Written Answers of 14 December 1998

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Council Tax
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will place in the Library a table showing the Band D council tax increase for each (i) billing authority and (ii) notifiable authority in England,(a) in cash terms and (b) in percentage terms, based on the assumption that all councils apply his 1998–99 capping principles and spend up to the limit that would imply; [62853]

  (2) if he will place in the Library a table showing the Band D council tax increase for each (i) billing authority and (ii) notifiable authority in England, (1) without applying council tax benefit limitation and (2) showing the extra increase that would arise from council tax benefit limitation (a) in cash terms and (b) in percentage terms, based on the assumption that all councils apply his 1998–99 capping principles and spend up to the limit that would imply. [62854]

  Ms Armstrong
  [holding answer 7 December 1998]: I have today placed in the Library of the House tables showing the information requested. The figures are entirely speculative. Councils will each take their own decision about their budget requirements for 1999–2000, in the light of the substantial increases in funding announced on 2 December 1998, Official Report, columns 883–86. Each will look at its own circumstances and consider very hard the need for any council tax increase at all. There is no reason for the capping principles used in 1998–99 to be part of a council's budgeting decisions. The figures for some councils are particularly distorted by an assumption that they would increase their spending up to SSA even where they have in the past consistently spent below that level.

  Local Government Finance (Essex)
  Mr. Pickles
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for what reasons Government grant support for Brentwood Borough and Epping Forest District Councils is to decline in the next financial year. [63041]

  Ms Armstrong
  Brentwood Borough Council and Epping Forest District Councils will receive central support reduction grant for 1999–2000. This ensures that their income from redistributed non-domestic rates and central government support under various grants to be paid for 1999–2000 will not be less than the income from redistributed non-domestic rates and various grants payable to them for 1998–99.

  Both local authorities will, however, face a reduction in revenue support grant (RSG) for 1999–2000.
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  The main reason for the reduction is RSG for Brentwood Borough Council in 1999–2000 is the change to the method of calculating the element of the Standard Spending Assessments (SSAs) for local authorities' own expenditure on Flood Defence. The calculation is to be based on outturn expenditure instead of budgeted expenditure. Brentwood's budgeted expenditure has been substantially greater than what it has actually spent on flood defence. Other reasons include the adjustment of Capital Financing national totals to allow for the effect of reserved receipts on financing costs and a decrease in the values of some of the indicators used in the calculation of the 'District services' element of the Environmental, Protective and Cultural Services SSA.

  The main reason for the reduction in RSG for Epping Forest District Council in 1999–2000 is the adjustment of Capital Financing national totals to allow for the effect of reserved receipts on financing costs. Other reasons include a decline in its assumed level of debt, and a decrease in the values of some of the indicators used in the calculation of the 'District services' element of the Environmental, Protective and Cultural Services SSA.

  Road Accidents (Tranquillisers)
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the number of road (i) deaths and (ii) accidents each year which would not occur if people taking tranquillisers did not drive. [62685]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions is presently conducting a three-year survey, which started in October 1996, into the incidence of drugs (legal or illegal) in fatal road accident victims. A report on interim results to 7 January 1998 was published on 11 February 1998. My written answer of that date,Official Report, column 233, explained that a copy was being placed in the Library.

  This survey will not provide evidence of accident causation but it will help to establish the extent of drug use among road users. the interim results show that medicinal drugs were present in some 6 per cent. of road accident fatalities (drivers, passengers, pedestrians, cyclists).

  Retail Outlets
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidance he has given to county councils on the setting up of retail outlets; and if he will make a statement. [63315]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Government policy on town centres and retail development is set out in Planning Policy Guidance note 6.

  Night Flights
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the percentage of night flights at Gatwick by QC4 and QC8 aircraft(a) between October 1993 and September 1994 and (b) for the latest available 12 month period. [63456]
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  Ms Glenda Jackson
  8,651 night flights were counted against the noise quotas and movement limits in the period 24 October 1993 to 23 October 1994, of which 4 were by aircraft classified QC/8 and 420 (4.85 per cent.) were by aircraft classified QC/4.

  11,470 night flights were counted against the noise quotas and movement limits in the period 26 October 1997 to 24 October 1998, of which one was by an aircraft classified QC/8 and 731 (6.37 per cent.) were by aircraft classified QC/4. The figures included in the above for the summer 1998 season are provisional.

  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many night flights were permitted at Heathrow and Gatwick airports in the year October 1992 to September 1993; and how many are due to be permitted in the year October 1998 to September 1999. [63454]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Prior to 24 October 1993, night flights at Heathrow and Gatwick were restricted on the basis of movements quotas. Since then, the night restrictions have been based on a system of movements limits and noise quotas. The night restrictions have always been set on a seasonal basis and details are available on that basis. The seasons change with the clocks.

  The number of night flights permitted under the relevant restrictions in Winter 1992–93 (October-March) and Summer 1993 (March-October) were as follows:

  Airport

  Winter 1992–93

  Summer 1993

  Total

  Gatwick

  Delayed Departures1

  20

  30

  50

  NN/B2

  815

  1,780

  2,595

  NN/C

  1,542

  3,410

  4,952

  Total

  2,377

  5,220

  7,597

  Heathrow

  Delayed Departures

  30

  60

  90

  NN/B and NN/C

  3,000

  2,750

  5,750

  Total

  3,030

  2,810

  5,840

  1 Prior to October 1993, aircraft were classified into four groups depending on their noise performance on take-off. The noisiest types, NN/A, could not normally operate at night, apart from a small quota for delayed aircraft.

  2 At Gatwick, the movement quotas were subdivided between NN/B and NN/C aircraft as a further control on the number of take-offs and landings by the next noisiest types of aircraft. The movement quotas at Heathrow were not subdivided in this way but NN/B aircraft were barred from taking off between 0030–0500.

  The number of night flights permitted under the relevant restrictions in Winter 1998–99 (October-March) and Summer 1999 (March-October) are as follows:

  Season

  Airport

  Winter 1998–99

  Summer 1999

  Total

  Gatwick

  Movements Limit

  5,250

  11,200

  16,450

  Noise Quota

  6,820

  9,550

  16,370

  Heathrow

  Movements Limit

  2,550

  3,250

  5,800

  Noise Quota

  5,000

  7,000

  12,000

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  The current restrictions comprise a maximum number of movements which can be made each season with a quota, related to an aircraft's noise classification on take-off or landing, as a supplementary measure designed to encourage the use of quieter aircraft. Each aircraft (landing or take-off) counts as one against the movement limit; it also counts against the noise quota according to its noise quota classification.

  Both night restrictions regimes additionally permit movements by exempt types of aircraft, although far fewer types of aircraft are exempt under the present regime than previously. Both night restrictions regimes also include provisions for some movements to be given dispensations. The latest guidelines on dispensations were published in the second stage consultation paper on Night Restrictions at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted, which was announced on 17 November 1998, Official Report, columns 492–93.

  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the effect of the night flight noise point quota system at Gatwick in encouraging the use of quieter aircraft. [63457]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  This is considered in the second stage of the consultation on Night Restrictions at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted issued on 17 November 1998,Official Report, columns 492–93.

  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what were the number of night noise quota points used at Gatwick Airport(a) between October 1993 and September 1994 and (b) in the latest available 12 month period; and to what extent the number of noise quota points used is proportional to the volume of noise at night. [63455]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Since October 1993 the night noise quotas set for Gatwick Airport have been 6,820 quota count (QC) points for each winter season and 9,550 QC points for each summer season, making an annual total of 16,370 QC points. The usage made of these quotas in the periods 24 October 1993 and 23 October 1994 inclusive was 8963.5 points; and that in the period 26 October 1997 and 25 October 1998 inclusive was 12413 points.

  The figures included in the above for the summer 1998 season are provisional.

  For the purposes of the night restrictions, aircraft are classified into seven QC bands, in most cases according to the noise certification data collected when the aircraft was tested to show that it met the internationally agreed noise levels. The metric EPNL (Effective Perceived Noise Level) is used for noise certification purposes, and each aircraft, depending on the engines fitted, is classified into one of seven 3EPNdB-wide QC bands. They are classified separately for take-off and landing. Therefore, the number of quota points used is proportional to the volume of noise according to the following scale.

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  Quota Count

  Noise Classification

  QC/0

  less than 87 EPNdB, but in the case of jet aircraft, those having a maximum certificate take-off weight not exceeding 11,600kg.

  QC/0.5

  90–92.9 EPNdB

  QC/1

  90–92.9 EPNdB

  QC/2

  93–95.9 EPNdB

  QC/4

  96–98.9 EPNdB

  QC/8

  99–101.9 EPNdB

  QC/16

  Greater than 101.9 EPNdB

  Aircraft (Disabled Access)
  Shona McIsaac
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures he has taken to ensure that all aircraft in public service are accessible to people with disabilities. [63397]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  My Department is leading discussions at European level to draw up common standards of access to air services for disabled people. We are also involved in similar discussions at the International level.

  With our statutory advisers, the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee, and the Access to the Skies Committee, we are working too with the air industry in this country, to improve their understanding of the needs of disabled people and to encourage better provision of facilities to meet those needs.

  Channel Tunnel—Liverpool Link
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the new proposals from Central Railway for opening a railway line between Liverpool and the Channel Tunnel. [63475]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Ministers have seen only the consultation documents which Central Railway recently issued. We have therefore not taken a view on the scheme.

  Brown-field Sites
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his Department's definition of brown-field sites. [63615]

  Mr. Raynsford
  There is no specific definition of "brownfield" land. However, it is usually taken to mean land previously developed for 'urban' uses. For statistical purposes, as defined by the Department's Land Use Change Statistics, 'previously-developed urban' uses include residential, transport and utilities, industry and commerce, community services, previously-developed vacant land and derelict land. Land is classified according to its use and not its location, therefore the 'urban' use can occur in rural areas.

  Information on land that may be available for redevelopment is currently being collected in order to compile the first phase of the National Land Use Database. The scope of this is wider than the definition of previously-developed land used in Land Use Change Statistics.

  Open-top Sightseeing Buses (London)
  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the number of open-top sightseeing buses operating in London per day and of the average payload per bus in each of the last 12 months. [63682]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  This information is not held centrally.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will provide a breakdown of the changes to the criteria for calculating the other education SSA block in the local government settlements for 1999–2000. [63830]

  Ms Armstrong
  The national total for the Other Education SSA for 1999–2000 has been decided in consultation with the Secretary of State for Education and Employment. The same indicators are used to distribute the other education SSA in 1999–2000 as were used in 1998–99. The unit costs for each indicator have been adjusted to take account of rescaling the unit costs to reflect the overall total of other education SSA for 1999–2000 and any updating of the data used in the calculations. In addition, a small correction has been made to the population data for 1991 used in the underlying statistical analyses.

  A14 (Cambridgeshire)
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received from national motorway and road haulage organisations concerning the A14 in Cambridgeshire; and if he will make a statement. [63527]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We consulted very widely on our Integrated Transport Policy and Review of Trunk Roads and received a large number of comments. Organisations at national, regional and local level made it clear the problems in the Cambridge-Huntingdon area were very severe and the need for solutions was seen as a very high priority.

  John Bridge, Chairman of the Road Haulage Association, met with the Highways Agency's Chief Executive, Lawrie Haynes, and John Pearman, the Area Manager, on 8 September to press the case for an early start to the multi-modal A14 study.

  Improvements to the A14 north of Cambridge were withdrawn by the previous administration and proposed improvements between the M11, Junction 14 and the A1/A14 junction had not even reached public consultation stage so they were not contenders for the Targeted Investment Programme that we announced in July. We are proposing to carry out a multi-modal study of the Cambridge-Huntingdon Corridor to bring forward a comprehensive solution to the problems including looking at the potential for transfer of traffic on to other modes. Confirmation of this study was given last week and a provisional date for its start is 2000–01; this timing, as with the timing of all multi-modal studies arising from the roads review, is subject to progress on consultation with the regional planning conference.
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  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what reports he has received from the Highways Agency concerning recent fatal accidents on the A14 in Cambridgeshire; and if he will make a statement. [63529]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Highways Agency has the facts available on all personal injury accidents. There is in place a system of reporting the most serious incidents to Ministers. The recent fatal accident reported on this basis covers the accident at Lolworth on 18 November.

  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will institute contingency plans for the design and routing of an upgrade of the A14 in Cambridgeshire, pending the outcome of multi-modal study for that traffic corridor. [63526]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Secretary of State has a statutory duty to review the needs of the network. We have already identified a number of safety related improvements for the Huntingdon to Cambridge section of the A14 which stem from a specific earlier study exercise. The Highways Agency will be implementing these measures by the Spring of 1999.

  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has held with the standing conference of East Anglian local authorities on terms of reference for a multi-modal study of the A14 corridor in Cambridgeshire. [63530]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Government Office of the Eastern Region is working closely with the Standing Conference of East Anglian Local Authorities (SCEALA) on the technical work leading to the public exhibition of the Draft Regional Planning Guidance for East Anglia, which takes place in February. On 10 December we published our formal consultation with the Regional planning conference on the study programme announced in 'A New Deal for Trunk Roads in England'. This consultation seeks the Conference's views on the timing, coverage, and scope of the studies. The consultation paper proposes that the Cambridge-Huntingdon study should fall in the second tranche of multi-modal studies. There is a wide range of issues in the corridor including congestion, safety, environment, possible road, bus and rail proposals as well as proposals for significant development that will have to form part of any broad assessment of potential transport solutions.

  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what safety improvements on the A14 in Cambridgeshire have been commissioned by the Highways Agency. [63535]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The whole of the A14 (from M6 to Felixstowe) is being considered as an integral route. As part of that a package of measures along the length of the A14 in Cambridgeshire is being progressed:West of A1 conversion of four existing single level junctions to two level;
  Between Huntingdon and Cambridge—package of safety measures as described in my answer today to PQ63531, at column 314;
  between Cambridge and Newmarket—package of safety measures as described in my answer today to PQ63531, at column 314.
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  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what studies he has evaluated concerning the potential for improvements in safety on the A14 in Cambridgeshire; and what action he proposes to take on those studies. [63531]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Studies and improvements can be broken down into three distinct lengths, working from east to west as follows:

  (a) The Highways Agency is carrying out studies to identify what safety improvements can be made to the Histon (B1049) and Milton (A10) interchanges north of Cambridge. As an interim measure, the Agency is providing 'queue warning signs' on both carriageways of the trunk road approaching each junction. The signs will be in place by the end of January 1999.

  (b) In 1995 a study was commissioned from consulting engineers, Thorburn Colquhoun, to investigate accidents and congestion on the A14 between Huntingdon and Cambridge. This study suggested measures that could be taken to improve safety on the A14. The first stage of these improvements was carried out in 1995–96 when speed cameras were provided to help reduce traffic speeds. Since that time, and from that study, the Highways Agency has further developed a strategy of safety related improvement measures which will shortly be implemented. These focus on particular problems at specific locations which will be carried out by Spring 1999:

  (i) Improvement to various junctions by small scale widening, replacing existing chevrons with yellow backed signs, install bend warning signs with advisory speed limits, laying anti-skid at the ends of the diverge tapers and providing countdown markers on the approaches to the diverge tapers;

  (ii) Improvements within Girton Interchange to improve lane discipline and the flow of traffic;

  (iii) The construction of an acceleration lane to Hemingford Abbots eastbound carriageway.

  (c) Further studies are already in place to look at additional safety improvements at various locations;

  (d) Schemes are being prepared to change four existing single level junctions to two level between Thrapston and Brampton. They comprise the provision of bridges with full connections to the A14 at Polopit Road, the B663, Leighton Bromswold and Wooley/Easton junctions together with an overbridge at Chainbridge Lane. The Little Meadow crossing will be closed and alternative access arrangements for land and property owners made. All other central reserve gaps will be closed and the present footpath/bridleway crossing diverted to the proposed structures. All direct access points will be closed and alternative means of access put in place.

  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what increase in(a) noise and (b) pollutant emissions has occurred along the A14 in the last five years. [63528]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  No readings are available to determine the increase in noise and pollution.

  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his estimate of the growth of(a) HGV traffic and (b) all road traffic on the A14 between Huntingdon and Cambridge in the last three years. [63533]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Over the last three years the total growth in traffic on this section of the A14 has been recorded as follows:

  (a) HGV traffic—approximately 7.5 per cent.

  (b) All vehicles—approximately 9.0 per cent.

  Dual Carriageways (Traffic Levels)
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which two-lane dual carriageways in England, not of motorway standard, currently carry the highest levels of road traffic. [63532]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  In 1997 the highest level of road traffic on non-motorway, two lane dual carriageways, in England, recorded as an Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) flow was 84,000 vehicles on the A1. From readily available records, the ten busiest sections are listed. Lengths of two lane dual carriageway less than 2.5km, which predominantly occur in Urban areas, have been excluded:

  Road

  Location

  Road class

  AADT

  A1

  Gateshead Western By-pass

  Trunk

  84,000

  A1

  Newcastle Western By-pass

  Trunk

  79,000

  A27

  Havant-Chichester

  Trunk

  75,000

  A127

  M25-Southend

  Principal

  72,000

  A45

  M1-Northampton

  Principal

  71,000

  A66

  Darlington-Middlesborough

  Principal

  67,000

  A14

  Hungtingdon-Cambridge

  Trunk

  66,000

  A23

  Brighton-Crawley

  Trunk

  65,000

  A312

  Hayes By-pass

  Principal

  61,000

  A34

  Oxford-Abingdon

  Trunk

  61,000

  Public Refuse Incinerators
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidance his Department has issued to local authorities regarding the siting of public refuse incinerators. [63410]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Government guidance on the siting of incinerators is included in Planning Policy Guidance note 23 'Planning and Pollution Control'. This will be updated soon when Planning Policy Guidance note 10 'Planning and Waste Management' is published. the Department also issued a guidance note to local authorities in August, 1997, on the provision of incinerators in connection with the slaughter of cattle under the 'Over Thirty Months Scheme'.

  Rail Services (Punctuality)
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list for each train operating company the number of days in the last 12 months which the company excluded from its calculation of punctuality statistics on the ground that there was no effective service. [63419]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  No days are excluded from the OPRAF incentive schemes on the grounds of failure to provide an effective service. Neither are days taken out of the OPRAF contractual enforcement regime governing the relationship with operators on these grounds.

  However, the Passengers Charter allows for days to be declared 'Void' in a particular Charter Group if no effective service is provided on a particular day. If this happens, season tickets of one month or more will be extended or similar compensation arranged. The OPRAF Bulletin includes punctuality statistics based on the Passenger Charter and from the next edition will include
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  details of the number of void days. Currently void days are generally listed at stations on the Charter Performance Posters.

  For the 12 months up to the end of Period 8 (14 November) the following days have been declared void.

  Total

  Anglia Railways

  Mainline

  5

  Felixstowe

  1

  Cardiff Railway

  17

  Central Trains

  East Midlands

  16

  Inter-Urban

  16

  Mid Wales and Marches

  16

  Virgin Cross Country

  28

  Gatwick Express

  11

  Great Eastern

  1

  Great North Eastern Railway

  5

  Great Western Trains

  27

  Midland Mainline

  6

  North Western Trains (Inter-Urban only)

  1

  Silverlink (still subject to confirmation)

  County

  20

  Metro NLL

  11

  Metro Watford

  8

  South West Trains

  Main Line

  6

  Suburban

  4

  Thameslink

  2

  Wales and West

  Cornwall

  2

  Devon

  2

  South Cotswolds

  2

  West and Central Wales

  2

  Western Express

  2

  Avon

  2

  Virgin West Coast

  West Midlands

  36

  North West

  37

  Scotland

  47

  Notes:

  Italic Type—Operator

  Normal Type—Service Group

  Local Authority Housing (Resource Accounting)
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to consult on the introduction of resource accounting for local authority housing. [64079]

  Ms Armstrong
  We will be publishing a consultation paper 'A New Financial Framework for Local Authority Housing: Resource Accounting in the Housing Revenue Account' on 15 December, allowing until 19 March for comments. The statement on Housing and Regeneration Policy following the Comprehensive Spending Review, on 21 July 1998,Official Report, column 468, made clear our intention that local authorities should take a more business-like approach to managing their housing. Local authority housing is a valuable asset. Introducing new-style housing revenue accounts based on a form of resource accounting is one of a number of proposals, including our plans to introduce a Best Value regime for local authorities, to modernise the approach to housing management and encourage greater tenant involvement.

  317
  The proposed new financial framework will show clearly the value of housing, the expenditure needed to maintain it and the subsidy required to keep rents below market levels.

  Countryside (Public Access)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will place copies of the responses to his consultation document on Access to the Open Countryside in England and Wales in the Library. [63784]

  Mr. Meacher
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (Mr. Yeo) on 27 October 1998,Official Report, column 103.

  Rail Passengers (Illness)
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, 'Transport and the Regions how many incidents of passengers being taken seriously ill on train journeys have occurred in each of the past five years. [63810]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The information requested is not collected by train operating companies.

  Sellafield
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his plans for further public consultation on the application by BNFL to operate its MOX plant at Sellafield. [63904]

  Mr. Meale
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment on 3 November 1998,Official Report, column 454.

  Oil Production (Safety)
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the relative risk of oil spillage from a production and distribution system using(a) floating production storage and offloading facilities and tankers to transport oil and (b) fixed production platforms and pipelines. [63087]

  Mr. Battle
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Licensing conditions and the Merchant Shipping (Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation Convention) Regulations which were implemented earlier this year require a risk-based assessment to be made of each offshore production facility prior to production taking place.

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions in what ways the emergency infrastructure is being modified to deal with a potential pollution incident in the Atlantic Frontier Region following the granting of licences for oil production there. [63053]

  Mr. Battle
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Merchant Shipping (Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation Convention) Regulations implemented in May this year require a risk-based
  318
  assessment of any potential pollution incident before the operation can be carried out, regardless of where the operation is taking place.

  Regional Development Agencies
  Mr. McNulty
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will make an announcement about the membership of the boards of the regional development agencies. [64082]

  Mr. Prescott
  The board members of the eight Regional Development Agencies outside London will be as follows:

  Eastern RDA

  Vincent Watts (Chairman)

  Sal Brinton

  Alan Cherry

  Peter Dawe

  Greg Grant

  Ken Lewis

  Peter Martin

  Chris Mole

  Richard Powell

  Neville Reyner

  Jacqueline Russell

  Marie Skinner

  Stelio Stefanou

  East Midlands RDA

  Derek Mapp (Chairman)

  Jane Bradford

  Ted Cassidy

  Graham Chapman

  Martin Doughty

  Peter Gadsby

  Gillian Gardiner

  Len Jackson

  Bob Middleton

  Peter Moore

  Pat Morgan-Webb

  Christine Wood

  North East RDA

  Dr. John Bridge (Chairman)

  Alistair Arkley

  Kevin Curran

  Barbara Dennis

  Professor Derek Fraser

  Phillip Hughes

  Richard Maudslay

  John McCormack

  Hugh Morgan-Williams

  Miles Middleton

  Rita Stringfellow

  Sue Wilson

  John Williams

  North West RDA

  Lord Thomas of Macclesfield (Chairman)

  Maggie Chadwick

  Mike Doyle

  John Dunning

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  Felicity Goodey

  Clive Jeanes

  Richard Leese

  Alan Manning

  Dennis Mendoros

  Kath Reade

  Dr. Fred Ridley

  Judy Robinson

  James Ross

  South East RDA

  Allan Willett (Chairman)

  Jim Baker

  Ken Bodfish

  Professor Clive Booth

  Barry Camfield

  Bryan Davies

  Janis Kong

  Russ Nathan

  Winifred Oliver

  David Rogers

  Sarah Ward

  Caroline Williams

  Kevin Wilson

  South West RDA

  Sir Michael Lickiss (Chairman)

  Doris Ansari

  Cairns Boston

  Ewen Cameron

  Peter Chalke

  Nigel Costley

  Tudor Evans

  Helen Holland

  Michael Leece

  Alfred Morris

  Tim Parker

  Stella Pirie

  Jeremy Pope

  West Midlands RDA

  Alex Stephenson (Chairman)

  Richard Barnes

  Professor Kumar Bhattacharyya CBE

  Michael Bird

  Albert Bore

  Sue Davis

  Dr. Anthony Harris OBE

  James Hunt

  Professor Christine King

  David Sparks

  Sukvinder Stubbs

  David Thompson

  Brian Woods-Scawen

  Yorkshire and Humber RDA

  Graham Hall (Chairman)

  Muriel Barker

  Julian Cummins

  Brian Greenwood

  Richard Gregory

  Lord Haskins

  320

  Stephen Houghton

  Paul Jagger

  Michael Johnston

  Adeeba Malik

  Sir Gareth Roberts

  Paul Shepherd

  Pamela Warhurst.

  These boards fulfil the commitment we gave in our White Paper 'Building Partnerships for Prosperity' to reflect an appropriate balance of regional interests. We have already announced that the boards will be led by chairmen with solid business backgrounds. As regards the main regional stakeholders, within each board business experience dominates; four members are drawn from local government reflecting a balance between type and size of authority, geographical spread and party balance; and at least one member on each board can offer a strong rural perspective together with others who have relevant rural experience. Each board also offers expertise from the field of education and the trades union movement and, across the country as a whole, the boards offer significant experience of the voluntary sector. The White Paper had envisaged boards of twelve but, while it has proved possible to constrain the potential size of the board by choosing members who can offer a range of expertise, we have decided that the full range of expertise necessary can only be achieved, at this stage, with boards of thirteen.

  All boards will have at least three women—women represent about a quarter of the membership overall. This compares well with other business focused NDPBs. Ethnic minorities make up about 5 per cent. of the board membership.

  I have today published a Departmental press release which gives biographical details of the board members. Copies have been placed in the Library.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Holding Centres (Lay Visitors)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when she received a report on the outcome of consultations between the Police Authority and the Independent Commissioner for the Holding Centres on the role of lay visitors' access to suspects detained under emergency legislation; and if she will make a statement. [62263]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Secretary of State has received no such report. The Government did however consult on the Independent Commissioner's recommendation that Lay Visitors should have their sphere of operation extended to include the Holding Centres. It concluded that no change should be made to the remit of the Lay Visitors, not least because an extension of their role of the nature proposed might leave them open to duress and intimidation.

  The Government look forward to the day when the Holding Centres are no longer needed. Meanwhile the Government do not envisage any merging of the roles of the Independent Commissioner and the Lay Visitors.

  Prisoner Releases
  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the prisoners who have been released under the terms of the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998 by(a) name, (b) organisation, (c) length of sentence actually served and (d) category of offence. [62941]

  Mr. Ingram
  On 8 December 1998 the total of prisoners who have been released under the provisions of the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998 has reached 221. Of those released, 68 are life sentence prisoners (36 loyalist, 29 republican and 3 others) and 153 fixed term prisoners (64 loyalist, 84 republican and 5 others).

  The Northern Ireland Prison Service does not release the names or the perceived affiliation of individual prisoners. The category of offences committed could only be given at disproportionate cost.

  Football
  Mr. Grogan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations her Department has

  Number

  Company

  Current responsibilities within government

  2

  British Telecom

  Development of Electronic Service delivery

  —

  —

  Special Adviser on Software Development

  1

  Capita Business Consultants

  Industrial Accountancy

  1

  Helm Corporation Moore Stevens (Accountants)

  Assisting Local Government Audit Branch with the completion of the statutory audits of local authority

  1

  Manufacturing and Technology Partnership

  Green Economy—grant applications in Environmental Management Audit Scheme

  2

  Short Brothers PLC

  Enhancing the continuous improvement unit's expertise in the drive to improve the level of take-up across the NICS and other customer organisations of self-assessment under the Business Excellence Model

  —

  —

  Local Sourcing consultant

  Victims of Violence
  Mr. Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps the Government will be taking to implement Sir Kenneth Bloomfield's recommendation that effective targeting of the special needs of victims of violence forms part of the Targeting Social Need objective (para. 5.17). [62686]

  Mr. Ingram
  As Minister with responsibility for Victims, I have established the Victims Liaison Unit to take forward implementation of the recommendations in Sir Kenneth Bloomfield's report. The Unit has just concluded a period of extensive consultation with victims, their families and their representatives on Sir Kenneth's recommendations. The responses to that consultation are now being considered and will inform the process of prioritising the next steps in addressing the needs identified in the report. I intend to make further announcements on the way forward in the New Year, once the outcome of the consultation exercise is known.

  Mr. Thompson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the review of compensation arrangements will cover the treatment of relatives of people who were not financially contributing to a household. [62677]
  322
  received from (a) the Association of Football Premier League and (b) Premier League clubs about basing a Premier League club in Belfast. [62693]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  No representations have been received by my Department from either organisation.

  Discussions are ongoing between officials and a private sector consortium, on the consortium's proposal to build a new sports stadium in Belfast, which could host a Premier League club. There has been no direct contact between officials and either the football authorities in England or any Premier League club.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Robert Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people in her Department are currently on secondment from private companies; and if she will list them, their companies and their current responsibilities within Government. [62819]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The information for the Northern Ireland Office and the Northern Ireland Departments is as follows:

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 7 December 1998]: The Review has been asked to advise the Government on the fitness for purpose of the criminal injuries compensation arrangements in Northern Ireland. It is for Sir Kenneth Bloomfield, who is chairing the Review, to decide precisely what needs to be examined to fulfil this wide-ranging remit. I understand, however, that the whole question of compensation for the relatives of victims is being looked at as part of the Review Body's deliberations on the future of criminal injuries compensation arrangements in Northern Ireland.

  Housing
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the assessment of the responses to the housing policy review consultative document, Building on Success, has been completed; what further provision will be made relating to the safety and quality of houses in multiple occupancy in Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement. [63238]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The assessment of the responses to the Housing Policy Review conducted under the previous Government, was completed in early 1996. Decisions based on that assessment were published in July]996, in
  323
  a document 'Building on Success—the Way Ahead'. With one exception, the decisions were subsequently endorsed by the present Government.

  With specific reference to Houses in Multiple Occupation, it was proposed to monitor the introduction of the proposals in England and Wales, before considering the implications for Northern Ireland. That remains the case, in order to inform decision making by the Assembly, which will have responsibility for housing matters in future.

  Mixed-sex Hospital Wards
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many mental health hospitals or psychiatric units in Northern Ireland have mixed-sex wards; and if she will list them. [63788]

  Mr. McFall
  The following mental health hospitals and psychiatric units have mixed sex wards:

  Hospitals

  Units

  Holywell, Antrim

  Whiteabbey Hospital, Whiteabbey

  Gransha, Londonderry

  Ross Thompson Unit, Ballymoney

  Tyrone and Fermanagh, Omagh

  Ards Hospital, Newtownards

  Downshire, Downpatrick

  Belfast City Hospital, Belfast

  St. Lukes, Armagh

  Lagan Valley Hospital, Lisburn

  Mater Hospital, Belfast

  Craigavon Area Hospital, Craigavon

  Northern Ireland Compact
  Ms Osborne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the launch of the Northern Ireland Compact. [64124]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  The Compact between Government and the Voluntary and Community Sector in Northern Ireland will be laid before the House on Monday 14 December and launched the same day. It is a jointly-prepared, agreed statement of the general principles and

  Name of secondee: (in alphabetical order)

  Name of private company from which seconded

  Responsibilities on secondment

  Mr. Brian Bowden

  Johnson Controls Calibration

  Calibration Technician, DERA

  Mr. David Bridge

  Tarmac ServiceMaster Ltd.

  Management of non-clinical services for The Health Alliance British Forces Germany

  Mr. Stephen Cobb

  British Aerospace plc

  Supporting project work in the Directorate of Future Systems (Air)

  Mr. Leslie Cooke

  Johnson Controls Calibration

  Calibration Technician, DERA

  Mr. Stanley Dawes

  Johnson Controls Calibration

  Calibration Technician, DERA

  Mr. Tony Edwards

  TI Group plc

  Head of Defence Export Services

  Mr. James Evans

  Johnson Controls Calibration

  Manager and Head of Laboratory, DERA

  Mr. Peter Farmer

  British Aerospace plc

  To assist with the development of the MOD's Continuous Acquisition & Life Cycle Support) (CALS) policy for the PE

  Mr. Bruce Harmsworth

  PA Consulting

  Financial and Commercial adviser to the Procurement Executive Private Finance Unit

  Mr. Steven Jones

  Johnson Controls Calibration

  Calibration Technician, DERA

  Mr. Stephen Kenny

  Wragge & Co.

  Banking adviser to the Procurement Executive Private Finance Unit

  Mr. Andrew Maltby

  Devonport Royal Dockyard Ltd.

  Project Manager in the Directorate of Nuclear Propulsion

  Mr. John Martlew

  Johnson Controls Calibration

  Calibration Technician, DERA

  324
  the shared values which will govern the further development of the relationship between Government and the voluntary and community sector in Northern Ireland.

  The Northern Ireland Compact complements recently launched sister Compacts in England, Scotland and Wales and fulfils another of the Government's pre-election commitments. It will cement a partnership based on shared values and mutual respect, enabling us better to identify and tackle needs, to strengthen communities and to build a more tolerant, participative, inclusive and peaceful society in Northern Ireland.

DEFENCE

  Departmental Land, Lymington
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of his Department's land at Beckley Marsh, Lymington. [62774]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  My Department has no record of any land holdings at Beckley Marsh and cannot identify the piece of land in question.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Robert Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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. [62822]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  My Department is keen to build links with industry and commerce and believes the Whitehall-wide Interchange programme which encourages outward and inward secondment can assist this process. We encourage a range of options including non-executive advisory appointments to MOD boards, joint training, short attachments and secondments of three months or more. As at 1 December the MOD has twenty-one inward secondees from private companies as follows:
  325

  Name of secondee: (in alphabetical order)

  Name of private company from which seconded

  Responsibilities on secondment

  Sir Charles Masefield

  British Aerospace plc

  Head of Defence Export Services1

  Mr. Christopher Miller

  Johnson Controls Calibration

  Technical Manager, DERA

  Mr. Moolamkuhzhiel Nair

  Post Office Support Services, Concept 2000

  To deal with the advise on Intellectual Property Rights issues

  Mr. Robert Potts

  Rolls Royce Ltd.

  To assist with the maintenance and monitoring of the Electric Ship Programme in the Ship Support Agency

  Mr. David Scargill

  Johnson Controls Calibration

  Head of Laboratory, DERA

  Mr. Paul Sharman

  Johnson Controls Calibration

  Technical Manager, DERA

  Mr. Colin Shead

  GEC Marconi Radar and Defence Systems

  To develop and assist in the implementation of MOD's Continuous Acquisition & Life Cycle Support (CALS) Policy

  Ms Miranda Voyle

  Simmons & Simmons

  To provide legal advice in the Commercial and Legal Section of the Procurement Executive's Private Finance Unit

  1 Sir Charles Masefield's appointment is due to end on 13 December 1998

  Scammel Commander Tank Transporter
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the minimum number of axles permitted for United Kingdom civilian use under Category 3 of the authorisation of Special (General) Orders; if the Scammel Commander Military Transporter complies; and if Scammel Commander transporters carrying(a) Challenger I tanks and (b) Challenger II tanks are permitted to use public highways in the United Kingdom. [62083]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 8 December 1998]: The minimum number of axles permitted for United Kingdom civilian use under Category 3, Article 18, of the authorisation of Special (General) Orders is currently 6. The Scammel Commander Military Transporter has 5 axles but under the military exemption granted by Special Types (General) Orders Article 6, schedule 1, is permitted to carry challenger tanks on public highways in the United Kingdom.

  Low-flying Aircraft
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the number of complaints from members of the public about low-flying military aircraft in England and Wales in each of the last three years. [63241]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The number of inquiries and complaints received from addresses in England and Wales about aircraft operating within the UK Low Flying System and recorded centrally are shown in the table.

  Year

  England

  Wales

  1996

  4,290

  908

  1997

  3,714

  617

  1998 (January-November)

  3,512

  545

  Danish Tour Guide (Cyprus)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the British soldiers convicted of causing the death of the Danish tour guide in Cyprus have been dismissed from the Army; and if he will make a statement. [63264]
  326
  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The three soldiers convicted of causing the death of the Danish Tour Guide in Cyprus were discharged on 22 April 1996 under paragraph 9.404 of Queen's Regulations for the Army for misconduct, having been sentenced by a Cypriot civilian court to imprisonment.

  Gulf War Veterans
  Dr. David Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to involve the National Regional Poison Centres in the medical assessments of veterans of the Gulf War and their families. [62957]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 9 December 1998]: Physicians at the MOD's Medical Assessment Programme (MAP) conduct a full medical examination, including a standard range of physical tests, on Gulf veterans who are referred there. Additional tests or referrals to other consultants or specialists may be required on a case by case basis. In these circumstances, MAP patients are sent for further tests or referrals according to the clinical judgment of the examining physician. Accordingly, the MAP may make use of the National Poisons Information Service (also known as National Regional Poison Centres) in the medical assessment of Gulf veterans as appropriate but has no plans to do so as a matter of routine.

  The MAP was established in July 1993 to examine UK Gulf veterans who were concerned that their health had been adversely affected by service in the Gulf conflict. It is open to all Service personnel and MOD civilians who served in the Gulf region at any time between August 1990 and July 1991. Individuals who worked for contractors providing direct support to UK operations during the Gulf conflict may also attend the MAP. The vast majority of those who have attended the MAP are Gulf veterans themselves. However, where medically appropriate, veterans' partners are also welcome to attend and a small number have done so.

  Applications (Armed Services)
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with(a) ministerial colleagues and (b) others on reforming the entry requirements for the armed services. [63160]
  327
  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Eligibility criteria for entry into the Armed Forces are kept under constant review. A review of all nationality eligibility rules was carried out at the beginning of this year, during which officials in my Department consulted with their counterparts in the Cabinet Office, Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Home Office. The results of the review were conveyed to the House on 18 February 1998,Official Report, columns 665–66.

  A review of all other basic eligibility criteria is nearing completion. The aim of this review has been to determine whether any eligibility criteria are unnecessarily restrictive, and could therefore be relaxed.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many applications to join the armed services have been refused in each of the last five years. [63161]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Details of the number of applicants who were refused entry into the Armed Forces are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  However, the numbers of applicants and enlistments for each Service in the last five financial years were as follows:

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  Naval Service

  Applications

  1—

  1—

  9,696

  12,879

  14,252

  Enlistments

  1,535

  1,301

  2,337

  3,959

  4,600

  Army

  Applications

  36,388

  53,333

  43,491

  40,491

  42,247

  Enlistments

  9,576

  10,684

  12,911

  15,522

  15,379

  RAF

  Applications

  13,304

  15,398

  17,213

  15,510

  12,767

  Enlistments

  841

  1,022

  2,424

  2,684

  3,526

  Note:

  1 Details of number of Naval Service applicants not available

  Applicants may not subsequently be enlisted for a variety of reasons. For example, they may be ineligible under one or more of the basic eligibility criteria, have criminal convictions that are not acceptable, may fail the recruiting test, prove unsuitable at interview, or perhaps fail their medical. Additionally, a number of applicants for each Service voluntarily withdraw their applications before they are enlisted.

  Defence Export Services Organisation
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will state the salary, pension entitlement and present compensation rights for early termination of contract of the new head of the Defence Export Services Organisation from the Government, what top-ups to those provisions have been made by external sources; and which external sources are providing the top-ups. [62922]

  Mr. George Robertson
  [holding answer 10 December 1998]: Mr. Tony Edwards, the new Head of Defence Export Services, will receive a salary from the Ministry of Defence of £165,000 a year, plus an annual performance related bonus of up to £15,000. In addition, the Department will contribute towards his superannuation up to a maximum of 28 per cent. of the Ministry of Defence salary element.
  328
  The Defence Industries Council, acting on behalf of the defence industry as a whole, are providing a top-up element so that his basic remuneration package will remain on a par with what he was receiving from TI Group plc.

  Mr. Edwards is on loan to the Department from TI Group plc. for the duration his appointment as Head of Defence Export Services; under the terms of the secondment agreement, compensation rights for early termination of the agreement do not apply.

  REME (Chorley)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what day and by whom the decision was taken to move 101 Battalion REME from Chorley Barracks to Queensferry. [63650]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence announced his decision on the future structure of the Territorial Army to the House on 17 November 1998,Official Report, columns 749–52.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what alternative attachments he proposes for 101 REME army cadets, Chorley, following the transfer of 101 Battalion REME from Chorley to Queensferry. [63616]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  New sponsorship and affiliation arrangements for the Chorley Cadets will be arranged with Territorial and Regular Army units in the area.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what evidence he has received from Land Command that the decision to move 101 Battalion REME from Chorley to Queensferry will bring value for money. [63651]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  As my hon. Friend will be aware from our previous correspondence concerning Territorial Army restructuring, the decision to move 101 Battalion REME from Chorley to Queensferry was not financially motivated. An assessment has nevertheless been made that the move should provide value for money.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if the REME cadets based at the Devonshire Road Barracks, Chorley, will continue to operate from that barracks; [63625]

  (2) what are his plans for the future army cadet presence at the Devonshire Road Barracks in Chorley. [63626]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Plans for the future of the cadets currently housed at the Devonshire Road Barracks in Chorley are being developed at present. I will write to my hon. Friend when the plans are complete, and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Defence Medical Services
  Mr. Rapson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Defence Medical Services. [63988]

  Mr. George Robertson
  The Strategic Defence Review, SDR, acknowledged the importance of medical support for defence, and identified a number of shortfalls, both in peacetime care and in operational medical support.
  329
  As a result of the SDR, I announced plans for significant investment in additional medical personnel and equipment of about £140 million over the next four years.

  Although the SDR provided funding for substantial improvements to our medical capabilities, this did not by itself solve all the immediate problems. The Defence Medical Services, DMS, organisation continues to suffer from a number of interrelated difficulties which are hindering it in fulfilling its objectives and which are also affecting morale. In particular, serious staffing shortages combined with a high level of operational deployment have led to increased turbulence for DMS staff and their families. There is also serious concern about the continued viability of the Royal Hospital, Haslar.

  I therefore set work in hand in July with the aim of producing a strategy for the resolution of these problems and to give DMS personnel a clear and positive vision of the future. I will today be publishing a summary of our findings in a booklet 'The Defence Medical Services—A Strategy for the Future', copies of which will be placed in the Library of the House.

  The key proposals include:
  A major recruiting campaign, properly co-ordinated and targeted, aimed at both new entry Regulars and Reserves, and at a small number of direct entry ready-trained personnel to fill the most pressing shortfalls.
  Tackling a range of key personnel issues to address the main problems felt by people in the DMS, including identifying the causes of overstretch and more effective ways of reducing it, harmonising different conditions of service within the DMS and addressing concerns about the need to maintain military standards and ethos while working in NHS hospitals.
  Restructured Secondary Care arrangements including: a new Centre for Defence Medicine to act as a focal point for the DMS and a centre of excellence for training and research; a new Ministry of Defence Hospital Unit in Portsmouth; the eventual closure of the Royal Hospital Haslar once these new arrangements are in place; and a clearer responsibility for the Defence Secondary Care Agency to co-ordinate treatment for Service personnel.
  A reorganisation of the DMS to improve management and financial co-ordination, including the creation of a new Chief of Staff post on the Surgeon General's staff to co-ordinate planning, personnel management, training, finance and the implementation of change.
  Developing closer relations with the NHS, including NHS representation on the two key DMS management boards, and improved arrangements at local level.

  These proposals will have a significant impact both within the DMS and outside Defence, particularly in the Portsmouth area. We will immediately begin a period of consultation on our proposals and will listen closely to the views of others, including the local community around Gosport, and the Trade Unions that represent our civilian staff. We will be working closely with the National Health Service in taking our proposals forward.

  Together the proposals represent a new strategy for the DMS which addresses the very difficult problems being experienced at the moment and looks ahead to the future. We value the DMS, and we plan to rebuild it to meet the needs of our Armed Forces both on operations and in peacetime. It will provide a more attractive and rewarding career not only for those already serving but also for those thinking of joining. Above all, it will be a service in which all concerned can have confidence for the future.

  Research Fellowship Scheme
  Ms Christine Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his Department's new post-doctoral research fellowship scheme. [63989]

  Mr. George Robertson
  I am pleased to announce the launch of the MOD's new Post-Doctoral Research Fellowships. The aims of this scheme are to encourage new talent in the defence field; maintain interest in defence studies in the academic community; and encourage informed debate on defence issues. Each fellowship is awarded for a three-year period and funded jointly by the MOD and the academic institution at which the fellow is based. The cost to the MOD is £15,000 per annum for each fellow.

  From a strong field, we have been able to select three outstanding fellows. A dedicated Defence Diplomacy Fellowship has been awarded to Dr. Irene Isakova, a Russian national. Dr. Isakova will undertake her research with the Centre for Defence Studies at King's College London, where she will focus on the impact and effectiveness of our Defence Diplomacy initiative in and with Russia. A further two fellowships have been awarded to Dr. Asifa Hussain from the Scottish Centre for War Studies at Glasgow University, and Dr. Tanya Ogilvie-White from the Mountbatten Centre at Southampton University. Dr. Hussain's research will focus on the recruitment of ethnic minorities, race relations and equal opportunities in the Armed Forces, and Dr. Ogilvie-White will undertake research into nuclear proliferation issues. Each of these candidates is ideally placed to provide the MOD with a broader, alternative perspective on these key issues.

  It is our intention that additional fellowships will now be awarded on an annual basis.

  Phoenix Programme
  Mr. Paul Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the current status of the PHOENIX programme. [64001]

  Mr. Spellar
  I am pleased to announce that the PHOENIX Unmanned Aerial Vehicle system has now entered service with the Army, following successful conversion training by both 32 and 39 Regiments Royal Artillery and use of the system in exercises, where it performed well. PHOENIX will provide an important new surveillance and target acquisition system for the British Army.

  Defence Bills Agency
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the outcome of the periodic review of the Defence Bills Agency. [64087]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Periodic Review showed that the Defence Bills Agency, DBA, had performed well against the targets set in the initial Service Level Agreement between the Agency and its MOD customers. The Agency has contained its operating costs with an increased volume of business, achieved higher standards of quality and responded to considerable challenges in the development of Resource Accounting and Budgeting. Following initial operating cost savings of 25 per cent. in the first year, the
  331
  Agency has realised further efficiencies and is now focusing on transaction costs as the key benchmark for future operations. A summary of this report is being placed in the Library of the House.

  The Review was carried out in accordance with the Government's policy of securing best value for money in the provision of Services. We have concluded that this aim can best be achieved by extending Agency status for DBA for a further five years from 1 April 1999. The Agency will be given new and more challenging targets to make progressive reductions in transaction costs, while maintaining and further improving the quality of service, and meeting the Government's commitment to the prompt payment of bills. These targets will be included in a revised Framework Document which will be published in due course.

  Chile
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the names of each Royal Navy vessel which has visited Chile in the last five years and the dates and duration of the visits; and what future visits to Chile by Royal Navy vessels are planned. [63409]

  Mr. George Robertson
  The following visits have been made to Chile by Royal Navy vessels in the last five years:

  Royal Navy Vessels

  Dates

  1998

  HMS Sutherland

  21–24 November 1998

  HMS Edinburgh

  11–13 October 1998

  HMS Dumbarton Castle

  17–21 September 1998

  HMS Montrose

  19–20 June 1998

  HMS Montrose

  9–13 June 1998

  HMS Dumbarton Castle

  23–27 April 1998

  HMS Montrose

  1–4 April 1998

  RFA Grey Rover

  11–16 March 1998

  HMS Brave

  23–27 January 1998

  HMS Endurance

  2–7 January 1998

  1997

  HMS Somerset

  7–10 October 1997

  HMS Endurance

  27 March-1 April 1997

  HMS Lancaster

  10–14 February 1997

  1996

  HMS Leeds Castle

  20–26 October 1996

  HMS Montrose

  11–14 June 1996

  HMS Leeds Castle

  20–24 April 1996

  RFA Gold Rover

  13–19 February 1996

  HMS Endurance

  4–7 January 1996

  1995

  HMS Westminster

  21–27 November 1995

  HMS Leeds Castle

  1–6 June 1995

  RFA Diligence

  24–29 March 1995

  HMS Endurance

  3–6 February 1995

  1994

  HMS Dumbarton Castle

  2–6 December 1994

  HMS Iron Duke

  15–19 September 1994

  HMS Brazen

  10–15 August 1994

  HMS Endurance

  31 March-5 April 1994

  HMS Norfolk

  10–14 March 1994

  HMS Newcastle

  23–28 February 1994

  RFA Gold Rover

  23–28 February 1994

  Note:

  HMS Endurance, the Ice Patrol Ship, is programmed to visit Chile in Spring 1999.

SCOTLAND

  Driving (Tranquillisers)
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what research the Government have evaluated into driving whilst prescribed(a) anxiolytic benzodiazepines and (b) the sleeping tablet Zopiclone. [62682]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Government have not commissioned specific research about the drugs mentioned, but a full evaluation of relevant research is being undertaken by the Medicines Control Agency.

  The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions is presently conducting a three-year survey, which started in October 1996, into the incidence of drugs (legal or illegal) in fatal road accident victims. A report on interim results to 7 January 1998 was published on 11 February 1998. My written answer of that date, Official Report, column 306, explained that a copy was being placed in the Library.

  This survey will not provide evidence of accident causation but it will help to establish the extent of drug use among road users. The interim results show that medicinal drugs were present in some 6 per cent. of road accident fatalities (drivers, passengers, pedestrians, cyclists).

  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures the Government have taken to encourage GPs to issue warnings concerning the danger of driving when using(a) Valium, (b) Librium, (c) Ativan and (d) other types of tranquilliser. [62683]

  Mr. Galbraith
  Where there is the possibility that certain medicinal products may cause deterioration of the skills required for driving, the product information provided to doctors and pharmacists recommends that patients should be warned that they may suffer side-effects which may impair their ability to drive. Although these side-effects may wear off, the patient should ensure that they are not affected before driving.

  In addition, the British National Formulary (BNF), which provides doctors, pharmacists and other health-care professionals with sound up-to-date information about the use of medicines, advises prescribers to warn patients if treatment is likely to affect their ability to drive. It also recommends that pharmacists provide cautionary and advisory labels with certain medicinal products.

  The Medicines Control Agency is aware of public concern that the side-effects of some medicines may be causing road traffic accidents. In response to recent publications they are currently reviewing all available evidence to determine whether there may be a case for strengthening product information, ensuring that Patient Information Leaflets and packaging are updated if necessary.

  Registers of Scotland
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the Registers of Scotland are
  333
  prohibited from providing copies of documents relating to registered interests other than those referred to in the title sheet; if he plans to reform the Land Register so that land certificates disclose information about previous proprietors and the prices paid by them; if the rights of access of members of the public and firms of private searchers to all information contained in the Land Register of Scotland, the Register of Sasines and the Register of Inhibitions and Adjudications are to be maintained; and if he will make a statement. [63117]

  Mr. McLeish
  Section 6(5) of the Land Register (Scotland) Act 1979 requires the Keeper to issue to any person applying, a copy, authenticated or otherwise, of any Title Sheet or part thereof or of any document referred to in a Title Sheet. There are no plans at present to reform the Land Register so that Land Certificates disclose information about previous proprietors and the prices paid by them.

  The existing statutory rights of access to the Land Register, the Register of Sasines and the Register of Inhibitions and Adjudications will continue to be maintained. The ability to exercise these rights will be enhanced by remote electronic access to be provided early in 1999.

  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recommendations the Scottish Law Commission has made regarding the abolition of the diligence of inhibitions on the dependence of Court actions; what was the total sum(a) paid by Registers of Scotland in respect of legal expenses of the petitioners and (b) incurred by Registers of Scotland to the Scottish Officer in relation to the action of Judicial Review raised by Millar & Bryce Ltd. and two other firms against Registers of Scotland. [63118]

  Mr. McLeish
  The Scottish Law Commission recently published its Report on Diligence on the Dependence and Admiralty Arrestments (Scot. Law Com. No. 164). This Report contains the Commission's recommendations for reform of the diligence of inhibition on the dependence of actions.

  The total sums paid by Registers of Scotland in relation to the action of Judicial Review raised by Millar & Bryce Ltd. and 2 other firms of private searchers were as follows: (a) an agreed settlement of £25,000 in respect of the judicially awarded expenses of the petitioners and (b) £36,807.21 in respect of Registers of Scotland expenses.

  Name

  Company

  Current responsibilities

  Barrie Allison

  Balfour and Manson Solicitors

  Solicitors Office

  Lorna Fleming

  Balfour and Manson Solicitors

  Solicitors Office

  Julia Jamieson

  Fife Careers Ltd.

  Education Department—Skills and Life Long Learning

  Valerie Mathieson

  Shepherd and Wedderburn Solicitors

  Solicitors Office—participating in reciprocal trainee scheme

  Douglas Middleton

  Bank of Scotland

  Department of Health—Private Finance Unit

  Martin Mustard

  Project Management International PLC

  Parliament Building Division

  Terry Kirchin

  British Petroleum PLC

  Personnel Division—Devolution Planning

  The Scottish Office is committed to increasing the quality and quantity of it interchange activity, in all its
  334
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many of the registration counties in Scotland for the purpose of registration of deeds are currently operational; and when the remainder are to become operational. [63119]

  Mr. McLeish
  There are currently 14 countries operational under the Land Register of Scotland. These are: Renfrew, Dumbarton, Lanark, Glasgow, Clackmannan, West Lothian, Stirling, Fife, Aberdeen, Kincardine, Ayr, Dumfries, Wigtown and Kirkcudbright. The programme for the completion of the extension of the Land Register programme is as follows:

  1 April 1999: Perth, Angus, Kinross

  1 October 1999: Berwick, East Lothian, Roxburgh, Selkirk, Peebles

  1 April 2000: Argyll and Bute

  1 April 2001: Midlothian

  1 April 2002: Inverness and Nairn

  1 April 2003: Banff, Moray, Ross and Cromarty, Caithness, Sutherland, Orkney, Zetland.

  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what financial return is required to be made by the executive agency Registers of Scotland in terms of percentage return on capital, taking account of the average cost of first registration under the Land Registration (Scotland) Act 1979 and the average income for registration due in respect of each transaction; if the report of the quinquennial review currently being carried out by KPMG Consultants will be made available for consultation with those interests affected by its conclusions; and if he will make a statement. [63120]

  Mr. McLeish
  In terms of its status as a Trading Fund under the Government Trading Funds Act 1973, the Agency is required to make a 6 per cent. return on capital employed across the range of its activities. This target will be reviewed from time to time.

  The final report resulting from the Quinquennial Review of the Registers of Scotland Executive Agency will be made available to interested parties once the Secretary of State has announced the outcome of the review.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Robert Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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. [62823]

  Mr. Dewar
  There are currently seven people on secondment from private companies in The Scottish Office. Their names, companies and current responsibilities within government are detailed as follows:

  forms, and this year saw a good deal of activity, both at Senior Civil Servant level and below.

  Insurance (Genetics)
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what measures his Department will take to encourage the insurance industry to develop alternative options for those applicants whose genetic status makes it difficult to purchase standard products. [62684]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The Government recently published their response to the Human Genetics Advisory Commission (HGAC) 'Report on the Implications of Genetic Testing for the Insurance Industry', and are currently in discussions with the insurance industry and others on the necessary follow-up action.

  It is already a requirement of the Code of Practice on Genetic Testing issued by the Association of British Insurers that insurance companies must consider whether constructive alternatives can be offered to an applicant where a genetic risk is too great to insure. It is sometimes possible for existing products to be adapted to suit individual circumstances and enable people with genetic disorders to obtain insurance. The Government believe it important that people with a family history of a genetic disorder discuss their insurance needs with insurance companies and do not assume they are uninsurable.

  Secondary School Pupils
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when advanced higher qualifications will be available to secondary school pupils in Scotland. [62980]

  NHS in Scotland: average available staffed beds in acute specialties as at 31 March2

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  11997–98

  Argyll & Clyde

  1,315

  1,286

  1,248

  1,204

  1,188

  1,140

  1,103

  1,108

  Ayrshire & Arran

  1,138

  1,152

  1,136

  1,107

  1,075

  971

  903

  900

  Borders

  349

  354

  354

  348

  335

  336

  346

  335

  Dumfries & Galloway

  447

  435

  419

  406

  405

  416

  389

  395

  Fife

  863

  851

  800

  791

  774

  754

  737

  712

  Forth Valley

  625

  605

  600

  588

  592

  573

  556

  560

  Grampian

  1,618

  1,640

  1,918

  1,885

  1,843

  1,804

  1,791

  1,788

  Greater Glasgow

  4,615

  4,194

  4,036

  3,899

  3,651

  3,581

  3,518

  3,446

  Highland

  736

  740

  743

  729

  724

  796

  798

  804

  Lanarkshire

  1,691

  1,665

  1,632

  1,592

  1,550

  1,526

  1,496

  1,462

  Lothian

  2,855

  2,659

  2,577

  2,455

  2,397

  2,300

  2,198

  1,983

  Orkney

  62

  62

  62

  97

  91

  85

  89

  3139

  Shetland

  53

  49

  46

  46

  46

  46

  50

  54

  Tayside

  1,862

  1,801

  1,748

  1,622

  1,589

  1,540

  1,459

  1,443

  Western Isles

  87

  85

  97

  103

  100

  95

  106

  117

  Scotland

  18,317

  17,580

  17,414

  16,873

  16,360

  15,963

  15,549

  15,246

  1 Provisional

  2 Includes Acute, Supra-area and Special Categories speciality groups. Excludes Obstetrics

  3 Reclassification of beds, from geriatric medicine to general practice, between 1996–97 and 1997–98

  Criminal Records
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has for implementing Part V of the Police Act 1997 in Scotland providing for extended access to criminal record checks for employment vetting and other purposes. [64214]

  Mr. McLeish
  My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary is announcing today that in order to implement Part V of the Police Act 1997 in England and Wales the Home Office will set up a Criminal Records Bureau. In
  336
  Mrs. Liddell
  The first Advanced Higher courses will run in the 2000–01 session, leading to awards in 2001.

  Coalfield Regeneration
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to increase the sums available for the regeneration of former coalfields; and if he will make a statement. [62679]

  Mr. Macdonald
  My right hon. Friend is currently considering how best to support the regeneration of former coalfields in Scotland, including the resources to be made available for this, and will make a further announcement shortly.

  Scottish Parliament
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to recruit additional civil servants to service the demands of the Scottish Parliament. [62680]

  Mr. Dewar
  Action is in hand by The Scottish Office to recruit around 170 staff to service the Scottish Parliament. After devolution, staff carrying out these duties will be employees of the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body.

  Acute Beds
  Mr. Moore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many acute beds were available in each health board area in Scotland in each year since 1990–91. [63131]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The information is set out in the table:

  Scotland the work of disclosing criminal record information will be carried out by the Scottish Criminal Record Office (SCRO), which is already well established as a central vetting authority.

  The Government's main objective in introducing these arrangements is to strengthen the safeguards for the protection of children. In line with this and to ensure a smooth transition from the current arrangements for employment vetting checks, the SCRO will phase in the issue of three new types of certificates provided for under the Act. Top priority will be given to the issue of

  337
  certificates for those seeking positions that will involve regular unsupervised access to children. The scheme is to be self-financing with all applicants for certificates being charged a fee which, depending on the level of certificate sought, is currently estimated at being between £5 and £10.

  We expect that it will take some two years to equip the SCRO for the new much expanded system of checks. In this time we intend to consult widely in order to ensure that the system will meet the needs of the community it serves.

  Food Poisoning
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a monthly breakdown of the outbreaks of food poisoning in each of the last five years. [63331]

  Mr. Galbraith
  Information about numbers of outbreaks is not collected centrally. The tables show the numbers of notified cases of food poisoning by four-week period.

  Notifications of food poisoning 1. Four-weekly totals, 1993–98

  Week ending

  Total

  1993

  1–22 January

  349

  29 January-19 February

  383

  26 February-19 March

  369

  26 March-16 April

  312

  23 April-14 May

  396

  21 May-11 June

  657

  18 June-9 July

  816

  16 July-6 August

  917

  13 August-3 September

  837

  10 September-1 October

  760

  8–29 October

  569

  5–26 November

  413

  3–31 December

  2379

  1994

  7–28 January

  361

  4–25 February

  377

  4–25 March

  386

  1–22 April

  385

  29 April-20 May

  607

  27 May-17 June

  888

  24 June-15 July

  772

  22 July-12 August

  1,005

  19 August-9 September

  935

  16 September-7 October

  823

  14 October-4 November

  685

  11 November-2 December

  574

  9–30 December

  449

  1995

  6–27 January

  457

  3–24 February

  436

  3–24 March

  512

  31 March-21 April

  418

  28 April-19 May

  623

  26 May-16 June

  854

  23 June-14 July

  923

  21 July-11 August

  1,078

  18 August-8 September

  1,069

  15 September-6 October

  905

  13 October-3 November

  805

  10 November-1 December

  634

  8–29 December

  529

  338

  Notifications of food poisoning1. Four-weekly totals, 1993-98

  Week ending

  Total

  1996

  5–26 January

  547

  2–23 February

  578

  1–22 March

  528

  29 March-19 April

  625

  26 April-17 May

  670

  24 May-14 June

  895

  21 June-12 July

  890

  19 July-9 August

  1,032

  16 August-6 September

  1,007

  13 September-4 October

  867

  11 October-1 November

  763

  8–29 November

  896

  6–27 December

  808

  1997

  3–24 January

  473

  31 January-21 February

  582

  28 February-21 March

  652

  28 March-18 April

  644

  25 April-16 May

  736

  23 May-13 June

  1,129

  20 June-11 July

  1,095

  18 July-8 August

  979

  15 August-5 September

  1,109

  12 September-3 October

  871

  10–31 October

  715

  7–28 November

  673

  5–26 December

  491

  1998

  2–23 January

  516

  30 January-20 February

  515

  27 February-20 March

  446

  27 March-17 April

  442

  24 April-15 May

  654

  22 May-12 June

  1,066

  19 June-10 July

  985

  17 July-7 August

  909

  14 August-4 September

  1,016

  11 September-2 October

  756

  9–30 October

  733

  6–27 November

  619

  1 Annual totals are revised to take account of laboratory test results confirming that illness was or was not due to food poisoning. These monthly figures have not been adjusted in that way and are therefore provisional.

  2 Comprises totals for a five-week period.

  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many outbreaks of food poisoning there were in each county in each of the last five years. [63518]

  Mr. Galbraith
  Information about numbers of outbreaks is not collected centrally. Nor is information about numbers of cases of food poisoning collected by county. The following table shows the numbers of notified cases of food poisoning by Health Board area.

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  11998

  Scotland

  7,170

  8,291

  9,297

  10,234

  10,144

  8,622

  Argyll and Clyde

  326

  566

  634

  736

  696

  668

  Ayrshire and Arran

  411

  385

  446

  393

  431

  377

  Borders

  175

  236

  238

  284

  358

  154

  Dumfries and Galloway

  313

  338

  343

  303

  288

  268

  Fife

  549

  560

  634

  579

  652

  503

  Forth Valley

  365

  491

  411

  529

  610

  548

  Grampian

  1,150

  1,103

  1,771

  1,585

  1,448

  1,245

  Greater Glasgow

  732

  1,174

  1,293

  1,367

  1,493

  1,491

  Highland

  342

  329

  328

  364

  425

  334

  Lanarkshire

  742

  862

  952

  1,376

  1,103

  960

  339

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  11998

  Lothian

  1,394

  1,531

  1,630

  1,984

  1,814

  1,519

  Orkney

  29

  8

  15

  23

  13

  11

  Shetland

  46

  45

  25

  57

  74

  39

  Tayside

  570

  627

  548

  608

  690

  471

  Western Isles

  26

  36

  29

  46

  49

  34

  1 Provisional notifications, subject to revision

  Mixed-sex Hospital Wards
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many mental health hospitals or psychiatric units in Scotland have mixed-sex wards; and if he will list them. [63787]

  Mr. Galbraith
  I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my reply in the Library.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Arms Exports
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when her Department was given new powers to object to proposed arms exports; what these powers entail; and if she will make a statement. [63846]

  Clare Short
  Licences to export arms are issued by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (DTI). The Export Control Organisation of the DTI is the licensing authority. A number of Departments provide advice; DFID has done so since September 1997. The Department for International Development's (DFID) interest in export licence applications is primarily that the proposed export does not seriously undermine the economy of the recipient country; and also that the equipment is not used for purposes of internal repression or external aggression. We focus our efforts on examining applications to poor countries.

  World Disability Report
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if her Department will provide financial assistance to the International Disability Foundation to disseminate their world disability report. [63693]

  Clare Short
  Yes. A grant of £15,000, the sum requested by the International Disability Foundation was approved on 3 December, the World Day of Disabled People.

  Good Governance
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will set out the basic principles of good governance required by her Department of a country in which she is considering aid provision. [63790]

  Clare Short
  Our commitment is to reduce poverty through sustainable development. We work with governments who have a commitment to working for the elimination of poverty. This requires effective economic management, efficient government systems, the reduction of corruption, and investment in human development. We engage in dialogue with government where possible.
  340
  Where we cannot work with government we will find other channels including parts of government, local government and NGOs which share our commitment.

  Trade
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her Department's policy on promotion of United Kingdom trade in developing countries. [63849]

  Clare Short
  We believe that increasing trade in the poorest countries will contribute to economic growth and poverty elimination. The Department for International Development (DFID) works to improve the trading environment by encouraging open markets, good regulation, reduced corruption and strong education and health systems.

  We support specific trade and investment initiatives where there is a clear development outcome. For example DFID is promoting links between UK small and medium enterprises and small businesses in South Africa.

  Sustainable Development
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action she has taken to work with British business to strengthen support for investment and trade which contributes to sustainable development. [63646]

  Clare Short
  We have greatly strengthened the links between the department and British business since May 1997. We have established a Business Partnership Unit for this purpose and now consult with Business when preparing our strategies for working with individual countries or multilateral development agencies: we also seek to improve the operating environment for investment and trade (for example, through consultative forums on regulatory constraints); help business meet their corporate responsibility objectives (for example, through joint projects to tackle social and environmental issues and invest in the health and education of the workforce) and through partnerships which deepen the impact of business on the local economy (for example, through projects to help large business source from local suppliers). These initiatives all contribute to sustainable development and assist British businesses to invest and trade with the poorest countries.

  China
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her Department's policy on concessional financing in China. [63847]

  Clare Short
  The White Paper on International Development (Cm 3789), published in November of last year, announced the abolition of the Aid and Trade Provision (ATP) and set out our policy on possible assistance to the private sector in paragraph 2.35. Any potential assistance would be subject to the strategy and sectoral focus agreed for each country and the standard procedures for quality control. We also made clear that all ATP projects previously agreed and still under implementation would be completed. This policy applies in China and elsewhere.
  341
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress she has made in promotion of human rights in China; and if she will make a statement. [63845]

  Clare Short
  The Government seek to support all the human rights contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, in China and elsewhere, which means that we are concerned with economic and social rights as well as civil and political rights. We are engaged in dialogue with the Chinese authorities and have increased the frequency of formal talks. These have provided the opportunity for us to raise concerns about issues such as China's one child policy, imprisonment without trial, freedom of religion and executions.

  As an additional means to addressing the economic and social rights of poor people in China, we are currently designing a range of projects (in basic health, education and water development) with a probable value of some £ 40 million. Meanwhile, we have approved a £670,000 project to help improve the lives of orphaned children in Shanghai through the introduction of a foster care system and are exploring the scope for further co-operation in the field of prison management reform and measures to combat corruption.

  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what consultations she carried out with the private sector when preparing her country strategy for China. [63544]

  Clare Short
  In preparing the China country strategy, my officials sought the views of companies with interests in China through the China Britain Trade Group and the British Chamber of Commerce in Beijing. Views were also sought from institutions, including the International Finance corporation and the Commonwealth Development Corporation, which have strong private sector interests. In addition to the private sector, officials consulted civil society organisations, the academic community and a wide range of Chinese interlocutors.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the Commonwealth Development Corporation's investments in China. [63848]

  Clare Short
  At present the Commonwealth Development Corporation (CDC) does not have any investments in China.

  Country Strategies
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what consultations she has carried out with the private sector when preparing her country strategies. [63545]

  Clare Short
  Consultations with the private sector and other elements of civil society have been part of the process of developing country strategies since May 1997. The channels used vary depending on country circumstances. Country strategy papers which have been finalised since the Government's White Paper on Development contain an annexe which sets out the process of consultation, including consultation that has taken place with the private sector. The papers are published and are also available in the Libraries of the House. They are also available to the public.

  Commonwealth Development Corporation
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the countries in which the Commonwealth Development Corporation currently invests. [63791]

  Clare Short
  Commonwealth Development Corporation currently has investment in the following countries:

  Anguilla

  Bangladesh

  Barbados

  Belize

  Bolivia

  Botswana

  British Virgin Islands

  Cameron

  Cayman Islands

  Costa Rica

  Cote d'Ivoire

  Cuba

  Dominica

  Dominican Republic

  Ecuador

  El Salvador

  Fiji

  Gambia

  Ghana

  Grenada

  Guatemala

  Guyana

  Hoduras

  India

  Indonesia

  Jamaica

  Kenya

  Laos

  Lesotho

  Liberia

  Malawai

  Malaysia

  Maritius

  Mozambique

  Namibia

  Nicaragua

  Nigeria

  Pakistan

  Papua New Guinea

  Philippines

  St. Lucia

  Seychelles

  Sierra Leone

  Solomon Islands

  South Africa

  Sri Lanka

  Sudan

  Swaziland

  Tanzania

  Thailand

  343

  Trinidad and Tobago

  Vanuatu

  Vietnam

  Zambia

  Zimbabwe

  Departmental Expenditure
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what has been the total expenditure and the breakdown of expenditure in her Department since May 1997 on(a) public opinion research, (b) television, radio and newspaper advertising and (c) direct mail. [63919]

  Clare Short
  Since May 1997 the Department for International Development has spent:

  (a) around £43,000 on public opinion research; and

  (b) around £1.2 million on recruitment advertising in newspapers and journals.

  (c) No expenditure on direct mail.

  Multilateral Development Projects
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps she has taken to ensure that multilateral development projects make full use of the skills of United Kingdom business. [63543]

  Clare Short
  We work with the Department of Trade and Industry's Development Business Team, which has specific responsibility to help UK business secure trade opportunities from multilateral development projects. DFID staff ensure that DTI has access to good information about the pipeline and strategies of the multilateral organisations.

  British firms do well from multilateral procurement. For example, in fiscal year 1996, British firms secured contracts worth around £458 million from the World Bank, over twice the amount of the British government's annual contribution to the Bank in that year.

PRIME MINISTER

  Devolution
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Prime Minister where responsibility will lie for determining what programmes and bodies will be ultra-vires for the purpose of UK-wide funding after the establishment of the National Assembly for Wales and the Scottish Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [63659]

  The Prime Minister
  Under the terms of the Scotland Act 1998 and the Government of Wales Act 1998, Scottish Ministers and the National Assembly for Wales will assume responsibility for a range of functions which will depend, in part, on secondary legislation which has yet to be passed.

  In the case of Scotland, Government Departments are reviewing their programmes in the light of the Scotland Act to determine the extent of programme expenditure which may relate to functions which will transfer to Scottish Ministers.
  344
  In the case of the National Assembly for Wales, the Transfer of Functions Order, which was published in draft form for public consultation on 12 November, will transfer certain ministerial functions to the National Assembly for Wales. Work continues on finalising the draft Order and determining the programme expenditure which relates to those functions which will transfer.

  Following devolution, the question of whether or not expenditure by UK Ministers is ultra vires will rest primarily with those Ministers acting on the advice of their Accounting Officers. In the unlikely even that there is a disagreement over whether such funding is ultra vires for UK Ministers, as defined by both primary and secondary legislation, the disagreement would usually be resolved through discussion between the relevant administrations. Failing this, the final arbiter would be the courts.

  Privy Council
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will review the criteria used in formulating advice on appointments to the Privy Council. [62165]

  The Prime Minister
  Membership of the Privy Council is normally reserved for those who are involved in affairs of State and who have a close and confidential relationship with the Crown. In practice, this means those who have obtained high office in the executive or the judicial branches of the State either in this country or in one of the countries of which The Queen is Head of State. It follows that most new Privy Councillors are serving Ministers, Judges or Commonwealth appointments. I have no plans to review the criteria.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Chile
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Attorney-General which law officers have met the Foreign Minister of Chile in the past two months; and for what purpose. [63524]

  The Attorney-General
  Neither.

TREASURY

  Fuel Duty (Northern Ireland)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what schemes he has evaluated to assist petrol retailers in Northern Ireland to cope with differential rates of excise duty in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. [62236]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 3 December 1998]: The lead on this is being taken by HM Customs & Excise which, in conjunction with other authorities, including the Royal Ulster Constabulary, is acting to counter the threat posed to legitimate petrol retailers, the wider business community and the collection of revenue. While my right hon. Friend sees no grounds for specific assistance to Northern Ireland petrol retailers, some of the measures in the £315 million Economic Initiative he announced last May are likely to be directly beneficial to Northern Ireland petrol retailers. The measures included the extension of 100 per cent. capital

  345
  allowances on expenditure by small and medium enterprises on machinery or plant used in Northern Ireland and a substantial and extensive capital investment in Northern Ireland's road network.

  Economic Cycle
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the length of the current economic cycle. [62439]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 8 December 1998]: The Pre-Budget Report (cm. 4076) reported that the economy is estimated to have been on trend in the first half of 1997 (paragraph A39), and is not assumed to reach an equivalent point until 2002 (paragraph A54, chart A4 refers).

  Abortion
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what area of residence, other than health authorities, statistics are collected on abortions performed by the NHS. [63606]

  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. Neil Gerrard, dated 14 December 1998:
  As Director of the Office of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent question on the areas for which abortion statistics are collected.
  Under Section 2(2) of the Abortion Act 1967, registered medical practitioners must notify the Chief Medical Officer of every completed termination of pregnancy, and the ONS undertakes the statistical processing of the abortions data. Data is currently published at NHS Executive Regional Office level and health authority level.

  Wages
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were in April the number and proportion of(a) male, (b) female and (c) all (i) full-time manual, (ii) full-time non-manual and (iii) full-time employees on adult rates earning less than (1) £181.40, (2) £241.86 and (3) £261.46 per week excluding overtime in (A) each county and unitary authority in England, (B) each unitary authority in Wales, (C) each London borough, (D) each unitary authority in Scotland, (E) Great Britain as a whole, (F) England as a whole and (G) each Government office region. [63496]

  Ms Hewitt
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Director of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply. A copy of the tables referred to will be placed in the Library.

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Huw Edwards, dated 14 December 1998:
  As the Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS),I have been asked to reply to your recent question requesting earnings information for a range of geographical areas.
  The latest available information, from New Earnings Survey (NES) April 1998, is contained in the attached tables.
  I will arrange for a copy of this letter to be placed in the Library.

  Paymaster General
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will list the areas of tax policy in which the Paymaster General has been involved since 2 May 1997; and if he will make a statement; [63498]

  (2) which Minister is responsible for the review of corporate taxation; and if he will make a statement; [63499]

  (3) what are the reasons for changes in the policy responsibilities of the Paymaster General in relation to tax matters in the last eight months; and if he will make a statement. [63497]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  I am responsible for all decisions on matters of tax policy.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes he plans in the responsibilities of the Paymaster General. [63511]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  None.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Modernisation of the House
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the President of the Council what progress she has made in modernising the procedures of the House. [62170]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The House recently approved the Modernisation Committee's proposals on the scrutiny of European documents and will consider its report on the parliamentary calendar this Wednesday.

PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the President of the Council when she intends to publish the next quarterly return on the progress of Government Departments towards millennium compliance. [62167]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I announced the results of the latest quarterly review in a statement to the House on 2 December 1998,Official Report, columns 902–05. Copies of the individual return from Departments and agencies have been placed in the Libraries of the House and published on the internet.

  Helen Jones
  To ask the President of the Council if she will make a statement on the progress being made in terms of the preparedness of the national infrastructure to cope with the millennium date change. [62169]

  Mrs. Beckett
  Responsible departments and regulators are working with the major infrastructure providers to ensure that they are taking proper steps to tackle the Millennium bug.

  We have also set up through Action 2000 a National Infrastructure Forum. The Forum brings together the main providers and users of infrastructure services to share best practice and information about their state of preparedness.
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  A key part of the Forum's work is an Independent Assessment Project to assess the state of preparedness of key infrastructure services, including the electricity, water, fuels, telecommunications and financial sectors. The results of the first assessment of the water industry were announced by OFWAT on 22 October. The first results for the other key sectors should be available early in the New Year.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Digital Television
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plan he has to ensure that digital television will be available to the most remote communities in Britain. [62142]

  Janet Anderson
  Digital terrestrial television services began on 15 November and will reach 90 per cent. of the UK population by the end of next year. Digital satellite services currently reach much of the UK and digital cable services are likely to begin next year. Extending digital services beyond the terrestrial launch phase to other parts of the UK, including remote communities, was one of the issues raised in our consultation paper 'Television: the Digital Future'. The responses to that paper are currently being evaluated. Once that process is complete the Government will be in a position to consider with the broadcasters the next steps towards extending digital services across the UK.

  Millennium Fund
  Mrs. Heal
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what contribution the millennium fund will make to tackling social exclusion. [62143]

  Ms Ward
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what contribution the millennium fund plans to make to projects to tackle social exclusion. [62154]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The Government have sought to ensure that the Millennium celebrations will be inclusive, involving people from all religious and cultural backgrounds, all social groups and all areas of the United Kingdom. We also want to see a lasting legacy from the celebrations. Many of the projects funded by the Millennium Commission—particularly through their Awards scheme—will strengthen local community infrastructure and encourage active citizenship in both urban and rural areas.

  Strategic Authority for Tourism
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the role of a strategic authority for tourism in England. [62144]

  Janet Anderson
  My Department launched a consultation exercise on 24 July which sought views on a variety of issues, including a strategic authority for English tourism. (The main conclusions of the consultation were made public this morning). A majority 348
  of the responses we received confirmed my view that there is a need for a national body of this type to support the new tourism strategy.

  Broadcasting Standards
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what measures he is taking to reduce the number of profane and lewd broadcasts on television. [62146]

  Janet Anderson
  Broadcasters are subject to the general law and are required to comply with the regulators' guidelines on programme content. It is a long-standing and, I believe, a fundamental principle that Government do not intervene directly in issues of broadcasting content. Responsibility for enforcing the rules lies with the regulators, who are charged with safeguarding the public interest.

  New Opportunities Fund
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the funding of the new opportunities fund between 1997 and 2005. [62147]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  I have announced New Opportunities Fund programmes of £1.4 billion to date. I have made no estimate of the Fund's income beyond the life of the current licence, which expires in September 2001.

  Culture (Devolved Responsibility)
  Mrs. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what proposals he has to devolve responsibility for culture to the regions. [62148]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  A new body will be established in each region to provide a strong, strategic voice for all cultural interests. A number of the public bodies sponsored by my Department are also delegating more responsibility to the regions. Further details are contained in the announcement which my right hon. Friend made earlier today on the results of the Department's Comprehensive Spending Review.

  National Lottery
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has for the selection procedures for an operator for the national lottery when Camelot's licence expires. [62149]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The selection procedures for the next Lottery operator will be determined by the National Lottery Commission, which will take over the functions of the Director General of the National Lottery next year. The Commission will make its decision in line with its statutory responsibilities and my directions.

  Lottery Awards (Distribution)
  Angela Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has received about the equality of distribution of lottery awards. [62150]
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  Mr. Chris Smith
  I frequently receive representations about different aspects of the National Lottery, including the equality of the distribution of awards.

  We are determined to ensure that Lottery money is allocated more fairly and equitably in the light of need across the whole of the United Kingdom and between different groups in society. The National Lottery Act 1998 requires distributors to show how they will achieve this in their strategic plans.

  Performing Arts (Social Exclusion)
  Miss Begg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the contribution the performing arts can make to reducing social exclusion. [62151]

  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the contribution of the performing arts to measures to reduce social exclusion. [62156]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  One of my Department's principal objectives is to promote the role of the Department's sectors, including the performing arts, in combating social exclusion. The New Audiences Fund will continue to support projects which broaden access for young people and others who would not normally have an opportunity to experience the arts. Furthermore, as part of our contribution to the Government's forthcoming strategy for neighbourhood renewal, my Department is chairing an action team which will report on best practice in using the arts and sport to combat social exclusion.

  Good Causes (Distribution of Funds)
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the amount of money available to be distributed for each of the good causes for(a) 1998–99, (b) 1999–2000 and (c) 2000–2001 and the percentages these represent of total funds available for distribution by the good causes. [62152]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The Lottery is now set to raise £10.6 billion for good causes over the licence period, £600 million above previous forecasts.

  As I have explained to the hon. Member previously, we are currently discussing with the distributing bodies how best to adjust their percentage shares in order to achieve the intended allocation of the extra £600 million. Until these discussions are complete, the annual income assumptions for the good causes cannot be finalised. We plan to lay an Order as soon as possible giving effect to these adjustments.

  Arts (Public Funding)
  Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he will take steps to ensure the more equitable geographical distribution of public funding for arts. [62153]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  My right hon. Friend announced this morning an extra £123 million for the Arts Council of England over the next three years. The Arts Council will be announcing later this week how they propose to allocate these extra funds among the Regional Arts Board.

  International Sports
  Mr. Caplin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on his policy for promoting success for Britain in international sports competitions. [62155]

  Mr. Banks
  The package of reforms we announced in July to establish the Sports Cabinet and strengthen the United Kingdom Sports Council will ensure our top sportsmen and women receive the very best support which will enable them to continue competing successfully on the international stage.

  Writers (Financial Assistance)
  Mr. McWalter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to provide financial assistance to writers of works of non-fiction. [62158]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The Arts Council of England, which my Department funds, supports writers of literature including writers of biography and autobiography.

  Television Coverage (Sports)
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to ensure that a higher proportion of major sporting events, with particular reference to rugby union, is accessible to all television licence payers. [62159]

  Janet Anderson
  Following my Department's review of listed events earlier this year, we revised the list to allow the ITC to protect free-to-air coverage of more events than ever before. The list now includes international rugby union for the first time. Matches involving the home countries in the Five Nations tournament and the whole of the Rugby Union World Cup finals tournament were included in the new list which my right hon. Friend announced on 25 June 1998,Official Report, columns 600–01.

  Football Regulator
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will appoint a football regulator. [62160]

  Mr. Banks
  The management and development of individual sports is the responsibility of the appropriate governing bodies. We have recognised the special role football plays in this country by establishing the Football Task Force to investigate issues of concern to all those involved with the game. The Task Force is currently considering the complex issues associated with the commercial aspects of the game, which may include whether some kind of football regulator is required. I look forward to receiving the Task Force's commercial report.

  Sponsorship (Sports)
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions he has had with sporting governing bodies about sponsorship. [62127]

  Mr. Banks
  My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and I held meetings last year with sports likely to be affected by the ban on tobacco sponsorship. Since then
  351
  my officials have been in regular contact with them. We have been seeking detailed background information on the sports and current contracts with the tobacco companies, so the expert group I have set up can judge how best to help the sports attract alternative sponsors.

  Industrial Heritage
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent steps he has taken to support Britain's industrial heritage. [62139]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  I was very pleased to be able to announce to the House on 9 November 1998,Official Report, column 59, that my Department will pay an annual revenue subsidy grant to the National Coal Mining Museum for England from next year. The Museum, based at the former Caphouse Colliery near Wakefield, has a fascinating story to tell about an industry which, both economically and socially, has been of enormous importance to this country.

  Hinduja
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what grant applications his Department has received from the Hinduja group of companies since 1 May 1997; and what grants have been paid. [62240]

  Janet Anderson
  [holding answer 3 December 1998]: I am not aware that any grant applications to my Department have been submitted by the Hinduja group of companies. However, to confirm that there have been no such applications would entail disproportionate cost to the Department, given the number of Grant Schemes administered by the Department and the fact that the Hinduja Group consists of a large number of companies with different names.

  Television Licences
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the number of units of accommodation for which there should be a television licence; how many licences were issued for(a) monochrome and (b) colour receivers; and how many people were reported for failing to possess a television licence in the last year for which figures are available. [63314]

  Janet Anderson
  The estimated number of premises requiring a television licence as at 31 March 1998 was 23.6 million. At that date, there were 21.3 million colour television licences and 379,000 black and white television licences in force. During the year to 31 March 1998, 364,000 prosecution statements were taken in respect of television licence fee evasion and there were 112,000 prosecutions.

  Scottish Devolution
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) if he will list(a) by programme over £50,000 and (b) the total of spending by his Department in Scotland on the identifiable spending areas detailed in Table 7.6A of the Public Expenditure Statistical Analysis 1997–98 (Cmnd 3601); which of these programmes will fall solely or jointly under the responsibility of the Scottish
  352
  Parliament; and what arrangements are in place to transfer control of funds for these projects to the Scottish Executive or Parliament; [63288]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the programmes which it will be ultra vires for this Department to fund or have sole responsibility for after devolution; if he will list these programmes; and if he will make a statement. [63289]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 10 December 1998]: Under the terms of the Scotland Act 1998, the Scottish Ministers will assume responsibility for a range of devolved functions which will in part depend on secondary legislation which has yet to be passed. My Department is reviewing its programmes in the light of the Scotland Act. It is too early to say to what extent programme expenditure which is currently administered by the Department may relate to functions which will transfer to Scottish Ministers. Work is taking place to establish the extent of any such expenditure and to assess the need for any consequential transfer of funds to the Scottish Ministers. For the total spending by the Department in Scotland I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury to the hon. Member for North Tayside (Mr. Swinney) on 4 November 1998, Official Report, column 615.

  "A New Approach to Investment in Culture"
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he expects to publish his conclusions on the matters raised in his consultation paper, "A New Approach to Investment in Culture", of 24 July 1998. [63668]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The consultation paper which I issued in July contained a number of proposals for change in sectors for which my Department is responsible. At the same time I was able to announce an extra £290 million for those sectors over the next three years. Today I am publishing the conclusions I have reached in the light of the consultation, together with the detailed allocation of funding to sponsored bodies.

  Some of the main conclusions from the document are:
  a new watchdog to monitor and improve standards of efficiency and financial management and promote quality across all our sectors;
  streamlining of national bodies in the arts and crafts, the built heritage, film and museums and libraries to improve the delivery of services across these sectors
  a more effective, slimmer national strategic body for tourism in England
  a new national body to champion architecture
  a stronger voice for culture in the English regions, and a DCMS presence in all Government Offices
  new three year funding agreements with DCMS's sponsored bodies, placing clear responsibilities on those bodies to deliver our objectives against demanding targets.

  Copies of the document—"A New Cultural Framework"—have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Coalfield Communities
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what action he has taken to increase access to Lottery funds for former coalfield communities in the East Midlands. [62157]

  Mr. Banks
  I recognise that certain areas, including coalfields communities, have done less well than others from Lottery funding. My Department hosted a conference in Barnsley on 10 November to discuss how the Lottery can assist in the regeneration of the coalfields. In addition, we are working with the distributors to investigate the reasons for the low take-up of funds in many coalfield areas.

  The National Lottery Act 1998 contains a number of measures designed to bring about a fairer and more equitable distribution of funds across all regions and parts of the UK. It requires distributors to examine the needs of their sectors systematically and to draw up strategic plans which reflect those needs and their proposals for addressing them; it gives distributors new powers to encourage specific applications which do not come forward spontaneously; and it enables them to delegate decision-making closer to the grass roots and to enter into joint schemes.

  All of these measures will help to deliver more Lottery money to coalfield areas.

  Rugby League
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has for establishing a centre of excellence for Rugby League. [62137]

  Mr. Banks
  It is the responsibility of the Rugby Football League to consider whether they wish to establish a centre of excellence and, if so, to come forward with proposals on how they might link this into the facilities and services of the UK Sports Institute.

  Sporting Events
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on his efforts to bring top-class sporting events to the UK. [62145]

  Mr. Banks
  This Government are committed to providing the strongest possible promotional and diplomatic support for the bidding and staging of major sporting events in the UK. We are already providing strong support for the bids for the 2003 World Athletics Championships and the 2006 World Cup. In addition, I am working closely with the British Olympic Association to ensure that all the ingredients are in place to mount a winnable bid for the Olympic Games at the earliest possible date.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Medway Secure Training Centre
  Dr. Vis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library a copy of the procedure on public interest disclosure operated by Rebound for staff at the Medway Secure Training Centre. [63173]
  354
  Mr. Boateng
  I am not aware of any such document. Clause 68 of the contract with Rebound for the provision of the Medway Secure Training centre deals with confidential information and use of documents. A copy of the contract was placed in the Library on 11 March 1997.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Robert Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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. [62827]

  Mr. Straw
  At present, two people in the Home Office are recorded centrally as being on secondment from private companies. One is from Barclays Bank plc and is working in the Home Office Strategy Unit as part of a Home Office team advising on internal management issues, such as finance, Information Technology, and business change. The other is from the Refugee Council and is working in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate, assisting on reviewing the level of asylum seeker support arrangements.

  Shapurji Saklatvala
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 3 December 1998,Official Report, columns 251–52, on Shapurji Saklatvala, when the security service expects to begin its review of its inter—war records in preparation for further releases. [63236]

  Mr. Straw
  The Security Service plans to begin releasing material from World War Two in January 1999. The process of reviewing for release its quite extensive stock of records for that period will take some time to complete. Under current plans, I do not expect the Service to begin reviewing its inter—war records before the year 2000.

  Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what plans he has to uprate the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme tariff for inflation; and if he will make a statement; [63389]

  (2) what representations he has received about changes to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme; and if he will make a statement. [63390]

  Mr. Boateng
  We have received representations and inquiries about changes to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme from a number of bodies, including the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers, the Law Society, the Victim Support National Office and local victim support schemes, and the Trades Union Congress. Individual members of the public have also put their views to us. We have been considering these, along with the findings which emerged from the Comprehensive Spending Review. We hope to be able to announce fairly early in the New Year how we intend to take matters forward.

  Public Service Vehicles Regulations
  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions there have been in
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  each of the last five years for contravention of paragraph 4 of the Public Service Vehicles (Conduct of Drivers, Inspectors, Conductors and Passengers) Regulations 1990. [63679]

  Mr. Boateng
  Unfortunately, information collected centrally on the Home Office Court Proceedings Database does not distinguish offences committed under paragraph 4 of the Public Service Vehicles (Conduct of Drivers, Inspectors, Conductors and Passengers) Regulations 1990 from other summary offences.

  However, I understand that since February 1996, when computerised records began, the Vehicle Inspectorate has recorded no prosecutions in England and Wales under the provisions of paragraph 4.

  Sex Offenders
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he was notified by the Department for Education and Employment of cases in which convicted sex offenders have been offered placements working with children under the new deal programme. [63889]

  Mr. Boateng
  These allegations were brought to my Department's attention by officials in the Department for Education and Employment on 8 December.

  Neighbourhood Watch
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of neighbourhood watch schemes. [63420]

  Mr. Boateng
  The most recent research was a survey of 120 neighbourhood watch co-ordinators from a representative range of police force areas in England and Wales carried out in 1997. This concluded that neighbourhood watches could be a useful aid to the police but also identified areas of potential improvement, for example, the need to involve young people more in neighbourhood watch work. The Home Office and the National Neighbourhood Watch Association are working jointly to achieve these improvements.

  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of neighbourhood watch schemes, with particular reference to security for the elderly. [63421]

  Mr. Boateng
  A survey of 120 neighbourhood watch scheme co-ordinators from a representative range of police force areas in England and Wales was carried out in 1997. Guidance subsequently issued to neighbourhood watch co-ordinators emphasises the need to address personal safety issues, including those of the elderly.

  I recently attended the National Neighbourhood Watch and was pleased to see that the National award was won by Wrexham Neighbourhood Watch Action and Advice Unit. As one of its diverse activities, it gives special help to the elderly and its example will be used to promote good practice within the neighbourhood watch movement.

  Senator Pinochet
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost to date to public funds is for the extradition proceedings against Senator Pinochet; and if he will make a statement. [63833]
  356
  Mr. Straw
  Figures are not yet available. Costs in extradition proceedings are generally treated on a reciprocal basis. In this case, the United Kingdom is responsible for the costs of processing extradition requests made from Spain. In return, Spain is responsible for the costs of processing extradition requests made from the United Kingdom.

  The House of Lords awarded costs against Senator Pinochet for proceedings before the House of Lords and the Divisional Court. I was awarded costs against Senator Pinochet in the Divisional Court.

  Criminal Records Bureau
  Dr. Desmond Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to provide for criminal record checks by implementing Part V of the Police Act 1997. [64102]

  Mr. Straw
  In order to implement Part V of the Police Act 1997, we will set up the Criminal Records Bureau. The Bureau will be established in Merseyside under the management of the United Kingdom Passport Agency, which has a proven track record of discreet delivery of a large application driven service. Appropriate use will be made of public private partnerships to contain set up and running costs, but the core work of examining records and issuing certificates will be handled by civil servants within the Bureau. Once established, it will be self financing through charging for each certificate to be issued as provided for under the 1997 Act. All applicants for certificates will be required to pay a fee which, depending on the level of certificate sought, we estimate will cost between five and ten pounds.

  The Government's main objective in introducing these arrangements is to strengthen the safeguards for the protection of children. In line with this, and to ensure a smooth transition from the current arrangements for employment vetting checks of police records, the Bureau will phase in the issue of the three types of certificate provided for under the Act. Top priority will be given to the issue of certificates for those seeking positions which involve regularly caring for, training, supervising or being in sole charge of persons aged under 18. The Government are no less concerned about the need for similar safeguards to protect vulnerable adults; extending these arrangements to this area will require careful consideration and consultation.

  We estimate that it will take some two years to establish the Bureau. In this time, we intend to consult widely on all aspects of the Bureau's operation to ensure that it meets the needs of the community.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Solicitors (Convictions)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will introduce legislation to ensure that solicitors convicted of a crime are struck off. [62850]

  Mr. Hoon
  Section 47 of the Solicitors Act 1974 gives the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal the power to strike a solicitor off the roll if it thinks fit. The Government have no plans to amend this provision.

  Legal Aid (Reform)
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if additional resources will accompany reform of the legal aid system to assist those who cannot afford basic legal services. [62910]

  Mr. Hoon
  We will be spending £248 million more on legal aid over the next three years than the previous Government intended. In addition, we will refocus those resources on areas of greatest need, such as social welfare and public interest work, and will achieve the maximum value for the resources available. Removing legal aid where a suitable alternative exists, and the greater control of cost that the reforms will bring, will enable us to devote more funds to these areas. As a first step, the Lord Chancellor recently announced the allocation of a minimum of £20m for the expansion of advice and assistance services provided by the not-for-profit sector. In addition, more people in future will be able to get advice and assistance, by allowing in people who can afford to pay a contribution but who are entirely excluded now on financial grounds. The extension in July of conditional fee agreements to all civil cases will also greatly improve access to justice for people who cannot themselves afford legal help and do not qualify for legal aid.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Robert Jackson
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department 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. [62835]

  Mr. Hoon
  Garry Hart is the only special adviser in this Department. He advises on the full range of issues for which the Lord Chancellor is responsible, with the explicit exception of the following areas:the appointment, deployment and terms and conditions of individual judges (and papers relating to these matters); and
  Departmental staff matters.

  Garry Hart's appointment is subject to the usual security clearance arrangements.

  Mr. Robert Jackson
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list(a)the (i) task forces, (ii) review panels and (iii) advisory groups his Department has, (b) the remit of each and (c) the members of each together with their principal employment and their level of remuneration. [62802]

  Mr. Hoon
  A list has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Robert Jackson
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department 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. [62828]

  Mr. Hoon
  No one within the Lord Chancellor's Department Headquarters is currently on secondment from a private company.

  Legal Education and Conduct
  Jacqui Smith
  To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department when the Lord Chancellor's Advisory Committee on Legal Education and Conduct intends to publish its Seventh Annual report. [64007]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Lord Chancellor's Advisory Committee on Legal Education and Conduct has today published its seventh annual report, and copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

HEALTH

  ENT Clinics
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time is for routine appointments at ENT clinics in(a) England and Wales and (b) Portsmouth. [62489]

  Mr. Milburn
  Information on average waiting times for an outpatient appointment are not collected centrally. However, in England during the second quarter of 1998–99, 72 per cent. of patients were seen within 13 weeks of a general practitioner written referral for a first outpatient appointment at an ear nose and throat clinic, with 95 per cent. of patients seen within 26 weeks.

  During the same period, in Portsmouth and South East Hampshire Health Authority 93 per cent. of patients were seen within 13 weeks of a GP written referral for a first outpatient appointment at an ENT clinic, with 97 per cent. seen within 26 weeks.

  Waiting times at ENT clinics in Wales are a matter for my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Ministerial E-mail Address
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his e-mail address. [62555]

  Ms Jowell
  The Secretary of State for Health does not currently have an e-mail address.

  Aromatherapy
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans his Department has to regulate the practice of aromatherapy. [63043]

  Ms Jowell
  The Department does not directly regulate any professional practice. Our policy is to encourage responsible, accountable self-regulation. Our main concern is to help health care professions who have statutory basis for their self-regulation to modernise and strengthen it. Other professions may want to put their self-regulation onto a statutory basis. This is a laudable ambition, but there is much to be done and we must give priority to the professions which provide the majority of services to National Health Service patients.

  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the number of aromatherapists who are currently practising in the UK. [63086]

  Ms Jowell
  The Department does not routinely collect statistics on the number of complementary therapy practitioners in the United Kingdom. A survey
  359
  carried out for the Department by the University of Exeter in 1997 estimated that there were approximately 5,900 aromatherapists practising in the UK at that time.

  Herbal Remedies
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans the Medical Control Agency has to review the status of soft licence herbal remedies. [63085]

  Ms Jowell
  There is no category of soft licensed herbal remedies in the United Kingdom. Herbal remedies require marketing authorisation, unless exempted from the requirement for a product licence under the terms of Section 12 of the Medicines Act 1968.

  Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors Act 1979
  Mr. Grogan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress he has made with the independent and fundamental review of the current operations of the five statutory bodies created by the Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors Act 1979. [62689]

  Mr. Milburn
  We are considering the report of the review. An announcement will be made as soon as possible.

  Funeral Costs
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research has been undertaken by his Department on the effects of recent changes to Social Security Fund payments on the numbers of section 46 funerals. [62790]

  Ms Jowell
  None. Payments have been made from the Social Fund for some years for a funeral service and burial or cremation. Certain additional expenses have been met since 1997, but these are unlikely to affect the number of funerals paid for by local authorities.

  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance has been issued to local authorities regarding the manner in which section 46 funerals should be conducted. [62791]

  Ms Jowell
  Guidance on the detailed interpretation of the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984, including guidance on section 46, was issued by the Public Health Legal Information Unit in 1994.

  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average cost is of a section 46 funeral; and what is the average level of payment made by the Social Fund. [62789]

  Ms Jowell
  The Department does not record local authority payments for funerals carried out under section 46 of the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984. Questions on payments from the Social Fund are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security.

  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many funerals were provided by local authorities in England and Wales under section 46 of the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 in each year since 1990. [62792]

  Ms Jowell
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  Emergency Treatment Fees (Road Accidents)
  Mr. Cann
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his policy on emergency treatment fees in the NHS for road accidents. [63163]

  Mr. Hutton
  We intend to end collection of the Emergency Treatment Fee by National Health Service trusts. An amendment to section 158 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, removing the right of NHS trusts to the Fee, is contained in the Road Traffic (NHS Charges) Bill which was introduced in the House on 27 November 1998.

  Clinical Waste Disposal
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the cost to the NHS of making rigid containers for clinical waste mandatory. [63162]

  Mr. Milburn
  It is not possible to estimate the cost to the National Health Service of making rigid containers for clinical waste mandatory.

  The requirement to provide rigid containers for clinical waste results from a European Community Directive. The Directive only applies where clinical waste is transported on public road or rail. This is then the responsibility of the waste contractor. However, if the contractor is faced with increased costs to replace containers, this is likely to be reflected in the contract price charged to the trust. Industry is looking into whether their existing systems meet these requirements. The outcome of this is awaited.

  ME Specialist Consultants
  Mr. Anthony D. Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures he is taking to increase the number of qualified ME specialist consultants in the NHS. [63229]

  Mr. Milburn
  Consultants from a number of different specialties are involved in the care of patients with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. Since February 1995, the Specialty Workforce Advisory Group (SWAG) has been advising the Government about the numbers of doctors in higher specialist training needed in all Hospital and Community Health Service specialties to meet estimated requirements for consultants four to six years hence. SWAG's planning process takes account of the views of the National Health Service and the medical profession about service needs. It is for NHS trusts and health authorities to determine locally how the consultants, produced following national workforce planning, are deployed.

  Scottish Devolution
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list(a) by programme over £50,000 and (b) the total spending by his Department in Scotland on the identifiable spending areas detailed in Table 7.6A of the Public Expenditure Statistical Analysis 1997–98 (Cmnd 3601); which of these programmes will fall solely or jointly under the responsibility of the Scottish Parliament; and what arrangements are in place to transfer control of funds for these projects to the Scottish Executive or Parliament; [63294]
  361
  (2) what assessment he has made of the programmes which it will be ultra vires for his Department to fund or have sole responsibility for after devolution; if he will list these programmes; and if he will make a statement; [63295]

  (3) how much is spent annually by his Department on research programmes in Scotland; and what proportion of this funding will be transferred to the Scottish Parliament after devolution. [63293]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 10 December 1998]: Under the terms of the Scotland Act 1998, the Scottish Ministers will assume responsibility for a range of devolved functions which will in part depend on secondary legislation which has yet to be passed. The Department is reviewing its programmes, including research components, in the light of the Scotland Act. It is too early to provide a clear picture of the extent to which programme expenditure which is currently administered by the Department may relate to functions which will transfer to Scottish Ministers. Work is taking place to establish the extent of any such expenditure and to assess the need for any consequential transfer of funds to the Scottish Ministers.

  Elderly Patients (Emergency Readmissions)
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 2 December 1998,Official Report, column 210, concerning hospital readmissions, if he will list the figures for the total number of people aged over 75 years discharged in each quarter since emergency readmissions statistics were first collected, (a) in total and (b) by region. [63423]

  Mr. Milburn
  Copies of the information requested are available in Library.

  The number of patients who are readmitted to hospital is related to the number of patients who have been discharged. The number of patients aged over 75 and over discharged from hospital and the per cent. of patients aged over 75 and over readmitted to hospital within 28 days have also been provided.

  Food Poisoning
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many outbreaks of food poisoning there were in each county in each of the last five years; [63519]

  (2) if he will publish a monthly breakdown of outbreaks of food poisoning in each of the last five years. [63333]

  Ms Jowell
  Data on general outbreaks of foodborne illness, broken down by health authority, are published on a monthly basis in the Public Health Laboratory Service's Communicable Disease Report (CDR), copies of which are available in the Library. CDR also publishes quarterly data by local authority. Copies of CDR and data for specific food poisoning organisms can be found on PHLS' website; the address is www.phls.co.uk.

  Primary Care Groups
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library all guidance given to health 362
  authorities on (a) methods of recruitment and (b) criteria for recruitment of lay members of primary care groups. [63179]

  Mr. Milburn
  Copies of all guidance on Primary Care Groups are available in the Library.

  Mixed-sex Hospital Wards
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many mental health hospitals or psychiatric units in England have mixed-sex wards; and if he will list them. [63789]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information requested is not available centrally. However, the hon. Member may wish to consult the 'Report of Review of Health Authorities' Target Dates for Meeting Three Objectives to Eliminate Mixed Sex Hospital Accommodation', which was published in February 1998.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Millennium (Emergency Cover)
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 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. [62578]

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

  Insolvency Service
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the fees charged by the Insolvency Service. [63095]

  Dr. Howells
  Insolvency legislation provides for fees to be charged by Official Receivers in connection with the administration of bankruptcies and compulsory liquidations. Fees are also charged in relation to the operation of the Insolvency Services Account, for the authorisation of insolvency practitioners and for the performance by the Secretary of State of his general duties under the Insolvency Act 1986.

  The Insolvency Service publishes an annual report and accounts which includes information about its fee income, copies of which are available in the Library of the House.

  Millennium Dome (Sponsors)
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how much has(a) been paid or (b) been agreed to be paid by the New Millennium Experience Company to IMG; [62779]

  (2) what is the value of sponsorship money for the Millennium Exhibition raised by IMG. [62703]

  Mr. Mandelson
  [holding answer 7 December 1998]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given below to the hon. Member for Christchurch (Mr. Chope).
  363
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) which sponsors of the Millennium Dome have been recruited through the services of the International Management Group; [63113]

  (2) on what date and for what reason the contract between the New Millennium Experience Company and the International Management Group was terminated; [63114]

  (3) in respect of which of the sponsoring companies of the Millennium Dome a success fee has been paid to the International Management Group. [63115]

  Mr. Mandelson
  [holding answer 8 December 1998]: During the development of the Millennium Experience project, prior to the establishment of the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC), the Millennium Commission invited companies to tender to provide independent consultancy advice on the achievability of the sponsorship target and to quote their rates for raising sponsorship. IMG were the lowest bidder on both counts. Subsequent negotiations of the detail of the contract for raising sponsorship were conducted from late February 1997, by Millennium Central (the previous name of the NMEC). The key terms of the contract were reported to the House in my answers to the hon. Member for Herstmere (Mr. Clappison) on 17 July 1998, Official Report, column 324 and the right hon. Member for Horsham (Mr. Maude) on 17 July 1998, Official Report, column 327. At that stage both the NMEC and the Millennium Experience project were still in development—the sponsorship task; the nature of the offer to potential sponsors; and the overall sponsorship strategy had yet to be finally decided. Subsequent refinements of the task impacted on the nature of the work IMG were required to undertake. At the same time, NMEC's own in—house Commercial Department grew in expertise and strength. They are now well placed to deliver the remaining sponsorship necessary to meet the target of £150 million.

  In light of these developments, the NMEC and IMG have over the last few months been considering the terms of their original agreement. The parties have decided to terminate the arrangement by mutual agreement and NMEC have recorded their appreciation for the considerable contribution IMG has made to the project. The Legal documentation is currently being concluded. Details of the termination are commercially confidential. However, the fee payable to IMG represents the value of their support for, and assistance with, the NMEC's sponsorship work to date and is significantly less than the prospective fee of £9 million which I reported to the House on 17 July 1997, Official Report, column 324.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the sponsorship obtained for the Millennium Dome by(a) the International Management Group and (b) the New Millennium Experience Company by (i) name of sponsor and (ii) the amount secured. [62650]

  Mr. Mandelson
  [holding answer 8 December 1998]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given above to the hon. Member for Christchurch (Mr. Chope).

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he has taken to ensure that companies are able to ensure the millennium 364
  compliance of their computers; how much money he has spent on this; what percentage of the money has been given to Taskforce 2000; and if he will make a statement. [62412]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 8 December 1998]: The Department has set up Action 2000 to lead the work on behalf of Government in ensuring that businesses take effective measures to make their computer systems compliant with millennium date requirements. DTI has provided Action 2000 with £19.3 million of funding to support the work, of which some £9.0 million has been spent so far. Taskforce 2000 is a separate organisation which has received £0.35 million from the Department.

  Competitive Tendering (Departmental Projects)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for what reasons it is not normal departmental policy to disclose the names of firms participating in competitive tendering for departmental projects. [63493]

  Dr. Howells
  The Code of Practice on Access to Government Information is the benchmark by which we make public details of competitive tendering. The Department would not normally make known the names of individual bidders participating in such an exercise. It would be generally considered to prejudice the legitimate commercial interests of such persons. However if we were asked to reveal the names we would consult each of the companies involved and ask whether they were content for their identity to be revealed. If the companies wished their names to remain confidential we could not release this information unless there were an overriding public interest.

  Arms Exports
  Ms Jenny Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures are being taken to incorporate arms brokerage within arms trade regulations covering United Kingdom companies. [63434]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Government do already impose controls on trafficking and brokering under the United Nations Act 1946 where this is necessary to implement a binding United Nations decision.

  Section 3.3 of the White Paper on Strategic Export Controls, which was published on 1 July 1998, contains proposals to extend controls on trafficking and brokering to:
  countries subject to other types of embargo, whether as a result of non-binding decisions of the UN or decisions of the EU, Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe or the UK Government;
  certain types of equipment, the export from the UK of which, has been banned because of evidence that goods of the same type have been used in torture;
  missiles capable of a range of at least 300 km.

  The proposals in Section 3.1 of the White Paper, to extend current controls on weapons of mass destruction, also include trafficking and brokering activity.

  Now that the formal consultation process following publication of the White Paper has ended, we are reviewing all the proposals contained in the White Paper in the light of the responses received.

  Miller Civil Engineering Ltd.
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the official trading status of Miller Civil Engineering Ltd. [63317]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 10 December 1998]: The latest accounts delivered by Miller Civil Engineering Limited and made up to 31 December 1997 include the following statement in the Directors' report.
  'The company did not trade on its own account during the year but acted as agent on behalf of The Miller Group Limited whose principal activities included civil engineering'.

  EU Structural Funds
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if it his policy that Ireland should retain its Objective I status when the zones for EU aid are re-drawn. [63178]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 10 December 1998]: Decisions on EU Objective 1 funding for other member states are not a matter for the UK Government.

  Telephone Numbers
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many nine digit telephone numbers in the 0800 range have(a) been issued, (b) remain available to be issued and (c) are currently in use; and when the full range is expected to be in use. [63467]

  Mrs. Roche
  The 0800 nine-digit range was allocated by BT to itself in the time of its monopoly before 1984. When Oftel took over the administration of the Numbering Scheme from BT in 1994 unused portions ('blocks') of the 0800 nine digit range were recovered from BT and issued as ten digit numbers to other operators. BT has currently allocated over 80 per cent. of the 0800 nine digit capacity. No other operator has 0800 nine digit capacity.

  Because of BT's dominance in its holding of 0800 numbers BT was required to stop allocating new nine digit numbers to their customers from July 1997. Since that date BT has been issuing 0800 ten digit numbers out of allocations made to them by Oftel. The remaining unused 0800 nine digit numbers cannot be made available to other operators under current arrangements as they are in BT blocks. They therefore remain frozen pending the outcome of the current Oftel consultation on freephone numbers.

  The up to date figure for the quantity of 0800 nine digit numbers in use is not information held by Oftel as it relates to BT and its customers. However, it is generally recognised that between 80,000 and 100,000 such numbers are in use.

  It is the intention of the current consultation on freephone numbers to decide on an arrangement that will make available the full range of 0800.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many responses have been received to OFTEL's consultation document, Freephone Numbers: Options for the Future, from(a) businesses, (b) network
  366
  operators, (c) telecom advisory committees and (d) others; and how many responses from each group (i) supported and (ii) opposed options 1 and/or 2. [63522]

  Mrs. Roche
  Oftel has received submissions to its consultation document Freephone Numbers: Options for the Future from 168 respondees. Responses are divided into the following categories:a) Businesses—128 responses
  Consisting of 66 supporting the Freephone User Group (FUG) responses, 26 supporting the Direct Marketing Association responses and 36 other business responses.
  b) Network operators—8 responses
  c) Telecommunications Advisory Groups—21 responses
  d) Others—11 responses
  Consisting of 2 Consultants, 2 Consumer Groups, 5 Trade Bodies and 3 residential users. The numbers of responses that (i) supported and (ii) opposed options 1 and/or 2 are shown in the table below.

  Support

  Oppose

  Option 1

  Option 2

  Option 1

  Option 2

  (a) Businesses

  2

  3

  93

  97

  FUG

  0

  0

  66

  66

  DMA

  0

  0

  26

  26

  Others

  0

  3

  0

  5

  (b) Operators

  1

  6

  3

  0

  (c) TACs

  0

  19

  1

  0

  (d) Others

  2

  4

  2

  2

  Total

  5

  32

  98

  99

  Hallmarking
  Ms Rosie Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on forthcoming changes to the Hallmarking Act 1973. [64080]

  Mr. Mandelson
  The Hallmarking (Hallmarking Act Amendment) Regulations and the Hallmarking (Hallmarking Act Amendment) Order 1998 were laid in Parliament on Friday 4 December 1998.

  These will align UK law with EU single market rules whilst ensuring that UK manufacturers can remain competitive at home and in Europe. The specific changes are as follows:

  Section 2 of the Act is amended so as to recognise certain hallmarks from other European countries as "approved hallmarks". This follows a 1994 European Court of Justice Judgment in the case of Houtwipper (Case C-293/93) which ruled that Member States which prohibited the sale of articles of precious metal not hallmarked in accordance with national laws would not be in breach of single market rules provided that such articles did not already bear hallmarks struck by an independent body in accordance with the legislation of the exporting Member State, containing information which was equivalent to that provided by the hallmarks of the importing Member State and which was intelligible to consumers in that Member State. As a result, articles of precious metal bearing hallmarks which meet these criteria will be able to be offered for sale in the UK without, as previously, having to be re-hallmarked.
  367
  The distinction between UK manufactured articles and imports is to be ended so that the same marks will be struck on both UK and imported articles. This, also, is designed to align UK law with single market rules.

  The range of finenesses to which articles can be hallmarked in the UK is increased to include new standards (both higher and lower) in addition to those traditionally recognised in the UK. This will ensure that UK manufacturers can compete on an equal basis with European counterparts. Consumers also stand to benefit from being able to purchase a wider range of items of jewellery and other precious articles of a standard of purity which could not previously be sold as precious articles in the UK.

  The fineness of UK hallmarked articles will from now on be expressed millesimally. This means that the striking of traditional marks such as the crown for gold and the orb for platinum will become voluntary. This change will make hallmarks more readily understandable to consumers. This is especially important in view of the new increased range of finenesses.

  The requirement for the date letter to be struck alongside traditional UK hallmarks is ended although the date letter can continue to be struck on a voluntary basis. This change will place UK manufacturers on an equal footing with their European competitors.

  Finally, the date before which articles are exempt from hallmarking will be changed from 1900 to 1920 in response to concerns within the antiques trade about the inability to auction in the UK fine art works made between 1900 and 1920 which do not bear approved hallmarks.

  Science and Technology
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what actions he will take to ensure that Science and Technology issues are taken into account in the work of Government Departments. [64081]

  Mr. Mandelson
  I am today announcing a new group of Ministers who will have responsibility for supporting me in delivering my responsibility for science, engineering and technology across Government. I am looking to the new group to build on the work of the Ministerial Foresight Group—driving forward the Foresight Programme will be at the top of its agenda—and to ensure that the Government takes full advantage of UK scientific excellence in delivering its objectives.

  The new group, which will be chaired by the Minister for Science, Lord Sainsbury, will have the following membership:

  Minister

  Lord Sainsbury

  DTI (Chairman)

  Jeff Rooker MP

  Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  Peter Kilfoyle MP

  Cabinet Office

  Alan Howarth MP

  Department for Culture, Media and Sport

  George Mudie MP

  Department for Education and Employment

  Alan Meale MP

  Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions

  Derek Fatchett MP

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office

  368

  Minister

  Lady Hayman

  Department of Health

  Paul Boateng MP

  Home Office

  George Foulkes MP

  Department for International Development

  Adam Ingram MP

  Northern Ireland Office

  John Denham MP

  Department of Social Security

  John Battle MP

  DTI

  Geoffrey Robinson MP

  HM Treasury

  Helen Liddell MP

  Scottish Office

  Peter Hain MP

  Welsh Office

  The Minister for Defence Procurement will receive the papers and attend for relevant items and other Ministers will be invited where issues cover their areas of responsibility.

  Post Office
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if responsibility for the Pathway project will be vested in the Post Office under his proposals for the future of the Post Office. [63702]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  This project to automate the payment of social security benefit payments and a range of other services at post offices is being undertaken jointly by the Benefits Agency and Post Office Counters Ltd. under the Private Finance Initiative, with ICL Pathway as the private sector partner.

  The proposals announced by my right hon. Friend on 7 December 1998, Official Report, columns 21–24, on the future of the Post Office do not affect existing responsibilities for this project.

  Wassenaar Arrangement
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if officials from his Department were present at the December meeting of the Wassenaar Arrangement in Vienna. [63523]

  Mr. Mandelson
  The Department of Trade and Industry is regularly represented at meetings of participants in the Wassenaar Arrangement. Two officials of the DTI's Export Control Organisation attended the Plenary meeting of the Arrangement in Vienna on 2 and 3 December 1998.

  Minimum Wage
  Mrs. Humble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received on the range of training programmes designated as accredited training under the draft national minimum wage regulations; and if he will make a statement on the reasons which underlay the decision not to designate as accredited training programmes the full list of programmes recommended by the Low Pay Commission. [63701]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The Government have received a number of representations on the draft National Minimum Wage Regulations dealing with the training programmes which might be designated as accredited training.

  The Low Pay Commission did not define accredited training and the programmes it should cover. It is important that the programmes to be designated as accredited training should be verifiable. The draft

  369
  Regulations, therefore, proposed that courses specified in Schedule 2(a) to the Further and Higher Education Act 1992, training in Scotland leading to an award by the Scottish Qualifications Authority and equivalent vocational training in Northern Ireland might be defined as accredited training. The consultation exercise on the draft Regulations invited suggestions for alternative forms of training which might be included and these are being considered.

  Mrs. Humble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the impact of the national minimum wage on the activity holiday industry; what representations he has received from the industry in relation to the draft national minimum wage regulations; and if he will make a statement. [63698]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The Government share the Low Pay Commission's view that the national minimum wage at the levels we propose is sensible and will not adversely affect business competitiveness or employment. We have received a number of representations from the activity holiday industry and others on the draft national minimum wage regulations. We are currently considering those representations and will present the regulations to Parliament for approval shortly.

  Mrs. Humble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what research his Department has conducted on the commercial cost of board and lodging; and if he will make a statement on the level to be included in the national minimum wage regulations for accommodation. [63780]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The Low Pay Commission took evidence on current practice on the provision of board and lodging during its consultation exercise on the national minimum wage. It recommended that a maximum figure of £20 per week, which was not intended to be a commercial valuation, should be set for any deduction for the cost of accommodation provided by an employer. The draft national minimum wage regulations provide that, when assessing compliance with the national minimum wage, the maximum offset allowable for accommodation provided by the employer will be £2.85 per day.

  The Government accepted the Commission's recommendations, subject to consultation on the practicalities of implementation. We are currently considering the representations, including those on the level of the deduction for living accommodation and will present the regulations to Parliament for approval shortly.

  Mrs. Humble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations his Department has received on the amount that is deductible for meals provided by an employer under the draft national minimum wage regulations; and if he will make a statement. [63777]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The Government have received a number of representations during the consultation exercise on the draft national minimum wage regulations on the amount that can be deducted for meals provided by an employer.
  370
  We are currently considering those representations and will present the regulations to the House for approval shortly.

  Ethnic Monitoring
  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to include Irish as a category in his Department's ethnic monitoring of staff recruitment. [63884]

  Mr. Mandelson
  I have no plans to include Irish as a category in my Department's ethnic monitoring of staff recruitment.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  SERPS
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the savings which will result from the decision to halve SERPS for widowers and widows whose spouse dies on or after 6 April 2000. [61150]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 27 November 1998]: The estimated savings from the 1986 Social Security Act provisions which halve inherited SERPS from April 2000 are £60 million in 2000–2001, increasing to £2.3 billion by 2020.

  Source:

  Government Actuary's Department.

  Notes:

  1. Savings are gross of income related benefit changes.

  2. Figures are in 1998 prices and are rounded to the nearest £10 million (£100 million for the 2020 figure).

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

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

  New Deal
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish a breakdown of the £40 better off figures cited for lone parents who take paid employment as a result of the New Deal programme prototypes by amounts of(a) child benefit, (b) maintenance, (c) family credit, (d) net income from earnings, (e) housing benefit and (f) council tax benefit; and if he will break down the equivalent income figures which applied before paid employment was taken. [61840]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 1 December 1998]: The information is set out in the table.

  Average amounts paid to new deal for lone parents sample cases (March 1998)

  £ per week

  Average amounts: (Income Support claim)

  Average amounts: (Family Creadit claim)

  Child Benefit

  22.35

  22.35

  Maintenance

  6.96

  6.96

  Family Credit

  n/a

  64.54

  371

  Average amounts paid to new deal for lone parents sample cases (March 1998)

  £ per week

  Average amounts: (Income Support claim)

  Average amounts: (Family Credit claim)

  Income Support

  67.72

  n/a

  Net income from earnings

  n/a

  78.49

  Housing Benefit

  54.10

  25.08

  Council Tax Benefit

  8.60

  2.10

  All Income

  159.72

  199.51

  Notes:

  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest penny. As such totals may differ slightly from the sum of the component parts.

  2. Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit amounts are calculated using an average amount of eligible rent and Council Tax Benefit appropriate to lone parents in Great Britain.

  3. It is assumed that claimants will take up their full entitlement to other benefits.

  4. Based on a sample of 296 claimants who have moved from Income Support to Family Credit, taken at the end of March 1998.

  Jobseeker's Allowance
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people leaving the New Deal to claim benefits other than jobseeker's allowance have made such claims(a) by month and (b) by type of benefit claim, from January up to the latest date for which figures are available. [63274]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is not available in the form requested. Such information as is available is in the table.

  The New Deal for unemployed people aged between 18 years and 24 years was launched in 12 Pathfinder areas on 5 January 1998 and introduced nationally on 6 April 1998.

  Numbers transferring from the New Deal for 18–24 year olds to other benefits

  1998

  Numbers transferred to other benefits

  Percentage of total leavers

  January-March

  200

  7.7

  April-June

  1,140

  6.9

  July-September

  3,010

  5.9

  Notes:

  1. Up to the end of September 1998, the latest date for which figures are available, 4,350 young people transferred from the New Deal to other benefits.

  2. The numbers leaving are collated on a quarterly rather than monthly basis.

  3. Information about which benefit they claimed is not currently collected.

  4. Data about the New Deal for the long term unemployed will be published early next year.

  Millennium (Emergency Cover)
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security 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. [62577]

  Mr. Timms
  I refer the hon. Member to the Written Answer that the Parliamentary Under—Secretary of State for the Home Department, my hon. Friend the Member for 372
  Knowsley, North and Sefton, East (Mr. Howarth) gave the hon. Member on 7 December 1998, Official Report, column 20.

  Parenthood
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what measures he has introduced to assist with the additional costs faced during early years of parenthood. [63505]

  Angela Eagle
  Since November this year, an extra £2.50 a week has been made available to less well off families with children under age 11, through the income-related benefits. This is on top of the largest ever increase in Child Benefit for eldest or only children, up £2.95 a week from next April. A simultaneous increase in the family premium, from £11.05 to £13.90, will ensure that those on income-related benefits receive the full amount of the Child Benefit increase.

  In June 1998, two enhancements were introduced to the childcare disregard scheme in the in-work benefits (Family Credit, Disability Working Allowance, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit). The maximum amount of weekly childcare costs allowed was increased from £60 to £100 for families who incur childcare costs for two or more children of qualifying age, and the age limit for children was extended by one year to the September following the child's 12th birthday. These families will receive further help next October through the introduction of Working Families Tax credit and associated childcare tax credit.

  Severely Disabled Children
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what measures he has introduced to increase the level of assistance made available to support severely disabled young children. [63510]

  Mr. Timms
  We have announced several significant improvements in support for disabled children. In our consultation document, 'A New Contract for Welfare-Support for Disabled People', we announced our intention to introduce a Disability Income Guarantee for families on income-related benefits with disabled children who have the highest care needs as well as the extension of the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance to children aged three and four. From 1 July 1998, payments awarded under the Vaccine Damages Payments Scheme were increased from £30,000 to £40,000.

  Family Credit
  Mr. Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the(a) numbers and (b) percentages of families claiming family credit where the family credit payment is equal to (i) up to 75 per cent. of the weekly wage, (ii) from 76 to 100 per cent. of the weekly wage and (iii) over 100 per cent. of the weekly wage; and if he will break down these figures between two parent and single parent families. [63501]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is in the table.
  373

  Family credit recipients at May 1998: weekly family credit (FC) as a proportion of gross weekly earnings

  All families

  Two parent families

  Lone parent families

  Number of cases (Thousand)

  Percentage of all FC claimants

  Number of cases (Thousand)

  Percentage of all two parent families receiving FC

  Number of cases (Thousand)

  Percentage of all lone parent families receiving FC

  All families receiving FC

  767

  100

  390

  100

  377

  100

  FC equals up to 75 per cent. of gross earnings

  433

  56.5

  236

  60.6

  197

  52.2

  FC equals 76 to 100 per cent. of gross earnings

  91

  11.9

  34

  8.6

  58

  15.3

  FC over 100 per cent. of gross earnings

  243

  31.6

  120

  30.8

  123

  32.5

  Notes:

  1. Figures are based on a 5 per cent. sample of Family Credit awards and as such are subject to a degree of sampling error

  2. Caseload figures are rounded to the nearest thousand and may not sum to totals

  Source:

  Family Credit 5 per cent. sample of awards

  Working Families Tax Credit
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate, on the basis of the Family Resources Survey, and pooling years of data, the number of benefit units which contain at least one employee and at least one dependent child, whose total income as measured for the purposes of the Working Families Tax Credit in each £5,000 band up to £30,000 and above, indicating separately the figures for (i) lone parent families, (ii) two parent families with one child, (iii) two parent families with two children and (iv) two parent families with three or more children, providing within each category separate figures for those in (A) firms of up to 25 employees and (B) firms of 25 employees or more. [63418]

  Angela Eagle
  The information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Child Support
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) which of the considerations which can affect child support maintenance payments under the current procedures will not come within the definition of exceptional expenses that tribunals will be allowed to take into account under the new proposals set out in 'Children First'; [63894]

  (2) if he will define the term, substantial change, used in Chapter 5, paragraph 18, of the Green Paper, Children First; what representations he has received concerning this term; and if he will publish those representations; [63890]

  (3) what plans he has to alter the amount by which a weekly maintenance payment must change before the maintenance liability is reset by the CSA. [63891]

  Angela Eagle
  A full analysis of responses to the Green Paper has not yet been completed. There have so far been over 1,500 written representations and comments are still being received. The outcome of the consultation process, together with our detailed proposals for reforming the child support system, will be published in due course.

  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the annual running costs of the proposed new Child Support Service outlined in the Green Paper, 'Children First'; and what plans he has for a new computer system to handle the new procedures. [63892]
  374
  Angela Eagle
  It is not possible to produce accurate estimates of running costs until the shape of the new Child Support service is finalised.

  Support for a reformed Child Support service would be developed as a key part of the Department's wider plans for modernising its computer systems.

  National Insurance
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if the NIRS II computer system is currently able to handle all inquiries about national insurance numbers. [63895]

  Mr. Timms
  The Contributions Agency is able to use the new National Insurance Recording System (NIRS2) to answer all inquiries about National Insurance numbers where National Insurance numbers are already held. This has been available to staff since the 23 July 1998.

  The NIRS2 facilities for issuing new National Insurance numbers for both adults and juveniles are being piloted currently, and should be implemented nationally in the near future.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  New Deal (Expenditure)
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the net expenditure effects over the next four years of the New Deal for(a) youth and long-term unemployed, (b) lone parents and (c) people with disabilities. [63504]

  Angela Eagle
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Government published their latest detailed estimates for the allocation of Windfall Tax receipts, which are being used to fund the Welfare to Work programme, in the pre-Budget report last month (Cm 4076—table 4.1).

  The Windfall Tax raised £5.2 billion. Half of this, or £2.6 billion, has been allocated to the New Deal for 18 to 24 year olds. It has already given opportunities to 186,000 young people.

  £0.5 billion will be spent on the New Deal for long term unemployed people aged over 25 which started in June. From 30 November it has been extended in 28 pilots providing more intensive interventions.
  375
  £190 million has been allocated to the New Deal for Lone Parents which became available nationally to all lone parents on Income Support on 26 October. It was previously available in eight prototype areas from July 1997 and nationally to lone parents making new claims to Income Support from April 1998. During these two phases 87 per cent. of those attending initial interviews decided to participate in the programme.

  A further £210 million has been allocated to the New Deal for Disabled People. This includes £10 million additional funding announced on 28 October.

  All aspects of the New Deal programme are being comprehensively analysed. However, it is too early to make estimates of the net expenditure effects of these programmes, and it would be imprudent to make arbitrary reductions in our estimates of programme expenditure. The objective of our Welfare to Work programme is to increase the level of employment in the economy: doing so will benefit individuals in work, the wider economy, and the public finances.

  Education Channel
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the broadcasting companies with which he has had discussions over the establishment of a new education channel. [63319]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  [holding answer 10 December 1998]: The Department has had discussions with a number of broadcasting companies about a range of issues associated with educational broadcasting, including the possible future role of education channels in supporting teaching and learning.

  Enrolments by home domiciled higher education students in higher education institutions in the UK1 1997–98

  Ethnic group

  Full time (thousand)

  Percentage of total known

  Part time (thousand)

  Percentage of total known

  White

  763.4

  86.4

  385.6

  91.3

  Black Caribbean

  10.5

  1.2

  6.1

  1.5

  Black African

  15.5

  1.8

  7.0

  1.7

  Black Other

  4.6

  0.5

  2.9

  0.7

  Indian

  33.6

  3.8

  6.0

  1.4

  Pakistani

  17.3

  2.0

  2.7

  0.6

  Bangladeshi

  4.6

  0.5

  0.6

  0.2

  Chinese

  8.7

  1.0

  2.1

  0.5

  Asian Other

  10.2

  1.2

  4.2

  1.0

  Other

  15.0

  1.7

  5.2

  1.2

  Total known

  883.4

  100

  422.4

  100

  Ethnicity unknown2

  107.4

  —

  120.6

  —

  Total HE students

  990.8

  —

  543.0

  —

  1 Excluding HE students in FE institutions

  2 Including students for whom information was not provided or not collected

  University for Industry
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to allow the University for Industry to provide courses for students at levels 3 and 4; and how funding will be provided. [62549]

  Mr. Mudie
  There are no plans for the University for Industry to be a direct learning provider. It will rather act as a broker of learning opportunities at all levels. These will be provided in a variety of ways, including by further and higher education institutions.
  376
  A number of broadcasting companies have expressed interest in the provision of digital broadcasting services to support the GCSE curriculum. Following the recent technology exercise by my Department, it is expected that final decisions will be announced in the New Year.

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what discussions he has had with(a) the BBC, (b) Granada and (c) United News and Media over the establishment of a new education channel. [63318]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  [holding answer 10 December 1998]: Discussions take place on a regular basis with broadcasting companies, including the BBC, Granada and United News and Media, about a range of issues associated with educational broadcasting. Companies with a broadcasting or transmission licence and experience in the provision of educational broadcast material have also been invited to submit expressions of interest in the provision of specific digital broadcasting services to support the GCSE curriculum, and a competitive tendering exercise for the provision of such services is now in progress.

  University Students (Ethnic Minorities)
  Dr. Vis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proportion of students attending university in the current academic year are from ethnic minority groups, broken down by individual ethnic group. [62036]

  Mr. Mudie
  The most recently available data on ethnicity of higher education students in higher education institutions in the UK are for 1997–98 and are given below:

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what resources, in addition to the announced start up costs, will be allocated to the University for Industry in each of the years 1999 to 2002; and from which budget head within his Department these resources will come. [62602]

  Mr. Mudie
  £40 million has been allocated to the University for Industry for 1999–2000. The Department plans to announce decisions on further funding in the Departmental Report which is due to be published in the spring. Any such resources will be allocated from the
  377
  Comprehensive Spending Review total for the Department for Education and Employment. Expenditure will be from a specific University for Industry subhead.

  EU Students (Undergraduate Courses)
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many EU students commenced undergraduate courses at British universities in the academic year 1998–99; and what was the total projected income expected from their tuition fees. [62604]

  Mr. Mudie
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 7 December 1998,Official Report, column 91, which gave our forecasts of the number of entrants from EU in 1998–99 and their expected contribution towards their tuition fees. Actual figures are not yet available.

  Dental Students
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will extend the scope of student loans for dental students and others who are required to undertake extended training. [62935]

  Mr. Mudie
  Under our new system of student support, dental and medical students in the first four years of their course will have access to the same loan, grant and fees support as all other students. In years five and beyond the Department of Health will meet their tuition fees and they will receive approximately half of their maintenance support through means tested NHS bursaries and the rest in non-means tested loans.

  Students on other long courses are entitled to the same loan, grant and fees support as all other students.

  Under our new system, students who have to study for more than a certain number of weeks in the academic year will be eligible, as now, for additional support for these extra weeks. This support will be in the form of an additional loan, repayable on the same terms as the basic maintenance loan.

  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to mitigate the effect of high debt levels on dental students incurred through the student loan scheme; and if he will make a statement. [63371]

  Mr. Mudie
  Under our new system of student support, dental and medical students in the first four years of their course will have access to the same loan, grant and fees support as all other students. In years five and beyond the Department of Health will meet their tuition fees and they will receive approximately half of their maintenance support through means tested NHS bursaries and the rest in non-means tested loans from the DfEE.

  Students on the new income contingent loans scheme will benefit from the fairer repayment system which links repayments directly to graduates' income. No repayments are made until their income reaches a threshold, initially set at £10,000, and thereafter they are calculated as a percentage of income above that level. This will ensure
  378
  that dental students, and others with larger loans to repay will have affordable repayments linked directly to their earnings.

  Dental and other students who entered higher education before 1998–99 and who take out five or more old style loans will repay these loans over a period of seven years compared to five years for borrowers with four or less loans. Borrowers may apply to defer repayment for a year at a time if their income does not exceed the earnings related threshold, which for 1998–99 is set at £17,784 per annum.

  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the average level of debt incurred by dental students through the student loan scheme when they graduate. [63372]

  Mr. Mudie
  This information is not collected centrally. Data taken from 'Statistics of Education, Student Support for 1996–97', prepared by the Government Statistical Service and published by the Department for Education and Employment, show that borrowers entering repayment in 1997–98 owed an average of £2,180 to the Student Loans Company.

  Mature Students
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received about the problems facing mature students with family obligations who are not eligible for income support or housing benefit; and if he will review the policy of Her Majesty's Government on this issue. [62289]

  Mr. Mudie
  [holding answer 7 December 1998]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received a number of representations about the circumstances of individual mature students. The main source of support for full-time students is the student support system; mandatory awards, student loans and Access Funds. There are additional allowances as part of the mandatory award for students with dependants. These allowances are increased for single students with dependants and for students who have to maintain a second home whilst studying. They will be retained as supplementary grants when 100 per cent. loans for maintenance costs are introduced in 1999–2000.

  Most full-time students are excluded from entitlement to benefits such as Income Support and Housing Benefit. Some benefits continue to be made available to certain students in vulnerable groups, including students who are solely responsible for a child. Partners of students who are not full-time students themselves may claim benefits on behalf of the couple. In assessing entitlement to benefit, the Benefits Agency and/or the relevant local authority will take account of all income available to the student, including the maintenance grant and student loan.

  New Deal (East Hampshire)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people have entered the New Deal Gateway in the East Hampshire District Council area since its inception; and how many took up each New Deal option. [63031]
  379
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The latest Government Statistical Service figures for clients in the Mid Hants Unit of Delivery show that to the end of September 1998:(a) 206 young people had entered the Gateway and 41 have secured unsubsidised employment
  (b) 7 had joined one of the four options.
  This breaks down to: 2 on the Employment option; 3 on the Voluntary Sector option; and 12 on the Full-Time Education and Training option.

  Medical Students
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the Government's plans to monitor the impact of the new student funding system on recruitment to higher education institutions of students studying for professions allied to medicine and pre-clinical medicine. [62640]

  Mr. Mudie
  Responsibility for the support arrangements for new students on courses in the professions allied to medicine and for students on nursing and midwifery courses transferred to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health in September this year. I understand that his Department is monitoring the effectiveness of student support for the professions allied to medicine in safeguarding supply. Also from September 1998, arrangements for supporting new medical and dental students became a shared responsibility with the Department of Health. These students will be supported under the main student support system for the first four years of their course and by the Department of Health from year 5 onwards. Medicine has always been a popular subject which is heavily over-subscribed and the situation will continue to be closely monitored by the Department of Health.

  Extensive analysis is underway to assess and monitor the impact of our new higher education funding policies in general, using application and entrant data. A range of ongoing and planned research projects will also examine participation in higher education. A combination of internal and external studies will be undertaken.

  New Deal (Southampton)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people have entered the New Deal Gateway in the Southampton City Council area since its inception; and how many took up each New Deal option. [63123]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The latest Government Statistical Service figures for clients in the Southampton and South-West Hampshire Unit of Delivery show that to the end of September 1998:(a) 751 young people had entered the Gateway and 97 have secured unsubsidised employment
  (b) 108 had joined one of the four options.
  This breaks down to: 29 on the Employment option; 7 on the Voluntary Sector option; 1 on Environment Task Force; and 71 on the Full-Time Education and Training option.

  I am encouraged by the positive start made in the Southampton and SW Hampshire Unit of Delivery, which reflects the encouraging start to the programme overall.

  Single Regeneration Budget
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps the Government are taking to ensure local co-ordination between the Single Regeneration Budget and the New Deal. [62343]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  [holding answer 9 December 1998]: The guidelines for Round 5 of the Single Regeneration Budget required bidders to show how their proposals would support national policies and programmes to improve employability. Bidders should also clearly show how the SRB contribution will promote synergy by reinforcing or adding value to other publicly funded programmes.

  Government Offices for the Regions have been asked to consider with potential bidders how far their proposals can support and increase the effectiveness of the New Deals and other aspects of the Welfare to Work programme.

  Outline bids have now been received and Government Offices will be assessing the links with national programmes including New Deal. The Employment Service will be involved in the assessment of these bids.

  NVQs
  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the take up by sector and subject of NVQ Level 4 in England and Wales in the last year for which figures are available; and how many candidates were registered with the awarding bodies for NVQ Level 4. [63680]

  Mr. Mudie
  The information about take up of NVQ Level 4 by the 11 framework sectors, and by subjects is contained in the following tables.

  Candidates are not compelled to register with an awarding body to say they are working towards an NVQ. Their first contact with an awarding body may well be shortly before their assessment.

  1997–98 financial year

  NVQ framework sectors

  Level 4 awards

  1 Tending Animals, Plants and Land

  61

  2 Extracting and Providing Natural Resources

  0

  3 Constructing

  36

  4 Engineering

  222

  5 Manufacturing

  2

  6 Transporting

  9

  7 Providing Goods and Services

  157

  8 Providing Health, Social and Protective Service

  429

  9 Providing Business Services

  7,737

  10 Communicating

  164

  11 Developing and Extending Knowledge and Skills

  1,323

  Total

  10,140

  381

  Level 4 awards during financial year 1997–98 sorted in descending order

  Framework sector

  Title

  Level

  Total certificates

  9

  Management

  4

  3,739

  9

  Accounting

  4

  3,445

  11

  Training and Development (Learning Development)

  4

  996

  9

  Administration

  4

  386

  11

  Training and Development (Human Resource Development)

  4

  322

  8

  Guidance

  4

  113

  10

  Newspaper Journalism (Writing)

  4

  110

  8

  Managing Landfill Operations (Special Waste)

  4

  96

  9

  Business Counselling

  4

  81

  8

  Managing Transfer Operations (Special Waste)

  4

  76

  7

  Wholesaling, Warehousing and Stores

  4

  72

  4

  Engineering Manufacturing

  4

  66

  4

  Engineering Manufacture (Designing)

  4

  57

  8

  Occupational Health and Safety Practice

  4

  49

  4

  Engineering Manufacture (Production Planning)

  4

  41

  1

  Agriculture (Livestock Management)

  4

  34

  8

  Managing Landfill Operations (Biodegradable Waste)

  4

  32

  3

  Building Site Management

  4

  30

  4

  Engineering Manufacture (Testing)

  4

  29

  9

  Pensions Administration

  4

  29

  1

  Agriculture and Commercial Horticulture (Crop Management)

  4

  21

  7

  Travel Services (Management)

  4

  19

  8

  Care

  4

  16

  10

  Newspaper Journalism (Press photography)

  4

  16

  9

  Marketing Products and Services

  4

  13

  10

  Radio Production

  4

  13

  7

  On-Licensed Premises Management

  4

  12

  8

  Managing Treatment Operations (Special Waste)

  4

  12

  10

  Periodical Journalism (Writing)

  4

  12

  7

  Catering and Hospitality Management (Food Preparation and Cooking)

  4

  11

  7

  Travel Services (Leisure and Business Travel)

  4

  10

  9

  Procurement

  4

  10

  9

  School Administration

  4

  10

  4

  Engineering Manufacture

  4

  8

  4

  Engineering Manufacture (Designing and Testing)

  4

  7

  7

  Field Sales Management

  4

  7

  7

  Retail Operations

  4

  7

  10

  Newspaper Journalism (Production journalism)

  4

  7

  3

  Building Maintenance and Estates Service

  4

  6

  4

  Engineering Manufacture and Production Planning

  4

  6

  6

  Fishing Vessel Operations (Limited Area)

  4

  6

  8

  Advice

  4

  6

  8

  Managing Landfill Operations—Special Waste

  4

  6

  8

  Managing Transfer Operations—Clinical or Special Waste

  4

  6

  8

  Managing Incineration Operations (Special Waste)

  4

  5

  9

  International Trade and Services

  4

  5

  9

  Purchasing

  4

  5

  7

  Information Systems Development

  4

  4

  7

  Spectator Control

  4

  4

  1

  Amenity Horticulture (Designing Landscapes and Planning their Management)

  4

  3

  1

  Amenity Horticulture (Managing Landscape Construction and Maintenance)

  4

  3

  4

  Engineering Manufacture and Designing

  4

  3

  4

  Engineering Manufacture and Testing

  4

  3

  8

  Investigation

  4

  3

  8

  Occupational Health and Safety Regulation

  4

  3

  9

  Owner Management—Business Management and Development

  4

  3

  10

  Periodical Journalism (Subbing)

  4

  3

  11

  Training and Development (Design and Delivery)

  4

  3

  5

  Laboratory Operations

  4

  2

  7

  Catering and Hospitality Management (Housekeeping)

  4

  2

  7

  Distribution and Warehousing Operations

  4

  2

  7

  Information Systems Analysis

  4

  2

  7

  Playwork Development

  4

  2

  8

  Criminal Justice Services

  4

  2

  8

  Managing Treatment Operations—Clinical or Special Waste

  4

  2

  9

  Customer Implementation Support

  4

  2

  9

  Insurance (Intermediaries)

  4

  2

  9

  Marketing Research

  4

  2

  9

  Public Relations

  4

  2

  4

  Engineering Manufacture (Designing and Production Planning)

  4

  1

  4

  Merchant Vessel Engineering

  4

  1

  6

  Fishing Vessel Operations (Unlimited Area)

  4

  1

  6

  Merchant Vessel Operations

  4

  1

  382

  383

  Level 4 awards during financial year 1997–98 sorted in descending order

  Framework sector

  Title

  Level

  Total certificates

  6

  Piloting Transport Aircraft

  4

  1

  7

  Key Account Management

  4

  1

  7

  Kitchen Management

  4

  1

  7

  Sport and Recreation (Coaching)

  4

  1

  7

  Sport and Recreation Management (Sports Development)

  4

  1

  8

  Personnel Management

  4

  1

  8

  Special Needs Housing

  4

  1

  9

  Computer Network System Selection and Installation Supervision

  4

  1

  9

  Network Computer Services Management

  4

  1

  10

  Broadcast, Film, and Video Production

  4

  1

  10

  Camera Direction

  4

  1

  10

  Design

  4

  1

  11

  Information and Library Service

  4

  1

  11

  Training and Development

  4

  1

  Total Awards

  —

  10,140

  Level 4 NVQs for which there were no awards recorded financial year 1997–98

  Framework sector

  Title

  1

  Amenity Horticulture

  1

  Environmental Conservation (Archaeology)

  1

  Forestry

  3

  Building Control

  3

  Building Services Engineering—Design

  3

  Building Services Engineering—Service and Maintenance Management

  3

  Building Services Engineering—Site Management

  3

  Construction Plant and Equipment Management

  3

  Highways Maintenance

  3

  Owner Management, Business Management and Development

  3

  Property Management

  3

  Spatial Data Management

  3

  Traffic Management and Systems Engineering

  3

  Valuation

  4

  Engineering Manufacture (Testing and Production Planning)

  4

  Engineering Surveying of Equipment, Systems and Services

  4

  Engineering Technology Management

  4

  Project Control

  5

  Laboratory Operations (Chemical and Pharmaceutical)

  5

  Management (Meat Processing)

  5

  Meat Processing Management (Technical and Production)

  6

  Controlling Air Terminal Operations

  6

  Controlling Aircraft Operations

  6

  Controlling Airport Operations

  6

  Fishing Vessel Engineering

  6

  Piloting Rotary Wing Transport Aircraft

  7

  Accommodation Management

  7

  Catering and Hospitality Management (Food and Drink Service)

  7

  Catering and Hospitality Management (Reception)

  7

  Dairy Retailing

  7

  Front Office Management

  7

  Kitchen and Larder Specialist

  7

  Multi-Skilled Hospitality Management

  7

  Patisserie and Confectionery Specialist

  7

  Restaurant Management

  7

  Retailing

  7

  Sport and Recreation Management (Facilities)

  7

  Sports Administration

  7

  Travel Services (Environmental and Heritage Interpretation)

  7

  Travel Services (Guiding)

  7

  Travel Services (Tour Directing)

  384

  Level 4 NVQs for which there were no awards recorded financial year 1997–98

  Framework sector

  Title

  7

  Travel Services (Tour Operations)

  8

  Community Work

  8

  Environmental Conservation (Landscape and Ecosystems)

  8

  Forensic Science

  8

  Housing

  8

  Managing Incinerator Operations—Special Waste

  8

  Managing Landfill Operations—Biodegradable Waste

  8

  Managing Transfer Operations—Biodegradable Waste

  8

  Managing Treatment Operations—Biodegradable Waste

  8

  Providing Fingerprint Services

  8

  Regulating Waste Management

  9

  Advertising

  9

  Banking

  9

  Building Society Services

  9

  Building Society Services (Regulated)

  9

  Central Computer Services Management

  9

  Developing Union Organisation

  9

  Direct Marketing

  9

  Energy Management

  9

  Information Systems Production Supervision

  9

  Insurance (General)

  9

  Insurance (Life Offices)

  9

  Managing Residential Estate Agency

  9

  Multi-User Computer System Selection and Installation Supervision

  9

  Project Management

  9

  Quality Management

  10

  Animation Realisation

  10

  Archive Management

  10

  Art Direction

  10

  Book Commissioning

  10

  Book Contracts

  10

  Book Design

  10

  Book Editing

  10

  Book Editing (Editorial Management)

  10

  Book Production

  10

  Book Production and Publicity

  10

  Book Publishing Publicity and Promotion

  10

  Book Publishing Rights

  10

  Book Rights

  10

  Broadcast Journalism

  10

  Costume Design and Realisation

  10

  Delivering Artform Development Programmes

  10

  Developing and Delivering Cultural Products

  385

  Level 4 NVQs for which there were no awards recorded financial year 1997–98

  Framework sector

  Title

  10

  Editing

  10

  Graphic Design for the Moving Image

  10

  Journal Management and Programme Development

  10

  Lighting Direction

  10

  Lighting Provision and Co-ordination (Electrical)

  10

  Make-Up/Hair Design and Realisation

  10

  Music Performance

  10

  Newspaper Journalism (Production)

  10

  Periodical Journalism (Subbing with Layout)

  10

  Periodical Journalism (Writing Features)

  10

  Periodical Journalism (Writing News)

  10

  Periodical Production: Advertisement Production

  10

  Photography

  10

  Properties Management

  10

  Records Management

  10

  Sound Direction

  10

  Visual Arts Practice

  11

  Information and Library Services

  11

  Museums, Galleries and Heritage (Collection Management and Interpretation)

  11

  Museums, Galleries and Heritage (Conservation)

  11

  Training and Development (Flexible and Open Learning)

  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage increase he expects in employer contributions to staff training for NVQs between December 1997 and December 1998. [63368]

  Mr. Mudie
  Many employers offer NVQs entirely at their own expense. We do not gather regular information on employers' expernditure on NVQs.

  Class Sizes
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of, and how many primary school pupils were in classes of over (i) 30, (ii) 36 and (iii) 40 in September 1998 in each local education authority and in total; and what was the actual and percentage change in numbers compared with September(a) 1996 and (b) 1997 in each local education authority and in total. [63500]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The information is not collected centrally.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the bids made by local education authorities before 20 November for capital expenditure to meet the Government's class size pledge. [63328]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Bids were received from the local education authorities listed below:

  Barking and Dagenham

  Barnet

  Barnsley

  Bath and North East Somerset

  Bedfordshire

  Bexley

  Birmingham

  Blackburn

  Blackpool

  Bolton

  386

  Bournemouth

  Bracknell

  Brent

  Brighton and Hove

  Briston

  Bromley

  Buckinghamshire

  Bury

  Calderdale

  Cambridgeshire

  Camden

  Cheshire

  Cornwall

  Coventry

  Croydon

  Cumbria

  Darlington

  Derby

  Derbyshire

  Devon

  Doncaster

  Dorset

  Dudley

  Durham

  Ealing

  East Riding of Yorkshire

  East Sussex

  Enfield

  Essex

  Gateshead

  Gloucestershire

  Greenwich

  Halton

  Hampshire

  Hartlepool

  Havering

  Herefordshire

  Hertfordshire

  Hillingdon

  Hounslow

  Isle of Wight

  Kingston upon Hull

  Kingston upon Thames

  Knowsley

  Lambeth

  Lancashire

  Leeds

  Leicester City

  Leicestershire

  Lincolnshire

  Liverpool

  Luton

  Manchester

  Medway

  Merton

  Milton Keynes

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  387

  Newham

  Norkfolk

  North East Lincolnshire

  North Tyneside

  North Yorkshire

  Northamptonshire

  Northumberland

  Nottingham City

  Nottinghamshire

  Oldham

  Oxfordshire

  Peterborough

  Poole

  Portsmouth

  Reading

  Redbridge

  Redcar amd Cleveland

  Rochdale

  Rotherham

  Salford

  Sandwell

  Sefton

  Sheffield

  Shropshire

  Slough

  Solihull

  Somerset

  South Gloucestershire

  Southampton

  Southend on Sea

  Southwark

  St. Helens

  Staffordshire

  Stockport

  Stockton on Tees

  Stoke on Trent

  Suffolk

  Sunderland

  Surrey

  Sutton

  Tameside

  Telford and Wrekin

  Thurrock

  Torbay

  Trafford

  Wakefield

  Walsall

  Waltham Forest

  Wandsworth

  Warrington

  Warwickshire

  West Berkshire

  West Sussex

  Wigan

  Wiltshire

  Windsor amd Maidenhead

  Wirral

  388

  Wokingham

  Wolverhampton

  Worcestershire

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many temporary classrooms(a) have been built and (b) are planned to be built to meet the Government's pledge on class sizes. [63329]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  We have made clear that where extra classrooms are needed to meet the class size limit, LEAs should provide permanent and not temporary classrooms. Plans will not be approved where these rely simply on the use of temporary accommodation.

  Specific Grants
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list for each annual programme of specific grants for education since 1985(a) whether there was a period of consultation before a circular was issued, (b) which grants were included, (c) for how many grants competitive bidding was required and (d) what percentage of the funds were (i) directly available to schools, (ii) allocated through local education authorities and (iii) made available by other routes. [63514]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  A reply to this question would involve disproportionate cost.

  University Teachers
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of university teachers are engaged purely in research and have no teaching responsibilities; and how this percentage compares with(a) 1997, (b) 1996, (c) 1995 and (d) 1990. [63366]

  Mr. Mudie
  The percentage of university academic staff engaged purely in research is shown in the table:

  Year

  Percentage

  1990–91

  134.4

  1994–95

  228.3

  1995–96

  329.5

  1996–97

  429.6

  1 Based on Universities Statistical Record (USR) data for UK universities formerly funded by Universities Funding Council (UFC)

  2 Based on Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) data for UK universities and colleges of higher education

  3 Ibid

  4 Ibid

  Note:

  Figures for the academic year 1997–98 are not yet available

  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what guidance he has given universities about the appropriate balance between research and teaching activities. [63367]

  Mr. Mudie
  In our response to the Dearing Report on Higher Education in February 1998 we said that a better balance is needed in higher education between teaching, research and scholarship. Guidance to the Higher Education Funding Council for England issued on 8 December said that we expect the Council to promote and enhance high quality teaching and learning and welcomed the Council's proposals to set aside £30m for promoting and rewarding high quality in teaching. It also welcomed the Council's involvement in the preparation for an
  389
  Institute for Learning and Teaching in Higher Education. The guidance reflects our aim to promote effective learning and teaching, alongside our commitment to maintaining a world class science base.

  Free Milk
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on his policy on the provision of free milk in schools. [63897]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  If local education authorities and grant-maintained schools choose to provide milk, they must, by law, supply it free to pupils whose parents receive income support or income based job-seekers allowance, but must charge other pupils.

  Schools Access Initiative
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he intends to carry out a full audit of how the funding under the Schools Access Initiative has been used throughout England and Wales. [63826]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Matters on expenditure in Wales are for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales. Local education authorities (LEAs) in England are asked each year to return confirmation of their spending in the previous financial year on projects supported through the Schools Access Initiative and to identify individual projects which have been carried out. Expenditure on such projects by LEAs and by grant maintained schools in England is subject to their normal external audit arrangements.

  Tuition Fees
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the total amount of public subsidy to United Kingdom higher education institutions resulting from means-testing student tuition fees under the Teaching and Higher Education Act 1998; and what is the total amount students and parents are expected to contribute under that Act. [63327]

  Mr. Mudie
  The estimated public contributions to tuition fees for home and other EU students entering full-time undergraduate courses in 1998–99 in United Kingdom higher education institutions under the new funding arrangements is £184 million. The estimated contribution by students and parents is £163 million, which after allowance for the costs of collection and any default, will be received as income by institutions.

  Assisted Places Scheme
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will publish his current estimate of the revenue savings he expects to accrue as a result of the abolition of the assisted places scheme in the years(a) 1998–99, (b) 1999–2000, (c) 2000–01 and (d) 2001–02; and if he will list the assumptions underlying his estimates. [63330]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the right hon. Member for Penrith and The Border (Mr. Maclean) on 2 November 1998,Official Report, column 405.

WALES

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has for individual local authority spending in 1999–2000, for council tax damping and arrangements for council tax benefit subsidy. [64153]

  Mr. Michael
  I am consulting county and country borough councils on their provisional Standard Spending Assessments (SSAs) for 1999–2000 as set out in the following table.

  The provisional SSAs have been calculated using the formula agreed with the Welsh Local Government Association. They are consistent with my proposal for total standard spending, net of specific grants, of £2,986 million which I announced in my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Preseli Pembrokeshire (Ms Lawrence) on 9 December 1998, Official Report, columns 229–30. The breakdown of total standard spending, net of specific grants, is:

  £ million

  Provisional SSAs for county and county borough councils

  2,806.3

  Provisional SSAs for police authorities1

  178.3

  Proposed payments to bodies specified under section 76 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988

  1.8

  Total standard spending net of specific grants

  2,986.4

  1Announced in my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Preseli Pembrokeshire (Ms Lawrence) on 2 December 1998, Official Report, column 212.

  The details of the council tax damping scheme which I announced on 9 December 1998, Official Report, columns 229–30, are as follows:
  I proposed to provide council tax reduction grant of £22.5 million to 8 councils;
  the grant will keep council tax increases, excluding community council precepts and discretionary non-domestic rate relief, to £70 at Band D in those councils' areas, or the parts of them that qualify for damping, as long as councils do not increase their budgets above the guideline figures that I am announcing for limiting council tax benefit subsidy payments.

  The provisional damping grant entitlement for each council is shown in the following table.

  I propose that the amount of revenue support grant (RSG) for 1999–2000 should be £1,891.5 million.

  The arrangements for council tax benefit subsidy are as follows:
  I propose to set guideline figures consistent with an average increase of 7.2 per cent. in council tax which, in broad terms, equates to a budget increase of 5.9 per cent. over this year for each council, subject to allowing each council to spend the increase in its SSA in full;
  on council tax above the guideline figure, subsidy would be withdrawn at the rate of 50 per cent.

  I have made one minor change to the figures that I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Preseli Pembrokeshire (Ms Lawrence) in my answer on 9 December 1998, Official Report, columns 229–30. I now propose that the amount of specific grants for 1999–2000 should be £258 million.
  391
  Consequently, my proposals for total standard spending and aggregate external finance are £3,244 million and £2,828 million respectively.

  My Department has written today to the Welsh Local Government Association and all local authorities in Wales to initiate a consultation on my proposals. Copies of the consultation letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  £ million

  Council

  Provisional SSA for 1999–2000

  Provisional entitlement to damping grant

  Provisional guideline figure

  Isle of Anglesey

  68.0

  —

  70.2

  Gwynedd

  118.9

  —

  126.8

  Conwy

  104.7

  —

  104.7

  Denbighshire

  91.8

  —

  97.1

  Flintshire

  134.9

  —

  140.7

  Wrexham

  112.7

  —

  118.4

  Powys

  131.4

  —

  134.1

  Ceredigion

  70.2

  0.2

  75.8

  Pembrokeshire

  114.5

  —

  116.9

  Carmarthenshire

  169.1

  —

  177.9

  Swansea

  214.2

  0.6

  226.7

  Neath Port Talbot

  133.5

  3.2

  148.4

  Bridgend

  123.6

  0.0

  131.0

  The Vale of Glamorgan

  110.1

  —

  112.0

  Rhondda, Cynon, Taff

  230.6

  8.9

  254.1

  Merthyr Tydfil

  59.0

  3.9

  67.1

  Caerphilly

  164.2

  0.1

  172.8

  Blaenau Gwent

  70.4

  5.6

  79.4

  Torfaen

  89.8

  —

  92.1

  Monmouthshire

  75.5

  —

  75.4

  Newport

  130.8

  —

  134.2

  Cardiff

  288.1

  —

  299.3

  All county and county borough councils: total

  2,806.3

  22.5

  not applicable

  Budget Statistics
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has for allocating the Welsh budget provision in 1999–2000, and provisionally for the years(a) 2000–01 and (b) 2001–02; and if he will make a statement. [64154]

  Mr. Michael
  The Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) settlement announced on 14 July 1998,Official Report, columns 187–194, allocated a total Welsh budget of £7,812 million, £8,223 million and £8,666 million for 1999–2000, 2000–01 and 2001–02 respectively. This provides for an average annual increase of 5.3 per cent. over the three years. I have now reached my decisions on how the budget should be allocated. In reaching these decisions, I took into account the views we received on the CSR consultation paper issued in September, and I would like to thank those who responded to the paper.

  I have decided to allocate significant additional resources to health and education to deliver our Manifesto commitments on class sizes, education standards and health waiting lists. These are our priorities because they are the people's priorities. There are also real terms increases for key issues like tackling social exclusion, improving the economic prosperity of Wales and for other
  392
  important programmes. The allocations will provide an excellent start to the National Assembly for Wales.

  For the NHS, I have allocated the indicative cash sums announced at the time of the CSR settlement in July—an extra £1.030 billion over the next three years. This is an average increase of 6.4 per cent. (3.9 per cent. in real terms) each year. As well as enabling us to meet our manifesto commitments on reducing waiting lists, these allocations will also secure other important service improvements.

  For Education and Training, I am allocating more than the indicative figures announced at the time of the CSR. I am increasing the education and training budgets by £844 million over the three years, an extra £1,000 per pupil/student in Wales. This is an average annual increase of 7 per cent. (4.5 per cent. real) over the next three years. The increase fulfils our manifesto pledges to make education our first priority. Over £70 million of the local government revenue settlement will be for education and we will expect local authorities to increase education spending by at least this amount. The increase in resources will fund an additional 28,000 students in Further Education, and an extra 8,000 students in Higher Education, by 2001–02.

  I have already announced, at column 390, the provisional settlement for local government and the police. The settlement allows for an extra £868 million in extra spending on services by Welsh local authorities over the next 3 years, net of specific grants. In addition, Welsh councils will be able to invest some £1.2 billion in capital projects over the next 3 years.

  We have set ambitious targets for improving the economic prosperity of Wales in 'Pathway to Prosperity'. I have increased provision for economic measures by £134 million over the period. The new Welsh Development Agency will have a gross programme of over £200 million in 1999–2000. We are also increasing our support for small businesses. I am allocating an extra £1 million each year to the Wales Tourist Board to help promote tourism activities associated with the Rugby World Cup and Millennium promotions. On transport, we will begin to address the priorities on roads set out in 'Driving Wales Forward'. We will also be announcing substantially increased support for local authorities' Integrated Transport Packages.

  I am also setting up a special fund which will enable the Assembly to continue to improve Wales's economic prosperity.

  Social inclusion and tackling poverty is another of the Government's priorities and I am allocating an extra £87 million over the period to help regenerate the poorest communities and to help the most vulnerable members of society. I am allocating provision of £25 million for Sure Start to begin a major programme to improve the life chances of very young children, especially the children of families living in the more disadvantaged areas. We will be encouraging measures to promote access to education and 'second chance' opportunities for training. I also want to encourage joint working across a number of

  393
  programmes and organisations and I am setting aside funds for the Assembly to decide how it wishes to pursue these objectives.

  I have already announced resources to ensure that the new Tir Gofal agri-environmental scheme will be properly funded, thereby meeting another of our Manifesto Commitments. We are also putting extra money into the Welsh Food Strategy.

  Arts and sport in Wales is an area where provision in recent years has been cut in real terms. These programmes add to the economic and social well being of our community and I have allocated additional resources in each of the next 3 years to provide real growth.

  1999–2002 Welsh Office spending plans

  Spending plans (£ million)

  Programme

  1998–99 plans (£ million)

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Total change (£ million)

  Average annual change (%)

  Average annual real terms change (%)

  NHS

  2,480

  2,655

  2,825

  2,990

  1,030

  6.4

  3.9

  Education and Training1

  1,875

  2,008

  2,162

  2,299

  844

  7.0

  4.5

  Local Authority Revenue2

  2,842

  2,986

  3,128

  3,279

  868

  4.9

  2.4

  Local Authority Capital3

  426

  405

  395

  406

  -71

  -1.5

  -4.0

  Economic Prosperity4

  319

  335

  368

  388

  134

  6.7

  4.2

  Cardiff Bay Development Corporation—to be wound up by 31 March 2000

  45

  35

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Social Inclusion5

  90

  109

  114

  134

  87

  14.4

  12.0

  Agriculture and Environment6

  77

  83

  85

  88

  25

  4.6

  2.1

  Arts and Culture

  45

  47

  51

  52

  15

  5.0

  2.5

  Central Administration incl. Assembly

  94

  120

  124

  126

  88

  10.9

  8.4

  Office of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools7

  10

  8

  9

  9

  -4

  -4.0

  -6.5

  Other non-block and demand-led items8

  405

  390

  399

  423

  -4

  1.5

  -1.0

  Total budget9,10

  7,412

  7,812

  8.223

  8,666

  2,465

  5.3

  2.8

  1 Education and Training line includes Central Government Education and Training programmes and Local Authority revenue and capital expenditure.

  2 Local Authority revenue line includes total standard spending net of specific grants, police grants and transfers from other Government Departments.

  3 Local Authority capital line includes the Windfall Tax resources for education which are outside of the published Welsh Budget figures.

  4 Economic Prosperity line includes Central Government provision for Economic and Industrial Development programmes, Roads and Transport.

  5 Social Inclusion lines includes Central Government provision for Housing and Personal Social Services.

  6 Agriculture and Environment line includes Central Government provision for Domestic Agriculture and the Environment.

  7 OHMCI includes running costs and programme expenditure.

  8 Other non-block and demand-led items includes Housing Revenue Account Subsidy, Common Agricultural Policy grants and European Regional Development Fund grants.

  9 Total Budget line is not the sum of the individual lines since the local authority education figures are included in Education and Training and the local authority revenue and capital lines along with other technical adjustments.

  10 In addition to these figures, the Welsh Budget will be increased by its share of the Capital Modernisation fund—£30 million in 2000–01 and £45 million in 2001–02.

  Welsh Office spending plans—main allocations: 1999–2002

  £ million

  Programme

  1998–99 plans

  1999–2000 plans

  2000–01 plans

  2001–02 plans

  Total change

  Average annual change (%)

  National Health Service

  2,480.0

  2,655.0

  2,825.0

  2,999.0

  1,030.0

  6.4

  Education and Training

  1,875.0

  2,008.0

  2,162.0

  2,299.0

  844.0

  7.0

  Of which:

  Local Authority (Revenue and Capital)

  1,315.0

  1,390.0

  1,466.0

  1,562.0

  473.0

  5.9

  Further Education Funding Council for Wales1

  178.6

  199.6

  213.6

  228.6

  106.0

  8.6

  Higher Education Funding Council for Wales2

  232.3

  270.5

  294.3

  314.9

  182.8

  10.7

  Training and Enterprise

  125.5

  141.4

  149.7

  150.8

  65.5

  6.4

  Local Authority Settlement

  Total Standard Spending3

  2,841.8

  2,986.4

  3,128.0

  3,279.0

  868.0

  4.9

  Capital

  425.7

  404.6

  395.1

  406.0

  -71.4

  -1.5

  394
  Finally, I have allocated additional resources to meet the cost of the Assembly. This includes the capital cost of the Assembly buildings and in the first year the cost of the Assembly elections.

  In addition to the CSR settlement, the Welsh budget will receive at least an extra £75 million during 2000–01 and 2001–02 from the Government's Capital Modernisation Fund; these moneys will be used to fund innovative capital projects, such as housing initiatives, schools and hospitals. The allocations to the main programmes are set out in the following tables.

  It is my intention to discuss the details of the allocations at a sitting of the Welsh Grand Committee on 16 December.

  395

  Welsh Office spending plans—main allocations: 1999–2002

  £ million

  Programme

  1998–99 plans

  1999–2000 plans

  2000–01 plans

  2001–02 plans

  Total change

  Average annual change (%)

  Economic Prosperity

  319.0

  335.0

  368.0

  388.0

  134.0

  6.7

  Of which:

  Regional Selective Assistance

  61.2

  63.2

  61.2

  61.2

  2.0

  0.0

  Welsh Development Agency

  123.0

  130.0

  130.0

  130.0

  21.0

  1.9

  Wales Tourist Board

  14.4

  15.4

  15.4

  15.4

  3.0

  2.3

  Central Government Roads and Transport

  102.4

  104.4

  107.4

  107.4

  12.0

  1.6

  Economic Development and Business Support4

  9.0

  9.0

  42.0

  62.0

  86.0

  138.1

  Cardiff Bay Development Corporation5

  44.9

  35.4

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Social Inclusion

  90.0

  109.0

  114.0

  134.0

  87.0

  14.4

  Of which:

  Personal Social Services

  6.0

  12.0

  20.0

  20.0

  34.0

  55.6

  Central Government Housing

  84.0

  89.0

  84.0

  84.0

  5.0

  0.1

  Social Inclusion Fund

  0.0

  8.0

  10.0

  30.0

  48.0

  —

  Agriculture and Environment

  77.0

  83.0

  85.0

  88.0

  25.0

  4.6

  Of which:

  Domestic Agriculture

  54.0

  57.4

  59.0

  62.0

  16.4

  4.7

  Countryside Council for Wales

  23.7

  23.7

  23.7

  23.7

  0.0

  0.0

  Cadw (incl. Royal Commission on Ancient and Historic Monuments

  7.6

  7.7

  7.7

  7.7

  0.3

  0.4

  Arts and Culture

  45.0

  47.0

  51.0

  52.0

  15.0

  5.0

  Of which:

  Welsh Language Board

  5.8

  5.9

  6.1

  6.3

  0.9

  2.8

  Arts Council of Wales

  14.3

  14.8

  15.3

  15.6

  2.8

  2.9

  National Library for Wales

  6.0

  6.2

  6.4

  6.5

  1.1

  2.7

  National Museums and Galleries of Wales

  12.3

  13.3

  13.7

  14.0

  4.1

  4.4

  Sports Council for Wales

  6.6

  6.8

  7.0

  7.2

  1.2

  2.9

  Memo item: total Welsh budget

  7,411.9

  7,812.1

  8,223.4

  8,665.5

  2,465.3

  5.3

  1 Excludes provision for student access funds.

  2 Includes transfer from DfEE resulting from the Dealing Review.

  3 Figure is net of specific grants, police grant and transfers from other Government Departments.

  4 Includes Economic Prosperity Fund.

  5 CBDC is to be wound up by 31 March 2000.

  Bus and Rail Industries
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the number of people employed in(a) the bus industry and (b) the rail industry in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [62911]

  Mr. Hain
  The only available information relates to the bus and coach industry where the number of staff employed in Wales is provisionally estimated at 7,200 in 1997–98.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he proposes to announce the names of the chairmen of the NHS trusts in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [62695]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  My right hon. Friend announced the chairs and some non-executive directors of the new NHS trusts in Wales on Tuesday 8 December.

  EU Structural Funds
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects the Community Support Framework, associated with Wales's bid for Objective I funding for 396
  the Western Wales and Valleys NUT2 area, to be completed; and what progress has been made in preparatory work for the Framework. [63151]

  Mr. Hain
  The draft regulations for Structural Funds would, if agreed by the Council, require the completion of a CSF within 9 months of the adoption of the Regulations. Negotiation of the Regulations is expected to be completed by the end of March 1999.

  The Wales European Task Force is currently working on the identification of strategic priorities for the programme. I expect this preliminary stage of their work to be completed in January. The proposed strategic priorities will then be the subject of wider public consultation before Easter next year.

  Dentists
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what has been the range of the capital grant made by the Welsh Office to support salaried National Health Service dentists in Wales since the introduction of the scheme; and what repayment provisions apply if the dentists subsequently leave the NHS. [63148]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  Capital funding of around £220,000 was paid to the Family Health Services Authorities of Gwynedd and Dyfed over the financial
  397
  years 1993–94, 1994–95 and 1995–96 to meet the costs incurred by those Authorities in refurbishing and equipping surgery premises to a clinical standard suitable for use by dentists employed by those Authorities. No repayment provisions apply. For the most part, the investment was in premises also used for the provision of Community Dental services and I understand that they are still in NHS use.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many salaried dentists have been employed in Wales since the Welsh Office set up its emergency scheme to maintain the availability of the NHS dental service; and of these how many(a) are currently working within the NHS dental service, (b) have transferred to provide a private dental service and (c) have ceased to provide a dental service in Wales. [63157]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  The number of salaried dentist posts established by Family Health Services Authorities in Wales, and successor Health Authorities, has varied during the period since the first post was filled in 1993. The maximum in post at any one time was 7, in 1996, but there are none at present. Information on the whereabouts of the dentists who were formerly employed by the Authorities is not held centrally.

  The Welsh Office dental initiative has been an outstanding success in attracting new dentists to those parts of Wales where they are needed most. The grant scheme offers a better and more economic long term alternative to the salaried option in addressing inadequacies in service provision.

  Food Poisoning
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will publish a monthly breakdown of the outbreaks of food poisoning in each of the last five years; [63332]

  (2) how many outbreaks of food poisoning there were in each county in each of the last five years. [63517]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  Preliminary monthly data on reported food poisoning in the health authorities of England and Wales are published during the second week of each month in the weekly publication, Communicable Disease Report (CDR).

  Final quarterly, regional data on food poisoning which are more complete are also published in CDR (March, June, September and December 1998). Quarterly data are available from 1996. Prior to this, data on salmonella were published in the PHLS State Veterinary Service (SVS) Update.

  Copies of the reports are available in the House of Commons Library or can be downloaded from the PHLS website, address: http://www.phls.co.uk.

  Mixed-sex Hospital Wards
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many mental health hospitals or psychiatric units in Wales have mixed-sex wards; and if he will list them. [63786]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  Information about mixed sex wards in mental health hospitals or psychiatric units is not held centrally.

  Schools Access Initiative
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the use of funding by Welsh schools under the Schools Access Initiative. [63827]

  Mr. Hain
  Returns from local authorities relating to the Schools Access Initiative indicate that funding was used for a variety of measures including ramps, alterations to doorways, toilets with access for disabled, extra sinks and shower facilities, white lines on steps and stairs and lift installations.

  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what records his Department has kept of the use of the £500,000 per year granted to Welsh schools under the Schools Access Initiative. [63829]

  Mr. Hain
  Local authorities were asked to provide reports detailing what measures had been implemented under the Initiative. 9 local authorities reported in 1997.

  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he intends to audit the use of the £500,000 per year granted to Welsh schools under the Schools Access Initiative. [63828]

  Mr. Hain
  Local authority expenditure is subject to audit by Audit Commission appointed auditors. No separate arrangements are made for reporting to the Welsh Office.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Arms Exports
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has carried out to establish in how many and what percentage of cases military equipment exported since 1 May 1997 under an export licence has been used for(a) internal repression and (b) other human rights abuses; and if he will make a statement. [62424]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  [holding answer 8 December 1998]: No formal mechanisms exist at present for systematically monitoring the use that has been made of British defence equipment once it has been exported. Where relevant, our Posts overseas report on the use of British-supplied equipment in the light of information they receive. We have no evidence that military equipment exported under a UK licence since 1 May 1997 has been used for internal repression or other human rights abuses.

  Licence applications for exports of military equipment and dual-use goods to military or internal security end-users are assessed against our defence export criteria and the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports. Under Criterion Two of the EU Code we assess the attitude of the recipient country of the proposed export to relevant principles established by international human rights instruments, and exercise special caution and vigilance in issuing licences to countries where serious violations of human rights have been established by the competent bodies of the UN, the Council of Europe or by the EU. We will not issue an export licence if there is a clearly identifiable risk that the proposed export might be used for internal repression.

  Indonesia
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on deaths and injuries in demonstrations in Indonesia on 13 and 14 November. [63449]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We have received reports of at least 14 deaths of civilians and members of the security forces as a result of violence in Jakarta on 13 and 14 November. A large number of injuries have also been reported.

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of British military equipment being used against demonstrators in Indonesia on 13 and 14 November; and if he will list the equipment involved. [63448]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We have received reports that some of the military equipment deployed by the Indonesian armed forces during the civil unrest in Indonesia on 13 and 14 November was UK-supplied. We have had no reports that equipment licensed since 1 May 1997 was used.

  UK Overseas Territories
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to publish his White Paper on United Kingdom Overseas Territories. [63488]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We plan that the Paper will be published early in the new year.

  General Affairs Council
  Mr. Rammell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the outcome of the General Affairs Council held in Brussels on 7 and 8 December; and if he will make a statement. [63341]

  Ms Quin
  The General Affairs Council in Brussels on 7/8 December adopted the A points listed in document 13773/98 and noted the resolutions, decisions and opinions adopted by the European Parliament in its sessions of 4-5 November and 16-20 November listed in documents 11765/98 and 12776/98. Copies of the documents listing the A points and resolutions will be placed in the House Libraries as soon as they become available.

  Foreign Ministers met in a Conclave on 6 December to discuss all areas of Agenda 2000 on the basis of a draft Presidency Report to Vienna, with particular emphasis on Structural Funds. We believe the report was a good summary of progress so far. It was agreed that it should go to the Vienna European Council. There was further discussion at the GAC on 7 December, but no formal conclusions.

  The GAC agreed its report to the Vienna European Council broadly endorsing the Commission's Progress Reports. It also agreed Conclusions stating that it would not at this stage make any recommendations to the European Council to add extra countries to the accession negotiations.

  The Presidency presented a factual paper, detailing work needed to implement the Treaty of Amsterdam. The GAC welcomed progress so far, and called for a precise working timetable for the forthcoming months, so that the Council can regularly review preparations.
  400
  The Council agreed a short report to the European Council on Common Strategies, the new foreign policy instrument to be introduced by the Amsterdam Treaty. It also recommended a short list of subjects for Common Strategies, for the European Council to consider.

  The GAC agreed on a progress report for the Vienna European Council on developing a comprehensive EU policy towards Russia. They looked forward to receiving a proposal from the Commission on EU food aid for Russia. They underlined the importance of adequate control mechanisms for the delivery of aid. Ministers will review the implementation of food aid at future meetings.

  The EU Declaration on 10 December reaffirms our commitment to speak up for the rights set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Human rights is high on Britain's foreign policy agenda. And the initiative my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has taken with Joschka Fischer—to publish an Annual EU Human Rights Report—has helped ensure that human rights is firmly on Europe's foreign policy agenda as well.

  The GAC also had an informal orientation discussion on European defence, where partners welcomed my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's initiative at the Poertschach informal European Council, and the joint statement on principles agreed between my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and President Chirac and Prime Minister Jospin at St. Malo.

  The Council agreed to establish a task force on asylum and immigration. The task force will submit an initial report to the GAC by March 1999, and a further report on the results of its work before the Tampere Special European Council in October 1999. Coreper, in consultation with the K4 Committee, will consider precise terms of reference and submit them for Council approval by January 1999.

  The Presidency presented two papers, on subsidiarity, and Council Working Methods. The subsidiarity paper is based on ideas raised at Poertschach, for example early application of the Amsterdam Treaty's subsidiarity proposal, and wider dissemination of the Commission's annual subsidiarity report. The Council Working Methods paper contains suggestions for improving efficiency, for example merging some Councils, better use of written procedures, restructuring agendas. Both papers were approved for transmission to the European Council.

  The GAC welcomed the considerable progress made in the negotiations towards a bilateral EU/Switzerland agreement. They agreed Coreper should examine the Commission's proposal to resolve any outstanding concerns. The Presidency hoped it might be possible to reach political agreement by the Vienna European Council.

  The GAC made a declaration calling on both sides in the Middle East Peace Progress to continue the implementation of the Wye Agreement in the face of violence and mutual recrimination which threaten the progress already made.

  The Council adopted conclusions on Kosovo which called on both sides to respect the various relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, to refrain from violence, and engage actively in the negotiating process. The Council instructed officials to address the problem of reconstruction, calling for a report in time for the January

  401
  GAC. It condemned the FRY authorities' repression of the independent media, and agreed to impose a visa ban on the personalities responsible. It also instructed officials to consider ways to support the EU forensic mission to Kosovo.

  The Council expressed its support for the reform process in Montenegro, and asked officials to consider the possibilities for further assistance.

  The Council urged Croatia to intensify work to assist refugee return, media freedom and election law reform. On Bosnia and Herzegovina, it looked forward to the Madrid Peace Implementation Council; and welcomed the arrest by SFOR of General Krstic and his transfer to The Hague. It welcomed the formation of a new Government in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

  On Albania the Council welcomed the peaceful course and outcome of the referendum on the constitution, which will be a fundamental element in the construction of a stable democracy. It deplored the boycott of the referendum and continued boycott of parliament by the Democratic Party and tasked the Council's competent bodies to recommend an adequate EU response.

  Commissioner Pinheiro reported on the latest round of talks of a Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the UK and South Africa. He had met with trade minister Erwin on 1 December. The Council had an exchange of views on the outstanding issues and agreed to review the situation at their next meeting.

  Council agreed a revision of the Community's Generalised System of Preferences scheme. The review combines into one Regulation previously separate schemes covering agricultural and industrial products. The revision will enter into legal effect on January; its provisions will come into force on 1 July. We have argued strongly in favour of the changes.

  Sir Leon Brittan gave an update on recent developments on the bananas discussion with the US. The Commission would continue to look for ways to solve the current impasse. The Member States took note with approval.

  The Council noted with concern attacks on Christians during recent rioting in Indonesia, on which the Presidency had made a statement on 23 November. EU Heads of Mission in Jakarta had been asked to underline this concern with the Indonesian Government.

  In the margins of the Council, the EU Troika held a political dialogue meeting on 8 December with the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. This was an opportunity for the new Government to describe the internal political situation, and for both sides to discuss bilateral relations, and the situation in Kosovo.

  Sudan
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received about the murder of three aid workers in the Nuba mountains in June; and if he will place them in the Library. [63447]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The UN have given oral reports about the incident to our Embassy in Khartoum. On 9 June 1998 a World Food Programme (WFP) convoy and its police 402
  escort was attacked in the Nuba mountains, territory held by the Government of Sudan. Three Sudanese personnel were killed, two from WFP and one from the Sudanese Red Crescent (SRC), and three more SRC personnel injured. The incident occurred about 60 kms north east of Kadugli between the villages of Arie and Hadab. The convoy was fired on when crossing a Wadi; the WFP Landcruiser seems to have borne the brunt of the assault.

  We have not received any formal written reports which could be placed in the Library.

  Chechnya
  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library the advice given to Granger Telecom, Surrey in respect of the safety of British nationals working in Chechnya. [63627]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The advice given to Granger Telecom was consistent over time and widely available. At the first FCO contact with Granger personnel in July of this year Granger's attention was drawn to the FCO's travel advice. This information was again shared with Granger at a meeting in August. The advice included the following:"We strongly advise against travel to the Chechen Republic … because of the unstable security situation. Visitors have been kidnapped in these areas recently."

  A copy of the travel advice of 18 August has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Diplomatic Posts
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what dates the diplomatic posts will be closed in(a) Chaing Mai (b) Cleveland, (c) Kuching, (d) Pusan and (e) Seville. [63824]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Kuching was closed on 28 November 1998.

  No date has been set for the closure of Chiang Mai, Cleveland, Pusan and Seville. They will take place towards the end of this financial year, or in financial year 1999–2000.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from(a) Governments, (b) industry and (c) other interested parties on the proposed closures of the diplomatic posts at (a) Chaing Mai, (b) Cleveland, (c) Kuching, (d) Pusan and (e) Seville; and what consultation he has undertaken in each case. [63825]

  Mr. Fatchett
  There has been no representation received in either the host countries or in London from governments or any other party over the proposed closures of Kuching, Pusan and Chiang Mai. DTI have received inquiries about these closures from British companies asking for clarification.

  The issue of the closure of Seville was raised informally with our Ambassador in Spain by the Spanish Government, and we have received some representations from members of the public concerned that there would be sufficient consular cover from Malaga.
  403
  Thirteen Congressmen, a Senator and the Governor of Ohio have petitioned our Embassy in Washington over the closure of Cleveland. There have been representations to the FCO and our embassy in Washington from some US politicians and by various British companies and members of the public.

  In each case, we took representations into consideration before taking a final decision.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list(a) the selling agents, (b) the sale price and (c) the reserve price of each of his Department's properties currently for sale in (i) Dublin, (ii) Bonn and (iii) Casablanca. [63819]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The Selling Agents in Dublin are Hamilton Osborne King and F.P.D. Savills. In Bonn we are being advised by Colliers Erdman Lewis, although they are not appointed in the capacity of agents. In Casablanca our agents are Gerald Cantarel.

  The remainder of the information requested is commercially sensitive.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to close the High Commission in Port Vila in Vanuatu. [63822]

  Mr. Fatchett
  There are no plans to close the High Commission in Port Vila, Vanuatu. However we are looking at a more flexible approach to our representation there.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to reduce the British diplomatic presence in Papua New Guinea. [63820]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Of the three UK-based staff currently in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, one will not be replaced when his tour ends (March 1999). The remaining two positions will be retained.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many(a) departmental officials, (b) locally—engaged staff and (c) officials from other departments are currently engaged in the diplomatic posts in (i) Chaing Mai, (ii) Cleveland, (iii) Kuching, (iv) Pusan and (v) Seville. [63823]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The following table shows the number of staff employed in the Missions listed.

  Post staff

  UK-based FCO staff

  LE staff

  Other department staff

  Chiang Mai

  1.0

  1.0

  0.0

  Cleveland

  1.0

  4.5

  0.0

  Kuching

  1.0

  1.0

  0.0

  Pusan

  0.0

  2.0

  0.0

  Seville

  0.0

  5.0

  0.0

  Total

  3.0

  13.5

  0.0

  North Korea
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of whether North Korea is meeting its obligations under the non-proliferation agreement. [63816]
  404
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  North Korea's Framework Agreement with the US commits it to freezing its Nuclear Reactor programme, and to allowing IAEA to inspect its nuclear waste sites. But we remain concerned that the IAEA is still not receiving full co-operation from North Korea. North Korea's decision in October to allow the IAEA to restart canning operations at a frozen reactor was a positive step. But it is essential that North Korea implements the IAEA Safeguards Agreement at the earliest possible opportunity, in order to give the international community confidence that it is complying in full.

  We have consistently supported the IAEA in its dealings with North Korea, and supported a strongly worded resolution on this issue at IAEA General Conference in October.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has held over the past two months with Madeline Albright on North Korea's nuclear programme; and if he will make a statement. [63817]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has had no substantive discussions with Madeline Albright on North Korea's nuclear programme over the past two months.

  Nuclear issues were raised at the EU Troika meeting on 2 December, and at bilateral talks with North Korea on 3 December.

  Coptic Christians
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Egyptian Government concerning the persecution of Coptic Christians in Egypt. [63815]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The British Embassy in Cairo closely follow human rights issues, including those related to freedom of religion. They assess that there is no general Egyptian Government policy of discrimination against Christians—a view shared by many leading Copts in Egypt who do not encourage diplomatic intervention in their problems.

  We will continue to stay in touch with the Coptic Church and to monitor the situation.

  Lockerbie
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the discussions held between Colonel Gadaffi and Kofi Annan about Lockerbie. [63818]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We remain in close touch with the United Nations Secretary-General, and are grateful for his efforts to persuade Libya to comply with UNSCR 1192. We look to Libya to provide an early and positive response.

  China (Human Rights)
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Chinese authorities concerning individuals imprisoned for counter-revolutionary offences. [63537]
  405
  Mr. Fatchett
  Through our continuing bilateral and EU/China human rights dialogues we have raised the cases of a number of individuals detained for counterrevolutionary offences. We have encouraged China to review all such cases following the removal of crimes of counter-revolution from China's Criminal Law in 1997.

  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Chinese authorities on their implementation of the United Nations Convention on Human Rights. [63538]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Through our continuing bilateral and EU/China human rights dialogues, we are encouraging China to ratify quickly, with as few reservations as possible, the two international human rights covenants which it has signed. UK experts visited China in February to share experience in this area.

  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the detention of members of the Democratic Party of China. [63539]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We are dismayed at the recent detention of members of the China Democratic Party. The actions of the Chinese authorities are at odds with the principles of the international human rights covenants which China has signed. China should release all of those detained and take a more tolerant attitude to those who wish to express freely their political views.

  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Chinese authorities concerning the detention of(a) Xu Wenli, (b) Lu Decheng, (c) Yu Dongyue and (d) Yu Zhijan. [63540]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We are dismayed at the recent detention of members of the China Democratic Party. On 2 December, our Embassy in Beijing expressed our concerns to the Chinese government. They can be in no doubt as to our views.

  Vietnam
  Dr. Ladyman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about recent achievements of British business in Vietnam. [64090]

  Mr. Fatchett
  UK business has indeed achieved a series of important successes in Vietnam. UK investment in the country has risen by 50 per cent. in 1998. Foster Wheeler Energy Ltd. have recently won an important contract, worth some $15 million, as front-end engineering design consultants for the planned $1.5 billion Dung Quat oil refinery in Vietnam. The award of this contract against stiff competition is a major success. We expect Foster Wheeler's involvement to lead to substantial further business—worth perhaps several hundred million pounds—in the refinery for UK suppliers. The firm has also secured a $2 million contract to run and maintain Petro Vietnam Gas Corporation's operations in Vung Tau.

  Cable & Wireless received a $207 million investment licence in August to install 250,000 telephone lines in Hanoi, during the visit of my hon. Friend the Minister for Trade. Negotiations took four years. Earlier this year, Mitsui Babcock won the largest ever UK export order
  406
  to Vietnam to supply power station boilers worth $123 million; and Tate & Lyle has invested $85 million in a sugar refining plant.

  These successes follow several years of persistent efforts in support of would-be British investors in Vietnam not only by the companies themselves, but also by our diplomatic posts in Vietnam, by visiting UK Ministers, and by DTI and FCO officials. Those efforts continue in support of other major potential business which could result in significant spin-off benefits for many British equipment and service providers and further enhance the commercial relationship between the UK and Vietnam.

  George Atkinson
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what response he has received from the Government of Dubai consequent upon his note verbale regarding the arbitrary detention of George Atkinson; and if he will make a statement. [63415]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We have not yet received a substantive reply. On 8 December my noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs had a meeting with the UAE Ambassador during which she raised the question of the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention's decision. My noble Friend asked that in the light of the UN Working Group's decision Mr. Atkinson be released. The Ambassador undertook to refer to his Government.

  On 10 December the Government of the UAE told our Consul-General in Dubai that the Note is under consideration.

  On 13 December, Mr. Atkinson was found guilty and sentenced to two terms of 3 years imprisonment plus fines. We understand he will appeal immediately.

  Cuba (Spanish Royal Visit)
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his Spanish counterpart on King Juan Carlos's proposed visit to Cuba. [63699]

  Ms Quin
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not discussed the King of Spain's proposed visit to Cuba with Sr. Matutes, the Spanish Foreign Minister.

  Chile (British Ambassador)
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the British Ambassador to Chile moved into the Hyatt hotel in Santiago; for what reason; how long she intends to stay there; and what are the additional costs to public funds. [63700]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  HM Ambassador to Chile has not moved into the Hyatt hotel.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Tritium (Severn Estuary)
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action his Department proposes
  407
  to take to reduce the levels of tritium found in sole, flounder and mussels in the Severn Estuary; and if he will make a statement. [62964]

  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  I have been asked to reply.

  In 1999, Nycomed Amersham will be applying for a new discharge authorisation from the Environment Agency. It will be for the Agency to determine the level of discharge of tritium that would be appropriate. The Secretary of State will be a statutory consultee reflecting his responsibilities for food safety.

  In terms of dose to the critical group of fishermen, and fish and shellfish consumers, it is estimated that the current tritium concentrations in fish and shellfish contribute 40–45 microsieverts per year. Together with the dose from carbon-14 the total dose to the critical group is 60 microsieverts per year. This is well below the established limit of 1,000 microsieverts per year, and the dose constraint of 300 microsieverts per year from new sources.

  Meat Exports (Specified Risk Material)
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action was taken against those companies which attempted to export meat or meat products which failed to comply with national legislation concerning specified risk material during the first quarter of 1998. [63142]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Meat Hygiene Service, an Agency of MAFF, enforces the SRM controls on a day to day basis in licensed slaughterhouses and cutting plants. In all other premises approved under the SRM legislation, the controls are enforced by local authorities. In addition, the State Veterinary Service carries out regular unannounced independent audit visits to all premises approved under the legislation to monitor the extent of compliance. The inspection figures for the 12 month period to the end of October 1998 show that 4,096 visits were made to abattoirs in Great Britain. At 4,074 of these visits (99.5 per cent.), the handling and disposal of SRM were found to be fully satisfactory. No cases have been found of bovine spinal cord not being fully removed from carcases in licensed slaughterhouses in Great Britain since March 1996.

  We are not aware of any attempts to export meat or meat products from which SRM has not been removed in accordance with the controls.

  Farm Incomes
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to reverse the decline in farm incomes. [63125]

  Mr. Rooker
  Government and all those associated with food production in the UK need to work together towards a sustainable, competitive and profitable industry and an attractive and viable countryside for the future. This means in particular securing reform of the Common Agricultural Policy, and I am planning a broad consultation with all parts of the industry on the way forward on this.

  Food (EU Inspection Agencies)
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will list those agencies which are licensed to inspect food production establishments in third countries on behalf of the EC; [63138]

  (2) how regular are the inspections of plants in each EU country and outside the EU by the Office of Veterinary and Phytosanitary Inspection; [63143]

  (3)if he will make it his policy to request information from the European Commission regarding the dates when each establishment producing meat in third countries which export to the UK was last inspected by or for the EU. [63141]

  Mr. Rooker
  The European Commission's Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) carry out a number of missions each year to look at member states' and third countries' procedures and establishments. These missions involve audits of the bodies responsible for consumer health protection and include inspections of some individual processing premises. In addition, some member states who traditionally have carried out their own audits of third countries' procedures and establishments may continue to do so, either for products for which import rules are not yet harmonised across the Community or to complement the Commission's programme. MAFF staff are hoping to visit Brazil and Thailand early in the near year to carry out audits of the public health controls on poultry meat and poultry meat products.

  The Commission are in the process of expanding the FVO so that it can carry out inspections in all third countries to verify that their establishments comply with Community provisions. As an interim measure, it has been agreed by the Council of Ministers that, for products of animal origin other than fresh meat, guarantees of conformity with Community provisions for the protection of public and animal health may, until 1 January 2001, be given by the competent authority of the third country concerned.

  The frequency of FVO missions to individual countries is not laid down but is based on priorities. Work programmes are discussed in advance with the member states and reflect past experience of the products and countries concerned and the importance of the trade. Reports of the missions are, as a matter of course, presented to the Standing Veterinary Committee and summaries placed on the DG XXIV internet site.

  Meat Hygiene Charges (EU)
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will list the EU countries which apply the discretionary standard charge abatement provided for in Council Directive 85/73/EEC (as amended); [63124]

  (2) if he will list the charges made by meat hygiene authorities in each EU member state. [63126]

  Mr. Rooker
  I am currently seeking information about the level of hygiene inspection charges levied on individual meat plants in other EU Members States, including the extent to which the standard charge abatement provision in Council Directive 85/73/EEC is
  409
  applied. Once I have received this information, I will write to the hon. Member, although this may take some time.

  Milk Production (Inspections)
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for what reasons his Ministry conducts inspections of milk production. [63130]

  Mr. Rooker
  The inspections are carried out to monitor compliance with the Dairy Products (Hygiene) Regulations 1995 as amended, which implement Council Directive 92/46/EEC and its subsequent amendments, laying down the health rules for the production and placing on the market of raw milk, heat treated milk and milk based products.

  Food Inspections
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for what reasons the cost of food inspections is charged to farmers. [63129]

  Mr. Rooker
  The dairy hygiene inspections carried out by the Dairy Hygiene Inspectorate are charged to farmers. Charging for inspections was introduced in 1987 as part of the previous administration's policy to recover a proportion of ADAS costs through charges.

  Antibiotics
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to implement the recommendations of the House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology, and those of the Copenhagen Conference of EU Chief Medical Officers concerning the use of antibiotics in animal feed; and on what time scale. [63180]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Government's response to the House of Lords Select Committee report will be published shortly. We support proposals by the European Commission to suspend the use of four antibiotic growth promoters, which would take effect on 1 July 1999.

  Organophosphates
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will review the assessment, approval and monitoring mechanisms for veterinary medicines and agricultural pesticides, with particular reference to organophosphate products; and if he will make a statement. [63662]

  Mr. Rooker
  Agricultural pesticides and veterinary medicines are already subject to rigorous approval systems as regards pesticides, under the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986 and the Plant Protection Products Regulations 1995 and, for veterinary medicines, the Medicines Act 1968 and the Marketing Authorisations for Veterinary Medicinal Products Regulations 1994.

  In order to maintain the quality and consistency of the recommendations made to Ministers, both PSD and VMD continually seek to improve and develop supporting procedures, risk assessment and approval mechanisms. The Report to Ministers of the Official Group on OPs, published earlier this year, included a detailed examination of the regulatory (licensing) system for
  410
  pesticides and veterinary medicines which can be found in Chapter 6. The Official Group also noted that it had successfully improved the flow of information on all OP product related issues between Departments.

  The statutory approval systems for pesticides and veterinary medicines are designed to ensure that these products can be used safely provided the manufacturers instructions are followed. Nevertheless, the Government are still concerned to make sure that the comprehensive arrangements for post-approval monitoring continue to be developed to ensure that nothing slips through the net. In addition, the variability conference held recently in York, which aimed at achieving a better understanding of variable residues of pesticides in food and the development of consumer risk assessment procedures, demonstrates the leading role we take internationally.

  The Veterinary Products Committee (VPC) advises Agriculture and Health Ministers on the safety, quality and efficacy of veterinary medicines. The VPC has advised on the safety of organophosphorus (OP) sheep dips, most recently on 17 February 1997. The VPC is currently carrying out a review of other veterinary medicinal products containing OPs and will report to Ministers in 1999. In addition we are undertaking a review of OP and other anticholinesterase pesticides approved under the Control of Pesticide Regulations 1986 as announced on 12 May 1998, Official Report, column 68.

  Meat Imports
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent assessment he has made of(a) the number of declared and undeclared BSE cases in other EU member states and (b) the control mechanism for the import of beef and beef extract products from those countries; and if he will make a statement. [63663]

  Mr. Rooker
  Figures for confirmed BSE cases in other EU Countries for 1995, 1996, 1997 and to 4 December 1998, supplied to us by the Commission are given in the following table:

  EU country

  1995

  1996

  1997

  11998

  Belgium

  —

  —

  1

  6

  France

  3

  12

  6

  14

  Germany2

  —

  —

  2

  —

  Luxembourg

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Netherlands

  —

  —

  2

  2

  Portugal

  14

  29

  30

  83

  Republic of Ireland

  16

  73

  77

  69

  1 to 4 December 1998

  2 Germany has reported no homebred cases of BSE

  The total number of BSE cases reported to the Commission by EU Member States are given in the following table:

  Country

  Date of last report 1

  No. of cases from UK

  Total cases

  Belgium

  4 December 1998

  —

  7

  Denmark

  4 December 1998

  1

  1

  France

  4 December 1998

  —

  46

  Germany

  4 December 1998

  5

  26

  Italy

  4 December 1998

  2

  2

  Luxembourg

  4 December 1998

  —

  1

  411

  Country

  Date of last report1

  No. of cases from UK

  Total cases

  Netherlands

  4 December 1998

  —

  4

  Portugal

  4 December 1998

  7

  191

  Republic of Ireland

  4 December 1998

  12

  335

  1 Date of last report received—whether indicating no change or an increase in number of confirmed cases.

  2 Germany has reported no homebred cases of BSE. The sixth case is believed to have come from Switzerland.

  The UK's SRM controls require all beef and beef products for food and animal feed use imported from other EU member states and third countries to be accompanied by official veterinary certification confirming that they do not contain and were not derived from specified risk materials—the tissues most likely to harbour BSE infectivity. These national controls are in addition to the rules for intra-Community trade.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what testing and inspection procedures are applied to (i) pork, (ii) chicken and (iii) beef being imported into the UK; [63837]

  (2) if he will ensure that chicken pieces coming from Brazil meet the health and safety standards which apply to poultry farmers in the UK; [63834]

  (3) what steps he has taken to ensure that the British public is not buying contaminated pork or chicken in unprocessed, processed or pre-prepared food products imported from outside the UK. [63836]

  Mr. Rooker
  All consignments of fresh meat imported into the UK, whether from other EU Member States or third countries, must have been produced in accordance with the harmonised Community rules laid down in Council Directive 64/433/EEC. Among other things, this Directive sets out the licensing, structural and veterinary supervision requirements to be applied in abattoirs, cutting plants and cold stores. Slaughterhouses in third countries have to comply with standards at least equivalent to those laid down in the Directive before they can export to the EU. The European Commission's Food and Veterinary Office are responsible for carrying out inspections in member states and in the third countries from which fresh meat is imported into the Community. If necessary, the Commission will take infraction proceedings against Member States whose arrangements are considered inadequate.

  All consignments of animal products imported into the European Union from third countries are subject to checks at designated B order Inspection Posts (BIPs). Community law requires every consignment to be subject to a documentary and identity check. For poultry meat and poultry meat products, other than from countries with which the Community has equivalence agreements, the minimum frequency laid down in Community law for physical checks is 50 per cent. of consignments. For pork and beef and related products the minimum frequency for physical checks is 20 per cent. European Commission guidance states that at least 1 per cent. of consignments which are subject to physical checks at Border Inspection Posts should be randomly sampled for residues, contaminants and bacteria such as salmonella and coliforms. Single Market rules only permit random-spot checks at the final destination on products from other Member States and on products from third countries that have passed through a BIP.

  Meat and Livestock Commission
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the representatives of the (i) poultry, (ii) lamb, (iii) beef and (iv) pork producers who sit on the Board of the Meat and Livestock Commission. [63839]

  Mr. Rooker
  Members of the Commission are not formally appointed as representatives of particular sectors. The following producers are, however, members of the Meat and Livestock Commission:

  Mrs. Helen Browning (producer of beef cattle, sheep and pigs)

  Mr. Richard Campbell (pigs)

  Mr. John (Rees) Roberts (sheep)

  Mr. John Ross CBE (beef cattle and sheep).

  In addition, the Chairman of the MLC, Mr. Don Curry, is a beef and sheep producer.

  The Agriculture Act 1967, which set up the MLC does not permit the Commission to cover the poultry industry.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what new initiatives he is taking to improve the effectiveness of the Meat and Livestock Commission in promoting the sale of British meat products. [63838]

  Mr. Rooker
  The MLC spent over £20 million in the 1997–98 financial year on promoting beef, lamb and pork. I believe that its work is recognised to be effective and that the Commission itself is best placed to judge where it should concentrate its future effort.

  The MLC is currently undergoing a regular five yearly policy review and Ministers will consider all representation made in the course of that review.

  Scottish Devolution
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much is spent annually by his Department on research programmes in Scotland; and what proportion of this funding will be transferred to the Scottish Parliament after devolution. [63284]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 10 December 1998]: The Ministry funds research to underpin its policy objectives. Decisions on the placing of research contracts are based on the scientific quality and value for money of research proposals and not on the geographical location of contractors. The Ministry paid some £8 million for research projects in Scotland in 1997–98, including projects carried out at Research Council institutes and universities. Post-devolution, the Ministry and the Scottish Office Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries Department will continue to co-operate fully, through the Funders' Group arrangements, to ensure that R&D funded by both departments remains closely co-ordinated and that the results are shared.

  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what assessment he has made of the programmes which it will be ultra vires for his Department to fund or have sole responsibility for
  413
  after devolution; if he will list these programmes; and if he will make a statement; [63286]

  (2) if he will list (a) by programme over £50,000 and (b) the total spending by his Department in Scotland on the identifiable spending areas detailed in Table 7.6A of the Public Expenditure Statistical Analysis 1997–98 (Cmnd 3601); which of these programmes will fall solely or jointly under the responsibility of the Scottish Parliament; and what arrangements are in place to transfer control of funds for these projects to the Scottish Executive or Parliament. [63285]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 10 December 1998]: Most functions in the agriculture, fisheries and food area will become the responsibility of the devolved administrations following devolution. It is too early to say to what extent programme expenditure which is currently administered by MAFF may relate to functions which will transfer to Scottish Ministers. For the total spending by the Department in Scotland I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury to the hon. Member for North Tayside (Mr. Swinney) on 4 November 1998, Official Report, columns 614–15.

  Sheep Annual Premium
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has made concerning the proposed suspension of the stabiliser for calculation of sheep annual premium payments. [63495]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Government are not aware of any formal proposal to suspend the operation of the stabiliser applied under the EU regime for sheepmeat. The right to propose amendments to EU secondary legislation rests solely with the European Commission. Were the Commission to propose the suspension of the sheepmeat stabiliser, we would not support such a proposal, in view of its serious implications for both UK and EU expenditure.

  Common Agricultural Policy
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of total CAP expenditure will go to British farmers in the current year; and to which sectors. [63105]

  Mr. Rooker
  In 1997, the latest year for which data are available, direct payments to UK farmers amounted to some 8% of the total CAP budget. Of this total, 50% were arable payments, 48% livestock (including BSE related payments) and 2% agri-environment and other payments. These figures exclude market support measures such as export refunds which also benefit UK farmers but are not paid directly to them.

  Methyl Bromide
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what investigations his Department is carrying out into(a) the continued use of the agricultural fumigant methyl bromide and (b) the potential reduction of its environmental impact through composted manure. [62965]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Government are bound by the timetable laid down in the Montreal Protocol to reduce or 414
  phase-out substances as methyl bromide which deplete the ozone layer. The Protocol was last amended in September 1997 when it was agreed, for developed countries, to cut production and use of methyl bromide by 50 per cent. by 2001, 70 per cent. by 2003 and phase out by 2005. All member states of the European Union are signatories to the Protocol, which is currently implemented through Council Regulation (EC) 3093/94.

  The European Commission has proposed a draft Regulation imposing a more stringent timetable to cut production and phase-out methyl bromide.

  Investigations have therefore been carried out into the impact of the phase-out of methyl bromide rather than into its continued use as an agricultural fumigant.

  In addition to these investigations a LINK research project to consider alternatives for the horticulture sector commences in April next year. Part of this project aims at improving composting processes to add value to composts made from domestic waste and animal manure by optimising suppressiveness against soil borne diseases.

  Animal Feed (Poultry Manure)
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the prevalence of the practice of using poultry manure as the nitrogen content in compound feeds for animals. [62618]

  Mr. Rooker
  The use of poultry manure as an ingredient of compound animal feeds is prohibited by virtue of Regulation 15(11) of the Feeding Stuffs Regulations 1995.

  Horticulture
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his Department's policy for encouraging the competitiveness of the UK horticultural industry with regard to other EU countries, in relation to the production of flowers for sale in supermarkets; and if he will make a statement. [63240]

  Mr. Rooker
  We are actively encouraging the competitiveness of UK horticulture through a research programme worth over £20 million, made up of contributions from the Agriculture Departments and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council. Over £1.7 million of this is concerned directly or indirectly with ornamental horticulture.

  The Ministry funds a strategic R&D programme which includes research into scheduling, improved quality and crop protection of both protected and outdoor flower crops. Specifically there is an on-going project with Horticulture Research International at Kirton to develop a framework for predicting the productivity, quality and availability of outdoor flower crops; this is now in its third year (of five) with a total cost of £385,000.

  The Ministry has recently placed a project through open competition with a consortium led by The University of Wales, Cardiff, investigating the biochemistry of post-harvest deterioration of cut flowers with the objective

  415
  of improving vaselife. The project will last three years at a total cost of £258,000. The Ministry also plays a full part in securing promotional funding from the European Commission which has as its objective the increase in demand for flowers and plants in the UK and a consequent
  416
  increase in the sales of British produce. The UK allocation for year one of the scheme (1997–98) was £801,052 (1,079,119 ecu) and £603,833 (867,907 ecu) for year two (1998–99). But additional funding for this year is expected to be available shortly.

  Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981: Guidance to Procurators Fiscal
  Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981: Guidance to Procurators Fiscal
  Medical Profession: Self-regulation
  Medical Profession: Self-regulation
  Investment in Culture
  Investment in Culture
  English Partnerships: Inner Thames Marshes
  English Partnerships: Inner Thames Marshes
  English Partnerships: Sustainable Development
  English Partnerships: Sustainable Development
  English Partnerships: Contaminated Land and Nature Conservation
  English Partnerships: Contaminated Land and Nature Conservation
  Rail Passenger Service Franchisees
  Rail Passenger Service Franchisees
  Rail Passenger's Charter: Compensation
  Rail Passenger's Charter: Compensation
  Railways: Removal of Staff
  Railways: Removal of Staff
  London City Airport: Underground Rail Link
  London City Airport: Underground Rail Link
  TWH Management Ltd
  TWH Management Ltd
  Corporal Punishment of Children in Crown Dependencies
  Corporal Punishment of Children in Crown Dependencies
  Criminal Records Bureau
  Criminal Records Bureau
  Home Affairs Council, 3–4 December
  Home Affairs Council, 3–4 December
  Secure Training Orders
  Secure Training Orders
  Medway Secure Training Centre
  Medway Secure Training Centre
  Defence Medical Services
  Defence Medical Services
  Defence: Post-doctoral Research Fellowships
  Defence: Post-doctoral Research Fellowships
  Statutory Instruments
  Statutory Instruments
  Non-industrial Civil Service: Permanent Staff
  Non-industrial Civil Service: Permanent Staff
  Northern Ireland: Offences of Violence against the Person
  Northern Ireland: Offences of Violence against the Person
  Mr. David Adams: Allegations of Assault
  Mr. David Adams: Allegations of Assault
  Foreign Visits and Extradition
  Foreign Visits and Extradition
  Sudan
  Sudan
  Corporal Punishment of Children in the Overseas Territories
  Corporal Punishment of Children in the Overseas Territories
  Vietnam: UK Business Success
  Vietnam: UK Business Success