Written Answers of 18 February 1998

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Overseas Visits
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many overseas visits have been made by his Department's political advisers at public expense since 1 May. [25159]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 23 January 1998]Special Advisors have accompanied Ministers on 15 occasions, in accordance with the guidelines set out in paragraph 84 of the Ministerial Code of Conduct and Guidance on Procedures published in July 1977. These guidelines are the same as those operated by the previous Government.

  Ministerial Address
  Mr. Pickles
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will place in the Library a video copy of his address to a joint meeting of the staff of the Department of the Environment and the Department of Transport in Central Hall, Westminster. [28910]

  Angela Eagle
  No. The Deputy Prime Minister's address to staff of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions in Central Hall, Westminster was an internal departmental matter.

  Road Accidents
  Mr. Bradshaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many(a) cyclists and (b) pedestrians have been (i) killed and (ii) seriously injured by motor vehicles in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [29377]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The information requested is shown in the following table.

  Cyclist and pedestrian casualities in accidents involving motor vehicles: GB 1996

  Casualties

  Road user

  Fatal

  Serious

  All

  Pedestrian

  995

  10,514

  46,018

  Pedal cyclist

  186

  3,260

  23,340

  Mr. Bradshaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many pedestrians have been(a) killed and (b) seriously injured by cyclists in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [29376]
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  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The information requested is show in the following table.

  Number of pedestrian casualties in accidents involving a cycle: GB 1996

  Casualties

  Severity

  Number

  Fatal

  2

  Serious

  90

  All

  364

  Channel Tunnel Rail Link
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the projected increase against current levels in freight use of the Channel Tunnel once the high-speed rail link is opened. [29495]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Channel Tunnel Rail Link will have the potential to be used by high speed freight services, but its main contribution to increased rail freight will come through the capacity that its use by Eurostar services will release on the existing network. The take-up of the available capacity will depend on demand.

  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many(a) passenger and (b) freight trains per day are projected to use the high-speed rail link. [29498]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The extra capacity provided by the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL) under the Development Agreement with London and Continental Railways, will enable the number of international Eurostar services in peak periods to be more than doubled to eight an hour in each direction. For domestic passengers, the Development Agreement reserves capacity of up to eight trains an hour for new Kent commuter services during the morning and evening peak periods. The CTRL is also required to have the potential for use by high speed freight services.

  Radioactive Waste
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list for each year since 1995 those sites specified in authorisations issued under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993 to receive low level radioactive waste, indicating the annual volume and isotopic content of wastes received at each site and the origin of such wastes; and if he will make a statement. [29418]

  Angela Eagle
  I have been advised by the Environment Agency in respect of England and Wales, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and by the Environment and Heritage Service in Northern Ireland that the information requested is not held centrally.

  The BNFL site at Drigg in Cumbria receives the largest volume and activity of low level radioactive waste in the United Kingdom. The majority of waste sent to Drigg for

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  disposal arises from the nuclear industry. Data relating to disposals of low level radioactive waste at BNFL Drigg for 1995 and 1996 are as follows:

  Radioactivity disposed (TBq)

  Radionuclide

  1995

  1996

  Authorised Limit (TBq)

  Tritium

  0.34

  0.41

  10

  Carbon-14

  0.010

  0.005

  0.05

  Cobalt-601

  0.36

  0.25

  2

  Iodine-129

  0.0018

  0.00017

  0.05

  Others2

  6.0

  3.6

  15

  Radium-226 and Thorium-232

  0.005

  0.005

  0.03

  Uranium

  0.024

  0.10

  0.3

  Other alpha3

  0.09

  0.10

  0.3

  Volume (m3)

  13,200

  10,500

  1The cobalt-60 figure is included in the 'other' as well as shown separately.

  2 Defined in the current authorisation as:

  i. iron 55 and beta emitting radionuclides with half lives greater than three months (excluding carbon-14, iodine-129 and tritium)

  ii. not more than 2 TBq may be Cobalt-60.

  3 Alpha emitting radionuclides with half-lives greater than three months excluding uranium, radium-226 and thorium-232.

  The site in Scotland at which the largest volume and activity of low level radioactive waste is disposed is at Dounreay, Caithness. Virtually all of the waste disposed of at Dounreay arises from the nuclear industry. Data relating to disposals of solid radioactive waste at Dounreay for 1995 and 1996 are as follows:

  Year

  Volume (m3)

  α(Gbq)

  βγ(GBq)

  1995

  446

  39

  223

  1996

  153

  15

  367

  Only one site in Northern Ireland, at Dargan Road near Belfast, has been used for the disposal of low level radioactive waste since 1995. The volume of radioactive waste disposed of each year at this site is approximately 50 cubic metres. Details of the activity are in the table.

  Radionuclide

  Radioactivity Disposed (MBq)

  1995

  1996

  Tritium

  92.807

  31.295

  Carbon-14

  6.03

  736.276

  Other isotopes with a half life less than 1 year

  2199.67

  884.4

  Other isotopes with a half life greater than 1 year

  9.5

  0

  Waste Technetium-99 columns1

  50

  0

  1 The level of radioactivity associated with each column is of the order of 0.01 MBq.

  There are in addition 12 landfill sites in England and Wales, 12 in Scotland and three in Northern Ireland where disposal of low level radioactive waste is authorised. I refer the hon. member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) on 19 November 1997, Official Report, columns 202–03, where these are listed. Around 35 incinerators are also authorised in the United Kingdom for the disposal of low level radioactive waste.
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  The nature of the waste disposed of at landfill sites varies from industrial residues containing naturally occurring radioactive material to small quantities of radioactive wastes from universities and hospitals. The type of wastes which are incinerated are predominately hospital patient care wastes and research wastes which contain small amounts of radioisotopes such as Iodine-131, Tritium and Carbon-14.

  Aircraft Noise
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will assess the advantages of imposing an annual noise limit on aircraft movements at each of the main United Kingdom airports. [29752]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  There are at present no provisions to impose limits of this kind centrally, though they may be applicable under planning conditions at particular airports. We are currently reviewing policy on aircraft noise near airports in the light of responses to the consultation on integrated transport policy.

  Night Flights
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many flights at(a) Heathrow, (b) Gatwick and (c) Stansted arrived or departed within the night quota period but were not counted against this quota in the last three years; and for what reasons. [29705]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The following information on aircraft not counted against the movements limits and noise quotas is taken from the regular monitoring returns provided by the three airport companies. The night restrictions are set on a seasonal basis. The seasons change with the clocks.

  Heathrow

  Season

  Exempt

  Early

  Not Counted

  Types

  Note 1

  Note 2

  Note 3

  Note 4

  Summer 1997

  113

  0

  0

  1

  5

  Winter 1996–97

  191

  20

  94

  4

  8

  Summer 1996

  256

  36

  1

  3

  14

  Winter 1995–96

  186

  13

  99

  4

  19

  Summer 1995

  268

  4

  8

  12

  10

  Winter 1994–95

  179

  11

  79

  9

  4

  Gatwick

  Season

  Not Counted

  Exempt Types

  Early Note 1

  Note 2

  Note 3

  Note 4

  Summer 1997

  817

  11

  9

  2

  2

  Winter 1996–97

  585

  18

  6

  0

  0

  Summer 1996

  807

  28

  16

  0

  0

  Winter 1995–96

  586

  16

  9

  0

  0

  Summer 1995

  844

  38

  4

  0

  0

  Winter 1994–95

  647

  20

  0

  0

  0

  647

  Stansted

  Season

  Not Counted

  Exempt Types

  Early Note 1

  Note 2

  Note 3

  Note 4

  Summer 1997

  1,152

  1

  0

  2

  0

  Winter 1996–97

  1,194

  0

  0

  1

  0

  Summer 1996

  1,232

  0

  3

  1

  0

  Winter 1995–96

  1,077

  0

  2

  0

  0

  Summer 1995

  1,438

  0

  1

  0

  0

  Winter 1994–95

  1,054

  0

  0

  2

  0

  Exempt Types: Jet aircraft with a maximum certificated weight not exceeding 11,600 kg and propeller aircraft are exempt from the movements limits and noise quotas restrictions if their noise data are classified at less than 87 EPNdB.

  Note 1: Early: Scheduled to land after 0630, but lands before 0600—flight counts against the movements limit but not the noise quota.

  Note 2: Dispensations granted from both movements limit and noise quota for delays likely to lead to serious congestion and delays resulting from widespread disruption of Air Traffic.

  Note 3: Exemptions from counting against the movements limit and noise quota granted by the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions (VIP Passengers, Emergency Relief).

  Note 4: Exemptions from counting against the movements limit and noise quota for emergency take-offs and landings.

  Investment Agreement
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact of the Multilateral Agreement on Investment on the powers of regional development agencies. [29663]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Multilateral Agreement on Investment is currently being negotiated at the OECD. Parties to the Agreement will be required not to discriminate against foreign investors. Since Regional Development Agencies will not discriminate in this way, there is no reason why the Agreement should have an impact on them.

  Housing Spending Review
  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) when he expects to announce the outcome of the housing spending review; [29668]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the procedures for consultations on proposals arising from the housing spending review. [29669]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Housing Comprehensive Spending Review has received detailed submissions from all the major housing bodies and from other groups with an interest in housing policy. Their views have been taken into account throughout the Review. Discussions have been held with many of the bodies concerned and there will be further meetings as the review is carried forward. The findings of the Review will emerge in Summer as part of the Government's future spending plans. We will consult as necessary on the implementation of proposals.

  Genetically Modified Organisms
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his assessment of the timetable for the revision of Council Directive 90/220/EEC; and if he will make a statement. [29713]
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  Mr. Meacher
  The European Commission presented a proposal for revision of directive 90/220 at the last Environment Council, and is expected to publish the formal proposal in the next few weeks. The UK intends to hold a preliminary discussion at the June Council.

  Following normal procedures, we would expect it to take several years before agreement on the directive could be reached across the Community.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what investigations of Novartis genetically-modified maize he has commissioned; and if he will make a statement. [29714]

  Mr. Meacher
  Competent Authorities from Member States have considered two applications for approval to market genetically modified maize under the provisions of Directive 90/220/EEC from companies which are now part of the Norvatis group. In the UK, the dossiers of information including an assessment of the risks to human health and the environment have been considered by officials and expert advice was sought from the relevant Advisory Committees. In addition in both cases the applications have been considered by the Commission's expert committees. My Department sees no need to commission any further investigation into Norvatis genetically modified maize.

  An application (C/F/4/11–3) was submitted by Ciba-Geigy to the French Competent Authority for unrestricted marketing of maize resistant to corn borers. After due consideration by the French Authorities, other Member States and the appropriate commission scientific committees it was granted an approval by the French Authorities on 5 February 1997.

  An application (C/GB/96/M4/1) was submitted by Northrup King Company to the Great Britain Competent Authority to market maize resistant to corn borers to be imported, stored and processed to non-viable products and to be used for animal feeds. After due consideration the dossier has been forwarded to the European Commission with a favourable opinion. A decision from other Member States is awaited following consideration by the Commission's scientific committee.

  A summary of these dossiers is on the public register at the Department and a copy of the dossiers is available on request.

  Sea Empress
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the total cost of the clean up operation following the 'Sea Empress' disaster; and what estimate he has made of the cost of the disaster to(a) the fishing industry in the area and (b) the local tourist industry. [29685]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Government recently presented the following information, which gives our official estimates of the costs arising from the Sea
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  Empress grounding, at a meeting of the Executive Committee of the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund.

  £ millions

  Low

  High

  Clean-up operations

  22

  23

  Fishing Industry

  8

  11

  Tourist Industry

  2

  3

  Total

  32

  37

  Household Projections
  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list(a) the methodology and (b) the mathematical processes used to calculate the 1992-based household projections. [29801]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Descriptions of the methodology and main statistical assumptions underlying the 1992-based household projections are set out in the annexes of "Projections of Households in England to 2016", published by the Stationary Office in March 1995. A copy of this publication is in the Library of the House.

  Environmental Appraisals
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what advice his Department has given to other Government Departments about the use of environmental appraisals in respect of new policy. [29807]

  Angela Eagle
  The importance of environmental appraisal was discussed at the first meeting of Green Ministers following the Election, on 31 July 1997. At that meeting Green Ministers committed themselves to ensure that environmental issues were considered in the development of all Government policies.

  Details of current and proposed guidance by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions to Government Departments on environmental appraisal are set out in the answer which my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment gave to the hon. Member for Truro and St. Austell (Mr. Taylor) on 16 February 1998, Official Report, column 460.

  Air Pollution
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the Government's plans to combat air pollution with particular reference to ground level ozone. [29815]

  Angela Eagle
  Ground level ozone is a problem which requires action at the international level. Several initiatives will help to combat ground level ozone. The Government hope to achieve common position under the UK Presidency on a Solvents directive reducing the emissions of ozone pre-cursors. The Government are negotiating under the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe a Protocol on Nitrogen Oxides and related substances which will deal, amongst other issues, with ground level ozone. The UK is participating 650
  in the technical work that will contribute to the European Commission's proposed Ozone Strategy. The Commission is also preparing a directive on ground level ozone which will set environmental quality objectives. The Government intend to produce a consultation paper later in the year on a scheme, known as "Stage II", to reduce petrol vapour emissions from petrol filling stations.

  Drugs (Drivers)
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to test drivers suspected of being under the influence of illegal drugs. [30155]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Under existing legislation the police have powers to arrest a driver whom they suspect of being impaired through drugs, and to require the provision of a specimen for testing. We have at present no plans to extend those powers.

  We announced on 11 February a forthcoming roadside trial of drug screening devices by the police. Its purpose is to establish whether the devices are sufficiently robust and practical for conditions likely to be encountered at the roadside, and not to test for the presence of drugs or to assess the accuracy of the devices. Drivers will be asked to volunteer to participate in the trial but those who are obviously impaired through alcohol or drugs will not be asked to volunteer, and will be dealt with by the police using their existing powers.

  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the extent to which illegal drug use is a contributory factor to road accidents. [30154]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Department is currently conducting a study into the incidence of drugs in road accident fatalities. While this is a useful step towards understanding the nature and scale of the problem the findings do not indicate whether drugs were a contributory factor in the accidents concerned. It is very difficult to obtain precise data. A number of institutions world wide are considering the problem and the Department is carefully monitoring evidence in this area.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which medicinal drugs were detected in the Government's recent study of drug driving; and what percentage of medicinal drugs which can impair drivers' reactions could not be traced by the test used. [29844]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [[holding answer 17 February 1998]The Department's recent study tested for three of the major groups of medicinal drugs known to impair drivers' reactions: benzodiazepines, tricyclic antidepressants and opiates.

  The only significant group of medicinal drugs not traced in the tests, but which can impair drivers' reactions, were antihistamines. In a similar study carried out in 1985–87, antihistamines were present in only 0.9 per cent. of cases. The incidence of those medicinal drugs tested for has not changed significantly since the last study and we have no reason to assume that there would be significant changes in the incidence of antihistamines either.
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  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions in what percentage of the bodies of road fatalities in which traces of cannabis was detected in his recent test alcohol was also found. [29840]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 17 February 1998]Alcohol at some level above 10mg per 100 ml of blood was present in about one-third of the fatalities in which traces of illegal drugs—including cannabis—were detected.

  Nuclear Sites (Emergency Plans)
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 3 December 1997,Official Report, column 222, on nuclear emergency plans, what payment W. S. Atkins received from the HSE for carrying out the review; for how many hours work; and if he will make a statement. [29821]

  Angela Eagle
  The payment made by the Health and Safety Executive for the professional services rendered by W. S. Atkins Science and Technology for the review of extendibility of local authority plans for responding to nuclear emergencies was £6,700. The time spent by W. S. Atkins in researching and writing the report was approximately 100 staff hours.

  Departmental Contracts
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many contracts of a value greater than £10,000 his Department has with companies in(a) London, (b) South East England, (c) England, (d) Scotland, (e) Wales and (f) Northern Ireland; and what is the total value of such contracts for each area. [30138]

  Angela Eagle
  It is not possible to provide details of contracts with companies in each area as this information is not centrally held.

  Departmental Expenditure
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will give a regional breakdown of his Department's expenditure on(a) hospitality, (b) stationery and (c) travel in the last year for which figures are available. [30137]

  Angela Eagle
  The information in the form requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Public Funding
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the public funding given to(a) London Underground and (b) the London Docklands Development Corporation in each of the last 15 years. [30140]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Government funding is provided to London Transport, rather than its constituent businesses. The distribution of grant by LT between London Underground Limited and its other businesses is a matter for LT, subject to some grant being ringfenced by the Government for certain purposes. Total public 652
  funding in 1997–98 prices provided to London Transport and the London Docklands Development Corporation in each of the last 15 years is shown in the table.

  Government Grant (£ million constant 1997–98 prices1

  Year

  London Transport

  London Docklands Development Corporation2

  1983–84

  3636

  117

  1984–85

  599

  104

  1985–86

  543

  90

  1986–87

  481

  106

  1987–88

  314

  128

  1988–89

  245

  169

  1989–90

  336

  347

  1990–91

  608

  418

  1991–92

  678

  293

  1992–93

  1,000

  273

  1993–94

  763

  147

  1994–95

  4852

  108

  1995–96

  954

  107

  1996–97

  969

  77

  1997–985

  759

  92

  1 These figures are different from those previously announced because cash figures have been converted to constant prices using the latest HM Treasury GDP deflators, published in November 1997.

  2 LDDC acquired Docklands Light Railway on 1 April 1992. Figures include-grant-in-aid-for the Docklands Light Railway from 1992–93 onwards.

  3 London Transport figure refers to calendar year 1983.

  4 In addition to grant, LT benefitted in 1994–95 from £144 million (1997–98 prices) proceeds from the sale of London Buses Limited subsidiaries.

  5 London Transport figure is a forecast out-turn which does not take account of possible carry-forward of grant to 1998–99 of up to £ 129.5m.

  Jubilee Line
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what financial assistance his Department has given to date to the Jubilee Line extension; and what estimate he has made of his Department's expenditure on this project for each of the next five years. [30142]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Department provides ringfenced grant to London Transport towards the cost of the Jubilee Line Extension (JLE) Total ringfenced grant up to 1996–97 was £1,574 million. The remaining £341 million ringfenced grant will be paid over this financial year and next financial year: £295 million in 1997–98 and £46 million in 1998–99.

  The Department also provides London Transport with non-ringfenced grant for its various businesses. London Transport allocates some of this to the JLE (£48 million up to 1996–97). LT's most recent forecast of future allocation of non-ringfenced grant to the JLE is £216 million in 1997–98, £165 million in 1998–99, £117 million in 1999–2000 and nothing thereafter.

  These figures exclude investment in the core network being carried out as part of the JLE project.

  The private sector has also contributed over £100 million to the cost of the project and will provide further contributions totalling over £300 million in instalments over a 25-year period.

  Financial Assistance
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the total value of financial assistance packages, including tax and rates relief, offered to companies in enterprise zones in(a) the City of London, (b) Docklands, (c) London, (d) the South East of England, (e) England and (f) total in the last year for which figures are available. [30169]

  Angela Eagle
  The only Enterprise Zone in London was the Isle of Dogs Enterprise Zone designated 26 April 1982 and de-designated on 25 April 1992. The only Enterprise Zone in South-East England was North West Kent designated 31 October 1983 and de-designated on 30 October 1993 with an extended area designated on 10 October 1986 and de-designated on 9 October 1996. The total value of financial assistance packages, including tax and rates relief, offered to companies in Enterprise Zones in 1991–92 (the last full year of the Isle of Dogs Enterprise Zone) was as follows:

  £,000

  Type of financial assistance

  Docklands(Isle of Dogs EZ)

  SE England (NW Kent EZ)

  England EZs (21)

  All EZs (28)

  Rate revenue foregone

  28,100

  3,900

  62,405

  69,796

  Note:

  The estimated net cost to Exchequer of capital allowances in EZs in Great Britain November 1991-November 1992 was £15 million. A breakdown of this figure between individual EZs is not available.

  The total value of financial assistance packages, including tax and rates relief, offered to companies in Enterprise Zones in 1996–97 (the last year for which figures are available) was as follows:

  £000

  Type of financial assistance

  SE England (NW Kent EZ)

  England EZs (6)

  All EZs (8)

  Rate revenue foregone

  1,423

  5,175

  8,094

  Exchequer cost of capital allowances

  0

  9,321

  11,215

  Total

  1,423

  14,496

  19,309

  Transport Projects
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what has been the total financial support his Department has given to transport projects in(a) London, (b) the South East of England and (c) England for each of the last 10 years.[30141]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Expenditure by central Government on transport projects is not in all cases broken down by country or region, and there are therefore practical difficulties in providing an accurate and consistent breakdown in this way. The following table provides estimates of how General Government Expenditure for transport programmes benefits the relevant populations of England and South East England. The figures include the Department's direct financial support for transport (including the support the Department gives to local authorities for transport-related 654
  expenditure), local authorities self financed transport expenditure and Government support for nationalised industries and public corporations.

  £ million

  England1

  South East England2

  Unallocated3

  1987–88

  3,852

  1,189

  462

  1988–89

  3,924

  1,198

  345

  1989–90

  4,737

  1,563

  481

  1990–91

  5,609

  2,303

  677

  1991–92

  5,982

  2,573

  127

  1992–93

  6,688

  2,967

  287

  1993–94

  6,530

  2,754

  177

  1994–95

  8,604

  2,710

  1,960

  1995–96

  8,442

  4—

  4—

  1996–97

  4—

  4—

  4—

  1 General government expenditure on transport identified from available records as having been incurred for the benefit of the English population.

  2 Expenditure which can be identified from available records as having been spent in the South East of England including London.

  3 This line indicates the amount of expenditure in England which cannot for practical reasons be allocated to specific regions. As a proportion of this expenditure may also have been incurred for the benefit of the South East, expenditure figures for England cannot readily be compared with those for the South East.

  4 Figures not yet available.

  Note:

  1,2and 3 Care should be taken in drawing comparisons between different years due to differences in the amount of expenditure which could be disaggregated between countries or regions at the time of data collection.

  Source:

  Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses.

  The figures for London in the following table are not directly comparable with those for England and South East England as they are derived from a different source and include different elements of expenditure. Figures include grant for London Transport, support for local authority expenditure via Transport Policies and Programmes and some Government Office programme expenditure. However, figures exclude expenditure on trunk roads in London and local authorities self financed expenditure.

  £ million

  London

  1987–88

  316

  1988–89

  300

  1989–90

  386

  1990–91

  625

  1991–92

  711

  1992–93

  1,023

  1993–94

  859

  1994–95

  942

  1995–96

  1,062

  1996–97

  1,087

  Departmental Employees
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the number of his Department's employees by UK region, indicating the wage bill(a) in total and (b) by region in the last year for which figures are available and separately identifying the costs of London allowances and weightings. [30135]
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  Angela Eagle
  We do not hold a central record of the staff costs by region for the centre, the 9 Executive Agencies and staff employed in the Government Offices. This information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Marine Rescue
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many incidents were handled by each of the marine rescue co-ordination centres and marine rescue sub-centres of Her Majesty's Coastguard in(a) 1996 and (b) 1997; and how many of these were (i) false alarms and (ii) hoax calls. [30001]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The information requested is detailed in the tables.

  1996 Statistics

  Assistance rendered

  Assistance not rendered

  Hoax calls

  Total incidents

  Co-ordination Centre

  Aberdeen

  188

  469

  13

  670

  Clyde

  256

  150

  9

  415

  Dover

  258

  294

  7

  559

  Falmouth

  345

  544

  6

  895

  Swansea

  515

  411

  32

  958

  Yarmouth

  191

  303

  11

  505

  Sub Centre

  Belfast

  174

  114

  15

  303

  Brixham

  456

  255

  9

  720

  Forth

  160

  137

  19

  316

  Holyhead

  322

  210

  21

  553

  Humber

  375

  129

  4

  508

  Liverpool

  274

  235

  14

  523

  Milford Haven

  253

  180

  12

  445

  Oban

  180

  70

  5

  255

  Pentland

  85

  46

  2

  133

  Portland

  548

  318

  8

  874

  Shetland

  90

  32

  1

  123

  Solent

  751

  418

  38

  1,207

  Stornoway

  149

  74

  1

  224

  Thames

  512

  252

  7

  771

  Tyne Tees

  219

  98

  17

  334

  1997 Statistics

  Assistance rendered

  Assistance not rendered

  Hoax calls

  Total incidents

  Co-ordination Centre

  Aberdeen

  217

  536

  10

  763

  Clyde

  267

  176

  14

  457

  Dover

  266

  340

  13

  619

  Falmouth

  357

  612

  6

  975

  Swansea

  471

  309

  15

  795

  Yarmouth

  223

  268

  16

  507

  Sub Centre

  Belfast

  167

  113

  12

  292

  Brixham

  476

  286

  14

  776

  Forth

  176

  149

  5

  330

  Holyhead

  384

  239

  15

  638

  Humber

  331

  153

  5

  489

  Liverpool

  351

  321

  19

  691

  Milford Haven

  266

  208

  8

  482

  Oban

  222

  41

  4

  267

  Pentland

  101

  39

  0

  140

  Portland

  494

  307

  13

  814

  656

  1997 Statistics

  Assistance rendered

  Assistance not rendered

  Hoax calls

  Total incidents

  Shetland

  133

  20

  0

  153

  Solent

  768

  331

  59

  1,158

  Stornoway

  154

  84

  0

  238

  Thames

  476

  196

  33

  705

  Tyne Tees

  256

  108

  14

  378

  Estates Renewal Challenge Fund
  Mr. Pollard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will announce the allocations for the 1998–99 round of the Estates Renewal Challenge Fund. [30676]

  Ms Armstrong
  I shall be announcing allocations for the 1998–99 round of the Estates Renewal Challenge Fund tomorrow and shall place copies of the press notice detailing the successful authorities in the Libraries of both Houses.

  National Bus Pension Fund
  Ms Rosie Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if his Department has replied to a request from NBC Pension Trustees Ltd for funds to commence a legal action on the National Bus Pension Fund following a decision by the Pensions Ombudsman. [30678]

  Mr. Prescott
  After fully considering the legal advice and the relevant background, I have authorised my Department to reply to NBC Pension Trustees Ltd. offering to meet the trustees' costs with respect to a legal action on the National Bus Pension Fund.

  This offer is consistent with my hope that all outstanding legal matters concerning the former National Bus Company pension funds are satisfactorily resolved as soon as possible.

PRIME MINISTER

  Engagements
  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 18 February. [29276]

  The Prime Minister
  This morning I had meetings with Ministerial colleagues and others. Later today, in addition to my duties in the House, I will attend a dinner in the City with Chancellor Kohl.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Action 2000
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what new information and advice will be offered under the planned expansion of Action 2000's telephone helpline service. [29746]
  657
  Mrs. Roche
  I understand from Action 2000 that they plan to expand their telephone hotline service to offer a wider range of advice and good practice material, routes to training and employment opportunities and further case study material.

  Investment Agreement
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she has proposed exemptions for United Kingdom local authorities under the Multilateral Agreement on Investment. [29667]

  Mrs. Roche
  The key principle of MAI is non-discrimination against foreign investors. The UK has submitted national exceptions as part of the MAI process to cover those areas where our policy towards investors may discriminate on the basis of nationality. The MAI will not stand in the way of non-discriminatory regulation and, as discrimination against investors on the grounds of nationality is not a factor in UK local authority decisions, such exceptions are unnecessary.

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade to what extent the responsibilities of transnational corporations will be defined and clarified in the Multilateral Agreement on Investment. [29664]

  Most recent SPUR and SMART projects in the Lancashire area £

  Scheme

  Company

  Offer date

  Offer amount

  Project title

  SMART

  Fluorogas Ltd., Thornton, Cleveleys

  16.12.97

  41,512

  High Purity Fluorine Generator

  SPUR 95

  B & M Longworth Ltd., Blackburn

  07.07.97

  53,586

  Chemical Reclamation System

  SPUR95

  Consultant Gas Eng. Ltd., Skelmersdale

  31.07.97

  147,000

  Continuous Conveyor Kiln unit

  SPURA

  Custom Knight International Ltd., Preston

  31.07.97

  102,000

  Crusader Golf

  SPUR95

  Gledhill (Water Storage) Ltd., Blackpool

  16.10.97

  67,921

  Electric Combi

  SPUR95

  Group Eng Ltd., Leyland, Preston

  11.09.97

  147,000

  Lighting Panel Explosive Envir

  SPUR 95

  H W Communications, Lancaster

  22.05.97

  103,515

  Multifunctional Nested Codec

  SPUR95

  Helical Springs Ltd., Lytham St. Annes

  10.07.97

  32,967

  Small Gas Turbine System

  SPUR95

  Have Fun (Footwear Ltd.), Aecrington

  19.09.97

  109,795

  Low Cost Pu Wellington Mfg

  SPUR95

  J Fairburn Ltd., Burnley

  20.05.97

  32,558

  Portable Pipe Cutting Machine

  SPURA

  Milbrook Instruments Ltd., Blackburn

  27.01.97

  123,000

  The Chemical Microscope

  SPUR95

  Noral Micrologists Ltd., Blackburn

  22.05.97

  101,498

  Flex Bdm Project

  SPUR 95

  Systems Eng Lancaster

  18.07.97

  101,498

  Electric Cavity Scanning Sonar

  SPUR95

  J&W Gardner Eng., Lancaster

  23.04.97

  37,500

  First Six Wheel Tractor

  Nuclear Safety
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade for what reasons Her Majesty's Government have agreed to exempt military plutonium in the United Kingdom from safeguards applied by the International Atomic Energy Agency's guidelines for the management of plutonium. [28470]

  Mrs. Roche
  The guidelines for the management of plutonium were agreed among an informal group of nine countries, including the United Kingdom, to improve transparency and public confidence in the management of national holdings of civil plutonium. (I refer my hon. Friend to the reply my hon. Friend the Minister for Science, Energy and Industry gave on 2 December 1997,Official Report, column 164. The guidelines apply to the management of all plutonium in all peaceful nuclear activities, and to other plutonium after it has been designated by the Government concerned as no longer required for defence purposes.

  All nuclear material, including plutonium, which is required by the United Kingdom for national security reasons is specifically excluded from IAEA safeguards
  658
  Mrs. Roche
  Companies are always subject to the national laws of the countries in which they operate. We are, in addition, pressing for the MAI to have closely associated with it the 1976 OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises which encourage good corporate behaviour.

  Research and Development
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to her answer of 27 January 1998,Official Report, column 162, on research and development, what research her Department is assisting in Lancashire; and if she will list the assisted projects in Chorley. [28453]

  Mr. Battle
  We are assisting several projects in Lancashire through SPUR (Support for products under research) and SMART—feasibility projects for companies with up to 50 employees. SPUR ended in April 1997 and became incorporated in the new SMART scheme. Grants for the last year are listed. No projects have been funded in the constituency of Chorley.

  The Office of Science and Technology also provides funding through its LINK programme. Support is also provided for basic and strategic research undertaken in Higher Education Institutes. Information on expenditure by County is not held centrally.

  under Article 1(a) of the UK/Euratom/IAEA safeguards agreement (INFCIRC/263) of October 1978. Although the plutonium guidelines themselves do not deal with safeguards, in its Note Verbal associated with the guidelines, the United Kingdom reaffirms it commitment to submit to safeguards by the IAEA on a voluntary basis under its safeguards agreement with the IAEA and Euratom, or by the Commission of the European Community under the Euratom Treaty, all plutonium in peaceful nuclear activities, including any plutonium transferred from military activities to peaceful nuclear activities.

  Arms Sales
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to her answer of 4 February 1998,Official Report, column 662, on payments due on arms sales to far eastern countries, if she will list (a) the countries involved, (b) the currencies involved and (c) the amounts involved, where payments may be due in a currency other than sterling or US dollars. [28531]
  659
  Mrs. Roche
  Only on some long standing defence equipment cash contracts on Malaysia has ECGD a contingent liability in a currency other than sterling or US dollars. This is in Malaysian ringitts and is currently estimated at £21 million.

  Nabarro Nathanson Solicitors
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the total sum paid to Nabarro Nathanson solicitors for legal services in(a) 1995–96 and (b) 1996–97. [28268]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  [holding answer 9 February 1998]Payments by the DTI amounted to £48,495 in 1995–96. There were no payments in 1996–97.

  Electricity Companies
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a request to the European Commission under the terms of the European Merger Regulation to ensure UK jurisdiction over the regulatory aspects of any takeover bid made for a UK regional electricity company. [28337]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  [holding answer 9 February 1998]I understand from Directorate General IV of the European Commission that currently no bids for UK regional electricity companies have been notified to them under the European Community Merger Regulation. Were such a bid to be so notified my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade would consider the handling of the case on its merits at the time.

  Gas Suppliers
  Helen Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to regulate door to door selling by gas suppliers. [29602]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 16 February 1998]During meetings with the Director General of Gas Supply, I expressed my concerns over the misleading marketing techniques adopted by some gas suppliers. At the end of January the Office of Gas Supply introduced a new licence condition to regulate such activities. My Department will consult in the near future on possible modifications to strengthen the Consumer Protection (Cancellation of Contracts Concluded away from Business Premises) Regulations 1987. Both of these initiatives should enhance consumer protection with regard to doorstep selling.

  Textiles
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations she has received regarding the dumping of textile products onto the world market, with particular reference to thread from Thailand; and what action she is taking on this matter. [26223]

  Mrs. Roche
  When dumping is alleged to be taking place in the European Commission that has the power to investigate complaints by the EU industries concerned and to propose anti-dumping measures, as necessary. In recent months, my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has received a considerable number of representations about Commission investigations into 660
  unbleached cotton fabric and bedlinen originating in a number of countries, but not about the dumping of thread from Thailand.

  Enterprise Bodies
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the assistance she has provided to enterprise bodies in (i) the Docklands area, (ii) London, (iii) the South East of England and (iv) England in the last year for which figures are available. [30165]

  Mrs. Roche
  My Department provides assistance to enterprise bodies primarily in the form of a contribution towards the development of services provided by Business Link partnerships. Funding is available for both setting up Business Links (pump-priming grants) and as a continuing contribution to the cost of services. The table sets out such expenditure in 1996–97, the last full year for which expenditure is available.

DEFENCE

  Military Exercises
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list military exercises in Europe in 1997 to show(a)British participation in major NATO exercises, (b) British national exercises involving forces from other nations, (c) exercises conducted in Europe with participation of British forces and (d) British participation in NATO/PfP exercises, in each case indicating the nations involved. [29447]

  Dr. Reid
  I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Deployment
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list each country where British armed forces are deployed by(a) service and (b) ship, unit or aircraft excluding loan service personnel, minor short-term training deployments and personnel in administrative and command posts overseas. [29451]

  Dr. Reid
  I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Fighter Aircraft
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the projected maximum offensive payload and range of the Eurofighter;[28022]

  (2) what is maximum offensive payload and range of the Tornado GR7, the Tornado F3 and the Jaguar GR4. [28023]

  Mr. Spellar
  The table provides details of the maximum offensive payload for each of the aircraft types listed. The actual payload configuration will, of course, reflect the particular needs of an operation which, in turn,
  661
  would determine the range of an aircraft operating without air to air refuelling. The range figures quoted therefore represent a typical radius of operation.

  Aircraft type

  Maximum offensive payload (Kg)

  Combat radius of operation (nm)

  Tornado F3

  1,500

  600

  Tornado GR1/1A/4

  4,500

  550

  Harrier GR7

  3,000

  500

  Jaguar GR1A/3

  2,900

  400

  Eurofighter

  16,500

  1750

  1 Representative figures quoted by Eurofighter GmbH, the prime contractor responsible for development and production of the aircraft.

  Correspondence
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy for responding to letters received in the(a) Scottish Gaelic, (b) Welsh, (c) Urdu, (d) Hindi and (e) Chinese language. [28049]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 10 February 1998]The MOD complies with the Welsh Language Act 1993 which established the principle of equality between the English and Welsh languages in all public business. Letters written in Welsh therefore receive a signed reply in Welsh. Under our current policy letters written in Scottish Gaelic, Urdu, Hindi and Chinese receive a signed reply in English only.

  Ministerial Travel
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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. [28930]

  Mr. George Robertson
  [holding answer 10 February 1998]During January 1998 I undertook the following engagements in the course of my duties:

  Date

  Event

  Accessed by

  15 January

  Address at Joint Service Command and Staff College, Bracknell

  Car

  15 January

  Dinner with Defence Secondary Care Agency, London

  Car

  19 January

  Hosted lunch for the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Hungary

  Car

  20 January

  Seminar with Council of Territorial Auxiliary Volunteer Reserve Associations, London

  Foot

  23 January

  Dinner at HM Naval Base, Faslane

  Car

  26 January

  Bilateral meeting with Dutch Defence Minister, Salisbury

  Aeroplane, car and helicopter

  29 January

  Lunch with Charterhouse Bank London

  Car

  29 January

  Visit to Northern Ireland

  Aeroplane, car and helicopter

  Dockyard Workers
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) past and (b) present Rosyth Dockyard employees have (i) made a claim for compensation and (ii) been awarded compensation under the Government's compensation scheme. [29438]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 16 February 1998]Former MOD employees and those currently employed by Babcock Rosyth Defence Limited (BRDL) at Rosyth Dockyard are entitled to compensation under the nuclear industry's no fault Compensation Scheme for Radiation Linked Diseases. My Department joined the scheme in August 1994 and BRDL joined in 1997. Since August 1994, seven compensation claims have been submitted in respect of civilians who have at some time worked at Rosyth, including those now employed by BRDL. No-one has yet been awarded compensation but five of the claims are currently under investigation.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he has taken to publicise the health and compensation schemes available to Rosyth Dockyard workers. [29441]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 16 February 1998]MOD joined the nuclear industry's Compensation Scheme for Radiation Linked Diseases in 1994. Since then the Department has publicised the Scheme to current MOD employees through Defence Council Instructions and is currently considering a number of options for advertising the Scheme more widely to former MOD employees and their families.

  MOD civilian workers at Rosyth Royal Dockyard became employees of Babcock Rosyth Defence Limited (BRDL) on 1 April 1987. Ownership of the Dockyard passed to BRDL on January 1997, the same year in which the company became a member of the nuclear industry's Compensation Scheme for Radiation Linked Diseases. BRDL publicised the scheme in its weekly newsletter of 23 January 1998, a copy of which was issued to all employees.

  The Ionising Radiation Regulations 1985 require the Appointed Doctor, a recognised physician appointed by the Health and Safety Executive's Employment Medical Advisory Service, to undertake an annual health review of classified radiation workers. Rosyth Royal Dockyard workers are made aware of the annual health reviews through the company's radiation safety training.

  In addition, BRDL issued a Company Notice to all industrial employees on 4 June 1997, publicising the MOD's scheme for the counselling of radiation workers and giving details of the company's own scheme.

  Enriched Uranium
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements are in place for the enrichment of uranium for defence purposes. [29459]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 17 February 1998]The United Kingdom has sufficient enriched uranium for current defence purposes and enrichment will not again be required for some time.

  Departmental Expenditure
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give a regional breakdown of his Department's expenditure on(a) hospitality, (b) stationery and (c) travel in the last year for which figures are available. [30072]

  Dr. Reid
  The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list expenditure on(a) defence procurement, (b) research and development, (c) running costs and (d) service wages and costs for (i) London, (ii) the South East of England, (iii) England, (iv) Scotland, (v) Wales and (vi) Northern Ireland in the last year for which figures are available. [30131]

  Dr. Reid
  My Department collects only a limited amount of information about spending in the various regions of the UK. Table 1.9 of Defence Statistics 1997, a copy of which is in the Library of the House, provides a breakdown, by region, of total expenditure by the MOD on defence equipment. No similar breakdown of expenditure on running costs or service pay is available.

  Regimental Sites
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the current location in the United Kingdom of each Army regiment, the number of service and support personnel at each site, and the total wage bill for each site in the last year for which figures are available. [30128]

  Dr. Reid
  Much of the information requested is not held centrally but I am investigating what may be gathered. I will write to the hon. Member once my inquiries are complete and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Shore Stations
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the number and running costs of(a) Royal Naval shore stations and (b) Army core headquarters in (i) the South East of England, (ii) England, (iii) Scotland, (iv) Wales and (v) Northern Ireland. [30127]

  Dr. Reid
  I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Armed Forces (Nationality Criteria)
  Ms Dari Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the review of the nationality criteria for entry into the armed forces will be completed; and if he will make a statement. [30545]

  Dr. Reid
  A comprehensive review of all nationality issues for employment in the Armed Forces has just been completed. It has now been agreed that, with effect from 1 April 1998, the rules relating to nationality extraction, that is the nationality of an applicant's parents, should be relaxed in line with the changes made for Civil Servants. In the majority of cases parents of applicants will no longer need to be British or Commonwealth citizens, or 664
  Republic of Ireland nationals. In certain circumstances, where security is of paramount importance, applicants will be looked at on a case by case basis.

  It has also been agreed that the residency rules should be changed. The 5 year UK residency requirement for most applicants is to be relaxed to allow those who have spent less than 5 years in the UK entry into the Armed Forces.

  I believe that these rule changes will ensure that the Armed Forces become more open for potential recruits, particularly amongst the ethnic minorities.

  We have concluded that the existing rules relating to an applicant's own nationality should remain extant, namely that an applicant should be a British, British Dependent Territories or Commonwealth citizen or a Republic of Ireland national.

WALES

  Farming
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many meetings he has had with the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to discuss the future of Welsh farming. [28408]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  I meet my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food frequently to discuss the issues of common interest including the future of Welsh agriculture. The last formal occasion was on Wednesday 11 February.

  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he last held talks with Welsh farming representatives; and what matters were discussed. [28417]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  I met representatives of the Welsh agriculture industry on 4, 5 and 9 February. We discussed the problems currently facing the industry at the first two meetings and the long term future of Welsh agriculture at the third meeting. I also addressed the Welsh Forum of the National Farmers' Union's Annual Conference on 3 February.

  Cold Weather Payments
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what meetings he has had with pensioners' groups in Wales to discuss cold weather payments. [28409]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  None.

  Welsh Assembly
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on progress in setting up the Welsh assembly. [28410]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  Excellent progress is being made.

  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which locations in Wales have applied to house the Welsh assembly. [28411]
  665
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received from organisations based in Wales regarding the siting of the Welsh assembly. [28426]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  I refer the hon. Members to the reply I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for South Cambridgeshire (Mr. Lansley).

  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he is taking to broaden the background of candidates for the Welsh assembly. [28416]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  The selection of candidates for the elections to the National Assembly for Wales is a matter for the political parties. I would expect the parties to ensure through their selection processes that people of ability and from the widest possible range of interests are chosen to stand in the elections.

  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement about the venue and estimated cost of the Welsh assembly. [28420]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  I have not yet come to a decision on the venue of the National Assembly for Wales. Any decision needs to provide good value for money and be affordable within the resources available.

  Mr. St. Aubyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received from hon. Members regarding the siting of the Welsh assembly. [28423]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  I have received representations both in response to my consultation paper and prior to its issue. They were both in the form of correspondence and questions in the House and came from:

  Llanelli: The right hon. Denzil Davies

  Swansea West: The right hon. Alan Williams

  Delyn: David Hanson

  Swansea East: Donald Anderson

  Clwyd West: Gareth Thomas

  Cardiff North: Julie Morgan

  Gower: Martin Caton

  Wrexham: Dr. John Marek

  Vale of Clwyd: Chris Ruane

  Alyn and Deeside: Barry Jones

  Cardiff West: Rhodri Morgan

  Caernarfon: Dafydd Wigley

  Ribble Valley: Nigel Evans

  Lichfield: Michael Fabricant

  Worthing East and Shoreham: Tim Loughton

  Shropshire North: Owen Paterson

  Ashford: Damian Green

  Ruislip Northwood: John Wilkinson

  New Forest East: Julian Lewis

  Chipping Barnet: Sir Sydney Chapman

  Cambridgeshire South: Andrew Lansley

  Guildford: Nick St Aubyn

  Beckenham: Jaqui Lait.

  Historic Chapels
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has held about the creation of a historic chapels trust for Wales since the publication of 666
  the Government's response to the second report of the Welsh Affairs Committee of Session 1992–93 on the preservation of historic buildings and ancient monuments. [28412]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  Discussions have taken place between Cadw and the Redundant Historic Chapels Working Group, the Historic Buildings Council and the Wales Council for Voluntary Action. As a result my Department has agreed to provide a grant of £92,000 over two years to the Wales Council for Voluntary Action to fund the establishment of a Chapels Conservation Trust.

  Public Bodies (Women)
  Ms Julie Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to increase the representation of women on public bodies in Wales. [28413]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  I am very anxious to increase the representation of women on public bodies in Wales.

  My Department is developing a programme with representative organisations to increase the pool of good candidates from a variety of backgrounds, making the public appointments process more accessible; making criteria more explicit and laying them open to comment; making sure that independent assessors also reflect diversity; and giving applicants more feedback and constructive suggestions about routes into public life.

  As part of this programme, the Department has at my request developed proposals for two exciting and innovative pilot projects which will be put into action in consultation with Welsh women MPs, local MPs and other interested organisations. I will announce further details of these projects shortly.

  NHS Trusts
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the NHS trust re-configuration exercise. [28414]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  I refer my hon. Friend to the oral answer I gave today to my hon. Friend the Member for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney (Mr. Rowlands) and my right hon. Friend the Member for Llanelli (Mr. Davies).

  Partnership Council
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what he expects will be the cost of setting up and running the partnership council in Wales. [28415]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  It will be for the National Assembly and local government in Wales to decide on the size and work of the Partnership Council and, therefore, its costs. However, there is no reason why the overall costs of running the Council should be significantly different from those associated with the Central Local Partnership Wales.

  Millennium Dome
  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has held with the Minister without Portfolio about the representation of Wales in the millennium dome, Greenwich. [28418]
  667
  Mr. Ron Davies
  I am assured by my hon. Friend the Minister without Portfolio that following the Prime Minister's five commitments made in June last year, the Millennium Experience will involve the whole UK. Its content will appeal to and be relevant to people of all ages and interests wherever they may live. The overarching theme, "Time to Make a Difference", and the way that this will be presented at Greenwich, will engage, inspire and educate all who visit the Experience.

  School Standards
  Mr. Touhig
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on his priorities in respect of school standards in Wales. [28419]

  Mr. Hain
  The Government's priority is to work with teachers to raise the standards of education achieved by all our young people. We have placed a particular emphasis on the need to improve literacy and numeracy skills in primary schools within the context of a broad and balanced curriculum.

  Agricultural Sector
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the(a) short-term and (b) long-term prospects of the agricultural sector in Wales. [28421]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  I do not underestimate the serious nature of the difficulties that the agricultural sector in Wales is currently facing. For the longer term, general commodity markets are likely to be increasingly competitive. The way for Welsh agriculture to compete is to develop well-branded products, which can command premium prices, with a greater degree of value being added in the food supply chain in Wales. In this context, I want to see Wales developing a strong reputation for extensive, farm-assured production, including organic food.

  Road and Canal Transport
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on his policy concerning road and canal transport. [28422]

  Mr. Hain
  The role that all transport modes should play in improving transport links is being considered as part of our plans to develop an integrated transport policy. The consultation exercise launched last August will lead to a UK-wide White Paper on transport later this year. At around the same time, a Welsh Transport Policy Statement will be published drawing out those issues of particular relevance and importance to Wales.

  Optec DD
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the closure of the Optec DD factory at Buckley, Flintshire. [28424]

  Mr. Hain
  We were very disappointed to hear of this closure and greatly regret the job losses involved. But such decisions must remain a commercial matter for the company. The Welsh Office and its agencies nevertheless stand ready to assist wherever they can.

  Health Clinics
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has for the expansion of health clinics in Wales. [28425]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The delivery of health care is a matter for local consideration, and it is for Health Authorities to make detailed arrangements in response to local needs. This may include the provision of health clinics by general practitioners.

  In July 1997, I announced a package of £2.5 million to support the development of primary and community health care in Wales. The Package, which is intended to help provide more local flexibility, included an Equity Fund of £500,000 to address inequalities in the provision of primary care services.

  Road Traffic
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made for road traffic growth in Wales in 1998. [28427]

  Mr. Hain
  The National Road Forecast (Great Britain) 1997 publication predicts that road traffic will grow between 0.65 per cent. and 2.79 per cent. during 1998. The average growth on trunk roads in Wales over recent years has tended to follow the higher prediction and I expect this to continue this year.

  Buildings Refurbishment
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the cost of buildings refurbishment carried out by his Department in(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996 –97, (c) 1997–98 to date and (d) 1997–98 full year; and if he will make a statement. [26616]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  [holding answer 5 February 1998]Such costs are included within my Department's general administrative expenditure which is published every year in the Annual Report.

  Periodicals
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the expenditure of his Department on newspapers and magazines in(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98 to date and (d) 1997–98 full year; and if he will list the newspapers and magazines purchased or subscribed to on a regular basis. [26615]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  [holding answer 5 February 1998]My Department purchases a range of publications. Approximate expenditure is as follows:(a) £80,000, (b) £87,500, (c) £50,000, (d) £65,000.

  Absenteeism
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will estimate the rates of absenteeism in his(a) Department, (b) agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies, for (i) 1995–96, (ii) 1996–97 and (iii) 1997–98 to date; and if he will make a statement. [26613]
  669
  Mr. Ron Davies
  [holding answer 5 February 1998]The average number of working days sickness absence per member of staff for the Welsh Office, including the Cadw Agency, during the 1995 and 1996 calendar years was 10 and 9.03 days respectively. Statistics for the 1997 calendar year are not yet available. Separate statistics are not available for Cadw.

  Details of absenteeism in non-departmental public bodies sponsored by my department are not held centrally.

  Market Research
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what expenditure has been incurred by his Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies(a) in 1996–97 and (b) since 1 May 1997 on (i) opinion polling, (ii) focus groups and (iii) other forms of market research; if he will list the surveys commissioned and the purpose of each; and if he will make a statement. [26611]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  [holding answer 5 February 1998]The following expenses have been incurred by my agencies and non-departmental public bodies:

  Energy and Environment Office (EEO): Business and Environment Campaign

  Period: January to September 1997

  Cost: £1,0259 (+ VAT)

  Purpose: Telemarketing research exercise to 250 decision makers within Welsh SMEs to gauge their awareness of the Department's Business and Environment Campaign.

  Wales Environment Centre Mori Survey

  Period: February to April 1997

  Cost: £20,000 (Environment Agency contribution = £15,000)

  Purpose: To determine Managing Director and Finance Director
  (within Welsh companies) views of environmental issues.

  Welsh Development Agency

  Period: 1996–97

  Environmental Goods and Services Market Research

  Cost: £10,000

  Purpose: To identify the size of this sector in Wales in order for the WDA to develop appropriate support measures.

  Inward Investment Evaluation Survey

  Cost: £33,056 excluding VAT

  Purpose: To undertake a formal evaluation of the Agency's inward investment.

  Welsh Omnibus Survey

  Cost: £1,530

  Purpose: The inclusion of additional questions to the Evaluation survey to assess resident expectations of Welsh economic prospects.

  Information Society benchmarking study

  Cost: £12,760 excluding VAT

  Purpose: To identify the use of information and communication technologies by Welsh firms.

  Cadw

  Tracking survey

  Period: August/September 1996

  Cost: £11,750

  Purpose: To gain market profile data about visitors to the monuments in the care of the Secretary of State for Wales.

  670
  Cardiff Bay Development Corporation

  Period: 1996–97

  Inner Harbour Study

  Cost: £2,400

  Purpose: To survey the attitudes of visitors and to establish whether the attractions and facilities in the Inner Harbour are meeting the needs of these visitors.

  Visitor/Leisure Monitor

  Cost: £3,085

  Purpose: To assess trends in leisure visiting, to gauge levels of visiting and to assess satisfaction amongst visitors to Cardiff Bay as a leisure destination.

  Corporate, Commercial and Regional Monitors

  Cost: £5,645

  Purpose: Opinion survey to provide the basis on which sound decisions can be taken and to highlight problems and opportunities as they arise and develop.

  Technology Marketing Study

  Cost: £5,000

  Purpose: To establish the competitive position of Cardiff Bay relative to other competing locations in the UK and to identify sectors that the Bay could attract on the basis of the infrastructure and service provision.

  Digital Development Research

  Cost: £20,000

  Purpose: To measure the impact of the introduction and development of Digital Technology on the media sector in Wales.

  Multi-media Centre Consultancy

  Cost: £2,500

  Purpose: To put together a European Regional Development Fund bid for a multi-media centre to be based in Cardiff Bay.

  Telecoms Sectoral Analysis

  Cost: £13,375

  Purpose: An analysis of sectors and firms which may be interested in the telecommunications technology available in Cardiff Bay.

  Period: 1997–98

  Inner Harbour Study

  Cost: £1,296

  Purpose: To survey the attitudes of visitors and to establish whether the attractions and facilities in the Inner Harbour are meeting the needs of these visitors.

  Cultural Quarter Feasibility Study

  Cost: £9,990

  Purpose: To determine appropriate marketing and development strategies and initiatives to promote the Mount Stuart Cultural Quarter concept.

  Wales Tourist Board

  Research Programme

  Period: 1996–97

  Cost: £333,000

  Period: 1997–98

  Cost: £317,000

  (It is not possible to isolate funding specifically for focus groups because most research studies involve a range of different qualitative/quantitative research techniques. An approximate estimate for expenditure incurred specifically on focus group research would be £30,000 in 1996/97 and £50,000 in 1997/98).
  671
  Development Board for Rural Wales

  Customer Satisfaction Survey

  Period: May 1997 cont.

  Cost: £31,502

  Purpose: To determine the current strengths and weaknesses of the customer services offered by the Board, and identify opportunities to improve customer service delivery operations. The survey forms an integral part of the Board's continuous improvement strategy, building on the achievement of ISO 9001.

  Ministerial Functions
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what functions he exercises in England. [29023]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  In addition to the functions which I exercise collectively for the whole of the UK as a member of the Cabinet, there are certain specific functions I exercise which extend beyond Wales.

  I have functions with respect to the water industry, flood defence, internal drainage and the aquatic environment which extend to parts of England.

  For instance, the boundaries of water companies are dictated by the course of natural watersheds and so do not follow the boundary between Wales and England. Under the Water Industry Act 1991, I exercise various functions with respect to Dwr Cymru and Chester Waterworks Company whose areas extend into England, while my right. hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister exercises functions with respect to Severn Trent Water Ltd. whose area includes Montgomeryshire.

  I have a range of functions which Acts of Parliament require me and other Ministerial colleagues to exercise jointly. Some of these functions relate to Wales and England; others to Great Britain and others to the United Kingdom. The majority of these joint functions are to be found in legislation on agriculture. The practical effect of the legislation is that I have functions with respect to areas outside Wales, although I cannot exercise them on my own because they have to be exercised jointly.

  Under section 487 of the Education Act 1996, regulations make provision for me to pay local education authorities and other persons grants for education in Welsh. Although it is not the case at present, I could exercise my functions so as to pay grants in England for this purpose.

  My functions under the Welsh Language Act 1993 potentially affect any public body providing services to people in Wales, regardless of where the body may be located. In that sense, my functions under the 1993 Act extend beyond Wales.

  Play Groups
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of progress in introducing playgroups in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [29431]

  Mr. Hain
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave him on 4 February 1998,Official Report, columns 677–78.

  Jet Skis
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what initiatives he is taking to reduce the number of jet ski-related accidents in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [29378]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The issues raised by the use of jet skis are currently being considered as part of an interdepartmental review of by law powers for the coast. A discussion paper was issued for consultation in Wales in February 1997 in parallel was a similar exercise in England. The responses to these exercises are being taken into account by an Interdepartmental Working Party which will provide advice to Ministers. The Coastguard Agency is leading further work specifically to analyse the problems and identify solutions for dealing with personal watercraft, involving the Marine Safety Agency and relevant Departments.

  Health Services
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what measures he is taking to improve local health services in Wales. [29379]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The Government published its White Paper, "NHS Wales—Putting Patients First" (CM. No.3841) on 15 January. Together with the proposed reconfiguration of NHS trusts in Wales, the changes outlined in the White Paper will improve services, make NHS Wales more responsive, efficient and accountable and release £50 million over the lifetime of the current Parliament for reinvestment in direct patient care. The new arrangements will give GPs and others the opportunity to ensure that local services are tailored to the needs of local people.

  Rail Freight
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he is taking to encourage more freight to be transported by rail in Wales. [29865]

  Mr. Hain
  Financial assistance under the Freight Facilities Grant scheme continues to be available towards the cost of the provision of rail freight facilities. One of the main issues raised for debate during the recent consultation exercise on our plans to develop an integrated transport policy was the practical measures needed to bring about increased use of less environmentally damaging forms of freight transport. The consultation exercise will lead to a UK wide White Paper on transport later this year. At around the same time a Welsh Transport Policy Statement will be published drawing out those issues and themes of particular relevance and importance to Wales.

  Regeneration and Development
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement about current proposals for regeneration and development in Merthyr Tydfil. [30677]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  I have been considering very carefully a number of issues which have been raised in connection with, and related to, the disposal by the WDA of the Waterglade and Thorn sites to Merthyr Tydfil Borough Council. My Department has also examined
  673
  these issues at a meeting on 13 February 1998 with the District Auditor and Merthyr under section 30 of the Local Government Finance Act 1982.

  These matters, which relate to the actions of Merthyr in relation to contracts for the disposal and development of the Waterglade and Thorn sites, are of serious concern to me. I have not formed a concluded view as to whether Merthyr's behaviour over this period amounts to unlawful conduct or not. The concerns, which continue to be subject to inquiry by the District Auditor, nevertheless dictate that it is not in the public interest to complete the contract until the matter has been fully considered and resolved.

  Accordingly, I have today used my power under section 1(9) of the Welsh Development Agency Act 1975 to issue a Direction to the Agency to the effect that the Agency shall not presently complete the contract of 9 February 1996 between the Agency and Methyr Tydfil Borough Council for the sale of these sites unless compelled to do so by an Order of the Court. I shall lay a copy of the Direction before Parliament as soon as possible. The interim Direction is, of course, subject to any view the Court may have.

  My Department will offer whatever assistance it can to the District Auditor in pursuing her inquiry. I have also drawn my decision to the attention of the Police and my Department will give full co-operation to any Police investigation.

  Council Tax Discounts
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the future of council tax discounts in Wales. [28402]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  On 16 December 1997, I announced new rules on council tax for second homes in Wales. From 1 April 1998 local authorities will have discretion to charge up to the full council tax on unoccupied and furnished second homes, without a six month delay and whether or not they used to be someone's sole or main residence. The new rules were made following wide consultation and replace rules which were inequitable and difficult to operate.

  Looking ahead, the Department will consult over the next few months on the operation of council tax in Wales as part of the review of local government. We will consider whether improvements can be made in the light of the responses to consultation.

  Planning
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to issue a version of the policy statement, "Modernising Planning", in Wales. [28397]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  None. However, I shall be considering the extent to which the proposals covered by my right hon. Friend's statement should be carried forward in Wales. I will consult, as appropriate, on the detail of any such proposals.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Police Manpower (London)
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the manpower level at each police station within each London borough; and what were the figures three years ago. [29708]

  Mr. Michael
  A list of manpower by Metropolitan Police Division is shown below. As the Metropolitan Police District does not equate to the London boroughs, a breakdown by borough is not available.

  End of December 1994

  End of December 1997

  Number of police

  Number of civil staff

  Number of police

  Number of civil staff

  Belgravia

  AB

  324.55

  73.01

  308.71

  62.94

  Notting Hill

  BH

  245.00

  53.38

  243.60

  59.50

  Brompton

  BS

  371.83

  103.98

  365.50

  85.12

  West End Central

  CD

  328.00

  87.00

  309.00

  77.25

  Charing Cross

  CX

  411.90

  94.00

  398.60

  80.00

  Marylebone

  DM

  268.90

  80.92

  329.10

  77.92

  Paddington

  DP

  466.20

  104.00

  352.00

  97.15

  Hampstead

  EH

  220.00

  67.10

  213.35

  53.25

  Kentish Town

  EK

  269.70

  57.77

  285.46

  64.45

  Holborn

  EO

  214.20

  53.00

  197.70

  60.94

  Fulham

  FF

  217.00

  51.55

  230.76

  52.56

  Hammersmith

  FH

  328.20

  88.38

  311.02

  91.24

  Shoreditch & Hackney

  GD

  336.68

  97.58

  330.40

  83.67

  Stoke Newington

  GN

  356.50

  99.00

  346.24

  86.00

  Limehouse

  HH

  292.00

  82.56

  267.09

  74.56

  Whitechapel

  HT

  341.70

  117.90

  300.40

  88.75

  Heathrow

  ID

  414.39

  60.62

  362.06

  60.41

  Barkingside

  JB

  296.40

  124.09

  268.00

  82.98

  Chingford

  JC

  243.80

  82.95

  238.70

  72.54

  Ilford

  JI

  257.49

  101.06

  228.95

  70.51

  Leyton

  JL

  243.40

  61.89

  224.80

  54.02

  Havering

  KD

  377.17

  141.25

  334.33

  84.72

  Forest Gate

  KF

  306.28

  102.00

  303.48

  69.07

  Dagenham

  KG

  304.60

  111.81

  299.90

  65.06

  Plaistow

  KO

  316.80

  96.00

  286.88

  60.83

  Brixton

  LD

  322.50

  90.27

  299.08

  73.27

  Streatham

  LS

  273.90

  78.38

  251.30

  79.56

  Vauxhall

  LX

  406.65

  131.05

  366.51

  110.36

  Southwark

  MD

  289.12

  82.34

  289.18

  67.25

  Peckham

  MM

  307.35

  102.91

  302.63

  82.02

  Walworth

  MS

  275.00

  71.00

  268.70

  67.67

  Holloway

  NH

  270.60

  77.64

  250.50

  70.06

  Islington

  NI

  297.30

  74.76

  298.90

  78.05

  Catford

  PD

  260.70

  100.48

  290.85

  65.22

  Lewisham

  PL

  337.60

  93.46

  319.38

  78.22

  Bromley & Orpington

  PY

  500.43

  148.01

  464.10

  124.12

  Harrow

  QA

  272.20

  86.18

  289.05

  71.26

  Wembley

  QD

  266.70

  71.94

  266.48

  61.08

  Kilburn

  OK

  385.28

  79.11

  346.75

  75.35

  Plumstead

  RA

  308.50

  97.38

  313.49

  74.01

  Greenwich

  RG

  264.70

  97.00

  298.40

  80.02

  Bexleyheath

  RY

  285.00

  108.44

  282.00

  78.87

  Barnet & Hertsmere

  SA

  323.00

  64.77

  277.26

  60.46

  Colindale

  1SC

  —

  —

  428.73

  88.01

  Golders Green

  SG

  211.10

  54.45

  —

  10.00

  West Hendon

  SV

  256.75

  69.00

  —

  —

  Chiswick

  TC

  202.70

  62.48

  186.30

  60.40

  Hounslow

  TD

  263.60

  92.00

  270.26

  81.34

  Spelthorne

  TG

  199.20

  69.47

  178.40

  43.93

  Twickenham

  TW

  297.45

  87.69

  283.15

  71.44

  Kingston

  VK

  373.14

  99.12

  266.89

  80.66

  Wimbledon

  VW

  354.45

  102.73

  292.48

  91.52

  Battersea

  WA

  298.80

  101.44

  268.70

  70.62

  Wandsworth

  WW

  348.98

  106.64

  327.18

  103.94

  Ealing

  XD

  355.93

  100.00

  338.35

  87.44

  Hillingdon

  XH

  439.50

  127.75

  398.20

  109.67

  Southall

  XS

  287.93

  102.12

  288.16

  70.32

  Edmonton

  YE

  270.20

  89.83

  268.30

  74.30

  Enfield

  YF

  273.40

  102.29

  282.00

  66.80

  675

  End of December 1994

  End of December 1997

  Number of police

  Number of civil staff

  Number of police

  Number of civil staff

  Hornsey

  YR

  284.95

  77.60

  261.40

  79.02

  Tottenham

  YT

  295.00

  82.11

  265.1

  70.08

  Croydon

  ZD

  296.50

  93.84

  272.84

  83.23

  South Norwood

  ZN

  327.30

  99.91

  327.77

  92.60

  Epsom & Sutton

  ZP

  428.90

  125.15

  404.50

  92.54

  Total

  19,465.00

  5,693.54

  18,419.30

  4,740.15

  1Amalgamation of SG and SV.

  Immigration Interviews
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to commission research into the use of(a) tape recording and (b) video cameras for the purpose of recording interviews carried out by immigration officers. [29666]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  There are no plans to record interviews with passengers seeking entry at the primary port controls. I have, however, commissioned a feasibility study into the potential use of tape recording for asylum interviews, whether at ports or in country. A working group is due to report back to me later this year.

  Closed Circuit Television (Airports)
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will install closed circuit television cameras at the arrival gates and passport control areas of British airports. [29665]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  A trial involving the use of strategically placed closed circuit cameras has been carried out at Heathrow under a joint initiative between the British Airports Authority, Her Majesty's Customs, the police and the Immigration Service. The results of this trial are being analysed. Final decisions will be taken by Ministers, but the indications are that closed circuit television cameras can perform a valuable security role in some areas at British airports.

  Internet Pornography
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to draw the attention of parents to the ease with which children can obtain access to pornographic material on the Internet; and if he will make a statement. [29744]

  Mr. Michael
  The Government are aware that, while the Internet contains many websites which carry material aimed at the educational need of children, it can also be used for the distribution of pornographic and other potentially illegal material. In response to concerns about the availability of such material, the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) was established in September 1996, following discussion between service providers, the Metropolitan Police and officials from the Home Office and Department of Trade and Industry. This is a self-regulatory organisation which is financed by voluntary contributions from the United Kingdom Internet industry and its aims are to determine whether particular newsgroups carry potentially illegal material, to trace the originator and to ask the Internet Service Providers to remove it from their servers. Details of child pornography 676
  are also sent to the police and the Foundation has established a "hotline" to enable users to report the presence of potentially illegal material in a newsgroup or website. The Government support the actions taken by the IWF in this respect.

  Filtering software packages, such as Net Nanny, are available which enable parents to deny access to material containing sexually explicit words. Building on this, a working group of representatives from the IWF and Internet Service Providers has been devising a common ratings system suitable for United Kingdom Internet users on which there is growing international co-operation. This system is expected to address legal, but potentially offensive, material without curtailing freedom of expression. The Foundation aims to work on this system over the next 18 months and, once it is available, expects it to extend to newsgroups as well as websites. The IWF is also working with Internet Service Providers to develop better advice to Internet users about how to use the network safely and further details about this will be given in a publicity event due early next month.

  In addition, the Department for Education and Employment commissioned the National Council for Educational Technology (now known as the British Educational and Communications Technology Agency) to prepare separate guidance for parents and teachers on access to computers. This is available free of charge and features advice on computer pornography within the wider context of the use of the computer within the home and the school. The guidance was drawn up in consultation with a number of interested parties, including the police. As well as addressing the problem of computer misuse, the guidance recognises the scope for the good use of computers and draws attention to the role of information technology in the National Curriculum, and the need to develop pupils' capabilities in the new technologies in preparation for working life.

  Race Relations Forum
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons have applied to become members of the Race Relations Forum. [29565]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  There has not been a formal application procedure for membership of the Race Relations Forum. A total of 194 nominations and self-nominations have been received. These have come from community organisations, the Commission for Racial Equality, Government Departments and individuals.

  We hope to be able to make an announcement about the membership of the Forum shortly.

  Commission for Racial Equality
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to appoint the new commissioners to the Commission for Racial Equality; and how many persons applied to be commissioners in the latest round. [29566]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  A total of 1,029 persons applied for these posts. The new Commissioners will be appointed in due course to replace the current postholders who complete their terms of appointment on 31 March.

  Special Constables
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average amount of money spent per special constable in the last year for which figures are available; what is the average length of service of each special constable; what percentage of special constables were subsequently recruited as police officers in the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [29813]

  Mr. Michael
  Not all this information is available and it could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. In general, the costs of special constables have been absorbed into the operational costs of the police forces and borne by the police fund without being shown separately. The 1995–96 Working Group which reviewed the Special Constabulary concluded that chief officers, police authorities and the general public should be able to know the costs involved and recommended that these costs should be identified under separate item headings in force financial plans, statements and annual reports. We have commended this practice to chief officers.

  Details of the length of service of special constables are not collected centrally. However, a straw poll of 20 forces two years ago indicated that the average length of service was about four years. A significant number of specials leave to join the regular police force. During visits to meet officers in a number of police forces in "Specials Week" recently, I was struck by the number of long serving specials and the positive spirit of teamwork with their regular colleagues.

  The percentage of special constables who joined the regular force in the last five years was as follows:

  1992: 2.9 per cent.

  1993: 2.4 per cent.

  Special constables in post in England and Wales

  Forces

  Dec '92

  Dec '93

  Mar '95

  Mar '96

  Mar '97

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Avon and Somerset

  465

  247

  508

  262

  420

  231

  426

  262

  424

  205

  Bedfordshire

  119

  80

  113

  79

  107

  82

  103

  86

  104

  78

  Cambridgeshire

  120

  62

  153

  92

  174

  105

  177

  98

  195

  108

  Cheshire

  183

  91

  238

  149

  207

  114

  184

  90

  292

  183

  City of London

  75

  10

  67

  22

  60

  23

  56

  21

  60

  26

  Cleveland

  127

  68

  158

  74

  137

  75

  132

  63

  109

  51

  Cumbria

  145

  85

  161

  87

  160

  81

  140

  61

  125

  64

  Derbyshire

  218

  117

  271

  152

  287

  147

  282

  131

  297

  131

  Devon and Cornwall

  576

  370

  664

  403

  697

  445

  688

  414

  708

  440

  Dorset

  156

  107

  141

  98

  138

  83

  163

  91

  167

  122

  Durham

  121

  82

  154

  104

  119

  81

  114

  73

  105

  79

  Dyfed-Powys

  178

  82

  191

  80

  205

  97

  200

  114

  165

  118

  Essex

  503

  256

  496

  255

  440

  234

  403

  205

  423

  211

  Gloucestershire

  186

  88

  180

  135

  215

  105

  217

  116

  191

  106

  Greater Manchester

  236

  334

  365

  252

  436

  332

  422

  324

  392

  293

  Gwent

  83

  18

  86

  23

  97

  29

  94

  42

  113

  44

  Hampshire

  386

  201

  418

  193

  420

  178

  369

  170

  395

  216

  Hertfordshire

  181

  66

  206

  88

  225

  95

  210

  105

  200

  97

  Humberside

  248

  174

  274

  172

  267

  160

  258

  133

  224

  116

  Kent

  367

  187

  387

  200

  387

  182

  370

  185

  398

  191

  Lancashire

  313

  226

  324

  241

  335

  273

  304

  227

  278

  205

  Leicestershire

  240

  139

  275

  117

  245

  111

  249

  111

  275

  140

  Lincolnshire

  255

  161

  247

  136

  220

  102

  210

  89

  193

  78

  Merseyside

  248

  119

  259

  130

  237

  147

  205

  138

  244

  157

  Metropolitan Police

  982

  507

  1,056

  559

  1,015

  535

  1,188

  653

  1,127

  587

  Norfolk

  226

  120

  241

  125

  234

  111

  210

  109

  260

  142

  North Wales

  172

  123

  179

  119

  169

  119

  205

  127

  216

  125

  North Yorkshire

  215

  173

  244

  253

  217

  164

  201

  159

  213

  149

  Northamptonshire

  192

  110

  219

  111

  201

  102

  190

  99

  209

  107

  Northumbria

  295

  217

  309

  208

  319

  187

  310

  161

  367

  166

  678

  1994–95: 2.9 per cent.

  1995–96: 3.2 per cent.

  1996–97: 3.4 per cent.

  Special constables are used to support the work of regular officers, not to replace them. They represent an additional resource for police forces. Specials are not paid and, although there are costs in recruiting, equipping and training them, those costs are minimal compared to the costs of regular officers. The turnover of specials at 20 per cent. per annum compares favourably with other areas of volunteering where the wastage figure can exceed 70 per cent. The resources invested in the specials who subsequently join the regular force are not wasted to the service. Special constables make an excellent, cost effective contribution to policing local communities.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many special police constables there were for each police force, by sex and age group, in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [29812]

  Mr. Michael
  The number of special constables in post in each force in England and Wales over the last five years, by sex, is shown in the table. Details of their age groups are not collected centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The percentage of women in the Special Constabulary is 35 per cent. compared with 15 per cent. in the regular force.

  Care needs to be taken in interpreting the figures, as a number of forces have been at pains to trim their list to "active" Specials who meet a high level of commitment on a regular basis while high demands are placed on Specials in terms of recruitment and training.
  679

  Special constables in post in England and Wales

  Forces

  Dec '92

  Dec '93

  Mar '95

  Mar '96

  Mar '97

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Nottinghamshire

  354

  239

  334

  217

  327

  225

  320

  217

  397

  223

  South Wales

  299

  133

  376

  165

  333

  144

  326

  135

  257

  104

  South Yorkshire

  283

  129

  317

  156

  317

  135

  278

  103

  224

  84

  Staffordshire

  476

  257

  493

  277

  471

  254

  484

  218

  451

  234

  Suffolk

  256

  130

  268

  146

  272

  137

  271

  136

  255

  124

  Surrey

  150

  101

  145

  87

  144

  94

  150

  110

  199

  98

  Sussex

  345

  203

  325

  187

  336

  191

  317

  194

  315

  157

  Thames Valley

  400

  206

  411

  212

  445

  234

  493

  251

  423

  233

  Warwickshire

  249

  101

  238

  112

  224

  128

  221

  123

  233

  148

  West Mercia

  410

  201

  432

  197

  400

  182

  428

  185

  402

  180

  West Midlands

  653

  302

  645

  273

  578

  240

  641

  256

  675

  270

  West Yorkshire

  367

  246

  423

  285

  459

  318

  436

  273

  441

  249

  Wiltshire

  198

  124

  213

  136

  189

  129

  156

  77

  105

  49

  England and Wales Total

  12,251

  6,992

  13,204

  7,369

  12,885

  7,141

  12,801

  6,935

  12,846

  6,888

  Child Curfews
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to extend his proposals for local child curfews as set out in the Crime and Disorder Bill [Lords]. [29787]

  Mr. Michael
  One of the main thrusts of the youth justice reform programme is to seek earlier, more effective intervention to prevent young children from turning to crime in the first place. In the past, too little has been done to prevent children and young people taking the first steps into criminal behaviour. That is why, as part of our proposals to reduce offending by young children, we are introducing in the Crime and Disorder Bill the local child curfew schemes.

  The Crime and Disorder Bill is currently being considered in Another Place prior to consideration in the House of Commons. At this stage, we have no plans to expand the proposals for local child curfews.

  Schengen Information System
  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what input his Department has in the restructuring of the Schengen Information System. [29824]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 17 February 1998]The United Kingdom is not a member of Schengen and therefore has not been involved in any restructuring of the Schengen Information System, which is a matter for the Schengen states.

  The incorporation of Schengen into the European Union Treaties, agreed in the Treaty of Amsterdam, requires an appropriate Treaty base to be established for the Articles in the Schengen Convention which provide for the Schengen Information System; work on this is continuing.

  Departmental Contracts
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many contracts of a value greater than £5,000 his Department has with companies in(a) London, (b) South East England. (c) England,
  680
  (d) Scotland, (e) Wales and (f) Northern Ireland; and what is the total value of such contracts for each area. [30077]

  Mr. Straw
  Information in the form requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Departmental Employees
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the number of his Department's employees by UK region, indicating the wage bill(a) in total and (b) by region in the last year for which figures are available and separately identifying the costs of London allowances and weightings. [30074]

  Mr. Straw
  There are some 49,500 monthly and 700 weekly payees in the Home Office and its agencies. The total wage bill for the 1996–97 financial year was £1,188,742,143. Information is not available on a regional basis, nor are the costs of payments for working in London separately identified.

  Departmental Buildings
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the location and running costs in the last year for which figures are available of each of his Department's buildings. [30075]

  Mr. Straw
  Responsibility for property management in the Home Office is delegated to a number of Local Property Centres. Information covering the Home Office Non-Prisons Estate provided by the Local Property Centres for the running costs for the financial year 1996/97 is given in the table.

  The Prison Estate consists of 135 prison establishments. Each of these comprises a number of buildings and many also have external buildings such as staff quarters, farms or stores. Running costs for individual buildings are not available centrally but the Prison Service Annual Report and Accounts for 1996/97 gives an analysis of the costs

  681
  per establishment. The report was published on 12 November 1997 and a copy placed in the Library—reference HC 247.

  Property

  Town

  Running Costs £

  PNC & IT, Leicester (Police House)

  Leicester

  14,300

  PNC & IT, Leicester

  Leicester

  28,102

  PSC Bramshill

  Hook

  1,717,409

  PTC Ashford

  Ashford

  785,111

  PTC Aykley Heads

  Durham

  1,552,057

  PTC Bruche

  Warrington

  966,353

  PTC Cwmbran

  Cwmbran

  356,062

  PTC Ryton

  Ryton-on-Dunsmore

  788,048

  PTC Shotley

  Ipswich

  1,182,704

  Regional Crime Squad

  Loughborough

  147,899

  Training Support

  Harrogate

  368,660

  Crown Buildings

  Yeovil

  31,060

  Days Lane

  Bedford

  36,083

  Emergency Planning College

  Easingwold

  637,000

  Hope Cove

  Hope Cove

  76,135

  Grove House

  Manchester

  26,880

  Calthorpe House

  Birmingham

  489,256

  India Buildings

  Liverpool

  1,441,777

  Abell House

  London

  1—

  Cleland House

  London

  1—

  Fire Experimental Unit

  Moreton-in-Marsh

  57,855

  Hangar 97

  Little Rissington

  78,290

  Queen Anne's Gate

  London

  1—

  Grenadier House

  London

  1—

  Horseferry House

  London

  1—

  Clive House

  London

  1—

  Lunar & Apollo

  Croydon

  7,390,283

  Feltham Green POU

  Feltham

  219,233

  Virginia House

  Birmingham

  29,041

  Building Research Establishment

  Watford

  47,203

  Berkshire House

  London

  521,532

  Apex Court

  Bristol

  22,269

  Minerva House

  Nottingham

  15,894

  Fire Service College

  Moreton-in-Marsh

  2,060,000

  Service Centre

  Bridgend

  7,997

  Dtels House

  Ruddington

  268,798

  Poltimore Depot

  Broadclyst

  1,909

  Argyll House

  Dundee

  4,850

  Prospect House

  Shrewsbury

  34,940

  Terrington House

  Cambridge

  19,166

  3 Acton Square

  Salford

  22,243

  Angel Gate Units 8 & 9

  London

  27,612

  Castle Square House

  Brighton

  31,469

  County House

  London

  20.505

  Daviot House

  West Bromwich

  7,621

  French's Gate

  Chelmsford

  20,631

  Lombard House

  Newcastle

  35,123

  Metrochange House

  Bradford

  19,799

  Silkhouse Court

  Liverpool

  214,652

  York Street

  London

  44,857

  Gringley STC

  Gringley on the Hill

  8,626

  Government Buildings

  Sandridge

  438,918

  Langhurst House

  Nr. Norsham

  100,271

  Aragon Court

  Peterborough

  560,000

  Unit 10

  Peterborough

  19,000

  Hampton House

  Belfast

  273,597

  Olympia House

  Newport

  447,835

  FSL, Chorley

  Chorley

  238,779

  FSL, Huntingdon

  Huntingdon

  187,731

  FSL, Lambeth Road

  London

  2,519,680

  FSS Wetherby

  Wetherby

  213,260

  FSS Chepstow

  Chepstow

  259,645

  Gloucester House

  Birmingham

  35,940

  Lodden Vale House

  Woodley

  31,589

  Priory House

  Birmingham

  938,673

  Units 10 & 11 Goldsworth Park

  Woking

  137,887

  Westbrook Centre

  Cambridge

  122,360

  White Rose Court

  Woking

  516,891

  Crown House

  Corby

  248,480

  Status 2

  Hayes

  705,699

  682

  Property

  Town

  Running Costs £

  Status 3

  Hayes

  593,265

  Atlantic House

  Gatwick

  279,831

  Becket House

  London

  274,804

  Waterloo International

  London

  180,465

  Gatwick North

  Gatwick

  451,981

  Newcastle Airport

  Newcastle

  69,126

  Northumbria House

  North Shields

  42,231

  Passenger Transit Building

  Harwich

  76,034

  Unit 1 Greystoke

  Portishead

  45,857

  East Midlands Airport

  Castle Donnington

  50,812

  Port Police Station

  Felixstowe

  28,991

  Passenger Terminal

  Newhaven

  25,516

  Prestwick Airport

  Prestwick

  20,591

  Unit 4 Anchor Court

  Hull

  27,134

  Ashford International Terminal

  Ashford

  22,634

  Belfast Airport

  Belfast

  25,638

  Ferry Terminal

  Poole

  14,486

  Bournemouth Airport

  Bournemouth

  3,133

  Ballard House

  Plymouth

  49,442

  Tilbury Riverside

  Tilbury

  2,751

  Terminal 1

  Hounslow

  462,350

  Terminal 2

  Hounslow

  777,913

  Terminal 3

  Hounslow

  1,073,981

  Terminal 4

  Hounslow

  689,624

  Immigration Office

  Immingham

  6,213

  Immigration Office

  Sheerness

  10,774

  Gatwick South Terminal

  Gatwick

  453,486

  Southend Airport

  Southend

  3,472

  International Hoverport

  Dover

  69,246

  No. 2 Control Buildings

  Dover

  226,816

  London luton Airport

  Luton

  70,435

  Ferry Terminal Port

  Ramsgate

  10,069

  HM Immigration Office

  Plymouth

  7,273

  Car Ferry Passenger Terminal

  North Shields

  1,981

  Continental Ferry Port

  Portsmouth

  38,249

  Building 41

  Solihull

  116,000

  Gatwick North Storage

  Gatwick

  4,480

  Edinburgh Airport

  Edinburgh

  46,778

  Unit 5 Moorfield

  Leeds

  46,001

  Campsfield House

  Nr. Oxford

  296,000

  Government Buildings

  Harmondsworth

  2386,000

  Queens Building (Heathrow)

  London

  2252,200

  Manchester Airport (Terminal 2)

  Manchester

  254,300

  Tinsley House

  Gatwick

  21,517,560

  18 & 20 Exchanbge Quay

  Salford

  99,597

  Capstan House

  Dudley

  108,672

  Aztec West

  Bristol

  15,621

  Spring Gardens Units 2 and 4

  London

  2,083,809

  Spring Gardens Unit 5

  London

  202,204

  Woolpacks Yard

  Wakefield

  136,348

  Alpha Tower

  Birmingham

  2243,601

  Elliot House

  London

  2966,800

  Haymarket House

  Leicester

  223,631

  Pearl Assurance House

  Cardiff

  238,300

  Morley House

  London

  2969,539

  Tay House

  Glasgow

  21,389,654

  Unit 15 Kinning Park

  Glasgow

  267,010

  Hendon Data Centre

  London

  21,751,681

  Douglas House

  Corby

  235,172

  St. James Court

  Derby

  227,600

  1 Figures excluded because they are commercially sensitive in view of a PFI procurement for the Home Office Central London Accommodation Strategy.

  2 These centrally held figures have yet to be confirmed by the relevant Local Property Centre.

  Departmental Expenditure
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give a regional breakdown of his Department's expenditure on(a) hospitality, (b) stationery and (c) travel in the last year for which figures are available. [30076]
  683
  Mr. Straw
  The last financial year for which figures are available is 1996–97.

  The total expenditure by the Home Office (including its agencies) on hospitality, travel and stationery in 1996–97 is as follows:

  £

  Hospitality

  58,346

  Stationery

  8,027,572

  Travel1

  12,620,709

  1 Includes £276,464 of subsistence and travel costs relating to the Fire Service College, where systems do not enable these items to be separately identified.

  No regional breakdown of the figures is available.

  Metropolitan Police
  Mr. Hill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what will be the total cost to public funds of the Metropolitan Police in 1998–99. [30674]

  Mr. Straw
  As Police Authority for the Metropolitan Police District, I have approved estimates which provide for net revenue expenditure of £1,825 million in 1998/99.

  The Receiver for the Metropolitan Police District is issuing, with my approval, a precept of £70.73 per property in Band D of the council tax valuation band for Metropolitan Police purposes.

  I have discussed the estimates for the Metropolitan Police expenditure in 1998–99 with representatives of the London local authority associations.

  Video Recordings
  Mr. Pollard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for the authority responsible for making arrangements for the classification of video works under the Video Recordings Act 1984. [30675]

  Mr. Straw
  Following the proposal for designation which I laid before Parliament on 18 December, I have today designated Mr. Andreas Whittam Smith under section 4(4) of the Video Recordings Act 1984. Mr. Whittam Smith was appointed as President of the British Board of Film Classification on 1 January 1998, and I am designating him, in that capacity, to replace the Earl of Harewood and Lord Birkett of Ulverston.

  I have placed in the Library a copy of my Notice of Designation and the text of a letter I am sending to Mr. Whittam Smith confirming the designation.

  Cannabis
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of young people in the Metropolitan Police area who were suspected of an offence connected to cannabis were(a) charged, (b) cautioned, (c) convicted and (d) imprisoned in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [29956]

  Mr. George Howarth
  This information is not available since data are not routinely collected on whether individuals are suspected of drug offences. In addition, information is not collected centrally on whether or not suspected individuals are charged with such offences.684
  However, information on those who were cautioned, prosecuted, found guilty and imprisoned for cannabis offences is given in the table.

  Cannabis offences and certain outcomes by type of offence and age, Metropolitan Police District, 1995

  Metropolitan Police

  Age

  All cases

  Cautions

  Prosecutions

  Found guilty

  Imprisoned

  Number

  Under 17

  1,275

  1,033

  242

  174

  2

  17 to 20

  6,098

  4,838

  1,260

  1,067

  29

  Under 21

  7,373

  5,871

  1,502

  1,241

  31

  Percentage

  Under 17

  100

  81

  19

  14

  0

  17 to 20

  100

  79

  21

  17

  0

  Under 21

  100

  80

  20

  17

  0

  City of London Police

  Age

  All cases

  Cautions

  Prosecutions

  Found guilty

  Imprisoned

  Numbers

  Under 17

  15

  14

  1

  1

  0

  17 to 20

  185

  167

  18

  18

  0

  Under 21

  200

  181

  19

  19

  0

  Percentage

  Under 17

  100

  95

  7

  7

  0

  17 to 20

  100

  90

  10

  10

  0

  Under 21

  100

  91

  10

  10

  0

  Metropolitan Police District

  Age

  All cases

  Cautions

  Prosecutions

  Found guilty

  Imprisoned

  Numbers

  Under 17

  1,290

  1,017

  243

  175

  2

  17 to 20

  6,283

  5,005

  1,278

  1,085

  29

  Under 21

  7,573

  6,052

  1,521

  1,260

  31

  Percentage

  Under 17

  100

  81

  19

  14

  0

  17 to 20

  100

  80

  20

  17

  0

  Under 21

  100

  80

  20

  17

  0

  Note:

  Cannabis offences comprise production and cultivation, possession, possession with intent to supply unlawfully; unlawful supply, and permitting to be used for unlawful purposes.

  Source:

  Home Office Research and Statistics Directorate, Crime and Criminal Justice Unit.

TREASURY

  Inheritance Tax (Works of Art)
  Mr. Fallon
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much revenue he estimates would be raised in(a) 1998–99 and (b) 1999–2000 from the abolition of the conditional exemption from inheritance tax for works of art. [26194]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The amount of conditional relief granted for works of art, and other chattels, fluctuates significantly from year to year.

  Periodicals
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the expenditure of his Department on newspapers and magazines in(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98 to date and (d) 1997–98 full year; and if he will list the newspapers and magazines purchased or subscribed to on a regular basis. [26575]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 5 February 1998]: Expenditure by the Treasury on periodicals is estimated to be:

  £000

  Year

  Expenditure

  1995–96

  615

  1996–97

  556

  1997–98 to end January 1998

  445

  1997–98 forecast outturn

  625

  These figures are on a cash basis and include newspapers, magazines, and other publications which appear on a regular basis. The lower costs in 1996–97 as against 1995–96 and 1997–98 result in large part from the lower level of parliamentary activity at the end of the last Parliament. This resulted for example, in the price of Hansard being reduced. A complete listing of the titles currently purchased on a regular basis could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, the Treasury purchases copies of most of the mainstream newspapers and current affairs journals.

  Officials (Entry Warrants)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many Inland Revenue and Customs officials are authorised to enter premises without a warrant. [29047]

  Dawn Primarolo
  No officer of the Inland Revenue may enter premises without the consent of the owner, unless that officer is acting under the authority of warrant granted by the appropriate judicial authority.

  All commissioned officers within HM Customs and Excise are entitled, in the course of their official duties, to enter registered premises that are being used in relation to matters for which Customs have statutory responsibilities.

  Family Credit
  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what research he has commissioned on the likely psychological impact of paying family credit through the pay packet as a working family tax credit; and if he will publish it. [28976]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 11 February 1998]: The Chancellor has gathered a wide range of evidence in his consideration of a working family tax credit; from this evidence he has concluded that it would have a number of attractions.

  Environmental Policies
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what management procedures have been introduced in his Department to ensure that the new environmental policies being developed by the Treasury are communicated(a) internally to all branches of his
  686

  Department involved in policy formulation and resource accounting, (b) to Ministers and officials of other Government Departments and (c) to chief executives of non-departmental public bodies and nationalised industries. [29272]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Treasury's principal aim is to raise the long-term rate of sustainable growth. This aim is communicated to all parts of the Department through management objectives. The Treasury reports on progress against its aims in its Departmental Annual Report.

  The Treasury has revised its guidance on policy appraisal (Appraisal and Evaluation in Central Government, 1997) to make clear that environmental effects need to be considered alongside others in appraising and evaluating policies. This is the central guidance which all those carrying out appraisals in Government are expected to follow. Copies of the new version, which is available to the public, have been circulated widely within Treasury and other Government Departments. Treasury officials are working closely with Departments to ensure that they are following the new procedures.

  Forthcoming revisions to Government Accounting will also make clear that good appraisal and evaluation, taking account of environmental impacts, are an essential part of achieving value for money. Government Accounting is the rulebook for Government finance. All staff in the Treasury and other Departments and Non-Departmental Public Bodies who are involved in finance and accounting will receive copies of the revised chapter and will be expected to follow it. The National Audit Office monitors compliance with the rules of Government Accounting in Departments.

  Revenue Departments preparing submissions for the Budget are required to comment on the environmental implications of main proposals. The Treasury is encouraging other Departments to do the same with their Budget submissions.

  The Treasury has a strategy for improving the environmental impact of its own domestic operations. This is available to all staff and the general public on the Internet.

  Offshore Accounts
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the amount of potential annual revenue forgone as a result of overseas employers paying tax-free bonuses to United Kingdom-based employees' offshore accounts. [29551]

  Dawn Primarolo
  It is not possible to estimate the amount of potential annual revenue forgone in the circumstances described because the arrangements will be known only to the employers and employees concerned.

  Euro
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if provision will be made for the continued circulation of Scottish banknotes on the accession of the United Kingdom to the single currency. [29763]
  687
  Mrs. Liddell
  Article 105a(1) of the Treaty gives the ECB"the exclusive right to authorise the issue of banknotes"
  within participating member states. However, Article 16 of the ESCB Statute requires the ECB to respect as far as possible existing practices regarding the issue and design of banknotes. If the UK were to join EMU, Scottish banks would need authorisation from the ECB to continue circulating Scottish banknotes.

  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will make a statement on the policy of repatriation of(a) Euro coins and (b) Euro notes to the nation of origin upon United Kingdom accession to the Single Currency; what volume of currency he estimates would be repatriated in each year; and at what cost; [29771]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the technical difficulties involved in repatriating bank notes and coinage not printed or minted in the United Kingdom on accession to the Single Currency. [29770]

  Mrs. Liddell
  All euro banknotes and coins will be legal tender in all participating member states. There will be no necessary repatriation to the country of origin, but there may be bulk redistribution of euro banknotes and coins (irrespective of their origin) around the euro area to where they are needed.

  North Sea Fiscal Regime
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received regarding the review of the North Sea Fiscal Regime; and if he will publish the outcome of the review. [29816]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Over the period since the review was announced we have received comments and views from a range of sources; including companies involved in exploration for and production of oil and gas in the North Sea, representative bodies of the oil industry and associated supply industries and other interested parties. The outcome of the review will form part of the Chancellor's spring Budget announcements.

  Departmental Buildings
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the location and running costs in the last year for which figures are available of each of his Department's buildings. [30094]

  Mrs. Liddell
  In 1996–97, the Treasury met the running costs of three properties. All are in London. Their costs, including rent and rates, security, maintenance, gas and electricity, cleaning, health and safety, and porterage are tabulated below.

  £000

  Government Offices, Great George Street

  7,410

  19 Allington Street

  3,162

  11 Downing Street

  313

  Departmental Employees
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the number of his Department's employees by UK region, indicating the wage bill(a) in total and
  688
  (b) by region in the last year for which figures are available and separately identifying the costs of London allowances and weightings. [30093]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Treasury has no offices outside central London. During 1996–97, the average number of staff (excluding Ministers and casual staff) in post in the Treasury was 904. The salary bill for these staff for 1996–97, amounted to around £30 million including overhead costs such as superannuation and employers National Insurance contributions. London Weighting allowances for all Treasury staff below the Senior Civil Service were consolidated into basic pay from April 1996. Separate London Weighting and London Allowances are retained by some Treasury members of the Senior Civil Service. For 1996–1997, the total cost of these allowances was around £157,000.

  Duty Free Sales
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the value of duty free sales in each United Kingdom country in each of the last five years. [30162]

  Dawn Primarolo
  There are no official estimates for the value of duty free sales made in the UK either before or after the start of the Single Market.

  Departmental Contracts
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many contracts of a value greater than £10,000 his Department has with companies in(a) London, (b) South East England, (c) England, (d) Scotland, (e) Wales and (f) Northern Ireland; and what is the total value of such contracts for each area. [30096]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The table contains the details required for the Treasury's contracts of over £10,000.

  £

  Area

  Contracts

  Value

  London

  19

  3,812,000

  South East England

  14

  766,000

  England (in total)

  55

  6,103,000

  Scotland

  nil

  nil

  Wales

  1

  311,000

  Northern Ireland

  nil

  nil

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Departmental Contracts
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Attorney-General how many contracts of a value greater than £1000 his Department has with companies in(a) London, (b) South East England, (c) England, (d) Scotland, (e) Wales and (f) Northern Ireland; and what is the total value of such contracts for each area. [30092]

  The Attorney-General
  The Departments and other bodies for which I am responsible, namely the Crown Prosecution Service, the Serious Fraud Office, the Treasury Solicitor's Department, the Government Property Lawyers and the Legal Secretariat to the Law
  689
  Officers, do not keep the information requested in the form requested and I am advised that the cost of providing the answer would be disproportionate.

  Departmental Buildings
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will list the location and running costs in the last year for which figures are available of each of his Department's buildings. [30090]

  The Attorney-General
  The information requested is as follows:

  The Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers
  My own office is in Buckingham Gate, London SW I. The running costs for the building in the financial year 1996–97 were £422,000.

  The Treasury Solicitor's Department
  The Treasury Solicitor's Department occupy offices in Broadway, London SW1. The running costs for the building in the financial year 1996–97 were £2.65m.

  The Government Property Lawyers
  The Government Property Lawyers are based in Taunton. The running costs of their office in the financial year 1996–97 was £0.66m.

  The Serious Fraud Office
  The Serious Fraud Office occupy offices in London WC1. Their running costs in 1996–97 were £2.612m. The SFO also has storage accommodation in London at a cost of £103,000 for the same period.

  The Crown Prosecution Service
  Accommodation costs in the Crown Prosecution Service amount to £36.803m. The running costs of buildings in London, including headquarters, amounts to £14.936m. The running costs for buildings in the regions are £21.867m.

  Departmental Employees
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will list the number of his Department's employees by UK region, indicating the wage bill(a) in total and (b) by region in the last year for which figures are available and separately identifying the costs of London allowances and weightings. [30089]

  The Attorney-General
  The information requested is as follows:

  Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers
  In my office there are 28 staff, all based in London. The wage bill in 1996–97 was £827,000 which included £47,500 in respect of London allowances and weightings.

  The Treasury Solicitor's Department
  The Treasury Solicitor's Department employed 382 staff in 1996–97, the last year for which figures are available. All were employed in Central London at the beginning of the year but in the course of the year five were relocated to the South West
  The wage bill in total amounted to £13.886 million. Of this £13,609 million was paid to employees in London, including £685,000 in respect of London allowances and weightings. £277,000 was paid to staff who were relocated to Bristol during the year, including £2,300 in respect of London weightings and allowances.

  The Government Property Lawyers
  The Government Property Lawyers employed 118.5 staff in Taunton in 1996–97. The wage bill was £3.160 million.

  The Serious Fraud Office
  The Serious Fraud Office employed 175 staff in London in the year 1996–97. The wage bill was £5.245 million of which £381,406 was paid in respect of London allowances and weightings.
  690
  The Crown Prosecution Service
  The Crown Prosecution Service employed a total of 5,862.5 staff as at 31 March 1997. The Department's total wage bill for 1996–97, the last full year for which figures are available, was £155,205,870. The Department's personnel and accounting systems do not record data by UK region. A breakdown of London allowances and weightings from total salary costs could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  The following table lists staff numbers and salary costs for each of the Department's 13 geographical Areas, its Central Casework Area and its National Headquarters.

  Location

  Staff numbers

  Salary cost £

  Anglia

  386.5

  9,893,136

  East Midlands

  338

  8,340,148

  Humber

  290.5

  6,915,573

  London

  1,044

  27,599,263

  Mersey/Lancashire

  381

  9,193,423

  Midlands

  406.5

  10,148,107

  North

  371

  8,870,323

  North West

  387.5

  10,111,984

  Severn Thames

  352

  9,348,506

  South East

  434

  11,228,852

  South West

  287.5

  7,136,389

  Wales

  345.5

  9,061,001

  Yorkshire

  309.5

  7,445,548

  Central Casework

  158.5

  5,789,848

  Headquarters

  370.5

  14,123,769

  Totals

  5,862.5

  155,205,870

  Departmental Expenditure
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will give a regional breakdown of his Department's expenditure on(a) hospitality, (b) stationery and (c) travel in the last year for which figures are available. [30091]

  The Attorney-General
  The information requested is as follows:

  Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers
  Expenditure in my own office for 1996–97, the last year for which figures are available included (a) £1,178 for hospitality, (b) £6,300 for stationery and (c) £31,700 for travel and subsistence. The expenditure was incurred in London.

  The Treasury Solicitor's Department
  The Treasury Solicitor's Department's expenditure for 1996–97, the last year for which figures are available, included (a) £295 for hospitality, (b) £140,486 for stationery and (c) £23,061 for travel. The expenditure was incurred in London.

  The Government Property Lawyers
  The Government Property Lawyers' expenditure for 1996–97, the last year for which figures are available, included (a) £856 for hospitality, (b) £28,455 for stationery and (c) £11,119 for travel, Government Property Lawyers are based in Taunton.

  The Serious Fraud Office
  The Serious Fraud Office's expenditure for 1996–97, the last year for which figures are available, included (a) £16,447 for hospitality, (b) £30,258 for stationery and (c) £11,119 for travel. A regional breakdown of expenditure could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

  The Crown Prosecution Service
  Expenditure in the Crown Prosecution Service in the year 1996–97, the last year for which figures are available, included £10,025 for hospitality. Separate regional figures are not available as the information is recorded centrally.
  691
  Expenditure on stationery and travel was as follows:

  £

  Location

  Stationery

  Travel

  Anglia

  139,064

  283,101

  East Midlands

  61,120

  123,357

  Humber

  23,208

  160,308

  London

  86,049

  116,722

  Mersey/Lancashire

  76,249

  181,810

  Midlands

  177,420

  156,993

  North

  74,273

  219,197

  North West

  97,058

  175,232

  Severn Thames

  95,132

  295,953

  South East

  106,494

  246,463

  South West

  44,073

  178,260

  Wales

  46,521

  226,661

  Yorkshire

  109,633

  177,411

  Central Casework

  4,864

  101,684

  Headquarters

  64,303

  549,645

  Totals

  1,205,461

  3,192,797

  Coal Miners (Compensation)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Attorney-General what proposals he has, consequent on the High Court ruling that British Coal is liable for compensation payments to coal miners from 1947, to amend the Limitation Acts to enable such settlements to be pursued. [28994]

  Mr. Hoon
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Law Commission is carrying out a comprehensive review of the law of limitation, with a view to simplification and rationalisation of the law. The Commission published a Consultation Paper in January this year, outlining the present law and setting out provisional proposals for reform. The consultation will be followed by the publication of a Report containing the Law Commission's final recommendations, which we will then consider. The Government do not plan to modify the law relating to limitation of actions before then.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Ministerial Meetings
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many requests for meetings he has received since 1 May 1997 from(a) foreign ambassadors and high commissioners and (b) British ambassadors and high commissioners; how many of these respectively he has turned down; and if he will name the countries affected in each case. [26856]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 2 February 1998]: No central record is kept of requests for these meetings, whether granted or refused. Since 2 May, I have met the following Ambassadors and High Commissioners:

  May

  The Ambassadors of the United States, Russia, Ireland and Japan.

  June

  The Ambassadors of Spain, Luxembourg, Italy, Portugal,
  Germany, Denmark, Greece, Finland, Belgium and Oman.

  The High Commissioners of Australia and Cyprus.

  692

  July

  The Ambassadors of the Yemen and Qatar.

  September

  The Ambassadors of the United States, Russia, Japan, Luxembourg, Italy and Austria.

  October

  The Ambassadors of Germany, Russia and Belgium.

  The High Commissioners of Mauritius, South Africa, Tanzania and Kenya.

  November
  The Ambassadors of Japan, Indonesia, Korea, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, China, Japan, Lebanon, Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Georgia, Uzbekistan, Switzerland and Sweden.
  The High Commissioners of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei.

  December
  The Ambassadors of Austria, Germany, Finland, Portugal, France, Sweden, Spain, Denmark, Greece, Italy, Ireland, the Netherlands, the United States and Albania.

  January

  The Ambassadors of China and Bahrain.

  The High Commissioner of Australia.

  February

  The Ambassadors of Norway and Germany.

  Departmental Buildings
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his estimate of the cost of buildings refurbishment carried out by his Department in(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98 to date and (d) 1997–98 full year; and if he will make a statement. [26665]

  Mr. Fatchett
  [holding answer 5 February 1998]: The following are the costs (£) of building refurbishment carried out by the Department:

  £

  Year

  Home estate

  Overseas estate

  Total

  1995–96

  118,273,605

  22,267,500

  40,541,105

  1996–97

  219,919,116

  15,888,400

  35,807,516

  1997–98

  1,891,526

  6,145,000

  8,036,526

  1997–98 (Full year)

  2,400,525

  310,517,000

  12,917,525

  1,2 Includes expenditure for the completion in February 1997 of the refurbishment of the Old Public Offices which started in 1980.

  3 Some planned refurbishment and preventive maintenance expenditure deferred to future years; resources reallocated to fund immediate requirement for new millennium-compliant IT.

  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the location and running costs in the last year for which figures are available of each of his Department's buildings. [30104]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The following is the information:

  £

  Location

  Running Costs financial year 96–97

  Main Building London SW1

  4,941,972

  Old Admiralty Building London SW1

  3,434,074

  1 Palace Street London SW1

  6,636,354

  24 Whitehall London SW1

  651,865

  8 Cleveland Row London SW1

  278,692

  1 Carlton Gardens London SW1

  192,058

  693

  £

  Location

  Running Costs financial year 96–97

  Cromwell House London SW1

  1,503,519

  20 Victoria Street London SW1

  738,635

  4 Matthew Parker Street London SW1

  1,259, 745

  Clive House London SW1

  758,344

  Apollo House Croydon

  768,943

  Hanslope Park Buckinghamshire

  3,587,148

  Creslow Buckinghamshire

  104,367

  Gawcott, Buckinghamshire

  12,405

  Orfordness Suffolk

  142,806

  The remainder of the information requested, in respect of the Overseas Estate which comprises of some 3,900 properties in 144 countries is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Minister without Portfolio
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what, and how many, files(a) were held in May 1997 and (b) are currently held by the Secret Intelligence Service and GCHQ concerning the Minister without Portfolio; and if they are planned to be destroyed. [28593]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  It has been the policy of successive Governments not to disclose information about the operations of the intelligence and security services, including about whether the services hold or have held files on any individual.

  Arms Exports
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the country of origin of the advanced missile guidance parts intercepted by Jordan in late 1995 on the way to Iraq; and through which other countries they had passed prior to reaching Jordan. [29286]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  It is not our practice to comment in detail on information given to us in confidence by UNSCOM.

  Iraq
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the alternative civilian uses of the four plants in Iraq which have been used to produce chemical warfare munitions; what characteristics of these plants make them suitable for chemical weapons; and if these are necessary for the civilian uses. [29287]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  There are a number of sites involved in Iraq's chemical warfare programme, or with the capability to become involved, which also have legitimate civilian uses. In the case of Iraq these have included the production of pesticides, fertilisers and chemicals for water purification. Because of the dual-use nature of the equipment and materials involved, many such plants are capable of being used to produce chemical weapons.

  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the basis for his Department's statement that(a) 4000 tonnes of chemical
  694
  weapons and (b) 600 tonnes of VX precursors are not accounted for in Iraq; and what assessment he has made of where the precursors were obtained from. [29973]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Of the balance of chemical weapons and precursors declared by Iraq, the UN Special Commission (UNSCOM) has been unable to verify the disposal or destruction of the quantities referred to. Full details can be found in the latest report by the Executive Chairman of the UN Special Commission, a copy of which is held in the Library of the House. We have not made an assessment as to the source of supply, as UNSCOM's policy is not to disclose details of countries or suppliers and most chemical weapons precursors have widespread legitimate industrial applications eg in the manufacture of fire retardants, pesticides, insecticides and detergents.

  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the basis for his Department's statement that 31,000 chemical weapons munitions are not accounted for in Iraq. [29974]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The quantity of chemical weapons munitions that remain unaccounted for are derived from the discrepancy between Iraq's declared munitions material balance and the quantity that UNSCOM has been able to verify as destroyed or otherwise accounted for. Full details can be obtained from the latest report by the Executive Chairman of the UN Special Commission, a copy of which is held in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Limbert Spencer
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many applicants were interviewed prior to Mr. Limbert Spencer's appointment as an adviser on minority issues to his Department; and how many were of Asian origin. [29662]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Mr. Spencer was the only one of the candidates for this appointment to be interviewed. Mr. Spencer was appointed for a part-time fixed-term appointment under the terms of paragraph 2.7 of the Civil Service Commissioners Recruitment Code.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what date, at what salary, and with what job description, Mr. Limbert Spencer was appointed as an adviser on minority issues to his Department. [29661]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Mr. Spencer was appointed on 1 December 1997 on a fixed-term appointment in the Senior Management Structure to last until 30 November 1998. The salary range for a job at this level is £43,050-£.69,050 and he is paid on a part-time pro rata basis. His responsibilities are:to identify any barriers to minority ethnic staff and potential staff, at any point in the employment process, including recruitment, posting appraisal and promotion;
  to make recommendations to senior managers for action to address barriers; and
  to work with minority ethnic organisations in the UK to increase the profile and promote the image of the FCO as an organisation which offers career opportunities for people from minority ethnic communities.

  Paul Loseby and James Miles
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action has been taken by the British Ambassador to Venezuela concerning the cases of Paul Loseby and James Miles. [29568]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Our Ambassador and his staff have raised the conditions of the detention for Mr. Miles and Mr. Loseby with the Venezeulan authorities on a number of occasions. Most recently the Ambassador wrote to the Fiscal General of Venezuela on 27 January and called on the Governor of Caracas on 30 January (accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Miles) seeking their help in getting Mr. Miles and Mr. Loseby to see a doctor and dentist.

  Venezuelan Prisoners
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent action he has taken with regard to the transfer of convicted persons between Britain and Venezuela; and what requests have been made by the Venezuelan government for the return of convicted Venezuelan prisoners held in Britain. [29569]

  Mr. Fatchett
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to his question on 5 February 1998,Official Report, column 752.

  We have received no requests from the Venezuelan government for the transfer to Venezuela of Venezuelan citizens imprisoned in the United Kingdom.

  Ministerial Travel
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 4 February 1998,Official Report, column 660, on ministerial travel, for what reason he returned to London on 21 July by helicopter; where his ministerial car was on that day; and what was the cost of the flight. [29608]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 17 February 1998]: I returned to London by helicopter because my engagement at Highgrove finished at 1500 and my first appointment in London was at 1700 with the Defence Secretary: the journey by car could not have been completed in less than three hours.

  My Ministerial car took me to Highgrove that morning and collected me from Battersea Heliport on my return from Highgrove. The cost of the flight was £1,209.

  Departmental Contracts
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many contracts of a value greater than £10,000 his Department has with companies in(a) London, (b) South East England, (c) England, (d) Scotland, (e) Wales and (f) Northern Ireland; and what is the total value of such contracts for each area. [30106]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The information sought is not readily available and could be made available only at disproportionate cost.

  Departmental Employees
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the number of 696
  his Department's employees by UK region, indicating the wage bill (a) in total and (b) by region in the last year for which figures are available and separately identifying the costs of London allowances and weightings. [30103]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  On 1 January 1998, the FCO employed 5,620 UK-based staff in London and the South East, and at posts overseas.

  Total paybill expenditure (including the cost of Salaries, National Insurance, Superannuation, Shift Disturbance Allowance, Overtime and Recruitment and Retention Allowance) for the financial year 1996–97 was £170.3m.

  Expenditure in 1996–97 on London allowances and weightings, which form part of Recruitment and Retention Allowance, was £7.7m.

  Departmental Expenditure
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give a regional breakdown of his Department's expenditure on(a) hospitality, (b) stationery and (c) travel in the last year for which figures are available. [30105]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The regional breakdown of expenditure by the FCO on hospitality, stationery and travel in the last Financial Year (1996–97) was as follows:

  £000

  England

  Hospitality

  11,796

  Stationery

  2,345

  Travel

  1,333

  1 This figure includes the expenditure by the Government Hospitality Fund which provides for State Visits, Guests of Government and functions for all Government Departments.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Overseas Visits
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many overseas visits have been made by his Department's political advisers at public expense since 1 May. [25138]

  Dr. David Clark
  [holding answer 23 January 1998]: My special adviser has accompanied me, along with other departmental officials, on four overseas visits since 1 May.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many times the spouses of Ministers in his Department have accompanied Ministers on overseas visits; and what was the cost of their travel and other expenses. [25173]

  Dr. David Clark
  [holding answer 23 January 1998]: My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary and I have been accompanied solely by departmental officials on the overseas visits which we have undertaken.

  Official Cars
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many official cars are available for use by
  697
  Ministers in his Department; and how many new cars have been acquired for the use of Ministers in his Department since 1 May. [25174]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  [holding answer 23 January 1998]: For this answer my Department includes the Prime Minister's Office, the Government Whips' Offices in the House of Lords and the House of Commons, and the Minister without Portfolio's Office.

  My Department has six official cars allocated for use by Ministers. There has been no change in the number of allocated cars since 1 May 1997.

  Since 1 May 1997 the Government Car Service has purchased 19 new vehicles for ministerial use across Government. Of these, 17 were to replace cars that were already being used by Ministers and had come to the end of their working life, and two were added to cover new ministerial posts.

  Political Advisers (Support Staff)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many secretarial and support staff work full-time in support of his political advisers in his Department. [25191]

  Dr. David Clark
  [holding answer 23 January 1998]: There is one Personal Secretary who works full-time in support of the Special Advisers in my Department.

  Departmental Publicity
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what has been the cost of media presentations and press conferences which he has given, other than those held at his Department. [25172]

  Dr. David Clark
  [holding answer 23 January 1998]: I have incurred no costs for media presentations or press conferences other than those held at my Department.

  London Weighting
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the cost of London salary weightings to the Civil Service for each of the last five years. [30054]

  Dr. David Clark
  My answer assumes that the hon. Gentleman's question refers to the payment of London Weighting allowance.

  Since 1 April 1996 departments and agencies have had delegated authority to determine the pay and the allowances for those staff outside of the Senior Civil Service. I am, therefore, unable to provide costs for the last two years (1996 and 1997), as records of actual costs are no longer held centrally.

  The London Weighting allowance was abolished on 1 October 1994, but most Civil Servants in receipt of this allowance retained it as a reserved right. There were three levels of London Weighting allowance paid to non-industrial staff:

  inner London £1,776 per person per annum;

  intermediate zone £1,015; and

  outer London £736.

  698
  The approximate cost of the London allowance (excluding employer's superannuation and National Insurance contributions) for the three years prior to delegation is as follows:

  1993: £158 million

  1994: £151 million

  1995: £147 million.

MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO

  Millennium Dome
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio what plans he has to consult the Showmen's Guild on the Millennium Dome project. [29863]

  Mr. Mandelson
  The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) has been in correspondence with the London and Home Counties section of the Showmen's Guild of Great Britain about their interest in short-stay events at the Millennium Experience. The NMEC have agreed to contact the Guild again if appropriate opportunities arise in planning events and activities in the environs of the Dome.

  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will ensure(a) that his announcement about the (i) specific contents and (ii) sponsorship of the Millennium Dome project is made to Parliament in the first instance and (b) that all future announcements are made to Parliament in the first instance where they concern substantial amounts of public and National Lottery money. [29870]

  Mr. Mandelson
  All Government Ministers are guided by the relevant section of the Ministerial Code, which states (paragraph 27) that"Ministers will want to bear in mind the desire of Parliament that the most important announcements of Government policy should be made, in the first instance, in Parliament."

  I shall ensure that Parliament has appropriate information on all major policy developments in respect of the Millennium Experience.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Buildings Refurbishment
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is his estimate of the cost of buildings refurbishment carried out by his Department in(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98 to date and (d) 1997–98 full year; and if he will make a statement. [26630]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  [holding answer 5 February 1998]: The cost of buildings refurbishment carried out by my Department is set out in the table.

  £

  Cost

  1995–96

  136,507

  1996–97

  8,133

  1997–98 (to date)

  47,995

  1997–98 (full year)

  218,208

  699
  The figures for 1996–97 onwards do not include VAT or professional fees.

  My Department moved into new premises in 1993 and, therefore, little or no refurbishment has been necessary since. The expenditure in 1995–96 was due to the Department acquiring an extra floor in another building. Expenditure in 1997–98 has arisen because of the need to clean and refit ceiling tiles at a cost of approx £170,000 and for works to Ministers' offices to accommodate a fourth Minister.

  Ministerial Transport
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is his estimate of the cost of(a) Ministerial cars and drivers and (b) the Department's bill for taxis in (i) 1995–96, (ii) 1996–97, (iii) 1997–98 to date and (iv) 1997–98 full year. [27751]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  [holding answer 5 February 1998]: The available information is given in the table:

  £

  Year

  Ministerial cars and drivers

  Taxis

  1995–96

  1236,115

  11,208

  1996–97

  176,031

  16,681

  1997–98 (spend to date)

  192,657

  13,976

  1997–98 (estimate)

  225,000

  n/a

  1 Expenditure on Government Car Service, includes non-ministerial expenditure, eg. Permanent Secretary's Car.

  Piers
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much National Lottery funding has been provided for the preservation of pleasure piers. [29559]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  The National Lottery has provided £4.3 million to date for the preservation of pleasure piers. All awards have been made by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

  Grant Award (£)

  Year

  Clevedon Pier

  Swanage Pier

  Bowness Harbour Pier

  Penarth Pier

  Southport Pier

  Brighton West Pier

  1995–96

  1,195,045

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1996–97

  —

  700,000

  250,000

  1,101,000

  34,000

  968,000

  1997–98

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  57,500

  Total

  1,195,045

  700,000

  250,000

  1,101,000

  34,000

  1,025,500

  There are no readily accessible central records of funding for restoration of specific building types to enable me to provide an answer for the years prior to 1983–84. Similarly, it is not possible to provide information in respect of local authority funding for pleasure piers.

  English Heritage
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much English Heritage has spent on maintenance of its historic(a) sites and (b) properties in each of the past five years. [29742]
  700
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many pleasure piers have received public funding in each of the last 25 years. [29560]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  The majority of Government funding for the built heritage is channelled through English Heritage. Since its inception in 1984, English Heritage has offered conservation grants to the following pleasure piers:

  Grant offer (£000)

  Year

  Brighton West Pier

  Southend Pier

  Ramsgate East Pier

  Clevedon Pier

  Scarborough West Pier

  1983–84

  50.0

  —

  —

  19.4

  —

  1984–85

  —

  100.0

  —

  637.0

  —

  1985–86

  184.8

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1988–89

  3.0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1990–91

  —

  —

  —

  —

  20.6

  1991–92

  —

  —

  7.2

  —

  —

  1996–97

  77.5

  —

  —

  —

  Total

  315.3

  100.0

  7.2

  656.4

  20.6

  The National Heritage Memorial Fund (NHMF), also funded by my Department, has provided funding for the rescue of the following piers since its establishment in 1980:

  Grant Award (£)

  Year

  Bangor Pier

  Clevedon Pier

  Brighton Pier

  1982–83

  10,000

  —

  —

  1983–84

  65,000

  —

  —

  1984–85

  68,106

  24,223

  —

  1985–86

  86,420

  353,476

  —

  1986–87

  45,474

  71,535

  71,999

  1987–88

  50,000

  33,257

  43,222

  1988–89

  —

  146,901

  39,296

  1989–90

  —

  32,608

  36,014

  Total

  325,000

  662,000

  190,531

  In addition, the Heritage Lottery Fund, distributed by the NHMF, has made the following awards to piers:

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  It is not possible to provide a breakdown of expenditure between English Heritage's historic sites and properties. However, in each of the last five years, overall expenditure on the maintenance and restoration of its historic sites and properties is as follows:

  Year

  £ million

  1992–93

  7.2

  1993–94

  5.8

  1994–95

  5.5

  1995–96

  6.1

  1996–97

  7.0

  701
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much English Heritage has spent on the restoration of historic(a) sites and (b) properties in each of the past five years. [29741]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  In each of the last five years, English Heritage's expenditure on each of its grant repair schemes is as follows:

  Grant spend (£ million)

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  Historic Buildings and Monuments

  12.3

  11.7

  12.1

  12.8

  11.6

  Churches

  9.3

  10.3

  9.1

  9.2

  10.3

  Cathedrals

  3.0

  3.5

  3.7

  3.3

  4.0

  Conservation Areas

  7.4

  8.3

  8.5

  8.9

  9.2

  Parks, Gardens and Landscapes

  1.0

  0.5

  0.4

  0.2

  0.2

  Total

  33.0

  34.3

  33.8

  34.4

  35.3

  In addition, overall expenditure on the restoration and maintenance of English Heritage's own historic sites and properties is as follows:

  Year

  £ million

  1992–93

  7.2

  1993–94

  5.8

  1994–95

  5.5

  1995–96

  6.1

  1996–97

  7.0

SCOTLAND

  Dental Services
  Mrs. Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate by health authority the number of patients who will be de-registered from their dentists as a result of the new regulations in(a) numerical and (b) percentage terms. [29160]

  Retained and all other fire personnel per brigade by sex since 1993

  1992

  1993

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  Brigade

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Central

  Retained

  153

  3

  152

  4

  150

  5

  148

  7

  148

  6

  Total

  409

  17

  407

  18

  395

  20

  401

  22

  403

  20

  Dumfries & Galloway

  Retained

  187

  1

  198

  1

  186

  3

  184

  4

  181

  2

  Total

  304

  16

  314

  17

  291

  21

  293

  22

  287

  20

  Fife

  Retained

  94

  1

  100

  1

  100

  3

  100

  2

  93

  3

  Total

  474

  18

  478

  18

  483

  21

  480

  19

  476

  21

  Grampian

  Retained

  438

  3

  437

  4

  470

  4

  416

  5

  411

  8

  Total

  793

  32

  795

  36

  828

  33

  771

  33

  771

  39

  Highland & Islands

  Retained

  381

  0

  382

  1

  383

  2

  382

  3

  379

  6

  Total

  1,393

  36

  1,406

  39

  1,396

  44

  1,372

  47

  1,375

  53

  702
  Mr. Galbraith
  From 1 September 1996, the registration period for both adult continuing care and child capitation payments was harmonised to provide patients with a period of continuing dental care for 15 months following each course of treatment. At that time it was estimated that registration numbers might fall by about 15 per cent. as a result of this change.

  At December 1997 (the latest date for which figures are available) there were 2,944,047 patients registered with a dentist in Scotland compared with 2,664,988 at the end of 1996–97. According to the earlier estimate about 442,000 patients might lapse from registration. No estimates for individual Health Boards have been made.

  Regular attenders will be unaffected by the change as their registration period will roll forward when they attend their dentist.

  Dentists are free to re-register any patients whose registrations have lapsed. It is for dentists to decide whether they wish to accept any patient onto their list.

  Rural Watch
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total financial support from his Department to farm watch and rural watch schemes in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [29244]

  Mr. McLeish
  The Scottish Office has provided no financial support to farm watch or other rural watch schemes in any of the last five years. Individual police forces support farm watch and other rural watch schemes.

  Fire Service
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total number of(a) retained and (b) all fire officers per force, by sex and age group, in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [29256]

  Mr. McLeish
  Data on the age of fire service officers are not held centrally. The information available is as follows:
  703

  Retained and all other fire personnel per brigade by sex since 1993

  1992

  1993

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  Brigade

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  Lothian & Borders

  Retained

  278

  1

  287

  2

  286

  4

  288

  5

  283

  6

  Total

  994

  27

  997

  27

  1,020

  35

  1,022

  36

  1,017

  42

  Strathclyde

  Retained

  569

  9

  576

  9

  580

  6

  582

  10

  592

  10

  Total

  3,036

  75

  3,032

  73

  3,007

  69

  3,026

  74

  3,034

  81

  Tayside

  Retained

  248

  2

  246

  3

  249

  3

  239

  3

  240

  8

  Total

  684

  19

  695

  20

  710

  19

  681

  21

  687

  28

  Notes:

  The figures for 1993 represent the calendar year. All the following figures are on a fiscal year basis, ie from 1 April to 31 March.

  All the figures represent the actual strength of the brigade and not the establishment. The category "All" includes Wholetime operational, Wholetime control room, Retained and Volunteer.

  Source:

  Her Majesty's Chief Inspectorate of Fire Services for Scotland Annual Report.

  Police
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total number of special police constables, per police force, by sex and age group, in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [29242]

  Mr. McLeish
  The information requested is set out in the table and has been taken from returns supplied by forces since 1992.

  Force

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995–96

  1996–97

  Central

  Male

  82

  84

  88

  65

  58

  Female

  20

  17

  22

  23

  23

  Dumfries and Galloway

  Male

  129

  138

  135

  151

  145

  Female

  38

  51

  58

  63

  54

  Fife

  Male

  122

  129

  125

  105

  96

  Female

  29

  31

  33

  35

  36

  Grampian

  Male

  167

  157

  146

  125

  110

  Female

  47

  47

  52

  46

  36

  Lothian and Borders

  Male

  150

  160

  187

  174

  146

  Female

  48

  49

  49

  49

  51

  Northern

  Male

  387

  383

  395

  373

  384

  Female

  106

  132

  136

  127

  127

  Strathclyde

  Male

  301

  290

  278

  254

  240

  Female

  81

  77

  73

  74

  74

  Tayside

  Male

  116

  125

  164

  164

  157

  Female

  24

  27

  51

  50

  49

  Total

  Male

  1,454

  1,466

  1,518

  1,411

  1,336

  Female

  393

  431

  474

  467

  450

  Notes:

  Information by age group not available.

  From 1995–96 figures relate to financial year rather than calendar year and are taken as at 31 March.

  The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland have set up a Working Group to review the role of special constables.

  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many(a) police houses and (b) police stations there were in each police force area, in each of
  704
  the last five years for which figures are available; and what proportion of police stations were operating on a part-time basis in each year, in each force. [29245]

  Mr. McLeish
  The information available is set out in the tables and has been taken from annual statistical returns supplied by forces since 1989.

  Number of police houses

  Force

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995–96

  1996–97

  Central

  52

  50

  50

  32

  29

  Dumfries and Galloway

  113

  108

  103

  57

  32

  Fife

  192

  133

  66

  40

  20

  Grampian

  315

  278

  213

  158

  117

  Lothian and Borders

  197

  142

  68

  31

  26

  Northern

  322

  317

  312

  305

  299

  Strathclyde

  867

  719

  440

  264

  219

  Tayside

  160

  125

  97

  73

  53

  Total

  1,546

  1,872

  1,349

  960

  795

  Number of buildings used as police stations

  Force

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  Central

  30

  30

  32

  32

  32

  Dumfries and Galloway

  25

  25

  25

  27

  27

  Fife

  57

  56

  56

  56

  31

  Grampian

  77

  77

  77

  78

  80

  Lothian and Borders

  58

  58

  60

  59

  59

  Northern

  113

  108

  92

  95

  95

  Strathclyde

  202

  202

  199

  171

  154

  Tayside

  54

  49

  50

  50

  50

  Total

  616

  605

  591

  568

  528

  Notes:

  Figures for 1995–96 and 1996–97 are no longer held centrally.

  Residential Care
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the treatment of war disablement pension made by each local authority in Scotland in calculating residential care assessments. [29285]

  Mr. Galbraith
  All local authorities in Scotland must apply the National Assistance (Assessment of Resources) Regulations 1992, as amended, when charging for

  705
  residential and nursing home care. The Regulations require that the payment of any war disablement pension to a resident is subject to a £10 weekly disregard.

  A90 (Accidents)
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of fatalities and serious injuries arising from accidents on the Perth-Dundee section of the A90 in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available. [29554]

  Mr. McLeish
  The table lists the number of fatal and serious casualties on the A90 between Perth (north of Friarton Bridge) and Dundee (Swallow Roundabout) from 1988 to 1997 inclusive.

  A90 Perth to Dundee: Fatal and serious casualty numbers (1988–1997 1)

  Year

  Fatal

  Serious

  Total

  1988

  6

  15

  21

  1989

  7

  28

  35

  1990

  8

  18

  26

  1991

  4

  23

  27

  1992

  4

  14

  18

  1993

  3

  23

  26

  1994

  2

  22

  24

  1995

  8

  22

  30

  1996

  3

  13

  16

  19971

  1

  7

  8

  Total

  46

  185

  231

  1 Figures for the period January to October inclusive

  Small Claims
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of small claims cases in 1996–97 involved legal representation. [30147]

  Mr. McLeish
  Figures on these matters are not held centrally.

  Road Accidents
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many alcohol-related road accidents occurred in each of the last five years in Scotland; what percentage of total accidents they represent; and how many deaths resulted. [29949]

  Mr. McLeish
  Road Accidents statistical returns collect information only about accidents which involve personal injury and do not include road accidents where only damage to vehicles occurs. Estimates of the numbers of injury road accidents involving motor vehicle drivers or riders with illegal alcohol levels (ie above the current drink-drive limit of 80mg per 100m1 of blood), and the numbers of casualties in such accidents, are based on the statistical returns and on separate information from Procurators Fiscal. The table provides information for the 706
  latest five years for which estimates are available for Scotland. Because of the uncertainty involved, each estimate is rounded to the nearest ten.

  Year

  Estimated number of injury road accidents in Scotland which involved motor vehicle drivers or riders with illegal alcohol levels

  Percentage of all injury road accidents in Scotland

  Estimated number of deaths arising from road accidents in Scotland which involved motor vehicle drivers or riders with illegal alcohol levels

  1991

  990

  5.2

  80

  1992

  860

  4.8

  60

  1993

  840

  5.0

  60

  1994

  790

  4.7

  80

  1995

  790

  4.8

  50

  Higher Education
  Mr. Sarwar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to encourage young people to enter higher education. [28805]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 16 February 1998]: I refer my hon. Friend to the oral answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Cunninghame, South (Mr. Donohoe) on 17 February 1998, Official Report, column 884.

  Fife Health Board
  Ms Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will make a statement on the overall cost of relocation of Fife Health Board from Glenrothes to Cupar; and what were the costs of relocation broken down into those of (i) removal, (ii) redecoration, (iii) office equipment and furniture, carpets, curtains and other furnishings and telephone and computer systems and (iv) relocation of staff; [29143]

  (2) what has been the cost of maintaining Fife Health Board's Glenrothes site since 1993; [29144]

  (3) if he will estimate the costs of returning Fife Health Board's offices to Glenrothes. [29145]

  Mr. Galbraith
  Fife Health Board has indicated that the overall cost of relocating Fife Health Board from Glenrothes to Cupar was £901,000 comprising:

  £000

  Building/Structural costs

  655

  IT Network costs

  70

  Removal costs

  37

  Staff excess travel

  139

  Total

  901

  Redecoration and office equipment are included within the total building/structural costs. The telephone system was transferred from Glenrothes House.

  The Health Board has indicated that the cost of maintaining Glenrothes House over the three financial years 1994–95 to 1996–97 was £870,000. This is the net cost after recharges to the sub-tenants. This building has been used during this period for a number of Fife Health Board activities.
  707
  I understand that the Health Board is currently considering its future requirements for Headquarters' office accommodation and has set up a working group under the Chairmanship of one of the non-executive Directors to further consider this issue. While the Health Board had previously given some consideration to a possible relocation back to Glenrothes House, no final decision has been made. The Health Board estimates the costs of relocation to Glenrothes House at around £860,000.

  Maternity Facilities (Fife)
  Ms Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the cost of(a) transferring the maternity facilities currently located at Forth Park Hospital to Victoria Hospital and (b) adapting and equipping the Victoria Hospital to take the maternity wards from Forth Park. [29146]

  Mr. Galbraith
  Fife Health Board's draft Integrated Health Care Strategy identifies options for the future provision of maternity services. This is based on advice from clinicians that split site obstetric and paediatric services are no longer acceptable and that these services should be integrated into the main Victoria Hospital site for best clinical quality. The proposals will be subject to public consultation. The capital and other implications of this proposal are currently being considered by Fife Health Board and the Trust.

  Ms Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the cost of building and equipping the maternity ward at Queen Margaret Hospital, Dunfermline. [29147]

  Mr. Galbraith
  Queen Margaret Hospital NHS Trust has indicated that, based on the total building cost of Queen Margaret Hospital, the cost of the maternity ward and delivery suite component was approximately £1,000,000. These facilities are now being used by the Trust for other purposes.

  Victoria Hospital
  Ms Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the annual cost of work related to the structure of Victoria Hospital; what was the date of the last full structural survey of the Victoria Hospital; and when it was published. [29148]

  Mr. Galbraith
  Estate related expenditure on the Victoria Hospital for the years 1994/95 to 1997/98 is provided. The figures were provided by the Kirkcaldy Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.

  £000

  Year

  Capital

  Revenue

  1994–95

  2,066

  489

  1995–96

  4,339

  582

  1996–97

  3,161

  552

  1997–98

  1,532 (est)

  —

  The last structural survey of Victoria Hospital was carried out in the spring of 1992 and the result was presented at a Strategic Workshop held on 19 and 20 May 1992.
  708
  Ms Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the cost of relocating the paediatric and gynaecological services from the Queen Margaret Hospital to the Victoria Hospital. [29149]

  Mr. Galbraith
  Paediatric surgery and gynaecology services have not transferred from Queen Margaret Hospital to Victoria Hospital. Services are currently provided at both hospitals.

  Ms Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the costs of dealing with recent flooding at the Victoria Hospital; and what assessment he has made of the likelihood and frequency of future flooding. [29150]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The programme of repairs and replacements carried out at Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy since the flooding on 13/14 August 1997 cost £50,000. Prior to this incident, Kirkcaldy Acute Hospitals NHS Trust and the East of Scotland Water Board had commissioned a programme of work to improve drainage from the hospital site. This was part of a bigger project in the surrounding area which included alterations and improvements to the local sewers. Further design work is presently being undertaken by the Trust and the Water Board to provide storm overflow drains. I understand that the Water Board has indicated that once these further measures are implemented the possibility of future flooding is highly unlikely.

HEALTH

  Smoking
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the absolute changes in the incidence of(a) smoking and (b) smoking-related diseases by socio-economic classification in the past 20 years. [28816]

  Ms Jowell
  Information about the prevalence of smoking by socio-economic group between 1976 and 1996 is given in reports on the General Household Survey (GHS)1. Information for 1996 is given in the table.

  Data on the incidence of all smoking-related diseases by socio-economic group are either not available centrally or could be provided only at disproportionate cost, however information on the incidence of lung cancer, one smoking-related disease, by social class between 1976 and 1989 has been published in "Population Tends 90"2.

  Data on "deaths" from some smoking-related diseases (for example, lung cancer and ischaemic heart disease) by social class have been published in "Health Inequalities'.
  1 Office for National Statistics. Living in Britain—Results from the 1994 General Household Survey, HMSO, London (1996).
  2 Office for National Statistics, Incidence of Health of the Nation cancers by social class. Population Trends 90. The Stationery Office, London (1997).

  3 Office for National Statistics. Health Inequalities—Decennial Supplement: DS15. The Stationery Office, London (1997).
  709

  Cigarette smoking amongst adults, by socio-economic group, and sex. Great Britain, 1996

  Percentage

  Men

  Women

  Non-manual

  Professional

  12

  11

  Employers and managers

  20

  18

  Intermediate and junior non-manual

  24

  28

  Total non-manual

  21

  22

  Manual

  Skilled manual and own account non-professional

  32

  30

  Semi-skilled manual and personal service

  41

  36

  Unskilled manual

  41

  36

  Total manual

  36

  33

  All aged 16 and over

  29

  28

  Notes:

  1. Percentages rounded to the nearest whole figure.

  2. Socio-economic group is coded according to the present job of those currently working and to the last job of those not currently working. Married women whose husbands were in the household are classified according to their husband's occupation. Members of the armed forces, persons in inadequately described occupations and all persons who have never worked have not been shown as separate categories but are included in the figures shown as totals.

  Source:

  ONS General Household Survey

  Copies of all of these publications are available in the Library.

  NHS White Paper
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps health authorities will take to involve the public in(a) the proposed health improvement plans, (b) the proposed primary care groups and (c) NHS trusts following the introduction of proposals set out in his White Paper on the NHS. [29061]

  Mr. Milburn
  Rebuilding confidence in the National Health Service as a public service, accountable to patients, open to the public and shaped by their views, is one of the essential tasks left to us by the previous Administration. The White Paper,"The New NHS", sets clear requirements for public accountability, which will be met locally in a variety of ways as implementation of the White Paper proceeds. Nationally, we recently added NHS trusts to the list of bodies whose meetings must be open to the public.

  NHS Trust Mergers
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement regarding his Department's policy on mergers of NHS trusts. [29009]

  Mr. Milburn
  We welcome proposals for closer joint working between National Health Service trusts, leading in some cases to proposals for merger, as demonstrations of the new approach to partnership in the NHS. Each merger arises from a local decision and is considered on its merits. The key criterion for mergers is that they should offer the best means of delivering benefits to patients. All mergers will be expected to demonstrate administrative savings. There is no national target for numbers of mergers.

  NHS Appeals Procedure
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to implement changes to the National Health Service appeals procedure. [29257]

  Mr. Milburn
  We will be commissioning a formal evaluation of the National Health Service Complaints Procedures later this year. Officials are currently preparing to put the project out to tender.

  NHS Real Estate Sales
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the cost to public funds of disposing of NHS real estate by a system of preferred bidders as against sale on the open market. [29359]

  Mr. Milburn
  Surplus or redundant assets must be disposed of at full open market value to ensure that the National Health Service obtains best value for money.

  Physical Education
  Mr. Truswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of(a) the fitness of the nation's schoolchildren and (b) the effects of the proposed removal of physical education from the core curriculum. [29404]

  Ms Jowell
  On the Department of Health's behalf, the Health Education Authority is currently completing a review ("Young and Active") of the physical activity and fitness levels among children and young people aged between 5 and 18. I expect to receive their assessment of the current situation and recommendations for future action shortly. In addition, the 1997 Health Survey also included questions about children's physical activity levels. The results will be available towards the end of 1998.

  My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, with whom I work closely on health matters related to schoolchildren, will be responding with regard to the place of physical education in the curriculum.

  Pharmaceuticals
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the proportion of total NHS spending taken by pharmaceutical products in each of the last five years; and what was the figure in cash terms for each year. [29854]

  Mr. Milburn
  The information requested is given in the table.

  Year

  Total spend on drugs by the National Health Service in £ million

  Total National Health Service spend on drugs as a percentage of total NHS expenditure

  1992–93

  3,284

  11.2

  1993–94

  3,661

  12.0

  1994–95

  3,994

  12.5

  1995–96

  4,372

  13.1

  1996–97

  4,735

  13.6

  Health Authorities and Trusts (Mergers)
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the health authorities and NHS trusts which have merged or changed their names since April 1997. [30212]

  Mr. Milburn
  There have been no mergers of health authorities since April 1997. However, since 1 April 1997 the following National Health Service trusts have merged:Isle of Wight Community Healthcare and St. Mary's Hospital Trust (£103.3m) to form Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Trust;
  Weald of Kent Community NHS Trust and Maidstone Priority Care to form Invicta Community Care NHS Trust;
  Wirral Community Health Care NHS Trust and West Cheshire NHS Trust to form Wirral and West Cheshire Community NHS Trust;
  Pontefract NHS Trust and Pinderfields NHS Trusts to form Pinderfields and Pontefract Hospitals NHS Trust.

  Additionally, nine NHS trust mergers have been agreed for April 1998 with another 13 at consultation stage before final Ministerial decision.

  Mental Health Services
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) under the arrangements contained in the NHS White Paper, which body will commission local hospital and community mental health services; and what scope there will be for local determination; [30210]

  (2) for what reasons mental health services in England are not commissioned by primary care trusts. [30211]

  Mr. Boateng
  As envisaged in the White Paper "The New NHS", the new Primary Care Groups will commission the majority of local mental health services in England. Health authorities will commission specialist mental health services. Health Improvement Programmes will allow consideration of local health needs and how these can best be met, as well as how national targets can be delivered.

  Child Deaths (Medical Error)
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the procedure for investigating the deaths of children as a result of medical error; and what plans he has to improve the accountability of the medical profession. [30208]

  Mr. Boateng
  Each National Health Service is responsible for investigating untoward incidents whether or not they have led to patient injury or death. Guidelines have been issued to the NHS on the reporting and investigation of incidents under the title "Risk Management in the NHS".

  The White Paper "The New NHS" sets out plans to introduce a process of "clinical governance" in every NHS trust to help ensure that proper processes are in place for assuring and improving clinical quality.
  712

  Coloured Spectacle Lenses
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of evidence on the beneficial effects for dyslexic children of piano coloured spectacle lenses; and if he will amend the regulations to allow the inclusion of such lenses for clinical purposes within the optical voucher scheme. [30207]

  Mr. Milburn
  Officials from the Department of Health and the Department for Education and Employment will shortly be discussing this evidence with members of the Institute of Optometry. Before consideration is given to any changes to the regulations, it must be clear that any benefits to children with reading difficulties are derived specifically from the use of coloured lenses.

  Lexie McConnell
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will establish an independent public inquiry into the death of Lexie McConnell. [30209]

  Mr. Milburn
  The death of Lexie McConnell was a tragic incident, and I fully sympathise with Mr. and Mrs. McConnell's great loss.

  An independent inquiry was offered in 1994 by Anglia and Oxford Regional Health Authority which would have covered the issue of steroid prescriptions for children, using Lexie's case as a base-line for the inquiry. Mr. and Mrs. McConnell did not however agree with the proposed format of the inquiry and chose not to participate. Consequently the inquiry did not take place.

  More recently the McConnells have been pursuing a legal claim against Oxfordshire Health Authority on the ground of post traumatic stress caused by their daughter's death. The case has not yet been heard by the Courts. It is therefore not appropriate for an independent public inquiry to take place whilst a separate private legal claim is being brought against Oxfordshire Health Authority by the McConnells.

  Departmental Contracts
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many contracts of a value greater than £5,000 his Department has with companies in(a) London, (b) South East England, (c) England, (d) Scotland, (e) Wales and (f) Northern Ireland; and what is the total value of such contracts for each area. [30081]

  Ms Jowell
  This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Departmental Employees
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the number of his Department's employees by UK region, indicating the wage bill(a) in total and (b) by region in the last year for which figures are available and separately identifying the costs of London allowances and weightings. [30078]

  Ms Jowell
  Annual paybill information is not collected in the format requested. The table gives the January 1998 pay information multiplied to give an annual figure.
  713

  £

  Region

  Number of Employees

  Pay

  London Allowances

  Total

  North West

  643

  10,644,113

  0

  10,644,113

  Merseyside

  19

  252,373

  0

  252,373

  West Midlands

  235

  6,035,851

  1,776

  6,037,627

  South West

  139

  4,078,937

  1,776

  4,080,713

  London

  2,575

  64,813,157

  2,943,086

  67,756,243

  South East

  152

  4,274,911

  12,080

  4,286,991

  Eastern

  6

  179,448

  0

  179,448

  East Midlands

  69

  1,081,921

  0

  1,081,921

  Yorks and

  Humberside

  1,057

  25,092,647

  21,312

  25,113,959

  North East

  126

  3,488,719

  0

  3,488,719

  Total

  5,021

  119,942,076

  2,980,030

  122,922,106

  Notes:

  1. Figures extracted from January 1998 pay bill

  2. Basic pay includes national pay plus allowances other than London allowances

  3. In August 1996 all London allowances for new staff were abolished in this Department and a general additional pay allowance was introduced which covers payments for geographical location and special skills. Staff in receipt of London weighting prior to August 1996 have a reserved right to retain this allowance. Therefore not all payments for an element of London weighting are separately identifiable.

  4. All figures exclude overtime, bonuses and other non-recurring costs

  5. Pay details have been adjusted for part-time working

  6. London weighting shown against non-London areas relates to mark-time pay

  Departmental Buildings
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the location and running costs in the last year for which figures are available of each of his Department's buildings. [30079]

  Building

  Location

  1996–97 Running costs £000

  Skipton House

  Elephant and Castle, London SE1

  6,456

  Hannibal House

  Elephant and Castle, London SE1

  2,253

  Richmond House

  Whitehall, London SW1

  4,642

  Wellington House

  Waterloo, London SE1

  2,635

  Eileen House

  Elephant and Castle, London SE1

  1,662

  Market Towers

  Vauxhall, London SW8

  5,056

  St. Charles

  Brentwood, Essex

  286

  St. Catherine's House

  Holborn, London WC2

  200

  Capital Drive

  Linford Wood, Milton Keynes

  608

  Eastbourne Terrace

  London W2

  2,382

  Millenium Business Park

  Birchwood, Warrington

  774

  Westwood House

  Bristol

  656

  Fullwood House

  Sheffield

  381

  John Snow House

  Durham

  453

  Hagley Road

  Edgbaston, Birmingham

  742

  Quarry House

  Leeds

  6,036

  Glenthorne

  Erdington, Birmingham

  1,145

  Premier Buildings

  Nelson, Lanes

  210

  Bristol Avenue

  Bispham, Blackpool

  73

  Cressington House

  Garston, Liverpool

  15

  Chalfont Drive

  Nottingham

  21

  Hinchley Wood

  Surbiton, Surrey

  136

  Cannons Park

  Stanmore, Middx

  94

  Maid Marian House

  Nottingham

  80

  Warwickgate House

  Old Trafford, Manchester

  48

  Ladywood House

  Birmingham

  135

  Tyne Bridge Tower

  Gateshead, Tyne and Wear

  50

  West Riding House

  Leeds

  240

  J. Rothschild House

  Nottingham

  105

  Berkley Square

  Clifton, Bristol

  115

  Belgrave Road

  London

  24

  Chantry House

  Chester

  30

  Prudential House

  York

  14

  Crown House

  Hitchin, Herts

  31

  714
  Ms Jowell
  A schedule of buildings occupied by the Department showing the location and running costs for 1996–97 is set out in the table. Running costs include rent (or opportunity cost rent in respect of freehold buildings), contribution in lieu of rates, service charges, maintenance, utilities, security and cleaning.
  715

  Building

  Location

  1996–97 Running costs £000

  East Grinstead House

  East Grinstead, West Sussex

  20

  Hesketh House

  Fleetwood, Lancs

  1,813

  File Store

  Poulton le Fylde, Lancs

  Trevelyan Square

  Leeds

  654

  Note

  Where the Department shares a building with other departments costs have been reported only in respect of our own occupation.

  Departmental Expenditure
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give a regional breakdown of his Department's expenditure on(a) hospitality, (b) stationery and (c) travel in the last year for which figures are available. [30080]

  Ms Jowell
  The Department of Health does not collect information on expenditure in the above areas on a government designated regional basis. It is therefore not possible to provide data in the form requested without incurring disproportionate costs.
  716
  The figures for the whole of the Department and its for the year 1996–97 are as follows:

  Hospitality

  Stationery

  Travel

  Department

  105,192

  1,551,744

  5,722,961

  Agencies

  23,589

  1130,602

  1794,516

  Totals

  128,781

  1,682,346

  6,517,477

  1 Due to variations in the accounting systems used by the agencies these figures are based upon a small degree of estimation and apportionment.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Periodicals
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the expenditure of his Department on newspapers and magazines in(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98 to date and (d) 1997–98 full year; and if he will list the newspapers and magazines purchased or subscribed to on a regular basis. [26589]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 5 February 1998]The Department purchases a range of newspapers, magazines and other publications. Expenditure by the Department's Libraries on newspapers and magazines for(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98 to date and (d) 1997–98 full year are as follows:

  £

  Year

  Serials

  Newspapers

  1995–96

  224,000

  1n/a

  1996–97

  158,237

  26,786

  1997–98 to date (Dec)

  138,979

  11,739

  1997–98 full year

  171,000

  14,744

  1 Figure not available except at disproportionate cost.

  Farmers Markets
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to encourage farmers' markets. [28487]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 9 February 1998]The Department supports the principle of farmers markets as they can offer consumers in inner cities and other urban areas the opportunity to buy fresh local produce direct from farmers and other small food producers.

  The actual development of more of these markets is dependent on local authorities and local initiatives. Local authorities in particular need to use the market franchise rights sensibly with regard to the needs of local business to help this concept flourish.

  Correspondence
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his policy for responding to letters received in the(a) Scottish Gaelic, (b) Welsh, (c) Urdu, (d) Hindi and (e) Chinese language. [28065]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 10 February 1998]The Department's responsibilities are, in many cases, restricted to England only. However, in-so-far as its responsibilities cover Wales, the Department is drawing up a Welsh Language scheme in accordance with the Welsh Language Act 1993, in discussion with the Welsh Language Board.

  The Department does not have policies regarding correspondence received in Scottish Gaelic, Urdu, Hindi or Chinese languages.

  Varroa
  Mr.Öpik
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his Department's policy regarding the use of Apistan in eradicating varroa; what other treatment for varroa his Department has assessed; and if he will make a statement. [28970]

  Mr. Rooker
  The details of any individual application for a market authorisation for a veterinary medicine, including Apistan, must remain confidential to the applicant and the VMD. Apistan, however, is not authorised in this country and the administration of imported Apistan is prohibited by the Animals and Animal Products (Examination for Residues and Maximum Residue Limits) Regulations 1997 (Statutory Instrument 1997/1729) which came into force on 11 August 1997.

  The question of any applications for authorisations of new veterinary drugs is one for the pharmaceutical and beekeeping industries. Any such application would be assessed against the statutory criteria of safety, quality and efficacy. It is open to anyone holding a marketing authorisation to use the mutual recognition procedures if they wish to market a veterinary medicinal product in more than one Member State. Details of this procedure can be obtained from the Veterinary Medicines Directorate.

  We are aware that beekeepers have in the past relied on certain non-medicinal curative substances to allow them to carry out a duty of care to their bees and to fulfil welfare requirements. The above SI would prohibit the administration of these non-medicinal curative substances only where, if transmitted to honey, they would be likely to be harmful to human health. If the substance is not harmful the Residues Regulations would not prevent it from being administered.

  Set-aside Land
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals his Department has for the use of set-aside land. [29252]

  Mr. Rooker
  Set-aside is a requirement of the EU's support arrangements for certain arable crops and is intended to limit production of such crops. The uses to which set-aside land can be put are strictly prescribed by EU regulations and include the production of certain crops for industrial use. The Government aim to encourage farmers to manage set-aside land in environmentally beneficial ways.

  The Government do not consider compulsory set-aside an appropriate method of managing the EU cereals market and will be seeking its abolition in forthcoming discussion on CAP reform. The EU Commission has proposed that farmers should be able to continue to set-aside land on a voluntary basis after CAP reform and the Government could support this on environmental grounds and to facilitate the production of industrial and energy crops.

  BSE Compensation
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the amount of public funding awarded to each sector of farming under BSE compensation. [29251]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Government have paid over £1.3 billion in compensation to the beef sector for BSE in 1996/97 and 1997/98.

  Meat Prices
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to introduce measures to ensure that reductions in the prices received by farmers for their livestock are reflected in the prices charged in supermarkets. [29261]

  Mr. Rooker
  The levels of retail prices for meat are set by competition, which is strong in the food retailing sector. The Director General of Fair Trading keeps the market under review to ensure that it continues to remain competitive. I have no plans at present for further measures.

  Quarantine
  Mr. Hesford
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what changes to the quarantine requirements for animals coming into the United Kingdom would require(a) primary and (b) secondary legislation. [29721]

  Mr. Rooker
  Changes to the quarantine rules could be made under secondary legislation. However, although there is currently no European Union legislation on the movement of pet animals, there could be in the future—and UK legislation would then have to take account of this.

  Calshot Oyster Fisheries
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 10 February 1998,Official Report, column 166, on Calshot Oyster Fisheries, what factors contributed to the length of time taken to complete the procedures necessary for the preparation of the draft order. [29817]

  Mr. Morley
  The application by Calshot Oyster Fishermen Ltd. for a variation Order was received on 11 September 1996. The technical aspects of the application were then assessed, and once it was agreed that it was appropriate for it to proceed the Ministry's Legal Department were asked to draft the necessary Order; when this was available a map of the change being sought in the area of the Several fishery was prepared. The draft Order and map were sent to the applicants on 18 April 1997.

  Agriculture Council
  Mr. Michael Jabez Foster
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the outcome of the Agriculture Council held in Brussels on 16 and 17 February. [30544]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  I chaired the second meeting under the United Kingdom Presidency of the European Union Council of Agriculture Ministers on 720
  16–17 February in Brussels. My noble Friend the Lord Donoughue, Parliamentary Secretary responsible for the farming and food industry, represented the United Kingdom at that meeting.

  The Council had a presentation by the Agriculture Commissioner of the Commission's proposals for prices fixed under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) for the 1998–1999 year. These proposals were described by the Commissioner as broadly a standstill in present CAP support arrangements, pending the forthcoming negotiations on further reform of the CAP in the context of Agenda 2000. Ministerial colleagues in the Council commented on their key priorities within this set of proposals. I agreed to take them forward as quickly as possible; that work will begin immediately.

  The Council also held a first debate on the Commission's proposals for reform of the tobacco regime, which also form an element of the Agenda 2000 strategy. On behalf of the United Kingdom, and with support from Sweden and Denmark, my noble Friend the Lord Donoughue expressed concern at the relatively modest nature of these reform proposals and urged more radical steps to reduce support for tobacco production in the Community, bearing in mind the inconsistency with EU efforts to limit tobacco consumption for health reasons. Detailed work on this proposal will now begin.

  The Council held a second full debate on proposed amendments to the EU banana regime in response to the recent findings of the WTO Appellate Body. I concluded in the light of the debate that further detailed work should continue, and that the Council should resolve this issue quickly, both in order to meet WTO obligations and to give reassurance to EU and ACP banana growers about their futures.

  There was a further discussion in the Council of the Commission's proposals in respect of the Community's beef promotion scheme. Final agreement did not prove possible in view of the requirement to achieve unanimity on this proposal. I undertook as Council President to consider the options for taking this proposal forward.

  The Commissioner gave the Council a full report on the exchanges he had had with the United States on the negotiation of an EU/US veterinary and phytosanitary equivalence agreement. The Council noted that there had been positive developments in recent contacts between the two sides, and expressed the hope that the terms of an agreement would be ready for endorsement by the Council at its March meeting.

  My noble Friend the Lord Donoughue expressed the concerns of the United Kingdom at the recent interruption to supplies of fish from Russian freezer vessels into the UK, in particular Scotland, and the risk this created to jobs in fish processing. The Commissioner undertook to carry out an urgent examination of the problem.

  Finally, the Council discussed the forthcoming OECD Agriculture Ministerial meeting in Paris in March, where consideration would be given to progress on agricultural reform over the last decade. Ministers in the Council debated the line which the European Union would take at this meeting. I concluded that there should be co-ordination of the EU line in a High Level Group which will convene in Brussels next week for this purpose.

  Research Projects
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the total value of research projects he has commissioned with bodies in(a) London, (b) South-East England, (c) England, (d) Scotland,(e) Wales, (f) Northern Ireland and (g) the UK. [30101]

  Mr. Rooker
  I regret that the information sought is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Decisions on the placing of research contracts are based on the scientific quality and value for money of research proposals and not on the geographical location of contractors. The Department does not keep a detailed record of the location of each project within the research programme because of the complexity of the contractual arrangements, which can involve subcontractors and consortia, and because of the size and constantly changing nature of the research programme and the number of contractors involved. In the current year alone, the Department's R&D expenditure is likely to exceed £127 million, involving over 100 different contractors in around 2,000 individual projects.

  Departmental Buildings
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the location and running costs in the last year for which figures are available of each of his Department's buildings. [30098]

  Mr. Morley
  The Department is currently responsible for 240 properties comprising large and small offices, laboratories, research farms and redundant buildings awaiting disposal. The properties are both freehold and leasehold, and are mainly situated in England with some in Wales and a few in Scotland. Details of the running costs of each building are not held centrally and disproportionate costs would be incurred to collect this information. However in 1997–98, the Department's expenditure on rents to landlords, opportunity cost rents to the Property Advisers to the Civil Estate (an executive agency of the Cabinet Office) and contributions in lieu of rates are expected to be £34,445,000. Further, in 1997–98, the Department's expenditure on the day to day running of the buildings, maintenance, repair, refurbishment and decommissioning redundant sites is expected to be £25,053,000.

  Departmental Expenditure
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give a regional breakdown of his Department's expenditure on(a) hospitality, (b) stationery and (c) travel in the last year for which figures are available. [30099]

  Mr. Morley
  The information requested by the hon. Member could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Beef
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what will be the average payment made from the £85 million compensation package, announced on 22 December per(a) head of cattle and (b) beef farmer. [29828]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 18 February 1998]: Of the £85 million agrimonetary compensation package to be paid to UK livestock farmers, £72.5 million will be distributed to suckler cow producers who were paid under the 1996 Suckler Cow Premium Scheme with the remaining £12.5 million to be paid to sheep producers. The payment rate will be £44.20 for each suckler cow on which 1996 premium was paid in full, lower if penalties were applied to the 1996 premium claim. Based on the average claim size for the UK as a whole, the average payment per suckler producer will be in the region of £1,300.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Audit Commission
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will introduce a statutory code of practice in respect of the provisions in the Audit Commission Bill [Lords] which permit the Commission to datamatch personal data in the name of economy, effectiveness and efficiency; and if he will make a statement. [29114]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Audit Commission Bill is a Consolidation Bill, which does no more than restate the existing law in clearer form. It is not possible to amend the Bill by adding a provision for a code of practice.

  Departmental Employees
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the number of his Department's employees by UK region, indicating the wage bill(a) in total and (b) by region in the last year for which figures are available and separately identifying the costs of London allowances and weightings. [30107]

  Mr. Hoon
  This answer covers the Headquarters of the Lord Chancellor's Department (with Associated Offices), the Court Service and the Public Trust Office. Paybill information for HQ and the Public Trust Office is for 1997–98. The figures for the Court Service represent pay levels as at 31 March 1997; the financial year 1996–97 is the last full year for which meaningful figures for the Court Service are available, as elements of their 1997–98 pay award are not due to be paid until April 1998; staff numbers have, however, been updated to 30 November 1997.

  Information on staff numbers for each part of the Lord Chancellor's Department includes staff up to and including the Senior Civil Service and includes casuals. It does not, however, include fee-paid ushers, who are paid locally and for whom central records are not kept. The judiciary are not included. The paybills for the Court Service are shown by circuit. The great majority of staff in LCD HQ and all staff in the Public Trust Office are based in London. London Weighting and equivalent

  723
  payments paid to staff in HQ and Associated Offices and in PTO have been consolidated with basic salary and are therefore included in the total paybill figures. In each case, figures are also shown for the cost of Local and Special Pay Additions currently payable.

  LCD HQ (with Associated Offices)

  Total staff numbers (October 1997): 910

  Total paybill: £23,385,429

  Local/special pay additions: £137,964

  Public Trust Office

  Total staff numbers (October 1997): 550

  Total paybill: £10,893,836

  Local/special pay additions: £40,508

  Court Service

  Midland & Oxford Circuit

  Total staff numbers: 1,602

  Total paybill: £19,042,626

  London weighting: £1,776

  Local/special pay additions: £21,280

  Western Circuit

  Total staff numbers: 908

  Total paybill: £10,849,273

  London weighting: £0

  Local/special pay additions: £31,870

  Wales & Chester Circuit

  Total staff numbers: 577

  Total paybill: £7,175,484

  London weighting: £0

  Local/special pay additions: £0

  North Eastern Circuit

  Total staff numbers: 1,278

  Total paybill: £15,034,001

  London weighting: £0

  Local/special pay additions: £0

  Northern Circuit

  Total staff numbers: 1,261

  Total paybill: £15,114,568

  London weighting: £0

  Local/special pay additions: £0

  South Eastern Circuit

  Total staff numbers: 4,295

  Total paybill: £57,818,226

  London weighting: £3,468,180

  Local/special pay additions: £168,720

  Principal Registry of the Family Division (PRFD)

  Total staff numbers: 430

  Total paybill: £5,596,664

  London weighting: £318,136

  Local/special pay additions: £13,670.

  Departmental Expenditure
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will give a regional breakdown of his Department's expenditure on(a) hospitality, (b) stationery and (c) travel in the last year for which figures are available. [30109]
  724
  Mr. Hoon
  The figures requested are given in the table.

  Business area

  Hospitality

  Stationery and small office equipment

  Travel and subsistence

  LCD HQ

  21,618

  520,625

  833,990

  Court Service HQ

  0

  111,129

  298,433

  Public Trust Office

  982

  291,246

  36,652

  South East Circuit

  558

  2,218,658

  929,213

  Western Circuit

  602

  303,228

  296,527

  Wales & Chester Circuit

  1,893

  367,264

  238,029

  Midland & Oxford Circuit

  0

  1,143,241

  395,085

  Northern Circuit

  1,255

  629,753

  282,902

  North Eastern Circuit

  649

  724,394

  325,141

  Total

  27,557

  6,309,538

  3,635,972

  Departmental Contracts
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many contracts of a value greater than £1000 his Department has with companies in(a) London, (b) South East England, (c) England, (d) Scotland, (e) Wales and (f) Northern Ireland; and what is the total value of such contracts for each such area. [30110]

  Mr. Hoon
  The information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Child Support
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department in how many child support commissioner cases appeal has been sought to the Court of Appeal; which party sought leave; and which cases were granted leave to appeal. [30060]

  Mr. Hoon
  Since 1995, leave to appeal has been sought on 16 child support cases in England and Wales and leave has been granted in seven. The Secretary of State, on behalf of the Child Support Officer, has sought leave in seven cases, of which two were granted; the appellant has sought leave in seven cases, of which four were granted; and the respondent has sought leave in two cases, of which one was granted.

  Research Projects
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the total value of research projects he has commissioned with bodies in(a) London, (b) South East England, (c) England, (d) Scotland, (e) Wales, (f) Northern Ireland and (g) the UK. [130161]

  Mr. Hoon
  The figures are as follows:

  Breakdown of cost of research commissioned

  Area

  Cost (£)

  1996–97

  London

  138,110

  SE England (excluding London)

  18,912

  England (excluding London and SE)

  187,149

  Scotland

  4,500

  Wales

  6,457

  Northern Ireland

  —

  UK Total

  355,128

  725

  Breakdown of cost of research commissioned

  Area

  Cost (£)

  1997–98

  London

  163,857

  SE England (excluding London)

  32,492

  England (excluding London and SE)

  259,014

  Scotland

  2,500

  Wales

  —

  Northern Ireland

  —

  UK Total

  457,863

  Departmental Buildings
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the location and running costs in the last year for which figures are available of each of his Department's buildings. [301081]

  Mr. Hoon
  Details of accommodation charges (including rent, rates, service charges and contributions in lieu of rates), fuel and utilities charges in respect of the Departmental Headquarters Buildings for the financial year 1996–97 are as set out:

  Location

  Fuels and utilities

  Accommodation charges

  London

  Little St. James'

  6,327.51

  383,945.20

  22 Kingsway

  428.02

  431,830.19

  Southside

  1—

  2,231,468.63

  Chancery Lane

  53,460.07

  1,585,795.10

  Hepburn House

  2,741.00

  194,009.00

  Conquest House

  9,689.34

  599,629.40

  Millbank Tower

  16,965.45

  1,289,367.06

  Rochester House

  —

  21,453.36

  Selborne House

  216,466.36

  2,242,379.65

  Tufton Street

  13,545.23

  191,806.55

  Bristol

  Prudential Buildings

  3,574.49

  66,334.30

  Industry's employment needs and college output 1994–99

  000

  Managers

  Craft and semi-skilled

  Operatives and others

  Total

  Average annual replacement needs

  23

  86

  256

  356

  Average annual output from colleges

  5

  14

  3

  22

  Average annual shortfall of qualified staff

  18

  72

  253

  343

  Proportion of newly qualified to replacement needs

  22%

  16%

  1%

  6%

  The opportunities provided by NVQs/SVQs enable those working to obtain qualification. This goes some way towards making up for the shortfall in college provision. It also means that the industry can increase its skill level.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he is taking to address skill shortages in the catering and hotel industries. [27091]

  Dr. Howells
  In July 1997 the Hospitality Training Foundation (HtF) was recognised by the Secretary of State as a National Training Organisation (NTO), one of a growing number of National Training Organisations currently being established. NTOs have the key responsibility for developing education and training arrangements in their sectors.
  726

  Location

  Fuels and utilities

  Accommodation charges

  Westbury

  Burghill Road

  969.96

  18,557.82

  Gateshead

  Interchange Centre

  1,246.83

  11,600.00

  Leeds

  City House

  994.67

  33,667.51

  1 Incorporated into accommodation charges.

  2 Final rent payment.

  A total of £926,961.00 was also spent on maintenance, £15,434 on fuel (other than gas and electricity) and £3,336.614.72) on contributions in lieu of rates for the above buildings during the period 1996–97.

  In addition to the Departmental Headquarters buildings, the Court Service occupied 417 buildings during the same period and spent a total of £22.1 million on building maintenance, fuel and utility costs and £99.9 million on rent (including £49.2m which represents payments within Government in respect of buildings on the Civil Estate) service charges and contributions in lieu of rates. Not all items of expenditure for the Court Service are recorded by location and this information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Hotel and Catering (Training)
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is his estimate of the shortfall in trained personnel in the hotel and catering industry in the next three years. [27092]

  Dr. Howells
  The Hospitality Training Foundation's Report Employment Forecasts to 2004, published in 1996, provides the most recent data on this subject.

  HtF as NTO for the hospitality industry (hotel and catering) has a three year Business Plan which outlines its future direction and sets out a programme of work designed to address, directly and indirectly, the industry's skills shortages.

  HtF in its former role as Industry Lead Body for hotel and catering was responsible for monitoring future skill requirements and training needs.

  Computer Systems
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list each major new computer system that(a) his Department, (b) non-departmental bodies and (c) agencies under his responsibility have purchased in the last five years; what

  727
  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. [27852]

  Commissioning dates

  System

  Initial £000

  Costs Final £000

  Planned

  Actual

  (a) Departmental computer systems

  Census of employment processing system for ED/DfEE

  3,900

  3,920

  February 1994

  March 1994

  Vacancy circulation system for London Careers Service

  230

  230

  April 1996

  April 1996

  Personnel system for DfEE

  750

  760

  April 1997

  April 1997

  (b) Non-Departmental bodies

  Manufacturing systems for Remploy

  742

  742

  1996

  1996

  Human Resources system for Remploy

  122

  122

  March 1998

  March 1998

  Electronic Mail System for Remploy

  110

  110

  September 1996

  September 1996

  Levy Grant tracking system for Construction Industry

  393

  576

  April 1994

  June 1994

  Training Board (CITB)

  Training and qualification record keeping system for Construction Industry Training Board (CITB)

  269

  283

  March 1996

  March 1996

  Workflow management & document imaging system for Student Loans company

  740

  740

  February 1998

  February 1998

  Loan repayment follow-up case and telephone call management system for Student Loans Company

  507

  521

  April 1996

  April 1996

  Finance system for the Funding Agency for Schools

  107

  107

  April 1995

  April 1995

  (c) Agencies

  Employment Services Communications Project

  997

  997

  December 1997

  February 1998

  Personnel system for Employment Services

  1,300

  1,300

  April 1996

  May 1996

  Office Automation system for ACAS

  500

  500

  April 1993

  April 1993

  £000

  System

  Anticipated cost

  (a) Departmental computer systems

  Resource accounting system for DfEE

  500

  (b) Non-departmental public bodies

  Pay & personnel for Construction Industry Training Board

  150

  (c) Agencies

  Nil

  —

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Mr. Pearson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the(a) amount

  TEC/CCTE administration costs

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  TECS by region

  Admin costs £

  Admin costs/ total income (%)

  Admin costs £

  Admin costs/ total income (%)

  Admin costs £

  Admin costs/ total income (%)

  Northern

  County Durham

  2,844,998

  10.62

  2,788,821

  10.80

  3,424,190

  14.05

  Northumberland

  2,170,801

  13.35

  3,286,182

  19.43

  3,330,965

  18.97

  Teesside

  3,501,000

  12.74

  4,101,000

  13.67

  4,036,000

  13.85

  Tyneside

  3,928,000

  9.49

  3,266,000

  9.03

  3,110,000

  7.50

  Sunderland (Wearside)

  1,589,414

  10.22

  1,561,552

  10.46

  1,798,644

  12.08

  Total

  14,034,213

  11.01

  14,993,555

  12.12

  15,699,799

  12.32

  Merseyside

  CEWTEC

  1,952,421

  10.40

  1,492,117

  7.84

  1,700,188

  8.28

  Merseyside

  4,626,182

  10.29

  4,160,515

  11.32

  5,575,071

  12.33

  St. Helens

  990,569

  12.05

  2,024,904

  26.83

  1,902,854

  19.53

  Total

  7,569,172

  10.45

  7,677,536

  12.12

  9,178,113

  12.16

  728
  Dr. Howells
  The list of major computer systems purchased by the department, associated non-departmental bodies and agencies over the past five years is given in the following Table 1. Table 2 is a list of planned purchases for the next financial year.

  and (b) proportion of overall budget spent by each training and enterprise council on administration, in (i) 1994–95, (ii) 1995–96 and (iii) 1996–97. [28498]

  Dr. Howells
  I have provided figures showing spend on administration costs and the proportion ofthe overall income of each of the English Training and Enterprise Councils (TECs) as stated in their consolidated annual statutory audited accounts, a copy of which is in the Library. It is not possible to identify separately administrative expenditure attributable to DfEE budgets.

  Any direct comparison of administration costs between TECs could be misleading, both because there is no statutory definition of administration costs and also because of the range of training and enterprise activities TECs undertake.
  729

  TEC/CCTE administration costs

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  TECS by region

  Admin costs £

  Admin costs/ total income (%)

  Admin costs £

  Admin costs/ total income (%)

  Admin costs £

  Admin costs/ total income (%)

  North West

  Bolton/Bury

  10

  10.00

  10

  10.00

  13,074,109

  120.40

  Manchester

  2,973,860

  7.94

  2,964,812

  8.33

  2,674,336

  6.16

  Wigan

  1,888,508

  17.36

  2,541,016

  24.63

  3,067,908

  26.90

  Oldham

  1,006,057

  12.51

  1,058,063

  13.44

  1,315,818

  14.81

  Rochdale

  656,133

  7.20

  694,865

  8.45

  845,669

  9.90

  South & East Cheshire

  1,051,417

  6.16

  1,066,414

  6.54

  1,095,807

  6.67

  Stockport & High Peak

  898,243

  8.74

  795,970

  8.50

  775,861

  6.88

  Cumhria

  2,060,190

  10.37

  1,737,220

  8.77

  1,787,020

  7.80

  ELTEC

  10

  10.00

  10

  10.00

  10

  10.00

  LAWTEC

  10

  10.00

  10

  10.00

  10

  10.00

  NORMID

  1,203,943

  7.89

  1,166,455

  8.08

  1,138,903

  7.08

  Total

  11,738,351

  6.05

  12,024,815

  6.67

  15,775,431

  7.73

  Yorks & Humber

  Barnsley/Doncaster

  2,259,000

  7.67

  2,651,000

  11.78

  2,533,000

  12.57

  Bradford

  1,514,564

  8.60

  1,834,388

  12.91

  1,867,564

  11.91

  Calderdale & Kirklees

  2,348,460

  11.47

  2,391,688

  13.02

  2,444,082

  12.17

  Humberside

  13,257,145

  110.08

  13,188,684

  111.19

  13,989,577

  112.51

  Leeds

  2,392.053

  12.43

  2,639,925

  14.65

  2,765,170

  14.83

  North Yorks

  1,481,000

  8.99

  2,438,000

  16.72

  2,662,000

  14.50

  Rotherham

  1,406,127

  11.78

  1,520,704

  12.35

  1,520,892

  11.94

  Sheffield

  1,649,000

  8.09

  1,635,000

  9.00

  1,352,000

  7.85

  Wakefield

  1,188,133

  10.24

  1,014,172

  10.85

  1,069,032

  13.20

  Total

  17,495,482

  9.75

  19,313,561

  12.38

  20,203,317

  12.40

  Eastern

  Bedfordshire

  1,518,605

  12.05

  1,585,159

  13.22

  1,764,509

  12.67

  Cambridgeshire

  1,103,244

  12.06

  1,029,725

  13.44

  1,021,075

  11.93

  Essex

  3,156,151

  9.80

  3,051,851

  11.00

  3,184,000

  10.00

  Gtr. Peterborough

  1,010,561

  10.22

  1,187,394

  12.59

  1,063,347

  9.22

  Hertfordshire

  1,698,000

  6.88

  1,590,000

  7.69

  1,651,000

  7.43

  Norfolk & Waveney

  2,841,000

  13.23

  3,066,000

  14.50

  3,450,000

  15.88

  Suffolk

  1,148,694

  7.97

  1,270,670

  8.72

  1,107,145

  7.33

  Total

  12,476,255

  10.03

  12,780,80,799

  11.29

  13,241,076

  10.60

  East Midlands

  Gtr. Nottingham

  1,521,000

  6.75

  2,059,000

  12.17

  2,209,000

  11.34

  Leicester

  2,293,012

  9.84

  2,231,128

  9.68

  2,616,201

  10.95

  Lincolnshire

  10

  10.00

  10

  10.00

  10

  10.00

  Northamptonshire

  1,237,785

  9.12

  1,346,628

  11.10

  1,608,134

  10.89

  North Derbyshire

  1,935,855

  13.11

  2,027,060

  17.20

  2,245,502

  16.14

  North Nottinghamshire

  1,364,870

  5.41

  1,073,908

  5.31

  1,035,340

  5.40

  South Derbyshire

  1,561,000

  8.76

  1,527,000

  9.05

  2,135,000

  12.28

  Total

  9,913,522

  6.99

  10,264,724

  8.31

  11,849,177

  8.92

  West Midlands

  Birmingham

  2,954,000

  8.81

  2,921,000

  9.10

  3,270,000

  7.94

  Central England

  897,848

  8.25

  910,320

  8.18

  1,049,615

  9.35

  Coventry/Warwick

  1,336,237

  4.89

  1,376,763

  5.68

  1,571,268

  5.46

  Dudley

  1,273,292

  11.83

  1,502,820

  18.89

  2,046,690

  18.21

  HAWTEC

  1,153,623

  8.93

  1,208,427

  8.77

  2,531,101

  16.31

  Sandwell

  835,866

  6.61

  966,895

  8.13

  947,523

  7.62

  Shropshire

  1,175,098

  9.26

  1,210,530

  9.85

  2,163,446

  15.01

  Staffordshire

  2,995,000

  9.53

  2,942,000

  10.00

  3,440,000

  11.12

  Walsall

  1,367,391

  16.08

  1,219,799

  15.01

  1,267,271

  13.8

  Wolverhampton

  697,000

  6.66

  739,000

  7.91

  1,216,000

  11.34

  Total

  14,685,355

  8.58

  14,997,554

  9.36

  19,502,914

  10.51

  South West

  Werstec (Avon)

  2,950,000

  11.84

  3,171,000

  13.27

  3,317,000

  12.37

  Devon/Cornwall

  6,405,000

  14.82

  7,059,000

  17.67

  8,004,000

  18.91

  Dorset

  1,442,896

  9.05

  1,116,695

  8.13

  1,055,284

  6.97

  Gloucester

  2,726,513

  17.75

  1,312,168

  8.84

  1,556,058

  9.73

  Somerset

  1,822,761

  13.49

  1,508,920

  12.95

  1,736,696

  12.90

  Wiltshire

  1,792,597

  13.59

  1,940,660

  19.33

  2,109,602

  17.54

  Total

  17,139,767

  13.59

  16,108,443

  14.12

  17,778,640

  14.14

  730 731

  TEC/CCTE administration costs

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  TECS by region

  Admin costs £

  Admin costs/ total income (%)

  Admin costs £

  Admin costs/ total income (%)

  Admin costs £

  Admin costs/ total income (%)

  London

  AZTEC

  1,856,188

  13.66

  2,025,883

  17.25

  1,605,736

  11.86

  CENTEC

  2,878,041

  12.71

  4,048,449

  13.23

  1,605,678

  13.06

  CILNTEC

  3,116,232

  15.59

  3,226,423

  17.62

  3,356,523

  15.49

  LETEC

  3,814,563

  11.75

  3,108,749

  11.22

  3,246,756

  10.15

  North London

  2,587,420

  11.43

  2,697,670

  11.41

  2,960,868

  11.11

  North West London

  1,141,113

  9.67

  979,308

  8.96

  1,142,732

  9.67

  SOLOTEC

  2,684,946

  13.87

  4,691,000

  17.01

  3,318,000

  10.91

  West London

  1,747,613

  9.41

  1,873,074

  9.91

  1,897,613

  8.13

  Total

  19,826,116

  12.31

  22,722,506

  13.36

  22,133,906

  11.37

  South East

  Hampshire

  2,128,114

  7.09

  2,068,853

  8.54

  2,396,000

  8.24

  Isle of Wight

  544,541

  13.27

  639,016

  17.65

  588,434

  15.64

  Kent

  3,064,096

  83.25

  3,558,408

  10.4

  3,978,723

  10.76

  Milton Keynes/North Bucks

  1,005,491

  9.82

  1,089,104

  11.10

  1,035,079

  8.24

  Heart of England

  2,310,937

  19.62

  2,824,725

  23.69

  3,405,577

  25.37

  Surrey

  2,365,167

  18.62

  2,474,805

  22.60

  2,478,369

  19.90

  Sussex

  2,802,000

  12.10

  3,834,000

  19.32

  5,018,000

  20.81

  Thames Valley Ent.

  2,186,361

  6.99

  2,151,690

  6.69

  2,432,870

  7.45

  Total

  16,406,707

  12.92

  18,640,601

  12.60

  21,333,052

  12.93

  Grand Total

  141,284,940

  9.92

  149,524,094

  11.06

  166,695,425

  11.12

  1 These TECs/CCTEs have adopted a statutory accounting format which does not disclose administrative expenditure separately. The Companies Acts do not require disclosure, or a common definition of administration costs in the statutory accounts of limited companies. Therefore, it is not possible to make meaningful comparisons between TECs/CCTEs in respect of these costs.

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the extent of overpayment from public funds to training and enterprise councils in 1996–97 and each of the three previous years. [29925]

  Dr. Howells
  The Department keeps records of overpayments arising in training and enterprise councils in England. For 1996–97 these amounted to £5,089,122.51.

  Figures for the three previous years were:

  1995–96: £2,320,846.51

  1994–95: £4,977,004.13

  1993–94: £4,616,440.57.

  Teachers
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of teachers in(a) primary and (b) secondary schools are male. [29361]

  Mr. Byers
  The latest available figures show that 16 per cent. of teachers in maintained primary schools and 45 per cent. of teachers in maintained secondary schools in England in January 1997 were male.

  Schools (Toilets)
  Mr. Truswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the health implications of schools' dependence on outside toilets; and what priority he attaches to their removal. [29405]

  Mr. Byers
  The Education (School Premises) Regulations 1996 impose a duty upon local education authorities and the governing bodies of grant-maintained
  732
  schools to ensure that the health, safety and welfare of the occupants is reasonably assured in every part of a school building. They must undertake those assessments which they deem necessary in order to fulfil this duty.

  The New Deal for Schools should lead to an additional £2 billion being spent on repairing, renewing and improving school buildings, including toilets, during this Parliament.

  School Governors
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many representations he has received in support of the removal of local council representation on the boards of school governors; and if he will make a statement. [29380]

  Mr. Byers
  There will continue to be minor authority representation on all primary school governing bodies, where a governing body wants it. Regulations made under the School Standards and Framework Bill will make clear that governing bodies of all primary schools should consider co-opting a minor authority nominee. We will also, through guidance, strongly encourage LEAs to appoint minor authority nominees as LEA governors where a primary school serves a minor authority area and where the school has not already made provision for minor authority representation. We will consult fully with all the interested parties as we develop both the regulations and the guidance.

  The proposals to achieve minor authority representation through co-option was made in the Technical Consultation Paper on the Framework for the Organisation for Schools, which the Department issued last August. Forty five respondents supported our proposals on co-option.
  733
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proposals involving school governors he has to improve school standards. [29356]

  Mr. Byers
  As we said in our White Paper "Excellence in Schools" the purpose of governing bodies is to help provide the best possible education for their pupils. Accordingly, Clause 37 of the School Standards and Framework Bill places a new requirement on governing bodies to"conduct the school with a view to promoting high standards of educational achievement at the school".

  We are supporting governors in this role by ensuring that they have access to the information they need and by providing ring fenced funding for governor training under the 1998–99 School Standards Fund. The fund includes specific funding for training in target setting, as well as training for governors alongside professional staff as part of our National Literacy Strategy.

  Further Education
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the numbers of student governors in colleges of further education; and if he will make a statement. [29532]

  Dr. Howells
  No record of this kind is kept centrally.

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many further education colleges were in deficit for the financial year 1996–97; what percentage of colleges this represented; and what were the equivalent figures for each of the four previous financial years. [29420]

  Dr. Howells
  Out of 424 colleges which provided information to the Further Education Funding Council it is estimated that 234 (55 per cent.) were operating a deficit in the 1996–97 academic year. Information is not available for the 1992–93 academic year. The figures for 1993–94, 1994–95 and 1995–96 are 204 (44 per cent.), 263 (58 per cent.) and 264 (58 per cent.) respectively.

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many further education colleges there are in England; and how many teaching staff are employed in these colleges(a) full-time, (b) on short-term contracts and (c) as agency teaching staff. [29427]

  Dr. Howells
  In September 1997 there were 444 colleges in the further education sector. The most recently available data for staff numbers are at July 1996. These indicate that there were 52,800 full time staff and 58,900 staff on fixed-term contracts whose primary role was teaching. Information on the numbers of agency staff is not collected.

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what discussions he has had with the Further Education Funding Council about the future role of the Association of Colleges. [29301]

  Dr. Howells
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not had such a discussion with the Further Education Funding Council which deals with matters such as that concerning the further role of the Association of Colleges.
  734
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the total number of further education colleges running a budget deficit for the current financial year; and if he will list the current estimated deficit of each of these colleges for(a) 1997–98 and (b) 1998–99. [29421]

  Dr. Howells
  On the basis of returns from 424 colleges the Further Education Funding Council estimate that 211 of these colleges will be running a budget deficit in the 1997–98 academic year and 205 will be running a deficit in 1998–99. Forecast information provided by colleges to the Council is commercially sensitive and it is not the Council's practice to release forecast figures relating to individual colleges.

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to increase the total number of students within further education colleges during the financial year 1998–99; how the increase will be allocated between different regions; what methods will be used to ensure that targets are achieved; what additional funding will be available to colleges for students; and what the impact will be on the average level of funding per student throughout the sector. [29382]

  Dr. Howells
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State anticipates growth in further education colleges of some 20,000 students, in full-time equivalent terms, between the 1997/98 and 1998/99 academic years. We have announced an additional £100 million over the plans of the previous Government. The average level of funding per student will remain the same in cash terms, with the college sector as a whole absorbing only the costs of inflation. Allocations of funding to sector colleges are the responsibility of the Further Education Funding Council which will make them in the Spring. The Council's funding arrangements are designed to help ensure that college agreements are met.

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what advice he has given to the Further Education Funding Council concerning the individual and collective responsibilities of the members of college corporations. [29302]

  Dr. Howells
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State expects to announce his proposals for governing bodies of further education colleges following the publication of the consultation paper on Lifelong Learning.

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many redundancies of(a) teaching staff, (b) support staff and (c) management posts were notified by further education colleges in England in each of the last four years; and what estimate he has made of the likely reduction in each of these three categories during 1998–99. [29300]

  Dr. Howells
  This information is not held centrally. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has made no estimate of likely reduction.

  National Grid for Learning
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to ensure that the content of the National Grid for Learning is
  735
  accessible and relevant to teachers in (a) further, higher and adult education and (b) workplace-based learning. [29298]

  Dr. Howells
  The Government's proposals for developing the National Grid for Learning in all these areas of learning were set out in the consultation paper `Connecting the Learning Society' published last October. We are considering carefully the responses to this consultation, including responses from those concerned with further, higher and adult education, and work-based training.

  New Deal
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people claiming unemployment benefit are not eligible for inclusion in the New Deal. [29293]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The New Deal for young people covers those aged 18–24 who have been claiming JSA for more than six months. In January 1998 there were 375,000 18–24 year olds claiming JSA, of which about 120,000 had been unemployed for more than six months. The New Deal for people aged over 25 covers those who have been unemployed for more than two years. In January 1998 there were 1.1 million people aged over 25 who were claiming JSA, of which 216,000 had been unemployed for more than two years.

  The New Deals will continue throughout this Parliament, so they will help more than just the current stocks in the relevant durations. All 18–24 year olds who have been on JSA for less than six months and those aged over 25 who have been on JSA for less than two years will be eligible for the New Deal if they remain on JSA and flow through the relevant threshold. Currently between 15,000 and 20,000 18–24-year-olds pass the six months threshold each month and 5,000 to 10,000 people aged over 25 pass the two year threshold. Over the whole of the Parliament the New Deals will help several times the number in the current stock.

  There will also be New Deals for lone parents and for those on long-term sickness and disability benefits. These aim to provide help to individuals currently on non-labour market benefits who want to return to work.

  Careers Service
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what financial formula is being used to allocate the budget of the Careers Service(a) within London and (b) between the regions. [29209]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 12 February 1998]The Department for Education and Employment allocated its 1998–99 Careers Service budget to the English regions on a formula in which:72% of the value is represented by each region's proportion of 11 to 16-year-olds in full time education and
  28% is represented by proportions of those eligible or taking part in the Work based Training programme for Young People.

  The results of this formula were adjusted to give a weighting for higher costs in London and to ensure every region will have an increase on its 1997–98 budget.
  736
  The Government Office for London calculated initial 1998–99 contract values for its careers service companies using a formula in which:
  72% of the value is represented by each service's proportion of 11 to 16 year olds in full time education and
  28% by their proportions of 18 to 24 year olds who have been registered unemployed for more than 6 months.

  The Government Office adjusted the results to ensure every careers service in London will have a cash increase on its 1998–99 budget.

  Physical Education
  Mr. Truswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of(a) the fitness of the nation's schoolchildren, (b) measures within schools to improve fitness and (c) the effects of the proposed removal of physical education from the core curriculum. [29407]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Assessments of national fitness are matters for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health. Physical Education is to remain a National Curriculum subject and will continue to be taught in all schools.

  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he proposes to take to ensure that primary schools set aside time for physical education following recent changes in the core curriculum. [29555]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Physical Education is to remain a National Curriculum subject and will continue to be taught in all schools. The allocation of time for teaching individual subjects is for schools to decide for themselves.

  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received from the National Coaching Foundation following the changes to the core curriculum relating to physical education. [29558]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  None.

  Jobseeker's Allowance
  Mr.Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will abolish the 16-hour rule for the Jobseeker's allowance; and if he will make a statement. [29531]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  We have taken action on the Jobseeker's Allowance rules on education and training. We have extended the JSA Workskill pilots so that there are now pilots in eight areas allowing people unemployed for six months or more to undertake employment-related courses of education and training, full or part-time, for up to a year while on JSA. The pilots aim to test whether and how different benefit arrangements help unemployed people obtain and retain employment.

  We are also introducing more flexible arrangements in our New Deals for the unemployed. The New Deal for 18 to 24-year-olds includes an option of full-time education and training for up to a year. People on this option will receive a training allowance in place of JSA. Those aged 25 years and over, unemployed for two years or more, will be allowed from June 1998 to undertake full-time employment-related education and training for

  737
  up to a year while receiving JSA. Learning for Work full-time education and training is also an option in all five prototype Employment Zones.

  We will further review the JSA rules on education and training in the light of the Workskill pilots and our welfare-to-work programme.

  Lifelong Learning
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what factors underlay his decision not to produce a White Paper on lifelong learning; and if he will make a statement. [29525]

  Dr. Howells
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has always intended to consult widely on our proposals for lifelong learning. As he plans to publish separate documents responding to the reports from the Committee of Inquiry into Higher Education and the Further Education Funding Council's Widening Participation Committee, my right hon. Friend intends to publish, on 25 February, the Government's proposals on lifelong learning in the form of a consultation document.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) which grant maintained schools have received extra funding from the FAS for urgent repairs since 1 May 1997; and in each case how much; [29267]

  (2) what total sum the FAS has distributed to grant maintained schools since 1 May 1997; [29269]

  (3) how many grant maintained schools have received extra funding since 1 May 1997; [29270]

  (4) how much extra funding has been provided per pupil to (a) grant maintained schools and (b) maintained schools in the (i) primary and (ii) secondary sectors, since 1 May 1997. [29271]

  Mr. Byers
  Recurrent costs at Local Education Authority (LEA) maintained schools are being funded by local authorities for the whole of 1997–98 on the basis of Local Management of Schools (LMS) schemes, determined before the beginning of the financial year. Recurrent grant for grant-maintained (GM) schools has been calculated by the Funding Agency For Schools (FAS) in accordance with The Education (Grant-maintained and Grant-maintained Special Schools) (Finance) Regulations 1997.

  For capital expenditure in 1997–98, LEA maintained schools are being funded. For GM schools, capital provision of £144.9 million was made available to the FAS for the current financial year and the administration of this is the responsibility of the Agency subject to direction given by the Secretary of State.

  I have written to Sir Anthony Tippet, Chairman of the FAS, to ask him to provide the recurrent and capital expenditure figures for GM schools requested.

  Secondary School Places (Portsmouth)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what plans he has to discuss with Portsmouth City Council the provision of secondary school places to meet parental preferences; [29157]

  (2) what recent representations he has received from Portsmouth City Council concerning the provision of secondary school places in the city to meet parental preferences.[29159]

  Mr. Byers
  My right hon. Friend is aware of concerns in Portsmouth about the provision of secondary school places; officials met with Portsmouth's Education Committee earlier this month. He has recently approved the provision of 148 new secondary school places in Portsmouth. In addition, on 10 February my hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government and Housing announced 23 more local authority PFI projects in line for revenue support, including a project to build a 1,000-place secondary school in Portsmouth using a Public Private Partnership.

  Oxford and Cambridge Universities
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will take steps to end the prohibition on prospective students from applying to both Oxford and Cambridge universities in the same year. [29167]

  Dr. Howells
  The Universities of Oxford and Cambridge are, like all higher education institutions, responsible for their own admissions procedures and Ministers are prevented by law from intervening in such matters.

  Standard Spending Assessments (Buckinghamshire)
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will state in respect of Buckinghamshire County Council(a) the education SSA for 1998–99 and (b) what would be the education SSA for 1998–99, calculated on the weighting and composition of the SSA formula for 1997–98 (i) in cash terms, (ii) per head of population in Buckinghamshire and (iii) per child in full-time schooling in Buckinghamshire. [28736]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 11 February 1998]The following table sets out the information requested. Buckinghamshire's education SSA for 1998–99 represents an actual increase of £7.8 million or 4.4 per cent. overs its education SSA for 1997–98.

  Education SSA

  £ funding per head of population

  £ funding per pupil

  (a)£183.782 million

  387

  2,585

  (b)£186.029 million

  392

  2,617

  Notes:

  1. The figure at (b) has been calculated on the basis of the 1997–98 education SSAs, but using the 1998–99 SSA national control totals.

  2. The per head of population figures are based on the Registrar General's estimates as at June 1996.

  3. The per pupil figures are based on the sum of pupils aged 4, 5 to 10, 11 to 15 and post-16, as defined in the Local Government Finance Report (England) 1998–99.

  Lipreading
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the effect of the insistence of the FEFC on accreditation of courses funded by them on the quantity of lipreading classes, and the number of students attending them. [29166]

  Dr. Howells
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not made any assessment of this kind. The FEFC has a duty to secure adequacy and sufficiency of further education provision for which it is responsible, and in doing this to have regard to the needs of students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how many local education authorities provide lipreading classes which are free of charge to users; and how many charge for the service; [29154]

  (2) if he will list the number of lipreading classes in operation in each of the last five years and the approximate number of students attending such classes. [29169]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  This information is not centrally available.

  Special Educational Needs
  Mr. Martin Bell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if proposals that(a) there should be quotas or targets for the number of statements issued by LEAs, (b) in some circumstances statements could be less detailed with regard to the specification of the provision required to meet a child's needs, (c) statements could be discontinued when specified outcomes had been achieved and (d) tribunals should have regard to LEAs' policies as well as children's needs, in the Green Paper on Special Educational Needs, were included in the draft prepared by his Department's officials and presented to the Special Needs Advisory Group on 2 September 1997. [29046]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The draft Green Paper considered by the National Advisory Group on Special Educational Needs (SEN) on 2 September 1997 included proposals related to three of the four subjects mentioned. A proposal related to the fourth subject was incorporated following the Group's discussion.

  The precise wording of the proposals in the Green Paper differs from that used in the question. In particular, the Green Paper proposes that there should be a national expectation of the proportion of children who might benefit from statements. It specifically states that these would not operate as strict quotas.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many primary schools have nurture groups for children showing early signs of emotional and behavioural difficulties with support from their local education authorities; and if he will list these local education authorities and the amount of funding they provide for such groups. [29707]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The term"nurture group" may apply to a variety of forms of structured intervention with group activity in support of children with emotional and behavioural difficulties in the primary years. It is not possible to provide the information requested without disproportionate cost.

  Voluntary Youth Organisations
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list those voluntary youth organisations in the New Deal pathfinder areas which are(a) providing opportunities to unemployed young people under the full-time employee options, (b) providing opportunities to unemployed young people under the voluntary sector options, (c) providing opportunities to unemployed young people under the Environmental Task Force option and (d) helping to support unemployed young people under the Gateway period of the New Deal. [29198]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The information requested is not held centrally. Many voluntary organisations are offering assistance to young people through the New Deal either as part of the additional help that can be offered to those in the Gateway; through the jobs option; or by offering placement on the Voluntary Sector option. These range from small locally based organisations to ones operating across the country such as the National Trust, Age Concern and British Trust for Conservation Volunteers. Some, such as the Councils for Voluntary Services, have been involved with the planning and development of New Deal in their area as partners and are now acting as an umbrella by bringing together and co-ordinating local voluntary organisations to deliver a full range of provision.

  It is worth remembering that New Deal offers young people help to increase their employability based on their individual need and as such specific assistance will be determined to meet an agreed Action Plan drawn up by the young person and their Personal Adviser. Involvement, then, of particular organisations will vary depending upon the needs of individual young person.

  Pupil Selection
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to abolish partial selection in maintained schools. [29984]

  Mr. Byers
  Our plans are clearly set out in Clauses 90–94 of the School Standards and Framework Bill. New partial selection by ability, other than for the purposes of fair banding to ensure a fully comprehensive intake, will be ruled out. The adjudicator will be able to end existing partial selection by ability where another admission authority in the area objects to its retention. Schools with a specialism will continue to be able to give priority, in filling up to 10 per cent. of their places, to children who demonstrate the relevant aptitude. The adjudicator will be able to resolve disputes between admission authorities over existing or proposed specialist places.

  Literacy Initiative
  Mr. Dorrell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the division of funding between local and central government for the Literacy Initiative. [29487]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 16 February 1998]For 1998–99 the Government have allocated £59 million on expenditure through the Standards Fund for the raising of literacy standards. The Government and LEAs will share equally the responsibility for funding that expenditure, providing 50 per cent. each. In addition central
  741
  government has recently provided £22 million to schools, via local education authorities, to purchase reading books, for expenditure in 1997–98.

  Qualifications
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what plans he has to reform the 14 to 19 qualifications structure; and if he will make a statement; [29982]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the advantages of introducing a baccalaureate structure into post-16 education. [29983]

  Dr. Howells
  The consultation paper, "Qualifying for Success", published in October 1997, set out our proposals to take forward our manifesto commitments to broaden A levels and upgrade vocational qualifications, underpinning them with key skills. It also sought views on whether and how to move towards providing a high quality overarching certificate at advanced level, which retains achievement in existing qualifications and encourages greater breadth of learning. The consultation paper built on the recommendations in Sir. Ron Dearing's "Review of Qualifications for 16–19 Year Olds".

  We expect to announce decisions next month, in the light of responses to the consultation and advice from the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority.

  Higher Education
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proportion of the recently announced access package for higher education is designed to benefit part-time students; and how this will be implemented. [29980]

  Dr. Howells
  The extra £165 million for higher education in 1998–99 announced on 23 September 1997 included an access package of £36 million. Within this package £2 million will enable universities and colleges to remit tuition fees for part-time students who lose their jobs after their course has started. Access funds will be doubled at a cost of £16 million in the present financial year and eligibility extended to part-time students.

  It will be for higher education institutions, which administer the Access Funds, to make the decisions on individual payments to students whether full-time or part-time. We are currently considering how fee remission arrangements will be implemented.

  Applications and target intake to initial teacher training (ITT) courses England and Wales

  Undergraduate applications1

  Postgraduate applications

  Actual intake

  1996–97 ITT Target intake

  Undergraduate applications1

  Postgraduate applications2

  Actual intake

  1997–98 ITT Target intake

  Primary3

  92,293

  12,583

  13,819

  12,700

  78,117

  13,217

  13,020

  12,200

  Secondary

  Mathematics

  750

  1,873

  1,741

  2,700

  589

  1,579

  1,538

  2,370

  English4

  765

  3,197

  2,190

  2,210

  436

  3,104

  2,255

  2,270

  Science

  640

  3,698

  3,078

  3,905

  517

  3,265

  2,941

  3,460

  Technology5

  1,677

  1,549

  2,050

  2,880

  1,492

  1,605

  2,087

  3,380

  History

  75

  2,017

  1,006

  930

  0

  1,901

  1,043

  980

  Geography

  41

  1,297

  901

  900

  29

  1,188

  904

  960

  Music

  351

  594

  543

  650

  78

  549

  546

  650

  Art

  70

  939

  960

  970

  63

  1,503

  962

  1,020

  Physical Education

  9,132

  1,145

  1,455

  1,360

  7,843

  1,372

  1,725

  1,610

  Director of Information
  Miss Kirkbride
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment which firm of headhunters are presently helping with recruitment for the vacant post of Director of Information in his Department. [29582]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 16 February 1998]Korn Ferry International handled the initial recruitment of the Director of Communications post. The recruitment exercise ended in December 1997 when no appointment was made. Following the reorganisation of responsibilities within the Department the post of Director of Strategy and Communications has been advertised across Whitehall. The Department is handling the recruitment for this post. AT Kearney Limited are currently handling the recruitment of the newly created Head of News post.

  Training
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the future availability of training and retraining for people in employment aged over 18 years. [29989]

  Dr. Howells
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will set out his proposals on training for employed people in his consultation paper on lifelong learning. This is to be published on 25 February, together with our responses to the reports from the Committee of Inquiry into Higher Education and the Further Education Funding Council's Widening Participation Committee.

  Teacher Training
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many applicants for primary initial teacher training there were at each higher education institution for each of the last five years. [29985]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  This information is not available.

  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many applied for teacher training courses in each National Curriculum subject in the current academic year; what the target figures were; and what these figures were in the last academic year. [29240]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The following table shows the applications, actual intake and target intake to initial teacher training courses, including National Curriculum subjects, for courses starting in 1996–97 and 1997–98.
  743

  Applications and target intake to initial teacher training (ITT) courses England and Wales

  Undergraduate applications1

  Postgraduate applications

  Actual Intake

  1996–97 ITT Target intake

  Undergraduate applications1

  Postgraduate applications2

  Actual intake

  1997–98 ITT Target intake

  Modern Foreign languages

  184

  2,680

  1,858

  2,440

  109

  2,561

  1,936

  2,860

  Religious Education

  142

  845

  672

  735

  77

  826

  675

  740

  Other

  2,433

  820

  390

  420

  2,229

  621

  300

  370

  Total Secondary

  16,260

  20,654

  16,844

  20,100

  13,462

  20,074

  16,912

  20,670

  1 UCAS count up to six applications per applicant, whilst GTTR count one application per applicant.

  2 Provisional figures.

  3 Applications and target intake for Primary are not split by National Curriculum subject.

  4 English includes Drama,

  5 Intake targets are set for technology as a whole; this includes design and technology, information technology, business studies and home economics.

  Source:

  Undergraduate applications—Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS)

  Postgraduate applications—Graduate Teacher Training Registry (GTTR)

  Actual intake—TTA Survey of ITT Providers (England) and HESES (Wales)

  Intake targets—DfEE.

  Departmental Buildings
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the location and running costs in the last year for which figures are available of each of his Department's buildings. [30112]

  Dr. Howells
  The Department (including the Employment Service) has 1,294 properties nationally. Information on the cost of each of the individual properties could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Astra Pensions
  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer of 1 December 1997,Official Report, column 10, on Astra pensioners, what further steps he has taken to press the liquidators and pension fund trustees to resolve the outstanding issues. [29848]

  Dr. Howells
  Following a thorough review of the issues surrounding Astra pensions, the Department has now obtained special approval for HM Treasury to offer ex-gratia payments to a small number of former members of the Department who transferred their accrued Civil Service pensions values into the Astra pension fund.

  The Government Actuary's Department is engaged in calculating the individual entitlements and until these are resolved, and until the offers and payments are made, detailed figures cannot be provided to the Astra liquidators or their pension fund trustees to take into account in resolving their outstanding work.

  The Department continues to work towards the earliest possible resolution to the ex-Astra issues and is also taking a number of other—non-financial—steps aimed at assisting the former Astra employees.

  Departmental Contracts
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many contracts of a value greater than £5000 his Department has with companies in(a) London, (b) South East England, (c) England, (d) Scotland, (e) Wales and (f) Northern Ireland; and what is the total value of such contracts for each area. [30114]
  744
  Dr. Howells
  This information is not available without incurring disproportionate cost.

  Teacher Supply
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the current situation with regard to the supply of teachers. [29238]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The supply of an adequate number of well-trained and well-motivated teachers is central to achieving the Government's plans to raise school standards. The Government's response to the first report of the Education Select Committee on teacher recruitment, which was published on 29 January, sets out the action we are taking on this issue.

  Teacher Shortages
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will estimate what shortages of teachers there are in each National Curriculum subject at(a) primary and (b) secondary level. [29239]

  Mr. Byers
  The following table gives the number of vacancies and the vacancy rates for classroom teachers in maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools in England, at 16 January 1997. Subject information for nursery/primary teacher vacancies is not collected because all primary teachers are trained to deliver the full range of national curriculum subjects. Vacancies for headteacher and deputy headteacher posts are not included.

  Number of classroom teacher vacancies1

  Vacancy rates2 Percentage

  Primary3

  739

  0.5

  Secondary by subject

  English

  86

  0.4

  Mathematics4

  74

  0.4

  Science

  78

  0.3

  History

  9

  0.1

  Geography

  26

  0.3

  Design and Technology

  56

  0.3

  Information Technology

  16

  0.7

  745

  Number of classroom teacher vacancies1

  Vacancy rates2 Percentage

  Languages

  82

  0.6

  Art

  16

  0.2

  Music

  35

  0.8

  Physical Education

  27

  0.2

  1 Only those posts which were advertised at 16 January 1997 as full-time permanent posts or posts of at least one term's duration are counted as vacancies. Posts covered by temporary appointments on a contract of at least a term are not counted as vacant.

  2 The number of vacancies as a percentage of the number of full-time teachers in post.

  3 Subject detail not collected as all primary teachers are trained to deliver the full National Curriculum.

  4 Excluding computer science

  Source:

  DfEE annual 618G survey.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will take further steps to outlaw discrimination against disabled people. [29583]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  On 1 October the Government announced their strategy to secure comprehensive, enforceable civil rights for disabled people. The Disability Rights Task Force, which I chair, was established in December 1997; its first task is to make recommendations on the role and functions of a Disability Rights Commission by the end of March 1998. It will make further recommendations on how best to secure civil rights for disabled people within the context of our wider society by July 1999.

  Departmental Expenditure
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will give a regional breakdown of his Department's expenditure on(a) hospitality, (b) stationery and (c) travel in the last year for which figures are available. [30113]

  Dr. Howells
  Information in the form requested could be supplied only at disproportionate cost.

  Departmental Employees
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the number of his Department's employees by UK region, indicating the wage bill(a) in total and (b) by region in the last year for which figures are available and separately identifying the costs of London allowances and weightings.[30111]

  Dr. Howells
  This question can be answered only at disproportionate cost.

  Pupil: Staff Ratios
  Mr. Dorrell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) if he will list the characteristics which distinguish reception classes for four year olds from nursery classes for four year olds; [29697]
  746
  (2) what is the maximum pupil to staff ratio permitted by the regulations covering (a) nursery classes for four year olds, (b) reception classes for four year olds and (c) pre-school play groups for four year olds. [29698]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The Department of Education Circular 2/73 on nursery education in maintained schools recommends an adult: child ratio of 2 : 26 for nursery classes attached to primary schools where one adult is a qualified teacher and the other a qualified nursery assistant. It also suggests reception classes should make provision for 4-year-olds comparable to that found in nursery classes.

  Pre-school settings registered with social services departments under the Children Act 1989 may apply the same adult:child ratio if the same qualified staff are present, if not the recommended ratio for 3–5-year-olds is 1: 8.

  In reception classes, some children will be of compulsory school age; this is not the case in nursery classes.

  The Department and the Department of Health will be consulting shortly on the regulation of early education and day care with the aim of creating a more uniform regime.

  Mines and Quarries
  Mr. Bill Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many prohibition notices have been issued against employers relating to the control of dust at work for each of the geographical areas of the Mines and Quarries Inspectorate in each of the last 20 years. [28638]

  Angela Eagle
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Health and Safety Executive's inspectors responsible for Mines and Quarries have not issued any Prohibition Notices against employers relating to the control of dust at work in any of the geographical areas. Prohibition Notices can only be issued by inspectors when there is a risk of serious personal injury. Problems of control of dust at work are normally dealt with by Improvement Notices which require remedy within the period of the Notice. For Mines, the Coal Mines (Respirable Dust) Regulations 1975 apply and these require the owner of a coal mine to notify HM Inspectorate of Mines when the levels of dust exceeds the permitted amount. The information in respect of notifications to HSE for each year, over the last 20 ears, for each geographical area, could be obtained only at disproportionate costs. However, during the last five years the following notifications have been received:

  Scotland and eastern England

  Wales and western England

  1993

  38

  —

  1994

  33

  —

  1995

  24

  13

  1996

  16

  7

  1997

  32

  3

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Benefit Fraud
  Ms Stuart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to her Department's Appropriation Accounts 1996–97, what steps she proposes to reduce the amount of benefit fraud with particular reference to fraud on income support. [25733]

  Mr. Denham
  Tackling fraud and abuse is a top priority for the Government. However, questions on Benefits Agency operational matters are the responsibility of the Chief Executive, Peter Mathison. He will write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Ms Gisela Stuart, dated 17 February 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the steps she proposes to reduce benefit fraud.
  The Benefit Agency's aim is to create a secure benefit regime administered by staff committed to providing secure and accurate services for customers who in turn recognise their rights and responsibilities. Underpinning this aim is the Security and Control Programme (SCP) which is funded on an invest to save basis. Forty-five individual projects and initiatives are currently being funded by the SCP to tackle the problem of benefit fraud in all benefits, including Income Support. The long term aim is to shift the emphasis from fraud detection to prevention and deterrence whilst maintaining a comprehensive investigative capability.
  These initiatives include, increased visits and reviews on new and existing claims to benefit; increased vigilance and checks on personal details at the outset of processing claims; risk analysis to identify client groups which pose the potential to commit fraud; a programme of datamatching to identify duplicate and bogus claims; and a free and confidential telephone hotline service for general public to report suspected benefit fraud.
  The department is currently re-examining its strategic counter-fraud objectives, and work is going forward aimed at supporting the Government's objectives for welfare reform, with a greater emphasis placed on risk management, use of information, effective measurement and behavioural changes. These principles apply throughout the social security system and are the means by which we aim to achieve real and permanent reductions in the level of fraud.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Winter Fuel Payments
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate she has made of the administrative costs of the additional fuel payments to pensioners in(a) 1997–98 and (b) 1998–99. [26468]

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

  This is a enormous and unprecedented exercise, involving the making of around ten million payments to over seven million pensioner households at a total cost of around £200 million. Legislation has only been made for this winter's payments. We expect the scheme to be broadly similar for next winter but want to learn any lesson from the delivery of this winter's payments, before making amending legislation.
  748
  The administration of Social Security Benefits is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Paul Flynn, dated 17 February 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question regarding what estimate has been made of the administrative costs of the additional fuel payments to pensioners in (a) 1997/98 and (b) 1998/99.
  The information is not yet available in the detail requested. It is estimated that almost ten million payments will be made with a total value of around £200 million.
  The current planning assumptions have estimated that the total administration cost of the 1997/98 exercise will be in the region of £20 million. This compares well with similar exercises.
  Planning assumptions for the 1998–99 exercise are still being developed. The process of making payments to eligible pensioners may differ from the methods used for 1997–98. Estimates of administration costs are therefore not currently available.
  I am sorry that I cannot be more helpful at this stage.

  Mr. Bradshaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how much additional money pensioners in Exeter have received as a result of winter fuel payments; [27658]

  (2) how many pensioner households in Exeter will receive (a) £50 and (b) £20 in winter fuel payments. [27659]

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

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

  The administration of Social Security Benefits is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Ben Bradshaw, dated 17 February 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions asking how much additional money pensioners in Exeter have received as a result of Winter Fuel Payments and; how many pensioner households in Exeter will receive (a) £50 and (b) £20 in winter fuel payments.
  Priority has been given to issuing payments to the poorest pensioners, those who are receiving Income Support. All those payments of £50 have now been issued.
  The number of £50 Winter Fuel Payments made for the area covered by the Benefits Agency office of Exeter was 6,902. This equates to a total of £345,100 paid.
  Winter Fuel Payments of £20 and £10 to other eligible pensioners will start being issued in March 1998. Nationally it is estimated that over 3 million payments will be issued for £20 and almost 5 million for £10 but we are unable to report on how many are expected to be made in Exeter.
  Thank you for the opportunity to explain the position.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate she has made of the percentage of cases in which errors have been made by the Child Support Agency; and if she will make a statement. [26473]

  Mr. Field
  We are looking to ensure that the Child Support Agency provides a consistent, fair and efficient service to all its clients.

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

  Letter from Mrs. Faith Boardman to Mr. Paul Flynn, dated 17 February 1998:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security concerning errors made by the Child Support Agency.
  The Agency records information on the case value accuracy of assessments, in order to measure performance against the Secretary of State target on accuracy, which for 1997/98 requires "The cash value of all assessments checked in the year to be correct in at least 85% of cases". As at 31st December 1997, the latest date for which information is available, the Agency's performance for the year stood at 85%, exactly matching the target.
  The 1997/98 target differs from those of the previous two years, in that an aggregate (ie full year) figure of 85% cash value accuracy must be achieved throughout the year, rather than continuing in-month improvements culminating in achievement of the target in the final month.
  Accuracy rates for the Secretary of State target are measured by quality teams within each Agency Business Unit, and the results are validated separately by an independent team overseen by the Agency's Head of Internal Audit. Whilst the Agency's reported measure of accuracy is concerned solely with the cash value of assessments performed in the period, the investigations of the National Audit Office into accuracy have encompassed other aspects of the Agency's procedures, and examined assessments made in earlier years, thereby producing results which differ from those of the Agency. The different methods of measuring accuracy are a concern for the Agency and we are currently looking at ways to address the discrepancies.
  The current accuracy rate represents a considerable improvement on performance in the early years. The Agency recognises nevertheless that further improvement is necessary, and a number of initiatives are intended to achieve this. These include additional training for staff, particularly in difficult aspects of the formula, and the further development of the complete action service team technique, which brings together staff members with expertise in the different areas of casework to deal with individual cases as a team. Specific forms have been developed to assist Child Support officers to record systematically all evidence, decisions and calculations in processing an application. Also, the system of checks is to be modified, to introduce checks at various points in the assessment process, rather than at the end of the process, and the role of quality assurance teams is being extended. In addition, many of the other changes being implemented in the Agency, such as increased use of the telephone to gather information, should have a positive impact on the accuracy of the work.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many calls to the Child Support Agency's helpline over the past 12 months have been attributable to delays in dealing with claims; and what has been the cost of dealing with such calls. [27497]

  Mr. Field
  We are looking for substantial and sustained operational improvements from the Agency, in particular on getting more maintenance paid, reducing the backlog and improving customer service.
  750
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mrs. Faith Boardman. She will write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Mrs. Faith Boardman to Helen Jones, dated 17 February 1998:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about calls to the child Support Agency's helpline over the last twelve months.
  Telephone enquiries relating to individual case are dealt with by the Agency's Client Help Line. The number of calls received by the Client Help Line over the twelve months period to 26 December 1997 was 2,579,980.
  Calls to the Client Help Line service are charged to the public at local rate tariffs; the cost borne by the Agency for the calls over the twelve month period to 26 December 1997 was £943,017.85.
  Whenever possible Client Help Line operators will provide an immediate response to an enquiry. Where this is not possible, operators offer a call-back service. This service helps us give our clients accurate information, whilst keeping their telephone charges to a minimum. Calls to the service can cover any aspect of an individual case, and it is not possible to say how many calls were specifically attributable to delays in dealing with claims.
  To be more responsive to our customers' needs, the Agency has begun employing staff to work a wider more flexible range of working patterns over six days of the week to improve the telephone service offered. This will provide more opportunities for customers to contact the Agency and vice versa, and will enable the Agency to deliver a better standard of customer service through greater use of the telephone and faster throughput of cases.
  Also, the Agency has initiated a Positive Customer Contact project which will mean that staff will increasingly be making contact with customers at a much earlier stage in our dealings with them. The aim is that much more of our business will be conducted over the 'phone rather than by correspondence, this will allow us to gather the vast quantities of information needed more quickly, and help us speed up the assessment process. Our early contact with customers will give them the opportunity to raise issues or concerns and will help to reduce the need for them to contact the Agency about their case.

  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average length of time taken by the Child Support Agency to process repeat claims. [27499]

  Mr. Field
  We expect the Child Support Agency to provide a consistent, fair and efficient service to all its clients.

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

  Letter from Mrs. Faith Boardman to Helen Jones, dated 17 February 1998:
  I am replying to our Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security concerning the average length of time taken by the Child Support Agency to process repeat claims.
  The Agency defines a repeat claim as a re-application to the Agency for a maintenance assessment at any stage after the original maintenance assessment has been closed.
  The child maintenance formula requires the Agency to enquire, look at and consider over 100 pieces of information before an assessment can be made. On a repeat application, some new facts will need to be established, while others will already be available, and in general we would expect a repeat application to be processed more quickly than a new application. The Agency does not, however, collect information on the average processing time of new and repeat applications.

  751
  A key element of the Secretary of State target for maintenance assessment clearance time is to clear 60% of applications within 26 weeks; this has been in place for the last three years. In 1995/96, the Agency cleared 48% of applications within 26 weeks. In 1996/97 the performance achieved was 54%. In the current year, to the end of December 1997, the clearance rate stood at 72%.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many complaints about the operation of the Child Support Agency have been received from people in the Warrington, North constituency over the past 12 months. [27498]

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

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

  Letter from Mrs. Faith Boardman to Helen Jones, dated 17 February 1998:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security concerning complaints about the operation of the Child Support Agency.
  Statistics are collated on the numbers of complaints received by each of the Agency's 6 Business Units. Warrington North falls within the remit of Midlands Business Unit. In 1997, a total of 2,795 complaints were received by the Midlands Business Unit. A breakdown is not available on the number of complaints which were from people in the Warrington North constituency.
  It is important to consider the level of dissatisfaction within the context of the Agency's overall business. Since inception, the Midlands Business Unit has taken on almost 360,000 cases. A relatively small proportion of the workload, therefore, results in complaints.
  I am very conscious that there are still far too many justified complaints about the standards of basic customer contact and the service we provide, and we recognise that doing things right first time is the key to preventing complaints. It is an Agency Priority to improve the way in which complaints are handled; we have revised our training for all staff who deal with complaints and have introduced a new Complaints Guide, which sets out our policy and procedures for swift, effective complaints handling. We are aware that as we further tackle our backlog of cases from the Agency's first two years, there is potential for the volume of complaints to rise in the short term.
  From April 1997 the Office of the Independent Case Examiner has provided an independent investigation service for those customers who consider the Agency's internal review process has not satisfactorily resolved their complaint.
  In the coming years, I am committed to responding to the needs of our customers by bringing high quality levels of performance to every part of our operation as a matter of routine, thereby reducing the number of complaints received and enhancing the public perception of the Agency.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will list the CSA collection service figures for the amount of uncollected maintenance owing for each month since April 1994 indicating the amount attributable to(a) type A interim and (b) other assessments. [30043]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for Mrs. Faith Boardman, the Chief Executive. She will write to the hon. Member.
  752
  Letter from Mrs. Faith Boardman to Mr. lain Duncan Smith, dated 17 February 1998:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about uncollected maintenance assessed by the Child Support Agency.
  The Agency's Financial Management System was enhanced from April 1997 to provide monthly information on category A interim maintenance assessments and other assessments, and this is shown in the table attached. Prior to April 1997 this breakdown is not available.
  A large proportion of the maintenance outstanding attributable to Category A interim maintenance assessments relates to the first two years of the Agency when interim maintenance assessments were more frequently imposed. The Agency is developing the way it contacts absent parents, and the emphasis is now to get in touch with absent parents as early in the assessment process as possible to reach agreement. This avoids the need to impose an interim maintenance assessment and prevents arrears of maintenance building up.
  Wherever it is possible to do so, the Agency converts interim assessments to full maintenance assessments. In the last year, the Agency has also started to clear the backlog of cases that had built up during the Agency's first years, again with the emphasis being on completing full maintenance assessments without the need for interim maintenance assessments. The Agency's increased performance in this area is well illustrated by the number of full maintenance assessments completed so far this year; up to 31 January 1998, 132,724 full maintenance assessments had been completed compared to 97,542 at the same time last year. When embarking on the conversion of interim maintenance assessments and clearing the backlog we realised that this would mean that the amount of maintenance outstanding would rise. However, our overriding aim is to ensure that the flow of maintenance increases and that absent parents who can afford to do so support their children.
  Of the £652,870,713 which is attributable to other assessments, approximately £309 million is the subject of agreements for repayment by instalments, which are closely monitored by the Agency. This leaves approximately £344 million of full maintenance assessment debt to be pursued.
  Another exercise will be carried out in March 1998 and the results will be published in the Agency Annual Report for 1997/8.
  I hope this is helpful.

  £

  1997/98

  Amount of uncollected maintenance attributable to Category A interim maintenance assessments

  Amount of uncollected maintenance attributable to other maintenance assessments

  April

  610,991,417

  533,449,097

  May

  621,622,348

  547,988,156

  June

  628,261,701

  560,507,426

  July

  635,910,762

  572,761,733

  August

  650,221,953

  586,672,588

  September

  660,426,008

  596,516,697

  October

  670,074,244

  609,286,475

  November

  678,313,253

  621,071,891

  December

  690,002,757

  635,522,889

  January

  697,444,217

  652,870,713

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment she has made of the value of setting up a Child Support Agency Board as part of the review of the CSA. [30167]

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

  War Pensions
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many applications for a war pension were made from 1 January 1996 to 7 April 1997; how many sought backdating of the pension beyond the date of latest application; how many applications for backdating (i) have been granted, (ii) have been refused and (iii) are awaiting determination; and how much money has been awarded in respect of backdated war pensions to the successful applicants. [26760]

  Mr. Denham
  One of our key aims is that delivery of service should be simpler and more efficient.

  Queries on operational matters concerning the War pensions Agency are for its Acting Chief Executive, Mr. Steve Johnson. I have asked him to write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Steve Johnson to Mr. Paul Stinchcombe, dated 17 February 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the backdating of War Disablement Pensions.
  Between 1 January 1996 and 7 April 1997 there were 87,076 claims received by the War Pensions Agency and 61,473 claims were awarded.
  Information on how many War Pensioners sought backdating of their awards, the numbers granted/refused or awaiting determination and the value of the awards made is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
  Despite the limited information available, I hope you find my reply helpful.

  Benefit Integrity Unit
  Mrs. Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what criteria the Benefit Integrity Unit uses when deciding which claimants will be re-assessed. [27257]

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

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

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mrs. Jackie Ballard, dated 17 February 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to respond to your recent Parliamentary Question regarding what criteria the Benefit Integrity Unit uses when deciding which claimants will be re-assessed.
  The Benefit Integrity Project (BIP) is looking again at existing DLA awards of the higher rate of mobility component combined with either the middle or highest rate of care component. Such periodic review is usual in other benefits. There are exceptions to the re-assessment criteria, these include people receiving payments under Special Rules, quadriplegics, paraplegics, people who are both deaf and blind, double amputees and those within our definition of severe mental impairment.
  I hope you find the reply helpful.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what instructions concerning the frequency of 754
  visits by benefits officers to recipients of disability living allowance have been issued by her Department since 1 May 1997. [27180]

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

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

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 17 February 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to respond to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what instructions concerning the frequency of visits by benefits officers to recipients of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) have been issued by her Department since 1 May 1997.
  No instructions have been issued since 1 May 1997 concerning the frequency of visits to recipients of DLA.
  It may be helpful if I explain that visits are currently being made in connection with the Benefits Integrity Project (BIP). Visits are arranged by the Disability Benefits Centre with responsibility for the area in which the customer lives. The customers visited are those in receipt of the highest rate of both the care and mobility components of DLA. During these visits specially trained DLA staff help the customer or their carer complete the BIP questionnaire to establish the care and mobility needs arising from their disability.
  Visits are notified well in advance and customers are encouraged to have a friend or carer with them. Visits can be rearranged if inconvenient for the customer or if the customer needs more time to arrange to have someone with them. It would be unusual for more than one visit to be necessary.
  I hope you find the reply helpful.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claimants of disability living allowance in the Stoke-on-Trent area receive(a) the higher and (b) the lower rate of the mobility component. [27660]

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

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Ms Joan Walley, dated 17 February 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many claimants of Disability Living Allowance (DLA), in the Stoke-on-Trent area, receive (a) the higher; and (b) the lower rate of the mobility component.
  The number of claimants of DLA who live in the Stoke-on-Trent area and receive the higher rate of mobility component is 10,900. The number who receive the lower rate is 2,000. These figures are based on a 5% sample of cases, where benefit is in payment, carried out on 30 November 1997.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to her answer on 9 February 1998,Official Report, column 80–81 on disability living allowance for disabled people whose predominant disability is deafness, if she will break the figures down to show the claimants for each age group who are claimants of (a) the mobility component, (b) the care component and (c) both components. [30047]
  755
  Mr. Denham
  The information is set out in the table.

  People in receipt of disability living allowance whose main disabling condition is deafness

  Age

  Mobility only

  Care only

  Mobility and care

  All awards

  All ages

  2,200

  6,640

  8,740

  17,580

  0–41

  —

  1,740

  —

  1,740

  5–15

  580

  1,780

  4,980

  7,340

  16–24

  380

  680

  920

  1,980

  25–29

  80

  380

  360

  820

  30–34

  160

  320

  360

  840

  35–39

  80

  320

  480

  880

  40–44

  120

  340

  220

  680

  45–49

  120

  280

  280

  680

  50–54

  80

  380

  420

  880

  55–59

  260

  260

  140

  660

  60–64

  180

  120

  400

  700

  65–69

  80

  40

  160

  280

  70–74

  80

  —

  20

  100

  75–79

  —

  —

  —

  —

  80 and over

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1 Persons under 5 years not eligible for the mobility component.

  Note:

  Unrounded figures relate to 30 November 1997.

  Source:

  Analytical Services Division: 5 per cent. data.

  Benefits Agency
  Mr. Roy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many callers(a) in person and (b) by telephone, made use of the Benefits Agency offices in (i) Lanark, (ii) Carluke, (iii) Larkhall and (iv) Wishaw over the last 12 months; [27651]

  (2) if she will list the criteria used by (a) the Benefits Agency and (b) Ministers to assess the viability of local offices; [27652]

  (3) how many local offices the Benefits Agency has closed after approval by the relevant Minister over the last 12 months; [27653]

  (4) how many local offices her Department's Ministers have given the Benefits Agency approval to close in the past 12 months; [27654]

  (5) how many local offices the Benefits Agency has sought Ministerial approval to close in the past 12 months. [27655]

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

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Frank Roy, dated 17 February 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions concerning the closure of Benefits Agency (BA) local offices and the number of callers in Lanark, Carluke, Larkhall and Wishaw.
  The BA were asked by Ministers to assess the viability of local offices under the following criteria:

  Wider access to our services for customers

  Improved quality, accuracy and security of service

  Achieving a fair balance between the needs of staff, policy and operational needs

  Increased efficiency and reduced costs.

  756
  Over the last twelve months, the BA has sought Ministerial approval to close nine outlets nationally. In March 1997, approval was granted in respect of four outlets which have now been closed and decisions are pending in respect of the other five.
  There is no BA office in Carluke, although Agency staff deliver Job Seekers Allowance within Carluke Jobcentre. Details of the average number of callers, in person, to the other three offices are as follows:

  Lanark: 295 per week

  Larkhall: 476 per week

  Wishaw: 418 per week.

  All customer telephone calls for the Clyde Valley District, which includes the above offices, are handled by two central telephone sections at Motherwell and Hamilton offices. Figures are not kept for the individual offices.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Blyth Valley
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the estimated level of social security fraud in Blyth Valley benefits agencies in 1996–97. [28212]

  Mr. Denham
  Tackling fraud and abuse is a top priority for the Government.

  Questions on Benefits Agency operational matters are the responsibility of the Chief Executive, Peter Mathison. He will write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Ronnie Campbell, dated 17 February 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the estimated level of social security fraud in Blyth Valley Benefits Agencies in 1996–97.
  The estimate of the number of people claiming fraudulently is informed by an extrapolation from the results of a series of Benefit Reviews. The review programme which commenced in 1994 is looking at the extent of fraud and incorrectness in all major benefits. The reviews were conducted under the previous administration and the definition of fraud used to produce results is currently being evaluated in the light of the Benefit Review Programme.
  Results from the reviews refer to Great Britain and separate estimates for specific geographical areas are not available. Copies of all the published results of the reviews are available in the Library.
  An additional indicator is the number of successful investigations. These are cases where, following a fraud investigation, one or more of the following conclusions occurs: benefit is reduced or stopped, an overpayment is calculated or a prosecution instigated.
  During 1996–97, 1,592 successful fraud investigations into claims administered by the Benefits Agency were carried out by Northumberland Sector Fraud, which at that time included the BA offices at Ashington, Berwick, Blyth and Hexham.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many families are on(a) income support and (b) family credit in Blyth Valley; [28207]

  (2) how many Social Fund funeral payments were awarded in Blyth Valley in each year since 1990; [28209]

  (3) how many Social Fund applications for (a) grants and (b) loans have been turned down by local benefits agencies in Blyth Valley since 1994. [28213]
  757
  Mr. Field
  The administration of Social Security Benefits is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Ronnie Campbell, dated 17 February 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions asking how many families are on (a) Income Support and (b) Family Credit in Blyth Valley; how many Social Fund funeral payments were awarded in Blyth Valley in each year since 1990; and how many Social Fund applications for (a) grants and (b) loans have been turned down by local Benefits Agencies in Blyth Valley.
  The information is not available in the format requested. The Benefits Agency (BA), collates statistics by BA District and these Districts do not correspond to constituency boundaries or specific geographical areas. Such information as is available is in the attached tables.
  I hope this reply is helpful.

  Number of families in receipt of Income Support and Family Credit for the Benefits Agency's (BA's) Northumbria District

  colspan="2" align="right">Number

  Number of customers in receipt of Income Support lone parent rate of the family premium as at 30 November 1997

  16,678

  Families in receipt of Family Credit as at 30 September 19972>

  7,022

  1 The Income Support data does not include those lone parent customers who are pensioners nor those registered sick who qualify for a higher rate premium such as a pensioner or disability premium. Since October 1996 unemployed customers with partners have claimed JSA.

  2 Information relating to the number of customers in receipt of Family Credit is normally only collated on a national basis. However, in September 1997 a scan of the Family Credit computer system was run by BA office.

  Note:

  The information provided relates to the BA's Northumbria District (which includes the offices of Ashington, Berwick, Blyth, Hexham, North Shields and Wallsend). The information is provisional and maybe subject to change.

  Social Fund statistics for the Benefits Agency's (BA's) Northumbria District

  Social Fund applications refused

  Funeral payments awarded

  Community Care grants

  Budgeting loans

  Crisis loans

  1990

  134

  —

  —

  —

  1991

  148

  —

  —

  —

  1992

  222

  —

  —

  —

  1993

  281

  —

  —

  —

  1994

  282

  —

  —

  —

  1995

  292

  2788

  2916

  2494

  1996

  316

  999

  919

  1,029

  1997

  313

  1.162

  1,002

  1,423

  1 The data provided represent April-December 1990. Information prior to the inception of the BA in April 1990 is not available in this format.

  2 Data are only available from April 1995. Prior to this the information requested is not available.

  Note:

  This is the latest available information, it is provisional and maybe subject to change.

  The information provided relates to the BA's Northumbria District (which includes the offices of Ashington, Berwick, Blyth, Hexham, North Shields and Wallsend).

  Income Support (Pensioners)
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will provide details of the pilot schemes being launched in April designed to encourage pensioners to claim the income support to which they are entitled. [29605]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 16 February 1998]: We are particularly concerned about the million pensioners who are not claiming Income Support. We have already commissioned research into the reasons why pensioners do not claim their entitlement. This is due to report in the Autumn.

  In addition, we intend to run a series of local take-up pilots designed to test different ways of identifying potential claimants and the most effective and efficient ways of encouraging them to claim, including simplifying the claim process. Following a consultation meeting officials had with Help the Aged, Age Concern and others, we are finalising the design of the pilots. We will announce further details of the pilots shortly.

  Benefit Integrity Project
  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for North Tayside (Mr. Swinney) of 9 February 1998,Official Report, column 76, relating to the disability living allowance, in what ways the additional evidence will be collected; and if those who have had their benefits removed will be entitled to have their cases reassessed on the basis of the additional evidence. [30046]

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

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

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mrs. Angela Browning, dated 17 February 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question regarding the pursuant to her Answer to the hon. Member for Tayside North, of 9 February, Official Report, column 76, relating to the Disability Living Allowance (DLA), in what ways the additional evidence will be collected; and if those who have had their benefits removed will be entitled to have their cases reassessed on the basis of the additional evidence.
  The Benefit Integrity Project (BIP) is looking again at some awards of DLA, through a programme of visits and postal enquiries to collect up to date information about the care and mobility needs of some disabled people and to make sure that the correct amount of benefit is being paid.
  From 9 February, no case likely to result in the reduction or removal of benefit will be passed to an Adjudication Officer (AO) for review without further evidence in addition to that supplied by the customer on the BIP questionnaire. This extra safeguard is to improve confidence in the decisions made by the BIP and to help safeguard the position of severely disabled people.
  Further evidence about a customer's care and mobility needs may include factual medical evidence from a General Practitioner or hospital or other health care professional, a full examination by a qualified medical practitioner or information from carers. The source

  759
  of the additional evidence will be determined by the officer acting on behalf of the Secretary of State in the light of the individual circumstances of the case.
  Although there are no plans to re-examine all benefit reductions made to date under the BIP, anyone whose benefit is reduced or disallowed, whether or not this follows receipt of the further evidence now being sought, is entitled to request a review by another AO. The AO will consider afresh the full circumstances of the award, based on all the evidence available.
  I hope you find the reply helpful.

  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to her answer of 9 February 1998,Official Report, column 75, if she will list the categories of additional evidence which will be taken into account by adjudication officers involved in the Benefit Integrity Project; and if she will make a statement. [30159]

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

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

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. John Swinney, dated 17 February 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking if she will list the categories of additional evidence which will be taken into account by Adjudication Officers (AOs) involved in the Benefits Integrity Project (BIP).
  From 9 February 1998, if information obtained from a Disability Living Allowance (DLA) beneficiary as part of the BIP indicates that there has been a change of circumstances which may lead to a reduction or removal of entitlement to DLA, additional further evidence will be obtained before the case is passed to an AO for review.
  This additional information may be factual medical evidence from a General Practitioner, hospital or other health care professional, a full medical examination by a qualified medical practitioner or information from a carer. The most appropriate source of additional evidence will be used in the light of the individual circumstances of the case.
  I hope you find the reply helpful.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to her answer of 8 July 1997,Official Report, column 464, concerning the Benefit Integrity Project, what are the outturn savings figures to date; and what is her current estimate of the total savings in 1997–98. [30222]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is not available at present. In the light of my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State's recent announcement of additional safeguards and other factors statisticians have been asked to re-examine the estimated savings from the Project and to produce validated figures for the current financial year. I will write to the hon. Member again as soon as this information becomes available.

  Child Support
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in what proportion of child support appeals one of the parties has requested an oral hearing;760
  how often one or both parties has attended; and in what proportion of cases a full decision has been requested in each of the last three years. [30057]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The operation of the appeals system is a matter for the Independent Tribunal Service (ITS).

  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available from the ITS is as follows.

  From December 1996 to December 1997 a total of 8,434 Child Support appeals were received and there were 5,949 requests for oral hearings. Current year-to-date figures show that 85 per cent. of Child Support appeals are heard orally and 15 per cent. are heard on papers, although this latter percentage has increased as the year has progressed.

  During the period December 1996 to December 1997 a total of 8,569 Child Support appeals went to hearing, and in 818 (10 per cent.) of those cases a full decision was subsequently requested by one or other of the parties.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much child support maintenance estimated in 1996–97 as not offsetting benefits savings was received by(a) family credit claimants and (b) private clients. [30055]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is as follows.

  Regular payments of child maintenance can transform the lives of lone mothers and their children, providing a stable income which can help them off Income Support and into work. In 1996/97, an estimated £110 million was paid to family credit claimants which did not offset their benefit entitlement.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of appeals to child support appeal tribunals are made by(a) absent parents and (b) parents with care; what proportion are referrals by (i) child support officers and (ii) the Secretary of State; and what proportion of appeals to child support commissioners are made by (1) absent parents, (2) persons with care and (3) the child support officer. [30059]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The information is not available.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many persons with care have left income support for employment as a result of receiving a Child Support Agency assessment in each year for which figures are available. [30132]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is that between April and December 1997, 2,897 parents with care made a successful claim for the child maintenance bonus when they left Income Support for work.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what research she is undertaking on the effect of a reduced benefit direction on children in the family since the increase in the benefit penalty in October 1996. [30139]
  761
  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The Department is continually monitoring and evaluating reduced benefit directions which apply only where a parent with care has failed to co-operate with the Child Support Agency without good cause. Although the Department has not conducted any research into the effect of the reduced benefit direction since October 1996, following a recommendation of the Social Security Select Committee, the Child Support Agency undertook detailed research on the requirement to co-operate provisions and the results were published in April 1996 in "The Requirement to Co-operate: A Report on the Operation of the "Good Cause" Provisions. Department of Social Security in-house report 14".

  We are looking closely at all aspects of the Child Support scheme to see where improvements can be made and we aim to bring forward a consultation document on our proposals by the Summer.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in how many child support appeal cases the appeals are over the 28 day time limit; and what proportion of these appeals are allowed to proceed. [30058]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The operation of the appeals system is a matter for the Independent Tribunal Service who report that from April 1997 to December 1997 a total of 1,962 Child Support Appeals were received which were over the 28 day time limit. During the same period 320 appeals were not admitted. Figures are not kept on the actual number of appeals allowed to proceed.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many departure applications have been refused by the Child Support Agency on preliminary consideration; what number of applications have been(a) successfully and (b) unsuccessfully made under each of the grounds for departure; and what plans she has to extend the grounds for departure; [30061]

  (2) how many applications for departure have been made to the Child Support Agency from absent parents and persons with care with new assessments since December 1996; how many such applications have been made by parents with pre-December 1996 assessments; how many of each of these were successful; and what was the average change in the assessment; [30125]

  (3) how long departure applications to the Child Support Agency are taking to process; what proportion of applications have been referred to an appeal tribunal by the CSA; and what proportion or departure decisions have been appealed. [30126]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  As at 31 January 1998 13,374 departure direction applications had been refused on preliminary consideration.

  Numbers of Successful and Unsuccessful Applications by Grounds

  Application grounds

  Successful

  Unsuccessful

  Travel to work

  1,418

  6,171

  Contract costs

  1,129

  6,786

  Illness and disability

  51

  1,700

  Debts of the relationship

  653

  7,253

  Pre-1993 commitments

  120

  2,109

  Step-children

  89

  1,719

  Property and capital transfers

  165

  1,760

  Assets capable of producing income or greater income

  59

  1,395

  Diversion of Income

  0

  840

  762

  Numbers of Successful and Unsuccessful Applications by Grounds

  Application grounds

  Successful

  Unsuccessful

  Lifestyle

  3

  5,502

  Unreasonably high housing costs

  56

  2,586

  Attributable housing costs

  1,026

  3,887

  Unreasonably high travel costs

  6

  229

  Travel costs to be disregarded

  11

  187

  Source:

  Child Support Agency management information statistics.

  Numbers of applications from existing absent parents and parents with care at December 1996 and from new absent parents and parents with care

  Applications relating to assessments in force prior to 2 Dec 1996

  Applications relating to assessments made on or after 2 Dec 1996

  Absent Parents

  14,881

  7,297

  Parents with care

  4,890

  1,738

  Source:

  Child Support Agency management information statistics.

  Information is not available about the proportions of such cases which were successful.

  The average reduction is the level of the maintenance assessment following applications from absent parents is £8.32 per week. The average increase in the level of the maintenance assessment following applications from parents with care is £14.67 per week.

  The average processing time for applications which

  (i) fail on preliminary consideration stage is 42 days

  (ii) are refused following full consideration is 93 days

  (iii) succeed is 168 days.

  139 applications, (0.5 per cent of all applications) have been referred direct to the appeal tribunal for determination. Around 9 per cent of decisions have been appealed.

  There are no current plans to extend the grounds for a departure. However we are looking closely at all aspects of the child support scheme to see where improvements can be made.

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish the benefits savings made as a result of Child Support Agency activity for the first half of 1997–98, the desired level of benefits savings required before a child maintenance disregard on income support is to be introduced and the estimated loss in benefits savings if the maintenance disregard was set at £5 a week. [30133]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  Benefit savings as a result of child support activity in the first half of 1997/98 were estimated to be £223 million. We have not set a specific level of benefit savings which we expect to see before a maintenance disregard could be introduced. The longer term programme cost of a £5 disregard of maintenancein income support is estimated to be £65 million for a full year.

  Departmental Expenditure
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will give a regional breakdown of her Department's expenditure on(a) hospitality, (b) stationery and (c) travel in the last year for which figures are available. [30117]

  Mr. Field
  The information is not available in the format requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Such information as is available is set out in the table.

  Expenditure information for the Department's individual executive agencies for 1996–97

  £

  Hospitality

  Printing and stationery

  Travel

  DSS HQ

  7,159.84

  2,150,958.03

  1,033,982.41

  ISBs

  3,009.55

  1,839,438.85

  854,466.20

  Benefits Agency

  22,330.53

  47,408,861.26

  18,305,628.16

  Contributions Agency

  7,066.31

  2,028,915.64

  2,860,525.35

  Child Support Agency

  4,621.89

  3,820,404.92

  3,676,374.97

  War Pensions Agency

  2,006.67

  252,226.25

  314,450.64

  ITSA

  nil

  729,162.97

  872,804.10

  Total

  46,194.79

  58,229,967.92

  27,918,241.83

  Departmental Buildings
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will list the location and running costs in the last year for which figures are available of each of her Department's buildings. [30116]

  Mr. Field
  The information requested is not held centrally in the format requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Departmental Contracts
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many contracts of a value greater than £10,000 her Department has with companies in(a) London, (b) South East England, (c) England,(d) Scotland, (e) Wales and (f) Northern Ireland; and what is the total value of such contracts for each area. [30118]

  Mr. Field
  The information is not readily available and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Departmental Employees
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will list the number of her Department's employees by UK region, indicating the wage bill(a) in total and (b) by region in the last year for which figures are available and separately identifying the costs of London allowances and weightings. [30115]
  764
  Mr. Field
  The information is set out in the table.

  Number of staff and salary bill for the UK and economic planning regions

  UK and economic planning regions

  Number of employees

  Salary bill £000

  London allowances and £000

  UK: Total

  107,667

  1,538,296

  12,355

  Scotland

  10,794

  151,028

  —

  Northern

  17,091

  240,976

  —

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  8,622

  127,207

  —

  North West

  23,436

  324,887

  —

  East Midlands

  4,638

  64,292

  —

  West Midlands

  8,125

  113,229

  —

  Wales

  4,952

  69,728

  —

  East Anglia

  1,889

  26,292

  —

  South East

  21,803

  337,526

  12,355

  South West

  6,304

  82,950

  —

  N. Ireland

  13

  181

  —

  Notes:

  1. The number of employees is correct at April 1997. Figures show number of individuals rather than whole unit equivalents.

  2. Economic Planning Regions are the only available geographical designation by which this data can be divided.

  3. The wage bill and London Allowances/Weightings figures represent an annualised figure as at April 1997.

  4. The wages bill covers annual salary, National Insurance and superannuation. London allowances are shown separately.

  5. The London Allowances included are London Weighting and London Recruitment and Retention Allowance.

  Disabled People (Appeals)
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many disabled people are awaiting appeals against reductions in their(a) incapacity benefit and (b) disabled living allowance; what is the average waiting time for their appeals to be heard; and what estimate she has made of the savings to public funds arising from the reductions in benefits during the waiting period. [29585]

  Mr. Denham
  The operation of the appeals system is a matter for the Independent Tribunal Service (ITS).

  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available has been provided by the ITS and is as follows.

  Appeals relating to Incapacity Benefit are heard by Social Security Appeal Tribunals (SSATs). Statistics do not differentiate between which appeals are against reduction in benefit and which are against some other aspect of entitlement, such as refusal. There was a total of 109,400 outstanding appeals to SSATs in July 1997, of which 51,624 concerned some aspect of entitlement to Incapacity Benefit.

  In the quarter ended 30 September 1997, the average clearance time for SSATs as a whole was 28.9 weeks, whilst for Incapacity Benefit appeals it was 29.3 weeks.

  Appeals relating to Disability Living Allowance are heard by Disability Appeal Tribunals (DATs). Again, statistics do not differentiate between appeals against reduction in benefit and those against other aspects of entitlement. Neither do they distinguish between appeals

  765
  to DATs concerning Disability Living Allowance and those concerning other benefits. In July 1997 there was an overall total of 29,566 outstanding appeals to DATs and an overall average clearance time of 30 weeks.

  Where an appeal tribunal determines that entitlement exists for all or part of the period between the date of the decision appealed against and the date of the tribunal hearing, benefit is paid in accordance with that determination.

  Benefits Reviews
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will list each disability benefit currently subject to review, prior to the publication of a green paper; and if she will make a statement. [29584]
  766
  Mr. Denham
  Our Comprehensive Spending Review covers all Social Security benefits paid on account of incapacity for work, disability and caring. No decisions have yet been reached.

  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will list the disabled people's organisations that have made representations to her in respect of the review of welfare benefits; what has been the nature of their representations; and if she will make a statement. [29586]

  Mr. Denham
  The Government are committed to reforming the welfare system in consultation with the people. We continue to hear views from sick and disabled people, and the groups who represent and support them, both through meetings and in correspondence, about how we can spend wisely and best direct help to enable disabled people to live with independence and dignity.

  Video Recordings: Designated Authority
  Lord Hogg of Cumbernauld
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  When they will make changes to the authority responsible for making arrangements for the classification of video works under the Video Recordings Act 1984. [HL695]

  The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Williams of Mostyn)
  My right honourable friend the Home Secretary has today designated Mr. Andreas Whittam Smith under Section 4(4) of the Video Recordings Act 1984. Mr. Whittam Smith was appointed as President of the British Board of Film Classification on 1 January 1998, and my right honourable friend has designated him, in that capacity, to replace the Earl of Harewood and Lord Birkett of Ulverston.

  Copies of the Notice of Designation and the text of a letter my right honourable friend has sent to Mr. Whittam Smith confirming the designation have been placed in the Library.

  Deaths in Custody: Coroners' Procedures
  Lord Avebury
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether they have received any criticisms concerning the handling by coroners of recent cases of deaths in custody; and whether they consider that any changes are needed in the procedures and methods of coroners. [HL544]

  Lord Williams of Mostyn
  Criticisms regarding inquests into deaths in custody are received from time to time. There are no current plans to amend coroner legislation in relation to the need to sum up evidence and give directions to a jury, but we are considering the recent recommendation from the Home Affairs Select Committee regarding the disclosure of relevant information in advance of such inquests.

  Mentally Disordered Offenders
  Lord Judd
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether they have studied the report by the Penal Affairs Consortium entitled An Unsuitable Place for Treatment; and to what extent they endorse its conclusions and recommendations, particularly that "there is a powerful case for ensuring that effective psychiatric assessment services are in place in every police and court area". [HL553]

  Lord Williams of Mostyn
  The Government fully share the conclusions of the report that mentally disordered people who commit offences should have WA 42
  ready access to treatment and care, and that they should not be imprisoned unnecessarily. Effective inter-agency arrangements around the country are essential if the needs of mentally disordered offenders are to be addressed appropriately. The Home Office and the Department of Health are working together to encourage local agencies and services to develop the most suitable arrangements in the light of local circumstances.

  Scotland: 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 Scotland. [HL541]

  The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Scottish Office (Lord Sewel)
  The curriculum in Scottish state schools is not prescribed by statute but guidelines on the content of the curriculum are issued by the Secretary of State. Guidelines on the expressive arts, for pupils between the ages of 5–14, include music, and music is also available at Standard Grade and Higher Grade. A wide range of music options will also be available under the new Higher Still arrangements.

  Scotland: Council Tax Payers
  Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What is, for each local authority in Scotland:

  (a) the number of electors;

  (b) the number of council tax payers;

  (c) the number of council tax payers on full rebate;

  (d) the number of council tax payers on partial rebate;

  (e) the percentage of the electorate paying a full council tax. [HL595]

  Lord Sewel
  The available information is shown below:

  (a) Number of Electors in each Local Authority (1997)

  Authority

  Number

  Aberdeen City

  172,066

  Aberdeenshire

  172,767

  Angus

  86,929

  Argyll & Bute

  69,971

  Clackmannanshire

  36,927

  Dumfries & Galloway

  116,828

  Dundee City

  117,166

  East Ayrshire

  94,368

  East Dunbartonshire

  84,978

  East Lothian

  69,870

  East Renfrewshire

  67,597

  Edinburgh City

  362,788

  Eilean Siar

  23,315

  Falkirk

  110,692

  Fife

  276,989

  Glasgow City

  476,784

  Highland

  164,711

  WA 43

  (a) Number of Electors in each Local Authority (1997)

  Authority

  Number

  Inverclyde

  67,805

  Midlothian

  61,423

  Moray

  65,361

  North Ayrshire

  106,478

  North Lanarkshire

  246,599

  Orkney

  15,658

  Perth & Kinross

  104,464

  Renfrewshire

  139,766

  Scottish Borders

  86,051

  Shetland

  17,012

  South Ayrshire

  90,787

  South Lanarkshire

  236,038

  Stirling

  65,798

  West Dunbartonshire

  72,611

  West Lothian

  115,326

  Scotland

  3,995,923

  Source:

  General Register Office (Scotland), Estimate 1997.

  (b) Number of Chargeable Dwellings in each Local Authority (1997)

  Authority

  Number

  Aberdeen City

  95,967

  Aberdeenshire

  90,056

  Angus

  47,306

  Argyll & Bute

  41,582

  Clackmannanshire

  20,387

  Dumfries & Galloway

  64,668

  Dundee City

  67,528

  East Ayrshire

  50,513

  East Dunbartonshire

  41,988

  East Lothian

  37,528

  East Renfrewshire

  34,197

  Edinburgh City

  197,334

  Eilean Siar

  12,370

  Falkirk

  60,825

  Fife

  147,907

  Glasgow City

  263,236

  Highland

  92,819

  Inverclyde

  37,543

  Midlothian

  31,513

  Moray

  34,526

  North Ayrshire

  59,558

  North Lanarkshire

  130,206

  Orkney

  8,814

  Perth & Kinross

  58,565

  Renfrewshire

  76,981

  Scottish Borders

  47,741

  Shetland

  9,252

  South Ayrshire

  48,774

  South Lanarkshire

  123,879

  Stirling

  33,707

  West Dunbartonshire

  42,213

  West Lothian

  60,764

  Scotland

  2,170,247

  Source:

  Statistical Return—Council Tax Base, October 1997.

  (c) The Department of Social Security estimates that in May 1996 there were 365,000 people in Scotland receiving a rebate equal to the full amount of council tax;

  (d) The Department of Social Security estimates that in May 1996 there were 209,000 people in Scotland receiving a rebate less than the full amount of council tax;

  Information is not held centrally on numbers receiving full and partial rebates for each local authority area in Scotland.
  WA 44
  (e) No information is held centrally on the number of people who pay council tax. It is therefore not possible to provide estimates of the percentage of the electorate paying council tax in full or part.

  Scottish Local Elections: Turnout
  Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What was, for each local authority in Scotland, the turnout at the last local government election. [HL596]

  Lord Sewel
  The information is set out in the table below. The figures relate to the elections held in 1995 except in relation to the Orkney Islands, Shetland Islands and Western Isles Areas, where the last elections were held in 1994.

  Authority

  Votes Cast

  Percentage Turnout

  Aberdeen City

  64,425

  38.0

  Aberdeenshire

  65,046

  39.7

  Angus

  37,279

  43.7

  Argyll & Bute

  30,337

  51.2

  Clackmannanshire

  17,214

  46.9

  Dumfries & Galloway

  39,296

  50.2

  Dundee City

  50,252

  43.8

  East Ayrshire

  50,206

  53.2

  East Dunbartonshire

  43,851

  52.8

  East Lothian

  33,288

  48.4

  East Renfrewshire

  32,539

  49.2

  Edinburgh, City of

  156,195

  44.5

  Falkirk

  49,877

  45.8

  Fife

  115,546

  42.6

  Glasgow, City of

  183,669

  38.9

  Highland

  65,920

  46.4

  Inverclyde

  32,127

  47.0

  Midlothian

  27,178

  44.9

  Moray

  22,578

  40.1

  North Ayrshire

  46,718

  49.4

  North Lanarkshire

  115,208

  48.1

  Orkney Islands

  3,735

  60.9

  Perth & Kinross

  52,064

  51.3

  Renfrewshire

  63,970

  47.4

  Scottish Borders

  27,121

  40.3

  Shetland Islands

  3,680

  58.1

  South Ayrshire

  49,411

  55.5

  South Lanarkshire

  107,903

  46.8

  Stirling

  34,566

  54.2

  West Dunbartonshire

  36,065

  49.7

  West Lothian

  52,156

  46.7

  Western Isles

  7,211

  62.1

  Teaching: Improving Standards
  Lord Patten
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What action they intend to take in the light of the observations of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools, contained in his fourth report, published on 3 February 1998, concerning:

  (a) the 13,000 teachers staffing classrooms who are incompetent; and

  (b) the one in eight lessons which are less than satisfactory. [HL602]

  WA 45
  The Minister of State, Department for Education and Employment (Baroness Blackstone)
  In his annual report for 1996–97, HM Chief Inspector of Schools in England did not focus on the issue of teacher incompetence. He emphasised that more teachers were teaching more effectively.

  In the Excellence in schools White Paper, the Government confirmed their view that good teaching is the key to high standards. The Government have introduced rigorous new standards for the award of Qualified Teacher Status, which all trainees will be required to meet from May in order to gain entry to the profession. We recognise the importance of investment in in-service training for teachers in order to raise standards and have increased funding significantly. We recently announced plans to improve the arrangements for teacher appraisal by linking it more closely to raising standards of pupil achievement.

  These measures, combined with the many other aspects of the Government's drive to raise school standards, should ensure that in future even more teachers will be teaching more effectively.

  Working Hours Directive
  Earl Russell
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  When they intend to introduce measures to implement the European Union Working Hours Directive. [HL496]

  The Minister of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Clinton-Davis)
  Our aim is to publish draft regulations for consultation around the end of March and complete consultation in time to have regulations in force by 1 October.

  DTI Transcripts: Use in Guinness Trial
  Lord Spens
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether, in the light of the announcement by the Attorney General on Tuesday 3 February in relation to the use of DTI transcripts in future trials, they intend to continue to oppose the application to the European Commission on Human Rights of Messrs. Ronson, Parnes and Lyons in connection with the use of such transcripts in the first Guinness trial. [HL547]

  The Minister of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Simon of Highbury)
  Under the Rules of Procedure of the European Commission of Human Rights, pleadings before the Commission are confidential. It would therefore be wrong of the Government to answer questions about their pleadings.

  Depleted Uranium Ammunition
  The Countess of Mar
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What is their current scientific advice on whether depleted uranium munitions and other depleted
  WA 46
  uranium materials used by British troops, both for training purposes and in combat conditions, are hazardous. [HL385]

  The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Gilbert)
  Details of our current scientific advice on Depleted Uranium were given in my letter to the noble Countess on 2 February, and subsequently published on 9 February (Official Report, col. WA 138) and repeated on 17 February at col. WA 17.

  The Countess of Mar
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What controls were instigated by British Commanders at the end of Operation Granby regarding the collection and retrieval of materials from the battlefield, including those regarded by British troops as souvenirs, and whether there was any risk assessment conducted of the possible hazards associated with these materials. [HL437]

  Whether they have any records of items, not issued to British troops for the purpose of carrying out their official duties during Operation Granby, which were brought back to the United Kingdom at the end of hostilities as trophies or souvenirs; whether any of these items were tested for depleted uranium contamination, either chemical or radioactive, at the time they were transported to the United Kingdom; and whether they are aware of the current location of these items. [HL471]

  Lord Gilbert
  Surviving contemporary departmental records indicate that MoD instructed Headquarters British Forces Middle East, HQ BFME, to set up procedures for the collection, cataloguing and securing of captured Iraqi equipment to be considered for possible return to the UK or Germany. Precise details of these procedures and the extent to which they were followed, or disseminated to troops other than those specifically involved in recovering such equipment, are not known. Units arriving at Al Jubail prior to returning to the UK or Germany were instructed to declare certain items of captured Iraqi equipment in their possession. However, it is likely that some captured Iraqi equipment left the Gulf undeclared. In the time available, the Ministry of Defence has been unable to determine the current location of items of recovered captured Iraqi equipment.

  Further guidance, concerning the collection and retention of war souvenirs by individual Service personnel, was also issued by HQ BFME to subordinate formations. This guidance explained which items individuals were permitted to take out of theatre without restriction, which items required the permission of an officer not below the rank of Major, and which items could not be taken out of theatre by individuals in any circumstances, such as weapons, explosives and live ammunition. The Ministry of Defence has no knowledge of the whereabouts of personal souvenirs which may have been removed either in accordance with or in breach of these instructions.
  WA 47
  Between 1992 and 1994, the Defence Radiological Protection Service (DRPS)—now known as the Defence Research and Evaluation Agency's (DERA) Radiation Protection Services—visited 41 Army establishments in the UK and Germany to undertake radiation surveys of foreign vehicles and trophies brought back from the Gulf with the purpose of identifying instruments which used radioactive materials as illuminants so that the establishments concerned could conform with EU regulations. These surveys would have detected any radiologically significant quantities of depleted uranium contamination. I am assured that no traces of DU were detected by any of these surveys.

  DRPS radiation protection advisory visits are made on a regular basis to Royal Navy, RAF and DERA establishments. These cover all radioactive materials on site, including any military equipment returned from the Gulf which might contain radioactive material, such as that used to luminise instruments and switches. Where such radioactive materials are identified they are monitored and appropriate precautions are taken. No evidence of depleted uranium contamination on military equipment returned from the Gulf has come to light during any such visit.

  No record has been found on departmental files of any tests carried out to determine whether captured Iraqi equipment or personal souvenirs were contaminated with depleted uranium, or of any risk assessments carried out on recovered captured Iraqi equipment.

  The Countess of Mar
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Henley on 6 December 1994 (WA 77), whether they still maintain that no dosemeters were issued to British troops during Operation Granby. [HL436]

  Lord Gilbert
  I am advised that the Written Answer to which the noble Countess refers was given in the context of dosemeters issued to those who were involved in the handling of DU ammunition in the Gulf, rather than to British troops generally. Dosemeters were not issued specifically to personnel who handled DU ammunition during Operation Granby. However, radiation dosemeters, designed to detect the high level radiation exposures expected in nuclear warfare rather than the very low level of radiation which is characteristic of depleted uranium, were issued to some British troops by units in the Gulf. These dosemeters would have been of no use for monitoring the very low levels of radiation emitted by DU ammunition.

  Armed Forces: Nationality Criteria
  Lord Hardy of Wath
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  When the review of the nationality criteria for entry into the Armed Forces will be completed. [HL696]
  WA 48
  Lord Gilbert
  A comprehensive review of all nationality issues for employment in the Armed Forces has just been completed. It has now been agreed that, with effect from 1 April 1998, the rules relating to nationality extraction, that is the nationality of an applicant's parents, should be relaxed in line with the changes made for Civil Servants. In the majority of cases parents of applicants will no longer need to be British or Commonwealth citizens, or Republic of Ireland nationals. In certain circumstances, where security is of paramount importance, applicants will be looked at on a case by case basis.

  It has also been agreed that the residency rules should be changed. The five year UK residency requirement for most applicants is to be relaxed to allow those who have spent less than five years in the UK entry into the Armed Forces.

  We believe that these rule changes will ensure that the Armed Forces become more open for potential recruits, particularly among the ethnic minorities.

  We have concluded that the existing rules relating to an applicant's own nationality should remain, namely that an applicant should be a British, British Dependent Territories or Commonwealth citizen or a Republic of Ireland national.

  Armed Forces: Meat Supplies
  Lord Burton
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What quantities of meat and meat products were supplied to British servicemen at home and overseas in each of the last 12 months, and whether they can break the figures down; (a) by type of meat or product, and (b) by country of origin. [HL481]

  Lord Gilbert
  I regret the information sought is not available for the past 12 months, but our new contractor, Booker Foodservice, has estimated that the quantities of meat expected to be supplied to the Armed Forces for the 12 month period ending September 1998 and its country of origin to be as follows:

  Commodity

  Estimated Annual Volume (tonnes)

  Country of origin

  Estimated percentage by volume

  Beef

  2,220

  UK

  38

  Australia

  36

  Uruguay

  18

  New Zealand

  8

  Pork

  1,200

  UK

  100

  Gammon & Bacon

  1,440

  UK

  50

  Denmark

  30

  Holland

  20

  Lamb

  750

  New Zealand

  50

  Uruguay

  50

  All figures are subject to variation dependent upon which markets provide the best value for money.

  Conditional Fees
  Lord Ackner
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether, since the publication in September 1997 by the Policy Studies Institute of its report, The Price of Success, they have carried out or caused to be carried out any research to determine whether the practice of conditional fees is working; and if not why not. [HL487]

  The Lord Chancellor (Lord Irvine of Lairg)
  In the five months since the Policy Studies Institute report was WA 50
  published, I have not commissioned further research on the practice of conditional fees. As the noble and learned Lord will know, the Policy Studies Institute report concluded that many of the potential problems identified with conditional fees before they were introduced appear to have been successfully addressed. I accept that further research, at the appropriate time, may be necessary and I plan to seek views on what further research might prove useful in the consultation paper that I plan to issue shortly.