to UKAEA by the Directorate of Civil Nuclear Security. The minimum standards laid down by the Directorate take full account of the United Kingdom's international obligations, and the Government's views on the appropriate levels of security which should be applied by the industry. They are by necessity classified and it would not be appropriate, therefore, for them to be placed in the Library.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the Government's policy in relation to the security and policing levels at those nuclear establishments policed by the UKAEA Constabulary; and if she will make a statement. [40217]

  Mr. Battle
  The Government's policy is that high standards of protection are to be maintained by all nuclear establishments, including those policed by the UKAEA Constabulary, even when the threat is assessed as low, in order to deter potential terrorists and to guard against any increase in the threat.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what additional emoluments were given to the Chief Constable of the Atomic Energy Authority consequent on his resignation.[40420]

  Mr. Battle
  The Chief Constable resigned from UKAEA in January 1998, giving three months notice, and will receive his normal salary and benefits under his contract of employment. He has been treated on exactly the same basis as would any employee who resigns from employment with UKAEA.
  238
  No further payments will be made following his departure on 1 May 1998. However, if he chooses to preserve his accrued pension benefits in the UKAEA Pension Scheme, under the rules of that Scheme these would be payable at his normal retirement age of 60—ie in 2003.

  Shipbuilding Intervention Fund
  Mr. Touhig
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement about the availability of Shipbuilding Intervention Fund grants for 1998. [40729]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I have decided to extend the Shipbuilding Intervention Fund for currently eligible yards until 31 December 1998. The rates of support will be unchanged from those in 1997, namely 9 per cent. for large ships and 4.5 per cent. for small ships, both rates inclusive of Shipbuilders' Relief of 2 per cent. These are the maximum rates permitted within the EU's Seventh Shipbuilding Directive.

  I will be considering the overall future of the Fund beyond 1998 in the light of progress in negotiations for the abolition of shipbuilding subsidies in the European Union and the OECD, and also in the context of the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review.

  Insolvency Service
  Mr. Derek Twigg
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when the revised framework document for the Insolvency Service is to be published. [40804]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The document has been published today. Copies of the document and of the evaluation of the agency's performance have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what targets she has set her Department's Insolvency Service Executive Agency for 1998–99. [40806]

  Mrs. Beckett
  Against the Insolvency Service's planning assumption that compulsory insolvencies will total 26,000 in the year to 31 March 1999, I have set it the target of completing 26,500 cases so that the number of cases outstanding as at 31 March 1999 is no more than 17,000 (around 8 months input), with no more than 9% of cases being more than 36 months old. I have also set it the target of reducing administrative costs of bankruptcy and compulsory liquidation case administration in 1998–99 by 1%. The Services's investigation resource is being maintained at 1997–98 levels, and I would therefore expect it to continue to take proceedings against unfit directors and to report on cases of criminal misconduct at least at the levels achieved in the year to 31 March 1998.

  In addition, I have set the Service the following quality of service targets for 1998–99:
  to report to creditors on assets and liabilities within 8 weeks in at least 96% of all cases, and within 12 weeks in 98% of all cases;
  to hold the initial meetings of creditors within 12 weeks in 96% of all appropriate cases, and within 4 months in 98% of all appropriate cases;
  to submit reports within 10 months in at least 90% of bankruptcy cases, and at least 80% of company liquidation cases where there is evidence of criminality;

  239
  to submit disqualification reports within 15 months in at least 80% of cases where there is evidence of unfit conduct by directors; and
  to check and action at least 97% of Insolvency Services Account payment requisitions within 4 days or by the due date.

  I also expect the Service to action 97% of invoices for payment within 30 days of receipt and the Agency Chief Executive to reply within 10 days to all letters from Members of Parliament delegated to him for reply.

  National Weights and Measures Laboratory
  Mr. Wills
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what targets she has set her Department's National Weights and Measures Laboratory for 1998–99. [40799]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I have set the National Weights & Measures Laboratory the following quality of service and efficiency targeis for the year 1998/99:

  Financial Targets
  To report a break even situation in the income and expenditure account 1998/99.To meet the net vote target in 1998/99.To reduce the real cost of a programme hour by 4– over the period 1997–2000.
  Operational Targets
  To complete 85% of European type approvals within 10 weeks.
  To complete 95% of all calibration jobs (including preparation of certificates) within 18 working days of the acceptance of the work.
  To meet 70% of the milestones by their due date in the work
  programme agreed between CACP Directorate and NWML.

  Questions Delegated to the Chief Executive
  Chief Executive to reply within 10 days to all letters from Members of Parliament delegated to him for reply.

  Radiocommunications Agency
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what targets she has set her Department's Radiocommunications Agency for 1998–99. [40800]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I have set the Radiocommunications Agency the following quality of service targets for 1998/99 in respect of its licensing and enforcement activities. These are in addition to achieving an overall efficiency improvement of 5% over 1997/98, and to set fees in accordance with the powers established under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1998.

  Licensing Targets

  Category A:
  Licences that involve no frequency assignment, site clearance or international co-ordination; 100% of applications and amendments to be processed and despatched within 5 working days.

  Category B:
  Licences that involve frequency assignment but no site clearance or international co-ordination; 90% of applications and amendments to be processed and despatched within 15 working days: the remainder to be processed and despatched within 25 working days or an explanation of the delay provided to the applicant.

  Category C:
  Licences that require frequency assignment and/or site clearance and/or international co-ordination; 90% of applications and amendments to be processed and despatched within 40 working days; remainder to be despatched within 60 working days, or an explanation of the delay provided to the applicant.
  240
  Renewals
  Renewals of all licences in category A to be processed and despatched within 5 working days; renewals of licences in categories B and C to be processed and despatched within 10 working days.

  Enforcement
  100% of safety of life services reports of interference to be investigated within 24 hrs.
  98% of business customers reports of interference to be investigated within 5 working days, the remainder within a further 10 days;
  98% of domestic customers reports of interference to be investigated within 1 month, the remainder within a further month.

  Correspondence
  I also expect all correspondence from hon. Members to Ministers, and all written complaints to the Chief Executive about Agency services, to be answered within 10 working days of receipt, the Agency's enquiry point to respond to 95% of all calls within 30 seconds, and 97% of valid invoices to be paid within 30 days (or as agreed with supplier) and the remainder to be paid within a further 30 days.

  Employment Tribunals Service
  Jane Griffiths
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what targets she has set her Department's Employment Tribunals Service for 1998–99. [40802]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I have set the Employment Tribunals Service the following quality of service targets for 1998/99 in respect of its tribunals activities. These are in addition to achieving an efficiency improvement of 3% over 1997/98.

  Hearing Targets
  Proportion of single industrial tribunal cases to be brought to a first hearing within 26 weeks; 85%.
  Proportion of single industrial tribunal cases to be brought to a first hearing within 26 weeks: minimum to be achieved by all offices; 65%.

  Decision Targets
  Proportion of industrial tribunal decisions issued within 4 weeks of final hearing; 85%.

  Appeals
  Proportion of appeals to the Employment Appeal Tribunal registered for preliminary hearing ready for listing within 6 weeks; 90%.

  User Satisfaction Surveys
  Proportion of industrial tribunal users expressing satisfaction in surveys with the service offered; 80%.

  Companies House
  Mrs. Heal
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what targets she has set her Department's Companies House Executive Agency for 1998–99. [40801]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I have set Companies House the following targets for the 1998/99 year:

  Operational Targets
  To process 97% of statutory documents within 5 days of receipt at Companies House.
  To achieve, on average, a monthly compliance rate for accounts submitted of 95%.
  To ensure that a minimum of 98% of fiche provided to customers is error free.
  To ensure that there is a minimum of 95% error free work in current processing.
  To answer 90% of all incoming telephone calls within 20 seconds.
  241
  Questions Delegated to the Chief Executive
  The Chief Executive to reply within 10 days to all letters from Members of Parliament delegated to him for reply.

  Complaints Handling
  To clear up 95% of complaints within 10 days.

  Financial Targets
  To maintain a cost reduction target of 3% on document registration.
  To achieve taking one year with another, a 6% average rate of return based on the operating surplus expressed as a percentage of average net assets.

  EU Consumers Council
  Mr. Hopkins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the outcome of the EU Consumers Council held on 23 April. [40805]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  The Government achieved its key Presidency objective in the consumer field when the Council agreed by a qualified majority a common position on a proposal for a directive on the sale of consumer goods and associated guarantees.

  The directive provides European consumers with common minimum rights when goods are faulty. In addition to their existing rights to return faulty goods and to claim damages, UK consumers will gain the following benefits:
  a clear right to repair or replacement, except where this is impossible or disproportionate, where the defect appears within two years of delivery;
  in the absence of proof to the contrary, a defect appearing within six months will be presumed to have existed at delivery;
  the law will provide that manufacturers' guarantees are legally binding.

  In providing common rights the directive should give consumers greater confidence to shop in other Member States and benefit from the Single Market. At the same time it will provide remedies which are fair and reasonable, reflecting the approach most UK traders already adopt in fulfilling their legal obligations. The Directive makes all retailers liable for defects which are shown to have been present at the time of delivery and which become apparent within two years of delivery. Liability will be subject, amongst other criteria, to consideration of what can be reasonably expected from a product. For example, expectations will be different for perishable goods. The Directive gives the remedies of price reduction or rescission of the contract where repair and replacement of faulty products are, for example, not possible.

  The Council also adopted the directive on injunctions for the protection of consumers' interests.

  The Commission gave presentations on:
  the effective application and enforcement of Community consumer legislation;
  its plans for the continuation of the European Home and Leisure Accidents Surveillance System (EHLASS);
  its proposals for the introduction of a voluntary scheme to facilitate out-of-court settlement of consumer disputes;
  a proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and the Council establishing a general framework for Community activities in favour of consumers.
  242
  Two "A" points were agreed. A request by the European Parliament for a one-month extension of its examination of a directive on genetically modified organisms and a draft common position relating to preparation of the Non Proliferation Treaty.

  Confiscated Property (Internet)
  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what arrangements she has made for publishing on the Internet the details of those whose property was confiscated under wartime legislation. [40803]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I have today made available on the Internet the details of those residents of Bulgaria, Germany, Hungary, Japan and Romania whose property was confiscated during the Second World War by the British Government under Trading with the Enemy Legislation.

  The information on the website is the same as that already available on summary record cards at the Public Record Office. Each record consists of a name and, where we have it, the address, summary details and value of the property seized. There are over 25,000 records, covering individuals and commercial organisations.

  My Department also holds less detailed records of about 5,000 cases from other countries, which I intend to post on the Internet in due course.

  The website can be found at www.enemy property.gov.uk. It will be possible to search the records using a name and/or an address.

  I am also establishing a helpline, available between 9.30 and 5.30 on working days, for those who do not have access to the Internet on 0171–215–6374 or 0171–215–6160.

  As I announced on 3 April, the Government have decided to establish a claims procedure. This will be based on the principle that confiscated assets placed in the UK by victims of Nazi persecution should be returned to them by the UK where practicable and where claims can be validated. The Government have also accepted the suggestion that an independent third party should consult interested parties, and advise on the form of the scheme the Government should adopt. I will announce the appointment of the independent third party as soon as possible.

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when Euratom was informed of the proposed shipment of radioactive material from Georgia to the United Kingdom. [39901]

  Mr. Battle
  The European Safeguards Directorate in Luxembourg were informed three weeks before the shipment, when an approximate date for the shipment was given. Euratom were subsequently provided with formal advance notification of the import, as required under Commission Regulation 3227/76, ten days before the provisional date of arrival of the material at Dounreay. The advance notification was subsequently amended to give the precise date three days before the shipment arrived.

  Patent Office
  Mr. Salter
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what targets she has set her Department's Patent Office Executive Agency for 1998–99. [40807]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I have set The Patent Office the following targets for 1998/99:

  Patents
  To issue 14,500 search reports or combined search and examination reports on average within 3 months from the date of request, with 90% of all reports issued within 4 months from the date of request.
  To grant 8,500 valid patents on average within 2 years from the date of filing of the request for substantive examination, with 90% of patents granted within 3 years from the date of request.

  Designs
  to register 8,700 designs on average within 5 months from the date of filing of the application, with 90% of all registrations within 12 months.

  Trade Marks
  The aim is to process 70,000 trade mark class applications to which no substantive objections are raised or oppositions filed within 9 months of application; the target for 1998/99 is to increase the proportion of trade marks registered within 9 months by 5% over 1997/98 outturn.

  Finance
  To pay 98% of bills within 30 days of receipt of goods or services or a valid invoice, whichever is the later.

  Questions delegated to the Chief Executive
  The Chief Executive will aim to reply within 10 days to all letters from Members of Parliament delegated to him for reply.

  Efficiency Target
  To increase output in relation to current expenditure by an average of at least 2% per annum over the period 1998/99 to 2002/03.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Fisheries Enforcement Measures
  Mr. John Smith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on progress on fisheries enforcement measures. [39117]

  Mr. Morley
  Effective enforcement is a top priority for this Government and progress has been made on a number of fronts in the interests of conserving fish stocks and ensuring the long-term viability of the fishing industry.

  Cattle Passports
  Mr. Cranston
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cattle passports are issued each week by his Ministry. [39119]

  Mr. Rooker
  The average figure is 33,800.

  Common Agricultural Policy
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what savings in the EU agriculture budget he will propose in discussions in the Council of Ministers on CAP reform. [39121]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Government will continue to press for CAP reforms which deliver lower prices to consumers in the short term and savings to taxpayers in due course.
  244
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the European Commission's proposals for the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy. [39120]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  The European Commission's proposals go very much in the direction the Government have been advocating, and build on the 1992 reforms which began to shift aid from production support to income support.

  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he plans to put to the Council of Ministers for the reform of the CAP during the UK presidency. [39132]

  Mr. Rooker
  The European Commission presented its formal legislative proposals for reform of the Common Agricultural Policy to the Agriculture Council on 31 March. In many respects, these proposals go very much in the direction that the Government have advocated. The Government will progress discussion of these proposals as far as possible during the UK Presidency and will therefore seek to negotiate an outcome which reflects UK priorities.

  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the impact of CAP reform on the next round of World Trade Organisation talks. [39134]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Government believe the Agenda 2000 proposals for CAP reform are a welcome step in the right direction. The proposals will generally address the problems which arise from the EU's current WTO commitments, concluded as part of the GATT Uruguay Round. We do not, however, feel they prepare fully for the next round of agricultural liberalisation negotiations in the WTO, which are due to start at the turn of the century.

  Sir Michael Spicer
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the reform of methods of payment to farmers in the proposals of the European Commission to reform the CAP. [39136]

  Mr. Rooker
  The European Commission's proposals for the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy go very much in the direction the Government have been advocating, and build on the 1992 reforms which began to shift aid from production support to income support. However, we are disappointed that there is no time-limit or degressivity for compensatory aids.

  Beef Export Ban
  Sir Geoffrey Johnson Smith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had with(a) the European Commission and (b) members of the European Agriculture Council about the total lifting of the beef export ban on UK beef. [39122]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  On 16 March, the Agriculture Council agreed to allow exports of deboned beef and beef products from Northern Ireland under the Export Certified Herds Scheme, and we have continued to discuss proposals for a Date Based Export Scheme with the Commission, which would apply across the UK.
  245
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress is being made on securing the lifting of the beef export ban on the basis of a date-based scheme; and if he will make a statement. [39130]

  Mr. Rooker
  We are continuing to make progress with our proposals for a Date Based Export Scheme. Our officials have had productive discussions with their counterparts in the European Commission. As a result, the Commission is now preparing a draft proposal for presentation to the Standing Veterinary Committee in accordance with the procedure laid down in the Florence Agreement.

  Hill Farms
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the importance of hill farms to the rural economy in upland areas. [39123]

  Mr. Morley
  A recent economic evaluation of the Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances Scheme in England suggests that the relative importance of farming in upland areas in England is declining as the non-agricultural population increases. Agriculture, nevertheless, remains a significant employer in the Less Favoured Areas and we recognise the role that it plays in sustaining the upland economy, as well as the traditional upland landscape.

  Dairy Farmers
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the number of dairy farmers who will cease milk production this year. [39124]

  Mr. Morley
  None. However, the number of dairy farmers has been falling for many years and it is likely this trend will continue.

  Food Safety Standards
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of food safety standards across the European Union. [39125]

  Mr. Rooker
  Much food law is harmonised at the EU level and it is the Commission's responsibility to ensure that standards are applied consistently. The Government believe that UK consumers should be able to expect the same high standards of safety from food produced anywhere in the EU.

  British Beef
  Judy Mallaber
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he has taken to increase sales of British beef. [39126]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Government have continued to support various initiatives to help restore consumer confidence in beef and so promote sales. These have included Farm Assurance Schemes, the Assured British Meat initiative and measures such as beef labelling, raising hygiene standards and improving cattle traceability. We have also been in discussion with the 246
  Ministry of Defence recently to explore ways in which the volume of British beef purchased by the Armed Forces might be increased.

  Milk Prices
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent discussions he has had with representatives of milk producers about the price of milk; and if he will make a statement. [39127]

  Mr. Morley
  I have regular meetings on a range of issues with fanning organisations. Some of these organisations have milk producers amongst their members. Apart from the operation of the Common Agricultural Policy, the price milk producers receive for their products is a commercial matter.

  Food Standards Agency
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to publish the draft Food Standards Agency Bill. [39128]

  Mr. Rooker
  We hope to publish the draft Bill later in the current Parliamentary Session.

  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what powers the Food Standards Agency will have in respect of imported food. [39014]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Agency will need to play a key role in import policy to ensure that food safety continues to be protected, and we are looking at how this can best be achieved whilst taking into account trade and animal health issues.

  The Agency will have responsibility for legislation and guidance on enforcement activities relating to imported food under The Imported Food Regulations 1997. Responsibility for enforcing food safety legislation in respect of imported food will remain with the Port Health Authorities and Local Authorities, but in future the Agency will have a key role in monitoring this work. In addition, the Agency will take on MAFF's current responsibilities for routine chemical and microbiological surveillance of foodstuffs, which makes no distinction between imported and domestic produce. Where surveillance gives rise to concerns, it will be for the Agency to decide—on the basis of advice from its expert Committees—what action to take.

  Beef Labelling
  Mrs. Dean
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress he has made with regard to labelling of beef. [39129]

  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what evaluation he is undertaking of the beef labelling scheme. [39135]

  Mr. Rooker
  No evaluation of the beef labelling scheme can yet be undertaken, because of the European Commission's decision further to delay the scheme's full entry into force until 1 July. Nevertheless, some 11,000 beef outlets in the UK have already received approval for the detailed labelling information they supply, having
  247
  applied voluntarily since the scheme's launch last October. I expect more to receive approval before the scheme takes full effect.

  Fishing Industry
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what meetings he has recently had with representatives of the UK fishing industry to discuss the prospects of the industry. [39131]

  Mr. Morley
  I am meeting representatives of the UK fishing industry today, 30 April, to discuss future prospects.

  Bureaucracy
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to reduce bureaucracy and the form-filling required of farmers by his Department and its agencies and officials. [39111]

  Mr. Rooker
  We have systems in place to check the necessity and usability of forms. We also have studies and trials to deliver schemes more effectively.

  Central Science Laboratory
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the names of the specialists from the commercial sector appointed to advise him on how best to achieve a secure future for the Central Science Laboratory, as announced by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on 9 December 1996. [37790]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 6 April 1998]: Following the announcement by the previous Administration on 9 December 1996 a tendering exercise was launched to identify consultants to advise on the issue. These procedures were suspended over the period of the General Election and not proceeded with thereafter. Subsequently, it was decided by management that the Central Science Laboratory (CSL) would benefit from a period of consolidation at its new York laboratory, following the intense period of examination during the Prior Options review and other external management consultants' investigations.

  CSL appointed a Commercial Director from the private sector in September 1997 who is charged with taking forward initiatives in this area.

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment his Department has made of the implications of the case High Table Ltd. versus Horst (1997) for redundancy payments for mobile staff employed by the Central Science Laboratory in Norwich in the event that such staff refuse to relocate to York; and what are the financial implications for the Central Science Laboratory. [37949]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Department is aware of the High Table versus Horst case. Our legal advice is that it would not have a material impact on the assessments for relocation costs that are being made in connection with the possible relocation of the work undertaken at the Central Science Laboratory (CSL), Norwich. This being the case, there are no financial implications for CSL.
  248
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many staff were employed by the Central Science Laboratory at(a) Slough, (b) Harpenden and (c) Worplesdon in January 1995; and how many were still employed by the CSL, at York, in January 1998, broken down (i) into (1) scientists and (2) non-scientists and (ii) into (A) mobile and (B) non-mobile grades. [37766]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 6 April 1998]: The information requested is as follows; although I should alert my hon. Friend that the information for the two dates is not directly comparable.

  January 1995

  January 1998

  Slough

  Harpenden

  Worplesdon

  York

  Total staff

  235

  168

  50

  181

  of which:

  Scientists

  147

  102

  38

  148

  Non scientists

  88

  66

  12

  33

  Mobiles

  128

  87

  26

  169

  Non mobiles

  107

  81

  24

  12

  A number of factors have influenced the level of staffing within the Central Science Laboratory over the period January 1995 to January 1998.

  Amongst mobile grades there were 6 retirements at normal retirement age and one medical retirement during this period. In addition there were two voluntary early retirement exercises conducted to reduce staff levels as a result of declining funding and where it was clear that the posts would not be required for the future. 26 staff in mobile grades, based at Slough, Harpenden or Worplesdon, took early retirement between January 1995 and March 1996, prior to the relocation exercise which commenced in September 1996.

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answers of 5 March 1998,Official Report, column 728, 31 March 1998, Official Report, column 506 and 7 April 1998, Official Report, column 216, what assessment he has made of the discrepancy between the proportion of scientific staff who transferred from Tony, Aberdeen to York and the proportion of all staff in mobile grades which have transferred to York. [39001]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 20 April 1998]: The circumstances of the closure of the Torry laboratory differ from those of the major relocation exercise to occupy the new Central Science Laboratory (CSL) at Sand Hutton, York.

  With the closure of the Tony laboratory, funding for work which was of particular relevance to Scotland was transferred to the Scottish Office and work programmes and associated staff were transferred to the Rowett Research Institute, Aberdeen University and the Scottish Office Marine Laboratory.

  There was no such transfer of funding or staff for the work that was relocated to York from a number of CSL sites, including Slough, Worplesdon and Harpenden.
  249
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what performance targets he has set for the Central Science Laboratory in 1998–99; and if he will make a statement.[40796]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  I have set the Central Science Laboratory the following performance targets for 1998–99.

  Efficiency
  1 per cent. improvement in utilisation of productive time.

  Delivery of Science
  At least 90 per cent. of work completed to time and within budget;
  Achieve a mean score of 3.5 on a scale of 0 to 5 for the assessment of customer satisfaction using the established methodology;
  Proportion of project milestones achieved to be at or greater than 82 per cent. (MAFF commissioned projects).

  Financial
  100 per cent. recovery of full costs after allowing for relocation costs;
  To operate within the net cost allocation as agreed by the MAFF Management Board.

  Allergic Reactions
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the potential allergic reaction that could be caused by the transfer of a gene from one foodstuff to another, where the original foodstuff causes such a reaction. [40325]

  Mr. Rooker
  An assessment of allergenic potential forms an essential part of the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes's safety assessment of any genetically modified food.

  Novel Foods
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what level of quantifiable risk must be reached before permission to authorise a novel food is refused. [40324]

  Mr. Rooker
  My Department has responsibility for novel foods. I receive advice on the safety from the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (ACNFP) which assesses all novel foods in accordance with guidelines laid down by the European Commission (Official Journal L253, Vol. 40 of 16 September 1997). These guidelines, which reflect the views of internationally recognised experts in this area, are not based on the concept of quantitative risk assessment. Instead, each application is rigorously assessed on a case-by-case basis to ensure the product will not present a danger to the consumer, mislead the consumer or differ from foods or food ingredients which they are intended to replace to such an extent that their normal consumption would be nutritionally disadvantageous.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many applications for approval of novel foods have been considered for each year from 1990 to date; for each year how many were(a) approved and (b) refused; and how many are outstanding. [40322]

  Mr. Rooker
  A complete list of the novel foods considered by the Advisory Committee on Novel Food and Processes (ACNFP) prior to the EU Novel Foods 250
  Regulation (258/97) coming into force in May 1997 is contained in Appendix XIII of its Annual Report for 1996, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House. This is a complete list of all novel foods that have been considered in the United Kingdom up to March 1997. Between that date and 15 May 1997, no further applications were considered.

  Since the Novel Foods Regulation came into force, the Committee has considered four applications requesting an opinion on substantial equivalence, for two genetically modified (GM) cottonseeds, a GM potato and a GM maize, and has requested further information for all of them. In addition, one full application for food safety clearance, on GM tomatoes, which were approved for use prior to May 1997 but for which not all applications had reached the market, has been considered and approved. A report on this will be forwarded to the European Commission shortly.

  BSE Unit
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what is the remit of the BSE unit; [39996]

  (2) how many persons work in the BSE unit; [39997]

  (3) what is the role of his Department's BSE unit in relation to the independent inquiry into BSE; [39998]

  (4) what is the total proposed budget for the BSE unit for each year of its operation; [39999]

  (5) how many staff are allocated to his Department's BSE unit by grade; [40000]

  (6) if he will give the name and grade of the civil servant who is in charge of his Department's BSE unit; [40001]

  (7) if he will make a statement on the arrangements for ensuring the accountability of officials in his Department's BSE unit to Ministers; [40002]

  (8) if his Department's BSE defence unit and BSE unit are the same organisations. [40003]

  Mr. Rooker
  The MAFF BSE Inquiry Liaison Unit was set up to assist the BSE Inquiry in establishing the relevant facts into which it is inquiring; to deal scrupulously and promptly with the Inquiry's requests for information; and to provide appropriate documentary and legal support for individual MAFF witnesses, including former Ministers, in their dealings with the Inquiry.

  In accordance with the conventions on access to papers of previous Administrations, Ministers are playing no part in the presentation of evidence to the Inquiry by their departments. The Liaison Unit's support to the Inquiry and to witnesses is therefore being provided under the authority of the Permanent Secretary, in accordance with guidance from the Cabinet Secretary. Staff working in the Liaison Unit otherwise remain accountable to Ministers in the normal way, including for support on the Government's policy towards the Inquiry.

  The Department does not have a separate "BSE defence unit". It is primarily for individual witnesses, including former Ministers and the then responsible senior officials, to explain in their evidence to the Inquiry their and the Ministry's part in the emergence and control of BSE. In

  251
  line with precedent, the Liaison Unit is providing witnesses with documentary, logistical and, where necessary, legal support in the task.

  The Unit's estimated budget for the current year is some £1.5 million, excluding the costs of legal advice to MAFF witnesses. The Unit reports to Mr. Neil Thornton, a member of the senior civil service, and then to the Permanent Secretary.

  My hon. Friend may be interested to know that the Department has already provided over half a million pages of photocopies to meet the Inquiry's needs.

  The Unit comprises the following posts by grade:

  Grade

  Number

  SCS

  1

  Grade6

  1

  Grade 7

  3

  HEO (D)

  1

  E0

  5

  AO

  3

  AA

  4

  PS

  2

  Paperkeeper

  1

  Total Staff

  26

  In accordance with the Inquiry Chairman's wishes, the Department has also appointed Counsel to help with the presentation of evidence.

  Farming And Rural Conservation Agency
  Miss Geraldine Smith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what performance targets he has set for the Farming and Rural Conservation Agency for 1998–99; and if he will make a statement. [40792]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  With the agreement of the Secretary of Sate for Wales I have set the following targets for the Farming and Rural Conservation Agency (FRCA) for 1998/99.

  Efficiency
  To deliver a 3 per cent. efficiency saving compared with 1997/98.

  Delivery of Services
  92 per cent. of work completed in time.
  98 per cent. of work completed to quality standards agreed with MAFF and WOAD customers.
  Design and carry out a user and customer satisfaction survey.

  Financial Performance
  To recover from Government Departments and Agencies the full economic cost (calculated according to accruals accounting) of its services.
  To operate within the net cash allocation as agreed for FRCA by the MAFF Management Board.

  Pesticides Safety Directorate
  Miss Geraldine Smith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what performance targets he has set for the Pesticides Safety Directorate for 1998–99; and if he will make a statement. [40793]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  I have set the following targets for the Pesticides Safety Directorate in 1998/99.
  252
  Quality of Service
  To meet the throughput and processing time targets set out in the table below.
  To deliver high quality policy advice to Ministers and to represent them effectively.
  To deliver scientific work of recognised high quality.

  Financial Performance
  To recover from industry and Government the full economic cost (calculated according to accruals accounting) of its service.
  To operate within MAFF's net cash allocation agreed for PSD by MAFF's Management Board.

  Throughput and processing time targets:

  Application Stream

  Planned completions

  Processing time (weeks)

  New Substances (Notes 1,2)

  Sift

  15

  22

  Evaluation UK

  6

  52

  EU

  8

  52

  Reviews (Note 3)

  Full

  —

  —

  Other

  26

  —

  European

  Non-UK rapporteur

  monographs

  20

  —

  Technical Secretariat (Notes 1,2)

  Normal

  370

  41

  Fast

  400

  17

  Extrapolated Experimental

  10

  16

  Approval

  5

  26

  Experimental Permit

  15

  12

  Emergency Off Label

  40

  34

  Non-emergency Off Label

  15

  52

  Departmental

  550

  4

  Administrative Fast

  45

  —

  Other

  —

  Total

  1,525

  —

  Notes:

  1. 90 per cent. of applications are covered by the processing time targets except the sift where the figure is 100 per cent.

  2. Completed applications have no outstanding actions eg approval issued or application refused.

  3. For UK reviews, completion is when all 5 regulatory Departments have given approval.

  Meat Hygiene Service
  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what performance targets he has set for the Meat Hygiene Service for 1998–99; and if he will make a statement. [40794]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  I have set the following performance targets for the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) for 1998/99:
  253
  Operational and service delivery
  To take all measures necessary to ensure full compliance in licensed premises with Specified Risk Material Regulations 1997 and other related statutory instruments.
  To develop a comprehensive training package for all current MHS staff and to ensure that all MHS contract and employed OVSs, Meat Hygiene Inspectors and Meat Technicians complete a formal training programme in HACCP and Quality (ISO 9002) by 31 March 1999, and to present a formal programme of evaluation of the results of this training.
  To ensure that by the end of 1998/99 on a rolling three-month average at least 93 per cent. of licensed premises are achieving HAS scores of more than 65 and that 75 per cent. of all licensed premises are achieving HAS scores of more than 70.
  To strictly implement the Clean Livestock Policy by ensuring that cattle and sheep classified into categories 3 and 4 on the clean livestock scale are only exceptionally, and subject to special precautions being taken, slaughtered for human consumption and that no animals in category 5 are accepted for human consumption.
  To ensure a strict prohibition on carcases showing any faecal contamination being health-marked for human consumption.
  To publish by 31 July 1998 the report on the MHS Welfare Survey undertaken in 1997/98. To provide instructions or training to MHS staff in areas where action or recommendations are made in the Welfare Audit.

  Financial Performance
  To charge plant operators the full economic costs (calculated in accordance with the relevant legislation and accruals accounting and Industry Charges Guide) of providing the statutory health inspection and controls at fresh meat premises.
  To recover from government departments, agencies and the Intervention Board the full economic costs (calculated in accordance with the relevant charging legislation and accruals accounting) of providing agreed services or other work undertaken on their behalf.
  To operate within the net cash allocation as agreed during the year by the MAFF Management Board.

  Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science
  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what performance targets he has set for the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science for 1998–99; and if he will make a statement. [40795]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  I have set the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science the following performance targets for 1998/99:

  Efficiency
  To achieve the savings forecast in the Efficiency Plan

  Delivery of Service
  To give satisfaction to its customers in the way that outputs are provided taking account of the relevance, timeliness and value for money of outputs and the achievement of ROAME milestones.

  Quality of Service
  To maintain a high standard of excellence, based on indicators of scientific and technical quality.

  Financial Performance
  To recover from Government Departments and Agencies and external customers the full economic costs (calculated according to accruals accounting) of its services.
  To operate within the net cash allocation as agreed by the MAFF Management Board.

  Veterinary Medicines Directorate
  Miss Geraldine Smith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what performance targets he has set for the Veterinary Medicines Directorate for 1998–99; and if he will make a statement. [40791]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  I have set the following performance targets for the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) for 1998–99:

  Safety and Quality
  Enter Suspected Adverse Reaction Surveillance Scheme (SARSS) reports on to the database as follows:
  human reports: within 2 working days
  serious animal reports: within 2 working days
  non-serious animal reports: within 10 working days.
  Report to the Veterinary Products Committee (VPC) each quarter reviewing trends in SARSS reports and identifying areas requiring evaluation.
  Collect and analyse 95 per cent. of the samples in the national residues surveillance plan.
  Provide high quality policy advice to Ministers.
  Provide high quality scientific assessment work.

  Standards of Service
  100 per cent. compliance with timetables for centralised and decentralised authorisation procedures (including maximum residue limits).
  90 per cent. of new marketing authorisations to be determined or referred to the VPC within 120 clock days.
  100 per cent. of new marketing authorisations to be determined within 210 clock days.
  100 per cent. of valid applications to have first assessment by 75 clock days and to be determined by 150 clock days.
  100 per cent. of valid renewal applications to have first assessment by 90 clock days and to be determined by 180 clock days.

  People
  Achieve Investors in People accreditation by 31 March 1999.

  Financial Control
  Recover from industry and Government the full economic cost (calculated according to accruals accounting) of each of its main business activities (licensing and surveillance; policy work; residue monitoring).
  Operate within the net cash allocations agreed for VMD by MAFF's Management Board.

  Veterinary Laboratories Agency
  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what performance targets he has set for the Veterinary Laboratories Agency in 1998–99; and if he will make a statement. [40797]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  I have set the Veterinary Laboratories Agency the following performance targets for 1998–99:

  Efficiency
  Achievement of an agreed programme of rationalisation

  Service Delivery
  85% of ROAME R&D milestones achieved

  Service Quality
  Achievement of laboratory accreditation for Specified Pathogen Free Hatchery, the Brucella Biohazard Unit and the Protozoology Unit.

  Financial Performance
  Full cost recovery for all Veterinary Laboratories Agency services.
  To operate within the net cash allocation as agreed by the MAFF Management Board.

  Chemical and Nuclear Contamination
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information his Department compiles on chemical or nuclear contamination incidents where there were potential food safety implications; if this information is available to the public; and if he will make a statement. [40798]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Department compiles annual reports on all such incidents and the Department's response to them. These reports are available to inquirers, free of charge. The latest report by the Ministry's Food Safety Incident Response Team, entitled "Food Protection 1997" has been placed in the Library of the House. It contains details of 230 incidents dealt with in 1997.

HEALTH

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his latest estimate of the cost of resolving the millennium computer problem, including the embedded chip problem, in the National Health Service; how much money has been spent on this to date; and if he will make a statement. [37992]

  Mr. Milburn
  [holding answer 7 April 1998]: The National Health Service Executive required health bodies to complete detailed project plans including budget estimates by 31 March 1998.

  The returns are still being analysed and a statement will be issued in due course.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what estimates his Department has made of the likely total cost to the National Health Service in achieving medical equipment compliance with the millennium bug; [37996]

  (2) what extra resources will be made available to the National Health Service in tackling the problem of millennium compliance. [37997]

  Mr. Milburn
  [holding answer 8 April 1998]: The National Health Service Executive required bodies to complete detailed project plans including budget estimates by 31 March 1998.

  The returns are still being analysed and a statement will be issued in due course.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the total cost to the NHS of achieving millennium compliance. [38061]

  Mr. Milburn
  [holding answer 8 April 1998]: The National Health Service Executive required health bodies to complete detailed project plans including budget estimates by 31 March 1998.

  The returns are still being analysed and a statement will be issued in due course.

  Dentistry
  Mrs. Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 2 April 1998,Official Report,
  256
  columns 643–44, on Investing in Dentistry, if he will list the successful applications in the South West by parliamentary constituency. [39384]

  Mr. Milburn
  The table gives details of health authorities in the South West Regional Office area whose requests have been approved, the locations of successful schemes and the relevant Parliamentary constituencies.

  Health authority

  Location

  Parliamentary constituency

  Avon Health Authority

  Stockwood

  Bristol, South

  Avon Health Authority

  Bishopsworth

  Bristol, South

  Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Health Authority

  Cambourne

  Falmouth and Cambourne

  Dorset Health Authority

  Sherborne

  Dorset, West

  Dorset Health Authority

  Weymouth

  Dorset, South

  Gloucestershire Health Authority

  Cheltenham

  Cheltenham

  Gloucestershire Health Authority

  Cheltenham

  Cheltenham

  Gloucestershire Health Authority

  Cheltenham

  Cheltenham

  Gloucestershire Health Authority

  Gloucester

  Gloucester

  Gloucestershire Health Authority

  Gloucester

  Gloucester

  Gloucestershire Health Authority

  Dursley

  Stroud

  Gloucestershire Health Authority

  Newent

  Forest of Dean

  Isle of Wight Health Authority

  Newport

  Isle of Wight

  Isle of Wight Health Authority

  Sandown

  Isle of Wight

  North and East Devon Health Authority

  Cullompton

  Tiverton and Honiton

  North and East Devon Health Authority

  Bideford

  Devon, West and Torridge

  North and East Devon Health Authority

  Torrington

  Devon, West and Torridge

  North and East Devon Health

  Exeter

  Exeter Authority

  North and Mid Hampshire Health Authority

  Whitchurch

  Hampshire, North West

  Portsmouth Health Authority

  Fareham

  Fareham

  Portsmouth Health Authority

  Hayling Island

  Havant

  Portsmouth Health Authority

  Leigh Park

  Havant

  Portsmouth Health Authority

  Havant

  Havant

  Portsmouth Health Authority

  North Portsmouth

  Portsmouth, North

  Somerset Health Authority

  Yeovil

  Yeovil

  Somerset Health Authority

  Langport

  Somerton and Frome

  Somerset Health Authority

  Somerton

  Somerton and Frome

  Somerset Health Authority

  Bridgwater

  Bridgwater

  South and West Devon Health Authority

  Tavistock

  Devon, West and Torridge

  South and West Devon Health Authority

  Brixham

  Totnes

  South and West Devon Health Authority

  Torquay

  Torbay

  Southampton and South West Hampshire Health Authority

  Romsey

  Romsey

  Southampton and South West Hampshire Health Authority

  Central Southampton

  Southampton Itchen and Southampton Test

  Southampton and South West Hampshire Health Authority

  Southampton East

  Southampton Itchen and Southampton Test

  Southampton and South West Hampshire Health Authority

  Hythe

  Southampton Itchen and Southampton Test

  Southampton and South West Hampshire Health Authority

  Southampton west

  Southampton Test Itchen and

  Southampton and South West Hampshire Health Authority

  Eastleigh

  Eastleigh

  Southampton and South West Hampshire Health Authority

  Southampton Central

  Eastleigh

  Southampton and South West Hampshire Health Authority

  North Baddesley

  Eastleigh

  Wiltshire Health Authority

  Salisbury

  Salisbury

  Wiltshire Health Authority

  Salisbury

  Salisbury

  Wiltshire Health Authority

  Salisbury

  Salisbury

  Wiltshire Health Authority

  Salisbury

  Salisbury

  Wiltshire Health Authority

  Salisbury

  Salisbury

  Wiltshire Health Authority

  Swindon

  Swindon, North and Swindon, South

  257

  Health authority

  Location

  Parliamentary constituency

  Wiltshire Health Authority

  Swindon

  Swindon, North and Swindon South

  Wiltshire Health Authority

  Swindon

  Swindon, North and Swindon, South

  Wiltshire Health Authority

  Swindon

  Swindon, North and Swindon, South

  Wiltshire Health Authority

  Swindon

  Westbury

  Wiltshire Health Authority

  Trowbridge Warminster

  Westbury

  Note:

  As at 21 April 1998

  Mrs. Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will ensure that the sums from the 1997–98 fund for the Investing in Dentistry initiative which remain unallocated are spent on NHS dentistry; [39378]

  (2) pursuant to his answer of 2 April 1998, Official Report, column 645, on investing in dentistry, for what reasons £6.9 million of the money available has not yet been allocated; [39697]

  (3) what criteria are used when allocating grants under the investing in dentistry scheme.[39695]

  Mr. Milburn
  Full guidance was issued to health authorities about making proposals under the investing in dentistry scheme, in September 1997. (Copies of (HSG(97)38) will be placed in the Library.) The scheme is operated only where the requirements of Section 56 of the National Health Service Act 1977 are met.

  The criteria used in deciding upon proposals are:

  (1) Whether there are sufficient grounds to justify making arrangements to supplement the usual general dental services (GDS) arrangements, under Section 56 of the 1977 NHS Act to address a significant local problem in the provision of GDS.

  (2) Whether the proposal would address that problem effectively.

  (3) Whether the scheme offers value for money.

  (4) Whether the dentists concerned are willing to take on a significant number of new NHS patients and maintain that commitment for a period of at least 3 to 5 years.

  Expenditure (that is, funds allocated to successful proposals) is dependent upon appropriate proposals being put forward by health authorities whose function it is to assess local needs, and upon their approval by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State.

  Funds reserved for the Investing in Dentistry initiative are not available for other purposes. The scheme will continue in 1998/99, with up to £10 million being available to meet the cost of approved grants or incentives and any associated in-year treatment costs for the extra patients brought into care.

  Spinal Injuries
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many spinal injury units there are in England. [39739]
  258
  Mr. Milburn
  This information is not collected centrally. It is currently the responsibility of health authorities to assess the health care needs of their population and to commission in-patient services, including specialist facilities such as spinal injury units, appropriately.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received concerning the type of treatment required by patients with spinal injuries. [39766]

  Mr. Milburn
  Since 1 September 1997, the Department has received 15 Private Office cases from Members of Parliament and 2 letters from members of the public and voluntary organisations about spinal injury.

  NHS Pensions Agency
  Ms Keeble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the key targets for 1998–99 for the NHS Pensions Agency. [40808]

  Mr. Milburn
  We have agreed the Agency's key tasks and targets for 1998–99, and have placed copies in the Library.

  Northumberland Health Care Trust
  Mr. Peter Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list those appointed to the Northumberland Health Care NHS Trust Board, stating(a) the area in which they live and (b) their political affiliation. [40096]

  Mr. Milburn
  The names, area of residency and significant political activity of those appointed to the board of the new Northumbria National Health Service Trust are shown:

  Name

  Postal town

  Significant Political activity

  Brian Flood (Chairman)

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  Labour

  Ian Swithenbank

  Cramlington

  Labour

  Rev. Mrs. Doreen Hood

  North Shields

  None

  Only information on candidates' significant political activity is collected.

  Morecambe Bay Hospital Trust
  Mr. Collins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reason no member of the board of the Westmorland Hospital NHS Trust was appointed to the board of the new merged Morecambe Bay Hospital NHS Trust; and if he will make a statement. [40320]

  Mr. Milburn
  There can be no guarantee of non-executives from a merging trust being appointed to the new trust board. All appointments to the new Morecambe Bay Hospital National Health Service Trust were made on merit and in accordance with the Department's published procedures, copies of which are in the Library.

  Radioactive Isotopes
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what quantity of radioactive isotopes have been used in the treatment of cancer by the NHS in each year since 1992; [39902]

  (2) if he will estimate how long, at current usage rates the stocks of radioactive isotopes for the treatment of cancer in the NHS will last. [39903]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Department does not have central records of the amounts of radio isotopes used for medical purposes. The Radioactive Substances Act (1993) requires users to register with the Environment Agency (or Scottish Environment Protection Agency) and to obtain a certificate of authorisation for accumulation and/or disposal of radioactive waste. There are nine pharmaceutical companies who hold current United Kingdom marketing authorisations for some 90 radiopharmaceutical products. The UK Atomic Energy Authority has confirmed that sources of high enriched uranium (HEU) in western Europe are almost exhausted. HEU is required to manufacture some medical radioisotopes

  Continence Services
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in the Warrington, North constituency are provided with continence services by the local health 260
  authority; and what budget has been allocated by the authority to continence care for each year from 1990–91. [40223]

  Mr. Milburn
  The information requested is not held centrally. However, Warrington Community Health Care National Health Service Trust has supplied the details which are given in the tables. The trust is able to supply data from 1994/95 onwards, but the information requested is not available prior to this date. Warrington Community Health Care NHS Trust does not collect data by ward, and therefore, the information supplied concerns the whole of Warrington.

  Table 1: Budget for Continence Services, Warrington

  £

  Products only

  Total expenditure

  1994–95

  231,290

  323,640

  1995–96

  226,736

  298,370

  1996–97

  258,804

  332,216

  1997–98

  251,025

  351,081

  Source:

  Warrington Community Health Care NHS Trust

  Table 2: Current Client Base for Continence Services, Warrington

  Number

  Total clients known to service (at 31/10/97)

  2,168

  Domestic clients registered with home delivery service

  1,071

  Residential homes clients receiving products

  166

  Clients receiving catheters, advice, etc.

  891

  Clients receiving physiotherapy services

  40

  Source:

  Warrington Community Health Care NHS Trusts

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