Written Answers of 15 January 1998

WALES

  Referendum
  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what checks were made to ensure that all counting areas involved in the Welsh referendum were following the same procedure in relation to new guidance provided following representations from Denbighshire on the night of 18 September; and if he will make a statement. [23133]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  Decisions as to what regard should be had to the advice given by the Chief Counting Officer on the night of 18 September were for individual Counting Officers to take at their discretion; it would not have been appropriate for my officials to make inquiries on that matter during the course of the various counts.

  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what advice he sought, and from whom, following representations received relating to the conduct of the count of the Welsh referendum. [23157]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  I became aware of concerns in my constituency capacity in respect of the count in Caerphilly County Borough. I asked the Counting Officer to consider these and advise me of the outcome. He replied on 29 September. A copy of his letter has been placed in the Library of the House. I have received no other representations on this matter.

  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with Labour Party officials in his official capacity concerning the Welsh devolution referendum count in Caerphilly; on what dates these discussions took place; and if he will make a statement on the content of these discussions. [23166]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  None.

  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales who gave the instructions for guidance to counting officers to be changed during the counting of the Welsh referendum votes; when this instruction was given; and what action was taken to ensure that the new guidance was followed. [23159]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  The Chief Counting Officer decided to issue supplementary advice in response to the representations received from Denbighshire Counting Officer; this decision was made at approximately 11 pm on the night of 18 September. The advice was telephoned to Counting Officers. It was for them to decide what regard should be had to it, and it would not have been appropriate for officials to make further inquiries during the course of the counts as to how Counting Officers were exercising their discretion.

  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he was first notified of allegations of irregularities in the count of the Welsh devolution referendum count at Caerphilly. [23171]
  250
  Mr. Ron Davies
  I received verbal representations in my constituency capacity shortly after the referendum on 18 September.

  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what input into guidance to counting officers in the Welsh referendum(a) he and (b) his officials provided. [23267]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  I made no input. My officials prepared draft guidance for the Chief Counting Officer to issue, drawing on guidance issued by the Home Office for the 1997 General Election.

  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what(a) correspondence an (b) discussions his special adviser has had relating to the Welsh devolution referendum count at Caerphilly. [23135]

  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what(a) correspondence and (b) discussions his special adviser has had relating to the Welsh devolution referendum count at Caerphilly. [23169]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  Neither of my advisers either corresponded about, or discussed, the count before Tuesday 6 January.

  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales at what hour the chief counting officer gave new guidance to counting officers in relation to the counting of votes during the Welsh referendum count. [23151]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  At approximately 11pm.

  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Clwyd, West (Mr. Thomas) of 12 January 1997,Official Report, columns 39–41, by what means he became aware of complaints made by Caerphilly County Borough Council relating to aspects of the Welsh referendum count; and which representatives of his Department attended meetings at which such irregularities were discussed. [23168]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  I am not aware of any complaints made by Caerphilly County Borough Council.

  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on his discussions with the chief counting officer during the counting of the referendum votes in Wales. [23156]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  I had no discussions with the Chief Counting Officer during the counting of the referendum votes in Wales.

  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what guidance his Department gave to returning officers relating to the Welsh devolution referendum counts in Wales; and if he will publish this guidance. [23163]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  I refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Clwyd, West (Mr. Thomas) on 12 January 1997,Official Report, columns 39–41, and to the supplementary letter I sent the hon. Member on the same day. Copies of that letter, and of the guidance issued to Counting Officers, are in the Libraries.

  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with his Department's officials since the result of the referendum was made known relating to the Welsh devolution referendum count at Caerphilly; and what was the date of such discussions. [23155]
  251
  Mr. Ron Davies
  I had no discussions with officials on this matter before 6 January, the date of publication of articles in The Scotsman newspaper referring to the count at Caerphilly. In light of that publication, I sought information from officials as to whether they had received any complaints or correspondence relating to that count, and I informed them of action I had taken in my constituency capacity on the matter.

  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with his officials relating to irregularities during referendum counts in Wales. [23161]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  Following publication of press articles in The Scotsman and the Western Mail, I have discussed with my officials the various allegations made, and the terms of my answer to the hon. Member for Clwyd, West (Mr. Thomas), on 12 January 1997, Official Report, columns 39–41.

  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he made relating to the count of the votes at Caerphilly to the Chief Counting Officer for Wales(a) prior to and (b) after 1 January. [23152]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  (a) None. (b) None.

  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions(a) he and (b) his officials have had with the Chief Executive of Caerphilly County Council since 1 January; and if he will make a statement. [23158]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  (a) In my constituency capacity, I telephoned the Chief Executive on 6 January, following publication in The Scotsman of articles about the Caerphilly count. The purpose of my inquiry was to seek information about any outstanding complaints or concerns relating to the count. I was informed that there were no such complaints or concerns outstanding, all matters having been answered to the complainants' satisfaction in a letter from the Chief Executive dated 28 October 1997.

  (b) None.

  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the training and guidance advice given to counting officers conducting counts during the Welsh referendum. [23162]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  I have made no such assessment, but I consider the counting procedures to have complied fully with the Parliamentary Election Rules which Parliament stipulated should apply to the referendum.

  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the representations he has received relating to errors that were made during the Welsh referendum count. [23153]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  As at 12 January, I had received no representations and I am unaware of any errors that may have been made.

  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the correspondence between the Welsh Office and other bodies relating to the Welsh devolution referendum count at Caerphilly; and if he will make public this correspondence. [23160]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  There has been no such correspondence.
  252
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what representations he has received in relation to the count of the votes in the Welsh referendum in Caerphilly; [23129]

  (2) what reports he has received in relation to the counting of votes in the Welsh referendum in Caerphilly. [23173]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  I received verbal representations in my constituency capacity shortly after the referendum on 18 September. I requested the Chief Executive to consider them, and he wrote to me again in my constituency capacity, on 29 September. That letter is the only report I have received. A copy of it, and of my reply of 20 October, are in the Libraries.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales for how long his Department proposes to retain the ballot papers relating to the Welsh referendum; and for what purpose. [23154]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  The papers will be retained for one year from 18 September 1997. It is considered appropriate to follow the practice adopted in respect of ballot papers at parliamentary elections.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had in his official capacity with outside bodies relating to the Welsh referendum count at Caerphilly; and if he will make a statement. [23165]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  None.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what advice his officials issued relating to the counting of spoilt ballot papers during the Welsh devolution referendum count. [23270]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  Following the Chief Counting Officer's decision, in response to a request from the Denbighshire Counting Officer, to issue further advice on the treatment of ballot papers with the word "No" written opposite the "I do not agree" box, officials telephoned other Counting Officers to inform them that this advice had been given. The officials were acting in support of the Chief Counting Officer, and not on my behalf or with my knowledge.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what verbal advice was given during the Welsh devolution referendum count to returning officers seeking clarification on the counting of spoilt ballot papers. [23150]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Clwyd, West (Mr. Thomas) on 12 January 1997,Official Report, columns 39–41.

  Ministerial Travel (Trains)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on what date he last used a train in the course of his official duties. [22932]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  Today.

  Overseas Visits
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list all overseas visits made since 1 May 1997 on which he or any other Minister in his Department has
  253
  been accompanied under Rule 83 of the Ministerial Code, indicating (a) who accompanied him or her (b) the cost to public funds of each such visit. [23248]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  No overseas visits have been made since 1 May 1997 by myself or either Minister in my Department on which I or they have been accompanied under Rule 83 of the Ministerial Code.

  National Health Service
  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to publish the White Paper on the future of the NHS in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [23782]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  Our White Paper on the future of the NHS in Wales, "Putting Patients First", is published today. The White Paper has been laid before Parliament and copies are also available in the Library of the House and in the Vote Office.

  "Putting Patients First" fulfils the undertakings we made before coming into office. It abolishes the divisive internal market in the NHS and charts a course for NHS Wales which will restore it as a truly national service of quality, responsive to the needs of its patients.

  Our objectives are clear. An NHS which is people centred; an NHS which is delivering quality services in a seamless and collaborative way; an NHS which makes full use of new technologies and makes best practice common practice. "Putting Patients First" provides the framework within which these objectives will be pursued. Fragmentation, inequality and bureaucracy will be replaced by integrated services, collaboration and improved efficiency, saving £50 million over the lifetime of this Parliament for reinvesting in patient care.

  Health Authorities and NHS trusts will be retained with new duties and responsibilities for improving health and for working co-operatively with others. We will honour our commitment to reinforce the place of primary care through the creation of Local Health Groups. These will allow professionals to take the lead, in co-operation with others, in planning and providing services locally for the benefit of their patients. They will have budgets and new freedoms to use the available resources in the best interests of their patients. Through these Groups, all primary care professionals, social services departments and others will be able to address the needs of their patients, without the divisions and inequalities of the GP fundholding scheme.

  "Putting Patients First" sets out our vision for the NHS in Wales with measures suited to Welsh needs. It lays the foundations for the work of the National Assembly and gives NHS Wales a clear framework within which to address the health of our people and improve the health services they are due.

  Government Residential Property
  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how his Department has performed against last year's targets for reducing empty government residential property; and what new targets have been set for 1997–98. [23783]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  I am pleased to announce that my Department was successful in meeting the target set for disposal of empty government homes in 1996–97.
  254
  We are continuing to set challenging targets for disposal or bringing back into use those properties which become empty and hope to be able to maintain our success over the coming year.

  Details of achievements against targets for 1996–97 and new targets for 1997–98 are set out as follows:

  Empty Government residential property Welsh Office achievements 1996–97

  Total stock 1 April 1996

  Empty stock 1 April 1996

  1996–97 target for disposal or bringing back into use

  Achievement against target

  1243

  50

  39

  39

  1 Includes NHS.

  Welsh Office targets 1997–98

  Total stock 1 April 1997

  Empty stock 1 April 1997

  Target for disposal or bringing back into use

  1114

  33

  33

  1 Excludes NHS.

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

  Investment Decisions
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners what account he takes of scripture in making investment decisions. [22940]

  Mr. Stuart Bell
  The Commissioners' ethical investment policy is exercised in the context of their duty to manage their inherited assets to provide financial support for the clergy of the Church of England, especially in areas of need and opportunity.

  Reconciling their legal duty to achieve the best return for their beneficiaries with their Christian heritage and with the views of Church people is central to the Commissioners' mission.

  The Ethical Investment Working Group set up in October 1994 as a joint venture between the Commissioners and the other central Church investing bodies keeps their ethical investment policy under constant review.

PRIME MINISTER

  Paymaster General (Letter)
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Prime Minister when he and the law officers approved the threat of legal action in a letter on behalf of the Paymaster General to newspapers. [22586]

  The Prime Minister
  The main purpose of the letters sent to the Sunday Times and The Observer on 8 December on behalf of the Paymaster General was to set the facts straight following the publication the previous day of inaccurate and misleading reports. Neither I nor the Law Officers approved these letters before they

  255
  were sent. However, the Law Officers were consulted subsequently on the issues relating to possible future legal proceedings.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Trans-European Transport Network
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which United Kingdom ports on the East Coast have been excluded from the list for the Trans-European Transport Network proposed by the EU Commission; and if he will obtain from the Commission its reasons for excluding any of the United Kingdom ports on the East Coast. [22733]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I understand that the EU Commission's proposal includes all ports with a total annual freight turnover of 1 million tonnes or 200,000 international passengers or which provide connections between land links of the Trans-European Network (TEN).

  The following English east coast ports are included under the new criteria:

  Folkestone

  Dover

  Ramsgate

  Medway

  London

  Harwich

  Ipswich

  Felixstowe

  Great Yarmouth

  King's Lynn

  Boston

  Grimsby/Immingham

  Goole

  Hull

  Tees and Hartlepool

  Sunderland

  Tyne.

  My officials will be discussing the proposal further with the Commission. If the hon. Member has any particular concerns, we would be pleased to know of them.

  Road Accidents (Diabetic Drivers)
  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions in respect of how many fatal vehicular accidents in England and Wales during each of the past 10 years there was evidence that the major contributory factor lay with drivers who were insulin-dependent diabetes sufferers. [22802]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We do not have comprehensive figures as information on the medical circumstances of drivers involved in accidents cannot be readily collected. Studies have shown, however, that a significant proportion of collapses at the wheel have been the result of hypoglycaemia, and there have been a number of accidents involving collapses over the years.

  Roadside Drainage Pipes
  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what video material relating to damage to plastic roadside drainage pipes has been collated by the Department of Transport; and if it is available for public examination. [22759]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. Lawrie Haynes, to write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Dr. Alan Whitehead, dated 15 January 1998:
  I have been asked by the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State to reply to your recent question about what video material relating to damage to plastic roadside drainage pipes has been collated by the Department of Transport, and if it is available for public examination.
  Video surveys of roadside drainage pipes have been undertaken for the Highways Agency by it's Maintaining Agents on certain sections of the trunk road network to assist with the maintenance of the network drainage. A sample of the surveys has been analysed by the Transport Research Laboratory for the Agency as part of an ongoing research project to investigate the performance of all types of drainage pipes. Statistical information identifying defects for all types of pipes, including plastic pipes, have been produced from these data.
  This research information is as yet unpublished but it can be made available on request. To view this information please contact Santi Santhalingam on 0171 921 2215.

  Rail Passengers and Freight
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will revise passenger and freight access charges to stimulate greater use of the rail network. [22840]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The setting of access charges is the responsibility of the Rail Regulator. He has recently published a consultation document about the key issues and proposed framework for future access arrangements to assist in determining revised charges which will come into effect on 1 April 2001.

  Channel Tunnel
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will seek to negotiate an amendment to the Channel Tunnel Treaty allowing for the annual publication of a comprehensive safety report. [22825]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  No. The Channel Tunnel Safety Authority already publishes an Annual Report on its activities, which covers all aspects of Channel Tunnel safety.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will place in the Library a copy of the report into the evacuation exercise carried out recently in the channel tunnel. [23207]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  A report on the binational emergency exercise which took place on 10–11 January in the Channel Tunnel will be incorporated in the Annual Report of the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority for 1997–98. A copy of this Report will be placed in the Library of the House on its publication.
  257
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions whether he intends to seek the renegotiation of Clause 33.3 of the channel tunnel treaty which prevents the publication of safety information relating to the tunnel. [23206]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  No. Clause 33.3 of the Channel Tunnel Concession Agreement requires the parties to the Agreement, and the Intergovernmental Commission and Safety Authority, to hold in confidence material provided to them. However, Eurotunnel is free to publish the safety information which it produces, and the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority publishes an annual report on its activities, covering all aspects of Channel Tunnel safety. Copies of this report are placed in the Library.

  Railtrack
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of Railtrack's performance in fulfilling its statutory obligations with respect to(a) maintenance of the rail infrastructure and (b) upgrading the system; and if he will list the figures for expenditure on both items. [22823]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Railtrack's statutory obligations are reflected in its network licence, which is monitored by the Rail Regulator. Modifications to that licence now require the company to publish detailed information on the level of expenditure for both the maintenance and enhancement of the rail network. Railtrack's next Network Management Statement is to be published in March 1998.

  Railtrack's core investment in the first half of 1997–98 had increased by 38 per cent.—to £520 million—compared to the first half of 1996–97. We have made it clear that we expect to see further improvements in investments levels.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will discuss with Railtrack the present and future access charges to the Railtrack system. [22824]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Access charges are a matter for the Rail Regulator. The Regulator has recently invited comments from consultees, including Railtrack, on the issues which might inform his decisions on revised charges, which will come into effect on 1 April 2001.

  Ministerial Travel (Trains)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on what date(a) he and (b) The Minister for Transport last used a train in the course of their officials duties. [22927]

  Mr. Prescott
  I last used the train on Monday 12 January and my right hon. Friend the Minister for Transport on Tuesday 6 January.

  Heavy Goods Vehicles
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the number of heavy goods vehicles that have evaded excise duty in the last 12 months. [21081]
  258
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  It is estimated that, at any one time, some 13,000 heavy goods vehicles are evading vehicle excise duty. This represents around 3 per cent. of these vehicles.

  Road Traffic Reduction Act
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he intends issuing guidance to local authorities on the implementation of the Road Traffic Reduction Act 1997. [23367]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Draft Guidance to local authorities on implementing the provisions of the Road Traffic Reduction Act is being issued for public consultation today. Comments on the draft guidance are being sought by 20 April 1998. I am arranging for copies of the consultation documents to be placed in the library.

  Town and Country Planning
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will announce his policy for the future of town and country planning in England; and if he will make a statement. [23787]

  Mr. Caborn
  I have today placed copies of my Policy Statement in the Library of the House. This Statement confirms that we shall retain the principles of the town and country planning system established by the post-war Labour Government. For 50 years, these have demonstrated their flexibility and served us well. There are, however, a number of missing dimensions that this Government will put in place to cope with the challenges they now face.

  These are:
  the European context for planning in this country;
  clearer statements of national policy for the small number of projects where decentralisation of decision-making is not possible;
  effective arrangements for regional planning so that more issues can be resolved at this level;
  a continuous search for improvements in local efficiency; and
  a willingness to consider economic instruments and other modern tools to help meet the objectives of positive planning.

  My Policy Statement on Modernising Planning describes how we will fill these gaps. As part of this package, I am also today placing in the Library and publishing a consultation paper on the future of Regional Planning Guidance in England.

  Roads and Rail (East Sussex)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what(a) representations have been received from and (b) meetings have taken place with representatives of East Sussex County Council since 2 May in respect of (i) the proposal to reinstate the Lewes-Uckfield railway line, (ii) the A27 Lewes-Polegate trunk road and (iii) the proposed A27 Polegate bypass. [22944]
  259
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Since 2 May 1997, there have been no representations made by East Sussex County Council to the Department, nor meetings held, regarding proposals to reinstate the Lewes-Uckfield railway line.

  Representations on the A27 Lewes-Polegate schemes, and the A27 Polegate Bypass scheme, has been received from East Sussex County Council in the form of a documented response to the Roads Review. We are currently considering the comments made by the County Council alongside the many other we have received. East Sussex County Council participated in a Regional Roads Review Seminar, held last October, which covered these schemes. In addition, as part of our consideration of the Accelerated Roads Review, Ministers met local MPs to discuss the proposed Weald and Downland DBFO project. Representatives of East Sussex County Council were part of the delegations accompanying Members at these meetings.

  Car-free Cities Project
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will encourage more major authorities in the United Kingdom to participate in the European Union Car-Free Cities project as part of his policy to reduce urban congestion, pollution and environmentally damaging emissions. [23125]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Government are always interested in effective and innovative approaches to tackling congestion and pollution. Local authorities may well benefit from participating in the Car Free Cities project, or other similar schemes. A number already do, and the Government would certainly encourage others to consider following suit. But such decisions are best taken at the local level, as authorities consider how best to meet their statutory duties under the National Air Quality Strategy and the Road Traffic Reduction Act 1997.

  Genetically Modified Organisms
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on how many occasions information has been withheld on the grounds of commercial confidentiality from reports placed on the public register on the effects of the release of genetically modified organisms. [22877]

  Mr. Meacher
  To date, no information contained in reports on the release of genetically modified organisms has been withheld from the public register on grounds of commercial confidentiality.

  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which advisory bodies are consulted in advance of a decision to withhold information from the public register of applications for consents to release genetically modified organisms on the grounds of national security. [22882]

  Mr. Meacher
  We cannot envisage any circumstances where it would be necessary to withhold information from the public register on the grounds of national security.

  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on how many occasions following consent to release new information has been made available under section 111 of the 260
  Environmental Protection Act 1990 regarding risks of damage to the environment by the release of genetically modified organisms. [22879]

  Mr. Meacher
  The relevant section of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 for the provision of new information regarding risks of releases is section 112. To date, no new information has been notified by a consent holder.

  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on how many occasions information has been withheld from the public register for reasons of prevention to damage to the environment in respect of(a) commercial and (b) other applications for consent to release genetically modified organisms. [22880]

  Mr. Meacher
  On no occasion has information been withheld from the public register for reasons of prevention of damage to the environment in respect of(a) commercial and (b) other applications to release genetically modified organisms.

  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many reports on the effects of release have been received in respect of consents to release genetically modified organisms. [22876]

  Mr. Meacher
  To date, there have been 133 consents granted for the release of genetically modified organisms in Great Britain. Under section 112 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, consent holders are required to notify the Secretary of State of the effects of any release on the environment. For every consent, a report must be submitted at the end of the release and for many consents a period of post-release monitoring is required for which a report must also be submitted. These reports are placed on my Department's public register and in the regional offices of the Environment Agency, and are freely available to the general public on request.

  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on how many occasions information has been withheld from the public register for reasons of national security in respect of(a) commercial and (b) other applications for consent to release genetically modified organisms. [22883]

  Mr. Meacher
  On no occasion has information been withheld from the public register for reasons of national security in respect of(a) commercial and, (b) other applications to release genetically modified organisms.

  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on how many occasions reports on the release of genetically modified organisms have revealed new risks of damage to the environment. [22878]

  Mr. Meacher
  To date, reports on the release of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have not revealed any new information regarding risks to human health or the environment.

  In addition to these reports, my Department funds a research programme to identify possible new risks of the release of genetically modified organisms to human health and the environment.

  Overseas Visits
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list all overseas visits made since 1 May 1997 on which he or any other Minister in his Department has been accompanied under Rule 83 of the Ministerial Code, indicating(a) who accompanied him or her and (b) the cost to public funds of each such visit. [23257]

  Mr. Prescott
  My wife accompanied me to The Hague on 26 May 1997 when I represented the Government at the Marshall Plan Commemoration. The travel costs to public funds were £649.04 and we stayed at the Ambassador's Residence.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Sport
  Kate Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the advantages of the award of sports lottery funds to state primary schools in those areas of social and economic deprivation identified by the Sports Council in its priority areas initiative scheme. [21392]

  Mr. Banks
  We have not made a formal assessment but we are aware that there is potential for good schemes of this kind.

  The English Sports Council is, of course, the distributor in England of Lottery funds for good causes on, or connected with, sport. While it has no specific policies pertaining solely to primary schools, I understand that all educational establishments are eligible to apply for support from the Lottery Sports Fund (LSF). Under the School Community Sports Initiative (SCSI), the LSF may provide up to 80 per cent. support where applicants can meet the Community Use criteria. Schemes within the Council's Priority Areas Initiative can apply for up to 90 per cent. award.

  Primary Schools will also be eligible to apply for funding from the New Opportunities Fund for out of school hours projects. The target is for at least a quarter of all primary schools to be undertaking such projects by 2001.

  Kate Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what proportion of National Lottery funding for sport has been distributed to(a) areas of social and economic deprivation as defined by the Sports Council in its priority areas initiative and (b) severely deprived areas as defined by the Sports Council in its document Eighty Five Priority Area-designated Wards since November 1994. [21394]

  Mr. Banks
  I am advised by the English Sports Council that there have been 344 awards (14 per cent.), totalling £253,529,941 (39 per cent.) in the Priority Areas. Information on successful applications by Wards is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Kate Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what proportion of National Lottery funding for sport has been distributed to priority areas as designated by the Rural Development Commission; and 262
  how much has been distributed to (a) local public sports clubs with open membership, (b) state secondary schools and colleges, (c) state primary schools, (d) private secondary schools and colleges, (e) private primary schools, (f) Oxford and Cambridge colleges, (g) other universities and colleges, (g) other universities and colleges, (h) local sports clubs with limited public access, (i) other projects and (j) individuals since November 1994. [21395]

  Mr. Banks
  Information on awards specifically to Rural Development Areas (RDAs) is not available and could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost. However, the English Sports Council have made a total of 823 awards (33 per cent.) to District Councils containing RDAs totalling £126,679,596 (19 per cent.). The other information requested is as follows:

  (a) It is a requirement for every successful Lottery award to have public access. Separate information on sports clubs is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  (b) State secondary schools and colleges: 143 awards totalling £48,260,814.

  (c) State primary schools: 8 awards totalling £8,478,080.

  (d) Private secondary schools and colleges: 6 awards totalling £2,869,572.

  (e) None.

  (f) None.

  (g) Other universities and colleges: Higher Education: 16 awards totalling £28,981,052. Further Education: 14 awards totalling £9,990,236.

  (h) See (a) above.

  (i) Other projects:

  Capital projects: 2,282 awards totalling £566,882,972.

  World Class Events revenue awards: 9 events totalling £4,361,984.

  (j) World Class Performance revenue awards: £23,000,000 has been distributed among 1,640 individuals.

  Ministerial Travel (Trains)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on what date he last used a train in the course of his official duties. [22938]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  I last used a train in the course of official duties on Sunday 30 November to travel to Birmingham for the Competition Climbing World Cup Final at the National Indoor Arena.

  Lottery Applications (Basildon)
  Angela Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many applications have been made to the National Lottery distributing bodies from organisations in the Basildon constituency; how many have been(a) successful and (b) unsuccessful in their applications; and what has been the total value of successful applications in each year. [22826]
  263
  Mr. Banks
  To date, 15 awards totalling £1,018,513 have been made to organisations in the Basildon constituency. Eighty-four applications have been unsuccessful. A breakdown of successful applications by calendar year is set out in the table.

  Information on successful Lottery applicants can be found on the Department's website www.lottery.culture.gov.uk.

  Year

  Total award amount £

  Total number of awards

  1995

  170,000

  4

  1996

  555,477

  5

  1997

  293,036

  6

  Grand totals

  1,018,513

  15

  Historic Royal Palaces
  Mr. Caplin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what his plans are for the future management of the historic royal palaces; and if he will make a statement. [23684]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The historic royal palaces are currently managed by an Executive Agency of my Department, which has progressively reduced its call on Exchequer support since its establishment in 1989. I have given careful consideration to ways of building on that performance and bringing an end to Exchequer support, while safeguarding the fabric of the Palaces and maintaining the quality of visitors' experience. I have concluded that these benefits will best be realised through establishing the historic royal Palaces as a Non-Departmental Public Body.

  I therefore propose to apply for the grant by Her Majesty the Queen of a Charter establishing the new body and to seek Parliamentary approval of an Order under the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994 to enter into a contract for it to carry out my day to day responsibilities for the management of the historic royal palaces. An application for charitable status will be made to the Charity Commission.

  The new body would be established under a Board of Trustees to bring a wider range of expertise to the running of the historic royal palaces. I propose that the Board comprise three members appointed by Her Majesty the Queen and five appointed by me. The Chairman would be appointed by The Queen on my advice.

  I can reassure the current staff of the Agency, who have done so much to secure its success, that their terms and conditions of service will be protected on their transfer to the new body. New pension arrangements, broadly comparable to those under the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme, will be put in place. The Chief Executive of the Agency will now take forward discussions with staff representatives on the detailed implications of the proposed arrangements.

  Exchequer funding is set to reduce to some £4 million in 1998–99, but I expect the new body to continue the Agency's success in increasing income and that its new status will give greater financial flexibility and open up fresh sources of income, so that the need for Exchequer funds can be brought rapidly to an end.
  264
  I should emphasise that the new arrangements would apply only to the historic royal palaces, which are currently managed by the Agency, and do not affect the palaces which remain in use and are managed on my behalf by the Royal Household. The changes would not alter the ownership of the historic royal palaces or my responsibility for their management. I shall remain answerable to Parliament for their care and presentation.

  The new body would operate on the basis of an annual plan and agreed performance targets. The National Audit Office would continue to have full rights of access, both to carry out the annual audit of the accounts and to undertake value for money studies. Annual Reports and Accounts will be presented to Parliament and the Chief Executive will be liable to be summoned to appear before the Committee of Public Accounts and other Select Committees of this House.

  Subject to the approvals to which I have referred, the new body would be established to take over the management of the historic royal palaces from 1 April this year.

  The Historic Royal Palaces agency has been a highly successful Executive Agency. It has achieved major improvements in the conservation and presentation of the palaces, while reducing the call on taxpayers' support. I want to build on that success, bringing in new skills and resources to enhance the palaces and their attractions still further for millions of future visitors.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Ministerial Travel (Trains)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development on what date she last used a train in the course of her official duties. [22937]

  Clare Short
  I last used a train in the course of my official duties on 17 December 1997.

  Overseas Visits
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list all overseas visits made since 1 May 1997 on which she or any other Minister in her Department has been accompanied under Rule 83 of the Ministerial Code, indicating(a) who accompanied him or her and (b) the cost to public funds of each such visit. [23255]

  Clare Short
  Neither I nor the Under-Secretary have been accompanied on overseas visits under Rule 83 of the Ministerial Code.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Overseas Visits
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will list all overseas visits made since 1 May 1997 on which he has been accompanied under Rule 83 of the Ministerial Code, indicating(a) who accompanied him (b) the cost to public funds of each such visit. [23262]
  265
  The Attorney-General
  I was accompanied on my visit to Dublin on 17–18 September 1997 by my wife and an official. The total cost to public funds was £1,212.50.

  Ministerial Travel (Trains)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Attorney-General on what date he last used a train in the course of his official duties. [22930]

  The Attorney-General
  I travelled to Cardiff by train on 12 December 1997 to visit the Crown Prosecution Service office there.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Low Pay Commission
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what evidence the Government have submitted to the Low Pay Commission; and if it will make such evidence public. [23045]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The Government will be submitting written evidence to the Low Pay Commission shortly. The evidence will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Launch Aid
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list the projects on which launch aid had been granted before, and on which payment was outstanding on, 1 May 1997, the total sum granted in each case and the payments (i) received in(a) 1995–96 and (b) 1996–97 and (ii) projected for 1997–98. [22980]

  Mr. Battle
  The following table details all the projects on which launch aid was outstanding at 1 May 1997 (all figures in £ million), together with amounts received by the Government in the form of levy payments for years 1995–96 and 1996–97. Forecast receipts are not disclosed in advance of the end of the financial year for reasons of commercial confidentiality; such information may be market sensitive in cases where the Companies concerned have not published their financial results for the relevant period.

  £ million

  Project

  Total sum granted

  Payments received

  1995–96

  1996–97

  A320 Family of Aircraft

  249.3

  29.3

  42.7

  A330/340 Aircraft

  447.1

  Nil

  Nil

  RB211-535 Aeroengine

  261.8

  13.5

  15.2

  RB211-524 Aeroengine

  177.6

  1.5

  2.4

  V2500 Aeroengine

  60.0

  2.0

  3.7

  EH101 Helicopter

  60.0

  Nil

  Nil

  Lear 45 Executive Jet

  17.7

  Nil

  Nil

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list the projects which have been granted launch aid since 1 May 1997, the sum granted and the number of jobs secured. [22981]
  266
  Mr. Battle
  On the 12 November 1997, the Government announced a long term investment of up to £200 million in Rolls-Royce plc's large engine programme. The investment is expected to secure 16,000 jobs in the Company and its UK suppliers.

  No other projects have been granted Launch Aid since 1 May 1997.

  Enemy Property
  Mr. McNulty
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she expects to publish the report on British policy towards enemy property during and after the Second World War; and what action she will take. [23908]

  Mrs. Beckett
  My hon. Friend the Minister for Competition and Consumer Affairs announced on 31 July 1997,Official Report, column 641 that the Government had commissioned a research project, to examine papers relevant to the Trading with the Enemy legislation under which the property of residents of enemy countries was confiscated during the Second World War. The project which has been co-ordinated by the FCO in close partnership with the DTI is nearing completion. The Government are considering the project's findings and will publish their response together with the report soon.

  The Government, however, recognise that some of the information currently held at the Public Record Office will be of particular interest to Holocaust survivors or their families who may wish to check their family history. The Government therefore intend to publish a list of the names and other details of those who had their property seized under the Trading with the Enemy legislation. This cannot be a complete list as many individual case records have not been retained. However officials are examining the remaining records to see what information can be provided and it is estimated that the list will cover some 25,000 names. It is intended to publish the list on the Internet as soon as possible but the size and complexity of the task makes it difficult to be specific on the timing at this stage. The Government are committed to openness on this issue and believe that the publication of the report and of the list of names should make a large contribution to the public's understanding of this complex subject and help the relatives of holocaust victims to research their family history.

  Biotechnology
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, North (Ms Walley) of 18 December 1997,Official Report, column 308, concerning public consultation on the proposed European Biotechnology Patent Directive, if she will ensure that representatives from (a) other political parties and (b) groups ethically opposed to biotechnology, will be invited to the events he plans to host. [22914]

  Mr. Battle
  The purpose of the discussion meeting I shall be hosting next month is to determine how best to develop a public consultation activity with a view to develop a consensus. The focus will therefore be on the process associated with this type of activity, rather than a discussion of the issues raised by biotechnology as this would pre-judge the public attitudes, which we are seeking to understand.
  267
  I shall be inviting people based upon their relevant experience and ability to contribute to the stated purpose of the meeting rather than on the basis of their views of the biological sciences.

  The public activity to be held in the summer will of course have no value unless there is access to a wide range of informed opinion to draw on as providers of evidence to the exercise.

  Nuclear Fusion Research
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to commission further research into nuclear fusion; and if she will make a statement on progress. [23463]

  Mr. Battle
  The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) carry out an on-going programme of research into nuclear fusion. This is supported by my Department, and it forms part of the European Union's fusion programme. Later this year, the UKAEA will complete and commission an important new experimental device—the mega-amp spherical tokamak (MAST).

  Both the European and UK programmes have made progress in the last year. The Joint European Torus achieved world-record values for fusion power and fusion energy. On a smaller scale, the UKAEA's small tight aspect ratio tokamak (START) achieved world record values for the efficiency of plasma confinement. Although the research is meeting and exceeding its targets, it is still thought to be at least 50 years before we could build commercial fusion power stations.

  Science Budget
  Mr. Roy
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the allocation of the science budget. [23909]

  Mr. Battle
  I have discussed the allocations with the Director General of Research Councils and have decided that, subject to Parliamentary approval of the Supply Estimates in due course, the Science Budget of £1,338.326 million should be allocated as follows:

  Science Budget allocations

  £ million

  Allocation 1997–98

  Allocation 1998–99

  BBSRC

  183.300

  185.739

  ESRC

  64.896

  65.990

  EPSRC

  386.373

  382.982

  MRC

  289.070

  290.208

  NERC

  165.116

  171.771

  PPARC

  191.850

  191.268

  International Subscription Reserve

  8.800

  3.028

  CCLRC

  1.450

  1.462

  Pensions

  11.530

  12.298

  Royal Society

  22.271

  22.621

  Royal Academy

  3.370

  3.436

  OST Initiatives

  2.302

  2.376

  Joint Research Equipment Initiative

  —

  4.147

  LINK/Foresight

  —

  1.000

  Total

  1,330.327

  1,338.326

  268
  An additional £4.2 million has been made available for the Joint Research Equipment Initiative to increase the £5.4 million already set aside by the Research Councils for the third round of the initiative.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  British Embassies (Fraud)
  Mr. Sarwar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures he will be taking in response to the recent National Audit Office report relating to fraud at British embassies. [22751]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We continuously reappraise the adequacy of our financial management systems and staff resources at British Embassies to minimise the risk of fraud. The lessons learnt from the recent National Audit Office report forms part of this process. We have a dedicated Financial Compliance Unit to do this, as well as the full normal Internal Audit arrangements.

  European Committee of the Regions
  Mr. McWalter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whom the United Kingdom has nominated for the second term of the European Committee of the Regions; and if he will make a statement. [23785]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The following nominations have been forwarded to the Council of Ministers:

  Full Members

  (from English Local Government)

  George Gill CBE: Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council

  John Battye: Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council

  Pam Warhurst: Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council

  Dennis Pettitt: Nottinghamshire County Council

  Ken Bodfish: Brighton and Hove Unitary Authority

  Albert Bore: Birmingham City Council

  Sally Powell: Hammersmith and Fulham London Borough Council

  Jane Hore: Suffolk County Council

  Sir Ronald Watson CBE: Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council

  Lord Bowness CBE DL: Croydon London Borough Council

  Paul White: Essex County Council

  Sir Simon Day: Devon County Council

  Lord Tope CBE: Sutton London Borough Council

  Dr. James Walsh RD: West Sussex County Council and Arun District Council

  Ruth Coleman: North Wiltshire District Council

  Milner Whiteman: Bridgnorth District Council

  (from Scottish Local Government)

  Hugh Henry: Renfrewshire Council

  Ian Stewart Hudghton: Angus Council

  Christine May: Fife Council

  Peter James Peacock: Highland Council

  (from Welsh Local Government)

  Brian Smith: Torfaen Borough Council

  Linda Mathews: Merthyr County Borough Council

  Reg Empey: Belfast City Council

  Denis Haughey: Cookstown District Council

  269
  Alternate Members

  (from English Local Government)

  Ian Swithenbank: Northumberland County Council

  Ruth Henig: Lancashire County Council

  Keith Billington: Rotheram Borough Council

  Peter Soulsby: Leicester Unitary Authority

  Toby Harris: Harringey London Borough Council

  Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Portsmouth Unitary Authority

  Diane Bunyan: Bristol Unitary Authority

  Sue Davies: The Wrekin Unitary Authority

  David Martin: Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council

  Margaret Eaton: Bradford City Council

  Gordon Keymer: Tanbridge District Council

  Suzie Kemp: Newbury Unitary Authority

  Keith Whitmore: Manchester City Council

  Liz Tucker: Hereford and Worcester County Council

  Ros Scott: Suffolk County Council

  Peter Moore: Sheffield City Council

  (from Scottish Local Government)

  Irene Oldfather: North Ayrshire Council

  Marcus Humphrey: Aberdeenshire Council

  Joan Mitchell: Dumfries and Galloway Council

  Cormick Keenan McChord: Stirling Council

  (from Welsh Local Government)

  Doctor John Evans: Caerphilly County Borough Council

  Eurig Wyn: Gwynedd County Council

  (from Northern Ireland Local Government)

  George Savage: Craigavon Borough Council

  John Fee: Newry and Mourne District Council.

  In making these nominations, we have sought, in consultation with local government, to provide a delegation which is appropriately representative of all of the United Kingdom, which provides appropriate expertise, and which takes account of the current political balance within United Kingdom local government.

  EU Council
  Mr. McWalter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the forthcoming business in the Council of the European European Union for January; and if he will list the major European Union events for the next six months. [23786]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The following Councils are scheduled:

  Monthly forecast of business for January 1998

  Venue

  Event

  19 January

  Brussels

  Ecofin Council

  19–20 January

  Brussels

  Agriculture Council

  26–27 January

  Brussels

  General Affairs Council

  29–30 January

  Birmingham

  Justice and Home Affairs Council (Informal)

  The following subjects are likely to be discussed:

  19 January: ECOFIN Council

  Presidency work programme—Commission work programme: Presentation and debate.

  Preparation of Stages III of EMU.

  Reduced VAT on labour-intensive services.

  270

  Council Regulation on allocation of Financial Intermediation Services indirectly measured.

  19–20 January: Agriculture Council

  Statement of Presidency aims.

  Agri-environment Regulation (2078/92) and Forestry Regulation (2080/92): Commission reports.

  Amendments to Regulation 404/93 (possible item).

  Reform of tobacco regime (possible item).

  Promotion of quality beef and veal.

  Potato starch quotas.

  World Trade Organisation dispute on hormones.

  Veterinary equivalence agreements.

  Vehicle standards for carriage of livestock.

  Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (possible item).

  26–27 January: General Affairs Council

  Presidency Programme: Public debate.

  Enlargement: EU negotiating position for the Central and Eastern European Countries and Cyprus: Outline of European Conference: Pre-Accession Strategy—Presidency Progress report.

  Switzerland.

  Transatlantic Relations: Report in EU-US Ministerial.

  EU-Japan Summit: Presidency Report.

  Trade issues: China—Silk Agreement: Mongolia—Textile Agreement (possible A point): Russia—Textiles: Vietnam—Textiles Agreement (possible A point): Financial Services.

  CFSP: Former Yugoslavia—Albania—Great Lakes—TurkeyCyprus (developments post-Luxembourg)—Middle East Peace Process—Overseas Countries and Territories.

  Third Country meetings in margins: Albania: Russia Co-operation Council.

  29–30 January: Justice and Home Affairs Council (Informal)

  No formal Agenda.

  This calendar is primarily concerned with European Union matters, but certain other relevant events are also included. Events and dates quoted are based on the information available on the date of issue.

  European Calender: January—June 1998

  Venue

  Event

  January 1998

  1

  —

  UK Presidency commences

  8

  London

  Visit of College of Commissioners

  12–16

  Strasbourg

  European Parliament Plenary

  15

  Brussels

  Political Committee

  19

  Brussels

  Ecofin Council

  19–20

  Brussels

  Agriculture Council

  26–27

  Brussels

  General Affairs Council

  28–29

  Brussels

  European Parliament Plenary

  29–30

  Birmingham

  Justice and Home Affairs Council (Informal)

  February 1998

  3

  Brussels

  Political Committee

  9–11

  Costa Rica

  EU/San José Group

  11–12

  Brussels

  Select Committee on Trade and Industry Visit

  12

  Brussels

  Research Council

  12–13

  Panama

  EU/Rio Group

  12–13

  London

  Political Committee

  13–15

  Cambridge

  Internal market (Informal)

  16

  Brussels

  Ecofin Council

  16–17

  Brussels

  Agriculture Council

  16–20

  Strasbourg

  European Parliament Plenary

  23–24

  Brussels

  General Affairs Council

  26

  Brussels

  Telecom Council

  271

  European Calender: January—June 1998

  Venue

  Event

  March 1998

  3

  Brussels

  Political Committee

  9

  Brussels

  ECOFIN Council (t.b.c.)

  9–10

  Manchester

  UK Presidency Conference

  9–13

  Strasbourg

  European Parliamentary Plenary

  12–13

  London

  Joint Social and Education (Informal)

  14–15

  Edinburgh

  Foreign Ministers' Informal

  15–17

  Manchester

  Seminar for Cultural Ministers

  16–17

  Brussels

  Agriculture Council

  17

  Brussels

  Transport Council

  19

  Brussels

  Political Committee

  19

  Brussels

  Justice and Home Affairs Council

  20–22

  York

  ECOFIN Informal

  23

  Brussels

  Environment Council

  24

  Brussels

  Fisheries Council

  30

  Brussels

  Internal Market Council

  30–31

  Brussels

  General Affairs Council

  30–31

  Strasbourg

  European Parliament Plenary

  31–1 April

  Moscow

  G8 Energy Ministerial

  April 1998

  1–3

  Strasbourg

  European Parliament Plenary

  2–4

  London

  ASEM II

  6

  Luxembourg

  Social Affairs Council

  7

  Brussels

  Political Committee

  16

  Brussels

  Political Committee

  20–21

  Luxembourg

  Agriculture Council

  21

  Luxembourg

  ECOFIN Council

  23

  Luxembourg

  Consumer Affairs Council

  24–26

  Chester

  Environment and Transport (Informal)

  27–28

  Luxembourg

  General Affairs Council

  29–30

  Brussels

  European Parliament

  30

  Luxembourg

  Health Council

  May 1998

  1–3

  Brussels

  Ecofin and Special EMU Council

  5

  Brussels

  Political Committee (t.b.c.)

  7

  Brussels

  Industry Council

  10–12

  Newcastle

  Agriculture (Informal)

  11

  Brussels

  Energy Council

  11

  Brussels

  Euro-Med Energy Ministerial

  12

  Brussels

  Political Committee

  11–15

  Strasbourg

  European Parliament Plenary

  18

  Brussels

  Development Council

  18

  Brussels

  Internal Market

  19

  Brussels

  Telecommunications Council

  25–26

  Brussels

  General Affairs Council

  25–26

  Brussels

  Agriculture Council

  27–28

  Brussels

  European Parliament Plenary

  28–29

  Brussels

  Justice and Home Affairs Council

  June 1998

  2

  Luxembourg

  Political Committee

  4

  Luxembourg

  Education and Social Affairs Council

  8

  Luxembourg

  Fisheries Council

  8–9

  Luxembourg

  General Affairs Council (t.b.c.)

  15–16

  Cardiff

  European Council

  15–19

  Strasbourg

  European Parliament Plenary

  16–17

  Luxembourg

  Environment Council

  17

  Luxembourg

  Joint Environment and Transport Council

  18

  Luxembourg

  Transport Council

  272

  European Calender: January—June 1998

  Venue

  Event

  22

  Luxembourg

  Research Council

  22–23

  Luxembourg

  Agriculture Council

  29–30

  Luxembourg

  General Affairs Council (t.b.c.)

  Ministerial Travel (Trains)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what date he last used a train in the course of his official duties. [22924]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  I travelled to Coventry by train on Friday 11 July 1997 to attend a half day seminar on the Strategic Defence Review.

  India
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the authorities in India about the position of Peter Bleach, facing a charge subject to the death penalty; and if he will make a statement. [23211]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Foreign Office Ministers have discussed Mr. Bleach's position with the Indian authorities on four occasions in the past year. We are doing all we properly can for Mr. Bleach. His trial will begin on 27 January; the case remains sub judice.

  Mrs. Regan
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will make a statement on the cost to public funds of the proposed overseas visits to be undertaken by Mrs. Regan; [23132]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the duties and the role of Mrs. Regan in the forthcoming visits of the Foreign Secretary to (a) the United States and (b) other overseas locations. [23131]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  Ms Regan does not currently propose to undertake any overseas visit.

DEFENCE

  Arms Sales
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the value to Britain of arms sales(a) to Indonesia and (b) to Turkey in each year since 1990. [22810]

  Mr. Spellar
  The estimated value of UK defence sales (including services) to Indonesia and Turkey in each year since 1990 is as follows:

  £ million

  Indonesia

  Turkey

  1990

  3

  63

  1991

  34

  32

  1992

  15

  36

  1993

  457

  6

  1994

  77

  68

  1995

  95

  19

  1996

  443

  107

  1997

  18

  2

  273
  It should be noted that the figures quoted are based on voluntary returns from industry and are expressed in current prices and relate to new contracts signed rather than financial receipts or actual deliveries.

  RAF Menwith Hill
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the rolling programme of improvements relating to environmental remedial action in connection with Menwith Hill, referred to in the answer of 10 June 1996,Official Report, column 46, has now been completed; and what recent environmental assessment of Menwith Hill Station has been carried out. [21416]

  Mr. Spellar
  The programme of improvements at RAF Menwith Hill reflecting the recommendations contained in previous environmental surveys is due to be completed in the first half of 1998. The most recent environmental assessment was carried out in 1996.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Health and Safety Executive last visited RAF Menwith Hill; and what was the outcome of that visit. [21418]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Health and Safety Executive last visited the site in June 1996 following allegations that equipment at the site caused cancer. It concurred with North Yorkshire Health Authority's findings that the incidence of cancer within the area was no higher than the national average.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his Department has full access to US environmental compliance status surveys in respect of RAF Menwith Hill; and when the last such survey was carried out. [21419]

  Mr. Spellar
  MoD personnel are fully involved in the environmental audit processes at all USVF facilities in the United Kingdom and are routinely made aware of the contents of Environmental Compliance Status Surveys. The last such survey at RAF Menwith Hill was conducted in 1994.

  Nuclear Bunkers
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on expenditure on the maintenance and building of nuclear bunkers in(a) Scotland and (b) the United Kingdom for each of the last 10 year; [22919]

  (2) what assessment his Department has made of the use of nuclear bunkers sold by the Government; [22920]

  (3) how many nuclear bunkers in (a) Scotland and (b) the United Kingdom were maintained by Her Majesty's Government in each of the past 10 years; [22917]

  (4) what use Her Majesty's Government currently make of nuclear bunkers; [22921]

  (5) how many nuclear bunkers were located on (a) Government owned land and (b) his Department's land in each of the last 10 years. [22918]

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

  Defence Animal Centre
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the agency review of the Defence Animal Centre. [23788]

  Dr. Reid
  A review of the agency status of the Defence Animal Centre (DAC) has begun. The performance of the DAC has been evaluated and its activities will shortly be subjected to the normal "prior options" tests.

  Comments and contributions form those with an interest in the work of the Agency would be welcome and should be sent by 31 January 1998 to Major General W. R. Short, Director General Army Medical Services (DGAMS), Building 21, Keogh Barracks, Ash Vale, Aldershot, Hampshire GU12 SRR.

  Prospective contributors to the Agency Review should note that the DAC is proceeding with a PH project to rebuild its accommodation and provide associated support services.

  Heavy Lift Transport Aircraft
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the future for the CI30J in the RAF's transport fleet; and if he will make a statement. [23127]

  Mr. Spellar
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Armed Forces to the hon. Member for Ruislip-Northwood (Mr. Wilkinson) on 1 December 1997,Official Report, column 11.

  Overseas Visits
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all overseas visits made since 1 May 1997 on which he or any other Minister in his Department has been accompanied under Rule 83 of the Ministerial Code, indicating(a) who accompanied him and (b) the cost to public funds of each such visit. [23260]

  Mr. George Robertson
  There has been one such visit. Details are as follows:

  Date

  Event

  Minister accompanied by spouse

  Total cost

  22–23 November 1997

  80th Anniversary of the Battle of Cambrai

  Minister for the Armed Forces

  £3,839.74

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Overseas Visits
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list all overseas visits made since 1 May 1997 on which he or any other Minister in his Department has been accompanied under Rule 83 of the Ministerial Code, indicating(a) who accompanied him (b) the cost to public funds of each such visit. [23252]

  Mr. Hoon
  My noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor was accompanied by Lady Irvine at the 14th Conference of Commonwealth Speakers and Presiding Officers, held in Trinidad and Tobago on
  275
  4–11 January 1998. The total cost of the trip from public funds for the Lord Chancellor, Lady Irvine and an official was £13,487.74.

  Ministerial Travel (Trains)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department on what date(a) he and (b) the Lord Chancellor last used a train in the course of their official duties. [22929]

  Mr. Hoon
  (a) I have not used a train for official duties since my appointment. (b) The Lord Chancellor last used a train in the course of his official duties on 11 December 1997.

  Queen's Counsel (Applications)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many applications there were for silk in(a) 1996 and (b) 1997; and how many were successful. [21855]

  Mr. Hoon
  In 1995, 488 practitioners applied for silk, of whom 66 were awarded silk in 1996. In 1996, 500 practitioners applied, of whom 68 were awarded silk in 1997.

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many visits he has made to legal aid practices in England and Wales since his appointment. [21856]

  Mr. Hoon
  Between 1 May 1997 and 15 January 1998, I have visited nine legal aid practices.

  Judges (Education and Training)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department which judges are responsible for education and training in each of the circuits. [21854]

  Mr. Hoon
  Training on circuits is organised by Presiding Judges and Family Division Liaison Judges with the assistance of the Judicial Studies Board (JSB). It is mainly delivered through supervising and tutor district judges in the case of deputy district judges and pupil master judges in the case of assistance recorders.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Young Remand Prisoners
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of 15 and 16-year-olds on remand who will be held in prison service accommodation over(a) the next five years and (b) the next 10 years. [22700]

  Ms Quin
  No projection is made of the numbers of 15 and 16-year-old remand prisoners in the years ahead. However, the Government would expect that their policies to reform the youth justice system will have a positive effect in reducing these numbers.

  Coroners
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek to simplify responsibility for the Coroner Service and assess the advantages of establishing a Coroner Agency for this purpose; and if he will make a statement. [23181]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The coroner service is a locally provided service. We have no plans to reduce local authority responsibilities or to create a new agency.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many(a) coroners, (b) deputy coroners and (c) assistant deputy coroners there are; and how many in each group are (i) full-time, (ii) part-time, (iii) women and (iv) from ethnic minority communities; [23103]

  (2) how many coroners have (a) previous judicial experience and (b) medical experience. [23104]

  Mr. George Howarth
  According to the latest available information, there are some 146 coroners and a similar number of deputy coroners. Most coroners also have one assistant deputy coroner. Twenty-six coroners are full-time appointments; all the rest are part-time. Twenty-seven of all appointments are women. No information is held centrally on the number of appointments from within the ethnic minority communities.

  Under the Coroners Act 1988, all coroners must have relevant legal or medical qualifications, but information on the extent of judicial or medical experience is not held centrally.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are his functions in relation to the Coroners Service; how many civil servants in his Department have specific responsibility for it; and what other functions those civil servants have responsibility for. [23002]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Home Secretary's statutory functions include the approval of coroner appointments in London and the metropolitan areas, changes to coroner districts, the setting of certain fees and determination of applications to hold an inquest in the absence of a body. There is also power to collect statistics and to arbitrate on disputes between coroners regarding jurisdiction, or between coroners and their local authorities in respect of their remuneration and pensions. The Home Office is responsible for coroner legislation, deals with correspondence and inquiries from the public and supports study and training events.

  The work is undertaken by seven officials who also have responsibilities for burial, cremation, exhumation and other matters.

  Lunar House Staff
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 4 December 1997,Official Report, column 296, what were the costs in the last year for which figures are available of running Lunar House, Croydon, specifying staff costs separately. [22080]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  [holding answer 14 January 1998]: The non staff costs of running Lunar House in 1996–97 were £5.8 million. This included £3.4 million rent,

  277
  £1.1 million (Contribution in Lieu of Rates), £650,000 maintenance and building works, £250,000 cleaning and £330,000 fuel and utilities. In addition, the security guarding of Lunar House cost £600,000 and the staff responsible for running the building cost £380,000, although they were also responsible for a wider range of building and office services.

  Animal Procedures Committee
  Mr. Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whom he proposes to appoint as successor to Professor Margaret Brazier OBE as Chairman of the Animal Procedures Committee. [23789]

  Mr. George Howarth
  I am pleased to be able to announce that the Reverend Professor Michael Banner has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Animal Procedures Committee. His period of office will begin on 1 February 1998.

  Professor Banner was Chairman of the Committee which considered the ethical implications of emerging technologies in the breeding of farm animals, and is the F. D. Maurice Professor of Moral and Social Theology at King's College, London.

  Immigration
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the entry requirements for holders of travel documents issued by the so-called Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. [23790]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Under the Immigration Rules, holders of travel documents which are not issued by a recognised national authority are required to obtain a visa if they wish to come to the United Kingdom. Despite this, while not recognising the authorities of the so-called "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" (TRNC) we have in the past accepted TRNC travel documents as proof of identity. This has meant that holders of TRNC documents were up till now not required to obtain a visa if visiting the United Kingdom for a short period. This operated under a concession.

  We are today bringing the arrangements concerning holders of these documents into line with our standard practice by withdrawing this concession. There have been significant numbers of asylum claims by passengers travelling with this document which, when determined, have all been unfounded. With effect from midnight tonight, holders of documents issued by the authorities of the so-called "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" will be required to obtain visas to the United Kingdom, regardless of the purpose of their journey.

  We have also today laid an amendment to the Immigration (Transit Visa) Order 1993, requiring holders of such documents to obtain a visa when in transit through the United Kingdom. This requirement will apply from 5 February.

  CS Gas
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers have been injured as a consequence of(a) using and (b) being exposed to CS gas. [21417]
  278
  Mr. Michael
  This information is not held centrally. During police trials of CS spray, between 1 March and 31 August 1996, it was found that 78 per cent. (588) of officers who sprayed CS suffered some cross-contamination effects, such as a burning sensation to the skin or pain to the eyes. The report of the evaluation of the trials, which was published by the Home Office Police Research Group in December 1996, noted that, in some cases, officers appeared to have reported their experience of CS cross-contamination as minor injury. The officers who took part in the trials generally felt that the disadvantages of cross-contamination were outweighed by the advantages of CS spray as an item of defensive equipment.

  Ministerial Travel (Trains)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date he last used a train in the course of his official duties. [22925]

  Mr. Straw
  On Tuesday 6 January 1998, when I travelled by the 7.45 am train from London Euston to Wolverhampton in order to visit Her Majesty's Young Offenders Institution Brinsford, the West Midlands Probation Service and the West Midlands Fire Service.

  Firearms Compensation
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the average length of time taken for firearms compensation under options A and B; and what is the expected time for claims submitted now under(a) options A and B and (b) option C. [23583]

  Mr. Michael
  As at 1 January 1998, the average length of time to process claims under Options A and B was 19 weeks. Regular processing of Option C claims is expected to begin later this month.

  Drug Treatment and Testing Programmes
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects the cost of commissioning additional drug treatment and testing programmes as provisionally estimated in the Crime and Disorder Bill [Lords] to fall upon the Probation Service. [23126]

  Mr. George Howarth
  During the pilot stage of the new order, the relevant probation service(s) will be directly funded by the Home Office to Purchase drug treatment and testing services. Funding arrangements for the period of national implementation will be decided on in the light of experience in the pilot stage.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many local pilot projects for drug treatment and testing orders he intends to undertake; and how long he expects them to last. [23122]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The drug treatment and testing order will be piloted before national implementation, but a final decision on the length and number of the pilots has yet to be taken.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will provide an analysis of his estimate of the cost of the local pilot projects for the Drug Treatment and Testing Order. [23120]
  279
  Mr. George Howarth
  The Home Office will provide direct funding of £1 million for the pilot project(s), which will include the cost of evaluation. It has been broadly estimated that the average cost per order could be around £6,400, but the validity of this estimate will of course be tested during the pilot phase.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects drug treatment and testing orders to be available as sentences for courts throughout England and Wales. [23119]

  Mr. George Howarth
  No firm date has yet been set, but I would expect it to fall in the financial year 2000/2001.

  Illegal Drugs
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what new initiatives Her Majesty's Government propose to put forward to address the problem of illegal drugs during the UK presidency of the European Union. [23117]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The United Kingdom Presidency will continue to give priority to action against drug trafficking and drugs misuse, in particular by building on the wide range of work already under-way across the three Pillars of the European Union. Our main objectives are to progress further implementation of the European Union strategy against drugs, with a focus on practical action; to begin consideration of a post-1999 European Union drugs strategy; to ensure effective European Union co-ordination for the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on Drugs, being held in New York in June; and to promote effective implementation of the European Union/Caribbean and European Union/Central Asia drugs initiatives. This will include taking forward implementation of the Joint Action on the approximation of drugs laws and practices and continuing work on practical measures to tackle drug trafficking from Latin America and heroin trafficking along the Balkan route.

  Firearms Controls
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State of the Home Department, pursuant to the letter of 22 November 1997 from the Minister of State, the hon. Member for Cardiff, South and Penarth (Mr. Michael), to the hon. Member for Hertsmere, when and in what respects, he proposes to consider extension of firearms controls. [23114]

  Mr. Michael
  The Government have undertaken, once the complete ban on all handguns is in place, to take a wider look at the effectiveness of all firearms controls. No specific timescale has been set. The Government have an open mind on the question of further controls and have no preconceived ideas of any specific category of firearms. We propose to consult widely with all interested parties if further steps are considered necessary.

  Asylum Seekers
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what changes he proposes to the policy governing the use of imprisonment for asylum seekers. [21296]
  280
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  People are not detained merely because they have sought asylum. However, it is sometimes necessary to detain a small proportion of those liable to detention under powers conferred by the Immigration Act, some of whom may at some stage also have sought asylum in the United Kingdom, because it is felt that they might otherwise abscond.

  The use of prisons for immigration detainees is one of the areas included in the review of detention policy which is under consideration. We expect to make the results available in the near future.

  Prison Visits
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisons(a) he and (b) the Minister with responsibility for prisons visited in the course of the Christmas adjournment. [21297]

  Ms Quin
  My right hon. Friend visited Brinsford and Grendon prisons on 6 January. I visited Castington and Acklington prisons on 2 January.

  Prison Site (Heysham)
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the use of a former holiday camp at Heysham as a future prison. [21299]

  Ms Quin
  The Prison Service is interested in developing the site at Middleton Tower, Heysham for use as a temporary prison for lower security, Category C prisoners. However, the outcome of the appeal against the refusal of planning clearance for a temporary prison on the site will not be known until February 1998.

  Prison Officers Association
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what changes he proposes to the powers of the Prison Officers Association. [21301]

  Ms Quin
  We have no plans to change the powers of the Prison Officers Association (POA). However, we have regular meetings with representatives of the Association at which a variety of issues including the powers and responsibilities of the Prison Officer Association are discussed.

  High Intensity Training Regimes
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the future of the High Intensity Training regimes at Colchester and Thorn Cross Young Offenders Institutions. [21302]

  Ms Quin
  In response to a Question from the hon. Member for Colchester (Mr. Russell) on 9 June 1997,Official Report, column 786, my hon. Friend reiterated the Government's commitment to find out what works with offenders. We decided to run the Colchester experiment for a year, as had originally been planned. We are currently considering the contribution it can continue to make to the "what works" debate. The High Intensity Training regime at Thorn Cross, established separately from Colchester, will continue to operate.

  Young Offenders Institutions
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he visited or plans to visit(a) Thorn Cross Young Offenders Institution and (b) Colchester Young Offenders Institution. [21303]

  Ms Quin
  My right hon. Friend has no current plans to visit either Thorn Cross or Colchester Young Offender Institutions. As part of our delegated responsibilities. I visited Colchester on 2 July and the Under-Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Knowsley, North and Sefton, East (Mr. Howarth) visited Thorn Cross on 6 November. I will be visiting Thorn Cross on Tuesday 20 January.

  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Young Offender Institutions he has visited since 1 May. [21304]

  Ms Quin
  My right hon. Friend visited Brinsford Young Offenders Institution on 6 January. As part of our delegated responsibilities, I have visited four Young Offenders Institutions and my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary has visited five.

  Prisons (Visitor Searches)
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what changes he proposes to the guidance governing searching of visitors to Her Majesty's Prisons. [21306]

  Ms Quin
  There are no current plans to issue guidance on the searching of visitors. However, it is possible that the Prison Service's review of searching, which will touch on the searching of visitors, may recommend some further changes. The review is due to be completed by the end of January.

  Prisons (Drug Use)
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what initiatives have been introduced since 1 May to combat the use of drugs in Her Majesty's Prisons. [21262]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Prison Service is currently developing plans to fulfil this Government's commitment to provide access to voluntary testing for all prisoners. This work is being taken forward as part of a review of the Prison Service Drug Strategy which Ministers have commissioned.

  Prisoners (In-cell Television)
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 27 October 1997,Official Report, column 741, what progress has been made in formulating policy with respect to in-cell television for prisoners. [21261]

  Ms Quin
  The Government are still reconsidering policy in this area, and we will make an announcement when we have taken final decisions.

CABINET OFFICE

  Social Exclusion Unit
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will answer questions relating to his role with the Social Exclusion Unit. [23232]

  Mr. Mandelson
  The unit is responsible to the Prime Minister in its work.

  Government Policy (Implementation)
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will answer questions relating to the strategic implementation of Government policy. [23233]

  Mr. Mandelson
  I always do my best to answer questions from hon. Members on my responsibilities but will not myself answer questions on policies where other colleagues have lead responsibility.

  Ministerial Travel (Trains and Buses)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will list the occasions since 1 May 1997 when he has used, in the course of his official duties,(a) a train and (b) a bus. [22922]

  Mr. Mandelson
  I use the train regularly in the course of my official duties. I have not used a bus for this purpose.

  Rome Lecture
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will place in the Library a copy of his lecture delivered at the Institute of International Affairs in Rome in October 1997. [22913]

  Mr. Mandelson
  I have today placed a copy of the lecture in the Libraries of the House.

  Millennium Experience
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio what specific aspects of the Millennium Experience will directly relate to Norfolk. [23049]

  Mr. Mandelson
  I expect the content of the Millennium Experience at Greenwich to appeal to, and be relevant to, people of all ages and interests from all over the UK, including Norfolk. The Experience will be divided into different zones looking at who we are, what we do, and where we live, in a way that will engage, inspire, and educate all visitors.

  In addition, there will be a national programme associated with the Experience. This has the same overarching theme of "Time to make a Difference" and will encourage participation by individuals from all areas of the country. The New Millennium Experience Company is currently in the process of setting up teams in the nine regions of England (Norfolk is included in the Eastern region) and in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Further details of the national programme will be announced in due course.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Ministerial Travel (Trains)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on what date he last used a train in the course of his official duties. [22933]

  Dr. David Clark
  I last used a train for official duties on 7 January 1998.

  Overseas Visits
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list all overseas visits made since 1 May 1997 on which he or any other Minister in his Department has been accompanied under Rule 83 of the Ministerial Code, indicating(a) who accompanied him (b) the cost to public funds of each such visit. [23259]

  Dr. David Clark
  My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary and I have been accompanied solely by departmental officials on the overseas visits which we have undertaken. The provisions of paragraph 83 of the Ministerial Code therefore do not apply.

  Ministerial Cars
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list by make, engine size and fuel consumption the official cars made available to those holding the post of Deputy Prime Minister since 1994. [22946]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated under the terms of the Framework Document to the Government Car and Despatch Agency. I have asked its Chief Executive, Mr. Nick Matheson, to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Nick Matheson to Mr. Norman Baker, dated January 1998:
  The Parliamentary Secretary, Office of Public Service, has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking for a list by make, engine size, and fuel consumption, of official cars made available to those holding the post of Deputy Prime Minister since 1994. I am responding as the Chief Executive of the Government Car and Despatch Agency (GCDA) which is responsible for the operation of the Government Car Service (GCS).
  Since 1994 GCS has provided one car, a Jaguar Sovereign, to the Right Honourable John Prescott MP. The engine size of the car is 4.0 litres, and has an official combined fuel consumption figure of 26.8 miles per gallon.
  Under the last administration, GCS did not provide the Deputy Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Michael Heseltine MP, with a car or driver. However, he used a car, together with driver, on cost terms to the public service fully equivalent to the usual ministerial transport arrangements provided by GCS, which were at the time of the agreement £43,628 per annum excluding VAT.
  The full terms of that arrangement were set out in a letter dated 16 March 1995, agreed when Mr. Heseltine was President of the Board of Trade, a copy of which was placed in the Library of the House.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Further and Higher Education
  Mr. Walker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans the Department of Education has to end the GCSE provision in colleges of further and higher education. [21378]
  284
  Mr. Worthington
  There are no plans to end GCSE provision in further education colleges.

  Animal Health Computer System
  Mr. Walter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what has been(a) the annual cost since its introduction of the Animal Health Computer System in Northern Ireland and (b) the approximate cost per movement in the latest financial year. [21761]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  (a) the annual cost of the system since its introduction in 1988–89 is as follows:

  £

  1988–89

  133,871

  1989–90

  368,156

  1990–91

  477,797

  1991–92

  522,856

  1992–93

  540,295

  1993–94

  560,559

  1994–95

  556,142

  1995–96

  568,814

  1996–97

  565,187

  The figures comprise staff costs of the central computer unit, the maintenance of the system by external contractors and the rental of data circuits.

  (b) the approximate cost per movement in the latest financial year (1996–97) is £0.32 based on 1,750,000 movements at a cost of £565,187.

  Mr. Walter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate she has made of the savings to the Veterinary Service of the Department of Agriculture by the introduction of the Animal Health Computer System. [21762]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The Net Present Value of the investment in the Animal Health Computer System is estimated at £7 million in 1997–98. The on-going savings are currently estimated at £7 million in 1997–98. The on-going savings are currently estimated at £2.7 million per annum. These savings include significant notional elements in that the increased efficiencies arising from the computer facility enabled the Department to redeploy a number of typing, clerical and field staff to other activities.

  Mr. Walter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the(a) capital cost and (b) annual cost of the Animal and Public Health Information System and the approximate cost per livestock movement. [21763]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  (a) the capital cost of the Animal and Public Health Information System (APHIS) is estimated at £2.25 million.

  (b) the estimated annual cost of APHIS is as follows:

  £

  1998–99

  473,000

  1999–2000

  537,000

  2000–01

  577,000

  2001–02

  458,000

  2002–03

  462,000

  2003–04

  465,000

  285
  The figures comprise staff costs of the central computer unit, the maintenance of the system by external contractors and the rental of data circuits.

  (c) the approximate cost per movement based upon 1,750,000 movements is estimated at around £0.30.

  Mr. Walter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when she plans to introduce charges to farmers, auctioneers or abattoirs for the Animal and Public Health Information System; and what the scale of those charges will be. [21764]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The question of charging will be considered later this year in parallel with the introduction of the Animal and Public Health Information System.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps she will take to ensure that persons she appoints to public bodies reflect the various communities, political parties and religious denominations in Northern Ireland; to how many such bodies she makes appointments; and what is the statutory basis which requires her to ensure that her appointments reflect different groups and bodies. [22218]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  All the Northern Ireland Departments, including the Northern Ireland Office, fully endorse the Guidance issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments, Sir Leonard Peach, that all public appointments should be governed by the overriding principle of selection based on merit, and on the basis of merit, to ensure that their bodies, as far as possible, reflect the composition of the population of Northern Ireland. There are 148 bodies featured in the cabinet office publication "Public Bodies 1997" to which the Departments make appointments. None of the bodies have a statutory base which requires appointments to reflect various communities, political party and religious denominations.

HEALTH

  Lariam
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department is currently supporting into the possible side effects of the use of Lariam; and if he will make a statement. [18270]

  Ms Jowell
  None. The recommendations of the Malaria Advisory Committee on the prevention of malaria for United Kingdom travellers were published by the Public Health Laboratory Service in the Communicable Disease Report on 19 September. Copies are available in the Library.

  As for all marketed medicines, the available research into the side effects of melfloquine was assessed at the time of granting the Marketing Authorisation and continues to be evaluated by the Medicines Control Agency whenever new information emerges. Recognised side effects for mefloquine are included in the authorised product information and the British National Formulary. The current produce information for doctors and patients for Lariam is consistent with the newly published
  286
  guidelines and the product information advises doctors to refer to these, for current advice on geographical resistance patterns and appropriate chemoprophylaxis.

  In-patients
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the average length of in-patient stay in each hospital trust in each of the last five years; how many patients treated as in-patients were re-admitted to each hospital trust within six months; and what proportion of the total number of patients so treated this represents. [19802]

  Mr. Boateng
  Information on average length of stay for each National Health Service trust for the years 1991–92 to 1995–96 has been placed in the Library. Information on six-month readmission rates for individual trusts is not collected centrally, but my noble Friend, the Baroness Jay, will write to my hon. Friend with the information that is available.

  Dental Services
  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on free dental check-ups within the NHS. [22564]

  Mr. Milburn
  Dental charges are being examined as part of the comprehensive spending review, which is looking at all aspects of the Department's spending in the context of the Government's election manifesto commitment"if you are ill or injured there will be a national health service there to help; and access to it will be based on need and need alone—not on your ability to pay, or on who your general practitioner happens to be or on where you live".

  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he last met representatives of the dental profession to discuss improvements in the dental services within the NHS; and if he will make a statement. [22562]

  Mr. Milburn
  There are frequent meetings to discuss different aspects of dentistry between Departmental Ministers or officials and the representatives of the dental profession. Most recently, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State met representatives of the General Dental Council on 24 November, and I met representatives of the General Dental Services Committee from the British Dental Association on 19 November 1997.

  Mental Health
  Mr. Wicks
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if his Department has formally responded to the Mental Health Act Commission's seventh biennial report. [23784]

  Mr. Boateng
  Yes. Copies have been placed in the Library.

  Ministerial Travel (Trains)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what date he last used a train in the course of his official duties. [22935]

  Mr. Dobson
  Today.

  Norfolk and Norwich NHS Trust
  Dr. Brand
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the number of staffed acute beds at the Norfolk and Norwich NHS Trust(a) at the latest available date, (b) proposed under the public sector route, as set out in the outline business case and (c) under the PFI proposals. [23128]

  Mr. Milburn
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Southwark, North and Bermondsey (Mr. Hughes) on 18 December 1997,Official Report, column 330.

  Overseas Visits
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list all overseas visits made since 1 May 1997 on which he or any other Minister in his Department has been accompanied under Rule 83 of the Ministerial Code, indicating(a) who accompanied him or her (b) the cost to public funds of each such visit. [23254]

  Ms Jowell
  None.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Beef
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food under what circumstances it is permissible to offer as food, beef products which are derived from animals which are over 30 months of age; and if he will make a statement. [20312]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Fresh Meat (Beef Controls) Regulations 1996 permit meat and any products derived from bovine animals which are over 30 months to be offered as food under the following circumstances.

  Firstly, meat derived from a bovine animal which was born, reared and slaughtered in any of the countries specified in the Schedule to the Regulations i.e.,

  Argentina

  Australia

  Botswana

  Brazil

  Mauritius

  Namibia

  New Zealand

  Paraguay

  Poland

  South Africa

  Swaziland

  Uruguay

  United States of America

  Zimbabwe.

  Secondly, meat derived from a bovine animal which was accompanied at the time of slaughter by a slaughter certificate issued under the Beef Assurance Scheme, slaughtered in accordance with the hygiene requirements of the Fresh Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995 and processed in accordance with the Meat Products (Hygiene) Regulations 1994.
  288
  These exemptions from the over thirty months rule are under continual review.

  BSE
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will estimate the quantities of incinerated waste arising from the burning of cattle suspected of having BSE; at what sites this waste is located; and what are his Department's plans for final disposal of this waste. [20761]

  Mr. Rooker
  A typical BSE suspect carcase of about 480kg produces about 33kg of ash following incineration. Since records began in 1988, 189,812 carcases have been incinerated in Great Britain by MAFF Veterinary Investigation Centres and by commercial companies contracted by the Department, resulting in an estimated 6,264 tonnes of ash. It is normal practice for this ash to be landfilled in appropriately licensed sites. Records of these sites are not kept centrally within the Department. The policing and monitoring of such sites is the responsibility of the Environment Agency.

  Genetically Modified Food
  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the studies undertaken or commissioned by the Government into genetically modified foods listing the organisations involved. [22189]

  Mr. Rooker
  A list of current and recently completed studies on genetically modified foods is given in the table.

  Study

  Organisation

  Tagging genetically engineered organisms

  IFR, Norwich Laboratory

  Development of new methods for safety evaluation of transgenic crops

  BIBRA Toxicology International

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

  Laboratory of the Government Chemist

  Genetically modified organisms in food-evaluation of in vitro and in vivo models for assessing DNA transfer in guts

  BIBRA Toxicology International

  Detection of genetically modified organisms in foods

  Laboratory of the Government Chemist

  A model system for the quantitative analysis of horizontal spread of DNA from genetically engineered microorganisms GIT

  IFR, Norwich Laboratory

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

  Rowett Research Institute

  A model system for the quantitative analysis of horizontal spread of DNA from genetically engineered microorganisms

  Surrey University

  Regulation and targeting of transgene expression in fruit crops

  HRI, East Mailing

  Causes of instability of transgenic plants

  John Innes Centre

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

  IFR, Norwich Laboratory

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

  Leatherhead Food Research Association

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

  AEA Technology, Consultancy Services

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

  AEA Technology, Consultancy Services

  Persistence and potential infectivity of live bacteria in foods

  IFR, Norwich Laboratory

  289

  Study

  Organisation

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

  Sheffield University

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

  University College Wales, Cardiff

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

  Rowett Research Institute

  Evaluating the risks associated with using GMOs in human foods

  Newcastle University

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

  John Innes Centre

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

  Leeds University

  Dissemination of GM DNA and antibiotic resistance genes via rumen microorganisms

  Rowett Research Institute

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

  IFR, Norwich Laboratory

  Gene expression in anthers and nectaries of transgenic plants

  Leicester University

  The stability of expression and inheritance of transgenes in brassica

  John Innes Centre

  Risk assessment of genetically engineered avian probiotics

  Newcastle University

  Possibility of Agrobacterium as a vehicle for gene escape

  Mylnefield Research Services Ltd.

  Do protein sequences imply inter-species gene transfer?

  Manchester University

  The effect of background genotype on transgenes

  John Innes Centre

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

  Central Science Laboratory/IACR, Brooms Barn

  Mobile genetic elements and lateral gene transfer events in crop species

  Manchester University

  Spongiform Encephalopathies
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what investigations his Department has undertaken into spongiform type symptoms in dogs held in(a) kennels and (b) quarantine. [22727]

  Mr. Rooker
  Brains from culled hounds in packs throughout Great Britain, which are traditionally fed fallen livestock and so may be considered a high risk population exposed to tissues potentially infected with transmissible spongiform encephalopathies before controls were introduced in September 1990, have been examined and the results considered by SEAC in August 1994. The results were re-evaluated in June 1995. SEAC concluded that the results were inconclusive because there were certain limitations in the protocol of the study. However, it was recognised that the study established that in the dogs studied there was no evidence of a pathologically overt spongiform encephalopathy. It has to be stressed that the hounds were being culled for a variety of reasons and the vast majority were showing no evidence of suffering from neurological disease.

  The brains of dogs which die in quarantine are routinely examined for the presence of rabies. Depending on the clinical signs presented before death, some may also be examined for evidence of spongiform encephalopathy if the rabies diagnosis is negative. No TSE has been identified by these examinations.
  290
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of SEAC funding was devoted to(a) the BSE/CJD link, (b) the BSE/ organophosphate link and (c) evidence relating to the incidence of spongiform diseases in humans before the BSE outbreak in the last year for which figures are available. [22726]

  Mr. Rooker
  SEAC funding covers the cost of arranging meetings, members' fees and their travel costs. It is not broken down by subject.

  Pesticides
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food from which pesticides he has withdrawn clearance for use since 1 May; and from which specific permitted uses of pesticides he has withdrawn clearance for use since 1 May. [22945]

  Mr. Rooker
  Since 1 May 1997, the approvals for all of the uses of 218 pesticide products have been revoked. Of these, eight were revoked for safety reasons or for failure to support the pesticide following a review, and no use is now permitted. A further 84 approved pesticides were also revoked for safety reasons or failure to support the pesticide following a review, but use continues to be approved for a further two years as the safest means of disposing stocks already distributed.

  Twenty-seven approved pesticides have been revoked for commercial reasons with no use now permitted. Ninety-nine approved pesticides were revoked for commercial reasons, but where uses continue to be approved for a further two years.

  I have placed a list of all these pesticide products in the Library of the House.

  A number of specific pesticide uses have also been withdrawn since 1 May. Details of these could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, they are reported in the monthly Pesticides Register published by the Stationary Office.

  Cattle Cull
  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his Department's preferred option for the disposal of animals culled under the over-30–months scheme. [23167]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Intervention Board Executive Agency (IBEA) has responsibility for the day to day running of the over-thirty-months scheme. After careful consideration, it has concluded that none of the bids received for incineration under its 1997 tender exercise are capable of meeting its requirements of energy recovery, proven technology, early deliverability, high volumes and reasonable costs. IBEA has therefore terminated the restricted stage of the tender so far as the incineration only element is concerned and is actively investigating other options which may be able to meet its requirements. The Government will announce their decision when these investigations are complete.

  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the risks to nearby communities from the incineration of(a) meat and bone meal and (b) carcasses from animals culled under the over-30-months scheme. [23170]
  291
  Mr. Rooker
  In June 1997, the Environment Agency published a number of studies on the risks from BSE to human health via different environmental pathways. In relation to incineration of BSE suspects, the risk calculation showed that the likelihood of the most exposed individual ingesting in one year sufficient material to cause infection to be less than one in 1,000 million. The Agency pointed out that, in reality, the real risk to the general public is way below that of the most exposed individual. The risks of incinerating over-thirty-months Scheme cattle carcases will be lower still. Incinerators burning carcases and meat and bone meal (MBM) will require consents under the Environment Protection Act 1990.

  The risk assessments gave similar results for burning meat and bone meal derived from OTMS carcases in coal fired power stations. All of the risk assessments carried out showed the risks to be very low and negligible compared to other risks in daily life.

  Rendering
  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the risks to nearby communities from the burning of tallow to power animal rendering processes. [23164]

  Mr. Rooker
  Studies to assess the effectiveness of the rendering processes to inactivate BSE and scrapie infectivity (Taylor et al 1995, Taylor et al 1997) failed to detect any infectivity in tallow. The majority of tallow produced under the Over Thirty Months Scheme is being safely and securely stored pending a final decision being taken on the disposal options. Small amounts of tallow are being burned in some rendering plants to power the rendering process subject to the consent of the local authority.

  Rabies
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 17 December 1997,Official Report, column 231, what plans he has to ask the Kennedy Committee to assess possible risks from the vertical transmission of rabies virus. [23188]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Advisory Group on Quarantine, under the Chairmanship of Professor Kennedy, are already considering this as part of their work.

  Cloning
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 18 November 1997,Official Report, columns 119, if he will implement recommendation 2 of the Banner Committee. [22757]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 12 January 1998]: I have been asked to reply.

  The second recommendation of the Banner Committee calls for a new Committee with responsibility for advising on the ethical questions associated with scientific advances in the field of genetics.

  The Human Genetics Advisory Commission already has a remit to advise on the ethical issues arising from advances in human genetics. Additionally, on
  292
  24 November last year, I announced a public consultation on the wider issues arising from developments in the biosciences. The Banner Committee's second recommendation will be considered in this context.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  School Standards
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what assessment he has made of the value for money of the work of OFSTED in seeking to raise secondary pupils' standards of educational achievement since September 1993; [22849]

  (2) what independent assessment his Department has made of OFSTED's effectiveness in improving the standards of GCSE achievement by 15 year old maintained pupils' nationally between September 1993 and 1997; and by what criteria in terms of pupils' educational achievements and welfare his Department assesses OFSTED's performance. [22854]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 14 January 1998]: OFSTED continues to play an essential part in the drive to achieve higher standards. Regular inspection of all schools by OFSTED contributes to public accountability and to the improvement of the education service through the comparative data which is then made available. It is not possible to separate the work of OFSTED from the other factors that have contributed to these improvements.

  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what estimate his Department has made of(a) the total cost, (b) the average total cost per maintained secondary pupil and (c) the average total cost per secondary school of the first four-year cycle of OFSTED secondary school inspections (i) excluding and (ii) including private training costs to inspectors; [22851]

  (2) what estimate his Department has made of (a) the total cost, (b) the average total cost per maintained primary pupil and (c) the average total cost per secondary school, of the first three-year cycle of OFSTED primary school inspections (i) excluding and (ii) including private training costs to inspectors; [22852]

  (3) what estimate his Department has made of (a) the total projected cost per annum, (b) the projected average cost per pupil per annum and (c) the average total cost per LEA of OFSTED's inspections, (i) excluding and (ii) including private training costs to inspectors. [22853]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 14 January 1998]: I am seeking this information from Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools, Chris Woodhead, and will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

  Assisted Places Scheme
  Mr. Dorrell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will publish his latest estimate of the revenue savings he expects to accrue as a result of the abolition of the assisted places scheme in the years(a) 1998–99, (b) 1999–2000, (c) 2000–01 and (d) 2001–02; and if he will list the assumptions underlying his estimates. [23172]
  293
  Mr. Byers
  Our latest estimate of savings against the previous Government's published expenditure plans is £22 million in 1998–99 and £61 million in 1999–2000, with £80 million in 2000–01 and £100 million in 2001–02 assuming that the original baseline figure of £180 million for 1999–2000 is rolled forward. The estimates assume falling numbers of assisted place holders over the years in question while continuing the present arrangements for means-testing and fee-setting.

  Early Years Education
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list in respect of each local education authority area in England the number of(a) application forms received by his Department for certificates of eligibility for early years education for the current term, (b) certificates despatched to parents and (c) applications in respect of certificates which have not yet been despatched by his Department; and if he will make a statement. [23269]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Certificates of eligibility are used in only 53 local education authorities, the others having put in place interim early years education plans covering the autumn term 1997 and the spring term 1998. Certificates of eligibility are normally despatched within five working days of receipt of a valid application. On Friday 15 January, I expect the position to be:

  Local education authority

  (a) application forms received

  (b) certificates dispatched

  (c) applications awaiting certificate dispatch

  Barking and Dagenham

  50

  47

  3

  Barnet

  453

  449

  4

  Barnsley

  78

  78

  0

  Bath and North-east Somerset

  349

  346

  3

  Berkshire

  1,852

  1,840

  12

  Brent

  231

  228

  3

  Brighton and Hove

  417

  412

  5

  Bromley

  862

  857

  5

  Buckinghamshire

  1,020

  1,009

  11

  City of London

  3

  3

  0

  Derby

  267

  255

  12

  Derbyshire

  885

  860

  25

  Devon

  2,445

  2,413

  32

  East Riding of Yorkshire

  550

  543

  7

  East Sussex

  1,192

  1,177

  15

  Enfield

  386

  383

  3

  Essex

  4,452

  4,395

  57

  Gateshead

  123

  123

  0

  Harrow

  259

  259

  0

  Havering

  413

  409

  4

  Hereford and Worcester

  1,521

  1,509

  12

  Hillingdon

  143

  140

  3

  Islington

  117

  115

  2

  Kensington and Chelsea

  122

  121

  1

  Kent

  4,636

  4,582

  54

  Kingston upon Hull, City of

  159

  159

  0

  Lambeth

  304

  299

  5

  Leicester

  155

  154

  1

  Leicestershire

  1,868

  1,853

  15

  Luton

  119

  119

  0

  Norfolk

  1,523

  1,502

  21

  North Lincolnshire

  113

  112

  1

  North Yorkshire

  987

  971

  16

  Northumberland

  155

  149

  6

  Nottinghamshire

  1,017

  984

  33

  Oldham

  146

  145

  1

  Oxfordshire

  1,579

  1,564

  15

  Redbridge

  354

  349

  5

  Richmond upon Thames

  310

  307

  3

  Rochdale

  128

  128

  0

  Sefton

  242

  240

  2

  294

  Local education authority

  (a) application forms received

  (b) certificates dispatched

  (c) applications awaiting certificate dispatch

  Shropshire

  942

  921

  21

  South Gloucestershire

  662

  650

  12

  Southampton

  391

  385

  6

  Suffolk

  916

  914

  2

  Surrey

  2,704

  2,682

  22

  Trafford

  219

  218

  1

  Waltham Forest

  147

  147

  0

  Wandsworth

  286

  285

  1

  Warwickshire

  936

  927

  9

  West Sussex

  2,013

  2,001

  12

  Westminster

  151

  151

  0

  Wiltshire

  1,270

  1,269

  1

  Totals

  42,622

  42,138

  484

  Overseas Visits
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list all overseas visits made since 1 May 1997 on which he or any other Minister in his Department has been accompanied under Rule 83 of the Ministerial Code, indicating(a) who accompanied him or her (b) the cost to public funds of each such visit. [23258]

  Dr. Howells
  Of the overseas trips taken since 1 May 1997, none of the Ministers from the Department for Education and Employment were accompanied under Rule 83 of the Ministerial Code.

SCOTLAND

  Residential Homes
  Mr. Russell Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he plans to approve the decision by Dumfries and Galloway Council to externalise all of its residential homes for the elderly. [20616]

  Mr. Galbraith
  If the Secretary of State receives a request to approve the decision, careful consideration will be given to all relevant factors. However, as I indicated to my hon. Friend when we met in August, local authorities are best placed to determine what services are required to respond to the needs and circumstances of their areas.

  Fishing Industry
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received concerning the exemption of the fishing industry from the Working Time Directive; and if he will make a statement. [20652]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 15 December 1997]: The Scottish Office has received a copy of a paper submitted by the Scottish Fishermen's Federation to the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions in response to the EC White Paper on Sectors and Activities excluded from the Working Time Directive; and has been kept fully aware, in discussions, of the fishing industry's position on this matter.
  295
  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of state for Scotland what role he will have on fisheries matters during the United Kingdom presidency of the European Union. [22045]

  Mr. Dewar
  Scottish Office Ministers will play a full part in EU business during the UK Presidency.

  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what involvement he has had in determining the United Kingdom's priorities in fisheries during the United kingdom presidency of the European Union in the first half of 1998. [22044]

  Mr. Dewar
  The Scottish Office Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries Department has been closely involved in preparations for the UK's presidency and in advising Ministers on the determination of the UK's priorities.

  Fisheries Council
  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland at how many meetings of the EU Fisheries Council he has(a) spoken for and (b) been lead Minister on behalf of Her Majesty's Government since 2 May. [22025]

  Mr. Dewar
  My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State responsible for agriculture, environment and fisheries has attended both meetings (30 October and 18–19 December) of the Fisheries Council as a member of the UK Ministerial team.

  Water Authorities
  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what criteria determined the appointment of the chairpersons of the three Scottish water authorities. [22042]

  Mr. Dewar
  The new Chairmen of the East and North water authorities, who take up those positions on 1 April 1998, were appointed to the respective authorities in accordance with the procedures laid down by the Commissioner for Public Appointments' Code of Practice. All candidates were firstly assessed against a list of the knowledge, experience and personal qualities desirable for a Board member. In selecting Chairmen from the membership, I then considered the field in the light of the following desirable attributes:

  substantial public or private sector experience, preferably at Chairman level;

  effective ambassadorial skills;

  ability to develop a clear vision of the future of the public utilities;

  proven leadership qualities;

  ability to command respect, inspire and motivate both within the Board and within the organisation as a whole;

  possess knowledge of management practices in the public sector.

  Further Education Colleges
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will establish a further education funding council to help to decide the allocation of grants to further education colleges. [22269]

  Mr. Wilson
  The establishment of a Further Education Funding Council was one of the recommendations of the Scottish Committee of the National Committee of Inquiry 296
  into Higher Education. There have been extensive consultations on the Committee's recommendations but final decisions have not yet been taken.

  Cycle Spaces
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many secure cycle spaces there are in his Department. [22677]

  Mr. Dewar
  My Department has 164 secure cycle spaces in buildings where The Scottish Office is the major occupier.

  Nursery Provision
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what meetings he has had with the Scottish Pre-School Play Association to discuss(a) nursery provision and (b) the Nursery Voucher Scheme. [22382]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 12 January 1998]: There has so far been one Ministerial meeting with the Scottish Pre-School Play Association (SPPA): I met them on 11 July 1997, when we discussed pre-school education generally and the abolition of the pre-school voucher system in particular. I have also met Comhairle nan Sgoiltean Araich, another voluntary organisation concerned with pre-school education provision.

  There is also regular contact between SPPA and officials. SPPA is part of a standing liaison group between officials and pre-school education providers in all the sectors. It is also a member of the National Child Care Forum, on which The Scottish Office is represented. In addition, SPPA is amongst the organisations which have been invited to respond, by 6 February, to a major consultation paper on the future of pre-school education, which I published last November.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many meetings he has had with representatives of private nursery providers to discuss(a) the abolition of the Nursery Voucher Scheme and (b) alternative means of making nursery provision. [22383]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 12 January 1998]: There has so far been one Ministerial meeting with the Scottish Independent Nurseries Association (SINA): I met them on 24 September 1997 to discuss a wide range of issues, including the abolition of the pre-school voucher system and the way ahead for pre-school education thereafter.

  There is also regular contact between SINA and officials. Together with the Scottish Council for Independent Schools (SCIS), SINA is part of a standing liaison group between officials and pre-school education providers in all the sectors. In addition, SINA and SCIS are amongst the organisations which have been invited to respond, by 6 February, to a major consultation paper on the future of pre-school education, which I published last November.

  Owner-occupiers
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for each year since 1978–79 the number of owner-occupiers within Scotland as a percentage of the overall housing stock. [22395]
  297
  Mr. Macdonald
  [holding answer 12 January 1998]: Information about the number of owner occupied dwellings in Scotland is collected as part of the decennial Population Census. For intervening years the Scottish Office estimates the number of owner occupied dwellings on the basis of information from local authorities and Scottish Homes. The figures for each year from 1979 to 1996 are set out below.

  Year

  Owner occupied dwellings in Scotland as a percentage of the total housing stock

  1979

  35.3

  1980

  36.1

  1981

  136.4

  1982

  37.7

  1983

  39.1

  1984

  40.5

  1985

  41.8

  1986

  43.1

  1987

  44.6

  1988

  46.7

  1989

  49.1

  1990

  51.2

  1991

  152.4

  1992

  54.1

  1993

  55.5

  1994

  56.9

  1995

  58.4

  1996

  59.2

  1 Census figures. Remaining figures are estimates.

  Expenditure Statistics
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list, in(a) cash terms and (b)1997–98 prices, the amount of money allocated in each financial year since 1978–79 and 1997–98 to each area of expenditure currently within his responsibility. [22417]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 12 January 1998]: Fully consistent information in the form requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Relevant information can be found in the following publications:

  Public Expenditure to 1985–86—A Commentary on the Scotland Programme

  Public Expenditure to 1986–87—A Commentary on the Scotland Programme

  Public Expenditure to 1987–88—A Commentary on the Scotland Programme

  Public Expenditure to 1988–89—A Commentary on the Scotland Programme

  Public Expenditure to 1989–90—A Commentary on the Scotland Programme

  Public Expenditure to 1990–91—A Commentary on the Scotland Programme

  Public Expenditure to 1991–92—A Commentary on the Scotland Programme

  Public Expenditure to 1992–93—A Commentary on the Scotland Programme

  Serving Scotland's Needs—The Government's Expenditure Plans 1991–92 to 1993–94 (Cm 1515)

  Serving Scotland's Needs—The Government's Expenditure Plans 1992–93 to 1994–95 (Cm 1915)

  Serving Scotland's Needs—The Government's Expenditure Plans 1993–94 to 1995–96 (Cm 2214)

  Serving Scotland's Needs—The Government's Expenditure Plans 1994–95 to 1996–97 (Cm 2514)

  298

  Serving Scotland's Needs—The Government's Expenditure Plans 1995–96 to 1997–98 (Cm 2814)

  Serving Scotland's Needs—The Government's Expenditure Plans 1996–97 to 1998–99 (Cm 3214)

  Serving Scotland's Needs—The Government's Expenditure Plans 1997–98 to 1999–2000 (Cm 3614).

  Hospital Beds
  Mr. Sarwar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps have been taken to avert a shortage of hospital beds during the winter of 1997–98. [22747]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The Government have provided an additional £25 million to the NHS in Scotland to deal with the expected increase in emergency admissions over the winter period. In addition, I have required Health Boards in Scotland to use their share of £10 million saved from reductions in bureaucracy to reduce waiting times and to ensure that effective contingency plans are in place.

  Ministerial Travel (Trains)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on what date he last used a train in the course of his official duties. [22931]

  Mr. Dewar
  On Sunday 11 January 1998.

  Referendum
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many of the returning officers of the unitary authorities in Scotland, or staff acting on their behalf, contacted the Scottish Office Devolution Unit by phone between 10pm on 11 September 1997 and the conclusion of the count for Scotland, to request guidance on the interpretation of the answers given to the questions in the referendum, where the voters had written yes or no in the ballot paper; and if he will make a statement. [23234]

  Mr. McLeish
  The Chief Counting Officer for Scotland who had responsibility for the count did not receive any requests for further guidance on the adjudication of ballot papers in the period in question.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list those unitary authorities in Scotland which, during the course of the referendum count on 11 September changed the basis of interpretation as to whether a ballot paper was to be accepted as valid, or to be declared spoilt; and how many of these changed their interpretation on the specific advice of his Department. [23274]

  Mr. McLeish
  I am not aware that any area changed the basis of its interpretation of the adjudication of ballot papers or changed its interpretation of the guidance issued by the Chief Counting Office for Scotland.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what guidance he gave to returning officers in each of the unitary authority areas in Scotland, for the referendum count on 11 September 1997, with regard to deciding whether or not a vote was to be regarded as valid if the voter wrote "No" in the box adjacent to the statement "I do not agree that there should be a Scottish Parliament"; in what circumstances such a vote, in the absence of any other mark made by the voter on the ballot paper, was taken as(a) a "No" vote, (b) a "Yes" vote or (c) spoilt vote; and what additional guidance was given to returning officers during the course of the count on that evening. [23268]
  299
  Mr. McLeish
  The advice given in the guidance issued by the Chief Counting Officer about a ballot paper marked with "No" in the box adjacent to the statement "I do not agree that there should be a Scottish Parliament" was that the ballot paper was to be treated as a "No"vote. No additional guidance was issued by the Chief Counting Officer during the course of the count.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will place in the Library a copy of the guidance which he circulated to returning officers in each of the unitary authority areas in Scotland for the counting procedure for the referendum which took place on 11 September 1997, together with a copy of supplementary guidance issued after and clarification guidance faxed to such officers during the course of the count. [23275]

  Mr. McLeish
  Responsibility for the conduct of the count lay with the Chief Counting Officer for Scotland. A copy of his guidance in connection with the count has been placed in the Library. No supplementary guidance was issued.

  Students
  Mr. Ernie Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on changes in the student support and tuition fee arrangements for Scottish domiciled students in session 1989–99. [23983]

  Mr. Wilson
  I am publishing today the main rates of loans and maintenance grants payable in 1998–99 to continuing students and new students in full-time higher education. I am also publishing the rates for those postgraduate courses which do not attract students loans, together with the rates for the various supplementary allowances payable to both undergraduate and vocational postgraduate award holders.

  The total support available to undergraduate students in 1998–99 through the main rates of maintenance grant and loan, taken together, will be 3 per cent higher than in 1997–98, thus maintaining its value in real terms. Postgraduate maintenance grants and supplementary allowances will be increased by a similar amount.

  These changes are consistent with those for England and Wales announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment. Details have been placed in the Library.

TREASURY

  Environment
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to use fiscal measures to encourage good environmental practice. [21067]

  Mrs. Liddell
  On Budget day in July, we issued a statement of intent on the use of environmental taxes, which said that we will aim to reform the tax system to increase incentives to reduce environmental damage. The Pre-Budget Report outlined specific areas where we are taking this forward as a priority.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he next plans to meet leaders of the Local Government Association to discuss the control total for local government for 1998–99. [21068]

  Mr. Darling
  The Government have already announced for consultation their proposals for the local authority finance settlement for 1998–99. In his statement to the House on 2 December 1997,Official Report, columns 157–64 my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions explained that the arrangements would be finalised after a period of consultation with local authorities and others. He also referred to the establishment of a new central-local partnership which will provide an ongoing forum for discussion of all major issues of concern between the government and the Local Government Association.

  PEPs and Individual Savings Accounts
  Mr. Day
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received regarding PEPs. [21069]

  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received regarding his proposals for individual savings accounts. [21072]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  PEPs and TESSAs will be superseded from 1999 by the new individual savings account (ISA). We announced our proposals and published a consultative document on the ISA on 2 December. Responses were invited by 31 January. We have received so far, and continue to receive, large numbers of representations on these proposals.

  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what basis he calculated that there would be an additional six million savers under his proposals in the Green Paper on ISAs. [21089]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton (Mr. Gibb) on 22 December 1997,Official Report, column 473.

  Economic and Monetary Union
  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the steps he is taking to encourage greater public awareness of the implications of EMU. [21070]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  We have already published booklets to help people and businesses understand what EMU means. This year, we will hold conferences to inform all regions and sectors of the economy about the need to prepare. We will apply for Community funding for an information service and we will produce information packs for schools, and we plan to make all EMU information available on-line through links to libraries and information centres across the country.

  Helen Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from trade unions on his EMU policy. [21077]
  301
  Mr. Gordon Brown
  I have regular contact with the Trades Union Congress to discuss a range of issues, including economic and monetary union. I have also received representations from the TUC through the Business Advisory Group, which I set up in September 1997. I will shortly be publishing a report summarising the recommendations from the Advisory Group.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list each current statutory duty of the Bank of England, indicating how each is affected by(a) current obligations under Stage 2 of Economic and Monetary Union, (b) future obligations entered into by the United Kingdom after adherence to Stage 3 of Economic and Monetary Union and (c) the commencement of Stage 3 by other member states, not including the United Kingdom. [22195]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The main existing statutory duties of the Bank of England are prescribed by the Currency and Bank Notes Acts 1928 and 1954 (in relation to notes and coin) and by the Banking Act 1987 as amended (in relation to banking supervision). These duties are unaffected by stage 2 of economic and monetary union and would remain unaffected by the participation in stage 3 of other Member States. The 1928 and 1954 Acts would require amendment were the United Kingdom to participate in stage 3.

  Windfall Tax
  Ms Keeble
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with employers' groups on his policy to spend the proceeds of the windfall tax on a welfare-to-work programme. [21071]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  I am pleased to tell the House that we had widespread positive acceptance of the welfare to work programme from employers, employees representatives and the voluntary sector as well. In particular, I am most encouraged by the firm support from British industry and I am pleased also to say many Members of this House have been involved as ambassadors for the programme, and that is having a very good effect.

  Mr. McCabe
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representation she has received from employers' groups on his policy to spend the proceeds of the windfall tax on a welfare-to-work programme. [21080]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Gedling (Mr. Coaker) today.

  Tax Avoidance
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received regarding his plans for a general provision against tax avoidance. [21073]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  Since I asked the Inland Revenue to look at the possibility of a General Anti-Avoidance Rule (GAAR) in my last Budget, a number of representations have been received expressing a variety of views. The Revenue have also held informal discussions with several representative bodies and other groups. Given the informal and exploratory nature of these talks,302
  I do not think it would be right to disclose details at this early stage. There will be formal, public consultation before any General Anti-Avoidance Rule is introduced.

  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with other Governments regarding measures to tackle tax avoidance. [21084]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  The Government have had a number of discussions with other Governments about various aspects of tax avoidance.

  Fuel (Value Added Tax)
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from pensioner groups on his policy to reduce VAT on fuel. [21074]

  Mr. Goggins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from pensioner groups on his policy to reduce the VAT rate on fuel. [21076]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Our prompt action to bring down the VAT rate on domestic fuel in the Summer Budget has been widely welcomed. The reduction will be of particular benefit to Pensioners as a proportion of their average income.

  Charlotte Atkins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from trade unions on his policy to reduce the VAT rate on fuel. [21090]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Our prompt action to bring down the VAT rate on domestic fuel in the Summer Budget has been widely welcomed. There have been no specific representations from trade unions.

  Tax Competition
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will meet the Belgian Finance Minister to discuss harmful tax competition. [21075]

  Dawn Primarolo
  No such meeting is scheduled, but the Chancellor does of course see all EU Finance Ministers regularly at meetings of the Ecofin Council.

  Hypothecated Taxation
  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received on the effect of hypothecated taxation on service provision. [21078]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Government receive a number of representations on both the Budget and the Comprehensive Spending Reviews. A variety of representations on hypothecated taxation have been received.

  Offshore Trusts
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which of his ministerial colleagues receive papers on the development of policy for the taxation of offshore trusts. [21079]
  303
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which of his ministerial colleagues receive papers on the development of policy for the taxation of offshore trusts. [21085]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  I refer the hon. Members to the answer I gave to the right hon. Member for Hitchen and Harpenden (Mr. Lilley) on the 10 December 1997,Official Report, column 576.

  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the annual cost to the Treasury of tax avoidance through the use of offshore trusts. [21087]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  The last Government failed to put in place any comprehensive mechanism accurately to assess or estimate the cost to the Treasury of tax avoidance. The question of assessment is part of the review announced in the Pre-Budget Report.

  National Insurance
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received recently concerning national insurance contributions; and if he will make a statement. [21082]

  Mr. Darling
  My ministerial colleagues and I receive numerous representations regarding national insurance contributions.

  Sterling
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received about the current level of sterling. [21083]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Chancellor has received a number of representations concerning the exchange rate. The Government want a stable and competitive pound over the medium term, consistent with the objective of price stability. The focus of policy will be on achieving the low inflation and sound public finances which are the necessary conditions for sustained exchange rate stability.

  Income Tax (Self-assessment)
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to simplify the calculation of income tax for the purposes of self-assessment. [21086]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The self-assessment legislation included a number of measures to simplify the calculation of income tax. These measures were considered in depth by the Self Assessment Consultative Committee which has representatives from all the main organisations representing business and industry bodies and the accountancy and legal professions. The Inland Revenue is listening closely to any practical concerns raised by taxpayers and accountants about self assessment.

  Budget Forecast
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his current forecast of the Budget surplus or deficit for 1998–99. [21088]

  Mr. Darling
  Table B1 in Appendix B of the November 1997 Pre-Budget Report gives current forecasts of the budget surplus or deficit on various definitions.

  Channel Islands
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the economic benefits to the UK from the constitutional position of the Channel Islands in respect of their arrangements for determining their own tax laws. [22240]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The constitutional relationship between the Channel Islands and the United Kingdom was examined by the Royal Commission on the Constitution 1969–1973. The Government have conducted no specific assessment of the economic benefits to the UK of the constitutional position of the Channel Islands in respect of their arrangements for determining their own tax laws.

  Art Market (VAT)
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reason an interim VAT band was established for the United Kingdom art market; what effect the VAT raise has had on turnover; and what representations he is making to the Commission on the subject. [22616]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 12 January 1998]: Goods imported into the UK normally bear VAT at the Standard rate (17.5 per cent.). Under the terms of EC law introduced in 1995 certain works of art, antiques and collectors' pieces imported into the UK are eligible until 30 June 1999 for an effective rate of VAT at importation of 2.5 per cent.

  The fine art trade's published overseas trade statistics indicate that, since 1995, there has been a reduction in the annual values of UK imports of works of art, antiques and collectors' pieces from non-EC countries. It is readily acknowledged by representatives of the fine art trade that, in such a highly competitive global market, a variety of factors may have contributed to the apparent decline in imports.

  During 1998, the EC Commission is expected to review the effects of the relevant EC legislation on the competitiveness of the Community art markets compared to third countries' art markets. The relevant Government departments are working closely with art trade bodies to evaluate those effects, and to try to ensure that the position of the UK's fine art market will be properly represented in that review.

  Association for the Monetary Union of Europe
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what finance the Association for the Monetary Union of Europe receives from the European Community. [22617]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 12 January 1998]: The information requested is not held by the Government. The question should be addressed to Directorate General XIX of the European Commission.

  Valuation Office Agency
  Mr. Fallon
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reasons the Chief Executive of the Valuation Office Agency resigned in December 1997 and on what terms; whether she was on fully-paid sick leave between January and September 1997; and at what cost. [22812]
  305
  Dawn Primarolo
  The reasons for the previous Chief Executive's resignation and her sick leave record whilst she was employed are confidential information concerning public employment. Mrs. Lowe received £54,000 on her resignation. The normal rules concerning sick leave and pensions in the Civil Service were applied to Mrs. Lowe during her employment.

  Private Health Insurance
  Mr. Fraser
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what will be the estimated saving to public funds in(a) 1997–98 and (b) 1998–99 of the abolition of tax relief on private health insurance. [22463]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Tax relief on private medical insurance contracts for individuals aged 60 or over was withdrawn in the July 1997 Budget. The savings in relief are estimated at £25 million in 1997–98 and £120 million in 1998–99.

  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchquer what revenue the Exchequer received in 1997 from the removal of tax relief on pensions' private medical insurance.
  [22827]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Tax relief on private medical insurance contracts for individuals aged 60 or over was withdrawn in the July 1997 Budget. The saving in relief is estimated at 25 milion in 1997–98.

  Charities
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consultation he had with charitable organisations prior to phasing out charities' tax credit compensation; and if he will make a statement. [22461]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The abolition of paid tax credits applies to all non-taxpayers and is part of a wider reform. We did, however, consider the position of charities carefully and so included a special seven year transitional provision for them which has been generally welcomed.

  Oil Terminals
  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will review arrangements relating to the rebonding of oil terminals in order to encourage seaborne transport of domestic oil supplies. [22761]

  Dawn Primarolo
  No. These arrangements have been the subject of discussion with the oil industry for some time but the cost to the Exchequer of returning to rebonding is too expensive. It also has resource costs for Customs. The industry was compensated for debonding by the current duty deferment system, which allows monthly, rather than daily, payment of duty.

  Agriculture (Compensatory Payments)
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received regarding compensatory payments to agriculture consequent upon the strength of sterling in relation to other EU currencies. [21062]

  Mr. Darling
  Treasury Ministers have received several such representations. I refer to the statement which my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food made to the House on 22 December, 1997,Official Report, columns 677–79.

  Overseas Visits
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list all overseas visits made since 1 May 1997 on which he or any other Minister in his Department has been accompanied under Rule 83 of the Ministerial Code, indicating(a) who accompanied him or her (b) the cost to public funds of each such visit. [23249]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  There have been no such visits.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many public appointments she has made since 1 May; and how many and what percentage of these(a) receive remuneration and (b) are of (i) Afro-Caribbean and (ii) Asian origin; [16785]

  (2) if she will publish the names of all those people whom she has appointed to public bodies since 1 May, indicating the positions to which they have been appointed, and whether they receive remuneration. [19978]

  Mr. Field
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security has made 35 public appointments since 1 May. Of those:(a) eight appointments (23 per cent.) are remunerated, on a fee paid sessional basis; (b) No appointments are of Afro-Caribbean or Asian Origin.

  The information regarding the names of those people who have been appointed and the position to which they have been appointed is set out in the table.

  Appointee

  Position and public body

  Remuneration (Attendance fee £)

  Brigadier A. K. Dixon

  Member, Central Advisory Committee on War Pensions

  None

  Brigadier W. Shackell CBE

  Member, Central Advisory Committee on War Pensions

  None

  Mr. J. Howes

  Member, Chasely Trust

  None

  Mrs. A. Spaight MA, MSCP

  Member, Disability Living Allowance Advisory Board

  119.00

  Sir P. Large CBE

  Member, Disability Living Allowance Advisory Board

  119.00

  Dr. P. Watson

  Member, Far East (Prisoner of War and Interness) Fund

  None

  Reverend R. Rossiter

  Member, Far East (Prisoner of War Interness) Fund

  None

  Mr. R Grainger

  Member, Industrial Injuries Advisory Council

  107.00

  Mr. H. Brown

  Member, Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority

  157.00

  Mrs. H. Maunsell

  Member, Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority

  157.00

  Mr. M. Jones

  Member, Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority

  157.00

  Lady J. Staughton

  Member, Royal Patriotic Fund Corporation

  None

  Professor O. Stevenson CBE

  Member, Social Security Advisory Committee

  122.00

  Mr. R. Wendt

  Member, Social Security Advisory Commitee

  122.00

  Mr. R. Mortimer

  Member, War Pensions Committee

  None

  Ms J. Stevens

  Member, War Pensions Committee

  None

  Major Roynon-Jones

  Member, War Pensions Committee

  None

  Lieutenant Colonel M.

  Member, War Pensions

  None

  307

  Appointee

  Position and public body

  Remuneration (Attendance fee £)

  Deverill

  Committee

  Mr. M. Richards

  Member, War Pensions Committee

  None

  Mr. W. Mowat

  Member, War Pensions Committee

  None

  Mr. D. Steele

  Member, War Pensions Committee

  None

  Mr. J. Clarke

  Member, War Pensions Committee

  None

  Mr. D. Hollier

  Member, War Pensions Committee

  None

  Mr. W.G. Wenman

  Member, War Pensions Committee

  None

  Mr. G. Cook

  Member, War Pensions Committee

  None

  Mr. A. Wakely

  Member, War Pensions Committee

  None

  Mr. P. A. Pierce

  Member, War Pensions Committee

  None

  Mr. R. Barry

  Member, War Pensions Committee

  None

  Dr. A. Carvalho

  Member, War Pensions Committee

  None

  Captain C. Blackwood

  Member, War Pensions Committee

  None

  Mrs. P. Seaton

  Member, War Pensions Committee

  None

  Lieutenant Colonel A. Drake DL

  Member, War Pensions Committee

  None

  Mr. G. Coulson

  Member, War Pensions Committee

  None

  Mrs. P. Robinson

  Member, War Pensions Committee

  None

  Mr. L. Barber

  Member, War Pensions Committee

  None

  1. The Retail Prices Index (All items) (RPI) and the Average Earnings Index (Whole Economy) as supplied by The Office for National Statistics were used in this calculation.

  2. The figures have been rounded to the nearest 5 pence at each uprating.

  3. The rate of Basic Retirement Pension was increased in the April 1994 uprating by 50 pence for a single pensioner and 70 pence for a couple on account of VAT on fuel. This increase has not been added in to these illustrative figures.

  State Pensions
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the rate of state pensions for each year since 1980 for(a) a single pensioner and (b) a couple if the increase had been linked to earnings rather than prices. [17365]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 25 November 1997]: The information requested is in the table.

  Uprating date

  Single pensioner (£)

  Pensioner couple (£)

  November 1980

  27.60

  44.20

  November 1981

  30.90

  49.50

  November 1982

  33.50

  53.65

  November 1983

  36.40

  58.30

  November 1984

  38.25

  61.25

  November 1985

  41.60

  66.60

  July 1986

  43.45

  69.55

  April 1987

  45.90

  73.45

  April 1988

  49.50

  79.20

  April 1989

  53.90

  86.25

  April 1990

  59.15

  94.65

  April 1991

  65.60

  104.95

  April 1992

  70.80

  113.25

  April 1993

  74.25

  118.80

  April 1994

  76.40

  122.25

  308

  Uprating date

  Single pensioner (£)

  Pensioner couple (£)

  April 1995

  79.45

  127.15

  April 1996

  82.55

  132.10

  April 1997

  86.00

  137.65

  April 1998

  89.60

  143.40

  Invalid Care Allowance
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment she has made of the impact of Welfare to Work proposals on the number of people claiming invalid care allowance. [20674]

  Mr. Denham
  The Government have recently launched the New Deal for people with a disability or long-term illness. Under the New Deal up to £195 million, set aside from the Windfall Tax, will be used to finance a range of options aimed at helping participants, in the most effective way possible, to move into or stay in work, Whilst the programme is primarily aimed at helping people with a disability or long-term illness who want to work, it also aims to help carers to balance their responsibilities with work, or to take up work when their caring responsibilities come to and end.

  One key element of the New Deal will involve funding a number of innovative schemes to test ways of helping people who want to work, and the bidding process for this part of the programme was launched on 9 December. Up to 20 schemes will be selected, and we anticipate that some of the bids will focus on the needs of carers. In addition we also plan to introduce personal advisers, initially on a modest basis, to help people with a disability on long-term illness to overcome barriers to work. Carers receiving invalid care allowance will also be eligible for help from these personal advisers.

  No estimate has been made of the impact of the New Deal on the number of people claiming Invalid Care Allowance.

  Child Care
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will list the criteria for eligibility for claims under the family credit childcare disregard; and for each of the last three years(a) how many families made claims against the disregard, (b) what was the total expenditure, (c) what were the average and the median claims, (d) how many claims were made for care of children aged (i) under one year, (ii) between one and four years and (iii) of school age, (e) how many families claimed for help with child care costs for more than one child and (f) what was the average proportion of total family expenditure on childcare which was offset by family credit childcare disregard. [21835]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The eligibility criteria for the Family Credit childcare disregard are set out in Regulation 13A of the Family Credit (General) Regulations 1987.

  The disregard provides help with certain childcare charges for lone parents working 16 hours or more, couples where both are working 16 hours or more and couples where one partner is working (16 hours or more) and the other is incapacitated. It applies in respect of

  309
  childcare charges of up to £60 per week for children until the September after the child's 1 1 th birthday. The child must be cared for by a registered childminder, nursery/play scheme, out-of-school club, a childcare scheme operating on Crown Property and schools or establishments exempt from registration under section 71 of the Children Act 1989.

  From June 1998 the disregard will be enhanced by increasing the maximum childcare costs allowed to £100 for families who incur childcare costs for two or more children of qualifying age and extending the age limit by one year to the September following the child's 12th birthday.

  All other information requested is set out in the table below.

  Table 1: Family Credit claims for help with childcare

  May 1995

  May 1996

  May 1997

  (a) Number of claims made

  33,200

  38,800

  46,900

  (i) Number disallowed

  10,400

  9,400

  11,200

  (ii) Number with allowable costs

  22,900

  29,500

  35,700

  (b) Total annual expenditure (millions)

  £14.1

  £22.3

  £31.4

  (c) (i) Average cost to claimant of allowable childcare (£pw)

  £30.34

  £34.61

  £36.95

  (ii) Median cost to claimant of allowable childcare (£pw)

  £28.00

  £32.00

  £33.75

  (d) Number of claims allowed for —

  (i) children under one

  1,200

  1,700

  1,800

  (ii) between one and four

  16,900

  20,900

  24,300

  (iii) aged 5–11

  8,200

  12,000

  15,900

  (e) Number of claims allowed for families with costs for more than one child

  3,300

  4,700

  5,900

  (f) Average proportion of child care cost offset by Family Credit Disregard1

  39 per cent. (49 per cent.)

  42 per cent. (54 per cent.)

  46 per cent.

  Sources:

  Family Credit 5 per cent. sample of awards.

  1 per cent. sample of Housing Benefit/Council Tax Benefit recipients without Income Support taken at the end of May 1995 and May 1996.

  Notes:

  All figures have been rounded to the nearest thousand and are subject to a degree of sampling error.

  The figures in brackets reflect the proportion of allowable childcare costs met through Family Credit, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. Figures for May 1997 are not yet available.

  Maternity Pay
  Ms Abbott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many women earning above the average income for full-time women workers claimed maternity benefit in 1996–97; and if she will make a statement. [23024]

  Mr. Denham
  The information is not available in the form requested.

  The Government aim to ensure that the maternity pay arrangements for working women are modern, fair, easy to understand and administer.
  310
  The latest information available is for 1995–96. In that year the average income for full-time woman workers was £13,423. 58,000 women earning over that figure received some Statutory Maternity Pay in that year.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will estimate the savings to public funds if maternity pay were restricted to a maximum of(a) £20,000 and (b) £10,000 a claim. [23048]

  Mr. Denham
  The information on which to base a reliable estimate is not available. A reliable estimate could be made only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of statutory maternity pay is received by those earning(a) under £100, (b) £100 to £199, (c) £200 to £299, (d) £300 to £399, (e) £400 to £499, (f) £500 to £599 and (g) £600 per week or more. [23215]

  Mr. Denham
  The information is not available in the form requested. Such information as is available is in the table.

  Weekly earnings of those who received statutory maternity pay as a proportion of all statutory maternity pay paid

  Weekly earnings

  Proporation of SMP received during year (per cent.)

  Under £100

  17

  £100 to £199

  28

  £200 to £299

  23

  £300 to £399

  16

  £400 to £499

  7

  £500 to £599

  4

  £600 and over

  5

  Source:

  The Lifetime Labour Market Database (LLMDB), a 1 per cent. sample of the National Insurance Recording System taken at February 1997.

  Notes:

  1. Figures are for Great Britain and are rounded to the nearest whole per cent.

  2. Weekly earnings are estimated from the amount of Statutory Maternity Pay during the tax year 1995–96 by the amount of statutory maternity pay received as a proportion of all statutory maternity pay paid. This estimate is based on the SMP being paid for 6 weeks at 90 per cent. of pay and for 12 further weeks at the flat rate of SMP, and the whole period of statutory maternity pay falling in one tax year.

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will list the percentage and total number of those who received weekly sums above(a) £5,000, (b) £7,500, (c) £10,000, (d) £15,000 and (e) £20,000 in maternity benefits for the first six weeks in (i) 1994, (ii) 1995, (iii) 1996 and (iv) 1997. [22873]

  Mr. Denham
  The information is not available in the form requested and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will list the average weekly payment in(a) 1994, (b) 1995, (c) 1996 and (d) 1997 for maternity benefits in the first six weeks. [22874]
  311
  Mr. Denham
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the table.

  Average weekly statutory maternity pay inthe first six weeks to those in receipt of statutory maternity pay during each tax year

  Tax year

  Average weekly SMP payment (£)

  1993–94

  112

  1994–95

  126

  1995–96

  138

  Source:

  The Lifetime Labour Market Database (LLMDB), a 1 per cent. sample of the National Insurance Recording System taken at February 1997.

  Notes:

  1. Figures are for Great Britain and are rounded to the nearest whole pound.

  2. Weekly amounts of SMP are estimated from the amount of SMP during the tax year. This estimate is based on the SMP being paid for 6 weeks at 90 per cent. of pay and for 12 further weeks at the flat rate of SMP, and the whole period of SMP falling in one tax year. This may lead to weekly amounts of SMP being underestimated for people whose claim spans two tax years.

  Vaccine-damaged Children
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what discussions his officials have had with the Association of Parents of Vaccine Damaged Children; and if he will make a statement. [22846]

  Mr. Denham
  Officials have had informal discussions with representatives of the Association of Parents of Vaccine Damaged Children and others with an interest in provision for vaccine damaged people. The Government are committed to considering the Vaccine Damage Payments Scheme in detail in the light of long standing concerns about the scheme.

  Ministerial Travel (Trains)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security on what date she last used a train in the course of her official duties. [22934]

  Ms Harman
  On 17 September 1997, when I travelled to Cardiff to address a conference entitled "Welfare to Work and Women in Wales" held by Chwarae Teg and the National Council of One Parent Families.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Russell Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many applications for disability living allowance were made during 1997; and how many were(a) refused on first application, (b) granted after tribunal and (c) granted after appeal. [23214]

  Mr. Denham
  The information is not available in the form requested because Disability Living Allowance statistics do not distinguish between reviews and appeals of first applications and reviews and appeals of existing awards. A claim may be successful on review or appeal for a variety of reasons, for example, because additional information has been received or the claimant's condition has deteriorated. Such information as is available is in the table.312

  Claims for disability allowance during 1997

  Number

  Claims received

  488,253

  Claims refused on first application1

  66,338

  Review decisions2

  374,494

  Reviews that are successful3

  140,245

  Appeal decisions4

  35,696

  Appeals that are successful5

  19,335

  Source:

  Analytical Services Division; figures based on 100 per cent. data.

  Notes:

  1 Figures include claims received before 1997 but decided in 1997.

  2 Includes both reviews of the first applications which were refused and reviews of existing awards.

  3 Includes both successful reviews of first applications which were refused and existing awards where the award was increased.

  4 Includes both decisions about first applications which were refused after review and decisions about existing awards.

  5 Includes both first awards of benefit and existing awards where the award was increased.

  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security to how many claimants of disability living allowance payments are made in respect of children under the age of(a) 18 years and (b) 16 years. [23209]

  Mr. Denham
  On the basis of the latest available information, which relates to November 1997, the numbers are(a) 213,700 and (b) 196,500.

  Pensioners (Income Support)
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the most recent completed research evaluated by her Department in respect of the take up of income support by pensioners. [23118]

  Mr. Denham
  As part of our commitment to find the best ways of encouraging take-up of Income Support amongst pensioners, we are currently reviewing relevant research and initiatives completed up to this year, or in progress.

  The Department is now commissioning research to identify the most important barriers to pensioners not claiming the Income Support to which they are entitled.

  An estimated one million pensioners are not taking up their entitlement to Income Support, and we will be running a number of pilot schemes from April this year to find the best way to help them to claim their entitlement.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to her Department's letter of 16 December in respect of her Department's research into the take up of income support by pensioners, who is carrying out the research, which organisations were invited to tender for it and what are her Department's(a) terms of reference and (b) budget for such research. [23116]

  Mr. Denham
  Research has been commissioned comprising in-depth interviews with pensioners currently claiming and not claiming, but potentially eligible for, Income Support. It will also include focus groups with pensioners and advice agencies. The terms of reference are to explore the reasons for not claiming Income Support and identify possible means of increasing take-up. Exploring the views of those who are already claiming (as well as those who are not) will give an insight into what encourages, as well as discourages, claims for Income Support.
  313
  Research commissioned by the Department is usually competitively tendered. In this case, the sample was drawn from existing data, so only the organisations involved in the original survey—the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and Social and Community Planning Research (SCPR)—were invited to tender. A contract worth £66,000 was awarded to Social and Community Planning Research.

  A quantitative survey of pensioners potentially eligible for, but not claiming, Income Support is currently being negotiated; details are not yet finalised.

  An estimated one million pensioners are not taking up their entitlement to Income Support, and we will be running a number of pilot schemes from April this year to find the best way to help them to claim their entitlement.

  Social Security Reform
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will list the meetings between ministers in her Department and disabled people's organisations to discuss proposals to reform the social security system. [22916]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  Although benefits for sickness and disability are included in my Department's Comprehensive Spending Review, no proposals have yet been brought forward. Since the beginning of July 1997, the Secretary of State and Ministers in the Department have had 14 seminars and meetings with organisations representing disabled people. A range of issues were discussed in these meetings.

  Date

  Meeting

  22 July 1997

  Meeting with MIND.

  29 July 1997

  Meeting with Deaf/Blind liaison group.

  29 July 1997

  Disability Reception with over 40 oraganisations representing the interests of disabled people.

  30 July 1997

  Seminar hosted by MENCAP, other organisations also in attendance.

  31 July 1997

  Meeting with Carer's National Association.

  22 October 1997

  Seminar hosted by MENCAP, other oraganisations also in attendance.

  23 October 1997

  Meeting with the National Federation of the Blind of the UK.

  29 October 1997

  Seminar hosted by MENCAP, other oraganisation also in attendance.

  10 November 1997

  Seminar with over 40 organisations representing the interests of disabled people.

  26 November 1997

  Meeting with the Disabled Drivers Association.

  26 November 1997

  Meeting with Rights Now!

  9 December 1997

  Meeting with Labour Party Disabled Members Group.

  314

  Date

  Meeting

  17 December 1997

  Joint Department of Social Security and Department for Education and Employment awayday including representatives of six organisations.

  18 December 1997

  Meeting with the All Party Disablement Group.

  Cold Weather Payments
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when she expects to table regulations implementing the introduction of cold weather payments; what provisions she intends to make to enable those elderly people using key meters to pay their heating bill; and if she will make a statement. [23210]

  Mr. Denham
  The Social Fund Winter Fuel Payments Regulations were laid before the House on 8 January and will come into force on 16 January.

  Publication of the Regulations followed an announcement on 5 January, which outlined the detail of the scheme. A publicity campaign has now been launched involving media advertising, posters and leaflets in conjunction with Help The Aged, Age Concern and the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux. It is designed to ensure that pensioners are aware of what payments they will receiving, how and when. This information will enable pensioners to heat their homes confident in the knowledge that they will get extra help with their heaviest fuel bill.

  People receiving Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, and where their benefit includes one of the pensioner premiums, will receive a payment of £50. Around 1.5 million payments should be made by the end of January.

  Other eligible pensioners will receive a payment of £20 or £10. Where there is only one eligible person in a household, or the eligible person is of no fixed abode, they will receive £20; otherwise, each person will receive £10. It is estimated that nearly three and a half million payments will be issued for £20 and almost five million for £10.

  Overall, almost ten million payments will be made to over seven million pensioner households this winter, at a cost of around £200 million. The great majority of payments will be made by the end of March.

  Information is not held on the method of payment used for heating costs by eligible pensioners, but the announcement that a payment will be made provides certainty that money is coming. Many of the poorest pensioners receive Income Support, or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, and could receive a Cold Weather Payment should there be a spell of very cold weather in their locality.

  Disability Benefit
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many representations she has received from housing associations and related bodies about the proposed changes in disability benefit eligibility; what were the terms of such representations; and if she will make a statement. [22875]
  315
  Mr. Denham
  We have sought responses from relevant organisations on the best means to translate our objectives for the long-term funding of supported accommodation into a modem, practical and sustainable funding system. Two hundred and six responses were received including 89 from organisations resenting themselves as housing associations or related bodies. The respondents made a number of different observations, which we are considering.

  Overseas Visits
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will list all overseas visits made since 1 May 1997 on which she or any other Minister in her Department has been accompanied under Rule 83 of the Ministerial Code, indicating(a) who accompanied him or her and (b) the cost to public funds of each such visit. [23264]

  Ms Harman
  No such visits have been made.

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