Written Answers of 17 February 1998

PRIME MINISTER

  Committee on Europe
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) if costs relating to his proposed cross-party committee on Europe will be met from public funds; [25822]

  (2) what criteria he will adopt for membership of his proposed cross-party committee on Europe; [25820]

  (3) when he expects to form his proposed cross-party committee on Europe. [25821]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 27 January 1998]: When further details are available we will make them public.

  Welfare Reform Roadshow
  Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
  To ask the Prime Minister for what reasons he will not be visiting Wales during his welfare reform roadshow.[26992]

  The Prime Minister
  Pressures of time make it impossible for me to visit all the places I would like to, as often as I would like to. However, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment did attend the welfare reform roadshow held in Wales on 5 February.

  Overseas Travel
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the(a) officials and (b) industrialists who accompanied him on his recent visit to Japan; and if he will list those (i) Ministers, (ii) officials and (iii) industrialists his delegation met during the visit. [28240]

  The Prime Minister
  I was accompanied on my official visit to Japan by:

  Mr. John Holmes—Private Secretary;

  Mr. Alastair Campbell—Chief Press Secretary;

  Mr. Phillip Barton—Assistant Private Secretary;

  plus nine No. 10 support staff providing secure communications and administrative support; one official from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office; and two officials from the Department of Trade and Industry. This is in line with support provided to previous Prime Ministers when travelling abroad.

  In addition, the following leading members of the business community accompanied me, at their own expense, and took part in discussions with the Japanese on developing trade links:

  Sir Colin Marshall, British Airways

  Mr. James Dyson, Dyson Appliances

  Mr. John Rose, Rolls Royce

  Dr. John Russell, ICI

  Peter Sedgwick, Schroders

  Michael Shears, Ove Arup

  522

  Sir Clive Thompson, Rentokil

  Dr. Peter Williams, Oxford Instruments

  Mr. Robert Wilson, Rio Tinto

  Mr. Allen Yurko, Siebe Plc

  Mr. Nick Scheele, Jaguar

  Sir Iain Vallance, British Telecom.

  I met the following Japanese Ministers:

  Mr. Hashimoto, Prime Minister

  Mr. Mitsuzuka, Finance Minister

  Sakakibara, Vice Minister for International Affairs

  Horiuchi, Minister of International Trade and Industry.

  I also met a number of Ministry of International Trade and Industry officials.

  I met the following Japanese industrialists during my visit:

  Mr. Sohoiciro Toyoda KBE, Chairman, Toyota Motor Corporation

  Mr. Shoh Nasu, Chairman, Tokyo Electric Power Company

  Mr. Hirotaro Higuchi, Chairman of the Board, Tokyo-Mitsubushi Bank

  Mr. Kozo Uchida, Director General of the Keidanren

  Mr. Katsuhiro Fujiwara, Managing Director of the Keidanren

  Mr. Norio Ohga, Chairman and CEO, Sony Corporation

  Mr. Josei Itoh, Chairman Nippon Life Insurance Co.

  Abortions
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will give responsibility for answering questions on the numbers and trends in the numbers of terminations performed under the Abortion Act 1967 to the Department of Health. [29678]

  The Prime Minister
  Following the creation of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on 1 April 1996 there is an agreed division of responsibility between ONS and Departments for answering Parliamentary Questions with a statistical content. Oral questions and written questions including issues of policy are answered by the relevant Department, while written questions seeking statistics only are answered by ONS. In line with these arrangements written questions seeking only statistics on abortions in England and Wales, are delegated by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the Director of ONS for answer. There are no plans to change these arrangements.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Prime Minister how often, and to which part of government, reports are made by places licensed to carry out terminations under the Abortion Act 1967. [29679]

  The Prime Minister
  All non-National Health Service places approved by my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Health, for Scotland and for Wales, under Section 1(3) of the Abortion Act 1967, to carry out termination of pregnancy, are subject to unannounced visits and monitoring by officials of their Department. All registered medical practitioners have a statutory obligation to notify the Chief Medical Officer of the relevant Department of each termination of pregnancy they perform.

  Iraq
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will place a paper in the Library setting out the authority under international law which underpins his policy towards Iraq. [29749]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 19 February 1998]: Security Council resolutions are a matter of public record.

  The requirement for Iraq to destroy its weapons of mass destruction under international supervision is part of the conditions laid down by the Security Council for the ceasefire established at the end of the Gulf conflict in SCR 687.

  The Security Council currently has the question of Iraq's compliance under active consideration.

  Amsterdam Summit
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Prime Minister what tape recordings were made of the Amsterdam Treaty summit. [29694]

  The Prime Minister
  I understand that, in accordance with normal practice, the proceedings of such meetings are recorded by the Secretariat General of the Council. These recordings are made for internal purposes and are not available to member states.

TREASURY

  Tax Evasion
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the loss to the Exchequer arising from evasion of(a) income tax, (b) VAT, (c) corporation tax and (d) all other taxes in the last year for which figures are available. [26416]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 30 January 1998]: It is not possible to determine the amount of tax that is lost through evasion.

  Individual Savings Account
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many responses he has received to his consultative document "The New Individual Savings Account" broken down into(a) letters, (b) trade submissions and (c) other responses; and if he will make a statement. [24554]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  [holding answer 22 January 1998]: Comments were asked for by 31 January. By 4 February, the Inland Revenue had received

  3,096 letters from individuals

  273 trade submissions

  7 other responses.

  Ministers had received a further 3,303 responses by the same date, although this figure includes some duplication as a number of respondents copied their responses to more than one recipient.

  We are grateful to everyone who has taken the time to share with us their views on the ISA proposals and we will consider them all carefully. Consultations of this kind
  524
  allow the Government to draw on the widest possible range of experience and expertise. The ISA is an important and, we believe, exciting initiative, and we want to get it right.

  Business Profits
  Mr. Peter Atkinson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Preseli Pembrokeshire (Ms Lawrence) of 22 December 1997,Official Report, column 471, when he expects to make a final decision to confirm the withdrawal of the practices which permit professional businesses to pay tax on profits on a cash basis. [29580]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 16 February 1998]: The consultation period ended on 14 February. We will be considering the various points made on the proposals, including those concerning the timing of their implementation. There will be no announcement of any decision on the withdrawal of the cash basis practices in advance of my right hon. Friend's Budget.

  Mr. Peter Atkinson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Preseli Pembrokeshire (Ms Lawrence) of 22 December 1997,Official Report, column 477, what representations he has received following the decision to withdraw the practices which permit some professional businesses to pay tax on profits worked out on a cash basis. [29579]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 16 February 1998]: The Inland Revenue Press Release issued on 22 December invited comments on the proposals to withdraw the cash basis practices available to professionals. The Inland Revenue has received a large number of responses and I myself have received several. The Inland Revenue has also had a number of meetings with representative bodies, including the Law Society, the Bar Council, and the different accountancy bodies. The consultation period ended on 14 February. Thereafter we will be considering the various points made on the proposals.

  Inland Revenue (Invoices)
  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many invoices sent to the Inland Revenue were not paid within(a) 30, (b) 40, (c) 50 and (d) 60 days in the period since 1 May 1997. [29186]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 12 February 1998]: Since 1 May 1997 the Inland Revenue has paid 322,816 invoices. 95.58 per cent. were paid within 30 days. The number of invoices not paid, including those in dispute, within this period is:

  (a) 30 days: 14,916

  (b) 40 days: 11,256

  (c) 50 days: 9,969

  (d) 60 days: 8,845.

  Corporation Tax
  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the proposed system of advanced payments of corporation tax had been in force, how many companies would(a) have benefited and (b) have been disadvantaged if their size had been determined using previous years' profits rather than an accurate estimate of current year profits in each of the last three years. [29192]
  525
  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  [holding answer 12 February 1998]: The following table gives broad estimates of the numbers of companies standing (a) to benefit and (b) be disadvantaged if the criterion for allocating companies to the small, medium or large categories for the purposes of instalments (under the modern system for the payment of corporation tax published as a consultative document in November 1997) was related to profits of the previous rather than the current year.

  Companies would benefit if their previous years' profits placed them in the small company category rather than a larger profit category, or the medium-sized category rather than the large company category for instalment purposes. Disadvantaged companies would be placed in larger profit groups on the basis of their previous years' profits. The table shows that there would have been substantially more companies benefiting than losing from using previous year profits in 1993–94 and 1994–95 as profits increased quickly after the earlier recession in company profits, but by 1995–96 the difference would have been small.

  The estimates however exclude the cashflow benefits to many small companies from the proposed abolition of advance corporation tax and their exclusion from instalment payments. The table assumes that the use of the suggested previous year criterion would include protection against manipulation of accounting periods aimed at lessening the impact of instalments.

  Accounting periods ending in the years shown

  Thousands

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  (a) companies benefiting

  21

  20

  15

  (b) companies disadvantaged

  11

  10

  14

  Tax Burden
  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the tax burden as a percentage of gross domestic product in each year from 1997–98 to 2002–03 on current taxation plans. [29183]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 12 February 1998]: Projections of the tax burden, based on the usual assumption that there are no tax changes beyond those already announced in past Budgets, were published in Table B3 of the November 1997 Pre-Budget Report.

  Disposable Income
  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the impact of the tax changes announced in the July 1997 Budget on the annual disposable income of(a) an individual on average earnings and (b) a married couple on average earnings with a £50,000 mortgage. [29195]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 12 February 1998]: The only Budget 97 measure likely to have a direct effect on the disposable income of individuals aged under 60 is the reduction from 6 April 1998 in the rate at which mortgage interest relief is given from 15 per cent. to 10 per cent. Relief is limited to the interest on loans of £30,000. As a result an individual and a married couple on average earnings and a £50,000 mortgage will receive
  526
  less relief. This assumes, by convention, no change to the latest available estimated average building society interest rate.

  Theft and Fraud
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the cost of theft and fraud to(a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies in (i) 1995–96, (ii) 1996–97 and (iii) 1997–98 to date. [27727]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 5 February 1998]: The current estimate is:

  £000

  Department/Agency

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98estimate to date

  Inland Revenue

  2,043

  210

  38

  of which:

  Valuation Office Agency

  87

  17

  11

  Customs & Excise

  240

  167

  129

  HM Treasury

  40

  25

  18

  National Savings1

  351

  459

  363

  Office for National Statistics

  15

  33

  5

  Royal Mint

  nil

  nil

  nil

  1 Losses almost exclusively relate to external fraud.

  Tobacco Smuggling
  Mr. Fallon
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of revenue lost to HM Treasury from the illegal sale of tobacco products in the most recent period for which figures are available. [26539]

  Dawn Primarolo
  HM Customs and Excise estimate that the revenue (excise duty and VAT) lost to the Exchequer through cross-Channel smuggling of tobacco products in 1997 was about £690 million. There are no official estimates for the revenue lost on tobacco products involved in commercial fraud, smuggling in freight consignments or by air passengers.

  Euro
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 5 February 1998,Official Report, column 777, if he will commission research on the effect of the sale of excess reserves of (a) gold and (b) foreign currency by central banks participating in the euro on (i) world gold prices and (ii) international exchanges. [29765]

  Mrs. Liddell
  No.

  Inheritance Tax
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many landowners who received conditional exemption from inheritance tax in the last three years for(a) land and buildings and (b) works of art were peers. [24954]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I regret that the information requested is not available.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if local authorities are informed in every case of the land within their area to which the public has a right of access due to the owner receiving conditional exemption from inheritance tax. [24576]
  527
  Dawn Primarolo
  When advising the Inland Revenue on matters relating to conditional exemption for land, the relevant Government heritage agencies consider each case on its own merits and they liaise with local authorities or national park authorities whenever it is appropriate to do so.

  Fuel Tax
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of total income to the Treasury resulting from a three pence per litre increase in tax on vehicular fuel. [29491]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The full year revenue yield in 1998–99 from a 3 pence per litre tax increase (duty plus VAT) on road fuels is £1.1 billion.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the total income to the Treasury resulting from(a) a 6 per cent., (b) an 8 per cent. and (c) a 10 per cent. annual increase in tax on vehicular fuel per annum in each year for the next five years. [29490]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Revenue yields for the various options for road fuels described in the question are given in the following table:

  £ million

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  Increase road fuel duties by:

  6 per cent. per annum

  1,075

  2,200

  3,420

  8 per cent. per annum

  1,425

  2,935

  4,580

  10 per cent. Annum

  1,775

  3,670

  5,745

  The estimates include consequential VAT and are for the additional revenue compared with leaving the existing duty rates unchanged in a full year. Detailed estimates for later years are not published.

  Pensioners (Taxation)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many pensioners, and what percentage, pay tax in each tax band; and how many, and what percentage, pay no tax. [29671]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Estimates for 1998–99 are given in the table. The estimates are based on information from the 1995–96 Survey of Personal Incomes and population estimates from the Government Actuary's Department; they are therefore provisional.

  Individuals aged 65 and over

  Number (millions)

  Percentage

  Not liable to income tax

  5.9

  64

  Lower rate

  2.0

  22

  Basic rate

  1.1

  12

  Higher rate

  0.2

  2

  Total

  9.2

  100

  Far East (Economic Instability)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 3 February 1998,Official Report, column 570, how much the United Kingdom has made available for assistance to Asian countries through the international financial institutions to help them deal with economic instability; and what the extent of the United Kingdom's financial commitments is in this respect. [28116]

  Mrs. Liddell
  No additional funds have been made available to the international financial institutions for this purpose. The loans disbursed through these institutions have been funded from their existing resources which include contributions from all their members.

  Working Families Tax Credit
  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the redistribution of income between couples if family credit is replaced by the proposed working families tax credit paid to the principal earner. [28182]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Any redistributive effects of the Working Families Tax Credit will depend on its design and this is what my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer is considering currently.

  Tax Avoidance Scheme
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to introduce legislation to counter tax avoidance schemes involving the sales of companies to avoid payment of corporation tax. [30277]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Government announced at the time of the last Budget, in July, that legislation would be introduced in the next Finance Bill to counter these schemes, and the Inland Revenue have today published the legislation in draft for consultation.

  The proposed legislation will strengthen measures introduced in 1994 to counter schemes which exploit the rules on company purchase and abandonment. The new legislation is designed to stop alternative schemes which have been developed since 1994. The Government are determined to curb tax avoidance, and will act to counter any further attempts to get round the rules on company purchase and abandonment, giving consideration to backdating to the commencement date for the current provisions any future measures which may be necessary to counter variants of these schemes.

  Public Information
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how frequently, after what delays, and with what precision he publishes information on changes in(a) inflation, (b) unemployment, (c) benefit claimants, (d) the balance of trade, (e) the numbers taking up smoking and (f) the numbers involved in conceptions that are terminated legally and deliberately. [29674]

  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.
  529
  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Peter Bottomley, dated 17 February 1998:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply, as Director of the Office for National Statistics, to your recent question on frequency, delay and precision in publishing various information.

  The requested information is given in the attached table.

  Frequency

  Delays

  Precision

  Inflation

  M

  Month

  One decimal place

  Unemployment (LFS)

  Q1

  6 weeks

  Nearest 10005

  Benefit claimants (Claimant count)

  M

  5 weeks

  Nearest 100

  Balance of Trade

  M

  Within 8 weeks3

  Nearest £ million

  Taking up smoking

  N/A2

  N/A

  N/A

  Conceptions terminated

  Q and A

  5 months and 6 months4

  100% count

  1 From April 1997 the LFS will be published monthly.

  2 Only adult and children prevalence figures are published.

  3 Published within eight weeks of the end of the reporting period for trade with EU member states, and within four weeks of the end of the reporting period for trade with other countries.

  4 From 1997. Prior to 1997 the delay was nine months and 7–24 months respectively.

  5 Estimates of less than 10,000 are not published. This is because the data are not robust.

  VCT and EIS Schemes
  Mr. Horam
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals he has to modify the VCT and EIS schemes. [20952]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  Decisions on whether or not to modify the VCT and EIS schemes are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Budget statement. The hon. Gentleman would not expect me to anticipate it.

  National Insurance (Upper Earnings Limit)
  Mr. Martin Bell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the amount of additional revenue which would have been raised in 1997–98 if the upper earnings limit on national insurance contributions had been abolished. [25799]

  Mr. Denham
  I have been asked to reply.

  Estimated additional revenue of some £3.7 billion would have been raised in respect of 1997–98 earnings if the Upper Earnings Limit on employees' Class 1 contributions had been removed for that year.

  The figure assumes that the current 10 per cent. Class 1 contribution rate would apply to earnings above the present Upper Earnings Limit and that an Upper Earnings Limit would remain in place for the calculation of employee and employer contracted-out rebates.

  Source:

  Government Actuary's Department.

  Mr. Fallon
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many people would pay more tax if the upper earnings limit on employees' national insurance contributions were increased to £30,145; [26205]

  (2) how much extra revenue would be raised by increasing the upper earnings limit on employees' national insurance contributions to £30,145. [26206]

  Mr. Denham
  I have been asked to reply.
  530
  Estimated additional revenue of some £1.5 billion would be raised in a full year if the Upper Earnings Limit on employees' Class 1 contributions was increased from its present level to £30,145, and about 3.5 million people would become liable to pay more contributions.

  The figures assume that the current 10 per cent. Class contribution rate would apply to earnings above the present Upper Earnings Limit and that the current Upper Earnings Limit would remain in place for the calculation of employee and employer contracted-out rebates.

  Source:

  Government Actuary's Department.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Ambassadors (Languages)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many ambassadors speak(a) one, (b) two, (c) three, (d) four and (e) more than four foreign languages. [29740]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  According to information held at February 1998:

  (a) four Heads of Missions have competence in one language

  (b) 27 Heads of Missions have competence in two languages

  (c) 34 Heads of Missions have competence in three languages

  (d) 33 Heads of Missions have competence in four languages

  (e) 47 Heads of Missions have competence in more than four languages.

  Twenty-six have competence in five, 13 have competence in six, three have competence in seven, two have competence in eight, one has competence in nine and one has competence in twelve.

  This information is based on a combination of examination passes and self-declarations. During the course of 1998, procedures are being introduced which will make objective testing the only basis for recorded language competence in the FCO.

  Entry Clearance Officers (Bombay)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the level of sickness among entry clearance officers in Bombay.[29564]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The level of sickness among Entry Clearance Officers in Bombay is low. During 1997, the 10 full time ECOs in Bombay took a total of 11 days sick leave. Seven temporary additional staff took a total of 11days sick leave.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what(a) allowances and (b) holidays entry clearance officers in Bombay receive. [29563]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Entry Clearance Officers in Bombay, as elsewhere, are drawn from both HM Diplomatic Service and the Home Office. Their conditions of service vary accordingly, although local Cost of Living and Difficult Post Allowances are paid on the same basis. Individual allowances also vary according to salary levels and family circumstances. Typically, a Home Office Immigration
  531
  Officer with spouse and one child in Bombay will receive an annual package of allowances worth between £9,937 and £11,221 depending on salary. A Diplomatic Service Officer in the same family circumstances will receive from £10,261 to £10,361 again dependent on salary.

  The standard leave entitlement depending on length of service is 35 to 42 days plus seven to 14 days local leave and in Bombay, 14 days unhealthy leave addition. All leave while overseas is based on a seven day week, so that weekends and public holidays falling during leave count against that settlement. In Bombay staff are entitled to six fare paid journeys during a three year tour of duty.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the level of staffing of entry clearance officers in Bombay. [29561]

  Mr. Fatchett
  There are currently 10 Entry Clearance Officers (ECOs) working in the visa section in Bombay. The authorised establishment is 10 officers. The section is, therefore, fully staffed. During 1997, the number of ECOs in Bombay never fell below the authorised establishment.

  In addition, in 1997, the visa section was reinforced with an extra seven ECOs, to cope with the increased number of applications during the busiest months. The additional staff provided 22.5 man months of support.

  In 1998, an additional seven officers will again be provided, amounting to 24.5 man months of support during the busiest period.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the current salary levels of entry clearance officers in Bombay.[29562]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Entry Clearance Officers in Bombay, as elsewhere, are drawn from both HM Diplomatic Service and the Home Office, usually the Immigration Service. Their respective annual salary ranges are:£12,384 to £18,228 (HM Diplomatic Service)
  £12,526 to £19,970 (Home Office).

  Both groups receive a Recruitment and Retention Allowance of £1,776 per annum.

  Settlement Applications (Waiting Times)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to reduce the waiting times in(a) Bombay and (b) New Delhi for applicants for settlement. [29574]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Waiting times for applicants for settlement entry clearance are constantly monitored by the Entry Clearance Managers in Bombay and New Delhi. Appointments are allocated at the maximum rate consistent with the maintenance of service standards to non-settlement applications. The current waiting times at both Posts are within the maxima laid down. In the case of Right of Abode claimants, dependent relatives over 65 and special compassionate cases there is no waiting time at either Post.

  Venezuelan Ambassador
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to meet the Venezuelan ambassador to Britain. [29570]

  Mr. Fatchett
  None. The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Central (Mr. Lloyd), met the Venezuelan Ambassador, HE Sr Chaderton-Matos, onl6 October 1997.

  NATO
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the enlargement of NATO. [29577]

  Mr. Fatchett
  As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister told the House on 9 July, Britain, together with our NATO Allies at the NATO Summit on 8 July invited Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic to begin accession talks to join NATO. On 16 December, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary, together with his NATO colleagues, signed the Accession Protocols. A debate on NATO enlargement will take place in the House before the Government ratify the Accession protocols.

  India (UN Security Council)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the advantages of India becoming a permanent member of the UN Security Council. [29575]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We want to see an early enlargement of the Security Council and better representation on it for developing countries. It is widely expected that India, given its long and important contribution to the United Nations, would be a candidate for permanent membership of the Security Council if additional permanent seats were created.

  United States (UN Debt)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the USA to repay its UN debt. [29576]

  Mr. Fatchett
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has made clear to Madeleine Albright on several occasions that we expect the US to pay their UN arrears and future contributions promptly and in full.

  Visitor Visas
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to deal with problems arising in the issuing of visitors' visas. [29567]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Any problems arising from the issuing of visitors' visas are reviewed by the Entry Clearance Manager at the Post concerned. Where appropriate, the Entry Clearance Manager consults Migration and Visa Division of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for policy advice on individual cases or assistance with operational difficulties.

  Bahrain
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent meetings have been held at Ministerial level with Ministers in the Bahrain Government; and what was discussed. [29465]

  Mr. Fatchett
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence held separate meetings with the Bahraini Crown Prince and the Minister for Foreign Affairs on 28 January. They discussed many issues but focused mainly on the current crisis in the Gulf. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary also raised the question of constitutional development and the recent request to the Bahraini authorities from the Committee for Popular Petition for political dialogue.

  I also met the Bahraini Minister for Foreign Affairs on 28 January. We discussed regional security issues, including Algeria and the Middle East Peace Process. We also discussed this Government's continuing concerns about human rights in Bahrain.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings the British Ambassador to Bahrain has had with(a) the Government and (b) human rights groups to discuss human rights abuses; and if he will make a statement. [29467]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Our Ambassador in Bahrain has frequent meetings with Ministers and officials of the Bahraini Government. Their discussions cover many areas of mutual concern, including human rights issues. There are no human rights groups in Bahrain.

  Iran and Iraq
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of recent reports of meetings between representatives of the Governments of Iran and Iraq. [29868]

  Mr. Fatchett
  I have read them with interest. The banians have more reason than most to appreciate the threat which Iraq poses to its neighbours.

  UK Presidency
  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of those aspects of his ethical foreign policy which will affect the conduct of the United Kingdom Presidency of the European Union. [29830]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  During our Presidency of the EU, and beyond, we will continue to work with our European partners to ensure that human rights remains a central element in the EU's relations with the rest of the world.

  European Culture Capital
  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards an inquiry at European Union level on the financing of Thessalonika as European culture capital. [29827]
  534
  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The financing of the annual European City of Culture programme is primarily a matter for the authorities of the city concerned. Cities raise funds from their own resources, normally with some support from their national Governments and, increasingly, from private sector sponsors.

  The role of the EU is mostly limited to the process of designation. Each City of Culture receives only a nominal sum from the relevant Community cultural programme, Kaleidoscope, to help finance its operations, amounting to approximately 1 per cent. of the City's budget. In 1997, this sum was 400,000 ECU (£273,000).

  As part of the overall programme, each City of Culture is also required to produce a report within six months of the end of the year. The report for 1997 by Thessalonika is due by the end of June 1998.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Circus Animals
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) prosecutions and (b) convictions have been recorded for instances of cruelty to animals within circuses for each year since 1980; and if he will make a statement. [29130]

  Mr. George Howarth
  [holding answer 12 February 1998]: The main legislation protecting the welfare of circus animals is the Protection of Animals Act 1911. However, court proceedings data do not identify the location of an offence. In 1996, there were 967 prosecutions under this Act of which 764 resulted in a conviction.

  The table details prosecutions and convictions under the Performing Animals (Regulation) Act 1925 and the Protection of Animals Act 1934 which relate more specifically to performing animals.

  Number of defendants prosecuted and convicted of offences under thePerforming Animals (Regulations) Act 1925 1 and the Protection of Animals Act 1934 2, 1980–1996

  England and Wales

  Performing Animals (Regulations) Act 1925 1

  Protection of Animals Act 1934 2

  Year

  Prosecutions

  Convictions

  Prosecutions

  Convictions

  1980

  —

  —

  4

  2

  1981

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1982

  1

  —

  5

  4

  1983

  2

  1

  7

  7

  1984

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1985

  —

  —

  5

  5

  1986

  2

  2

  5

  5

  1987

  3

  3

  2

  2

  1988

  2

  2

  4

  4

  1989

  —

  —

  1

  1

  1990

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1991

  —

  —

  1

  1

  1992

  —

  —

  1

  1

  1993

  1

  —

  9

  8

  1994

  —

  —

  4

  3

  1995

  —

  —

  2

  2

  1996

  —

  —

  3

  2

  1 The exhibition and training of performing animals without being registered.

  2 The prohibition of certain public contests, performances and exhibitions with animals.

  On-line Lotteries
  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he received from(a) BACTA, (b) Littlewoods, (c) Camelot and (d) Scottish and Newcastle between 2 May 1997 and 17 November 1997 in respect of on-line lotteries. [29837]

  Mr. George Howarth
  During the period in question, I received letters from the British Amusement Catering Trade Association (BACTA), and Camelot and met them to discuss various gambling issues, including on-line lotteries.

  BACTA expressed the view that it would be undesirable for rapid draw on-line lotteries to be played in liquor licensed premises. Camelot was concerned that such games should not be introduced without research into their likely effects.

  We did not receive any representations from Littlewoods or Scottish and Newcastle on this subject. I met Scottish and Newcastle's trade association, the Brewers and Licensed Retailers Association.

  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what advice he has received from the Gaming Board on(a) the legality and (b) the desirability of on-line lottery draws; and if he will place a copy of the advice in the Library; [29996]

  (2) on what date he first received advice from the Gaming Board in respect of on-line lotteries. [29999]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Chairman of the Gaming Board wrote to me on 16 May 1997.

  The Board set out its concerns about on-line lottery games fully in its Annual Report for 1996–97, which was presented to Parliament on 11 July 1997.

  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what research his Department has(a) undertaken and (b) commissioned in respect of on-line lottery draws; [29993]

  (2) on what date his Department received advice from Dr. Sue Fisher on the possible impact of Pronto; [29997]

  (3) on which date his Department received advice from Dr. Sue Fisher on the possible social impact of Pronto. [29836]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Home Office has not commissioned or undertaken research on on-line lottery draws.

  Following informal discussion, Dr. Sue Fisher was invited to submit a paper on the possible social impact of Pronto, which was received on 12 November 1997.

  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from(a) the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and (b) the Director General of Oflot concerning rapid on-line lottery draws. [29994]

  Mr. George Howarth
  In considering the policy implications of on-line lotteries, I consulted Ministerial colleagues, including an exchange of letters with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.
  536
  We did not receive representations from the Director General of OFLOT.

  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those organisations consulted by the Gaming Board in respect of on-line lotteries who later advised him. [29998]

  Mr. George Howarth
  I understand that the Gaming Board's advice was based on its own assessment of the regulatory implications of on-line lotteries.

  Hepatitis C (Prisons)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases of hepatitis C there were among prison inmates in each of the last 10 years in each prison in Britain. [29838]

  Ms Quin
  Figures on the number of cases of hepatitis C in each prison in England and Wales have been collected only since 1995. Prisoners are not routinely screened for hepatitis C and cases are recorded only when prisoners volunteer information about their hepatitis C status. The table records the number of such cases recorded in the financial years 1995–96 and 1996–97. I have asked for official advice on the implications of introducing routine screening.

  Total number of hepatitis C cases reported in year.

  Establishment

  1995–96

  1996–97

  Acklington

  0

  0

  Malbany

  0

  3

  Aldington

  0

  0

  Ashwell

  0

  4

  Askham Grange

  2

  8

  Aylesbury

  1

  2

  Bedford

  1

  4

  Belmarsh

  0

  0

  Birmingham

  0

  2

  Blakenhurst

  6

  27

  Blantyre House

  0

  0

  Blundeston

  7

  13

  Brinsford

  0

  0

  Bristol

  0

  0

  Brixton

  0

  8

  Brockhill

  2

  19

  Buckley Hall

  0

  6

  Bullingdon

  1

  19

  Bullwood Hall

  1

  0

  Camp Hill

  0

  3

  Canterbury

  0

  22

  Cardiff

  12

  0

  Castington

  0

  0

  Channings Wood

  12

  7

  Chelmsford

  0

  1

  Coldingley

  4

  2

  Cookham Wood

  13

  7

  Dartmoor

  10

  16

  Deerbolt

  0

  0

  Doncaster

  22

  9

  Dorchester

  9

  4

  Dover

  0

  0

  Down view

  1

  0

  Drake Hall

  5

  17

  Durham

  1

  0

  East Sutton Park

  0

  2

  Eastwood Park

  2

  10

  Elmley

  2

  2

  Erlestoke

  3

  2

  Everthorpe

  22

  29

  Exeter

  10

  16

  Featherstone

  1

  1

  537

  Total number of hepatitis C cases reported in year.

  Establishment

  1995–96

  1996–97

  Feltham

  3

  0

  Ford

  1

  1

  Frankland

  0

  7

  Full Sutton

  0

  4

  Garth

  0

  3

  Gartree

  0

  0

  Glen Parva

  0

  3

  Gloucester

  1

  4

  Grendon

  13

  3

  Guys Marsh

  1

  21

  Haslar

  0

  0

  Hatfield

  0

  0

  Haverigg

  5

  10

  Hewell Grange

  0

  0

  Highdown

  15

  7

  Highpoint

  8

  8

  Hindley

  0

  2

  Hollesley Bay

  0

  0

  Holloway

  0

  49

  Holme House

  0

  1

  Hull

  19

  9

  Huntercombe

  0

  0

  Kingston

  0

  0

  Kirkham

  1

  7

  Kirklevington

  0

  0

  Lancaster

  0

  3

  Lancaster Farms

  16

  Latchmere House

  1

  0

  Leeds

  7

  0

  Leicester

  1

  4

  Lewes

  25

  0

  Leyhill

  0

  0

  Lincoln

  2

  8

  Lindholme

  8

  46

  Littlehey

  20

  0

  Liverpool

  1

  4

  Long Lartin

  3

  3

  Low Newton

  8

  5

  Maidstone

  4

  3

  Manchester

  0

  0

  Moorland

  23

  25

  Morton Hall

  2

  3

  Mount, The

  0

  3

  New Hall

  10

  28

  North Sea Camp

  1

  3

  Northallerton

  0

  0

  Norwich

  2

  4

  Nottingham

  17

  0

  Onley

  0

  0

  Parkhurst

  0

  5

  Pentonville

  2

  5

  Portland

  0

  1

  Prescoed

  0

  0

  Preston

  39

  45

  Ranby

  28

  4

  Reading

  0

  0

  Risley

  22

  19

  Rochester

  0

  0

  Send

  0

  0

  Shepton Mallet

  6

  4

  Shrewsbury

  4

  0

  Spring Hill

  5

  0

  Stafford

  0

  2

  Standford Hill

  1

  2

  Stocken

  4

  11

  Stoke Heath

  0

  0

  Styal

  0

  2

  Sudbury

  0

  0

  Swaleside

  2

  5

  Swansea

  1

  11

  Swinfen Hall

  0

  2

  Thorn Cross

  1

  0

  USK

  0

  0

  538

  Total number of hepatitis C cases reported in year.

  Establishment

  1995–96

  1996–97

  Verne, The

  8

  19

  Wakefield

  8

  1

  Wandsworth

  6

  30

  Wayland

  3

  3

  Wealstun

  6

  5

  Wellingborough

  0

  2

  Wellington

  0

  0

  Wetherby

  0

  0

  Whattton

  0

  0

  Whitemoor

  0

  0

  Winchester

  0

  0

  Wolds

  19

  12

  Woodhill

  0

  0

  Wormwood Scrubs

  3

  3

  Wymott

  0

  5

  Total

  543

  760

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce needle exchanges in prisons to reduce the spread of hepatitis C. [29846]

  Ms Quin
  There are no plans at present to introduce a needle exchange scheme in prisons in England and Wales but I have commissioned advice on this subject.

  Women Prisoners
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to implement the recommendations of "Women in Prison: A Thematic Review" by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons. [29199]

  Ms Quin
  The Prison Service welcomed the report "Women in Prison: A thematic review by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons". The Prison Service is already progressing work in a number of areas highlighted by the Chief Inspector's report.

  In his thematic review, the Chief Inspector recommended that there should be a Director of Women's Prisons. This was considered within the structural review of the Prison Service which was completed recently. The Director General accepted the recommendation of the review and has created a Directorate of Regimes within which there will be a number of Assistant Directors responsible for developing policy for specific groups of prisoners. An Assistant Director for Women and an Assistant Director for Young Offenders have been appointed.

  Work to develop regimes for women encompasses the areas of concern highlighted by the Chief Inspector. The Prison Service in the coming year will be piloting new constructive regimes in two women's establishments. Initiatives also in hand at the moment include: re-examination of the policy on age mixing; the development of programmes to address offending behaviour specifically tailored to women's needs; training

  539
  programmes for those working with women in prison; and work on a protocol for dealing more effectively with disruptive women prisoners.

  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the appropriateness of custodial sentences for the majority of women offenders. [29200]

  Mr. Michael
  Prison is necessary for the most serious offenders, whether male or female, when the court considers such a sentence is necessary in order to protect the public or when other penalties are not appropriate. The Government wish to see full use of community sentences for women and we are seeking to increase the effectiveness of such sentences. Where prison is the sentence decided by the court, we want the time to be used constructively so that offenders are less likely to reoffend when released rather than more likely to offend or to offend more seriously. This principle applies to both men and women in prison. Last month, we announced a pilot programme of work with young prisoners before release to increase the likelihood that they will be able to succeed in the New Deal after release and go on to find work.

  A number of new developments are taking place specifically in relation to Prison Service establishments for women. An Assistant Director for Women has recently been appointed. New regimes will be piloted in two women's establishments in the coming year. The Service is re-examining the policy on age mixing. Programmes for women to address offending behaviour are being designed. Work is in hand to deal more effectively with difficult and disruptive women prisoners. New training programmes are being brought in for staff. The Prison Service is working towards the standards set out in the Department of Health publication 'Changing Childbirth', revising policy on pregnant women in prison and mother and baby units; and medication levels in establishments for women are being reviewed.

  Prison Secure Estate (Visits)
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the wings or units within the Prison Secure Estate containing 15 or 16-year-old young persons on remand which have been visited(a) by himself and (b) by other Ministers in his Department. [29121]

  Estimated compliance costs of the Data Protection Directive—covering the private sector, charities and local authorities. Costs are shown as percentages of total estimated start-up and recurring costs respectively.

  Category

  Computer start-up

  Manual start-up

  Total start-up

  Computer recurring l

  Manual ecurring

  Total recurring

  Obtaining Consent

  17.8

  0.7

  18.5

  0.3

  0.23

  0.5

  Articles 10 & 11 (informing the data subject)

  50

  1.45

  51.5

  75.7

  0.36

  76.1

  Subject access requests

  1.4

  1.05

  2.5

  1.2

  0.69

  1.9

  Direct marketing

  0.2

  0.001

  0.2

  0.1

  0.001

  0.1

  Data exports

  4

  0.006

  4

  5

  0.007

  5

  Article 17.3 & 4 (use of processor)

  6.6

  —

  6.6

  3.6

  —

  3.6

  Sensitive data

  0.002

  0.05

  0.1

  0.001

  —

  0.001

  Other, training, forms etc.

  16.6

  0.08

  16.7

  12.8

  0.02

  12.82

  Total

  96.6

  3.4

  100

  98.7

  1.3

  100

  540
  Ms Quin
  No complete, central record is kept of which parts of a particular prison have been visited by a Minister. However, Ministers have visited the following establishments which may contain 15 or 16 year old young persons on remand:My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary visited Brinsford Young Offender Institution (YOI) on 6 January and Feltham YOI on 13 February.
  My hon. Friend the Member for Knowsley, North and Sefton, East (Mr. Howarth) visited Feltham YOI on 10 July 1997 and Lancaster Farms YOI on 13 October 1997.
  My hon. Friend the Member for Cardiff, South and Penarth (Mr. Michael) visited Cardiff prison on 31 January 1998.
  I visited Exeter prison on 11 July and Glen Parva YOI on 30 October. I am visiting Low Newton on 20 February.

  Data Protection
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if Clause 27 of the Data Protection Bill[Lords] applies to those personal data processed by the Security Service which are intended to assist the police in relation to serious crime; and if he will make a statement. [29116]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Clause 27(1) provides that personal data are exempt from the data protection principles and from Parts II, III and V and clause 52 of the Bill if the exemption is required to safeguard national security. Clause 27(2) provides for Ministerial certification of the need for exemption and clause 27(4) allows appeals by people directly affected. The form of exemption in respect of personal data processed by the Security Service is under consideration.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 29 January 1998, Official Report, column 342, concerning the compliance costs questionnaire in relation to data protection, if he will publish aggregate statistics relating to responses made by(a) local authorities, (b) Government departments, (c) large manufacturers, (d) small manufacturers, (e) financial institutions, (f) charities, (g) marketing organisations and (h) retailers, for each of the questions Q2 to Q8, Q10 to Q12, Q15, Q18, Q20 to Q23 and Q27 to Q31, indicating the breakdown between manual data and computerised data. [29117]

  Mr. George Howarth
  I am afraid that the information is not readily available in the precise form requested. However, following is a table giving a percentage breakdown of the costs to non-Government organisations by reference to the main categories of additional spending.

  The costs to Government Departments were assessed separately, not through the questionnaire.
  541
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the compliance of measures in the Data Protection Bill[Lords] with the requirement for a definition of consent set out in Article 2(h) of Directive 95/46/EC; and if he will make a statement. [29041]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Directive does not require us to amplify the terms it uses. We consider that the Bill gives proper effect to the requirements of Community law.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those cases, with respect to the lawful processing of sensitive personal data under Schedule 3 to the Data Protection Bill [Lords], where the Secretary of State has used Article 8(4) of Directive 95/46/EC to specify additional exemptions; if he will list the reason for each exemption; and if he will indicate the nature of the suitable safeguards which are intended to protect the data subject. [29115]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Article 8(4) of the Directive, relating to reasons of substantial public interest, is reflected in paragraph 7 of Schedule 3 to the Bill. The latter provides an exemption for processing which is necessary for the administration of justice, the exercise of functions conferred by any enactment or the exercise of any function of the Crown, Minister of the Crown or Government Department.

  The exemption is necessary to enable the conduct of legitimate functions as authorised by Parliament. The safeguards are the legal constraints on the discharge of the functions in question and more specific provisions included in some of the relevant statutes.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the protection afforded to the media in the Data Protection Bill[Lords]. [29044]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Clause 31 of the Bill exempts processing for special purposes (journalistic, literary or artistic purposes) from some provisions of the Data Protection Bill. The processing must take place with a view to publication and the data controller must reasonably believe both that publication, having particular regard to the special importance of freedom of expression, is in the public interest and that complying with the data protection rules is incompatible with the special purposes.

  Clause 42 allows the Data Protection Commissioner to serve a special information notice on the data controller for the purpose of ascertaining whether the processing is being undertaken only for the special purposes and with a view to publication. Clause 44 restricts the ability of the Commissioner to serve an enforcement notice on a data controller in respect of processing for the special purposes unless it does not meet the necessary criteria and the court has granted leave for the notice to be served.

  Challenges may be made after publication; but the exemption still applies if the conditions are satisfied.

  In line with Article 9 of the European Communities Data Protection Directive (95/46/EC), these provisions are intended to reconcile the privacy protections in the main data protection regime with the needs of freedom of expression.
  542
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to(a) Recital 10 of Directive 95/46/EC and (b) the exemptions in the Data Protection Act 1984 relating to crime and taxation, if he will make a statement on Clause 28(4) of the Data Protection Bill [Lords] in respect of (a) the UK's obligations towards Article 8 of the Human Rights Convention and (b) the lessening of protection afforded to data subjects. [29043]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Clause 28(4) provides a power for the Secretary of State, by order subject to affirmative resolution, to exempt from the first data protection principle, subject access rights and non-disclosure provisions any processing relating to the prevention or detection of crime, the apprehension or prosecution of offenders or the assessment or collection of taxes.

  No decision has been taken on the precise use of this power. Before taking such a decision, we would have full regard to the European Convention on Human Rights and the 1995 European Communities Directive on Data Protection.

  Standard List Offences
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how frequently, after what delays, and with what precision, he publishes information on the number of people convicted for the first time of a standard list offence. [29672]

  Mr. Michael
  Information is published annually on people convicted of a standard list offence for the first time. The most recent figures are for 1995 and were published in November 1997. They appeared in Chapter 9 of "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales, 1996" (Cm. 3764). Information is based on a sample of those convicted of a standard list offence in three sample weeks and is presented as a percentage of the total sample.

  In 1995, the sample size was 18,000 (out of an annual total of 353,000). In 1995, the estimated percentage of offenders with a first conviction was 35 per cent. The chance that the annual rate differs from this by more than one percentage point is about 1 in 200.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions during the past six months his Department has been unable to reply to letters from hon. Members within one month of receiving them; what assessment he has made of the adequacy of his departmental performance in replying to inquiries by hon. Members; and if he will make a statement. [29595]

  Mr. Straw
  Between 1 September 1997 and 13 February 1998, 5,681 of the 9,948 letters received from hon. Members were either replied to more than 30 days after receipt, or still await a reply after more than 30 days. I am not satisfied with my Department's performance in dealing with replies to hon. Members and I refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for South Dorset (Mr. Bruce) on 3 February 1998,Official Report, column 587.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if it is his Department's policy always to answer either by way of an acknowledgement or a substantive reply every letter received from the general
  543
  public; and on how many occasions during the past six months his Department has found it necessary to reply to members of the general public that it has been unable to trace original letters about which follow-up inquiries are being made. [29552]

  Mr. Straw
  It is my Department's policy to acknowledge or reply to all correspondence received from the general public. I am not able to state how many times over the past six months a reply has been given that an original letter cannot be traced, since at present there are no systems in place to monitor the progress of general correspondence. However, a monitoring system is shortly to be installed as part of a project to improve the handling of correspondence.

  Racial Incidents
  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 26 January 1998,Official Report, columns 38–40, if he will list the number of racial incidents in 1996–97, by police force per head of population. [29489]

  Mr. Michael
  The number of racial incidents in 1996–97, by police force, per thousand population1 is given in the table.

  Forces

  Racial incidents per thousand population

  Avon and Somerset

  0.21

  Bedfordshire

  0.14

  Cambridgeshire

  0.2

  Cheshire

  0.09

  City of London

  0.04

  Cleveland

  0.12

  Cumbria

  0.08

  Derbyshire

  0.22

  Devon and Cornwall

  0.05

  Dorset

  0.1

  Durham

  0.04

  Dyfed-Powys

  0.04

  Essex

  0.08

  Gloucestershire

  0.06

  Greater Manchester

  0.23

  Gwent

  0.11

  Hampshire

  0.1

  Hertfordshire

  0.34

  Humberside

  0.06

  Kent

  0.16

  Lancashire

  0.24

  Leicestershire

  0.32

  Lincolnshire

  0.01

  Merseyside

  0.11

  Metropolitan Police

  0.75

  Norfolk

  0.07

  North Wales

  0.01

  North Yorkshire

  0.06

  Northamptonshire

  0.33

  Northumbria

  0.34

  Nottinghamshire

  0.32

  South Wales

  0.29

  South Yorkshire

  0.13

  Staffordshire

  0.21

  Suffolk

  0.11

  Surrey

  0.07

  Sussex

  0.18

  Thames Valley

  0.11

  544

  Forces

  Racial incidents per thousand population

  Warwickshire

  0.13

  West Mercia

  0.06

  West Midlands

  0.27

  West Yorkshire

  0.3

  Wiltshire

  0.06

  Provincial total

  0.17

  England and Wales total

  0.25

  1 The information was originally requested per head of population; however, the number of racial incidents relative to the population is too small to enable meaningful data to be presented on that basis.

  Penal Lexicon Web Site
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the benefits to the Prison Service of access to the web site, Penal Lexicon; and if he will make a statement. [29415]

  Ms Quin
  No assessment has been made of the benefits to the Prison Service of the Penal Lexicon or any other subscription service available on the Internet.

  Young Remand Prisoners
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many 15 and 16-year-olds remanded to adult prison accommodation on a subsequent court appearance were(a) found not guilty of all charges and (b) sentenced to a non-custodial sentence in the most recent years for which figures are available. [29258]

  Mr. Michael
  Information on the sentencing of juveniles held on remand in adult prison accommodation is not collected centrally. Information is available on the sentencing of juveniles remanded in custody by the court, although the place of remand is not collected.

  Juveniles who are refused bail are usually remanded to local authority accommodation. Exceptionally, 15 or 16-year-old boys meeting certain conditions may be remanded to a remand centre or prison. These conditions are:
  that the defendant is charged with a violent or sexual offence or one punishable in the case of an adult with imprisonment for a term of 14 years or more; or
  that the defendant has a history of absconding while remanded in local authority accommodation and is charged with or has been convicted of an imprisonable offence alleged or found to have been committed while he was so remanded.
  and in either case, that the court considers that only a remand to a remand centre or prison would be adequate to protect the public from serious harm from him.

  In 1996, the most recent year for which information is available, some 840 male defendants aged 15 or 16 appeared in court having been remanded in custody and charged with a violent or sexual offence or one punishable in the case of an adult with imprisonment for a term of 14 years or more. Of these, 220 were acquitted, found not guilty, had the charge withdrawn or were not proceeded against; 280 were sentenced to immediate custody and a further 340 were sentenced to a non-custodial sentence. No information is available on either previous propensity to abscond or court deliberations.

  Child Protection
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will allow those voluntary sector organisations which work with children but have no statutory obligation to obtain police vetting of potential employees and volunteers access to such vetting. [29804]

  Mr. Michael
  Part V of the Police Act 1997 contains provisions which will enable all organisations which work with children to obtain access to criminal record checks on their employees and volunteers. We are currently considering how to phase in implementation of Part V in the light of a review which took account of experience gained in implementing the Sex Offenders Act 1997 and proposals in the Crime and Disorder Bill.

  Flunitrazepam
  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consult the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs on a proposal to reschedule flunitrazepam as a class B drug. [29524]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The class (A, B or C) under which a controlled drug is listed under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 determines the maximum penalty for offences (essentially unlawful productions, supply or possession) involving that drug. The broad principle governing the classification of a drug is its harmfulness. The greater it is the higher the classification. The benzodiazepines, of which flunitrazepam is one, are used as hypnotic and anxiolytic medicines and are all in class C.

  It is the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 1985 which determine the degree of regulation over a controlled drug and, following a decision by the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs, we plan to lay before Parliament shortly amendments which will, subject to Parliamentary approval, impose tighter controls on flunitrazepam with effect from 1 May 1998 by moving it from Schedule 4 to Schedule 3 of the Regulations. The change was agreed by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs. As a result of the re-scheduling, it will become an offence to possess the drug without lawful authority; imports and exports will become controlled; and safe custody requirements will apply. We have no plans to consult the Council further at this stage.

  Mr. Ricky Reel
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to ensure a full investigation into circumstances surrounding the death of Mr. Ricky Reel. [29494]

  Mr. Michael
  This investigation, which is an operational matter for the Commissioner, is continuing. An investigation into the Metropolitan Police's handling of this case is being undertaken by Mr. Peter Fahy, an Assistant Chief Constable from Surrey Police, overseen by the independent Police Complaints Authority. My right hon. Friend has discussed the case with the Commissioner.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received concerning the death of Mr. Ricky Reel. [29492]
  546
  Mr. Michael
  We have received a number of representations from the family's Member of Parliament, my hon. Friend the Member for Hayes and Harlington (Mr. McDonnell).

  Prison Population
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the latest Prison Service prison population projections; and what financial plans have been made to meet those projections. [28847]

  Ms Quin
  The latest projection of long-term trends in the prison population was published on 29 January 1998. It estimates that the prison population will increase from the current level of around 64,000 to an average of 69,600 in 1999 and 72,200 in the year 2000. If trends in court sentencing practice continue as in recent years the population is expected to reach 82,800 by 2005. Alternative scenarios in the projection give a population for 2005 of between 64,400 and 92,600.

  The projection does not take account of Home Detention Curfew which is expected to result in a fall of around 3,000 prisoners by the end of 1999. Nor does it take account of the measures in the Crime and Disorder Bill or possible changes in trends in community sentences.

  To accommodate the rising population, my right hon. Friend has made an adjustment to the additional resources made available to the Prison Service last July. I refer the right hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Broxtowe (Dr. Palmer) on 13 February 1998, Official Report, columns 402–03.

  The additions to capacity together with the implementation of Home Detention Curfew should contain the projected prison population below planned capacity until 2001. The building of new prison capacity beyond 2001 is under discussion as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review.

  Prison Service Funding
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the annual expenditure on the Prison Service, in real terms, in each of the last five years for which figures are available; what is the planned annual expenditure for the next two years; and what is the marginal change in each year in real terms. [28844]

  Ms Quin
  The Prison Service annual net expenditure for the last five years and planned net expenditure for the next two years is:

  Real terms £ million

  Percentage change (real terms)

  1993–94

  1,617.30

  —

  1994–95

  1,687.30

  4.3

  1995–96

  1,713.10

  1.5

  1996–97

  1,608.60

  -6.1

  1997–98

  1,709.70

  6.3

  1998–99

  1,719.60

  0.6

  1999–00

  —1

  —

  1 Subject to Government comprehensive spending review

  Note:

  All figures are outturn, except 1997–98 which is forecast outturn and 1998–99 which is provisional.

  Young Offender Units
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what resources per head were allocated to young offender units for the education of 16 to 21 year-olds in(a) London and (b) the Home Counties in each of the last three years. [28785]

  Ms Quin
  Prison Service budgets are not allocated, nor can spend be meaningfully calculated, per head for education. Every prison governor is given a budget to manage their establishment. It is for the governor to decide, within the framework of guidance from the area manager and advice from in-service educational specialists, how to allocate resources between the various regime and other operational needs.

  Governors buy educational provision, through a standard call-off contract according to need and available resources, from providers contracted to their own establishments.

  Total education expenditure for discrete young offender establishments in London and the home counties (defined as counties which border on London boroughs) are given in the table. The current population of each of the establishments is also listed.

  Establishment

  1995–96£

  1996–97£

  1997 to December£

  Population

  Aylesbury1

  375,517

  304,971

  301,997

  310

  Bullwood Hall2

  190,014

  212,484

  147,064

  68 young offenders: total population 135

  Dover1

  173,848

  133,831

  125,319

  304

  East Sutton Park2

  122,134

  97.326

  64,278

  5 young offenders: total population 94

  Feltham3

  366,453

  398,875

  234,838

  913

  Reading3

  170,818

  155,264

  109,929

  219

  1 Young offender institution

  2 Female young offender institution and prison

  3 Young offender institution and remand centre

HEALTH

  Ambulance Services
  Mrs. Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list those health authorities which purchase ambulance services below the Orcon response standards for(a) 999 calls and (b) urgent calls. [28838]

  Mr. Milburn
  Information on ambulance service performance is published in the National Health Service Performance National Guide 1997–98 and Department of Health KA34. Copies are available in the Library.

  Eye Tests
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to introduce free eye tests; and to what timescale. [28823]
  548
  Mr. Milburn
  Free National Health Service sight tests are currently available to children, people on low incomes and people predisposed to, or suffering from, selected eye diseases. The criteria for these sight tests are covered by the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review, which should be completed by the summer.

  Dental and Eye Checks
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the extent to which(a) NHS dental checks and (b) eye tests are available for all seeking them. [28824]

  Mr. Milburn
  The Department has received no representations that people find it difficult to get their sight tested. We are aware that, although National Health Service dentistry is accessible for much of the population, there are areas where there are problems of access. We have introduced the Investing in Dentistry Scheme, for which we have made available £9 million this year and £10 million in 1998–99, to tackle these localised problems.

  Hospital Services (South-west London)
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the long-term capacity of Kingston Hospital. [29055]

  Mr. Milburn
  Kingston Hospital National Health Service Trust will be working up a detailed business case for capital investment for the longer term. This will include a thorough assessment of longer term patient flows and will take account of the range of hospital services available to the population of south west London. The two Thames NHS Executive Regional Offices will be overseeing this process.

  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will ensure that long-term fully-financed plans are in place for Queen Mary's Hospital, Roehampton before approving further reconfiguration of hospital services in South West London. [29058]

  Mr. Milburn
  Consultation has now closed on the proposed changes in South West London and Kingston and Richmond Health Authority and Meiton, Sutton and Wandsworth Health Authority are considering all the comments and proposals put forward during the consultation process.

  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the short-term capacity of(a) St. George's Hospital, Tooting and (b) Kingston Hospital, to take on extra in-patient work from Queen Mary's Hospital, Roehampton. [29054]

  Mr. Milburn
  Kingston and Richmond Health Authority, Meiton, Sutton and Wandsworth Health Authority and local trusts have been working together to ensure that, subject to comments and proposals put forward during the consultation period, there will be sufficient capacity in neighbouring hospitals to take on work flowing from Queen Mary's Hospital, Roehampton.
  549
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will ensure that no services are transferred from Queen Mary's Hospital, Roehampton until(a) alternatives have been put in place at neighbouring hospitals and (b) the necessary transitional finance is available. [29057]

  Mr. Milburn
  Public consultation on the future of Queen Mary's Hospital, Roehampton was completed only recently. Health authorities are yet to reach a decision following consultation. No services will be transferred from Queen Mary's Hospital Roehampton until adequate facilities are available in neighbouring hospitals.

  North Essex Health Authority
  Mr. Ivan Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many days the Chair and each of the non-executive members of North Essex Health Authority spent on health authority business during(a) the financial year 1996–97 and (b) the present financial year to date; [29125]

  (2) who was responsible for nominating the Chair and each of the non-executive members currently serving on the Board of the North Essex Health Authority; [29124]

  (3) if he will list the interests of the Chair and non-executive members of the North Essex Health Authority; [29123]

  (4) if he will list the expenses incurred by the Chair and each of the non-executive members of the North Essex Health Authority during the financial year 1996–97; [29126]

  (5) if he will list the amounts earned by the Chair and each of the non-executive members of North Essex Health Authority during the financial year 1996–97 for their duties on behalf of the Authority. [29122]

  Mr. Milburn
  The current Chairman and non-executive members were all appointed in 1996, after a recruitment exercise including local and national advertisements. The additional practice of seeking nominations for appointments to National Health Service Boards from hon. Members and local authorities was introduced in 1997. Information is not held centrally on the expenses incurred by board members, the interests they have declared or the days they have spent on board business. In 1996–97, the annual remuneration payable to the Chairman of the North Essex Health Authority was £19,285 and the non-executive board members were entitled to £5,000 each.

  Consultants (Merit Payments)
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will investigate the system of consultants' merit payments within the NHS to ensure that it is fair. [29165]

  Mr. Milburn
  We are deeply concerned about the possibility of unfairness in the distinction awards scheme and we are considering what further action might be taken.

  NHS White Paper
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the budgetary structure of the primary care groups proposed in his recent White Paper on the NHS. [29063]
  550
  Mr. Milburn
  The new financial arrangements will promote access to high quality care right across the country by fair distribution of resources through health authorities to inclusive Primary Care Groups. New unified budgets for Primary Care Groups will be established covering hospital and community services, general practitioner prescribing and the general practice infrastructure. This will allow clinicians to better influence the use of resources by aligning clinical and financial responsibilities.

  NHS Employees (Remuneration)
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS employees are currently remunerated below(a) £4.26 per hour, (b) £4.00 per hour and (c) £3.75 per hour. [29011]

  Mr. Milburn
  I refer the right hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Wokingham (Mr. Redwood) on 13 January 1998,Official Report, column 153.

  Minimum Wage
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to be able to calculate the costs to the NHS of any given level of a minimum wage. [29052]

  Mr. Milburn
  Information about the earnings of National Health Service employees is currently being collected by the Department.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement regarding the proposed statutory obligations of NHS trusts to work in partnership with other trusts. [29050]

  Mr. Milburn
  The New NHS White Paper sets out our plans to improve co-operation and partnership between National Health Service trusts. These include a new statutory duty on local NHS bodies to work together for the common good. Legislation will be brought forward as Parliamentary time allows.

  Waiting Lists
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what forecast his Department has made of the numbers of patients waiting more than 12 months for treatment by July 1999. [29010]

  Mr. Milburn
  None.

  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans he has to change the current methodology for calculating NHS waiting lists; [29015]

  (2) if he will make a statement on current methodology used in calculating health service waiting lists. [29012]

  Mr. Milburn
  We have no plans currently to change the methodology for calculating national health service waiting lists which shows the numbers of patients awaiting admission to hospital, on a trust and resident basis, at the end of each quarter.

  General Practitioner Budgets
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of patients are currently served by general practitioner practices holding their own budgets. [29007]

  Mr. Milburn
  Fifty-seven per cent. of the registered population of England is currently served by a general practitioner fundholding practice.

  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many submissions he has received from doctors since 2 May requesting an end to general practitioner practice level budgets. [29006]

  Mr. Milburn
  Since 2 May 1997, we have consulted widely in the National Health Service and discussed with representatives of the professions proposals to abolish the internal market in the NHS. This culminated in the publication of the White Paper, The New NHS, containing our proposals for setting up Primary Care Groups. We have received a wide measure of support for these proposals.

  Southampton Community NHS Trust
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on Southampton Community NHS Trust's arrangements for the disposal of three sites, currently occupied by the Lymington Hospital, to a preferred bidder and PFI partner. [29360]

  Mr. Milburn
  The value of surplus or redundant estate owned by National Health Service trusts can form part of the negotiations between the trust and its preferred private sector partner in a Private Finance Initiative deal, but any such assets must be sold or disposed of at open market value. In the case of Southampton Community NHS Trust, the valuations for the three redundant sites owned by the trust will be independently assessed by the District Valuer and the full business case setting out the final arrangements for the PFI scheme will have to be approved by the NHS Executive and Her Majesty's Treasury.

  Passive Smoking
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to protect asthma sufferers from the effects of passive smoking(a) at work and (b) in public places. [29260]

  Ms Jowell
  The Department of Health is working closely with other Government Departments and agencies, including the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions and the Health and Safety Executive, on what measures might be included in the Tobacco Control White Paper, to be published later this year, to protect the public, including asthma sufferers, from the effects of passive smoking.

  The White Paper will also take into account the conclusions of the Scientific Committee on Tobacco and Health (to be published shortly) on the scientific evidence on the health effects of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke.

  Water Fluoridation
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what statutory provisions govern the responsibility of health authorities for decisions on water fluoridation. [29399]

  Mr. Milburn
  The final decision on implementing fluoridation schemes rests with the water undertaker. The Water (Fluoridation) Act 1985 was consolidated in the Water Industry Act (1991) and Section 87 (i) of this states that"Where a Health Authority have applied in writing to a water undertaker for the water supplied within an area specified in the application to be fluoridated, that undertaker may, while the application remains in force, increase the fluoride content of the water supplied by the undertaker within that area."

  Hepatitis C
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effect of needle exchanges in the community on the incidence of hepatitis C in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement. [29845]

  Ms Jowell
  We have not made any such assessment. Acquisition of hepatitis C is most often asymptomatic and new infections are usually not identified.

  HIV may also be transmitted among drug misusers through the sharing of blood contaminated injecting equipment. Needle exchange schemes have contributed to the decline in the prevalence of HIV in this group.

  The Department is currently seeking ways of improving the surveillance of hepatitis C prevalence among injecting drug misusers.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his estimate of the incidence of hepatitis C in each of the past 10 years(a) in prison and (b) nationally; and if he will make a statement. [29842]

  Ms Jowell
  The number of new infections nationally is not known. Hepatitis C infection rarely produces an acute symptomatic illness with jaundice and hence very few incident infections are identified.

  Tests for antibodies to the virus will identify individuals who have been previously infected by the virus but do not distinguish between resolved infection and established chronic infection.

  Laboratory reports of the presence of antibodies to hepatitis C in the general population received by the Public Health Laboratory Service's Communicable Diseases Surveillance Centre for England from 1991, the earliest year for which figures are available, to 1996 are shown in the table. The rise in laboratory reports is consistent with increased testing and reporting during that period:

  Laboratory reports of hepatitis C infections, England 1991–1996

  Year

  Number

  1991

  26

  1992

  228

  1993

  410

  1994

  726

  1995

  1,291

  1996

  1,912

  553
  Prisoners in England are not routinely tested for hepatitis C. We understand from Her Majesty's Prison Service that information on the numbers of prisoners infected with hepatitis C is based on voluntary disclosure or testing. This information has been collected only since 1995. In the financial years 1995–96 and 1996–97, there were 543 and 760 reports of prisoners infected with hepatitis C respectively.

  Radiotherapy Damage
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will award ex gratia payments to women suffering permanent, progressive, disabling injuries after radiotherapy treatment for breast cancer; and if he will make a statement. [29867]

  Mr. Boateng
  We are aware of the often severe problems experienced by women who have been injured following radiotherapy treatment for breast cancer. Unfortunately, there are risks associated with most medical interventions and radiotherapy treatment for breast cancer is not the only area where patients may suffer health and other problems as a result of treatment they have received.

  Following careful consideration of the issues we have no plans to introduce a general scheme of ex gratia payments for specific groups such as those who have suffered injury as a result of radiotherapy treatment for breast cancer.

  National Health Service bodies already have the authority exceptionally to make ex gratia payments in individual cases. Decisions to do so for those suffering adverse side effects from medical treatment are a matter for the individual NHS trust, after careful appraisal of the facts.

  Public Works Directive
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what rules or arrangements exist to prevent collusion or the development of cartels amongst candidates expressing an interest and admitted to negotiate under Article 22 (3) of the Public Works Directive 93/37. [24686]

  Mr. Milburn
  [holding answer 26 January 1998]: The National Health Service Estates Agency, an agency of the Department of Health, has issued policy and guidance on works procurement in Concode. When contracts are negotiated value for money must be demonstrated as with any open competition. Negotiations are also subject to European Community Regulations. It is also normal practice to include an anti-collusion clause in contracts.

  Random Breath Tests
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the(a) direct and (b) indirect effects of random breath testing on death and injury from drink driving. [28822]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I have been asked to reply.

  It would not be possible to make such estimates since the effect of random breath testing would depend on the precise nature of the testing regime and the extent of enforcement.
  554
  The potential for improving enforcement to reduce deaths and injuries from drink driving is discussed in the consultation document Combating Drink Driving: Next Steps issued by my Department on 2 February.

WALES

  Forestry Commission Land
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the locations and size of Forestry Commission land sold in Wales since 1 May 1997. [29231]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The subject of the question relates to matters undertaken by Forest Enterprise. I have asked its Chief Executive, Dr. Bob Mcintosh, to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Bob McIntosh to Mr. Chris Ruane, dated February 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Wales has asked me to reply to your Question about Forestry Commission land sold in Wales.
  I enclose a list of those areas of Forest Land that have been sold since 1 May 1997. These sales were all agreed before that date.

  Forestry Commission forest land sold in Wales 1 May—10 February 1998

  Name of property

  Area (hectares)

  Grid reference

  Allt Cil Y Llyn Fawr

  2.5

  SN623334

  Allt Hengeraint (road improvement)

  0.7

  SN473603

  Allt Y Fron—Abermarlais

  5.6

  SN689290

  Bodfuan (Garn Boduan)

  101.0

  SH315393

  Bryn Hendre

  10.0

  SH315373

  Brynffynnon Coed

  6.0

  SH471433

  Caeau Bodfel

  28.0

  SH345374

  Cathilas

  51.4

  SN595320

  Cefn Derw Cil Owen

  10.0

  SO140805

  Cefn Perfa Wood

  3.4

  SO127892

  Cil Llwyn

  15.0

  SO009653

  Coed Allt Ddu

  3.0

  SH956679

  Coed Bryn Kenrick

  8.0

  SH947701

  Coed Caeau Gwynion—Abermarlais

  4.8

  SN691298

  Coed Glyn Aeron

  57.0

  SN105300

  Coed Melin Y Moch

  12.0

  SJ070578

  Coed Plas Isaf

  5.0

  SH963678

  Coed Salisbury

  4.0

  SH911693

  Curnia Bank

  13.3

  SO207839

  Geufron

  10.1

  SO175932

  Hendre Rhys

  18.3

  ST048928

  Kinmel Estate

  0.1

  SH977761

  Llan Llwyd

  3.8

  SO187825

  Maesgwyn

  20.0

  SN088290

  Nant Ffrwd

  26.0

  SN572328

  Nant Merddyn

  48.0

  SH930616

  Penycarreg East

  3.0

  SO062821

  Penycarreg West

  11.0

  SO055815

  Penycastle Wood

  10.4

  SO135880

  Rosehill Wood—Abermarlais 3

  3.9

  SN693292

  Sychpant and Penlan

  70.0

  SN040360

  Ty Rhyg

  120.0

  SN050300

  Tyn Y Cwm

  3.5

  SO153835

  Ynys Galed

  22.0

  SH464440

  Correspondence
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his policy for responding to letters received in the(a)Scottish Gaelic, (b) Welsh, (c) Urdu, (d) Hindi and (e) Chinese language. [28059]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  [holding answer 10 February 1998]: Letters received in Welsh are replied to in Welsh. Letters received in other languages, including Scottish Gaelic, Urdu, Hindi and Chinese, are replied to in the language of the original wherever practicable.

  Sheep Dip
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what advice his Department gives to farmers on the disposal of synthetic pyrethroid sheep dip. [29734]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  [holding answer 16 February 1998]: Advice on the disposal of sheep dips is given on the label of every product and in the leaflet, Sheep Dipping, published jointly by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Health and Safety Executive and the former Department of the Environment. A new edition of the leaflet is in preparation and, as before, it will be sent to all known sheep farmers in Great Britain. Advice is also contained in the Code of Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Water published by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Welsh Office.

  The National Proficiency Tests Council organises a test leading to the issue of a Certificate of Competence which includes the disposal of all types of sheep dip. A Certificate is currently required for the purchase of organophosphate (OP) dips but the government has accepted the advice of the Veterinary Products Committee that the requirement should be extended to cover the purchase of non-OP dips, including those containing synthetic pyrethroids. We are currently consulting on a change in legislation which would take effect on 1 August 1998.

  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what monitoring of the impact of synthetic pyrethroid sheep dips on(a) the aquatic environment, (b)the soil environment and (c) fisheries (i) has been carried out and (ii) is planned by his Department; and if he will make a statement. [29735]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  [holding answer 16 February 1998]: The Environment Agency, which is responsible for monitoring the aquatic environment in Wales, has initiated monitoring programmes to assess the impact of sheep dip compounds, including synthetic pyrethroids, on the chemical quality of the aquatic environment, including any effects on fish populations. The monitoring has been targeted on the most intensive sheep rearing areas, including Wales. A full report of the findings is being prepared by the Agency. There is no specific monitoring of soil.

  Last month, the Government published draft groundwater regulations relating to England, Wales and Scotland which specify additional monitoring requirements for groundwater, including of synthetic pyrethroids.

DEFENCE

  Courts Martial
  Mr. Kemp
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proposals he has made to allow senior noncommissioned officers to serve on courts martial. [30414]

  Dr. Reid
  The issue of membership of courts-martial was considered by the Select Committee on the Armed Forces Bill in 1996 although no firm proposals for change were made. I am pleased to announce that, following an extensive internal review initiated by the previous Administration, we have accepted the recommendation that membership of courts-martial be extended to Warrant Officers. This enhancement will make available to courts-martial the additional experience and judgment of Warrant Officers.

  I welcome this recommendation as further evidence of the Services' willingness to embrace change while safeguarding the system of military justice which is essential to their effectiveness.

  This change will require primary legislation and it is envisaged that the relevant amendments will be included in the 2001 Armed Forces Act. A decision in principle now will allow any necessary preparation and training to be set in hand by the Services.

  Low Flying
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to reassess the situation in respect of low flying aircraft in Wales following the recent accident in Italy. [29592]

  Mr. Spellar
  Low flying continues to be an effective means of penetrating hostile air defence systems. It require rigorous training and continuous practice in a realistic environment, subject to stringent regulation to ensure that it is carried out safely while minimising disturbance to those on the ground. The whole of the United Kingdom excluding built up areas is, in principle, open to low flying and Wales will continue to see a proportion of this activity.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the Government's targets for reducing low flying by aircraft over Wales in the current year; and if his Department achieved its target for 1997. [29594]

  Mr. Spellar
  The amount of low flying training undertaken throughout the United Kingdom is limited to that strictly necessary for aircrews to achieve and maintain operational effectiveness. It is kept under continuous review and specific in-year targets are not set. Since 1988, low flying in Wales has reduced by about a half.

  MOD Police
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those facilities in the(a) public and (b) private sector that have a current full-time requirement for MoD Police; and if he will list the current annual cost at each facility. [29179]
  557
  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 12 February 1998]: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Ministry of Defence Police. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Michael Smallwood to Mr. Nick Ainger, dated 17 February 1998:
  I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the Ministry of Defence Police, on behalf of the Chief Constable/Chief Executive of the Ministry of Defence (MDP) Agency, as this falls into his area of responsibility. The Chief Constable/Chief Executive is away from the office at present.
  The MDP are based at 109 locations, where there is a requirement for their services, costing a total of £149,256 million per annum. I am withholding the list of locations in accordance with exemption 1, 'information whose disclosure would harm national security or defence', of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. I am also withholding details of the annual cost of the MDP at each location under both exemptions 1 and 13, 'information including commercial confidences, trade secrets whose unwarranted disclosure would harm the competitive position of a third party', of the Code of Practice.
  The budget and costs of the MDP are however included within the Annual Report of the Chief Constable. I attach a copy of the relevant pages from the 1996–97 report. A complete copy of the Annual Report is held in the Library of the House of Commons.

  1995–96 £000

  percentage

  1996–97 £000

  percentage

  (a) Expenditure

  Gross Expenditure

  156,115

  —

  149,256

  —

  Gross Income

  21,846

  —

  18,871

  —

  Net expenditure subject to Vote

  134,269

  —

  130,385

  —

  (b) Expenditure Analysis

  Staff costs (Note 1)

  130,971

  83.9

  121,925

  81.7

  Overtime (Note 2)

  10,260

  6.6

  13,163

  8.8

  Administrative costs (Note 3)

  11,574

  7.4

  11,076

  7.4

  Accommodation costs (Note 4)

  3,310

  2.1

  3,092

  2.1

  Total

  156,115

  100

  149,256

  100

  (c) Income Analysis

  Other Government Departments/Agencies

  12,381

  56.7

  10,198

  54.1

  Foreign Government customers

  4,517

  20.7

  4,422

  23.4

  Defence contractors

  3,913

  17.9

  2,509

  13.3

  Other receipts

  1,035

  4.7

  1,742

  9.0

  Total

  21,846

  100

  18,871

  100

  Note 1-Analysis of staff costs

  MDP pay

  105,199

  80.3

  96,755

  79.3

  MDP ERNIC

  9,124

  7.0

  9,149

  7.5

  MDP Pension contribution

  13,569

  10.4

  12,287

  10.1

  Civilian/Service pay

  3,079

  2.4

  3,734

  3.1

  Total

  130,971

  100

  121,925

  100

  Note 2-Analysis of overtime costs

  MDP overtime

  9,825

  95.8

  13,079

  99.4

  Civilian overtime

  435

  4.2

  84

  0.6

  Total

  10,260

  100

  13,163

  100

  Note 3-Analysis of administrative costs

  Permanent transfer

  2,373

  20.5

  2,829

  25.6

  Travel and subsistence

  1,282

  11.1

  1,821

  16.4

  Information technology

  2,663

  23.0

  1,149

  10.4

  558

  1995–96 £000

  percentage

  1996–97 £000

  percentage

  Vehicles/transport

  2,842

  24.6

  3,254

  29.4

  Telecommunications

  567

  4.9

  314

  2.8

  General administration expenses

  1,754

  15.2

  1,550

  14.0

  Other contract services

  93

  0.8

  159

  1.4

  Total

  11,574

  100

  11,076

  100

  Note 4-Analysis of accommodation costs

  Works maintenance

  1,927

  58.2

  1,658

  53.6

  Public utilities

  577

  17.4

  624

  20.2

  Contract catering and cleaning

  806

  24.4

  810

  26.2

  HQ relocation costs

  0

  0

  Total

  3,310

  100

  3,092

  100

  Land Rovers
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 18 December 1997,Official Report, column 280, on Land Rovers, if he will list the planned changes in EU Regulations concerning exhaust emissions with which it would be difficult for the 110 series Army Landrover to comply; and what representations the Government have made to the EU about such exhaust emission regulations. [27195]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 3 February 1998]: EU Directives to reduce vehicle emissions apply at the date of vehicle manufacture and are not retrospective. All Land Rover Defender 110 Series vehicles in service with the MOD complied with the emission regulations in force at their date of manufacture, and the Trucks Utility Medium (High Specification) vehicles now being delivered comply fully with current EU regulations. Future EU Directives will require the motor industry to comply with more stringent emission limits. As such, EU Directive 96/69/EC will set tighter limits for mass carbon monoxide, combined hydrocarbons and oxides of nitrogen, and particulates for this class of vehicle manufactured after 1 October 1998. Beyond that date, future legislation has not been fully defined. It is not MOD policy to seek exemption from EU Directives on emissions levels relating to these vehicles.

  The Government are committed to reducing pollution by cutting emission levels. We are, therefore, exploring ways in which the emissions of all the in-service Land Rover vehicles, including the 110 Series vehicles, could be reduced.

  Defence Expenditure
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the defence expenditure of NATO countries in 1996(a) as a percentage of gross domestic product (market price), (b) as total national defence spending, (US $m) and (c) per capita defence expenditure, (US $). [29449]
  559
  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 16 February 1998]: The information requsted for calender year 1996 is as follows

  Defence expenditure as a percentage of GDP

  Percentage

  Greece

  4.5

  Turkey

  4.1

  United States

  3.7

  France

  3.0

  United Kingdom

  3.0

  Portugal

  2.5

  Norway

  2.4

  Netherlands

  2.0

  Italy

  1.9

  Denmark

  1.8

  Germany

  1.7

  Belgium

  1.6

  Spain

  1.5

  Canada

  1.5

  Luxembourg

  0.8

  Defence expenditure in US$ million

  US$ million

  United States

  271,802

  France

  46,402

  Germany

  38,990

  United Kingdom

  34,526

  Italy

  23,458

  Spain

  8,616

  Canada

  8,616

  Netherlands

  7,850

  Turkey

  7,424

  Greece

  5,582

  Belgium

  4,240

  Norway

  3,672

  Denmark

  3,086

  Portugal

  2,601

  Luxembourg

  141

  Defence expenditure per capita (US$)

  US$

  United States

  1,023

  Norway

  838

  France

  794

  Denmark

  589

  United Kingdom

  587

  Greece

  531

  Netherlands

  504

  Germany

  475

  Belgium

  417

  Italy

  409

  Luxembourg

  338

  Canada

  287

  Portugal

  262

  Spain

  219

  Turkey

  118

  The figures are our latest estimates and are based on information drawn from NATO sources. They update the provisional figures published in October 1997 in the MOD Performance Report 1996/97 (CM 3781).
  560
  The figures have been calculated using 1996 average market exchange rates, which do not necessarily reflect the relative purchasing power of individual currencies. They are therefore only a guide to comparative defence effort.

  For the UK, the defence budget in the financial year 1996–97 amounted to 3.0 per cent. of GDP; and in 1997–98 and 1998–99 is estimated to amount to 2.7 per cent. of GDP in both years.

  Nuclear Deterrence
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had regarding the maintenance of the United Kingdom's nuclear deterrence capacity beyond the lifetime of the Trident programme; and if he will make a statement. [29463]

  Mr. Spellar
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 23 June 1997,Official Report, column 357, to my hon. Friend the Member for Islington, North (Mr. Corbyn).

  Service Personnel (Cyprus)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel stationed in Cyprus have been charged with disorderly conduct while off duty in(a) a civilian court or (b) a court martial, in each of the last three years. [18585]

  Dr. Reid
  Figures broken down as requested are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Total figures for the number of offences of disorderly conduct committed by the members of the Resident Infantry Battalions and other permanent units in Cyprus in the last 3 years is set out in the table:

  Offence

  1995

  1996

  1997

  Assault (or similar offences)

  20

  16

  117

  Drunkenness

  6

  5

  5

  Criminal Damage

  2

  1

  8

  Total

  228

  22

  30

  1 Includes 10 cases still under investigation or yet to be heard in court.

  2 Includes 18 RGJ "Reported Incidents" which may not have led to charges.

  Royal Haslar Hospital
  Mr. Rapson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the timing of the privatisation of the Royal Haslar Hospital Laundry and Sterile Services. [28142]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 10 February 1998]: I have commissioned the Chief Executive of the Defence Secondary Care Agency to carry out a strategic review of the Agency and to report to me in the Spring 1998. The future of the laundry and sterile services at the Royal Hospital, Haslar, will be considered in the context of the outcome of this work.

  Britannia
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will refit the former Royal Yacht 'Britannia' as a hospital ship for possible use in the Middle East. [29607]

  Dr. Reid
  No. Britannia was paid off on 11 December 1997.

  Bahrain
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many United Kingdom military personnel have(a) visited in an official capacity, (b) been stationed in and (c) been seconded to Bahrain in each of the last five years. [29466]

  Dr. Reid
  Figures for the number of United Kingdom military personnel who have been stationed in Bahrain or visited in an official capacity over the last five years are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. No United Kingdom military personnel have been seconded to Bahrain in the last five years.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Bahrain service people have(a) visited and (b) attended training courses in Britain in each of the last five years. [29468]

  Dr. Reid
  Figures for the number of Bahraini Service personnel who have visited the United Kingdom are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  It has been the practice of successive Administrations not to release details of military assistance provided to other countries on the grounds that this information has been considered confidential between Governments, and that disclosure would risk damaging our international relations. However, this practice is being reviewed against the background of the Government's commitment to openness. I will write to my hon. Friend once the review is complete and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent meetings have been held at Ministerial level with ministers in the Bahrain Government; and what was discussed. [29609]

  Dr. Reid
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence and my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary held separate meetings with the Bahraini Crown Prince and the Minister of Foreign Affairs on 28 January. The main focus of these meetings was the current crisis in the Gulf. My noble Friend the Minister for Defence Procurement visited Bahrain on the 13–14 February and held discussions on Iraq with the Amir, Prime Minister and other ministers.

  Trident
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when he plans to complete the loading of the first core into the reactor of the fourth Trident submarine; and if he will make a statement; [29461]

  (2) what is the cost of the first fuel core for the reactor of the fourth Trident submarine; and if he will make a statement. [29462]
  562
  Mr. George Robertson
  The loading of Vengeance's fuel core is scheduled to be completed during May 1998. I am withholding details of core costs under exemption 1 of the code of practice on access to Government Information relating to defence, security and international relations.

  Foreign Policy Baseline
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what documents or speeches constitute the Foreign Policy Baseline against which the Strategic Defence Review can be assessed. [29750]

  Mr. George Robertson
  I outlined the emerging conclusions of the first phase of the Strategic Defence Review, which looked at the foreign and security policy framework, in my speeches to the House on 27 October 1997, Official Report, columns 609–20, and to the Royal United Services Institute on 18 September 1997. The results of this work will form an important part of the Review White Paper.

  Enriched Uranium
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department has spent on the enrichment of uranium for the nuclear-powered submarine programme in(a) the United States of America and (b) the United Kingdom in each year since 1982; and if he will make a statement. [29460]

  Dr. Reid
  I am withholding this information under exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information relating to defence, security, and international relations.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  National Minimum Wage
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to introduce additional sectoral or regional exemptions to the national minimum wage. [28618]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 9 February 1998]: I have no plans to introduce any sectoral or regional exemptions.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when the Ministry of Defence first informed her Department that it wished to exempt the armed forces from the national minimum wage. [28584]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 9 February 1998]: It has never been the policy of this or any other Government to disclose details of internal discussions between Ministers.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on progress in her Cabinet Group to ensure that computer systems are millennium compliant. [27873]
  563
  Mrs. Beckett
  The Government attach major importance to tackling his problem effectively. However, in accordance with long-standing practice, information about proceedings of the Cabinet and Cabinet Committees is not made public.

  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what requests she has received from Action 2000 for more staff and an increase in budget; and if she will make a statement. [27875]

  Mrs. Roche
  I look forward to receiving from Don Cruickshank his proposals for a fully costed programme of collective activities over the next two years which will support businesses in the private sector in their efforts to tackle the problem.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps she is taking to ensure that disinterested advice is available to the consumer of personal computing products about the changes that need to be made to their computer systems in order for them to be millennium compliant. [25650]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 27 January 1998]: The consumer can get impartial advice from Action 2000, which operates a help line, 0845 601 2000, and a website, www.open.gov.uk/bug2000.htm.

  The Chairman of Action 2000 is continuing to work with the Director of the Consumer Association to develop a collaborative approach to helping consumers understand and prepare for the Millennium Bug challenge.

  Action 2000 has also appointed Karl Feilder to give it expert advice on the problems with personal computers.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if Action 2000 is being set up as an independent company. [29508]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 13 February 1998]: Yes.

  Oil and Gas Industry
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how she proposes to protect existing jobs and promote increased long-term investment in the United Kingdom oil and gas industry. [29798]

  Mr. Battle
  The Government are keen to ensure that the optimum level of exploration and development of the United Kingdom continental shelf is carried out. To that end, the UK's hydrocarbons licensing regime seeks to encourage continuing investment in oil and gas exploration and production in this country and its continental shelf.

  Multilateral Agreement on Investment
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list the exemptions tabled by the United Kingdom as part of the draft texts of the Multilateral Agreement on Investment and place in the Library copies of the exemptions tabled by other OECD countries. [29926]

  Mrs. Roche
  The UK's draft list of exceptions has already been placed in the Library. It includes exceptions for broadcasting, fishing, marine and air transport, and 564
  financial services. The draft lists from other countries have been tabled in confidence; it would not be appropriate for the UK to make them public.

  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what safeguards for local authorities and Government departments and agencies she has(a) sought and (b) achieved to date in relation to potential claims of discrimination arising under the Multilateral Agreement on Investment currently being negotiated. [28328]

  Mrs. Roche
  The UK, like other participants in the MAI negotiations, has submitted a list of exceptions where we are not willing to have the obligations of the Agreement apply. The list contains no exceptions specifically related to local authorities, since discrimination against investors on grounds of nationality is not a factor in their decisions. Any claims under the MAI would be made against the national government.

  Coal (Emission Standards)
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate she has made of the increased costs of coal-fired power generation as a result of the accelerated imposition of emission standards recently announced. [25482]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 26 January 1998]: The Environment Agency has issued a Consultation Document setting out proposals for new sulphur dioxide targets. My Department is currently considering these.

  Arms Sales
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list the arms deliveries, and their dates, to Iraq between January 1988 and the imposition of the arms embargo upon Iraq. [27060]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Department of Trade and Industry does not maintain records of arms deliveries to any destination. A list of Export Licence Applications for Iraq from the period 1984–90 formed Part A of Appendix A to Sir Richard Scott's Report of the Inquiry into the Export of Defence Equipment and Dual-Use Goods to Iraq and Related Prosecutions.

  EU Structural Funds
  Mr. Ennis
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps she is taking to extend the use of gross domestic product per capita as a key qualifying criteria for objective 2 of the EU structural funds. [26789]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Government, in discussions with the Commission and other Member States, have pushed strongly the idea that GDP per capita, measured at either a national or a local level, should be a factor in determining eligibility for the proposed new Objective 2 of the Structural Funds.

  Mr. Watts
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will seek to reform the EU structural funds to provide that no member state shall receive more per head of eligible population in the 2000–06 period than in the
  1994–99 period. [26757]
  565
  Mrs. Roche
  The Government believe that all existing Member States should expect cuts in their Structural and Cohesion Fund allocations (when comparing 2006 with 1999) if costs are to be contained in preparation for EU enlargement.

  We have suggested that the average per capita Structural Funds allocations of regions retaining eligibility for the same Objective should not increase, particularly if other regions lose eligibility.

  Mr. Watts
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps she is taking to ensure that the United Kingdom share of the European structural funds in the 2000 to 2006 period reflects its current position in terms of per capita GDP. [26756]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Government, in discussions with the Commission and other Member States, have pushed strongly the idea that GDP per capita, measured at either a national or a local level, should be a factor in determining allocations and eligibility under the proposed new Structural Funds.

  Market Research
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what expenditure has been incurred by her Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies(a) in 1996–97 and (b) since 1 May 1997 on (i) opinion polling, (ii) focus groups and (iii) other forms of market research; if she will list the surveys commissioned and the purpose of each; and if she will make a statement. [26592]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 5 February 1998]: The surveys commissioned by the Department of Trade and Industry and the agencies for which DTI is responsible are mainly small surveys for the purpose of programme evaluation or to assess customer satisfaction. There are very few surveys which entirely involve opinion polling or market research as such.

  In 1996, those surveys which involved an element of opinion gathering cost a total of £0.8 million (Table 1). In the period from 1 May 1997, this expenditure has increased to £1.9 million (Table 2) due to the commissioning of a Workplace Industrial Relations Survey to assess state of industry at an estimated cost of £1.2 million.

  No records are held centrally of surveys commissioned by the Department if out of the scope of Survey Control.

  Table 1: Regular Surveys in 1996

  Title

  Purpose

  National Weights and Measures Customer Survey

  Customer satisfaction

  Export Marketing Information Centre User Satisfaction Questionnaire

  Customer satisfaction

  Quality Management System for Export Services

  Customer satisfaction

  Business Links Baseline Tracking Study

  Programme evaluation

  Radiocommunications Agency Customer Survey

  Citizen's charter

  Patent Office Customer Survey

  Citizen's charter

  Biotechnology Means Business Evaluation

  Programme evaluation

  Subtotal (7 surveys)

  Ad Hoc Surveys in 1996

  Evaluation of the LINK Optoelectronics Programme

  Programme evaluation

  DTI France Desk—Private Label Clothing and Fabrics

  Programme evaluation

  Evaluation of the Manufacturing Planning and Implementation Programme

  Programme evaluation

  566

  Table 1: Regular Surveys in 1996

  Title

  Purpose

  Evaluation of Consultancy Support for European Activities—Framework IV

  Programme evaluation

  Evaluation of the APAG Trade Review

  Programme evaluation

  Environmental Technology Best Practice Programme

  Programme evaluation

  Valid Analytical Measurement—Assessment and Understanding and Marketing Needs

  Market research

  Companies House Marketing Research

  Market research

  Survey of Firms: Evaluation of the Area Advisory Groups to the BOTB

  Programme evaluation

  Evaluation of the Export Promoters Initiative: Survey of Firms

  Programme evaluation

  Value for Money Survey of Export Intelligence Customers

  Customer satisfaction

  Loan Guarantee Scheme: Evaluation of the Advice and Counselling Pilot

  Programme evaluation

  Survey on the Influence of Workplace Disciplinary Procedures on Application to Industrial Tribunals

  Assess state of industry

  Business Link Evaluation June 1996

  Programme evaluation

  Regional Customer Supply Network Charging Study: Telephone Survey of Customers

  Customer satisfaction

  Evaluation of Improved Oil Recovery and Reservoir Simulation Programmes

  Programme evaluation

  The Impact of Sunday Trading Act on Employment Practices

  Assess state of industry

  Evaluation of Business Links

  Programme evaluation

  Overseas Trade Services Marketing and Brand Awareness Survey

  Programme evaluation

  Subtotal (20 surveys)

  Surveys to households and individuals

  Potential for Green Electricity Supply to UK Domestic Consumers

  Market assessment

  Consumer Packaging "Openability"

  Opinions on packaging

  Safety Instructions for Consumer Products

  Opinions on product safety

  Fireworks '96 Evaluation

  Safety campaign awareness

  Subtotal (4 surveys)

  Grand Total (31 surveys)

  Total cost: £816,000

  Table 2: Regular Surveys since 1 May 1997

  Title

  Purpose

  National Weights and Measures Customer Survey

  Customer satisfaction

  Export Marketing Information Centre User Satisfaction Questionnaire

  Customer satisfaction

  Quality Management System for Export Services

  Customer satisfaction

  Business Links Baseline Tracking Study

  Programme evaluation

  Radiocommunications Agency Customer Survey

  Citizen's charter

  Patent Office Customer Survey

  Citizen's charter

  Biotechnology Means Business Evaluation

  Programme evaluation

  Design Council Evaluation and Tracking Study

  Programme evaluation

  Workplace Industrial Relations Survey

  Assess state of industry

  Companies House Customer Satisfaction Survey

  Customer satisfaction

  Subtotal (10 surveys)

  DTI Ad-Hoc Surveys conducted since 1 May 1997

  Environmental Technology Best Practice Programme

  Programme evaluation

  Survey of UKAEA Contractors

  Programme evaluation

  Evaluation of the Regional Supply Network

  Programme evaluation

  Support for Overseas Trade Fairs and Seminars Study

  Programme evaluation

  Engineering, Automotive and Metals Customer Survey

  Customer satisfaction

  Future Market Potential for Photovoltaic Products

  Assess state of the industry

  Business Link Campaign Evaluation (Benchmark)

  Advertising campaign evaluation

  Business Link Campaign Evaluation (Follow-up 1)

  Advertising campaign evaluation

  567

  Table2: Regular Surveys since 1 May 1997

  Title

  Purpose

  Insolvency Service User Survey 1997

  Customer satisfaction

  Study of the Effectiveness of New Approach Directives

  Programme evaluation

  Evaluation of Export Market Research Scheme

  Programme evaluation

  Evaluation of Retex Initiative

  Programme evaluation

  Evaluation of Konver Initiative

  Programme evaluation

  British National Space Corporation Customer Survey

  Customer satisfaction

  Evaluation of Industry '96

  Programme evaluation

  Evaluation of Design of High Speed Machinery Programme

  Programme evaluation

  Mid-Term review of British National Space Corporation Applications

  Programme evaluation

  Demonstration ProgrammeReview of European Supply Network

  Programme evaluation

  Subtotal (19 surveys)

  Sun'eys to households and individuals

  Redundancy Payments Service Customer Survey

  Customer satisfaction

  Consumer Product Recalls

  Consumer attitudes

  Insolvency Service Communications Review

  Customer awareness

  Subtotal (3 surveys)

  Grand total (32 surveys)

  Total cost: £1,858,000

  British Geological Survey
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many people are employed by the British Geological Survey in Scotland, broken down by job category; what facilities for map making the British Geological Survey maintains in Scotland; and if she will provide a breakdown of British Geological Survey spending in Scotland as a ratio of overall spending in each year since 1990. [28552]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 11 February 1998]: The British Geological Survey currently employs 201 people in Scotland as shown in the table.

  Job Categories

  Scientists

  Scientific Support

  Administration

  Total

  Petroleum Geology, Geophysics and Offshore Surveys

  89

  —

  1

  90

  Geological and Hydrogeological Survey

  47

  —

  —

  47

  Minerals, Environment and Geochemical Surveys

  5

  —

  —

  5

  Corporate Services and Business Development

  12

  21

  5

  38

  Local Administration, Facilities Management, Computer Support

  —

  —

  21

  21

  Total

  153

  21

  27

  201

  Map-making facilities exist locally at BGS in Edinburgh. Of the 19 people involved in these cartographic services, 14 are responsible for producing Scottish geological maps.
  568
  BGS spending in Scotland as a percentage of overall BGS spending in each year since 1990 is set out below:

  Year

  Percentage

  1990–91

  18

  1991–92

  17

  1992–93

  18

  1993–94

  19

  1994–95

  19

  1995–96

  18

  1996–97

  18

  1997–98

  18

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list by grade the number of officials in her Department at grade 3 or above who have(a) taken early retirement, (b) taken official leave, (c) been dismissed, (d) changed jobs within the Department, (e) moved to another Department and (f) been offered and rejected an alternative position (i) within the Department and (ii) in another Department since 1 May. [27453]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  [holding answer 5 February 1998]: Since 1 May, the Regional Director for the North East has taken early retirement. Most Senior Civil Servants have taken leave during that period, but we do not keep central records. None has been dismissed. There have been ten staff moves within the department involving posts at or above a level equivalent to what was formerly Grade 3. These have all been routine moves for career development or operational reasons (for example because a post has been abolished or a new one created). There have also been two loans and one permanent transfer at that level to other Government Departments; one case was because of Machinery of Government changes; the others involved progression to more senior levels in the Senior Civil Service. Moves at this level are the subject of discussion with individuals and their line managers during which it is normal for a number of options to be considered.

  Japan and Taiwan (Spirits Taxes)
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations she has made to the Government of Japan concerning the tax regime for whisky in that country and on the need for adequate regulations on the definition and labelling of whisky. [27902]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 9 February 1998]: The long-standing dispute with Japan over discriminatory taxation of imported spirits, including Scotch Whisky, was resolved during December 1997. An agreement has been negotiated with Japan, building on the interim settlement reached in January 1997. Letters were exchanged between the European Commission and the Japanese Government on 24 December 1997. The new agreement now guarantees a level playing field on taxation for our spirits exports to Japan. In addition to accelerated equalisation of tax rates, exports of whisky and brandy will also benefit from the total elimination of import tariffs by 2002. These significant, new tariff concessions will also apply for the very first time to gin, vodka, rum and liqueurs. DTI officials were closely

  569
  involved in negotiations with the Japanese Government and the final agreement was concluded with the full support and endorsement of the Scotch Whisky Association and the Gin and Vodka Association.

  Whisky exports to Japan were worth £129 million in 1996, and have already seen a 33 per cent. rise since 1 October 1997, when the first tranche of tax cuts were introduced. This new agreement presents even greater opportunities for the growth of British spirits exports, which this Government will continue to help the industry to pursue as appropriate. This case also shows the effectiveness of the WTO in dealing with trade disputes and sends an important signal to other countries which continue to tax foreign spirits at a higher rate than those produced domestically.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions she has had with her European counterparts regarding action to ensure Japan and Taiwan introduce non-discriminatory taxation for (i) EU spirits and (ii) Scotch whisky. [27903]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 9 February 1998]: In the case of Japan, I refer the hon. Member to my earlier answer.

  In the case of Taiwan, officials in this Department continue to work closely with their colleagues in the European Commission and in fellow EU Member States to press Taiwan to put an end to its discriminatory taxation of imported spirits. The current discrimination particularly affects the UK's Scotch whisky and the Irish whiskey industries, but France has concerns over brandy, as do other Member States on white spirits. As a result of such consensus between the UK and other Member States, the European Commission has maintained a strong line with Taiwan during its bilateral market access negotiations over Taiwan's accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

  In November last year, the Head of the British Trade & Cultural Office in Taipei and his French counterpart wrote a joint letter to Taiwanese President Vincent Siew urging immediate equalisation of taxation on all spirits. Disappointingly, this request was rejected. Nevertheless, the UK, other Member States and the Commission are continuing to keep up the pressure.

  UK officials both in London and Taipei have conveyed their disappointment to Taiwan over this response and their expectation of a speedy end to the tax discrimination, as has Sir Leon Brittan, Vice-President, European Commission, in a recent letter to the Taiwanese Minister of Finance, Paul Chiu.

  The discriminatory taxation on imported spirits, along with other concerns—notably on the lack of Taiwanese legislation on spirits definitions—is one of the key issues holding back an EU-Taiwan market access agreement in relation to Taiwan's accession to the WTO. Officials in this Department will, therefore, remain in close contact with the European Commission to ensure that it continues to reflect the UK's and other Member States' concerns on spirits in negotiations with Taiwan on WTO accession, the next round of which takes place in Taipei from 23–25 February.

  Bad Debts (Asia)
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what provision ECGD has made for bad debts on its Asian risks. [28587]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 9 February 1998]: Records readily available indicate that the provisions on outstanding Claims Balances of £36.lm on Asian Markets as at 5 February 1998 were £28.3m.

  EU Funding
  Mr. Rhodri Morgan
  To ask the President of theBoard of Trade if she will make a statement on European Commission proposals to reduce the maximum coverage of structural funds eligibility to 40 per cent. of European Union population. [27310]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 3 February 1998]: In the Commission's communication "Agenda 2000" published on 16 July 1997, it was suggested that the proportion of EU population covered by the geographically targeted Objectives of the Structural Funds should be reduced from 51 per cent. to between 35 per cent. and 40 per cent. The Government are still considering this proposal. While geographic concentration of some kind may be one way of containing the overall cost of the Funds and thus assist EU enlargement, the Government have suggested that this should not increase the average per capita Structural Funds allocations of regions retaining eligibility for the same Objective, particularly if other regions lose eligibility.

  Overseas Visits
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list visits abroad by her Department's Ministers since 18 November 1997. [29526]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 13 February 1998]: Since 18 November 1997, my Ministerial colleagues at the DTI and I have undertaken the following visits abroad.

  President of the Board of Trade

  17–22 November—India and Australia

  10–21 January—China, Hong Kong and Pakistan

  3–4 February—Paris

  Minister for Trade

  15–24 November—Quatar,UAE and Yemen

  1–2 December—Barcelona and Madrid

  7–11 December—Poland, Czech Republic and Hungary

  12–13 December—Geneva

  17–18 December—Paris and Rome

  15–16 January—Prague

  30 January—Hungary

  2 February—Brussels

  3–7 February—Zimbabwe

  Minister for Science, Energy and Industry

  16–18 November—Angola

  24 November—Geneva

  5–7 December—Canada

  8 December—Brussels

  20 January—Bonn

  3 February—Brussels

  4 February—Madrid and Lisbon

  8–9 February—Athens

  11–13 February—Brussels

  571
  Minister of State

  8 December—Bonn

  15 December—Brussels

  17 December—Strasbourg

  Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe

  20–21 November—Frankfurt

  26–27 November—Brussels

  27–29 November—Italy

  21 January—Brussels

  Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Competition and Consumer Affairs

  23–28 November—Washington and Boston, USA

  14–16 December—Vienna, Austria

  11–13 January—Maastricht and Amsterdam

  1–3 February—Stockholm

  11–12 February—Brussels

  Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Small Firms, Trade and Industry

  17–18 November—Paris

  30 November-1 December—Brussels

  14 January—Stockholm

  19 January—Brussels

  7–11 February—Egypt

  Dounreay
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made in developing a waste management and disposal strategy for the sodium in the heat exchange systems at the fast reactors at Dounreay; which consultants have been used; and what estimates have been made of the likely final costs. [29281]

  Mr. Battle
  The UKAEA has developed a strategy for the safe management and disposal of the sodium contained within the Prototype Fast Reactor and the Sodium/Potassium in the Dounreay Fast Reactor. These strategies, and the resultant programmes of work, are agreed with the DTI and the independent Regulators (the Nuclear Installation Inspectorate and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency) and are currently being implemented. The UKAEA have used a large number of external advisers in the formulation and implementation of their strategies and plans for the two reactors. The choice, selection and record of which advisers have been used is an operational matter for the UKAEA. As it is Government policy to ensure good value for money by tendering for the work, the cost estimates for this work and the contract value which will be subject to tender are commercially confidential.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade concerning how many underground shafts in which radioactive materials have been disposed of the Government has been provided with information by the management of the nuclear power development establishment at Dounreay; and when the information was provided. [29297]

  Mr. Battle
  There is only one nuclear waste shaft at Dounreay, known as the Intermediate Level Waste Shaft. In answer to my hon. Friend's question of 16 December 1997,Official Report, columns 119–20, I have already informed the House that I am considering the UKAEA's recommendations for environmental remediation of the shaft. The waste management issues arising from the use
  572
  of the shaft as a disposal facility are already in the public domain as part of the process of strict independent regulation. These plans also include the packaging of material in the Wet Silo storage facility ready for its ultimate disposal. The Wet Silo is a fully engineered facility licensed for the storage of radioactive material.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans exist for the decontamination and restoration of the second nuclear waste shaft at Dounreay; and what estimate the Atomic Energy Authority has made of the costs. [29283]

  Mr. Battle
  There is only one nuclear waste shaft at Dounreay, known as the Intermediate Level Waste Shaft. I have already informed the House that I am considering the UKAEA's recommendations for environmental remediation of the shaft in my answer to my hon. Friend's related question of 16 December 1997,Official Report, columns 119–20.

  Packaging Waste Regulations
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made with the review of the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations; when she intends to table amendments; and if she will make a statement on the factors she will take into account when doing so. [28661]

  Angela Eagle
  I have been asked to reply.

  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Normanton (Mr. O'Brien) by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment on 17 December 1997, Official Report, columns 193–94.

  The Advisory Committee has made a good start on its work and held hearings with representatives of small retailers, wholesalers and the waste industry. Representations on the matters to be covered by the review may be made either to the Advisory Committee or to my Department.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Children (Northern Ireland) Order
  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps are taken to provide professional training and guidance to (i) social workers, (ii) youth workers, (iii) teachers and (iv) others in the requirements of the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995. [29028]

  Mr. Worthington
  [holding answer 16 February 1998]: In 1995, a multi-disciplinary Children (Northern Ireland) Order training strategy was implemented ranging from basic awareness training for a wide range of staff to advanced level training for staff in specialist roles. The strategy was delivered by Health and Social Services Boards and voluntary organisations in partnership, working closely with education and the courts. The Boards and the voluntary organisations are being funded to continue to deliver training to meet staff needs as services under the Children Order develop.

  In 1996, the Department of Health and Social Services issued guidance on the Children Order to Health and Social Services Boards and Trusts.
  573
  The Department of Education, Northern Ireland has issued guidance on the implications of the Order for schools and on child protection. Further guidance is planned on parental responsibility and court reporting for the 1998–99 school year.

  Additional resources have been made available to provide general awareness training for all education and library boards' staff and more specialists training for officers regularly in contact with children such as Education Welfare Officers, Educational Psychologists and Youth Workers. Each education and library board is engaged in implementing a programme of training for key personnel in schools on child protection and other related Children Order matters and has developed Child Protection Procedures.

  In April 1995, the Youth Council for Northern Ireland published a guide to the Children Order for youth workers. The Council has also issued draft Child Protection Procedures for consultation. The Certificate for Part-time Youth Workers/RSA involves consideration of the Children Order.

  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what resources were made available to each health and social services trust, and each education and library board, for the implementation of the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995, in each year since the Order was enacted. [29029]

  Mr. Worthington
  [holding answer 16 February 1998]: Health and Social Services Trusts are not directly funded by the Department of Health and Social Services. However, the allocations of additional resources to the Health and Social Services Boards for the implementation of the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 in each of the financial years from 1995–96 were as follows:

  £

  Year

  Eastern Board

  Northern Board

  Southern Board

  Western Board

  1995–96

  455,000

  263,000

  199,000

  183,000

  1996–97

  1,058,000

  611,000

  462,000

  424,000

  1997–98

  2,337,000

  1,349,000

  1,021,000

  936,000

  The additional resources to the Education and Library Boards specifically for implementation were as follows:

  £

  Year

  Belfast ELB

  North EasternELB

  South EasternELB

  Southern ELB

  Western ELB

  1996–97

  118,000

  118,000

  118,000

  118,000

  118,000

  1997–98

  409,000

  401,000

  372,000

  417,000

  419,000

  Social Fund
  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what assessment she made of the advantages of centralising Social Fund activity in the Southern Region in the Newry Social Security office,(a) exclusively and (b) in conjunction with one or more other offices; [29030]
  574
  (2) what are the projected costs for the administration of the Social Fund in the Southern Region, under the plans to centralise on two sites; [29031]

  (3) what were the administration costs of the Social Fund in each Social Security Agency office in the Southern Region in the last available year; [29032]

  (4) which social security offices in the Southern Region were subjected to a PAFT analysis, as part of the current assessment of delivery of Social Fund services in the region; [29033]

  (5) how many applications to the Social Fund were dealt with by each office of the Social Security Agency in the Southern Region in each financial year since the Fund was established; [29035]

  (6) how many people are employed by the Social Security Agency on the Social Fund, in each office in the Southern Region. [29036]

  Mr. Worthington
  [holding answer 16 February 1998]: Responsibility for the subjects has been delegated to the Social Security Agency under it's Chief Executive, Mr. Chris Thompson, and I have asked him to arrange for a response to be given.

  Letter from Chris Thompson to Mr. Seamus Mallon, dated 13 February 1998:
  I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions about the administration of the Social Fund in the Social Security Agency's South District.
  Ref: 29030
  The main advantages of centralising Social Fund include reducing managerial overheads while maximising staffing, training and support, leading to improved efficiency, accuracy and quality of service. This would have applied equally to Newry exclusively and/or in conjunction with one or more other office. Newry Social Security Office was considered as one of the potential central processing sites prior to its destruction in July 1997. The temporary site at Canal Street has insufficient space to accommodate a Social Fund processing unit.
  Ref: 29031
  The main costs associated with the administration of Social Fund relate to salaries which are projected to be £763,704 a year when Social Fund is centralised on the two sites.
  Ref: 29032
  Information on the administration costs (salaries) for each office within the District is set out on the attached table.
  Ref: 29033
  While PAFT considerations were given to all seven Social Security Offices in South District, a full PAFT analysis was carried out in the Armagh and Portadown offices only, as these were the only offices with sufficient accommodation to house centralised units.
  Ref: 29035
  Statistical returns are destroyed 18 months after the period to which they relate which means that the information you have requested is only available for the 1996/97 and 1997/98 financial years. This is also set out on the attached table.
  Ref: 29036
  The number of people employed in each office in South District for Social Fund is listed on the attached table.
  I hope this information is helpful.
  575

  Number of social fund applications

  Social Security office

  Projected full year salary costs 1997–98 (£)

  1996–97

  11997–98

  Number of social fund staff

  Armagh

  100,840

  4,851

  3,983

  6 (includes 2 part-time)

  Banbridge

  56,006

  2,502

  2,004

  3 (includes 1 part-time)

  Dungannon

  138,497

  6,833

  5,840

  8 (includes 2 part-time)

  Kilkeel

  0

  Processed in Newry SSO

  Processed in Newry SSO

  0

  Lurgan

  186,989

  9,387

  8,000

  12 (includes 3 part-time)

  Newry

  248,222

  13,757

  12,049

  14 (includes 4 part-time plus 1 existing vacancy)

  Portadown

  106,757

  5,890

  4,944

  6 (includes 2 part-time)

  Total

  837,311

  —

  —

  —

  1 1997–98 figures represent the period from April 1997 to January 1998.

SCOTLAND

  Farm Incomes
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the current average income of cereal farmers in Scotland and on the change which this represents from the previous year. [28079]

  Mr. Prior
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the current average income of pig farmers and the change which this represents from the previous year. [28081]

  Mr. Macdonald
  The Scottish Office does not collect any information on the income levels of pig farmers. In the cereal sector, we do not hold figures on the average income of farmers. However, net farm income, which is a measure of the farm business, had declined sharply over this year from last.

  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate the effect on farm incomes in Scotland of parity between the green pound and sterling. [28093]

  Mr. Macdonald
  It is not possible to isolate the impact of currency fluctuations from other factors that determine farm incomes. However, the freeze in the conversion rates used to calculate the sterling value of most subsidy payments has protected farming from the full effect of sterling appreciation. This is estimated to benefit Scottish farmers by around £60 million over 1997 and 1998.

  Agricultural Imports
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many inspections of imports of agricultural produce there have been in Scotland in the last year; and how many consignments were refused entry to Scotland. [28080]

  Mr. Macdonald
  The question covers a wide range of agricultural products and much of the information requested is not held centrally. As regards controls over Specified Risk Materials and imported meat, inspection procedures are now in operation. It has not been necessary to refuse entry to any consignments in Scotland.

  Integrated Transport Policy
  Dr. Moonie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made in the development of an integrated transport policy in Scotland. [28082]
  576
  Mr. McLeish
  My right hon. Friend will publish a White Paper later this year. This paper will set out measures to achieve the Government's aims for an integrated transport system that is appropriate to the needs of the people, economy and environment of Scotland.

  Health Inequalities
  Mr. Roy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received on the green paper on tackling the inequalities in health in Scotland. [28083]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The Green Paper "Working Together For a Healthier Scotland" was published on 5 February 1998. It sets out our proposals for improving health in Scotland and for tackling inequalities. Comments on the Paper have been invited by 30 April 1998. None have yet been received.

  Lockerbie
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he has taken to follow up the visit to Scotland by the United Nations team to study the Scottish legal system in respect of the Lockerbie bombing. [28084]

  Mr. McLeish
  The report of the United Nations legal experts was circulated as an official document of the Security Council. The report concluded that the two Libyan accused would receive a fair trial under the Scottish judicial system. The text of the conclusions of the report was transmitted by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to Diplomatic Missions around the world in order that they might bring these conclusions to the attention of their host governments.

  Further and Higher Education
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met representatives from Scotland's(a) universities and (b) further education colleges to discuss funding arrangements; and if he will make a statement. [28085]

  Mr. Wilson
  My right hon. Friend and I meet the Principals of Scottish universities, Colleges and further education colleges regularly. Our discussions are always constructive and invariably touch on funding.

  Students (Tuition Fees)
  Mrs. Laing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the administrative arrangements for the introduction of tuition fees for students. [28086]

  Mr. Wilson
  The Students Award Agency for Scotland will be responsible for assessing applications from Scottish domiciled students for the payment of tuition fees. It will also continue to deal with applications from existing students.

  Dairy Farmers
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the current average incomes of dairy farmers and the change which this represents from the previous year. [28088]

  Mr. Macdonald
  Forecasts based on the Annual Survey of Farm Accounts in Scotland indicate that the Net Farm Income of dairy farms is expected to fall from an average of £30,000 per farm in 1996–97 to £14,400 per farm in 1997–98.

  National Health Service Trusts
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made towards achieving greater co-operation between NHS trusts. [28089]

  Mr. Galbraith
  Substantial progress is being made. The White Paper, "Designed To Care" set out our plans to abolish the internal market, replacing competition with an efficient system of co-operation and collaboration within the Health Service in Scotland.

  Abortion
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent representations he has received on changing the abortion law in Scotland. [28090]

  Mr. Galbraith
  Since the Government took office in May 1997, we have received six letters seeking changes in the law on abortion.

  Road Traffic
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his latest estimate of road traffic growth in Scotland in 1998. [28091]

  Mr. McLeish
  Forecasts of road traffic growth for Scotland are not produced separately from the National Road Traffic Forecasts for Great Britain published by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions. The latest forecasts, published in October 1997, take no account of our developing transport policies. On the central estimate, the forecast shows an increase in road traffic of 38 per cent. between 1996 and 2016 and 60 per cent. from 1996 to 2031.

  Live Animal Transport
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will meet representatives from the NFU in the Western Isles to discuss the transportation of livestock to the mainland. [28092]
  578
  Mr. Macdonald
  The Minister responsible for agriculture at the Scottish Office my noble Friend Lord Sewel, would be pleased to meet representatives of the Scottish NFU at a mutually convenient date should they consider this necessary to discuss transport of livestock.

  Crown Office
  Miss Kirkbride
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the budget of the Crown Office in the last year. [28094]

  Mr. Dewar
  The budget for the Crown Office and Lord Advocate's Department is provided by Parliament under separate vote arrangements: Class VIII, Vote 7, 1997–98. The current authorised cash limit for that year is £45,337,000. Details were published in the Supply Estimates, a copy of which is in the House Library.

  Local Government Services
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the future administration of local government services. [28095]

  Mr. Macdonald
  Local authorities are best placed to decide how to administer their services. Best Value gives councils a chance to create a climate of continuous improvement in service quality and costs. It will require a radical rethink of the way council activities are organised and delivered.

  Social Exclusion
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he plans to take to ensure that there is a strategic approach within the Scottish Office to tackling social exclusion. [28096]

  Mr. Macdonald
  On 8 December, my right hon. Friend announced that he was setting up a Social Exclusion Network to co-ordinate Government action on social exclusion in Scotland. The Network consists of senior officials from Scottish Office Departments, the Employment Service and the Benefits Agency. Its work will be steered by my noble Friend the Minister with responsibility for agriculture, the environment and fisheries, who will report regularly and directly to my right hon. Friend on progress.

  On 2 February we issued a consultation paper, "Social Exclusion in Scotland", the responses to which will inform our approach to tackling exclusion.

  Tourism Grants
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the impact of section 4 tourism grants in Scotland. [28097]

  Mr. Wilson
  The section 4 scheme was suspended in Scotland in 1993. From that date, support for business development in the tourism sector has been provided by Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and their networks of Local Enterprise Companies. While the section 4 scheme was successful in raising standards throughout the tourism industry, I believe that the present arrangements for assistance to the industry are simpler and more relevant to its present day needs. These give the
  579
  industry access to the agencies responsible for delivering a wider range of support including business advice and training as well as direct assistance for capital projects.

  Cromarty Firth Port
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to protect the residents of Invergordon from environmental pollution by operators at the Cromarty Firth Port; and if he will make a statement. [29225]

  Mr. Macdonald
  Primary responsibility for pollution issues within the confines of the port lies with the Cromarty Firth Port Authority. Highland Council have the power and responsibility to address problems in so far as there may be any effect on health or damage to property. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency have nevertheless had discussion with the Council in an effort to help them identify ways of resolving the situation.

  Scottish Parliament Building
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment has been made of the likely cost of(a) clearing the site and (b) clearing asbestos from the site at Holyrood before construction can commence on the new Parliament building. [29499]

  Mr. Dewar
  Clearing the site at Holyrood is estimated to cost in the region of £500,000. The only known asbestos which presents a hazard is to be removed by Scottish and Newcastle plc before vacating the site. Any unforeseen asbestos hazard which is subsequently encountered will be dealt with through a general contingency provision in the missives under which the company will bear a substantial share of the cost of removal.

  Forestry
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what targets he has set for lowland forestry; and to what extent these targets are being met. [29253]

  Mr. Dewar
  We are committed to increasing the area of woodland in Britain, both in the lowlands and in the uplands, but we have not set any specific targets.

  Sheep Dips
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what monitoring of the impact of synthetic pyrethroid sheep dips on(a) the aquatic environment,(b) the soil environment and (c) fisheries (i) has been carried out and (ii) is planned by his Department; and if he will make a statement. [29733]

  Mr. Macdonald
  [holding answer 16 February 1998]: The Scottish Environment Protection Agency, which is responsible for monitoring the aquatic environment in Scotland, carry out targeted monitoring to assess the impact of sheep-dip compounds, including synthetic pyrethroids on the chemical quality of the aquatic environment. No monitoring is carried out in respect of the soil environment. The effect on fisheries is covered by the monitoring of the aquatic environment.
  580
  The draft Groundwater regulations, published for consultation in liaison with the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions on 12 January 1998 specify additional monitoring requirements for groundwater.

  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what advice his Department gives to farmers on the disposal of synthetic pyrethroid sheep dips. [29731]

  Mr. Macdonald
  [holding answer 16 February 1998]: Advice on the handling of sheep dips, including their safe disposal, must be given on the label of every product. Comprehensive advice is also provided in the Government leaflet, "Sheep dipping". A new edition of the leaflet is in preparation and will be sent to all known sheep farmers. Advice is also contained in the Department's Code of Good Practice for the Prevention of Environmental Pollution from Agricultural Activity.

  In addition, a Certificate of Competence is required by all purchasers of OP dips. This is organised by the National Proficiency Tests Council and includes confirmation of competence in disposal. While currently required only for the purchase of OP dips, the Government have accepted the advice of the Veterinary Products Committee that certification should be extended to cover the purchase of non-OP dips including those containing synthetic pyrethroids. We are currently consulting on the change in legislation necessary to achieve this.

  Student Awards Agency
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to(a) increase the number of staff employed by, and (b) improve staff training in the Student Awards Agency for Scotland. [29715]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 16 February 1998]: The Review of the Student Awards Agency for Scotland which I have ordered will consider the lessons to be learned from the unacceptable delays experienced by many students in the processing of their awards in 1997 including the possible need for more staff. Training of staff is an important component in improving the Agency's efficiency and this will be taken account of in the Review.

  Beef on the Bone
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Pendle (Mr. Prentice) of 11 February 1998,Official Report, column 271, if he will list by district the number of butchers who have been (a) cautioned and (b) prosecuted for selling beef on the bone; how many cases have been referred to procurators fiscal in each district; what advice he has issued to procurators fiscal concerning the public interest in pursuing prosecution for selling beef on the bone; and if he will make a statement. [30051]

  Mr. McLeish
  My noble and learned Friend the Lord Advocate is responsible for the prosecution of crime in Scotland. Although the Beef Bones Regulations 1997 have been brought to the attention of Procurators Fiscal,
  581
  I understand from the Lord Advocate that no specific guidance has been issued. Although no central record is kept of prosecutions under these regulations, I am aware that criminal proceedings have been initiated in one such case, which is due to call at Selkirk Sheriff Court on 10 March 1998.

  Procurators Fiscal exercise discretion as to whether proceedings should be taken in the public interest, making use of the range of prosecution options and alternatives to prosecution, including the issue of written or personal warnings.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Lost and Stolen Items
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list those items valued at more than £25 stolen or lost from his Department since 1 May 1997; and if he will make a statement. [27753]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  [holding answer 5 February 1998]: Since 1 May 1997, my Department has lost a pager valued at £179, an answering machine valued at £30 and foreign currency worth approximately £347.

  Millennium Commission
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) when Commissioner Patricia Scotland first met representatives of(a) the Asha Project, (b) the Swamanarayan Hindu Mission Project and (c) the Belgrave Bhaeno Project; [29800]

  (2) if he will list the Millennium Commission projects which Commissioner Patricia Scotland has visited which were led by the Asian communities and the date of each visit. [29799]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  These are matters for the Millennium Commission. I shall write to my hon. Friend in my capacity as Chairman of the Commission, and place copies of my reply in the Libraries of the House.

  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will ask the Millennium Commission to increase the resources allocated to the 21st Century Halls for England Project. [30036]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  This is a matter for the Millennium Commission. I shall write to the hon. Member in my capacity as Chairman of the Commission, and place copies of my reply in the Libraries of the House.

  Theft and Fraud
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is his estimate of the cost of theft and fraud to(a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies in (i) 1995–96, (ii) 1996–97 and (iii) 1997–98 to date. [27752]
  582
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  [holding answer 5 February 1998]:

  The available information is given in the table:

  £000

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–1998 to date

  Department for Culture, Media and Sport

  10

  0

  656

  Historic Royal Palaces Agency

  24,523

  12,688

  15,160

  Royal Parks Agency

  0

  0

  0

  Non-Departmental Public Bodies

  333,972

  144,949

  15,160

  1Figures shown take account of amounts recovered.

  2Updated from information given in the annual fraud return to Treasury to take account of additional information about the value of losses.

  Data on non-departmental public bodies is not include in the annual fraud return to the Treasury.

  Digital Television
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to ensure people living in Wales will be able to receive digital terrestrial television. [29683]

  Mr. Fisher
  Digital terrestrial television will be able to deliver digital services to the majority of the population. The Independent Television Commission estimates that 74 per cent. of the Welsh population will be in the reception area of digital terrestrial services once the launch phase comprising 81 transmitters across the UK is complete. The coverage of digital services beyond the 81 sites is one of the issues looked at in the Government's consultation paper "Television: the Digital Future" published on 12 February. We are seeking views on the extension of digital transmissions beyond the initial planned 81 sites, and examining the possibility of extending access to digital services by using other broadcasting technologies.

  Film Industry
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what has been the total revenue earned by the film industry from exports in each of the last 10 years. [29410]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  The revenue received from overseas film companies in the UK in respect of film production and performance in cinemas or on television for 1987 to 1996 is as follows. These are the latest 10 years for which figures are available from the Office for National Statistics:

  Receipts from overseas by UK film companies in respect of film production and performance in cinemas or on television

  Year

  £ million(current prices)

  1987

  264

  1988

  230

  1989

  263

  1990

  334

  1991

  290

  1992

  282

  1993

  336

  583

  Receipts from overseas by UK film companies in respect of film production and performance in cinemas or on television

  Year

  £ million (current prices)

  1994

  425

  1995

  495

  1996

  522

  Source:

  Office for National Statistics, News Release, Overseas transactions of the film and television industry 1996, 10 October 1997.

  These figures understate the total revenue received from overseas. There are earnings from other kinds of transactions measured only in aggregate, so that the film industry component is not separately identifiable. For example, profits due to UK parent companies from subsidiaries and branches overseas are included under investment income in the Balance of Payments. The figures shown above also exclude receipts by film companies for items such as management fees, merchandising and agency fees. ONS estimates are available for 1991 onwards for these "other overseas service transactions" but only for the total of such earnings by film and television companies. These figures are as follows:

  Receipts by UK film and television companies for "other overseas service transactions"

  Year

  £ million(current prices)

  1991

  108

  1992

  126

  1993

  162

  1994

  143

  1995

  168

  1996

  192

  Source:

  Office for National Statistics, News Release, Overseas transactions of the film and television industry 1996, 10 October 1997.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) how many films have been filmed in the United Kingdom in each of the last 10 years; [29354]

  (2) how many films have been produced in the United Kingdom in each of the last 10 years; [29424]

  (3) how many films have been financed in the United Kingdom in each of the past 10 years. [29426]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  There are no aggregate figures on the financing of films. The aggregate figures for films produced or made in the United Kingdom in each of the past 10 years are as follows:

  Year

  Films produced in UK

  1988

  48

  1989

  30

  1990

  60

  1991

  59

  1992

  47

  1993

  67

  1994

  84

  1995

  78

  1996

  128

  1997

  115

  584
  A breakdown of figures for the whole 10-year period is not available. However, in 1997, the breakdown was as follows:

  British productions shot mainly or wholly in the UK:60

  British productions shot partly in the UK and partly abroad:6

  British productions shot mainly or wholly abroad:8

  Majority UK international co-productions shot partly in the UK and partly abroad:4

  Majority UK international co-productions shot mainly or wholly in the UK:6

  Majority UK international co-productions shot mainly or wholly abroad:10

  Minority UK international co-production shot mainly or wholly in the UK:1

  Minority UK international co-production shot mainly or wholly abroad:8

  Foreign films shot partly or wholly in the UK:12.

  NESTA Board
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the scientific organisations which have been consulted about the composition of the NESTA Board. [29048]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The National Lottery Bill would require me, before appointing NESTA's Trustees, to consult representatives of bodies active in science, technology and the arts. In preparation for the establishment of NESTA, my Department is seeking the views of a wide range of bodies and individuals, many of which are active in more than one of these fields. It is not, therefore, possible accurately to identify scientific organisations alone. The complete list of bodies being consulted is given. In addition, all those who responded to the proposals for NESTA in our consultation paper "The People's Lottery" have been informed of the process for identifying candidates for these posts and their views are welcomed. The posts of Chair and Trustees of NESTA are also being advertised in the national press.

  3i

  AEA Technology plc

  Amaze Ltd.

  Armagh Observatory

  Armargh Planetarium

  Art of Change

  Artec

  Artificial Life

  Artimedia Centre

  Arts Catalyst

  Arts Council of England

  Arts Council of Northern Ireland

  Arts Council of Scotland

  Arts Council of Wales

  Association of British Healthcare Industries

  Association of Art Historians

  Association of British Orchestras

  Association of British picture Restorers

  Association of Business Sponsorship in the Arts

  Association of Composer Organisations

  Association of Independent Research and Technology Organisations (AIRTO)

  Association of London Government

  585

  Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry

  Autograph

  BAFTA

  BBC

  BBC Education

  BioIndustry Association

  Black Dog Publishing

  Board for the Engineering Profession

  Brighton Media Centre

  British Academy

  British Actors' Equity Association

  British Association for the Advancement of Science

  British Copyright Council

  British Film Commission

  British Film Institute

  British In Vitro Diagnostic Association

  British Library

  British Music Publishers Association

  British Music Rights Limited

  British Pharma Group

  British Phonographic Industry

  British Screen Advisory Council

  British Screen Finance

  British Technology Group

  British Tourist Authority

  British Venture Capital Association

  BT Laboratories

  Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation

  Cambridge Consultants Ltd.

  Carnegie UK Trust

  Catalyst

  Cavendish Management Resources

  CBI Scotland

  Centre for Alternative Technology

  CERAM Research

  Channel 4

  Chemical Industries Association

  Commission for Racial Equality

  Committee of Scottish Higher Education Principals

  Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals

  Confederation of British Industry

  Conference of Drama Schools

  Contemporary Art Society

  Council for Dance Education and Training

  Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils

  Council of Europe

  Council of Science and Technology Institutes

  Craft Development Agency

  Crafts Council

  Cultural Partnerships

  Design Council

  Design Directorate

  Development Board for Rural Wales

  ENGAGE (Gallery Education Association)

  Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

  Engineering Council

  Engineering Employers' Federation

  English Heritage

  586

  Equal Opportunities Commission

  Federation of Small Businesses

  Focus Central London

  Foundation for Art and Creative Technology

  Foundation for Science and Technology

  Foundation for Sport and the Arts

  Haringey Arts Council

  Highlands and Islands Enterprise

  Hull Time Based Arts Ltd.

  Hyperjam

  Illuminations Interactive

  Illuminations Television

  Incorporated Society of Musicians

  Independent Television Commission

  Independent Theatre Council

  Industrial Research and Technology Unit

  Inside Cable and Telecoms Europe

  Institute of Biology

  Institute of Directors

  Institute of Engineering Designers

  Institute of Patentees and Inventors

  Institute of Physics

  Intellectual Property Awareness Working Party

  Intellectual Property Development Confederation

  Intellectual Property Institute

  International Media Consultants

  Islington Council

  Jerwood Foundation

  Jubilee

  Kirklees Media Centre

  Laboratory of the Government Chemists

  Library and Information Commission

  Light House Media Centre

  Lighthouse Arts and Training Ltd.

  Local Government Association

  London Film and Video Development Agency

  London Institute

  LUTCHI Research Centre

  Manchester Institute for Popular Culture

  METIER

  Modern Recordings

  Mondial Television

  Museums and Galleries Commission

  Museums Association

  Music Education Council

  Musicians' Union

  National Association for the Teaching of Drama

  National Association for the Teaching of English

  National Association of Decorative and Fine Arts Societies

  National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education

  National Campaign for the Arts

  National Council for Drama Training

  National Council on Archives

  National Dance Teachers Association

  National Education Business Partnership Network

  National Engineering Laboratory

  National Federation of Music Societies

  587

  National Film and Television School

  National Foundation for Educational Research

  National Literacy Trust

  National Museum of Science and Industry

  National Music Council

  National Physical Laboratory

  National Society for Education in Arts and Design

  National Trust

  National Weights and Measures Laboratory

  Natural History Museum

  North East Wales Institute of Higher Education

  Northern Ireland Business Education Partnership

  Northern Ireland Film Commission

  Northern Ireland Growth Challenge

  Northern Ireland Science and Technology Regional Organisation

  Office of Science and Technology

  Oxford Trust

  Paul Hamlyn Foundation

  Performing Arts Labs

  Photographers' Gallery

  Prevista

  Prince's Trust

  Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television

  Publishers Association

  Queen's University

  Radio Academy

  Radio Authority

  Royal Academy of Engineering

  Royal Academy of Music

  Royal College of Music

  Royal Institute for British Architects (RIBA)

  Royal Institute for Chartered Surveyors (RICS)

  Royal Institute of Great Britain

  Royal Northern College of Music

  Royal Society of Arts

  Royal Society of Chemistry

  Royal Society of Edinburgh

  Royal Society of Literature

  Royal Television Society

  Ruskin School of Drawing and Fine Art

  S4C

  Salford University Business Services Ltd.

  Save British Science Society

  Science and Technology Regional Organisation (SATRO) North Scotland

  Scottish Agricultural College

  Scottish Council for Educational Technology

  Scottish Electronic Forum

  Scottish Engineering

  Scottish Enterprise

  Scottish Financial Enterprise

  Scottish Higher Education Funding Council

  Scottish Media Group

  Scottish Oil and Gas Innovation Forum

  Scottish Science Trust

  Seeing The Light Ltd.

  Shaping the Future of Science and Technology

  Signals—Essex Media Centre

  588

  SIRA Ltd.

  Skillset

  Snowdonia Business Innovation Centre

  Society of Archivists

  Society of London Theatre

  Soda Creative Technologies

  Sonic Arts Network

  South Bank University

  South East Wales Business Innovation Centre (SEWBIC)

  Sseyo

  Studio Fish

  Tate Gallery

  Teaching Company Scheme

  TEC National Council

  Techniquest

  Technology Colleges Trust

  Telepolis—Magazine of NetCulture

  Thames Gateway Technology Centre

  The British Council

  The Media Trust

  The Patent Office

  The Royal Society

  The Salters Institute of Industrial Chemistry

  The Science Engineering Technology Mathematics Network

  The Ulster Museum

  The Welding Institute (TWI)

  Theatrical Management Association (TMA)

  UK Sports Council

  United Kingdom Institute for Conservation

  University of Glamorgan

  University of Portsmouth

  University of Ulster at Jordanstown

  University of Wales

  Urban Regeneration Committee

  Visual Arts and Galleries Association

  Voluntary Arts Network

  Welsh Design Advisory Service

  Welsh Development Agency

  Welsh Funding Councils

  Welsh Local Government Association

  Year of Engineering Success

  Yorkshire and Humberside Arts

  Youth Arts Network.

  Women's Sport
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what initiatives he has undertaken to encourage more female participation in sport; and what meetings he has had with(a) women's groups and (b) the Minister for Women in this respect. [29556]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  We are determined to improve opportunities for women of all ages and at all levels in sport. That goes for participants, competitors, coaches and administrators.

  The UK and Home Country Sports Councils actively encourage women to get involved in all sports. They are underlining the significant achievement of women in sport and helping improve levels of participation. The National

  589
  Lottery is having a big impact in this area. Organisations must demonstrate ways in which they are helping to increase the participation of women in order to secure funding. This is proving very successful in encouraging more women into sport, including those sports traditionally regarded as male-dominated. We shall continue to work with the Sports Councils to examine further ways to help women in sport.

  I met Ms Kamlesh Bhal, Chairperson of the Equal Opportunities Commission, on 29 July 1997 to discuss a number of issues, including women in sport. Although my hon. Friend the Minister for Sport has not met any women's group in particular, he has met a number of women who are involved in women's sport and will continue to do so.

  My hon. Friend hopes to meet the Minister for Women to discuss women's sport in due course.

  Mr. Peter Davis
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what restrictions on public statements on his resignation were agreed to by Mr. Peter Davis as part of his resignation settlement. [28600]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  I issued a statement agreed with the Director-General, Peter Davis, on Tuesday 3 February. No further statement will be issued which is inconsistent with this without Mr. Davis' prior written consent.

  Under the terms of his letter of appointment,Mr. Davis is required to seek the approval of the Head of the Home Civil Service to the proposed text of any memoirs relating to his responsibilities as Director-General.

  Appointments
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what vacancies currently exist for appointments to be made by the Secretary of State to non-departmental public bodies; [28850]

  (2) how many (a) notified vacancies and (b) vacancies arising through appointments expiring, currently exist for appointments to be made by him. [28882]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 10 February 1998]: Vacancies exist or current terms of appointment come to an end during 1998 on the bodies listed below. It is not possible to state how many expiring appointments will result in vacancies since some board members may be invited to serve a further term. This list does not include those bodies where appointments are for Her Majesty the Queen or my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and where my role is to advise.

  Advisory Committee on the Government Art Collection

  Advisory Committee on Historic Wreck Sites

  Advisory Committee on the Public Lending Right

  Advisory Council on Libraries

  Arts Council of England

  British Film Institute

  British Library

  British Tourist Authority

  Broadcasting Standards Commission

  Crafts Council

  English Heritage

  590

  Horniman Museum

  Independent Television Commission

  Imperial War Museum

  Library and Information Commission

  Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester

  National Film and Television School

  National Lottery Charities Board

  Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art

  Royal Armouries

  S4C.

  It is also my expectation to make appointments to three new public bodies—the New Opportunities Fund; the National Endowment for Science, Technology and Arts; and the Historic Royal Palaces Trust.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what consultation takes place between the Secretary of State and the current trustees of non-departmental public bodies prior to the announcement of appointments by the Secretary of State. [28831]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 10 February 1998]: Chairmen are invited to make their own suggestions on appointments and are consulted before appointments are announced.

  South Bank Centre
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he expects to make a decision on the South Bank Centre redevelopment project referred to him by the Arts Council of England. [28832]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 10 February 1998]: The South Bank Centre has applied to the Arts Council of England for Lottery funding for its proposed redevelopment scheme. Decisions on the award of Lottery funds are a matter for the Arts Council, as an independent lottery distributing body.

  Arts Council
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he expects to publish the results of the current review of the Arts Council structure. [28870]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 10 February 1998]: My Department, in common with all others, is currently undertaking a fundamental review of expenditure involving a re-evaluation of all the activities in the sectors covered by the department and its sponsored bodies. I expect to publish the outcome of the review in the summer.

  Devolution
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with the Scottish Office on the impact of the Government's devolution proposals on his Department's responsibilities. [27983]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 16 February 1998]: I have not yet had any bilateral discussions. However, they will take place as necessary in due course. I am a member of the DSWR Cabinet Committee which discusses devolution issues, and there is close liaison at official level on all relevant subjects.

  Physical Education
  Mr. Truswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the impact on sport development of the removal of physical education from the core curriculum. [29408]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  Physical education has not been removed from the curriculum, it must still be taught by schools. The Government have suspended some detailed requirements as part of our initiative to raise levels of numeracy and literacy in particular, but good PE and sport still has a vital part to play in developing the skills of our young people.

  Victoria and Albert Museum
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he expects to make a decision on the Victoria and Albert Museum extension. [28869]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 10 February 1998]: The Victoria and Albert Museum submitted a revised economic appraisal for its British Galleries project in January. This involves the refurbishment of the fifteen galleries documenting the evolution of art and design in the UK from 1500 to 1900. The appraisal will be scrutinised by my Department and the Treasury before approval can be granted. I understand that an application for funding has been made to the Heritage Lottery Fund.

  The Museum also has plans to build the "Boilerhouse" extension in Exhibition Road, South Kensington as designed by the architect Daniel Libeskind. However, an application to the Millennium Commission has been refused and we understand that the Museum has applied to the Arts Council for funds for a feasibility study. No decision is required from my Department at this stage.

  National Lottery Licence
  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he proposes to request bids to run the National Lottery; and what meetings he has held with prospective National Lottery licencees other than Camelot. [29835]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The current operating licence expires in September 2001. The Director-General of the National Lottery will announce in good time before then when bids should be sent to him. I have had no meetings with any prospective bidders on the subject of the next licence.

  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the criteria by which he will assess proposals to run the National Lottery when the current licence expires. [29834]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  Under the National Lottery etc. Act 1993 responsibility for considering applications to run the National Lottery lies with the Director-General of the National Lottery. The key criteria on which the Director-General will assess proposals are set out in the relevant legislation; that the Lottery is run with propriety, that the interests of participants are protected and, subject to these,592
  that the good cause proceeds are maximised. The National Lottery Bill currently before Parliament contains provision for a panel to advise the Director-General on the selection of the operator.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Legal Aid
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what discussions he has had with the insurance industry about the introduction of contingency fee arrangements. [28103]

  Mr. Hoon
  I have set out these details in previous answers to questions from the hon. and learned Member for Harborough (Mr. Garnier) on the 15 of December 1997,Official Report, columns 43–44, and 30 of January 1998,Official Report, column 393. Since then, the working group looking at conditional fees insurance has met on the 6 of February. At this, the second meeting, my officials, representatives of the Association of British Insurers, and the insurance industry, were joined by representatives of the British Banking Association, clearing, and other banks.

  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what progress he is making with the introduction of his legal aid reforms. [28109]

  Mr. Hoon
  A consultation paper will be published in the next few weeks setting out the Government's proposals for the extension of the conditional fee scheme and changes to the scope of civil legal aid. Decisions will not be made about the reforms to be introduced until the responses to the consultation paper have been considered.

  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what progress he is making with the introduction of his legal aid reforms. [28112]

  Mr. Hoon
  A consultation paper will be published in the next few weeks setting out the Government's proposals for the extension of the conditional fee scheme and changes to the scope of civil legal aid. Decisions will not be made about the reforms to be introduced until the responses to the consultation paper have been considered.

  Civil Aid Certificates
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he plans to announce the results of the consultation process on the proposed changes to the issue of civil aid certificates in certain types of action; and if he will make a statement. [28108]

  Mr. Hoon
  The consultation paper setting out the proposals for the extension of the conditional fee scheme and removal of most claims for monetary recompense from the scope of civil legal aid will be published in the next few weeks, inviting responses during a specified consultation period. Decisions will be announced after the responses have been considered.

  Magistrates Courts
  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement about the North Yorkshire magistrates courts committee's proposals for the future of the magistrates courts service in the county. [28110]

  Mr. Hoon
  Decisions concerning the future of the magistrates' courts service in a given area are for the relevant magistrates' courts committee (MCC) to determine. Each MCC has a statutory responsibility to provide an efficient and effective service to court users. This would, of course, include deciding, in consultation with its local providing authority, whether its existing resources meet the MCC's needs both current and future.

  However, should proposals for change be made by the MCC, certain applications will arise that require the Lord Chancellor's attention. My Department currently holds two such applications for North Yorkshire, (i) for the reorganisation of petty sessional divisions and (ii) an appeal against the proposed closure of Ripon Magistrates' Court later this year.

  It would, of course, be inappropriate for me to comment on either of those matters as they have yet to be considered by the Lord Chancellor.

  Immigration Adjudicators
  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to increase the training given to immigration adjudicators. [28111]

  Mr. Hoon
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 10 November 1997,Official Report, column 572. Training is a matter for the Chief Adjudicator. All adjudicators receive appropriate training. In particular, all adjudicators will receive training on the Human Rights Bill before it is implemented.

  Legal Profession (Tax Treatment)
  Mr. Nicholls
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what representations his Department has made to Her Majesty's Treasury concerning its proposals to change the tax treatment of the legal profession. [28099]

  £

  Event

  Place

  Date

  Cost

  Climate Change Seminar

  London

  5 June 1997

  569.95

  London Referendum Green Paper Launch

  London

  29 July 1997

  704.00

  Integrated Transport Consultation Launch

  London

  18 August 1997

  357.20

  Millennium Riverbank Experience

  London

  18 August 1997

  1,427.50

  Integrated Transport Consultation Launch

  Regions

  12 September 1997

  188.00

  New Driver Act Launch

  London

  12 September 1997

  274.95

  Heathrow Bus Lane Launch

  London

  25 September 1997

  770.00

  Construction Task Force Conference

  London

  22 October 1997

  422.41

  World Squares Launch

  London

  5 November 1997

  1,697.88

  Opening of New Puffin Crossing

  London

  3 December 1997

  347.21

  Transport Operators Forum

  London

  22 January 1998

  4,650.00

  Child Road Safety Campaign Launch

  London

  28 January 1998

  1,199.15

  Total

  12,608.17

  594
  Mr. Hoon
  It would not be appropriate for me to comment on any discussions that may have taken place within Government.

  Overseas Visits
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary,Lord Chancellor's Department how many times the wives of Ministers in his Department have accompanied Ministers on overseas visits; and in each case what was the cost of their travel and other expenses. [25143]

  Mr. Hoon
  [holding answer 23 January 1998]: As I indicated in my answer to the hon. Member for Spelthorne (Mr. Wilshire) of 15 January 1998, Official Report, column 278, my noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor was accompanied by Lady Irvine at the 14th Conference of Commonwealth Speakers and Presiding Officers, held in Trinidad and Tobago on 4–11 January 1998. It has since come to light that the total cost of the trip from public funds for the Lord Chancellor, Lady Irvine and an official was, in fact, approximately £9,200, as I explained to the hon. Member for Spelthorne in my letter of 21 January, a copy of which was placed in the Library.

  Fixed Costs Regime
  Mr. Corbett:
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary,Lord Chancellor's Department if he will publish the results of research by the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies into the fixed costs regime. [29995]

  Mr. Hoon
  I anticipate publishing the research in conjunction with a consultation paper on costs in the fast track after Easter.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Departmental Publicity
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what has been the cost of media presentations and press conferences which he has given, other than those held at his Department. [25157]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 23 January 1998]: Since 2 May 1997, direct expense has been incurred in mounting media presentations and press conferences involving Ministers held outside my Department or its Agencies as follows:

  Funding (Shropshire)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what additional funds have been allocated to Shrewsbury and Atcham and Shropshire since 1 May out of his Department's budgets. [27106]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The following tables provide details for those programmes where additional funds have been allocated to Shrewsbury and Atcham District Council and Shropshire County Council in 1997–98 since May 1997.

  £000

  Original Allocation

  Revised Allocation

  Change

  Shropshire County Council Local Government Reorganisation SCAs

  2,700

  5,100

  +2,400

  £000

  Original Allocation

  Revised Allocation

  Change

  Shrewsbury and Atcham District Council

  Capital Receipts Initiative

  0

  221

  +221

  Cash Incentive Scheme

  50

  83

  +33

  Total

  50

  304

  +254

  The following table provides details of those programmes where additional funds have been allocated to Shrewsbury and Atcham District Council. These figures are based on budget allocations known at this time. No additional allocations have been made to Shropshire County Council in 1998–99.

  £000

  1997–98

  1998–99

  Change

  Shrewsbury and Atcham District Council

  Capital Receipts Initiative

  221

  757

  +536

  Revenue Support Grant

  2,191

  2,268

  +77

  Redistributed Non-Domestic Rates

  3,041

  3,114

  +73

  Total

  5,453

  6,139

  +686

  Ashley Heath
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what additional cost has been incurred compared with budget forecasts as a result of errors made in the calculation of noise predictions in respect of the A31 road improvement at Ashley Heath; [28479]

  (2) what were the noise predictions made before construction started on the A31 Ashley Heath improvement in respect of the impact upon properties in St. Ives Wood; and what were the noise levels recorded after construction was complete; [28524]

  (3) how many claims for purchase or compensation have been made by householders in respect of the impact of the A31 Ashley Heath improvement; and how many have so far been settled, and at what cost; [28525]
  596
  (4) what forecast was made prior to construction of the cost of claims for purchase or compensation for landholders affected by the A31 Ashley Heath improvements. [28526]

  Ms Glenda Jackson:
  I have asked the Chief Executive, of the Highways Agency, to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from David York to Mr. Christopher Chope, dated 17 February 1998:
  The Transport Minister, Glenda Jackson, has asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions about the A31 Ashley Heath junction improvement. In his absence I am writing on his behalf.
  Estimates provided by the District Valuer before construction began for the cost of acquisition of property and compensation arising from construction of the scheme amounted to £130,000. This did not cover the cost of buying under discretionary purchase rules property which was considered to be seriously affected by traffic using the new scheme.
  To date 9 interests in property needed for construction have been acquired at a cost of approx £125,000 and 95 claims for compensation for loss in value of property have been received which could cost £150,000. Property to the value of £2.6m has been acquired because it was considered to be seriously affected but will be resold and it is expected that a large part of that sum will be recouped.
  Revisiting calculations of predicted noise levels from traffic using the junction improvement led to applications for purchase of property which had previously been refused being accepted. Additional costs of about £100,000 resulted.
  In accordance with the Noise Insulation Regulations, predictions of future noise levels in the vicinity of the junction were published in 1991. I will arrange for a copy of this report to be placed in the House of Commons library. No comprehensive measurement of noise levels has been made since the junction improvement has been completed although the local authority has taken several spot readings.

  Tachograph Interference
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will make a statement on the penalties for tachograph interference; and how many incidences of such interference have been recorded in each of the last three years; [28955]

  (2) what Government publicity has been issued on the subject of tachograph interference; and if he will make a statement. [28956]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The maximum penalties for producing a false tachograph chart by tampering with the device are, on summary conviction, a fine of £5,000 and, on conviction on indictment, two years imprisonment. Convictions are also taken into account by the local Traffic Commissioner when reviewing an operator's compliance with the conditions of his licence. Offenders can be called to a public inquiry, and their licences can be curtailed, suspended or revoked.

  The Vehicle Inspectorate's Annual Effectiveness Report1 includes statistics on tachograph and other drivers' hours offences that are reported for prosecution by the Inspectorate. For 1995–96, it is not possible to differentiate tachograph interference offences from other

  597
  tachograph and drivers' hours offences. The best available figures for the subsequent two years for offences concerning interference with the tachograph and its records are:

  1996–97: 681 (England and Wales only)

  1997–98 (April to December): 775 (England, Wales and Scotland only).

  The figures do not include offences detected by the police.

  It would not be appropriate to publish information abut the nature of tachograph interference because of the risk that methods might be imitated.
  1Vehicle Inspectorate: Traffic Safety and a cleaner environment:
  A Report on the Vehicle Inspectorate's Effectiveness as an Enforcement Agency 1996/97.

  Environmental Appraisals
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many civil servants in(a) his Department and (b) other Government departments have been trained in environmental appraisal techniques since 1 May. [29021]

  Mr. Meacher
  Environmental appraisal, whether for policies, projects or programmes, covers a range of skills which are acquired by staff across Government through various routes, including formal training, learning on-the-job and reading guidance documents. Figures are not collected centrally for the numbers of staff, in the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions or in other Government departments, trained in these various ways. I understand, however, that the Civil Service College gives formal training on environmental appraisal in courses on Option Appraisal for economists and on "Spending Public Money Wisely" for fast-stream administrators; both of these normally run twice annually with an attendance of about a dozen each time, and each has run once since 1 May 1997.

  Children (Road Accidents)
  Ms Shipley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many children were(a) killed and (b) injured in road accidents (i) during school hours and (ii) while travelling to and from school in the latest period for which figures are available. [29164]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  In 1996, there were 35 children killed while travelling to and from school and 8,941 injured, of which 1,377 were injured seriously. These figures include some pupils who are aged 16 years old. In 1996 there were 270 children (aged 0–15) killed and (in the same age group) 44,835 children were injured, of which 6,519 were seriously injured. However, because of differing school hours and days, it is not possible to determine how many occurred during school hours.

  Ms Shipley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many children were killed in road traffic accidents(a) in total, (b) by drivers while speeding and (c) by drivers under the influence of (i) alcohol and (ii) drugs in the latest period for which figures are available. [29163]
  598
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  In 1996, there were 270 children (aged 0–15) killed in road accidents in Great Britain. In 1995, the most recent year in which sufficiently detailed data is available to analyse drink drive casualties by age, it is estimated that 15 children were killed in accidents involving a driver with an illegal level of blood alcohol. No figures are available for children killed in accidents involving a speeding driver or a driver under the influence of drugs although research suggests that around one third of all accidents involve excessive speed. Recent research is also beginning to indicate a greater presence of drugs in drivers killed in road accidents, although we have no evidence as to the causative effect of drugs in such accidents and no information is available regarding child casualties in such accidents.

  English Nature
  Mr. Alan Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to carry out a review of the work of English Nature. [29409]

  Angela Eagle
  The work of English Nature is under regular scrutiny. The annual Corporate Planning round provides an opportunity to assess performance, identify priorities and assist the allocation of resources.

  English Nature was brought into existence in 1991 as a result of the re-organisation of the former Nature Conservancy Council. Its work was reviewed in 1994 when a study was carried out into the possibility of merging English Nature with the Countryside Commission. The Joint Nature Conservation Committee, through which English Nature in conjunction with Scottish Natural Heritage and the Countryside Council for Wales, carries out some of its functions assigned to it by the Environmental Protection Act 1990, has also recently undergone a strategic review. In common with Government Departments and the other Countryside Agencies, the role of English Nature is being examined as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review.

  An important aspect of English Nature's work is the notification and management of the network of Sites of Special Scientific Interest. The Department is preparing a consultation paper seeking views on how these sites can be better managed. We expected to be able to issue the paper to the public in the late Spring.

  Dog Registration
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to make provisions for the establishment of a dog registration scheme by local authorities. [29247]

  Angela Eagle
  My Department is considering the issues surrounding the establishment of a dog registration scheme. A decision on the appropriate way forward will be taken in due course.

  Gas Storage
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what assessment he has made of safety risks of gas bullets stored near Gloucester Road in Cheltenham; [29396]
  599
  (2) if he will make a statement on the safety record of the range gas storage methods; [29397]

  (3) what measures he expects to take to remove gas bullets from residential areas; and if he will make a statement. [29398]

  Angela Eagle
  I have no proposals to remove gas bullets from residential areas. Gas bullets are used to store gas at high pressure and currently there are twelve such notifiable hazardous installations in Great Britain. All are subject to health and safety legislation requiring operators to submit a safety report which sets out the measures taken to ensure safety at the installation to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Assessment of these reports takes into account predictive, technical and operational elements, and consideration of the causes and consequences of major accidents on the site. An assessment of on-site and off-site risks and details of control measures on the site are also made.

  HSE also sets a "consultation distance" around these installations. The Local Planning Authority (LPA) is required to consult HSE on planning applications within the consultation distance, to give HSE the opportunity to provide advice on safety issues affecting the proposed development. However, the ultimate responsibility for deciding on planning permission rests with the LPA.

  HSE's advice is based on residual risks posed by an installation of this type, after the overall risks have been reduced to a level which is as low as reasonably practicable. The basis for the advice and the criteria used by HSE in formulating such advice are set out in "Risk criteria for land-use planning in the vicinity of major industrial hazards", published in 1989 by HMSO.

  HSE has set a consultation distance around the notifiable hazardous installation operated by BG Transco, Gloucester Road, Cheltenham. In 1997 HSE was asked to advise the LPA in Cheltenham on two planning applications within the consultation distance of the Gloucester Road site. Both cases were passed to HSE's Major Hazards Assessment Unit (MHAU).

  The first case involved the conversion of land adjacent to the BG Transco site into a play area for Gloucester Road Primary School. MHAU's assessment led HSE to advise against granting planning permission. The assessment was based on developed policy which is to advise against developments involving vulnerable populations (such as school children) in the consultation zone.

  The second case also involved the provision of a play area for the same school; it required the demolition of a house and social club and conversion of a small area of land adjacent to the school. This was further away from the BG Transco site than the first case, but still within the consultation zone. MHAU's assessment took account of the overall reduction in the population at risk and the small increase in area of the school. It was felt that this development would not put children at greater risk and in this case HSE did not advise against granting planning permission.

  Formal assessments of the safety risks at the Gloucester Road site were undertaken during 1992 and 1995. A further safety report is due shortly.
  600
  Natural gas in Great Britain is normally stored in the following ways:

  (a)in low pressure gas holders;

  (b)in high pressure storage bullets;

  (c)as liquefied natural gas;

  (d)in underground caverns.

  These storage methods have a good safety record and in recent years there have been few incidents and no injuries.

  Repossessions
  Mrs. Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the number of repossession orders which have been made in the last six months because of arrears caused by the difference between the standard mortgage interest rate and the actual interest rate levied by building societies. [29723]

  Mr. Raynsford
  My Department does not make estimates relating to possession orders. The Lord Chancellor's Department publishes quarterly figures for mortgage possession orders in the county courts. These give no information on the reasons for the action.

  Peat Working Group
  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 22 December 1997,Official Report, columns 433–34 on the Peat Working Group, for what reasons no non-governmental conservation organisation is a member of the group. [29670]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The purpose of the Peat Working Group has been to collate factual information and to advise my Department on the relevant issues. Its membership comprised organisations with a statutory responsibility for either conservation or planning control over peatlands together with the peat industry, who have property and working rights on a number of the bogs. Nature conservation interests were covered by the statutory countryside conservation agencies. The conservation non-governmental organisations (NGOs) together with other interested parties were invited to provide the Group with factual information. Meetings were held between these and officials from my Department on a number of occasions. These organisations were also consulted on the contents of the draft Mineral Planning Guidance Note No. 13 issued in 1995. However, at a recent meeting between officials and representatives of the conservation NGOs, an invitation was extended to them to be represented on the Group when it next meets. I understand that the invitation has been accepted.

  Bathing Water Standards
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he proposes to make beaches cleaner. [29544]

  Angela Eagle
  Following the answer my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Shipley (Mr. Leslie) on 4 December 1997,Official Report, columns 289–91, the Environment Agency is preparing a report on the prospects for compliance with EU bathing water quality

  601
  standards and the action needed on bathing waters which persistently fail. The report will take into account improvements resulting from completion of the remaining schemes in the bathing water improvement programme, implementation of the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive and the Agency's new policy on consents for discharges close to bathing waters. As part of the current review of water company prices, options for more investment to improve bathing water standards are being addressed and initial decisions will be taken this summer.

  Diesel Hotline
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many calls the Vehicle Inspectorate dirty diesel telephone hotline received between(a) November 1996 and January 1997 and (b) November 1997 and January 1998 [29774]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I have asked the Chief Executive of the vehicle Inspectorate,Mr. Ron Oliver, to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Ron Oliver to Mr. Tom Brake, dated 17 February 1998:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about the number of calls received by the Vehicle Inspectorate's smoky vehicle telephone hotline between (a) November 1996 and January 1997 and (b) November 1997 and January 1998.
  Details for the two periods are as follows:
  November 1996—January 1997 1,954 calls
  November 1997—January 1998 2,294 calls.
  There was a noticeable increase in the number of calls received in January 1998 and this has been attributed to the publicity campaign promoting the service launched by the Royal Automobile Club (RAC) on 23 December 1997.

  Bonn Convention
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps the Government have taken to fulfil their obligations under the Bonn Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals; what areas are outstanding; and if he will make a statement. [28156]

  Angela Eagle
  The United Kingdom's obligations to conserve migratory species in accordance with this important Convention are reflected in existing national legislation, especially the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and the programmes of my Department and the statutory conservation agencies.

  The most recent summary of progress was published in March last year, entitled Report of the United Kingdom Government to the Fifth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties, Geneva 10–16 April 1997. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House.

  The report details conservation activities relating to the species listed in the Appendices to the Convention and other migratory species, and gives information on research projects. It also provides information on the implementation of the Convention in the United Kingdom's Dependent Territories. The report also covers the United Kingdom's implementation of two regional agreements concluded under the Convention, the Agreement on the Conservation of Small Cetaceans of the Baltic and North Seas (ASCOBANS) and the Agreement on the Conservation of Bats in Europe. Both
  602
  Agreements have been ratified by the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom has also signed, subject to ratification, the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (AEWA).

  Bern Convention
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps the Government have taken to fulfil their obligations under the Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats; what areas are outstanding; and if he will make a statement. [28157]

  Angela Eagle
  The Government's obligations under the Bern Convention have been fulfilled by the enactment of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, as amended, and the Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc.) Regulations 1994 (SI 1994/2716).

  Ramsar Convention
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps the Government have taken to fulfil their obligations under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance; what areas remain outstanding; and if he will make a statement. [28158]

  Angela Eagle
  The Government are making excellent progress in designating Ramsar sites. Since the UK acceded to the Convention in 1976, we have listed 120 sites covering 491,646 hectares, including two in the Dependent Territories.

  On 2 February, at an event to mark the 27th Anniversary of the Convention, the Government launched the UK Targets for the Ramsar Strategic Plan. The strategy sets targets for the UK to achieve further progress, towards the wise use of wetlands, and identifies specific goals, for the period to 2002. I have arranged for a copy to be deposited in the Library of the House.

  European Union Habitats Directive
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps the Government have taken to fulfil their obligations under the European Union Habitats Directive; what areas remain outstanding; and if he will make a statement. [28159]

  Angela Eagle
  The European Union Habitats Directive was transposed into UK law through The Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 and The Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc.) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1995. We have submitted 262 areas covering 1,526,817.62 hectares to the European Commission as part of our obligation to put forward a list of candidate Special Areas of Conservation. We have recently consulted on further areas and will be submitting additional sites in the coming weeks.

  Drugs (Driving)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the number of prescriptions issued for medicinal
  603
  drugs whose side-effects include performance impairment comparable to that of 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. [29843]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  This information is not available.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what drugs can be detected by the(a) Cozart and (b) Drugwipe tests; and how many and what percentage of the total of medicinal drugs which if taken in accordance with directions can reduce drivers' performance to a level comparable to that of 80mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood can be detected. [29839]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Cozart test can separately identify five drug groups; cannabis, amphetamines (including ecstasy), cocaine, opiates and benzodiazepines. The Drugwipe test also detects drugs from the first four of these groups i.e. cannabis, amphetamines (including ecstasy), cocaine and opiates, but does not detect benzodiazepines. The information sought for medicinal drugs is not available.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he made of simulator and epidemiological studies on links between illegal drugs and driving ability undertaken in(a) America, (b) Australia, (c) Canada and (d) Holland in reaching his decision on drug driving tests; and if he will make a statement. [29847]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Department considered in detail the evidence available from both simulator and epidemiological studies, worldwide, before undertaking its own epidemiological study of drugs in road fatalities and announcing its plans to assess the roadside practicability of two drug screening devices.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his estimate of the percentage of the population who take cannabis at least once every 30 days; and what was the percentage of road fatalities who were found to have traces of cannabis in their bodies in his Department's recent test. [29841]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  According to the British Crime Survey 1996, cannabis had been taken by 12 per cent. of the 16–29 year age group in the previous month; figures for other age groups are not available. The percentage of road fatalities who were found to have traces of cannabis in their bodies was also 12 per cent.

  Driving Licence Design
  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what criteria were used in deciding on the design of the new United Kingdom driving licence. [29826]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The content and format of the photocard follow the requirements laid down in the relevant EU legislation, which was aimed at ensuring that licences are easily recognisable throughout the EU.

  Poll Tax
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his 604
  Department's latest estimate of outstanding poll tax payments to each local authority in England and Wales. [29832]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Information on uncollected community charge and council tax for each local authority is not available centrally. However, the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy regularly publish estimates for individual authorities: figures for 31 March 1996 are available in their Revenue Collection Statistics 1995–96 publications, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

  Housing (Hampshire)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many people are on the housing waiting list of East Hampshire District Council; and what were the equivalent figures at the same time in each of the last five years. [27566]

  Mr. Raynsford
  [pursuant to his reply, 10 February 1998, c.125]: Local authorities in England report the numbers of households on their housing register/waiting list (excluding existing tenants awaiting a transfer) at 1 April each year in their annual Housing Investment Programme (HIP1) returns. The data reported by East Hampshire District Council for 1997 and the previous five years are as follows:

  1992: 1,607

  1993: 1,528

  1994: 2,045

  1995: 1.555

  1996: 1,206

  1997: 1,683.

  Local authorities have different practices for compiling and managing their housing register/waiting lists which mean that simple comparisons between authorities can be misleading. Authorities practices may change which can also affect comparisons over time.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Farm Values
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the average value of farm buildings and land in England and Wales; and what evaluation he has made of the correlation between the value of land and the level of farm subsidies over the past 20 years. [29458]

  Mr. Morley
  The average price of all agricultural property sales notified to the Inland Revenue in the three months ended June 1997 (the latest period available) was £4,515 per hectare in England and £4,303 per hectare in Wales. These averages will be affected by the prevailing market conditions and the location and quality of the land sold in the period.

  There is evidence to suggest that support for agriculture has, to some degree, been capitalised into the value of land.

  Quota Hopping
  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will consult(a) representatives of the fishing industry and (b) Spanish officials to co-ordinate informal repurchase of quota-hopping fishing vessels or their licences. [29823]

  Mr. Morley
  There have been opportunities over successive years for vessel owners to withdraw from the UK fleet under the decommissioning schemes which have been operated by the Fisheries Departments. There has also been an active market in vessels and vessel licences. So far as I am aware, these arrangements have been operated to the satisfaction of the parties to the transactions without the need for co-ordination by Government. However, if I received a request from those in the industry to promote co-ordination, I would be ready to consider it.

  BSE (Compensation)
  Mrs. Dean
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of total BSE compensation payments has gone directly to producers. [29229]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 16 February 1998]: More than 90 per cent. of the BSE-related compensation paid during 1996–97 and 1997–98 has gone to producers. About 20 per cent. has been paid directly to them; the rest has reached them via livestock markets, slaughterhouses and abattoirs.

  Meat Imports
  Mrs. Dean
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to ensure that imported meat has been slaughtered under the same hygiene standards as those in the United Kingdom. [29237]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 16 February 1998]: The slaughter of animals 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 fresh meat and Directive 71/118/EEC for poultry meat. 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, and Directive 71/118/EEC for poultry meat. It is for the European Commission to ensure that Member States and third countries are complying with their legal obligations.

  Dietary Supplements
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for what reasons he intends to restrict the availability of vitamin B6. [29383]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 13 February 1998]: The Government's decision to limit the level of vitamin B6 in dietary supplements sold under food law was taken in the light of advice from the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the
  606
  Environment and from the Food Advisory Committee, that prolonged intake of high doses of vitamin B6 may be harmful.

  Cow's Milk
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what guidance he offers to farmers on altering the butterfat content of cow's milk by adjusting the feed content. [29738]

  Mr. Rooker
  The butterfat content of milk is largely determined by the breed and genetic merit of the cow, but it can also be affected by the composition of the cow's diet. Individual milk producers can obtain advice on feeding through their normal farming advisers. The results of the Department's and other sponsors' research in this area are disseminated through their respective technology transfer programmes.

  Integrated Administration and Control System
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the proportion of IACS forms received by his Department which contain initial errors and inaccuracies requiring further contact by his Department's officials. [29197]

  Mr. Rooker
  This information is not available.

  Moorland Scheme
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many farms, having how many sheep, are eligible to participate in the Moorland Scheme; and how many farms having how many sheep have joined the Moorland Scheme. [29155]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Moorland Scheme applies within the Less Favoured Areas, but excludes land in Environmentally Sensitive Areas. The total area in which the Scheme may apply is about 400,000 hectares. It is not possible to state how many farms are eligible to join the Scheme as this depends on meeting the specific eligibility rules. The Scheme is based on payment for the removal of ewes from eligible heather moorland to meet stocking limits. To date, scheme agreements are in place on 23 farms, involving a reduction of 6,361 sheep from moorland grazing units totalling some 9,300 hectares.

  Environmentally Sensitive Areas
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many farms, having how many sheep, in(a) the Lake District, (b) the Pennine Dales, (c) the North Peak, (d) the South West Peak, (e) the Shropshire Hills and (f) Dartmoor are eligible for ESA payments; and how many farms in each locality, having how many sheep, have joined the ESA schemes. [29156]

  Mr. Morley
  The information requested on numbers of holdings and numbers of sheep is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
  607
  The following table shows the current number of ESA management agreements and the percentage of eligible land under agreement:

  ESA

  Number of ESA agreements1

  Percentage of land eligible for the scheme which is under agreement

  Lake District

  1,129

  55

  Pennine Dales

  862

  70

  North Peak

  98

  80

  South West Peak

  582

  80

  Shropshire Hills

  318

  25

  Dartmoor

  547

  40

  Note:

  1Some agreements are joint agreements covering more than one holding.

  Varroa
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the potential evolution of a drug-resistant form of varroa; and if he will make a statement. [28969]

  Mr. Rooker
  There is evidence of a strain of varroa on the Continent which is resistant to the drug Bayvarol but we are not aware of any incidence of it in the United Kingdom. The position is kept under close review.

  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the extent of the varroa outbreak among bees in the UK; what steps he has taken to combat its spread; and if he will make a statement. [28967]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Statutory Infected Area (SIA) for varroa now includes the whole of England and Wales and affected areas in Dumfries and Galloway. The most northerly occurrence to date has been in Golspie, Scotland.

  Control measures are based on varroa being statutorily notifiable disease. Upon first finding evidence of varroa infestation in Devon in 1992, a SIA was declared with movements across the boundary being strictly controlled. Information on the geographical distribution of the mite was collected via a number of sources, including searches. Now that the SIA covers the whole of England and Wales, the need for formal searches there has been removed. In Scotland and Northern Ireland, random Spring and Autumn searches continue to be carried out. Where isolated incidents have occurred in Scotland these have been dealt with by destruction of hives and bees.

  British Meat
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions(a) he, (b) his Ministers and (c) his Department have had with the Ministry of Defence about the supply of British (i) beef and (ii) lamb to HM Forces; and if he will make a statement. [28260]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 6 February 1998]: My right. hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food spoke to the Secretary of State for Defence late last year about the purchases of British beef by the armed forces. This conversation has been followed up in correspondence and in discussions between my noble
  608
  Friend Lord Donoughue and the Under-Secretary of State for Defence, my learned Friend the Member for Warley (Mr. Spellar). Since this Government took office, there have been no discussions between the two Departments at official level on this issue. Since the primary requirement of the Ministry of Defence is for frozen beef and we have significant stocks in UK intervention stores, discussion has focused on the supply of intervention beef rather than that of beef from the open market. As yet we have not discussed the purchase of lamb.

  We all have to recognise, however, that Public Bodies are generally required to look for best value for money in making their procurement decisions. Furthermore, we are required to note that it would contravene the Treaty of Rome to operate a "Buy British" policy. Nevertheless we shall continue to explore ways in which the volume of British beef purchased might be increased.

  Agriculture Council
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish the full details of the United Kingdom presidency's work programme which were discussed at the EU Agriculture Council on 20 January. [25250]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  [holding answer 26 January 1998]: A copy of the text of my statement to the 20 January Agriculture Council has been placed in the Library of the House.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Montserrat
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which firm is managing the provision of prefabricated units for Montserrat. [29992]

  Clare Short
  Brown and Root Ltd. are currently managing provision of prefabricated units, on Montserrat.

  Multilateral Agreement on Investment
  Ms Drown
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the impact of the Multilateral Agreement on Investment on the ability of developing countries to pursue policies to(a) diversify their economy and (b) promote domestic industries. [29954]

  Clare Short
  Foreign investment can make a substantial contribution to development and the elimination of poverty. Many developing countries, particularly the least developed, are currently marginalised from global investment flows. The Government believe that a better international framework for investment has an important part to play in helping to meet the objective of eliminating poverty. My Department is commissioning a study of the development implications of the Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI) which will be ready in good time to present to our negotiating partners before the agreement is concluded.
  609
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the benefits for non-OECD countries of the proposals in the current draft text of the Multilateral Agreement on Investment. [29917]

  Clare Short
  The Government support the aim of providing a better international framework for investment, increased investment in developing countries, we believe has an important part to play in helping to meet the objective of eliminating poverty. My Department is commissioning a study to look at any implications the Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI) may have for developing countries, which we will share with our negotiating partners. The UK is also pressing for "special and differential treatment" in the accession process, which would allow some flexibility for the needs of developing countries to be taken into account, if they seek to accede to the MAI.

  Ms Drown
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps her Department will take to include the views of government and non-governmental organisation experts from developing countries in its assessment of the impact of the MAI on developing countries. [29953]

  Clare Short
  Officials from my Department have already taken part in consultations organised by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation Development (OECD) with governments and NGOs of developing countries on the Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI). My Department has also consulted NGOs on the study we are undertaking of the development implications of the MAI which will also consider discussions on international investment rules in the World Trade Organisation and UNCTAD.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Ministerial Travel
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 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. [28931]

  Dr. David Clark
  Details of the engagements I have undertaken in the United Kingdom during January 1998, and the mode of transport used, are set out in the following table.

  Date

  Destination of journey

  Mode of transport

  Tuesday 6 January

  Visit to Wansbeck Business Park (Northumberland)

  Car

  Thursday 8 January

  Cabinet Meeting (London) Visit by EU Commissioners to mark the start of the UK Presidency (London)

  Train and Car

  Monday 12 January

  'Better Government' speech to Association of British Insurers Trade Executives Group (London)

  Car

  610

  Date

  Destination of journey

  Mode of transport

  Tuesday 13 January

  'Better Government' speech at Coopers & Lybrand Event (London)

  Car

  Interview: 'Westminster Live'(London)

  Car

  Wednesday 14 January

  Millennium Commissioners Meeting(London)

  Car

  Monday 19 January

  Speech to Local Business Partnership Seminar (Newcastle)

  Car

  Tuesday 20 January

  Launch of the 'Citizens First' Initiative in the UK with Commissioner Monti & Lord Simon (London)

  Car

  Monday 26 January

  Meeting with Austrian Ambassador (London)

  Car

  Tuesday 27 January

  Speech to the British Retail Consortium (London)

  Car

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Standard Assessment Tests
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to reduce the cost of Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 SATs. [29981]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 National Curriculum tests provide valid and reliable assessments of pupils' progress, and contribute towards the raising of school standards and effectiveness. The cost of these tests, and associated administrative arrangements, are kept under constant review by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority to ensure that they are conducted as efficiently and economically as possible, while maintaining the quality of information they provide.

  Hotel and Catering Training
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the percentage drop-out rate by students on full and part-time courses in(a) NVQ level 2 and 3 Food Preparation and Cooking,(b) BTEC National Diploma in Hotel, Catering and Institutional Operations and (c) advanced GNVQ Hospitality and Catering. [27090]

  Dr. Howells
  The drop out rates from National Vocational Qualifications are not measurable because these qualifications are not timebound; the position is the same for the BTEC National Diploma in Hotel, Catering and Institutional Operations.

  The latest figure on drop out rates for the Advanced GNVQ in Hospitality and Training (1995/96), for full time students, is 14 per cent.

  School Partnerships
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to the letter from the Minister for School Standards of 23 December, when he expects to receive the first recommendations of the Committee under the Chairmanship of Chris Parker on co-operation between various sectors of education; and if he will make a statement. [27969]
  611
  Mr. Byers
  The Advisory Group on Independent/State School Partnerships is due to present to me its initial findings by the end of March 1998 and its final recommendations by the end of July 1998.

  Class Sizes
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if the information about which local authorities had received financial support for reducing infant class sizes was made available to any hon. Members before the public announcement on 12 February. [29829]

  Mr. Byers
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I signed letters on 11 February containing this information to hon. Members whose constituencies lie within the areas of the successful local authorities.

  New Deal (Allowances)
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what description is used by his Department to identify the allowance to those aged under-25 years who participate in an education, an environment task force or a voluntary sector option of the New Deal; and what statutory basis governs this allowance. [30042]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Young people participating in the Full-Time Education and Training option of the New Deal for 18–24 year olds will receive a training allowance; those in the Voluntary Sector or Environment Task Force option may receive either a training allowance or a wage paid by the organisation for which they are working. Training Allowances are payable under Section 2 of the Employment and Training Act 1973.

  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the source of funding for the allowance for the under-26 year olds participating in an education, an environment task force or a voluntary sector option of the New Deal. [30044]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The New Deal for 18–24 year olds will be financed from the Windfall Levy on the excess profits of the private utilities.

  National Minimum Wage
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if those who are disabled who take part in the Welfare to Work scheme will be guaranteed the national minimum wage. [30050]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The Government have set out in their evidence to the Low Pay Commission the argument that disabled people should not be treated any differently from non-disabled people. The Commission will be making recommendations on the initial level and application of the National Minimum Wage to the Government by the end of May.

  New Deal
  Mr. Dorrell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the companies which have announced their support for the New Deal. [29693]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Over 1,000 companies have signed Employer Agreements to date including the 34 large employers listed below.

  Allied Domeq

  Allied Leisure

  Anglian Water

  Arriva PLC

  British Aerospace PLC

  British Airports Authority PLC

  British Airways

  British Steel plc

  Brown and Jackson

  BT

  Clydesdale Bank

  Dixons Group PLC

  Granada Group

  Kwik Save Stores Ltd

  Manpower

  National Express

  Northern Foods

  Nycomed Amersham

  Our Price

  Pertemps

  Prudential Corporation

  Rolls-Royce

  Rover Group

  Rugby Group

  Sainsbury's

  Savacentre Ltd

  Securicor Guarding

  Somerfield

  Tate & Lyle

  Tesco

  Unipart Group

  Vaux

  Whitbreads

  W. H. Smith Group.

  School Software
  Mr. Dorrell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he expects to publish the details of the agreement announced by the Prime Minister last year between the Government and Microsoft Inc. for the provision of software to schools. [29488]

  Dr. Howells
  Microsoft is one of a number of companies preparing educational material and services as a potential contribution to the National Grid for Learning and the strategy outlined in the consultation document "Connecting the Learning Society". However, no formal agreement with the company to supply software to schools is in place.

  New Deal (Employer Agreements)
  Mr. Dorrell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many work places will be provided in 1998–99 under the employer agreements signed to date under the New Deal arrangements. [29692]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Signing an Employer Agreement expresses an employer's commitment to New Deal and enables them to offer jobs under the programme. It does not commit them to providing a specific number of jobs.

  Policy Reviews
  Mr. Dorrell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what policy reviews are currently underway within his Department. [29530]
  614
  Mr. Blunkett
  My Department continuously reviews its policies. The following reviews are currently being undertaken:Departmental Spending Review. As part of the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review my department is currently undertaking a review of all its programmes and its running costs expenditure. I will be reporting its conclusions to the Ministerial Committee on Public Expenditure in the late Spring.
  Review of the threshold exempting employers with fewer than 20 employees from the Employment provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. A review of the effects of the threshold exempting small employers from the employment provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act. The review includes a consultation exercise ending on 2 March. Launch date was 3 December 1997. The intended date of report will be in late Spring 1998.
  Review of Qualifications Appeals Systems. Announced on 16 December 1997. Preliminary conclusions are expected in May 1998.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Family Credit
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average value of a weekly family credit payment; and what is the average estimated value of weekly family credit payments to which people are entitled but which they do not claim. [30038]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The latest available information on the take-up of Family Credit is for 1995–96. The average estimated value of weekly Family Credit payments to which people were entitled but did not claim was £24.30.1 At that time, the average award of Family Credit was £54.822.

  The most recent estimate of the average weekly award of Family Credit of £59.013 was for August 1997.

  Sources:

  1Income Related Benefits Estimates of Take-up 1995–96.

  2Family Credit 5 per cent. sample of awards.

  3Family Credit Statistical Inquiry, August 1997. 5 per cent. sample of awards.

  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people claimed family credit; how many people are estimated to be entitled to family credit but have not claimed it; what was the total amount of family credit payments paid; and what was the estimated value of unclaimed family credit in the last year for which reliable data are available. [30037]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The latest available information on the take-up of Family Credit is for 1995–96. It is estimated that 240,0001 families were entitled to Family Credit but did not claim it. At that time, there were 676,0002 families receiving Family Credit. Expenditure was £1,7403 million and the estimated value of unclaimed Family Credit was £3004 million.

  The most recent estimate of caseload is for August 1997 when 757,0005 families were receiving Family Credit.

  Sources:

  1Income Related Benefits Estimates of Take-up 1995–96.

  2Family Credit 5 per cent. sample of awards. Figures rounded to the nearest thousand.

  3The 1997 DSS Departmental Report (Cm 3613).

  4Income Related Benefits Estimates of Take-up 1995–96.

  5Family Credit Statistical Inquiry. August 1997. 5 per cent. sample of awards. Figures rounded to the nearest thousand.

  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many men receive family credit payments; and if he will express this figure as a proportion of all family credit payments. [30039]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  757,0001 families receive Family Credit of which 351,0001 are lone parents. 336,400 of those lone parents are female and 14,300 (4 per cent.) are male. Information on the gender of the claimant in couple families is not available.
  616
  However, the vast majority of couple families have a female recipient as there is a requirement for the female member of a couple to be the claimant. There are occasional exceptions to this rule, for example, to cover mental incapacity.

  1All figures have been rounded to the nearest thousand.

  Source:

  Family Credit 5 per cent. sample of all awards.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many payment accounts at the Child Support Agency collection service were(a) pre-CSA arrangements, and (b) CSA assessments, at the end of each month since April 1994. [30041]

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

  Number of accounts from April 1995

  Month

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  April

  175,113

  209,134

  258,126

  May

  177,048

  211,670

  262,151

  June

  179,893

  213,744

  266,451

  July

  182,058

  215,736

  271,467

  August

  188,477

  219,979

  277,079

  September

  192,528

  222,104

  278,722

  October

  196,670

  224,913

  —

  November

  201,142

  227,373

  —

  December

  202,762

  230,316

  —

  January

  205,193

  233,707

  —

  February

  207,640

  236,460

  —

  March

  207,465

  239,284

  —

  Note:

  The Child Support Agency's collection service holds accounts for cases where there is a child support assessment, there are no accounts for pre-CSA arrangements.

  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in what proportion of cases where a parent with care is on income support a benefit saving arises due to(a) a pre-CSA child maintenance agreement, and (b) a CSA assessment. [30040]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is that 80,000 people in receipt of Income Support1 also receive maintenance from liable relatives.

  1 This figure does not include those parents with care who have arrangements whereby their maintenance is retained by the Secretary of State and they receive full Income Support.

  Source:

  Income Support Statistics Quarterly August 1996.

  Appeals System
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will review the current arrangements for the suspension of benefits during the
  617
  period in which a government agency is appealing against a decision to award benefit to a claimant; how many claimants currently have their benefits suspended pending an appeal; how many claimants have had their benefits (a) upheld and (b) rejected following appeal by a government agency in each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement. [29464]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  Provision for suspending payment of benefit pending resolution of a factual or legal doubt as to entitlement has existed since 1946. We are committed to the principle that benefit should go only to those entitled to it. It would be irresponsible to allow irrecoverable overpayments to accumulate during periods when entitlement is in doubt. This principle is safeguarded by the power to suspend payment in certain circumstances—a power which is being carried forward in the Social Security Bill currently before Parliament.

  Regular statistics are not kept on the numbers of suspensions imposed. However, a scan of the Income Support computer system in July 1997, found that, of all those entitled to Income Support at any one time, less than 0.5 per cent. had payment of benefit suspended or withheld. Estimated numbers are significantly less for most other benefits.

  TV Advertising
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will list the amount spent on television advertising in 1998 for(a) benefits which require a claim to be registered, (b) the automatic winter fuel payment to pensioners and (c) other automatic benefits; how many television slots for advertisements for each of the above categories of benefits were purchased for broadcast in the periods (i) 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., (ii) 5.00 p.m., to 11.00 p.m., and (iii) 11.00 p.m. to 9.00 a.m.; for what reasons benefits were advertised which claimants receive automatically; and if she will make a statement. [30158]

  Year

  Grand Total Expenditure Annual Real Growth %

  Benefit Expenditure as % of GDP

  Benefit Expenditure as % of GGE(X)

  Admin Expenditure as % of GDP

  Admin Expenditure as % of GGE(X)

  1978–79

  —

  9.3

  22.0

  0.4

  1.0

  1979–80

  1.2

  9.2

  21.6

  0.4

  1.0

  1980–81

  2.3

  9.7

  21.6

  0.5

  1.0

  1981–82

  11.3

  10.8

  23.8

  0.5

  1.1

  1982–83

  6.4

  11.3

  24.7

  0.5

  1.1

  1983–84

  6.8

  11.6

  25.9

  0.5

  1.1

  1984–85

  3.1

  11.7

  25.8

  0.5

  1.1

  1985–86

  3.1

  11.6

  26.9

  0.5

  1.1

  1986–87

  4.7

  11.6

  27.5

  0.5

  1.2

  1987–88

  -0.4

  10.9

  27.0

  0.6

  1.4

  1988–89

  -4.7

  10.0

  26.2

  0.6

  1.5

  1989–90

  -0.7

  9.7

  25.3

  0.6

  1.5

  1990–91

  3.4

  10.2

  26.0

  0.5

  1.3

  1991–92

  10.1

  11.4

  27.8

  0.5

  1.3

  1992–93

  8.8

  12.4

  28.6

  0.6

  1.3

  1993–94

  6.3

  12.9

  29.8

  0.6

  1.3

  618
  Mr. Denham
  The Winter Payments scheme will help all pensioner households with fuel bills to pay, and give the most help to the poorest. It is an unprecedented initiative, which dwarfs any action taken by any previous Government to tackle winter cold.

  It is important that pensioners know as soon as possible how much they will receive, as well as how and when the payment will be paid so that they can plan with confidence and turn up their heating if there is a spell of cold weather. The simplest and most cost-effective way to let them know that a payment will be made is through publicity. Therefore, a multi-media campaign, including television advertising was launched in conjunction with Help the Aged, Age Concern and the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux.

  Approximately £850,000 is being spent on television advertising, in 1998, to inform pensioners about Winter Fuel Payments.

  Television slots are purchased regionally according to the audience profile of programmes. On average, approximately 82 per cent. of the slots fall between 9am–5pm and 18 per cent. between 5pm and 11pm. No slots have been purchased between 11pm and 9am.

  The television campaign, which is still running, has been designed to reach over 70 per cent. of the target audience with at least five opportunities to see the advertisement.

  There has been no expenditure, in 1998, on television advertising on other benefits.

  Social Security Expenditure
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if she will list the growth rate in expenditure by her Department in real terms and the underlying growth rate for each year since 1979; [30157]

  (2) if she will list the total expenditure by her Department on (a) benefits and (b) administration as a proportion of general government expenditure and as a proportion of gross domestic product for each year since 1979. [30156]

  Mr. Field
  The information is set out in the table.
  619

  Year

  Grand Total Expenditure Annual Real Growth %

  Benefit Expenditure as % of GDP

  Benefit Expenditure as % of GGE(X)

  Admin Expenditure as % of GDP

  Admin Expenditure as % of GGE(X)

  1994–95

  1.2

  12.5

  29.4

  0.5

  1.2

  1995–96

  1.6

  12.4

  29.6

  0.5

  1.2

  1996–97

  1.9

  12.3

  30.1

  0.5

  1.3

  Notes:

  1. Average real growth pa (growth rate) 3.6%.

  2. The "Grand Total Expenditure" expenditure figure includes additional local authority expenditure on Housing and Council Tax Benefits.

  3. The figures for GDP are consistent with those published in Pre Budget Report. They include adjustments to remove distortion caused by the abolition of domestic rates.

  4. The figures for GGE(X) are consistent with those published July 1997 FSBR and earlier equivalents. They exclude privatisation proceeds, expenditure out of the proceeds of the National Lottery, and receipts of interests and dividends from public corporations and the private sector are netted off.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what estimates her Department has made of(a) future social security expenditure and (b) future underlying rates of growth; [30052]

  (2) what estimates her Department has made of future social security expenditure on benefit payments to the (a) elderly, (b) sick and disabled, (c) family, (d) lone parents, (e) unemployed, and (f) widows and others. [30053]

  Mr. Field
  The information is set out in the table.

  £ million

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  Elderly

  42,426

  44,152

  45.792

  Sick and Disabled

  25,156

  26,621

  28,179

  Family

  18,740

  19,302

  19,929

  Unemployed

  7,160

  6,832

  6,713

  Widows and Others

  2,244

  2,282

  2,318

  Total Benefit Expenditure

  95,727

  99,189

  102,932

  Grand Total DSS Spending

  99,314

  102,727

  106,492

  Annual real growth

  —

  0.6%

  1.0%

  Source:

  The figures are taken from the March 1997 Social Security Departmental Report.

  Working Mothers
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to her answer of 21 January 1998,Official Report, columns 565–66, what are the latest estimates she is collating for labour market participation by lone parents in the United Kingdom; and if she will list the prevailing unemployment rates in each of the counties listed in the years referred to in the answer. [26947]

  Mr. Field
  The information is not available in the format requested.

  The latest estimate from the Spring 1997 Labour Force Survey suggests that the labour market participation rate of lone parents in Great Britain is around 44 per cent.

  The prevailing unemployment rates in each of the countries listed in the years referred to in the written
  620
  answer, 21 January 1998, Official Report, columns 565–66 are given in the table.

  Unemployment rates in European countries

  Country

  Year

  Unemployment rate

  Belgium

  1992

  6.7

  Denmark

  11993

  8.1

  Germany

  1992

  6.3

  Greece

  21992

  7.8

  Spain

  1991

  15.9

  France

  1992

  10.2

  Ireland

  1993

  15.6

  Italy

  1993

  10.3

  Luxembourg

  1992

  2.0

  Netherlands

  1994

  7.2

  Austria

  1993

  4.3

  Portugal

  1991

  3.9

  Finland

  1993

  17.9

  Sweden

  1994

  7.8

  United Kingdom

  1991

  8.6

  1 Date not provided for Denmark in the previous answer. The date is taken to match the source data used to compile the table replicated in that answer.

  2Date not provided for Greece in the previous answer. The date is again taken to match the source data used to compile the table replicated in that answer.

  Note:

  ILO definition of unemployment used throughout—i.e.unemployment and actively seeking work within the last four weeks.

  Source:

  Eurostat Yearbook 1996.

  Lone Parent Benefits (Newcastle)
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claimants of(a) lone parent benefit and (b) lone parent premium there have been in the Newcastle Benefits Agency district since 1992. [26941]

  Mr. Field
  I refer my hon. Friend to the written answer I gave him on 21 January 1998,Official Report, columns 672–73.

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Forth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many civil servants in her Department at each grade for 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 she will indicate the Minister to whom each was responsible; and if she will make a statement. [26927]
  621
  Mr. Field
  From 1 April 1996, the Department moved away from grades for staff previously at grade 5 and above, to a system based on nine overlapping pay bands. Posts were scored in a range of 7 to 22, using Job Evaluation of Senior posts (JESP) methodology. Posts with a JESP score of 13 or above are considered to be equivalent to grade 3 or above.

  Since 1 May 1997, no civil servants have resigned; no civil servants have retired before pensionable age and one civil servant in a post with a JESP score of 16 has moved to different responsibilities within the Department. The officer was responsible to the Secretary of State.

  In addition three such civil servants have transferred to other Government Departments on either a temporary or permanent basis.

  Pensioners (Income Support)
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioner claimants of income support there are broken down by(a) sex, (b) marital status and (c) socio-economic group; and what estimate he has made of future trends in these figures and on what assumptions. [27318]

  Mr. Denham
  Information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is set out in the tables.

  Numbers of pensioners receiving Income Support as at May 1997

  All cases

  Single claimants

  Couples

  All cases

  1,720,000

  1,454,000

  266,000

  Male

  542,000

  300,000

  242,000

  Female

  1,178,000

  1,154,000

  24,000

  Notes:

  1. Figures are not collected by socio-economic group.

  2. Numbers are rounded to the nearest thousand. Due to rounding, totals may not tally.

  3. Pensioners are defined where the claimant or partner is aged 60 or over.

  4. Sample size 5 per cent.

  5. Numbers exclude claimants who transferred to Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance with effect from October 1996.

  Source:

  Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry, May 1997.

  Forecast numbers of pensioner benefit units that will receive Income Support in the future

  Number of pensioner benefit units on Income Support

  1998–1999

  1.805,000

  1999–2000

  1,808,000

  Notes:

  1. Figures in the table are average caseloads which underlie the expenditure forecasts given in the 1997 DSS Departmental Report.

  2. The forecasts are based on assumptions about the future numbers of pensioners in the population, the proportion of such pensioners that would receive Income Support, and the numbers of such pensioners that would be in residential care or nursing home accommodation. Forecasts of this type are not split by sex, marital status or socio-economic group.

  Benefits (Wales)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much(a) attendance allowance remained unclaimed by disabled people, (b) income support remained unclaimed by pensioners and (c) social security payments remained unclaimed in Wales in the last year for which figures are available. [27146]

  Mr. Denham
  Information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is as follows:

  An estimate of take-up of Attendance Allowance for Great Britain, based on the disability follow-up to the 1996–97 Family Resources Survey, should be published later in the year. It may be possible to estimate take-up separately for Wales if sample sizes allow.

  It is estimated that, in 1995–96, the amount of Income Support unclaimed by pensioners in Wales was between £60 million and £90 million. In the same year, the total amount of Income Support, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and Family Credit unclaimed in Wales is estimated to be between £170 million and £260 million.

  Notes:

  1. All take-up estimates exclude the self-employed as their entitlement to income-related benefits cannot readily be established from survey data.

  2. Estimates for Wales should be regarded as indicative only, as they are based on modest sample sizes.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what measures he will take to increase the level of take up of social security benefits in Wales. [27145]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  We would encourage anyone who thinks that they may be entitled to a benefit to make a claim, wherever they live in Britain. We are particularly concerned about the million pensioners not claiming Income Support. We have commissioned research to find out why they do not make a claim, and from April we will be spending £15 million on a number of pilot projects to find the best way of encouraging them to claim. We will take into account any factors which may effect their reluctance to make a claim, including the type of area in which they live.

  Drug Addicts
  Mr. Woolas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to ensure access to disability benefit for sufferers of benzodiazipene drug addiction. [26536]

  Mr. Denham
  Normal entitlement rules apply to people with benzodiazipene drug addiction claiming a disability benefit.

  Benefit Increases
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate she has made of the cost of increasing the basic pension, widows' benefits and long-term incapacity benefit in April 1998 in line with prices; and what would be the additional cost of increasing them in line with average earnings. [26467]
  623
  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is set out in the table. The estimated gross additional cost for uprating basic pension and all linked benefits by earnings would be £200 million, rounded to the nearest £10 million.

  Cost of the April 1998 RPI uprating

  £ million

  Benefit

  Cost 1998–99

  Retirement pension:basic

  1.1

  Widows' benefit: basic

  30

  Incapacity benefit long term: basic

  200

  Notes:

  1. The table shows the costs of uprating for the three contributory benefits only and does not show any associated costs or savings on means-tested benefits.

  2. Figures are rounded to the nearest £10 million.

  Source:

  DSS forecasting models based on benefit rates announced in the 1977 Uprating Statement.

  Staff Travel
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total real terms value of(a) staff car mileage claims paid and (b) staff rail fares paid by his Department; for what amount of staff car mileage reimbursement was made; and what was the percentage change on the previous year for each year since 1989–90. [25797]

  Mr. Field
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the table.

  The amounts shown are composite figures covering motor mileage, rail and air travel and cannot be broken down into specific totals.

  Year

  Amount of UK travel (£)

  Percentage adjustment

  1989–90

  20,220,472

  —

  1990–91

  24,716,711

  +22.2

  1991–92

  24,739,188

  +0.1

  1992–93

  20,632,745

  -19.9

  1993–94

  22,915,580

  +10.0

  1994–95

  24,500,782

  +6.5

  1995–96

  24,158,110

  -1.4

  1996–97

  21,147,786

  -14.2

  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many staff were employed by her Department; and what percentage of these were eligible to claim a car mileage allowance on 31 March in each year since 1990. [25794]

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

  Number of staff employed by the department since 1989

  1 April

  Staff

  1989

  83,426

  1990

  80,890

  1991

  78,945

  1992

  78,277

  1993

  84,824

  624

  Number of staff employed by the department since 1989

  1 April

  Staff

  1994

  89,960

  1995

  89,248

  1996

  92,114

  1997

  93,465

  Notes:

  1. The numbers of staff are expressed as full time equivalents.

  2. The information requested on the percentage of staff eligible to claim a car mileage allowance is not available. Detailed records of staff mileage claims are kept and controlled locally across the Department.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Audrey Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people are currently receiving any element of disability living allowance; and how many are receiving(a) the care component and mobility component at any level, (b) the care component only and (c) the mobility component only. [26405]

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

  Recipients of disability living allowance by care and mobility components1

  Number

  Total:

  1,955,500

  Highest rate care and higher rate mobility

  264,900

  Highest rate care and lower rate mobility

  65,600

  Highest rate care only

  38,100

  Middle rate care and higher rate mobility

  282,800

  Middle rate care and lower rate mobility

  182,500

  Middle rate care only

  88,900

  Lower rate care and higher rate mobility

  239,200

  Lower rate care and lower rate mobility

  63,000

  Lower rate care only

  119,000

  Higher rate mobility only

  532,300

  Lower rate mobility only

  79,100

  1Figures relate to 30 November 1997.

  Note:

  Due to rounding to the nearest 100 the samples do not sum.

  Source:

  Analytical Services Division: 5 per cent. sample data.

  Mr. Fitzpatrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average duration of claims for disability living allowance broken down by mobility component and care component. [26160]

  Mr. Denham
  The average duration for Disability Living Allowance awards of care component is 157 weeks and the average duration for awards of mobility component is 163 weeks.

  Notes:

  1. The source for these figures is a five per cent. sample of claimant cases and the figures relate to claimants with entitlement to the benefit at 30 November 1997.

  2. Disability Living Allowance (DLA) was introduced in April 1992.

  3. These figures do not include those in receipt of Attendance Allowance or Mobility Allowance in April 1992 and who were transferred to DLA at that date.

  4. No allowance has been made for suspensions in the payment of either DLA component, because data on these is incomplete.
  625
  Mr. Fitzpatrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people receiving incapacity benefit also receive disability living allowance, broken down by care and mobility component. [26161]

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

  People in receipt of incapacity benefit and disability living allowance

  000s

  All awards

  585

  Awards of care component only

  49

  Awards of mobility component

  193

  Awards of both components

  342

  Notes:

  1. Figures related to 31 August 1997.

  2. Due to rounding to the nearest 1,000 the figures do not sum.

  Source:

  Analytical Services Division : 5 per cent. data.

  Mr. Fitzpatrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people receive disability living allowance; and how many of these(a) also have earnings from employment, (b) also receive incapacity benefit, (c) also receive income support and (d) also receive severe disablement allowance. [26159]

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

  Numbers

  All recipients1,2

  1,956,000

  Recipients also in receipt of:7

  Incapacity Benefit2,3

  585,000

  Severe Disablement Allowance2,3

  292,000

  Income Support2,4

  610,000

  Proportion of all recipients with earnings from employment5,6

  7 per cent.

  Notes:

  1 Figures relate to 30 November 1997.

  2 Analytical Services Division : 5 per cent. sample data.

  3 Figures relate to 31 August 1997.

  4 Figures related to 31 May 1997.

  5 Analytical Services Division : 1995–96 Family Resources Survey.

  6 The figures are based on sample counts which have been adjusted for non response. They are subject to sampling error.

  7 Could be receiving more than one of the other benefits mentioned.

  Figures rounded to the nearest 1,000.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the average residual income of disability living allowance claimants would be if disability living allowance were removed. [27662]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is set out in the tables.
  626
  It is not possible to allow for any consequential effects on income related benefit entitlement. Information on net incomes excluding Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is shown in the tables, for income measures as used in Households Below Average Income statistics. These take the income of the households to which DLA recipients belong and adjusts for household size and composition; this gives "equivalised" incomes.

  Estimated average value in equivalent £ per week ofhousehold income going to DLA claimants with and without DLA, income before housing costs (BHC)

  Average value in £ per weekof income with benefit

  Average value in £ per weekof income without benefit

  Average equivalised value

  249

  203

  Corresponding cash values for Single person

  152

  124

  Couple no children

  249

  203

  Couple 2 children aged 3 and 6

  346

  282

  Estimated average value in equivalent £ per week of household income going to DLA claimants with and without DLA, income after housing costs (AHC)

  Average value in £ per week of income with benefit

  Average value in £ per week of income without benefit

  Average equivalised value

  218

  172

  Corresponding cash values for Single person

  120

  95

  Couple no children

  218

  172

  Couple 2 children aged 3 and 6

  303

  239

  Notes:

  1. By way of comparison average equivalised incomes for the whole population were £289 per week BHC and £250 per week AHC.

  2. Figures are rounded to the nearest pound and are in June 1997 prices. The measure of DLA used is combined measure of both the care and mobility elements.

  3. Average figures given show equivalent £ per week where income has been adjusted for household size and composition. The table also show the money values this average represents for different household types.

  4. This answer draws on the departments Households Below Average Income series based on the Family Resources Survey (FRS) for the 1995–96 financial year and covering Great Britain, and as such the following points should be noted:

  (i) Recipients in institutions are not covered by the Family Resources Survey.

  (ii) The FRS is a sample survey and all estimates must be treated as approximate.

  Source:

  Households Below Average Income.

  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what has been the change in the number of children claiming disability living allowance since 1983. [27099]

  Mr. Denham
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is set out in the table.
  627
  Disability Living Allowance was introduced in 1992. Any child in receipt of Attendance Allowance or Mobility Allowance on this date were transferred to this benefit.

  Children claiming Attendance Allowance, Mobility Allowance or Disability Living Allowance

  1983

  1997

  Children claiming benefit for care needs

  1,353,000

  2,4189,000

  Children claiming benefit for mobility needs

  5,617,000

  3,7107,100

  1 Analytical Services Division. Figures estimated from a 100 per cent. count of statistical records adjusted to reflect the extent to which they overstate the number of live cases. Figures rounded to nearest 100.

  2 Analytical Services Division: 5 per cent. data.

  3 Figures relate to people claiming attendance allowance at 31 March 1983.

  4 Figures relate to people claiming disability living allowance care component at 30 November 1997.

  5 All Figures relate to children 15 and under except for children claiming benefit for mobility needs where figures are based on 100 per cent. data relate to children aged 14 or under and exclude those with awards under the Vehicle Scheme Regulations of 1977.

  6 Figures relate to people claiming mobility allowance at 31 December 1983.

  7 Figures relate to people claiming disability living allowance mobility component at 30 November 1997.

  Figures do not sum as the same child may receive benefit for care and mobility needs.

  Mortgage Benefit
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the cost to the Exchequer of introducing a mortgage benefit scheme which treated low income homebuyers not on income support in the same way as low income renters are treated under the housing benefit system. [28018]

  Mr. Field
  A mortgage benefit for low income homebuyers not on Income Support or income based Jobseeker's Allowance would cost in the region of £750 million in 1997–98, if it was fully taken-up.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the cost in 1998–99 of paying the full mortgage interest costs of income support recipients from the first day of a claim. [28017]

  Mr. Field
  The cost of extending help with mortgage interest to all Income Support recipients from the first day of a claim is estimated to be £35 million in 1998–99.

  The estimated cost would be £70 million if income based Jobseeker's Allowance recipients were included.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the saving in public expenditure in(a) 1998–99, (b) 1999–2000 and (c) 2000–01 if income support assistance with mortgage interest costs were not available until (i) 12 months and (ii) 18 months, into an income support claim. [28016]
  628
  Mr. Field
  The information requested is set out in the table.

  Estimated savings in public expenditure from making income support and income-based jobseeker's allowance assistance with mortgage costs unavailable to any borrower until 12 or 18 months into a claim

  £ million

  Cash prices

  12 months

  18 months

  1998–99

  40

  40

  1999–00

  100

  155

  2000–01

  100

  170

  Notes:

  1. The measures apply to all claimants, including those exempt from the current nine month waiting period.

  2. There is no knock-on impact on Housing Benefit expenditure (for example as a result of increase re-possessions).

  3. All cases where the claim is received before April 1998 are treated under current rules.

  4. All figures rounded to the nearest five million.

  Brazilian Mahogany
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what amount of Brazilian mahogany has been(a) acquired and (b) specified by her Department in (i) 1996 and (ii) 1997; and for what purpose. [28383]

  Mr. Field
  This Department does not specify any mahogany or any other tropical hardwood in furniture specifications, and has not knowingly acquired any during 1996 and 1997.

  People With Brain Injuries
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what recent representations she has received from individuals and organisations concerning disability benefits for people suffering from brain injuries. [27951]

  Mr. Denham
  Several letters, which have been sent by individuals to their Members of Parliament, have been passed to Ministers. These have expressed concern over possible changes to benefits and taxation. They ask us to consider the particular problems of those with brain injuries and to consult fully with organisations representing disabled people.

  We have met, and will continue to meet, with people who are sick or disabled and their representatives. These meetings have been very useful in helping us in our considerations during our comprehensive review of spending.

  Attendance Allowance
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to reduce the waiting times for attendance allowance appeals before the Disability Appeals Service; and if she will make a statement. [27380]

  Mr. Field
  The operation of the appeals system is a matter for the Independent Tribunal Service.

  However, we are determined to reduce the current delays and complexity in the appeals system. The Social Security Bill, which paves the way for modernising the delivery of Social Security, including the handling of appeals, had its second reading in the House of Lords on 15 January. The Secretary of State will assume

  629
  responsibility for the administration of the appeals system. She will set and publish demanding targets for the administration of appeals, including attendance allowance appeals, and will report on the results.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average length of time an attendance allowance appeal is on the waiting list before being heard by the disability appeals service; what percentage of such appeals succeed; and what estimate she has made of(a) the regional variations in appeal waiting time and (b) the regional variations in appeal success rates. [27379]

  Mr. Field
  The operation of the appeals system is a matter for the Independent Tribunal Service who report that the information requested is not available in the format requested.

  Attendance Allowance appeals are heard by Disability Appeal Tribunals and, in July 1997, the average time from date of appeal to date of decision-issue in an appeal heard by a Disability Appeal Tribunal was 30 weeks. This is based on information provided by the Independent Tribunal Service.

  Industrial Injury Benefit
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people received industrial injury benefit; and what was the average amount received by each person(a) in Great Britain and (b) on the most disaggregated, regional level in the last year for which figures are available. [27375]

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

  Industrial injuries disablement benefit awards current at 5 April 1997 by Government office region

  Number

  Average weekly £ paid

  All regions

  262,283

  29.32

  North East

  24,007

  30.13

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  23,780

  30.13

  East Midlands

  18,483

  29.42

  East

  21,463

  28.41

  London

  32,053

  28.21

  South East

  3,100

  27.70

  South West

  14,146

  29.32

  West Midlands

  34,168

  28.81

  Merseyside

  33,378

  27.90

  North West

  7,242

  27.70

  Wales

  20,829

  31.75

  Scotland

  25,725

  30.03

  Overseas

  3,909

  32.96

  Note:

  Figures are based on a 10 per cent. sample of cases in payment as at 5 April 1997.

  Young Unemployed
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people aged 18 to 24 years are estimated to be neither in work, nor in education and training, nor in receipt of Job Seeker's Allowance; and how many of these receive other benefits. [27713]

  Mr. Field
  The information requested is not available.

  Computer Systems
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will list each major new computer system that(a) her Department, (b) non-departmental bodies and (c) agencies under her responsibility have purchased in the last five years; what was the initial purchase cost and what was the final cost; what was each system's (i) planned and (ii) actual date 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. [27845]

  Mr. Field
  This information requested can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  The Department makes extensive use of a range of computer systems to support the administration of Social Security and has been involved in a continuous programme over the past five years of developing and upgrading its major systems. These systems have been either developed "in house" or procured through contracts with the Private Sector. The Department is looking at opportunities to use new computer systems in support of its Modern Service Programme but no commitments have been made for the next financial year.

  Lone Parents
  Mr. Bradshaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many lone parents will be eligible for assistance under the New Deal in Exeter. [27656]

  Mr. Field
  The New Deal for Lone Parents is currently available in eight areas around the UK (not including Exeter).

  From April 1998, lone parents in Exeter who make a new claim for Income Support will be offered the opportunity to participate in the New Deal for Lone Parents, and from October, the service will be available to all lone parents who are in receipt of Income Support.

  Figures of how many lone parents in Exeter are expected to be eligible for the New Deal for Lone Parents are not available. However, the most recent figures available (November 1995) suggests that there were 2,0001lone parents in receipt of Income Support within the Exeter Local Authority District, whom 1,0001had a youngest child of school age. The New Deal for Lone Parents is primarily aimed at lone parents whose youngest child is at school. However, the service is also available for lone parents with pre-school children.

  1 Numbers rounded to the nearest thousand.

  Source:

  Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry, November 1995.

  Benefits Review
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what definition of needy is being used in the current benefits review. [27663]

  Mr. Field
  The Welfare State exists to prevent poverty where possible and relieve poverty where necessary. Many people need support because they are old or unable to work, and many need extra help because of a disability. We are committed to providing this support.
  631
  We also believe that work is the best form of welfare for people of working age. That is why we are committed to reforming the welfare system around the work ethic, to provide new opportunities to those whose greatest need is help and encouragement in returning to and staying in work.

  Maternity Pay
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to her answer of 23 January 1998,Official Report, column 737, if she will list the number of women receiving statutory maternity pay in the most convenient available bands showing the amount of maternity pay per week for the latest 12 months for which figures are available. [26268]

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

  Number of recipients of Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP), total amounts of SMP and average amounts of SMP by amount of theweekly earnings related portion of SMP for GB, 1995–96

  £

  Weekly amount of SMP (earnings related portion)

  Number in receipt of SMP(000s)1

  Total amount of SMPmillions2

  Average amount of SMP3

  under 100

  32

  31.8

  1,000

  100 to 199

  62

  94.2

  1,500

  200 to 299

  38

  79.7

  2,100

  300 to 399

  19

  50.9

  2,700

  400 to 499

  6

  20.4

  3,300

  500 to 599

  2

  7.4

  3,900

  600 and more

  3

  14.9

  5,100

  1 Rounded to the nearest thousand.

  2 Rounded to the nearest hundred thousand.

  3 Rounded to the nearest hundred.

  Note:

  The figures are based on an estimate of those whose whole period of SMP is within the 1995–96 tax year and excludes those whose claim straddles two tax years. The total number in receipt of SMP in that year was around 321,000.

  Source:

  The Lifetime Labour Market Database (LLMDB) a 1 per cent.sample of the National Insurance Recording System taken at February 1997.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what reduction in expenditure would have resulted from limiting the earnings-related element of statutory maternity pay to the weekly earnings level implied by the upper earnings limit for national insurance in the financial years 1995–96 and 1996–97; and how many claimants of statutory maternity pay would have had their payment limited in each year. [25001]

  Mr. Denham
  The latest available information is for the 1995–96 tax year. 11,000 recipients of Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) (in Great Britain) would have had their earnings related element of SMP reduced if there was a limit on the amount of SMP paid equivalent to the weekly upper earnings limit on which National Insurance contributions are payable. The estimated savings made by reducing their amount of SMP to the weekly upper earnings limit would have been £9.6 million in 1995–96.

  Industrial Disablement Benefit
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will specify by region(a) the number of
  632
  claimants of industrial disablement benefit and (b) the annual amount claimed by way of industrial disablement benefit. [26259]

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

  Current Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB)Assessments at 5 April 1997 and Estimated Expenditure for the Year 1996/97, by Government office Region

  Assessments

  £ million

  All assessments

  262,283

  661

  England

  All regions

  211,820

  534

  North East

  24,007

  61

  Yorks and Humber

  23,780

  60

  East Midlands

  18,483

  47

  East

  21,463

  54

  London

  32,053

  81

  South East

  3,100

  8

  South West

  14,146

  36

  West Midlands

  34,168

  86

  North West

  33,378

  84

  Merseyside

  7,242

  18

  Wales

  20,829

  52

  Scotland

  25,725

  65

  Overseas

  3,909

  10

  Invalid Care Allowance
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will assess the advantages of allowing invalid care allowance to be paid in addition to a state-funded pension. [23351]

  Mr. Denham
  It remains a basic principle of the Social Security system that only one benefit at a time can be paid to a person for income maintenance. Invalid Care Allowance (ICA) is designed to provide a measure of income maintenance during periods in which the claimant cannot work because of caring commitments. To pay in full in addition to another income maintenance benefit such as Retirement Pension, would be duplicating provision for the same need.

  When a person is eligible for more than one benefit at the same time however, there are safeguards to ensure that she does not lose financially. In practice, Retirement Pension (RP) is paid in full taking precedence because it is the contributory benefit. If RP is higher then ICA, as frequently happens, no ICA is payable. However, if ICA is higher, then the "extra" is used to top-up the RP to the ICA rate.

  Council Tax Benefit
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will list for each local authority the number of households in receipt of(a) any amount of council tax benefit and (b) council tax benefit covering 100 per cent. of council tax; and if she will give the figure in each case expressed as a proportion of the total number of households in each local authority. [24520]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  [holding answer 23 January 1998]: Information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is set out in

  633
  the table "Numbers of Council Tax Benefit Recipients in England, Wales and Scotland". Copies of the table have been placed in the Library.

  Most Council Tax Benefit recipients who are also in receipt of Income Support or income based Jobseeker's Allowance will, unless there are deductions for non dependants, be receiving Council Tax Benefit covering 100 per cent. of their council tax.

  Mortgage Payments
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment she has made of the impact on those who have taken out mortgage indemnity insurance and subsequently become unemployed of the recent court judgment that these mortgage payments constitute income which is to be set against benefits; and if she will amend the regulations to ensure that home owners are not discouraged from insuring their mortgage payments. [25412]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  Payments from mortgage payment protection policies are treated differently from payments from other creditor insurance on which subject Departmental officials and representatives of the insurance industry have recently held a number of meetings. Mortgage payment protection insurance used to pay the normal liabilities associated with a mortgage, such as capital, endowments and PEPs is generally ignored in the calculation of benefit. If payment is made direct to the lender, the full amount is ignored. If paid direct to the borrower, the amount of income taken into account in Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance is the excess after payments for housing costs and other related insurance liabilities are deducted. Where benefit includes an amount for mortgage interest (ISMI), the insurance income is taken into account up to the amount of ISMI payable. In Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefits, payments for building insurance and mortgage payment protection premiums are taken into account.

  All Social Security regulations are kept under review and the treatment of income from mortgage protection insurance is currently being considered as part of the Department of Environment Transport and Regions led Housing Review.

  Pensioner Incomes
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage and number of(a) single pensioners and (b) pensioner couples have (i) an income not including the state pension and (ii) an income not including any state benefits of at least (1) £125 per week and (2) £150 per week. [25301]

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

  Income of pensioner units not including the state pension

  £125 and over

  £150 and over

  Singles

  Number

  750,000

  550,000

  Percentage of singles

  17

  12

  Couples

  Number

  1,2000,000

  1,050,000

  Percentage of couples

  45

  38

  634

  Income of pensioner units not including any state benefits

  £125 and over

  £750 and over

  Singles

  Number

  600,00

  450,000

  Percentage of singles

  13

  11

  Couples

  Number

  1,050,000

  900,000

  Percentage of couples

  38

  33

  Notes:

  1. The information is based on gross unequivalised weekly income before housing costs at July 1995 prices. Reported incomes from the State pension and all benefits were subtracted to give the income distribution shown. The results are based on survey respondents' identification of different elements of benefit income, and therefore are subject to mis-reporting. It is not possible to distinguish between the different elements of the State pension on the Family Expenditure Survey. Therefore, the estimate of State pension income will include basic, SERPS and the graduated pension. As the estimates are based on survey respondents' identification of different elements of benefit income the estimates are subject to mis-reporting.

  2. The Pensioners' Income Series gives estimates for pensioner units. A pensioner unit is defined as a single person over State Pension Age (SPA) or a couple where the man, defined as the head, is over SPA.

  3. Numbers of pensioners units are rounded to the nearest 50,000 percentages to the nearest 1 per cent.

  Source:

  The Pensioners' Income Series 1995–96 based on the Family Expenditure Survey.

  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of(a) single pensioners, (b) pensioner couples and (c) all pensioner households were dependent on state benefits for at least 75 per cent. of their income in the latest year for which figures are available. [25119]

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

  Percentage of pensioner units dependent upon state benefits for at least 75 percent. of their income.

  Type of pensioner unit

  Percentage

  Single Pensioners

  55

  Pensioner Couples

  36

  All Pensioner Units

  48

  Notes:

  1. Estimates are based upon weekly gross income and reported benefit income in July 1995 prices.

  2. A pensioner unit is defined as a single person over State Pension Age (SPA) or a couple where the man, defined as the head, is over SPA. The estimates are based upon the income and benefits of the pensioner unit, and do not include the income of any other household members.

  Source:

  Pensioners's Income Series 1995–96.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the median income of(a) single pensioners, (b) married pensioners and (c) all pensioners who (i) had reached state pension age within the previous five years and (ii) were aged 75 years or above in each year since 1974; and how many pensioners were in each category. [29831]

  Mr. Denham
  This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
  635
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage and number of pensioner couples have (i) an income not including the state pension and (ii) an income not including any state benefits of at least(a) £250 per week and (b) £300 per week. [25302]

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

  Income of pensioner couples not including the state pension.

  £250 and over

  £300 and over

  Number

  550,000

  400,000

  Percentage of couples

  21

  16

  Income of pensioner couples not including any state benefits.

  £250 and over

  £300 and over

  Number

  500,000

  400,000

  Percentage of couples

  19

  14

  Notes:

  1. The information is based on gross unequivalised weekly income before housing costs and benefit income at July 1995 prices. Reported incomes from the State pension and all benefits were subtracted from gross income to give the income distribution shown. The results are based on survey respondents' identification of different elements of benefit income, and therefore are subject to misreporting.

  2. The Pensioners' Income Series gives estimates for pensioner units. A pensioner unit is defined as a single person over State Pension Age (SPA) or a couple where the man, defined as the head, is over SPA.

  3. Numbers of pensioner units are rounded to the nearest 50,000, percentages to the nearest 1 percent.

  Source:

  The Pensioners' Income Series 1995/6.

  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what(a) percentage and (b) number of (i) single pensioner and (ii) pensioner couples have a total income of at least (a) £125 per week and (b) £150 per week; and what percentage of pensioner couples have a total income of at least (1) £250 per week and (2) £300 per week in the latest year for which figures are available. [24808]

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

  Gross weekly income of pensioner units

  Status

  £125 and over

  £150 and over

  Singles

  Percentage of singles

  41

  27

  Number

  1.8 million

  1.2 million

  Couples

  Percentage of couples

  91

  79

  Number

  2.45 million

  2.1 million

  Gross weekly income of pensioner couples

  £250 and over

  £300 and over

  Percentage of couples

  36

  28

  Notes:

  1. The information in the table is based on gross unequivalised weekly income before housing costs at July 1995 prices.

  2. The Pensioners' Income Series gives estimates for pensioner units. A pensioner unit is defined as a single person over State Pension Age (SPA) or a couple where the man, defined as the head, is over SPA.

  3. Numbers of "pensioner units" are rounded to the nearest 50,000, percentages to the nearest 1 per cent.

  Source:

  The Pensioners' Income Series 1995–96.
  636
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list(a) the mean and (b) the median income for (i) single men aged 65 to 74 years, (ii) single men aged 75 years and over, (iii) single women aged 65 to 74 years, (iv) single women aged 75 years and over, (v) pensioner couples aged 65 to 74 years and (vi) pensioner couples aged 75 years and over for (a) 1979 in the prices for the latest year for which figures are available and (b) the latest year for which figures are available. [24811]

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

  Mean and median weekly income of pensioner units 1979 and 1995–96

  £

  1979

  1995–96

  Type of pensioner unit

  Median

  Mean

  Median

  Mean

  Single men aged 65–74

  86.40

  114.60

  129.10

  174.00

  Single men aged 75 and over

  76.20

  93.60

  117.10

  155.80

  Single women aged 65–74

  74.30

  84.60

  114.50

  134.00

  Single women aged 75 and over

  73.70

  81.90

  112.20

  142.90

  Couples head aged 65–74

  140.00

  186.10

  222.20

  298.10

  Couples head aged 75+

  114.80

  146.10

  179.00

  235.50

  Notes:

  1. The Pensioners' Income Series gives estimates for pensioner units. A pensioner unit is defined as a single person over State Pension Age (SPA) or a couple where the man, defined as the head, is over SPA.

  2. The averages are based on gross weekly income before housing costs. All amounts are £ per week in July 1995 prices, and are rounded to the nearest 10 pence.

  Source:

  The Pensioners' Income Series 1995–96.

  Interest Rate Calculation
  Barbara Follett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will estimate the effects of a change in the way the standard interest rate is calculated by including mortgage lenders which have converted to banks on(a) the level of the standard interest rate and (b) the cost to the Government. [24400]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The standard rate for mortgage interest payments for people on benefits would currently be 8.17 per cent. if mortgage rates of the largest banks, including building societies which have recently converted to banks, had been included equally with the main building society rates. This estimate is based on current averages of the largest building societies and banks basic mortgage rates. However, historically the gap between the mortgage rates of the two has been significantly smaller than at present and the rates might converge once again in the future. How the interest rates of banks and building societies move relative to each other in the future is, however, impossible to tell.

  Incapacity Benefit
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claimants of incapacity benefit would qualify for means-tested benefits if incapacity benefit were withdrawn. [27665]
  637
  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is set out in the table.

  Estimate of the additional number of people who would become entitled to the various income related benefits if incapacity benefit were withdrawn

  Benefit

  Numbers

  Income Support

  400,000

  Housing Benefit

  50,000

  Council Tax Benefit

  240,000

  Family Credit

  20,000

  Notes:

  1. Numbers based on caseload figures as at 31 August 1997 rounded to nearest 10,000.

  2. It is assumed that Incapacity Benefit recipients over State pension age would claim Retirement Pension. Some may incur a loss as Retirement Pension is taxable where in prescribed circumstances Incapacity Benefit is not. It is not, however, possible to estimate the proportion of this group which might claim income related benefits with any accuracy.

  3. Figures in the right hand column cannot be summed as one claimant may be entitled to a number of different benefits.

  Source:

  Family Resources Survey and DSS.

  Disability Benefits
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to her answer of 26 January 1998,Official Report, column 707, on disability benefits, if she will list the benefits which (a) have been reviewed and (b) are still subject to review. [27281]

  Mr. Denham
  Our Comprehensive Spending Review covers all Social Security benefits paid on account of incapacity for work, disability and caring. The review is on-going.

  Pensions Statistics
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many United Kingdom citizens(a) own personal pensions and (b) are members of occupational pension schemes, broken down according to (i) sex, (ii) age groups 21 to 30, 31 to 40, 41 to 50 and 51 to 60 years, (iii) marital status, (iv) employment in the categories (1) working full-time, (2) part-time, (3) housewife, (4) unemployed, (v) number of dependent children aged 0 to 4, 5 to 10 and 11 to 16 years and (6) socio-economic group; and what estimates she has made of how these figures will change in the future. [27317]

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

  millions

  Occupational pension

  Personal pension

  (i)

  Men

  5.8

  4.5

  Women

  4.3

  2.3

  (ii)

  21 to 30

  2.0

  1.5

  31 to 40

  3.1

  2.0

  41 to 50

  3.0

  1.8

  51 to 60

  1.7

  1.1

  638

  millions

  Occupational pension

  Personal pension

  (iii)

  Married or cohabiting

  7.8

  5.3

  Not married or cohabiting

  2.3

  1.4

  (iv)

  Full-time employees

  8.9

  4.0

  Part-time employees

  1.2

  0.6

  Homemakers

  n/a

  0.1

  Unemployed

  n/a

  1—

  (v)

  At least one child aged between 0and4

  1.6

  1.2

  Children all aged between 5 and 15

  2.3

  1.4

  (vi)

  Professional/managerial

  3.2

  2.3

  Other non-manual

  4.4

  2.0

  Skilled manual

  1.6

  1.1

  Semi-skilled manual

  1.0

  0.5

  Unskilled manual

  0.2

  0.2

  1Represents less than 0.1 million.

  Notes:

  1. All figures have been rounded to the nearest 0.1 million.

  2. The figures are based on information from the 1995 General Household Survey (GHS). The 1995 survey is the latest for which data is available.

  3. All figures refer to Great Britain.

  4. The figures refer to people who belong to their present employer's occupational pension scheme, or who currently have a personal pension.

  5. Proportions estimated from the 1995 GHS have been applied to Office of National Statistics (ONS) total population estimates for mid-year in 1995 in order to give an indication of the likely number of people in each category. In doing this, it is assumed that the respondents are representative of the overall population of Great Britain. The figures may not be representative in all aspects and so should be treated with caution.

  6. The General Household Survey does not include citizens currently living in institutions such as prisons, hospitals and university halls of residence.

  7. Data is only available for both male and female homemakers combined rather than just housewives.

  8. The data for full-time and part-time workers who have accrued personal pension benefit entitlements excludes self-employed people.

  9. Data giving the number of dependent children in the 0 to 4, 5 to 10 and 11 to 16 age groups that respondents had was not available. Figures are shown by whether the respondents had at least one child aged between 0 and 4 or all their children aged between 5 and 15.

  10. No estimates have been made of how these figures will change in the future.

  IT Equipment
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much in total has been spent by(a) her Department's agencies and (b) centrally on (i) the Smartcard payment system, (ii) on-line data and information systems in standard and cash prices in the financial years (1) 1994–95, (2) 1995–96 and (3) 1996–97; and how much is proposed to be spent in the current and two succeeding financial years. [26943]

  Mr. Denham
  The Department does not have a Smartcard payments system. The Benefits Agency is involved with Post Office Counters Ltd in a project to introduce a magnetic stripe Payment Card which will eventually replace order books and girocheques. This is
  639
  being taken forward as a Private Finance Initiative and the cost of developing and managing the new Payment Card Service is borne by the supplier.

  The cost to the Benefits Agency of administrating the project is set out in table 1. These prices could change if current planning assumptions for the introduction of the Payment Card are varied. The cost of developing the Benefits Agency systems to support the new payment method is included in the total Departmental spend on its data and information systems set out in table 2.

  Table 1

  £ million

  Year

  Cash prices

  Adjusted

  1994–95

  1.03

  1.12

  1995–96

  3.56

  3.76

  1996–97

  20.76

  21.32

  1997–98

  29.38

  29.38

  1998–99

  34.25

  32.56

  1999–00

  31.29

  29.00

  The total amount spent by the Department and its Agencies on its data and information systems in the years 1994–95, 1995–96 and 1996–97 is set out in the table in cash terms and adjusted to 1997–98 prices. An estimate for 1997–98 expenditure is included but plans for 1998–99 and 1999–2000 are yet to be finalised.

  Table 2

  £ million

  DSS agencies

  DSS HQ

  Year

  Cash prices

  Adjusted

  Cash prices

  Adjusted

  1994–95

  307.015

  332.949

  6.128

  6.646

  1995–96

  303.526

  320.356

  3.740

  3.947

  1996–97

  284.789

  292.478

  3.042

  3.124

  1997–98

  279.202 (forecast)

  4.094 (forecast)

  Benefit Integrity Project
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will ensure that statistics relating to the Benefit Integrity Project distinguish between(a) reviews of life awards and (b) renewal claims of disability living allowance. [29691]

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

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

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. David Rendel, dated 16 February 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question, concerning if she will ensure that statistics relating to the Benefit Integrity Project (BIP) distinguish between (a) reviews of life awards and (b) renewal claims of Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
  640
  The BIP is looking again at designated DLA beneficiaries' current care and mobility needs. Information is collected through a programme of visits and postal enquiries. Selection of customers who will receive either a visit or a postal enquiry will be done monthly, on a random basis, by computer scan. The customers involved will be those with awards of the higher rate of the mobility component combined with either the highest or the middle rate of the care component. During the period covered by BIP, some restricted awards in the above categories will expire and fall due for renewal.
  Statistics are available for renewal, postal and visit enquiries. We do not distinguish between life awards and restricted awards and there are no current plans to do so.
  Information about the BIP is placed in the House of Commons Library each month.
  I hope you find the reply helpful.

  Benefit Fraud
  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many calls have been received on the benefit fraud hot line in each month since it was established. [29719]

  Mr. Denham
  Tackling fraud and abuse is a top priority for the Government.

  Questions on Benefit Agency operational matters are the responsibility of the Chief Executive, Peter Mathison. He will write to the right hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Peter Lilley, dated 16 February 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about how many calls have been received on the benefit fraud hot line in each month since it was established.
  Since its launch on 5 August 1996 to the end of January 1998, the National Benefit Fraud Hotline has received 359,684 calls. The monthly breakdown from August 1996 to January 1998 inclusive is shown in the attached annex.
  Future opportunity for publicity is currently under consideration.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  National benefit fraud hotline monthly breakdown of calls received

  Month/Year

  Period of calls (weeks)

  Number of calls received

  August 1996

  4

  41,826

  September 1996

  5

  32,633

  October 1996

  4

  22,360

  November 1996

  4

  21,805

  December 1996

  4

  14,139

  January 1997

  4

  15,831

  February 1997

  4

  27,075

  March 1997

  5

  31,185

  April 1997

  4

  18,680

  May 1997

  4

  15,072

  June 1997

  4

  16,272

  July 1997

  5

  18,808

  August 1997

  4

  14,755

  September 1997

  4

  12,362

  October 1997

  5

  17,076

  November 1997

  4

  11,770

  December 1997

  4

  8,970

  January 1998

  5

  19,065

  Total

  359,684

  Note:

  Figures are provisional and subject to change.
  641
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will estimate the number of people who are(a) claiming benefits fraudulently and (b) not claiming benefits to which they are entitled in (i) Great Britain and (ii) Scotland. [26091]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 3 February 1998]: The estimate of the number of people claiming fraudulently is informed by an extrapolation from the results of a series of benefit reviews. The Benefit Review programme which

  Benefit

  % of confirmedfraud or strongsusplcion of fraudfoundwithin the casesexamined

  Year of Benefit Review

  Numbers claimingbenefit at a point inthat year(thousands)

  Estimated numberof peoplecommitting fraud atthe dateof review. Based onrandomsample of claims(thousands)

  Income Support

  11.1

  1996–97

  5,553

  620

  Housing Benefit

  6.3

  1995–96

  4,784

  300

  Disability Living Allowance

  12.2

  1995–96

  1,688

  210

  Invalid Care Allowance

  6.5

  1995–96

  325

  21

  Retirement Pension

  less than 0.013

  1995–96

  10,304

  less than 13

  Unemployment Benefit

  7.8

  1994–95

  470

  37

  An additional indicator is the number of successful investigations. These are cases where, following a fraud investigation, one or a combination of the following conclusions occurs: benefit is reduced or stopped, an overpayment is calculated or a prosecution instigated. During 1996–97, 524,966 successful fraud investigations into claims administered by the Benefits Agency were carried out in Great Britain, of which 58,891 refer to investigations within Scotland.

  Not all successful investigations result in a prosecution. The Benefits Agency prosecutes only the more serious cases of benefit fraud to act as a deterrent. Local authorities are responsible for the administration of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. The total number of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit cases where fraud was established and a weekly benefit saving claimed for the year 1996–97 in Great Britain was 190,000, of these, 12,000 were in Scotland.
  642
  commenced in 1994 is looking at the extent of fraud and incorrectness in all major benefits. The benefit reviews were conducted under the previous administration and the definition of fraud used to produce results is currently being evaluated. All the figures presented are consistent with the results of the benefit reviews. The results should not be added together as some people will be committing fraud on several benefits and the reviews all refer to different periods. All the figures refer to Great Britain, separate estimates for Scotland are not available.

  Successful investigations cannot be added to the results of the reviews to inform a total figure. The reviews are a snapshot of the level of fraud at the time the review was carried out, and these estimates can change.

  The total number of people not claiming Income Related Benefits in 1995–96, were estimated to be between 2.9 and 4.5 million in Great Britain, and between 250,000 and 400,000 in Scotland. Estimates for other benefits are not available.

  Notes:

  1. Income Related Benefits refer to Income Support, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and Family Credit. All estimates exclude the self-employed as their entitlement to income-related benefits cannot be readily established from survey data.

  2. The estimate for Scotland should be regarded as indicative only, as it is based on modest sample sizes.

  Source:

  Family Resources Survey.

  Depleted Uranium Ammunition
  Lord Renfrew of Kaimsthorn
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Further to the Written Answers by the Lord Gilbert on 12 January (WA151–2), what specific circumstances prevented the acquisition of sufficient information to answer the question set down on 11 December 1997 by the Countess of Mar on the incident at St. George's Lines, Camp Doha, in 1991, and on related questions pertaining to depleted uranium; and whether they will publish their answers in Hansard without delay, as well as placing them in the Library of the House. [HL172]

  The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Gilbert)
  In order to answer the seven related questions concerning depleted uranium to which the noble Lord refers, it has been necessary to establish the position in 1990–91 on a number of matters. This required the location of relevant contemporary documentation and also some of the personnel who were involved at the time. This work could not be completed within the timescale in which questions are normally answered. However, I have now written to the noble Countess answering all but one of the questions. A copy of this letter is attached and a copy will also be placed in the Library of the House.

  Following is the letter referred to:

  "Shortly before Christmas, you tabled a number of Parliamentary Questions concerning the use of Depleted Uranium, DU, ammunition in the Gulf. In particular, you sought information on training aids for personnel who deployed to the Gulf, safety instructions issued to military and civilian staff responsible for transporting, handling and using DU ammunition, and any risk assessment or research which has been carried out into the possible effects of exposure to DU. You also asked when the Ministry of Defence applied to the Health and Safety Executive for guidance on the use of DU and whether MOD will place in the Library of the House a copy of the 1991 report by the UK Atomic Energy Authority on the effects of DU fragments left in Southern Iraq. In addition, you asked a number of questions concerning the fire which occurred at Camp Doha near Kuwait City on 11 July 1991. I apologise for not responding earlier, but it has taken some time to obtain the necessary information to enable me properly to answer your questions.

  DU hazards

  Before I answer your specific questions, I thought it might be useful if I set out the Government's current position on the suggested link between the use of DU rounds during the Gulf War and the illnesses being experienced by some Gulf veterans. Two types of potential hazard are posed by DU: a radiation hazard,
  WA18
  although DU is a low specific activity material as defined by the International Atomic Energy Agency, and a chemical toxicity hazard, which is similar to that posed by other heavy metals, such as lead. DU has the potential to cause adverse health effects if ingested; inhaled, for example from DU dust in the vicinity of a target, such as a tank which has been hit by the DU round; or absorbed, for example from embedded DU shrapnel. There is however so far no evidence to suggest that there is a link between the use of DU rounds in the Gulf and Gulf veterans' illnesses.

  UK DU tank ammunition used in the Gulf

  Tank ammunition with a DU core was used by both British and US troops during the Gulf War. DU-based tank ammunition was brought into service by MOD because of its unique capability as a kinetic penetrator against the most modern types of armour.

  Prior to the Gulf War, the CHARM 1 round based on DU was being developed for use by the new Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank, also then under development, together with a more powerful gun. At the time of Operation GRANBY, it was, however, realised that the existing tungsten-based round in use with the Challenger 1 tank, which was the Main Battle Tank used by UK forces during the Gulf conflict, might not be sufficiently powerful to defeat the most modern Iraqi tanks, the Soviet designed T72s. It was, therefore, decided that MOD should proceed with the emergency development of a DU round for Challenger 1. The CHARM 1 DU round needed only minor modifications to fit the existing 120mm rifled-barrel L11 gun on Challenger 1, but a totally new charge needed to be developed. The new charge and slightly modified DU round were known at the time of the Gulf War as Jericho I and II respectively.

  In the mid-1980s, radiation dose rates were measured around Ammunition Container Assemblies, ACAs, containing DU ammunition, and at strategic points in and around a Chieftain tank loaded with DU rounds. These measurements, which were carried out by the Atomic Weapons Establishment, AWE, at Aldermaston, showed that there is no significant external radiation hazard to personnel working around ACAs and that tank crews would be unlikely to receive a radiation dose greater than the present National statutory dose limit in all reasonably foreseeable circumstances. These results were confirmed as being applicable to Challenger 1 tanks during a further trial held in November 1990 by AWE at Royal Ordnance Chorley. The new round was, therefore, deployed to the Gulf and issued just before the start of Coalition operations against Iraq. Our current assessment is that 88 DU tank rounds were fired by UK forces during hostilities with Iraq. Additional DU rounds had been fired earlier during work-up training to establish the round's Mean Point of Impact, MPI. After the Gulf War, the unfired CHARM 1 DU rounds were placed in ACAs and returned to the UK, where they remain in storage.

  When the decision was taken to bring the CHARM I DU round into service for the Gulf, an RAOC Technical Ammunition Bulletin, TAB, was produced, which set out the safety procedures for those, such as Ammunition

  WA19
  Technicians, who were involved in its handling, transportation and storage. It was subsequently believed within MOD that the contents of this TAB had also been communicated to all those who might come into contact with DU ammunition, although it was not drafted for this purpose. However, it was discovered in 1993 that only certain groups had been given this advice. We believe that the TAB was issued to personnel involved in explosive ordnance disposal, whose work entailed a direct risk of significant exposure, and to Ordnance Corps personnel involved in the transportation and storage of the ammunition, but it appears that it was not seen by tank crews. This TAB has now been declassified and I attach a copy for your information, a copy of which I will also place in the Library of the House. The TAB in question refers to a second, more highly classified, TAB which gave the specifications of the DU round. The current version of that second TAB remains a classified document.

  Training aids for the Gulf

  The DU-based tank round used by UK troops in the Gulf conflict is almost identical in size and shape to the tungsten-based round which was already in use with Challenger 1. It was thought, therefore, that no specific training aid for the new DU round was considered to be necessary.

  Current DU tank ammunition

  The tank ammunition training rounds currently in use in the British Army do not contain DU, as DU tank rounds are not used during peacetime training. The new operational round for Challenger 2, known as CHARM 3, which is due to enter service in 1999, will contain a DU core. No satisfactory alternative material currently exists to achieve the levels of penetration required to defeat modern Main Battle Tanks. Although research is being conducted into alternative materials, none has so far demonstrated significant potential. The CHARM 3 DU round will not be used during peacetime training. A surrogate non-DU round with a restricted range and considerably decreased penetrative capability, to be known as the CHARM 3 Training Round, C3TR, is being developed for this purpose, although the procurement programme to provide this round has yet to be endorsed.

  Use of DU ammunition by the Royal Navy

  At the time of the Gulf War, the Royal Navy was equipped with 20mm ammunition containing DU for its Vulcan Phalanx close-in-weapon-system. This ammunition was not used in the Gulf, apart from some rounds fired for proving purposes.

  Safety instructions for the use of this ammunition were, at the time of the Gulf War, covered in a Chief Inspector Naval Ordnance, CINO, Formal Safety Statement issued on 18 November 1988 and subsequently updated on 3 May 1990. This document was widely circulated among the ammunition handling authorities and also to the Weapon Engineering Training School at HMS Collingwood, where all ships' maintainers of Phalanx are trained. Since the Gulf conflict, this document has been reissued on a further three occasions. A Defence Council Instruction, DCI,
  WA20
  entitled Radiological and Toxicity Hazards associated with Phalanx DU ammunition was also in existence before the start of Coalition operations against Iraq. The CINO Safety Statement and the DCI are classified documents. No formal instructions were issued to ships in the Gulf as the training provided to ships' maintainers at HMS Collingwood was deemed to be sufficient.

  Safety instructions

  General instructions and guidance concerning DU ammunition are published by the Explosives Storage and Transport Committee, ESTC, of the Ministry of Defence in the form of Prescriptions and Guidance Notes. ESTC is an inter-departmental body which provides a mechanism through which the Secretary of State for Defence meets his obligation to ensure that MOD ammunition and explosives are stored and transported safely when in the charge of the MOD. ESTC Guidance Note No. 1 covers the storage and transport of DU munitions, including the properties of DU, radiological protection, accident consequences, and fire fighting and post-accident recovery. Guidance Note No. 5 covers contingency planning for accidents/incidents involving DU ammunition. Individual munition-specific Prescriptions, including Prescription No. 4 for the 120mm DU tank round, are also published centrally in MOD and cover the legal and safety aspects of storage and transport. The classification of the three documents referred to above is currently under review.

  The ESTC publications are distributed to, amongst others, the three Services, the Procurement Executive and the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency, DERA. They may be adopted directly by the individual Services and departments or, if appropriate, interpreted, along with safety advice provided by the Ordnance Board, in Single Service Explosives Regulations; for example, the Army's Ammunition and Explosives Regulations which cover the identification, health hazards, precautionary measures and safe procedures for the disposal of DU ammunition.

  Consultation with HSE

  As far as MOD officials are aware, the Ministry of Defence has not formally applied to the Health and Safety Executive, HSE, for official recommendations, guidance or usage procedures in the storage and transportation of DU ammunition. However, HSE are consulted on these aspects through their membership of ESTC. The MOD instructions and guidance do, of course, take into account all relevant legislation.

  DU exposures

  The Government are not aware of any UK Service personnel who sustained shrapnel injuries from DU ammunition. A very small number of British troops, who expressed concern that they might have inhaled DU dust during training in the Gulf before the start of hostilities, were nevertheless subject to Whole Body Monitoring on 8 February 1991 by the Defence Radiological Protection Services, DRPS, at the Institute of Naval Medicine. They showed no detectable DU contamination. Whole Body Monitoring involves monitoring an individual with an array of sensitive

  WA21
  radiation detectors placed around the body and is a widely used and well established technique. None of those veterans who have so far been examined by the Medical Assessment Programme, MAP, has displayed symptoms consistent with exposure to DU. A report published in 1993 by the DRPS, a copy of which has already been placed in the Library of the House, concluded that there was no indication that any British troops had been subjected to harmful over-exposure to DU during the Gulf War.

  Research

  No specific research is being conducted in the UK into the effect of exposure to depleted uranium and contaminated debris on military personnel who served in the Gulf. However, the US Government is conducting research to investigate the long-term health effects and toxicity of DU, including potential reproductive and carcinogenic effects. In addition, the US Department of Veterans Affairs is studying the effects of uranium absorption and low-dose uranium exposure in its continuing follow-up of US veterans with DU shrapnel wounds. The teams conducting epidemiological studies into the health of UK Gulf veterans and their families are, though, aware that DU is one of many possible exposures in the Gulf which have been put forward as a potential cause of Gulf-related illnesses and will be taking this into account in their studies. The Government are not aware of any research currently being conducted on Iraqi civilians who may have come into contact with DU after the Gulf War, nor are we aware of any which is planned.

  Risk assessments

  Qualitative and quantitative risk assessments of possible DU contamination of British troops have been carried out since the Gulf War and the results of these are summarised in the DRPS report which I have already mentioned. Precise details of these assessments, which give details of the specification and performance of the DU tank round, remain classified, as this information could be of use to potential aggressors. I am, therefore, withholding them under exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  AEA paper

  In one of your written questions, and during Oral Questions on 22 January, you refer to a report of August 1991 by the UK Atomic Energy Authority, AEA, on the effects of DU ammunition fragments left in Southern Iraq after the Gulf War. I will reply shortly on this issue.

  Camp Doha

  Turning to your question concerning the fire at Camp Doha in Kuwait on 11 July 1991, contemporary departmental records indicate that the 14th/20th King's Hussars, the 3rd Battalion the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and the Queen's Royal Irish Hussars had left the Gulf region by mid-April 1991. However, approximately 250 personnel, mainly from the 2nd Battalion the Royal Anglian Regiment and Headquarters British Forces Middle East, were present at Camp Doha when the fire occurred, as the HQ for the
  WA22
  UK forces that remained in Kuwait, known as St. George's Lines, was inside the camp.

  The fire broke out in a US motor pool in the North Compound of Camp Doha on 11 July and resulted in the destruction of a large number of US vehicles and injuries, some serious, to approximately 50 US personnel. There is no mention in surviving contemporary UK records of any UK personnel suffering from DU shrapnel wounds or illness caused by exposure to DU as a result of this fire, although a small number of UK personnel were reported to have suffered superficial injuries, mostly from flying glass. There were no fatalities, either US or British.

  When the fire broke out, the British contingent, with the exception of the Guard Reaction Party and a Signals detachment, who were located at the Camp's main gate, were immediately evacuated and later accommodated on RFA Sir Galahad and at a nearby camp. On the following day, 21 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Squadron began to clear bomblets and unexploded ordnance from the British section of Camp Doha. During this clearance operation, which was completed a few days later, a further British soldier was injured by a live artillery bomblet, which did not contain DU. Once the British section of the camp was safe from the threat posed by unexploded ordnance, the UK contingent returned to collect their vehicles, equipment, stores and personal belongings and cleaned up the British section, as far as this was possible before handing over the site to the US Army. All UK personnel were clear of the camp by 17 July 1991.

  No specific regime is in place to monitor those UK personnel who were present at the time of the fire or during the subsequent clearance operation for possible delayed effects of exposure to DU. However, like all Gulf veterans, any of those present at Camp Doha on 11 July who are concerned about their health as a result of their service in the Gulf, can seek a referral to the MAP, a process with which you are familiar.

  The US Department of Defense is currently investigating this incident, along with other DU-related matters, and plans to publish its findings in a detailed "case narrative" on DU later this year.

  A copy of this letter will be placed in the Library of the House, and will be published in Hansard in response to Lord Renfrew of Kaimsthorn's question."

  Courts-martial: Membership
  Lord Gregson
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What proposals they have made to allow senior non-commissioned officers to serve on courts martial. [HL658]

  Lord Gilbert
  The issue of membership of courts-martial was considered by the Select Committee on the Armed Forces Bill in 1996, although no firm proposals for change were made. I am pleased to announce that, following an extensive internal review initiated by the previous Administration, we have accepted the recommendation that membership of courts-martial be extended to warrant officers. This
  WA23
  enhancement will make available to courts-martial the additional experience and judgment of warrant officers.

  I welcome this recommendation as further evidence of the Services' willingness to embrace change while safeguarding the system of military justice which is essential to their effectiveness.

  This change will require primary legislation and it is envisaged that the relevant amendments will be included in the 2001 Armed Forces Act. A decision in principle now will allow any necessary preparation and training to be set in hand by the Services.

  Lord Chancellor's Residence: Refurbishment
  Lord Aberdare
  asked the Chairman of Committees:

  Whether he will clarify the position on refurbishment of the Lord Chancellor's Residence.[HL634]

  The Chairman of Committees (Lord Boston of Faversham)
  The process by which decisions on works in the House of Lords are taken is as follows:

  1. The Administration and Works Sub-Committee considers and approves proposals based on estimates prepared by the Parliamentary Works Directorate.

  2. The Finance and Staff Sub-Committee approves the necessary expenditure.

  3. The House of Lords Offices Committee considers the recommendations of its two Sub-Committees and reports to the House.

  4. The House debates and agrees to the Offices Committee's report.

  Membership of the Sub-Committees consists of senior members from all parts of the House. Backbenchers have a majority of members on the Offices Committee.

  Following the general election, the Lord Chancellor's Permanent Secretary, Sir Thomas Legg, advised the Lord Chancellor that it would be in the interests of the office for him to reside in the Residence as his predecessors had done. Black Rod, as Agent of the Administration and Works Sub-Committee, put forward proposals, on behalf of the Lord Chancellor, for a comprehensive restoration prepared by the Parliamentary Works Directorate. The Sub-Committee, aware of work carried out on the Speaker's rooms in the House of Commons, agreed that the Lord Chancellor's Residence should be restored to a similar standard.

  The Administration and Works Sub-Committee approved these proposals on 8 July 1997. The sub-committee recommended that the work, to a total of £650,000, should be carried out as a single project, rather than staged over two years. This proposal was subsequently approved by the Finance and Staff Sub-Committee on 16 July and endorsed by the Offices Committee on 22 July. The House itself
  WA24
  approved the Offices Committee report on 30 July 1997 (Hansard, col. 181).

  The Palace of Westminster is a Grade I listed building. Repairs and refurbishments are carried out to standards which are in keeping with the listed status of the House and in accordance with the needs of a Speaker's Residence. The decoration has to reflect the original schemes designed by Barry and Pugin.

  The refurbishment of the Residence was not part of the 10-year programme of works for the Palace of Westminster prior to the general election and was not included in the works estimate for the current financial year. It has however proved possible to accommodate that part of the expenditure which will fall for payment in 1997–98 (£350,000) from within the estimate and without the need to seek a supplementary estimate. This is in part due to savings in the works estimate arising from the Dissolution of Parliament in 1997 (when the House did not sit for several weeks). Consequent upon the decisions of the Committee referred to above, the work has now become part of the 10-year rolling programme.

  A Parliamentary Answer on 19 November 1997 gave details of contracts which had been placed amounting to £333,784. Since then the following contracts have been let:

  £

  Soft furnishing

  51,000

  Carpets

  21,000

  Furniture

  96,000

  Ceramic tiles

  5,000

  Blinds

  5,000

  Domestic equipment and tableware

  11,000

  Total

  189,000

  There have been inaccuracies in recent press reports on the likely cost of this work which is taking place. Carpets, orders for which have been completed, cost £34 per square yard and not £100 as quoted in the press. Similarly, fabric for curtains is being supplied at £60 per square yard and not £200 as reported. The dining table, which will seat 16, and not 10 as reported, will cost £9,640, not £25,000 as reported.

  The contracts placed for these works are standard parliamentary contracts and have been in use since 1990. No special arrangements have been made for the Residence. Clauses relating to the Official Secrets Act relate to the possibility that contractors may have access to official information of a confidential and sensitive nature.

  Details of contracts are regarded as commercial-in-confidence and contractors who work with the Palace of Westminster are not expected to comment to the press or other similar bodies without prior approval. This is normal commercial practice and has nothing to do with the Official Secrets Acts.

  NATO Enlargement: Cost to UK
  Lord Judd
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  When they last estimated the additional cost to the United Kingdom of NATO enlargement and what this cost is now estimated to be. [HL549]

  The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean)
  NATO Defence Ministers agreed last December, based on detailed analysis by NATO, that the cost to NATO budgets of admitting Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic would be some US$ 1.5 billion over 10 years. It is estimated that the UK's share will be £110 million.

  Mr. Yasser Al-Sayegh
  Lord Avebury
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether they accept that Mr. Yasser Al-Sayegh no longer holds dual British and Bahraini citizenship, and that since he is now solely a British citizen, the Government has the power to take up his claim for damages in respect of wrongful imprisonment and ill-treatment. [HL492]

  Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean
  Mr. Yasser Al-Sayegh held dual Bahraini and British nationality at the time of the incidents which took place in Bahrain. We have no reason to believe his Bahraini nationality has subsequently been removed. As such, the Bahraini authorities could properly say that we have no legal standing to espouse a formal claim on his behalf.

  Lord Avebury
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether, in accordance with their policy of assisting unemployed people back to work, they will assist Mr. Yasser Al-Sayegh to pursue his claim for wrongful dismissal by the Housing Bank of Bahrain. [HL493]

  Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean
  Mr. Al-Sayegh's claim for wrongful dismissal arises from a civil dispute between him and his former employer and we have no standing to intervene.

  Iraq
  Lord Avebury
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether they will publish the text of any Article of any Resolution of the United Nations Security Council which authorises the use of military force if the Government of Iraq refuses to comply with the requirements of the Security Council concerning the elimination of weapons of mass destruction or fails to co-operate with United Nations inspectors appointed to oversee that process. [HL543]

  Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean
  The requirements on Iraq to destroy its weapons of mass destruction under international supervision are part of the conditions laid down by the Security Council for the WA26
  ceasefire established at the end of the Gulf conflict in SCR 687. The text is a matter of public record.

  The Security Council has the question of Iraq's compliance under active consideration and I cannot speculate on further decisions by the Council as the crisis develops.

  The Rural Population and Government Policy
  Lord Patten
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether they will list those of their policies that work to the benefit of people living and working in the countryside. [HL479]

  The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (Baroness Hayman)
  A broad range of government policies benefit people living and working in the countryside. We are making sure that we build the rural dimension into our programmes where relevant and tailor them as necessary to address the distinctive needs of rural areas.

  Examples of policies which will benefit people in rural areas range from the Government's plans to create Regional Development Agencies which will bring a new strategic focus to regional economic development and help to tackle the problems of rural regeneration; the New Deal programme which will be sensitive to the needs of young unemployed people in rural areas; and the recently announced Village Shop Rate Relief scheme, designed to help protect an important rural service.

  Diabetic Drivers
  Lord Alderdice
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether they have received any representations from the British Diabetic Association or other bodies in respect of the adverse effects on insulin-dependent diabetic drivers of the provisions of European Union Directive 91/439. [HL557]

  Baroness Hayman
  The Government have received written representations from a number of bodies, including the British Diabetic Association (BDA), about the effect of implementation of Directive 91/439 on insulin-treated diabetic drivers. I met representatives of the BDA on 12 February to discuss their concerns.

  Lord Alderdice
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What new scientific evidence supports the restrictions on insulin-dependent drivers introduced by European Union Directive 91/439. [HL556]

  Baroness Hayman
  Evidence of the dangers of driving by insulin-treated diabetics predates Directive 91/439 and has led to the introduction of restrictions on such driving in many countries, reflecting international medical opinion. At the EU level, restrictions on the driving of heavier and larger vehicles were required by the First Driving Licence Directive, adopted in 1980. The further harmonisation under Directive 91/439
  WA27
  requires that drivers of 3.5–7.5 tonne lorries and minibuses with 9–16 seats should also have to meet the more stringent health standards.

  Lord Alderdice
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether they will seek to amend European Directive 91/439 in order to ensure that insulin-dependent diabetic drivers are individually assessed rather than treated as a homogeneous group. [HL558]

  Baroness Hayman
  The directive requires that licences to drive Group 2 Vehicles are not granted or renewed to insulin-treated diabetics other than in very exceptional cases. Any change to that requirement would be for the European Commission to propose. The Government are implementing the directive in accordance with advice received from the Secretary of State's Advisory Panel on Diabetes and Driving.

  Vehicle Registration Documents: Harmonisation
  Lord Brougham and Vaux
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether they will support the proposals relating to the harmonisation of vehicle registration documents in the European draft directive on registration documents for motor vehicles and their trailers. [HL562]

  Baroness Hayman
  The Government support the proposed directive, which we believe to be a useful and practical measure to help enforcement authorities across the Community combat vehicle crime. In particular, we welcome the encouragement which the directive gives to the electronic exchange of vehicle registration information, as a means to combat the illegal transfer of vehicles between member states.

  Speed Limits
  Viscount Exmouth
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether they intend to reduce 30 mph speed limits to 20 mph; and if so:

  (a) which motoring groups and other groups have been consulted;

  (b) which of these have offered support for the proposed reduction in speed limit;

  (c) when the new limit will be introduced;

  (d) whether the reduction will be nationwide; and

  (e) who will cover the cost of amending the necessary road signs. [HL564]

  Baroness Hayman
  The Government have no present plans to reduce the national 30 mph urban speed limit to 20 mph. We intend to propose amending existing legislation in order to make it easier for local highway authorities to make 20 mph speed limits in particular WA28
  cases and will consult interested groups and organisations in due course. The costs of installing the present 20 mph zones have been far outweighed by the benefits in casualty savings.

  Thorne and Hatfield Moors
  Lord Beaumont of Whitley
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What action they propose to take to implement the advice of English Nature to stop the extraction of peat in the Thorne and Hatfield Moors. [HL495]

  Baroness Hayman
  The Government are not aware of any advice from English Nature that the extraction of peat at Thorne and Hatfield Moors should be stopped.

  Rural Policy: Institutional Framework
  Lord Beaumont of Whitley
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether they will hold a public consultation before announcing any restructuring of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which would affect the countryside agencies. [HL555]

  Baroness Hayman
  It was announced on 3 December that the Government were accelerating that part of the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review which was considering the institutional arrangements for delivering rural policy. The Rural Development Commission, the Countryside Commission, English Nature and the Farming and Rural Conservation Agency are being consulted about this work. Terms of reference for the Comprehensive Spending Review of rural and countryside policy were published on 24 July 1997, with comments invited. We shall be considering, in the light of the outcome of the specific work on institutions, whether any wider consultation would be appropriate.

  Trade with EU: Currency Exchange Costs
  Lord Hooson
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether they have reliable figures of the annual cost to exporters and importers within the United Kingdom of exchange rate charges in their trade within the European Union. [HL511]

  Lord McIntosh of Haringey
  Estimation of such figures raises difficult methodological problems. No such figures can be regarded as reliable.

  Musical Education in State Schools
  Lord Hogg of Cumbernauld
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What is their policy on the teaching of music in state schools in England and Wales. [HL542]
  WA29
  The Minister of State, Department for Education and Employment (Baroness Blackstone)
  Music remains a foundation subject in Key Stages 1, 2 and 3 of the English National Curriculum, which all state schools are required to teach. From September 1998 primary schools in England will have greater flexibility in how to teach music as part of a broad and balanced curriculum. In Wales, the position of music in the National Curriculum is being considered as part of a wider review. The Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales (ACCAC) is consulting teachers and others so as to identify options for reducing overload within the curriculum which reflect the distinctive nature of the National Curriculum in Wales.

  Music Students: Tuition Fees
  Baroness Young
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether students studying at the Royal College of Music, the Royal Academy of Music, the Royal Northern College of Music, Trinity College of Music and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama will all have to pay the £1,000 tuition fees. [HL583]

  Baroness Blackstone
  Support from public funds for the tuition fees charged by publicly-funded universities and colleges will be provided on a means-tested basis up to £1,000 a year for every eligible home and EU full-time undergraduate entering higher education from the academic year 1998–99 (apart from those who are, exceptionally, to be treated as continuing students). Means-testing will not apply to fee support for continuing students.

  This means that new home and EU entrants to full-time undergraduate courses at the Royal Academy of Music, the Royal College of Music, the Royal Northern College of Music and Trinity College of Music should not have to pay fees if they come from lower-income families. Those from middle-income families will receive help with fees up to £1,000, depending on their own and their parents' or spouse's income. Others from well-off families will receive no assistance with fees. But tuition for all home and EU students will be subsidised from public funds through the grant that their institution will receive from the Higher Education Funding Council for England. The Government plan no changes in the financial support for postgraduate students at these institutions.

  The Guildhall School of Music and Drama is not a publicly-funded institution, so different arrangements will apply. For Guildhall students, the maximum tuition fees that will be paid from public funds for each eligible home full-time undergraduate in the academic year 1998–99 will be three instalments of £1,200 each. The remaining costs of tuition will be met from private sources, as the school receives no public funds from the HEFCE.

  Adventure Centres: Licensing Charges
  The Earl of Mar
  and Kellie asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether they will maintain equal charges for the licensing of adventure centres in the statutory and non-statutory schemes. [HL560]

  Baroness Blackstone
  The Adventure Activities Licensing Regulations were laid in 1996 to ensure the safety of schoolchildren and other young people under 18 years of age taking part in certain outdoor pursuits in Great Britain. Since a voluntary accreditation scheme—without the age limit—already exists in Wales and another is currently being piloted in Scotland, it would clearly be good practice for complementary schemes within Great Britain to be harmonised in so far as that is possible; but the Government's role would be to encourage, not lead on, non-statutory measures.

  Abortion and Breast Cancer
  Lord Braine of Wheatley
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether they will place in the Library of the House any studies into the connection between abortion and breast cancer. [HL530]

  The Minister of State, Department of Health (Baroness Jay of Paddington)
  There have been over 70 studies published worldwide examining any possible link between abortion and breast cancer. References for those studies published since 1995 have been placed in the Library. The Imperial Cancer Research Fund's Cancer Epidemiology Unit, which is the co-ordinating centre for the Collaborative Group on Hormonal Factors and Breast Cancer, is currently examining the worldwide evidence on abortion and breast cancer.

  Divorce
  Lord Patten
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether they are satisfied with the working of the present divorce laws. [HL478]

  The Lord Chancellor (Lord Irvine of Lairg)
  The Government believe that the overall provisions in the Family Law Act 1996 will provide a better system than the present law for identifying saveable marriages, and ensuring that, where the marriage cannot be saved, couples have the necessary time and information to consider the best possible arrangements for their future lives apart.

  Lord Patten
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether it is their intention to make divorce easier. [HL477]

  The Lord Chancellor
  The Government have no such intention.

  Scottish Parliament: Car Parking
  Lord Berkeley
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  How many car park spaces are being designed to be incorporated in the new Scottish assembly building in Edinburgh for:

  (a) Members of the Scottish Parliament

  (b) officials; and

  (c) visitors [HL531]

  The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Scottish Office (Lord Sewel)
  Detailed car parking proposals for the Scottish parliament building at Holyrood have not yet been finalised.

  Lord Berkeley
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether the number of car park spaces being designed to be incorporated in the Scottish assembly building in Edinburgh complies with Edinburgh City Council's transport policies. [HL532]

  Lord Sewel
  Detailed car parking proposals for the Scottish Parliament building at Holyrood have not yet been finalised. Once proposals are prepared, they will be discussed with the City of Edinburgh Council.

  Scotland: Home Ownership
  Lord Selkirk of Douglas
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  How many public sector houses have been sold in Scotland since 1945; how many of these were sold to sitting tenants; how many of the sales were by the rent-to-mortgage scheme; and what percentage of Scottish households are currently in home ownership.[HL499]

  Lord Sewel
  Information on the sale of public sector houses prior to 1973 is not centrally available. Between January 1973 and March 1997, a total of 393,273 public sector house sales were made known to the Scottish Office.

  Information on the status of the purchaser is not available prior to April 1979. Of the 387,955 house sales between April 1979 and March 1997 which were made known to the Scottish Office, 341,063 were sales to sitting tenants.

  There have been 1,042 sales recorded under the rent-to-mortgage scheme since its introduction in 1989 to the end of March 1997.

  It is estimated that 59.2 per cent. of dwellings were owner occupied at 31 December 1996.

  Lord Selkirk of Douglas
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  How many housing association units there are in Scotland; how many of these are for rent; how many for low-cost home ownership; and what percentage each figure represents of the total. [HL500]
  WA32
  Lord Sewel
  In Scotland, as at 31 March 1997, there were 115,078 separate dwellings owned by housing associations registered with Scottish Homes. Of this total, 108,515 units were for rent and 6,563 were for low cost home ownership through shared ownership arrangements. These figures represent 94 per cent. and 6 per cent. of the total.

  Scotland: Roads Programme
  Lord Selkirk of Douglas
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What road starts in their construction programme they intend to make in Scotland within the next three years; and whether they intend to upgrade the A.1 and the A.8000, and, if so, when. [HL501]

  Lord Sewel
  The trunk road programme in Scotland is currently the subject of a strategic review which was announced in June 1997. During the review there is a moratorium on new major road projects except for two—the A.75 (The Glen) and the A.828 (Creagan Bridge)—which were at an advanced stage of planning when the review was announced. Construction of these projects is expected to begin during the financial year 1998–99. A programme of minor road improvements, including work on the A.1 is continuing during the review.

  The strategic review will be considering investment priorities across the whole of the Scottish trunk road network, including the A.1. The A.8000 is not a trunk road but, exceptionally because of its importance in linking the Forth Bridge to the central Scotland motorway system, proposals to upgrade it will be considered within the strategic review. A trunk road programme will be determined after the review is completed in the summer of 1998 and in the light of the resources available.

  Minister for Women: Staff
  Earl Russell
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  How many staff are employed in the office of the Minister for Women. [HL498]

  The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Social Security (Baroness Hollis of Heigham)
  The Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Women has three staff in her office and one driver. In addition 23 full-time and 7 part-time officials work in the Women's Unit—the Civil Service Branch which supports both Minsters for Women.

  Disability Benefits: Real Value
  Lord Morris of Manchester
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Hollis of Heigham on 4 February, whether they can offer any measure of the movement in the real value per week of the principal disability benefits to the individual claimant over the period since 1979. [HL494]

  Baroness Hollis of Heigham
  The information requested is set out in the tables.

  Attendance Allowance

  Weekly benefit rate

  Real value at April 1997

  Higher

  Lower

  Higher

  Lower

  November 1979

  18.60

  12.40

  48.25

  32.17

  November 1980

  21.65

  14.45

  48.70

  32.51

  November 1981

  23.65

  15.75

  47.52

  31.64

  November 1982

  26.25

  17.50

  49.63

  33.09

  November 1983

  27.20

  18.15

  49.05

  32.73

  November 1984

  28.60

  19.10

  49.15

  32.82

  November 1985

  30.60

  20.45

  49.86

  33.32

  July 1986

  30.95

  20.65

  49.61

  33.10

  April 1987

  31.60

  21.10

  48.52

  32.40

  April 1988

  32.95

  22.00

  48.68

  32.50

  April 1989

  34.90

  23.30

  47.72

  31.86

  April 1990

  37.55

  25.05

  46.91

  31.30

  April 1991

  41.65

  27.80

  48.91

  32.65

  April 1992

  43.35

  28.95

  48.82

  32.60

  April 1993

  44.90

  30.00

  49.91

  33.35

  April 1994

  45.70

  30.55

  49.53

  33.11

  April 1995

  46.70

  31.20

  48.99

  32.73

  April 1996

  48.50

  32.40

  49.68

  33.19

  April 1997

  49.50

  33.10

  49.50

  33.10

  Invalid Care Allowance

  Weekly benefit rate

  Real value at April 1997

  November 1979

  14.00

  36.32

  November 1980

  16.30

  36.67

  November 1981

  17.75

  35.66

  November 1982

  19.70

  37.25

  November 1983

  20.45

  36.88

  November 1984

  21.50

  36.95

  November 1985

  23.00

  37.48

  July 1986

  23.25

  37.27

  April 1987

  23.75

  36.46

  April 1988

  24.75

  36.56

  April 1989

  26.20

  35.83

  April 1990

  28.20

  35.23

  April 1991

  31.25

  36.70

  April 1992

  32.55

  36.65

  April 1993

  33.70

  37.46

  April 1994

  34.50

  37.39

  April 1995

  35.25

  36.98

  April 1996

  36.60

  37.49

  April 1997

  37.35

  37.35

  Severe Disablement Allowance

  Weekly benefit rate

  Real value at April 1997

  November 1979

  14.00

  36.32

  November 1980

  16.30

  36.67

  November 1981

  17.75

  35.66

  November 1982

  19.70

  37.25

  November 1983

  20.45

  36.88

  November 1984

  21.50

  36.95

  November 1985

  23.00

  37.48

  July 1986

  23.25

  37.27

  WA34

  Severe Disablement Allowance

  Weekly benefit rate

  Real value at April 1997

  April 1987

  23.75

  36.46

  April 1988

  24.75

  36.56

  April 1989

  26.20

  35.83

  April 1990

  28.20

  35.23

  April 1991

  31.25

  36.70

  April 1992

  32.55

  36.65

  April 1993

  33.70

  37.46

  April 1994

  34.80

  37.72

  April 1995

  35.55

  37.29

  April 1996

  36.95

  37.85

  April 1997

  37.75

  37.75

  Mobility Allowance

  Weekly benefit rate

  Real value at April 1997

  November 1979

  12.00

  31.13

  November 1980

  14.50

  32.62

  November 1981

  16.50

  33.15

  November 1982

  18.30

  34.60

  November 1983

  19.00

  34.27

  November 1984

  20.00

  34.37

  November 1985

  21.40

  34.87

  July 1986

  21.65

  34.70

  April 1987

  22.10

  33.93

  April 1988

  23.05

  34.05

  April 1989

  24.40

  33.37

  April 1990

  26.25

  32.80

  April 1991

  29.10

  34.17

  Disability Living Allowance (Care Component)

  Weekly benefit rate

  Real value at April 1997

  Higher

  Middle

  Lower

  Higher

  Middle

  Lower

  April 1992

  43.35

  28.95

  11.55

  48.82

  32.60

  13.01

  April 1993

  44.90

  30.00

  11.95

  49.91

  33.35

  13.28

  April 1994

  45.70

  30.55

  12.15

  49.53

  33.11

  13.17

  April 1995

  46.70

  31.20

  12.40

  48.99

  32.73

  13.01

  April 1996

  48.50

  32.40

  12.90

  49.68

  33.19

  13.21

  April 1997

  49.50

  33.10

  13.15

  49.50

  33.10

  13.15

  Disability Living Allowance (Mobility Component)

  Weekly benefit rate

  Real value at April 1997

  Higher

  Lower

  Higher

  Lower

  April 1992

  30.30

  11.55

  34.12

  13.01

  April 1993

  31.40

  11.95

  34.91

  13.28

  April 1994

  31.95

  12.15

  34.63

  13.17

  April 1995

  32.65

  12.40

  34.25

  13.01

  April 1996

  33.90

  12.90

  34.72

  13.21

  April 1997

  34.60

  13.15

  34.60

  13.15

  Disability Working Allowance

  Weekly benefit rate

  Real value at April 1997

  April 1992

  42.40

  47.75

  April 1993

  43.95

  48.86

  April 1994

  46.05

  49.91

  April 1995

  46.85

  49.15

  April 1996

  48.25

  49.42

  April 1997

  49.55

  49.55

  Note:

  The Retail Prices Index (all items) produced by the Office of National Statistics has been used in this calculation.

  Benefit Uprating Comparisons
  Lord Morris of Manchester
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What would have been the extra costs to the Exchequer in each year from 1980–81 to 1996–97 of updating by the higher of average earnings or prices:

  Gross cost of uprating benefits by the higher of earnings or prices

  RP

  IVB/IB

  NCRP

  SDA

  WB

  GA/CSA

  AA/DLA

  IIDB

  (£bn)

  (£bn)

  (£m)

  (£m)

  (£m)

  (£m)

  (£m)

  (£m)

  1980–81

  0.1

  *

  *

  *

  10

  *

  *

  10

  1981–82

  0.7

  0.1

  *

  10

  50

  *

  20

  30

  1982–83

  0.9

  0.1

  *

  10

  70

  *

  20

  10

  1983–84

  1

  0.2

  *

  10

  80

  *

  40

  50

  1984–85

  1.8

  0.3

  10

  30

  130

  *

  70

  50

  1985–86

  2

  0.3

  10

  30

  130

  *

  90

  60

  1986–87

  3

  0.5

  10

  50

  170

  *

  140

  90

  1987–88

  4.4

  0.7

  10

  70

  220

  *

  220

  110

  1988–89

  5.2

  0.9

  10

  90

  240

  *

  290

  130

  1989–90

  6.1

  1.1

  10

  110

  250

  *

  370

  150

  1990–91

  6.8

  1.3

  10

  140

  270

  *

  450

  170

  1991–92

  7.1

  1.5

  10

  180

  280

  *

  540

  180

  1992–93

  8.3

  1.9

  10

  210

  310

  *

  810

  200

  1993–94

  8.9

  2.1

  10

  240

  330

  *

  970

  210

  1994–95

  9.2

  2.4

  10

  280

  330

  *

  1,140

  230

  1995–96

  9.9

  2.3

  10

  300

  330

  *

  1,340

  250

  1996–97

  10.1

  2.3

  10

  320

  330

  *

  1,470

  240

  Rate if increased by the higher of earnings or prices since 1980 in current prices

  £ per week

  RP

  IVB/IB

  NCRP

  SDA

  WB

  WA

  CSA

  AA/DLA

  IIDB

  November 1979

  23.30

  23.30

  14.00

  14.00

  23.30

  32.60

  7.10

  18.60

  38.00

  November 1980

  27.60

  26.45

  16.60

  16.60

  27.60

  38.65

  8.40

  22.05

  45.05

  November 1981

  30.90

  29.60

  18.60

  18.60

  30.90

  43.30

  9.40

  24.70

  50.45

  November 1982

  33.50

  32.10

  20.15

  20.15

  33.50

  46.95

  10.20

  26.75

  54.70

  November 1983

  36.40

  34.90

  21.90

  21.90

  36.40

  51.05

  11.10

  29.10

  59.45

  November 1984

  38.25

  36.70

  23.00

  23.00

  38.25

  53.65

  11.65

  30.60

  62.50

  November 1985

  41.60

  41.60

  25.00

  25.00

  41.60

  58.30

  12.65

  33.25

  67.95

  July 1986

  43.45

  43.45

  26.10

  26.10

  43.45

  60.85

  13.20

  34.70

  70.95

  April 1987

  45.90

  45.90

  27.55

  27.55

  45.90

  64.25

  13.95

  36.65

  74.90

  April 1988

  49.50

  49.50

  29.70

  29.70

  49.50

  15.05

  39.50

  80.75

  April 1989

  53.90

  53.90

  32.35

  32.35

  53.90

  16.40

  43.00

  87.95

  April 1990

  59.15

  59.15

  35.50

  35.50

  59.15

  18.00

  47.15

  96.50

  April 1991

  65.60

  65.60

  39.35

  39.35

  65.60

  19.95

  52.30

  107.00

  April 1992

  70.80

  70.80

  42.45

  42.45

  70.80

  21.55

  56.45

  115.45

  April 1993

  74.25

  74.25

  44.55

  44.55

  74.25

  22.60

  59.20

  121.10

  April 1994

  76.90

  76.90

  46.05

  46.35

  76.90

  23.25

  60.90

  124.60

  April 1995

  80.00

  80.00

  47.90

  48.20

  80.00

  24.20

  63.35

  129.60

  April 1996

  83.10

  83.10

  49.75

  50.10

  83.10

  25.15

  65.80

  134.65

  April 1997

  86.60

  86.60

  51.85

  52.20

  86.60

  26.20

  68.55

  140.30

  Actual weekly benefit paid at April 1997 prices

  £ per week

  RP

  IVB/IB

  NCRP

  SDA

  WB

  WA

  CSA

  AA/DLA

  IIDB

  November 1979

  60.44

  60.44

  36.32

  36.32

  60.44

  84.57

  18.42

  48.25

  98.57

  November 1980

  61.08

  58.49

  36.67

  36.67

  61.08

  85.48

  16.87

  48.70

  99.66

  November 1981

  59.47

  56.96

  35.66

  35.66

  59.47

  83.18

  15.47

  47.52

  97.04

  November 1982

  62.11

  59.47

  37.25

  37.25

  62.11

  86.88

  15.03

  49.63

  101.35

  November 1983

  61.41

  58.79

  36.88

  36.88

  61.41

  85.93

  13.71

  49.05

  100.27

  November 1984

  61.52

  58.86

  36.95

  36.95

  61.52

  86.10

  13.15

  49.15

  100.36

  November 1985

  62.41

  62.41

  37.48

  37.48

  62.41

  87.34

  13.12

  49.86

  101.84

  July 1986

  62.03

  62.03

  37.27

  37.27

  62.03

  86.87

  12.90

  49.61

  101.30

  April 1987

  60.65

  60.65

  36.46

  36.46

  60.65

  84.98

  12.36

  48.52

  99.03

  April 1988

  60.79

  60.79

  36.56

  36.56

  60.79

  12.41

  48.68

  99.28

  April 1989

  59.62

  59.62

  35.83

  35.83

  59.62

  12.24

  47.72

  97.36

  WA36
  (a) retirement pensions; and (b) all other social security benefits that had been uprated on that basis until 1980; what the rates of payment for those benefits on that basis would have been in each year; and what was the actual rate in each year at 1996–97 prices. [HL210]

  Baroness Hollis of Heigham
  The information is set out in the tables.
  WA37

  Actual weekly benefit paid at April 1997 prices

  £ per week

  RP

  IVB/IB

  NCRP

  SDA

  WB

  WA

  CSA

  AA/DLA

  IIDB

  April 1990

  58.60

  58.60

  35.23

  35.23

  58.60

  12.06

  46.91

  95.70

  April 1991

  61.06

  61.06

  36.70

  36.70

  61.06

  11.39

  48.91

  99.70

  April 1992

  60.98

  60.98

  36.65

  36.65

  60.98

  10.98

  48.82

  99.55

  April 1993

  62.36

  62.36

  37.46

  37.46

  62.36

  10.89

  49.91

  101.83

  April 1994

  62.43

  62.43

  37.39

  37.72

  62.43

  10.62

  49.53

  101.02

  April 1995

  61.73

  61.73

  36.98

  37.29

  61.73

  10.33

  48.99

  99.97

  April 1996

  62.63

  62.63

  37.49

  37.85

  62.63

  10.14

  49.68

  101.40

  April 1997

  62.45

  62.45

  37.35

  37.75

  62.45

  9.90

  49.50

  101.10

  Key to benefits:

  Retirement Pension Basic (RP).

  Non Contributory Retirement Pension (NCRP).

  Severe Disablement Allowance (SDA).

  Invalidity Benefit/Incapacity Benefit Short Term Higher Rate and Long Term (IVB/IB).

  Widows Benefits (WB).

  Guardians Allowance (GA) and Child Special Allowance (CSA).

  Attendance Allowance (AA)/Disability Living Allowance (DLA).

  Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB).

  Notes:

  1. Invalidity Benefit was replaced by Incapacity Benefit in April 1995.

  2. Widows Allowance ceased in April 1988.

  3. Attendance Allowance was replaced by Disability Living Allowance in April 1992 for people who became disabled before the age of 65.

  4. The Retail Prices Index (all items) and the Average Earnings Index (whole economy) as produced by the Office of National Statistics was used in these calculations.

  5. VAT on fuel was added in April 1994 at the rate of 50p single person for the following benefits: Retirement Pension, Widowed Mother's Allowance, Invalidity Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance and 20p for single person for NCRP.

  6. The abatement of 5 per cent. applied to Invalidity Benefit in 1980 and has also been included.

  7. Costs are in 1996–97 prices, and have been rounded to the nearest £10 million where estimates are in millions and £0.1 billion where estimates are in billions.

  * denotes less than £0.5 million where estimates are in millions and £0.05 billion for estimates in billions.

  9. The earnings-link uprated benefit rates include the increases made to benefit rates on account of the introduction of VAT on fuel.

  10. All costs are on a gross basis and do not include income-related benefit offsets.

  Northern Ireland: Analysis of GCSE Results
  Baroness Blatch
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether they will publish data for Northern Ireland showing comprehensive schools, modern schools, grammar schools, state schools, independent schools and all schools separately, the percentage of all 16 year-old pupils in each of the year 1994 to 1997 obtaining five or more passes at grades A* to C, showing data separately for boys, girls and all pupils,

  Percentage of Year 12 pupils obtaining 5+ GCSEs at grades A*-C 1993–94 to 1996–97

  Secondary Schools

  Grammar Schools

  Controlled

  Maintained

  Controlled Integrated

  Grant Maintained Integrated

  Controlled

  Voluntary

  All Schools1

  1993–94

  Total2

  25%

  28%

  23%

  40%

  92%

  91%

  49%

  Number of Schools

  78

  78

  1

  3

  18

  53

  231

  Number of Year 12 pupils

  7,299

  8,107

  40

  222

  1,970

  6,132

  23,770

  1994–95

  Total2

  25%

  28%

  29%

  28%

  95%

  93%

  51%

  Number of Schools

  77

  78

  1

  5

  18

  53

  232

  Number of Year 12 pupils

  7,296

  8,377

  55

  236

  2,271

  7,019

  25,254

  1995–96

  Boys

  20%

  21%

  23%

  26%

  91%

  92%

  45%

  Girls

  32%

  40%

  31%

  43%

  97%

  95%

  59%

  Total

  26%

  30%

  27%

  34%

  95%

  94%

  52%

  Number of Schools

  78

  78

  1

  8

  18

  53

  236

  Number of Year 12 pupils

  7,993

  8,654

  55

  272

  2,303

  7,091

  26,368

  WA38
  and showing separately for each type of state school the percentages for local education authority schools, voluntary schools (including together voluntary controlled, voluntary aided, and special agreement schools), grant-maintained schools and, where appropriate, CTCs and including, for each category of school, the number of schools and the number of 16 year-old pupils. [HL452]

  The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Northern Ireland Office (Lord Dubs)
  The information requested is as follows:
  WA39

  Percentage of Year 12 pupils obtaining 5+ GCSEs at grades A*-C 1993–94 to 1996–97

  Secondary Schools

  Grammar Schools

  Controlled

  Maintained

  Controlled Integrated

  Grant Maintained Integrated

  Controlled

  Voluntary

  All Schools1

  1996–97

  Boys

  22%

  23%

  23%

  37%

  94%

  93%

  47%

  Girls

  34%

  42%

  29%

  47%

  96%

  96%

  60%

  Total

  28%

  32%

  26%

  41%

  95%

  94%

  54%

  Number of Schools

  76

  79

  1

  10

  18

  53

  237

  Number of Year 12 pupils

  7,563

  8,439

  50

  347

  2,245

  7,054

  25,698

  1 Data are not available in respect of independent and special schools.

  2 Separate figures for boys and girls not available.

  WA40