Written Answers of 5 February 1998

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Homelessness
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what were the levels of recorded homelessness over the last 10 years(a) in Hampshire, (b) in Winchester City Council area and (c) nationally. [24550]

  Mr. Raynsford
  [holding answer 22 January 1998]: The available data on the numbers of households in the years since 1987 that were in priority need, and for which local authorities in England accepted responsibility to provide accommodation under the homelessness provisions of the Housing Act 1985, are set out in the table.

  Year

  Winchester

  Hampshire

  England

  1987

  169

  not available

  98,890

  1988

  111

  not available

  102,500

  1989

  161

  2,266

  110,380

  1990

  159

  2,639

  128,090

  1991

  142

  3,225

  137,250

  1992

  185

  3,216

  138,740

  1993

  131

  2,874

  127,630

  1994

  118

  2,787

  118.490

  1995

  125

  2,904

  117,490

  1996

  154

  3,021

  113,560

  1 data for 3 quarters only.

  There was a change in recording practice from the second quarter of 1991 which relates to the recording of intentionally homeless households which have been excluded from acceptance figures since then. Estimated figures for England on this revised basis have been produced for the period prior to the change and the answer uses these adjusted figures. Similar estimates have not been made at county or local authority so the figures for Winchester and Hampshire for the years up to 1991 may include some acceptances of intentionally homeless households.

  Minicabs
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will ensure that minicabs tendering for rail replacement services will be required to provide vehicles with disabled access. [25955]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  In the event of a disruption to passenger train services, franchise operators are required by the terms of their Franchise Agreement to use all reasonable endeavours to provide or secure the provision of such alternative transport arrangements for their passengers as are reasonably feasible.
  724
  We have no powers under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 to introduce accessibility requirements for minicabs. Our priority is to use the powers which are currently provided by the Act to bring forward accessibility regulations for taxis, buses and coaches and rail vehicles. We understand that access to minicabs is of concern to some disability organisations and we will keep the issue under review.

  Paddock Wood to Tonbridge Line
  Mr. Caplin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact on punctuality of the delay caused by the recent trespass incident on the Paddock Wood to Tonbridge line by the West Kent Hunt. [26767]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Railtrack have advised me that the railway line was blocked for 41 minutes on the 20 January 1998. Three scheduled services were cancelled and there was a total train delay of 603 minutes.

  Mr. Caplin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish the report by the British Transport Police on incidents of trespass on the Paddock Wood to Tonbridge railway lines. [26766]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The British Transport Police have not produced a report on incidents of trespass on this line.

  Mr. Caplin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received on an incident of trespass by the West Kent Hunt on the railway line between Paddock Wood and Tonbridge; and if he will make a statement. [26769]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I have received no representations concerning this incident. Inquiries by the British Transport Police have revealed that only the dogs went onto the track. Huntsmen did not enter the track until they were instructed by rail staff to remove the carcases.

  Aircraft (Mode C Data)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects the completion of the NATS research to determine the accuracy of Mode C data when aircraft are in close proximity. [27011]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I am advised by National Air Traffic Services Ltd. that they expect to complete this research in April 1998.

  Air Traffic Control
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects the audit of the flow management arrangements for the London Area and Terminal Control Centre to be completed. [27013]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I am advised by National Air Traffic Services Ltd., who run the London Area and Terminal Control Centre (LATCC), that the audit of the flow management arrangements for the LATCC by the Safety Regulation Group of the Civil Aviation Authority should be completed by the end of next month.
  725
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what estimate the CAA and National Air Traffic Services have made of the time required to complete work on the air traffic control system to deal with the millennium computer compliance issue; [27010]

  (2) what is the compliance date for the computer system in operation at the Scottish Air Traffic Control Centre to address the millennium computer compliance problem. [26998]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  National Air Traffic Services Limited's plans for Year 2000 compliance commenced in early 1996 and include compliance of its operational systems and service by the end of 1998. This process includes all relevant testing and assurance activities. The operational systems at the Scottish Air Traffic Control Centre are an integral part of these plans.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the number of occasions that the application of reduced separation on final approach at Heathrow and Gatwick has been used during the last two years. [27014]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I refer to my answer of 29 July 1997,Official Report, column 212.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list by month for each of the last three years the number of CHIRP reports submitted by air traffic controllers. [27009]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The CHIRP Charitable Trust, which manages the UK Confidential Human Factors Incident Report Programme, has supplied the following monthly figures for confidential reports submitted by air traffic controllers for the year 1995 to 1997 inclusive:

  CHIRP Reports by air traffic controllers per month 1995–1997

  Month

  1995 CHIRP Reports

  1996 CHIRP Reports

  1997 CHIRIP Reports

  January

  0

  0

  1

  February

  0

  0

  2

  March

  0

  0

  1

  April

  0

  4

  2

  May

  0

  3

  10

  June

  6

  5

  2

  July

  2

  6

  1

  August

  1

  3

  7

  September

  2

  1

  1

  October

  2

  0

  2

  November

  2

  2

  7

  December

  1

  0

  3

  Total

  16

  24

  39

  Green Belt
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much land was removed from the Green Belt during the period May 1979 to May 1997. [26761]

  Mr. Raynsford
  This information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
  726
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many applications for development of the Green Belt were granted on appeal for each year since May 1979. [26763]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The following information has been provided by the Planning Inspectorate. The number of appeals allowed since 1991, in which green belt policy was an issue in deciding the appeal, is set out in the table. The information requested is not available prior to April 1991.

  Year

  Number of appeals allowed

  1 April 1991–31 March 1992

  627

  1 April 1992–31 March 1993

  518

  1 April 1993–31 March 1994

  458

  1 April 1994–31 March 1995

  378

  1 April 1995–31 March 1996

  337

  1 April 1996–31 March 1997

  361

  1 April 1997–30 January 1998

  327

  Total

  3,006

  Correspondence
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how long on average it takes his Department to answer letters from hon. Members; what target date his Department sets; what percentage receive replies within the target date; and what assessment he has made of how long it takes to deliver a letter after it has been typed. [27040]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 2 February 1998]: The Department has a target of 15 working days from receipt to answer letters from hon. Members. In 1997, the number of replies to reach this target has been 59 per cent., while the average reply time was 20 working days. Once a letter is typed, it is signed as soon as possible, usually overnight the same day, and despatched the following day.

  Rolling Stock Companies
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what plans he has to ensure that ROSCOs invest adequate amounts in improving the quality of rolling stock on the United Kingdom's railways; [27100]

  (2) what plans he has to ensure that ROSCOs do not over-charge rail operators; [27101]

  (3) what plans he has to ensure that the public subsidy to the railways is devoted to improving services, with particular reference to the quality of the rolling stock. [27102]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 21 January that he had asked the Rail Regulator to conduct an urgent and wide-ranging inquiry into the operation of the rolling stock market. The Regulator has been asked specifically to examine the scope for the rolling stock companies to abuse their market power either through excessive pricing, through inadequate investment in new or refurbished rolling stock or more generally through their response to the requirements of train operators to secure improvements in performance. The Regulator has been
  727
  asked to report by the middle of April. The Government will then consider, in the light of the Regulator's recommendations, whether further action should be taken.

  Minerals Extraction Tax
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the benefits of a minerals extraction tax. [27390]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Taxation is a matter for the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The economic and social benefits of extracting minerals have to be set against the costs, in terms of noise, dust, traffic and impacts on amenity, landscape and habitats. My Department is currently conducting research into these costs and benefits to inform the Chancellor's consideration of whether to proceed in principle to develop a minerals extraction tax.

  Mobile Home Dwellers
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if mobile home dwellers are eligible for assistance under sections 76 to 78 of the Housing Grants and Regeneration Act 1996. [27344]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Sections 77 and 78 of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 set out the criteria under which mobile home owners may be eligible for home repair assistance.

  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will undertake a review of the provisions of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996, governing the eligibility of ethnic groups living in caravans on local authority sites for home repair assistance under sections 76 to 78; and if he will make a statement. [27347]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Grants under Part I of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996, including Home Repair Assistance, do not and should not depend on the ethnic grouping of the applicant. They are housing grants and eligibility depends on the type and age of the dwelling and the applicant's interest in the property. My Department is currently reviewing the criteria for eligibility for Home Repair Assistance in so far as they relate to the site on which a mobile home is situated.

  Drink Driving
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will establish a successor to the Blennerhassett review on drinking and driving with the remit to consider effects on society as well as road safety considerations. [27353]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 4 February 1998]: The publication earlier this week of the consultation document on drinking and driving will provide a full opportunity for those in all areas of society to comment on the proposed package of measures to reduce the level of drinking and driving. The establishment of a further review could hold up new initiatives at a time when we are anxious to move forward. Copies of the consultation document have been placed in the Library of the House.
  728
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the scientific evidence which indicates that reducing the limit for drivers from 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood to 50 milligrams will have a significant effect on road safety. [27352]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 4 February 1998]: The effect of a reduction in the legal limit from 80 to 50 milligram per 100 millilitres has been the subject of much detailed research. There is reference to a number of the scientific papers containing details of that research in the consultation paper on drinking and driving which was published earlier this week. Copies have been placed in the Library of the House and I am sending one directly to my hon. Friend.

  Periodicals
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his estimate of the expenditure of his Department on newspapers and magazines in(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98 to date and (d) 1997–98 full year; and if he will list the newspapers and magazines purchased or subscribed to on a regular basis. [26657]

  Angela Eagle
  The estimate of my Department's expenditure on newspapers and magazines from 1995–96 is of the order of:

  Year

  £

  1995–96

  622.1k

  1996–97

  606.4k

  1997–98 to 31 January 1998

  532.24k

  1997–98 Full year estimate

  619.1k

  Some of the information requested is not held centrally and gathering it would involve disproportionate cost. Titles include daily and regional newspapers, weekly magazines and trade and technical journals. To list each title would involve disproportionate cost.

  Market Research
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what expenditure has been incurred by his Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies(a) in 1996–97 and (b) since 1 May 1997 on (i) opinion polling, (ii) focus groups and (iii) other forms of market research; if he will list the surveys commissioned and the purpose of each; and if he will make a statement. [26653]

  Angela Eagle
  Since 1996, the Department of the Environment, the Department of Transport and latterly the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions has commissioned over 100 market research exercises with a value of over £4,000,000. These range from evaluation of attitudes to cycling initiatives, traffic management schemes, eco-labelling schemes, the housing market, environmental issues etc., to customer satisfaction surveys and evaluating of publicity. Details of these projects along with expenditure, have been placed in the House Library.

  Ministerial Transport
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his estimate of the cost of(a) Ministerial cars and drivers and (b) the Department's bill for taxis in (i) 1995–96, (ii) 1996–97, (iii) 1997–98 to date and (iv) 1997–98 full year. [27801]

  Angela Eagle
  The estimated costs for the use of Ministerial cars and drivers is as follows:

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98 to date

  1997–98 full year

  DOE

  361,317

  348,466

  —

  —

  DOT

  247,292

  190,544

  —

  —

  DETR

  —

  —

  424,285

  509,000

  Total

  608,609

  539,010

  424,285

  509,000

  The figures for 1997–98 includes expenditure incurred by the former Departments of the Environment and Transport prior to merger.

  As indicated in my reply to the hon. Member for Buckingham (Mr. Bercow) on 26 January 1998, Official Report, column 15, this Department has reduced the number of Ministerial cars and drivers to 9. The previous Government had 10 cars prior to the General Election.

  The information requested on the Departmental use of taxis cannot be separately identified.

  Consultants
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his estimate of the expenditure of his(a) Department, (b) agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies on external consultants in (i) 1995–96, (ii) 1996–97, (iii) 1997–98 to date and (iv) 1997–98 full year; and if he will also estimate the cost savings resulting from the employment of such consultants for each of the above years. [26654]

  Angela Eagle
  Estimated expenditure on external consultants1 since 1995–96 is as follows:

  £ million

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98 to date

  1997–98 full year estimated

  DETR

  70.52

  17.52

  9.48

  13.41

  Agencies

  4.48

  5.48

  2.51

  3.38

  NDPBs

  24.23

  30.52

  24.54

  34.59

  1The definition of external consultants is that used for the 1994 Efficiency Scrutiny on the use of external consultants.

  It is not possible to estimate the annual cost savings resulting from this expenditure, the vast majority of which was for specific programme deliverables.

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list by grade the number of officials in his Department at grade 730
  3 or above who have (a) taken early retirement, (b) taken official leave, (c) been dismissed, (d) changed jobs within the Department, (e) moved to another Department and (f) been offered and rejected an alternative position (i) within the Department and (ii) in another Department since 1 May. [27462]

  Angela Eagle
  Since 1 May 1997(a) two senior civil servants have retired before pensionable age, (b) no central record is kept of official leave taken, (c) no senior officers have been dismissed, (d) 14 senior staff have changed jobs within the Department largely as a result of the merger of the Departments of the Environment and of Transport which took place in June 1997, (e) 1 senior officer has moved to another Department (f) no senior officers have formally been offered and rejected posts in either this Department or any other Department.

  SAVE II Agencies
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the agencies established in 1997 in the United Kingdom under the SAVE II programme; and if he will make a statement on the objectives of these agencies. [27531]

  Angela Eagle
  I understand that the European Commission propose, under the 1997 round of their SAVE II energy efficiency programme, to support energy agencies in the London Borough of Southwark, and in Milton Keynes. The Commission describes the aim of this element of the SAVE II Programme as to"help local authorities to formulate their energy strategy and to support them in providing all consumers, particularly the general public, with information and assistance".

  Byways
  Kali Mountford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what conclusions he has drawn from the consultation exercise on managing vehicles on byways conducted by his Department. [28561]

  Mr. Meacher
  Motor vehicles on byways can cause considerable localised damage. There may be a need for better management of byways at local level. We therefore:acknowledge that there may be a case for changes to the road traffic regulation powers of highway authorities. We intend to consider whether the scope of the circumstances for making traffic regulation orders should be widened to include nature and landscape conservation. We also intend to look at the scope for streamlining the procedures surrounding traffic regulation orders;
  are publishing today a practical guide to managing vehicles on byways Making the Best of Byways. Copies are being distributed to highway authorities and others with an interest; and
  wish to encourage the promotion of codes of conduct for members of vehicle groups.

  However, we have found no compelling evidence of widespread problems being caused by recreational use of motor vehicles on byways and have concluded that there is no case for a general ban.

  Cotswold Way
  Ms Kingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement about the Cotswold Way. [28562]
  731
  Mr. Meacher
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has today approved without modifications the Countryside Commission's proposals for a Cotswold Way National Trail. The Trail will be a long distance walking route between Bath and Chipping Campden, mainly within the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, following broadly the route of the existing Cotswold Way path.

  Establishment of this new National Trail will safeguard the Cotswold Way for future generations. It will increase the enjoyment of users through better safety and overall facilities, and introduce new recreational opportunities for many people of varying abilities. It will bring economic benefits to businesses in the area and provide increased protection for wildlife and historic sites. The decision took account of the strong local support for the Commission's proposals and local people will be involved in the planning and development of the route.

  Work-related Deaths and Accidents
  Mr. Pond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many employees aged under 16 years were(a) killed and (b) injured at work in each year since 1990. [27121]

  Angela Eagle
  The following is the information

  Numbers reported to the health and safety enforcing authorities are:

  Year

  Fatal

  Non-Fatal

  Total

  1990–91

  —

  58.00

  58.00

  1991–92

  —

  30.00

  30.00

  1992–93

  1.00

  35.00

  36.00

  1993–94

  1.00

  33.00

  34.00

  1994–95

  1.00

  35.00

  36.00

  1995–96

  —

  37.00

  37.00

  1996–97P

  1.00

  38.00

  39.00

  1997–98P

  1.00

  46.00

  47.00

  Total

  5.00

  312.00

  317.00

  PProvisional

  Notes:

  1. Non-fatal includes major and over 3 day injuries as defined by the Reporting of Injuries. Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations.

  2. 1996–97, injury figures, excluding fatalities cannot be directly compared with those of previous years which were reported under different legislation.

  3. 1997–98 data covers the period 1 April 1997 to 31 December 1997 and has not been validated.

CABINET OFFICE

  EU Meetings
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio under what arrangements(a) he and (b) his office report to other Ministers on meetings he holds with their EU counterparts; and if he will list those meetings arranged at the instigation of his office. [27893]

  Mr. Mandelson
  Such meetings are generally reported by letter or FCO telegram. They are generally arranged as part of a wider programme of calls, and not instigated by my office.

  Club of Three Meetings
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio, pursuant to his answer of 29 January 1998,Official Report, column 331, on Club of Three meetings which of his Ministerial responsibilities led to his presence at the meeting; and from which Department attending civil servants came. [27889]

  Mr. Mandelson
  I attended the meeting as Minister responsible for the strategic implementation of Government policy and its effective presentation. I was accompanied by HM Ambassador, Bonn.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Deregulation Task Force
  Mrs. Ballard
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will increase small business representation on the Deregulation Task Force. [25699]

  Dr. David Clark
  The Deregulation Task Force has been replaced by the Better Regulation Task Force. This new group was appointed in September 1997. The change of name reflects the change in approach from deregulation to the wider issue of ensuring regulations are necessary, fair and effective for all concerned. The terms of reference of the Task Force reflect the importance given to the small business representation; they are"to advise Government … taking particular account of the needs of small businesses".

  The establishment of the new Task Force fulfilled the Government's manifesto commitment for half of the members to represent small business. There are therefore no plans to increase small business representation on the Task Force. Other members represent citizen and consumer issues, the voluntary sector, larger businesses and the enforcement community.

PRIME MINISTER

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list those applications under Rule 83 of the Ministerial Code which he has received since 1 May indicating(a) the Minister on whose behalf the application was made, (b) the accompanying person, (c) the purpose, venue and dates of the visit and (d) if the application was approved or refused. [23740]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 19 January 1998]: The principles governing foreign travel by Ministers have not changed and are the same as those followed under the previous Administration.

  It is not the practice to publish exchanges of Ministerial correspondence.

  Overseas Visits
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Prime Minister what factors underlay the decision that Lady Irvine's attendance was clearly in the public interest when granting permission
  733
  under Rule 83 of the Ministerial Code for her to accompany the Lord Chancellor to Trinidad and Tobago between 4 and 11 January 1998. [24498]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 22 January 1998]: The key principle governing travel remains the same as that applied by the previous Administration, as set out in the Ministerial Code. Anyone who accompanies a Minister at a cost to the public purse must do so for official purposes; it must be in the public interest, and it must receive my prior approval. My Government will continue to adhere to that principle.

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) what was the public interest justification under Rule 83 of the Ministerial Code when he granted permission to the President of the Board of Trade to take her husband(a) to India and Australia from 15 to 22 November 1997 and (b) to China, Hong Kong and Pakistan from 10 to 21 January 1998; [25568]

  (2) what was the public interest justification under Rule 83 of the Ministerial Code when he granted permission to the Attorney-General to take his wife to Dublin on 17 and 18 September 1997; [25570]

  (3) what was the public interest justification under Rule 83 of the Ministerial Code when he granted permission to Lord Clinton-Davis to take his wife to Korea and Japan from 21 to 29 September 1997; [25569]

  (4) what was the public interest justification under Rule 83 of the Ministerial Code when he granted permission to Lord Williams to take his wife (a) to Jersey on 11 and 12 July 1997 and (b) to the Isle of Man on 15 and 16 August 1997. [25567]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 26 January 1998]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him today.

  Mr. Green
  To ask the Prime Minister what guidelines he has issued about the granting of diplomatic immunity to Ministers on overseas visits. [27254]

  The Prime Minister
  None. There is no provision in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations for Ministers to be afforded diplomatic immunity whilst on overseas visits.

  Ministerial Code
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Prime Minister what definition of partner will apply to paragraph 83 of the ministerial code of conduct. [25462]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 26 January 1998]: The key principle governing travel remains the same as that which applied under the previous Administration: anyone who accompanies a Minister at a cost to the public purse, be they spouse, partner or official, must do so for official purposes; it must be in the public interest; and it must be with my prior approval. The Government will continue to adhere to this principle.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Overseas Conference Visitors
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is his Department's policy in respect of the provision of conference facilities for overseas visitors in(a) London and (b) the United Kingdom. [26840]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  Conference facilities are an important part of business tourism which is why an industry led Working Group has been asked to look at this. Its findings will feed into the strategy for tourism we aim to publish in the summer.

  World Cup
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has received concerning the ticket allocation system for the 1998 Football World Cup; and if he will make a statement. [26266]

  Mr. Banks
  I have received a number of representations about the ticket allocation for England and Scotland supporters for this summer's World Cup Finals. Ticketing is a matter for the football authorities. I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him and the right hon. Member for Horsham (Mr. Maude) on this subject on 4 February 1998,Official Report, columns 673–74.

  Millennium Celebrations
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what data he has collated about plans by(a) Government departments, (b) agencies, (c) independent organisations, (d) local authorities and (e) churches to celebrate the millennium; and if he will make a statement. [26496]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  My Department is aware of a great many Millennium projects being undertaken by a wide variety of organisations and an up-to-date list has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

  From April 1998, the British Tourist Authority (BTA), through its Regional Tourist Boards, will be collecting information on Millennium-specific events, which will be available from BTA offices or via the Internet at "www.visitbritain.com". This will supersede the paper record kept by my Department in due course.

SCOTLAND

  Industrial Action
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many working days were lost in Scotland as a result of industrial action in each year since 1978–79. [22379]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 12 January 1998]: The table shows the number of working days lost (in

  735
  thousands) and the working days lost per 1,000 employees in Scotland in each year since 1978.

  The annual figures are given in the table.

  Working days lost (thousands)

  Working days lost per 1,000 employees in Scotland

  1978

  886

  429

  1979

  3,298

  1,569

  1980

  1,447

  695

  1981

  599

  299

  1982

  634

  328

  1983

  308

  162

  1984

  2,333

  1,210

  1985

  681

  358

  1986

  312

  166

  1987

  425

  226

  1988

  205

  107

  1989

  541

  276

  1990

  122

  62

  1991

  121

  60

  1992

  55

  27

  1993

  111

  57

  1994

  16

  8

  1995

  71

  36

  1996

  119

  60

  Source:

  Office for National Statistics

  Prisoners (Alcohol Consumption)
  Mr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many prisoners have been apprehended while consuming alcohol in the past three years; how many were charged and found guilty and which prisons were involved; and if he will make a statement. [25830]

  Mr. McLeish
  [holding answer 30 January 1998]: Prisoners who are suspected of consuming alcohol in prison may be charged under Rule 94, Schedule 3(v) of the Prisons and Young Offenders Institutions (Scotland) Rules 1994 which states that
  "a prisoner shall be guilty of a breach of discipline if he consumes, takes, injects or ingests any substance which is a prohibited article". Information concerning those charged with consuming alcohol specifically is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Nursery Students
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what financial assistance will be available to those nursing, midwifery and the professions allied to medicine students who are unsuccessful in applying for maintenance bursaries. [26560]

  Mr. Galbraith
  [holding answer 30 January 1998]: All students gaining a place on a diploma level nursing or midwifery course in Scotland will have access to non means-tested bursaries. Scottish domiciled students undertaking full-time degree courses leading to qualifications in nursing and midwifery, and those undertaking courses in the professions allied to medicine will have access to means-tested bursaries. Those who do not secure a bursary will be assisted on the same terms as other entrants to full-time higher education from academic year 1998–99 onwards.

  A90
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made with implementing the route action plan for the A90 agreed by his Department in 1989, with particular reference to(a) grade separated junctions and (b) the installation of central reserve safety fencing. [27087]

  Mr. McLeish
  The first of the four grade separated junctions announced within the route action plan was opened to traffic in August 1996 at Longforgan. The second, at Inchmichael, was the subject of a Public Local Inquiry last July, and the Reporter's findings and recommendations are now with the Secretary of State for consideration. Publication of the Orders required for the third, at Inchture is scheduled for next month. Preparation work on the last, at Glendoick, along with an additional junction at Kinfauns is at an early stage.

  Safety fencing has been installed on the A90 between Perth and Dundee with the exception of the sections between Halfway and Inchmartine and Longforgan to Swallow Roundabout. Safety fencing is planned to be introduced as part of a package of road improvements on these sections. Proposals for the former were subject to consideration as part of the Public Local Inquiry into Inchmichael Interchange, whilst negotiations are underway to resolve issues arising from the publication of draft Orders for the latter section.

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of fatalities and seriously injured involved in accidents on the A90 in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available. [27086]

  Mr. McLeish
  The table lists the numbers of fatal and serious casualties on the A90 between Perth and the Aberdeen City Boundary from 1988 to 1997 inclusive.

  A90 Fatal and Serious Casualty Numbers (1988–19971)

  Year

  Fatal

  Serious

  Total

  1988

  17

  93

  110

  1989

  27

  104

  131

  1990

  23

  87

  110

  1991

  12

  83

  95

  1992

  14

  75

  89

  1993

  13

  74

  87

  1994

  5

  51

  56

  1995

  21

  58

  79

  1996

  9

  52

  61

  19971

  2

  15

  17

  Total

  143

  692

  835

  1Figures are only part year.

  Sport
  Mr. Jim Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many sports his Department recognises for the purpose of funding; [27129]

  (2) if he will list the chairpersons or chief executives responsible for the governance of sport in Scotland; indicating those who have represented their country; [27130]
  737
  (3) if he will list the governing bodies for sport in Scotland; and how many places there are on each; [27131]

  (4) if he will make a statement on the cost to public funds of the governing bodies for sport in Scotland. [27132]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The recognition of sports in Scotland is a matter for the Scottish Sports Council. In the financial year ended 31 March 1997, the Council provided grants totalling £2.549 million to the 52 governing bodies set out as follows.

  Details are not held centrally of the names or sporting backgrounds of chairpersons and chief executives of governing bodies, or the numbers of members on governing body councils or executives.

  Archery

  Scottish Archery Association

  Scottish Field Archery Association

  Athletics

  Scottish Athletics Federation

  Badminton

  Scottish Badminton Union

  Basketball

  Scottish Basketball Association

  Bowling

  Scottish Bowls Coaching Committee

  Canoeing

  Scottish Canoe Association

  Cricket

  Scottish Cricket Union

  Croquet

  Scottish Croquet Association

  Curling

  Royal Caledonian Curling Club

  Cycling

  Scottish Cyclists Union

  Dance and Keep Fit

  Fitness Scotland

  Health and Beauty Exercise

  Disabled

  Scottish Sports Association for the Disabled

  Fencing

  Scottish Fencing

  Fishing

  Scottish Anglers National Association

  Scottish Federation for Coarse Angling

  Football

  Scottish Women's Football Association

  Games (Highland and Border)

  Scottish Games Association

  Gliding

  Scottish Gliding Association

  Golf

  Scottish Ladies Golfing Association

  Gymnastics

  Scottish Gymnastics

  Hang Gliding

  Scottish Hang Gliding and Paragliding Federation

  738

  Hockey

  Scottish Hockey Union

  Judo

  Scottish Judo Federation

  Karate

  Scottish Karate Board

  Lacrosse

  Scottish Lacrosse Association

  Lawn Tennis

  Scottish Lawn Tennis Association

  Mountaineering

  Mountaineering Council of Scotland

  Netball

  Scottish Netball Association

  Orienteering

  Scottish Orienteering Association

  Parachuting

  Scottish Sport Parachute Association

  Petanque

  Scottish Petanque Association

  Riding

  British Horse Society

  Rowing

  Scottish Amateur Rowing Association

  Rugby

  Scottish Rugby Union

  Scottish Women's Rugby Union

  Shinty

  The Camanachd Association

  Shooting

  Scottish Target Shooting Federation

  Skating

  Scottish Ice Skating Association

  Skiing

  Scottish National Ski Council

  Sub Aqua

  British Sub Aqua Club (Scottish Federation)

  Swimming

  Scottish Amateur Swimming Association

  Table Tennis

  Scottish Table Tennis Association

  Trampolining

  Scottish Trampoline Association

  Triathlon

  Scottish Triathlon Association

  Tug of War

  Scottish Tug of War Association

  Volleyball

  Scottish Volleyball Association

  Water Skiing

  Scottish Water Ski Association

  Weight-Lifting

  Scottish Amateur Weight-Lifters' Association

  Wrestling

  Scottish Amateur Wrestling Association

  Yachting

  Royal Yachting Association, Scotland

  Police (Complaints)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 10 December 1997,Official Report, column 627, if he will estimate how many individuals made complaints against the police in 1996–97. [27416]

  Mr. McLeish
  As indicated in my previous answer on 10 December 1997,Official Report, columns 627–28, there were 1,333 complaint cases against the police in Scotland in 1996–97. It is not possible, however, to distinguish from the records held centrally on these cases the total number of individuals who made complaints.

  Health Green Paper
  Mr. Ernie Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when the Green Paper on improving Scotland's health will be published; and if he will make a statement. [28494]

  Mr. Dewar
  The Green Paper, "Working Together For A Healthier Scotland", is published today. Copies have been laid before the House and are available in the Library of the House and the Vote Office.

  The Green Paper seeks views on a range of proposals for improving health in Scotland, in a way which recognises the relationship with poverty, poor housing, unemployment and the environment as well as the importance of healthy lifestyles in addressing Scotland's major health problems such as coronary heart disease and cancer. Particular emphasis is placed on the need for a concerted approach across Government and involving local authorities and other bodies whose policies impact on health.

  The Green Paper will be widely distributed and comments are invited by 30 April 1998, with a view to the publication of a White Paper later in the year.

  Market Research
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what expenditure has been incurred by his Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies(a) in 1996–97 and (b) since 1 May 1997 on (i) opinion polling, (ii) focus groups and (iii) other forms of market research; if he will list the surveys commissioned and the purpose of each; and if he will make a statement. [26639]

  Mr. McLeish
  The information sought is not held centrally and could be collected only at disproportionate cost.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Prison Officers Association
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he last met national officers of the Prison Officers Association; and what issues were discussed. [27399]

  Ms Quin
  My right hon. Friend last met the Prison Officers Association on 18 December 1997. He discussed industrial action in the Prison Service and the role of the Prison Officers Association and the Government's position on private prisons.

  Judith Ward
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects a final settlement of compensation to be made to Judith Ward. [27414]

  Mr. Michael
  I understand that the assessor expects to complete his final assessment of the amount of compensation payable to Judith Ward within a few weeks.

  Illegal Drugs
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many meetings he has had with the President of the Council in order to discuss educating young people about the dangers of illegal drugs; [26295]

  (2) how many meetings he has had with the Secretary of State for Education in order to discuss educating young people about the dangers of illegal drugs. [26294]

  Mr. Straw
  The Cabinet sub-committee on Drug Misuse, on which my hon. Friend the Member for Knowsley, North and Sefton, East (Mr. Howarth) represents the Home Office, takes the lead in co-ordinating policy on this subject. I have therefore had no formal meetings on this issue with my right hon. Friends, but I have had many informal discussions with them and we correspond regularly.

  Tariffs
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the setting of tariffs for Eddie Bolton, Harry Duggan, Joe O'Connell and Hugh Doherty. [27415]

  Ms Quin
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to him on 4 February 1998,Official Report, column 720.

  Young Offenders Institutions
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what initiatives he has undertaken since 1 May 1997 to promote more active regimes within young offenders institutions. [26305]

  Ms Quin
  My right hon. Friend announced in a speech on 2 February 1998 that the Prison Service will be piloting welfare-to-work programmes over the coming year in nine young offender institutions. Intensive eight-week courses of job preparation and skills training will be designed so that on release the young offenders can gain maximum benefit from the Government's New Deal for 18 to 24 year-olds.

  Immigration and Nationality Directorate
  Mr. Singh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what consideration he has given to re-investing the projected efficiency savings from the computerisation of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate in order to eliminate the backlog of asylum applications; [26518]
  741
  (2) what efficiency savings, expressed as a percentage, he expects to result from the computerisation of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate. [26515]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Immigration and Nationality Directorate Caseworking Programme is a privately financed project where the supplier, Siemens Business Services, shares the efficiency benefits as payment for the Programme. Any substantial increase in casework output in order to reduce backlogs would require additional funding. The future funding levels will be decided in the light of the outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Reviews. Siemens Business Services forecast that, when fully effective, the new systems will improve efficiency by 40 per cent.

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Forth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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. [26919]

  Mr. Straw
  No senior civil servants in the pay band covering posts at the level equivalent to grade 3 or above have(a) resigned, (b) retired before pensionable age or (c) moved to different responsibilities within the Department since 1 May 1997.

  Persons cautioned and defendants prosecuted and found guilty at magistrates' courts for offences relating to the employment of children by type of offence and result, 1990–1996

  England and Wales

  Offence description/ Year

  Total cautioned

  Total proceeded against

  Total found guilty

  Total sentenced

  Causing a child or young person to be in any street, &c. for purpose of begging [Children and Young Persons Act 1933, S4]

  1990

  —

  7

  5

  5

  1991

  1

  6

  6

  6

  1992

  1

  21

  19

  19

  1993

  2

  29

  25

  25

  1994

  4

  14

  11

  11

  1995

  2

  39

  31

  31

  1996

  1

  32

  29

  29

  Causing or allowing person under 18 to go abroad to perform for profit [Children and Young Persons Act 1933 S25 & 26]

  1992

  —

  1

  1

  1

  1994

  —

  2

  2

  2

  1995

  —

  7

  7

  7

  Offences against the Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children Act 1920, S1—so far as relates to industrial undertakings other than mines, factories and workshops

  1990

  —

  2

  2

  2

  Offences against the Education Act 1944, S58 to 60—including offences against byelaws as to employment of children (except offences relating to mines, factories or workshops)

  1991

  3

  2

  2

  2

  1993

  —

  2

  1

  1

  1994

  —

  8

  4

  4

  1995

  —

  2

  1

  1

  Drink Driving
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has issued advice to chief constables in respect of the allocation of police resources to target drinking drivers. [27349]

  Mr. Michael
  [holding answer 4 February 1998]: No advice has been issued because the allocation of resources to particular areas of police activity is a matter for individual chief officers and their police authorities to determine in accordance with local needs and priorities.

  Chief officers attach high importance to the enforcement of drink driving legislation. Police forces in England and Wales administered a total of 781.100 screening breath tests during 1996. This figure represented an 11 per cent. increase over the number of tests taken in 1995.

  Children (Employment)
  Mr. Pond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many offences relating to the employment of children were recorded for each year since 1990; and what were the average penalties imposed for each type of offence. [27119]

  Mr. Michael
  Offences relating to the employment of children are summary offences and do not form part of the notifiable offences series (recorded crime).

  The table shows the number of persons cautioned and defendants prosecuted for offences relating to the employment of children by type of sentence given from 1990 to 1996.
  743

  Persons cautioned and defendants prosecuted and found guilty at magistrates' courts for offences relating to the employment of children by type of offence and result, 1990–1996

  England and Wales

  Offence description/ Year

  Total cautioned

  Total proceeded against

  Total found guilty

  Total sentenced

  Offences in connection with employment of children and young persons [Children and Young Persons Act 1933, S18 to 21 (S18 as amended by the Children Act 1972)]

  1990

  5

  25

  21

  21

  1991

  3

  15

  12

  12

  1992

  3

  12

  9

  9

  1993

  1

  5

  4

  4

  1994

  1

  3

  2

  2

  1995

  1

  3

  3

  3

  1996

  2

  1

  —

  —

  Causing or allowing children to take part in entertainments without licence [Children and Young Persons Act 1963, S40(1)(a)]

  1990

  —

  1

  1

  1

  1991

  —

  1

  1

  1

  1996

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Obstructing officer in the exercise of powers conferred under Part II of the Children and Young Persons Act 1993, S28

  1990

  —

  4

  2

  2

  1991

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Similar provisions in Local Acts, but not offences against the Mines Acts, Factory Acts, &c.

  1991

  —

  2

  1

  1

  1992

  —

  1

  1

  1

  Type of sentence given

  Offence description/ Year

  Discharge

  Fine

  Average fine(£)

  Community penalties

  Fully suspended sentence

  Immediate custody

  Average sentence length

  Causing a child or young person to be in any street, &c. for purpose of begging [Children and Young Persons Act 1933, S4]

  1990

  1

  3

  43

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1991

  3

  3

  55

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1992

  5

  14

  36

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1993

  16

  8

  31

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1994

  8

  3

  43

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1995

  6

  24

  77

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1996

  5

  23

  43

  —

  —

  1

  7 days

  Causing or allowing person under 18 to go abroad to perform for profit [Children and Young Persons Act 1933 S25 & 26]

  1992

  —

  1

  200

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1994

  1

  1

  50

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1995

  —

  7

  127

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Offences against the Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children Act 1920, S1—so far as relates to industrial undertakings other than mines, factories and workshops

  1990

  1

  1

  100

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Offences against the Education Act 1944, S58 to 60—including offences against byelaws as to employment of children (except offences relating to mines, factories or workshops)

  1991

  —

  2

  80

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1993

  —

  1

  50

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1994

  —

  4

  138

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1995

  —

  1

  200

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Offences in connection with employment of children and young persons [Children and Young Persons Act 1933, S18 to 21 (S18 as amended by the Children Act 1972)]

  1990

  3

  18

  74

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1991

  —

  12

  83

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1992

  —

  9

  67

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1993

  —

  4

  159

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1994

  —

  2

  150

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1995

  1

  2

  200

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Causing or allowing children to take part in entertainments without licence [Children and Young Persons Act 1963, S40(1)(a)]

  1990

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1991

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1996

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  744 745

  Type of sentence given

  Offence description/ Year

  Discharge

  Fine

  Average fine(£)

  Community penalties

  Fully suspended sentence

  Immediate custody

  Average sentence length

  Obstructing officer in the exercise of powers conferred under Part II of the Children and Young Persons Act 1993, S28

  1990

  —

  2

  33

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1991

  —

  1

  30

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Similar provisions in Local Acts, but not offences against the Mines Acts, Factory Acts, &c.

  1991

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1992

  —

  1

  30

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Air Weapons
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many incidents of cats being illegally shot with air weapons have been reported to the police in(a) 1995, (b) 1996 and (c) 1997. [27134]

  Mr. Michael
  The information requested is not collected centrally.

  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers have been(a) killed and (b) injured in attacks with air weapons in each year since 1988. [27133]

  Mr. Michael
  The information requested is contained in the table:

  Notifiable offences recorded by the police in which a police officer on duty was injured by an air weapon

  Fatal injury

  Other injury

  Total

  1988

  —

  4

  4

  1989

  —

  3

  3

  1990

  —

  2

  2

  1991

  —

  —

  —

  1992

  —

  4

  4

  1993

  —

  2

  2

  1994

  —

  7

  7

  1995

  not available centrally

  1996

  not available centrally

  Correspondence
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to reply to the letter of 24 October from the hon. Member for Rochford and Southend, East about his constituent Mr. Jonathan Edwards and the final payment under the Firearms Compensation Scheme, and to the further letters on the same issue sent on 5 November 1997 and 16 January 1998. [27162]

  Mr. Michael
  The reply was incorporated in my composite letter of 30 January 1998 to each hon. Member about the present position on the compensation scheme. I regret that the volume of correspondence received about the progress of individual claims had delayed a reply in this particular case, although I have replied to the hon. Member on other cases.

  Animal Experiments
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will require those establishments given project licences under the Animals (Scientific Procedures)746
  Act 1986 to keep full records of animals bred for experimentation and subsequently destroyed or sold on without being so used. [27542]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Project licences authorise programmes of work regulated under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. They are not granted to establishments but to individuals.

  Under sections 6 and 7 of the Act, establishments where animals are used in scientific procedures or where animals listed in Schedule 2 of the Act are bred or supplied for such use must be designated in a certificate issued by the Secretary of State. The standard conditions which apply to all designated user establishments include:
  "The certificate holder shall ensure that records are maintained of the source, use and final disposal of all protected animals accommodated in the establishment for scientific purposes and that such records are available to be seen by the Inspector or for submission to the Secretary of State".

  For designated breeders or suppliers they include:
  "The certificate holder shall ensure that records are maintained of the source, use and final disposal of all protected animals bred, kept for breeding or kept for subsequent supply for use for scientific purposes and that such records are available to be seen by the Inspector or for submission to the Secretary of State".

  These records are not, however, collated centrally.

  We do not propose to bring all animals which are protected under the terms of section 1 of the Act within the scope of Schedule 2. It will, therefore, remain possible for animals not included in Schedule 2 to be bred for use in scientific procedures in non-designated establishments. We have no powers to require such establishments to keep or provide records.

  All the standard conditions on Certificates of Designation, Project Licences and Personal Licences are published in the Appendices of the Guidance on the Operation of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.

  Data Protection
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the practice of MI5 of withholding all information from persons on whom records are held in respect of non-security matters; and what data protection requirements apply to MI5 in this respect. [27543]

  Mr. Straw
  Section 27 (1) of the Data Protection Act 1984 provides that personal data are exempt from the Act's registration and subject access provisions if the exemption is required for the purpose of safeguarding national security. The previous Administration determined in 1986, under section 27 (2) of the Data Protection Act
  747
  1984, that all personal data held by the Security Service were required to be exempt from the registration and subject access provisions of that Act in order to safeguard national security. Similar determinations were made for all personal data held by Security Intelligence Service and Government Communication Headquarters.

  My Department has been considering with the Security Service and the intelligence agencies whether such a blanket exemption will still be necessary under the Data Protection Bill now before Parliament. That consideration is not yet complete. Its outcome will be announced in due course.

  As regards the wider question of access to information about whether the Service holds files on any individual, I am unable to add to the answer by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister given to my hon. Friend the Member for Pendle (Mr. Prentice) on 29 January 1998, Official Report, column 307.

  Driving Licences
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions his Department has held with the Department of Transport over use of the new format driving licence as an identity document; what representations he has received on this issue; and if he will make a statement. [27527]

  Mr. George Howarth
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions and I have made it clear that the Government will be issuing the photocard driving licence solely as a driving licence, not as an identity document.

  I regularly receive representations for and against national identity cards from hon. Members, members of the public and interest groups. We have no current plans to introduce national identity cards in the United Kingdom.

  Prisons (Drugs)
  Sir Brian Mawhinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many penal institutions(a) regularly, (b) occasionally and (c) never allow drug-detecting dogs to roam during prison visit sessions; [27513]

  (2) how many penal institutions have (a) more than three, (b) three, (c) two, (d) one and (e) no dogs trained to detect drugs. [27514]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Passive drug detection dogs were used in 28 establishments in 1997 to search visitors and staff for drugs on entry into the establishment or the visits area. Active drug dogs are used occasionally to search visits areas before or after visits. Although drug detection dogs may pass through visits areas as a deterrent during visits it is not policy to allow dogs to roam in visits areas during visiting times.

  There are currently:

  12 establishments with more than three dogs;

  2 establishments with three dogs;

  9 establishments with two dogs;

  37 establishments with one dog; and

  75 establishments with no dogs.

  748
  Sir Brian Mawhinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the time elapse after which it is not possible to detect heroin in prisoners using present drug detecting equipment. [27512]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Using the testing processes and cut-off levels employed on behalf of the Prison Service, it is possible to determine that a positive test result was definitely due to heroin in a urine sample taken up to 12 hours after last use. Heroin degrades to morphine, which can be detected for up to seven days after last use. In these circumstances, it is not possible to be certain that heroin was the drug used.

  Sir Brian Mawhinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the results and dates of the last three mandatory drug tests in each penal institution in England by(a) numbers tested, (b) the number of tests found positive and (c) the percentage of positive tests. [27517]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Figures are provided in tables for the last three mandatory drug tests undertaken at each establishment in England prior to 1 December 1997, which is the most recent period for which reliable data are available. A copy of these tables has been placed in the Library.

  Sir Brian Mawhinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the results and dates of the last three random drug tests in each penal institution in England by(a) numbers tested, (b) the number of tests found positive and (c) the percentage of positive tests. [27516]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Figures are provided in tables for the last three random mandatory drug tests undertaken at each establishment in England prior to 1 December 1997, which is the most recent period for which reliable data are available. A copy of these tables has been placed in the Library.

  Sir Brian Mawhinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list, by each penal institution in the country the number of people charged with supplying drugs to prisoners and the number found guilty in the last year for which figures are available. [27515]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The following table gives, for each penal institution in England and Wales, for the twelve months ending 31 December 1997, the number of visitors to prisons who were arrested by police in connection with possible drug related offences. The Prison Service does not record what action was subsequently taken by the police.

  Establishment

  Number arrested

  HMP Acklington

  19

  HMP Albany

  2

  HMP Aldington

  2

  HMP Ashwell

  7

  HMP Aylesbury

  2

  HMP Belmarsh

  2

  HMP Buckley Hall

  10

  HMP Blundeston

  14

  HMP Bedford

  8

  HMP Brockhill

  2

  HMP Bristol

  8

  HMP Birmingham

  2

  749

  Establishment

  Number arrested

  HMP Bullingdon

  4

  HMYOI Brinsford

  4

  HMP Blakenhurst

  28

  HMP Brixton

  3

  HMP Chelmsford

  11

  HMP Cardiff

  43

  HMP Camp Hill

  8

  HMP Cookham Wood

  2

  HMP Coldingley

  1

  HMYOI Castington

  5

  HMP Channings Wood

  10

  HMP Canterbury

  16

  HMP Dartmoor

  7

  HMP Durham

  21

  HMP Doncaster

  25

  HMP Dorchester

  1

  HMYOI Deerbolt

  2

  HMYOI Dover

  1

  HMP Erlestoke

  6

  HMP Everthorpe

  5

  HMP Exeter

  13

  HMP Elmley

  30

  HMP Frankland

  8

  HMYOI Feltham

  130

  HMP Full Sutton

  8

  HMP Featherstone

  3

  HMP Garth

  34

  HMP Guys Marsh

  5

  HMP Grendon

  1

  HMYOI Glen Parva

  6

  HMP Gartree

  2

  HMP Hollesley Bay

  1

  HMP Holme House

  45

  HMYOI Hindley

  1

  HMP Hull

  14

  HMP Highdown

  2

  HMP Highpoint

  16

  HMP Haverigg

  13

  HMP Holloway

  19

  HMP Kirkham

  3

  HMP Lancaster

  4

  HMP Leicester

  13

  HMP Leeds

  42

  HMYOI Lancaster Farms

  27

  HMP Lindholme

  9

  HMP Lincoln

  17

  HMP Long Lartin

  5

  HMP Liverpool

  4

  HMP Littlehey

  4

  HMP Lewes

  23

  HMP Moorland

  18

  HMP Manchester

  72

  HMP Maidstone

  6

  HMP The Mount

  10

  HMP Nottingham

  8

  HMRC Northallerton

  8

  HMP Norwich

  28

  HMYOI Onley

  8

  HMYOI Portland

  1

  HMP Parkhurst

  9

  HMP Preston

  11

  HMP Pentonville

  17

  HMP Rochester

  1

  HMRC Reading

  5

  HMP Ranby

  8

  HMP Risley

  15

  HMP Stafford

  18

  HMYOI Stoke Heath

  2

  HMP Stocken

  5

  HMP Swaleside

  4

  HMP Shepton Mallet

  1

  HMYOI Swinfen Hall

  1

  HMP Styal

  4

  HMP Swansea

  9

  750

  Establishment

  Number arrested

  HMP Shrewsbury

  7

  HMP The Verne

  2

  HMP Wellingborough

  7

  HMP Winchester

  1

  HMP Wakefield

  7

  HMP Wealstun

  1

  HMP Woodhill

  25

  HMP Wayland

  6

  HMP Wymott

  4

  HMP Wolds

  20

  HMP Whitemoor

  2

  HMP Wormwood Scrubs

  34

  HMP Wandsworth

  8

  Notes:

  1. HMP: Her Majesty's prison

  2. HMYOI: Her Majesty's Young Offender Institution.

  Immigration Advisers
  Sir Brian Mawhinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the 250 firms of immigration advisors, including the 40 firms of solicitors, he referred to as unscrupulous in his oral answer to the hon. Member for Dudley, North (Mr. Cranston) of 2 February 1998,Official Report, column 704. [27944]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  No. It would not be right to publish details of companies and individuals whose activities are currently under investigation or who may be further investigated in the future or who may be behaving in a way which is currently within the law where we believe the law to be inadequate and in need of amendment.

  Handguns (Compensation)
  Sir Brian Mawhinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many legal cases have been brought against the Government over the non-payment or late payment of compensation claims for surrendered handguns; and what was the outcome in each case. [27697]

  Mr. Michael
  Country Court proceedings have been issued in four cases, as follows:

  Court

  Number of guns involved

  Current position

  Ilford

  2

  Case struck out as disclosing no reasonable cause of action

  Cheltenham

  3

  Awaiting hearing

  Norwich

  8

  Awaiting hearing

  West London

  2

  Subject to Appeal

  The Appeal in the fourth case above is by the Home Office against a District Judge's refusal to strike out the case as disclosing no reasonable cause of action. A further case, before a Sheriff Court in Scotland, has also been struck out.

  Sir Brian Mawhinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many compensation claims arising from the surrender of handguns before
  751
  (a) 1 August 1997, (b) 1 September 1997, (c) 1 October 1997 and (d) 1 November 1997 were not paid by 1 February 1998. [27696]

  Mr. Michael
  The information is not available in the detail requested, as all claims have not yet been entered on the computer system. At 1 February 1998, around 18,000 claims received in the Firearms Compensation Section after 1 September 1997 had received no payment, and 11,477 claims received on or before that date, the great majority of which are mixed claims which have received a payment under Options A and B of the compensation scheme, were awaiting payment under Option C.

  Hunt Trespass
  Mr. Caplin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many instances the British Transport Police have prosecuted hunts for trespass on operational railway lines. [26768]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I have been asked to reply.

  In the three years between 1994–95 and 1996–97 the British Transport Police have prosecuted one hunt for the offence of trespass on railway lines.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Diplomatic Staff
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many United Kingdom diplomatic staff from ethnic minorities hold overseas postings. [27397]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The number of UK-based FCO staff who have declared themselves to be members of ethnic minority groups and who are on overseas postings is 34.

  Turkey
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what position Her Majesty's Government's representative to the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers will adopt on human rights in Turkey with particular reference to Turkish parliamentarians who are imprisoned, when the Committee of Ministers next meets. [27407]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Our representative at the Council of Europe Ministerial meeting in May will adopt the same approach to the issue of human rights in Turkey as the government has consistently maintained to date. We remain concerned at Turkey's poor human rights record, but believe that legitimate criticism of Turkey's shortcomings must be backed up by constructive assistance.

  We have stressed to the Turkish authorities that the imprisonment of democratically elected politicians for the non-violent expression of their views can only damage Turkey's international standing.

  Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the 752
  conclusions of the 14 January 1998, meeting of state parties to the Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. [27413]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The States Parties elected nine members to the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Professor Michael Banton, the UK nominee, was re-elected.

  Homosexuality
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to British Dependent Territories in the Caribbean on legislation outlawing homosexuality. [27362]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The Governors of all five of the British Dependent Territories in the Caribbean were instructed in October 1997 to raise with their respective local governments our concerns about legislation outlawing certain homosexual acts, and all have done so.

  Venezuela
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what negotiations he has entered into with the Venezuelan Government in respect of concluding a prisoner exchange agreement; what timescale he has set for the conclusion of an agreement; and if he will make a statement. [27381]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We first approached the Venezuelan authorities in 1994 regarding a bilateral Prisoner Transfer Agreement but could not agree a mutually acceptable text. On 17 April 1997 we approached them about accession to the Council of Europe Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons. We continue to press for their reply.

  A priority of our Presidency of the European Union is to encourage countries that have not already done so to accede to the Convention. We will raise the subject again with the Venezuelan authorities at the earliest opportunity.

  Argentina
  Mr. Godsiff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if there have been any new exceptions to the arms embargo on Argentina. [28232]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We have recently granted an exception to the embargo to allow the sale of 155 NBC suits and 50 pairs of boots for use by the Argentine contingent of the UN task force in Kuwait. This is an exception but not a change to the embargo.

  Intelligence and Security Services
  Mr. Godsiff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 23 July 1997,Official Report, column 605, whether he will make any changes to the nationality rules for applicants for employment with the intelligence and security services. [28231]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  After a detailed and careful review of existing procedures in which the interests of not discriminating against the individual have been balanced against the requirements of national security, I have approved several changes to the nationality rules for employment with GCHQ and the Secret Intelligence Service. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has
  753
  approved the same changes with respect to the Security Service. The new rules still require that an applicant or employee should be a British citizen, (and hold no other citizenship) but those relating to parental nationality have been simplified. The requirement is now that at least one parent should be British or have substantial ties with the United Kingdom.

  The rule restricting the nationality of spouses and cohabitants to limited categories of countries has also been relaxed. It will, however, continue to be the case that the circumstances of each applicant are examined in detail as part of the security vetting process in order to assess any risks. The new rules will come into force with immediate effect.

  Luxembourg European Council
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the increase in pre-accession aid announced in the Presidency conclusion of the Luxembourg European Council of 12 to 13 December 1997. [27519]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  We welcome the commitment to an increase of preaccession aid made in paragraph 17 of the Luxembourg European Council Presidency Conclusions. We look forward to detailed Commission proposals being tabled soon.

  Dayton Agreement
  Mr. Sarwar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress towards meeting the Dayton Agreement with respect to Bosnia. [25682]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement in Bosnia is progressing steadily. The Bonn Peace Implementation Conference in 1997 found that notable progress had been made. However, much more could have been achieved had the authorities in Bosnia contributed their full share to the construction of a civil and democratic society in the country.

  A copy of the conclusions of the Bonn Peace Implementation Conference has been placed in the Libraries of the House today.

  Since the Bonn conference, the pace of implementation has been maintained, in particular by the High Representative Mr. Carlos Westendorp making use of the enhanced powers given to him at Bonn to impose deadlock-breaking decisions.

  The international community also welcomes the formation in January of a new government in the Republika Srpska committed to co-operation with Dayton implementation. The detention by SFOR troops in January of a further war crimes indictee also demonstrated that the international community continues to attach high priority to this important aspect of Dayton implementation.

  Israel
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what guidance(a) the EC and (b) Her Majesty's Government have given to importers in respect of the geographical limits of the trade preference given under the EC-Israel agreement. [27199]
  754
  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Importers can seek guidance on matters relating to preferential Community agreements, including the EU-Israel agreement, from Customs Advice centres.

  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 23 January 1998,Official Report, column 718, when the importers into the EC of Brazilian orange juice mislabelled as Israeli, will be required to repay the lost duty. [27200]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  HM Customs and Excise and the European Commission are currently examining Israeli preference certificates issued for orange juice in 1995. Appropriate action will be taken with UK importers when this examination is completed.

  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 23 January 1998,Official Report, column 718, if (a) the EC and (b) Her Majesty's Government have informed those importers who imported at a preferential rate Brazilian orange juice mislabelled as Israeli, that they are liable to repay any lost duty. [27198]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  In its notice to importers, published in the Official Journal of the European Communities on 8 November, the European Commission advised importers that if preferential certificates issued by Israel proved to be invalid, such certificates have already engendered, or could give rise to a customs debt. HM Customs and Excise gave this notice wide publicity through trade associations and journals.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Ministerial Travel
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what is her estimate of the cost of(a) Ministerial cars and drivers and (b) the Department's bill for taxis, in (i) 1995–96, (ii) 1996–97, (iii) 1997–98 to date and (iv) 1997–98 full year. [27731]

  Clare Short
  (a) The estimated cost of ministerial cars and drivers for the Department for International Development is as follows:

  Year

  Expenditure £

  1995–96

  46,000

  1996–97

  52,000

  1997–98 (to date)

  84,000

  1997–98 (full year)

  112,000

  (b) We do not hold information centrally on the amount spent on taxis and this could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Empty Properties
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what is her estimate of the(a) annual cost and (b) total value of the empty properties owned by (i) her Department, (ii) agencies and (iii) other

  755
  public bodies for which she has responsibility, in (a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98 to date and (d) 1997–98 full year. [26649]

  Mr. Foulkes
  (i) Neither the Department for International Development (DFID) nor the former Overseas Development Administration owned empty properties for the years in question.

  (ii) DFID has no agencies.

  (iii) In the case of public bodies for which DFID is currently responsible, the information is as follows:

  1995–96 nil

  1996–97 Annual cost £4,500

  Total value £37,100

  1997–98 Annual cost £10,400

  Total value £164,000

  The total value figures relate to the capital cost of the premises and not the market value for which records do not exist. The figures refer to properties overseas.

  Overseas Visits
  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list which Ministers in her Department have made overseas visits and to which countries since 1 May. [27821]

  Clare Short
  The following is the information

  Year

  Secretary of State's visits overseas 1997

  5 June

  Luxembourg

  9 June

  Zurich

  22 June

  New York

  1 July

  Paris

  2 July

  Geneva

  15–25 September

  Bangladesh/Hong

  Kong/Japan

  5–10 October

  Uganda/Nairobi/Rwanda

  21 October

  Brussels

  22 October

  Paris

  27–29 October

  Sweden/Norway

  10 November

  Brussels

  28 November

  Brussels

  2–3 December

  Canada

  11–12 December

  Rome

  15–16 December

  Spain/Portugal

  1998

  3–8 January

  Malawi

  19 January

  Brussels

  2–3 February

  Bosnia

  Parliamentary Under Secretary of State's visits overseas 1997

  20–22 May

  Toronto

  4–5 June

  Luxembourg

  26–30 July

  Botswana and South Africa

  31 August-3 September

  Montserrat and Antigua

  12–13 October

  Geneva

  23–26 November

  Ukraine

  1998

  13 January

  Paris

  Periodicals
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what is her estimate of the expenditure of her Department on newspapers and magazines in(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98 to date and (d) 1997–98 full year; and if she will list the newspapers and magazines purchased or subscribed to on a regular basis. [26650]

  Mr. Foulkes
  Expenditure on newspapers and magazines was as follows:

  £

  Date

  Expenditure

  1995–96

  15,409

  1996–97

  15,507

  1997–98 (full year)

  15,943

  1997–98 (to date)

  12,476

  The titles taken are:

  Financial Times

  Times

  Sunday Times

  Daily Telegraph

  Sunday Telegraph

  Guardian

  Observer

  Independent

  Independent on Sunday

  Le Monde

  London Financial News

  Daily Mail

  Mail on Sunday

  Express

  Express on Sunday

  Sun

  Observer

  Daily Mirror

  News of the World

  Evening Standard

  The Herald

  The Scotsman

  East Kilbride News

  Times Educational Supplement

  Times Higher Educational Supplement

  Times Literary Supplement

  What's on in London

  The List

  Economist

  Time

  Newsweek

  Spectator

  Paris Match

  New Scientist

  European

  Private Eye

  Bookseller

  West Africa

  Flight

  757

  Newsweek

  Construction News

  Farmers' Weekly

  Tribune

  Choice

  Flight International

  New Statesman.

  We also take a number of free and paid-for professional journals.

  Theft and Fraud
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what is her estimate of the cost of theft and fraud to(a) her Department, (b) its agencies and (c) non departmental public bodies, in (i) 1995–96, (ii) 1996–97 and (iii)1997–98 to date. [27732]

  Clare Short
  (a) The Department for International Development submits an annual return to the Treasury of suspected and proven fraud, including attempted fraud. Figures are as follows:

  1995–96: £19,756

  1996–97: £11,262

  1997–98 to date: £5,177.

  The cost of theft is:

  1995–96: £10,000

  1996–97: £22,000

  1997–98 to date: £1,825.

  (b) The Department has no agencies.

  (c) In the case of public bodies for which DFID is currently responsible, the cost of theft and fraud combined is as follows:

  1995–96: £27,100

  1996–97: £65,500

  1997–98 to date: £12,100.

  These figures relate to the Commonwealth Development Corporation (CDC) and include frauds and theft where the loss was over £7,500. Details of thefts from the CDC's overseas businesses prior to 31 December 1995 are not available.

  Official Hospitality
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what is her current estimate of the expenditure of her Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies on hospitality since 1 May 1997. [27735]

  Clare Short
  The current estimate of expenditure for the Department for International Development on hospitality is £27,426.

  Consultants
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what is her estimate of the expenditure of her(a) Department, (b) agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies on external consultants in (i) 1995–96, (ii) 1996–97, (iii) 1997–98 to date and (iv) 1997–98 full year; and if she will also estimate the cost savings resulting from the employment of such consultants for each of the above years. [26647]
  758
  Clare Short
  External consultants have been employed by my Department as follows:

  £ million

  Cost of external consultants

  Resulting cost savings

  1995–96

  1.2

  1.2

  1996–97

  0.82

  0.35

  1997–98 (to date)

  0.94

  nil

  1997–98 (full year)

  1.1

  nil

  Since 1997–98, external consultants have primarily been used to assist with IT developments and training by bridging short-term skill gaps.

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list by grade the number of officials in her Department at grade 3 or above who have(a) taken early retirement, (b) taken official leave, (c) been dismissed, (d) changed jobs within the Department, (e) moved to another Department and (f) been offered and rejected an alternative position (i) within the Department and (ii) in another Department since 1 May. [27452]

  Clare Short
  Individual grades no longer exist in the Senior Civil Service. The information is as follows in respect of officials at former Grade 3 level and above.

  (a) none

  (b) 10

  (c) none

  (d) 3

  (e) 1

  (f)

  (i) none

  (ii) none

  Lost and Stolen Items
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list those items valued at more than £25 stolen or lost from her Department since 1 May 1997; and if she will make a statement. [27733]

  Clare Short
  Items valued at more than £25 stolen or lost from Department for International Development since 1 May 1997 are as follows:

  Item

  £

  Mobile phone charger

  45

  Lap-top Computer

  915

  Video Camera

  600

  Buildings Refurbishment
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what is her estimate of the cost of buildings refurbishment carried out by her Department in(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98 to date and (d) 1997–98 full year; and if she will make a statement. [26651]
  759
  Clare Short
  The cost of buildings refurbishment carried out by Department for International Development is as follows:

  Year

  £

  1995–96

  79,600

  1996–97

  9,500

  1997–98 to date

  25,300

  1997–98 full year

  25,300

  These costs relate to refurbishment only and exclude day to day maintenance and reconfigurations required for operational reasons.

  Absenteeism
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will estimate the rates of absenteeism in her(a) Department, (b) agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies, for (i) 1995–96, (ii) 1996–97 and (iii) 1997–98 to date; and if she will make a statement. [26648]

  Clare Short
  (a) The estimated rate of absenteeism in Department for International Development (DFID) for the year 1995–96 was 4 per cent. Figures for 1996–97 and 1997–98 are not yet available and I will write to the hon. Gentleman when the information is to hand.

  (b) DFID currently has no agencies.

  (c) The estimated rates of absenteeism in public bodies for which DFID is currently responsible are:

  Year

  Per cent.

  1995–96

  1.8

  1996–97

  2.1

  1997–98

  1.7

  Brazil (Amazonian Regions)
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what new initiatives her Department is taking to open up markets in Europe for products which emanate from the Amazonian regions from enterprises other than logging. [27097]

  Clare Short
  In Amazonia and elsewhere, our aim is to promote consistent policies which ensure that economic development and trade in non-timber forest products is managed sustainably, and prevents over-exploitation of natural resources. Within our programme, we support projects which help to identify potential non-timber products and encourage linkages with European and other international markets. We shall continue to look out for further opportunities in this area.

  Computer Systems
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list each major new computer system that(a) her Department, (b) non-departmental bodies and (c) agencies under her responsibility have purchased in the last five years; what was the initial purchase cost and what was the final cost; what was each system's (i) planned and (ii) actual date
  760
  of commissioning; what major computer systems will be purchased by bodies in categories (a), (b) and (c) in the next financial year; and what is their estimated cost. [27853]

  Clare Short
  The Department for International Development's major computer systems implemented in the last 5 years are as follows:

  Resource Accounting System (RAB)

  Purchase cost of software—£271,000

  Final cost of system—£2,000,000

  Actual commissioning date—February 1998

  Management Accounting System Migration (MIS)

  System developed, not purchased

  Final cost of system—£1,784,000

  Actual commissioning date—February 1998

  Pensions System Migration

  System developed, not purchased

  System developed jointly with MIS, so costs included above

  Actual commissioning date—February 1998

  Replacement Office System (ASSIST)

  System developed, not purchased

  Final cost of system—£3,332,000

  Planned commissioning date—end December 1996 (UK) mid 1997 (overseas)

  Actual commissioning date—end December 1996 (UK) end December 1997 (overseas)

  Systems to be implemented in the next Financial Year are as follows:

  Project Information Monitoring System (PRISM)

  System being developed, not purchased

  Planned cost £1 million (£600,000 this Financial Year)

  Planned commissioning date—First quarter Financial Year 1998–99

  DFID Intranet

  System being developed, not purchased

  Cost to date—£84,000

  Planned commissioning date—March 1998

  Overseas Travel
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what is her estimate of the cost of Ministerial overseas travel in her Department in(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97 and (c) 1997–98 to date. [26646]

  Clare Short

  1995–96: £132,875

  1996–97: £96,815

  1997–98 (to date): £97,858

DEFENCE

  Army Base Storage and Distribution Agency
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Government's proposals in respect of the Army Base Storage and Distribution Agency at Old Dalby, Leicestershire; what representations he has received in respect of these proposals; what is the cost to the Exchequer of keeping the ABSDA open; and
  761
  what assessment he has made on the potential impact of the closure of the ABSDA, for firms based in Leicester. [23183]

  Dr. Reid
  I have accepted, as the basis for consultation, the recommendation of the Quarter-Master General's Storage Rationalisation Study recommendation that the sub-depot of the Army Base Storage and Distribution Agency (ABSDA) at Old Dalby should close. Consultation with all relevant parties on this proposal ended on 23 January.

  The saving expected from the implementation of the study's recommendations, including the closure of Sub-Depot Old Dalby, is £17.5 million in net present value terms over 10 years.

  A number of representations against the proposed closure have been received from both individual employees and other organisations. All the points raised including those relating to its economic and other effects are, of course, being taken fully into account as part of the consultation process.

  Foxes
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is his policy on the control of foxes by(a) gassing, (b) snaring and (c) shooting on his Department's estate by personnel other than his Department's employees; [27523]

  (2) what is his policy on the gassing of foxes on his Department's estate; [27525]

  (3) what is his policy with regard to the use of rifles for fox control on training areas currently in use on his Department's estate; [27521]

  (4) what is his policy on snaring of foxes on his Department's estate; [27526]

  (5) what is his policy with regard to the use of rifles (a) by day and (b) by night for the control of foxes on his Department's estate; [27522]

  (6) To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy with regard to the use of shotguns as a means of fox control on his Department's estate (a) by day and (b) by night. [27520]

  Mr. Spellar
  While the gassing of foxes is not illegal, there are no Government approved products for such use. The gassing of foxes is not therefore permitted.

  Snaring is legal provided the snares used are the free running type. These are used on the Defence Estate.

  Rifles and shotguns are licenced for use both during the day and night.

  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy on digging out foxes on his Department's estate for purposes of fox control. [27524]

  Mr. Spellar
  The policy for digging out foxes on my Department's land has not changed. Under the Master of Foxhounds Rules, digging out must only take place at the request of the landowner. It remains my Department's policy that, as a landowner, this request would not be made.
  762
  I have, however, directed that if any of my Department's tenants are troubled by rogue and destructive foxes, application may be made for the fox to be dug out following a prescribed authorisation process. It is stressed that where such action is permitted, it is on the basis that it is a specified fox control measure and will not be taken to form part of general hunting practice.

  Type 42 Destroyers
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the average availability of Type 42 destroyers for operational service in each of the last five years. [27176]

  Dr. Reid
  Type 42 destroyers achieved approximately 84 to 86 per cent. average availability for operational service in each of the last five years. This discounts time spent in planned maintenance.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the complement of crew carried by Type 42 destroyers(a) was when they were commissioned and (b) is currently. [27177]

  Dr. Reid
  When first commissioned the complement of crew carried by Type 42 destroyers was 270. The current complement is 247.

  Married Quarters
  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if it is his policy to allow service personnel to occupy married quarters with a person other than a spouse; and if he will make a statement. [27243]

  Dr. Reid
  It is not current MOD policy to allow Service personnel to occupy married quarters with a person other than a spouse. Whilst this policy is kept under review, there are no present plans to alter it.

  Early Leavers Child Support Agency
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many servicemen leaving the service early have given the activities of the Child Support Agency as one of their reasons for leaving. [27093]

  Dr. Reid
  Specific information of the nature requested is not held centrally. Such information as is available comes from the feedback which the Services receive in the form of individual returns to the various internal surveys which are carried out. According to the responses to these surveys, no Service personnel have given the activities of the Child Support Agency as a reason for their decision to leave the Armed Forces.

  Type 22 Frigates
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the average period availability of Type 22 frigates for operational service in each of the last five years. [27386]

  Dr. Reid
  Type 22 frigates achieved approximately 82 to 86 per cent. average availability for operational service in each of the last five years. This discounts time spent in planned maintenance.
  763
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to refit Type 22 frigates with less manpower-intensive equipment; and if he will make a statement. [27364]

  Dr. Reid
  There are no plans to specifically refit Type 22 frigates with less manpower-intensive equipment. The installation of new or updated equipments on all vessels, including Type 22 frigates, is made to address issues of obsolescence, achieve improved reliability or provide enhanced operational capability.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what crew complement Type 22 frigates carried when first commissioned; and what complement they now carry. [27363]

  Dr. Reid
  The Type 22 frigate was introduced in three Batches. When first commissioned the complement of crew carried by a Batch 1 Type 22 frigate was 229. The current complement has increased slightly to 243 on the latest Batch.

  Hyderabad and Meeanee Barracks, Colchester
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects that the Hyderabad and Meeanee Barracks at Colchester will cease to be required for military purposes and disposed of. [27896]

  Dr. Reid
  It is too early to say. Future plans for the existing Hyderabad and Meeanee Barracks will depend on progress with the major Private Finance Initiative project which I announced by writing to the hon. Member on 13 October last year, and whose purpose is to redevelop the whole of Colchester Garrison. As I told the hon. Member in a second letter on 14 November, this project holds out the possibility of yielding surplus land for development, and the land that is earmarked for disposal includes the current sites of Meeanee and Hyderabad Barracks.

  Royal Family (Helicopters)
  Ms Dari Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the future provision of helicopter flying for the Royal Family.[28563]

  Mr. Spellar
  [pursuant to his reply 31 July 1997, c. 466]: The Ministry of Defence has run a competition, on behalf of the Royal Household, for the provision of a helicopter service for the Royal Family. As a result of the responses to the competition it became clear that the option of using an aircraft with civilian aircrew operating out of a civilian airfield would provide greater savings to the taxpayer than a military operated solution. The Royal Household therefore decided that they wished to pursue this option and have now decided to place contracts for such a civilian service with Sikorsky and Air Hanson.

  Recruitment and Training
  Ms Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the current status of the Partnering Arrangement between the Naval Recruiting and Training Agency and Flagship Training Ltd. [28287]
  764
  Dr. Reid
  Under a Competing for Quality and Public/Private Partnering initiative, the Naval Recruiting and Training Agency (NRTA) entered into a 15 years contract with Flagship Training Limited in July 1996. Flagship is a public limited company set up specially for the provision of training administrative and support activities, Income Generation and Public/Private Partnership initiatives in a Partnering Arrangement with the NRTA. Flagship's equity is held by Vosper Thornycroft, GEC Marconi and Johnson Controls Limited.

  Under this pathfinder project, Flagship will market NRTA's irreducible spare training capacity and provide support services in return for fixed maximum charges. The NRTA has wholeheartedly embraced Partnering. Certain Support Services (mainly the already contractorised catering and cleaning) have already been transferred to NRTA's considerable advantage.

  I am pleased to announce that, following detailed negotiation between the Agency and Flagship, agreement has been reached over the transfer to Flagship of the first and major phase of support service activities. This agreement centres on the provision of activities in the General, Administration and Training Support areas; 434 Civil Service posts and 550 uniformed posts presently deliver these activities. The net result of transferring the posts to Flagship is expected to be the creation of approaching 300 new civilian jobs and release of much needed uniformed personnel to fill gaps elsewhere in the Navy. A conservative assessment of the net cash savings to the NRTA is £29 million over 13 years from this first phase of transfer; with downstream savings of a similar amount expected from later phases.

  Under Income Generation, approximately £20 million worth of contracts have already been secured by Flagship, and, prospective business worth about £300 million over 13 years has been identified, with the potential for creating up to a further 100 jobs in areas affected by previous reductions in the Defence budget. The recently awarded Kuwait contract typifies the benefits that Partnering offers the UK. The provision of naval training for a ship order secured by another nation is unprecedented, and indicates the value of combining Flagship's commercial expertise with Naval training internationally recognised as second to none.

  National and Local Trades Unions have been informed regularly of the progress and I have recently approved, in principle, the signing of a formal contractual agreement involving the transfer of the activities and employees from the NRTA to Flagship in a phased manner beginning on 5 May 1998, subject to the outcome of formal consultation with Departmental Trade Unions. A copy of the consultative document has been placed in the Library of the House.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Youth Service
  Mr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment she has made of the current arrangements in the Youth Service; and if she will order a review of the service. [22736]
  765
  Mr. Worthington
  I launched a review of youth service policy on 16 June 1997. The Policy Review Group which I appointed is expected to report in 3 stages and I expect to make a comprehensive policy statement by Easter 1999.

  Weapons Decommissioning
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what weapons and explosives have been dealt with to date, by the Decommissioning Body. [22900]

  Mr. Ingram
  No terrorist weapons or explosives have yet been dealt with by the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning. The Commission quickly produced their proposals for schemes and continue to work on the detailed arrangements to facilitate actual decommissioning. It is now for those in possession of illegal arms to take this important confidence building step.

  Irish Republic (Bombs)
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations she has made to the Irish Government about the origin of the bomb planted in Newry Street, Banbridge on 6 January. [22902]

  Mr. Ingram
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has made no representations to the Irish Government about the origin of the bomb. The RUC are, however, continuing with their investigations with help from the Gardai.

  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make it her policy to hold the Irish Republic Government financially responsible for the costs of compensation where explosions in Northern Ireland result from bombs manufactured there. [22903]

  Mr. Ingram
  No.

  Fluoridation
  Rev. Ian Paisley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if HM Prison Maze(a) is or (b) has been artificially fluoridated. [25114]

  Mr. Ingram
  There is not nor has there been any artificial fluoridation of the water supply to HMP Maze.

  Handguns
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many target(a) pistols and (b) revolvers, belonging to members of licensed gun clubs, have been used in terrorist incidents in each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement. [25672]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 28 January 1998]: There is no evidence to indicate that weapons belonging to members of licensed gun clubs have been used in terrorist incidents in the past five years.

  SACHR
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what guidance she has issued to the Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights regarding its powers to(a) commission research and
  766
  (b) propose policy; and what assessment she has made of its effectiveness in dealing with political discrimination. [26736]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  The Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights was established by the 1973 NI Constitution Act. Its remit is defined by that Act. In order to fulfil that remit, SACHR does commission research and make recommendations on policy. I have not issued any separate guidance. SACHR's role is to advise on the adequacy and effectiveness of the law in preventing discrimination, but not to provide remedies for people who may have been discriminated against. The Government very much welcomes the advice given by SACHR, which they take into account in making policy decisions.

  Anglo-Irish Secretariat
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the number, rank and status of Irish military personnel stationed at the Anglo-Irish Secretariat at Maryfield; and if she will make a statement. [26734]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  It would not be appropriate to provide information concerning staffing arrangements in respect of the Irish Side of the Anglo-Irish Secretariat.

  Provisional IRA
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations she has received on reparations from the Irish Government for their part in the creation of the Provisional IRA; and if she will list the numbers of soldiers, police and civilians killed by the organisation. [26739]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Government have received representations from two of the Northern Ireland parties in relation to their call for an inquiry in the Republic into the creation of the Provisional IRA. No representations have been received about reparations as such. Records are not available to show the number of deaths caused by individual organisations. However, the table indicates the number of deaths of RUC members, army and civilians due to Republican terrorists from 1969 to 29 January 1998.

  Deaths due to the security situation 1969 to date (29 January 1998)

  Attribution

  RUC

  Army

  1Civilian

  Deaths Total

  By Republican

  293

  640

  957

  1,890

  1 Includes persons actively engaged in terrorist activity at the time of Incident.

  Firearms
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for what reasons the written question on licensed firearms, tabled by the right hon. Member for Strangford on 22 January 1998, for answer on 28 January 1998 was not answered on that day; and if she will make a statement. [27098]
  767
  Mr. Ingram
  It is regretted that the written question referred to was not answered on 28 January as it was necessary to refer the question to a number of branches in the RUC, which required a manual search of records.

  Queen's Counsel
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many barristers in Northern Ireland are QCs; and what percentage of the Northern Ireland Bar this represents. [27832]

  Mr. Ingram
  There are 430 practising barristers in Northern Ireland, 54 of whom are Queen's Counsel, representing just over 12 per cent. of the Northern Ireland Bar.

  Royal Ulster Constabulary
  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when she plans to publish the 1997–98 Report on the Royal Ulster Constabulary by Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary. [28448]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  Copies of the 1997–98 Inspection Report, which is the fifth RUC Inspection Report to be published, have today been placed in the Library.

  I am most grateful for the Report and will be considering its recommendations carefully. Her Majesty's Inspector's overall remit is to examine police operational efficiency and effectiveness and offer his independent and professional recommendations. These are largely for the Chief Constable to consider and action. This report has covered a number of areas relating to matters such as organisation, planning, personnel and community relations.

  I am pleased to note that Her Majesty's Inspector continues to be impressed, as I am, by the courage, enthusiasm and commitment of the RUC and considers it to be efficient and effective.

  Absenteeism
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will estimate the rates of absenteeism in her(a) Department, (b) agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies, for (i) 1995–96, (ii) 1996–97 and (iii) 1997–98 to date; and if she will make a statement. [26606]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The estimated rates of absenteeism for non-industrial staff in the Northern Ireland Civil Service(a) the cores of Northern Ireland Departments and the Northern Ireland office and (b) their agencies are as follows:

  (a) Departmental cores Per cent.

  (b) Agencies Per cent.

  (i) 1995–96

  5.6

  8.3

  (ii) 1996–97

  5.6

  6.5

  (iii) 1997–98 (1 April 1997— 31 December 1997)

  5.7

  6.5

  768
  Information in respect of non-departmental public bodies as at (i), (ii) and (iii) is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Northern Ireland departments/agencies and the NIO monitor their absenteeism levels closely. They have introduced a number of initiatives to improve control and tackle particular problems in this area and are continuing to explore all available solutions to improve attendance.

  Empty Properties
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce:
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is her estimate of the (a) annual cost and (b) total value of the empty properties owned by (i) her Department, (ii) agencies and (iii) other public bodies for which she has responsibility, in (a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98 to date and (d) 1997–98 full year. [26607]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Information in the form requested is not readily available and could be compiled only at disproportionate cost.

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list by grade the number of officials in her Department at grade 3 or above who have(a) taken early retirement, (b) taken official leave, (c) been dismissed, (d) changed jobs within the Department, (e) moved to another Department and (f) been offered and rejected an alternative position (i) within the Department and (ii) in another Department since 1 May. [27451]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The answers to the questions are as follows:

  (a) 3 Staff (2 Grade 1 and 1 Grade 3)

  (b) Nil

  (c) Nil

  (d) 2 Staff (1 Grade 2 and 1 Grade 3)

  (e) Nil

  (f) Nil.

  Prisoners (Transfers)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what factors underlay the delays in effecting inter-jurisdictional transfers of prisoners between the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom. [27544]

  Mr. Ingram
  Since the Republic of Ireland ratified the Convention on the transfer of Sentenced Persons in November 1995, there have been 18 applications for transfer from the Republic of Ireland to Northern Ireland. Arising from those applications, 9 prisoners have been repatriated; a further 4 applications have been approved; 2 were withdrawn; 1 has been refused and 2 remain under consideration. Six applications have also been made for repatriation from Northern Ireland to the Republic; 5 were recently submitted and are being processed and one application was subsequently withdrawn by the prisoner concerned.
  769
  Factors which may not enable some applications to be processed immediately on receipt are largely the necessity to seek further information or clarification which will enable an informed decision to be made on the applicants eligibility for repatriation.

  Under the Convention for the transfer of sentenced persons, to which both the UK and the Republic of Ireland are signatories, the two States involved in any transfer are required to exchange information in advance of making a determination regarding the applicant and also to provide the prisoner with information regarding the effect of the repatriation on his sentence to allow him on balance to decide whether to accept the transfer.

  My right hon. Friends the Home Secretary and the Secretary of State for Scotland are of course responsible for such matters relating to each of their own jurisdictions.

  Judiciary (Independence)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will place in the Library the report of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of the Judiciary. [27405]

  Mr. Fatchett
  I have been asked to reply.

  The report of Dato' Param Cumaraswamy, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, is expected to be published within the next six weeks. The Report will be available through the UN's Optical Disk System in the House of Commons library. We will also arrange for a paper copy of the Report to be deposited in the libraries of the House.

  Overseas Travel
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is her estimate of the cost of Ministerial overseas travel in her Department in(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97 and (c) 1997–98 to date. [26604]

  Mr. Ingram
  The cost of overseas travel for Ministers is as follows:

  1995–96: £103,929

  1996–97: £69,874

  1997–98: £37,328 to 30 January 1998.

  Buildings Refurbishment
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is her estimate of the cost of buildings refurbishment carried out by her Department in(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98 to date and (d) 1997–98 full year; and if she will make a statement. [26609]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The estimate of the costs are as follows:

  Year

  £

  1995–96

  13,718,843

  1996–97

  21,962,985

  1997–98 (to date)

  13,096,874

  1997–98 (full-year)

  17,235,883

WALES

  Transport Policy
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales for what reasons powers for the regulation of the railways will not be devolved to the Welsh Assembly; and what assessment he has made of the impact of this on the Government's plans for an integrated transport policy. [27178]

  Mr. Hain
  The Government's policy on devolution is that the National Assembly will take over virtually all the functions of the Secretary of State for Wales. My right hon. Friend has very few statutory functions in relation to the railways. The Government are committed to the creation of a new rail authority, combining functions currently carried out by the Franchising Director and the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, to ensure effective and accountable regulation of the railways throughout Great Britain. It will in due course be necessary to define the Assembly's relationship with the new rail authority.

  Work is continuing on the development of an integrated transport policy, and a separate policy statement for Wales will be published at around the same time as the integrated transport White Paper.

  Welsh Joint Education Committee
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the future of the Welsh Joint Education Committee. [27446]

  Mr. Hain
  With effect from 1 April 1996 the Welsh Joint Education Committee became a company limited by guarantee jointly owned by the unitary authorities and its future is, therefore, a matter for them. I would expect the WJEC, alongside the other examination boards, to play an active role in implementing the reforms to the post-16 qualifications framework set out in the consultation paper "Qualifying for Success".

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list by grade the number of officials in his Department at grade 3 or above who have(a) taken early retirement, (b) taken official leave, (c) been dismissed, (d) changed jobs within the Department, (e) moved to another Department and (f) been offered and rejected an alternative position (i) within the Department and (ii) in another Department since 1 May. [27465]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  The number of officials in my Department within the Senior Civil Service equivalent to the former Grade 3 and above who have since 1 May 1997 taken:

  (a) Early retirement: nil

  (b) Official leave: in accordance with their conditions of service

  (c) Been dismissed: nil

  (d) Changed jobs within the Department: nil

  (e) Moved to another Department: nil

  (f) Been offered and rejected an alternative position—

  (i) within the Department: nil

  (ii) in another Department: nil.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Theft and Fraud
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is his estimate of the cost of theft and fraud to(a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies in (i) 1995–96, (ii) 1996–97 and (iii)1997–98 to date. [27792]

  Mr. Hoon
  Estimates of the cost of theft and fraud are given in the table.

  £

  Cost by financial year

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98 to date

  LCD1

  17,658

  55,145

  51,943

  Court Service

  118,833

  65,648

  not available

  Public Trust Office

  0

  0

  0

  Northern ireland Court Service

  0

  0

  1,700

  Public Record Office

  1,321

  0

  440

  Land Registry

  51,485

  13,308

  4,093

  Legal Aid Board

  40,000

  7,000

  0

  ACLEC

  0

  0

  0

  1 Headquarters, associated offices and magistrates courts losses borne by the Department.

  Lost and Stolen Items
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list those items valued at more than £25 stolen or lost from his Department since 1 May 1997; and if he will make a statement. [27793]

  Mr. Hoon
  Items stolen or lost are as listed, together with their values:

  Theft of electronic stapler: £373

  Theft of heavy duty stapler: £55

  Theft of lap top computer: £1,500.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Fishing
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the landings of fish by weight in the European Community by each member state whose fleets operate in(a) international fishing zones or third countries with which the European Community has an international agreement, (b) those states where no agreement exists and (c) international waters, indicating the approximate proportion of European Community fish consumption that is represented by all such sources. [24414]

  Mr. Morley
  I am afraid that information to establish the proportion of European Community fish consumption accounted for by fish caught by Member States fleets in the various fisheries outside EU waters is not available. Neither UK nor EU statistics make it possible to identify where landings by Member States' fleets operating in international fishing zones or third countries have occurred. Nor do consumption figures indicate the origins of the fish consumed.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how long on average it takes his Department to answer letters from hon. Members; what target date his Department sets; what percentage receive replies within the target date; and what assessment he has made of how long it takes to deliver a letter after it has been typed. [27045]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  [holding answer 2 February 1998]: My Department aims to reply to letters from hon. Members and Peers within 15 working days. MAFF received almost 7,500 letters during 1997 and 76 per cent. of those received a reply within this target. The procedure is constantly monitored to ensure letters are dispatched as soon as possible after typing.

  Bovine Tuberculosis
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the membership of the Expert Group recommended by the Krebs Report on Bovine Tuberculosis in Cattle and Badgers. [28492]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  I am pleased to be able to announce the membership of the independent Expert Group to oversee the experiment recommended in Professor Krebs' Report to assess the effectiveness of badger culling in reducing TB breakdowns in cattle herds. I am grateful to Professor John Bourne for agreeing to chair the Group and to Dr. Christl Donnelly who will be Deputy Chairman. In addition, Sir David Cox, Professor George Gettinby, Professor Ivan Morrison and Dr. Rosie Woodroffe have all kindly agreed to serve as members.

  The terms of reference for the Group are:
  'To advise Ministers on implementation of the Krebs Report on bovine TB in cattle and badgers by:
  overseeing the design and analysis of the randomised experiment to test the effectiveness of badger culling as a means of controlling bovine TB;
  regularly monitoring the progress of, and outputs from, the experiment and assessing any important differences in results between the treatments;
  monitoring the data on the M bovis situation in areas and species outside the experiment;
  reporting to Ministers on progress; and
  advising, as requested, on related issues.'

  We are currently consulting on how the report's recommendations should be implemented. Firm decisions on implementation of the report's recommendations will not be made until the end of this consultation period and until further consideration has been given to the public expenditure, legal and practical implications. We shall make another announcement once this further work has been done. In the meantime, I have asked the Expert Group to press on with its work on the detailed experiment design.

  The Group has a key role in providing independent expert advice as we carry this important work forward. In addition, my ministerial colleagues and I and MAFF officials will seek to ensure that close contact is maintained with all the key interested parties, including wildlife, conservation and farming organisations on implementation of the Krebs report.

HEALTH

  Radiotherapy
  Ms Moran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into radiotherapy damage resulting from radiotherapy treatment; [24536]

  (2) what information is made available to alert women to the possible side effects of radiotherapy for breast cancer. [24537]

  Mr. Milburn
  In 1994, the Department of Health issued guidance to the National Health Service on quality assurance in radiotherapy, "Quality Assurance in Radiotherapy—A Quality Management System for Radiotherapy". This is monitored through the Inspectorate for the Ionising Radiation Regulations (1988).

  More recently, the Department's Central Audit Unit has funded two pieces of work. The first was guidelines on the management of women with adverse effects following radiotherapy treatment. They were produced by the Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) through a group chaired by Dr. Jane Maher. The guidelines were issued to the NHS by the Department in October 1995. The second was a confidential clinical review of 126 consenting members of Radiotherapy Action Group Exposure (RAGE)—a support group representing those suffering damage following treatment by radiotherapy for breast cancer—which was also conducted by the RCR and disseminated by the College to its fellows.

  We are concerned to ensure that all patients and their families, including cancer patients who may have particular worries about the disease and its treatment, receive information which is clear, concise and easily understood, not only about the proposed treatments, but about possible alternatives and any substantial risks, so that they can make a balanced judgment about accepting treatment.

  In 1995, the support group British Association of Cancer United Patients (BACUP), in conjunction with the Royal Colleges and other charities like CancerLink, Breast Cancer Care and RAGE, produced a series of three leaflets about radiotherapy for breast cancer and early detection of any adverse effects. This was partly funded by the Department of Health.

  Copies of the leaflets were sent to each breast care nurse and oncologist with details of how to obtain a stock from BACUP for distribution to patients as needed. It was considered that these professionals were in the best position to make the leaflets available to patients at the appropriate stage in their treatment. Copies will be placed in the Library.

  Hysterectomies
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hysterectomies were carried out for menorrhagia in the last year; at what cost; and what clinical guidance his Department issues as to the appropriateness of this procedure. [26940]
  774
  Ms Jowell
  18,804 hysterectomies were carried out for menorrhagia in National Health Service hospitals in England in 1995–96, the latest year available. The estimated average cost of a hysterectomy, based on 1995–96 prices, is approximately £2,400.

  The Department of Health issued an Effective Healthcare Bulletin on 'The Management of Menorrhagia' in 1995. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists is currently preparing clinical guidelines on the management of menorrhagia in both primary and secondary care. The guidelines, which are funded by the Department of Health, are expected to be published later this year.

  Accident and Emergency Departments
  Miss Kirkbride
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health who has the ultimate responsibility for determining whether the accident and emergency departments at the(a) Alexander Hospital in Redditch and (b) Kidderminster General Hospital close. [27159]

  Ms Jowell
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State.

  Opencast Mining
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects his Department's joint research with the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions into the effects of opencast mining on health to be made available; and if he will make a statement. [27117]

  Ms Jowell
  This research, which started in August 1996, is being undertaken at Newcastle University and is expected to be completed in October this year, although it is unlikely that the results will be published until early in 1999.

  St. Bartholomew's Hospital
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received on the future of Bart's Hospital; and when he expects to make a statement on his decision. [27372]

  Ms Jowell
  We received a large number of representations on the future of St. Bartholomew's Hospital. Its future has been discussed with managers, clinicians and local people.

  The Government announced their response to the Turnberg report in a statement to the House on 3 February 1998, Official Report, columns 843–46. We have accepted all the recommendations in the report, including the recommendation that St. Bartholomew's Hospital should not close.

  As part of our ten year programme to modernise London's health services Bart's will continue in its present role while other hospital developments in east London take place; Bart's will then concentrate its renowned specialist expertise on cancer and cardiac services.

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list by grade the number of officials in his Department at grade 3 or above who have(a) taken early

  775
  retirement, (b) taken official leave, (c) been dismissed, (d) changed jobs within the Department, (e) moved to another Department and (f) been offered and rejected an alternative position (i) within the Department and (ii) in another Department since 1 May. [27454]

  Mr. Boateng
  Since 1 May 1997, at Grade 3 equivalent or above in the Department, 1 Grade 1 and 2 Grade 3 equivalents have taken early retirement; records of annual leave are not kept centrally; none have been dismissed; none have changed jobs within the Department; 1 Grade 2 equivalent has moved to another department on promotion; and none have been offered and rejected alternative positions either within the Department of Health or other departments.

  NHS Board Appointments
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 12 January 1998,Official Report, columns 155–56, if he will publish the full text of (a) the guidance given to regional chairmen in June on NHS board appointments and (b) the guidance given by regional chairmen to council leaders in June when requesting nominations for NHS board appointments, together with accompanying documentation in each case. [27811]

  Mr. Dobson
  Copies of the guidance have been placed in the Library.

  Percentages

  Review Body

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  Apr. 1994

  Jan. 1995

  Apr. 1996

  Dec. 1996

  Apr. 1997

  Dec. 1997

  Apr. 1998

  Dec. 1998

  AFPRB

  1.5

  2.7

  0.9

  2.6

  2.7–3.3

  1.0

  2.00

  1.0–1.4

  2.00

  1.75–2.2

  DDRB

  1.5

  3.0

  —

  2.5–3.0

  2.8–5.8

  1.0

  2.00

  1.4

  2.00

  4.2–5.2

  NPRB

  1.5

  3.0

  —

  11.0

  12.0

  —

  2.00

  1.3

  2.00

  1.80

  STRB

  1.5

  2.9

  —

  2.7

  2.75

  1.0

  2.00

  1.3

  2.00

  1.80

  SSRB

  Senior Military

  20

  2.75

  —

  3.2

  2.9–4.6

  1.0

  2.00

  0.75–4.0

  2.00

  0.3–5.0

  Judiciary

  20

  2.75

  —

  32.5

  2.90

  1.0

  2.00

  1.0–5.0

  2.00

  3.50

  Senior Civil Service

  20

  2.75

  —

  2.5

  4—

  —

  —

  —

  4—

  —

  Average

  Recommendation

  —

  3.1

  52.7

  54.0

  3.3

  3.9

  Award (In-year)

  1.5

  3.1

  52.7

  53.3

  2.4

  2.7

  1 Initial increases in central pay scales, supplemented by local pay negotiations.

  2 The Pay Review Bodies were asked not to report in 1993.

  3 To implement a recommendation in the 1994 SSRB report, the Judiciary receive an additional 0.63–2.48 per cent. annual increase for five years from 1 April 1995.

  4 For the Senior Civil Service, new pay ranges were set in 1996–97 and increased by 2.75 per cent, in 1997–98 and 3.5 per cent in 1998–99. Within these ranges, individual performance-related increases were staged on the same basis as other groups.

  5 Excluding Nurses whose pay was supplemented by local pay negotiations.

  Individual Savings Account
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to publish the findings of the consultation exercise on the ISA Green Paper; and if he will place the full results in the Library at the end of the consultation period. [24881]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  [holding answer 23 January 1998]: The consultation exercise allows the Government to draw on the widest possible range of experience and expertise. An appropriate summary of the findings of the consultation exercise will be made available after details of the scheme have been announced.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to answer the letter from the hon. Member for Totnes of 15 December concerning Michael Ashley of Southdown College, Mill Lane, Brixham, and his treatment for haemophilia. [27813]

  Mr. Boateng
  My noble Friend Baroness Jay replied on Wednesday 4 February.

TREASURY

  Public Sector Pay
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the effective annualised increase in public sector pay for those workers covered by the Pay Review Bodies for each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [24743]

  Mr. Darling
  [holding answer 23 January 1998]: The following table shows the pay settlements for the groups covered by the Review Body on Armed Forces Pay (AFPRB), the Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration (DDRB), the Review Body for Nursing Staff, Midwives, Health Visitors and Professions Allied to Medicine (NPRB), the School Teachers' Review Body (STRB) and the Review Body on Senior Salaries (SSRB).

  Framework Arrangements (Northern Ireland)
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the litigation in the European Court of Justice on the use of framework arrangements in Northern Ireland; what discussions he has held with other departments on the implications for procurement procedure; and if he will place in the Library the Reasoned Opinion of the European Commission of 2 May 1997 and the response by the Northern Ireland section of his Department of 25 May 1997. [27701]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  The European Commission has announced its decision to refer the United Kingdom to the European Court of Justice concerning the use of framework arrangements for the award of contracts to
  777
  which EC Directives on public procurement apply. The United Kingdom does not accept that the directives have been breached and will continue to put its case forcefully, if necessary. The case has been discussed with departments.

  The Commission's Reasoned Opinion and the United Kingdom's response of 25 July 1997 cover complex and delicate issues which might not be raised before the Court. They are considered by both parties as confidential between them and I am unable to place these documents in the library. If the case goes ahead, details of it will of course be available in the judgment of the Court.

  Euro
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effect of the sale of excess reserves of(a) gold and (b) foreign currency by central banks participating in the euro on (i) world gold prices and (ii) international exchanges. [27528]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Developments in the world gold market are kept under continuous review as part of the normal process of managing the official reserves.

  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what period he expects the United Kingdom would be required to keep the pound in a fixed relationship with the euro before the United Kingdom were to join the Economic and Monetary Union. [27815]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The interpretation of the criteria set out in Article 109j of the Maastricht Treaty is a matter for collective discussion between EU Heads of State and Government when they meet in May to decide which Member States meet the conditions for Stage Three of EMU.

  It is not the Government's intention to rejoin the ERM. The Government believe that what is important for exchange rate stability is macroeconomic stability achieved through sound fiscal and monetary policies. The Government's new framework for macroeconomic policy and programme of structural reforms will deliver the macroeconomic stability the UK economy needs before we can join EMU. The Government do not believe that ERM membership is the best way to achieve stability or convergence.

  Bank of England Bill
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the European Monetary Institute's opinion concerning the Bank of England Bill under Article 109f(6) of the Treaty establishing the European Community and Article 5.3 of the Statute of the EMI. [28493]

  Mr. Darling
  I have today placed copies of the opinion in the Libraries of the House.

  Savings
  Mr. Fallon
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of non-taxpayers without an interest-bearing account. [26234]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  Inland Revenue can make no estimate of this from its own records.
  778
  In household surveys, about 40 per cent. of adults aged 16 and over who report a gross income below their personal tax allowance also report that they hold no interest-bearing accounts. This would imply a total of about 8 million adult non-taxpayers with no interest-bearing accounts in the population. Similar sources yield an estimate of about 6 million children under 16 holding no interest-bearing accounts.

  Competition Policy (Ministerial Meetings)
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which ministers in his Department have attended meetings in connection with policy on competition. [27681]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  I am responsible for the Treasury's interests in competition policy as part of the wider growth agenda. Other Ministers' responsibilities may, on occasion, involve competition issues.

  Beef Industry
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the revenue lost to the Treasury as a result of the recent decline in sales and employment in the beef sector. [22595]

  Mr. Darling
  Information on revenue from beef sales and employment levels in the beef sector is not held centrally. However, MAFF, the other Agriculture Departments, and HM Treasury have commissioned an independent study which aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of the economic impact of BSE across the UK economy and the regions. The study, which includes an assessment of the public expenditure and employment effects of the BSE crisis, is currently being finalised and will be published shortly.

  Orion Trust
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what further discussions the Paymaster General has had with the Permanent Secretary to the Treasury since 14 December concerning Orion Trust and TransTec shares; [25533]

  (2) what information the Paymaster General has provided to him on the circumstances leading to the transfer of TransTec shares to the Orion Trust on 30 April 1997; [25532]

  (3) what reasons the notes to the accounts of Stenbell Ltd. describe the Paymaster General as a beneficiary of the Orion Trust rather than a potential discretionary beneficiary; [25531]

  (4) what part the Paymaster General had in the selection of Richmond Corporate Services as trustees of the Orion Trust; [25541]

  (5) if the "Geoffrey Robinson personal settlement" financed or guaranteed the money which enabled Stenbell Ltd. to purchase the Paymaster General's TransTec shares. [25530]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  [holding answers 26 January 1998]: I refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Sevenoaks (Mr. Fallon) on 13 January 1998, Official Report, column 169.
  779
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what letters of wishes the Paymaster General has written to the Orion trustees. [25529]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  [holding answer 26 January 1998]: The Paymaster General has complied with the Ministerial Code of Conduct.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Treasury Press Office received the information that the Paymaster General had suggested to Orion that it buy TransTec shares. [25543]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  [holding answer 26 January 1998]: The question refers to the Paymaster General's interview with The Observer on 13 December. As is the standard practice, a Treasury Press Officer was in attendance.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Permanent Secretary to the Treasury will reply to the letter of 12 December from my right hon. Friend the Member for Hitchin and Harpenden (Mr. Lilley). [25534]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  [holding answer 26 January 1998]: He has done so.

  Offshore Trusts (Taxation)
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will ensure that papers relating to taxation of offshore trusts and tax enforcement are not passed to the Paymaster General. [25539]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  [holding answer 26 January 1998]: I refer the right hon. Member to the second of my answers to the right hon. Member for Hitchin and Harpenden (Mr. Lilley) of 10 December 1997, Official Report, column 576. Decisions on the taxation of offshore trusts and tax enforcement are a matter for me.

  Tax Affairs (Confidentiality)
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with the Paymaster General concerning the possibility of the Paymaster General waiving his right to confidentiality in his tax affairs. [25542]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  [holding answer 26 January 1998]: None.

  Paymaster General (Press Statement)
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Permanent Secretary to the Treasury approved in advance the statement and accompanying document issued by the Treasury Press Office on 8 December concerning the Paymaster General. [25536]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  [holding answer 26 January 1998]: The Permanent Secretary was consulted on whether it was appropriate to issue the statement on Treasury headed paper. After seeing the text, he agreed that it was.

  Titmuss Gainer, Delheny Letters
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what contacts(a) the Chief Press Officer and (b) other Treasury civil servants have had with Titmuss Gainer, Delheny subsequent to the issue of their letters of 8 December. [25538]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  [holding answer 26 January 1998]: All Treasury officials have acted in line with established Civil Service guidance.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received concerning the accuracy of the Treasury press release of 8 December 1997 containing the Titmuss Sainer, Dechert letters to The Sunday Times and The Observer. [25540]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  [holding answer 26 January 1998]: None, apart from standard Press inquiries, Parliamentary Questions and the points raised in the Adjournment Debate on 21 January.

  Paymaster General (Financial Affairs)
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the amount of Treasury resources, including press office time, devoted to dealing with the queries surrounding the Paymaster General's financial affairs. [25537]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  [holding answer 26 January 1998]: All such queries were handled within existing Treasury resources. To disaggregate running costs in the way that is requested would be disproportionately expensive, and is not a practice pursued by previous Governments.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Sterling
  Mr. St.Aubyn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations she has received from exporters on the current value of the pound. [25697]

  Mrs. Roche
  Ministers and officials in my Department hold regular meetings with representatives of the business community. Exports and the current value of the pound are among the many issues discussed.

  Inward Investment
  Mrs. May
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the estimated level of inward investment into the United Kingdom this year. [25707]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The full results for 1997–98 will be announced later this year in the IBB Annual Report. There have, though, already been some notable successes including the ACER peripherals investment in Cardiff which will create 1,000 jobs, Pfizer's announcement of a £109 million expansion to their research centre in Kent, creating 1,000 new jobs; Cadence Design Systems of the US investment in Scotland creating 1,895 jobs and Capital One, one of the largest US credit card issuing companies locating in Nottingham creating 600 new jobs. This is
  781
  clear evidence that the UK continues to be the preferred location for internationally mobile companies who wish to compete on a global scale.

  Far East (Economic Instability)
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussion she has recently held with her counterparts in Asian countries to discuss trading conditions following the recent economic difficulties in the region; and if she will make a statement. [25709]

  Mrs. Beckett
  During my recent visit to China and Hong Kong I discussed this with senior members of the Chinese and Hong Kong SAR Governments.

  Post Office (Liverpool)
  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations she has received on the Post Office's proposals for mail distribution services in Liverpool; and if she will make a statement. [25710]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  My right hon. Friend has received representations about Royal Mail's proposals for mail processing services in Liverpool from hon. Members representing Merseyside constituencies, from Liverpool City Council, from the Communication Workers Union and from individual post office employees and members of the public. I understand that Royal Mail is currently assessing an alternative proposal which has been submitted to them by the CWU.

  Low Pay Commission
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she expects the Low Pay Commission to report. [25711]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  We have asked the Low Pay Commission to report with its recommendations by the end of May 1998 at the latest.

  Oil and Gas Reserves
  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the current estimate of oil and gas reserves in the United Kingdom. [25712]

  Mr. Battle
  Details of the UK's oil and gas reserves can be found in the Department's 1997 Energy Report, which is available in the Library of the House.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the level of awareness of the need to take action on the millennium compliance of computer systems in the private sector. [25713]

  Mrs. Roche
  Surveys indicate a relatively high level of awareness, some as high as 90 per cent. However, we remain concerned that many businesses, particularly small and medium ones, are still not taking the necessary action to tackle the millennium bug. DTI's initiative—Action 2000—will, as part of its programme of work, undertake research specifically to benchmark the current levels in business across the board. The outcome will ensure that Action 2000's programme is properly focused.

  Look-alike Products
  Mr. Quinn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions have taken place between her Department and the British Brands Group about look-alike products. [25714]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  The Department has had a number of discussions with the British Brands Group about look-alikes, most recently in meetings on 23 November 1997. I met representatives of the BBG with a number of colleagues on 20 January 1998. I am grateful to the BBG for the helpful material they have supplied and which is the subject of discussions with DTI officials.

  Defence Industry (Chelmsford)
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what measures she is taking to help workers in defence-related industries in the Chelmsford area who have been made redundant as a result of the peace dividend; and if she will make a statement. [25715]

  Mr. Battle
  My Department maintains close contact with local organisations which are working in partnership to address immediate redundancies in the Chelmsford area and long-term dependence on defence related manufacturing.

  KONVER funding is being used for retraining and to provide support to start-up businesses.

  Business Performance
  Ms Southworth
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations she has received from business about the development of policies to improve Britain's business performance. [25716]

  Mrs. Beckett
  Through my Competitiveness UK initiative and through other contacts, I have had extensive discussions with a wide range of businesses.

  South-East Asia
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on trade with south-east Asia. [25717]

  Mrs. Beckett
  In 1997, UK exports of goods to South East Asia were worth £16.7 billion, 2 per cent. higher than a year earlier. The value of imports from the region increased by 4½ per cent. to £29.2 billion. Information on UK trade in services is not available for many of the countries in South East Asia, nor for the region as a whole.

  Details of UK trade in goods with each of the countries in the region are given in the following tables.

  UK Exports—Goods

  £ million, current prices

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  percentage change on 1996

  Burma

  19

  13

  15

  21

  15

  -28.3

  Thailand

  664

  749

  838

  974

  862

  -11.5

  Laos

  1

  1

  3

  5

  3

  -41.7

  Vietnam

  17

  63

  60

  50

  95

  91.2

  Cambodia

  3

  2

  3

  3

  2

  -26.6

  Indonesia

  331

  366

  525

  828

  701

  -15.3

  Malaysia

  966

  1,310

  1,197

  1,160

  1,205

  3.9

  783

  UK Exports—Goods

  £ million, current prices

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  percentage change on 1996

  Brunei

  324

  418

  1,254

  562

  560

  -0.4

  Singapore

  1,431

  1,769

  2,071

  2,145

  2,043

  -4.7

  Philippines

  306

  355

  432

  395

  600

  51.8

  S Korea

  796

  971

  1,153

  1,304

  1,223

  -6.2

  Taiwan

  668

  735

  962

  941

  1,034

  9.8

  Hong Kong

  2,170

  2,298

  2,655

  2,923

  3,211

  9.8

  China

  739

  845

  828

  739

  920

  24.6

  Japan

  2,654

  3,001

  3,783

  4,264

  4,178

  -2.0

  SE Asia

  11,090

  12,898

  14,781

  16,315

  16,653

  2.1

  UK Imports—Goods

  £ million, current prices

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  percentage change on 1996

  Burma

  9

  14

  9

  14

  19

  41.6

  Thailand

  771

  914

  1,040

  1,188

  1,222

  2.9

  Laos

  0

  2

  14

  7

  6

  -13.7

  Vietnam

  22

  66

  107

  160

  194

  21.5

  Cambodia

  1

  2

  8

  22

  25

  12.1

  Indonesia

  701

  783

  904

  981

  1,029

  4.9

  Malaysia

  1,397

  1,204

  1,489

  2,380

  2,025

  -14.9

  Brunei

  308

  294

  126

  292

  337

  15.4

  Singapore

  1,618

  1,896

  2,206

  2,573

  2,714

  5.5

  Philippines

  277

  244

  352

  895

  761

  -15.0

  S Korea

  1,080

  1,095

  1,562

  2,038

  2,239

  0.8

  Taiwan

  1,621

  1,582

  1,727

  2,088

  2,342

  12.1

  Hong Kong

  2,998

  3,081

  3,539

  4,073

  4,349

  6.8

  China

  1,327

  1,642

  1,940

  2,202

  2,495

  13.3

  Japan

  8,532

  8,831

  9,635

  8,994

  9,410

  4.6

  SE Asia

  20,661

  21,651

  24,658

  27,907

  29,167

  4.5

  Source:

  Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom, HM Customs and Excise.

  Competitiveness
  Ms Dari Taylor
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps she is taking to assist British companies to improve their competitiveness. [25718]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Bradford, South (Mr. Sutcliffe).

  Economic and Monetary Union
  Mr. Bradshaw
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what progress her Department has made in preparing United Kingdom businesses for EMU. [25719]

  Mrs. Beckett
  My noble Friend the Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe, who is a Minister in both the DTI and the Treasury, has been appointed as Minister responsible for business preparations.

  My Department has worked with the Treasury to produce a Booklet "EMU: Practical Information for Business", some 65,000 copies of which have been distributed. My Ministerial colleagues and officials also emphasise the need for firms to prepare for the single currency in their contacts with business. To reinforce this approach, the Government are also planning an awareness and information campaign to alert British business to the effects of EMU from 1 January 1999 and help them prepare.

  Electricity Industry
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the future of competition in the electricity industry. [25720]

  Mr. Battle
  PA and OFFER have recommended that the roll out of electricity supply competition start in September and the industry has endorsed this proposal. Customers will benefit from new price controls which will take effect on 1 April and from penalties on the public electricity suppliers which will take effect from the end of April.

  University Capital Equipment
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action her Department is taking to make up the shortfall in university capital equipment identified in the Dearing report. [25722]

  Mr. Battle
  The issue of university infrastructure and equipment needs is being considered within the Comprehensive Spending Review. In the meantime, the Government have demonstrated their commitment to maintaining state of the art equipment within UK universities through the increased funding of £13 million provided by the Research Councils, the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) and the Department for Education and Employment for the 1997 round of the Joint Research Equipment Initiative (JREI). This raised the total amount of public funds for this round of the scheme to over £34 million, which with the associated contributions from the private sector, has provided research equipment worth some £80 million. We also announced in January that the JREI would continue on an annual basis.

  Manufacturing
  Mr. Burden
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the prospects for manufacturing industry. [25723]

  Mrs. Beckett
  Through our Competitiveness UK initiative and commitment to macro-economic stability, the Government are determined to create a climate in which all business, including manufacturing, can prosper.

  Coal Industry
  Mr. John Cryer
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the long-term future of Britain's coal industry. [25691]

  Mr. Battle
  The future of the UK coal industry will be influenced by many factors, some of which are currently the subject of reviews initiated by the Government, others of which are the subject of action already taken by the Government. I believe that the Government will be better placed to report to the House on their views of the future of the industry once we are in a position to report on the outcomes of those reviews.

  Utilities (Regulation)
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she expects the review of utility regulation to present its findings; and if she will make a statement. [25694]

  Mr. Battle
  I hope to be in a position to publish the conclusions of the Review on utility regulation in a Green Paper in the near future. Following publication, there will be a period of consultation during which all interested parties will have the opportunity to submit representations on any proposals for change. I do not propose to make a statement in advance of publication.

  EU Structural Funds
  Ms Atherton
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what progress the Government have made in obtaining objective 1 status for Cornwall. [25708]

  Mrs. Roche
  In its communication "Agenda 2000", published on 16 July 1997, the Commission outlined in general terms its approach to the reform of the Structural Funds. We expect the Commission to publish more detailed draft regulations covering the future operation of the Funds in March or April this year. These draft regulations, covering the period 2000–2006, will then need to be negotiated in the Council of Ministers and approved by the European Parliament. Only once the final regulations have been agreed will we know which specific regions or areas will be eligible for Structural Funds. I and other Ministers have raised the specific treatment of Cornwall and other similar UK areas with low per capita GDP directly with the Commission. The Government will be working hard to ensure an outcome which is fair to the UK's regions and to the UK as a whole.

  Overseas Travel
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is her estimate of the cost of Ministerial overseas travel in her Department in(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97 and (c) 1997–98 to date. [26598]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The estimated costs of Ministerial overseas travel for the years 1995–96, 1996–97 and 1997–98 to date are as set out.

  Year

  £

  1995–96

  399,000

  1996–97

  443,000

  1997–98

  176,000

  British Coal Corporation
  Yvette Cooper
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what arrangements have been put in place for the future management of the British Coal Corporation. [28564]

  Mrs. Beckett
  At the end of December 1997, most of the Corporation's remaining property was transferred to the Coal Authority, and the outstanding actual and contingent liabilities for accident and health damage claims were transferred to the DTI. In light of the greatly reduced scale of activity, I have decided that the future management of the Corporation should be provided from 786
  within the DTI (Coal Directorate) at 1 Victoria Street, London SW1H OET. I have accordingly appointed Mike Atkinson as Corporation Chairman with effect from 1 January 1998. I have no immediate plans for the dissolution of the Corporation.

  Working Time Directive
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the extension of working time controls to sectors excluded from the Working Time Directive. [27529]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The European Commission issued a White Paper on the sectors and activities excluded from the Working Time Directive on 15 July last year. The White Paper was discussed by the Social Affairs Council on 15 December. As yet, the Commission has made no formal proposals to extend working time controls to the excluded sectors and activities.

  Clean Coal Technology
  Mr. Prior
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on her Department's support for clean coal technology. [25721]

  Mr. Battle
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Normanton (Mr. O'Brien) on 26 January 1998,Official Report, column 54.

  Medicines (Retail Price Maintenance)
  Dr. Brand
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate she has made of the cost to public funds of the referral of retail price maintenance of over-the-counter medicines to the Restrictive Practices Court by the Office of Fair Trading; and if she will publish this estimate. [26804]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  [holding answer 4 February 1998]: Referrals to the Restrictive Practices Court are a matter for the Director General of Fair Trading. I am asking him to write to the hon. Member.

  Racing Newspapers
  Mr. Caplin
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) if she will make a statement on the proposed transfer to Mirror Group plc of the assets of The Racing Post and the right to use the title name; [26936]

  (2) what assessment she has made of the percentage of the United Kingdom's existing racing newspaper market covered by (a) The Racing Post and (b) The Sporting Life. [26937]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  I announced today that I have given my consent, under section 58 (4) of the Fair Trading Act 1973, to the transfer of The Racing Post, and its assets, from The Racing Post Limited to Mirror Group plc, without a reference to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission. In coming to this decision, I took into account all relevant considerations.

  Concessionary Fuel Agreement
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade on what statutory basis he has decided to change existing entitlements to concessionary fuel as set out in the 1983 Concessionary Fuel Agreement. [22234]
  787
  Mr. Battle
  We are required to ensure that, as a major purchaser of solid fuel, our purchasing does not discriminate between suppliers of fuels. Such discrimination is unlawful under Article 30 of the EC Treaty (Treaty of Rome) and under Articles 4 and 63 of the ECSC Treaty (Treaty of Paris). In addition, the Public Procurement Supplies Directive (93/36/EEC) imposes obligations of non-discrimination, spelt out particularly in the provisions relating to technical specifications. It is necessary that required specifications are not used in a potentially discriminatory manner. Specification of manufactured smokeless fuel products by brand name is not permitted.

  Hydrogen-fuelled Vehicles
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proposals the Government have to assist research into the use of hydrogen as a fuel in the internal combustion engine. [25492]

  Mr. Battle
  The Government are supporting research at the University of Loughborough on novel techniques for the storage of hydrogen fuel. In addition, proposals have been invited under the Foresight Vehicles LINK Programme, covering the supply, distribution and provision for refuelling, of gaseous fuels for road vehicles, and also for on-board storage and re-forming of methane into hydrogen for use in fuel cells.

  Radioactive Wastes
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for Truro and St. Austell (Mr. Taylor) of 10 June 1997,Official Report, column 415, on radioactive wastes, what progress has been made with the negotiations between BNFL and ENEL on the return of reprocessed Magnox radioactive wastes; and if she will place in the Library a copy of the exchange of letters between the United Kingdom and Italian Governments on the option to return wastes to Italy. [27245]

  Mr. Battle
  BNFL continues to negotiate with ENEL on the form and timescale of return of wastes from the reprocessing of the latter's Magnox fuel.

  I have arranged for the letters between the British and Italian governments dated 29 February and 12 April 1984 and a translation into English of the Italian letter to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Nuclear Fuel
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the total volume of spent nuclear fuel imported for reprocessing for each year since 1990 broken down to show(a) high level, (b) intermediate level and (c) low level waste, indicating countries of origin. [26979]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 2 February 1998]: Reprocessing of imported spent nuclear fuel is carried out at British Nuclear Fuels' site at Sellafield and by the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority at its Dounreay site. All spent nuclear fuel imported is categorised as high level.

  While it is not possible to give figures for each year since 1990, in the period from 1 April 1990 to 31 March 1997, over 1,700 tonnes of spent nuclear fuel, which is
  788
  categorised as high-level nuclear material, was imported for reprocessing in the United Kingdom. This material originated from Australia, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Spain and Switzerland.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Pensioner Incomes
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the gross annual cost of increasing the basic state pension by(a) £5, (b) £10 and (c) £20 per week; what would be (i) the annual savings in means-tested benefits and (ii) increased Treasury receipts from income tax if the basic state pension was increased by (1) £5 per week, (2) £10 per week, (3) £20 per week; and what increase in national insurance contributions would be needed to meet the net cost of increasing the basic state pension by (A) £5 per week, (B) £10 per week, and (C) £20 per week. [24807]

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

  The additional costs of increasing basic state pension in 1998–99 by £5, £10 and £20 if contributory retirement pension (RP) only increased

  1998–99

  £5 increase

  £10 increase

  £20 increase

  Gross cost (£ million)

  2,380

  4,750

  9,510

  Income-related benefit offset (£ million)

  -630

  -1,210

  -2,220

  Income tax offset (£ million)

  -190

  -400

  -830

  National Insurance effects

  The Lower Earnings Limit would be increased to

  £69

  £74

  £84

  The Upper Earnings Limited would be increased to

  £520

  £560

  £635

  To offset the increase in net costs:

  The employees' NIC rate would have to be increased by

  0.4 percentage points

  0.9 percentage points

  1.9 percentage points

  The employers' NIC rate would have to be increased by

  0.2 percentage points

  0.5 percentage points

  1.1 percentage points

  The additional costs of increasing basic state pension in 1998–99 by £5, £10 and £20 if contributory retirement pension (RP) and linked benefits increase

  1998–99

  £5 increase

  £10 increase

  £20 increase

  Gross cost (£ million)

  2,860

  5,720

  11,440

  Income-related benefit offset (£ million)

  -750

  -1,450

  -2,710

  Income tax offset (£ million)

  -190

  -400

  -830

  National Insurance effects

  The Lower Earnings Limit would be increased to

  £69

  £74

  £84

  The Upper Earnings Limit would be increased to

  £520

  £560

  £635

  789

  The additional costs of increasing basic state pension in 1998–99 by £5, £10 and £20 if contributory retirement pension (RP) and linked benefits increase

  1998–99

  £5 increase

  £10 increase

  £20 increase

  To offset the increase in net costs:

  The employees' NIC rate would have to be increased by

  0.5 percentage points

  1.0 percentage points

  2.3 percentage points

  The employers' NIC rate would have to be increased by

  0.3 percentage points

  0.6 percentage points

  1.4 percentage points

  Notes:

  1. All estimates are rounded to the nearest £10 million.

  2. Gross costs were estimated by the Government Actuary's Department (GAD).

  3. The effect on income tax revenues were estimated by Inland Revenue.

  4. Means-tested benefit offsets were calculated using the 1995–96 Family Resources Survey and the May 1996 Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry, both uprated to 1997–98 prices, benefits and earnings levels, and calibrated to the forecasts underlying the 1997 Departmental Report.

  5. The lower earnings limit and the upper earnings limit are legally linked to the rate of basic State pension; The Class 2 and Class 3 rates are all tied to the basic State pension rate by convention. GAD have assumed that all these limits and rates will continue to be linked to the RP rate. Hence altering the basic State pension rate has an automatic knock-on effect on several aspects of the contributions system.

  6. Inland Revenue are not able to estimate the effect of increasing the linked benefits on income tax revenues. The net costs of increasing contributory RP and the linked benefits have therefore been calculated by subtracting the estimated increase in income tax receipts from increasing contributory RP only from the net DSS costs of increasing contributory RP and the linked benefits.

  7. Since income related benefits and income to tax revenues do not form part of the NI Fund, the revenue raised from increasing National Insurance Contribution rates on the basis shown will be insufficient to meet the extra expenditure falling on the Fund from the stated benefit increases.

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will list by grade the number of officials in her Department at grade 3 or above who have(a) taken early retirement, (b) taken official leave, (c) been dismissed, (d) changed jobs within the Department, (e) moved to another Department and (f) been offered and rejected an alternative position (i) within the Department and (ii) in another Department since 1 May. [27450]

  Mr. Denham
  From 1 April 1996, the Department moved away from grades for staff previously at grade 5 and above, to a system based on nine overlapping paybands. Posts were scored in a range of 7 to 22, using Job Evaluation of Senior Posts (JESP) methodology. Posts with a JESP score of 13 or above are considered to be equivalent to grade 3 or above.

  Since 1 May 1997, no officials have taken early retirement; no officials have taken official leave; no officials have been dismissed; one civil servant in a post with a JESP score of 16 has changed jobs within the Department; three civil servants in posts with JESP scores of 13, 16 and 20 respectively have moved to another Department; no officials have been offered and rejected an alternative position within this Department or another Department.

  Periodicals
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is her estimate of the expenditure of her Department on newspapers and magazines in(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98 to date and (d) 1997–98 full year; and if she will list the newspapers and magazines purchased or subscribed to on a regular basis. [26622]

  Mr. Field
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is set out. Offices of the Department's Agencies also subscribe to publications; however, details of these are not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Expenditure on newspapers and magazines

  Year

  £

  1995–96 (approximate)

  68,000

  1996–97

  74,058

  1997–98 to date

  72,002

  1997–98 (estimated outturn for year)

  87,514

  The Department subscribes to a wide range of publications including all of the major daily and weekend newspapers.

  Magazines currently purchased include:

  The Actuary

  American Economic Review

  Anbar Abstracts

  Anti Poverty Matters

  Bank of England Quarterly Bulletin

  Benefits and Compensation International

  The Big Issue

  Byte

  Campaign

  CCTA Technology Update

  Community Care

  Current Research in Social Security

  Disability Now

  Economic Trends

  Economist

  Equal Opportunities Review

  Europe Daily Bulletin

  European Social Policy

  Family Matters

  Financial Adviser

  Findings: Joseph Rowntree Foundation

  Government Business

  Health and Safety at Work

  Health Service Journal

  Housing Review

  Housing Today

  IBIS Review

  IDS Pension Service Bulletin

  Interfaces

  International Social Security Review

  Internet Magazine

  Investors Chronicle

  Journal of Documentation

  791

  Journal of European Social Policy

  Journal of Political Policy

  Journal of Social Security Law

  Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law

  Labour Market Quarterly Report

  Lancet

  Legal Action

  Management Today

  Managing Information

  Money Management

  Municipal Journal

  National Institute Economic Review

  Nature

  New Law Journal

  New Scientist

  New Statesman

  Occupational Health

  Occupational Pensions

  OECD Observer

  Official Journal of the European Communities

  Online

  Oxford Economic Papers

  PC Magazine

  Pensions Age

  Pensions Management

  Personal Computer World

  Political Quarterly

  Press Gazette

  Private Eye

  Records Management Journal

  Roof

  Scientific American

  Social Policy and Administration

  Social Policy Bulletin

  Social Security Abroad

  Spectator

  Taxation

  Total Quality Management

  Trends in Social Security

  Voluntary Voice

  Volunteering

  The Week

  Welfare Rights Bulletin

  What Investment

  Which

  Work, Employment and Society

  Working Brief

  Empty Properties
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is her estimate of the(a) annual and (b) total value of the empty properties owned by (i) her Department, (ii) agencies and (iii) other public bodies for which she has responsibility, in (a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98 to date and (d) 1997–98 full year. [26621]
  792
  Mr. Field
  When calculating the cost to the department of "empty properties" it has been assumed that reference was being made to properties that are wholly vacant and not to vacant space within the department. The value of such Crown properties has been calculated to be £429,000. The last valuation exercise was conducted in June 1995, information for 1996 to date could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The amount of commercial rent that is payable on the property that is also vacant, for the period 1997–98 is approximately £1.01 million.

  There are properties on the estate that have been identified as having space that is vacant, but as the building is still used to house staff employed by the department these properties have not been included in calculating the figures used in this response. The disposal of surplus space has formed part of the recently signed PRIME contract whose aim is to reduce the overall running costs to the department of the space needed to deliver the department's business.

  Theft and Fraud
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is her estimate of the cost of theft and fraud to(a) her Department, (b) its agencies and (c) non departmental public bodies, in (i) 1995–96, (ii) 1996–97 and (iii)1997–98 to date. [27747]

  Mr. Denham
  The estimated cost of theft and detected internal fraud within the Department of Social Security for the years 1995–96 and 1996–97 is shown in the table. It is not yet possible to provide costing figures for the year 1997–98.

  £000

  Agencies

  1995–96

  1996–97

  BA

  1,190

  693

  CSA

  27

  5

  CA

  23

  22

  WPA

  1

  0

  ITSA

  6

  33

  HQ

  16

  30

  Department total

  1,263

  783

  Note:

  The estimated cost figures for non-departmental public bodies for 1995–96 is £300 and nil cost for 1996–97.

  The previous administration estimated the level of benefit fraud at around £4 billion a year. The Government are currently examining the estimate of fraud in the light of further analysis of the findings of the ongoing programme of benefit reviews.

  Contract (Criteria)
  Mr. Woolas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to apply best value criteria to the awarding of contracts for provision of accommodation and office services for her Department. [26538]

  Mr. Field
  Bids from the private sector will be tested against the criteria outlined in my accouncement of 31 July 1997 to ensure that service delivery proposals work and that they are fair to customers, taxpayers and staff. They will establish a minimum quality of service thereshold that must be met; give priority to flexible service delivery, controlled through robust quality
  793
  monitoring systems that ensure high performance; and test bidders' plans for managing people against our new strengthened criteria and concern for staff issues. Contracts will not be awarded unless they meet these criteria, no matter how low the price.

  Child Care Disregard
  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimates were made for take-up of the child care disregard on family credit prior to its introduction; what percentage of family credit claimants actually receive the child care disregard; and what assessment she has made of the reasons underlying the take-up rate. [25632]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The original estimate was that, in the long term, 150,000 families would benefit from the child care disregard.

  The latest figures available, as at August 1997, for Family Credit recipients with an allowed claim for child care costs are set out in the table:

  Number

  Percentage

  Number of Family Credit recipients

  757,000

  Number with allowed claim for help with child care

  37,000

  4.9

  of which receiving no extra benefit

  5,000

  0.7

  of which receiving extra benefit

  32,000

  4.2

  Source:

  Family Credit 5 per cent. sample of all awards.

  It is not possible to assess the reasons underlying the level of take up as the take up estimates produced for the income-related benefits do not provide estimates of component elements such as the child care disregard.

  The number of families who benefit from the child care disregard reflects the lack of affordable, quality child care. The development of a National Child Care Strategy will seek to ensure that the provision of affordable, quality child care meets the needs of parents so that they may successfully balance their family and working lives.

  Councillors' Allowances
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to her answer of 22 January 1998,Official Report, column 671, on councillors' allowances, if she will list concessions in the benefits system which are available to councillors but not to other people. [25859]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  Neither Jobseeker's Allowance nor Income Support are payable to people who work for 16 hours a week or more on average. Work done as a councillor does not count towards the 16 hours allowed before benefit entitlement ceases.

  Travel allowances paid to councillors, including those from home to council offices, are also ignored for benefit purposes. For other part-time employees, work related expenses, including travel expenses, are not disregarded.

  Lone Parents
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 22 December 1997,794
  Official Report, column 465, for the period 23 July 1997 to 23 January 1998, how many (a) letters were sent out to lone parents, (b) lone parents attended interviews or booked appointments, (c) lone parents agreed to continue to participate following an interview, (d) lone parents found jobs, (e) lone parents failed to respond to the initial letter sent to them and (f) lone parents declined to participate following an interview with a personal adviser. [27540]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  Sufficient data to evaluate the results of the New Deal for Lone Parents are not yet available, and conclusions cannot be drawn from early figures. A full report of the New Deal for Lone Parents will be published in 1999. The impact of the first phase will be measured by comparing outcomes for lone parents in the New Deal areas with the outcomes for lone parents in a similar, but geographically separate, group of control areas where the New Deal service is not yet available.

  Information on the operation of the New Deal for Lone Parents is available up to and including 31 December.

  As at 31 December 1997:
  16,311 first invitations had been issued to lone parents.
  5,240 initial interviews had been arranged, and 3,404 lone parents had attended interviews.
  2,728 lone parents had agreed to participate in the New Deal for lone Parents following initial interviews.
  1,015 lone parents have found jobs following agreement to participate in the New Deal for Lone Parents programme.

  Information on the number of lone parents who have failed to respond to initial letters is not available from the Management Information Statistics reports which are kept on New Deal for Lone Parents. However, Personal Advisers will follow up initial letters with further contacts.

  676 lone parents have declined to participate in the New Deal for Lone Parents programme following an interview with a personal adviser.

  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many lone parents through the New Deal for Lone Parents(a) have been sent letters, (b) have obtained employment and (c) of those who obtained employment were in full-time employment on 1 February. [27698]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  Data for 1 February 1998 are not yet available. As of 31 December 1997, 16,311 lone parents had received initial letters through the New Deal for Lone Parents; 1,015 lone parents had obtained employment; of which 755 were in full-time employment.

  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many lone parents who have obtained work through the New Deal for Lone Parents scheme are aged(a) between 21 and 25, (b) between 26 and 30, (c) between 31 and 35, (e) between 36 and 40 and (f) over 40 years of age. [27699]
  795
  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The information requested is set out in the table.

  Number of lone parents who have obtained work through the new deal for lone parent by age groups as of 31 December 1997

  Age Group

  Number of lone parents who have obtained jobs

  21–25

  139

  26–30

  219

  31–35

  249

  36–40

  220

  over 40

  155

  Mr. Sarwar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is her estimate of the number of lone parents who are(a) in work and (b) not in work. [25648]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  We estimate that there are around 730,000 lone parents in work and 930,000 out of work.

  Notes:
  These figures are derived from the latest Department of Social Security estimates of the total number of lone parents in 1996–97, and from the Spring 1997 Labour Force Survey which suggests that around 44 per cent of lone parents in Great Britain are in work.
  "In work" includes those lone parents who are employed, self-employed and in Government training schemes on a part-time or full-time basis.
  Figures rounded to the nearest 10,000.

  Absenteeism
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will estimate the rates of absenteeism in her(a) Department, (b) agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies, for (i) 1995–96, (ii) 1996–97 and (iii) 1997–98 to date; and if she will make a statement. [26620]

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

  Days sickness absence per member of staff per year for 1995

  Days sickness absence

  Department overall

  11.8

  BA

  12.7

  CA

  12.5

  CSA

  13.4

  ITSA

  9.7

  WPA

  13.0

  HQ inc ISBs

  10.5

  Notes:

  1. The table shows the number of days of sickness absence per member of staff per year. It includes overall Departmental figures, plus Agencies and Headquarters separately.

  2. The Headquarters figure includes all non-departmental public bodies.

  3. The figures are available in the occupational Health and Safety Agency published reports, copies of which are in the library.

  4. 1996 figures are due to be published shortly. 1997 figures are not yet available.

  Lost and Stolen Items
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will list those items valued at more than £25 stolen or lost from her Department since 1 May 1997; and if she will make a statement. [27748]
  796
  Mr. Denham
  The information is not available. The Department does not separately maintain centralised records of individual items stolen.

  Conferences
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will list the conferences held by her Department since 1 May 1997, giving in each case the(a) purpose and (b) estimated cost. [27749]

  Mr. Denham
  The information is not available as it is not held centrally. Such information as is available is as follows.

  Expenditure brought to account on Management Conferences for Departmental staff between 1 May and 31 December is £958,201.

  Additionally expenditure brought to account on seminars for employers on National Insurance issues between 1 May and 31 December is £17,376.

  Fraud
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement on the basis on which estimates of the annual cost of benefit fraud are made. [27923]

  Mr. Denham
  The previous administration based estimates of the level of benefit fraud on the findings of the on-going programme of Benefit Reviews. Copies of published Benefit Reviews are available in the Library. The Government are currently examining the estimate of fraud in the light of further analysis of the results of the Benefit Review programme.

  Income Support
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will estimate the saving to the Exchequer from unclaimed income support in respect of pensioners; how much has been spent by her Department directly on advertising income support entitlement to the elderly; and if she will make a statement. [27894]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The Department's spending plans assume existing levels of take-up of benefits, taking into account any observed trends. Unclaimed benefit does not, therefore, represent a saving on published spending plans. Latest estimates are that between £670 million and £890 million of Income Support was unclaimed by around a million pensioners in 1995–96. We are determined to get help to this group, and have already commissioned research to find out why they do not make a claim. From April, we will be spending £15 million on a number of pilot projects to find the best way of encouraging them to make a claim.

  In 1996–97, the Benefits Agency spent over £5 million on publicising all benefits. It is not possible to identify how much of that figure directly related to Income Support for the elderly.

  Ministerial Meetings
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement on the meetings of 17 December between her Minister and
  797
  (a) the Social Affairs Commissioner in Strasbourg and (b) Members of the Employment and Social Affairs Committee in the European Parliament. [27700]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  I met Commissioner Flynn and, separately, Members of the Employment and Social Affairs Committee of the European Parliament as part of a series of bilateral contacts in preparation for the UK Presidency of the European Union. I used the opportunity to explain the UK's Presidency priorities in the Social Security field and to listen to the views of both Commissioner Flynn and MEPs about the UK's plans.

  I explained that the priorities in the Social Security field would complement the key UK Presidency theme of employability and tackling unemployment. In particular, the UK Presidency would seek to reach agreement on the draft Directive on Supplementary Pensions aimed at protecting pension rights for employed and self-employed people who take up employment in another Member State. The UK would also work towards agreement on legislation and other action to modernise and improve the long-standing rules that coordinate the operation of Member States' statutory Social Security schemes for people moving between Member States.

  Child Support Agency
  Ms Keeble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the current study of the Child Support Agency literature will be complete; and when the revised material will be produced. [26212]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  We expect the Child Support Agency to provide an efficient and effective service to all its clients.

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

  Letter from Faith Boardman to Ms Sally Keeble, dated 4 February 1998:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the current study of Child Support Agency literature.
  The current study is examining the Agency's most frequently used literature. It is due to be completed by April 1998 when it will make recommendations on the future development and review of all Agency literature. To date, it has reviewed and simplified around 60 forms and leaflets in accordance with Plain English standards and 16 key forms have been awarded the Plain English Campaign's Crystal Mark. Some forms have also been amalgamated.
  Offices are already using the new revised literature as stocks of existing literature become exhausted. It is not possible therefore to give specific dates when the new literature has been or will be used.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will list the numbers of people in respect of the Benefit Integrity Programme(a) assessed to date by postal questionnaire, (b) assessed to date by interview, (c) in (a) who have had their disability living allowance reduced, (d) in (b) who have had their disability living allowance reduced, (e) in (c) who have appealed against the reduction, (f) in (d) who have appealed against the
  798
  reduction, (g) in (e) who have succeeded in their appeal and (h) in (f) who have succeeded in their appeal. [26511]

  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 Benefits 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 4 February 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to recent Parliamentary Question regarding the numbers of people in respect of the Benefit Integrity Programme (BIP) (a) assessed to date by postal questionnaire, (b) assessed to date by interview, (c) in (a) who have had their disability living allowance reduced, (e) in (c) who have appealed against the reduction, (f) in (d) who have appealed against the reduction, (g) in (e) who have succeeded in their appeal and (h) in (f) who have succeeded in their appeal.
  The number of people whose award of Disability Living Allowance (DLS) has been re-examined as part of BIP at 31 December is 40,615. Of these, 25,638 cases have been dealt with by postal enquiry and 7,515 have been visited. A further 7,462 cases where a short term award of DLA was approaching renewal, have bee dealt with by asking for further medical evidence to support the renewal application.
  Of the cases dealt with by postal enquiry, 3,520 have had their benefit reduced, this includes 1,274 whose benefit has been stopped and of the cases dealt with by visit, 845 have had their benefit reduced, this includes 153 whose benefit has been stopped.
  The first recourse of anyone who is dissatisfied with a decision to reduce the amount of their benefit is to request a review of that decision by a different Adjudication Officer. Data concerning reviews is not available until the review outcome is known so it is not possible to tell you how many people in each category have requested a review. However, of the 3,520 postal cases where benefit has been reduced/stopped, 783 have been reviewed of which 162 have been increased (119 of these have been increased back to—or higher than—the rate in payment before BIP postal enquiry). Of the 845 visit cases whose benefit has been reduced/stopped, 59 have been reviewed leading to 12 increases (9 of these have been increased back to the rate in payment before the BIP visit).
  Anyone dissatisfied with the review decision is entitled to appeal to an Independent Tribunal. At 31 December, 311 Appeals have been received but no cases have been heard by the Independent Tribunal Service.
  I hope you find the reply helpful.

  Tribunal Appeals
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assistance is available to applicants for disability benefits for obtaining medical evidence in support of tribunal appeals. [25738]

  Mr. Denham
  The administration of Disability Living Allowance is a matter for Peter Mathison, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. David Kidney, dated 4 January 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question regarding what assistance is available to applicants for disability benefits for obtaining evidence in support of tribunal appeals.

  799
  Claims for Disability Living Allowance (DLA) are decided by independent adjudicating authorities who are specially appointed under legislation for the purpose. They are responsible for deciding if the conditions for entitlement are satisfied.
  Entitlement to DLA is primarily based upon the needs of a customer arising from their disability or illness rather than the diagnosis of a customer's illness or disability. The self assessment statement provided by a customer detailing their needs is therefore the principle factor in determination of a claim. The onus for providing this evidence lies with the customer. There has been a move away from the reliance of a medical assessment and more emphasis is placed upon a person's day to day care and mobility needs. The customer is considered best placed to know the practical effects of the disability.
  In the majority of claims for DLA an Adjudication Officer (AO) can determine the application based upon the self assessment information provided. The AO may find that there is sufficient evidence on the balance of probability and make a decision in favour of, or against, the customer. An AO must however, request factual evidence from other sources, if this is required to make an accurate and fair decision. A customer has the opportunity to request a visit from an independent doctor on the initial application forms.
  Similarly, in keeping with other decisions on DLA the emphasis on decisions made by Disability Appeal Tribunal's (DATs) is on the customer's own evidence of how their disability or illness affects them rather than a purely medical assessment. There may be some situations where further medical information may be the only way a DAT could reasonably reach a decision. For these cases procedures are in place whereby a medical examination can be undertaken or other medical information collected prior to the DAT hearing. It is also open for an appellant to produce any supportive evidence from carer's or other sources which can be presented to the tribunal.
  I hope you find the reply helpful.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Education Spending
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the average amount spent per pupil in Shropshire relative to the national average for those of(a) primary and (b) secondary school age for each year from 1991–92 to 1996–97. [27104]

  Mr. Byers
  The table sets out the net institutional expenditure per pupil in LEA maintained pre primary/primary schools and secondary schools from 1991–92 to 1996–97 for Shropshire LEA and England. Expenditure on pupils in GM schools is not included.

  LEA maintained schools cost per pupil

  Pre-primary, Shropshire

  primary England

  Shropshire

  Secondary England

  1991–92

  1,497

  1,469

  2,349

  2,145

  1992–93

  1,590

  1,583

  2,509

  2,256

  1993–94

  1,577

  1,630

  2,354

  2,245

  1994–95

  1,605

  1,661

  2,413

  2,270

  1995–96

  1,573

  1,687

  2,384

  2,286

  1996–97 Provisional

  1,613

  1,733

  2,445

  2,333

  National Curriculum
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has for introducing international development into the National Curriculum. [27172]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  There are already requirements and opportunities for pupils to study issues related to international development through the National Curriculum, particularly in geography and history. The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority is due to give formal advice this Spring on the scope and nature of possible revisions to the National Curriculum after 2000. Meanwhile, the new flexibility in the primary curriculum will give schools more opportunity to offer intentional development education if they wish.

  Pupil:Teacher Ratio (Shropshire)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will estimate the pupil:teacher ratio in Shropshire for the(a) maintained nursery, (b) primary and (c) secondary sectors for (i) 1997–98 and (ii) 1998–99. [27103]

  Mr. Byers
  Information on pupil:teacher ratio estimates for individual Local Education Authorities is not available.

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the pupil:teacher ratio for Shropshire for the(a) maintained nursery, (b) primary and (c) secondary sectors for each year since 1992. [27105]

  Mr. Byers
  The available information is shown in the table:

  Pupil:teacher ratios in maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools in Shropshire As at January in each year

  Year

  Nursery schools

  Primary schools

  Secondary schools1

  1992

  10.0

  21.5

  15.2

  1993

  15.0

  22.0

  15.6

  1994

  21.8

  23.1

  16.1

  1995

  22.1

  23.3

  16.2

  1996

  20.9

  24.3

  16.5

  1997

  21.3

  24.4

  16.5

  1 Excludes Sixth Form Colleges

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list by grade the number of officials in his Department at grade 3 or above who have(a) taken early retirement, (b) taken official leave, (c) been dismissed, (d) changed jobs within the Department, (e) moved to another Department and (f) been offered and rejected an alternative position (i) within the Department and (ii) in another Department since 1 May. [27458]

  Dr. Howells
  Since 1 May 1997, 3 officials at Director (broadly equivalent to the former grade 3) level in DfEE (including the Employment Service) have taken early retirement, none have taken official leave and none have
  801
  been dismissed. Two have moved to posts at Director level on promotion, 1 has returned to DfEE at this level having been on loan to another Department and 1 has returned to the Department at this level after a secondment to an outside organisation. No one at Director level has moved to another Department or been offered and rejected an alternative position, either within the Department or in another Department. None of the circumstances listed have applied to anyone at Director General (broadly equivalent to the former grade 2) level and above in DfEE since 1 May 1997 although further restructuring of the DfEE Board later this year is likely to involve 1 early retirement and 1 change of job.

  Qualifications Curriculum Authority
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the annual budget of the Qualifications Curriculum Authority. [25784]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply on 1 December 1997,Official Report, column 11. I expect the Authority to submit its Corporate Plan to my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, in the very near future. He will then determine the Authority's grant in aid. My Department has indicated to the Authority that a sum of around £53 million will be available.

  Argentina: Arms Embargo Exception
  Argentina: Arms Embargo Exception
  Intelligence and Security Services: Nationality Rules
  Intelligence and Security Services: Nationality Rules
  Government Departments in Central London: Parking Spaces
  Government Departments in Central London: Parking Spaces
  Cotswold Way National Trail
  Cotswold Way National Trail
  Byways: Vehicle Management
  Byways: Vehicle Management
  Farm Incomes
  Farm Incomes
  Beef and Sheep Producers: Support Package
  Beef and Sheep Producers: Support Package
  Welfare to Work Scheme Costs
  Welfare to Work Scheme Costs
  Hyundai Plant, Dunfermline
  Hyundai Plant, Dunfermline
  Scotland Bill: Notes on Clauses
  Scotland Bill: Notes on Clauses
  Commonwealth Development Corporation
  Commonwealth Development Corporation
  Zimbabwe: Aid
  Zimbabwe: Aid
  Uganda: Aid
  Uganda: Aid
  Library Services
  Library Services
  Ministers' "Partners": Official Status
  Ministers' "Partners": Official Status
  Stamp Duty on Stock Transfers
  Stamp Duty on Stock Transfers
  Petrol Stations: Liquor Licences
  Petrol Stations: Liquor Licences
  Juveniles: Secure Remand Places
  Juveniles: Secure Remand Places
  Maternity Allowance Payments
  Maternity Allowance Payments