Written Answers of 8 December 1998

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Women Prisoners
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many women held in prisons in England and Wales on 1 November had a child or children with them. [62022]

  Mr. George Howarth
  On 1 November 1998, 53 women had their babies with them in the four mother and baby units in the female prison estate.

  Mr. Farrakhan
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to make a final decision on the application of Mr. Farrakhan to visit the United Kingdom. [62285]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Earlier this year, my right hon. Friend carried out a full review of Mr. Farrakhan's exclusion from the United Kingdom. My right hon. Friend was minded to continue the exclusion, but invited representations to be made. Those representations are being given careful consideration and we expect to take a final decision shortly.

  Asylum and Immigration
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many asylum seekers have been convicted of offences punishable with imprisonment in the last year for which figures are available; [62212]

  (2) how many asylum seekers have been (a) excluded and (b) deported from the United Kingdom as a result of the commission of crime in another country in the last year for which figures are available; [62206]

  (3) how many asylum applicants have been ordered to be deported as a result of the commission of criminal offences in the United Kingdom in the last year for which figures are available. [62205]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  [holding answer 3 December 1998]: Information is not held centrally on the number of asylum seekers who have committed offences in another country or on the number of asylum seekers convicted of offences punishable with imprisonment and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  During 1997, 366 persons were recommended for deportation by a court and 89 were served with deportation notices on the basis that their continued
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  presence in the United Kingdom was not conducive to the public good. These figures include asylum and non-asylum cases.

  The system we inherited for identifying asylum seekers who have offended requires the police and prison service to inform the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) when someone subject to immigration control is convicted of any offence against the person, any drugs offence or any immigration offence or any other offence where a sentence of imprisonment of 12 months or more is imposed. In addition IND is notified where a court recommends that an offender should be deported. Other offences may be reported but there is no requirement for this to be done.

  This system produced records which showed that, in 1997, 14 persons who applied for asylum at some stage were recommended for deportation by a court and a further four were issued with notices of intention to deport on grounds conducive to the public good following conviction for a criminal offence. The current records are likely to under-estimate the numbers involved but it is difficult to assess by precisely how much. I have asked officials to re-examine and recommend improvements to the inherited process of collecting this data as part of our process of modernising the information systems in IND.

  Prison Population
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current prison population; and what it was in each of the last five years. [62380]

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

  Information on the average prison population in England and Wales is published in "Prison Statistics England and Wales" (table 1.4 of the 1997 edition, cm 4017) a copy of which is in the Library.

  Population in Prisons in England and Wales 1993–98

  Date/Year

  Number

  4 December 19981

  66,273

  Annual averages

  1997

  61,114

  1996

  55,281

  1995

  51,047

  1994

  48,794

  1993

  44,566

  1 Provisional figure

  Prison Costs
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the present annual cost of keeping an inmate in a prison in England and Wales. [62379]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The average cost per prisoner in 1997–98 (based on the final outturn) was £23,006.

  Animal Experiments
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total budget for the Animal Procedures Committee in each of the last five years; and what proportion of the budget in each year was allocated to sponsor research on alternatives to animal experimentation. [62389]
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  Mr. George Howarth
  The Animal Procedures Committee does not have a budget. It advises on how the Home Office budget for sponsoring research into alternatives should be used. The Home Office also has a budget to reimburse the expenses of Committee members and, from this year, has a budget to remunerate the Chairman.

  In each of the last five years, these budgets have totalled:

  £000

  Year

  Research

  Expenses

  Chairman?s remuneration

  1998–99

  259

  20

  10

  1997–98

  182

  22

  —

  1996–97

  242

  17

  —

  1995–96

  253

  1—

  —

  1994–95

  272

  1—

  —

  1 These figures are not available

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many animal procedures inspectors were(a) budgeted for and (b) in post in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [62487]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The number of inspectors in post and the total number of posts at 31 December in each of the last five years are as follows:

  Year

  Inspectors in post

  Inspectorate posts

  1997

  18

  118

  1996

  17

  18

  1995

  18

  18

  1994

  19

  19

  1993

  20

  21

  1 Additional funding was secured during 1997 to increase the complement of the Inspectorate to 21 during financial year 1998–99.

  There are currently 21 inspectors in post.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he has taken to implement each of the recommendations made in the Animal Procedures Committee interim report on the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. [62486]

  Mr. George Howarth
  I refer the hon. Member to pages 40–42 of the Report of the Animal Procedures Committee for 1997, which was published and laid in the Library on 26 November 1998.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to ensure that animals are used in scientific procedures only where justified; and what additional restrictions have been introduced since 1 May 1997. [62388]

  Mr. George Howarth
  In addition to the progress outlined by my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister, in a reply to the hon. Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Jones) on 3 November 1998,Official Report, columns 473–74, we recently announced that we had secured an end to the use of animals in the United Kingdom for the testing of cosmetics ingredients.
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  Project licence applications and ongoing work will continue to be carefully scrutinised by the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate to ensure that programmes of work are justified, in the sense that:
  the potential benefits outweigh the likely costs to the animals involved;
  non-animal alternatives are used wherever possible; and
  where animals have to be used, the least suffering is caused to the fewest number of animals of the lowest sentience.

  The ethical review processes that will be required in all designated establishments from April 1999 will also have an important role to play in ensuring that animals can be used only when it is absolutely justified.

  While the use of animals in many areas, especially medical research and testing, will continue to be necessary for the foreseeable future, we will continue to look for opportunities to eliminate types of animal use where suitable alternatives become available or where that use is no longer justified by the benefits that might accrue.

  Dr. Palmer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many project licences issued under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 that are currently in force and involve the use of drugs have(a) mild, (b) moderate, (c) substantial and (d) unclassified security banding. [62374]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Aggregate information on whether project licences authorise the use of drugs—either research on drugs (including pharmaceuticals) or research involving drugs including those where analgesics or anaesthetics are used to reduce pain and suffering—could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  OECD Safety Tests
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he has taken to delete the LD50 test from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's list of regulatory safety tests. [62488]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Along with other member states of the European Union, we have pressed the European Commission to pursue this issue with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). We understand that the OECD will consider this once guidelines on the use of the alternatives to the LD50 test have been finalised.

  Police National Computer
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list for each of the last three years(a) the number of accesses to each index of the police national computer and (b) the maximum and minimum number of entries in each index; and what is the current number of entries. [62319]

  Mr. Boateng
  I am advised that the number of transactions carried out in the last three years and the current number of entries on each application of the Police National Computer are shown in the following table. The maximum and minimum number of entries on each application is not recorded.
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  Number of transactions

  Application

  11995

  11996

  January-March 1997

  21997–98

  Vehicles

  25,400,639

  26,271,565

  6,841,519

  28,228,526

  Stolen Property

  292,695

  261,524

  60,054

  220,279

  Names

  20,598,101

  24,533,793

  6,654,447

  27,735,256

  Fingerprints

  911,840

  1,087,393

  260,711

  946,815

  Comparative Case Analysis

  298,742

  419,408

  134,260

  495,620

  Transaction Log

  585,298

  628,848

  165,303

  675,001

  Other (e.g. Broadcast, Force/Station inquiry, Post Centre inquiry)

  2,304,490

  2,583,330

  681,259

  2,786,720

  Total

  50,391,805

  55,786,861

  14,797,553

  61,088,217

  1 Data held on calendar year basis

  2 Data held on financial year basis

  Current number of entries (as at 4 December 1998)

  Application

  Number of entries

  Vehicles

  46,899,574

  Stolen Property

  57,461

  Names

  5,912,064

  Fingerprints

  4,713,609

  Comparative Case Analysis

  9,249

  Transaction Log

  163,959,077

  Total

  121,551,034

  1 Calendar year to date

  Forgery
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons were(a) arrested for and (b) charged with offences contrary to section 1 of the

  Persons at Heathrow Airport

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  Accused of attempting to commit a notifiable offence

  1—

  1—

  201

  232

  206

  Charged with the above

  1—

  1—

  177

  224

  194

  Accused of offences under Sections 3 and 4 of the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981

  14

  46

  50

  43

  66

  Charged with the above

  6

  32

  41

  37

  65

  1 Not available

  Road Traffic Offences
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made over the last five years(a) within his Department, (b) in conjunction with other Government departments and (c) in conjunction with European bodies towards developing systems involving the use of new technology for safety-related road traffic law enforcement and the administration of penalties. [62543]

  Mr. Boateng
  Since 1 January 1994, we have type approved for police use 10 speed measuring devices which operate using the various technologies of radar, lasers or sensors across the road. The most recent available figures show that 34 per cent. of the speed offences dealt with by the police were detected by automatic cameras. For drink drive law enforcement we have also type approved 1 alcohol screening device for roadside use and 3 evidential breath alcohol testing instruments. Research is underway into possible devices to enable the police to screen for drugs driving offences at the roadside.
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  Criminal Attempts Act 1981 or section 3 of the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981 at (i) Heathrow Airport and (ii) Gatwick Airport in each financial year since 1993–94. [62390]

  Mr. Boateng
  This information is not normally collected centrally. However, the Metropolitan police have been able to provide information on persons accused—that is, a count of persons arrested and subsequently proceeded against—and persons charged. The information relates to persons accused in the Heathrow division of attempting to commit a notifiable offence and those accused under section 3 and 4 of the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981. The information is shown in the table.

  The information for Gatwick airport is not available as this would incur disproportionate cost since manual searches through individual records would be required.

  In 1996, the Police Research Group published a cost benefit study of police enforcement cameras, the findings of which encouraged the wider use of camera technology to reduce road casualties. Home Office scientists have published a number of technical specifications and standards for various technologies to assist manufacturers to meet the needs of law enforcement. A new technical specification for police vehicle livery has been designed to provide greater safety by improving the visibility of police vehicles.

  Scientists at the Police Scientific Development Branch and Forensic Science Service continue to test systems developed by manufacturers with a view to their being type approved for police use. The Department is also supporting a project on the possible use of simulation technology for police driver training.

  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of road traffic offenders were sentenced to(a) a re-test and (b) an extended re-test for the offences of (i) causing death by dangerous driving and (ii) dangerous driving in each of the last three years. [62551]
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  Mr. Boateng
  The readily available information relates to the percentage of findings of guilt for offences of causing death by dangerous driving (including causing death by careless driving under the influence of drink or drugs and causing death by aggravated vehicle taking) and dangerous driving, which resulted in a requirement to undertake a driving test in England and Wales in the years 1995 to 1997, and is as follows:

  Findings of guilt for dangerous driving and causing death by dangerous driving etc. that resulted in a driving test requirement in England and Wales

  Causing death by dangerous driving etc.

  Dangerous driving

  1995

  Number

  53

  1,997

  Percentage

  16

  31

  1996

  Number

  9

  1,900

  Percentage

  3

  33

  Defendats proceeded against at magistrates' courts and found guilty at all courts for offences related to, but not necessarily involving, illegal tipping England and Wales 1995–97

  1995

  1996

  1997

  Offence description

  Prosecutions

  Convictions

  Prosecutions

  Convictions

  Prosecutions

  Convictions

  Depositing, causing the deposition or permitting the deposition treating, keeping or disposing of controlled waste in or on land without a licence1

  111

  80

  121

  95

  98

  87

  Depositing, causing the deposition or permitting the deposition of controlled special waste in or on land without a licence2

  30

  23

  32

  24

  19

  19

  Handling, controlling or transferring controlled waste without taking reasonable measures. Failing to comply with the Secretary of State's requirements3

  69

  49

  105

  81

  89

  72

  Contravening regulations of a waste management licence4

  65

  50

  94

  62

  84

  59

  Failure to comply with Regulation 18 of the Special Waste Regulations 1996

  7—

  7—

  7—

  7—

  1—

  1—

  Abandoning items on any land without lawful authority5

  98

  79

  77

  57

  78

  65

  Transporting controlled waste in the course of a business or otherwise with a view to profit without registering as a carrier6

  21

  15

  11

  10

  9

  6

  1 Environmental Protection Act 1990, sec 33(8)

  2 Environmental Protection Act 1990, sec 33(9)

  3 Environmental Protection Act 1990, sec 34

  4 Environmental Protection Act 1990, sec 33(6)

  5 Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978, sec 2

  6 Control of Pollution (Amendment) Act 1989, sec 1

  7 Not applicable

  Source:

  Home Office Court Proceedings Database

  Senator Pinochet
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 1 December 1998,Official Report, columns 132–33, if he will define the general principles of fairness which will guide his handling of representations and the exercise of his
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  Finding of guilt for dangerous driving and causing death by dangerous driving etc. that resulted in a driving test requirement in England and Wales

  Causing death by dangerous driving etc.

  Dangerous driving

  19971

  Number

  84

  3,458

  Percentage

  26

  58

  1 Provisional

  No information is available centrally to distinguish between re-tests and extended re-tests.

  Illegal Tipping
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons have been prosecuted and convicted of illegal tipping in each year since 1995. [62534]

  Mr. Boateng
  The information available from the Home Office court appearance database is given in the table. The offences shown are related to, but do not necessarily involve, illegal tipping.

  discretion in deciding the question of whether or not to issue an authority to proceed in the case of Senator Pinochet. [62644]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 7 December 1998]: The general principles of fairness, which I shall be following, are those laid down by law. Moreover, I shall explain the reasons for my decision.

  Prisoner Suicides
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prison inmates in England and Wales have committed suicide since 1 January. [62595]

  Mr. George Howarth
  As at 7 December 1998, there have been 74 self-inflicted deaths of prisoners in establishments in England and Wales since 1 January 1998. Of the 23 inquests held, 18 verdicts of suicide have been recorded.

  Channel Islands (Taxation)
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the powers of Her Majesty's Government to seek to impose taxes on the Channel Islands, with particular reference to the proposed EU withholding tax. [62515]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  [holding answer 7 December 1998]: The Channel Islands are not subject to European Union instruments on taxation, such as the proposed Directive on the taxation of savings. The Explanatory Memorandum to the proposed Directive, however, encourages member states to apply the measures contained in the Directive to their dependent territories within the framework of their constitutional arrangements. Legislation on taxation matters has always taken the form of laws enacted by the Island legislatures.

  Xenotransplantation
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to publish the code of practice on the welfare of xenotransplantation source animals; what groups, companies and individuals he has consulted on this code; and if he will make a statement. [62427]

  Mr. George Howarth
  I cannot give a date for publication at this time. Work on the code is progressing, but it can be finalised only once we have received confirmation—from the United Kingdom Xenotransplantation Interim Regulatory Authority (UKXIRA)—of the health status requirements for animals intended for clinical use. Home Office officials met members of the UKXIRA biosecurity steering group on 26 November to discuss these matters.

  Officials have also consulted with the Department of Health, the British Laboratory Animal Veterinary Association, the Laboratory Animal Science Association, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare, the British Veterinary Association, the Pig Veterinary Society and Imutran. The code must be submitted to the Animal Procedures Committee for its consideration before it is published.

  Manslaughter and Murder
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the average penalty applied to a person convicted of(a) manslaughter and (b) murder in each of the last five years. [62421]

  Mr. Boateng
  The information available from the Home Office court appearance database is given in the table.
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  Average sentence lengths 1 for people convicted of murder or manslaughter at the Crown Court, 1993–97 England and Wales

  Months

  Offence

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  Murder2

  All convicted people were sentenced to life

  Attempted murder

  99.3

  98.7

  111.5

  115.8

  98.0

  Manslaughter

  62.2

  57.6

  58.0

  60.9

  62.0

  Manslaughter due to diminished responsibility

  57.3

  57.4

  56.0

  61.0

  74.4

  1 Based on custodial sentences excluding life. Covers unsuspended imprisonment, imprisonment in a young offender institution and detention under the Children and Young Persons Act 1933, sec. 53(2)

  2 Murder has a mandatory sentence of life

  Jury Trials
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to reform the system of trial by jury. [61249]

  Mr. Boateng
  We have published two consultation papers this year about jury trials. The first paper, on use of juries in serious fraud trials, invited views on the principle of whether the system is likely to operate better and with a greater degree of public confidence if, in a small number of complex fraud trials, a traditional jury were to be replaced by another method of determining the facts. The consultation paper on determining the mode of trial considered whether defendants should be able to choose to be tried by a jury in cases which magistrates have indicated that they would be content to hear. We are currently considering the responses to these two consultation exercises.

  Criminal Prosecutions
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to reform the law relating to the mounting of private criminal prosecutions. [61261]

  Mr. Boateng
  I have no such plans, although the issue will fall to be considered in the context of the Law Commission's recommendations in its recent report on Consents to Prosecution.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he has taken to ensure that police stations' computers are millennium compliant; how much money has been allocated to this; what percentage of this has been given to Taskforce 2000; and if he will make a statement. [62410]

  Mr. Boateng
  It is for each police force to assess the likely impact of the Millennium Bug on its information technology systems. All forces have conducted audits of their Information Technology and communications systems, and will have contingency plans to ensure the continuation of critical business areas. Forces are expected to meet the costs of this exercise from within existing budgets.
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  Taskforce 2000 receives no funding from central Government. However, the Government have funded Action 2000, established last year to advise United Kingdom industry and the public on tackling the Millennium Bug.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers are currently being detained in Scotland; and how many in each place of detention. [62903]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  As at 30 November 1998, 24 people were held under Immigration Act powers in Scottish penal establishments. All of them had claimed asylum at some stage.

  The number in each place of detention is as follows:

  Her Majesty's Prison, Inverness: 2

  Her Majesty's Prison, Aberdeen: 10

  Her Majesty's Prison, Edinburgh: 6

  Her Majesty's Prison, Gateside: 5

  Her Majesty's Prison, Perth: 1.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what estimate he has made of the number of pre-July 1993 asylum applicants with a criminal conviction resulting in a sentence of less than 12 months' imprisonment who will benefit from the backlog procedure; [63057]

  (2) pursuant to the answer of 3 December 1998, Official Report, column 249, if every case involving the commission of a criminal offence by an asylum seeker is notified to the Immigration and Nationality Directorate. [63098]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Information is not held centrally on the number of asylum seekers who have been convicted of offences punishable with imprisonment and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  As outlined in the White Paper, "Fairer, Faster and Firmer—A Modern Approach to Immigration and Asylum", where an asylum application was made before the coming into force on 1 July 1993 of the Asylum and Immigration Appeals Act 1993, delay in itself will normally be considered so serious as to justify, as a matter of fairness, the grant of indefinite leave to remain.

  This will not apply, however, to applicants whose presence here is not conducive to the public good, for example on the basis of their conviction for a serious criminal offence. In general, any offender receiving a custodial sentence of 12 months or more will be excluded from benefiting from the backlog procedure. Other offenders may be excluded if their record is serious enough. Nor will it apply to any application for asylum made after the commencement of removal or deportation action against the applicant.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Electoral Boundaries
  Mr. McLoughlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he plans 118
  to implement the Local Government Commission recommendations for electoral boundaries for Amber Valley and Derbyshire Dales before the local elections in May 1999. [62226]

  Mr. Raynsford
  No. Our policy is to make electoral change orders by no later than the October before the May election date on which the changes come into effect so as to allow sufficient preparatory time including compiling the Electoral Register. The final reports on the Derbyshire Districts were not presented to the Department until 24 November 1998.

  Electric Cars
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how many grants the Energy Savings Trust has approved for conversion to electric cars; [62387]

  (2) how many of the grants awarded by the Energy Savings Trust for conversion to electric cars have been to (a) UK-based and (b) overseas-based companies. [62385]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Energy Savings Trust has received no applications for grants for conversion to electric cars, but has provided grant funding to two UK-based companies for the conversion of 4 minibuses to run on electricity. The Trust has also provided grant funding to 10 local authorities, 1 charity, 1 public organisation, 4 private organisations and 1 private individual, all UK-based, for the purchase of 64 electric vehicles, as part of its Powershift programme.

  Millennium (Emergency Cover)
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans his Department has to contract with the armed services to provide emergency cover over the millennium period; and what estimate he has made of the cost of that cover. [62575]

  Mr. Raynsford
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, my hon. Friend the Member for Knowsley, North and Sefton, East (Mr. Howarth), on 7 December 1998,Official Report, column 20.

  EC Transport Council
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the outcome of the Transport Council held in Brussels on 30 November; and if he will make a statement. [62328]

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the outcome of the EC Transport Council of 30 November to 1 December. [62943]

  Dr. Reid
  The Transport Council met in Brussels on 30 November and 1 December. I and my hon. Friend the Minister for Transport in London represented the United Kingdom.

  The Council agreed a common position on one legislative proposal and reached agreement on transport negotiations with Switzerland. It also agreed a report to the Vienna European Council on integration of

  119
  environmental requirements into transport policy, and held useful discussions in several other important areas of land, air and maritime transport policy.

  In land transport, the Council agreed a common position on a directive on heavy goods vehicle taxation and charges (known as the "Eurovignette" directive). This was a difficult dossier, to which successive Presidencies, including our own, had contributed. The Council also reached agreement on the outcome of the European Commission's transport negotiations with Switzerland on behalf of the European Community. The complete package of negotiations with Switzerland, on transport and other items, will be finalised by the General Affairs Council.

  There was a debate on two directives amending the rules promoting combined transport. Although there was general support for the underlying aim, there were concerns about the proposals as drafted. Among these were the UK's concern that, at least in the UK, the proposals would not have the desired effect of encouraging a shift of freight from road to rail, and would be likely to have perverse effects. In the absence of sufficient support the Presidency asked for further work to be done by the Committee of Permanent Representatives (COREPER).

  There was further discussion of the Commission's legislative proposals to establish a regulatory framework for the Community's railways. The UK strongly supports the proposals and referred to the Treaty requirement for progressive abolition of barriers to freedom to provide services. Following the discussion, the Presidency asked for further work to be done on the proposals.

  Two measures were discussed relating to inland waterways, neither of which applies to the UK. Broad agreement was reached on a measure to extend a fleet capacity management programme, and the Council discussed a draft amending directive on technical standards for inland waterways vessels.

  On air transport, the Presidency concluded that there was insufficient support for the draft conclusions which it had tabled on a full Community negotiating mandate for air transport negotiations with the US, and asked for further work to be carried out.

  Disagreement between Spain and the UK over application to Gibraltar Airport prevented the Council agreeing a draft amending Regulation which would improve compensation arrangements for air passengers who are denied boarding on overbooked flights. The UK reaffirmed its strong support for the measure and rejected Spanish claims that Gibraltar Airport should be suspended from its application, pointing out that this would remove rights conferred on users of Gibraltar Airport by the original Regulation. The Presidency noted the Commission's request for further work on a Regulation on aviation statistics which has not progressed since 1996 when disagreement on application to Gibraltar Airport prevented its adoption. The Council also discussed a draft Directive providing for ramp checks on third country aircraft using EU airports which had previously been agreed, because Spain had now requested suspension of the application of the measure to Gibraltar Airport. The UK confirmed its support for the text agreed by the Council, regretting that Spain had objected to this important safety measure at such a late stage.
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  The Council noted the Commission's reports on the progress of negotiations to establish a European Aviation Safety Authority, for Community membership of Eurocontrol, and on extending the single aviation market to ten central and eastern European countries. The Council also noted progress on the draft Directive on airport charging, and received a report on the outcome of the 32nd meeting of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Assembly in Montreal.

  In maritime transport, there was a debate on the draft directive on ferry manning conditions. The UK made clear its strong support for the proposal, which would protect Community seafarer employment. Some Member States thought that more information was needed about the impact of the proposal. At the Presidency's request, the Commission agreed to produce a report on the directive's likely impact and inform a future Council of progress.

  The Council agreed a report on integrating environmental requirements into transport policy, to go to the European Council in Vienna on 11–12 December. The report outlines progress to date and indicates that the Council will draw up an ambitious phased work programme, a first report on which will be discussed by the end of 1999.

  Under other business, the Commission presented its proposal for new working time rules in the road and maritime sectors, and presented its report on the development of transport Trans-European Networks.

  Trains (Disabled Access)
  Ms Kingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions his Department has had with rail operating companies concerning the provision of toilets with disabled access on trains. [62362]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Under the Rail Accessibility Regulations 1998, which will apply to all new types of rolling stock coming into service after 31 December this year, trains fitted with toilets for passengers will have to provide wheelchair accessible toilet facilities, as well as a wide range of other features to improve accessibility. The regulations have been drawn up in close consultation with train operating companies.

  Taxis (Disabled Access)
  Ms Kingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with hackney carriage operators concerning the higher fares charged for the use of taxis with disabled access in many parts of the country. [62382]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The fixing of taxi fares outside London is a matter for the local licensing authority concerned. In London, where fares are fixed by the Secretary of State, the same tariff applies to all taxis, including those with access for disabled people.

  Illegal Tipping
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to discourage illegal tipping. [62535]
  121
  Mr. Meacher
  Stringent controls and severe penalties are already in place to discourage the illegal tipping of waste and the Environment Agency has made clear its

  Maximum penalties for offences relating to waste

  Offence

  Magistrates" Court

  Crown Court

  Sections 33(1)(a), (b) or (c) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990

  Unlawful deposit, recovery, disposal etc. of non-special waste

  Imprisonment for 6 months and/or a fine of £20,000

  Imprisonment for 2 years and/or an unlimited fine

  Section 33(1)(a), (b) or (c) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990

  Unlawful deposit, recovery, disposal etc. of special waste

  Imprisonment for 6 months and/or a fine of £20,000

  Imprisonment for 5 years and/or an unlimited fine

  Section 34(6) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990

  Breach of the duty of care or Regulations on retention etc. of documents

  A fine not exceeding the statutory Maximum

  An unlimited fine

  Section 1(1) Control of Pollution (Amendment) Act 1989

  Transporting waste without registering as a carrier

  A fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale

  n/a

  Special Waste Regulations 1996

  Unlawful movement or handling of special waste

  A fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale

  Imprisonment for two years and/or an unlimited fine

  Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994: Regulation 20(5)

  Failure to register as a waste broker

  A fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale

  n/a

  Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994: Paragraph 12 Shedule 4

  Failure to register as a collector, transporter, dealer or broker of waste

  A fine not exceeding level 2 on the standard scale

  n/a

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to release the report on the status of radioactive waste management at Dounreay prepared by the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee. [62392]

  Mr. Meacher
  I have not yet received the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee's report on Dounreay, but I understand that it is to be supplied to Ministers by the Committee shortly. The Committee itself publishes all the advice it gives to Government.

  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what levels of radioactive discharges have been notified from each site on the Sellafield complex in each of the last five years. [62490]

  Mr. Meacher
  The data for years 1996 and 1997 are in the Environment Agency's Annual Reports for those years. For the preceding years 1993 to 1995, the data are contained in annual discharge returns, provided by BNFL and UKAEA, which relate to discharges from major stacks and approved places on the sites. The data are available on request from the public register at the Environment Agency North West Regional Office, Warrington, Cheshire and other local authority public registers in Cumbria and Lancashire.

  I have asked the Environment Agency to collate data specifically for the Sellafield complex and I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of the letter in the Library as soon as this is available.
  122
  Commitment to taking firm enforcement action. The main controls and the maximum penalties are ser out in the table:

  British Gas
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received from British Gas plc concerning participation in a voluntary agreement relating to misleading environmental claims. [62377]

  Mr. Meacher
  My Department has received no representations from British Gas plc on this matter.

  Drivers (Epilepsy)
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has further to reduce the duration of the driving ban that follows an epileptic fit; and if he will make a statement. [62527]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  There are at present no plans to reduce from one year the period for which an ordinary driving licence is withdrawn following an epileptic attack. As with other medical conditions, however, the situation is kept under review, taking account of expert advice.

  Asbestos
  Mr. Truswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the extent of illicit recycling of asbestos into building materials; and if he will make a statement. [62358]
  123
  Mr. Raynsford
  Asbestos waste is controlled under the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Special Waste Regulations 1996. The Environment Agency has responsibility for the enforcement of the relevant legislation.

  The Environment Agency has no evidence to indicate that asbestos is being illicitly recycled into building materials.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions his Department has had with the British Occupational Hygiene Society on the dangers to working people of contact with asbestos; and if he will make a statement. [62596]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Health and Safety Executive and British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) are in regular contact, and are planning a series of joint roadshows scheduled for early next summer to raise awareness of the dangers of contact with asbestos at work and to explain how to reduce the risks.

  Rural Bus Challenge Competition
  Mr. Grogan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to announce the results of the Rural Bus Challenge Competition. [62694]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I am currently assessing 214 bids, which have been received. I hope to make an announcement shortly.

  Local Government Pension Scheme
  Mr. Grogan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what would be the estimated annual cost of extending the Local Government Pension Scheme (Transitional Provisions) Regulations 1997 regarding spouses' pensions to spouses who remarried or started to co-habit prior to 1 April 1998. [62690]

  Mr. Raynsford
  This information is not available. An actuarial assessment of the cost of providing spouses' pensions for life was carried out on behalf of the United Kingdom Steering Committee on local government pensions prior to introducing this improvement into the Local Government Pension Scheme from 1 April 1998. However, this did not identify the cost of surviving spouses' pensions for widows or widowers who were already re-married or co-habiting before that date.

  Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the total costs were of medical investigations, inquiries and examinations incurred by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency in the most recent financial year for which figures are available; and what proportion of these costs related to drivers aged 70 years or over. [62795]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The total cost in 1997–98 of medical inquiries was £5.7 million of which £2.2 million was spent on medical reports and examinations. The proportion of these costs attributable to drivers aged over 70 is not available.

  Housing Revenue Account (Oldham)
  Mr. Woolas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the financial impact on Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council of the implementation of the 3,000 homes limit on subsidy recalculation of the housing revenue account. [62687]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council transferred 642 properties on the Limehurst Village estate to Limehurst Village Trust in March 1998. The number of properties transferred fell below the threshold (the lower of 3,000 dwellings or 10 per cent. of the authority's current stock) at which Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Subsidy would be recalculated for 1998–99. Oldham was required to consider the effects on subsidy before deciding to make the transfer. If subsidy had been recalculated, it is estimated that Oldham MBC would have received an additional £490,000 in HRA subsidy for 1998–99.

  Motorways
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many miles of motorway were(a) completed and (b) under construction in (i) 1979 and (ii) 1997. [63101]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  During 1979, 41.3 miles of motorway were completed out of a total of 120.2 miles of motorway which were under construction at some time in the year. During 1997, 42.7 miles of motorway were completed out of a total of 87.7 miles of motorway which were under construction at some time in the year. These figures include some motorway widening.

  Rail Fares
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many rail fares have, since 1 January 1998,(a) increased by more than 5 per cent., (b) increased by 3 to 5 per cent., (c) increased by 0 to 3 per cent., (d) remained unchanged and (e) decreased. [62889]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  This information is not available in the form requested.

  Under the Railways Act 1993 the regulation of fares is a matter for the Franchising Director. The Franchising Director regulates at least one fare between any two points on the network. Other fares, particularly discounted fares for off-peak travel, are set by the train operators. The Government have recently conducted research into the effects of fares regulation, based upon the fare actually paid by the passenger. The increase in average fares paid for 1995–96 and 1996–97 was 2.36 per cent, marginally below the RPI of 2.40 per cent. The increase between 1996–97 and 1997–98 was 3 per cent, below the RPI figure of 4 per cent. Between 1995–96 and 1996–97, the rate of increase in average fare paid fell below RPI for the first time since 1989–90.

  Rail Cards
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how many young persons' rail cards were issued in each of the last 10 years; [62890]
  125
  (2) how many senior citizens' rail cards were issued in each of the last 10 years. [62888]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The information requested is in the table. Details of railcard sales in 1988–89 and 1989–90 are not available.

  Financial year

  Young Persons" Railcard

  Senior Railcard

  1997–98

  722,443

  679,664

  1996–97

  723,524

  605,040

  1995–96

  683,719

  569,904

  1994–95

  704,071

  630,205

  1993–94

  652,840

  681,425

  1992–93

  678,933

  712,563

  1991–92

  712,672

  760,648

  1990–91

  676,561

  930,393

  Integrated Transport
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the timetable for the publication of the daughter documents of the White Paper on integrated transport. [62417]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Government have today issued their consultation document on road user charging and the workplace parking levy. The remaining daughter documents—papers on shipping, buses, sustainable distribution, road safety and inland waterways—will follow within the next few months. We will also be issuing a paper on ports policy, and confirming guidance on local transport plans, following up the draft guidance currently out to consultation. In addition, a strategy to encourage walking, produced by the Walking Steering Group, will be published by the Department early in the New Year.

  Rail Users Consultative Committees
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to increase powers available to the rail users consultative committees; and if he will make a statement. [62430]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  A New Deal for the Railways (Cm 4024) announced that, subject to legislation, sponsorship of the Rail Users' Consultative Committees will be transferred from the Rail Regulator to the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA). In future, the Committees will have explicit new powers to report perceived breaches of franchise agreements to the SRA, not just breaches of passenger and station licences. In addition, the Committees' remit will be extended to any open access operators (i.e. to passenger

  Franchise

  Date

  Circumstances

  New commitments

  Great Western Trains

  23 February 1998

  Three call-ins for infringements of thresholds for cancellations and part cancellations, deemed a breach of the franchise agreement

  Operator committed to improvements in Passenger's Charter payments for delayed journeys, to implement a recovery plan to improve rolling stock reliability and train crew availability, to spend £500,000 on additional rolling stock items and £500,000 on additional customer information systems in 1998–99.

  126
  services not provided under franchise agreements). We will ensure that the Committees include a wide cross-section of passengers, and want them to co-operate with bus user representative bodies and to contribute jointly to the development of the regional transport strategies which will form part of Regional Planning Guidance.

  Train Companies (Staff Reductions)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to ensure that staff reductions by train operating companies do not lead to compromises in safety. [62434]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Under the Railways Safety Case Regulations 1994, arrangements for operations or maintenance must be set out in a train operator's Railway Safety Case. Railway Safety Cases and any subsequent revisions have to be accepted by the Infrastructure controller or the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) before operations or revised operations can commence. Reductions in staffing levels would require amendment to a Railway Safety Case where this might affect safety. HSE monitors compliance with the Regulations and will take whatever action it considers appropriate (including enforcement action, if necessary) to ensure safety is not compromised.

  Train Companies (Franchises)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the circumstances under which franchise agreements with train operating companies can be renegotiated; which franchises have been so renegotiated; and if he will make a statement. [62438]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Deputy Prime Minister has said that the books are open for renegotiating franchises in order to secure improved services for passengers. An announcement about how we will seek additional benefits through renegotiation will be made in due course.

  The Franchising Director already has scope to negotiate additional commitments from franchisees. Where contravention of the franchise agreement has a materially adverse effect on passengers, the Franchising Director's Objectives, Instructions and Guidance, given to him in November 1997, require him to seek to secure contractual undertakings from the franchisee which will provide additional benefits as compensation for passengers. Where agreement has been sought to transfer control of a franchise to another party, the Franchising Director can also seek benefits for passengers. Substantial new commitments and changes to franchises negotiated by the Franchising Director since the Minister of Transport gave him new Objectives, Instructions and Guidance in November 1977 are shown in the table.
  127

  Franchise

  Date

  Circumstances

  New commitments

  Great Western Trains, North Western Trains and Great Eastern Railway

  6 March 1998

  Franchising Director agreed to buyout of Great Western Holdings Ltd. By FirstGroup plc

  Great Western: 32 new vehicles by June 2002; one week"s free travel for qualifying season ticket holders; new performance penalty regime; bus/rail integration schemes; new first class lounges; refurbishment of sleeper trains; improvements for cyclists.

  North Western: £1.2 million invested in agreement with PTEs and passenger representatives; 70 new vehicles equipped with CCTV security; £100,000 spent on access for disabled people; TOC to take more of the costs of planned vehicle refurbishment over from PTEs; improvements for cyclists.

  Great Eastern: replace all slam door trains by end of 2002; bus/rail integration schemes; modern rolling stock for Sudbury branch by October 1998.

  Thames Trains

  5 June 1998

  Franchising Director agreed to buyout of Victory Railway Holdings Ltd. by the Go-Ahead Group plc

  £500k spent on station improvements;improvements to Passengers' Charter; new through service

  Oxford-Didcot-Swindon-Bath-Bristol; bus/rail through ticketing; improvements for cyclists at Oxford; improved access to Heathrow Airport; reinstate London-bound platform at South Greenford.

  Chiltern Railway

  19 August 1998

  Three call-ins for infringements of thresholds for cancellations and part cancellations, deemed a breach of the franchise agreement

  One week's free travel for qualifying season ticket holders; improved Passenger's Charter compensation provisions; improved security; new public address system and help points; improvements to facilities for disabled people, toilets and passenger shelters.

  West Coast Trains; Cross Country Trains; South West Trains

  7 October 1998

  Franchising Director agreed acquisition of 49 per cent, of shares in Virgin Rail Group (VRG) by Stagecoach plc

  Bus/rail integration schemes; improved Passenger's Charter compensation terms; 16 new vehicles for VRG or South West Trains; £500k spent on improvements at stations served, but not operated, by VRG; passenger fora hosted by senior directors of all three TOCs.

  North Western Trains

  29 October 1998

  Concentration of cancellations on Oldham Loop, deemed a breach of the franchise agreement

  Two weeks' free travel for season ticket holders; to be extended to other ticket holders bynegotiation with Greater Manchester PTE.

  LTS Rail

  11 November 1998

  Review of rolling stock availability relating to Class 317s scheduled for release from WAGN Railway

  Relieved LTS Rail of incentive payments due if Class 317s not taken over from WAGN. Commitment to replace all slam door stock by March 2002; 12 additional vehicles; improved Passenger's Charter; more exacting performance thresholds; £2 million spend on passenger information systems, increased staffing and other facilities; additional spend each year on staffing; improved facilities for disabled people and passenger security; bus/rail integration schemes; improved access to Lakeside shopping centre; improvements for cyclists; additional reduced rate early morning season tickets.

  Concessionary Bus Passes
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what percentage of persons of pensionable age currently have access to a concessionary fares bus pass. [62419]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I understand that 11 local authorities have no concessionary fare scheme for their resident pensioners. The number of pensioners in those local authority areas represents about 2.6 per cent. of the total number of pensioners in England.
  128
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the number of concessionary fare bus passes(a) currently issued and (b) which will be issued when the nationwide £5 bus pass is introduced; and if he will make a statement.[62418]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  No such estimate can be made, because my Department does not hold statistics on the number of passes issued; that is a matter for the individual local authorities concerned. Without that information it is
  129
  not possible to calculate any likely change in numbers of passes issued due to our proposal for a national minimum standard for concessionary fares for pensioners, based on a £5 bus pass and half fares on buses.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the extra cost to the public purse from the introduction of a nationwide concessionary fare bus pass at(a) £5 and (b) £10 assuming (i) a continuation of the present number of passes issued and (ii) his estimate of the increased number of passes which might be issued.[62420]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  It is not possible to give such an estimate, because the cost and the number of passes issued would depend not only on the price of the pass, but also on the level of concessionary fare with which the pass was associated.

  Lorries (Weight Restrictions)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to restrict lorry access by weight to non-trunk roads.[62429]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  It would be impractical to impose a national ban on lorry traffic on non-trunk roads because most lorry journeys begin and end on such roads. Non-trunk roads are the responsibility of local traffic authorities who have powers to make traffic regulation orders to prohibit or restrict lorry access, subject in limited cases to a requirement to hold a public inquiry and obtain the Secretary of State's consent.

  Train Companies (Sub-contracting)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the implications for public accountability of the sub-contracting of services by train operating companies; and if he will make a statement.[62433]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  This was considered by the Franchising Director before letting the current franchises. Train operators may make arrangements with each other for operating services on a subcontracted basis, subject to conditions which ensure that the arrangements do not transfer control of the services concerned, or the obligation to deliver the Passenger Service Requirement (PSR), to the subcontractor; and subject to a maximum of 5 per cent. of the aggregate scheduled train mileage of the operator subcontracting services. Subcontracting above this limit or outside the terms of the conditions requires the consent of the Franchising Director or, where applicable, the relevant Passenger Transport Executive (PTE). In addition, the Franchising Director requires clear separation between different franchises held by the same franchisee, and any relationship between them must be on an arm's-length basis and set out in clear contracts.

  Train Companies (Passenger Service Requirements)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the appropriateness of the criteria applied to train operating companies in respect of passenger service requirements; what plans he has to alter these; and if he will make a statement.[62437]
  130
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We have considered the revised Criteria for the Appraisal of Support for Passenger Rail Services, which the Franchising Director has submitted to us for approval, and he expects to issue them shortly.

  Travel Safety Statistics
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many casualties per kilometre travelled were recorded in(a) 1987, (b) 1992 and (c) 1997 in respect of (i) car, (ii) train, (iii) motorbike, (iv) bicycle and (v) air travel.[62893]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The information requested is shown in the table.

  Passenger casualty rates by mode

  Per billion passenger kilometers

  1987

  1 1992

  2 1996

  Average 1987–96

  Car 3

  Killed

  4.6

  3.6

  3.1

  3.7

  KSI

  61.3

  45.3

  41.7

  48.0

  All

  335.8

  334.5

  356.2

  339.2

  Rail 4

  Killed

  1.0

  0.04

  0.03

  8—

  KSI

  3.3

  2.6

  7—

  8—

  All

  76.6

  65.9

  19.4

  8—

  Two wheeled motor vehicles 4

  Killed

  100.4

  97.0

  98.8

  101.4

  KSI

  1.929.3

  1,516.3

  1,391.1

  1,699.4

  All

  6,359.0

  5,555.1

  5,176.1

  5,958.5

  Pedal cycle 3

  Killed

  48.8

  43.4

  47.2

  46.5

  KSI

  893.9

  849.1

  880.2

  887.2

  All

  4,563.4

  5,267.0

  5,705.6

  5,201.5

  Air 5

  Killed

  0.0

  0.01

  0.0

  0.1

  KSI

  0.0

  0.1

  6—

  0.1

  All

  6—

  0.1

  6—

  0.1

  KSI—killed and seriously injured

  1 1992 onwards—casualty rates based on revised exposure figures.

  2 For rail casualties there is no longer a distinction between major and minor injuries under the new Accidents Reporting regulations 1995, which came into effect on 1 April 1996. Injuries are classified as either 'minor injury' or 'death'. The reporting trigger for minor injury is the passenger being taken to hospital.

  3 Drivers and passengers in Great Britain.

  4 Financial years from 1991–92.

  5 World passenger carrying services of UK airlines for fixed and rotary wing craft over 2,300 kilograms. Passenger kilometres relate to revenue passengers only.

  6 negligible (less than half the final digit shown)

  7 not available

  8not applicable

  Train Companies (Compensation Payments)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much was paid in compensation payments, and to how many individual passengers, by each train operating company in the last year for which figures are available.[62894]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Under the franchise agreement, each franchise operator must have a Passenger's Charter which provides for compensation for day ticket holders
  131
  whose journey are delayed, and for season ticket holders who suffer poor performance over a period. At the start of the franchises these terms were at least as favourable as British Rails; since then, a number of operators' terms have tightened, either through negotiation with Franchising Director or at an operator's own commercial initiative. Operators have varying Charter compensation terms and information about payments belongs to each operator. The Franchising Director has the contractual right to inspect records, to ensure compliance, but they are not maintained on a comparable basis across all TOCs.

  Green Ministers Meeting
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the departments which, at the meeting of Green Ministers on 18 November, were represented by officials. [62415]

  Mr. Meacher
  The following departments were represented by officials:

  Department for Culture, Media and Sport

  Department of Social Security

  Department of Trade and Industry

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office

  HM Treasury.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the meeting of Green Ministers on 18 November considered methods of(a) decreasing car journeys by Ministers and (b) making the cars made available to Ministers less polluting. [62416]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Green Ministers' meeting on 18 November discussed progress on delivering green transport plans across Government. These plans will comprise measures to encourage staff to choose alternatives to single-occupancy car use, including public transport, cycling, walking and car-sharing, to reduce the environmental impact of travel and to reduce the need to travel. Where feasible, Ministers use public transport or walk. However, security issues and issues of practicality can mean that cars are often essential.

  But the Government Car Service is committed to reducing the environmental impact of its fleet, and has begun to convert its vehicles to use Liquid Petroleum Gas, a significantly cleaner fuel than conventional fuels, with the aim of converting its entire fleet within the next five years. It also has a programme monitoring fuel consumption and providing driver training with a published target for improving the average fuel efficiency across its fleet by at least half a mile per gallon every year.

  Through-ticketing
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to promote through-ticketing between train and bus services. [62891]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Under his objectives, instructions and Guidance, the Franchising Director is required to take all appropriate steps to provide for the participation by franchises in multi-modal travel schemes, and to manage franchise agreements in a way which reflects our policy on transport integration. Accordingly, where he has negotiated new commitments from franchises, these have 132
  included through ticketing and timetable integration schemes which promote through journeys by rail and bus services, both within towns served by the railway and towns and villages. The number of similar schemes have been promoted by operators at their own initiative. We will be looking to build on this as we consider the renegotiation of franchise agreements.

  Road Traffic Reductions
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the places where his Department wants road traffic levels to be reduced; and within what time scale it wants them to be reduced. [62892]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 3 November 1998,Official Report, column 458.

  Coach Services
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the implications for rail services of the introduction of new coach services which could be assumed to seek to divert passenger traffic from parallel rail lines. [62432]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Coach operators may provide whatever services they wish in response to commercial demand, although where they could undermine rail services they may be subject to review by the competition authorities. The Rail Regulator and the Franchising Director would advise the Director General of Fair Trading in these circumstances, but any final decision would rest with my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.

  Train Companies (Subsidy Reductions)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions in what circumstances he can implement a reduction in subsidy to a train operating company in addition to that agreed in the franchise agreement. [62436]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  All payments to and from franchise operators are governed by franchise agreements and changes to the basis for such payments could be made only during the term of existing franchises by negotiation and agreement between the contracting parties i.e. the Franchising Director and, in some cases, the Passenger Transport Executive and the franchise operator.

  Strategic Rail Authority
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will allow the Strategic Rail Authority to retain revenue received from fines levied by that authority. [62431]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Government are currently reviewing a wide range of fines currently paid into the Consolidated Fund, to consider which ones should be retained by the levying authority.

  Mark One Rolling Stock
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to receive the report on mark one rolling stock from the Health and Safety Executive. [62435]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam (Mr. Burstow) on 7 December 1998,Official Report, column 39.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list for each local authority the increase in standard spending assessment(a) for education, (b) for social services and (c) overall, included in the 1998–99 local government revenue finance settlement. [62886]

  Ms Armstrong
  The information requested has been placed in the Library.

  Air Carrier Liability
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will continue to pursue any prosecutions under Air Carrier Liability Order 1998/1751 pending the outcome of IATA's application for judicial review of the order; and if he will make a statement. [62944]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Unless and until the Air Carrier Liability Order 1998 is either amended by Parliament or declared by the courts to be void and of no effect, it remains in force and the possibility of prosecution for breaches of the Order therefore cannot be excluded.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment the Government have made of the implementation of Council regulation (EC) No. 2027/97 on air carrier liability following accidents in each member state; what assessment he has made of the level and nature of implementation in each member state; and if he will make a statement. [62945]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Government have made no assessment of measures taken by other EU member states in giving effect to the Council Regulation in their jurisdictions. However, I can report that at a meeting in Brussels convened by the European Commission on 10 September 1998, when member states were asked what measures they had taken or planned to take to implement the Regulation, all eight member states present had either taken or already possessed powers to enforce the provisions of the Regulation.

  National Air Traffic Control
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if it is the Government's intention to sell National Air Traffic Control Services in the financial year 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [62942]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Government are currently consulting interested parties on their proposal to establish a public-private partnership for National Air Traffic Services Ltd. We will take full account of the views of 134
  consultees in reaching final decisions on the future of NATS and will bring forward legislation at the earliest opportunity. The timing of any sale is for consideration once the legislation is in place.

  IATA v. UK Government
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the costs to the Government so far of the case brought by IATA against the UK Government concerning the implementation of EC regulation 2027/97; if he will estimate the likely total cost to the UK taxpayer; and how long he estimates the case will take to resolve. [62946]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  At the preliminary hearing in the High Court in November, the judge refused IATA's request for an immediate reference of the matter to the European Court of Justice and awarded costs to the Secretary of State. A further hearing has been scheduled for February 1999, at which the substance of IATA's case will be considered, but it is not possible to predict the total cost to the Government of the action since this will depend on the length of the judicial process in reaching a decision and whether the Government are again awarded costs in the event of a successful defence. A reference to the European Court of Justice, which would result in a protraction of matters, cannot be excluded.

  Four-star Petrol
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what exceptions he plans to make to the proposed ban on the sale of four-star petrol; if disabled drivers will receive financial help in replacing or converting their cars; and if he will make a statement. [63062]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Government are considering options with the oil industry and other interested organisations with regard to the continuance, under the terms of the EU directive, of a very limited supply of leaded petrol. However, its availability will ultimately be a commercial decision.

  Vehicles driven by disabled drivers are generally ordinary passenger cars or light vans all of which have been required to use unleaded petrol for several years. Older vehicles requiring leaded petrol will be able to use lead replacement petrol or an anti-wear additive in conjunction with unleaded petrol. Particular financial help for disabled drivers is not therefore necessary.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he has taken to ensure that local government computers are millennium compliant; how much money has been allocated to this; what percentage of this has been given to Taskforce 2000; and if he will make a statement. [62409]

  Mr. Raynsford
  We are working closely with the Local Government Association, the Local Government Management Board and the Audit Commission to ensure that all councils are properly prepared to deal with the millennium bug. My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister has, jointly with Sir Jeremy Beecham, Chairman
  135
  of the Local Government Association, written twice this year to each council leader stressing the importance of their taking action, inviting them to sign Pledge 2000, and to nominate a senior member to take local responsibility for seeing that action on this issue is driven forward. The Local Government Finance Settlement takes into account the need for councils to deal with the Year 2000 problem. On the basis of returns submitted to DETR, English local authorities have, in aggregate, provided £64.6 million in their 1998–99 reported budgets to deal with the Year 2000 problem.

  Huddersfield Canal
  Mr. Woolas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to announce the decision on funding from English Partnerships for the Huddersfield Canal Project. [63066]

  Mr. Caborn
  A full economic appraisal of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal Millennium Project, to ensure that the proposal is robust and represents good value for money, has been carried out by English Partnerships. English Partnerships Board recently give its support for almost £13 million of the funding to the project, subject to agreement on a number of contractual details with its partners, the local authorities and British Waterways. The level of English Partnerships' proposed investment means that the project requires approval from my Department. I expect a final decision in the next few weeks.

  Regional Eurostar Services
  Mr. McNulty
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he has received the review into the feasibility of regional Eurostar services; and if he will make a statement. [63225]

  Mr. Prescott
  The Consortium presented its report "Review of Regional Eurostar Services" to me on 13 November and a copy has today been placed in the Library. The Government have noted the conclusions of the report and will be commissioning a thorough, independent review of it, and of the alternative proposals put forward by the Virgin Group. The Government will also be working with the parties to seek to ensure that the regions have access to convenient, effective Channel Tunnel services.

  Trust Ports
  Mr. Quinn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the outcome of his review of trust ports. [63227]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Our review of the role and status of trust ports has been completed, and we have now published a summary consultation paper setting out conclusions and recommendations. We have asked that responses and comments on this paper should be sent to the Department by 31 January 1999. Copies of the paper have been placed in the Library.

  Driving Tests
  Mr. Quinn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to revise the practical driving test. [63228]
  136
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Following extensive consultation, we have decided to make important changes to the practical driving test, its length, content and the way it is marked.

  From Spring 1999, candidates will be required to demonstrate their skills in a broader range of road and traffic conditions. Tests will have about ten minutes more general driving. Test routes will include more higher speed dual carriageways and rural roads. The emergency stop exercise will be carried out at random in about one third of all car tests rather than all of them. Candidates who commit large numbers of less serious driving faults will fail their test. The threshold will initially be set at 15 faults. The revised test will set higher standards for candidates' driving and will check they are prepared for the pressure of driving in today's road and traffic conditions.

  The package also includes measures to raise training standards. We plan to introduce a voluntary log book scheme at the same time as the test is amended, to aid candidates and their instructors to gauge progress towards test standard. Candidates will also be given more detailed written feedback about their performance on test by the examiner. This will advise unsuccessful candidates about the reasons they failed and provide those who passed guidance about aspects of their driving which could still be improved.

  The implementation date for these changes will be announced shortly. The longer test and the revised marking arrangements will be introduced for the motorcycle test, and the emergency stop exercise will be retained in all those tests. The revised marking arrangements will also be introduced for lorry and bus driver tests. Training logbooks for these sectors will be developed in consultation with the representative bodies.

  Planning Guidance
  Mr. Ennis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when his Department will be issuing for consultation draft guidance for local authorities on land-use planning and electromagnetic fields. [63262]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Department has today issued for consultation the draft of a joint circular with the Department of Health. It gives guidance to local planning authorities in drawing up development plan policies or deciding planning applications for development giving rise to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) or for development proposed in the vicinity of existing sources of EMFs. Examples of development emitting EMFs are overhead power lines and telecommunications base stations. The Government recognise that there is some public concern about the possible health effects of exposure to EMFs and it is upon this aspect that the guidance focuses.

  Comments are requested by 19 February 1999. Copies of the consultation package have been placed in the Library.

  Transport Safety
  Mrs. Humble
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how he intends
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  to implement the review of the arrangements for transport safety announced in the Transport White Paper; and if he will make a statement. [63307]

  Dr. Reid
  The White Paper on the future of transport "A New Deal for Transport: Better for Everyone" announced the Government's intention to review the arrangements for transport safety, including those for accident investigation.

  In carrying out this review, we will address recommendations from the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Select Committee that transport safety regulation should be focused on a single independent authority as a means of separating safety regulation from operational responsibilities. As the Select Committee's recommendations have potentially wide-reaching implications for the current institutional framework, the review will embrace all transport modes and consider the roles and responsibilities of a number of organisations concerned with transport safety.

  The aim of the review is a modern institutional framework, designed to deliver continued improvements to transport safety and secure public confidence. It will focus on the principles that should govern the organisational and regulatory arrangements for transport safety, including those for personal security, and cover the main areas of public concern, from the setting of safety standards to the investigation of accidents. In particular, it will address institutional obstacles that are seen to act as a constraint to better regulation of safety and consider whether there are aspects of the current organisational arrangements that could give rise to conflicts of interest. It will not address the substance of policies for the operational safety of individual modes taken forward within the current institutional framework.

  An inter-departmental steering group has been set up to guide the review which will work to the following terms of reference:
  "to consider whether a more integrated or unified approach to transport safety across modes would be more effective, produce a safer travelling environment and secure best value for money".

  The review will involve representatives of the transport industries and those working in them, together with consumers. We have set up a small advisory panel to provide an independent sounding board and external influence on the work of the review. There will also be consultation in the Spring on the organisational and operational principles that should apply to any new arrangements for transport safety.

  Our aim is to complete the review process and announce decisions in about 18 months.

TREASURY

  Bank of England
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff at the Bank of England were employed in the(a) Traded Markets Team and (b) Supervision and Surveillance Division of the Bank of England on (i) 31 December 1996 and (ii) 31 December 1997. [61037]
  138
  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 27 November 1998]: As at 31 December 1996 there were 420 staff employed in the Supervision and Surveillance Divisions of the Bank including 10 staff in the Traded Markets Team.

  As at 31 December 1997 there were 448 staff employed in the Supervision and Surveillance Divisions of the Bank including 11 staff in the Traded Markets Team.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff have transferred from the(a) Traded Markets Team and (b) Supervision and Surveillance Division of the Bank of England to the Financial Services Authority. [61038]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 27 November 1998]: Nine and 406 respectively.

  EU Code of Conduct Group
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what matters have been discussed by the EU Code of Conduct Group to date; and if he will make a statement. [61884]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 1 December 1998]: The Code of Conduct Group has discussed matters which relate to potentially harmful and discriminatory tax measures as is its remit.

  Duty Free Sales
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to retain duty free sales in the EU; and if he will make a statement. [62102]

  Dawn Primarolo
  This matter was discussed by European Finance Ministers at the ECOFIN Council meeting on 1 December 1998. A minority of member states, supported by the UK, called for a fresh look at the decision to end intra-EU duty free sales on 30 June 1999.

  Stamp Duty
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total amount raised in stamp duty on share transactions in each of the last five years. [62276]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 3 December 1998]: The figures are as follows:

  Stamp duty (including stamp duty reserve tax) on transactions of shares and other securities

  £million

  Year

  Amount

  1993–94

  1,035

  1994–95

  1,013

  1995–96

  1,298

  1996–97

  1,408

  1997–98

  1,960

  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the Government's plans with regard to the current stamp duty exemption when authorised unit trusts merge with an open-ended investment company. [63263]

  Ms Hewitt
  Following a number of representations, we intend to extend the current temporary exemption from Stamp Duty Reserve Tax (SDRT) when authorised unit trusts merge into an open-ended investment company
  139
  (OEIC) to match the timetable for the introduction of the framework to allow the formation of a wider range of OEICS. This means that investment funds which intend to rationalise their range of products by merging authorised unit trusts into an OEIC will have the opportunity to do so without paying a Stamp Duty or SDRT charge.

  The current exemption for mergers of authorised unit trusts into OEICs ends on 30 June 1999. We intend to extend this until a year after the coming into force of Treasury Regulations putting in place the new framework.

  Drugs (Turkey)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate his Department has made of the proportion of heroin that enters the United Kingdom via Turkey. [62512]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Customs does not have a reliable estimate of the proportion of heroin which enters the United Kingdom via Turkey. The amount Customs seized during 1997 known to have originated in or transited through Turkey was 1037.33 kilograms which represented 59.37 per cent. of the total amount of heroin seized by Customs during that year, but Customs assess that around 80 per cent. of the total seized has arrived from Turkey.

  Ministerial E-mail Address
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his e-mail address; and what is the e-mail address of the Chief Secretary of the Treasury. [62559]

  Ms Hewitt
  All Treasury Ministers can be e-mailed through the Treasury's website (www.hm-treasury.gov.uk) or the Public Enquiry Unit (public.enquiries@hm-treasury.gov.uk).

  Charities
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to publish the Charities Tax Review consultation document. [62334]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 7 December 1998]: The Government received over 3,000 replies in the first phase of the Review and are determined to consider carefully all the options before launching the next phase. We intend to publish a Consultation Document as soon as possible.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent changes in practice there have been regarding the 10 per cent. commercial use concession to charities' zero rating for new buildings. [62338]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 7 December 1998]: None. Zero-rating is available for charity buildings that are used solely for non-business purposes. However, when the building is used for a business purpose for less than 10 per cent. of the total time that it is open, that use is ignored.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has made to the EU Commission regarding the special VAT zero-rating arrangements for charities regarding(a) the supply of lifeboats to the RNLI, (b) the conversion of lifeboat slipways, (c) the supply of
  140
  medical research equipment to charities and (d) the supply of equipment for the disabled to charities; and if he will veto any proposals to end these arrangements. [62336]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 7 December 1998]: As my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary said in the House on 1 December 1998, there are no detailed proposals from the Commission to change the existing VAT rates, and existing EC agreements fully safeguard the UK's zero rates.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the revenue cost to charities of EU proposals to(a) end zero rating and (b) end exempt activities in respect of VAT. [62337]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 7 December 1998]: There are no proposals from the Commission to change the existing VAT rates for charities.

  Winter Mortality Rates
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many deaths, where hypothermia was mentioned on the death certificate as the main or contributory cause of death, took place in England and Wales in 1997 among those(a) of all ages, (b) aged 60 to 74, (c) aged 74 to 84 and (d) aged over 85 years; what were the winter mortality rates for (i) the population as a whole, (ii) people aged 60 to 74, (iii) people aged 75 to 84 and (iv) people aged 85 years and over; and what the percentage increase was in each group compared to non-winter deaths in 1997–98. [62794]

  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. Eddie O'Hara, dated 8 December 1998:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your parliamentary question on deaths from hypothermia and winter morality rates.
  The information requested is shown below.

  Deaths where hypothermia was mentioned on the death certificate, England and Wales, 1997

  Ages

  Number

  All Ages

  357

  60–74

  51

  75–84

  127

  85 and over

  127

  Excess winter mortality, England and Wales, 1997–981

  Age

  Excess winter deaths 2

  Percentage increase in mortality in winter

  All ages

  23,680

  14

  60–74

  5,050

  11

  75–84

  7,960

  14

  85 and over

  9,180

  19

  1 provisional

  2 rounded to the nearest 10

  Excess winter deaths are defined as the difference between the number of deaths during the four winter months (December to March) and the average of the number of deaths during the preceding autumn (August to November) and the following summer (April to July).

  VAT (Football Transfer Fees)
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what the annual revenue is from VAT on football transfer fees for(a) players under contract and (b) players under 24 years who are out of contract; [62800]

  (2) if he will estimate the annual revenue forgone as a result of the decision of the European Court in the Bosman case relating to football transfer fees; and if he will make a statement. [62799]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Any VAT relating to football transfer fees can be recovered by the acquiring club. Therefore, there is no VAT revenue from football transfer fees and no VAT revenue forgone as a result of the judgment of the European Court in the Bosman case.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Smoking
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Chairman of the Catering Committee for what reasons smoking has been banned in the(a) Churchill Room and (b) Members' and Strangers' Dining Rooms; and for what reasons it is permitted in the Press Gallery Dining Room. [62651]

  Mr. Dennis Turner
  The Committee agreed that smoking should no longer be permitted in the Churchill Room and in the Members' and Strangers' Dining Rooms following representations made to it by hon. Members requesting such a course of action. I understand that the Director of Catering Services has received no such representations from members of the Lobby and Gallery concerning smoking in the Press Dining Room.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Lottery Funding
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which sporting venues have received lottery funding for athletics in the past 12 months. [62175]

  Mr. Banks
  Listed are the sporting venues which have received Lottery sports funding from the English Sports Council for athletics in the period 1 December 1997 to 30 November 1998:

  Stourport Sports Club, Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire

  Exeter Arena, Exeter, Devon

  Trafford Athletic Club, Stockport, Cheshire

  Moorways Sports Complex, Derby

  Priory School, Lewes, East Sussex

  Eastbourne Sports Complex, Darlington, County Durham

  Sunnydale Leisure Centre, Shildon, County Durham

  Erith Running Track, Erith, Kent

  Battersea Athletics Track, London

  Par Recreation Ground, Cornwall.

  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much lottery funding the sport of basketball has received over the last 12 months. [62176]

  Mr. Banks
  In the period 1 December 1997 to 30 November 1998, basketball received Lottery capital sports facilities awards of £990,039 from the English 142
  Sports Council, towards total project costs of £1,285,052. The English Sports Council has awarded a total of £25,409,308 to the sport since awards began in March 1995.

  Since the World Class Performance programme commenced in October 1997, 17 English wheelchair basketball players have received a combined total of £468,839 from Lottery sports funding. In addition, £14,500 has been awarded from World Class Events funding in an effort to bring the 2002 world championship for wheelchair basketball to this country.

  UK Sports Institute
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many contracts for the UK Sports Institute have been(a) put out to tender and (b) signed. [62702]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 7 December 1998]: This is primarily a matter for those in Sheffield who are setting up the Headquarters of the UK Sports Institute. However, I understand that a number of contracts, including contracts for design and for site investigation as well as contracts of employment, have been let although no construction contracts have yet been put out to tender or signed. Both the UK Sports Council and Phoenix have assured me that good progress is being made.

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress has been made in identifying sites for the national and regional centres of the UK Sports Institute. [62701]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 7 December 1998]: We have already announced that the Headquarters of the UK Sports Institute will be located in Sheffield. Separate announcements have been made about arrangements in Scotland. So far as England is concerned, the English Sports Council has been consulting wide with potential providers of services and I understand it will soon be in a position to make further proposals to the Government. We have already agreed that there should be a devolved regional structure. Some extra time has been taken by the Council to ensure that the whole of England is adequately covered, including East Anglia and the concentrations of population of the south coast.

  National Lottery
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is the current National Lottery surplus; and if he will make a statement. [62634]

  Mr. Banks
  The National Lottery has so far raised £6.6 billion for Good Causes. £5.6 billion has been awarded to projects across the UK of which £2.99 billion has already been paid out. The remaining £1 billion is yet to be committed to projects. Any money held in the National Lottery Distribution Fund earns (tax free) interest for the good causes.

  The recent changes to the Lottery will allow a more flexible approach to distributing Lottery money. The shift in emphasis from buildings to people should mean that more money will be distributed more quickly across the country.

PRIME MINISTER

  Policy Unit (Travel)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list each overseas trip paid for out of public funds by members of the No. 10 Policy Unit since 1 May 1997, indicating in each case the(a) individuals involved, (b) destination, (c) purpose and (d) cost; and if he will make a statement. [62095]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 3 December 1998]: For the period 1 May 1997 to the end of October 1998, members of the No. 10 Policy Unit have travelled overseas on official business for talks with officials from European governments on 26 occasions. The average cost of travel was about £380.00 per person. Only one special adviser travelled on each occasion except for a visit to Bonn undertaken by three special advisers. Subsistence costs were met on four occasions, totalling approximately £700. All visits have been made in accordance with the rules set out in the Civil Service Management Code.

  In addition, members of the No. 10 Policy Unit have accompanied me and other Ministers on my official visits abroad. Information on these visits has been provided in answer to previous parliamentary questions.

  These arrangements follow the practice of successive administrations.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Robert Jackson
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list all current special advisers in his Office; and if he will indicate the subjects on which they advise. [62798]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the right hon. Member to the answers I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Great Grimsby (Mr. Mitchell) on 30 October 1997,Official Report, column 860; my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Erdington (Mr. Corbett) on 14 January 1998, Official Report, column 233–34; the right hon. Member for Bromley and Chislehurst (Mr. Forth) on 5 May 1998, Official Report, column 278; and the hon. Member for Buckingham (Mr. Bercow), on 6 July 1998, Official Report, columns 356–57.

  In addition, Dr. Iain Anderson is employed as a part-time, unpaid Adviser on the Millennium Bug providing advice to me and my right hon. Friend the President of the Council.

  Parliament (State Opening)
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Prime Minister what estimate he has made of the total costs of the State Opening of Parliament. [62214]

  The Prime Minister
  Some £50,000 has been jointly set aside by the two Houses, from their Vote, for the State Opening of Parliament. As in previous years, approximately £1,600 has been allocated for the printing of the Queen's Speech.

  The Metropolitan Police estimate policing costs for the State Opening at around £240,000, a similar figure to previous years. This excludes the costs incurred by the Metropolitan Police in providing the permanent security service within the Palace of Westminster. It also excludes
  144
  costs such as catering. These figures do not include any additional cost of military staff who took part in the ceremony, which are not separately costed.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Robert Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the special advisers in her Department and the issues on which they specialise; and to what level they have been security cleared. [62836]

  Clare Short
  I have two Special Advisers, David Mepham and Dee Sullivan, who advise me on the full range of issues for which I am responsible. They are strongly committed to international development and I value their work greatly. They work in full co-operation with my departmental officials on the issues on which it would be inappropriate for officials to work. Special Advisers are subject to the usual security clearance arrangements. It would not be appropriate to give details about the level of security clearance applying in the case of particular individuals.

  Ministerial E-mail Address
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what is her e-mail address. [62878]

  Clare Short
  The e-mail address of my office is c-short@dfid.gtnet.gov.uk.

  Afghanistan
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has in respect of future humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. [63056]

  Clare Short
  My Department has just concluded a review of Department for International Development's (DFID) current humanitarian programme to Afghanistan.

  Our assessment is that while the forthcoming winter may see a seasonal lull in active fighting, there is little prospect for a settlement of the conflict.

  Serious human rights abuses appear to have been perpetrated by all parties, and the discovery of mass graves has generated demands for an external investigation, together with the deployment of human rights monitors. We are supporting this in the UN, and have urged the involvement of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. The Taliban continue to impose difficult working conditions including limiting access to women. The Taliban have also not kept their pledge on narcotics, and production has actually expanded over the past year.

  The UN aid agencies have not returned their expatriate staff to Afghanistan as conditions for their return (including satisfactory account of investigations into the past killings of UN workers, and assurances over future security) have not yet been met. The ICRC have remained in the country but with a curtailed programme and

  145
  reduced expatriate representation. Some NGOs are sending back their expatriate staff, while others are still waiting to see what happens in coming weeks.

  The humanitarian situation inside Afghanistan—in terms of basic physical needs—is under reasonable control at the present time. People are coping partly due to increased food production in areas that have seen little active fighting this year. However health services, rudimentary to start with, are further stretched or broken down. We are also informed that the situation in the Central Bamiyan region is precarious. Humanitarian needs may become more stark in parts of Afghanistan if there is a severe winter.

  Current DFID Programme

  During our Presidency of the European Union, the UK negotiated a Common Position, led a Joint EU Mission to create a broad consensus on aid strategy, and hosted a meeting of the Afghan Support Group in London. We also continue to support the mediation efforts of the United Nations Special Mission to Afghanistan, and the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy Mr. Lakhdar Brahimi.

  Our effort to help create a system-wide approach to Afghanistan, and increase synergy between peace-making and humanitarian assistance, has been underpinned by the provision of £8.5 million in 1998: this includes support for:
  ICRC's protection, humanitarian law and medical relief work;
  demining through the UN and Halo Trust;
  United Nations Office For The Co-ordination Of Humanitarian Assistance for Afghanistan (UNOCHA) for co-ordination and common services to benefit the whole system (e.g. communications, logistics, aircraft);
  NGOs (Afghanaid, Christian Aid, CARE, TEAR Fund, Support for Afghan Further Education (SAFE); BBC, Children in Crisis, the Agency Co-ordinating Body for Afghan Relief (ACBAR), British Agencies Afghan Group) for education, health, water, sanitation and co-ordination activities;
  UNHCR for refugee care and protection programmes;
  and FAO for livestock and food security.

  Useful impact has been achieved in terms of encouraging an effective principled common approach to programming, promoting protection, building livelihood security and making use of the available modest opportunities for education for girls and boys. We also provided disaster relief when two major earthquakes struck Northern Afghanistan earlier this year.

  Forward Strategy

  We will continue to remain engaged in Afghanistan. In doing so, we will be informed by the principled common programming approach under the United Nations led Strategic Framework for Afghanistan that we have been instrumental in developing and promoting. The purpose of the Strategic Framework is:
  to enhance reinforcement between the United Nations political strategy in Afghanistan and international assistance activities;
  to promote greater effectiveness and coherence in the international assistance programme.
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  We recognise that the operating context for humanitarian agencies will remain highly uncertain for the time being. Until we have fresh information to the contrary, we shall continue to advise British aid workers against returning to Afghanistan because of security concerns. This means that we are not able to support NGOs that send expatriates back into the country. This restriction does not apply in the same way to ICRC and UN agencies because of their specially mandated role under international agreements.

  We shall also consider further funding for ICRC and selected UN agencies in Afghanistan after appraisal of the Consolidated Interagency Appeal due to be launched next week by the United Nations. Guidance to Agencies wishing to apply for DFID funds includes the expectation that they will also subscribe to the above principles of the Strategic Framework for Afghanistan. New funding commitments would be limited to six months. We shall conduct another review of Afghanistan policy in mid-1999 unless there is significant earlier change in circumstances.

  We recognise that the operating context for humanitarian agencies will remain highly uncertain for the time being. Until we have fresh information to the contrary, we shall continue to advise British aid workers against returning to Afghanistan because of security concerns. This means that we are not able to support NGOs that send expatriates back into the country. This restriction does not apply in the same way to ICRC and UN agencies because of their specially mandated role under international agreements.

  We shall also consider further funding for ICRC and selected UN agencies in Afghanistan after appraisal of the Consolidated Interagency Appeal due to be launched next week by the United Nations. Guidance to Agencies wishing to apply for DFID funds includes the expectation that they will also subscribe to the above principles of the Strategic Framework for Afghanistan. New funding commitments would be limited to six months. We shall conduct another review of Afghanistan policy in mid-1999 unless there is significant earlier change in circumstances.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Ministerial Travel
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the cost to his Department of travel by Ministers in his Department in(a) RAF and (b) privately chartered aircraft (i) in the year to 1 May 1997 and (ii) since 1 May 1997. [60904]

  Mr. Mandelson
  [holding answer 27 November 1998]: The cost of travel for DTI Ministers:

  (a) In RAF Aircraft

  (i) For the year to 1 May 1997: Nil

  (ii) Since I May 1997: £15,934.80

  (b) In Privately Chartered Aircraft

  (i) For the year to 1 May: £24,199.01

  (ii) Since I May 1997: £11,314.72.

  Company Accounts
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many company directors were disqualified for one or more Companies Act 1985 offences for failing to keep adequate accounting records in each year since 1987. [61959]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 1 December 1998]: There are no known instances since 1987 where a director has been disqualified solely for failing to keep adequate accounting records.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many companies were(a) found guilty and (b) fined for not disclosing to the public that a director has (i) resigned and (ii) been appointed within two weeks of that resignation under section 288 of the Companies Act 1985 in each year since 1987. [61955]

  Section of the Act

  General nature of the offence

  Mode of prosecution

  Punishment

  S 221(5) or 222(4)

  Company failing to keep accounting records (liabilities of the officers)

  1. On indictment 2. Summary

  2 years or a fine: or both 6 months or the statutory maximum, £5,000; or both

  S 222(6)

  Officer of company failing to secure compliance with, or intentionally causing default under section 222(5) (preservation of accounting records for requisite number of years)

  1. On indictment 2. Summary

  2 years or a fine: or both 6 months or the statutory maximum, £5,000; or both

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many company directors were found guilty of approving accounts which did not comply with the Companies Act 1985 in each year since 1987. [61954]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 1 December 1998]: There were no prosecutions for the years 1987–1998 under the provisions of section 223(5) of the Companies Act 1985, as amended.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what was the average fine levied on a company director convicted of approving accounts which did not comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 1985 in(a) 1995, (b) 1996 and (c) 1997; [61949]

  (2) how many directors were fined in 1997, and for what amounts, for approving accounts which did not comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 1985; [61952]

  (3) how many company directors have been fined, and for what amounts, for approving accounts which did not comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 1985 in each year since 1987. [61950]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 1 December 1998]: There is no record of any company directors being fined for approving accounts which did not comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 1985 for the years in question.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what is the maximum punishment for conviction as a director of a company which fails to file an annual return which discloses the names of the directors and owners of the company within 28 days of its due date under section 363 of the Companies Act 1985; [61961]
  148
  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 1 December 1998]: Since 1987 three convictions have been secured under section 288 of the Companies Act 1985. These convictions were obtained in the year 1990–91 but there is no record of the fines, if any, imposed.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the maximum available punishment following a conviction as a director of a company which failed to keep adequate accounting records. [61951]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 1 December 1998]: There are a number of penalties laid out in respect of punishment following conviction of a director of a company which failed to keep adequate accounting records. These are set out as follows under section 730, Schedule 24 of the Companies Act 1985.

  (2) what is the maximum punishment following conviction for being a director of a company which fails to file financial accounts with Companies House within (i) seven months and (ii) 10 months of the end of the period of account; [61948]

  (3) what is the maximum punishment for a company which does not disclose to the public that a director has (a) been appointed and (b) resigned within two weeks of that resignation under section 288 of the Companies Act 1985. [61960]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 1 December 1998]: A fine of up to £5,000 (the statutory maximum).

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many company directors have been(a) imprisoned or (b) fined over the last 10 years for approving accounts which do not comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 1985; and what is the maximum (i) prison sentence and (ii) fine which may be imposed. [61958]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 1 December 1998]: There have been no instances in the last ten years of fines or imprisonment of company directors for offences, in relation to approval of accounts that do not comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 1985. There are no provisions to imprison directors who fail to comply and the amount of fine is not specified.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how many company directors were (i) found guilty and (ii) fined for failing to file an annual return which disclosed the names of the directors and owners of the company within 28 days of its due date under section 363 of the Companies Act 1985 in each year since 1987; [61947]
  149
  (2) how many company directors were fined for being a director of a company which failed to file financial accounts with Companies House within (a) seven months and (b) 10 months of the end of the period of account in each year since 1987; [61957]

  (3) how many company directors were found guilty of failing to file financial accounts with Companies House within (i) seven months and (ii) 10 months of the end of the period of account in each year since 1987; and how many were fined. [61956]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 1 December 1998]: There are no figures available to answer pq 61956 and pq 61957. However, the total number of directors convicted each year since 1987 for failing to deliver annual returns and/or accounts on time to the Registrar are as follows:

  Year

  Number

  1987–88

  1,574

  1988–89

  1,178

  1989–90

  1,635

  1990–91

  1,962

  1991–92

  1,716

  1992–93

  1,915

  1993–94

  1,285

  1994–95

  987

  1995–96

  636

  1996–97

  695

  1997–98

  745

  There are no figures available to show the number of directors convicted and fined during the years concerned for failing to deliver annual returns only.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many company directors have been found guilty of failing to keep adequate accounting records in each year since 1987; and what penalties were imposed. [61953]

  Dr. Howells
  The number of company directors that have been prosecuted for failure to keep or preserve accounting records in accordance with sections 221–223 of the Companies Act 1985 were:

  S 221–223 failure to keep or preserve accounting records

  Year

  Offence

  Prosecutions

  Convictions

  Numbers of charges where a conviction was not obtained

  1997–98

  S 221–223

  134

  64

  70

  1996–97

  S 221–223

  71

  38

  33

  1995–96

  S 221–223

  32

  22

  10

  1994–95

  S 221–223

  68

  33

  35

  1993–94

  S 221–223

  118

  61

  57

  1992–93

  S 221–223

  171

  105

  66

  1991–92

  S 221–223

  118

  69

  49

  1990–91

  S 221–223

  99

  71

  28

  1989–90

  S 221–223

  116

  93

  23

  1988–89

  S 221–223

  90

  77

  13

  Statistics for earlier periods are not available and to research this information would involve disproportionate cost. Similarly there are no available records which show the level of penalties imposed for the above years. To research and gather this information would involve
  150
  reference to a number of sources, such as records of Magistrate's Courts, and again the work involved would be disproportionate.

  Lear Corporation
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what Government grants or assistance has been requested by the Lear Corporation since 1996. [62293]

  Mr. Battle
  No publicly announced grants or assistance are on record.

  Business Fees
  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the Government will announce the fee to be charged to businesses under the proposals in the Competition Bill. [62195]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 3 December 1998]: Any decision on fees will be made in good time before the new prohibition regime is brought into force on 1 March 2000 and following the statutory consultation prescribed in the Competition Act 1998.

  Postage Costs
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the cost of(a) first class and (b) second class postage in each of the last 20 years, adjusted to 1998 prices. [62309]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  I understand from the Post Office that first and second class postage rates in each of the last 20 years adjusted to 1998 prices were as follows:

  Pence

  Year

  1st Class

  2nd Class

  1978

  29.3

  22.8

  1979

  26.9

  21.2

  1980

  28.8

  23.9

  1981

  30.2

  24.8

  1982

  30.8

  24.9

  1983

  30.4

  23.9

  1984

  29.8

  23.1

  1985

  29.2

  22.1

  1986

  28.6

  20.3

  1987

  28.7

  20.8

  1988

  27.9

  20.3

  1989

  27.2

  20.1

  1990

  26.5

  20.1

  1991

  27.5

  21.1

  1992

  28.2

  21.1

  1993

  27.9

  21.0

  1994

  28.2

  21.4

  1995

  27.3

  20.7

  1996

  27.2

  20.8

  1997

  26.8

  20.7

  1998

  26.0

  20.0

  Minimum Wage
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will publish the results of the consultation on the draft regulations implementing the minimum wage which ended on 6 November. [62978]
  151
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  Our final proposals for the National Minimum Wage Regulations will be presented to the House for approval shortly.

  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to reduce the minimum wage payable by those employers who make full board and lodging available to their employees. [62982]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  We have no plans to reduce the level of the national minimum wage. We are considering representations on the deductions that could be made in respect of accommodation provided by employers made to us during the consultation process on the draft National Minimum Wage Regulations. The Regulations will be presented to the House for approval shortly.

  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has had from British Activities Holidays Association in respect of the minimum wage; and if he will make a statement. [62979]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The Government have received a number of representations from the British Activity Holidays Association about the national minimum wage.

  We have consulted business, employees and others with an interest on the draft National Minimum Wage Regulations. We have listened to the concerns expressed and this will be reflected in our final proposals to be announced shortly. The Regulations will be presented to the House for approval.

  Mrs. Humble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what factors led him to set the accommodation deductor in the draft national minimum wage regulations at its current level. [62939]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The Government accepted in principle the advice of the Low Pay Commission on the amounts which could be offset against the national minimum wage, subject to the practicalities of implementation and the draft National Minimum Wage regulations reflect that position. The maximum amount the Commission recommended to be offset for accommodation only was £20 per week.

  Mrs. Humble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received on the issue of the draft national minimum wage regulations accommodation deductor; and if he will make a statement. [62940]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The Government have received a number of representations on the draft National Minimum Wage Regulation dealing with the treatment of deductions in respect of accommodation provided by the employer.

  We have consulted business, employees and others with an interest on the draft National Minimum Wage Regulations. We have listened to the concerns expressed and our final proposals will be presented to the House for approval shortly.

  Mrs. Humble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to lay before the House the statutory instrument regarding the national minimum wage regulations. [62938]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The statutory instrument to implement the National Minimum Wage regulations will be presented to the House for approval shortly.

  Confiscated Assets
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps the Government are taking to return to victims of Nazi persecution assets which were confiscated in the United Kingdom by Her Majesty's Government under trading with the enemy legislation. [63042]

  Mr. Mandelson
  This Government are revolted by the treatment meted out by the Nazis to Jews and other minorities during the Second World War. We have the greatest sympathy for the victims and their relatives. This is why, in June 1998, we appointed the right hon. the Lord Archer of Sandwell QC to advise on a Scheme for determining claims from victims of Nazi persecution for the return of assets, where practicable and subject to validation, placed in the UK, which were confiscated by HM Government during the Second World War. We have now received Lord Archer's recommendations and I am pleased to confirm that the Government will quickly put in place a Claims Scheme based on them. A copy of the Government's response to Lord Archer's main recommendations has been placed in the Library of the House.

  The Scheme will have the following main features: any victims of Nazi persecution who had assets in the UK confiscated by HM Government under the Trading with the Enemy legislation, and who have not already been compensated, will be eligible to make a claim; the Government will pay compensation at today's values in respect of valid claims to the original owners or their heirs; and claims will be determined by a panel of three independent Assessors comprising a legal Chair; someone with financial expertise; and someone with an understanding of belonging to a minority group.

  This Government are aware that time is of the essence to victims of Nazi persecution and their families. We shall therefore establish the Claims Scheme as a matter of urgency so that claims for compensation may be met as soon as possible. The terms of reference of the assessors, a claims form and guidance on how to apply will be made available as soon as is practicable.

  My Department has already received a number of potential claims and we shall be writing to these individuals to inform them of the procedure. We shall also be updating my Department's enemy property website, adding further lists of names and details of the Claims Scheme as they emerge. We are also in touch with the main interest groups and together with them we shall ensure that the Scheme gets the widest publicity.

  I am grateful to Lord Archer for proposing a solution which allows the Government to meet the claims of victims of Nazi persecution while addressing the real practical problems of meeting the standards of propriety expected in public expenditure in circumstances some fifty years after the event. The UK owes victims of Nazi persecution a debt of honour. That debt can now be repaid.

  Gas Consumers
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent consultations he has held with the Council of Registered Gas Installers concerning the interests of gas consumers; and if he will make a statement. [62399]
  153
  Mr. Howells
  [holding answer 7 December 1998]: I met the Council of Registered Gas Installers on 24 November, to discuss a number of matters relating to the safe use of gas by domestic consumers.

  Oil Industry
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the Director General of Fair Trading will complete his review of the undertakings given by oil companies in 1966; and if he will arrange to publish this review when he receives it. [62402]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 7 December 1998J: I expect to receive the Director General of Fair Trading's advice following his review of the petrol undertakings around the end of the year. The Director General's advice is confidential.

  Petrol Industry
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what conclusions he has reached on the Director General of Fair Trading's report on the wholesale and retail petrol market, published on 18 May. [62403]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 7 December 1998]: The Director General of Fair Trading, in his 18 May report on competition in the supply of petrol in the UK, concluded that the market is competitive and working to the benefit of consumers. It is for the Director General to decide whether or not to make a reference to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission. He decided on the basis of his report that a reference of this market was not justified.

  Better Payment Practice Group
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many businesses and organisations to date have joined the Better Payment Practice Group. [63111]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Better Payment Practice Group was established in October 1997 as an integral part of the Government's commitment to work in partnership with the private sector to bring about an improved payment culture in the UK. The role of the Group is to help shape and influence the private and public sectors' efforts to tackle the problem of late payment as well as informing the work of other organisations and sectors on this issue.

  Since it began 18 representative organisations have accepted invitations to join the Better Payment Practice Group from the small firms, banking, factoring, trade credit insurance, credit management, accountancy profession and credit services sectors to look at this important issue. A key achievement for the Group has been the launch of its campaign in October this year to highlight the economic benefits that can be derived from paying on time.

  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the businesses and organisations which have refused invitations to join the Better Payment Practice Group. [63112]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Better Payment Practice Group was formed in October 1997 as a partnership between the public and private sector to bring about an improved payment culture in the UK. Since it was established no organisation invited to join the Group has refused the offer of a place.
  154
  This 100 per cent. take-up rate reflects the importance which both the private and public sectors attach to addressing the difficulties caused as a result of late payment of commercial debts.

  Small Arms Exports
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the quantity of small arms exported in each of the last five years and their destination; and what(a) quantity and (b) proportion were exported to a country at war or which was at war within a year of the arms being exported. [61661]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I have been asked to reply.

  The information is not held in the form requested and obtaining it could be done only at disproportionate cost.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Criminal Legal Aid
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what are(a) the budgets and (b) the priorities for criminal legal aid in (i) 1997–98, (ii) 1998–99 and (iii) 1999–2000. [61257]

  Mr. Hoon
  There is no separate budget for criminal legal aid. However, in 1997–98, the cost of criminal legal aid, including advice and assistance, was £733 million. This year expenditure is expected to be around £800 million while next year it is expected to rise to £840 million.

  Our priority continues to be that criminal legal aid should enable criminal justice to be dispensed fairly, effectively and without undue delay. Our proposals for contracts at fixed prices would reward efficient lawyers and provide better control over expenditure and quality.

  Court Closures
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department how many courts have closed since May 1997; and how many new ones have opened. [61258]

  Mr. Hoon
  I am aware of 29 magistrates courthouses closures since May 1997. It is possible that other closures have occurred following a decision by a local magistrates courts committee against which no appeal has been lodged. The Lord Chancellor has a role in magistrates courthouse closures only where an appeal has been made. Three new magistrates courthouses have opened at South Shields, Chippenham and Tameside.

  Since May 1997, eight county courts have closed. There have been four court buildings opened since May 1997: Swansea County Court (June 1997), Oldham County Court (November 1997), the Immigration Appellate Authority (March 1998) and Principal Registry of the Family Division (June 1998).

  Mr. McWalter
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to provide additional resources to boroughs which no longer have court services; and if he will make a statement. [61262]
  155
  Mr. Hoon
  The Lord Chancellor's Department makes grants to local authorities towards current and capital expenditure incurred by them on behalf of the magistrates courts committee for their area. The overall level of expenditure allowed to be incurred, and thereby the amount of grant due to be paid, is determined by this Department.

  The formula used to calculate the amount of current grant to be paid to each local authority is under review. It has been agreed, pending the completion of this review, that each local authority will receive, in cash terms, a 1.5 per cent. increase in their grant allocation for 1999–2000 over 1998–99.

  The Department has made no specific plans to provide additional resources to local authorities during 1998–99, with the exception of those areas where there are amalgamations of magistrates courts committees which may bid for additional resources towards any transitional additional costs resulting from that amalgamation. It is always open to a magistrates courts committee, in conjunction with its local authority, to bid for additional resources from this Department.

  Epping Magistrates Court
  Mrs. Laing
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what representations he has received on the future of Epping Magistrates Court. [61259]

  Mr. Hoon
  I considered three representations on the future of the Epping Magistrates Court, before approving the application made by the Essex Magistrates Courts Committee for the reorganisation of its petty sessional divisions.

  I understand from the Justices' Chief Executive for the Essex Magistrates Courts Committee that the Committee has no proposals to close the Epping Magistrates Court.

  Witness Support Schemes
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement about the contribution made by witness support schemes to the administration of magistrates courts. [61260]

  Mr. Hoon
  Witness support schemes give information about court procedures, arrange with the court pre-court familiarisation visits and provide separate waiting facilities on the day of the witness's court appearances, and give emotional support. The Government are committed to improving witness services in the magistrates courts, reflecting the considerable importance that is attached to the welfare of witnesses in the criminal courts.

  Judicial Appointments Commission
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make it his policy to establish a judicial appointments commission. [61253]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Lord Chancellor announced in October 1997 that, given the priority of other radical reforms, work on a judicial appointments commission would not proceed for the time being. He has made 156
  significant changes to the appointments process, including the extension of advertising of vacancies to include High Court appointments; more flexibility in part-time sitting arrangements to encourage applications, in particular from women; and an increase in the upper age limit for appointment as Assistant Recorders and lay magistrates in order to widen the field of applicants.

  Worthing County Court
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what representations he has received about the proposed closure of Worthing County Court; and if he will make a statement. [61250]

  Mr. Hoon
  The hon. Member for Worthing, West (Mr. Bottomley) and the Worthing Law Society have written separately to the Lord Chancellor. Before any consideration is given to closure, court users will be asked for their views early in the New Year.

  Rights of Audience
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what steps are being taken to extend rights of audience before the courts for solicitors and employed barristers. [61251]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Access to Justice Bill includes provisions to give all solicitors and barristers full rights of audience before all the courts, provided they meet the training and conduct requirements imposed by their professional bodies. The Bill proposes to give employed banisters and solicitors, including Crown Prosecutors, the same rights of audience as their colleagues in private practice.

SCOTLAND

  Special Adviser
  Miss Kirkbride
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many special advisers are employed in his Department; and what is the total cost to public funds in the current financial year. [61271]

  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total cost to public funds of employing special advisers in his Department in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [61282]

  Mr. Dewar
  There are three Special Advisers employed in my Department. Their salaries are negotiated individually and are confidential within the three-band range announced to the House by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 16 November 1998,Official Report, columns 354–55.

  Beef
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met the NFU in Scotland to discuss the promotion of Scottish beef. [61273]

  Mr. Dewar
  I have met the farming industry several times in recent months and discussed the promotion of Scottish beef and other matters with the President of the Scottish NFU when I met him on 24 November 1998.
  157
  Regaining export markets for Scotch beef is vital and my noble Friend Lord Sewel is working closely with the industry. But it is not the only opportunity for our Scottish industry; I want to help the farming industry secure a healthy sustainable future. My noble Friend and I will meet the Scottish NFU and other organisations on 22 December to launch discussions on the way ahead for the Scottish farming industry and related sectors.

  Vehicle Excise Duty
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has made to the Treasury regarding proposals for varying the vehicle excise duty in Scotland. [61274]

  Mr. Macdonald
  I very much welcome my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer's commitment to make payment of Vehicle Excise Duty fairer for owners of lower emission cars. I encourage interested parties in Scotland to contribute their views.

  Health Service
  Mr. Eric Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the planned expenditure on the health service in Scotland. [61275]

  Mr. Galbraith
  Net expenditure on the Health Service in Scotland is planned to be £4.6 billion in 1998–99. Following the Comprehensive Spending Review an extra £1.8 billion is planned to be spent over the period 1999–2000 to 2001–02. Planned spending next year will be at a record high of £4.9 billion or about £960 per head.

  Scottish Parliament
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received regarding elections to the Scottish Parliament. [61276]

  Mr. Dewar
  Since the publication of the White Paper, "Scotland's Parliament", last year we have received many representations on a wide range of issues to do with the elections to the Scottish Parliament.

  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects the Scottish Parliament to sit for the first time. [61284]

  Mr. McLeish
  Section 2 of the Scotland Act 1998 provides that the date of the Parliament's first sitting will be prescribed in an order by the Secretary of State. My right hon. Friend will make an announcement on this in due course, but we expect that the Parliament will first meet a few days after the elections on 6 May.

  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to review the method by which additional members of the Scottish parliament will be elected. [62087]

  Mr. McLeish
  The electoral system for the Scottish Parliament is set out in the Scotland Act 1998, which received Royal Assent on 19 November. We have no plans to review this.

  Farmers (Assistance)
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures he will take to assist farmers in Scotland. [61277]
  158
  Mr. Macdonald
  Assistance is currently running at record levels. Last year, direct payments to Scottish farmers totalled almost half a billion pounds and latest indications are that a similar amount will be recorded for 1998. Throughout this year we have implemented a range of additional measures and these have been worth about £50 million. On 16 November, a further £36 million was approved for payment early next year.

  Strategic Defence Review
  Mr. Jim Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the impact of the strategic defence review on Scotland. [61278]

  Mr. Dewar
  I welcome the outcomes of this Review conducted by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence. It ensures that Scotland will continue to play a prominent role in meeting Britain's defence requirements.

  Office for National Statistics
  Mr. Savidge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the status which the Office for National Statistics kitemark carries on official documents published by the Scottish Office. [61279]

  Mr. Dewar
  ONS does not operate a kitemarking scheme. Some Scottish Office publications bear the logo of the Government Statistical Service (GSS). The logo is not used for publications which are not prepared on behalf of the GSS, or where the content of a publication is set out in statute.

  The Scottish Office is committed to adhering to the Official Statistics Code of Practice in all statistical work, whether or not carried out on behalf of GSS.

  New Parliament Building
  Mr. Forth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the latest estimate of the cost of the new Parliament building.[61280]

  Mr. McLeish
  The construction costs of the new Scottish Parliament building at Holyrood continue to be estimated at around £55 million including site acquisition and demolition costs but not including fees and VAT.

  EU Enlargement
  Mr. Hood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last visited the European Parliament to discuss the implications for Scotland of EU enlargement. [61281]

  Mr. Macdonald
  I visited the European Parliament in June of this year while my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State met the President of the European Parliament when he visited Scotland on 3–4 December. On both occasions the issues discussed included EU enlargement.

  Funding Transfers
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to transfer funding from local authorities in Scotland to the Scottish Parliament. [61283]

  Mr. McLeish
  My right hon. Friend has no such plans.

  Anti-drugs Strategy
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on progress with the Government's anti-drugs strategy in Scotland following the appointment of the United Kingdom anti-drugs co-ordinator. [61285]

  Mr. Galbraith
  Following the publication of the White Paper "Tackling Drugs to Build a Better Britain", my right hon. Friend and I have asked the Scottish Advisory Committee on Drug Misuse and the Drug Action Teams in Scotland to consider further development of the Government's drugs strategy for Scotland.

  We expect to issue an enhanced drugs strategy framework for Scotland in the first part of 1999.

  Domestic Abuse
  Miss Begg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what action the Government are taking to protect the victims of domestic abuse. [61286]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Tackling domestic violence is a priority for the Scottish Office. We are taking action on 3 fronts.

  We have established a Scottish Partnership on Domestic Violence which met for the first time on 23 November under the chairmanship of Anne Smith QC.

  On 13 November we issued a consultation document entitled "Preventing Violence Against Women: A Scottish Office Action Plan". This contained 27 Action Points.

  We are also preparing a new awareness raising campaign which will begin at Christmas and roll out over the next 3 years.

  Home Ownership
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on levels of home ownership in Scotland. [61287]

  Mr. Macdonald
  The estimate for December 1997 recently published in the Scottish Office Statistical Bulletin (Housing Series), is that, 60.2 per cent. of all dwellings in Scotland are owner-occupied.

  Farming Support
  Mr. Russell Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met representatives of the farming industry to discuss support for Scottish farms. [61289]

  Mr. Macdonald
  Support for the agricultural industry was one of the matters discussed when my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State last met representatives of the farming industry on 24 November.

  Further Education
  Mrs. Irene Adams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what additional resources have been channelled into further education since 1 May 1997. [61290]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Government have been able to make available to the further education (FE) sector in 1997–98 and 1998–99 £12.4 million more than the planning figures set by the previous Administration. This is in spite of the 160
  Government's commitment to operate within the overall spending limits planned by the previous Administration for the period.

  Further education in Scotland is to receive a massive boost over the next three years, as a result of the Comprehensive Spending Review. In total, the FE budget will receive an additional £214 million over the period, to support further increases in student numbers, promote wider access to FE, improve quality and standards, and stabilise the financial position of the sector.

  Higher Still
  Mr. Worthington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what action the Government are taking to ensure that Higher Still proceeds on time. [61291]

  Mrs. Liddell
  We are on course to introduce the first Higher Still courses in 1999. Over £24 million is being provided over the three year period up to 2001–02 to help classroom teachers implement Higher Still. This is in addition to the £20 million which will have been directly invested in Higher Still by the time the first classes start in 1999. An unprecedented level of support materials and national training is also being provided, and two additional in-service days have been granted for local training.

  In addition, I have set up a Liaison Group consisting of representatives from teaching unions, local authorities, further education and parents' organisations, to discuss detailed arrangements for the phasing of Higher Still in 1999–2000. The Group will also consider other topics of concern identified by members.

  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met representatives of the Education Institute of Scotland to discuss the implementation of Higher Still. [61288]

  Mrs. Liddell
  I had a positive and constructive meeting with representatives of the EIS on 24 November. This resulted in the EIS suspending its boycott of preparations for Higher Still and joining the Liaison Group which I have set up to agree the detailed arrangements for the rephasing of Higher Still in 1999–2000.

  Parliamentary Constituencies
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to review the rules that will determine the number of Scottish parliamentary constituencies. [62086]

  Mr. McLeish
  Section 86 of the Scotland Act removes the current requirement in the Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986 for there to be a minimum number of Scottish constituencies, so that this requirement will not apply at future reviews of parliamentary boundaries in Scotland. Section 86 further provides that the electoral quota for Scotland will in future be the same as that for England. I have no plans for any further review of these provisions.

  Racism
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures is he taking to combat racism in Scotland. [62088]
  161
  Mr. McLeish
  The Government are firmly committed to combating racism in all its forms. In Scotland, we have taken steps to meet the Government's commitment to put racial equality at the heart of our policy agenda by introducing new measures in the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 to deal with racially aggravated offences; working with key agencies such as the NHS and the Employment Service to make services more accessible to minority communities; and promoting racial equality projects through funding the Ethnic Minority Grant Scheme. The Scottish Social Inclusion Strategy recognises the exclusion that some minority communities face, and we have made equal opportunity a key principle to underpin the Scottish Parliament so that it can be responsive to the whole range of Scottish society.

  I plan to meet the Commission for Racial Equality shortly to discuss how we can work together to raise the profile of racial equality in Scotland as we look ahead to the Parliament. In addition, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland has demonstrated his own personal commitment to racial equality by signing up to the Commission's Leadership Challenge.

  SSSIs and National Parks
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will publish the findings of the consultation exercise concerning reform of SSSIs and national parks. [62255]

  Mr. Macdonald
  The Scottish Office is currently considering responses to the consultation paper "People and Nature: A New Approach to SSSI Designations in Scotland". My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland expects to make an announcement in the early part of next year.

  Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) recently consulted on proposals for National Parks appropriate to Scottish circumstances. The responses to the consultation will be taken into account by SNH in the advice that it provides to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland. It is intended that SNH publish its advice in the early part of next year.

  Devolution (Concordats)
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many concordats remain to be published; and if he will make a statement. [62186]

  Mr. McLeish
  Work is progressing on concordats both within the Scottish Office and in Whitehall Departments. None of them has yet been published.

  Ministerial E-mail Address
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his e-mail address. [62564]

  Pupils and teachers in publicly funded secondary schools, September 1997

  Education authority

  Schools

  Pupils 1

  Adults

  Teachers (FTE)

  Pupil/teacher ratio 1

  Scotland

  401

  314,916

  2,044

  23,875

  13.2

  Aberdeen City

  13

  11,138

  2

  861

  12.9

  Aberdeenshire

  16

  15,114

  5

  1,110

  13.6

  Angus

  9

  7,262

  24

  568

  12.8

  162
  Mr. Dewar
  Electronic mail for me should be sent to scottish.secretary@scotland.gov.uk. This address is published on the home page of The Scottish Office Website.

  School Toilets
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many schools have outside toilets(a) in each education authority and (b) in Scotland. [62648]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The information is not collected centrally.

  Teachers
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many(a) pupils and (b) full-time equivalent teachers there were in each education authority in (i) primary schools and (ii) secondary schools; and in each case what the pupil-teacher ratio (1) was in 1997 and (2) is currently. [62649]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The information requested is set out in the tables.

  Pupils and teachers in publicly funded primary schools, September 1997

  Education authority

  Schools

  Pupils

  Teachers (FTE)

  Pupil/teacher ratio

  Scotland

  2,300

  440,594

  22,187

  19.9

  Aberdeen City

  61

  15,921

  795

  20.0

  Aberdeenshire

  160

  21,526

  1,127

  19.1

  Angus

  62

  9,381

  490

  19.1

  Argyll and Bute

  87

  7,792

  447

  17.4

  Clackmannanshire

  19

  4,542

  216

  21.0

  Dumfries and Galloway

  116

  12,944

  678

  19.1

  Dundee City

  41

  12,360

  650

  19.0

  East Ayrshire

  47

  11,449

  538

  21.3

  East Dunbartonshire

  37

  10,653

  479

  22.2

  East Lothian

  35

  7,942

  398

  20.0

  East Renfrewshire

  24

  8,596

  384

  22.4

  Edinburgh, City of

  103

  30,590

  1,491

  20.5

  Eilean Siar1

  43

  2,556

  197

  13.0

  Falkirk

  48

  12,334

  587

  21.0

  Fife

  146

  30,870

  1,625

  19.0

  Glasgow City

  204

  49,439

  2,458

  20.1

  Highland

  191

  19,149

  1,078

  17.8

  Inverclyde

  32

  7,826

  365

  21.4

  Midlothian

  36

  7,433

  377

  19.7

  Moray

  49

  8,078

  418

  19.3

  North Ayrshire

  52

  12,614

  596

  21.2

  North Lanarkshire

  134

  29,831

  1,472

  20.3

  Orkney Islands

  22

  1,846

  124

  14.9

  Perth and Kinross

  78

  10,776

  572

  18.8

  Renfrewshire

  52

  15,796

  715

  22.1

  Scottish Borders

  72

  8,969

  486

  18.5

  Shetland Islands

  34

  2,335

  184

  12.7

  South Ayrshire

  45

  9,490

  449

  21.1

  South Lanarkshire

  125

  26,846

  1,285

  20.9

  Stirling

  45

  6,897

  351

  19.6

  West Dunbartonshire

  35

  8,890

  425

  20.9

  West Lothian

  65

  14,923

  732

  20.4

  1 Formerly Known as the Western Isles

  163

  Pupils and teachers in publicly funded secondary schools, September 1997

  Education authority

  Schools

  Pupils 1

  Adults

  Teachers (FTE)

  Pupil/teacher ratio 1

  Argyll and Bute

  10

  5,614

  30

  446

  12.6

  Clackmannanshire

  3

  2,951

  9

  220

  13.4

  Dumfries and Galloway

  16

  9,600

  47

  792

  12.1

  Dundee City

  10

  8,983

  2

  687

  13.1

  East Ayrshire

  10

  7,926

  13

  586

  13.5

  East Dunbartonshire

  9

  8,664

  7

  615

  14.1

  East Lothian

  6

  4,853

  9

  359

  13.5

  East Renfrewshire

  7

  6,789

  15

  483

  14.1

  Edinburgh, City of

  23

  18,714

  1,198

  1,388

  13.5

  Eilean Siar2

  13

  2,030

  8

  218

  9.3

  Falkirk

  8

  8,619

  4

  663

  13.0

  Fife

  19

  22,938

  32

  1,707

  13.4

  Glasgow City

  39

  29,952

  68

  2,227

  13.4

  Highland

  28

  14,864

  62

  1,259

  11.8

  Inverclyde

  8

  5,906

  4

  437

  13.5

  Midlothian

  6

  5,368

  4

  405

  13.3

  Moray

  9

  5,700

  19

  454

  12.6

  North Ayrshire

  10

  9,155

  63

  673

  13.6

  North Lanarkshire

  26

  23,057

  38

  1,705

  13.5

  Orkney Islands

  6

  1,425

  2

  136

  10.5

  Perth and Kinross

  10

  7,507

  13

  594

  12.6

  Renfrewshire

  14

  11,641

  17

  837

  13.9

  Scottish Borders

  9

  6,494

  42

  530

  12.3

  Shetland Islands

  9

  1,594

  0

  210

  7.6

  South Ayrshire

  9

  7,875

  55

  581

  13.6

  South Lanarkshire

  21

  20,705

  152

  1,484

  14.0

  Stirling

  7

  5,598

  0

  427

  13.1

  West Dunbartonshire

  7

  6,871

  88

  477

  14.4

  West Lothian

  11

  10,099

  12

  736

  13.6

  1 Excluding adults

  2 Formerly Known as the Western Isles

  Provisional result of the 1998 school census Publicly funded schools in Scotland, at September 1998; number of pupils by sector and education authority 1

  Primary

  Secondary

  Special

  Educaion authority

  Total Pupils

  Total Pupils

  Total adults 2

  Total Pupils based

  Scotland

  437,239

  314,228

  1,729

  8,149

  Aberdeen City

  15,833

  11,059

  24

  458

  Aberdeenshire

  21,550

  15,331

  1

  356

  Angus

  9,300

  7,274

  14

  0

  Argyll and Bute

  7,810

  5,589

  35

  55

  Clackmannanshire

  4,512

  2,952

  4

  58

  Dumfries and Galloway

  12,957

  9,617

  46

  28

  Dundee City

  12,103

  8,873

  5

  180

  East Ayrshire

  11,233

  8,022

  8

  178

  East Dunbartonshire

  10,617

  8,620

  0

  140

  East Lothian

  8,040

  4,872

  9

  0

  East Renfrewshire

  8,727

  6,953

  3

  43

  Edinburgh, City of

  30,330

  19,047

  850

  991

  Eilean Siar1

  2,453

  1,983

  2

  0

  Falkirk

  12,421

  8,534

  36

  325

  Fife

  30,456

  22,733

  24

  250

  Glasgow City

  48,071

  29,350

  37

  2,040

  Highland

  19,031

  14,885

  49

  164

  Inverclyde

  7,625

  5,753

  0

  127

  Midlothian

  7,430

  5,371

  75

  174

  Moray

  8,043

  5,714

  19

  23

  North Ayrshire

  12,578

  9,057

  36

  206

  North Lanarkshire

  29,600

  22,884

  19

  785

  Orkney Islands

  1,831

  1,399

  0

  15

  Perth and Kinross

  10,895

  7,646

  9

  53

  Renfrewshire

  15,562

  11,727

  4

  369

  Scottish Borders

  8,969

  6,622

  44

  0

  Shetland Islands

  2,315

  1,594

  4

  0

  South Ayrshire

  9,404

  7,814

  24

  104

  South Lanarkshire

  26,902

  20,371

  130

  601

  164

  Provisional result of the 1998 school census Publicly funded schools in Scotland, at September 1998; number of pupils by sector and education authority 1

  Primary

  Secondary

  Special

  Educaion authority

  Total Pupils

  Total Pupils

  Total adults 2

  Total Pupils based

  Stirling

  6,924

  5,618

  0

  67

  West Dunbartonshire

  8,839

  6,792

  77

  184

  West Lothian

  14,878

  10,172

  141

  175

  1 Provisional

  2 Adults attending day education classes

  Note:

  Publicly funded schools comprise education authority, self governing and grant aided schools

  Education Expenditure
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the average per capita spending(a) in each education authority and (b) in Scotland in (i) primary schools and (ii) secondary schools on (1) books, (2) computer equipment and (3) other education materials and equipment in the most recent three years for which figures are available. [62647]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The available information is given in the following tables which have been compiled from local authority financial returns. Details for 1994–95 and 1995–96 are under the council areas then applicable, whereas the table for 1996–97 reflects the current local authority structure. There can be variations in the recording of expenditure under the two headings. It is, therefore, possible that some expenditure on books may be included
  165
  under expenditure on equipment or vice versa. Expenditure on computer equipment is not identified separately in local authority returns to The Scottish Office for the years in question.

  Expenditure per pupil on text and library books and on educational tools, equipment and materials

  £ (outturn prices)

  Year 1994–95

  Primary

  Secondary

  Region

  Books

  Equipment

  Books

  Equipment

  Borders

  0.00

  68.18

  0.00

  153.75

  Central

  0.65

  34.63

  2.60

  91.87

  Dumfries and Galloway

  16.30

  65.44

  10.99

  135.84

  Fife

  21.44

  5.91

  58.77

  19.47

  Grampian

  0.00

  56.30

  0.00

  132.05

  Highland

  32.58

  33.16

  54.43

  47.46

  Lothian

  19.65

  31.76

  10.68

  76.75

  Strathclyde

  3.04

  39.02

  3.83

  79.39

  Tayside

  12.70

  33.73

  10.80

  84.01

  Orkney

  0.00

  58.12

  0.00

  111.19

  Shetland

  0.00

  89.65

  0.00

  188.78

  Western Isles

  29.57

  69.12

  55.31

  85.19

  £ (outturn prices)

  Year 1995–96

  Primary

  Secondary

  Region

  Books

  Equipment

  Books

  Equipment

  Borders

  0.00

  52.39

  0.00

  152.73

  Central

  0.69

  34.32

  2.65

  90.92

  Dumfries and Galloway

  13.49

  57.87

  8.51

  121.30

  Fife

  24.88

  4.88

  67.13

  24.97

  Grampian

  0.00

  61.01

  0.00

  135.61

  Highland

  32.23

  26.48

  54.89

  40.52

  Lothian

  19.85

  40.87

  12.20

  80.89

  Strathclyde

  2.09

  49.18

  4.70

  91.56

  Tayside

  12.81

  32.37

  9.55

  67.31

  Orkney

  0.00

  66.52

  0.00

  100.07

  Shetland

  0.00

  92.30

  0.00

  178.47

  Western Isles

  32.07

  71.78

  50.35

  83.92

  Notes:

  1. Not all education authorities distinguish on a consistent basis between the two headings.

  2. Where expenditure under one of the headings is shown as £0.00 it should be assumed that the expenditure has been allocated to the other heading.

  Expenditure per pupil on text and library books and on educational tools, equipment and materials

  £ (outturn prices)

  Year 1996–97 Region

  Primary

  Secondary

  Council

  Books

  Equipment

  Books

  Equipment

  Aberdeen, City of

  0.00

  42.13

  0.00

  73.24

  Aberdeenshire

  0.00

  53.26

  0.00

  110.46

  Angus

  0.00

  46.11

  0.00

  89.75

  Argyll and Bute

  5.12

  90.66

  14.07

  102.94

  Clackmannanshire

  0.00

  35.13

  0.00

  83.36

  Comhairle Nan Eilean Sair

  19.32

  86.94

  49.86

  82.62

  Dumfries and Galloway

  14.98

  58.46

  9.78

  103.19

  Dundee, City of

  3.90

  38.10

  4.91

  58.67

  East Ayrshire

  0.00

  44.49

  0.00

  93.81

  East Dunbartonshire

  5.14

  38.46

  12.57

  75.85

  East Lothian

  0.00

  58.21

  0.00

  83.37

  East Renfrewshire

  47.43

  0.00

  122.52

  0.00

  Edinburgh, City of

  20.46

  52.51

  11.50

  105.83

  Falkirk

  1.79

  35.65

  2.54

  87.46

  Fife

  9.01

  23.24

  9.67

  75.11

  Glasgow, City of

  1.46

  31.36

  4.38

  74.87

  Highland

  0.00

  62.78

  0.00

  107.30

  Inverclyde

  5.54

  32.98

  11.43

  74.48

  Midlothian

  15.96

  15.96

  12.96

  46.27

  Moray

  0.00

  3.11

  2.30

  19.13

  166

  Expenditure per pupil on text and library books and on educational tools, equipment and materials

  £ (outturn prices)

  Year 1996–97

  Primary

  Secondary

  Council

  Books

  Equipment

  Books

  Equipment

  North Ayrshire

  3.09

  33.02

  11.00

  70.57

  North Lanarkshire

  0.00

  51.25

  0.00

  93.82

  Orkney Islands

  0.00

  66.56

  0.00

  75.69

  Perth and Kinross

  12.28

  26.43

  11.01

  41.17

  Renfrewshire

  7.14

  44.73

  13.79

  94.72

  Scottish Borders

  0.00

  49.87

  0.00

  72.89

  Shetland Islands

  0.00

  80.30

  0.00

  175.89

  South Ayrshire

  3.15

  37.67

  7.39

  78.94

  South Lanarkshire

  4.35

  35.62

  8.84

  66.43

  Stirling

  2.09

  46.89

  1.42

  111.05

  West Dunbartonshire

  0.00

  32.83

  0.00

  75.30

  West Lothian

  20.91

  28.45

  12.11

  47.84

  Notes:

  1. Not all education authorities distinguish on a consistent basis between the two headings.

  2. Where expenditure under one of the headings is shown as £0.00 it should be assumed that the expenditure has been allocated to the other heading.

  Scottish Members of Parliament
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received on his proposal to reduce the number of hon. Members for Scottish constituencies; and if he will make a statement. [61270]

  Mr. McLeish
  We recognise that the creation of the Scottish Parliament means that the present level of Scottish representation at Westminster cannot be maintained, a view which has received very broad support.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  China
  Mr. Alan Johnson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the human rights situation in China; and what has been the impact of United Kingdom and European Union policy. [63146]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We continue to have many serious concerns about human rights in China. During his visit to China earlier this year my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary raised these concerns with Chinese leaders, as did my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister. Recently, the Chinese Government has taken some positive steps in this field, which we have welcomed, while repeating our desire to address issues of concern through the continuing bilateral and EU/China Human Rights Dialogues.

  Since the commencement of the bilateral UK/China Dialogue, and the resumption of the EU/China Human Rights Dialogue, last year, China has taken several positive steps which will bring about its closer integration into the UN human rights system, and should in time help to strengthen protection of human rights in China. It has signed the International Covenants on Civil and Political Rights and on Economic Social and Cultural Rights; agreed to report to the UN on Hong Kong under these two Covenants; admitted the UN High Commissioner for

  167
  Human Rights, Mrs. Robinson, as well as the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention; and welcomed a possible visit by the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture.

  In addition, China has allowed a visit by a delegation of EU Troika Ambassadors to Tibet and accepted the participation in the Dialogue of critical NGOs such as Amnesty International. It is also noteworthy that the Dialogue has allowed us to discuss privately and frankly with the Chinese authorities a range of concerns from Tibet, to the death penalty, freedom of association and torture.

  Both Britain and the EU have now established substantial co-operation programmes with China, funded respectively by DFID and the Commission, and these seek among other things to promote judicial exchanges and legal reform.

  We shall encourage the Chinese Government to ratify the International Human Rights Covenants, with as few reservations as possible, as soon as possible. We want to see further reform in China's capital punishment regime, leading ultimately to abolition, as well as improvements in its systems of detention. At the same time we shall continue to raise the cases of individuals, as we did on 2 December, when we expressed our concern to the Chinese Government at the recent detention of Mr. Xu Wenli, a prominent dissident. We look forward to discussing these and other points with the Chinese Government.

  MI6
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he takes to ensure that former MI6 personnel who take up private sector posts do not utilise information gained whilst employed by MI6 for the advantage of their new employers. [62426]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  SIS staff are bound by the same conditions as home civil servants and members of HM Diplomatic Service with regard to acceptance of outside appointments after resignation or retirement. These include, where appropriate, reference to the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments, and approval by myself.

  Government Hospitality (Wine)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the total expenditure on wine for Government hospitality purposes since 1 May 1997; what is the average cost of each bottle purchased; and what percentage of wine purchased is of UK origin. [62422]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The cost of wine purchased for all Government Hospitality purposes from 1 May 1997 to 25 November 1998 was £146,985 inclusive of VAT (the cost of wine purchased for all Government Hospitality purposes from 1 November 1995 to 30 April 1997 was £192,604 inclusive of VAT). The average cost per bottle was £11.72 inclusive of VAT. English and Welsh wines comprised 4 per cent. of the total bought.

  Telephone Records
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if telephone records exist that 168
  could enable the tracing of external telephone calls from particular extension numbers in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to external numbers on 28 and 29 April. [62440]

  Mr. Fatchett
  No such records exist.

  Mercenaries
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the Government's current guidelines on relationships with mercenary companies; and when he will announce new guidelines. [62080]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The current guidelines on FCO official contacts with private military companies are those referred to by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary in his statement to the House on 27 July 1998,Official Report, column 21. These guidelines are now being revised in consultation with other Government Departments. The new guidelines will be announced shortly.

  Visa Application (Maladministration)
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will name the diplomat criticised in the Ombudsman's recent report relating to maladministration in connection with a visa application by a UK businessman; and for what reasons his Department did not take the action recommended by the Ombudsman. [62948]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The diplomat involved is Sir David Gore-Booth, currently British High Commissioner in New Delhi.

  The FCO fully accepts the conclusions in the Ombudsman's report and has apologised to the complainant. In addition the FCO has offered him an ex gratia payment of £5,000 in compensation for the manner in which his complaints were handled.

  Sir David Gore-Booth
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the resignation of Sir David Gore-Booth from the Diplomatic Service. [62947]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Sir David Gore-Booth will be leaving the Diplomatic Service on 31 December 1998 in order to take up a post in the Private Sector.

  St. Helena
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the present members of the St. Helena Government. [63063]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Subject to the provisions of the St. Helena Constitution Order 1988, the executive authority of St. Helena is exercised on behalf of Her Majesty by the Governor, who is advised by an Executive Council. The Governor is Mr. D. L. Smallman, LVO.

  The present members of the Executive Council are:
  Hon. T. Richards: Chairman, Agricultural and Natural Resources Committee
  Hon. E. W. George: Chairman. Public Health Committee
  Hon. S. George: Chairman, Public Works and Service Committee
  Hon. R. Robertson: Chairman, Education Committee

  169
  Hon. W. Drabble: Chairman, Employment and Social Services Committee
  Mr. M. Clancy: Chief Secretary
  Mr. M. Young: Financial Secretary
  Mr. K. de Freitas: Attorney General.

  Currently the hon. Mrs. P. Peters and Mr. J. Siraut are temporary members of the Executive Council during the absence from St. Helena of Councillor Drabble and Mr. Young.

  Members of the Legislative Council have an important role to play in the government of St. Helena as legislators and members of the Council Committees which influence policy development.

  Idi Amin
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Government of Saudi Arabia calling for them to expel Idi Amin from their territory. [63097]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We have no plans to make such representations.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Belfast Harbour
  Ms Ward
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made by Belfast Harbour Commissioners in developing their proposals for the transfer of the port to the private sector; what consultation there will be on the proposals; and if she will make a statement. [63222]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  In May this year, the Government conveyed their agreement, in principle, to the Belfast Harbour Commissioners' proposals to transfer the Port to the private sector by means of a placed flotation, with the aim of establishing a private/public partnership, with Government retaining a Golden Share interest. Since then the Commissioners have made good progress in further developing their proposals with the view to submitting a formal Transfer Scheme to the Department, under the terms of the Ports (NI) Order 1994.

  This legislation provides for a 6-week public consultation on submission of a Transfer Scheme to the Department. However, local elected representatives have expressed the view that this period is insufficient given the strategic importance of the Port in Northern Ireland context. Following discussions with the Belfast Harbour Commissioners therefore, it has been agreed that the Commissioners will now embark on a consultation process involving local Political Parties and other interested groups, before finalising their proposals and submitting their Transfer Scheme.

  It is expected that this further consultation will extend over a 3–4 month period and this means that the final decision on the Commissioners' Transfer Scheme will be taken by the Assembly. I am writing today to each of the Northern Ireland Political parties explaining in more detail the arrangements for the extended consultation process.

  Chief Electoral Officer
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will publish the report of the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland for 1997–98. [63223]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  The Chief Electoral Officer's annual report has been laid before Parliament today. Copies have been placed in the Library of the House.

DEFENCE

  Tank Transporter (Cenotaph Parade)
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what type of transporter the Challenger II tank used in the Whitehall Cenotaph parade on Sunday 15 November was brought into central London; how many axles it had; who owned it; and if he will make a statement. [62082]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Challenger II tank used in the Whitehall Cenotaph parade on Sunday 15 November was moved by a civilian tractor and low loader trailer unit with 10 axles, owned by Messrs Kings Heavy Haulage of Bristol. The move into and out of Whitehall was conducted in conjunction with the Metropolitan Police and other civil police authorities.

  Pay and Personnel Agency
  Mr. Rapson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the outcome of consultation with his Department's trades union officials about the recommendations of the efficiency review of the Pay and Personnel Agency. [63145]

  Mr. Spellar
  Further to my reply to the hon. Member for Tewkesbury (Mr. Robertson) on 28 October 1998,Official Report, column 206, the consultation process is now complete. I have accepted the recommendations of the efficiency review, including the closure of the Worcester office, but in the light of representations made by the Trade Unions I have agreed that the implementation of certain other recommendations from the review should be delayed until later next year. These adjustments to the timetable will help the handling of the important changes in the way the agency conducts its business but will not significantly affect the savings anticipated in the PPA's running costs in the next financial year. The implementation of the review's proposals, especially those concerning the transfer of pensions work from Worcester to Cheadle Hulme, will be sufficiently flexible to ensure the effective transfer of existing skills and will include a contingency to meet any changing demands upon the agency. I am today informing the MOD Trade Unions of my decision.

  Defence Diversification
  Mr. Beard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the libraries that hold copies of the submissions received in response to the consultation exercise on defence diversification announced in Cm 3861. [63224]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Microfiche copies of the submissions received have been placed in the Parliamentary Libraries and in the following major libraries.
  171
  Westminster Reference Library

  35 St. Martin's Street

  London

  WC2H 7HP

  Central Library

  George IV Bridge

  Edinburgh

  EH1 1EG

  Central Library

  St. David's Link

  Frederick Street

  Cardiff

  CFI 4DT

  Central Library

  Royal Avenue

  Belfast

  BT1 lEA

  Cambridge Central Library

  Reference Section

  7 Lion Yard

  Cambridge

  CB2 3QD

  British Library

  96 Euston Road

  London

  NW1 2DB

  Central Library

  St. Peter's Square

  Manchester

  M2 5PD

  City Library

  Princess Square

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  NE99 1DX

  Birmingham Central Library

  Chamberlain Square

  Birmingham

  B3 3HQ

  Bath Central Library

  The Podium

  Northgate Street

  Bath

  BAI 5AN

  Exeter Central Reference Library

  Castle Street

  Exeter

  EX4 3PQ

  Bodleian Library

  University of Oxford

  Broad Street

  Oxford.

  Depleted Uranium
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what requests his Department has received for the disclosure of papers dated between 6 November 1997 and 17 July 1998 relating to depleted uranium; what response 172
  he has given; if he has authorised investigations by MoD police relating to these papers; and if he will make a statement. [63035]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The Ministry of Defence has received two requests for copies of documents, dated between 6 November 1997 and 17 July 1998, which relate to depleted uranium. Both requests, which were from the same individual, are being considered under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  The documents were requested by reference to details given in a document list which has been reported to the Ministry of Defence Police as having been stolen from the Gulf Veterans' Illnesses Medical Assessment Programme based at St. Thomas' Hospital, London. Since then the Ministry of Defence Police have been investigating the reported theft in the normal way.

  The Chief Constable of the Ministry of Defence Police is independent of ministerial and departmental influence in operational policing matters and it is for him to authorise any investigations.

  Armed Forces (Married Quarters)
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the numbers of married quarters available to each service of the Armed Forces in Scotland by location; and how many are currently occupied by families. [62541]

  Mr. Spellar
  Housing for Service families is a tri-Service resource with no allotment of estates to individual Services.

  Management information on housing is maintained by Defence Housing Executive Area, not by individual location, which could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The information requested, broken down by the three Areas covering Scotland is:

  All as at 31 October 1998

  Total stock

  Number occupied

  Area 23

  Helensburgh and South West Scotland

  1,637

  1,057

  Area 24

  Rosyth and South East Scotland

  2,016

  1,593

  Area 25

  Highlands and Islands

  2,425

  1,945

  Note:

  The Total Stock figure includes houses held for, or undergoing major modernization works and some awaiting disposal.

  Gulf War Syndrome Victims
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he was informed, before they took place, about recent searches of the homes of Gulf War Syndrome victims by his Department's police. [63065]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  No. The execution of search warrants is an operational matter for the Chief Constable of the MOD Police. The Chief Constable of the Ministry of Defence Police is independent of Ministerial and Departmental influence in operational policing matters.

  MOD Policies (Public Reaction)
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library the result of research carried out into public reaction to his Department's policies since 1 May 1997. [63144]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 30 June 1998]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my predecessor on 28 July 1998, Official Report, column 199. I regret that the information provided contained minor inaccuracies and did not specify which reports would be placed in the Library. The research listed was that reported to the Survey Control Unit of the Office for National Statistics.

  The RAF attitude survey and advertising tracking research was commissioned in March 1997 not March 1998 and should not therefore have been included in the previous answer. The Army fitness video research was commissioned but was not in fact, undertaken.

  The following reports have now been placed in the Library of the House:

  Public Presentation of the SDR: two reports on focus group research and an omnibus survey.

  Attitudes to NATO

  Catterick Garrison Radio Trade evaluation

  Navy advertising evaluation

  SGE & OM Qualitative research Royal Navy

  0G8 dropout research Royal Navy

  RAF Advertising Strategy

  Technicians Target Market research—RAF

  RAF degree package research

  Image of RAF/reactions to advertising concepts

  Advertising tracking RAF

  Be the Best branding research—Army

  Be the Best tracking research—Army.

  The following reports are being withheld under the terms of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information:

  Exemption 7 Effective management and operations of the public service

  Evaluation of marketing effects on walk-ins to AFCO/IACIO offices

  Events evaluation research

  Exemption 13 Third party's commercial confidences

  Territorial Army advertising development research

  Army Campaign Development Research

  Army Ethnic Minority Initiative evaluation

  Exemption 11—Research, statistics and analysis

  Army Presentation Team Evaluation

  Officer Profiling research.

  DEXSA 1998 Exhibition
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which(a) ministers and (b) officials visited the DEXSA 1998 exhibition in South Africa. [62081]

  Mr. George Robertson
  No British Ministers attended DEXSA 1998. Thirty-five UK based MOD staff attended: of these ten were British Army personnel demonstrating British equipment to prospective buyers 174
  and six were members of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) who supervised the DERA stand. A further 13 locally based staff also attended.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  State Earnings-related Pension Scheme
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what weekly SERPS pension would be received in April 2000 by(a) a man, on retirement, who had earned average male earnings throughout his working life, (b) the widow of such a man who died after 31 March 2000 and (c) a married woman, on retirement, who had earned average female earnings throughout her working life, except for 10 years during which she received child benefit, under the SERPS rules which existed (i) when SERPS was first introduced, (ii) following the enactment of legislation basing pensions entitlement on life time earnings and related changes and (iii) following the Pensions Act 1995. [61439]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 27 November 1998]: The information is in the table.

  Additional pension award at April 2000 (2000–01) financial year

  £

  1975 Act

  1986 Act

  1995 Act

  Males

  101.85

  101.25

  97.35

  Widow

  101.85

  50.15

  48.70

  Female—full record

  64.20

  63.05

  60.15

  Female—10 years blank

  39.40

  35.10

  34.50

  Notes:

  1. Figures are in April 2000 prices and are rounded to the nearest 5 pence.

  2. The estimates assume constant average earnings for men and women.

  3. 1975 Act figures include the best 20 years and the full 25 per cent accrual rate.

  4. 1986 Act figures allow for lifetime earnings and 24.5 per cent. accruals post 1988. The introduction of Home Responsibilities Protection for SERFS from 1999 has not been included in the answer.

  5. 1995 Act figures allow for annualization.

  6. The estimates for females assume that the blank years are from 1978/79–1987/88.

  Source:

  The Government Actuary's Department.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the number of people who will be affected in each of the 20 years after 2000 by the decision to halve SERPS for widowers and widows whose spouse dies on or after 6 April 2000. [61149]

  Angela Eagle
  [Holding answer 27 November 1998]: The information is in the table.

  Information on the average number of widows and widowers who could be affected at any one time in each year

  Year

  Number of widows and widowers affected

  2000–01

  105,000

  2001–02

  310,000

  2002–03

  500,000

  2003–04

  675,000

  2004–05

  845,000

  2005–06

  1,000,000

  2006–07

  1,145,000

  175

  Information on the average number of widows and widowers who could be affected at any one time in each year

  Year

  Number of widows and widowers affected

  2007–08

  1,280,000

  2008–09

  1,410,000

  2009–10

  1,530,000

  2010–11

  1,640,000

  2011–12

  1,745,000

  2012–13

  1,845,000

  2013–14

  1,940,000

  2014–15

  2,025,000

  2015–16

  2,110,000

  2016–17

  2,190,000

  2017–18

  2,265,000

  2018–19

  2,335,000

  2019–20

  2,405,000

  2020–21

  2,470,000

  Notes:

  1. It should be noted that some of these people may have no SERFS entitlement and will not be affected by the change.

  2. The proposed new schemes for widows and widowers under State Pension age have not been taken into account.

  3. Cases where the widower is over state pension age but the deceased partner is under State Pension age are included in the estimates.

  4. Figures are for GB only.

  5. Numbers are rounded to the nearest 5,000.

  Source:

  Government Actuary's Department.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Robert Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the special advisers in his Department and the issues on which they specialise; and to what level they have been security cleared. [62833]

  Mr. Denham
  This Department employs Andrew Maugham as economic adviser to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, across the full range of Departmental issues. All special advisers are subject to the usual security clearance arrangements.

  War Pensions
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the take-up rate of war pensions. [62873]

  Mr. Timms
  It is not possible to estimate take-up of War Pensions. Only a minority of former members of the HM forces suffer any disablement due to service.

  We estimate that 16 per cent. of service personnel discharged from the HM forces since 1945 have claimed a War Disablement Pension.

  Work Incentives and Benefits
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects to publish the results of his research on(a) work incentives and intermediaries, (b) attitudes towards housing benefits and (c) take-up
  176
  of income support among older citizens; and if he will, in each case, place a copy of such results in the Library. [62872]

  Angela Eagle
  The research on work incentives and intermediaries was published on 15 September 1998, as the Department's Research Report Number 85—Elam G, Diffley M, and Shaw A, (1998) "Getting the Message Across", CDS. A copy was placed in the Library.

  The Department will publish a research report on "Attitudes to the Welfare State and Responses to Reform" in the first quarter of 1999. This report will include a chapter on the research into attitudes towards Housing Benefits.

  Research to understand why pensioners do not claim the Income Support to which they are entitled began at the end of last year. The fieldwork is now complete and a report is being prepared. Preliminary findings from qualitative research were published in June 1998 as the Department's Research Summary Number 6 "Older People and Income Support: Barriers and Triggers to the take-up of Income Support". A copy was placed in the Library. Full results are due early next year, and publication is expected in Spring.

  Family Credit
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to separate bursaries from income when assessing an applicant's entitlement to family credit; and if he will make a statement. [62413]

  Angela Eagle
  There are no plans to separate bursaries from income when assessing an applicant's entitlement to Family Credit.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security under what statutory authority he can amend(a) the taper, (b) the rates of credit and (c) the structure of the child care subsidy within the family credit system. [62953]

  Angela Eagle
  The statutory authorities are:

  (a) Regulation 48 of the Family Credit General Regulations 1987;

  (b) Schedule 4 to the Family Credit General Regulations 1987; and

  (c) Regulations 13 and 13A of the Family Credit General Regulations 1987.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total sum paid to local authorities in Wales for the last complete financial year to enable them to discharge their obligation to pay council tax benefit to eligible claimants. [62503]

  Angela Eagle
  The total sum payable by this Department to local authorities in Wales for 1996–97 to enable them to discharge their obligations to pay Council Tax Benefit was £86.2 million.

  Note:

  The figure for 1996–97 is the last financial year available.

  Source:

  Audited Subsidy Claims.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Employment Service
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the reasons for the Employment Service's failure(a) to meet its target for placing unemployed people into work and (b) to stay within its planned unit cost of placing unemployed people into work in 1997–98. [61074]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  [holding answer 30 November 1998]: The main reason for the shortfall was the introduction by ES—after the unemployed placing target was set—of a new, more rigorous, recording and validation system for job placings. Whilst improving the accuracy of performance information, this action reduced the number of job placings recorded. The welcome fall in unemployment during 1997–98 also meant there were fewer long term unemployed people for ES to help into work. The unemployed job placing target for 1998–99 has been set to take account of the new placing validation system, and the lower level of unemployment.

  The 1997–98 planned unit cost of an unemployed placing was based on the assumption that the ES would achieve its placing target with the resources available. Due to the shortfall in unemployed job placings, the ES was unable to stay within its planned unit cost.

  ES performance during 1997–98 should be seen in context of the excellent work it undertook to ensure the successful implementation of the New Deal programmes and other Welfare to Work initiatives.

  Class Sizes
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if, where admission limits to infant schools are in excess of multiples of 30, his Department will insist on reduction or increases to admission numbers when agreeing local education authority development plans. [61823]

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  11996–97

  Dead or barred

  400

  400

  400

  400

  400

  Ill-health retirement

  3,900

  4,500

  5,100

  5,000

  5,200

  Premature retirement (redundancy)

  2,300

  3,000

  2,400

  3,200

  3,100

  Premature retirement (efficiency)2

  5,400

  5,400

  5,400

  5,900

  7,900

  Not in service—men3,4

  3,400

  3,100

  3,400

  2,900

  3,100

  Not in service—women3,4

  14,100

  12,300

  13,600

  11,100

  11,000

  Total leaving teaching service

  29,500

  28,700

  30,300

  28,500

  30,700

  Going to other teaching service5

  4,000

  10,300

  4,500

  5,000

  4,400

  1 1996–97 figures are provisional

  2 The increase in premature retirements on efficiency grounds in 1996–97 was mainly caused by teachers leaving before the changes to the early retirement arrangements in September 1997.

  3 Some of the teachers shown as not in service may be in service that is not recorded i.e. in independent schools that are not part of the Teachers Pension Scheme (TPS).

  4 A number of the teachers shown as not in service will have taken career breaks and will return to teaching.

  5 Going to other service such as short term supply teaching, independent schools (that are part of the TPS) or the further education sector. Only the 1992–93 figures include teachers leaving sixth form colleges. In 1993–94, sixth form colleges left the schools sector, this has distorted the number of teachers apparently leaving the schools sector and moving to another sector in 1993–94. From 1994–95 onwards, teachers leaving sixth form colleges are excluded.

  Note:

  All figures rounded to the nearest hundred

  Undergraduates
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of undergraduates of British nationality entering(a) Oxford,
  178
  Ms Estelle Morris
  No. It is a matter for local decision how local education authorities and school governing bodies comply with the duty to limit infant classes to 30 or under with effect from the start of the 2001–02 school year. Adjusting published school admission numbers relating to infant classes to multiples of 30 is one of a number of options available, although admission authorities have a duty to vary standard numbers where these are incompatible with class size limits. The Department will consider the plans put forward by local education authorities in the light of local needs and circumstances.

  Local authority plans must give due regard to the exercise of parental preference. Our guidance states that this can be best achieved by adding to the number of classes in popular and high achieving schools which are able to expand. Where this is not possible local education authorities should ensure that there is sufficient space at another local school which offers a broadly equivalent standard of education.

  Teachers (Resignations)
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the total number of qualified teachers who left teaching in each of the years 1992–93 to 1997–98 for reasons other than reaching the normal retirement age; and if he will provide an analysis of the reasons. [61819]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The following table shows full and part-time qualified teachers (excluding short term supply teachers) who left teaching in the maintained nursery, primary, secondary and special schools sector in England and Wales, during the financial years shown, by their position at the end of the year.

  Changes, made in April and September 1997, to the early retirement arrangements for teachers are now bringing down the numbers of premature and ill-health retirements.

  (b) Cambridge and (c) the London School of Economics came from (i) fee-paying private schools and (ii) selective grammar schools in each year since 1968. [62027]

  Mr. Mudie
  The available information for the years 1994 to 1997 is shown in Table 1. The data are taken
  179
  from information collected by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Prior to 1994, the data were collected by the Universities Central Council for Admissions (UCCA) but were not published separately for each university.

  Data for Oxford and Cambridge for the years prior to 1994 are however published by the admissions offices of these universities and available data are shown in Table 2, though this does not separately identify grammar schools.

  Table 1: Accepted home domiciled applicants to full-time and sandwich undergraduate courses, 1994 to 1997

  All accepted applicants

  of which, percentage whose previous school was:

  Year of entry

  Maintained grammar

  Independent

  Cambridge

  1994

  2,991

  13

  46

  1995

  2,989

  14

  45

  1996

  2,767

  15

  44

  1997

  3,001

  13

  45

  Oxford

  1994

  2,891

  13

  49

  1995

  2,848

  12

  50

  1996

  2,948

  13

  51

  1997

  2,942

  13

  51

  LSE

  1994

  503

  9

  33

  1995

  581

  10

  30

  1996

  500

  11

  32

  1997

  592

  10

  35

  Table 2: Accepted applicants 1 to full-time and sandwich undergraduate courses, 1970 to 1993

  All accepted applicants

  of which, percentage whose previous establishment was:

  Year of entry

  Maintained school or college 2

  Independent school 3

  Cambridge

  1993

  3,068

  45

  45

  1992

  3,052

  46

  44

  1991

  3,015

  48

  47

  1990

  3,117

  44

  44

  1989

  3,013

  47

  43

  1988

  2,933

  43

  45

  1987

  3,020

  41

  47

  1986

  3,129

  39

  50

  1985

  3,098

  42

  50

  1984

  2,985

  43

  49

  1983

  2,899

  48

  46

  1982

  2,792

  47

  48

  1981

  2,021

  41

  51

  1980

  2,322

  46

  49

  1979

  2,239

  45

  49

  1978

  2,386

  49

  48

  1977

  2,359

  44

  53

  1976

  2,455

  44

  53

  1975

  2,453

  46

  50

  1974

  2,878

  42

  50

  1973

  2,887

  43

  49

  1972

  2,907

  40

  52

  1971

  2,868

  40

  53

  1970

  2,715

  40

  57

  Oxford

  1993

  3,157

  44

  47

  1992

  3,184

  43

  49

  1991

  3,189

  42

  48

  180

  Table 2: Accepted applicants 1 to full-time and sandwich undergraduate courses, 1970 to 1993

  All accepted applicants

  of which, percentage whose previous establishment was:

  Year of entry

  Maintained school or college 2

  Independent school 3

  1990

  3,110

  45

  48

  1989

  3,164

  46

  46

  1988

  3,226

  45

  48

  1987

  3,070

  46

  46

  1986

  2,940

  47

  45

  1985

  3,120

  43

  54

  1984

  2,853

  49

  48

  1983

  2,686

  50

  47

  1982

  2,840

  49

  47

  1981

  2,836

  50

  47

  1980

  2,814

  49

  49

  1979

  2,788

  47

  50

  1978

  2,850

  47

  50

  1977

  2,817

  48

  50

  1976

  2,744

  47

  52

  1975

  2,719

  45

  52

  1974

  2,537

  41

  53

  1973

  2,500

  42

  53

  1972

  2,497

  42

  55

  1971

  2,382

  41

  55

  1970

  2,417

  43

  55

  1 Home and overseas students

  2 Including HE, FE and Scottish and N. Irish establishments

  3 Including Direct Grant establishments

  Further and Higher Education
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to allow the use of local authority benefits data and Benefits Agency data to target Access resources for the recruitment of students to further education and higher education. [62545]

  Mr. Mudie
  This is a matter for those administering student support arrangements to agree locally, but I would not expect them to ask for such detailed information on individual students. Confirmation that a student or their parents are in receipt of an income-related benefit is usually all that is needed. The arrangements have operated in this way for a number of years.

  Teacher Morale
  Mr. Truswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of teacher morale; and if he will make a statement. [62361]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  My colleagues and I continually assess teacher morale through the various contacts we have with teachers, which include visits to schools, face to face meetings, correspondence and consultations. We have published, on 3 December, a Green Paper setting out our vision of a modernised profession capable of creating a world class education service.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how many staff are employed in units of his Department established since May 1997; [63059]

  (2) how many employees his Department had in May 1997; and how many it has currently. [63067]
  181
  Mr. Mudie
  There are currently 204 DfEE staff employed in new Divisions established since May 1997. In May 1997, there were 4,230 staff in the DfEE. There are currently 4,245 staff.

  Education Council (EC)
  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the outcome of the Council of EC Education Ministers held on 4 December. [63261]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The Council, at which my noble Friend the Minister for Education and Employment represented the UK, reached agreement on common position texts for European Parliament and Council decisions establishing the second phases of the Socrates and Leonardo da Vinci programmes. Agreement was also reached on a Council decision establishing the third phase of the Tempus programme.

  The Council received information from the European Commission on implementation of the Commission's White Paper "Teaching and Learning: Towards the Learning Society" and on the Commission's Action Plan on the promotion of transnational mobility in the Community in the fields of education, training and youth. The Council also received information from the Austrian delegation on education events organised during the Austrian Presidency of the Council of Ministers.

WALES

  Development Agencies
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many representatives of the Welsh and Scottish development agencies are stationed outside the United Kingdom. [62023]

  Mr. Hain
  The Welsh and Scottish Development Agencies have the following representatives stationed outside the UK:

  Welsh Development Agency

  Europe

  5

  Asia Pacific

  8

  Japan

  3

  USA

  7

  Canada

  1

  Total

  24

  Scottish Enterprise

  Locate in Scotland

  Scottish Trade International

  USA

  18

  5

  Asia

  6

  6

  Europe

  6

  5

  South America

  —

  2

  South Africa

  —

  1

  United Arab Emirates

  —

  1

  Total

  30

  20

  In addition, Highlands and Islands Enterprise have two representatives in Europe.

  World Heritage Site Nominations
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list those organisations in Wales involved in reviewing World Heritage Site nominations resulting from the Government's recent consultation. [62050]

  Mr. Hain
  Welsh candidates for the UK Tentative List of potential World Heritage Sites were provisionally identified by the Ancient Monuments Board for Wales and the Historic Buildings Council for Wales (in consultation with Cadw: Welsh Historic Monuments) and the Countryside Council for Wales. All local authorities in Wales as well as specialist bodies with an interest in the recommended sites, were subsequently consulted. Cadw has been involved in the review of the results of consultation co-ordinated by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.

  Semi-conductor, Newport
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much financial assistance has been provided to date by his Department and by Government bodies in Wales to LG Industries for the proposed semi-conductor investment at Newport, Gwent. [62223]

  Mr. Hain
  Out of the total support package offered to the overall LG development at Newport the payments to LG Semicon to date amount to £43.328 million. This represents the apportioned value of the land acquired for the development, the general infrastructure and site development costs attributable to LG Semicon, and the property development grant paid by the Welsh Development Agency. This total also include training grants of £528,487 paid by Gwent TEC.

  None of the grant offered under the Regional Selective Assistance scheme has yet been paid.

  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what procedures his Department has in place to ensure that LG Industries repays any financial assistance received from his Department and from Governmental bodies in Wales for the proposed semi-conductor investment at Newport, Gwent, if the proposed investment does not go ahead. [62224]

  Mr. Hain
  The Welsh Development Agency has agreements in place with both LG Electronics Ltd. and LG Semicon Ltd. which provide for recovery of grant payments in appropriate circumstances. The Regional Selective Assistance offered to the Companies is also subject to detailed recovery provisions. Gwent TEC makes payments to the LG Companies only when individuals have been training and in employment for 3 months. The total of training support will not be paid if training does not take place for the agreed numbers of staff.

  Millennium (Emergency Cover)
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans his Department has to contract with the armed services to provide emergency cover over the millennium period; and what estimate he has made of the cost of that cover. [62570]

  Mr. Michael
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary on 7 December 1998,Official Report, column 20.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what the value is of PFI credits approved for each unitary authority in Wales; [62366]

  (2) what is the total value of (a) all PFI applications per unitary authority in Wales to date and (b) PFI schemes approved per unitary authority to date. [62370]

  Mr. Michael
  No PFI credits have yet been issued to County and County Borough Councils in Wales. However, on reaching contract signing stage credits amounting to about £150 million are available for the projects selected as Local Government pathfinders.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the average time taken for the appraisal of PFI schemes in Wales. [62368]

  Mr. Michael
  Each scheme has to be appraised against the criteria of affordability and value for money. The time taken for the appraisal of PFI varies from scheme to scheme to such a degree that it is not possible to provide a meaningful average figure.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the notional value is of Government credits for PFI apportioned to Wales. [62367]

  Mr. Michael
  There are no PFI credits apportioned to Wales. The Welsh Block receives a consequential of the revenue costs of local government PFI projects approved in England. I determine the related level of PFI credits to be made available in Wales as and when successful projects emerge.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the criteria applied in considering PFI schemes for approval in Wales. [62372]

  Mr. Michael
  The criteria applied in considering PFI schemes are that each scheme should:meet a policy objective of the Welsh Office;
  meet the priorities of the Welsh Office;
  deliver good value for money by allowing both public and private sectors to focus on what they do best; and
  ensure that staff are fairly treated whoever employs them.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many PFI schemes are currently under review in Wales. [62369]

  Mr. Michael
  There are 6 PFI projects included in the Local Government pathfinder programme. There are 3 major NHS PFI projects currently being progressed with the private sector and in addition there are a number of other PFI schemes being progressed individually by NHS Trusts within locally delegated arrangements. There is also a PFI project with one of our NDPBs (Bute Avenue) and the Department itself has one project (the A55).

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many PFI schemes have been approved for each unitary authority in Wales. [62371]

  Mr. Michael
  The Department is supporting 6 pathfinder PFI projects in the local government sector and will approve projects which successfully meet all the relevant criteria, including affordability. To date, no proposals have reached this stage.

  Welsh Language
  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he has taken to ensure that the Welsh Language Board monitors Welsh language schemes effectively. [62364]

  Mr. Michael
  The Welsh Language Board has to set out plans for its activities in its corporate and operational plans. These plans require the approval of Ministers. Under the current approved operational plan, the Board is requiring bodies operating Welsh language schemes to submit annual reports on how they have carried out those schemes. The Board also uses its powers to investigate matters relating to individual schemes where it receives a complaint, or where it has other reason to believe that there has been a failure to carry out a scheme.

  The Board's work and progress against its approved plans, is monitored in a cycle of regular meetings with Ministers and officials.

  Health Authorities (Public Consultation)
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much was spent by each health authority in Wales on public consultation documents on their services in the last year for which figures are available. [62505]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  The information requested is not held centrally.

  A5-A55 Dual Carriageway
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which company has been awarded the contract to build the A5/A55 dual carriageway across Anglesey; and if he will give the starting date for the work. [62504]

  Mr. Hain
  The contract has not yet been awarded but negotiations with the Preferred Bidder are nearing conclusion. The starting date for the work will be the date the contract is signed which I will announce when known.

HEALTH

  Clinical Perfusionists
  Mr. Truswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received regarding the regulation of clinical perfusionists; and if he will make a statement. [62360]

  Mr. Milburn
  We are considering a representation from The Society of Perfusionists of Great Britain and Ireland to regulate clinical perfusionists under the Professions Supplementary to Medicine Act 1960.

  Adoption Act 1976
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to amend section 51 of the Adoption Act 1976. [62638]

  Mr. Hutton
  We have no present plans to amend section 51 of the Adoption Act 1976. However, officials are working with the main interested groups to establish what might be done under existing legislation to clarify procedures relating to the disclosure of birth records.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place a copy of his letter to Anthony C. Walkey, 11 Castle Street, Totnes, Devon, referred to in his answer of 2 November 1998,Official Report, column 423, in the Library; and if he will make a statement on the steps he is proposing to take to ensure that lessons are learnt from the case of Mr. Walkey's son. [62307]

  Mr. Dobson
  [holding answer 7 December 1998]: If Mr. Walkey gives his permission I shall place copies of my letter to him in the Library. Officials have written seeking his permission.

  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton may expect replies to his letters to Ministers in his Department dated 20 August, 29 September and 29 October with regard to Mr. Peter Welbourne of 51 Mackenzie Street. [63058]

  Mr. Hutton
  I have replied to my right hon. Friend today.

  Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the latest figures for people waiting(a) 13 to 25 weeks and (b) 26 weeks or more to see a consultant in the Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust area. [62646]

  Mr. Milburn
  The number of patients who were waiting for a first outpatient appointment at Mid Essex Hospital Services National Health Service Trust at the end of September were:

  13–25 weeks 1,596

  Over 26 weeks: 341.

  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the latest figures for people waiting 12 months or more for hospital treatment in the Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust area. [62645]

  Mr. Milburn
  The number of patients waiting over 12 months at the Mid Essex Hospital Services National Health Service Trust at the end of October was 1,180.

  Midwives
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which NHS trusts in England(a) have and (b) have not implemented the Government's recommendation to ensure that midwives working as the lead professional are awarded the minimum F-grade salary. [62951]

  Mr. Milburn
  In July 1995, following the publication of the Changing Childbirth report in 1993, the National Health Service Executive issued Executive Letter (95)77 to trusts, suggesting that an 'F' or "G' grade would normally be appropriate for posts in which a midwife has a defined caseload of women to whom she/he gives the full range of midwifery care. Many NHS trusts have reviewed midwifery services and grading since Changing Childbirth. In January 1998 the Nursing Pay Review Body recommended that the Health Departments ensure the implementation of EL(95)77 at trust level and Advance Letter (Nurses/Midwives) 1/98 was issued on 4 June 1998 asked employing authorities to act upon this recommendation. Subsequently the NHS Executive wrote to NHS trusts in June 1998 asking about midwives' grading with reference to EL(95)77. We have summarized 186
  responses in supplementary evidence to the Nursing Pay Review Body, copies of which are available in the Library.

  MRSA
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the risks presented to(a) doctors, (b) nurses, (c) other hospital staff and (d) visitors by MRSA. [62863]

  Ms Jowell
  Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus does not pose a significant risk to healthy people and we are not aware of any evidence to suggest that MRSA infection is more common in hospital staff or visitors than in the rest of the general population. Employers must make a local assessment of the risks from MRSA and other biological agents under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1994.

  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many legal cases there have been against hospitals in each of the last 10 years, as a result of patients becoming infected by MRSA. [62869]

  Ms Jowell
  The information requested is not collected centrally.

  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of future therapeutic problems likely to occur as a result of MRSA, GRAM-negative bacilli and enterococci becoming resistant to available antibiotics. [62865]

  Ms Jowell
  Antibiotic resistance is one of the major challenges facing the international public health community. It was the subject of a comprehensive and wide ranging report earlier this year from the House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology to which we will be responding shortly.

  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the cost of the MRSA in each of the last three years. [62868]

  Ms Jowell
  These data are not held centrally. In any individual patient, it is usually very difficult to assess the contribution of any infection acquired in hospital on the outcome, since many patients are already seriously ill from other conditions.

  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to develop community-based approaches to the prevention and transmission of MRSA. [62862]

  Ms Jowell
  The Department has issued guidelines on the control of infection in nursing and residential homes and in September 1998 issued a report by the Standing Medical Advisory Committee on good practice in clinical prescribing of antimicrobials to minimise the emergence of antibiotic resistance. Our response to the House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology Report on Resistance on Antibiotics, which will be published shortly, will include information about other initiatives.

  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to make MRSA a notifiable disease. [62866]
  187
  Ms Jowell
  Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus infection can take the form of many different diseases ranging from minor skin infections to pneumonia or septicaemia, all of which are more commonly due to other causes. It cannot be diagnosed clinically but only by laboratory tests. Notification of clinically suspected cases of all of these diseases would be wholly impracticable. However, consideration is being given to the introduction, at the earliest possible opportunity, of a statutory requirement on laboratories to notify certain specified test results, which may include those indicating MRSA infection.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he has taken to ensure that hospitals' computers are millennium compliant; how much money has been allocated to this; what percentage of this has been given to Taskforce 2000; and if he will make a statement. [62411]

  Mr. Milburn
  All National Health Service trusts are required to report quarterly, in detail, on their plans for dealing with the Year 2000 problem. This information is published on the Internet, and is reported to Parliament as part of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster's regular reports on progress in the public sector. The NHS Executive's regional offices, as part of their performance management responsibilities, analyse the returned questionnaires and follow up progress and issues through visits and other surveys. The purpose of these arrangements is not only to assess progress but to identify central support requirements to help ensure a successful outcome for all NHS organisations.

  The latest returns for the period to 30 September 1998 show the reported position of the number of NHS organisations making satisfactory or good progress towards Year 2000 compliance currently standing at 93 per cent.

  The NHS's estimate of the cost of dealing with the Year 2000 problem is £318 million. This figure includes the cost of replacing of deficient equipment.

  The Department has not contributed any funding to Taskforce 2000.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Forestry
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to receive the report on a Forestry Strategy for England from the Forestry Commission; and when he will publish it. [62678]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 7 December 1998]: I have received the report from the Forestry Commission and expect to publish the Strategy later this week.

  Mr. Quinn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he plans to publish the Government"s Forestry Strategy for England. [63226]
  188
  Mr. Morley
  We have today published "A New Focus for England's Woodlands", our forestry strategy for England, and a copy has been placed in the Library.

  The Strategy sets out our priorities and programmes for the creation and management of woods and forests in England. It will help to focus discussion on how we, in partnership with other organisations, can work to ensure that England's woods and forests continue to provide benefits for England's people.

  The Strategy sets out a series of actions to help achieve our priorities and to help implement our key programmes. The Strategy is not prescriptive. It sets out the framework for the Government's continued support for forestry in England and will guide the targeting of our resources in the years ahead.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Robert Jackson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many people in his Department are currently on secondment from private companies, and if he will list them, their companies and their current responsibilities within Government. [62849]

  Mr. Morley
  There are currently no secondees from private companies in this department.

  Organic Production
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the financial incentives which presently exist to encourage tenant farmers to switch to organic production. [62425]

  Mr. Morley
  A comprehensive review of the rates and the structure of aid to farmers for conversion to organic production methods was produced in April 1998. A copy was placed in the Library of the House. The review included a detailed analysis of the cost of conversion of different farm types. Tenant farmers were not identified as a group requiring separate treatment within this analysis. As a result of the review a substantial increase in the payment rates and other measures designed to improve support for the organic sector was announced on 30 July 1998,Official Report, columns 466–67.

CABINET OFFICE

  Correspondence
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what guidelines the Government have set in respect of the timescale for Ministers to(a) acknowledge and (b) reply to letters from hon. Members regarding (i) constituency business and (ii) other matters. [63116]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The Cabinet Office issued guidance in October to departments reminding them of the procedures to be followed when handling correspondence from hon. Members. The guidance, copies of which have been placed in the Libraries of the House, emphasises the importance of setting robust and challenging targets for responding to letters from hon. Members.

  Indonesia: Elections
  Indonesia: Elections
  Development Council, 30 November
  Development Council, 30 November
  Miners' Respiratory Diseases
  Miners' Respiratory Diseases
  Renewable Energy: Task Force
  Renewable Energy: Task Force
  School Building Repair Work
  School Building Repair Work
  Merrywood and Pen Park Schools, Bristol
  Merrywood and Pen Park Schools, Bristol
  CJD and Smoking: Deaths
  CJD and Smoking: Deaths
  Medical Expenses: ECJ Judgment
  Medical Expenses: ECJ Judgment
  Diabetic Pen Needles
  Diabetic Pen Needles
  Parliamentary Counsel
  Parliamentary Counsel
  Bombing: Authorisation
  Bombing: Authorisation
  Agriculture Council, 23–24 November
  Agriculture Council, 23–24 November
  Horses: Artificial Insemination
  Horses: Artificial Insemination
  Bone-in Beef
  Bone-in Beef
  Intervention Board Executive Agency: Annual Report
  Intervention Board Executive Agency: Annual Report
  Agriculture: Support Package
  Agriculture: Support Package
  Bio-Invasion: Preventive Measures
  Bio-Invasion: Preventive Measures
  Sheepmeat Surplus
  Sheepmeat Surplus
  Pelagic Freezer Trawling
  Pelagic Freezer Trawling
  Fishing Vessel Engine Power
  Fishing Vessel Engine Power
  Service Married Quarters: Renovation
  Service Married Quarters: Renovation
  Army Recruitment
  Army Recruitment
  Armed Forces: State of Readiness
  Armed Forces: State of Readiness