Written Answers of 7 July 1998

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Government Policies
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 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. [46678]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  [holding answer 30 June 1998]: In line with the practice of successive Administrations, the Northern Ireland Office and Northern Ireland Departments routinely consult the public, interested parties and client groups, by way of consultation papers, discussion papers, and White Papers on a wide range of policies and proposed legislation. I have therefore confined my reply to other major exercises.

  9 March–18 May 1998

  Research to assess public attitude and reaction to a range of issues covering personal confidence in the future; attitudes to paramilitary violence; and the Belfast Agreement. The results are available on request to political parties.

  Integrated Schools
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the(a) numbers and (b) percentage of the total, of those studying in integrated schools in the (i) nursery, (ii) infant, (iii) junior, (iv) secondary, (v) further education, (vi) higher education and (vii) teacher training sectors of education in Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement. [48298]

  Mr. Worthington
  In the schools sector, only primary and secondary schools have integrated status. There are 3,846 pupils at integrated primary schools, which represents 2.1% of total primary enrolments and 4,308 pupils at integrated secondary schools which represents 2.8% of total post-primary enrolments.

  The religious composition of students at further education college and universities is mixed. There are 85,669 enrolments at further education colleges and 39,178 enrolments at universities in Northern Ireland.

  There are 1,530 enrolments on initial teacher training courses in Northern Ireland. Of these, 25.4% are at universities where the religious composition is mixed. The remaining 74.6% are at: St. Mary's College, where the religious composition of enrolments is predominantly Roman Catholic, and Stranmillis College, where the religious composition of enrolments is predominantly Protestant.

  Belfast Harbour
  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the value of the contract for the development of Belfast Harbour Exchange Retail and Leisure Park. [47894]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  [holding answer 3 July 1998]: I understand from the Belfast Harbour Commission that the value of the development agreement between the Commissioners and the developer of the D5 site, is represented by future rental income for the land resulting from the granting of leases to future occupiers of the development when completed. As these leases have still to be finally negotiated, it is not possible to put a specific value on the rental flow.

  The £65 million estimate mentioned in recent press reports is the value which the commercial property market might place on the development when completed and fully let, and does not reflect the cost of constructing the development, which is the responsibility of the developer.

  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which company has been awarded the contract for the development of the Belfast Harbour Exchange Retail and Leisure Park. [47895]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  [holding answer 3 July 1998]: I am advised by the Belfast Harbour Commissioners that they have appointed the joint venture group of Aquis Estates Limited and Anglia General Developments (Harbour Exchange) Limited as the preferred developer of the D5 site, known as Belfast Harbour Exchange.

  Fair Treatment Analyses
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans she has to make policy appraisal and fair treatment analyses available to those who contribute to, or are affected by, them. [48357]

  Mr. Worthington
  [holding answer 6 July 1998]: Appraisals carried out under the terms of the 1993 Policy Appraisal for Fair Treatment (PAFT) guidelines are not published. The implementation of PAFT is reported on in annual reports, which are available from the Central Community Relations Unit free of charge. A report for 1997 is in preparation. The White Paper 'Partnership for Equality', contains proposals for a statutory obligation on the public sector to promote equality of opportunity which would include a requirement for equality appraisals of policies, superseding the PAFT initiative.

  Injuries Compensation (Lisnevin)
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many boys have been compensated for injuries received in Lisnevin which were inflicted by(a) staff and (b) other children since 1991. [48351]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 6 July 1998]: Two boys were compensated for injuries allegedly inflicted by staff in Lisnevin during the eight-year period. One incident occurred in 1995 and the other in 1996.

  Training Schools
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list all Social Services Inspectorate reports on training schools since 1991. [48353]
  423
  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 6 July 1998]: The Social Services Inspectorate have carried out part or full inspections of the four Training Schools as set out in the table.

  Year

  Training schools

  1991

  None

  1992

  All training schools

  1993

  Rathgael and St. Patrick's

  1994

  St. Joseph and Lisnevin

  1995

  None

  1996

  All training schools

  1997

  Rathgael, St. Patrick's and Lisnevin

  1998

  St. Joseph's

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the maximum capacity of each training school in relation to(a) boys and (b) girls in (i) 1993, (ii) 1994, (iii) 1995, (iv) 1996, (v) 1997 and (vi) 1998. [48354]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 6 July 1998]: The table indicates the capacity in each of the Training Schools for offenders over the period 1993 to 1998. Rathgael is the only school which accommodates boys and girls and there are no limits imposed on the maximum number of either sex within the capacity of the Centre.

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  Rathgael (Boys and Girls)

  50

  50

  50

  50

  50

  50

  St Patrick's (Boys)

  54

  54

  19

  19

  19

  19

  St Joseph's (Girls)

  5

  5

  5

  5

  4

  4

  Lisnevin (Boys)

  56

  56

  40

  40

  40

  40

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on what date Rathgael Training School ceased to be classified for use by non-Roman Catholics; and what the reasons were for the change. [48350]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 6 July 1998]: At no time has Rathgael Training School been classified for use by non-Roman Catholics only. The Rathgael and Whiteabbey Management Board have always run the Centre on a non-denominational basis.

  Ombudsman
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans she has to extend the remit of the Northern Ireland Ombudsman to include the operation of the Northern Ireland Office (Criminal Justice Services) and related agencies. [48352]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  [holding answer 3 July 1998]: The Northern Ireland Office and its agencies come within the remit of the GB Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration. There are no plans to extend the remit of the Northern Ireland Ombudsman.

  Forensic Science Agency
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what key targets were set for the Forensic Science Agency of Northern Ireland in 1997–98; what further plans have been prepared by the Agency; and what arrangements have been made for the publication of this year's plans. [49637]
  424
  Mr. Ingram
  The following key targets were set for the Forensic Science Agency of Northern Ireland in 1997–98.
  Service Provision
  1. To have satisfied the Royal Ulster Constabulary that their essential needs for forensic science services are being met, through appropriate measurement by survey.Financial Performance
  2. To recover the full economic costs of the Agency.
  3. To have service level agreements in place by 1 April 1998 with the Agency's main customers which quantify the volume of service expected, the quality of the service and the estimate of cost.Quality of Service
  4. To turnaround 97 per cent. of alcohol analyses within 30 days of the job request and all within 40 days throughout the year.
  5. Based on a maximum intake of 4,250 other cases, to turnaround an average for the year of 42 per cent. within 30 days of the job request and 90 per cent. within 120 days. The target will be modified depending on the intake as shown in the Business Plan.
  6. Based on an annual intake of 240 cases in which people are remanded in custody, to produce 90 per cent. of reports within 90 days of first remand (or of notification if that happens to be more than 10 days after first remand). The target will be modified depending on the intake as shown in the Business Plan.
  7. To have reduced the number of cases older than 120 days to 75 at 31 March 1998.Quality of Science
  8. To have retained accreditation for the named scientific processes whose continued accreditation is justified by the business needs of the Agency.
  9. To have made formal application for the accreditation of the named scientific processes by 31 March 1998.
  10. To receive accreditation for the named scientific processes.Human Resources
  11. By 31 March 1998, the competencies of appropriate staff to carry out the named processes will have been assessed against competence frameworks.Efficiency
  12. To secure efficiency savings of £40k.
  13. To have an accurate unit cost for the Agency calculated for the year ending 31 March 1998.
  Achievement against these key targets will be recorded in the Agency's Annual Report for 1997–98 which will be published as soon as possible.
  The Agency has published a summary of its Corporate Plan 1998–2001 and Annual Business Plan 1998–99 which explains its business and organisation, describes its key targets for 1998–98, and sets out the assumptions about workloads and resources which support its planned activities. Copies of the summary plans have been placed in the Library of the Houses. Copies will be available to the public from the Agency.

  Prison Service
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the Northern Ireland Prison Service intends to publish its 1998–2001 Corporate and Business Plan; and what performance targets have been set for 1998–99. [49638]
  425
  Mr. Ingram
  The Northern Ireland Prison Service's Corporate and Business Plan for 1998–2001 was published today. The following key performance targets have been set for 1998–99:

  1. To ensure 100 per cent. security for prisoners in high and top risk categories.

  2. To ensure at least 99.5 per cent. security for prisoners in medium and low risk categories.

  3. To ensure that the number of significant breaches during 1998–99 does not exceed 7.1 per 100 prisoners.

  4. To increase the target number of hours of constructive activity undertaken each week by prisoners by 3 per cent. from 23 hours to 23.7 hours.

  5. To establish baseline information for each establishment on the number and duration of, and potential improvements to, visits.

  6. To offer sentence planning to all eligible prisoners and to achieve a 50 per cent. uptake.

  7. To achieve an average of 5 days training and development per member of staff.

  8. To ensure that the average cost per prisoner place does not exceed £75,7661 (a reduction in real terms of 3.9 per cent. on the target for 1997–98).

  1The average cost per prisoner place is based on a staffed prisoner places figure of 1776. Due to the completion of two new house blocks at Maghaberry and events elsewhere in the prison estate, this figure may change during the year.

  Assembly (Verbatim Record)
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what will be the estimated cost of the published verbatim record of proceedings of the Northern Ireland Assembly. [49462]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The cost will depend, in part, on the number of plenary meetings during the year—a matter not yet discussed by the Assembly. As an indication of cost, one meeting each week for 40 weeks in a full year is estimated to cost in the region of £800,000 per annum.

  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will ensure that a verbatim record of proceedings of the Northern Ireland Assembly will be available(a) in the Vote Office and (b) on the Internet. [49461]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  An official report of debate on the Northern Ireland Assembly will be available in the Vote Office. Whether it will be on the Internet is a matter which the Assembly might wish to decide.

  Rough Sleepers
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been spent on dealing with problems of rough sleepers in each of the past five years; and what estimates he has made of the total numbers sleeping rough for each of those years. [49184]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive whose Chief Executive has advised me that research has failed to find evidence of a rough sleeping problem in Northern Ireland. Nevertheless, the Executive is to be represented on a steering group which will provide a "street outreach service" in Belfast, which should assist with early identification of problems and inform decisions on whether any further research may be necessary.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Over-lenient Sentences
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Attorney-General in how many cases in 1997 appeals against over-lenient sentences resulted in an increase in sentence. [48325]

  The Attorney-General
  In 1997, the Law Officers referred the sentences imposed on 70 offenders to the Court of Appeal for their sentences to be reviewed under the provisions of section 36 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988. Of the References that have been heard, sentences have been increased in respect of 43 offenders. One References was withdrawn. Three References are yet to be heard.

PRIME MINISTER

  Rough Sleepers
  Mr. McNulty
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the work of the Social Exclusion Unit on rough sleepers. [49465]

  The Prime Minister
  I am today publishing the Government's conclusions on the second report of the Social Exclusion Unit on rough sleeping. The report sets out a new strategy to cut the numbers of people sleeping rough by two thirds within three years.

  A new Ministerial Committee, led by the Minister for Local Government and Housing, will be responsible for co-ordinating the policy across Government.

  The Committee will lead a programme of prevention to ensure that the most vulnerable, often from institutional backgrounds, are better equipped to live on their own.

  In London, where the problem is most acute, the Government will consult on setting up a new body to take over all the different programmes currently targeted on rough sleepers. Outside London, local authorities will be helped to coordinate activity better.

  The rules of the New Deal will be changed to mean rough sleepers can qualify for the intensive help available under the scheme from the moment they sign on for benefit. This is a tremendous opportunity to break the "no home, no job" cycle. Finally, there will be a programme to challenge the business and voluntary sectors and the worlds of art and sports to make their own commitment to help rough sleepers. The Government will support a rough sleeper mentoring initiative if a suitable proposal is made.

  Copies of the report are available in the Libraries of both Houses.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Hunting
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to bring forward legislation to give local authorities the power to license or not license hunting with hounds. [47641]
  427
  Mr. George Howarth
  Several approaches to the question of hunting with hounds are being discussed, including the option of local referendums.

  Immigration (Carriers' Liability) Act 1987
  Mr. Burnett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total amount of charges (i) imposed, (ii) collected and (iii) waived since 1987 under the Immigration (Carriers' Liability) Act 1987; and what is the total amount of charges outstanding. [49169]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Charges totalling £117.3 million had been levied to 31 May 1998. Of this sum, £78.3 million had been paid, and £28.7 million waived following representations from carriers. £10.3 million remained outstanding.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how staff numbers in his Department have varied between 1 May 1997 and 31 March 1998. [48872]

  Mr. Straw
  Figures covering the period 1 April 1997 to 1 January 1998 (available in the Library1, and on the Internet2) are summarised in the table. It is not possible to provide information retrospectively for the specific dates requested except at disproportionate cost.

  Area

  FTE3 staff numbers at 1 April 1997

  FTE staff numbers at 1 January 1998

  Home Office Main (excluding Agencies)

  9,358

  9,195

  Fire Service College

  215

  261

  Forensic Science Service

  1,185

  1,208

  UK Passport Agency

  1,407

  1,220

  Home Office Main (including Agencies)

  12,165

  11,884

  Her Majesty's Prison Service

  37,704

  38,779

  Total Home Office including Agencies and Prison Service

  49,869

  50,663

  1 Civil Service staff in post summary at 1 April 1997

  2www.open.gov.uk/co/cseg/pmcsd/stats/apr97int.htm

  3 Full Time Equivalents: in FTE part-time staff are counted as a proportion of full-time hours worked

  Ministers (Threats)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if Ministers are personally informed of the details of threats made against them. [49134]

  Mr. Straw
  Ministers are personally briefed if there is a significant threat to their personal security.

  Mr. Roderick Henderson
  Mr. Fallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will offer the assistance of Scotland Yard to the French police in their investigation the death of Mr. Roderick Henderson in Paris. [48864]

  Mr. Michael
  The investigation into the death of Roderick Henderson is a matter for the authorities in France, where he died. The police in England and Wales do not offer their services to investigating authorities overseas but will respond positively to requests for 428
  assistance; the French authorities have not requested the presence of a British police officer in France to assist with this investigation.

  Mr. Henderson was attacked on the Champs Elysees in Paris by a gang of rollerbladers during the early hours of Sunday 27 October 1997. He was kicked in the head by a rollerblade and died on 28 October from his injuries. He was with his son-in-law at the time. His wife and daughter had returned to their hotel by taxi.

  French police have confirmed that the case is being treated as a murder investigation. An Examining Magistrate, M. Deparis, has been placed in charge of the investigation. Consular officials do not have access to the Magistrate's confidential file on the investigation. However, Mrs. Henderson's lawyers do have access to this file.

  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, through consular staff in Paris, are in regular communication with the Examining Magistrate and the French Police regarding the investigation. Our Consul met the Examining Magistrate on 29 April to underline the importance that is attached to the case and our Deputy Head of Mission raised the matter with the French Diplomatic Adviser to M. Chevenement, the French Interior Minister.

  The French authorities have confirmed that police officers are assigned full-time to the investigation. They appear to have made little progress and have few leads to follow.

  The Coroner for North Kent has opened an inquest and, through the consulate, has requested copies of reports relating to Mr. Henderson's death. Kent Constabulary are in liaison with the family and are assisting the Coroner with his inquiries. The National Central Bureau of Interpol are liaising with the French Police as are the European Liaison Unit of Kent Constabulary.

  Immigration Appeals
  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many explanatory statements have been(a) received and (b) dispatched to the Independent Appellate Authority for listing of appeals from the date on which his Department assumed responsibility for the dispatch of explanatory statements following refusal of applications by entry clearance offices in British missions overseas; and if he will make a statement. [48742]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Since 1 December 1997, 3,625 explanatory statements have been received and 3,194 dispatched. These include approximately 900 explanatory statements processed under the previous arrangements but received after 1 December 1997. I regret that the necessity of dealing with this backlog, together with other administrative problems, which have now been addressed, initially caused delays in dispatch.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to reply to the letters dated 12 March, 16 April and 21 May sent to him by the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr. Abdul Wahort, 208 Park Bank Lane. [48146]

  Mr. Straw
  I sent a reply to my right hon. Friend yesterday. I regret the delay in responding.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Royal Collection
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when the inventory of works of art in the Royal Collection was completed; and if he will make a statement. [48501]

  Mr. Fisher
  I understand from the Royal Household, which is responsible for the Royal Collection Department, that the computerised inventory of the Royal Collection was completed in December 1997. Further development work on the use of the inventory, especially to enhance electronic public access to the Royal Collection, will take place over the next five years.

  Listed Buildings
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many Grade I and Grade II listed buildings have been destroyed since 1992. [48600]

  Mr. Raynsford
  I have been asked to reply.

  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him on 7 February 1996, Official Report, column 284, which gives the figures for the financial years 1993–94 and 1994–95, and the answer given to him on 14 May 1996, Official Report, column 438, which gives the figures for 1992–93. The figures for the last three years are:

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  Grade I

  2

  1

  0

  Grade II*

  0

  5

  2

  Grade II

  49

  55

  56

  The figures represent cases where local planning authorities notify the Department that they intend to grant consent for the total demolition of a listed building, consents which the Department issues and other total demolitions which are brought to the Department's attention. Since the House of Lords judgment in the case of Shimizu (UK) Limited v. Westminster City Council, the demolition of a curtilage building is likely to amount only to an alteration and hence is no longer included in the demolition statistics form 1997–98.

TREASURY

  Mortgage Companies
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what new action the Government are planning in respect of mortgage companies which specialise in attracting clients with poor credit ratings. [49181]

  Mrs. Liddell
  In response to the question from my right hon. Friend the Member for Hove (Mr. Caplin), I announced on 7 April 1998,Official Report, column 151, that the proposed legislation to establish the Financial Services Authority as a single regulator will include reserve powers which could enable it to regulate mortgages. The Treasury is monitoring the operation of the mortgage code introduced by the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) to see whether it is capable of protecting all mortgage
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  borrowers—not just those with poor credit ratings—to the standard that the Government are determined to see achieved.

  Royal Mint
  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if a prior options review will be undertaken at the Royal Mint. [49423]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Government will be reviewing all the options for a public/private partnership for the Royal Mint, including full and partial sale and other forms of private-sector involvement, to enable it to take advantage of new commercial opportunities.

  Channel Tunnel Rail Link
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 29 June 1998,Official Report, column 28, on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link guarantee, what risk assessment the Government applied to the project; and what were their conclusions. [48691]

  Mr. Darling
  [holding answer 3 July 1998]: The Government commissioned external consultants' assessments of the commercial and construction risks. The assessments concluded that, under the deal announced on 3 June 1998, the various private sector parties are taking a substantial level of risk. My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister set out the conclusions regarding Government support of the project in his statement to the House of 3 June 1998, Official Report, columns 367–70.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 29 June 1998,Official Report, column 28, on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, if he will place a copy of (a) the assessment and (b) the review of that assessment prepared by external consultants, in the Library. [48690]

  Mr. Darling
  [holding answer 3 July 1998]: No. The model of London and Continental Railways' future finances, which was reviewed by external consultants, is commercially confidential.

  Education Spending
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much capital spending on education increased(a) on average over the period 1978–79 to 1997–98 and (b) in 1998–99. [46432]

  Mr. Darling
  Table 3.7 of Public Expenditure: Statistical Analyses 1998–99 (Cm 3901) shows figures for central Government and local authority capital spending on education for 1992–93 to 1997–98. An equivalent figure for total capital spending on education in 1998–99 has not yet been published. Data on a comparable basis are not readily available back to 1978–79, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. National Accounts data for general government capital expenditure on education, which use a slightly different definition and are presented on a calender year basis, show an average fall in real terms of around 0.2 per cent. per annum over the period 1978 to 1996. A figure consistent with this series for 1997 is not yet available.

  European Structural Funds
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he takes to ensure that payments made from European structural funds towards projects in Wales and Scotland are additional to the expenditure blocks defined by the Barnett formula; and if he will make a statement. [48818]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Article 9 of Structural Funds Regulation No 2082/93 stipulates that Structural Funds allocations may not replace structural or comparable expenditure undertaken by the Member State. This additionality requirement applies to each of the Structural Fund Objectives in the whole of the territory eligible under that Objective. So, for example, the UK must demonstrate each year that it has complied with the additionality requirement for Objective 2, taking the expenditure in all eligible regions of Scotland, Wales and England into account.

  Forecasting Staff
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the staff numbers involved in forecasting in his Department; and what is the estimated cost of forecasting to his Department in the current financial year. [48996]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Around 8 members of staff in the Treasury work mainly in preparing forecasts of the economy and the public finances. Their full costs, including pay, employers' contributions, superannuation, and share of accommodation and other common services will range from about £44,000 to £73,000 per head in the current financial year depending on grade.

  These individuals are engaged mainly, but not exclusively, in forecasting activities. Similarly, other members of staff contribute to the Treasury forecasts but are engaged mainly with other duties. KPMG Management Consulting's Final Report "Market Testing the Treasury's Macro-Economic Forecasting Function" (May 1997) gave a breakdown of resources devoted to forecasts and other forecast-related activities on a full-time equivalents basis (Table 1, page 15).

  That report concluded that the quality of Treasury forecast output is generally perceived to be high, and that the potential for net quality improvements or net resource savings was not sufficient to justify a market test. A copy of the Report is available in the House of Commons Library.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 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. [48841]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Treasury is currently working on a wider review of the business continuity plans for the Department as a whole. We shall build on the results of this review to ensure that Treasury's plan deals adequately with year 2000 issues. We aim to have this completed by the end of 1998.

  NUTS 2
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy not to support a reduction in the size of the EU structural funds for the period 2000 to 2006 in a manner which will lessen the chances of those NUTS 2 areas which, on current criteria, would qualify for Objective I status, from so qualifying. [48899]

  Mrs Liddell:
  The Government believe that it is in the interests of the United Kingdom, as a substantial net contributor to the EC budget, to resist any large increase in the size of the Structural and Cohesion Funds, particularly in the light of the forthcoming enlargement of the EU to Central and Eastern Europe. This view is shared by all the major net contributors to the EC budget.

  At the same time, the Government are actively seeking a fair deal for the United Kingdom and its constituent countries and regions. The Government recognise that, in order to ensure that enlargement is affordable, all the current Member States must be prepared to accept reductions in their Structural Fund receipts. But those reductions must be shared equitably: the Government would strongly resist any proposals which hit the United Kingdom disproportionately hard, particularly in comparison with richer Member States.

  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 29 June 1998,Official Report, column 24, if he will make a statement on those areas contained in the new NUTS 2 areas for Wales. [48822]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The statistical justification for the new NUTS 2 areas for Wales was provided in my response to my hon. Friend the Member for East Ham (Mr. Timms) of 29 June 1998,Official Report, column 24.

  Personal Pensions
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he has taken to encourage independent financial advisers to complete their reviews of personal pensions. [49559]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Today, I have met senior representatives from large firms of independent financial advisers (IFAs), and the IFA networks to emphasise the priority the Government attach to early action to put right past mis-selling and to ask them to take personal responsibility for their firms' actions. Together, the 30 firms invited account for over half the IFA market.

  Last year, I called in senior representatives from over 40 large firms, mostly life insurance companies, to give them the same message. I have been reporting to this House on their progress, most recently on 17 June 1998, Official Report, columns 208–10.

  At last, most of those firms have now made big strides—both in terms of their actual progress with the review and in their attitude towards the review.

  The picture in the IFA sector is strikingly different. Little progress has been made by many IFAs, and all too many firms still seem to have the attitude that their inaction is defensible. I have been particularly troubled to see how many IFAs, when faced with the second phase of the mis-selling review, have chosen to blame everyone except themselves for the problem. The truth is people have lost out as a result of having been sold products that

  433
  were wrong for them. IFAs have a clear responsibility to sort out whether any of their customers deserve redress as a result and to make redress where that is warranted.

  Yesterday, the Personal Investment Authority announced disciplinary action taken against 41 IFAs for failings connected with the pensions review. This makes absolutely clear to all IFAs that discipline is a real prospect if they fail to deal with their cases. IFAs' reviews must be tackled with professional diligence and businesslike rigour.

  IFAs rightly make much of their independence, their ability to provide impartial advice as agent of the customer, to offer a full financial planning service, and deliver ongoing customer care. The reality as displayed by many firms' conduct in the pensions review is that, all too often, the customer is neglected. Failure to take reasonable steps to identify cases, failure to conduct reviews properly, inadequate resourcing, and ultimately failure to resolve and redress cases. All these failings are failures of customer care. In the long term, if the IFA sector fails to put its house in order, and genuinely command the trust of customers, it will call into question not only the viability, but possibly the desirability, of the current industry structure.

  In my opinion, people should think long and hard before using an IFA. Some have clearly set their faces against doing a proper job of finding and putting right past mis-selling, and hopelessly poor progress has been made by others. My recommendation to anyone thinking of taking advice is to check out the IFA thoroughly. Check their attitude to the consumer protection that regulation provides, and to putting right past problems—including their progress with the pension review. Ask if they have ever been fined or disciplined by the regulators.

  Hospital Repairs
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer to the right hon. Member for Wells (Mr. Heathcoat-Amory) of 29 June 1998,Official Report, column 29, if he will publish the classification rules for the national accounts. [48792]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 30 June 1998]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Chief Executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Nick Gibb, dated July 1998:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your parliamentary question on the classification rules of the national accounts.
  The methodology underlying the national accounts is, like all methodology underlying ONS outputs, made available to users. In this case the current rules on the treatment of hospital repairs are in Chapter 12 of United Kingdom National Accounts Sources and Methods published by HMSO in 1985. Methodological Notes in subsequent annual editions of United Kingdom National Accounts—The Blue Book have updated some sections of Sources and Methods. Copies of both publications are available in the House of Commons Library.
  Paragraph 10 of chapter 12 of Sources and Methods says: "Expenditure on current repairs and maintenance make good breakages in fixed assets and keep them in proper working order, while outlays on capital repair and alteration lengthen the productivity of the goods significantly. The capital outlays should consist of significant alterations and additions to, or replacements
  434
  in, the parts of fixed assets. In order to be classified as fixed capital formation, the newly incorporated parts should have an expected lifetime of use of one year or more and involve substantial outlays and should also lengthen the expected lifetime of the use of the fixed assets, or alter the character or volume of services which they yield".
  The ONS will be publishing a new version of Sources and Methods in the Autumn consistent with the 1995 version of the European System of Accounts. There is no change to the rules concerning the classification of hospital repairs.

  Abortions
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of abortions were funded by the National Health Service for residents of each constituency in(a) 1996 and (b) 1997. [48925]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 3 July 1998]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Chief Executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from Tim Holt to Fiona MacTaggart, dated July 1998:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your parliamentary question on abortions.
  Abortion statistics are not available by parliamentary constituency. ONS produce abortions statistics by regional office and health authority.

  Causes of Death
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many times(a) heroin, (b) ecstasy, (c) cocaine, (d) LSD, (e) cannabis, (f) amphetamines, (g) temazepam, (h) paracetamol, (i) alcohol, (j) solvents, (k) co-proxamol, (l) methadone and (m) tobacco have appeared on death certificates in each year between 1992 and 1996. [48070]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 30 June 1998]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Chief Executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Paul Flynn, dated July 1998:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your parliamentary question on deaths.
  Data for 1992 may be obtained from Table 10 of Mortality Statistics: Injury and Poisoning 1992, Series DH4 no.18, copies of which are available in the House of Commons Library. The attached table lists all substances mentioned in the records of deaths assigned to accidental and other poisoning by solid or liquid substances. 1992 data on cases of drug dependence or non-dependent abuse of drugs would only be available at disproportionate cost.
  Often a number of drugs (including alcohol) are listed on the death certificate. If, for example, both heroin and cannabis are mentioned on a death certificate, the death will occur twice in the table, once under 'Heroin' and once under 'Cannabis'.

  Deaths in England and Wales 1993–1996

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  Heroin

  55

  90

  129

  187

  Ecstasy

  13

  23

  10

  12

  Cocaine

  12

  21

  19

  15

  LSD

  0

  1

  0

  0

  Cannabis

  9

  12

  10

  4

  Amphetamines

  22

  20

  40

  29

  Temazepam

  179

  165

  140

  95

  Paracetamol1

  324

  278

  331

  288

  Alcohol

  3,240

  3,457

  4,018

  4,372

  435

  Deaths in England and Wales 1993–1996

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  Solvents2

  57

  49

  57

  n/a

  Co-proxamol

  133

  176

  174

  177

  Methadone

  221

  259

  299

  357

  Tobacco

  58

  47

  48

  29

  1 Figures are for mentions of the word 'paracetamol' only and not any of the associated compounds, although co-proxamol has been given separately as requested

  2 Data supplied by St. George's Hospital Medical School and include those deaths involving all volatile substances. Figures for 1996 will appear shortly in their report 'Trends in Deaths Associated with Abuse of Volatile Substances 1971–1996. Report 11'

  National Minimum Wage
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate how many people in (i) the constituency of Worthing, West, (ii) the borough of Worthing, (iii) the district of Arun, (iv) West Sussex, (v) England, (vi) Wales, (vii) Scotland, (viii) Northern Ireland and (ix) the United Kingdom earn less than the proposed national minimum wage, broken down by(a) gender, (b) age and (c) full or part-time employment. [48687]

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

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Peter Bottomley, dated 7 July 1998:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your parliamentary question on earnings.
  The national minimum wage (NMW) will become effective in April 1999 and has been set at £3.60 for those aged over 21. A development rate of £300 per hour will apply for workers aged 18 to 21. The proposals also include a provision for a rate of £3.20 which will apply to those over 21 years receiving accredited training during the first six months of a new job with a new employer, but we are unable to provide data on this. Workers aged 16 and 17 and all those on formal apprenticeships will be exempt.
  The Low Pay Commission, in arriving at their recommendations, had to adjust 1999 pay rates to 1997 values. Their methodology produces £3.40 and £2.80 as the 1997 values of the government's preferred rates and I have provided supplementary data for these levels.
  The attached tables present adjusted New Earnings Survey (NES) and Labour Force Survey (LFS) data for the number of employees earning less than the proposed NMW rates. I will arrange for a copy of the tables to be placed in the House of Commons Library. These estimates are based on our preferred method for assessing the coverage of the proposed NMW. This method adjusts for the fact that the NES is based on a one percent sample of employees in the PAYE system and is therefore likely to under-represent relatively low paid staff, earning below the tax-threshold, and in particular those who work part-time.
  It is not possible to use this method for small areas and where necessary data solely from the NES have been provided.
  The extent of the bias in the NES data may be estimated for the South East by using the adjusted NES and LFS data. This suggests that the estimate of the overall proportion of employees aged over 21 years earning below £3.60 could understate the true position by as much as 3 percentage points. However, it is unlikely that the occurrence of lower paid jobs is uniform across the region, and so it would be wise to treat this figure as broadly indicative rather than a precise estimate.

  Registration Records
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to receive an options paper from the Registrar General about improved access to registration records; and if he will make a statement. [48814]

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

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Christopher Chope, dated 7 July 1998:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your parliamentary question on registration.
  No timetable has been set for the production of the options paper.
  The options paper will consider the use of information technology to improve the service to customers and to provide better data management. It will also consider the possibility of working with a wide variety of organisations outside the public sector.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Multinationals (OECD Guidelines)
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what consultations her Department has had with the Department of Trade and Industry regarding the current review of the OECD guidelines for multinational enterprises. [49158]

  Clare Short
  Officials in my Department are in regular contact with officials in the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), which has lead responsibility within the Government for the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. Most recently, officials from my Department worked with DTI officials to prepare for a meeting of the OECD Committee on International Investment and Multinational Enterprises on 26 June. At that meeting, the Committee agreed to proceed with a review of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. DFID is now working with the DTI to establish specific objectives for the review.

  Billiton
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has made to Billiton plc regarding the social and environmental implications of their proposed Eastern Cape Zinc Refinery Project, South Africa. [49427]

  Clare Short
  None. I have asked my officials to make inquiries about the project and I will write to the hon. Lady.

  Exchange Rates
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what mechanisms exist to alleviate the impact of fluctuating currency rates on overseas development aid. [48897]

  Clare Short
  For bilateral assistance, the Department for International Development's general policy is to provide agreed inputs, primarily goods and services, and make payment in sterling. Where payments are made in foreign currency, the Department, rather than developing
  437
  countries, bears the exchange rate risk within our overall financial resources. We do not pay in advance of need, thereby minimising the exchange rate risk.

  The Department also bears the exchange rate risk in making contributions to international organisations, including European Commission activities, where these are called in currencies other than sterling.

  EU Banana Regime
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment her Department has made of the impact of the Agriculture Council's recent decision on the EU banana regime. [48866]

  Clare Short
  The Government welcome the agreement reached in the Agriculture Council on the revised arrangements for the EU banana regime. The UK fought hard for the interests of Caribbean banana producers and the Government believe that it was the best deal available taking into account both Lomé and WTO obligations. It will provide the Caribbean banana industry with continuing access to the EU market.

  The European Commission's proposals for additional aid to the Traditional ACP (African, Caribbean and Pacific) banana producers should help them to adjust to the new market conditions building on on-going efforts to improve their efficiency and quality. We hope that this can be agreed quickly.

  Although the unallocated Traditional ACP quantity does not guarantee Caribbean suppliers a particular share of the market, at 857,700 tonnes, it is significantly larger than current levels of imports from Traditional ACP suppliers. Furthermore, the Traditional ACP suppliers are working together to ensure that competition among them does not undermine the ability of the more vulnerable producers such as the Windward islands, to market their produce.

SCOTLAND

  Refuse Collection
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which councils in Scotland have adopted the use of wheeled bins for refuse collection. [48989]

  Mr. Macdonald
  This information is not held centrally.

  Eviction Actions
  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many eviction actions have been taken by(a) local authorities and (b) housing associations in each of the last eight years for (i) anti-social behaviour and (ii) rent arrears. [48963]

  Mr. Macdonald
  This information is not held centrally.

  Housing Refusals
  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many households were refused housing by local authorities last year for(a) previous housing
  438
  debt including rent arrears, (b) council tax arrears, (c) suspected anti-social behaviour and (d) previous eviction for anti-social behaviour. [48987]

  Mr. Macdonald
  This information is not held centrally.

  Home Insulation
  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many houses he estimates will be insulated through the New Deal energy efficiency funds; and what will be the expected average change in energy rating. [48964]

  Mr. Macdonald
  Up to 30,000 homes may benefit in the current year. The exact number will depend on the number of New Deal trainees available for energy efficiency work and the type of improvements carried out. The most common package of measures is likely to include draughtproofing and loft, tank and pipe insulation. The improvement in energy ratings will vary between houses. A typical three-bedroom semi-detached house should see an increase in its Standard Assessment Procedure rating of 5 and in its National Home Energy Rating of 0.5 as a result of this package.

  Association of Chief Police Officers
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will place in the Library copies of the annual accounts for each of the last five years of the Association of Chief Police Officers (Scotland). [49220]

  Mr. McLeish
  The accounts of the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland are contained in the Association's annual report. I have arranged for copies of the annual reports for 1993–94 to 1997–98 to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Local Government
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish guidance to councils on the rules governing the use of council finance to pay for public relations consultants or staff to publicise issues which do not relate clearly to the council's provision of services. [49318]

  Mr. Macdonald
  Councils are obliged by section 4 of the Local Government Act 1986 (as amended) to have regard to the Code of Recommended Practice on Local Authority Publicity which was published on 15 August 1988 as Scottish Development Department Circular 16/88. I have ensured that a copy is available in the Library of the House.

  Rough Sleepers
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much has been spent to deal with problems of rough sleepers in each of the past five years; and what estimate he has made of the total numbers sleeping rough for each of those years. [49182]

  Mr. Macdonald
  In 1997–98, £2 million was spent on dealing with the problems of rough sleepers through the Rough Sleepers Initiative in Scotland and a further
  439
  £14 million will be spent in 1998–99 and 1999–00. There was no specific allocation of funds to help rough sleepers before 1997–98. There is no overall estimate of the numbers of rough sleepers in Scotland. One-night counts of rough sleepers, carried out by 17 local authorities between 1996 and 1998 identified 150 rough sleepers but this is unlikely to be a reliable guide to the overall size of the problem.

  National Museum of Scotland
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the membership of the Board of Trustees of the National Museum of Scotland, indicating who appoints them and to whom they are responsible. [49270]

  Mr. Galbraith
  Trustees are appointed by the Secretary of State. They are responsible for the care and exhibition of the collections, subject to the provisions of the National Heritage (Scotland) Act 1985. Reports on the exercise of their functions are submitted to the Secretary of State and laid before Parliament. The current membership o the Board of Trustees is:

  Mr. Robert H. Smith, Chairman

  The Countess of Dalkeith

  Professor Thomas M. Devine

  Dr. Lesley Glasser

  Sir Alistair Grant

  Mr. Sandy Grant Gordon CBE

  Professor Veronica van Heyningen

  Professor Peter Jones

  Professor Aubrey Manning

  Professor James Murray

  Dr. Anna Ritchie OBE

  The Countess of Rosebery

  Sir John Thomson GCMG.

  Scottish Museums Council
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on levels of Government funding to the Scottish Museums Council since 1993; and what assessment he has made of its performance. [49271]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The Scottish Museums Council is an independent company with charitable status. It is subject to appraisal and assessment through Scottish Office scrutiny and discussion of annual corporate plans, examination of statements of accounts and reports and through regular attendance of officials at general and extraordinary meetings. Government funding since 1993 is shown in the table:

  Year

  £

  1993–94

  811,000

  1994–95

  847,000

  1995–96

  782,000

  1996–97

  911,000

  1997–98

  807,000

  1998–99

  840,850

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Business Formation
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assistance is currently made available to young people with regard to start up costs for new businesses. [48528]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 6 July 1998]: Business Link partnerships have a range of advisory services to suit the needs of all businesses. Start-up and micro-firms can benefit from access to high quality information and advice, guidance, counselling, and related services. An important feature of Business Link is the informed referral to other services provided locally by partners or other business support organisations. Young people starting a business will usually be referred to the local Enterprise Agency partner or the Prince's Youth Business Trust (PYBT). The PYBT helps young people set up in business by providing grants and loans and other help, including counselling and mentoring. Business Link partners will be aware of, or directly involved in, any local projects or schemes for start-up businesses. These will include New Deal, Single Regeneration Budget Challenge, and European structural funds. The New Deal for young unemployed people provides extensive help and guidance for those wishing to enter self-employment.

  Innovation Strategies
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what encouragement she is giving for the creation of innovation strategies in each English region. [47622]

  Mr. Battle
  Innovation is vital to competitiveness and my Department has taken a keen interest in the development of these strategies, which are bringing together the key public and private sector partners involved in developing and enhancing the innovative capacity of a region. Amongst other regional visits I recently spoke at the Innovation Forum in Wakefield in support of an example of successful partnership in Yorkshire and the Humber.

  Government Offices are involved, with partners, in formulating and implementing the strategies and my Department is supporting them in this role. For example, my officials seek to facilitate the spread of best practice between regions.

  In the future, the Regional Development Agencies will have responsibility for co-ordinating the regional innovation strategies and my Department will, of course, continue to provide advice and support as required.

  Industrial and Commercial Development
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are her Department's relative priorities in securing and facilitating industrial and commercial development as between(a) the regions of England, (b) Wales and (c) Scotland. [48900]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The Government's policies to boost competitiveness and prosperity extend to all parts of the United Kingdom. I work closely with my right. hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland, for Wales and for Northern Ireland to implement these policies.

  Price Maintenance (Medicines)
  Mr. McWalter
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade she last met the Director General of Fair Trading to discuss resale price maintenance on over-the-counter medicines. [48219]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 30 June 1998]: I and my ministerial colleagues from time to time discuss a range of issues with the Director General of Fair Trading.

  Small and Medium Enterprises
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what measures her Department is taking to raise awareness among businesses of the range of Government funding available to small and medium enterprises for training purposes. [48534]

  Mrs. Roche
  Government funding to SMEs for training purposes is the responsibility of the Department for Education and Employment. However, the Department publicises funding available to SMEs for training purposes through its publications, such as the recently published Small Business Action Update, where companies are signposted to sources of funding such as TECs and other organisations.

  Coal Mining
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the Government's forecast of the change in the number of coal mining jobs in the United Kingdom over the next year. [48591]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 2 July 1998]: Levels of employment in the coal-mining industry will depend upon commercial decisions taken by the private sector coal companies.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Child Benefit
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement about the results of the benefit review of child benefit. [49558]

  Mr. Field
  The review of Child Benefit is part of the Benefits Agency Security Strategy. All major benefits will be reviewed to establish the amount and extent of fraud and incorrectness within the system.

  False claims for children allegedly in full-time further education and unreported living together make up the majority of Child Benefit fraud—53 per cent. and 23 per cent. respectively. Fraud was found in 1.7 per cent. of the caseload with an estimated annual loss of £51.6 million; 3.7 per cent. of the caseload had a high suspicion of fraud with an estimated annual loss of £132.5 million.

  The Government take fraud against the Social Security system very seriously. If it goes unchecked, it undermines the integrity and purpose of the system. The system should encourage openness and honesty and the gateways to benefit should be clear and enforceable.
  442
  The Green Paper on Welfare Reform outlined proposals for improved detection, more effective deterrence and better prevention. The Child Benefit Centre is at present looking at ways to improve 16–19 year old benefit claims and Automated Credit Transfer checking methods.

  The results of the benefit review of Child Benefit were aggregated from a random sample of 4,493 customers who had their benefit entitlement reviewed. The study showed 92.4 per cent. Child Benefit claims, like the majority of all Social Security claims, are claimed legitimately and administered accurately.

  Contributions Agency Computer System
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what measures her Department is taking to ensure that widows, newly-retired pensioners and people entitled to incapacity benefit are not disadvantaged by the change to the Contributions Agency computer system and the consequent delay in processing applications until 3 August. [47242]

  Mr. Denham
  The Department is committed to minimising the impact on customers. There are contingency arrangements in place to ensure benefit continues to be paid.

  The Department has made arrangements to ensure that Retirement Pension claim packs continue to be issued to those people approaching pension age. This will ensure that pension can continue to be awarded and put into payment.

  During the change-over to the new computer system there will be limited access to National Insurance records. Therefore, widows will receive at least the full basic rate benefit including any increases for children.

  The Departmental Central Index will be used to ensure that the vast majority of new claims to Incapacity Benefit can be dealt with and payment made in the normal way. New claimants may be asked to provide additional information to enable a speedy decision to be made on their claim.

  Benefits (Minimum Wage)
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people will lose(a) zero, (b) more than zero but less than 10 per cent., (c) more than 10 per cent. but less than 20 per cent., (d) more than 20 per cent. but less than 30 per cent., (e) more than 30 per cent. but less than 40 per cent., (f)more than 40 per cent. but less than 50 per cent., (g) more than 50 per cent. but less than 60 per cent., (h) more than 60 per cent. but less than 70 per cent., (i) more than 70 per cent. but less than 80 per cent., (j) more than 80 per cent. but less than 90 per cent. and (k) more than 90 per cent. of the rise in family income resulting from a minimum wage set at £3.60 for adults and £3 for those aged 21 or under, as a result of offsetting reduction in means-tested and other benefits. [47524]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  [holding answer 25 June 1998]: The measures announced in the budget reduce substantially the number of people facing high marginal

  443
  deduction rates. The Working Families Tax Credit will reduce the rate of withdrawal from 70p in the pound in Family Credit, to 55p in the pound. As a result, over half a million families will see their marginal tax rates reduced and the number of families with rates over 70 per cent. will fall by two thirds. All families facing higher marginal tax rates will be better off, and they will see improved returns from working compared with being on benefit.

  The number of beneficiaries in receipt of each benefit who experience an off-set of that benefit following the introduction of a minimum wage

  Number of benefit units with reduction

  Percentage of increase in earnings offset by reduction in net income

  Income Support/Jobseeker's Allowance (income-based)

  Working Families Tax Credit

  Housing Benefit

  Council Tax Benefit

  0–10

  *

  *

  *

  5,000

  10–20

  *

  *

  5,000

  5,000

  20–30

  *

  5,000

  5,000

  20,000

  30–40

  0

  10,000

  5,000

  10,000

  40–50

  0

  10,000

  5,000

  10,000

  50–60

  0

  60,000

  5,000

  5,000

  60–70

  *

  100,000

  15,000

  10,000

  70–80

  0

  20,000

  45,000

  15,000

  80–90

  *

  30,000

  100,000

  55,000

  90–100

  5,000

  20,000

  20,000

  15,000

  100%

  30,000

  0

  0

  0

  Greater than 100%

  *

  0

  0

  *

  Total

  40,000

  255,000

  195,000

  145,000

  Notes:

  1. Estimates are based on the 1995–96 Family Resources Survey, uprated to 1998–99 levels of caseloads, but with the October 1999–2000 tax and benefit structure imposed.

  2. Figures are rounded to the nearest 5,000, * denotes a figure less than 2,500. Figures may not sum due to rounding. Figures for Working Families Tax Credit are full year averages.

  3. These estimates exclude a small number of recipients with a reduction in benefit due to an increase in non-dependant deductions, as a result of an increase in earnings of another household member in another benefit or non-benefit unit.

  4. Estimates are based on the first-round effects of the minimum wage, no other factors are taken into account.

  5. The information is not directly comparable with published data on marginal deduction rates within the tax/benefit system for a number of reasons, including (a) it measures the full effect of the minimum wage, not the marginal effect—it therefore includes floaters off benefit (b) it gives estimates for each benefit separately, rather than the overall impact on benefit units who may be in receipt of more than one benefit; and (c) it includes benefits paid to people working under 16 hours a week.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the hon. Member for Walsall, North will receive a reply to his letter of 7 May to the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, copied to her Department, regarding savings and council tax benefit, (Ref. 3/3644/31). [49295]

  Mr. Field
  A reply was sent to my hon. Friend on 3 July.

  Habitual Residence Test
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans her Department has to record the ethnic origin of those applicants refused income support on the habitual residence test. [48321]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  We are currently reviewing all aspects of the habitual residence test, including the arrangements for monitoring details of those passing and failing the test. We hope to bring forward our recommendations later in the year.

  Acquired Brain Injury
  Mr. Hurst
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what account is taken of psychological and
  444
  Not all beneficiaries of the minimum wage or all benefit recipients will experience a reduction in benefit as a consequence of the introduction of a minimum wage.

  The information requested is set out in the table. Recipients of more than one benefit are counted against each benefit they receive, therefore figures for each benefit cannot be added together.

  cognitive impairments arising from acquired brain injury in application of the all work test and the grant of incapacity benefit. [48319]

  Mr. Denham
  The all work test determines whether, as a result of disability arising solely from their medical condition, a person should be regarded as incapable of doing work of any kind for purposes of entitlement to incapacity benefits. The test assesses the effects of physical, sensory and mental disabilities in specified areas of activity.

  The test is not applied to people with severe mental disabilities, who are identified early in the process from medical evidence, and exempted. People with less severe mental disabilities are assessed, by a specially trained doctor, in a wide range of activities relating to completion of tasks, daily living, coping with pressure and interaction with other people.

  Social Security Tribunals
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the procedure by which people are appointed by her Department to social security tribunals. [48323]
  445
  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The Department of Social Security does not have responsibility for appointing members of appeal tribunals (including Social Security Appeal Tribunals, Disability Appeal Tribunals and Medical Appeal Tribunals).

  Power to appoint lay members to tribunal jurisdictions is vested in the President of the Independent Tribunal Service (ITS). Responsibility for appointing tribunal chairmen lies with the Lord Chancellor in England and Wales or the Lord President of the Court of Session in Scotland. The constitution of particular appeal tribunals is specified in legislation (Social Security Administration Act 1992 and Schedule 6 to the Social Security Act 1998).

  Housing Benefit
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the amount of housing benefit expenditure in Scotland for 1995–96, 1996–97 and 1997–98, broken down into(a) the private rented sector, (b) housing association sector and (c) the public sector. [47976]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The information available is set out in the table.

  Scottish housing benefit expenditure

  £ million

  1995–96

  1996–97

  Private rented Sector

  197

  199

  Housing Association Sector

  78

  101

  Public Sector (Council and New Town Tenants)

  275

  300

  All Housing Benefit

  550

  600

  Note:

  Expenditure rounded to the nearest million

  Source:

  1. 1998–99 Social Security Departmental Record

  2. Housing Benefit Management Information System (HBMIS) 1 per cent. samples

  Mr. Fitzpatrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will extend the Housing Benefit (General) Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 1997 (S.I. 1974) until the interdepartmental funding review has completed its report. [48008]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  We are considering an extension to the duration of these Regulations and we expect to make an announcement shortly.

  Residential Care Allowance
  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make the residential care allowance available to people in local authority homes as it is to those in private homes; and if she will give the reasons which underlie her decision. [48069]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  I refer my hon. Friend to my Written Answer to the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam (Mr. Burstow) of 19 January 1998,Official Report, column 448.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many benefit recipients are currently being required to co-operate with the CSA; and how many of these are resident in Derbyshire; [48455]
  446
  (2) what is the current average time taken (a) nationally and (b) in Derbyshire for the CSA to make assessments; [48454]

  (3) how many deductions from earnings orders issued by the CSA are currently in force; and how many of these are for orders issued in Derbyshire; [48457]

  (4) how many people resident in Derbyshire are being pursued for payment by the Child Support Agency; and what is the figure per 1,000 residents in the United Kingdom. [48456]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  One of our key aims for the Child Support Agency is to ensure that more non resident parents pay the maintenance they owe. The regular payment of maintenance is central to our strategy as recognition of fathers' continuing responsibilities to their children; to help lone mothers move off income support into work; and to get more money to children in low income working families. We have been looking closely at all aspects of the child support scheme to see where improvements can be made. I refer my hon. Friend to the oral statement made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security on 6 July 1998,Official Report, columns 739–54.

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

  Letter from Faith Boardman to Mr. Harry Barnes, dated 6 July 1998:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Questions to the Secretary of State for Social Security about the Child Support Agency.
  I cannot provide precisely all the information that you have requested, but have provided as much as possible from the most recent information available.
  The Agency is organised into 7 Business Units; figures are available at Business Unit level but not at county level. Derbyshire is dealt with by our Midlands Business Unit, for which information has been given.
  All parents with care in receipt of a prescribed benefit (Income Support, Family Credit, Income-based Job Seekers Allowance and Disabled Working Allowance) have a requirement to co-operate with the Agency. The large majority of the Agency's live and assessed caseload relate to parents with care in receipt of these benefits.
  The Department of Social Security Analytical Division publish quarterly a summary of statistics relating to child support. The last report was published on 14 May and showed at 28 February 1998 the Agency had a total of 662,000 parents with care with a full maintenance assessment; of which 564,000 (85%) were in receipt of one of these benefits and therefore required to co-operate with the Agency. The Midlands Business Unit had 108,000 parents with care with a full maintenance assessment, of which 94,000 (87%) were in receipt of a benefit.
  Child Support Legislation has provisions known as 'Good Cause', which allows parents with care not to co-operate if the Agency finds that they have a good cause not to do so. This may be because we believe that there is a risk of harm or undue distress to the parent with care of any children living with them if we contact the non-resident parent.
  From the launch of the Agency up until 28 February 1998 the Agency has investigated 669,953 cases were the parent with care had claimed Good Cause; 177,462 cases were accepted as having Good Cause for not co-operating with the Agency. This represents 26% of the cases investigated. Of the remaining cases, the Good Cause application is either withdrawn and the parent with care agrees to co-operate or a Reduced Benefit Direction is referred to Benefits Agency.

  447
  The imposition of a deduction from earnings order is considered when the non resident parent defaults on an agreement or refuses to come to an agreement. This step is taken as a last resort and every effort is made to secure the compliance of the non-resident parent before a deduction from earnings order is issued. Information on the number of deduction from orders "in force" is not collected, however information is available on the number of deduction from earnings orders issued from April 1993 to November 1997, details are shown below:

  Year

  Number

  1993–94

  2,600

  1994–95

  32,027

  1995–96

  52,931

  1996–97

  57,898

  (9,146 from Midlands Business Unit)

  1997–98 (to 30.11.97)

  45,273

  (8,320 from Midland Business Unit)

  We are increasingly becoming more effective in issuing deduction from earnings orders where the non-resident parent fails to make a maintenance payment or reach an agreement for repayment. This is demonstrated by the increase in the average monthly number of orders issued; from 4,825 in 1996/97 to 5,659 in 1997/98.The Agency does not collect information on average processing times for the clearance of maintenance assessments. The Agency measures the clearance of maintenance assessments against a target set by the Secretary of State. For 1998/99 the target is that 65% of new maintenance applications be cleared within 22 weeks. At 31 May 1998 the Agency had cleared 67% of maintenance applications within 22 weeks and the Midlands Business Unit had cleared 59% of maintenance applications within 22 weeks.In 1997/98 the Agency cleared 595,000 maintenance applications—an increase of two-thirds on the 357,000 cleared in 1996/97. At the end of May 1998 our live and assessed caseload stood at 784,160, compared with 609,800 in May 1997 (an increase of 29%) and is expected to rise to around 1.2m by 2003/04.At 30 April 1998, the Midlands Business Unit had 128,160 live and assessed cases. At the same time, that Business Unit's work-on-hand stood at 37,907; approximately 15,000 of which were backlog cases.Any maintenance application which is over 52 weeks old is considered to form part of the Agency's backlog.The Agency has developed and is now implementing a strategy for meeting its undertaking to clear the backlog. All Business Units have put in place operational plans which will guide them towards the achievement of our stated objective of clearing the backlog by 31 March 1999.The total caseload for the Midlands Business Unit of 166,067 equates to around 3 cases per 1,000 people, based on a GB population of around 57.2 million.I hope this is helpful.

DEFENCE

  Anthrax
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of(a) Navy, (b) Army, (c) Air Force and (d) other Ministry of Defence personnel (i) are fully vaccinated and (ii) have commenced a vaccination programme against anthrax bacteria; and if he will make a statement. [31473]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 26 February 1998]: A small number of Service personnel and MOD civilians will have received anthrax vaccinations either in connection with research into protection against biological weapons being undertaken at CBD Porton Down and its predecessors,
  448
  or in connection with arms control activities. Details of vaccinations received by Service and other MOD personnel are normally held only on individual medical records and not recorded centrally.

  Many Service personnel and MOD civilians who took part in the Gulf conflict are likely to have commenced a programme of immunisation against anthrax in early 1991. Records relating to this vaccination programme are incomplete. So far as MOD is aware, none of these personnel would have completed a full course of immunisation, because operations concluded before the fourth dose of vaccine would have been scheduled.

  On 3 March this year, the Ministry of Defence announced that UK Service personnel and MOD civilians posted to the Gulf region were being offered immunisation against anthrax. Arrangements have been made for the uptake of anthrax vaccine under this programme to be reported centrally. So far an estimated 3,879 UK Service and MOD personnel have been offered immunisation and 1,428 are recorded as having commenced a course of anthrax vaccinations. This figure comprises 384 Royal Navy personnel, 46 Royal Fleet Auxiliary, 144 Army personnel, 847 RAF personnel and 7 MOD civilians. This amounts to 0.85 per cent. of all Royal Navy personnel, 0.13 per cent. of all Army personnel, 1.49 per cent. of all RAF personnel and 0.05 per cent. of all MOD civilians, including those in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. Individuals who have chosen to be immunised will not receive the fourth dose of vaccine, and thereby complete the current programme, until November this year at the earliest.

  Ship Hulls
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the differences between(a) military and (b) civilian specifications of ship hulls. [48985]

  Mr. Spellar
  Warships are required to operate in very different ways and conditions compared with commercial vessels and also need to be able to withstand damage sustained in action. Naval engineering standards adopted for the construction of warships reflect this and incorporate some indispensable military features such as shock precautions, magazine safety, fire safety and watertight subdivision. Commercial standards are however applicable to some areas of warship design and construction, where their use offers cost savings and is compatible with the vessel's operational role.

  RAF Pilots
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the average number of annual flying hours undertaken by RAF pilots in each of the last 10 years. [44129]

  Mr. Field
  The information requested is given in the table and has been broken down by aircraft type. Figures are available only from 1991. Information prior to this date can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
  449

  Average annual flying hours per pilot1 by aircraft type 1991–97

  Aircraft type

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  BAe 125

  436

  365

  328

  317

  349

  353

  310

  BAe 146

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  283

  256

  Canberra

  199

  189

  190

  167

  177

  304

  334

  Chinook

  491

  309

  266

  261

  315

  303

  271

  Harrier

  151

  206

  214

  227

  207

  201

  163

  Hercules

  573

  479

  447

  421

  410

  471

  503

  Jaguar

  203

  213

  191

  207

  195

  189

  204

  Nimrod

  408

  407

  448

  471

  459

  400

  442

  Puma

  384

  255

  276

  294

  282

  314

  310

  Sea King

  358

  388

  378

  363

  402

  381

  385

  Sentry

  718

  720

  916

  840

  829

  577

  493

  Tornado F3

  215

  227

  231

  218

  216

  193

  209

  Tornado GR1/A/B

  207

  217

  223

  216

  199

  210

  208

  Tristar

  652

  584

  586

  439

  471

  643

  642

  VC10

  456

  464

  422

  369

  367

  363

  409

  Wessex

  452

  359

  313

  295

  318

  371

  369

  1Pilots are interpreted as fully trained operational pilots

  Note:

  These figures do not include pilots on Staff/Ground Tours

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how staff numbers in his Department have varied between 1 May 1997 and 31 March 1998. [48878]

  Mr. Spellar
  The information requested is given in the following table.

  Full time equivalent

  1 May 19972

  1 April 1998

  Permanent Staff

  All MOD

  109,076

  104,163

  Agencies1

  62,341

  59,526

  Other MOD

  46,735

  44,637

  Casual Staff

  All MOD

  3,344

  2,154

  Agencies1

  1,356

  1,131

  Other MOD

  1,988

  1,023

  1Agency numbers include staff working in Trading Funds

  2The 1 May 1997 breakdowns between agencies and other MOD have been estimated

  Territorial Army
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost of each Territorial Army battalion in 1997–98. [43643]

  Dr. Reid
  [pursuant to his reply, 9 June 1998, c. 489–90]: I regret to inform my hon. Friend that there were errors in my original response. The correct answer to this question is given.

  There are 33 Territorial Army infantry battalions and these are listed in the table together with their identifiable costs for the year 1997–98. The figures given are for manpower only, and include the costs of TA personnel, (including bounty payments), Regular Army, civilian and Non Regular Personnel Staff employed by the units. Other
  450
  costs are not separated from wider Army financial provision and cannot therefore be directly attributed to particular TA units.

  Cost of Territorial Army infantry battalions 1997–98

  Unit

  £ million

  3rd (Volunteer) Battalion The Worcester and Sherwood Regiment Fusiliers

  2.118

  3rd (Volunteer) Battalion The Duke of Wellington's Regiment (West Riding)

  2.172

  3rd (Volunteer) Battalion The Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire

  2.194

  4/5th Battalion The Green Howards (Alexandra Princess of Wales's Own Yorkshire Regiment) (Yorkshire Volunteers)

  1.922

  4th (Volunteer) Battalion The Parachute Regiment

  2.576

  6th (Volunteer) Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment

  2.067

  6th Northumberland Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers

  2.349

  7th Battalion The (Durham) Light Infantry

  2.103

  7th (Volunteer) Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment

  2.184

  7th (Volunteer) Battalion The Devonshire and Dorset Regiment

  2.273

  6th Battalion The Light Infantry (Volunteer)

  2.433

  2nd (Volunteer) Battalion The Royal Gloucester Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment

  2.327

  5th (Volunteer) Battalion The Royal Green Jackets

  2.088

  5th (Volunteer) Battalion The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment

  2.343

  6/7th (Volunteer) Battalion The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment

  2.087

  3rd (Volunteer) Battalion The Staffordshire Regiment (The Prince of Wales's)

  2.200

  4th (Volunteer) Battalion The Queen's Lancashire Regiment

  2.276

  4th (Volunteer) Battalion The Kings Own Border Regiment

  2.311

  5/8th (Volunteer) Battalion The King's Regiment

  2.479

  5th (Volunteer) Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers

  2.150

  5th Battalion The Light Infantry (Volunteer)

  2.347

  3rd (Volunteer) Battalion The Cheshire Regiment

  2.143

  2nd (Volunteer) Battalion The Royal Regiment of Wales

  2.467

  3rd (Volunteer) Battalion The Royal Welch Fusiliers

  2.251

  4th (Volunteer) Battalion The Royal Green Jackets

  2.241

  10th (Volunteer) Battalion The Parachute Regiment

  2.397

  451

  Cost of Territorial Army infantry battalions 1997–98

  Unit

  £ million

  The London Regiment

  2.344

  3rd (Volunteer) Battalion The Highlanders (Seaforths Gordons and Camerons)

  2.173

  3rd (Volunteer) Battalion The Royal Highland Fusiliers (Princess Margaret's Own Glasgow and Ayrshire Regiment)

  2.053

  3rd (Volunteer) Battalion The Black Watch Regiment (The Royal Highland Regiment)

  1.851

  7/8th (Volunteer) Battalion The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's)

  2.034

  The Lowland Volunteers

  2.148

  4/5th (Volunteer) Battalion The Royal Irish Rangers

  2.504

HEALTH

  Occupational Health
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the National Health Service trusts in each region with access to an occupational health service, indicating which are led by a consultant in occupational health. [43739]

  Mr. Milburn
  These figures are not held centrally. All National Health Service trusts should provide their staff with access to a competent and confidential occupational health service. A number of trusts buy in their occupational health provision from other trusts.

  Drugs (Parallel Trading)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his estimate of the revenue impact of parallel trading in drugs. [47801]

  Mr. Milburn
  The information is not collected on which such an estimate could be made.

  NHS Staff
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the(a) number and (b) cost of extra doctors and nurses required to staff the extra 2,000 beds to be opened this year. [48059]

  Mr. Milburn
  This is a matter for local employers to determine in the light of local needs and priorities.

  Continence Services
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of the sums announced for the reduction of NHS waiting lists health authorities are permitted to use to reduce waiting lists for the provision of continence supplies. [48307]

  Mr. Milburn
  All health authorities should ensure provision of continence services from their general allocation. The extra £500 million that we announced on 18 March 1998,Official Report, columns 1290–92, will be used to tackle waiting lists for hospital treatment. It will fund record increases in the number of surgical and medical sessions, targeted investment in primary care, community, mental health and social services and steps to modernise the waiting list system.

  Student Bursaries
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the average bursary given to(a) nursing students, (b) medical students and (c) dental students in the most recent year for which figures are available; what calculation is made for additional earned income within the formulae for calculating such grants; and if he will make a statement. [48444]

  Mr. Milburn
  The National Health Service currently provides bursaries for nursing students undertaking a pre-registration diploma programme (Project 2000). Information on the average bursary for nursing students is not held centrally. However, the current rates are:

  £

  London

  Elsewhere

  Age under 26 at start of course

  5,230

  4,450

  Age 26 and over at start of course

  5,785

  5,010

  The bursary is non-means tested and therefore there is no calculation for additional earned income.

  Medical and dental students do not currently receive NHS bursaries. However, for those who enter training from 1 September 1998, the NHS will meet tuition costs and fund means tested bursaries in years 5 and beyond.

  Leigh Infirmary
  Mr. Cunliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the future of the Leigh infirmary. [48446]

  Mr. Milburn
  Decisions concerning Leigh Infirmary are the responsibility of Wigan and Leigh Health Services NHS Trust, in consultation with Wigan and Bolton Health Authority. We understand that, with the support of the health authority, the trust has invested considerably in the Infirmary in recent years and that its plans for the future include the provision of elective surgery, mental health services and a nurse-led minor injuries unit.

  Dental Health
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of the population over(a) 30, (b) 40,(c) 50 and (d) 60 years in each health authority area in England have no natural teeth. [48601]

  Mr. Milburn
  Information is not held centrally in the form requested. Data which were collected in the Adult Dental Health Survey conducted in 1988 are available for southern England (SE), the Midlands (M) and northern England (NE) and show that the following percentages of people had no natural teeth.

  Percentage

  Age

  SE

  M

  NE

  25–34

  —

  1

  2

  35–44

  1

  6

  4

  45–54

  8

  23

  22

  55–64

  22

  40

  53

  65 and over

  57

  69

  80

  Residential Care
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to review the guidance issued to local authorities on the funding arrangements for residential care as regards(a) individuals whose ordinary residence is established and (b) individuals placed by another authority; and if he will make a statement. [48907]

  Mr. Boateng
  We have no plans at present to review the existing guidance to local authorities on ordinary residence. However, we intend to issue guidance shortly that will clarify the responsibilities of local authorities for people requiring residential care who have, or who are likely to receive, capital in excess of the upper capital limit of £16,000 and who may be placed, or move to, a different local authority area. This new guidance will assist authorities in determining responsibility for individuals who enter residential/nursing home care outside their usual area of residence.

  Dementia
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Ynys Môn (Mr. Jones) of 16 June 1997,Official Report, column 20, concerning dementia research, how much in each of the last five years his Department has spent on dementia research; and how much is allocated in the current financial year. [49329]

  Mr. Boateng
  Spending on research into dementia in the last five years and an estimate for the current year are:

  £000

  Year

  Policy research programme

  National Health Service research and development programme

  1993–94

  181

  23

  1994–95

  196

  75

  1995–96

  167

  187

  1996–97

  91

  421

  1997–98

  198

  554

  1998–99

  292

  373

  The figures for 1998–99 are estimates. The figures for the NHS research and development programme are approximate.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 15 July 1997,Official Report, column 162, concerning dementia, what conclusions he has reached concerning national guidance on new medicines for Alzheimer's disease. [49331]

  Mr. Boateng
  Guidance on anti-dementia drugs has been prepared by the Standing Medical Advisory Committee and was issued on 30 April 1998 to health authority directors of public health and National Health Service trust medical directors in England.

  Medicines Control Agency (Freedom of Information)
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the Medicines Control Agency review of the impact of the Freedom of Information White Paper will be published. [49307]

  Ms Jowell
  The Select Committee on Public Administration wrote to the Medicines Control Agency (MCA) in December 1997 asking various questions about the impact of the Freedom of Information White Paper on the MCA. A copy of the Agency's reply of 9 February 1998 has been published by the Select Committee. Since then the MCA has continued to review its policies to identify what further action can be taken to make more information available in advance of the freedom of information legislation.

  Carers
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 12 June 1997,Official Report, columns 529–30, (1) concerning the health problems of carers, when the study of carer burdens and associated costs in dementia care over time will be published; [49330]

  (2) concerning the health problems facing carers, when the results of his Department's research into outcomes of social care for adults will be published; and if he will make a statement about interim findings from the research. [49332]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Department has commissioned a major new research initiative on outcomes of social care for adults, consisting of a linked series of studies which began earlier this year. The individual projects are due to last for between two and three years. Copies of the first issue of the programme newsletter will be placed in the Library.

  Drugs Licences
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to encourage co-operation between pharmaceutical companies applying to license new drugs. [49306]

  Ms Jowell
  We encourage collaboration between companies where it is appropriate and likely to be in the interests of public health. However, decisions about co-operation must be for the companies themselves.

  Medicines Act
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to amend section 118 of the Medicines Act 1968. [49308]

  Ms Jowell
  We are aware that Section 118 of the Medicines Act, which currently governs disclosure of official information about medicines in the United Kingdom, is often criticised for encouraging excessive secrecy. Indeed, it is one of over 200 pieces of legislation which we are currently reviewing to see whether it is appropriate to repeal them, once new freedom of information legislation is in place.

  Heroin
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 8 June 1998,Official Report, columns 464–65, what assessment he has made of the information supplied in the conference in the United States in June on the Swiss programme for using injectable heroin to reduce drug use and drug-related crime. [49185]

  Ms Jowell
  The Swiss programme showed that it is feasible to use diamorphine (pharmaceutical heroin) under strictly controlled conditions as part of a comprehensive social and psychological intervention. We were already aware of these basic findings and no new information appears to have emerged at the conference.

  Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent by his Department on research into ME in 1997–98; and what spending is planned for 1998–99. [49460]

  Ms Jowell
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam (Mr. Burstow) on 27 April 1998,Official Report, columns 53–54.

  Nursing Homes
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to assume responsibility from the social services budget for the funding of individuals who need nursing home care. [48958]

  Mr. Boateng
  We have no plans to remove the duty placed on local authorities by the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 to arrange nursing home placements for people whom they have assessed as needing such care.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the hon. Member for Walsall, North will receive a reply to his letter dated 8 June regarding primary care groups. [49364]

  Mr. Milburn
  I replied to my hon. Friend on 6 July 1998.

  Family Planning
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into differences in the prescription of contraceptive methods between GP-based and other family planning clinics. [48968]

  Ms Jowell
  The Department's policy research programme and the central National Health Service research and development programmes are not currently supporting any research into differences in the prescription of contraceptive methods between general practitioner-based and other family planning clinics. Records are not, however, held centrally of all research carried out in the NHS. While related research is evaluated when received by the Department, we are unaware of recent research specifically covering differences of prescription/supply of contraceptives from various sources.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Carbon Dioxide Emissions
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent representations he has received on Government targets on the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by 2010. [47626]

  Mr. Meacher
  I have discussed the Government's targets for tackling the threat of climate change with a great many people. This summer, we will publish a consultation paper on policy options for meeting those targets.

  Regeneration
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what organisations are being set up in Dorset to replace local economic regeneration organisations, with particular reference to work formerly carried out by the south Dorset economic partnership; and what funds are being made available by the Government for these initiatives. [47627]

  Angela Eagle
  Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole Economic Partnership has been established as a coherent group for Dorset and is developing an economic strategy for the whole of Dorset. The financial implications of the strategy are as yet unknown.

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the progress of the local government finance review.[47628]

  Mr. Raynsford
  On 30 March, the Government published three consultation papers:

  Improving local financial accountability;

  Business rates; and

  Capital finance.

  The consultation period closed on 1 June. We are currently considering the responses and will take account of these in preparing our planned White Paper on modernising local government.

  Business Rates
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to return control of business rates to local authorities. [47630]

  Ms Armstrong
  Our recent consultation paper "Modernising local government: Business rates" contained a proposal for a local supplement on the business rate. The consultation period finished on 1 June. We are now considering the many responses we have received. We shall announce our conclusions in a White Paper to be published this summer.

  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures he intends to take in order to protect small businesses from disproportionate increases in non-domestic rates; and if he will make a statement. [47631]
  457
  Mr. Raynsford
  Our consultation paper, "Modernising Local Government: Business Rates" looked at options for giving local authorities a measure of local discretion over the business rates, but made it clear that any local arrangements would contain safeguards against authorities increasing rates disproportionately. It also invited views on whether we should change the rating system to limit the rates bills of small businesses. We are currently considering responses to the consultation paper and will announce our conclusions in a White Paper to be published later this year.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his policy on local business rates. [47636]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Our recent consultation paper "Modernising Local Government: Business Rates" contained a proposal for a local supplement on the business rate. The consultation period finished on 1 June. We are now considering the many responses we have received. We shall announce our conclusions in a White Paper to be published this summer.

  Regional Development Agencies
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps his Department is taking to promote sustainable development with respect to regional development agencies. [47632]

  Angela Eagle
  Subject to the passage of the Regional Development Agencies Bill, currently in another place, regional development agencies will have a statutory purpose to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will revise the boundaries of his proposed regional development agencies to create an agency based exclusively on the counties of Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire and Gloucestershire; and if he will make a statement. [47629]

  Angela Eagle
  Regional development agencies will serve the same areas as the Government Offices for the Regions. They will need to co-operate with other agencies in addressing issues which extend beyond regional boundaries.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he is taking to tackle youth homelessness. [47633]

  Ms Armstrong
  Too many young people, starting on the road to independence, have their lives and development blighted by the lack of a suitable home. To tackle this problem, I have invited the voluntary sector and Local Government to join Central Government in a Youth Homelessness Action Partnership. I will be chairing the inaugural meeting on Tuesday 14 July.

  Workplace Car Parks
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what powers the Greater London authority will have to levy parking charges on workplace car parks. [47634]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Our White Paper "A Mayor and Assembly for London" (Cm 3897) said that, if new powers to enable road user charging or a parking levy were made available, the Mayor, working through the new body Transport for London, would be well placed to plan or implement the use of such powers. The Government's conclusions on whether to introduce the necessary enabling legislation will be set out in the forthcoming transport White Paper.

  Coalfields Task Force
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the recently published coalfields task force report. [47637]

  Ms Angela Eagle
  The Deputy Prime Minister will give the Government's initial response to the Coalfields Task Force Report's recommendations at the Coalfields Conference to be held at Ollerton Miners' Welfare on Monday 13 July. In the autumn, the Government will launch a detailed programme of action for the coalfields.

  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received from the coalfields task force regarding road links to the former coalfields in the Bolsover/Mansfield area. [47661]

  Dr. Strang
  The Coalfield Task Force's Report was published on 18 June. The Report listed seven "regeneration road" schemes which the Task Force believe would be of major significance in opening up employment sites in the old coalfields. Two of these roads are in the Bolsover/Mansfield area—they are the Mansfield Ashfield Regeneration Route, Nottinghamshire, and the new M1 Junction 29A at Markham Colliery, Derbyshire.

  Worcestershire
  Miss Kirkbride
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the Worcestershire county council document "Shaping the New Worcestershire"; and if he will make a statement. [47638]

  Mr. Raynsford
  "Shaping the New Worcestershire" is a document seeking views of local people on a number of housing and job-related development options to inform preparation of the Structure Plan for the new County. This is very much in line with the Secretary of State's statement in the House on 23 February 1998,Official Report, columns 21–25, when he said that he wanted local people to be consulted as early as possible in the process so that they fully understand the consequences of decisions on releasing land for housing and can have a say in the choice of locations. My Department has chosen not to comment on the options at this stage but we expect to examine the Council's definitive proposal's at the next stage of the Structure Plan process.

  Leaseholders
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many representations he has received from associations of leaseholders representing former council tenants. [47639]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Since May 1997, my Department has received 13 letters from associations of leaseholders representing former council tenants, either sent directly or via their Member of Parliament. We have had a similar number of telephone calls.

  Endocrine-disrupting Chemicals
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he plans to take to control endocrine-disrupting chemicals. [47640]

  Angela Eagle
  Use of a number of the endocrine-disrupting chemicals under debate are already banned or restricted (for example, tributyltin, DDT). The risks from others are being assessed through the European Community Existing Substances Regulations (for example, nonylphenol, bisphenol A, several phthalates) which may result in the need for restrictions on their marketing and use.

  International efforts are underway to agree guidelines by which endocrine-disrupting chemicals can be identified. When these are in place, the risks from chemicals identified as endocrine disrupters can be assessed and appropriate measures taken to reduce these risks if necessary on a precautionary basis.

  My Department's forthcoming strategic review of the sustainable use of chemicals will examine policy on all chemicals in the environment, including endocrine disrupters. Earlier this year, the Environment Agency issued a consultation document proposing an Agency Strategy on endocrine-disrupting chemicals. This examined possible approaches within its duties and powers which could be taken by the Agency given the current uncertainties in our understanding of the issue. The consultation period ended on 30 April and the Agency will finalise its strategy by the end of the year.

  Newcastle Green Belt
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to ensure that the extra 2,500 houses proposed for Newcastle's green belt do not undermine regeneration prospects in the central and western areas of the inner city. [47642]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Until a master plan for development of land deleted from the Green Belt in the adopted Newcastle UDP has been widely consulted upon, it is inappropriate for development to commence. Both plans will ensure a phased release of development land which will ensure that regeneration of Newcastle's inner areas is not adversely affected.

  Landfill
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is 460
  his estimate of the reduction of household waste going to landfill as a result of the increase in landfill levy in the Budget. [47643]

  Angela Eagle
  The recent review of the landfill tax indicated that it is already having some impact on behaviour but that the rate needs to be higher to ensure a significant increase in waste recycling, recovery, and minimisation. I therefore welcome the Chancellor's decision to increase the standard rate of the tax from £7 to £10 from 1 April 1999. I expect that the immediate impact on household waste will not be substantial, simply because some Local Authorities are tied into long-term disposal contracts, but that the longer-term impact will be significant.

  Water Meters
  Mr. Efford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received regarding Thames Water making a charge for the installation of water meters only to certain types of properties; and if he will make a statement. [47644]

  Angela Eagle
  My Department has received numerous representations regarding Thames Water's metering policy. The cost of meter installation is one of the issues considered in our review of water charging in England and Wales. We recognise that, for some customers, meters can be an attractive option and in our consultation paper 'Water Charging in England and Wales—A New Approach' we propose that in future domestic customers should have the choice of a meter, free of charge, if it suits their needs.

  Emissions
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he has taken to ensure his Department plays its part in reducing carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions to the Government's target levels. [47645]

  Mr. Meacher
  We have placed the environment at the heart of Government. Later this summer, we will publish our climate change consultation paper which will build on the outcome of initiatives such as the integrated transport policy, energy review and measures in the Budget and consider further options to deliver emission reductions.

  Wind Turbines
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to revise his policy on the erection of wind turbines. [47646]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Our policy towards the development of wind turbines remains as set out in Planning Policy Guidance note 22, 'Renewable Energy'. That provides guidance to decision makers on a range of land use planning considerations relevant to the siting of wind turbines. It is necessary to consider both the immediate impact of renewable energy projects on the local environment and their wider contribution to secure sustainable energy supplies and to reducing emissions of greenhouse gases.

  Council Tax
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received on council tax charges on second homes. [47647]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Since the election, we have received 84 representations about the council tax discount for second homes, and in response to the consultation exercise we received a further 40 representations. Of these, 105 are in favour of the abolition of the 50 per cent. discount.

  Thames Gateway
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the prospects for regeneration in the Thames gateway area. [47648]

  Angela Eagle
  The Thames Gateway area provides some of the main opportunities for development and regeneration in the South East. A number of substantial developments have already taken place, others are in progress and more in prospect, which will produce significant regeneration benefits for the area.

  A key factor in realising the full potential of the area is the completion of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link. The link underpins the strategy for the Thames Gateway with international stations at Stratford and at Ebbsfleet, both within the Gateway area, and at King's Cross/St Pancras.

  An assessment carried out in 1992 put a value of £500 million on the regeneration benefits of the link. A recent re-assessment by my Department suggests that the link would produce regeneration benefits of about £650 million in the areas around the three stations. This is broadly in line with the earlier estimate, after allowing for inflation. If we were to try and deliver the same level of benefits through regeneration programmes, it could cost around £1 billion at today's prices.

  Fishing (Safety)
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many lives have been lost at sea in the fishing industry in each of the last three years; and what measures he proposes to improve the safety record of the industry. [47656]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Nineteen fishermen were lost at sea in 1995; 20 in 1996, and 29 in 1997.

  A number of measures are in hand to improve the safety record of the fishing industry. A joint initiative with the fishing industry organisations is under way to reduce accidents and encourage positive attitude to safety amongst fishermen. Regulations implementing EC Directives on occupational health and safety on board fishing vessels came into force earlier this year. Work is continuing with industry on the development of a Code of Safe Practice for smaller fishing vessels.

  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to modify the rules and regulations governing the occupational safety of the crews of United Kingdom-registered fishing vessels. [47665]
  462
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The occupational safety of crews in the United Kingdom fishing vessels is being pursued through regulations which implement EC health and safety directives. Some regulations, including the Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessel (Health and Safety at Work) Regulations 1997, are already in force. Further regulations will be introduced later this year.

  Airports
  Ms Beverley Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received concerning the financial arrangements for local authority-owned airports. [47657]

  Dr. Strang
  Our proposal to free financially sound local authority airport companies from the controls over their borrowing has been warmly welcomed.

  Rail Network
  Miss Kirkbride
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his plans for the future of the rail network. [47658]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Our proposals for improving the regulation of the railways will be set out in our forthcoming White Paper on integrated transport. We will establish a new strategic rail authority to provide clear, coherent and accountable regulation of the network, and ensure that the railways are run firmly in the public interest.

  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement about the reliability of train services between England and Wales. [47662]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We recognise that delays and cancellation have been disrupting many services into Wales, particularly those provided by Great Western. The Franchising Director has recently imposed a performance penalty system on Great Western to incentivise better performance.

  Eurostar
  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress he is making on securing fast regional Eurostar rail services. [47659]

  Dr. Strang
  The consortium chosen by LCR to operate Eurostar have been asked to review urgently the feasibility of regional Eurostar services, and to put proposals to the Government before the end of the year.

  Speed Limits
  Mr. Jim Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received on the advantages of reducing the speed limits in and around built-up areas, with particular reference to areas close to schools. [47660]
  463
  Dr. Strang
  I receive a considerable number of letters from people seeking a reduction in the 30 mph urban speed limit particularly near schools. We have announced proposals for local authorities to decide 20 mph limits for themselves. Consultation on the details ended on 30 June.

  Rail Operators (Penalties)
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures he is planning to introduce which would penalise train operators who consistently fail to meet the core elements of the bid on which they won their franchise. [47663]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Successful bidders are now bound by the contractual obligation in their franchise agreements. The Franchising Director has contractual and statutory powers to enforce the performance of these obligations. These can include financial penalties and, as a last resort, termination of the franchise.

  The Government are reviewing the regulation of the railway as part of our overall review of transport policy, and our proposals for the long-term reform of the railways will be published in our forthcoming White Paper. In the interim, we have issued the Franchising Director with revised objectives, instructions and guidance which require him to secure a progressive improvement in the quality of passenger and station services and to manage existing franchise agreements in a manner which promotes passengers' interest.

  Light Rapid Transit Scheme (Nottingham)
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received about the proposed light rapid transit scheme in the Nottingham conurbation. [47664]

  Dr. Strang
  Since 1 May 1997, the promoters of Nottingham Express Transit have met with DETR Ministers or officials on 13 occasions. We have also received 35 written representations on the subject.

  West Coast Main Line
  Ms Keeble
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received about the future of services on the west coast main line. [47666]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I refer my hon. Friend to my reply of 18 June 1998, Official Report, columns 276–77.

  London Underground
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much private sector investment he expects to attract to London Underground in the next five years; and if he will make a statement. [47667]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The timing and level of investment under a private finance deal is the responsibility of the private sector partner—the contract will specify the demanding performance targets to be achieved, not the investment needed to achieve them. However, London Underground estimate that, for the next 464
  five years, the level of private investment in the underground which should result from deals already signed, or close to signature, is as shown in the table.

  £million

  Year

  Investment

  1998–99

  115

  1999–2000

  57

  2000–01

  56

  2001–02

  58

  2002–03

  41

  In addition, the innovative Public/Private Partnership we have announced should bring in a further £7 billion of private investment over 15 years.

  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the names of companies who bid for consultancy, legal and financial work on the new financial arrangements for London Underground, indicating the value of each bid. [48647]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  A notice was posted in the Official Journal of the European Community on 6 April seeking firms to provide advice, jointly to the London Transport and the Government, on implementation of a Public/Private partnership for London Underground.

  Twenty expressions of interest were received in respect of legal advice. Tenders were invited from, and submitted by, the following six firms:

  Ashurst Morris Crisp

  Denton Hall

  Freshfields

  Herbert Smith

  Slaughter and May Wilde Sapte.

  Nineteen expressions of interest were received in respect of financial advice. Tenders were invited from nine firms, and were submitted by the following:

  Coopers and Lybrand

  KPMG

  Lazard Brothers

  Price Waterhouse

  Societe Generale.

  For reasons of commercial confidentiality, it is not possible to state the value of each bid.

  Freshfields and Price Waterhouse (now PricewaterhouseCoopers) were selected as, respectively, legal and financial advisers. Competitions for other advisers are currently in progress.

  National Air Traffic Services
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what mechanisms will be established to ensure the safety of air passengers following the privatisation of National Air Traffic Services. [47668]

  Dr. Strang
  The UK's safety record is second to none. It will be our concern, and that of NATS to ensure that this remains the case. Under our proposal for a Public Private Partnership, Air Traffic Control safety regulation
  465
  will be made independent of Air Traffic Control service provision. The safety regulation will ensure that safety remains the overriding priority.

  East-west Rail Link
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions the Minister for Transport in London has had concerning the east-west rail link. [47669]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I met representatives of the East-West Rail Consortium and Railtrack in February, who briefed me on the project. I requested a detailed business case from them, and subsequently officials from my Department and OPRAF have sought sufficient details to carry out a proper assessment of the project against the interim Planning Criteria published by OPRAF last November. This assessment is still in progress.

  Aircraft Noise
  Mr. Derek Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps have been taken to reduce noise caused by older aircraft. [47670]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The UK has consistently pressed for higher noise standards internationally. In the 1980s, we implemented the removal of non-noise certificated aircraft at the earliest date allowed by international agreements. Subsequently, we argued for phasing out jet aircraft meeting the Chapter 2 standard. This is now implemented in an EC directive, ensuring that, from 1 April 2002, such aircraft will not normally be used in Europe. At the Transport Council in June, we secured political agreement on bringing forward measures against aircraft which have been recertificated to meet by only a bare margin the current noise standard (Chapter 3). The UK was also in the lead in proposing stricter standards for single-engined, light, propeller-driven aircraft. We anticipate that this will be shortly agreed internationally.

  Rural Bus Services
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what(a) conditions have been imposed on and (b) guidance has been given to local authorities on the extra money for rural bus services. [47671]

  Dr. Strang
  The proposed conditions which will apply to use of this money by English local authorities are set out in a Special Grant Report under Section 88B of the Local Government Finance Act 1988. This Report was laid before the House on 17 June. A copy of the associated guidance issued to local authorities has been placed in the Library.

  Central Railway
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment has he made of the new proposals of Central Railway plc. [47672]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  No proposals have been received from Central Railway plc during the term of this Government.

  A419-A417
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received regarding noise on the new A419-A417. [47673]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We have received over 130 representations, a number from the same people. The Highways Agency have been asked to look at the situation regarding noise from the A419-A417 and have reported to Ministers. Discussions are now taking place and we will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

  Vehicle Emissions Testing
  Mrs. Gordon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what have been the results to date of roadside vehicle emissions testing in the seven local authority trial areas. [47635]

  Mr. Meacher
  Statistics provided to date by the seven local authorities trialling the new powers to carry out roadside vehicle emissions enforcement show that, of almost 8,000 vehicles tested, 1,300 (16%) were found to be exceeding the prescribed emissions standards. The authorities have issued 450 fixed penalty notices to the drivers of the most seriously polluting vehicles (over 5% of the total vehicles checked).

  Housing (London)
  Kate Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how many affordable rented homes(a) have been provided and (b) are planned under the rules applying from PPG Note 3 and Circular 13/96 in Lambeth, Southwark and Wandsworth boroughs; [48574]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the amount of on-site affordable housing units provided under Circular 13/96 and PPG 3 in the boroughs of Southwark, Lambeth and Wandsworth; and if he will make a statement; [48577]

  (3) if he will list (a) the number of units of accommodation given planning permission on the riverside stretches of Southwark, Lambeth and Wandsworth boroughs, (b) the cash in lieu payments for the same and (c) the number of on-site units of affordable housing provided for the same since 1996. [48578]

  Mr. Caborn
  This information is not held centrally.

  River Thames
  Kate Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will amend the guidance to local authorities on designation of the River Thames from its present status as an area of special character to full conservation area status; [48580]

  (2) what measures he proposes to ensure that the special character of the Thames is protected; [48571]

  (3) if he will review the (a) nature and (b) scale of development currently underway on the banks of the Thames; [48579]

  (4) if he will make a statement on development along the banks of the River Thames. [48573]
  467
  Mr. Caborn
  Strategic Planning Guidance for the River Thames, published in February 1997, designates the stretch of river from Hampton to Crayford Ness as a Thames Policy Area. This recognises the special character of the Thames as it flows through London and carries with it more detailed guidance for local planning authorities to follow in framing their Unitary Development Plans and reaching decisions on planning applications. The Guidance recognises the strategic importance of the river within London's urban environment and the many conflicting pressures placed upon it. It sets out a series of policies and objectives for Thames-side development, and aims to achieve a greater degree of consistency between riparian authorities in their implementation of policy.

  Renewed interest in the river has led to an upturn in development proposals. These have the potential to bring new viability to the riverside and make a significant contribution to the renaissance of the Thames and London, especially where the local environment is degraded and in need of improvement. Developments incorporating a mix of uses can bring employment opportunities and a range of new activities. But they must be judged in terms of sustainability and how they relate to the local context. Thames Guidance places a great emphasis on the need to protect local amenity and the successful co-existence of the broad range of functions which the river serves. Over-exploitation of the current commercial interest in development would not satisfy these objectives.

  Thames Guidance includes measures to secure a high quality of design for riverside development. It places responsibility both on the local planning authority and developer for the preparation of design briefs which assess the impact of a proposed development in relation to a wide range of factors, including its all-important relationship with the local context. In addition, the Government have indicated that we will review the possibility of additional Guidance on high buildings and strategic views in London following the receipt of advice on these issues from the London Planning Advisory Committee.

  The designation of the Thames Policy Area for the entire stretch of river and its immediate hinterland as it flows through London confers a special status which did not exist prior to Thames Guidance. The Thames Policy Area recognises the strategic significance of the river and the need for a consistent approach to policy formulation and decision-making. Through the Unitary Development Plan review process, riparian authorities are strengthening and refining their policies relating to the river to reflect the additional requirements placed on them by Thames Guidance, and to incorporate the Thames Policy Area within their plans. We believe this special planning designation is the most appropriate way of dealing with the varied character and uses of the riverside environment. Although some stretches of the riverside also have conservation area status, we do not believe this would be appropriate along the entire length of the river in London.

  Kate Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what criteria he uses in deciding to call in development applications in the Thames-side area. [48570]

  Mr. Caborn
  The policy on call-in is as set out in Planning Policy Guidance Note 1: General Policy and Principles, Paragraph 7 of Annex D.
  468
  This explains that the policy on calling in planning applications is to be very selective and such action is generally taken only where issues of more than local importance are involved. Examples are applications which raise significant architectural and urban design issues, which could have wide effects beyond their immediate locality, which give rise to substantial national or regional controversy, which may conflict with national policy on important matters, or where the interests of foreign governments may be involved.

  Pensioners (Tenancies)
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate how many pensioners live in(a) pre-1989 regulated tenancies in the private sector and (b) pre-1989 housing association secure tenancies. [48554]

  Ms Armstrong
  The Survey of English Housing gives the following estimates:

  Pensioner households with regulated and secure tenancies in England: annual averages, year ending March 1997

  Number

  Pre-1989 private sector regulated tenancies

  166,000

  Pre-1989 housing association secure tenancies

  137,000

  Notes:

  1. Pensioner householders are defined as those where the householder, and their partner if they have one, are both over the State pension age, that is 65 for men and 60 for women

  2. Like all estimates from samples surveys, these figures are subject to sampling variability

  Floodlights
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make the floodlighting of buildings the subject of planning consent; and if he will make a statement. [48572]

  Mr. Caborn
  Local authorities may attach conditions to planning permissions for new developments and these may extend to the design and operation of lighting systems. For existing buildings, however, the courts have ruled that floodlighting cannot be a planning matter, because light itself is not "development" and there would be no feasible means of assessing it for enforcement purposes. We give advice on floodlighting in Planning Policy Guidance Note 17 'Sport and Recreation'. The guide issued last year jointly by my Department and the Countryside Commission, 'Lighting in the Countryside: Towards good practice', also gives guidance on what can be done to lessen the intrusive effects of lighting schemes associated with development.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions 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. [48848]
  469
  Angela Eagle
  The Department has a business continuity/disaster recovery plan which is managed by the Departmental Security Officer. The plan is reviewed annually. It is intended that the plan will take account of Year 2000 issues in its iteration for 1999/2000.

  The Department's Agencies are in a similar position to the Centre; contingency plans are in place, or are being developed as appropriate, in good time to address Year 2000 issues.

  The DETR Programme Manager is monitoring the position across the whole department, including its associated bodies, as part of his responsibility for assuring business continuity through the Year 2000 date change and beyond.

  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to ensure that railway signalling and other electrical equipment involved in rail safety is millennium compliant; and by what date that compliance will be achieved. [48641]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  It is the responsibility of the railway operators to ensure that all equipment is safe up to and beyond the millennium. The Health and Safety Executive's (HSE's) Railway Inspectorate (HMRI) is closely monitoring the state of preparedness of the industry.

  All the railway operators are assessing their systems for millennium compliance and, where necessary, developing programmes of remedial action. Railtrack in particular is devoting considerable resources both to ensuring compliance in its own systems and to co-ordinating the activities of the train operators on its network.

  In practice, the signalling and other safety critical systems which have been assessed to date have been found to be largely millennium compliant, and it is anticipated that all safety critical systems will have been assessed and any deficiencies remedied well before the millennium.

  The Government already have in place a number of mechanisms to ensure that both public and private sector service suppliers are taking appropriate action to prevent damage from the failure of electronic systems. A ministerial sub-committee is also actively reviewing the state of preparedness in all sectors of the national infrastructure including London Transport and the Rail industry.

  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact of his proposals for new financial arrangements for London Underground on its work to ensure millennium compliance within the organisation. [48634]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  My right hon. Friend has made no proposals for partial privatisation of London Underground. For the past two years, London Underground and London Transport have been progressing a comprehensive project to ensure their business is year 2000 compliant. Whilst the project is ongoing, they assure me that they are meeting their objectives and will be taking account of any implications for millennium compliance of the work to take forward the Public Private Partnership for the Underground.
  470
  This Government already have in place a number of mechanisms to ensure that both public and private sector service suppliers are taking appropriate action to prevent damage from the failure of electronic systems. A ministerial sub-committee is also actively reviewing the state of preparedness in all sectors of the national infrastructure including London Transport and the Rail industry.

  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what studies his Department has undertaken concerning the millennium compliance of the computer systems used in the operation of the Channel Tunnel, Le Shuttle and Eurostar; and if he will make a statement. [49448]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  This is a matter for the operators of the Channel Tunnel. However, in accordance with its obligation to advise and assist the Intergovernmental Commission with all matters relating to safety in the Tunnel, the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority has been discussing the issue in its regular meetings with Eurotunnel.

  This Government already have in place a number of mechanisms to ensure that both public and private sector service suppliers are taking appropriate action to prevent damage from the failure of electronic systems. A ministerial sub-committee is also actively reviewing the state of preparedness in all sectors of the national infrastructure including London Transport and the Rail industry.

  As regards Eurostar's operations on the domestic network, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave today to the hon. Member for Croydon, South (Mr. Ottaway).

  Number Plates
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he has consulted the number plate industry on his new number plate format proposals; and if he will make a statement. [48769]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The number plate industry were, along with the motor industry generally, and other interested parties, including the police and public, included in last year's consultation on proposals for a new vehicle registration format. Their views were taken fully into account. More recently, in response to representations from the number plate industry, DETR officials met number plate industry representatives in May. Their views were considered fully before the Government's public announcement on the new format was made on 10 June. That announcement included a commitment to undertake further research on the memorability of the new format, in particular on whether the random letters should be placed on the left or right of the plate. As a result of the number plate industry's continuing concerns about the spacing of numbers and letters, the Department will be considering these detailed points as a part of this further research.

  Wheelchairs (Trains)
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidance
  471
  has been issued to train operating companies with regard to the number of wheelchair spaces which should be provided on trains. [48745]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Railways Act 1993 imposes an obligation on the Rail Regulator to publish a Code of Practice which offers practical advice and guidance on the special needs of disabled people to those engaged in the delivery of railway passenger services. The Code of Practice "Meeting the Needs of Disabled Passengers" was published in July 1994. The specifications, which suggest a minimum of two wheelchair spaces per train, contained in the Code are not mandatory but provide a reference point for train operators, who are required to take into account the Code when producing their Disabled People's Protection Policies for approval by the Regulator, in accordance with the requirement of their operator's licence.

  In addition, we will be using powers under Part V of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 to require all new trains first brought in to use after 31 December 1998 to be accessible to disabled people. We have recently completed a consultation exercise on draft Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations. This included a proposal for a minimum of two wheelchair spaces for trains consisting of between two and eleven vehicles and four wheelchair spaces for longer trains. We are currently reviewing this and other proposed requirements in the light of the responses received from the rail industry and from disability organisations. The final regulations will be published later this year when they have been approved by Parliament.

  Ofwat (Customers)
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how Ofwat customer service committees seek the views of water customers. [48892]

  Angela Eagle
  This is a matter for the Director General of Water Services. He has agreed to write to the hon. Gentleman. A copy of the letter will be placed in the Library.

  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many members of the Ofwat customer service committees have been appointed. [48889]

  Angela Eagle
  Ten customer service committees have been established and are maintained by the Director General of Water Services under section 28 of the Water Industry Act 1991. Section 28(4) of the Act provides that a customer service committee shall consist of a chairman and such number (not less than ten nor more than twenty) of other members appointed by the Director as he may determine. Details of the membership of each of the committees are contained in'The annual report of the OFWAT National Customer Council and the ten regional Customer Service Committees', copies of which are available in the Library.

  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many meetings of the Ofwat customer service committees have been held in the last two years; when these took place; and who attended. [48891]
  472
  Angela Eagle
  The dates and venues of meetings held by each of the Ofwat customer service committees, but not lists of attendance, are given in each year's copy of'the Annual report of the OFWAT National Customer Council and the ten regional Customer Service Committees', copies of which are available in the Library.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how staff numbers in his Department have varied between 1 May 1997 and 31 March 1998. [48875]

  Angela Eagle
  My Department does not hold data for the dates specified and could not obtain them without disproportionate cost. However, the number of staff in the Department reduced by 596 (3.8%) between 1 April 1997 and 1 April 1998.

  1 April 1997

  1 April 1998

  DETR (Central)1

  3,809

  3,589

  Of which:

  Permanent staff

  3—

  3,506

  Casual staff

  3—

  83

  Government Office staff

  955

  903

  Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

  3,824

  3,839

  Highways Agency

  1,657

  1,494

  Maritime and Coastguard Agency2

  991

  891

  Planning Inspectorate

  647

  631

  Driving Standards Agency

  2,047

  1,844

  QEII Conference Agency

  51

  55

  Vehicle Certification Agency

  86

  84

  Vehicle Inspectorate

  1,534

  1,675

  Total

  15,601

  15,005

  1DETR(C) did not exist on 1 April 1997. The figures given are the combination of the former Departments of the Environment and Transport

  2On 1 april 1997 the Maritime and Coastguard Agencies were separate. This shows a combined figure

  3No breakdown available

  Note:

  Numbers of staff are shown as full-time equivalents, i.e. they are counted as a proportion of full-time hours worked

  Channel Tunnel Rail Link
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps are being taken to enable the East Coast Main Line to connect to the Channel Tunnel Rail Link. [48910]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The track layout designed for the Channel Tunnel Rail Link at St. Pancras includes a connection between St. Pancras station and the East Coast Main Line.

  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what contractual penalty LCR will incur if the company fails to complete the CTRL by the year 2007. [48681]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  LCR and Railtrack have stated their intention to complete the CTRL by 2007.

  The revised Development Agreement will contain an obligation to complete the whole link. Failure to comply with the relevant provision will provide grounds for termination

  Portsmouth Harbour Order
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what factors underlay the deferral of the laying of the proposed Portsmouth Harbour (Gunwharf Quays) Order; [48764]

  (2) under what powers he intends to lay the proposed Portsmouth Harbour (Gunwharf Quays) Order. [48763]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The application by the Berkeley Festival Waterfront Company Ltd. for this Order under section 3 of the Transport and Works Act 1992 is being considered, and will be determined, by the Secretary of State. It is not subject to any Parliamentary procedure.

  Rail Modernisation
  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the amount Railtrack has invested on route modernisation since 1995 by route. [48639]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Published information about investment on individual routes is not available in the format requested.

  Rail Journeys
  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list, as a percentage, by how much rail passenger journeys have changed in each year since privatisation; and by how much growth is predicted to rise in each of the next three years. [48679]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  For the past two years, passenger journeys have grown as shown in the table, and I understand that the Association of Train Operating Companies is expecting passenger journeys to rise up to 10 per cent. each year for the next three years.

  million

  Year

  Passenger journeys

  1995–96

  610

  1996–97

  649 (+6.3%)

  1997–98

  695 (+7.0%)

  Source:

  Association of Train Operating Companies (CAPRI)

  London Transport (Appointments)
  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions in which publications he advertised the recently filled post of Chief Executive of London Transport; on how many occasions these adverts appeared; and what is his policy on advertising future London Transport board appointments. [48636]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Our policy on appointments to the London Regional Transport Board is to be guided by the Code of Practice on Public Appointments Procedures, and to choose individuals who through their abilities, experience and qualities match the needs of the organisation. We consider whether to advertise on a case-by-case basis, bearing in mind that, if Parliament approves legislation to establish the Greater London Authority, the Board will be wound up, its responsibilities passing to Transport for London. In restructuring the 474
  LT Board to face the challenges of the next two years, we are striking a balance between continuity and outside recruitment. We have appointed recruitment consultants to seek a new non-executive Chairman: the new post of Chief Executive of London Transport is being filled by an existing executive Board member; and the post of Managing Director, London Underground, is being advertised.

  Rail Statistics
  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the total number of trains operating and the total number of miles covered by them in each year since privatisation. [48638]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Detailed information relating to the number of trains operating is not available. I understand that, in the present timetable, there are 18,000 scheduled services each day on the network. The total number of train miles operated in each year since privatisation is listed in the table:

  million

  Year

  Train miles

  1995–961

  29,924

  1996–971

  31,998

  1997–981

  34,191

  1Financial years from April to March

  Source:

  Association of Train Operating Companies (CAPRI)

  Greater London Authority
  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to announce the location of the building to house the Greater London Authority. [48659]

  Mr. Raynsford
  A list of buildings and sites to be examined in detail will be announced shortly. The timing of the announcement on a final decision depends on the progress of negotiations on the chosen building and on the timing of legislation to implement the GLA.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his Department's average response time to correspondence from members of the public; and how such response times are monitored. [48661]

  Angela Eagle
  During the period 1 April 1997 to 31 March 1998, my Department and its Agencies received 672,980 pieces of correspondence from members of the public. 96 per cent. of these were responded to within the Department's target of 15 working days. A variety of methods for monitoring the response times to correspondence are used within the Department according to individual needs.

  Road Schemes
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many road schemes in each of the past five years have been built under section 106 agreements; and if he will list the schemes and their estimated total cost. [48916]
  475
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  My Department does not maintain central records of road schemes built in accordance with agreements made under section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

  Joint Nature Conservation Committee
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the total budget of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee for 1998–99; and what was the total budget for 1997–98. [48657]

  Angela Eagle
  The total budget for the JNCC in 1998–99 is £871,000; in 1997–98 it was £4,317,000.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what additional resources(a) have been and (b) will be made available to the Joint Nature Conservation Committee in order to fulfil its responsibilities with respect to advising the Secretary of State on applications for exploration and production licences following the implementation of the Offshore Petroleum Production and Pipelines (Assessment of Environmental Effects) Regulations 1998. [48656]

  Angela Eagle
  No additional resources have been made available to the JNCC to fulfil these responsibilities.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proportion of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee's budget is derived from voluntary contributions from the oil and gas industry; and what restrictions are associated with the use of such funds. [48658]

  Angela Eagle
  The oil and gas industry will voluntarily contribute 9.5 per cent. to the Joint Nature Conservation Committee's total budget in 1998–99. These funds are exclusively dedicated to research and survey offshore, including around the Falkland and Faroe Islands.

  Donana Pollution Incident
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he had in Spain concerning the Donana pollution incident; and if he will make a statement. [48646]

  Angela Eagle
  The Deputy Prime Minister visited the Donana National Park on 5 June, accompanied by Juan Luis Muriel, Spanish junior environment minister, to view the damage caused by the spill of toxic mining waste. At the EU Environment Council later that month the Deputy Prime Minister proposed that there should be a review of current provisions for responding to such disasters and, if these proved unsatisfactory, that there should be a conference to discuss possible alternatives. The Commission responded positively to this proposal and will report on their findings in the Autumn.

  Special Areas of Conservation
  Mr. Temple-Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the adequacy of consultation by English Nature over the inclusion of part of the River Wye and its tributaries in the list of candidate special areas of conservation being sent to the European Commission under Directive 92/43. [48771]
  476
  Angela Eagle
  I am satisfied that the consultation process has provided all those with an interest in the proposals with an opportunity to comment. The statutory nature conservation agencies were asked to consult local landowners, statutory agencies and interested bodies on each specific site. My officials have consulted national interest groups and representative bodies on the list as a whole.

  Mr. Temple-Morris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the list of candidate special areas of conservation under European Directive 92/43 has been forwarded to the European Commission in advance of the intended deadline of June 1998; and when he proposes to forward outstanding candidates. [48770]

  Angela Eagle
  As my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment indicated in his written reply of 15 June 1998,Official Report, columns 60–61, the UK has already submitted 315 candidate Special Areas of Conservation covering over 1,650,000 hectares. We hope that a few remaining proposals will be forwarded to the Commission soon.

  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he received, and what public consultation he undertook, in respect of the River Wye and its tributaries being included as a candidate for special areas of conservation under EU Directive 92/43; and if he will make a statement. [48951]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 6 July 1998]: The consultation process provided all those with interest in the proposals for the River Wye possible Special Area of Conservation with an opportunity to comment. The statutory nature conservation agencies were asked to consult local landowners, local authorities, statutory agencies and interested bodies. At national level, my officials consulted national interest groups and representative bodies on the list as a whole. In the local consultations, views were sought from over 1,200 landowners and local bodies. 14 letters of support were received, including ones from the Environment Agency and the Forest of Dean District Council. 10 objections were received, including one from the former Hereford City Council. The main concern in those objections was that the designation might restrict future development of the river frontage. They were considered before the site was submitted to the European Commission on 12 June 1998.

  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what consultations he has had with the Planning Inspectorate in respect of additional special areas of conservation being recognised; and if he will make a statement. [48953]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 6 July 1998]: The Planning Inspectorate is routinely informed of the submission to the European Commission of all candidate Special Areas of Conservation so that its Inspectors can apply the relevant planning policies to any cases they deal with in or near those areas.
  477
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what areas he has submitted to the EU as candidates for special areas of conservation under European Directive 92/43; and if he will make a statement. [48952]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 6 July 1998]: Candidate Special Areas of Conservation were sent to the Commission on 20 June 1995, 19 January 1996, 16 October 1996, 17 October 1997, 20 March 1998, 26 March 1998, and 15 June 1998. I will arrange for the lists of areas to be placed in the library of the House.

  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidance he has given to local authorities to define the term "significant effects" that would require a local planning authority to refuse a development in a special area of conservation; and if he will make a statement. [48956]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 6 July 1998]: The advice given to local planning authorities on dealing with applications which may have implications for sites which have been submitted to the European Commission as candidate Special Areas of Conservation is set out in Annexe C of Planning Policy Guidance: Nature Conservation (PPG9). PPG9 advises local planning authorities to take advice from English Nature in considering whether the effect of a proposed development is likely to be significant in terms of the ecological objectives for which the site was designated. English Nature will consider each case individually.

  Dry Cleaning Industry (Chemicals)
  Mr. Wood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what legislation exists to restrict the use of chemicals in the dry cleaning industry; and if he will introduce measures to increase regulation. [48627]

  Angela Eagle
  The relevant legislation is as follows: The Dry Cleaning Special Regulations 1949; The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 1994; The Environmental Protection (Control of Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer) Regulations 1996 and EC Regulation 3093/94 of 15 December 1994 on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. Compliance with these Regulations will ensure that exposure to chemicals in the dry cleaning industry is prevented or, where that is not reasonably practicable, adequately controlled and the environmental impact is minimised.

  The European Commission has recently submitted proposals for a new regulation on ozone-depleting substances. The proposals extend the controls contained in EC Regulation 3093/94 and would prevent the use of substances such as trichlorotrifluoroethane (CFC 113) in dry cleaning equipment. The Government will shortly be consulting on these proposals.

  Traffic Accidents (A64)
  Mr. Grogan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many(a) injuries and (b) fatalities occurred as a result of traffic accidents on the A64 between Leeds and York in each of the last 10 years. [49081]
  478
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The information requested is shown in the following table.

  Casualties in accidents on the A64 between Leeds and york 1998–97

  Year

  Fatal

  Injured

  All

  1998

  4

  61

  65

  1989

  4

  32

  36

  1990

  2

  63

  65

  1991

  0

  65

  65

  1992

  3

  48

  51

  1993

  2

  34

  36

  1994

  1

  36

  37

  1995

  0

  43

  43

  1996

  1

  47

  48

  1997

  1

  72

  73

  Welsh Highland Railway
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to announce the outcome of the public inquiry into the reopening of the Welsh Highland Railway by the Ffestiniog Railway Company; and if he will make a statement. [49010]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Inspector's report following the public local inquiry is being considered by the Secretary of State. A decision will be made as soon as possible.

  Action with Communities in Rural England
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he made to the Minister for Agriculture about the title of the latter's recent speech to Action with Communities in Rural England. [49016]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 6 July 1998]: None.

  Non-domestic Rates
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what were the total amounts(a) collected throughout Greater London in non-domestic rates and (b) received by the London boroughs from the national non-domestic rates pool in the most recent year for which figures are available. [49422]

  Mr. Raynsford
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer my hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Local Government gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Brigg and Goole (Mr. Cawsey), on 18 May 1998,Official Report, column 220.

  Otterburn
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to receive the report of the inspector at the public inquiry into the Ministry of Defence notice of proposed development at Otterburn army field training centre; and when he expects to announce his decision. [48677]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 6 July 1998]: The public inquiry into the proposed development at Otterburn took place in April 1997. Because this has been

  479
  a large and complex inquiry, the Inspector's report has taken some time to produce but should be available later this Summer. The Secretary of State will consider the report and announce his decision as quickly as possible thereafter.

  Water Surges
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to make water companies responsible for damage caused by water surges. [48862]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 6 July 1998]: Water Companies are liable under the Water Industry Act 1991, section 209, for damage caused by surges on pipes which are vested in the water company itself. Water companies are not responsible under this Act for damage caused on private property resulting from water surges, although a customer may have recourse through common law, if negligence or a fault on the part of the water company can be proved to have caused the damage. At the present time, we have no plans to increase water companies' responsibility in this area.

  Rent Reviews
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to speed up the process of rent reviews. [48806]

  Mr. Raynsford
  [holding answer 6 July 1998]: I assume that the hon. Gentleman is referring to commercial rents. Landlords and tenants agree procedures for rent reviews when negotiating leases. The efficiency of these arrangements is a matter for the parties concerned and their professional advisers. We have no plans to introduce statutory controls, but we are discussing with the professional bodies proposals for a new scheme that would make rent reviews for small business properties cheaper and simpler to determine.

  HFCs
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what recent research(a) his Department and (b) the European Commission has commissioned into HFCs; and if he will place copies of the completed reports in the Library; [49154]

  (2) if he will place in the Library a copy of the technical background advice on HFCs commissioned from March Consulting. [49155]

  Angela Eagle
  The report of a study carried out by March Consulting entitled,UK Use and Emissions of Selected Halocarbons, was placed in the Library in August 1996. The Government have recently commissioned further research from March Consulting into current and likely future emissions of HFCs from the UK. Copies of the completed report will be placed in the Library when it is published. The European Commission is also funding research into HFCs, and copies of any report will be placed in the Library when it is available.

  Sewage Pipes
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 16 June 1998,Official Report, column 131, if pipes and fittings which comply with the draft water industry specification for plastic sewage pipes will also be deemed acceptable for use in drainage systems which need to comply with the requirements of Part H of the Building Regulations. [47759]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The requirements of the Building Regulations are cast in functional terms and do not prescribe specific solutions. The Approved Document to Part H of the Building Regulations provides guidance on how that requirement may be met. This guidance includes a list of materials which may be used for below-ground drainage pipes, and the relevant British Standards. However, products which conform to other standards may also be acceptable.

  The pipes and fittings which are the subject of the draft water industry specification for plastic sewage pipes are innovative, and are not covered by the British Standards mentioned in the Approved Document to Part H of the Building Regulations. The draft water industry specification sets out the test criteria to enable the pipes to be judged fit for their intended purpose. These tests use similar performance criteria to those in the British Standards for more conventional pipes. Pipes and fittings which comply with the draft water industry specification for plastic sewage pipes should therefore be acceptable for use in drainage systems which need to comply with the requirements of Part H of the Building Regulations.

  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 16 June 1998,Official Report, column 131, if the draft water industry specification for plastic sewage pipes will be expected to comply with the requirements of Part H of the Building Regulations. [47760]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The draft water industry specification for plastic sewage pipes refers to pipes for use in sewers, and sets out the test criteria to enable pipes to be judged fit for their intended purpose. The requirements of Part H of the Building Regulations indicate the performance standards required for buildings with regard to foul water drainage, cesspools, septic tanks and settlement tanks, rainwater drainage and solid waste storage. The section relevant to sewers is H1, which states any system which conveys foul water shall be adequate.

  However, the criteria which are used to demonstrate that a foul water drain is adequate and meets Requirement H1 are similar to those of the sewerage undertakers who specify the requirements for sewers. As a result, plastic sewage pipes which meet the draft water industry specification can normally be expected to comply with the requirements of Part H of the Building Regulations.

  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 16 June 1998,Official Report, column 131, what are his reasons for accepting different specifications and requirements for pipes used in the construction of gravity sewers from pipes used in household drainage, with particular reference to water jetting resistance ranging from 1,900 to 5,000 pounds per square inch. [47761]
  481
  Mr. Raynsford
  The Code of Practice for Sewer Jetting provides guidance on good practice when using high pressure water jetting equipment for unblocking and cleaning drains and sewers. It says that house drains should not be jetted at pressures exceeding 1,900 pounds per square inch. 5,000 pounds per square inch is the maximum pressure at which this guidance indicates sewers may be jetted, and this pressure applies to pipes in good structural condition laid in materials such as clay or concrete.

  This document was prepared by the water industry, and the specifications within it are thus not formally endorsed by the Secretary of State.

  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 16 June 1998,Official Report, column 131, what plans he has to ensure that all plastic drainage and sewage pipes withstand cleaning by high pressure water jetting. [47762]

  Mr. Raynsford
  A Code of Practice for Sewer Jetting has been produced by the water industry. In addition, the draft Water Industry Standard for plastic sewer pipes includes a test for resistance to jetting. Given that the industry is already regulating itself in this way, it is not considered that there is any need for the Government to intervene.

  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 16 June 1998,Official Report, column 131, for what reasons pipes which comply with the draft water industry specification for plastic sewers may have a water jetting resistance of 1,900 pounds per square inch; what account he took of (a) the maximum recommended pressures set out in the Code of Practice in determining this level and (b) the requirement of Part H of the Building Regulations to minimise the risk of blockage and leakage. [47763]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The draft Water Industry Specification for plastic sewer pipes gives 1,900 pounds per square inch as the maximum pressure for jetting sewers or drains where the composition or condition is unknown. However, this Specification was not prepared by my Department but was drawn up under the direction of the UK Water Industry Engineering and Operations Committee.

  Rough Sleepers
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much has been spent to deal with problems of rough sleepers in each of the past five years in(a) England, (b) London and (c) Bristol; and what estimate he has made of the total numbers of rough sleepers in each location for each of those years. [49183]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The first two phases of the Rough Sleepers Initiative (1990–93 and 1993–96) were focused entirely on central London where the problem of rough sleeping was at its most acute. During that time, the Government provided £182 million to help rough sleepers in the capital to start a new life away from the streets. Under the third phase of the RSI (1996–99) a further £73 million has been provided and help has been extended to cover new areas in London as well as 27 other areas 482
  including Bristol. Of the total resources available up to the end of March 1999, around £8 million will have been spent under the RSI on dealing with rough sleeping in Bristol.

  No figures are available for the total numbers of rough sleepers in (a) England, (b) London and (c) Bristol for each of the last five years. This is because rough sleeping is a fluid rather than a static problem and the number of individuals sleeping rough will be different each night. In four main areas of central London, outreach work by voluntary organisations in 1996–97, identified 2,381 individuals who slept rough at some time during the course of that year. No such detailed information exists for other areas, although Shelter have estimated that around 2,000 people may be sleeping rough on any one night throughout England. The most recent single night survey of people sleeping in areas of central London surveyed since 1992 found 282 people sleeping rough, down from estimates of more than 1,000 before the Initiative began. In Bristol, the most recent single night count for which figures have been published found 32 people sleeping rough.

  The Social Exclusion Unit have today published their report to the Prime Minister on Rough Sleeping which sets the tough target of reducing the level of rough sleeping by two thirds by 2002.

  Billiton
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has made to Billiton plc. regarding the social and environmental implications of their proposed Eastern Cape Zinc Refinery Project, South Africa. [49426]

  Angela Eagle
  None.

  Multinationals (OECD Guidelines)
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what consultations his Department has had with the Department of Trade and Industry regarding the current review of the OECD guidelines on multinational enterprises. [49160]

  Angela Eagle
  The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions and the Department of Trade and Industry have been liaising at official level on the review (in the form of meetings and internal communications) in preparation for the recent meeting on the guidelines at OECD in Paris. Departments will continue to liaise.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  National Grid for Learning
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to ensure that funds allocated to schools via the National Grid for Learning are sufficient to cover the costs of necessary infrastructure, with particular reference to electric points and security systems. [48087]

  Mr. Byers
  The National Grid for Learning Standards Fund supports expenditure of over £100 million in 1998–99. It has been allocated to support schools'
  483
  investment in local network infrastructure, including costs associated with their installation, maintenance and use. Related improvements to buildings and services are the responsibility of the LEA or school governors.

  Schools would be expected to take full account of the security implications of such investments at an early stage in the planning cycle and guidance is freely available from the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency to help them in this process. Grants are available from the Standards Fund to support improvements in the security of school premises, including of IT equipment.

  Businesses (Training)
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what measures his Department is taking to increase the availability of good quality training facilities in Coventry. [48535]

  Dr. Howells
  The Government fund a range of national programmes, through the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, Training and Enterprise. This organisation is charged with ensuring—in partnership with all key players—that the availability of training facilities, the mix of different programmes and the location of their delivery are appropriate to the needs of the area. These needs are developed in partnership, with the Chamber in the strategic lead, and are reviewed on a regular basis in consultation with the Government Office through an in-year and annual business planning process.

  With regard to the quality of training and facilities, all Chambers and Training and Enterprise Councils are required to have in place a system of quality assurance which meets quality standards defined by my Department. The Chamber goes through a licensing and 3 year re-licensing process and, more recently, within the context of re-licensing we have introduced the Business Excellence Model as an additional measure designed to drive up standards.

  The National Training Standards Council has been set up and it will inspect and report on all Government funded training; it is anticipated that the Council will, over a 4 year timescale, inspect all training providers. The focus of the inspections will be on what the trainees receive and the benefits which accrue to them as customers of this training.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the role of training in encouraging the growth of small firms. [48532]

  Dr. Howells
  The Department does not have statistical proof of the effect of training on the growth of small firms, because it is too difficult to isolate the impact of training from other factors including the wider economy. However, some small firms have reported growth in terms of employment, productivity, turnover and profitability as a result of training. Research on the issue was reviewed in a DfEE Research Report by David Storey and Paul Westhead in 1997 which is available in the Library.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much was allocated through his Department to small and medium enterprises for training purposes in each of the five years up to 1997. [48533]
  484
  Dr. Howells
  The Department contracts with, and funds, Training and Enterprise Councils to arrange work based training for young people and unemployed adults, and to support organisations to be recognised as Investors in People. Many small and medium enterprises are involved with, and benefit from these initiatives locally. However, we do not have information about the split of funding between different sized enterprises.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what statistics his Department has collated on the effect of training on staff turnover rates in small and medium firms in the United Kingdom. [48536]

  Dr. Howells
  Studies investigating the relationship between training and labour turnover typically use data from surveys of individuals, so statistics are not available on the effect of training on turnover by firm size. A recent study by the Institute for Fiscal Studies used data from the Labour Force Survey and National Child Development Study to examine this relationship, and found that labour mobility was lower for individuals who had previously received work-related training, particularly if this training was employer-funded.

  Class Sizes
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if Government funding will be provided to non-denominational schools for new classrooms in order to meet the target of class sizes of 30 or under for five to seven year olds. [49292]

  Mr. Byers
  Yes. Denominational and non-denominational schools alike will benefit from the £40 million allocated to reduce infant class sizes, announced on 3 July.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many Church primary schools in Chorley will benefit from Government funding for new classrooms in order to reduce class sizes to 30 or under. [49291]

  Mr. Byers
  St. Laurence Church of England Primary School, Chorley, the only Church primary school in Chorley put forward, has been allocated £66,329 in 1998–99 to fund an additional classroom to reduce infant class sizes to 30 or below. More funding will be made available in future years where additional classrooms are needed to reduce infant class sizes.

  Mr. Ennis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the average class size in(a) primary and (b) secondary schools in (i) Barnsley and (ii) Doncaster. [45823]

  Mr. Byers
  The latest available information for Barnsley and Doncaster Local Education Authority areas is shown in the table.

  Average size of classes taught by one teacher in maintained Primary and secondary schools—January 1998 (Provisional)

  Primary

  secondary

  Barnsley LEA area

  29.1

  23.4

  Doncaster LEA area

  28.2

  21.5

  485
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the costs of reducing class sizes to under 30 for all pupils in the first three years of school in the years(a) 1998–99 and (b) 1999–2000. [48361]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 6 July 1998]: Our pledge is to reduce infant class sizes to 30 or below by the end of the Parliament using the savings made from phasing out the Assisted Places Scheme. For 1998–99, we have allocated £62 million for extra teachers and classrooms to help LEAs and schools to begin to achieve the pledge.

  Lifelong Learning
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what measures he has taken to involve the over-60s in lifelong learning. [49428]

  Dr. Howells
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment published his proposals for lifelong learning for all in the Green Paper,The Learning Age: A Renaissance for a New Britain (Cm 3790), on 25 February. We would welcome comments on these proposals from people of all ages, including the over-60s. Access to learning will also play a part in the Better Government for Older People programme launched by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 5 June.

  Seasonal Work (Horticulture)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he is taking to facilitate the recruitment of United Kingdom nationals for seasonal work in horticulture. [49190]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  We are looking at disincentives to work, including the position of seasonal workers, as part of the welfare state review. We are aware that administrative procedures associated with making a repeat claim for Jobseeker's Allowance, following short periods of casual work, can act as a disincentive for unemployed people to take up such opportunities. DfEE, along with those in the Department of Social Security, are considering ways in which the process can be made simpler, in order to address the disincentives which exist. Jobseekers can already use a shortened repeat claim form where they return to Jobseeker's Allowance within two weeks of leaving.

  Education Action Zones
  Mr. Cunliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the terms of the education action zone to be implemented in Wigan. [48447]

  Mr. Byers
  Wigan Education Action Zone, which covers the West Leigh area of Wigan, will start in January 1999. It will receive some £3,000,000 in additional funding over a 3 year period.
  486
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the names of each school covered by each of the education action zones announced on 23 June, indicating for each the latest available GCSE results or Key Stage 2 results as appropriate. [47815]

  Mr. Byers
  The information requested is shown in a table, copies of which have been placed in the Library.

  New Deal(Costs)
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much has been spent on the New Deal programme to get 18 to 25 year olds back to work in the year 1997–98; and what are the estimated costs for(a) 1998–99 and (b) 1999–2000. [48509]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  [holding answer 6 July 1998]: The provisional amount spent on the New Deal for Young People (18 to 24 year olds) for 1997–98 is £36 million. The majority of this amount represents expenditure incurred centrally in supporting the early implementation of the New Deal. A final figure will be available by the end of August. The New Deal is financed from the receipts of the Windfall Tax on the privatised utilities. Expenditure is planned over the Parliament as a whole and unspent resources in any single year are available for spending on the New Deal in future years.

  The estimated cost for 1998–99 is £594 million and for 1999–2000 £675 million. The New Deal is demand led and actual provision for any particular year will be decided in the light of the level of unemployment and experience gained in running the New Deal.

  The above figures are for Great Britain and reflect the cost of the New Deal for Young People to the Department for Education and Employment.

  Further Education Colleges (Hampshire)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the current financial state of further education colleges in Hampshire. [48569]

  Dr. Howells
  The Further Education Funding Council keeps under review the financial status of further education colleges in England.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the number of further education colleges in Hampshire incapable of fulfilling their duty to provide adequate and sufficient facilities to their students. [48568]

  Dr. Howells
  The Further Education Funding Council has a statutory duty to ensure that there are adequate and sufficient facilities for further education in England.

  Higher Education
  Mr. Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the percentage of 16 year olds in(a) Kent schools and (b) schools in other shire counties in the year 1996–97 who entered higher education. [48820]
  487
  Dr. Howells
  Available information on higher education participation rates of 16 to 19 year olds from Kent, other shire counties and the whole of England is given in the following table.

  Entrants to higher education courses at UK higher education institutions in 1997–98 by age and region of domicile and as a proportion of the regional population

  Domicile

  Age1

  Entrants

  Population2

  Proportion (per cent.)

  Kent

  16

  1

  19,729

  0

  17

  49

  19,603

  0

  18

  3,729

  18,724

  20

  19

  1,733

  16,984

  10

  Other Shire Counties3

  16

  24

  368,704

  0

  17

  908

  371,891

  0

  18

  73,076

  357,310

  20

  19

  34,136

  325,028

  11

  England

  16

  55

  611,215

  0

  17

  1,517

  621,690

  0

  18

  118,009

  605,296

  19

  19

  57,688

  558,083

  10

  1Age as at 31 August 1997

  2Populations at 1 January 1998, by age at 31 August 1997. Based on projections from the Government Actuary's Department and the Office for National Statistics

  3Includes the following regions as they existed prior to local government reorganisation in 1997: Avon, Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Cheshire, Cleveland, Cornwall, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Devon, Dorset, Durham, East Sussex, Essex, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Hereford and Worcester, Hertfordshire, Humberside, Isle of Wight, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, North Yorkshire, Northamptonshire, Northumberland, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Shropshire, Somerset, Staffordshire, Suffolk, Surrey, Warwickshire, West Sussex, Wiltshire

  Schools (North Tyneside)
  Mr. Alan Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the(a) first and (b) primary schools in North Tyneside which currently have a budget (i) surplus and (ii) deficit. [48539]

  Mr. Byers
  Information on the position at the end of the financial year 1997–98 is not yet available centrally. It will be available when local education authorities publish their outturn statements in the Autumn. I will write to my hon. Friend in due course, and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library.

  Secondary Schools (Performance Targets)
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is his latest estimate of cost for the recently announced programme of national performance targeting for secondary schools; and if he will make a statement. [48179]

  Mr. Byers
  Target-setting is good practice and many schools already set targets for pupil attainment. The requirement for secondary schools to set targets for pupils' achievement at the end of Key Stage 4 will not require additional resources.

  Teachers (Restraint Procedures)
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many teachers have undergone training in approved restraint procedures. [47885]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  This information is not available.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what guidelines his Department has issued to schools on the training of teachers in approved restraint procedures. [47886]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The Department has not issued any specific guidance about this. We intend to issue guidance to schools in July about the provisions of Section 550A of the Education Act 1996 which comes into force on 1 September. That clarifies the powers teachers have to use reasonable force to control or restrain pupils. Amongst other things, the guidance will discuss the circumstances in which physical intervention might be appropriate, and the factors teachers should bear in mind when deciding whether to intervene. We are also considering guidance to assist staff in choosing strategies for restraining pupils who present challenging behaviour and may have special educational needs.

  Special Educational Needs
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what guidelines his Department has issued to pupil referral units on the enrolment or non-enrolment of children on their registers. [47888]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The Department has provided guidance on this matter to pupil referral units in Circular 11/94 'The Education by LEAs of Children Otherwise than at School'. We will be consulting on revised guidance on the education of children out of school, including in pupil referral units, later this year.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list(a) the primary and (b) the secondary independent schools with the facility of emotional and behavioural difficulties specialty by local authority in England. [47993]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The requested information is given in tables which have been placed in the Library. List A shows independent schools approved under s.347(1) of the Education Act 1996 for the admission of pupils with statements of special educational need specifying emotional and behavioural difficulties, by authority in which the school is situated and by age range specified in its terms of approval. List B shows schools with provisional or final registration under s.465 of the Act which have indicated that they can cater for this group of pupils: in most cases this has been verified by OFSTED but such verification may still be awaited for a few recently registered schools. Before a local education authority places a child with a statement in one of the schools on List B, it requires the consent of the Secretary of State under s.347(5)(b) of the Act.

  Jobcentres
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how many jobcentres were(a) open and (b) closed in each region in each of the last 10 years; and how many closures are currently planned; [48297]
  489
  (2) if he will list the name and location of each jobcentre which has been designated for closure. [48294]

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

  Letter from Leigh Lewis to Mr. Harry Barnes, dated 1998:
  As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions concerning the opening and closure of Employment Service Jobcentres. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
  It may be helpful if I explain that the Employment Service's Agency Framework Document includes provision for the Chief Executive of the Agency to make changes to the Jobcentre network. This provision reflects the need to make adjustments from time to time in response to changing circumstances and needs.
  With regard to your question on the numbers of Jobcentres which have been opened and closed over the last ten years, I regret that I am not able to provide the full information you have requested. Between 1989 and 1995 the Employment Service rationalised its estate through a programme of 'integration' which brought together the previously separate networks of Jobcentres and Unemployment Benefit Offices. During this period the Employment Service estate was reduced by over 900 offices to a total of approximately 1,030 locations. Since December 1995, 10 Jobcentres have been closed and details of these are shown in the attached annex.
  As far as planned closures are concerned, we are currently proposing closure of Dronfield and Eckington Jobcentres in Derbyshire, following public consultation, and considering closure of Liphook Jobcentre in Hampshire and Padiham Jobcentre in Lancashire on which public consultation is currently taking place.
  I hope this is helpful.

  Annex

  Office

  Area

  Full/part time

  Date of closure

  Gorleston

  Norfolk

  Part time

  December 1995

  Bourne

  Lincolnshire

  Full time

  March 1996

  Kirkby in Ashfield

  Nottinghamshire

  Part time

  March 1996

  Blaenavon

  Wales

  Part time

  July 1996

  Kidwelly

  Wales

  Part time

  July 1996

  Pontardulais

  Wales

  Part time

  July 1996

  Penygroes

  Wales

  Part time

  July 1996

  Buckley

  Wales

  Part time

  August 1996

  Burgess Hill

  West Sussex

  Full time

  September 1996

  Stocksbridge outreach facility1

  Sheffield

  Part time

  December 1996

  1Stocksbridge outreach facility was a local arrangement maintained on a part-time basis by staff from Hillsborough Jobcentre

  Mathematics
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to implement the recommendations concerning better contact between schools, examining bodies, the inspectorate and professional mathematicians contained in the 1995 report, "Tackling the Mathematics Problem". [48837]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  I understand that the 1995 Report's recommendations were considered by the Government of the day and their response was made publicly available.
  490
  The Department for Education and Employment has given top priority to raising standards in mathematics. The Numeracy Task Force established by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, which includes as a member one of the authors of the Report, has been considering the available evidence relating to mathematics. The Task Force's main objective has been to establish a national strategy to raise standards in mathematics in order to reach the national numeracy target by 2002. Its preliminary report, Numeracy Matters, was the subject of wide consultation earlier this year. Its final report, which will be published shortly, will contain firm recommendations and a practical agenda for implementing the National Numeracy Strategy.

  The National Curriculum review for 2000, on which work has begun, will reflect the priority being given to raising standards in mathematics.

  Welfare-to-work Programme
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many firms have made offers of permanent employment as part of their commitment to the welfare-to-work programme. [47039]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Over 15,000 employers have so far signed formal Employer Agreements committing them to considering New Deal candidates for vacancies.

  Education (Hereford and Worcester)
  Mr. Michael J. Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the education standard spending assessment adjusted for local government reorganisation and nursery vouchers(a) 1992–93, (b) 1993–94, (c) 1994–95, (d) 1995–96, (e) 1996–97, (f) 1997–98 and (g) 1998–99 for Hereford and Worcester local education authorities (i) in cash terms and (ii) at 1998–99 prices. [47316]

  Mr. Byers
  The table sets out the education SSA for Hereford and Worcester local education authority for each year since 1992–93 in cash terms and in 1998–99 prices. The table also sets out in cash and real terms the year-on-year changes after allowing for local authority changes of function, including nursery vouchers.

  £ million

  Year

  Education SSA

  Year-on-year cash change

  Education SSA at 98–99 prices

  Year-on-year real terms change

  1992–93

  241.9

  —

  282.5

  —

  1993–94

  211.6

  2.6

  240.1

  -3.5

  1994–95

  216.5

  4.9

  242.1

  1.8

  1995–96

  219.8

  4.8

  239.1

  -1.2

  1996–97

  229.0

  9.2

  242.0

  2.8

  1997–98

  230.8

  5.8

  237.5

  -0.3

  1998–99

  245.0

  10.3

  245.0

  3.5

  Notes:

  1. The year-on-year cash and real terms changes take account of local authority changes of function such as nursery vouchers and the transfer in 1993–94 of responsibility for most further education to the Further Education Funding Council

  2. The figures for 1998–99 represent the aggregate totals for Herefordshire and Worcestershire

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how staff numbers in his Department have varied between 1 May 1997 and 31 March 1998. [48882]

  Dr. Howells
  Information on staff numbers in the Department and the Employment Service can be found in Annex F of the Department's Annual Report (Cm 3910) and in the Civil Service Staff in Post Summaries for 1 April 1997 and 1 January 1998. Copies of these publications are available in the Library. Information on the numbers employed at 1 May 1997 and 31 March 1998 is not readily available. The next Civil Service Staff in Post Summary—for 1 April 1998—will be published by the Cabinet Office.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment 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. [48847]

  Dr. Howells
  The Department fully recognises the importance of doing all it can to minimise the effect of the Year 2000 problem. Remedial action to adapt and test all our computer systems is underway. Within my department, we have identified the systems on which we depend for the conduct of normal business. As we test the effectiveness of remedial action (during the course of this year), we will assess the impact of system failure and develop appropriate contingency arrangements for each one. We are also in the process of identifying key technical personnel who will need to be available over the Millennium period.

  GCSE achievements of 15 year old pupils entered for GCSE science subjects, in Norfolk schools from 1992 to 1997 (maintained schools only)

  Grades achieved by 15 year old pupils entered

  A1

  A

  B

  C

  D

  E

  F

  G

  U

  X

  Total

  1991–921

  Single Award Science

  —

  42

  80

  409

  354

  384

  313

  158

  78

  75

  1,893

  Double Award Science

  —

  510

  570

  1,484

  1,027

  746

  437

  162

  48

  44

  5,026

  Other Science

  —

  2

  4

  16

  15

  28

  17

  11

  4

  9

  106

  1992–931

  Single Award Science

  —

  23

  56

  285

  297

  301

  251

  143

  93

  71

  1,520

  Double Award Science

  —

  433

  534

  1,667

  1,074

  769

  454

  240

  92

  48

  5,309

  Other Science

  —

  2

  5

  20

  17

  29

  22

  15

  5

  6

  121

  1993–941

  Single Award Science

  0

  10

  82

  88

  268

  328

  261

  126

  68

  48

  1,279

  Double Award Science

  144

  331

  1,313

  1,089

  1,295

  887

  430

  120

  47

  97

  5,752

  Other Science

  0

  2

  5

  8

  8

  11

  6

  1

  2

  5

  48

  1994–95

  Biological Science

  0

  3

  12

  6

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  23

  Chemistry

  1

  2

  6

  14

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  24

  Physics

  3

  6

  11

  2

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  24

  Single Award Science

  2

  8

  85

  135

  332

  376

  244

  103

  38

  69

  1,392

  Double Award Science

  206

  410

  1,214

  1,457

  1,252

  893

  386

  88

  35

  105

  6,044

  Other Science

  0

  3

  3

  7

  13

  22

  7

  1

  0

  2

  58

  492
  The Employment Service, who provide vital services to the public, are developing and improving existing contingency plans to ensure they address Year 2000 issues. These will cover all services as appropriate.

  We are also working closely with other organisations in the education, training, and employment sectors to encourage them to develop contingency measures where appropriate, especially where services to the citizen could be affected.

  Chemistry Students
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the effectiveness of the A-level chemistry curriculum and exam in preparing students for degree courses in chemistry and biochemistry. [48744]

  Dr. Howells
  The 1996 joint report by the School Curriculum and Assessment Authority (SCAA) and the Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED) on examination standards over time concluded that there was some evidence of a marginal reduction in the knowledge and understanding demonstrated by A level Chemistry candidates between 1975 and 1995, but that it did not appear that any change in attainment of those entering undergraduate courses in chemistry had adversely affected the distribution of final degree classes over recent years. The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority is currently drawing up new criteria for all A level syllabuses which will reflect the recommendations in the SCAA/OFSTED report for ensuring that A level standards are maintained.

  Science Students
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what were the achievement grades at(a) A-level and (b) GCSE in each of the science subjects in Norfolk schools in each of the years 1992 to 1997. [41160]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 8 May 1998]: The information requested for GCE A levels and GCSEs is shown in the following table.
  493

  GCSE achievements of 15 year old pupils entered for GCSE science subjects, in Norfolk schools from 1992 to 1997 (maintained schools only)

  Grades achieved by 15 year old pupils entered

  A1

  A

  B

  C

  D

  E

  F

  G

  U

  X

  Total

  1995–96

  Biological Science

  1

  7

  25

  15

  3

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  52

  Chemistry

  3

  4

  19

  23

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  51

  Physics

  2

  9

  16

  16

  7

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  51

  Single Award Science

  1

  9

  109

  171

  369

  375

  251

  88

  57

  56

  1,486

  Double Award Science

  200

  497

  1,209

  1,382

  1,342

  897

  447

  109

  79

  94

  6,255

  Other Science

  5

  11

  15

  19

  19

  19

  16

  4

  3

  4

  115

  1996–97

  Biological Science

  0

  3

  9

  7

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  20

  Chemistry

  1

  2

  6

  11

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  21

  Physics

  1

  0

  9

  9

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  19

  Single Award Science

  1

  14

  101

  129

  347

  331

  233

  86

  42

  30

  1,314

  Double Award Science

  233

  553

  1,290

  1,459

  1,407

  847

  392

  98

  68

  106

  6,453

  Other Science

  2

  7

  15

  27

  10

  14

  6

  4

  3

  2

  90

  1Less than 10 candidates were entered for GCSE biology, chemistry or physics in 1991–92 to 1993–94

  GCE A level achievements of 16–18 year old pupils entered for science subjects, in Norfolk schools from 1992 to 1997 (maintained schools only)

  Grades achieved by 16–18 year old pupils entered

  A

  B

  C

  D

  E

  N

  U

  X

  Total

  1991–92

  Biological Science

  21

  48

  66

  77

  89

  49

  43

  5

  398

  Chemistry

  26

  54

  57

  51

  58

  30

  40

  2

  318

  Physics

  33

  46

  44

  69

  61

  55

  44

  2

  354

  Other Science

  4

  5

  9

  21

  10

  4

  4

  0

  57

  1992–93

  Biological Sciences

  30

  45

  46

  75

  71

  48

  23

  3

  341

  Chemistry

  17

  31

  47

  37

  23

  31

  30

  2

  218

  Physics

  31

  31

  47

  43

  39

  26

  30

  2

  249

  Other Science

  5

  5

  3

  11

  6

  5

  3

  0

  38

  1993–94

  Biological Sciences

  41

  59

  76

  83

  83

  43

  33

  4

  422

  Chemistry

  45

  34

  36

  42

  35

  32

  27

  2

  253

  Physics

  51

  50

  38

  38

  34

  24

  12

  0

  247

  Other Science

  11

  16

  6

  16

  8

  6

  2

  0

  65

  1994–95

  Biological Sciences

  52

  64

  63

  90

  61

  36

  25

  5

  396

  Chemistry

  46

  34

  39

  40

  28

  23

  15

  3

  228

  Physics

  41

  34

  34

  48

  39

  17

  7

  1

  221

  Other Science

  8

  4

  15

  13

  15

  5

  0

  0

  60

  1995–96

  Biological Sciences

  33

  54

  64

  91

  85

  53

  39

  2

  421

  Chemistry

  36

  39

  45

  44

  37

  11

  3

  0

  215

  Physics

  41

  30

  44

  47

  48

  18

  10

  2

  240

  Other Science

  7

  4

  9

  19

  6

  6

  0

  0

  51

  1996–97

  Biological Sciences

  49

  76

  74

  108

  74

  38

  26

  2

  447

  Chemistry

  57

  49

  51

  39

  53

  22

  16

  0

  287

  Physics

  47

  42

  47

  37

  30

  15

  9

  2

  229

  Other Science

  3

  7

  10

  10

  11

  4

  1

  0

  46

  494

  GCSE/GNVQ Scores
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what were the average GCSE 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 point scores, the number of pupils and the average number of GCSEs entered per pupil in each group; what proportions

  Average GCSE point scores for 1997

  Males

  Females

  Males and Females

  Number of 15 year olds

  Average number of attempts

  GCSE points

  Number of 15 year olds

  Average number of attempts

  GCSE points

  Number of 15 year olds

  Average number of attempts

  GCSE points

  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

  3.0

  29,339

  2.9

  1.3

  14,975

  4.7

  5.8

  14,363

  6.4

  11.4

  29,338

  5.4

  8.1

  14,976

  6.5

  11.4

  14,362

  7.7

  17.9

  29,338

  7.1

  14.2

  14,975

  7.4

  16.0

  14,363

  8.2

  22.9

  29,339

  7.8

  19.1

  14,976

  7.9

  20.0

  14,363

  8.5

  26.8

  29,338

  8.2

  23.2

  14,975

  8.3

  23.5

  14,363

  8.7

  30.3

  29,338

  8.5

  26.7

  14,976

  8.5

  26.8

  14,363

  8.9

  33.4

  29,338

  8.7

  30.0

  14,975

  8.7

  29.9

  14,363

  9.0

  36.3

  29,339

  8.9

  33.1

  14,976

  8.9

  33.0

  14,363

  9.1

  39.0

  29,338

  9.0

  36.0

  14,975

  9.0

  35.9

  14,362

  9.1

  41.7

  29,338

  9.1

  38.8

  14,975

  9.1

  38.7

  14,363

  9.2

  44.3

  29,339

  9.2

  41.6

  14,976

  9.2

  41.6

  14,363

  9.3

  46.9

  29,338

  9.2

  44.3

  14,975

  9.2

  44.4

  14,363

  9.3

  49.3

  29,338

  9.3

  47.0

  14,976

  9.3

  47.2

  14,363

  9.4

  51.9

  29,339

  9.4

  49.7

  14,975

  9.4

  50.2

  14,363

  9.4

  54.6

  29,338

  9.4

  52.6

  14,976

  9.5

  53.5

  14,362

  9.5

  57.4

  29,338

  9.5

  55.6

  14,975

  9.6

  57.3

  14,363

  9.6

  60.7

  29,338

  9.6

  59.2

  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

  7.9

  33.5

  287,257

  8.3

  38.3

  586,766

  8.1

  35.8

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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. [48845]

  Mr. Morley
  In recognition of the importance of the Year 2000 issue, the Department has established a major programme of work and intends that all business critical systems will be millennium compliant by April 1999. However, in case of possible failure of some systems to recognise the Year 2000, we are following central (CCTA) advice on contingency planning and related risk management.

  Contingency plans are being prepared for all key systems/areas and will be in place by mid-1999. Key elements of the plans will be tested in the same timescale.

  Dairy Farm Inspections
  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the circumstances which necessitate the carrying out of unaccompanied inspections of dairy farms by inspectors 496
  of pupils in each group also took (i) an intermediate GNVQ, and (ii) a foundation GNVQ, indicating the numbers gaining each grade. [44955]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 9 June 1998]: The information requested in respect of average GCSE point scores for 1997 is shown in the following table. However, information on the proportion of pupils in each group who took GNVQs is not available.

  from the Farming and Rural Conservation Agency when the farmer is absent at the time of the inspector's unannounced visit. [48754]

  Mr. Rooker
  Normally inspections are not made where no one is available on the farm. However, if conditions appear very bad, a list of faults is left on the farm. The producer is contacted as soon as possible after the visit by the Dairy Hygiene Inspector to discuss the situation. Such a visit is chargeable.

  Dairy Products
  Mr. Greenway
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to review the Dairy Products (Hygiene) Regulations to improve their compatibility with Welfare of Animals Regulations. [48755]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Dairy Products (Hygiene) Regulations 1995 (as amended) already lay down animal health standards, and conditions for housing of animals, as well as general conditions of hygiene for production holdings which require that all animals should be clean and well kept. I am not aware of any incompatibility with welfare legislation.

  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list those countries which have an import ban on UK dairy products; and if he will make a statement. [48644]
  497
  Mr. Rooker
  The countries which have an import ban on UK dairy products are Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Uzbekistan, Guatemala, Tanzania, Tunisia, Argentina, Guinea Bissau and Syria. Action taken by the Government to encourage these bans to be lifted includes the provision of evidence from independent bodies including the World Health Organisation, the International Epizootics Organisation, the European Union's Scientific and Standing Veterinary Committees and the UK Spongiform Encephalophy Advisory Committee (SEAC), confirming the safety of UK dairy products in relation to BSE. Similar bans in a number of other countries have now been lifted.

  MAFF staff in post summary table

  Permanent staff

  Casual staff

  Total staff

  Department/Agency

  1 April 1997

  1 January 1998

  1 April 1997

  1 January 1998

  1 April 1997

  1 January 1998

  Core MAFF

  5,649

  5,748

  629

  614

  6,278

  6,362

  Farming and Rural Conservation Agency

  436

  512

  55

  60

  491

  572

  Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science

  410

  409

  23

  27

  433

  436

  Central Science Laboratory

  521

  549

  44

  22

  565

  571

  Meat Hygiene Service

  796

  905

  415

  539

  1,211

  1,444

  Pesticides Safety Directorate

  194

  192

  13

  13

  207

  205

  Veterinary Laboratories Agency

  986

  992

  39

  45

  1,025

  1,037

  Veterinary Medicines Directorate

  100

  105

  4

  2

  104

  107

  MAFF total

  9,092

  9,412

  1,222

  1,322

  10,314

  10,734

  Note:

  Staff numbers expressed as Full-Time Equivalents (FTE) with part-time staff counted as a proportion of net conditioned hours worked.

  Ruminants (Foodstuffs)
  Mr. Tyler
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on what date his Department was informed of the Swedish Government's ban on the use of animal remains for foodstuffs to ruminants; what action was taken in the UK; and if he will make a statement. [49309]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Swedish Government banned the incorporation of meat and bone products in ruminant feed in December 1990. This ban was extended, in December 1993, to include all products from ruminants except fats, milk and milk products, and amended in February 1995 to prohibit protein derived from mammalian tissues.

  An EU-wide ban on the feeding of mammalian protein to ruminants was introduced on 27 June 1994. It therefore falls to the EC Commission to ensure that Member States comply.

  Quarantine
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consultation the Advisory Group on Quarantine has had with disability organisations about prioritising quarantine reform in respect of guide dogs and hearing dogs. [49290]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Advisory Group on Quarantine has sought the views of Hearing Dogs for the Deaf, the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association and the Royal National Institute for the Blind on specific points relating to its

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how staff numbers in his Department have varied between 1 May 1997 and 31 March 1998. [48877]

  Mr. Morley
  Figures from 1 May 1997 to 31 March 1998 are not readily available. The latest comparable information published in the quarterly Civil Service Statistics covers the period 1 April 1997 to 1 January 1998 and is detailed in the table. This shows how the numbers of staff in my Department and its Agencies have varied between the two dates. Quarterly Civil Service Statistics are available in the Library of the House and on the Internet.

  review of rabies control policy. The Advisory Group has also received advice from the Joint Committee on Mobility of Blind and Partially Sighted People.

  Fishing Limits
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food under which procedure the derogation permitting six and 12-mile fishing limits will be renewable, and if unanimity will apply. [49328]

  Mr. Morley
  Renewal of the restrictions on access by foreign fishing vessels within Member States' 6 and 12 mile limits after 2002 will require the agreement of a qualified majority of the Council to a proposal from the European Commission. Although only a qualified majority vote is required, there was unanimous support when the restrictions were last renewed in 1992.

  Surplus Beef
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has made to the European Union Agriculture Ministers about the rule prohibiting the distribution of surplus beef to pensioners who are not on income support; what steps he is taking to change the law to allow such distribution; and if he will make a statement. [48957]

  Mr. Rooker
  The EU legislation governing this Scheme requires Member States to ensure that the produce is distributed only to the most deprived citizens in the community. To comply with this requirement in the UK, the criteria for eligibility were set in consultation
  499
  with the Department of Social Security. Persons on Income Support, Family Credit, Disability Working Allowance and Jobseeker's Allowance (income-based only) are all eligible to receive produce, as are the homeless and destitute and those living in welfare hostels. Pensioners as a group are not included since receipt of a State pension is not considered to be a sufficient indicator of need in itself, although those pensioners who meet one or other of the criteria are eligible. The Government have no plans to seek a change in EU law which would materially alter this position.

  Action with Communities in Rural England
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he received from the Deputy Prime Minister on the subject of his recent talk to Action with Communities in Rural England, with particular reference to its title. [49017]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 6 July 1998]: None.

  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what were the(a) original and (b) final titles of his recent address to Action with Communities in Rural England. [49015]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 6 July 1998]: The title of this address, delivered by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, was 'An Integrated Strategy for Rural Affairs'.

  (£/ha)

  Farm type

  Conventional net margin

  Final organic system net margin

  Additional profit (loss) from organic system

  Specialist dairy1

  1,489

  1,654

  165

  Mainly dairy1

  1,077

  1,178

  101

  Mainly arable2 (major change to enterprise mix)

  642

  544

  (98)

  Mainly arable2 (minimum change)

  517

  583

  66

  Stockless arable3

  745

  767

  22

  Lowland livestock2

  621

  556

  (65)

  Upland livestock2

  450

  482

  32

  Hill livestock4 (i.e. mainly rough grazing)

  338

  318

  (20)

  1Assumes premium of 3.5p/1 for organic milk

  2Assumes premia £40/tonnes feed wheat, £70/tonne milling wheat (arable scenararios only, 50% of wheat assumed to be of milling quality), 10% livestock. Organic profitability would be significantly higher if potatoes could be included in the rotation

  3Assumes premia £40/tonne feed wheat, £70/tonne milling wheat, £70/tonne potatoes, 10% livestock

  4Assumes premium of 10% for livestock

  Further details are contained in the Review of the Organic Aid Scheme, a copy of which has been placed in the House.

  These figures are based on models of average farms and the economics for individual businesses will vary. Farmers considering conversion to organic farming should assess the implications for their own businesses. Free advice, including a telephone help line and on-farm advisory visits, is available from the Organic Conversion Information Service (01179 227707), funded by the Ministry.

  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research his Department has evaluated into the feasibility of organic hill farming. [48787]

  Dairy Farmers
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of the retail price of milk has gone to dairy farmers in each of the last five years. [48783]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 3 July 1998]: The proportion of the retail price of milk that has gone to dairy farmers in each of the last five years is approximately as follows:

  Year

  Percentage

  1993

  46

  1994

  48

  1995

  53

  1996

  51

  1997

  46

  Organic Farming
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the additional costs associated with organic farming. [48786]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 3 July 1998]: Estimates of the comparative costs of organic and conventional systems were prepared in summer 1997 by the Farming and Rural Conservation Agency. These estimates are based on average yields for both systems and reflect a conservative view of organic premia (i.e. that the premiums for organic produce will be lower than at present). The results for eight farm types considered were as follows.

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 3 July 1998]: Since 1991, the Department has funded a large-scale system study at ADAS Redesdale in Northumberland to explore the practical and financial implications of organic hill farming. The project has also involved comparisons with the performance of a range of commercial organic hill farms. This research has been guided by a steering group involving organic farmers and the results have been widely disseminated. The project will cost £220,000 in 1998/99 and has recently been extended to March 2001.

  Rural White Paper
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received about the proposed Rural White Paper. [48794]
  501
  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 3 July 1998]: We are considering the best way of taking forward and presenting rural policy, on which we have received a number of representations.

  Ministry of Rural Affairs
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received about the proposed Ministry of Rural Affairs. [48793]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 3 July 1998]: The Agriculture Committee in its report of 11 December 1997 on the MAFF/Intervention Board Departmental Report 1997 recommended, among other things, that the Department be re-incarnated as a Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Affairs and Fisheries. This recommendation was made in the context of the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR). Some external organisations have expressed views similar to those of the Committee while others have argued against the creation of a Ministry of Rural Affairs.

  The Government's response to the report explained that the Committee's recommendations would be taken into account in the review group's deliberations. The outcome of the CSR has not yet been decided. Decisions about changes in the machinery of Government would ultimately be a matter for the Prime Minister.

  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had with Labour Rural Revival on the subject of the proposed Ministry of Rural Affairs. [48795]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 3 July 1998]: None.

  Pig Exports
  Dr. Palmer
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 20 April 1998,Official Report, columns 488–89, how many of the pigs exported for breeding purposes in 1997 were exported in consignments of (a) 200 to 299, (b) 300 to 399, (c) 400 to 499 and (d) over 500 pigs per lorry; and from which ports these consignments departed. [48027]

  Mr. Rooker
  The figures given in my answer of 20 April were corrected in my pursuant answer of 5 May 1998,Official Report, columns 303–04. Information on the numbers of animals per lorry and the ports through which they were exported could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Information is, however, available on the numbers of animals per certified consignment as follows:

  Consignment size (pigs for breeding)

  Number of certificates issued

  (a) 200–299

  88

  (b) 300–399

  56

  (c) 400–499

  31

  (d) over 500

  15

  This information was obtained from Departmental computer records. They remain provisional and subject to amendment.

WALES

  Health Service Management
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he has taken to improve management skills in the NHS; and if he will make a statement. [47915]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  Responsibility for management training lies with the NHS in Wales and Health Authorities fund the running of management training schemes through the NHS Staff College Wales. However, over the next few months, in line with our proposals set out in the White Paper "Putting Patients First", steps will be taken to develop a Human Resource Management Strategy sensitive to the needs of NHS Wales. I will be taking a close interest in ensuring that people with appropriate opportunities to develop their skills are in place to improve the management of a complex service.

  Tourism
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many tourists visited Wales during the most recent 12 months for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [48328]

  Mr. Hain
  In 1996, the latest year for which data are available, there were an estimated 11.8 million tourist trips to Wales according to figures published by the Office for National Statistics.

  Dyfed Powys Health Authority
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to approve the revised strategy, April 1998, of the Dyfed Powys Health Authority. [48652]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  I met the Chair and other members of the Health Authority Board last month to discuss the strategic plan "Effective Care and Healthy People" and it is to be considered further at a meeting later this month between the Department, the Health Authority and NHS trusts in Dyfed Powys. In the light of these discussions, we will want to consider whether the plan represents a sound basis for NHS provision in Dyfed Powys.

  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will provide a breakdown of the potential savings of £350,000 per annum cited in paragraph 4.2.5 of his recently published consultation document on his proposal to dissolve the existing NHS trusts in the Dyfed Powys Health Area. [48653]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  Paragraph 4.2.5 relates to the proposals to dissolve the Carmarthen and District and the Llanelli Dinefwr NHS Trusts. The reconfiguration project team for these proposals have identified by the year 2000–01 total savings as:

  £

  Direct board savings

  240,000

  Management costs

  75,000

  Admin and technical support

  175,000

  Non staff

  145,000

  635,000

  503
  When off-set by recurring additional costs of £285,000, a recurring net saving of £350,000 will be realised.

  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the accuracy of the assumption contained in paragraph 4.4.2 of his consultation document on proposals to dissolve the existing NHS trusts in the Dyfed Powys Health Authority Area that Dyfed Powys Health Authority will receive financial support of £36 million between 1999–2000 and 2001–2002. [48650]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The paragraph in question gives Dyfed Powys Health Authority's estimate (at the time of preparation of the consultation document) of the amount of financial support needed to maintain services at their current level if trust reconfiguration were not to proceed. The Welsh Office is working with the health authority and trusts to refine their strategic plans and reduce this amount. The actual amount of financial support provided to the health authority over the three years will be decided on the basis of need and the availability of resources.

  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the previous examples of the mergers of small to medium NHS trusts cited at paragraph 1.4 of his recently published consultation document on his proposals to dissolve existing NHS trusts in the Dyfed Powys Health Authority Area. [48654]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  In Wales, the merger of the Pembrokeshire and Derwen NHS Trusts realised savings of £750,000 per annum, and, in England, the merger of the Isle of Wight Community Healthcare and St. Mary's Hospital NHS Trusts realised savings of £660,000 per annum.

  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the total cost in a full year of increasing the pay of the 33 per cent. of the staff of the Llanelli/Dinefwr NHS Trust, referred to at paragraph 4.1.6 of his recently published consultative document on his proposals to dissolve the existing NHS trusts in the Dyfed Powys Health Authority Area, to the comparable pay of the majority of the staff of the Carmarthen NHS Trust. [48655]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  Costs of harmonising pay and terms and conditions would depend on the precise outcome of negotiations with staff representatives, and no estimate is currently available to the Department. A new national pay system for NHS staff, with an emphasis on individual job evaluation, is under consideration by the Government and this should help ease the process of harmonisation in respect of staff employed by the Llanelli/Dinefwr and Carmarthen NHS Trusts if the proposals are approved.

  Carmarthen and Llanelli NHS Trusts
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the discretionary capital allocation available to the(a) Carmarthen and (b) Llanelli NHS Trusts for 1998–99. [48648]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  (a) Carmarthen £1,129,000 and (b) Llanelli £868,000.
  504
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the cost to the proposed Carmarthenshire NHS Trust(a) to put in place common systems and (b) to standardise processes across the Trust. [48649]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The latest estimate for standardisation provided by the reconfiguration project team for the proposed Carmarthenshire NHS Trust is:

  £150,000 in 1999–2000

  £75,000 in 2000–01

  £75,000 in 2002–02.

  The figures provided do not differentiate between costs of implementing common systems and standardising processes.

  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the cost of establishing the slimline headquarters for his proposed Carmarthenshire NHS Trust. [48651]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  This information is not currently available. Ultimately, it would be a matter for the new Trust, if established, to determine the location of its headquarters and the detailed arrangements for putting it in place, subject to policy guidelines for such developments.

  Rhuddlan Borough Council
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the extent of(a) audit and (b) other inspection activity carried out by his Department on the capital grants received by Rhuddlan Borough Council. [48751]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  Capital grants paid to local authorities are subject to conditions and criteria specified by my Department. Local authorities are required to confirm compliance with these when submitting applications for grant support. The Appointed Auditor certifies the accuracy of the final claim submitted in respect of each scheme.

  Progress reports are received on major schemes, meetings are held when problems arise, and site visits or inspections are made when necessary. On occasions, as in the case of Rhuddlan's accounts, it is open to interested parties to request a Quality Control Review of the audit process.

  NUTS 2
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the precise specifications of the new NUTS 2 areas in Wales; if Eurostat has accepted these areas for the purposes of evaluating structural fund allocations for the period 2000 to 2006; and if he will estimate the value of European structural funds which have been paid to projects within each of the new NUTS 2 areas in Wales during the last five years, or during such similar period for which figures are conveniently available. [48825]

  Mr. Hain
  A list of the precise specifications of the new UK NUTS areas can be found in the Government Statistical Service Press Notice of 29 June, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House. The European Commission has proposed that NUTS 2 and 3 areas be used to draw up the new EU Structural Funds
  505
  map for the period 2000 to 2006. The Government expect that the new UK NUTS boundaries will be used. The information on Structural Funds expenditure over the past five years, within the new NUTS 2 areas, would be available only at a disproportionate cost.

  Lamb Exports
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what progress has been made on proposals to re-establish the export of whole lamb carcases to France; and if he will make a statement. [48772]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The Government have recently issued proposals for statutory consultation to amend the Specified Risk Material Regulations 1997 to allow the export of sheep carcases from animals over 12 months of age (or which have at least one permanent incisor tooth) with the spinal cord intact to premises designated by the French authorities. The period for consultation ended on 3 July. The Government are considering the comments made during the consultation and it is likely that legislation will be forthcoming in the near future.

  Refuse Collection
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which councils in Wales have adopted the use of wheeled bins for refuse collection. [48990]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  Returns to the 1996–97 municipal waste management survey show that the following county and county borough councils use wheeled bins for refuse collection to varying degrees:

  Caerphilly

  Cardiff

  Conwy,

  Denbighshire

  Gwynedd

  Merthyr

  Tydfil

  Neath

  Port Talbot

  Newport

  Rhondda Cynon Taff

  Torfaen

  Vale of Glamorgan

  Wrexham and

  Ynys Môn.

  Rough Sleepers
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much has been spent on dealing with problems of rough sleepers in each of the past five years; and what is his estimate of the total numbers sleeping rough for each of those years. [49205]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  Grant is paid under section 180 of the Housing Act 1996 (and previously under section 73 of the Housing Act 1985) to support specific projects run by voluntary organisations to prevent and alleviate 506
  homelessness and rooflessness, and also as core funding for the relevant voluntary organisations. Figures are given in the table.

  £000

  Year

  Projects

  Core funding

  1993–94

  184

  361

  1994–95

  195

  336

  1995–96

  181

  378

  1996–97

  241

  320

  1997–98

  312

  306

  From 1997–98, the section 180 programme for projects has been targeted exclusively at initiatives to alleviate the problems of rough sleepers.

  Provision under section 180 in the current year totals £650,000, of which £336,000 has been allocated to schemes to help rough sleepers.

  The number of rough sleepers can vary from one night to the next and may not be a reflection of the total incidence of rough sleeping. In 1996, a snapshot survey of the number of rough sleepers was conducted in 13 diverse areas of Wales. This found 86 people sleeping rough, but these results cannot be extrapolated to provide an estimate for the whole of Wales.

  Crickhowell House
  Mr. Rhodri Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if the defects liability period on Crickhowell House is still extant. [49445]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  The defects liability period has not been formally extended beyond 31 March 1998. The Welsh Health Common Services Authority has served the Landlord with a defects Notice which has been acknowledged and is the subject of on-going discussions.

  Cardiff Bay Barrage
  Mr. Rhodri Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 2 July 1998,Official Report, columns 255–56 what guidelines have been issued to non-departmental bodies which he sponsors in relation to the time taken to respond to requests for assistance from the Parliamentary Commissioner under the Code of Practice on Requests for Government Information; what action he plans to take in respect of the length of time taken by bodies to supply information to the Parliamentary Commissioner; and if he will make a statement. [49463]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  The following general guidance has been issued to Chief Executive Officers of non-departmental public bodies:CEO 8/94 A copy of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information together with the Welsh Office Citizen's Charter leaflet on Open Government.
  CEO 29/94 The bilingual version of the Code of Practice.
  CEO 39/94 Summaries of recent Ombudsman cases relating to the Open Government Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.
  CEO 10/96 "Handling of Complaints" guidance accompanied by the Citizen's Charter Complaints Task Force documents "Putting Things Right" and "Good Practice Guide".
  CEO 30/96 Office of Public Service Guidance on Redress Under the Citizen's Charter.

  507
  CEO 4/97 Revised Code of Practice on Access to Government Information (Second Edition).
  CEO 16/97 Complaints Review Arrangements in Public Services.

  The Code of Practice states that responses to requests for information should be provided as soon as is practicable. The target for responses to simple requests is 20 working days from the date of receipt. I have no plans to issue further guidance at this time.

  Gwent Tertiary College
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much European Social Fund money was paid to Whitbread Brewers in 1996 for the World Class Manufacturing Project by Gwent Tertiary College. [49430]

  Mr. Hain
  The handling of European grants by GTC is currently being investigated by the Department of Employment Fraud Investigation and Audit Unit and by Gwent Constabulary. It would not be appropriate to comment on individual ESF cases while these investigations are underway.

  Economic Strategy
  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what responses he has received to the Economic Strategy consultation document issued in October 1997; and if he will make a statement. [49486]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  The consultation document produced over 140 written responses. On the basis of those responses, and of further work by my Department and others, I am publishing today "Pathway to Prosperity—A New Economic Agenda for Wales". Copies are available from the Vote Office and in the Libraries.

  "Pathway to Prosperity—A New Economic Agenda for Wales" will be the subject of a debate in the Welsh Grand Committee on 13 July.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Gibraltar
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the occasions in the last three months when the Royal Navy took action to stop reported illegal fishing in Gibraltarian waters by Spanish fishing vessels. [45495]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 15 June 1998]: The Royal Navy has not had to take action to stop illegal fishing in British waters around Gibraltar by Spanish fishing vessels in the last three months. The Royal Gibraltar Police (RGP) has been able to enforce Gibraltar fisheries legislation in these waters. The Governor has assured the RGP of his full support, and that of HMG.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the rights of residents in Gibraltar to vote in elections to the European Parliament. [49293]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Tewkesbury (Mr. Robertson) on 9 December 1997,Official Report, column 499.

  Tanzania
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on UK-Tanzanian relations. [48329]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We enjoy excellent relations with Tanzania, illustrated by a number of recent high level bilateral visits. President Mkapa had an audience with the Queen at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in October 1997. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary also met Foreign Minister Kikwete. In March 1998 I made a working visit to Tanzania and met President Mkapa, Prime Minister Sumaye and Foreign Minister Kikwete. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development intends to visit Tanzania in August.

  Our historic ties contribute to mutual understanding and we are able to engage in serious dialogue on a range of international issues, including our concerns about political and human rights issues with Tanzania. Tanzania is a significant and growing trading partner. Tanzania is also a major recipient of UK bilateral development assistance. DFID are currently working with the Government of Tanzania to develop a new country strategy paper.

  Former Yugoslavia
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the United Kingdom's role in the OSCE Dayton Arms Control Verification Organisation in former Yugoslavia. [48290]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The United Kingdom has provided technical arms control assistance to all the parties to the Dayton agreement. Two arms control experts from the UK's Joint Arms Control Implementation Group work in the OSCE arms control verification offices in Vienna and Sarajevo. They help to co-ordinate inspection activity and report to the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman in Office on the implementation of the arms control provisions of the Dayton agreement.

  Disarmament Conference
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what matters he intends to table for the Agenda of the next meeting of the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva. [48301]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The Conference adopted its Agenda on 20 January and a work plan on 26 March. We continue to press for the establishment of Ad Hoc Committees to work on widening the ban on anti-personnel landmines and on a Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty.

  Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he intends to approve the comprehensive proposals on adapting the CFE Treaty's Flank position, tabled on 31 March. [48286]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The proposal to which the hon. Member refers was tabled on behalf of all NATO states in the course of the negotiations under way in Vienna to adapt the CFE Treaty. All NATO member states had approved the text before it was tabled.
  509
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to amend the Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty to reflect the changing European security environment. [48288]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The CFE Treaty was negotiated at the end of the Cold War, and limited the number of heavy weapons held by the countries of NATO and the Warsaw Pact in the area from the Atlantic to the Urals. The adapted Treaty will replace a bloc-to-bloc balance between two military alliances with limits on individual nations' weapons holdings, and territorial limits for equipment. This fundamental change will be accompanied by a series of enhancements to the detailed provisions of the Treaty, with the aim of further reducing tension between the States Parties, preventing the destabilising build-up of forces in the Treaty area, and improving military transparency.

  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what limits on manpower levels have been imposed upon the United Kingdom as a result of the concluding act of the negotiation on personnel strength of conventional armed forces in Europe. [48287]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The limits on manpower levels for all participating States are set out in the Concluding Act, a copy of which was placed in the Libraries of the House (Command Paper 2164, presented in April 1993). The UK's limit for military personnel is 260,000.

  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reductions the United Kingdom has announced in its Treaty Limited Equipment entitlements. [48289]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Between 1991 and 1993, the United Kingdom reduced its holdings of equipment limited by the Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty by 183 main battle tanks, 30 armoured combat vehicles, and 5 attack helicopters, to bring the holdings into line with the limits agreed under the Treaty. Further reductions in entitlements may result from the adaptation of the Treaty, negotiations on which are continuing in Vienna.

  Non-proliferation Treaty
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will promote the proposition of an international treaty against missile proliferation. [48303]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Members of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), of which the UK is a founder member, discussed the merits of an international treaty against missile proliferation in September 1995. They concluded that there were insuperable difficulties in achieving such a treaty. These included the gaining of a widespread international agreement, reaching consensus to determine which missile systems should be controlled by the treaty, and achieving a credible multilateral verification process.

  The UK remains committed to tackling missile non-proliferation through the MTCR as outlined in the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, Central (Mr. Cousins) on 16 June 1998, Official Report, columns 196–97.
  510
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what Her Majesty's Government are doing to encourage(a) Brazil, (b) Cuba, (c) Israel, (d) India and (e) Pakistan to sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty; and when he expects them to do so. [48302]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We are delighted that, on 1 July, the Brazilian Congress approved Brazil's accession to the Non-Proliferation Treaty. It now remains for the relevant instrument of ratification to be drawn up and deposited.

  We continue, both bilaterally and in all relevant international forums to urge the remaining four non-NPT signatories to accede to the Treaty at the earliest possible date.

  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if it is his policy that the Non-Proliferation Treaty should continue in force indefinitely.[48333]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The 1995 Review and Extension Conference of the Non-Proliferation Treaty decided that, as the majority of States party supported its indefinite extension, the Treaty should continue in force indefinitely. The UK fully supports this decision.

  Vienna Document 1994
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the range of Confidence and Security Building Measures provided for in the Vienna Document 1994. [48292]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The Vienna Document 1994, a copy of which was placed in the Libraries of the House (Cmnd 2791 of March 1995), lists a wide range of confidence and security building measures, including an annual information exchange; constraints on, notification and observation of certain military activities; military contacts provisions; and a verification regime.

  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what options he is considering for revising VD94 to reflect the change in the European security environment; and if he will make a statement on discussions held with the OSCE on this matter. [48291]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The Vienna Document 1994 on Confidence and Security Building Measures is currently being reviewed in Vienna by all participating States. Participating States, including the UK, have made many proposals to revise the Vienna Document to reflect the changed security environment in Europe. These are being discussed against the criteria of military significance, additional transparency benefits, possibility of verification and cost effectiveness. We hope that the negotiations will be completed by the end of 1998.

  Plutonium
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the impact of the Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty on exports of plutonium by British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. [48330]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We do not expect the Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty to have any impact on the export of plutonium by British Nuclear Fuels Ltd.
  511
  The Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty will ban the production of fissile materials for nuclear weapons and other explosive devices. The UK has already ceased the production of fissile material for these purposes.

  All exports of civil plutonium from the UK are subject to strict controls to ensure that the material is not diverted for use in nuclear weapons. Further information on these controls was given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Small Firms, Trade and Industry on 1 June 1998, Official Report, columns 119–20.

  Missile Technology Control Regime
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the signatories to the Missile Technology Control Regime. [48305]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The following countries are Members of the Missile Technology Control Regime:Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Russian Federation, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States of America.

  Strategic Arms Reduction Talks
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if it is his policy to accept an invitation to the United Kingdom to join the Strategic Arms Reduction Talks process and participate in START III. [48293]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The US and Russia have made it clear that START III will be a bilateral process.

  Our manifesto made it clear that we will include British nuclear weapons in multilateral negotiations once we are satisfied with verified progress towards our goal of the global elimination of nuclear weapons.

  Wassenaar Agreement
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British defence export orders have been blocked under the Wassenaar Arrangement. [48304]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The Initial Elements of the Wassenaar Arrangement state that the decision to transfer or deny transfer of any item will be the sole responsibility of each Participating State. Participation in the Wassenaar Arrangement does not therefore entail automatic refusal of any export. However, in line with our responsibilities as a Participating State, we seek to ensure that our transfers of conventional arms and dual-use goods and technologies do not undermine the Arrangement's goals of contributing to regional and international security and stability. The arms export licensing criteria announced by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary on 28 July 1997,Official Report, column 26–29, state that an export licence should be refused if approval would be inconsistent with the UK's commitments to the Wassenaar arrangement.

  Chemical Weapons Convention
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he took during the British EU Presidency to promote the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention. [48295]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We are committed to the universal implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention. To this end during our EU Presidency, we undertook a series of demarches with Partners to encourage accession by non-States Parties to this important multilateral treaty.

  In addition, we have continued to play an active part in the work of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in The Hague to ensure the full and effective implementation of the Convention.

  UK Nationals (Defence Lawyers)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what financial assistance his Department has provided towards the cost of providing defence lawyers to UK nationals held in prison pending trial in each of the last three years. [48327]

  Mr. Fatchett
  None. Our consular staff overseas help British nationals to find local lawyers for their defence, but we cannot help with the costs involved.

  Embassy, Berlin
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what competitive tendering procedures were applied in relation to the construction work for the new British Embassy in Berlin; and if he will list those companies which tendered. [49135]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The competition for the PFI contract for the new British Embassy was conducted in accordance with EC rules and advertised in OJEC, the Official Journal of the European Communities. The advertisement prompted interest from 27 companies.

  In accordance with PFI guidelines, a shortlist of 3 was produced from whom formal tenders were invited. They were: Norwest Holst; Embassy Partnerships; and Bebcon, the winners of the tender process, subsequently renamed Arteos.

  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the legal status of the site of the new British Embassy in Berlin; and to whom the freehold belongs. [49136]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Under the terms of the PFI contract, signed on 23 June, the FCO granted a 62 year lease to Arteos, the PFI Operator, to enable it to provide an Embassy building, structure, Equipment and Services for an initial term of 30 years. Thereafter, the contract will be retendered for a second 30 year term. The lease will be assumed by the winner of that tender process. The FCO will retain the freehold.

  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the arrangements to protect the security of the new British Embassy in Berlin during and after its construction. [49137]
  513
  Mr. Fatchett
  The PFI Contract between the FCO and Arteos, the PFI Operator, requires Arteos to comply with all FCO security requirements at all times, that is, during both the construction and the operating phases. Appropriate security safeguards will also be provided by the FCO during both phases. It is HMG's policy not to release detailed information on security arrangements at overseas posts.

  Regional and Minority Languages
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Hemel Hempstead (Mr. McWalter), of 4 June 1998,Official Report, column 350, what assessment he has made of the benefits of including Cornish within the Council of Europe Charter for Regional and Minority Languages. [49011]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The Government have not yet reached any conclusions on the position of Cornish under the Charter.

  Immigration Cases
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the reasons for delay in processing the application of Fazal Ur Rehman, at Islamabad, under ref GV100/42016, whose wife lives at 6 Edgecote Court, Leicester; when this case was referred to the Home Office; and when an outcome is expected. [48937]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We have asked our High Commission in Islamabad for the latest position on this case and my noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs will write to my hon. Friend within one week of receiving their response.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the case of Sukvinder Kaur, reference-IMM/ECR/0195/98/8 the wife of Rajinder Singh of 13 Woodland Road, Leicester. [48939]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We have asked our High Commission in New Delhi for a detailed account of the case as soon as possible. My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs will write to my hon. Friend after this has been received.

  Piracy
  Mr. Stringer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action the Government are taking to combat the problem of piracy and armed robbery at sea; and if he will make a statement. [49639]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We have improved our published advice to UK shipowners and seafarers in order to ensure that they are fully aware of the risks and take all possible precautions against attacks. Where attacks on UK nationals have occurred, we have asked the Governments concerned, most recently in Indonesia and Brazil, to investigate the incidents and take steps to avoid repetitions. We are also encouraging wider international action to combat what is a global threat to safety at sea and international trade. This year we have helped finance counter-piracy missions organised by the International Maritime Organisation. In the autumn we will draw the 514
  attention of the UN General Assembly to the problem. All these measures have been in consultation with the UK shipping industry and trade unions, including through recent discussions hosted by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

  East Timor
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the cause of the early departure from East Timor of the European Union Troika envoys. [49300]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The EU Troika Heads of Mission were able to complete their business earlier than originally scheduled.

  Mr. Stringer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the recent visit to East Timor by the EU Troika Heads of Mission from Jakarta. [49640]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The EU/Troika Ambassadors from Jakarta visited East Timor from 27 June to 30 June 1998. They were accompanied by the representative of the EU Commission based in Jakarta and a representative of the EU Council Secretariat. This was the first visit to the territory undertaken by EU Ambassadors. It was undertaken at the initiative of the British Presidency of the European Union.

  The purpose of the visit was to mark the EU's continuing concern about the situation in East Timor, to improve our knowledge of the situation there and to support the UN process of searching for a fair, comprehensive and internationally acceptable solution to the problem.

  We very much regret the death of Orlando Marcelino da Costa who was shot in Baucau during the Troika visit on 29 June and have asked the authorities to carry out a full investigation into the incident.

  Although marred by this tragic incident, the visit achieved its objectives. The Ambassadors met a broad cross-section of interlocutors, including key local political figures, members of the security forces, community leaders, the churches and NGOs. They made clear the EU's engagement in the search for a solution, a message which was widely appreciated.

  The outcome of the visit will be considered with EU partners under the Austrian Presidency of the EU.

  European Union
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment the Government have made of proposals for establishing a court of political auditors to scrutinise EU initiatives. [49298]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The Heads of State or Government of EU Member States will meet during the Austrian Presidency to continue their discussion at the
  515
  Cardiff European Council of the future development of the EU, including ways to enhance democratic legitimacy. Like other Member States, the Government will be considering a wide range of ideas in this context.

  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans the Government have to launch a fundamental review of policy towards the European Union. [49299]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  We are considering future developments in the European Union and how Britain should approach them. That was one of our top priorities when we came to office last year: we want to use the opportunities that our membership of the European Union provides in order to get the best possible deal for the British people.

  It is timely that we should return to this issue now the Presidency is behind us, and in the context of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's decision to begin at the Cardiff European Council a debate on the future of Europe.

  Iraq
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to the Government of Iraq, following the recent incident over the Southern Iraq no-fly zone. [49297]

  Mr. Fatchett
  None.

  Single Currency
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the recent statement by Chancellor Kohl on the implications for political union of the single currency. [49303]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The Single Currency clearly involves a major pooling of economic sovereignty by participating Member States. Its launch, along with enlargement, economic reform, and cooperation in the fight against organised crime, is an important part of the background to the discussion about the future development of the European Union launched by the Prime Minister at Cardiff. That discussion will be taken up by Heads of Government in October.

  Hong Kong
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress of democratisation in Hong Kong under the guidelines set out in the Basic Law. [49294]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Elections to the first Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region were held on 24 May, in accordance with the provisions of the Basic Law. We hope that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will build on these elections and work towards early realisation of the goal of a legislature elected entirely through universal suffrage.

  Agriculture Council, 22–26 June
  Agriculture Council, 22–26 June
  TB in Cattle: Research Proposals
  TB in Cattle: Research Proposals
  Organophosphates: Questions to COT
  Organophosphates: Questions to COT
  Organophosphates: Research
  Organophosphates: Research
  Indonesia: Payment for Armaments
  Indonesia: Payment for Armaments
  Campsfield House Detainees: Removal from UK
  Campsfield House Detainees: Removal from UK
  Independent Commission on the Voting System
  Independent Commission on the Voting System
  Mr. E. J. Esemuze
  Mr. E. J. Esemuze
  Prisoners on Cellular Punishment: Reading Matter
  Prisoners on Cellular Punishment: Reading Matter
  Prisoners: Incentives and Earned Privileges Scheme
  Prisoners: Incentives and Earned Privileges Scheme
  Rough Sleepers: Social Exclusion Unit Proposals
  Rough Sleepers: Social Exclusion Unit Proposals
  British Library: Adjacent Land
  British Library: Adjacent Land
  Arts Council Chairmanship
  Arts Council Chairmanship
  Building Regulations Amendments
  Building Regulations Amendments
  Housing Applicants: Immigration Status Checks
  Housing Applicants: Immigration Status Checks
  Rail Subsidy Payments
  Rail Subsidy Payments