Written Answers of 4 February 1998

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Fast Track Costs
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when the results of the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies hypothetical exercise on fast track costs will be published; and if he will make a statement. [26255]

  Mr. Hoon
  I expect to publish the research in conjunction with a consultation paper on costs in the fast track after Easter.

  Legal Aid
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department which firms are participating in the KPMG research on legal services without the benefit of legal aid; when the research will be published; and if he will make a statement. [26256]

  Mr. Hoon
  A number of firms were randomly selected to be consulted by KPMG in the preparation of the business case for a solicitor's firm to undertake money claims under conditional fee agreements without requiring their clients to pay money in advance. The firms were asked to participate in strict confidence and I cannot, therefore, name them.

  When KPMG's report has been received, a decision will be taken about publication.

  Mortgage Debt Recovery
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will review the statutory time limit on the right of mortgagors to pursue shortfall debts after judgment. [27423]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Government do not intend to conduct a separate review of the statutory time limit applicable to mortgage debts. A Comprehensive review of the law of limitation periods has already been undertaken by the Law Commission, with a view to simplification and rationalisation of the law. In January this year, the Commission published a Consultation Paper seeking the views of interested parties on its provisional proposals for reform. We will consider the recommendations made when the Law Commission completes its Report. The Government do not plan to modify the law relating to limitation of actions before then.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Saunders v. United Kingdom
  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  To ask the Attorney-General what approach prosecutors take to reliance on evidence 640
  obtained through the exercise of compulsory powers having regard to the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in Saunders v. United Kingdom. [27920]

  The Attorney-General
  The Government propose to bring forward legislation when a suitable opportunity arises to ensure that the domestic law which was in issue in Saunders v. United Kingdom is fully compatible with our obligations under the European convention on human rights. As an interim measure, I have today promulgated to prosecuting authorities guidance about the handling of cases where the evidence available to the prosecution includes answers obtained by the exercise of compulsory powers.

  A copy of the Guidance has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. Its effect is that answers obtained pursuant to a procedure which includes the power to compel answers, whatever the investigative or regulatory regime, cannot be used in subsequent criminal proceedings as part of the prosecution case except for the very limited purposes of proceedings for offences arising out of the giving of the evidence (eg. perjury). The Guidance therefore covers not only evidence obtained by the exercise of powers under Section 434 of the Companies Act 1985, which was in issue in Saunders v. the UK, but also evidence obtained under analogous powers. In addition, the guidance restricts the use by prosecutors of compulsorily acquired answers for the purpose of cross-examination.

  The Lord Advocate is to issue similar guidance in Scotland.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Green Ministers
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what changes have been made to the(a) powers and (b) responsibilities of Green Ministers since 1 May; [25938]

  (2) pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Ceredigion (Mr. Dafis) of 9 June 1997, Official Report, column 314, what was the outcome of the review of the network of Green Ministers. [25937]

  Mr. Meacher
  As I set out in the Press Notice I released on 30 July, having received the network of Green Ministers following the Election, we gave them the following powers and responsibilities:they now support the Cabinet Committee on the Environment (ENV) chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister;
  they now have a strategic role to secure environmental appraisal in all Government policy-making, as well as responsibility to green Government operations;
  individually, their role is to consider the environmental impacts of their Departments' policies and programmes, and to review the management of their Departments to ensure that they operate as sustainably as possible in terms of energy efficiency, waste minimisation and so on.

  Railway Stations (Night Staffing)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many
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  railway stations are unstaffed overnight; and if he has any plans to require railway stations to be staffed at night. [26244]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Comprehensive details of station staffing are not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. All train operating companies are signatories to the industry wide Ticketing and Settlement Agreement (TSA) which includes the ticket office opening hours for staffed stations. Operators' licences and the franchise agreements require compliance with the TSA. The TSA specifies 14 stations where ticket offices are open for 24 hours a day. There are no requirements on operators to staff areas of stations other than the ticket offices specified in the TSA. The Government's proposals for the long term reform of the railways will be set out in our White Paper to be published later in the year.

  Development Sites (North-West)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures the Government are taking to encourage development on brownfield sites in the North-West Region. [26495]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Government encourage development and re-use of brownfield sites in the North West region principally through the application of Regional Planning Guidance (RPG13) which informs the production of development plans within the region.

  River Darwen
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the cause of the recent pollution incident affecting a stretch of the River Darwen near Blackburn; and if he will make a statement. [26406]

  Angela Eagle
  Following a report by a member of the public of a fish kill in Hoghton Bottoms on 24 January, the Environment Agency undertook an investigation and confirmed the kill, the location of which has been identified as a point immediately downstream of industrial premises. The reaction of the fish indicates that they were killed by toxic material but the Agency is carrying out a full investigation to identify the nature and source of the incident. On completion of that investigation, the Agency will consider further action and will issue a statement.

  Genetically Modified Organisms
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he plans to take during the United Kingdom presidency in respect of procedures relating to the marketing and release of genetically modified organisms. [26361]

  Mr. Meacher
  We have considerable concerns about the current procedures relating to the marketing and release of genetically modified organisms as laid down in 642
  Council Directive 90/220 EEC, and in particular about the shortcomings in the operation of the regulatory committee set up under Article 21 of this Directive.

  Following the European Commission's presentation at the last Environment Council, we look forward to seeing the formal proposals for revision of this Directive, and hope to have a preliminary discussion of this at the June Environment Council. I shall be pressing for ethical and wider public interest considerations to be taken properly into account in authorisation procedures.

  Airprox Incident, Heathrow
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects the Air Accident Investigation Branch to complete its report on the Airprox incident which occurred at Heathrow Airport on 27 August. [27012]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Air Accident Investigation Branch report on the Airprox incident which occurred at Heathrow Airport on 27 August is expected to be published in July this year.

  Air Traffic Control
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the number and details of the incidents where electronic equipment has affected aircraft controls on United Kingdom registered aircraft during each of the last five years. [27008]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Incidents of suspected electronic interference with the instruments and controls of UK registered aircraft in the last five years are detailed in the following table:

  Date

  Aircraft Type

  Details of Incident

  2 March 1993

  MD-80

  Interference with omega navigation equipment. Interference ended when computer games used by 2 passengers were switched off.

  11 March 1993

  MD-80

  Interference with omega navigation equipment. Interference ended when various items of electronic equipment used by passengers were switched off.

  21 May 1993

  SD 360

  Incorrect oil pressure gauge reading due to suspected interference from high power ground source.

  9 June 1993

  HS125

  Numbers 1 and 2 compasses split and autopilot engaged. All systems recovered when a passenger's lap top computer was switched off.

  17 January 1994

  B767

  Interference from a passenger's lap top computer suspected of activating emergency lights in passenger cabin.

  21 April 1994

  B767

  A passenger's CD player caused interference on all VHF channels.

  5 September 1994

  SD360

  Significant interference with flight deck instruments in the vicinity of Skelton high intensity radio mast.

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  Date

  Aircraft Type

  Details of Incident

  2 November 1994

  B747

  Interference with navigation equipment. Systems returned to normal when a passenger's camcorder switched off.

  5 December 1994

  B747

  Interference with number 1 compass. Interference ended when 2 passenger's lap top computers were switched off.

  11 January 1995

  L188

  Numbers 1 and 2 slaved compasses gave erroneous reading due to interference from electronic components in the hold.

  13 March 1995

  MD-80

  Interference with omega navigation equipment. Interference ended when passenger lap top computer was switched off.

  16 March 1995

  B757

  Electrical interference from aircraft's Terrestrial Flight Telephone System caused left hand air data computer to fail and flight deck instruments to give erroneous indications.

  1 May 1995

  Augusta A109

  Significant interference with flight deck instruments 3 miles east of Skelton high intensity radio mast.

  13 September 1995

  B747

  Pressurisation fluctuations due to the recommended operation of outflow valves near passengers using a video Walkman and an electronic game. Fluctuations ceased when equipment was switched off.

  26 October 1995

  B737

  Sudden change to selected altitude on Auto-pilot Flight Direction System. Interference from passenger personal stereos suspected.

  19 March 1996

  B737

  Flight Management System failed for several seconds. Interference from a portable computer suspected.

  21 July 1996

  B767

  Failure of Flight Management System. Interference from passenger electronic equipment suspected although none identified as being in use.

  8 October 1996

  SD360

  Suspected interference with oil pressure and temperature gauges in vicinity of Skelton high intensity radio mast.

  9 January 1997

  SD360

  Aircraft deviation from desired track. A passenger computer is believed to have interfered with navigation equipment.

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Forth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many civil servants in his Department at grade 3 or above have(a) resigned, (b) retired before pensionable age and (c) moved to different responsibilities within the Department since 1 May 1997; if he will indicate the Ministers to whom each was responsible; and if he will make a statement. [26934]

  Angela Eagle
  Since 1 May 1997,(a) no civil servants at grade 3 or above have resigned, (b) two senior civil servants have retired before pensionable age and, (c) a
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  number of senior civil servants have moved to different responsibilities as a result of the merger of the Department of the Environment and the Department of Transport which took place in June 1997. All the individuals concerned work for the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

  Local Authority Housing
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list(a) those local authorities which do not use housing revenue account surplus to fund rent rebates, (b) the proportion of local authorities where rent was paid out of the housing rent account surplus for each year since 1990 and (c) the total transferred out of the housing rent surplus account for each year since 1990. [27000]

  Mr. Raynsford
  In 1997–98 the following housing authorities do not use housing revenue account surpluses to fund rent rebates:

  Blackburn

  Brent

  Camden

  City of London

  Ealing

  Greenwich

  Hackney

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  Haringey

  Hounslow

  Islington

  Kensington and Chelsea

  Lambeth

  Lewisham

  Liverpool

  Manchester

  Newcastle Upon Tyne

  Newham

  North Tyneside

  Oldham

  Rochdale

  Salford

  Sheffield

  Southwark

  Tower Hamlets

  Waltham Forest

  Westminster

  The following table shows for England for each year since 1990 the number of housing authorities, the number that have a housing element surplus and the number that have a housing element surplus as a proportion of all housing authorities. All authorities with a housing element surplus make a contribution from their housing revenue account to the costs of rent rebates. The table also shows the total amount of that contribution in each year.

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  Financial year

  (1) Total number of housing authorities

  (2) Number with housing elements surplus

  (2)(1) Proportion of housing authorities with housing element surplus percentage

  Contributions to rent rebates £ million

  1990–91

  366

  169

  46.2

  198.211

  1991–92

  366

  242

  66.1

  319.952

  1992–93

  366

  269

  73.5

  512.840

  1993–94

  366

  296

  80.9

  703.082

  1994–95

  366

  299

  81.7

  871.433

  1995–96

  365

  301

  82.5

  1,045.265

  1996–97

  358

  296

  82.7

  1,172.383

  1997–98

  357

  286

  80.1

  1,228.616

  Data Source:

  Data for 1990–91 to 1995–96 are taken from the Audited Final Housing Revenue Account Subsidy claim forms submitted to the Department of the Environment in December-January following the year close.

  Data for 1996–97 are taken from the Pre-audit Final Housing Revenue Account Subsidy claim forms submitted to the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions in the September following the relevant year.

  Data for 1997–98 are taken from the 2nd on-account Housing Revenue Account Subsidy claim form submitted to the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions in August 1997.

  Planning Review
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which organisations(a) he and (b) his Ministers have met since 1 May 1997, in respect of his review of the planning system. [26759]

  Mr. Raynsford
  We have met many organisations with an interest in town and country planning. These include professional institutions, representatives of local government, industry, the professions, voluntary organisations, regional and local amenity societies.

  Housing (Brown-field Sites)
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the percentage of new housing which was built on brown-field sites in each year since May 1979. [26762]

  Mr. Raynsford
  There is no specific definition of brown-field land but it is usually taken to mean land previously developed for urban uses. These uses include residential, transport and utilities, industry and commerce, community services, previously developed vacant land and derelict land. The table gives estimates for England of the proportion of land for new housing that was previously developed for urban uses, for each year from 1985 (the earliest available) to 1995. The average figure for the period was 42 per cent.

  Percentage of land for new housing that was previously developed for urban uses: England

  Year

  Percentage of land area

  1985

  38

  1986

  37

  1987

  36

  1988

  40

  1989

  42

  1990

  43

  1991

  44

  1992

  47

  1993

  48

  1994

  45

  1995

  50

  Source:

  Land Use Change Statistics

  Development Plans
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list, by local authority, the time taken to prepare and approve the most recently approved or emerging development plan; and if he will make a statement. [26758]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The progress each local planning authority has made towards adoption of its Local Plan or Unitary Development Plan is given in the "Progress on Adoption of Area Wide Local Plans and UDPs" report, produced by my Department. Copies of the report, published on 16 January 1998, are available in the Library of the House.

  Information on the time taken to prepare and approve the most recently approved or emerging development plan is not held centrally and could be made available only at disproportionate cost.

  Retail Developments
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many planning permissions were granted for major out-of-town retail developments between(a) January 1988 and December 1992 and (b) January 1993 and June 1996. [26764]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The majority of such decisions are taken by local planning authorities. The information required is not held centrally.

  Sustainable Development
  Mr. Quinn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to consult on a new United Kingdom sustainable development strategy. [27866]

  Mr. Prescott
  I have today launched consultation on a new UK Sustainable Development Strategy in a document titled "Opportunities for Change". The consultation will run to the end of May 1998. Copies of the document, and of an accompanying leaflet prepared for the general public, have been placed in the Library.

  Sustainable Development is about ensuring a better quality of life for everyone, now and for generations to come. The consultation is designed to stimulate a national

  647
  debate on priorities for the forthcoming strategy, which will set objectives for sustainable development and targets and time scales for achieving them. The consultation is about finding common ground and building consensus.

  I will be launching a series of regional consultative events in Scarborough on 6 February. Consultation in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will be promoted by their respective Secretaries of State.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the organisations, local authorities and associations he and his ministerial colleagues have(a) met and (b) declined to meet to discuss representations concerning the provisional local government settlement for 1998–99. [27283]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The table lists those organisations, local authorities and associations which came to see Ministers at the Department during consultation on the provisional local government finance settlement 1998–99. We met delegations from 95 local authorities and one special interest group during the consultation period which ended on 13 January. We then met the Local Government Association and the Association of London Government on 14 January.

  We met the special interest group of municipal authorities (SIGOMA) in response to an undertaking I gave in the House, but concluded that there would not be time to meet other similar groups in view of the large number of authorities who had requested a meeting. We did not therefore meet the Major Cities Group of Authorities, the County Councils Network and the Unitary Authorities Group who all asked for meetings within the consultation period.

  London

  Inner London

  Greenwich

  Hackney

  Islington

  Wandsworth

  Westminster

  Outer London

  Havering

  Hillingdon

  Hounslow

  Kingston upon Thames

  Richmond upon Thames

  Metropolitan Districts

  Barnsley

  Birmingham

  Bradford

  Bury

  Calderdale

  Doncaster

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  North Tyneside

  Rotherham

  South Tyneside

  Wakefield

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  Shire Counties

  Bedfordshire

  Buckinghamshire

  Cheshire

  Derbyshire

  Devon

  Dorset

  Durham

  Essex

  Gloucestershire

  Kent

  Lancashire

  Lincolnshire

  Norfolk

  North Yorkshire

  Northumberland

  Nottinghamshire

  Oxfordshire

  Shropshire

  Suffolk

  Surrey

  Worcestershire

  Shire Districts

  Basildon

  Braintree

  Broadland

  Burnley

  Castle Morpeth

  Castle Point

  Chorley

  Christchurch

  Copeland

  Dartford

  East Dorset

  Harborough

  Harlow

  Harrogate

  Hyndburn

  Lancaster

  Maldon

  Mid Sussex

  New Forest

  North Hertfordshire

  North Warwickshire

  North West Leicestershire

  Norwich

  Pendle

  Purbeck

  Rochford

  Rossendale

  Runnymede

  Rushmoor

  South Cambridgeshire

  South Norfolk

  Stevenage

  Three Rivers

  Wansbeck

  West Lindsey

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  All Purpose

  Bracknell Forest

  Derby

  East Riding of Yorkshire

  Isle of Wight Council

  Leicester

  Middlesbrough

  Milton Keynes

  Nottingham

  Peterborough

  Plymouth

  Poole

  Rutland

  The Wrekin

  Windsor and Maidenhead

  Wokingham

  York

  Fire Authorities

  Merseyside Fire

  Tyne and Wear Fire

  Local Authority Groups

  Association of London Government (ALG)

  Local Government Association (LGA)

  Special Interest Group of Municipal Authorities (SIGOMA)

  Bus Employees Superannuation Trust
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the £168 million surplus arising from the break-up of the National Bus Company in 1986 will be returned to the Bus Employees Superannuation Trust (BEST) for the benefit of BEST pensioners; and if he will make a statement. [27391]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  This is currently the subject of a legal action commenced by the NBC pension trustees. We hope the matter will be satisfactorily resolved as soon as possible.

  Driving Instructors
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will introduce changes in the appeal procedure for driving instructors who have failed their check-tests to ensure that it is(a) fully independent of the Driving Standards Agency and (b) provides driving instructors with full rights and facilities in presenting their appeals. [27052]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Motor Cars (Driving Instruction) (Appeals) Rules 1969 provide for the Secretary of State to appoint an appeal board to hear cases brought by driving instructors who fail a check-test, and that the board report their findings and make recommendations to him. Schedule 3 to the Road Traffic Act 1988 provides that the members of such an appeals board must be independent of the Department.

  In practice, the board submits a report to the Chief Executive of the Driving Standards Agency, who is authorised to issue a decision only in accordance with the report's recommendation. If he does not accept the board's recommendations, the case is decided by
  650
  Ministers in person. The appeals rules already allow for an appellant to appear in person and to be represented by legal counsel or a solicitor.

  I am satisfied that the appeals procedure represents a fair and independent process, and I have no current plans to change it. However, my Department has recently commissioned a research project to look at the way driving instructors are trained and tested. I will look carefully at any conclusions, including those relevant to appeals procedures, when the findings are available in two to three years' time.

  Nursery Education
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 29 January 1998,Official Report, column 326, on nursery voucher funding and revenue support grant, if he will list for each LEA the (a) amount at Band D council tax that would have to be paid as a result and (b) amount that this represents per capita. [27422]

  Mr. Raynsford
  It is not possible to forecast the council tax levels which individual authorities will set.

  Integrated Transport Policies
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to make a statement on future integrated transport policies. [27431]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  My Department is currently concluding the fundamental review of transport. The outcome of this review will be published in a White Paper on integrated transport policy in the Spring.

  London and Continental Railways
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the total payment of money to London and Continental Railways to date; and if he will list and value each of the assets transferred to them. [27432]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  As the Explanatory Memorandum on the contracts with London and Continental Railways Ltd. (LCR)—which was placed in the Library of the House in 1996—explains, the first instalment of capital grant to LCR for the CTRL is not to be paid until LCR have themselves spent at least 68% of the expected outturn construction cost. To date, therefore, other than agreed payments relating to contractual claims and obligations amounting to some £17 million, no payments have been made to LCR.

  The assets specifically transferred to LCR in 1996, and their values then, were as follows:

  Eurostar Rolling Stock: £318 million1

  Manchester Longsight Depot: £5.9 million2

  Waterloo International Terminal: £136 million2

  Ashford International Station: £41 million3

  North Pole Depot: £77.5 million2

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  King's Cross Railway Lands: £5.8 million—up to £10.6 million4

  Stratford Railway Lands: £15.2 million—up to £12.5 million5

  St. Pancras Station: £3.7 million6

  1 Seven of the Eurostar train sets and the night service stock are leased. Value shown is the written down value as at 31 March 1995 on an historical cost basis after taking into account leasing obligations.
  2 Value shown is the written down value as at 31 March 1995 on an historical cost basis.
  3 Value taken from EPS's 1994–95 annual report and accounts and based on the net present value of future leasing payments.
  4 The first value is the estimated existing use value based on rental income derived from the lands taken from a valuation of the lands carried out for the BR Property Board in March 1995. The second value is the estimated development value of those parts of the lands not ultimately required for the operation of the CTRL, taken from a valuation carried out for the DETR in November 1995.
  5 The first value is the estimated existing use value based on rental income derived from the lands, taken from a valuation of the lands carried out for the BR Property Board in March 1995. The second value is the estimated development value of those parts of the lands not ultimately required for the operation of the CTRL, taken from a valuation carried out for the DETR in May 1995.
  6 Existing use value taken from a valuation carried out for the BR Property Board in March 1995.

  Housing (London)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what are his projections for the next five years of(a) local authority, (b) housing associations and (c) co-operative housing provision for each London borough. [27430]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Government do not produce projections of new housing as such. Strategic Guidance for London Planning Authorities (RPG3), published in May 1996, included a London-wide figure of 234,100 households as the minimum level of housing to be provided over the period 1992–2006. This figure is broken down by Borough, but not by tenure or source of provision. RPG3 also indicates that it is for Boroughs to assess housing need in their area, including affordable housing need, and then to set out strategic policies in their Unitary Development Plans indicating how this need will be met over the plan period.

  Table 1: Blood alcohol levels of fatalities aged 16 and over 1991–95

  Percentage over blood alcohol levels (mg/100ml)

  Year

  9

  50

  80

  100

  150

  200

  Sample size

  1991

  Motor cycle riders

  28

  19

  17

  15

  10

  6

  335

  Car drivers

  31

  23

  20

  18

  14

  9

  888

  1992

  Motor cycle riders

  39

  28

  26

  23

  16

  7

  267

  Car drivers

  29

  20

  17

  16

  11

  7

  820

  1993

  Motor cycle riders

  29

  19

  15

  15

  11

  8

  247

  Car drivers

  29

  21

  20

  18

  14

  8

  720

  1994

  Motor cycle riders

  31

  22

  18

  17

  13

  8

  245

  Car drivers

  35

  24

  22

  21

  15

  8

  677

  1995

  Motor cycle riders

  31

  16

  15

  13

  8

  2

  261

  Car drivers

  33

  23

  20

  19

  14

  8

  698

  Drink Driving
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the current(a) drink-drive limits and (b) penalties for the member states of the European Community. [27354]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The current legal drink-drive limits for the member states of the European Community, defined as milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, are listed in the table. A number of member states are likely to reduce their limit from 80 to 50mg per 100m1 in the near future. The Danish Parliament has passed the necessary legislation but not yet brought it into force; in Germany, legislation is currently before the Federal Parliament and we understand that Spain is also considering such a reduction.

  Legal drink-drive limits in EC member states

  Member States

  Legal blood/alcohol limit (mg/100ml)

  Austria

  80

  Belgium

  50

  Denmark

  80

  Finland

  50

  France

  50

  Germany

  80

  Greece

  50

  Ireland

  80

  Italy

  80

  Luxembourg

  80

  Netherlands

  50

  Portugal

  50

  Spain

  80

  Sweden

  20

  United Kingdom

  80

  My Department does not hold comprehensive information on penalties in other member states.

  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what has been the alcohol content of drivers killed in road accidents where the content is(a) under the legal limit, (b) marginally over the legal limit and (c) substantially over the legal limit in each of the last five years. [27350]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Exact figures are not available. However, Table 1 provides an indication of the distribution of blood alcohol content in car and motorcycle fatalities aged 16 and over from 1991–95. Figures for later years are not yet available.

  Driver Impairment
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will commission research into detecting impairment in drivers other than impairment caused by the presence of substances taken by the driver. [27351]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Driver fatigue is the main cause of impairment other than that caused by substances taken by the driver.

  The Department has a continuing programme of research into driver fatigue which is seeking to determine the best counter measures to tiredness, so that drivers have the best advice on how to minimise the risk due to fatigue.

  A full list of road safety research is published annually. Copies are available in the Library.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make it his policy that he and his Ministers personally read the letters sent to them by hon. Members on constituency matters. [27670]

  Mr. Prescott
  It is already policy within my Department that one of my Ministers or I always read all correspondence sent to us by hon. Members.

  Highways Agency (Business Plan Targets)
  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he plans to amend the Highways Agency's 1997–98 Key Business Plan Targets. [27924]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We have reviewed the Highways Agency's key targets and have decided that, in the light of the Roads Review, the Business Plan should be amended.

  The following 1997–98 targets will not now be appropriate and should therefore be deleted from Annex D of the plan: "Roads Programme Completions, Starts and other Milestones":

  A564 Derby Southern Bypass Contract C: (Order Publication)

  A249 Iwade-Queenborough Improvement: (Public Inquiry)

  Weald & Downland DBFO scheme (Select Preferred Bidder & Award Contract)

  Cumbria to Bradford DBFO scheme (Select Preferred Bidder & Award Contract)

  South Midlands Network DBFO scheme (Select Preferred Bidder & Award Contract)

  A40 DBFO scheme (Invite Tenders)

  A13 DBFO scheme (Invite Tenders—Delayed until 1998–99)

  A303 Winterbourne Stoke Bypass (Preferred Route Announcement)

  In their place the following targets have been added to the Business Plan:
  M41 Trunk Road Access Improvements (White City Development): (Publication of Orders)
  Manchester Outer Ring Road Re-signing: (Award of Contract)
  A 102(M) Trunk Road Access Improvement: (Public Inquiry) A copy of the Highways Agency business plan 1997–98 is in the Library.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Portcullis House
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee when he expects work to commence on the building of additional office accommodation for hon. Members. [27636]

  Sir Sydney Chapman
  I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 10 December 1997,Official Report, column 578. The House took possession of the site on 5 January 1998. The Speaker unveiled the foundation stone on 3 February 1998.

DEFENCE

  British Beef
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plan she has to promote the use of British beef in the armed forces and the agencies for which he is responsible. [25328]

  Mr. Spellar
  Officials from my Department recently met with farmers' representatives to explain our procurement policy. We have agreed to establish a joint Working Group with them and our food supply contractor to explore, within the framework of our policy of seeking best market prices, the scope for increasing the percentage of British beef we are able to buy competitively.

  Trident Submarines
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 26 January 1998,Official Report, column 27, for what reasons he decided that details of the number of warheads deployed on Trident should be covered by exemption 1 of the code of Practice on Access to Government Information relating to defence, security and international relations; and if he will make a statement. [26569]

  Mr. George Robertson
  Maintaining some uncertainty about our precise nuclear capabilities enhances deterrence. Disclosure of the details of the exact number of warheads deployed on Trident would therefore harm our defence.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 26 January 1998,Official Report, column 27, if Trident requires more warheads than Chevaline in order to maintain the ability of the United Kingdom's strategic deterrent to overcome anti-missile systems. [26568]

  Mr. George Robertson
  Trident's greater payload capacity helps to give it a capability to overcome ballistic missile defences against which Chevaline had become less effective.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 26 January 1998,Official Report, column 30, if he will list the factors which his Department takes into account when assessing the United Kingdom's deterrence requirements with regard to the destructive effect that would result from the use of a nuclear weapon. [26570]
  655
  Mr. George Robertson
  Factors that determine the destructive effect of a nuclear weapon are: the yield and design of the weapon; the accuracy of the delivery system; the nature and construction of the target; the geographical characteristics of the surrounding terrain; geological conditions in the target area; the height of weapon burst; the weather conditions at the target. The United Kingdom would only ever contemplate the use of nuclear weapons in extreme circumstances of self-defence.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Human Rights
  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which countries she proposes to exclude from the development assistance programme on human rights grounds. [26746]

  Mr. Foulkes
  We are looking for constructive and open partnerships with Governments overseas. Decisions on my Department's resource allocations are taken on the basis of a range of criteria, including a recipient country's commitment to human rights. In a few cases, the behaviour of Government so offends against the interests and rights of their people that we will not work with the offending regime. Instead, we will focus our support on those within government and civil society who are working for change. Our primary concern must be to continue to deliver support direct to the poor and to help them realise their rights.

  Democratic Republic of Congo
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what current and planned aid programmes her Department has established for the Democratic Republic of Congo; and if she will make a statement. [27435]

  Mr. Foulkes
  Britain has contributed almost £40 million (including the UK share of EU assistance) in emergency assistance to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) since January 1994. We are ready to commit further emergency resources as new needs arise.

  DRC's long-term development needs are enormous. Peace, stability, appropriate economic policies and respect for human rights will be crucial. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development discussed this with Foreign Minister Karaha when she met him last week. Britain will not be a major bilateral donor. But we will work with the International Finance Institutions, the EU and others to facilitate the major international effort needed to support the Government of DRC's own reconstruction plans.

  Microcredit Summit
  Mr. Bill Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress has been made by the Government in the Council of Donor Agencies at the Microcredit Summit, in drawing up an institutional plan for reaching the objectives of the Summit. [27298]

  Mr. Foulkes
  My Department has been a member of the Council of Donor Agencies of the Microcredit Summit since June 1997. Our Institutional Action Plan for 656
  reaching the objectives of the Summit has been prepared and will be sent to the Summit organisers before the end of February.

  A paper has also been prepared on the Department's policy on microfinance. This will also be finalised before the end of February and will be available for general information.

  The Department for International Development's support for microfinance, which continues to grow, takes four basic forms: strengthening the capacity of microfinance institutions; contributing to operational costs as institutions grow towards financial sustainability; investing in the loan capital fund of microfinance institutions; and financing research on best practice in microfinance, especially the impact on the poor.

  Sub-Saharan Africa
  Mr. Bill Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the Government are doing to implement the goals of the World Summit for Children relating to providing access to safe sanitation for people in Sub-Saharan Africa. [27299]

  Mr. Foulkes
  While access to safe water supply has increased steadily over the last 25 years, adequate sanitation coverage in developing countries has remained roughly constant with more than half the population lacking the most basic provision. The health implications are severe; there are more than 3.3 million deaths each year due to diarrhoea, most of these are children under five. This equates to one child dying every ten seconds.

  We welcome the new emphasis being put on sanitation and hygiene awareness by the World Health Organisation, UNICEF and others. My Department is fully behind this initiative. This year we have agreed to provide an additional one million pounds to UNICEF for water and sanitation projects in Africa. Our expenditure on water and sanitation is increasing but we do need to put more emphasis on sanitation. New guidance on water and sanitation programmes, which stresses the importance of integrating water, sanitation and hygiene education, is under preparation. These efforts directly support the achievement of the goals of the World Summit for Children relating to providing universal access to safe sanitation.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Arms Sales
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures the Government will be taking to promote a strict code of conduct on arms sales during Britain's presidency of the European Union. [26743]

  Mr. Fatchett
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer which the Minister of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Central (Mr. Lloyd), gave to the hon. Member for Westbury (Mr. Faber) on 2 February 1998,Official Report, columns 542–43.

  Private Office
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what date Ms Anne Bullen's contract of employment was due to end; on what date she was dismissed; and how many months severance pay she was given. [27071]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 2 February 1998]: Miss Bullen's contract ended on 7 November 1997. She was told on 21 May of my decision to replace her. She ceased to work in my office on 27 June. She continued to be paid to the end of her contract and received no severance pay.

  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what(a) verbal and (b) written warnings were given to Ms Anne Bullen concerning her performance prior to her dismissal. [27070]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 2 February 1998]: I decided to replace Miss Anne Bullen as my Diary Secretary when it became apparent that we could not establish a relationship of trust and that I could not have confidence in her. It would not have been appropriate, in those circumstances, for her to have continued to work in my office. Miss Bullen ceased to work as my Diary Secretary on 27 June, but her contract was not terminated. She was paid up to its expiry on 7 November.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) for what reasons he did not ask his Principal Private Secretary to appoint his new diary secretary; [26969]

  (2) on how many occasions in the last five years the Permanent Secretary has taken charge of the appointment of ministers' diary secretaries; [26964]

  (3) if he will make a statement on the role of the Permanent Secretary in the appointment of diary secretaries. [26965]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 2 February 1998]: To the best of my knowledge, never. Final decisions on such appointments are for the Secretary of State.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those officials who submitted advice on the possible appointment of Ms Regan as diary secretary. [26966]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 2 February 1998]: None.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which(a) officials or (b) special advisers issued briefings to the media on the dismissal of Miss Anne Bullen. [26967]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 2 February 1998]: Both the Foreign Office News department and the departmental special advisers handle media inquiries, including on this issue.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice he received from(a) the Prime Minister and (b) his officials on the possible appointment of a Ms Regan as his diary secretary. [26968]
  658
  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 2 February 1998]: (a) None. (b) None.

  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer to the right hon. Member for Penrith and The Border (Mr. Maclean) of 29 January 1998,Official Report, column 388, when he informed his Principal Private Secretary of his intention to appoint Ms Regan as his diary secretary. [27365]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  21 May.

  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information was given to him after 21 May to cause him to conclude that it would not be right to appoint Gaynor Regan as his diary secretary. [27420]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  None.

  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information was given to him by officials at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office about Gaynor Regan after 21 May. [27421]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  None.

  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 30 January 1998,Official Report, column 440, on his private office, what factors led him to revise his opinion that Gaynor Regan was an obvious candidate for the post of diary secretary between 21 May and 30 May. [27419]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  I refer the right hon. and learned Member to the answer I gave him on 30 January 1998,Official Report, column 440.

  Arms Controls
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has during the United Kingdom presidency of the EU to promote arms control measures. [27252]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  We are committed to the elimination of all weapons of mass destruction, and to the strengthening of the relevant arms control and non-proliferation regimes.

  Strengthening the Biological and Toxic Weapons Convention, through a legally binding Protocol containing verification and compliance measures, is a high priority: we shall use our EU Presidency to press for accelerated progress in the negotiations on such a Protocol.

  We shall also promote action by the EU to urge the ratification of or adherence to the Chemical Weapons Convention by those States which have not done so.

  With regard to our goal of the elimination of nuclear weapons, we are considering how to take forward action in the Strategic Defence Review and elsewhere.

  During our EU Presidency, we shall further pursue a number of measures to control conventional arms proliferation. These include the adoption of an EU Code of Conduct setting high common standards for arms exports from all member states; an EU-wide ban on the export and transhipment of electro-shock equipment and

  659
  devices designed for the restraint of a human being; and work under the EU Programme for Combating Illicit Trafficking in Conventional Arms.

  We are continuing to discuss with other countries how to secure further progress towards making a global ban on anti-personnel land mines a reality, including encouraging ratification by those who have signed the Ottawa Convention, and urging as many as possible of those who have not yet done so to sign it. We shall press for complementary action to promote a global ban of anti-personnel land mines in international forums, including the CD in Geneva. We shall also promote further EU work on demining during our Presidency.

  Non-career Civil Servants
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the factors taken into account in appointing non-career civil servants. [26970]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 2 February 1998]: The factors taken into account are laid down in the Civil Service Commissioner's Recruitment Code and the Diplomatic Service Order in Council 1991 (as amended by the Diplomatic Order in Council 1994 and 1995). Copies of the Code and the 1991 Order in Council are available in the Library. I will arrange for the other Orders in Council to be placed there.

  UK Presidency
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list each of the European Council meetings to be chaired by the appropriate Ministers under the United Kingdom presidency which will be open(a) in full or (b) in part to the media and general public. [27141]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  As part of the UK Presidency initiative on openness, eight Council debates during the Presidency have been or will be open in full to the media and general public during the following Council meetings:

  Council

  Date

  Ecofin

  19 January 1998

  Presidency Work Programme

  General Affairs Council

  26 January 1998

  Presidency Work Council

  Telecoms Council

  26 February 1998

  Regulatory framework for telecoms, audiovisual and information technology

  Environment Council

  23 March 1998

  Air Quality Directive

  Agriculture Council

  March, April or May

  Reform of agricultural commodity regimes

  Social Affairs Council

  6 April 1998

  Regulation 1408/71 on Social Security

  Energy Council

  11 May 1998

  Energy and the Environment

  JHA Council

  28–29 May 1998

  Organised crime

  Official Engagements
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the engagements he fulfilled between 8 and 13 October 1997. [27192]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 3 February 1998]: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Arundel and South Downs (Mr. Flight) on 30 January 1998, Official Report, columns 438–39.

  Ministerial Travel
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list on how many occasions he has used a helicopter on United Kingdom internal flights, the points of embarkation and disembarkation in each case and apart from the crew the names of those who accompanied him since 1 May.
  [27193]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 3 February 1987]: Since 1 May 1997 I have used a helicopter for internal flights in the United Kingdom on one occasion. The journey was from HRH The Prince of Wales's Residence at Highgrove to Battersea on 21 July 1997. I was accompanied by my wife and one close protection officer.

  I returned to London to attend a series of meetings, including:
  The right hon. George Robertson MP, Secretary of State for Defence;
  Mr. Sypros Kyprianou, Speaker of the Cyprus House of Representatives;
  Host talks and dinner in honour of the Emir of Qatar at 1 Carlton Gardens.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Gosport (Mr. Viggers) of 19 January 1998,Official Report, column 438, on ministerial travel, what factors required him to be in the United Kingdom on 9 to 12 October in order to make effective use of his time. [27194]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 3 February 1998]: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my official residence, my colleagues and my constituency are all in the UK. It is not practical to maintain effective contact with them from South Asia.

  Sudan
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have been held with the Government of Sudan concerning human rights and the armed conflicts in the south of the country; and if he will make a statement. [27437]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We regularly make our concerns known to the Government of Sudan, both in London and in Khartoum. Human rights and the civil war in Sudan are prominent in the contacts which the British Ambassador in Khartoum has with the Government of Sudan. He discussed both subjects with the Sudanese Foreign Minister when he saw him on 5 January.

  Uganda
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have been
  661
  held with the Government of Uganda concerning human rights and the armed conflict in the north of the country; and if he will make a statement. [27436]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  We are appalled at the reports of the atrocities committed by the Lords Resistance Army (LRA) against the Acholi people in the north of Uganda. We condemn these atrocities unreservedly. We recognise the right of the Government of Uganda to conduct legitimate security operations to protect its people from LRA terrorism, provided that these operations are conducted with due respect for internationally recognised standards for human rights. We believe there is not a purely military solution to the problems of northern Uganda. At a meeting with President Museveni in June 1997, the Minister of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Central (Mr. Lloyd), urged him to pursue opportunities for dialogue as a means of ending the conflict. We repeated this message in bilateral contacts with the Ugandans during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in October 1997. The President has since announced an intention to table legislation which would permit an amnesty for anti-government forces that lay down their weapons. We welcome such a step which could be a valuable contribution to encouraging a peaceful end to the conflict.

  Democratic Republic of Congo
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions have been held by his Department with representatives of the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo; and if he will make a statement. [27434]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  On 19 January the British Ambassador called on President Kabila in Kinshasa and on 27 January the Democratic Republic of the Congo's Foreign Minister, Bizima Karaha, called on the Minister of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Central (Mr. Lloyd).

  At both meetings we expressed our desire for a close relationship with the DRC and welcomed their commitment to democratisation and in particular the establishment of a Constitutional Commission. We emphasised the need for further progress in this direction. We encouraged greater respect for the rule of law and human rights, and in particular, we encouraged the Government to co-operate fully with the UN human rights inquiry team. The Government of the DRC assured us that the team is free to carry out its work anywhere in the country and that the Government are ready to take whatever responsibility the inquiry imputed to it.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Contracting Out
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if staff of her Department and its agencies will be allowed to submit in-house bids when contracted out operations come up for contract renewal. [24395]

  Mrs. Beckett
  Options for achieving better quality at optimal cost will be considered on their merits in each case.
  662
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list those areas of operation which have been contracted out within her Department and its agencies, and the(a) name of the private sector company, (b) duration of contract, (c) cost and (d) number of employees involved; and when the contract will be due for renewal. [24396]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I have placed in the Library of the House information on my Department's contracted out activities.

  Regional Selective Assistance Grants
  Dr. Ladyman
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the average level of regional selective assistance grant made in Thanet during 1997; how many such grants were made; and how many were at the maximum level. [25749]

  Mrs. Roche
  There were no offers of Regional Selective Assistance grant made at the maximum limit in 1997. During 1997, 22 offers of Regional Selective Assistance were made to companies in Thanet. The total amount of grant offered was £1,279,600. 208 jobs were to be created and 30 safeguarded, representing an average cost per job of £5,376.

  Brown-field Sites
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what priority she gives to the development of brown-field sites in allocation of regional selective assistance. [26081]

  Mrs. Roche
  Regional Selective Assistance is available in the assisted areas which contain many brown-field sites. Applications for RSA are judged on a case-by-case basis.

  Arms Sales
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for Nottingham, South (Mr. Simpson) of 26 January 1998,Official Report, column 59, if payments due on arms sales to all Far Eastern countries are due in sterling. [27059]

  Mrs. Roche
  Payments are mainly due in sterling or US Dollars.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what ECGD cover has been provided in respect of the Hawk Jet contract to Indonesia since 1 May. [26385]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 30 January 1998]: EGCD has not supported any new contracts for the sale of Hawks to Indonesia since 1 May 1997.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action she has taken to ensure her(a) Parliamentary and (b) DTI office machines are millennium compliant. [26394]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 30 January 1998]: Computer systems in my Parliamentary office are millennium compliant. My Department is pursuing a programme designed to ensure that DTI computer systems

  663
  are millennium compliant. It aims to identify instances of non-compliance and resolve them as necessary via correction or replacement.

  Trade (Poland)
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the growth rate of trade between Poland and the United Kingdom in each year since 1990; and what assessment she has made of the prospects for trade over the next five years. [26812]

  Mrs. Roche
  The growth rate of trade (in goods and services) between Poland and the United Kingdom since 1990 has been as follows:

  UK-Poland bi-lateral Trade—percentage change over previous year

  Year

  Trade in goods and services

  1990

  10.7

  1991

  14.5

  1992

  38.7

  1993

  20.7

  1994

  7.2

  1995

  24.6

  1996

  22.1

  1997

  n/a

  I anticipate that UK-Poland trade will continue to remain healthy: Poland has been identified by the Export Forum as a priority market and will begin negotiations for accession to the European Union on 31 March this year.

  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the current tariff regime between Poland and the United Kingdom. [26813]

  Mrs. Roche
  As for all other EU Member States, trade relations between the UK and Poland are governed by the EU/Poland Europe Agreement. The Agreement provides the framework for Poland's gradual integration into the EU. The trade provisions of the Agreement have been in force since March 1992.

  Under the terms of the Agreement, the EU and Poland will gradually establish a free trade area, within a ten year period, and in accordance with the provisions of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The Agreement is subject to periodic examination by the WTO' s Committee on Regional Trade Agreements.

  Tariffs are being dismantled asymmetrically, reflecting the different levels of economic development of the two parties. While Poland has until the end of 1999 to abolish tariffs on EU industrial products, Polish goods already enter the EU duty free.

  Trade in agricultural products is subject to different arrangements, based on increasing mutual concessions on a product-by-product basis.

  The Department attaches considerable importance to the strict implementation of the provisions of the Europe Agreement in order to reduce the barriers to trade between the UK and Poland. This is essential in order to assist Poland with the completion of its economic transition and its preparations for accession to the EU.

  Multilateral Agreement on Investment
  Mr. Singh
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the impact of the Multilateral Agreement on Investment on(a) the ability of local authorities to direct local economic development and (b) the poorest countries of the developing world. [26989]

  Mrs. Roche
  The MAI concerns discrimination against enterprises on the grounds of nationality, which is not generally a factor in local authority decisions. Therefore, there is no reason to believe that the Agreement will cause problems for local government policies.

  The Department for International Development is commissioning a study on any implications the MAI may have for developing countries.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will convene a meeting of representatives of her Department, the Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, the Treasury and the Department for International Development, to discuss the Multilateral Agreement on Investment in advance of the High Level meeting of OECD Ministers on 16 and 17 February. [27277]

  Mrs. Roche
  My officials are in constant contact with those from other Government departments on the Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI), including the issues likely to arise at the High Level Meeting.

  Hollis Industries plc
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans her Department has to investigate the circumstances leading to Hollis Industries plc going into receivership. [27001]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 2 February 1998]: An administration order under the provisions of the Insolvency Act 1986 was made in respect of Hollis Industries plc on 11 December 1991. It is my department's long established position not to comment on the affairs of individual companies but if the right hon. Gentleman has any information concerning the company which he considers justifies an investigation he will no doubt forward it to me.

  Late Payment
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she plans to bring forward legislation based on the Green Paper regarding small firms charging interest on their debts. [26827]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 2 February 1998]: The Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Bill was introduced, in the other place, on 10 December. It had its Second Reading on 12 January and was subject to committee consideration on 28 January.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to protect micro-firms against the practices of larger debt holding companies. [26829]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 2 February 1998]: The Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Bill proposes to provide small businesses, including

  665
  micro-businesses, with the statutory right to claim interest from large businesses and the public sector on late paid commercial debts. After two years, it is proposed to expand the right to claim so that all businesses may be subject to claims for interest from small businesses, including micro-businesses. After a further two years, the Government have proposed that all businesses and the public sector will have the statutory right to claim interest from all businesses and the public sector.

  The Bill is currently being considered in the other place, after which time it will be discussed in this House.

  The Government are also working in partnership with the Better Payment Practice Group, which includes small firms representative organisations, to promote a better payment culture and to ensure that small firms are able to manage their credit effectively. We will also publish a free guide to credit management and debt recovery and ensure that small businesses can access credit management information and advice through the Enterprise Zone. In addition Business Links, and the equivalent organisation in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have been encouraged to assist small businesses with their credit management procedures.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list the benefits of allowing small firms to charge interest on moneys owed by late payers. [26828]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 2 February 1998]: The Regulatory Appraisal of the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Bill details, among other things, the benefits of the legislation. The legislation:
  will allow a small business supplier to claim recompense for the cost of late payment;
  may reduce business risk caused by cash-flow uncertainty resulting from late payment;
  will make it uneconomic for debtors to withhold payment;
  will reduce the number of cases which need to go to court for settlement, as the right to interest will be statutory;
  will encourage creditors and debtors to agree credit periods and to resolve disputes quickly;
  will result in less valuable management time and resources being spent on chasing tardy debtors.

  Fair Trading
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) if she will amend Part III of the Fair Trading Act 1973, to extend the definition of unfair conduct to actions which may not amount to a civil or criminal offence but still oppress and mislead the consumer; [26830]

  (2) if she will remove the condition of persistence of unfair practice, in respect of prosecutions of rogue traders. [26831]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  [holding answer 2 February 1998]: Active consideration is being given to the reform of Part III of the Fair Trading Act 1973. I have received a number of recommendations for changes including the removal of the condition of persistence of unfair practice, in respect of prosecutions of rogue traders.
  666
  Reform of the Act will require primary legislation and there is at present a shortage of Parliamentary time to do so. I am therefore considering whether there are other options available that would allow us to take action in a shorter timescale to tackle these issues.

  Coal
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much extra coal will be burnt in April to June 1998 in British power stations as a result of the Government's recent action in response to the expiry of coal contracts with generators. [26832]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 2 February 1998]: Following discussions between the electricity generators and RJB Mining in December 1997, National Power and Eastern Electricity agreed with RJB Mining to accelerate deliveries of 600,000 tonnes between them in the April-June quarter of 1998. PowerGen agreed to purchase 1.1 million tonnes from RJB in this period. The volumes of coal burned in the quarter will depend upon the decisions of the individual generating companies.

  EU Funding
  Mr. Rhodri Morgan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the impact of European Commission proposals to continue access to the Cohesion Fund, for those countries currently with such access, which join the single currency system. [27311]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 3 February 1998]: The Government believe that, since one of the main reasons for establishing the Cohesion Fund was to help poorer Member States to achieve economic convergence, there is a strong case for ending access to the Fund for those which have met the macroeconomic criteria for joining the single currency. The Government will argue for the Cohesion Fund to be subject to the same overall budget stringency as the Structural Funds.

  Companies House
  Mr. Rhodri Morgan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many compensatory(a) refunds and (b) free searches have been given to subscribers to the new on-line Companies House information system since its inception. [27313]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  [holding answer 3 February 1998]: Companies House has granted refunds of a month's subscription charge, in the form of a free subscription for the forthcoming month, to 1,240 subscribers. Subscribers have also been given 3,800 free screens which would otherwise be charged for, and almost 8,000 free searches.

  Energy Products Directive
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the impact of the draft European Union Energy Products Directive on United Kingdom manufacturers, retailers and consumers; and if she will make a statement. [25758]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I have been asked to reply as the Minister responsible.
  667
  I refer my hon. Friend to the Customs and Excise memorandum submitted to the Select Committee on European Legislation in May 1997, entitled "Explanatory Memorandum on European Communities Legislation: Proposal for a Council Directive Restructuring the Community Framework for the Taxation of Energy Products", and the supplementary memorandum submitted to the same Committee on 10 December 1997. The former contains details of the financial implications of the draft Energy Products Directive, and the latter outlines the Government's position.

  Euro (Share Values)
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations she has received about errors in conversion tables in the DTI publication "The Euro: Redenomination of Share Capital", a DTI consultation paper; and if she will make a statement. [26784]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 2 February 1998]: Two. An incorrect conversion rate was used in an illustration of the conversion of sterling nominal or par values of shares into euro. However, the point of the illustration, that some fractional sterling par values could round to zero on conversion and application of rounding rules, remains valid.

  Dietary Supplements
  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the impact on global free trade agreements of the proposed new restrictions on the retail sale of vitamin B6; and if she will make a statement. [26358]

  Mr. Rooker
  I have been asked to reply.

  The regulations required to implement the proposed controls on dietary supplements containing vitamin B6 will be the subject of consultation with interested parties. Nevertheless, the Government consider that the proposals are based on sound scientific principles, are non-discriminatory, and are therefore fully consistent with World Trade Organisation rules.

  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the potential impact on global free trade agreements of the proposed new European Directive on dietary supplements; and if she will make a statement. [26359]

  Mr. Rooker
  I have been asked to reply.

  The European Commission has issued a discussion document on the possible harmonisation of controls on dietary supplements but has made no proposal for a new Directive on this subject.

  If the Commission were to make a formal proposal, the Government will wish to ensure that any measures adopted respect the EU' s obligations under World Trade Organisation rules.

PRIME MINISTER

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will visit the Kingsbridge NFU branch in south Devon. [25401]
  668
  The Prime Minister
  I have no plans to do so.

  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Prime Minister when he expects next to visit south Belfast. [25402]

  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Prime Minister when he plans next to visit Cunninghame, South. [25403]

  The Prime Minister
  I have no immediate plans to do so.

  Overseas Visits
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the occasions on which he has given permission for partners of Ministers other than their spouses to accompany Ministers on overseas visits at public expense. [23722]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Spelthorne (Mr. Wilshire) on 3 February 1998,Official Report, column 581.

  Central Media Monitoring Unit
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Prime Minister what steps he has taken to ensure that the output of the Central Media Monitoring Unit cannot be used for party political advantage. [24240]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 20 January 1998]: The Media Monitoring Unit is staffed by civil servants who are under a duty set out in the Civil Service Code to conduct themselves with integrity, impartiality and honesty. The Unit operates strictly within the Guidance on the Work of the Government Information Service which specifies that work carried out by the Service should not be, or be liable to misrepresentation as being, party political. Ministers are also under a duty in the Ministerial Code to uphold the political impartiality of the Civil Service and not to use public resources for party political purposes.

  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Prime Minister what is the projected annual cost of the Central Media Monitoring Unit. [24239]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 20 January 1998]: The Media Monitoring Unit is currently operating as a pilot. Decisions on its permanent staffing and range of services have not been made. It is not yet possible, therefore, to provide a meaningful projection of costs for full operation. However, all the Unit's set-up and running costs have been contained within Departments' current budgets, as will all future costs.

  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make available to all hon. Members the output of the Central Media Monitoring Unit. [24241]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 20 January 1998]: The Media Monitoring Unit is currently operating as a pilot. When it is fully operational, I will arrange for the Unit's regular output to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Engagements
  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 4 February. [25681]
  669
  The Prime Minister
  This morning I had meetings with Ministerial colleagues and others. Later today I go to the United States of America.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Traffic Census Figures
  Mr. Forsythe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what were the annual traffic census figures for 1992 to 1997 on(a) Mallusk Road from the junction with Hydepark Road to Bernice Road, (b) Hydepark Road, (c) Park Road, (d) Bernice Road and (e) Sealstown Road. [27136]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  [holding answer 3 February 1998]: The subject in question has been delegated to the Roads Service under its chief executive, Mr. W. McCoubrey. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from W. J. McCoubrey to Mr. Clifford Forsythe, dated 3 February 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked me to reply to your recently tabled PQ about annual traffic census figures at a number of locations in the Newtownabbey area.
  Roads Service monitors traffic flows at key locations on the strategic road network and carries out separate counts on the remainder of the road network when the need arises. None of the roads mentioned in your question is a key location on the network and therefore the information requested is not available. Traffic data has however been collected at 2 other locations along Mallusk Road. Details of these are as follows:

  Average 24 hour flow (vehicles per day) along Mallusk Road

  Year

  At Roughfort Village

  West of Scullions Road

  1992

  1,750

  n/a

  1993

  1,940

  n/a

  1994

  2,290

  n/a

  1995

  1,960

  n/a

  1996

  1,960

  18,810

  1997

  2,060

  19,990

  I hope you find this information helpful.

  Police Interview Recording
  Ms Moran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when she intends to publish the code of practice governing the silent video recording of police interviews with terrorist suspects. [27984]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  I have today placed in the Library a draft of the code of practice, as amended following the consultation exercise undertaken last year. An Order bringing the code into operation will be laid in due course.

  NHSiS—In-patient day case discharges from non-obstetric or non-psychiatric specialties. Selected diseases of the respiratory system. Years ended 31 March 1993–97 by month of discharge

  Year

  Month of discharge

  Bronchitis

  Influenza

  Pneumonia

  Hypothermia

  Asthma

  1992–93

  April

  238

  6

  737

  14

  700

  May

  209

  4

  649

  8

  745

  June

  234

  8

  732

  7

  807

  July

  190

  8

  621

  12

  768

  August

  182

  8

  509

  13

  728

  September

  168

  9

  553

  2

  1,161

  October

  234

  10

  629

  14

  929

  November

  199

  13

  666

  16

  838

SCOTLAND

  Bankton House, Prestonpans
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the cost to public funds of grant aid by Historic Scotland for hailing the walls of Bankton House, Prestonpans, using lime mortar in(a) 1994 and (b) 1997; and what estimate was made of the cost of the same work if cement were to be included in the mortar. [22144]

  Mr. Macdonald
  The proportion of the total grant of £358,500 awarded by Historic Scotland in 1994 which related to the cost of lime harling was £2,068. This sum excludes preliminaries, preparation work, professional fees and VAT. A final account is not yet available for the remedial work which commenced in 1997 supported by the award of a further grant of £101,190. However, the tender cost indicates that the comparable cost of lime harling is £25,644. No estimate was made of the cost of including cement in the lime harl mix as this was considered an inappropriate material on the very soft original sandstone walling of this building.

  Nuclear Reactors
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the occasions since 1980 when nuclear reactors have been shut down for safety reasons, indicating in each case the date of shut down, the reason for the shut down and the date on which power generation recommenced. [24752]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 22 January 1998]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Science, Energy and Industry, on 29 January 1998, Official Report, column 357.

  Respiratory Diseases
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people received treatment from (i) general practitioners and (ii) NHS hospitals in Scotland for(a) bronchitis, (b) influenza, (c) pneumonia,
  (d) hypothermia and (e) asthma for each month in the last five years. [25823]

  Mr. Galbraith
  [holding answer 27 January 1998]: Information on the number of patients with a main diagnosis of bronchitis, influenza, pneumonia, hypothermia and asthma who were discharged from hospital in-patient and day case care in the 5 years to 1996–97 is provided in the table. Data on the numbers of patients who received treatment from general practitioners for these conditions are not available centrally.

  671

  NHSiS—In-patient day case discharges from non-obstetric or non-psychiatric specialties. Selected diseases of the respiratory system. Years ended 31 March 1993–97 by month of discharge

  Year

  Month of discharge

  Bronchitis

  Influenza

  Pneumonia

  Hypothermia

  Asthma

  December

  257

  11

  821

  24

  843

  January

  293

  12

  886

  30

  664

  February

  241

  25

  782

  14

  726

  March

  296

  81

  1,020

  28

  859

  1993–94

  April

  222

  44

  918

  25

  761

  May

  211

  17

  750

  9

  851

  June

  233

  17

  728

  6

  826

  July

  226

  19

  676

  4

  689

  August

  199

  4

  604

  13

  852

  September

  193

  8

  656

  8

  1,140

  October

  273

  39

  807

  16

  1,093

  November

  391

  243

  1,266

  28

  1,148

  December

  289

  84

  1,175

  40

  975

  January

  267

  44

  1,099

  34

  792

  February

  190

  12

  816

  37

  756

  March

  193

  9

  867

  26

  852

  1994–95

  April

  213

  5

  789

  24

  703

  May

  211

  5

  755

  14

  857

  June

  184

  13

  795

  12

  729

  July

  146

  11

  654

  3

  617

  August

  169

  5

  660

  7

  641

  September

  189

  14

  639

  11

  947

  October

  194

  10

  750

  9

  883

  November

  204

  11

  718

  13

  962

  December

  231

  8

  986

  26

  887

  January

  241

  9

  1,074

  31

  704

  February

  222

  15

  930

  36

  769

  March

  204

  33

  964

  17

  813

  1995–96

  April

  183

  19

  852

  16

  671

  May

  222

  13

  837

  12

  700

  June

  219

  18

  787

  6

  744

  July

  187

  9

  701

  11

  655

  August

  163

  7

  617

  9

  654

  September

  177

  5

  618

  8

  1,052

  October

  189

  9

  770

  15

  944

  November

  230

  36

  890

  13

  1,227

  December

  329

  137

  1,359

  32

  1,084

  January

  312

  91

  1,518

  43

  834

  February

  213

  25

  948

  21

  786

  March

  203

  24

  929

  27

  787

  1996–971

  April

  176

  19

  844

  22

  621

  May

  140

  19

  783

  12

  763

  June

  134

  16

  780

  12

  697

  July

  125

  14

  681

  16

  641

  August

  59

  12

  642

  8

  703

  September

  69

  8

  651

  12

  897

  October

  115

  10

  695

  17

  696

  November

  116

  12

  708

  23

  817

  December

  117

  65

  1,204

  33

  885

  January

  195

  184

  1,778

  28

  781

  February

  135

  74

  1,112

  17

  671

  March

  134

  24

  921

  24

  743

  1 The figures for 1996–97 are not directly comparable with those for previous years, due to changes in the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD) codings from 1 April 1996.

  Source:

  SMRI/SMR01

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Forth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many civil servants in his Department at grade 3 or above have(a) resigned, (b) retired before pensionable age and (c) moved to different responsibilities within the Department since 1 May 1997; if he will indicate the Ministers to whom each was responsible; and if he will make a statement. [26923]
  672
  Mr. Dewar
  No civil servants in my Department at the equivalent of the former Grade 3 or above have resigned or retired before pensionable age since 1 May 1997. Three have moved to different responsibilities; they had previously been responsible respectively to the Minister for Agriculture, the Environment and Fisheries; the Minister for Home Affairs and Devolution; and the Minister for Health and the Arts.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Television Licences
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to regularise the availability of concessions on television licences in relation to second homes which are(a) mobile caravans, (b) static caravans and (c) dwellings; and if he will make a statement. [25755]

  Mr. Fisher
  Under the current television licence fee regulations, a licence for a person's main address also covers the installation and use of television in a vehicle, vessel or touring caravan and, provided that there is no simultaneous use at the licensed address, in a static caravan. If television is installed in a permanent structure second home, a separate licence is required. The Government have no plans to change these arrangements.

  However, the Government's Agreement with the BBC provides for a review of the arrangements for funding the BBC after 2002. The Government intend to conduct such a review well before that date and to include in that review a detailed consideration of the question of concessions.

  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will authorise the introduction of television licences(a) with a monthly or quarterly validity, and (b) with a monthly refund of unexpired time; and if he will make a statement. [25756]

  Mr. Fisher
  The Government have no plans to introduce short term licences. The licence fee is a payment for permission to use television at a particular address rather than for a service provided. It is payable in full, regardless of the amount of television watched or the length of time for which the licence is required. Even if this were not so, the administrative costs of issuing short term licences and checking that use ceased at the appropriate time would be considerable, and could well require a corresponding increase in the licence fee.

  Responsibility for the administration of the television licensing system, including the determination of refund policy, rests with the BBC. At present, refunds are available for full, unexpired quarters of the validity of a licence. In setting its refund policy, the BBC has considered the administrative costs and the interests of all licence fee payers.

  World Cup
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what steps he has taken to ensure an adequate allocation of tickets for(a) England and (b) Scotland supporters for the forthcoming Soccer World Cup; [25893]

  (2) what meetings he has had with (a) the French organisers, (b) FIFA and (c) the Football Association to secure an increase in the allocation of tickets to English and Scottish fans for the World Cup; and what the outcome of any such meetings was. [25967]

  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has made to the French authorities over the ticket allocation system for the 1998 Football World Cup; and if he will make a statement. [26267]
  674
  Mr. Banks
  Ticketing for the 1998 World Cup Finals is a matter for the football authorities. I understand that 60 per cent. of tickets have been allocated to the French domestic market, 20 per cent. to FIFA approved travel agencies, and 20 per cent. to FIFA itself. Most of the tickets earmarked for FIFA for each game will be allocated to supporters of the competing countries' teams. I am concerned about inadequacy of World Cup tickets and have discussed this with the FA. I know that both it and the Scottish Football Association are doing everything that they can in making representations to FIFA to maximise the number of World Cup tickets available for English and Scottish supporters. The Government will continue to support the FA in its efforts to secure additional tickets.

  Public Library Development
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what uses have been made of the moneys allocated to the Public Library Development Incentive Scheme for 1997–98. [27179]

  Mr. Fisher
  This Government are not bound by the funding proposals made by the previous Administration. The resources set aside for the Public Library Development Funding Scheme have been re-allocated to other priority areas, including to current library initiatives.

  Fibre Optic Links
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will seek to ensure that the award of a franchise for creating a network of fibre optic links through South Cheshire and North Wales is conditional on the same proportion of homes in North Wales as in South Cheshire being offered the service; and if he will raise this matter with the Chairman of the ITC. [27292]

  Mr. Fisher
  The award of licences for local delivery franchises, which enable a range of multichannel television and telecommunications services to be provided by cable, is a matter for the Independent Television Commission. Procedures for awarding licences are set out in the Broadcasting Act 1990. Under the terms of that Act, the licence for a particular area must normally be granted to the highest bidder, and the Commission must include in the terms of the licence, and thereafter enforce, the undertakings made by the successful applicant on the timing and coverage of the services provided.

  Tourism Grants
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has received on the extension of section four tourism grants to the north west region. [24887]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  [holding answer 3 February 1998]: With the exception of the oral question raised by my hon. Friend on 19 January 1998, Official Report, column 680, I have received no representations on the extension of section four tourism grants to the North West Region.

WALES

  Literacy Standards
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what new measures he is adopting to improve standards of literacy. [26694]

  Mr. Hain
  For 1998–99, I have made an additional £1.5 million available to support local education authority literacy strategies in Wales. These strategies will describe the action that authorities are proposing to enable us to reach the stretching literacy targets we have set for the year 2000 and 2002. I will be issuing guidance on the preparation of these plans shortly. I have also made clear that the Government are committed to removing overload in the National Curriculum to enable schools to focus greater attention on the basic skills of literacy and numeracy.

  Community Pharmacies
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many community pharmacies there are; and if he will make a statement on his policy on community pharmacies; [26693]

  (2) what plans he has to protect the community pharmacies following the growth of out of town shopping centres. [26696]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  There were 714 community pharmacies in Wales as at 31 March 1997, the latest date for which information is available.

  Health Authorities have a legal responsibility to ensure the provision of adequate and accessible pharmaceutical services. In recognition of this, applications for inclusion in the pharmaceutical list must comply with the NHS (Pharmaceutical Services) Regulations 1992 (as amended) which take into account the existing provision of pharmaceutical services within a neighbourhood.

  Pharmaceutical Prices
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement of the future of the pharmaceutical price regulation scheme. [26695]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The current price regulation scheme will end this September.

  Consideration is being given to the form of future arrangements but the aim will be to keep down the NHS drugs bill while assisting the international success of the British pharmaceutical industry.

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Forth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many civil servants in his Department at grade 3 or above have(a) resigned, (b) retired before pensionable age and (c) moved to different responsibilities within the Department since 1 May 1997; if he will indicate the Ministers to whom each was responsible; and if he will make a statement. [26929]
  676
  Mr. Ron Davies
  No Civil Servants at Grade 3 or above

  a. resigned;

  b. retired before retirement age; and

  c. moved to different responsibilities within the Department since 1 May 1997.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are the estimated deficits for each NHS trust in Wales for the current financial year. [27019]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The following table provides the information requested. The figures are based on Trust forecasts of their likely year-end deficits as at 30 November 1997.

  Estimated deficits for NHS Trusts in Wales forcurrent financial year

  £000

  Trust

  Carmarthen

  (1,659)

  Ceredigion

  (1,300)

  Llandough

  (1,866)

  Llanelli

  (875)

  Morriston

  (3,009)

  Nevill Hall

  (131)

  North Glamorgan

  (484)

  North Wales Ambulance

  (38)

  Pembs/Derwen

  (2,097)

  Powys

  (1,288)

  Dental Hospital

  (92)

  UHW

  (4,574)

  Wrexham

  (737)

  Opencast Quarrying
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what action he plans to take to alter planning regulations concerning opencast quarry sites on land where permission for the original development had been granted for a period of over 10 years. [26993]

  Mr. Hain
  None. The Environment Act 1995 already provides for the review of old mineral permissions granted between 1 July 1948 and 22 February 1982, and for the periodic review of both those permissions and those granted under Interim Development Order legislation.

  Livestock Industry
  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what action he intends to take to facilitate the export of sheepmeat from Wales to(a) the European Union and (b) elsewhere. [27063]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  My right hon. Friend supports Welsh Food Promotions Limited (WFP) and Welsh Lamb and Beef Promotions Limited (WLBP) who operate the Welsh Lamb Export Marketing Initiative Co-ordinating Group set up in 1992 to co-ordinate the activities of Welsh Lamb Export. In 1997–98, direct expenditure under the initiative totalled £200,000 of which £120,000 was aimed solely at direct promotional support on the targeted European markets such as France, Spain, Italy, the
  677
  Netherlands, Portugal and Greece. In 1998–99, expenditure on direct promotional support will be some £150,000.

  In 1996 (the latest figures available) sales reached 18,000 carcases tons weight which was 17 per cent. of the total GB exports of lamb.

  In addition, WFP support marketed funding from export plants towards specific retail promotions and technical and marketing support from the Meat and Livestock Commission (MLC) Lamb Export Marketing Manager in execution of the MLC Lamb Export plan which runs in parallel with the Welsh programme.

  WFP aim to promote product development to meet retailer and consumer demands, specific value added products such as the successful Agneaux Gallois and retail promotions in major EU and other overseas markets.

  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will estimate the total extra costs over the next 12 months for the livestock industry in Wales resulting from the removal of specified risk materials required from sheep carcases from animals of over 12 months of age. [27068]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The additional cost to the livestock industry in Wales in the next financial year resulting from the charging of Specified Risk Material inspection for sheep and goats is estimated to be £1.3 million.

  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will estimate the total costs for the livestock industry in Wales in the next financial year resulting from the implementation of new meat hygiene service, livestock traceability and specified risk material removal requirements. [27062]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The additional costs to the livestock industry in Wales in the next financial year arising from the charging of Specified Risk Material inspection by the Meat Hygiene Service for cattle, sheep and goats is estimated to be £2.7 million. For cattle traceability, the new Cattle Tracing System (CTS) will be in operation. The costs of the CTS will be met by a charge for the issuing of cattle passports. Details are not yet finalised, but the cost is estimated at between £5 and £10 per passport.

  Female General Practitioners
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many female GPs practice in the NHS in Wales. [27273]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  Of the 1,740 GPs (unrestricted principals) practising in Wales at 1 April 1997 (the latest date for which information is available), 445 were female.

  Play Groups
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on his proposals for play groups in Wales. [27276]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The Welsh Office has set up a Childcare Strategy Working Group, with representatives from local education and social services authorities, the voluntary sector, TECs and other interests including the CBI Wales and Wales TUC, to devise effective schemes 678
  to promote new childcare initiatives in Wales within the overall framework of the National Childcare Strategy. The Group will be reporting shortly. The Strategy for Wales will take account of the arrangements being made to provide nursery education for pre-school age children, as outlined in the Welsh Office's "Guidance on Early Years Education", which is available in the Library of the House. It will also seek to build on all the diverse forms of quality provision, including playgroups, already available for this age group. Wales Pre-school Playgroups Association and Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin, as the principal voluntary organisations in this field, continue to receive core grant support from the Welsh Office.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what additional funding to local authorities will be provided to ensure computer millennium compliance. [27153]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  1998–99 revenue settlement makes no explicit allowance for millennium compliance. The Welsh Local Government Association considers that the major costs are likely to arise in 1999–2000. It intends to collect information from authorities to inform discussions on the revenue settlement for that year. These are due to begin in the spring.

HEALTH

  Market Testing
  Ms Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the health services which have been market-tested or notified to his Department and won by the private sector indicating(a) the location and (b) the organisation winning the tender. [27332]

  Mr. Milburn
  We have records of 3,560 contracts awarded to commercial contractors. Further information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  The table lists the range of services market tested in England and may be incomplete as it is based on information supplied by National Health Service trusts and health authorities.

  Hotel and non-clinical support
  Accommodation, bereavement, car parking, catering, courier, creche, domestic, environmental health management, facilities management, funeral, gardening, general patient services, hotel services, interpreting, laundry/linen, pest control, portering, security, supplies, switchboard/reception, transport, waste disposal.

  Administration, information and financial
  Advertising and recruitment, agency staffing, audit, banking, clerical and secretarial, computer, consultants, financial, human resources, insurance, legal, management services, micro-filming.

  Clinical and clinical support
  Anaesthetics, bio-engineering, central sterile supply department, chiropody, clinical coding, clinical genetics, continuing care for the elderly, dental, haematology, hospital sterilising and disinfecting unit, infection control, in-vitro fertilisation services, lithotripsy, magnetic resonance imaging, medical photography, medical physics, mobile cardiac catheterisation, mobility provisions, nuclear medicine, occupational health, occupational therapy, ophthalmology, orthotics, oxygen therapy units, pathology, patient appliances, perfusionists, pharmacy, physiotherapy, prosthetics, psychology, radiology, speech therapy, termination of pregnancy.
  679
  Building and engineering
  Building and engineering, design, electrical, energy management, estates management, fire systems, flooring, gas supply, glazing, lighting, painting, repairs and maintenance, water services.

  Building and equipment/systems maintenance
  Building, building and engineering, equipment/systems, estates.

  Training
  Education, fire, staff.

  Notes:

  1. There is no standard definition of services or list of services within the NHS and those listed above relate to trust or authority interpretation.

  2. Service headings such as "hotel services" and "facilities management" include a wide and varying range of individual services e.g. car parking, catering, portering, security. There is no set pattern of which services make up Hotel Services etc., but the information relates to individual trust or authority interpretation.

  GP Fundholding
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funds he will make available to general practitioners to enable them to retain staff who would otherwise be made redundant when GP fundholding is ended; what funds he will make available for those staff to be employed by the Primary Care Group or health authorities; where the funds will come from; and if he will make a statement. [27197]

  Mr. Milburn
  We will discuss with those concerned arrangements for the transition from general practitioner fundholding to Primary Care Groups, including arrangements for staff currently employed by GP fundholders. Further guidance on these matters will be issued in due course.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  EU Beef Ban
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the total cost to public funds to date of the EU ban on United Kingdom beef exports. [25440]

  Mr. Rooker
  Public funds have been used to carry out a number of activities arising directly from the beef export ban including: the introduction of legislation and enforcement arrangements to prohibit exports and to control permitted exports; the preparation of the ECJ case questioning the legality for the ban; and the development of proposals for the gradual removal of the ban. These activities involve a number of Government Departments and Ministers and it is not possible separately to identify costs associated with this work. Government expenditure on BSE related measures over the period 1996–97 to 1999–2000 is forecast to be around £3.7 billion.

  Beef and Lamb Prices
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the average price to farmers for (i) beef and (ii) lamb in each month since January 1995. [25889]

  Mr. Rooker
  The average prices of finished cattle and finished lambs are published by MAFF in the Agricultural Market Report Part 1, a copy of which is in the House of 680
  Commons Library. The prices are collected by the Meat and Livestock Commission on a weekly basis and cover a sample of representative markets in England and Wales.

  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the annual average price to farmers for(a) beef and (b) lamb in each year for 1990 to 1997. [25888]

  Mr. Rooker
  The annual average prices of finished cattle and finished sheep are shown in the table. The annual average prices are based on prices collected weekly by the Meat and Livestock Commission.

  Great Britain except cattle prices for 1990 and 1991

  Year

  Finished cattle (p per kg liveweight): All clean cattle

  Finished sheep (p per kg estimated dressed carcase weight)

  1990

  1106.3

  174.5

  1991

  1106.9

  148.2

  1992

  109.6

  182.1

  1993

  128.0

  219.0

  1994

  121.7

  236.9

  1995

  123.2

  236.4

  1996

  105.5

  283.1

  1997

  96.9

  256.0

  1 UK prices

  Beef Producers
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will estimate the amount of regulatory costs experienced by British beef producers which is not experienced by producers in other parts of the EU. [25239]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 26 January 1998]: There are currently no direct regulatory costs borne by British beef producers which are not experienced by producers in other parts of the EU. However inspection charges at slaughterhouses and cutting plants, in relation to the removal of Specified Risk material, will be introduced on 1 April, and are expected to cost the industry up to a maximum of £48 million in a full year. The cost to producers of a cattle passport under the new cattle tracing system is expected to be in the range of £5 to £10: but the UK is not unique in charging producers for cattle tracing. Although it impacts on the meat industry as a whole, the removal of subsidy paid to renderers since March 1996 (worth £96 million in a full year) will have significant effect on beef producers. These costs do not generally arise in other Member States because they do not experience the same high incidence of BSE as the UK. Even if they do, it is not clear whether the costs are charged to the industries concerned.

  Climate Change
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to protect the coastline from the rising sea levels forecast in his document on climate change. [26488]

  Mr. Morley
  The Ministry's current guidance to operating authorities recommends them to make allowances of between 4mm and 6mm a year relative sea level rise when assessing the need for coastal defence measures. This takes account of both predicted vertical
  681
  land movements and sea level rise. The latter is compatible with predictions in the "Review of the Potential Effects of Climate Change in the United Kingdom" published by the then Department of the Environment in 1996.

  Subsequent international predictions have indicated a reduced rate of rise, but the allowances have not been adjusted because of the margins of uncertainty. The guidance will be kept under review as further information and research results become available.

  Hourly charges for 1997–98

  £

  Normal Time

  Senior meat inspector

  Authorised meat inspector

  Senior poultry meat inspector

  Poultry meat inspector

  Employed OVS

  Direct

  11.29

  11.29

  9.65

  9.65

  28.00

  Overhead

  4.49

  4.49

  4.49

  4.49

  6.04

  Total

  15.78

  15.78

  14.14

  14.14

  34.04

  Hourly charges for 1997–98

  £

  Overtime

  Senior meat inspector

  Authorised meat inspector

  Senior poultry meat inspector

  Poultry meat inspector

  Employed OVS

  Time and a half

  Direct

  16.93

  16.93

  14.47

  14.47

  28.00

  Overhead

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  6.04

  Total

  16.93

  16.93

  14.47

  14.47

  34.04

  Double Time

  Direct

  22.58

  22.58

  19.29

  19.29

  28.00

  Overhead

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  6.04

  Total

  22.58

  22.58

  19.29

  19.29

  34.04

  Holiday working

  Direct

  33.87

  33.87

  28.94

  28.94

  28.00

  Overhead

  8.99

  8.99

  8.99

  8.99

  6.04

  Total

  42.86

  42.86

  37.93

  37.93

  34.04

  Notes:

  Employed OVS call out charge—In addition to the hourly OVS charge there is a call-out charge of £23.81. This is applied only for emergencies, or for holiday and bank holiday working.

  Contract OVS—Hourly rates for OVSs employed on contract are determined on a plant by plant basis as a result of open competitive tenders.

  The MHS are required to consult with industry whenever it is proposed to change the rates (normally annually). Consultation has begun for the rates to apply for 1998–99.

  In addition, the Ministry has begun consultation with industry representatives on proposals to amend the Meat (Hygiene, Inspection and Examinations for Residues) (Charges) Regulations 1995 which lay down the framework for harmonised hygiene charges, as required by EC rules. Consultation is also about to begin on the proposal to require the cost of MHS enforcement of Specified Risk Material controls to be charged to industry from 1 April 1998. For both proposals a Regulatory Appraisal will be prepared and presented to Parliament assessing the impact, including cost, on the industry. Representative organisations will have an opportunity to comment, and contribute to, the draft Regulatory Appraisals during the consultations.

  Meat Hygiene Inspectorate Charges
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the charges made to meat producers by the Meat Hygiene Inspectorate; and what plans he has to review their impact on meat producers' costs. [26343]

  Mr. Rooker
  The current charges made by the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) for hygiene inspections in licensed premises are:

  Badger Setts
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what policy he will adopt in respect of badger setts in areas not selected for culling under the Krebs experiment, where the setts in question pose dangers to users of the land due to undermining of the surface structure of fields. [26410]

  Mr. Rooker
  In such areas, applications for licences to interfere with badger setts under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 will continue to be assessed on their merits on a case by case basis.

  Beef Imports
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measures are being taken to ensure that imported beef is from BSE-free herds. [26690]
  683
  Mr. Rooker
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Dumfries (Mr. Brown) on 18 December 1997,Official Report, columns 299–300.

  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much over 30 month beef was imported into the United Kingdom from(a) EU countries and (b) non-EU countries in each of the last six months. [26689]

  Mr. Rooker
  This information is not available. Data collected on the volume of imported beef do not show the age of the animals from which it was derived.

  Farm Tenancy Agreements
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to alter the new farm business tenancy agreements; and if he will make a statement. [26996]

  Mr. Morley
  None. Farm business tenancy agreements are entirely a matter for the parties involved.

  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to support small farms operating the new farm business tenancy agreements which are in financial difficulties; and if he will make a statement. [26997]

  Mr. Morley
  I have no such plans. Financial arrangements are a matter for tenants and their financial advisers, who are Best placed to offer advice on overcoming any individual difficulties.

  Farm Incomes
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to monitor farm income in Cumbria. [27017]

  Mr. Rooker
  Farm incomes in Cumbria are monitored through the Farm Business Survey, conducted in this part of the United Kingdom by the University of Newcastle. The university publishes the results annually in "Farming in Northern England". It is expected that the next edition of this report, covering results for 1996–97, will be published at the end of this month.

  Livestock Premiums
  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will renegotiate the stabiliser mechanism in the Council of EU Ministers, with regard to the payment of livestock premiums. [27066]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Government have no plans to raise with their European counterparts the question of the removal of the stabiliser mechanism for Sheep Annual Premium. The budgetary consequences of such removal would be significant.

  Imported Meat
  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if (1) he will assess the extent to which sheepmeat imported into the United Kingdom from outside the European Union is from flocks not fed meat and bonemeal in ruminant rations; [27067]
  684
  (2) in what circumstances it is permissible to import beef and sheepmeat into the United Kingdom from countries that include meat and bonemeal in ruminant rations, if those countries are assessed by the UK Government to be free of BSE. [27058]

  Mr. Rooker
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given to the hon. Members for Lancaster and Wyre (Mr. Dawson) and Lewes (Mr. Baker) on 2 February 1998,Official Report, columns 547–48.

  Salmon Fishery (North-East)
  Mr. Alan Campbell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to alter the number of salmon drift net fishing licences currently held in the North East. [26818]

  Mr. Morley
  This drift net fishery is currently being phased out. As existing netsmen retire or leave the fishery their licences are not reallocated. Since 1992, the number of licences issued has fallen from 142 to 81 in 1997.

  Mr. Alan Campbell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many salmon drift net fishing licences are currently in force between(a) Berwick and the Tyne and (b) the Tyne and Whitby. [26819]

  Mr. Morley
  In 1997, there were 49 salmon drift net fishing licences in force between Holy Island and the Tyne and 32 licences between the Tyne and Whitby.

  Mr. Alan Campbell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to limit the 1998 salmon drift net fishing season in the North East. [26817]

  Mr. Morley
  There are no plans to limit the 1998 salmon drift net fishing season in the North East.

  Farmers (Early Retirement)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many farmers will be eligible to take part in the proposed early retirement scheme(a) nationally and (b) in Shropshire. [27181]

  Mr. Morley
  We are still considering what role the EU's early retirement scheme might play in the Government's long term objectives of restructuring the livestock sector. The industry will be fully consulted when we have developed our thoughts on the restructuring plan.

  Our initial thoughts are that any early retirement scheme would be open to beef and sheep producers. The number who could apply for such a scheme cannot be determined until the basic eligibility criteria have been set.

  Agriculture Wages Order
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many staff are currently engaged on enforcement of the Agricultural Wages Order; how many inspections were carried out; how many breaches of the Order were discovered; what was the annual value of wages below the minimum rates recovered for farmworkers in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [27183]
  685
  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 3 February 1998]: MAFF Regional Service Centres (RSCs) committed about five staff years work to all aspects of the Agricultural Wages Order, including enforcement, in 1996–97. The information requested for the last 3 years is as follows:

  Number of inspections1

  Number of prosecutions for breaches of the order

  Arrears of pay recovered £

  1994

  869

  6

  16,028

  1995

  348

  2

  29,062

  1996

  38

  3

  6,811

  1 Test (random) inspections ended in 1995 as they had revealed no breaches for some time. Inspections subsequently are only made as a follow up to complaints or other reports.

  2 One case went to appeal which was heard in 1996. As a result the arrears of pay recovered in 1995 was reduced to £3,048.

  The enforcement provisions in the National Minimum Wage Bill, which it is proposed should apply for Agricultural Minimum Wage purposes, will strengthen the effectiveness of enforcement.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the Parliamentary Secretary will reply to the letter of 13 October from the right hon. Member for Penrith and The Border raising concerns of constituents. [27054]

  Mr. Morley
  Despite an exhaustive search this Department can find no record of having received a letter of 13 October from the right hon. Member. However, if the hon. Member's Office can forward a copy to mine, I will ensure it is dealt with promptly.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the Parliamentary Secretary will reply to the letter of 25 September from the right hon. Member for Penrith and The Border on a constituency case. [27055]

  Mr. Morley
  A reply to the right hon. Member's letter of 25 September has been delayed while efforts are made to find a solution to the problems experienced by his constituent, while ensuring that the Ministry meets its obligation to administer EU funded subsidy schemes in accordance with the relevant legislation. That work has yet to be completed, but my noble Friend will write within the next week to explain in greater detail where matters rest.
  686
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the Minister of State will reply to the letter of 28 November from the right hon. Member for Penrith and The Border on a constituency matter. [27053]

  Mr. Morley
  This letter—and a number of others I have received from right hon. and hon. Members—ask about the Government's attitude to near-identical Private Members" and Private Peers" Bills which have been introduced with the aim, inter alia, of banning the tail docking of piglets. The Government's attitude to such a measure was made clear in a debate in the House of Lords on 26 January: I am therefore now in a position to reply to the right hon. Gentleman's letter of 28 November and to the other letters we have received on the subject.

  Fishing Rights
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will seek to prevent applicant countries for membership of the EU from enjoying the right to fish in EU waters other than EU waters for which they already have fishing rights after they have been accepted as members of the European Union; [26566]

  (2) what power exists within the treaties of the European Union to prevent applicant countries for membership of the European Union from fishing in EU waters other than those in which they currently have rights once they have joined the European Union. [26567]

  Mr. Morley
  The terms of access to EU waters for fishing by new Member States are subject to negotiation and will be included in their respective Accession Treaties. The Government will aim to ensure that the fishing quotas within EU waters allocated to new Member States on accession are for the areas and stocks for which they already have fishing rights. This is consistent with the established principle of relative stability.

  Beef on the Bone
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the impact of the ban on selling beef on the bone on consumer confidence. [25354]

  Mr. Rooker
  Beef consumption varies seasonally and in response to many factors so the effect of any single action is unlikely to be identified separately. However, the vast majority of letters received about the ban have justifiably expressed continuing confidence in British Beef.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  European Voluntary Service
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the current pilot projects of the European Voluntary Service under way in the United Kingdom. [27368]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The information requested is contained in the table:

  Botton Village, Camphill Village Trust

  Cornerstone Community

  Share Discovery "80 Limited (Centre's Garden)

  Share Discovery "80 Limited (Helping the disabled)

  Share Discovery "80 Limited (work with elderly and disabled)

  Camphill Rudolph Steiner Schools

  Pennyburn Youth & Community Centre

  Gowanbank Sustainability

  Church of Scotland Board of Social Responsibility (Dementia)

  Church of Scotland Board of Social Responsibility (Adults with learning disabilities)

  Moretonhampstead Development Trust

  Belfast Women's Aid

  Harmony Community Trust

  Bryson House

  Greenhouse Trust

  Peace Child International

  Warley Leisure and Enabling Services

  Tools for Solidarity

  Somerset County Council, Social Services Department

  Undercurrents Productions

  Third Wave Centre

  Grey Lodge Settlement

  Croxteth & Gillmoss Community Federation

  Tower Hamlets Council

  Black Country Partnership College

  Peace People

  Hyndburn Borough Council

  Conservation Volunteers NI

  Devas Club

  YMCA Stoke on Trent and North Staffordshire

  Dingle made safe

  Irish Support and Advice Service

  The Woodcraft Folk

  Solas Anois

  International Christian Youth Exchange—UK, Treolar Trust

  International Christian Youth Exchange—UK, Cambridge Cyrenians

  International Christian Youth Exchange—UK, St Piers Lingfield

  German Red Cross Voluntary Social Year, Peterhouse School

  German Red Cross Voluntary Social Year, YMCA

  German Red Cross Voluntary Social Year, British Red Cross Society

  German Red Cross Voluntary Social Year, Emily Jackson-kindergarden

  German Red Cross Voluntary Social Year, Christopher Grange

  688

  German Red Cross Voluntary Social Year, Springfield School

  German Red Cross Voluntary Social Year, Princess Christian Farm

  German Red Cross Voluntary Social Year, Mountwood Hostel

  German Red Cross Voluntary Social Year, Centre Mulbery

  German Red Cross Voluntary Social Year, Valense School

  German Red Cross Voluntary Social Year, Pines Centre

  German Red Cross Voluntary Social Year, Dorton House EIL, The Winged Fellowship, Netley Waterside House, Southampton

  EIL, Cardiff Community Health Care

  EIL, The Winged Fellowship, Skylarks

  EIL, Sandpipers

  EIL, The Winged Fellowship, Crabhill House, Redhill

  EIL, Worcester NHS Trust

  EIL, Worcester Lifestyles

  EIL, Kidderminster Youth Centre

  EIL, Bromyard Youth Centre

  EIL, Malvern Youth Centre

  EIL, Bromsgrove Youth Centre

  EIL, The National Trust Hereford & Worcester

  Time For Good (11 projects)

  CSV, Scotland Action Clyde Project

  CSV, Edinburgh Action in East Scotland Project

  CSV, Thames Action Project

  CSV, Action Wales Project

  CSV, Midlands Caring Community Project

  CSV, South West England Community Care Project

  CSV, North of England Social Care Project

  CSV, East Anglia Care Project

  CSV, South East England Social Care Project.

  European Commission Schools Packs
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what contribution his Department has made to the formulation of schools packs distributed by the European Commission in the United Kingdom; and what discussions he has held with the European Commission on the issue. [27369]

  Dr. Howells
  As far as we are aware, the European Commission has not distributed any packs to schools in the United Kingdom.

  The Department for Education and Employment, however, together with the other education departments in the UK, commissioned the "Partners in Europe" pack from the Central Bureau for Educational Visits and Exchanges and the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority to mark the UK's Presidency of the European Union. This was in response to a request from teachers to update the material already in existence about the European dimension in the curriculum.

  The European Commission's office in London was invited to place an information leaflet in the pack, which it did, but the Commission was not specifically consulted about the purpose or contents of the pack.

  EU Projects
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proposals he has for application for European Union(a) funds and (b) material for schools educational projects. [27370]

  Dr. Howells
  Schools educational projects are funded by the European Union's SOCRATES programme, which is administered in the UK by the Central Bureau for Educational Visits and Exchanges. In 1997 the UK's allocation was 5.3 Mecu (£3.7 million). This enabled 1,681 UK schools to participate in transnational partnership projects. In addition 4,572 head teachers and teachers received funding to update or diversify their foreign language teaching skills; to make study visits; to make project planning visits to schools, or to receive in-service teacher training.

  Jean Monnet Chairs
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of use of Jean Monnet Chairs as a means to further European integration. [27367]

  Dr. Howells
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has made no such assessment. The Jean Monnet Project is implemented by the European Commission without direct involvement on the part of EU Member States. However, I understand that the purpose of the Project is to encourage the academic study of European integration issues in universities, not to advance the process of integration itself.

  School Teachers" Pay and Conditions Act
  Mr. Dorrell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if schools which have already opted out of the School Teachers" Pay and Conditions Act 1991 will be able to continue to opt out of the requirements of that Act following the implementation of the School Standards and Framework Bill. [26801]

  Mr. Byers
  Yes. Part II of schedule 30 to the School Standards and Framework Bill will allow those schools which have already opted out of the School Teachers" Pay and Conditions Act 1991 to continue to do so under the new framework where such a school joins either the voluntary aided or foundation category of schools.

  Education Action Zones
  Mr. Dorrell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment for what reasons the powers to be given to schools in education action zones to opt out of the School Teachers" Pay and Conditions Act 1991 and of some of the requirements of the National Curriculum are not being extended to other schools. [26803]

  Mr. Byers
  The proposals will enable schools in zones to find new ways of raising standards.

  We shall closely monitor the effectiveness of the various initiatives developed in the zones. Until a full evaluation has taken place it would not be appropriate to adopt changes on a national basis.

  Disability Discrimination
  Mr. Fitzpatrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many employment cases broken down by main disabling conditions are awaiting consideration by industrial tribunals under the employment provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. [26755]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  I have consulted the Chief Executive of the Employment Tribunals Service who tells me that there are currently 388 cases awaiting consideration by industrial tribunals. Since the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995 came into force there have been 730 applications under the Act, of which 342 have been heard. This excludes cases where a claim under the DDA is not the main jurisdiction. There are no statistics available which break down cases by main disabling conditions.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Winter Fuel Payments
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many winter fuel payments of(a) £50 and (b) £20 have so far been paid; and how many of the payments were wrongly dated. [26798]

  Mr. Denham
  Winter Fuel Payments are one of a number of initiatives the Government have taken to help vulnerable people, especially the elderly, keep warm in the winter. This is the first time any Government have made a payment to all pensioners towards their heating costs.

  This is an enormous and unprecedented exercise, involving the making of around 10 million payments to over 7 million pensioner households at a total cost of around £200 million.

  The administration of winter fuel payments is a matter for Peter Mathison, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mrs. Margaret Ewing, dated 3 February 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many winter fuel payments of (a) £50 and (b) £20 have so far been paid; and how many of the payments were wrongly dated.
  Priority has been given to issuing payments to the poorest pensioners—those who are receiving Income Support or income based Jobseekers Allowance. A total of 1,441,614 payments of £50 have been issued, as at 31 January 1998. This does not include the small number of clerical payments made locally.
  There were 40,801 girocheques issued with the incorrect date. Replacements were issued on 29 January 1998.
  Other eligible pensioners will receive a payment of £20 or £10. Where there is only one eligible pensioner in a household, or they are of no fixed abode, they will receive £20; otherwise each eligible pensioner will receive £10. Those payments will start being issued in March.
  Thank you for the opportunity to explain the position.

  Mr. Martin Bell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment she has made of the consistency between(a) the exclusion of men aged 60 to 64 years, unless married to women aged 60 years or over or receiving income support, from receiving the winter

  691
  fuel payment and (b) EU directive 79/7, article 3.1(a) on equal treatment and section 29 of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975. [25728]

  Mr. Denham
  The additional help of £400 million over this winter and next, announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 25 November 1997,Official Report, columns 773–98, demonstrates the Government's commitment to help the elderly keep warm in their homes.

  People receiving Income Support or income-based Jobseeker" s Allowance during week commencing 5 January whose benefit included a pensioner premium will be entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment of £50. A pensioner premium applies where wither the claimant or partner are aged 60 or over. Other people over State pension age (65 for men, 60 for women) who are receiving any of the other qualifying benefits during the qualifying week will receive a payment of £20 or £10. Where there is only one eligible person in a household, or the person is of no fixed abode, they will receive £20; otherwise, each eligible person will receive £10. Men aged 60 to 64 will not be entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment on the basis that they are married to a woman aged 60 or over.

  Winter Fuel Payments do not fall within the scope of the Social Security Equal Treatment Directive (Directive 79/7). Section 29 of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 deals with discrimination in the provision of goods, facilities or services, which does not apply to the Winter Fuel Payment scheme.

  Benefit Integrity Project
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if she will provide figures for the outcome of cases dealt with under the Benefit Integrity Project, differentiating between those cases dealt with by special review and those dealt with by normal renewal action; [27190]

  (2) how many recipients of disability living allowance whose benefit has been reduced or disallowed as a result of the Benefit Integrity Project have appealed; and how many have had their benefit increased on review, differentiating between those cases dealt with by special review and those dealt with by normal action. [27191]

  Mr. Denham
  One of our key aims is to rebuild integrity in, and public support for, the Social Security system and the way in which public money is spent. Benefits should go to those who are properly entitled to benefit. This is why we have continued with Benefit Integrity Project.

  The administration of this programme is a matter for Peter Mathison, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with further details.
  692
  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. David Rendel, dated 3 February 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to respond to your recent Parliamentary Questions about the Benefit Integrity Project (BIP).
  The BIP is looking again at designated Disability Living Allowance (DLA) awards. Information is gathered on a questionnaire designed to provide a full picture of a person's care and mobility needs. Those receiving the higher rate of the mobility component combined with the highest rate of the care component are visited by a specially trained visiting officer while those receiving the higher rate of the mobility component combined with the middle rate of the care component are sent a questionnaire by post. If the information provided suggests that a change of circumstances has occurred which may affect entitlement to benefit the case is passed to an independent Adjudication Officer (AO) for review. Reviews are carried out under adjudication rules which apply to all DLA awards.
  Some awards in the designated categories will expire during the period of the BIP. When a short-term award of DLA is approaching its renewal date a renewal claim form is sent to the recipient. It would clearly be inappropriate to require completion of a BIP questionnaire as well. So, in renewal cases AOs have been advised that the integrity of the benefit should be secured by seeking further evidence from the most appropriate source. When the completed form is returned and medical evidence has been obtained the claim is passed to the AO to determine—as if it were a new claim to benefit.
  As at 31 December 1997, the BIP had examined 40,615 cases of which 25,638 were postal enquiries, 7,515 were visits and 7,462 cases had been dealt with on renewal. Of the total cases dealt with 7,717 have had benefit reduced/stopped, 978 have had benefit increased and 31,920 have been unchanged.
  Of 33,153 cases dealt with by post or by visit, 4,365 have had benefit reduced/stopped, 736 have had benefit increased and 28,052 have remained unchanged.
  Of the 7,462 cases dealt with on renewal, 3,352 have had benefit reduced/stopped, 242 have had benefit increased and 3,868 have remained unchanged.
  Decisions about entitlement to DLA are made by independent AOs. The first recourse of a person who is dissatisfied with an AO's decision is to ask for a review by a different AO. If the person remains dissatisfied they have the right of appeal to an independent Appeal Tribunal. Cases examined as part of the BIP are subject to the same rules as any other DLA case.
  Data is not available on the number of people who have asked for a review of the AOs decision. However at 31 December 1997, of 4,365 cases dealt with by post or visit which have had benefit reduced or stopped, 842 requests for review have been cleared of which 174 have had their benefit increased, and of 3,352 cases dealt with on renewal which have had benefit reduced or stopped, 525 requests for review have been cleared of which 120 have had their benefit increased.
  As at 31 December 1997, 311 Appeals have been received but no cases have been heard by the Independent Tribunal Service. Appeals data cannot be broken down further until the outcome of the appeal is known.
  I hope you find the reply helpful.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many cases of fraud have been reported as a result of the Benefit Integrity Project; [21635]

  (2) on which disability living allowance claim form the Benefit Integrity Project questionnaire will be based; [21634]

  (3) what percentage of claimants responding to the Benefit Integrity Project questionnaire had their (i) award maintained, (ii) higher rate maintenance reduced to medium rate maintenance, (iii) higher rate maintenance reduced to lower rate maintenance, (iv) higher rate

  693
  maintenance reduced to nil, (v) middle rate care reduced to lower rate care and (vi) middle rate care reduced to nil; [21636]

  (4) what training has been provided to district office visiting staff undertaking Benefit Integrity Project visits. [21633]

  Mr. Denham
  One of our key aims is to rebuild integrity in, and public support for, the Social Security system and the way in which public money is spent. Benefits should go to those who are properly entitled to benefit. This is why we have continued with the Benefit Integrity Project.

  The administration of this programme is a matter for Peter Mathison, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with further details.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Paul Burstow, dated 3 February 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions regarding the Benefit Integrity Project (BIP).
  The BIP was set up in response to the recent Benefit Review of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) which found that as much as 0.5 billion a year, in DLA, may be being paid to people who are not entitled to receive it. The purpose of the project is to update the information held for DLA customers. Over the next two years, specially trained staff will make enquiries by postal questionnaire or home visit in over 400,000 cases to establish whether DLA is paid correctly.
  The BIP obtains an up to date statement of a person's circumstances by post or at a visit. All the information gathered is recorded on form DLA 250, which was reviewed by groups of disabled people and their representatives in June 1997. Form DLA 250 is based on the standard DLA claim form.
  As at 30 November 1997, of the 27,511 cases looked at the percentage which have not been changed at all is 84.9%. The percentage of cases where the care component has not been changed is 85.3%. This similarity reflects the relatively small proportion of cases which have been changed. The percentage of awards reduced from higher rate care to medium rate care is 1.1%, to lower rate is 0.3% and to nil rate 0.6%. The percentage of awards reduced from middle rate to lower rate is 3.1% and from middle rate to nil rate is 7.1%.
  Approximately 40 cases have been referred to a fraud officer as a result of BIP activity. DLA is no different to any other benefit and we will prosecute if that is the appropriate action.
  District Office (DO) staff are not undertaking visits as part of the BIP except in Wales where there are 31 DO staff carrying out BIP visits. These are staff with a background in benefits administration who have also undertaken visits on a range of benefits on behalf of the DOs. Before undertaking any BIP visits all visiting staff, including those in Wales, received a specially designed five day training course, which included sessions on the background to DLA, an opportunity to practice visiting and interviewing skills, an explanation of how to deal with difficult situations and a session delivered by the Disablement Income Group on the special considerations which need to be borne in mind when visiting disabled people.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what benefits are currently subject to the benefit integrity project; and what further benefits will be subjected to it. [25737]
  694
  Mr. Denham
  The Benefit Integrity Project is a discrete exercise involving people with certain awards of Disability Living Allowance. It is designed to collect accurate, up-to-date information about beneficiaries" care and mobility needs through a programme of home visits and postal enquiries extending over two or so years. It makes sense that we periodically check that people are getting the right money. This sort of inquiry is routine in other benefits such as Income Support, Invalid Care Allowance and Jobseeker's Allowance.

  Jobseeker's Allowance
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will estimate the administrative costs of the introduction of the jobseeker's allowance, separately identifying staff time. [26085]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The administration of the JobSeeker's Allowance is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. John Swinney, dated 3 February 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking for the estimate of administrative costs of the introduction of the JobSeeker's Allowance (JSA), separately identifying staff time.
  It is estimated that the total cost of introducing the JSA was £348 million. This included the costs of training and development, estates, communications, IT, and Project management. Of this the estimated total salary costs is approximately £161 million.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Income Support (Scotland)
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many income support claimants there were in the last available quarter in(a) the Tayside Benefits Agency District Office area, (b) the Perth and Kinross Council local authority area, (c) the Dundee City Council local authority area and (d) Tayside North parliamentary constituency, in the client groups (i) disabled, (ii) lone parent and (iii) pensioner. [26087]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The administration of Income Support is a matter for Peter Mathison, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. John Swinney, dated 3 February 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many Income Support (IS) claimants there were in the last available quarter in (a) the Tayside Benefits Agency District Office area, (b) the Perth and Kinross Council local authority area, (c) the Dundee City Council local authority area and (d) Tayside North parliamentary constituency, in the client groups (i) disabled, (ii) lone parent and (iii) pensioner.
  The information is not available in the format requested. The Benefits agency (BA) collates IS statistics by BA District Offices. These Districts do not correspond to constituency boundaries, local authorities or specific geographical areas.
  The information that is available is shown in the attached table.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  695

  Number of income support (IS) customers in receipt benefit by client group for the Benefits Agency's Tayside District as at 30 November 1997

  Premium

  Number of IS customers in receipt of certain benefit premiums as at 30 November 1997

  Disability

  5,914

  Family (lone parent)

  6,842

  Pensioner

  14,005

  The BA's Tayside District includes the offices of Arbroath, Dundee and Perth.
  From April 1997 the IS lone parent premium was replaced by the higher rate of family premium for lone parents. The figure provided for the family premium (lone parent) does not include those lone parent customers who are pensioners nor those registered sick who qualify for a higher rate premium such as a pensioner or disability premium.
  The figure provided relating to the number of customers who are over pensionable age and in receipt of a pensioner premium may include customers who are also disabled.
  This information is the latest available, is provisional and maybe subject to change.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when she will publish her proposals to reform the Child Support Agency; and if she will make a statement. [26408]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  We are looking closely at all aspects of the Child Support scheme to see where improvements can be made. We aim to bring forward proposals by the Summer.

  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proposals she has to guarantee CSA payments to family credit claimants. [25637]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  Children are entitled to the financial and emotional support of both parents wherever they live. We are looking closely at all aspects of the child support scheme to see where improvements can be made and we aim to bring forward proposals by the Summer.

  Mr. Sarwar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what measures the Government has taken to improve the performance of the Child Support Agency. [25647]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The receipt of regular maintenance is a central part of the Government's strategy for helping lone mothers off Income Support and into work. We are looking closely at all aspects of the Child Support scheme to see where improvements can be made. We aim to bring forward proposals by the Summer. In the meantime we have already announced that an extra £15 million will be invested in the Child Support Agency in each of the next two financial years aimed specifically at increasing the amounts of maintenance which are paid.

  From April this year lone mothers will be helped to complete a maintenance application form when visited by Benefits Agency staff at the start of their Income Support claim. This will allow the maintenance process to begin as soon as benefit is claimed.
  696
  The Chief Executive of the Child Support Agency is also introducing a number of measures aimed at improving customer service. These include more pro-active use of the telephone and a move to more flexible working patterns, including week-end working, so that clients can be contacted at times which suit them.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will estimate (i) in total, (ii) for men and women separately and (ii) for each region and nation the number of claimants of disability living allowance(a) care and (b) mobility components who are also claiming jobseekers allowance; and what is this figure as a percentage of the total of such claims. [22977]

  Mr. Denham
  The information is not available in the form requested. Such information as is available is in the table.

  There are only limited statistics on people who receive both Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) and Disability Living Allowance (DLA) because of the small numbers involved. About 0.5 per cent. of the DLA recipients receive both benefits.

  Jobseeker's Allowance recipients also in receipt of DLA at February 1997

  000s

  All

  Men

  Women

  Great Britain

  Mobility only

  3

  2

  1

  Care only

  2

  2

  1

  Care and Mobility

  4

  3

  1

  Total

  9

  7

  2

  England

  Mobility only

  3

  2

  1

  Care only

  2

  2

  1

  Care and Mobility

  3

  2

  1

  Total

  8

  6

  2

  Scotland

  Mobility only

  —

  —

  —

  Care only

  —

  —

  —

  Care and Mobility

  —

  —

  —

  Total

  1

  —

  —

  Wales

  Mobility only

  —

  —

  —

  Care only

  —

  —

  —

  Care and Mobility

  —

  —

  —

  Total

  1

  —

  —

  Notes:

  1. Numbers are rounded to the nearest thousand and may not sum.

  2. All figures have been rounded to the nearest thousand. Figures under 500 are therefore not shown.

  3. Sample size 5 per cent.

  4. It is only possible to provide reliable data on JSA claimants also receiving DLA where income based JSA is in payment.

  5. It is not possible to provide a breakdown by region due to the small number of sample cases involved at this level.

  Source:

  Jobseeker's Allowance Quarterly Statistical Enquiry: February 1997.
  697
  Mr. Fitzpatrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average age of people receiving disability living allowance at the time of their initial claim for(a) the mobility component and (b) the care component, broken down separately for men and women. [26165]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is set out in the table.

  Average ages of people receiving disability living allowance at the time of their initial claim

  All persons

  Men

  Women

  Mobility component

  45

  44

  46

  Care component

  43

  42

  45

  Notes:

  Figures based on claims made in the 12 months ending 30 November 1997.

  Source:

  Analytical Services Division: 5 per cent data.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations she has had from the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux concerning the complexity of the new arrangement in place since last July for those claiming benefit under the disability living allowance. [25061]

  Mr. Denham
  No new arrangements for claiming Disability Living Allowance were introduced last July and we have not received any representations from the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux (NACAB) regarding the claims process since that date.

  Pensioners receiving income related benefits in the United Kingdom by region, May 1996

  Region

  Number of recipients

  Income support Percentage of all aged 60 or over

  Number of recipients

  Housing benefit Percentage of all aged 60 or over

  Number of recipients

  Council tax benefit Percentage of all aged 60 or over

  United Kingdom (millions)

  1.8

  15.3

  1.9

  16.3

  2.7

  22.7

  Northern Ireland

  73,000

  25.9

  49,000

  17.5

  118,000

  6.5

  Great Britain (millions)

  1.7

  15.0

  1.9

  16.3

  2.7

  23.1

  Scotland

  176,000

  17.0

  230,000

  22.2

  292,000

  28.2

  Wales

  107,000

  16.3

  88,000

  13.4

  131,000

  20.0

  South East (excluding London)

  258,000

  11.3

  282,000

  12.4

  406,000

  17.8

  London (Inner and Outer)

  217,000

  17.7

  247,000

  20.2

  301,000

  24.6

  North

  110,000

  16.7

  137,000

  20.8

  185,000

  28.1

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  171,000

  16.5

  192,000

  18.5

  279,000

  26.8

  East Midlands

  117,000

  13.7

  122,000

  14.3

  189,000

  22.1

  East Anglia

  59,000

  12.4

  68,000

  14.4

  102,000

  21.6

  South West

  131,000

  11.5

  128,000

  11.2

  199,000

  17.4

  West Midlands

  182,000

  16.8

  190,000

  17.5

  291,000

  26.9

  North West

  237,000

  18.2

  223,000

  17.1

  342,000

  26.3

  1 Council Tax does not apply to Northern Ireland. Figure quoted for Northern Ireland is for rates.

  Notes:

  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest thousand.

  2. Income related benefits are Income Support, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit, Family Credit and Disability Working Allowance.

  3. Information refers to benefit units which may be a single person or a couple.

  4. Figures may not sum due to rounding.

  5. The information excludes second adult rebate cases.

  6. There is an overlap in the figures as most people receive both Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.

  7. Pensioners are defined here as being in receipt of a pensioner premium or where the claimant or partner is aged 60 or over.

  Sources:

  1. Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry, May 1996.

  2. Housing Benefit Management Information System, annual 1 per cent. sample inquiries for recipients with and without Income Support taken at the end of May 1996.

  3. Office for National Statistics, estimates of the population mid-term 1996.

  Pensioner Incomes
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the state pension for(a) a single person and (b) a couple will be in 1998–99; what it would have been in 1998–99 if the pension had been uprated by the higher of the retail prices index or earnings; and what estimate he has made of (i) the gross additional costs of such increases in pension and (ii) the net cost after savings in (1) means-tested benefits and (2) increased Treasury receipts from income tax. [25300]

  Mr. Denham
  The value of the standard rate of basic State Retirement Pension in 1998–99 will be £64.70 for a single pensioner under 80, and £103.40 for a pensioner couple under 80. If uprated by annual growth in the Average Earnings Index (whole economy) to September 1997 the rates would be £65.05 and £103.95 respectively.

  The estimated additional cost for uprating contributory Retirement Pension and all linked benefits by earnings would be £200 million. The net costs after savings in means-tested benefits would be £150 million. It is only possible to estimate the extra receipts from income tax in respect of Retirement Pension and not the linked benefits. The net cost after doing so is £130 million.

  Note:
  The estimates have been rounded to the nearest £10 million.

  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what(a) number and (b) proportion of pensioners in each region of the United Kingdom received (i) income support, (ii) housing benefit and (iii) council tax benefit. [24810]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The information requested is shown in the table.
  699
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social what (i) number and (ii) proportion of pensioners cost as a received(a) income support, (b) housing benefit, (c) council tax benefit and (d) one or more income related benefits for the last year for which figures are available.[24945]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The information requested is given in the table.

  Pensioners receiving income related benefits, Great Britain May 1996

  Benefit

  Number of recipients

  Proportion of all aged 60 over (per cent.)

  Income Support

  1,763,000

  15.0

  Housing Benefit

  1,909,000

  16.3

  Council Tax Benefit

  2,717,000

  23.1

  One or more income related benefit12

  3,280,000

  27.9

  1 Figures are rounded to the nearest thousand, except the figure for one or more income related benefit, which is rounded to the nearest ten thousand.

  2 Income related benefits are Income Support, Housing Benefit, Council Tax benefit, Family Credit and Disability Working Allowance.

  Notes:

  1. Information refers to benefit units which may be a single person or a couple.

  2. Figures may not sum due to rounding.

  3. The information excludes second adult rebate cases.

  4. There is an overlap in the figures as most people receive both Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.

  5. Pensioners are defined here as being in receipt of a pensioner premium or where the claimant or partner is aged 60 or over.

  Source:

  1. Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry, May 1996.

  2. Housing Benefit Management Information System, annual 1 per cent. sample inquiries for recipients with and without Income Support taken at the end of May 1996.

  3. Office for National Statistics, estimates of the population mid-term 1996.

  Benefit Statistics
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the cost in(a) 1995–96 and (b) 1996–97 of the (i) income support, (ii) incapacity benefit, (iii) disability living allowance, (iv) attendance allowance, (v) Social Fund, (vi) child benefit, (vii) retirement pension and (viii) maternity allowance in current prices; and what percentage of those costs was accounted for by administration. [26287]

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

  Benefit

  Benefit expenditure 1995–96 £ million

  Administration cost 1995–96 £ million

  Administration cost as a percentage of benefit expenditure per cent.

  Income Support

  16,693

  1,504

  9.0

  Incapacity Benefit

  7,623

  387

  5.1

  Disability Living Allowance (includes Mobility Allowance)

  3,802

  152

  4.0

  Attendance Allowance

  2,194

  96

  4.4

  700

  Benefit

  Benefit expenditure 1995–96 £ million

  Administration cost 1995–96 £ million

  Administration cost as a percentage of benefit expenditure per cent.

  Child Benefit and One Parent Benefit

  6,642

  144

  2.2

  Retirement Pension

  29,963

  326

  1.1

  Maternity Allowance

  29

  4

  15.1

  Social Fund1

  796

  195

  24.5

  1 The Social Fund expenditure figure includes one-off payments from the regulated and discretionary Social Fund plus recoveries of discretionary loans and regulated Funeral Payments.

  Note:

  Figures for the financial year 1996–97 are being finalised and will be included in the 1998 Social Security Departmental Report scheduled for publication following the Spring Budget Statement.

  Source: March 1997 Social Security Departmental Report.

  Lone Parents
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many single parents there are in the United Kingdom by gender; and how many of the women are(a) widowed and (b) divorced; how many were teenage mothers; and if she will estimate how many have been subject to domestic violence. [26274]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  Estimates of one-parent families with dependent children are not available for the United Kingdom. The provisional estimate, made by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), of the number in Great Britain for 1995 is 1.56 million.ONS estimated that in 1995, 92 per cent. of lone parents in Great Britain were lone mothers, giving provisional estimates of the numbers of lone mothers and lone fathers of 1.44 million and 0.12 million, respectively.
  Similarly the estimated percentages of lone mothers who were widowed, or divorced, were 4.8 per cent. and 33.5 per cent. respectively, and provisional estimates of their numbers were 70,000 and 480,000 respectively.
  Information is not available on the number of lone parents who had ever been teenage mothers. However, the estimated percentage of all those who in 1995 were teenage lone mothers was 2.3 per cent., and a provisional estimate of their numbers was 30,000.

  Information is not available on the number of lone mothers who have been subject to domestic violence. However, there is research information about numbers experiencing domestic violence in the last year of their relationship, and this is shown in the table.

  Arguments and violence in the last year of the relationship

  Per cent.

  First partner

  Second partner

  Unweighted base

  (618)

  (109)

  Couple never argued

  17

  13

  Argued, no violence

  46

  47

  Some violence, lone mother not injured

  8

  9

  Violence, lone mother injured

  29

  32

  Notes:

  1. This information is based on the 1994 lone parent cross-section survey conducted as part of the DSS/Policy Studies Institute (PSI) Programme of Research into Low Income Families.

  2. The figures include lone mothers (excluding widows) who had ever lived with a partner. The first partner refers to the lone mother's co-resident partner around or subsequent to the birth of their eldest

  701
  child. The second partner is the one subsequent to the first partner (around half of whom were also parents of one or more of the lone mother's children).

  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 16 December 1997,Official Report, columns 139–40, how many of the 540 lone parents, not currently receiving income support, are currently claiming (a) no benefits, (b) only child benefit and (c) family credit. [24672]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  [holding answer 22 January 1998]: Information requested in parts (a) and (b) is not available.

  Of the 540 lone parents referred to above, 385 were awarded Family Credit.

  A full evaluation report, comparing the outcomes for lone parents in the New Deal for Lone Parent areas with those in the control areas where the service is not yet available, will be published in 1999.

  Notes:
  1. The figure of 540 lone parents quoted in the Written Answer, 16 December 1997, Official Report, column 140 was arrived at as follows: up to the end of November, 864 lone parents had been helped into work through the Government's New Deal for Lone Parents. Although the majority will have moved into work of 16 or more hours per week, information on the hours of work was not available in all cases. Of the 655 cases where information was available at the time, 568 lone parents had moved into work of 16 or more hours per week. Of this group, 540 were not then receiving Income Support.
  2. The figure of 385 lone parents awarded Family Credit was derived from the New Deal for Lone Parents Lone Parent Adviser system and a check of Family Credit records.

  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what progress has been made on fast-tracking family credit and CSA claims under the New Deal for Lone Parents. [25636]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  Fast-track arrangements are in place to clear claims and to secure the speedy payments of Family Credit where a person has just started, or is about to start work. These fast-track arrangements also apply to lone parents participating in the New Deal for Lone Parents programme. The target set for these fast-track claims is to process 95 per cent. within five working days. This target is currently being achieved.

  The Child Support Agency has agreed to process applications for maintenance more quickly, where the parent with care has signed up to a New Deal for Lone Parents Action Plan. They will also answer straightforward inquiries from New Deal for Lone Parents Personal Advisers on behalf of lone parents immediately, and all others within five working days.

  Family Credit
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will provide a breakdown of the current recipients of family credit to show the numbers of(a) single parents, (b) single earner couples, (c) two earner couples and (d) other categories. [26229]
  702
  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The information requested is set out in the table.

  Family credit recipients by family type, August 1997

  Family type

  Number of claimants

  Single parents

  351,000

  Single earner couples

  369,000

  Two earner couples

  30,000

  Others

  6,000

  All cases

  757,000

  Notes:

  1. All figures have been rounded to the nearest thousand.

  2. Cases classified as others are self-employed cases with earning assessed as nil.

  3. Sample size 5 per cent.

  Source:

  Family Credit 5 per cent. sample of all awards.

  National Insurance
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will include in her spending reviews consideration of a free contribution credit for workers with earnings below the lower earnings limit for(a) statutory maternity pay, (b) contributing jobseekers and (c) basic retirement pension; and if she will estimate the spending consequences of the introduction of such credits. [24355]

  Mr. Denham
  The Comprehensive Spending Review demonstrates that the Government are committed to a far-reaching overhaul of the Social Security system that will modernise the welfare state and prepare it to meet the challenges of the 21st century. Based on our clear objectives of promoting work incentives, reducing poverty and welfare dependency and strengthening community and family life, the review is examining the purpose and nature of each major component of the system. The review is not due to complete its work until the summer and no options have been ruled in or out at this point. It is still too soon to anticipate the outcome.

  Class 1 National Insurance contribution credits may assist people to qualify for basic Retirement Pension and contributions-based Jobseeker's Allowance. These credits are currently available to people with earnings below the lower earnings limit who work for less than 16 hours a week and are available for and actively seeking employment or who are receiving Disability Working Allowance or Invalid Care Allowance. Class 3 credits are available to those receiving Family Credit to help them qualify for basic Retirement Pension. Those caring for a severely disabled person or receiving Child Benefit may also be eligible for Home Responsibilities Protection, which reduces the number of qualifying years of paid or credited contributions required for a basic Retirement Pension.

  Statutory Maternity Pay is paid by employers to employees who on average, had weekly earnings at or above the lower earnings limit who had been continuously employed for at least 26 weeks up to the 15th week before their baby is expected.
  703
  Estimates of the effects on expenditure on contributions-based Jobseeker's Allowance and basic Retirement Pension if credits were awarded to everyone with earnings below the lower earnings limit are not available.

  Vaccine Damage
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claims have been allowed by the vaccine damage payments unit for each of the past five years, without the claimant having to go to tribunal. [23822]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is in the table.

  Year

  Number of payments made without a tribunal

  1996–97

  0

  1995–96

  2

  1994–95

  2

  1993–94

  1

  1992–93

  6

  Source:

  Vaccine Damage Payment Unit

  Public Appointments (Women)
  Mrs. Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what progress has been made on the joint strategy with the public appointments unit to ensure that women are more involved in public bodies. [25731]

  Ms Ruddock
  We are working with the Public Appointments Unit in Cabinet Office on the issue of public appointments with the aim of raising the proportion of women appointed to public bodies from its current level of 32 per cent.

  As part of this the Public Appointments Unit has asked all Departments to draw up individual plans for the increased representation of women on public bodies. These plans will include specific targets for the period 1998–2001.

  We will meet in February to jointly scrutinise the plans and agree further action to be taken.

  Non-career Civil Servants
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many non-career civil servants have been appointed to her Department since 1 May 1997. [25841]

  Mr. Field
  The number of casual, fixed term appointees and Special Advisers since 1 May 1997 is 8,512. This compares with a total of 12,489 people employed on this basis in 1996–97.

  Extended Payment System
  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many claims for extended payments of(a) housing benefit and (b) council tax benefit have been unsuccessful since the extended payment system was introduced because they were made outside the eight-day qualifying period; [25633]
  704
  (2) how many people have received extended payments of (a) housing benefit and (b) council tax benefit on starting a family credit claim since the extended payment system was introduced. [25634]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The information requested is not available.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Hesford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will review the operation of housing benefit in relation to supported housing tenants; and if she will make a statement. [25863]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  An inter-Departmental group is currently considering the funding of services in supported accommodation. As part of this review we recently sought stakeholders" views on the best means of translating our objectives for the long term funding of supported accommodation into a modern, practical and sustainable funding system. Over 200 responses were received which are being considered. We are looking to implement a sustainable funding system as a matter of urgency although I cannot, at this time, say when the review will be complete.

  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what reform of housing benefit is proposed to promote the Government's welfare to work programme. [25739]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The Government firmly believe that work is the best form of welfare. Measures to promote welfare to work are being considered as part of The Housing Comprehensive Spending Review. The review is considering a number of ideas and will report as part of the overall Comprehensive Spending Review in the summer.

  Departmental Fuel
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of her Department's energy usage was from combined heating in each year since 1989–90. [25795]

  Mr. Field
  This Department has not been able to use Combined Heating to date because feasibility studies showed the schemes to be impracticable. However, the Department fully supports environmental initiatives and due consideration will be given to the option of using Combined Heating wherever practicable.

  Pensions
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish all submissions to the Pensions Review; and when he expects to make a statement on future pensions policy. [27433]

  Mr. Denham
  The Pensions Review is looking at the central areas of insecurity for elderly people. A key objective of the review is to ensure that pensioners should have an adequate pension in retirement; that they should share fairly in rising prosperity; and that public finances should be both sustainable and affordable.

  The first part of the Review ended on 31 October. Over 2,000 responses were received and we are carefully considering them. I have no plans to publish the

  705
  submissions to the Review. A number of responses were submitted on a confidential basis and it is a matter for the respondents—pensions providers, employers, employees, consumers, pensions experts and pensioners—whether to make their responses public. An up-to-date list of organisations which responded has been placed in the Library.

  The technical consultation on our proposals for Stakeholder Pensions ended last week. To date, 175 responses have been received. The outcome of the consultation exercise will be reflected in proposals which will be published alongside the Government's response to the wider review in the first half of this year.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is her estimate of the average proportion of income of people in work per quartile of income spent on(a) national insurance, (b) occupational pensions,
  (c) SERPS and (d) individual private pensions. [26861]

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

  Percentage of earnings spent on National Insurance and Occupational Pensions

  Quartile 1

  Quartile 2

  Quartile 3

  Quartile 4

  National Insurance

  3.2

  6.9

  7.5

  6.5

  Occupational Pensions

  0.7

  1.5

  2.4

  3.6

  Notes:

  1. The figures are based on information from the 1995–96 Family Resources Survey (FRS). The 1995–96 survey is the latest for which data are available.

  2. The estimates are based on sample counts which have been adjusted for non-response using multi-purpose grossing factors which control for region, Council Tax Band and a number of demographic variables. Estimates are subject to sampling error and to variability in non response.

  3. Estimates are based on the distribution of gross earnings of all individual employees with non-zero earnings (not including the self-employed).

  4. Proportion of earnings spent on occupational pensions includes contributions (including additional voluntary contributions) made by individuals, but does not include any contribution to occupational pensions made by the employer.

  5. The figures for National Insurance are net of any contracted-out rebates. The figures for occupational pensions are the amounts the employee actually pays.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Freedom of Information
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what assessment he has made of the impact of freedom of information legislation on data protection. [25370]

  Dr. David Clark
  Chapter Four of the White Paper "Your Right to Know sets out the Government's approach to the interaction of Freedom of Information and Data Protection. We aim to maximise access to official information while ensuring the proper protection of personal privacy.
  706
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on progress on the promotion of freedom of information. [25374]

  Dr. David Clark
  This Government are committed to the introduction of a Freedom of Information Act. I recently published "Your Right to Know"—a White Paper—which set out our proposals for such an Act, and on which I have invited the public's views. The White Paper will be followed, later this year, by the publication of a draft Bill for further public consultation.

  We have already taken a number of concrete steps to promote greater openness in government. These include, for example, the requirement for all National Health Service Trusts to hold their meetings in public, and all executive and advisory Quangos to produce and make publicly available annual reports.

  Mr. Rhodri Morgan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he will publish the factual and background material relevant to the production of the White Paper, 'Your Right to Know', promised in his oral statement of 11 December 1997,Official Report, column 1 1 84. [27985]

  Dr. David Clark
  I have today published a document containing substantial factual and background information which contributed to the formulation of the Government's proposals set out in "Your Right to Know: Freedom of Information". Copies have been placed in the Library of the House. As with the White Paper itself, the document will shortly be published on the Internet, on the Cabinet Office (Freedom of Information Unit) home page: http://www.open.gov.uk/m-of-g/foihome.htm.

  The document is based on material in the papers submitted to the Cabinet Sub-Committee, CRP(FOI), which was established to work on Freedom of Information policy. As such it reflects, in addition to straightforward factual and statistical information, many of the arguments, ideas and proposals expressed in the general debates about openness and Freedom of Information in recent years. Obviously, these contributed to the formulation of the Government's policy on FOI set out in "Your Right to Know": but they do not in themselves constitute Government policy, and should not be interpreted as doing so. Inevitably, some of them were taken up and developed further, and feature in "Your Right to Know"; others do not. Nevertheless, I hope that the document will both contribute generally to our policy of open government and, in particular, will be helpful to those who wish to take up the Government's invitation to submit their comments and views on "Your Right to Know".

  Citizens Charters
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what plans he has evaluated in respect of increases in the number of citizens charters; and if he will make a statement. [25371]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  We have recently undertaken a wide-ranging consultation exercise to find out what people want from the new Charter programme, which we intend to launch in the spring.
  707
  The relaunched Charter Programme will reflect this consultation and the Government's commitment to improving delivery of public services at both local and national level.

  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on his policy for future of citizens charter awards; and if he will make a statement. [25377]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  Charter Mark awards are made to recognise excellence in the provision of public services. They will continue to be awarded on the same basis as they are at the moment: by an independent judging panel, following a rigorous, externally audited assessment process.

  Charter Mark has been a success. We want to develop and expand it, and will be announcing our plans for doing so in the spring.

  Publishing (Outside Bodies)
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the publishing of work commissioned by Government from independent outsiders or outside bodies.n [25372]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  Work commissioned from independent outsiders or outside bodies is subject to the same criteria arrangements for publication and disclosure as other information held by Government.

  Government Services
  Ms Moran
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what assessment he has made of the general public's attitude to the delivery of Government services by electronic means. [25375]

  Dr. David Clark
  My officials in the Central Information Technology Unit are currently conducting extensive national market research to test the public's attitude to using electronic services. A report will be produced in the summer.

  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what pilot projects are currently under way to develop the technology used for delivering Government services. [25383]

  Dr. David Clark
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to a similar question from my hon. Friend for Bradford, North (Mr. Rooney) on 17 December 1997,Official Report, column 317.

  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on progress in improving the effectiveness of central Government services. [25382]

  Dr. David Clark
  In our first nine months we have made substantial progress in improving the effectiveness of central government services. For example, we have:launched the Better Government initiative, which is leading to a White Paper on taking public services forward into the new millennium;
  published the well-received "12 Guiding Principles in Market Testing and Contracting Out";
  launched the Comprehensive Spending Review to ensure that all public spending is effective, as announced to the House by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury;
  708
  promoted improvement through benchmarking—most Civil Servants are now in organisations that are using the Business Excellence Model;
  published the "Executive Non-Departmental Public Bodies 1997 Report"—the first performance report on quangos; and
  published the "Freedom of Information" White Paper, which will help the public judge for themselves how effectively services are being delivered.

  Millennium Compliance
  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps he has taken to address the millennium computer compliance problem as it affects central Government. [25379]

  Dr. David Clark
  I refer my hon. Friend to the statement I made to the House on 27 November,Official Report, columns 1104–1105, and to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Dumfries (Mr. Brown) on 30 January, Official Report, columns 403–04.

  Open Government
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what recent representations he has received on open government. [25381]

  Dr. David Clark
  I refer the hon. Member to the oral answer I gave the hon. Member for North Shropshire (Mr. Paterson).

TREASURY

  Euro
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer where(a) euro coins will be minted and (b) euro notes will be printed. [25267]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Under Article 105a(2) of the Treaty, participating Member States may issue coins subject to the approval by the ECB of the volume of the issue. Under Article 105a(1) of the Treaty, the ECB has the exclusive right to authorise the issue of banknotes within the Community. The ECB and national central banks may issue such notes. It has been agreed within the EMI that all the printing works of participating member states' central banks will be involved.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what EC bodies are responsible for designing the proposed euro currency notes and determining the denominations issued; what maximum denomination has been authorised; and who is responsible for ensuring that the risk of forgery is minimised. [26999]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The EMI is responsible for supervising the technical preparation of euro banknotes, in accordance with Article 109f(3) of the Treaty. The designs for euro banknotes were unveiled at the European Council in Dublin in December 1996. The maximum denomination is the 500 euro note. Work on anti-counterfeiting features and materials continues in the EMI.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his Department's estimate of revenue which would be raised from taxing disability living allowance. [25074]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 23 January 1998]: If Disability Living Allowance were taxed, the yield for 1998–99 would be about £325 million.

  Individual Savings Accounts
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the cost of hiring the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre for the launch of his proposals for individual savings accounts. [25180]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  [holding answer 23 Janaury 1998]: £3,528.40 excluding VAT.

  Disabled Children
  Miss Begg
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will extend tax relief to parents paying maintenance for disabled children over 18 years old; and if he will estimate the cost. [25607]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Parents paying maintenance for children may be entitled to tax relief until the child reaches the age of 21, and this is the case whether the child is disabled or not. We cannot estimate the revenue cost of further relief for disabled children.

  Charities
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the impact on charities of his policies with regard to the taxation of charities. [24565]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 26 January 1998]: Charities contribute a great deal to society and this is reflected in their favourable tax treatment. However, the system can be complex and charities have for some time called for a review to reduce the administrative burden on them, freeing them to concentrate on their charitable activities. That is why the Chancellor announced a review of the taxation of charities on 2 July 1997. The Review provides an opportunity to see if we can produce a system which better reflects the needs of charities today.

  In the first phase of the review, charities and other interested bodies were invited to submit their views. Almost 2,500 replies were received on a broad range of issues. Officials are currently evaluating these suggestions, and the Government will set out possible options for change in a consultation document to be published in the Spring.

  Non-state Pensions
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the total annual tax revenue generated in each of the years from 1995–96 to 1999–2000 from(a) removing the relief on contributions to non-state pensions and (b) removing the relief on all contributions to non-state pensions on earnings above the upper earnings limit for national insurance. [24749]
  710
  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 26 January 1998]: Estimates of the full year costs of the relief for employees" and self employed contributions to occupational and personal pensions and employers" contributions to occupational and personal pensions are given in the first table. The second table shows the yield from restricting employee contributions to occupational pensions to the National Insurance upper earnings limit. It is not possible to provide reliable estimate's from restricting reliefs to the upper earnings limit for personal pensions or employers" contributions.

  The estimates do not take account of any behavioural effects which might result from such changes and which are likely to be substantial. Estimates for 1999–2000 would depend on levels of income, tax reliefs and allowances.

  Cost of tax relief

  (£ billion)

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  Contributions to:1

  Occupational pensions

  2.6

  2.6

  2.7

  2.9

  Personal pensions2

  2.1

  2.1

  2.2

  2.3

  Employers" Contributions3

  3.9

  4.6

  4.9

  5.5

  1 Based on the 1995–96 Survey of Personal Incomes and other survey data and administrative data.

  2 Includes retirement annuity contracts and free standing additional voluntary contracts.

  3 Based on a projection of figures compiled by the Office for National Statistics from a variety of sources.

  Restrict relief to the UEL

  (£ million)

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  Relief for employees' contributions to occupational pensions

  340

  360

  380

  400

  Oil Companies
  Mr. Fallon
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the cost in 1998–99 of the special tax relief for oil companies which allows them to set the cost of breaking up oil platforms against their profits during the lifetime of the field. [26201]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The cost in 1998–99 is negligible.

  Petroleum Revenue Tax
  Mr. Fallon
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much extra revenue would be raised by increasing petroleum revenue tax to(a) 55 per cent., (b) 60 per cent., (c) 65 per cent. and (d) 70 per cent. [26202]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The estimated revenue effects in 1998–99 and 1999–00 from an increase in the petroleum revenue tax rate for 1998 are given in the table. The effects include offsetting falls in corporation tax receipts.
  711
  These estimates are based on the assumptions used for the Pre-Budget report published on 25 November 1997.

  £ million

  Increases in 1998 Petroleum Revenue Tax rate from 50 per cent. to:

  Revenue effects

  Per cent.

  1998–99

  1999–00

  Total

  55

  +115

  -40

  +75

  60

  +230

  -80

  +150

  65

  +350

  -120

  +230

  70

  +465

  -160

  +305

  Smuggling
  Mr. Fallon
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the manpower and resources available to HM Customs and Excise to combat the illegal market in tobacco product supplies from outside the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [26537]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Customs and Excise keep their strategy and the deployment of their resources in countering tobacco smuggling under constant review. In addition, the Government have recently completed a review of alcohol and tobacco fraud and smuggling. The review has been conducted in partnership with the alcohol and tobacco industries in order to tackle the very real problems of smuggling, particularly of tobacco products. The findings of the review are being considered in the run-up to the spring Budget.

  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of loss to the Exchequer as a result of bootlegged and smuggled tobacco products and alcohol in the latest year for which figures are available. [26507]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 30 January 1998]: HM Customs and Excise estimate that the revenue (excise duty and VAT) lost to the Exchequer through cross-Channel smuggling of alcohol and tobacco in 1997 was about £885 million (£690 million from tobacco products, £195 million from alcoholic drinks). There are no official estimates for the revenue lost through smuggling in freight consignments or by air passengers.

  VAT (Energy Conservation)
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with his European Union counterparts on a zero rate of VAT for energy saving materials. [26986]

  Dawn Primarolo
  None. We have advised the Commission that we intend to introduce a reduced rate of VAT for energy saving measures carried out under certain Government-funded schemes and to explore the possibility of a reduced rate with wider application than European law presently allows.

  VAT (Tourism)
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received in favour of reductions in VAT on(a) tourist accommodation and (b) other tourism goods and services. [26816]
  712
  Dawn Primarolo
  I have received a number of representations in favour of a reduced rate of VAT for hotel accommodation but nothing in respect of other tourism goods and services. Given the regular increases in recent years in the number of visitors to the UK and the amount they spend, there is nothing to suggest that the UK tourist industry is suffering because of VAT, but I am continuing to monitor the situation.

  Customs and Excise
  Mr. Fallon
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what costs in fiscal years(a) 1996–97 and (b) 1997–98 to date have been incurred by HM Customs and Excise on the storage of excise goods seized or detained as being illegally obtained from outside the United Kingdom; and what assessment he has made of the impact of these costs on HM Customs and Excise's (i) resources and (ii) ability to manage their control programmes. [26848]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The amount incurred for the storage of excise goods seized and detained by Customs in the 1996–97 financial year was of the order of £1.7 million. In the year 1997–98 up to the end of December the cost has been about £1.9 million. Customs has allowed for these costs in the assessment of its priorities and the allocation of resources to its control programmes.

  Income Tax
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 25 November 1997,Official Report, column 468, on income tax, how many people would have a marginal rate of income tax of l0p in the pound, in each band, on the assumption that the 10p rate did not apply to savings income which would remain taxable at 20 per cent. and 40 per cent. [26726]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 30 January 1998]: Estimates for 1997–98 are given in the table. They assume that the l0p rate band does not apply to savings income.

  New 10p starting rate on first (£)

  Number of taxpayers who would face a marginal rate of 10 pence (million)

  500

  0.2

  1,000

  0.3

  1,500

  0.4

  2,000

  0.6

  2,500

  0.7

  3,000

  0.8

  4,000

  1.1

  5,000

  1.4

  6,000

  1.7

  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the cost of revalorising the personal allowance; and what increase in the(a) married couples' allowance and (b) lone parents' additional personal allowance could be achieved for such a sum. [26913]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Indexing the non aged personal allowance and aged personal allowance is estimated to cost £960 million in 1998–99. The same amount could be spent on a package which increased the non aged married couple's allowance, the additional personal allowance and the widow's bereavement allowance by £570, the married couple's allowance for those aged 65–74 by £1,000 and the married couple's allowance for those aged 75 and over by £1,010.

  Child Benefit
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 22 January 1998,Official Report, column 644, what is his estimate of the revenue which would be raised from taxing child benefit, assuming household total incomes were assessed on the basis that the taxpayer is deemed to have received the child benefit. [26725]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 30 January 1998]: The yield from taxing child benefit within the existing system of independent taxation would be around £1,450 million for 1998–99. The yield from taxing child benefit based on household total incomes would depend on the precise system of assessment.

  Regions (GDP)
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the level of gross domestic product per capita for each of the English regions for each year since 1993. [26793]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 2 February 1998]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Chief Executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Tim Yeo, dated 9 February 1998:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply, as Director of the Office for National Statistics, to your recent question on estimates of GDP per head for the regions of England.
  Estimates of GDP per head for the Government Office regions of England for the years 1986 to 1996 were published in the article Regional Accounts 1996: part 1 starting on page 33 of the January 1998 edition of Economic Trends, which is available in the House of Commons Library. A copy of this article is attached. Estimates for 1997 are not available.
  You will wish to note that the article presents figures on two bases for London and adjacent regions—table 1 allocates the incomes of commuters to where they live, whereas tables 3 and 8 allocate such income to where they work. The workplace based estimates are available only for alternate years and up to 1995. The regional figures published by Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Communities, are also workplace based.

  Savings
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average amount held in bank and building society accounts by United Kingdom citizens aged 21 to 60 years are, broken down by(a) sex, (b) the age groups 21 to 30, 31 to 40, 41 to 50 and 51 to 60 years, (c) marital status, (d) employment in the categories (i) working full-time, (ii) working part-time, (iii) housewife and (iv) unemployed, (e) number of dependent children aged 0 to 4, 5 to 10 and 11 to 16 years and (f) socio-economic group; and what estimates he has made of how these figures are expected to change in the future. [27316]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Government do not collect disaggregate information on the average amounts held in bank and building society accounts by UK citizens.

  School Children's Clothing and Footwear (Value Added Tax) Bill
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the Government's policy on the School Children's Clothing and Footwear (Value Added Tax) Bill. [27157]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 3 February 1998]: The Government do not support the Bill.

  Mortgages (Consumer Protection)
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what plans he has to require that the moneys payable to a lender, under a mortgage indemnity guarantee scheme, are set against any outstanding debt owed by the mortgagee; [27287]

  (2) what evaluation his Department has made of the report and recommendations of the National Consumer Council on insurance law reforms, published in May 1997, in respect of mortgage indemnity policies. [27286]

  (3) what evaluation his Department has made of the financial consequences to mortgagees where the mortgagor sells a property for under the market value. [27288]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Government are considering these and other issues of consumer protection for mortgage borrowers. However, the Council of Mortgage Lenders has included in its codes of mortgage lending practice a provision that lenders should give borrowers a full written explanation of indemnity policies.

  Tax Yield (The Arts)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the(a) total tax yield and (b) income generated for the United Kingdom economy by the arts in the United Kingdom in the most recent year for which figures are available. [24750]

  Mr. Fisher
  [holding answer 26 January 1998]: 1 have been asked to reply.

  Information is not available on the first part of the question. On the second part, my preliminary assessment is that the annual turnover of the arts and creative industries may currently be of the order of £50 billion, their added value around £25 billion and their direct contribution approaching 4 per cent. of UK GDP. However, the arts and creative industries are neither easily found nor adequately covered in the existing official data and work is under way to clarify the extent of their contributions. I believe that the arts and creative industries occupy an increasingly important place within the UK economy but that this economic importance is not yet widely recognised alongside their acknowledged value in enriching and entertaining us all.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Prison Provision
  Mr. Burnett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what extra prison provision his
  715
  Department estimates will be necessary to accommodate prisoners in custody for (a) 1998–99, (b) 1999–2000, and (c) 2001–02. [25989]

  Ms Quin
  To accommodate the prison population, which is continuing to rise and is projected to rise further, the Prison Service will now be allocated further resources in 1998–99 to avoid a shortage of accommodation. This will be used to fund: the continued use of the prison ship, Her Majesty's Prison Weare; the building of more houseblocks and ready to use units; small place creation schemes; extra places for prisoners to be held in new prisons; and repairs on the existing prison estate.

  The issue as to how the Service shall cope with the population pressures in 2001 and beyond is under discussion as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review.

  New Prisons
  Mr. Burnett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans his Department has to commission the building of new prison establishments between 1998 and 2001. [25987]

  Ms Quin
  The following prisons are to be built between 1998 and 2000:

  Prison location

  Number of places

  Planned opening date

  Greater Manchester

  800

  October 1999

  South Gloucestershire

  400

  July 1999

  East Staffordshire

  600

  August 2000

  Northamptonshire/Warwickshire borders

  600

  August 2000

  The building of further new prisons beyond the year 2000 is under discussion as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review.

  Prisoners (Repatriation)
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many foreign nationals who are currently serving a sentence in England and Wales would be eligible for repatriation under the terms of the Council of Europe Convention; [26200]

  (2) how many foreign nationals have been repatriated to serve a prison sentence in their country of origin in each of the last five years. [26199]

  Ms Quin
  On 30 November 1997, the number of sentenced prisoners held in establishments in England and Wales recorded as being nationals of the 37 countries to which repatriation from the United Kingdom is possible under the terms of the Council of Europe Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons was 1,297.

  Information on the number of these prisoners who meet the necessary criteria (set out in the Convention) and who might therefore be eligible for repatriation could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  In addition, some States party to the Convention are prepared to consider repatriation requests from non-nationals who have close ties with those countries. Information on the number of prisoners eligible to apply for repatriation on this basis is unavailable.
  716
  The number of foreign nationals repatriated from England and Wales to serve a prison sentence in one of the countries party to the Council of Europe Convention in each of the last five calendar years is as follows:

  1993: 9

  1994: 5

  1995: 12

  1996: 21

  1997: 17.

  I intend to examine ways of improving repatriation rates.

  Zero Tolerance Policing
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made and what further action is planned in respect of measures to enforce zero tolerance of criminal activity. [26483]

  Mr. Michael
  "Zero tolerance" policing is one of the tactics available to the police to tackle criminal activity. Many forces have adopted effective strategies to tackle those local crime and disorder problems which impact on the quality of life of their local communities. We have given our full support to such strategies, whether they operate under the term "zero tolerance" or not. The findings of the Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary thematic inspection report on police community and race relations, published in October 1997, showed that there is strong support for policing which involves effective targeted action on quality of life issues.

  Our key objectives for policing in 1998–99 include tackling local problems of crime and disorder in partnership with local authorities, other local agencies and the public.

  The Home Office Police Research Group is conducting an evaluation of the range of approaches to counter anti-social behaviour, with a view to developing a key objective on anti-social behaviour for 1999–2000.

  Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary is carrying out a thematic inspection of the policing of disorder.

  In June, as part of the United Kingdom Presidency, the Home Office will host a seminar which will consider different approaches to policing anti-social behaviour across the European Union, among other issues.

  We are also taking steps to tighten the law in a number of areas. The Crime and Disorder Bill will ensure the criminal justice system is better equipped to deal with anti-social and disorderly behaviour, including petty criminality amongst young offenders. First, anti-social behaviour orders will provide protection from harassment and neighbourhood disorder. They will prohibit specified conduct and may be made on anyone over the age of ten. If their terms are breached, criminal sanctions will be available. Second, joint responsibilities will be placed on the police and local authorities in every area to work in partnership with other agencies and in consultation with the local community to develop and implement strategies to reduce crime and disorder. Third, the Bill includes a range of measures to prevent and tackle youth crime, including powers for local authorities to establish night-time curfews on children

  717
  under ten and a statutory police reprimand and warning scheme to replace cautioning for youngsters and ensure a swift, effective response to their offending.

  Flying Squad
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions he has had with the Metropolitan Police Commissioner concerning the managements structure and operation of the Flying Squad. [26811]

  Mr. Michael
  My right hon. Friend and I regularly meet the Commissioner to discuss a wide range of issues concerning the policing of London. It is not customary to disclose the nature of these discussions.

  CCTV
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to expand the use of CCTV facilities in Wales. [26991]

  Table 1: Number of children prosecuted for certain sexual offences by age in Wales, 1992–96

  Offence

  Year

  10

  11

  12

  Age 13

  14

  15

  16

  17

  Rape

  1992

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  3

  2

  1993

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  2

  2

  1994

  —

  —

  —

  3

  —

  3

  2

  3

  1995

  —

  —

  —

  2

  5

  1

  1

  1

  1996

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5

  3

  2

  Indecent assault on a male

  1992

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  2

  —

  2

  1993

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1994

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1995

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1996

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  2

  2

  Indecent assault on a female

  1992

  —

  —

  —

  1

  2

  3

  9

  10

  1993

  —

  —

  —

  7

  12

  4

  4

  9

  1994

  —

  —

  3

  3

  9

  13

  7

  10

  1995

  —

  —

  1

  3

  5

  4

  6

  5

  1996

  —

  1

  2

  9

  11

  4

  4

  6

  Unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under 13

  1992

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  2

  1993

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1994

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  1

  1995

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  2

  —

  1996

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under 16

  1992

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  2

  1993

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1994

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  1

  1995

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1996

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  Table 2: Number of children prosecuted for certain sexual offences by age in England, 1992–96

  Offence

  Year

  10

  11

  12

  Age 13

  14

  15

  16

  17

  Rape

  1992

  —

  —

  —

  2

  8

  26

  26

  45

  1993

  —

  —

  —

  2

  18

  13

  32

  52

  1994

  —

  2

  —

  5

  15

  20

  40

  45

  1995

  —

  —

  2

  7

  15

  32

  27

  38

  1996

  —

  —

  —

  5

  17

  26

  36

  41

  718
  Mr. Michael
  £9 million will be available in 1998–99 to support closed circuit television (CCTV) schemes in England and Wales. The bulk of the budget will be required to see through to completion schemes which were approved prior to the General Election. There are eight schemes in this category in Wales. Crime reduction partnerships in Wales will also be able to bid for a share of at least £1 million available for new schemes under round 4 of the CCTV challenge competition which will give priority to imaginative and innovative schemes. The deadline for bids is 27 March.

  Rape
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children under the age of 18 years have been prosecuted for offences related to rape in(a) Wales and (b) England by age, in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [26990]

  Mr. Michael
  Information on prosecutions is given in the tables.
  719

  Table 2: Number of children prosecuted for certain sexual offences by age in England, 1992–96

  Offence

  Year

  10

  11

  12

  Age 13

  14

  15

  16

  17

  Indecent assault on a male

  1992

  —

  —

  —

  1

  10

  3

  12

  13

  1993

  —

  —

  1

  6

  7

  6

  12

  6

  1994

  —

  3

  3

  5

  9

  11

  8

  13

  1995

  —

  1

  —

  3

  11

  8

  18

  12

  1996

  —

  —

  2

  1

  5

  15

  18

  15

  Indecent assault on a female

  1992

  1

  2

  8

  38

  77

  70

  75

  91

  1993

  —

  3

  13

  45

  66

  85

  85

  84

  1994

  1

  5

  13

  37

  99

  107

  92

  75

  1995

  —

  2

  22

  58

  83

  115

  88

  92

  1996

  1

  10

  15

  34

  87

  94

  99

  96

  Unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under 13

  1992

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  5

  4

  1993

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  4

  3

  10

  1994

  —

  —

  —

  1

  2

  6

  4

  1

  1995

  —

  —

  —

  2

  1

  3

  5

  3

  1996

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  1

  2

  1

  Unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under 16

  1992

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  3

  3

  9

  1993

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  4

  4

  11

  1994

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  3

  8

  9

  1995

  —

  —

  —

  —

  4

  5

  2

  9

  1996

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  2

  5

  8

  Immigration
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in relation to the concessionary arrangements for same sex couples outside the immigration rules of 13 October, what consideration he gave to the practice in other countries and if he will list those countries; what qualifying periods are operated by those countries for same sex relationships to be treated in the same way as opposite sex relationships; and if he will make a statement. [26781]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Some consideration was given to other countries' policies in relation to same sex relationships. However, immigration policy is a matter for each country to decide. We have developed a policy which we consider to be appropriate to the United Kingdom, and have not based it on any other country's system.

  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many couples have applied under the concessionary arrangements outside the immigration rules announced on 13 October; and, of those couples, how many have been same sex couples. [26779]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Statistics are not kept in the format requested. However, in the final quarter of 1997, approximately 80 applications for leave to remain were received under the unmarried partners concession: about 30 of these were same sex applications. Approximately half of both same sex cases and heterosexual cases have been granted. There have also been about 10 admissions to the United Kingdom under the concession.

  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy with regard to the incorporation of recognition of same sex relationships within the Immigration Rules; and if he will make a statement. [26780]
  720
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  It has been a fundamental principle of the Immigration Rules that someone already settled in the United Kingdom may bring their spouse into the United Kingdom to join them, subject to meeting clear tests as to the genuineness of the marriage and the financial capacity of the couple. The policy which was announced on 10 October is a concession outside the Immigration Rules for those unmarried partners who are legally unable to marry. This retains the special position of marriage. There are no current plans to incorporate this concession into the Immigration Rules.

  Tariffs
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to announce the tariffs for(a) Eddie Butler, (b) Hugh Doherty, (c) Harry Duggan and (d) Ire O'Connell. [25479]

  Ms Quin
  Following careful consideration of all the facts, and the representations made on behalf of Joseph O'Connell in December 1997, whole life tariffs have been set for these four mandatory life sentence prisoners. The decisions and the reasons for them were disclosed to the men on 30 January.

  Asylum Seekers (Algeria)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for asylum were received from Algerian nationals in each month since October; and, of these, how many have had their applications(a) granted, (b) refused but been allowed to remain and (c) refused and been removed from Britain. [27438]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The information requested is given in the following table.
  721

  Decisions1 on applications2 received for asylum in the United Kingdom, and the removal or voluntary departure of asylum applicants, excluding dependants, for nationals of Algeria, October to December 19973 4

  Number of principal applicants

  Applications for asylum

  Grants of asylum

  Grants of exceptional leave to remain

  Refused asylum and exceptional leave to remain

  Removals and voluntary departures

  October 1997

  85

  30

  —

  10

  10

  November 1997

  65

  5

  5

  15

  *

  December 1997

  105

  20

  —

  15

  5

  Total

  255

  55

  5

  40

  15

  1 Information of initial determination decisions, excluding the outcome of appeals or other subsequent decisions.

  2 Applications and decisions on asylum applications may not relate to the same cases within each period.

  3 Figures rounded to the nearest five with *=1 or 2.

  4 All figures are provisional.

  Crime (Rural Areas)
  Mr. Pond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on trends in crime in rural areas; and what measures the Government are taking to tackle crime in rural areas. [27120]

  Mr. Michael
  According to the most recent research—the 1996 British Crime Survey—rural communities are at considerably less risk of burglary, vehicle-related theft, vandalism and contact crime. 3.9 per cent. of homes in rural areas were burgled in 1995 compared to 6.3 per cent. in urban areas and 10.3 per cent. in inner cities. In addition, there is less fear of crime. 15.2 per cent. said they were worried about being burgled, compared with 23 per cent. living in urban areas and 32 per cent. living in inner cities. Despite their older age profile, those surveyed said they felt safer on their local streets. 23 per cent. said they felt fairly or very unsafe walking alone after dark, compared to 33 per cent. in urban areas and 45 per cent. of inner city dwellers.

  We recognise that rural areas can suffer the twin problems of a less obvious police presence and longer response times to emergency calls. The most effective way to deal with rural crime is for the police and local community to work together in partnership.
  722
  The Crime and Disorder Bill will provide for new statutory duties for local authorities and the police to create an effective results-orientated framework for local action to tackle local problems. The nature of these problems will vary significantly from one area to another, and it is the Government's intention to allow maximum flexibility to reflect this. Rural areas, in common with urban and inner city areas, will benefit from this approach.

  Operation Countryman
  Mr. Fitzpatrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will release the report of the investigation compiled as a result of the Operation Countryman exercise. [26749]

  Mr. Michael
  Operation Countryman was an investigation into allegations of corruption, made in 1978, against officers in the Metropolitan Police and the City of London Police. The investigating officer was from Dorset Constabulary. Investigating officers' reports are as a class regarded by the courts as subject to public interest immunity. Separately, we are considering issues of discipline in the light of the recent report by the Home Affairs Select Committee.

  UNITA Representative
  UNITA Representative
  Skeikh Al Jamri
  Skeikh Al Jamri
  Mr. Pius Njawe
  Mr. Pius Njawe
  Diplomatic and Consular Staff: Evidence in Foreign Courts
  Diplomatic and Consular Staff: Evidence in Foreign Courts
  Child Evidence
  Child Evidence
  Children in Public Houses
  Children in Public Houses
  Firearms Compensation
  Firearms Compensation
  Draft Bills
  Draft Bills
  Minister's Consultation with Farmers
  Minister's Consultation with Farmers
  Vitamin B6
  Vitamin B6
  Vitamin B6: Safety Data
  Vitamin B6: Safety Data
  New Air Traffic Control Centre
  New Air Traffic Control Centre
  Duty Free Sales
  Duty Free Sales
  Classic and Historic Vehicles: Fuel
  Classic and Historic Vehicles: Fuel
  Sustainable Development Strategy: Consultation
  Sustainable Development Strategy: Consultation
  Radioactive Material: Transport by Road
  Radioactive Material: Transport by Road
  Highways Agency: Business Plan
  Highways Agency: Business Plan
  National Insurance Number Fraud
  National Insurance Number Fraud
  Disability Benefits: Expenditure
  Disability Benefits: Expenditure