Written Answers of 30 January 1998

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Legal Aid
  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, pursuant to his answer of 26 January 1998,Official Report, column 3, concerning consultation on legal aid changes, if he will list the representations received, those making them and the date of them, indicating which were in favour of his proposals and which against. [26508]

  Mr. Hoon
  The information requested is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. In any event, before I made public the names of those who had written or had discussion with us and the substance of their representations, I would wish to ensure that I had their permission to do so. A full list will be maintained of those who respond to the formal consultation paper, which I expect to issue in the near future, which will make it clear that the names of those responding may be made public unless they request the Department not to do so.

  Mr. White
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what mechanisms are in place to establish whether a person has previously been in receipt of legal aid certificates, and what methods are used to determine if the person has a history of previous fraudulent claims. [25306]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Legal Aid Board's existing computer systems do not enable it to identify easily whether an applicant has any previous legal aid history. The Board is currently implementing a new computer system which will enable it to identify any previous transactions involving that person and search those transactions to identify any previous fraudulent activity. The new computer system is already in place in one of the Board's 13 area offices and will be implemented nationally by the end of 1998.

  The Board will complete, in February 1998, the transfer of responsibility for civil means assessment from the Benefits Agency. This will enhance the Board's ability to identify, from its own case records, any previous fraudulent activity by an applicant for legal aid.

  Civil Justice Reform
  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will identify the insurance companies he has held discussions with about the wider introduction of conditional fees arrangements between(a) 1 December and 31 December 1997 and (b) 1 January and 31 January 1998; and what meetings with individual representatives of insurance companies (i) he and (ii) the Lord Chancellor have planned for 1 February to 31 March. [26411]
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  Mr. Hoon
  Although I did not meet with any insurers between 1 and 31 December 1997, I have already given the hon. Gentleman the details of the meetings that took place between 18 October and 15 December 1997,Official Report, 15 December 1997, column 43. Since then, my officials attended a meeting of the joint Insurance Industry and LCD working group on 12 January and are due to attend a further meeting on 6 February. Further meetings will be arranged as necessary. Given the existence of the working group neither my noble and learned Friend nor I have future meetings planned with representatives of insurance companies, though if requested we would be prepared to meet representatives of the industry.

  Solicitor Trustees
  Mr. Burnett
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will request a report from the Law Society on the matter of exclusion clauses that limit a solicitor's liability when acting as a trustee; and if he will make a statement. [25263]

  Mr. Hoon
  I have no plans to do so. This is a matter for the Law Society. I am advised that the Law Society will be reviewing the issue of liability exclusion clauses shortly.

  Appeal Tribunals
  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what procedures are employed by the Independent Tribunal Service to appoint the chairs and other members of(a) SSATs, (b) DATs and (c) MATs. [25405]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Lord Chancellor appoints full-time legal Chairmen after consultation with the Lord Advocate. The statutory qualification for such appointment is to have a five-year general qualification (in England and Wales) or to have been a solicitor or advocate in Scotland of at least five years' standing. Appointments are made following advertisement and interview, usually from among the ranks of part-time Chairmen, of those who are best able to demonstrate that they satisfy the selection criteria. Part-time legal Chairmen are appointed by the Lord Chancellor in England and Wales and currently by the Lord President of the Court of Session in Scotland. The statutory qualifications are the same as for full-time Chairmen. Vacancies are advertised and appointments made following interview of those best able to satisfy the selection criteria.

  The President of the Independent Tribunal Service at present appoints all other members of those tribunals within his jurisdiction, including Social Security Appeal Tribunals (SSATs), Disability Appeal Tribunals (DATs), Medical Appeal Tribunals (MATs) and Child Support Appeal Tribunals (CSATs). Interested individuals satisfying the statutory requirements and certain other selection criteria such as age are interviewed locally by the relevant Regional Chairman and a report and recommendation are submitted by them to the President for his decision.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Prosecutions
  Mr Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Attorney-General how many prosecutions were not proceeded with in 1997 on the grounds that to do so would not be in the public interest. [25835]

  The Attorney-General
  A total of 161,461 cases were not proceeded with in the magistrates courts during 1997. Additionally, 7,514 cases were not proceeded with in the Crown Court. However, the Crown Prosecution Service holds no central records on the reasons why cases are discontinued. The information is held only on individual cases files in each branch and could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.

  A survey of all cases not proceeded with in the magistrates courts was conducted during November 1994. The survey showed that during this period, 28 per cent. of discontinuances were undertaken on the grounds that a prosecution was not in the public interest.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Primates (Imports)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what account is taken under section 5(4) of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 of the length of journey time in determining whether to grant a project licence for experiments on non-human primates. [25750]

  Mr. George Howarth
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) on 26 January 1998,Official Report, column 48.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the hon. Member for Salisbury may expect a reply to his letter of 1 December 1997 to the Minister of State, the hon. Member for Cardiff, South and Penarth (Mr. Michael) about the police raid in Donhead St. Andrew on 21 November 1997. [25725]

  Mr. Michael
  I wrote to the hon. Member on 24 January.

  Sir Brian Mawhinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the right hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire can expect a reply to his letter of 3 December on behalf of Mr. Chatfield. [26369]

  Mr. Straw
  I wrote to the right hon. Member on 29 January.

  World Cup
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he has taken to prevent violence and disorder among England and Scotland fans during the forthcoming Soccer World Cup. [25892]

  Mr. Michael
  The Government are determined to do everything possible to see that genuine British football supporters attending the World Cup in France this 396
  summer are able to enjoy the tournament free from disruption by hooligans. To this end, we have established a World Cup Co-ordinating Group which brings together official, policing and football representatives from both England and Scotland. Both English and Scottish representatives have established good communications with the French authorities to ensure a co-ordinated approach to preventing violence and disorder involving England and Scotland fans en route to and during the tournament.

  In February, my right hon. Friend will be hosting a seminar in Blackburn on the policing of football, which will bring together relevant experts from across the European Union. This will enable them to discuss policing, safety and security arrangements for the World Cup and to share advice and expertise.

  Witnesses
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to announce the outcome of the inter-departmental review of the way in which vulnerable and intimidated witnesses are treated by the Criminal Justice Court with particular reference to the cross-examination of victims of rape by unrepresented defendants. [26082]

  Mr. Michael
  We hope that the review will be completed shortly and a final report submitted to Ministers in the spring. We will consider the report as quickly as possible thereafter.

  Cannabis
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 26 January 1998,Official Report, column 45, on what date and for what reasons, the Laboratory of the Government Chemist discontinued supplying cannabis to medical researchers; and who took the decision. [26272]

  Mr. George Howarth
  These are matters for the Laboratory of the Government Chemist, which is a private company.

  Gammahydroxybutyrate
  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will review whether the use of the drug Gammahydroxybutyrate should be controlled by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. [26719]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD), an independent body established under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 to advise the Government on drug misuse issues, has a duty to keep under review drugs which are being, or appear to them likely to be, misused and to advise the Government on measures for preventing their misuse or dealing with social problems connected with their misuse.

  The Advisory Council considered the misuse of Gammahydroxybutyrate (GHB) in November 1996. After examining the available evidence, the Council reached the view that the harmful effects of the misuse of the drug in

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  the United Kingdom were not sufficient to constitute a social problem, a criterion which is laid down by the Act. It concluded that GHB should not therefore be recommended for control but that its misuse should continue to be monitored. We continue to keep the matter under review.

  Although not controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, GHB is subject to control under the Medicines Act 1968.

  Vessels (Fire Services)
  Mr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of 21 January 1998,Official Report, column 555, on vessels (fire services), how many members of the fire-fighting teams were injured during their deployment in the United Kingdom Search and Rescue Region. [25875]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Information is given in table 9 of the Home Office Statistical Bulletin, Issue 1/98, Summary Fire Statistics United Kingdom 1996, published on 21 January. A copy is in the Library. Details of injuries on vessels are not separately available and could only be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  City Status
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what prospective occasions he assesses to be suitable for the awarding of city status. [25999]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  [holding answer 38 January 1998]: City status is a rare honour conferred by the Sovereign, by Letters Patent. Nowadays, grants are usually made on occasions of particular Royal and national significance. It will be for Her Majesty to decide if and when she wishes to create a further city.

  Police Injuries
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what investigation he has made into the use of chief constables' discretion in relation to keeping on full pay those police officers who have been injured in the course of carrying out their duties; [25872]

  (2) what discussions he has had with the Police Federation and ACPO on the variations in the way officers injured while carrying out their duties are treated by chief constables; [25874]

  (3) what steps he has taken to ensure that police officers injured while carrying out their duties are not placed under financial pressure to return to work while still unfit. [25873]

  Mr. Michael
  [holding answer 29 January 1998]: Regulation 46 of the Police Regulations 1995 sets out the arrangements for managing the pay of police officer during sick leave. The regulation provides for a police officer on sick leave to receive full pay during the first six months
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  of sick leave, half pay for the second six months, and no pay if sick leave continues beyond 12 months. The regulation also provides that, subject to the discretion of the chief constable, an officer on sick leave entitled to half pay may continue to receive full pay, and an officer on sick leave entitled to no pay may be paid half or full pay.

  The regulation is clear that it is only the chief constable who may exercise such discretion and is therefore not an issue which ordinarily I would wish to raise in the course of my discussions with individual chief constables or the Association of Chief Police Officers.

  Police Surgeons
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to ensure that sufficient police surgeons are available in each area of the country to carry out intimate body searches on those suspected of carrying illegal drugs. [26079]

  Mr. Michael
  [holding answer 29 January 1998]: It is for chief constables to decide how many police surgeons are needed to carry out the range of services required of police surgeons in the police area and then to appoint them. Under Code of Practice C issued under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1994, intimate body searches of those suspected of carrying illegal drugs may be carried out either by a registered medical practitioner or by a registered nurse.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  RUC (Sexual Harassment)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the code of practice relating to sexual harassment within the RUC. [22424]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 16 January 1998]: The RUC have produced a booklet covering both sexual and religious harassment. This is not a published document but I have arranged for a copy to be sent to my hon. Friend and placed in the Library.

  Long-term Care
  Ms Drown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment has been made of the yearly costs to the NHS in Northern Ireland of meeting the nursing costs of long-term care. [25915]

  Mr. Worthington
  No separate assessment has been made centrally of the nursing costs of long-term care.

  Fire Authority
  Mr. McWalter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when she will next conduct the quinquennial review of the Fire Authority for Northern Ireland. [27080]
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  Marjorie Mowlam
  A review of the Fire Authority for Northern Ireland (FANI) is now under way. As an executive non-departmental public body, the performance of FANI will be considered and its activities subjected to a prior options study.

  Comments and contributions from those with an interest in FANI would be welcome and should be sent by 31 January 1998 to Mr. Tony McCusker, Deputy Secretary, Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland, Clarence Court, 10–18 Adelaide Street, Belfast BT2 8GB.

  Stormont
  Mr. McWalter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how expenditure by the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland on the promotion and development of Parliament Buildings and the Stormont Estate as a public amenity and visitor attraction will be funded. [27081]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  The Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland is responsible for the management of the Stormont Estate under the Stormont Regulation and Government Property Act (Northern Ireland) 1933. The legislation does not, however, empower the Department to incur expenditure

  List of delegations made under the Civil Service (Management Functions) (Northern Ireland) Order 1994

  Delegation

  Nature of delegation

  Recipients

  Main conditions

  1. Pay and Grading

  Authority to determine pay and grading arrangements, shift disturbance and night duty allowances and other allowances in the nature of pay for Northern Ireland civil servants below the senior open structure.

  The Permanent Head of NIO in respect of that department and also for the following organisations: The Police Authority for Northern Ireland
  The Compensation Agency The Forensic Science Agency of Northern Ireland The Northern Ireland Prison Service Agency.

  The recipient must ensure that any changes (i) comply with the NICS Equal Opportunity Policy; (ii) provide value for money; (iii) do not jeopardise essential public expenditure safeguards.

  2. Pay and Grading

  Authority to determine pay and grading of Northern Ireland civil servants below the senior open structure based in Next Steps Agencies.

  Permanent Heads of NI departments responsible for the following
  organisations: Child Support Agency Health Estates Agency Social Security Agency Industrial Research and Technology Unit Training and Employment Agency Driver and Vehicle Licensing Northern Ireland Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency Ordnance Survey NI Public Record Office (NI) Rate Collection Agency Environment and Heritage Service Land Registers of Northern Ireland Planning Service Roads Service Water Service Construction Service Valuation and Lands Agency Business Development Service NI Statistics and Research Agency Government Purchasing Service.

  The recipient must ensure that any changes (i) comply with the NICS Equal Opportunity Policy; (ii) provide value for money; (iii) do not jeopardise essential public expenditure safeguards.

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  on the development of the Estate for the benefit of the community through exhibitions and competitions, indoor and outdoor concerns and the creation of recreational educational and visitor amenities.

  Parliament's approval for expenditure on such matters in the current financial year will be south in a Supplementary Estimate for the Environment and other services Vote (Department of the Environment Vote 4). Pending that approval expenditure up to £150,000 will be met by repayable advances from the Civil Contingencies Fund.

  I am also examining the possibility of seeking Parliament's approval for new legislation which would specifically authorise such expenditure.

  Civil Service Management Functions
  Mr. Stott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what delegations have been made since the Civil Service (Management Functions) (Northern Ireland) Order 1994 came into operation on 20 September 1994; to whom those delegations were made; and what were the main conditions that were attached to them. [27082]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The table lists delegations made to date under the Civil Service (Management Functions) (Northern Ireland) Order 1994.
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  List of delegations made under the Civil Service (Management Functions) (Northern Ireland) Order 1994

  Delegation

  Nature of delegation

  Recipients

  Main conditions

  3. Certain conditions of service

  Authority to determine the rules on hours and attendance, annual leave and sick absence, inefficiency procedures, arrangements for probation, personal review and arrangements for the payment of overtime of Northern Ireland civil servants below the senior open structure.

  The Permanent Head of the NI department responsible for the following organisations: The Child Support Agency The Social Security Agency.

  In the exercise of the delegation the recipient must: (i) act within the law and within any Codes of Practice which from time to time may be issued for the guidance of employers; (ii) have regard to NICS Equal Opportunity Policy and to any relevant Government policies or Ministerial commitments; (iii) have regard to the reputation of the NICS for good, fair and equitable employment practices; (iv) not alter existing rights and duties arbitrarily but consult or negotiate, as appropriate, with Trade Union Side; (v) continue to abide by the terms and conditions of service contained in the NICS Pay and Conditions of Service Code unless and until changes are effected; (vi) make clear to staff in a readily accessible form any changes which do apply; (vii) ensure proper protection of public funds and value for money; (viii) have regard to the possible implications for departments within the NICS and be prepared to work with the Department of Finance an Personnel and other departments to deal with any adverse consequences which may arise; (ix) other detailed conditions in line with those applying to similar delegations granted to Home Civil Service departments and contained in the Management Code.

  4. Certain conditions of Service

  Authority to determine the rules on hours and attendance, annual leave, special leave, sick absence, inefficiency procedures, personal review and arrangements for the payment of overtime of Northern Ireland civil servants below the senior open structure.

  The Permanent Head of NIO in respect of that department and also for the following organisations: The Compensation Agency The Forensic Science Agency of Northern Ireland Prison Service Agency.

  As above.

  Domestic Violence
  Mr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures she proposes to deal with domestic violence; what funds she is making available to(a) local authority and (b) voluntary association projects; and if she will make a statement. [25833]

  Mr. Worthington
  The Government are committed to a concerted inter-agency attack on domestic violence. A Regional Forum established in 1995 brings together the main statutory and voluntary interests, including Women's Aid, Victims Support, the RUC, the Probation Service, the NI Court Service and social services. We are also bringing forward new legislation which develops and strengthens the civil law on domestic violence. Government funding towards the regional administrative costs of the NI Women's Aid Federation will be at least £158,000 in 1997–98. Capital costs for women's refuges 402
  in Northern Ireland are met by the Department of the Environment and amounted to £1.6 million in 1996–97. Revenue support through the housing benefit system amounted to £1.9 million in 1996–97.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Non-career Civil Servants
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many non-career civil servants have been appointed to his Department since 1 May 1997. [25844]

  Dr. David Clark
  Two hundred and six non-career civil servants have been appointed to my Department since 1 May 1997.

  Clapham Deep Shelters
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what inter-departmental discussions have taken place on the use of the Clapham deep shelters. [25988]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated under the terms of the Framework Document to the Property Advisers to the Civil Estate. I have asked its Chief Executive, Mr. John Locke, to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from John C. Locke to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 30 January 1998:
  I have been asked by the Parliamentary Secretary, Office of Public Service to reply to the further question you have asked about the Clapham Deep Tube Shelters.
  All of the Deep Tube Shelters are surplus to the needs of Government Departments. Prior to this decision extensive consultations were carried out with any Department having a requirement for storage facilities in Central London for which these shelters might have been suitable. In addition, there was close liaison with the Home Office who retained first call on the Shelters in the event of a national emergency. When it became clear that there was no interest from Government Departments the Shelters were let to private sector archive storage companies in accordance with the schedule of existing leases provided with my recent letter. The Clapham North Shelter would have been let had it remained in PACE ownership.
  Following a disposal tender exercise conducted by our consultants I am now able to advise you that a sale of all seven shelters to London Underground Ltd. has now been completed. This is considered to be a most satisfactory outcome and is expected to ensure that they will be maintained and used properly in the future.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. Russell Brown
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what progress is being made in tackling the millennium computer problem within central Government. [27140]

  Dr. David Clark
  On 27 November, I wrote to Ministerial colleagues requesting additional information on three general themes arising from the October plans: skills and resources; embedded systems; and, contingency planning. I asked for information about these points to be sent to my officials by 18 December 1997.

  I am arranging for all the additional material provided by departments and agencies to be placed in the library of the House and published on the Internet.

  On the question of skills and resources, the responses from departments and agencies indicate that programmes are currently assessed to be adequately resourced. Many are using outsource companies to resource the projects. Most embedded systems projects are still in the inventory or audit process. Many departments and agencies are in dialogue with the suppliers of equipment. All departments have given some consideration to contingency planning ranging from making provision within the year 2000 programmes for project overruns to full disaster recovery planning. These issues will be kept under close review as part of the reporting and monitoring process.

  On 29 January, I chaired the inaugural meeting of the Ministerial Sub-Group which is monitoring and driving the action by departments and agencies to address the millennium date change problem in central Government.
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  As I said in my statement to the House on 27 November 1997, Official Report, columns 1104–05, I intend on a regular basis to review and report to the House on central Government's progress on tackling the millennium date change problem. Work is in hand for the first review in the spring.

MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO

  Millennium Dome
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio who is to be invited to the Millennium celebrations at the Dome on 31 December 1999; and who is to be responsible for the compilation of the invitation list. [25271]

  Mr. Mandelson
  No final decisions have been made about the composition of the invitation list for the celebrations at the Dome on 31 December 1999 at this stage. The New Millennium Experience Company will work closely with Government on its compilation and composition at the appropriate time.

TREASURY

  Child Benefit
  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his proposals for a tax credit for people on low earnings with dependent children will be based on the policy that benefits and credits for children should always be paid to the mother of the children so long as she has or shares the custody of them. [24705]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The "Working Families Tax Credit", which the Chancellor announced in his pre-Budget Statement, is part of a package of measures which are designed to make work pay. The WFTC will build on the success of Family Credit. Various options are being examined and the Chancellor will announce his decision in his Budget Statement.

  Non-career Civil Servants
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many non-career civil servants have been appointed to his Department since 1 May 1997; and how many have been appointed to the Parliamentary Secretary's Office. [25850]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The number of casual, fixed-term appointees and Special Advisers appointed since 1 May 1997 is 54. Appointments to the Parliamentary Secretary's Office are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

  Power Generators
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library a copy of the agreement reached by the Paymaster General with the power generators. [25427]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  [holding answer 26 January 1998]: No agreement was reached between the Government and power generators. Arrangements for coal deliveries were reached between the relevant parties. My role was to act as facilitator to those discussions.

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  My hon. Friend the Minister for Science, Energy and Industry will be happy to place a record of these discussions, agreed with the parties, in the Library.

  Pensions Mis-selling
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number and the percentage of the total of those mis-sold personal pensions who have now(a) died, (b) been fully compensated for their financial loss, (c) been partially compensated and (d) not been compensated. [26476]

  Mrs. Liddell
  As the pensions mis-selling review continues, the number of personal pension cases to be reviewed rises. I refer the hon. Member to my answer to the hon. Member for East Ham (Mr. Timms) on 16 January 1998,Official Report, columns 322–24, for data on the progress made by the 41 firms whose cases account for the bulk of policies requiring review.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Historic Royal Palaces
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Hove (Mr. Caplin) of 15 January 1998,Official Report, columns 267–68, for which grace and favour residences the new non-departmental public body for the historic royal palaces will be responsible. [24773]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 22 January 1998]: The Historic Royal Palaces Agency are currently responsible for nine Grace and Favour residences within the Unoccupied Royal Palaces, and this will not alter when the Agency becomes a non-departmental public body.

  Football Ground Improvements
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what grants were made available to football clubs in England and Wales to improve their ground facilities for spectators during 1997. [24873]

  Mr. Banks
  Grants made by the Football Trust in 1997 to football clubs in England and Wales to improve their spectator facilities are detailed in the following table.

  Football Trust Grants to football clubs in England and Wales—1997

  Grant scheme

  Total value of grants made (£)

  Reduction in Pool Betting Duty

  Grants offered from the RPBD for work required to meet Taylor recommendations

  3,900,000

  Safety

  Grants offered for work required under the Safety of Sports Grounds Act 1975

  1,144,589

  Improvement

  Grants offered for the improvement or provision of toilet facilities or spectating facilities for those with disabilities

  74,169

  Transport improvement

  Grants offered for the improvement of car and coach parks, railway stations, and signage to grounds

  30,820

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  Football Trust Grants to football clubs in England and Wales—1997

  Grant scheme

  Total value of grants made (£)

  CCTV

  Grants offered for the improvement or provision of CCTV surveillance equipment

  151,819

  Stewarding

  Grants offered for the cost, training, and equipping of stewards (radios and jackets)

  82,300

  League of Wales

  Grants offered for the improvement of spectator facilities at clubs in the League of Wales

  170,000

  FA Contribution Account

  Grants offered for the community dimension of Taylor related work

  250,000

  FA/Football Trust Grants Scheme

  Grants offered to non-league clubs for ground and changing facility improvement, from a joint fund with contributions from the Trust and the FA347,894

  Grand total

  6,151,591

  Arts Council (Grant)
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is the difference in real terms between his Department's grant in aid allocations to the Arts Council of England in(a) 1997–98 and (b) 1998–99. [25895]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The Government committed themselves, before the General Election, to keep to the spending plans of the previous administration in 1997–98 and 1998–99. The difference in the Arts Council of England's allocation in real terms between 1997–98 and 1998–99 is a decrease of 3.5 per cent, or £6.5 million in 1997–98 prices. These figures are derived from the cash allocations of £186.1 million in 1997–98 and £184.6 million in 1998–99, and a 2.8 per cent. increase in the GDP deflator.

  Soccer World Cup
  Mr. Pearson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has received on the need to ensure that the England football team has an effective World Cup song. [25760]

  Mr. Banks
  The history of Englands football anthems is very mixed. In 1990 and 1996, they were hugely popular. In some other years they have rivalled bubonic plague in their appeal. Perhaps the Football Association should hold a competition among English song writers to try and establish a permanent football anthem. For me Tina Turner's "Simply the Best" would be the ideal World Cup song.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he has taken to support England's bid to host the 2006 Soccer World Cup. [25890]

  Mr. Banks
  The Government are providing the fullest diplomatic and promotional support for the FA's bid to stage the 2006 World Cup. I hold regular meetings with the FA Campaign Team. I have personally discussed the bid with several members of the FIFA Executive 30,820 Committee, either here in London or in their home
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  countries. I will continue to accompany FA delegations to promote the bid, as Parliamentary business allows. I have discussed the bid with the hon. Member for West Suffolk (Mr. Spring) and I have written to hon. Members urging them to use every opportunity to support the bid. I have been heartened by the positive response.

  Scottish Executive
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to his answer of 20 January 1998,Official Report, column 471, 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. [25505]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 28 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.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Meat and Livestock Commission
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to review(a) the role and (b) the membership of the Meat and Livestock Commission. [26556]

  Mr. Rooker
  An efficiency review of the Meat and Livestock Commission (MLC), under Government procedures for the operation of Non-Departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs), will begin later this year. This review is required to consider whether there is a continuing need for the MLC and, if so, what its functions and structure should be and to make recommendations for any necessary changes. It will also need to take account of the changes to Government brought about by devolution.

  Beef
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will lift the weight restriction on cull cows under the over-30-months scheme. [26551]

  Mr. Rooker
  We have no plans to do so. The 560 kilogram compensation weight limit under the over-30-months slaughter scheme is necessary in order to contain expenditure on this demand led scheme.

  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to review his decision to ban beef on the bone. [26555]

  Mr. Rooker
  I refer to my reply to the hon. Member for North Tayside (Mr. Swinney) on 17 December 1997,Official Report, column 232.
  408
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will undertake a review of the over-30-months scheme. [26550]

  Mr. Rooker
  The over-30-months Slaughter Scheme is a public health measure under which very considerable public expenditure is made. It is therefore reviewed regularly in the light of new scientific information and the budgetary provision available. Maintenance of the Scheme, which is enshrined in EU legislation, is a precondition of the Florence Agreement. Changes to the composition of the Scheme would therefore require EU approval.

  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to allow public bodies subject to compulsory competitive tendering procedures to give priority to purchase of British beef for catering purposes. [26557]

  Mr. Rooker
  None. Public Bodies are generally required to look for best value for money in their procurement decisions, and it would contravene the Treaty of Rome to operate a buy British Policy. Nevertheless we have recently been discussing with the Ministry of Defence how we might increase the amount of British beef purchased by the armed forces.

  Farm Incomes
  Mr. Quinn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on farm incomes. [27079]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  Estimated figures show that Total Farm Income from Farming fell by 37 per cent. in real terms in 1997. The fall shows substantial increases in incomes in recent years and reflects the lower prices for many agricultural commodities. A major factor is the strength of the pound sterling which affects all sectors of the economy. Detailed estimates of the income, output and productivity of United Kingdom Agriculture in 1997 were published this morning and have been placed in the Library.

  Correspondence
  Sir Brian Mawhinney
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) when the right hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire can expect a reply to his letter of 16 December on behalf of Mrs. Stables; [26373]

  (2) when the right hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire can expect a reply to his letter of 16 December on behalf of Mr. Williamson. [26377]

  Mr. Morley
  These letters—and a number of others I have received from right hon. and hon. Members—ask about the Government's attitude to near-identical private Member's and private Peer's Bills which have been introduced with the aim, inter alia, of banning the tail docking of piglets. The Government's attitude to such a measure was made clear in a debate in the House of Lords on 26 January: I am therefore now in a position to reply to the right hon. Gentlemen's two letters of 16 December and to the other letters we have received on the subject.

  Norwich Research Park
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the occasions since 1 January 1996 on which grades 1 and 2 officials from his Department have visited each of the food research institutions on the Norwich Research Park. [26250]

  Mr. Rooker
  There have been no such visits in the time period specified.

  Support Package (Wales)
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the time scale for the payment of the £85 million package he announced on 22 December 1997,Official Report, columns 677–79, and what proportion will be distributed to farmers in Wales. [26552]

  Mr. Rooker
  Consultation with the European Commission on the package is still in progress. Our right hon. Friend the Minister hopes to be able to make a statement very soon.

  Meat Hygiene Service
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the operation of the Meat Hygiene Service. [26554]

  Mr. Rooker
  I refer to my reply to the hon. Member for West Dorset (Mr. Letwin) on 14 January 1998,Official Report, column 234.

SCOTLAND

  New Homes
  Mr. Sarwar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of new homes that will need to be built in Scotland to accommodate projections of household growth. [25644]

  Mr. Macdonald
  The published projections of household growth, and their implications for the number of new homes required, are currently embodied in local authorities' Structure and Local Development Plans. In addition, a steering group has been established to oversee the production of a national housing needs assessment. The group will be chaired by the Scottish Office and have representatives from COSLA, Scottish Homes, Shelter, the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations and the Chartered Institute of Housing.

  Scottish Parliament
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many local government staff in Scotland are restricted from standing for the Scottish Parliament elections in 1999 under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989(a) on grounds of salary levels in excess of £25,000 per annum and (b) on other grounds. [25680]
  410
  Mr. Macdonald
  [holding answer 29 January 1998]: Figures provided by the Local Government Political Restrictions Exemptions Adjudicator, collated from lists provided by local authorities, show that:
  (a) an estimated 4,978 posts are politically restricted under the 1989 Act by virtue of salary;
  (b) an estimated 265.5 posts have been identified as being below the relevant point on the APT&C salary spine point 44 (currently £26,391), but meeting the criteria of the Act.

  Heads of paid service, chief officers, deputy chief officers, monitoring officers and other officers specified at Section 2(1) of the 1989 Act are politically restricted by virtue of their office; the Political Restrictions Exemptions Adjudicator does not hold figures for the numbers of these officers, but a number of these officers are likely to be included in the figures given above.

  The Government believe that it is important that councils and the people they serve can rely on politically disinterested service from their officials. This principle was recently upheld by the report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life on local government conduct. To that end, the Government intend that those local government officials who are in the most senior or sensitive positions should not be able to stand for election to the Scottish Parliament. The Government do, however, intend to consult on the possible reduction in the numbers or categories of officer who are affected by political restriction under the 1989 Act.

CABINET OFFICE

  Benjamin Wegg-Prosser
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will list the journeys made at public expense by his special adviser, Mr. Benjamin Wegg-Prosser, indicating the dates and destinations of any visits overseas; and what has been the total cost of these journeys to the public funds. [26712]

  Mr. Mandelson
  Mr. Wegg-Prosser has not made any journeys at public expense.

  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will make a statement indicating the access received by his special adviser, Mr. Benjamin Wegg-Prosser, to official papers, separately identifying his access to(a) defence, (b) security and (c) intelligence information. [26363]

  Mr. Mandelson
  Mr. Wegg-Prosser has access to papers which do not carry a security classification. My Private Secretary is responsible for copying to Mr. Wegg-Prosser, on my instructions, any papers which he may need to have.

  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio what publicly-funded accommodation and facilities are provided for his special adviser, Mr. Benjamin Wegg-Prosser. [26366]

  Mr. Mandelson
  Mr. Wegg-Prosser acts as a political adviser to me as Minister without Portfolio. The appointment carries no remuneration or reimbursement from public funds. A desk in No. 70 Whitehall is provided for his use, which includes a telephone extension and access to the Cab-e-net system. He may also make use of internal messenger services.
  411
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will list all meetings on Government business attended by his special adviser, Mr. Benjamin Wegg-Prosser, from 12 to 23 January, separately identifying those(a) relating to millennium business and (b) on other matters. [26367]

  Mr. Mandelson
  Mr. Wegg-Prosser did not attend any meetings on Government business from 12 to 23 January.

  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will make a statement on the age, professional or academic qualifications and previous career, of his special adviser, Mr. Benjamin Wegg-Prosser. [26368]

  Mr. Mandelson
  Mr. Wegg-Prosser is appointed as a political adviser. He is not paid from public funds. He previously acted as an adviser to me for the Labour Party.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Guinness Affair
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for Newcastle-upon-Tyne Central (Mr. Cousins) of 23 June 1997,Official Report, column 296, on Dixons plc and to the hon. Member for Galloway and Upper Nithsdale (Mr. Morgan) of 8 December 1997, Official Report, column 462, on Guinness plc, what factors underlay her decision to give reasons for her action in the case of the individuals referred to in her Department's report on Guinness plc. [22664]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 12 January 1998]: The conduct of a number of individuals was criticised in the Guinness report. The DTI statement accompanying publication of the report explained why I had decided to take no action in relation to these individuals.

  Power Cuts (Christmas Period)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will set up an inquiry into the failure of the MANWEB electricity supply company to reconnect within a reasonable period those houses and farms who had lost electricity supplies over the Christmas period in the north of Wales. [23273]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 15 January 1998]: I have asked the Office of Electricity Regulation (OFFER) to look into the electricity supply interruptions over the Christmas period.

  The Office of Electricity Regulation (OFFER) is looking at the steps taken by the Public Electricity Suppliers, including MANWEB, to restore supplies and keep customers informed of the situation and likely restoration times. I have asked to see the conclusions of OFFER' s inquiry.

  Coal Industry
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade which Minister is currently responsible for policy in respect of coal contracts. [24405]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 20 January 1998]: Ministerial responsibility for all aspects of energy policy rests with my hon. Friend the Minister for Science, Energy and Industry, reporting to me as necessary.
  412
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate she has made of the number of jobs in the coal industry dependent upon the current contracts with the generators. [24409]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 20 January 1998]: Taking deep-mined and opencast together, around 15,000.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many workers were employed in the coal mining industry in(a) May 1997 and (b) January 1998. [24768]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 22 January 1998]: Employment in UK coal mines, opencast and deep mined taken together, was 17,300 at the end of March 1997. Official figures are not yet available for May 1997 and January 1998.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list the members of the Ministerial Group on the Year 2000 Problem. [24376]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 20 January 1998]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to my hon. Friend the member for Wentworth (Mr. Healey) on 21 January 1998, Official Report, column 570.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will ensure that all computer sales are accompanied by written guarantees of millennium compliance in order to protect the consumer. [25651]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 27 January 1998]: Consumers buying computers enjoy the same statutory rights under the Sale of Goods Act 1979 as when buying any other type of good. Manufacturers are being encouraged by Action 2000 to do all they can to ensure that their products are Millennium compliant.

  Power Generators (Windfall Tax)
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what consultations she has had since July 1997 with representatives of the power generators to discuss the impact on their current business and investment programmes of the windfall tax. [24322]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 21 January 1998]: The windfall tax is a matter for HM Treasury. Ministers, including Treasury Ministers, meet representatives of the power generators from time to time to discuss a variety of issues.

  Gas-fired Power Stations
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what consultations took place with representatives of the gas industry before a moratorium on the building of gas-fired power stations was announced. [24319]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 21 January 1998]: None. The gas industry, like other parties, will be able to contribute to the Review.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade for what reasons a moratorium was imposed on the building of gas-fired power stations. [24316]
  413
  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 21 January 1998]: The Government are undertaking a review of energy sources for power generation. Its conclusions will inform the policy on consents for power stations. While the review is in hand, it seems sensible, in general, to defer decisions on applications for such consents.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is her policy on the building of gas-fired power stations over the longer term. [24317]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 21 January 1998]: The Government are carrying out a review of energy sources for power generation. The terms of reference for the review were published in an answer to a parliamentary question on 22 December 1997, Official Report, column 519. The review will make recommendations on the energy policy considerations relevant to the consents needed for the building of power stations.

  Copier Industry
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans(a) the Government and (b) the Director General of Fair Trading have to refer the copier industry for a competitive review. [24757]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 22 January 1998]: The decision on whether to make a reference to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission is a matter for the Director General of Fair Trading.

  Gem Stones
  Ms Walley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what measures are in place to prevent the importation of gem stones illegally irradiated to alter their colour; and if she will make a statement. [25883]

  Mrs. Roche
  There are no import controls to prevent irradiated gem stones from entering the UK. However, the description of these products is controlled by the Trade Description Act 1968 and their safety, as consumer products, is controlled by the General Product Safety Regulations 1994.

  Scottish Executive
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Scotland to produce a concordat setting out arrangements for relations between his Department and the Scottish Executive after the establishment of a Scottish Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [25475]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 26 January 1998]: I am regularly in contact with my ministerial colleagues, including my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Scotland, about future arrangements for the co-ordination of inward investment. New arrangements will be published in the concordat when Ministers are satisfied that they represent an acceptable way forward for all parts of the United Kingdom.

  Regional Selective Assistance
  Dr. Ladyman
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the average level of regional selective assistance grant made in 1997 in each of the Government office areas. [25747]
  414
  Mrs. Roche
  The average of regional selective assistance offers made in 1997 was as follows:

  £

  Government Office

  Average (cost per job) development area

  Intermediate area

  East

  —

  2,297

  East Midlands

  4,688

  3,116

  London

  —

  2,670

  Mersey side

  3,162

  —

  North East

  3,104

  2,378

  North West

  2,453

  2,588

  South East

  5,376

  2,892

  South West

  4,803

  3,894

  West Midlands

  7,045

  8,794

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  2,696

  2,922

  England average

  4,326

  3,699

  Further detailed information on RSA grants is published in the Annual Report of the Industrial Development Act 1982.

  Dr. Ladyman
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many regional selective assistance grants were made at the maximum level and how many grants were made in total in each of the Government office areas in 1997. [25748]

  Mrs. Roche
  Maximum aid limits are defined by EU State Aid rules and limit the maximum percentage of a project's capital cost that can be provided as aid. The present limits for GB are 30 per cent. in Development Areas and 20 per cent. in Intermediate Areas. There were no offers of RSA grant made at the maximum limit in 1997. In all cases the amount of grant offered is the minimum necessary for the project to go ahead. The total number of offers of regional selective assistance made in 1997 was as follows:

  Government Office

  Number of offers made

  East

  17

  East Midlands

  100

  London

  49

  Merseyside

  99

  North East

  221

  North West

  148

  South East

  60

  South West

  42

  West Midlands

  156

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  191

  Total for England

  1,083

  EU Structural Funds
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is his estimate of the underspend on the ESF and ERDF budgets for the North-west in the period 1994 to 1996. [24692]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 26 January 1998]: For the two 1994–96 Structural Funds Objective 2 programmes covering the North-west, current estimates are that there will be no underspend of the Manchester/Lancashire/ Cheshire programme but that the West Cumbria and Furness programme may be underspent by 6 per cent.

  415
  (about £0.9 million ERDF and £0.2 million ESF). These estimates will be affected by future exchange rate movements and final project costs.

  Official Cars
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the cost of providing a car and a driver for each Minister in her Department in the month of June 1997; and what was the average weekly overtime worked by the drivers in that month. [25828]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 28 January 1998]: The costs per Minister were similar to the cost for the equivalent period in the previous year.

  Social Chapter
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the impact of the introduction of the Social Chapter on the level of employment in the United Kingdom. [24193]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  [holding answer 29 January 1998]: Measures under the Social Chapter will improve conditions of employment. The Government consequently expect the Social Chapter to have a positive impact on employment and competitiveness.

  Plutonium
  Mr. Geraint Davies
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on further measures taken by Her Majesty's Government to implement the international guidelines on plutonium. [27291]

  Mr. Battle
  In my answer on 2 December 1997,Official Report, column 164, I informed the House that the UK accepted a commitment under the guidelines to publish occasional statements explaining our national strategy for nuclear power and the nuclear fuel cycle, including our general plans for managing national holdings of plutonium. I have today placed in the Library of the House a copy of the document outlining our policy on this subject. In accordance with the requirements of the guidelines, I have also today sent a copy of the document to the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, who will be circulating it to Member States in due course.

  Low Pay Commission
  Yvette Cooper
  To ask the President of Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the Government's evidence to the Low Pay Commission. [27290]

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade on what date the Government will submit their evidence to the Low Pay Commission. [24675]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The Government have today sent a copy of the Government's evidence to the Low Pay Commission. It sets out the Government's approach to the national minimum wage and provides background material to aid the Commission in its deliberations.

  In particular, the evidence sets out:
  the incidence of low pay in the UK focusing on groups which suffer disproportionately from low pay, including young people, women, part-time workers and ethnic minorities;
  416
  the economic background and the context of current pay practices and arrangements into which the national minimum wage will be introduced; and
  the likely implications of the national minimum wage for the labour market, focusing on a number of groups, particularly young people, and for the Exchequer.

  In areas where the LPC has been asked to make recommendations such as the rate of the NMW, the treatment of young people and what elements of pay might count towards the hourly minimum wage, the Government have set out facts and issues for the LPC to consider. The final recommendations will, however, be for the LPC to make. We look forward to receiving their report.

  The evidence also places the national minimum wage in the context of related Government policies to improve employability, help people back into work and promote a more fair and inclusive society.

  Copies of the evidence have been placed in the Libraries of the Houses.

DEFENCE

  Naval Nuclear Propulsion Plant
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the occasions since 1980 when nuclear reactors have been shut down for safety reasons, indicating in each case the date of shut down, the reason for the shut down and the date on which power generation recommenced. [24754]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 22 January 1998]: Naval nuclear propulsion plant is designed with significant redundancy in the protection system to ensure that the reactor is shut down safely in the event of a fault. Naval nuclear plant operators are trained to shut down plant early to investigate possible defects. Reactors have therefore been shut down on some 500 occasions since 1980 for precautionary defect investigations. It would be incorrect, however, to ascribe these shutdowns specifically to safety reasons.

  Availability is a major factor in the design of naval nuclear propulsion plant. On all occasions following reactor shutdown at sea it has been possible to resume reactor operation safely within a few hours. Since 1980, all submarines have been able to return safely to harbour under nuclear power.

  Porton Down
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 26 January 1998,Official Report, column 32, how many of the 30 project licence applications submitted by DERA in respect of Porton Down since March 1995 have been (a) rejected by his Department and (b) amended. [26282]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 29 January 1998]: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA). I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.
  417
  Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Norman Baker, dated 30 January 1998:
  Pursuant to my answer of 26 January 1998 (Column 32), I am now replying to your question concerning the number of project licence applications from DERA's Chemical and Biological Defence (CBD) sector at Porton Down which have been either rejected or amended.
  After the internal (CBD) ethical review process, project licence applications from CBD sector are not submitted to the Ministry of Defence, but directly to the Home Office. Since March 1995, CBD sector has submitted 30 such applications to the Home Office, none of which have been rejected. However, virtually all project licence applications made since 1995 have required some form of amendment as a result of both the internal ethical review and review by the Home Office. The internal and external review process presents a mechanism to enhance and refine proposals, and gives confidence that all aspects have been considered.
  I hope this information is helpful.

  Royal Marines
  Sir Peter Emery
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will ensure that the Royal Marines are assured a full and independent role in the defence structure of the nation as an outcome of the Defence Review. [26362]

  Mr. George Robertson
  The role of the Royal Marines, together with all the other elements of our Armed Forces, is being considered as part of the Strategic Defence Review. The Review has yet to reach its final conclusions and no decisions have been taken.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much maintenance money is currently outstanding after assessment by the Child Support Agency in(a) Devon and (b) the United Kingdom; and how many children this relates to in (a) and (b). [23323]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  We are looking for substantial and sustained operational improvements from the Agency, in particular in getting more maintenance paid, reducing the backlogs and improving customer service.

  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mrs. Faith Boardman. She will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Faith Boardman to Mr. Adrian Sanders, dated 29 January 1998:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the amount of maintenance currently outstanding in Devon and the United Kingdom; and how many children this relates to.
  It is not possible to provide the full information you requested, however I can provide details on maintenance outstanding at Agency level (excluding Northern Ireland, which is handled separately by the Northern Ireland Child Support Agency), and at Business Unit level. Information on maintenance outstanding is taken from the Agency's Financial Management System but is not available at county level. The Agency is organised into 6 Business Units; Devon is dealt with by our South West Business Unit, for which figures are quoted in the table.
  418
  Numbers are given for related children in the Devon area, and also in the South West Business Unit (provided by the Department of Social Security Analylitical Services Division).

  Maintenance outstanding and the number of related children in Great Britain and the South Western Business Unit at 31 December 1997

  Category A interim maintenance assessments (£)

  Full maintenance assessments and other interim maintenance assessments (£)

  Number of related children

  South West Business Unit

  104,697,780

  1113,058,066

  187,160 (of which 22,340 live in the Devon area)

  Great Britain

  690,002.757

  2635,522,889

  1,002,180

  1 £53,161,236 of this relates to amounts which have been rescheduled for payment over an agreed future period.

  2 £301,638,298 of this relates to amounts which have been rescheduled for payment over an agreed future period.

  A Category A interim maintenance assessment sets maintenance at a punitive rate for absent parents who fail to co-operate, is imposed until the Agency is provided with the information needed to complete a full maintenance assessment. The Agency issued many interim maintenance assessments in its first two years—73,303 in 93/94. The emphasis now is to encourage absent parents to co-operate early and therefore avoid building up excessive maintenance arrears; the number of interim maintenance assessments has now greatly reduced to 11,718 in 1996/97.In 1997 the Agency undertook a debt analysis exercise and established that 44.9% of final maintenance assessments were collectable, 15.9% were possibly uncollectable, 38% probably uncollectable and 1.2% has been deferred.I hope this is helpful.
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average length of time between assessment by the Child Support Agency and first payment. [23505]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  We expect the Child Support Agency to provide an efficient and effective service to all its clients.

  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mrs. Faith Boardman. She will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Faith Boardman to Mr. Adrian Sanders, dated 29 January 1998:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the average length of time between assessment by the Child Support Agency and first payment.
  It is not possible to provide details on the average length of time between assessment and first payment. The date on which a first payment is due is dependent on several factors, including the chosen method of payment, the payment preferences of the absent parent and the parent with care, and the absent parent's pay frequency. There is no prescribed date applicable to all cases by which a first payment must be made.
  It is therefore difficult to estimate an average length of time between assessment and the date on which the first payment should be made.
  Statistics are not collated on the time between the assessment and the first payment as these details would not prove very informative due to the several factors that have an influence on when a first payment is due and in turn actually made.

  419
  The Agency is very aware of the need to assess maintenance and ensure payments are passed on to the parent with care as quickly as possible, and in 1997/98 has two Secretary of State targets designed to achieve this. The first target contains an element which requires the Agency to clear 60% of all applications within 26 weeks; to 31st December 1997, the year's performance stood at 73%. The second target requires the Agency to pass on 97% of payments to the parent with care within ten days of receipt from the absent parent; year-to-date performance at 31st December was 98%.
  We are constantly looking at how we can adapt and improve our procedures to speed up the time taken. The timescales achieved for many cases have shortened over the last 2 years. Such an example is that the Agency is building more pro-active use of the telephone into its procedures between assessment and first payment to ensure that timescales are shortened wherever possible. The vast majority of payment advice is now conducted by telephone.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people in Devon are being pursued by the Child Support Agency; and what is the figure per 1,000 residents in the United Kingdom. [23324]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  Children are entitled to the financial and emotional support of both parents wherever they live. It is not right that so many absent parents should seek to avoid paying the maintenance they owe.

  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mrs Faith Boardman. She will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Faith Boardman to Mr. Adrian Sanders, dated 29 January 1998:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the caseload of the Child Support Agency.
  The caseload comprises two broad categories, i.e. the live and assessed cases, where an assessment has been made, and the work-on-hand, where the case has not yet been cleared by assessment or by closure for other reasons.
  The Agency is organised into 6 Business Units; figures are available at Business Unit level but not at county level. Devon is dealt with by our South West Business Unit, for which figures are given below.
  At 31st December 1997, the South West Business Unit has 120,300 live and assessed cases. At the same time, that Business Unit's work-on-hand stood at 48,297; 18,305 of which are backlog cases.
  Any maintenance application which is over 52 weeks old is considered to form part of the Agency's backlog.
  The Agency has developed and is now implementing a strategy for meeting its undertaking to clear its backlogs. All Business Units have put in place operational plans which will guide them towards the achievement of our stated objective of clearing backlogs by 31 March 1999.
  The total caseload for the South West Business Unit of 168,597 equates to around 3 cases per 1,000 people, based on a GB population of around 57.2 million.
  I hope this is helpful.
  420
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security is she will provide a breakdown of the numbers of staff employed by the Child Support Agency working on Teesside; and if the review of the CSA is examining their caseload. [24514]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  Children are entitled to the financial and emotional support of both parents wherever they live. We are looking closely at all aspects of the Agency's work to ensure that it provides a consistent, fair and efficient service to all its clients. We aim to bring forward proposals by the Summer.

  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mrs. Faith Boardman. She will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Faith Boardman to Dr. Ashok Kumar, dated 29 January 1998:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about staff employed by the Child Support Agency.
  The Agency employs 32 staff in the Teeside area. All of these staff work in Middlesborough Field Office.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Mr. Bendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if she will make a statement on the future of the Child Support Agency; [26727]

  (2) when she will announce the outcome of her review of the Child Support Act 1995. [26728]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  We are looking closely at all aspects of the child support scheme to see where improvements can be made. We expect to bring forward proposals by the Summer.

  Personal Pension Plans
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate she has made of the number of current and future pensioners with personal pension plans who will be affected by the changes to the Act. [24225]

  Mr. Denham
  The package of measures in the July budget will ensure that we create and maintain the right conditions for long-term investment and growth. This is the way to ensure that wealth is created to sustain pensions in the future.

  The Government are taking the long-term view of the economy, and a long-term view on pensions.

  There is some short-term risk that some people with appropriate personal pensions may have been best advised to rejoin SERPS. The Government have responded to these fears by increasing their rebating to ensure contracting out remains attractive.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Audrey Wise
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people with multiple sclerosis receive the disability living allowance at the higher rate for(a) the mobility component and (b) the care component of the benefit. [24068]
  421
  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is set out in the table.

  Recipients of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) with multiple sclerosis1

  Number

  All recipients

  245,100

  with higher rate of mobility component

  43,500

  with higher rate of care component

  18,300

  Source:

  1. Analytical Services Division: 5 per cent. data.

  Notes:

  1 Figures rounded to the nearest hundred relate to 30 November 1997.

  2 Figures relate to people who receive DLA where multiple sclerosis is recorded as the main disabling condition.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to her answer of 13 January 1998,Official Report, column 251, if she will estimate how many of the (a) lifetime and (b) renewable disability living allowance awards disallowed, (i) were transferred to income support and housing benefit, (ii) became dependent on partners or carers and (iii) returned to work. [24736]

  Mr. Denham
  The information needed to make such an estimate is not available. Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is a tax-free, non-contributory and non income-related benefit intended to help with the extra costs associated with disability. Its financial value is wholly disregarded when assessing a person's eligibility for benefits such as Income Support or Housing Benefit, although receipt of DLA would result in an additional premium being paid. Disallowance of DLA would not normally lead to a transfer on to these benefits. No information is recorded as to a claimant's circumstances following disallowance of DLA.

  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if the Benefits Integrity Project will review those applications for disability living allowance which have been refused. [24516]

  Mr. Denham
  One of our key aims is to rebuild integrity in, and public support for, the Social Security system and the way in which public money is spent.

  Disability Living Allowance by disability and regions

  United Kingdom1,2

  North-east4

  Tyneside4

  Newcastle upon Tyne5

  Main disabling condition

  Awards of care

  Awards of mobility

  Awards of care

  Awards of mobility

  Awards of care

  Awards of mobility

  Awards of care

  Awards of mobility

  All disabling conditions

  1,444,610

  1,802,520

  86,600

  115,530

  10,330

  14,520

  8,780

  10,720

  1 Arthritis

  274,660

  407,940

  19,380

  30,540

  2,630

  3,970

  1,720

  2,510

  2 Muscle/joint/bone disease

  107,260

  131,160

  6,310

  8,900

  560

  900

  640

  730

  3 Blindness

  42,120

  49,350

  2,000

  2,290

  290

  330

  170

  170

  4 Stroke-related

  74,900

  80,990

  4,200

  4,660

  470

  450

  480

  540

  5 Learning difficulty

  161,710

  174,180

  7,860

  8,180

  1,170

  960

  810

  770

  6 Other mental health causes

  162,760

  159,170

  8,090

  8,610

  810

  890

  910

  1,060

  7 Epilepsy

  46,490

  41,350

  2,870

  2,560

  370

  350

  400

  400

  8 Deafness

  16,550

  12,130

  770

  480

  60

  40

  170

  60

  9 Malignant disease

  35,800

  34,960

  2,220

  2,530

  230

  380

  190

  230

  10 Chest disease

  46,170

  85,610

  3,360

  6,250

  390

  900

  290

  520

  11 Back ailments

  110,660

  162,100

  9,070

  14,000

  1,170

  1,940

  570

  1,040

  422
  Benefits should go to those who are properly entitled to benefit. This is why we have continued with Benefits Integrity Project.

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

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. David Kidney, dated 29 January 1998:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question enquiring if the Benefits Integrity Project (BIP) will review those applications for Disability Living Allowance (DLA) which have been refused.
  Decisions on DLA cases are made by independent Adjudication Officers (AO), neither ministers nor officials can alter or influence their decisions, and cases examined by the BIP are subject to the same adjudication rules as any other DLA award. There is provision for anyone who is not satisfied with an AO's decision to request a review which will be carried out by a different AO. Anyone who remains dissatisfied following a review has the right of appeal to an independent appeal tribunal.
  I hope you find the reply helpful.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to her reply to the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam (Mr. Burstow) of 13 January 1998,Official Report, columns 203–04, if she will provide figures on the same basis for (a) each of the categories included in her previous answer, (b) ME, (c) limb loss, (d) stress, and (e) occupational diseases for (i) the United Kingdom, (ii) the Northern Region, (iii) the benefit districts approximating to the North-East counties, (iv) the benefit district approximating to Tyneside and (v) Newcastle upon Tyne. [24727]

  Mr. Denham
  The administration of Disability Living Allowance is a matter for Peter Mathison, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Jim Cousins dated, 29 January 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking for figures on (a) each of the categories included in her previous answer dated 13 January, (b) ME, (c) limb loss, (d) stress, and (e) occupational diseases for (i) the United Kingdom, (ii) the Northern Region, (iii) the benefit districts approximating to the North East counties, (iv) the benefit district approximating to Tyneside and (v) Newcastle upon Tyne.
  The information is not available in the format requested. The figures for stress and occupational diseases are not available. The available information is shown in the attached tables.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.423

  Disability Living Allowance by disability and regions

  United Kingdom1,2

  North-east4

  Tyneside4

  Newcastle upon Tyne5

  Main disabling condition

  Awards of care

  Awards of mobility

  Awards of care

  Awards of mobility

  Awards of care

  Awards of mobility

  Awards of care

  Awards of mobility

  12 Heart disease

  69,290

  151,020

  4,640

  11,400

  560

  1,480

  450

  940

  13 Parkinson disease

  10,570

  10,740

  500

  500

  60

  60

  40

  60

  14 Diabetes melitus

  30,520

  23,450

  1,810

  1,410

  210

  150

  210

  190

  15 Renal disorders

  7,180

  7,580

  620

  520

  40

  40

  20

  40

  16 AIDS

  5,040

  5,000

  60

  60

  0

  0

  20

  20

  17 Skin diseases

  10,520

  2,990

  810

  130

  60

  40

  230

  20

  18 Chronic fatigue syndrome6

  7,640

  8,510

  210

  230

  20

  60

  20

  20

  19 Limb loss3

  490

  600

  20

  20

  0

  0

  0

  0

  20 Other

  224,290

  253,690

  11,810

  12,290

  1,240

  1,580

  1,450

  1,410

  1 Figures rounded to nearest ten units relate to 30 November 1997 for Great Britain and to 31 August 1997 for Northern Ireland.

  2 Source: Analytical Service Division 5 per cent. data and DHSS Northern Ireland 100 per cent. data.

  3 Source: Analytical Services Division 100 per cent.

  4 Area consists of Cleveland, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear and Durham counties.

  5 Area consists of North Tyneside and South Tyneside local authorities.

  6 Includes ME and post viral.

  Owing to rounding the figures do not always sum.

  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many(a) women of 60 years or over and (b) men of 65 years or over claim disability living allowance; and what proportion they are of the total number of disability living allowance claimants. [26714]

  Mr. Denham
  On the basis of the latest figures available, there are 341,600 women aged 60 and over, in receipt of Disability Living Allowance and they represent 17 per cent. of all recipients. 198,400 men aged 65 and over are in receipt of this benefit and they represent 10 per cent. of all recipients.

  Note:

  Figures are based on a 5 per cent. sample of data.

  Incapacity Benefit
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claims for incapacity benefit have so far been assessed under the Benefits Integrity Review; and how many claims have been(a) set aside, (b) reduced and (c) increased (i) in total and (ii) by region. [24721]

  Mr. Denham
  One of our key aims is to rebuild integrity in, and public support for, the Social Security system and the way in which public money is spent. Benefits should go to those who are properly entitled to benefit. This is why we have continued with Benefits Integrity Project.

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

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Jim Cousins, dated 29 January 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security had asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question regarding the number of claims of Incapacity Benefit (IB) that have been so far assessed under the Benefits Integrity Review; and how many claims have been (a) set aside, (b) reduced and (c) increased (i) in total and (ii) by region.
  The Benefit Integrity Project (BIP) is not looking at IB claims. The BIP is looking at claims to Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and the analysis you have requested has therefore been provided for DLA.
  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
  424
  to 31 December and subsequent months will be placed in the House of Commons library. Information is not routinely available on a regional basis.
  I hope you find the reply helpful.

  Attendance Allowance
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of attendance allowance claims were dealt with within(a) 30 working days and (b) 55 working days for each year since 1992. [24870]

  Mr. Denham
  The administration of Attendance Allowance is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Eddie O'Hara, dated 29 January 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what proportion of Attendance Allowance (AA) claims were dealt with within (a) 30 working days and (b) 55 working days for each year since 1992.
  The information is not available in the format requested. The Secretary of State targets for AA new claims and reviews have changed since 1992. The current target for new claims is sixty-eight per cent cleared within 30 days and eighty five per cent cleared within 53 days. The current target for reviews is sixty per cent cleared within 55 days and eighty per cent cleared within 75 days.
  The attached tables show the AA targets set and achieved for new claims and reviews.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Attendance allowance targets set and achieved for new claims and reviews

  Year

  Target

  Achievement (per cent.)

  New claims

  1992–93

  60 per cent. in 35 days

  30

  95 per cent. in 60 days

  53

  1993–94

  60 per cent. in 35 days

  82

  95 per cent. in 60 days

  95

  1994–95

  60 per cent. in 30 days

  72

  90 per cent. in 60 days

  95

  1995–96

  57 per cent. in 30 days

  80

  89 per cent. in 55 days

  96

  425

  Attendance allowance targets set and achieved for new claims and reviews

  Year

  Target

  Achievement (per cent.)

  1996–97

  68 per cent, in 30 days

  79

  89 per cent. in 55 days

  95

  1997–98

  68 per cent, in 30 days

  75

  85 per cent, in 53 days

  93

  Reviews

  1992–93

  60 per cent. in 61 days

  55

  95 per cent. in 81 days

  71

  1993–94

  60 per cent. in 61 days

  82

  85 per cent. in 81 days

  92

  1994–95

  60 per cent. in 61 days

  85

  85 per cent. in 81 days

  96

  1995–96

  59 per cent. in 56 days

  73

  84 per cent. in 76 days

  89

  1996–97

  60 per cent. in 55 days

  74

  80 per cent. in 75 days

  91

  1997–98

  60 per cent. in 55 days

  70

  80 per cent. in 75 days

  87

  Disability Working Allowance
  Mr. Lock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the sums which were(a) budgeted for payment in disability working allowance in each of the last three years and (b) paid out to claimants in disability working allowance in each of the last three years. [25407]

  Mr. Denham
  The information is given in the table.

  Disability Working Allowance—granted and actual expenditure

  £

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  Granted (budgeted)

  13,000,000

  14,987,000

  25,345,000

  Actual expenditure

  11,369,000

  19,163,000

  34,028,000

  Source:

  I. The figures are taken from the Appropriation Accounts for Class XII, Vote 1 for 1994–95, 1995–96 and 1996–97.

  Winter Fuel Payments
  Mr. Martin Bell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if the winter fuel payment will be paid to older people who live in(a) Northern Ireland, (b) the Isle of Man and (c) the Channel Islands. [25732]

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

  This Department is responsible for Social Security only in Great Britain, which does not include the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands.

  Responsibility for Northern Ireland rests with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of state for Northern Ireland, who has arranged similar provisions (S.R. 1998 No.3).

  Departmental Fuel
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much(a) oil, (b) gas and (c) electricity was
  426
  purchased for the heating, lighting and powering of accommodation occupied by her Department within the United Kingdom in each year since 1989–90; and what was the total cost in real terms for (a) to (c) in each year. [25798]

  Mr. Field
  The information requested is shown in the table.

  Fuel costs since 1989–90

  £000

  Year

  Oil

  Gas

  Electricity

  Actual

  Real1

  Actual

  Real1

  Actual

  Real1

  1989–90

  591

  834

  2,423

  3,423

  6,743

  9,527

  1990–91

  792

  968

  3,288

  4,020

  8,645

  10,570

  1991–92

  723

  830

  3,848

  4,423

  10,062

  11,566

  1992–93

  676

  745

  3,853

  4,250

  11,441

  12,621

  1993–94

  1,230

  1,319

  3,830

  4,105

  12,472

  13,368

  1994–95

  440

  465

  3,004

  3,172

  12,713

  13,424

  1995–96

  427

  438

  2,972

  3,055

  12,856

  13,212

  1996–97

  550

  550

  3,191

  3,191

  11,775

  11,775

  1 Figures have been brought to 1996–97 base level to reflect the cost in real terms.

  State Earnings-related Pension Scheme
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what weekly contributions would be required(a) over a 40 year period for SERPS to deliver a pension of £15,700 per annum at today's prices, (b) over a 25 year period to deliver a pension of £4,700 and (c) over a 10 year period to deliver a pension of £976 (i) as the scheme is currently constituted and (ii) in accordance with the principles when the scheme was first set up. [26286]

  Mr. Denham
  It is not possible to provide the information requested. SERPS is a pay as you go, defined benefit scheme based on qualifying earnings. Hence there is no direct link between an individual's National Insurance contributions and the SERPS pension received.

  Child Care
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to the answers to the hon. Member for Montgomery (Mr. Öpik) of 13 January 1998,Official Report, columns 210–11, and to the hon. Member for Regent's Park and Kensington, North (Ms Buck) of 15 January 1998, Official Report, columns 312–13, for what reason parents will be able to receive £95.50 a week towards the cost of their child care after the disregard is enhanced to £100 from June 1998; if she will set out in detail how the working family tax credit will provide more help with the cost of child care in addition to the £100 disregard; and if she will make a statement. [24998]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The increase in the child care disregard will allow up to £100 a week to be off-set against earnings, which would otherwise be taken into
  427
  account against benefit entitlement. This means that a recipient of Family Credit, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit can receive up to £95.50 a week in extra benefit.

  The Working Family Tax Credit is one of the options currently under consideration by the Government. The details will be announced once a decision is made.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will publish the survey that shows that over 1 million disabled people want to work. [26543]

  Ms Harman
  Analysis of the data from the Summer 1997 Labour Force Survey, released by the Office for National Statistics in December 1997, suggests that over 1 million people with a long-term disability1 in Great Britain want to work. The analysis estimates that 354,000 disabled people of working age2 are unemployed3 and seeking work, and a further 935,000 disabled people who are not working4 would like to work.

  Notes:
  1 Those with a current disability which has lasted, or is expected to last, more than a year. This category includes those with a disability which limits the kind or amount of work they can do, or has a substantial adverse impact on their day-to-day activities; and those known to have a progressive condition. It may exclude some people with progressive conditions and severe disfigurements who feel that these do not limit their work or have a substantial adverse impact on their day-to-day activities. The definition of disability in the Labour Force Survey (LFS) has been changed to take account of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, resulting in changes in the numbers recorded as disabled. This particular definition of disability is not available from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) prior to Spring 1997.
  2 People of working age: men aged 16–64, women aged 16–59.
  3 The Office for National Statistics measure of unemployment, derived from the LFS is defined on a consistent and internationally recognised basis set out by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), and counts unemployed people who are: (a) without a paid job: (b) available to start work within the next two weeks and (c) have either looked for work in the last four weeks or are waiting to start a job already obtained.
  4 Not in employment or ILO unemployed.

  Correspondence
  Sir Brian Mawhinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the right hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire can expect a reply to his letter of 26 November 1997 on behalf of Mr. Harding; [26370]

  (2) when the right hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire can expect a reply to his letter of 16 December 1997 on behalf of Mr. Moore; [26371]

  (3) when the right hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire can expect a reply to his letter of 2 December 1997 on behalf of Miss Randall; [26372]

  Sir Brian Mawhinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the right hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire can expect a reply to his letter of 3 December on behalf of Mrs. Tasker. [26375]

  Mr. Denham
  Replies will be sent shortly.

HEALTH

  Cosmetic Surgery Clinics
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to regulate more effectively cosmetic surgery clinics to ensure that medically qualified personnel undertaking surgical procedures are full qualified to carry out these operations. [23687]

  Mr. Milburn
  The Registered Homes Act 1984 provides for the registration and inspection of private cosmetic surgery clinics by health authorities. The General Medical Council has powers to instigate disciplinary procedures in cases of alleged seriously deficient professional performance, as well as serious professional misconduct. Anyone who attempted to perform a cosmetic procedure, but who was not competent to do so, would also expose themselves to the risk of civil, and possibly criminal, liability, and/or to professional proceedings for misconduct. We will be considering whether further safeguards are needed.

  Adoption
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to set up independent agencies to provide services to prospective United Kingdom intercountry adopters. [25814]

  Mr. Boateng
  The first voluntary adoption society to be approved to carry out work on intercountry adoption was in June 1997; a second adoption society has applied to the Department to be approved to provide intercountry adoption services to prospective adopters.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment he has made of the range of charges imposed for home study reports on intercountry adoption; [25810]

  (2) if he will introduce controls on the charges made for home study reports for intercountry adoption. [25809]

  Mr. Boateng
  Charges made for the preparation and assessment of prospective adopters who wish to adopt children from overseas are a matter for each local authority and voluntary adoption society.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department funded on intercountry adoption in the past six years; what was the cost of research; and if he will publish it. [25812]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Department funded a study of children adopted from Romania by residents of the United Kingdom. The project began in January 1993 and ended in December 1997. The total cost of the project was £742,860. We are currently awaiting the final report.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure all adopters can obtain a home study report for intercountry adoption. [25807]

  Mr. Boateng
  All local authorities either undertake home study assessments of prospective intercountry adopters themselves or arrange for them to be carried out on their behalf. We issued comprehensive guidance in May 1997 to enable local authorities and adoption agencies to carry out these assessments.
  429
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to introduce legislation to update the law on adoption. [25806]

  Mr. Boateng
  We have no plans at present to introduce a Bill to bring further adoption legislation. However, we shall do so as soon as parliamentary time allows.

  Smoking
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research work he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the long-term and short-term effects on the skin of smoking. [25609]

  Ms Jowell
  None.

  However, research has been conducted by the Twin Research Unit at St. Thomas Hospital, London which found dramatic differences in skin aging between smoking and non-smoking twins.

  A smoker's skin was found to be 40 per cent. thinner than that of her twin's—0.57 millimetres compared with 0.91 millimetres.

  Carers
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the project on short-term breaks for carers. [25742]

  Mr. Boateng
  This study is nearing completion and we expect to receive the report soon.

  Gammahydroxybutyrate
  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will investigate the effects, side-effects, toxicity and availability of the drug Gammahydroxybutyrate. [26718]

  Ms Jowell
  Gammahydroxybutyrate is a medicinal product, and its medicinal properties are well established. In the United Kingdom, it is controlled under the Medicines for Human Use (Marketing Authorisations Etc.) Regulations 1994 and Medicines Act 1968. It is unlicensed in the UK, and can lawfully be supplied only by a pharmacist in response to a doctor's prescription for a patient.

  Unlawful supply of this product is a criminal offence. The Medicines Control Agency enforces medicines legislation on behalf of ministers and has successfully investigated and prosecuted offenders in recent years.

  Worcestershire Health Authority
  Mr. Lock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what costings have been undertaken to date by(a) his Department and (b) the Worcestershire Health Authority concerning the cost to the National Health Service of staff travel arising rom the transfer of staff as a result of the implementation of each of the options referred to in the Strategic Document from the Worcestershire Health Authority 23 October 1997; and if he will make a statement; [24851]

  (2) when (a) his Department and (b) Worcestershire Health Authority expect to reach a decision on which of the options referred to in the Strategic Framework Document issued by the Worcestershire Health Authority dated 23 October 1997 oblige them to consult NHS staff
  430
  prior to decisions being taken involving (i) redundancies and (ii) the redeployment of staff employed by the NHS in Worcestershire; [24852]

  (3) what costings have been undertaken to date by (a) his Department and (b) the Worcestershire Health Authority concerning the cost to the National Health Service redundancy payments for each of the options referred to in the Strategic Framework Document from the Worcestershire Health Authority on 23 October 1997; and if he will make a statement; [24884]

  (4) what costings have been undertaken to date by (a) his Department and (b) the Worcestershire Health Authority concerning the cost to the National Health Service of pension payments arising from the early terminations of staff arising out of each of the options referred to in the Strategic Framework Document from the Worcestershire Health Authority of 23 October 1997; and if he will make a statement. [24885]

  Mr. Milburn
  The Worcestershire Health Authority strategic framework document outlines a range of possible options, which are still the subject of discussion and revision with the trusts concerned and other interested groups, and will be the subject of a full public consultation starting at the end of February. Detailed costings and action plans for staff consultation, staff travel, possible redundancies and the effects on pensions cannot be undertaken until the public consultation concludes in the summer of 1998. Decisions will be taken either by the health authority or my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State.

  Prescription Fraud
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his latest estimate of the cost to public funds of fraud arising from false claims for exemption from prescription charges. [26414]

  Mr. Milburn
  It is estimated that for 1996–97 £90 million was lost through prescription charge evasion by patients.

  Correspondence
  Sir Brian Mawhinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the right hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire can expect a reply to his letter of 19 November on behalf of Mr. Thornton. [26376]

  Mr. Dobson
  I have written to the right hon. Member today.

  Medical Graduates (Career Patterns)
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of those graduating with degrees in medicine and dentistry in (i) 1975, (ii) 1980, (iii) 1985, (iv) 1990, (v) 1995 and (vi) 1997 are now(a) not employed in the field of medicine or dentistry, (b) employed in the public sector, (c) employed in the private sector and (d) employed in both public and private sectors. [26524]

  Mr. Milburn
  Information is not available in the form requested.
  431
  Evidence on doctors' career patterns is available from studies published in 1991 by Professor James Parkhouse. This gives the results of surveys of doctors who qualified in 1974, 1977, 1980 and 1983. The Department has commissioned further cohort studies of doctors' careers by the United Kingdom Medical Careers Research Group (MCRG) at the Oxford Unit of Health-Care Epidemiology. These are examining career patterns of doctors who qualified in 1988, 1993 and 1996, as well as some of the cohorts surveyed originally by Professor Parkhouse. Data from the original studies are given in the table.

  Changing patterns of retention—five years after qualification

  Not practising medicine

  Not practising medicine in the UK

  Year of cohort Qualification

  Size

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  1974

  2,346

  208

  8.8

  398

  17.0

  1977

  3,128

  186

  5.9

  405

  12.9

  1980

  3,418

  228

  6.7

  350

  10.2

  1983

  3,841

  202

  5.3

  339

  8.8

  1988

  3,731

  307

  8.2

  513

  13.7

  Source:

  UK Medical Careers Research Group.

  Health of the Nation
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the original baseline for, and the most recent achievement against, the targets set in Health of the Nation for(a) England and (b) Newcastle and North Tyneside. [24802]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 27 January 1998]: The Health of the Nation targets were set as national targets. Specific local targets were not set. This was a weakness in view of the degree of variation from the national average between different local health authorities. It is part of the regional office public health role to monitor the performance of health authorities against the Health of the Nation targets, and they hold detailed information trends for the health authorities in their area.

  Baseline and monitoring data are available centrally for 24 of the 27 Health of the Nation targets at a national level, and for 13 of the targets at local level (11 mortality

  Health of the Nation: baselines and latest data for England and Newcastle and North Tyneside HA

  Health of the Nation targets

  Rates per 100,000 population (European age standardised)

  Target area

  People aged

  Measure

  target reduction (per cent.)

  By year

  England

  Newcastle and North Tyneside HA

  Year

  Baseline

  Latest

  Percentage change

  Baseline

  Latest

  Percentage change

  Baseline

  Latest

  A1 CHD

  under 65

  death rate

  40

  2000

  57.6

  43.5

  -24

  75.7

  54.1

  -29

  1989–91

  1994–96

  A2 CHD

  65–74

  death rate

  30

  2000

  883.2

  730.0

  -17

  1,041.7

  867.8

  -17

  1989–91

  1994–96

  A3 stroke

  under 65

  death rate

  40

  2000

  11.8

  10.6

  -10

  14.4

  10.7

  -26

  1989–91

  1994–96

  A4 stroke

  65–74

  death rate

  40

  2000

  248.6

  207.5

  -17

  312.4

  252.8

  -19

  1989–91

  1994–96

  B1 breast cancer

  women 50–69

  death rate

  25

  2000

  93.5

  81.3

  -13

  96.8

  83.6

  -14

  1989–91

  1994–96

  B2 cervical cancer

  all ages

  incidence

  20

  2000

  15.8

  14.2

  -10

  14.5

  17.5

  21

  1985–87

  1989–91

  B3 skin cancer (melanoma)

  all ages

  incidence

  halt inc.

  2005

  6.2

  6.9

  11

  6.0

  3.9

  -36

  1985–87

  1989–91

  B4 lung cancer

  men under 75

  death rate

  30

  2010

  58.8

  48.8

  -17

  91.8

  78.0

  -15

  1989–91

  1994–96

  B5 lung cancer

  women under 75

  death rate

  15

  2010

  23.6

  22.9

  -3

  46.9

  42.5

  -9

  1989–91

  1994–96

  C2 suicide and undetermined

  all ages

  death rate

  15

  2000

  10.2

  9.2

  -10

  12.0

  11.4

  -5

  1989–91

  1994–96

  432
  targets and two cancer incidence targets). The available data for those 13 targets, extracted from the Public Health Common Data Set (copies of which are available in the Library), are shown in the table.

  It should be noted that the cancer incidence information presented here is several years out of date due to delays in the cancer registration process.

  A summary of progress for the remaining national targets for which an assessment can be made, is given.
  Gonorrhoea incidence—a proxy measure for trends in HIV infection—the target was achieved in 1992 ahead of the 1995 target date. However, rates have started to rise again in 1996.
  Smoking in pregnancy—the percentage of women giving up has reached the target of 33 per cent. in 1995.
  The prevalence of smoking in adults has fallen between 1990 and 1996, from 31 per cent. to 28 per cent. for men and from 28 per cent. to 27 per cent. for women. The rate for women fluctuated during this period.
  Conceptions among under 16 year olds fell by 14 per cent. between 1989–90–91 and 1993–94–95, although there was a slight rise (3 per cent.) in each of the last two years.
  Mean systolic blood pressure among adults fell by 2mm Hg between 1991–92 and 1996—the target reduction is 5mm Hg by 2005.
  The percentages of food energy derived from total fat and saturated fatty acids have continued a slow but steady fall.

  Targets where progress has not been achieved:
  Obesity has been increasing since the mid 1980s, and 1996 figures show the percentage of 16–64 year olds classified as obese are 16 per cent. of men and 17 per cent. of women.
  Smoking prevalence among 11–15 year olds increased to 12 per cent. in 1994, thus missing the 1994 target, and rose again to 13 per cent. in 1996.
  Drinking prevalence—there has been an increase in the percentage of women drinking above the previously recommended "sensible" weekly levels, but as yet, no clear trend among men.

  The remaining target, on skin cancer incidence, is under review.

  We shall very shortly be publishing the Green Paper on our new health strategy for England, Our Healthier Nation. The Green Paper will propose a small number of new national targets and will also set out our thinking on the possibilities for introducing local targets.

  433

  Health of the Nation: baselines and latest data for England and Newcastle and North Tyneside HA

  Health of the Nation targets

  Rates per 100,000 population (European age standardised)

  Target area

  People aged

  Measure

  target reduction (per cent.)

  By year

  England

  Newcastle and North Tyneside HA

  Year

  Baseline

  Latest

  Percentage change

  Baseline

  Latest

  Percentage change

  Baseline

  Latest

  E1 accidents

  under 15

  death rate

  33

  2005

  6.7

  4.4

  -34

  10.2

  5.9

  -42

  1989–91

  1994–96

  E2 accidents

  15–24

  death rate

  25

  2005

  23.1

  17.3

  -25

  12.1

  9.9

  -18

  1989–91

  1994–96

  E3 accidents

  65 and over

  death rate

  33

  2005

  56.6

  52.8

  -7

  61.7

  65.8

  7

  1989–91

  1994–96

  Source:

  Public Health Common Data Sets 1996 and 1997 (from ONS mortality statistics and cancer registrations).

  Civil Service Staff
  Mr. Rhodri Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health 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. [26030]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 28 January 1998]: 80 per cent. of senior civil service staff in the Department of Health have spent the whole of their civil service career in the Department of Health or its predecessor the Department of Health and Social Security.

  Less than 1 per cent. of senior civil servants from the Department of Health have had secondments to the Private Sector. Most secondments are to and from the National Health Service and allied organisations. 4.3 per cent. have been on loan to other government departments and 4.7 per cent. were recruited from them.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Poor People
  Mr. Pond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment 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. [23336]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The best way of improving the living standards of most people at the bottom of the income distribution is to help them into work, and we are implementing a range of policies under the New Deal to achieve this aim.

  We continually evaluate our policies using a variety of methods. The success of New Deal will be assessed by carrying out a wide-ranging programme of evaluation. The evaluation will consider the impact of New Deal on the labour market, the impact on individuals, employers, and numbers on welfare, plus the impact on wider economic and social issues, e.g. social exclusion, the voluntary sector, the environment and criminality.

  We have also established a Social Exclusion Unit to help co-ordinate action across Government and to find new and more integrated ways of tackling the worst problems.

  Young Unemployed Deaf People
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what measures the Government will employ to bring information about the New Deal to the attention of young unemployed deaf people; [24083]

  (2) if deaf awareness training will be given to those personal advisors in the New Deal Gateway who may be involved with young unemployed deaf people. [24084]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  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 Levitt, dated 30 January 1998:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions about young unemployed deaf people and New Deal. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Employment Service Chief Executive.
  In response to your question about deaf awareness training for New Deal Personal Advisors, I can confirm that all of our Personal Advisers have received, or will receive, equal opportunities awareness training in order that they are fully aware of the barriers facing people trying to find work including those people with disabilities. The training includes ensuring that Advisers know that there is a range of services available to help young deaf people so that they can draw on the appropriate resource depending on an individual's circumstances.
  Apart from practical help of this nature all young deaf people, in common with all young people with other disabilities, may be eligible for early entry to the New Deal Programme.
  You also asked about the measures we will employ to bring information about the New Deal to the attention of young unemployed deaf people. They, along with all young people with disabilities, will be advised by our existing Disability Employment Advisers about the help available to them from the Employment Service and its partners. This will include information on the New Deal and the type of provision available to meet their needs. All of our Disability Employment Advisers receive specific training on deafness.
  I hope this is helpful.

  School Day (Length)
  Mrs. Organ
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has for extending school days to accommodate the requirement for an hour a day to be given to numeracy and literacy. [24165]

  Mr. Byers
  The length of the School day is a matter for decision by the governing body of each school. Following my right hon. Friend's announcement on
  435
  13 January, schools will have flexibility in the primary curriculum to devote an hour a day to numeracy and literacy within the existing school day.

  Selective Education
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the relative levels of performance between selective and non-selective educational systems in England and Wales. [24073]

  Mr. Byers
  The Government's priority is standards, not structures. We look to all schools to improve their performance irrespective of the pattern of school organisation in their area.

  Schools (Points System)
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the number of schools where the decline in points between 1993 and 1997 was greater for boys than girls at,(a) 5A*—C and (b) 5A*—G. [24419]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The number of schools where the decline in percentage points between 1993 and 1997 was greater for boys than girls was(a) 175 for those with five or more GCSE grades A*—C and (b) 238 for those with five or more GCSE grade A*—G.

  Schools (Computer Safety)
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what guidelines he has issued to schools on furniture and lighting requirements for pupils using computer equipment; and if he will make a statement. [24660]

  Mr. Byers
  The Department's Building Bulletin 81 "Design and Technology Accommodation in Secondary Schools" provides guidance on computer furniture in schools and further guidelines are published by the British Standards Institute in BS 5873, "Educational Furniture, and BS 4875, Strength and Stability of Furniture. Lighting standards for maintained schools are those prescribed in the Education (School Premises) Regulations 1996. In addition to these minimum requirements, building Bulletin 87 "Guidelines for Environmental Design in Schools" includes specific guidance on lighting for pupils using computers.

  School Buildings
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the amount of credit approvals made to each local education authority in December for capital works on school buildings. [26525]

  Mr. Byers
  My letter of 16 December to all English MPs listed capital allocations to local education authorities for 1998–99. I am placing a copy in the Library. These allocations were the first stage in a process that will commit a total of £922 million in central Government support for building projects at maintained schools in 1998–99, which represents an increase of 37 per cent. over original plans.
  436
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the amount allocated to each local education authority of the £1.36 billion announced in last year's financial statement for the repair and modernisation of school buildings. [26713]

  Mr. Byers
  Initial allocations of the £83 million available for English local education authorities for 1997–98 will be supporting projects worth £115 million and are as follows:

  LEA name

  Allocation (£000s)

  Barking and Dagenham

  210

  Barnet

  97

  Barnsley

  500

  Bath and North East Somerset

  1,007

  Bedfordshire

  326

  Berkshire

  761

  Bexley

  487

  Birmingham

  1,192

  Bolton

  381

  Bournemouth

  106

  Bradford

  1,045

  Brent

  461

  Brighton and Hove

  213

  Bristol

  619

  Bromley

  251

  Buckinghamshire

  564

  Bury

  343

  Calderdale

  377

  Cambridgeshire

  598

  Camden

  177

  Cheshire

  971

  City

  0

  Cornwall

  1,018

  Coventry

  668

  Croydon

  195

  Cumbria

  598

  Darlington

  320

  Derby City

  346

  Derbyshire

  1,125

  Devon

  1,017

  Doncaster

  419

  Dorset

  647

  Dudley

  270

  Durham

  755

  Ealing

  123

  East Riding of Yorkshire

  665

  East Sussex

  843

  Enfield

  344

  Essex

  1,170

  Gateshead

  352

  Gloucestershire

  434

  Greenwich

  306

  Hackney

  1,250

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  300

  Hampshire

  1,572

  Haringey

  426

  Harrow

  88

  Hartlepool

  412

  Havering

  337

  Hereford and Worcester

  733

  Hertfordshire

  620

  Hillingdon

  310

  Hounslow

  341

  Hull

  590

  Isle of Scilly

  0

  Isle of Wight

  232

  Islington

  295

  Kensington and Chelsea

  244

  Kent

  1,159

  Kingston

  456

  Kirklees

  660

  437

  LEA name

  Allocation (£000s)

  Knowsley

  800

  Lambeth

  261

  Lancashire

  2,006

  Leeds

  1,402

  Leicester City

  589

  Leicestershire

  677

  Lewisham

  705

  Lincolnshire

  505

  Liverpool

  1,275

  Luton

  288

  Manchester

  1,448

  Merton

  360

  Middlesborough

  300

  Milton Keynes

  271

  Newcastle

  487

  Newham

  482

  Norfolk

  1,482

  North East Lincolnshire

  328

  North Lincolnshire

  143

  North Somerset

  450

  North Tyneside

  406

  North Yorkshire

  962

  Northamptonshire

  711

  Northumberland

  541

  Nottinghamshire

  2,270

  Oldham

  784

  Oxfordshire

  1,030

  Poole

  241

  Portsmouth

  210

  Redbridge

  207

  Redcar and Cleveland

  337

  Richmond

  317

  Rochdale

  585

  Rotherham

  529

  Rutland

  51

  Salford

  478

  Sandwell

  808

  Sefton

  836

  Sheffield

  1,273

  Shropshire

  185

  Solihull

  364

  Somerset

  487

  South Gloucestershire

  412

  South Tyneside

  536

  Southampton

  317

  Southwark

  381

  St. Helens

  663

  Staffordshire

  1,387

  Stockport

  967

  Stockton on Tees

  531

  Stoke on Trent

  650

  Suffolk

  1,065

  Sunderland

  719

  Surrey

  1,120

  Sutton

  602

  Swindon

  275

  Tameside

  462

  Tower Hamlets

  928

  Trafford

  425

  Wakefield

  600

  Walsall

  682

  Waltham Forest

  507

  Wandsworth

  135

  Warwickshire

  703

  West Sussex

  812

  Westminster

  312

  Wigan

  720

  Wiltshire

  1,144

  Wirral

  375

  Wolverhampton

  412

  York

  180

  438
  We are currently considering bids from English LEAs for the next tranche of New Deal for Schools funds. £250 million will be available for projects beginning in 1998–99.

  The total of £1.3 billion announced in the Budget included £116 million allocated to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland, £65 million allocated to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and £34 million allocated to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northe Ireland. They have made separate arrangements for distribution to their local education authorities.

  After-school Clubs
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if the Government will means-test places for after-school clubs. [26544]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Funding to establish new out of school childcare provision will come from the receipts of the Windfall Tax, the Out of School Child care Initiative and the New Opportunities Fund totalling £300 million over five years from 1998 and 2003. Schemes will be free to determine their own fees. Many existing schemes already adjust fees according to the family's circumstances and we expect that new schemes will wish to consider doing the same.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Political Advisers (Support Staff)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many secretarial and support staff work full-time in support of his political advisers. [25197]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 23 January 1998]: Two secretaries.

  Overseas Visits
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many times his partner has accompanied him on overseas visits; and what was the cost of her travel and other expenses. [25137]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 23 January 1998]: Once. There was no cost to public funds.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many overseas visits have been made by his Department's political advisers at public expense since 1 May. [25179]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 23 January 1998]: Since 1 May, my two political advisers have undertaken 17 overseas visits at public expense. In addition, my unpaid political adviser has undertaken one overseas visit, for which no additional expenditure fell on public funds.

  Engagements
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 19 January 1998,Official Report, column 439, if he will list his official engagements between 9 October and 12 October inclusive. [25819]
  439
  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 27 January 1998]: I returned to the UK between 9 and 12 October because I had no further official business in Pakistan. During the intervening period I did 18 hours work on a large volume of official FCO papers. On Friday 18 October, I carried out a full day of engagements in my constituency, which I had not been able to visit for three weeks because I had been out of the country for much of that time on FCO business at the UN General Assembly and on the State Visit.

  Schengen Agreement
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the oral statement by the Minister of State of 4 December 1997,Official Report, column 567, what was the nature of the mix-up at Amsterdam over the Schengen opt-in, and at what time the attempt was made to challenge the matter which was not accepted by the presidency. [26047]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  I refer the hon. Member to previous statements on this matter, in particular my right hon. Friend and the Foreign Secretary's statement to the House on 25 November 1997,Official Report, column 753, and the reply I gave to the right hon. and learned Member for Folkestone and Hythe (Mr. Howard) on 12 December 1997, Official Report, column 711.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer to the right hon. and learned Member for Folkestone and Hythe (Mr. Howard) of 12 December 1997,Official Report, column 710, when he first became aware that a bilateral agreement had taken place between Spain and the Dutch presidency pertaining to the Schengen Agreement that had resulted in an agreement on opt-in voting procedures; at what stage in the proceedings that agreement was alleged to have taken place; and what representations he made on the subject. [26045]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  I refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave to the right hon. and learned Member for Folkestone and Hythe on all three points on 2 December 1997,Official Report, columns 122–23.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 21 January 1998,Official Report, column 540, on the Schengen Agreement, if he will list the occasions on which the voting procedures were raised with European counterparts. [26080]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I raised the question of the voting procedures in Article 4 of the Schengen Protocol with Dutch Minister on three occasions. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary also raised it with the Irish Foreign Minister. It was discussed on 27 June in the Friends of the Presidency Group, whose remit was to follow up any outstanding matters relating to the Treaty text after the Amsterdam summit and subsequently four times at Coreper. UK officials also had numerous contacts with the Presidency, other Member States and the Council Secretariat about this question, from the moment that we first became aware of the change to the text until the matter was resolved.
  440
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 21 January 1998,Official Report, column 540, when the presidency of the European Council launched an investigation of the circumstances surrounding the negotiations at Amsterdam relating to the voting procedures used in the admission of opt-out states to the Schengen Area; who contributed to these investigations; what documentary evidence was submitted; and what discussions of the matter he held with ministers of other member states. [26046]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  It is for the Government of the Netherlands to say by what means they arrived at their own conclusions on this matter. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary raised the matter with his Dutch opposite number in the margins of the G8 summit at Denver (20–22 June) and with the Dutch Minister for Europe and his Irish opposite number on 22 July.

  Iraq
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations Her Majesty's Government have had from Lord Callaghan of Cardiff on the precise objective of a military attack on Iraq in the absence of the use of ground forces. [26715]

  Mr. Fatchett
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given in another place by my noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Baroness Symons, to the noble Lord Callaghan of Cardiff, on 26 January 1998,Official Report, House of Lords columns 44–45.

  Private Office
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what date and for what reasons the proposal to appoint Ms Gaynor Regan as his diary secretary was abandoned. [26497]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  Gaynor Regan had been employed as my Diary Secretary for four years in opposition and had worked well in the post. She was therefore an obvious candidate for the appointment, but I reached my own conclusion that, in view of our relationship, it would not be right to appoint her. I invited the Department to proceed with an internal appointment on 30 May.

  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Miss Anne Bullen was asked if she would be prepared to stay on as his diary secretary to the end of June to train Ms Gaynor Regan to do the job. [26498]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  Miss Anne Bullen agreed that her last day in my office should be 27 June to allow time for a handover with her successor.

  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if his diary secretary Miss Anne Bullen was informed that he wished his constituency secretary to be brought into the job. [26499]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  Miss Anne Bullen was informed that I had decided that her fixed-term contract should not be renewed, and that she should be replaced. She was informed that Ms Gaynor Regan was being considered for
  441
  the post of Diary Secretary. She was also informed when, shortly thereafter, I decided that she should not take up the position.

  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Ms Gaynor Regan was offered a contract of employment as his diary secretary. [26500]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  I decided not to pursue the possibility of her appointment before any contract was sent to her.

  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions took place between officials of the Foreign Office and Ms Gaynor Regan with a view to her becoming his diary secretary. [26501]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  One official spoke to Ms Regan on the telephone about her possible appointment.

  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if security checks were carried out on Ms Gaynor Regan with a view to her becoming his diary secretary. [26502]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  No.

  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice he was given by(a) the Permanent Under Secretary or (b) other officials of the Foreign Office about the employment of Ms Gaynor Regan as his diary secretary. [26503]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  None.

  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he informed officials at his Department of the nature of his relationship with Ms Gaynor Regan. [26504]

  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he informed officials at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of his relationship with his nominee for the post of Diary Secretary at the time when he nominated her. [26527]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  Officials at the Foreign Office have been aware that Ms Gaynor Regan is my partner since August 1997.

  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what date he first had discussions with the Permanent Secretary at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office relating to his marital status and the consequences for his travel arrangements. [26526]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  The Permanent Under-Secretary has been aware since 1 August that I have separated from my wife. At no time since then has my partner accompanied me at public expense on departmental travel.

  St. Helena
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many(a) scientists and
  (b) other Government personnel will list St. Helena in 1998; and for what purposes. [26415]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The only plans we are aware of four visits of scientists to St. Helena in 1998 are a tentative proposal for two scientists from Reading University to 442
  study the Wirebird; and a party from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds which may visit the Island as part of a project to establish priorities among ornithologically important biodiversity sites in all British Dependent Territories. A veterinary surgeon will visit in March to assist the Island, which has no permanent qualified veterinary personnel.

  Four Government officials are visiting St. Helena in January 1998 on an Aid Review Mission. Three other DFID officials plan to visit St. Helena in March to carry work forward on support for the Public Sector Investment Programme. One DFID official is likely to visit St. Helena in November 1998 to monitor aid to the Health Sector. It is possible that two FCO officials may visit the island during 1998 for discussions with the St. Helena Government on operational issues.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Tyneside Metro
  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what revenue support has been given by the Government to the Tyneside Metro in each of the last five years. [25075]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Until 1996–97, central government's revenue subsidy support for Tyne and Wear Metro was included in the total support made available through the Revenue Support Grant system for all Tyne and Wear rail services, including heavy rail. Separate figures for the Metro prior to 1997–98 are not available.

  In 1997–98, support is being provided by direct grant which includes £7.24 million as the estimated revenue support requirement for the Metro.

  Manchester Tram System
  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what revenue support has been given by the Government to the Manchester tram system in each of the last five years. [25076]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 23 January 1998]: Since the opening in 1992, Manchester Metrolink has been operated by a private sector concessionaire who is responsible for all operating costs and revenue risks. It is therefore outside the arrangements for Central Government revenue support which cover only the local heavy rail services in Manchester.

  Weald and Downland DBFO Project
  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what compensation was paid out to the four consortia which tendered for the Weald and Downland DBFO project. [25404]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  No compensation has been paid to the four consortia. When claims from the consortia for reasonable costs incurred in submitting their tenders for the Weald and Downland project have been submitted they will be assessed and any appropriate compensation paid.

  Horse-related accidents
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many horse-related accidents there have been and how many related fatalities on public roads, in each of the last five years; and what measures he plans to take to improve safety in this area. [25325]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The statistics requested are not available because they are not specifically identifiable in the national road accidents database. However, a current review of the collection system is considering a proposal to include ridden-horses as a separately identifiable category in the national database, and a decision will be announced by the end of March 1998.

  We will continue to provide advice for drivers and horse riders in the Highway Code and the Highway Code for Young Road Users. The theory test for drivers includes questions about horses and the leaflet "Horse Sense for Motorists" is widely available.

  Climate Change
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if the Government will support the Africa Group's proposals for a long-term approach to tackling global climate change; [25454]

  (2) if the Government will initiate a legally binding international agreement to reduce emissions on the basis of the convergence of countries to equal per capita emissions rights. [25481]

  Mr. Meacher
  The United Nations Framework Convention on climate change is the body under which international agreement on tackling global climate change is reached, and a Protocol to the Convention containing legally binding targets for developed countries for the period 2008–12 was adopted in Kyoto in December 1997. The Government believe that future negotiation on targets should encompass developing countries over time, and convergence to equal per capital emissions rights is one of the approaches we will be exploring.

  A30
  Ms Atherton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he has reached a decision on upgrading the A30 at Goss Moor. [25626]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The A30 Bodmin to Indian Queens improvement over Goss Moor is being considered under the Roads Review alongside other schemes in the trunk road programme. Decisions on the Review will be announced later this year.

  Non-career Civil Servants
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many non-career civil servants have been appointed to his Department since 1 May 1997. [25855]

  Angela Eagle
  The number of causal staff, fixed term appointees and Special Advisers appointed to DETR, excluding its agencies, since 1 May 1997 is 287.

  Sheffield Supertram
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will set up an inquiry into the deaths of two cyclists on the track of the Sheffield supertram; and if he will make a statement. [24992]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 26 January 1998]: Inquiries into accidents of this nature are held by the local Coroner.

  A Coroner's Inquest held into the death of a 36 year old man on 23 March 1996 returned a verdict of accidental death and indicated no fault or any wrong-doing of the construction or failure to maintain the tram track.

  A Coroner's Inquest into the death of a 74 year old man on 27 January 1998 is to be held shortly.

  New Homes
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he plans to revise upwards from 4.4 million the number of new homes needed by 2016; and if he will make a statement. [25727]

  Mr. Raynsford
  My Department is planning to compile revised, 1996-based, household projections around the end of this year. Until then, the 1992-based household projections, which indicated a 4.4 million increase in the number of households in England in the 25 year period from 1991 to 2016, remain the latest official estimates of future household formation. The household projections are not an estimate of the number of additional houses which have to be built. Rather, they represent just one of the factors to be taken into account by local planning authorities when arriving at figures for housing provision to be included in regional guidance and development plans.

  Oestrogenic Substances
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimates he has made of the costs of removing oestrogenic substances from sewage treatment works effluents. [25623]

  Angela Eagle
  Oestrogenic and other endocrine disrupting substances are being given high priority by the Government. Several Departments are co-operating in research to develop our understanding of this complex issue, and my Department' s forthcoming strategic review of the sustainable use of chemicals will examine policy on all chemicals including endocrine disrupters.

  On 21 January, the Environment Agency issued a draft strategy on endocrine disrupting substances, including oestrogen, seeking views on what action it should take. The strategy considers the evidence for the effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals in the environment, the mechanisms for control and the priorities for further research.

  Against this general background, the Government have made no estimates of the costs of removing oestrogenic substances from effluent from sewage treatment works since the environmental and health impacts of specific substances remain unclear.

  Departmental Energy
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proportion of his Department's energy usage was from combined heating in each year since 1989–90. [25793]

  Ms Angela Eagle
  My Department does not have this information. We are committed to making greater use of Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems. Two of our new London headquarters buildings use CHP systems.

  Penalty Fares
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list for each of the last three years the cost of administering the penalty fares scheme on London Transport. [25977]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The operation of the Penalty Fares Scheme is a matter for London Transport. I understand that the direct costs of administering the London Underground scheme were:

  1994–95: £1.1 million

  1995–96: £1.4 million1

  1996–97: £1.25 million

  (including the one-off cost of enhancing the computer system)

  LT Buses introduced the penalty fare scheme in 1995–96, the direct costs of administering that scheme were:

  1995–96: £0.068 million

  1996–97: £0.070 million

  Aviation Organisations
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list those aviation organisations that(a) he and (b) his ministerial colleagues have met since taking office. [25966]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Since taking office, the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions has met the aviation organisations set out in the list. Private functions and meetings with those not primarily engaged in aviation have not been included.

  American Airlines

  Board of Airline Pilots Association

  British Aerospace

  British Airports Authority

  British Airways

  Civil Aviation Authority

  Humberside International Airport Ltd

  Liverpool Airport Plc

  Manchester Airport Plc

  Virgin Atlantic

  During the same period his ministerial colleagues have met the following aviation organisations:

  Air Transport Users Committee

  Airport Operators Association

  Airport Policy Consortium

  Association of European Airlines

  Board of Airline Representatives in the UK

  British Air Line Pilots Association

  British Air Transport Association

  British Airports Authority

  446

  British Airways

  Civil Aviation Authority

  EasyJet

  General Aviation Manufacturers and Traders Association

  International Air Transport Association

  London Luton Airport Ltd

  Manchester Airport Plc

  Monarch Airlines

  National Air Traffic Services Ltd

  Popular Flying Association

  Trans World Airlines

  Virgin Atlantic Airways

  Traffic Area Offices
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress his Department is making in redefining the boundaries of the traffic area offices. [25957]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Department is undertaking a wide-ranging study of its executive operations—including the Traffic Area Network (TAN)—which serves the community of drivers, vehicle keepers and operators, with the aim of ensuring that these services are provided as effectively as possible. Plans to redefine the traffic area boundaries have been deferred until the outcome of this work which is expected in the next few months.

  Channel Tunnel
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will place in the Library full copies of the reports produced by the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority following evacuation exercises carried out in the Channel Tunnel. [25963]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Channel Tunnel Safety Authority incorporates into its Annual Reports to the Intergovernmental Commission, reports on evacuation exercises carried out in the Channel Tunnel. Copies of the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority Report are placed in the Library of the House on its publication.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the purpose of clause 33.3 of the Channel Tunnel Treaty. [25960]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The purpose of clause 33.3 of the Channel Tunnel Concession Agreement is to protect the commercial or technical confidentiality of documents produced by, or on behalf of, the Channel Tunnel concessionaires (Eurotunnel) by preventing the publication of such documents by recipients. It does not prevent the publication of that information by the originator, or the publication of information produced by third parties.

  Slam-door Trains
  Mr. Hancook
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research he has commissioned into the safety of the slam-door trains operated by South West Trains. [26057]
  447
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I am aware that the Health and Safety Executive has commissioned research into the possibility of modifying Mark 1 rolling stock to improve its crashworthiness.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received from the Health and Safety Executive concerning the safety and reliability of the slam-door trains operated by South West Trains. [26056]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I am aware that the Health and Safety Commission and its Executive are currently considering the future of Mark 1 rolling stock, including the slam-door trains operated by South West Trains.

  Animal Rendering Industry
  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the EU Regulations contained in Directive 96/79 contained in Official Journal, C, 6 December 1997, No. 335 with regard to workers employed in the animal rendering industry; and if he will make a statement on the implementation of these regulations. [26245]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 29 January 1998]: This question appears to refer to Commission Directive 97/65, published in the Official Journal L335 on 6 December 1997, which amends Directive 90/679/EEC on the protection of workers from risks related to exposure to biological agents at work. In the light of recent scientific evidence of a link between Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) and new variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (nvCJD), Directive 97/65 adds the agent of BSE to list of biological agents.

  It will be implemented in the UK by means of a new edition of the Health and Safety Commission's Categorisation of biological agents according to hazard and categories of containment (Approved List), made under section 15 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The deadline for implementation is 30 June 1998.

  The categorisation of biological agents mainly affects those working in laboratories. The change will not affect workers in the rendering industry who are already covered by the requirements of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 1994. In view of the past uncertainty about the risks from BSE, prudent and precautionary worker safety measures have been recommended since 1989. General guidance for occupational groups such as the rendering industry, prepared on behalf of the Health and Safety Commission, the Department of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens (ACDP), was published in August 1996. Copies have been deposited in the Library. ACDP considers that this guidance continues to provide adequate control in recommending the maintenance of high standards of occupational hygiene and new methods of working to avoid or minimise exposure to tissues of cattle that may carry the agent of BSE infectivity.

  Drink Driving
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will publish the consultation document on drink driving. [27161]

  Dr. Strang
  The consultation paper "Combating Drink Driving—Next Steps" will be published on Monday 2 February. Copies will be placed in the Library.

  UK Search and Rescue Region
  Mr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the(a) territorial waters and (b) international seas which form the United Kingdom Search and Rescue Region; and if he will make a statement. [25829]

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

  Letter from C. J. Harris to Mr. Norman A. Godman, dated 29 January 1998:
  The Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the United Kingdom Search and Rescue region.
  The UK Maritime Search and Rescue region is aligned with the aeronautical search and rescue regions laid down by the International Civil Aviation Authority, except in the English Channel, where a demarcation line has been agreed with the French Government, and in the North Sea, where the boundary has been aligned to a median line as delineated under bilateral agreements for the exploitation of oil and gas on the Continental Shelf. The Dublin Search and Rescue Region is an enclave within the UK Search and Rescue Region, and is the responsibility of the Republic of Ireland. Details of the UK Regions are lodged with the International Maritime Organisation which advises other member states through Search and Rescue circulars.
  The Maritime Search and Rescue region boundary of the UK Search and Rescue region is detailed in the map.
  The territorial sea adjacent to the United Kingdom is defined in the Territorial Sea Act 1987. It is the sea out to 12 nautical miles from base lines laid down in the Territorial Waters Order in Council of 25 September 1964, as amended by the Territorial Sea (Amendment) Order in Council of 1 August 1996 (SI 1628/1996).
  Note: The map has been deposited in the Library.

  Hadrian's Wall
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to protect and preserve Hadrian's Wall. [25836]

  Mr. Banks
  I have been asked to reply.

  Hadrian's Wall is statutorily protected as a Scheduled Ancient Monument and any proposals for works affecting it require the prior written consent of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. The fact that the Wall is a World Heritage Site also means that its outstanding international importance is a key material consideration when planning applications are considered. The Hadrian's Wall Management Plan, published by English Heritage in July 1996, identifies medium and long-term objectives for managing the Site and provides mechanisms under which all bodies responsible for the Wall can co-ordinate their activities.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  European Aid Programmes
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the environmental assessment procedure for European Commission expenditure in respect of European aid programmes in developing countries. [25885]

  Clare Short
  The European Commission's "Environment Manual" for development assistance—originally modelled on DFID' s "Manual of Environmental Appraisal"—provides comprehensive guidance on environmental assessment procedures for development projects. Member States monitor environmental appraisals 450
  and comment on Commission project proposals before giving final approval for funding. Our experience from this process is that the extent to which assessment procedures are taken into account in project design and implementation varies across the Commission.

  The Commission is making efforts to improve its systems. It has held meetings with environmental advisers from Member States' development organisations, including DFID, to exchange views and best practice. An independent evaluation of the environmental performance of EC-funded programmes in developing countries was completed in December 1997. DFID will receive and comment on the report shortly. We will continue to examine ways in which the Commission's systems can be further improved, taking account of the evaluation's findings.