Written Answers of 16 January 1998

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Rabies
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the progress of Professor Ian Kennedy's review relating to the risks of importing rabies. [22794]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Advisory Group on Quarantine, under the Chairmanship of Professor Kennedy, has so far met on three occasions.

TREASURY

  TESSAs and PEPs
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made on the impact of the limiting of tax relief to £50,000 on investments in TESSAs and PEPs on retirement incomes. [21914]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  [holding answer 22 December 1997]: The impact on retirement income of capping ISAs at £50,000 will depend on the way in which people decide to invest the balance of their investments and their other sources of income.

  Tax Avoidance
  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what arrangements exist for the exchange of information on tax avoidance between the Belgian tax authorities and the Inland Revenue. [22280]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 12 January 1998]: Exchanges of information between the Belgian tax authorities and the Inland Revenue are made under the EC Mutual Assistance Directive (No. 77/799/EEC) and the UK Double Taxation Agreement with Belgium (Statutory Instrument 1987 No. 2053).

  Early and Medical Retirement
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to withdraw enhancement benefits for early or medical retirement from members of public sector superannuation schemes later found guilty of, or responsible for, improper activities that involved costs to the relevant employer. [23021]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Legislation exists to enable public service schemes to forfeit the pension rights of public servants who are convicted of serious offences committed in connection with their employment, or for treason or offences under the Official Secrets Act. Schemes may also 318
  have rules or regulations, or rely upon DSS regulations, to use pension rights to recover moneys owed to the employer.

  It is a matter for those who run the schemes to determine when and how to apply the relevant legislation and regulations in individual cases.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 18 December 1997,Official Report, column 246. for what reasons a breakdown of replies signed by his private secretary and himself is not available. [23051]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The breakdown could have been provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Orion Trust
  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the relationship between the Orion Trust and the Robinson Family No. 1 Trust. [23655]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  I refer the right hon. Member to the first of the answers I gave on 10 December 1997,Official Report, column 575.

  Pensions Mis-selling
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of progress made by pension firms in providing redress to the victims of mis-selling. [24328]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The table shows what progress has been made in the period up to the end of December 1997 by the 41 firms I have been monitoring. Since November, most of these firms have made continuing progress, and between them the firms concerned have now resolved over half of the cases identified for review.

  For 29 of these firms, the Personal Investment Authority (PIA) set a deadline of 31 December for 90 per cent. of the most urgent cases to be resolved. It made clear that failure to take all reasonable steps to meet the deadline would be grounds for disciplinary action. The PIA announced today that the initial indications are that while most the firms concerned had indeed made their best endeavours to meet this first deadline, five appear to have failed to do so. It also announced its intention to make further investigations to see what further action is warranted.

  The first deadline has now passed and most of the large firms appear to have met it. Those who have not must face the consequences. The PIA is considering what the consequences should be. The 41 firms still have a huge task ahead of them: none of them have yet resolved all their priority cases. For most firms, including the many that are not included in the table, a deadline of 31 December 1998 has been set for completion of this task—for some firms it is as early as 30 April 1998. There will be no let up—from the Government or from the regulators—until it has been achieved, and I will continue to monitor progress month by month.
  319
  These deadlines must be met fairly and effectively. The regulators will be monitoring firms' case processing to see that there is no cutting of corners at investors'

  A

  B

  C

  D

  E

  F

  G

  H

  Under 25 per cent, of cases resolved

  DBS

  652

  68

  125

  49

  76

  8

  1

  19

  Burns Anderson

  974

  98

  137

  89

  48

  27

  3

  22

  Gan

  10,517

  600

  2,749

  372

  2,377

  1,612

  15

  25

  25–50 per cent, of cases resolved

  Windsor Life

  8,319

  1,483

  1,057

  148

  909

  759

  9

  29

  Lincoln National

  13,034

  1,227

  2,712

  809

  1,903

  1,709

  13

  29

  Financial Options

  303

  74

  28

  14

  14

  5

  2

  31

  Countrywide

  3,463

  916

  308

  222

  86

  57

  2

  35

  Canada Life

  5,459

  236

  2,180

  458

  1,722

  1,472

  27

  40

  Friends Provident

  6,723

  868

  2,171

  359

  1,812

  1,640

  24

  43

  London and Manchester

  8,073

  793

  3,100

  431

  2,669

  2,346

  29

  44

  CIS

  43,391

  2,990

  17,318

  11,884

  5,434

  4,525

  10

  45

  IFA Network

  203

  11

  85

  60

  25

  20

  10

  45

  United Assurance

  12,329

  700

  5,236

  1,682

  3,554

  3,156

  26

  45

  Abbey Life

  16,956

  3,947

  4,060

  879

  3,181

  2,809

  17

  45

  Standard Life

  6,799

  500

  2,684

  959

  1,725

  1,634

  24

  45

  Royal and Sun Alliance

  15,476

  1,843

  5,992

  796

  5,196

  4,415

  29

  46

  Brittanic

  18,690

  4,003

  5,465

  2,159

  3,306

  2,600

  14

  47

  Hill Samuel

  5,982

  786

  2,314

  464

  1,850

  1,590

  27

  47

  Colonial

  8,067

  1,949

  2,327

  313

  2,014

  1,590

  20

  48

  50–75 per cent, cases resolved

  Godwins

  1,476

  69

  696

  301

  395

  372

  25

  50

  Allied Dunbar

  18,378

  2,946

  7,408

  2,674

  4,734

  3,820

  21

  51

  Natwest

  14,199

  3,681

  4,664

  877

  3,787

  2,783

  20

  52

  Sun Life of Canada

  25,979

  6,497

  8,290

  1,600

  6,690

  5,510

  21

  52

  Lloyd's TSB

  48,241

  8,774

  19,619

  5,500

  14,119

  11,912

  25

  54

  Guardian

  8,778

  913

  4,762

  778

  3,984

  3,216

  37

  56

  Albany Life

  2,848

  548

  1,439

  104

  1,335

  982

  34

  57

  Commercial Union

  7,536

  1,058

  3,840

  694

  3,146

  2,712

  36

  61

  Pearl

  43,735

  2,884

  31,043

  5,523

  25,520

  18,277

  42

  61

  Royal London

  11,634

  975

  7,150

  1,285

  5,865

  4,885

  42

  61

  Norwich Union

  7,226

  2,072

  2,702

  589

  2,113

  1,813

  25

  62

  Berkeley Independent

  100

  54

  10

  8

  2

  2

  2

  64

  Midland

  4,800

  341

  3,315

  463

  2,852

  2,306

  48

  65

  Wesleyan

  4,137

  233

  2,657

  807

  1,850

  1,671

  40

  66

  Prudential

  71,619

  17,705

  49,258

  3,328

  45,930

  26,075

  36

  66

  Legal and General

  35,906

  14,028

  13,342

  1,419

  11,923

  8,942

  25

  68

  Sedgwick

  13,414

  6,557

  3,198

  1,196

  2,002

  1,634

  12

  70

  M and E Network

  273

  154

  46

  17

  29

  25

  9

  72

  Over 75 per cent, of cases resolved

  Equitable Life

  11,129

  5,566

  2,995

  1,313

  1,682

  1,468

  13

  75

  Barclays

  16,849

  6,073

  8,176

  1,920

  6,256

  5,205

  31

  78

  AXA Equity and Law

  3,874

  702

  2,561

  651

  1,910

  1,725

  45

  79

  Hogg Robinson

  1,949

  795

  866

  317

  549

  466

  24

  81

  A: cases identified as requiring review.

  B: of A, cases where investor was informed that information gained during assessment excluded cases from review.

  C: number of assessments completed.

  D: cases where the investor has been informed that no redress is due.

  E: cases where redress has been offered

  F: cases where redress has been accepted.

  G: cases where redress has been accepted as a percentage of cases identified for review ((F/A)X100).

  H: cases completed, including exclusions, as a percentage of cases identified for review (((B+D+F)/A)x100).

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Sport and Schools
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what measures he is taking to attract private sector money into school sporting activity. [19493]

  Mr. Banks
  Sportsmatch, the Government-funded business incentive scheme for sport, offers pound for pound matching funding for sponsorship of grass roots 320
  expense. Failure to conduct the reviews properly is as serious an omission as failure to process cases quickly.

  sport. One million pound out of the annual Sportsmatch budget of £3.2 million is reserved for schools and schools-related activities. I announced recently that the minimum award for schools has been reduced to £500 to increase the opportunities for securing private sector sponsorship. In addition, the Lottery Sports Fund School Community Sports Initiative is designed to help schools find matching funding, including private sector investment, having already supported 24 projects with awards totalling over £10 million.

  Higher Education
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the number of students who dropped out of higher education courses in(a) 1995–96, and (b) 1996–97; and what estimate he has made of the cost of each such drop out. [21896]

  Mr. Hain
  The information requested is not yet available centrally. I will write to the hon. Member when the figures for Wales become available in the Spring.

  The latest available figures for drop-out among full-time and sandwich first-degree students in former Universities Funding Council institutions in the UK and former polytechnics in England are shown in the following table.

  Full-time and sandwich first degree drop-out rates in former UFC universities in the UK and former polytechnics in England1

  Per cent.

  Higher education

  1989–90

  16

  1990–91

  15

  1991–92

  17

  1992–93

  17

  1993–94

  217–18

  1994–95

  217–18

  Sources:

  USR leavers and enrolment records, HESA, CNAA enrolment records, England and Wales (1989–90), DfEE FESR, England (1990–91 to 1994–95).

  Notes:

  1Drop-out covers all those leaving degree courses because of exam failure, ill health, personal and other reasons. It includes those switching to a lower level course but it excludes students transferring between degree courses or subjects. The rate for each academic year reflects the progression of students through the whole length of the course. The rate is a weighted sum of the separate university and former polytechnic figures based upon graduate numbers. It therefore excludes first degree students in other UK HE institutions. The calculation for the polytechnic drop-out rate it necessarily approximate because of significant limitations in the underlying data. In practice it has been necessary to estimate drop-out in 1991–92 to 1994–95 from the change in two successive years for a sample of around half of the 29 English former polytechnics.

  2A range is given because the introduction of a new data source has made it difficult to measure drop-out accurately.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Mentally Ill Offenders
  Ms Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will review the guidelines whereby victims of crimes committed by perpetrators diagnosed as being mentally ill are not informed about the release or rehabilitation of those perpetrators. [22859]

  Mr. Michael
  Both the Home Office and the Department of Health are committed to improving the level of information provided to the victims of crimes committed by people with mental disorders. The issue is complicated by consideration of confidentiality of personal information, but we are undertaking work on this issue and I hope it will be possible to make real progress in the next few months.

  Deaths in Police Custody
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the report by the Home Office Police Research Group into deaths in police custody will be published. [23041]

  Mr. Michael
  Due to unavoidable personnel changes, completion of the report has been delayed and it is not now expected to be published before early summer.

  Cannabis
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 18 December 1997,Official Report, column 255, in respect of each of the licences granted for research into the medical use of cannabis, if he will list the publications containing the results indicating the date of publication. [23219]

  Mr. George Howarth
  This information is not collected.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 18 December 1997,Official Report, column 255, what are the rules which determine when a licence to research and trial the medical use of cannabis will lapse. [23149]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Research licences are valid for three years in accordance with administrative policy; they may be extended as necessary.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 18 December 1997,Official Report, column 255, where the researchers examining the medical use of cannabis obtain their cannabis. [23221]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Supplies have been obtained under licence from the Laboratory of the Government Chemist and the University of London.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 18 December 1997,Official Report, column 255, if he will list the licences granted for research, other than medical research, into cannabis, indicating in each case the purpose of the research, the result and if the licence is still valid. [23220]

  Mr. George Howarth
  There are sixteen licences currently valid for cannabis research not directly related to medical research. They are all held for academic purposes. Information on results is not collected. The licence holders are:

  Dr. C. Hunter, University of the West of England;

  Dr. G. Hall, De Montfort University;

  Professor D. Cowan, Kings College London;

  Dr. D. Harvey, University of Oxford;

  Professor F. Evans, University of London;

  Dr. M. Cole, University of Strathclyde;

  Professor M. Rubenstein, Liverpool John Moores University;

  Professor P. Redfern, University of Bath;

  Dr. R. Morgan, University of Sunderland;

  Dr. K. Brain, University of Wales;

  Dr. J. Smart, University of Portsmouth;

  Dr. P. Dewick, University of Nottingham;

  323

  Dr. G. Lockwood, University of Manchester;

  Mr. M. Aitken, University of Brighton;

  Dr. P. Houghton, Kings College London;

  Professor R. Richards, The Robert Gordon University.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 18 December 1997,Official Report, column 255, if all the doctors researching the medical use of cannabis are qualified in pharmacology. [23222]

  Mr. George Howarth
  This information is not held, as a qualification in pharmacology is not a licensing requirement.

  Probation Orders (Drug Dependency)
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many probation orders with a requirement of treatment for drug dependency were(a) made and (b) subject to breach proceedings in each of the last 10 years. [23121]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 15 January 1998]: Requirements for drug treatment are not identified separately from alcohol treatment in the national probation statistics. The information below was published in "Probation Statistics England and Wales 1996" in September 1997 (table 3.10).

  Table: Number of persons commencing probation service supervision by type of additional requirement (England and Wales)1

  Residential drugs/alcohol treatment

  Non-residential drugs/alcohol treatment

  Drugs/alcohol by or under a qualified medical person

  1992

  50

  99

  70

  1993

  269

  444

  375

  1994

  338

  601

  420

  1995

  374

  769

  564

  19962

  334

  887

  538

  1 New requirements added from 1 October 1992 under the Criminal Justice Act 1991.

  2 Provisional

  Crime (Witnesses and Victims)
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects the review of the treatment of victims and vulnerable witnesses by the criminal justice system which he announced on 13 June 1997 to be completed. [23115]

  Mr. Michael
  [holding answer 15 January 1998]: We hope that the review will be completed shortly and a final report submitted to Ministers in the spring. We will consider the report as quickly as possible thereafter.

  Sex Offenders
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements are in place for notification of the UK authorities by other countries of sex offences committed by UK citizens within their jurisdiction. [23113]

  Mr. Michael
  [holding answer 15 January 1998]: While there is no formal requirement for other countries to notify us of convictions of British citizens, I understand
  324
  that existing arrangements via the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) work well. These allow Interpol member countries, of which there are 178 throughout the world, to use the Interpol Notice system to notify criminal activities of citizens to national authorities.

  Interpol International Notices are circulated to all member countries via the Automated Search Facility (ASF) and give the identity particulars, physical description and, where possible, the fingerprints and photograph of an individual.

  The Interpol Green Notice is used to seek information on people who have committed or are likely to commit offences affecting several countries and are often used to exchange information on travelling paedophiles. With 178 Interpol member countries, including the principal sex-tourism destinations, this offers an effective and efficient method of information exchange.

  It is our policy to encourage the use of the system to inform preventive strategies for the protection of children and vulnerable adults. It is also out intention to use this system to ensure that the proposed Sex Offenders Orders can be used to maximum effect against sex offenders convicted abroad.

  Electors
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average number of electors per constituency in the UK; and what effect the application of that United Kingdom population average would have on the numbers of hon. Members in(a) Great Britain, (b) England, (c) Scotland, (d) Wales and (e) Northern Ireland. [23022]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The average number of electors per constituency in the United Kingdom is 67,077.

  The effect of the application of that United Kingdom population average on the number of hon. Members for the component parts of the United Kingdom would be as follows:

  Number

  (a) Great Britain

  641 (no change)

  (b) England

  549 (+20)

  (c) Scotland

  59 (-13)

  (d) Wales

  33 (-7)

  (e) Northern Ireland

  18 (no change)

  Police (Complaints)
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce an independent body to investigate complaints against the Police. [23492]

  Mr. Michael
  We are committed to finding ways of increasing public confidence in the investigation of complaints against the police, including examining the scope for introducing a greater degree of independence into the system. We are currently considering these issues in the light of the Home Affairs Committee's recently published report on the police complaints and discipline system.

  Women Prisoners
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has for improving the conditions of women prisoners. [21298]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 15 January 1998]: The Prison Service is planning to build a purpose-built women's prison. The preferred location should serve East Midlands, East Anglia and North London.

  Additional prison places for women have already been made available by changing the role of existing accommodation at Brockhill, Foston Hall and Highpoint North and by providing new accommodation at New Hall and Eastwood Park.

  At six women's prisons, building projects are in progress to maintain or upgrade existing services and facilities. A further 17 projects at these prisons are under consideration.

  As part of the Prison Service Review, the Government ensured that the appointment of an Assistant Director for Women Prisoners will focus particularly on the needs of women. This will include the need for offending behaviour programmes for women and special regimes for young female offenders.

  The Government are also examining the recommendations of the Chief Inspector's Thematic review.

  HMP Weare
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the future of HMP Weare. [21300]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 15 January 1998]: Her Majesty's Prison Weare was commissioned by the previous administration for an initial period of three years to help the Prison Service accommodate the very high number of prisoners. Its occupation and location will continue to be reviewed on a regular basis.

  Prisons (Education Spending)
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about education spending in prisons. [21305]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 15 January 1998]: Prison Service expenditure on prisoner education was £36,956,000 in 1995–96, £34,481,000 in 1996–97; and the Service estimates that in 1997–98 it will have spent £36,266,000.

  The very high numbers of prisoners combined with the need for financial restraint have placed education budgets under pressure. However, we are committed to the provision of constructive regimes for prisoners and wish to see prison education making a positive and cost-effective contribution to the overall aim of protecting the public from crime. The £43 million which the Government have made available to the Prison Service over this year and next is intended not only to help it house the higher than expected population, but also to maintain quality of regimes.
  326
  The Prison Service is helping governors get better value for money by: encouraging them, through the core curriculum and in other ways to focus on what will be effective in reducing crime and recidivism; and integrating education with other regime activities, such as work and offending behaviour courses.

  Overseas Visits
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home 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 or her (b) the cost to public funds of each such visit. [23253]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 15 January 1998]: Travelling expenses have been paid in accordance with Rule 83 of the Ministerial Code in respect of visits to the following Crown Dependencies:

  Jersey, 11–12 July 1997

  My noble Friend Lord Williams accompanied, at public expense, by Lady Williams and two officials. The total cost incurred for this visit was £1,087.

  Isle of Man, 15–16 August 1997

  My noble Friend Lord Williams accompanied, at public expense, by Lady Williams and two officials. The total cost incurred for this visit was £1,101.

  Racial Attacks
  Sir Brian Mawhinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many racial attacks were recorded in each of the past 10 years where the attacker was a white person. [22206]

  (2) how many racial attacks were recorded in each of the past 10 years where the victim was a white person. [22207]

  Mr. Michael
  [holding answers 12 January 1998]: The number of racial incidents recorded by the police is submitted by each police force to Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary at the end of each financial year. The figures show racial incidents recorded by the police under the Association of Chief Police Officers' definition of a racial incident:
  "any incident in which it appears to the reporting or investigating officer that the complaint involves an element of racial motivation, or any incident which includes an allegation of racial motivation made by any person".
  This definition covers all racial incidents, not only racial attacks.

  These figures do not include a breakdown, by ethnicity, of either the victim or the offender in a racial incident. However, data on the ethnic classification of victims and offenders involved in racial incidents were collected by the Home Office's Police Research Group for the financial year 1996–97 in connection with a research project on policing racial incidents which was published in November 1997. These data are incomplete because data were not available from all police forces, but the available figures are set out in the table.

  327

  Ethnic breakdown of victims/offenders involved in racial incidents recorded by the police in 1997–971

  Number

  Victims2

  White

  2,044

  Non-white

  7,185

  Not recorded

  262

  Total

  9,491

  Offenders3

  White

  6,180

  Non-white

  2,613

  Not recorded

  781

  Total

  9,574

  Notes:

  1 In 4 forces the data relate to the calendar year 1996; in 1 force data relate to a 4 month period from 1 January 1997 to 1 May 1997 and in another data relate to a 6 month period 1 October 1996 to 31 March 1997.

  2Data available for 36 out of 43 forces in England and Wales.

  3Data available for 32 out of 43 forces in England and Wales. For the Metropolitan Police Service the data available relates to suspects rather than offenders.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Cycle Spaces
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many secure cycle spaces there are in her Department. [22681]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  There are no separate records maintained on the number of secure cycle spaces at Government premises in Northern Ireland and this information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Cyclists are able to leave their bicycles in all Government-owned car parks with the same level of security as for motor vehicles.

  Local Enterprise and Development Unit
  Mr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the progress of the Local Enterprise and Development Unit in generating self-employment and small business development in the last year. [22741]

  Mr. Ingram
  LEDU, the Small Business Agency for Northern Ireland, measures the performance of its client companies by way of an annual survey, of which the most recent was completed in March 1997. Its findings reveal that LEDU assisted 1,543 new businesses to start-up during 1996–97, 136 of which represented businesses with potential to engage in future export-led growth (an increase of 72 per cent. over the previous two years).

  Jobs created through new business starts were at an all time high of 3,425 and losses due to business closures were at their lowest level since 1991. In overall terms, a net 3,525 increase in full-time employment was recorded in LEDU's client bank; an increase of 15 per cent. over the previous year.

  LEDU's growth category businesses have an estimated aggregate annual turnover of £750 million (8.5 per cent. increase from the previous year) and support the employment of 11,670 people (6 per cent. up on the
  328
  previous year). Overall, LEDU's growth companies increased their sales to external markets by nearly 14 per cent. to an annual value of £300 million and improved their sales per employee by 2 per cent.

  European Structural Funds
  Mr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on her strategy for re-negotiating European Union Structural Funds after the year 2000. [22745]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  A number of key issues regarding the European Union Structural Funds after 1999 have still to be decided by the Member States. Every effort will be made to secure the best deal possible for Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland strategy to achieve this will be developed and implemented in consultation with other interested Whitehall Departments.

  Inward Investment
  Mr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the progress made by the Industrial Development Board in promoting inward investment since July 1997. [22740]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Industrial Development Board continues to make steady progress in promoting inward investment in Northern Ireland. Since the beginning of July 1997, 16 projects offering 2,144 jobs and representing promised investment of some £266 million, have been announced by externally owned companies. The climate for investment remains strong and the consolidation of the peace process through a political settlement will have significant impact on the promotion of Northern Ireland as an investment location.

  Comprehensive Spending Review
  Mr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when she proposes to announce the results of the Comprehensive Spending Review in respect of(a) Departmental and (b) spending priorities; and if she will make a statement. [22742]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The outcome of the Northern Ireland spending review will not be available until after the national review has been completed. The national review is expected to be concluded in the summer.

  Constituency Boundaries
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when her Department will be able to provide statistical information based on the constituency boundaries in force at the General Election in 1997. [22807]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Data from the 1991 Census of Population have been re-worked to the new Parliamentary Constituencies and published in the "1991 Census Monitor for New Parliamentary Constituencies in Northern Ireland," a copy of which has been placed in the House of Commons library. The Department of Economic Development also provides Claimant Unemployment and Census of Employment statistics by Parliamentary Constituency. Certain other socio-economic data are held at postcode level which can be amalgamated to approximate Parliamentary Constituency boundaries as necessary.

  Bangor Market Parking Area
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many penalty tickets have been issued and what was the amount paid in relation to those tickets in respect of the Bangor Market parking area now suspended; and what steps her Department is taking to cancel outstanding proceedings and return monies to those who have paid penalties and fines; [22803]

  (2) what assessment her Department made of the effect on numbers using public transport to travel to work in Belfast of the introduction of parking charges in Bangor Market; and if she will make a statement. [22804]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Roads Service under its chief executive, Mr. W.J. McCoubrey. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from G.P. Fraser to Mr. Robert McCartney, dated 14 January 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked the Chief Executive to respond to your recently tabled Parliamentary Questions in connection with the introduction of car parking charges at the Castle Street and Castle Square (Bangor Market) car parks in Bangor, In his absence, I am replying.
  Roads Service fully appreciates the need to encourage increased use of public transport and when car parking charges were introduced in the above-mentioned car parks 123 spaces remained free of charge (in the Castle Square car park) for use by all-day parkers. In addition, there are 270 free spaces available in 2 other car parks close to the bus and railway stations. This number is considered adequate to cater for the volume of commuter parking. There is no evidence to suggest that the number of commuters using public transport to travel to Belfast was affected when these charges were in place.
  During the period the charges were in place, 1,538 notices were issued in respect of unpaid charges, 792 of which were returned by customers enclosing the appropriate payment. These amounted to a total of £409. No penalty enforcement action is proposed as regard those who have failed to respond to the notices.
  I hope you find this information helpful.

  Mr. W. J. Allen
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will review the decision by the Department of Finance and Personnel not to exercise its discretion to allow a late transfer of the superannuation rights of Mr. W. J. Allen to the Department of Education; and if she will make a statement about the types of extenuating circumstances which have applied to such transfers. [22806]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The Department of Education for Northern Ireland and the Department of Finance and Personnel are examining the issues raised in this matter. It is not possible to respond fully within the specified timescale but a Ministerial reply will be issued as soon as possible.

  Maze Prison
  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what operating procedures were issued to prison officers dealing with the prisoners' children's Christmas 1997 parties at HM Prison Maze; in what order prisoners and visitors left after the party; and if this procedure was based on previous practice. [22785]
  330
  Mr. Ingram
  It would not be appropriate for me to answer this now because the security arrangements for the parties are among the matters currently being investigated by a special inquiry team. Their report will be published in due course.

  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many operators have been trained to use the Rapiscan equipment at HM Prison Maze; and by whom operating instruction is provided. [22783]

  Mr. Ingram
  A total of 83 staff at HM Prison Maze have been trained in the use of Rapiscan equipment. Training is provided locally by the Training Department.

  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what use is made of the Rapiscan baggage scanner installed at the main gate staff search area at HM Prison Maze; and if every item of(a) staff and (b) official visitors' baggage and property is scanned. [22782]

  Mr. Ingram
  All staff and official visitors' baggage must go through the Rapiscan located at the staff search area.

  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the cost of the provision of new cutlery and crockery at HM Prison Maze; and if she will make a statement. [22791]

  Mr. Ingram
  The total cost of supplying the metal cutlery and crockery to inmates was £2,800.00. This produces significant savings against the polycarbonate items previously issued as the annual cost of replacement of these was £4,200.00.

  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what refresher courses in the use of Rapiscan baggage scanner equipment have been provided at HM Prison Maze during the three-year period ending 30 November 1997. [22784]

  Mr. Ingram
  Once staff have completed the initial Rapiscan training course, their skills in the use of the equipment are kept up to date through frequent use of it and it is considered that refresher training is not required.

  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what risk assessment was conducted by her Department prior to the introduction of metal cutlery in HM Prison Maze. [22813]

  Mr. Ingram
  A full risk assessment was carried out jointly by the Health and Safety Officer and Security Governor prior to the issue of metal cutlery in HMP Maze.

  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many prison officers in HM Prison Maze are fully trained in the operation of walk-through metal detection scanners; and how often refresher training courses have taken place during the past three years. [22779]

  Mr. Ingram
  Records are not available to confirm the numbers of officers trained in the use of this equipment, however walk-through metal detection scanners are no longer in use as there are more efficient and effective detection systems now in place.
  331
  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for how long the two walk-through metal detection scanners in the prisoner search area at the rear of Visits in HM Prison Maze have been inoperative. [22778]

  Mr. Ingram
  The two walk-through metal detection scanners referred to have been inoperative for three years. However, staff were issued with hand-held metal detectors from that date.

  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if there was a full search of HM Prison Maze carried out during the 17 days between the Averill escape and the murder of Mr. Wright. [22789]

  Mr. Ingram
  A search of HMP Maze was carried out immediately following the Averill escape to ensure that he was not hiding or being hidden. In addition to the search of the residential blocks, all other areas of the prison were searched using trained search dogs, and the external areas were searched by the RUC and Army.

  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations were made to the Governor of HM Prison Maze on 6 August 1996 concerning difficulties arising from large numbers of prisoners being returned from recreational areas who failed to co-operate with the returning of numbers procedures; and whether action was taken to deal with this problem. [22786]

  Mr. Ingram
  There is no record of any complaint being made to the Governor in relation to this matter.

  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many PTZ spy-in-the-sky cameras are installed at HM Prison Maze; if that which gave coverage of H Block 6 where Mr. Wright was murdered was in full working order at the time of the killing; and if she will make a full statement. [22788]

  Mr. Ingram
  It would not be appropriate for me to answer this now as security arrangements are among the matters currently being investigated by a special inquiry team. Their report will be published in due course.

  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if Key Function 1.6 of the Business and Corporate Plan relating to HM Prison Maze has been fully implemented, taking account of the 1994 Woodcock Report and the RUC Review; and if she will indicate the number and description of unauthorised articles found during searches of(a) Loyalist and (b) Republican residential areas during the year to 30 November 1997. [22790]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Northern Ireland Prison Service Corporate and Business Plan does not contain a Key Function 1.6. However, the hon. Member may be referring to the Governor/Headquarters establishment contract of which key function 1.6 refers to searching. An effective searching programme is now in place. The information about the seizure of unauthorised articles in the format requested could not be extracted in time to answer this question. However, I will write separately when the information is available.
  332
  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what use is made of the Rapiscan baggage scanner installed at the visitors' reception area at HM Prison Maze; and if every item of prisoner visitors' baggage and property is scanned. [22781]

  Mr. Ingram
  There are standing instructions that all parcels clothing and property entering the prison go through the Rapiscan baggage scanner at visitors' reception.

  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if there are walk-through metal detection scanners installed and in use at the visitors' reception area at HM Prison Maze. [22780]

  Mr. Ingram
  There are no walk-through metal detection scanners installed at the visitors' reception area. Staff use hand held metal detectors.

  Steele Report
  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will now make available to hon. Members the Steele Report on the tunnel escape attempt inquiry. [22787]

  Mr. Ingram
  No. The Steele report will not be made available.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in what respect the implementation of the best value regime is intended to lead to more responsibility being devolved to local authorities in Northern Ireland. [22777]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The question of greater responsibilities for local authorities will be a matter for consideration as part of the current political talks process. The introduction of a Best Value regime for District Council services in Northern Ireland will encourage greater local accountability by giving District Councils greater flexibility in determining how best to achieve increased efficiency and improve quality of service. To ensure that local government is involved in developing Best Value proposals, a Consultation Paper was published on 10 December 1997 with a closing date of 5 February 1998. A copy of the Paper has been placed in the Library.

  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the estimated costs to local government authorities during each of the next five years of the transition from compulsory competitive tendering to best value; and if she will make a statement. [22776]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The Government are currently in the process of consulting all interested parties on their proposals for a Best Value regime for District Council services in Northern Ireland. It will be a matter for each District Council to decide how to respond to the challenge of Best Value, and so it is not possible to estimate future costs at present.

  Waste Incineration Plants
  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many local councils are investigating the development of waste incineration plants; what financial resources have been involved;
  333
  whether the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland has established a co-ordinating facility to encourage and assist local government attempts; and if she will make a statement. [22800]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  While district councils in Northern Ireland continue to explore new options for waste management, none has undertaken a detailed study of the development of waste incineration plants, nor has the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland established any co-ordinating facility to encourage and assist such developments. The Government are currently formulating proposals for a Northern Ireland Waste Management Strategy which will address the issue of how incineration should contribute to the overall management of waste. The Department is considering applications from two companies—NIGEN Ltd. and Belfast Waste Services Ltd.—for planning permission to develop municipal waste incinerators in the Belfast harbour area.

  Water Service
  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to(a) privatise and (b) alter the present organisational structure of the water service in Northern Ireland. [22756]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  No decisions have been taken on the future organisational arrangements for the provision of water and sewerage services in Northern Ireland. The options are currently under review and it is hoped to publish a consultation paper early in 1998.

  Parades Commission
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when she was notified of the resignation of the Rev. Roy Magee as a member of the Parades Commission; and if she will make a statement. [22493]

  Mr. Ingram
  Rev. Roy Magee advised my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State in a letter dated 5 December of his intention to resign at the end of December.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Overseas Posts (Personnel)
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list by overseas post(a) the number of diplomatic staff, (b) the number of British-based non-diplomatic staff and (c) the number of locally recruited staff currently (i) authorised for and (ii) actually based at each overseas post; and if he will indicate in (1) numerical and (2) percentage terms how each of theses authorised and actual numbers have changed since (A) five years ago and (B) 10 years ago. [22819]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I have placed in the Library of the House tables showing for each overseas Post (i) the current FCO authorised establishment of UK-based staff, together with the figures for 1993; and (ii) the number of Locally Engaged staff-years being worked currently, together with the figures for 1993.
  334
  Other statistics in the form requested by the hon. Member are not readily available, but figures for the total UK-based staff establishment of the FCO are as follows:

  1998

  1993

  1988

  Home

  3,525

  4,040

  3,775

  Overseas

  2,272

  2,506

  2,793

  Total

  5,797

  6,546

  6,568

  Change 1998–93

  Change 1998–88

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Home

  -515

  -12.7

  -250

  -6.6

  Overseas

  -234

  -9.3

  -521

  -18.7

  Total

  -749

  -11.4

  -771

  -11.7

  Figures for total UK-based staff in post are:

  1998 Number

  1993 Number

  Change 1998–93 Number

  Per cent.

  5, 571

  6,526

  -955

  -14.6

  Figures for 1988 are regrettably not available, nor is a breakdown by location.

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list by overseas post(a) the current annual cost and (b) the cost in 1990–91 of employing (i) diplomatic staff, (ii) British-based non-diplomatic staff and (iii) locally recruited staff; and if he will indicate (1) numerically and (2) in percentage terms how each of these costs have changed since 1990–91. [22817]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I have placed in the Library of the House a table showing for each overseas Post the full cost of staff slots at a representative sample of FCO grades (both UK-based and Locally Engaged). The figures show the estimated total cost to the FCO of maintaining an officer at Post in 1995–96 and are the latest available. They comprise: (i) direct costs (such as paybill, National Insurance Contributions, superannuation, allowances, accommodation and travel); (ii) a proportionate share of support functions at Post (such as communications and security); and (iii) a proportionate share of UK administration costs (such as personnel, finance, estate management and IT management).

  No directly comparable figures for earlier years are available.

  Ethical Foreign Policy
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the role of(a) ethics and (b) morality in his Department's foreign policy. [23130]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  [holding answer 15 January 1998]: As we made clear in the FCO Mission Statement last July, we are committed to work through international forums and bilateral relationships to spread the values of human rights, civil liberties and democracy which we demand for ourselves.
  335
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government's ethical foreign policy extends to a concern about how men treat women in other countries. [23212]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  [holding answer 15 January 1998]: We are fully committed to the promotion of human rights for all. We support the efforts of the European Union and other regional groups of which we are a member to promote gender non-discrimination and women's rights. The United Kingdom is an active member of the United Nation's Commission on the Status of Women and the Commission for Human Rights, and is committed to the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action.

  European Commission Staff
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the cost of the staff employed by the European Commission who are based in countries outside the European Union; and how many such staff are employed. [23029]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  We do not hold this information. I will write to the hon. Member in due course, having contacted the European Commission.

  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff employed by the European Commission are based in Barbados; what are their functions; and what is their cost to public funds. [23028]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The Commission has six Brussels-based staff at its Delegation in Bridgetown, Barbados, as follows: Head of Delegation, two Economic Advisers, Rural Development Administrator, Social Development Adviser and Technical Adviser.

  They are mainly involved in administering the Community's aid programme.

  The cost of running the Delegation in Barbados comes from an overall budget for Commission Delegations in third countries which in 1996 was ECU 194,558,200 (about £130 million). The UK share of this sum was approximately 15 per cent. or £20 million.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  India (Port Development)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what representations the Government has made to(a) P&O and (b) the Indian Government regarding the proposed port development by P&O at Vadhavan in Dahanu Taluka, India; [22455]

  (2) what action she has taken in response to representations she has received regarding the proposed port development by P&O at Vadhavan in Dahanu Taluka, India; [22456]

  (3) how many representations received by Her Majesty's Government regarding the proposed port development by P&O at Vadhavan in Dahanu Taluka, India have been (a) in favour of and (b) against the project; [22457]
  336
  (4) what representations she has received from P&O regarding their proposed port development at Vadhavan in Dahanu Taluka, India; [22458]

  (5) what representations she has received from the people of Dahanu Taluka regarding the proposed port development by P&O at Vadhavan in Dahanu Taluka, India; and if they were in favour of the proposed port development. [22459]

  Mrs. Roche
  To date, HMG have received seven representations regarding the proposed port development by P&O at Vadhavan. No representations were in favour of the project, and one came indirectly from the local people via the Dahanu Taluka Environment Welfare Association.

  All the representations have been replied to by letter (except for the most recent one for which a reply is pending) explaining that the actual award of the contract to P&O Australia is for the Government of Maharashtra to decide and that the UK Government have no role in such an award. The replies also make it clear that the Vadhavan port development is not a British aid-funded project but purely a commercial transaction between P&O Australia and the Government of Maharashtra and, therefore, that interested parties may wish to express their concerns to the Maharashtran Government.

  To date there have been no representations from the UK Government to either P&O or the Indian Government regarding the proposed port development at Vadhavan, nor has the UK Government received any representations from P&O with respect to the same issue.

  Unsolicited Communications
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make it an offence to transmit unsolicited commercial communications through facsimile machines. [22896]

  Mrs. Roche
  Measures are already in place to deal with the problem of unsolicited faxes. The telecommunications and telephone selling industries have established a Fax Preference Service to help residential customers reduce the number of faxes they receive. Customers who have a fax machine in their residential premises may register for inclusion in a database against which companies selling via fax "clean" their mailing lists. In addition, under the Telecommunications Act 1984, UK companies using fax marketing are subject to a class licence which contains measures aimed at limiting the nuisance which can be caused by unsolicited faxes. Anyone sending unsolicited faxes must cease doing so to any particular person on receipt of a written request from them, or face possible enforcement action, including the removal of their right to operate a telecoms system, by Oftel.

  Launch Aid
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she received a request for launch aid in respect of the A340 500/600 Airbus project; what decision has been made and on what grounds; and if the matter remains under review. [23040]
  337
  Mr. Battle
  My department received an application for launch aid in respect of the A340–500/600 from British Aerospace on 8 July 1997. The application continues to be considered very carefully.

  Official Engagements
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what official engagements the Minister for Consumer Affairs has undertaken since 1 December 1997. [23531]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  I have carried out a wide range of engagements both at the DTI and outside since 1 December in fulfilment of my role as Minister for Competition and Consumer Affairs.

  Information Technology
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to consolidate the analysis and reporting of IT-related statistics, with particular reference to the economic impact of the industry on GDP and GNP; and what assessments she has made of the current economic impact of the IT industry and the user IT dependent business. [23815]

  Mr. Battle
  Collection and analysis of statistics on the IT and IT-related industries is the responsibility of the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The surveys conducted by the ONS are mainly to provide information for National Accounts purposes, and not for policy purposes. However, the Department of Trade and Industry regularly has an opportunity to comment on the relevant surveys; some information is collected specifically on behalf of DTI, and the Department has access to the results of the surveys. DTI has no plans at present to alter these arrangements.

  The IT, electronics and communications industries have a turnover of over £90 billion and add some £40 billion to UK GDP. They are growing at around seven per cent. per annum. The products and services of this sector impact on nearly all other sectors of the economy to differing degrees. No overall assessment of the economic impact on user IT dependent businesses has been undertaken.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what progress she has made in setting up the IT Skills Project Office. [23594]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Skills Project Office was established in July 1997 and submitted its preliminary findings in October 1997. The Office is currently working with Action 2000 on an initial tranche of 12 projects which will help industry tackle the century date change problem, which form part of an overall package of 53 projects aimed at the general IT skills shortage.

  Action 2000
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what budget has been allocated to Action 2000. [23627]
  338
  Mrs. Roche
  Don Cruickshank, Chairman of Action 2000, has been told that the budget for Action 2000 would be up to £1 million per financial year in each of the years 1997–98 to 1999–2000 inclusive. One million pound has been set aside in the current financial year. Before 1998–99 we expect to receive from Mr. Cruickshank his advice on what costed programme is needed, and the budget for future years can then be fixed.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will publish the promotional plans for Action 2000 to promote awareness of the year 2000 problem. [23592]

  Mrs. Roche
  Action 2000 will shortly be launching its Millennium Bug Campaign and a copy of the promotional material will be placed in the library of the House.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many officials, and at what grade, are working on millennium compliance issues. [23632]

  Mrs. Roche
  (a) The sources devoted to the millennium compliance of the core Department's own systems are subject to regular change as individual projects start and conclude. Currently, approximately 23 staff from private sector contractors and three in-house staff, two Directors and one range 10, are engaged on such work. (b) The number of staff involved in helping to establish the Department's Action 2000 initiative to support UK businesses is four full time officials, a Director, two range 10, one support staff and one consultant.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when Action 2000 will establish a millennium helpline; and what that telephone number will be. [23626]

  Mrs. Roche
  Action 2000 plan to announce a package of support aimed primarily at SMEs in the private sector before the end of this month. This will include a millennium hotline and the number will be announced at a press conference.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will place the business plans of Action 2000 in the Library. [23629]

  Mrs. Roche
  Following the launch of the Millennium Bug Campaign later this month, Action 2000 will be completing its business plan and submitting full costed proposals to the President of the Board of Trade for her approval. Copies of relevant documents will then be placed in the Library.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will publish the terms of the contract of employment with Don Cruickshank of Action 2000. [23631]

  Mrs. Roche
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Maidenhead (Mrs. May) on 17 and 19 November 1997,Official Report, columns 50–51 and 190–91.
  339
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many members have been appointed to the advisory board of Action 2000. [23628]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Chairman of Action 2000 is currently consulting about these appointments.

SCOTLAND

  Nursing Homes (Residential Allowance)
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to review the residential allowance payable to occupants of private and voluntary residential and nursing homes; if he will extend this payment to occupants of local authority residential and nursing homes; what further initiatives he plans for the residential care sector; and if he will make a statement. [18610]

  Mr Keith Bradley
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Government are undertaking a number of reviews of key policy areas, including a review of the funding of long term care. The future payment of the Income Support Residential Allowance will be included in these reviews.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Millennium Compliance
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many officials, and at what grade, are working on millennium compliance issues. [23616]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The Department has established a Year 2000 Programme led by the Information Technology Services Agency (ITSA) to co-ordinate the extensive activity across the Department. The Departmental Board, chaired by the Permanent Secretary, is receiving regular reports on progress. An ITSA Director (a senior civil servant) leads the work, reporting to the ITSA Chief Executive who chairs the Project Steering Group. There is a Programme Manager (Unified Grade 6) and a core team of five staff (two SEOs, one HEO and two EOs).

  As part of this programme, there are, in addition, a network of Year 2000 teams across all areas of the Department working towards compliance. For some staff Year 2000 is a specific responsibility; for many others it is a priority activity within their normal work area.

  Table 1: Level of basic pension for men and wormen on earnings levels shown—uprated in line with prices but expressed in 1997–98 prices. Amounts expressed as proportion of national average earnings

  Average full-time earnings Men

  Average full-time earnings Women

  Half average full-time earnings Men

  Half average full-time earnings Women

  £

  Per cent.

  £

  Per cent.

  £

  Per cent.

  £

  Per cent.

  1997–98

  62.45

  16.7

  62.45

  16.7

  62.45

  16.7

  62.45

  16.7

  2015–16

  62.45

  12.8

  62.45

  12.8

  62.45

  12.8

  62.45

  12.8

  2025–26

  62.45

  11.0

  62.45

  11.0

  62.45

  11.0

  62.45

  11.0

  2035–36

  62.45

  9.5

  62.45

  9.5

  62.45

  9.5

  62.45

  9.5

  National Insurance
  Kate Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she intends to change the national insurance contribution contracting-out rebates. [24282]

  Mr. Denham
  I announced on 4 December that I was asking the Government Actuary for this views on the level of the National Insurance contracting-out rebates. He has now responded.

  I have considered both the Government Actuary's advice and the impact of trends in the pensions industry on the resources available to the National Insurance Fund. From April 1999, the first opportunity available, I propose to:
  increase the age-related rebates for Appropriate Personal Pensions. The rebate rate at the youngest ages will rise from 3.4 per cent. to 3.8 per cent. with proportionately smaller increases at other ages, with the cap remaining at 9 per cent.; and
  adjust the rebate for contracted-out money purchase schemes by replacing the current loading for expenses with the same as that contained within the rebate for contracted-out salary-related schemes.

  I will lay an Order outlining these changes before both Houses in due course.

  A copy of the Government Actuary's report has been placed in the Library of both Houses.

  Pensions
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will publish figures showing the level of the basic pension and SERPS addition for men and women on(a) average full-time earnings for their sex, (b) half average earnings and (c) earnings of £40 a week, and its equivalent as a proportion of average earnings in later years, expressed in today's prices and as a percentage of average earnings in (i) 1997–98, (ii) 2015–16, (iii) 2025–26 and (iv) 2035–36, based on the assumption of (1) price indexation and (2) earnings indexation. [20809]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 15 December 1997]: The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the tables. Where someone is earning £40 per week in 1997 terms, as this is well below the lower earnings limit for National Insurance contributions, they would not qualify for any basic Retirement Pension or SERPS in respect of these earnings.
  341

  Table 2: Level of SERPS for men and women on earnings levels shown—uprated in line with prices but expressed in 1997–98 prices. Amounts expressed as proportion of national average earnings

  Average full-time earnings Men

  Average full-time earnings Women

  Half average full-time earnings Men

  Half average full-time earnings Women

  £

  Per cent.

  £

  Per cent.

  £

  Per cent.

  £

  Per cent.

  1997–98

  83.45

  22.3

  51.56

  13.8

  34.48

  9.2

  18.54

  5.0

  2015–16

  93.69

  19.2

  61.25

  12.5

  39.21

  8.0

  22.04

  4.5

  2025–26

  103.40

  18.2

  71.75

  12.6

  45.87

  8.1

  26.67

  4.7

  2035–36

  107.49

  16.3

  82.91

  12.6

  53.03

  8.1

  33.10

  5.0

  Table 3: Level of basic pension for men and women on earnings levels shown—uprated in line with earnings but expressed in 1997–98 prices. Amounts expressed as proportion of national average earnings

  Average full-time earnings Men

  Average full-time earnings Women

  Half average full-time earnings Men

  Half average full-time earnings Women

  £

  Per cent.

  £

  Per cent.

  £

  Per cent.

  £

  Per cent.

  1997–98

  62.45

  16.7

  62.45

  16.7

  62.45

  16.7

  62.45

  16.5

  2015–16

  80.90

  16.5

  80.90

  16.5

  80.90

  16.5

  80.90

  16.5

  2025–26

  92.89

  16.5

  93.89

  16.5

  93.89

  16.5

  93.89

  16.5

  2035–36

  108.96

  16.5

  108.96

  16.5

  108.96

  16.5

  108.96

  16.5

  Table 4: Level of SERPS for men and women on earnings levels shown—uprated in line with earnings but expressed in 1997–98 prices. Amounts expressed as proportion of national average earnings

  Average full-time earnings Men

  Average full-time earnings Women

  Half average full-time earnings Men

  Half average full-time earnings Women

  £

  Per cent.

  £

  Per cent.

  £

  Per cent.

  £

  Per cent.

  1997–98

  83.45

  22.3

  51.56

  13.8

  34.48

  9.2

  18.54

  5.0

  2015–16

  94.78

  19.4

  60.42

  12.4

  38.39

  7.9

  21.22

  4.3

  2025–26

  108.36

  19.1

  69.95

  12.3

  44.07

  7.8

  24.86

  4.4

  2035–36

  120.14

  18.2

  80.28

  12.2

  49.43

  7.5

  29.50

  4.5

  1. Figures provided by the Government Actuary's Department.

  2. For all years except the first year, national average earnings and earnings uprating factors are assumed to increase by 1.5 per cent. in real terms per annum. For 1998–99 the latter is assumed to increase by the change in real earnings in the 12 months to September 1997.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the net cost to the Exchequer of raising the state pension in line with earnings in the current year over the pension payable in 1996–97; and what would be the net additional cost if the link between pensions and earnings had not been ended in 1980. [17364]

  Mr. Denham
  [pursuant to his reply, 12 December 1997, c. 730–31]: The additional net cost to the Department of raising State pensions in line with earnings from April 1997 is estimated to be £530 million in 1997–981.

  If the link between pensions and earnings had continued since 1979 to date the additional net cost to the Department in 1997–98 is estimated to be £10.4 billion2.

  Notes:

  1. Figure is rounded to £10 million.

  2. Figure is rounded to nearest £100 million.

  3. These estimates are in respect of contributory RP and linked benefits. The gross costs were estimated by the Government Actuary's Department. Net costs were calculated by using income related benefit offset ratios.
  The income related benefit offsets were calculated using specific offset ratios of 27 per cent. and 22 per cent. respectively. The offset ratios were calculated using two models: the 1997–98 Policy Simulation Model based on the 1995–96 Family Resources Survey, and the 1997–98 Income Support Simulation Model based on the May 1996 Quarterly Statistical Enquiry; both uprated to 1997–98 prices, benefits and earnings levels, and calibrated to the forecasts underlying the 1997 Departmental Report.

  Domestic Violence
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what action is being taken to assist victims of violence and abuse in close relationships and domestic situations. [22421]

  Ms Ruddock
  Combating violence against women is a key priority for the Ministers for Women and we are working closely with colleagues across Government, with women's organisations and through the Cabinet sub-Committee on Women's Issues, to reduce the level of violence against women. We are working with the Home Office, which has lead responsibility for developing policies to tackle domestic violence, in promoting strategies which combine prevention of violence with support for those who have already been subjected to violence.

  The Government's commitment is demonstrated by a wide range of initiatives already underway. The Home Office has set up an inter-departmental review to identify measures to protect vulnerable or intimidated witnesses and to assist them to give evidence in court. The Lord Chancellor's Department's implementation of Part IV of the Family Law Act 1996 affords further protection for women and children, by providing civil remedies to victims of domestic violence. The Department of Health plays a vital role in encouraging inter-agency forums to improve local service co-ordination to influence public attitudes and offer support and relevant information for those who experience domestic violence.

  Heating Allowances
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are her estimates of the annual cost of the new heating allowances(a) for pensioners on income support and (b) for other pensioners; and what would be the cost of extending these payments (i) to families who currently qualify for cold weather payments and (ii) to families with children under five years of age who receive in-work benefits. [20625]

  Mr. Denham
  The additional help of £400 million over this winter and next, announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 25 November 1997,Official Report, columns 773–98, demonstrates the Government's commitment to help the elderly keep warm in their homes during cold weather.

  People receiving Income Support in income-based Jobseeker's Allowance during the week commencing 5 January where their benefit includes one of the pensioner premiums will receive a Winter Fuel Payment of £50. Around 1.5 million payments should be made at a cost of over £70 million.

  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 over 3 million payments will be issued for £20 and almost 5 million for £10 at a cost of £120 million.

  Overall, almost 10 million payments will be made to over seven million pensioner households at a total cost of around £200 million.

  The estimated additional cost of extending the provision and making a £50 payment to each family who: (i) are currently eligible for Cold Weather Payments would be £70 million; or, (ii) have children under five and are receiving in-work benefits of either Family Credit, Housing Benefit (non-IS cases), Council Tax Benefit (non-IS cases) or Disability Working Allowance would be £10 million.
  Note: all figures are rounded to the nearest 10 million.

DEFENCE

  Trident
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the costs of the Trident missile bodies ordered in 1997 are included in the Trident project cost estimate. [24048]

  Mr. George Robertson
  The procurement costs of all the UK's Trident missile bodies are included in the Trident acquisition cost estimate, which currently stands at some £12.6 billion.

  The maintenance and support costs of the missiles are included in the operating costs of Trident, which have been estimated at an average of £200 million per year over the 30 year lifetime of the system. We are currently looking at the basis of this cost estimate in the light of operating experience and as part of the wider Strategic Defence Review.
  344
  I regret that I did not make this distinction clear in my oral reply to the hon. Member for Moray (Mrs. Ewing) on 12 January 1998, Official Report, columns 12–13.

  Defence Contracts
  Ms Dari Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about steps to reclaim moneys from the companies involved in the payment of commissions to Mr. Gordon Foxley relating to defence contracts. [24113]

  Mr. Spellar
  On 10 December 1997,Official Report, column 553, I announced that normal commercial relations were to be resumed with the second of the three companies involved in the Foxley case, Junghans GmbH of Germany. I am now pleased to announce that a satisfactory settlement has been reached with the final company implicated in this affair, Simmel Difesa Spa who are acting on behalf of the successors to Fratelli Borletti Spa, under which the company will pay an agreed sum in redress to my Department, including interest and a contribution to costs, for payments made contrary to contractual conditions. A statement of contrition by the company, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House, forms part of the agreement with the Ministry of Defence. This settlement provides for normal commercial relations to continue between Simmel and the Ministry of Defence.

  Strategic Defence Review
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish those written submissions to the Strategic Defence Review which have been made by individual Service and Ministry of Defence civilian personnel. [24114]

  Mr. George Robertson
  Written submissions to the SDR from Service and MOD civilian personnel are part of an internal consultation process. I will therefore place a digest of these submissions in the Library of the House as soon as it is available.

  Iraq
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about military contingency planning in respect of recent events in Iraq. [24115]

  Mr. George Robertson
  Iraq continues to obstruct the work of the United Nations Special Commission whose purpose is to ensure that Iraq cannot again threaten its neighbours with weapons of mass destruction. The United Nations Security Council has repeatedly made clear that Iraq must co-operate fully and unreservedly with UNSCOM and comply with relevant Security Council Resolutions. The United Kingdom is working with other members of the Security Council to secure Iraq's co-operation through diplomatic means. But, if these efforts fail, we may need to consider other measures, including the use of force. As a contingency, HMS INVINCIBLE, accompanied by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary FORT VICTORIA, will therefore sail to the Gulf to join other UK forces and those of our allies already operating in the region.

  Land Command Restructuring
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he intends to consult hon. Members with a constituency interest over Commander in Chief's Land Command's proposal to relocate HQ 2nd Division at York to Edinburgh in April 2000; if he will list the units currently located at Imphal Barracks in York and the number of(a) service and (b) civilian personnel employed by these units; which of these units will be affected by the Land Command restructuring proposals; and if he will make a statement about the future of Imphal Barracks in York and the Land Command restructuring proposals. [23356]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Commander in Chief Land Command has set in hand a study of the options for restructuring his Command. These options include a proposal to reduce the number of district headquarters from six to three. The study will include recommendations on the location of a headquarters to administer a proposed region covering Scotland and the North of England, parts of which are at present administered by headquarters of the Fifth Division at Shrewsbury, of the Second Division at York, and of the Scottish District at Edinburgh. This work is still at an early stage and no recommendations have yet been put to Ministers nor decisions been taken. Until the study is complete, it will not be possible to say whether and how any changes may affect Imphal Barracks in York, which at present houses both the headquarters of the Second Division and a number of other units.

  The units currently located at Imphal Barracks, York are listed with the number of Service and civilian personnel employed there:

  Unit

  Number of Service personnel employed

  Number of Civilian personnel employed

  Headquarters 2 Division

  79

  143

  Headquarters York Garrison

  5

  73

  Headquarters 15 (North East) Brigade

  29

  20

  2 Signal Regiment

  437

  0

  Recruiting and Liaison Staff (East)

  4

  7

  120/123 Army Youth Team

  7

  0

  RA Gunnery Training Team (North)

  9

  0

  240 Signal Squadron

  14

  20

  46 Transport Regiment Royal Logistic Corps

  5

  33

  Periodic Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Examination Team

  8

  12

  Kings Division Officer Recruiting

  0

  1

  2 Military Intelligence Company

  13

  0

  23 Military Intelligence Section

  3

  2

  33 Section Special Investigation Branch Royal Military Police

  9

  3

  150 Provost Company Royal Military Police (York Detachment)

  2

  0

  Defence Estate Organisation (Works) York

  0

  4

  Army Welfare Service York Branch

  0

  9

  1. Figures for Service personnel employment are as at September 1997.

  2. Figures for Civilian personnel employment are as at 1 January 1998.

  We will initiate consultation, including with relevant hon. Members, in the normal way once any recommendations have been made.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will place a copy in the Library of the letter sent 346
  to suppliers reminding them of their contractual arrangement to ensure their goods are millennium compliant and list the suppliers to whom the letter was sent and the date on which it was sent; [23588]

  (2) pursuant to his answer of 22 December, Official Report, column 418, if he will list the names of those suppliers who have been unable to provide the necessary assurances that the equipment they provide is millennium compliant. [23587]

  Mr. Spellar
  Suppliers under existing contracts are being requested to confirm that equipment being supplied will be Year 2000 compliant. For new procurements a condition of contract is included covering Year 2000 compliance. A copy of the standard letter issued to those suppliers will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Liaison with MOD's suppliers occurs at many points across the Department. Local project staff are responsible for ensuring that suppliers who are approached provide satisfactory responses to the request for assurance. There is no central record of suppliers who have been contacted, or of responses from suppliers unable to provide the necessary assurances.

  This information could be supplied only at disproportionate cost.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many officials and at what grade are working on millennium compliance issues. [23589]

  Mr. Spellar
  Staff at all levels of the MOD are involved in Year 2000 associated tasks ranging from the rescheduling of resources, to the management of Year 2000 programmes and projects, to the checking and correction of systems. When necessary, internal staff resources are being supplemented by suitably skilled consultancy effort.

  However, the size and scope of the MOD and of the delegated nature of the way the Department does its business means that detailed information is not centrally available on the numbers and grades of officials involved in Year 2000 remedial work. This information could only be supplied at disproportionate cost.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the latest estimate of the cost to his Department of ensuring that all equipment is millennium compliant. [23586]

  Mr. Spellar
  The current estimated total cost to MOD of tackling the Year 2000 problem is £200 million. Costs are, however, still being assessed and refined and it is expected that the imminent completion of more costed plans will give a better indication of the accuracy of this estimate.

  Animal Experiments
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the procedures which have been carried out on monkeys and great apes, and the number involved in these procedures which have died as a result, at (i) Porton Down and (ii) other establishments for which he is responsible, in each of the last 10 years. [22573]
  347
  Mr. Spellar
  This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation Research Agency (DERA). I have asked the Chief Executive to write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Paul Flynn, dated 16 January 1998:
  I have been asked to reply to your question concerning the procedures that have been carried out on monkeys and great apes over the last ten years at Porton Down and other establishments.
  No work on great apes has been undertaken at DERA during the last ten years, either at Porton Down or elsewhere. The number of procedures carried out on other non-human primates for 1987 to 1996 is shown in the table below. All figures relate to procedures carried out at Porton Down, except in 1993 when 12 procedures were carried out at the Royal Air Force Institute of Aviation Medicine at Farnborough. It should be noted that the Home Office reporting requirements changed in 1990, and so the number of procedures does not necessarily equate to the number of animals used. All animals were killed humanely at the end of projects in accordance with the relevant Home Office licence

  Number of procedures conducted on non-human primates by year

  Year

  Number of procedures

  1987

  117

  1988

  164

  1989

  64

  1990

  80

  1991

  31

  1992

  72

  1993

  48

  1994

  17

  1995

  17

  1996

  14

  The number, but not a description, of the procedures is reported annually by species and by primary purpose in the annual returns to the Home Office. The procedures are defined on the project licences, and so a list of the actual procedures carried out could only be obtained by reference to the individual project licences and then not on an annual basis. Further, some of the titles of the procedures relate to classified research programmes and, in the interests of security, could not be disclosed. Nevertheless, many details of DERA's research on non-human primates are available in publications in the open literature.
  I hope this is helpful.

CABINET OFFICE

  RJB Mining
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will make a statement on his meeting with the Chief Executive of RJB Mining on 9 January. [23230]

  Mr. Mandelson
  I visited Kellingley to learn at first hand of the issues facing the coal industry and to acquaint the workforce and management with the Government's approach.

  Ministerial Visit (Disney World)
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will make a statement on his visit to Disney World earlier in January. [23226]
  348
  Mr. Mandelson
  Walt Disney are world leaders in entertainment. I went to learn at first hand from their wide experience, as suggested by the Select Committee on Culture, Media and Sport. I had extensive discussions on technical matters, managing the flow of visitors, service facilities, and other aspects of this highly successful public attraction.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio what was the cost to public funds of his visit to Disney World in Orlando. [23920]

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio what was the cost of his trip to Florida, including the
  travel and accommodation costs of accompanying staff. [23481]

  Mr. Mandelson
  The cost of my trip to the United States was approximately £3,450, including the travel and accommodation costs of an accompanying official from the British Consulate General in Miami.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio if, and at what cost, he was accompanied to Disney World by Civil Service staff. [23922]

  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio how many(a) civil servants and (b) special advisers accompanied him to Disney World; what was the estimated cost of their visit; and what was their schedule of appointments at Disney World. [23925]

  Mr. Mandelson
  One civil servant from the British Consulate General in Miami accompanied me on my appointments at Disney World. The cost of his travel and accommodation was approximately £307.

  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio what was the cost to public funds of his recent visit to the United States of America; and what part of his visit was for private purposes. [23923]

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio how many days he spent in the United States of America on his recent trip; and how many of these were working days. [23480]

  Mr. Mandelson
  I spent four days in the United States of America. I undertook an official programme on all these days, following a private overnight stay on arrival.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio for what reasons he chose to visit Disney World Florida rather than Disney Land Paris; and what was the extra cost of visiting Florida compared with a visit to Paris for the same purpose. [23476]

  Mr. Mandelson
  I wanted, in particular, to have the opportunity of visiting the Epcot (Educational Prototype Community of Tomorrow) Centre; and was also able to fit in a short programme in Washington arranged for me via the British Embassy. A direct cost comparison is not therefore relevant in this case.
  349
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will list the dates of his visit to the United States of America separately identifying the date of his visit to Disney World; and if he will provide a breakdown of his appointments at Disney World. [23931]

  Mr. Mandelson
  I visited the United States of America on an official programme from 2 to 5 January 1998. On 2 and 3 January I held a series of meetings at Epcot (the Educational Prototype Community of Tomorrow) with Judson Green (President, Walt Disney Attractions), George Kalogridis (Vice President Epcot Operations), Robin Chapman (Director Creative Development Epcot), and Danni Mikler (Manager Epcot International Programmes).

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Mathematics
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will publish the results for the link items for mathematics for the(a) Third International Mathematics and Sciences Study, (b) Secondary International Mathematics Study and (c) First International Mathematics Study. [22795]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) have commissioned a further analysis of the results of the Third International Mathematics and Science Study which will include some comparisons with the Second International Mathematics Study. QCA plan to make the further analysis publicly available.

  Higher Education
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the percentage intake of full-time home undergraduates at each HEFCE funded institution from(a) state schools, (b) fee-paying schools and (c) the FEFC sector, onto (i) arts and social science courses, (ii) science courses and (iii) all courses in (1) 1995 and (2) 1996; and if he will make a statement. [23608]

  Dr. Howells
  The data requested are not available centrally. The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) collects details of the course subject and previous educational establishment of applicants and accepted applicants to each higher education establishment but these data are published only at the sector level. Information on the previous educational establishment of accepted applicants is published in the UCAS Annual Report. The latest published data are for applicants accepted for autumn 1996 entry and are shown in the table. It is for individual universities and colleges to decide whether or not such data should be made available for their own institution With the authorisation of the institutions involved, UCAS can provide these data separately for each individual establishment. The hon. Member might therefore care to contact UCAS directly.350

  Previous educational establishment of home applicants accepted to degree courses

  1996 entry

  Type of establishment

  Number

  Maintained

  Grammar

  16,634

  Sixth Form Centre

  3,546

  Comprehensive

  67,397

  Other

  1,260

  Total

  88,837

  Independent

  29,264

  Further Education

  Sixth Form College

  23,603

  Other FE

  52,345

  Technical

  1,612

  Total

  77,560

  Higher Education

  6,661

  Other

  9,040

  Not known

  35,141

  Total

  246,503

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Millennium Compliance
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list his responsibilities for millennium compliance in the light of the Prime Minister's announcement of his new responsibilities. [23623]

  Dr. David Clark
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to a similar question from the hon. Member for Gordon (Mr. Bruce) on 18 December 1997,Official Report, column 318.

  The Ministerial Group on the Millennium Date Change which the Prime Minister announced on 27 November will oversee work being done in both the public and private sectors. I have been charged with convening a sub-group to focus on progress in dealing with the Year 2000 problem in central Government departments and agencies. Responsibilities within Government remain unchanged with individual departments being ultimately responsible for their own areas.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, pursuant to his answer of 4 December 1997,Official Report, column 325, if he will place (a) a copy of his letter to colleagues and (b) copies of each department's response to his request for further information on the skills issue and millennium compliance in the Library. [23613]

  Dr. David Clark
  Yes. I will place this information in the libraries of the House and publish it on the Internet shortly.
  351
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will give details of all engagements he has undertaken directly in connection with millennium compliance issues since 1 November. [23624]

  Dr. David Clark
  I, and my officials, have had a number of meetings with interested bodies, the media, colleagues and officials.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, pursuant to his answer of 4 December,Official Report, column 324, if he will list the departments whose plans indicate that PC replacement plans will not be completed until after June 1999. [23614]

  Dr. David Clark
  This information is included in the plans which were placed in the libraries of the House following my statement on 27 November.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many officials in his Department, and at what grade, are working on millennium compliance issues. [23615]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  Within the Cabinet Office and its Agencies, there are 41 officials working on millennium compliance issues either as part of their normal duties or in a full time capacity; details are as follows:

  As part of job

  Full Time

  Department/Agency

  Number

  Grade

  Number

  Grade

  Cabinet Office

  1

  G3

  —

  —

  2

  G5

  —

  —

  2

  G7

  —

  —

  2

  SEO

  —

  —

  3

  HEO

  —

  —

  3

  TTO

  —

  —

  1

  EO

  —

  —

  1

  AO

  —

  —

  Central Computer and

  1

  G6

  —

  —

  Telecommunications

  1

  G7

  1

  G7

  Agency

  2

  SEO

  —

  —

  3

  HEO

  1

  EO

  Central Office of

  1

  G5

  —

  —

  Information

  1

  HEO

  —

  —

  Civil Service College

  1

  G7

  —

  —

  Government Car and

  1

  G7

  —

  —

  Despatch Agency

  1

  SEO

  —

  —

  Property Advisers to the

  1

  G5

  —

  —

  Civil Estate

  1

  G6

  —

  —

  1

  HEO

  —

  —

  Security Facilities Executive

  1

  G7

  —

  —

  1

  SEO

  —

  —

  1

  HEO

  —

  —

  The Buying Agency

  1

  G6

  —

  —

  2

  SEO

  —

  —

  1

  EO

  —

  —

  2

  AO

  —

  —

  Total

  39

  2

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Sewerage
  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many water companies have proscribed the use of ribbed thin wall plastic piping in sewerage installations. [22758]

  Angela Eagle
  Of the ten major water and sewerage companies, two have suspended the use of ribbed thin wall plastic piping and a third has placed a temporary restriction on its use. The remaining seven companies allow a range of pipe materials for sewerage installations. Choice of pipe material depends on a number of factors including relevant site conditions.

  Urban Foxes
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate his Department has made of the growth of the urban fox population in the United Kingdom over the last 30 years. [22820]

  Angela Eagle
  Reliable data are not available before 1980. Since 1980, detailed population surveys were undertaken in nine English towns and form the results of these surveys the predicted urban fox population in 1994 was estimated at 33,000, made up of 30,000 for England, 2,900 for Scotland and 100 for Wales.

  A study in 1987 showed that urban foxes tend to be self-regulating, and it also indicated that they have little effect on rural populations, with low net emigration. Recently, the decline in reported sightings suggests that the number of urban foxes has fallen in some cities.

  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the public health risks which arise from urban fox populations. [22822]

  Angela Eagle
  There are very few health risks resulting from urban fox populations, and there is very little cause for concern.

  Foxes in theory could transmit certain infections, such as toxocariasis, hydatid disease or pasteurellosis to man. However, from the limited data available, it is evident that foxes have not been implicated in any cases of these diseases among humans.

  There is currently no rabies in the terrestrial mammal population of the British Isles.

  Heavy Goods Vehicles
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what estimate he has made of the number of occasions over a five-year period on which a driver of an HGV can expect to be stopped for a roadside check by the Vehicle Inspectorate; [22832]

  (2) what proportion of vehicles stopped by the Vehicle Inspectorate at roadside checks that were found to be unroadworthy or otherwise in breach of regulations, were registered outside the United Kingdom. [22834]
  353
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I have asked the Chief Executive of the Vehicle Inspectorate Executive Agency, Mr. Ron Oliver, to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Ron Oliver to Mr. Tom Brake, dated 16 January 1998:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions about the estimated number of occasions over a 5–year period on which a driver of an HGV can expect to be stopped for a roadside check by the Vehicle Inspectorate and what proportion of vehicle stopped by the Inspectorate found to be unroadworthy or otherwise in breach of regulations, were registered outside the United Kingdom.
  There are approximately 406,500 HGVs (i.e., vehicles with a design gross weight in excess of 3,500 kgs) operating annually on a commercial basis in the UK. The Inspectorate carries out in the region of 360,000 roadside checks of HGVs a year. On this basis it is estimated that an HGV driver could be stopped between 4 or 5 time over a 5–year period by the Inspectorate. I should add that the Inspectorate's examiners target their checks to find the more serious defects and breaches of law.
  Details of vehicles registered outside the UK found to be unroadworthy or in breach of regulations at Inspectorate roadside checks during 1996–97 are shown below:

  Number

  Number

  Number of vehicles found to be unroadworthy/in breach of regulations

  35,104

  (34,537)

  Number of above vehicles registered outside UK

  1,651

  (1,084)

  Percentage of above registered outside UK

  4.7

  (3.1)

  1. Figures exclude vehicles prohibited as a result of an instrumented smoke only check as this data does not distinguish if a vehicle is registered outside the UK.

  2. The figures include prohibitions issued for drivers' hours offences which are only issued to vehicles registered outside the UK. Figures in brackets exclude these prohibitions.

  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will introduce legislation to impound heavy goods vehicles found at roadside checks to be in unsafe condition. [22833]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We are developing a scheme for the detention of illegally operated heavy goods vehicles, but this would require primary legislation and there would first need to be a public consultation exercise. There are still a number of practical issues to be resolved before we can go out to consultation and these are being addressed.

  Rail Services
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to set targets for increasing the proportion of passengers and freight carried by rail. [22836]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We want to see more passengers and freight travel by rail. Our White Paper on integrated transport will set out our proposals for achieving this objective.

  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to increase the role of local authorities in delivering an integrated rail service. [22838]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We are committed to establishing a national rail authority and are reviewing the role of local government in transport planning. Our proposals will be published in our White Paper on integrated transport policy.

  Rail Network
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will set up a new rail authority to co-ordinate and develop the rail network; [22835]

  (2) what plans he has to create a national rail development plan to modernise and expand the network. [22837]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We are committed to establishing a national rail authority, to provide a clear, coherent and strategic programme for the development of the railways.

  Passenger Transport Authorities
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will extend the Passenger Transport Authority Model to London and other areas. [22839]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The institutions required for delivering an integrated transport policy are being considered carefully and we shall be setting out our policies in the White Paper due to be published later this year. The specific proposals for restructuring transport in London under a Greater London Authority (GLA) will take this work into account. They will be set out in the GLA White Paper which we intend to publish in March.

  Coastguard
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what assessment he has made of the capability of the undersea telecoms link between the Shetland Islands and the mainland for carrying clear traffic for the purpose of Her Majesty's Coastguard; and when he expects the link to be mended; [22847]

  (2) how many consultants were employed by the Coastguard Agency in (a) 1996–97 and (b) 1997–98; in what capacity; and at what cost. [22844]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I have asked the Chief Executive of the Coastguard Agency, Mr. C. Harris, to write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from C. J. Harris to Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody, dated 16 January 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Environment, Transport and the Regions has asked me to reply to your recent Questions about the Coastguard service.
  The Coastguard Agency employed 22 consultants in 1996–97 at a cost of £525,455 and have so far employed 22 consultants in 1997–98 at a cost to-date of £330,832. Since April 1996, these consultants have been involved in a wide range of projects including IT training and development, paybill modelling, health and safety, Coastguard property and assisting the Marine Pollution Control Unit with annual and table top exercises.
  HM Coastguard has microwave telecom links between Shetland and the Scottish mainland provided by British Telecom rather than undersea submarine cable. My Regional Controller for North and East Scotland has confirmed that there are no defects or restrictions on operators due to British Telecom lines which effect the communication links of HM Coastguard.

  Kerosene
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions his Department has had with(a) the European Commission and (b) the Treasury regarding the introduction of taxation on Kerosene. [23199]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Council agreed, on 9 June 1997, a Resolution calling for the European Commission to study the economic and environmental effects in the EU of taxing aviation kerosene. My Department will continue its dialogue with the Commission as the study progresses and keep in regular contact with the Treasury and other interested Departments on this issue.

  Motorcycling
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 18 December 1997,Official Report, column 267, if he will set up a motorcycle strategy group to consider the issues raised at the special motorcycling seminar held at his Department on 25 November 1997. [23039]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 18 December 1997,Official Report, column 267.

  We will consider between now and the publication of the White Paper on Integrated Transport Policy the best structure for consulting effectively and widely about motorcycling issues.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what contingency plans he has made in the event of millennium compliance failures in any transportation system in the United Kingdom. [23634]

  Angela Eagle
  Millennium compliance is the responsibility of the relevant transport industry.

  My Department has worked closely with the railway industry to ensure that arrangements are in place for millennium compliance. The Rail Millennium Programme Office has been set up to manage an industry-wide programme of projects to ensure compliance. Part of this programme is to assess the risks of non compliance and the need for any specific contingency plans.

  My officials are working with London Transport to ensure, as far as possible, that millennium compliance failures do not occur and to ensure that sensible contingency measures are put in place in good time.

  As regards aviation, my Department has notified all major UK airlines, airports and associated industry organisations of the need to consider whether their systems will be affected by the problem and advised them to take any remedial action necessary. We have also been in close and regular contact with the Civil Aviation Authority (including National Air Traffic Services) who have been requested to consider the problem and take any necessary action with other relevant sectors of the aviation industry. The situation has been and will continue to be monitored on a regular basis.
  356
  The Highways Agency is actively considering the issue, including the need for contingency plans, in relation to the trunk road network and is liaising with local highway authorities.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the total cost of millennium compliance to his Department broken down between transport, environment and the regions. [23633]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions estimates the total cost of millennium compliance to his Department to be £17.9 million (excluding Government Offices for the Regions).

  Since the merger of the former Transport and Environment Departments it is no longer possible to differentiate between the central costs for transport and environment. Of the £17.95 million, £2.2 million is estimated for DETR (Central).

  Of the remaining £15.75 million, £15.55 million is estimated for the former Transport Executive Agencies and £200 thousand for the former Environment Executive Agencies.

  The results of a scoping exercise for the Government Offices for the Regions should be available in April 1998. Costs are not expected to exceed existing PES provision.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what contingency arrangements have been made for the Coastguard Agency in the event of any millennium compliance failure; [23635]

  (2) what estimate he has made of the cost of millennium compliance for the Coastguard Agency. [23636]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I have asked the Chief Executive of the Coastguard Agency, Mr. C. J Harris, to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from C. J. Harris to Cheryl Gillian, dated 16 January 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Environment, Transport and the Regions has asked me to reply to your recent Questions about the issue of millennium compliance.
  A programme of replacing all existing PCs and Servers that are not compliant is currently under way and will be completed by the end of the current financial year. Statements of compliance have been obtained from all of the Agency's hardware suppliers and sample machines tested.
  Statements of compliance have also been received from all providers of bespoke software. All are or will be compliant with the exception of the Operations Rooms Command and Control System (ADAS) and a Marine Pollution Control Unit package (BOSCA). We are awaiting a statement of compliance regarding the latter, but no problems are anticipated. The Coastguard Agency is currently reviewing the replacement of the ADAS system, and a decision on the way forward is expected shortly. Compliance should be achieved during 1999.
  I acknowledge that certain domestic devices, such as lifts, escalators etc., have imbedded chips which may also have a year 2000 compliance problem. This area is being investigated by the Agency's Estate Services Branch who are awaiting statements of compliance. It is anticipated that all devices will be compliant by 31 March.
  To date, the estimated cost of the compliance exercise for the above programmes is £170k.
  357
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many officials, and at what grade, are working on millennium compliance issues. [23637]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The central DETR co-ordination programme has a programme manager at G7 level and two co-ordinators at SEO level with additional support equivalent to one HEO. Each Business Unit within DETR (central) is responsible for ensuring compliance of their own business critical systems. It is estimated that a total of 50 officials between EO and G5 are working on millennium compliance issues on a part time basis. (Please see following table for breakdown by grade.)

  Executive Agencies
  The Executive Agencies have a varying number of officials dealing with millennium compliance issues depending on the size of the problem within each agency. Approximate totals are given in the following table.

  Government Office for the Regions
  The Government Office Central Unit has established a central committee to address millennium issues and there are a variety of officials at different grades working on the issues within each government office. Again, approximate totals are given in the following table.

  Officials working on Millennium Compliance Issues

  G5

  G6

  G7

  SEO

  HEO

  EO

  AO

  DETR(C)

  1

  —

  3

  8

  26

  12

  —

  Executive Agencies

  5

  1

  6

  10

  11

  8

  5

  Government Offices

  —

  —

  1

  1

  14

  —

  —

  All figures exclude contractors.

  Unitary Development Plans
  Mr. Stringer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress has been made towards national coverage of local plans and unitary development plans. [23806]

  Mr. Raynsford
  My Department has published a report today which gives details of progress made towards adoption of plans by individual local authorities in England. I have arranged for copies to be placed in the Library of the House. AT the end of December 1997, 53 per cent. of local authorities had an adopted Local Plan or Unitary Development Plan in place. Measures to speed up the procedures under which such plans are prepared and adopted were included in the statement on Modernising Planning issued by my hon. Friend the Minister for Regions, Regeneration and Planning on 15 January 1998,Official Report, column 262.

  M. V. Pride of Bilbao
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the result of inquiries made by the Marine Safety Agency into the circumstances of the 17 hour delay in the completion of the journey commenced by M. V. Pride of Bilbao on 3 January. [23590]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I have asked the Chief Executive of the Marine Safety Agency, Mr. R. M. Bradley to write to the hon. Member.
  358
  Letter from R. M. Bradley to Mr. Peter Viggers, dated 16 January 1998 The Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions has asked me to reply to your Question about the vessel "Pride of Bilbao".
  The vessel recently completed a voyage from Bilbao to Portsmouth in poor weather conditions which worsened as the passage continued. The Master of the vessel was subsequently interviewed by MSA officials. It was established that weather forecasts were available at the outset of the voyage and it was found that it was not unreasonable, on safety grounds, for the voyage to have been commenced.
  There were twelve reported injuries, the worst of which was a broken arm: no damage to the ship was sustained. All of the injuries sustained have been reported to the Marine Accident Investigation Branch for their consideration.
  The MSA is content that the Master did not put to sea in overly adverse conditions and did not compromise safety in any part of the voyage.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Civil Cases (Fast Track Procedure)
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is his policy on the creation of a fast track procedure for certain types of civil cases; and what plans he has to modify the burden of proof which is carried by the plaintiff. [22359]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Lord Chancellor's Department issued a working paper on judicial case management in July 1997, which included proposals for a fast track procedure. A further paper was published at the end of November proposing a limit of £15,000 for fast track cases. It is planned to implement the fast track in April 1999 as part of the Lord Chancellor's Civil Justice Reforms. There are no current plans to change the existing requirements of the burden of proof as they relate to the plaintiff in a civil legal action.

  Legal Aid
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if initial investigations required to determine the chances of a case succeeding will be covered by the insurance policy, in circumstances where it is decided not to proceed with a case under his proposed reforms of legal aid. [22434]

  Mr. Hoon
  Whether initial investigation costs are covered by an insurance policy if a case does not proceed would depend on the terms of the particular insurance policy.

  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what measures he intends to introduce under his legal aid reforms to ensure that fixing costs will not damage the prospects of injury victims winning cases. [22362]

  Mr. Hoon
  I am very aware of the concerns expressed about the implications of the fast track fixed costs proposals. In considering the future of a fixed costs scheme, a balance needs to be achieved between the desirable aims of making litigation more certain and affordable, with the need to allow parties to litigate on equal terms. Any system introduced will take account of these factors.

  Loser Pays All Principle
  Mr. Clapham
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what measures he will take under his legal aid reforms to ensure that removing the principles of loser pays all will not encourage unnecessary delays in the judicial process. [22433]

  Mr. Hoon
  I have no proposals to amend the principle that the "loser pays all" under the legal aid reforms that we have announced. Any proposals to apply fixed

  Declared political allegiances by Welsh Advisory Committee area and bench

  CON

  LAB

  LD

  PC

  Other/not-committeed

  Clwyd

  Berwyn

  4

  2

  4

  1

  2

  Colwyn

  19

  8

  11

  2

  3

  Dyffryn Clwyd

  9

  2

  7

  2

  2

  Flint

  12

  10

  4

  3

  3

  Harwarden

  10

  17

  2

  0

  3

  Mold

  11

  10

  7

  3

  3

  Rhuddlan

  27

  14

  7

  5

  1

  Wrexham Maelor

  34

  34

  27

  2

  2

  Total Clwyd

  126

  97

  69

  18

  19

  Dyfed (3 Committees)

  Carmarthen North

  3

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Carmarthen South

  8

  7

  6

  8

  9

  De Ceredigion

  2

  1

  2

  2

  5

  Ceredigion Ganol

  3

  2

  3

  5

  0

  Cleddau

  15

  2

  4

  0

  7

  Dinefwr

  1

  8

  6

  4

  11

  Gogledd Ceredigion

  3

  4

  3

  4

  6

  Gogledd Preseli

  2

  2

  2

  2

  1

  Llanelli

  14

  24

  8

  4

  17

  South Pembrokeshire

  11

  11

  7

  0

  3

  Total Dyfed

  62

  63

  43

  31

  61

  Mid Glamorgan

  Cynon Valley

  11

  16

  4

  7

  0

  Merthyr Tydfil

  11

  23

  5

  1

  2

  Miskin

  17

  26

  9

  3

  24

  Newcastle and Ogmore

  22

  39

  6

  2

  14

  Total Mid Glamorgan

  61

  104

  24

  13

  40

  South Glamorgan

  Cardiff

  100

  80

  56

  3

  23

  Vale of Glamorgan

  40

  25

  8

  2

  9

  Total South Glamorgan

  140

  105

  64

  5

  32

  West Glamorgan

  Neath/Port Talbot

  35

  49

  21

  6

  26

  Swansea County

  66

  72

  28

  2

  16

  Total West Glamorgan

  101

  121

  49

  8

  42

  Gwent

  Bedwellty

  19

  26

  10

  1

  17

  East Gwent

  37

  28

  9

  0

  16

  Lower Rhymney Valley

  13

  20

  4

  1

  8

  Newport

  45

  38

  18

  2

  13

  Upper Rhymney Valley

  2

  5

  0

  0

  5

  Total Gwent

  116

  117

  41

  4

  59

  Gwynedd (3 Committees)

  Aberconwy

  17

  7

  8

  5

  2

  Bangor

  7

  0

  7

  7

  2

  Caenarfon/Gwyrfai

  5

  2

  4

  9

  0

  360
  recoverable costs in fast track cases, as part of the civil justice reforms, will, in common with the intention of the fast track, attempt to reduce delay.

  Magistrates (Wales)
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will give a breakdown of magistrate benches in Wales according to declared political allegiance. [22107]

  Mr. Hoon
  On the latest information available, the political breakdown of benches in Wales, listed under Lord Chancellor Advisory Committee areas is:
  361

  Declared political allegiances by Welsh Advisory Committee area and bench

  CON

  LAB

  LD

  PC

  Other/not-committeed

  Meirionnydd

  3

  3

  2

  3

  16

  Pwllheli/Porthmadog

  3

  5

  3

  5

  2

  Ynys Mon

  15

  7

  0

  14

  6

  Total Gwynedd

  50

  24

  24

  43

  28

  Powys (2 Committees)

  Brecon

  5

  3

  8

  0

  2

  Machynlleth

  2

  2

  1

  2

  0

  Newtown

  5

  4

  4

  0

  6

  Radnor and North

  Brecknock

  5

  2

  3

  0

  6

  Welshpool

  11

  2

  6

  1

  1

  Ystradgynlais

  3

  4

  0

  0

  1

  Total Powys

  31

  17

  22

  3

  16

  Total Wales

  687

  648

  336

  125

  297

HEALTH

  Private Clinics
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many private sector clinic registrations were cancelled by health authorities, because national and local standards were not being met in each of the last five years. [23007]

  Mr. Milburn
  Certain private clinics must be registered as nursing homes under the Registered Homes Act 1984. Information on the number of nursing homes deregistered is given in the table. The information collected centrally does not enable the number of private clinics included in these figures to be identified.

  Year

  Number of nursing homes deregistered

  1992

  7

  1993

  11

  1994

  7

  1995

  15

  1996

  6

  These figures are taken from the National List of Cancelled Registrations and cover all nursing homes registered under Part II of the Registered Homes Act 1984.

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the adequacy of health authorities' inspections of private sector clinics and hospitals. [23008]

  Mr. Milburn
  Health authorities are required by law to inspect private hospitals and certain clinics at least twice a year, and, in general, give this task appropriate priority within the resources available.

  Children Leaving Care
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to review the standard of services provided to children leaving care. [23110]

  Mr. Boateng
  In February 1997 the Social Services Inspectorate (SSI) published "When Leaving Home is Leaving Care …" following a major inspection of leaving care and after care services in nine social services 362
  departments. The inspection was based on a comprehensive set of standards drawn up by SSI. Given that such a major inspection has been conducted relatively recently, there are no current plans to mount a further review in the near future. Copies of "When Leaving Home is Leaving Care" are available in the Library.

  NHS Staff (Territorial Army)
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS and NHS Trust employees are members of the Territorial Army; and what percentage this is of the total number of employees. [23326]

  Mr. Milburn
  The information requested is not available centrally. National Health Service Executive guidance to all NHS Employers in 1997 encouraged the release of staff for duties in the Reserve Forces. Copies of this guidance have been placed in the Library.

  Breast Cancer Screening
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for screening women for breast cancer in(a) the 30 to 40 years and (b) over 50 years age groups. [23520]

  Mr. Boateng
  There is at present no evidence to suggest that screening all women aged 30 to 40 would be effective in reducing mortality from breast cancer, and the Government have no current plans to introduce screening for this age group. However, we are currently funding research into the effectiveness of screening women aged 40 to 50. Any decision to introduce screening for this age group will need to be based on the outcome of this research.

  The National Health Service Breast Screening Programme was set up in 1988 and invites all women aged between 50 and 64 for screening every three years, with screening for older women available three yearly on request. The Government are funding research into changes which might improve the quality of the service to women, including reducing the screening interval, taking two mammographic views of the breast at all screening rounds, and routinely inviting women aged 65 to 69 for screening.

  NHS Board Members
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Reigate of 26 November 1997 about appointments as chairmen and non-executive directors of NHS Boards. [22947]

  Mr. Milburn
  I replied to the hon. Member's letter on 13 January.

  Continence Products (VAT)
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he took to inform community continence services of the Treasury's decision on 13 August 1997 to impose VAT on home deliveries of continence products. [22842]

  Mr. Boateng
  Her Majesty's Customs and Excise issued a News Release on 13 August 1997 regarding the Government's intention to bring forward legislation to clarify the law on the Value Added Tax treatment of drugs and medical appliances. They copied this to the National Health Service Executive on the same day. HM Customs and Excise subsequently, during September, notified the NHS of the Government's intention.

  Stretton Hall, Great Glen
  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about the redevelopment of Stretton Hall, Great Glen, with particular reference to his Department's immunity from planning regulations. [23383]

  Mr. Milburn
  The sale of Stretton Hall Hospital in Leicestershire is being managed by the Trent Regional Office of the National Health Service Executive. Outline planning consent has been obtained involving 100 new dwellings, and a sale has been agreed subject to obtaining detailed planning consent. The purchaser will have to comply with all planning legislation affecting the development.

  Health authorities lost Crown immunity in 1991. On the abolition of regional health authorities in 1996, some property, which has since been managed by the NHS Executive, regained Crown immunity. This currently applies to Stretton Hall Hospital, pending its sale. However, it is not the Department's policy to take advantage of this situation. NHS Estates, an agency of the Department of Health, with English Heritage have produced guidance which is expected to be followed by all regional offices of the NHS Executive in respect of the care and disposal of historic buildings.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what contingency arrangements have been made for the Ambulance Service in the event of millennium compliance failure. [23639]

  Mr. Milburn
  The National Health Service Executive's Year 2000 Programme are working to eliminate risk through the identification and management of potential risks.
  364
  It is a priority for NHS Organisations to develop contingency plans and an Ambulance Service forum is being established, through NHS regional offices, to address the issues.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the cost of millennium compliance for the Ambulance Service. [23640]

  Mr. Milburn
  No estimates have been made.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health by what date all(a) kidney dialysis machines, (b) intensive care cots for premature babies and (c) intensive care equipment will be millennium compliant; and what will be the cost of compliance. [23646]

  Mr. Milburn
  By 31 December 1998 each separate National Health Service organisation should have completed major activities where all critical systems are ready and fully tested, or detailed plans made for coping with those systems or equipment that cannot be repaired or replaced in time.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to be able to estimate accurately the costs of millennium compliance in the NHS. [23644]

  Mr. Milburn
  Information should be available by end of April 1998.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he wrote to suppliers to the NHS reminding them of the necessity for all equipment to be millennium compliant; and if he will place a copy of the letter in the Library and list the names of suppliers he has sent it to and the date it was sent. [23645]

  Mr. Milburn
  The Medical Devices Agency wrote in 1996, and again in 1997, to the main United Kingdom trade associations concerned with medical devices. This has been followed up with a letter to many individual manufacturers. The National Health Service Supplies Authority are in the process of writing to approximately 4,000 supplier organisations with whom the NHS has a national contract. The letter will be sent by 31 January 1998.

  The NHS Executive wrote in October 1997 to 30 leading suppliers of Information Systems to the acute and community trusts and the main suppliers of general practitioner systems. Copies of letters and addressees will be placed in the Library.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many officials, and at what grade, are working on millennium compliance issues. [23641]

  Mr. Milburn
  The Department of Health, including its agencies, currently employs a total of 44 full time equivalent members of staff of various grades on Year 2000 related work. The Year 2000 programme within the Department of Health is co-ordinated by the head of the Applications Development and Support branch, who reports to the senior Departmental information technology steering committee.
  365
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what resources are being made available to the NHS's Adverse Incident Centre to deal with any failures to systems through millennium compliance failures. [23638]

  Ms Jowell
  The Medical Devices Agency expects the majority of medical devices to be millennium compliant already. Therefore the number of adverse incidents involving millennium compliance failures is likely to be low. As the number of reports involving millennium compliance failures is expected to be a small fraction of the total number of adverse incident reports, we see no need to allocate extra resources to the Adverse Incident Centre to deal specifically with millennium compliance failures.

  Workforce Standing Advisory Committee
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many new medical schools he anticipates will be required to implement the recommendations of the Medical Workforce Standing Advisory Committee. [23174]

  Mr. Milburn
  One of the main recommendations in the Third Report of the Medical Workforce Standing Advisory Committee (MWSAC) is a 20 per cent. increase in the annual intake to United Kingdom medical schools. This recommendation has very significant implications, and needs careful examination. The Government will announce their decisions on all of MWSAC's recommendations in a few months' time, in the light of the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR).
  366
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his Department's policy towards the recommendations of the Medical Workforce Standing Advisory Committee. [23175]

  Mr. Milburn
  The Medical Workforce Standing Advisory Committee's (MWSAC) main recommendations are for the annual intake to United Kingdom medical schools to increase by 1,000, a 20 per cent. increase over the target of 4,970 for the year 2000, together with a range of measures to improve the recruitment and retention of doctors.

  A number of MWSAC's recommendations chime with the Government's own thinking and should be welcomed. But the recommendation on increased medical school intake has very significant implications, and will need careful examination.

  The Government will announce their decisions on all of MWSAC's recommendations in a few months' time in the light of the Comprehensive Sending Review.

  Dental Services
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to increase the number of NHS dentists in the South Devon area. [23386]

  Mr. Milburn
  On 1 January we announced a further £10 million to continue the Government's drive to improve access to National Health Service dentistry and tackle oral health inequalities through our Investing in Dentistry initiative. This focuses help on those areas of the country where these problems are most acute, by providing grants to enable dentists to expand existing practices and set up new ones.