Written Answers of 19 January 1998

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Sewers
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will amend the Building Regulations to comply with section 104 of the Water Industries Act 1991 to ensure that all sewers are built by developers to an adoptable standard. [22841]

  Mr. Raynsford
  There are no plans to amend the Building Regulations to require that all sewers are built to a standard necessary for them to be adopted under an agreement made under section 104 of the Water Industry Act 1991. However, in 1986, the Department of the Environment in conjunction with the Welsh Office carried out a review of water and sewerage law and considered the automatic adoption of all new sewers undertakers. It was concluded that this could not be implemented as it would have involved vesting existing private sewers with the water authorities of the time and would have placed an undue financial burden on them and hence their customers.

  London Underground
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list for each of the last five years(a) the number of penalty fares issued by London Underground Ltd. and (b) the income generated by penalty fares issued by London Underground Ltd. [23217]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The operation of the Penalty Fares Scheme is a matter for London Underground. The table details the information provided by London Underground for the completed years since the scheme was launched on 4 April 1994.

  Year

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  Number of penalty fares issued

  173,899

  145,410

  203,650

  Income from penalty fares

  £1.1 million

  £1 million

  £1.5 million

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many appeals against penalty fares issued by London Underground Ltd. were made in each of the last five years; and what proportion of these were successful in each of those years. [23218]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The operation of the Penalty Fares Scheme is a matter for London Underground. The table details the information provided by London Underground for the completed years since the scheme was launched on 4 April 1994.
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  Year

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  Appeals processed1

  26,318

  21,771

  26,117

  Percentage of appeals that were successful

  25 per cent.

  26 per cent.

  35 per cent.

  1 Of the appeals processed approximately 10–15 per cent. are further correspondence or re-appeals.

  Duty Free Sales
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the effect of the abolition of duty free on the cost of air travel and ferry travel. [23200]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We are currently in the process of examining the possible effects of abolition of duty free sales, including the implications for air travel and ferry travel.

  West Coast Main Line
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the number of accidents involving staff and contractors working on the West Coast Main Line for each of the last five years. [23205]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I regret that this information is not available in the format requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The accident reporting regime changed in 1996 when the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 came into effect. In addition, accidents are recorded not by train route but by which company reported the accident. In the majority of cases, this is Railtrack, as infrastructure controller, even where Railtrack staff were not involved in the accident. Accidents are recorded against relevant Railtrack zones. The West Coast Main Line covers several such zones and some of the boundaries have changed since the creation of Railtrack in April 1994.

  Gatwick Airport
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will place in the Library a copy of the recommendations made by the Gatwick Airport close parallel runway study group; [23202]

  (2) what work his Department is currently undertaking in relation to the possibility of a close parallel runway at Gatwick Airport. [23201]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  My Department is not undertaking any work in relation to the possibility of developing a close parallel runway at Gatwick Airport. The work which the previous administration asked BAA to undertake into this concept following publication of the report on Runway Capacity to Serve the South East (RUCATSE) is not yet complete. We have asked BAA to put the work on hold so that we can consider how to take this issue forward in the light of the integrated transport White Paper, which we expect to publish in the Spring.

  Office of Passenger Rail Franchising
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list by train operating company the punctuality and reliability figures compiled by OPRAF for each of the last 12 months. [23204]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  This information is included in the quarterly bulletins of franchise operators' performance issued by the Franchising Director, the most recent of which was published on 15 January. The bulletins are in the Library of the House.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many local authorities are expected to be brought into liability for VAT by exceeding the 5 per cent. de minimis partial exemption limit; and how he intends that the additional cost to such authorities will be funded. [22992]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The provisional Local Government Revenue Finance Settlement for 1998–99 takes into account local authorities' VAT liability for their statutory responsibilities. The previous Government introduced a change in VAT partial exemption rules which affected VAT liability on local authorities' exempt business activities. This came into effect on 1 April 1997, in order to ensure that local authorities accurately account for VAT and are treated on a similar basis to the private sector. Local authorities calculate the extent to which they have exceeded the 5 per cent. limit on an annual basis, and must make an adjustment in the next VAT return after the year end. The effects of the change in VAT partial exemption rules will not therefore be known until 1998–99.

  We expect councils to find the budget for any effects of this change from within their provision for 1998–99.

  Lost Property (Rail Stations)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidelines exist for the provision of a lost property service in railway stations. [23195]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The adoption of a voluntary code of practice aimed at improving the level of service to those customers who lose property in the course of a rail journey is currently being considered by the train operating companies who lease the majority of stations, and by Railtrack who manage the 14 major stations on the network. It is expected that it will come into operation in the spring.

  Staying Put Scheme
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what level of grant support is envisaged for the Staying Put scheme; and if he will make a statement. [23100]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Government funding for home improvement agencies, also known as "Staying Put" or "Care and Repair" schemes, has been increased by £¾ million (17 per cent.) to £5.214 million for 1998–99.370
  Bids for funding for individual agencies are currently being assessed and we expect to announce the outcome next month.

  Leasehold Valuation Tribunals
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he is taking to review the work of Leasehold Valuation Tribunals. [23328]

  Ms Armstrong
  We are monitoring closely the work of the Leasehold Valuation Tribunals in relation to their new jurisdiction for determining disputes over service charges and applications for the appointment of a manager which commenced on 1 September. We will consider carefully whether any changes in procedure are needed in the light of experience.

  Leasehold Reform
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the Government expect to bring forward a consultation paper on options for leasehold reform. [23663]

  Ms Armstrong
  We are currently considering the scope and practicability of possible new measures to assist leaseholders. We expect to make an announcement about our proposals and invite comments from interested parties in the Spring.

  Genetically Modified Organisms
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the withholding of information from the public register of applications for consent to release genetically modified organisms on the grounds of prevention of damage to the environment. [22881]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 15 January 1998]: Under the current legislation, information may be withheld from the public register on the grounds of prevention of damage to the environment. To date, no information has been withheld from the public register on these grounds. We would consider any requests to withhold information on this basis extremely carefully, with safety to the environment as the primary concern.

  China
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to visit China. [23561]

  Mr. Prescott
  I hope to visit China in the early part of the summer.

  Project Funding (Northumberland)
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the projects within the Northumberland County Council area that have received European Regional Development Funding in the last three years. [24019]

  Angela Eagle
  Projects within the Northumberland County Council's area have to date received £26,377,479 from the Regional Development Fund (EDRF) in the last three years. A total of 170 projects have been supported
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  under the following European Structural Funds Programmes: North East of England Objective 2, Northern Uplands Objective 5b, PESCA Community Initiative and RECHAR II Community Initiative. Regional projects approved under the aforementioned programmes have also provided assistance in the Northumberland area.

  The Northumberland area has also benefited from support from the European Social Fund (ESF) and the European Agricultural Guidance Guarantee Fund (EAGGF).

  Tables on projects in Northumberland that have received support from the EDRF have been placed in the Library.

  Local Authority Pension Funds
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the current value of the local authority occupational pension funds. [23791]

  Ms Armstrong
  The most recent date for which we hold information relating to local authority pension funds in England and Wales is 30 June 1997, when the market value totalled £61.5 billion.

  Coach Travel (Disabled People)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had, and with whom, to seek to improve travelling conditions in motor coaches for disabled people. [23800]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Department has held extensive informal discussions, both with their statutory advisers on disability, the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) and with representatives of both manufacturing and operating industries. On the basis of these preliminary discussions, we published on 19 December, for widespread public consultation, our proposals for making both buses and coaches accessible to disabled people in compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act. Twelve thousand copies of the consultation document have been issued to disability organisations and other consumer groups as well as to all bus and coach operators and manufacturers. The consultation document has been placed in the House Library.

  Water Supplies (Stevenage)
  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will assess the availability of water supplies for the planned new households when ruling on plans to expand Stevenage. [23729]

  Angela Eagle
  No. It is for the water companies concerned to quantify and provide the water supplies required to support new housing developments. This is a normal part of the planning process.

  CFCs
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make it his policy to ban all sales of CFCs. [23410]
  372
  Angela Eagle
  My Department, in collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry, is currently undertaking a study to look at the environmental and economic costs and benefits of tighter controls on ozone depleting substances, including a possible ban on the sale of CFCs, which may be included in proposals which the European Commission are expected to bring forward to amend EC Regulation 3093/94 on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. We will consider the issue fully when the study is completed and in the light of discussion with European colleagues of whatever proposals the Commission bring forward.

  Wild-caught Birds
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent figures he has obtained in respect of the number of wild-caught birds imported into the United Kingdom; and what percentage of wild-caught birds imported into the United Kingdom in the last year for which figures are available are estimated to have been dead on arrival. [22969]

  Angela Eagle
  The Department maintains records of trade only in the species listed in the Annexes to Council Regulation (EC) No. 338/97, which govern the import into EU Member States. At present, these records do not include data on the number of birds that were dead on arrival but we intend to gather mortality statistics when systems can be put in place. From the data returned so far, some 4,598 wild-caught birds were imported in 1997.

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the Government's policy on EU Directive 96/29 in respect of the recycling of radioactive waste in consumer goods. [23618]

  Angela Eagle
  Directive 96/29/Euratom lays down revised European Union basic safety standards for the protection of the health of workers and the general public against the dangers arising from ionising radiation. It must be implemented into UK legislation by May 2000.

  The Directive effectively sets levels of radioactivity above which radioactive materials must be the subject of regulatory control. The Directive, however, gives Member States discretion in setting levels for the release from regulatory control of materials for disposal, recycling and re-use.

  The Government are giving careful consideration to this matter and their proposals will be the subject of full public consultation planned for later this year.

  A27 Polegate Bypass
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much has been spent to date in total on the proposals to build the new A27 Polegate bypass, broken down into(a) land acquisition, (b) public consultation, (c) design costs, (d) compensation payments to tenderers and (e) others. [23409]
  373
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. Lawrie Haynes, to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Norman Baker, dated 19 January 1998:
  The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question on how much has been spent to date in total on the proposals to build the A27 Polegate Bypass broken down into (a) land acquisition, (b) public consultation, (c) design costs, (d) compensation payments to tenderers and (e) others.
  The overall spend so far is approximately £3.7m (including VAT). Of that, £1.4m has been spent on land acquisition, including land blighted by the scheme, but not necessarily required for it. Some of the costs would be recovered when any surplus land is sold.
  Design costs, which include the development of preliminary design through public consultation to detailed design, are around £1m; it is not possible to break this down further except at disproportionate cost.
  No compensation payments to tenderers (i.e for the DBFO project) have been made to date.
  We have also spent £1m on advance payments to statutory undertakers (eg to move overhead electric power lines), some of which may be recoverable if the scheme does not go ahead, and £250,000 on ground investigation surveys. The only other item of major expenditure has been the preparation of tender documents for the Weald and Downland DBFO project of which this scheme was part, we estimate that the portion of costs attributable to this scheme are in the order of £50,000.

  National Conditions of Carriage
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to review(a) the National Conditions of Carriage in general and (b) clause 45 of the conditions. [23393]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  At the request of the Rail Regulator, the Association of Train Operating Companies is currently conducting a review of the National Conditions of Carriage and consulting the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising, the Office of the Rail Regulator, the Central Rail Users' Consultative Committee and the train operating companies.

  River Tyne Debris Clearance
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the contributions in the last five years from the Environment Agency and its predecessors to the "Eager Beaver" River Tyne Debris Clearance vessel; and what are his reasons for discontinuing this contribution in the next financial year. [23647]

  Angela Eagle
  The contributions made to the "Eager Beaver" River Tyne Debris Clearance vessel in the past five years by the Environment Agency from 1996–97 and the National Rivers Authority before it, are as follows:

  1993–94: £4,000

  1994–95: £4,000

  1995–96: £2,000

  1996–97: £2,000

  1997–98: £2,000

  The Environment Agency is an executive non-Departmental public body, free to manage its day to day business within the framework provided by the
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  Government. Any decision about its future funding contributions to the "Eager Beaver" is therefore a matter for the Agency.

  Cavity Walls
  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what are the latest results of his Department's research into rain penetration in cavity walls. [24238]

  Angela Eagle
  On behalf of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions the Building Research Establishment has undertaken research into water penetration in cavity walls filled with insulation.

  As part of my Department's ongoing programme of research into rain penetration in cavity walls, I have, in consultation with my hon. Friends the Minister for London and Construction and the Minister for Local Government and Housing, asked for precautionary checks to be carried out on the condition of galvanised steel wire wall ties in a representative sample of homes with cavity walls filled with insulation. This follows the preliminary results of research which indicate that there is a possibility that the life expectancy of green coloured galvanised steel wire wall ties might be shortened when used in conjunction with Urea Formaldehyde foam cavity fill. The tests were undertaken on dwarf walls without the protective features found in real houses. I wish, therefore, to establish whether the effects indicated in the BRE research occur in real houses.

  I want to stress that there is no conclusive evidence of a safety risk involving galvanised steel wire wall ties in cavity wall insulation. But it would be wrong if, as a result of the preliminary findings, we did not investigate quickly and thoroughly whether or not the possible problems with green coloured galvanised steel wire wall ties in some cavity fills were occurring in people's homes. This is a prudent, precautionary measure and I have asked that further research be carried out as soon as possible.

  The expert, independent, advice I have received from the BRE is that, while it believes that its initial findings indicate the need for a wider study, it is strongly of the view that it would be premature to place any firm interpretation on its findings until it can be established whether they are representative of conditions in the UK housing stock.

  While the number of homes containing galvanised wire wall ties with a green film, in cavity wall insulation, is a small portion of the housing stock, it is prudent to carry out these precautionary checks which will be extended to examine other forms of galvanised wire wall ties in cavity fill.

  BRE' s test results show:
  Accelerated corrosion has occurred to galvanised steel wire wall ties which have been coated with a green identification film when embedded in moist urea formaldehyde foam cavity insulation.
  Whilst there was visual evidence of corrosion of "grey" (without the green film) galvanised steel wire wall ties embedded in moist cavity fill insulation, the measurement of loss of zinc was too small to be significant.

  375
  No significant corrosion was found in either form of galvanised steel wire wall tie embedded in moist blown mineral wood or mineral wool batt cavity insulation.
  There was some visual evidence of corrosion on both types of galvanised steel wire ties at the gap which occurs between the masonry and all three types of wet insulation.
  Stainless steel wire wall ties showed no signs of corrosion irrespective of the cavity fill material and exposure.

  The results were obtained from experimental walls after 12 and 18 months subject to regimes of accelerated exposure. Copies of BRE's Research report have been placed in the House Library.

  Ferry Crews
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to the answer of 12 January 1998,Official Report, column 111, on ferry crews, if he will set out the criteria which the Marine Safety Agency uses in assessing the ability of passenger ferry crew members to communicate in English. [23725]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I have asked the Chief Executive of the Marine Safety Agency, Mr. Bradley, to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from R. M. Bradley to Mr. Alasdair Morgan, dated 19 January 1998:
  The Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions has asked me to reply to your Question about the criteria used by the MSA in assessing the abilities of passenger ferry crew members to communicate in English.
  MSA inspectors, when witnessing emergency drills on passenger ferries, expect crew members to be able to communicate clearly to passengers in English the location of the following (which are specifically referred to in the Merchant Shipping (Minimum Standards of Safety Communications) Regulations 1997):

  muster stations;

  life-saving devices;

  evacuation routes;

  safety instructions;

  and to be able to give a clear explanation to passengers of other matters such as:

  the nature of the emergency;

  the need to put on warm clothing;

  instruction to board a life boat or life raft.

  The inspectors may apply these criteria at any other time if they feel that crew members' English language skills need to be assessed.

  Charity Collections (Stations)
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will advise the managements of all railway and underground stations not to rely on charity registration as an indication of respectability. [22886]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Applications for charity collections on railway and underground stations are considered by the operators on an individual basis and do not solely rely on the fact that an organisation is registered with the Charity Commission.
  376
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will advise the management of railway and underground stations to require a recommendation from an independent source before permitting charity collections on station land and premises. [22884]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Permission for charity collections on railway and underground stations is a matter for the individual operator, in this case Railtrack, the train operating company or London Underground Ltd. Charities are advised to seek permission from them in advance to enable applications to be considered and collection times to be allocated.

  Timber
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the Government's policy on the purchasing for use by Government departments and agencies of(a) Brazilian mahogany and (b) other endangered timber; how the policy is implemented and monitored; in what form the results of that monitoring are published; and if he will make a statement. [23847]

  Angela Eagle
  Decisions on the procurement of goods and services, including timber or related products, are the responsibility of individual Departments. Departments must have regard to the need to secure best value for the taxpayers' money, to EU and other international rules on procurement and to their strategies for environmentally friendly housekeeping. In pursuing these aims, Departments can be expected to seek timber from sustainable sources where practicable. My Department'sGreen Guide for Buyers Part 1: Policy and Practice, which I have commended to Green Ministers in other Departments, requires minimum use of virgin materials, and the Department seeks as far as possible to purchase wood only from sources verified as sustainable. Costa Rica and Bolivia have listed their populations of Brazilian Mahogany in Appendix III of CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) and Brazil has consulted on a proposal to do the same. The importation of this species into the EU requires an export permit or a certificate from the country of origin. Importers are required to complete a notification in order to help monitoring of the levels of trade.

  Food Safety
  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the funding for implementation of the Pennington Report, announced on 19 August 1997, will count against local authority spending limits. [22948]

  Mr. Raynsford
  [holding answer 16 January 1998]: In line with the announcement made on 19 August 1997 by my hon. Friend the Minister for Public Health, £3.75 million of extra funding has been provided to English local authorities to contribute towards the additional costs of inspecting food premises more frequently. This will assist in implementing the Government's response to the Pennington report. As a rule, expenditure for which

  377
  provision is made within an authority's Standard Spending Assessment (SSA) is included in an authority's budget requirement for capping purposes. Authorities are able to increase their budgets by at least the increase in their SSA, except where it would take their budget more than 12.5 per cent. above SSA or where their budget is already more than 12.5 per cent. above SSA.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the President of the Council how many questions have been tabled since 1 May for answer on the following day by(a) Labour hon. Members and (b) hon. Members from other parties; and how many in each case were subsequently answered the following day. [23407]

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  The number of such Questions tabled by Labour hon. Members was 766, of which the POLIS database records 690 as having been answered on the day on which they appeared on the Order Paper and the number tabled by hon. Members of other parties was 10, of which the POLIS database records 2 as having been answered on the day on which they appeared on the Order Paper. These figures are from 1 May 1997 to 15 January 1998 (inclusive).

PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Drugs Tsar
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the President of the Council when the decision was taken to employ an assistant Drugs Tsar; and how the job was advertised. [23391]

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  The decision to appoint Mike Trace as the Deputy UK Anti-Drugs Coordinator was taken in the light of the Ministerial interviews of the short-listed candidates, which I chaired and it was ratified by the Prime Minister before appointment in October 1997.

  The Deputy Coordinator acts in support of the full range of the Coordinator's responsibilities.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Abdul Oudigo
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will publish all the correspondence between his Department, the Metropolitan Police, the Nigerian Police and Interpol concerning Abdul Oudigo in 1995 and 1996; [23026]

  (2) if he will publish the contents of the Interpol report on Abdul Oudigo that was received by his Department in
  1996. [23027]

  Mr. Michael
  Interpol London has no record of Mr. Oudigo, either on paper or on any of its databases. Nor is there any record on the Police National Computer or at the Interpol Headquarters in Lyon.
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  If my hon. Friend is able to provide this Department with further information concerning his Question, for example Mr. Oudigo's date of birth, I will be happy to make further inquiries.

  Mr. Peter San Pedro
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department at what time CS spray was used on Peter San Pedro of London; at what time Mr. San Pedro was released; at what time Mr. San Pedro died in a road accident; and if he will make a statement. [23107]

  Mr. Michael
  I understand from Kent County Constabulary that an officer sprayed Mr. San Pedro with CS during an incident which began at 11.33 am on 3 April 1997; that he was released from custody at 12.30 pm that day; and that at 6.23 pm an emergency call was received to say that he had been struck by a lorry. The incident has been investigated by the Police Complaints Authority and an inquest took place on 4 and 5 December. The cause of death was recorded as multiple injuries and the jury returned an open verdict. The Crown Prosecution Service is currently considering matters arising out of the incident.

  Flying Squad
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons the police installed road blocks around the headquarters of the Flying Squad in Walthamstow during the weekend of 20 and 21 December. [23043]

  Mr. Michael
  This is an operational matter for the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis. However, he tells me that no road blocks were installed around the regional Flying Squad office at Rigg Approach, Walthamstow, during the weekend of the 20 and 21 December. On that date, the office was searched by officers from the Metropolitan Police's Complaints Investigation Bureau following the arrest of former officers.

  Dangerous Dogs
  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many dogs have been(a) seized and (b) destroyed under the provisions of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 to date. [23018]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Information on the numbers of dogs which have been seized by the police and local authorities under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 is not collected centrally.

  Information on the number of dogs destroyed under the dangerous dogs legislation is not collected in the form requested.

  In the period 1992–1996, a total of 977 people were convicted either of offences under section 1 of the 1991 Act or of aggravated offences under section 3. In each of these cases, the court would have had no option but to order the destruction of the dog concerned. This figure, therefore, is likely to be close to the actual number of dogs put down under the Act over that period.

  Animal Breeding Licences
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what licences for animal breeding are currently held by Hillgrove Farm, Witney, Oxfordshire; when the provision of these licences was last reviewed; and what assessment he has made of the justification for their issue. [22863]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Hillgrove Farm is designated under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 as a breeder and supplier of animals for use in scientific procedures. The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 does not require that Certificates of Designation be renewed or formally reviewed. However, inspectors visit all establishments and will, where necessary, recommend the amendment of Certificates.

  Hillgrove Farm was inspected three times in 1997. The purpose of these inspections was to assess compliance with the conditions set out on the Certificate of Designation.

  I am satisfied that the establishment is operating within the terms and conditions of the 1986 Act and of its Certificate of Designation. There are no grounds, therefore, to revoke the Certificate.

  Jonathan Aitken
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what dates officers from the Metropolitan Police travelled to Paris to interview staff at the Ritz in connection with the alleged perjury of Mr. Jonathan Aitken. [23112]

  Mr. Michael
  This investigation is an operational matter for the Commissioner. However, he tells me that two officers from the Metropolitan Police travelled to Paris on 12 January 1998 in connection with this investigation.

  Table 1: Number of offenders convicted of offences of supply, importation1 and production of a Class A controlled drug by result, 1993–96

  England and Wales

  Immediate custody

  Offence

  Year

  Cautioned

  Total sentenced

  Non-custodial sentences

  Determinate sentences

  Life sentences

  Total sentenced and cautioned

  Supply of a Class A controlled drug

  1993

  91

  740

  267

  473

  —

  831

  1994

  84

  796

  270

  529

  —

  880

  1995

  70

  952

  251

  701

  —

  1,022

  1996

  73

  1,306

  309

  995

  —

  1,379

  Importation1

  1993

  6

  1,156

  381

  777

  —

  1,162

  1994

  5

  1,179

  840

  836

  —

  1,184

  1995

  7

  1,025

  288

  736

  —

  1,032

  1996

  7

  1,129

  260

  869

  —

  1,136

  Production of Class A controlled drug

  1993

  25

  34

  25

  9

  —

  59

  1994

  48

  44

  34

  10

  —

  92

  1995

  58

  59

  38

  22

  —

  117

  1996

  15

  57

  43

  15

  —

  72

  1 Importation of any controlled drug—cannot identify by class type.

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  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis to conclude his investigation into the alleged perjury of Jonathan Aitken. [21606]

  Mr. Michael
  The Commissioner informs me that inquiries are continuing. These inquiries have been protracted due to the legal necessity to seek evidence from foreign jurisdictions. The investigation is being pursued as expeditiously as possible and will be concluded as soon as practicable. This investigation is an operational matter for the Commissioner.

  Drugs Offenders
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what was the average determinate sentence of imprisonment or detention in a young offender institution received by offenders convicted of the supply, importation or production of Class A controlled drugs in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available; [23123]

  (2) how many offenders convicted of offences related to the supply, importation or production of Class A controlled drugs received (a) a life sentence, (b) a determinate sentence of imprisonment and (c) a non-custodial sentence in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available. [23124]

  Mr. Michael
  [holding answer 15 January 1998]: The offences referred to cover a wide range of circumstances and seriousness. Some cases may attract a caution if the offender has admitted guilt and the police decide that the offence is at the lower end of seriousness. On conviction, the maximum sentence available to the court for these offences is life imprisonment.

  Table 1 shows the respective number of offenders cautioned, given a non-custodial sentence and given a custodial sentence since 1993. Table 2 shows the average sentence lengths given to those given a custodial sentence. Prior to 1993, information held centrally for offences of supply and production does not identify controlled drugs by type or class.
  381

  Table 2: Average sentence lengths1 given for the offences of supply, importation2 or production of a Class A controlled drug by type of custodial sentence and court, 1993–1996

  England and Wales

  Average sentence length1 (months)

  Type of court/type of sentence/year

  Supply of a Class A controlled drug

  Importation2

  Production of a Class A controlled drug

  Magistrates' courts Young Offender Institution

  1993

  2.3

  2.3

  —

  1994

  3.3

  3.4

  —

  1995

  —

  —

  —

  1996

  4.0

  6.0

  3.0

  Unsuspended sentence of imprisonment

  1993

  3.9

  3.7

  —

  1994

  3.0

  3.1

  —

  1995

  3.1

  2.7

  3.5

  1996

  2.9

  3.2

  —

  Crown Court Young Offender Institution

  1993

  20.1

  29.2

  —

  1994

  27.5

  41.1

  —

  1995

  24.8

  38.5

  —

  1996

  27.6

  40.0

  —

  Unsuspended sentence of imprisonment

  1993

  40.1

  54.1

  24.3

  1994

  41.3

  52.4

  31.8

  1995

  41.3

  61.7

  39.1

  1996

  41.5

  65.8

  42.2

  All courts Young Offender Institution

  1993

  19.5

  28.4

  —

  1994

  25.4

  38.9

  —

  1995

  24.8

  38.5

  —

  1996

  26.6

  38.6

  3.0

  Unsuspended sentence of imprisonment

  1993

  39.3

  53.2

  24.3

  1994

  41.1

  51.5

  31.8

  1995

  40.3

  60.0

  35.9

  1996

  41.0

  64.8

  42.2

  1 Excludes Life sentences.

  2 Importation of any controlled drug—cannot identify by class type.

  Witness Protection Scheme
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people sought relocation in 1997 under the witness protection scheme; and how many were successfully rehoused, by borough. [23960]

  Mr. Michael
  There is no national scheme for the protection of witnesses in this country and information relating to those on police witness protection schemes is not collected centrally. Whether to offer protection in any particular case and the form that protection should take, including whether the person should be relocated, is a decision for the police force concerned.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of, and how many, asylum seekers were(a) granted asylum and (b) given exceptional leave to remain for each year from 1985 to 1997 inclusive. [23489]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  During 1997, a total of 36,045 initial decisions, excluding dependants, were made on asylum applications. Of these, 3,985 (11 per cent.) were 382
  to recognise the applicant as a refugee and grant asylum, 3,115 (9 per cent.) were to refuse asylum but grant exceptional leave to enter (or remain) and 28,945 (80 per cent.) were to refuse both asylum and exceptional leave.

  Equivalent information for the years 1986 to 1996 is given in table 1.2 of the Home Office statistical bulletin "Asylum Statistics United Kingdom 1996" (issue 15/97). Table 1.2 of issue 9/96 of this publication provides similar data for 1985. Copies of both publications are available in the Library.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) applications for asylum awaiting an initial decision and (b) appeals by asylum seekers against refusal to grant leave to stay were outstanding on 1 January. [23540]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Information on the number of outstanding cases relates to the position at the end of the month rather than the beginning.

  As at 31 December 1997, there were 51,795 applications for asylum in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants, awaiting an initial decision. As at the same date, there were 25,555 asylum related appeals awaiting determination.

  The number of applications awaiting an initial decision has fallen by 5,600 (from 57,405) since the end of 1996. The total number of asylum related appeals outstanding has arisen over the same period by 3,215. However, over the last 5 months, this figure has shown a slight but consistent fall.

  Animal Experiments
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many visits were carried out last year by his Department's inspectors to establishments authorised to undertake animal procedures; and how many of these were unannounced. [22957]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Figures for 1997 have not yet been finalised. I will write to the hon. Member when they are available.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps are taken to ensure animals held in captivity for use in experiments are allowed to follow normal behavioural patterns so far as possible; and on how many occasions in 1996 his Department's inspectors have required changes to be made to conditions of captivity. [22952]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The environmental conditions required for animals used in scientific procedures are set out in the Code of Practice for the Housing and Care of Animals used in Scientific Procedures and reflected in the conditions set out in the establishment's Certificate of Designation. As far as possible, account is taken of species specific behaviour patterns and needs.

  Central records are not kept of how many times inspectors have required changes to be made at designated establishments to meet the conditions set out in the Certificate of Designation.
  383
  The Inspectorate has completed audits of all establishments designated under section 6 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 and found high levels of compliance. Instances of non-compliance are being addressed.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what opportunities exist for pooling of data and other information obtained from animal experimentation between the United Kingdom and other countries; and what steps he is taking to encourage this. [22954]

  Mr. George Howarth
  There are no powers under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 to require scientists to share data obtained from animal experimentation. Scientists are, however, expected by the Home Office to publish the results of their research.

  Under certain circumstances, where animal test data are submitted to regulatory authorities, there may be statutory obligations to share this data with third parties. The Home Office has encouraged this, as such sharing may reduce the number or scope of regulatory tests involving the use of animals.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the percentage of animal procedures carried out in 1996 which replicated procedures already undertaken previously(a) within the United Kingdom and (b) elsewhere. [22955]

  Mr. George Howarth
  This information is not available.

  On occasion, replication or duplication of procedures may be essential to establish the reliability of previous data and findings. Unless there are valid reasons for replicating work already undertaken, the Inspectorate will not recommend that a licence be granted.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions have been initiated in each year since 1987 for offences under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986; and what was the outcome in each completed case. [22960]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Two prosecutions have been initiated since 1987. In 1991, an individual was convicted of breeding and supplying animals for use in scientific procedures while not being designated under section 7 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. In the other instance, charges were brought in 1997. This case is still before the courts.

  Prosecutions for cruelty in designated establishments have also been pursued under the Protection of Animals Act 1911.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to reconcile respect for commercial confidentiality with his stated policy to seek to reduce the numbers of procedures carried out. [22956]

  Mr. George Howarth
  We assume the question relates to scientific procedures involving animals.

  We have already announced our intention to investigate the possibility of a European database on alternative methods and to make applicants for project licences declare what consideration they have given to alternatives
  384
  which reduce the number of animals used or replace them entirely (as well as refining procedures to minimise suffering).

  The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate will continue to assess licence applications to ensure that alternatives are used wherever possible. I do not accept that there is a conflict between commercial confidentiality and efforts to minimise the number of animals used in scientific procedures.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what changes will be required to the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 to comply with the terms of the Government's White Paper on Freedom of Information. [22958]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 is one of a number of Acts which contain statutory bars to the disclosure of information. Section 24 of the Act prevents the disclosure of information given in confidence. The Government have announced that they will be reviewing such statutory bars to decide whether they should remain or should be amended to bring them into line with the "substantial harm" and "public interest" tests proposed in the White Paper on Freedom of Information: "Your Right to Know" (Cm 3818). No decisions have yet been made concerning individual Acts.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to increase substantially the penalties available for failure to adhere to the conditions laid down as part of project licences under the Animal (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. [22959]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The available penalties are set out in the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. These include variation or revocation of licences (section 11); suspension of licences (section 13); and, upon conviction under section 22 of the Act, imprisonment or a fine. The maximum term of imprisonment is two years on conviction on indictment or six months on summary conviction. Variation of a licence may include changes to the authorities granted (such as removing authority to carry out certain protocols) or the addition of special conditions. We have no plans to change these provisions of the Act.

  In addition to these penalties, administrative measures can be taken such as admonition, or a requirement that licensees attend a training course. The latter can be formalised by the variation of the licence by the addition of a special condition.

  All infringements of the Act are reported to the Animal Procedures Committee which reviews the level of penalties imposed and advises on whether these were appropriate. It remains Home Office policy to impose penalties primarily to prevent recurrence of the infringement of the Act.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many animals bred or otherwise obtained for use in animal experimentation in 1996 were subsequently killed without being so used; and what this was as a percentage of animals used. [22951]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Animals which are bred in designated establishments for use in scientific procedures under the terms of the Animals (Scientific Procedures)
  385
  Act 1986 but which are not so used can be killed by Schedule 1 or other approved methods without licence authority under the Act.

  Types of animal which are not listed in Schedule 2 to the 1986 Act can be bred within non-designated establishments. Surplus animals can be humanely killed in such establishments without authority under the terms of the 1986 Act.

  The Home Office cannot therefore collate, or even estimate, the number of animals bred for use in scientific procedures but which were killed without being used.

  Changes to the Act would be needed if statistics of this nature were to be collected and there are no plans to make any such changes.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking(a) within the EU and (b) within the UN to discourage animal experimentation. [22953]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The United Kingdom takes an active role with its partners in Europe to ensure the implementation of the provisions of European Directive 86/609/EEC on the approximation of laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the member states regarding the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes.

  There is no forum within the United Nations for discussing the use of animals in scientific procedures. However, links with other countries (including a number of non-European Union countries) exist through the Council of Europe and the European Convention ETS 123 for the Protection of Vertebrate Animals used for Experimental and other Scientific Purposes.

  The Directive, the Convention and the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 require that animals be used only where this is justified and where alternative methods of achieving the objective of the programme of work are not available.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated concerning the reliability of the results derived from animal testing and their applicability in respect of humans. [22963]

  Mr. George Howarth
  No research has been commissioned by the Home Office, but account is taken of species differences in the design of experiments, in the range of animal species used, and in the correlation of animal-based data with other experimental data. This includes, where appropriate, that produced in human trials.

  The requirement to carry out safety tests using animals, the nature of the tests and the way the results are analysed and interpreted are the responsibility of other Government Departments and other international regulators, not the Home Office.

  Young Remand Prisoners
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to end the practice of holding males aged under 18 years in adult prisons while on remand. [23726]
  386
  Mr. Michael
  The Government are concerned about the continued remand of boys to prison which is a long-standing issue which the last Government failed to resolve. This Government's policy is to move to a situation where it is no longer necessary to remand 15 and 16 years olds to prison. I set out the background in detail in my answer to the hon. Member for Hertsmere (Mr. Clappison) on 12 January 1998,Official Report, columns 64–66. We have reviewed this whole difficult area and decided that the priority is to give the courts the right range of powers to remand juveniles to secure accommodation, and there are provisions within the Crime and Disorder Bill to achieve this. The proposals do not apply to 17 year olds who are treated as adults for remand purposes. There is no proposal to change the remand arrangements for this older age group.

  We hope that the outcome of the current review of the secure juvenile estate and the work which the Prison Service is currently doing will enable us to end the practice of detaining juveniles with adults.

  Damages (Civil Recovery)
  Mrs. Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research his Department has conducted into the effect of legislation to facilitate the civil recovery of damages from criminals on the level of crime against businesses. [23949]

  Mr. Michael
  No such research has been conducted by the Home Office.

  Firearms
  Mr. Collins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the quantity of illegal arms in circulation in England and Wales and on the impact on the illegal arms trade of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997. [23490]

  Mr. Michael
  There is no reliable estimate of the number of illegal firearms in this country. The primary purpose of the 1997 legislation, especially the banning of handguns, is to provide greater safeguards for the safety of the public, given that the shootings at Dunblane and Hungerford were committed using lawfully held weapons. In 1996, there were 294 incidents in which handguns were stolen or otherwise misappropriated so the ban will remove a significant supply of weapons for use in crime.

  Mr. Collins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his current estimate of the sums paid under the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997 Compensation Scheme to handgun owners(a) since the commencement of the scheme and (b) once full compensation has been paid. [23544]

  Mr. Michael
  On 6 January 1998, £30.3 million had been paid out under the Firearms Compensation Scheme. The latest total estimate for the Scheme, including payments for small-calibre pistols and ancillary equipment to be surrendered during February, is £166 million.

  Drug Dealing Charges
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the totals of those(a) held in custody and (b) who received jail sentences subsequently following allegations that they have been dealing in

  387
  (i) heroin, (ii) ecstasy and (iii) cannabis in each of the last eight years; and what proportion they represent of the totals charged in each category. [23387]

  Mr. Michael
  Information for those appearing at the Crown Court in 1996 is given in the table. Crown Court data for earlier years and data for magistrates' courts are not sufficiently robust to allow for this level of detail.

  Defendants who appeared at the Crown Court in 1996 on charges of dealing1 in heroin, ecstasy and cannabis

  Dealing in:

  Heroin

  Ecstasy

  Cannabis

  Dealt with2

  992

  839

  2,720

  Held in custody

  625

  343

  794

  Percentage held in custody

  63 per cent.

  41 per cent.

  29 per cent.

  Held in custody and sentenced to immediate custody

  538

  301

  578

  Percentage of those held in custody sentenced to immediate custody

  86 per cent.

  88 per cent.

  73 per cent.

  1 dealing includes offences of supply and possession with intent to supply.

  2 includes all those acquitted or sentenced.

  Voluntary Work
  Mr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received concerning the funding of projects organised and administered by community and voluntary organisations. [21443]

  Mr. Michael
  We receive grant applications from a wide range of community and voluntary organisations. In addition, we are in frequent discussion with representatives of voluntary and community organisations about matters of mutual interest, including funding.

  Charity Collections
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what advice his Department issues to the owners of premises approached by charities for permission to make collections who wish to verify the standing of the charity; and if he will make a statement. [22885]

  Mr. Michael
  I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 12 November 1997,Official Report, columns 558–59.

  Littlewoods Directors
  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the appointment of Ms Perkins as a non-executive director of Littlewoods. [24237]

  Mr. Straw
  My wife's unpaid appointment as a non-executive director of Littlewoods was made in July 1997, as part of a long-standing scheme for establishing better understanding between senior civil servants and the private sector. I am informed that 119 senior civil servants had appointments as non-executive directors in 1996–97. As a precaution against any appearance of conflict of interest, when my wife's appointment was made 388
  I arranged for any matters affecting the interests of Littlewoods to be considered by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Home Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Knowsley, North and Sefton, East (Mr. Howarth). This is in accordance with the Guidance for Ministers and precedent. No conflict of interest therefore arises.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Tigers
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what account she takes of the threats which exist to the future of the tiger population in India in deciding her Department's policy towards India. [22949]

  Clare Short
  Protection of the natural environment is one of the priorities for Department for International Development set out in the recent White Paper. All projects are screened for their environmental impact. We are supporting the Indian Government's efforts to save the tiger with a £50,000 grant to the Global Tiger Forum, £1 million to the Indira Gandhi Conservation Monitoring Centre (a non-governmental organisation), and contributions to multilateral agencies with global environmental agendas.

  Bulgaria
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made about the levels of poverty in the former Eastern bloc states with particular reference to Bulgaria. [23015]

  Clare Short
  The transition to democratic systems of government and market economies in the Eastern bloc has undoubtedly been accompanied by an increase in the incidence of poverty, particularly in Bulgaria. Our future work will place increased emphasis on trying to ensure that support to transition takes full account of the need to protect poor and vulnerable groups and to spread more widely the benefits from economic development.

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement about British assistance towards development projects in Eastern Europe, with particular reference to Bulgaria. [23016]

  Clare Short
  Our assistance to Eastern Europe is directed through the Know How Fund, which supports transition to pluralist democracy and market economies. We are reshaping Know How Fund programmes to give greater emphasis to protecting the poorest and to enabling the widest number of people to share in the fruits of change, as described in our pamphlet "Support for Transition Countries: A New Strategy", a copy of which I am placing in the Library of the House. In Bulgaria, we shall support the encouraging reforms being pursued by the new government, paying particular attention to the needs of poor and vulnerable groups.

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the Bulgarian state orphanage system. [23017]
  389
  Clare Short
  We have discussed this issue with UK-based agencies working with Bulgarian orphanages. We conclude that we should help relieve the very poor conditions found in orphanages, and also assist the Bulgarian authorities to investigate community-based alternatives to institutional care. We are funding a £250,000 project with this aim, to be managed by the Save the Children Fund (UK). We have provided a total of £359,000 to UK-based agencies and the Bulgarian Red Cross for relief programmes with vulnerable families and institutions and are supporting social homes and orphanages through small grants. We have also contributed about £2 million to the European Union's Emergency Social Assistance and Humanitarian Office Programmes in Bulgaria.

HEALTH

  Adverse Incident Centre
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about the Adverse Incident Centre. [23012]

  Ms Jowell
  The Adverse Incident Centre is managed by the Medical Devices Agency. It is the first point of contact for reporting adverse incidents involving medical devices used in the National Health Service.

  All reports are analysed and those involving death or serious injury, or with the potential to cause it, are investigated fully. Where appropriate, the agency issues a Hazard or Safety Notice to the NHS advising of hazardous products or unsafe procedures and the actions that should be taken.

  In many other cases, the manufacturer is asked to investigate the incident. The agency reviews the manufacturer's response and, where appropriate, notifies the reporter of the outcome.

  The agency publishes an annual survey of reported incidents as part of its efforts to increase awareness of the importance of reporting them.

  The Adverse Incident Centre database holds over 32,000 incident records, dating back to 1987. Over 5300 adverse incident reports were received in 1997.

  Travel Vaccinations
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what cost benefit analysis has been conducted into the privatisation of travel vaccinations for infectious diseases. [22906]

  Ms Jowell
  The non-availability or unreliability of data on travel vaccines given in the United Kingdom makes formal cost-benefit analysis difficult. We recognise that inconsistencies and ambiguities have arisen over the years in the arrangements for travel vaccines and the way they are interpreted and are seeking to resolve these anomalies as part of an ongoing, internal review.

  Infertility Services
  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he has given to health authorities to ensure a more consistent provision of infertility services across the country. [23913]
  390
  Ms Jowell
  The White Paper "The New National Health Service" outlines a number of steps which the Government will be taking to improve the consistency of service provision throughout the National Health Service. We will challenge and address variations which are not based on the health needs and wishes of local people. We will aim for maximum consistency while still allowing appropriate local and individual responsiveness. We are currently considering what further advice the NHS should be given on infertility service provision.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the areas where his Department's report, Policy Research Programme: providing a knowledge base for health, public health and social care, has provided the basis for improvements in information to disabled people. [23357]

  Ms Jowell
  The Department of Health has funded improvements to information databases on disability equipment maintained by the Disabled Living Foundation and the Royal National Institute for the Blind. This followed evaluations in the Policy Research Programme suggesting that the European Union's Handynet system was not meeting the needs of users in the United Kingdom.

  A range of other research is commissioned which relates to policy on physical disability, sensory impairment, learning disability and the health of older people. It covers a broad spectrum of acute care and continuing health and social care including work of community nurses and therapy professions. The broad aim of the research programme is to provide information that will assist in the policy formulation on integrated services to meet the needs of elderly, disabled or vulnerable people and to enable them to live in the community where possible.

  Prescriptions
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his policy on the level of prescription charges and the availability of multiple prescriptions at discounted prices. [23395]

  Mr. Milburn
  All aspects of prescription charges are being examined as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review which will report in the summer. The Review in the Department of Health is being undertaken in the context of our manifesto commitment:"if you are ill or injured there will be a national health service there to help; and access to it will be based on need and need alone—not on your ability to pay, or on who your general practitioner happens to be or on where you live".

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his estimate of the proportion of medicinal drugs that are prescribed in order to counteract the consequences of other medicinal drugs. [23389]

  Mr. Milburn
  It is not possible to estimate the proportion of medicines prescribed to counteract the consequences of other medicinal drugs. However, medicinal drugs are often appropriately prescribed in combination, so that one drug may counteract the unwanted side-effects of another clinically necessary drug.

  Body Piercing
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the method of licensing for people performing ear-piercing and body piercing; and what plans he has to review the licensing procedure. [23318]

  Ms Jowell
  The current registration and licensing provisions for ear-piercing and cosmetic body piercing business provisions are described in "Regulation of Skin Piercing: a Consultation Paper" issued jointly by the Department of Health and the Welsh Office in October 1996. Copies are available in the Library.

  This consultation paper reviewed the current legislation which gives local authorities powers to control skin piercing businesses.

  We are considering our response to the consultation exercise.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Hawk Jet Sales (Indonesia)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if the delivery of Hawk Jets to Indonesia has been made; how much the Export Credits Guarantee Scheme has contributed to the sale; and, following the economic problems in Indonesia, what assessment he has made of the likelihood of full payment being received at the expected time. [23102]

  Mrs. Roche
  16 of the 40 aircraft remain to be delivered.

  ECGD has guaranteed two loans valued at US$530 million and £13.4 million for a contract for Hawk Aircraft made with the Indonesian Government in 1993 and one loan valued at £280 million in respect of a further contract made in 1996.

  In view of the recent financial turbulence in Asia, ECGD is monitoring the situation closely. Payments under the above mentioned loans are up to date.

  Credit Act
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will introduce legislation for a new Credit Act. [23331]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  While I have no immediate plans to introduce legislation for a new Credit Act, I shall shortly issue a consultative paper on proposals for simplifying and clarifying aspects of Consumer Credit legislation.

  Finance Director
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will arrange for the Office of Fair Trading to place in the Library its evidence to the European Commission and the results of its survey of finance directors on the proposed merger of KPMG and Ernst and Young; and if she will make a statement. [23682]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  Member States have a formal role in EC competition investigations. During an EC investigation, publication by the UK of views submitted to the Commission, or of the results of any 392
  surveys or work undertaken by the UK authorities, would compromise the effectiveness and integrity of that investigation. Such information could also be market sensitive.

  Copyright and Consumer Protection
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to ensure that on-line service and access providers, including telecommunications companies, take legal and administrative responsibility for ensuring that material which is transmitted or delivered by them does not infringe copyright or consumer protection legislation. [23575]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The general principle is that the law applies on-line in the same way that it does off-line. Under United Kingdom copyright law, on-line service or access providers are legally responsible for copyright infringement if they themselves incorporate copyright material into transmissions without the consent of copyright owners. Existing consumer law covers electronic commerce in the same way as it covers face to face transactions and other forms of distance communications (e.g. mail order).

  Employment Tribunal Awards
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many awards of over £50,000 were made by employment tribunals in cases of unfair dismissal in each of the last three years; and how many of these remain unpaid. [23462]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  Awards for unfair dismissal are made up of two elements: a basic award and a compensatory award. The current maximum basic award for unfair dismissal case is £6,300, based on the statutory maximum of £210 per week, together with a maximum of £11,300 for the compensatory element. Section 125 of the Employment Rights Act 1996 provides for special awards in cases of unfair dismissal for Trade Union activities and in cases where the employer has failed to comply with an order for reinstatement. There have been no awards of over £50,000 in unfair dismissal cases in the last three years.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to make the payment of employment tribunal awards compulsory. [23461]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The payment of industrial tribunal awards is governed by similar procedures to other awards made by the civil courts. Employers who do not observe industrial tribunal monetary awards can be required to do so by court order.

  Ministerial Travel (Trains)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade on what date she last used a train in the course of her official duties. [22926]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 15 January 1998]: I last used a train in the course of my official duties on Monday 8 December 1997 travelling to London following a regional visit to Nottingham and Lincoln.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is her current estimar>Mrs. Gillante of the cost of millennium compliance to United Kingdom businesses. [23593]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 16 January 1998]: I have made no such estimate. The cost will depend on many factors, including the extent to which businesses decide to fix, replace or abandon systems, and the speed with which they act. We believe that acting early will reduce the cost.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list the engagements she has undertaken directly in connection with millennium compliance issues since 1 November. [23591]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 16 January 1998]: Ministers in my Department have undertaken numerous engagements directly in connection with millennium compliance since 1 November. These include:

  meetings with the Chairman of Action 2000;

  meetings with industry;

  speaking engagements;

  press interviews;

  the European Telecoms Council;

  bi-laterals with European counterparts.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will give details of the full staffing plan for Action 2000. [23630]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 16 January 1998]: Action 2000's Chairman and Director will be supported by three Team Leaders and an office manager, together with suitable clerical and administrative support. Action 2000, under its Chairman and Acting Director, is already co-ordinating detailed work under way by a number of teams dealing with the "year 2000" problem.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the impact on and cost to business of dealing with the date change problem and the introduction of the euro over the next two years. [23595]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 16 January 1998]: In respect of the date change problem, I have made no estimate. The cost will depend on many factors, including the extent to which businesses decide to fix, replace or abandon systems, and the speed with which they act. We believe that acting early will reduce the cost. The cost to business of the introduction of the Euro over the next two years will depend on many factors including how quickly and widely the Euro is actually used by business in the EU.

  Monopolies and Mergers Commission
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are the issues currently being considered by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission. [23802]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  The Monopolies and Mergers Commission (MMC) are currently considering three references which have been made to it. These are Underwriting Services, a monopoly reference, Bird's Eye Walls, a reference made under the Competition Act 1980, and Fresenius/Caremark, a merger reference.

  Departmental Payments
  Mr. Page
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she intends to publish the latest payment times of Government Departments; and if she will list them against the previous figures. [23795]

  Mrs. Roche
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Chesham and Amersham (Mrs. Gillan) on 12 January 1998,Official Report, column 28–29.

  I will list the previous figures when I publish the payment performance figures for the financial year ending 31 March 1998.

  Chief Engineering Adviser
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to appoint a government chief engineering adviser; and from whom Her Majesty's Government receive engineering-related advice at present. [23818]

  Mr. Battle
  The Government already have a Chief Scientific Adviser, Sir Robert May, whose responsibilities include fostering Science, Engineering and Technology throughout Whitehall. In addition, there are a number of officials and other bodies such as the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council whose responsibilities include the provision of engineering-related advice.

  Information Technology
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to ensure that accountancy audits assess operational dependence on information systems. [23812]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  It is the responsibility of the auditor in forming an opinion on whether a company's financial statements give a true and fair view to consider the entity's ability to continue as a going concern. This involves considering both the current and possible future circumstances of the business and the environment in which it operates.

  In the context of potential systems failures caused by the Year 2000 problem, we are encouraging the profession to consider their role, and the Accounting Practices Board, which sets the standards for auditors, is on the point of issuing a bulletin providing preliminary guidance to auditors in respect of their consideration of the Year 2000 issue in the audit of financial statements. The Audit Faculty of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales has already published a Technical Release providing guidance to its members, and the Urgent Issues Task Force of the Accounting Standards Board is also in the process of developing proposals in respect of some aspects of the Year 2000 problem.

  Brazilian Mahogany
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many cubic metres of Brazilian mahogany were imported into the United Kingdom from Brazil in(a) 1996 and (b) 1997. [23518]

  Angela Eagle
  I have been asked to reply.
  395
  According to statistics kept by my Department, 9,966 cubic metres of Brazilian mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla) were imported in 1996. We are still compiling the data for 1997.

WALES

  Referendum
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what was his role in arranging meetings between the Chief Executive of Caerphilly County Council and others over the conduct of the count of the referendum vote in Caerphilly; [23741]

  (2) what information he received, and at what time, in respect of the count relating to the Blackwood Box during the referendum on a Welsh Assembly. [23742]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  None.

  NHS Trusts (Appointments)
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which section of which regulation provides the statutory basis for the appointment of a chief executive to an NHS trust in Wales. [23543]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  Regulations 3, 4(1)(a) and 17 of the National Health Service Trusts (Membership and Procedure) Regulations 1990 (SI 1990 No. 2024), as amended, apply to the appointment of chief executives to NHS trusts in Wales.

PRIME MINISTER

  Disablement Issues
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) if he will meet the all-party group on disablement issues to discuss the scope and possible outcomes of the official and ministerial reviews of disability allowances, benefits and income support; [22582]

  (2) if he has read the notes of the ministerial meeting with officers and members of the parliamentary all-party group on disablement issues on Thursday 18 December 1997. [22581]

  The Prime Minister
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security is in charge of the Comprehensive Spending Review for her Department. She met with representatives of the all party disablement group on 18 December 1997 to hear their views on welfare reform and has offered to meet them again. I am aware of the views expressed by the group.

  Daniel arap Moi
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his discussions with President Daniel arap Moi. [22811]

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Prime Minister what matters he discussed with President arap Moi of Kenya during his recent brief meeting. [22818]
  396
  The Prime Minister
  I had a useful, private discussion with President Moi on 4 January 1998, which included the future challenges facing Kenya.

  I made clear to the President that these challenges—which include constitutional review, action on corruption and other governance issues—should be addressed in an open and democratic framework.

  Guidance for Ministers
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to modify the code of conduct and guidance for Ministers. [23035]

  The Prime Minister
  None.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Prime Minister what is his policy with respect to making appointments to quangos and other public bodies of those who do not support(a) current Government policy and (b) that of the body concerned. [23023]

  The Prime Minister
  Ministerial appointments to executive non-departmental public bodies and to NHS bodies are subject to the Code of Practice and guidance issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. His guidance makes it clear that appointments to public bodies should be made on the basis of merit and candidates are expected to subscribe to the objectives of the body on which they wish to serve. It states that political affiliation should not be a criterion for appointment (except where there is a statutory requirement or in the limited instances where the nature of the body makes it important that individual political parties are represented on it). These principles apply to all public appointments.

  Banbridge Bomb Incident
  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the source, route in and component elements of the car bomb defused in Banbridge on 6 January; and if he will make a statement. [22911]

  The Prime Minister
  The RUC have advised that, at approximately 1900 hours on 6 January 1998, telephone calls were received by a radio station in Drogheda and the Samaritans in Newry warning that a bomb in a red Sierra car in the centre of Banbridge was due to explode in 20 minutes. The car was located in Newry Street, Banbridge and the area was cleared. Following a number of controlled explosions carried out by an Army Technical Officer, the device, which comprised approximately 500 lbs of home-made explosive, was declared safe.

  Police investigations into who or which organisation was responsible are continuing but the RUC have established that the vehicle passed through the border crossing point on the main Dundalk to Newry Road, travelling towards Newry at around 1800 hours on 6 January 1998.

  Unfortunately there are some in Northern Ireland not yet prepared to follow the path of peace and democracy and the RUC and Army remain alert to the possibility of

  397
  incidents such as this. They deserve great praise for clearing this device and preventing what could have been widespread damage, injuries and deaths.

  Ministerial Travel (Trains)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the occasions since 1 May 1997 when he has used a train in the course of his official duties. [22923]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 15 January 1998]: I have made eight train journeys since 1 May 1997.

  For reasons of practicality and security it is not always possible to travel by rail.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister what steps he has taken to encourage the use of public transport by Ministers. [22939]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 15 January 1998]: All Government Departments have been asked to draw up and implement green transport plans with the objective of minimising the environmental impact of their Department's transport activities.

  Ministers and Civil Servants will be expected to play their part to meet their objectives.

  Minister without Portfolio
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Essex, North (Mr. Jenkin) of 18 December 1997,Official Report, columns 264–65, concerning official functions at No. 10 Downing Street, on which occasions the Minister without Portfolio was present. [22915]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 15 January 1998]: My hon. Friend attended seven functions.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish a revised list of responsibilities of the Minister without Portfolio. [23571]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 16 January 1998]: In addition to the responsibilities announced when he was first appointed, my hon. Friend has responsibility within Government for the Millennium Experience at Greenwich.

  Death Penalty
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will introduce legislation to enable the United Kingdom to sign Protocol 6 of the European Convention of Human Rights on the abolition of the death penalty. [22635]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 15 January 1998]: The availability or otherwise of the death penalty is a matter for Parliament to decide on a free vote. We have no plans to sign Protocol 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which would deny Parliament the opportunity to consider the issue in the future.

  The Government have supported international calls for the abolition of the death penalty because Parliament has consistently voted against re-introduction of capital punishment for murder.

  Cabinet Members
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Prime Minister if, when selecting members of his Cabinet, he took into account a candidate's private life. [23213]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 15 January 1998]: I considered a variety of factors when appointing the members of my Cabinet, the most important of which was their ability to carry out the official duties required of them effectively and well.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his responsibilities for millennium compliance issues. [23530]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 16 January 1998]: The Government are acting to ensure that the national infrastructure is not damaged by the failure of electronic systems related to the year 2000 date change. We are working in partnership with business and through Action 2000 to alert business to the risks and what to do about them: every organisation must take responsibility for its own systems. We are undertaking a systematic appraisal of the electronic systems used by Government and their agencies. And we are taking the initiative with other Governments to tackle the problem on an international basis.

  Ministerial Code
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the revisions to the Ministerial Code since its publication; and when they were published. [23721]

  The Prime Minister
  There has been none.

  Whaling
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister if he raised the issue of whaling during his recent visit to Japan; and if he will make a statement. [23737]

  The Prime Minister
  I did not raise the issue of whaling with the Japanese Government during my visit to Tokyo. However, Government officials and the British Embassy in Tokyo are in regular contact with the Japanese on this important issue.

  Lockerbie
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister when he now expects to meet the relatives of the victims who died on flight Pan Am 103 over Lockerbie. [24044]

  The Prime Minister
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs intends to meet the relatives in the next few weeks. I will meet them thereafter. I look forward to hearing their views at first hand.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Scottish Devolution
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what discussions he has had with the Lord Advocate's Office on matters relating to Scottish devolution. [21482]
  399
  Mr. Hoon
  My noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor regularly discusses a number of subjects with the Lord Advocate, and Scottish devolution has featured among these.

  Civil Justice Reforms
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on progress on the implementation of the civil justice reforms. [21484]

  Mr. Hoon
  The preparation for implementation of the civil justice reforms announced by the Lord Chancellor on 18 October 1997 is progressing as anticipated. More detailed information can be found in the Department's bulletin, "Implementing the Civil Justice Reforms", a copy of which has been placed in the Library. I am pleased to say we are on target to implement the reforms in April 1999.

  Legal Aid
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on his proposed reforms of the legal aid system. [21485]

  Mr. Hoon
  Legal aid is not helping many of those in most need nor is it providing as much help pound for pound as it could. That is offensive to taxpayers and unfair to the poor. Our proposed reforms, by giving us better control over prices and what the money is spent on, will tackle those fundamental flaws in the present scheme.

  Magistrates Courts Service
  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many representations he has received in support of his proposals for the future structure of the magistrates courts service; and if he will make a statement. [21477]

  Mr. Hoon
  I have received 15 written representations in specific support of the statement I made on 29 October 1997 concerning the future structure of the magistrates' courts service. In addition, I have received general support from a number of interested organisations.

  Cycle Spaces
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many secure cycle spaces there are in his Department. [22686]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Lord Chancellor's Department has 15 secure cycle spaces in its Headquarters building in London and a further six in the Court Service Headquarters building, which are shared with other occupants. Outside London LCD Headquarters staff share buildings in Bristol and Leeds where two secure cycle spaces will shortly be available.

  The Public Trust Office have ten secure cycle spaces in London. In the Court Service information about cycle spaces outside headquarters is not held centrally and could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.

  Small Claims Proceedings
  Mr. Hill
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department on how many occasions in 400
  the last 12 months a claim has been made in small claims proceedings for the cost of legal advice under County Court rules Order 19 rule 4 (2) (aa); and what was the value of the average amount awarded in that period. [22486]

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

  Privacy Law
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what representations he has received about the law relating to privacy. [21483]

  Mr. Hoon
  My Department has received representations about the law relating to privacy from media interests and members of the public.

  Social Security Appeals
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many applications for leave to appeal to the Social Security Commissioner have been(a) accepted and (b) refused by the Commissioner in each of the last 12 months. [23030]

  Mr. Hoon
  The number of appeals accepted and refused by the Commissioner in each of the last 12 months are as follows:

  1997

  Accepted

  Refused

  January

  61

  717

  February

  205

  296

  March

  332

  122

  April

  171

  103

  May

  72

  129

  June

  163

  257

  July

  88

  181

  August

  105

  280

  September

  155

  330

  October

  149

  96

  November

  202

  95

  December

  162

  250

  Totals

  1,865

  2,856

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Crown Copyright
  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he expects to publish the Green Paper on the future of Crown copyright. [24422]

  Dr. David Clark
  A consultation paper, "Crown copyright in the Information Age", has been published today (Cm 3819). The Green Paper sets out a number of options for the future management of Crown copyright on which comments are invited by 31 March 1998. The Green Paper takes account of various representations received over the last year and meetings which officials have had with representatives of the UK Information Industries.

  The Government believe there to be considerable scope for reform designed to provide a lead and act as a catalyst for enabling effective dissemination and distribution of official information; and to aid the development of our Information Industries.
  401
  The Government look forward to receiving comments on the options and questions aired in the Green Paper. At the end of the consultation period, the Government will announce their conclusions. It is our clear intention, however, to place the management of Crown copyright on a simplified and sure footing which will serve the citizen and user of government-originated material well. The demands of the Information Age, with electronic delivery increasingly substituting for print on paper, requires a new approach. This Green Paper provides the basis for devising that approach.

  Freedom of Information
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what plans he has to introduce freedom of information legislation. [23361]

  Dr. David Clark
  The Government's plans for freedom of information legislation are set out in the White Paper "Your Right to Know" (Cm 3818) published on 11 December 1997.

DEFENCE

  Nuclear Weapons
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the annual running costs of nuclear weapons transportation. [21209]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 17 December 1997]: The annual cost of nuclear weapon transportation for financial year 1996–97 is in the order of £3 million. This figure represents the cost of maintaining and operating the convoys that transport the weapons, as well as the costs of personnel associated with this activity.

  Recruitment
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the cost of training new recruits to armed forces to meet the rate of resignations as a percentage of each armed forces total salary bill; and if he will make a statement. [21650]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 22 December 1997]: The Armed Forces require about 25,000 new recruits each year to maintain the trained manpower requirement, and to meet the annual rate of outflow both in terms of resignations and natural wastage. The numbers of personnel who left the Armed Forces under Premature Voluntary Release (PVR) terms in 1996–97, and the numbers recruited from civil life by Service that year, are shown in the table:

  Service (a)

  PVR exits (b)

  Numbers recruited (c)

  Comparison: ((b) as a percentage (c)) (d)

  Naval Service

  2,013

  3,959

  151%

  Army

  6,224

  15,552

  40%

  RAF

  1,718

  2,684

  164%

  1 The comparison figures for the Naval Service and RAF are, to an extent, exaggerated because of the Defence Cost Study redundancy programmes, resulting in a lowering of the trained requirement. Recruits would not be needed to replace redundees in the same way that they would be to replace those leaving for other reasons.

  402
  The cost of initial recruit training in financial year 1996–97 for each Service was:

  £ million

  Per cent.

  £ million

  Naval Service

  56.5

  x51=

  28.82

  Army

  69.6

  x40=

  27.80

  RAF

  26.8

  x64=

  17.15

  Total

  152.8

  73.77

  The costs in the left hand column cover initial recruit training for all intakes; that is, to maintain the trained manpower requirement, and to meet the annual rate of outflow both in terms of resignations and natural wastage. Although there is no direct relationship between numbers recruited and resignations in any given year, the costs in the right hand column express the approximate cost of training an equivalent number of recruits to those leaving on resignation. The total of £73.77 million represents just over 1 per cent. of the overall cost of the Armed Forces salaries bill for 1996–97.

  Military Personnel and Equipment (Private Use)
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those occasions since 1 May on which military personnel and equipment was hired out to private individuals or companies. [22618]

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

  Trawlers (Intelligence Gathering)
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Hull, West and Hessle (Mr. Johnson) of 17 December 1997,Official Report, column 214, on intelligence gathered by trawlers, if he will name the trawlers; if he will indicate whether the Gaul was used for intelligence purposes and whether it was being so used at the time of its sinking; and if arrangements for using trawlers for intelligence work and collecting intelligence from crews of other trawlers operated at Grimsby. [22637]

  Dr. Reid
  The three trawlers used for specific intelligence gathering operations in the mid-60s and early 1970s were MV Arctic Galliard, MV Lord Nelson and MV Invincible. All were owned by Hull-based companies, and almost certainly operated from that port. The MV Gaul was not involved in any such activity either before or at the time of her loss in 1974.

  More generally, personnel did occasionally embark on trawlers, during which time they were encouraged to report back any opportunity sightings of interest, as indeed were the trawlermen themselves. While we can assume that this did not necessarily centre on Hull-based vessels, there are no records to indicate whether trawlers or trawlermen from other ports were involved.

  United Nations Training School
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many United Kingdom service personnel attended courses at the United Nations Training School in Ireland in each of the last three years. [22536]

  Dr. Reid
  The numbers of United Kingdom service personnel who have attended courses at the United Nations Training School in the Republic of Ireland in each of the last three years are as detailed:

  1997: 2

  1996: 2

  1995: 2.

  Republic of Ireland
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many personnel from the Republic of Ireland's defence forces received training at military establishments in the United Kingdom in each of the last three years. [22535]

  Dr. Reid
  It has been the practice of successive Administrations not to release details of military assistance provided to other countries on the grounds that this information has been considered confidential between Governments, and that disclosure would risk damaging our international relations. However, this practice is being reviewed against the background of the Government's commitment to openness, and I will write to the right hon. Gentleman once the review is complete.

  Personnel (North Yorkshire)
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many MOD(a) service and (b) civilian personnel were based in North Yorkshire at the latest date for which figures are available and in each of the previous 10 years; and if he will list those MOD units which were based in North Yorkshire 10 years ago, but have since been closed or moved elsewhere, indicating in each case the number of (i) service and (ii) civilian personnel employed 10 years ago. [23325]

  Mr. Spellar
  The detailed historic information requested is not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Centrally held information is as follows:

  Service and Civilian Personnel located in North Yorkshire

  Date

  Service

  Civilian

  30 June 1986

  11,500

  4,300

  30 June 1987

  11,100

  4,200

  30 June 1988

  12,300

  4,100

  30 June 1989

  12,300

  4,100

  30 June 1990

  12,800

  4,300

  30 June 1991

  12,600

  4,300

  1 July 1992

  13,400

  4,200

  1 July 1993

  11,800

  3,800

  1 July 1994

  10,800

  3,500

  1 July 1995

  10,600

  3,100

  1 July 1996

  10,100

  2,500

  1 July 1997

  n/a

  2,200

  n/a = Not available.

  Civilian numbers are full time equivalents. Prior to 1 April 1995, part timers counted as half of full time; after 1 April 1995 they were counted by the proportion of conditioned hours worked.

  404
  Ministry of Defence site closures in North Yorkshire in the last ten years include:

  Colburn Barracks, Catterick

  District Workshops, Strensall

  Driffield Camp, Nr Beverley

  Uniacke Barracks, Harrogate

  Hildebrande Barracks, Harrogate

  RAF Elvington

  AAC Harrogate (Army Apprentice Col. to reopen in September 1998 as Army Foundation College (Interim Solution)

  RAF Harrogate

  Government Buildings, Harrogate

  Hessay Supply Depot

  Scorton Storage Depot

  RAF Catterick (became Marne Barracks)

  Scarborough Training School

  Escrick Storage Depot.

  RAF Marston Moor
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what use is currently being made of the surviving structures at RAF Marston Moor. [23381]

  Mr. Spellar
  As far as can be ascertained from remaining records, the former RAF airfield at Marston Moor was disposed of in the 1960s. My Department retains no interest in the former airfield structures and is not aware of their current ownership or use.

  Chapelcross Magnox Station
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when his Department was first informed of the crack in the reactor at Chapelcross Magnox station. [23398]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Ministry of Defence was first made aware on 25 June 1997 that a crack had been discovered in a heat exchanger shell in Reactor 2 at BNFL's station at Chapelcross. The fault was discovered during a routine maintenance inspection.

  Army Prosecuting Authority
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the administrative and judicial relationship between the Army Prosecuting Authority and the Lord Chancellor. [23730]

  Mr. George Robertson
  The post of Army Prosecuting Authority, which operates under the general superintendence of the Attorney-General, has no administrative, judicial or any other relationship with the Lord Chancellor. It is, of course, quite proper for the APA to give consideration to a legal issue which arises in any given case, whatever the source, including the Lord Chancellor, that alerts him to it.

  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who is the current head of the Army Prosecuting Authority; and what are his other duties. [23732]

  Mr. George Robertson
  Major General Risius is, having been appointed by HM The Queen, the Prosecuting Authority for the Army. He is also the Director of Army Legal Services and, as such, is the most senior Army lawyer.
  405
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence to whom the Army Prosecuting Authority reports. [23731]

  Mr. George Robertson
  The Army Prosecuting Authority is subject to the general superintendence of the Attorney-General. The APA is independent of, and cannot be directed by, the military chain of command on cases he is asked to consider. The military authorities are informed on a case by case basis of decisions taken by the Army Prosecuting Authority.

  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what account the Army Prosecuting Authority takes of the opinions of the Lord Chancellor in determining whether or not to conduct a prosecution. [23735]

  Mr. George Robertson
  The Army Prosecuting Authority operates under the general superintendence of the Attorney-General. The decision whether or not to prosecute a case referred to the Army Prosecuting Authority is made on the realistic prospect of obtaining a conviction based on the available evidence, and whether a prosecution is in the public and Service interest. These tests are essentially the same as those applied by the Crown Prosecution Service. It is of course, quite proper for the APA to give consideration to any legal issue which arises in a given case, whatever the source that alerts him to it.

  Prosecutions (Disobeyed Orders)
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in what circumstances his Department will initiate a prosecution against a serviceman who disobeys an order not to speak to the media. [23736]

  Mr. George Robertson
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 12 January 1998,Official Report, column 4, in which I explained the function and status of the Army Prosecuting Authority. The Prosecuting Authorities of all three Services operate in the same manner.

  The decision whether to prosecute or not will depend on the specific circumstances of each case after an assessment has been made of all the pertinent legal, evidential and procedural issues. It is not possible to specify any particular circumstances which would apply.

  Major Eric Joyce
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what press briefing his Department provided in respect of a letter to him from the Lord Chancellor concerning Major Eric Joyce. [23734]

  Mr. George Robertson
  None. Since correspondence between Ministers is confidential and not for publication, and is properly withheld under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, no press briefing material was either required or provided.
  406
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what meetings Ministers held to discuss Major Eric Joyce's conduct; and what was the date of such meetings. [23733]

  Mr. George Robertson
  Defence Ministers have taken part in no meetings which discussed what disciplinary action, if any, should be taken against Major Joyce, or determined the course of any action in train. These are matters for the Army. The matter of Major Joyce's conduct has inevitably been the subject of discussion between Ministers, and between Ministers and officials, concerning the handling of the public and parliamentary business to which the case has given rise.

  Seaton Barracks, Plymouth
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the negotiations regarding the transfer of Seaton Barracks, Plymouth, to English Partnerships will be completed; and if he will make a statement about the reasons for the delay. [23952]

  Mr. Spellar
  Following complex and detailed negotiations a final draft valuation report has now been submitted to English Partnership (EP) by independent Valuers acting for the Ministry of Defence. A deadline of 30 January has been set to agree the final report.

  Negotiations between the parties have become protracted due to the need to complete surveys and obtain detailed information and costings on a variety of infrastructure and planning issues including highways, utilities and playing fields. The requisite information has now been incorporated into the final draft valuation report.

  Chemical and Biological Weapons
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence since when service personnel taking part in the service volunteers programme at the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment Porton Down have been allowed to take away form the establishment copies of the written consent forms which they have signed. [22513]

  Dr. Reid
  This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence evaluation and Research Agency (DERA). I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Ken Livingstone, dated 19 January 1998:
  I have been asked to reply to your question concerning the service volunteer programme at DERA's Chemical and Biological Defence Sector (CBD) at Porton Down.
  Studies at Porton Down have always been conducted to the highest standard of ethical practice prevailing at the time and volunteers would have been required to give their informed consent to take part in a study. This may not, however, have been in the form of written consent as the written consent form used today has only been recently introduced.
  The consent forms currently signed by service volunteers attending CBD Porton Down are kept with the records at Porton Down. As far as staff at Porton Down are aware, no volunteer has asked for a copy of his consent form in the past. There is, however, no reason why copies of signed consent forms cannot be given to volunteers should they request them.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Animal Experiments (Porton Down)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many animals have been bred for use in experiments at Porton Down in each year from 1990 to 1997 to date; and how many of each year's total were subsequently killed without being so used. [22965]

  Mr. Spellar
  This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA). I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Table 1.

  Year

  Mice

  Rats

  Marmoset

  Rhesus

  Pigs

  Weaned

  Issued

  Surplus cull

  Weaned

  Issued

  Surplus cull

  Weaned

  Issued

  Surplus cull

  Weaned

  Issued

  Surplus cull

  Weaned

  Issued

  Market sales

  1990–91

  4,800

  1,468

  3,056

  13,596

  5,314

  9,348

  227

  104

  0

  39

  19

  0

  54

  46

  20

  1991–92

  4,503

  1,034

  3,108

  12,060

  4,987

  6,047

  237

  74

  0

  42

  33

  0

  14

  11

  0

  1992–93

  4,886

  857

  3,710

  11,663

  2,797

  7,677

  221

  72

  0

  44

  40

  0

  69

  48

  10

  1993–94

  4,376

  1,645

  2,348

  11,373

  3,883

  7,076

  224

  245

  0

  73

  50

  0

  79

  57

  20

  1994–95

  10,669

  3,867

  5,959

  9,009

  2,499

  7,188

  202

  12

  94

  59

  37

  0

  61

  52

  15

  1995–96

  8,628

  4,200

  3,884

  6,694

  2,553

  3,985

  134

  197

  0

  62

  43

  0

  96

  40

  46

  1996–97

  8,412

  3,225

  4,690

  5,716

  3,138

  2,072

  129

  149

  0

  49

  38

  0

  81

  45

  29

  1997–January 1998

  3,835

  923

  3,167

  4,344

  724

  2,504

  91

  49

  0

  42

  48

  0

  44

  42

  9

  Table 1 shows the number of animals weaned by the breeding unit at CBD, the number of animals issued from the unit and the number of animals culled by the Unit. This information is shown for the financial (not calendar) year. The numbers of animals (mice, rats, marmosets and Rhesus) issued represent those for scientific use at CBD and sales of surplus animals for scientific use at other establishments; the number of animals retained for replenishment of breeding stock is not shown in this table. Surplus pigs are sent to the local market; the figures do, however, include a small number kept for breeding at CBD. The number of animals weaned is not necessarily equal to the total of the number issued and the number of surplus stock culled in any one year. The discrepancies may be due to the occurrence of natural deaths or to the fact that animals, especially the Rhesus monkeys and marmosets, may not be issued until they are between 12 and 24 months old.
  The number of rats and mice culled is high, but in line with commercial operation. This is due to stringent experimental requirements, such as the use of single sex or narrow weight ranges. However, with the exception of 1994–1995, no Rhesus monkeys or marmosets have been culled. The marmosets were culled due to a very low usage at CBD and an unexpected fall in demand elsewhere. Table 1 shows that the breeding of marmosets was, therefore, significantly reduced in subsequent years.
  I hope this information is helpful.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the date of the last occasion on which he or his predecessor viewed(a) the conditions in which animals are kept at Porton Down and (b) an experiment to which an animal was subjected. [22967]

  Mr. Spellar
  Since 1 May 1997, no Minister from this Department has visited the Chemical and Biological Defence Sector at the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency, Porton Down. I intend to visit Porton Down myself in the next two or three months.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures he is taking to introduce alternatives to animal experimentation at Porton Down; and if he will list the initiatives in this area since 1995. [22962]
  408
  Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Norman Baker, dated 19 January 1998:
  I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence concerning the number of animals bred and used in animal experimentation at Porton Down in each year from 1990 to 1997 as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency.
  The animal species currently bred at Porton Down are Rhesus monkeys, common marmosets, Porton strain mice, Porton strain Wistar rats and Large White pigs. These colonies must be maintained at levels sufficient to protect the genetic base of the species and to supply all of DERA's requirements in terms of numbers, sex, age, weight, timing and quality.

  Mr. Spellar
  This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA). I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Norman Baker, dated January 1998:
  As Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) I have been asked to reply to your question about the introduction of alternatives to animal experimentation at Porton Down.
  The use of alternatives to living animals has always been a priority in designing and executing research programmes to address the MOD's requirements.
  Alternatives must be fully considered when drawing up a project licence application. At CBD each project licence application is subjected to an internal peer group ethical review. The meeting is open to all members of staff, the details of the licence application are briefly presented and then the meeting is open to debate on both scientific and ethical concerns. One of the major aims is to ensure that the "3Rs' have been addressed, i.e., Reduction, Replacement and Refinement. The review can result in an application being completely rejected, held over subject to improvements being made or approved for submission to the Home Office.
  The review procedure is in line with the outcome of a Home Office Supplementary Note 'Interim report on the review of operation of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986' dated 6 November 1997 which emphasises the requirement that applicants for new project licences must demonstrate that they have sought alternatives before the use of animals is proposed.
  With respect to initiatives since 1995, a new in vitro toxicology laboratory has been commissioned at CBD Porton. The use of in-vitro cell and tissue culture models allows innovative research to identify novel medical countermeasures and examine the potential hazards and the mechanism of action of chemical and non-chemical agents. Similar models are also used in research to investigate treatment regimes and prospective protective and decontaminating compounds for use in a chemical warfare environment.
  Experiments using animals have also been essential for advances in the surgical management of injury. Another recent initiative has been the development of a variety of model systems for studies on the protection of personnel from physical injury and the identification of injury mechanisms. The model systems can be

  409
  grouped under three headings; animal cadaveric tissue; physical models; and computer models. They have either reduced or entirely replaced the use of living animals.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what external procedures exist to ensure that animals held at Porton Down are allowed so far as possible to follow normal behaviour patterns and that the are properly looked after. [22966]

  Mr. Spellar
  This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA). I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Norman Baker, dated 19 January 1998:
  As Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA), I have been asked to reply to your question about the way in which animals are cared for at Porton Down.
  All work and housing involving animals at DERA's Chemical and Biological Defence Sector (CBD) at Porton Down are conducted strictly in accordance with the Home Office guidelines on the care and use of animals as defined within the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 which is administered by the Home Office.
  CBS adheres to and expands upon existing Home Office codes of practice and guidelines for the care and housing of animals involved in scientific procedures. There is an on-going programme of environmental enrichment for all species. In particular, CBD Porton has an established track record of innovative approaches to the housing of non-human primates used in scientific procedures.
  Inspectors from the Home Office make both announced and unannounced visits to CBD Porton and have full access to all CBD animal facilities. As part of the Act the establishment must have a named veterinary surgeon and named animal care and welfare officers. At CBD these officers have formed and internal Animal Care and Use committee. The welfare of the animals is of paramount importance to Porton Down which has a world wide reputation for its excellent standards of husbandry and breeding of laboratory animals.
  In addition to the statutory controls in place, the Ministry of Defence has established an independent animal welfare committee—Animal Welfare Advisory Committee—which reviews the arrangements for animal care and welfare at sites within DERA carrying out work with animals, and advises on best practice. The reports from this independent committee are made to the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Ministry of Defence and are published in the House of Commons Library.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the terms of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 are applied to procedures carried out at Porton Down. [22961]

  Mr. Spellar
  This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA). I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Norman Baker, dated 19 January 1998:
  As Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA), I have been asked to reply to your question about the application of the terms of the Animal (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 to procedures carried out at Porton Down.
  All work involving animals at DERA's Chemical and Biological Defence Sector (CBD) at Porton Down is carried out strictly in accordance with the requirements of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 which is administered by the Home Office.
  I hope this is helpful.
  410
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he has taken to ensure that animal experiments undertaken at Porton Down do not breach the terms of the Protection of Animals Act 1911 in respect of the deliberate infliction of wanton physical cruelty. [22964]

  Mr. Spellar
  This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA). I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Norman Baker, dated 19 January 1998:
  As Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) I have been asked to reply to your question about the steps taken to ensure that animal experiments at Porton Down do not breach the terms of the Protection of Animals Act 1911.
  All work involving animals at DERA's Chemical and Biological Defence Sector (CBD) is carried out strictly in accordance with the requirements of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 which superseded the Cruelty to Animals Act (1876). The Act covers all experimental work involving the use of animals, and states: "A person guilty of an offence under section 1 of the Animals Act 1911 or section 1 of the Protection of Animals (Scotland) Act 1912 in respect of an animal at a designated establishment shall be liable to the penalties specified in subsection (1) above".
  I hope this is helpful.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence to what extent he shares information obtain from animal experimentation at Porton Down with other members of NATO; and to what extent he is provided with information obtained from animal experimentation carried out in other NATO countries. [22968]

  Mr. Spellar
  This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA). I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Norman Baker, dated 19 January 1998:
  As Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation Research Agency (DERA) I have been asked to reply to your question about the extent to which information gained from animal experimentation is shared among the members of NATO.
  The UK government participates, whenever possible, in collaborative research programmes which involve a sharing of data and, indeed, results from the UK research programme have been shared with other NATO members. One of the considerations in planning collaborative programmes and sharing information is the reduction of animal use on an international basis.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Aircraft Requirements
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the competition for Tranche 2 of the Hercules Replacement Programme and the possibility of leasing C-17 aircraft. [23137]

  Mr. Spellar
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 5 November 1997,Official Report, column 255. One of the aims of the Strategic Defence Review is to ensure that our Armed Forces are properly equipped to undertake the tasks asked of them. Our air transport requirement is therefore being scrutinised closely in the Strategic Defence Review.
  411
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he plans to issue the invitation to tender for the RAF's Tranche 2 airlift requirements to Lockheed Martin and Boeing/McDonnell Douglas for a full competition. [23140]

  Mr. Spellar
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 5 November 1997,Official Report, column 255. We are still considering with partners how a competition involving other aircraft might be organised.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the impact of discussion of C-17 leasing on efforts to integrate(a) European aerospace companies, and (b) the aerospace industry in general. [23143]

  Mr. Spellar
  One of the aims of the Strategic Defence Review is to ensure that our Armed Forces are properly equipped to undertake the tasks asked of them. Our air transport requirement is therefore being scrutinised closely in the Strategic Defence Review. Where appropriate, industrial and other implications will be taken into account in reaching decisions on the way ahead.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what assessment he has made of the(a) cost, (b) viability and (c) acceptability to the Royal Air Force of the Royal Air Force operating three types of heavy-lift aircraft; [23136]

  (2) what plans his Department has for a near-term lease of C-17 aircraft; [23138]

  (3) when the Government will make a full public statement on his Department's requirement for an outsize cargo airlift capability within the SDR; [23141]

  (4) what conclusions have so far been reached as part of the SDR in relation to the future of the FLA. [23139]

  Mr. Spellar
  One of the aims of the Strategic Defence Review is to ensure that the Armed Forces are properly equipped to undertake the tasks asked of them. Our air transport requirement is therefore being scrutinised closely in the Review. We will announce our conclusions in the White Paper to be published at the end of the Review.

  Aerospace Industry (North-West)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what account will be taken of the importance of maintaining aerospace jobs in(a) Chorley and (b) other North-West Region constituencies in future airlift planning. [23142]

  Mr. Spellar
  Any decision on our future airlift capability will take account of all industrial and employment issues, as well as all other relevant factors.

  Meat Procurement
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the criteria which Booker Foodservice are required to apply in meeting the best value for money terms under their contract to supply meat to the armed forces; and if he will make a statement. [23974]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Department's food supply contractor is bound to seek best market prices for meat. All purchasers are required to conform with quality 412
  specifications which, together with statutory requirements, ensure that only meat of an acceptable standard is supplied.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the contract terms which require Booker Foodservice to give full consideration to British products in procuring meat for the armed forces; and if he will make a statement. [23973]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Department has specifically asked Booker Foodservice to ensure that it gives full consideration to the supply of British meat where this would meet the contract specifications and provide best value for money.

  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if all meat and all meat products procured for the Armed Forces comply with(a) Council Directive 64/433/EEC, (b) the Fresh Meat (Beef Controls) (No. 2) Regulations 1996 and (c) the UK specified risk material controls; and if he will make a statement. [23976]

  Mr. Spellar
  Yes. Meat and meat products for the Armed Forces are obtained from contractors who obtain their supplies on the open market and those suppliers are required to meet all the statutory regulations.

  Eurofighter
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much the United Kingdom is contributing to the total cost of the Eurofighter; what percentage this represents of the total; what percentage of the work on the building and maintenance of the Eurofighter is to be carried out in the United Kingdom; and how many jobs will be created in the United Kingdom as a result of the project. [23388]

  Mr. George Robertson
  The latest estimated procurement cost of the Eurofighter programme is £42.8 billion, £15.9 billion of which is the estimated cost to the UK. This is some 37 per cent. of the total. For the Production phase, UK work share will be approximately 37.5 per cent. This is based on the number of aircraft we are buying in relation to the other nations. Present plans are for each nation to be responsible for the maintenance of their respective aircraft and we therefore expect the majority of maintenance work on the RAF's aircraft to be conducted in the UK. Currently, there are about 6,000 high technology jobs sustained by the development phase of the Eurofighter programme in the UK. This figure is expected to rise to about 14,000 at the peak of production.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Minimum Wage
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what research her Department has commissioned on the impact of minimum wages in Northern Ireland. [20780]

  Mr. Ingram
  None. The Government have appointed the Low Pay Commission to gather evidence and make recommendations in relation to the national minimum wage. To that end, the Commission visited Northern
  413
  Ireland on 31 October, and my Department is contributing fully to the evidence which the Government are soon to present to the Commission.

  Plastic Baton Rounds
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will publish the full tender for baton training referred to in the letter from the Home Office Minister of State to the hon. Member for Cynon Valley, dated 18 August. [20013]

  Mr. Ingram
  No; publication of the tenders for the provision of equipment for training purposes for the RUC would not be in the interests of national security.

  Overseas Visits
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list all overseas visits made since 1 May 1997 on which she or any other Minister in her Department has been accompanied under Rule 83 of the Ministerial Code, indicating(a) who accompanied him or her and (b) the cost to public funds of each such visit. [23266]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  [holding answer 15 January 1998]: No overseas visits have taken place where Rule 83 of the Ministerial Code applies.

  Holmes Cash and Carry (Robbery)
  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what were the circumstances relating to 414
  the arrest and preferring of charges against eight men in connection with a robbery at Holmes Cash and Carry at Boucher road, Belfast in February 1996; how many juries were selected and how many trials took place; what was the cost of the entire judicial process; for what reason this case was descheduled; and if she will make a statement regarding its conduct and outcome. [23385]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 16 January 1998]: On 12 February 1996, the RUC, acting on information received, went to the premises of Holmes Cash and Carry at Boucher road, Belfast and arrested seven men in the premises and one additional man a short distance away. All eight men were arrested under provisions of section 14(1)(b) of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1986 and conveyed to Castlereagh Holding Centre for interview. Charges were subsequently preferred for the offences of Armed Robbery and Unlawful Imprisonment.

  During the following court proceedings six juries were involved. There were six trials, two of which reached conclusion.

  The then Attorney-General certified that the charges in this case were not to be treated as scheduled offences. He has asked me to say that he did so because he formed the erroneous view that they were not connected with the emergency.

  It is not possible to provide the cost of this entire judicial process without incurring disproportionate cost.

  The Secretary of State does not intend to make a statement about the conduct and outcome of this case.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Team Sports
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps his Department takes to encourage competitive team sports. [21451]

  Mr. Banks
  Our sport for all policy is dedicated to providing excellence at all levels and improving sporting performance, while increasing sporting opportunities for the many, not the few. It encompasses all sports including competitive team sports.

  Sport (Women)
  Lorna Fitzsimons
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what measures he intends to take to encourage more women to participate in sport. [21452]

  Mr. Banks
  I am determined to improve opportunities for women of all ages and at all levels in sport. That goes for participants, competitors, coaches and administrators.

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

  Arts Council
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to review his relationship with the Arts Council. [21455]

  Mr. Fisher
  My Department, in common with all others, is currently undertaking a fundamental review of expenditure. The review involves a re-evaluation of all the activities in the sectors covered by the department and its sponsored bodies, and of the relationships between them. The terms of reference for the review were published on 24 July and copies are available in the Library of the House.

  Millennium Commission
  Mr. Borrow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is(a) the number and (b) the cost of projects funded by the Millennium Commission to date. [21457]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The Millennium Commission has offered grant to 186 capital projects at 3,008 locations across the United Kingdom and through the Millennium Awards scheme has made 14,500 grants to individuals. It has also made a grant of £450 million to the Experience at Greenwich.

  The total amount offered to capital projects is £1,235,308,558. The total cost of these projects is £2,969,141,000. Awards to individuals currently total £39 million.

  Ms Hewitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to ensure that projects funded by the Millennium Commission continue after 2000. [21461]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The Millennium Commission has provided £1.24 billion in grant for 185 projects across the country. It is a condition of grant that projects show they can meet their revenue costs for the foreseeable future.

  United Kingdom Sports Institute
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on how the new United Kingdom Sports Institute will help British sportsmen and women excel in international competitions. [21458]

  Mr. Banks
  The United Kingdom Sports Institute will have the very best experts and facilities available. British sports men and women will be able to tap into the best advice on sports science, sports medicine and technology to assess how their training programme can be augmented and enhanced.

  The Institute will make a major contribution to providing support to the various sports Governing Bodies to achieve their aspirations of winning more medals and championships in international competitions.

  British-produced Films
  Ms Moran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to increase the number of British-produced films shown(a) domestically and (b) internationally. [21459]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave earlier today to my hon. Friends the Members for Leyton and Wanstead (Mr. Cohen) and Coventry, South (Mr. Cunningham).

  Sport (Ticket Touts)
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has received on the impact of the activities of ticket touts on sports funding. [21463]

  Mr. Banks
  My right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Home Affairs and I met the CCPR recently to discuss the issue of ticket touts generally. The Government are looking at the extent of the problem and what practical solutions are available.

  Tourism (Training and Qualifications)
  Mr. Lepper
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to encourage the improvement of training and qualifications in the tourism industry. [21464]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  The development of a skilled, world class workforce is vital if the tourism, hospitality and leisure industry is to provide the excellent service that customers demand. A working group of the Tourism Advisory Forum is looking specifically at training, qualifications and quality of employment and will feed into the new tourism strategy which we will publish next summer.

  Non-league Football
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has for the future of non-league football. [21465]

  Mr. Banks
  I recognise the importance of having a healthy structure of non-league football. I was pleased to be able to announce last June that £20 million will be available to the Football Trust over the next four years
  417
  from the Football Association and the National Lottery to support football at all levels, including the non-league game. I am also pleased that the Lottery is having such a positive impact on football generally with this sport being the second largest beneficiary of awards to date.

  Classical Music
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on Government support for classical music. [21467]

  Mr. Fisher
  Britain has an unrivalled and historic tradition of high quality classical music. My Department funds the BBC and the Arts Council of England, each of which invests significant sums in support of propagating and developing classical music. Local authorities also invest significant sums in support of the arts and classical music, and the British Council represents the best of British artistic talent abroad.

  National Lottery
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to change the lottery operator in 2001. [21468]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The appointment of the next National Lottery operator is a matter for the Director General of the National Lottery. Subject to the approval of Parliament, the National Lottery Bill provides that the Director General will be assisted in the selection process by an advisory panel.

  Mr. Touhig
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to make national lottery funding simpler for small community organisations in Wales. [21448]

  Mr. Fisher
  The National Lottery Bill will help to ensure that more Lottery money goes to small scale projects in local communities. It will allow distributors to make application processes simpler and to move decision making to the grass roots.

  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what are his plans for revenue funding to support capital projects funded from the National Lottery. [21453]

  Mr. Banks
  Lottery distributors may already provide revenue grants or endowments alongside capital grants if they believe it is a sensible use of Lottery funds. We have made clear our view that, over time, the focus of Lottery funding should shift from buildings to people. I intend to give the distributors greater flexibility in their strategies to shift the balance from capital to revenue support without entering into long-term commitments which will prevent them from meeting new needs.

  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what percentage of heritage lottery applications have been turned down(a) in 1996 and (b)

  Sponsored Body

  Role

  Name

  Region

  Advisory Committee on the Government Art Collection

  Member

  Mary Rose Beaumont

  London

  Advisory Council on Libraries

  Member

  Mrs. Grace Kempster

  South East

  Architectural Heritage Fund

  Council Member

  Mr. William Cadell

  Scotland

  Architectural Heritage Fund

  Council Member

  Ms Jane Sharman

  London

  Arts Council of England

  Member

  Mr. Rod Natkiel

  West Midlands

  418
  since the recent decision to establish health and education funds to be supported by the lottery, in respect of (i) the North West Region and (ii) the United Kingdom. [23366]

  Mr. Banks
  Twenty-four per cent. of applications considered by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) in 1996 for projects in the North West were rejected. The equivalent figure for the whole of the UK was 27 per cent. Plans to establish the New Opportunities Fund, the new good cause for health, education and the environment, were announced in the White Paper "The People's Lottery" in July 1997. Since then, the HLF has rejected 26 per cent. of applications for projects in the North West and 31 per cent. of applications for the UK as a whole.

  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the decision of the Heritage Lottery Board to reject the application from Southport Pier Trust for funding of the renovation. [23376]

  Mr. Banks
  Decisions on heritage Lottery applications are made independently of Government by the Trustees of the National Heritage Memorial Fund, the body responsible for the Heritage Lottery Fund. My right hon. Friend does not intervene in the process or comment on decisions made.

  Football (Racism)
  Mr. Peter Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to help combat racism in football. [21469]

  Mr. Banks
  The Government are committed to stamping out racism in all areas of sport. One of the primary tasks for the Government's Football Task Force is to examine ways in which racism can be eliminated from the game, and to encourage wider participation by ethnic minorities, in playing and spectating. The Task Force will be making its recommendations to me shortly.

  Music Industry (Piracy)
  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to combat piracy in the music industry. [21460]

  Mr. Fisher
  The Government work closely with the music industry in identifying areas where piracy is a problem, and in taking action to deal with it.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to his Answer to the hon. Member for Leicester, East of 22 December 1997,Official Report, columns 410–13, on public appointments, if he will list the region or nation of home residence for each of the appointees. [23009]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The information requested is listed in the table and notes the region/nation of residence at the time of appointment:
  419

  Sponsored Body

  Role

  Name

  Region

  Arts Council of England

  Member

  Mr. Christopher Price

  Yorks and Humberside

  Arts Council of England

  Member

  Mr. David Brierley

  South West

  Arts Council of England

  Member

  Mr. Trevor Phillips

  London

  British Film Institute

  Chairman

  Mr. Alan Parker

  USA/London

  British Film Institute

  Governor

  Ms Joan Bakewell

  London

  British Film Institute

  Governor

  Mr. Alan Howden

  London

  British Film Institute

  Governor

  Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas

  Wales

  British Film Institute

  Governor

  Mr. Tony Elliott

  London

  British Film Institute

  Governor

  Mr. Ronnie Kells

  Northern Ireland

  British Film Institute

  Governor

  Mr. Gus McDonald

  Scotland

  British Film Institute

  Governor

  Mr. Simon Olswang

  London

  British Film Institute

  Governor

  Mr. Eric Senat

  London

  British Library Board

  Member

  Prof. Michael Anderson

  Scotland

  British Tourist Authority

  Member

  Mr. John Jarvis

  South East

  British Tourist Authority

  Member

  Mr. Alan Britten

  South East

  British Tourist Authority

  Member

  Mr. Des Wilson

  London

  Crafts Council

  Member

  Mrs. Janice Tchalenko

  London

  Crafts Council

  Member

  Mr. David Davis

  London

  Crafts Council

  Member

  Mr. John Buston

  East Midlands

  Crafts Council

  Member

  Ms Jennie Moncur

  London

  English Heritage

  Commissioner

  Mr. Loyd Grossman

  London

  English Heritage

  Commissioner

  Miss Susan Underwood

  North East

  English Tourist Board

  Member

  Mr. David Lunn

  South East

  English Tourist Board

  Member

  Ms Jennifer Robson

  North East

  Horniman Museum

  Trustee

  Professor Sir Ghillean Prance

  South East

  Horniman Museum

  Trustee

  Professor Kenneth Gregory

  London

  Independent Television Commission

  Member

  Sir Michael Checkland

  South East

  Library and Information Commission

  Member

  Professor Judith Elkin

  West Midlands

  Library and Information Commission

  Member

  Dr. Robert McKee

  West Midlands

  Library and Information Commission

  Member

  Sir Peter Swinnerton-Dyer

  Eastern

  Library and Information Commission

  Member

  Dr. Sandra Ward

  Eastern

  Library and Information Commission

  Member

  Mrs. Grace Kempster

  South East

  Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester

  Trustee

  Ms Rajkumari Williamson

  North West

  National Film and Television School

  Governor

  Mr. Roger Bolton

  South East

  National Film and Television School

  Governor

  Mr. John McVay

  Scotland

  National Film and Television School

  Governor

  Mr. Tim Bevan

  London

  National Lottery Charities Board

  Chairman

  The Hon. David Sieff

  London

  National Lottery Charities Board

  Member

  Sir Adam Ridley

  London

  National Lottery Charities Board

  Member

  Mrs. Stella Clarke

  South West

  National Lottery Charities Board

  Member

  Mrs. Amanda Jordan

  London

  National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside

  Chairman

  Mr. David McDonnell

  North West

  National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside

  Trustee

  Professor Preston King

  London

  National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside

  Trustee

  Mrs. Vorrey Braithwaite

  North West

  National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside

  Trustee

  Mr. Barrie Marsh

  North West

  National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside

  Trustee

  Ms Janet Kear

  South West

  National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside

  Trustee

  Councillor Frank Prendergast

  North West

  Public Lending Right Advisory Committee

  Chairman

  Mr. Michael Holroyd

  London

  Public Lending Right Advisory Committee

  Member

  Ms Hilary Mantel

  South East

  Public Lending Right Advisory Committee

  Member

  Mrs. Claire Tomalin

  London

  Radio Authority

  Deputy Chairman

  Mr. Michael Moriarty

  South East

  Reviewing Committee on the Exports of Works of Art

  Member

  Mr. Ian Gow

  Scotland

  Royal National Theatre

  Member

  Ms Joan Bakewell

  London

  Royal National Theatre

  Member

  Ms Sue McGregor

  London

  Royal National Theatre

  Member

  Sir Ian McKellen

  London

  Royal National Theatre

  Member

  Mr. James Oliver

  London

  S4C

  Chairman

  Mr. Ifan Prys-Edwards

  Wales

  Treasure Valuation Committee

  Member

  Mr. David Jordan

  Eastern

  Treasure Valuation Committee

  Member

  Lord Stewartby

  London

  Treasure Valuation Committee

  Member

  Professor Norman Palmer

  East Midlands

  Treasure Valuation Committee

  Member

  Mr. Patrick Finn

  North West

  Treasure Valuation Committee

  Member

  Mr. Jack Ogden

  Eastern

  Treasure Valuation Committee

  Member

  Mr. John Casey

  North East

  Sporting Championships
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what campaigns he is involved in to bring major sporting championships to the United Kingdom in addition to the World Cup 2006. [23097]

  Mr. Banks
  In addition to providing full Government backing for England's bid to host the 2006 World Cup,420
  we are fully committed to work to bring the Olympics and other major international sporting events to the UK. I am working closely with the British Olympic Association and the UK Sports Council to ensure that we have the best possible chance of success. Lottery funds have been earmarked, through the World Class Events Programme, specifically to attract major events to this country.

  Military Heritage
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will compile a register of historic military airfields; and if he will take steps to ensure their preservation. [23001]

  Mr. Banks
  My right hon. Friend has a statutory duty to compile lists of buildings of special architectural or historic interest. English Heritage, his statutory advisers on listing, are currently undertaking a thematic study of military airfields and will be making recommendations to me later this year on buildings and structures at such sites which merit listing. Consent is required before any works can be undertaken to a listed building which would affect its special interest. In addition, the Defence of Britain Project, co-ordinated by the Council for British Archaeology, is compiling a record of 20th Century military sites and structures in the UK, although inclusion on the record will not attract any additional statutory protection.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the historic battlefields which have been lost since 1967 through development or whose setting has been damaged. [22999]

  Mr. Banks
  On the evidence of research conducted by English Heritage in preparing their Register of Historic Battlefields, the only important battlefield site in England lost through development since 1967 is Newark (1644).

  Of the 43 surviving battlefields included on the Register, the following are considered by English Heritage to have been significantly damaged by development since 1967, although not to the point of extinction:

  Adwalton Moor (1643)

  Naseby (1645)

  Neville's Cross (1346)

  Newbury I (1643)

  Northampton (1460)

  Stamford Bridge (1066)

  Tewkesbury (1471)

  Worcester/Powick Bridge (1651).

  The following battlefields are considered to have suffered significant damage to their settings since 1967:

  Chalgrove (1643)

  Shrewsbury (1403).

  Church Buildings
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what financial assistance the Government provide for church building repairs; and what total funds it provided in each of the last five years. [23099]

  Mr. Banks
  The reply relates to England only. Government financial assistance for the repair of historic religious buildings in use is channelled principally via English Heritage's church and cathedral grant schemes. Funding for historic places of worship is also available from the Heritage Lottery Fund. In addition, my Department provides 70 per cent. of the funding of the Churches Conservation Trust, which preserves outstanding Anglican churches no longer in use for worship, and contributes (both directly and by way of 422
  English Heritage) to the costs of the Historic Chapels Trust, which cares for a number of non-Anglican buildings.

  Funding offered under these schemes in each of the last five years is as follows:

  £ million

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  English Heritage church grant offers:

  12.50

  14.10

  11.00

  9.90

  110.00

  English Heritage cathedral grant offers:

  4.70

  0.30

  3.00

  3.00

  23.00

  Heritage Lottery Fund grant offers:

  —

  —

  1.56

  16.14

  115.82

  Churches Conservation Trust:

  1.92

  2.17

  2.51

  2.51

  2.48

  Historic Chapels Trust:

  £000

  329,100

  328,782

  335,125

  344,471

  350,552

  1 For 1997–98 English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund are collaborating on a joint application scheme for places of worship in England, for which both organisations have allocated £10 million. The figure for Heritage Lottery Funding includes an additional amount for funding outside the joint scheme.

  2 Allocation.

  3 Figures are £ thousand.

TREASURY

  Outdoor Advertising
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the measures being taken by(a) the Valuation Office and (b) the Valuation Office in the Bristol area to reduce the avoidance of business rates on outdoor advertising sites. [22173]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Valuation Officers in England and Wales are responsible for including all rateable business uses in local rating lists and have been reviewing the position with outdoor advertising sites for some months. In the Bristol area, the review has been under way for some time similarly and a number of missing sites have been identified and will be assessed for rates by the Valuation Officer accordingly.

  Social Security Benefits
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his Department's policy towards the taxation of social security benefits. [22121]

  Mr. Darling
  [holding answer 22 December 1997]: At present, some social security benefits are taxable (including widow's benefit, retirement pension, jobseeker's allowance and incapacity benefit), while some are not (income-related benefits such as income support, housing benefit, council tax benefit, child benefit, disability living allowance/attendance allowance). In addition, incapacity benefit for all new cases since 1995 has been taxable.

  Employment Statistics
  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people are currently employed in the United Kingdom by foreign-owned companies, broken down by country of ownership. [22894]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Chief Executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. David Heath, dated 19 January 1998:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply, as the Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), to your recent question on employment in the United Kingdom by foreign owned companies.
  The attached table provides data for all foreign owned businesses in the UK. It has been split to show each country within the EU, but for non-EU only 6 countries have been illustrated with the remainder grouped. This is in line with similar data that was produced in an article in the ONS publication Economic Trends, entitled "Globalisation: Scope, Issues & Statistics'—Table 9 in No. 528 November 1997. That data was however based on agriculture, manufacturing and distribution rather than whole economy.
  The table represents enterprises on the Inter Departmental Business Register (IDBR). An article giving further explanation on the IDBR is in Economic Trends No. 505 November 1995. Information relating to country of ownership details for UK enterprises is provided to the ONS by the market information firm Dun & Bradstreet.
  The analyses are based on an employment size measure (employees plus working proprietors). The primary source of employees data on the IDBR is the ONS inquiry, Annual Employment Survey.
  Copies of Economic Trends are available in the House of Commons Library.

  Analysis of foreign owned enterprises in the UK for the whole economy

  Country of ownership

  Employment

  Austria

  2,032

  Belgium

  10,067

  Denmark

  159,721

  Finland

  10,323

  France

  131,332

  Germany

  142,496

  Ireland

  45,747

  Italy

  20,638

  Luxembourg

  6,701

  Netherlands

  92,150

  Sweden

  42,090

  Other EU (Greece, Portugal and Spain)

  1,489

  Table 1: Mid-1996 resident population of the United Kingdom and its constituent countries and the percentage of all persons in the region who are aged 75+, 80+; and 85+

  Thousand

  Percentage

  All ages (a)

  Age 75 and over (i)

  Age 80 and over (ii)

  Age 85 and over (iii)

  Aged 75 and over of all persons

  Aged 80 and over of all persons

  Aged 85 and over of all persons

  United Kingdom

  58,801.5

  4,192.5

  2,368.7

  1,067.2

  7.1

  4.0

  1.8

  England and Wales

  52,010.2

  3,769.1

  2,138.3

  969.5

  7.2

  4.1

  1.9

  England

  49,089.1

  3,542.0

  2,013.3

  913.1

  7.2

  4.1

  1.9

  North-East

  2,600.5

  174.8

  94.2

  41.8

  6.7

  3.6

  1.6

  North West and Merseyside

  6,891.3

  484.5

  272.9

  123.3

  7.0

  4.0

  1.8

  North West

  5,470.8

  383.2

  215.7

  97.7

  7.0

  3.9

  1.8

  Merseyside

  1,420.4

  101.3

  57.2

  25.7

  7.1

  4.0

  1.8

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  5,035.5

  360.6

  203.4

  91.6

  7.2

  4.0

  1.8

  East Midlands

  4,141.5

  292.3

  162.0

  72.4

  7.1

  3.9

  1.7

  West Midlands

  5,316.6

  363.0

  198.2

  86.5

  6.8

  3.7

  1.6

  424

  Analysis of foreign owned enterprises in the UK for the whole economy

  Country of ownership

  Employment

  EU sub-total

  664,786

  Australia

  56,000

  Canada

  53,101

  Japan

  108,124

  Norway

  22,131

  Switzerland

  79,135

  USA

  749,892

  Other

  64,006

  Non EU sub-total

  1,132,389

  Total

  1,797,175

  Source:

  Inter Departmental Business Register (ONS).

  Pensions Mis-selling
  Mr. Fallon
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will instruct the Personal Investment Authority to reimburse independent financial advisers who were fined for relying on computer-based records in the period up to the decision of the Personal Investment Authority to accept computer records as evidence of work done; and if he will make a statement. [22887]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Treasury has no such power.

  Population Statistics
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the numbers and percentage of the population(a) in general and (b) over 60 years old, who are (i) over 75, (ii) over 80 and (iii) over 85 years in each region of the United Kingdom. [23670]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Chief Executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Jim Cousins, dated 19 January 1998:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me, as Director of the Office for National Statistics, to reply to your recent question asking for an estimate of the numbers and percentage of the population (a) in general and (b) over 60 years old, who are (i) over 75, (ii) over 80 and (iii) over 85 years in each region and nation of the United Kingdom.
  The most recent data available are the mid-1996 population estimates. The attached table provides the information by the ages requested.
  425

  Table 1: Mid-1996 resident population of the United Kingdom and its constituent countries and the percentage of all persons in the region who are aged 75+, 80+ and 85+

  Thousand

  Percentage

  All ages (a)

  Age 75 and over (i)

  Age 80 and over (ii)

  Age 85 and over (iii)

  Aged 75 and over of all persons

  Aged 80 and over of all persons

  Aged 85 and over of all persons

  Eastern

  5,292.6

  386.5

  218.5

  97.8

  7.3

  4.1

  1.8

  London

  7,074.3

  439.9

  258.4

  118.7

  6.2

  3.7

  1.7

  South-East

  7,895.3

  610.5

  356.1

  165.2

  7.7

  4.5

  2.1

  South-West

  4,841.5

  429.9

  249.5

  115.8

  8.9

  5.2

  2.4

  Wales

  2,921.1

  227.0

  125.0

  56.4

  7.8

  4.3

  1.9

  Scotland

  5,128.0

  333.6

  183.1

  78.7

  6.5

  3.6

  1.5

  Northern Ireland

  1,663.3

  89.9

  47.3

  19.0

  5.4

  2.8

  1.1

  Table 2: Mid-1996 resident population of the United Kingdom and its constituent countries and the percentage of all persons aged 60+ in the region who are aged 75+, 80+ and 85+

  Thousand

  Percentage

  Age 60 and over (a)

  Age 75 and over(i)

  Age 80 and over (ii)

  Age 85 and over (iii)

  Aged 75 and over of persons aged 60+

  Aged 80 and over of persons aged 60+

  Aged 85 and over of persons aged 60+

  United Kingdom

  12,023.0

  4,192.5

  2,368.7

  1,067.2

  34.9

  19.7

  8.9

  England and Wales

  10,705.6

  3,769.1

  2,138.3

  969.5

  35.2

  20.0

  9.1

  England

  10,051.3

  3,542.0

  2,013.3

  913.1

  35.2

  20.0

  9.1

  North-East

  545.4

  174.8

  94.2

  41.8

  32.1

  17.3

  7.7

  North-West and Merseyside

  1,414.8

  484.5

  272.9

  123.3

  34.2

  19.3

  8.7

  North-West

  1,113.6

  383.2

  215.7

  97.7

  34.4

  19.4

  8.8

  Merseyside

  301.2

  101.3

  57.2

  25.7

  33.6

  19.0

  8.5

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  1,039.2

  360.6

  203.4

  91.6

  34.7

  19.6

  8.8

  East Midlands

  854.1

  292.3

  162.0

  72.4

  34.2

  19.0

  8.5

  West Midlands

  1,083.1

  363.0

  198.2

  86.5

  33.5

  18.3

  8.0

  Eastern

  1,100.0

  386.5

  218.5

  97.8

  35.1

  19.9

  8.9

  London

  1,222.4

  439.9

  258.4

  118.7

  36.0

  21.1

  9.7

  South-East

  1,651.2

  610.5

  356.1

  165.2

  37.0

  21.6

  10.0

  South-West

  1,141.0

  429.9

  249.5

  115.8

  37.7

  21.9

  10.1

  Wales

  654.3

  227.0

  125.0

  56.4

  34.7

  19.1

  8.6

  Scotland

  1,035.6

  333.6

  183.1

  78.7

  32.2

  17.7

  7.6

  Northern Ireland

  281.8

  89.9

  47.3

  19.0

  31.9

  16.8

  6.7

  Employment Statistics
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library tables showing the distribution of men and women, distinguishing between part-time and full-time workers and, between industries and services as in Table 3 of the Labour Market Gazette, November 1996, page 491, for each local authority in Tyne and Wear. [23668]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Chief Executive of the Office of National Statistics. I have asked him to arrange a reply to be given.

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Jim Cousins, dated 19 January 1998:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply, as the Director of the Office for National Statistics, to your recent question on employment in Tyne and Wear.
  Data for every sector listed in Table 3 of Labour Market Trends are available on the NOMIS database, which is accessible through the House of Commons Library. However, to represent the confidentiality of individual businesses, many of the figures would be suppressed. I suggest instead that you refer to the data for each of the five local authorities which make up Tyne and Wear at SIC92 section level. At this level of aggregation none of the data are suppressed.

  Earnings
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated number of(a) men and (b) women who are earning less than £2.00 per hour in the United Kingdom. [23287]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Chief Executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Tom Cox dated 19 January 1998:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply, as the Director of the Office for National Statistics, to your recent question on earnings.
  The available information from the Labour Force Survey (LFS), Summer (June 1997–August 1997) is shown below. The LFS provides earnings data for Great Britain and not the United Kingdom and is regarded as the most appropriate source for low pay data.
  Estimated numbers of men and women earning less than £2 per hour in Great Britain

  Men 220,000

  Women 283,000.

  Retail Prices Index
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will alter the constituent elements of the RPI to reflect current spending on services and goods. [23573]
  427
  Mrs. Liddell
  The ONS recalculates weights for the constituent elements of the Retail Prices Index (RPI) at the start of each year using the latest available figures from the Family Expenditure Survey (FES). For example, from February 1998, the RPI weights will use information from the FES for the period July 1996 to June 1997. This allows the ONS to reflect the most up to date spending patterns available and to introduce new goods and services into the index.

  Single Currency
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with his German counterpart about the implications for the introduction of the euro of the challenge in the German Constitutional Court concerning the alleged failure of Germany to meet the Maastricht criteria for entry into a single currency; and if he will make a statement. [23294]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Chancellor meets his German counterpart on a regular basis, including at ECOFIN where a range of issues are discussed. However, it would not be right for me to comment on the internal matters of other EU Member States.

  London Art Market
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the impact of VAT harmonisation in the EU on London's art market. [21466]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Goods imported into the UK normally bear VAT at the standard rate (17.5 per cent.). Under the terms of EC law introduced in 1995, certain works of art, antiques and collector's pieces imported into the UK are eligible until 30 June 1999 for an effective rate of VAT at importation of 2.5 per cent. After that date, the UK should increase the VAT rate to at least the normal minimum effective reduced rate of 5 per cent.

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

CABINET OFFICE

  Millennium Experience
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio how much public money he estimates will be spent on the millennium experience. [21472]

  Mr. Mandelson
  No taxpayers' money is being spent on the project other than that already committed by English Partnerships to prepare the site for development.

  Sponsored Body

  Role

  Name

  Remuneration

  New Millennium Experience Company

  Deputy Chairman

  Sam Chisholm

  None

  New Millennium Experience Company

  Board Member

  Sir Alan Cockshaw

  None

  New Millennium Experience Company

  Board Member

  Michael Grande CBE

  None

  New Millennium Experience Company

  Board Member

  Ruth Mackenzie

  None

  428
  The New Millennium Experience Company is receiving a Lottery grant of £399 million (net) from the Millennium Commission. A further £359 million of income will be raised from sponsorship, commercial activities, visitor revenue and disposal income.

  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio how much of the Greenwich millennium experience's budget will be raised through ticket sales. [21474]

  Mr. Mandelson
  The New Millennium Experience Company currently estimates that around £168 million of the budget will be raised from visitor revenue including ticketing and merchandising.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will make a statement on the role that Christianity will play in the Millennium Experience. [23229]

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio what is the Government's policy in respect of the religious content of the Millennium Dome. [23576]

  Mr. Mandelson
  I refer the right hon. Member and my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Ceredigion (Mr. Dafis) on 24 November 1997,Official Report, column 388.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio, pursuant to his oral answer of 8 December 1997,Official Report, column 660, if he will make a statement on his ticketing and transport arrangements for people from Scotland and the north of England. [21607]

  Mr. Mandelson
  The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) is continuing to develop its ticketing strategy. The Company's aim is to set prices which are as low as possible and therefore are affordable to the maximum number of people whilst achieving the revenue required by the budget.

  NMEC will work closely with all public transport providers, especially coach and rail operators, and with the travel trade, with the aim of ensuring that travel tickets can be sold together with Millennium Experience tickets and that the transport providers offer keenly priced fares.

  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will make a statement on the future uses of the millennium dome after 2000. [21473]

  Mr. Mandelson
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Selby (Mr. Grogan) on 1 December 1997,Official Report, columns 2–3.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will list the names of the public appointments he has made since 1 May 1997; and which of those appointees receive remuneration. [23208]

  Mr. Mandelson
  The information requested is listed in the following table.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  China
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Chinese authorities in respect of the conditions within Chinese orphanages. [22627]

  Mr. Fatchett
  [holding answer 12 January 1998]: Orphanages were most recently discussed with the Chinese authorities at the expert level EU/China human rights meeting in Peking on 1–2 December 1997. We participated as a member of the EU Troika. At that meeting the EU agreed a package of technical assistance including projects for the protection of orphans.

  Amsterdam Treaty
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if paragraph 3 of the Subsidiary Protocol of the Treaty of Amsterdam permits the repatriation of acquis communautaire. [22615]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The Maastricht Treaty introduced as an objective of the European Union "to maintain in full the acquis communautaire" (Article B). The acquis communautaire is not an immutable body of law. Community agreements and legislation may be repealed or become obsolete. In the past the Commission has withdrawn legislative proposals on subsidiarity grounds. This option is made explicit in the Subsidiarity Protocol of the Treaty of Amsterdam, paragraph 3 of which states that subsidiarity"allows Community action within the limits of its powers to be expanded where circumstances so require, and conversely, to be restricted or discontinued where it is no longer justified".

  European Commission Directorates
  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Tooting (Mr. Cox) of 9 December 1997,Official Report, column 498, what percentage of total staff working at A grade the figure for British nationals represents for each directorate of the European Commission. [22658]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Tooting (Mr. Cox) on 9 December 1997,Official Report, column 498, was based on information from the European Commission dated July 1997. Since then, the Commission has supplied new information based on December 1997 figures.

  According to this updated information, the number of British nationals working at A grades in each Directorate General of the Commission is as follows:

  Directorate General

  Number of British officials at A grade

  British officials as percentage of total staff at A grade

  I

  37

  17.0

  IA

  48

  13.5

  IB

  26

  12.4

  2

  11

  8.5

  3

  15

  7.4

  4

  15

  8.2

  5

  23

  11.1

  6

  28

  8.2

  430

  Directorate General

  Number of British officials at A grade

  British officials as percentage of total staff at A grade

  7

  15

  16.1

  8

  46

  11.6

  9

  9

  6.3

  10

  14

  8.8

  11

  23

  14.8

  12

  6

  9.1

  13

  19

  14.3

  14

  4

  1.4

  15

  19

  12.4

  16

  18

  12.3

  17

  22

  13.3

  19

  7

  8.4

  20

  8

  10.4

  21

  14

  13.2

  22

  10

  8.9

  23

  9

  12.3

  24

  8

  9.1

  Cycle Spaces
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many secure cycle spaces there are in his Department. [22687]

  Mr. Fatchett
  This Department has 166 secure cycling spaces—84 in London and 82 at Hanslope Park, near Milton Keynes.

  Travel Insurance
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of United Kingdom citizens who travelled abroad without travel insurance in (i) 1995, (ii) 1996 and (iii) 1997; and if he will make a statement. [22598]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We have no accurate way of measuring this. For our own purposes we estimate that 10 per cent. to 15 per cent. of Britons still do not take out travel insurance when they travel abroad. Our estimates for 1995, 1996 and 1997 are similar. We strongly advise that all travellers take out insurance.

  Immigration (Cubans)
  Mr. Laxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many visitor visas for entry into the United Kingdom from Cuban nationals have been turned down in each of the last two years. [22497]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The number of visit visa applications from Cuban nationals refused in Havana in the last two years was: 65 (5.1 per cent.) in 1995; 63 (4.5 per cent.) in 1996 and 99 (5.4 per cent.) in the first 11 months of 1997. Records are not kept of applications from Cuban nationals applying in other countries.

  Mr. Laxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many applications in each of the last two years for visitor visas have been from Cuban nationals. [22496]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The number of visit visa applications from Cuban nationals in Havana in the last two years was: 1,975 in 1995; 1,420 in 1996 and 1,822 in the first 11 months of 1997. Records are not kept of applications from Cuban nationals applying in other countries.

  Arms Control Disarmament Research Unit
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the annual budget for his Department's Arms Control Disarmament Research Unit in the last two years. [22507]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  There is no specific budget for the two staff of the Arms Control and Disarmament Research Unit. Their costs are included in the overall budget of the FCO's Non-Proliferation Department. For much of financial year 1996–97, there was an additional part-timer member of the Unit; the costs for that year totalled approximately £125,000. In financial year 1997–98, costs to date total approximately £80,000.

  Arms Control Treaties
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what work his Department is currently carrying out to support and implement arms control treaties in the fields of(a) chemical weapons and (b) nuclear weapons; and if he will make a statement. [22508]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  This Department works closely with the Department of Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Defence to ensure that the UK remains in full compliance with its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), which the United Kingdom ratified in 1996, and to promote the universality and effective implementation of the Treaty. This involves coordinating and preparing positions for, and leading the UK Delegation at, the periodic Conferences of States Parties of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in The Hague; and preparation for and attendance at the regular meetings of the OPCW's Executive Council.

  The UK is a Depositary State for and a leading member of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). This Department leads and co-ordinates UK participation in the review process for the treaty, which includes a Review Conference every five years and Preparatory Committee meetings in the three years preceding each Conference. The FCO is also sponsoring legislation to enable the UK to ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).

  The UK is also a member of the Australia Group and Nuclear Suppliers Group, which formulate and implement export controls for materials, equipment and technology relevant to chemical weapons and nuclear programmes respectively. The UK will become chair of the Nuclear Suppliers Group in April 1998.

  This Department also leads on a range of actions in other multilateral fora (e.g. the European Union, NATO) and in bilateral action with individual states in support of the objectives of these treaties and bodies.

  Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what work is being carried out by his Department to support the negotiations to strengthen the 1972 Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention. [22509]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  This Department is working closely with the Ministry of Defence and the Department of Trade and Industry in support of international efforts to establish 432
  a legally binding Protocol to strengthen compliance with the 1972 Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention. Our officials lead the UK delegation at these negotiations in Geneva and chair the key sessions on compliance measures. They also pay a key role in consultation within the European Union on these issues. One of the priorities for our EU Presidency is to promote decisive progress in the negotiations in 1998.

  Israeli-Palestinian Goods
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his Department's policy on Israeli requests to the EU to extend the scope of the EU-Israeli Association Agreement to include jointly produced Israeli-Palestinian goods in exemption to customs duties. [22546]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  We strongly support efforts by Israeli and the Palestinian Authority to establish cumulation of rules of origin under the EC/PLO and EC/Israel agreements. This would allow goods jointly produced in Israel and the Palestinian Authority preferential accession to EU markets. To allow such cumulation, both sides must harmonise their rules of origin. The European Commission has held technical talks with both sides to assist them in this task.

  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the estimated value of goods jointly produced by Israel and Palestine and imported by the EU; and what proportion have been imported at zero tariff. [22547]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  No statistics are available for imports of goods jointly produced in Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

  Iraq
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of(a) the total amount received by Iraq under oil sale-related agreements and (b) the amount taken as reparations. [23042]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Since December 1996 when Iraq accepted the "oil for food" scheme, Iraq has been permitted to sell US dollars 4 billion worth of oil. UNSCR 1143, which renewed the scheme in November 1997, allows for the sale of a further US dollars 2 billion worth of Iraqi oil. Thirty per cent. of the proceeds from Iraqi oil goes to the UN compensation fund which pays compensation claims from individuals, corporations and governments who suffered direct loss, damage or injury as a result of Iraq's unlawful invasion and occupation of Kuwait in 1990.

  Land Mines
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when Her Majesty's Government plans to incorporate the Ottawa Landmine Treaty into United Kingdom law; and what steps it is taking to persuade other countries to ratify the treaty. [23611]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We intend to introduce legislation as soon as the parliamentary timetable allows. We shall continue to take every opportunity to urge as many
  433
  countries as possible to sign the Ottawa Convention and to encourage those that have signed to ratify the Convention as quickly as possible.

  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the Government intend to ratify the land mines treaty; and if he will make a statement. [23298]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We intend to ratify the Convention as soon as the necessary legislation is in place. We shall continue to take every opportunity to urge as many countries as possible to sign the Ottawa Convention and will press for complementary action to promote a global ban on anti-personnel landmines in international fora, including the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva.

  Turkey
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on how, at what level and when the human rights problem in Turkey is being raised with the Turkish government. [23574]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  We regularly raise human rights in our Ministerial and official level contacts with the Turkish authorities.

  I raised this issue with the Turkish Minister for Human Rights in Ankara in October 1997. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has had a number of discussions on the subject with the Turkish Foreign Minister. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister raised the matter during his meeting with the Turkish Prime Minister in December.

  The Turkish authorities recognise that this is an area in which they need to make progress. Our objective is to encourage them along that path.

  Kenya
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received about the ill-treatment and torture of children in Kenya; and if he will make a statement. [23464]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We are concerned by reports of incidents involving police brutality in Kenya, particularly those where young children appear to be involved. We shall be raising the cases highlighted by Amnesty International with the Kenyan authorities. More generally we continue to raise with the Government of Kenya our concerns about human rights abuses in that country and our desire to see police officers guilty of such offences brought to justice.

  Algeria
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Government's policy towards Algeria. [23562]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We share the widespread revulsion at the barbaric massacres in Algeria and continue to condemn the violence. Following close consultation with our EU Partners, the Algerian Government has agreed to our proposal, as EU Presidency for a Troika Ministerial visit to Algeria, from 19 to 20 January 1998. I will lead the mission and will continue the political dialogue 434
  between the EU and Algeria which was established at the time of the Algerian Foreign Minister's talks in Luxembourg in November 1997.

  Mrs. Gaynor Regan
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the occasions on which Mrs. Gaynor Regan has accompanied him at public expense since 2 May; and if he will make a statement. [23533]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 16 January 1998]: There have been no such occasions.

  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the cost to public funds of each occasion on which Mrs. Gaynor Regan has accompanied him on his official duties. [23488]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 16 January 1998]: There has been no cost to public funds.

  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he sought the advice of his Permanent Under-Secretary of State about the participation of Mrs. Gaynor Regan on official visits organised by his Department. [23487]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 16 January]: Yes.

  Ministerial Travel
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the purpose of his return to the United Kingdom from the Indian sub-continent during Her Majesty the Queen's visit to Pakistan and India; and what was the cost of the travel involved. [23625]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 16 January 1998]: It was agreed with Buckingham Palace that I should accompany Her Majesty on her State Visits while she was in the capital cities of both countries and calling on members of their central governments. I was therefore in Islamabad on 7 and 8 October and in Delhi on 13 and 14 October, and not in attendance in the intervening period. It would not have been an effective use of the time of myself or my officials to stay on when I had no official business. These arrangements were agreed in July, long before the State Visit. The travel costs for myself and two officials for Pakistan were £4,211 and for India £11,547. On the outward journey to Pakistan we travelled on The Queen's aircraft.

  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the journeys overseas by the spouse or partner accompanying him since 1 May were in every case authorised in advance by the Prime Minister. [23572]

  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he sought the permission of the Prime Minister in accordance with paragraph 69(a) of the Ministerial Code for Mrs. Gaynor Regan to accompany him on overseas visits at public expense. [23723]
  435
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he sought the Prime Minister's prior assent for each overseas visit made by Mrs. Gaynor Regan when accompanying him at public expense. [23382]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 16 January 1998]: Yes, except when Ms Gaynor Regan accompanied me to Dublin on 3 November when there was no cost to public funds.

  Tigers
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had since 1 May 1997 with representatives of the Indian government in respect of the threats to the tiger population in that country; and what were the outcomes of those decisions. [22950]

  Mr. Fatchett
  I met the Indian Environment Minister during my visit to India in June last year and expressed my support for the work of the Global Tiger Forum which stemmed from an Indian initiative. We continue to maintain close links with the Forum and will invite the Secretary General to the next meeting of the CITES Standing Committee to be held in London in March, where the plight of the tiger will be a major item on the agenda.

  Hong Kong
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the income from the sale of land occupied by GCHQ in Hong Kong; and where that money has been deployed. [23396]

  Mr. Fatchett
  After deduction of sales costs, a total of £12,451,316.54 was transferred to the Treasury from the sale of property owned by Her Majesty's Government and used by GCHQ in Hong Kong. The property consisted of 20 houses purchased by the British Government to accommodate GCHQ staff at Hong Lok Yuen.

  Immigration
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the application for entry clearance made by Zia Ul Haq at Karachi, reference KA 173579 will be determined. [24008]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We have asked our High Commission in Karachi to provide a detailed account. My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, will write to the hon. Member within one week of receiving that account.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  School Inspections
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what guidance he has given to Ofsted on the frequency with which school inspections should be carried out. [23314]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 16 January 1998]: HM Chief Inspector of Schools was given a legal duty to secure the inspection of all maintained schools in the
  436
  four-year period ending on 31 July 1997 in respect of secondary schools and 31 July 1998 in respect of primary and other schools. Thereafter, the Education (School Inspection) Regulations 1997 provide for schools to be inspected at intervals of no more than six years from the end of the school year in which their previous inspection took place. In the case of failing schools and schools with serious weaknesses, HM Chief Inspector secures more frequent inspections.

  Literacy
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment for what reasons schools taking part in the literacy summer schools project are not required to use standardised tests of reading before and after the project takes place. [22796]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 16 January 1998]: The Department carried out a full evaluation of last year's scheme using National Curriculum Key Stage 2 tests, and also a qualitative survey of participants. A summary report of the evaluation is available in the Library. The Department is considering how best to evaluate this year's expanded scheme.

  Teachers
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the number of trained teachers who qualified in(a) Australia, (b) New Zealand, (c) Canada and (d) South Africa who were teaching in maintained schools in London on (i) 1 January 1997 and (ii) 30 September 1997. [23610]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 16 January 1998]: The information requested is not available.

  Grammar Schools
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the percentage of the intake for each maintained grammar school from outside the boundary of the local authority in which it was situated in(a) 1995, (b) 1996 and (c) 1997. [23609]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 16 January 1998]: The information requested is not held centrally.

  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the percentage of the intake from maintained primary schools at each maintained grammar school in(a) 1995, (b) 1996 and (c) 1997; and if he will make a statement. [23607]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 16 January 1998]: The information requested is not collected centrally.

  Net Year
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what criteria will be used to assess the success of Net Year. [24006]

  Dr. Howells
  UK Net Year is a private sector initiative developed and funded by industry, and it is not for the Government to set criteria to judge its success. The Government does, however, welcome the contribution of UK Net Year to promoting progress towards the targets outlined in its consultation paper "Connecting the Learning Society".
  437
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what budget his Department has allocated to Net Year and what proportion of the total budget for Net Year will be covered by(a) public and (b) private funds. [24005]

  Dr. Howells
  UK Net Year is a private sector initiative funded by industry with no Departmental funding. As with numerous other private sector projects, it is planned to be complementary to the Government's National Grid for Learning initiative.

  Disability Discrimination Act
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will legislate to abolish the threshold exempting employees from the employment provision of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. [23765]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on the review of the exemption provisions on 9 December 1997,Official Report, column 519. The threshold cannot be abolished by regulation, but could be lowered to two. We will be considering whether to lower it and, if so, to what level following the outcome of our consultations and review.

  The Government have no plans for primary legislation to abolish the threshold. We will await the recommendations of the Disability Task Force before considering what form of primary legislation may be necessary to secure comprehensive, enforceable civil rights for disabled people.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the regulation-making process of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 that the Government(a) are currently using and (b) have plans to use and to improve the effectiveness of the Act. [23617]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Regulations have been already been made in exercise of the following powers of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA):sections 3(9), 5(6) and (7), 6(8)(a), (c) to (g) and (10), 12(3), 8(6) and (7), 16(3), 19(5)(c), 20(7) and (8), 24(5), 50(8), 54(6), 52(8), 56(2) and (4), 60(6), 62(2), 67, 68(1) and 70(3) and paragraphs 1(2), 2(4), 3(2) and (3), 4(2)(a) and 5(a) of Schedule 1, 3(a) and (b) and 4 of Schedule 4, and 4(4) and 7 of Schedule 5.

  Section 30(3) of Part IV of the DDA amends the Further and Higher Education Act 1992 and regulations have been made under sections 5 (7A) and (7B) and 89 (4) of that Act. Regulations have been made under sections 30 (7) and (8) of Part IV of the DDA. Those sections have been repealed but consolidated into section 528 of the Education Act 1996.

  Regulations have been made under sections 30 and 32 of the Industrial Tribunals Act 1996. Section 63(2) of the DDA has been replaced by section 32 (2) of that Act.

  A regulation would be needed under section 7(2) if, following the current review of the threshold exempting small employers from the employment provisions in Part II of the Act, it is decided to lower the threshold.
  438
  Regulations are expected to be needed under the powers in section 15 when it is decided to implement the duty on trade organisations to make reasonable adjustments. Proposals for regulations would be subject to consultation.

  A number of regulations are expected to be needed to help clarify the operation of the remaining rights of access to goods and services under Part III of the Disability Discrimination Act. Proposals for regulations will be subject to consultation in due course.

  The Government will be using their powers under Part V of the DDA to require that in future buses, coaches and trains and taxis are fully accessible to disabled people including those who need to travel in their wheelchair. The first stage of the consultation on taxis was completed at the end of November 1997. Consultation on the proposals for buses and coaches is now under way and will be followed by consultation on the draft regulations for rail vehicles.

  Regional Development Funds
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much interest was accrued on funds received from the European Social Fund under Objective 5b, before they were distributed to projects via the regional Government Offices in(a) 1994, (b) 1995, (c) 1996, (d) 1997 and (e) 1998. [23855]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The funds received under the European Social Fund are not held in interest bearing accounts and therefore do not accrue any interest; like other Government cash balances they reduce the interest payable on total Government debt.

SCOTLAND

  Road Bridge Tolls
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the annual cost of abolishing all trunk road bridge tolls in Scotland. [19795]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 12 December 1997]: As this matter is not under consideration, no estimate of the cost of abolition has been made. Such costs in respect of the Erskine and Skye Bridges, the only tolled bridges on trunk roads in Scotland, would be calculated in terms of the contracts that exist between The Scottish Office and the operators of the bridges. The Scottish Office would also incur the on-going costs of maintaining the bridges.

  EU Agriculture Council
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many meetings of the Council of Agriculture Ministers of the European Union he has attended. [23584]

  Mr. Macdonald
  My noble Friend the Minister with responsibility for agriculture, the environment and fisheries in Scotland has attended two meetings of the Agriculture Council.

  Feudal System
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what estimate he has made of the financial resources and compensation required to abolish feudal superiors' rights; [23537]

  (2) pursuant to his oral statement on 12 January 1998, Official Report, column 22, what is his estimate of the financial resources required to abolish the feudal system; and what are the public expenditure consequences. [23312]

  Mr. McLeish
  [holding answer 16 January 1998]: Until the Scottish Law Commission formulates its final recommendations, it is not possible to estimate what, if any, financial resources will be required to abolish the feudal system or what will be the public expenditure consequences. Similarly, it is not possible to estimate what, if any, financial resources and compensation will be required to abolish feudal superiors' rights until the Commission has come to a view on this matter and until Ministers have had an opportunity to consider the Commission's recommendations.

  Forestry
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on the apportionment of Forest Enterprise's assets; what agreement has been reached on the apportionment; and if he will make a statement. [23485]

  Mr. Macdonald
  [holding answer 16 January 1998]: Land managed by Forest Enterprise is owned by the three Forestry Ministers (the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Wales and the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food). After devolution, it is proposed that, in Scotland and Wales, such land will be transferred to the Scottish Ministers and the Welsh Assembly respectively.

  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to authorise sales of standing timber belonging to the Forestry Commission prior to the Scottish Parliament taking responsibility for this matter. [23743]

  Mr. Macdonald
  The Forestry Commission fells and restocks areas of woodland as part of the sustainable management of its estate. About half the trees which are felled are sold standing, and the purchasers make their own arrangements to fell and market them. This routine forestry practice does not require specific authorisation by Ministers.

  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to authorise further sales of Forestry Commission land prior to the Scottish Parliament taking responsibility for this matter. [23764]

  Mr. Macdonald
  Last May, we imposed a moratorium on the sale of forest land managed by the Forestry Commission. This moratorium is still in place. We are currently considering the Commission's future activities as part of its Comprehensive Spending Review. We will announce our conclusions in due course.

  Chapelcross Nuclear Reactor
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) when his Department was first informed of the crack in the reactor at Chapelcross Magnox station; [23397]
  440
  (2) to what extend the age of the nuclear reactor at Chapelcross was a contributory factor to the crack which was publicised by BNFL in December. [23399]

  Mr. Wilson
  The existence of a defect in a weld in a heat exchanger in reactor two at Chapelcross was detected during the reactor's annual refuelling, maintenance and inspection shutdown. It was reported to the Scottish Office on 26 June 1997.

  In accordance with normal procedures, details of the weld defect were contained in the Chapelcross newsletters, dated 3 July and 11 December 1997, copies of which are available in the Library of the House. Details were also contained in the Health and Safety Executive's Quarterly Statements of Incidents at Nuclear Installations, published on 30 September 1997.

  I understand that the age of the reactor at Chapelcross was not a factor in the defect which has been in place since the original manufacture of the vessel concerned. The preferred option for repair has been discussed between BNFL and the NII which will involve the isolation of the affected heat exchanger. In the meantime, the NII has given approval for the reactor to operate.

  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will place in the Library the reports by consultants on the various aspects of the competing sites for a Scottish Parliament. [23539]

  Mr. McLeish
  The design feasibility studies for each of the four sites were placed in the Library on 12 January along with a summary of the Comparative Transport and Environmental Assessment.

  I have today placed in the Library copies of the full Comparative Transport and Environmental Assessment report and copies of a draft working brief for the design of the Scottish Parliament building.

  Arable Aid Payments
  Mr. Maclennan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to complete payment of the 1997 arable aid payments. [23950]

  Mr. Macdonald
  Subject to the continuing co-operation of farmers on matching every field on their claims against the Field Identification System (FIS), i.e. the new register of unique field identifiers, we aim to make most final payments under the 1997 Arable Area Payments Scheme (AAPS) by 31 March 1998.

  Northern Ireland Electricity Interconnector
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the plans of Northern Ireland Electricity to lay the undersea portion of the Scotland to Northern Ireland electricity interconnector. [23724]

  Mr. Macdonald
  The plans of Northern Ireland Electricity have been examined in detail. The undersea portion of the proposed Scotland-Northern Ireland interconnector is planned to pass to the north of the Beaufort's Dyke explosives disposal area. Consideration has been given to the detailed seabed surveys undertaken on behalf of Northern Ireland Electricity which have allowed the planned cable route to be optimised in order to avoid a wide range of natural obstructions and dumped
  441
  munitions. A number of unidentified objects have been located electronically and Northern Ireland Electricity is confident that the proposed method of installation by water jetting will allow these objects to be avoided. The Government have therefore accepted Northern Ireland Electricity's conclusion that the risk of disturbance is minimal.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many staff making personal visits to people in receipt of disability living allowance as part of the Integrity Project have a recognised medical qualification. [21098]

  Mr. Denham
  One our key aims is to rebuild integrity in, and public support for, the Social Security system and the way in which public money is spent. We need to focus on those who are properly entitled to benefit. This is why we have set up the Benefit Integrity Project.

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

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mrs. Angela Browning, dated 15 January 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question regarding how many staff making personal visits to people in receipt of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) as part of the Integrity Project have a recognised medical qualification.
  The role of staff visiting DLA recipients as part of the Benefit Integrity Project (BIP) is to obtain an up to date statement about the needs of those people who have a DLA award at the higher rate of mobility combined with the highest rate of care. The visiting officers do not make decisions on entitlement to benefit either at the visit or subsequently.
  The visiting officers are administrative staff. All BIP visiting officers receive a detailed 5 day training course which covers all aspects of visiting technique. The course also includes a special session on disability awareness, written and delivered by the Disablement Income Group.
  In cases where information gathered indicates that there may have been a change in circumstances since the award was made, an Adjudication Officer may decide to review the award. In such cases they may refer the case to the Benefit Agency Medical Services (BAMS) for advice, approach the General Practitioner or some other medical professional, for a factual report, or ask BAMS to arrange for a report from an Examining Medical Practitioner.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Income Support (Basildon)
  Angela Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claimants of family credit there are in the Basildon constituency; and how many people in the Basildon constituency are in receipt of income support. [22831]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The administration of Family Credit and Income Support is a matter for Peter Mathison, Chief Executive of Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
  442
  Letter from Peter Mathison to Angela Smith, dated 16 January 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many families in Basildon are in receipt of Family Credit (FC), and how many are in receipt of Income Support (IS).
  The information is not available in the format requested. The FC Unit produces statistics which show the number of families in receipt of FC within individual Benefits Agency (BA) office areas. IS produces information which relates to the number of families in receipt within a BA District.
  The BA's Essex South West District includes offices at Basildon, Grays and Harlow.
  The number of families in receipt of FC, in the BA office at Basildon, was 2,088 as at September 1997. The number of families in receipt of IS, in the Essex South West District, was 33,865 as at November 1997. These figures are provisional and subject to change. The information serves as a "snap-shot" of the position at the date of the scan and does not provide details of the number of families in receipt of benefit annually.
  I hope you find this reply useful.

  Incapacity Benefit
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what plans she has to change the all work test; [23145]

  (2) what research she has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the effectiveness of the current all work test in making decisions to meet individual needs; and if she will make a statement. [23146]

  Mr. Denham
  Our Comprehensive Spending Review is looking at all aspects of provision for sick and disabled people including the appropriateness of the all work test. Our aim is to ensure that the emphasis is placed on people's capacity for work and not their incapacity; their ability and not their disability. The evaluation of the all work test published in February 19971 and the results of the survey of people leaving Incapacity Benefit2 will inform our thinking. We are currently considering our research requirements for 1998 and details of our programme will be published in due course.

  Source:

  1 "Evaluation of the Incapacity Benefit Medical Test"—In-house Report 26 (DSS February 1997).

  Note:

  2 As part of the evaluation of Incapacity Benefit the Policy Studies Institute is carrying out a major survey of people leaving Incapacity Benefit. The report is expected to be available later this year.

  Social Security System
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will list the most serious problems currently facing the social security system in order of priority. [23848]

  Mr. Field
  Our aim is to build a Welfare State fit for the 21st century, which extends opportunity and security to all.

  Our core principles are that:
  Society has a responsibility to help people in genuine need, who are unable to look after themselves;
  Individuals have a responsibility to help provide for themselves when they can do;

  443
  Work is the best route out of poverty for people who are able to work;
  Fraud and abuse should be minimised and rooted out wherever found.

  We are currently examining where the current system fails to meet these core principles.

  New Deal (Warrington)
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate she has made of the number of people in the Warrington, North constituency who will benefit from the New Deal. [23851]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The New Deal for Lone Parents fulfils the Government's commitment to provide practical help and advice to lone parents on Income Support who want to work. One of the eight areas in which the programme is already available is the Benefits Agency District of North Cheshire, which covers the Warrington North Parliamentary Constituency. The New Deal for Lone Parents will be available to all lone parents who make a new claim for Income Support from April 1998, and will be extended to cover existing claimants from October 1998.

  Estimates are not available by Parliamentary Constituency for the number of people who might benefit from the New Deal for Lone Parents. It is, however, estimated that there are around 3,000 lone parents receiving Income Support in the Warrington Local Authority District and who could therefore take advantage of the services already on offer through this programme.

  The New Deal for Young People will give work, education and other opportunities to those aged 18 to 24 who have been unemployed for over six months. This programme will begin in 12 pathfinder offices this month and will be introduced nationally in April 1998. It is estimated that, in 1998–99, 1,700 people would become eligible for the New Deal for the Young Unemployed in the Halton and Warrington unit of delivery, which comprises the areas covered by the Runcorn Bridgewater, Runcorn Rutland, Warrington and Widnes Employment Service Jobcentres.

  The New Deal for Young People will be followed in June 1998 by the New Deal for the long-term unemployed, which will provide subsidies to employers of £75 per week for six months if they take on those people aged 25 or over who have been unemployed for two years or more. The latest available data indicate that there are around 1,000 people in this category in the Halton and Warrington unit of delivery.

  The number of people in the Warrington area who will benefit from the New Deal for people with a disability or long-term health problem is not yet known. A tendering exercise is currently underway for innovative schemes, and plans for introducing personal advisers for this group will be announced later this year.

  Residential Care Allowance
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when she plans to announce her proposals to reform the residential care allowance. [23766]
  444
  Mr. Keith Bradley
  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 is included in these reviews.

  It is too early in the review process to be able to give a firm commitment on when we will be ready to announce the outcome.

  Low Pay
  Mrs. Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of working women earn less than the national insurance contributions ceiling. [23951]

  Mr. Denham
  In 1995–96 an estimated 94 per cent. of female employees earned less than the Class 1 National Insurance contributions Upper Earnings Limit.

  Source: 1995–96 Family Resources Survey.

  Appeals
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what changes in policy there have been since 1 May concerning the granting of leave to appeal to the Social Security Commissioner. [23031]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  There has been no change in policy regarding appeals to the Social Security Commissioner since May 1997. The Social Security Bill paves the way for modernising the delivery of Social Security. It includes measures which will improve the arrangements for handling appeals from tribunals to Commissioners. The Bill had its second reading in the House of Lords on 15 January.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Beef
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of beef sold in the United Kingdom is sourced from cattle born after 1 August 1996; and if he will make a statement. [21599]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 18 December 1997]: Information on the percentage of beef sold in the United Kingdom sourced from cattle born after 1 August 1996 is not readily available but so far few animals of this age will have been slaughtered. In time the age of an increasing number of slaughtered animals will be known as a system of cattle passports, which record birth and death details, was introduced in Great Britain on 1 July 1996.

  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment the European Commission has made of the advantages of banning beef exports from countries which have detected BSE in their cattle. [23360]

  Mr. Rooker
  The European Commission has banned exports of beef from the UK, but has not banned exports from other Member States which have reported cases of BSE. The Commission takes advice on BSE related issues from the Scientific Steering Committee. Summaries of the proceedings of that Committee are published on the Internet at: http://europa.eu.int/en/comm/dg24/scientif/ncomm0/index.html

  Live Animal Exports
  Dr. Palmer
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answers of 18 November 1997,Official Report, column 117 and 4 December 1997, Official Report, column 355, if he will provide a breakdown of the numbers of pigs exported for breeding to each country concerned from January to October. [22613]

  Mr. Rooker
  Computer records up-dated since my previous answer indicate that the number of breeding pigs certified for export from the United Kingdom between January and October 1997 inclusive is as follows:

  Country

  Number

  Belgium

  36,438

  Canada

  600

  Czech Republic

  559

  China

  795

  Denmark

  974

  Falkland Islands

  25

  France

  26,573

  Germany

  40,595

  Greece

  661

  Republic of Ireland

  1,080

  Italy

  8,837

  Japan

  248

  Latvia

  102

  Malaysia (Peninsula)

  338

  Mexico

  709

  Netherlands

  13,344

  Nigeria

  46

  Philippines

  164

  Poland

  80

  Portugal

  83

  Romania

  217

  Slovakia

  87

  South Korea

  538

  Spain

  19,372

  Taiwan

  70

  Thailand

  482

  Russia

  350

  United States of America

  122

  Total

  153,489

  This information is provisional and subject to change.

  It is common practice for export health certificates to be issued in anticipation of exports which do not then take place. The central computer system is updated periodically to remove details of withdrawn export consignments from the records but we cannot guarantee

  Payment rates (£ per head)—Sheep annual premium scheme, suckler cow premium scheme, hill livestock compensatory allowances

  Sheep annual premium

  Suckler cow premium

  Including LFA supplement Cash prices

  Excluding LFA supplied 1997 prices

  Including extensification premia Cash prices

  Excluding extensification premia 1997 prices

  Cash prices

  1997 prices

  Cash prices

  1997 prices

  1993

  24.41

  27.32

  19.25

  21.55

  93.90

  105.12

  65.73

  73.58

  1994

  22.21

  24.28

  16.96

  18.45

  115.12

  125.83

  87.49

  95.63

  1995

  26.95

  28.47

  21.26

  22.46

  143.04

  151.10

  114.43

  120.88

  1996

  19.04

  19.64

  13.66

  14.09

  155.15

  160.03

  124.12

  128.02

  1159.48

  1159.48

  1997

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  2146.52

  2146.52

  117.36

  117.36

  446
  that this information is complete. Confirmation of the actual numbers of animals exported could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Cattle Identification Scheme
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consultations he has had, and with whom, concerning the adoption of a secondary button tag on cattle, and what decision he has made. [22988]

  Mr. Rooker
  Consultations have been held with the Joint Industry/Government Working Group on animal identification, with individual UK eartag manufacturers and the relevant services of the European Commission. Guidance will be provided to cattle keepers once a decision has been taken on which eartags will be approved for use in the UK for identifying cattle. In the meantime, all eartags on the current approved list can be used.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he plans to use the plastic secondary tag on cattle as a means of electronic identification. [23038]

  Mr. Rooker
  EU legislation on identification of cattle requires visual identification through the use of approved eartags and does not require compulsory electronic tagging of animals. However, there are no obstacles to preclude eartags being adapted to incorporate electronic devices and the Government welcome such initiatives by the Industry.

  Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee (Funding)
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total research funding to SEAC, from(a) United Kingdom Government sources and (b) European Union Sources in (i) 1994, (ii) 1995, (iii) 1996 and (iv) 1997. [23186]

  Mr. Rooker
  SEAC is an advisory body. It does not, itself, carry out any research and is therefore not in receipt of research funding from any source.

  Livestock Support
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give the levels of(a) suckler cow, (b) ewe premium and (c) HLCA payments for beef and sheep per animal in cash prices and at 1997 prices for each of the last five years and his proposals for 1998–99. [23484]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 16 January 1998]The information requested is set out in the tables. The proposed rates for 1998–99 are not yet available.
  447

  Hill livestock compensatory allowances

  SDA Beef cow

  DA Beef cow

  SDA High rate ewe

  SDA Lower rate ewe

  DA Ewe rate

  Cash prices

  1997 prices

  Cash prices

  1997 prices

  Cash prices

  1997 prices

  Cash prices

  1997 prices

  Cash prices

  1997 prices

  1993

  63.30

  70.86

  31.65

  35.43

  6.50

  7.28

  3.60

  4.03

  2.86

  3.20

  1994

  47.50

  51.92

  23.75

  25.96

  5.75

  6.28

  3.00

  3.28

  2.44

  2.67

  1995

  47.50

  50.18

  23.75

  25.09

  5.75

  6.07

  3.00

  3.17

  2.44

  2.58

  1996

  47.50

  48.99

  23.75

  24.50

  5.75

  5.93

  3.00

  3.09

  2.65

  2.73

  1997

  397.50

  97.50

  469.75

  69.75

  5.75

  5.75

  3.00

  3.00

  2.65

  2.65

  1 Rate less than 1 livestock unit per hectare.

  2 Rate greater than 1 livestock unit and less 1.4 livestock units per hectare.

  3 Includes beef special aid of £50.00.

  4 Includes beef special aid of £46.00.

  LFA = Less Favoured Area.

  n/a = Not available.

  SDA = Severely Disadvantaged Area.

  DA = Disadvantaged Area.

  Final Sheep Annual Premium rate for 1997 not yet fixed.

  Beef (Subsidies)
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what subsidies are paid to beef farmers in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) other European Union countries. [23358]

  Mr. Rooker
  Beef farmers in all EU Member States, including the UK, may apply for subsidies under two EU-funded headage Schemes. The Suckler Cow Premium (SCP) Scheme provides an annual payment in respect of female breeding animals, while the Beef Special Premium (BSP) Scheme provides either one or two payments in respect of each male animal fattened for slaughter. Automatic "extensification" payments are made under both schemes to claimants with stocking rates below set levels. Additional EU-funded SCP payments are made to producers in geographical areas within the Union, including Northern Ireland, which meet certain economic and agricultural criteria. Limited nationally funded SCP payments are also made in some Member States. A Deseasonalisation Premium, designed to encourage a more even pattern of slaughterings throughout the year, may also be paid to producers in Member States where concentration of slaughtering in a certain time frame has historically proved a problem. All EU producers in Less Favoured Areas may additionally claim under national schemes (part-EU funded) designed to offset the structural handicap they face. In the UK, payments are made per head of eligible breeding cow under the Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances scheme.

  Genetically Modified Foods
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had with the United States Government in respect of the possible segregation of genetically modified foods; and if he will make a statement. [23405]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Department has close working contact with US Government officials on food issues including genetically modified foods and segregation.
  448
  However, World Trade Organisation rules do not permit Governments to demand the segregation of crops that have been approved as safe.

  Genetically Modified Crops
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if measures to require segregation of genetically modified crops would constitute a breach of World Trade Organisation agreements; and if he will make a statement. [23406]

  Mr. Rooker
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak (Dr. Jones) on 17 July 1997,Official Report, column 504.

  Beef Imports (Argentina)
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what concessionary tariff arrangements are available on beef imported from Argentina; and if he will make a statement. [23977]

  Mr. Rooker
  Argentina, along with certain other named countries, is able to benefit from the following concessionary tariff arrangements for imports of beef into the European Community:28,000 tonnes under the high quality ("Hilton") fresh, chilled and frozen import quota (as part of an overall total of 58,100 tonnes);
  700 tonnes of frozen thin skirt (as part of an overall total of 1,500 tonnes).

  In addition, such countries may export beef under concessionary import tariff arrangements which are open to all exporting countries. Under these concessionary import tariff arrangements, beef may enter the Community at reduced or zero levy.

  Concessionary import arrangements are made under World Trade Organisation Agreements, to the proper observance of which the UK Government are deeply committed. The volume of imports allowed under these concessionary schemes amount to only 5 per cent. of total community production.

  Strategic Defence Review: Submissions
  Strategic Defence Review: Submissions
  Iraq: Co-operation with UNSCOM
  Iraq: Co-operation with UNSCOM
  European Social Fund: Grants to London Boroughs
  European Social Fund: Grants to London Boroughs
  Youth Crime: Ethnic Monitoring
  Youth Crime: Ethnic Monitoring
  Asylum Seekers
  Asylum Seekers
  UK Aid to International Small Scale Business Sector
  UK Aid to International Small Scale Business Sector
  Town and Country Planning: Policy
  Town and Country Planning: Policy
  Road Traffic Reduction Act: Draft Guidance
  Road Traffic Reduction Act: Draft Guidance
  Cavity Wall Insulation: Research Report
  Cavity Wall Insulation: Research Report
  London: Transport Funding from EU
  London: Transport Funding from EU
  Lowlands Canals: Repair Project
  Lowlands Canals: Repair Project
  Millennium Dome
  Millennium Dome
  BSE and nvCJD: Inquiry
  BSE and nvCJD: Inquiry
  BSE: Animal Experiments
  BSE: Animal Experiments
  Sheep Carcases for Sale: Preparation
  Sheep Carcases for Sale: Preparation
  Fisheries Council, Brussels, 18-19 December 1997
  Fisheries Council, Brussels, 18-19 December 1997
  MAGP IV: UK Objectives
  MAGP IV: UK Objectives