Written Answers of 28 January 1998

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Appeals Committee
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he expects the Appeals Committee to consider the application made on 21 May for leave to appeal to the House of Lords in the case of Mr. and Mrs. Reeman of Brixham and the Department of Transport. [25942]

  Mr. Hoon
  The petition for leave to appeal has been considered by an Appeal Committee and was refused on 26 January 1998.

  Legal Aid
  Mr. Burnett
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what representations he has received from the Law Society on its proposals for a Contingency Legal Aid Fund, and what assessment he has made of the options proposed for setting up such a fund. [25871]

  Mr. Hoon
  The President of the Law Society wrote to me on 16 December 1997 enclosing a paper entitled "A proposal by the Law Society to link legal aid and conditional fees". I am considering the proposal and I am due to meet the President shortly to discuss it further. No final decisions will be taken about this, or any other representations, until the consultation paper has been issued and all the responses received.

  Mr. Burnett
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on his Department's policy towards the funding of Legal Aid Board franchises, with particular reference to Citizens Advice Bureaux. [25869]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Legal Aid Board is piloting contracts for advice and assistance services provided by both solicitors and not-for-profit agencies, including Citizens Advice Bureaux. These contracts allow contract-holders meeting the franchise quality standard to provide advice, assistance and some limited representation. The pilot began in 1994.

  On 14 January the Lord Chancellor asked the Legal Aid Board to construct an implementation plan to achieve the objective of delivering all advice and assistance through fixed-price contracts with quality-assured suppliers by the end of 1999. These contracts will include contracts with the not-for-profit advice sector, of which the Citizens Advice Bureaux form a part, in an expansion of the original pilot.

  22 Citizens Advice Bureaux participated in the first phase of the pilot with contracts in 1996–97 to the value of £1,722,000 out of a total budget of £3 million.
  222
  Approximately 200 organisations, including more than 70 Citizen Advice Bureaux, are likely to be offered contracts in 1998–99. The Board has been allocated up to £14 million within its PES allocation for legal aid to support these contracts.

  Mr. Burnett
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what representations he has received with regard to the future funding of those disbursements and up-front costs in civil cases which at present receive legal aid for those purposes; and if he will make a statement. [25870]

  Mr. Hoon
  I have received many representations on our plans for reform of legal aid which refer to the problems of funding disbursements and up-front costs. The wide consultation we are undertaking is partly aimed at looking at ways of meeting these costs, either through lawyers funding these as a business cost, or by lawyers sharing the risk with insurers, banks or other funders. It may be that in certain types of case public funds may be necessary where there is no alternative.

  Mr. Burnett
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he plans to introduce a merits test on legally aided civil cases of 75 per cent. [25868]

  Mr. Hoon
  We intend to introduce a flexible legal aid merits test that can take account of the priority and importance of different types of case. Changing the merits test will require primary legislation. We intend to bring forward a Bill that will fundamentally reform the legal aid scheme, as soon as Parliamentary time allows.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the preparedness of(a) his Department, (b) the Land Registry and (c) the Public Record Office for the computer consequences of the arrival of the year 2000. [25430]

  Mr. Hoon
  Comprehensive plans for the achievement of Year 2000 compliance in the Department, its Agencies and other bodies which report to the Lord Chancellor, including the Land Registry and the Public Record Office, were delivered to the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency in October 1997. They have since been placed in the public domain. The plans document in detail areas of vulnerability and the remedial action required to combat the Year 2000 problem.

  A supplement to the plans was issued in December 1997 and quarterly progress reports will also be made available. The first of these will be prepared shortly, for publication in March.

  Judicial Committee
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the procedure for appointing members of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. [25509]

  Mr. Hoon
  Membership of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council derives from the occupancy of certain judicial and ministerial posts. The membership comprises the Lord Chancellor, the present and former Lords President of the Council, the Lords of Appeal in Ordinary,
  223
  and those other members as shall from time to time hold or have held high judicial office. In practice this also includes the Heads of the Divisions of the Supreme Court, members of the Court of Appeal and those judges of the Court of Session and Supreme Court of Northern Ireland who are members of the Privy Council.

  Retired judges in these categories who have not yet attained the compulsory retirement date of 75 are also members.

  Serving and retired judges of certain Commonwealth superior courts who are members of the Privy Council are members of the Judicial Committee by virtue of the Judicial Committee Amendment Act 1895, as amended by the Appellate Jurisdiction Act 1908.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the membership of the Judicial Committee of the Privy

  Name

  Age

  Jurisdiction of origin

  Public bodies

  The right hon. Ann Taylor MP

  50

  (President)

  The right hon. The Lord Hailsham of St. Marylebone KG CH

  90

  (Former Lord President)

  The right hon. The Viscount Whitelaw KT CH MC

  79

  (Former Lord President)

  The right hon. The Lord Carr of Hadley

  81

  (Former Lord President)

  The right hon. The Lord Prior

  70

  (Former Lord President)

  The right hon. The Lord Glenamara CH

  85

  (Former Lord President)

  The right hon. Michael Foot

  84

  (Former Lord President)

  The right hon. The Lord Pym MC

  75

  (Former Lord President)

  The right hon. The Lord Biffen

  67

  (Former Lord President)

  The right hon. The Lord Wakeham

  65

  (Former Lord President)

  Chairman, Press Complaints Commission

  The right hon. The Lord Howe of Aberavon CH QC

  71

  (Former Lord President)

  The right hon. John MacGregor MP

  60

  (Former Lord President)

  The right hon. The Lord Newton QBE

  60

  (Former Lord President)

  The right hon. The Lord Irvine of Lairg

  57

  (Lord Chancellor)

  Member, Supreme Court Rule Committee

  Member, Crown Court Rule Committee

  Member, Family Proceedings Rule Committee

  The right hon. The Lord Mackay of Clashfern KT

  70

  (Former Lord Chancellor)

  The right hon. The Lord Bingham of Cornhill

  64

  England

  Member, Supreme Court Rule Committee

  Member, Crown Court Rule Committee

  The right hon. The Lord Woolf

  64

  England

  Member, Supreme Court Rule Committee

  The right hon. Sir Stephen Brown

  73

  England

  Member, Supreme Court Rule Committee

  Member, Family Proceedings Rule Committee

  The right hon. Sir Richard Scott

  63

  England

  Member, Supreme Court Rule Committee

  The right hon. The Lord Goff of Chieveley

  71

  England

  The right hon. The Lord Browne-Wilkinson

  67

  England

  The right hon. The Lord Slynn of Hadley

  67

  England

  The right hon. The Lord Lloyd of Berwick

  68

  England

  The right hon. The Lord Nolan

  69

  England

  The right hon. The Lord Nicholls of Birkenhead

  64

  England

  The right hon. The Lord Steyn

  65

  England

  The right hon. The Lord Hoffman

  63

  England

  The right hon. The Lord Hope of Craighead

  59

  Scotland

  The right hon. The Lord Clyde

  65

  Scotland

  The right hon. The Lord Hutton

  66

  Northern Ireland

  The right hon. The Lord Saville of Newdigate

  61

  England

  Chairman, Advisory Committee on Legal Education and Conduct

  The right hon. The Lord Jauncey of Tullichettle

  72

  Scotland

  The right hon. The Lord Griffiths MC

  73

  England

  The right hon. The Lord Mustill

  66

  England

  The right hon. The Lord Cooke of Thorndon

  71

  New Zealand

  The right hon. The Lord Rodger of Earlsferry

  53

  Scotland

  The right hon. Sir Robert Carswell

  63

  Northern Ireland

  The right hon. Lord Cullen

  62

  Scotland

  The right hon. The Lord Cameron of Lochbroom

  66

  Scotland

  The right hon. The Lord Mackenzie-Stuart

  73

  Scotland

  The right hon. Lord Ross

  70

  Scotland

  Chairman, Judicial Studies Committee, Scotland

  The right hon. Lord Wylie

  73

  Scotland

  The right hon. Lord Justice Nourse

  65

  England

  The right hon. Lady Justice Butler-Sloss

  64

  England

  224
  Council indicating their (a) age, (b) legal jurisdiction of origin and (c) membership of other public bodies; and if he will make a statement. [25508]

  Mr. Hoon
  Those who are eligible to sit as members of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council include the present and former Lords President of the Council and those members of the Privy Council, not over the age of 75, who hold or have held any of the following high judicial offices: Lord Chancellor, Lord of Appeal in Ordinary or judge of a superior court of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Membership of the Judicial Committee extends to serving and retired judges of certain Commonwealth superior courts who are members of the Privy Council.

  I list below the names of the members together with the other information requested, where available. By convention, the Lords of Appeal in Ordinary are the regular judges of the court, drawing occasional assistance from the Commonwealth and retired judges.

  I have no plans to make a statement.

  225

  Name

  Age

  Jurisdiction of origin

  Public bodies

  The right hon. Lord Justice Stuart-Smith

  70

  England

  The right hon. Lord Justice Beldam

  72

  England

  The right hon. Lord Justice Kennedy

  62

  England

  The right hon. Lord Justice Hirst

  72

  England

  The right hon. Lord Justice Simon Brown

  60

  England

  The right hon. Lord Justice Evans RD

  63

  England

  The right hon. Lord Justice Rose

  60

  England

  The right hon. Lord Justice Roch

  63

  England

  The right hon. Lord Justice Gibson

  63

  England

  The right hon. Lord Justice Hobhouse

  65

  England

  The right hon. Lord Justice Henry

  66

  England

  Chairman, Judicial Studies Board

  The right hon. Lord Justice Millet

  65

  England

  The right hon. Lord Justice Swinton Thomas

  66

  England

  The right hon. Lord Justice Morritt CVO

  59

  England

  The right hon. Lord Justice Otton

  64

  England

  Member, Crown Court Rule Committee Chairman. Special Health Authority for the Royal Brompton National Heart and Lung Hospital

  The right hon. Lord Justice Auld

  60

  England

  The right hon. Lord Justice Pill

  59

  England

  The right hon. Lord Justice Aldous

  61

  England

  The right hon. Lord Justice Ward

  59

  England

  The right hon. Lord Justice Hutchison

  64

  England

  The right hon. Lord Justice Schiemann

  60

  England

  The right hon. Lord Justice Phillips

  60

  England

  The right hon. Lord Justice Thorpe

  59

  England

  The right hon. Lord Justice Potter

  60

  England

  The right hon. Lord Justice Brooke

  61

  England

  The right hon. Lord Justice Judge

  61

  England

  The right hon. Lord Justice Waller

  57

  England

  The right hon. Lord Justice Mummery

  59

  England

  Member, Ecclesiastical Committee

  The right hon. Lord Justice Mantell

  60

  England

  The right hon. Lord Justice Chadwick ED

  57

  England

  The right hon. Lord Justice Walker

  59

  England

  The right hon. Lord Justice Buxton

  59

  England

  The right hon. Lord Justice May

  57

  England

  The right hon. Lord Justice MacDermott

  70

  Northern Ireland

  The right hon. Lord Justice McCollum

  64

  Northern Ireland

  The right hon. Lord Justice Nicholson

  64

  Northern Ireland

  The right hon. Sir Christopher Staughton

  64

  England

  The right hon. Sir John Waite

  65

  England

  The right hon. Sir Michael Mann

  66

  England

  The right hon. Sir Alexander Leggatt

  67

  England

  The right hon. Sir Donald Farquharson

  69

  England

  The right hon. Sir Anthony McCowan

  70

  England

  The right hon. Sir Christopher Slade

  70

  England

  The right hon. Sir Patrick Russell

  71

  England

  The right hon. Sir Brian Dillon

  72

  England

  The right hon. Sir John Balcombe

  72

  England

  The right hon. Sir Iain Glidewell

  73

  England

  The right hon. Sir Brian Neill

  74

  England

  The right hon. Sir Roger Parker

  74

  England

  The right hon. Sir Thaddeus McCarthy KBE

  90

  New Zealand

  The right hon. Sir Harry Gibbs

  80

  Australia

  The right hon. Sir Owen Woodhouse

  81

  New Zealand

  The right hon. Sir William Douglas

  76

  Barbados

  The right hon. Sir Ronald Davison

  77

  New Zealand

  The right hon. Sir Ivor Richardson

  67

  New Zealand

  The right hon. Sir Duncan McMullin

  70

  New Zealand

  The right hon. Sir Edward Somers

  69

  New Zealand

  The right hon. Telford Georges

  75

  Cayman Islands

  The right hon. Sir Maurice Casey

  74

  New Zealand

  The right hon. Sir Gordon Bisson

  79

  New Zealand

  The right hon. Sir Thomas Eichelbaum

  66

  New Zealand

  The right hon. Thomas Gault

  59

  New Zealand

  The right hon. Ian McKay

  68

  New Zealand

  The right hon. Sir Vincent Floissac CMG QBE

  69

  West Indies

  The right hon. Edward Zacca

  67

  Jamaica

  The right hon. John Henry

  New Zealand

  The right hon. Edmund Thomas

  New Zealand

  226

  Civil Service Staff
  Mr. Rhodri Morgan
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what proportion of Civil Service staff of grade 5 and above within his Department(a) have spent their entire civil service career within his Department, (b) have had secondments to (i) the private sector and (ii) other departments and (c) have come from other departments. [26027]

  Mr. Hoon
  There are currently 55 permanent members of the Senior Civil Service (the equivalent of grade 5 and above) in this Department. Of this total:

  (a) 33 have spent their entire civil service career within the Department;

  (b(i)) two have had secondments or loans to the private sector;

  (b(ii)) six have had secondments or loans to other departments; and

  (c) 14 have come from other departments.

  Of the total, 35 had experience in another sector before entering the civil service.

  The Department also employs three fixed-term appointees at Senior Civil Service level, all of whom have had experience in other sectors prior to taking up their current appointments.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Heavy Goods Vehicles
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 15 January,Official Report, column 262, what is the estimated cost to public funds of those heavy goods vehicles which evade vehicle excise duty. [24728]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The estimated net cost to public funds of VED evasion by heavy goods vehicles was £19 million in 1996–97. The enforcement cost to DVLA in the same period is estimated at £200,000. It is not possible to provide estimates for enforcement costs related to VED evasion by heavy goods vehicles in relation to other agencies.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress his Department is making in introducing legislation to provide for the impounding of illegally operated heavy goods vehicles. [25956]

  31 March 1990

  31 March 1991

  31 March 1992

  31 March 1993

  31 March 1994

  31 March 1995

  Locomotives—Diesel1

  1,835

  1,752

  1,634

  1,559

  1,428

  1,422

  Locomotives—Electric1

  260

  278

  262

  260

  260

  258

  High speed trains—power cars

  197

  197

  197

  197

  197

  197

  Coaching vehicles

  12,514

  12,451

  11,825

  11,184

  10,892

  10,665

  1 Includes freight locomotives (it is not possible to disaggregate these figures as some locomotives could be switched between passenger and freight haulage).

  228
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We hope to issue a consultation paper shortly.

  Working Time Directive
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to extend the Working Time Directive to transport workers. [25964]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We recently responded to the European Commission's White Paper on proposals for extending the working time Directive to the transport sector. We will consider specific proposals once these have been brought forward by the Commission.

  Channel Tunnel (Chemical Products)
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the regulations covering the carriage of chemical products through the Channel Tunnel. [25259]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Europe-wide controls on the transport of dangerous goods apply to the Channel Tunnel. Over and above these, special additional restrictions apply to Eurotunnel's dangerous goods policy, approved by the Intergovernmental Commission on the advice of the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority (CTSA). The policy approved in 1994 was reviewed as a consequence of the fire in the Channel Tunnel on 18 November 1996, and some further restrictions were introduced as a result in June 1997, when HGV Shuttle services were allowed to resume operations.

  HSE's Railway Inspectorate carries out inspections designed to verify that risks are being properly controlled as required. Information from that process is also shared with the CTSA.

  Passenger Rail Network
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many carriages and train sets were in service on the passenger rail network as at 31 March in each year since 1990; and if he will make a statement. [25274]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The latest figures held centrally relating to the overall passenger rail network are contained in the British Railways Board's annual report and accounts and show the number of vehicles owned by the Board as at 31 March for each of the years 1990–95 inclusive. These are shown in the table. The rolling stock leasing companies who now own most of the passenger rolling stock, were privatised in 1995. Figures for subsequent years are not held centrally.
  229
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many carriages and train sets on the passenger rail network were(a) withdrawn from service and (b) commissioned into service in each year since 1990. [25276]

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  Locomotives1—Diesel

  +20 (-103)

  +59 (-177)

  +14 (-89)

  +19 (-150)

  +4(-10)

  —Electric

  +29 (-11)

  +0 (-16)

  +0 (-27)

  no change

  +0(-2)

  High speed trains

  no change

  no change

  no change

  no change

  no change

  Passenger carrying vehicles

  +414 (-1,091)

  +283 (-909)

  +115 (-756)

  +661 (-1,614)

  +265 (-492)

  NB: Negative figures in brackets include not only withdrawals, but also transfers or conversions.

  1 Includes freight locomotives (it is not possible to disaggregate these figures as some locomotives could be switched between passenger and freight haulage).

  Tour Operators
  Mr. White
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many tour operators, broken down by sector, over each of the last three years, have been investigated for trading without a licence. [25308]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Civil Aviation Authority, which operates the Air Travel Organisers' Licensing (ATOL) scheme, has advised that the number of travel organisers investigated for trading without holding an ATOL in each of the last three years is as follows:

  1995: 685

  1996: 1,122

  1997: 1,449

  To break down these figures further would involve disproportionate cost.

  Mr. White
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many companies the Civil Aviation Authority licensed as tour operators, broken down by sector, over each of the last three years. [25307]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Civil Aviation Authority issued the following number of new Air Travel Organisers' Licences in each of the last three years:

  1995: 379

  1996: 360

  1997: 192

  The total number of licence holders as at December of each year, broken down into the various ATOL categories, is as follows:

  Year

  Fully

  Scheduled

  Agency

  Wholesale

  Total

  1995

  1,199

  145

  17

  n/a

  1,361

  1996

  1,301

  186

  63

  105

  1,655

  1997

  1,336

  196

  60

  124

  1,716

  Fully: fully bonded business—schedule or charter-based inclusive packages and also seat only sales on charter flights.

  Scheduled: scheduled bonded business—consolidators and other firms that sell air tickets on a seat only basis but do not provide tickets immediately.

  Agency: consolidators that sell discounted air tickets as agents of scheduled airlines.

  Wholesale: licences held by companies set up by established tour operators for tax purposes.
  230
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The latest figures held centrally relating to the overall passenger rail network are contained in the British Railways Board's annual reports and accounts. The relevant figures for the financial years 1990–91 to 1994–95 are shown in the table. The rolling stock leasing companies, who now own most of the passenger rolling stock, were privatised in 1995. Figures for subsequent years are not held centrally.

  Air Services
  Mr. Stringer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will quantify the(a) jobs expected to be created in the tourism industry of the North West and (b) the (i) regional and (ii) national employment effects as calculated in the Civil Aviation Authority's analysis for bilateral air service talks with Pakistan, India, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates. [25474]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 26 January 1998]: The CAA's analysis for bilateral air services talks with Pakistan, India, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates included the calculation of expenditure effects. However these were not translated into employment effects. The calculation of employment effects can be drawn from the expenditure effects and I have asked the CAA to produce the figures requested and will write to my hon. Friend with the information shortly.

  Mr. Stringer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will place in the Library copies of the full regional economic analyses prepared by the CAA for bilateral air service talks for(a) Australia, (b) India, (c) Pakistan, (d) Canada, (e) Mauritius, (f) Seychelles, (g) Singapore and (h) the United Arab Emirates. [25473]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 26 January 1998]: Some of the information contained in the documents requested is of a commercially confidential nature: the release of such information in to the public arena could be prejudicial to future negotiations with our bilateral partners. It would therefore not be appropriate to place the information in the House Library.

  Air Traffic Control
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what was the original budget allocated for the building and equipping of the new air traffic control centre at Swanwick; and what is the current level of expenditure; [25953]

  (2) if he will list (a) the original target date for the Swanwick air traffic control centre to become operational and (b) the current target date; and what factors underlie the difference; [25954]
  231
  (3) if he will place in the Library a copy of the action plan drawn up by the Civil Aviation Authority and National Air Traffic Services for dealing with millennium compliance issues. [25976]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The original estimate by National Air Traffic Services Ltd. (NATS) for the capital expenditure at the Swanwick Centre, made in July 1989, was £215.5 million at 1988–99 prices, which equates to £313 million at 1997–98 prices. A reappraisal of the project was approved by the Government in December 1991, with a new budget of £310.2 million at 1990 prices. Using actual inflation indices, this gives an actual costs budget of £350.7 million—NATS still expects to be within this budget.

  The original operational date for the Swanwick Centre, given in July 1989, was November 1996. The current target date is the winter of 1999–2000. The major causes of the delay were (a) problems with the integration of 23 software sub-systems, and (b) the need for additional functions in the system, which was identified following testing of the system by air traffic controllers.

  I have arranged for copies of the CAA and NATS documents showing the steps that they have taken to address the millennium problem, and any further action they intend to take, to be placed in the Library.

  Channel Tunnel
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on what occasions Eurotunnel has asked(a) his Department and (b) the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority to refrain from publishing information relating to the safety of the Channel Tunnel; and on what occasions it has invoked clause 33.3 of the Channel Tunnel Treaty to prevent publication. [25959]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  There have been no such occasions in either case. My Department, and the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority, both abide by the terms of Clause 33.3 of the Channel Tunnel Concession Agreement, but these do not prevent the Safety Authority from publishing its own reports, such as the eight Annual Reports published to date, the 1989 Report into non-segregation of tourist shuttle passengers from their vehicles, and the 1997 Report into the fire on HGV Shuttle 7539.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the extent to which clause 33.3 of the Channel Tunnel Treaty enables adequate information relating to safety in the Channel Tunnel to be published. [25958]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I am satisfied that the requirements of Clause 33.3 of the Channel Tunnel Concession Agreement enable adequate information to be published. Eurotunnel is free to publish the safety information which it produces, and the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority publishes an annual report on its activities, covering all aspects of Channel Tunnel safety. Copies of this report are placed in the Library.

  Non-domestic Rating
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what will be the valuation date for the 2000 non-domestic rating revaluation. [26340]

  Ms Armstrong
  The next non-domestic property revaluation will come into force on 1 April 2000. We have decided that the antecedent valuation date for England and Wales, that is the common valuation date for the 2000 revaluation, will be 1 April 1998. I have today laid the necessary order before the House.

  This decision will provide certainty for businesses and will allow adequate time for the assessment to be carried out.

  Energy Saving Trust
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he has made a decision on the Government grant support for the Energy Saving Trust in 1998–99; and if he will make a statement. [26531]

  Mr. Meacher
  The previous Government's planned public expenditure total provided £13.5 million for 1998–99, compared to this year's £19 million. We have allocated an additional £5.5 million to the Trust, to avoid the previous Government's planned cut, and to maintain Government support for the Trust. This allocation of grant support reflects the contribution which energy efficiency makes both to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and to reducing consumers' energy bills. The increased allocation will enable the Trust to maintain and develop its successful programmes, and will secure the Trust's capability to plan for the climate change task ahead. For the present year, the Secretary of State has allocated the Trust an additional £450,000, to enable it to extend its successful 'Energy Efficiency' promotion campaign and extend other successful programmes.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Exclusions
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many pupils were permanently excluded from schools in England and Wales, on 1 December 1997. [23286]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Data on permanent exclusions during the 1997–98 school year will be collected as part of the annual school census in January 1999. The latest figures currently available are for the school year 1995–96. These show a total of 12,476 permanent exclusions in England during the year—an average of 60 permanent exclusions on any one school day. Exclusions from schools in Wales are a matter for my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list his decisions on each school from which he has considered applications for grant-maintained status since 1 May 1997, indicating the grounds for his decision. [24081]
  233
  Mr. Byers
  The table lists decisions on applications for grant-maintained status since 1 May 1997. Each proposal was decided on its individual merits. Factors taken into account included the following:the effect of the proposals on the standard of educational provision in the area generally;
  the quality of education at the school;
  the demand for places at the school;
  the financial viability of the school;
  the financial management of the school;
  the cost implications of the proposals;
  the acceptability of the admission policy of the school;
  the views of interested parties, including parents and other local residents, the LEA, other schools, the FAS and FEFC, and, in the case of Church schools, the Diocese or Trustees;
  the strength of support for GM status demonstrated by the ballot; the commitment of the head and governing body to GM status.

  LEA

  School name

  Approved

  Bedfordshire

  Westoning Lower School

  Birmingham

  St. Paul's Community School

  Croydon

  Virgo Fidelis Convent Senior School1

  Hertfordshire

  Jewish Community Day School1

  Lambeth

  Julian's Primary School

  Southwark

  Surrey Square Grant-maintained Infant School

  Southwark

  Surrey Square Grant-maintained Junior School

  Minded to approve subject to certain modifications

  Barnet

  Matilda Marks Kennedy School1

  Birmingham

  1 Al Furqan Muslim Primary School

  Brent

  Islamia Primary School1

  Rejected

  Barnet

  Pardes House and Beis Yaskov School

  Bedfordshire

  Shortstown Lower School

  Brent

  Torah Temimah Primary School1

  Bradford

  Stoney Lee Middle School

  Buckinghamshire

  Chartridge County Combined School

  Devon

  Mount St. Mary's Convent School1

  Devon

  Ratcliffe Special School

  Gloucestershire

  Oakdene Special School

  Hampshire

  Rookwood County Infant School

  Hampshire

  The Foxbury Special School

  Kent

  Amherst County Junior School

  Kent

  St. Thomas of Canterbury School

  Kent

  Woodchurch CE Primary School

  Lancashire

  The Maharishi School1

  Stockport

  Doodfield Primary School

  Surrey

  St. Peter and St. Paul CE Primary

  Surrey

  The Ashford High School

  Tower Hamlets

  Bishop Challoner R. C. School

  Trafford

  Stretford Grammar School

  Warwickshire

  Ilmington CE Primary School

  Walsall

  Birchills CE Primary Community School

  West Sussex

  Herbert Shiner School

  Wiltshire

  Broad Hinton CE Primary School

  Wiltshire

  Leigh Primary School

  York

  Fulford Cross Special School

  1 Proposals for new GM schools by promoters.

  Shropshire Local Education Authority
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the ability of Shropshire Local Education Authority to meet its statutory obligations in the next financial year within his proposed financial settlement. [24432]

  Mr. Blunkett
  Shropshire is set to receive a 4.7 per cent. increase in its education SSA for next year to help it meet its obligations. However, I am aware of the concern of Shropshire parents and teachers about the financial settlement announced by my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister and the effects of local government reorganisation and am keeping in close touch with developments.

  Religious Education
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many qualified religious education teachers are employed in local education authority schools; how many vacancies exist; and if he will make a statement on the recruitment of religious education teachers. [24436]

  Mr. Byers
  LEA-maintained secondary schools in England had about 8,200 qualified religious education teachers at November 1996 and 17 vacancies at January 1997. ITT courses for the primary sector equip all teachers to deliver religious education.

  Student Support
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will review the rules concerning provision of support for students who take a year out of their degree course for health reasons. [24456]

  Dr. Howells
  Local Education Authorities have the discretion to continue paying grant to students holding mandatory awards who, with the permission of their academic authority, are absent from their courses. We have issued detailed guidance to LEAs on how to approach the question of payments for students who are absent through sickness. It encouraged LEAs to take a sympathetic and positive view when dealing with sick students, and to bear in mind that they are not immediately eligible for benefits. Sick students may become eligible for Income Support and other benefits only where the period of illness has continued for 28 weeks or more. It is right for LEAs to have discretion in this area and I have no plans to change the present position in 1998–99.

  One of the eligibility criteria for obtaining a student loan is that students must be attending their courses. Students who leave their courses for any reason, including sickness, cease to be eligible until they return to their course.

  We are currently considering what arrangements should be put in place for sick students once loans replace grants in 1999–2000.

  Higher Education
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many additional places in higher education he expects to be financed by the introduction of tuition fees in each of the first four years of the operation of the scheme. [24724]

  Dr. Howells
  We have made it clear that the savings from the introduction of the new funding arrangements for higher education will be used to improve quality, standards and opportunities for all in further and higher education. The funding for higher education in 1998–99 announced by my right hon. Friend on 23 September 1997 will enable an additional 1,000 full-time places to be provided in higher education, on sub-degree programmes mainly in further education colleges. Plans for subsequent years will be announced in due course, having regard to the Government's comprehensive spending review and our aim to widen participation in higher education.

  Labour Mobility
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans the Government have to encourage greater labour mobility to ease labour shortages. [25220]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The Government will continue to encourage employers to consider the widest possible range of sources of labour when recruiting, including people whose preference is for flexible working arrangements such as part-time or tele-working. Equally, we shall continue to encourage individuals to increase their employability, including their flexibility and mobility as well as their skills.

  To assist geographical mobility, the Employment Service operates a Travel to Interview Scheme. This encourages people to widen their job search by helping with travelling costs incurred in attending interviews outside their usual travel to work area.

  Training and Enterprise Councils continue to work with employers locally to respond to the skills needs identified in particulars areas. In addition, the Government are setting up a new Skills Taskforce to advise on the extent and nature of skills shortages, and on appropriate action for tackling them.

  New Deal (Gateway)
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the average allocation of money for each young person for the gateway to the new deal; and how this money is to be disbursed. [25410]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The Gateway will help young people to finds jobs or to take up New Deal option places. Individual young people's circumstances and needs will differ considerably. At present, our broad planning assumption is that the Gateway will meet these varying needs within an average expenditure of £260 per young person. As this includes those who leave the Gateway early for unsubsidised jobs, significantly more will be available for those who need the greatest help, the amount in each case related to the young person's needs.

  Greenwich Judgment
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a sttaement on the effects of the Greenwich Judgment on(a) grant-maintained schools and (b) proposed foundation schools. [25320]

  Mr. Byers
  The 1989 Greenwich Judgment does not cover grant-maintained schools, but the Department has consistently encouraged them to adopt the same approach. Our proposals in the School Standards and Framework Bill mean that the judgment would apply to all maintained schools, including those in the new foundation category. We shall expect school admission authorities to work closely with those in neighbouring LEA areas in the interests of all parents, and look to the proposed new forums to help bring this about.

  Age Discrimination
  Mr. Sarwar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps the Government have taken to tackle age discrimination. [25646]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The Government firmly oppose age discrimination in employment. Following my announcement in the House on 22 May 1997,Official Report, column 825, I have been consulting widely on how best to achieve a consensus to tackle this complex issue. The consultation will continue into the spring.

  New Deal (Cornwall)
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the guide price per trainee per week for placements on the New Deal in Cornwall(a) in total and (b) excluding payments to the trainee. [25470]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  [holding answer 26 January 1998]: There is no guide price for New Deal participants in Cornwall. The funding for an individual participating in the programme will vary considerably depending on the amount of help they require during the Gateway and, if they enter an option, the nature of the opportunity they take up.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the average amount per trainee allowed for supervision under New Deal contracts in Cornwall. [25468]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  [holding answer 26 January 1998]: No "average amount" has been suggested for the supervision of New Deal participants. All those wishing to tender were asked to submit a full costing analysis for the delivery of Gateway provision or the New Deal option that they were interested in providing. This analysis included the management and supervisory costs that they intended to charge.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the environmental objectives for the New Deal in Cornwall. [25471]
  237
  Mr. Andrew Smith
  [holding answer 26 January 1998]: Work undertaken on the Environment Task Force in Cornwall will contribute to the improvement of the local and/or global environment and will be compatible with sustainable development.

  Opportunities for young people on the Environment Task Force will be as broad and inclusive as possible and will, where possible include opportunities for young people to become involved in the regeneration of their local communities for example on housing, reclamation, recycling and conservation projects.

  Work on environmental projects under the New Deal must complement and contribute to national and international environmental objectives and run in synergy with the aims and objectives of the New Deal.

  New Deal (Child Minders)
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will give a breakdown of the numbers from each new deal programme making up the 50,000 new child minders to be trained in the Chancellor's Budget initiative. [25777]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  It is a principle of the design of the New Deal that young people should be helped to choose the option most appropriate for them. Accordingly, we have not estimated the number of child care opportunities likely to be pursued under each New Deal option. We expect, however, that many of the placements will be found under the Voluntary Sector option of the New Deal, with further opportunities under the Employment and Full Time Education or Training options.

  Teachers Superannuation Scheme
  Mr. Burnett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will estimate the cost of giving a full widow's pension to spouses of members of the teachers superannuation scheme who married those members after the members' retirement in each year since 1994–95. [25867]

  Dr. Howells
  This information can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Teacher Recruitment
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he will publish his Department' s response to the Education and Employment Committee's First Report on Teacher Recruitment (HC 262–1) of Session 1997–98. [26513]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  I welcome the Committee's report.

  Copies of the Department's response have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Poor People
  Mr. Pond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 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. [23333]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  The sectors for which my Department is responsible—arts, museums, libraries, sport, tourism, the built heritage, the music industry, film and broadcasting—are central to delivering improvements to the quality of life for everyone. In all these sectors our objective is to ensure access for the many, not just the few, whether as audience or participant.

  The arts, sport and broadcasting have a widely accepted role in promoting social cohesion, and in providing through formal and informal education the necessary skills which individuals need to develop socially and at work.

  Public libraries are a vital focus for the community, offering a source of information and advice to help the unemployed into work or training, and free access to sources of learning and enjoyment for all.

  All our sectors are supporting the New Deal. The tourism industry in particular has the potential to provide many new job opportunities over the next few years.

  The National Lottery has provided sporting and cultural infrastructure around the country from which all benefit. The National Lottery Charities Board in particular gives grants to help meet the needs of those at greatest disadvantage in society. The Bill currently before the House for the reform of the National Lottery will help the disadvantaged further through the New Opportunities Fund, whose first programmes will include out of school hours activities and healthy living centres.

  My Department is working with the Social Exclusion Unit to ensure that we fully exploit opportunities for sport, the arts, broadcasting and the other DCMS sectors to play their part in helping to tackle the problems of social exclusion.

  Publications (Legal Deposit)
  Ms Ryan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how he plans to take forward policy on the legal deposit of publications following the response to the consultation paper published in February 1997. [26339]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The consultation period closed on 11 April 1997. One hundred and sixty one organisations and individuals submitted responses. I am grateful to them for taking the trouble to address the issues which the consultation paper discussed, and for submitting their views. I have placed a summary of the results of the consultation exercise in the Libraries of the House.
  239
  The Government believe that it is extremely important to ensure that material published in this country is incorporated into our national archive irrespective of the medium used. The arrangements for legal deposit, which are concerned primarily with published material in print form, underpin the nation's academic, research and educational sectors. We intend to ensure that these benefits extend also to material published in format other than print. But in so doing, we recognise the need to minimise the burden that such arrangements might place on the publishing industry.

  I am therefore establishing a working group, chaired by Sir Anthony Kenny, comprising representatives of the British Library and legal deposit libraries, the British Film Institute, and publishing sectors. The working group will be asked:

  (i) To advise on how an effective nation archive of non-print material might be achieved, taking into account the need to minimise the burden on publishers, the need to safeguard deposited material from unauthorised use, the archival value of the material, and the scope for making deposited material available among legal deposit libraries through secure IT networks;

  (ii) To draw up and agree a voluntary code of practice to achieve deposit of electronic and microform publications until such time as the Government may decide to introduce legislation;

  (ii) To ensure that such arrangements are compatible, where appropriate, with the existing arrangements for the voluntary deposit of films and sound recordings;

  The Government will keep under review the case for introducing legislation to extend legal deposit to these additional categories of publication. We will take account of the working group's recommendations and the extent to which the voluntary code meets the reasonable current and future needs of those requiring access to deposit material.

  The Government do not for the present plan to make any amendments to the system for print publications under which up to six copies are deposited, although we will expect the legal deposit libraries to operate together

  Table 1: Incidence of small intestine, colon and rectum cancer (ICD9, 152–154) England and Wales 1983 to 1992

  Year

  Small intestine (ICD9, 152) cases males

  Small intestine (ICD9, 152) cases females

  Colon (ICD9, 153) cases males

  Colon (ICD9, 153) cases females

  Rectum (ICD9, 154) cases males

  Rectum (ICD9, 154) cases females

  1983

  179

  180

  6,907

  8,667

  5,547

  4,636

  1984

  173

  171

  6,983

  8,611

  5,599

  4,569

  1985

  196

  176

  7,237

  8,992

  5,875

  4,649

  1986

  167

  172

  7,053

  8,876

  5,572

  4,523

  1987

  187

  172

  7,569

  9,237

  5,625

  4,566

  1988

  181

  193

  7,727

  9,403

  5,834

  4,586

  1989

  176

  199

  8,000

  9,347

  5,855

  4,715

  1990

  177

  190

  8,047

  9,355

  5,934

  4,502

  1991

  219

  185

  8,069

  9,403

  5,826

  4,441

  19921

  243

  213

  8,419

  9,790

  6,250

  4,745

  Note:

  1 Provisional Monitor MB1 97/1 Registrations of cancer diagnosed in 1992, England and Wales (1997).

  Source:

  ONS.
  240
  to ensure that the burden on publishers is reduced through greater selectivity and co-operation. The working group will therefore also be asked:
  (iv) To advise on the scope for developing the existing arrangements for the deposit of printed publications with a view to ensuring greater co-operation between the different legal deposit libraries, encouraging greater selectivity in the material claimed from publishers, and the scope for developing IT networking solutions which can in the longer term be used to reduced the statutory burden on publishers in complying with the deposit arrangements.

  In the light of the responses to the consultation paper, we are not convinced that there is a sufficient case for establishing an additional legal deposit library in Northern Ireland. Users of legal deposit material who live in Northern Ireland are able to gain access to it at the other legal deposit libraries. It would also take many years for an additional legal deposit library to build up a collection which would provide significant benefits to users.

  I have, however, asked the working group to include in its work under item (i) examination of the scope for improved access in Northern Ireland to deposited material through IT networking. A representative from Northern Ireland will be appointed to the working group.

  I have asked the Working Group to report to me on these matters within six months.

HEALTH

  Intestinal Cancer
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the number of people diagnosed with intestinal cancer over the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement on how this compares with other(a) Commonwealth and (b) EU countries. [24470]

  Mr. Milburn
  The number of people diagnosed over the last 10 years in England and Wales with cancers of the small intestine, colon and rectum is shown in table 1. Table 2 gives the figure for bowel cancer, a combination of the three cancers.
  241

  Table 2: Incidence of bowel cancer (ICD9 152–154) England and Wales 1983 to 1992

  Year

  Cases males

  Cases females

  Age standardised rates per 100,0001 males

  Age standardised rates per 100,0001 females

  Crude rate per 100,00 males

  Bowel (ICD9, 152–154) crude rate per 100,000 female

  1983

  12,633

  13,483

  32.9

  24.4

  52.2

  52.9

  1984

  12,755

  13,351

  33.0

  23.7

  52.6

  52.3

  1985

  13,308

  13,817

  33.8

  24.4

  54.6

  53.9

  1986

  12,792

  13,571

  32.3

  24.1

  52.3

  52.8

  1987

  13,381

  13,975

  33.7

  24.3

  54.5

  54.2

  1988

  13,742

  14,182

  34.2

  24.4

  55.8

  54.9

  1989

  14,031

  14,261

  34.5

  24.1

  56.7

  55.0

  1990

  14,158

  14,047

  34.5

  23.9

  56.9

  54.0

  1991

  14,114

  14,029

  34.3

  23.8

  56.5

  53.7

  1992

  14,912

  14,748

  35.8

  24.6

  59.4

  56.3

  1 Directly age standaridised using the world standard population.

  Source:

  ONS.

  The incidence of colorectal cancer is highest in developed countries in North America, northern and western Europe and New Zealand. The lowest rates are found in Africa and Asia. However, there are difficulties in the comparison of data where health care systems are less well developed and there is no comprehensive or standardised cancer registration system. Table 3 gives estimated incidence (1990) in the European Community for cancer of the colon and rectum.

  Table 3: Cancer of the colon and rectum estimated incidence European Community 1990

  Country

  Males

  Females

  Number of cases

  Age standardised rates per 100,000 population

  Number of cases

  Age standardised rates per 100,000 population

  Belgium

  2,641

  36.9

  3,034

  31.2

  Denmark

  1,566

  39.2

  1,648

  32.6

  France

  14,166

  35.1

  14,580

  26.2

  Germany

  21,362

  39.4

  27,809

  32.0

  Greece

  1,389

  18.2

  1,427

  15.8

  Ireland

  732

  35.5

  675

  27.5

  Italy

  12,285

  29.4

  12,489

  22.6

  Luxembourg

  107

  41.8

  104

  28.4

  Netherlands

  3,416

  35.0

  3,818

  29.3

  Portugal

  1,893

  29.0

  1,905

  21.9

  Spain

  6,697

  25.9

  6,962

  20.9

  United Kingdom

  13,941

  32.2

  14,721

  24.9

  European Community

  80,195

  32.2

  89,172

  25.5

  Source:

  Facts and Figures of Cancer in the European Community (IARC,1993).

  Haemophiliacs
  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to advise health authorities to use recombinant blood products for haemophiliacs. [24670]

  Mr. Boateng
  In line with the recommendations of the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee we have recently commissioned an assessment of the risks of possible human to human transmission of new variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease through blood and blood products. When we have the results of that assessment we will decide what further advice, if any, we should give.

  Commission for Health Improvement
  Mr. Hesford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the public health responsibilities of the Commission for Health Improvement. [25004]

  Mr. Milburn
  We will consult on the role and responsibilities of the Commission for Health Improvement before bringing forward legislation.

  School Nurses
  Audrey Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on(a) regional and (b) locality variations in school nurse numbers. [25016]

  Mr. Milburn
  The number of school nurses is for employers to determine in the light of local needs and clinical priorities. Any future proposals authorities wish to make should be made in the light of the Green Paper on Public Health which will shortly be published.

  Audrey Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is the ratio of(a) school nurses to schools and (b) schools nurses to numbers of children; [25015]

  (2) how many school nurses, expressed as whole-time equivalents, were employed by the NHS in England in (a) 1990, (b) 1995, (c) 1996, and (d) 1997. [25012]

  Mr. Milburn
  School nurses employed by the National Health Service hospital and community health services are not separately identifiable from other community nursing staff within the non-medical workforce censuses conducted by the Department of Health after 1994. Consequently, figures for 1995 and 1996 are not available centrally. In addition to the number of school nurses, the table gives the numbers of schools and school children, as changes to the ratios can be the result of changes to these components as well as changes to the numbers of nurses.
  243

  NHS hospital and community health services nursing and midwifery staff (excluding agency and learners) working in the school nurse area of work, numbers of schools and numbers of pupils in England for 1990 to 1994

  Year

  Number of school nurses1

  Number of schools

  Number of schools per school nurse2

  Number of pupils (thousands)

  Number of pupils per school nurse1

  1990

  2,540

  27,385

  11

  7,401

  2,910

  1991

  2,460

  27,179

  11

  7,452

  3,020

  1992

  2,440

  26,956

  11

  7,541

  3,090

  1993

  2,470

  26,752

  11

  7,665

  3,100

  1994

  2,350

  26,442

  11

  7,700

  3,280

  Notes:

  1 Rounded to the nearest ten whole-time equivalents.

  2 Rounded to the nearest whole number.

  Figures for school nurses relate to the position at September each year, the figures for schools and pupils relate to the position at January each year.

  Ratios are calculated on unrounded figures.

  Sources:

  Department of Health's annual non-medical workforce census.

  "Statistics of Education: Schools in England" published by the Department for Education and Employment.

  Audrey Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what national standards he has set for school health services; [25022]

  (2) what guidance he has issued to (a) purchasers and (b) commissioners of health provision on the employment of school nurses relating to (i) numbers and (ii) job descriptions. [25014]

  Mr. Boateng
  Good practice guidance,"Child Health Services—A Guide to Good Practice", was issued to the National Health Service in 1996. Copies are available in the Library.

  The exact job descriptions and numbers of school nurses are for local commissioners and employers to determine in the light of local needs and priorities.

  Audrey Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the benefits of giving each school pupil access to a named school nurse. [25023]

  Mr. Boateng
  We are considering the terms of a new Patient's Charter to include the health care needs of children. The level of benefit to be gained by their having access to a named school nurse will form part of that consideration.

  Carbamazepine
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many unfavourable side-effects of the drug carbamazepine have been reported in the past 10 years; and if he will list them; [24996]

  (2) how many people have been treated with carbamazepine for medicinal purposes in the last five years; and how many cases of harmful side-effects have been reported. [24997]

  Mr. Milburn
  The number of patients prescribed carbamazepine is not available. The number of prescription items for carbamazepine dispensed in England from 1 January 1992 to 31 December 1996 (the last five years for which data are available) was 8.9 million. During this period, 672 suspected adverse drug reaction reports for carbamazepine were received by the Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM).
  244
  A drug analysis print for carbamazepine, listing all suspected adverse drug reactions reported to the CSM from 1988 to 1997 inclusive will be placed in the Library, together with an information sheet to help with interpretation of the print.

DEFENCE

  Indonesian Military (Training Contracts)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which contracts to train Indonesian military personnel remain outstanding. [22907]

  Dr. Reid
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 8 July 1997,Official Report, column 422. I will, as promised then, write to the hon. Member once the review has been completed.

  Newsletter
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current security classification of the newsletter produced for the staff of(a) the Ships Support Agency, (b) the Ministry of Defence Police and (c) the Defence Intelligence and Security Centre; how often each newsletter is produced; and when each newsletter was first produced. [24508]

  Mr. Spellar
  This is a matter for the Chief Executives of the Agencies concerned. I have asked them to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from W. E. E. Boreham to Mr. Matthew Taylor, dated 28 January 1998:
  I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the publication of a newsletter for Ministry of Defence Police (MDP), as this falls into my area of responsibility, as Chief Constable/Chief Executive of the Ministry of Defence Police Agency.
  My staff produce, every two months, an unclassified colour magazine, entitled Talk Through. The magazine was first produced in 1986.
  245
  Letter from Brigadier C. G. Holtom to Mr. Matthew Taylor, dated 28 January 1998:
  I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the publication of newsletters as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as the Chief Executive of the Defence Intelligence and Security Centre Agency.
  The DISC does not currently produce a newsletter. However, as part of the preparations for the move of a number of units to form the DISC at its new site at Chicksands, unclassified leaflets were produced containing information for personnel and their families moving into the area. Six issues were produced between July 1996 and February 1997 covering such topics as housing, schools, public transport and leisure facilities.

  Letter from J. D. Coles to Mr. Matthew Taylor, dated 28 January 1998:
  I am reply to your Question to the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Defence about the Ships Support Agency (SSA) newsletter as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the SSA.
  The current newsletter produced for SSA staff, titled 'Ships Telegraph', was first published in October 1995 following the formation of the Director General (Ships) organisation. This magazine has remained in circulation since the launch of the Ships Support Agency in December 1996 and continues to be published on a monthly basis.
  The security classification of 'Ships Telegraph' has always been, and remains, unclassified.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Scottish Executive
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 20 January 1998,Official Report, column 482, (1) when discussions began in his Department concerning the non-statutory agreement with the Scottish Executive; on what dates discussions took place; and who was present at such meetings; [25589]

  (2) what representations he has received from other government departments concerning the format and aims of a non-statutory agreement between his Department and the Scottish Executive; if he will list the number of representations from each department; and if he will make a statement; [25592]

  (3) if he will publish the most recent drafts of non-statutory agreements with the Scottish Executive; when he proposes to publish the final document; and if the agreement will operate in the first instance for a trial period; [25590]

  (4) in what areas a non-statutory agreement between his Department and the Scottish Executive will give the lead role in policy formation to his Department; to what extent it will include mechanisms to harmonise policy between Scotland and his Department on devolved matters; and if he will make a statement. [25591]

  Mr. George Robertson
  [holding answer 27 January 1998]: Discussions are being held between departments, both at official level and Ministerial level, on all matters relating to non-statutory agreements between the UK Government and the Scottish Executive. In most cases,
  246
  these discussions are in their early stages in the light of the fact that such agreements cannot be finalised until the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Executive are established. Parliament will be kept informed of progress on these matters.

  Trident
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 20 January 1998,Official Report, column 480, if he will list the amounts in US dollars and pounds sterling paid to the United States in each of the US fiscal years from 1980 to date in support of the United Kingdom Trident programme; how much he expects to pay, in dollars and sterling, for each of the next five US fiscal years, to support the operations of the United Kingdom Trident programme; and if he will give dollar and sterling figures for each of the amounts cited in his answer; and if he will make a statement. [25487]

  Mr. George Robertson
  Payments to the United States in respect of the United Kingdom's Trident programme are made in US dollars and are largely made through the US Department of Defense. I am unable to provide a breakdown of payments by US Fiscal Year but cumulative expenditure during UK Financial years to 31 March 1997 through the Department of Defense on Trident was some $3,430 million, broken down as follows:

  $000

  Prior to 1986–87

  174,451

  1986–87

  51,295

  1987–88

  144,594

  1988–89

  229,274

  1989–90

  249,269

  1990–91

  270,359

  1991–92

  341,738

  1992–93

  418,354

  1993–94

  649,634

  1994–95

  432,502

  1995–96

  213,015

  1996–97

  255,135

  Total

  3,429.620

  In addition, lesser payments were made directly to US companies under contracts which were in place over a number of years. Such payments, again all in US dollars, amounted to some $194 million to 31 March 1997. Sterling values for the dollar expenditure varied according to exchange rates at the time.

  Expenditure in the United States in future years remains subject to Ministerial approval and will be dependent on the outcome of the Strategic Defence Review.

  The hon. Member will have noted that a misprint in my answer of 20 January 1998, Official Report, column 480, was corrected on 22 January, Official Report, column 1252. Both sums quoted were in US dollars. Expenditure

  247
  resulting from these commitments will fall across a number of years so equivalent sterling expenditure will vary dependent upon prevailing exchange rates.

  Helicopters (Civilian Rescue Work)
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the number, type and location of Royal Navy and Royal Air Force helicopters available for civilian rescue work in Scotland. [25982]

  Dr. Reid
  All MOD helicopters, depending on military commitments, are available to assist the civil community in an emergency situation. The Royal Navy and Royal Air Force provide dedicated Search and Rescue helicopter cover for Scotland from the following locations:

  Service

  Location

  Type

  Number

  Royal Navy

  HMS Gannet, Prestwick

  Sea King

  2

  Royal Air Force

  RAF Lossiemouth, Morayshire

  Sea King

  2

  Royal Air Force

  RAF Boulmer, Northumbria

  Sea King

  2

  In addition, based in Scotland there are a further seven Sea Kings at HMS Gannet in the Anti-Submarine Warfare role and the Territorial Army have four Gazelles at RAF Leuchars. These helicopters may be supplemented by other MOD helicopters based elsewhere in the UK if necessary. This includes a Chinook helicopter at RAF Odiham and a Puma helicopters at RAF Benson, both on "national standby".

  Atomic Weapons Establishment, Aldermaston
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 17 November 1997,Official Report, column 66, how many papers have been produced for conferences and other purposes since January 1994 by the AWE Directorate of Environment, Safety and Health; and how many of these are currently unclassified. [24803]

  Mr. Spellar
  Since October 1994, when a central register for such things was started, 11 unclassified papers by staff of the Directorate of Environment, Safety and Health have been through MOD clearance procedures for use at conferences or as MSc theses. As regards the total number of papers produced for conferences and other purposes since January 1994, I have nothing to add to the answers I gave on 17 November and 22 July 1997,Official Report, columns 66 and 529 respectively.

  Nuclear Weapons
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many special safety teams in respect of nuclear weapons accidents there are currently. [24510]
  248
  Dr. Reid
  The RAF has five station nuclear accident response teams (formerly called Special Safety Teams) that would provide immediate response forces in the event of a nuclear weapon accident. A similar capability is provided as an integral part of the escort for a nuclear weapon road convoy, and immediate response capabilities are also maintained by the Clyde Naval Base and the Atomic Weapons Establishment.

  Defence Export Services Organisation
  Mr. Hesford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many staff are employed within the Defence Export Services Organisation; what is the breakdown of their posts; and how many of the staff are employed in London. [24840]

  Mr. Spellar
  There are a total of some 687 personnel employed with the Defence Export Services Organisation (DESO). Of these, a total of 478.5 are located in London. The posts are broken down in the following way:

  UK based

  Overseas

  Senior Civil Service grades

  12

  —

  Middle and senior management grades

  223.5

  33

  Non-mobile grades

  137

  9

  Locally engaged staff

  —

  34.5

  Staff on secondment from Industry

  2

  —

  Military Personnel

  163

  73

  Total

  537.5

  149.5

  Mr. Hesford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of staff of the Defence Export Services Organisation are seconded from defence manufacturers; and what functions they perform. [25669]

  Mr. Spellar
  There are currently two secondees from defence manufacturers working in the Defence Export Services Organisation (DESO). One is the head of the organisation itself; the other is a middle manager seconded for one year to gain a general understanding of the work of DESO.

  Land Command
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is his estimate of the additional staffing and administration costs of expanding Land Command United Kingdom's Scotland Headquarters to take command of both the Scotland and North of England districts; [25935]

  (2) pursuant to his answer of 16 January 1998, Official Report, column 349, what estimate he has made of the redundancy costs which would be incurred with the closure of 2nd Division headquarters at York. [25934]

  Dr. Reid
  This kind of information will form part of the internal analysis of options to be considered during the study of the restructuring of Land Command. At this stage, therefore, I am withholding the information requested under exemption 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.
  249
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his Answer of 16 January 1998,Official Report, column 349, what other options are being studied by the Commander in Chief Land Command for the restructuring of his command. [25933]

  Dr. Reid
  We are prepared to consider any option which provides an efficient structure for the command and administration of the Army in the UK. At this stage it is too early to say whether any options will emerge other than that outlined in my earlier reply.

  Sir Arthur Harris
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to recognise the wartime service of Sir Arthur Harris; and if he will make a statement. [25726]

  Mr. Spellar
  The achievements of Sir Arthur Harris have been recognised by the bestowal of many highly valued honours and awards. He was awarded the Air Force Cross in 1918, the OBE in 1927 and the GCB in 1945. He was promoted to Marshal of the Royal Air Force in 1946 and Her Majesty The Queen conferred a Baronetcy upon him in 1953. He was further honoured in 1992 when his statue outside St. Clement Danes Church in The Strand was unveiled by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. There are no plans for further recognition.

  Armed Forces (Travel Allowances)
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if Her Majesty's forces' access to(a) indulgence travel, (b) free flights on posting, (c) leave travel at public expense and (d) other concessionary and privileged travel is restricted to serving personnel and their wife or husband and children; and what plans he has to extend (a) to (d) to other relationships. [25743]

  Dr. Reid
  Entitlement to Her Majesty's forces access to indulgence travel, free flights on posting, leave travel at public expense and other concessionary and privileged travel is restricted to serving personnel and their wife or husband and children.

  We have no plans at present to extend access to concessionary and privileged travel beyond Service personnel, their spouses and dependent children, but the situation is kept under review.

SCOTLAND

  Private Finance Initiative (NHS)
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if, for each of the major acute PFI schemes prioritised by his Department since May, he will(a) list the capital cost in the outline business case, (b) estimate the current cost and (c) state the percentage change. [21411]
  250
  Mr. Galbraith
  [holding answer 18 December 1997]: The information requested is set out in the table.

  1

  2

  3

  4

  NHS Trust

  Capital cost in OBC1£ million

  Capital cost in OBC at current prices2£ million

  Latest estimated capital cost at current prices3 £ million

  Percentage change between columns 2 and 3

  Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh

  174.5

  186.5

  188.5

  1.1

  Law Hospital

  78.6

  84.9

  85.0

  0.0

  Hairmyres and Stonehouse Hospitals

  52.4

  66.0

  66.1

  0.2

  1None of the projects prepared outline business cases (OBCs) since the projects were initially developed along the lines of public funding. Figures have been taken from the nearest equivalents.

  2 Figures in column 1 have been uplifted to current prices using the BCIS index (to 4th Quarter 1997).

  3 Figures are gross of sales of surplus land and include the costs of land (except in the case of the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh), construction and professional fees but exclude the cost of equipment (other than items which are supplied and fixed under the terms of the construction contract), VAT, rolled up interest and financing costs. Figures are based on current prices.

  The capital cost of a scheme in the OBC (or equivalent) is not necessarily comparable with the capital cost of the facility provided under the PFI. The capital cost in the OBC is based on the scheme being funded from limited public capital whereas under PFI the same constraints on capital do not exist. PFI allows Trusts to develop schemes which transfer risks from the public sector to the private sector and offer the best value for money to the taxpayer.

  Only the projects that prove to be affordable to the healthcare planners, value for money to the taxpayer and offer real healthcare improvements to the public will proceed under PFI.

  Unemployment
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the numbers and percentage rates of 18 to 25-year-olds unemployed in(a) November 1997, (b) May 1997 and (c) May 1996 in the local authorities of (i) Angus, (ii) City of Dundee and (iii) Perthshire and Kinross. [23833]

  Mr. Wilson
  ONS measures unemployment using the internationally standard ILO unemployment rate. This is measured through the Labour Force Survey, which is a survey of households in the United Kingdom. This is internationally agreed and counts the number of people who are:(a) without a paid job; (b) available to start work within the next two weeks and (c) have actively sought work in the last four weeks or are waiting to start a job already obtained.

  The ONS also publishes the monthly claimant count, which is based on the administrative system and includes all people claiming unemployment-related benefits (i.e. Jobseekers Allowance or National Insurance credits) at Employment Service offices on the day of the monthly count, who on that day had signed on as unemployed and available to do any suitable work.
  251
  The data requested, which can be derived only from the claimant count due to the sample size of the labour force survey, are presented in the table. Information on rates by age is not available.

  Claimant count unemployed aged 18 to 241 2

  Angus

  Dundee City

  Perth and Kinross

  (a) November 1997

  655

  1,633

  575

  (b) May 1997

  835

  1,765

  675

  (c) May 1996

  965

  2,184

  805

  Source:

  Office for National Statistics.

  Notes:

  1Information for those aged 18 to 25 is not readily available.

  2 Excludes clerical claims, which represent about 1 per cent. of all claims. A full analysis of the age and duration data is available quarterly (January, April, July and October).

  Nursery Vouchers
  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how he will ensure that each eligible child who had a nursery place under the voucher scheme will have a similar place at the centre of their parents' choice, under the new arrangements. [22081]

  Mr. Wilson
  I published on 27 November 1997 a major consultation paper,Education in Early Childhood: The Pre-school Year, which sets out the Government's vision of the way forward for pre-school education in Scotland after vouchers are discontinued in June 1998. The policy set out in the consultation paper has been widely welcomed, and I look forward to the detailed responses from many quarter which have already begun to come in, in advance of the end of the consultation period on 6 February.

  Under the new arrangements, pre-school education grant will be available to support a part-time place for every child in the pre-school year whose parents want one. Local authorities, accountable to their local electorates, will have the lead role in planning and delivering pre-school education in partnership with centres in the private and voluntary sectors, and will be able to use their local knowledge to ensure that places are well matched to local circumstances, to the varied needs of children, and to the preferences of parents, at the same time securing the best value for public money. All centres in receipt of grant will be required to implement the same curriculum guidelines and will be liable to inspection by HM Inspectors of Schools to ensure a high quality of education.

  E.coli
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the reasons for the reduction in charges in the case of John Barr Butchers and the E.coli deaths in Wishaw. [25234]

  Mr. McLeish
  Criminal prosecutions are a matter for my right hon. noble and learned Friend the Lord Advocate. I understand that the Procurator Fiscal consulted Crown Counsel before agreeing to accept pleas of guilty which were offered on behalf of the firm of John. M. Barr and Son in respect of two charges under the Food Safety Legislation and to drop two other, less serious, charges against the firm and the three charges against the 252
  partners in the firm. The charges in respect of which the firm pleaded guilty reflected the most serious offences which were charged in the case, namely those involving E.coli 0157 contamination. The Lord Advocate is satisfied that acceptance of the pleas tendered was in accordance with the interests of justice.

  Social Work Services
  Miss Begg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list, by local authority, the level of charges levied on residents in receipt of the social work care services broken down by service item. [25605]

  Mr. Galbraith
  This information is not held centrally.

  Skye Bridge
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) by what means he has made public the change in the ownership structure relating to the Skye Bridge; and if he will make a statement; [25452]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the compliance of the change in the ownership structure relating to the Skye Bridge with the concession agreement; and if he will make a statement. [25998]

  Mr. Dewar
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on Tuesday 27 January 1998.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Electrical Goods
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what plans she has to implement the Monopolies and Mergers Commission's proposals for the retail of domestic electrical goods; [25729]

  (2) what representations she has received on the Monopolies and Mergers Commission proposals to abolish recommended retail prices within the domestic electrical goods market. [25730]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  My right hon. Friend announced her proposals for implementing remedies following the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report on domestic electrical goods on 30 July 1997. These were subject to a public consultation.

  Many representations have been received and are under consideration. My right hon. Friend will announce her final decision as soon as possible.

  ESF and ERDF Budgets
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what instructions have been given to Regional Office North West on the need to underspend on ESF and ERDF budgets for the period 1994 to 1996. [24693]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 26 January 1998]: I have asked for this matter to be looked into and I am informed that no instructions were given.

  Internet
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is her Department's policy on the recent policy statement from the European Commission relating to the principle of self-regulation of the Internet industry. [24003]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 19 January 1998]: The Government welcome the Commission's Communication "Action Plan on promoting safe use of the Internet" (COM(97)582 final). The fight against illegal content needs to be based on the effective action of industry, backed up by the full force of existing law.

  Bankruptcy
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many discharged bankrupts have had their pensions seized as a result of the judgment in the Landau case. [25058]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  The judgment in the Landau case provided judicial clarification of the provisions of the Insolvency Act 1986 as to the rights of a trustee in bankruptcy and a bankrupt to the benefits arising from a retirement annuity contract, similar in nature to a personal pension, held by a bankrupt at the date of bankruptcy.

  The information as to the number of discharged bankrupts whose pensions have been seized by trustees in bankruptcy under the Insolvency Act 1986 is not held centrally.

  Press Releases
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the procedure for her Department issuing press releases following agreement being reached under a carecraft order for the disqualification of a director. [24105]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  [holding answer 20 January 1998]: The usual practice is to issue a press release in cases where a disqualification order is made against a director following a carecraft agreement.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Public Bills
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the President of the Council if she intends to make it the general practice of Government to publish the notes on clauses which accompany public bills; and if she will make a statement. [25489]

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  Notes on clauses are already produced by departments for most Bills. In future, as the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House reported recently (Second Report 1997–98 HC 389), it is intended that notes on clauses will be combined with the existing explanatory memoranda and published as a single document with each Bill. It is hoped that draft Bills published this session and Bills introduced next session will be accompanied by the new style explanatory notes. This is in line with the suggestion the Government and First Parliamentary Counsel put to the Modernisation 254
  Committee and which was endorsed in their recent report on the proposed explanatory notes on Bills (Second Report 1997–98 HC 389).

  Legislation
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the President of the Council if Her Majesty's Government will in future, when drafting legislation, make use of purpose clauses making clear the intentions of Parliament. [25524]

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  There are some circumstances when the use of purpose clauses is appropriate, but the Government share the views of the Committee on the Preparation of Legislation in 1975 that they should be used "selectively and with caution" and the Hansard Society Commission on the Legislative Process in 1992 that"they should not be used as a general practice".
  The Government intend, through the publication of better explanatory material on Bills, to make clearer the background to legislation at the time it is introduced into Parliament. The Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons has recently reported on the proposed explanatory notes on Bills (Second Report 1997–98 HC 389).

PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Judicial Committee
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the President of the Council if she will make a statement on the role of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in relation to its role as final court of appeal for Commonwealth countries and UK dependencies. [25506]

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council hears appeals and applications for leave to appeal from the final courts of appeal of those independent Commonwealth territories which have retained the appeal to the Privy Council upon attaining independence, and the dependent territories. The Committee also hears appeals from the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.

  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the President of the Council if she will list the number of cases dealt with by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in each of the last 10 years; and if she will make a statement. [25577]

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council has heard the following number of appeals and applications for leave to appeal in each of the last 10 years:

  Year

  Appeals

  Petitions

  1998

  43

  50

  1989

  63

  47

  1990

  64

  47

  1991

  53

  54

  1992

  54

  65

  1993

  59

  63

  1994

  68

  55

  1995

  69

  69

  1996

  85

  99

  1997

  82

  82

  255
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the President of the Council if she will make a statement on the role of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in reviewing legislation from the parliaments of(a) UK dependencies, (b) the Isle of Man and (c) the Channel Islands. [25507]

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council has no jurisdiction to review the legislation of the Parliaments of UK dependencies, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands other than in its appellate capacity in particular cases.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the President of the Council if she notifies potential purchasers of obsolete information technology equipment sold by her Department that such equipment may not be millennium compliant. [25656]

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  Sales of redundant information technology equipment by my department are infrequent, but any future potential purchaser of non-millennium compliant equipment would be warned accordingly.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Civil Service Staff
  Mr. Rhodri Morgan
  To ask the Attorney-General what proportion of Civil Service staff of grade 5 and above within his Department(a) have spent their entire civil service career within his Department, (b) have had secondments to (i) the private sector and (ii) other departments and (c) have come from other departments. [26028]

  The Attorney-General
  My Departments comprise the Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers (LSLO), the Treasury Solicitor's Department (TSD) and its agency the Government Property Lawyers (GPL), the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

  The information requested is given in percentages and is as follows:

  (a)

  (b)(i)

  (b)(ii)

  (c)

  LSLO

  0

  0

  0

  100

  TSD

  34

  0

  15

  51

  GPL

  60

  0

  0

  40

  SFO

  25

  12.5

  25

  75

  CPS

  84

  0

  5

  11

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Benefit Entitlement
  Mr. Plaskitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many individuals have had their benefit entitlements reviewed under the Benefit Integrity Project; and how many, as a result, have had their benefit(a) reduced and (b) stopped. [23521]
  256
  Mr. Denham
  One of our key aims is to re-build integrity in, and public support for, the Social Security system and the way in which public money is spent. Benefits should go to those who are properly entitled to benefit. This is why we have continued with the Benefits Integrity Project.

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

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. James Plaskitt, dated 27 January 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question regarding how many individuals have had their benefit entitlements reviewed under the Benefit Integrity Project (BIP); and how many, as a result, have had their benefit (a) reduced and (b) stopped.
  At 30 November, a total of 33,490 cases had been examined of which 6,953 have been changed. Of these changes, 2,232 have been disallowed, 3,880 reduced and 841 increased. Figures for the period to 31 December and subsequent months will be placed in the House of Commons library.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Severe Hardship Claims Unit
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has for the future of the severe hardship claims unit; and if she will provide further funding when its budget ends in March 1998. [24011]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  Ministers at the Department for Education and Employment and the Department of Social Security are currently considering the future location of the Severe Hardship Unit.

  The funding for the Severe Hardship Claims Unit for 1998–99 has been agreed.

  School Leaving Dates
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if she plans to alter the child benefit extension period school leaving dates to bring these regulations into line with the Education (School Leaving Date) Order 1997; and if the existing rules will still apply in Scotland where there has been no change to school leaving dates; [24012]

  (2) how many school leaving dates there will be per year in future for the purposes of child benefit regulations in the case of young persons who leave relevant education after the terminal date based on their date of birth. [24014]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The Education (School Leaving Date) Order 1997 relates only to children in England and Wales who are approaching the end of their compulsory full-time education. There is no necessity for any change to the regulations governing the Child Benefit Extension Period, which apply to school leavers aged 16 or 17 throughout Great Britain.

  From September 1997, children in England and Wales who reach age 16 during the academic year are required to remain in full-time education until the end of the summer term. Those who choose to remain in education beyond compulsory school leaving age may leave at any time.
  257
  Child Benefit Regulations prescribe three fixed dates on which Child Benefit may cease for a child leaving full time education. These are the first Monday in January, the Monday after Easter and the first Monday in September. When a child leaves school at the end of the summer term, Child Benefit may continue up to the first Monday in September, providing the child does not start work or youth training and the other conditions of entitlement are met.

  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how benefit entitlement will be affected in the case of a young person educated in Scotland who moves to England or Wales after being entitled to leave school under Scottish law, but who is still too young to have left in England or Wales. [24013]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The benefit entitlement of a person who has legally left school in Scotland will not be affected if they move to England or Wales before they would be able to legally leave school in that country. This is because the date that a person legally leaves school in Scotland will continue to be used to decide when young people cease being treated as a "child" for benefit purposes, regardless of which part of Great Britain they claim in.

  Civil Service Staff
  Mr. Rhodri Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of Civil Service staff of grade 5 and above within her Department(a) have spent their entire civil service career within her Department, (b) have had secondments to (i) the private sector and (ii) other departments and (c) have come from other departments. [26035]

  London Borough

  Workshop owned by Local Authority

  Workshop owned by a voluntary body acting as a voluntary agent for a LA

  Workshop owned by a volunatary body

  Remploy factory

  Barking

  —

  —

  —

  Barking

  Brent

  Carlyon

  Royal London Society for the Blind

  —

  Cricklewood

  Croydon

  Crosfield

  —

  —

  —

  Ealing

  —

  —

  —

  Acton

  Greenwich

  —

  —

  —

  Woolwich

  Haringey

  Haringey

  —

  —

  —

  Islington

  —

  General Welfare for the Blind

  Mencap Office Services

  Holloway

  Lambeth

  —

  —

  —

  Brixton

  Newham

  Newco

  —

  —

  —

  Southwark

  —

  Action for Blind People Royal Society for the Blind

  Camberwell Rehabilitation Association

  —

  I hope this is helpful.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  RUC (Religious Discrimination and Harassment)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will estimate the annual incident of religious discrimination within the RUC for the period 1991 to 1996 in respect of officers of(a) Catholic and (b) Protestant origin. [22350]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 16 January 1998]: The estimated percentage, as taken from the recent Religious and Political Harassment and Discrimination Survey of
  258
  Mr. Field
  Of the total number of staff in the Senior Civil Service currently employed in the Department:19 per cent. have spent their entire Civil Service career within this Department. This includes people who joined the Department from the private sector;
  28 per cent. have had a secondment or loan to an organisation outside UK central government;
  27 per cent. have had a secondment or loan to another UK Government Department;
  28 per cent. have transferred to this Department from another Government Department.

  Notes:

  1. Information as at 28 January 1998.

  2. Percentages are subject to rounding.

  Disablement Workshops
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many disablement workshops there are in each London borough authority area. [24534]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  I have been asked to reply.

  Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its Chief Executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Leigh Lewis to Mr. Tom Cox, dated 28 January 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your question about the number of disabled workshops in each London Borough Authority area. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as the Employment Service Chief Executive.
  The Employment's Service's Supported Employment Programme provides employment for severely disabled people who would not otherwise be able to obtain or retain employment. The Programme provides funding for the following workshops for disabled people in the London Boroughs:

  the annual incidence of religious discrimination within the RUC for the period 1991–96 in respect of Catholic and Protestant origin is as follows:

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  Catholic

  13.2

  13.6

  13.0

  11.3

  10.5

  9.2

  Protestant

  2.5

  3.2

  3.4

  4.5

  4.8

  4.6

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will estimate the extent of under-reporting of incidents of religious discrimination
  259
  within the RUC; what assessment she has made of the causes of under-reporting; and what improvements to procedures she proposes. [22351]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 16 January 1998]: A total of 66 per cent. of the 4,357 respondents to the recent Religious and Political Harassment and Discrimination Survey indicated they ignored or did nothing as a result of being subjected to religious or political discrimination.

  The survey indicated the following reasons why respondents (4,357) did not report religious/political discrimination.

  Per cent.

  Didn't think anything would be done

  57

  Didn't want to damage career

  46

  No proof of discrimination

  45

  Didn't want to be victimised

  38

  Didn't know what to do

  12

  The RUC has introduced a number of measures to encourage officers to come forward. These include:

  (a) The installation of a Confidential Helpline in the Equal Opportunities Unit and an extensive poster campaign promoting the Helpline.

  (b) The introduction of Harassment Support Officers at local level.

  (c) Poster campaigns.

  (d) Increasing the accessibility of the Equal Opportunities Unit through Divisional and Sub-Divisional roadshows.

  (e) Continual input on Equal Opportunities matters in all recruit, probationer, further and divisional training courses.

  These measures are continually under review for their effectiveness.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will identify by rank those persons responsible for religious discrimination in respect of RUC officers of(a) Catholic and (b) Protestant origin since 1991. [22352]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 16 January 1998]: This information is not currently available.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will estimate the extent of under-reporting of incidents of religious harassment within the RUC; what assessment she has made of causes of under-reporting; and what improvements to procedures she proposes. [22662]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 16 January 1998]: Records are not available to estimate the extent of under-reporting of incidents of religious harassment within the RUC.

  The RUC has introduced a number of measures to encourage officers to come forward. These include:

  (a) The installation of a Confidential Helpline in the Equal Opportunities Unit. This was followed by an extensive poster campaign promoting the Helpline.

  (b) The introduction of Harassment Support Officers at local level.

  (c) Poster campaigns.

  (d) Increasing the accessibility of the Equal Opportunities Unit throughout Divisional and Sub-Divisional roadshows.

  260

  (e) Continual input on Equal Opportunities matters in all recruit, probationer, further and divisional training courses.

  These measures are continually under review for their effectiveness.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what definition of religious discrimination has been used by the RUC in its internal reports; and what estimate has been made of the extent to which officers of(a) Catholic and (b) Protestant origin perceive religious discrimination to be a problem. [22724]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 16 January 1998]: The RUC defines religious discrimination as follows:
  Direct discrimination means treating a person less favourably on the grounds of religion or political opinion, than the person of another religion or political opinion is or would be treated in similar circumstances.
  Indirect discrimination on the grounds of religion and political opinion occurs when an unjustifiable requirement or condition is applied equally to all religious and political groups but has a disproportionately adverse effect on members of a particular group and it is to the complainant's detriment that the requirement or condition cannot be complied with.

  The table reveals the perceived extent of religious/political discrimination within the RUC as taken from the recent Religious and Political Harassment and Discrimination Survey (4,357 respondents).

  Perception of religious discrimination in the RUC

  Roman Catholic

  Protestant

  There is no religious discrimination within the RUC

  47 (11 per cent.)

  480 (14 per cent.)

  Religious discrimination is now more of a problem

  35 (8 per cent.)

  500 (15 per cent.)

  Religious discrimination is now less of a problem

  191 (43 per cent.)

  1,193 (36 per cent.)

  Religious discrimination has remained unchanged

  90 (20 per cent.)

  561 (17 per cent.)

  Don't know/no reply

  80 (18 per cent.)

  607 (18 per cent.)

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will estimate the annual incidence of religious harassment within the RUC for the period 1991 to 1996 in respect of officers of(a) Catholic and (b) Protestant origin. [22660]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 16 January 1998]: The estimated percentage of the annual incidence of religious harassment within the RUC for the period 1991–96 in respect of Catholic and Protestant origin as taken from the recent Religious and Political Harassment and Discrimination Survey is as follows:

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  Roman Catholic

  25.9

  29.1

  26.3

  24.6

  25.4

  27.9

  Protestant

  2.8

  3.1

  3.6

  4.0

  4.7

  5.2

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will define behaviour that would constitute religious harassment within the RUC. [22661]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 16 January 1998]: The recent Religious/Political Harassment and Discrimination Survey referred to religious/political harassment as —'unwanted conduct' based on religious belief or political opinion affecting the rights of people at work. This

  261
  harassment may take the form of serious assaults, physical gestures, jokes, banter, offensive language, circulation of notes or letters, or visual displays of offensive materials.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will identify by rank those persons responsible for religious harassment experienced by RUC officers of(a) Catholic and (b) Protestant origin. [22663]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 16 January 1998]: This information is not readily available in the format requested and would incur disproportionate cost to provide.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will estimate how many current RUC officers of(a) Catholic and (b) Protestant origin have been the subject of religious discrimination. [22349]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 16 January 1998]: The recent Religious and Political Harassment and Discrimination Survey indicated that of those officers who responded, approx 12 per cent. of Roman Catholics and 3 per cent. of Protestants felt that they had experienced religious discrimination at some time in their careers.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will estimate how many current RUC officers of(a) Catholic and (b) Protestant origin have been the subject of religious harassment during their careers. [22659]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 16 January 1998]: The recent Religious and Political Harassment and Discrimination Survey indicated that of those officers who responded 29 per cent. of Roman Catholic and 3 per cent. of Protestants felt they had experienced religious harassment at some time in their careers.

  RUC (Sexual Discrimination and Harassment)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will estimate how many current(a) female and (b) male RUC officers have been the subject of sexual harassment. [22422]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 16 January 1998]: The 1996 Sexual Harassment Survey indicated that of those who responded, approximately 45 per cent. of female and 4 per cent. of male officers felt that they had experienced sexual harassment at some time in their careers.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will estimate the annual incidence of sexual harassment within the RUC for the period from 1991 to 1996 in respect of(a) female and (b) male RUC officers. [22423]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 16 January 1998]: The estimated percentages of the annual incidence of sexual harassment, as taken from the 1996 Sexual Harassment Survey, within the RUC for the period 1991–95 in respect of male and female officers are as follows:

  Gender

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  Female

  13.5

  13.9

  16.8

  16.8

  14.1

  Male

  0.7

  0.5

  1.0

  0.8

  0.9

  262
  The Survey covered only the 5-year period up to 1995.

  The number of complaints of sexual harassment received during 1996 were—male 1, female 27.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will estimate the extent of under-reporting of incidents of sexual harassment within the RUC; what assessment she has made of possible causes of under-reporting; and what improvements to procedures she proposes. [22425]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 16 January 1998]: Records are not currently available to estimate the extent of under-reporting of incidents of sexual harassment within the RUC.

  The RUC has introduced a number of measures to encourage officers to come forward. These include:

  (a) The installation of a Confidential Helpline in the Equal Opportunities Unit. This was followed by an extensive poster campaign promoting the Helpline.

  (b) The introduction of Harassment Support Officers at local level.

  (c) Poster campaigns.

  (d) Increasing the accessibility of the Equal Opportunities Unit throughout Divisional and Sub-Divisional roadshows.

  (e) Continual input on Equal Opportunities matters in all recruit, probationer, further and divisional training courses.

  These measures are continually under review for their effectiveness.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will estimate how many(a) female and (b) male RUC officers have been the subject of sexual discrimination during their careers. [22427]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 16 January 1998]: It is not possible for the RUC to estimate how many officers perceive themselves to be the subject of sexual discrimination.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will estimate the annual incidence of sexual discrimination within the RUC for the period from 1991 to 1996 in respect of(a) female and (b) male officers. [22428]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 16 January 1998]: The following table illustrates the number of cases of sexual discrimination within the RUC reported to the Equal Opportunities Unit for the period 1991–96.

  Gender

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  Female

  4

  9

  0

  6

  3

  4

  Male

  4

  4

  2

  8

  6

  7

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will estimate the extent of under-reporting of incidents of sexual discrimination within the RUC; what assessment she has made of the possible causes of under-reporting; and what improvements to procedures she proposes. [22429]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 16 January 1998]: It is not possible for the RUC to estimate the extent of under-reporting of incidents of sexual discrimination

  263
  within the RUC. However the RUC has introduced a number of measures to encourage officers to come forward. These include:

  (a) The installation of a Confidential Helpline in the Equal Opportunities Unit. This was followed by an extensive poster campaign promoting the Helpline.

  (b) The introduction of Harassment Support Officers at local level.

  (c) Poster campaigns.

  (d) Increasing the accessibility of the Equal Opportunities Unit throughout Divisional and Sub-Divisional roadshows.

  (e) Continual input on Equal Opportunities matters in all recruit, probationer, further and divisional training courses.

  These measures are continually under review for their effectiveness.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if she will identify by rank those persons responsible for sexual discrimination in respect of(a) female and of (b) male RUC officers since 1991; [22430]

  (2) if she will identify by rank those found responsible for sexual harassment within the RUC since 1991. [22426]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 16 January 1998]: This information is not readily available and would incur disproportionate cost to provide.

  RUC (Equal Opportunities Unit)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will set out the(a) terms of reference, (b) key objectives and (c) measures of gauging the effectiveness of the Equal Opportunities Unit within the RUC. [22353]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 16 January 1998]: (a) The terms of reference for the RUC Equal Opportunities Unit are as follows:

  To ensure equality of opportunity in all areas including:

  Application

  Selection

  Training

  Promotion

  Deployment and any other areas.

  (b) The objectives of the RUC Equal Opportunities Unit are as follows:

  (1) To emphasise the force's commitment to equality of opportunity.

  (2) To ensure that recruitment methods and selection procedures are fair and free from bias.

  (3) To provide equal access to opportunities for promotion.

  (4) To ensure equal treatment in deployment.

  (5) To provide equal access to opportunities for transfer.

  (6) To provide access to opportunities for transfer.

  (7) To promote equality of opportunity through the implementation of positive action measures.

  (8) To investigate all job requirements and remove those which are unjustifiable.

  (9) To ensure all conditions of service are non-discriminatory.

  (10) To examine all initiatives which facilitate members to combine domestic and work commitments.

  (11) To deal with complaints of discrimination promptly and fairly.

  264

  (12) To implement systems to monitor the provision of equality of opportunity in the force.

  (c) The nature of the work of the Equal Opportunities Unit makes it difficult to measure the effectiveness of the Unit however the Unit reports tri-annually to the Fair Employment Commission and is also subject to regular inspection from Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary

  IT Equipment
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is her Department's policy regarding the recycling of information technology equipment within her Department and relevant agencies and to other Government departments or agencies; and what arrangements have been made in this respect. [23279]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  [holding answer 21 January 1998]: The policy of Northern Ireland Departments and the Northern Ireland Office on the recycling of redundant, but serviceable, information technology equipment is to relocate the equipment within the Department concerned and its Agencies. If this is not possible the equipment is offered to other Northern Ireland Departments and their Agencies.

TREASURY

  EU Finance Ministers
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the council meeting of the Economic and Finance Ministers of the European Union held on 19 January. [24943]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  I chaired the Economic and Finance Council—ECOFIN—of the European Union in Brussels on 19 January. The Economic Secretary represented the UK.

  I began by introducing my work programme to the Council, amplifying on the priorities I had previously indicated to them by letter (a copy of my letter to colleagues has been placed in the Library of the House). This session took the form of an open debate, and the Commission and other colleagues responded to my presentation, welcoming the Presidency's aims. During this discussion we touched on the financial situation in Asia, as well as my aims for economic reform in the Union, the preparations for Stage 3 of EMU, the economic and financial aspects of enlargement, and the need for budget discipline and increased vigilance against fraud and financial mismanagement in the context of the EC Budget.

  The Council considered the implementation of the Italian convergence programme, following up its conclusions in July of last year calling for a report to the Council once concrete budgetary measures had been defined in the 1998 Budget Law. Further Council Conclusions were agreed.

  The FISIM Regulation (Financial Intermediation Services Indirectly Measured) was agreed by simple majority.

  Oil and Gas Rigs
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on tax relief levels relating to oil and gas rig decommissioning; and what estimate he has made of the likely tax disbursements in respect of such decommissioning over the next 30 years. [24785]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Qualifying costs of decommissioning oil and gas installations are allowable for Petroleum Revenue Tax (PRT) purposes. They also attract a special 100 per cent. capital allowance for Corporation Tax (CT) purposes. The level of tax relief available for decommissioning the installations of a field therefore depends on the extent to which the field has paid PRT and the companies which own it pay CT.

  The Department of Trade and Industry currently estimates that the total costs of decommissioning existing offshore installations over the next 25 years could be in the region of £7 billion to £10 billion at today's prices. On average, about half those costs are expected to be met from the Exchequer by way of tax relief.

  Taxation
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many married couples would pay higher-rate tax if independent married women's tax was withdrawn and they were taxed jointly. [24957]

  Dawn Primarolo
  This would depend on what assumptions were made about the operation of joint taxation.

  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what receipts would be generated by(a) taxing child benefit at the basic rate, (b) taxing child benefit at the higher rate and (c) means-testing maternity benefits. [25007]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Information on the taxation of child benefit for 1998–99 is given in the table.

  Yield in a full rear (£ million)

  Child benefit taxed as:

  Father's or lone mother's income at

  (a) basic rate1

  1,200

  (b) higher rate2

  1,400

  Mother's or lone father's income at

  (a) basic rate1

  675

  (b) higher rate2

  700

  1 Benefit taxed at 20 per cent for taxpayers only paying lower rate of tax and at 23 per cent. for all other taxpayers.

  2 Benefit taxed at taxpayer's marginal rate.

  The effect of means testing Statutory Maternity Pay and other maternity benefits would depend on the precise system of means testing. Statutory Maternity Pay is liable to tax in the same way as other earnings.

  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Inland Revenue classifies child benefit as a tax relief paid in cash. [24958]

  Mr. Darling
  Child Benefit is classified in the national accounts as General Government Expenditure.
  266
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated amount of tax forgone by the Treasury since the introduction of independent married women's taxation. [24955]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I regret that such an analysis could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Self-Assessment
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Daventry of 1 July 1997,Official Report, column 112, what is his current estimate of the cost to the Inland Revenue of publicity in support of the move to self-assessment. [24739]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 22 January 1998]: Since the launch of the Self-Assessment public information programme in June 1995 about £19.5 million has been spent informing taxpayers of the changes.

  Banking Sector
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement concerning the banking sector, with particular reference to the status of the remaining building societies which have not converted to banks. [24987]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 23 January 1997]: The United Kingdom has a very successful banking sector, in which building societies continue to play an important part, providing mortgages and other financial services to millions of their members. The Government are aware how widespread the contribution of mutual is to the UK economy, through the competitive products offered by mutual insurers and friendly societies and through the competitive rates which building societies offer for savers and borrowers.

  Higher Personal Tax Allowance
  Mr. Martin Bell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate how much additional taxation would have been raised in 1997–98 if the higher personal tax allowance for(a) people aged 65 to 74 years and (b) people aged 75 years and over had been abolished. [25746]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The estimated full year yields at 1997–98 income levels from abolishing the age related personal allowance would be £470 million for those aged 65 to 74 years and £330 million for those aged 75 years and over. These figures represent the excess of the aged personal allowance over the non-aged personal allowance.

  VAT on Fuel
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the total cost of reducing VAT on fuel to 5 per cent; and how much of this sum will accrue to each decile of the income distribution. [24683]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 26 January 1998]: The cost of reducing VAT on domestic fuel from 8 per cent. to 5 per cent. is estimated to be £485 million in 1998–99. This is split between income deciles in the table together with the gain to households as a percentage of their net income.

  267

  Income decile

  Cost (£ million)

  Percentage of net household income

  Bottom

  45

  0.30

  2

  45

  0.20

  3

  45

  0.20

  4

  45

  0.15

  5

  45

  0.15

  6

  45

  0.10

  7

  50

  0.10

  8

  50

  0.10

  9

  55

  0.10

  Top

  60

  0.05

  Average

  485

  0.10

  The information is based on Family Expenditure Survey data. The cash in the table has been rounded to the nearest £5 million. The percentages have been rounded to the nearest 0.05 per cent.

  EU Programmes (Underspends)
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a breakdown of each of the underspends on EU programmes which provided the £400 million distributed to pensioners in the July 1997 Budget. [25247]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 26 January 1998]: The saving on the UK's net contribution to the EC which my right hon. Friend announced in November reflected the difference between the forecast of net payments to EC Institutions in the previous Government's expenditure plans for 1997–98 and the actual net payments the Government now expects to make for 1997–98, which are based on more recent information. The saving was therefore not directly derived from specific items of underspending in the EC Budget; indeed the previous forecast published in November 1996 Financial Statement and Budget Report had assumed an element of underspending.

  That said, underspending in the main areas of the EC Budget in 1996 was as follows:

  Fund

  Mecu

  EAGGF

  2,284

  Structural Operations

  1,394

  Training etc., Energy etc., internal market and research

  722

  External action

  985

  Administration

  578

  Source:

  Diagram VIII of the European Court of Auditor's report on the 1996 Community Budget.

  The 1996 underspend was reflected in reductions in the contributions actually made by Member States in 1997.

  Duty Free
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for North Thanet (Mr. Gale), of 1 December 1997,Official Report, column 94, on duty-free trade, if he will list the steps which duty and tax free shops in UK airports with only limited non-European Union international flights can take to adapt to the removal of intra-European Union duty free; and if he will make a statement. [25210]
  268
  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 27 January 1998]: The current extension of the intra-EU duty free regime to 30 June 1999 was agreed by the Council of Finance Ministers, in 1991, so as to allow duty free operators time to adjust and explore alternative ways of carrying on the business.

  Following abolition, operators currently engaged in intra-EU duty free trade who wish to carry on their business will have to adopt their operations to dealing in goods on a duty and tax paid basis.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received concerning the impact of the abolition of intra-European Union duty free on(a) the viability of European flights from Scottish and regional United Kingdom airports, (b) employment in Scottish and regional United Kingdom airports and (c) the cost of European flights from Scottish and regional United Kingdom airports. [25209]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 27 January 1998]: I have received a number of representations from various airport authorities within the United Kingdom including Scotland. These representations include, among other things, the viability and cost of European flights and the effect on employment.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to press for a continuation of duty-free sales within the European Union until there has been an equalisation of alcohol duties between the member states of the European Union; what plans he has to discuss this issue with European Treasury ministers in the course of the United Kingdom presidency of the European Union; and if he will make a statement. [25208]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 27 January 1998]: The Government have no plans to use the UK Presidency to press for a continuation of duty free sales. However, the UK will not stand in the way of any proposal for a Commission study particularly if this were also to examine the nature of any successor regime to duty free. The equalisation of duties and taxes was not a factor in the decision taken by the Council of Finance Ministers towards the end of 1991 to allow duty-free shopping to continue after 1 January 1993 to 30 June 1999.

  Barristers and Solicitors (Taxation)
  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what research he has commissioned into the effect that the proposed removal of the cash basis income tax system for banisters and self-employed solicitors will have upon (i) the financial viability of the Bar and solicitors' profession, (ii) individuals in legal practice and (iii) the public's access to justice; and if he will publish it. [25763]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 27 January 1998]: The Inland Revenue issued a press release on 22 December 1997 inviting comments on the proposal to withdraw the cash basis practices available to professional businesses. The responses will enable the Government to identify those affected and allow them to explain the effect of the proposal. The responses received will then be considered as in any consultative exercise.
  269
  If anyone wishes to make representations and has not already done so, these should be sent not later than 14 February 1998 to: Crispin Taylor, Inland Revenue, Business Profits Division, Room 439, 22 Kingsway, London WC2B 6NR.

  Pre-paid Funerals
  Mr. Caplin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will ensure that pre-paid funerals are subject to regulation by the new Financial Services Authority. [24800]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  [holding answer 21 January 1998]: The Government plan to ensure that consumers who purchased their funerals in advance are adequately protected. I am urgently considering how this can best be achieved.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  International Criminal Court
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress of the Preparatory Committee of the United Nations General Assembly on the establishment of an International Criminal Court, indicating whether Her Majesty's Government will provide financial support to help create such an institution. [25525]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The December 1997 session of the Preparatory Committee made good progress on negotiating a Statute for the International Criminal Court. However, many issues have yet to be resolved. At the next session in March and at the Diplomatic Conference in June-July we will work actively to advance the negotiations so that a Treaty can be signed at the end of the Conference. Through the EU we have contributed funds to assist Governments of Least Developed Countries to participate in the Conference.

  South Africa
  Mr. Sarwar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on British relations with South Africa. [25645]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The relationship thrives on many levels. The UK is South Africa's largest trading partner; there are close political links across a wide range of issues; we have a major development programme in South Africa; and cultural and sporting ties abound and have expanded since the 1994 changes. Recent highlights included President Mandela's two visits to the UK last year, the Prince of Wales's visit to South Africa in November, and Deputy President Mbeki's visit to London for the first meeting of the UK/South Africa Bilateral Forum.

  Scottish Executive
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 20 January 1998,Official Report, column 469, what representations he has received from other Government Departments concerning the format and aims of a non-statutory agreement between his Department and the
  270
  Scottish Executive; if he will list the number of representations from each Department; and if he will make a statement; [25588]

  (2) in what areas the non-statutory agreement between his Department and the Scottish Executive will give the lead role in policy formation to his Department; to what extent it will include mechanisms to harmonise policy between Scotland and his Department on devolved matters; and if he will make a statement; [25587]

  (3) if he will publish the most recent drafts of non-statutory agreements with the Scottish Executive; when he proposes to publish the final document; and if the agreement will operate on a trial basis; [25586]

  (4) pursuant to his answer of 20 January 1998, Official Report, column 469, when discussions began in his Department concerning the draft non-statutory agreement with the Scottish Executive; on what dates discussions took place; and who was present at such meetings. [25585]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 27 January 1998]: Discussions are being held between departments, both at official level and Ministerial level, on all matters relating to non-statutory agreements between the UK Government and the Scottish Executive. In most cases, these discussions are in their early stages in the light of the fact that such agreements cannot be finalised until the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Executive are established. Parliament will be kept informed of progress on these matters.

  Argentina (Arms Embargo)
  Dr. Stoate
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if there have been any recent exceptions to the arms embargo on Argentina. [26529]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We have recently granted an exception to the embargo relating to the sale of spare parts for the Argentine icebreaker, the Almirante Irizar. This represents an exception but not a change to the embargo.

  Geneva Conventions
  Dr. Stoate
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the ratification of the additional protocols to the Geneva Conventions. [26530]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I am pleased to be able to inform the House that the United Kingdom instruments of ratification of the two Additional Protocols of 1977 to the Geneva Conventions of 1949 for the Protection of War Victims are today being deposited with the Swiss authorities in Berne.

  The necessary legislation, the Geneva Conventions (Amendment) Act 1995, received the Royal Assent on 19 July 1995.

  A copy of the note accompanying the instrument of ratification has been placed in the Library of the House. The note contains the statements made by the United Kingdom on ratification of Additional Protocol I on International Conflicts. In most cases these reflect similar statements made by the United Kingdom on signing Protocol I in 1977.
  271
  I wish to draw the attention of the House in particular to the statement concerning nuclear weapons, which is in the following terms:
  "It continues to be the understanding of the United Kingdom that the rules introduced by the Protocol apply exclusively to conventional weapons without prejudice to any other rules of international law applicable to other types of weapons. In particular, the rules so introduced do not have any effect on, and do not regulate or prohibit the use of nuclear weapons."

  Statements to similar effect have been made by NATO partners and others when ratifying Protocol I. They reflect the basis upon which the Conference which drew up Additional Protocol I took place and statements made at the Conference by the United Kingdom delegation among others.

  I would also draw the attention of the House to statement (m) on Articles 51 to 55 and statement (n) on Articles 56 and 85, paragraph 3c. These statements reserve our right to threaten reprisals if attacks were launched against our own civilians or civilian targets and remove the virtual immunity under the Protocol for attacks on dams, dykes and certain nuclear facilities such as nuclear power stations, even when they are a significant part of the enemy's war effort. Both reservations have been drafted with great care to show that these would be measures of last resort, to be decided upon only if all else had failed, and requiring high level authorisation. Our actions would still be subject to the classic rule of proportionality.

  I would also draw the attention of the House to statement (d) concerned with Article 1, paragraph 4 and Article 96, paragraph 3, which extend the application of the protocol to armed conflicts
  "in which peoples are fighting against colonial domination and alien occupation and against racist regimes in the exercise of their right of self-determination."

  To guard against the possibility that terrorist organisations may seek to misuse these provisions the statement makes clear that the term "armed conflict" is understood as denoting something clearly beyond the commission of ordinary crimes including acts of terrorism, and that the United Kingdom will not be bound, in relation to any situation in which the United Kingdom itself is involved, unless it expressly recognises the adversary as genuinely an authority representing a people engaged in an armed conflict of the type referred to in these Articles.

  In accordance with the powers conferred in Section 7 of the 1957 Geneva Convention Act, as amended by Section 4 (7) of the Geneva Conventions (Amendment) act 1995, the Government will certify in an Order in Council the terms of the statements made on ratification.

  Article 90 of Additional Protocol I establishes an International Fact-finding Commission and provides that the High Contracting Parties may at the time of ratification or subsequently declare that they recognise, in relation to any other High Contracting Party accepting the same obligation, the competence of the Commission to inquire into allegations by such other party of facts alleged to be a grave breach or serious violation of the Conventions or the Protocol. The Government intend to make a declaration of acceptance of the competence of the Fact-finding Commission. It will be necessary first
  272
  to bring before the House legislation to confer upon the members of the Commission and their staff the necessary privileges and immunities.

  Algeria
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings have been held by his Department and British Embassy staff in Algiers with representatives of oil or gas companies operating in Algeria; and what was discussed at these meetings. [26016]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We hold regular discussions with British energy companies that operate in Algeria, as we do with many British companies who have major interests abroad. The agenda usually covers the political situation including security and human rights, and economic developments.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he and his Ministers have held with the French Government in respect of policy towards Algeria. [26013]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We hold regular discussions with the French Government on many aspects of foreign policy at all levels, both bilaterally and in the context of the Common Foreign and Security Policy of the European Union. Algeria is one of the subjects discussed.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he and his ministers have held with the Organisation of African Unity concerning the situation in Algeria. [26020]

  Mr. Fatchett
  There have been no such recent discussions.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the proposals from the EU Troika to restore human rights in Algeria; and if he will make a statement. [26015]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The Troika's proposals to the General Affairs Council concentrated on improving dialogue between the EU and Algeria, on encouraging greater transparency on the part of the Algerian authorities and on encouraging democratisation, including through parliamentary exchanges. These measures will help in improving the situation of the Algerian people. They were approved by the General Affairs Council on 26 January.

  Roma People
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings he had with representatives of human rights groups and Roma peoples during his visit to the Czech Republic. [26019]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary did not hold any meetings with representatives of human rights groups or Roma organisations during his visit to Prague in November. He discussed the situation of the Czech Roma minority in his meetings with President Havel and the Czech Foreign Minister as well as raising the issue in a speech at the Bohemia Foundation. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary said that the Czech Government needed to address those issues which led the Roma to believe they had no future in the Czech Republic.

  Arms Embargoes
  Mr. Andy King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list all arms embargoes currently implemented by the United Kingdom, indicating their scope; and if he will make a statement. [26140]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The United Kingdom currently enforces eighteen arms embargoes. Under the United Nations Charter, we have a legally binding obligation to enforce arms embargoes imposed by the Security Council under Article 41 of the Charter. Other embargoes are imposed on a national basis or following agreement within the European Union (EU) or the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (formerly CSCE).

  Under UK law, binding UN embargoes are implemented by prohibiting the export of goods and technology on the Military List which forms Part III to Schedule 1 of the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994, as amended. In addition, the supply of such items from the UK or supply abroad by UK registered companies and nationals is prohibited by Orders in Council under the United Nations Act 1946. From time to time, the contents of the Military List may change, for example, to reflect technological advances or continuing international efforts to counter the proliferations of weapons of mass destruction. Orders in Council extend such embargoes to the Crown Dependencies and the Dependent Territories. A licence is required for each export or supply from the UK or abroad by a UK registered company or national.

  National embargoes and those agreed in the EU and the OSCE prohibit only the export of goods covered by the embargo. With the exception of the embargoes on China and Iran, the UK interprets the scope of all such embargoes to cover goods and technology on the Military List as defined above.

  There are currently seven binding UN arms embargoes:
  Angola (a), Iraq (b), Liberia (c), Libya (d) Rwanda (e), Somalia (f) and Sierra Leone (g).

  There are currently seven EU embargoes:
  Afghanistan (h), Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (i), Burma (j), China (k), Nigeria (1), Sudan (m) and Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire) (n).

  The UK currently implements two embargoes as a result of decisions by the OSCE:
  Armenia (o) and Azerbaijan (p).

  There are currently two national embargoes:
  Argentina (q) and Iran (r).

  I shall keep the House informed of current arms embargoes and their scope on a yearly basis. All new embargoes or any amendments to existing embargoes will be announced at the time. We shall also shortly be laying in the Library of the House a revised list of all UK policy commitments to control strategic exports, including embargoes. An updated version will be laid in the Library annually (or more frequently if policy change requires a revision). This statement will also be used to inform British industry.
  274
  Footnotes:

  (a) Implemented in the UK on 1 October 1993. Products covered by the scope of the embargo can be supplied through named points of entry on a list provided by the Government of Angola;

  (b) Implemented in the UK on 9 August 1990 as part of comprehensive trade sanctions;

  (c) Implemented in the UK on 22 July 1993;

  (d) Implemented in the UK on 15 April 1992 as part of a range of sanctions (following an EU arms embargo imposed on 14 April 1986);

  (e) Implemented in the UK on 24 June 1994. The embargo does not apply to the sale or supply of arms and related material if under licence to the Government of Rwanda. But it does cover the sale or supply of arms and material to persons in States neighbouring Rwanda (i.e., Burundi, Tanzania, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo) if that sale or supply is for the purpose of the use of such arms or material within Rwanda;

  (f) Implemented in the UK on 22 July 1993;

  (g) Implemented in the UK on 1 November 1997;

  (h) Implemented in the UK on 17 December 1996;

  (i) Implemented in the UK on 26 February 1996. This embargo does not extend to transfers of equipment need for demining activities;

  (j) Implemented in the UK on 29 July 1991;

  (k) Implemented in the UK on 26 June 1989 (although a national embargo was announced on 6 June 1989). In the absence of agreement amongst EU partners on its scope, interpretation of the embargo was left to national discretion. The UK interprets this embargo to include:

  lethal weapons such as machine guns, large calibre weapons, bombs, torpedoes, rockets and missiles;

  specially designed components of the above, an ammunition;

  military aircraft and helicopters, vessels of war, armoured fighting vehicles and other such weapons platforms; and

  any equipment which is likely to be used for internal repression

  (l) Implemented in the UK on 20 November 1995 (although a
  national embargo was announced on 11 November 1995);

  (m) Implemented in the UK on 15 March 1994;

  (n) Implemented in the UK on 7 April 1993;

  (o) Implemented in the UK on 28 February 1992;

  (p) Implemented in the UK on 28 February 1992;

  (q) Implemented on 3 April 1982;

  (r) Implemented on 1 March 1993. In addition to the Military List as defined above, the scope of this embargo also covers items entered in Group 0 in Annex 1 of European Council Decision 94/942/CFSP on the export of dual-use goods, as amended.

  There are two exceptions to this embargo:

  goods essential for the safety of civil aircraft and air traffic control systems;

  radioactive material in the form of sources for medical equipment and deuterium labelled compounds for medical use.

  Licences are not approved for any equipment where there is knowledge or reason to suspect that it would go to a military end-user or be used for military purposes. The exception is equipment which would not normally require an export licence but is deemed licensable under the Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) end-use control and where WMD concerns are not subsequently substantiated.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Political Parties
  Ms Christine Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the funding and registration of political parties. [26514]

  Mr. Straw
  The Government are committed to reforming the system of party funding. On 12 November 1997, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister asked the Committee on Standards in Public Life, chaired by Lord Neill, to review issues in relation to the funding of political parties and recommend any changes in present arrangements. At that time, it was the Government's intention to legislate in this Session to deliver our manifesto commitment to ban foreign funding of political parties and to demand disclosure of donations above £5,000.

  Since then, Lord Neill and the members of his Committee have reached the view that it would be preferable for the Government not to proceed with the funding aspects of proposed legislation at the same time. In a letter to me, dated 26 January, Lord Neill explained why he is particularly concerned about simultaneous consideration of these issues by Parliament and the Committee.

  In response, I have therefore decided not to introduce legislation on the funding of political parties in this Session of Parliament. I have placed in the Library a copy of Lord Neill's letter, together with a copy of my reply.

  Lord Neill has made it clear that the Committee is considering not whether the Government's two specific manifesto commitments should be fulfilled, but how best to do so. The Government remain firmly committed to legislate in this area and will bring forward proposals in the light of the recommendations of the Neill Committee. This will enable us to bring forward a comprehensive and effective package of measures.

  The registration of political parties is necessary to enable the electoral systems proposed for the European Parliament, the Scottish Parliament and the Welsh Assembly to function effectively and to deal with misleading descriptions on ballot papers. I intend to introduce the Bill on this subject later in this Session.

  Asylum Seekers (Algeria)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what discussions he or his Ministers or officials have held with the UNHCR on the situation facing people seeking refuge from Algeria; and if he will make a statement; [26007]

  (2) what discussions he has held with the Refugee Council, the Refugee Legal Centre, the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants and others concerning the situation facing asylum seekers from Algeria; and if he will make a statement. [26006]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  In the six-month period between 1 July and 31 December 1997, a total of 435 applications for asylum in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants, were lodged by nationals of Algeria. During the same period, a total of 265 decisions, excluding dependants, were made on asylum applications lodged by Algerian nationals. Of these, 80 (30 per cent.) were to grant asylum,276
  five (2 per cent.) were to refuse asylum but grant exceptional leave and 180 (68 per cent.) were to refuse both asylum and exceptional leave.

  Provisional data indicate that, during the period 1 July to 31 December 1997, a total of 68 Algerian asylum seekers were removed or made voluntary departures from the United Kingdom. Of these, a total of 13 persons, who had been refused asylum in the United Kingdom, were removed to Algeria. During the same period, a further five asylum seekers were recorded as having made a voluntary departure to Algeria. Many of the others have been removed, or have made voluntary departures, to safe third countries. The available data exclude any in-country applicants who make a voluntary departure prior to the initiation of enforcement action.

  All asylum applications are considered in accordance with the United Kingdom's international obligations under the 1951 United Nations Convention on the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol, and the risk to the individual is assessed on its merits. In addition, if the granting of asylum is not appropriate, consideration is given to whether there are compelling humanitarian reasons to grant permission to remain in the United Kingdom exceptionally. In cases of applications from Algerian citizens, particular care is being taken in the light of the current situation in Algeria.

  Both Ministers and officials receive and take account of advice and information from the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on this. Information provided by non-governmental organisations is regularly reviewed by the Country Information and Policy Unit of the Asylum Directorate. Although no specific meetings have been held to discuss the situation in Algeria with members of the various refugee groups, such as the Refugee Council, they have expressed their concerns to Ministers in a wider context. In addition, we have invited a number of organisations closely connected with the asylum determination process to discuss country information issues.

  The cases of all rejected asylum seekers from Algeria will be reviewed individually just before removal, in the light of detailed advice from UNHCR, and to take account of the latest information and advice from other sources. No one will be returned to Algeria unless it is reasonable to believe that they could be so safely. A declaration of upheaval under the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996 will be made if the situation in Algeria is such as to constitute an upheaval throughout the country.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Algerian asylum seekers are currently held in detention under immigration law; and if he will make a statement on his policy in this respect. [26008]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  A total of 53 Algerian nationals who had sought asylum at some stage were recorded as being detained solely under Immigration Act powers as at 5 January 1998 (port cases) and 6 January 1998 (after entry cases). Detention is used sparingly and only where there are good grounds for believing that a person will not comply with the terms of temporary admission, regardless of nationality.
  277
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list for each year since 1990(a) the number of asylum applications by Algerian nationals, (b) number granted asylum, (c) the number given exceptional leave to remain, (d) the number returned to Algeria and (e) the number removed to other countries. [26009]

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers have had their applications refused and been returned to Algeria during the last six months. [24580]

  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum applications have been received from Algerians over the past six months; and what percentage of these have been successful. [24842]

  Ms Drown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will review the treatment of asylum seekers from Algeria; [25916]

  (2) what plans he has to declare Algeria a country of upheaval under the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996. [25917]

  Applications1 received for asylum in the United Kingdom from nationals of Algeria, excluding dependants, initial decisions2,3, and removals/voluntary departures, for the years 1990 to 1997

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  Asylum applications1

  25

  45

  150

  275

  995

  1,865

  715

  715

  Decisions2.3

  5

  5

  20

  140

  440

  745

  1,880

  765

  Recognised as a refugee and granted asylum

  *

  n/a

  *

  10

  20

  15

  30

  105

  Not recognised as a refugee but granted exceptional leave to remain

  5

  *

  5

  10

  10

  10

  15

  5

  Total refused

  *

  5

  10

  115

  410

  720

  1,835

  655

  Removals

  n/a

  n/a

  25

  51

  90

  145

  198

  162

  port4.5

  n/a

  n/a

  14

  18

  37

  84

  101

  86

  in country6.7

  n/a

  n/a

  11

  33

  43

  61

  97

  76

  1 Provisional figures rounded to the nearest 5 with "*"= 1 or 2 and n/a = not available.

  2 Decision figures do not necessarily relate to applications made in same year.

  3 Information is of initial decisions, excluding the outcome of appeals or other subsequent decisions

  4 Includes any voluntary departure up to and including notification of the decisionon the asylum application but excludes any subsequent departure.

  5 Data for 1995 to 1997 taken from December 1997 extract of the ALU system.

  6 Includes removals under enforcement powers and those departing voluntarily following enforcement action but excludes all other voluntary departures.

  7 Data for 1995 to 1997 taken from December 1997 extract of the HOMES system.

  Police Raids
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will institute an inquiry into the leak to a journalist of explicit details of some of the targets of police raids on 21 November 1997 initiated by the Paedophile Unit of the Metropolitan Police. [25776]

  Mr. Michael
  This is an operational matter for the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis. He tells me that a full investigation is going on. Wiltshire Constabulary tell me it has also conducted its own internal inquiry into this matter. As I understand it from the Commissioner, the role of the Metropolitan Police was to
  278
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The available information is given in the table.

  I regret that comprehensive data on the final destination of those Algerian asylum seekers removed from the United Kingdom since 1990 could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, a recent exercise indicated that, of the 68 Algerian asylum seekers who were removed (or departed voluntarily) between 1 July and 31 December 1997, 13 were removed to Algeria and a further five were recorded as having made a voluntary departure to that country. Many of the others have been removed, or have made voluntary departures, to safe third countries. These data are provisional and exclude any in-country applicants who make a voluntary departure prior to the initiation of enforcement action.

  Asylum Seekers (Roma People)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what meetings there have been between representatives of Roma people from the Czech and Slovak republics and Ministers or officials from his Department during the past year. [26017]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  None, but I have spoken to refugee groups who have dealings with the Roma people from the Czech and Slovak Republics.

  act as a facilitator in the co-ordination of intelligence in the raids. The raids involved staff from eight police forces.

  Civil Service Staff
  Mr. Rhodri Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of Civil Service staff of grade 5 and above within his Department(a) have spent their entire civil service career within his Department, (b) have had secondments to (i) the private sector and (ii) other departments and (c) have come from other departments. [26029]
  279
  Mr. Straw
  There are 135 members of the Senior Civil Service (SCS) currently in post within my Department and its agencies. This includes eight SCS members who are currently on loan to the Home Office from other Departments.

  Of the 127 SCS members with a Home Office background:

  (a) 79 (62 per cent.)1 have spent their entire career within the Home Office, including the agencies. (Of these, 34 (27 per cent.)1 have spent their entire career within the Department, excluding the agencies);

  (b) 48 (38 per cent.)1 have, whilst in the senior grades, spent time away from the Department either on secondment to the private sector or on loan to other Departments.

  Currently there is:

  (i) one member of the SCS on secondment to the private sector; and

  (ii) 22 (17 per cent.)' on loan to other Departments.

  (c) 8 SCS members are currently on loan to the Home Office from other Departments.

  1 Percentages have been rounded to the nearest whole number.

  Prison Officers
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many hours training are given to prison officers and prison custody officers at each of the privately managed prisons prior to taking up their duties; and if he will make a statement. [25049]

  Ms Quin
  The number of hours of initial training received by prison officers at directly managed prisons and by prisoner custody officers (PCOs) at each of the privately managed prisons is:

  Prison officers at directly managed prisons

  312 hours training at the Prison Service College and 117 hours induction and familiarisation at the prison

  PCOs, Her Majusty's Prison (HMP) Altcourse

  347 hours initial training at the prison

  PCOs, Her Majesty's Prison (HMP) Blakenhurst

  320 hours initial training at the prison

  PCOs, Her Majesty's Prison (HMP) Buckley Hall

  309 hours initial training at the prison

  PCOs, Her Majesty's prison (HMP) Doncaster

  280 hours initial training at the prison

  PCO, Her Majesty's Prison (HMP) Parc

  350 hours initial training at the prison

  PCOs, Her Majesty's Prison (HMP) Wolds

  320 hours initial training at the prison

  In all cases at contractually managed prisons there is additional training reflecting the specific nature of the tasks to be undertaken by individual members of staff.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the salary maxima and minima for(a) prison officers, (b) prison custody officers working in the Greater London area and (c) prison custody officers in each of the privately managed prisons; and if he will make a statement. [25118]
  280
  Ms Quin
  The annual salary for prison officers is £14,863 minimum up to £20,499 maximum; in addition there are three rates of London Weighting and London Supplement as follows:

  London Weighting (£)

  London Supplement (£)

  Inner

  1,776

  508

  Intermediate

  1,015

  330

  Outer

  736

  264

  The annual salary for basic grade prisoner custody officers at privately managed prisons is as follows:

  £

  Prison

  Minimum

  Maximum

  Altcourse

  13,000 flat rate1

  Blakenhurst

  13,500

  15,370

  Buckley Hall

  13,000

  13,860

  Doncaster

  13,500

  15,312

  Parc

  14,000 flat rate1

  Wolds

  13,000

  16,807

  1 A single flat rate of pay is currently paid to prisoner custody officers at Her Majesty's Prison Altcourse and Her Majesty's Prison Parc because the prisons opened on 1 December 1997 and 17 November 1997 respectively.

  There are no privately managed prisons in the Greater London area, but the annual salary for basic grade prisoner custody officers employed on the court escort and custody service in the Metropolitan Police District is £11,501 minimum rising to £15,065 maximum.

  Scottish Executive
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 20 January,Official Report, column 513, what representations he has received from Government Departments concerning the format and aims of a non-statutory agreement between his Department and the Scottish Executive; how many representations were received from each department; and if he will make a statement. [25510]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We have received no such representations. There can be no agreement between the Home Office and the Scottish Executive until the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Executive are established. Parliament will be kept informed of progress on these matters.

  Parc Prison, Bridgend
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what costs have been incurred by the Prison Service in respect of unoccupied prisoner places ordered from the managing contractor at Her Majesty's Prison Parc, Bridgend; when he expects the prison to be fully occupied; and if he will make a statement. [25048]
  281
  Ms Quin
  Her Majesty's Prison Parc, Bridgend, opened with the provision of 50 available prisoner places on 17 November 1997, four weeks ahead of programme.

  In the first four weeks of operation, the prisoner population at Parc increased in line with the contractual programme of 50 per week. During the four-week period commencing 15 December 1997, the number of prisoners sent to Parc by the courts dropped significantly as a result of the usual seasonal downturn over the Christmas/new year period, which resulted in an overall fall of about 2,400 in the number of prisoners held in England and Wales. Some prisoners were transferred to Parc from Cardiff and Swansea prisons but, because overcrowding had reduced nationally, it was decided on operational grounds not to disrupt prisoners by transferring them over long distances during December to prisons where there were vacancies or where population pressures were much lower, such as Her Majesty's Prison Parc.

  The prisoner population at Parc is now building up at a rate agreed between the Prison Service and the contractor, and full occupancy of 800 places is expected to be achieved no later than the week commencing 23 March 1998.

  The cost to the Prison Service of unused places at Parc, from opening date to 21 January 1998 inclusive, is £368,000.

  Electronic Tagging
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) men and (b) women were electronically tagged in 1997; and what was the total cost. [25434]

  Ms Quin
  During 1997, curfew orders enforced by electronic monitoring were imposed on 516 men and 49 women. Of these, 11 men and three women had two separate curfew orders imposed on them during the year.

  Because of considerations of commercial confidentiality, it would not be appropriate to publish details of the payments made to contractors which are the major part of the costs of curfew orders enforced by electronic monitoring.

  However, we estimate that the average cost of a curfew order enforced by electronic monitoring would be around £1,900, if the scheme were available throughout England and Wales.

  Television Licence (Fine Defaulters)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people served a prison sentence during 1997 for television licence fine default; and if he will make a statement. [25433]
  282
  Ms Quin
  Provisional information indicates that 234 people (173 males and 61 females) were received into prison during 1997 in default of payment of a fine for using a television without a licence.

  Security Service Files
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 20 January 1998,Official Report, column 520, on Security Service files, what central guidance on the preservation of records of likely historical interest is currently being given to the Director General of the Security Service in addition to the requirements of the Public Records Act 1958. [25438]

  Mr. Straw
  The Security Service seeks guidance from the Public Record Office (PRO) as it deems necessary. The PRO has recently approved the criteria used by the Service in identifying records of historical interest.

  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 20 January 1998,Official Report, columns 519–20, whether individuals who were or later became hon. Members and/or Ministers will automatically have their Security Service files preserved in accordance with the criteria that they were individuals involved in important historical events. [25439]

  Mr. Straw
  As I made clear in my reply of 20 January 1998 Official Report, columns 519–20, each file reviewed by the Security Service is examined individually and considered on its merits against the criteria currently in force.

  Immigration and Asylum
  Mr. Burnett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 22 December,Official Report, columns 548–50, on immigration cases, how many of the applications for leave to apply for judicial review made in 1996 and 1997, but recorded as having lapsed, were (a) refused on the papers and not renewed, (b) granted leave but no notice of motion was subsequently lodged and (c) withdrawn or otherwise not proceeded with. [24963]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I regret that this information could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

  Asylum Appeals
  Mr. Burnett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how any applications for leave to appeal to the Immigration Appeal Tribunal in respect of a refusal of asylum were made in 1997; how many such applications were determined in 1997; and how many such applications were(a) granted and (b) dismissed; [25124]

  (2) how many appeals to the Immigration Appeal Tribunal in respect of a refusal of asylum were (a) made and (b) determined in 1997; and how many such appeals were (i) allowed, (ii) dismissed and (iii) withdrawn; [25126]

  (3) how many appeals against a refusal of asylum were made to and determined by adjudicators of the Immigration Appeals Authority in 1997; and how many such appeals were (a) allowed, (b) dismissed, (c) withdrawn and (d) referred to the Secretary of State for further consideration. [25127]
  283
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The information requested is given in the tables.

  Table 1: Asylum appeals made to and determined by the adjudicators of the Immigration Appeals Authority, 19971

  Number

  Appeals received in the Home Office

  20,950

  Appeals determined by the IAA2

  21,090

  of which:

  Allowed3

  1,135

  Dismissed3

  18,255

  Withdrawn3

  1,660

  Without foundation appeals referred to Secretary of State for further consideration3

  40

  1 Provisional figures rounded to the nearest 5, with * = 1 or 2.

  2, Source: Lord Chancellor's Department.

  3 Breakdown based on Asylum Directorate data.

  Table 2: Applications for leave to appeal to the Immigration Appeal Tribunal in respect of a refusal of asylum, 19971,2,3

  Number

  Applications for leave to appeal

  9,160

  Applications decided4

  8,470

  of which:

  Granted4

  1,560

  Refused4

  6,910

  Withdrawn4

  *

  1 Provisional figures rounded to the nearest 5, with * = 1 or 2.

  2 Source: Lord Chancellor's Department.

  3 Excludes applications for leave to appeal made by the Secretary of State.

  4 Estimates based on LCD data and adjusted to excluded applications made by the Secretary of State.

  Table 3: Appeals to the Immigration Appeal Tribunal in respect of a refusal of asylum, 19971,2,3

  Appeals received4

  1,570

  Total determined

  805

  of which:

  Allowed

  55

  Dismissed

  305

  Withdrawn

  —

  Remitted to adjudicators for further consideration

  445

  1 Provisional figures rounded to the nearest 5, with * = 1 or 2.

  2 Source: Lord Chancellor's Department.

  3 Excludes appeals lodged by the Secretary of State.

  4 Estimate based on LCD data and adjusted to excluded appeals lodged by the Secretary of State.

  Fire Services (London)
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the current provision of fireboat services on the River Thames; and what plans he has to review it; [25227]

  (2) what are the criteria for establishing at which emergencies it is appropriate to call on fireboat services. [25228]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Fireboat services form part of the pre-determined attendance for known riverside risks and large scale riverside incidents. This might include riverside fires or those in vessels, mid-stream collisions 284
  or assistance in pumping water from the River Thames for firefighting purposes. The provision of such services is a mater for the fire authority.

  Fireboat services in London are currently provided by a boat called the London Phoenix with another boat, the Fire Hawk, in reserve. The brigade has recently reviewed its arrangements with a view to improving the effectiveness of its response on the River Thames. In accordance with section 19(4) of the Fire Services Act 1947, the London Fire and Civil Defence Authority has sought my right hon. Friend's approval to change the way the service is provided in future. This would be based on the use of smaller, more flexible craft.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) pumping and (b) special appliances were on operational duty with the London Fire and Civil Defence Authority on 1 Janaury 1998. [25235]

  Mr. George Howarth
  I understand from the London Fire and Civil Defence Authority that 177 pumping appliances and 47 special appliances were operational in London on 1 January 1998. The number of special appliances has since been reduced by one as the fireboat tender has been damaged and is not currently in service.

  Probation Service
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what new targets he proposes to set for the performance of the Probation Service. [24972]

  Ms Quin
  The probation service key performance indicators (KPIs) and the targets that have been set for them in 1998–99 are shown below. These KPIs will apply throughout 1998–99 but are subject to review following the Comprehensive Spending Review:

  KPI Definitions

  Targets

  KPI 1

  The actual reconviction rates for persons subject to community orders by type of order compared with the predicted rates

  To lower the actual reconviction rates for all types of order and achieve rates lower than those predicted

  KPI 2

  The proportion of supervision cases where the first contact with offenders is within national standards time limits

  80 per cent, for probation orders, 80 per cent, for Community Service orders, and 90 per cent, for licences

  KPI

  The proportion of relevant supervision cases in which breach action is taken in accordance with national standards requirements (on or before a third unacceptable failure)

  90 per cent.

  KPI 4

  The proportion of pre-sentence reports (PSRs) completed in the timescale set down by the commissioning court

  95 per cent.

  KPI 5

  The proportion of welfare reports completed within 10 weeks of receipt of papers by the service

  95 per cent.

  285

  KPI Definitions

  Targets

  KPI 6

  The proportion of magistrates satisfied with

  (a) 90 per cent.

  (a) the work of the service overall (a) and (b) the overall usefulness of PSRs

  (b) 90 per cent.

  KPI 7

  Unit costs:

  (a) unit cost per PSR

  £400

  (b) unit cost per welfare report

  £900

  (c) annual unit cost per community order: probation order

  £1,750

  Community Service order

  £1,300

  supervision order

  £1,200

  combination order

  £3,350

  (d) annual unit cost of Automatic Conditional Release licences

  £1,050

  KPI 8

  The proportion of bedspaces in approved hostels which are occupied

  83 per cent

  Casino Licences
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to increase the number of casino licenses. [25005]

  Mr. George Howarth
  My right hon. Friend is responsible for regulations prescribing in which area casinos may operate: within those areas individual licence applications go to the local licensing authorities.

  We have been considering the previous Government's proposals for adding some 20 new permitted areas to the 53 existing ones. We expect to make our views known shortly.

  Data Protection
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review the workings of the Data Protection Act 1984; and if he will make a statement. [25327]

  Mr. George Howarth
  A Data Protection Bill to give effect to the 1995 European Communities Data Protection Directive (95/46/EC) was introduced in the House of Lords on 14 January. This Bill repeals and replaces the Data Protection Act 1984.

  Remand Prisoners (Self-Harm)
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 12 January,Official Report, column 66, on incidents of self-harm among remanded 15 and 16-year-olds, in how many of the reported incidents of self-harming carried out by 15 and 16-year-olds on remand a F2052 SH self-harm at risk form had been opened prior to the incident of self-harm. [25929]

  Ms Quin
  Of the 17 reported incidents of deliberate self-harm among remanded 15 and 16-year-olds during the calendar year 1997, five had an F2052 SH self-harm at risk form opened prior to the incident of self-harm.

  Immigration Advisers
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the firms and advisers dealing with asylum and immigration cases who will be excluded from the official register of authorised immigration advisers. [25800]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We will consider whether or not to set up a register of authorised advisers when we have responses to the consultation paper which we published on 22 January.

PRIME MINISTER

  Government Records
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will open for public inspection at the Public Record Office files concerning the machinery of Government with the classmarks CAB 134/2024 and CAB 134/2025. [24506]

  The Prime Minister
  The files in question have been retained by the Cabinet Office on grounds of national security. They were last reviewed in 1995 to see if they could be released but that review confirmed the need to continue to withhold them. They will be reviewed again at regular intervals and when no longer sensitive will be released.

  Poor Countries
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Prime Minister what representations he made to the Japanese Government to support the Chancellor's initiative to relieve the debt of highly indebted poor countries. [25409]

  The Prime Minister
  The Chancellor raised the issue in a meeting with Japanese Finance Ministry representatives prior to my visit to Tokyo. The subject has been also raised in a number of the other recent meetings between the British and Japanese Governments, most recently during the visit of the Secretary of State for International Development to Japan. My colleagues and I continue to press all members of the international community to support the objectives that my right hon. Friend outlined in Mauritius at the Commonwealth Finance Ministers' meeting.

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Prime Minister what limits he has placed on the costs incurred by Ministers travelling with their spouses or partners to be borne by the Exchequer. [25424]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 26 January 1998]: All my Ministers are required to be cost-conscious when arranging their travel plans, irrespective of whether they are accompanied or not. Public funds may only be used when it is clearly in the public interest.

  Coal Industry
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Prime Minister if he was informed of the details of the agreement reached by the Paymaster General with the power generators to ensure more British coal is burned in the second quarter of 1998. [25425]
  287
  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 26 January 1998]: I am fully aware, as are interested colleagues, of the role played by the Paymaster General in facilitating discussions between the generators and coal companies and the outcome of those discussions.

  Ministers (Tax Affairs)
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Prime Minister in what circumstances he would remove from office a Minister whose tax affairs were under investigation. [25766]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 27 January 1998]: It is the longstanding practice that Ministers may only remain in office for so long as they retain the confidence of the Prime Minister.

  Engagements
  Sir Peter Tapsell
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 28 January. [24112]

  The Prime Minister
  This morning I had meetings with Ministerial colleagues and others. Later today I shall have further such meetings.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Minimum Wage
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will assess the advantages and disadvantages of extending the national minimum wage to British-financed and British-managed aid projects overseas. [23867]

  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will assess the advantages and disadvantages of applying the United Kingdom national minimum wage to foreign workers employed on projects funded with British aid. [23877]

  Mr. Foulkes
  There is obviously no plan to extend Britain's national minimum wage world-wide but we are working to promote respect for the International Labour Organisation's core labour standards throughout the world.

  Southern Africa
  Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what measures she is taking to strengthen the links between the European Community and the Southern Africa Development Community. [23868]

  Clare Short
  The UK Presidency will work to conclude the trade and co-operation agreement between South Africa and the European Union. We are also helping to prepare a joint seminar to help the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to benefit from globalisation and to increase the effectiveness of EU development assistance. There will be a SADC/EU Ministerial meeting later this year.

  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what are her priorities for aid to southern Africa. [23881]
  288
  Clare Short
  My priority across the region is to put the White Paper into practice. We will work with others to implement the international development targets through sustainable economic and social development, helping build and maintain efficient and accountable government and securing fair access to international markets for Southern African trade. Country programmes will be agreed with development partners and we will seek to co-ordinate our work more effectively with other donors.

  Students (Asia)
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the impact on the financial circumstances of students from Asian countries studying at UK universities, of the recent economic difficulties in Asia. [23869]

  Mr. Foulkes
  Detailed information on the impact of the recent economic difficulties in Asia on the financial circumstances of students from these countries is not available. It is likely to vary depending on individual students, country of origin, and source of funding.

  However, students funded by UK Government scholarship schemes should not experience financial difficulty as their fees, stipends and allowances are paid here in the UK in Sterling. Any cases of hardship will be dealt with on an individual basis.

  La Francophonie
  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with La Francophonie on international development issues. [23870]

  Clare Short
  I plan to meet Mr. Josselin, who is the French Development Minister, for the third time in February. French, Canadian and British officials will meet shortly to discuss closer co-operation with La Francophonie.

  Bosnia
  Mr. Bradshaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when she plans to visit Bosnia and Herzegovina to discuss aid to that region; and if she will make a statement. [23872]

  Clare Short
  I plan to visit Bosnia and Herzegovina from 1–4 February to consider how best my Department can support reconstruction and strengthen our efforts to encourage refugee return and reconciliation.

  Child Poverty
  Ms Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the Government's plans for tackling child poverty. [23874]

  Clare Short
  Every child has the right to enjoy basic health care, education, nutrition and shelter. Many millions of children in the world do not yet enjoy these rights. Support for the provision of these services for children, along with sustainable livelihoods for their parents, is a central part of my Department's work to meet the international poverty eradication targets. Enjoyment of these rights also means ensuring children are protected
  289
  from violence and abuse and participate in decisions which affect their lives. This includes support to the speedy eradication of intolerable forms of child labour.

  Sanctions
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to her answer of 10 December 1997,Official Report, column 615, what progress she is making in her review of the impact of sanctions on poor people. [23878]

  Clare Short
  The initial findings of the Department for International Development's internal review are still under consideration. I will write to my hon. Friend when the review has been completed.

  Company Donations
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proposals she has to encourage private sector companies to make financial donations to help alleviate poverty or develop the economy in under-developed countries. [23879]

  Clare Short
  Many private sector companies already use part of their profits for community programmes as well as matching their employees contributions to charities. Companies with operations in developing countries often make direct contributions in addition to the benefits they bring through their business activities. Some outstanding examples were recently recognised through the WorldAware Business Awards.

  We are consulting with private sector representative on how we can identify the replicate best practise and how we can encourage more inward investment.

  We are working with businesses and NGOs to encourage respect for ethical and environmental standards. The growth in ethical investment and consumer movements has great development potential.

  Poverty
  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action her Department takes to encourage employers in developing countries to pay wage levels to their employees which would help eradicate poverty in those countries; and if she will make a statement. [23880]

  Clare Short
  We made clear in our White Paper that we are working for the world wide acceptance of core labour standards. This includes a commitment to the principle that workers must be suitably rewarded for their work. We are promoting this in several ways, including through the ILO where we have recently agreed to provide resources for their More and Better Jobs for Women Programme.

  In November I approved a contribution to help set up the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) which will bring together the private sector, development NGO's and unions to work on the codes of practice many companies have for the goods they import. The codes incorporate ILO core standards and, among other things, aim to ensure that workers making the goods we buy are properly paid whether they work for a UK firm or for an independent supplier.

  Fair Trade Initiatives
  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what support she is giving to fair trade initiatives. [23882]

  Clare Short
  Fair trade initiatives help reduce poverty by ensuring that small producers get fair prices for their goods and also allow consumers to make choices that support development. I strongly support these initiatives and am very pleased fairly traded coffee is now available in the House of Commons. I hope other workplaces will follow suit.

  I am ready to consider requests for support. However, to succeed, fairly traded goods must be marketable on their merits. The best known in UK, Café Direct, has achieved commercial success without financial support from my Department.

  Zambia
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement about aid programmes to Zambia. [23883]

  Clare Short
  We are currently exploring whether we will be able to establish a partnership with the Government of Zambia, on the basis outlined in the White Paper on International Development.

  Debt Reduction
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with aid organisations relating to reduction of debts owed by developing countries. [23884]

  Clare Short
  My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer leads on debt policy, but my Department has a key interest in ensuring the rapid and flexible implementation of debt reduction measures for the poorest most-indebted countries. Debt relief, coupled with economic policies that benefit the poor, has an important part to play in creating the conditions for the sustained economic growth needed to eliminate poverty in poorer countries. We seek to work closely with other donors and creditors in order to achieve this objective. In recent weeks, I have had discussions with the development Ministries of most of our EU partners, the Japanese Foreign Ministry, and the President of the African Development Bank. Last month, the Chancellor and I met representatives of the churches and leading NGOs, to discuss how we would work together to make faster progress.

  European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the future of the EBRD. [23885]

  Clare Short
  Under the excellent leadership of Jacques de Larosiere, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has made a major contribution to promoting the transition to open market economies and to developing the private sector in central and eastern Europe and central Asia. M. Larosiere will retire as President on 31 January. We are actively seeking to have
  291
  a new President appointed as soon as possible and look forward to deepening still further the collaboration between the UK and EBRD on advancing an equitable and sustainable transition and thereby the living standards of the people in EBRD's region.

  Laos
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her Department's plans to support mine-clearance work in Laos. [23886]

  Clare Short
  We have provided nearly £700,000 for the clearance of unexploded ordnance and towards national capacity building in Laos since 1995. We intend to continue to support clearance projects within the national clearance programme during 1998 and are discussing specific proposals with the United Nations Development Programme.

  Zimbabwe
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action she proposes to take to oppose the confiscation by the Government of Zimbabwe of farms owned by white farmers. [23887]

  Clare Short
  I have informed the Government of Zimbabwe that we are prepared to support a land reform programme that is properly planned, transparent, and intended to benefit the poor, but we will not support the programme they have announced. Zimbabwean law requires the payment of compensation and is enforceable in the courts.

  Commonwealth Development Corporation
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to introduce legislation to change the status of the Commonwealth development corporation. [23873]

  Clare Short
  We are seeking to bring forward legislation to enable the creation of a new Public/Private Partnership for CDC as soon as parliamentary time permits in the next session.

  Georgia
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what new proposals she has to assist the people of Georgia. [23875]

  Mr. Foulkes
  We are providing a range of assistance through the Know How Fund to benefit the people of Georgia. During 1998 we intend to develop a project to help tackle Georgia's serious poverty problems. We will continue to provide emergency assistance, as required.

  We also provide help through our contributions to the multilateral agencies working in Georgia—including the European Commission and United Nations's agencies.

  Sri Lanka
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance is currently being given to the peopleof Sri Lanka. [23876]
  292
  Clare Short
  We provide around £6 million of bilateral Development assistance annually to Sri Lanka. The programme focuses on Poverty, Education, and the Environment.

  Our work in poverty reduction centres on relief and rehabilitation assistance to families displaced by the civil conflict in the North and East who are now either living in refugee camps or living with other families in cramped conditions with little or no government service provision.

  In Education, we are helping improve the quality of primary education on a national basis. The support includes a high level of collaboration with the World Bank and the Ministry of Education in order to ensure effective targeting of assistance and to maximise benefits.

  We are also assisting in a three year project to develop the Environment and Forestry Conservation Division (EFCD) of the Mahaweli Development Authority Sri Lanka as an environmental and development agency.

  We recently started to improve the efficiency of the existing sewerage system in Colombo and undertake reform of Water and Sewerage Management.

WALES

  New Deal
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what financial allocation for administration of the New Deal in Wales each area office of the Employment Agency receives. [25313]

  Mr. Hain
  The Employment Service agency is responsible for the administration of the New Deal for 18 to 24-year-olds in Wales and in the rest of Great Britain. The funding for the New Deal guarantees opportunities for all young people who are eligible to join the programme.

  The precise level of funding to be made available to each Employment Service District will depend on take-up; it is not possible to be more precise at this stage.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his budget for the operation of the New Deal. [25312]

  Mr. Hain
  The operational budget for the New Deal in Wales, as with all other parts of Great Britain, is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, and will be administered through the Employment Service agency.

  However, we will ensure that the New Deal meets the needs of Wales. For this purpose we have established the Wales Advisory Task Force to advise on the development and operation of the programme throughout Wales.

  Unemployment
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary for Wales (1) how many long-tem unemployed there are in each constituency in Wales; [25314]
  293
  (2) how many long-term unemployed (a) men and (b) women there are in each constituency in Wales. [25316]

  Mr Hain
  The requested information on long-term unemployment is given in the table (it relates to all people who have been claiming unemployment-related benefits for 52 weeks or more). The data are also available from the NOMIS database, which can be accessed by the staff of the Library.

  Long-term unemployed (claimant count), October 19971

  Constituency

  Male

  Female

  Total

  Aberavon

  324

  45

  369

  Alyn and Deeside

  304

  45

  349

  Blaenau Gwent

  717

  94

  811

  Brecon and Radnorshire

  213

  58

  271

  Bridgend

  321

  70

  391

  Caernarfon

  659

  112

  771

  Caerphilly

  609

  111

  720

  Cardiff Central

  582

  129

  711

  Cardiff North

  218

  28

  246

  Cardiff South and Penarth

  784

  133

  917

  Cardiff West

  776

  105

  881

  Carmarthen East and Dinefwr

  307

  75

  382

  Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire

  573

  115

  688

  Ceredigion

  296

  60

  356

  Clwyd South

  246

  56

  302

  Clwyd West

  344

  66

  410

  Conwy

  588

  115

  703

  Cynon Valley

  378

  66

  444

  Delyn

  246

  38

  284

  Gower

  258

  41

  299

  Islwyn

  196

  43

  239

  Llanelli

  561

  91

  652

  Meirionnydd Nant Conwy

  309

  77

  386

  Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney

  505

  78

  583

  Monmouth

  271

  53

  324

  Mongomeryshire

  98

  20

  118

  Neath

  331

  53

  384

  Newport East

  479

  96

  575

  Newport West

  588

  102

  690

  Ogmore

  306

  56

  362

  Pontypridd

  391

  57

  448

  Preseli Pembrokeshire

  585

  125

  710

  Rhondda

  488

  71

  559

  Swansea East

  452

  44

  496

  Swansea West

  501

  92

  593

  Torfaen

  349

  56

  405

  Vale of Clwyd

  381

  69

  450

  Vale of Glamorgan

  439

  104

  543

  Wrexham

  303

  73

  376

  Ynys Mon

  816

  175

  991

  Total

  17,092

  3,097

  20,189

  Source:

  Office for National Statistics.

  Note:

  1 Claimant unemployed for 52 weeks or over. These figures are not seasonally adjusted.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many unemployed persons under the age of 25 years there are in each constituency of Wales. [25315]

  Mr. Hain
  The requested information on unemployment is given in the table (it relates to people under the age of 25 who are claiming unemployment-related benefits).294
  The data are also available from the NOMIS database, which can be accessed by the staff of the Library.

  Unemployed persons under the age of 25 (claimant count), October 1997 1

  Constituency

  Number

  Aberavon

  514

  Alyn and Deeside

  372

  Blaenau Gwent

  618

  Brecon and Radnorshire

  299

  Bridgend

  522

  Caernarfon

  553

  Caerphilly

  780

  Cardiff Central

  773

  Cardiff North

  295

  Cardiff South and Penarth

  813

  Cardiff West

  721

  Carmarthen East and Dinefwr

  366

  Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire

  606

  Ceredigion

  414

  Clwyd South

  382

  Clwyd West

  364

  Conwy

  606

  Cynon Valley

  567

  Delyn

  347

  Gower

  457

  Islwyn

  367

  Llanelli

  665

  Meirionnydd Nant Conwy

  294

  Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney

  737

  Monmouth

  356

  Montgomeryshire

  198

  Neath

  560

  Newport East

  567

  Newport West

  655

  Ogmore

  527

  Pontypridd

  612

  Preseli Pembrokeshire

  645

  Rhondda

  691

  Swansea East

  680

  Swansea West

  678

  Torfaen

  555

  Vale of Clwyd

  509

  Vale of Glamorgan

  656

  Wrexham

  419

  Ynys Mon

  618

  Total

  21,358

  Source:

  Office for National Statistics.

  Note:

  1 These figures are not seasonally adjusted.

  Additional Education Funding Guidance
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what guidance he has given local education authorities on spending the extra moneys allocated to them; and if he will make a statement. [25318]

  Mr. Hain
  Copies of Welsh Office letters dated 11 and 19 December to local authority Chief Executives setting out the arrangements for the £50,267 million additional revenue funding for schools have been placed in the Library of the House. The advice follows discussions with the Welsh Local Government Association. We expect to see the bulk of the funding included in delegated school budgets, and I will be monitoring the outcome.

  Civil Service Staff
  Mr. Rhodri Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proportion of Civil Service staff of grade 5 and above within his Department(a) have spent their entire civil service career within his Department, (b) have had secondments to (i) the private sector and (ii) other Departments and (c) have come from other departments. [26022]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  The information regarding staff in the Senior Civil Service grades within my Department is as follows:

  (a) proportion who have spent entire civil service in Welsh Office—49.3 per cent.

  (b) proportion who have had secondments:-

  (i) in private sector—7.5 per cent.

  (ii) in other Government Departments—2.9 per cent.

  (c) proportion who have come from other Government Departments—50.7 per cent.

  64.2 per cent. of staff in Senior Civil Service grades have experience of work in other public sector organisations or the private sector prior to their joining the Civil Service.

CABINET OFFICE

  EU Ministerial Meetings
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will list those occasions since 1 May when he has met Ministers from other European Union countries and who these Ministers were. [25943]

  Mr. Mandelson
  In June 1997, I met Mr. Per Nuder, State Secretary in the office of the Swedish Prime Minster.

  I met the French Minister for European Affairs, M Pierre Moscovici, on separate occasions in July, September, and November 1997. Also in July in Paris I met M Daniel Vaillant, French Minister for Relations with Parliament, and Mme Catherine Trautmann, Minister for Culture.

  In September in Bonn I met the German Minister of State Herr Friedrich Bohl of the Bundeskanzleramt.

  In Rome in October I met Onorevole Walter Veltroni, Deputy Prime Minister, Onorevole Giorgio Napolitano, Minister of the Interior, and Onorevole Pierol Fassino, Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

  I also met several Italian Ministers at a dinner given by the British Ambassador in Rome; and a number of senior Spanish Ministers attended the British-Spanish Tertulias in Cambridge in November, which I also attended.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Ministerial Meetings
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will list for 4 December(a) which organisations he met, (b) which organisations and companies he visited and where they are located, (c) what regional visits have been made and whom he saw and
  296
  (d) which Council of Ministers meetings were attended; which individuals had meetings with Ministers and officials; and if he will provide this information for each of his Ministers; [21287]

  (2) if he will list for 5 December (a) which organisations he met, (b) which organisations and companies he visited and where they are located, (c) what regional visits have been made and whom he saw and (d) which Council of Ministers meetings were attended; which individuals had meetings with Ministers and officials; and if he will provide this information for each of his Ministers; [21286]

  (3) if he will list for 8 December (a) which organisations he met; (b) which organisations and companies he visited and where they are located, (c) what regional visits have been made and whom he saw and (d) which Council of Ministers meetings were attended; which individuals had meetings with Ministers and officials; and if he will provide this information for each of his Ministers; [21284]

  (4) if he will list for 11 December (a) which organisations he met, (b) which organisations and companies he visited and where they are located, (c) what regional visits have been made and whom he saw and (d) which Council of Ministers meetings were attended; which individuals had meetings with Ministers and officials; and if he will provide this information for each of his Ministers; [21281]

  (5) if he will list for 3 December (a) which organisations he met; (b) which organisations and companies he visited and where they are located, (c) what regional visits have been made and whom he saw and (d) which Council of Ministers meetings were attended; which individuals had meetings with Ministers and officials; and if he will provide this information for each of his Ministers; [21288]

  (6) if he will list for 10 December (a) which organisations he met, (b) which organisations and companies he visited and where they are located, (c) what regional visits have been made and whom he saw and (d) which Council of Ministers meetings were attended; which individuals had meetings with Ministers and officials; and if he will provide this information for each of his Ministers; [21282]

  (7) if he will list for 6 December (a) which organisations he met, (b) which organisations and companies he visited and where they are located, (c) what regional visits have been made and whom he saw and (d) which Council of Ministers meetings were attended; which individuals had meetings with Ministers and officials; and if he will provide this information for each of his Ministers; [21285]

  (8) if he will list for 12 December (a) which organisations he met, (b) which organisations and companies he visited and where they are located, (c) what regional visits have been made and whom he saw and (d) which Council of Ministers meetings were attended; which individuals had meetings with Ministers and officials; and if he will provide this information for each of his Ministers; [21280]
  297
  (9) if he will list for 2 December (a) which organisations he met, (b) which organisations and companies he visited and where they are located, (c) what regional visits have been made and whom he saw and (d) which Council of Ministers meetings were attended; which individuals had meetings with Ministers and officials; and if he will provide this information for each of his Ministers; [21289]

  (10) if he will list for 9 December (a) which organisations he met, (b) which organisations and companies he visited and where they are located, (c) what regional visits have been made and whom he saw and (d) which Council of Ministers meetings were attended; which individuals had meetings with Ministers and officials; and if he will provide this information for each of his Ministers. [21283]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  [holding answer 16 December 1997]: Set out below are relevant details from my diary and those of my ministerial team for the days requested. This does not include purely internal MAFF meetings.

  MINISTER

  Ministerial Meetings

    1 DECEMBER 1997 TO 12 DECEMBER 1997
    Tuesday 2 December 1997

    16.00 Meeting: Professor Anderson

    17.30 Pre-Presidency bilateral and dinner with Mr. Henrik Dam Kristensen, Danish Agriculture Minister

    Wednesday 3 December 1997

    09.00 Meeting: Weekly Team Meeting

    09.30 Meeting: Donald Dewar, Lord Sewel, Lord Dubs: Fisheries

    11.00 Pre-Presidency bilateral and lunch with Mr. Stephanos Tzoumakas, Greek Agriculture Minister

    16.30 House of Commons Statement on Dorsal Root Ganglion

    18.00 Press Briefing with Professor Pattison

    19.30 Meal: Leaders of the Food Industry

    Thursday 4 December 1997

    15.30 Meeting: Mr. Joe Walsh, Irish Agriculture Minister

    Monday 8 December 1997

    12.00 Meeting: Ann Davison, Secundo Tarditi (ESC)

    15.00 Meeting: Peter Davis, RSPCA

    16.00 Meeting: Paul Tyler MP and the All Party Group Organophosphates

    17.30 Meeting: Agricultural Press

    Tuesday 9 December 1997

    08.00 Meeting: Chief Secretary

    10.00 Meeting: Seminar and lunch at St. James's Palace CAP reform

    14.30 Meeting: Pre-Presidency bilateral with Commissioner Fischler

    Wednesday 10 December 1997

    08.30 Meeting: Chief Secretary

    09.30 Meeting: Weekly Team Meeting

    16.30 Meeting: MPs on hill farming issues

    20.00 Private dinner

    Thursday 11 December 1997

    09.30 Meeting: Don Curry and Colin Maclean (Meat and Livestock Commission)

    10.10 Meet FAC with Jeff Rooker.

    MINISTER OF STATE 1 DECEMBER TO 12 DECEMBER 1997
    Wednesday 3 December 1997

    09.00 Meeting: Weekly Team Meeting

    12.30 Adjournment Debate: MBM storage

    17.00 Reception with Milk Marque

    Thursday 4 December 1997

    18.10 TV Interview with Richard Bath of West Country: SEAC advice on bone-in beef

    Monday 8 December 1997

    16.00 Ministers Meeting: Paul Tyler's All-Party OP Group

    Tuesday 9 December 1997

    15.00 Meeting with Abattoir owners

    Wednesday 10 December 1997

    09.30 Meeting: Weekly Team Meeting

    10.30 Debate: Agenda 2000—Reform of the CAP

    Thursday 11 December 1997

    10.10 Look into FAC meeting with Jack Cunningham

    14.30 Meeting with Robin Turner and Roger Derryman, National Milk Records: Cattle Traceability System

    16.30 Meeting with BMMA

    MINISTER FOR FISHERIES AND THE COUNTRYSIDE

      1 DECEMBER TO 12 DECEMBER 1997
      Tuesday 2 December 1997

      16.00 Meeting: British Poultry Breeders: BPBHA Awards Ceremony

      Wednesday 3 December 1997

      09.00 Weekly Team Meeting

      09.30 Meeting with Secretary of State for Scotland, Lord Sewel, Lord Dubs

      11.30 Meeting with Stephanos Tzoumakas

      14.00 Meeting with Ministerial Committee on Economic Affairs: Improving the regulation of Utility Industries

      15.00 Meeting with Bob Blizzard, Lowestoft FPO, John Robbs, Dr. Horwood: TACs and Quotas

      17.00 Reception with Milk Marque

      Thursday 4 December 1997

      07.00 Visit (UK): Tour and Breakfast

      10.00 RNMDSF: Fish and Chip Shop Award

      11.00 Meeting with British Trust for Ornithology, Jeremy on Greenwood: Conservation Issues

      16.00 Meeting with Patrick Gordon-Duff-Pennington: Deer Management

      Monday 8 December 1997

      12.00 Lunch with Regional Flood Defence Chairmen

      on 15.00 Meeting with Peter Davies, RSPCA

      Tuesday 9 December 1997

      11.00 Meeting with Farming Collaboration: Hill Farming

      17.00 Meeting with David Bowles, RSPCA and DG and Peter Davies, RSPCA: Eurogroup

      Wednesday 10 December 1997

      09.30 Weekly Team Meeting

      10.30 Meeting with Rare Breeds Survival Trust

      11.30 Meeting with PLP Agriculture Committee

      Thursday 11 December 1997

      09.30 Meeting with David Bowles (RSPCA) and Peter Stevenson, Andrew Turnbull: Vehicle Standards

      11.00 Meeting with East Midlands NFU.

  MINISTER FOR FARMING AND THE FOOD INDUSTRY

    1 DECEMBER TO 12 DECEMBER 1997
    Tuesday 2 December 1997

    Visit: Crops Conference [Speech]

    Wednesday 3 December 1997

    09.00 Weekly Team Meeting

    10.30 Pre-Presidency bilateral and lunch with Stephanos Tzoumakas (Greek Minister)

    13.15 Meeting with Robin Hanbury Tennison—Countryside Alliance

    15.00 Meeting with young farmers

    17.00 Milk Marque reception

    Monday 8 December 1997

    16.00 Meeting with Minister and Paul Tyler's All Party Group on OPs

    Tuesday 9 December 1997

    10.00 Meeting: Genetically Modified Crops

    11.00 Meeting: Horticulture Export Bureau

    14.30 Pre-Presidency bilateral with Commissioner Fischler

    Wednesday 10 December 1997

    09.30 Weekly Team Meeting

    15.15 Meeting with Tesco—Export Promotion, Terry Leahy (Chief Executive)

    16.00 Introductory meeting with Jim Reed (UKASTA).

  Meat and Livestock Commission
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total cost to the industry of the Meat and Livestock Commission in the last year for which figures are available. [23705]

  Mr. Rooker
  Financial information on the Meat and Livestock Commission is contained in its Annual Report and Accounts 1997 which were laid before the House on 17 November 1997. Copies are available in the Library.

  Cattle Herd
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the estimated number of cattle in England and Wales aged over 30 months. [24874]

  Mr. Rooker
  The 1997 June Agricultural Census showed 3.8 million cattle aged over two years in England and Wales. Separate information on the number of cattle aged over 30 months was not collected.

  Coastal Defences
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give a regional breakdown of resources expended on shoreline management and coastal defence work in England in each of the last five years. [24812]

  Mr. Morley
  The Department provides grant aid in response to proposals from the Environment Agency and local authorities for capital sea defence and coast protection works, and studies leading to the preparation of shoreline management plans, provided they meet technical, economic and environmental criteria. The breakdown of the amount of grant expended on such works in each of the last five financial years, by reference to regions of the Environment Agency, is in the table.300

  £ million

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  North East

  0.5

  2.7

  0.8

  6.1

  6.1

  North West

  1.2

  2.1

  2.2

  0.8

  7.1

  Anglia

  10.2

  11.5

  16.6

  21.0

  22.9

  Southern

  11.1

  9.9

  15.8

  20.2

  22.9

  South West

  4.8

  3.8

  5.4

  6.3

  3.7

  Total

  27.8

  30.0

  40.8

  54.4

  62.7

  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the current work on compiling shoreline management plans will be completed for England; and how this work will relate to the disbursement of funds for shoreline management and coastal defence works. [24813]

  Mr. Morley
  This Department has encouraged coastal defence groups to develop shoreline management plans to cover the whole coastline of England. The jointly agreed target is for plans to be completed by the end of 1998. Where shoreline management plans are in place it is expected that proposed works will be consistent with them. The disbursement of Ministry funding for flood and coastal defence works, and related studies, is made on the basis of the priority score arrangements, which take account of Ministerial priority, urgency and benefit cost ratio.

  Exchange Rate
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the impact of the current exchange rate on United Kingdom agriculture. [25117]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Government recognise the impact of currency movements on agriculture, but it is difficult to assess these effects precisely. UK farmers received a substantial degree of protection from the impact of currency movements for their receipts under the CAP through the EU agri-monetary system.

  Seaweed
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has as to the amounts of seaweed used as a fertiliser in the United Kingdom; what assessment his Department has made of the extent to which there has been bio-accumulation of toxic and radiotoxic materials in the seaweed feedstock. [25064]

  Mr. Rooker
  I have no information on the amount of seaweed used as a fertiliser in the United Kingdom. The Ministry does not have information on the bio-accumulation of toxic materials in seaweed. Radioactivity concentrations in seaweed sampled from around the coasts of the British Isles are given in the annual Radioactivity in Food and the Environment report published by the Ministry. The bio-accumulation or concentration factors for various radionuclides in seaweed have been published by the International Atomic Energy Authority in Technical Report No. 247 (1985).

  Relative Stability Principle
  Mr. Townend
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will define the method of application of the principle of relative stability(a) from 1983 to 2002 and (b) from 2003 onwards. [24983]

  Mr. Morley
  The purpose of relative stability is to maintain the percentage share of total allowable catches which each Member State receives although, in the case of stocks covered by Hague Preference, the percentage shares can be adjusted when total allowable catches fall below predetermined levels. Relative stability has taken this form since 1983. It will continue in this way from 2003 unless the Council of Ministers decides otherwise.

  Mr. Townend
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the principle of relative stability was established; and by which Article in which Regulation and under which Article in which Regulation the principle is presently established. [24984]

  Mr. Morley
  The principle of relative stability in the allocation of fishing quotas under the Common Fisheries Policy was given effect in 1983 by Article 4 of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 170/83. Relative stability is currently applied by virtue of Article 8 of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 3760/92.

  Quarantine Regulations
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the proposals contained in the Reform of Quarantine Regulations Bill. [25264]

  Mr. Rooker
  The proposal contained in the Reform of Quarantine Regulations Bill is similar to one of the alternatives to quarantine currently being assessed by the Advisory Group on Quarantine under the chairmanship of Professor Kennedy. It would be premature to alter the present system until Professor Kennedy has reported on whether alternative arrangements would give equal or better protection against the importation of rabies.

  BSE
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he estimates BSE will be eliminated from the national herd. [25268]

  Mr. Rooker
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him on 6 November 1997,Official Report, column 331.

  Anglo-Indonesian Agreement
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on new developments in the Anglo-Indonesian Agriculture Co-operation agreement following recent economic developments in the region. [25593]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 27 January 1998]: The hon. Member will be pleased to hear of some of the positive developments under the UK-Indonesian Memorandum of Understanding on Agricultural Co-operation.
  302
  My noble friend the Parliamentary Secretary held useful talks with the Indonesian Minister of Agriculture last autumn and reaffirmed our willingness to continue to explore ways to co-operate. Three working groups set up under the Memorandum of Understanding met and looked at ways of advancing projects. A seminar looked at new areas for co-operation.

  We recognise that the region is currently experiencing extreme economic difficulties; but we believe that we should take the long-term view. There remain opportunities for the UK agri-business sector, and it is now that we should seek to strengthen our ties, continue co-operation, and encourage Indonesia on the road to recovery.

  The Memorandum of Understanding is one means of maintaining that contact and its programme will continue.

  Dairy Farmers
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had with representatives of small-scale dairy farmers; and if he will make a statement. [25858]

  Mr. Morley
  Ministers in the Department regularly meet representatives of agriculture, including those organisations whose members include small-scale dairy farmers.

  Raw Milk
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to ban the sale of raw sheep and goat's milk. [25860]

  Mr. Rooker
  I have no such plans at present. However, the public health risks associated with drinking such milk are likely to be similar to those associated with drinking raw cows' milk. With this in mind, the Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food has recommended that surveillance on the microbiological status of raw sheep and goats' drinking milk be undertaken, and this is currently being taken forward.

  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the cost to farmers of(a) a ban on the sale of raw cows' milk and (b) the cost of enforcement of a ban. [25838]

  Mr. Rooker
  I recognise the importance of assessing the likely costs and savings. If we do proceed to legislate in this area, assessments would accompany the consultation document on the proposals for draft Regulations, as part of the regulatory appraisal process.

  Food Labelling
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his policy on proposed European food labelling legislation. [25668]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 27 January 1998]: Food labelling must be clear, accurate and informative, giving consumers the opportunity to make informed choices about the food they buy, without being unduly prescriptive or costly. Wherever possible, we prefer to have general rules which are applicable to all types of

  303
  food rather than special provisions for specific types of product. Commission proposals to meet this end will be considered favourably.

  Bovine Tuberculosis
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what investment his Department plans for the development of an effective vaccine to protect herds against outbreaks of bovine TB; and within what time scale he estimates a vaccine will be developed. [25665]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 27 January 1998]: The report, published in December, by Professor Krebs and the Independent Scientific Review Group estimates that a vaccine for field trials could be available within 10 years. It recommends that research towards the development of a cattle vaccine should be a high priority for MAFF. The Government have indicated that they are disposed to accept the report's recommendations subject to further consideration of public expenditure, legal and practical implications. We are currently reviewing bovine TB research expenditure, including work towards a cattle vaccine, in the light of the Krebs report. Public consultation on how the report's recommendations should be implemented ends on 27 February.

  Animal Welfare (European Union)
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what measure he intends to take to improve animal welfare in the European Union under the British presidency. [26012]

  Mr. Morley
  Improving farm animal welfare is a priority for our presidency. We have already restarted negotiations on proposals for a general Directive concerning welfare of livestock on farms, stalled since 1994. We have also obtained an undertaking from Commissioner Fischler that he will urgently bring the long overdue proposals to update the EU rules on the welfare of laying hens and the welfare of animals at slaughter. We intend to start negotiations on these two proposals as soon as possible.

  Civil Service Staff
  Mr. Rhodri Morgan
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of Civil service staff of grade 5 and above within his Department(a) have spent their entire civil service career within his Department, (b) have had secondments to (i) the private sector and (ii) other departments and (c) have come from other departments. [26021]

  Mr. Morley
  Of the Senior Civil Service staff in this Department and its Agencies:

  (a) 54 have spent their entire civil service career in this department;

  (b)(i) 3 have had secondments (of over 3 months) to the private sector,

  (ii) 36 have had secondments to other departments; and

  (c) 21 have come from other departments.

  In addition, 15 staff including some from each of the above categories have had private sector experience prior to joining the department.

  Non-organophosphorus Sheep Dips
  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the outcome of the review of non-organophosphorus sheep dips carried out by the Veterinary Products Committee; and if he will make a statement. [26466]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Committee's report to the Licensing Authority (Agriculture and Health Ministers) is today being placed in the Library.

  Following its review last year of the effectiveness of the Certificate of Competence Scheme for the purchase of organophosphorus (OP) sheep dips, the Veterinary Products Committee (VPC) has reviewed the use of non-OP sheep dips. The Committee has advised that the Certificate of Competence Scheme should be extended to all sheep dips and we are already consulting on the necessary changes to the legislation to bring this into effect as quickly as possible.

  The Committee reaffirmed its earlier advice that the Scheme should apply to the use of sheep dips as well as to their purchase and, as for OP dips, this will be achieved by strengthening measures to secure compliance with existing statutory duties. New guidance is being prepared by the Health and Safety Executive about the duties of farmers under the Health and Safety at Work Act and related legislation. The guidance will also emphasise the importance of the Certificate of Competence Scheme operated by the National Proficiency Tests Council (NPTC).

  The Committee was very concerned about reports of the environmental effects of synthetic pyrethroid (SP) sheep dips. We endorse this concern and are pleased to note that the NPTC has already completed a revision of the Certificate of Competence Scheme. In future, the Scheme will include practical training in the proper use and disposal of dips. The questions in the test for the Certificate will be arranged in specific sections relating to, for example, environmental issues and operator safety, and a certain level of knowledge will be required in each section to achieve a pass mark. In addition, questions will relate to all forms of sheep dip and will include reference to the dangers to aquatic life from use and disposal of SP dips.

  We endorse the Committee's advice that those who have already obtained Certificates of Competence should be encouraged to take a further test on new areas of the Certificate not previously covered.

  The Committee has recommended that product literature warnings about toxicity to aquatic life should be based on risk not hazard; that advice about the protection of the environment should be simple, concise, clearly set out and cross-referenced; that there should be reference to specific problems that may arise such as spillage, contamination from sheep to water, and improper disposal; and that product labels should be amended to refer to the Environment Agency (EA), the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), and the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland (DOENI). We accept these recommendations and will pursue them with marketing authorisation holders, in the light of the Committee's further consideration of the labelling of sheep dips.
  305
  We accept the Committee's advice that there should be a mechanism for informing water regulators about dipping and for consulting them about proposed methods of disposal. Proposed new Groundwater Regulations recently issued for consultation by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, the Scottish Office and the Welsh Office include provisions which would address these issues.

  The Committee has advised that the sheep dipping leaflet (AS29) should be revised to include comprehensive and up to date advice on the proper use and disposal of sheep dips to prevent contamination of water and this is being done.
  306
  We accept the Committee's advice that there should be new requirements for toxicity data for SP dips. The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has been asked to ensure these changes are made and that data on flumethrin are obtained as quickly as possible.

  Finally, the Committee has asked for an up to date data base on the use of sheep dips. It has previously been found difficult to obtain accurate information on this but officials of the VMD will pursue the question further with marketing authorisation holders.

  I should like to thank Professor Aitken and the Committee for the thoroughness of their review and for their clear and helpful advice.

  Nuclear Weapons: Policy
  Nuclear Weapons: Policy
  Geneva Conventions: Additional Protocols
  Geneva Conventions: Additional Protocols
  Arms Embargoes
  Arms Embargoes
  Arms Embargo on Argentina
  Arms Embargo on Argentina
  Bahrain: FCO Visit
  Bahrain: FCO Visit
  Iraq: Ethnic Cleansing
  Iraq: Ethnic Cleansing
  Iraq: Reports of Mass Executions
  Iraq: Reports of Mass Executions
  East Timor: Human Rights
  East Timor: Human Rights
  Sheikh Al Jamri
  Sheikh Al Jamri
  Bahrain: Human Rights
  Bahrain: Human Rights
  Human Rights
  Human Rights
  India: Human Rights
  India: Human Rights
  Iran: Human Rights
  Iran: Human Rights
  Bahrain: Human Rights
  Bahrain: Human Rights
  Samaritans: Israel-Palestine
  Samaritans: Israel-Palestine
  Political Parties: Funding
  Political Parties: Funding
  Firearms Certificates: Appeals Procedure
  Firearms Certificates: Appeals Procedure
  Firearms: Certificates
  Firearms: Certificates
  Prisoners: Religious Visits
  Prisoners: Religious Visits
  OECD: Multilateral Agreement on Investment
  OECD: Multilateral Agreement on Investment
  IFOR/SFOR Troops
  IFOR/SFOR Troops
  Common Fisheries Policy
  Common Fisheries Policy
  Scottish Police and Social Work Services
  Scottish Police and Social Work Services
  Scotland: Chief Constables' Accountability
  Scotland: Chief Constables' Accountability
  Scottish Police: International Conference Attendance
  Scottish Police: International Conference Attendance
  Scottish Police Conduct: Inquiry Procedures
  Scottish Police Conduct: Inquiry Procedures
  Scottish School Leavers: Qualifications
  Scottish School Leavers: Qualifications
  Scottish Primary Schools: Studies
  Scottish Primary Schools: Studies
  Scotland: Roads Programme
  Scotland: Roads Programme
  Scotland: NHS Non-core Services
  Scotland: NHS Non-core Services
  Scotland: Opencast Mining Applications
  Scotland: Opencast Mining Applications
  Greengairs: Public Inquiry
  Greengairs: Public Inquiry
  Scottish Parliament Building
  Scottish Parliament Building
  2000 Non-Domestic Rating Revaluation
  2000 Non-Domestic Rating Revaluation
  Motorists: Blood and Breath Tests
  Motorists: Blood and Breath Tests
  Abortion Statistics
  Abortion Statistics
  Government Works of Art: Loans
  Government Works of Art: Loans
  Works of Art: National Register
  Works of Art: National Register
  Inflation Rate
  Inflation Rate
  Annuities: Information
  Annuities: Information
  Legal Aid: Statistics
  Legal Aid: Statistics
  Legal Aid Services
  Legal Aid Services
  Rosemary West Trial and Appeal: Transcripts
  Rosemary West Trial and Appeal: Transcripts
  LEAs: Funding
  LEAs: Funding
  Schools: Fair Admissions
  Schools: Fair Admissions
  Teachers: Public Recognition
  Teachers: Public Recognition
  History: Education
  History: Education