Written Answers of 1 December 1998

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Planning Inspectors (Charges)
  Sir Nicholas Lyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent percentage increases there have been in the daily rates charged for planning inspectors conducting inquiries into local plans and other planning inquiries; and if he will make a statement. [61188]

  Mr. Raynsford
  I have asked the Planning Inspectorate's Chief Executive, Mr. Chris Shepley, to write to the right hon. and learned Member.

  Letter from David Hanchet to Sir Nicholas Lyell, dated 1 December 1998:

  The Secretary of State has asked Chris Shepley to reply to your Question about the daily rates charged for Planning Inspectors. I am replying in his absence today on official business.

  The Planning Inspectorate makes charges for two categories of inquiry held by our Inspectors. The fee for conducting local plan inquiries was set at £340 per day in February 1996, and the fee for conducting other planning inquiries under various items of legislation was set at £350 per day in October 1994.

  A review of the fees has shown that under our previous methodology the full costs of the service were not being recovered. As a result, new fees of £430 per day for local plan inquiries and £492 for the other recoverable inquiries are now planned (increases of 26.5% and 40.6% respectively).

  Although these are significant it is important to remember that

  a. the service was effectively being subsided in the past;

  b. there have been no increases for nearly 3 years in one case and over 4 in the other;

  c. although the daily rate has increased, the service provided has become steadily more efficient through a variety of management measures taken by the Planning Inspectorate. As a result, the actual duration of inquiries, and therefore the number of chargeable days, has reduced.

  Sites of Special Scientific Interest
  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the policies applied by English Partnerships when deciding whether to fund development proposals affecting sites of special scientific interest are to be reviewed following the release of the consultation paper on better protection and management of SSSIs. [61006]

  Mr. Meale
  English Partnerships is currently reviewing all aspects of its environmental policy, including that on development proposals affecting SSSIs. This review is taking account of the commitments set out in my department's consultation document "Better Protection and Management of SSSIs", that Government Departments and agencies publish statements of commitment, or sign appropriate memoranda of understanding with DETR, in 112
  relation to the obligation to secure the protection and positive management of special sites for which they are responsible.

  The review will result in the production of new internal guidance, which will include more specific advice on how the Agency operates on land close to, or within, SSSIs and other environmentally sensitive areas. A copy of this will be placed in the Library of the House when available.

  Housing Sounding Board
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many tenant representatives there are on the Housing Sounding Board. [61427]

  Ms Armstrong
  I established the Housing Sounding Board in December last year to discuss a number of housing issues. Members of the Board have a wide range of experience in housing and related issues and serve in a personal capacity. The current members are:

  Chris Holmes, Shelter

  Alan Kilburn, formerly of Home Housing Association

  Steve Mycio, Manchester City Council

  Mike Ockenden, Barclays

  Anne Power, London School of Economics

  Heather Rabbatts, Lambeth Borough Council

  Steve Wilcox, University of York and HACAS

  Neale Coleman, Paddington Consultancy Partnership

  Steve Hilditch, Paddington Consultancy Partnership.

  As the Board nears the end of its first year, I am reviewing its future purposes and membership. As part of that review, I will be considering tenant and other representation.

  Council Tax
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what would have been the additional increase in the council tax at Band D of each local authority in 1998–99 if the proposed council tax limitation scheme had been introduced this year, assuming the limit had been set at five per cent. over 1997–98. [61666]

  Ms Armstrong
  We have abolished crude and universal capping and have not proposed a council tax limitation scheme for 1999–2000 or subsequent years. We will be taking reserve powers to limit council taxes in the Local Government Bill published on 1 December 1998.

  Local Government (Honorary Freedoms)
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will confer upon charter trustees and town councils the powers contained in section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972 in respect to the conferring of honorary freedoms. [61833]

  Mr. Raynsford
  No. I am advised that for my right hon. Friend to extend the powers in section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972 to include charter trustees and town councils would he unusual, unexpected and inappropriate. We have no plans for further legislation in this field.

  Train Operating Companies
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the outcome of his meeting with train operating companies. [61938]

  Dr. Reid
  The Deputy Prime Minister, the Minister for Transport in London and I met representatives from the rail franchisees and Railtrack on November 26. The meeting was frank and constructive. It represented a significant first step aimed at delivering improvements to passengers.

  The Government believe, and the industry accepts, that the target must be progressive, year-on-year improvement in performance. Measures identified to improve service in the short term included the recruitment and training of 800 drivers and the introduction over the next year of 500 new vehicles, of which about half will be additional to the current fleet. There will be a wider-ranging National Railways Summit next February to build on measures and actions identified at this first meeting.

  Aircraft Noise
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the research on the effect of aircraft noise on sleep disturbance which his Department has commissioned, indicating sites chosen for noise trials. [61974]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We have commissioned a research trial on the effect of aircraft noise on sleep disturbance. This trial is to assess analytical techniques and methodology, and their limitations, to help us decide whether to proceed with a full-scale study either of sleep prevention or of total sleep loss, and to determine what should be included in any such study. The trial will involve taking measurements of people sleeping in their own homes and will be based at Manchester Airport, which provides a suitable combination of densely populated communities close to the airport with a spread of aircraft noise throughout the night. It may be extended to Heathrow if actual noise levels in the early morning at Manchester prove insufficient for the purposes of the trial. No specific sites have been selected yet. The steering group for the study includes representatives of the consultative committees from Manchester, Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted, along with the airport management, airlines and environmentalists.

  Tourism
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to include provision for spending on tourism in the Standard Spending Assessment. [61086]

  Ms Armstrong
  The element of the Standard Spending Assessments for Environmental, Protective and Cultural Services (formerly known as "Other Services"), makes allowance for spending on a group of services which includes tourism.

  Small and Medium Businesses
  Mr. Singh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps 114
  the Government are taking to help small and medium businesses improve their environmental performance. [62215]

  Mr. Meacher
  By setting up a single environment and energy helpline (0800 58 57 94), the Government are making it very much easier for SMEs to find out how they can improve their environmental performance. The Helpline, which will be run under the auspices of the Government's Energy Efficiency and Environmental Technology Best Practice Programmes, will come into operation today. It will provide callers with free access to:impartial best practice information
  up to two hours telephone assistance from an energy or environment expert; and, where it would be beneficial
  on-site technical advice, where this would be beneficial and worthwhile.

  Small and medium businesses are an important part of the UK economy. There are about 3M firms, 80,000 of which employ 20 to 250 people. They employ around 4 million people and have a turnover of £4 billion. They are also responsible for one-third of the carbon dioxide emissions from business and a significant proportion of other waste. Smaller companies therefore have a significant role to play to help meet our climate change targets.

  There can be significant benefits in improving environmental performance for companies of all sizes. On average, a fifth of energy and a quarter of a company's waste can be avoided cost-effectively. Saving resources saves money and improves competitiveness—gain, not pain. The Government's two Best Practice Programmes provide authoritative advice on how to improve environmental and energy efficiency performance. For business, there are competitiveness advantage. And, for everyone, there are environmental advantages. The Energy Efficiency Best Practice Programme, for example, has helped to save energy worth around £650 million a year and consequently 3.25 million tonnes of carbon—across the nation.

  To ensure this new initiative is a success, the helpline will be closely co-ordinated with Government Office Regional Energy and Environmental Management Contacts (REEMCs), Business Links, green business clubs, the Energy Saving Trust's Energy Efficiency Advice Centres, the Environment Agency's regional offices, Training and Enterprise Councils and local authorities.

  Millennium Dome (Transport)
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has held with(a) Greenwich Council, (b) London Underground and (c) the Port of London Authority over contingency plans for transport to the Millennium Dome. [61980]

  Dr. Reid
  My hon. Friend the Minister for Transport in London, through her Millennium Access Co-ordination Group, asked London Underground Limited to lead the production of contingency plans for transport to the Millennium Dome, and keep the group informed of progress. Progress was presented to the group in October, at which time there was discussions on how the work was progressing and next steps.
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  My hon. Friend has had no discussions with the Borough of Greenwich or the Port of London Authority on contingency planning. The Borough of Greenwich has, however, recently become a member of the Millennium Access group and will therefore participate in future discussions on this work.

  Connex
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps the Franchise Director has taken to involve the train rolling stock companies in supplying Connex's rolling stock replacement needs. [61877]

  Dr. Reid
  The two train operating companies franchised to Connex will have to replace or modify certain trains to meet their commitments to the Franchising Director and any requirements of the Health and Safety Executive. How they achieve this is a matter for the companies.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Silent Suspects
  Mr. Savidge
  To ask the Attorney-General what approach prosecutors take to reliance on inferences which may be drawn from silence during police questioning at a time when the suspect is denied access to legal advice, having regard to the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in John Murray v United Kingdom. [62217]

  The Attorney-General
  The Government intend to introduce the necessary legislation in the forthcoming Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Bill and this legislation will be extended to Northern Ireland, by way of negative resolution Order in Council, to ensure that the domestic law which was at issue in Murray v United Kingdom is fully compatible with our obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights. As an interim measure, I have today promulgated to prosecuting authorities guidance about the handling of cases where the evidence available to the prosecution would include such inferences as might be drawn from the accused's silence in the circumstances covered by Sections 34, 36 and 37 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (and corresponding provisions in Northern Ireland) when the suspect has been denied access to legal advice at the time of questioning.

  A copy of the guidance has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. Its effect is that the prosecution should not seek to rely on inferences drawn from silence before access to legal advice had been granted. In the event that a court, of its own volition, indicates an intention to draw any such inferences, its attention would be drawn to the judgment in the John Murray case.

DEFENCE

  Security Activities (Expenditure)
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much expenditure in 1996–1997 can be 116
  associated directly with security activities in (a) Northern Ireland, (b) the Falklands and (c) the remaining United Kingdom dependent territories. [61696]

  Mr. George Robertson
  Expenditure directly associated with security activities cannot be distinguished from that on other activities. The following costs of the military presence provide a broad guide to the overall level of commitment in 1996–97:

  (a) Northern Ireland £505 million.

  This figure relates to the costs incurred by the General Officer Commanding, Northern Ireland. It thus excludes related elements of expenditure, incurred elsewhere within Class I Votes, which are not separately identified.

  (b) Falklands £81 million.

  This figure relates to the costs incurred by the Commander, British Forces Falkland Islands (CBFFI) only. It does not thus include the costs of the RAF airbridge to the Falkland Islands, nor the cost of naval deployments to the South Atlantic. These costs fall to other budgets and are not separately identified.

  (c) UK dependent territories (excluding Falkland Islands) Gibraltar £63 million.

  Costs incurred in the support of the remaining dependent territories are not separately identified and are relatively small. Expenditure is principally on the operation of the West Indies Guardship which supports UK dependent territories throughout the Caribbean, among other tasks. Otherwise, support generally relates to the provision of a small number of Loan Service Personnel to assist with training. The cost of the military presence in South Georgia and the Sandwich Islands is included in CBFFI' s budget.

  Territorial Army
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the approved complement was of the Territorial Army Reserve in(a) May 1979 and (b) May 1997. [60859]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The Territorial Army established as of 1 May 1997 was 59,000 posts, excluding Non Regular Permanent Staff. Establishment figures for the year 1979 are not available as records of that time only detail the strength of the TA, which was 59,400 in May 1979.

  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the impact his announcement on the future of the TA will have on manpower levels in Chelmsford. [61887]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  There are currently 136 Territorial Army posts in Chelmsford. The restructuring of the TA will reduce this figure to 120.

  Hepatitis A
  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what precautions are available to(a) forces personnel, (b) officials and (c) Ministers in his Department travelling overseas and facing the risk of hepatitis A infection; [61053]
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  (2) what advice is offered to (a) forces personnel, (b) officials and (c) Ministers in his Department travelling overseas and facing the risk of hepatitis A infection, with regard to deciding whether to receive (i) y- (gamma-) globulin or (ii) the alternative hepatitis A vaccine. [61054]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 27 November 1998]: Members of the Armed Forces, Defence Ministers and officials travelling overseas and facing the risk of hepatitis A infection are offered immunisation against the disease in accordance with advice issued by the Department of Health. Gamma globulin (Known as human normal immunoglobulin) would be offered, in addition to hepatitis A vaccination, for short notice visits to areas of significant risk when protection is required within 10 days of the first dose of hepatitis A vaccine. Advice on appropriate immunisation is available from MOD medical staff.

  Defence Industry Seminar, Rome
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the British participants in the defence industry seminar organised by the Italian presidency of the Western European Union in conjunction with the Rome ministerial meeting; and if he will make a statement. [60978]

  Mr. George Robertson
  [holding answer 27 November 1998]: My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence, accompanied by officials from the MOD and one from the Department of Trade and Industry, attended the seminar in Rome on 17 November. Representatives of the British defence industry were also present. The seminar considered the issues surrounding the restructuring of European defence industry, both within Europe and in relation to the global market. Among those present were members and observer countries of the Western European Armaments Group and representatives of the European defence industry and European Commission.

  Faslane and Coulport
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) civil and (b) military personnel are employed at (i) the Clyde Submarine Base, Faslane and (ii) the Royal Naval Armaments Depot, Coulport. [61844]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Trident
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate how many(a) direct and (b) indirect civilian jobs rely upon the Trident programme currently; and how many will in (i) 2000, (ii) 2010 and (iii) 2020. [61846]

  Mr. George Robertson
  I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Atomic Weapons Establishments
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people are employed by the atomic weapons establishments at(a) Aldermaston, (b) Burghfield and (c) Blacknest. [61845]
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  Mr. Spellar
  AWE plc currently employ 4,055 staff at Aldermaston, 544 at Burghfield and 13 at Blacknest. These figures exclude Hunting-BRAE staff, contractors and sub-contractors, Ministry of Defence Police and other MOD employees.

  Royal Dockyards
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) civilian and (b) military personnel are employed at (i) the Royal Dockyard, Rosyth and (ii) the Royal Dockyard, Devonport. [61847]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Royal Dockyards at Rosyth and Devonport were privatised in January 1997 and are now owned by Babcock Rosyth Defence Limited and Devonport Management Limited, respectively.

  In addition to the Dockyard companies' workforce, the following Ministry of Defence employed personnel also work at the Royal Dockyards (based on the latest information available):

  Civilian

  Military

  Rosyth Royal Dockyard

  459.5

  50

  Devonport Royal Dockyard

  208.5

  15

PRIME MINISTER

  Iraq
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the statement by Mr. Denis Halliday, the former United Nations Humanitarian Co-ordinator in Iraq, in Middle East International of 13 November, a copy of which has been given to him, that the policy of the United Kingdom and United States of America towards Iraq is incompatible with the Charter of the United Nations. [61694]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 30 November 1998]: Sanctions on Iraq were imposed under and in accordance with the UN Charter.

  The latest report by the UN Secretary General on the "oil for food" programme, published on 19 November, notes that the programme continues to have a positive effect on the living conditions of the Iraqi people.

  Cabinet Committee
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Prime Minister what the composition and terms of reference are of the Cabinet Committee on Productivity and Competitiveness mentioned in the Pre-Budget report. [62254]

  The Prime Minister
  I have asked my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to chair a
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  new Cabinet Sub-Committee on Productivity and Competitiveness. The composition and terms of reference for this Committee are:

  Ministerial Sub-Committee on Productivity and Competitiveness EA(PC)

  Composition

  Chancellor of the Exchequer (Chair)

  Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions

  Secretary of State for the Home Department

  Secretary of State for Education and Employment

  Minister for the Cabinet Office

  Secretary of State for Scotland

  Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

  Secretary of State for Trade and Industry

  Secretary of State for Wales

  Terms of Reference

  "To consider measures to improve the productivity and competitiveness of the United Kingdom economy".

  Closed-list System
  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Prime Minister when the Government first announced that they planned to introduce a closed-list system in respect of elections to the European Parliament. [61841]

  The Prime Minister
  When the European Parliamentary Elections Bill was published and introduced on 29 October 1997, it set out the precise nature of the proposed system.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Fisheries (Licensing)
  Mr. Quinn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what arrangements are being made for the registration and licensing of the maximum continuous engine power of fishing vessels; and if he will make a statement. [62219]

  Mr. Morley
  On 17 December 1997,Official Report, columns 345–46, I announced that Fisheries Departments planned to introduce from 1 January 1999 phased arrangements for recording maximum continuous engine power on fishing vessel licences.

  Following that announcement, the arrangements for the recording of maximum continuous engine power have been the subject of detailed consideration by Fisheries Departments, the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). Since the fishing vessel licensing regime operated by Fisheries Departments is dependent on vessel characteristics as registered by the Registrar of Shipping and Seamen, part of MCA, parallel changes will be introduced in the arrangements for registering fishing vessel engine power. These changes have also been discussed with representatives of the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations, the Northern Ireland Fishermen's Federation and the Scottish Fishermen's Federation as part of a wider review of UK fishing vessel licensing.

  We are now writing to advise all fishing vessel owners and licence holders of the new arrangements.
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  From 1 July 1999, new registrations, re-registrations, and changes in existing registrations affecting ownership or vessel characteristics (engine power, length or breadth), and the licensing of such vessels, are to be based on the declaration and recording of maximum continuous engine power. The permanent derating of engines will be permitted but vessel owners will have to provide a signed statement or certificate from the engine manufacturer or a suitably qualified marine engineer setting out the steps that have been taken to achieve such a modification. De-rated engine power will be registered and licensed only where the MCA and Fisheries Departments are satisfied that the modifications are permanent.

  The Merchant Shipping (Registration of Ships) Regulations 1993 will be amended to provide specifically for the registration of maximum continuous or permanently modified engine power.

  From 1 January 2000, the maximum continuous or permanently derated engine power of vessels registered before 1 July 1999 will be taken to be that declared on the Certificate of Registry and shown on the fishing vessel licence. When vessels are registered between 1 January and 30 June 1999, owners will wish to take appropriate action to ensure that they declare the full power of their vessels (maximum continuous or permanently derated engine power) because this is the basis on which subsequent enforcement will take place.

  Checks will be undertaken from 1 January 2000 to ensure that the apparent installed engine power of fishing vessels is consistent with the registered and licensed engine power. Where the apparent installed power is greater than the registered and licensed power, a fishing vessel's licence will become invalid and a new licence will not be issued until the owner acquires additional vessel capacity units (VCUs) to cover the deficit in engine power or undertakes permanent de-rating of the vessel's engine. However, the owners of vessels registered before 1 January 1999 will have until 31 December 2004 to rectify any anomalies in their registered engine power if they provide a written undertaking specifying the steps they are taking.

  To assist the implementation of the new arrangements, a capacity penalty will be payable only on the additional VCUs needed to cover the discrepancy between apparent installed and registered engine power provided no other changes are made to the characteristics of the vessel. A 20 per cent. capacity penalty will operate unless the adjustment to engine power is made before 31 December 2001 in which circumstances the penalty will be 10 per cent. For this purpose, it will be permissible for vessel owners to split VCUs and licences between two or more vessels.

  The arrangements will apply to the licensing of fishing vessels wherever they operate. However, from 1 January 1999, vessels applying for licences for the first time in respect of fishing opportunities in external and other waters will be expected to satisfy Fisheries Departments that the maximum continuous or permanently derated engine power has been declared and appropriately licensed.

  Finally, as announced last December, the current licensing arrangements for fishing vessels are being

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  reviewed jointly by Fisheries Departments and representatives of the fishing industry. This announcement is, therefore, without prejudice to any further changes that are recommended in licensing including capacity penalties for licence transfers and aggregations.

  Mr. Quinn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what changes he proposes to make in the arrangements for the licensing of pelagic freezer trawlers and pair trawling; and if he will make a statement. [62218]

  Mr. Morley
  In July 1998, Fisheries Departments issued a consultation document seeking comments on proposals to assist pelagic freezer trawling including the aggregation of whitefish with pelagic licences and pair trawling with vessels from other Member States. The proposals attracted wide-ranging comments from the fishing industry.

  After careful consideration, it has been decided to introduce a time-limited scheme for the introduction or replacement of pelagic freezer trawlers. Any person may introduce a pelagic freezer trawler into the UK fleet by aggregating Category A whitefish licences and/or category A pelagic trawler licences with existing Category A pelagic freezer trawler or purse seine licences or licence entitlements, provided:

  (i) proposals to introduce or replace a pelagic freezer trawler are notified in writing to Fisheries Departments by 28 February 1999;

  (ii) at least 40 per cent. of the vessel capacity units (VCUs) of the incoming vessel are covered by licences or licence entitlements from pelagic freezer trawlers or purse seiners;

  (iii) the tonnage and engine power of any incoming vessel must be no greater than the total tonnage and the total engine power of the vessels from which its licence entitlements derive;

  (iv) the incoming vessel is registered by the Registrar of Shipping and Seamen and licensed by one of the Fisheries Departments by 30 June 2001.

  A capacity penalty will be payable only on that part of the capacity of the incoming vessel which is not covered by Category A pelagic freezer or purse seine licences: that penalty will be 20 per cent.

  In submitting proposals to introduce or replace a pelagic freezer trawler, the prospective owner will have to demonstrate, to the satisfaction of Fisheries Departments, a genuine intention to pursue pelagic freezer trawling and access to sufficient fishing opportunities to support the operation of the incoming vessel. Any effort expended by the new vessel would count towards existing effort targets. Consequently, any pelagic effort allocated to producer organisations or other groups to cover an incoming vessel's activities could amount only to the allocation for the existing freezer vessel it replaced and/or the fishing opportunities linked to any other pelagic licences used in the licence transaction. No additional effort would be available as a result of the aggregation of whitefish licences.

  For the time being, the prohibition on pair trawling with vessels from other Member States will remain in place. The prohibition will, however, be reviewed in the light of the new rules to regulate transhipment and joint fishing operations which the Commission are expected to draw up following changes in the EU's control regulation for fisheries.
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  These arrangements, which take effect immediately, are being notified to all holders of pelagic freezer trawler and purse seine licences.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Arms Trade
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to ensure that the European Code of Conduct on the arms trade is adopted into UK law; and what plans he has to make arms brokering to arms embargoed countries a crime. [61492]

  Mrs. Roche
  The EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports, which was an Anglo-French initiative, was adopted by the EU General Affairs Council on 8 June. However, as our own national arms export criteria are not legally binding, the UK Government felt that it would not have been appropriate or realistic to press our partners to sign up to a legally binding instrument to give effect to similar criteria at the EU level.

  The Government already impose controls on trafficking and brokering under the United Nations Act 1946 where this is necessary to implement a binding United Nations decision. In addition, the White Paper on Strategic Export Controls, which was published on 1 July, contains proposals to extend controls on trafficking and brokering in several areas, including to countries subject to other types of embargo, whether as a result of non-binding decisions of the UN or decisions of the EU, Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe or the UK Government. This would mean that, as is already the case for binding UN arms embargoes, it would be an offence for persons in the UK or UK persons abroad to be involved in trafficking or brokering in controlled goods to countries subject to these other types of embargo, without a valid licence. The use of a licensing system, rather than imposing an outright ban, would enable the Government to sanction such transfers on the rare occasions that they are desirable (e.g. the transfer of equipment to peacekeeping forces in an embargoed destination).

  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he intends to take to ensure that the Council of Ministers Working Group on arms exports agrees a common list of items be controlled by the EU Code. [61495]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I have been asked to reply.

  The CFSP Working Group on Conventional Arms Exports is taking forward work to agree a common list of military equipment covered by the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports. The UK is playing an active role in this work with a view to ensuring its successful conclusion.

  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he intends to take to ensure that there is clear and transparent annual reporting of the different types and amounts of weapons covered by arms export licences granted and denied by(a) the UK and (b) other European Union countries. [61493]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I have been asked to reply.
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  The Government are preparing a report on UK strategic exports, which we will publish as soon as is possible. On the question of the content of the report, I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak (Dr. Jones) on 14 July 1998, Official Report, column 149.

  Most other EU Member States already publish annual reports on their own defence exports. Once our own report has been published, we will consider how best to achieve similar levels of transparency in the information released by other Member States.

  Afro-Caribbean Businesses
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what initiatives he has taken to encourage the start-up and growth of Afro-Caribbean-owned businesses. [61177]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Government seek to provide a stable economic environment which encourages the start-up and growth of businesses from all sectors of the population.

  Business Link Services are aimed at the needs of the local business community. In areas where there is a high proportion of Afro-Caribbean businesses, issues of particular concern to them must be addressed.

  As part of the Enhanced Accreditation Criteria (launched April 1998) Business Link partnerships must now demonstrate that Business Link advisers have the appropriate background for dealing with their client base and that the Business Link Board is representative of the business community.

  Internet Sales
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures he proposes to ensure future participation by United Kingdom companies in the projected market increase for software and other digital product sales over the Internet. [61832]

  Mrs. Roche
  The department is building on existing mechanisms such as the Software Business Network (SBN), Trade UK and the Northern Ireland Growth Challenge (NIGC) which currently support companies in these emerging areas. Our intention is to create in the UK the best environment in the world in which to trade electronically by 2002. We will introduce legislation during this session of Parliament to help to build confidence in electronic commerce.

  Further measures will be announced in the forthcoming White Paper on Competitiveness.

  Dual-use Goods (Exports)
  Mr. Grogan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what arrangements are in place to authorise the export of controlled dual-use goods by the United Kingdom Government. [62290]

  Mrs. Roche
  On 27 November, the Export Control Organisation of my Department issued an Open Licence which permits the export to any destination, subject to the conditions of the licence, all dual-use goods specified in any entry in Annexe I to Council Decision 94/942/CFSP or in Schedule 2 to the Dual-Use and Related Goods 124
  (Export Control) Regulations, where the export is by the Crown. A copy of the licence has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Minewater Pollution
  Mr. Grogan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress the Government have made in reviewing their policy on minewater pollution from abandoned mines. [62291]

  Mr. Battle
  The Government have reviewed their policy on water pollution from abandoned coal mines. I have written to the Chairman of the Authority setting out my views, and my commitment to the Authority's programme of preventing and treating significant water pollution from long-abandoned mines.

  The Authority should also give a high priority to carrying out appropriate research, monitoring and preventive work and early treatment into pollution from more recently abandoned mines. These activities will be carried out in close collaboration with the Environment Agency and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. The Coal Authority will have a separate minewater budget within its Grant-in-Aid to ensure that the Authority's other activities do not adversely affect its minewater programme, and that any emergencies can be dealt with.

  The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, the Welsh Office and the Environment Agency, and the Scottish Office and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency are monitoring recently abandoned non-coal mines where there is a risk of pollution, with a view to taking appropriate action where no private operator is legally liable.

  Copies of my letter to the Chairman of the Authority have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Information Warfare
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to introduce security standards to meet the challenge posed by information warfare techniques to United Kingdom telecommunications. [61671]

  Mrs. Roche
  Information warfare, like all criminal behaviour, impacts upon any organisation or business which makes use of information technology. The development of a British Standard BS 7799, which focuses on the Code of Practice for Information Security Management, introduced in 1994 was spearheaded by the Department to promote good information security management. The DTI is currently developing, with BSUDISC and industry, c:cure, a scheme which will allow organisations, of all sizes and sectors, to measure and demonstrate that their information security management system is compliant against BS 7799.

  Standards will also be an integral part of the EU's Electronic Signature Directive, and of the proposed UK legislation to support our policy on cryptography, but, of course, no matter what is made available, the use of these standards and the adoption of appropriate security controls is a commercial decision for businesses to make.

  Petroleum Licensing
  Mr. Grogan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what awards have been made in the 18 Seaward Round of Petroleum Licensing; and what plans he has for future licensing rounds. [62292]

  Mr. Battle
  Creative and innovative proposals are key features in the award of licences on 78 of the 82 blocks applied for in the 18th Round of Seaward Petroleum Licensing. The awards are made to a total of 44 companies, of which 22 are operators of one or more of the blocks.

  The applications received showed that companies are still thinking creatively and generating innovative proposals to identify significant new prospects in the North Sea. Despite more than 30 years of exploration activity in the area, there was strong competition for attractive blocks and clear evidence that companies are prepared to look beyond traditional areas and the tested strata to find new resources.

  The willingness of companies to test innovative thinking with both further technical analysis and early drilling where appropriate confirms that the industry still sees the North Sea as an exploration area with significant potential in undiscovered reserves. I believe that the open basis of this round—the first to allow companies to bid for almost any unlicensed blocks in mature areas of the United Kingdom Continental Shelf—encouraged companies to develop innovative ideas and bring them forward as licence applications.

  When the 18th Round was launched in June this year, our expectation was that most applications would focus on acreage close to existing developments or infrastructure, where any discoveries were likely to be brought on stream as rapidly as possible in order to prolong the life of current assets.

  In the event, a majority of the applications received reflected this pattern, and there was strong competition for several blocks, but an unexpected—and very pleasing—number of other applications were received which identified strata and structures with previously unrecognised hydrocarbon potential.

  Some of these concepts were developed in blocks which have been licensed and explored for conventional targets before. Twelve of the blocks awarded have not previously been licensed. Eight of these are granted to the Shell/Esso partnership whose application stood out for its creative approach.

  Two of the blocks applied for—48/19d and 210/20c—have been divided between competing applicants. This will allow presumed extensions of adjacent fields—Anglia and Otter respectively—into the new acreage to be appraised and brought into production as soon as possible, while at the same time maximising exploration of the remaining area.

  I look forward to seeing the successful applicants moving forward to explore their new holdings, and to develop any new reserves they may discover.

  I expect to make a further announcement about a 19th Seaward Round next year.

  Euro
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the cost of the current advertising campaign urging business to prepare for the euro. [61017]

  Ms Hewitt
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Euro Preparations Unit's communication campaign on the euro is specifically targeted at ensuring that UK businesses especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs), are aware of the implications of the introduction of the single currency from 1 January 1999. The campaign involved press advertising in July, direct mailing to 1.6 million SMEs, supported by TV commercials in September, and further press and radio advertising in October.

  The television, press and radio elements of the campaign cost approximately £4.75 million. This figure does not include VAT.

  National Minimum Wage
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the number of people likely to benefit from the introduction of the national minimum wage in each parliamentary constituency. [61804]

  Ms Hewitt
  I have been asked to reply.

  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Director of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Chris Ruane, dated 1 December 1998:

  As the Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent parliamentary question on the number of people likely to benefit from the introduction of the national minimum wage.

  It is ONS policy to reply to statistical PQs, where possible, by referring to published results. Information from the 1998 New Earnings Survey (NES) required to answer this question is not comprehensively published. but is included in special tables recently placed in the House of Commons Library.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Zimbabwe
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much the United Kingdom's contribution is to multilateral donor projects in Zimbabwe in(a) 1998–99 and (b) 1999–2000. [61852]

  Clare Short
  The total multilateral official development assistance received by Zimbabwe in 1996, the last year for which figures are available, was £61.6 million. The UK's imputed share was £6.9 million.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the projects sponsored by her Department in Zimbabwe for(a) 1998–99 and (b) 1999–2000, giving their value and expected expiration date. [61851]

  Clare Short
  Projects where the Department for International Development's commitment is over £0.5 million are listed. Figures for expenditure in 1998–99 and 1999–2000 are not available.
  127

  Project name/sector

  Commitment £ million

  Expiry date

  Parastatal Reform and Privatisation

  Privatisation Agency

  2.1

  2000

  Civil Service Reform

  Judicial Training

  1.6

  1999

  Zimbabwe Republic Police

  6.5

  2001

  Landrovers for Zimbabwe Republic Police

  8.5

  2002

  Women's Civil Education

  1.0

  2001

  Capacity Building within Local Government

  Rural District Council Institutional Development Project

  10.6

  2002

  Health

  Sexual Health

  9.2

  1999

  Support to Health Policy Development and Planning Department

  0.75

  1999

  Social Marketing of Condoms

  2.0

  2001

  Interim Health Management Strengthening

  3.0

  1998

  Water and Sanitation

  Water Quality Analysis Laboratory

  0.9

  1999

  Bikita Integrated Rural Water Supply and Sanitation

  2.3

  2000

  Lupane Integrated Rural Water Supply and Sanitation

  3.5

  2002

  Water Point Upgrading/Rehabilitation

  0.9

  2000

  National Water Resources Strategy

  0.5

  1999

  CARE Small Dams Rehabilitation

  2.0

  2001

  Renewable Natural Resources

  Crop Post Harvest Programme

  0.75

  1999

  Assistance to Department of Veterinary Services

  0.9

  1999

  Private Sector Development

  Credit for the Informal Sector

  1.3

  2000

  Takura Investments

  0.5

  2000

  Agribusiness Entrepreneur Network and Training Development

  0.5

  2000

  Assistance to Developing Enterprises Project Team

  1.4

  2000

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the IMF's decision to suspend aid to Zimbabwe. [61853]

  Clare Short
  We understand that the IMF are seeking clarification of the Government of Zimbabwe's budget commitments before the IMF Board considers release of further tranches of the Standby Arrangement.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with the Foreign Secretary concerning the provision of aid to Zimbabwe. [61858]

  Clare Short
  I have regular meetings with the Foreign Secretary on a range of issues including events in Zimbabwe.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the good governance criteria the Government have for assessing Zimbabwe's eligibility for assistance from her Department. [61854]

  Clare Short
  Our approach to good government is set out in the White Paper 'Eliminating World Poverty', and embraces democratic accountability, the protection of human rights and the rule of law.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the Zimbabwe Government's land reform programme up to 1 December 1997. [61855]
  128
  Clare Short
  The Government of Zimbabwe's land reform programme began after Independence in 1980. So far, the programme has benefited some 70,000 families. An evaluation by the then ODA in 1988 showed that the resettlement had shown a good rate of return, but had little impact on the poverty in the communal areas. Poverty also exists in the new resettlement areas. The Government of Zimbabwe established a Commission of Inquiry into Appropriate Agricultural Land Tenure Systems (the 'Rukuni Commission') which in 1994 made recommendations on tenure, subdivision, administrative decentralisation, and land taxation, among other issues. These recommendations are for consideration as part of the second phase of the Government's Land Reform and Resettlement Programme. In November 1997, the Government of Zimbabwe notified 1,471 landowners of their intention compulsorily to acquire further land.

  Her Majesty's Government have made it clear since May 1997 that there is a strong case for land redistribution in Zimbabwe but that we will provide support only if the programme is part of a wider poverty reduction strategy, is transparent and pro-poor and complies with Zimbabwean law on land acquisition and compensation.

  Mozambique
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much the United Kingdom's contribution is to multilateral donor projects in Mozambique in(a) 1998–99 and (b) 1999–2000. [61857]
  129
  Clare Short
  The total multilateral official development assistance received by Mozambique in 1996, the last year for which figures are available, was £236 million. The UK's imputed share was £18.6 million.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the projects sponsored by her Department in Mozambique for(a) 1998–99 and (b) 1999–2000, giving their value and expected expiration dates. [61856]

  Clare Short
  The details requested are as follows:

  Project

  Commitment (£ million)

  Expiry date

  Zambezia Agricultural Development Project

  7.75

  2001

  Zambezia Feeder Roads

  7.06

  2000

  NGO '70:30' Scheme

  2.00

  2000

  Programme Aid

  20.00

  1999

  Assistance for Customs

  9.30

  1999

  Secondary English Teaching

  2.36

  2002

  Figures for expenditure in 1998/9 and 1999/2000 are not available. I will send the hon. Member a copy of DFID's recently published Country Strategy Paper for Mozambique.

  Hurricane Mitch
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the progress of the emergency relief operation in the countries affected by Hurricane Mitch. [61417]

  Clare Short
  The immediate life-saving phase of the emergency operation is over. However, there are continuing relief needs. We are helping with the response as part of the internationally co-ordinated relief effort. Our contribution to date has been well received.

  We will continue to monitor closely the situation in the region through our Embassies and the United Nations. We are also keeping in touch with the UK based representatives of those countries affected by Hurricane Mitch and with the non-governmental organisations providing assistance. I have sent an expert team from my Department to the region to review the relief effort and consider what further support we might provide for continuing emergency assistance. They will report back to me later this week.

  The needs of the region for immediate and medium-term reconstruction will be discussed at an emergency Consultative Group meeting, convened by the Inter-American Development Bank in Washington on 10–11 December, involving all the key donors, both multilateral and bilateral. My Department will be represented. We are currently considering how to refocus our development assistance programme for Central America to address the needs of recovery and reconstruction.

  Kosovo
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the current humanitarian situation in Kosovo. [61414]
  130
  Clare Short
  A Department for International Development mission visited Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Albania between 16–26 November to assess conditions on the ground and the state of aid co-ordination. A humanitarian disaster has been averted, but the situation remains serious and must be monitored carefully. The internally displaced persons who were living out of doors are now back under shelter. The international response is generally adequate to meet current emergency needs of displaced people and refugees for food, blankets, stoves, mattresses and fuels. It is vital that the current level of humanitarian operations is maintained over the winter.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Protection of Wrecks Act 1973
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will encourage the use of designated police liaison officers to complement the provisions for the protection of sites of wrecks under the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973. [60867]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  As a result of recent allegations of offences under the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973, my Department will be writing to all relevant local constabularies clarifying the legal position in relation to the 1973 Act, and giving details of existing designated sites within their area of responsibility.

  We welcome the proposal for local constabularies to set up designated police liaison officers, and are examining how this can best be taken forward.

  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what changes he is planning to the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973. [60866]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  There are no plans to amend the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973 before the proposed transfer of responsibility for underwater archaeology to English Heritage announced in my Department's Departmental Spending Review. English Heritage may carry out a review of the operation of the 1973 Act after the transfer of responsibility has been carried out.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  John Murray
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will announce the Government's response to the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of John Murray v. the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [62171]

  Mr. Straw
  In the case of John Murray v. the United Kingdom, the European Court of Human Rights held that it was a breach of Article 6 of the Convention to deny the applicant access to legal advice in circumstances where inferences could be drawn from his silence during questioning. The Government have concluded that the only sure way to prevent a repetition of the circumstances which prevailed in the Murray case is to amend the relevant legislation and the Codes of Practice made under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, the Police
  131
  and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 and the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1996, so as to prohibit the drawing of inferences from silence when a suspect is questioned at a police station while denied access to legal advice. The Government therefore intend to introduce the necessary legislation in the forthcoming Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Bill, and this legislation will be extended to Northern Ireland by way of Negative Resolution Order in Council.

  In the interim, the Government will take such steps that are possible, without legislation, to ensure that no one is put in the same position which arose in the Murray case. My right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General will shortly be issuing guidance to prosecutors and, in parallel, my Department and the Northern Ireland Office will shortly be issuing a circular to the police. This guidance will seek to ensure that the usual practice will be for suspects to have access to legal advice before being interviewed at a police station. Where access to legal advice is denied, the police will be encouraged to put inference-bearing questions again after the suspect has been given the opportunity to obtain such advice. Additionally, prosecutors will be advised not to seek reliance on inferences drawn from silence before access to legal advice was granted. I am arranging for a copy of the guidance to the police to be placed in the Library.

  Immigration
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many cases since his appointment he has exercised his discretion to grant leave to remain in the United Kingdom to foreign nationals resident in the United Kingdom on the grounds of compassionate circumstances. [61992]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I regret that information on this particular reason for granting leave to remain is not collected separately. Applications for leave to remain on compassionate grounds are considered in the light of the particular circumstances at that time and of any concessionary policy under which the original leave may have been given.

  Passports and Visas
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to(a) speed up his Department's handling of applications for passports and visas and subsequent appeals and (b) to improve the handling of related complaints from hon. Members. [61085]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The UK Passport Agency provides passport services for British nationals in the United Kingdom, and I have set the following service standard target for 1998–99:To process properly completed straightforward applications within a maximum of 15 working days in April, and 10 working days for the remainder of the year.
  In seeking to meet this target, the Agency will give priority to customers' travel needs, aiming to meet declared travel dates for at least 99.99 per cent. of passports issued.
  132
  The Agency's turnround times have slipped beyond this target on a number of occasions this year, but customers' urgent travel needs have been met.

  The Passport Agency has an internal target of dealing with correspondence, including complaints from hon. Members, in a maximum of 10 working days, and this target has been met on 90 per cent. of occasions.

  As regards applications for British citizenship, these are currently taking longer to consider than I would wish. Unfortunately, the spending plans we inherited from the previous Government, together with the increased pressures on the Immigration and Nationality Directorate, arising from increased passenger numbers arriving at our sea and airports and the numbers claiming asylum, mean that we do not have the financial resources to devote greater effort to citizenship work. This will change next year when we start to put into effect our plans for immigration and nationality work, which should result in twice as many decisions being taken and waiting times coming down significantly.

  In relation to immigration appeals, the Immigration and Nationality Directorate published a consultation paper on the appeals system on 13 July. We are now considering responses and will bring forward our legislative proposals for accelerating procedures in the current session of Parliament.

  On visas, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, which is responsible for the operation of the Entry Clearance service overseas, is committed to providing a fair, fast and firm entry clearance service to all visa applicants. Entry clearance officers in overseas posts are required to take decisions on as many straightforward non-residence visa applications as they can within 24 hours. The target set for this in 1998–99 is 87 per cent. rising to 90 per cent. by 2001–2.

  Within the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Migration and Visa Correspondence Unit (MVCU) handle complaints from hon. Members about visa matters. I understand that the staffing of MVCU has been reinforced over the last year, and improvements made to their procedures, in an effort to provide a better service.

  Extradition
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations, other than those made by or on behalf of a person awaiting a decision, he can take into account in the exercise of his discretion in extradition cases. [61866]

  Mr. Straw
  Section 13(4) of the Extradition Act 1989 places a duty on the Secretary of State to consider any representations made to him by a person who has received notice that the Secretary of State is contemplating making an order for his return to a foreign state under section 12 of the Act.

  There is no equivalent provision in the Act for representations before the issuing of an Authority to Proceed: I shall be guided in my handling of representations, made for and against the issue of an Authority to Proceed, by general principles of fairness.
  133
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his role in extradition procedures; and what factors he takes into account in deciding whether or not to exercise his discretion. [61848]

  Mr. Straw
  Section 7(4) of the Extradition Act 1989 provides that, on receipt of an extradition request:"the Secretary of State may issue an authority to proceed unless it appears to him that an order for the return of the person concerned could not lawfully be made, or would not in fact be made, in accordance with the provisions of this Act".

  Factors which the Secretary of State takes into account when deciding whether to issue an authority to proceed are therefore the relevant extradition arrangements with a foreign state, the general restrictions on return provided for in section 6 of the 1989 Act in respect of his discretion as to whether he would ultimately make an order for the return of any person who has been committed by the court under section 9 of the Act.

  Senator Pinochet
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what requests he has received for the exercise of his discretionary powers in the case of Augusto Pinochet; and when he received them. [61865]

  Mr. Straw
  On 21 October, the Extradition Section received a request from Senator Pinochet's legal representatives to exercise my discretion under section 8(4) of the Extradition Act 1989. Since 25 November, the Extradition Section at the Home Office has received a number of representations, for and against the issuing of an Authority to Proceed.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has made to the Bow Street Magistrates regarding the timetable of proceedings in the case of Augusto Pinochet. [61863]

  Mr. Straw
  One of my officials wrote to the Deputy Chief Clerk of Bow Street Magistrates' Court on 20 November and on 26 November. The letter of 26 November asked the Magistrate, when setting a date for receipt of an Authority to Proceed, to take into account the fact that I had received notice that I would be receiving representations for and against the issue of an Authority to Proceed.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the timetable for the exercise of his discretion in the case of Augusto Pinochet. [61864]

  Mr. Straw
  The Bow Street Magistrate, under section 9(5) of the Extradition Act 1989, has fixed Friday 11 December as the date by which I should decide whether to issue an Authority to Proceed.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received regarding Augusto Pinochet following the judgment of the House of Lords in Regina v. Burtle and Commissioner of Police on 25 November. [61867]
  134
  Mr. Straw
  By the end of Monday 30 November, the Extradition Section at the Home Office had received a number of representations, for and against the issue of an Authority to Proceed.

  Mental Illness
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions he has consulted the Secretary of State for Health on the issue of mentally disordered offenders and mentally ill patients who are a potential threat to the community and themselves; and if he will make a statement. [61156]

  Mr. George Howarth
  My right hon. Friend and I discuss this matter regularly and our Departments have together been closely examining the opportunity for developing a new framework of law and management for both the mentally ill and those with personality disorders. This is a complex and difficult area, but we hope to make an announcement shortly.

  Campsfield House
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions the contract points requirements have been exceeded at Campsfield House detention centre in each year since its establishment; and if fines(a) have been imposed and (b) are currently being considered. [61158]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Unlike contracts between the Home Office and the private sector for the management of some prisons, neither the present contract nor previous contracts for the management and operation of Campsfield House immigration detention centre contain any provision relating to the award of points for contractual performance. Therefore, there has not been, and presently cannot be, any question of exceeding a points requirement at Campsfield House, nor has there at any time been any question of points-related financial penalties.

  Dancing (Sundays)
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to reform the law relating to dancing on Sundays. [60998]

  Mr. George Howarth
  I am considering proposals, put to me on behalf of the industry concerned, for relaxing the constraints imposed by the Sunday Observance Act 1780 on commercially organised dancing on Sundays. I hope to be able to announce the outcome before too long now.

  Prison Mother and Baby Units
  Dr. Vis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many women were refused admission to a mother and baby unit in (i) 1998, (ii) 1997 and (iii) 1996; and if he will list the prisons and the racial origin of the women. [61020]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The information requested is given in the table.
  135

  Women prisoners refused admission to a mother and baby unit

  Refused

  1998

  1997

  1996

  Holloway

  6 (3 white, 2 black, 1 unknown

  7 (4 black, 3 white)

  8 (racial origin not known)

  New Hall

  2 (1 black, 1 white)

  Not known1

  Not known1

  Styal

  2 (1 black, 1 white)

  0

  0

  Askham Grange

  0

  1 (white)

  0

  1 Records not available

  Criminal Cases Review Commission
  Mr. Singh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases are awaiting determination by the Criminal Cases Review Commission. [61488]

  Mr. Boateng
  I understand that, at the end of October, 1,015 cases were awaiting review by the Criminal Cases Review Commission, and 456 cases were under active review.

WALES

  Fluoridation
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the impact on young children's dental health of introducing water fluoridation in Wales. [61479]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  The Welsh Office is well aware of oral health benefits conferred by topping up the existing fluoride levels in public water supplies to 1 part per million. The dental decay rate of children aged five years in Anglesey was reduced by 50 per cent. after fluoridation was introduced there in the mid fifties. However, since withdrawal of the last of the Anglesey fluoridation schemes in 1991, there has been a 168 per cent. increase in tooth decay.

  Dental decay is increasingly recognised as a disease of childhood and deprivation, and water fluoridation is an ideal and simple way in which to improve oral health.

  The recent consultation on the Green Paper 'Better Health, Better Wales' drew considerable support for fluoridation and the Welsh Office is considering the responses in conjunction with other UK Health Departments.

  New Deal (Drop-out Rates)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what has been the drop-out rate for participants in the New Deal in Wales. [61471]

  Mr. Hain
  The New Deal offers a flexible package of support which can last from a few days to over a year, according to individual need. The latest revised information provided by the Employment Service shows that 10,800 young people joined the New Deal in Wales between January and September, of whom nearly 2,700 had left by the end of September.

  Almost 1,600 young people left the New Deal to take up unsubsidised jobs (59 per cent. of all leavers). Just under 500 others had left for a range of other reasons (for example to transfer onto other more appropriate benefits; to move from their localities; or to enter other training
  136
  programmes or full-time education). The remaining 590 left for initially unknown destinations, although follow-up surveys by the Employment Service have revealed that many of these young people have actually found work without informing their New Deal Personal Advisers.

  Agri-environment Scheme
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what his plans are for the new Welsh agri-environment scheme, Tir Gofal. [62216]

  Mr. Michael
  I am submitting a formal application to the European Commission for approval by the Rural Structures Committee. This contains the technical details of the scheme and budget projections for the first five years.

  In the light of the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR), I have made provision of £1.4 million in 1999–2000, £4 million in 2000–01 and £7 million in 2001–02. This allows for 600 new agreements each year at an average cost of just over £5,000 a year per agreement. Payments to farmers are expected to begin in 2000–01.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  New Deal (Public Information Campaign)
  Mr. Rammell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what were(a) the target number and (b) the actual number of responses to his Department's New Deal public information campaign; and if he will make a statement. [61689]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The marketing campaign is designed to raise employer awareness of New Deal and their willingness to take on unemployed people rather than to achieve a given number of responses. Neverthelesss, the New Deal Information Line and Website have received almost 150,000 responses as well as many more directly to local Jobcentres. Employer awareness of New Deal has been driven up from 34 per cent. pre-campaign to 83 per cent. now.

  Mr. Rammell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what has been the total expenditure and the breakdown of expenditure on(a) public opinion research, (b) television, radio and newspaper advertising and (c) direct mail incurred by his Department and agencies on the New Deal Public information campaign; and if he will make a statement. [61688]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Expenditure on the national New Deal advertising campaign to 30 November 1998 totalled £11,854,032. Of that, £203,738 has been spent on public opinion research, £9,376,206 on television, radio and newspaper advertising and £325,890 on direct mail.

  New Deal (Television Companies)
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate his Department has made of the number of jobs provided under the New Deal arrangements by(a) the BBC, (b) the ITV companies and (c) S4C. [61613]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Specific information concerning individual employers' job vacancies and recruitment practices is a matter for those employers; but we are actively encouraging television and radio companies, like others, to recruit through the New Deals.

  New Deal (Claimant Representatives)
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many claimant representatives there are on each of the New Deal task forces and advisory groups. [61428]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  There are no claimants on the national New Deal Task Forces or the Advisory Group to the UK Task Force, but there are representatives of bodies who have campaigned on behalf of claimants and unemployed people.

  There are claimant representatives on some local New Deal strategic partnerships but comprehensive information on the people involved is not held centrally.

  Service Development Fund
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the purpose of the Service Development Fund included in the Comprehensive Spending Review. [61878]

  Mr. Blunkett
  Within the total Comprehensive Spending Review settlement for MEE and local government Education Standard Spending, the Government have created the Service Development Fund to ensure the right balance of funding between the existing agenda and those areas where policy is still being developed. Allocations from this Fund will be conditional on agreement to initiatives which build on essential reforms and offer the best value for money.

  Education Standards
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what guidance he has given to local education authorities on the relative merits of three tier and two tier systems; and if he will make a statement. [61660]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  We have not given any guidance to local education authorities on the relative merits of three tier and two tier systems. Schools should be organised to deliver the highest possible standards of education and to reflect parental preference. Local Education Authorities and school governing bodies are best placed to decide on the most effective pattern of provision within their areas, taking account of local circumstances.

  Special Educational Needs
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list those local education authorities which are failing to process draft statements of SEN within the legally required period;138
  and if he will set out the action taken by his Department with each such authority and list the responses of each authority. [61975]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Figures showing the time taken by all education authorities to produce draft statements in 1996–97 were published by the Audit Commission in March this year. These showed that most LEAs were failing to produce a significant proportion of their statements within the statutory time limits. The Government's Programme of Action for meeting special educational needs, published last month, made it clear that we are committed to achieving a substantial improvement in LEAs' performance and will continue to challenge under-performing LEAs; and that we intend to require LEAs to publish information about the time taken to complete statutory assessments and statements. In addition, we will shortly be providing LEAs with guidance on good practice in this area.

  Disability Task Force
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people have accessed the Disability Task Force web page since its launch. [61876]

  Ms Hodge
  Since the Disability Rights Task Force web page was launched in February this year, it has been visited by just over 7,000 people.

  Lone Parents
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the expenditure on the New Deal for lone parents in each employment service region. [61963]

  Ms Hodge
  The total regional expenditure that has been brought to account for the delivery of the New Deal for lone parents up to 31 October 1998 is £4.94 million. This is broken down by the nine ES regions as follows:

  Employment Service regions

  £

  Northern

  311,364

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  436,657

  East Midlands and Eastern

  394,299

  London and South East

  1,194,803

  South West

  565,457

  Office for Wales

  424,430

  West Midlands

  433,962

  North West

  691,453

  Office for Scotland

  491,717

  Total

  4,944,142

  Scottish Fee Support Review Committee
  Mr. Jim Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will announce the full membership and terms of reference of the Scottish Fee Support Review Committee to be appointed under the Teaching and Higher Education Act 1998. [62172]

  Mr. Blunkett
  Further to my reply of 23 July 1998,Official Report, column 658, I and my right hon. Friends, the Secretaries of State for Scotland for Wales and for Northern Ireland are pleased to announce the membership of the Scottish Fee Support Review Committee.

  139
  The Chairman will be Sir George Quigley, as already announced. Lord Bums, Professor Michael Hamlin and Sir Philip Jones have also agreed to serve as members. Terms of reference for the Committee have been placed in the Library.

  The evidence on admissions this year shows an increase in the number of students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland entering Scottish institutions this autumn.

  Scottish Fee Support Review: Terms of Reference

  In fulfilment of the statutory requirements in section 25(4) of the Teaching and Higher Education Act 1998 and Article 6(4) of the Education (Student Support) (Northern Ireland) Order 1998:
  to review the arrangements for England, Wales and Northern Ireland for paying grants for students' fees for the final honours year of first-degree courses at higher education institutions in Scotland, which are generally one year longer than comparable courses elsewhere in the UK;
  to consider the impact of those arrangements, taking into account the evidence on admissions in 1998 and applications in 1999 to Scottish higher education institutions, and to consider the need for any change; and
  to report to the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, the First Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales, the Scottish Ministers and the Department of Education for Northern Ireland by summer 1999, bearing in mind that the Committee's report is to be laid before each House of the Westminster Parliament and before the Northern Ireland Assembly not later than 1 April 2000.

  The Committee's report will be placed in the National Assembly for Wales and the Scottish Parliament at the same time as it is laid before the Westminster Parliament and the Northern Ireland Assembly.

  The Committee should take evidence from:
  the Committee of Scottish Higher Education Principals, the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals, and the Committee of Heads of Welsh Higher Education Institutions;
  such other bodies as the Secretaries of State for Education and Employment, for Wales and for Scotland and the Department of Education for Northern Ireland may invite to make representations; and
  any others who may wish to offer evidence.

  Scottish Fee Support Review: Membership
  Sir George Quigley (Chairman)—Chairman of Ulster Bank (since 1989) and Member of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority; formerly Permanent Secretary to the Department of Finance and Personnel for Northern Ireland (1982–88), Chairman of the Northern Ireland Economic Council, and member of the National Committee of Inquiry into Higher Education (1996–97).
  Lord Burns—formerly Permanent Secretary to HM Treasury (1991–98), and Chief Economic Adviser to the Treasury and Head of the Government Economic Service (1980–91).
  Professor Michael Hamlin—formerly Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Dundee (1987–94), Vice-Principal of the University of Birmingham (1986–87) and President of the British Hydrological Society (1995–97); Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering.
  Sir Philip Jones—Chairman of the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales; formerly Chairman of Total Oil Holdings (1991–98) and Chairman of the Electricity Council (1983–90).

  Dyslexia
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will publish information 140
  held by his Department on the number of (a) further education and (b) university students, broken down by institution, who are diagnosed as dyslexic. [60959]

  Mr. Mudie
  The available data for higher education students in each higher education institution in the UK are shown in the table. These data are based on self-assessment by students and may differ from the number of students diagnosed as dyslexic. Information on further education students, broken down by institution, who are diagnosed as dyslexic is not held centrally.

  Full-time and part-time HE students in the UK as at December 1997

  Students who reported themselves as having dyslexia

  Institution

  Number of students

  The Open University

  404

  Cranfield University

  30

  Royal College of Art

  6

  College of Guidance Studies

  0

  Institute of Advanced Nursing Education

  0

  Bishop Grosscreste College

  15

  Bretton Hall College of Higher Education

  17

  Buckinghamshire College of Higher Education

  138

  Central School of Speech and Drama

  13

  Chester College of Higher Education

  30

  Canterbury Christ Church College of Higher Education

  49

  University College of Ripon and York St. John, North Yorkshire

  34

  College of St. Mark and St. John

  30

  Darlington College of Arts

  16

  Edge Hill College of Higher Education

  33

  Falmouth College of Arts

  53

  Harper Adams Agricultural College

  55

  Homerton College

  15

  Kent Institute of Art and Design

  74

  King Alfred's College, Winchester

  64

  Liverpool Institute of Higher Education

  60

  The London Institute

  78

  Loughborough College of Art and Design

  6

  University of Luton

  211

  Nene College

  69

  Newman College

  3

  North Riding College

  12

  Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication

  5

  Roehampton Institute of Higher Education

  99

  Rose Bruford College of Speech and Drama

  14

  Royal Academy of Music

  4

  Royal College of Music

  7

  Royal Northern College of Music

  3

  Southampton Institute

  235

  St. Martin's College

  35

  St. Mary's College

  16

  Trinity and All Saints College

  1

  Trinity College of Music

  1

  Westminster College

  19

  Surrey Institute of Art and Design

  36

  Worcester College of Higher Education

  31

  Anglia Polytechnic University

  71

  Bath College of Higher Education

  34

  Bolton Institute of Higher Education

  72

  Bournemouth University

  155

  The University of Brighton

  148

  The University of Central England in Birmingham

  161

  The University of Central Lancashire

  49

  Cheltenham and Gloucester College of Higher Education

  117

  London Guildhall University

  139

  Coventry University

  192

  University of Derby

  233

  The University of East London

  39

  The University of Greenwich

  154

  The University of Hertfordshire

  242

  The University of Huddersfield

  38

  The University of Humberside

  117

  Kingston University

  133

  Leeds Metropolitan University

  165

  141

  Full-time and part-time HE students in the UK as at December 1997

  Students who reported themselves as having dyslexia

  Institution

  Number of students

  Liverpool John Moores University

  150

  Manchester Metropolitan University

  170

  Middlesex University

  188

  De Montfort University

  77

  The University of Northumbria at Newcastle

  134

  The University of North London

  134

  Nottingham Trent University

  215

  Oxford Brookes University

  245

  University of Plymouth

  230

  University of Portsmouth

  171

  Sheffield Hallam

  175

  South Bank University

  75

  Staffordshire University

  33

  The University of Sunderland

  87

  The University of Teesside

  122

  Thames Valley University

  54

  The University of the West of England, Bristol

  291

  Chichester Institute of Higher Education

  47

  The University of Westminster

  66

  Wimbledon School of Art

  22

  The University of Wolverhampton

  109

  Gwent College of Higher Education

  61

  The North-East Wales Institute of Higher Education

  14

  Cardiff Institute of Higher Education

  63

  University of Glamorgan

  50

  Swansea Institute of Higher Education

  24

  Trinity College, Carmarthen

  0

  University of Abertay, Dundee

  21

  Edinburgh College of Art

  36

  Glasgow School of Art

  32

  Moray House Institute of Education

  12

  Northern College of Education

  4

  Queen Margaret College

  33

  Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama

  9

  St. Andrew's College of Education

  4

  The Scottish College of Textiles

  10

  The Robert Gordon University

  57

  University of Paisley

  63

  Glasgow Caledonian University

  57

  Napier University

  95

  Aston University

  45

  The University of Bath

  40

  The University of Birmingham

  112

  The University of Bradford

  65

  The University of Bristol

  43

  Brunei University

  124

  The University of Cambridge

  57

  City University

  88

  The University of Durham

  79

  The University of East Anglia

  82

  The University of Essex

  56

  The University of Exeter

  125

  The University of Hull

  72

  The University of Keele

  31

  The University of Kent at Canterbury

  120

  The University of Lancaster

  36

  University of Leeds

  255

  University of Leicester

  76

  The University of Liverpool

  98

  Birkbeck College

  59

  Goldsmith's College

  61

  Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine

  26

  Institute of Education

  0

  Kings College London

  104

  London Business School

  1

  London School of Economics and Political Science

  9

  London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

  1

  Queen Mary and Westfield College

  57

  Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine

  6

  Royal Holloway, University of London

  48

  The Royal Veterinary College

  3

  St. George's Hospital Medical School

  1

  The School of Oriental and African Studies

  12

  142

  Full-time and part-time HE students in the UK as at December 1997

  Students who reported themselves as having dyslexia

  Institution

  Number of students

  The School of Pharmacy

  0

  United Medical and Dental Schools of Guy's and St. Thomas's

  20

  University College London

  84

  Wye College

  17

  London University—Senate institutes

  1

  Loughborough University of Technology

  117

  The University of Manchester

  90

  The University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne

  128

  The University of Nottingham

  166

  The University of Oxford

  103

  The University of Reading

  113

  The University of Salford

  116

  The University of Sheffield

  91

  The University of Southampton

  241

  The University of Surrey

  69

  The University of Sussex

  57

  The University of Warwick

  62

  The University of York

  48

  University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology

  44

  University of Edinburgh

  262

  University of Glasgow

  122

  University of Strathclyde

  90

  University of Aberdeen

  110

  Heriot-Watt University

  62

  University of Dundee

  106

  University of St. Andrews

  73

  The University of Stirling

  8

  Scottish Agricultural College

  36

  St. David's University

  61

  The University College of Wales, Aberystwyth

  71

  University College of North Wales, Bangor

  177

  University of Wales College of Cardiff

  81

  University College of Swansea

  36

  University of Wales College of Medicine

  11

  Welsh College of Music and drama

  16

  Queen's University of Belfast

  44

  The University of Ulster

  98

  The University of Wales, Registry

  0

  Westhill College

  23

  Writtle College

  44

  Northern School of Art and Design

  35

  Northern School of Contemporary Dance

  12

  Cumbria College of Art and Design

  3

  Total

  12,860

SCOTLAND

  Retirement Flats
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland for what reasons his Department is proposing a voluntary code of practice for the management of complexes of retirement flats owned by their occupants. [61083]

  Mr. Macdonald
  Following representations to Ministers about the management of some owner occupied sheltered housing developments, the Scottish Office convened a meeting of interested parties in July 1996. At the meeting, representatives of developers, management companies, owners and other organisations such as Age Concern Scotland and the Scottish Consumer Council, agreed that a working group should be established to consider a voluntary code that would set out a framework for good practice in the management of owner occupied sheltered housing developments.
  143
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the voluntary code of practice for the management of complexes of retirement flats owned by their occupants will include provisions relating to(a) major repair funds, (b) complaint procedures, (c) terms in deeds of conditions, (d) adherence to these conditions and (e) the implementation of an arbiter's award by managing agents. [61084]

  Mr. Macdonald
  The detailed provisions of the proposed voluntary code of management practice are still under consideration by the working group established by the Scottish Office. However, it is currently envisaged that there would be clauses relating to major repair funds and complaints procedures. The terms of deeds of conditions, adherence to these conditions and the implementation of awards by arbiters are essentially legal matters to be resolved between the parties concerned.

  Groundwater Regulations
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the impact upon crofters and other small producers of the costs of disposing of spent sheep dip as proposed under the Groundwater Regulations; and if he will make a statement. [61849]

  Mr. Macdonald
  A copy of the Regulatory Impact Assessment in respect of the Groundwater Regulations 1998 was placed in the Library of the Houses of Parliament on 11 November. The Assessment notes that, in England and Wales, compliance costs for a typical farmer are likely to be £100 recurring costs per annum with non-recurring costs of £85. Broadly similar costs are expected for Scotland.

  On 26 November, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency issued for public consultation their proposals for charges under the Regulations. Under the terms of section 42 of the Environment Act 1995, the approval of the Secretary of State must be obtained before a charging scheme is made. In determining whether or not to approve the scheme the Secretary of State must consider any representations or objections duly made to him and not withdrawn. He must also have regard to the desirability of ensuring that the amounts recovered by the Agency by way of the prescribed charges are the amounts which taking one year with another, need to be recovered by the Agency to meet such of the costs and expenses which it incurs in carrying out its functions as he may consider appropriate.

  Dornoch Academy
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions the Government have had with(a) Highland Council and (b) Dornoch Academy about bringing the school back into local authority control; and if he will make a statement. [61850]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Scottish Office has had continuing constructive discussions with both Dornoch Academy and Highland Council, particularly in relation to the school's annual grant. The Government remain committed to repealing the self-governing schools legislation. This, however, will now be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.
  144

  Student Hostels
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received regarding the transfer to Moray House College of Education of the East Suffolk Road student hostels; what investigation he has made of the events surrounding this transfer and the accounting procedures involved; and if he will make a statement. [61703]

  Mrs. Liddell
  I have received representations concerning the transfer to Moray House College of Education of the East Suffolk Road student hostels. A comprehensive reply has already been provided. In October, the Scottish Office Education and Industry Department received further representations, on the issue that the transfer of the student hostels to Moray House in 1979 was not correctly undertaken. Since then, officials have received numerous further representations from the same person, as have the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council.

  Officials are looking into the matters raised in the recent allegations. I shall write to the hon. Member when their consideration of this is complete.

  Housing Partnerships Initiative
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland for what reasons the new Housing Partnerships Initiative precludes local authorities in Scotland from investing the funding available in local authority owned stock without transferring ownership of this stock outside the local authority. [61678]

  Mr. Macdonald
  The new Housing Partnerships Initiative aims to promote community ownership and secure private sector finance for affordable housing. Local authorities receive separate capital allocations for works to their own stock.

  Tuition Fees
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how his figure for the cost of abolishing tuition fees in Scotland was arrived at; over what period it applies; what the annual figures are; and what assumptions underlie the calculation. [61710]

  Mrs. Liddell
  I am not entirely clear which figure is the subject of the question. The Scottish Office Education and Industry Department has commissioned independent research on the long term savings arising from the recent changes in policy on student support, including the introduction of a means-tested private contribution towards the cost of tuition and the replacement of grants by loans. I have arranged for a copy of an abstract of the results to be placed in the House of Commons Library.

  Nitrates Directive
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to implement the Nitrates Directive in respect of water bodies, rivers and their catchments which exceed the limit of 50mg/1 of dissolved nitrates; and if he will make a statement. [61699]

  Mr. Macdonald
  This Directive is being implemented and we already monitor at all surface water and groundwater locations used for drinking water abstraction.
  145
  The Scottish Environment Protection Agency is extending this monitoring network to be representative of all Scottish inland surface waters. This will be used to identify where there are exceedances of the 50 mg/1 concentration limit value for nitrate. From this information SEPA will undertake a further review to determine if revised or new Nitrate Vulnerable Zones should be designated.

  Before an extended network can be identified for groundwater monitoring it will be necessary to carry out a preliminary study of existing abstraction. I am asking SEPA to set up a groundwater monitoring network by the end of 1999.

  Barnacle Geese
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what advice he has received from Scottish Natural Heritage in respect of applications for licences for the killing of barnacle geese on the Island of Islay; and if licences will be issued for land within areas designated as special protection areas under EU Directive 79/409/EEC. [61700]

  Mr. Macdonald
  Advice has been given by Scottish Natural Heritage on the likely effect of limited licences to shoot barnacle geese in specified areas on Islay. Two licences to prevent serious agricultural damage have been issued for a limited period where no other satisfactory solution was available. These licences allow a maximum of 50 barnacle geese to be shot in areas designated as Special Protection Areas under EU Directive 74/409/EEC. The effect of the licensed shooting on the farms and the goose populations will be carefully monitored, and the results will be taken into account before any further licences are issued to farmers on Islay.

  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recommendations he has received from the National Goose Forum relating to geese on Islay. [61701]

  Mr. Macdonald
  None. The National Goose Forum is not due to report on a national policy framework for managing potential conflicts between geese and agriculture until Summer 1999.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Benefit Integrity Project
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if the actual and estimated savings quoted by his Department for the Benefit Integrity Project are savings that incorporate the full costs of the investment and running costs of the Project; [60982]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the accounting procedures used by his Department in calculating the savings generated by the Benefit Integrity Project. [60981]

  Mr. Timms
  The administration of the Benefit Integrity Project is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
  146
  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mrs. Theresa May, dated 30 November 1998:

  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions asking if the actual and estimated savings quoted by his Department for the Benefit Integrity Project (BIP) are savings that incorporate the full costs of the investment and running costs of the Project, and if he will make a statement on the accounting procedures used by his Department in calculating the savings generated by BIP.

  Estimates of benefit savings from BIP assume that cases with a changed award would have remained on their original level of benefit for 32 weeks. This is an assumption common to Benefits Agency activity. A proportion of total savings for cases reviewed in any particular year are allocated to the two subsequent years. This takes account of some benefit recipients being reviewed towards the end of the financial year, and the variation in the length of time recipients with a changed award would have remained on their original level of benefit. Estimated benefit savings relate solely to programme expenditure and is accounted for in the annual Vote 1 Appropriation Accounts.

  The estimate includes the cost of reviews and appeals. It also takes account of additional savings from some cases losing premiums in the income related benefits, some carers losing Invalid Care Allowance, and losing access to free road tax through the loss of entitlement to the Disability Living Allowance Higher Rate Mobility Component. The cost of investment and the running costs for the project are not included in the estimate of benefit savings but form part of the Agency's overall running costs, set out in the Vote 3 Appropriation Accounts.

  I hope you find this reply useful.

  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what(a) the original assumptions were and (b) the current savings assumptions are for the Benefit Integrity Project in (i) 1997–98 and (ii) 1998–99; what factors were taken into account in the revision of savings assumptions for the Benefit Integrity Project for 1997–98 and 1998–99; and if the costs of the Benefit Integrity Project include the costs of appeals following decisions made under the scheme. [60983]

  Mr. Timms
  The administration of the Benefit Integrity Project is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mrs. Theresa May, dated 27 November 1998:

  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what (a) the original assumptions were and (b) the current savings assumptions are for the Benefit Integrity Project (BIP) in (i) 1997–98 and (ii) 1998–99; what factors were taken into account in the revision of savings assumptions for BIP for 1997–98 and 1998–99; and if the costs of BIP for 1997–98 and 1998–99 include the costs of appeals following decisions made under the scheme.

  The original estimate of benefit expenditure savings from BIP was £20m in 1997–98 and £30m in 1998–99. It was based on the results of the Disability Living Allowance Benefit Review, published February 1997. The current estimate of savings are £8m in 1997–98 and £30m in 1998–99. It is based on monitoring information from BIP and reflects the delayed start of the project in 1997 and subsequent changes to the range of people included in the exercise. The estimate takes account of the cost of reviews and appeals. It also takes account of additional savings from some cases losing premiums in the income related benefits, some carers losing Invalid Care Allowance, and losing access to free road tax through the loss of entitlement to the Disability Living Allowance Higher Rate Mobility Component.

  Both estimates assume that cases with a changed award would have remained on their original level of benefit for 32 weeks. This is an assumption common to Benefits Agency activity. A proportion

  147
  of total savings for cases reviewed in any particular year are allocated to the two subsequent years. This takes account of some benefit recipients being reviewed towards the end of the financial year, and the variation in the length of time recipients with a changed award would have remained on their original level of benefit.

  I hope you find this reply useful.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what are the achieved levels of accuracy of the CSA for each region; [61449]

  (2) for each region, what are the levels of outstanding debt in the CSA; and what percentage of that debt is classed as unrecoverable; [61448]

  (3) for each region what is the current backlog of cases at the CSA; and how many of those have been outstanding for over one year; [61446]

  (4) what percentage of debt balances calculated by the CSA contain errors, for each region; [61450]

  (5) what is the average amount of time taken between the referral of a case for assessment by the CSA, the making of a maintenance assessment, and the first maintenance sum paid, for each region; [61452]

  (6) when the current backlog of cases within the CSA is expected to be cleared, for each region; [61447]

  (7) what is the current rate of non-compliance with payment of maintenance assessments by the CSA, for each region; [61445]

  (8) what is the average time taken to transfer collected maintenance to parents with care, for each region. [61453]

  Angela Eagle
  We expect the Child Support Agency to provide a consistent, fair and efficient service to all its clients. We have set out proposals for radical reform in our Green Paper "Children First: a new approach to child support" (Cm 3992).

  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mrs. Faith Boardman. She will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Faith Boardman to Mr. David Bendel, dated 30 November 1998:

  I am replying to your Parliamentary Questions to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the Child Support Agency.

  I cannot provide precisely all the information that you have requested, but have provided as much as possible from the most recent information available.

  The Agency has six front-line Business Units; each of these consists of a Child Support Agency Centre and associated Field Offices. Information has been provided for each Business Unit.

  The Agency measures the accuracy of maintenance assessments against targets set by the Secretary of State. For 1997/98, the target was for the cash value of all maintenance assessments checked in the year to be correct to the last penny in at least 85%of cases. The Agency met this target scoring an accuracy rate of 86%.

  In 1998/99, the Agency is measuring the accuracy more stringently by examining the last full assessment rather than just the last work carried out, which could have been a simplified review not requiring a full assessment. The revised methodology is closer to that used by the National Audit Office. The checks will be more reliable, measuring accuracy of assessments to the last penny in earlier years as well as more recent changes to assessments.
  148
  However, this may result in a larger number of inaccurate assessments being identified in the short term because it will reflect earlier periods in which the accuracy of assessments was lower than it now is. As a result the accuracy target is lower for 1998/99, and requires the cash value of all assessments checked in the year to be correct in at least 75% of cases. The Agency will be looking to improve on the accuracy target in 1999/2000 and following years.

  At 31 October 1998 the accuracy level (against this revised criteria) achieved by the Agency was 75%. The levels achieved by each Business Unit are shown in the attached table.

  The report of the Comptroller and Auditor General to the House of Commons which was published as part of the Agency's Annual Report for 1997/98 noted that when examining non-resident parents' maintenance balances, National Audit Office staff had identified that some error had occurred at some point in the history of the account in 79% (85% in 1996/97) of the cases examined. In the large majority of cases these inaccuracies had a relatively small monetary effect, and need to be put in the context that on average cases require to be worked at about 3 times a year. This assessment was based on a sample of cases going back to the start of the Agency, but it is a matter of public record that during its first two years the Agency frequently made errors when assessing maintenance. We recognise the legacy of this problem and aim to tackle this by getting cases right firsu time and will review older cases as the opportunity arises. We estimate that by the end of 1998/99 we will have had the chance in our normal course of work and through periodic reviews to look at many of those individual accounts which stem from the start of the Agency.

  The Agency has been concerned that the full maintenance debt reported previously was not a true reflection of the amount ever likely to be collected. Following a Debt Analysis Exercise we have therefore identified that part of the debt which is probably uncollectable and removed it to show a more realistic debt position. This change was introduced in the Agency's Annual Report and Accounts for 1997/98. This revised format is in response to the Committee of Public Accounts recommendation that the Agency "…examine the scope for eliminating a significant amount of this debt, since it is unlikely ever to be collected …".

  At 31 October 1998 the amount of child support full maintenance assessment debt was £480,340,622. This can be broken down further to £280,038,583 (58.3%) collectable debt, £186,852,502 (38.9%) possibly uncollectable debt and £13,449,537 (2.8%) deferred debt. Deferred debt is where the Agency has deferred the debt indefinitely, provided non-resident parents meet certain conditions on payment of regular maintenance and any remaining debt. Where appropriate the parent with care will be compensated for the loss of this money. Details for each Business Unit are shown in the attached table.

  To further increase the flow of maintenance and to help non-resident parents pay the arrears that they owe, wherever possible the Agency makes every effort to re-schedule debts; re-scheduled debts are those where the Agency has negotiated a closely monitored agreement with the non-resident parent to pay arrears by instalments. The amount of debt re-scheduled included in the £480,340,622 at 31 October 1998 was £374,392,076.

  The Agency does not collect information on average processing times for the clearance of maintenance assessments. The Agency measures the clearance of maintenance assessments against targets set by the Secretary of State. The age at clearance is measured from the date of the initial application. In Income Support cases where the Benefits Agency have conducted a pre-adjudication visit as part of the Closer Working arrangement, the date of initial application is the date of the visit.

  The Agency does not currently measure the time between application and payment due to the several factors that have an influence on when a payment is due (the payment preferences of the parent with care and the non-resident parent, and the non-resident parent's pay frequency) and in turn actually made. The speed with which assessments can be cleared is constrained by the complexities

  149
  of the current legislation which can require up to 104 separate pieces of information to be collected and verified before an assessment can be made, however the Agency is steadily reducing the time taken and is clearing the backlog of applications from the early years.

  For 1997/98, the Secretary of State target required 525,000 maintenance applications to be cleared; 60 per cent. of new applications to be cleared within 26 weeks and on 31 March 1998 no more than 5 per cent. of all maintenance applications to be over 52 weeks old. The Agency met this target with 595,000 clearances (13 per cent. above target), 72 per cent. of new applications cleared within 26 weeks and reduced the maintenance assessment backlog (i.e. cases which are over 52 weeks old and have not yet been assessed) to less than 5 per cent of applications received.

  The 1998/99 target is even more challenging; 65 per cent. of cases to be cleared within 22 weeks and on 31 March 1999 there to be no application outstanding over 52 weeks old. At 31 October 1998 the Agency was clearing 65 per cent of cases within 22 weeks. The levels achieved by each Business Unit are shown in the attached table.

  At 31 March 1998 the Agency had approximately 306,900 maintenance assessment cases on hand; approximately 110,000 of these were over 52 weeks old. To achieve the target to have no applications outstanding over 52 weeks old at 31 March 1999 all these 306,900 cases need to be cleared during 1998/99. At 31 October 1998 108,695 of these cases are outstanding; it is not possible to state how many of these cases are currently outstanding over 52 weeks, however we are ahead of profile to achieve the target by March. Details for each Business Unit are shown in the attached table. From 1 April we expect to have no applications outstanding over 52 weeks old.

  As the older cases are cleared some non resident parents will inevitably be assessed as owing arrears for periods dating back a number of years. As recently announced by Ministers, the temporary scheme limiting the collection of initial payment period arrears to six months as long as the non resident parent is fully compliant for a period of 12 months has recently been extended.

  Child Support Agency—operational statistical information by Business Unit 31 October 1998

  Midlands

  South Eastern

  Scotland and North East

  South West

  Wales and North West

  Eastern

  Accuracy1

  73%

  70%

  76%

  81%

  77%

  70%

  Full maintenance assessment debt

  £93,160,638

  £55,398,436

  £83,710,444

  £90,149,318

  £67,284,354

  £90,637,432

  —collectable

  £54,312,652

  £32,297,288

  £48,803,189

  £52,557,052

  £39,226,778

  £52,841,623

  —possibly uncollectable

  £36.239,488

  £21,549,992

  £32,563,363

  £35.068,085

  £26,173,614

  £35,257,961

  —deferred

  £2,608,498

  £1,551,156

  £2,343,892

  £2,524,181

  £1,883,962

  £2,537,848

  Maintenance assessment clearances within 22 weeks

  57%

  62%

  75%

  61%

  70%

  64%

  Cases with potential to be over 52 weeks old on 31 March 19992

  16,503

  23,785

  14,105

  10,554

  18,094

  25,654

  Non-compliance

  21.75%

  22.82%

  17.55%

  18.88%

  18.13%

  23.88%

  Speed of payment to parent with care

  98%

  97%

  98%

  98%

  98%

  94%

  1 The Agency is measuring the accuracy more stringently by examining the last full assessment rather than just the last work carried out, which could have been a simplified review not requiring a full assessment—as a result the accuracy target is lower for 1998/99.

  2 The Agency forecast there will be no maintenance assessments over 52 weeks old by 31 March 1999 and are ahead of profile to achieve this.

  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when his Department intends to publish the draft Bill on reform of the Child Support Agency. [61962]

  Angela Eagle
  The consultation period on the Green Paper finished on 30 November 1998. Final decisions on the shape of the reformed child support scheme and the associated legislative process will be announced in due course.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the length of time taken in issuing housing benefit for each local authority in the United Kingdom. [61869]
  150
  Additionally, from Monday 30 November, the scheme will be extended to include cases where arrears have arisen due to delays in reviews carried out on change of circumstance and in the periodic reviews carried out every two years.

  The Agency currently has a nil-compliance rate of 20.38%. Details of each Business Unit are shown in the attached table.

  We do not collect average processing times to transfer collected maintenance to parents with care. We measure the speed of payment to parents with care against a Secretary of State Target. The Agency exceeded the 1997/98 target which required that 97% of payments be passed to the parent with care within ten working days of receipt from the non-resident parent. At 31 October 1998 97%. of payments made to the parent with care were made within 10 working days of receipt from the non-resident parent. Details for individual Business Units are included in the attached table.

  1997/98 saw a significant improvement in the Agency's performance. Through the hard work and dedication of the Agency's staff, for the first time in our five year history we met or bettered all of our Secretary of State targets. Letters of complaint to the Agency and to MPs continued to fall as a percentage of our caseload. But we accepted the need to improve our all-round performance in line with concerns expressed by Parliamentary Committees and Stakeholder Groups, rather than just our performance against formal targets.

  In the short term, we are looking at the ways that we can change the way we deliver our service to address customers immediate concerns; to this end we have reviewed the way that we handle complaints and we have increased resources for our Client Helplines and the National Enquiry Line, extended our hours of opening to cover 8.00am to 8.00pm Monday to Friday and 9.00am to 5.00pm on Saturdays and begun pilots to greatly improve and increase clients' opportunities to secure a face to face service. For the longer term, we are looking at the ways that we measure our performance to ensure that our focus is on providing a service that meets our clients' qualitative needs as well as achieving formal numerical targets.

  I hope this is helpful.

  Angela Eagle
  The latest available data on local authority performance are for 1996–97. This is published in "Council Services Compendium" by the Audit Commission for England and Wales, and "Comparing the Performance of Scottish Councils" by the Accounts Commission for Scotland. These publications are available in the Library.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans his Department has to prevent local reference rent rules resulting in landlords refusing to let to claimants of housing benefit. [61870]

  Angela Eagle
  We are currently reviewing the Housing Benefit rules with the Local Authority Associations to ascertain what changes, if any, are necessary to improve
  151
  the way the benefit is administered and remove anomalies from the system. The impact of the rent restriction rules is part of that review which is due to end early next year.

  Pensioners' Incomes Series
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security for what reasons there has been a delay in the publication of the Pensioners' Incomes Series for 1996–97; and when he expects to publish the report. [61873]

  Mr. Denham
  The Pensioners' Incomes Series 1996–97 will be published on 10 December 1998, rather than 26 November. The delay was caused by further work being necessary to ensure the accuracy of the publication.

  Habitual Residence Test
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects to publish the review of the Habitual Residence Test. [61875]

  Angela Eagle
  Work on the review of the Habitual Residence Test is ongoing. However, we wish to take account of all relevant evidence and information before drawing any conclusions. This clearly needs to include the outcome of litigation which could have a significant impact on the scope for reform of the test, such as the case of Mr. Robin Swaddling currently under the deliberation of the European Court of Justice. We will therefore bring forward our recommendations once we have received and considered the judgment of the European Court in this case.

  Benefits Agency Medical Services
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the current operating difficulties in the Benefits Agency Medical Services. [61874]

  Angela Eagle
  The provision of Medical Services was contracted out to Sema Group on 1 September 1998. One of the objectives of contracting out medical services was to improve service provision. With this in mind the targets that have been set in the contract reflect the improvements the Department is seeking. Sema, however, are not yet achieving the targets that have been set for Incapacity Benefit, Disability Living Allowance, and Industrial Injuries. The contract recognises that service improvements cannot be achieved overnight and allows a six month period before remedies are applied for failure to deliver to contract levels.

  Sema Group have developed a Service Improvement Plan which demonstrates how continuous improvements will be made to the service. This is being closely monitored by the Contract Management Team and we are regularly apprised of progress.

  In addition there have been some difficulties in respect of payment of fees to doctors for the work they have performed since 1 September 1998. As a result of new procedures some payments have been delayed or wrongly calculated. Sema have acted quickly and made additional payments where errors have been identified. They are also improving procedures to ensure that errors do not occur in the future.

  We are monitoring the situation closely.

  Disability Benefits
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many of the representations from disability groups received by the Government during the consultation period before they proposed their changes to disability benefits advocated the abolition of severe disablement allowance. [61695]

  Mr. Timms
  [Holding answer 30 November 1998]: The Green Paper "New ambitions for our country: a new contract for welfare" set out the general principles for welfare reform rather than specific proposals for reforming individual benefits.

  We consulted widely following the publication of the paper in March. Over 1,050 responses were received from numerous organisations including organisations of and for disabled people, most of which welcomed our approach.

  In October we published a consultation Paper "A new contract for welfare—Support for Disabled People" which contains proposals for the reform of Severe Disablement Allowance. We are consulting on these proposals and we will consider all comments and alternative proposals made as part of the consultation process. The consultation period ends on 8 January 1999.

TREASURY

  Euro
  Mr. Rammell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has for a public information campaign on preparing for the euro; and if he will make a statement. [61685]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Euro Preparations Unit's (EPU) communication campaign on the euro is not a general public information campaign but is specifically targeted at ensuring that UK businesses, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs), are aware of the implications of the introduction of the single currency from 1 January 1999 and have the information they need to address the issues arising from this.

  The EPU's business communication campaign on the euro has proved highly effective in reaching its target audience of SMEs. Since the beginning of May. there have been requests for over 300,000 "business preparations for the euro" factsheet packs from businesses and key intermediary bodies.

  Mr. Rammell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the total expenditure and the breakdown of the expenditure on(a) public opinion research, (b) television, radio and newspaper advertising and (c) direct mail by the Euro Preparations Unit; and if he will make a statement. [61687]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Euro Preparations Unit's (EPU) business communication campaign on the euro has proved highly effective in reaching its target audience of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Since the beginning of May, there have been requests for over 300,000 "business preparations for the euro" factsheet packs from businesses and key intermediary bodies.
  153
  The EPU received Summer Supplementary Estimate provision of £7.5 million for 1998–99. Spend to date has been approximately £0.5 million for direct mailing to 1.6 million UK SMEs, and £4.75 million for the costs of the television, press and radio elements of the campaign. The EPU has not conducted any public opinion research, but has conducted two statistical business survey reports costing approximately £75,000. These surveys track overall euro awareness and preparations amongst UK SMEs as well as measuring the success of the EPU's communications campaign. These figures do not include VAT or postage.

  Petroleum Products (Cross-border Smuggling)
  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the smuggling of petroleum products into Northern Ireland from the Irish Republic. [61925]

  Ms Hewitt
  Both the Government and Customs are aware of the situation with the illegal importation of road fuel into Northern Ireland for resale and recognise that it is a serious problem which disadvantages legitimate traders. Customs are deploying resources and actively mounting investigations against those involved to counter the threat posed to the revenue and to the Northern Ireland business community. Customs are taking the lead on this issue but are acting in conjunction with other authorities, including the Royal Ulster Constabulary, to make seizures of oil tankers and vehicles carrying oil tanks filled with illegally imported fuel for resale. Whenever possible, cases are progressed with a view to criminal prosecution of the individuals involved.

  Developing Countries (Debt)
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with the World Bank and the IMF about the debt problems of developing countries; and if he will make a statement. [61720]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Chancellor spoke about debt relief at the Annual Meetings of the IMF and World Bank in October, calling for: a comprehensive review of the H1PC initiative to take place prior to the 1999 Annual meetings; the IMF and World Bank to take forward urgently work on how to help post-conflict countries, especially those with large arrears to the IFIs; the international community to aim to ensure that 22 countries could have reached their decision points by the end of 1999. The first two issues have now been agreed by the IMF and World Bank.

  Following the devastation caused in Central America by hurricane Mitch, the Chancellor and the Secretary of State for International Development wrote to the IMF, World Bank and Inter-American Development Bank on 10 November, urging these institutions to consider various measures for reducing the debt burdens of the countries worst hit, especially Honduras and Nicaragua. Amongst other things, they suggested setting up a Trust Fund to help pay the debt service that these countries owe the IFIs. The UK has donated £10 million to the Trust Fund, which is presently being set up by the World Bank.

  At a recent meeting in London with the President of the World Bank, the Chancellor discussed how the HIPC initiative could be used to help secure further debt relief for Honduras and Nicaragua—the poorest countries in the region.

  Budget Council
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the outcome of the Budget Council held in Brussels on 24 November; and if he will make a statement. [61650]

  Ms Hewitt
  On 24 November, the Budget Council gave its second reading of the draft 1999 EC budget setting commitments at some 97 billion euros (£67 billion) and payments at 85 billion euros (£59 billion). This represents an increase of some 6.6 per cent. in commitments and 2.5 per cent. in payments compared to the 1998 budget, almost all of which is accounted for by unavoidable increases in structural funds appropriations required under the terms of the Edinburgh agreement of 1992. The Council's second reading leaves a margin of some 6.4 billion euros below the ceiling on the financial perspectives. A detailed description of the Council's second reading of the budget is given in an explanatory memorandum which the Government are submitting to the European Scrutiny Committee.

  Individual Savings Accounts
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list those consulted and the comments made by them in the consultation process, on the basis of which the Inland Revenue estimated that the start up costs of ISAs would be £250 million. [61184]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Revenue received almost 300 responses to the original ISA consultation, and over 100 to the later consultation on the draft ISA regulations, from trade bodies or firms. Officials attended a large number of meetings with industry bodies, and took part in several industry conferences between January and July. Detailed questions about compliance costs were followed up with a number of organisations. Details of these discussions cannot be released for reasons of commercial confidentiality.

  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information is required by his Department to provide a breakdown of the costs incurred for new computer installation, staff and sales force re-training and administration for the start-up of ISAs; and what steps he intends to take to(a) acquire that information and (b) make such estimates. [61183]

  Ms Hewitt
  We shall monitor the ISA scheme as it develops, and this will include compliance cost issues.

  Alcohol Smuggling
  Mrs. Dean
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made in reducing the amount of alcohol illegally imported into Britain. [61535]

  Dawn Primarolo
  In July 1997, the Government announced a review of alcohol and tobacco smuggling and fraud, which was carried out by Customs & Excise in consultation with the trade. Customs & Excise has been allocated an extra £35 million over the next 3 years to tackle this problem. Over 100 additional frontline staff are currently being appointed. In the first 6 months of the current financial year, the revenue detected has been more than the amount for the same period last year.

  National Debt
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the current United Kingdom national debt was built up over the period 1978–79 to 1994–95; and what proportion of the current interest payments on debt are associated with the debt built up over that period. [61704]

  Ms Hewitt
  The National Debt rose by £270.3 billion between 31 March 1978 and 31 March 1995, and stood at £419.2 billion at 31 March 1998. Hence the proportion built up over this period is 64.5 per cent. Net public sector debt rose by £206 billion between 31 March 1978 and 31 March 1995 and stood at £352 billion at 31 March 1998. The proportion built up over the period is 58.5 per cent. The proportion of total debt interest payments incurred over the period can be estimated precisely but should be roughly similar to the proportion of debt.

  Labour-intensive Services (VAT)
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions his Department has held on a reduced VAT rate on labour intensive services; and if he will make a statement. [61886]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The European Commission's suggestion that Member States should be allowed to apply a reduced VAT rate on an experimental basis to certain local labour-intensive services was discussed at the Council of Finance Ministers on 16 February 1998. It has also been discussed in meetings of the Council Working Party on Financial Questions. However, the Commission has not yet brought forward any formal proposals on this subject.

  Electronic Commerce (Taxation)
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his policy on the taxation of electronic commerce; and if he will make a statement. [61881]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise published a joint policy paper setting out the UK's policy on the taxation of electronic commerce on 6 October 1998.

  Pre-Budget Report
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he asked the National Audit Office to audit the key assumptions and conventions underpinning the fiscal projections in the Pre-Budget report; [61035]

  (2) for what reason no Audit of Assumptions for the Pre-Budget report was published. [61034]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 27 November 1998]: The Code for Fiscal Stability requires the Treasury to invite the National Audit Office to audit any changes to the key assumptions and conventions underpinning the fiscal projections. The assumptions and conventions used for the projections in the Pre-Budget Report were unchanged from those used in the March Budget.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Government have asked the National Audit Office to review the change of assumptions in unemployment from 156
  1.65 million as set out in the Audit of Assumptions for the July 1997 Budget Projection to 1.3 million in the 1998 Pre-Budget report. [61036]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 27 November 1998]: In its report to Parliament dated 19 June 1997 (Cm 3693), the National Audit Office audited a flat planning assumption for unemployment. The use of a flat assumption is a long-standing convention that has been used in all subsequent published Treasury forecasts.

  Shamrock Case
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the Shamrock case. [61043]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 27 November 1998]: If the hon. Member would let me know what aspect of this case concerns him, I will reply as soon as possible.

  Commercial HP Leasing
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the total value was of commercial HP leasing arrangements in(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97 and (c) 1997–98. [61044]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 27 November 1998]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Director of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Nick Gibb, dated 1 December 1998:

  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent parliamentary question on commercial HP leasing arrangements.

  The information sought is not available from official statistics. Information collected by government statisticians on lending by financial institutions to businesses in the UK does not distinguish between products, except to the extent that these coincide with aggregates used in national accounting or other systems. In official statistics finance leasing is separate from other forms of credit extended to business but no distinction is made between hire purchase loans and other loans and advances.

  The Finance and Leasing Association, the trade association of the industry, publishes comprehensive data on business transacted by its member firms, analysed inter alia by product type (including lease/hire purchase). These data are compiled by a private organisation and are not used in official statistics. The Association is at 15–19 Kingsway London WC2B 6UN; telephone 0171 836 6511.

  Jobseeker's Allowance
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list for(a) each delivery unit for which the figures are available and (b) for each month from January to April 1998, the rate at which 18 to 24 year olds ceased jobseeker's allowance claims and went into jobs in non-pathfinder areas broken down by (i) men, (ii) women, (iii) people with disabilities and (iv) those from ethnic minority groups. [61080]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 30 November 1998]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Director of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply.
  157
  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Don Foster, dated 1 December 1998:

  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent parliamentary question on the rate at which 18 to 24 year olds ceased jobseeker's allowance claims and went into jobs in non-pathfinder areas.

  ONS does not collect data on the disability or ethnicity of claimants, or the location of jobs people take up on leaving the claimant count. Delivery Units are not standard geographies, but from early in the New Year, best-fit data for delivery units for the number of claimants split by age and sex will be available from the Nomis database that can be accessed by the House of Commons Library.

  Wages
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many workers in the United Kingdom currently(a) earn under £8,000 per annum, (b) earn between £8,000 and £10,000 per annum, (c) earn between £10,000 and £12,000 per annum and (d) earn over £12,000 per annum. [61933]

  Ms Hewitt
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Director of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Tim Boswell, dated 1 December 1998:

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

  The latest available information, from the New Earnings Survey April 1998, is contained in the following table.

  Employees (in the same job as last year) on adult rates, including those whose pay for the survey period was affected by absence—New Earnings Survey, April 1998 United Kingdom

  Percentage with gross annual earnings

  Full-time

  Part-time

  All

  Less than £8,000

  6.3

  76.4

  23.2

  £8,000 to £10,000

  8.1

  8.6

  8.2

  £10,000 to £12,000

  11.2

  5.1

  9.7

  £12,000 or more

  74.4

  9.9

  58.9

  Source:

  New Earnings Survey, Office for National Statistics

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Agenda 2000
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects the completion of the Agenda 2000 proposals. [61401]

  Ms Quin
  At the Cardiff European Council in March this year, Heads of State or Government agreed that political agreement to the Agenda 2000 package should be reached no later than March 1999. Both Austria, who hold the Presidency now, and Germany, who will hold the Presidency for the first 6 months of 1999, have expressed their commitment to that timetable.

  Mr. Watts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about progress on Agenda 2000. [61404]
  158
  Ms Quin
  Steady progress has been made in the past month or two. The Vienna European Council on 11–12 December will not take final decisions, but the Presidency are preparing a report identifying the key political issues that need to be resolved as part of the overall agreement, and also a compendium of negotiating texts reflecting the current state of discussion. Agreement no later than March 1999, in line with the Cardiff European Council conclusions, is achievable.

  Canada
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will visit Canada to discuss the creation of the new territory of Nunavut. [61402]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We have no plans to visit Canada to discuss the creation of the new territory of Nunavut.

  UN Finances
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last addressed the General Assembly of the United Nations; and what aspects of reform of United Nations finances were covered. [61403]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  In his address to the General Assembly on 23 September 1997, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary argued for reform of UN finances to put them on a sound and equitable basis. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister told this year's General Assembly that all parts of the UN system needed secure funding.

  Iran
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the implications for regional and international security of recent Iranian tests of long-range missiles. [61405]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We were extremely concerned by Iran's flight test of its Shahab 3 ballistic missile in July. Although the system is still in its development phase, its approximate range of 1300km means that the possibility of its future deployment threatens the stability of the whole of the Middle East.

  Whilst we understand Iran's legitimate security concerns, we have repeatedly urged the Iranian authorities to refrain from developing ballistic missiles. It is in nobody's interest for an arms race to develop in this already volatile region.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Iran on the funding of(a) Hezbollah and (b) Hamas. [61408]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We and our EU colleagues have frequently raised with the Iranians our concerns about their support for groups who use violent methods to oppose the Middle East peace process, and will continue to do so.

  However, during my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary's meeting with the Iranian Foreign Minister on 24 September, Dr. Kharrazi reaffirmed his Government's

  159
  strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms. Iran has strongly condemned terrorist attacks in Egypt and Algeria and rejected attacks upon civilians anywhere. We welcome these positive developments.

  Middle East Peace Process
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next expects to meet the Prime Minister of Israel to discuss the middle east peace process; and if he will make a statement. [61406]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier in the House today to my hon. Friend the Member for Scarborough and Whitby (Mr. Quinn),Official Report, column 656.

  Burma
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on UK relations with Burma. [61407]

  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his policy in respect of Myanmar. [61410]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We deplore the Burmese authorities' disregard for human rights and democracy. We are working for an end to these abuses and the start of substantive political dialogue with NLD, including Aung San Suu Kyi, and ethnic minority groups.

  Cyprus
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action is being taken to sponsor dialogue between the two communities in Cyprus. [61411]

  Ms Quin
  We remain committed to supporting the UN Secretary-General's efforts to reach a comprehensive political settlement in Cyprus through direct negotiations between the leaders of the two communities.

  We and international partners continue to promote activities at all levels which foster dialogue between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities in Cyprus.

  Iraq
  Mr. Pearson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of Iraq's compliance with United Nations resolutions. [61412]

  Mr. Fatchett
  It is the unanimous view of the Security Council that Iraq has not fulfilled its obligations under the relevant UN resolutions.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his meeting with the 16 dissident Iraqi groups on 23 November. [61415]

  Mr. Fatchett
  I met London representatives of various Iraqi opposition groups on 23 November.

  Lockerbie
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in resolving the issue of the proposed trial in The Hague of the alleged Lockerbie suspects. [61413]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We have provided comprehensive clarification on issues raised by Libya through the UN on the terms of the initiative. These answers demonstrate that we are acting in good faith. We are in close touch with the UN Secretary-General, who is mandated by the UN Security Council resolutions to seek Libyan compliance. We now look to Libya for a prompt and positive response.

  Democratic Republic of Congo
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. [61416]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Britain is working hard for peace. We are actively encouraging all states involved in the fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo to pursue a negotiated settlement. We have made it clear that there can be no military solution. Only a process of dialogue and negotiation can bring about a settlement that will last.

  China
  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the current relations between China and the United Kingdom. [61418]

  Mr. Fatchett
  As the visit to China of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister in October demonstrated, a new chapter has opened in our bilateral relations. We are working for a broader relationship, including increased political, commercial, educational and cultural contacts. We will continue to address difficult subjects, such as human rights, through an approach based on dialogue.

  EU Enlargement
  Mr. Rammell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress of EU enlargement. [61397]

  Ms Quin
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary gave earlier in the House today to the hon. Member for North Essex, (Mr. Jenkin),Official Report, column 660.

  St. Helena
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to restore full British citizenship to residents of the island of St. Helena. [61399]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The issue of British citizenship for residents of all UK Overseas Territories who do not already have it is a complex one. It is being considered sympathetically in the context of the current Review of UK Overseas Territories and the result will be published in the White Paper. We expect to publish the Paper early in the current session of Parliament.

  European Elections
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the remit is of the working group concerning proposed common principles for European elections; and if he will place in the Library the documentation relating to it. [61719]

  Ms Quin
  The General Affairs Group is the standing Council working group responsible for institutional affairs. It was given a mandate to consider the European Parliament's proposed common principles for European parliamentary elections by the Committee of Permanent Representatives on 10 September 1998. I have placed a copy of the European Parliament's proposal in the Libraries of the House.

  Gibraltar
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last discussed with his Spanish counterpart the claim by Spain for sovereignty over Gibraltar. [61641]

  Ms Quin
  The Brussels Process Communiqué of 27 November 1984 provides for the discussion of sovereignty over Gibraltar. The last Brussels Process talks took place in December 1997. The next meeting is due to be held early next year.

  Falklands
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from Argentina concerning its claim for sovereignty over the Falklands. [61640]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The Government of Argentina have repeatedly asserted their view that Argentina has a claim to sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, and have called on us to enter into negotiations. In response, we have made it clear that the United Kingdom has no doubt about its sovereignty over the Falklands and does not regard this as negotiable. It remains our position that there will be no change in the status of the Falklands unless that is the wish of the Islanders themselves.

  Arms Embargoes
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government have taken in the last year to strengthen the implementation and enforcement of existing arms embargoes. [61484]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  In his statement to the House on 27 July 1998,Official Report, columns 19–22, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary announced the establishment of a Sanctions Enforcement Unit in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, with responsibility for co-ordinating FCO action with respect to the enforcement of all sanctions, including arms embargoes. The Sanctions Enforcement Unit also issues guidance to FCO departments and overseas missions on the scope of UN sanctions resolutions and the Orders in Council implementing them in UK legislation.

  Defence Exports
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the next annual report on defence exports will contain a breakdown of licences refused. [61470]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak (Dr. Jones) on 14 July 1998,Official Report, column 149.

  North Korea
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the talks between the United States and North Korea concerning the latter' s nuclear programme. [61860]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The United States and North Korea meet regularly to discuss a range of issues, including North Korea's nuclear programme. The details of their discussions are a matter for the governments concerned.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Governments of(a) North Korea, (b) South Korea and (c) the United States concerning North Korea's nuclear programme. [61859]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We regularly discuss North Korean nuclear issues with the US and South Korea, at both Ministerial and official level, bilaterally and collectively at meetings of the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organisation. The UK does not have diplomatic relations with North Korea and no Ministerial talks have been held. Nuclear issues were discussed at official level in November 1997. The UK also intends to raise them in EU Troika and bilateral talks with North Korea on 2 and 3 December respectively.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance the United Kingdom has offered to monitor the North Korean nuclear programme. [61861]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is responsible for monitoring North Korea's adherence to its obligations under the Non-Proliferation Treaty. The UK fully supports the work of the IAEA through its contribution to that organisation.

  In addition, the UK, through the EU, is strongly committed to the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organisation (KEDO), as the best means of resolving the issue of nuclear proliferation on the Korean Peninsula. The EU is a member of the KEDO Executive Board, making a substantial contribution of 15 million ecu a year for five years, of which the UK share is some £1.7 million a year.

  Zimbabwe
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for International Development concerning the continued provision of aid to Zimbabwe. [61862]
  163
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has regular meetings with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development on a range of issues of mutual interest to our departments.

  Pakistan
  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of Pakistan concerning the status of Christians in that country. [61409]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We and our EU partners regularly raise the status of Christians in Pakistan with the Government of Pakistan, most recently at a meeting of the EU Troika and Pakistan on 25 November. I raised our concerns for all religious minorities in Pakistan with the Interior Minister when I visited Pakistan last year, as did my noble Friend the Under Secretary in January of this year. As EU Presidency, we led a demarche on Pakistan's blasphemy laws on 14 May. and participated in a further demarche on 19 October.

  Alcoholic Drinks Purchases
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much was spent on the purchase of alcoholic drinks by the United Kingdom embassy in France in 1996–97. [61698]

  Ms Quin
  The Embassy itself does not purchase alcoholic drinks: they are bought by Embassy staff on an individual basis. Annual expenditure by individual members of staff on official entertainment does not distinguish between alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and food. It is therefore not possible to say how much was spent on alcoholic drinks in any one year.

  Chile
  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice on security measures he intends to give to British Scouts, Guides and leaders who are to attend the World Scout Jamboree in Chile starting on 20 December. [61880]

  Mr. Fatchett
  As of 1 December 1998 we advise against all non-essential travel to Chile. Our advice is intended for all British nationals.

  British nationals making essential visits to Chile for more than a brief period are advised to register at the British Embassy, Santiago (tel: 231 3737, fax: 2342566) on arrival.

  British nationals in Chile should keep a low profile, avoid crowds, meetings, demonstrations and areas where the English-speaking community usually gather.

  Travel advice is reviewed daily.

  Nigeria
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to restore full diplomatic relations with Nigeria. [61384]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier in the House today to my hon. Friend the Member for Vale of Glamorgan (Mr. Smith),Official Report, columns 670–71.

HEALTH

  Condoms (Homeless People)
  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make free provision of condoms to homeless people. [60995]

  Ms Jowell
  There are no plans to introduce a separate condom distribution service for homeless people. Homeless people can obtain free condoms from open access family planning and genito-urinary medicine clinics.

  Hospital Admissions
  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what percentage of the population aged between 16 and 65 years use the accident and emergency departments at least once a year; [61012]

  (2) what percentage of the population aged between 16 and 65 years was admitted to hospital on at least one occasion in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [61011]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information is not available centrally in the form requested.

  It is not currently possible to provide a count of the number of occasions an individual is admitted to hospital, although development work is under way to enable such counts to be made in the future. In 1997–98, there were 10,368,844 hospital admissions, of whom 5,720,065 were aged between 16 and 65.

  Information on the number of new and follow-up attendances at accident and emergency departments is not broken down by age groups. The most recent information is set out in the Departmental publication, "Outpatients and ward attenders, England, Financial Year 1997–98", copies of which are available in the Library.

  Royal Commission on Long-term Care of the Elderly

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many pensioner representatives there are on the Royal Commission on Long-term Care of the Elderly. [61426]

  Mr. Hutton
  The membership of the Royal Commission on Long-Term Care of the Elderly includes people with knowledge of the public and independent sectors, health and social care, housing, finance and consumer affairs. They were chosen for their skills and experience, rather than to represent particular interests. Age Concern, Help the Aged and the National Pensioners Convention are members of the commission's reference group, which includes charities and other organisations representing people who may find themselves in long-term care; the financial services sector; the NHS; local government and other service provider bodies; and representatives of the major faiths in the United Kingdom. By this means, the commission is drawing on the most up-to-date experience of users and carers.

  Women's Boxing
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the risks associated with women's boxing. [61007]
  165
  Ms Jowell
  Although the Department has not conducted specific research into the hazards associated with women's boxing, the health risks of the sport in general are well documented. These risks are highlighted in "The Boxing Debate" published by the British Medical Association in 1993, and include acute and chronic brain damage, and injuries to the eye.

  Food Poisoning
  Ms Shipley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to publish statistics on the rates of food poisoning in the constituent parts in the United Kingdom. [61192]

  Ms Jowell
  Food poisoning notification data for England and Wales are published each week by the Public Health Laboratory Service Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre in "Communicable Disease Report Weekly", copies of which are available in the Library.

  Information for Scotland and Northern Ireland is the responsibility of my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Northern Ireland.

  Health Statistics
  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of the population aged between 16 and 65 years have(a) asthma, (b) eczema, (c) abscesses, (d) hepatitis C, (e) hepatitis B and (f) HIV. [60992]

  Ms Jowell
  The available information is summarised in the table.

  Condition

  Estimated prevalence in adults in the general population

  Asthma

  1 Asthma is estimated to affect about 4 per cent, of adults sufficiently severely to require medical supervision

  Eczema

  2 The Health Survey for England 1996 reported that 13 per cent, of adults stated that a doctor had at some stage in their life diagnosed them as having eczema

  Abscesses

  The information requested is not available

  Hepatitis C

  Studies suggest that the prevalence of chronic carriage may be around 0.5 per cent.

  Hepatitis B

  Available data indicate that the prevalence of chronic hepatitis B infection is around 0.3 per cent.

  HIV

  3 The current best estimate for diagnosed and undiagnosed HIV infections in England and Wales for 16–65 year olds is 0.07 per cent.

  1 This estimate is drawn from Asthma: An Epidemiological Overview published by the Department of Health in 1995.

  2 The Health Survey for England 1996 was carried out on behalf of the Department of Health by the Joint Health Surveys Unit and published earlier this year.

  Source:

  3 Public Health Laboratory Service

  Traffic Levels (Health Effects)
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the relationship between increases in traffic levels and health costs; and if he will make a statement. [61489]

  Ms Jowell
  The Department of Health funds, jointly with the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions and the Medical Research Council, a166
  programme of research into the effects of air pollutants on health. A study looking at the effects on health of relieving traffic congestion by building a bypass has been funded. This study is being done in Queensferry. Results are expected in 1999. The Department has assessed the impact of air pollution on health and has published a report: Quantification of the Effects of Air Pollution on Health in the United Kingdom. Copies are available in the Library. The Department has been examining the costs associated with these effects as a part of the accelerated review of the National Air Quality Strategy. A report will be published early in the new year.

  Hospitals (Felixstowe)
  Mr. Gummer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will request Suffolk Health Authority to reconsider their proposals to close the Bartlett Hospital, and to review the provision of hospital care in(a) Felixstowe and (b) the surrounding area; [61973]

  (2) when he will announce a decision on the Bartlett Hospital in Felixstowe. [61972]

  Mr. Dobson
  I shall announce my decision about the future of the Bartlett Hospital in Felixstowe shortly.

  Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority

  Mr. Derek Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will announce changes in membership of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. [62173]

  Ms Jowell
  I am pleased to announce the following appointments made on behalf of the United Kingdom Health Ministers:Mrs. Jane Denton—Nursing Director of the Multiple Births Foundation, reappointed as Deputy Chairman until 6 November 2001;
  Dr. Anne McLaren—Principal Research Associate, Wellcome Cancer Research Campaign Institute, reappointed as a member until 6 November 2001;
  Mr. John Williams—Dean at the Faculty of Economic and Social Studies at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, reappointed as a member until 6 November 1999;
  Ms Sara Nathan—until recently Editor Channel 4 News, appointed as a member until 6 November 2001;
  Professor Brenda Almond—Professor of Moral and Social Philosophy at the University of Hull, appointed as a member until 6 November 2001;
  Ms Sharmila Nebhrajani—Head of Corporate Planning at the British Broadcasting Corporation, a Chartered Accountant and former Management Consultant, appointed as a member until 6 November 2001;
  Professor Henry Leese—Professor of Biology at the University of York, appointed as a member until 6 November 2001;
  Dr. Sadia Muhammed—General Medical Practitioner in York and Forensic Medical Examiner to the North Yorkshire Police, appointed as a member until 6 November 2001.

  I am very grateful to Ms Elizabeth Forgan, Mr. Richard Jones, Mr. David Greggains and Professor Anthony Thiselton who are retiring from the Authority this year. I also wish to thank Dr. Ruth Chambers who left the Authority on 6 November at her request.

  These appointments were made in accordance with the guidance issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

  Local Authorities (Co-operation)
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evaluation his Department has made of the effectiveness of section 22(1) of the National Health Services Act 1977. [61868]

  Mr. Hutton
  A number of studies looking at the effectiveness of joint working have been commissioned by the Department in recent years. This is in addition to the joint monitoring undertaken by the regional offices of the National Health Service Executive and Social Services Inspectorate.

  Intensive Care
  Mrs. Dean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the Government's review of the number of NHS beds needed satisfactorily to treat patients will also assess whether there are sufficient intensive care beds. [61534]

  Mr. Hutton
  Action is already in hand to address this issue. We have commissioned the health care needs assessment of intensive care and will be carrying out a census of intensive care beds next spring. This work will run in parallel with and, where appropriate, feed into, the national beds inquiry.

  Democratic Republic of Congo: Funding of Conflict
  Democratic Republic of Congo: Funding of Conflict
  Uganda: Education Plan and Expenditure
  Uganda: Education Plan and Expenditure
  UCAS: Website
  UCAS: Website
  Bioethics
  Bioethics
  Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority
  Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority
  John Murray v. the United Kingdom: Response to Judgment
  John Murray v. the United Kingdom: Response to Judgment
  Strategic Export Controls
  Strategic Export Controls
  Internal Market Council, 9 November
  Internal Market Council, 9 November
  Industry Council, 16 November
  Industry Council, 16 November