Written Answers of 23 February 1998

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS
  Surplus Property and Land
  Surplus Property and Land
ATTORNEY-GENERAL
  Crown Prosecution Service
  Crown Prosecution Service
PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL
  Cash Limits
  Cash Limits
PRIME MINISTER
  Cabinet Posts
  Cabinet Posts
  Overseas Visits
  Overseas Visits
  Single Currency
  Single Currency
  Cash Limits
  Cash Limits
  Departmental Child Care
  Departmental Child Care
  Official Residence
  Official Residence
INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
  India
  India
  Multilateral Agreement on Investment
  Multilateral Agreement on Investment
  Enterprise Development
  Enterprise Development
  Advertising Contracts
  Advertising Contracts
  Sierra Leone
  Sierra Leone
  Surplus Property and Land
  Surplus Property and Land
  Cash Limits
  Cash Limits
  Commonwealth Development Corporation
  Commonwealth Development Corporation
ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS
  Council House Rents
  Council House Rents
  Millennium Dome
  Millennium Dome
  Oil Spills
  Oil Spills
  Motorways
  Motorways
  Driving Licences
  Driving Licences
  Waste Recovery
  Waste Recovery
  Air Traffic Control
  Air Traffic Control
  Aircraft Fuel
  Aircraft Fuel
  Toxic Chemicals
  Toxic Chemicals
  Cash Limits
  Cash Limits
  Roundabouts
  Roundabouts
  Housing
  Housing
  Deaf Travellers
  Deaf Travellers
  Genetically Modified Organisms
  Genetically Modified Organisms
  Water Conservation
  Water Conservation
  Water Resources
  Water Resources
  Sustainable Development
  Sustainable Development
  Heavy Goods Vehicles
  Heavy Goods Vehicles
  Cannabis
  Cannabis
  Pavement Cleaning
  Pavement Cleaning
  Clean Vehicle Technology
  Clean Vehicle Technology
  Road Fatalities and Injuries
  Road Fatalities and Injuries
  Road Accidents (Children)
  Road Accidents (Children)
  Sulphur Dioxide Emissions
  Sulphur Dioxide Emissions
  Gilberts Animal By-Products
  Gilberts Animal By-Products
  Surplus Property and Land
  Surplus Property and Land
  Canals
  Canals
  Departmental Pay
  Departmental Pay
  Japanese Cars
  Japanese Cars
  Ecolabelling
  Ecolabelling
  Regional Development Agencies
  Regional Development Agencies
DUCHY OF LANCASTER
  Cash Limits
  Cash Limits
  Freedom of Information
  Freedom of Information
  Ministerial Visits
  Ministerial Visits
MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO
  Millennium Dome (Contents)
  Millennium Dome (Contents)
  Millennium Dome (Faith Communities)
  Millennium Dome (Faith Communities)
CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT
  New Opportunities Fund
  New Opportunities Fund
  Television Licences
  Television Licences
  East Midlands Arts
  East Midlands Arts
  National Lottery
  National Lottery
  Millennium Tower (Portsmouth Harbour)
  Millennium Tower (Portsmouth Harbour)
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS
  European Union
  European Union
  Cash Limits
  Cash Limits
  Embassies (Furniture)
  Embassies (Furniture)
  China
  China
  Russia
  Russia
  Ministerial Visits
  Ministerial Visits
  Iraq
  Iraq
  Mr. Azil Nadir
  Mr. Azil Nadir
  Correspondence
  Correspondence
  Entry Clearance
  Entry Clearance
  Surplus Property and Land
  Surplus Property and Land
  Advertising Contracts
  Advertising Contracts
  Sierra Leone
  Sierra Leone
  Ethical Foreign Policy
  Ethical Foreign Policy
DEFENCE
  Iraq
  Iraq
  Advertising Contracts
  Advertising Contracts
  Cash Limits
  Cash Limits
  Overseas Travel
  Overseas Travel
  Strategic Defence Review
  Strategic Defence Review
  Low Flying
  Low Flying
  Departmental Pay
  Departmental Pay
  Firing Ranges
  Firing Ranges
  Tomahawks
  Tomahawks
  Furniture Purchases
  Furniture Purchases
  Departmental Buildings
  Departmental Buildings
  Indian Ocean
  Indian Ocean
  Service Personnel (Asbestos Exposure)
  Service Personnel (Asbestos Exposure)
  Widows' Pensions
  Widows' Pensions
  Exercise Senator 97
  Exercise Senator 97
  Defence Council Instructions
  Defence Council Instructions
  Surplus Property and Land
  Surplus Property and Land
  Vermin Control
  Vermin Control
  Casualties
  Casualties
  Explosives Theft (Brecon)
  Explosives Theft (Brecon)
  Second Division
  Second Division
  RAF Coltishall
  RAF Coltishall
HOME DEPARTMENT
  Cash Limits
  Cash Limits
  ID Cards
  ID Cards
  Police Road Blocks
  Police Road Blocks
  Farmers (Devon and Cornwall)
  Farmers (Devon and Cornwall)
  Prisoners (Prescriptions)
  Prisoners (Prescriptions)
  Learning Difficulties (Crime Victims)
  Learning Difficulties (Crime Victims)
  Racial Incidents
  Racial Incidents
  Electoral Procedures
  Electoral Procedures
  Death Penalty
  Death Penalty
  Prison Service
  Prison Service
  Advertising Contracts
  Advertising Contracts
  Prisoner Releases
  Prisoner Releases
  Security Industry
  Security Industry
  Child Sex Abuse
  Child Sex Abuse
  "In Excelsis" Manuscript
  "In Excelsis" Manuscript
  Wild Mammals (Hunting with Dogs) Bill
  Wild Mammals (Hunting with Dogs) Bill
  Private Members' Bills
  Private Members' Bills
  Correspondence
  Correspondence
  Market Research
  Market Research
LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT
  Surplus Property and Land
  Surplus Property and Land
  Advertising Contracts
  Advertising Contracts
  County Courts
  County Courts
  Cash Limits
  Cash Limits
TREASURY
  Cash Limits
  Cash Limits
  Amusement Machines
  Amusement Machines
  Inheritance Tax
  Inheritance Tax
  Mortgage Tax Relief
  Mortgage Tax Relief
  Child Benefit
  Child Benefit
  Lost and Stolen Items
  Lost and Stolen Items
  Surplus Property and Land
  Surplus Property and Land
  Spending Review
  Spending Review
  VAT (House Renovations)
  VAT (House Renovations)
  Workless Households
  Workless Households
  Fast Food Companies
  Fast Food Companies
  Valuation Office
  Valuation Office
  VAT (Energy Use)
  VAT (Energy Use)
  Working Families Tax Credit Scheme
  Working Families Tax Credit Scheme
  Pensions
  Pensions
  Public Corporations (Borrowing)
  Public Corporations (Borrowing)
  IMF (Nicaragua)
  IMF (Nicaragua)
  Hairdressers
  Hairdressers
  Freeholders
  Freeholders
  Official Residence
  Official Residence
NORTHERN IRELAND
  Personal Protection Weapons
  Personal Protection Weapons
  Summonses
  Summonses
  Maze Prison Inquiry
  Maze Prison Inquiry
  Oil and Gas Industry
  Oil and Gas Industry
  Police Authority
  Police Authority
  Cash Limits
  Cash Limits
  Periodicals
  Periodicals
  Lost and Stolen Items
  Lost and Stolen Items
  Official Hospitality
  Official Hospitality
  Shootings (Forensic Evidence)
  Shootings (Forensic Evidence)
  Publications
  Publications
  Royal Ulster Constabulary
  Royal Ulster Constabulary
  Blood Service
  Blood Service
  Music Industry
  Music Industry
WALES
  Gross Domestic Product
  Gross Domestic Product
  Cash Limits
  Cash Limits
  NHS Trusts
  NHS Trusts
  Surplus Property and Land
  Surplus Property and Land
  Advertising Contracts
  Advertising Contracts
SCOTLAND
  Cancer Surgery
  Cancer Surgery
  Publications
  Publications
  Rural Watch
  Rural Watch
  Further Education
  Further Education
  Soccer Facilities
  Soccer Facilities
  Epilepsy
  Epilepsy
  Hill Farming
  Hill Farming
  Anti-knife Legislation
  Anti-knife Legislation
  Student Awards Agency
  Student Awards Agency
  Cash Limits
  Cash Limits
  Advertising Contracts
  Advertising Contracts
  Hyundai Project
  Hyundai Project
  Lynebank Hospital
  Lynebank Hospital
HEALTH
  New Variant CJD
  New Variant CJD
  NHS Dentists
  NHS Dentists
  Labour Party Donations
  Labour Party Donations
  GP Fundholders
  GP Fundholders
  Hepatitis C
  Hepatitis C
  Smoking
  Smoking
  Secure Mental Health Units
  Secure Mental Health Units
  Health Education
  Health Education
  Diabetes
  Diabetes
  Cash Limits
  Cash Limits
  Care in the Community
  Care in the Community
  Aricept
  Aricept
  Surplus Property and Land
  Surplus Property and Land
  Dental Services
  Dental Services
  Absenteeism
  Absenteeism
  Millennium Compliance
  Millennium Compliance
AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD
  Waste Materials
  Waste Materials
  Certified Herd Scheme
  Certified Herd Scheme
  Beef on the Bone
  Beef on the Bone
  Brazilian Mahogany
  Brazilian Mahogany
  Milk Quotas (Italy)
  Milk Quotas (Italy)
  Food Safety
  Food Safety
  Farm Incomes
  Farm Incomes
  Correspondence
  Correspondence
  Ministerial Visits
  Ministerial Visits
  Flood Defences (Sussex)
  Flood Defences (Sussex)
  Sheep Dip
  Sheep Dip
  Herbicide-tolerant Crops
  Herbicide-tolerant Crops
  Food Labelling
  Food Labelling
  Milk Products
  Milk Products
  Poultry Meat
  Poultry Meat
  Cash Limits
  Cash Limits
TRADE AND INDUSTRY
  Second-hand Cars
  Second-hand Cars
  Hawk Jets (Indonesia)
  Hawk Jets (Indonesia)
  Exchange Rate
  Exchange Rate
  Official Entertainment
  Official Entertainment
  Nuclear Safety
  Nuclear Safety
  Oil Exploration
  Oil Exploration
  Television Broadcasting
  Television Broadcasting
  Minimum Wage
  Minimum Wage
  Export Licences
  Export Licences
  Tractor Production and Exports
  Tractor Production and Exports
  Cash Limits
  Cash Limits
  Millennium Compliance
  Millennium Compliance
  Industrial Development Advisory Board
  Industrial Development Advisory Board
  Trade Missions
  Trade Missions
  Export Credit Guarantees (Far East)
  Export Credit Guarantees (Far East)
  British Investments
  British Investments
  Brazilian Mahogany
  Brazilian Mahogany
  Correspondence
  Correspondence
  Dietary Supplements
  Dietary Supplements
  Oil and Gas Industry
  Oil and Gas Industry
  Mumbai Airport
  Mumbai Airport
  Transco
  Transco
  Overhead Power Line (Lune Valley)
  Overhead Power Line (Lune Valley)
  Social Dialogue
  Social Dialogue
  Wealth Warnings
  Wealth Warnings
EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT
  Cash Limits
  Cash Limits
  Salaries
  Salaries
  Advertising and Publicity
  Advertising and Publicity
  Non-teaching Staff
  Non-teaching Staff
  Surplus Property and Land
  Surplus Property and Land
  Advertising Contracts
  Advertising Contracts
  National Child Care Strategy
  National Child Care Strategy
  Health and Safety
  Health and Safety
SOCIAL SECURITY
  Family Credit
  Family Credit
  Lone Parents
  Lone Parents
  Welfare Reform
  Welfare Reform
  Absent Fathers
  Absent Fathers
  Long-term Sick and Disabled
  Long-term Sick and Disabled
  Disability Benefits
  Disability Benefits
  Benefits (Information)
  Benefits (Information)
  Teenagers and Pensioners
  Teenagers and Pensioners
  Pension Sharing
  Pension Sharing
  Occupational Pensions
  Occupational Pensions
  Housing Benefit
  Housing Benefit
  Taxation and Social Security Benefits
  Taxation and Social Security Benefits
  Benefit Levels (London)
  Benefit Levels (London)
  State Pensions
  State Pensions
  Disability Living Allowance
  Disability Living Allowance
  Child Support Agency
  Child Support Agency
  Family-friendly Employment Policies
  Family-friendly Employment Policies
  Cash Limits
  Cash Limits
  Benefit Integrity Project
  Benefit Integrity Project
  Mrs. Carol Preston
  Mrs. Carol Preston
  Miss A. Steed
  Miss A. Steed
  Surplus Property and Land
  Surplus Property and Land
  Disabled Workers
  Disabled Workers
  Child Support
  Child Support
  Advertising Contracts
  Advertising Contracts
  Carers
  Carers
  Social Fund Loans
  Social Fund Loans

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Supplementary Estimate
  Lord Hogg of Cumbernauld
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What changes they propose to make in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office cash limits and running cost limits for 1997–98. [HL659]

  The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean)
  Subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate the cash limit for Class II, Vote 2 (Other External Relations) will be increased by £17,945,000 from £229,815,000 to £247,760,000. The increase is required to cover UK contributions to certain OSCE, United Nations and WEU Missions of £26,429,000. This will be partly offset by recoveries of £5,000,000 from the United Nations. There is a reduction of £3,788,000 because of a negative Overseas Price Movement. This will be partly offset by transfers in of £304,000, a total of £204,000 from the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (Class V, Vote 2 and Class VI, Vote 3), Department of Trade and Industry (Class IV, Vote 1) and the Ministry of Defence (Class I, Vote l) in respect of their contributions to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea following UK accession, and a further £100,000 from the Ministry of Defence (Class I, Vote 1) in respect of their contribution to the grant-in-aid to the Atlantic Council of the UK.

  The cash limit for Class II, Vote 1 (Overseas Representation) will be reduced by £16,850,000 from £628,876,000 to £612,026,000. This reduction takes account of negative Overseas Price Movements of £20,742,000 (£10,095,000 running costs, £10,417,000 other current and £230,000 capital) which has offset a £4,000,000 running cost claim to cover major international conferences. There have also been three transfers to other government departments: £10,000 to the Cabinet Office (Class XVIII, Vote 2) for information work; £137,000 to the Department for International Development (Class II, Vote 5) for Know How Fund staff and £4,000 to the Privy Council Office (Class XVIII, Vote 3) to help fund the new UK Anti Drugs Co-ordinator and his Deputy. These have been partially offset by two transfers in; £25,000 from the Ministry of Defence (Class I, Vote 1) and £18,000 from the Northern Ireland Office (Class XV, Vote 1) for the Whitehall District Heating System.

  The gross running costs limit on Class II, Vote 1 will be reduced by £6,701,000 from £534,813,000 to £528,112,000. The Wilton Park section of the Vote has been increased by £498,000 gross running costs, £29,000 other current, £65,000 capital and £351,000 appropriations in aid. These increases have been fully
  WA 58
  offset by reductions in the Overseas Representation section of the Vote.

  The net running cost limit for Wilton Park has been increased by £149,000 from £638,000 to £787,000.

  The cash limit for Class II, Vote 4 (The British Council) will be reduced by £1,637,000 from £97,884,000 to £96,247,000 because of negative Overseas Price Movements of £1,637,000.

  The net decrease to the Vote will not add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Nuclear Policy
  Lord Judd
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether they endorse the conclusions of the Carnegie Commission on Preventing Deadly Conflict with regard to nuclear weapons that "governments should eliminate the practice of alert procedures (e.g. relying on continuously available weapons) and set an immediate goal to remove all weapons from active deployment—that is, to dismantle them to the point that to use them would require reconstruction"; and what steps they are taking towards this objective. [HL578]

  Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean
  In the Strategic Defence Review and elsewhere, the Government are examining all aspects of their nuclear policy. This examination includes measures advocated by the Carnegie Commission, such as de-alerting and related concepts.

  Several of the Carnegie Commission's recommendations are already government policy. The Government hope to ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty this year and have committed themselves to support for a Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty.

  Government Departments: Policy Co-ordination
  Lord Judd
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What arrangements they have made to facilitate policy co-ordination between the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for International Development and to enable the respective Secretaries of State and other Ministers to meet regularly for this purpose; how many such meetings there have been since May 1997; and what arrangements have been made for wider co-ordination with other departments and Ministries, including Defence; Trade and Industry; Environment, Transport and the Regions; Health; Social Security; Agriculture, Fisheries and Food; and the Treasury. [HL579]

  Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean
  Ministers and officials of the Department for International Development and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office have regular meetings to discuss a wide range of policy and operational matters. Likewise, co-ordination with other departments is conducted on a regular basis by Ministers and officials as necessary.

  Iraq: UNSCOM Costs
  Lord Kennet
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What has been the cost to the United Nations of the United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM)'s activity in Iraq so far; whether in their view, or to their knowledge in the view of the United States, it will ever be possible for UNSCOM to certify, without the continuing military occupation of that country, that Iraq retains no capability to recommence its weapons of mass destruction programmes; and in the absence of any such certainty, what are the implications for the raising of economic sanctions in Iraq. [HL586] [10 February]

  Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean
  I refer to my Answers of 1 December regarding UNSCOM's operating costs. Iraq is not under military occupation. Security Council Resolution 687 makes it clear that, when the Security Council is satisfied that Iraq has fully complied with the requirement to eliminate its weapons of mass destruction and is co-operating fully with UNSCOM over Ongoing Monitoring and Verification, the restrictions on exports from Iraq will be lifted.

  Middle East: UNSCOM's Remit
  Lord Kennet
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether United Nations Security Council Resolution 687 calls for ridding the entire Middle East of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs); and if so what steps are being taken to widen UNSCOM's remit to ensure the absence of WMDs in other Middle Eastern countries, and in particular those in Israel.[HL588] [10 February]

  Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean
  UNSCOM's remit under Security Council Resolution 687 (SCR 687) is to oversee, in conjunction with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the dismantling of Iraq's arsenal of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and to maintain a monitoring programme to ensure that it is never rebuilt. SCR 687 takes note that Iraqi compliance will represent a step towards the goal of establishing in the Middle East a zone free from weapons of mass destruction, a concept we have consistently supported.

  UN Charter and Use of Force
  Lord Kennet
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether they accept the United States interpretation of international law which would allow it to attack Iraq in the absence of either an immediate threat to its security or a specific Security Council Resolution; and whether this indicates a change in the British Government's interpretation of the Charter of the United Nations. [HL590]

  Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean
  The Government's interpretation of the Charter of the United Nations has not changed. Any use of force requires to WA 60
  be justified under international law, notably the United Nations Charter. It is well established that, under the Charter, force may be used in self-defence or under the authority of the Security Council.

  British Indian Ocean Territory Citizens
  Lord Beaumont of Whitley
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether the Foreign Secretary's statement that he is exploring the possibility of granting British citizenship to all the citizens of the overseas territories includes the people of the British Indian Ocean Territory who were moved from Chagos Islands to Mauritius to make way for a United States military base. [HL604]

  Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean
  The Foreign Secretary's statement applies to all British Dependent Territory Citizens (BDTCs). In considering this matter further, the Government will take account of the unique circumstances of BDTCs from the British Indian Ocean Territory.

  International Court of Justice: Judgments
  Lord Monkswell
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Which countries have judgments of the International Court of Justice against them; and for each country what are the relevant judgments. [HL606]

  Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean
  There are about 63 judgments of the International Court of Justice. Copies of the UN Publication Summaries of Judgements, Advisory opinions and Orders of the International Court of Justice: 1948–1991, and of the Court's Annual Reports to the General Assembly for the following years are held in the House of Commons Library.

  UN Subscription Arrears
  Lord Monkswell
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Which countries have not paid their subscriptions to the United Nations; and for each country what is the outstanding amount due. [HL607]

  Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean
  According to the most recent complete data published by the UN, as at 31 December 1997, 85 member states owed a total of $474 million to the UN Regular Budget, and 170 member states owed $1,574 million to UN
  WA 61
  peacekeeping budgets. Complete data on the status of 1998 contributions are not yet available. The details are listed below.

  Member States with outstanding contributions in respect of 1997 and prior years to the UN Regular Budget at 31 December 1997

  US Dollars

  Afghanistan

  144,635

  Albania

  106,508

  Angola

  215,278

  Antigua and Barbuda

  71,508

  Argentina

  4,112,379

  Armenia

  1,406,762

  Azerbaijan

  1,872,225

  Belarus

  4,654,034

  Bhutan

  106,508

  Bosnia and Herzegovina

  973,857

  Brazil

  16,703,941

  Bulgaria

  766,857

  Burundi

  250,255

  Cambodia

  106,508

  Cape Verde

  279,997

  Central African Republic

  581,887

  Chad

  277,723

  Comoros

  606,890

  Congo

  215,278

  Costa Rica

  83,341

  Cuba

  354,093

  Democratic People's Republic of Korea

  350,097

  Democratic Republic of Congo

  106,508

  Djibouti

  160,376

  Dominica

  322,514

  Ecuador

  277,328

  El Salvador

  106,508

  Equatorial Guinea

  140,902

  Estonia

  838,235

  Gambia

  369,062

  Georgia

  2,202,468

  Ghana

  106,508

  Grenada

  314,556

  Guatemala

  319,952

  Guinea

  128,904

  Guinea Bissau

  284,635

  Guyana

  37,105

  Haiti

  354,045

  Honduras

  154,886

  Iran (Islamic Republic of)

  3,718,316

  Iraq

  7,188,218

  Israel

  3,857,817

  Kazakstan

  1,000,000

  Kenya

  103,324

  Kyrgyzstan

  453,977

  Latvia

  1,738,191

  Lesotho

  85,019

  Liberia

  767,629

  Lithuania

  1,413,999

  Madagascar

  81,124

  Mali

  51,772

  Mauritania

  74,459

  Mauritius

  106,508

  Morocco

  9,276

  Nicaragua

  261,586

  Niger

  144,454

  Panama

  77,013

  Paraguay

  106,508

  Qatar

  396,968

  Republic of Moldova

  1,209,917

  Rwanda

  196,464

  Saint Kitts and Nevis

  23,353

  Saint Vincent and Grenadines

  242,759

  Sao Tome and Principe

  407,229

  Seychelles

  282,546

  Sierra Leone

  188,935

  Solomon Islands

  177,835

  WA 62

  Member States with outstanding contributions in respect of 1997 and prior years to the UN Regular Budget at 31 December 1997

  US Dollars

  Somalia

  803,816

  Sudan

  107,813

  Surinam

  106,508

  Swaziland

  46,427

  Tajikistan

  1,931,815

  Togo

  232,968

  Trinidad and Tobago

  238,648

  Turkmenistan

  17

  Uganda

  36,512

  Ukraine

  17,661,894

  United Republic of Tanzania

  105,604

  United States of America

  373,239,953

  Uruguay

  426,032

  Uzbekistan

  2,140,917

  Vanuatu

  215,278

  Venezuela

  599,998

  Yemen

  224,390

  Yugoslavia

  10,642,874

  Total

  473,591,663

  Member States with outstanding contributions in respect of 1997 and prior years to UN peacekeeping budgets at 31 December 1997

  US Dollars

  United States of America

  939,730,922

  Ukraine

  207,583,065

  Russian Federation

  135,721,701

  Japan

  89,032,241

  Belarus

  50,381,334

  Poland

  12,209,317

  Brazil

  11,812,885

  Germany

  10,359,020

  Iran (Islamic Republic of)

  10,254,495

  France

  9,438,605

  Libyan Arab Jamahiriya

  5,519,961

  Uzbekistan

  5,432,654

  Italy

  5,315,133

  Kazakhstan

  5,165,323

  Azerbaijan

  4,539,503

  Yugoslavia

  4,228,918

  Georgia

  4,195,704

  Iraq

  4,186,627

  United Arab Emirates

  3,398,493

  Republic of Moldova

  3,135,365

  Croatia

  2,750,355

  Latvia

  2,587,218

  Indonesia

  2,267,199

  Spain

  2,124,198

  Turkey

  1,924,703

  Peru

  1,799,986

  Argentina

  1,719,558

  Armenia

  1,666,978

  Nigeria

  1,377,650

  Austria

  1,354,560

  Bulgaria

  1,303,480

  Netherlands

  1,285,780

  Kyrgyzstan

  1,236,109

  Turkmenistan

  1,236,109

  Democratic P. R. of Korea

  1,175,775

  Cuba

  1,158,424

  Lithuania

  1,095,458

  Estonia

  1,001,324

  Tajikistan

  985,503

  Syrian Arab Republic

  955,169

  Qatar

  942,899

  Belgium

  922,120

  China

  841,750

  Chile

  798,368

  Saudi Arabia

  785,658

  WA 63

  Member States with outstanding contributions in respect of 1997 and prior years to UN peacekeeping budgets at 31 December 1997

  US Dollars

  Greece

  713,212

  Ecuador

  688,979

  Venezuela

  658,339

  Guatemala

  601,785

  Trinidad and Tobago

  537,557

  Uruguay

  516,810

  Bosnia and Herzegovina

  462,734

  Czech Republic

  381,926

  Portugal

  375,619

  Gabon

  355,944

  Liberia

  329,817

  El Salvador

  318,183

  Dominican Republic

  310,346

  The Former Yugoslavia Republic of Macedonia

  300,483

  Bolivia

  298,972

  Mongolia

  295,494

  Romania

  291,060

  Israel

  268,072

  Congo

  260,126

  Cambodia

  256,149

  Honduras

  246,047

  Panama

  245,643

  Costa Rica

  237,608

  Nicaragua

  214,457

  New Zealand

  204,679

  Vietnam

  199,006

  Central African Republic

  198,744

  Equatorial Guinea

  196,576

  Madagascar

  192,337

  Sierra Leone

  191,947

  Mauritania

  191,862

  Yemen

  190,667

  Gambia

  178,843

  Republic of Korea

  178,092

  Democratic Republic of the Congo

  177,826

  Lebanon

  172,182

  Burundi

  167,349

  Comoros

  164,482

  Fiji

  154,277

  Djibouti

  151,907

  Vanuatu

  151,248

  Guinea

  149,584

  Niger

  147,794

  Sudan

  147,771

  Somalia

  145,588

  Burkina Faso

  143,709

  Saint Vincent and Grenadines

  142,229

  Chad

  142,123

  Sao Tome and Principe

  140,812

  Mexico

  139,380

  Cape Verde

  139,146

  Rwanda

  134,527

  Afghanistan

  133,863

  Guinea Bissau

  133,034

  Mali

  132,105

  Tunisia

  130,785

  Togo

  130,454

  Luxembourg

  130,347

  Maldives

  128,463

  United Republic of Tanzania

  128,363

  Algeria

  119,775

  Seychelles

  110,822

  Grenada

  105,224

  Solomon Islands

  100,722

  Belize

  96,777

  Senegal

  96,547

  Dominica

  89,986

  Bahrain

  82,163

  Marshall Islands

  81,049

  Thailand

  79,995

  Slovenia

  78,565

  Cameroon

  77,912

  WA 64

  Member States with outstanding contributions in respect of 1997 and prior years to UN peacekeeping budgets at 31 December 1997

  US Dollars

  Oman

  65,054

  Swaziland

  62,324

  Haiti

  58,816

  Bhutan

  53,835

  Kenya

  52,973

  Philippines

  52,882

  Saint Lucia

  48,215

  Papua New Guinea

  45,274

  CÔte d'Ivoire

  44,704

  Guyana

  44,375

  Ethiopia

  36,438

  Zimbabwe

  36,380

  Angola

  36,204

  Benin

  33,014

  Australia

  30,202

  Morocco

  29,367

  Bahamas

  28,794

  Iceland

  27,907

  Barbados

  27,046

  Singapore

  25,126

  Lesotho

  22,937

  Monaco

  22,425

  Albania

  21,069

  Samoa

  20,835

  Mozambique

  19,468

  Paraguay

  18,492

  Kuwait

  18,322

  Bangladesh

  17,587

  Sri Lanka

  17,383

  Antigua and Barbuda

  16,318

  Lao People's Democratic Republic

  14,951

  Uganda

  11,017

  Pakistan

  10,562

  Nepal

  10,465

  Malta

  10,365

  Malawi

  9,598

  Surinam

  9,513

  Andorra

  9,493

  Zambia

  8,654

  San Marino

  8,033

  Myanmar

  6,063

  Brunei Darussalam

  5,871

  Saint Kitts and Nevis

  5,570

  Ghana

  4,855

  Eritrea

  4,613

  Micronesia

  3,220

  Mauritius

  3,069

  Jamaica

  1,842

  Botswana

  1,213

  Palau

  950

  Namibia

  942

  Jordan

  190

  Norway

  40

  Total

  1,574,079,552

  Outstanding contributions in respect of 1998 dues to the UN Regular Budget as at 15 Janaury 1998

  Fifteen major contributors:

  USA

  297,727,256

  Japan

  189,093,100

  Germany

  50,929,603

  France

  68,292,675

  Italy

  56,724,775

  United Kingdom1

  53,141,600

  Russian Federation

  28,636,251

  Canada

  29,430,971

  Spain

  27,037,337

  Netherlands

  17,025,845

  WA 65

  Outstanding contributions in respect of 1998 dues to the UN Regular Budget as at 15 Janaury 1998

  Fifteen major contributors:

  Brazil

  15,921,637

  Australia

  15,460,437

  Sweden

  0

  Belgium

  11,525,835

  Republic of Korea

  9,729,096

  All other member states

  129,779,518

  Total

  1,000,455,936

  Note:

  1 The UK paid $26,251,950 of its 1998 Regular Budget subscription on 28 January.

  UN Resolutions
  Lord Monkswell
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Which countries are not in compliance with United Nations resolutions; and what are the brief details of those resolutions. [HL608]

  Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean
  The UN Security Council has adopted 1,152 resolutions, the General Assembly over 8,600. These are publicly available. The information requested in the Question could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

  Northern Ireland: Abortion Law
  Lord Braine of Wheatley
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What aspects of the laws relating to abortion in Northern Ireland need clarifying and whether their desire to clear up the present uncertainty includes liberalising the law. [HL529]

  The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Northern Ireland Office (Lord Dubs)
  The existing statute law in Northern Ireland is unsatisfactory. It simply prohibits illegal abortions but does not specify the grounds on which abortions can be legally performed. There is a lack of clarity with regard to who should decide on abortions and on what grounds High Court Judges and the Standing Commission on Human Rights have commented critically on this uncertainty.

  The Government have no plans to liberalise the law or to extend the Abortion Act 1967 to Northern Ireland. The Government recognise that this is a highly controversial and sensitive issue and wish to take a considered view before any decision on future action is taken. There would be full consultation with Northern Ireland elected representatives before any introduction of proposals for legislative change. Our strong preference would be for any legislation to be handled by a devolved administration or by way of a private Member's Bill from a Northern Ireland Member.

  Land Registration Act: Entry into Force
  Lord Aberdare
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  When they anticipate that the provisions of Section 1 of the Land Registration Act 1997 will come into force under the terms of Section 5(2) of the Act. [HL540]

  The Lord Chancellor (Lord Irvine of Lairg)
  Section 1 of the Act, together with the associated parts of Section 4 and Schedules 1 and 2, will be brought into force on 1 April 1998 by the Land Registration Act 1997 (Commencement) Order 1997 (SI 1997/3036) which was made on 9 December 1997. The remaining provisions of the Act came into force on 27 April 1997.

  Lord Chancellor's Residence: Works of Art
  Lord Freyberg
  asked the Chairman of Committees:

  What paintings and other works of art will adorn the Lord Chancellor's refurbished residence, and from which national, Government and public collections will they be borrowed. [HL698]

  The Chairman of Committees (Lord Boston of Faversham)
  These loans have been arranged between the Lord Chancellor and the lending galleries and are not a matter for the House authorities.

  Defence Supplementary Estimate
  Lord Gregson
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What changes have been made to the Class 1 cash limits and the defence operating costs limit for 1997–98. [30412]

  The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Gilbert)
  The Government have decided that, subject to parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, an addition should be made to the defence budget to cover the additional costs of operations by UK forces in Bosnia in the current financial year. These costs are estimated to be £189 million. Some £11 million will be met from technical adjustments, leaving £178 million which will be met from the Reserve.

  A Spring Supplementary Estimate is, therefore, to be presented to Parliament to take on to Vote the additional provision of £178 million. The Supplementary estimate will also make adjustments between the defence operating costs programme (mostly Votes 1 and 2) and the defence equipment programme (Vote 3) to reflect the expected pattern of expenditure on the defence programme generally.

  Because of the adjustment between operating costs and the equipment programme, the additional funding will be drawn on to Class 1, Vote 3 and token increases of £1K will be taken on Votes 1 and 2. The cash limits on votes 1 and 2 will, however, be reduced and that on vote 3 increased by more than the amount of the

  WA 67
  additional funding to reflect the realignment. The cash limit changes will be as follows:

  £'000s

  Current cash

  Revised cash

  Class 1 Vote

  limit

  Change

  limit

  1

  10,096,130

  -3,786

  10,092,344

  2

  4,754,337

  -59,263

  4,695,074

  3

  6,112,530

  241,068

  6,353,598

  Total

  20,962,997

  178,019

  21,141,016

  The impact of these changes on the Ministry of Defence Operating Cost limit is as follows:

  £'000s

  Current cash

  Revised cash

  Class 1 Vote

  limit

  Change

  limit

  1

  10,090,598

  -3,786

  10,086,812

  2

  4,754,337

  -59,263

  4,695,074

  3

  735,976

  -1,720

  734,256

  Total

  15,580,911

  -64,769

  15,516,142

  Because the increase on the defence budget cash limit will be met from the Reserve, which is part of the Government Control total, it will not add to the planned total of public expenditure.

  Depleted Uranium
  The Countess of Mar
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What health and safety category has been allocated to materials using depleted uranium technology; what is the relevant EU legislation; and whether they will place in the Library of the House of Lords a copy of the health and safety regulations issued to civilian and military personnel concerning the proper use, handling and transportation of DU munitions and other materials in the United Kingdom. [HL432]

  Lord Gilbert
  Under the United Nations system of classification for dangerous goods, depleted uranium falls into Class 7, radioactive, as a material of low specific activity. The most relevant piece of EU legislation is Council Directive 80/836/Euratom, as amended by 84/467/Euratom, laying down basic safety standards for the protection of workers and the general public against the dangers arising from ionising radiation. This EU legislation was largely implemented in the UK by the Ionising Radiations Regulations 1985, a copy of which was placed in the Library of each House in that year. Other legislation contributed to full implementation of the Directive. A revised Directive, Directive 96/29 Euratom, which will repeal those of 1980 and 1984 with effect from 13 May 2000, was adopted on 13 May 1996. The Health and Safety Commission has recently agreed to the publication of a Consultative Document containing proposals for revising the Ionising Radiations Regulations 1985. Other relevant domestic legislation will be amended or augmented as necessary.
  WA 68
  Directive 80/1107/EEC on the protection of workers from risks related to exposure to chemical, physical and biological agents at work is also relevant. This Directive is implemented in Great Britain in part by the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1994. Because of its chemical toxicity, depleted uranium is subject to the provisions of these regulations as a substance hazardous to health.

  With regard to the safety advice issued within MoD concerning the safe handling and use of depleted uranium munitions, I refer the noble Countess to the Answer I gave in my letter of 2 February, subsequently published in the Official Report on 17 February, cols. 17–22. In addition, I have made arrangements to have placed in the Libraries of both Houses copies of Joint Service Publication 392, Instructions for Radiological Protection. Chapter 48 deals with radiological protection arrangements for uranium.

  The Countess of Mar
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether any British troops were exposed to any of the products of combustion from depleted uranium (DU) ammunition from friendly fire; contact with enemy tanks, other vehicles or equipment damaged by DU munitions; or other contamination created by disturbance of sand by atmospheric conditions and troop vehicle movements; and, if they were, what measures they are taking to monitor their health status. [HL473]

  Lord Gilbert
  Some British Service personnel may have come into contact with the products of combustion of depleted uranium during, or immediately following, the Gulf conflict. No specific measures are being taken to monitor their health, although some of them may have attended the MoD's Medical Assessment Programme, MAP. None of those veterans who have so far been examined by the MAP has to my knowledge displayed any symptoms consistent with exposure to depleted uranium.

  A very small number of British troops, who expressed concern that they might have inhaled DU dust during training in the Gulf before the start of hostilities, were subjected to Whole Body Monitoring in February 1991 by the Defence Radiological Protection Services, DRPS, at the Institute of Naval Medicine. This process failed to detect any DU contamination in these individuals.

  Vitamin B6
  The Countess of Mar
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  To what extent their proposed restrictions on the retail sale of Vitamin B6 are consistent with the recent remarks of the Secretary of State for Health on Radio 4's Today programme about the need to end the concept of the "nanny state" and to provide consumers with the information they need about risks in order that they may make informed personal choices. [HL567]
  WA 69
  The Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Lord Donoughue)
  The proposed limit of 10mg per daily dose applies to the level of Vitamin B6 in dietary supplements sold under food law. Such products will also carry a warning about the risk of harmful effects from consuming high doses of Vitamin B6 over extended periods. Higher dose products licensed as medicines for the treatment of specific clinical conditions will continue to be available from pharmacies and on prescription for those who need them. These arrangements will ensure that consumers have access to information on the risks associated with Vitamin B6 that will allow them to make an informed personal choice about its use.

  Vitamin B6: Dr. Dalton's Study
  Baroness Wharton
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether they intend to review their plans for restrictions on the retail sale of Vitamin B6 in the light of the observation on 3 February by Dr. K. Dalton that her study on Vitamin B6 was a preliminary communication. [HL610]

  Lord Donoughue
  The Government have no plans to review the proposed controls on the level of Vitamin B6 in dietary supplements sold under food law in the light of the observation made by Dr. K. Dalton.

  Vitamin B6: Representations to the COT
  Baroness Wharton
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  How the Minister for Food Safety was able to determine which representations from scientists should be copied to the Secretariat of the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT), and whether they will now make available to COT copies of all 10,200 representations received since July 1997. [HL611]

  Lord Donoughue
  Most of the representations received on the Government's proposed controls on Vitamin B6 in dietary supplements, many of which are in the form of standard letters, do not comment in detail on the scientific basis of the advice provided by the COT. The Chairman and members of the COT are already familiar with the criticisms of their review that are made in such representations. In these circumstances, there would be no benefit in copying all of the representations to the COT. Those representations which appear to present new information on the safety of Vitamin B6 and are supported by detailed scientific arguments have been copied to the COT secretariat as a matter of course.

  Agriculture Council, 16–17 February
  Lord Howell
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What was the outcome of the Agriculture Council held in Brussels on 16 to 17 February. [HL660]

  Lord Donoughue
  My right honourable friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food chaired the second meeting under the United Kingdom Presidency of the European Union Council of Agriculture Ministers on 16–17 February in Brussels. I 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. My right honourable friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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, I 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. My right honourable friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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. My right honourable friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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.
  WA 71
  I 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. My right honourable friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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.

  Rent Comparisons
  Lord Dean of Beswick
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What are the average weekly rents currently being paid by tenants in:

  (a) council houses

  (b) housing associations; and

  (c) the private sector. [HL617]

  The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (Baroness Hayman)
  The most recent information available on average rents in England is:

  £ per week

  (a) council tenants

  41.18 (at 30 April 1997)

  (b) housing association tenants

  46.74 (at 31 March 1997)

  (c) private tenants

  76.00 (April 1996 to March 1997 average)

  Council and housing association rents are from returns by local authorities and housing associations. The figure for the private rented sector is an estimate from the Survey of English Housing and, like all such estimates, is subject to sampling variability.

  Disabled Tax Class Vehicle Registrations
  Lord Morris of Manchester
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  How many vehicles have been registered in each of the last five years in the disabled class for first registration of vehicles in the United Kingdom. [HL662]

  Baroness Hayman
  Statistics for the number of vehicles registered in each of the last five years in the disabled tax class are only available for Great Britain.

  Numbers for the last five calendar years are:

  1993: 69,200

  1994: 81,700

  1995: 94,600

  1996: 111,100

  1997: 122,100

  WA 72
  Lord Morris of Manchester
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What representations they have received from the Disabled Drivers' Association in regard to the fee for first registration of vehicles in the United Kingdom in the Disabled class. [HL666]

  Baroness Hayman
  The Disabled Drivers' Association have responded to the recent consultation exercise carried out by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency. Their views have been taken into account and vehicles first registered in the disabled tax class will be exempt from the fee.

  Murder Statistics for Major Cities
  Lord Mason of Barnsley
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  How many murders were committed in Glasgow, Cardiff, Liverpool, London and Belfast during the calendar years 1996 and 1997. [HL593]

  The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Williams of Mostyn)
  The available information for Cardiff, Liverpool and London relates to recorded offences of homicide (i.e. offences of murder, manslaughter and infanticide) and has been provided by the appropriate police forces in England and Wales. In 1996, there were six homicide offences recorded in the Cardiff area, 14 recorded in the Liverpool City area and 144 recorded in the London area (covering the Metropolitan Police District and the City of London). There were 24 homicides recorded in Glasgow in 1996. There were 17 homicides recorded in Belfast in 1996 and 28 offences recorded in 1997.

  Comparable information for the cities other than Belfast is not yet available for 1997.

  Prisoners: Shackling
  Baroness Kennedy of The Shaws
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What steps they are taking to ensure that First Step Agencies within the prison system are observing the Prison Service's guidelines, in the light of the shackling of a 30 year-old pregnant woman from Brockhill Prison, Worcestershire, to a radiator at Leek Magistrates' Court. [HL594]

  Lord Williams of Mostyn
  The decision to secure the prisoner concerned to the radiator at the court stemmed from the lack of secure custody facilities there, but it was still wrong. The Prison Service and the escort contractor involved, Premier Prison Services, regret what happened. Premier's staff otherwise looked after the prisoner well while she was in their custody and the company has an excellent record of prisoner care generally.

  All escort contractors have been reminded in writing that prisoners should not be secured to fixed objects. In addition, the Prison Service will be reviewing with

  WA 73
  contractors their operational procedures to see whether, in the light of this case and the inadequate facilities at many courts, any further changes are necessary.

  Institutional Child Care Costs
  Lord Northbourne
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What is their estimate of the daily cost of providing high quality institutional child care for a nine-hour day for a child in its first, second, third, fourth and fifth years respectively. [HL645]

  The Minister of State, Department of Health (Baroness Jay of Paddington)
  There are no centrally collected statistics in the form requested on the cost of providing institutional child care for young children. This is due in part to the huge diversity in the types of provision available. The gross cost per child per annum (excluding capital charges) of day care, mainly for children in need, provided by social services departments in England in 1995–96, as estimated by the Chartered Institute for Public Finance and Accountancy, was £6,293. Families in receipt of Income Support or Family Credit would not be charged for this service. It has also been estimated by the Daycare Trust that in 1997 the typical childcare costs for parents for a full time place for a child under 5 at a private day nursery were between £70 and £180 per week.

  Health Improvement Strategy: Consultation
  Lord Morris of Manchester
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether they will ensure that the forthcoming Green Paper on public health strategy will contain a commitment to raising health standards of those over the age of 65; and whether specific health targets will be set for older people. [HL559]

  Baroness Jay of Paddington
  My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Health launched the Government's Green Paper Our Healthier Nation with a statement in another place on 5 February. The Green Paper sets out a new strategy for health in England. The strategy's two key aims are:

  to improve the health of the population as a whole by increasing the length of people's lives and the number of years people spend free from illness; and

  to improve the health of the worst off in society and to narrow the health gap.

  Those two aims clearly apply to people over 65. The strategy also proposes four national targets for improving health. Two—for reducing accidents and suicides—are not couched in age-specific terms. The remaining two—for reducing mortality from heart disease and stroke and from cancers—are both proposed for people aged under 65. Death cannot be prevented indefinitely, so these targets have been set to recognise the fact that it is amongst younger people that the earliest signs of progress are likely to become apparent.
  WA 74
  The targets will therefore provide a sensitive early indication of progress overall. Efforts to reduce heart disease and cancer mortality will not be restricted only to those people aged under 65 years.

  My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Scotland published the Green Paper Working Together For a Healthier Scotland on the same day. The Green Paper sets out proposals for improving the health of the population in Scotland.

  My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Wales will shortly be publishing a consultation paper on a health strategy for Wales.

  The strategy for improving the health and social well-being of the people of Northern Ireland, Well Into 2000, was published in December 1997.

  Consultation on both the English and Scottish Green Papers runs to 30 April.

  Academic Awards: Jewish Holders
  Lord Tebbit
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether, in discussions between Department of Health officials and the Commission for Racial Equality concerning the number of academic awards granted to medical consultants from ethnic minorities, persons of Jewish origin are regarded as members of an ethnic minority. [HL614]

  Baroness Jay of Paddington
  People of Jewish origin are regarded as a racial group, and as such are protected by race relations legislation. However, the ethnic origin categories used by the Office for National Statistics do not include a separate Jewish category. Since these are the categories used for ethnic monitoring of the distinction awards scheme, it is not possible to identify the proportion of award holders who are Jewish. The discussions with the commission concerned a number of measures to be introduced in the 1998 awards round to secure better data, monitoring of outcomes, representation of ethnic minority consultants on awards committees, and some changes to the criteria for awards.

  Vitamin B6: Professor Beckett's Letter
  Earl Baldwin of Bewdley
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether the Chairman of the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT) has yet replied to the letter which he recently received from Professor Arnold Beckett and 200 other scientists opposing his recommendations on the safety of Vitamin B6. [HL599]

  Baroness Jay of Paddington
  The Chairman of the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT) has replied to Professor Beckett's letter. A copy of the reply has been placed in the Library.

  Vitamin B6: COT Power to Review Recommendations
  Earl Baldwin of Bewdley
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether the Chairman of the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT) is able to review his previous recommendations on the safety of Vitamin B6 other than at the request of the Minister; and what steps would need to be taken to permit such a review to proceed. [HL598]

  Baroness Jay of Paddington
  The Chairman of the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment could initiate a review of the Committee's previous recommendations on Vitamin B6 if he were convinced that this was necessary.

  To do so he would direct the Secretariat to prepare papers for the Committee.

  Vitamin B6: Literature Considered by the COT
  The Countess of Mar
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  In relation to their assertion on 30 October 1997 (WA 254) that the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT) "made their recommendations after considering the totality of the published literature on Vitamin B6 toxicity", whether that "totality" refers to the 106 papers named in the list placed in the Library of the House or to the 10,000 papers referred to by Professor Arnold Beckett in a recent letter to the Chairman of the COT; and, if the former, whether the COT consider the remaining 9,894 papers irrelevant. [HL566]

  Baroness Jay of Paddington
  The Secretariat of the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT) have not been provided with the search terms that Professor Beckett used and cannot directly verify his statement which indicated that "many address the issue of safety" and therefore presumably there are others that do not.

  The searches carried out by the Secretariat identified those papers critical to the COT's assessment.

  Health Authority Allocations
  Lord Dean of Beswick
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  What are the present financial allocations to the regional health authorities and what these represent in per capita terms in each area. [HL616]

  Baroness Jay of Paddington
  As a result of the abolition of regional health authorities on 31 March WA 76
  1996, allocations for 1996–97 onwards have been made directly to health authorities (HAs).

  The most recent allocations relate to 1998–99 and the table shows general allocation and general allocation per weighted head of population for each HA in England. Allocations per head of weighted population are being equalised over time.

  1998–99 general allocations and allocation per weighted head of population for health authorities in England

  Health Authorities

  Allocation

  Allocation per weighted head

  £000s

  £

  Bradford

  229,200

  450

  Calderdale and Kirklees

  272,948

  459

  County Durham

  298,927

  448

  East Riding

  261,793

  454

  Gateshead and South Tyneside

  187,624

  460

  Leeds

  339,927

  457

  Newcastle and North Tyneside

  248,792

  462

  North Cumbria

  144,729

  463

  North Yorkshire

  318,712

  464

  Northumberland

  141,701

  461

  Sunderland

  147,757

  450

  Tees

  269,175

  451

  Wakefield

  152,248

  471

  Barnsley

  110,005

  440

  Doncaster

  138,789

  447

  Leicestershire

  378,967

  448

  Lincolnshire

  278,608

  463

  North Derbyshire

  167,949

  465

  North Nottinghamshire

  174,754

  452

  Nottingham

  286,648

  447

  Rotherham

  119,916

  450

  Sheffield

  271,140

  471

  South Derbyshire

  246,395

  459

  South Humber

  145,527

  477

  Bedfordshire

  224,367

  448

  Berkshire

  310,601

  446

  Buckinghamshire

  263,789

  460

  Cambridge and Huntingdon

  170,382

  454

  East Norfolk

  270,403

  461

  North West Anglia

  180,010

  451

  Northamptonshire

  252,747

  466

  Oxfordshire

  234,530

  454

  Suffolk

  280,922

  476

  Barking and Havering

  190,213

  468

  Barnet

  155,454

  491

  Brent and Harrow

  239,173

  496

  Camden and Islington

  251,800

  500

  Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow

  359,671

  479

  East and North Hertfordshire

  205,436

  471

  East London and the City

  366,867

  445

  Enfield and Haringey

  248,639

  471

  Hillingdon

  118,252

  464

  Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster

  212,220

  443

  North Essex

  370,351

  453

  Redbridge and Waltham Forest

  231,328

  484

  South Essex

  303,047

  450

  West Hertfordshire

  235,060

  476

  Bexley and Greenwich

  222,784

  493

  Bromley

  134,830

  471

  Croydon

  152,812

  464

  East Kent

  289,217

  463

  East Surrey

  182,949

  483

  East Sussex, Brighton and Hove

  372,547

  469

  Kingston and Richmond

  156,580

  496

  Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham

  442,521

  466

  Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth

  322,343

  487

  WA 77

  1998–99 general allocations and allocation per weighted head of population for health authorities in England

  Health Authorities

  Allocation

  Allocation per weighted head

  £000s

  £

  West Kent

  406,653

  472

  West Surrey

  274,394

  489

  West Sussex

  342,161

  463

  Avon

  429,674

  466

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

  227,525

  465

  Dorset

  327,559

  477

  Gloucestershire

  242,648

  479

  Isle of Wight

  67,949

  504

  North and East Devon

  221,388

  474

  North and Mid Hampshire

  215,612

  480

  Portsmouth and South East Hampshire

  240,760

  468

  Somerset

  210,919

  467

  South and West Devon

  280,719

  469

  Southampton and South West Hampshire

  235,558

  464

  Wiltshire

  251,545

  481

  Birmingham

  506,138

  464

  Coventry

  142,724

  448

  Dudley

  134,546

  459

  Herefordshire

  72,096

  466

  North Staffordshire

  221,771

  451

  Sandwell

  146,261

  460

  Shropshire

  178,325

  458

  Solihull

  83,831

  472

  South Staffordshire

  239,424

  466

  Walsall

  120,285

  446

  Warwickshire

  218,459

  481

  Wolverhampton

  118,036

  456

  Worcestershire

  222,806

  475

  Bury and Rochdale

  183,925

  449

  East Lancashire

  253,100

  451

  Liverpool

  253,814

  465

  Manchester

  250,313

  473

  Morecambe Bay

  151,742

  485

  North Cheshire

  151,836

  482

  North West Lancashire

  234,450

  447

  Salford and Trafford

  224,171

  459

  Sefton

  145,852

  468

  South Cheshire

  292,831

  465

  South Lancashire

  138,391

  479

  St. Helen's and Knowsley

  162,218

  451

  Stockport

  126,212

  447

  West Pennine

  225,704

  446

  Residence

  1978

  1988

  1998

  No. 10 and No. 11 Downing Street

  The Prime Minister, Mr. Callaghan; the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Healey.

  The Prime Minister, Mrs. Thatcher; the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Lawson.

  The Prime Minister, Mr. Blair; the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Brown.

  Admiralty House

  The Secretary of State for Defence, Mr. Mulley; the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Mr. Mason; the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Mr. Rees.

  The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Mr. King; Lord Havers; the Attorney General, Sir Patrick Mayhew.

  The Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Prescott; the President of the Board of Trade, Mrs. Beckett; the Secretary of State for Defence, Mr. Robertson.

  Carlton Gardens

  The Foreign Secretary, Mr. Owen.

  The Foreign Secretary, Sir Geoffrey Howe.

  The Foreign Secretary, Mr. Cook.

  Government House in Pimlico

  N/A

  The Home Secretary, Mr. Hurd.

  The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland; Dr. Mowlam.

  Bute House

  The Secretary of State for Scotland, Mr. Millan.

  The Secretary of Slate for Scotland, Mr. Rifkind.

  The Secretary of State for Scotland, Mr. Dewar.

  Hillsborough Castle

  N/A

  The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Mr. King.

  The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. Dr. Mowlam.

  WA 78

  1998–99 general allocations and allocation per weighted head of population for health authorities in England

  Health Authorities

  Allocation

  Allocation per weighted head

  £000s

  £

  Wigan and Bolton

  273,219

  441

  Wirral

  163,688

  457

  England total

  22,895,307

  464

  Vitamin B6: MPs' Letter to the COT
  Baroness Wharton
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether the Chairman of the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT) has yet replied to the letter which he recently received from 47 Members of the House of Commons opposing his recommendations on the safety of Vitamin B6. [HL612]

  Baroness Jay of Paddington
  The Chairman of the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT) has asked the Secretariat to reply on his behalf. Letters were sent out to Members on 17 February 1998.

  Ministers' Official Living Accommodation
  Lord Marlesford
  asked Her Majesty's Government:

  Whether they will list those Ministers, by name and office, who occupied official living accommodation in London or elsewhere, giving in each case the address of the accommodation, in:

  (a) Janaury 1978;

  (b) January 1988; and

  (c) January 1998. [HL396]

  Lord McIntosh of Haringey
  The information requested is set out in the table below.
  WA 79

  Residence

  1978

  1988

  1998

  Chequers

  The Prime Minister, Mr. Callaghan.

  The Prime Minister, Mrs. Thatcher.

  The Prime Minister, Mr. Blair.

  Chevening

  N/A

  The Foreign Secretary, Sir Geoffrey Howe.

  The Foreign Secretary, Mr. Cook.

  Dorney Wood

  Information is not available.

  The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Lawson.

  The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Brown.

  In addition, part of Stormont House is made available to Northern Ireland Office Ministers while on duty.
  WA 80