Written Answers of 20 January 1998

WALES

  NHS Expenditure
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what was the(a) net surplus/deficit, (b) the total remuneration of the Chief Executive and (c) the resident population of the Morgannwy Health Authority for the year ended 31 March 1997; [23601]

  (2) what was the (a) net surplus/deficit, (b) the total remuneration of the Chief Executive and (c) the resident population of the Dyfed Powys Health Authority for the year ended 31 March 1997. [23600]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The information is in the following table.

  Morgannwg HA

  Dyfed Powys HA

  (a)Net surplus/(deficit)(£000)

  785

  (1,913)

  (b)Total remuneration of Chief Executive (£000)

  70

  87

  (c)Resident population(thousands)

  499.7

  476.7

  Sources:

  (a) and (b) Annual Accounts of Morgannwg and Dyfed Powys Health Authorities 1966–97; (c) ONS Mid year estimate for 1996.

  Health Trusts (Appointments)
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the qualifications required of appointees to non-executive posts on health trusts and authorities in Wales. [20727]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  Strong links with the area served by the Trust or Health Authority are required together with relevant experience such as one or more of the following: the Voluntary Sector; the Public Sector or Business, at a senior level; previous NHS employment/experience.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Coastguard
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will request the Coastguard Agency to publish its five-year plan. [22845]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I announced on 17 November 1997,Official Report, columns 9–10, a proposed five-year strategy for Her Majesty's Coastguard and it was agreed that the Coastguard Agency would issue a document for consultation. This document is being published today and copies have been placed in the Library.

  Coroner's Service
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what are his functions in relation to the Coroner's Service. [23180]

  Ms Armstrong
  My right hon. Friend has no responsibilities for the Coroner's Service.

  Untreated Sewage
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much untreated sewage was disposed of on or in agricultural land in each year since 1991; and what assessment he has made of the impact of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 on these figures. [22865]

  Angela Eagle
  Sewage may be spread on agricultural land under the terms of a waste management licence issued by the Environment Agency under Part II of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. The objective of the licensing system is to ensure that waste is recovered or disposed of in ways which protect the environment and human health.

  The Environment Agency does not maintain a central record that distinguishes the licensed spreading of sewage from the licensed spreading of other wastes. It is not possible, therefore, to make an assessment of the impact of the 1990 Act on the quantities of sewage which are spread. However, the Department and the Environment Agency have commissioned the Water Research Council and the Agricultural Development and Advisory Service (ADAS) to develop further the criteria that determine the circumstances in which the spreading of wastes is of benefit to agriculture. The research project is expected to be completed by the end of March 1998.

  Road Gritting
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidelines exist for local authorities for the gritting of roads in the event of sub-zero temperatures. [23194]

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

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. Keith Vaz, dated 20 January 1998:
  The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent question as to what guidelines exist for local authorities for the gritting of roads in the event of sub-zero temperatures.
  The Highways Agency are responsible for motorways and all-purpose trunk roads in England. For these roads, the Agency provides a winter maintenance service which assists the safe movement of traffic and keeps to a minimum delays and accidents caused by adverse weather conditions.
  An extensive network of sensors placed in the roads measure road temperatures, moisture and salt content, wind speeds and precipitation. These together with weather forecasting services assist Maintenance Agents to carry out preventative treatment before road conditions become hazardous. They do not use grit for this treatment but use rock salt or, in special cases, deicing chemicals.
  The Highways Agency's Maintenance Agents, including Local Authorities, undertake the operational maintenance of the winter maintenance service in accordance with guidelines set out in Volume 2 Part 3 of a document titled. The Trunk Road Maintenance

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  Manual. A copy of the document can be made available for inspection if you would like to contact Mike Garnham at this office on 0171 921 4220.
  For the roads for which Local Authorities are responsible, they define their own treatments. Many use the guidelines of the County Surveyors Society or adapt them to their own circumstances and needs. Most Local Authorities also publish their own winter maintenance plans which define roads to be treated, together with treatment times and priorities.

  Polegate Bypass
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many written representations his Department has received from(a) organisations and (b) members of the public about the Polegate Bypass in the last three months. [22996]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We have received a considerable number of representations about the Polegate Bypass. We are unable to give a breakdown covering the last three months; however, since the start of the Roads Review consultation exercise in July 1997, we have received 96 representations from organisations and businesses, and 2,689 from members of the public, of which 699 were letters; 1,768 were local press campaign coupons; and 222 were in the form of petitions.

  Leasehold Reform
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he is taking to simplify the rules governing the purchase of freeholds by leaseholders; and what plans he has to introduce a new commonhold form of tenure. [23327]

  Ms Armstrong
  We are committed to simplifying the rules governing the purchase of freeholds by leaseholders and we intend to bring forward a new package of reforms to assist leaseholders. We are currently considering the scope and practicability of possible new measures. We expect to make an announcement about our proposals and invite comments from interested parties in the Spring.

  The introduction of Commonhold is a matter for the Lord Chancellor. However, I understand that his Department are currently considering the best way to handle the various proposals which have been made about commonhold schemes in the recent past.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how many local authorities in all classes have been awarded a provisional SSA settlement for 1998–99 for the education block of less than a 5.7 per cent. increase; and if he will list these authorities with their respective figures; [23293]

  (2) how many Metropolitan district authorities have been awarded a provisional SSA settlement for 1998–99 for the education block which is less than a 5.7 per cent. increase; and if he will list these authorities with their respective figures. [23292]

  Ms Armstrong
  Eighty four local education authorities have been awarded a provisional SSA settlement for 1998–99 for the education block of less than a 5.7 per cent. increase. Of these, eighteen are metropolitan district authorities. The authorities are listed in the table.452

  Education standard spending assessment change— adjusted 1997–98 to consultation 1998–99

  Local authority

  Adjusted 1997–98 Education SSA (£ million)

  Consultation 1998–99 Education SSA (£ million)

  SSA Change (per cent.)

  Greater London

  City of London

  0.877

  0.818

  -6.7

  Camden

  81.386

  83.841

  3.0

  Greenwich

  115.354

  120.621

  4.6

  Hackney

  96.311

  99.145

  2.9

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  57.530

  60.115

  4.5

  Islington

  83.299

  87.978

  5.6

  Lambeth

  100.611

  105.060

  4.4

  Southwark

  111.181

  116.858

  5.1

  Wandsworth

  91.681

  93.739

  2.2

  Westminster

  60.952

  62.933

  3.3

  Barnet

  122.305

  128.973

  5.5

  Brent

  113.327

  117.836

  4.0

  Haringey

  98.795

  103.651

  4.9

  Harrow

  74.287

  77.969

  5.0

  Hillingdon

  97.883

  102.688

  4.9

  Hounslow

  98.522

  102.119

  3.7

  Kingston upon Thames

  48.814

  50.913

  4.3

  Merton

  60.425

  63.347

  4.8

  Richmond upon Thames

  48.089

  49.857

  3.7

  Sutton

  70.654

  74.468

  5.4

  Waltham Forest

  99.516

  104.442

  4.9

  Greater Manchester

  Oldham

  98.466

  103.665

  5.3

  Trafford

  80.841

  84.861

  5.0

  Wigan

  113.230

  119.463

  5.5

  Merseyside

  Knowsley

  77.161

  81.506

  5.6

  Wirral

  135.458

  142.389

  5.1

  South Yorkshire

  Barnsley

  79.127

  83.310

  5.3

  Rotherham

  105.402

  109.939

  4.3

  Sheffield

  174.938

  184.605

  5.5

  Tyne and Wear

  Gateshead

  71.781

  75.100

  4.6

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  101.361

  106.520

  5.1

  North Tyneside

  70.464

  74.457

  5.7

  Sunderland

  117.965

  123.893

  5.0

  West Midlands

  Birmingham

  458.879

  484.482

  5.6

  Coventry

  123.607

  130.488

  5.6

  Walsall

  112.742

  118.205

  4.8

  Wolverhampton

  101.401

  106.549

  5.1

  West Yorkshire

  Bradford

  215.623

  225.110

  4.4

  Calderdale

  79.504

  83.537

  5.1

  All Purpose Authorities

  Blackburn

  64.883

  68.166

  5.1

  Bournemouth

  50.588

  52.705

  4.2

  Bracknell Forest

  38.489

  39.684

  3.1

  Bristol

  122.005

  127.784

  4.7

  Derby

  87.194

  91.878

  5.4

  Halton

  54.651

  57.018

  4.3

  Kingston upon Hull

  105.033

  110.027

  4.8

  Leicester

  125.196

  129.804

  3.7

  Luton

  80.479

  83.584

  3.9

  Medway Towns

  107.290

  112.366

  4.7

  Middlesbrough

  62.787

  65.583

  4.5

  Milton Keynes

  85.526

  88.693

  3.7

  Newbury

  55.021

  57.620

  4.7

  North East Lincolnshire

  66.563

  70.101

  5.3

  North Somerset

  61.234

  64.601

  5.5

  Nottingham

  106.722

  111.057

  4.1

  Peterborough

  73.070

  76.663

  4.9

  Plymouth

  99.020

  102.180

  3.2

  Poole

  45.175

  46.932

  3.9

  Reading

  43.654

  45.559

  4.4

  Rutland

  10.916

  11.246

  3.0

  453

  Education standard spending assessment change— adjusted 1997–98 to consultation 1998–99

  Local authority

  Adjusted 1997–98 Education SSA (£ million)

  Consultation 1998–99 Education SSA (£ million)

  SSA Change(per cent.)

  Stockton on Tees

  74.022

  77.854

  5.2

  The Wrekin

  59.219

  62.565

  5.6

  Torbay

  44.248

  46.710

  5.6

  Windsor and Maidenhead

  47.071

  48.951

  4.0

  Wokingham

  53.150

  55.573

  4.6

  Isles of Scilly

  1.156

  1.200

  3.8

  Shire counties

  Bedfordshire

  146.083

  154.038

  5.4

  Buckinghamshire

  175.930

  183.785

  4.5

  Cambridgeshire

  170.782

  180.209

  5.5

  Cornwall

  171.300

  179.349

  4.7

  Cumbria

  176.084

  186.094

  5.7

  Derbyshire

  244.681

  257.662

  5.3

  Durham

  184.515

  194.500

  5.4

  Leicestershire

  204.883

  215.263

  5.1

  Norfolk

  257.396

  270.332

  5.0

  Northumberland

  118.090

  123.316

  4.4

  Nottinghamshire

  268.254

  280.511

  4.6

  Oxfordshire

  199.130

  207.934

  4.4

  Shropshire

  91.113

  95.362

  4.7

  Suffolk

  226.258

  237.019

  4.8

  Surrey

  320.831

  338.100

  5.4

  West Sussex

  241.347

  254.553

  5.5

  Wiltshire

  142.019

  149.402

  5.2

  Worcestershire

  180.787

  188.027

  4.0

  Waters
  Mr. Leslie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 16 June 1997,Official Report, column 36, what progress has been made by the Drinking Water Inspectorate in considering prosecution in the alleged cryptosporidium incident at Bingley in June 1993; and if he will make a statement. [23475]

  Angela Eagle
  The Drinking Water Inspectorate has completed its investigation of this incident involving an outbreak of cryptosporidiois. On 14 January 1998, it wrote to Yorkshire Water Services Limited informing the Company of its conclusions and recommendations arising from the incident. A copy of this letter has been sent to the health authority, local authority and the Yorkshire Customer Service Committee. I have arranged for a copy of the letter to be sent to the hon. Member and for copies to be placed in the library of the House.

  The main conclusions of the Inspectorate were that:
  (i) the epidemiological study carried out by the Bradford Health Authority provided strong grounds for suspecting that water unfit for human consumption was supplied;
  (ii) the Company would not have had a defence of due diligence due to deficiencies in the management of the catchment and the operation of Gilstead Water Treatment Works; and
  (iii) in view of the decision by the Judge in the prosecution of South West Water about an incident involving an outbreak of cryptosporidiosis in Torbay, not to admit as evidence the report of the epidemiological study, a prosecution cannot be mounted against the Company under Section 70 of the Water Industry Act 1991.

  The Inspectorate's investigations uncovered some serious deficiencies in the Company's operations. Although Gilstead Water Treatment Works has since been closed, the Inspectorate considers it vital that the
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  Company demonstrates that it has improved its operational procedures and performance in order to protect public health and therefore it has asked for an urgent reply from the Company to its recommendations.

  In the light of the judgment in the Torbay case and the Inspectorate's conclusions on this incident, I have asked the Inspectorate to advise on what steps, including changes to the legislation, can be taken to secure successful prosecution when it is believed that water unfit for human consumption has been supplied.

  Concorde
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent inspections have been conducted to establish the air worthiness of Concorde. [23375]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  There are seven Concorde aircraft on the UK register, all operated by British Airways. They are all subject to regular airworthiness inspections under the British Airways Concorde Maintenance Schedule, which is approved by the Civil Aviation Authority.

  Storm Damage
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the cost to public funds of the storms of early January. [23560]

  Ms Armstrong
  None. The information is not collected centrally. Local authorities have statutory powers to deal with emergencies and are expected to budget accordingly. They may apply for additional financial assistance where there is a case for doing so under existing rules.

  Ferry Safety
  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will assess the advantages of introducing guidelines for safe ferry departures from port in inclement weather independently of the captains of the ships concerned. [23321]

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

  Letter from R. M. Bradley to Dr. Alan Whitehead, dated 20 January 1998:
  The Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions has asked me to reply to your Question about guidelines for safe ferry departures.
  The decision to sail should always lie with the master of the vessel. He is best placed to make such a decision on account of his knowledge of the ship and its area of operation, his experience and professional judgement, and in the exercise of his responsibilities. The importance of the master's discretion for safe navigation has been recognised in recent amendments to the SOLAS Convention, prompted by the ESTONIA disaster. These require that the master is not constrained by commercial pressures from shipowners and charters from taking decisions necessary for the safe navigation of his ship.
  New regulations require that all limitations on the operation of the ship are readily available to the master on board the ship. These limitations must include any restrictions on areas of operation, weather restrictions, sea state restrictions, and restrictions on speed and permissible loads. In addition, early implementation of the

  455
  provisions of the International Safety Management Code on all passenger ferries operating in Europe requires a proper assessment to be made of actual and expected weather conditions, using both official forecast and direction observation, before the ship sails.
  I am satisfied that adequate information is available to the master to allow him to decide if his ship should set sail and may navigate safely, that in the interest of safe operation the decision must rest with the master, and that there are safeguards to protect his discretion.

  Employment (Northumberland)
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many people were employed by Northumberland County Council(a) full time and (b) part time, excluding teachers in each year since 1992. [23991]

  Ms Armstrong
  The numbers of people employed by Northumberland County Council (excluding lecturers and teachers), at June of each year, from 1992 to date are:

  Full-time

  Part-time

  1992

  n/a

  n/a

  1993

  3,263

  5,722

  1994

  3,256

  5,972

  1995

  3,744

  5,218

  1996

  3,646

  5,533

  1997

  3,478

  5,363

  Source:

  Joint Staffing Watch. The introduction of a new survey form in June 1995 changed the way in which staff are recorded so that where an employee is doing two or more jobs in an authority, each job is counted separately. As a result, figures for 1995 and later years are on a different basis from previous years.

  Classic Cars
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to allow the continued use of classic cars when leaded petrol is withdrawn from general sale. [23827]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  To meet concerns raised by owners of classic car owners about supplies of leaded petrol from 1 January 2000, when the proposed EU ban comes into effect, the Government have negotiated a derogation to allow continued supply to a limit of 0.5 per cent. of total petrol sales to be distributed through "specialist interest groups". For widespread use of many older, non-classic, cars whose owners currently use leaded petrol, the British Standards Institution are consulting on a specification for unleaded petrol containing a non-toxic lead replacement additive.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assurances he has sought from the Civil Aviation Authority that the air traffic control system in the United Kingdom will be fully millennium compliant. [24249]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Crewe and Nantwich (Mrs. Dunwoody) on 19 June 1997, Official Report, column 277.

  Bus Employees Superannuation Trust
  Mr. Lock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the Statement of Claim has been received by his Department in the legal claim brought by the Trustee of the Bus Employees Superannuation Trust against his Department; what legal advice he has taken on the merits of the claim; what future action he proposes in respect of this matter; and if he will make a statement. [24126]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Statement of Claim has been received. The advice of Counsel has been obtained and Ministers are currently considering next steps on this matter in the light of that advice.

  Marine Safety
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many shipments and how much plutonium was transported via United Kingdom destinations on roll-on roll-off ferries between 22 December and 12 January; and what advice he has received from marine safety experts on this transport. [24091]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  One such notifiable shipment took place carrying 42.809kg of plutonium. I am advised that the ship used carried the usual certification and a document of compliance under the International Maritime Organisation' sCode for the Safe Carriage of Irradiated Nuclear Fuel, Plutonium and High-Level Radioactive Wastes in Flasks on Board Ships (INF Code) and the packages used were approved by my Department in accordance with the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code.

  Air Routes
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the relationship between effective competition on routes between(a) Heathrow and European destinations and (b) Heathrow and North American destinations. [24263]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  None. If the question is referring to the competition analysis of the proposed British Airways/American Airlines alliance, and whether this should include an assessment of European routes from Heathrow, it is a matter for the relevant competition authorities, not my Department.

  Dangerous Chemicals (Rail Transport)
  Mr. John Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to publish new guidelines on the transportation of dangerous chemicals by rail through residential areas. [24247]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  An extensive study,Major Hazard Aspects of the Transport of Dangerous Substances: Report of the Sub-committee of the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Substances (HSC, ISBN 0 11 885676 6), published in 1991, found that the risks of such transport were tolerable. Regulations Approved Requirements and Guidance on the transport of dangerous goods are regularly reviewed in the light of technical developments and lessons learned from reported incidents.

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  Additionally, the Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail Regulations 1996 will soon be revised in accordance with Commission Directive 96/87/EC to apply the latest provisions of the COTIF regulations concerning the international carriage of dangerous goods by rail (RID).

  Mr. John Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will list the current guidelines for governing the transportation of dangerous chemicals by rail through residential areas; [24254]

  (2) if he will list the safety responsibilities of (a) Railtrack, (b) English, Welsh and Scottish Railways and (c) European Vinyls Corporation Ltd., as they relate to the transportation of vinyl chloride monomer by rail in the Vale of Glamorgan; [24257]

  (3) if he will list (a) voluntary and (b) statutory procedures governing the de-canting of vinyl chloride monomer from a freight tanker which has (i) been de-railed, (ii) tipped on its side and (iii) collapsed the bogey and cannot be safely lifted back on to the rail track; [24258]

  (4) if he will list the current codes of practice governing the transportation of dangerous chemicals by rail through hazardous industrial areas; [24259]

  (5) if he will list the current regulations governing the transportation of dangerous chemicals by rail through residential areas; [24260]

  (6) if he will list the current regulations governing the transportation of dangerous chemicals through hazardous industrial areas; [24261]

  (7) if he will list the current guidance notes governing the transportation of dangerous chemicals by rail through hazardous industrial areas. [24262]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The current regulations, which apply to transport throughout Great Britain, are as follows:The Carriage of Dangerous Goods By Rail Regulations 1996 (SI 1996/2089),
  The Carriage of Dangerous Goods (Classification, Packaging and Labelling and Use of Transportable Pressure Receptacles Regulations 1996 (SI 1996/2092).

  The Regulations set out the duties and responsibilities on all parties concerned with the transport and dangerous goods including vinyl chloride monomer. These are supported by the following Approved Requirements and Guidance:
  Approved Tank Requirements—The provisions for bottom loading and vapour recovery systems of mobile containers carrying petrol;
  Approved Carriage List—Information approved for the carriage of dangerous goods by road and rail other than explosives and radioactive material;
  Approved Requirements and test methods for the classification and packaging of dangerous goods for carriage;
  Carriage of Dangerous Goods Explained Part 1—Guidance for Consignors of dangerous goods by road and rail, packaging, labelling and provision of information;
  Carriage of Dangerous Goods Explained Part 3—Guidance for rail operators, and others involved in the carriage of dangerous goods by rail.
  458
  Regulation 23 of Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail Regulation 1996 requires train operators, facility owners and infrastructure controllers to establish and follow safety systems and procedures which enable them to deal with incidents safely. The details are set out in Railway Group Standards which are produced and published by Railtrack plc, following industry consultation, and which are enforceable through the Railway (Safety Case) Regulations 1994.

  In addition, all parties operating on the railways must comply with the general provisions of the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 and other related regulations. In particular, in relation to the transportation of dangerous goods by rail in the Vale of Glamorgan, Railtrack plc is responsible for:
  control of the movement of trains on its network;
  maintenance of the railway infrastructure;
  complying with the terms of its Railway Safety Case (accepted by the Health and Safety Executive under the Railways (Safety Case) Regulations 1994);
  accepting and monitoring compliance with the Railway Safety Case of train operating companies;
  establishing standards to ensure safe operation and emergency arrangements on its network; and
  compliance with those aspects of the CDG Rail which apply to an infrastructure controller.

  Similarly English Welsh and Scottish Railways Ltd. is responsible for:
  the safe operation of its trains;
  compliance with its own Railway Safety Case and any relevant Railway Group Standards; and
  compliance with those aspects of CDG Rail applicable to a train operator.

  European Vinyls Corporation Ltd., must comply with its responsibilities as consignor under CDG Rail.

  There are separate requirements for the transport of radioactive material and for the transport of explosives.

  Mr. John Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will list the terms of reference of the Railway Inspectorate's inquiry into the Cadoxton derailment in the Vale of Glamorgan on 27 December 1997; [24248]

  (2) what steps he will take to ensure that the inquiry undertaken by the Railway Inspectorate into the Cadoxton train de-railment will consider (a) the underlying and (b) the systems causes of the incident; [24251]

  (3) if he will make a statement on the scope of the inquiry by the Railway Inspectorate into the Cadoxton de-railment on 27 December 1997; [24253]

  (4) if he will publish in full the report of the inquiry undertaken by the Railway Inspectorate into the Cadoxton derailment in the Vale of Glamorgan. [24245]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  There are no terms of reference for the investigation by the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE's) Railway Inspectorate into the incident at Cadoxton, South Wales. Following HSE's normal practice, the inspectorate will conduct a thorough investigation with a view to establishing both the immediate and any underlying causes, including systems failures; learning any lessons and taking any action which appears necessary to prevent a recurrence or to improve
  459
  the way any future incidents are handled. The HSE have advised that the findings (and any recommendations) of HM Railway Inspectorate's investigation will be published by HSE.

  Front Door Steps
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what account he has taken in respect of flooding when drafting regulations in respect of front door steps. [24173]

  Angela Eagle
  The risk of water ingress at front door steps, including flooding, is one of the considerations being taken into account in considering what guidance might be reasonable to make front doors accessible for disabled people, in the event of regulations being made to improve the accessibility of new housing for disabled people. It is hoped that it will be possible to make a fuller statement on this shortly.

  Green Belt
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what are the objectives of the Government's policies for the Green Belt. [24172]

  Mr. Prescott
  The Government are committed to the Green Belt and our policy remains as set out in Planning Policy Guidance note 2 (PPG2). The fundamental aim of Green Belt policy is to prevent urban sprawl by keeping land permanently open for as far ahead as can reasonably be foreseen. The protection of Green Belts must be maintained as far as can be seen ahead, although local planning authorities may propose alterations to Green Belt boundaries in exceptional circumstances.

  Scottish Executive
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Scotland to produce a concordat setting out arrangements for relations between his Department and the Scottish Executive after the establishment of a Scottish Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [23552]

  Mr. Prescott
  Officials from my department and the Scottish Office are discussing the need for a non-statutory agreement between the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions and the Scottish Executive covering the exchange of information, advance notification and joint working in line with the principles set out in the White Paper "Scotland's Parliament".

  Dereliction (Planning Powers)
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will issue guidance to local planning authorities on how they can use their planning powers to help prevent dereliction. [24523]

  Mr. Caborn
  We have, today, published Circular (02/98) which provides guidance to local planning authorities on the practical measures that they can take to help prevent land in their areas from becoming derelict.
  460
  The Circular also brings local planning authority's attention to new Regulations, the Town and Country Planning (Amendment) Regulations 1997(SI 1997/3006). These give powers to local planning authorities to place a charge on land in order to help them recover the costs incurred in clearing sites under the derelict land provisions of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

  I believe that local authorities and developers will welcome these Regulations and the advice in the Circular as positive measures to help prevent and tidy up derelict sites.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Schengen Agreement
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the voting arrangement for admitting opt-out Schengen states applying to join Schengen were discussed at any point during the treaty negotiations at Amsterdam in the presence of United Kingdom delegates after the private meeting had taken place between the Dutch Presidency and the Spanish delegation. [23223]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  I refer the hon. Member to previous statements made on this subject, in particular my reply to the right hon. and learned Member for Folkestone and Hythe (Mr. Howard), 12 December 1997,Official Report, column 710.

  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs at what hour(a) the Protocol integrating the Schengen Acquis into the Framework of the European Union (b) the protocol on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland pertaining to Schengen and (c) Declaration 45 on Article 4 of the Protocol integrating the Schengen Acquis into the framework of the European Union, were noted as agreed during the course of the Amsterdam negotiations by the Presidency. [23224]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The Presidency did not single out either the Protocol integrating the Schengen Acquis into the framework of the European Union or the Protocol on the Application of Certain Aspects of Article 7A of the Treaty Establishing the European Community to the United Kingdom and to Ireland as having been agreed separate from other elements of the text. Declaration 45 was agreed after the Amsterdam European Council by all Member States in the light of the differences of view over Article 4 of the Schengen Protocol and included in the final version of the Treaty signed by all Member States on 2 October 1997.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 11 December 1997,Official Report, column 649, what official response followed the letter of the Permanent Representative of the Netherlands to the United Kingdom Permanent Representative of 16 July last. [23612]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 16 January 1998]: The official response was in the form of a letter from the UK Permanent Representative to the Permanent Representative of the Netherlands.

  Turkey
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Turkish government as to the continuing imprisonment of elected members of the Turkish National Assembly; and if he will make a statement. [23801]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  We have raised the imprisonment of the four former Democracy Party (DEP) MPs with the Turkish government on a number of occasions. We have made it clear to the Turkish authorities that the imprisonment of democratically elected politicians for the non-violent expression of their views can only damage Turkey internationally.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on compliance by Turkey with judgments under international conventions in respect of human rights. [23767]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Turkey is a State Party to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and is therefore under an obligation to comply with the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights. Responsibility for supervising the execution of the Court's judgments lies with the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. We welcome the undertaking given by the Government of Turkey that they will honour their obligations in respect of the Convention and the judgments of the Court.

  Afghanistan
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the level of civil and political rights afforded to women in Afghanistan. [23820]

  Mr. Fatchett
  There is little respect shown for civil and political rights in general in Afghanistan. Women and girls have suffered particularly in Taliban-held areas by being prevented from working and receiving education. We have urged all factions to respect human rights, especially the rights of women. We subscribe to a common donor position which ensures that support goes only to aid programmes which actively attempt to promote the equitable participation of both men and women.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the nature and extent of the United Kingdom's diplomatic contact with Afghanistan. [23821]

  Mr. Fatchett
  No UK diplomats are based in Afghanistan. UK diplomats based in London and at the High Commission in Islamabad regularly meet representatives of all the Afghan factions to raise human rights and other concerns. Afghanistan is represented in the UK by a Chargé D'Affaires with whom we have working level contact.

  US-UK Mutual Defence Agreement
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he raised with Vice-President Gore, in this meeting on 15 January, the further joint release of official documents concerning the 1958 United States/United Kingdom Mutual Defence Agreement on Atomic Energy Matters. [23799]
  462
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary did not meet Vice-President Gore and did not raise this issue in his other meetings.

  Multilateral Disarmament
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish the record of the vote at the United Nations General Assembly on 9 December 1997 on the resolution on multilateral disarmament, indicating how the United Kingdom voted, and the reasons for its vote. [23838]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The United Nations General Assembly did not adopt a resolution on "multilateral disarmament" as such on 9 December 1997. The United Kingdom did, however, support resolutions tabled by Japan on the ultimate elimination of nuclear weapons, tabled by the USA and Russia on bilateral arms negotiations, and resolutions on Nuclear Weapon Free Zones in Central and South Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa.

  The United Kingdom also supported resolutions on anti-personnel land mines, small arms, the consolidation of peace through practical disarmament measures, conventional arms control at regional and sub-regional level, and regional confidence-building measures. For the reasons given in my reply to the my hon. Friend the Member for Greenock and Inverclyde (Mr. Godman) on 24 November 1997, Official Report, column 398, the United Kingdom voted against a Malaysian resolution on the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice on the Threat or Use of Nuclear Weapons.

  Hong Kong
  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he plans to publish the second of the reports to Parliament on Hong Kong and the implementation of the Joint Declaration. [24719]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The second report in this series, covering the period July-December 1997, was published today and a copy of the report has been placed in the libraries of the House. The report includes a foreword written by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary. I commend the report to the House.

  Ireland
  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made on the potential areas for co-operation between the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom identified in the joint statement by the Prime Minister and the Taoiseach in the margins of the European Council at Noordwijk on 23 May 1997. [24720]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and the Taoiseach discussed progress in the margins of the European summit in Luxembourg on 13 December. Copies of their joint statement and report summarising progress since the European Council in May have been placed in the libraries of the House.

  Human Rights
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the recommendations of the UN Committee on Social, Cultural
  463
  and Economic Rights following its deliberations on the most recent United Kingdom Periodic Report; what response the Government will make to each; and to which Government departments, agencies and other bodies these recommendations have been, or will be, communicated. [24090]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The Committee's written Observations in United Nations document E/C.12/1/Add.19 are currently being edited. When finalised, they will be available on the Internet. An unedited version has been placed in the libraries of the House.

  Copies have been sent to the Departments involved in preparing the United Kingdom's report: the DfEE; DTI; Department of Health; DETR; DSS; Home Office; Northern Ireland Office; Scottish Office; Welsh Office; DfID; Office of Science and Technology; MAFF and DCMS. We will consider the Committee's Observations and will report on progress under them in our fourth periodic report in June 1999.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice he has received on measures required to take account of General Comment 5 on Article 4 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights adopted by the UN Human Rights Committee. [24089]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We are aware of the views of the Human Rights Committee as set out in their 1981 General Comment Number 5.

  My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has made it clear that the introduction of a judicial element into the process for extending detention will be one of the matters considered in the forthcoming consultation paper on counter-terrorism.

  Scottish Executive
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Scotland to produce a concordat setting out arrangements for relations between his Department and the Scottish Executive after the establishment of a Scottish Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [23548]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Officials from his Department and the Scottish office are discussing the need for a non-statutory agreement between the FCO and the Scottish Executive covering the exchange of information, advance notification and joint working in line with the principles set out in the White Paper "Scotland's Parliament".

  Ethics and Morality (Policy)
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his holding answer of 15 January 1998, on the role of ethics and morality of his foreign policy, for what reasons he was not able to give a substantive answer on the day named. [24380]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  It is accepted practice to issue holding replies where circumstances merit it.
  464

  Correspondence
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what correspondence with(a) the Commission, (b) the General Secretariat of the European Council and (c) foreign ministries of European Union states has occurred as a consequence of the matters leading to the letter of the Permanent Representative of The Netherlands to the United Kingdom Permanent Representative of 16 July; and if he will make a statement. [23582]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Although there were contacts with a number of member States, the Council Secretariat and the Commission, correspondence in writing was with The Netherlands, which held the Presidency at the time of the Amsterdam European Council.

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the hon. Member for Walsall, North will receive a reply to his letter dated 9 December 1997, concerning the husband of a constituent, reference IMM/D2969, and appeal reference TH/2894/96; and for what reason no acknowledgement was sent. [24109]

  Mr. Fatchett
  My noble Friend the Under-Secretary sent a letter to my hon. Friend about this application on 19 January.

  Letters from Members have been acknowledged by a card since mid-November. My hon. Friend should have received such a card and I am sorry if this was not the case.

  Sir Richard Body
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what powers of electronic intercept Europol will possess under the Treaty of Amsterdam; and if he will make a statement. [22672]

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

  Europol will have no such powers. It will be a central co-ordinating body within the European Union for the exchange and analysis of criminal intelligence. It will have no operational powers and its staff will have no executive policing functions. The Amsterdam Treaty envisages a developing role for Europol, but one centred on facilitation of and support for the operations of the member states' law enforcement agencies.

  Immigration (Cubans)
  Mr. Laxton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Cuban nationals granted entry visas in the past two years have exceeded the period of time in the United Kingdom specified in their visa. [22566]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I have been asked to reply.

  I regret that comprehensive information on the number of persons who overstay their period of leave is not available. Data are, however, available on the number of persons issued with a notice of intention to deport on the grounds that they have overstayed. No more than two Cuban nationals were issued with such a notice between 1 January 1996 and 31 December 1997. These data are provisional.

CULTURE,MEDIA AND SPORT

  Scottish Executive
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Scotland to produce a concordat setting out arrangements for relations between his Department and the Scottish Executive after the establishment of a Scottish Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [23545]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  I have not yet had such discussions. However, they will take place as necessary in due course.

  Overseas Visits
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list all overseas visits made since 1 May 1997 on which he or any other Minister in his Department has been accompanied under Rule 83 of the Ministerial Code, indicating(a) who accompanied him (b) the cost to public funds of each such visit. [23261]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 15 January 1998]: There have been no overseas visits on which I or Ministers in my Department have been accompanied under rule 83 of the Ministerial Code.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Competitiveness White Paper
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on her dialogue with business in preparation for the Competitiveness White Paper. [24652]

  Mrs. Beckett
  This Government recognise that business itself is often best placed to advise on what it needs to prosper. That is why I am committed to forging a strong partnership with business to raise national prosperity.

  The White Paper on Competitiveness, to be published later this year, will be a key element of that process, not least because, for the first time, it will be a White Paper drawn up in partnership and in consultation with business. The White Paper will set out the Government's policy towards business for the long term—based on promoting strong markets, modern companies and an enterprising nation.

  The work of preparing for the White Paper is being carried forward through six business-led groups. They are looking respectively at how Government and business can work together to improve investment performance, encourage innovation, use best practice, adapt to the Information Age, and ensure that EU policies best serve our competitiveness needs.

  The Working Parties comprise around ninety people. Their membership reflects the different strands and diversity of business in Britain today: people drawn from small business as well as large; people from different sectors, backgrounds and experience; people who have in the past had few opportunities to influence policy development; but above all people who can contribute practical ideas.
  466
  I have placed details of the membership of the Competitiveness Working Parities in the House of Commons Library.

  Millennium Dome
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if the Minister with responsibility for science and technology has invited (i) British scientists, (ii) scientific organisations and (iii) companies to contribute to the content of the Millennium Dome. [24374]

  Mr. Battle
  My officials have put specific proposals to the New Millennium Experience Company reflecting the view of companies, the science base and Foresight Panels that the Experience should be a showcase for British creativity, excellence in leading edge science and world class products and services. The Department is also promoting and funding the Millennium Products Awards Scheme to identify state of the art products and service, of which 200 will feature in the Dome.

  Business Angels
  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to encourage business angels to invest in small private companies. [23553]

  Mrs. Roche
  My Department continues to look at ways of encouraging business angel activity in the UK. It is important to raise awareness of business angel finance and to provide effective mechanisms for bringing together business angels and businesses seeking this type of investment. My officials are working closely with business angel networks, clearing banks and others to encourage greater co-operation.

  Coral
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions she has had with the Office of Fair Trading with regard to the purchase of Coral by the Ladbroke Group. [24368]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has had no discussions with the Office of Fair Trading concerning this merger.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what she expects the Office of Fair Trading to announce its decision on referral to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission to Ladbroke Group with regard to their purchase of Coral. [24369]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  It is for the Director General of Fair Trading to advise my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade on whether or not the merger should be referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission. He will advise in time to allow a decision to be taken by the statutory deadline of 30 April 1998.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on her Department's policy on the purchase of Coral by the Ladbroke Group. [24370]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade will take a decision whether or not to refer the purchase of Coral by Ladbroke in the light of the advice of the Director General of Fair Trading.
  467
  My right hon. Friend has stated that her general policy will be to consider each case of its merits and to refer mergers to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission primarily on competition grounds.

  Overseas Visits
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade 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. [23265]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 15 January 1998]: Since I May, DTI Ministers have been accompanied at public expense on the following overseas visits:

  The President of the Board of Trade was accompanied by Mr. Lionel Beckett.

  Cost £

  15–22 November 1997

  India and Australia

  7,000

  10–21 January 1998

  China, Hong Kong and Pakistan

  5,600

  The Minister for Trade was accompanied by Lady Clinton-Davis.

  Cost £

  21–29 September 1997

  Korea and Japan

  6,130

  Indonesia
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to her answer of 21 July 1997,Official Report, column 451, if the four licence applications for the export of sub-machine guns and other automatic weapons to Indonesia have been granted; how many weapons these applications cover; who they were destined for; and which company supplied them. [23050]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 15 January 1998]: Of these four applications, three have been refused and one is still pending a final decision. Inquiries are being made under the non-statutory Code of Practice on Access to Government Information as regards the disclosure of further information. I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible and place a copy of that letter in the Library of the House.

  Directory Inquiries
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the benefits and disbenefits to the consumer of BT's monopoly of directory inquiries. [23380]

  Mrs. Roche
  The regulation of directory inquiries is a matter for OFTEL. OFTEL is currently carrying out a review of telecoms directory services and products. In September, OFTEL issued a consultative document which assesses customers' needs and privacy concerns, whether 468
  these needs are met by current arrangements, whether they would be better met by introducing competition into this market, and what the barriers to competition are. The document sets out proposed remedies to address these barriers so that competitors can enter the market. OFTEL is due to issue a Statement on directory information services and products this year and the Department will consider it at that time.

  Minimum Wage
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations she has received on the effects of the minimum wage on the pay of women in East Anglia. [23284]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  I have received representations on the effect of the national minimum wage on women's pay from a number of organisations who share the Government's view that women throughout the United Kingdom will benefit from its introduction.

  Aviation Industry
  Ms Osborne
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on Government investment in the aviation industry in Scotland, including air traffic control. [24124]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I have been asked to reply.

  As my hon. Friend is aware, the major new air traffic control project in Scotland is the New Scottish Air Traffic Control Centre at Prestwick. This is being developed under the Private Finance Initiative, and will not involve Government investment, but will nonetheless provide a state of the art service, with the capacity to deal with increasing levels of air traffic well into the next century. The Government have also approved more than £30 million of projects in connection with the New Scottish Centre; these projects will connect the Centre with the rest of the UK's air traffic control network, and allow it to realise its full potential.

  Financial support to the aviation industry is also made available by the Scottish Office in the 1997–98 financial year as follows:

  (i) Up to £7 million to Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd.; and

  (ii) £350,000 in support of lifeline air services currently operated by Loganair Ltd.

  The Department of Trade and Industry's Civil Aircraft Research and Technical Demonstration programme and Launch Aid scheme also provide support to companies throughout the UK that meet the criteria.

  London Art Market
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the state of the London art market. [21462]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  [holding answer 19 January 1998]: My Department has received representations about the Commission's proposals to harmonise artists' resale right in the EU, and the liberalisation of auctioneering services in France.

TREASURY

  Budget Date
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what account he took of(a) public holidays in any part of the United Kingdom in fixing the date of his Budget and (b) the relevant precedents. [24170]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  A number of factors are taken into account in deciding the date of the Budget. These include the availability of economic data; international meetings; the timetable for developing budgetary policy and national events including public holidays. On balance, I decided that 17 March would be the most suitable day for this year's Budget. The Budget was also held on 17 March in 1987.

  Minimum Wage
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what increase in national average earnings would result from a national minimum wage at one half of average earnings with(a) full restoration of differentials, (b) half restoration of differentials and (c) one-quarter restoration of differentials; [24413]

  (2) what increase in national average earnings would result from a national minimum wage at 40 per cent. of average earnings with (a) full restoration of differentials, (b) half restoration of differentials and (c) one quarter restoration of differentials. [24412]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  The effect of the minimum wage on national average earnings will depend on a number of factors, including the level it is set at, its coverage, and the state of the labour market when it is introduced. The terms of reference of the Low Pay Commission ask it to take into account the wider effects on the economy, including the effects on inflation and employment, in making its recommendations on the minimum wage.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if the Government will exempt earnings up to the level of the minimum wage from income tax; [24298]

  (2) if he will raise tax thresholds to a level which ensures that no-one pays income tax on pay up to the minimum wage level. [24297]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  Decisions on tax are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Budget statement.

  Retail Prices Index
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to change the basis for the calculation of the Retail Prices Index. [23394]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 19 January 1998]: The Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) advises me on methodological questions concerning the Retail Prices Index (RPI) and also services an RPI Advisory Committee (RPIAC) to which I refer major methodological issues. The RPIAC is convened if and when required.
  470
  The ONS recalculates weights for the constituent elements of the 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.

  Ministerial Travel (Trains)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what date he last used a train in the course of his official duties. [22936]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  [holding answer 15 January 1998]: I last used a train in the course of my official duties on 10 November 1997, when I travelled to Birmingham for the CBI Conference.

  Advance Corporation Tax
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment his Department made of the likely changes to the capital structure of companies arising as a result of the abolition of repayable tax credits on dividends received by pension funds and from the abolition of advance corporation tax prior to these changes being introduced. [22893]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  The capital structure of companies depends on many factors. The changes in company taxation announced in the July 1997 Budget and the proposals made in the Pre-Budget report in November are unlikely to have a significant impact in the short term. Longer term effects are expected to reflect the benefits to the economy and to companies of deciding their capital structure under a more neutral tax system.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his Department's estimate of the corporation tax revenue consequences arising from the change to the capital structure of companies resulting from the abolition of repayable tax credits on dividends received by pension funds and from the abolition of advance corporation tax. [22889]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  The current view remains that any change in capital structure would not significantly affect the published estimates of corporation tax revenues.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate his Department made of the corporation tax revenue consequences arising from the change to the capital structure of companies resulting from the abolition of repayable tax credits on dividends received by pension funds and from the abolition of advance corporation tax at the time of making these changes. [22890]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  Any change in capital structure would not significantly affect the published estimates of corporation tax revenues.

  Publicly Financed Bodies
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to ensure that all publicly financed bodies comply with accounting standards on off-balance sheet transactions. [23459]
  471
  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  The relevant accounting standard for dealing with off-balance sheet transactions is Financial Reporting Standard 5 "Reporting the substance of transactions", which forms part of Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (GAAP) in the UK.

  The Treasury already requires departments, agencies and non-departmental public bodies to prepare their accounts and public expenditure returns in accordance with GAAP, to the extent that it is meaningful and appropriate in the public sector context. It is the duty of the responsible Accounting Officer to ensure that this requirement is adhered to.

  Insurance Premium Tax
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimates he has for the anticipated revenue from(a) insurance premium tax and (b) higher rate insurance premium tax for the year 1997–98. [22620]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The latest estimate for receipts of insurance premium tax in 1997–98 is £1.1 billion. No separate estimate is available for receipts at the higher rate.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received regarding the number of jobs lost in the(a) travel agency sector and (b) retail sector since the introduction of higher rate insurance premium tax. [22622]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I have received a number of representations from the travel agency and retail sector about this tax measure, some of which express concerns about the possibility of consequential job losses. I have not received any representations about actual job loss which can be attributed to this measure.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the(a) benefits and (b) disadvantages of reintroducing a single rate of insurance premium tax to remedy distortions in the insurance market. [22624]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The higher rate of insurance premium tax, set at the same rate as the standard rate of VAT, has prevented the tax loss (and distortion of trade) previously suffered where suppliers of taxable goods and services switched margins into ancillary sales of VAT exempt insurance. To return to a single, low rate of insurance premium tax would re-open this tax loophole and there are therefore no plans to go down this path. However, the impact of this tax measure is being kept under review.

DEFENCE

  Arms Sales
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will provide a breakdown of arms sales to the Philippines in each of the last five years. [22995]

  Mr. Spellar
  The estimated value of UK defence sales, including services, to the Philippines in each year since 1993 is as follows in £ million:

  1993: 0.85

  1994: 0.05

  472

  1995: 83.71

  1996: 3.34

  1997: 0.65.

  These figures are based on voluntary returns from industry, are expressed in current prices, and relate to new contracts signed rather than to financial receipts or actual deliveries.

  The figure for 1997 may not be complete as full final quarter information will not be available until April of this year.

  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the value of arms sales by each member of the European Union in each year since 1990. [22809]

  Mr. Spellar
  The value of UK defence exports in each year since 1990, in £ billion, is estimated at:

  1990: 4.8

  1991: 3.6

  1992: 5.3

  1993: 7.1

  1994: 4.5

  1995: 5.0

  1996: 5.1

  1997: 5.2

  These figures are expressed in current prices and relate to contracts signed rather than to receipts or actual deliveries, and are based on voluntary returns from industry.

  Other EU countries publish export figures on various bases, but no consistent and comprehensive official figures for EU-wide exports have been published. The World Military Expenditures and Arms Transfer, published by the US Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, provides details on world defence equipment deliveries.

  Eurofighter
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what expenditure, in which financial years, was committed by the recent signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on the European Fighter Aircraft project; what proportion of the total estimated expenditure on EFA this represents; whether such expenditures will be subject to exchange rate variations, and what is the present estimated unit cost of each of the 232 EFAs. [22983]

  Mr. Spellar
  Signature of the Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) on 22 December 1997 committed the UK and its collaborative partners to the Production Investment (PI), Production and Support phases of the Eurofighter programme. We estimate the cost to the UK of PUProduction and initial support will be approximately £11.5 billion (at 1997 prices) which is some 72 per cent. of the total procurement cost. Contractual negotiations are currently being finalised with the aim of signing the relevant contracts in the coming weeks. Expenditure will occur during the period 1998 to 2014 when the last aircraft is scheduled to be delivered to the Royal Air Force. Aircraft will be ordered in three tranches and, with a few exceptions, the underlying funding principle is that each nation will pay for the work carried out in its own country. The extent of expenditure which will be subject
  473
  to exchange rate variation, therefore, will be relatively small. The Unit Production Cost of each aircraft is some £40.2 million at 1997 prices.

  Fighter Aircraft
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the projected maximum(a) offensive payload, (b) range and (c) cost of (i) the Joint Strike Fighter and (ii) the Sea Harrier. [22895]

  Mr. Spellar
  US Department of Defence projections for the Short Take Off, Vertical Landing variant of the Joint Strike Fighter include a maximum offensive payload in excess of 15,700 lbs, a range of at least 550 miles and a unit production cost of $35 million (£21.6 million) at 1994 prices. Comparable figures for the Sea Harrier F/A2 are 5,000 lbs, 300 miles and £14.5 million.

  MV Gaul
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if any naval personnel were on the fishing vessel Gaul on its final fishing trip; whether any had sailed on her on earlier trips in the 1970s; and whether any of his Department's equipment was installed on her. [23529]

  Dr. Reid
  No Royal Naval personnel were on board during the Gaul's last voyage. There is no evidence that personnel or equipment had been embarked on the vessel at any time.

  Poor People
  Mr. Pond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will carry out an assessment of the impact of his Department's current policies on the(a) income, (b) employment opportunities and (c) living standards, of the poorest 30 per cent. of the population. [23334]

  Dr. Reid
  We have no plans to do so. The Department carries out assessments of the impact of its policies in terms of overall value for money and upon the defence industries and regional employment. Such assessments do not attempt to separate the effects upon the poorest 30 per cent. of the population, or any other sub-division of the population by income.

  Helicopter Pilots
  Mrs. Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in what circumstances the instrument flying qualifications of Army helicopter pilots are recognised by the Civil Aviation Authority. [23942]

  Dr. Reid
  The CAA recognises the training given to Service helicopter pilots, which, after qualification, permits military helicopters to fly in most civil controlled zones. Once they have left the Services, helicopter pilots who wish to obtain a civil licence, must re-test to gain the appropriate CAA qualification.

  Mrs. Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what training to fly, using instruments in bad weather conditions, helicopter pilots receive. [23937]

  Dr. Reid
  Instrument flying training for potential helicopter pilots starts at the Joint Elementary Flying Training School where about five and one half hours of instrument training is given. Helicopter pilots then receive 23 hours of theoretical, simulator and flying training at 474
  the Defence Helicopter Flying School, RAF Shawbury. After instrument flying qualification, helicopter pilots receive further instrument training on particular helicopter types at respective Service training squadrons. Indicative examples are as follows:

  Simulator

  Actual flying

  Royal Navy Sea King ASW

  9 hours

  9 hours 15 mins

  Army Lynx

  7 hours

  6 hours 12 mins

  Royal Air Force Chinook

  11 hour

  3 hours 30 mins

  Thereafter, all military helicopter pilots undertake regular further training and are tested every 12 to 13 months on a common tri-Service instrument rating.

  Intelligence Gathering
  Mr. Alan Johnson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Hull Trawlermen signed the Official Secrets Act in the 1970s. [23944]

  Dr. Reid
  This information is not available.

  Mr. Alan Johnson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 17 December 1997, Official Report, column 214, concerning intelligence gathering by trawlers, which three Hull trawlers were used for specific intelligence gathering; on what date in 1973 these operations ceased; and how many trawlers were used in non-specific intelligence gathering. [23948]

  Dr. Reid
  MV Arctic Galliard, MV Lord Nelson and MV Invincible were used for specific intelligence gathering on a combined total of five occasions in the 1960s and 1970s. The last such use was in September 1973.

  Incidental intelligence gathering occurred throughout the Cold War period as trawlers went about their normal business of fishing. No records have been found of the names of the trawlers concerned.

  Trident
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what amount was allocated from the Trident(a) procurement and (b) operating budget towards the cost of the order for Trident-related equipment placed with the United States of America for US fiscal year 1998. [23978]

  Mr. George Robertson
  Trident procurement orders for the UK during US fiscal year 1998, which include the seven missile bodies announced last October, are currently expected to cost up to $157 million over the duration of the various contracts. Orders placed this year by the US in respect of the operation of the UK Trident programme are expected to take the total up to some $260 million, but such costs are in support of the programme at large and are not tied to an individual year's procurement.

  "The Armed Services Forum"
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what editorial independence will be granted to the editor of the journal "The Armed Services Forum". [24095]
  475
  Dr. Reid
  No constraints, other than those laid down in Queen's Regulations, will be placed on the independence of the editor of the Armed Services Forum by the Ministry of Defence.

  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which serving officer or civil servant gave permission to Major Eric Joyce to publish the journal "The Armed Services Forum". [24093]

  Dr. Reid
  Individual Service personnel do not need formal authority to publish such a journal. All Army personnel are entitled to publish any magazine, journal or periodical provided publication does not contravene Queen's Regulations.

  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what costs to his Department will be incurred by the publication of the journal "The Armed Services Forum". [24096]

  Dr. Reid
  The proposed publication of the Armed Services Forum will be an entirely private venture. No additional costs will accrue to the Department.

  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the members of the editorial board of the journal "The Armed Services Forum". [24094]

  Dr. Reid
  The proposed publication of the journal "The Armed Services Forum" is a private venture and the composition of the editorial board will be a matter for the publisher.

  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what ministerial responsibility he had for the decision to give permission to Major Eric Joyce to publish the journal "The Armed Services Forum". [24097]

  Dr. Reid
  Major Joyce does not need formal authority to publish his journal "The Armed Services Forum". His request was clearly a matter for the Military authorities and was dealt with in the normal way, without consulting Ministers. All Army personnel are entitled to publish any magazine, journal or periodical provided publication does not contravene Queen's Regulations.

  Journals and Magazines
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the guidance given to serving officers who edit journals or magazines about current British defence policy and the organisation and culture of the armed forces. [24098]

  Dr. Reid
  No specific guidance exists for serving officers who produce defence related journals or magazines on defence related subjects. Queen's Regulations cover the requirement for clearance before publication. A copy of QRs is in the Library of the House.

  Scottish Executive
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Scotland to produce a concordat setting out arrangements for relations between his Department and the Scottish Executive after the establishment of a Scottish Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [23549]
  476
  Mr. George Robertson
  My right hon. Friend and I have agreed that there is likely to be a need for a non-statutory agreement between the Ministry of Defence and the Scottish Executive covering the exchange of information, advance notification and joint working in line with the principles set out in the White Paper "Scotland's Parliament".

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Museums
  Mr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the arrangements applying to the merger and reorganisation of museums in Northern Ireland. [22737]

  Mr. Worthington
  I refer my hon. Friend to the draft Museums and Galleries (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 which is currently before Parliament for consideration. The draft Order was considered by the House of Commons Standing Committee on 10 December 1997 and is due to be considered in another place in the near future. The Museums will shortly announce the appointment of a Director-Designate and, following the recent public advertisement, the Government are moving towards the appointment of the Trustees of the merged institution, in accordance with the public appointment procedures.

  Maze Prison
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she relaxed the search regime for visitors to HMP Maze between 1 May and 25 December 1997. [24372]

  Mr. Ingram
  No.

  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many head counts took place in each block of HMP Maze between 1 May and 25 December 1997. [24371]

  Mr. Ingram
  Each day there are two formal head counts a.m. and p.m. These took place on every day during the period in question except for four occasions when non co-operation by prisoners resulted in sanctions being applied by management.

  Royal Ulster Constabulary
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many times she has(a) visited RUC headquarters and (b) met the Chief Constable of the RUC. [22176]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  Since I took office I have met the Chief Constable on 40 occasions at different locations. I have not yet visited RUC headquarters.

PRIME MINISTER

  Cabinet Committees (Legislation)
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 12 January 1998, Official Report, column 42, if he is prepared to treat all proposals for primary legislation as questions which significantly engage the collective responsibility of the Government
  477
  because they raise major issues, or because they are of critical importance to the public, as set out in the Ministerial Code. [23535]

  The Prime Minister
  The way in which proposals for primary legislation are considered by my Government will depend on the nature of the proposals.

  Welfare State Roadshows
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Prime Minister what will be the cost to the Exchequer of the series of welfare state roadshows which he announced on 11 January. [23134]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 15 January 1998]: The cost of visits to promote understanding of the Government's policy on welfare reform will be met from the Prime Minister's existing visits budget. A final figure for this cost is not yet available. The cost of visits to promote understanding of the Government's policy on welfare reform within the Labour Party will not fall to the Exchequer.

  Overseas Visits
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Prime Minister if paragraph 83 of the provisions of the ministerial code concerning travel at public expense by Minister's spouses also applies to such travel by Minister's partners who are not spouses in circumstances where the Minister has a spouse; and if he will make a statement. [23384]

  Mr. St. Aubyn
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish guidelines to govern the arrangements applying when a Minister's personal friend other than a spouse may accompany him on official business at public expense. [23486]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 16 January 1998]: The guidance on travel in the Ministerial Code remains unchanged. Public funds may be used only where it is in the public interest and with my prior consent.

  Chemical, Biological and Nuclear Weapons
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister what position Her Majesty's Government took and for what reasons, at the International Criminal Court Preparatory Committee meeting held in New York in December 1987 in respect of(a) chemical weapons, (b) biological weapons and
  (c) nuclear weapons. [23408]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 19 January 1998]: At the Preparatory Committee meeting in December 1997, the UK delegation supported proposals to include within the jurisdiction of the new International Criminal Court war crimes under existing customary international law. For that reason, the delegation supported the inclusion of the use of warfare of a nature to cause superfluous injury or unnecessary suffering; these included bacteriological (biological) agents or toxins for hostile purposes or in armed conflict, and chemical weapons as referred to in the 1993 Chemical Weapons Convention. For the same reason, the delegation did not support the inclusion of the use of nuclear weapons.

  Ministerial Travel
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish any written permission given under paragraph 70 of the Ministerial Code for the travel of Mrs. Gaynor Regan at a cost to public funds. [23849]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 19 January 1998]: No. It is not the practice to publish exchanges of ministerial correspondence.

  Strategic Communications Unit
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) if the predominant flow of information in respect of deciding initiatives will be from individual departments to the Strategic Communications Unit or vice versa; [24365]

  (2) if the Strategic Communications Unit can decide which government policies merit the greatest promotion; [24315]

  (3) what will be the role of the Strategic Communications Unit in determining the timing of announcements by other departments; [24366]

  (4) whether individual departments will be required to clear press statements and news releases with the Strategic Communications Unit before their issue. [24314]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Erdington (Mr. Corbett) on 14 January 1998, Official Report, columns 233–40.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister what is the role of the Minister without Portfolio in the Strategic Communications Unit. [24367]

  The Prime Minister
  The Strategic Communications Unit will report to me via my Chief Press Secretary. The Minister without Portfolio will have an interest in the work of the Unit in view of his responsibilities for co-ordinating the overall presentation of Government policy.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister what budget has been allocated to the Strategic Communications Unit, in respect of(a) personnel costs, (b) administrative costs, (c) the costs of publications and (d) other costs. [24313]

  The Prime Minister
  The budget of the Strategic Communications Unit has not yet been finalised.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Prime Minister what proportion of letters addressed to him by hon. and right hon. Members which receive replies are signed by him; and upon what basis he decides to reply personally. [24401]

  The Prime Minister
  My office aim to acknowledge correspondence within three working days and provide a substantive response within 15 days. The response to any correspondence is considered on an individual basis.

  Unpaid Bills
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Prime Minister what percentage of government and public agency bills and of what total value were not paid within 30 days over the last six months. [24244]
  479
  The Prime Minister
  The information is not held centrally in the form requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Government departments and their agencies are required to aim to pay all their bills on time and to monitor the percentage of bills paid on time. Figures for departmental payment performance for the period 1 June 1996 to 31 March 1997 were given by my hon. Friend the Paymaster General on 27 November 1997, Official Report, columns 662–63. Figures for 1997–98 will be published before the Summer Recess.

  The Government take the issue of late payment very seriously and are introducing legislation on a statutory right to interest on the late payment of commercial debt to address the problem.

  Scottish Executive
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) what guidelines he has issued concerning the format and policy aims of concordats between Whitehall Departments and the proposed Scottish Executive; and if he will make a statement; [23556]

  (2) what discussions he has had with ministers concerning concordats between Whitehall Departments and the proposed Scottish Executive; and if he will make a statement. [23557]

  The Prime Minister
  The principles upon which we expect non-statutory agreements between Departments of the UK Government and the proposed Scottish Executive to be based are set out in paragraph 4.13 of Scotland's Parliament. I took part in discussions which led to the publication of that White Paper.

SCOTLAND

  Glasgow City Council
  Mr. Galloway
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from Glasgow City Council about the state of finances in the Council; and if he will make a statement. [21715]

  Mr. Dewar
  I have had a number of discussions with Glasgow City Council in recent months.

  Highlands and Islands
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the European Union regarding future financial assistance for the highlands and islands. [21723]

  Mr. Macdonald
  My right hon. Friend met Commissioner Wulf-Mathies on 8 January 1998 and 9 October 1997, Commissioner Flynn on 1 December and President Santer on 18 September 1997. Discussion of European Structural Funds formed part of the agenda on all occasions.

  Scottish Parliament
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to meet the Confederation of British Industry in Scotland to discuss the future role of the Scottish Parliament. [21724]
  480
  Mr. McLeish
  My right hon. Friend will meet key figures in the CBI in Scotland on 30 January to consider the role that the CBI can play following the establishment of the Scottish Parliament. This follows on from meetings my right hon. Friend and Ministerial colleagues have had with CBI representatives since I May to discuss the Government's plans to establish a Parliament.

  Mr. Prior
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received on his estimate of the cost of setting up a Scottish Parliament. [217261

  Mr. McLeish
  The Scottish Office has received a total of 10 letters; eight from members of the public and two from hon. Members.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the costs of a Scottish Parliament. [21740]

  Mr. McLeish
  My right hon. Friend announced on Friday 9 January that the Parliament would be sited at Holyrood in Edinburgh. The estimated construction costs of the building will be around £50 million. Site acquisition costs, fees and VAT must be added to this. The actual costs will depend on the final design, the level of fees negotiated and the price of construction, which will be determined by competitive tender.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland in what circumstances a Minister answerable to the Parliament of Scotland would(a) attend with a United Kingdom Minister and (b) lead in European Union Council meetings. [21725]

  Mr. Dewar
  The Government intend that Ministers of the Scottish Executive will have a role to play in relevant Council meetings and could speak for the UK in appropriate cases, at the discretion of the UK Minister. This would mainly arise in cases where EU business is being discussed which predominantly affects devolved areas.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his statement of 12 January, 1997, Official Report, column 29, on what basis he maintains that relations between Edinburgh and London will be based on consent and co-operation in the matter of financial resources. [23308]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 16 January 1998]: The creation and operation of a Scottish Parliament within the framework of the United Kingdom can take place only on the basis of consultation, consent and co-operation. The financial arrangements are no exception to this.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received about the 1998–99 revenue support grant settlement for Scottish local authorities. [21728]

  Mr. Macdonald
  My right hon. Friend and I have received a number of letters from hon. Members, local authorities and members of the public. We also have regular meetings with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and with individual councils.

  Inward Investment
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with Scottish Enterprise regarding inward investment. [21730]

  Mr. Wilson
  Locate in Scotland's policy is overseen by a Supervisory Board which I chair and on which Scottish Enterprise is represented by its Chairman and its Chief Executive. The Board meets regularly to discuss inward investment and related issues.

  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the future of inward investment projects in Scotland from south-east Asian countries. [21732]

  Mr. Wilson
  Most of our inward investors from the Far East are well established, are serving buoyant European markets, and source many of their inputs locally. There is no reason to believe that their Scottish operations will be adversely affected by the current turmoil in Far Eastern financial markets.

  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to meet the CBI in Scotland to discuss the future of Locate in Scotland. [21734]

  Mr. Wilson
  My right hon. Friend will be meeting representatives of CBI Scotland on 30 January to continue the excellent dialogue between the Government and CBI Scotland on matters important to Scotland's economic well being. Inward investment and the work of Locate in Scotland regularly feature in these discussions.

  EU Fisheries Council
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many meetings of the EU Fisheries Council he has attended since 2 May 1997. [21731]

  Mr. Macdonald
  My noble Friend the Minister with responsibility for agriculture, the environment and fisheries has attended both of the EU Fisheries Councils convened since 2 May 1997, on 30 October and 18–19 December.

  Welfare to Work
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on progress with the welfare-to-work package in Scotland. [21733]

  Mr. Wilson
  The New Deal for 18–24 year-olds was launched in the Tayside Pathfinder area on 5 January and arrangements for implementing the programme in the rest of Scotland from the beginning of April are already well advanced. The New Deal for the 25 years and over age group is due to commence in June.

  The New Deal for Lone Parents is already available to those claiming Income Support in the Clyde Valley and will be expanded nationwide from October of this year.

  Public Spending
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what sums of money are to be transferred to the Scottish block for public spending in Scotland in consequence of the inclusion of council tax benefit and housing benefit. [21735]
  482
  Mr. Dewar
  The Scottish Block will include expected expenditure on housing benefit and council tax benefit at the time the Scottish Parliament comes into operation.

  Education Funding
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the discretion which local authorities will have in the use of additional funding for education. [21736]

  Mr. Macdonald
  Local authorities have indicated that they share the Government's priority for education and agree that the additional revenue funding included in the 1998–99 revenue settlement should be used to improve the quality of Scotland's schools. I therefore expect that authorities will use their discretion to do so. The additional capital grants of £8.9 million this year and £26.7 million in each of the next four years are being made available only for capital spending to improve the fabric of schools in Scotland for the installation of information and communications technology equipment. It has been made clear to authorities that this should be additional to the capital they would otherwise have spent on schools.

  Public Services (Funding)
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent representations he has(a) made and (b) evaluated in respect of the scale of funding for Scottish public services relative to that elsewhere in the UK. [21737]

  Mr. Dewar
  None.

  Food Hygiene
  Mr. Roy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when the Government expect to implement the recommendation of the Pennington report into food hygiene matters. [21738]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The Government have accepted all the recommendations of the Pennington Report and most have now been implemented.

  Out of an extra £19 million available for Great Britain I have allocated £5.8 million in Scotland to allow increased enforcement and help to accelerate the implementation of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) food safety systems, both of which were major recommendations of the Pennington Report.

  A Consultation document proposing a licensing scheme for butcher's shops will be issued shortly.

  Traffic and Transport
  Mr. Savidge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the traffic and transport problems of Aberdeen and the north-east of Scotland. [21739]

  Mr. McLeish
  The Scottish Office supports a range of research into the transport needs of Aberdeen and its surrounding areas including the Aberdeen Sustainable Transport Study currently being undertaken in partnership with local transport operators and Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Councils. This work will inform our
  483
  proposals for an integrated transport system appropriate to the needs of Scotland which will be contained in our White Paper to be published in the spring.

  Tuition Fees
  Mrs. Laing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many representations he has received in support of the Government's plans to introduce tuition fees for university education. [21741]

  Mr. Wilson
  The Government's proposals to introduce a student contribution towards the cost of tuition, building on the recommendations of the National Committee of Inquiry into Higher Education, received support from a range of bodies. In Scotland, they included the Committee of Scottish Higher Education Principals (COSHEP), the Association of Scottish Colleges, Bell College of Technology, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and Renfrewshire Council.

  Other Government Departments have also consulted widely on the Government's proposals.

  Designed to Care
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many responses he has received to his White Paper "Designed to Care". [21729]

  Mr. Galbraith
  Since the White Paper "Designed to Care" is not a consultation paper, no formal responses to it have been received. General reactions to it have been very favourable.

  Road Traffic Offenders Act
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will amend the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 to bring the procedures for issuing fixed penalty notices in Scotland into line with those in England and Wales. [22533]

  Mr. McLeish
  Differences in the procedure for issuing fixed penalty notices between Scotland and England and Wales reflect differences in legal systems. We have no plans for altering Scottish procedure in order to bring it into line with that in England and Wales. The arrangements for the conditional offer of fixed penalties for endorsable offences in England and Wales, introduced from 1 July 1992 under the Road Traffic Act 1991, are however similar to Scottish arrangements for fixed penalties, in that inspection of driving licences will be a matter for the courts rather than the police, as is required for other fixed penalties.

  Nursing
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what response he has sent to the Royal College of Nursing's representations that there should be one United Kingdom-wide system of registration and regulation of the nursing profession. [23305]

  Mr. Galbraith
  [holding answer 16 January 1998]: The Scotland Bill provides for legislative competence in respect of the regulation and registration of the nursing professions to be reserved to the United Kingdom Parliament. The Royal College of Nursing is aware of this position.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Parliamentary Calendar
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the President of the Council what representations she has received on establishing procedures to allow for advance publication of the dates of parliamentary recesses. [21746]

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  I am well aware of the desire on both sides of the House for predictability about the dates of recesses. I indicated last Thursday that the next recess will fall in the week beginning 13 April and that I would give more precise details nearer the time.

  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the President of the Council what representations she has received regarding reform of the parliamentary calendar; and if she will make a statement. [21747]

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  The Modernisation Committee is currently considering what improvements can be made to the parliamentary calendar. Inevitably the representations received from a variety of Members are not all compatible.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the President of the Council what is the Government's policy on restructuring the parliamentary calendar. [21756]

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  The Government await the Modernisation Committee's recommendations on the parliamentary calendar.

  Parliamentary Day
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the President of the Council what recent representations she has received relating to the timing of events within the parliamentary day. [21750]

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  The Modernisation Committee has received a number of suggestions about the timing of parliamentary business, including the sitting times of the House.

  Smoking (Palace of Westminster)
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, what progress he has made in developing a comprehensive policy on smoking in the Palace of Westminster. [21752]

  Mr. Kirkwood
  The Commission is responsible for the terms and conditions of the staff of the House and their working environment. Currently individual heads of the six House departments seek to agree an acceptable smoking policy with staff. The Board of Management is carrying out a review of this policy, at the request of the Commission.

  Policy on smoking in shared areas of the parliamentary estate, such as corridor and lifts, is a matter primarily for the Administration Committee. Smoking policy in restaurants is a matter for the Catering Committee. Smoking in the offices of hon. Members' and their staff is a matter for Members themselves.

  Office Costs Allowance
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the President of the Council what steps she is taking to review the office costs allowance. [21754]

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  I would not expect this issue to be revisited until the Senior Salaries Review Body's next scheduled review of parliamentary pay and allowances in the year 2000. However, in its 1996 report the SSRB did make a number of Development Recommendations related to the Office Costs Allowance and work has been continuing on these.

  European Legislation
  Mr. Rammell
  To ask the President of the Council if she will make a statement on the House of Commons scrutiny of European legislation. [21755]

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  I shall very shortly be publishing a memorandum on Scrutiny of European Union Business.

  Minister without Portfolio
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the President of the Council if she will create a slot for oral questions to allow the Minister without Portfolio to answer to the House on his wider responsibilities beyond those relating to the millennium dome. [21751]

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  I have already announced that the period for the Minister without Portfolio to answer questions on the Millennium Experience will be extended to 10 minutes from Monday 9 February 1998. My hon. Friend has no other responsibilities for which he is the lead Minister accountable to the House.

  Limited-term Contracts
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, what proportion of the House of Commons Commission's employees are on limited-term contracts. [21748]

  Mr. Kirkwood
  There are approximately 1,300 (1,292) House of Commons Commission staff in post, of whom 85 (6.5 per cent.) are on limited-term contracts of some form, including casual staff, staff on period appointments for up to five years and staff on secondment from Government Departments or other organisations.

  Research Assistants (Passes)
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the present system of allocating passes to hon. Members' research assistants. [21749]

  Mrs. Roe
  The principles underlying the issue of photo-identity passes to Members' staff were last considered by the Administration Committee in February 1996, in the context of requests by individual Members for extra Research Assistants' passes. The then Committee continued to endorse the recommendations of the Services Committee, contained in its Second Report of Session 1987–1988 (HC 850), as agreed by the House on 30 January 1989.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, what is the latest estimate he has made of the total cost of millennium compliance in the House of Commons. [23642]

  Mr. Kirkwood
  [holding answer 16 January 1998]: A working group of technical staff has been established to address the compliance issue for systems provided for departments of the House. An estimate of the costs of corrective action will be available after the completion of the programme of tests, later this year. The Finance and Services Committee is monitoring progress.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, how many staff are working on the millennium compliance of all systems in the House of Commons. [23643]

  Mr. Kirkwood
  [holding answer 16 January 1998]: The size of the working group of technical staff is currently six, representing each department of the House. The number of staff required to ensure compliance of all systems will be determined by the outcome of the testing programme. Members are responsible for the compliance of their own information technology equipment.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Key Stage 2
  Mr. Dorrell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will publish the results of the latest Key Stage 2 tests in English, Maths and Science in a form which allows the performance of each school in a local education authority area to be assessed. [23526]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Each local education authority in England is required to publish the results of Key Stage 2 assessment in 1997 in the form referred to on or before Friday 23 January.

  Scottish Executive
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Scotland to produce a concordat setting out arrangements for relations between his Department and the Scottish Executive after the establishment of a Scottish Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [23546]

  Mr. Blunkett
  Officials from my Department and the Scottish Office will be discussing the need for a non-statutory agreement between the Department for Education and Employment and the Scottish Executive, covering the exchange of information, advance notification and joint working in line with the principles set out in the White Paper "Scotland's Parliament".

  Tuition Fees
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what factors underlay his decisions(a) to pay tuition fees for medical and dental students in

  487
  the fifth and subsequent years of their courses and (b) not to pay tuition fees for veterinary and architecture students in the fifth and subsequent years of their courses. [24246]

  Dr. Howells
  The decision to pay tuition fees for medical and dental students domiciled in England in the fifth and subsequent years of their courses is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health.

  The Government cannot, however, take responsibility for the supply of those professionals such as vets and architects who are employed predominantly in the private sector. That is a matter for their employers, who will be free to introduce bursary schemes for tuition fees or other arrangements to support students, if they wish. We shall, however, continue to meet the majority of the costs of veterinary and architecture courses through grant provided to institutions by the Higher Education Funding Councils.

  Polish A Levels
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the number of students entered for A level Polish for each of the last 10 years broken down by examination board. [24108]

  Dr. Howells
  The numbers of students that attempted GCE A level Polish since 1992, the earliest year for which data are available, are:

  1992: 73

  1993: 93

  1994: 105

  1995: 106

  1996: 110

  1997: 98

  The only entries in any year for GCE A level Polish were with Edexcel (Education in Excellence), formerly ULEAC (University of London Examinations and Assessment Council).

  Sign Language
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment by what means the Government intend to improve the literacy levels of deaf children of primary school age whose first language is Sign Language.[23347]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  All mainstream primary schools, and the majority of special schools, will be involved in the implementation of the National Literacy Strategy, which begins this year. The strategy is an ambitious programme for achieving our national literacy target for 2002: it will be overseen by a group including Special Educational Needs interests. Part of the group's role will be to ensure that the widest possible range of children benefit, including those with all types of disability.

  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what resources are available from central Government to produce bilingual educational video materials for primary school children whose first language is Sign Language. [23348]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Schools and local education authorities are responsible for meeting the needs of all children with special educational needs, using the funding 488
  available to them including principally that channelled through the local government finance settlement. Some LEAs produce their own video materials for use by signing children; others use materials produced commercially.

  Free School Meals
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proportion of children in Northumberland schools are entitled to free school meals. [23993]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  In January 1997 15.3 per cent. of pupils in maintained primary and secondary schools in the Northumberland Local Education Authority area were known to be eligible for free school meals.

  Pupil-Teacher Ratio
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the pupil-teacher ratio has been in Northumberland each year since 1992. [24020]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The information requested is shown in the following table:

  Overall pupil-teacher ratio for maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools

  Northumberland local education authority area

  1992–97

  Position in January each year

  1997

  18.6

  1996

  18.9

  1995

  18.7

  1994

  18.8

  1993

  18.4

  1992

  17.4

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Food Standards
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the Food Standards Agency will have responsibility for the controls over the sales of food and dietary supplements. [24309]

  Mr. Rooker
  The White Paper 'The Food Standards Agency: A Force for Change' proposes that the Food Standards Agency will take responsibility for policy and legislation on the compositional standards of foodstuffs and the labelling of food at the retail and catering level, and where appropriate propose legislation on nutritional aspects of food (including labelling and claims), dietary supplements sold as food, fortified foods and functional foods. The general enforcement of legislation in these areas will continue to be carried out by local authorities.

  Agenda 2000
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the consistency of the Agenda 2000 proposals for CAP reform with the requirements of the World Trade Organisation. [24312]
  489
  Mr. Rooker
  The Government believe that the Agenda 2000 proposals for CAP reform are a welcome step in the right direction. The proposals will generally address the problems which arise from the EU's current WTO commitments arising from the part of the GATT Uruguay round. In our view, however, they would not prepare EU agriculture fully for the next round of WTO trade negotiations, which are due to start at the turn of the century.

  International Whaling Commission
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food who will represent the United Kingdom at the intersessional meeting of members of the International Whaling Commission to be held in Antigua. [24099]

  Mr. Morley
  The United Kingdom will be represented at the intersessional meeting of IWC Commissioners, to be held in Antigua from 3 to 5 February, by the UK Commissioner, Mr. C. I. Llewelyn.

  Beef
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the occasions since 1 January on which Customs and Excise personnel have inspected loads of imported beef to ensure compliance with standards applied in the United Kingdom. [23775]

  Mr. Rooker
  Checks to ensure that imported beef meets the necessary health requirements are not the responsibility of Customs and Excise officers. Checks are carried out by the Department or authorised local authority officers at Border Inspection Posts and at places of destination. Details of the number of checks are not kept centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Whales
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what assessment he has made of the likely impact on the populations of each whale species of the Irish proposals presently before the International Whaling Commission; [23542]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the likely level of trade in illegal whale meat should the Irish proposals before the International Whaling Commission be accepted. [23402]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 19 January 1998]: It is not possible to assess the impact of the Irish proposals until more detail is available on how they might be implemented. The Government have serious reservations about some aspects of the Irish proposals, in particular the possible authorisation of coastal whaling. As I have made clear, we would consider changes to existing IWC rules only if these contributed positively to whale conservation and led to a significant reduction in the number of whales currently being killed.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what reassurances he has(a) sought and (b) received from (i) South Korea, (ii) Indonesia and (iii) Taiwan that they will not resume commercial whaling should the present Irish proposals before the International Whaling Commission be accepted. [23401]
  490
  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 19 January 1998]: The Government are opposed to a resumption of commercial whaling, and we have not approached these countries on this issue. Taiwan and Indonesia are not, in any case, members of the International Whaling Commission, and are not legally bound by the IWC's moratorium on commercial whaling.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent communications he has had with(a) Norway and (b) Japan in respect of the Irish proposals before the International Whaling Commission; and if he will make a statement. [23541]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 19 January 1998]: I have had no recent communications with the Norwegian or Japanese Governments on whaling issues. The proposals put forward by Ireland at the last IWC annual meeting in Monaco are to be discussed further at an intersessional meeting of IWC Commissioners in Antigua from 2 to 5 February. The UK will be attending this meeting. We have already expressed our reservations about these proposals.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the likely impact of(a) climate change, (b) ozone depletion, (c) air pollution and (d) industrial fishing on whale populations over the next 10 years. [23400]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 19 January 1998]: The IWC's Scientific Committee has established a Standing Working Group on Environmental Concerns which has identified eight topics of particular importance to its work on effects of environmental change on cetaceans: climate/environmental change; ozone depletion and UV-B radiation; chemical pollution; impact of noise; physical and biological habitat degradation; effects of fisheries; Arctic issues; disease and mortality events. At its latest annual meeting the IWC endorsed the work of the Scientific Committee and the Standing Working Group and asked those bodies to produce detailed scientific proposals for future work on environmental concerns on a multi-annual basis. The UK has played a leading role in encouraging the IWC and the Scientific Committee to examine the effect of environmental factors on cetaceans, and will continue to be actively involved in this work.

  Pigs
  Mr. Thompson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will assess the advantages of introducing a quota system for pig herds. [23843]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 19 January 1998]: No. I have no intentions of introducing a quota system for pig herds because it would not be in the interests of the pigmeat sector to do so.

  Mr. Thompson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what factors underlay his Department's decision to impose a stall and tether ban on the pig industry; and what account was taken of practices in other European Union countries in formulating this policy. [23845]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 19 January 1998]: That the use of close confinement systems for pigs presents welfare problems has been recognised for a number of years. In 1991, following overwhelming parliamentary

  491
  support for a Private Member's Bill introduced by the hon. Member for Boston and Skegness (Sir R. Body), the then Government made Regulations banning these systems from 1 Janaury 1999. It is our intention to seek at least equivalent standards in the forthcoming review of the EU Directive on pig welfare.

  Mr. Thompson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research his Department has evaluated into injuries arising from the loose housing of pigs. [23844]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 19 January 1998]: The Department funds a substantial programme of research and development on pig welfare. This covers a wide range of issues including the avoidance of aggression, and resultant injuries, in various dry sow group housing systems.

  Agricultural Workers
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many agricultural workers are currently covered by the provisions of the Agricultural Wages Order; how many of these he estimates have a disability; and how many incapacity permits under the Order are currently in force. [23739]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 19 January 1998]: It is estimated that at June 1997 some 170,000 workers were covered by the provisions of the Agricultural Wages Order in England and Wales. It is not known how many have a disability.

  The Agricultural Wages Act 1948 does not define disability but defines an incapacitated worker as a person who
  "is so affected by any physical injury or mental deficiency, or any infirmity due to age or to any other cause, that he is incapable of earning that [the agricultural minimum] rate".
  At 31 December 1996, 102 permits issued to incapacitated agricultural workers were in force in England and Wales.

  Factortame Judgment
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the names of the persons who are entitled to receive compensation from Her Majesty's Government as a result of the Factortame judgment, with the amounts of the entitlement in each case and the likely date of payment. [23603]

  Mr. Morley
  The Divisional Court ruled in July 1997 that the Government were in principle liable to pay damages to the applicants in the Factortame litigation. The Government are appealing against that judgment, and the appeal is due to be heard in March. No detailed claims for damages have yet been received.

HEALTH

  Nursing and Midwifery
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 12 December 1997, Official Report, column 735, (1) what Students' Union facilities will be made available in Portsmouth to students on courses administered by Southampton and Bournemouth universities under the new contract; [22908]
  492
  (2) if the provision of Students' Union facilities were part of the contract specification for pre-registration nursing and midwifery education; what were the minimum standard set; and how they are to be met by the new contract. [22909]

  Mr. Milburn
  The provision of Students' Union facilities has never been included in contract specifications for pre-registration nursing and midwifery education in the Portsmouth area. Arrangements for the provision of these facilities are a matter for the educational institutions concerned and the local branch of the National Union of Students, which is independent of the University.

  Dentistry
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health from what budget the £9 million initiative for National Health Service dentistry is being funded. [22993]

  Mr. Milburn
  Funding for the Investing in Dentistry initiative has been added to the overall financial provision for the General Dental Services.

  Hip Replacements
  Mrs. Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the maximum waiting time for hip replacements in the Somerset Health Authority area. [23527]

  Mr. Milburn
  Information from Somerset Health Authority indicates that the maximum waiting times for hip replacement operations at the main hospitals in the Somerset Health Authority area are 10 months at Taunton and Somerset Hospital and 12 months at Yeovil District Hospital.

  Mrs. Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average maximum waiting time for hip replacements on the NHS in England and Wales. [23528]

  Mr. Milburn
  Information on current maximum waiting times for hip replacement operations for all health authorities in England is not available centrally.

  Questions relating to Wales are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Wheelchairs
  Mr. Best
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many powered indoor-outdoor wheelchairs have been provided since April 1996. [23329]

  Mr. Boateng
  Health authorities have reported that 1,276 powered indoor/outdoor wheelchairs were issued between April 1996 and March 1997; and a further 2,179 were reported to have been issued between April 1997 and September 1997.

  Mr. Best
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much funding has been distributed to health authorities in respect of the powered indoor/outdoor wheelchair scheme since April 1996. [23330]

  Mr. Boateng
  Health authorities received £6 million in respect of the powered indoor/outdoor wheelchair scheme in 1996–97; and will receive £7 million in 1997–98, £8 million in 1998–99 and £6 million in 1999–2000.

  Mental Health Action Zones
  Mr. Hesford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to create mental health action zones; and if he will make a statement. [23474]

  Mr. Boateng
  In our guidance on Health Action Zones (HAZs), we stated that HAZs may wish to include a focus on one or more client groups including people with mental health problems. We anticipate that this will be a feature in some of the bids for HAZ status due in by 23 January.

  Poor People
  Mr. Pond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will carry out an assessment of the impact of his Department's current policies on the(a) income, (b) employment opportunities and (c) living standards, of the poorest 30 per cent. of the population. [23335]

  Ms Jowell
  We have asked the former Chief Medical Officer, Sir Donald Acheson, to carry out an independent inquiry into inequalities in health. His remit is to review the latest information on inequalities and thus identify priority areas for future policy development. His report will be published later this year and will be used to develop the White Paper on the Government's new health strategy, alongside the responses to public consultation on the Green Paper "Our Healthier Nation", which we expect to publish soon.

  We envisage that action to reduce inequalities in health will be developed through the establishment of health action zones, healthy living centres and health improvement programmes, as well as by other means.

  Utting Report
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Health when the Government will publish their response to the Utting Report; and if he will make a statement. [23371]

  Mr. Boateng
  A Ministerial Task Force is being established to address the recommendations in Sir. William Utting's report "People Like Us". We shall announce the terms of reference and membership of the Task Force shortly. The first job of the Task Force will be to prepare the full Government response to Sir William's report.

  Electromagnetic Fields
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the current research into the health risks of electromagnetic fields created by overhead electricity lines or electricity sub-stations. [23912]

  Ms Jowell
  The Department obtains advice on the health implications of exposure to electromagnetic fields from the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) and other sources including its own funded research. The primary focus of concern has been on power lines and childhood cancer where the results have not shown a proven link. The NRPB's Advisory Group on Non-ionising Radiation conducted an extensive review of the subject in 1992 and concluded that there was no firm evidence of a carcinogenic hazard from exposure that might be associated with residence near major sources of 494
  electricity supply, the use of electrical appliances or work in the electrical, electronic and telecommunication industries. The Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment has endorsed the Advisory Group's report. A supplementary report in 1994 was published by the NRPB to take into account the results of epidemiological studies from Scandinavia, France and Canada. Copies of the Advisory Group's report and the supplementary documents are available in the Library.

  Several epidemiological studies are currently under way to investigate childhood cancer in relation to various possible causes including electromagnetic fields. The largest study of this type in this country is the United Kingdom Childhood Cancer Study which is funded in part by the Department with technical support provided by the NRPB. The Department is also funding two pilot studies, one of adults and one of children, looking at cancer incidence near power lines.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when Kent County Council may expect reimbursement for sums paid to asylum seekers; and if he will make a statement. [23774]

  Mr. Boateng
  We expect to lay Special Grant Reports before the House at the end of this month and will hope to receive approval by the end of February. Local authorities will be invited to make claims for grants by the end of February and, provided that approval is given, payments should be made before the end of this financial year.

  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total sum paid through East Kent Social Services to asylum seekers resident in the(a) Thanet travel-to-work area and (b) Dover travel-to-work area since 1 December 1997. [23772]

  Mr. Boateng
  It is not possible to give these details as the Department will not know the number of asylum seekers receiving support, or the total expenditure, until claims for grants are received from authorities. Local authorities are not required to supply a breakdown of expenditure by area so, even once claims for grants are received from Kent County Council, it will not be possible to supply the breakdown requested.

  Cannabis
  Mr. Fabian Hamilton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received on the legalisation of the use of cannabis for therapeutic purposes. [21753]

  Mr. Boateng
  Since 1 September 1997, the Department of Health has received representations from members of the Alliance for Cannabis Therapeutics, 28 Private Office cases from Members of Parliament and 38 Treat Official correspondence from members of the public and voluntary organisations. The British Medical Association has also presented its report on the therapeutic uses of cannabis to the Government.

  Breast Cancer Screening
  Shona McIsaac
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will establish an inquiry into breast cancer screening in the South Humber Health Authority area, following the recent recall of women who have been screened. [24107]

  Mr. Boateng
  Problems with the quality of a small number of mammograms taken on one machine in Humberside were identified quickly by the regional quality assurance programme. In the light of this, the trust, local health authorities and regional office took swift action in ordering a re-reading exercise of 15,000 mammograms. A number of women have now been called for another mammogram as a precautionary measure, and they should have their results within two weeks. The machine used to take the initial mammograms is being replaced and is no longer in use.

  We are pleased that the regional office, the local health authorities and the trust concerned have acted quickly to minimise distress to the women involved. We are also pleased that the quality assurance system in place in Humberside did its job properly in identifying the problem promptly, enabling rapid action to be taken to put it right.

  We do not plan to instigate an investigation. A review of the performance of all breast screening programmes is currently under way in response to the results of investigations into the breast screening service in Exeter and arrangements for quality assurance for the breast screening service as a whole. These reviews will be completed by the end of this month, and, where necessary, action plans to improve the quality and dependability of the service will be agreed by the end of February.

  Vitamin B6
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients have been identified as suffering from excess vitamin B6 in the last 10 years. [24308]

  Ms Jowell
  We do not formally collect information on people exposed to excess vitamin B6.

  Junior Hospital Doctors
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the lowest annual salaries for junior hospital doctors. [24252]

  Mr. Milburn
  The annual salary for doctors in training comprises a basic rate of pay plus additional duty hours, paid at the rates appropriate to their contracted working pattern. The rates listed show the minimum rates of pay (as of 1 December 1997) for a junior doctor with no additional duty hours and then the minimum salary rate plus the normal number of additional duty hours (ADH) for an on-call rota:

  £ per annum

  Minimum salary

  Minimum salary plus ADH— on-call rota

  House Officer

  15,440

  21,613

  Senior House Officer

  19,260

  26,964

  Specialist Registrar

  21,530

  30,142

  Senior Registrar

  24,800

  34,717

  Scottish Executive
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Scotland to produce a concordat setting out arrangements for relations between his Department and the Scottish Executive after the establishment of a Scottish Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [23547]

  Ms Jowell
  Officials from the Scottish Office and the Department of Health are discussing the need for a non-statutory agreement covering the exchange of information, advance notification and joint working in line with the principles set out in the White Paper "Scotland's Parliament."

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Claimant Statistics
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list for each non-means-tested benefit(a) the number of people currently receiving the benefit and (b) if it is taken into account for claims for (i) income support, (ii) housing benefit, (iii) council tax benefit and (iv) assessment of tax; and if he will indicate the date from which each benefit was taken into account in respect of (i) to (iv). [22082]

  Mr. Denham
  Information about the number of recipients of non-means-tested benefits is in the table.

  Benefit

  Total recipients

  Attendance Allowance1

  1,199,000

  Disability Living Allowance1

  1,924,000

  Invalid Care Allowance2

  371,000

  War Disablement Pension3

  262,305

  War Widow's Pension3

  58,364

  Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit4

  244,798

  Incapacity Benefit5

  1,718,400

  Severe Disablement Allowance5

  368,560

  Retirement Pension6

  10,709,300

  Widow's benefit6

  283,600

  Child Benefit7

  6,954,575

  Child Benefit (lone parent)7

  1,049,325

  Guardian's Allowance8

  2,206

  Child's Special Allowance8

  38

  Jobseeker's Allowance (contribution based)9

  251,000

  Statutory Maternity Pay10

  90,000

  Statutory Sick Pay10

  305,000

  Maternity Allowance11

  11,860

  1 Source is 5 per cent. data and figures relate to 31 August 1997.

  2Source is 100 per cent. data and figures relate to 1 October 1997.

  3 Source is 100 per cent. data as at November 1997.

  4 Figures are based on a 10 per cent. sample and include a rating factor for late returns. Figures are at 30 March 1996.

  5 Figures are taken for a 5 per cent. sample and exclude a small number of cases held clerically. Figures are at 31 August 1997.

  6 Figures are based on a 5 per cent. sample as at 30 November 1997.

  7 Figures are based on a 4 per cent. sample as at 3 December 1997.

  8 As at 31 December 1996, figures are based on a 100 per cent. count.

  9 As at February 1997 from a 5 per cent. sample. This excludes cases with underlying entitlement who receive income-based Jobseeker's Allowance.

  10 Figures are not available as this information is not collected for Statutory Maternity Pay or Statutory Sick Pay.

  11 Figures as at 31 May 1997.

  497
  Income Support and Housing Benefit were introduced in 1988 and Council Tax Benefit from 1992. Assessment of entitlement to these benefits has always taken account of non-income-related benefits, with the exception of Attendance Allowance and Disability Living Allowance'. In addition, £10 week of a War Disablement Pension or War Widow's Pension' is disregarded. Certain other allowances paid with the War Pension may also be disregarded—for example, those based on the need for care or mobility and the supplementary pension payable to those widows of members of the Armed Forces whose service ended before 31 March 1973. Guardian's Allowance is fully disregarded in Council Tax Benefit and Housing Benefit.

  The following only non-income-related benefits are taxable. These benefits, with the year of their introduction, are Incapacity Benefit (after 28 weeks) (1995), Invalid Care Allowance (1976), Jobseeker's Allowance (contribution-based) (1996), Retirement Pension (1948), Statutory Sick Pay (1983), Statutory Maternity Pay (1987), and Widow's Benefit (1988).

  Note:

  1The position with regard to Attendance Allowance (AA) and Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Income Support is slightly more complex. A person in receipt of Income Support with preserved rights in a residential care home will have their AA or DLA care component fully taken into account when assessing their Income Support.

  2When calculating entitlement to Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit local authorities have discretionary power to operate a local scheme which enables them to disregard, in total or part, any war disablement or war widows pension not subject to the mandatory disregards.

  Asbestos-related Disease
  Dan Norris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations she has received on protection for asbestos-related disease sufferers, aside from mesothelioma victims, in relation to the provisions of the Social Security Bill in respect of the backdating of claims to one month. [22691]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  We have received a number of representations about the proposed changes to the backdating rules in the Social Security Bill regarding claims to benefit from asbestos related disease suffers. Representations include those from TUC, Occupational and Environmental Diseases Association, a number of MPs and other individuals.

  Supported Housing
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when she expects the review of funding for supported housing to be complete; if she will estimate (a) the total numbers of those dependent on the housing costs which form part of the review in each region and nation and (b) the percentage of those who are over pensionable age; and if she will make a statement. [236481]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The information is not available in the form requested. We hope to have more information about the numbers of benefit recipients in supported accommodation from research which is currently under way.
  498
  We have recently sought stakeholders' views on the best means of translating our objectives for the long-term funding of supported accommodation into a modern, practical and sustainable funding system. Over 200 responses were received which are being considered. We are looking to implement a sustainable funding system as a matter of urgency although I cannot, at this time, say when the review will be complete.

  Invalid Care Allowance
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the estimated cost to the Exchequer, in a full year, of extending the payment of invalid care allowance to all carers for eight weeks after the death of the person cared for in line with the eight week extension of carers' premium paid under similar circumstances to those in receipt of income support. [23555]

  Mr. Denham
  The estimated programme cost of such a measure is £5 million.

  Source:

  Invalid Care Allowance (ICA) Unit Quarterly Statistics; DSS ICA cessation forecasts.

  Note:

  Costs are net of impact of income-related benefits in payment but assume no change in the income-related benefit rule whereby the carer premium can continue for a further eight weeks after ICA ceases.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will require payments to asylum seekers to be made through benefit offices rather than through social services offices. [23773]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  Those asylum seekers who are eligible to claim Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance (Income Based), Housing Benefit and Council Tax, are paid through the Benefits Agency's network of local offices and through local authorities.

  The Courts have ruled that local authority social services departments have a duty to support and accommodate destitute asylum seekers under the National Assistance Act 1948. Decisions about the provision of personal social services are the responsibility of local authority social services departments.

  We are committed to reviewing all aspects of arrangements for asylum seekers, including the provision of accommodation and support. The review will set the direction for the future. In the meantime, the current mix of social security benefits and social services support will continue to ensure that no asylum seeker needs to be left destitute.

  Under-Secretary of State for Women
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will list the official engagements which the Under-Secretary of State for Women has undertaken since 1 December 1997 and how many days she was in the Department between 1 December 1997 and 12 January 1998. [24255]

  Ms Ruddock
  I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave her on 20 November 1997,Official Report, columns 292–94, and 11 December 1997, column 669 respectively.

  Contract Cleaners
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what rates of pay are offered to contract cleaners in(a) South Western and (b) North Eastern DSS offices. [244111]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The information is commercial in confidence.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the hon. Member for Walsall, North will receive a reply to his letter dated 1 December 1997, concerning a constituent, reference 4/3644/15. [24110]

  Mr. Denham
  A reply will be sent to my hon. Friend by the end of the week, following detailed inquiries about his constituent's case.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Uganda
  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what projects her Department has supported in Uganda to promote democracy. [23946]

  Clare Short
  The Department for International Development is supporting democracy in Uganda through a £250,000 civic and voter education project to improve Ugandans' awareness of their democratic rights and responsibilities, and to strengthen the capacity of the Ugandan Electoral Commission. A project is also under preparation which will improve the administrative capacity available to the Ugandan Parliament.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  E-mail
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) what assessment he has made of the accessibility of Government Ministers and civil servants by e-mail; [23570]

  (2) how many (a) Cabinet and (b) other Ministers have an e-mail address. [23567]

  Dr. David Clark
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave the hon. Member for North Essex (Mr. Jenkin) on 10 November 1997,Official Report, column 441.

  In addition, I would add that officials in CITU and CCTA are currently reviewing the situation in conjunction with Departments and agencies. Once this review has taken place, we will be looking at the most appropriate way of placing a comprehensive listing of ministerial e-mail addresses in the public domain.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what percentage of civil servants have an e-mail address. [23568]

  Dr. David Clark
  Whilst this information is not held centrally, I am pleased to report that there are nearly 2,000 departmental, agency and NDPB connections to the 500
  CCTA e-mail service, many of which act as shared e-mail addresses for teams of civil servants rather than for individual officials.

  In addition, just over 4,000 civil servants currently have e-mail access to the Government Secure Intranet. On present estimates this figure is expected to rise to between 10,000 to 15,000 by mid 1998.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps he proposes to increase the proportion of Ministers and civil servants who are connected to the Internet. [23569]

  Dr. David Clark
  This is essentially the responsibility of individual departments. However I am pleased to report that the Central IT Unit in my Department has established a Government Secure Intranet service which will increase the proportion of Ministers and civil servants who are connected to the Internet. I intend to make a further announcement of this matter in due course and I will write to my hon. Friend at that time.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Crown Dependencies
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for a review of financial regulation in the Crown Dependencies. [24698]

  Mr. Straw
  I have today invited the Home Office and the Island Authorities to carry out a review of the financial legislation and regulatory systems in Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. The purpose of this review is to assess the contribution made by the current laws and systems to the economic and social well-being of the Islands themselves, and the United Kingdom.

  The review will be conducted by Mr. Andrew Edwards, formerly of Her Majesty's Treasury, who will work alongside the Constitutional Unit of the Home Office and the Island authorities. it is expected to take about six months. Its terms of reference are:

  Objective

  To review with the Island authorities their laws, systems and practices for:

  (i) regulating banking, insurance and financial services business and collaborating with overseas regulators;

  (ii) deterring, investigating and punishing financial crime. including money laundering and fiscal offences, particularly cases with an international dimension;

  (iii) registering companies;

  with a view to assessing the contribution which they make to the economic and social well-being of the Islands themselves and of the United Kingdom.

  Area to be Covered

  The review will cover the following main areas:

  (i) Financial Regulation and International Regulatory Co-operation.

  Description and assessment of the current legal and institutional arrangements for licensing, supervising and regulating the full range of financial business, including banks, investment banks, other credit institutions, insurance companies, investment services companies, bureaux de change, international business companies and company

  501
  registration agents and accountants and lawyers carrying on financial business (e.g., providing custody services or investment advice):

  Examination of practical implementation of these activities and the resources devoted to them, in relation to the number and size of firms regulated and the nature of the business;

  Arrangements for the regulatory authorities to share their own confidential information with overseas regulatory authorities, and vice versa;

  Arrangements for the authorities to obtain other confidential information to assist overseas regulatory authorities with their investigations and vice versa.

  (ii) Financial Crime

  (a) Money Laundering

  each Island's money laundering legislation:

  the number of suspicious transactions reports received in each Island each year and how these are dealt with;

  arrangements for collaboration between the Island Authorities and overseas authorities including the sharing of suspicious transactions reports;

  (b) Criminal Investigations

  collaboration between the Island Authorities and overseas authorities in investigating suspected financial crime (including fiscal offences);

  Review

  Announcement

  Expected completion date

  Joint review with Northern Ireland Office to consider permanent UK wide counter terrorism legislation

  Autumn 1997

  Autumn 1998

  Review of the law relating to bribery and corruption. "Prevention of Corruption—Consolidation and Amendment of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1889–1916: A Government Statement"—issued June 1997

  June 1997

  Early 1998

  Strategic Review of National Police Training

  12 March 1997

  Ongoing

  Inter-Departmental Review of Police Pensions

  23 October 1993

  Ongoing

  Review of Arrangements for Confiscation of Criminal Assets

  Autumn 1997

  Ongoing

  Review of Firefighters' Pension Scheme

  March 1994

  Ongoing

  Review of Community Fire Safety

  November 1996

  Ongoing

  Review of Prison Nursing Services

  No formal announcement

  February 1998

  Review of long-term future of organisation of Prison Service Health Care

  No formal announcement

  Mid 1998

  Review of Prison Service Drug Strategy

  No formal announcement

  March 1998

  Review of Prisons Investigations Strategy

  No formal announcement

  First stage completion April 1998

  Review of the operation of release of prisoners on temporary licence

  No formal announcement

  Mid 1998

  Review of Government proposals on reform of Youth Justice System

  Summer 1997

  Results of review reflected in Crime and Disorder Bill December 1997 White Paper—"No More Excuses" (Cmmd. 3809) November 1997

  Review of measures to deal with anti-social behaviour

  Summer 1997

  Results of review reflection in Crime and Disorder Bill

  Results of review reflected in Crime and Disorder known sex offenders who pose a continuing risk

  5 November 1997

  Results of review reflected in Crime and Disorder Bill

  Review of measures on Community Safety

  September 1997

  Results of review reflected in Crime and Disorder Bill

  Inter-Departmental Review of the Treatment of Vulnerable and Intimidated Witnesses

  13 June 1997

  March 1998

  The Future Role and Funding of Local Civil Protection in England and Wales

  24 July 1997

  Ongoing

  502
  the willingness or otherwise of the authorities to secure prosecutions;

  (c) Asset Confiscation
  collaboration between the Island authorities and overseas authorities in tracing, freezing or confiscating assets held by suspected or convicted criminals based overseas.

  (iii) Company registrations
  each Island's legislation, systems and practices for registering companies.

  Consultation and Comparisons

  In undertaking these tasks:

  (a) to have regard to other examples of offshore regulatory laws, systems and practices, such as Gibraltar and other United Kingdom dependencies;

  (b) to consult Her Majesty's Treasury and others as necessary.

  Departmental Reviews
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the reviews being undertaken by his Department, the dates on which they were announced and, in the case of those which have been completed, the date of their completion. [23196]

  Mr. Straw
  The information requested about reviews is set out in the table:
  503

  Review

  Announcement

  Expected completion date

  Control of Unscrupulous Immigration Advisers

  Manifesto Commitment

  Not yet known. Consultation paper being prepared for publication in January

  Review of Immigration and Asylum Appeals

  Internal Review

  Internal Review completed; results to be published for consultation; consultative document being prepared

  In addition, my Department is carrying out a Comprehensive Spending Review, and contributing to cross-Departmental reviews of the criminal justice system and of illegal drugs, in accordance with my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury's statement of 11 June 1997, Official Report, columns 1143–44. The statement said that these reviews were expected to take 12 months to complete. My Department is also carrying out a review of those non-Departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs) for which the Home Office is the sponsoring Department. This review is part of a Government-wide exercise which is referred to in the Government's public consultation paper "Opening Up Quangos" issued in November 1997.

  High Security Prisons (Cutlery)
  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in which high security prisons stainless steel cutlery is routinely supplied for the use of prisoners. [22912]

  Ms Quin
  None of the six dispersal prisons in England and Wales, which hold the highest security category prisoners, routinely supplies stainless steel cutlery for use of prisoners. For reasons of security, cost and hygiene, plastic cutlery is provided for inmates' use.

  Human Rights Bill
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the impact of the proposals in the Human Rights Bill on(a) the Church of England and (b) the Church of Scotland. [24300]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We gave an assessment of the implications of the Bill for the Churches in the course of proceedings on the Bill at Report Stage in Another Place on 19 January.

  Animal Procedures Committee
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if in respect of the Advisory Panel, which advises on appointments to the Animal Procedures Committee, he will list members'(a) names, (b) qualifications and (c) other employments; and how often the Advisory Panel meets. [24303]

  Mr. George Howarth
  To date, the Advisory Panel has only met to consider candidates for the post of Chairman of the Animal Procedures Committee. The members of that panel were as follows:Miss Carolyn Sinclair—Director of the Constitutional and Community Policy Directorate in the Home Office.
  Mr. William Mumford CB—Deputy Under-Secretary of State for Research Establishments,. Ministry of Defence, (retired); Chairman's Panel, Civil Service Selection Board, 1989–95.
  504
  Professor Margaret Brazier LLB OBE—Chairman, Animal Procedures Committee; Professor of Law, University of Manchester.

  A new panel will be convened shortly to consider candidates for appointment as members of the Committee. It is expected that the new panel will consist of the new Chairman of the Committee. Professor Michael Banner MA DPhil, Mr. William Mumford and an official from the Home Office. Professor Banner is the FD Maurice Professor of Moral and Social Theology at King's College, London.

  The Advisory Panel will not meet regularly. It will meet only when new members of the Committee need to be appointed.

  Street Traders and Pedlars
  Dr. Brand
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) when he expects to announce the outcome of the review of the legislation applying to street traders and pedlars; [23769]

  (2) with which bodies he has consulted on the review of the legislation applying to street traders and pedlars; and on what dates; [23771]

  (3) what plans he has to review the Pedlars Act 1871. [23770]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Deregulation reviews of street trading legislation and the Pedlars Acts 1871 and 1881 were undertaken by the previous Government. I have not yet had an opportunity to look closely at the issues arising out of those reviews but I hope to be able to make my views known during the next few months. Copies of the consultation letters dated 1 July 1994 and 31 October 1994, together with the names of the bodies consulted, have been placed in the Library.

  Handguns
  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has issued a D notice in respect of moneys to be paid in compensation for the ban on full-bore handguns. [24171]

  Mr. Michael
  No, and no such consideration has ever been given. There has been a great deal of misinformation circulating about matters relating to the new firearms legislation and its implementation. The operation of the Compensation Scheme has always been transparent, with the terms of the Scheme itself having been subject to Parliamentary scrutiny and regular and bona fide reports on payments progress issued to the public on request and to Parliament through answers to Parliamentary Questions and letters to MPs.
  505
  Defence Advisory Notices are agreed by the Defence, Press and Broadcasting Advisory Committee. I understand that there are six standing notices, none of which has been—nor could be—applied to the Firearms Compensation Scheme.

  The Defence Advisory Notice System is a means of providing advice and guidance to the media about defence and counter-terrorist information, the publication of which would be damaging to national security. The six standing notices are issued by the Defence, Press and Broadcasting Advisory Committee to editors, publishers, programme makers and officials and form the basis of the voluntary code designed to avoid the publication of detail which would damage national security. Guidance on the application of the notices to particular circumstances is given by the Secretary to the Committee.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department by how many the number of asylum seekers now resident in the(a) Thanet travel-to-work area and (b) Dover travel-to-work area has changed since 1 December 1997; and what is the total number of asylum seekers now resident in each area. [23768]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I regret that the information requested is not available and it is not possible to calculate this information from the data held without disproportionate use of officials' time.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the risks faced by police forces if they have year 2000 problems within their business and operational processes and systems. [24381]

  Mr. Michael
  It is for individual chief officers of police to assess the risks for their administrative and operational functions of the Year 2000 problem. They are currently assessing the scale of the problem and taking action where appropriate, with the help of the Police Information Technology Organisation. Police forces are also pursuing Year 2000 compliance with the other bodies responsible for systems whose failure might have policing implications. If, during their audit of information technology systems, a force establishes that there is a problem which cannot be, or is unlikely to be, resolved before the millennium it will be expected to establish contingency plans to ensure the continued delivery of policing services.

  Immigration
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to answer the letter of 14 July 1997 from the hon. Member for Oxford, West and Abingdon regarding the case of Mr. Mikhail Nikoniko (Home Affairs Reference Number: 13529/97). [23491]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I wrote to the hon. Member on 15 January 1998. We had a draft of an earlier reply but I was unhappy with some of the details and asked for some further consideration and this has caused some delay.

  Diarmuid O'Neill
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the forthcoming report of the Police Complaints Authority on their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting of Diarmuid O'Neill. [24092]

  Mr. Michael
  No. The courts have ruled that investigating officers' reports, which are submitted to the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) and the appropriate disciplinary authority, are covered as a class by public interest immunity. The completed report will be sent to the Coroner for the purposes of the inquest and to the Crown Prosecution Service to consider whether there are grounds for criminal proceedings against any person. The PCA will also consider the report to decide whether any disciplinary action should be taken.

  We have made it clear that we wish to increase public confidence in the complaints system by introducing more openness, and we are examining how this might best be done in the light of the recently published report by the Home Affairs Select Committee on police complaints and discipline.

  Terrorists
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to ensure that the United Kingdom cannot be used as a haven for persons planning or preparing for terrorist activities in foreign countries; what plans he has to introduce legislation similar to that proposed in the Jurisdiction (Conspiracy and Incitement) Bill in the 1996–97 session of Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [23319]

  Mr. Straw
  Countering the activities of those who may be seeking to assist terrorism outside the United Kingdom is a high priority for the police and Security Service. If there is evidence that organisations or individuals are supporting terrorism, action is taken under the criminal law or under Immigration Act powers.

  On 30 October last year, I announced the Government's intention to publish a consultation document which will propose permanent United Kingdom-wide legislation designed to deal with all forms of terrorism, including foreign terrorist groups and their supporters. The Government also intend to bring forward legislation to make it illegal to conspire in the United Kingdom to commit terrorist acts abroad.

  Overseas Domestic Workers
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultations he has held since 1 May concerning the immigration status of persons allowed into the country as personal servants of foreign residents; what recent information he has as to the possible abuse of such persons by their employers; and what plans he has to introduce steps to alter their status or otherwise increase the protections available to them. [23320]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We have held several meetings with Kalayaan, the organisation which represents overseas domestic workers and which continues to report cases of abuse, and with Anti-Slavery International. We are reviewing the conditions under which overseas domestic
  507
  workers accompanying employers to the United Kingdom are admitted with the aim of increasing their protection and reducing the possibilities of abuse.

  Pronto Lottery
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the Government's policy towards Pronto; how this relates to its policy towards gambling on fruit machines; if he will set out the reasons for the differences in policy; and if he will make a statement. [23856]

  Mr. George Howarth
  I set out the Government's policy towards frequent lottery draws in my reply to a Question from my hon. Friend the Member for Stretford and Urmston (Ms Hughes) on 13 November 1997,Official Report, columns 639–40.

  I subsequently published a draft Bill to restrict their frequency on 7 January, inviting interested parties to comment by 30 January.

  Successive large scale on-line lottery draws, running in a rapid series through the day and operating simultaneously in a large number of different outlets, would have many of the characteristics of hard gambling. It is long-standing public policy that the harder forms of gambling should be confined to premises specially licensed and appropriately controlled for that purpose. The Government do not wish to see other types of premises become significant gambling venues.

  Gaming machines in pubs are restricted to £10 maximuhi prizes and subject to other strict statutory controls which ensure that they remain an ancillary facility there.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what factors lay behind his decision to impose restrictions on the new Pronto lottery game; and what representations he has received in respect of his decision to impose these restrictions. [23187]

  Mr. George Howarth
  I set out the Government's policy towards frequent on-line lottery draws in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Stretford and Urmston (Ms Hughes) on 13 November 1997, Official Report, columns 369–40.

  I subsequently published a draft Bill to restrict their frequency on 7 January, inviting interested parties to comment by 30 January.

  I will report the outcome of the consultation exercise after the responses have been received and evaluated.

  Scottish Executive
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Scotland to produce a concordat setting out arrangements for relations between his Department and the Scottish Executive after the establishment of a Scottish Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [23551]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  My right hon. Friend has had no such discussions, but I expect that they may take place in due course between the Home Office and Scottish Office on the need for a non-statutory agreement with the Scottish Executive.

  Immigration and Nationality Directorate
  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what specific improvements for the public will be forthcoming following the loss of 1,200 jobs at the Immigration and Nationality Directorate and the introduction of a new computer system, with special reference to the length of time taken to deal with applications and inquiries; and if he will make a statement. [23916]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Over time, the Immigration and Nationality Directorate's customers will benefit from a faster and more consistent response to both applications and inquiries. The actual levels of services which will be provided in any year will depend on the available resources and demand. The implementation timetable for the new system, casework performance targets, staffing levels and the number of job reductions for 1998–99 have not been finalised.

  Cannabis
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions for possession of cannabis there were in each year since 1971. [24041]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Information for 1986 and 1995 (the latest available) is given in the table. Data are not available in the form requested prior to 1986.

  Number of prosecutions for possession of cannabis, United Kingdom, 1986–1995

  Year

  Number of prosecutions

  1986

  11,493

  1987

  11,878

  1988

  14,049

  1989

  17,654

  1990

  19,281

  1991

  18,470

  1992

  14,875

  1993

  18,846

  1994

  24,025

  1995

  24,386

  Source:

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

  Prison Sites
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many sites in the North-West region were considered as possible sites for prison building prior to the selection of a site at Winwick; and what discussions were held with Warrington Borough Council and other local authorities prior to the selection of this site. [23316]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 16 January 1998]: As part of a national review, 81 sites have been assessed in the North- West. There were no discussions with Warrington Borough Council prior to the selection of Winwick Hospital as a possible site for the construction of a new prison.

  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria are currently used by the Prison Service to decide between various possible sites for prison development; and what plans he has to change those criteria. [23315]
  509
  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 16 January 1998]: New prisons must be located conveniently for the centres of population or regional catchment areas that they will be required to serve. A site's shape, size, topography and the availability of services must support an economic and practical development. The ownership and availability of land are key factors in choosing a potential site. Crown-owned land is considered along with commercially available sites. There are no plans to change these criteria.

  Prison Places
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of prison places likely to be required over the next 10 years for people from(a) Warrington, (b) the North-West, (c) Manchester and (d) Liverpool. [23317]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 16 January 1998]: The Prison Service's current practice is to forecast eight years in advance. The figures that follow are therefore forecast for eight years and not 10 years. The number of prison places forecast for males in 2005 is: 380 from Warrington, 12,700 from the North-West; 2,700 from Manchester; and 1,620 from Liverpool. The estimated figures are only for the male population as the female population is too small to project in a regional local way as requested.

  Mobile Phones
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what controls exist over the holding and supply of data by mobile phone companies of information pinpointing the locations from which calls are made from individually identifiable mobile phones. [23619]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 19 January 1998]: The circumstances under which the four mobile telephone operators may disclose personal information which they hold on computer for their own purposes (including for billing, fraud prevention and statistical analysis) are regulated by the Data Protection Act 1984, by the Telecommunications Act 1984, and by the terms of their Telecommunications Act Licences which require them to take all reasonable steps to ensure the confidentiality of consumer information.

  Section 45 of the Telecommunications Act, as amended by the Interception of Communications Act 1985, provides that public telecommunications operators commit an offence if they disclose any information concerning the use made of their telecommunications services by any other person except where disclosures are made for the prevention or detection of crime, for the purpose of any criminal proceedings, in the interests of national security or in pursuance of the order of a court. It is for the individual operator to satisfy himself that one or more of those exceptions apply before releasing any such information.

  European Parliamentary Elections
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his oral statement of 25 November 1997,Official Report, columns 812–13, whether he will publish the calculations on which his statement, regarding the proportionality of the Sainte-Lague and d'Hondt divisors, was based; if he will
  510
  calculate the number of seats that would be won by each party in Scotland under the (a) d'Hondt and (b) Sainte-Lague divisors using the 1994 European Election results; and if he will make a statement. [23498]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The calculations were based on the votes cast in the 1994 elections to the European Parliament in six of the 11 regions for which the European Parliamentary Elections Bill provides.

  In five of the six regions the choice of divisor made no difference to the final allocation of seats. In Scotland, the effect was as follows:

  d'Hondt:

  4 Labour, 1 Conservative,

  3 Scottish National Party

  Sainte-Lague:

  3 Labour, 1 Conservative,

  1 Scottish Liberal Democrat

  3 Scottish National Party.

  During the Bill's Second Reading debate, I gave the House figures which suggested that the two divisors produced different results in the London region.

  Revised calculations show that both divisors produce the same result in London. I apologise for the original error.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what divisors were used to calculate the allocation of seats between the regions of England in the European Parliamentary Elections Bill. [24043]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 19 January 1998]: No divisors were used. The allocation of seats to the English regions set out in Schedule 1 to the European Parliamentary Elections Bill was arrived at by dividing the total English electorate by the number of English seats (71) to produce an average figure. Seats were then allocated to regions in such a way as to ensure that the sum of the divergencies from this figure was as low as possible.

  Gurkha Wives
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the outcome of the review into the position of Gurkha wives seeking to join their husbands when stationed in the United Kingdom. [23510]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  As a concession outside the Immigration Rules, the spouse (together with any dependent children under the age of 18) of a Gurkha serviceman stationed in the United Kingdom would normally be admitted to the United Kingdom and allowed to remain here for the duration of her husband's posting.

  Metropolitan Police
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the estimated cost to the Metropolitan Police of its work in combating terrorism in each of the last three years. [23509]

  Mr. Michael
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that, for reasons of security, it is the policy of the Metropolitan Police not to publish the costs of combating terrorism. All Metropolitan Police officers have a part to play in combating terrorism.
  511
  The Metropolitan Police receive a special payment in recognition of the fact that they incur costs relating to their national and capital city functions. The report of the recent "Review of the Special Payment to the Metropolitan Police Service", conducted by the Home Office, identifies the current costs of the national and capital city functions of the Metropolitan Police, including some anti-terrorist costs. A copy of this report is available in the Library.

  Emergency Services
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many uniformed police officers were on patrol and how many vehicles were in service in a 24 hour period in(a) London and (b) Twickenham at (i) the latest date for which figures are available and (ii) the same date in the previous year. [23506]

  Mr. Michael
  The Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis has provided the following information:

  Uniform constables performing street duty

  Twickenham

  Metropolitan Police Service

  Average per day in September1997

  56.5

  14,155.0

  Average per day in September 1996

  57.1

  14,306.9

  1As a result of problems with the Met's computer system these figures do not include the following Divisions: Brixton, Chingford, Forest Gate. Hackney and Shoreditch and Golders Green.

  Number of available vehicles

  Twickenham

  Metropolitan Police Service

  Average per day in January 1998

  21.4

  3,734

  Average per day in January 1997

  21.0

  3,760

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many fire-fighting appliances are currently on operational duty in London; and how many there were for each of the last five years. [23507]

  Mr. George Howarth
  I understand from the London Fire and Civil Defence Authority that there are currently 177 pumping appliances and 46 special appliances operational in London. The figures for the last five years are:

  Pumping appliances

  Special appliances

  1 January 1993

  189

  51

  1 January 1994

  189

  43

  1 January 1995

  189

  43

  1 January 1996

  189

  43

  1 January 1997

  177

  48

  Prisoners (Health Care)
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prison establishments in England and Wales have a formal policy which states that 512
  the seclusion of mentally ill patients within the health care centre should be governed by guidance in the Code of Practice for Mental Health of 1983. [23854]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 19 January 1998]: The seclusion of mentally disordered prisoners in health care centres is governed principally by guidelines issued to all establishments by the then Director of Prison Medical Services in Janaury 1990. Additional guidance, elaborating on those guidelines, has been issued subsequently.

  Prison health care centres are not hospitals for the purposes of the Mental Health Act 1983. The care of mentally disordered prisoners in them is not directly governed by provisions in that Act, or guidance in the Code of Practice issued under it. Copies of the Code of Practice have, however, been issued for the information and consideration of prison doctors.

  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of prison establishments in England and Wales have produced a health care plan for prisoners setting out the aims and objectives of the Prison Health Service. [23853]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 19 January 1998]: The aims and objectives of health care in prisons are set out in centrally published Health Care Standards which apply to all establishments. Many establishments reflect these aims and objectives and philosophy of care in patient information literature or other local plans. However, statistics are not available centrally about the proportion that do this.

  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce a patient's charter in respect of the provision of health care within the Prison Service. [23852]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 19 Janata), 1998]: The provision of health care in prisons is governed by published standards. There is no national charter although some prisons have locally produced charters.

  The Prison Service and the National Health Service (NHS) have established a joint working group to advise Ministers on the options for the future organisation of prison health care with a view to achieving standards and practices comparable to those in the NHS. The issue of a patient's charter for prisoners will be among the options the group will be considering.

  Assaults
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy that individuals reported to have assaulted their wives or partners should be automatically referred to the Police for investigation and possible prosecution. [23000]

  Mr. Michael
  Victims are urged to report crimes to the police. In respect of crimes not reported by the victim, the decision on whether to commence, or consider commencing, an investigation into the alleged criminal offence is an operational matter for the chief officer in whose force area such a breach of the law is alleged to have been committed.

  Licensing Controls
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to relax licensing controls in central city areas; and what consultation he has had with residents of such areas. [23664]

  Mr. George Howarth
  We have no plans for such changes. Any proposals to amend the licensing laws would require wide consultation.

  Security Service Files
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if files held by the Security Service showing the involvement of individuals with the Soviet International propaganda front network will be preserved for their historic value; and if the subsequent political careers of those individuals will be a factor in assessing the historic value of their files; [23673]

  (2) if Security Service files on (a) the 1926 General Strike and (b) the 1984–85 miners' strike are to be preserved for their historic value; [23622]

  (3) if files compiled by the Security Service and setting out the extent to which individuals co-operated with domestic or foreign fascist or communist organisations or regimes are to be preserved for their historic value; [23674]

  (4) if Security Service files on the activities in the United Kingdom of (a) the World Peace Council, (b) the World Federation of Trade Unions, (c) the World Federation of Scientific Workers, (d) the World Federation of Democratic Youth, (e) the International Association of Democratic Lawyers, (f) the International Organisation of Journalists, (g) the International Union of Students and (h) the Women's International Democratic Federation are to be destroyed; [23677]

  (5) if the Security Service files which are planned to be destroyed will be individually evaluated for their historical significance; [23679]

  (6) what are the criteria for deciding that a Security Service file is of no historical value and should be destroyed; [23680]

  (7) if the possible re-emergence of anti-democratic regimes abroad has been assessed as a factor in determining the policy towards destroying Security Service files on previous British supporters of such regimes; [23678]

  (8) if Security Service files on the activities of (a) the British Union of Fascists, (b) the Communist Party of Great Britain, (c) the Union Movement, (d) the Communist Party of Britain, (e) the Revolutionary Socialist League/Militant Tendency, (f) the British Peace Assembly, (g) the British-Soviet Friendship Society, (h) the British Peace Committee, (i) the Workers' Revolutionary Party, (j) Class War and (k) the Revolutionary Communist Party of Britain (Marxist-Leninist) will be preserved for their historic value. [23676]

  Mr. Straw
  The Security Service retains only those records which it needs to carry out its functions or which are of historical importance. It is a matter for the Director General to decide upon the detailed criteria to be adopted in either case, taking account of the requirements of the Security Service Act 1989, the Public Records Act 1958 514
  and central guidance on the identification of records likely to be of historical interest. The Service currently applies the following criteria in deciding whether a record is likely to be of historical interest, although each file is examined individually and considered on its merits as a whole:

  (a) major investigations,

  (b) important subversive figures, terrorists and spies,

  (c) individuals involved in important historical events,

  (d) causes celebres in a security context,

  (e) files which contain original papers of historical interest,

  (f) major changes of Service policy, organisation or procedures,

  (g) files which are in some way "period pieces", e.g. they illustrate clearly Security Service attitudes/techniques of the time.

  (h) milestones in the Service's history.

  It would be contrary to the interests of national security to confirm or deny whether the Security Service holds records on any particular individuals or organisations.

  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his letter of 8 December on Security Service files, what steps he will take to ensure that(a) no files are destroyed by the Security Service except after proper review and (b) files which are destroyed are those which are either no longer required by the service to carry out its statutory functions or are judged not to be of historical importance or both. [23675]

  Mr. Straw
  The Security Service Act 1989 provides that the operations of the Service are under the control of the Director General and it is a matter for him to decide which files should be destroyed in accordance with stated policy. I have every confidence that he will continue to carry out his responsibilities in this area with due regard to the operational needs of the Service and the requirements of the Public Records Act 1958, taking account of any central guidance on the preservation of records of likely historical interest.

  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the criteria which were adopted by the Security Service at the end of the Second World War for the preservation or destruction of files relating to sympathisers with the defeated adversary. [23620]

  Mr. Straw
  In November 1945, the Director General of the Security Service ordered a review of the Service's records to identify which could be summarised or destroyed. He set down the following principles to guide officers in the review process:"(a) There is a paramount necessity to restrict the records of the Service to matters which are now its proper concern. Superfluous information impedes work rather than assists it. The test is whether or not the matter recorded would have any value if brought forward at a later date and if considered in a different context.
  (b) In reviewing papers for destruction, due regard should also be given to the necessity for preserving information of historical interest, and also that which may be of value in a future emergency as showing how matters of policy and principle were decided. This applies also to methods of inquiry adopted in specific cases or classes of cases. The possible interest of Divisions and Sections not primarily concerned with a particular file must always be borne in mind".

  Crime Statistics (Collection)
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has for ensuring that crime statistics are collected on a common basis by all police forces. [23457]

  Mr. Michael
  Statistics of recorded crime are based on rules for classification and counting which are standard for all police forces in England and Wales. A comprehensive set of counting rules is issued centrally and used by police forces to maintain the consistency of recording some of the more complex and potentially difficult offences, such as multiple, continuous and repeated offences.

  Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) regularly look into recording practices during force inspections. The Home Office also has a police statistics liaison officer who regularly visits statistics officers in the forces to discuss current issues and to monitor current procedures.

  Periodically, the Home Office rules and police recording practices are reviewed to ensure consistency and to determine whether updates are necessary. Recently, both HMIC and a joint Home Office/Association of Chief Police Officers working party have undertaken such reviews. Their recommendations are being adopted in a package of measures for implementation on 1 April 1998, which were announced by my right hon. Friend on 1 October 1997. More detail was given by the Home Office's Director of Research and Statistics on 14 October.

  The main measures comprise the logical extension of the coverage of recorded crimes (or notifiable offences) to include all indictable and triable either way offences: the revision of the counting rules for certain offences; to move closer to the concept of one crime per victim; a move to financial year publication; and less emphasis in publications on the overall total of recorded crime in favour of individual offence groups.

  Commission for Racial Equality
  Ms Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much Government money was spent on the Commission for Racial Equality in(a) 1995–96 and (b) 1996–97 and what estimate he has made of the annual gross costs of enforcing the Race Relations Act 1976 in (i) 1995–96 and (ii) 1996–97. [23473]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Total Government payments to the Commission for Racial Equality were(a) £16,006,000 in 1995–96 and (b) £15,436,000 in 1996–97. The Commission estimates that approximately one quarter of this was spent on enforcing the Race Relations Act. We have no way of estimating the gross costs of enforcing the Act which would include the activities of a wide range of organisations and individuals.

  Pigot Report
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Video Evidence (The Pigot Report, 1989) will be implemented in full. [23372]
  516
  Mr. Michael
  The recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Video Evidence which have not been implemented are currently being considered by the Steering Group on Child Evidence as part of the review of vulnerable or intimidated witnesses which was announced by my right hon. Friend on 13 June 1997.

  Young Offenders Institute (Colchester)
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will publish his response to the report by board of visitors to the young offenders institution at the Military Corrective Training Centre at Colchester. [23302]

  Ms Quin
  I will respond to the Colchester Board of Visitors' annual report once we have made a final decision about the future of the establishment. Ministerial responses to the Boards of Visitors' Annual Reports, which take the form of a letter to the Chairman of the relevant Board, are not ordinarily published. However, I do encourage those Boards who place their annual reports on to the Penal Lexicon similarly to place my response.

  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the future of the young offenders institution at the Military Corrective Training Centre at Colchester. [23301]

  Ms Quin
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the right hon. Member for Maidstone and The Weald (Miss Widdecombe) on 15 January 1998,Official Report, column 284.

  Prison Site (Colchester)
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he proposes to make a decision on the possible establishment of a prison at Colchester; and if he will name the site which has been under investigation. [23300]

  Ms Quin
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 14 November 1997,Official Report, column 689.

  If the Prison Service assessment indicates that the site involved offers potential, I shall write to the hon. Member.

  Police (Complaints)
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of complaints against the police have been (i) upheld (ii) dismissed and (iii) dropped by the complainant during the last year for which figures are available. [23536]

  Mr. Michael
  The proportion of completed complaints against the police which were upheld (substantiated) was 2 per cent. in the twelve months from April 1996 to March 1997. Twenty seven per cent. of complaints were investigated but found to be unsubstantiated, 32 per cent. were informally resolved and 39 per cent. were either withdrawn or granted a dispensation by the Police Complaints Authority.

  Sunday Observance Act
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to reform the Sunday Observance Act 1780; and if he will make a statement. [23471]
  517
  Mr. George Howarth
  I am considering proposals from the entertainments industry to remove the prohibition in the Sunday Observance Act 1780 on charging for admission to public dances which are held on a Sunday.

  Lewes Prison
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in respect of Lewes Prison, if he will list for each year from 1985 to 1997 inclusive(a) the budget available to the prison, (b) the (i) average and (ii) maximum number of prisoners, (c) the number of suicides reported and (d) the number of prison officers deployed on average; and if he will make a statement. [23727]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 19 January 1998]: The management structure and retention of records have changed significantly over the past seven financial years and it is not possible to provide, without incurring disproportionate cost, the budget allocations prior to 1990–91. Table A details the allocations made to Lewes prison between 1990–91 and 1997–98.

  The figures reflect the closure of wings for refurbishment in 1991–92 until the reopening of C and G wings in March 1997. The other critical factor affecting budget allocations is the increasing devolvement of cash allocations for operational requirements to local level from 1992–93 onwards. In view of this, it is difficult to draw comparisons between the different financial years.

  It is not possible to provide the actual maximum number of prisoners held at Lewes between 1985 to date, but the operational capacity, which is the nominal maximum number, is shown in table B.

  The term employed by the Prison Service to refer to an apparent suicide is self-inflicted death. This includes all those deaths where it is clear that the person has acted specifically to take his/her own life. Between 1985 and 1997, there have been a total of 10 self-inflicted deaths at Lewes. The details are as follows:

  1986
  Two deaths—inquest verdicts: accidental death.

  1989
  One death—inquest verdict: suicide

  1990
  Two deaths—inquest verdicts: suicide and accidental death

  1992
  One death—inquest verdict: misadventure

  1993
  One death—inquest verdict: suicide

  1995
  One death—inquest verdict: suicide

  1996
  One death—inquest verdict: open

  1997
  Two death—inquest verdict: suicide and accidental death.
  518
  Statistical data relating to the numbers of prison officers employed at Lewes between 1985 and August 1990 are not available. Table C details the information which is available from September 1990 to date.

  Table A: Budget allocations for Her Majesty's Prison Lewes

  1990–91 to 1997–98

  £ million

  Financial years

  Running cost budget allocation

  1990–91

  6,310,000

  1991–92

  3,763,000

  1992–93

  6,794,000

  1993–94

  8,320,000

  1994–95

  8,918,000

  1995–96

  8,870,000

  1996–97

  8,942,000

  1997–98

  9,192,000

  Table B: Average population and operational capacity for Her Majestry's Prison Lewes

  1985–97

  Calender year

  Average population

  Operational capacity

  1985

  519

  1565

  1986

  542

  1587

  1987

  563

  1587

  1988

  575

  1587

  1989

  542

  1587

  1990

  508

  1587

  1991+

  436

  475

  1992+

  362

  525

  1993+

  326

  375

  1994+

  339

  377

  1995+

  306

  325

  1996+

  303

  334

  January 1997 to November 1997 only2

  447

  496

  1 Given that operational capacities are always under review, these figures are an estimate.

  2The decrease in the number of prisoners held at Lewes is because of the rolling programme of wing refurbishment.

  Table C: Average number of prison officers at Her Majesty's Prison Lewes

  1990–91 to 1997–98

  Financial year

  Average number of prison officers

  September 1990 to March 1991

  171

  1991–92

  176

  1992–93

  176

  1993–94

  170

  1994–95

  167

  1995–96

  170

  1996–97

  167

  1997–98

  162

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what budget he plans for Lewes prison for the forthcoming year; and what estimate he has made of the maximum number of prisoners that will be held in Lewes over that period. [23728]
  519
  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 19 January 1998]: The budget allocation of 1998–99 has not yet been decided for Lewes. The Governor was given an indicative budget allocation of £8,631,000 and £8,470,000 for 1998–99 and 1999–2000 in June last year and has made plans to operate the prison within this cash limit. He has also bid for additional funds to preserve some regime services. The outcome of these bids will be known later this month.

  The Operational Capacity for Lewes prison is 496 and the Governor has based his planning assumptions on a 98 per cent. occupancy, a daily average population of 486 prisoners.

  Internal Police Investigations
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will repeal those sections of the Local Government Act 1992 which prevent the publication of internal discipline investigations by individual police forces; [23412]

  (2) what plans he has to make public reports relating to investigations into the sexual harassment of women police officers at Harrogate Police Station in the early 1990s; [23362]

  (3) what plans he has to introduce legislation to ensure that internal police disciplinary investigations are not automatically subject to public interest immunity; [23364]

  (4) what plans he has to allow individual police authorities to decide whether to publish the finding of internal discipline investigations within individual police forces. [23363]

  Mr. Michael
  None of the information relating to internal police investigations is held by my right hon. Friend and its disclosure is therefore a matter not for him but for the police authority or the chief constable.

  Public interest immunity arises only in the context of court proceedings. It does not arise as of right but requires there to be both a risk of harm if disclosure did take place and a balance between the risk of harm and the interests of justice. So far, the courts have accepted that the risk of harm in disclosing public investigation reports justifies their non-disclosure but the matter has to be considered in the context of each case.

  The publication of information under the Local Government Act 1992 relates to information on standards of performance. The Local Government Act 1972 gives the public a right to certain information, including information about meetings held by the police authority. It is not a free standing right to inspect documents held by the authority. Where information does fall to be disclosed under the 1972 Act, there are exemptions which prevent disclosure about certain matters which includes information about particular employees/office holders.

  The Government are considering extending the range of information available to the public. Their proposals were set out in the White Paper "Your Right to Know" which was issued for consultation on 11 December 1997.
  520
  We have made it clear that we wish to increase public confidence in the complaints and discipline system and we will consider how this might be done in the light of the report published last week by the Home Affairs Select Committee.

CABINET OFFICE

  New Millennium Experience Company
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio what severance pay has been given to Mr. Stephen Bayley, former Creative Director of the New Millennium Experience Company. [23926]

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio what severance pay has been granted to the former Creative Director of the New Millennium Experience Company. [23921]

  Mr. Mandelson
  The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) does not propose to make any severance payment to Stephen Bayley, the former creative consultant to the Company.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he plans to advertise for a replacement to the position of Creative Director of the New Millennium Exhibition Company. [23227]

  Mr. Mandelson
  The New Millennium Experience Company have no plan to replace Stephen Bayley as creative consultant to the Company.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will make a statement on the circumstances surrounding the resignation of the Creative Director of the New Millennium Exhibition Company. [23228]

  Mr. Mandelson
  Mr. Bayley and the New Millennium Experience Company jointly announced on Friday 9 January that the basis of Mr. Bayley's association with the project had been changed by mutual agreement.

  Mr. Bayley's former role was to advise the New Millennium Experience Company on aspects of the content of the exhibition. The intention was that he would continue to advise the Company on an ad-hoc basis.

  In the light of Mr. Bayley's subsequent comments, the New Millennium Experience Company will not be asking him to undertake any further work.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio what is the date of the official launch of the New Millennium Exhibition Company. [23225]

  Mr. Mandelson
  I announced that Millennium Central Ltd. would be renamed the New Millennium Experience Company on 26 June 1997 at the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. The Company's Articles of Association were amended as a result on 30 June 1997.

  Millennium Experience
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio what meetings he has had with members of the ethnic minority communities to discuss the contents of the Millennium Dome. [23577]

  Mr. Mandelson
  The New Millennium Experience Company fully recognises the importance of making the Millennium Experience at Greenwich relevant and accessible to all sections of society, including ethnic minority communities, and is considering a number of proposals from ethnic minority groups. In February, I shall be attending a meeting of the Churches and Other Faiths sub-group of the Millennium Co-ordinating Group, on which all the main faith communities are represented. Various organisations which have strong ethnic minority representation, such as the Evangelical Alliance, the Inner Cities Religious Council, the Inter Faith Network and the Council of Churches for Britain and Ireland, are also members of the group.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio when he plans to announce the nature of the exhibition in the Millennium Experience Dome. [23715]

  Mr. Mandelson
  The New Millennium Experience Company plans to reveal further details of the Millennium Experience in the first quarter of this year.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio which British women's groups he has invited to contribute to the content of the millennium dome. [24256]

  Mr. Mandelson
  A number of eminent women—on the Board of the New Millennium Experience (NMEC) and within the design companies contracted to NMEC—are involved in the creation of the content of the Millennium Dome. As Ms Jennie Page—the Chief Executive of 522
  NMEC—confirmed to the Minister for Women at a meeting on 18 December 1997, the Company is convinced that the involvement of such women will ensure that women's interests are addressed.

  Disney Corporation
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio what meetings took place in the United Kingdom between representatives of the Disney Corporation and the New Millennium Experience Company during the course of 1997; when and where such meetings took place; which(a) Ministers, (b) officials and (c) representatives of the New Millennium Experience Company were present at the meetings; and what was discussed. [23933]

  Mr. Mandelson
  I have had one meeting in the UK with a senior executive from the Disney Corporation since taking up my appointment as shareholder of the New Millennium Experience in June 1997. No officials or representatives of the New Millennium Experience Company were present at the meeting.

  A range of discussions, meetings and site visits between senior staff at NMEC and various Disney enterprises have taken place on matters of mutual interest.

  Select Committee on Culture, Media and Sport
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio when he plans to give a substantive response the Second Report of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee (House of Commons Paper No. 340), 11 December 1997. [23216]

  Mr. Mandelson
  I will publish a response to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee Report on the Millennium Dome, including a timetable for the implementation of its recommendations, before the end of February, the deadline set by the Committee.

  European Union: Forthcoming Business
  European Union: Forthcoming Business
  European Committee of the Regions: Nominations
  European Committee of the Regions: Nominations
  Hong Kong: Second Report to Parliament
  Hong Kong: Second Report to Parliament
  Anglo-Irish Co-operation
  Anglo-Irish Co-operation
  Crown Copyright
  Crown Copyright
  Helplines
  Helplines
  William Morris Academy
  William Morris Academy
  BSE and Scrapie
  BSE and Scrapie
  Common Agricultural Policy: Reform
  Common Agricultural Policy: Reform
  Anthrax: Inoculation Policy
  Anthrax: Inoculation Policy
  Crown Dependencies: Financial Regulation
  Crown Dependencies: Financial Regulation
  Deaths in Custody
  Deaths in Custody
  Methods of Restraint used in Custody: Exhibition
  Methods of Restraint used in Custody: Exhibition
  Derelict Sites: Planning Control
  Derelict Sites: Planning Control
  HM Coastguard
  HM Coastguard
  Railfreight Distribution Sale and Eurotunnel Concession Extension
  Railfreight Distribution Sale and Eurotunnel Concession Extension
  "New Leadership for London": Response
  "New Leadership for London": Response
  London: ERDF Funding
  London: ERDF Funding