Written Answers of 22 January 1998

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Land Mines
  Mr. Bruce George
  To ask the President of the Council, pursuant to the answer of the Secretary of State for Defence of 12 January 1998, to the hon. Member for Monmouth (Mr. Edwards),Official Report, column 130, if she will make it her policy to provide for the Bill to implement the Ottawa Convention to be subject to pre-legislative scrutiny. [24177]

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  The Government have already said that they plan to introduce legislation as soon as the Parliamentary timetable allows. We will consider nearer the time the most appropriate way.

  Mr. Bruce George
  To ask the President of the Council which Department will be in charge of the legislation to give effect to the provisions of the Ottawa Convention. [24178]

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is the lead Department.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Aid (Rules for Use)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to her answer of 12 January,Official Report, column 86, which programmes will have a lower priority as a result of her policy to give programmes to combat poverty a higher priority; and what reductions in funding these programmes will receive. [24087]

  Clare Short
  The final allocation of our resources between programmes for 1998–99 and subsequent years is currently being considered. Priority will be given to interventions which combat poverty. The shift in spending priorities will be detailed in our annual report which we expect to publish next month.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to her answer of 12 January,Official Report, column 86, what measures she proposes to prevent aid being used for military purchases from countries other than the United Kingdom. [24088]

  Clare Short
  Department for International Development funding for development projects overseas is subject to existing detailed and stringent procedures involving regular and careful review at the design, implementation and evaluation stages to ensure that they fully meet the developmental purpose for which they are 604
  intended, as required in the Overseas Development and Co-operation Act 1980, and are not used for inappropriate military or other purposes.

  As I made clear in my answer of 12 January 1998, there is not and will not be any link between aid and sales of British arms equipment.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Coastguard
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to review the funding for the Coastguard Agency. [22871]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Government intend to merge the Coastguard Agency and the Marine Safety Agency on 1 April 1998 to create a new Agency, to be known as the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (the Chief Executive of which will be Mr. Maurice Storey, currently a Director of Stena Line UK). The budget for the new Agency in 1998–99 will be higher than the sum of the current year budgets of the two existing agencies. The longer term funding of the Agency is being considered in the context of the Comprehensive Spending Review, in which we shall of course give due priority to safety and counter-pollution activities.

  Advisers
  Sir Robert Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the special advisers in his Department, the Minister to whom each is responsible and the subjects on which they advise. [23193]

  Mr. Prescott
  Joe Irvin and Joan Hammell advise me on all my areas of responsibility both as Secretary of State and Deputy Prime Minister. Paul Hackett and Darren Murphy are part-time advisers, who together make up the equivalent of 1 full-time adviser's post, and cover regional and local government issues. David Taylor acts as a part-time, unpaid adviser mainly on regeneration and regional issues.

  Kate Davies and Tony Grayling advise my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport on transport issues.

  Use Classes Order
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to review the Use Classes Order 1987. [23681]

  Mr. Caborn
  There are no plans to review the Order, although we keep under consideration the need for amendments in the light of representations received.

  London Boroughs (Landholdings)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the acreage of land and its current value that is owned by each of the London borough councils. [23285]

  Mr. Caborn
  This information is not held centrally.

  Roads (Greater London)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the present major road(a) developments and (b) improvements that are currently being implemented within the Greater London area. [23290]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Taking "road developments" as the building of new roads and "road improvements" as major enhancements to an existing road, the information for local authority projects costing over £2 million and Highways Agency projects costing over £3 million is as follows. Information on lower value projects, privately promoted road projects and maintenance led projects could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. London-wide traffic management programmes are also excluded.Road Developments

  1. Bexleyheath Southern Relief Road and Pedestrianisation, LB Bexley—the relief road is open to traffic but the pedestrianisation has yet to be completed.

  2. Hounslow Town Centre Relief Road, LB Hounslow—the relief road is open to traffic but further works are yet to be completed.

  3. Future A12, Hackney—M11 Link Road, Highways Agency—the new road is expected to be open to traffic in mid 1999.

  4. Future A13, Wennington—Mar Dyke, Highways Agency—the new road is expected to be open to traffic in late 1998.

  5. Future A13, West of Heathway—Thames Avenue, Highways Agency—the new road is expected to be open to traffic in mid 1999.

  Improvements

  1. Bexleyheath Town Centre Traffic Management Scheme, LB Bexley—due for completion mid 2000.

  2. Woolwich Road Improvement, LB Greenwich—due for completion 1998.

  3. Uxbridge Town Centre Improvements, LB Hillingdon—due for completion mid 1998.

  4. Harrow Road/Ladbroke Grove Widening, LBs Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea—due for completion mid 1999.

  5. A240 North-South Strategy, LB Kingston—due for completion mid 1999.

  6. A11 Stratford Gyratory Modifications, LB Newham—due for completion early 1998.

  7. Oxford Street Improvements, LB Westminster—due for completion 2002.

  8. Wood Green Spouters Corner Improvement, LB Haringey—due for completion 1999.

  9. A406 North Circular Road, Fore Street Underpass, Highways Agency—due to open to traffic early 1998.

  Poor People
  Mr. Pond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions 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. [23338]

  Mr. Prescott
  Many of my departments policies directly address the problems of the poorest 30 per cent. of the population. Examples include: social housing provision; many regeneration initiatives; the rough sleepers initiative; the Home Energy efficiency scheme; and measures to promote transport accessibility.
  606
  My department has an extensive research programme which evaluates the impact of these and other policies, and particular attention is placed on assessing whether policies are reaching disadvantaged people and deprived areas. For example, my department is undertaking an extensive evaluation of the SRB challenge fund which includes an assessment of how far funds have gone to deprived areas, and residents surveys to assess whether deprived people are benefiting from the initiative. We have also carried out extensive evaluations of the Rough Sleepers Initiative which have assessed the contribution of the different elements of the RSI to meeting the housing and support needs of people sleeping rough. Through the five yearly English House Conditions Survey we are also able to look at how the circumstances of the poorest households change over time.

  More generally, we have commissioned a pilot study in three areas in order to trace how far public expenditure taken as a whole is being targeted on deprived areas where many of the poorest 30 per cent. of the population live.

  Of course, I consider the implications for the poor and socially deprived in framing all my policies, whether this is a direct aim of those policies or not.

  Water Industry
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress has been made in improving the record of the water industry in respect of(a) leakage, (b) water quality and (c) value for money for consumers. [23697]

  Mr. Meacher
  My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister announced at the water summit in May 1997 a 10-point action plan to help secure a reliable, efficient and environmentally sustainable water industry which recognises that its primary duty is to meet the needs of its customers. The Government are looking for a sustained commitment from the water companies to the actions identified and is asking them for updates on their summit-related activities. There has been considerable progress.

  (a) Since the water summit the Director General of Water Services has set mandatory leakage targets for every water company to meet by the end of 1998–99. These will mean a 16 per cent. reduction in total leakage below companies' own targets for 1997–98.

  (b) The quality of drinking water is high. 99.7 per cent. of the 3.1 million tests carried out in England and Wales during 1996 met the relevant standards. Data for 1997 are still being collected by the Drinking Water Inspectorate and will be published later this year.

  (c) On prices, the Government look to the Director General to set tough new price limits, in his next periodic review of water price limits to apply from 1 April 2000, which represent the best value for money, given the industry's service and environmental obligations. As part of the drive towards meeting leakage targets, all companies now provide free supply pipe leakage detection and repair services for domestic customers.

  In addition, the Government are undertaking a fundamental review of utility regulation. The Government want the regulatory framework to deliver value, quality and choice to consumers while providing incentives to managers to innovate and improve efficiency.
  607
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many sewage treatment plants in the United Kingdom include ultra-violet treatment systems; and if he will list their locations. [23716]

  Angela Eagle
  A list from the Environment Agency on locations of the thirty-five sewage treatment works which include ultra-violet treatment in England and Wales is attached in the table. The information relating to Scotland and Northern Ireland is a matter for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Northern Ireland respectively.

  Waste Water Treatment Works in England and Wales with UV Disinfection as at January 1998

  Agency Region

  Treatment Works

  South West

  Lyme Regis

  Exmouth

  Menagwins (St. Austell)

  St. Columb Major

  Gorran Haven

  Ashford (Barnstaple)

  Porthilly (Rock)

  Trecerus (Padstow)

  Porthleven

  St. Agnes

  Southern

  New Romney (Littlestone)

  Dymchurch

  Camber

  Thames

  None

  Anglian

  Newton Marsh

  Mablethorpe

  Wells-Next-The-Sea

  Heacham

  West Mersea

  Kings Lynn

  North East

  None

  North West

  Newbiggin

  Ashkham-in-Furness

  Silloth

  Midlands

  None

  Welsh

  Newgale

  Aberystwyth

  Llanelli (Bynea)

  Tywyn/Aberdyfi

  Criccieth

  Laugharne

  Amroth

  Tenby

  Dale

  Llangrannog

  Pwllhelli

  Treborth (Bangor)

  Beaumaris

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of ultra-violet treatment of sewage. [23719]
  608
  Angela Eagle
  Ultra-violet treatment of sewage effluent can be a cost effective method of achieving microbiological water quality standards at some locations. It has been shown to inactivate a wide range of micro-organisms.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to introduce legislation to require ultra-violet treatment of sewage. [23720]

  Angela Eagle
  Legislation is not needed for this. The type of treatment process used to meet required water quality standards is a matter for the discharger and the environmental regulator.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research he has commissioned into the effectiveness of ultra-violet treatment of sewage. [23718]

  Angela Eagle
  The Department published comprehensive reviews of sewage disinfection techniques in 1988 and 1992, both of which examined the effectiveness of ultra-violet treatment. They were published by Consultants in Environmental Sciences Ltd. A further review, jointly funded by this Department, the Environment Agency and the water industry, on the fate of enteroviruses through sewage treatment processes, is currently in progress.

  Countryside
  Mr. Hesford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the Government's proposals on the right to roam will be published; and if he will make a statement. [23819]

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects the consultation paper on access to the countryside to be published. [23808]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Government plan to issue for consultation shortly their proposals for giving greater freedom for people to explore open countryside.

  Gipsies
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received about Circular 18/94, in relation to the Police and Criminal Justice Act 1994; and if he will make a statement. [23831]

  Ms Armstrong
  Sections 77 to 79 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 give all local authorities powers to deal with unauthorised camping, and my Department's Circular no. 18/94, "Gypsy Sites Policy and Unauthorised Camping", gives advice to local authorities on the use of these powers.

  My Department has received a number of representations, both from local authorities and from groups representing gypsies and travellers, about the advice in Circular 18/94. We have commissioned a research project to consolidate existing good practice for local authorities in dealing with unauthorised camping, with a view to producing guidance. We will be consulting the Local Government Association and others on a draft of that guidance in the spring.

  Professional Divers
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the assessed(a) short and (b) long term health risks to professional divers; and if he will make a statement. [23813]

  Angela Eagle
  The assessed short-term health risks to professional divers include:

  1. decompression illness ("bends");

  2. barotrauma;

  3. cerebral arterial gas embolism;

  4. inert gas narcosis;

  5. oxygen toxicity;

  6. hypoxia (lack of oxygen);

  7. carbon dioxide toxicity;

  8. toxicity from other gases, for example carbon monoxide contamination;

  9. hyperthemeia and hypothermia;

  10. high pressure neurological syndrome in deep diving;

  11. infections;

  12. transient decreases in haemoglobin levels and lung function during the period of saturation dives.

  The longer-term health effects of professional diving are becoming better appreciated as medical knowledge has increased. These longer-term health effects include:

  1. dysbaric osteonecrosis;

  2. decrease in lung function;

  3. changes in neurophysiological function;

  4. changes in psychological function;

  5. changes in retinal function;

  6. changes in audiological function.

  The Health and Safety Executive is currently commissioning further research to investigate the potential long-term health effects associated with working in hyperbaric environments.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the number of United Kingdom nationals who have registered as professional divers broken down by category for each year since 1979. [23817]

  Angela Eagle
  All divers at work who dive in UK waters are required to hold a diving certificate issued by the Health and Safety Executive under the Diving Operations at Work Regulations 1981. The following information shows the numbers of UK nationals who have been awarded HSE diving certificates since 1981. Divers working in the UK before the Regulations came into force were exempted from this requirement and consequently do not appear in the table.

  Type of Diving Certificate awarded

  Year

  Part 1

  Part 2

  Part 3

  Part 4

  Total

  1982

  341.00

  162.00

  181.00

  220.00

  904.00

  1983

  332.00

  153.00

  129.00

  101.00

  715.00

  1984

  357.00

  143.00

  162.00

  118.00

  780.00

  1985

  443.00

  148.00

  157.00

  113.00

  861.00

  1986

  298.00

  94.00

  118.00

  116.00

  626.00

  1987

  103.00

  98.00

  110.00

  133.00

  444.00

  1988

  110.00

  118.00

  150.00

  168.00

  546.00

  1989

  162.00

  147.00

  167.00

  165.00

  641.00

  1990

  214.00

  120.00

  226.00

  156.00

  716.00

  610

  Type of Diving Certificate awarded

  Year

  Part 1

  Part 2

  Part 3

  Part 4

  Total

  1991

  272.00

  98.00

  277.00

  427.00

  1,074.00

  1992

  212.00

  56.00

  241.00

  338.00

  847.00

  1993

  224.00

  73.00

  277.00

  409.00

  983.00

  1994

  294.00

  46.00

  306.00

  391.00

  1,037.00

  1995

  187.00

  36.00

  274.00

  407.00

  904.00

  1996

  158.00

  13.00

  144.00

  272.00

  587.00

  1997

  179.00

  24.00

  130.00

  162.00

  495.00

  Notes

  1. HSE currently has four different diving competence standards, called Parts.

  Part 1 Basic Air Diving

  Part 2 Mixed Gas Diving

  Part 3 Air Diving Where No Surface Compression Chamber is Required On Site.

  Part 4 Air Diving With Self Contained Equipment Where No Surface Compression Chamber Is required on site.

  2. Under the Parts there are nine variations of the diver training certificates.

  HSE Part 1

  basic air

  —

  Unrestricted

  HSE Part 2

  mixed

  —

  Unrestricted

  gas/bell

  —

  Restricted to bell diving in air range

  HSE Part 3

  onshore air

  —

  Unrestricted

  —

  Restricted to diving in the Police Force

  —

  Restricted to diving in tanks

  —

  Unrestricted

  HSE Part 4

  SCUBA

  —

  Unrestricted

  —

  Restricted to diving in tanks

  —

  Restricted to instruction of recreational divers (discontinued in June 1996)

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions who is responsible for the hyperbaric medical monitoring of professional divers once they have left the profession. [23816]

  Angela Eagle
  There is no statutory requirement for the hyperbaric medical examination of professional divers once they have left the profession.

  However, the Health and Safety Executive is currently commissioning further research into the potential long-term health effects associated with working in hyperbaric environments. The subject group will include former commercial divers.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much money offshore operators have contributed to hyperbaric medical research since 1979. [23814]

  Angela Eagle
  The total cost of hyperbaric medical research projects carried out by the Offshore Safety Division of the Health and Safety Executive (and the then Department of Energy) since 1979 is £6.2 million. The offshore industry's contribution is estimated as £1.4 million (approximately 20 per cent. of the total cost).

  Tobacco Smoke
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list environmental tobacco smoke as a hazardous substance under health and safety at work legislation. [23811]
  611
  Angela Eagle
  There are at present no plans to do so. However we intend to review our policies on control of environmental tobacco smoke when we have considered the forthcoming report from the Scientific Committee on Tobacco and Health.

  Millennium Experience
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the threat to(a) the environment and (b) public health of residual contamination which remains on the Millennium Experience site. [24220]

  Angela Eagle
  The Exhibition site has been subject to detailed ground investigation and assessment by British Gas Properties/Port Greenwich Ltd. who were the original owners and original polluters, to provide information on the presence of contaminants. English Partnerships bought the site from British Gas early in 1997 and has carried out further investigations.

  These assessments have allowed English Partnerships to carry out a safe, practical strategy for the remediation of the site. Rehabilitation proposals have been drawn up in accordance with current guidance from the Interdepartmental Committee for Redevelopment of Contaminated Land and the Environment Agency. The overall rehabilitation strategy has also been discussed and agreed with both the Environment Agency and the Environmental Health Department of the London Borough of Greenwich. All aspects of the remediation work have been carried out to statutory health and safety standards.

  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if contaminated material found at the site of the Millennium Experience has been disposed of off-site. [24219]

  Angela Eagle
  The remediation strategy has involved the excavation of contaminated soils, treatment of the soils on site, the maximum re-use of material on the site and the disposal off-site of some of the soil to licensed landfill sites. The selection of sites for disposal is the responsibility of the contractors who, under the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, operate under a duty of care in the waste handling chain. All the sites used have been licensed by the relevant authority and are suitable for the material being disposed there.

  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if contaminated material has been buried on the site of the Millennium Experience. [24221]

  Angela Eagle
  Low levels of contaminated material, have been left in situ in accordance with current Government guidance for contaminated land. The site has been capped with a multi-layered clean-engineered capping material to isolate the site users from this material. Risk assessments have been carried out and the remediation has been designed to protect all possible users from harm.

  Global Warming
  Mrs. Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate his Department has made of the contribution of aircraft pollution to global warming. [24329]
  612
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Aircraft currently contribute some 2–3 per cent. of anthropogenic CO2 emissions. They also emit NOx, which at altitude may cause a similar global warming effect. The total aircraft contribution to global warming is estimated as being 0.05 watts per sq m (Wm-2), compared with the combined effect of industrial emissions of 2 to 3 Wm-2. However, aviation emissions are expected to increase in the future because of the forecast world-wide growth in aviation. My Department will continue to work through the International Civil Aviation Organisation toward stricter emissions standards and to sponsor research on aviation and the environment.

  Airport Landing Charges
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the landing charges for comparable airliners at the main United Kingdom and international airports and the changes in Heathrow landing charges since BAA's privatisation. [24066]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The table shows the charges for four typical airliners at Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester airports compared with other major European airports in ECU.

  Since privatisation in 1987, landing and parking charges at Heathrow for a Boeing 757–200 (an example of an aircraft that has been operating throughout the period) have risen by 62.9 per cent. in the peak period and by 69.7 per cent. off-peak. When allowance is also made for passenger charges the increase has been 12.1 per cent. in the peak (to £2,114) and 142 per cent. off peak (to £996). (These calculations have been made assuming that the Boeing 757–200 is operating an international flight with three quarters of its 196 seats occupied and that it will spend one hour parked at Heathrow).

  Airport related charges per turn round 1995–96 (in ECU)

  Airport

  Inter-continental Boeing 747–400 (peak)

  Intra-EU A320–100 (off-peak)

  Intra-EU Boeing 737–400 (off-peak)

  Domestic ATR 42 (peak)

  Heathrow

  6,552

  2,067

  3,798

  499

  Gatwick

  6,560

  1,703

  2,777

  393

  Manchester

  7,527

  2,361

  3,582

  253

  Amsterdam

  6,531

  1,798

  2,769

  420

  Brussels

  6,229

  1,623

  2,552

  157

  Frankfurt

  7,923

  2,272

  2,933

  624

  Paris Charles de Gaulle

  7,176

  1,601

  2,023

  274

  Source:

  Appendix 5.6, Table 2 of Monopolies and Mergers Commission Report on the economic regulation of Manchester Airport plc.

  (published October 1997).

  Note:

  Peak and off-peak apply at London Heathrow only.

  Airport-related charges include:

  runway usage fees, passengers terminal charges, passenger transfer charges, parking charges, airbridge charges, security charges, terminal navigation charges, noise charges, night operations or lighting charges, fuel throughput charges, state-imposed departure taxes.

  Pride of Bilbao
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what were the findings of the Marine Safety Agency's investigation
  613
  into the recent crossing to Spain of the Pride of Bilbao; and what assessment he has made of the Agency's investigation. [24056]

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

  Letter from R. M. Bradley to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 22 January 1998:
  The Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions has asked me to reply to your Question about the vessel "Pride of Bilbao".
  The vessel recently completed a voyage from Bilbao to Portsmouth in poor weather conditions which worsened as the passage continued. The Master of the vessel was subsequently interviewed by MSA officials. It was established from weather forecasts available at the outset of the voyage that it was not unreasonable, on safety grounds, for the voyage to commence.
  There were several slight injuries on board, the worst of which was a broken arm; no damage to the ship was sustained. All of the injuries sustained have been reported to the Marine Accident Investigation Branch for their consideration.
  The MSA is content that the Master did not put to sea in overly adverse conditions and did not compromise safety in any part of the voyage.

  Shropshire County Council
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the ability of Shropshire County Council to meet its statutory obligations in the next financial year within his proposed financial settlement. [24431]

  Ms Armstrong
  The Secretary of State has proposed for consultation that Shropshire's Standard Spending Assessment (SSA) in 1998–99 should be £170.325 million. SSAs are the Government's view of the level of net revenue expenditure that it would be appropriate for each local authority to incur, given overall national resources, to provide a level of service which is consistent across all local authorities. SSAs are calculated by formulae which use objective measures of spending need. We take account of statutory obligations when setting the level of SSA.

  Child Pedestrian Accidents
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the United Kingdom record on child pedestrian accidents; and if he will make a statement on the progress of initiatives in this area. [24469]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The United Kingdom has one of the best road safety records in the world, but progress overall on child pedestrian safety has not been as good as in other areas. The previous administration set a target to reduce child pedestrian deaths from 1.3 to 1.0 per 100,000 children by the year 2000 using a combination of engineering, enforcement and education measures. In 1996 there were 1.1 child pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 children aged 0 to 14. Since then we have launched the `Kerbcrafe initiative designed to encourage local communities to play a part in helping young children to understand the importance of road safety. Improving child safety will be one of the issues addressed in the road safety strategy exercise announced on 15 October.

  London Underground
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will make an announcement about the future funding of London Underground, with particular reference to capital investment. [24671]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We are urgently developing proposals for a public/private partnership to provide London Underground with the funding it needs to increase investment and achieve the Underground that Londoners deserve. We will make an announcement when we have reached a decision.

  Virgin Trains
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many complaints were received by the rail users' consultative committees about the services provided by Virgin Trains during(a) the quarter ended 31 December 1997 and (b) the equivalent period in 1996. [24771]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Rail Users' Consultative Committees' complaints figures for the quarter ending 31 December 1997 are currently being collated by the Central Rail Users' Consultative Committee. I will write to the hon. Member when the figures requested are available and will place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

  The complaints figures requested for 1996 are not available. Virgin Trains did not commence operation of passenger rail services until 5 January 1997.

  Eastern Regional Development Agency
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on where the offices of the Regional Development Agency for the Eastern Region will be sited. [24497]

  Mr. Caborn
  It is not for Government to dictate where the Agency will be located. The agency itself will be best placed to decide where its offices should be.

  Air Traffic Control
  Ms Osborne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on(a) the current delay in the development of the new air traffic control centre at Swanwick and (b) the implications for the proposed contract for the new Scottish centre at Prestwick. [24143]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Chief Executive of National Air Traffic Services Ltd. (NATS) announced in July 1997 that there would be a delay to the operational date of the Swanwick centre. Following a review of the project plan, and consultation with NATS staff, users and the Government, the Board of the Civil Aviation Authority agreed a revised operational date of 1999–2000. NATS remain confident that this revised date is achievable, and have developed a robust and flexible implementation plan to bring the project to completion.

  To date, the delay to the operational date of the Swanwick centre has had no impact on the proposed contract for the New Scottish Centre at Prestwick.

WALES

  Sewage Treatment
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the coastal towns in Wales whose sewage receives ultra-violet treatment; and if he will list those towns for which ultra-violet treatment is proposed. [22027]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  I am advised by the Environment Agency that ultra violet treatment has been installed at the following sewage treatment works operated by Dwr Cymru Cyf, some of which receive effluent from more than one location.

  Llanelli

  Laugharne

  Amroth

  Tenby

  Dale

  Newgale

  Llangrannog

  Aberystwyth

  Tywyn/Aberdyfi

  Criccieth

  Pwllheli

  Treborth (Bangor)

  Beaumaris.

  Dwr Cymru has stated that its long-term goal is to provide disinfection at all its coastal sewage treatment works.

  Travellers
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what action he will take to assist communities affected by unauthorised encampments of travellers in Flintshire. [24159]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  Land authorities and the police have powers under sections 66 and 77–79 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 to direct unauthorised campers, including travellers, to leave land where they are camped without permission.

  Although these powers are discretionary, local authorities and the police have wide experience of dealing with unauthorised encampments and it is for them to decide whether the use of the powers is necessary.

  Literacy
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to ensure that the development of literacy in the Welsh language is included in the Government's plans to concentrate on maths and literacy in schools. [24292]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  English and Welsh are dealt with on a basis of equality in the targets we have set for improving standards of literacy. An additional £1.5 million will be available in 1998–99 through the Grants for Education Support and Training Programme to support the development of literacy strategies covering English and Welsh. Local Education Authorities will be able to use these funds in ways which reflect their own language policies.

  Farm Support
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps the Government are taking to ensure that Welsh farmers receive their grant payments on time. [24294]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  Significant overtime is being worked in the Welsh Office Agriculture Department's Divisional Offices, to help cope with the current delays in getting payments out to farmers. In 1997–98, the Welsh Office is investing an additional £1.4 million in better IT equipment and systems for the Agriculture Department, to secure long-term improvements. An Information Systems Strategy is examining options for investment in new IT programmes. In common with other aspects of delivery of services by Government, administration of Common Agricultural Policy schemes in the UK is being examined as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Serious Fraud Office
  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will make a statement on the role of the Serious Fraud Office in investigating fraud against the European Union. [22338]

  The Attorney-General
  The role of the Serious Fraud Office is to investigate and where appropriate prosecute those suspected of serious or complex fraud. The Director of the SFO takes the public interest into account in deciding whether to investigate an allegation of fraud. The fact that the fraud is against local or central government, including frauds involving European Union funds, would be a factor which tends to favour an investigation. The Director may also use her investigating powers to assist other judicial or prosecuting authorities abroad who may be investigating such cases of fraud.

  Crown Prosecution Service
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Attorney-General what representations he has received on the effect on morale in the Crown Prosecution Service of extending their rights of audience. [22340]

  The Attorney-General
  I know from discussions with members of the Crown Prosecution Service at all levels that the rights already granted are very welcome.

  Treasury Solicitor's Office
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Attorney-General what plans he has to reform the operation of the Treasury Solicitor's Office. [22339]

  The Attorney-General
  The Treasury Solicitor's Department is currently carrying out a Comprehensive Spending Review of its objectives and spending programmes, on which decisions will be made in due course. Other than that, I have no plans to reform the Department's operations at present.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Digital Television and Radio
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he expects digital television and digital radio to be available in North-East Lancashire. [23374]

  Mr. Fisher
  The BBC and the Independent Television Commission (ITC) are responsible for planning the transmission of digital terrestrial television services. At present, plans are being formulated for the launch phase of digital television services from 81 transmission sites. I understand that the Winter Hill and Pendle Forest transmitters, which are both included in the 81 site plan, will provide digital terrestrial television services to North-East Lancashire. However, the precise coverage will not be known before transmission actually begins. Winter Hill should broadcast from the launch of digital terrestrial transmissions scheduled for later this year and Pendle Forest within 16 months of the launch.

  The BBC has already commenced the transmission of digital radio services, and estimates that its national radio services will reach 60 per cent. of the UK population from twenty seven transmitter sites. I understand these BBC services are already available to significant parts of Lancashire. Increasing coverage, including the provision of services from the Pendle Forest relay, will be considered by the BBC as part of subsequent phases of development. The Radio Authority plans to advertise the national commercial digital radio multiplex in March and the projected speed of roll-out of the services it is to carry is one of the factors to be assessed in determining which applicant receives the licence. A local multiplex licence for Central Lancashire is scheduled to be advertised by the Radio Authority in January 2000.

  Millennium Commission
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) which local authority areas with populations of more than one million have(a) failed to win and (b) failed to propose a millennium project of £1 million or more; [24532]

  (2) what audit the Millennium commissioners originally undertook to establish what projects of £50 million or more were appropriate for the United Kingdom; and what were their findings; [24531]

  (3) how many projects have been commissioned by the Millennium Commission to date; of those how many (a) are experiencing financial difficulty, (b) have not secured matching funds and (c) have requested additional funds from the Millennium Commissioners; and what response has been made in each case; [24445]

  (4) what (i) penalties will be imposed on and (ii) assistance will be offered by the Millennium Commissioners to projects which do not secure matching funds; and if he will make a statement on the role of the National Audit Office in this area; [24446]

  (5) how many Millennium Commission projects will be completed by (a) 1 January 2000 and (b) 1 January 2001; [24449]
  618
  (6) where the financial liability rests for those Millennium Commission supported projects which fail to fulfil their original criteria. [24448]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  These are matters for the Millennium Commission. I shall reply to my hon. Friend in my capacity as Chairman of the Commission, and place copies of my reply in the Libraries of the House.

DEFENCE

  Chemical and Biological Weapons (Iraq)
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of(a) the stockpiles of and (b) the availability of production facilities for (i) chemical agent VX, (ii) ricin and (iii) anthrax in Iraq. [22973]

  Mr. George Robertson
  Before the Gulf war, Iraq had developed a significant chemical and biological warfare capability, a capability which she has since admitted using against Iran and has also deployed against her own people. The valuable work of the United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM) over the past seven years has reduced, but not entirely eliminated, Iraq's capability in this field.

  The possibility therefore, that Iraq retains a small number of chemical and biological agents, possibly including VX agent, ricin and anthrax, cannot be ruled out.

  It has not been possible, for example, to confirm that all the VX agent which Iraq claims to have produced has been destroyed.

  UNSCOM has reported the supervised destruction of a pilot VX production plant. But the production of small quantities of VX could still be concealed within university laboratories or the chemical industry.

  In addition, whilst Iraq has told UNSCOM that it examined the potential of the plant toxin ricin without success, we cannot confirm that she has given a truthful account of her interest in ricin or that she has destroyed all stocks of the anthrax spores which she claims to have done. Again, Iraq could conceal production of biological warfare agents in facilities associated with biomedical research.

  Even if she does not possess such stocks, Iraq could be capable of producing small quantities of chemical and biological agents; a significant capability. Since we cannot vouch for Iraq's intentions in the future, UNSCOM's work must continue until the UN Security Council are satisfied that Iraq is complying with all relevant resolutions of the United Nations.

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received from Portsmouth City Council requesting information concerning the dumping of(a) radioactive and (b) low-grade radioactive waste in the Portsmouth area. [23332]

  Mr. Spellar
  Officials within the Ministry of Defence have received a number of requests for information concerning the dumping of radioactive waste from
  619
  Portsmouth City Council. This has been supplied, subject to the constraints laid down in the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what records his Department has collated in respect of the dumping of(a) radioactive and (b) low-grade radioactive waste in the Portsmouth City Council area; and if he will make the records available to the Council's Environmental Health Officer; [23377]

  (2) what records his Department holds on the dumping of radioactive waste and low-grade radioactive waste in (a) the Fareham Borough Council, (b) the East Hampshire District Council and (c) the Rushmoor Borough Council area; and if he will make them available to the councils' environmental health officers; [23717]

  (3) if he will make available records of the dumping of radioactive waste and low-grade radioactive waste, in the Havant Borough Council area, to the council's environmental health officer; [24058]

  (4) if he will make departmental records on the dumping of radioactive waste and low-grade radioactive waste, in the Gosport Borough Council area, available to the council's environmental health officer. [24059]

  Mr. Spellar
  Although the Radioactive Substances Act 1960 does not apply to the Ministry of Defence, radioactive waste is disposed of from MOD sites under arrangements with the Environment Agency similar to those required by the Act. As part of these arrangements, information on local disposals is passed to the relevant councils. The MOD also holds some reports which relate to activities pre-dating these arrangements, most notably at Aldershot. In that instance both Rushmoor Borough Council and the Environment Agency are involved in discussions about the site. Information is also made available in response to specific requests under the terms of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Atomic Weapons Testing
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what assessment he has made of the research conducted by the Medical Education Department of Dundee University into atomic test veterans' health; [23798]

  (2) what recent communications his Department has had with the Australian Government concerning the study being undertaken by Dr. Rabbitt-Roff of Dundee University on the effects on British veterans' health of the atmospheric atomic tests conducted by the United Kingdom in Australia. [23809]

  Mr. Spellar
  I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the research work undertaken on behalf of the British Nuclear Test Veterans Association by Dr. Rabbitt-Roff. There is no substantive evidence in her work which would undermine in any way our total confidence in the conclusions of the report published by the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) in 1993 which were that participation in the testing programme had not had a detectable effect on the participants' expectation of life or on their risk of developing cancer or other fatal diseases. Unlike the 620
  NRPB findings, which were published in the British Medical Journal, the BNTVA's studies have not been peer reviewed and published in scientific journals.

  My Department has not discussed this matter with the Australian Government.

  Tomahawk Weapons
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans the Royal Navy has to purchase the Advanced Tomahawk Weapon Control System; and what estimate he has made of the cost. [24359]

  Mr. Spellar
  A submarine variant of the Advanced Tomahawk Weapon Control System is being purchased as part of the arrangements under which Tomahawk missiles are being procured. The cost of the ATWCS is some £18 million.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans the Royal Navy has to upgrade its Tomahawk Missiles to Block IV standard; and at what cost. [24360]

  Mr. Spellar
  There are no plans to upgrade Royal Navy Tomahawk Missiles to Block IV standard.

  European Regional Test Centre
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if it is his intention to continue the United Kingdom commitment to NATO in respect of providing the European Regional Test Centre for interchangeability and interoperability of NATO small arms ammunition; and if he will make a statement; [24103]

  (2) if the collective decision of NATO in 1993 that the European Regional Test Centre for testing certain ammunition should be based at Pendine has been amended following Pendine's certification; and if he will make a statement; [24101]

  (3) if his Department or the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency have identified a single facility with the required range, size, technical facilities and experienced staff as an alternative to the European Regional Test Centre at Pendine; and if he will make a statement. [24102]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 20 January 1998]: NATO's 1993 certification of the European Regional Test Centre facility at DERA Pendine has not been amended.

  There are potentially a number of other sites in the UK that could conduct the small arms work for both MOD and NATO needs. The aim of the Ministry of Defence is to provide these capabilities in the most cost effective way to ensure best value for money for the UK and our NATO allies.

  There are presently no plans to discontinue provision of a European Regional Test Centre for small arms ammunition. Our commitment is dependent on suitable and affordable facilities being available.

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much was charged by the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency for the operation of the European Regional Test Centre for small and medium calibre ammunition at Pendine in each of the financial years since Pendine was certified. [24104]
  621
  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 20 January 1998]: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA). I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Nick Ainger, dated 22 January 1998:
  I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State about charges for the operation of the European Regional Test Centre and Pendine as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency.
  The Pendine range, which includes the NATO European Regional Test Centre for small arms and medium calibre ammunition, was not part of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) until FY 95/6. During FY 93/4 and FY 94/5 the Pendine site was vote funded and direct charges were not made. Costs were allocated on a notional basis, with much of the site running costs funded via the vote. Reliable figures are therefore not available for these years.
  Since FY 95/6 tasks have been costed individually and on a full recovery of costs basis. The total income from NATO work is:

  1995/96: £ 120K

  1996/97: £130K

  1997/98: £ 150K (Estimate of end of year outtum).

  During this period national work has produced the following income:

  1995/96: £633K

  1996/97: £1,041K

  1997/98: £1,180K (Estimate of end of year outturn).

  MOD also pays an annual maintenance charge to support the NATO and national facilities of:

  1995/96: £137K

  1996/97: £256K

  1997/98: £303K.

  I hope this information is helpful.

  WE-177 Bomb
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 31 July 1997,Official Report, column 473, which of the types of WE-177 Bomb have been assigned to the Royal Air Force. [24763]

  Dr. Reid
  All three variants of the WE-177 bomb have been in operational service with the Royal Air Force. As the hon. Gentleman will be aware from the reply my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence gave on 31 July 1997,Official Report, column 473, the last of these bombs will shortly be withdrawn from service.

  A maritime version of the Type A bomb was also in service with the Royal Navy until 1992.

  Recruitment (Ethnic Minorities)
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what targets his Department sets in respect of the recruitment of ethnic minority personnel into the Armed Forces. [25490]

  Dr. Reid
  We have made clear, on a number of occasions, our determination that the Armed Forces should better reflect the ethnic composition of our society. As part of this commitment I am pleased to announce that, for the year starting in April, the goal for each Service will be that 2 per cent. of new recruits should be from the ethnic minorities, with that figure rising annually by 1 per cent. so that it reaches 5 per cent. by the end of the 622
  financial year 2000–02 and in time reflects the proportion of people from ethnic minority communities in the wider population.

  These recruiting goals represent a major challenge for all in the Services, especially recruiting personnel, and will be reflected in the Ministry of Defence Departmental Plan. I am confident that they are realistic and provide a strong indication of our wish to make real, tangible progress in this area.

  Joint Strategic Submarine Patrols
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions have been held with the French authorities on joint strategic submarine patrols; and if he will make a statement. [24674]

  Mr. George Robertson
  Officials have discussed a wide range of subjects with their French counterparts relating to the maintenance of effective deterrence in changing circumstances within the Joint Nuclear Commission. There have been no discussions on the issue of joint UK/French deterrent patrols.

  Exercise Senator 97
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his Answer of 12 November 1997,Official Report, column 580, on Exercise Senator 97, in which part of Lincolnshire and at which MoD sites the exercise took place; how many county councils (a) participated and (b) were invited to participate in the exercise; and what lessons were learnt from this exercise. [24764]

  Dr. Reid
  Exercise SENATOR 97, which took place between 22 and 25 September 1997, was located in the Grantham area of Lincolnshire with the Strategic Co-ordination Group, under Lincolnshire Police chairmanship, based at Lincolnshire Fire Brigade Headquarters, Lincoln. Prince William of Gloucester Barracks was used as a convenient location for the main MoD response forces. Lincolnshire County Council participated in the exercise and was the only County Council invited to participate. Lessons learnt from the exercise will be reflected in an all-agency post exercise report which will be placed in the Library of the House in due course.

  IT Equipment
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's policy regarding the recycling of information technology equipment within his Department and relevant agencies and to other Government departments or agencies; and what arrangements have been made in this respect. [23277]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 21 January 1998]: Since April 1994, a contract has been in place providing for the recycling of laser printer and ink jet printer cartridges. A scheme to recycle mobile phones is currently in negotiation.

  The recycling of information technology equipment such as personal computers is currently the responsibility of local MOD management units and Agencies, and occurs either within their organisations or via third party suppliers. The Department is, however, currently seeking

  623
  to let a contract for recycling of information technology equipment. When a central contract is in place all MOD establishments and Agencies will be able to take advantage of this arrangement.

  We have no specific arrangements covering the recycling of information technology equipment with other Government Departments or Agencies. However, the Disposal Sales Agency have in place arrangements to dispose of IT equipment which is unsuitable for recycling within the Department on the open market once it has been cleared of all classified information. Eighteen other Government Departments and Agencies outside the MOD currently make use of these arrangements to dispose of their IT equipment.

PRIME MINISTER

  No. 10 Downing Street (Staff)
  Ms Abbott
  To ask the Prime Minster how many people work for him at No. 10 Downing Street; and of these how many are paid(a) from public funds and (b) by the Labour Party. [23025]

  The Prime Minster
  [holding answer 15 January 1998]: There were 152 people working at No. 10 Downing Street on 1 January 1998. Of these, 145 were paid from public funds and seven Political Office staff were paid by the Labour Party.

  European Commissioner
  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he has had with the right hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Ashdown) about the successor to Sir Leon Brittan as European Commissioner. [23711]

  The Prime Minister
  None.

  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he has had regarding the replacement British European Commissioner at the end of Sir Leon Brittan's term of office. [23712]

  The Prime Minister
  The members of the Commission were appointed for a five year period, ending on 6 January 2000.

  Announcements will be made in the usual way in due course.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish his response to the British North America Committee on millennium compliance issues. [23558]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 16 January 1998]: I refer the hon. Member to the statement my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster made to the House on 27 November 1997, Official Report, columns 1104–05.

  IT Equipment
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Prime Minister what is his Department's policy regarding the recycling of information technology equipment within his Department and relevant 624
  agencies and to other Government departments or agencies; and what arrangements have been made in this respect. [23280]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 21 January 1998]: For this purpose my office is part of the Cabinet Office. I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Office of Public Service on 21 January 1998, Official Report, column 600.

  Schengen Agreement
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Prime Minister when he was informed that the procedures for joining the Schengen Agreement under the Treaty of Amsterdam would be subject to unanimity. [24053]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him today by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, North (Mr. Henderson), on 21 January 1998,Official Report, column 540.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those visits made within the United Kingdom since 1 May on which(a) he and (b) other Ministers within his Department have been accompanied under Rule 83 of the Ministerial Code indicating (i) those persons accompanying and (ii) the cost to public funds. [23761]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 19 January 1998]: (a) (i) I was accompanied by my partner, Ms Gaynor Regan, on two visits within the UK. She accompanied me to CHOGM in Edinburgh on 23–27 October 1997. We travelled by RAF aeroplane. On 14 November 1997 I flew on a RAF aeroplane for an emergency meeting on Iraq with the US Secretary of State, Mrs. Albright. Ms Gaynor Regan accompanied me on that RAF aeroplane to Edinburgh. We both flew back commercially.

  (a) (ii) There was no cost to public funds on either occasion.

  (b) (i) No other FCO Minister has been accompanied by his or her partner on any visit within the UK.

  (b) (ii) None.

  Algeria
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the future progress of the EU-Algeria Partnership Agreement; and what assessment he has made of Algeria's commitments under the human rights clause of that Agreement. [24443]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The EU/Algeria Association Agreement is part of the Euro-Med process begun in Barcelona in 1995 and will provide for liberalised trade an enhanced political dialogue. The European Commission is currently negotiating the terms of the Agreement, including commitments by both parties to respect human rights and democratic principles. The EU/Algeria
  625
  Association Council set up under the agreement will allow discussion of compliance with all parts of the agreement once it enters into force.

  BBC World Service
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his oral answer of 13 Janaury 1998,Official Report, column 141, what assessment he has made of the advantages of providing the BBC World Service in key languages. [24783]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Broadcasting in vernacular languages is an important element in the World Service's ability to reach its target audience. We and the World Service keep its 44 language services under constant review. New languages are introduced and others closed down to meet new priorities.

  Heathrow (VIP Facilities)
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 12 January 1998,Official Report, column 23, if he will list the equivalent figures for the use and cost of VIP facilities at Heathrow Airport for 1996. [24500]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The information is in the following table.

  (a)

  Number

  (b)

  Cost (£)

  May

  902

  May

  172,755.55

  June

  1,097

  June

  210,102.92

  July

  1,176

  July

  225,233.40

  August

  1,109

  August

  212,401.22

  September

  1,375

  September

  263,346.87

  October

  934

  October

  178,884.35

  November

  1,043

  November

  199,760.57

  The figures include use of VIP facilities by the British Council and the Bank of England. They also include VAT. The figures include use by Foreign and Commonwealth VIP visitors as well as HMG Ministers.

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list by(a) month and (b) Minister the number of times each Government Minister has used VIP facilities at Heathrow Airport in the course of their official travel since 1 May. [24494]

  Mr. Lloyd
  Details of FCO Ministers are as follows:

  Secretary of State

  Mr. Lloyd

  Mr. Fatchett

  Mr. Henderson

  1997

  May

  3

  —

  2

  3

  June

  5

  —

  3

  4

  July

  5

  1

  4

  3

  August

  1

  —

  —

  1

  September

  2

  1

  3

  4

  October

  2

  —

  —

  6

  November

  4

  1

  3

  4

  December

  1

  1

  —

  2

  1998

  January

  1

  1

  2

  —

  Baroness Symons has not used the VIP facilities at Heathrow Airport during this period.
  626
  My Department does not have readily available a breakdown of use by Ministers from other Government Departments. We shall ask Heathrow Airport Limited to prepare one and my noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Baroness Symons, will write to the hon. Member accordingly.

  Correspondence
  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 of 9 December regarding a constituent. [24519]

  Mr. Fatchett
  My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Baroness Symons, sent a letter to my hon. Friend about this application on 20 January.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Poor People
  Mr. Pond
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department 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. [23346]

  Mr. Hoon
  This Department's aim is to ensure that all people, irrespective of means, can uphold their rights and fulfil their obligations, in particular through efficient and affordable courts and legal services, and by developing the civil law to meet society's needs. We will evaluate our policies in line with this aim.

  Magistrates Court, Chelmsford
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the current status of proposals relating to the moving of Chelmsford magistrates court to Witham; and when he expects a final decision on this proposal to be taken. [24496]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Department has no proposals in respect of magistrates courts in Essex.

  Decisions concerning the future of magistrates courts is for the relevant magistrates courts committee to determine. A local authority that contributes financially may appeal to the Lord Chancellor against a proposed closure. The procedure for such appeals is set out in section 56 of the Justices of the Peace Act 1997. In the absence of an appeal, however, the Lord Chancellor plays no part in the process.

  I understand from the Essex magistrates courts committee that there are no current plans to move the Chelmsford magistrates court to Witham.

  Overseas Visits
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, pursuant to his answer of 15 January 1998,Official Report, column 278, what is the share of the cost of the official visit to Trinidad and Tobago attributable to Lady Irvine's attendance. [24499]
  627
  Mr. Hoon
  Pursuant to my answer of 15 January 1998,Official Report, column 278 and my subsequent letter to the hon. Gentleman (a copy of which has been placed in the Library), the share of the cost of the official visit to Trinidad and Tobago attributable to Lady Irvine's attendance is approximately £2,350. The largest element of this is one business class return air fare from Heathrow to Port of Spain.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  CS Gas
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in respect of each police authority which has made CS gas available to officers, if he will give, the date of introduction, stating(a) how many cases of CS cross-contamination have been reported, (b) how many officer days have been lost, (c) how many claims for compensation have been filed and (d) how many awards of compensation have been made, giving the amount in each case. [24302]

  Mr. Michael
  [holding answer 20 January 1998]: This information is not held centrally. At least 35 forces have introduced, or plan to introduce, CS spray. I am told that there are few, if any, cases in which officers are seriously affected by CS cross-contamination.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the 588 officers who suffered cross-contamination effects during the CS Gas trials between 1 March and 31 August 1996 have(a) reported this cross-contamination as minor injury, (b) taken time off work as a consequence, (c) claimed compensation and (d) been awarded compensation, stating the amount in each case. [24283]

  Mr. Michael
  This information was not collected. The information available about cross-contamination suffered by police officers during the trials is contained in Chapter 4 of the Home Office Police Research Group report which was published in December 1996. A copy of the report is in the Library.

  Immigration and Nationality Directorate
  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimates he has made of staffing levels at the Immigration and Nationality Directorate offices at Croydon on(a) 1 April 1998, (b) 1 April 1999 and (c) 1 April 2000. [24549]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Current estimates are that there will be surpluses of Immigration and Nationality Directorate staff in Croydon of between 170 to 467 in the financial year 1998–99 and of a further 150 to 250 in 1999–2000.

  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what time scale he has planned for the implementation of the new computer system at the Immigration and Nationality Directorate offices at Croydon in respect of(a) initial installation, (b) pilot phase and (c) full operation. [24548]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The contract to design, build, install and operate the new computer system in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate was awarded to 628
  Siemens Business Services under the Private Finance Initiative. It is accordingly for Siemens to plan the implementation, and the contract places on it the main financial consequences of any delay. There has recently been a delay of a few months to the original timetable for the installation and piloting of the solution. Siemens is preparing detailed plans and will shortly propose revised dates. I shall write to the hon. Gentleman when these have been agreed.

  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what sum is budgeted for the operation of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate offices at Croydon for the years(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 1999–2000. [24547]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The information requested is not available because the Immigration and Nationality Directorate budget is not apportioned by location or building. The total budget for the Directorate is £226 million in 1997–98 and £223.7 million in 1998–99. The budget for 1999–2000 will be set following consideration of the Comprehensive Spending Review.

  Asylum Applications
  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applicants for asylum to the Immigration and Nationality Directorate are awaiting decisions on their cases; how many refused applications are awaiting appeal; what is the date of the oldest application still to be processed; what is the date of the oldest refusal still awaiting appeal; and if he will make a statement. [23918]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  As at 31 December 1997, there were 51,795 applications for asylum in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants, awaiting an initial decision. As at the same date, there were 25,555 asylum related appeals awaiting determination. A large backlog of cases has developed over a decade and the Government are reviewing all aspects of asylum law to make the handling of cases faster. This year we are also computerising the case handling procedures which should help speed it up in the future.

  I regret that reliable data for the other information requested are not available.

  Cannabis
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the research initiatives involving cannabis which have been granted a licence. [24326]

  Mr. George Howarth
  [holding answer 21 January 1998]: The information requested is as follows:

  Research initiative

  Current licences

  Professor A. Smith, University of Oxford

  Medical—effect of delta-9-THC and cannabis on the bladder reflex

  Mr. D. Todd, James Paget Hospital

  Medical—investigation claims of therapeutic benefits of cannabis

  Dr. R. Pertwee, University of Aberdeen

  Medical—neuropharmacology of cannabinoids

  Dr. G. Hall, De Montfort University

  Studies in Pharmacology

  629

  Research initiative

  Dr. D. Harvey, University of Oxford

  Studies in Pharmacology

  Professor F. Evans, University of London

  Studies in Pharmacology

  Professor M. Rubenstein, Liverpool John Moores University

  Studies in Pharmacology

  Professor P. Redfern, University of Bath

  Studies in Pharmacology

  Dr. R. Morgan, University of Sunderland

  Studies in Pharmacology

  Dr. K. Brain, University of Wales

  Studies in Pharmacology

  Dr. J. Smart, University of Portsmouth

  Studies in Pharmacology

  Dr. P. Dewick, University of Nottingham

  Studies in Pharmacology

  Dr. G. Lockwood, University of Manchester

  Studies in Pharmacology

  Mr. M. Aitken, University of Brighton

  Studies in Pharmacology

  Dr. P. Houghton, Kings College London

  Studies in Pharmacology

  Professor R. Richards, The Robert Gordon University

  Studies in Pharmacology

  Dr. C. Hunter, University of The West of England

  Studies in Forensic Science

  Dr. M. Cole, University of Strathclyde

  Studies in Forensic Science

  Professor D. Cowan, Kings College London

  Drugs Testing

  Expired licences

  Dr. G. M. Stern, Middlesex Hospital

  Medical—effects of cannabis on Parkinson's Disease

  Dr. P. Taylor, Bethlem Hospital

  Medical—effects of cannabis on psychosis

  Dr. A. Holdcroft, Hammersmith Hospital

  Medical—effects of cannabis on familial Mediterranean fever

  Mr. Illsley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research has been undertaken by the Government into the legalisation of cannabis following the report of the Wootton Commission. [24769]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Over the 30 years since the Wootton Commission published its report, the Home Office has undertaken studies of prevalence of cannabis (and other drug) misuse and attitudes towards legalising illicit drugs. I understand from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health that, although his Department has not recently commissioned basic research in this area, his officials, including professionals, are keeping the available research into the risks and medical use of cannabis under review.

  Criminal Convictions
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the length of time taken between arrest and conviction of criminals. [22336]
  630
  Mr. Michael
  Data on the exact period between arrest and conviction are not available. However, the magistrates courts Time Intervals Survey, published three times a year by the Lord Chancellor's Department, collects data on the time between offence and completion of magistrates courts proceedings. The latest available figures show that, in June 1997, the average time for defendants in indictable cases (including triable-either-way cases) was 132 days. This compares with 133 days in June 1996 and 132 in June 1995. Data collected by the Court Service show that the average time between committal and arraignment or start of trial in the Crown Court in 1997 was 12 weeks. This compares with 13 weeks in 1996 and 16 weeks in 1995.

  The Government are determined to tackle delays in the criminal justice system. Delays impede justice, frustrate victims and bring the law into disrepute. The Government are particularly concerned by delays in dealing with persistent young offenders. A survey was recently conducted to establish a baseline for the Government's pledge to halve the time taken between arrest and sentence for persistent young offenders. That survey indicates that in 1996 the average time was 142 days. Many youth justice practitioners are already making efforts to tackle delay, with Government encouragement. My right hon. and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor wrote to the chairmen of youth court panels in May 1997 and a circular issued in October set out good practice and asked local agencies to set up fast-track schemes for persistent young offenders. The Government plan to contact youth justice practitioners in spring 1998 to find out what action has been taken to give effect to the circular's recommendations and, in particular, to establish fast-tracking schemes.

  Following a public consultation exercise, the Government concluded that many of the recommendations of the Review of Delay in the Criminal Justice System had the potential substantially to reduce delay without impairing the quality of justice and accepted the majority of them. Those recommendations which require legislation are being implemented through the Crime and Disorder Bill currently before Parliament. The main recommendations relate to dealing promptly with straightforward guilty pleas, case management in magistrates' courts, Early Administrative Hearings in contested cases and starting indictable-only cases in the Crown Court.

  In addition, to reinforce the effectiveness of these new procedures for case preparation and management, the Government will introduce the regime of statutory time limits for the prosecution of criminal cases provided for in the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 but not yet implemented. Stricter time limits will be set for juvenile than adult cases and even tougher time limits will be imposed for persistent young offender cases.

  Vessels (Fire Services)
  Mr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many vessels sought the assistance of fire services while in(a) territorial waters and (b) international waters in each of the past five yeawrs; of these what was the proportion of (i) bulk carriers, (ii) coastal vessels, (iii) tankers, (iv) warships, (v) fishing vessels and (vi) pleasure craft; and if he will make a statement. [23032]
  631
  Mr. George Howarth
  [holding answer 21 January 1998]: The readily available information on fires on vessels and other water craft at sea attended by local authority fire brigades is given in the table. Information on other types of incidents is not available.

  Fires in vessels or water craft at sea attended by local authority fire brigades, by type of vessel, 1992 to 1996

  United Kingdom

  Number

  Type of vessel or water craft

  1992

  1993

  11994

  11995

  1.21996

  Oil tankers

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Defence vessels3

  n/a

  n/a

  —

  —

  —

  Fishing vessels3

  n/a

  n/a

  2

  7

  1

  Small craft, dinghies, etc.

  9

  13

  1

  6

  6

  Houseboats

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Passenger vessels, ferries

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  Other ships

  —

  —

  1

  1

  —

  Barges, including narrowboats

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Other water craft

  —

  —

  1

  2

  —

  All vessels

  9

  13

  6

  16

  7

  1 Figures are based on sample records weighted to brigade totals, excluding "late" call and heat and smoke damage incidents (not recorded prior to 1994).

  2 Provisional.

  3 Included with other ships prior to 1994.

  n/a = Not available.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 8 December 1997,Official Report column 433, when the copy of the Home Department circular to chief fire officers will be placed in the Library. [24495]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The circular letter which provided guidance to chief fire officers on contingency planning for the year 2000 was issued on 7 January 1998. A copy has now been placed in the Library.

  Mr. Mohammed Fayed
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) when he expects to conclude his consideration of Mr. Mohammed Fayed's application for British citizenship; and what factors will influence the timing of his decision; [24776]

  (2) if he will defer making a final decision on Mr. Mohammed Fayed's application for British citizenship until the police have concluded their investigation into the theft of items from a Harrod's safe deposit box. [24777]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  It is not our practice to comment upon individual applications for British citizenship. Applications are decided when sufficient information is available for a judgment to be made as to whether or not an applicant meets the statutory requirements for citizenship.

  Firearms
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many lawfully held firearms there were in England and Wales at the latest available date. [24362]
  632
  Mr. Michael
  On 23 December 1996, there were 418,300 firearms held on 141,900 firearm certificates and 1,335,000 shotguns held on 638,000 shotgun certificates. The number of firearms which do not need to be held on a firearm certificate (i.e. low-powered airguns and antiques held as curiosities or ornaments) is not known.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many firearm licences have been revoked in each of the last 12 months for which figures are available and in total in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [24364]

  Mr. Michael
  Statistics on firearm certificates are collected and published as part of an annual exercise and a monthly breakdown is not available. However, the totals for the last five years for which figures are available are as follows:

  Year

  Shot gun certificates revoked

  Firearm certificates revoked

  1996

  1,163

  392

  1995

  685

  206

  1994

  753

  193

  1993

  687

  147

  1992

  630

  146

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list each category of firearm which can be currently held legally by private individuals; how many licences have been issued for each of those categories of firearm in each of the last 12 months for which figures are available and in total in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [24363]

  Mr. Michael
  There are three categories of firearm which may legally be held by private individuals. These are firearms for which no certificate is required; firearms which are required to be kept on a police-issued shotgun certificate; and firearms which are required to be kept on a police-issued firearm certificate. Statistics for the latter two categories are collected and published as part of an annual exercise and a monthly breakdown is not available. However, the totals for the last five years for both the issue and renewal of shotgun and firearm certificates are contained in the following table:

  Year

  Shotgun

  Firearm

  Issued

  Renewed

  Issued

  Renewed

  1996

  25,800

  193,100

  10,200

  38,100

  1995

  24,800

  195,900

  10,900

  38,500

  1994

  32,200

  201,400

  11,700

  37,900

  1993

  31,100

  195,800

  10,900

  37,300

  1992

  33,000

  197,200

  10,600

  38,500

  Wandsworth Prison
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on future developments relating to Wandsworth Prison. [24392]

  Ms Quin
  Planned development at Wandsworth prison in 1998–99 includes the following: upgrade of the fire and general alarm system on G, H and K wings; refurbishment of A and B wings; introduction of simple sanitation in the health care centre; provision of a new kitchen and
  633
  extension of the visits facility. The latter will entail the re-siting of the chapel and gymnasium. The application for a new gymnasium was submitted to Wandsworth Borough Council on 13 January and, if approved, the project will commence later this year.

  The planning application submitted in May 1997 to provide a pre-release hostel, visitors' reception centre and car park outside the front of the prison will not be taken forward. Following negotiations with Neals Nurseries Ltd., which currently occupies part of this land, the Prison Service have agreed to grant it a further lease but will take back the rest of the land. This includes a stores building formerly owned by Neals Nurseries Ltd. which will be used as a receipt and dispatch store to enable the prison to enhance its industrial activities.

  Immigration (Carriers' Liability)
  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the amount of charges(a) levied and (b) recovered, under the Immigration (Carriers' Liability) Act 1987 on (i) Biman, (ii) British Airways, (iii) PIA, (iv) Air Lanka, (v) Nigeria Airways and (vi) Ghana Airways for each year since 1987 for which figures are available. [23350]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I am unable to disclose the payment record of individual carriers for reasons of commercial confidentiality. However, we are reviewing this policy of non-disclosure and intend to consult Government colleagues on this. I am able to say that a total of £112.8 million had been incurred by all carriers at 31 December 1997, of which £11.4 million (10.1 per cent.) remained outstanding.

  Young Offenders Institution, Colchester
  Mrs. Butler
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to continue the operation of the experimental regime at Colchester Young Offenders Institution. [25491]

  Ms Quin
  The Government are determined to pursue an active regime in Young Offender Institutions (YOIs) as part of their commitment to focus the youth justice system on the prevention of offending by young people. Statutory provision for this is contained in the Crime and Disorder Bill.

  We are therefore continuing the experimental "high intensity training" regime which the previous Administration established at Thorn Cross YOI. Although, at £22,700 per place, this regime is more expensive than the cost of a typical YOI regime at £17,300 per place, the Thorn Cross programme has been shown to have a more sharply focused and better integrated set of activities. We believe therefore that Thorn Cross represents value for money.

  However, we have been unable to reach the same conclusion with Colchester. Colchester YOI opened on 20 February 1997, initially for one year. The costs per place at Colchester, at £31,300, have been running at nearly twice those for a typical YOI and nearly £9,000 more than those at Thorn Cross. The Colchester regime has encouraged positive change in attitudes amongst young offenders but the available evaluation has not supported the contention that it has been more effective in preventing re-offending than other initiatives.
  634
  In view of this, and of the very high costs, we have concluded that Colchester YOI does not represent value for money. It will therefore close on 31 March 1998.

  This decision in no way reflects on the hard work and commitment of the staff who have been involved with the experiment and to whom I pay tribute. Their work will assist us in improving regimes at other YOIs. We shall be using for this purpose the resources which we have saved from the closure of Colchester.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Royal Ulster Constabulary
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many members of the RUC are members of the Sir Robert Peel Memorial Royal Orange Lodge. [20790]

  Mr. Ingram
  Information on this is not available.

  Council for Catholic Maintained Schools
  Mr. Trimble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the extent to which the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools has complied with the requirements to provide a neutral working environment. [21595]

  Mr. Worthington
  None. All specified public bodies are required to carry out a formal review of their employment composition and practices at least once every three years. I understand the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools has complied with this requirement.

  Plastic Baton Rounds
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will publish the guidelines on the use of plastic baton rounds by the Royal Ulster Constabulary. [20011]

  Mr. Ingram
  I refer my hon. Friend to an answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Hackney, South and Shoreditch (Mr. Sedgemore) on 29 July 1997,Official Report, column 98, in which I said the relevant parts of the documents regarding guidelines were placed in the Library of the House. The RUC are currently engaged with their Association of Police Officers colleagues in Great Britain in reviewing the guidelines.

  Social Exclusion Unit
  Mr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment she has made of the priorities announced by the Prime Minister for the Social Exclusion Unit in relation to Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement. [22734]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  Problems of Social Exclusion exist in Northern Ireland as elsewhere in the United Kingdom. Their nature and extent, the circumstances in which they arise, and the appropriate responses are however different.

  There is a resonance between the SEU's remit and the Northern Ireland Targeting Social Needs (TSN) initiative. Last year, the Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights published their review of employment equality

  635
  issues in Northern Ireland. Their report included recommendations for the future development of TSN. I am now considering these recommendations as a matter of high importance and will decide on the most appropriate approach to tackling social exclusion in Northern Ireland in this context.

  Probation Board
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many of the new members appointed on 1 December 1997 to the Probation Board for Northern Ireland have been Alliance Party candidates; how many of the new members responded to press advertising for appointees; and what level of fees and expenses will be available to members of the Board. [22899]

  Mr. Ingram
  Three new members have been Alliance Party candidates. Of the 16 members of the board, 10 were new appointees, all of whom responded to press advertisements, the other six being re-appointees. Regarding the level of fees and expenses, I understand that the Chairman of the Board currently receives a remuneration of £11,150 per year. The Deputy Chairman and members of the board receive an attendance allowance of £26.96 for each meeting lasting up to 4 hours and £53.92 for longer meetings. (This is currently under review). In addition, travel and other expenses are met.

  Commission on Human Rights
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of the new members of the Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights have been(a) SDLP members and (b) members of a Unionist party in the last five years; and if she will make a statement about the political balance of the Commission. [22905]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  One member of the Commission declared an association with the SDLP. Mr. Robert Mullan was a member from 1987 to 1993. None have declared being members of a Unionist party in the last five years.

  The new Commission widely represents the political and community balance in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who are the members of the Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights; what is the perceived religious affiliation of each; which members have been identified as having, or having had, an association with a political party; and what other paid public appointments each holds. [22910]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  The Standing Advisory Commission on Human Rights membership is as follows:

  Mr. Michael Lavery QC

  Mr. Bob Cooper

  Mr. Gerry Burns

  Ms Joan Smyth

  Mr. Paul Donaghy

  Mr. Leslie Allamby

  Mr. Robert Osborne

  Mr. Robin Wilson

  Ms Angela Hegarty

  Mr. Ivan Topping

  636

  Mr. Robert Mullan

  Mrs Margaret-Anne Dinsmore

  Ms Clodach McGrory.

  It is the Government's policy not to release the religious affiliation of each member, however the Commission has five catholics, seven protestants and one not known.

  The Commission has two members who have declared an association with a political party. Ms Angela Hegarty stood for the NI Forum Election in 1996 for the Womens Coalition and Mr. Robert Mullan was a member of the SDLP from 1987 to 1993.

  Mrs. Margaret-Anne Dinsmore holds two paid public appointments:- the NI Commissioner for the rights of Trade Union members, and the NI Commissioner for protection against Unlawful Industrial Action for which she receives £11,400 per annum in total.

  Government House, Hillsborough
  Mr. Robert McCartney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement about the use by the Irish Government of Government House at Hillsborough for meetings with Northern Ireland political parties. [22901]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  One such meeting took place on 7 January, on matters relating to the multi-party talks. Hillsborough was a convenient venue for the participants, and I was happy to agree to the request to meet there.

  Telecommunications Masts
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when she plans to introduce amendments to the Planning (General Development) (Northern Ireland) Order 1993 in respect of the planning regulations for the erection of mobile telecommunications masts. [22989]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Subject to a period of public consultation the amendments to the Planning (General Development) (Northern Ireland) Order 1993 are expected to be introduced in late April/early May this year.

  Beef Bones Regulations
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when she expects to lay a statutory instrument to bring into force in Northern Ireland the changes in legislation covered by the Great Britain Statutory Instrument 1997 No. 2959. [23497]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Equivalent Northern Ireland legislation came into operation on 16 December 1997.

TREASURY

  Bank of England
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to announce the appointment of the next Governor of the Bank of England; and if he will a statement. [24545]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Governor's current term of office runs to 30 June 1998. The Government will make an announcement in due course.

  Reviews
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the HM Treasury reviews which will have been completed in time to inform the Budget statement on 17 March; and if he will make a statement. [24544]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  The reviews that will inform the Budget are listed in the table:

  Lead department

  Review

  Alcohol and tobacco fraud: a review aimed at reducing revenue losses through alcohol and tobacco fraud

  Customs and Excise

  Landfill tax: a review of the operation and level of the tax

  Customs and Excise

  Anti-avoidance: to consider the approach to the defeat and deterrence of tax avoidance schemes

  Inland Revenue/Customs and Excise

  Capital gains tax: to produce a fairer tax, which encourages long-term investment

  Inland Revenue

  Venture Capital Trusts/Enterprise Investment Schemes: a review of VCT/EIS guarantee and asset backed arrangements

  Inland Revenue

  North Sea oil: a review of the North Sea fiscal regime

  Inland Revenue/Department of Trade and Industry/Treasury

  Bus fuel duty rebate: to review differential rates of rebate to encourage lower emissions

  Treasuty

  Tax and benefit reform: to explore the scope for the tax and benefit systems to act as an incentive to move off benefit and into work

  Task Force under the chairmanship of Martin Taylor

  Energy efficient materials (review completed)

  Customs and Excise

  Charities Review (a consultation paper will be published in the spring)

  Treasuty/Inland Revenue/Customs and Excise

  Consultative documents

  Corporation tax

  Inland Revenue

  Individual Savings Accounts

  Inland Revenue

  Water pollution

  Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions

  Public Sector Pay
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to make a statement setting out the Government's response to the recommendations of the public sector pay review bodies; and if he will make a statement. [24546]

  Mr. Darling
  We expect to announce the Government's response shortly, when all the reports have been received in the usual way.

  Chernobyl Children Life Line
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the amount of revenue likely to be raised in 1997–98 from airport taxes paid by the Chernobyl Children Life Line. [23313]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 16 January 1998]: I have no separate estimate of Air Passenger Duty paid by travellers sponsored by the Chernobyl Children Life Line.

  Child Benefit
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the revenue which would be raised from taxing child benefit, assuming household total income were assessed for tax purposes. [24128]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 20 January 1998]: The yield from taxing child benefit based on household total income would depend on the precise system of assessment.

  European Investment Bank
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which body is responsible for supervising and directing the activities of the European Investment Bank; what are the financial obligations of the participant nations; and if all the necessary contributions have been made by participant nations. [24501]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The body responsible for supervising and directing the work of the EIB is the Board of Governors, which consists of Ministers, usually Finance Ministers, designated by each of the Member States. They represent the Member States as shareholders of the Bank.

  The EIB's capital stands at 62 billion ECU. The subscribed capital actually paid-in by Member States amounts to 7.5 per cent. of which the UK's share (along with France, Germany and Italy as the largest subscribers to the Bank's capital) is 17.7 per cent. Under the terms of the 1990 capital increase, the UK was required to pay about £77 million in twice yearly installments over five years. These payments count as public expenditure.

  The EIB makes a surplus on its lending operations, which in the past it has automatically added to its reserves. In 1996 (the latest year for which figures are available), the Bank made an operating surplus of 1.1 billion ECU thus bringing the level of reserves to almost 12 billion ECU. By a decision of the Board of Governors at its annual meeting in June 1997, it was decided to use part of the 1996 surplus to finance the four remaining payments due from each Member State in respect of the 1990 capital increase. The transaction putting this decision into effect took place on 30 June 1997. The UK's contingent liability on its subscribed capital available for call in the event that it may be required by the Bank to meet its obligations remain at 10 billion ECU.

  Endangered Species
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent figures he has obtained in respect of seizures by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise of(a) illegal imports into the United Kingdom and (b) illegal transit through the United Kingdom of species protected under CITES. [22970]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 19 January 1998]: The following table sets out the number of items seized in respect of endangered species in the last 3 years as reported by the Commissioners of Her Majesty's Customs and Excise in their Annual Report. Customs do not hold central statistics on the numbers of endangered species

  639
  found illegally in transit through the United Kingdom, though these would normally be seized unless operational circumstances dictated otherwise:

  Year ended 31 March

  Live animals and birds

  Plants

  Parts and derivatives

  1995

  2,305

  480

  29,916

  1996

  4,374

  2,748

  12,178

  1997

  121,411

  222

  2223,596

  1 This figure includes 20,000 medicinal leeches.

  2 This figure includes three batches of oriental medicines comprising 218,520 pills.

  Drug Smuggling
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many operations were undertaken in the past three years on behalf of Her Majesty's Government by persons who were subsequently charged with drug smuggling offences. [23392]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 19 January 1998]: So far as Customs officials are concerned, no officer undertaking investigations into drug smuggling during the past three years has been the subject of criminal charges for drug smuggling offences.

  European Central Bank
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what will be the cost of the United Kingdom's contribution to the European Central Bank's capital. [24716]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Under Article 9(c) of Protocol No. 11 to the EC Treaty, the Bank of England will be obliged to pay up its subscription to the capital of the ECB as a contribution to its operational costs on the same basis as national central banks of Member States with a derogation.

  Article 48 of the Statute of the ESCB and the ECB provides that central banks of Member States with a derogation shall not pay up their subscribed capital unless the General Council decides that a minimal percentage has to be paid up as a contribution to the operational costs of the ECB.

  Until the ECB is established, the General Council cannot take a decision on whether central banks of Member States with a derogation should pay up subscriptions to the capital of the ECB, nor decide what the contribution to the operational costs of the ECB should be.

  Savings
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment has been made of the likely loss of tax revenue to the Exchequer from switching out of former PEP investments above the £50,000 ISA ceiling into offshore roll-up funds after October 1999. [21505]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The gains on offshore roll-up funds are taxed to income tax at the investor's marginal rate on withdrawals from the fund, and expenses are often higher than for comparable UK investments. In these circumstances, only a limited amount of PEP funds are likely to switch to offshore roll-up funds.

  Stamp Duty Reserve Tax
  Mr. Colman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in what circumstances the powers to change the rate of stamp duty reserve tax applied to intermediaries and stock lending transactions contained in section 88B (5) and section 89AA (7) of the Finance Act 1986 may be exercised. [22898]

  Dawn Primarolo
  These powers were introduced by the previous Government, for reasons explained by the right hon. and learned Member for Rushcliffe (Mr. Clarke) on 24 October 1996,Official Report, column 6. The legislation does not limit the particular circumstances in which the powers may be exercised.

  Own Share Purchases
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many companies have submitted clearance applications under section 707 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 with regard to transactions involving the purchase of own shares between(a) 2 July and 31 December 1997, (b) 2 July and 31 December 1996 and (c) 2 July and 31 December 1995. [22891]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Clearance applications under section 707, which involved the purchase by a company of its own shares, were received by the Inland Revenue as follows:

  (a) between 1 July and 31 December 1995: 518

  (b) between 1 July and 31 December 1996: 634

  (c) five months 1 July to 30 November 1997: 489.

  The figures for December 1997 are not yet available.

  As statistics are compiled on a monthly but not daily basis, figures are given from 1 July rather than 2 July.

  Charities
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the Government's proposals to reform general taxation on charities. [23098]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Chancellor announced a review of the taxation of charities on 2 July 1997. In the first phase of the review people were invited to contribute their views on how to improve the taxation system for charities, by 1 December 1997. The Government received almost two and a half thousand responses. The issues raised were interesting and wide ranging. My officials are currently engaged in a detailed evaluation of these replies. I hope to publish a Consultation document in the spring setting out the issues that we think deserve to be considered further. A further consultation period will follow thereafter.

  Post-war Credits
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much money remains unclaimed from the total sum of post-war credits; what the Government propose to do with this money; and if he will make it his policy to use it to benefit the generation which provided it. [23706]

  Dawn Primarolo
  It is estimated that the amount of post war credits that remain unclaimed is £33 million. Approximately 200 post war credit claims per month are
  641
  still being received and therefore the amount unclaimed will remain in the post war credit fund to cover future claims.

  Smuggling
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will meet his counterparts in other EU member states to discuss the impact on independent retailers of tobacco in the United Kingdom of illegal sales of tobacco imported from Belgium. [22225]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I have no present plans to do so. However, the European Commission, in consultation with Member States, is currently preparing a report on tobacco and alcohol fraud. A report on alcohol and tobacco smuggling and fraud is currently being prepared by Customs and Excise.

  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make representations to the relevant EU Commissioner on the impact on independent retailers of tobacco in the United Kingdom of illegal sales of tobacco imported from Belgium. [22224]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I have no plans to make such representations.

  A report on alcohol and tobacco smuggling and fraud is currently being prepared by Customs and Excise.

  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will introduce a scheme to compensate independent retailers of tobacco for loss of revenue as a result of being undercut by illegal sales of tobacco imported from Belgium. [22227]

  Dawn Primarolo
  No.

  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the amount of revenue independent retailers lost as a result of being undercut by illegal sales of tobacco imported from Belgium in the last three years; and if he will commission independent research into this matter. [22226]

  Dawm Primarolo
  There is no official estimate of revenue lost by independent retailers from smuggling of tobacco from Belgium.

  A report on alcohol and tobacco smuggling and fraud is currently being prepared by Customs and Excise in consultation with the trade and other Government Departments.

  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the amount of crimes associated with the illegal resale of tobacco bought in Belgium; how many people HM Customs and Excise have arrested for such activity since 1993; if he will commission independent research into this matter; and if he will make a statement. [22223]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Information is not kept separately for crimes and arrests associated with the illegal resale of tobacco bought in Belgium.
  642
  Since 1993 Customs have made the following seizures of tobacco smuggled into the UK from the Single Market.

  Financial year

  Number

  1993–94

  878

  1994–95

  1,723

  1995–96

  2,071

  1996–97

  3,949

  Customs have been working closely with the Kent Police in recent months to tackle both the smugglers and the associated crime in the Channel ports connected with their activities. Joint operations have proved very successful resulting in a number of arrests for both Customs and Police offences.

  Mr. Fallon
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the basis for the Financial Secretary's estimate, in HTV News on 4 December 1997, that tobacco smuggling amounts to a maximum of two and a half per cent. of all tobacco products sold. [22888]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Two and a half per cent. is a reasonable upper limit for the share of UK sales of cigarettes in 1997 represented by smuggled goods. This estimate is based on the survey of sea and Tunnel passengers conducted by HM Customs and Excise in June 1997 (reported in their News Release of 26 September 1997), and on their monitoring of smuggling by air passengers.

  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to receive the Customs and Excise Report into smuggling, cross-border shopping and excise duties; and if he will make a statement. [22228]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The review team, which is looking into the effects on the Exchequer and industry revenue of alcohol and tobacco fraud, smuggling and cross-border shopping, are preparing a report for Ministers.

  Far East
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 22 December 1997,Official Report, column 479, if he will revise his projections for GDP growth in the United Kingdom over the next three years in the light of the continuing financial crisis in the Far East. [24437]

  Mrs. Liddell
  A revised forecast will be published with the Budget on 17 March.

  Cash Accounting
  Mr. Fallon
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the number of extra audits likely to be conducted per annum as a result of the proposals announced by the Inland Revenue on 22 December to withdraw cash basis accounting for professional businesses; and what is his estimate of the average cost of such audits. [24290]

  Dawn Primarolo
  A change in the way a number of professional businesses calculate their taxable business profits would not increase the number of Inland Revenue self-assessment inquiries conducted per annum.

  Mr. Fallon
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consultations he has held with the USA Internal
  643
  Revenue Service regarding the proposals announced by the Inland Revenue on 22 December to withdraw cash basis accounting for professional businesses. [24286]

  Dawn Primarolo
  None.

  Mr. Fallon
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what percentage of businesses affected by the plan to withdraw cash basis accounting for professional businesses have fewer than(a) five, (b) 10 and (c) 20 partners; [24289]

  (2) what is his estimate of the number of professional businesses that will be affected by the proposal to withdraw cash basis accounting for professional businesses, as announced by the Inland Revenue on 22 December; [24288]

  (3) what is his estimate of the average extra tax burden faced by professional businesses as a result of the proposals announced by the Inland Revenue on 22 December to withdraw cash basis accounting for professional businesses; [24287]

  (4) what is his estimate of the extra tax revenue that will be raised by the planned withdrawal of cash basis accounting for professional businesses, in financial years (i) 1999–2000, (ii) 2000–01 and (iii) 2001–02. [24285]

  Dawn Primarolo
  On 22 December 1997 I announced the intention to withdraw the cash basis practices for professionals but views were sought on the details of the proposal, such as the suggested method for "catching up". The tax effect of the withdrawal will depend on the terms of the final arrangements, which at present are under consultation.

  No reliable information is available of the total number of businesses currently on the cash basis. The objective of withdrawing these practices for those that do currently use the cash basis is to level the playing field for all businesses.

  Charity Taxation
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of volunteering opportunities and jobs in uniform business rate exempt charity shops and the number of such properties; and if this relief is included in his review of charity taxation. [23683]

  Dawn Primarolo
  There are currently around 6,500 charity shops in the UK. These shops provide opportunities for around 175,000 volunteers. In addition, these shops employ around 8,500 full and part-time workers.

  The Review of Charities' Taxation announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor in his July Budget has considered submissions across the range of tax issues, including business rates. However, the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions is currently to review the local government finance scheme and will shortly be issuing a consultation paper. This paper
  644
  will cover the issue of business rate relief, and clearly it would not be sensible to duplicate it in the Tax Review. I have ensured that any letters received on this issue have been copied to the DETR.

  Tax on Air Travel
  Ms Osborne
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the income to the Treasury from tax on air travel since implementaiton of the tax. [24125]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The amount of air passenger duty collected to the end of December 1997 was just under £1,120 million.

  Channel Islands
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of United Kingdom citizens who circumvent United Kingdom tax laws concerning their country of domicile by commuting from the Channel Islands to the United Kingdom on a daily basis. [23295]

  Dawn Primarolo
  This information is not available.

  Taxation
  Ms Hewitt
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of income is paid in income tax and national insurance contributions, allowing for child benefit, in the tax year 1997–98 by(a) a single person with no children and (b) a sole earner in a married two-parent, two child family on earnings of (i) half of average earnings, (ii) three quarters of average earnings, (iii) average earnings and (iv) twice average earnings. [23928]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Estimates for 1997–98 are given in the table.

  Income tax and NIC as a percentage of earnings in 1997–981

  Multiple of average earnings2

  0.5

  0.75

  1

  2

  Single person with no children

  20.9

  24.9

  26.9

  30.7

  Married sole earner with two children under 113

  8.7

  16.8

  20.8

  27.7

  1 National Insurance contributions are at standard class 1 rate for employees not contracted out of SERPs.

  2 Full time males on adult rates, all occupations.

  3 Net of child benefit.

  Ms Hewitt
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer at what proportion of average male earnings(a) a sole earner in a married two-parent, two-child family and (b) a single person with no children start paying income tax in 1997–98; and how this compares with the position in (i) 1978–79 and (ii) 1967–68, allowing for family allowances/child benefit. [23927]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Estimates are given in the table. A single person with no children has a tax threshold equal to the personal allowance. For a married person with two children—assumed to be both aged under 11—the `break-even' point is considered. This is the value of
  645
  earnings at which the income tax paid is equal to the money received through child benefit or family allowances.

  Percentage of average earnings1

  1967–68

  1978–79

  1997–98

  Married one earner with two children under 112

  69.7

  56.5

  47.7

  Single person with no children

  23.4

  20.4

  18.7

  1 Full time male on adult rates, all occupations.

  2 Assuming the full married couple's allowance is received.

  Current levels

  1978–79

  1990–91

  1997–98

  Change 1978–79 to 1990–91

  Change 1990–91 to 1997–98

  Personal allowance

  985

  3,005

  4.045

  2,020

  1,040

  Married couple's allowance

  550

  1,720

  11,830

  1,170

  110

  Additional personal allowance

  550

  1,720

  11,830

  1,170

  110

  Child tax allowance (under 11 s) (for each child)

  100

  —

  —

  -100

  —

  Revalorised to 1997–98 levels

  1978–79 Revalorised to 1997–98 levels

  1990–91 Revalorised to 1997–98 levels

  1997–98

  Change 1978–79 to 1990–91

  Change 1990–91 to 1997–98

  Personal allowance

  3,175

  3,895

  4,045

  720

  150

  Married couple's allowance

  1,770

  2,230

  11,830

  460

  -400

  Additional personal allowance

  1,770

  2,230

  11,830

  460

  -400

  Child tax allowance

  325

  —

  —

  -325

  —

  Change for the different families

  Change 1978–79 to 1990–91

  Change 1990–91 to 1997–98

  Revalorised change 1978–79 to 1990–91

  Revalorised change 1990–91 to 1997–98

  Single person no children

  2,020

  1,040

  720

  150

  Lone parent two children

  2,990

  11,150

  530

  1-250

  Married couple one earner two children

  2,990

  11,150

  530

  1-250

  Married couple two earners two children

  5,010

  12,190

  1,250

  1-100

  Unmarried couple two earners two children

  5,010

  12,190

  1,250

  1-100

  1 Married couples/additional personal allowance is restricted to 15 per cent. in 1997–98.

  Illegal Drugs
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the number of people suspected of carrying illegal drugs stopped and searched at ports of entry into the United Kingdom since 1 January 1997. [23291]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I regret that separate figures are not kept on the number of people stopped and searched specifically on suspicion of carrying illegal drugs. From 1 January to 30 September 1997 Customs staff at ports and airports stopped and searched 14,788 people on suspicion of carrying restricted or prohibited goods. Figures for the last quarter of 1997 are not yet available.

  Employment Statistics
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will publish the results of the review into the evaluation and publication of the employment and labour force statistics. [24450]
  646
  Ms Hewitt
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the change in(a) the level and (b) the value of personal tax allowances (i) from 1978–79 to 1990–91 and (ii) from 1990–91 to 1997–98 for (1) a single person with no children, (2) a lone parent with two children, (3) a married couple with one earner and two children, (4) a married couple with two earners and two children and (5) a cohabiting but unmarried couple with two earners and two children, taking into account child benefit. [23930]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The levels of tax allowances are given in the tables. The value of tax allowances to individuals is dependent on their income levels.

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

  Letter from Tim Holt to Ms Ann Clwyd, dated 22 January 1998:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me to reply, as Director of the Office for National Statistics, to your recent question asking when the results of the review into the evaluation and publication of the employment and labour force statistics will be published.
  The ONS have recently been reviewing the future presentation and dissemination of labour market statistics. Wide-ranging public consultation was initiated in the May 1997 issue of Labour Market Trends. A summary of responses was published in the October issue of Labour Market Trends. Copies of both editions are available in the House of Commons Library. Responses to the consultation indicated strong support for:
  - ONS plans to provide an Integrated First Release covering all Labour Market Statistics.

  647
  - the proposals to give increased prominence to data from the Labour Force Survey.
  It is taking longer than hoped to put together a comprehensive package that meets users' needs. An announcement about the future of labour market statistics will be made in the near future.

  Drownings
  Valerie Davey
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many school-aged children died in drowning accidents in the year 1996–97; and what percentage of those children were unable to swim. [24391]

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

  Letter from Tim Holt to Ms Valerie Davey dated 22 January 1998:
  The Chancellor of the Exchequer has asked me, as Director of the Office for National Statistics, to answer your question on the number of school-aged children who drowned in the year 1996–97.
  Information for school-aged children's deaths from accidental drowning and submersion in England and Wales for the calender year 1996 is shown in the attached table. There is no information recorded showing whether these children were able to swim.
  Information for 1997 is not available.

  Deaths from accidental drwoning and submersion (ICD E9101), England and Wales 1996

  Age

  Description

  5 to 9

  10 to 14

  15 to 19

  Total

  M

  5

  8

  18

  F

  1

  0

  3

  E910.1 While engaged in other sport or recreational activity with diving equipment

  M

  0

  0

  1

  F

  0

  0

  0

  E910.2 While engaged in other sport or recreational activity without diving equipment

  M

  1

  3

  7

  F

  0

  0

  1

  E910.4 In bathtub

  M

  0

  0

  0

  F

  0

  0

  1

  E910.8 Other [including in swimming pools]

  M

  2

  3

  4

  F

  1

  0

  1

  E910.9 Unspecified

  M

  2

  2

  6

  F

  0

  0

  0

  1 International Classification of Diseases 9th revision.

CABINET OFFICE

  Coal and Energy Policy
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio what responsibility he has for the coal industry. [23479]

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio what responsibility he has for(a) coal and (b) energy policy. [23454]

  Mr. Mandelson
  [holding answer 16 January 1998]: I am a member of EA(N), the Ministerial Sub-Committee on Energy Policy.

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio if the accommodation, meals and entrance fees to Disneyland for himself and his accompanying civil servant were paid for entirely out of United Kingdom public funds during his recent visit to Florida. [24756]

  Mr. Mandelson
  Only the cost of travel and accommodation was paid for entirely from public funds.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will publish the programme for his visit to Washington in early January. [24774]

  Mr. Mandelson
  I visited Washington from 4 to 5 January 1998. During my visit I attended an official dinner at the Ambassador's residence, undertook a programme of meetings at the White House, and met the media for the launch of Britain's EU Presidency.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio what was the cost to public funds of hotel accommodation for(a) himself and (b) the representative of the Consulate General in Miami during his trip to Florida. [24804]

  Mr. Mandelson
  The cost to public funds of my hotel accommodation will (subject to any exchange rate fluctuation) be in the region of £125, and an identical figure for the accompanying official from the British Consulate General in Miami.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  E-mail
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the Government's proposals to introduce on-line red boxes for ministerial use; when he expects them to come into use; and what measures will be taken to ensure the security and confidentiality of information held on on-line red boxes. [23566]

  Dr. David Clark
  The prototype electronic red box, which I launched last week, shows the possibilities for Ministers to take advantage of modern Information Technology, and the potential for reducing the time and effort needed to fill and transport old-style boxes. The prototype demonstrates the principles, and will doubtless evolve; there is no reason why the final electronic red box should look much different from a normal laptop computer. Progress will depend on practical experience, but I expect Ministers who wish to use the operational version will be able to do so later this year.

  Information in an electronic red box merits protection to the same Government standards as are applied to the networks the box may be connected to. I shall not describe the security measures in fine detail, for obvious reasons. However, I can say that they will include strong access control features, Government-approved encryption, and clear guidance for users. The measures will be such that should an electronic red box go astray for any reason, the information in it will remain suitably protected.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Competition Bill
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions she has had with the utility regulators on the implications of the Competition Bill on regulatory jurisdiction on the sectoral regulators and the Office of Fair Trading. [24383]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  [holding answer 21 January 1998]: There has been regular and wide ranging discussions on the Competition Bill at official level between DTI and regulators' offices.

  Broadcasting
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the impact on(a) cable companies and (b) the level of competition of allowing BT early entry into the market to provide broadcast channels over their national networks. [24385]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 21 January 1998]: The Government have been considering options for lifting the restrictions on public telecommunications operators' providing broadcast entertainment to the home over their national networks, and intends to publish a consultation document on this issue in the near future.

  Gas Industry
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many people are employed in the United Kingdom gas industry; and how many of these are employed in gas-fired power generation. [24318]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 21 January 1998]: The latest available data show that in September 1996 38,300 people were employed in the downstream gas industry (i.e. the manufacture, transportation, distribution and supply of gaseous fuels). Those employed in gas fired power generation are regarded as part of the electricity generation industry and are not separately distinguished in centrally held statistics. However, it is estimated that around 700 people were needed to operate the 19 combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) stations owned by the major power producers in Great Britain that were producing at the end of 1996.

  Pre-paid Funerals
  Mr. Caplin
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to introduce measures to protect the rights of people who have bought pre-paid funerals. [24801]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  The Government plan to introduce measures to ensure that consumers who purchase their funerals in advance are adequately protected. My objective will be to ensure that there is sufficient financial provision available so these consumers get the funeral which they have paid for. I am also concerned to ensure that there should be transparency in the marketing of pre-paid funerals so that consumers are clear as to what services they are purchasing and who is responsible for providing them.

  Arms Sales
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the total level of export credit guarantee cover for arms sales to China. [24271]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 21 January 1998]: ECGD has no exposure in respect of defence business with China.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the total level of export credit guarantee cover for arms sales to Thailand. [24275]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 21 January 1998]: From data readily available, total exposure under ECGD guarantees for defence business with Thailand was £46.5 million at the end of December 1997.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the total level of export credit guarantee cover for arms sales to Singapore. [24272]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 21 January 1998]: From data readily available, total exposure under ECGD guarantees for defence business with Singapore was £35.6 million at the end of December 1997.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the total level of export credit guarantee cover for arms sales to South Korea. [24274]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 21 January 1998]: From data readily available, total exposure under ECGD guarantees for defence business with South Korea was £76.7 million at the end of December 1997.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the total level of export credit guarantee cover for arms sales to Indonesia. [24276]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 21 January 1998]: From data readily available, total exposure under ECGD guarantees for defence business with Indonesia was £855.2 million at the end of December 1997.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the total level of export credit guarantee cover for arms sales to Malaysia. [24273]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 21 January 1998]: From data readily available, total exposure under ECGD guarantees for defence business with Malaysia was £208.2 million at the end of December 1997.

  Antarctica
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what research her Department has evaluated on the sustainability of fish stocks around Antarctica and the effect on mammal population of their depletion. [24130]

  Mr. Battle
  Scientists from the British Antarctic Survey play an active role in support of the work of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR). All data received from fisheries research/surveys, fishing vessels and scientific observers are evaluated by the Scientific Committee of CCAMLR prior to the Commission's annual meeting.

  The Scientific Committee estimate stock sizes, recommend catch levels and assesses interactions within the Antarctic ecosystem, including mammal populations.

  Inward Investment (London)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what has been the breakdown of jobs created in the Greater London area from inward investment in each of the last three years; [24528]

  Year

  Number of projects

  Number of new jobs

  Number of safeguarded jobs

  Total number of associated jobs

  Total investment £000

  1996–97

  40

  2,651

  1,205

  3,856

  123,160,000

  1995–96

  23

  2,588

  2,235

  4,823

  96,754,000

  1994–95

  2

  27

  0

  27

  —

  The figures are based on information provided by companies at the time of announcement of the decision to invest.

  There is no requirement to notify the Department of Trade and Industry and so the figures include only those projects where the Invest in Britain Bureau (IBB) and its regional partners (LFC) were involved or which have come to their notice.

  Multinational Companies
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if the Government will seek an amendment to the Multilateral Agreement on Investments to include a legally binding obligation for multinationals to provide an independent environmental and social audit in their annual reports. [24518]

  Mrs. Roche
  We do not intend to seek such an amendment—the MAI is not an appropriate vehicle for international rule-making on company reports.

  Inward Investment (Northumberland)
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many jobs have been created in Northumberland since 1992 as a result of inward investment. [24031]

  Mrs. Roche
  Inward investment projects from 1992 are expected to create 1,800 new job opportunities in Northumberland.

  Business Links
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many staff are employed in(a) the Northumberland Business Link and (b) Business Links in the United Kingdom as a whole. [24033]

  Mrs. Roche
  The information is given in the list:

  (a) Twenty two staff are employed by Business Link Northumberland.

  (b) Business Links are independent private sector companies. How many staff each Business Link employs is decided by their local management and these numbers are not collected centrally.

  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many requests for information were received by Northumberland business link's marketing information centre in each of the last three years. [24032]
  652
  (2) if she will make a statement on the inward investment made into the Greater London area in each of the last three years. [24527]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  Inward investment made into Greater London and the breakdown of jobs as a result over the last three years is as follows:

  Mrs. Roche
  Business Link Northumberland does not have a Marketing Information Centre as such but does operate an Information Service. The number of inquiries recorded by this Service in each of the last three years was as follows:

  1994–95: 1,050

  1995–96: 1,595

  1996–97: 782.

  The apparent drop in the figures in 1996–97 is considered to have resulted from a change to the recording arrangements from recording all inquiries whatever their nature to recording only requests for business information.

  Post Offices
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on her Department's policy on keeping post offices open in urban areas of the United Kingdom. [23803]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The Government are committed to the maintenance of a nationwide network of post offices.

  Kenya (Exports)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the value of British exports to Kenya in the last 12-month period for which figures are available. [23804]

  Mrs. Roche
  In the 12 months to November 1997, UK exports of good to Kenya were worth £231 million. Figures for UK exports services to Kenya are not available.

  Unsolicited Faxes
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations she has received concerning the use of unsolicited fax transmissions as a means of advertising; what plans she has to regulate this activity; and if she will make a statement. [23834]

  Mrs. Roche
  Ministers in this Department have received five representations concerning the use of unsolicited fax transmissions as a means of advertising since taking office last May. Measures are already in place to deal with the problem of unsolicited faxes. The telecommunications and telephone selling industries have established a Fax Preference Service to help residential customers reduce the number of faxes they receive. Customers who have a fax machine in their residential
  653
  premises may register for inclusion in a database against which companies selling via fax "clean" their mailing lists. In addition, under the Telecommunications Act 1984, UK companies using fax marketing are subject to a class licence which contains measures aimed at limiting the nuisance which can be caused by unsolicited faxes. Anyone sending unsolicited faxes must cease doing so to any particular person on receipt of a written request from them, or face possible enforcement action, including the removal of their right to operate a telecoms system, by Oftel. The Department therefore has no plans at present to take further action against the transmission of unsolicited commercial communications through facsimile machines.

  Export Licences
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) how many arms export licences for Saudi Arabia have been(a) applied for, (b) granted and (c) rejected since 1992, in each case listing the categories of equipment they cover; [23003]

  (2) how many arms export licences for Kenya have been (a) applied for, (b) granted and (c) rejected since 1992, in each case listing the categories of equipment they cover; [23004]

  (3) if she will list the number of arms export licences for Indonesia which were (a) applied for, (b) accepted and (c) rejected since 1992 by category of equipment covered; [23037]

  (4) if she will list the number of arms export licences for Turkey which were (a) applied for, (b) accepted and (c) rejected since 1992 by category of equipment covered. [23046]

  Mrs. Roche
  I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible and place a copy of that reply in the Library of the House.

  Trade (Argentina)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the value of trading between the United Kingdom and the Argentine(a) currently and (b) in each year from 1994 to 1996. [24077]

  Mrs. Roche
  Data on UK trade in goods with Argentina are given in the table. Data on UK trade in services with Argentina are not available.

  UK Trade in goods with Argentina 1994–96 and January-November 1997

  £ million

  UK exports

  UK imports

  1994

  229

  171

  1995

  234

  252

  1996

  332

  285

  January—November 1997

  463

  242

  Source:

  HM Customs and Excise data.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what measures her Department is taking to support British exporters to the Argentine; [24079]

  (2) what action she is taking to promote trade between the United Kingdom and the Argentine. [24078]
  654
  Mrs. Roche
  My noble Friend the Minister for Trade took a trade mission to Argentina in September 1997. Trade opportunities in Argentina are also promoted throughout the United Kingdom in a variety of ways, including seminars, conferences and publications, with the support of my Department and its Export Promoter for Argentina. The full range of overseas trade services are available to individual exporters, such as supported trade missions to and trade fairs in Argentina.

  Internet
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what investigations she has undertaken into the prices charged by telecommunications companies to United Kingdom Internet providers for leasing data circuits to other European countries. [24007]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 19 January 1998]: The Department has not conducted any specific investigations into the prices charged by telecoms companies to United Kingdom Internet providers for leasing data circuits to other European countries, and neither has Oftel. I understand that Oftel has not received any representations about this matter, but that it would be happy to consider any such representation which it may receive.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions she has with her European Union counterparts on(a) the Internet and (b) charges for telephone and data circuits between European countries. [24016]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 19 January 1998]: These issues are regularly discussed in the European Union Telecommunications Council. On 26 February I expect to chair discussion in the Council on:
  a Commission communication on Globalisation and the Information Society, looking at international co-ordination of policies towards the Internet; and
  a Commission communication on Member States' implementation of European Union telecommunications legislation. including the directive on Leased Lines.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions she has had with her United States counterpart on the subject of the Internet with particular reference to delays in reorganising the domain name system. [24004]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 19 January 1998]: I and my officials have remained in close contact with the US administration on the future governance of the Internet Domain Name System. We have also supported European Commission action in this area. Much of the delay in reaching a satisfactory outcome to this issue is due to the need to ensure a robust solution which fully represents the interests of all classes of Internet stakeholders in all regions of the world, and anticipates future needs.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the effect that the diversion of intra-European Internet traffic to the United States has on the United Kingdom Internet industry. [24015]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 19 Janaury 1998]: Industry views are divided, both as to whether the present traffic routing adopted by Internet service providers in the UK has a harmful effect on their competitiveness, and

  655
  whether it is caused by the high prices for leased lines to European destinations compared to trans-Atlantic rates. The presence in the United States of the majority of websites in the world makes it necessary for service providers throughout Europe to lease lines to the US, spare capacity on which can be cheaply used to access each others' networks. I do however share industry's concern at high intra-European leased line prices. I am confident that the full liberalisation of the European Union telecoms market from this month will bring about a rapid and significant fall in these prices.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are her priorities in respect of policies on the Internet during the United Kingdom's presidency of the European Union. [24002]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 19 January 1998]: I attach very strong importance to ensuring that we achieve an environment in the European Union which will foster the development of the Internet. I aim to take this agenda forward during the UK Presidency through discussion of the issues of converging technologies, on Globalisation and the Information Society and on the EU Internet Action Plan.

  Amway
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations her Department has received since 1 May on the operation of Amway; if she will publish her responses; what investigations her Department has made into the operations of Amway; what representatives of Amway her Ministers have met since 1 May 1997; and what meetings representatives of her Department have held with individuals to discuss the operation of the company. [24001]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  [holding answer 19 January 1998]: The Department has received numerous letters from one individual and a letter from the hon. Lady on 15 October. I have placed a copy of my reply to her in the Library of the House, but regard other replies as personal to the recipient.

  In line with established practice in such cases. Ministers do not confirm or deny whether investigations are taking place or not.

  Ministers of this Department have not met representatives of the company during the period in question, nor have officials had any meetings.

  Action 2000
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if Action 2000 will define the levels of millennium compliance for each sector of industry. [24378]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 20 January 1998]: Action 2000 is encouraging businesses in all sectors of the economy to decide quickly what steps they need to take to make their critical systems compliant, and will be taking a particular interest in the plans of businesses in key sectors. Action 2000 will aim to benchmark the existing level of compliance across all sectors of the economy and monitoring progress.

  Biotechnology
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps her Department is taking to develop manufacturing activity in the biotechnology sector. [24070]

  Mr. Battle
  My Department is committed to getting the climate right for the development of the UK's biotechnology sector. We support a range of research through the Research Councils and technology transfer through, for example, LINK, EUREKA and SMART and specific Biotechnology Challenges to encourage the start-up and growth of new companies.

  These measures will help sustain the strong science base and catalyse industrial research and development needed to underpin future manufacturing and production in this sector.

  Biochemical Engineering
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what assessment she has made of the impact of reductions in the level of support for biochemical engineering research and training in the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council budget; [24071]

  (2) what assessment she has made of the level of Government support required in respect of biochemical engineering research and training over the next five years. [24069]

  Mr. Battle
  Government support for biochemical engineering research and training is primarily the responsibility of the Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Councils (BBSRC). In accordance with its Royal Charter and the well-established relationship between the Research Council and Government, it is for the BBSRC to determine the nature and level of its support for areas of research and training, drawing on the advice of its research and user communities.

  I understand that the BBSRC has recently commissioned a review of all its biochemical engineering research and training chaired by Professor Bernard Atkinson, which is due to report in the early summer of 1998.

  Employment Law (Seafarers)
  Mr. Prosser
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list those sections of United Kingdom employment law from which British merchant seafarers are presently excluded. [24167]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  Section 199(1) of the Employment Rights Act 1996 specifies provisions in that Act from which mariners—whatever their nationality—are excluded where they are employed in a UK registered ship under a crew agreement approved by the Secretary of State. The provisions in question are sections one to seven (concerning the right to a written statement of employment particulars), Part II (protection of wages) and sections 86 to 91 (minimum period of notice).

  Section 199(4) of the 1996 Act specifies provisions from which merchant seamen are excluded. These are sections eight to ten (right to itemised pay statement), sections 50–54 (time off work) and Part XII (payments where an employer is insolvent).
  657
  Other exclusions from the 1996 Act, as set out in section 196, apply equally to seafarers and other employees working wholly or mainly outside Great Britain, except that section 196(5) and 199(6) provides that certain of these exclusions do not apply to seafarers in certain circumstances.

  Equivalent provisions applying in Northern Ireland are included in Article 242 of the Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996.

  Ethical Trading
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made in discussions with industry and commerce on ethical trading and the labelling of goods to give information on the ethics of their production. [22872]

  Mrs. Roche
  Increasingly companies are responding to consumers interests by voluntarily adopting codes of practice to help ensure the ethical production of their goods, including those originating overseas. The Government support the Ethical Trading Initiative, a partnership between business, non-governmental organisations and unions which aims to promote the use of such codes, the pursuit of best practice in monitoring them and developing a positive engagement between importers and suppliers to help the latter comply with the codes. The ultimate aim is the universal ethical production of goods sold in the UK. Some goods are already marketed with an indication of ethical production, and moves towards widespread transparency will be welcomed.

  Electricity Cabling
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representation she has received from electricity consumers, concerning the laying of underground cables in North West Wales. [24293]

  Mr. Battle
  One letter has been received which raised the question of underground cables in North West Wales since the General Election last May.

HEALTH

  Edgware Hospital
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement concerning the review of Edgware Hospital. [22591]

  Mr. Milburn
  Following Barnet Health Authority's review of local health services to be provided from the Edgware Hospital site, the health authority has now submitted the recommendations from the review. I am pleased that the process of public consultation adopted by the health authority has achieved a considerable degree of local support and a high level of consensus on the range of services to be provided.

  The review has produced workable proposals about the general direction and future of the Edgware Community Hospital. Barnet Health Authority and the Barnet Healthcare National Health Service Trust, working closely
  658
  with representatives of the local community, will now need to develop these proposals in more detail to satisfy the formal approval processes.

  Hospital Trusts (Car Parks)
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was received by each hospital trust which has a car park contract operated by Controlled Car Parking, in the last financial year for which figures are available; and if he will estimate the profit made by CCP on each contract in the last financial year for which figures are available. [24166]

  Ms Jowell
  The information requested is not collected centrally.

  Breast Screening
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many breast screening units are not able to screen all women in the 50 to 64 years of age category every three years; and if he will make a statement. [24338]

  Mr. Boateng
  As at July 1997, 32 units in England were having some difficulty maintaining a three-year screening interval and as a result some women are having to wait longer than three years between screenings. Most of the 32 are less than three months behind schedule.

  The Government have made clear that adherence to national standards and rigorous quality control is essential to deliver an effective breast screening programme. Regional Directors of Public Health have been instructed to review the performance of the breast screening programme in their region and, where necessary, agree action plans so that national standards are met, including screening intervals.

  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what account his Department has taken in allocating funds for breast screening of demographic changes. [24340]

  Mr. Boateng
  The number of women eligible for screening is rising steadily as a result of the post-war baby boom, with a projected increase of almost 10 per cent. between 1997 and 2002. Demographic pressures on the health service as a whole are taken into account in discussion between the Department and Her Majesty's Treasury on public expenditure.

  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the number of women aged between 65 and 75 who attend breast screening. [24339]

  Mr. Boateng
  In 1995–96 (the most recent figures available), 57,535 women aged 65 and over were screened for breast cancer. This is a significant increase on the 1994–95 figure of 39,193, and the Government are delighted that more women than ever aged 65 and over are requesting National Health Service mammogram. We do not collect date specifically on the number of women aged 65 to 75 screened each year.

  Acheson Report
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the letter (reference S/J/PS0/11213/97) when he expects to receive the Acheson Report relating to accident involvement. [22797]
  659
  Ms Jowell
  Sir Donald Acheson is expected to report to Ministers in spring 1998, with the full report of the Independent Inquiry into Inequalities in Health to be published in the summer.

  Rohypnol
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the Government will ban the drug rohypnol. [24673]

  Ms Jowell
  Rohypnol is the proprietary name for flunitrazepam, a prescription-only medicine for the short-term treatment of insomnia. It is not prescribable under the National Health Service but may be supplied under private prescription. In view of its attractiveness to drug misusers for self-administration it is already controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

  There are no plans at present to withdraw the drug rohypnol. Because of concern about possible misuse of rohypnol the manufacturers have modified the formulation, including a dye that will show up in a drink. This new formulation has been approved by the United Kingdom licensing authority and we understand that it will be marketed in the near future.

  The Government plan to bring forward amending legislation shortly which will increase the amount of regulation on the drug in the UK, including making it an offence to possess the drug without lawful authority.

  GP Fundholders
  Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what training general practice fundholders receive on how to handle personnel matters; and what plans his Department has to improve such training. [23044]

  Mr. Milburn
  General practitioner fundholders are expected to equip themselves with the skills to perform the full range of their management duties. Regulation 23(7) of the National Health Service (Fund-holding Practices) Regulations 1996 provides for the practice fund management allowance to be used to meet the cost of training members of the practice and their staff.

  The White Paper, "The New NHS" (Cmnd 3807) sets out the Government's intention to develop Primary Care Groups which will succeed the GP fundholding scheme and other current purchasing and commissioning arrangements. The training and development needs of Primary Care Groups will need to be kept under review by all concerned as the new arrangements evolve.

  Care Leavers
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent research findings are available from the assessment of services for care leavers, following the Government commitment to monitor the implementation of the Children Act 1989 as it relates to provisions for children leaving care. [23945]

  Mr. Boateng
  A major research study of leaving care schemes was commissioned by Government following implementation of the Children Act 1989. The research was undertaken by Leeds University and published in 1995 under the title "Moving On". Copies have been placed in the Library.
  660
  Further research was commissioned in 1995 from Sheffield University to study the extent to which the extended families of care leavers might offer personal support during the transition to independence. The fieldwork has been completed and the study will be published shortly under the title "Leaving Care in Partnership".

  Neuroleptic Drugs
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what new proposals he has to reduce excessive prescribing of neuroleptic drugs to residents of homes for the elderly. [24755]

  Mr. Milburn
  The responsibility for prescribing, including repeat prescribing, of medication rests with the doctor who has clinical responsibility for the patient's treatment. We have no present proposals to issue guidance on the prescribing of drugs specifically to residents of homes for the elderly.

  The Department provides support for doctors in their clinical decisions, providing information through the British National Formulary, the Drug and Therapeutics and Medicines Resource Centre Bulletins and the Prescribers' Journal, copies of which are available in the Library. Advice is also available from most general practitioners' computer systems which have drug databases with facilities to flag up potential interactions with other drugs or diseases, and when patient review is due. We also encourage the use of community pharmacists in the review and management of medication.

  Fibre
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is Her Majesty's Government's recommended daily amount for fibre; and what assessment he has made of the amounts recommended by other organisations. [24459]

  Ms Jowell
  The Committee on Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition Policy (COMA), in its Report, "Dietary Reference Values for Food Energy and Nutrients for the United Kingdom" published in 1991, set a Dietary Reference Value (DRV) for the population average intake of non-starch polysaccharide (dietary fibre) at 18 grams per day. In setting this DRV COMA took account of the recommendations of other national and international bodies in this area. Copies of the Report are available in the Library.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for Bradford, North (Mr. Rooney) of 22 December 1997,Official Report, columns 459–61; if she will estimate the (a) regional distribution and (b) distribution between household income bands based on quartiles of the income range of claimants of disability living allowance care, disability living allowance mobility and attendance allowance in each year from 1992–93. [22994]
  661
  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is set out in the tables.

  People in receipt of DLA and AA at 1993–94 by Government Office region

  Disability Living Allowance

  Government Office region

  Care1

  Mobility1

  Attendance allowance2

  North

  35,500

  64,200

  —

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  57,800

  103,000

  —

  East Midlands

  41,400

  70,600

  —

  East

  39,600

  63,300

  —

  London

  56,000

  74,100

  —

  South East

  57,000

  80,100

  —

  South West

  40,600

  61,600

  —

  West Midlands

  59,400

  95,300

  —

  North West

  67,100

  124,800

  —

  Merseyside

  28,000

  49,800

  —

  England

  482,400

  787,000

  760,200

  Wales

  40,500

  81,600

  56,400

  Scotland

  67,000

  113,200

  73,800

  All

  589,900

  981,800

  890,300

  People in receipt of DLA and AA at 1993–94 by Government Office region

  Disability Living Allowance

  Government Office region

  Care1

  Mobility1

  Attendance Allowance2

  North

  44,800

  73,800

  —

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  73,400

  116,900

  —

  East Midlands

  51,200

  80,600

  —

  East

  49,600

  73,600

  —

  London

  72,300

  93,000

  —

  South East

  67,700

  94,600

  —

  South West

  46,800

  69,100

  —

  West Midlands

  75,400

  112,000

  —

  North West

  84,600

  141,100

  —

  Merseyside

  37,000

  57,800

  —

  England

  602,600

  912,500

  815,100

  Wales

  53,900

  94,100

  64,800

  Scotland

  85,100

  130,600

  82,400

  All

  741,600

  1,137,100

  962,400

  People in receipt of DLA and AA at 1994–95 by Government Office region

  Disability Living Allowance

  Government Office region

  Care1

  Mobility1

  Attendance Allowance2

  North

  56,600

  87,200

  —

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  88,000

  132,200

  —

  East Midlands

  61,100

  90,200

  —

  East

  60,400

  83,600

  —

  London

  89,400

  109,900

  —

  South East

  80,900

  108,500

  —

  South West

  57,600

  80,700

  —

  West Midlands

  92,200

  128,700

  —

  North West

  102,700

  160,100

  —

  Merseyside

  46,200

  66,000

  —

  England

  735,100

  1,047,100

  884,500

  Wales

  67,300

  110,100

  72,500

  Scotland

  105,600

  151,100

  89,500

  All

  908,100

  1,308,400

  1,046,500

  662

  People in receipt of DLA and AA at 1995–96 by Government Office region

  Disability Living Allowance

  Government Office region

  Care1

  Mobility1

  Attendance Allowance1

  North

  69,300

  99,200

  48,200

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  105,500

  150,500

  103,200

  East Midlands

  73,700

  102,500

  75,700

  East

  71,700

  95,000

  91,500

  London

  106,700

  127,600

  106,100

  South East

  93,600

  122,000

  121,200

  South West

  69,300

  93,100

  97,100

  West Midlands

  109,000

  146,400

  111,300

  North West

  123,700

  179,200

  126,400

  Merseyside

  55,400

  74,000

  40,800

  England

  878,100

  1,189,600

  921,400

  Wales

  82,200

  125,500

  80,000

  Scotland

  124,600

  170,700

  107,000

  All

  1,084,900

  1,485,700

  1,108,500

  People in receipt of DLA and AA at 1996–97 by Government Office region

  Disability Living Allowance

  Government Office region

  Care1

  Mobility1

  Attendance Allowance1

  North

  80,400

  108,800

  52,700

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  120,000

  163,500

  106,600

  East Midlands

  84,700

  111,800

  81,800

  East

  83,100

  103,600

  94,100

  London

  124,000

  142,600

  108,300

  South East

  106,500

  133,500

  122,600

  South West

  80,400

  102,900

  106,400

  West Midlands

  122,800

  158,600

  116,700

  North West

  63,300

  80,500

  132,100

  Merseyside

  143,200

  196,600

  43,500

  England

  1,008,400

  1,302,400

  964,700

  Wales

  97,800

  139,100

  86,800

  Scotland

  142,500

  188,000

  114,900

  All

  1,248,700

  1,629,500

  1,166,400

  Source

  Analytical Services Division: 5 per cent. data.

  Note:

  1 Figures relate to 28 February.

  2 Figures relate to 31 March.

  1. No figures by region for AA are available prior to 1995–96 because of the lack of a reliable regional indicator in the data.

  Position in the household income distribution of benefit units in receipt of Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance (GB)

  1995–96

  Per cent.

  Quartile

  DLA (care)

  DLA Mobility

  DLA

  AA

  Either AA or DLA

  Bottom 25 per cent.

  16

  15

  17

  14

  16

  Next 25 per cent.

  39

  41

  41

  40

  41

  Next 25 per cent.

  32

  32

  31

  32

  31

  Top 25 per cent.

  13

  12

  12

  13

  12

  All

  100

  100

  100

  100

  100

  663

  1994–95

  Per cent.

  Quartile

  DLA (care)

  DLA (mobility)

  DLA

  AA

  Either AA or DLA

  Bottom 25 per cent.

  13

  13

  15

  12

  14

  Next 25 per cent.

  44

  44

  44

  44

  44

  Next 25 per cent.

  31

  30

  30

  30

  31

  Top 25 per cent.

  12

  14

  12

  12

  11

  All

  100

  100

  100

  100

  100

  1992–93 and 1993–94 financial years combined in UK

  Per cent.

  Quartile

  DLA

  AA

  Either AA or DLA

  Bottom 25 per cent.

  13

  10

  12

  Next 25 per cent.

  42

  51

  46

  Next 25 per cent.

  34

  31

  32

  Top 25 per cent.

  10

  8

  9

  All

  100

  100

  100

  1. The estimates for the financial years 1994–95 and 1995–96 are based on the Family Resources Survey (FRS).

  2. The estimates for the combined financial years 1992–93 and 1993–94 are based ont he Family Expenditure Survey (FES). As the FES has a smaller sample size than the FRS we have combined two financial years and not provided estimates for the separate components of DLA.

  3. The measure of income used is household equivalised net income before housing costs (BHC). Measured income will include the value of the DLA and AA received. The distribution of recipients changes if the value of DLA and AA from household income as in the following table.

  Position in the household income distribution of benefit units in receipt of Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance (GB)

  1995–96

  Per cent.

  Quartile

  Household income includes the value of AA/DLA

  Household income excludes the value of AA/DLA

  Bottom 25 per cent.

  16

  39

  Next 25 per cent.

  41

  34

  Next 25 per cent.

  31

  19

  Top 25 per cent.

  12

  7

  All

  100

  100

  1. Incomes are equivalised to adjust for household size and composition. No adjustment is made to household income to reflect any additional needs that people with disabilities might have.

  2. Recipients in institutions are not covered by the Family Resources Survey.

  3. The FRS is a sample survey and all estimates must be treated as approximate.

  4. FRS estimates are available on a GB basis only as the FRS doesn't cover Northern Ireland and NI has no equivalent survey. FES estimates relate to the UK.

  5. Results show the proportion of benefit units receiving AA and DLA by position of the benefit unit in the household distribution of income. A benefit unit is defined as a single adult or couple together with any dependent children. A household can comprise more than one benefit unit, for example a pensioner living with their grown up children.

  6. Sample sizes are such that differences between the years are unlikely to be statistically significant.

  7. For the income distribution which excludes benefits the knock on effect on Income Related Benefit receipt has not been estimated, though this is likely to be small on average.

  8. As the question is using a series of years the FES comparable measures of income and FES comparable grossing factors have been used on the FRS.

  Pensioner Incomes
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will estimate for the current year and for 1992 average pensioners income from all sources(a) for all pensioners and (b) for the age groups (i) over 75 years of age, (ii) over 80 years of age and (iii) over 85 years of age. [23669]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is set out in the table.

  1995–96

  1992

  Mean gross income (£)

  Sample

  Mean gross income (£)

  Sample

  All pensioner units

  196.80

  2,000

  181.00

  2,183

  Pensioner units where the head is aged over 75

  173.20

  731

  148.00

  778

  Pensioner units where the head is aged over 80

  170.80

  391

  136.70

  376

  Pensioner units where the head is aged over 85

  191.70

  133

  135.70

  122

  Source:

  The Pensioners' Incomes Series 1995–96 based on the Family Expenditure Survey.

  Notes:

  1. The latest year for which information is available is 1995–96.

  2. Pensioner Units are defined as single (non-cohabiting) persons over State pension age or couples (married or cohabiting) where the man, defined as the head, is over State pension age.

  3. All figures are in July 1995 prices and are rounded to the nearest 10 pence.

  4. Figures based on small numbers of pensioner units are subject to sampling error. Therefore, year on year comparisons of small groups, particularly those pensioner units aged over 85, may not be robust.

  Incomes
  Ms Hewitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the net income of (i) married couple with one earner and two children, (ii) a lone parent with two children and (iii) a single person with no children, on gross earnings of(a) half of average earnings, (b) three-quarters of average earnings, (c) average earnings and (d) twice average earnings allowing for child benefit; and what is the net income of the same groups after allowing for council tax. [23929]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The information is in the tables.

  Net income of a married couple with one earner and two children

  £

  Gross earnings

  Net income before Council Tax

  Net income after Council Tax

  LA tenant

  Private tenant

  LA tenant

  Private tenant

  Half of average earnings

  183.80

  163.35

  163.35

  151.75

  151.75

  Three-quarters of average earnings

  275.70

  191.38

  167.98

  179.78

  156.38

  Average earnings

  367.60

  252.95

  222.64

  241.35

  211.04

  Twice average earnings

  735.20

  499.83

  469.52

  488.23

  457.92

  665

  Net income of a lone parent with two children

  £

  Gross earnings

  Net income before Council Tax

  Net income after Council Tax

  LA Tenant

  Private Tenant

  LA Tenant

  Private Tenant

  Half of average earnings

  183.80

  164.61

  164.33

  155.81

  155.53

  Three-quarters of average earnings

  275.70

  197.43

  168.96

  188.63

  160.16

  Average earnings

  376.60

  259.00

  228.69

  250.20

  219.89

  Twice average earnings

  735.20

  505.88

  475.57

  497.08

  466.77

  Net income of a single person with no children

  £

  Gross earnings

  Net income before Council Tax

  Net income after Council Tax

  LA Tenant

  Private Tenant

  LA Tenant

  Private Tenant

  Half of average earnings

  183.80

  111.17

  87.06

  103.67

  79.56

  Three-quarters of average earnings

  275.70

  172.75

  148.64

  165.25

  141.14

  Average earnings

  367.60

  234.32

  210.21

  226.82

  202.71

  Twice average earnings

  735.20

  481.20

  457.09

  473.70

  449.59

  1. The weekly average earnings figure of £367.60 has been taken from "Labour Market Trends", published by the Office for National Statistics. It represents national weekly average earnings for all full-time employees at April 1997.

  2. For family types with two children, one child is assumed to be under five and the other between five and 10-years-old.

  3. The net income figures in the table reflect each family's net weekly income after income tax, National Insurance Contributions, housing costs and all income from benefits (including Child Benefit) have been taken into account.

  4. Net incomes also depend on whether or not the family are local authority (LA) or private tenants, since this affects the amount of rent payable and also (possibly) the amount of housing benefit received. Net incomes for both LA tenants and private tenants are included in the table.

  5. Each family type is assumed to live in local authority or private rented property appropriate to its size, and to pay average amounts of rent and council tax at April 1997.

  6. No Council Tax Benefit is payable in any of the situations covered: earnings are too high.

  Councillors' Allowances
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will bring forward proposals to exclude members' allowances received by councillors when calculating benefits and other entitlement. [24156]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  We have no immediate plans to change the way councillors' allowances are treated when calculating benefits although we are keeping the individual benefit rules under review. Councillors do already enjoy some important concessions in the benefits system which are not available to other people.

  Lone Parents
  Mrs. Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate she has made of the projected change in the numbers of lone parents over the next 10 years. [23522]
  666
  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The information is not available in the form requested. Neither the Office for National Statistics, which is responsible for demographic statistics on the family, nor the Government Actuary's Department produces projections of the number of lone parent families.

  The Department of Social Security makes its own projections for planning purposes and these indicate that the number of lone parent families in Great Britain could increase by about 500,000 to over 2 million by 2006. Such estimates are subject to considerable uncertainty and may over-estimate growth over the next 10 years.

  Ms Julie Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if the level of advice and guidance and staffing available in the pilot projects of the Lone Parent Initiative will be matched when the national roll-out takes place. [24111]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The Government plan to continue providing a high quality service once the New Deal for Lone Parents is extended nationwide. Precise staffing levels have yet to be decided but the intention is that advice and guidance available to lone parents and their Personal Advisers will match that available in the eight pilot areas.

  Notes:

  I. From April 1998, for the New Deal for Lone Parents programme, will be delivered to all lone parents nationally making a new or repeat claim for Income Support.

  2. From October 1998, for the New Deal for Lone Parents programme, will be delivered to all lone parents nationwide, existing and new claimants.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will list the number of claimants and the number of new claims of(a) lone parent benefit and (b) lone parent premium in the Newcastle Benefits Agency district in each year since 1992. [22984]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The administration of Social Security Benefits is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Jim Cousins, dated 21 January 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking if she will list the number of claimants and the number of new claims of (a) lone parent benefit and (b) lone parent premium in the Newcastle Benefits Agency (BA) district in each year since 1992.
  The information is not available in the format requested. Lone parent benefit details are not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Similarly, the number of new claims to Income Support (IS) which include the entitlement to lone parent premium could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
  The following figures relate to the number of IS customers in the BA's Newcastle District, which includes the Newcastle St. James and Newcastle East offices, who were in receipt of lone parent premium from 1992 to 1996 and for 1997 the higher rate of the family premium, which from April 1997 replaced the lone parent premium. They do not include those lone parent customers who are pensioners nor those registered sick who would qualify for a higher

  667
  rate premium such as a pensioner or disability. These figures are a snapshot taken at the ene of November in each year; they are the latest available and may be subject to amendment.

  Year

  Number of cases

  1992

  7,625

  1993

  7,645

  1994

  7,663

  1995

  7,616

  1996

  7,529

  1997

  6,977

  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Child Benefit
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to review the operation of child benefit. [24492]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  Our manifesto commitment is clear: we will retain Child Benefit where it is universal today, from birth to age 16, and uprate it at least in line with prices.

  An inter-Departmental review of all the arrangements for financial support for young people choosing to stay in education beyond compulsory school age is continuing. Child Benefit for 16–18 year olds is part of that review.

  Welfare to Work
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in what circumstances those individuals who have refused to take up one of the four options under the welfaretowork scheme and had their jobseeker's allowance removed for four weeks will(a) go back onto jobseeker's allowance for six months and (b) go onto income support. [24552]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  Jobseeker's Allowance is intended for people who are out of work for reasons beyond their own control. Young people who unreasonably perpetuate their own unemployment by refusing to take up one of the four options offered under the New Deal will be subject to benefit sanctions for as long as they continue to refuse. There is no fifth option of a life on benefit.

  Young people will not qualify for Income Support unless they do so under current arrangements.

  State Earnings-related Pension Scheme (Rebate)
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the publication date for the Government Actuary Department's report on upgrading the SERPS rebate; and what are the terms of reference for the report. [24491]

  Mr. Denham
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Vauxhall (Kate Hoey) on Friday 16 January 1998,Official Report, column 344, which explained that a copy of the report I have received from the Government Actuary has been placed in the Library of both Houses. Its terms of reference are clearly set out in the introduction of the report.

  Orders to set new rebate levels from April 1999, with an accompanying report from the Government Actuary, will be brought before both Houses shortly.

  Mortgage Protection Policies
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the effect of(a) income from mortgage protection policies and (b) income from other loan insurance policies on entitlement to income-related social security benefits. [24713]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  Payments from a mortgage payment protection insurance policy (MPPI) are treated as income for income-related benefit purposes. In Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance (Income-Based) different rules apply depending on whether or not payment is made directly to the lender or the borrower. If payment is made direct to the lender, the full amount is ignored including capital repayments, endowments, PEPs, building insurance and mortgage payment protection premiums and any ineligible interest payments. The only exception to this is when Income Support Mortgage Interest (ISMI) commences and MPPI is already in payment, the MPPI income is offset against the amount of ISMI due. If paid direct to the borrower, the amount taken into account is the excess after housing costs and related insurance premiums have been deducted.

  Income from other types of loan insurance is treated in the same way as most other types of income. It is disregarded if, under the terms of the policy, it is payable to a third party only (in this case, normally the creditor). If it is paid to the insured person it will be taken into account. It may also be taken into account if it is being paid to a third party but could be paid to the insured person.

  This approach to the treatment of income in the income-related benefits has been unchanged for many years. Representatives of the insurance industry have recently approached the Department and are having discussions with officials about the application of the rules.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Hill Farming
  Mr. Connarty
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to assist hill farmers. [22304]

  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further steps he proposes to take to assist hill livestock farmers; and if he will make a statement. [22326]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  In my statement to the House on 22 December 1997, I set out proposals for a special aid package worth £85 million to the livestock industry. Hill Farmers will be particular beneficiaries. Consultation on the detailed arrangements are continuing with the European Commission, and I hope to announce these shortly.

  Farm Incomes
  Mr. Hinchliffe
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to monitor farm income in Yorkshire. [22314]
  669
  Mr. Rooker
  Farm incomes in Yorkshire are monitored through the Farm Business Survey, conducted in this part of the United Kingdom by Askham Bryan Agricultural College. The college publishes the results annually in "Farming in Yorkshire". It is expected that the next edition of this report, covering results for 1996–97, will be published in February 1998.

  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will meet farmers from Leicestershire to discuss the fall in farm incomes during 1997. [22324]

  Mr. Rooker
  I have no plans to meet farmers from Leicestershire, but I am always ready to listen to farmers or their representatives.

  Fisheries
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what are the Government's priorities with regard to reform of the CFP. [22315]

  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which aspects of the Common Fisheries Policy he is seeking to reform. [24762]

  Mr. Morley
  The Government are pursuing a wide-ranging agenda of improvements to the Common Fisheries Policy. Our priorities include making the CFP a more effective instrument for conservation, improving enforcement, introducing a greater regional dimension into decision-making, strengthening the economic benefits that countries derive from their quotas and improving the way we manage quotas in the UK.

  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the United Kingdom share under the 1983 allocation relating to fisheries will remain constant irrespective of any new members joining the EU(a) during and (b) after the transitional period to the Common Fisheries Policy has expired. [23700]

  Mr. Morley
  The Government are committed to maintaining the UK's share of fish established under the principle of relative stability both up to and after the review of the Common Fisheries Policy in 2002.

  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what benefits he seeks to achieve for British fishermen by reform of the Common Fisheries Policy. [24761]

  Mr. Morley
  By improving the Common Fisheries Policy, the Government seek to safeguard fish stocks and secure a sustainable future for the sea fishing industry.

  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what procedure he will follow to achieve reform of the Common Fisheries Policy; [24712]

  (2) what is his time scale for achieving reform of the Common Fisheries Policy. [24711]

  Mr. Morley
  The Common Fisheries Policy as a whole will be reviewed by the Council of Ministers in 2002. However, the Government are working to achieve improvements before then by promoting measures in the areas which it has identified as priorities.

  Food Standards and Safety
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in addition to the Food Standards Agency, what plans the Government have to promote improved food standards and safety throughout the country. [22316]

  Mr. Rooker
  We are acting essentially as if the Agency were already in place. We continue to strengthen our approach to food safety issues, giving clear priority to the protection of public health and building on our commitment to openness, transparency and responsiveness to the consumer.

  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further research is being carried out by his Department to ensure the safety of UK meat products. [22328]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Department funds a substantial programme of research to ensure the safety of meat and meat products. This focuses on the control of foodborne zoonoses and potential zoonoses, meat hygiene and food hygiene. The results of this research, which includes work on transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, contribute to the data on which policy decisions and actions are based. In all, it is expected that some £16 million will be deployed in this way during the 1997–98 financial year.

  Milk Quotas
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the future of milk quotas. [22317]

  Mr. Morley
  Current legal authority for the milk quota system is due to expire at the end of March 2000. We are pressing for reform of the dairy regime in Brussels to help our industry compete effectively on world markets. Detailed legislative proposals are expected from the Commission in March this year and these will be the subject of careful scrutiny and negotiation.

  Beef Farming
  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to visit Somerset to discuss the beef sector with local farmers. [22318]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  I have no specific plans to visit beef farmers in Somerset in the near future. However, I continue to have meetings with the National Farmers Union and other organisations representing farmers interests, when matters affecting the beef sector arise.

  Pigs (Tail Docking)
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to enforce the regulations relating to the tail docking of pigs; and if he will make a statement. [22319]

  Mr. Morley
  The regulations concerning the tail docking of pigs are enforced by the State Veterinary Service. We have instructed our Veterinary Officers to pay particular attention to this practice when carrying out their inspections.

  Genetically Modified Organisms
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent discussions he has had with food retailers about genetically modified organisms. [22320]

  Mr. Rooker
  I have held a number of meetings with food retailers since May where I have explained the Government's determination to ensure that all foods which contain genetically modified material are both safe and clearly labelled.

  Common Agricultural Policy
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which specific changes to the CAP would receive his support. [22322]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Government will support proposals to reform the CAP which would secure a more market oriented policy with lower overall costs and which do not discriminate against UK farmers.

  Beef Ban
  Mr. Russell Brown
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress he is making on lifting the ban on British beef. [22323]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Commission has approved a draft proposal for the Export Certified Herds Scheme which will be presented to the Standing Veterinary Committee very soon. The scheme would operate in Northern Ireland initially but the principles could be extended to Great Britain once the computerised tracing system is fully functional.

  In October we submitted proposals for a UK scheme to export beef from cattle born after 1 August 1996 (Date Based Export Scheme). In its Opinion of 9 December the Scientific Steering Committee gave a positive response to the principle of a Date Based Export Scheme. Officials are currently discussing the next steps with the Commission.

  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research his Department evaluated from other EU countries prior to its decision to ban the sale of beef on the bone. [22321]

  Mr. Rooker
  The research into BSE infectivity on which the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee based its recent advice on dorsal root ganglia and bone marrow was carried out in the UK. The Committee keeps under review research findings worldwide, but, in the absence of any relevant research results from other countries, this particular advice was based solely on UK research.

  Beef
  Mr. Grogan
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to improve confidence in British beef. [22325]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Government have continued to support various initiatives to help restore and improve consumer confidence in beef. As a result we have seen significant improvements in the level of beef consumption, indicating the return of consumer confidence.
  672
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will continue to allow family butchers to remove beef from the bone. [22327]

  Mr. Rooker
  Yes. The Beef Bones Regulations 1997 permit bones to be removed from bone-in-beef in food premises, which include butchers shops.

  Fishing Industry
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many(a) Spanish and (b) Dutch fishermen fishing against the UK quota have had their licences removed since 1 May. [22329]

  Mr. Morley
  No owners of UK registered fishing vessels have had their licences removed since 1 May.

  Mrs. Humble
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he last met the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations. [22330]

  Mr. Morley
  I last met representatives of the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations on 19 December 1997.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what relationship his Department envisages witht he Scottish Executive in negotiations on the common fisheries policy. [22302]

  Mr. Morley
  Scottish Executive Minsters and officials will be fully involved, as part of the UK team headed by this Department, in formulating and supporting the UK's negotiating line on Common Fisheries Policy matters.

  Overseas Visits
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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. [23263]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  [holding answer 15 January 1998]: I can confirm that under Rule 83 of the Ministerial Code, Mrs. Cunningham accompanied me on two official overseas visits, the details of which are given. Her costs, in respect of the visit to Rome, have not been met from public funds.

  Date

  Location

  Meeting

  £

  25 May 1997-27 May 1997

  Netherlands

  May Informal Agriculture Council of EU Ministers

  12,288.00

  10 October 1997-12 October 1997

  Rome

  Bilateral with Italian Agriculture Minister

  1,062.00

  1 £457.60 for Mrs. Cunningham.

  Countryside Stewardship Scheme
  Mr. Lepper
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the number and location of Countryside Stewardship Scheme
  673
  public access sites in (a) the Brighton, Pavilion constituency and (b) East and West Sussex; what steps have been taken to inform the public of access to Countryside Stewardship Scheme access sites; and what sums his Department has (i) spent to date and (ii) contracted to spend in respect of payments for public access to these sites. [23936]

  Mr. Morley
  There are no Countryside Stewardship Scheme public access sites in the Brighton, Pavilion constituency.

  There are 25 public access sites in East Sussex and 16 in West Sussex. Their locations are as follows:

  East Sussex

  1. Hole Farm, nr Herstmonceux

  2. Forge Farms, nr Burwash Weald

  3. Rocks Farm, nr Brede

  4. Hempstead Farm, nr Hailsham

  5. France Bottom, nr Alfriston, Willingdon levels, Folkington Hill

  6. Hewenstreet Circuit, nr South Chailey

  7. Wagmary Wood, nr Brede Broad Oak

  8. Great Danegate Farm, nr Rotherfield

  9. Pebsham Farm, nr Bexhill

  10. Court Lodge Farm, nr Wartling

  11. Lewes Brooks, nr Lewes

  12. Highfields Circuit, nr Mayfield

  13 Barelands, nr Wadhurst

  14. Brightling Park, nr Brightling

  15. Chilly Brooks, nr Lewes

  16. Scrag Oak Farm, Nr Icklesham

  17. Eridge Old Park, nr Frant

  18. Foxhunt Park Farm, nr East Hoathly

  19. Sunninglye Farm, nr Bells Yew Green

  20. Ouse Banks, nr Uckfield

  21. Pippins Farm, Pembury

  22. Little Buds, Hastings

  23. Lunsfold Farm, Hastings

  24. Northease Farm, nr Lewes

  25. Hale Court, Hartfield.

  West Sussex

  1. Wiggonholt Common, nr Wiggonholt

  2. Kings. Barn Farm/Foxhall Farm, nr Steyning

  3. Daylands Farm, nr Ashington

  4. Pulborough Brooks, nr Pulborough

  5. Quell Farm, nr Coldwaltham

  6. Glebe Farm, nr Coldwaltham

  7. Stonehill, nr East Grinstead

  8. Church Farm South, nr Shipley Meadows

  9. Chanctonbury Ring, Findon Park Farm, nr Washington

  10. Sutton Common Lords Piece, nr Petworth

  11. West Grinstead Downs Link, nr Cowfold

  12. Frylands Farm, nr Wineham

  13. Lower Fittleworth Meadows, nr Fittleworth

  14. Apuldram Manor Farm, nr Chichester

  15. Imberhorne Farm, nr East Grinstead.

  The list includes sites on which grant is already being paid and new sites entered into the scheme in 1997 on which grant has yet to be paid.
  674
  The sums spent on these sites to date is:

  East Sussex: £76,827

  West Sussex: £82,163.

  The sums contracted to be spent are:

  East Sussex: £217,840

  West Sussex: £198,687.

  The figures for contracted expenditure include the total ten-year cost for each access agreement, i.e. the sums spent to date plus the value of payments scheduled for payment during the remaining years of the agreements.

  The Department informs the public of access to Countryside Stewardship scheme access sites by actively promoting the location of the site, how to find it and features of interest. The details, which include a map of the site, are published annually in the Department's Conservation Walks register. This is sent to all interested national organisations such as the Rambler's Association and local Tourist Information offices, Councils and Libraries. It is also available on the Internet. Registers, which are available on a county basis, are regularly updated and copies can be requested from the Department's offices. Details of sites have also been included in several local authority and other publications and the register has been publicised through the "Country Walking" magazine.

  Offshore Dredging
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research his Department has evaluated regarding the effect of offshore dredging for aggregates on sea defences and coastal erosion. [23699]

  Mr. Morley
  Licences for the extraction of marine aggregates are granted by the Crown Estate only if there has been a favourable response under the Government View Procedure, co-ordinated by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions. In contributing to the Government View, this Department takes account of studies undertaken by independent experts for each licence application to assess the potential impact on the coastline.

  Farming (New Entrants)
  Mrs. Ballard
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has for 1998–99 to provide financial support to new entrants into farming; and on what criteria such support will be based. [24361]

  Mr. Morley
  For many, the most appropriate way to enter the industry is through employment. Training is important. We are providing over £3 million in the next three years through the Department's contract with ATB-Landbase and through Sector Challenge to facilitate training as well as a grant to the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs to support education and training activities. Newcomers to sheep and suckler cow farming may also apply to the National Reserve for free premium quota, subject to availability.

  Whales
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his policy in respect of the applications by indigenous populations to recommend whaling. [23404]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 19 Janaury 1998]: The Government recognise the need to preserve the way of life and culture of indigenous peoples, and within the IWC has supported the granting of aboriginal subsistence quotas where these were justified by the needs of the indigenous people concerned and are fully sustainable. We consider it unlikely, however, that indigenous people who are not currently whaling will be able to demonstrate a valid need.

  Agriculture Council
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the outcome of the Agriculture Council held in Brussels on 19 and 20 January; and if he will make a statement. [24853]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  I chaired the first meeting of the European Union Council of Agriculture Ministers under the United Kingdom Presidency of the EU on 20 January in Brussels. My noble Friend, Lord Donoughue, Parliamentary Secretary responsible for the farming and food industry, represented the United Kingdom. My noble Friend, Lord Dubs, Under-Secretary of State in the Northern Ireland Office, was also present.

  I informed EU Ministers of the United Kingdom's priorities in the Agriculture Council for the six months of the UK Presidency, emphasising in particular the priority we shall attach to starting negotiations on the CAP reform elements of Agenda 2000, on making progress on animal welfare proposals, on bringing the EU banana regime into line with the recent WTO ruling, whilst respecting the EU' s obligations to ACP and EU producers, and completing the forthcoming CAP price fixing.

  In the course of the Council, the Commissioner gave a presentation of his recent proposal to amend the EU banana regime, and Ministers gave their initial reactions to this. I undertook to take forward the technical work on this proposal as rapidly as possible in order to facilitate early agreement in the Council in the interests of all those, in particular producers in the ACP countries, who are affected by the WTO ruling.

  I invited colleagues to give their views on the Commission's recent reports on the operation of the agri-environmental and forestry regulations introduced as part of the 1992 CAP reforms. This gave rise to a useful debate which will inform the Commission's preparations for the agri-environmental and rural development elements of the forthcoming Agenda 2000 proposals.

  The Agriculture Commissioner gave a brief report to the Council on the recent ruling by the WTO Appellate Body on hormones in beef. The Council will hear further reports from the Commission on the handling of this ruling once there has been time to analyse its implications in greater detail. The Commissioner also reported in depth his recent exchanges with the United States Agriculture
  676
  Secretary about issues in discussion between the EU and the US concerning the adoption of a veterinary equivalence agreement. Commissioner Fischler emphasised the constructive and positive nature of recent exchanges, and expressed the hope that an agreement could be concluded in the near future. I emphasised my wish to see this achieved as soon as possible during the UK Presidency.

  Countryside Access Legislation
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consultation there will be with the farming community in discussions preceding any countryside access legislation. [22307]

  Mr. Morley
  The Government have already had preliminary discussions with a number of organisations including those representing the farming community. It will hold further meetings and will consider carefully all points made in response to the consultation document which will be issued shortly.

SCOTLAND

  Health Service Trusts (Appointments)
  Mr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the names of the persons he has appointed to the posts of chairmen/women and non-executive directors of National Health Service trusts; and if he will make a statement. [19712]

  Mr. Galbraith
  [holding answer 10 December 1997]: The information requested has been placed in the Library and lists all appointments to Health Boards and NHS Trusts since 1 May 1997. In making these appointments, I have ensured that the voice of Scotland's local communities will be heard in the boardroom of these health bodies.

  Dental Services
  Mr. Wallace
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many dentists were engaged in NHS practice on(a) 31 October 1992 and (b) 31 October 1997, in each health board area in Scotland. [18703]

  Mr. Galbraith
  [holding answer 8 December 1997]: The information requested is contained in the table:

  Number of principal dentists offering NHS general dental services in Scotland1

  Health Board2

  September 19923

  October 1997

  Ayrshire and Arran

  121

  128

  Borders

  34

  35

  Argyll and Clyde

  160

  166

  Fife

  100

  124

  Greater Glasgow

  348

  356

  Highland

  68

  80

  Lanarkshire

  145

  165

  Grampian

  144

  159

  Orkney

  4

  4

  Lothian

  282

  311

  Tayside

  142

  141

  Forth Valley

  83

  82

  677

  Number of principal dentists offering NHS general dental services in Scotland1

  Health Board2

  September 19923

  October 1997

  Western Isles

  12

  13

  Dumfries and Galloway

  36

  38

  Shetland

  7

  7

  Scotland

  1,686

  1,809

  1 Includes principal dentists only—excludes vocational trainees and assistants.

  2 A dentist is counted in only one Health Board even if he/she practises in more than one Health Board area.

  3 Figures for October 1992 are not available from the Common Services Agency's Dental Practice Division. The nearest available date is September 1992.

  Human Identification Centre
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the facial reconstruction techniques carried out by the Human Identification Centre at Glasgow University; and if he will make a statement on their application. [20251]

  Mr. McLeish
  The Scottish Office is aware of the work in this field being carried out at the University of Glasgow. The work, which is not yet complete, has the potential to benefit a wide range of disciplines, including plastic surgery and the modelling of facial characteristics based on skulls with no other form of identification.

  Locate in Scotland
  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the resources available to Locate in Scotland. [22033]

  Mr. Wilson
  Locate in Scotland's total budget for the current financial year is £8.8 million. This covers staff costs, operations and marketing.

  Welfare to Work
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the number of places likely to be offered and the number of likely applicants for places in the New Deal and welfare to work programmes in each area within Scotland. [22253]

  Mr. Wilson
  Current estimates suggest that in 1998–99 in Scotland around 30,200 young people who have been claiming Jobseeker's Allowance for six months or more will enter the Gateway stage of the programme. Of these around 40 per cent. are expected to find un-subsidised jobs and the remainder will take up one of the programme's four options. The table provides a breakdown into each of the 23 New Deal delivery areas in Scotland.

  Planning for the New Deal for people aged 25 or over who have been unemployed for two years continues. The information required is not yet available.
  678

  Estimate for 1998–99 of 18–24 year olds who have been claiming jobseekers allowance for six months or more

  New Deal delivery area

  Claiming JSA for six months or more

  Numbers entering gateway stage

  Numbers moving to one of the four New Deal options

  Argyll and the Islands

  300

  300

  180

  Ayrshire

  2,660

  2,660

  1,596

  Borders

  290

  290

  174

  Caithness and Sutherland

  190

  190

  114

  Dumfries and Galloway

  760

  760

  456

  Dunbartonshire

  1,430

  1,430

  858

  Edinburgh, East and Midlothian

  2,860

  2,860

  1,716

  Fife

  2,180

  2,180

  1,308

  Forth Valley

  1,730

  1,730

  1,038

  Glasgow

  5,870

  5,870

  3,522

  Grampian

  1,240

  1,240

  744

  Inverness and Nairn

  420

  420

  252

  Lanarkshire

  4,200

  4.200

  2,520

  Lochaber

  90

  90

  54

  Moray, Badenoch and Strathspey

  370

  370

  222

  Orkney

  60

  60

  36

  Renfrewshire

  1,830

  1,830

  1,098

  Ross and Cromarty

  300

  300

  180

  Shetland

  60

  60

  36

  Skye and Lochalsh

  60

  60

  36

  Tayside

  2,431

  2,431

  1,459

  West Lothian

  730

  730

  438

  Western Isles

  150

  150

  90

  Total

  30,211

  30,211

  18,127

  Economic Policies
  Mr. Sarwar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the Government's economic policies for Scotland. [22748]

  Mr. Wilson
  The Government's central economic objective is to achieve high and stable levels of economic growth and employment so that higher living standards and greater job opportunities can be shared by all. The conduct of UK macroeconomic policy is based on creating economic stability, with low inflation and low public borrowing, and improving the environment for long-term investment in technology and in education and training.

  The specific requirements of the Scottish economy are being addressed by The Scottish Office in conjunction with Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the Local Enterprise Companies and the other economic development agencies. By raising skill levels and increasing investment, we will work towards the goal of improving living standards across the country.

  Unemployment
  Mr. Sarwar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the trends in respect of long-term unemployment in Scotland. [22749]

  Mr. Wilson
  The Office for National Statistics (ONS) produces two measures of unemployment. The first is derived from the quarterly Labour Force Survey, and is defined on a consistent and internationally recognized
  679
  basis set out by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and counts as unemployed people who are:
  (a) without a paid job; (b) available to start work within the next two weeks and (c) have either looked for work in the last four weeks or are waiting to start a job already obtained.

  ONS also publishes figures on the number of people who are claiming Jobseeker's Allowance or National Insurance Credits. This is published monthly and known as the Claimant Count.

  Defining long term unemployment as those who have been unemployed for 12 months or more, the data requested are shown in the table.

  Number of people in Scotland ILO unemployed for 12 months or more

  Summer 1992 to Summer 1997 (not seasonally adjusted)

  Number

  Summer 1992

  96,000

  Summer 1993

  102,000

  Summer 1994

  92,000

  Summer 1995

  92,000

  Summer 1996

  75,000

  Summer 1997

  70,000

  Source:

  Office for National Statistics, Labour Force Survey.

  Poor People
  Mr. Pond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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. [23340]

  Mr. Wilson
  The Scottish Office recognises the need to assess the impact of its policies on all groups in the community.

  A key factor in improving the income and living standards of the poorest 30 per cent. of the population will be the creation of better employment opportunities. The New Deal programmes for the young and long-term unemployed, for lone parents and for those with a disability or long-term illness are designed to help participants into real, lasting and worthwhile employment.

  We shall shortly be issuing a consultation paper on social exclusion in Scotland to take views on current policies and practices and on options and priorities for the future. This consultation process will be followed by a "summit" to discuss the way forward. We have also established a "Social Exclusion Network" of senior officials to co-ordinate the efforts of Government departments and Agencies in Scotland.

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list all overseas visits made since 1 May 1997 on which he or any other Minister in his Department has been accompanied under Rule 83 of the Ministerial Code, indicating(a) who accompanied him or her (b) the cost to public funds of each such visit. [23250]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 15 January 1998]: None.

  Urban Transport
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his statement of 12 January 1998,Official Report, column 22, if he will list (a) the legislative requirements and (b) the financial resources needed to meet the integration needs of Scotland's urban transport system. [23309]

  Mr. McLeish
  [holding answer 16 January 1998]: My right hon. Friend is to publish in the spring a Transport White Paper setting out our proposals for an integrated, sustainable and effective transport system appropriate for the people of Scotland. The legislative requirements and the financial resources needed will depend upon the policies to be pursued.

  Broadcasting
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his statement on 12 January 1998,Official Report, column 63, when he will make a statement on the position of the Scottish Parliament and broadcasting. [23311]

  Mr. McLeish
  [holding answer 16 January 1998]: The Scotland Bill provides for broadcasting to be reserved. The White Paper indicated that the Scottish Parliament will be able to invite broadcasters operating in Scotland to give evidence to it. The provisions in the Bill are consistent with that. There will be opportunities to debate broadcasting in the Committee and subsequent stages of the Bill.

  Devolution
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on what basis the Minister of State asserted in his oral statement on 13 January 1998,Official Report, column 157, that asymmetric devolution should improve the government of the United Kingdom. [23532]

  Mr. McLeish
  [holding answer 16 January 1998]: My hon. Friend's statement reflects the Government's belief that the government of the United Kingdom will be improved by the decentralisation of power throughout Britain. The Government are committed to a programme of devolution appropriate to the needs and aspirations of each part of the United Kingdom which brings government closer to the people and gives people more control over their own affairs.

  Scottish Parliament
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his statement of 12 January 1998,Official Report, column 115, on which devolved matters, arising out of clause 27(7) of the Scotland Bill, the United Kingdom Parliament can legislate after the Scottish Parliament is established. [23304]

  Mr. McLeish
  [holding answer 16 January 1998]: Clause 27(7) of the Scotland Bill makes it clear that the ability of the Scottish Parliament to make legislation does not affect the power of the Parliament of the United Kingdom to make laws for Scotland. This applies in respect of all matters whether devolved or reserved.

  NHS Primary Care
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what sums were spent on NHS primary care services in Scotland in (i) 1994–95, (ii) 1995–96 and (iii) 1996–97, broken down by(a) pharmaceutical

  FHS Expenditure

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  £000

  Percentage of total

  £000

  Percentage of total

  £000

  Percentage of total

  Pharm Services

  469,294

  50.60

  510,501

  51.70

  550,559

  52.35

  General Medical Services

  286,249

  30.86

  303,145

  30.7

  19,959

  30.42

  Gen Dental Services

  146,618

  15.81

  147,025

  14.89

  152,664

  14.52

  Gen Ophthalmic Services

  25,048

  2.70

  26,108

  2.64

  28,186

  2.68

  Mise (refund of patient charges not due)

  214

  0.02

  666

  0.07

  285

  0.03

  Total

  927,423

  987,445

  1,051,653

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what sums have been allocated to the NHS primary care service in Scotland in 1997–98, and the total broken down into(a) pharmaceutical services, (b) general medical services, (c) general ophthalmic services and (d) general dental services; and what percentage of the total each of these represents. [23841]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The information requested is set out in the table:

  FHS 1997–98

  £(000)

  Percentage

  Pharmaceutical Services

  599,481

  53.16

  General Medical Services

  336,372

  29.83

  General Dental Services

  162,192

  14.38

  General Ophthalmic Services

  29,288

  2.60

  Misc. (refund of patient charges not due)

  282

  0.03

  Total

  1,127,615

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the sums paid for drugs, medicines, dressings and appliances prescribed and dispensed by dispensing doctors in Scotland under the NHS primary care service in(a) 1994–95, (b) 1995–96 and (c) 1996–97, and the allocation for 1997–98, and the budget from which these sums were drawn. [23826]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The amounts reimbursed to dispensing doctors in respect of items dispensed in the financial years 1994–95 to 1996–97 are set out in the table.

  No specific allocation has been made for the reimbursement of dispensing doctors in 1997–98.

  The budget from which reimbursement is made is on Class XIII, Vote 4 Hospital, Community Health, Family Health, and other health services and Welfare Food, Scotland.

  Dispensing doctors payments

  1994–95 £

  1995–96 £

  1996–97 £

  Net ingredient cost

  12,879,981

  13,421,024

  14,780,332

  VAT

  2,266,539

  2,361,167

  2,599,494

  Totals

  15,146,520

  15,782,191

  17,379,826

  682
  services, (b) general medical services, (c) general ophthalmic services and (d) general dental services; and what percentage of the total each represented in each of the above years. [23842]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The information requested is set out in the table:

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of the Scottish NHS primary care pharmaceutical budget was allocated to the remuneration of pharmacy contractors in(a) 1994–95, (b) 1995–96 and (c) 1996–97; how this proportion is determined, and what proportion of the sums allocated to the Scottish NHS primary care pharmaceutical budget for 1997–98 has been made available for this purpose. [23840]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The proportion of the Scottish NHS primary care pharmaceutical budget allocated to the remuneration of pharmacy contractors in 1994–95, 1995–96 and 1996–97 and 1997–98 is set out in the table.

  Remuneration of community pharmacists is not determined as a proportion of the budget but is determined in negotiation with the profession within the parameters of the Government's policy in relation to public sector pay.

  The amount allocated for the remuneration of pharmacy contractors in 1997–98 reflects the introduction of local contracts for certain pharmaceutical services. £3.82 million was top sliced from the amount allocated for remuneration and distributed to health boards to pay for locally contracted services.

  Remuneration of pharmacy contractors as a proportion of the NHS in Scotland primary care pharmaceutical budget

  1994–95 percentage

  1995–96 percentage

  1996–97 percentage

  1997–98 percentage

  14.94

  14.08

  13.46

  12.12

  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the fees and allowances paid to dispensing doctors in Scotland under the NHS primary care service in (i) 1994–95, (ii) 1995–96 and (iii) 1996–97 and the allocation for 1997–98; from which budget these sums were drawn; and for what reason.
  [23839]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The information for Scotland for the financial years 1994–95 to 1996–97 is shown in the table.

  No specific allocation has been made for dispensing doctors' remuneration in 1997–98.
  683
  The budget from which these sums were voted is on Class XIII, Vote 4 Hospital, Community Health, Family Health, and other health services and Welfare Food, Scotland.

  Dispensing doctors payments

  1994–95 £

  1995–96 £

  1996–97 £

  Fees and Allowance

  3,208,762

  3,251,736

  3,450,439

  Agricultural Subsidies
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the levels of payment per hectare for(a) cereals, (b) set-aside and (c) oilseeds in Scotland for each of the last five years at cash prices and at 1997 prices. [23482]

  Mr. Macdonald
  [holding answer 16 January 1998]: The information is set out in the table.

  LFA

  Non-LFA

  Cash £/Hectare

  1997 Prices £/Hectare

  Cash £/Hectare

  1997 Prices £/Hectare

  1993

  Cereals

  114.07

  129.51

  131.39

  149.16

  Set-Aside

  205.33

  233.11

  236.50

  268.50

  Oilseeds

  368.85

  418.75

  445.67

  505.96

  1994

  Cereals

  156.98

  171.70

  180.52

  197.45

  Set-aside

  255.65

  279.63

  293.99

  321.56

  Oilseeds

  337.50

  369.16

  407.11

  445.30

  1995

  Cereals

  238.09

  251.91

  254.41

  269.18

  Set-aside

  301.58

  319.08

  322.25

  340.96

  Oilseeds

  421.17

  446.19

  502.34

  531.50

  1996

  Cereals

  236.06

  244.07

  246.08

  254.42

  Set-aside

  299.01

  309.14

  311.70

  322.27

  Oilseeds

  413.23

  427.24

  480.83

  497.13

  Note:

  Please note that all payment rates have been given to two decimal places.

  Hill liverstock compensatory allowance scheme

  Rates

  Cash price 1993 £

  1997 price 1993 £

  Cash price 1994 £

  1997 price 1994 £

  Cash price 1995 £

  1997 price 1995 £

  Cash price 1996 £

  1997 price 1996 £

  Cash price 1997 £

  1997 price 1997 £

  SD: Non-HIE

  SQF

  6.50

  7.28

  5.75

  6.28

  5,75

  6.07

  5.75

  5.93

  5.75

  5.75

  QF

  3.60

  4.03

  3.00

  3.28

  3.00

  3.17

  3.00

  3.09

  3.00

  3.00

  Hill cows

  63.30

  70.86

  47.50

  51.92

  47.50

  50.18

  47.50

  48.99

  97.50

  97.50

  SD: HIE (Highlands and Islands)

  SQF

  7.14

  7.99

  6.39

  6.98

  6.39

  6.75

  6.39

  6.59

  6.39

  6.39

  QF

  3.60

  4.03

  3.00

  3.28

  3.00

  3.17

  3.00

  3.09

  3.00

  3.00

  'A' Cows

  66.35

  74.27

  50.55

  55.25

  50.55

  53.40

  50.55

  52.14

  103.76

  103.76

  B' Cows

  74.89

  83.83

  59.09

  64.58

  59.09

  62.42

  59.09

  60.95

  121.29

  121.29

  'C' Cows

  79.16

  88.61

  63.36

  69.25

  63.36

  66.93

  63.66

  65.35

  121.49

  121.49

  684
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the levels of(a) suckler cow, (b) ewe premium and (c) HLCA payments for beef and sheep per animal at cash prices and at 1997 prices for each of the last five years and his proposals for 1998–99. [23483]

  Mr. Macdonald
  [holding answer 16 January 1998]: Set out below are the levels of payment per animal under the three schemes, at cash prices and at 1997 prices, except for proposed rates for 1998–99 which are not yet known. Rates for the Sheep Annual and Suckler Cow Premium Schemes are fixed by the Commission. The 1998 rates of Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowance have yet to be finalised and approved by the Commission following the 1997 Autumn Review of Economic Conditions in the Hills and Uplands.

  Sheep annual premium scheme (ewe premium)

  Rate including LFA Supplement £

  Rate excluding LFA Supplement £

  Cash price

  1997 price

  Cash price

  1997 price

  1993

  24.41

  27.32

  19.25

  21.55

  1994

  22.21

  24.08

  16.96

  18.54

  1995

  26.95

  28.47

  21.26

  22.46

  1996

  19.04

  19.64

  13.66

  14.09

  1997

  Rate not yet finalised

  Suckler cow premium scheme

  Rate including extensification premium £

  Rate excluding extensification premium £

  Cash price

  1997 Price

  Cash price

  1997 Price

  1993

  93.90

  105.12

  65.73

  73.58

  1994

  115.12

  125.83

  87.49

  95.63

  1995

  143.04

  151.10

  114.43

  120.88

  1996

  155.15

  160.03

  124.12

  128.02

  1997

  —

  —

  117.36

  117.36

  Cash price

  1997 price

  Rate including lower rate extensification premium £

  1997 total

  146.52

  146.52

  Rate including higher rate extensification premium £

  1997 total

  159.48

  159.48

  685

  Hill livestock compensatory allowance scheme

  Rates

  Cash price 1993 £

  1997 price 1993 £

  Cash price 1994 £

  1997 price 1994 £

  Cash price 1995 £

  1997 price 1995 £

  Cash price 1996 £

  1997 price 1996 £

  Cash price 1997 £

  1997 price 1997 £

  Disadvantaged land

  Sheep

  2.86

  3.20

  2.44

  2.67

  2.44

  2.58

  2.65

  2.73

  2.65

  2.65

  Cattle

  31.65

  35.43

  23.75

  25.96

  23.75

  25.09

  23.75

  24.50

  69.75

  69.75

  Key:

  LFA—Less favoured area

  SD—Severely disadvantaged land

  HIE—Highlands and Islands Enterprise

  SQF—Specially qualified flock

  QF—Qualified Flock

  `A'—Cows-Hill Cattle maintained on 'A' graded land

  'B'—'Cows-Hill Cattle maintained on 'B' graded land

  'C'—'Cows-Hill Cattle maintained on 'C' graded land.

  Paedophiles
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on his proposals to set up a mechanism to track paedophiles throughout the United Kingdom. [23738]

  Mr. McLeish
  [holding answer 19 January 1998]: The Sex Offenders Act 1997, which came into force on 1 September 1997, requires certain convicted sex offenders, including those who have been convicted for sexual offences against children, to register with the police their name, current address and date of birth, and any subsequent changes to these details. This is a UK Act, which will help the police in each territorial jurisdiction to keep track of such offenders even when they move between jurisdictions.

  Section 48 of the Crime and Punishment (Scotland) Act 1997, which was brought into force in November 1997, extended police powers to take DNA and other samples from persons convicted of certain serious sexual or violent offences. This will significantly enhance the national DNA database, which is a vital tool in the investigation of such crimes.

  The Sex Offender Orders, proposed in the Crime and Disorder Bill currently before Parliament, will provide a further measure of protection for the public by prohibiting behaviour by convicted sex offenders where that is causing concern for public safety, and obliging them to register with the police.

  I know that the police in Scotland are fully committed to their operational role in monitoring the whereabouts of known sex offenders and given that the Sex Offenders Act is a UK measure there is full co-operation between Forces across the UK.

  Rights of the Child
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if the Scottish Office will respond separately to the UN Committee Report on the United Kingdom's performance in implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of The Child. [24343]

  Mr. Galbraith
  No. The obligation to report to the UN Committee applies to the UK as a whole. The forthcoming Report to the Committee will therefore be a UK Report, although it will fully recognise the significant contribution Scotland is making in implementing the Convention.
  686
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to appoint a children's rights commissioner in Scotland. [24345]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The Government have no plans to appoint a children's rights commissioner in Scotland. There are already in place independent complaints procedures and inspection arrangements for services provided by local authorities. Voluntary organisations such as ChildLine and the Scottish Child Law Centre, which are both supported with Government grant, also play an important part. However in the process of preparing the Second UK Report to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child this year, an assessment may be made of the potential contribution such an appointment might bring to safeguard the interests of children.

  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to involve young people in Scotland in the process of preparing the Government's response to the report on the United Kingdom's performance in implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. [24342]

  Mr. Galbraith
  During 1998 the Government will be preparing the Second United Kingdom Report to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child in accordance with the requirements of Article 44 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989. Early in that process there will be a UK wide Launch Conference at which children will be making a presentation. We are currently considering the means by which the views of Scottish young people can best be reflected in the Scottish contribution to the Report.

  Forestry Stewardship Certification Scheme
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects Forest Enterprise to commit itself to the Forestry Stewardship Certification Scheme. [24311]

  Mr. Macdonald
  [holding answer 20 January 1998]: The subject of the question relates to matters undertaken by Forest Enterprise. I have asked its Chief Executive, Dr. Bob McIntosh, to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Bob McIntosh to Mr. James Paice, dated 22 January 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Scotland has asked me to reply to your Question about when it is expected that Forest Enterprise will commit itself to the Forestry Stewardship Certification Scheme.

  687
  Forest Enterprise has no current plans to seek certification by the Forestry Stewardship Council. The wider issue of certification of British forests is being actively debated within the UK forestry community and the Forestry Stewardship Council is a party to these discussions. It is hoped that a scheme which satisfies all parties can be brokered by the Forestry Commission and at that stage Forest Enterprise will decide whether, in addition to independent certification, it sees market advantages in seeking endorsement by the Forestry Stewardship Council or indeed any other similar body.
  I hope this answers your question, but please come back to me if you would like further information.

  Unpasteurised Milk
  Mr. Connarty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has to lift the ban on the sale of raw unpasteurised milk for drinking in Scotland. [24737]

  Mr. Galbraith
  None.

  Mr. Connarty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the practice of consumers in Scotland purchasing raw unpasteurised milk for drinking which originated from outlets in England. [24738]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The Dairy Products (Hygiene) (Scotland) Regulations 1995 prohibit the sale in Scotland of unpasteurised cows' milk for drinking. They do not prevent consumers purchasing, for their own use, raw cows' drinking milk in England and returning with it to Scotland.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  National Curriculum (Swimming)
  Valerie Davey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what effect the proposed revision of the curriculum structure for Key Stage II, in respect of literacy and numeracy, will have on the swimming requirement. [24390]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The measures announced by my right hon. Friend on 13 January were designed to encourage a sharper focus on literacy and numeracy and will give primary schools greaterflexibility in how they approach six National Curriculum foundation subjects including physical education. Schools will continue to be required to teach all these subjects, and will be required to have regard to their existing programmes of study.

  Valerie Davey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of children in 1996–97, achieved the minimum swimming requirement of the national curriculum at Key Stage II, and on what basis the calculation was made. [24389]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  This information is not currently collected by the Department.

  School Population
  Mr. Dorrell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment by how much he expects the school population to increase in the summer of 1998 as a result of the introduction of a single school leaving date of 30 June. [24299]
  688
  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 20 January 1998]: The single school leaving date for 1998 and successive years is the last Friday in June in the school year in which child reaches age 16. In 1998 the date will be Friday 26 June. It has been estimated that under the previous arrangements as many as 17,000 young people, many of them capable of securing good GCSE results, had been leaving school earlier in the year with no qualifications.

  Education Spending (Northumberland)
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much was spent in total on education in Northumberland at constant prices in each of the last 10 years. [23994]

  Mr. Byers
  The following table shows total gross expenditure by Northumberland local education authority from 1987–88 to 1996–97, the latest year for which figures are available. These figures have not been adjusted for any changes of function.

  Total gross expenditure: (1997–98 prices)

  Year

  £000s

  1987–88

  143,673

  1988–89

  147,984

  1989–90

  149,737

  1990–91

  155,365

  1991–92

  163,844

  1992–93

  167,115

  1993–94

  151,660

  1994–95

  142,108

  1995–96

  136,734

  1996–97

  1138,392

  1 Provisional.

  Nursery Education
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the current average cost of providing a full-time nursery place in Northumberland Education Authority. [24017]

  Mr. Byers
  In 1996–97, the latest year for which data are available, the net institutional expenditure per nursery pupil was £2,000.

  Education Expenditure
  Shona McIsaac
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the amount spent per pupil in each unitary authority in England for 1996–97 and the projected investment per pupil for the year, indicating the percentage change between the figures. [24060]

  Mr. Byers
  The following table gives the information requested for those unitary authorities formed as a result of Local Government Reorganisation. The figures are derived from the budget and outturn statements produced by the local education authorities under section 122 of the 1996 Education Act, for the financial year 1996–97.

  £per pupil

  Budget GSB

  Outturn GSB

  Percentage change

  Bath and North-east

  Somerset

  2,498

  2,542

  0.02

  Bristol

  2,637

  1n/r

  —

  689

  £ per pupil

  Budget GSB

  Outturn GSB

  Percentage change

  North Somerset

  2,442

  2,525

  0.03

  South Gloucestershire

  2,517

  2,466

  -0.02

  Hartlepool

  2,197

  2,063

  -0.06

  Middlesbrough

  2,635

  2,675

  0.02

  Redcar and Cleveland

  2,274

  2,259

  -0.01

  Stockton on Tees

  2,273

  2,247

  -0.01

  Hull

  2,241

  2,211

  -0.01

  East Riding

  2,396

  2,417

  0.01

  North-east Lincolnshire

  2,328

  2,325

  0.00

  North Lincolnshire

  2,413

  2,444

  0.01

  North Yorkshire

  2,307

  2,326

  0.01

  York

  2,186

  2,209

  0.01

  Isle of Wight

  2,298

  2,407

  0.05

  1 n/r indicates 1996–97 Outturn Statement not yet completed by the LEA.

  The General Schools Budget (GSB) for any financial year for each LEA is defined as the amount appropriated by the authority for meeting expenditure in the year in respect of all schools required to be covered in the year by an scheme made by the authority (s101(3)a Education Act 1996).

  Class Sizes
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the average class size in the Ludlow constituency of(a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools. [24429]

  Mr. Byers
  The average class size of classes taught by one teacher in maintained primary and secondary schools in the Ludlow constituency in January 1997 were 26.4 and 20.2 respectively.

  Temporary Classrooms
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many temporary classrooms are at present located on(a) nursery, (b) primary and (c) secondary school sites in Northumberland Education Authority's area. [23988]

  Mr. Byers
  Figures supplied by Northumberland Education Authority indicate that they have 5 nursery units in temporary classrooms on primary school sites, 44 single and 9 double other temporary classrooms located on primary school sites and 36 single and

  Northumberland

  Administration expenditure

  Pupil numbers

  Lecturers and teachers

  Others

  Year

  £000s

  Non-manual full-time

  Non-manual part-time

  Non-manual full-time

  Non-manual part-time

  Manual full-time

  Manual part-time

  1994–95

  6,505

  44,153

  2,365

  936

  649

  2,166

  197

  1,955

  1995–96

  5,990

  45,414

  2,600

  888

  811

  1,873

  220

  1,999

  1996–97

  6,070

  45,372

  2,555

  914

  798

  1,134

  278

  2,918

  Rugby
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list by name, nationality and club(a) ruby league and (b) rugby union players who are not British citizens and have permission to work in the United Kingdom. [22730]
  690
  10 double temporary classrooms on secondary school sites. There are also 4 single and 1 double temporary classrooms on sites at special schools.

  Classroom Technicians
  Mr. Sawford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the numbers of classroom technicians broken down to show those employees in(a) part-time, (b) full-time, (c) permanent part-time and (d) all other categories. [24061]

  Mr. Byers
  The latest available information is shown in the following table.

  These figures supersede those shown in the Answer given on 8 December 1997, Official Report column 432; the figure for special schools is a revised figure.

  Full-time equivalent numbers of technicians1 in schools in England: January 1997

  Full-time

  Part-time

  Total

  Nursery

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Primary

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Middle

  24.2

  148.5

  172.6

  Secondary

  6,488.1

  5,933.0

  12.421.1

  Special2

  85.9

  67.5

  153.4

  Pupil referral units

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  City Technology Colleges

  125.0

  18.0

  143.0

  Independent

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a = not available.

  1 Includes laboratory assistants/technicians, design technology assistants/technicians (including home economics assistants, craft technicians), IT technicians.

  2 Includes maintained and non-maintained special schools.

  Due to rounding there may be discrepancies between the sum of constituent items and the total shown.

  Northumberland Education Authority
  Mr. Ronnie Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what were the numbers of staff and the administrative costs of the Northumberland Education Authority and the number of school pupils for which the authority was responsible in the last three years for which figures are available. [24018]

  Mr. Byers
  The following table sets out the requested information for the years 1994–95 to 1996–97, the latest year for which all three sets of figures requested are available. Data for different years may not be directly comparable, owing to changes in the pattern of direct service delivery by the LEA.

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The Department is not able to provide the information in the form requested. Work permits are not required by citizens of the European Economic Area (EEA) or their spouses or by some Commonwealth citizens through their UK ancestry. During 1997 the Overseas Labour Service issued 124 work permits for rugby league players and 32 permits for rugby union players.

  Beef Industry
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the impact on rural employment levels of the current crisis in the beef industry. [22596]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The Department for Education and Employment has made no estimate but the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has commissioned an independent study to provide a comprehensive assessment of the economic impact of BSE across the whole UK economy and within particular regions. For those whose employment prospects may have been adversely affected, the Department for Education and Employment has a wide variety of programmes to help unemployed people find work or improve employability through education and training.

  Student Loans
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what would be the maximum a student studying for a B.Ed honours degree paying full tuition fees on the grounds of parental income could borrow under the student loan scheme; how much of the loan the student would be expected to repay in the first year of a teaching career; and how many years are permitted for the repayment of the whole of the loan. [22866]

  Dr. Howells
  The maximum amount that a student can borrow will depend on the length of the course and the place of study, as well as the student's and his or her parents' or spouse's income. A student completing a four-year course outside London which began in 1999 who took out the full loan available each year might expect to have borrowed a total of between £10,470 and £13,710 in 1998 prices, depending on his or her individual, parental or spouse's income.

  A typical graduate teacher earning £14,463 in the first year of his or her career (in 1998 prices) would be expected to repay about £33.50 per month, slightly less than 3 per cent. of income. The length of the repayment period for the whole of the loan would depend on the individual graduate's income throughout his or her career and on the total amount borrowed. The more the graduate earned, the quicker he or she would repay the loan. We estimate that a typical teacher might take around 11 years to repay.

  Outstanding loans will be cancelled if borrowers have not repaid by the time they reach the age of 65, provided there has been no default.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when the sale of the existing tranche of the Student Loan portfolio will be completed; and what level of subsidy to the private sector has been agreed.
  [22867]

  Dr. Howells
  Final bids from the shortlisted bidders are due on Friday 16 January and the sale will be completed before the end of the financial year. The level of subsidy will depend on the outcome of the competition.

  Tuition Fees
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will estimate the distribution of households in each region of England 692
  between the income bands he recommends for the assessment of future tuition fees; and if he will estimate the marginal fee contribution increase rate against household income increase in the income band where a fee contribution short of the total amount is required. [22975]

  Dr. Howells
  On the basis of the most recent information reported by the LEAs for English and Welsh domiciled students attending institutions in the UK we have estimated that just over 30 per cent. of students (where parental income is taken into account) will make no contribution to fees. This corresponds to aresidual family income of less than £16,945. Just under 30 per cent. of students will contribute less than £1,000, corresponding to a residual family income between £16,945 and £27,115.

  Under the present mandatory awards regulations, parental contributions are calculated on the basis of residual income, which is derived by subtracting certain allowances from parents' gross income for income tax purposes. Total household incomes will thus usually be higher than the figures for gross income and residual income quoted above, but the figures will vary from household to household according to their family circumstances.

  The table sets out figures for 1995–96 for each of the regions of England, as requested.

  Mandatory Awards in England1,2 Dependent Students Assessed parental contributions academic year 1995–96

  Per cent.

  Government Office region

  Nil parental contribution

  Parental contribution up to £1,000

  North East

  34.3

  28.6

  North West

  35.6

  26.1

  Merseyside

  38.7

  27.6

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  34.3

  27.0

  East Midlands

  32.2

  28.3

  West Midlands

  36.5

  27.4

  Eastern

  27.7

  23.9

  London

  39.9

  21.1

  South East

  26.2

  21.7

  South West

  34.2

  26.7

  1 Made by LEAs in England to Students normally domiciled in their area.

  2 Regional totals have been grossed to compensate for missing returns.

  In academic year 1998–99 a students contribution to the £1,000 tuition fee will be calculated as follows: Students with residual family income between £16,945 and £21,659 will be required to contribute £1 for every extra £13 of residual parental income above £16,945. Students are then expected to contribute a further £1 for every £9.20 by which residual family income exceeds £21,660.

  Higher and Further Education Institutions (Mergers)
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment who has the ultimate responsibility for
  693
  agreeing the merger of higher and further education institutions; and what is his Department's policy on such mergers. [22868]

  Dr. Howells
  Final decisions are for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, normally on the basis of advice from the Further Education Funding Council for England following consultation with interested parties. He will consider each case on its merits. He would welcome closer working relationships between FE and HE institutions, whether or not a formal partnership is involved.

  Student Support Agency
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the efficiency savings which will result from the operation of the Student Support Agency. [24424]

  Dr. Howells
  Much would depend on the functions of the agency, the timetable for its introduction and the alternatives.
  694
  The National Committee of Inquiry into Higher Education recommended reforms to student support. It recommended that student support should be administered centrally, to improve efficiency and reduce costs. The Government see some attractions in this approach but consider that it needs to be examined in more detail.

  The Government are also conscious that there are complex transitional arrangements which form part of the Dearing student support reforms. Until the academic year 1999–00, there will be very many different entitlements for students in the HE system. Therefore the Government are adopting a traditional approach which will allow the new arrangements to bed down. After that, it is the Government's intention to review the means of administering student support.

  For the transitional period we shall be setting rigorous performance standards for LEAs, and the specific grant funding regime will be based on these standards. The Government are keen to ensure that students are given a high level of service that inspire confidence in the reforms. Our review, which will report in 2000, will consider this fully.

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