Written Answers of 11 February 1998

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those visits made within the United Kingdom since 1 May on which(a) he and (b) other Ministers within his Department have been accompanied under Rule 83 of the Ministerial Code indicating (i) those persons accompanying and (ii) the cost to public funds. [23758]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 19 January 1998]: Since 1 May 1997, neither my Ministers nor I have been accompanied, within the United Kingdom, under the terms of Rule 83 of the Ministerial Code.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) in each of the last 12 months how many Czech and Slovak asylum seekers arrived at Dover; and how many applied for asylum(a) in their own right and (b) as dependants; [27382]

  Applications1 for asylum from nationals of the Czech Republic and Slovakia lodged at the Port of Dover, by recorded outcome, February 1997 to January 1998

  Month of application

  Applications received

  Of which:

  Granted asylum

  Granted exceptional leave to enter

  Refused 2

  Withdrawn

  February 1997

  10

  —

  —

  10

  —

  March 1997

  15

  —

  —

  10

  —

  April 1997

  5

  —

  —

  5

  —

  May 1997

  20

  —

  —

  15

  —

  June 1997

  30

  —

  —

  20

  5

  July 1997

  40

  —

  —

  25

  5

  August 1997

  50

  —

  —

  45

  —

  September 1997

  65

  —

  —

  50

  5

  Octoper 1997

  130

  —

  —

  90

  20

  November 1997

  20

  —

  —

  10

  10

  December 1997

  15

  —

  —

  10

  —

  January 1998

  *

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Total

  400

  —

  —

  295

  50

  1 Provisional figures rounded to the nearest 5 with * = 1 or 2.

  2 Includes refusals on the grounds that the applicant had arrived from a safe third country and non-compliance refusals for failure to provide evidence to support the asylum claim within a reasonable period.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy that he and his Ministers personally read the letters sent to them by hon. Members on constituency matters. [27673]

  Mr. Straw
  It has been my policy and that of my junior Ministers to read letters from hon. Members on constituency matters and that will remain the case.
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  (2) in each of the last 12 months how many of the Czech and Slovak asylum seekers who applied at Dover subsequently withdrew their applications; [27383]

  (3) in each of the last 12 months how many of the Czech and Slovak asylum seekers who applied at Dover were (a) dranted refugee status, (b) granted exceptional leave to remain and (c) refused; [27384]

  (4) how many Czech and Slovak asylum seekers who, having applied at Dover and were refused asylum, have (a) appealed against the decision and (b) had their appeal determined; and what has been the outcome of the appeals which have been determined. [27385]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The available information is given in the table.

  Of the 400 Czech and Slovak nationals who applied for asylum at the Port of Dover in the period 1 February 1997 to 31 January 1998, 190 have appealed to Immigration Adjudicators. Of these, 75 appeals have been dismissed or withdrawn and one has been allowed. These figures exclude dependants.

  It is estimated that, during the period 1 February 1997 to 31 January 1998, a total of 580 dependants arrived with Czech and Slovak asylum applicants at the Port of Dover. I regret that it is not possible to provide an accurate breakdown of this figure by date of application.

  In the case of the one appeal which was allowed, the Adjudicator recommended that the case should be reviewed within six months.

  Overseas Travel
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his estimate of the cost of Ministerial overseas travel in his Department in(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97 and (c) 1997–98 to date. [26680]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 5 February 1998]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Rotherham, (Mr. MacShane) on 9 February 1998, Official Report, columns 16–17.
  209

  Theft and Fraud
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his estimate of the cost of theft and fraud to(a) his Department, (b) its agencies and non-departmental public bodies in (i) 1995–96, (ii) 1996–97 and (iii)1997–98 to date. [27787]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 5 February 1998]: The estimated cost of losses to the Home Office, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) from reported fraud and theft is summarised in the table:

  £000

  1995–96

  1996–97

  11997–98

  Core department Agencies NDPBs

  148.8

  56.4

  19.9

  Agencies

  56.5

  129.9

  40.0

  NDPBs

  116.0

  —

  49.0

  1Figures for 1997–98 relate to April-September 1997, the latest available.

  Official Hospitality
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his current estimate of the expenditure of his Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies on hospitality since 1 May 1997. [27790]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 5 February 1998]: The current estimate of the expenditure by my Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies on all forms of hospitality since 1 May 1997 is as follows:

  £000

  Department

  18,460

  Agencies

  31,896

  Non-departmental public bodies

  7,729

  Total

  58,085

  Buildings Refurbishment
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his estimate of the cost of buildings refurbishment carried out by his Department in(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98 to date and 1997–98 full year; and if he will make a statement. [26679]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 5 February 1998]: The recorded expenditure on buildings refurbishment by the Home Office, including the Prison Service, is as follows:

  £ million

  Year

  1995–96

  34.2

  1996–971

  31.1

  1997–98 to date

  23.5

  1997–98 full year (estimated)

  36.3

  1 From 1996 the figures include the common user estate properties inherited from Property Holdings on I April 1996.

  Note:

  The figures include value added tax, but exclude professional fees.
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  Conferences
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the conferences held by his Department since 1 May 1997, giving in each case the(a) purpose and (b) estimated cost. [27789]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 5 February 1998]: The conferences held by my Department since 1 May 1997, with purpose and estimated costs, are as follows:

  Ferrers Trophy Award (28 May 1997)
  Purpose: An annual event at which special constables are awarded for their achievements in carrying out their duties.
  Cost: £633.09
  Launch of Management and Assessment of Risk Resource Pack and training materials (30 June 1997)
  Purpose: To launch new pack for use by probation services.
  Cost: £2,347.00
  Home Office/Probation Chairs and Chiefs conferences-review and planning (8–9 September 1997, 3–4 November 1997, 17–18 November 1997,1–2 December 1997)
  Purpose: Review and planning of work of Probation Service and opportunity for exchange of ideas.
  Cost: £22,061.00

  National training conference (8–10 October 1997)
  Purpose: To improve training for probation staff, attended by training providers, Probation Unit, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Probation and probation services.
  Cost: £1,600.00

  Speeding up Youth Justice (15 October 1997)
  Purpose: To discuss faster and more efficient youth offender proceedings.
  Cost: £8,490.25
  "The Home Office—The Future"—Senior Management Conference (24 October 1997)
  Purpose: To introduce the revised Departmental Aims and Home Office Statement of Purpose and to discuss their implications for the management of the Department.
  Cost: £10,463.90

  Prisons—Probation Review brainstorming conference (28 October 1997)
  Purpose: Exchange of ideas to assist newly established review team-chaired by the Minister of State, Home Department, my hon. Friend the Member for Gateshead, East and Washington, West (Ms Quin), and attended by interoseed parties from prisons, probation, the academic world and voluntary organizations.
  Cost: £3,980.00

  Community Fire Safety Task Force Report (3 November 1997)
  Purpose: To launch the consultation period of the Community Safety Task Force Report.
  Cost: £2,144.38

  Parenting Seminar (10 November 1997)
  Purpose: To consider what might be the right aims and means for Government in promoting successful parenting.
  Cost: £3,967.00

  The Philip Lawrence Awards (12 December 1997)
  Purpose: To mark outstanding achievement in citizenship by young people with their involvement in activities in crime prevention, combating lawlessness and violence, drug prevention. community safety and racial harmony.
  Cost: £54,000.00 (includes some costs for promoting the Awards over the next year).
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  New probation officer recruitment and training scheme (14 January 1998)
  Purpose: To consider new scheme, expected to be put in place by autumn 1998.
  Cost: £18,000.00
  Home Office/Association of Chief Officers of Probation Conference on inter-agency work with potentially dangerous offenders and risk/needs assessment tools (20–21 January 1998)
  Purpose: To share knowledge and best practice and provide information on different types of tools.
  Cost: £18,000.00

  Informal Meeting of Justice and Home Affairs Ministers of the European Union (29–30 January 1998)
  Purpose: The first of nine such meetings to be hosted by Government Departments during the United Kingdom Presidency of the European Union.
  Cost £382,176.00

  Criminal Justice Conferences
  Overall Purpose: Inter-agency criminal justice conferences to stimulate and support co-operation and understanding in order to maximise the quality and efficiency of the criminal justice system.

  Fairness for Ethnic Minority Groups West Midlands/ Warwickshire Area Committee (10 June 1997)
  Cost: £6,050.00

  Criminal Justice Consultative Council members and Area Committee Chairmen (20–21 June 1997)
  Cost: £7,400.00

  Mentally Disordered Offenders: the case for better inter-agency strategies Thames Valley Area Committee (22 July 1997)
  Cost: £5,800.00

  Inter-agency work with Dangerous Offenders (10–12 September 1997)
  Cost: £16,630.00

  Serious and Persistent Young Offenders Humberside/South Yorkshire Area Committee (14 October 1997)
  Cost: £4,880.00

  Relationship between the Area Committee and Local User Groups Gloucestershire/Wiltshire Area Committee (27 October 1997)
  Cost: £4,157.00

  Meeting the Needs of Victims and Witnesses (National) (18–19 November 1997)
  Cost: £7,630.00

  Meeting the Needs of Victims and Witnesses (National) (1–2 December 1997)
  Cost: £10,500.00

  Reducing Young Offending Merseyside Area Committee (10 December 1997)
  Cost: £6,646.00

  The Response to Rape Victims Northumbria/Durham Area Committee (13–14 January 1998)
  Cost: £10,580.00

  Drugs and Criminal Justice (28–30 January 1998)
  Cost: £15,500.00.

  Secure Units
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the current weekly cost of keeping a youngster in a secure unit; [27937]

  (2) what was the age of the youngest (a) male and (b) female being kept in a secure unit for young offenders in England and Wales, on 10 February; [27939]
  212
  (3) how many (a) males and (b) females were held in secure units for young offenders in England and Wales, as of 1 February. [27938]

  Ms Quin
  Local authority secure units accommodate a number of categories of young people. Those for whom my right hon. Friend is responsible are convicted under section 53 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933. On 30 January 1998, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 182 of these: 170 male and 12 female. The youngest male detainee on that date was aged 11 years and 8 months; the youngest female, 13 years and 9 months. Costs vary from unit to unit, but the average weekly placement rate at 1997–98 prices was £2,628.

  Speed Cameras
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions have resulted from the installation of speed cameras in the Dyfed Powys Police area; and what estimate he has made of their effect on the number of accidents on the roads concerned. [27974]

  Mr. Michael
  Information available centrally shows that ten prosecutions resulted from the use of automatic speed cameras in the Dyfed Powys Police area in 1995 and 38 in 1996. Information is not available centrally to show how many prosecutions may have occurred from the use of other speed enforcement devices of a portable nature.

  I understand from the Chief Constable of Dyfed Powys that the Force targeted roads on which excessive speeds were known to occur rather than accident black spots. There is therefore no information available on the impact of the use of these cameras on local accident statistics in Dyfed Powys. However, I can refer the hon. Member to the evaluation of the effectiveness of automatic speed and traffic light cameras in reducing traffic casualties which we published in 1996. ("Cost benefit analysis of traffic light and speed cameras"). A copy is in the Library.

  Prisons (Costs)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current cost per week of keeping an inmate in a(a) high security prison, (b) a normal security prison, (c) an open prison and (d) a young offenders' institution. [28239]

  Ms Quin
  For the period April 1997 to December 1997, the average cost per week for keeping a prisoner in a dispersal prison was £677; a category B, category C and local prison was £337; an open prison was £291; and a young offender institution was £346.

  These figures are net current expenditure and exclude headquarters costs. These will be brought together at the end of the financial year. Headquarters costs will be assimilated at the end of the financial year.

  Prison Population
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what projections he has made of the prison population in each year to 2005. [28013]
  213
  Ms Quin
  The figures requested are given in the table. The projection on which the table is based is the central or regression projection which assumes that trends in sentencing which have been observed over the last 20 or so years continue. Alternative scenarios are available which give a prison population by 2005 of 92,600 (custody rates increase at about the rate observed between 1992 and 1996, or of 64,400 (custody rates and sentence lengths remain at 1997 levels). The latest long term projections of the prison population in England and Wales were published in a Home Office Statistical Bulletin issue 2/98) on 29 January 1998. The bulletin describes the methodology of the projections in more detail.

  Projected prison population 1998–2005 Total prison population in England and Wales by year—central projection

  Year

  Number

  1998

  65,000

  1999

  69,600

  2000

  72,200

  2001

  73,700

  2002

  75,800

  2003

  78,000

  2004

  80,400

  2005

  82,800

  Handguns (Compensation)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his Department intends to accept MPC valuations for handguns compensation. [28281]

  Mr. Michael
  Valuations by Managers and Processors of Claims are certainly among the sources used by the Firearms Compensation Section when assessing claims from individual shooters under Option C of the Compensation or Ex Gratia Schemes, but they do not provide conclusive evidence of value. Claims under Option C from firearms dealers must be supported by documentary evidence, in the form of invoices or equivalent documentation, of the cost to the dealer of the goods surrendered. Valuations in themselves cannot replace this evidence needed for these types of claim.

  Prison Officers (Maternity Leave)
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what special arrangements are available to help women's prisons which do not share a site with a men's prison to accommodate their requirements for maternity leave among prison officers. [28007]

  Ms Quin
  No special arrangements exist. However, the normal arrangement to meet critical shortfalls of staff availability is to supply detached duty staff from other establishments. Exceptionally, where a critical shortfall can be forecast (for instance in the case of cumulative staff absences on maternity leave) and this exceeds the nominal allowance for leave and sick absence, governors are advised to make bids for extra funding to cover this contingency.

  Alcohol (Petrol Stations)
  Ms Shipley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria govern the issue of licences to sell alcohol to garages and petrol stations. [28310]
  214
  Mr. George Howarth
  Garages, defined as premises which are primarily used to sell petrol or to sell or maintain motor vehicles, are disqualified from holding a liquor licence. For any other premises, applications must be made in the usual way to licensing justices. They must be satisfied that the applicant is a fit and proper person, and they are not rosericted in what they may take into account when deciding an application.

  Offences Against the Person
  Judy Mallaber
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to reform the law on non-fatal offences against the person. [29353]

  Mr. Straw
  Last July I announced the Government's decision to accept the principle of the Law Commission's proposals for reform of those offences mainly contained in the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.

  I have today issued a consultation document containing the Government's proposals on how the law might be reformed, together with a draft Bill. Copies of the consultation document have been placed in the Library. This is an important document demonstrating the Government's commitment to modernising and improving the law, and to genuine consultation on specific, considered proposals.

  Our proposals are largely based on those contained in the Law Commission's Report No. 218 "Offences Against the Person and General Principles", but they are not identical to those of the Law Commission. The law has developed since the Law Commission first published their report and on some issues we have taken the opportunity to review the law further, while on others we have taken a somewhat different view from that of the Law Commission.

  There are important and difficult issues set out in the consultation document. We are not seeking to introduce new offences but to clarify and rationalise the existing law. I urge all those concerned about this issue to read this paper and respond to it.

  Firearms Consultative Committee
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the current status is of the Firearms Consultative Committee; how many times it has met during the last two years; and what plans he has regarding future meetings of the committee. [28983]

  Mr. Michael
  The Firearms Consultative Committee (FCC) is a statutory body which was set up for an initial period of five years under section 22 of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988. Its existence was last extended to the Firearms Consultative Committee Order 1996 made under that Act. It is due to expire on 1 February 2000 unless a further order is made. Its composition and purpose remains as set out in section 22 of the 1988 Act.

  The Firearms Consultative Committee held nine meetings in 1996 and four meetings in 1997. It has met once to date in 1998.

  The Government have made it clear that they intend to look again at firearms controls once all handguns have been banned to see whether other measures are needed to

  215
  safeguard the public. As part of this process we shall consider any views from the FCC and will also look carefully at the role and composition of the FCC itself.

  EEA Nationals
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for(a) EEA family permits and (b) residence permits or leave to remain as the spouse of an EEA national exercising Treaty rights have been refused since 1 February 1997 on the grounds that the entry clearance officer took the view that the marriage was one of convenience. [28294]

  Mr. Fatchett
  I have been asked to reply.

  Figures on refusals of EEA family permits and residence permits or leave to remain as the spouse of an EEA national on the grounds of marriage of convenience are not available centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Television Licence Fee
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to extend the concessionary television licence fee scheme to cover all households where all the occupants are of pensionable age. [28946]

  Mr. Fisher
  The Government have no plans to do so. To provide £5 concessionary licences for all pensioner households would cost approximately £437 million annually in lost television licence fee revenue.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is the(a) target and (b) average length of time for his Department to answer letters from the public; and what proportion of letters are answered within the target period. [28922]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 10 February 1998]: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has a target of 18 working days to answer letters from members of the public. The average length of time the Department takes to answer this type of correspondence is 16.65 days. The proportion of letters which are answered within the target period is 70.1 per cent.

  Winnie the Pooh Toys
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has received urging the return to the UK of the original stuffed toys of the Winnie the Pooh stories. [27921]

  Mr. Fisher
  I have received no such representations, apart from that of my hon. Friend. Contrary to recent reports in the press, Winnie, Tigger, Kanga, Eeyore and Piglet are quite happy in New York. They are well looked after and are seen there by many people.
  216

  Tourism
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the impact of the recent financial crisis in Far Eastern markets on tourism into the United Kingdom. [27495]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  I believe it is too early to say whether events in Asia will have long term effects on tourism into the UK. The British Tourist Authority's revised targets for 1998 predict that visitors from Asia will decline by up to 3 per cent. and expenditure by up to 5 per cent. in 1998. Past experience suggests there may be only a short term impact on tourism flows. The British Tourist Authority will continue to monitor the situation.

  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the impact on trends in the numbers of visitors to Britain from(a) South Korea, (b) Japan, (c) Indonesia, (d) Hong Kong, (e) Taiwan, (f) the rose of China, (g) Malaysia, (h) Thailand and (i) the Philippines as a result of the recent economic problems in Asia. [27511]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  The British Tourist Authority revised forecasts for 1998, based on the economic situation in Asia in November/December, are:

  South Korea: -5 per cent.

  Japan: 0 per cent.

  Indonesia: n/a1

  Hong Kong: -3 per cent.

  Taiwan: 0%

  Rose of China: +10 per cent.

  Malaysia: +1 per cent.

  Thailand: -3 per cent.

  Philippines: n/a1.

  1BTA does not produce individual forecasts for Indonesia and the Philippines.

  BTA will be reviewing these forecasts in April.

  Sports Council
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to ensure that the UK Sports Council is equipped to perform the role envisaged in the document, Creating Excellence in British Sport. [27677]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  On 16 December 1997 Sheffield was chosen as the preferred bidder to run the Headquarters site of the United Kingdom Sports Institute. The Sheffield Consortium are currently in discussion with the United Kingdom Sports Council regarding the management structure of the Institute in which the Council will have a significant role.

  Minimum Wage
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has received on the impact on tourism of a minimum wage. [27685]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  I have received representations on this subject from a number of companies and associations in the tourism, hospitality and leisure industry. The independent Low Pay Commission has received written
  217
  and oral evidence from a range of individuals and organisations, including many of the industry's representative bodies.

  National Lottery
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many grants made from National Lottery funds have been of amounts up to £25,000. [27398]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  To date 15,304 awards have been made for grants under £25,000. In addition, the Millennium Commission has made grants to around 16,000 people under the Millennium Awards scheme.

  Information on Lottery awards is now available on the Department's website www.lottery.gov.uk.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Medicine Prices
  Mr. Casale
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what studies her Department has carried out of the comparative price of over-the-counter medicines in the United Kingdom and the rose of the EU; and if she will publish those studies. [28861]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  None.

  Ms Drown
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate her Department has made of the total cost to public funds of the legal proceedings in the Roserictive Practices Court to be brought by the Office of Fair Trading in its attempt to end resale price maintenance on over-the-counter medicines. [28698]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  Referrals to the Roserictive Practices Court are a matter for the Director General of Fair Trading. I am asking him to write to my hon. Friend.

  Mergers and Acquisitions
  Ms Drown
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate she has made of the proportion of foreign investment in Britain represented by mergers and acquisitions. [28699]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  According to the results of the latest Overseas Direct Investment inquiries, conducted by the Office for National Statistics, net acquisition of UK companies' share and loan capital accounted for 48 per cent. of foreign direct investment into the UK during 1996.

  Net acquisition of share and loan capital covers acquisitions and mergers (net of disposals) over 10 per cent. and also includes cash injections by the overseas parent company into existing UK subsidiaries. "Green field" sites are not included in acquisitions or mergers.

  Arms Export Licences
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans her Department has to ensure the transparency and accountability of decisions on export licences for arms; and what steps she will be taking in the future to ensure this. [28715]
  218
  Mrs. Roche
  On 28 July 1997,Official Report, columns 26–29, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary announced the criteria to be used in considering individual applications for licences to export goods entered in Part III of Schedule 1 to the Export of Goods (Control) Order, or dual-use goods where there are grounds for believing that the end-user will be the armed forces or the internal security forces of the recipient country.

  The Foreign Secretary also stated that the Government would report annually on the state of strategic export controls and their application. An announcement will be made in due course.

  Petrol Sales
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what conclusions she has drawn from the Office of Fair Trading investigation into roserictive retail trade practices relating to petrol sales. [28680]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  I understand that the Director General of Fair Trading expects to complete his review of the wholesale and retail petrol market in the United Kingdom and publish the findings in March.

  Liquidation and Bankruptcy Procedures
  Mr. Sarwar
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to improve current liquidation and bankruptcy procedures. [28704]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  When Parliamentary time allows, I intend to introduce legislation to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the procedure for disqualifying unfit company directors. This will make it possible for a person who under the present law is or could be subject to an application for a disqualification order instead to give an undertaking to the Secretary of State which would have the same legal effects as a disqualification order made by a court. I also wish to make it easier for firms in financial difficulty to make voluntary arrangements with their creditors by introducing into the existing statutory framework the option of a moratorium to give the company's management a breathing space within which to put a rescue plan to creditors.

  A working party is reviewing the current state of regulation in the insolvency profession and recently issued a consultation paper "Insolvency Practitioner Regulation—Ten Years On". Responses to that will inform their final report to the Secretary of State and the insolvency recognised professional bodies. Another working party, chaired by Mr. Justice Ferris, is considering remuneration of office holders and is expected to report in the spring. These findings and conclusions of both groups will be given very careful consideration when received.

  Capital Goods and Project Exports
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps are being taken to consult exporters about ECGD's arrangements for providing support for capital goods and project exports. [29230]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The Minister for Trade is writing today to leading members of the exporting and financial community for their views on the current arrangements
  219
  and on options for change in the future. Copies of the consultation paper are being placed in the Library of the House and are publicly available from ECGD on request. The document will also be available on the ECGD internet site.

  The consultation paper reviews market development over the past 5 years and, without seeking to prejudge the outcome, asks whether changes to the UK system might now serve the interoses of the exporter and the taxpayer more effectively.

  We are asking for responses by 10 April so that the Government can decide on what should succeed ECGD's current Fixed Rate Export Finance (FREF) scheme, which is scheduled to expire at the end of June, and enter into the necessary negotiations.

  I hope the consultation document will stimulate serious debate about the best approach for delivering this Government's objective of ensuring UK capital goods and project exporters have access to competitive finance at acceptable public expenditure cost.

  Ministerial Travel
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list the engagements she undertook in the United Kingdom in the course of her duties during January indicating in each case which were accessed bycar,(b) train, (c) aeroplane and car, (d) aeroplane and train and (e) other means. [28942]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 10 February 1998]I undertook a number of engagements in the UK during January which were accessed by car and train.

  Combined Heat and Power
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the total installed capacity of combined heat and power schemes in Britain(a) in 1970,in 1980, (c) in 1990 and (d) at the latest available date; and what are the Government's targets for (i) 2000 and (ii) 2010. [28972]

  Electricity generation in 1994

  Generating capacity in 1994

  Total gross electricity generation GWh

  of which CHP GWh

  Percentage CHP

  Total gross installed electrical capacity MW

  of which CHP MW

  Percentage CHP

  Germany

  528,229

  47,752

  9

  114,811

  26,183

  23

  France

  476,337

  8,506

  2

  107,232

  2,920

  3

  UK

  325,402

  11,996

  4

  68,999

  3,042

  4

  Italy

  231,498

  26,477

  11

  64,150

  6,328

  10

  Spain

  161,775

  8,537

  5

  44,489

  1,533

  3

  Sweden

  143,039

  9,257

  6

  34,475

  2,808

  8

  Netherlands

  79,677

  31,543

  40

  18,348

  6,148

  34

  Austria

  54,645

  11,721

  21

  16,032

  3,246

  20

  Belgium

  72,236

  7,645

  11

  14,899

  1,806

  12

  Finland

  65,635

  20,312

  31

  14,148

  4,085

  29

  Denmark

  40,096

  13,198

  33

  10,604

  7,496

  71

  Greece

  40,623

  819

  2

  8,923

  218

  2

  Portugal

  31,380

  3,111

  10

  8,806

  991

  11

  Ireland

  17,105

  259

  2

  3,910

  67

  2

  EU total

  2,267,677

  201,133

  9

  529,826

  66,871

  13

  Source:

  Eurostat.
  220
  Mr. Battle
  Historic data on the installed electrical capacity of combined heat and power schemes in the United Kingdom are available only for the year in which surveys of CHP schemes were carried out. These are as follows:

  1977: 2,800 MWe

  1983: 2,250 MWe

  1988: 1,800 MWe

  1991: 2,300 MWe

  1996: 3,600 MWe.

  It is estimated that in 1997 installed capacity grew to about 3,750 MWe with a further 250 MWe under construction.

  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was, for each member country of the European Community,(a) the installed capacity of combined heat and power, (b) total electricity generation capacity and (c) CHP as a percentage of total electricity generation capacity, at the latest available date. [28973]

  Mr. Battle
  The latest available information on combined heat and power in the European Community relates to 1994 and is shown in the table.

  While the UK has a comparatively low percentage of electricity produced by CHP, the installed capacity of CHP schemes is the third largest in the Community. Countries with high proportions of electricity generated by CHP plants (Netherlands, Denmark, Finland and Austria) have publicly owned local district heating networks which can distribute the heat produced by CHP. District heating schemes of this type have not been economically attractive in the UK because of the generally shorter heating season and highly developed gas and electricity transmission networks.

  It should be noted that the definition of CHP can vary between countries. For some countries, the whole of the generating capacity of an installation is counted as CHP, even if only a small part of the heat produced is used. For the UK, for schemes that are CHP in part only, the corresponding portion of generating capacity is included rather than the entire capacity.
  221

  Departmental Overtime
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the average number of hours of overtime worked each week by the private office staff of the Minister for Competition and Consumer Affairs. [25827]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  [holding answer 28 January 1998]: It is an accepted feature of work in the Private Office that staff will be required to work additional hours. This continues to be the position.

  Research Masters
  Lorna Fitzsimons
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made by the pilot scheme for research masters; and if she will make a statement. [29392]

  Mr. Battle
  Four of the Research Councils have been supporting over two hundred students each year on research Masters or "MRes" courses on a pilot basis. This is the third year of the pilot, and there are currently some 235 students on over 30 courses.

  Continued monitoring by the Research Councils indicates that many courses are proving very successful. Some others—for a variety of reasons—have not fared so well. Overall, the MRes continues to make good progress, with courses providing high-quality research training and the students positive about their experience. The development of the MRes is further proof of the ability of UK higher education institutions to provide innovative, high-quality education. I am placing a copy of the latest report from the Research Councils, together with a related press statement, in the Library.

  Given the experience with the pilot and the need to subject all expenditure to periodic review, I have decided that the individual Research Councils should now be free to develop the MRes by reviewing and redefining their support. Reflecting the success to date, I would expect the level of the Councils' support for MRes studentships to continue at least to match the 1997 intake. The MRes must remain a self-standing degree, and its design, including a significant research component, should also be unchanged.

  I believe that these guidelines will provide the necessary framework for the Councils and institutions to develop the MRes for the future. The Councils will continue to monitor the MRes to determine, over time, its role in preparing students for employment and for a PhD.

  Trade Fairs
  Ms Hewitt
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will announce support for any more trade fairs abroad in the year ending 31 March 1999. [29391]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I announced in September the first parts of our programmes for supporting trade fairs, seminars and missions abroad. I am pleased to announce support in principle for another 146 trade fairs and 151 outward missions in the period up to 31 March 1999.

  I will place lists of the additional events in the Library of the House and inform organisations that bid for support, Business Links and recipients of my Department's Overseas Trade Magazine.
  222

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list those visits made within the United Kingdom since 1 May on which(a) she and (b) other Ministers within her Department have been accompanied under Rule 83 of the Ministerial Code indicating (i) those persons accompanying and (ii) the cost to public funds. [23753]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 19 January 1998]: Between 1 May 1997 and end January 1998, Mr. Beckett accompanied me on 17 visits, of which 6 involved a cost to public funds. The total cost was £238. In addition, the Minister of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Makerfield (Mr. McCartney) has been accompanied by Mrs. McCartney on 2 visits, neither involving cost to public funds.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Correspondence
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what is her policy for responding to letters received in the(a) Scottish Gaelic, (b) Welsh, (c) Urdu, (d) Hindi and (e) Chinese language. [28060]

  Clare Short
  We respond to all letters received no matter in what language. We normally reply in English.

  Phare and Tacis
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement about the future of the Phare and Tacis democracy programmes. [28853]

  Clare Short
  An independent evaluation of the Democracy Programme was conducted late last year, confirming the value of the programme. A new draft Regulation—the legal basis for the Programme—has been tabled before the European Council, extending the programme to the former Yugoslavia. The Funds—15 mecu per annum in 1998—are to be disbursed in two ways. Firstly, small-scale NGO projects, i.e. projects initiated by beneficiaries, will be selected by the network of EU Delegations. Secondly, a limited number of larger-scale projects will be developed, including a continuation of the joint programme with the Council of Europe and joint programmes with other international organisations. The Commission is to tender the contract for the administration of the programme, currently being run by the European Human Rights Foundation. The Commission does not intend for there to be a call for proposals in 1998.

  The Democracy Programme is complemented by the LIEN and Phare Partnership programmes, enhancing the capacity of non-governmental organisations and civil society development.
  223

  East Timor
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps Her Majesty's Government have taken to respond to the appeal by Jose Ramos-Horta for emergency food relief for the Indonesian territory of East Timor. [28636]

  Clare Short
  We have not provided relief but we have been monitoring the situation closely. We believe the situation is now under control. We are maintaining regular contact with our Embassy in Jakarta and the Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Geneva to keep the situation under review.

  Honduras
  Mr. Fitzpatrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the current British aid projects in Honduras. [28639]

  Clare Short
  Current British aid projects in Honduras are as follows:

  (i) Technical Cooperation programme

  £

  Project

  DFID contribution

  Conservation and Silviculture of Dry Zone Forest Species Project (CONSEFORH)

  881,000

  Wood Use Centre Project

  1,090,000

  (ii) Joint Funding Scheme project (50:50 funded by HMG and NGO)

  £

  Agency

  Project

  DFID contribution

  Based (UK)

  Tutorial Learning system (SAT) in the Honduran Mosquita

  45,456

  The tables do not include Joint Funding Scheme projects being supported through the block grants provided to certain agencies, as information on these will not be available until mid 1998.

  Nicaragua
  Mr. Fitzpatrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what are the aims of the Nicaragua Land Resources Monitoring Project. [28645]

  Clare Short
  The aim of the Land Resources Monitoring Project is to establish a sustainable remote sensing capability in the national environment protection agency, Ministerio Nicaraguanse de Recursos y del Ambiente (MARENA), which will provide information on forose fire risk, fire events and forose condition.

  Mr. Fitzpatrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list DFID's contribution to technical co-operation projects and to joint funding scheme projects in Nicaragua by individual project. [28644]
  224
  Clare Short
  The information is in the table.

  (i) Technical cooperation programme projects

  £

  Project

  DFID contribution

  Land Resources Monitoring Project

  513,000

  (ii) Joint Funding Scheme projects (funding shared 50:50 between HMG/NGO)

  £

  Agency

  Project

  DFID contribution

  CODA International

  Institutional Capacity Building Programme

  260,950

  Health Unlimited

  Community Health Care Programme

  301,162

  International Cooperation for Development

  Promoting Gender and Development with Women's and Mixed Organisations

  306,782

  MSI

  Developing Participative Programme Management Capacity

  106,520

  One World Action

  Community Health Care Programme

  127,995

  One World Action

  Support for Solidez

  78,859

  Y Care International

  Acahualinca Youth and Community Development

  33,450

  Y Care International

  Integrated Rural Community Development Programme

  122,883

  The table does not include Joint Funding Scheme projects being supported through the block grants provided to certain agencies, as information on these will not be available until mid 1998.

  Mexico
  Mr. Fitzpatrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the current British aid projects in Mexico. [28641]

  Clare Short
  Current British aid projects in Mexico are as follows:

  (i) Technical Cooperation Programme Projects

  £

  Project

  DFID contribution

  Livestock Production and Management of Rural Resources Project: Phase III

  1,449,021

  Chiapas Cloud Forest Conservation and Rural Development Project

  1,453,889

  Quintana Roo Forest Management Project

  1,336,500

  Manantlan Biosphere Reserve Management Project

  1,014,000

  Chimalapas Campesino Ecological Reserve Project

  2,204,215

  Focus on Results (Government Efficiency) Project

  310,000

  Strategic Assistance to the Programme of Modernisation of Public Administration 1995/2000

  157,292

  Impact of Wastewater Irrigation on Groundwater in Mezquital Valley

  317,010

  South East English Language Teaching Project

  94,000

  Western English Language Teaching Project

  108,475

  South Central English Language Teaching Project

  141,400

  Health Economics/Financing Project

  273,000

  Health Know How Programme

  500,000

  225
  (ii) Joint Funding Scheme Projects (funding shared 50:50 between HMG/NGS).
  Current Joint Funding Scheme projects in Mexico are being supported through the block grants provided to certain agencies. Detailed information on these will not be available until mid-1998.

  Sudan
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the aid given to the Sudan Government in each of the last three years, indicating the form in which that aid was given. [28664]

  Clare Short
  The bilateral aid programme to Sudan was suspended in 1991. Since then, UK aid has been given through United Nations and international non-government agencies to the poorose and most vulnerable groups in Sudan suffering the effects of famine and the continuing civil war. Details over the last three years are as follows:

  Bilateral emergency aid to Sudan 1994–95 to 1996–97

  £

  Year

  Food aid 1

  Disaster relief2

  Refugee relief

  Disaster preparedness

  Total

  1994–95

  5,314

  5,634

  995

  7

  11,950

  1995–96

  —

  3,358

  485

  —

  3,844

  1996–97

  1,283

  871

  287

  —

  2,441

  1DFID uses the World Food Programme as a means of delivering emergency food aid. These amounts are recorded as bilateral food aid as DFID has control over the decision to provide such food aid to a particular destination. Regular non-emergency provisions of food aid are not included in this table.

  2 DFID uses certain UN Agencies as a means of delivering emergency assistance to individual countries. These amounts are recorded as bilateral disaster relief as DFID has influence over the use and destination of funds.

  Inter-governmental Documents
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many staff she employs in the translation of inter-governmental documents; and what the forecast cost is for 1997–98. [28557]

  Clare Short
  The Department for International Development does not employ any staff for this purpose.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  M6-M65 Link
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the cost per mile of constructing the M6-M65 link. [26407]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Work on the M6-M65 link was carried out under a traditional form of civil engineering contract, produced by the Institution of Civil Engineers, under which payment is based on the actual, rather than estimated, work undertaken. It is unlikely that the 226
  contractors will submit their final accounts for the scheme until next year. Those accounts will then be examined and settled appropriately. It would be premature at this stage to forecast what the final cost is likely to be.

  M11 Link Road
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what compensation has been paid in respect of the M11 Link Road construction, to(a) household and (b) commercial properties broken down by local authority area; and if he will make a statement on forecast future expenditure on compensation. [27356]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The information requested is not available in the form requested. The total compensation so far paid by the Highways Agency or its predecessors is £25.65 million principally for the purchase price of land and properties acquired under blight provisions and by discretionary and compulsory purchase. These acquisitions have been in the areas of the present London Boroughs of Redbridge, Waltham Forose, Hackney and Newham. A further £16 million has been allowed for the settlement of claims under the statutory compensation code which are currently under negotiation or which may be made in future. These figures do not include third party claims made against contractors, which they or their insurers settle direct with the claimant.

  Environmental Protection Act
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which sections of the Environment Act 1995 have not come into force; and when he expects to bring them into force. [27448]

  Angela Eagle
  The sections of the Environment Act 1995 which are not fully in force and which are the responsibility of my Department are: parts of sections 57, 58 and 60 (contaminated land and abandoned mines); and parts of the schedules attached to sections 116 (application of certain other enactments to the Crown) and 120 (minor and consequential amendments, transitional and transitory provisions, savings and repeals). We expect to commence the remainder of sections 58 and 60 shortly. We will reach a view on when to commence the remainder of section 57 after the Comprehensive Spending Review, as announced in my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment's answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, Riverside (Mrs. Ellmon) on 22 December 1997,Official Report, column 439. We expect to commence paragraph 1 of schedule 21 in April. Decisions on the timing of other outstanding provisions in the schedules have not yet been taken.

  Road Accidents (Goss Moor)
  Ms Atherton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many road traffic accidents have occurred at Goss Moor on the A30 during the last 10 years. [28179]
  227
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The information requested is available only for personal road injury accidents. This is shown in the following table.

  Number of accidents on the A30 in the Goss Moor area: GB 1987–96

  Accidents

  Year

  Fatal

  Serious

  Slight

  All

  1987

  0

  1

  0

  1

  1988

  0

  2

  0

  2

  1989

  1

  2

  1

  4

  1990

  0

  0

  4

  4

  1991

  0

  1

  1

  2

  1992

  1

  0

  0

  1

  1993

  0

  0

  2

  2

  1994

  0

  0

  4

  4

  1995

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1996

  1

  1

  1

  3

  All

  3

  7

  13

  23

  Absenteeism
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the rates of absenteeism in his(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 he will make a statement. [26655]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 5 February 1998]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on Tuesday 10 February 1998, Official Report, column 116.

  Radioactive Material
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what assessment he or his Department has made of the effectiveness of Statutory Instrument 3031 (1993) in respect of the Trans-frontier Shipment of Radioactive Waste Regulations; [28228]

  (2) what meetings ministers or officials of his Department have had since October 1997 to discuss the implications for the import and export of nuclear materials to and from the United Kingdom of the definition of radioactive waste adopted by the Government from EC Directive 92/3 (Euratom). [27991]

  Angela Eagle
  Each proposal for the import to or export from the UK of radioactive waste is considered on its merits by the relevant competent authority and no assessment of the overall effectiveness of SI 3031 has been carried out.

  The import and export of radioactive waste, including the scope, definitions and requirements of current EU and domestic legislation, are currently being considered in the context of the implementation into UK law of the revised EU Basic Safety Standards Directive (96/29 Euratom). The matters to which my hon. Friend refers will be included in a public consultation document covering some aspects of the implementation of the new Directive, which will be issued later this year.
  228

  Road Accidents (Alcohol)
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many alcohol-related accidents occurred in Wales in 1997; what percentage of total road accidents they represent; and if he will make a statement. [27972]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  In 1995, the most recent year for which estimates of drink drive accidents are available for Wales, there were an estimated 540 personal injury, alcohol-related road accidents. They represent 5% of all personal injury road accidents in Wales in that year.

  The estimate of alcohol-related accidents includes those accidents in which one or more of the drivers or riders of motor vehicles involved refused to give a breath test specimen or failed either:

  (i) a breath test by registering over 35 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, or

  (ii) for fatalities, a blood test by registering more than 80 milligrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood.

  For some accidents neither of the above test results are available even though a driver or rider involved was over the legal limit. The Department's estimates are, therefore, adjusted to allow for this.

  Speed Limits
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to give local authorities a general power to introduce speed limits of less than 30 mph in residential areas and erect signs to indicate this zone; and if he will make a statement. [27943]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  My right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport has confirmed that we intend to remove the need for local highway authorities to obtain central government consent to make 20 mph speed limits and to sign them appropriately. My officials are currently working on the necessary secondary legislation.

  Biological Diversity
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the Government's fulfilment of their obligations under the Convention on Biological Diversity; and if he will make a statement. [28315]

  Angela Eagle
  The Government's actions under the Convention on Biological Diversity are set out in the United Kingdom's First National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity dated 31 December 1997, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House. We also look forward to continuing the further implementation of the Convention at the next Conference of the Parties which is to be held from 4 to 15 May 1998 in Bratislava.

  Thorne and Hatfield Moors
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what consultations he has held with the Countryside Commission over the future of Thorne and Hatfield Moors; what advice the Commission gave; and if he will make a statement. [28458]
  229
  Mr. Meacher
  The Secretary of State has not been involved in any consultations with the Countryside Commission regarding the future of Thorne and Hatfield Moors.

  Brazilian Mahogany
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what amount of Brazilian mahogany has been(a) acquired and (b) specified by his Department in (i) 1996 and (ii) 1997; and for what purpose. [28388]

  Angela Eagle
  The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, including its Agencies, has no record of any Brazilian Mahogany being acquired or specified for procurement during 1996 and 1997.

  Eurostar
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received about the delay in introducing the Eurostar through service from Manchester to the Channel Tunnel; and if he will make a statement. [28330]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  My department has received a number of representations about regional Eurostar services in recent months. These services are the responsibility of London and Continental Railways Ltd. through their subsidiary Eurostar (UK) Ltd. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State made a statement on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link on 28 January 1998,Official Report, columns 661–74, in which he stressed the importance of protecting the excellent Eurostar service.

  Gas Installers
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what representations he has received concerning training and assessment for gas installation industry employees; and if he will make a statement; [28461]

  (2) what plans he has to review the appropriateness of current training and assessment courses for CORGI registration by gas installers; [28463]

  (3) if he will make it his policy to review the current methods of certification and public identification of degree of competence of gas installation workers; [28464]

  (4) what representations he has received concerning a review of the gas installation industry; [28566]

  (5) what plans he has to initiate a review of the gas installation industry; [28567]

  (6) what plans he has to meet industry representatives, gas suppliers and other Government departments to discuss the adequacy of current legislation and HSE criteria in controlling the non-registered and DIY gas installers; [28568]

  (7) what research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the relationship between gas-related health and safety incidents, and the professional qualifications of the installation operatives. [28570]
  230
  Angela Eagle
  The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1994 (as amended) place a requirement on anyone carrying out gas work to be competent to do so. This requirement applies equally to gas fitters registered with the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI) or people carrying out so-called 'DIY' work. The standards against which competence is assessed are set out in the Health and Safety Commission's (HSC) 1988 Approved Code of Practice (ACoP), 'Standards of Training in Safe Gas Installation'. This ACoP has a special legal status.

  If an individual is prosecuted for a breach of the 1994 Regulations, and it is proved that the relevant provisions of the ACoP were not followed, a Court may find that individual at fault, unless they can demonstrate that the law was complied with in some other way. At the beginning of this year a new nationally accredited certification scheme for individual gas fitting operatives came on stream. It will run in parallel with the ACoP scheme until the latter is phased out on 31 July 1998.

  The 1994 Regulations, which are enforced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), also place a statutory duty on any employer with employees carrying out gas work, or self-employed person performing such work, to be a
  "member of a class of persons approved for the time being by the HSE".

  Currently, CORGI is the only body to seek and obtain approved status.

  Following a review of CORGI in 1995, the HSE published new criteria for approved bodies which charged them with introducing a new nationally accredited certification scheme for gas operatives by January 1998. This scheme sets out the national standards against which individual gas fitting operatives are assessed for competence.

  On 13 January 1998, the Health and Safety Commission agreed that there should be two reviews of the statutory registration scheme, together with a comprehensive look at the underpinning legislation, ie the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1994 (as amended). The first review, which will start shortly, will look at the extent to which, and how well, CORGI has met the criteria issued in 1995. It will also draw up the criteria against which registered bodies will need to operate for the period 1 January 1999 to 31 December 2001. It is expected that the outcome of this review will be known in the Summer.

  The second review, which will start later this year, will be a comprehensive evaluation of the statutory registration scheme taking particular account of the impact of the new nationally accredited certification scheme. Running in parallel with this will be an examination of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1994 (as amended). The outcomes from these overlapping reviews should be known by December 2000. All interoseed parties will be invited to contribute to these latter reviews.

  In relation to the causes of gas incidents and the competency of gas fitting operatives, the HSE has established an industry working group to consider this. The group, comprising industry representatives, trade unions and consumer groups, is looking at the causes of gas-related carbon monoxide incidents with a view to taking preventive measures where appropriate. BG

  231
  Technology has also initiated an industry-wide research project to look at a range of gas safety issues. This initiative is being supported by a number of government departments as well as by the British gas industry. The initiative includes a specific project on incident data analysis.

  I recently met representatives from the Carbon Monoxide and Gas Safety Society (CO Gas), CORGI, and Carbon Monoxide Support (CO Support). These meetings have included a range of issues relating to gas safety matters, including the competence of gas fitting operatives.

  I also replied on behalf of the Government in the adjournment debate on 21 January 1998, Official Report, columns 973–77 dealing with carbon monoxide poisoning, initiated by my hon. Friend the Member for Houghton and Washington, East (Mr. Kemp).

  In conclusion, although there are plans to review the statutory registration scheme for gas installation businesses and the related legislation, there are no plans to initiate a review of the gas installation industry.

  Conservation
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the Government will give English Nature powers to require landowners to manage sites so as to maintain their conservation value. [28900]

  Angela Eagle
  The Government are currently considering how best to improve the protection and management of Sites of Special Scientific Interose. This will involve examining the powers available to English Nature. Officials are preparing a consultation paper seeking views.

  Diabetic Drivers
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment. Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Fermanagh and South Tyrone (Mr. Maginnis), of 15 January 1998,Official Report, column 259, what studies his Department has evaluated into the proportion of collapses at the wheel caused by hypoglaecemia. [27561]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 9 February 1998]: A 1983 review of police reported accidents by the then Senior Medical Adviser at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency found that insulin-treated diabetes was responsible for 17 per cent. of 1,600 reported accidents involving collapse at the wheel in which the driver survived. A review of 100 of those accident cases revealed that 35 per cent. of the drivers had suffered from altered consciousness and 62 per cent. from complete loss of consciousness. More generally, the Secretary of State's Honorary Advisory Panel on Diabetes and Driving constantly reviews research findings on the road safety aspects of driving by diabetics treated by insulin as part of their role in advising the Department.

  Departmental Computers
  Mr. Pickles
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the cost of the current computer system installed in(a) the
  232
  Department of the Environment and (b) the Department of Transport; to what extent the two systems were compatible; and what is the cost of enabling the two systems to work together. [28889]

  Angela Eagle
  The cost to install the existing office automation (OA) systems in the Department of the Environment was £7.55m, and in the Department of Transport was £6.29m. The new office automation system is effectively a merger of the two existing systems using the best aspects of each and the estimated cost is £3.6m. Incompatibilities existed between the two systems at technical, user, document interchange and the cultural level. Although both systems used similar technology there were a number of differences in the detail of their technical architectures.

  Departmental Travel
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to the oral answer of 3 February 1998,Official Report, column 834, what plans he has to set departmental targets for (a) Ministers and (b) civil servants to reduce car mileage; and if he will make a statement. [28921]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 10 February 1998]: As part of the Government's commitment to reduce over-dependency on the car a "Guide to Green Transport Plans" was issued to all Departments in September 1997 which set out practical and comprehensive advice on how to set up plans to minimise the effect of staff travel on the environment. We have not set departmental targets for Ministers or for civil servants to reduce car mileage. My Department is discussing with other Government Departments what targets would be appropriate for the setting of Green Transport Plans for all main Government buildings.

  Road Safety
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what studies his Department has(a) undertaken and (b) evaluated regarding the incidence of road accidents among young drivers in the first year after passing the test; and what comparisons it has made with the statistics for Northern Ireland following the introduction of probationer status there. [28883]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 10 February 1998]: A study was undertaken for the Department by the Transport Research Laboratory into about 29,000 drivers (of all ages) who took their driving test on certain days in 1988–89 including the subsequent accident history of those who passed the test. The Queen's University, Belfast, undertook a study of "rosericted" drivers in Northern Ireland (those in their first year after passing the driving test) for the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland in 1992–93. The latter study included a comparison with the findings of the Great Britain study and found no evidence that the number of accidents in the first year in Northern Ireland was reduced by the existence of the "rosericted driver" regulations.
  233
  Mr. Stringer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will announce the latest available figures from the survey his Department is presently conducting into the incidence of drugs in fatal road accident victims; and if will make a statement. [29038]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The survey, over a three year period, started in October 1996. A copy of the Department's report on the interim results, to 7 January 1998 has today been placed in the Library.

  It is too early to draw firm conclusions from the findings, although general trends so far remain very consistent. Fuller results will be needed before the Government can consider and propose any measures that may appear to be necessary. Further findings will be published when we can reach a firm view.

  Screening devices which may be suitable for detecting the presence of drugs in motorists are to be trialled by four police forces for a short period from mid-March. The trials are intended to establish whether the screening devices are sufficiently robust and practical for the conditions likely to be encountered at the roadside—not to test for the presence of drugs.

  Traffic police from the Cleveland, Lancashire, Strathclyde and Sussex forces will ask motorists to volunteer to be tested—the police have no power to require anyone to undertake such a screening test. Volunteers names or their car registrations will not be recorded. Police will not test those who are obviously impaired through alcohol or drugs—they will be dealt with using existing powers.

  Water Levels
  Dr. Brand
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the specialist hydrography departments which were consulted by the National Rivers Authority in formulating the recommendations on areas of high natural dispersion in 1994. [28490]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 10 February 1998]: The National Rivers Authority (now subsumed into the Environment Agency), made recommendations on areas of high natural dispersion (HNDAs) according to criteria agreed by Government and the water industry regulators.

  The Environment Agency, as the primary regulatory body, itself has considerable expertise in the field of hydrography. In formulating recommendations on HNDAs, it drew on information (including hydrodynamic modelling data for a significant proportion of the UK's coastline) available from internationally accredited research organisations such as Delft Hydraulics, MAFF/CEFAS, Water Research Centre, Hydraulics Research Wallingford and relevant university departments.

  Green Belt
  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to the Prime Minister's oral statement of 4 February 1998,Official Report, column 1046, regarding the increase in the area of green belt land since 1 May 1997, if he will list (a) the location and size of the increase, (b) the area of green belt land on which planning permission and
  234
  inspectors' approval has been given since 1 May 1997, (c) the percentage of total green belt land these figures represent and (d) the equivalent figures for the year prior to 1 May 1997. [28489]

  Mr. Caborn
  [holding answer 10 February 1998]: There has been a net increase of nearly 4,000 hectares of Green Belt in adopted development plans since 1 May 1997. The Hertfordshire Structure Plan, adopted in January, provides for an addition of 5,400 hectares to the Green Belt, as well as the deletion of 800 hectares from the Green Belt to the west of Stevenage. The exact boundaries of these changes have not yet been established at local plan level. Other Green Belt deletions have been adopted in the Bradford local plan (ca. 90 hectares) and in the Newcastle Unitary Development Plan (543 hectares).

  We do not have comprehensive information available on decisions taken by local planning authorities affecting the Green Belt, and it would be disproportionately costly to collect it. However, the figures for individual planning cases which the Secretary of State has called in and for which permission has been granted since 1 May 1997 amount to less than 100 hectares. For cases where permission has been granted by planning inspectors following appeal, the figure is about 320 hectares. In most or all of these cases the physical development itself is likely to have covered only a small proportion of that area. In addition, on 28 July 1997 the Secretary of State issued his decision granting permission for the Birmingham Northern Relief Road (BNRR), the route of which passes through Green Belt in the West Midlands conurbation. The total land taken for the BNRR (including temporary acquisition for the purpose of construction) is 623 hectares, of which 600 hectares are in the Green Belt. One hundred and seventeen hectares of the total land taken for the road are to be used for landscaping to mitigate its environmental impact; and land temporarily acquired will be returned to the landowner following completion of construction works.

  The total Green Belt in England was estimated as 1,555,700 hectares in September 1993. More recent figures are not yet available. Against that total, the net increase represented by development plan changes referred to above is equivalent to about 0.25 per cent.; and the total area of Green Belt affected by the planning permissions referred to in the previous paragraph represent around 0.06 per cent.

  Equivalent information for the year prior to 1 May 1997 could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Montserratian Evacuees
  Ann Keen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will assess the advantages of continuing the payments of special grants to local housing authorities for accommodation provided to people who have been evacuated from the island of Montserrat. [28987]

  Ms Armstrong
  The special grant scheme for the provision of accommodation for Montserratian evacuees that we introduced last October closed at the end of January and a report has been laid before the House today. We have concluded that grants should continue to be made available to authorities in England for
  235
  accommodation provided until 31 March 1998. We will make a further special grant report to the House in due course.

  Housing
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many units of social housing have been built in the Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council area in each of the last five years. [27570]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The table shows figures of housebuilding completions (i.e. new build only) as reported to the Department by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and the National House Building Council:

  Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council: social housing new build: completions Number of dwellings

  Year

  Registered social landlords: housing associations

  Local authority

  1993

  59

  0

  1994

  188

  0

  1995

  109

  0

  1996

  109

  0

  1997

  217

  0

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what is the total number of registered homeless people in the Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council area; [27571]

  (2) how many people have been accepted onto the homeless register of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council in each of the last five years. [27574]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The table provides the available data on the numbers of households accepted as homeless and in priority need under the homelessness provisions of the 1985 and 1996 Housing Acts in Basingstoke and Deane for the calendar years 1992 to 1996 and the first 9 months of 1997.

  Year

  Homelessness acceptances

  1992

  159

  1993

  206

  1994

  185

  1995

  175

  1996

  175

  19971

  105

  1 Data for the first 3 quarters only.

  Under Part VI of the Housing Act 1996 authorities must establish and maintain a housing register for the purpose of allocating their housing accommodation but there is no statutory obligation for local housing authorities to hold a register of homeless applicants. Accommodation secured as a discharge of a homelessness duty need not be a tenancy allocated under Part VI of the 1996 Act.
  236
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how many properties formerly owned by Government departments have been made available to(a) the council and (b) housing associations in the Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council area in the last three years; [27572]

  (2) how many properties formerly owned by government departments have been made available to (a) the council and (b) housing associations in the Fareham Borough Council area. [28368]

  Mr. Raynsford
  This information is not held centrally.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received in the last three years from(a) public bodies, (b) voluntary organisations, (c) the private sector and (d) local associations in the Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council area about housing needs for that area. [27576]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Secretary of State receives a number of representations from groups and information is not held centrally in the format requested about housing needs.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the number of properties that are underoccupied in Basingstoke and Deane Borough; and if he will make a statement. [27916]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Neither the Secretary of State nor the Local Authority have made any robust assessment of the number of properties that are under-occupied in Basingstoke and Deane Borough.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many people are on the housing transfer list of the Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council; and what were the equivalent figures at the same time in each of the last five years. [27917]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The information requested is not collected centrally.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the number of properties that are underoccupied in(a) Eastleigh Borough, (b) New Forose District, (c) Havant Borough and (d) Test Valley Borough; and if he will make a statement. [28149]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Neither the Secretary of State nor the Local Authority have made any robust assessment of the number of properties that are under-occupied in(a) Eastleigh Borough, (b) New Forose District, (c) Havant Borough, (d) Test Valley Borough.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what are the total numbers of registered homeless people in the(a) Eastleigh Borough (b) New Forose District, (c) Havant Borough and (d) Test Valley Borough council areas. [28150]

  Mr. Raynsford
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 10 February 1998,Official Report, column 126.
  237
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many units of social housing have been built in the(a) Test Valley Borough (b) Eastleigh Borough, (c) Havant Borough and (d) New Forose District Council areas, in each of the last five years. [28135]

  Social housing new build: Completions

  Number of dwellings

  Test Valley

  Eastleigh

  Havant

  New Forest

  Registered social landlords

  Housing associations

  Local authority

  Housing associations

  Local authority

  Housing associations

  Local authority

  Housing associations

  Local authority

  1993

  42

  14

  48

  0

  71

  0

  167

  0

  1994

  12

  26

  61

  0

  111

  0

  165

  0

  1995

  61

  0

  72

  0

  55

  0

  154

  0

  1996

  11

  0

  2

  0

  149

  0

  11

  0

  1997

  8

  0

  206

  0

  101

  0

  44

  0

  Green Ministers
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which Government Departments were not represented at Ministerial level at the last meeting of the Green Ministers. [25939]

  Mr. Meacher
  [pursuant to his reply, 29 January 1998, c. 324]: At the last meeting of Green Ministers on 18 December all Government Departments were represented except for the Scottish Office and the Law Officers' Departments. Most were represented at Ministerial level, but because of unavoidable other commitments the Lord Chancellor's Department, Home Office, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Social Security, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food were represented by officials.

PRIME MINISTER

  North Shropshire
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Prime Minister when he next plans to pay an official visit to North Shropshire. [26909]

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

PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Publications
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the President of the Council if she will list, by title, the publications produced under the authority of the Privy Council Office between 1 May 1997 and 31 January 1998. [26319]

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  My department's only publication in the period in question was "Tackling Drugs Locally", a report by the Social Policy Research Centre of Middlesex University commissioned by the Central Drugs Co-ordination Unit.
  238
  Mr. Raynsford
  [holding answer 9 February 1998]: The table shows figures of housebuilding completions (i.e. new build only) as reported to the Department by these local authorities and the National House Building Council.

TREASURY

  Corporation Tax
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the corporation tax yield in the last financial year for which data is available, from companies in the ranges of profitability(a) under £300,000, (b) £300,000 to £600,000, (c) £600,000 to £1.5 billion and (d) above £1.5 billion. [26710]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The following table gives latest figures of companies' corporation tax liability after allowing for tax suffered abroad and before any deduction for income tax suffered at source, analysed by size of taxable profit.

  Taxable profit1

  Corporation tax liability (£billion)

  Under £300,000

  3

  £300,001 to £600,000

  1

  £600,001 and above

  23 ½

  1Accounting periods ending in 1995–96.

  Tobacco Duties
  Mr. Fallon
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much extra revenue would be raised between 6 April and 1 December 1998, over and above current plans, if tobacco duties were increased by 5 per cent. in real terms from the start of the 1998–99 financial year; and if he will give the same figures on the basis of the higher rates commencing in(a) May, (b) June, (c) July, (d) August, (e) September, (f) October and (g) November 1998. [26351]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I regret that this information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Developing Country Debt
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to use the forthcoming G8 sutnmit in Birmingham to highlight the problems of developing country debt. [27171]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  The G8 Summit in Birmingham will discuss a range of key global economic issues, including the problems facing poorer developing
  239
  countries. For many of these countries, a key difficulty is unsustainable debt. I will also be discussing this with my Finance Minister colleagues in preparing for the Summit discussion between Heads of State and Government.

  Unemployment
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if participants in each of the four New Deal options will be counted as unemployed for the purposes of the claimant count; and if they will fall within the Labour Force Survey measure of unemployment. [28491]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Chief Executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Dennis Roberts to Mr. David Willetts, dated 11 February 1998:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked the Director of the Office for National Statistics to reply to your recent question on participants in each of the four New Deal options being counted as unemployed for the purposes of the claimant count; and whether they will fall within the Labour Force Survey measure of unemployment. The Director has asked me to reply in his absence.
  All New Deal participants will remain in the claimant count whilst they are on the Gateway programme. Once a claimant leaves JSA to take-up one of the four New Deal options they will cease to be included in the claimant count.
  Of the four New Deal options, only those taking up the full-time education or training option may be classified as ILO unemployed in the Labour Force Survey, though this will be dependent on their job search activities satisfying the definition of ILO unemployment. This counts as unemployed people who are: a) without a paid job; b) available to start work within the next two weeks and c) have either looked for work in the last four weeks or are waiting to start a job already obtained. Generally though, those on the full-time education or training option will be counted as economically inactive in the Labour Force Survey, rather than ILO unemployed or in employment.
  Those taking up the New Deal employment option will be recorded in the employment statistics as employees (or self-employed) and those on the Environmental Task Force and voluntary sector options as on Government-supported programmes.
  ONS is committed to presenting and explaining the effects of New Deal as the policy is implemented.

  Abortions
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many legal abortions were performed in 1996(a) with anti progesterone and (b) without overnight stay on women resident in each (i) health region and (ii) district health authority; and how many in each case involved (1) NHS hospitals, (2) NHS agency arrangements and (3) other purchasers. [28002]

  Mr. Darling
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Chief Executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given. The tables referred to in the letter have been made available in the Library.

  Letter from Tim Holt to Dr. Jenny Tonge, dated February 1998:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply, as Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), to your recent question on legal abortions in 1996.
  The information requested is shown in the attached tables.
  240
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the weekly numbers of conceptions that end in termination. [28858]

  Mr. Darling
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Chief Executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Peter Bottomley, dated 11 February 1998:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me, as Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), to answer your question on the number of weekly conceptions that end in termination.
  In England and Wales during 1995, the latest year for which figures are available, there were an average of 2,988 conceptions per week which resulted in an abortion performed under the 1967 Abortion Act. This figure is estimated from abortion notifications using the stated gestation period and date of abortion to calculate the date of conception. It takes no account of spontaneous or illegal abortions for which no information is available.

  Single Currency
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of countries which will meet the Maastricht requirements to enter a single currency in the first wave. [28583]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  [holding answer 9 February 1998]: The decision on which Member States satisfy the Maastricht requirements for participation in Stage Three of EMU will be taken by Heads of State or Government in May.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the United Kingdom has to spend a period of time in the ERM before qualifying for possible entry into the single currency. [28581]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  [holding answer 9 February 1998]: 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.

DEFENCE

  Trident and Eurofighter
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the percentage of the defence budget to be spent on(a) Trident and (b) Eurofighter in each of the next 12 years. [26478]

  Mr. George Robertson
  The latest estimate of total Trident procurement costs is some 12.6 billion (1996–97 prices) and the total estimated Eurofighter procurement costs are £15.9 billion (1997–98 prices). Less than 10 per cent. of the Trident costs and around 80 per cent. of the Eurofighter costs will be spent after the end of this financial year. For Trident operating costs and Eurofighter support costs I refer my hon. Friend to the answers I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Great Grimsby (Mr. Mitchell) on 1 December 1997,Official Report, columns 21–22, and the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Hancock) on 12 January 1998, Official Report, column 129.
  241
  Departmental budgets beyond 1998–99 are being examined in the Comprehensive Spending Review and, for my Department, the Strategic Defence Review. In any event year-on-year spending forecasts for particular projects constitute projections and assumptions which inform advice to Ministers on the affordability of the defence programme. The percentage of the defence budget involved would therefore be withheld under exemption 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Tomahawk Missiles
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence by what percentage the cost of Tomahawk missiles being purchased for installation in Royal Navy submarines differs from the latest batch of Tomahawk missiles being purchased by the United States Government. [27506]

  Mr. Spellar
  We do not know what price the United States Government are paying for their Tomahawk missiles.

  Armed Forces (Pay)
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the lowest hourly rate of pay received by a member of the British armed forces, calculated on the basis of annual pay divided by the average annual hours worked. [28619]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 9 February 1998]: The Armed Forces are paid according to daily rates of pay, for 365 days a year, whether they are working or not, in recognition of their unlimited liability for duty. We do not record the hours worked by individuals each day.

  Agricultural Holdings
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will identify where in the National Asset Register his Department's agricultural holdings are listed. [28737]

  Mr. Spellar
  Agricultural holdings are not separately listed in the MOD element of the National Asset Register; rather, they are included within the Land and Buildings entries for various Top Level Budgets. This reflects the fact that their main use from a Defence perspective is as training areas. A detailed listing of each individual asset would not have been practical for the purpose of the National Asset Register. For clarity, therefore, the assets have been aggregated to make the information manageable.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Savings
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the latest percentage estimates based on funds held in all forms of financial and saving institutions of those households with(a) no savings and (b) savings (i) up to £2,000, (ii) between £2,000 to £5,000, (iii) £5,000 to £7,000, (iv) £7,500 to £10,000, (v) £10,000 to £20,000, (vi) £20,000 to £40,000, (vii) £40,000 to £60,000, (viii) £60,000 to £100,000 and (ix) over £100,000. [28975]
  242
  Mr. Denham
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is set out in the table.

  The Family Resources Survey (FRS), a survey of private households in Great Britain, collects data on the amount of money respondents have in different funds, but only for those respondents who are willing to provide an estimate of the value of their total savings and report a value between £1,500 and £20,000. Around 35 per cent. of all households surveyed fall into this category. A detailed breakdown of savings is therefore available only for this group.

  Percentage of households with savings between £1,500 and £20,000 in 1995–96 family resources survey

  Percentage of households

  No savings

  32

  Less than £2,000

  22

  £2,000 but less than £5,000

  13

  £5,000 but less than £7,500

  6

  £7,500 but less than £10,000

  4

  £10,000 but less than £20,000

  9

  £20,000 or more

  14

  Total households (base = 26,435)

  100

  Notes:

  1. Types of account included are all bank, building society and Post Office accounts, Tax Exempt Special Savings Accounts (TESSAs), Unit Trusts, PEPs, stocks and shares and National Savings products.

  2. The 1995–96 FRS is the latest for which data are available. The figures are based on sample counts and are subject to sampling error and to variability in non response.

  3. Figures should be treated with caution. Questions on assets are a particularly sensitive part of the FRS questionnaire and have a relatively low level of response, and hence higher levels of imputation, compared to other parts of the survey. Responses are imputed in around one in ten cases. Evidence also suggests some under reporting of capital by respondents.

  Housing Benefits
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what has been the total bill for housing benefit payments in each of the last five years in the Southampton City Council area; [27553]

  (2) what has been the bill for housing benefits payments in each of the last five years in the Winchester City Council area. [28334]

  Mr. Field
  [holding answer 9 February 1998]: The information requested is set out in the table.

  £

  City council

  Southampton

  Winchester

  1992–93

  43,340

  9,100

  1993–94

  49,750

  11,270

  1994–95

  53,400

  12,480

  1995–96

  56,550

  12,810

  1996–97 provisional out-turn

  57,810

  12,740

  Sources:

  1. Department of Social Security Planning and Finance Division.

  2. Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what has been the total bill for housing benefit payments in each of the last five years in the Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council area; [27575]
  243
  (2) what has been the bill for housing benefit payments in each of the last five years in the Fareham Borough Council area. [28369]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The information requested is set out in the table:

  £

  Council Area

  Year

  Basingstoke and Deane Borough

  Fareham Borough

  1992–93

  12,860

  6,280

  1993–94

  17,150

  6,850

  1994–95

  19,170

  7,150

  1995–96

  19,320

  7,820

  1996–97 provisional out-turn

  19,640

  7,910

  Sources:

  1. Department of Social Security Planning and Finance Division

  2. Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Iraq
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what date the existence of a biological warfare programme organised at Salman Park in Iraq was first drawn to the attention of his Department's officials. [26400]

  Mr. Fatchett
  [holding answer 3 February 1998]: Officials have conducted an extensive search of Foreign office archives. They have been unable to find an answer to my hon. Friend's question. Without information on the background to the question, I do not believe it would be proper to conduct further searches. The cost would be disproportionately high.

  Computer Systems
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list each major new computer system that(a) his Department, (b) non-departmental bodies and (c) agencies under his 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 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. [27839]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Most of my Department's new computer systems are delivered in stages in the UK and at offices overseas. With one recent exception, there is therefore no single commissioning date. The table shows major new systems whose delivery began after 1 April 1993. Other expenditure on communications equipment and information technology is excluded.

  Major new FCO computer systems purchased since 1 April 1993

  Description

  Capital cost

  Commissioning date

  Initial 1 (£ million)

  Final 2 (£ million)

  Planned

  Actual

  Financial and management accounting system (UK only)

  7.15

  7.60

  April 1996

  April 1996

  244

  Major new FCO computer systems purchased since 1 April 1993

  Description

  Capital cost

  Commissioning date

  Initial1 (£ million)

  Final2 (£ million)

  Planned

  Actual

  Replacement office automation system for posts overseas

  11.91

  311.91

  n/a

  n/a

  Major new FCO computer systems for purchase in financial year 1998–99

  Description

  Estimated capital cost (£ million)

  Continuing replacement office automation system for FCO and Posts overseas

  23.0

  Notes:

  1 Estimated at time of project initiation.

  2 Actual on completion of project.

  3Estimated: project not due for completion until December 1998.

  Ministerial Transport
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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. [27796]

  Mr. Fatchett
  [holding answer 5 February 1998]:

  £

  Year

  Ministerial cars and drivers

  Taxis

  1995–96

  362 637

  154 871

  1996–97

  388,757

  136,826

  1997–98 YTD

  1254,609

  2149,819

  1997–98 Projected

  380,000

  179,720

  1 End December 1997.

  2 End January 1998.

  Overseas Travel
  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list which Ministers in his Department have made overseas visits and to which countries since 1 May. [27820]

  Mr. Fatchett
  [holding answer 5 February 1998]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer the Minister of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Central (Mr. Lloyd) gave the hon. Member for Gordon (Mr. Bruce) on 11 November 1997, Official Report, column 502. Visits by Ministers in this Department since then are listed in the following table:

  Date

  Country

  Purpose

  Mr. T. Lloyd MP

  12–14 November 1997

  Sweden

  Conference on European arms export controls

  17-November 1997

  Germany

  WEU

  23 November 1997 to 2 December 1997

  USA Mexico

  Bilateral United Nations business

  17–19 December 1997

  Denmark

  OSCE Summit

  5–11 January 1998

  South Africa, Zimbabwe

  Bilateral

  2–5 February 1998

  Macedonia, Albania

  Bilateral

  245

  Date

  Country

  Purpose

  Mr. D. Henderson MP

  9–10 November 1997

  Belgium

  General Affairs Council

  24 November 1997

  Belgium

  General Affairs Council

  7–8 December 1997

  Belgium

  General Affairs Council

  12–13 December 1997

  Luxembourg

  European Council

  15–16 December 1997

  Austria, Slovakia

  Bilateral

  14 January 1998

  France

  EP Plenary

  16 January 1998

  Netherlands

  Clingendael Conference

  Mr. D. Fatchett MP

  11–13 November 1997

  Azerbaijan

  Bilateral

  15–21 November 1997

  Japan, Korea

  Bilateral

  26–27 November 1997

  USA

  To discuss Middle East issues

  9 December 1997

  France

  To discuss Middle East issues

  13–16 January 1998

  Israel, Occupied Territories

  Bilateral

  19–20 January 1998

  Algeria

  EU Troika Mission

  Baroness Symons

  6–9 January 1998

  Pakistan

  Bilateral

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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. [27460]

  Mr. Fatchett
  [holding answer 5 February 1998]: (a) Four FCO officials at grade 3 equivalent and above have retired or have taken early retirement since 1 May as part of an ongoing programme of senior management structure retirements on structural grounds. Their grades were: a DS1, a DS2 and two DS3s. (b) Officers at this level will have taken periods of normal annual leave, but these records are not held centrally. (c) None was dismissed. (d) & (f) About a quarter of the officers at grade 3 and above have changed jobs since 1 May either as part of the normal rotation of ambassadors and other senior staff, interchange with other Government Departments or on promotion. Such moves are planned up to a year in advance especially to/from foreign postings or where training is required. A high level of mobility is a feature of FCO work and roughly a third of all UK based FCO staff change jobs in any given year. Statistics on the precise number of moves and reasons for them could be provided only at disproportionate cost. (e) A DS2 and a DS3 have gone on loan to other Government Departments since 1 May.

  Execution (Texas)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he made representations to the United States in respect of the execution of Karla Tucker; and if he will make a statement. [28573]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Ministers in this Department made no representations to the United States in respect of the execution of Karla Tucker. The UK calls on all countries to abolish the death penalty.
  246

  Sudan
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions his Department has held with which organisations with regard to prisoners of war in the Yei district of southern Sudan; and if he will make a statement. [28662]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Our Embassy in Khartoum are in touch with other donors and international agencies about the welfare of these prisoners. We shall continue to support efforts to facilitate access to these people and to persuade their captors, the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA), to move them away from the vicinity of military targets.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government policy towards the Khartoum Peace Agreement. [28663]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The Agreement contains positive elements, notably the commitments to self-determination and to respect for human rights. But the main group fighting the Government of Sudan, the Sudan People's Liberation Army, is not a party. They prefer to pursue the regional peace initiative of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development which has the support of the British and other western governments. We have urged the Government of Sudan to demonstrate its commitment to peace by implementation of the Khartoum Agreement's clauses on human rights and by improving its treatment of Southerners. We have yet to see significant progress on this.

  Honduras
  Mr. Fitzpatrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Government's relationship with Honduras. [28640]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  We have good relations with Honduras, but look forward to developing them further with the new government of President Carlos Flores. A bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement came into force in 1995. Bilateral trade grew in both directions in 1997, particularly from Honduras to the UK. The UK has a small bilateral aid programme focused on the forosery sector and contributes approximately 15 per cent. of the European Union programme which, at US ․100 million a year, is the largest to Honduras.

  Amsterdam Treaty
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library an index to the Amsterdam Treaty on European Union and the revised treaties, including the protocols, authorised by Article 12 of that Treaty, setting down all topics and subjects contained in those treaties as published in the preliminary documentation, and for each entry the current place and the proposed place in the Consolidated Union Treaty by article, paragraph and sub-paragraph reference. [28866]
  247
  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Command Paper 3780 provides an index to the Amsterdam Treaty (pages 3–6). It also sets out the tables of equivalences relating to the renumbering of the Treaties provided for in Article 12 of the Amsterdam Treaty (pages 67–75). In addition, the Command Paper lists the contents of the consolidated version of the Treaty on European Union as amended by the Treaty of Amsterdam (pages 110–111); and lists the contents of the consolidated version of the Treaty establishing the European Community as amended by the Treaty of Amsterdam (pages 130–133).

  Treaties
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in what circumstances persons who are not members of Her Majesty's Privy Council are authorised to sign treaties on her behalf. [28947]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Most treaties are signed with Governmental Full Powers either by Ministers or Ambassadors. Membership of the Privy Council is not a factor in the issuing of Full Powers.

  The Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties provides that Heads of State, Heads of Government and Ministers for Foreign Affairs are eligible to sign treaties by virtue of their office. Anyone else signing a treaty in articled form requires a formal document known as a Full Power.

  In the United Kingdom, the Treaty-making power is vested in the Crown as part of the Royal perogative. The exercise of that power is the concern of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.

  The United Kingdom has three types of Full Power: Queen's General Full Powers, which are signed by Her Majesty The Queen and empower the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, FCO Ministers of State, FCO Under-Secretaries of State to sign any treaty; and the UK Permanent Representatives to the UN and the EC to sign treaties in their respective fields. Queen's Special Full Powers, which are issued for the signing of a specific treaty drawn up between Heads of State. (iii) Governmental Full Powers, which are signed by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and are issued for the signing of specific inter-governmental and inter-state treaties.

  Immigration
  Mr. Malin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the percentage refusal rate by entry clearance officers for the last period for which records have been kept for(a) visitors, (b) spouses/fiance(e)s,(c) dependent relatives and (d) businessmen applying to enter the United Kingdom for the posts of (i) Dhaka, (ii) Islamabad, (iii) Lagos, (iv) Sydney and (v) Toronto. [28654]
  248
  Mr. Fatchett
  Sydney and Toronto do not provide an entry clearance service and figures are therefore shown for Canberra and Ottawa. In 1997, the percentage refusal rate for(a) visitors, (b) spouses/fiance(e)s and (c) dependant relatives applying for entry clearance to the UK for the Posts listed was:

  Percentage

  Post

  (a) Visitors

  (b) Spouses/fiance(e)s

  (c) dependent relatives

  Dhaka

  26.8

  23.7

  14

  Islamabad

  20.3

  n/a

  n/a

  Lagos

  20.8

  16.4

  16.4

  Canberra

  0.1

  0.01

  0

  Ottawa

  0.61

  0.02

  0.006

  Records differentiating between "visitors" and "business visitors" are not maintained. Lagos do not record refusals of (b) and (c) separately.

  Inter-governmental Documents
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff he employs for the translation of inter-governmental documents; and what the forecast cost is for 1997–98. [28556]

  Mr. Fatchett
  This Department employs 13 translation staff. The unit forecast cost for 1997–98 is £357,140.29 which includes salary and related costs plus overheads.

  Russia (Religious Freedom)
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, at the forthcoming EU-Russia Summit, he will raise the issue of the religious freedom legislation in Russia. [28977]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  We have been assured by the Russian authorities that implementation of the law on freedom of conscience and religious association will not contravene Russia's international human rights obligations. Flexible application will be the key. We understand that formal regulations designed to assist provincial officials to implement the complex law are currently under discussion in Moscow. In the meantime, the Russian Ministry of Justice has issued informal guidelines which seem to be less roserictive.

  Neither final dates nor a final agenda have been agreed for the EU/Russia Summit. But if by then we have evidence that the law is rosericting religious freedom, then I will consider raising the matter under the broad umbrella of human rights issues.

  Overseas Visits (Political Advisers)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 30 January 1998,Official Report, column 438, if he will list those occasions where his political advisers undertook overseas visits at public expense; and what was the cost of and reason for each visit. [28516]
  249
  Mr. Robin Cook
  It is established practice, as with the previous Administration, for Special Advisers to accompany me, and, on occasion, other FCO Ministers, on certain overseas trips in order to advise on policy matters. Since 1 May, a Special Adviser has accompanied me or another FCO Minister on 17 occasions for this purpose. The majority of these were on RAF flights; the real marginal additional expense of their travel could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mexico
  Mr. Fitzpatrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Government's relations with Mexico. [28642]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Relations with Mexico have strengthened since President Zedillo came to office in December 1994 and a bilateral Joint Action Plan was signed in January 1996.

  As a member of NAFTA, the OECD and APEC, Mexico is an important partner for the UK on a range of international issues. Our dialogue includes thorough exchanges on human rights.

  The UK is the second largest foreign investor in Mexico; major investors in 1997 include BAT ($1.1 bn) and BOC (Gases), leading a consortium which will build a $1 bn nitrogen plant. Mexico is our third largest export market in Latin America. Exports grew by 35% in 1997, but we have less than 1% of the market.

  We have consistently supported the development of closer EU/Mexico relations. Following the signature of the EU/Mexico Agreement last December, we are using our EU Presidency to lay the groundwork for negotiations on trade liberalisation.

MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO

  Millennium Dome
  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio how many times he has visited the Millennium Dome Project site in Greenwich since 2 May 1997. [28024]

  Mr. Mandelson
  I visited the site of the Millennium Experience on 19 June and 23 September 1997.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will estimate the reduction in the cost of the Millennium Dome if it had been built on a green field site. [26724]

  Mr. Mandelson
  The site for the Millennium Experience was chosen after an open competition conducted by the Millennium Commission. None of the four sites shortlisted by the Commission was in a green field location. One of the main reasons that the Commission selected the Greenwich peninsula above the other shortlisted sites was the greater lasting legacy provided by the enormous regenerative benefits that the project would bring to one of the poorest areas of London and a site that had lain derelict and polluted for over 20 years.
  250
  The costs of bringing the Millennium Experience site up to an acceptable condition for redevelopment are being borne by English Partnerships, the Government's regeneration agency. This forms part of their overall regeneration plan for 300 acres of the Greenwich peninsula. The infrastructure costs specifically associated with the Millennium Experience site, including services, landscaping, a new pier and other works fall to the New Millennium Experience Company. These are in the region of £30 million.

  It would however be misleading to seek to compare these costs directly with the costs associated with developing a green field site. All sites have individual characteristics that affect planning requirements, their amenity value and the costs of development.

CABINET OFFICE

  Ministerial Travel
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will list the engagements he undertook in the United Kingdom in the course of his duties during January indicating in each case which were accessed by(a) car, (b) train, (c) aeroplane and car, (d) aeroplane and train and (e) other means. [28932]

  Mr. Mandelson
  [holding answer 10 February 1998]: I travelled by train to undertake engagements in Yorkshire and Merseyside.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Computer Systems
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list each major new computer system that(a) his Department, (b) non-departmental bodies and (c) agencies under his 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 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. [27838]

  Mr. Hoon
  The major computer systems that have been purchased or developed by the Department, its agencies and non departmental public bodies in the last five financial years and projected purchases for 1998–99 are shown in the following tables.

  For both the Lord Chancellor's Department Headquarters and the Court Service future IT services will be provided under existing or planned Private Finance Initiative Agreements and charged on a usage basis.
  251

  Organisation

  System purchased or initiated 1993–94 to 1997–98

  Initial purchase/ implementation cost/estimate £

  Actual cost £

  Planned date of commissioning

  Actual date of commissioning

  Lord Chancellor's Department Headquarters

  NEXUS Office Automation System

  600,000

  660,000

  April 1996

  April 1996

  Court Service

  CCBC County Court Processing System

  209,090

  237,770

  March 1994

  April 1994

  BACCHUS Case Management System

  721,476

  808,931

  July 1994

  July 1994

  MIDAS Management Information and Accounting System

  627,850

  641,301

  January 1995

  January 1995

  MANIFEST Accommodation Management System

  339,803

  554,064

  April 1996

  May 1996

  SOAP Office Automation System

  754,700

  775,065

  April 1996

  April 1996

  Public Trust Office

  REACS Receivership Accounting System

  191,537

  To budget

  November 1992

  September 1993

  AAS Accruals Accounting System

  144,000

  To budget

  April 1996

  April 1996

  Management Information System

  116,429

  To budget

  June 1994

  June 1994

  OASIS Office Automation System

  314,000

  implementation ongoing

  March 1997

  ongoing to March 1998

  Public Record Office

  Records Information System

  1,300,000

  1,233,720

  March 1993

  March 1994

  Internal Communications Network

  60,000

  115,404

  March 1997

  February 1997

  Northern Ireland Court Service

  Belfast and Newtownabbey Magistrates Court System

  869,087

  999,492

  April 1995

  March 1996

  Court Funds Office System

  178,482

  219,437

  April 1995

  April 1995

  Chancery Division System

  126,098

  131,444

  November 1996

  November 1996

  Fee Collection System

  146,078

  149,330

  September 1996

  November 1996

  Resource Accounting System

  250,858

  291,099

  April 1997 (base system)

  April 1997 (Base system. Further development ongoing)

  Central Office System

  180,000

  180,000

  February 1996

  February 1996

  Fixed Penalty System

  220,000

  220,000

  October 1997

  October 1997

  Personnel and Payroll System

  120,000

  implementation ongoing

  April 1998 (personnel) August 1998 (payroll)

  On schedule

  PHOENIX Legal Aid Department

  1,300,000

  1,151,659

  December 1998

  On schedule for December 1998

  Legal Aid Board

  Corporate Information System

  10,200,000

  14,700,000

  1997

  On a phased basis November 1997-December 1998

  Organisation

  Systems planned for purchase 1998–99

  Estimated cost

  Public Record Office

  PROCAT Cataloguing System

  Currently commercial in confidence

  HM Land Registry

  Accounts Receivable System

  £870,000

  Computer Mapping Infrastructure

  Currently commercial in confidence

  Court Dress
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the reasons(a) which require solicitor QCs to wear wigs in court and (b) prohibit solicitor advocates from doing so. [27829]

  Mr. Hoon
  Queen's Counsel, banisters and solicitors all continue to wear their traditional court dress. The fact that solicitors may now exercise rights of audience in the higher courts is not a reason to extend the wearing of wigs in court. Queen's Counsel, whether banisters or solicitors, have their own distinctive ceremonial and court dress, which differs from that of the outer Bar. There is no reason why solicitor QCs should be expected to dress differently from other QCs.
  252

  Queen's Counsel
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many solicitor QCs have been appointed in each year since 1995; and what criteria are used to select them. [27835]

  Mr. Hoon
  In 1995 solicitors became eligible to apply for appointment as Queen's Counsel. In 1996 no solicitors were appointed. In 1997 two solicitors were appointed Queen's Counsel. The criteria used to select all applicants for appointment as Queen's Counsel are:

  (a) sound intellectual ability and a thorough, comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of law and procedures in the fields in which they practice;

  (b) outstanding ability as an advocate, to a standard to be expected of Queen's Counsel in the applicant's field of practice;

  (c) total professional integrity;

  (d) the highest professional standing, having gained the respect of the Bench and the profession in observing the advocate's duty to the Court and to the administration of justice, while presenting their client's case and being formidable, fair and honourable as an opponent;

  (e) maturity of judgment and balance;

  (f) a high quality practice based on demanding cases which will allow the full measure of these qualities to be demonstrated;

  (g) the ability to maintain appropriate professional relationships with lay and professional clients.

  253
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many honorary appointments as QCs have been made in each year since 1992; and what criteria are used to select them. [27836]

  Mr. Hoon
  Honorary silk is awarded on the personal recommendation of the Lord Chancellor after consultation within the judicial, professional and academic community. The criterion employed is exceptional distinction in the law outside the field of advocacy.

  In the years 1999–1997, there were six, seven, four, three, six and eight appointments respectively. The names of those awarded honorary silk this year will be announced on Thursday 9 April.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many solicitors applied for silk in each year since 1995; and what percentage were successful. [27834]

  Mr. Hoon
  Five solicitors applied for silk in 1995 and none were appointed in 1996 (zero per cent.). In 1996 six solicitors applied and two of them were appointed in 1997 (thirty three and a third per cent.). Seven solicitors applied in 1997 and the names of successful applicants will be announced on Thursday 9 April.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make it his policy to interview candidates for silk. [27830]

  Mr. Hoon
  My noble and learned Friend has no plans to interview applicants for Queen's Counsel. Silk is primarily an award for forensic advocacy, and an interview would not be an appropriate test of this.

  Unified Legal Profession
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment he has made of the advantages and disadvantages of a unified legal profession. [27831]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Government's assessment is that the balance of advantage at present lies in allowing a continuation of the separate legal professions.

  Absenteeism
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will estimate the rates of absenteeism in his(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 he will make a statement. [26669]

  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 5 February 1998]: Rates of sick absence in the Civil Service during the 1995 calendar year were contained in a report by OHSA Limited which the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster placed in the House Library on 24 June 1997, Official Report, column 419. For information in respect of the 1996 calendar year, I refer the hon. Member to the answer the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster gave on 10 February 1998, Official Report, column 116.

  Similar information is not available for the 1997 calendar year but approximate figures of the percentage of working days lost through sick absence in the 1996–97
  254
  and 1997–98 financial years are given in the table. The information given for the Lord Chancellor's Department Headquarters (a) includes figures for those non-departmental bodies which are staffed entirely by departmental employees, and Associated Offices.

  1996–97

  1997–98

  (a) Department

  2.55

  22.44

  (b) Agencies

  Land Registry

  4.42

  12.98

  Court Service

  6.14

  12.44

  Public Trust Office

  6.77

  25.27

  Northern Ireland Court Service

  6.95

  6.10

  Public Record Office

  4.60

  4

  (c) Non-departmental

  Legal Aid Board

  2.3

  3.2

  Lord Chancellor's Advisory Committee on Legal Education and Conduct

  2.4

  2.9

  1To September 1997.

  2To December 1997.

  Notes:

  1. Figures are presented as percentages.

  2. Figures are based on average numbers of staff in post in the organisation for the period.

  Ministerial Travel
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department 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. [27791]

  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 5 February 1998]: Ministerial cars and drivers cost the Department £97,056 in 1995–96, £132,086 in 1996–97, £113,494 in 1997–98 to date with an estimate of £151,325 for 1997–98 full year. The Department does not separately record expenditure on taxi fares and figures could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Translation Facilities
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee what plans there are for the provision of simultaneous translation equipment in the House of Commons; what estimates he has made of the set-up costs; and if he will make a statement. [28559]

  Sir Sydney Chapman
  The House of Commons Chamber is already equipped with simultaneous translation facilities. Simultaneous translation equipment will be provided in the multi-purpose conference room in Portcullis House. An estimate of the set-up costs has not yet been made.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission what translation (i) facilities are available and (ii) staff are employed in the House of Commons on(a) a permanent basis and (b) an ad hoc basis; and what the forecast running costs are for 1997–98. [28558]
  255
  Mr. Kirkwood
  There is no simultaneous translation service provided by the House and therefore no translation staff are employed by the House of Commons Commission. Arrangements for simultaneous translation facilities and interpreters in the gallery, to be hired on repayment, can be made on request to the Serjeant at Arms Office. The forecast running cost for 1997–98 is approximately £230.

WALES

  Literacy Targets
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what extra support he has given to local educational authorities in Wales to meet literacy targets. [27643]

  Mr. Hain
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave him on 4 February 1998,Official Report, column 675.

  Prostate Cancer
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what action he is taking to improve(a) public awareness of and (b) treatment of prostate cancer. [27494]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  Advice on the early signs of prostate cancer is provided in a leaflet available from the Health Promotion Wales and the NHS.

  The introduction of prostate cancer screening has been considered by the Government's National Screening Committee. They concluded that current evidence does not support a national screening programme for prostate cancer in the United Kingdom. Current screening technologies (including the PSA Test) have a limited accuracy that could lead to a positive result for those without disease. Follow-up procedures could thus cause unnecessary harm to healthy individuals.

  There is at yet no national consensus of medical opinion about the correct management of early localised prostatic cancers. In Wales, specialists in prostate cancer are working together to develop standards and guidelines as part of the work of our Cancer Services Co-ordinating Group (CSCG). This work, which will draw on the studies world-wide, will ensure that we have a high quality consistent service for men across Wales based on the best clinical evidence. During the course of 1998 CSCG plan to issue in Wales standards for urological cancers which will include prostate cancer. The development of guidelines will ensure that all patients should have access to appropriate diagnostic and treatment facilities. When these guidelines are published steps will be taken to ensure dissemination to the NHS in Wales.

  Housing
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many homes were deemed unfit for human habitation in Wales last year. [27493]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The most recent Welsh House Condition Survey was conducted in 1993. From this, it was estimated that 151,200 occupied first homes,256
  13.4 per cent. of the total, in Wales were unfit. A further Welsh House Condition Survey is in progress. Information from this survey is expected to be available later this year.

  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many new homes are planned in each of the unitary authorities in 1998. [28242]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  Information on the number of new homes planned for 1998 in each unitary authority is not available. However, Tai Cymru will start 2,300 social housing units in Wales in 1998–99. I will write to the hon. Member with the number of planned starts by registered social landlords in each unitary authority as soon as the information is available, and place a copy in the Library of the House.

  Workers Educational Association
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received from the Workers Educational Association in North Wales concerning the financial difficulties facing the WEA; what response he has made to them; if he will provide assistance to them; and if he will make a statement. [27477]

  Mr. Hain
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received two letters from the Workers' Educational Association in North Wales concerning the financial difficulties facing the WEA; the first, from the Director, has been sent a reply; the second from the Chairman is still being considered and I will reply in the near future.

  I am considering what more can be done to support the Workers' Educational Association in North Wales.

  Structural Fund Reform
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received on the impact on Wales of reform of European Union structural funds. [28167]

  Mr. Hain
  My right hon. Friend has received representations, from The Welsh European Partnership (an umbrella organisation representing local partners), Confederation of British Industry, National Trust and others.

  Welsh Office officials are currently undertaking a consultation exercise to seek the views of the partnership. This will contribute to the UK negotiating position on the Structural Fund Regulations, due to be published in draft in March.

  Meningitis
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many cases of meningitis have been reported in Wales during the past three years; what proportion of these cases were students; and if he will make a statement. [27971]
  257
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The number of notifications of meningitis, by age, is given in the following table. Occupation is not routinely collected.

  Statutory notifications of meningitis from Wales (all causes) by age group

  Age group

  1995

  1996

  1997

  Under 1

  52

  38

  35

  1–4

  52

  38

  45

  5–14

  39

  31

  29

  15–24

  33

  34

  33

  25–34

  11

  20

  12

  35–44

  7

  10

  11

  45–54

  12

  12

  6

  55–64

  6

  5

  7

  65 and over

  7

  19

  19

  Age not known

  4

  2

  3

  All ages

  223

  209

  200

  Source

  Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre Wales (CDSC).

  Farmer Suicides
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what measures he is taking to reduce the suicide rate of farmers in rural Wales; and if he will make a statement. [28008]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  This is an area of great concern for us and we are taking a number of measures to address it.

  The Mental Illness Strategy provides a framework for a comprehensive range of services to be developed across Wales, to provide care and support locally. We have set as a health target the reduction in the number of suicides across Wales. More specifically, we have funded the Institute of Rural Health in Gregynog to undertake a study of suicide in Powys, in order to examine specific Welsh factors leading to such tragedies. We have been involved also in a conference to identify the causes of rural stress and to create a strategy to tackle the issues. The Rural Stress Information Network was launched on 4 December 1996 and provides a vital link between Government, farming industry and the voluntary sector on all matters concerning rural stress.

  Education Spending
  Mr. Liwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what has been the change in the level of education expenditure by each local education authority in the last year against the previous year. [28012]

  Mr. Hain
  The information requested is given in the following table.

  Local Authority Expenditure on Education1

  1996–97 2£000

  1997–98 3£000

  Change £000

  Percentage change

  Blaenau Gwent

  32,554

  32,206

  -348

  -1

  Bridgend

  56,316

  56,634

  318

  1

  Caerphilly

  75,056

  74,621

  -435

  -1

  Cardiff

  127,438

  127,438

  0

  0

  Carmarthenshire

  76,360

  79,829

  3,469

  4

  Ceredigion

  33,961

  34,711

  750

  2

  Conwy

  42,181

  42,297

  116

  0

  Denbighshire

  39,001

  37,764

  -1,237

  -3

  Flintshire

  62,812

  62,176

  -635

  -1

  Gwynedd

  51,424

  52,359

  935

  2

  Isle of Anglesey

  31,709

  31,583

  -126

  -0

  Merthyr Tydfil

  28,272

  28,694

  422

  1

  258

  Local Authority Expenditure on Education1

  1996–97 2£000

  1997–98 3£000

  Change£000

  Percentage change

  Monmouthshire Neath Port

  33,744

  34,432

  688

  2

  Talbot

  62,469

  63,616

  1,147

  2

  Newport

  61,585

  63,384

  1,799

  3

  Pembrokeshire

  53,903

  54,402

  499

  1

  Powys

  59,079

  60,018

  939

  2

  Rhondda Cynon Taff

  108,785

  113,795

  5,010

  4

  Swansea

  100,067

  98,992

  -1,075

  -1

  The Vale of Glamorgan

  49,225

  49,688

  463

  1

  Torfaen

  42,323

  42,630

  307

  1

  Wrexham

  47,822

  48,814

  992

  2

  Total Wales

  1,276,086

  1,290,083

  13,997

  1

  1 Includes schools, other continuing education, education service strategy and regulation, inter authority education recoupment, gross expenditure on mandatory student awards and payments to government in respect of grant maintained schools. Figures are gross of government grants but net of sales, fees and charges.

  2 Provisional outturn.

  3 Budget. Adjusted for the under five voucher scheme.

  Information Technology
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to expand provision for information technology in Welsh schools. [28174]

  Mr. Hain
  The Grants for Education Support and Training programme includes provision of up to £3.35 million for LEAs in Wales in 1998–99 to support a comprehensive package of training in the use of information and communications technologies in school, and the purchase of computer equipment. Individual Authorities were informed of their allocations on 30 January.

  In addition, we are making available a further £3 million to allow LEAs to implement the National Grid for Learning in Wales. Authorities are currently drawing up their plans for submission to the Department. I expect to announce details of allocations as early as possible in the new financial year.

  Teachers in Wales will also benefit fully from the Lottery-funded ICT training which will be available from 1999, subject to the passage of the National Lottery Bill currently before Parliament.

  Farm Incomes
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the average net annual income from 1989–90 to 1996–97 of(a) dairy farmers, (b) beef farmers, (c) sheep farmers and (d) farmers in less favoured areas in Wales. [28273]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  Net Farm Incomes are calculated for specific farm types from the Farm Business Survey. The figures for the types closest to those requested are set out in the following table.
  259

  Levels of net farm income in Wales

  Income (£000/farm)

  Farm Type1

  1989–90

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  All Dairy

  21.7

  19.0

  20.2

  28.4

  28.4

  21.9

  35.3

  SDA Sheep

  9.3

  10.8

  16.5

  15.1

  17.7

  8.6

  18.2

  LFA Cattle and Sheep

  8.8

  7.6

  12.3

  13.1

  16.0

  7.0

  18.4

  1 Figures for SDA Beef cannot be published due to the small size of the sample.

  Figures for 1996–97 are currently being collated, and the indices will be published in a Statistical Release on Thursday 12 February 1998. A copy will be placed in the Library of the House. Cash figures will be available in Farm Incomes in the United Kingdom 1996–97 which will be published by MAFF in March.

  Commercial Airfields
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the commercial airfields in Wales in order of activity; and if he will make a statement. [28612]

  Mr. Hain
  The following aerodromes in Wales have been licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority for the purposes of instruction in flying and for the public transport of passengers: Cardiff; Welshpool; Swansea; Hawarden; Caernarfon; and Haverfordwest.

  I understand that the Civil Aviation Authority does not require or maintain comprehensive records of airport activity in discharging its aerodrome licensing function. The above list represents in descending order the information available to the CAA on the level of activity at each aerodrome.

  I am currently engaged in a series of meetings with airport and airline owners and operators to investigate the scope for developing scheduled air services in Wales.

  Planning
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his policy concerning(a) house building on brownfield sites and (b) out-of-town shopping centres. [28613]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  Planning Guidance (Wales): Planning Policy (PG(W):PP), May 1996, includes guidance on the use of brownfield sites to reduce pressure for development on greenfield sites. It stresses the need for local planning authorities to make full and effective use of land within existing urban areas and to take account of the scope and potential for rehabilitation, conversion, clearance and redevelopment.

  PG (W):PP also provides advice on retailing, setting out a commitment to sustain and enhance town centres. It introduces the sequential test which favours locating new shopping in town centres, then on edge of town centre sites and, only where those options are not available, on out of centre sites with good access to public transport.

  Green Barriers and Green Belt
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his policy concerning(a) green barriers and (b) green belts. [28616]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  Planning Guidance (Wales): Planning Policy, May 1996, encourages local planning authorities to consider designating Green Belts in the more heavily populated parts of Wales, and I have written to each authority asking them to give the matter serious 260
  consideration. Local planning authorities may include appropriate policies and proposals for green barriers in their development plans.

  Brazilian Mahogany
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what amount of Brazilian mahogany has been(a) acquired and (b) specified by his Department in (i) 1996 and (ii) 1997; and for what purpose. [28384]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  None and none.

  Home Energy Efficiency Scheme
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the home energy efficiency scheme. [28614]

  Angela Eagle
  I have been asked to reply.

  This scheme operates throughout Great Britain and is the responsibility of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions. It pays grants for improving the energy efficiency standards of the homes of vulnerable householders. I am reviewing the scheme at present, to find out if it is helping the right people in the most effective way. I will consider carefully any options for developing the scheme which flow from the review.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Drugs
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to her oral answer of 14 January 1998,Official Report, column 337, what action she has taken to investigate alleged links between (a) drug traffickers, (b) the IRA and (c) Sinn Fein and Direct Action Against Drugs. [26870]

  Mr. Ingram
  The investigation of any criminal activity is a matter for the RUC who rigorously investigate all drug trafficking and other illegal activity regardless of what individuals or organisations may be involved.

  Downe Hospital
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made towards the provision of funding for the third stage of the Downe Hospital. [26871]

  Mr. Worthington
  The Down Lisburn Trust has asked to proceed to a Full Business Case and public funding for a new Downe Hospital. I need to decide what public investment will best serve the local population well into
  261
  the next century. My officials have been examining the proposal and I will be considering this analysis in the next few days. When I have made my decision I will discuss the way ahead with the Trust and the hon. Gentleman.

  Police (Complaints)
  Mr. Lock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans she has to improve procedures in relation to complaints against the police; and if she will make a statement. [26872]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Police (Northern Ireland) Bill, which is currently before this House, contains new provisions on police complaints. These will give effect to a new, radical system in Northern Ireland under which an independent Police Ombudsman will have complete control of the process.

  Tourism
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many tourists and others visited Northern Ireland in the last period for which figures are available. [26873]

  Mr. Ingram
  During 1996, following the cease-fire breakdown, 1.44 million visitors came to Northern Ireland, including 298,000 pure holiday visitors. Current estimates for 1997 suggest a decline on 1996, with total visits falling to around 1.4 million, and pure holiday visitors to 248,000.

  School Funding
  Mr. Trimble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the implementation of the Coopers and Lybrand report on school funding. [26875]

  Mr. Worthington
  Following consultation with schools, significant first steps towards achieving commonality in Local Management of Schools funding formulae, which is the main thrust of the Coopers and Lybrand Report, have now been set in place for 1998–99. All formulae will, in practice, operate on the same basis in relation to small schools and premises costs. Some progress has also been made in moving towards common age weighted pupil units, and further consultations and discussion with education interoses on this and on the targeting Social Need element of the formula will take place in the coming year.

  Peace Process
  Ms Southworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress is being made in the all-party talks. [26876]

  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on current progress in the peace talks. [26878]

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the current peace talks. [26887]

  Mr. Quinn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on progress in the peace process. [26890]
  262
  Marjorie Mowlam
  I refer my hon. Friends to the oral answer I gave earlier to my hon. Friend the Member for Islington, North (Mr. Corbyn).

  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the outcome of the Northern Ireland peace talks in London. [26877]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  The talks at Lancaster House focused on relations between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and the totality of relationships between the two Irelands. The process benefited from the change of location which helped to increase the pace of negotiation as we approach the May deadline.

  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent discussions she has had with the Irish Government concerning the Northern Ireland peace process. [26881]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  I have regular discussions with the Irish government on the peace process, both within the talks process and on other occasions, in pursuit of our shared goal of achieving a widely acceptable political accommodation and a lasting peace.

  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are her objectives for the outcome of the peace process in Northern Ireland. [26882]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  The Talks have the purpose of achieving a new beginning for relationships within Northern Ireland, within the island of Ireland and between the peoples of these islands, and to agree new institutions and structures to take account of the totality of relationships.

  A political settlement which addressed these relationships to the satisfaction of the talks participants and won widespread support throughout the community in Northern Ireland could bring about political stability and greater democratic accountability, and underpin lasting peace.

  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on policy with regard to paramilitary organisations' participation in the peace talks. [26883]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  A number of parties which participate in the political talks have links with paramilitary organisations. No party is entitled to participate if it is in breach of the Mitchell Principles of democracy and non-violence. In assessing that, we shall take account of the activities of organisations with which the party concerned has a clear link, as we did in considering the position of the Ulster Democratic Party.

  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment she has made of the role of the Framework Document in achieving consensus between Unionists and Nationalists in the talks process. [26885]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  The Government put forward the Framework documents in 1995 as a package that in their view had the potential for securing consensus, but they made clear that they would accept a range of other outcomes broadly acceptable to other participants in talks. We naturally remain committed to the principles reflected
  263
  in the Framework documents, but the final outcome depends on where participants themselves can find consensus.

  Economic Strategy
  Mr. Browne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what initiatives she has undertaken in the course of her review of the economic strategy for Northern Ireland. [26879]

  Mr. Ingram
  We are working hard to improve the competitiveness of the Northern Ireland economy and tackle its underlying problems, particularly long-term unemployment. The New Deal, to which we are committing £140 million in Northern Ireland over the life of this Parliament, will greatly increase the opportunities for the long-term unemployed.

  I have set in train two important reviews. The first is looking at the Department of Economic Development's structures for delivering industrial support services and will be completed next month. The second is a fundamental re-examination, in partnership with the private sector, of the economic development strategy needed to take Northern Ireland into the new millennium. It will be completed by the autumn of next year.

  Guardsmen Fisher and Wright
  Mr. Martin Bell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will assess the advantages of the early release of Guardsmen Fisher and Wright. [26880]

  Mr. Ingram
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State considered all aspects of these cases in October 1997 at the five year point in their sentences. She decided that they had not yet served a period that reflected the gravity of the crime they committed and asked that the cases be considered again in October 1998.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment she has made of the impact of recent court decisions on the release date of Guardsman Wright. [26892]

  Mr. Ingram
  On Monday 26 January the High Court in Belfast granted leave for a judicial review of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's decision of 27 October 1997 that the cases of the Guardsmen should be referred back to the Life Sentence Review Board in October 1998. No date has yet been set for the hearing.

  Sports Council
  20. Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans she has to allocate sufficient funding to the Sports Council of Northern Ireland for it to provide comparable specialist and competition facilities to those in Great Britain. [26884]

  Mr. Worthington
  The provision of specialist and competition facilities comparable to those in Great Britain is being pursued under proposals for the United Kingdom Sports Institute. Funding for the Institute will be drawn from the National Lottery.

  Mr. Kevin Barry Artt
  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she consulted the Attorney-General 264
  (a) before making a public statement relating to the extradition of Mr. Kevin Barry Artt from the United States and (b) instructing Northern Ireland's Director of Security to discuss the case with Mr. Artt's solicitors. [26888]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Any public comments that the Secretary of State made were in accordance with normal Government policy on such cases, namely that bail in Artt's case is a matter for the US authorities, whose policy, as I understand it, is to oppose bail in extradition cases. Also, it remains our policy that time served abroad by prisoners at large from the UK does not normally count towards sentences served in this jurisdiction. At the Secretary of State's request the Director of Security in the NIO, who was accompanying her in America, met Artt's attorney to listen to and pass on their representations.

  Nursery Education
  24. Mr. Savidge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on nursery education in Northern Ireland. [26889]

  Mr. Worthington
  I refer my hon. Friend to the oral reply I gave earlier to my hon. Friend the Member for Eastwood (Mr. Murphy).

  Local Government
  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on progress with transferring responsibilities to local government in Northern Ireland. [26891]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  If widely acceptable arrangements can be agreed in the talks process it is the Government's intention to transfer a wide range of responsibilities to new democratically elected institutions in Northern Ireland.

  Road Investment
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on road investment in the current and next two financial years. [26874]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Our intention is to spend approximately £155 million and £145 million on road investment in 1997/98 and 1998/99 respectively. The level of funding for 1999/00 is dependent on the outcome of the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review.

  Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company
  Mr. Salter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she intends to review the role of the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company. [29277]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  Yes. I have initiated a review of the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company and I plan to announce the outcome later this year.

  Council of the Isles
  Mr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if, when she last met the representatives of political parties, they discussed the concept of a Council of the Isles. [26865]
  265
  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The paper 'Propositions on Heads of Agreement', which was tabled in the talks on 12 January, put forward, amongst other things, the idea of an intergovernmental Council to deal with the totality of relationships. This is akin to the idea of a Council of the Isles. The idea was discussed in the talks on 28 January.

  Grammar Schools
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the percentage of children in Northern Ireland who attend grammar schools. [26886]

  Mr. Worthington
  Some 41 per cent. of schools pupils aged 11–18 attend grammar schools i.e. 35 per cent. of pupils aged 11–16 and 72 per cent. of pupils aged 16+.

SCOTLAND

  BSE
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the effect which the phasing out of support for the rendering sector will have on(a) the viability of the knackery sector and (b) the number of fallen beasts which are buried on farms. [24388]

  Mr. Macdonald
  [holding answer 21 January 1998]: The support was a transitional measure to enable the industry to adjust to the new circumstances after 20 March 1996. The impact will be a matter of economic adjustment among the various sectors of the meat industry affected. Information on numbers of fallen beasts buried on farms is not available. My officials monitor the situation, however, and have been informed by the enforcement authorities that there is no noticeable increase in the illegal disposal of fallen animals.

  Computer systems commissioned since 1993–94

  Purchase cost (£)

  Planned commissioning date

  Actual commissioning date

  Scottish Office

  Agricultural Census

  907,000

  May 1996

  November 1996

  Cattle Control Documentation

  497,000

  January 1996

  July 1996

  Corporate Finance System

  4,177,000

  April 1996

  April 1996

  Crofting Building Grants and Loans

  425,000

  May 1997

  November 1997

  Farm Accounts Scheme

  908,000

  February 1997

  May 1997

  Finance Public Expenditure Survey System

  260,000

  July 1993

  February 1994

  Fisheries Information Network

  1,234,000

  April 1995

  April 1995

  Human Resource Management System

  750,000

  August 1997

  October 1997

  HM Schools Inspectorate Management Information System

  250,000

  1993

  1993

  Industry Department Glasgow: INFORM System

  967,000

  September 1996

  March 1997

  National Roads Dir: Programme Management System

  331,000

  April 1994

  April 1995

  Office Automation for Solicitor's Office

  297,000

  August 1996

  August 1996

  Office Automation for Agriculture Group

  640,000

  March 1997

  March 1997

  Office Automation for Department of Health

  350,000

  March 1998

  March 1998

  Office Automation for Director of Administrative Services

  680,000

  1995–96

  1995–96

  Office Automation for Education Divisions

  705,000

  July 1994

  July 1994

  Office Automation for Environment Group

  250,000

  February 1997

  January 1997

  Office automation for Fisheries Group

  757,000

  December 1993

  March 1994

  Office Automation for Home Department

  544,000

  October 1996

  October 1996

  Office Automation for Human Resources Function

  777,000

  February 1995

  July 1995

  Office Automation for Industry Department. (Glasgow)

  1,032,000

  November 1994

  November 1994

  Office Automation for Personal Secretaries

  1,001,000

  May-November 1995

  May-November 1995

  266

  Civil Service Staff
  Mr. Rhodri Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of Civil Service staff of grade 5 and above within his Department(a) have spent their entire civil service career within his Department, (b) have had secondments to (i) the private sector and (ii) other departments and (c) have come from other departments. [26025]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 28 January 1998]: Of the total number of Senior Civil Service staff within my Department at 31 December 1997:

  (a) 66% have spent their entire civil service career within The Scottish Office;

  (i) 11% have had secondments to the private sector;

  (ii) 13% have been seconded to other Departments; and

  (c) 10% have come from other Departments.

  (f) [percentages have been rounded to the nearose whole number].

  In addition, 47 per cent. of Senior Civil Service staff within my Department, including some from each of the above categories, have experience of work in other public sector organisations or the private sector prior to their joining the Civil Service.

  Computer Systems
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list each major new computer system that(a) his Department, (b) non-departmental bodies and (c) agencies under his 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 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. [27847]

  Mr. Dewar
  The information for my Department and its agencies is set out in the table. Computer systems with a capital cost of under £250,000 have been excluded. The costs shown are capital purchase cost including VAT. Information relating to NDPBs is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
  267

  Computer systems commissioned since 1993–94

  Purchase cost (£)

  Planned commissioning date

  Actual commissioning date

  Office Automation for Private Office

  512,000

  April 1995

  April 1995

  Office Automation for Social Work Services Group

  473,000

  August 1996

  August 1996

  Office Automation for Victoria Quay

  1,610,000

  September 1995

  November 1995

  Pentland House Office Automation Infrastructure

  654,000

  April 1996

  April 1996

  Quota Management IT System

  473,000

  July 1996

  July 1996

  Records Management—Computerisation of Central Registries

  591,000

  March 1998

  March 1998

  Statistical Software Licences

  850,000

  December 1993

  December 1993

  Agriculture Grants Payments System (SIACS) 94

  3,798,000

  December 1993

  December 1993

  SIACS 95

  1,490,000

  December 1994

  December 1994

  SIACS 96

  1,198,000

  December 1995

  December 1995

  SIACS 97

  1,926,000

  December 1996

  December 1996

  SIACS BSE & Beef Premium Scheme

  1,118,000

  July 1996

  July 1996

  SIACS Development Servers

  310,000

  May 1996

  July 1996

  SIACS Upgrades

  1,260,000

  October 1997

  October 1997

  SIACS Management Information System

  595,000

  September 1997

  March 1998

  Agencies

  Historic Scotland Financial Management Information System

  500,000

  April 1995

  April 1995

  Registers of Scotland Computerised Sasines

  365,000

  June 1993

  July 1993

  Registers of Scotland Digital Mapping

  499,000

  November 1994

  December 1994

  Registers of Scotland Land Register System

  509,000

  January 1995

  February 1995

  Registers of Scotland Search Sheet Imaging

  1,175,000

  June 1997

  August 1997

  Student Grants System for Student Awards Agency

  2,566,000

  April 1997

  April 1997

  Scottish Prisons Computer System (SPIN)

  6,000,000

  December 1994

  January 1995

  Ongoing Projects

  New Pension Admin System for Teachers and the NHS

  1,300,000

  July 1998

  July 1998

  SIACS 98

  324,000

  December 1997

  December 1997/ through 1998

  Field Identification System for Arable Grants

  1,772,000

  through 1998

  Planned Purchases for Financial Year 1998–99

  Agriculture Environment Cross Check System

  11,000,000

  —

  —

  Registers of Scotland Direct Access System

  11,790,000

  —

  —

  Registers of Scotland Finance/Executive Information System

  1400,000

  —

  —

  1 Estimated cost.

  Brazilian Mahogany
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what amount of Brazilian mahogany has been(a) acquired and (b) specified by his Department in (i) 1996 and (ii) 1997; and for what purpose. [28385]

  Mr. Dewar
  A Supplementary Notice regarding protecting the environment is issued by The Scottish Office with the terms and conditions of all contracts which requires suppliers to satisfy themselves that no product supplied to the Department contains materials derived from threatened species or threatened environments.

  My Department has neither specified nor acquired any Brazilian mahogany in 1996 or 1997.

  Public Opinion Research
  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many contracts for public opinion research his Department has awarded since 1 May; if he will indicate the(a) purpose, (b) cost, (c) value and (d) duration of each contract; and which companies (i) bid for and (ii) were awarded each contract. [28874]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 10 February 1998]: My Department has not let any contracts for public opinion research since 1 May 1997. The Government are, of course, keen to consult with the public wherever
  268
  appropriate and my Department does seek to assess the impact of current policy initiatives through its programmes of research.

  Water Industry
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the level of water charges in current prices and the percentage annual change for each region of Scotland for each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [28553]

  Mr. Macdonald
  The figures are as in the following tables.

  1997–98 constant prices Band D water charges

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  /997–98

  East

  Borders

  96.45

  100.45

  100.44

  93.96

  96.00

  Forth Valley

  52.71

  51.32

  48.63

  49.56

  54.00

  Fife

  66.17

  64.42

  67.66

  69.18

  75.00

  Lothian

  78.51

  85.16

  97.27

  93.96

  96.00

  North

  Grampian

  99.82

  97.17

  94.10

  95.51

  99.00

  Highland

  90.84

  96.42

  96.21

  95.51

  99.00

  Tayside

  71.78

  75.34

  78.24

  79.50

  84.50

  Orkney

  130.10

  134.29

  128.99

  119.77

  111.00

  Shetland

  118.94

  126.65

  125.14

  119.77

  111.00

  Western Isles

  205.24

  211.81

  196.65

  119.77

  111.00

  269

  1997–98 constant prices Band D water charges

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  West

  Dumfries and alloway

  94.21

  91.71

  88.02

  92.93

  95.40

  Strathclyde

  84.11

  87.35

  91.98

  92.93

  95.40

  Year on year percentage change in 1997–98 constant prices Band D water charges

  Percentages

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  East

  Borders

  4

  0

  -6

  2

  Forth Valley

  -3

  -5

  2

  9

  Fife

  -3

  5

  2

  8

  Lothian

  8

  14

  -3

  2

  North

  Grampian

  -3

  -3

  1

  4

  Highland

  6

  0

  -1

  4

  Tayside

  5

  4

  2

  6

  Orkney

  3

  -4

  -7

  -7

  Shetland

  6

  -1

  -4

  -7

  Western Isles

  3

  -7

  -39

  -7

  West

  Dumfries and Galloway

  -3

  -4

  6

  3

  Strathclyde

  4

  5

  1

  3

  Note

  Adjusted to current prices by all items RPI index (forecast for 1997–98).

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the current proposed price changes for water services in Scotland; and when he will complete his examination of water charges submitted by the water authorities. [28555]

  Mr. Macdonald
  My right hon. Friend is giving full and detailed consideration to this matter.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the level of investment in water services in current prices and the percentage annual change, in Scotland, by region, for each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [28554]

  Mr. Macdonald
  Since taking over water services in April 1996, the water authorities have made investment plans which cover the whole of their areas, and are not disaggregated to former regional areas.

  Local Government Officials
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many representations he has received concerning employment issues at West Dunbartonshire Council; and what discussions he has had with(a) COSLA, (b) West Dunbartonshire Council and

  (c) Unison concerning the procedures for terminating the contracts of senior council officials. [28590]

  Mr. Macdonald
  One letter has been received by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. No discussions have taken place with the above bodies concerning the procedures for terminating contracts of senior council officials since, as independent corporate bodies, local authorities have powers to appoint officers on such reasonable terms and conditions as they think fit. In doing 270
  so they are, of course, required to comply with employment law. Ministers have no locus to intervene in such matters.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what guidelines he has issued with reference to safeguarding the non-political status of senior council officials; what is the role of councillors in respect of the termination of employment contracts for senior council officials; and what guidelines he has issued regarding the termination of employment contracts for senior council officials. [28589]

  Mr. Macdonald
  The Government believe it is important that councils and the public can rely on politically impartial service from senior local government officials, and that councils respect the political neutrality of officials. The political activities of certain local government officials are rosericted by Part 1 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and by regulations made by the Secretary of State under that Act. Scottish Development Department Circular 28/89 advised local authorities of the effects of the 1989 Act and letters of 25 April 1990 and 1 August 1990 from the Scottish Development Department advised local authorities about the regulations made under the 1989 Act. I have arranged for copies of these to be placed in the Library of the House. The Government intend to review the number and level of local government officers covered by political roserictions.

  Councillors, as employers, have a role should they consider there is the need to terminate the contracts of Chief Executives or chief officers. Local government, through COSLA, have in place agreed procedures which allow councillors to report such matters and participate in any investigating and disciplinary committees which are set up. However, given the unique position of Chief Executives, arrangements are in place between the local authority employers and staff associations for any proposed disciplinary action to be investigated by an independent third party.

  No guidelines have been issued by central government regarding the termination of employment contracts for senior council officials. This is a matter for local authorities themselves and would depend on the terms and conditions on which the appointment had been made.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what role he has in respect of breaches of the National Code of Local Government Conduct and the Conditions of Service for Chief Officials of Local Authorities (Scotland). [28591]

  Mr. Macdonald
  The Secretary of State has no role in respect of breaches of the National Code of Conduct. Neither has he any role in respect of breaches of the conditions of service for local authorities' chief officials which are entirely matters for local authorities as the employer.

  The Government are, as part of our consideration of the ethical framework for local government in the light of the third report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, considering what changes may be necessary to the code of conduct for councillors and how a revised code might be enforced.
  271

  Council Houses
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for each unitary local authority the number of council houses affected by(a) dampness and (b) condensation at 31 March 1996. [28982]

  Mr. Macdonald
  The table sets out local authorities' estimates of the position, as at 31 March 1996.

  Local authority dwellings affected by dampness and/or condensation: estimates as at 31 March 1996

  Dampness only

  Condensation only

  Both dampness and condensation

  Aberdeen City

  1,585

  3,462

  201

  Aberdeenshire

  64

  1,480

  0

  Angus

  2

  625

  0

  Argyll and Bute

  601

  577

  1,137

  Clackmannan

  386

  175

  329

  Dumfries and Galloway1

  —

  —

  —

  Dundee City

  596

  8,605

  570

  East Ayrshire

  1,373

  7,159

  1,823

  East Dunbartonshire

  683

  77

  392

  East Lothian

  625

  0

  1,408

  East Renfrewshire

  100

  359

  304

  Edinburgh City

  1,851

  10,045

  4,053

  Falkirk

  2,381

  4,286

  2,488

  Fife

  15

  5,218

  10

  Glasgow City

  15,821

  25,340

  14,824

  Highland

  1,169

  3,400

  653

  Inverclyde

  483

  0

  2,797

  Midlothian

  0

  0

  0

  Moray

  89

  805

  87

  North Ayrshire

  294

  1,357

  0

  North Lanarkshire

  10,164

  17,473

  13,725

  Orkney

  0

  0

  0

  Perthshire and Kinross

  122

  1,843

  388

  Renfrewshire

  3,152

  3,193

  1,897

  Scottish Borders

  61

  44

  157

  Shetland

  26

  462

  20

  South Ayrshire

  553

  7,398

  733

  South Lanarkshire

  191

  1,805

  2,020

  Stirling

  130

  1,111

  329

  West Dunbartonshire

  1,592

  2,946

  693

  West Lothian

  2,017

  864

  0

  Western Isles

  818

  604

  557

  Scotland

  46,944

  110,713

  51,595

  1 Figures not available.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Beef on the Bone
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many butchers have been(a) cautioned and (b) prosecuted for selling beef on the bone; and if he will make a statement. [28004]

  Mr. Rooker
  Enforcement of the prohibition on the sale of bone-in beef by butchers is the responsibility of local authorities. I am not aware that any butchers have been cautioned or prosecuted for such sales although I understand the Procurator Fiscal is currently considering a possible prosecution in Scotland. Normal practice would be to take legal action only after warnings and advice had been given. Local authorities are enforcing the law, and I expect them to continue to do so.
  272

  Quarantine Kennels
  Laura Moffatt
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the quarantine kennels which have(a) agreed and (b) not agreed to abide by the voluntary code of practice on welfare standards in quarantine kennels. [27941]

  Mr. Rooker
  Yes.

  (a) Those quarantine premises which have agreed to abide by the code are as follows:

  Alkamhurst Kennels

  Arden Grange International Quarantine Kennels

  Aquithie Boarding and Quarantine Kennels and Cattery

  Barn Owl Kennels

  Bayton Lodge International Quarantine Kennels

  Breeny Boarding and Quarantine Kennels

  Calagran Quarantine Kennels

  Cayla Kennels

  Chingford Quarantine Kennels Ltd.

  Court Park Cattery

  Devon International Quarantine Kennels Ltd.

  Edinburgh and Lothians Kennels

  Edinburgh International Kennels

  Eyersdown Farm Quarantine Kennels

  Fairfield Kennels

  Four-in-Hand Kennels (1983) Ltd.

  Fosscott Kennels Ltd.

  Galley Hill International Quarantine Kennels

  Gatwick Kennels

  Granary Kennels

  Greenveldt Quarantine Kennels

  Haxted Quarantine Kennels

  Hazel House Quarantine Kennels

  Highfield Cat Boarding Kennels

  Hill Farm Kennels

  Holmsley Quarantine Kennels

  Ingfield Pet Hotel

  International Quarantine Cattery "Cherry Trees"

  International Quarantine Kennels (Dover) Ltd.

  Kat 'n' Kitten Kountry Kottages

  Kingstown Quarantine Kennels

  Kitcombe Quarantine Kennels and Catteries

  Knightwood Quarantine Kennels

  Koriston Kennels

  Kynos Kennels

  Ladyhaye International Quarantine Kennels

  Little Acre Quarantine Centre

  Little Creek Quarantine Kennels

  Loggerheads Quarantine Kennels

  London and Essex International Quarantine Kennels

  Mayfield Kennels Ltd.

  Meadpark Quarantine Kennels

  Millview Kennels

  Milton Quarantine Kennels

  Moonwinds Quarantine Kennels

  Nottinghamshire International Quarantine Kennels

  Oakenshaw Grange Kennels

  Overhill Quarantine Kennels

  273

  Oxted Quarantine Kennels Paisley Quarantine Cattery

  Par Air Quarantine Kennels and Cattery'

  Precious Pet Valley

  Red Lea Pets Holiday Centre and International Quarantine Rushwood International Quarantine Kennels and Cattery

  Rutland Quarantine Kennels

  Ryslip Quarantine Kennels

  South West (UK) International Quarantine Kennels

  Sibthorpe Kennels

  Spire Ridge Ltd.

  St. Giles Kennels and Cattery

  St. Andrews Farm Kennels

  Sylvester's Cattery

  The Animal Inn

  The Firs International Quarantine The Hearts Quarantine Cattery

  The Hollies Farm Quarantine Kennels

  Thimbleby International Thornley Bank Kennels

  Top Hat and Tails Ltd. Quarantine Kennels and Cattery

  UK Quarantine Kennels

  Wadacre Farm International Quarantine Kennels

  Westcourt Quarantine Cattery West Wales Quarantine Kennels' Wey Farm Cattery and Kennels Willowslea Farm Quarantine Kennels

  Wyddial Park Quarantine Kennels

  Yorkshire International Quarantine Kennels.

  1 Agreed to comply but, following inspections, were found not to comply with all aspects of the Code.

  (b) Those quarantine premises which have not agreed to abide by the requirements of the Code are as follows:

  Dover and Folkestone Quarantine Kennels

  Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare

  Wild Acres Quarantine Kennels.

  Computer Systems
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list each major new computer system that(a) his Department, (b) non-departmental bodies and (c) agencies under his 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 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. [27844]

  Mr. Morley
  It is not possible to answer this question fully because to do so would incur disproportionate costs. However, the following information may be helpful. This shows the number of IT projects completed/planned in each of the years requested and total costs incurred/estimated for core-MAFF and Agencies. Major 274
  project areas where total costs fall in the range £1 million-£10 million, or exceed £10 million, are also identified.

  Core-MAFF and Agencies

  Year

  Projects completed/planned

  Total costs £ million

  1993–94

  150

  43.8

  1994–95

  163

  42

  1995–96

  266

  40.4

  1996–97

  185

  43.2

  1997–98

  114

  46.1

  1998–99

  92

  33.6

  Major Projects

  £1 million-£10 million

  Establishment of Meat Hygiene Service

  Farm Survey System

  Greater than £10 million

  CAP Reform Schemes/Projects Resource Management Strategy MAFF's Corporate Office Systems BSE systems

  MAFF's Millennium Programme

  Knackers Industry
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what meetings he has had with representatives of the knackers industry in respect of current problems with the disposal of fallen stock; and if he will make a statement. [26820]

  Mr. Rooker
  I met representatives of the Licensed Animal Slaughterers' and Salvage Association (LASSA) on 17 November 1997 to discuss the disposal of fallen stock. The Government consider that it is the responsibility of the livestock industry to ensure that there are suitable arrangements for the collection and disposal of fallen stock. My officials are discussing future arrangements with LASSA, the Meat and Livestock Commission and the farming industry.

  Sheepmeat
  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will investigate the methods of slaughter of(a) chilled and (b) frozen sheepmeat imported into the UK from (i) within and (ii) outside the EU; and if he will assess the extent to which it meets UK slaughtering and meat hygiene standards. [27064]

  Mr. Rooker
  The slaughter of sheep in all EU Member States must comply with Community rules governing the protection of animals at the time of slaughter and killing (Directive 93/119/EC). It is a requirement of these rules that meat imported from Third Countries must be from animals slaughtered or killed in accordance with conditions equivalent to those applying in the Community. Common rules on meat hygiene standards, applicable in all Member States, are similarly laid down in Directive 64/433/EEC. For imports from third countries, Directive 72/462/EEC requires compliance with equivalent conditions to those in Directive 64/433/EEC for the hygienic production of fresh meat.
  275

  Beef Imports
  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by what means his Department monitors the beef import regulations introduced on 1 January. [25673]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 28 January 1998]: All consignments of animal products imported directly into the United Kingdom from outside the European Union (EU) are subject to checks at designated Border Inspection Posts (BIPs), including checks on the certification requirements on specified risk materials introduced under the Specified Risk Materials Order 1997. Single Market rules permit only random spot-checks at destination on animal products traded within the Community. Consistent with those rules, a daily sample of randomly selected consignments from EU member states are subject to documentary checks by Ministry officials for conformity with the new unilateral controls relating to specified risk material.

  Data on the number, type and results of veterinary checks on beef consignments at Border Inspection Posts, most of which are operated by local authorities, and the number and outcome of the random documentary spot-checks on beef consignments arriving from or via other EU Member States are being collated on a monthly basis from 1 January 1998, the date when the Specified Risk Material Order came into force. No data are yet available. They will be published in the Ministry's BSE Enforcement Bulletin which is placed in the Library of the House.

  Study

  Organisation

  End date

  Tagging genetically engineered organisms

  IFR, Norwich Laboratory

  31 March 1997

  Development of new methods for safety evaluation of transgenic crops

  BIBRA Toxicology International

  30 June 1997

  Honey from genetically modified plants: integrity of pollen DNA, and expression of promoters in floral organs

  Laboratory of the Government Chemist

  31 March 1997

  Genetically modified organisms in food—evaluation of in vitro and in vivo models for assessing DNA transfer in gut

  BIBRA Toxicology International

  31 March 1998

  Detection of genetically modified organisms in foods

  Laboratory of the Government Chemist

  31 March 1998

  A model system for the quantitative analysis of horizontal spread of DNA from genetically engineered micro-organisms GIT

  IFR, Norwich Laboratory

  31 March 1996

  Potential for gene transfer between manipulated bacteria and the resident microflora of the human gut

  Rowett Research Institute

  31 May 1998

  A model system for the quantitative analysis of horizontal spread of DNA from genetically engineered micro-organisms

  Surrey University

  31 March 1996

  Regulation and targeting of transgene expression in fruit crops

  HRI, East Malling

  31 October 2000

  Causes of instability in transgenic plants

  Jones Innes Centre

  31 August 1999

  Safety of recombinant DNA technology: gene location, market elimination and secondary effect

  IFR, Norwich Laboratory

  30 September 1999

  Compilation of a database of oil compositions from new varieties of oilseeds

  Leatherhead Food Research Association

  31 August 1997

  A database of novel foods and food products cleared in countries other than the UK

  AEA Technology, Consultancy Services

  24 June 1997

  Genes that have been introduced by genetic modification into crop plants intended for food use

  AEA Technology, Consultancy Services

  24 June 1997

  Persistence and potential infectivity of live bacteria in foods

  IFR, Norwich Laboratory

  30 April 1999

  Development of a strategy to promote the public's understanding of biotechnology

  Sheffield University

  31 March 1998

  The effect of agriculturally-relevant environmental factors on the expression and stability of genes affecting wheat lipases

  University College Wales, Cardiff

  31 December 2000

  Survival of DNA in the gut and the potential for genetic transformation of resident bacteria

  Rowett Research Institute

  31 May 2001

  Evaluating the risks associated with using GMOs in human foods

  Newcastle University

  31 May 2001

  Impact of transformation methods, construct and gene cassette architecture on the stability and expression of transgenes

  John Innes Centre

  31 March 2001

  276
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the average age of cattle at slaughter from which beef is imported from(a) the Republic of Ireland, (b) the Netherlands, (c) France, (d) Botswana, (e) Namibia and (f) Australia. [20714]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 16 December 1997]: European Community rules do not require the certification or documentation accompanying beef traded within the Community or imported from third countries to include information on the age of animals at slaughter.

  The sale of meat for human consumption originating from animals over 30 months old from the Republic of Ireland, the Netherlands or France would be a breach of our legislation. Botswana, Namibia and Australia are exempt from these requirements.

  Genetically Modified Food
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Barnsley, Central (Mr. Illsley) of 15 January 1998,Official Report, columns 292–93, when the results of the studies into genetically modified foods listed will be completed; and when they will be made public. [28225]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 9 February 1998]: The requested information on completion dates is given in the table. Once final reports have been received and evaluated, they are made available through the Department's library and their availability publicised in the Government's Food Safety Information Bulletin. This usually occurs within three months of the project completion date. However, publication of results in peer reviewed scientific journals is encouraged throughout the lifetime of the Department's research projects, and in many cases precedes the availability of the final reports.
  277

  Study

  Organisation

  End date

  Assessment of the risks of transferring antibiotic resistance determinants from transgenic plants to micro-organisms

  Leeds University

  31 December 2001

  Dissemination of GM DNA and antibiotic resistance genes via rumen micro-organisms

  Rowett Research Institute

  31 May 2001

  Risk of gene transfer from genetically modified crop plants to gut bacteria

  IFR, Norwich Laboratory

  31 March 2001

  Gene expression in anthers and nectaries of transgenic plants

  Leicester University

  30 September 1995

  The stability of expression and inheritance of transgenes in brassica

  John Innes Centre

  28 February 1996

  Risk assessment of genetically engineered avian probiotics

  Newcastle University

  31 October 1997

  Possibility of Agrobacterium as a vehicle for gene escape

  Mylnefield Research Services Ltd.

  30 April 1996

  Do protein sequences imply inter-species gene transfer?

  Manchester University

  14 February 1996

  The effect of background genotype on transgenes

  John Innes Centre

  6 July 1999

  Investigation of novel viruses created by growing viral coat protein transgenic sugar beet plants

  Central Science Laboratory/IACR, Brooms Barn

  31 July 1995

  Mobile genetic elements and lateral gene transfer events in crop species

  Manchester University

  31 May 1999

  Indian Roseaurants
  Mr. Pearson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will assess the contribution of the Indian roseaurant sector to the economy; and if he will make a statement. [25693]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 5 February 1998]: Separate official statistics are not available on this sector of the wider catering market. However, the Department is aware of the contribution of the sector and looks forward to further dialogue with the representative organizations.

HEALTH

  Correspondence
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health 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. [27038]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 2 February 1998]: The Department aims to reply to Ministerial correspondence within 20 working days of receipt; 76 per cent. of letters received replies within that target during 1997; and the average time taken for reply was 19 working days. Replies are posted within one working day of signing by a Minister.

  Tobacco and Alcohol
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence he has evaluated of changes in the level of consumption of alcohol and tobacco by under-age youngsters; and what assessment he has made of the causes of those changes. [27925]

  Ms Jowell
  Information about the consumption of alcohol and tobacco by young people aged 11 to 15 years is contained in the reports on surveys carried out by the Office for National Statistics on behalf of the Department of Health, entitled: "Young teenagers and alcohol in 1996" and "Smoking among secondary school children in 1996: England".

  "Young teenagers and alcohol in 1996" set out the latest biennial teenage drinking figures, and looked for the first time at the social and educational factors associated with young people's drinking. This and other
  278
  evidence is being considered by the Ministerial Group on Alcopops which will be meeting in the autumn to review the effectiveness of the steps taken so far by the industry to tackle under-age alcohol misuse.

  An Office for National Statistics survey "Teenage smoking attitudes in 1996" looked at the smoking behaviour, knowledge and attitudes of secondary school children.

  Copies of these reports have been placed in the Library.

  District Health Authorities
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will provide a comparative list of district health authorities, or combinations of district health authorities, as constituted before and after 1 April 1996. [28003]

  Mr. Milburn
  The information requested has been placed in the Library. On 1 April 1996 the 105 district health authorities and 90 family health services authorities were abolished and 100 health authorities were created.

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Forth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health 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. [26925]

  Ms Jowell
  Since 1 May 1997, at the equivalent to Grade 3 and above in the Department of Health, three civil servants have resigned, three have retired early and none has been moved to different responsibilities. The three people that resigned left this Department in July and August 1997 after serving the normal three months' notice. The three early retirements were planned. All these moves were made without Ministerial involvement.

  Radiation
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to commission further research on(a) the health impact of low level radiation and (b) the health effects of internal radiation. [28467]

  Ms Jowell
  The Department of Health maintains a Radiation Protection Research Programme which funds several projects concerned with the possible health effects from environmental radiation exposure and from exposure
  279
  to internal radiation. These projects are carried out at various research institutes and universities in the United Kingdom. The National Radiological Protection Board also carries out work in these areas.

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the impact of low level radiation on genome stability. [28466]

  Ms Jowell
  The Department has not commissioned research into the effects of radiation on genetic stability. The Medical Research Council fund work in this field. This is undertaken at their Radiation and Genome Stability Unit at Harwell. The results of this work are published in the scientific press and current information has been considered by the National Radiological Protection Board and made available to the independent advisory Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment.

  Brazilian Mahogany
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what amount of Brazilian mahogany has been(a) acquired and (b) specified by his Department in (i) 1996 and (ii) 1997; and for what purpose. [28386]

  Ms Jowell
  No Brazilian mahogany was acquired or specified by the Department in the years 1996 and 1997.

  This Department follows the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions' published guidance in "Green Guide for Buyers Part 1: Policy and Practice". This guidance, while having regard to the need to secure best value for money, requires minimum use of virgin materials, and then only from sustainable sources.

  Severn Caseload Scheme
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the Severn caseload scheme at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital; and what plans he has to expand the scheme across the country. [28286]

  Mr. Milburn
  No assessment is planned at national level. The scheme will be independently evaluated locally and the findings will then inform local commissioning priorities.

  One-to-one midwifery projects such as this are advocated as good practice in "Changing Childbirth", but their introduction is a matter for local commissioners.

  Local Government Finance (Buckinghamshire)
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the social services SSA and the level of special transitional grant for Buckinghamshire County Council in(a) 1997–98 and (b) 1998–99, expressed (i) in cash terms and (ii) per head of population in Buckinghamshire. [28693]
  280
  Mr. Boateng
  The information requested for Buckinghamshire County Council is as follows:

  £ million

  1997–98

  1998–99

  Personal social services standard spending assessment

  50.586

  53.125

  Personal social services standard spending assessment per head of population

  106.94

  111.94

  Special transitional grant

  2.356

  2.475

  Special transitional grant per head of population

  4.98

  5.21

  The Special Transitional Grant is subject to Parliamentary approval.

  Deaths (Nuts and BSE)
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many deaths in the UK have been attributed to(a) consumption of nuts and nut products and (b) BSE in each of the last 10 years. [27680]

  Mr. Darling
  I have been asked to reply.

  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Chief Executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Andrew Stunell, dated 11 February 1998:
  I have been asked to reply, as Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), to your recent question asking for the numbers of deaths in the United Kingdom attributable to (a) consumption of nuts and nut products and (b) BSE in each of the last 10 years.
  The information requested is shown in the table below.

  Deaths in the United Kingdom attributable to nuts and BSE/nvCJD1, 1993–1996

  Year

  Nuts

  Nut products2

  BSE

  1993

  4

  n/a

  0

  1994

  1

  n/a

  0

  1995

  5

  n/a

  3

  1996

  2

  n/a

  10

  1997

  n/a

  n/a

  10

  1 New variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (nvCJD) was identified in March 1996; to date there have been 23 deaths. Although the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee (SEAC) have concluded that there is convincing evidence that the agents causing BSE and nvCJD are the same, the scientific evidence to date does not tell us anything about the route of infection. SEAC's advice is that the most likely explanation for the nvCJD cases to date is exposure to BSE before the specific bovine offals ban in 1989.

  2 We are unable to identify nut products.

  Data for years prior to 1993 can only be retrieved at disproportionate cost.

  Sierra Leone
  Sierra Leone
  Bahrain
  Bahrain
  Mr. Morteza Firoozi
  Mr. Morteza Firoozi
  Uganda
  Uganda
  Juveniles: Secure Remand
  Juveniles: Secure Remand
  Teenage Pregnancies
  Teenage Pregnancies
  Ceasing Smoking: Advice and Support
  Ceasing Smoking: Advice and Support
  Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment with Aricept
  Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment with Aricept
  Prescribing and Age Discrimination
  Prescribing and Age Discrimination
  Drugs and Driving
  Drugs and Driving
  Mrs. Blair: Special Adviser
  Mrs. Blair: Special Adviser
  Ministerial Sub-Committee on Women's Issues
  Ministerial Sub-Committee on Women's Issues
  Greenwich Theatre
  Greenwich Theatre
  Overseas Trade Fairs: Support
  Overseas Trade Fairs: Support
  Millennium Bug
  Millennium Bug
  ECGD: Review
  ECGD: Review
  BSE: Experimental Research
  BSE: Experimental Research
  BSE Cases
  BSE Cases
  De-boned Beef
  De-boned Beef
  BSE
  BSE
  Bovine Blood Products in Calf Feed
  Bovine Blood Products in Calf Feed
  Office for the Supervision of Solicitors
  Office for the Supervision of Solicitors
  Northern Ireland: Analysis of GCSE Results 1994–97
  Northern Ireland: Analysis of GCSE Results 1994–97
  Offences against the Person
  Offences against the Person
  Police Liaison Officers
  Police Liaison Officers
  Immigration Service
  Immigration Service
  Human Rights Bill
  Human Rights Bill
  Wales: Analysis of GCSE Results 1994–97
  Wales: Analysis of GCSE Results 1994–97