Written Answers of 2 July 1998

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Beef Exports
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what quantity of beef has been exported from Northern Ireland since the lifting of the beef export ban in respect of Northern Ireland; and how much of this was in carcase form. [47389]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Only one consignment of beef comprising 45 cartons of boneless beef weighing 1,108.7 kgs has been exported from Northern Ireland since the lifting of the beef export ban. Exports of bone-in beef remains banned and therefore no exports in carcase form have taken place.

  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what quantities of(a) sides of beef, (b) tongues, (c) cheeks and (d) tails have been exported since the lifting of the beef export ban in Northern Ireland. [47390]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  There have been no exports of beef sides, tongues, cheeks or tails since the lifting of the beef export ban in Northern Ireland.

  Electoral Registration
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the latest available estimates of those aged 17 years and over, plus 63 per cent. of those aged 16 years, for each parliamentary constituency in Northern Ireland together, in each case, with the equivalent electoral registration figures expressed as a percentage of these figures. [47711]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Mid-year estimates of the population of Northern Ireland broken down by age are available for Health Board areas only. Consequently, the population counts for parliamentary constituencies shown in the tables are taken from the 1991 Census of Population.

  Northern Ireland parliamentary constituency boundaries were redrawn in 1996. Table 1 details the population aged 17 and over plus 63 per cent. of the 16 year old population at the time of the 1991 Census of Population in each of the current parliamentary constituencies. Table 2 details the most up-to-date information on their respective electorates. Information on the number of registered voters in each constituency prior to 1996 is not available.
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  Therefore, because the two sets of data shown here relate to different time points, it is not appropriate to determine the ratio of the number of registered voters to the population count.

  Table 1: Post-1996 parliamentary constituencies, ordered by population

  Parliamentary constituency (post-1996)

  1991 census population aged 17 and over plus 63 per cent. of population aged 16 years

  Mid Ulster

  55,895

  East Antrim

  56,103

  West Tyrone

  57,160

  East Londonderry

  58,609

  Fermanagh and South Tyrone

  61,566

  Belfast West

  61,647

  North Down

  61,846

  Belfast East

  64,638

  Strangford

  64,641

  Foyle

  64,643

  Newry and Armagh

  68,014

  South Down

  68,368

  Upper Bann

  68,424

  Belfast North

  68,542

  South Antrim

  68,570

  Belfast South

  69,110

  Lagan Valley

  69,787

  North Antrim

  71,097

  Northern Ireland

  1,158,660

  Table 2: Post-1996 parliamentary constituencies, ordered by number of electors

  Parliamentary constituency (post-1996)

  1998 registered electors

  West Tyrone

  59,709

  East Antrim

  59,721

  East Londonderry

  59,843

  Mid Ulster

  60,657

  Belfast East

  60,852

  Belfast West

  61,079

  Belfast South

  61,404

  Belfast North

  62,933

  North Down

  63,349

  Fermanagh and South Tyrone

  65,996

  Foyle

  69,533

  South Antrim

  69,971

  Upper Bann

  71,369

  Strangford

  71,395

  South Down

  71,726

  Lagan Valley

  72,205

  Newry and Armagh

  72,351

  North Antrim

  73,941

  Northern Ireland

  1,188,034

  Rate Collection Agency
  Ms Moran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what performance targets have been set for the Rate Collection Agency in 1998–99. [48962]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  For 1998–99, the following performance targets have been set for RCA.
  Collection and Recovery of Rates

  To collect 97.50 per cent. of the gross domestic collectable rate, (excluding late assessments) by 31 March 1998.

  To collect 98.75 per cent. of the gross non-domestic collectable rate (excluding late assessments) by 31 March 1998.

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  To achieve a reduction of 1 per cent. in the real value of the unit costs of collecting rates per hereditament.

  To generate refunds to 98 per cent. of ratepayers so entitled within 14 days of credits being identified.

  Housing Benefit Administration

  To process by 31 March 1999,96 per cent. of applications for the incoming year received from Housing Benefit recipients before 15 March 1999.

  To achieve a reduction of 1 per cent. in the real value of unit costs or processing Housing Benefit cases.

  To assess 97 per cent. of Housing Benefit claims free of error.

  Statistics and Research Agency
  Mr. Quinn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what performance targets have been set for the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency in 1998–99. [49068]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  For 1998–99 the following key performance targets have been set for the Agency:

  95–100 per cent. of key Government users of the Agency surveyed rating its overall service as satisfactory or better, with 50–55 per cent. rating it as very satisfactory.

  95–100 per cent. of registered non-Government users of the Agency surveyed rating its overall service as satisfactory or better, with 55–60 per cent. rating it as very satisfactory.

  To produce no fewer than 52 statistical publications and 15 ad hoc research publications during 1998–99.

  95–100 per cent. of NISRA readers rating key publications as satisfactory or better, with 40–45 per cent. rating them as very satisfactory.

  To process 98 per cent. of postal and personal applications for General Register Office certificates within 8 and 3 working days respectively.

  To reduce by 2 per cent. the unit cost of producing civil registration certificates.

  To achieve a minimum of 3 per cent. efficiency saving.

  Full details are set out in the Agency's Corporate and Business Plans, copies of which will be placed in the library.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Officers of the House
  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee if he will list the officers of the House who are provided with residential accommodation. [48020]

  Sir Sydney Chapman
  Certain officers of the House are required to reside in the precincts when the House is in session. It is not the practice to give details of the conditions of service of individual staff.

  Divisions
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the President of the Council how many divisions in the House have occurred before 8 pm since 1 May 1997. [48451]

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  129 of the 317 divisions held between 1 May 1997 and 29 June 1998 occurred before 8 pm.

SCOTLAND

  Hypothermia
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for each of the years 1986 to 1996 inclusive the number of deaths in Scotland as a result of hypothermia. [47970]

  Mr. McLeish
  The information requested is given in the table.

  Deaths with any mention of hypothermia on the death certificate, Scotland, 1986–1996

  Year

  Number

  1986

  208

  1987

  153

  1988

  138

  1989

  150

  1990

  136

  1991

  99

  1992

  115

  1993

  141

  1994

  136

  1995

  123

  1996

  125

  Carbeth Hutters
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to the decision by Sheriff Penman at Stirling on 23 June in the case of Graham v Sommerville, what plans he has to reform the law on landlord and tenant regarding the protection afforded by the Rent Acts to the Carbeth Hutters in respect of (a) security of tenure and (b) protection against uncontrolled rises in rent or other charges levied by the landlord. [48072]

  Mr. Macdonald
  [holding answer 1 July 1998]: My right hon. Friend has noted with concern recent developments affecting the Carbeth Hutters. However, any proposals for new legislation would need to be considered carefully to ensure that the possible wider implications were fully addressed—including, for example, for holiday accommodation, for the management of camping and caravan sites, and for the application of existing legislation to privately rented houses occupied as a main residence.

  The Government are therefore not at present in a position to amend the law on landlord and tenant in these respects, although it would of course be open to the Scottish Parliament to consider any proposals for new legislation in due course.

  Borders Economy
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what further measures he will take to develop the economy in the Scottish Borders. [49133]

  Mr. Wilson
  In recognition of the problems being experienced in the Scottish Borders economy, most recently with the redundancy announcement by Dawson International this week, I have today announced a package of support to help the economy diversify and modernise. This includes an additional £1 million for Scottish Borders Enterprise's budget this year, a rise of 12 per cent.; the
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  setting up of a new Rural Inward Investment Team within Locate in Scotland to help attract investment to areas like the Borders; a commitment to consider providing the Borders with a reallocation of unused EC structural funds; a commitment to best endeavours to find additional funding if Scottish Borders Enterprise can bring forward further viable projects; and a commitment to keep discussions with Dawsons open and to assist them in their redevelopment. These measures are in addition to on-going assistance to the Borders, including the recent designation of Hawick as a Property Employment Support Programme (PESP) area, which allows greater flexibility to the local enterprise company to assist property projects in areas of social deprivation. The recently announced expansion of the telecoms infrastructure in the Borders will also provide an important selling point for the area.

  In response to the call for a South of Scotland Convention I will bring together in the near future the elected members and other relevant bodies to meet on a one-off basis to discuss further the area's economy and needs. The future requirement for such a forum must however be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  University Students
  Mr. Wells
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of students at Scottish universities whose permanent place of residence is in Hertfordshire. [48503]

  Mr. Wilson
  In 1996–97 there were 459 students at Scottish higher education institution whose permanent place of residence is in Hertfordshire.

  Dounreay
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which individuals and institutions provided the information and analysis underlying his decision to reprocess existing nuclear materials at Dounreay as part of the decommissioning programme; and if he will place copies of each of the documents provided to his Department on that subject in the Library. [45451]

  Mr. Battle
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Government announced on 5 June 1998, Official Report, columns 385–86, that Dounreay would accept no new contracts for commercial reprocessing, and that UKAEA was planning to complete reprocessing of its own liabilities and of material subject to existing commercial contracts. This announcement was informed by advice from the UKAEA. I have therefore written to the Chairman of the UKAEA requesting him to prepare the information requested and to seek the agreement of UKAEA's committed customers for its publication. His reply will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Reprocessing at Dounreay has now been stopped pending the outcome of the safety audit of the site by the Health and Safety Executive and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. Decisions on completing the reprocessing of existing commitments will be made in the light of the outcome of that audit and, in particular, on the basis of UKAEA's recommendations of what, if any, new investments may be required.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Opencast Coal
  Mr. Peter Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what are the estimated tonnages of coal extractable by opencasting from(a) contaminated land, (b) derelict land, (c) other brownfield sites and (d) greenfield sites. [48260]

  Mr. Caborn
  This information is not held centrally.

  Civil Aviation Authority Pensioners
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what arrangements he proposes to protect pension benefits of existing CAA pensioners following privatisation of the National Air Traffic Services. [48061]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Details of the proposed public/private partnership for National Air Traffic Services Ltd. are still to be determined. The Government and the CAA will give very careful consideration to future pensions arrangements, and the details will be announced as soon as possible.

  Air Misses
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many near misses have been recorded over Surrey by aircraft departing from or arriving at(a) Gatwick and (b) Heathrow in each of the last 10 years. [47992]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The information is not available as requested, but National Air Traffic Services Limited, which is responsible for air traffic services at Gatwick and Heathrow, has been able to provide figures for the number of airprox ("near miss") reports filed by air traffic controllers and pilots in each of the last 10 years within a radius of 25 miles of the village of Effingham in the centre of Surrey, as follows:

  Year

  Airprox P1

  Gatwick Airprox C2

  Airprox P1

  Heathrow Airprox C2

  1988

  4

  n/a

  2

  n/a

  1989

  2

  n/a

  0

  n/a

  1990

  32

  1

  33

  0

  1991

  0

  33

  33

  34

  1992

  31

  2

  2

  2

  1993

  0

  1

  2

  2

  1994

  0

  0

  4

  3

  1995

  0

  0

  6

  1

  1996

  3

  2

  4

  0

  1997

  33

  32

  34

  31

  1Airprox P are incidents reported by pilots and Airprox C are incidents reported by air traffic controllers

  2Airprox C data are available only from 1 January 1990

  2Indicates double counting where incidents involved both Heathrow and Gatwick Traffic

  Note:

  No breakdown is available as to which of the above airproxes were assessed by the independent panels as being risk-bearing

  Traffic Accidents
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many
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  (a) HGV occupants, (b) LGV occupants, (c) car occupants, (d) motorcyclists and (e) pedal cyclists were killed, seriously injured and slightly injured in impacts where the first point of impact of their vehicle was (i) the front, (ii) the rear, (iii) the nearside, (iv) the offside and (v) unknown for the latest year for which data are available. [48155]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The information requested is shown in the table.

  Casualties by road user type and severity by first point of impact: GB: 1997

  Severity of casualty

  First point of impact

  Fatal

  Serious

  Slight

  All casualties

  HGV occupant

  Front

  32

  329

  1,528

  1,889

  Back

  2

  39

  332

  373

  Offside

  6

  65

  408

  479

  Nearside

  4

  65

  359

  428

  Unknown

  0

  2

  11

  13

  Total1

  45

  528

  2,728

  3,301

  LGV occupant

  Front

  40

  578

  3,382

  4,000

  Back

  2

  75

  1,512

  1,589

  Offside

  13

  96

  842

  951

  Nearside

  8

  78

  626

  712

  Unknown

  0

  3

  55

  58

  Total1

  64

  864

  6,544

  7,742

  Car occupant

  Front

  1,057

  14,078

  93,771

  108,906

  Back

  72

  1,857

  51,455

  53,384

  Offside

  360

  2,831

  22,976

  26,167

  Nearside

  278

  2,126

  16,735

  19,139

  Unknown

  6

  198

  1,177

  1,381

  Total1

  1,795

  21,394

  188,203

  211,392

  Motorcyclists2

  Front

  383

  3,912

  10,456

  14,751

  Back

  12

  169

  1,169

  1,350

  Offside

  50

  761

  2,300

  3,111

  Nearside

  49

  810

  2,771

  3,630

  Unknown

  6

  83

  385

  474

  Total1

  509

  5,934

  17,977

  24,420

  Pedal cyclists

  Front

  53

  1,823

  11,790

  13,666

  Back

  51

  406

  2,597

  3,054

  Offside

  48

  589

  3,178

  3,815

  Nearside

  22

  362

  2,348

  2,732

  Unknown

  6

  79

  405

  490

  Total1

  183

  3,405

  20,997

  24,585

  1Total includes casualties in vehicles which did not impact

  2Includes riders and passengers of all two-wheeled motor vehicles

  Rail Freight
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the impact of the introduction of 44 tonne lorries on rail freight. [47974]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The issue of the possible wider use of 44 tonne, 6 axle lorries, including the possible effects on rail freight, will be discussed in the forthcoming White Paper on integrated transport.

  Single Vehicle Approval Scheme
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to the oral statement by the Minister for Small Firms, Trade and Industry on 19 June 1998,Official Report, column 676, on the review of the single vehicle approval scheme, if enforcement of the Motor Vehicles (Approval) (Amendment) Regulations 1998 will be suspended pending the outcome of the review; and if he will make a statement. [48170]

  Dr. Strang
  [holding answer 30 June 1998]: No. The Motor Vehicles (Approval) (Amendment) Regulations 1998 came into force on 30 April. The forthcoming review will examine how to permit access to SVA without undermining EC Whole Vehicle Type Approval—in particular, changes to the current Very Low Volume limits of 50 vehicles a year and 100 over 5 years. There is no question of lowering any of the existing SVA safety and environmental standards.

  Railtrack
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he will take to give effect to the Rail Regulator's statement that diversification by Railtrack beyond its core regulated activity of managing the domestic rail network would be properly ring-fenced and would have no impact on access charges levied by Railtrack plc. [48263]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Rail Regulator has stated that he wants to ensure that the licensed activities of Railtrack PLC are ringfenced and that the other activities of Railtrack Group PLC will not have any impact on the level of access charges that he will set as a result of his current periodic review. The Government support this aim and will consider whether any further action is necessary.

  Cycle Lanes
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the average cost of the provision of one mile of cycle lane. [48326]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Average costs are not available, but since cycle lanes use the existing carriageway of a road and are identified by markings and signs, costs are not high. The limitation in providing more cycle lanes on the carriageway will often be lack of sufficient roadspace.

  We are encouraging all local authorities to improve facilities for cyclists, including more cycle lanes on the carriageway.

  Freight
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many billion tonne-kilometres of freight are moved annually within the United Kingdom. [48273]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 1 July 1998]: 241 billion tonne-kilometres of freight were moved within the United Kingdom in 1996, the latest year for which figures are available.

  Roads
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what percentage of incidents of road congestion are related to road maintenance. [48278]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 1 July 1998]: Recent research commissioned by the Highways Agency suggested that, during the study period, roadworks were responsible for approximately 15 per cent. of incidents of congestion. This project examined the causes of congestion on most of the motorway network and a small number of all-purpose trunk roads.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many kilometres of(a) motorways, (b) trunk roads and (c) major local authority roads have less than four years life remaining and require urgent maintenance. [48280]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 1 July 1998]: Details of surveys of the residual life of motorways, trunk roads and principal local authority roads are published in the National Road Maintenance Condition Survey. The report on the 1997 survey gives information about residual life of roads for England and Wales:

  Road class

  Motorway

  Trunk

  Principal

  Lane kms surveyed

  4,538

  13,259

  32,818

  Residual life years:

  Less than 0

  5.7

  8.1

  15.4

  0–4

  9.4

  6.9

  9.3

  5–9

  11.9

  9.0

  9.2

  10–14

  12.7

  10.4

  8.3

  15–19

  22.5

  14.7

  10.1

  Greater than 19

  37.8

  50.9

  47.7

  All

  100

  100

  100

  Coverage of eligible network percentages

  99

  85

  59

  Most of these roads do not require immediate maintenance. Residual life is a projection of the structural condition of the road on a statistical basis. Below zero residual life does not indicate that the road is no longer serviceable.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many kilometres of non-motorway roads fall under central Government control. [48279]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 1 July 1998]: Statistics for 1996 show that in Great Britain 12,359 kilometres of non-motorway roads fall under central Government control.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to charge utilities for their occupation of the highway during roadworks. [48555]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  None at present, though the issue is kept under review.

  Fuel Consumption
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what were the average fuel consumption figures of a new car in(a) 1984 and (b) 1998. [48271]

  Dr. Strang
  [holding answer 1 July 1998]: The average new car's fuel consumption was 37.11mpg in 1984 and 37.97mpg in 1996, which is the latest year for which data are available. These figures underline the need for further improvement in the fuel consumption in new cars, though recent improvements are encouraging.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish and place in the Library a copy of the report of the Working Group of the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee into the needs of disabled people in the context of proposals to discourage increasing unnecessary car use. [48507]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee presented a report on Restrictions on Personal Vehicular Transport to me on 6 May. I understand that the Committee will be meeting in August to decide whether or not to publish the report. If the report is published I will arrange for copies to be placed in the Library.

  Telecommunications Masts
  Mr. Prior
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the recent decision by One-2-One to stop using fast-track planning procedures under the General Permitted Development Order for the development of new masts; and if he will require all telecommunications operators to submit full planning applications for all proposed new masts. [48056]

  Mr. Caborn
  Local planning authorities have the opportunity to exercise control over the siting of individual mast developments, whether that be through the consideration of a full planning application or the determination of a full planning application or the determination of a "prior approval" application under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995. The permission for telecommunications masts granted by the Order is subject to certain conditions, one of which is that the developer should make a "prior approval" application to the local planning authority. The developer may accept the conditions and take advantage of the Order permission. If, however, the developer is not prepared to accept a condition, the Order permission is self-evidently not available, and it is open to him to make a planning application to the local planning authority in the ordinary way. Currently we have no plans to make all mast development subject to a full planning application.

  Local Authority Transport Schemes
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much central Government money was used in each of the
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  past five years to help local authorities develop PFI deals for (a) road schemes and (b) other transport services; and if he will list the schemes. [48914]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  In 1993–94 a final grant payment of £13,279 was made as part of assistance given to West Midlands Passenger Transport Authority to assist with the development of a concession agreement for the West Midlands Metro line 1. Since that time no local authority has been allocated resources tied specifically to the development of a deal in the transport sector which involves private finance.

  A considerable number of authorities do, however, receive funding for local transport packages and some package resources may have been used by authorities to support their expenditure in developing PFI cases. This is most likely in the case of light rail proposals but might also occur for other kinds of infrastructure where a major development forms part of the local package strategy.

  Hedgerows
  Mr. Singh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will publish the results of the Review of the Hedgerows Regulations 1997. [49069]

  Mr. Meacher
  I have today published the report of the group set up to review how the Hedgerows Regulations 1997 might be strengthened. Copies have been placed in the House Library.

  The agreed report of the review group demonstrates a thorough investigation of the issues, careful analysis of possible options and puts forward proposals which are sensible and balanced. They include simpler criteria representing the landscape, historic and wildlife importance of hedgerows; and increasing the extra time for local planning authorities to consider hedgerow removal notices from six to eight weeks.

  Before these proposals can be worked up into revised draft Hedgerows Regulations, we will commission research into the group's proposed criteria defining important hedgerows. This should provide an estimate of the percentage of hedgerows they would be likely to protect. We will also reflect on their suggestion that, in the longer term, further consideration be given to altering the Environment Act 1995 so that local authorities—rather than Ministers—can determine which hedgerows in their area are important and worthy of protection.

  Packaging
  Mr. Singh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he has received the report of the Advisory Committee on Packaging on the Review of Packaging Regulations; and if he will make a statement. [49070]

  Mr. Meacher
  I am today placing in the Library a copy of the Advisory Committee on Packaging's Report on the operation of the Producer Responsibility (Packaging Waste) Obligations Regulations 1997.

  The Committee's principal conclusion is that adjustments to the Packaging Regulations should be kept to the minimum in view of the very short timescale for achieving the Directive targets set for 2001, the costs to business and the need to encourage investment in the
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  expansion of recycling and collection capacity. Sir Peter Parker's report includes specific recommendations on the PRN system: in particular, that the PRN mechanism should be more transparent to assure all parties that the funds raised are deployed effectively to increase collection and reprocessing capacity; and that the PRNs should be issued to obligated producers or their representatives only. The report recommends the development of a national packaging planning framework to give the parties involved greater confidence in planning on the achievement of the packaging waste recovery targets, and to contribute to the national Waste Strategy. The Committee also recommends that there should be mechanisms developed to promote cost pass through by the various sectors, but that, where this fails, "hardship criteria" should be established to determine where a case merited review.

  Clearly this is still a relatively early point in the operation of these Regulations which are based on an inter-sectoral industry agreement, and I am keen that the Government should continue to have the benefit of the Advisory Committee's views on such issues as may arise in this challenging period as we seek to double the UK's packaging recycling activity. I will be discussing with Sir Peter how the Committee can continue in this valuable role.

  Humber Bridge
  Shona McIsaac
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when decisions will be reached on the treatment of the debts of the Humber Bridge. [49132]

  Dr. Strang
  A new loan agreement between the Secretary of State and the Humber Bridge Board has been signed. In accordance with that agreement, and with effect from 1 April this year, some £62m of debts owed by the Board to the Public Works Loan Board will be written off and interest payments due on debts of £359m owed to the Secretary of State for Transport will initially be reduced to about a fifth of what they would otherwise have been.

  The agreement provides that fixed rate interest charges will be broadly aligned with current rates and that, initially, interest charges on £240m of the debt will be suspended. Over the next 16 years suspended debt will be reactivated by instalments starting with the sum of £1lm in the next financial year and, in succeeding years, by additional amounts increased by 4 per cent. per annum. All the debt owed to the Secretary of State is to be repaid within the next 40 years.

  These arrangements are to be implemented, with the approval of Parliament, through an Order under the Humber Bridge (Debts) Act 1996 which I will lay before Parliament shortly. They should not result in any increase in the real value of the tolls charged at the Humber Bridge. But they should provide the solution to the problem of the unrealistic escalation of the Humber Bridge debt that has long been promised.

  TECs and Business Links
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will establish a pilot programme in an English region under
  237
  which the operation of (a) TECs and (b) Business Links would be the responsibility of the relevant RDA; and if he will make a statement. [46950]

  Dr. Howells
  I have been asked to reply to this question.

  As mentioned in the Government's response to the Education and Employment Select Committee's recent report into the relationship between TECs and the proposed Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), we consider that it would be inappropriate to introduce a project piloting alternative methods of contracting with TECs before the current review of the future role of TECs has been completed. The Government will review the situation when the review of TECs is completed.

  We are currently considering ways of ensuring that, as mentioned in the Government's White Paper on RDAs ('Building Partnerships for Prosperity'), RDAs will work closely with TECs and Business Links to make sure that their services match more closely the needs of their region and contribute to regional economic objectives.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Wind Farms
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what research her Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the feasibility of off-shore wind farms. [45666]

  Mr. Battle
  An appraisal of the prospects for, and constraints on, the development of both onshore and offshore wind was published as 'An Assessment of Renewable Energy in the UK' by HMSO in 1994. Since then my Department's New and Renewable Energy Programme has supported a wide range of research projects related to wind energy and geared mainly towards onshore deployment, stimulated by successive Orders under the Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation. Current work, however, includes monitoring the development of the first offshore wind NFFO project at Blythe, and assessing the commercial opportunities for UK manufacturing industry within the offshore wind arena. Total DTI expenditure on wind energy projects in 1997/98 was £1.5 million.

  My current review of renewable energy, including onshore and offshore wind energy, is considering the contribution each source could make, the barriers to deployment and the measures which may be necessary to overcome them, and the need for research, development, demonstration, and dissemination. I expect to make an announcement about the Review later this year.

  Trade Statistics (Pakistan)
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the total value of(a) exports to and (b) imports from Pakistan for each of the last five years for which records are available; what are the major categories of exports and imports; and if she will make a statement. [48182]
  238
  Mrs. Roche
  The information is given in the following tables:

  UK trade with Pakistan

  £ million, current prices

  UK

  UK exports

  Total imports

  Total trade

  Goods and Services

  1992

  464

  393

  837

  1993

  499

  460

  959

  1994

  531

  511

  1,042

  1995

  556

  525

  1,081

  1996

  589

  566

  1,155

  1997

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Goods

  1992

  312

  273

  585

  1993

  330

  324

  654

  1994

  354

  360

  714

  1995

  340

  364

  704

  1996

  344

  391

  735

  1997

  269

  380

  649

  Services

  1992

  152

  120

  272

  1993

  169

  136

  305

  1994

  177

  151

  328

  1995

  216

  161

  377

  1996

  245

  175

  420

  1997

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Note:

  Figures for trade in goods are on an Overseas Trade Statistics (OTS) basis. Figures for trade in services are on a Balance of Payments (BOP) basis

  UK-Pakistan trade in goods 1997

  Main commodities traded

  £ million

  Top 5 UK exports to Pakistan

  Specialised industrial machinery

  35.2

  Power generating machinery

  25.2

  General industrial machinery

  24.0

  Medicinal and pharmaceutical products

  19.1

  Chemical materials and products, n.e.s.1

  17.8

  Top 5 UK imports from Pakistan

  Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up articles, n.e.s.1

  166.6

  Articles of apparel and clothing accessories

  110.7

  Fish, crustaceans etc.

  16.4

  Power generating machinery

  15.9

  Textile fibres

  12.4

  1Not elsewhere specified within the Standard International Trade Classification

  Note:

  Figures for trade in goods are on an Overseas Trade statistics (OTS) basis

  Sources:

  United Kingdom Balance of Payments, The Pink Book, 1997, ONS Monthly review of External Trade Statistics (MRETS), ONS Overseas Trade Statistics of the United Kingdom, HM Customs and Excise

  Carbon Dioxide Emissions
  Mr. Gummer
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is her Department's policy on the Government's target to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide by 20 per cent. by the year 2010. [46234]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The Government plan to publish a consultation paper on climate change this summer. This will focus on policy options for meeting our legally binding target from Kyoto, but also look at measures that
  239
  would move beyond that towards our aim of a 20 per cent. reduction in CO2 emissions. We are inviting views from all sectors throughout this consultation process.

  As part of the process, we are committed to a new and strong drive to develop renewable energy sources. We inherited a figure of 2 per cent. renewables contribution to UK electricity supplies. This is expected to rise to 5 per cent. by about 2003. On 6 June 1997, Official Report, column 273, my hon. Friend the Minister for Science, Energy and Industry, announced a review of our renewable policy of what would be necessary and practical to meet our target of 10 per cent. of UK electricity supplies from renewables by 2010. I hope to announce the results of that review shortly.

  Government Policies
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list the projects undertaken by her Department since 1 May 1997 to research public reaction to(a) Government policies and (b) potential new policies; and if she will place the results of the research in the Library. [46682]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 30 June 1998]: The Department has carried out the following surveys into current policies and potential new policies since 1 May 1997:

  Biotechnology Means Business Evaluation

  Business Links Baseline Tracking Study

  Competitiveness Analysis of UK Downstream Gas Industry

  Degradation of Materials in Aggressive Environments

  Design Council Evaluation and Tracking Study

  Environmental Technology Best Practice Programme (Series of ad hoc surveys)

  Evaluation of Regional Supply Network

  Evaluation of Export Market Research Scheme*

  Evaluation of Design of High Speed Machinery Programme

  Evaluation of Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme*

  Evaluation of RETEX Initiative

  Evaluation of KONVER Initiative

  Evaluation of Industry '96

  Future Market Potential for Photovoltaic Products

  Interim Evaluation of DTI's Biotechnology Means Business Initiative*

  Materials Measurement Evaluation Survey*

  Mid-term Review of BNSC Applications Demonstration Programme

  Review of European Supported Networks

  South-east Asia "Lands of Opportunity" Campaign

  Support for Overseas Trade Fairs & Seminars Study

  Survey as part of an Evaluation of OSO Support for Innovation*

  Survey of Machinery Exporters concerning Single Market Barriers to Trade*

  UK Business Potential for Virtual Reality*

  Workplace Employee Relations Survey*.

  The distinction between current and potential policies is not one the Department uses, since evaluations of current policy will shape future policy.

  Where the results of these surveys are not already in the Library of the House, arrangements are being made for them to be placed there. The only exception
  240
  is the report of the Mid-term Review of BNSC Applications Demonstration Programme, which is classified 'Commercial in Confidence'.

  Those surveys marked with an asterisk have not yet been completed. Copies of the reports on these surveys will be placed in the Library of the House when completed.

  I have also placed in the Library a list of all significant public consultation exercises carried out by my Department since 1 May 1997.

  Manufacturing Industry (East Asian Economic Crisis)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the effects of the East Asian economic crisis on employment in the UK manufacturing sector. [48494]

  Mr. Battle
  The economic situation in East Asia is still evolving and the Government are monitoring it carefully. Adverse developments in the region are not good news in the short term for UK exporters with a significant presence there. Obviously, the prospects for manufacturing employment in the UK over the long term depend on the underlying competitiveness of British manufacturers, and that is an agenda which DTI is specifically addressing.

  Mirror Group
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will publish the report of the investigation into the 1991 flotation of the Mirror Group; and if she will make a statement. [48558]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  The inspectors have not yet reported to the Secretary of State.

  European Structural Funds
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on her Department's role in discussions relating to the European structural funds for the period 2000 to 2006. [48774]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Department of Trade & Industry is the lead Department on the reform of the European Structural and Cohesion Funds. Our responsibility is to co-ordinate UK policy on the reform for all Government Departments including Welsh, Scottish, and Northern Ireland Offices.

  Discussions have started on the proposed regulations by Member States at working group level. Officials of the Department of Trade & Industry attend on behalf of the UK, supported by other interested departments.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Concessionary Admission Charges
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what initiatives his Department is supporting for pensioners' concessionary admission charges at arts, leisure and tourist venues. [47678]
  241
  Mr. Fisher
  One of my Department's key objectives is to widen access to arts, leisure and tourist venues for all groups, including older people. Whilst pricing policies are at the discretion of the governing bodies of individual arts, leisure and tourist organisations to decide, the Department has a number of initiatives in place.

  We recently announced a £5 million New Audiences fund which will be used to discover the most effective ways to increase access to the arts for all age groups.

  All the national museums and galleries that charge for admission offer concessionary rates for older people. In addition, our Code of Good Access Practice, which we have issued for consultation to the wider museums and galleries sector, asks for views on whether there should be a standard group of concessions, including senior citizens. We hope to publish the final Code in the summer.

  Our new Sport for All policy will ensure that sporting opportunities are available to older people.

  One of the Tourism Forum Working Groups has been considering widening access for older people. The Group's report will feed into the new tourism strategy which should be published later this year.

  New Policy Directions issued on 1 June to Lottery distributors emphasised the importance of access for all. We are also encouraging local authorities to develop and publish leisure strategies to improve planning and policy making on issues such as widening access.

  2006 World Cup
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on progress in England's bid to host the 2006 World Cup. [47607]

  Mr. Banks
  [holding answer 29 June 1998]: The Government are providing the fullest diplomatic and promotional support for the FA's bid to stage the 2006 World Cup. It is an excellent bid which, I believe, stands a very good chance of success. I hold regular meetings with the FA Campaign Team, and have joined FA delegations at meetings with several members of the FIFA Executive Committee, either here in London or in their home countries, to promote the merits of the bid. I intend to accompany FA delegations on future visits to promote the bid, as Parliamentary business allows. I have written to hon. Members urging them to use every opportunity to support the bid and have been heartened by the positive response I have received.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which stadiums he has evaluated in the planning of the bid to host the 2006 World Cup. [47604]

  Mr. Banks
  [holding answer 29 June 1998]: This is a matter for the Football Association which need to meet the FIFA bid requirements which are due to be published at the end of 1998. Our stadia are amongst the best in the world, and were instrumental in making Euro 96 such a success. The FA will have many excellent stadia from which to choose.

  UK Sports Institute
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has received from(a) sporting bodies and (b) sporting individuals
  242
  in (i) Northern Ireland, (ii) Scotland and (iii) Wales in respect of their access to the UK Sports Institute network; and if he will make a statement. [47795]

  Mr. Banks
  [holding answer 30 June 1998]: No representations have been received in my Department from sporting bodies or sporting individuals in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales in respect of their access to the UK Sports Institute. Such individuals and bodies are, of course, welcome to discuss access to the UK Sports Institute network with the UK Sports Council.

  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the measures his Department has taken to invite sports to participate in the UK Sports Institute. [47796]

  Mr. Banks
  [holding answer 30 June 1998]: Eight Sports Governing Bodies took up an invitation to have a statement of their potential requirements for training and related facilities added at the shortlisting stage of the bidding process for the UK Sports Institute Headquarters. Discussions are taking place at UK and Home Country level with Governing Bodies to establish the extent of their participation in the UK Sports Institute network, in terms of facilities, and in respect of their World Class Performance Plans.

  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress has been made in respect of the provision of(a) sports medicine, (b) sports science, (c) sports research, (d) talent identification and (e) the setting of standards within the UK Sports Institute. [47794]

  Mr. Banks
  [holding answer 30 June 1998]: The UK Sports Council has set up a sports science/sports medicine technical committee with representatives from each discipline to develop the approach to these services for the UK Sports Institute. The Institute will play a key role in sports research. The UK Sports Council is taking a lead in discussions with interested parties to establish systems to help identify sporting talent. The UK Sports Institute Headquarters will be responsible for accrediting the UK Sports Institute network to standards laid down by the UK Sports Council.

  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the nature of the sports research to be undertaken by the UK Sports Institute. [47793]

  Mr. Banks
  [holding answer 30 June 1998]: The nature of the sports research to be undertaken by the UK Sports Institute has not yet been defined but will complement the provision of services and training facilities to our top sportsmen and women. I understand that the hon. Member will be meeting the UKSI Project Team at the UK Sports Council next month and he will be able to get further reassurance on this and a range of related issues.

  UK Sports Council
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the support provided to the United Kingdom's top sportsmen and women by the UK Sports Council; and if he will make a statement. [48906]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  Our top sportsmen and women need more support from Government and they will get it when the present arrangements for excellence in UK sport are
  243
  strengthened and streamlined. Devolution offers the opportunity to be much clearer in future about who provides help for what aspects of sport. The arrangements I am announcing today will ensure that sport in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland develops in line with what is wanted in each of those parts of the United Kingdom, and that we combine our strengths on the international stage.

  I have agreed with my colleagues that we will radically change the United Kingdom Sports Council, which we inherited from the previous Government. Our new strategy will give strong national direction and the powers to implement it. To support sport at UK level there will in future be:
  A "Sports Cabinet", chaired by me and bringing together the Sports Ministers of the four parts of the UK and others who are closely involved in the development of sport; and
  a stronger United Kingdom Sports Council to provide supports to our top athletes.

  The Sports Cabinet will meet several times a year and will give the joint political direction which was lacking in the current arrangements. The group will bring together the Ministers responsible for sport in the four parts of the UK under my Chairmanship. As the Scottish Parliament and the Assemblies in Wales and Northern Ireland come into being the foremost member responsible for sport in each will take the place of the Government Minister for that part of the UK. The arm's length principle which we continue to hold important will be preserved, but the Cabinet will fill the policy vacuum which would exist if there were no opportunity for the collective political discussion of the most strategic priorities for UK sport.

  The strengthened UK Sports Council will coordinate: support to sports which compete internationally as the UK; combating drug misuse; international relations; major events; and development work on the UK Sports Institute. The Council will continue to operate at arm's length from Government. It will receive public funding from me and that funding will be subject to an agreement about key priorities. I would therefore expect the Sports Cabinet to exercise considerable influence over the affairs of the UK Sports Council.

  The Council will, for the first time, have direct control over Lottery funding which it will exercise independently. The funds will be allocated from the share Parliament has already allocated to the good cause of Sport. I will bring forward in the new session a negative resolution Order establishing the UKSC as a distributor and reallocating the sports good cause share between the five Councils. I estimate the UKSC will need about 5 per cent. (or £15 million) of the sports fund each year as well as a transfer to meet the commitment to building and running the Headquarters of the UK Sports Institute in Sheffield.

  I am commissioning today the detailed work to put these arrangements in place. Working with the Councils we will define clearly what is the remit of each distributor, bring forward any amendments to the Royal Charters which may be necessary and prepare the policy and financial directions.

  The Council also needs strong leadership. I have decided it is essential it has its own Chair, a person of standing in sport, who would not be the Chair of one of the Home Country Sports Councils. I have also decided
  244
  there should be at least seven independent Members including athletes and lay people with an enthusiasm for top class sport.

  I am today announcing that Sir Rodney Walker will leave the English Sports Council (ESC) and become Chair of the UKSC after the ESC's meeting next Monday. I have also indicated to the Council that I would be pleased if Craig Reedie became Sir Rodney's named deputy, to reflect the fact that the Olympic sports must compete as Great Britain and the role the British Olympic Association is expected to play in the UK Sports Institute. I am also pleased to announced that Trevor Brooking the Current Vice Chairman of the ESC, has agreed to become Acting Chairman of that Council. The Chair at the ESC and new UKSC members will be appointed in accordance with the guidance of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

  I have agreed with the new Chairman that from 13 July the new Chief Executive of the UKSC should be David Chesterton, a senior civil servant on secondment from my Department. He will replace Howard Wells, who resigned recently.

  Football Task Force
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when the Football Task Force report on ticketing will be published; and if he will make a statement. [47893]

  Mr. Banks
  [holding answer 1 July 1998]: The Task Force is due to publish its report on ticketing, marketing and other commercial aspects of the game by the end of the year.

TREASURY

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has made to the Accounting Standards Board on the proper presentation of risks and liabilities of Private Finance Initiative schemes. [44719]

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his discussions with the Accounting Standards Board regarding exposure draft FRS 5 on Accounting for the Substance of Transactions. [46375]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  [holding answers 10 and 18 June 1998]: In December 1997 the Accounting Standards Board (ASB) issued for comment an Exposure Draft on the accounting treatment of Private Finance Initiative transactions. HM Treasury submitted its formal response to the ASB on 3 March 1998 and we are continuing to have discussions with ASB representatives on this subject.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Treasury will be bound by the terms of the exposure draft FRS 5. [46857]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  [holding answer 22 June 1998]: The proposed Application Note to FRS5 on the accounting treatment of Private Finance Initiative transactions is still in draft form and we are continuing to

  245
  have discussions with representatives of the Accounting Standards Board (ASB). The Treasury will consider the Application Note when it is published in final form.

  Unemployment
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the impact on unemployment of a one per cent. increase in average earnings unmatched by any increase in productivity. [48556]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Pay in all sectors, and at all levels, must be related to what can be afforded. Excessive wage growth would tend to raise unemployment, but the precise effect would depend upon why wages increased, and how employers and employees reacted to the increase.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Prisoners (Self-harm)
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the number of incidents of self-harm by(a) 15 and 16 year olds on remand in adult prisons and (b) other offenders aged under 21 years in custody which go unreported. [43835]

  Ms Quin
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Correspondence
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the volume of correspondence sent to and received from hon. Members by the Secretary of State for the Home Department in the periods of(a) 1 January to 26 March 1994 and (b) 1 January to 26 March 1998. [47690]

  Mr. Straw
  The volume of correspondence sent to, and received from, hon. Members by my Department between the dates in question was as follows:

  Sent

  Received

  1 January–26 March 1994

  4,821

  6,146

  1 January–26 26 March 1998

  4,980

  5,855

  Medway Training Centre
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what occasions mail sent to a child at the Medway Training Centre has been withheld. [48161]

  Mr. Michael
  I am told that no such mail has been withheld.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many incidents of(a) self-harm and (b) attempted suicide by children have taken place at the Medway Training Centre. [48160]

  Mr. Michael
  There has been one incident of self-harm, in which the trainee scratched his arm. He was seen by medical staff but no treatment was required. No trainee has attempted suicide.
  246
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which Home Office monitor is assigned to the Medway Training Centre; and if he will indicate their experience of working with institutions for children. [48162]

  Mr. Michael
  Brett Robinson, a Home Office official, is currently the Monitor for Medway Secure Training Centre, and he has a statutory duty to report to the Secretary of State on how the STC is being run. He has not had direct experience of working within an institution for children, but his training for the post included periods at local authority secure units. The Monitor has a wide range of experience which fits him for the role of monitoring the performance of the contractor in delivering the service required at the STC, including compliance with the Statutory Rules.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what costs have been incurred by the public sector for unfilled places at the Medway Training Centre since its opening. [48159]

  Mr. Michael
  The contract price is determined by the availability of places and the quality of service provided. There is a fixed daily price for the first 30 places available, irrespective of whether they are occupied or not, and a lower daily rate for the final 10 places if these are used.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many employees at the Medway Training Centre have previous experience of working with children with a history of offending. [48158]

  Mr. Michael
  We understand that around 30 per cent. of the staff who work directly with trainees at Medway Secure Training Centre have previously worked with young people with a history of offending. All staff have received training in understanding and dealing with disturbed adolescents.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average weekly cost of keeping a child at the Medway Training Centre. [48157]

  Mr. Michael
  The average cost of a place at Medway is £2,400 per week excluding capital costs. This compares with the average cost in local authority secure accommodation for 1997–98 of £2,570.

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many family or social visits to a child held at the Medway Training Centre have been stopped since its opening. [48156]

  Mr. Michael
  None.

  Drug Users
  Mrs. Gilroy
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment he has made of the funding of the South and West Devon fast track diversion and stabilisation scheme for drug users. [48145]

  Mr. George Howarth
  I am aware that the scheme is currently facing some funding difficulties, and am consulting my hon. Friend the Minister for Public Health on how these difficulties might be resolved.
  247
  Mrs. Gilroy
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had about the South and West Devon fast track diversion and stabilisation scheme for drug users. [48149]

  Mr. George Howarth
  On 15 June, I met the Chief Probation Officer of Devon Probation Service and His Honour Judge William Taylor, the Liaison Judge on the Probation Committee, to discuss the funding of the scheme.

  Criminal Injuries Compensation Board
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Criminal Injuries Compensation Board claims are currently being processed by their Complaints Board; what percentage this constitutes of total claims; and how many complaints relate to claims originating in each year since 1990. [47978]

  Mr. Michael
  It is assumed that the Question relates to appeals and other hearings cases still to be resolved by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board (CICB) under the 1990 scheme, effective for claims received to 31 March 1996.

  At 26 June 1998, there were 17,736 such cases, forming 85 per cent. of the residual work outstanding under the 1990 scheme. The distribution according to the year in which the original claim was received is as follows:

  Year of receipt of original claim

  Appeals/hearings cases to be resolved

  Pre-1990

  352

  1990

  206

  1991

  425

  1992

  630

  1993

  1,055

  1994

  3,338

  1995

  8,063

  To 31 March 1996

  3,667

  Total

  17,736

  The total includes a number of cases resolved in previous years, but re-opened on medical grounds.

  For claims received under the 1990 scheme between 1990 and 31 March 1996, the percentage in which an application for, or referral to, an oral hearing was subsequently made averaged 20 per cent. (range 16 to 22 per cent.).

  For claims received on or after 1 April 1996 under the tariff-based scheme (in which CICB has no role), for decisions made by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority are open to review by the Authority, and reviewed decisions are open to appeal before the Criminal Injuries Compensation Appeals Panel. Present indications are that the percentage of full appeals cases is less than 10 per cent. of total claims received. The new scheme is designed to offer a faster service to victims at all stages.

  Edgar Fernandes
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will send a British police officer to Turkey to assist in the Edgar Fernandes murder inquiry; [47840]
  248
  (2) what steps he has taken since 25 June on the case of Edgar Fernandes; [48244]

  (3) what steps are being taken to monitor the Edgar Fernandes murder investigation in Turkey; and if he will make a statement; [47838]

  (4) what factors led to the decision to send Scotland Yard officers to (a) Cambodia to investigate the case of Christopher House and (b) to the South China Sea to investigate the case of Sea Captain Sir John Bashforth; [47841]

  (5) if he will make a statement on the level of co-operation between British and Turkish police forces in the investigation into the death of Edgar Fernandes; and what pressure is being put on the Turkish police to speed up their investigations into the circumstances of Edgar Fernandes's death. [47839]

  Mr. Michael
  Although the Home Office and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office have closely followed developments in the case of Edgar Fernandes, the murder investigation and any subsequent prosecution are matters for the Turkish authorities. The Turkish authorities have not requested any specific assistance from the United Kingdom in connection with the investigation, although the exchange of relevant information has taken place both through police channels, via Interpol, and via diplomatic channels, through our Consular Division here and Diplomatic Posts overseas.

  On 11 May, Interpol London was advised that a person suspected of committing the murder had been arrested in Malta. The Turkish authorities are currently applying for his extradition from Malta to face prosecution in Turkey. The Turkish Ministry of Justice sent the translated extradition request to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 10 June. There may be a delay in its arrival in Malta because Turkey does not have diplomatic representation in Malta and it is understood that the paperwork will have to be processed via the Turkish Embassy in Rome.

  The level of co-operation between the British and Turkish police forces during the investigation, conducted via Interpol channels, has been generally good, although there have been some delays in information being provided to the British police by the Turkish authorities, partly because Turkey has chosen to send some responses via diplomatic channels rather than via Interpol where the British request originated. Both the British police and the Consular Division have been in regular contact with their Turkish counterparts to obtain information concerning developments, and will continue their efforts. It would probably be unhelpful, and possibly counter-productive, to go further than this, as undue pressure is likely to antagonise the Turkish authorities who are pursuing the investigation according to their national procedures. The situation is complicated by the fact that the murder suspect is in a third country and will have to be extradited to face prosecution, building in unavoidable delays.

  The Turkish authorities have not requested the presence of a British police officer in Turkey to assist with the investigation. A British police officer would have no jurisdiction to investigate the case in Turkey and his presence there would have to be authorised by the Turkish authorities. The Coroner at St. Pancras has made a request

  249
  to the Attorney General in Malta to allow a Metropolitan Police officer to interview the detained suspect in Malta to assist the inquest proceedings in Britain. The inquest has been opened and adjourned in Britain and a reply to the request is currently awaited from the Attorney General in Malta.

  The cases of Christopher Howes and Captain John Bashforth were both different from the present case. Mr. Howes was kidnapped and British police officers, trained in negotiation skills, went to Cambodia to assist with negotiations and in establishing Mr. Howes' whereabouts. British police made a number of visits to Cambodia and their involvement there concluded once the fates of Mr. Howes and the other hostage were discovered. The murder investigations then became a matter for the Cambodian authorities.

  British police officers did not go to Indonesia in 1996 to investigate the murder in 1992 of Captain Bashforth, but rather to review the investigation of the murder by the Indonesian police. The perpetrators of the murder have never been caught.

  The police and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office will continue to monitor developments in the case of Edgar Fernandes, in consultation with the relevant authorities in Turkey and Malta. In this regard, Interpol London are currently pursuing with their Maltese counterparts the question of the visit by a Metropolitan Police officer to facilitate the inquest being held in Britain.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the criteria on the basis of which asylum seekers detained under the immigration acts are classified as Category C status. [48306]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Detainees held under sole Immigration Act powers are not classified in accordance with Prison Service categorisation. The only exception would be where someone was held for reasons of national security.

  Most detainees are held in Immigration Service detention accommodation (which is not categorised according to Prison Service specifications), or the discrete centres at Rochester and Haslar. Those held in other Prison Service establishments are usually accommodated with remand prisoners and are therefore held in local prisons or remand centres which are category B security standard because of the wide range of offenders.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Gender Impact Assessments
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will place in the Library copies of gender impact assessments which have been undertaken in respect of legislation introduced in this Parliament; if he will make it his policy to do so in respect of future legislation; and if he will make a statement. [47019]
  250
  Clare Short
  The Department for International Development assesses all its policies and programmes for their gender impact. This is in line with the way the issue is being addressed through the cross-Departmental mainstreaming initiative.

  I refer to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Women on 24 June 1998, Official Report, columns 557–58.

  Government Policies
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the projects undertaken by her Department since 1 May 1997 to research public reaction to(a) Government policies and (b) potential new policies; and if she will place the results of the research in the Library. [46675]

  Clare Short
  The Department regularly consults the public, interested parties and client groups by way of consultation papers, discussion groups and any other methods such as the recent White Paper on International Development.

  In addition, and in line with practice under the previous administration, and at similar cost, research was also carried out by Opinion Leader Research Ltd. shortly after this government took office to evaluate knowledge and opinions about development assistance. Copies of this research has been placed in the Library of both Houses.

  Reproductive and Sexual Health
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make representations to the European Commission to set up a contracted-out expert network of advisers in reproductive and sexual health. [48262]

  Clare Short
  A network of external advisers in reproductive health, population and HIV/AIDS was created by Directorates General VIII and Ib of the Commission in February 1998, following an open tender competition. Expert advice is being provided by a consortium of four groups: International Health Services (Ghent), Deloitte and Touche and two UK-based groups, Liverpool Associates in Tropical Health and the Futures Group UK.

  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make representations to the European Commission to spend 300 million ecu on reproductive health issues as committed following the Cairo conference. [48261]

  Clare Short
  We maintain regular dialogue with the Commission on investments in reproductive health in developing countries. The Commission has exceeded its target of committing 300 million ecu in reproductive health assistance in the five years following the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development. We will do all we can to help ensure that this money is spent effectively.

  Multilateral Agreement on Investment
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to
  251
  commission further reviews of the implications for development of proposed Multilateral Agreement on Investment; and if she will make a statement. [48058]

  Clare Short
  The Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI) Negotiating Group has tasked the Secretariat of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) with carrying out further analytical work on the development implications of the MAI. We expect to receive the Secretariat's initial proposals for this research shortly. We welcome the fact that the research is being taken forward by the Secretariat on behalf of the Negotiating Group as a whole. This indicates that there is now a broad interest among MAI negotiators in the development implications of the MAI. My Department will continue to keep in close touch with the Secretariat as their proposals develop and the research moves forward.

HEALTH

  Gender Impact Assessments
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library copies of gender impact assessments which have been undertaken in respect of legislation introduced in this Parliament; if he will make it his policy to do so in respect of future legislation; and if he will make a statement. [47016]

  Ms Jowell
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Women on 24 June 1998,Official Report, columns 557–58.

  Human Embryos
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many human embryos have been used in research projects since March 1991. [47902]

  Ms Jowell
  This information is not available in the form requested. The latest figures provided by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) show that 36,930 embryos created during the course of in vitro fertilisation treatments were donated to research projects between 1 August 1991 and 31 March 1996.

  In addition, a number of embryos are created for diagnostic purposes in treatments involving gamete intra-fallopian transfer—a procedure not governed by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990—which, together with embryos created using supernumerary eggs produced in the course of that procedure, may be donated to research. It may also be possible for research embryos to be created using eggs donated for treatment but which are not, in the event, used for that purpose. The HFEA licenses about 2 or 3 research projects each year which may involve the creation of embryos. This will be only where such use is an essential requirement for the research project, for example in order to examine the viability of eggs which have been frozen, or the use of immature sperm for treatment purposes.

  Research on human embryos is subject to very strict controls under the terms of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990. Such research may be carried out only if effective consent, as defined in the Act, is given by the egg and sperm providers.

  Overseas Adoptions
  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children from abroad have been adopted in the UK in each of the last 12 years. [48010]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Department does not hold information about the number of children adopted from abroad, only about the number of intercountry adoption applications processed since 1992. These will account for the majority of such adoptions since then and are set out in the table:

  Year

  Number of intercountry adoption applications processed by the Department of Health

  1992

  48

  1993

  99

  1994

  113

  1995

  150

  1996

  310

  1997

  221

  January-June 1998

  125

  Total

  1,066

  Pharmacists
  Mr. McWalter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans he has to enhance the role of pharmacists in the delivery of primary care; [48235]

  (2) what plans he has to involve community pharmacists in promoting health advice to men over 40 years of age. [48236]

  Mr. Milburn
  We propose to publish a policy document in the autumn setting out proposals for the future role of community pharmacists within the National Health Service.

  Mr. McWalter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the number of consultations general practitioners carry out which could be effectively dealt with by(a) a pharmacist and (b) another member of a primary health care team. [48237]

  Mr. Milburn
  We are aware of a range of research and experience which suggests that some tasks currently undertaken by general practitioners could be carried out appropriately by pharmacists and other health professionals.

WALES

  Gwent Tertiary College
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what meetings he has held over the past 12 months concerning the spending of European funds at Gwent Tertiary College; [48197]

  (2) what discussions he has had with personnel of Gwent Tertiary College over the past 12 months relating to the spending of European funds at the college; [48184]

  (3) what representations he has received over the past 12 months concerning the spending of European funds at Gwent Tertiary College. [48198]
  253
  Mr. Hain
  I have had a number of meetings, and discussions. Officials from the Welsh Office and the Department for Education and Employment (DfEE) have been in regular contact with the College concerning European funding. As the hon. Member is no doubt aware, the Fraud Inspection Unit of DfEE and the Gwent Constabulary are currently investigating the receipt and allocation of European Social Funding by the College in 1995 and 1996.

  Phase Separations Company
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the closure of the Phase Separations Company on Deeside Industrial Park indicating the number of jobs lost and the areas in which they have been relocated. [47905]

  Mr. Hain
  The closure of any company with its associated loss of jobs is always regrettable. I understand that 28 jobs will be lost and that the company plans to transfer manufacturing to Ireland, distribution to Holland and administration to Watford. The local TEC is liaising with the Employment Service to see what help can be given to those employees made redundant.

  Tree Planting
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he is taking to ensure that more deciduous trees will be planted; and if he will make a statement. [47914]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  We are fully committed to increasing the area of woodland in Wales, including deciduous woodland. Our grant-aid encourages the planting of deciduous trees and over 80 per cent. of the new woodland created in Wales in the past five years is deciduous. Moreover, the UK Forestry Standard, which we launched earlier this year, specifies that any new conifer woodland should include a proportion of deciduous trees. In addition, we have recently announced Challenge Funds for creating woodlands on bracken land and for new native woodlands in National Parks. In both cases, initial responses have been encouraging and much of the woodland planted under these initiatives will be deciduous.

  Development Assistance
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the impact upon North East Wales of the Objective 1 status granted to Merseyside with regard to(a) the preparation of industrial infrastructure and (b) inward investment; and if he will make a statement. [47910]

  Mr. Hain
  I have no evidence to suggest that the designation of Merseyside as an Objective 1 area has had a detrimental effect on North East Wales. Indeed, the unemployment rate in Flintshire decreased from 4.5 per cent. in May 1997 to 3.9 per cent. in May 1998. Similarly in Wrexham, where the rate dropped from 4.7 per cent. in 1997 to 4 per cent. in 1998.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are the prospects for the restoration of Objective 2 status in North East Wales; and if he will make a statement. [47907]
  254
  Mr. Hain
  The Commission's draft regulations for the Structural and Cohesion Funds which are part of the Agenda 2000 package were published on the 18 March. The Regulations must now be agreed by all fifteen Member States and approved where appropriate by the European Parliament.

  Our overriding concern in the long negotiations ahead is to ensure that these draft Regulations are fair, affordable and durable, particularly to the UK and its regions. We do not expect the Regulations for the Structural and Cohesion Funds to be adopted until early 1999. It would therefore be premature to speculate on which areas might qualify or on the amount of any aid which they might receive once the new Regulations come into effect.

  Genetically Modified Organisms
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will estimate the likely percentage of crops to be grown in Wales in 2008, which will be genetically modified; and if he will make a statement. [47913]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  There is no basis for making such an estimate as it is unlikely that commercially grown genetically modified crops will be harvested in the UK before next year. The Government will continue to monitor the situation.

  Steel Industry
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the impact of the current rate of sterling on the steel industry in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [47904]

  Mr. Hain
  We fully recognise the worries of exporters and manufacturers about the current level of sterling. The Government's aim is a stable and competitive pound of the medium term. The most important thing is to deliver a stable economic environment—with sustained growth, less inflation and sound public finances—whilst at the same time introducing policies to promote enterprise and investment and raise the economy's sustainable rate of growth. The Government are determined to take a long-term view and not be diverted from this cause by short-term pressures.

  Cancer Treatment
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what measures he has taken to improve access to cancer treatment in North Wales; and if he will make a statement. [47911]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  Improving cancer services is a priority for the Government and I am pleased to say that I am making available over £20 million to fund the building of a new cancer centre for North Wales based at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd. I laid the foundation stone a few weeks ago and the new centre should open in June 2000. The centre will provide high-quality cancer services to people from North Wales and will save seriously ill patients making long journeys to English centres.

  Waiting Times
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many patients in each health authority area were waiting for treatment on the NHS at January for each year since 1992 broken down by medical specialty. [48081]
  255
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  Due to the volume of data requested, I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my reply in the Library of the House.

  National Assembly
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much public money will be used to publicise the Welsh Assembly elections. [48445]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Erdington (Mr. Corbett) on 23 June 1998,Official Report, column 45.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what contingency plans his Department is making in the event of the failure of computer systems to recognise the year 2000; when he expects them to be in place, and tested; and if he will make a statement. [48843]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster presents quarterly reviews to Parliament of progress on tackling all issues relating to the Millennium date change problem across central Government. His last Report was made on 8 June. At the same time, copies of all Departmental plans are placed in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament and published on the Internet. At this time, I have nothing to add to the Welsh Office's recently published plans.

  Cardiff Bay Barrage
  Mr. Rhodri Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the Chairman of the Cardiff Bay Development Corporation concerning the adjudication by the Parliamentary Commissioner into the Friends of the Earth complaint regarding refusal of information on the Gwent Levels mitigating works and bird reserve; and if he will make a statement. [48624]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  None.

  Mr. Rhodri Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if his review of the Cardiff Bay Barrage is based on the principle of retaining the 1994 cap and economising on ancillary projects; [48622]

  (2) on what date he commenced his review of the total costs of the Cardiff Bay Barrage; when he expects to complete his review of the barrage cost cap; and if he will place a copy of the completed review in the Library; [48623]

  (3) what provision he has made for increasing the grant-in-aid to the Cardiff Bay Development Corporation in association with the completion of his costs cap review; what increased barrage project costs he has already approved; and what increases in costs have been submitted for approval. [48625]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  The Corporation made available to my Department in February a confidential internal review on the costs of the Barrage project. That review has since been the subject of discussion with the Corporation. On 29 June, I reaffirmed my guidance to the Board that tight 256
  control should be exercised over these costs to contain them within the total of £191m announced to Parliament, including provision of £8.8m for the Bird Reserve.

  I have asked the Corporation to prepare an update of the review document, excluding commercially confidential material, as soon as possible. I shall arrange for a copy of that document to be placed in the Library of the House.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Public Registers
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will list the public registers which her Department has responsibility for. [47347]

  Mr. Field
  [holding answer 29 June 1998]: This Department does not maintain any public registers. However, the Registrar of Occupational and Personal Pensions maintains a register of occupational and personal pensions pursuant to regulation 2 of the Register of Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes Regulations 1997 (S.I. 1997/371). The Registrar is an independent statutory office-holder appointed by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Prior
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if she will make a statement on the training given to officers of her Department in dealing with disabled people; [48000]

  (2) what guidance has been issued to offices of her Department on the treatment of disabled people when double checking benefits claims through interviews. [47996]

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

  Letter from Alexis Cleveland to Mr. David Prior, dated 1 July 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked Peter Mathison to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions concerning the training given to officers in respect of dealing with disabled people and the guidance issued to offices on the treatment of disabled people when double checking benefit claims through interviews. As Mr. Mathison is on annual leave, I am replying.
  The Benefits Agency (BA) aims to ensure that all our customers have equal access to the benefits system, and that wherever possible, our services can accommodate their individual needs. BA staff are trained in dealing with people with disabilities. The Agency recognises the need to develop appreciation of all equal opportunity issues, and as such, provides training in serving the needs of the community. It is our policy to work in partnership with organisations from the voluntary sector to identify areas where improvements could be made.
  An example of this partnership is the Disability Awareness Training that was undertaken with the Disability Income Group, to enable the Benefit Integrity Project (BIP) visiting officers to understand the needs of disabled people. Refresher training for BIP visiting officers began on 18 May 1998 and was completed on 5 June 1998. This training addressed such issues as the improvements to the project, customer relations and again it concluded input from the Disability Income Group.

  257
  The BA operates a dedicated telephone helpline to meet the special needs of people with disabilities. Staff on the Benefit Enquiry Line (BEL) provide advice and information about social security benefits and how to claim them. They can also provide help and assistance with the completion of disability claim forms. In addition to the full range of social security benefits, the initial training for the operators includes disability awareness. This is supported by ongoing workshops which concentrate on the individual needs of customers suffering from a wide range of disabilities. Most recently this has included awareness training on the problems encountered by people with Mental Health problems.
  All managers are responsible for providing training which will help staff to meet the needs of their customers. We actively encourage them to use the expertise and support available from local public and private sector organisations and the voluntary sector. To assist managers, we have provided them with information on the awareness programmes and services available from a range of organisations.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Widowers
  Mr. Rhodri Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate her Department has made of the numbers of widowers who would be entitled to a widow's pension if the current scheme for women were to be extended to men; what estimate she has made of the numbers of children of widowers who would benefit from equal treatment being extended to their fathers; and if she will make a statement. [48621]

  Mr. Denham
  The number of widowers who would be entitled to a Widow's Pension or Widowed Mother's Allowance if the current scheme for women were extended to men is estimated to be up to 100,000.

  It is estimated that up to 30,000 children would be covered by the extension of equal treatment to their fathers.
  Notes:

  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10,000.

  2. Figures should be treated with caution due to weaknesses in the available data.

  3. Due to lack of data, the number of children in families where the parent is a widowed father is assumed to be the same as the number of children in families where the parent is a widowed mother.

  4. Widow's pension has been interpreted to mean those widowers entitled to either Widow's Pension or Widowed Mother's Allowance.

  Source:
  Government Actuary Department (pre-1991 data).

  Motability
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to her answers of 25 June 1998,Official Report, columns 624–25, on Motability, if she will hold meetings with hon. Members who have a constituency interest, and with representatives of the motor manufacturing industry, to discuss the implications of the paper, Motability: MFL's Maintenance and Residual Value Proposals, before these proposals are implemented. [48594]

  Mr. Denham
  My noble Friend the Baroness Hollis of Heigham will be discussing the implications of the paper Motability: MFL's Maintenance and Residual Value Proposals with representatives of Ford Motor Company 258
  Ltd, the Disabled Driver's Association, colleagues from the Department of Trade and Industry and Motability, in the near future. Motability have advised that they would be happy to arrange to discuss this issue in detail with hon. Members who have an interest.

  Armed Forces Personnel
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many armed forces personnel are currently claiming benefits. [48559]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The only available source of data about the number of armed forces personnel in receipt of Social Security benefits is the Family Resources Survey (FRS). This asks respondents in private households in Great Britain for a job description, and therefore includes only armed forces services personnel living at private addresses in Ministry of Defence (MOD) establishments. The latest year for which FRS information is available is 1996–97. For that year, in around half the cases where the respondent was identified as being in the armed forces, the individual, or their partner (if they had one) was in receipt of at least one Social Security benefit. Almost exclusively, the only benefit in payment was Child Benefit.

  On 1 April 1997, there were the full-time equivalent of 212,800 UK armed forces services personnel resident in the United Kingdom. Published MOD statistics do not identify within this number servicemen living at private addresses.
  Note:
  The answer refers to cases where the benefit unit to which the respondent belongs is in receipt of at least one Social Security benefit. It is based on a sample and is therefore subject to sampling error and variability in non-response.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Public Registers
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the public registers which his Department has responsibility for. [47357]

  Dr. David Clark
  [holding answer 29 June 1998]: The only register that my Department is required to hold and publish by law is a register of all Statutory Instruments which have been made. The Queen's Printer is required under the Statutory Instruments Act to ensure publication of a list of the Statutory Instruments which have been registered, and this is currently undertaken by The Stationery Office Limited.

MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO

  Millennium Dome (Sponsors)
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio if each zone in the Millennium Dome has a sponsor; and if he will list each committed sponsor to each zone and the amount of the sponsorship contribution. [45137]
  259
  Mr. Mandelson
  Five zones have confirmed Founding Partner sponsors:

  Work ("Licensed to Skill")—Manpower

  Learn ("Learning Curve")—Tesco

  Play ("Serious Play")—BSkyB

  Talk ("Time to Talk")—BT

  National Identity (UK@now)—Marks and Spencer (part sponsor).

  The New Millennium Experience Company is in advanced discussions with sponsors of a further five zones. Over £100m of sponsorship support has been identified. Further announcements will be made shortly.

  Millennium Dome (Human Figure)
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio what representations he has received on the sex of the giant human figure in the Millennium Dome. [47280]

  Mr. Mandelson
  [holding answer 23 June 1998]: The New Millennium Experience Company and I have received a few letters from members of the public about the figure. The Company have tried wherever possible to take into account the views expressed in drawing up the detailed design brief.

  Unit

  Function

  RAF Provost and Security Services

  Security support, criminal investigations and provost operations assistance to the RAF

  Provost and Security Services (Western Region)

  Specialist police and security support to all RAF establishments within the West Midlands, the West Country and Mid Wales

  Defence Vetting Agency (RAF)

  Security clearances for RAF military and civilian personnel, and defence industry employees.

  Defence Communication Services Agency

  The Services Management Centre of the Agency, including the Primary Network Control Centre of the Defence Fixed Telecommunications Service

  Detachment of 1001 Signals Unit. RAF

  Participation in the operation of the UK military communications satellite system

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Restricted Enforcement Unit
  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Attorney-General what contribution his Department makes to the work of the restricted enforcement unit. [47150]

  The Attorney-General
  None.

  International and Organised Crime
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Attorney-General how the Crown Prosecution Service is joining with the national crime squad to fight international and organised crime. [47151]

  The Attorney-General
  The nature of the work of the National Crime Squad means that in many cases there will be an ongoing requirement for specialist legal advice from the earliest stage right through the investigation. The CPS and the National Crime Squad are working together to ensure that need is met.

  Barristers' Fees
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Attorney-General what representations he has received about the monitoring and assessment of banisters' fees. [47152]

  Millennium Dome (Air-conditioning)
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio what representations he has received about the use of HFCs in the proposed air-conditioning for the Millennium Dome. [48073]

  Mr. Mandelson
  [holding answer 1 July 1998]: I have received representations about the air-conditioning system within the Dome from a number of individuals and organisations, both for and against the system chosen.

DEFENCE

  RAF Rudloe Manor
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what functions are carried out at RAF Rudloe Manor; and which organisations are based there. [46840]

  Dr. Reid
  RAF Rudloe Manor is an administrative establishment providing accommodation and support for a number of defence organisations. The following units are located there:

  The Attorney-General
  No specific representations have been received about monitoring banisters' fees. Concerns have been expressed by the Bar about the disparity between prosecution and defence fees in the Crown Court.

  Crown Prosecution Service
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Attorney-General when he last discussed the future of the Crown Prosecution Service with(a) the Home Secretary and (b) a chief officer of police in England and Wales. [47153]

  The Attorney-General
  I frequently discuss matters of mutual interest with Ministerial colleagues including my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary. Officials from the Crown Prosecution Service likewise have frequent discussions with representatives of the Association of Chief Police Officers. These discussions promote co-operation and effective joint working between agencies in the criminal justice system and are a key feature of the Government's commitment to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the Criminal Justice System generally.

  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will make a statement on reform of the Crown Prosecution Service. [47155]
  261
  The Attorney-General
  I published the report of the Review of the Crown Prosecution Service (the Glidewell Review) on 1 June 1998. Its main thrust, which we accept, lies in proposals for reordering CPS priorities to focus more on the core business of prosecuting, greater separation of management from legal work, greater autonomy for the areas and better prospects for staff.

  We immediately accepted the recommendation for the appointment of a Chief Executive and work is already underway within the CPS and other Departments to consider the recommendations. I expect to provide the House with a progress report in the Autumn.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Swimming
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to review the range and quality of swimming instruction in primary schools; and if he will make a statement. [41848]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools reports annually to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment on the standards and quality of physical education, including swimming, and other subjects taught in schools. For 1996–97 he reported that achievement in swimming was generally good in primary schools.

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will ensure that swimming and water safety are a statutory requirement of the core curriculum within the National Curriculum at Key Stages 1 and 2. [41449]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment believes it is important that children learn how to swim. This is a safety measure and will remain part of the primary curriculum.

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will ensure that funding given by his Department for swimming and water safety is used solely for those purposes. [41445]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The Department allocates no funding specifically for swimming and water safety. Primary schools must ensure that they teach swimming as part of the National Curriculum for physical education.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proportion of primary schools in Coventry provide teaching in

  GCSE achievements of 15 year old pupils1 in all schools, by each twentieth group of pupils ranked according to their GCSE/GNVQ point score for all subjects

  (a) Male

  (b) Female

  (c) All 15 year old pupils

  Number of 15 year olds

  Average No. of GCSE entries per pupil

  Average point score per 15 year old pupil in all subjects

  Number of 15 year olds

  Average No. of GCSE entries per pupil

  Average point score per 15 year old pupil in all subjects

  Number of 15 year olds

  Average No. of GCSE entries per pupil

  Average point score per 15 year old pupil in all subjects

  14,975

  0.0

  0.0

  14,363

  0.0

  0.0

  29,338

  0.0

  0.0

  14,976

  2.0

  0.4

  14,363

  4.0

  3.1

  29,339

  2.9

  1.3

  14,975

  4.7

  5.8

  14,363

  6.5

  11.5

  29,338

  5.4

  8.1

  14,976

  6.5

  11.4

  14,362

  7.7

  17.9

  29,338

  7.1

  14.3

  262
  swimming and water safety; and what was the level of LEA funding for this purpose in (a) Coventry and (b) the West Midlands in each of the last five years. [40944]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 8 May 1998]: The Department does not collect information centrally on the provision and funding of teaching in swimming and water safety. Funding for swimming tuition, the care and maintenance of swimming pools, and transport and admission to swimming pools is usually included within schools' delegated budgets.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proportion of primary schools in the UK currently provide swimming and water safety skills; and what is the figure for other European Union countries. [40943]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 8 May 1998]: All primary schools in England are required to teach swimming, including the principles and skills of water safety and survival, as part of the National Curriculum for physical education. They will continue to be required to do so.

  Questions about teaching in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales are matters for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Northern Ireland, for Scotland and for Wales.

  The Department does not collect information about provision for the teaching of swimming or water safety skills in other European Union countries.

  GCSE/GNVQ Scores
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what were the average GCSE/GNVQ point scores in 1997 of each equal twentieth group of(a) male, (b) female and (c) all 15 year old pupils when all such pupils are ranked by their total GCSE/GNVQ points scores, assuming that GNVQ grades are assigned points such that at intermediate level a distinction equals 7.5 points, a merit equals 6 points, and a pass equals 5 points, and at foundation level a distinction equals 4 points, a merit equals 3 points, and a pass equals 1.5 points; if he will list the number of pupils in each group, the average number of GCSEs entered per pupil in each group and the proportions of pupils in each group who took (i) an intermediate GNVQ and (ii) a foundation GNVQ; and if he will indicate the numbers gaining each grade. [44956]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 9 June 1998]: The information requested in respect of average GCSE/GNVQ point scores is shown in the following table. However, information on the proportion of pupils in each group who took GNVQs is not available.
  263

  GCSE achievements of 15 year old pupils1 in all schools, by each twentieth group of pupils ranked according to their GCSE/GNVQ point score for all subjects

  (a) Male

  (b) Female

  (c) All 15 year old pupils

  Number of 15 Year olds

  Average No. of GCSE entries per pupil

  Average point score per 15 year old pupil in all subjects

  Number of 15 Year olds

  Average No. of GCSE entries per pupil

  Average point score per 15 year old pupil in all subjects

  Number 15 year olds

  Average No. of GCSE entries per pupil

  Average point score per 15 year old pupil in all subjects

  14,975

  7.4

  16.1

  14,363

  8.3

  22.9

  29,339

  7.8

  19.1

  14,976

  7.9

  20.1

  14,363

  8.6

  26.9

  29,338

  8.3

  23.2

  14,975

  8.3

  23.6

  14,363

  8.8

  30.4

  29,338

  8.6

  26.8

  14,976

  8.6

  26.9

  14,363

  8.9

  33.5

  29,338

  8.7

  30.1

  14,975

  8.7

  30.0

  14,363

  9.0

  36.4

  29,339

  8.9

  33.2

  14,976

  8.9

  33.0

  14,363

  9.1

  39.1

  29,338

  9.0

  36.1

  14,975

  9.0

  36.0

  14,362

  9.2

  41.9

  29,338

  9.1

  39.0

  14,975

  9.1

  38.8

  14,363

  9.2

  44.4

  29,339

  9.2

  41.7

  14,976

  9.2

  41.7

  14,363

  9.3

  47.0

  29,338

  9.2

  44.4

  14,975

  9.2

  44.5

  14,363

  9.3

  49.4

  29,338

  9.3

  47.1

  14,976

  9.3

  47.3

  14,363

  9.4

  52.0

  29,339

  9.4

  49.8

  14,975

  9.4

  50.3

  14,363

  9.5

  54.7

  29,338

  9.4

  52.6

  14,976

  9.5

  53.6

  14,362

  9.5

  57.5

  29,338

  9.5

  55.7

  14,975

  9.6

  57.4

  14,363

  9.6

  60.8

  29,338

  9.6

  59.3

  14,976

  9.8

  62.3

  14,363

  9.7

  64.9

  29,339

  9.7

  63.8

  14,975

  10.2

  71.6

  14,363

  10.2

  72.7

  29,338

  10.2

  72.2

  299,509 (Total)

  27.9

  233.5

  Total 287,257

  28.3

  238.4

  Total 586,766

  28.1

  235.9

  1Those pupils aged 15 at 31 August 1996

  2Overall average

  Drama Students
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many students in each of the last 10 years for which records are available attended drama schools accredited by the Conference of Drama Schools; how many of those students were in receipt of discretionary grants from local education authorities; what was the average value of those grants; and how many of those students received a student loan. [46510]

  Dr. Howells
  Of the 19 schools which are members of the Conference of Drama Schools, the Department has data on only those five which are publicly funded, namely, the Central School of Speech and Drama, the Rose Bruford College, Queen Margaret College, the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and the Welsh College of Music and Drama. Figures for the last 10 years for these five establishments are given in the table.

  Further and higher education student enrolments

  Year

  Number

  1988/891

  903

  1989/901

  943

  1990/91

  1,498

  1991/92

  1,747

  1992/93

  2,005

  1993/94

  2,233

  1994/952

  2,021

  1995/96

  2,236

  1996/97

  2,534

  1997/98

  2,757

  1Excludes figures for the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and Queen Margaret College for 1988–89 and 1989–90

  2A change in data collection in 1994–95 means that figures are not directly comparable. Available information on student awards and loans does not distinguish subject of study or institution attended

  Non-core Curriculum Subjects
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what statutory requirements relating to the six non-core curriculum subjects for 5 to 11 year olds in maintained schools will be lifted in September. [46099]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  From September 1998 we are relaxing the requirement for schools to follow the full Key Stage 1 and 2 programmes of study in geography, history, music, art, design and technology and physical education. Schools must still provide a balanced and broadly based curriculum and must continue to teach each of these subjects, but they will no longer have to teach the subject's full programme of study. It will be for schools themselves to review their current provision and use the new flexibility to decide what changes, if any, might be appropriate. Swimming must remain part of the PE curriculum in all primary schools. This is a safety measure.

  Physical Education
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the current statutory curriculum requirement to provide physical education to 5 to 11 year olds in maintained schools; and what it will be from September. [46103]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 18 June 1998]: All schools must teach physical education as part of their broad and balanced curriculum.

  For two years from September 1998 primary schools must continue to teach physical education, but will no longer have to teach the full programme of study. Swimming must remain part of all primary schools' physical education curriculum.
  265
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many schools failed to meet the curriculum requirements for physical activity in(a) Coventry, (b) the West Midlands and (c) England for the last three years. [46862]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 24 June 1998]: The evidence from Ofsted inspections of non-compliance of schools with the National Curriculum for physical education is as follows.

  Number of schools

  (a) Coventry

  Primary schools 1996–97

  0

  Primary schools summer term 1995–96

  1

  Secondary schools 1996–97

  0

  Secondary schools summer term 1995–96

  0

  (b) West Midlands

  Primary schools 1996–97

  9

  Primary schools summer term 1995–96

  6

  Secondary schools 1996–97

  4

  Secondary schools summer term 1995–96

  3

  (c) England

  Primary schools 1996–97

  255

  Primary schools summer term 1995–96

  76

  Secondary schools 1996–97

  82

  Secondary schools summer term 1995–96

  28

  Changes in the Framework for Inspection mean that no information is available prior to the summer term of the 1995–96 school year.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how schools are monitored to ensure that they meet the minimum curriculum requirements for physical activity. [46861]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 24 June 1998]: Physical Education will remain compulsory for all schools.

  Ofsted inspections report on individual schools' compliance with the National Curriculum, which includes physical education. At a national level, Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools reports to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State.

  Political Advisers
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many political advisers have been appointed since 1 May 1997; and if he will list the position held in his Department by each. [46718]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 19 June 1998]: There are three full-time equivalent political adviser posts in the Department for Education and Employment. The additional post was agreed by the Prime Minister to provide support to my right hon. Friend in dealing with written material, reflecting the particular circumstances he faces in undertaking his job on equal terms with other ministerial colleagues.

  Headship Qualification
  Mr. Sawford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people are 266
  currently taking part in the new professional headship qualification; and how many have dropped out of it to date. [46842]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Approximately 3,000 teachers were taking part on National Professional Qualifications for Headship courses during 1997–98. An estimate of the number who have left the courses is not yet available.

  Training
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps his Department has taken to measure the success of training in terms of its contribution to the securing of permanent employment. [47041]

  Dr. Howells
  Training is an important part of the Department's plans to help people move from welfare into work. It is used as a means to improve employability so that unemployed people can enter and remain in productive work. All training interventions have monitoring and evaluation strategies. These measure how trainees fare after training, and, where possible, compare the experiences of trainees with people who do not receive training, so that the effect of training can be identified.

  Music Teachers
  Mr. Woolas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is his Department's policy on the future provision and funding of music teachers in primary schools. [47071]

  Mr. Byers
  Funding for the teaching of music in the primary school curriculum will continue to be included in schools' budget shares. Initial teacher training courses for music teachers will continue to be funded through the Teacher Training Agency.

  Our requirements for initial teacher training, which we announced in June 1997, will allow trainees to specialise across the 7–11 age range. From this September primary teachers will be able to specialise in music as part of their course. The new standards for Qualified Teacher Status, which all trainees will be required to achieve, will ensure that they are equipped with appropriate subject knowledge, understanding and skills.

  Instrumental music tuition by external teachers may be purchased by schools, but as announced in the recent consultation paper "Fair Funding: Improving Delegation to Schools", the Government are considering the scope to offer protection for LEA music services through the Standards Fund.

  Remploy
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to appoint worker directors to the board of Remploy. [46994]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  [holding answer 22 June 1998]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has no plans to appoint worker directors to Remploy's Board.

  School Meetings
  Mr. Lock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the
  267
  administrative cost to schools to (a) prepare for, (b) publicise and (c) hold annual school meetings in respect of (i) primary schools and (ii) secondary schools. [47402]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment has made no such estimate.

  Mr. Lock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the average percentage attendance by parents at annual school meetings of(a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools in the last year for which figures are available. [47403]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The information requested is not held centrally.

  Access Committee for England
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will(a) place in the Library and (b) issue to the Access Committee for England a copy of the review which was carried out jointly by the Department of Health, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions and Department for Education and Employment of ACE's performance. [47738]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  [holding answer 29 June 1998]: I have considered this question in relation to the guidance in the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. The review of the funding arrangements for the Access Committee for England (ACE) that was completed in March reflects internal discussion and advice—one of the categories of information exempt from the commitments to provide information—and I have concluded that it would not be appropriate to publish the submission that was made to me. I have, however, explained the decision to Mr. Peter Lainson, Chairman of ACE, in writing. I have also agreed to meet him to discuss the decision and his concerns.

  There have been two reviews in connection with ACE. A review in 1996 examined their role and functions, taking into account their performance. It established new and different terms of reference for ACE. Mr. Alistair Burt, then a Department of Social Security Minister, also put in place funding arrangements, secure until 31 March 1998, to give ACE time to adapt to its new role.

  The review concluded earlier this year looked at the funding arrangements that had been agreed to help ACE in that transitional period. The conclusion was that, in accordance with a general policy of moving away from core funding to funding for specific projects, funding under s64 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968 for ACE's central administrative costs should cease. ACE are free to bid competitively for specific projects.

  Village Schools
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if, under the new policy on village school closures, an amalgamation of village schools is to be treated the same as a closure of a village school; if such amalgamations have to be proposed by the LEA to the Secretary of State for approval; and if he will make a statement. [47997]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 30 June 1998]: The closure of any school requires the publication of statutory proposals, irrespective of whether the school is to be
  268
  amalgamated with another school. In the case of a rural school, any such proposals will be called in for decision by the Secretary of State. The presumption will be against closure, although all cases will be considered on their merits, taking into account all relevant factors.

  Key Stage 2
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment for what reasons Key Stage 2 assessment reports were not made available for pupils at schools in Dorset during the week commencing 22 June; and if he will make a statement. [48506]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  I understand from the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) that the contractor employed to process and notify Key Stage 2 and 3 test results to schools this year has experienced technical problems with this work. We regret this delay and will be looking with QCA at how this problem occurred and can be avoided in the future.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he expects all outstanding Key Stage 2 assessment reports to be completed; and if he will make a statement. [48505]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  We regret the delay that schools have experienced in receiving their Key Stage 2 test results this year. We have asked the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority to do all they can to keep this delay to a minimum. We are taking a close interest in ensuring that schools receive their results at the earliest opportunity.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  British Council
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the value of exports generated by the British Council. [47984]

  Mr. Fatchett
  It is difficult to ascribe a value to UK exports resulting from British Council activity. All its activities enhance the image of the UK and much of what it does leads directly to export benefits. The Council works closely with the FCO, DfEE, DCMS and DTI in promoting the use of British goods and services in education and training and the creative industries. Exports in these sectors were recently estimated at £15 billion. The Council's role is particularly important in student recruitment: the number of overseas students in the UK has doubled over the last six years. In 1997–98, 203,000 overseas students enrolled in UK higher education and it is estimated that the value of this to the economy is in excess of £1 billion annually.

  In the cultural field the Council mounts over 2,700 events per year overseas presenting the best of British creativity in the performing arts, literature, fashion and design. The showcase of British theatre which it organised at the Edinburgh Festival in 1997, attended by 220 theatre producers from around the world, has already resulted in over 40 weeks of touring bookings. More than £1 million

  269
  of income was generated by nine Scottish record labels which were part of the British presence at the Cannes Music Industry Fair in January this year.

  The Council's role in support of the Government's export promotion policies will continue to grow through new initiatives such as the formation of the Creative Industries Export Promotion Advisory Group, a public/ private partnership aimed at co-ordinating activities and developing an export strategy in this sector.

  India and Pakistan
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what Commonwealth initiatives have been taken to persuade the Indian and Pakistan Governments to discontinue their nuclear weapons programmes. [47879]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The Commonwealth Secretary-General has written to the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan. At a press conference in Johannesburg on 3 June, he also made clear the Commonwealth Secretariat's readiness to help ease tension between the two countries.

  Edgar Fernandes
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action has been taken since the meeting on 8 May, on the case of Edgar Fernandes. [48246]

  Mr. Fatchett
  My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State met representatives of the Fernandes family on 27 May to discuss the police investigation and the way forward. Diplomatic Notes have been sent to the Foreign Ministries in Ankara and Valletta to remind them of our continuing interest in this case. Our missions in Ankara and Valletta continue to monitor the progress on request by the Turkish Ministry of Justice for Mr. Mohamed Abdal Monem Abbas Aly to be extradited from Malta to Turkey to stand trial for the murder of Mr. Fernandes.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Edmonton (Mr. Love) of 19 June 1998,Official Report, column 327, if he discussed the case of Edgar Fernandes during his visit to Ankara. [47873]

  Mr. Fatchett
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary did not discuss the case of Edgar Fernandes during his recent visit to Ankara.

  Turkey
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 7 May 1998,Official Report, column 488, if he will provide a breakdown, by ethnic origin, of the 174 disappearances of British citizens in Turkey. [48245]

  Mr. Fatchett
  No. We do not keep details of ethnic origin in these cases. All cases are dealt with on their merits regardless of ethnic origin.

  FCO Recruitment
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what publicity was given to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office recruitment event 270
  held on 17 June, aimed at attracting ethnic minority and disabled graduates; what criteria were used for selecting invitees; and which (a) members of the Press and (b) Press organisations, were informed in advance of the event. [47865]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Following consultations between Recruitment Section and Mr. Spencer, our Minority Ethnic Liaison Officer, a strategy was devised to ensure that publicity for the FCO Recruitment Fair was directed at our target audiences—those undergraduates or graduates with disabilities, or who were from minority ethnic groups. At the Afro-Caribbean Finance forum in February, partly financed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, all visitors to the FCO stand were invited to apply for invitations. "Advertorials" in the March editions of Eastern Eye, Asian Times, the Caribbean Times and New Nation advised readers to contact the FCO Recruitment Section for invitations. We approached 3 organisations—Windsor Fellowship, Workable and Project Fullemploy—to advise their members of the fair and to supply Recruitment Section with details of people to whom we could send invitations. In addition the Presidents of Asian and Afro-Caribbean Student Societies at British Universities were sent invitations which also asked them to bring up to 4 of their colleagues with them. The FCO also publicised the Fair at Community Forum events at Enfield, Peterborough, Walsall, Huddersfield, Preston, Durham, Redbridge, Nottingham, Tameside and Rugby.

  In addition to the four publications in which we placed "advertorials" in March, the FCO invited to attend the fair all the UK national written and broadcast media and a wide range of media specialising in minority ethnic and disabled issues.

  Over 2,000 invitations were issued and over 700 people attended the fair. Feedback on the day was very positive.

  BBC World Service
  Mr. Hesford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans the Government have to(a) maintain and (b) enhance the BBC World Service. [48266]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The Government are committed to the maintenance of the World Service's reputation for objective news and comment and pre-eminence among international broadcasters. Financial support for the World Service, along with other commitments, is currently being examined as part of the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review.

  Mr. Hesford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans the Government have to assist the BBC World Service in retaining its Chinese Service. [48265]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Broadcasting in vernacular languages is an important element in the World Service's ability to reach its target audiences. The Chinese service is one of the World Service's key language services. We support the priority which the World Service gives to the Chinese Service.

  Venezuela
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Government of Venezuela regarding the protection of rainforests. [47751]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  [holding answer 30 June 1998]: Our Ambassador in Venezuela raised the protection of Venezuela's rainforest with the Venezuelan Vice-Minister of the Interior in March 1998. They discussed the actions being taken by the Venezuelan Government to tackle the forest fires on the border with Brazil, and the impact of development on the fragile rainforest ecosystem and indigenous cultures.

  In January 1998, I wrote to the Venezuelan Ambassador in London to ask what action was being taken by the Venezuelan Government to protect areas of rainforest inhabited by the Yanomami people from illegal miners and loggers. The Venezuelan Secretary of State for the Environment replied in June outlining the national strategies being adopted to address the problem.

  Ottawa Convention
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when instructions were given to parliamentary counsel to commence drafting the Bill to enable the Government to ratify the Ottawa Convention. [48281]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  [holding answer 1 July 1998]: Work on the text of the Bill began in February and, after comprehensive consultation with interested Whitehall Departments, instructions were sent to parliamentary counsel on 9 June. Final drafting procedures are now complete and the Bill is due to be published tomorrow.

  Saudi Arabia (Prisoners)
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Saudi Arabian Government about the arrests of the Filipinos Ariel Ordona, Ruben Aguire, Angelito Sizon and Juanito Manalili; if he will ask where they are being held and what charges are being brought against them; if he will seek assurances about their safety; and if he will make a statement. [48018]

  Mr. Fatchett
  [holding answer 1 July 1998]: We are in close touch with the Philippines embassy in Riyadh about these arrests, and have also discussed them with the Saudi Arabian government. We believe that Juanito Manalili has been released, but details of the whereabouts of the other detainees and what charges they face remain unclear. The Saudi authorities are aware of our views on the need for greater freedom of worship for non-Muslims in Saudi Arabia.

  European Council
  Ms Stuart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will specify the forthcoming business in the Council of the European Union for July; and if he will list the major European Union events for the next six months. [49162]
  272
  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The information requested is as follows.

  European Calendar: July-December 1998

  Date

  Venue

  Event

  July 1998

  1–2

  Brussels

  European Parliament Plenary

  6

  Brussels

  ECOFIN Council

  6–7

  Vienna

  Political Committee

  8–10

  Innsbruck

  Employment/Social Affairs/Women (Informal)

  13

  Brussels

  Political Committee

  13–14

  Brussels

  General Affairs Council

  13–17

  Strasbourg

  European Parliament Plenary

  17

  Brussels

  Budget Council

  17–19

  Graz, Austria

  Environment Council (Informal)

  20–21

  Brussels

  Agriculture Council

  23

  Brussels

  Political Committee

  August 1998

  There are no Councils scheduled for this month.

  September 1998

  3

  Brussels

  Political Committee

  5–6

  Salzburg

  Foreign Ministers (Informal)

  7–8

  Brussels

  Special Committee on Agriculture

  10–11

  Linz

  Culture Council

  14–18

  Strasbourg

  European Parliament Plenary

  15–16

  Bregenz

  Transport Council (Informal)

  21

  New York

  Political Committee

  19–22

  St. Wolfgang Austria

  Agriculture Council (Informal)

  24

  Brussels

  Justice and Home Affairs

  24

  Brussels

  Internal Market

  25–27

  Brussels

  ECOFIN Council (Informal)

  28–29

  Brussels

  Agriculture Council

  October 1998

  Date to be confirmed

  Vienna

  Meeting of Heads of State and Government

  1–2

  Luxembourg

  Transport Council

  2–3

  Luxembourg

  Industry/Research and Technology Council (Informal)

  5

  Luxembourg

  Work and Social Affairs Council

  5

  Luxembourg

  Political Committee

  5–6

  Luxembourg

  General Affairs Council

  5–9

  Strasbourg

  European Parliament Plenary

  6

  Luxembourg

  Environment Council

  12

  Luxembourg

  ECOFIN Council

  13

  Luxembourg

  Research Council

  13

  Brussels

  Political Committee

  19–20

  Luxembourg

  Agriculture Council

  19–23

  Strasbourg

  European Parliament Plenary

  22

  Luxembourg

  Fisheries Council

  23–24

  Luxembourg

  Education Council (Informal)

  26

  Luxembourg

  Political Committee

  26–27

  Luxembourg

  General Affairs Council

  28–29

  Luxembourg

  Transport Council

  29–30

  Vienna

  Justice and Home Affairs Council (Informal)

  November

  4–5

  Brussels

  European Parliament Plenary

  9

  Brussels

  political Committee

  9

  Brussels

  Internal Market Council

  9–10

  Brussels

  General Affairs Council

  12

  Brussels

  Health Council

  16

  Brussels

  Industry Council

  16–20

  Strasbourg

  European Parliament Plenary

  17

  Brussels

  Culture Council

  20

  Brussels

  Budget Council

  23

  Brussels

  ECOFIN Council

  23–24

  Brussels

  Agriculture Council

  25

  Brussels

  Telecommunications Council

  273

  European Calendar: July-December 1998

  Date

  Venue

  Event

  26

  Brussels

  Youth Council

  26

  Brussels

  Political Committee

  30

  Brussels

  Development Council

  30–1 December

  Brussels

  Transport Council

  December

  1

  Brussels

  ECOFIN Council

  1–2

  Brussels

  Work and Social Affairs Council

  2–3

  Brussels

  European Parliament Plenary

  3–4

  Brussels

  Justice and Home Affairs

  4

  Brussels

  Education Council

  7

  Brussels

  Political Committee

  7–8

  Brussels

  Environment Council

  7–8

  Brussels

  General Affairs Council

  10

  Brussels

  Research Council

  11

  Vienna

  Political Committee

  11–12

  Vienna

  European Council

  14–16

  Brussels

  Agriculture Council

  14–18

  Strasbourg

  European Parliament Plenary

  15

  Brussels

  Energy Council

  17–18

  Brussels

  Fisheries Council

  Note:

  This calendar is primarily concerned with European Union matters, but certain other relevant events are also included. Events and dates quoted are based on the information available on the date of issue.

  Monthly Forecast of Business for July 1998

  The following Councils are scheduled:

  Date

  Venue

  Event

  July 1998

  6

  Brussels

  ECOFIN Council

  8–10

  Innsbruck

  Employment/Social Affairs/Women (Informal)

  13–14

  Brussels

  General Affairs Council

  17

  Brussels

  Budget Council

  17–19

  Brussels

  Environment Council (Informal)

  20–21

  Brussels

  Agriculture Council

  The following subjects are likely to be discussed:
  July 6: ECOFIN Council

  Approval of the provisional agenda.

  Approval of the list of A items.

  Work programme of Austrian Presidency: Open debate.

  European Council in Cardiff: Follow up.

  Preparation of Stage 3 of EMU.

  Commission proposals for Council Regulations on the harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (possible item).

  Electronic Commerce: Draft Council conclusions on the indirect taxation aspects.

  Code of Conduct Group: Establishment of sub-groups (possible item).

  Services of general economic interest in the banking sector:

  Presentation of report by the Commission.

  Any other business.

  July 8–10: Employment/Social Affairs/Women (Informal)
  No formal agenda.
  July 13–14: General Affairs Council

  Agenda 2000: Work programme.

  Moldova: Establishment of EU position for the 1st session of the Co-operation Council.

  Tunisia: Establishment of EU position for the 1st session of the Association Council EC/Tunisia.

  274

  Mexico: Establishment of EU position for the session of the Joint Council with Mexico.

  Albania: Preparation for the Conference on 21 July (possible item).

  Mediterranean policy (possible item).

  Switzerland (possible item).

  Western Balkans.

  Iran (possible item).

  Middle East Peace Process.

  Belarus (possible item).

  Euro XI.

  South Africa (possible item).

  Schengen (possible item).

  Co-operation Council with Moldova.

  Association Council with EU/Tunisia.

  Mexico Joint Council (possible item).

  July 17: Budget Council

  Draft 1999 budget.

  [other items may be added later].

  July 17–19: Environment Council (informal)
  No formal agenda.
  July 20–21: Agriculture Council
  Agenda not yet available.

  General Affairs Council
  Ms Stuart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will report on the outcome of the General Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 29 June.[49163]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The Council approved the A Points in document 9835/98. The Council also noted the European Parliament Resolutions, Decisions and Opinions of its part sessions of 27–28 May, listed in document 8462/98. Copies of both documents will be placed in the Library as soon as they become available.

  The Council agreed a EU mandate for the negotiations on a new Lomé Convention due to open in September. It authorised the Commission to carry out the negotiations. All UK national objectives have been met including: making poverty eradication the primary objective; renewing the EU-ACP—African, Caribbean and Pacific Countries—partnership; streamlining development assistance to make it more efficient; and new trade arrangements which will be World Trade Organisation compatible and help ACP countries integrate into the world trading system. The Council agreed that Cuba should be accorded observer status in the negotiation process subject to strict political conditionality.

  The Council expressed concern about the tension on the ground in Kosovo. It called for full and immediate implementation of the undertakings given by President Milosevic to President Yeltsin on 16 June. The Council regretted Belgrade's refusal to accept an increase in the size of the European Community Monitoring Mission presence in Kosovo and reaffirmed its determination to provide an increased monitoring presence.

  The Council voiced its strong disappointment that the commitments made by President Milosevic in Moscow did not cover all the requirements set out in the Cardiff

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  Declaration, in particular the withdrawal of security units used for civilian repression; and that the conditions had not been created for rapid progress in the political dialogue with the Kosovar Albanian leadership, with international involvement.

  The Council reaffirmed the demand for the withdrawal by Belgrade of the security forces from Kosovo. All those in a leadership role in the Kosovar Albanian community should unite responsibly in making clear their commitment to dialogue and a peaceful resolution of the problems of Kosovo, and their rejection of violence and acts of terrorism. The EU remains firmly opposed to independence: it continues to support a special status, including a large degree of autonomy for Kosovo, within the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

  The Council welcomed the recent adoption by the Croatian parliament of a plan for return of refugees. It re-emphasised the EU's expectation that the Plan would be implemented immediately and in full. The Council confirmed the EU's willingness to participate in conference on reconstruction and development organised by the Croatian Government in the light of such implementation.

  The Council welcomed the positive reception in Bosnia and elsewhere for the 8 June Declaration and the launch of the EU/Bosnia Consultative Task Force (CTF). It looked forward to the first Sarajevo meeting of the CTF on 30 June, and to its contributing to the development of modern Bosnia.

  Ministers discussed the role of the General Affairs Council in preparing for the informal meeting of Heads of State and Government planned for the autumn. It was agreed that Ministers would discuss this in more detail in September. There was also a wide-ranging discussion of the need to review the working methods of the Council, and the overall coordinating role of the GAC, in particular in the context of Agenda 2000.

  The Council discussed the mandate for opening negotiations with Norway and Iceland over their future association with Schengen after the entry into force of the Amsterdam Treaty. Good progress was made. Some points still remain to be settled; but agreement was reached on the main principles which should guide the EU in negotiations.

  On the bilateral negotiations between the EU and Switzerland, Ministers noted with satisfaction the Commission's assessment that significant progress had been made recently, particularly on the issues of free movement of people and agriculture. However, Ministers also noted that further work was needed to conclude a balanced overall agreement covering all the sectors under negotiation.

  Ministers discussed the situation in Belarus. They expressed strong disapproval of Belarusian action in removing Ambassadors from their residences at Drozdy. The EU stands ready to resume a dialogue with the Belarusian Government when the latter is ready to respect its international obligations. Further possible measures will be considered in response to the position taken by the Belarusian Government.
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  The Council reiterated its full support for the current US efforts in the Middle East Peace Process, while underlining the need for early action to bring them to fruition. It welcomed Palestinian acceptance of US ideas for relaunching negotiations on the Palestinian track, and called on Israel to give a clear and positive response to these ideas.

  The Council reiterated its deep concern at the Israeli Government's endorsement of plans which would extend the administrative boundaries and alter the demographic balance in the Jerusalem area. Unilateral acts only complicate the peace process at a very sensitive time. The EU's position is that the final status of Jerusalem should be determined in final status talks and that neither side should pre-empt this.

  The Council also adopted Conclusions on the recent Commission Communications on EC/Israel trade and regional cumulation of origin. The Council encouraged the Commission to pursue its technical talks with Israel on the problems identified in the first of these Communications, stressing that these should lead to concrete results. The Council recognised the contribution which the establishment of cumulation could play in promoting regional economic development and regional integration.

  The Council discussed the provision of extra project aid to Azerbaijan. Ministers agreed that increased aid should be provided using existing instruments.

  The Council welcomed progress at the first session of Burundi peace talks in Arusha. It urged all parties to return to the negotiations in July and hoped there would be sufficient progress in the negotiations for regional leaders to re-examine the sanctions they imposed in 1996.

  The Council reiterated its concern at the humanitarian situation in Sudan. It noted the substantial assistance provided by the EU over recent years, but noted also the urgent need for humanitarian assistance.

  The Council reaffirmed its support for efforts by the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to promote long term peace through a negotiated settlement. The council welcomed the proposal that the IGAD Partnership Forum (IPF) send a mission at Ministerial level to Khartoum and Nairobi to explore the possibility of securing a break in the fighting in the areas most affected by hunger to allow for the provision of humanitarian aid.

  The Council expressed concern about the situation in Guinea Bissau. It called on both sides to reach a peaceful solution. It expressed support for mediation efforts undertaken by the Foreign Ministers of Portugal and Angola. It welcomed the efforts of ECHO and International organisations to provide humanitarian assistance and urged all concerned to allow humanitarian assistance to reach those who need it.

  Over dinner, the Troika and Commission debriefed Ministers from the Central European applicant countries and Cyprus on the discussions at the Cardiff European Council.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Genetically Modified Organisms
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has of the percentage of crops grown in England in 2008 which will be genetically manipulated. [47168]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  It is too early to predict the extent to which such crops will be grown in England by the year 2008.

  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to undertake a consultation exercise on the introduction of genetically modified organisms. [47184]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Government are planning a public consultation over the next few months to explore the views of the public about genetic modification in more detail. The results from this will be carefully analysed and used to inform future policy in this area.

  Common Agricultural Policy
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has recently had concerning proposals for CAP reform. [47169]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  As President of the EU Agriculture Council, I chaired on 2 June a seminar on environmental and consumer aspects of the CAP. On 22–25 June, I chaired the Agriculture Council which reached decisions on reforms to the olive oil, tobacco and the banana regimes. More generally, we have succeeded in successive Councils under the UK Presidency in mapping out a clear way forward on the Commission's wider Agenda 2000 proposals on CAP reform. Unanimous conclusions to this effect were agreed in May and endorsed by the Cardiff European Council.

  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the role of set aside in a reformed CAP. [47170]

  Mr. Morley
  The Government wish to see compulsory set-aside abolished as a means of controlling cereals production. However, we can support the continuation of voluntary set-aside, which can have environmental advantages.

  Mr. David Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he next expects to meet farmers in north-west Leicestershire to discuss the progress achieved in CAP reform. [47174]

  Mr. Morley
  I have no plans at present to visit north-west Leicestershire.

  I regularly meet farmers' representatives from the regions to discuss all aspects of agricultural policy.

  Mr. Borrow
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the progress made at the Agriculture Council on 25 and 26 May with regard to the reform of the common agricultural policy. [47180]

  Mr. Rooker
  The May Council agreed interim conclusions on the Commission's Agenda 2000 reform proposals which recognised the need for reform and set out the framework for the continuing negotiations.
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  Mrs. Organ
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the outcome of the 26 May Council in respect of CAP reform and Agenda 2000. [47166]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  The May Council adopted interim conclusions on the Agenda 2000 proposals which accepted the need for CAP reform and set out the framework for the continuing negotiations on the Commission's proposals.

  Beef Ban
  Mr. Thompson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the date-based scheme associated with the lifting of the beef ban. [47172]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  The European Commission issued its proposal for a Date-based Export Scheme on 10 June. This proposal was discussed by the Standing Veterinary Committee on 12 and 18 June. I expect the Standing Veterinary Committee to discuss the proposal again on 7 July.

  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he will take to assist the UK beef industry to regain former export markets once the ban has been lifted. [47173]

  Mr. Rooker
  Once the ban is lifted, I and colleagues in MAFF and other Government Departments will take all possible steps to encourage the rebuilding of our beef export industry. It will be for the industry to spearhead the drive, but it will do so with full Ministerial participation.

  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects it to be possible to resume exports of beef. [47176]

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress is being made on the lifting of the EU ban on the export of British beef. [47182]

  Mr. Rooker
  Exports of Northern Ireland Export Certified Herds Scheme beef have been permitted since 1 June. The Northern Ireland industry, in conjunction with the Government, have been working hard to regain former customers, as well as attracting new ones. The European Commission proposal for a Date-based Export Scheme, for the whole of the UK, is currently being considered by the Standing Veterinary Committee.

  Gangmasters
  Shona McIsaac
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on gangmasters. [47175]

  Mr. Rooker
  Further to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Newark (Mrs. Jones) on 9 June 1998,Official Report, columns 527–29, the drive to combat exploitative gangmasters continues. Joint enforcement operations are taking place and infringements found in operational visits are being investigated. The comprehensive leaflets on employment rights and obligations have been well received.

  Prices
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on prices for agricultural products for 1998–99. [47177]

  Mr. Morley
  Monthly Agricultural Price Indices and an Agricultural Market Report containing weekly prices are available in the Library of the House. On average, agricultural prices for the first four months of 1998 are 12 per cent. lower than a year earlier. This is due primarily to changing exchange rates and developments in the commodity markets.

  Animal Welfare
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps his Department is taking to improve standards of animal welfare. [47178]

  Mr. Morley
  We continue to work to improve standards at EU and national level. In Europe, we gave priority under our Presidency to advancing negotiations on welfare standards for livestock on farms, and achieved agreement on an important new Directive at the June Agriculture Council: we also prevailed on the Commission to bring forward its overdue proposal on the welfare of laying hens, and wasted no time in opening negotiations on it. At home, we have various initiatives in hand and planned, including a forthcoming review of our rules on the welfare of livestock in transit and at market, now that our new transit rules have been in operation for a year.

  French Beef
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had with the French Minister for Agriculture about the quality and safety of French beef. [47179]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  I chaired the Agriculture Council on 31 March when proposals for Community-wide controls on Specified Risk Materials were discussed and it was agreed to defer the introduction of the provisions of Decision 97/534 until 1 January 1999 and to invite the Commission to table a proposal after the OIE meeting which took place in May. The UK and France supported the introduction of controls on bovine offals and have, in the absence of agreed Community rules, both introduced national controls on this material in order to protect public and animal health.

  Quarantine
  Ms Stuart
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on progress on examining alternatives to the quarantine laws. [47185]

  Gillian Merron
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress he has made in seeking alternatives to quarantine. [47171]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Advisory Group on Quarantine (AGQ) is assessing the risk of the introduction of rabies into the UK under the current policy of quarantine for pet animals and under alternative policies. The Group is 280
  expected to report this summer or early autumn. A full public consultation on the options available will then be held.

  Farm Incomes
  Mr. Peter Bradley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the average income of British farmers in the last financial year; and what average percentage of it was received in subsidies. [47181]

  Mr. Morley
  The latest year for which firm figures are available is 1996–97. The average net farm income for all types of full-time farms (excluding horticulture) is £24,600. Of this, an average of 95 per cent. came from direct subsidies.

  Flood Defence (Northampton)
  Ms Keeble
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to improve the flood defence and warning system for Northampton. [47183]

  Mr. Morley
  I recognise the severe and continuing effects of the Easter floods on the residents of Northampton, and elsewhere, which I have seen at first hand. On behalf of the Government, I extend my sympathy to all concerned.

  The Environment Agency is responsible for flood defence and warning systems. It has commissioned an Independent Review into the Easter floods. The final report of the Review Team is due by the end of September 1998. In the meantime, the Agency is taking a number of initiatives in Northampton. These measures include:

  preliminary works to raise existing defences;

  a detailed review of flood defence standards and identification of options for improvement;

  works to improve river flow and river level monitoring;

  temporary lowering of trigger levels for flood warnings with improved warning and dissemination arrangements, and

  revision of the Northamptonshire Flood Warning Plan.

  These initiatives are largely aimed at achieving improvements in advance of the coming winter and are being taken forward in consultation with the police, Borough and County Council and the Residents Associations as appropriate. Further actions may be required as a result of the recommendations in the Independent Review.

  Fish Prices
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will investigate the recent increase in the price of fish. [47857]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 1 July 1998]: On the basis of data collected by the Office for National Statistics, there is no evidence of recent significant rises in retail prices for fresh fish. But with UK processors relying heavily on imported supplies, prices for fish products are susceptible to changes in the supply situation on the world market. One of the key supply areas for cod and haddock for the UK is the Barents Sea, but supplies from this fishery have decreased significantly in 1998. This, together with a temporary reduction in world supplies of other whitefish, appears to be responsible for some

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  increase in price for processed fish. I do not, however, consider that further investigation is necessary at the moment.

  Fishermen (Landing Declarations)
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what factors underlie the requirement that fishermen(a) complete a landing declaration and (b) produce a stamped sales note when landing fish; [48282]

  (2) for what reasons he withdrew the concession of submitting stamped sales notes for fishermen in Brixham; [48283]

  (3) what assessment he has made of the additional costs arising from the requirement placed on Brixham fishermen regarding landing declarations when landing fish in Brixham as against landing fish in other ports; [48284]

  (4) what reasons underlie the requirement that fishermen in Brixham complete a landing declaration. [48285]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 1 July 1998]: Council Regulation (EEC) No. 2847/93, as amended, requires the master of a Community fishing vessel of 10 metres or more in overall length, or his representative, to submit to the competent authorities within 48 hours of landing a
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  declaration giving, as a minimum, the quantities of each Total Allowable Catch (TAC) or quota species landed and the area where the fish were caught.

  Detailed rules for the completion of landing declarations are set out in Commission Regulation (EEC) No. 2807/83, as amended. Article 2 of that Regulation provides that, if a landing takes place in a port of the Member State whose flag the vessel is flying or in which it is registered, another form specified by that Member State may be used provided it contains at least the information set out in Annex III (the landing declaration form). For this purpose, the Department has accepted stamped sales notes submitted on behalf of the master as an alternative to landing declarations.

  Recently, an agency responsible for submitting stamped sales notes in respect of landings made into Brixham has advised the Department that it is no longer able to certify that such sales notes represent the full amount of fish landed from any voyage. In view of this, the Department has advised the masters of vessels landing into Brixham that they must complete a landing declaration in the form set out in Commission Regulation (EEC) No. 2807/83.

  A Compliance Cost Assessment completed in 1994 on the implementation of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 2847/93 identified the cost of completing and submitting a landing declaration as £3.75.

  Hedgerows: Protection
  Hedgerows: Protection
  Packaging Regulations: Review
  Packaging Regulations: Review
  Humber Bridge Debt
  Humber Bridge Debt
  Local Government Commission for England
  Local Government Commission for England
  Stoneham, Southampton: Planning Application
  Stoneham, Southampton: Planning Application
  Life Peerages
  Life Peerages
  Sierra Leone: Support to ECOMOG
  Sierra Leone: Support to ECOMOG
  Fissile Materials: Proposed Treaty
  Fissile Materials: Proposed Treaty
  Immigration and Nationality Directorate: Complaints Report
  Immigration and Nationality Directorate: Complaints Report
  Prison Population Data
  Prison Population Data
  Boards of Visitors: Chairmen and Vice Chairmen
  Boards of Visitors: Chairmen and Vice Chairmen
  "Campsfield Five": Removal from UK
  "Campsfield Five": Removal from UK
  Alcohol Abuse by Children
  Alcohol Abuse by Children
  Hepatitis "C": Haemophilia Society's Representation
  Hepatitis "C": Haemophilia Society's Representation
  Harcourt Corridor: New Light Fittings
  Harcourt Corridor: New Light Fittings
  House of Lords: Offices
  House of Lords: Offices
  House of Lords: Staff
  House of Lords: Staff