Written Answers of 14 July 1998

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Photographic Passes
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee if she will list the House passes issued to individuals who also work as employees of, directors of or consultants to(a) Prima Europe, (b) LLM (Lawson Lucas Mendelsohn) and (c) GPC Market Access. [50612]

  Mrs. Roe
  Such information is not required of applicants for House of Commons photographic passes.

  However, holders of such passes who work for hon. Members as secretaries or research assistants do have to supply the Registrar of Members' Interests with full details of any other relevant gainful occupation which they may pursue other than that for which the pass was issued. This information is available for inspection by hon. Members in the Library.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Chairman of the Information Committee what assessment he has made of the impact of the year 2000 computer bug on the operation of the House of Commons. [50172]

  Mr. Allan
  The House of Commons has been actively involved in assessing the Year 2000 problem for some time, and has commissioned a working party under the management of the Network Administrator's Group (NAG). This forum has produced the 'Year 2000 Implementation Guide for the Houses of Parliament', and contains a 'Definition of Year 2000 Conformity Requirements' prepared by the British Standards Institution committee, (their reference BDD/1/-/3). The NAG forum has tested and identified a set of tools and procedures for remedial action.

  Each department in the House of Commons is busy developing a project plan, using these NAG recommendations, to ensure their systems are fully compliant. As part of this plan PCD will facilitate a test schedule for weeks commencing the 10 and 17 August 1998 so that all departments can test their computer equipment with the PDVN.

  Lavatories
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee what is the latest available annual figure for the amount of money spent on the provision of toilet rolls, hand towels and dryers and soap in the Palace of Westminster. [50171]

  Mrs. Roe
  This is a matter for the Serjeant at Arms; I have asked him to reply to the hon. Gentleman.

PRIME MINISTER

  Media Relations Staff
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Prime Minister what complaints he has received since 2 May 1997 from editors or news editors of improper pressure on their journalists by his, or his Cabinet colleagues', media relations staff. [50534]

  The Prime Minister
  None.

  Lobbyists
  Sir George Young
  To ask the Prime Minister on what occasions(a) he and (b) civil servants at No. 10 Downing Street have met representatives of (i) GPC Market Access, (ii) Lawson Lucas Mendelsohn and (iii) GJW Government Relations since 1 May 1997; who these representatives were; and what was discussed at the meetings. [50557]

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) if he will list the occasions on which any director of Prima Europe or GPC Market Access has visited No. 10 Downing Street, since 1 May 1997; [50475]

  (2) if he will list the occasions on which Mr. Roger Liddle has visited the premises of or met any director of GPC Market Access and Prima Europe since 1 May 1997. [50474]

  The Prime Minister
  Ministers, their Special Advisers and other civil servants meet many people in the course of their work. This properly includes meetings with interest groups outside Government; indeed one of the specific functions of Special Advisers is to liaise with such interest groups. This liaison is intended to help Ministers draw upon outside contributions—from academics, think-tanks, trade and industry associations, trade unions, lobby groups and others, as well as relevant experience from other countries—during the process of policy analysis and development. By convention it is not the practice of Governments to make information on such meetings or their content publicly available—a principle reflected in the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information published in January 1997. Special advisers and other civil servants must observe the requirements of propriety: for instance, they must not provide confidential information without authorisation or allow improper influence on policy. Any breach of these requirements could be a disciplinary offence.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the occasions when Roger Liddle has addressed meetings set up by(a) GPC Market Access and (b) other lobbying organisations, indicating whether these meetings were held under Chatham House rules. [50462]

  The Prime Minister
  Special Advisers and other civil servants address events arranged by outside organisations on many occasions, since part of their role is to inform the public and interested bodies about Government policy. Whether any such meetings are held publicly or privately, Special Advisers must observe the requirements of propriety: for instance, they must not provide confidential information without authorisation or allow improper influence on policy.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Mirror Group
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when inspectors were appointed to investigate the 1991 flotation of the Mirror Group; and what their terms of reference were. [49510]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  [holding answer 8 July 1998]: The inspectors were appointed on 8 June 1992 to investigate and report on the affairs and membership of Mirror Group Newspapers plc. They were asked to look, in particular, at the offers for sale of the company's shares in early 1991.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to her answer of 2 July 1998,Official Report, column 240, when she expects to receive the report from the inspectors investigating the 1991 flotation of the Mirror Group; and what steps she has taken to expedite the report. [49512]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  [holding answer 8 July 1998]: It is not possible to forecast the timing of the completion of an investigation of this kind. Inspectors have a distinct statutory position and are independent of my Department. The inspectors are aware of the need to complete their inquiry and report as quickly as possible, consistent with the necessity for them to act fairly.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she expects to publish the inspectors' report into the circumstances of the Mirror Group flotation. [50338]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  The inspectors have not yet reported to the Secretary of State. A decision on publication will be taken when the report has been received and fully considered.

  Dounreay
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if there has been further investigation of the unaccounted for highly enriched uranium referred to in the Dounreay Shaft Inventory. [50256]

  Mr. Battle
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 10 June 1998,Official Report, columns 594–95.

  The Safeguards Office of my Department is studying the nuclear material accountancy aspects of the UKAEA report "Dounreay Shaft Inventory". In addition, the Safeguards Office study will take into account any further information from UKAEA. The conclusions of the study will be made public.

  Post Office
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will publish the external financing limit for the Post Office for 1998–99. [50812]

  Mrs. Beckett
  As announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, the Post Office is able to carry forward an external financing limit (EFL) over-achievement under the nationalised industries end-year flexibility scheme. The Post Office over-achieved its 1997/98 EFL by £25m, and therefore its negative EFL for 1998/99 has been reduced from -£335 million to -£310 million.

  North American Free Trade Agreement
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions she has had with other EU member states with regard to encouraging closer trading links between the EU and NAFTA. [48732]

  Mrs. Beckett
  During our Presidency of the EU Council of Ministers, the UK hosted EU summits with both the USA and Canada to encourage closer trading links. On 25 May the General Affairs Council also approved negotiating directives for the Commission to pursue the liberalisation of trade with Mexico, as foreseen in the Agreements between the EU and Mexico signed in Luxembourg on 8 December 1997.

  Pharmacies
  Mr. McWalter
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what research he has evaluated into the number of pharmacies in the United Kingdom per 10,000 population relative to those in other EU countries. [48223]

  Mr. Milburn
  [holding answer 30 June 1998]: I have been asked to reply.

  None.

  Mr. McWalter
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the advantages of regulating prices of over-the-counter medicines; and what research she has evaluated as to practice in other EU countries. [48222]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 30 June 1998]: I have been asked to reply.

  We have not considered regulating the prices of over-the-counter medicines, nor have we carried out specific research into practice in other European Union countries. At the 18 May 1998 meeting of the EU Internal Market Council, held under the United Kingdom Presidency, member states agreed unanimously to further pursuit of the single market in over-the-counter medicines, including price liberalisation.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Correspondence
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans her Department has to correspond electronically with(a) hon. Members and (b) members of the public. [49887]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  [holding answer 13 July 1998]: Each of the Northern Ireland Departments and the Northern Ireland Office has a Web site which includes an Internet e-mail address. The latter enables hon. Members and members of the public to communicate electronically with Departments and for responses to be provided using the same medium.

  Northern Ireland Civic Forum
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the membership, indicating which organisations members will be drawn from, and the role of the Northern Ireland Civic Forum. [50194]
  97
  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The Civic Forum will comprise representatives of the business, trade union and voluntary sectors and such other sectors as agreed by the First and Deputy Ministers of the new Northern Ireland Assembly. The Forum will act as a consultative body on social, economic and cultural issues.

  Dementia
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate she has made of the number of people suffering from dementia in Northern Ireland. [50219]

  Mr. Worthington
  Figures on the actual incidence of people with dementia are not available as many sufferers are not in contact with services. Based on surveys elsewhere of the prevalence of dementia within the population it is estimated that in Northern Ireland there could be some 13,500 people suffering from one or other of the various forms of the disease.

  Central Community Relations Unit
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the organisations in receipt of funding from the Central Community Relations Unit in (i) 1995, (ii) 1996 and (iii) 1997, giving in each case the amount. [50190]

  Mr. Worthington
  The Central Community Relations Unit provided funding totalling £5,586,200.09 in 1995–96, £5,531,857.76 in 1996–97 and £5,627,728.91 in 1997–98. Details of the organisations funded in those years, together with the amount of funding they received, have been placed in the Library of the House. These do not include payments from the European Regional Development Fund and the European Social Fund in respect of European Union Measures administered by the Central Community Relations Unit.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Women Prisoners
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many women sentenced to imprisonment in England and Wales in each of the last three years had children under the age of five years at the time of their sentence. [49525]

  Ms Quin
  This information is not collected centrally. However, a study of women in prison was carried out in November 1994 by the Office for National Statistics. It found that, of the 1,766 women interviewed, 265 (or 15 per cent.) had, at the time of imprisonment, at least one child under the age of five.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) which women's prison has the largest use per inmate of(a) chlorpromazine (Largactil), (b) Melleril and (c) other anti-psychotic drugs; how many were prescribed there; and what was the prison population there, in each of the last five years; [50178]

  (2) how many prescriptions for (a) chlorpromazine (Largactil), (b) Melleril and (c) other anti-psychotic drugs were issued in each of the past five years in each women's prison; [50180]
  98
  (3) what changes have taken place in the prescription of (a) minor tranquillisers, (b) major tranquillisers and (c) neuroleptic drugs in women's prisons since the publication of the 1996 report of the Advisory Council on Drugs Misuse. [50179]

  Ms Quin
  Details about prescriptions issued are not available in a form that could be used to provide the information sought and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  The Prison Service recognises that many women received into custody have complex medical histories and have very often already been prescribed the types of medications cited. A Prison Service health care standard on the use of medicines makes clear that medication will be prescribed only for clinical reasons and in line with the recommendation in the 1996 report from the Advisory Council on Drugs Misuse. Efforts are being made to reduce the prescribing of major and minor tranquillisers and neuroleptic drugs, except where their use is clinically essential. Increasing collaboration with NHS specialist psychiatric services is bringing prescribing in prisons under the influence of NHS consultant psychiatrists and concern about prescribing levels in prisons will continue to be addressed through improved monitoring of health care standards.

  Police (Homosexuals)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps his Department has taken to encourage homosexual people to join police forces in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement. [49526]

  Mr. Michael
  The responsibility for making appointments to the police service in England and Wales lies with the chief constable of each police force. Chief constables, with the assistance of their police authorities, are also responsible for ensuring that their forces represent the community they serve. It is for individual chief constables to decide whether to target certain groups in any recruitment campaigns, and I am aware that a number of forces now place recruitment advertisements in gay newspapers and magazines.

  It is important for the police force in any area to reflect the composition of the wider community it serves. This issue was explored in a thematic inspection undertaken by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary last year. The report "Winning the Race. Policing Plural Communities" was published last year and copies are available in the Library.

  Prison Officers
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give the total number and percentages of prison officers working with juveniles in young offender institutions and prisons by ethnic and religious background. [49872]

  Ms Quin
  These figures are not collated centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Drug Trafficking
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 6 July 1998,Official Report, column 347, which of the initiatives listed were (a) initiated during the United Kingdom presidency and (b) in progress at the commencement of the United Kingdom presidency. [49993]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The new initiatives launched under the United Kingdom Presidency were:

  proposals and agreement on the key elements of a new European Union drugs strategy for 2000–04;

  the first two large-scale Customs joint surveillance exercises involving the 15 member states and the applicant countries of Central and Eastern Europe;

  introduction and completion of a joint action on good practice in mutual legal assistance;

  introduction of a joint action on the identification, tracing, freezing, seizing and confiscation of assets; and

  agreement to a common European Union standard for the exchange of fingerprint information.

  The other activities listed in my earlier answer were taking forward important work, initiated by the United Kingdom and other member states, but not completed during previous Presidencies.

  Police Officers
  Gillian Merron
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total number of(a) police officers and (b) constables in each police force in England and Wales. [50865]

  Mr. Michael
  Provisional figures show that at 31 March 1998 there were 126,944 police officers (down 214 from March 1997) in England and Wales, including 98,387 constables (up 255 from March 1997).

  The number of constables and the number of officers in each force is shown in the tables. In addition, there are 2,058 officers on secondments to the National Crime Squad and Central Services.

  Change in constable strength between March 1997 and March 1998

  March 1997

  March 1998

  Increase/decrease

  England and Wales

  Avon and Somerset

  2,314.8

  2,307.9

  -6.9

  Bedfordshire

  846.1

  842.5

  -3.6

  Cambridgeshire

  1,001.0

  1,006.2

  5.2

  Cheshire

  1,589.5

  1,594.9

  5.4

  City of London

  655.9

  634.1

  -21.8

  Cleveland

  1,121.5

  1,146.4

  24.9

  Cumbria

  881.5

  910.5

  29.0

  Derbyshire

  1,376.0

  1,363.2

  -12.8

  Devon and Cornwall

  2,233.5

  2,322.9

  89.4

  Dorset

  969.0

  1,003.0

  34.0

  Durham

  1,130.0

  1,184.2

  54.2

  Dyfed-Powys

  755.5

  749.3

  -6.2

  Essex

  2,269.3

  2,263.5

  -5.8

  Gloucestershire

  872.0

  861.3

  -10.7

  Greater Manchester

  5,341.9

  5,415.5

  73.6

  Gwent

  964.0

  950.8

  -13.2

  Hampshire

  2,698.2

  2,736.8

  38.6

  Hertfordshire

  1,364.5

  1,328.1

  -36.4

  Humberside

  1,582.4

  1,565.4

  -17.0

  Kent

  2,554.1

  2,548.2

  -5.9

  Lancashire

  2,492.5

  2,504.3

  11.8

  100

  Change in constable strength between March 1997 and March 1998

  March 1997

  March 1998

  Increase/decrease

  Leicestershire

  1,555.7

  1,586.8

  31.1

  Lincolnshire

  920.7

  905.1

  -15.6

  Merseyside

  3,272.4

  3,293.4

  21.0

  Metropolitan Police

  20,671.4

  20,252.6

  -418.8

  Norfolk

  1,133.3

  1,115.2

  -18.1

  Northamptonshire

  931.1

  924.6

  -6.5

  Northumbria

  2,885.0

  2,960.9

  75.9

  North Wales

  1,024.0

  1,054.0

  30.0

  North Yorkshire

  1,017.6

  1,052.8

  35.2

  Nottinghamshire

  1,821.9

  1,831.0

  9.1

  South Wales

  2,259.9

  2,309.2

  49.3

  South Yorkshire

  2,435.7

  2,459.0

  23.3

  Staffordshire

  1,683.9

  1,781.9

  98.0

  Suffolk

  921.7

  927.2

  5.5

  Surrey

  1,240.1

  1,237.1

  -3.0

  Sussex

  2,374.3

  2,343.4

  -30.9

  Thames Valley

  2,858.0

  2,937.3

  79.3

  Warwickshire

  707.9

  724.1

  16.2

  West Mercia

  1,563.1

  1,553.9

  -9.2

  West Midlands

  5,636.4

  5,731.1

  94.7

  West Yorkshire

  4,105.9

  4,068.7

  -37.2

  Wiltshire

  881.2

  881.2

  0.0

  Total

  96,914.4

  97,169.5

  255.1

  Change in strength between March 1997 and March 1998

  March 1997

  March 1998

  Increase/decrease

  England and Wales

  Avon and Somerset

  2,988.8

  2,975.9

  -12.9

  Bedfordshire

  1,093.6

  1,078.5

  -15.1

  Cambridgeshire

  1,302.0

  1,291.4

  -10.6

  Cheshire

  2,045.5

  2,035.9

  -9.6

  City of London

  858.9

  824.9

  -34.0

  Cleveland

  1,459.3

  1,483.4

  24.1

  Cumbria

  1,143.5

  1,163.5

  20.0

  Derbyshire

  1,790.6

  1,772.2

  -18.4

  Devon and Cornwall

  2,864.5

  2,961.5

  97.0

  Dorset

  1,284.0

  1,310.0

  26.0

  Durham

  1,460.5

  1,514.8

  54.3

  Dyfed-Powys

  1,004.5

  1,002.3

  -2.2

  Essex

  2,960.7

  2,928.5

  -32.2

  Gloucestershire

  1,132.6

  1,103.9

  -28.7

  Greater Manchester

  6,921.6

  6,948.7

  27.1

  Gwent

  1,243.0

  1,232.8

  -10.2

  Hampshire

  3,451.7

  3,489.5

  37.8

  Hertfordshire

  1,759.1

  1,739.9

  -19.2

  Humberside

  2,045.0

  2,021.2

  -23.8

  Kent

  3,260.1

  3,251.8

  -8.3

  Lancashire

  3,247.5

  3,257.1

  9.6

  Leicestershire

  1,948.8

  1,983.1

  34.3

  Lincolnshire

  1,196.4

  1,191.1

  -5.3

  Merseyside

  4,230.4

  4,217.4

  -13.0

  Metropolitan Police

  26,677.3

  26,192.7

  -484.6

  Norfolk

  1,431.6

  1,429.6

  -2.0

  Northamptonshire

  1,176.7

  1,168.7

  -8.0

  Northumbria

  3,676.8

  3,766.7

  89.9

  North Wales

  1,369.0

  1,396.0

  27.0

  North Yorkshire

  1,337.6

  1,367.2

  29.6

  Nottinghamshire

  2,323.4

  2,322.6

  -0.8

  South Wales

  2,975.9

  2,986.2

  10.3

  South Yorkshire

  3,158.7

  3,182.0

  23.3

  Staffordshire

  2,211.1

  2,292.1

  81.0

  Suffolk

  1,179.7

  1,185.8

  6.1

  Surrey

  1,619.5

  1,608.4

  -11.1

  Sussex

  3,084.9

  3,037.7

  -47.2

  Thames Valley

  3,695.0

  3,775.5

  80.5

  Warwickshire

  925.9

  924.1

  -1.8

  101

  Change in strength between March 1997 and March 1998

  March 1997

  March 1998

  Increase/decrease

  West Mercia

  2,040.2

  2,011.8

  -28.4

  West Midlands

  7,112.7

  7,156.5

  43.8

  West Yorkshire

  5,208.8

  5,154.7

  -54.1

  Wiltshire

  1,154.3

  1,148.3

  -6.0

  Total

  125,051.7

  124,885.9

  -165.8

  Police Complaints
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list each(a) successful and (b) unsuccessful case brought by members of the public against the police for (i) malicious prosecution, (ii) false imprisonment and (iii) assault in the last five years, giving in each case the amount of compensation paid. [50202]

  Mr. Michael
  The available information is in terms of numbers of substantial and unsubstantiated complaints against the police, and is given in the table. Figures for the amount of compensation paid are not available.

  Outcomes of investigated complaints for certain complaint types

  Reason for complaint

  Perjury/irregularity in evidence

  Unlawful/unnecessary arrest/detention

  Assault

  1992

  Unsubstantiated1

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Substantiated

  25

  76

  99

  1993

  Unsubstantiated

  879

  902

  2,713

  Substantiated

  24

  72

  94

  1994

  Unsubstantiated

  448

  801

  2,516

  Substantiated

  22

  61

  82

  1995/96

  Unsubstantiated

  392

  714

  2,275

  Substantiated

  29

  52

  71

  1996/97

  Unsubstantiated

  542

  940

  2,852

  Substantiated

  21

  67

  94

  1Figures for unsubstantiated complaints were not collected in this directorate prior to 1993 and we are unable to provide figures for 1992

  Note:

  Substantiated complaints plus unsubstantiated complaints represent the total number of complaints investigated. Substantiated complaints are those complaints against the police which are found justified by the Police Complaints Authority

  Racial Crimes
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the recorded incidents of(a) racial assault, (b) racist murder and (c) incitement to racial hatred in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [50201]

  Mr. Michael
  Information is not available in precisely the form requested. At present, individual forces submit their total racial incidents figures to Her Majesty's102
  Inspectorate of Constabulary at the end of each financial year, on the basis of the Association of Chief Police Officers' definition of a racial incident:
  "any incident in which it appears to the reporting or investigating officer that the complaint involves an element of racial motivation, or any incident which includes an allegation of racial motivation made by any person".

  These statistics are not broken down by the type of incident. In consultation with the police, the Home Office is currently exploring the possibility of police forces submitting a breakdown of the type of racial incidents recorded by the police in the future.

  The total number of racial incidents recorded by the police in England and Wales1 from 1989 to 1996–97 is given in the table.

  Year

  England and Wales total

  1989

  5,044

  1990

  6,359

  1991

  7,882

  1992

  7,734

  1993–942

  11,006

  1994–95

  11,878

  1995–96

  12,222

  1996–97

  13,151

  1Figures are available from 1989 onwards

  2Until 1993–94 figures were submitted to Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary every calendar year.

  In addition, under data collection requirements agreed by member states, figures giving the number of serious racial incidents have been submitted to the European Union since 1994. The 1994–95 figures showed that, of the 11,878 racial incidents recorded by the police in England and Wales, 508 were in respect of serious crime. Of these, four were murders; three were attempted murders; 161 were attacks involving explosives/arson; and 340 were serious assaults. In 1995–96, of the 12,222 racial incidents recorded by the police, 440 were in respect of serious crime. Of these, two were murders; 163 were attacks involving explosives/arson; and 275 were serious assaults. In 1996–97, of the 13,151 racial incidents recorded by the police, 414 were in respect of serious crime. Of these, three were murders; two were attempted murders; 158 were attacks involving explosives/arson; and 251 were serious assaults.

  Ensuring that racial incidents are properly recorded and pursued is one aspect of the drive against racially aggravated crime. The Government intend to ensure that the criminal law is able to deal effectively with those involved in these incidents. The Crime and Disorder Bill [Lords] contains new racially aggravated offences which will send out a strong message that racist violence and harassment is unacceptable. It is also hoped that the Inquiry into the matters arising from the tragic death of Stephen Lawrence will identify the lessons to be learned for the investigation and prosecution of racially motivated crime.

  Police (Clear-up Rates)
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the clear-up rate for recorded offences in each police district in England and Wales in the last five years for which figures are available. [50199]
  103
  Mr. Michael
  The available information relates to police force areas and is given in the table.

  Notifiable offences recorded by the police: clear-up rate1 by police force area England and Wales 1993–97

  Percentage

  Police force area

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  Avon and Somerset

  17

  21

  23

  24

  26

  Bedfordshire

  21

  22

  22

  33

  35

  Cambridgeshire

  25

  25

  19

  24

  27

  Cheshire

  26

  30

  31

  34

  36

  Cleveland

  27

  19

  25

  24

  25

  Cumbria

  38

  37

  40

  36

  40

  Derbyshire

  21

  21

  20

  21

  25

  Devon and Cornwall

  25

  27

  27

  30

  32

  Dorset

  33

  30

  28

  27

  29

  Durham

  30

  32

  30

  30

  31

  Essex

  32

  36

  33

  29

  27

  Gloucestershire

  20

  24

  27

  23

  24

  Greater Manchester

  34

  34

  24

  17

  20

  Hampshire

  26

  27

  28

  28

  30

  Hertfordshire

  21

  24

  28

  30

  32

  Humberside

  16

  17

  19

  20

  20

  Kent

  25

  29

  26

  32

  31

  Lancashire

  35

  33

  34

  33

  30

  Leicestershire

  28

  30

  29

  31

  34

  Lincolnshire

  37

  32

  39

  42

  48

  London, City of

  22

  27

  23

  27

  24

  Merseyside

  39

  33

  27

  29

  31

  Metropolitan Police

  17

  22

  25

  23

  25

  Norfolk

  28

  34

  31

  32

  37

  Northamptonshire

  27

  31

  28

  34

  35

  Northumbria

  20

  22

  23

  24

  26

  North Yorkshire

  30

  25

  23

  25

  26

  Nottinghamshire

  29

  28

  23

  28

  28

  South Yorkshire

  20

  24

  24

  23

  29

  Staffordshire

  29

  31

  32

  34

  35

  Number of proceedings and findings of guilt for certain motoring offences in England and Wales and the Metropolitan Police district 1994–96

  Metropolitan Police

  England and Wales

  Proceedings

  Findings of guilt

  Proceedings

  Findings of guilt

  1994

  Dangerous driving

  1,310

  529

  11,097

  6,194

  Driving etc., after consuming alcohol or taking drugs

  18,800

  15,259

  104,690

  89,700

  Speed limit offences

  12,629

  11,159

  114,338

  105,063

  Failing to comply with traffic signals

  6,770

  5,080

  29,152

  24,266

  Other offences of neglect of traffic directions1

  2,214

  1,455

  12,306

  8,770

  Neglect of pedestrian rights2

  3,593

  2,770

  9,209

  7,439

  1995

  Dangerous driving

  1,254

  569

  10,906

  6,408

  Driving etc., after consuming alcohol or taking drugs

  18,699

  15,445

  105,407

  92,505

  Speed limit offences

  12,998

  11,519

  128,409

  118,974

  Failing to comply with traffic signals

  7,121

  5,471

  29,695

  24,480

  Other offences of neglect of traffic directions1

  2,594

  1,795

  10,706

  7,596

  Neglect of pedestrian rights2

  3,174

  2,385

  8,643

  6,898

  1996

  Dangerous driving

  987

  457

  10,017

  5,750

  Driving etc., after consuming alcohol or taking drugs

  18,043

  15,012

  107,931

  95,705

  Speed limit offences

  14,348

  12,841

  139,565

  130,039

  Failing to comply with traffic signals

  6,874

  5,446

  30,220

  25,307

  Other offences of neglect of traffic directions1

  2,553

  1,823

  9,320

  6,672

  Neglect of pedestrian rights2

  2,714

  2,008

  8,132

  6,487

  1Includes failure to comply with the directions of a police constable as well as failure to comply with traffic signs

  2Includes driving in a playstreet and other contraventions of street playground orders as well as offences connected with 'Zebra' crossings, 'Pelican' crossings and traffic lights at pedestrian crossings

  104

  Notifiable offences recorded by the police: clear-up rate1 by police force area England and Wales 1993–97

  Percentage

  Police force area

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  Suffolk

  37

  35

  34

  33

  37

  Surrey

  20

  30

  31

  29

  33

  Sussex

  24

  24

  28

  29

  26

  Thames Valley

  21

  22

  23

  25

  25

  Warwickshire

  21

  24

  25

  24

  27

  West Mercia

  29

  29

  28

  26

  28

  West Midlands

  27

  25

  24

  23

  24

  West Yorkshire

  18

  20

  21

  24

  27

  Wiltshire

  35

  36

  32

  29

  32

  England

  25

  26

  26

  26

  27

  Dyfed-Powys

  50

  53

  57

  58

  61

  Gwent

  45

  47

  50

  50

  51

  North Wales

  36

  39

  32

  33

  34

  South Wales

  28

  24

  29

  32

  36

  Wales

  34

  32

  34

  37

  41

  England and Wales

  25

  26

  26

  26

  28

  1Excluding offences of "other criminal damage" of value £20 and under

  Driving Offences
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many motorists were(a) charged with and (b) convicted of (i) failure to accord precedence at pedestrian crossings, (ii) failure to comply with traffic signs, (iii) speeding offences, (iv) driving after consuming alcohol or taking drugs and (v) reckless driving in (1) the Metropolitan Police area of London and (2) England and Wales in (A) 1994, (B) 1995, (C) 1996 and (D) 1997. [50198]

  Mr. Michael
  Figures for the years 1994–96 are given in the table. Figures for 1997 are not yet available.

  Illegal Guns
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list by police authority area the number of illegal guns that have been received over each of the last three years. [49897]

  Mr. Michael
  Information about illegal firearms received by individual forces is not normally collected centrally. During the national firearms amnesty in 1996, a total of 22,942 firearms were surrendered to forces as follows:

  Police force

  Total number of firearms

  Avon and Somerset

  878

  Bedfordshire

  173

  Cambridgeshire

  308

  Cheshire

  376

  Cleveland

  198

  Cumbria

  365

  Derbyshire

  337

  Devon and Cornwall

  1,110

  Dorset

  521

  Durham

  305

  Essex

  793

  Gloucestershire

  310

  Greater Manchester

  420

  Hampshire

  716

  Hertfordshire

  161

  Humberside

  259

  Kent

  588

  Lancashire

  504

  Leicestershire

  404

  Lincolnshire

  466

  London, City of Merseyside

  245

  Metropolitan Police

  1,056

  Norfolk

  605

  Northampton

  222

  Northumbria

  428

  North Yorkshire

  311

  Nottinghamshire

  512

  South Yorkshire

  352

  Staffordshire

  423

  Suffolk

  650

  Surrey

  368

  Sussex

  873

  Thames Valley

  864

  Warwickshire

  212

  West Mercia

  526

  West Midlands

  597

  West Yorkshire

  352

  Wiltshire

  445

  Total England

  18,239

  Dyfed Powys

  493

  Gwent

  110

  North Wales

  332

  South Wales

  340

  Total Wales

  1,275

  Total England and Wales

  19,514

  Central Scotland

  215

  Dumfries and Galloway

  285

  Fife

  307

  Grampian

  547

  Lothian and Borders

  497

  106

  Police force

  Total number of firearms

  Northern

  368

  Strathclyde

  936

  Tayside

  273

  Total Scotland

  3,428

  Total Great Britain

  22,942

  Ministerial Television Appearances
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his policy in respect of appearing on television programmes to discuss drugs matters. [50181]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Every request for interview is treated individually and on its merits.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Women's Unit
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what(a) resources and (b) programme money was provided to the Women's Unit for (i) 1997–98 and (ii) 1998–99. [45796]

  Ms Ruddock
  A new Women's Unit was established in this Department with effect from 6 May 1997. Five civil servants from the Sex and Race Equality Division of the Department for Education and Employment were transferred to this Department to establish the Unit together with an annual budget of £165,000. The actual expenditure for the Women's Unit for 1997–98 was £565,202.

  The allocation made for the Women's Unit for the period 1998/99 is £1,130,004.

  These higher figures demonstrate this Government's commitment to ensuring that there is an effective and adequately resourced Women's Unit to prioritise women's interests at the heart of Government.

  The Women's Unit does not have a programme budget of its own, although its work does, of course, influence the programmes of Government Departments.

  Lone Parents
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many lone parents are claiming income support in each local authority area in London; and in each area, how many lone parents had one or more children aged(a) 0 to four and (b) five to 11 years; and how many children of lone parents fall into each age group. [48979]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The latest information available is set out in the table.
  107

  Lone parents receiving Income Support in Greater London, November 1996

  Thousands

  All lone parents receiving Income Support

  Lone parents with child(ren under 5

  Lone parents with child(ren) aged 5–11

  Cases

  Children

  Cases

  Children

  City of London

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  Barking & Dagenham

  5

  2

  3

  3

  4

  Barnet

  5

  2

  3

  3

  4

  Bexley

  4

  2

  3

  2

  3

  Brent

  8

  4

  5

  5

  6

  Bromley

  4

  2

  2

  2

  3

  Camden

  6

  2

  3

  3

  5

  Croydon

  8

  4

  5

  5

  7

  Ealing

  7

  3

  4

  4

  6

  Enfield

  7

  3

  4

  4

  6

  Greenwich

  8

  4

  5

  4

  6

  Hackney

  9

  4

  5

  6

  8

  Hammersmith & Fulham

  5

  3

  3

  3

  3

  Haringey

  8

  4

  5

  5

  6

  Harrow

  3

  1

  2

  2

  3

  Havering

  4

  2

  2

  2

  2

  Hillingdon

  5

  2

  3

  3

  4

  Hounslow

  5

  2

  3

  3

  4

  Islington

  7

  3

  4

  4

  6

  Kensington & Chelsea

  3

  1

  2

  1

  2

  Kingston upon Thames

  2

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Lambeth

  11

  6

  7

  7

  9

  Lewisham

  9

  5

  6

  5

  8

  Merton

  3

  2

  2

  2

  3

  Newham

  11

  6

  7

  6

  9

  Redbridge

  4

  2

  3

  2

  3

  Richmond upon Thames

  2

  1—

  1—

  1

  1

  Southwark

  11

  5

  6

  6

  9

  Sutton

  3

  1

  2

  2

  3

  Tower Hamlets

  7

  3

  4

  4

  6

  Waltham Forest

  7

  3

  4

  4

  6

  Wandsworth

  6

  3

  4

  3

  4

  City of Westminster

  4

  2

  2

  2

  3

  Greater London (Total)

  187

  92

  112

  107

  151

  1Denotes nil or negligible

  Notes:

  1. Numbers are rounded to the nearest thousand. Totals may not sum due to rounding

  2. Lone parents are defined as claimants receiving the lone parent premium and will therefore exclude some single parents who receive a higher value premium such as the Disability or Pensioner premium

  3. Numbers are based on a 5 per cent. sample

  4. A lone parent may have children in both of the age bands shown. They will therefore be counted twice, as such a case will be shown in each banding

  Source:

  Income Support Statistics Quarterly Inquiry, November 1996 (latest available)

  Unclaimed Pensions
  Mr. Grogan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many women did not claim their state pension on reaching the age of 60 in the year 1997–98; [49079]

  (2) how many men did not claim the state pension on reaching the age of 65 years in 1997–98. [49100]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is not available. Information for 1995–96 on the number of men and women who have entitlement to Retirement Pension (RP) and have contacted the Department to say that they wish to defer claiming their pension is set out in the table.
  108

  Number of pensioners not claiming their RP

  Men aged 65 years

  Women aged 60 years

  Deferred claim

  3,000

  3,000

  Source:

  The Lifetime Labour Market Database (LLMDB), a 1 per cent. sample of the National Insurance Recording System taken at February 1997. Analyses cover Great Britain and numbers are rounded to the nearest thousand

  Pensioners
  Miss Kirkbride
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will provide a breakdown of the sums available to pensioners who have not claimed their
  109
  income support, indicating the number within the ranges (a) 0 to 50 pence, (b) 50 pence to £1, (c) £1 to £2 and (d) measured in £1 steps, up to £55 per week. [49650]

  Mr. Denham
  The information is not available in the form requested. Such information as is available is set out in the table.

  Number of pensioner benefit units not claiming entitlement to income support by amount unclaimed in 1995–96

  000s

  Band

  Number of pensioners

  £0–£1

  60

  £1.01–£2

  60

  £2.01–£3

  50

  £3.01–£4

  401

  £4.01–£5

  60

  £5.01–£6

  50

  £6.01–£7

  80

  £7.01–£8

  50

  £8.01–£9

  50

  £9.01–£10

  130

  £10.01–£11

  130

  £11.01–£12

  50

  £12.01–£13

  120

  £13.01–£23

  70

  £23.01–£33

  140

  £33.01–£43

  70

  £43.01–£53

  50

  £53.01–High

  60

  Total

  1,010

  1The estimates are based on particularly small sample sizes and should be treated with caution

  Notes:

  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10,000 and may not sum due to rounding. The estimates are based on the 1995–96 FRS and are almost certainly subject to some degree of error

  2. The median unclaimed amount is £9.10: 50 per cent. of pensioners are therefore entitled to less than this amount and 50 per cent. are entitled to more

  3. It has not been possible to provide figures in 50 pence bands up to £1, or figures in £1 bands above £13 because the amounts in the sample size are too small. The table therefore shows £10 bands above £13, up to £53

  4. The term "pensioner benefit unit" refers to a single pensioner over the age of 60—with or without dependent children—or a couple (married or unmarried) together with any dependent children, whether either partner is over the age of 60

  Source:

  Family Resources Survey (FRS) 1995–96

  Benefits Agency Medical Service
  Dr. Stoate
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make it her policy that the contract to operate the Benefits Agency Medical Service will not be transferred to a private company until that company can demonstrate that it has a sufficient medical workforce to execute the contract as demonstrated by signed and returned contracts between the accredited medical workforce and the company. [49695]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  It was announced on 19 February 1998,Official Report, columns 861–62, that the contracts for Benefits Agency Medical Service would be awarded to the SEMA Group for five years with an option to extend the contracts for two years.
  110
  One of the acceptance criteria to be used to determine whether responsibility for providing the medical services is transferred to a private company is that a pool of suitably qualified and approved doctors is in place to deliver the service.

  Residential Homes
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether the preserved right benefits of persons living in independent sector residential homes can be reduced as a result of topping up payments from a local authority; and what plans she has to change the current rules. [49996]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  Local authorities are permitted to top up Income Support paid to people with preserved rights only in cases where a person was receiving local authority topping up payments on 31 March 1993, is under pension age, or is in residential care and either facing eviction from the home or is resident of a home which is about to close. Such top-up payments have no effect on the amount of Income Support paid. We have no plans to change the rules on the treatment of such payments.

  Widows Benefits
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will introduce measures to allow women to qualify for widows benefit when they have not been married to their late partners but could qualify as having been married by cohabitation. [50210]

  Mr. Denham
  Modernising the Social Security system is a key priority of the Government. In our examination of the current Social Security structure we will take account of the needs of the bereaved in pursuit of our aim of reducing poverty and welfare dependency, promoting work incentives and providing better, simpler more efficient services to clients.

  Cold Weather Payments
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many cold weather payments were made; and how much was spent on cold weather payments in the winter of 1997–98. [50211]

  Mr. Denham
  Last winter, 55,381 Cold Weather Payments were made, totalling £470,739.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when she intends to reply to the letters to her dated 7 April, 27 April and 4 June from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr. P. Hampson of 2 Hopterstall Walk. [50559]

  Mr. Field
  A reply was sent to my right hon. Friend on 13 July 1998.

  LETS Schemes
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is her estimate of (i) the number of LETS schemes and (ii) the number of people trading in LETS in(a) England and Wales and (b) Derbyshire; and if she will make a statement. [50203]
  111
  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The information requested is not collected by this Department.

  Benefits Appeals
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many appeals, in respect of each benefit, were successful during the last 12 months where the claimant(a) had an oral hearing and was represented, (b) had an oral hearing and was not represented and (c) did not attend the hearing. [50182]

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

  Number of oral tribunal hearings where the appellant was successful and was represented, was not represented and did not attend

  Type of benefit

  Was represented1

  Was not represented and attended alone

  Did not attend hearing2

  All

  21,132

  15,543

  6,784

  Attendance Allowance

  23

  11

  5

  Child Benefit

  53

  63

  66

  Compensation Recovery Unit

  3

  2

  0

  Disablement Benefit

  783

  219

  48

  Disability Living Allowance

  57

  12

  11

  Disability Working Allowance

  12

  7

  3

  Family Credit

  108

  120

  158

  Guardians Allowance

  0

  1

  0

  Incapacity Benefit (IB):

  Not all work test

  486

  499

  266

  All work test

  12,288

  8,008

  1,476

  All work test (excl. IB)

  2,243

  2,051

  580

  Income Support

  3,176

  2,683

  1,923

  Industrial Death Benefit

  0

  0

  0

  Invalid Care Allowance

  77

  46

  45

  Invalidity Benefit (IVB)

  151

  51

  16

  IVB (Graham)1

  1

  0

  0

  Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA):

  JSA (hardship)

  4

  8

  8

  JSA (labour market)

  129

  379

  798

  JSA (payment)

  226

  365

  479

  Maternity Allowance

  1

  0

  0

  Maternity Benefit

  1

  4

  3

  One Parent Benefit

  3

  7

  5

  Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema

  0

  0

  0

  Reduced Earnings Allowance

  16

  5

  0

  Retirement Pension

  29

  20

  20

  Severe Disablement Allowance

  62

  38

  18

  SDA (foster)1

  582

  9

  79

  Sickness Benefit

  25

  12

  5

  Social Fund:

  Funeral payment

  189

  201

  182

  Maternity payment

  6

  13

  15

  Statutory Maternity Pay

  2

  1

  0

  Statutory Sick Pay

  1

  2

  1

  Supplementary Benefit:

  Single payment

  9

  5

  4

  Other payments1

  35

  2

  6

  112

  Number of oral tribunal hearings where the appellant was successful and was represented, was not represented and did not attend

  Type of benefit

  Was represented1

  Was not represented and attended alone

  Did not attend hearing2

  Unemployment Benefit

  250

  650

  543

  Widows Benefit

  25

  17

  15

  Workmen's Compensation

  0

  0

  0

  Others

  75

  32

  6

  1Lookalike cases

  2Oral hearings where the representative only, or the appellant and the representative attended.

  Notes:

  1. Oral hearings where no-one attended. These figures do not include "paper determinations".

  2. The period covered is 1 October 1996 to 30 September 1997.

  Source:

  The quarterly Social Security Appeal Tribunal Statistics published by DSS Analytical Services Divisions.

  Supported Accommodation (Interim Funding)
  Mr. Fitzpatrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement about the future of the interim funding arrangements for supported accommodation from the end of October. [50751]

  Ms Harman
  I am pleased to announce that the Government will be extending for a further twelve months our interim funding arrangements for supported accommodation.

  The Government fully appreciate the importance of supported housing for vulnerable people. Extending the interim scheme will ensure financial security for many thousands of tenants who rely on Housing Benefit to meet the cost of the support services they need and which allow them to live with some measure of independence in the community.

  We hope to conclude the inter-Departmental Review of funding for supported accommodation in the near future. However, the supported housing sector is a complex area and the problems identified by the Review have proved to be particularly difficult to resolve. The Government remain committed to identifying and introducing appropriate long-term funding arrangements as soon as possible.

  The Government believe that it is important to ensure that whatever arrangements are implemented for the long-term, they are sustainable and achieve a fair balance between the demands on Housing Benefit and other sources of funding. We will give supported housing providers and other stakeholders an opportunity to comment before new arrangements are implemented.

  Next Steps Agencies
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when she will publish the 1997–98 annual reports and accounts for each of her Next Steps agencies. [50750]

  Ms Harman
  The 1997/98 annual reports and accounts have been laid before Parliament today for the Benefits, Child Support, Contributions, Information Technology Services and War Pensions Agencies.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  British Library
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what are the annual revenue account costs of the British Library's new public affairs directorate. [40132]

  Mr. Fisher
  The Public Affairs Directorate was established in 1996 with staff from existing resources. Annual revenue costs of the Directorate in 1997–98 were:

  £

  Income from sales and donations

  2,158,972

  Expenditure

  3,510,157

  Net Expenditure

  1,351,185

  Departmental Staff (Scotland)
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many staff are employed in Scotland by his Department, or executive agencies responsible to his Department; and where those staff are located. [48359]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  [holding answer 6 July 1998]: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Royal Parks Agency do not employ any staff in Scotland.

  Historic Buildings (Cheltenham)
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he expects to publish the new list of buildings of historic or architectural interest for the Borough of Cheltenham. [49245]

  Mr. Banks
  The Cheltenham list is one of 140 which have been reviewed by English Heritage. The responsibility for checking, processing and agreeing these revised lists lies within the Department. This, together with the resolution of queries with English Heritage, is a time consuming task. We are about to start work on the Cheltenham list which includes over 1,000 buildings and expect to publish it before the end of November.

  Local Authority Sports Strategies
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what action he is taking to encourage local authorities to develop sports strategies. [50232]

  Mr. Banks
  The Department is working with local government to develop guidance on cultural strategies embracing all areas of its responsibility, including sport. The English Sports Council has also produced a wide range of strategic guidance intended to assist local authorities and other bodies involved in planning for sport, both in terms of building facilities and sports development programmes.

  Outdoor Sports
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what action he is taking to encourage participation in outdoor sports. [50235]
  114
  Mr. Banks
  Through our policy of 'Sport For All', we are determined to encourage and improve participation in all sports.

  Government support for sport is channelled through the Sports Councils. In 1998–99 almost £45 million of exchequer funding will be made available to the United Kingdom Sports Council and the English Sports Council. In addition, around £250 million will be awarded to sport through the Lottery Sports Fund.

  With this funding, the Sports Councils undertake a range of activities to promote and develop a number of sports at all levels. The Sports Councils aim to support both indoor and outdoor sports when giving grants to sports governing bodies or making awards from the Lottery Sports Fund.

  Sports Governing Bodies
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what action he is taking to improve the financial accountability of sports governing bodies. [50233]

  Mr. Banks
  This Department's funding for sport is channelled through the United Kingdom and English Sports Councils. The Sports Councils make decisions on awards to sports governing bodies and must ensure that organisations in receipt of funding are administered in an efficient manner and have rigorous financial controls in place. The Councils are required to give assurances to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to this effect.

  The Councils carry out an audit programme of governing bodies to monitor performance. In addition, the Councils undertake advice and support activities, including conferences, seminars and workshops to help with corporate governance, financial planning and objective setting.

  Sports Administration and Coaching
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what action he is taking to improve standards in sports(a) administration and (b) coaching. [50236]

  Mr. Banks
  In addition to audit work, the English Sports Council, which is funded by my Department, seeks to improve standards in the general administration of sport through its Running Sport programme. The programme offers courses and guidance material across a wide range of sports management and administration issues. The programme has been developed and delivered in partnership with a wide range of organisations, including governing bodies and local authorities. The ESC's Volunteer Investment Programme also includes training and advice on administration and management issues for the many volunteer officials and coaches who help run sport at all levels. 2,800 volunteer managers benefited from training in 1997–98. The ESC also keeps in regular contact with the British Institute for Sports Administration and collaborates with it on specific projects.

  The United Kingdom and the English Sports Councils are providing £2.261 million in grant-aid to the National Coaching Foundation (NCF) during the current financial year. I am pleased that the Councils are continuing to support the NCF's work in providing education,

  115
  instruction, and training to professional and volunteer coaches at all levels of British sport. Around half the ESC's £1.561 million grant to the NCF will be used to support two major projects under the ESC's National Junior Sport Programme: the Champion Coaching Scheme which seeks to recruit and train more coaches for young people; and, Coaching for Teachers, by which over 8,500 primary and secondary teachers will be given the opportunity to develop their coaching skills in 12 different sports. The United Kingdom Sports Council has been working closely with the NCF in particular to ensure that the needs of elite athletes and their coaches are properly met.

  Boxing
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will take steps to reduce potential damage caused by blows to the head in boxing in the United Kingdom. [50257]

  Mr. Banks
  While I appreciate the interest boxing creates, the Government are keen to see that the proper medical safeguards and regulations are in place for all sports. It is especially important for those who carry a higher level of physical contact, and believe that the sport's governing bodies are well equipped to keep these in place. The British Boxing of Control are currently undertaking a further review of their medical and safety procedures and have sought views from all their members across the country. I have requested a full report on the outcome.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Royal Train
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the sleeping car on the Royal Train will be made available for hire. [49524]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Yes. For Governmental and other uses to further the national interest. Up to four sleeping cars, together with the rest of the Royal Train would be available. The four coaches used by The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales would not be available for alternate use.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 5 March 1998,Official Report, column 696, during which period is the wider set of cross-system and cross-site year 2000 validation tests for the NATS systems expected to take place. [49864]

  Dr. Strang
  Cross-system and cross-site year 2000 validation testing on NATS systems is due to take place in the period September to December 1998.

  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 5 March 1998,Official Report, column 696, if he will make a statement on the progress of the independent audit of the NATS year 2000 activities. [49865]
  116
  Dr. Strang
  The initial stage of the independent audit has been conducted and a report was produced in early May. Agreed recommendations are now being implemented. Further audit stages are due to be conducted at approximately 3 month intervals.

  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 5 March 1998,Official Report, column 696, how many of the 99 NATS software items found to be Year 2000 non-compliant have been fixed; and what is the expected completion date for the fixing and testing of these changes. [49863]

  Dr. Strang
  By the end of July 1998, remedial work on 79 of the 99 non-compliant operational systems and equipment will have been completed. The plan remains to have all non-compliant items fixed and tested by the end of December 1998.

  Safer Routes to School Initiatives
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what funding his Department will be providing for local authority Safe Routes to School initiatives in Gloucestershire. [50058]

  Dr. Strang
  Funds are not normally earmarked for "Safer Routes to School" initiatives. In the 1998–99 Local Transport Capital Settlement, my Department allocated Gloucestershire County Council £700,000 for minor works in Cheltenham and Gloucester package areas. The Council has the freedom to use these resources for Safer Routes to School if it wishes.

  As bids for funding 1999–2000 are not due until the end of this month it is too early to say how much Gloucestershire will have at its disposal for Safer Routes to School in that year.

  Capital Expenditure
  Mr. Stringer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the public capital expenditure on transport by English region on a per capita basis(a) for the last five years and (b) as a forecast for the next three years. [49862]

  Dr. Strang
  The information my hon. Friend has requested for the past five years cannot be produced comprehensively except at unreasonable cost to public funds. There are forecasts for the future pattern of the expenditure in question. I shall write to my hon. Friend.

  Organophosphates
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn) of 22 July 1997,Official Report, column 530, who is carrying out the research into the effects of low-level exposure to organophosphate pesticides on human health; where this research is being carried out; what is the total value of the funding; and if the Chemical Defence Establishment put in a proposal and bid for this research funding. [49994]

  Mr. Meacher
  The main contractor for the research is the Institute of Occupational Medicine in Edinburgh. Part of the study has involved visits to farms throughout Great
  117
  Britain. In addition, some clinical work has been carried out by the Institute of Neurological Sciences at Glasgow. The total value of the funding is £500,000, jointly provided by the Health and Safety Executive, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Department of Health. The Chemical Defence Establishment did not put in a proposal or bid.

  Air Passengers (Behaviour)
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the number of incidents in the air related to disruptive behaviour and drunkenness reported to the CAA under the mandatory reporting system in each of the last fiveyears. [50217]

  Dr. Strang
  The number of incidents reported under the mandatory reporting system related to disruptive behaviour and drunkenness, which are considered relevant to flight safety.

  Year

  Number

  1993

  13

  1994

  32

  1995

  36

  1996

  68

  1997

  62

  Council Tax
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) when he expects to make a decision regarding the creation of additional council tax bands; and if he will make a statement; [50439]

  (2) when he next proposes to review properties in relation to their council tax banding; and if he will make a statement. [50440]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Our consultation paper 'Improving local financial accountability' invited views on whether there is a case to change the council tax. The deadline for responses was 1 June. We have received a number of representations about the council tax bands. We are considering these and will set out our conclusions in a White Paper this summer.

  Water Disconnections
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many water disconnections at domestic properties there have been in each year since 1993. [50183]

  Angela Eagle
  The Director General of Water Services publishes data on disconnections twice a year, by water company area, for both household and non-household customers. Information about disconnections in the year to 31 March 1998, together with numbers of household and non-household disconnections in each year since 1989–90, was published in an OFWAT News Release on 14 May 1998. Copies of this and earlier OFWAT News Releases containing similar information are in the House Library.

  Private Roads
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the number of private roads in England. [50184]

  Dr. Strang
  Separate figures for England are not readily available. Records show that in 1972—the latest year for which figures exist—there were some 40,000 private streets throughout England and Wales, amounting to some 4,500 miles. The number will have declined since that time, but as records of streets made up for adoption are not held centrally it is not possible to say by how much.

  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the statutory duties of the owners of private roads with regard to their upkeep and lighting. [50185]

  Dr. Strang
  In general, the responsibility of maintaining a private street falls to the owners of the adjoining properties (the "frontagers"). This is a matter of common law, rather than statute law, although under the Highways Act 1980 when there is an urgent need for repairs to obviate danger to traffic the local highway authority may by notice require the owners of the premises fronting the street to carry out specified repairs. The authority may also from time to time resolve to execute street works in order to make up the street to a standard they consider satisfactory, and the works may include lighting.

  The common law imposes no obligations on frontagers to light streets, and while local authorities have certain statutory powers in respect of lighting there is no duty to light a private street.

  Houses in Multiple Occupation
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list those local authorities in England and Wales to which he has given consent to make registration schemes for houses in multiple occupation which vary from the model schemes prescribed in Circular 3/97; and which of the consents given were for(a) information schemes and (b) schemes containing control provisions. [50186]

  Mr. Raynsford
  HMO registration schemes which vary from the model schemes prescribed in Circular 3/97 have been confirmed for the following authorities in England:Notification schemes

  North East Lincolnshire

  York City

  Schemes containing control provisions

  Barnsley

  Colchester

  Ealing

  Guildford

  Hackney

  Hounslow

  Islington

  Kings Lynn and West Norfolk

  119
  Schemes containing special control provisions

  Blackpool

  Bournemouth

  Portsmouth

  Thanet.

  In addition, my right hon Friend the Secretary of State for Wales has confirmed one scheme containing special control provisions for Swansea.

  Bull Bars
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make it his policy to ban bull bars on vehicles. [50253]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Last year we consulted on a range of possible options for dealing with bull bars at a national level. Having carefully considered the responses to this exercise, we are now in the process of identifying how best to take matters forward. We are keen to see aggressive bull bars off the road, but we must ensure that any action we take deals effectively with the complexities involved.

  Strand Underpass
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what has been the total cost for each of the past 10 years of the Strand Underpass in respect of(a) capital costs and (b) maintenance works. [50359]

  Dr. Strang
  The City of Westminster is entirely responsible for the Strand Underpass. However, the following data on capital and maintenance expenditure have been obtained from that authority.

  Strand underpass expenditure

  £000

  Year

  Capital

  Maintenance1

  1988–89

  83.098

  302.697

  1989–90

  304.870

  204.818

  1990–91

  2,535.137

  229.923

  1991–92

  1,648.203

  284.790

  1992–93

  105.802

  129.945

  1993–94

  129.478

  115.490

  1994–95

  406.741

  117.861

  1995–96

  0

  109.269

  1996–97

  0

  128.545

  1997–98

  0

  113.199

  1These do not include routine costs for cleansing and carriageway relining

  Global Warming
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his latest estimate of the level of global warming for the current year relative to the average for the period 1951 to 1980. [50361]

  Angela Eagle
  Global temperatures recorded during the first six months of 1998 have been analysed and show that temperatures averaged from January to June have 120
  been 0.64 degrees Celsius warmer than the average measured for those six months during the period 1951 to 1980. A major contributor to this warmth has been the E1 Nino phenomenon. The Government do not, however, make forecasts of the average global temperature for the remainder of the current year.

  Herald Way Marsh
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many species of plants and animals are indigenous to the Herald Way marsh in Coventry; and of those, how many are classified as endangered. [50120]

  Angela Eagle
  Over 1,142 species of plant and animal have been recorded at Herald Way marsh. The figure breaks down as follows:

  250 species of plant

  848 species of invertebrate

  4 species of amphibian and reptile

  over 40 species of bird

  a range of common mammals.

  The site supports an important assemblage of invertebrates, including 3 species that are classified as Rare or Vulnerable nationally, and 79 species classified as notable (considered scarce on a national scale).

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many species of animals, plants and insects there are(a) in Herald Way marsh and (b) on average in other sites of special scientific interest in England. [50122]

  Angela Eagle
  1,142 species of animal, plant and invertebrate have been recorded at Herald Way marsh. For a breakdown of the figures I refer my hon. Friend to my answer to the previous question.

  Species lists for all 3,995 SSSIs in England are not held and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment his Department has made of water quality in Herald Way marsh; and what proportion of the impurities found comes from(a) industrial and (b) agricultural sources. [50123]

  Angela Eagle
  The Environment Agency, which is responsible for monitoring water quality, is not aware of any direct industrial or agricultural sources of pollution of the Herald Way marsh. The land beneath the marsh is, however, contaminated by longstanding deposits of colliery waste. Leachability tests have indicated that the contaminants are relatively immobile and therefore pose a negligible risk to the environment if left in-situ. Since construction activity could disturb the contaminants, the Agency has asked the local planning authority to request detailed assessment of the environmental implications of all proposed developments in the area.

  Sites of Special Scientific Interest
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what are the mechanisms currently used to prevent activities that damage sites of special scientific interest; what duties are placed on public bodies to protect sites of special scientific interest; and what powers agencies have to monitor sites of special scientific interest. [50124]

  Angela Eagle
  There are a variety of consultation mechanisms, both between the conservation agency and landowners and between the agencies and other bodies, which serve to highlight potential problems and enable the conservation agencies to take action to remedy them, and prevent damage.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many sites of special scientific interest are located in industrial or urban areas of(a) England and (b) the United Kingdom. [50119]

  Angela Eagle
  This information is not readily available in the form requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures the Government are taking to restore sites of special scientific interest that have been damaged by long-term pollution. [50121]

  Angela Eagle
  It is not the Government's responsibility to restore sites damaged by long-term pollution. In most cases, the owner is expected to take responsibility for the restoration of a site. However, several statutory regimes exist providing measures for the remediation of damage caused by long-term pollution, including damage in SSSIs. Section 161 of the Water Resources Act 1991, and section 161A when implemented, give considerable powers to the Environment Agency to deal with pollution of controlled waters. Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, when implemented, will give enforcing authorities new powers to secure remediation of contaminated land, as defined. SSSIs are proposed to be specifically included amongst the receptors to be considered when determining whether land meets the definition.

  Drinking Water Inspectorate
  Judy Mallaber
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the eighth Annual report of the Drinking Water Inspectorate will be published. [50748]

  Mr. Leslie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the eighth annual report of the Drinking Water Inspectorate will be published. [50813]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Drinking Water Inspectorate has published its eighth Annual Report today.
  122
  The Inspectorate will also publish leaflets for consumers. One will summarise the main points of the Report and the others will give brief details of the quality of drinking water supplied by each water company.

  Copies of the Report and leaflets will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Urban Development Corporations
  Mr. Quinn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when his Department's research on the impact of urban development corporations will be published. [50752]

  Mr. Caborn
  The results of two evaluations of Urban Development Corporations (UDCs) were published today, one examining the "Performance and Good Practice Lessons of UDCs" and the other the "Impact of UDCs in Leeds, Bristol and Central Manchester". Copies of each report and summary of findings have been placed in the Library of the House. The Department' s evaluation of the LDDC, "Regenerating London Docklands" was published in June. These reports, taken together, represent a comprehensive evaluation of the impacts of UDCs and set out good practice lessons for future regeneration agencies.

  Housing (Rents)
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the implications for local authority rents of the figures announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer today for expenditure on housing revenue account subsidy included in the total of annually managed expenditure. [50864]

  Ms Armstrong
  The provision for Housing Revenue Account Subsidy allows for a real increase in local authority rents of 1 per cent. next year and of 2 per cent. in each of the following two years. The consequent increase in rental income net of increased rent rebates will be available for increased revenue expenditure on maintaining the stock. The detailed proposals for the determination of HRA subsidy for 1999–2000 and subsequent years will be subject to consultation in the usual way. Rent policy for the longer term remains under consideration within the Welfare Reform process.

  Roads Review
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the proposed Junction 8 of the M62 is included in the Roads Review. [50197]

  Dr. Strang
  No. The Commission for the New Towns have agreed to fund this scheme. Schemes like this which are to be funded by developers are excluded from the Review as explained in my Answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Southampton, Test (Mr. Whitehead) on 19 June 1997,official report, columns 278–79. This answer corrects the one given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State on 12 May 1998, official report, column 62.

  M25
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will make a statement on the implications of the recent proposal for widening the M25 for growth in(a) traffic and (b) carbon dioxide emissions; [47988]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the environmental impact of the recent proposal for widening the M25; [47987]

  (3) if he will make a statement on the cost of the recent proposal for widening the M25. [47986]

  Dr. Strang
  I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. Lawrie Haynes, to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Nutt to Mr. Tom Brake, dated 14 July 1998:
  The Transport Minister, Glenda Jackson, has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions about the M25.
  There are three sets of proposals to widen the M25 between Junctions 12–15, Junctions 15–16 and Junctions 16–19. All three are being considered in the Government's review of the role that trunk roads should play in an integrated transport system.
  The schemes are described broadly in Vol 2 of the roads review consultation document—a copy of the relevant page is attached—but until we know the outcome of the review, we cannot say what form the proposals will take if indeed Ministers decide to take the schemes forward. I am afraid I cannot therefore provide the information you seek. The Government hopes to announce the results of the roads review this summer.
  We are also considering proposals to improve safety on the eastbound approach to M25 J6, but these proposals are at too early a stage for us to be able to provide the information you ask for.
  M25 J12–15 widening

  Standard D5/D6

  Scheme cost £93.8 million

  Length 10.9km

  Next Stage OM

  Widening of the M25 in Surrey between Junction 12 (the junction with the M3) and Junction 15 (the junction with the M4). The scheme is to widen within the highway boundary from dual 4 lane to dual 5 lane between Junctions 12 and 14 and from dual 4 lane to dual 6 lane between Junction 14 and 15. This section of the M25 connects with the M3, M4, A30 and provides access via A3113 to Heathrow Airport. The M25 is part of the Trans European Road Network.
  M25 J15–16 widening

  Standard D5

  Scheme cost £43.1 million

  Length 7.5km

  Next Stage OP

  Widening of the M25 between Junction 15 (M4) and Junction 16 (M40) from dual 4 lane to dual 5 lane standard largely within the existing highway boundary. The M25 is part of the Trans European Road Network. The scheme's objective is to provide additional capacity.
  M25 J16–19 widening

  Standard D4

  Scheme cost £94.4 million

  Length 16.0km

  Next Stage OM

  Widening of the M25 between Junction 16 (M40) and Junction 19 (the Watford Spur) from D3 to D4 standard within the existing highway boundary. The scheme's objective is to provide
  124
  additional traffic capacity. The scheme has been identified for review to establish whether a smaller scale solution could be adopted.

PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Drugs Tsar
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the President of the Council on the basis of how many days work per week the salary of the Drugs Tsar is calculated. [50486]

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  The UK Anti-Drugs Coordinator is employed as a Special Adviser, and under the terms of his contract is required to work a minimum of 41 hours over a 5-day week. Mr. Hellawell also has a position as a non-executive director with a property company,Evans of Leeds. The appointment was approved by the Cabinet Office on the basis that there was no conflict of interest and that the commitment was limited to attending six Board meetings a year, which would be taken out of his annual leave. Mr. Hellawell has waived the salary offered by Evans of Leeds.

  Lobbyists
  Sir George Young
  To ask the President of the Council on what occasions(a) she, (b) the Lord Privy Seal and (c) their special advisers have met representatives of (i) GPC Market Access, (ii) Lawson Lucas Mendelsohn and (iii) GJW Government Relations since 1 May 1997; who these representatives were; and what was discussed at the meetings. [50558]

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  Ministers, their Special Advisers and other civil servants meet many people in the course of their work. This properly includes meetings with interest groups outside Government; indeed one of the specific functions of Special Advisers is to liaise with such interest groups. This liaison is intended to help Ministers draw upon outside contributions—from academics, think-tanks, trade and industry associations, trade unions, lobby groups and others, as well as relevant experience from other countries—during the process of policy analysis and development. By convention it is not the practice of Governments to make information on such meetings or their content publicly available, a principle reflected in the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information published in January 1997. Special advisers and other civil servants must observe the requirements of propriety: for instance, they must not provide confidential information without authorisation or allow improper influence on policy. Any breach of these requirements could be a disciplinary offence.

WALES

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many capital grants and for what purpose the former Rhuddlan Borough Council received under the former Clwyd Integrated Development Operations Programme in the last 10 years of its existence; and which have final grant claims currently outstanding. [49323]
  125
  Mr. Hain
  The Clwyd Integrated Development Operations Programme operated only for the period 1989–91. Projects which were approved under it

  Clwyd 1989–91

  £

  Project title

  Approved

  Grant paid

  Amount outstanding

  Sky Tower West Promenade

  371,250

  371,250.00

  0

  Rhyl Town Hall Area Improvements

  210,000

  210,000.00

  0

  Morley Road Car Park Landscaping

  52,000

  52,000.00

  0

  Small Industrial Units

  145,000

  137,750.00

  7,250

  West Promenade Car Park

  1,793,694

  1,793,694.00

  0

  New Pavilion Theatre

  1,876,552

  1,876,552.00

  0

  Morfa Clwyd Enterprise Centre

  30,000

  30,000.00

  0

  Fisherman's Cottages

  53,324

  50,657.80

  2,666

  Rhyl High Street Pedestrianisation

  157,403

  149,532.85

  7,870

  Gwent Tertiary College
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 3 July 1998,official report, column 292, for what reasons substantive replies were not given to earlier questions by the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent on Gwent Tertiary College, prior to the establishment of the two investigations.[49866]

  Mr. Hain
  I have sought to provide my hon. Friend with the answers to his questions on approval, payments and procedures over a prolonged period. I have also written to him on 19 May and 1 June about these matters and have offered to meet him to discuss it. Until now he has declined to take up my offer but I understand he is to join other hon. Members at a meeting that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I have arranged for 16 July. I hope that this will provide him with the opportunity to raise any outstanding issues that still concern him.

TREASURY

  Child Care Tax Credit
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what guidance has been issued to local authorities in respect of the introduction of the child care tax credit. [48981]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The child care tax credit will be an integral part of the Working Families Tax Credit, which will be introduced in October 1999 and administered by the Inland Revenue. Work is continuing on the detailed design of the WFTC and its administration. We will be considering what guidance about the WFTC needs to be issued, and to whom, at the appropriate time.

  Working Families Tax Credit
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 30 June 1998,Official Report, column 178, on the working families tax credit, if he will set out in each case the effect of the proposed reform on the number of people receiving (a) housing benefit and (b) council tax benefit. [49272]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 7 July 1998]: The introduction of the Working Families Tax Credit will lead to 50,000 fewer families receiving Housing Benefit, and about 90,000 fewer families receiving Council Tax Benefit.
  126
  including those for which final grant claims are still outstanding are:

  These figures are consistent with those published in the FSBR. They assume 1997–98 caseload and take-up rates.

  Hypothermia
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list for each of the years 1986 to 1996 the number of deaths in North Cumbria as a result of hypothermia. [49734]

  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. Eric Martlew, dated 14 July 1998:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your parliamentary question on the number of deaths in North Cumbria as a result of hypothermia in each year from 1986 to 1996.
  The information is shown in the table below.

  Deaths with a mention of hypothermia, North Cumbria, 1986–96

  Year

  Deaths

  1986

  7

  1987

  10

  1988

  2

  1989

  2

  1990

  3

  1991

  4

  1992

  1

  1993

  9

  1994

  2

  1995

  6

  1996

  7

  The data for 1986 to 1992 are the numbers of deaths registered in those years, whereas the deaths from 1993 to 1996 are those that occurred in each year.Prior to 1994, North Cumbria did not exist as a district health authority and the data for years 1986–93 were obtained by adding the number of deaths registered in the two district health authorities of East Cumbria and West Cumbria.

  Winter Mortality Rates
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the excess winter mortality rates in(a) the United Kingdom, (b) England, (c) Scotland, (d) Wales, (e) Greater London and (f) Sutton and Cheam for each of

  127
  the last five years in terms of (i) numbers and (ii) percentages for (1) those aged 65 to 80 years, (2) those aged over 80 years and (3) all ages. [49552]

  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. Paul Burstow, dated 14 July 1998:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent question on excess winter mortality rates in (a) the United Kingdom, (b) England, (c) Scotland, (d) Wales, (e) Greater London and (f) Sutton and Cheam for each

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–971

  Excess Winter deaths

  Excess winter deaths index

  Excess Winter deaths

  Excess winter deaths index

  Excess Winter deaths

  Excess winter deaths index

  Excess Winter deaths

  Excess winter deaths index

  Excess Winter deaths

  Excess winter deaths index

  United Kingdom

  All ages

  28,810

  14.3

  29,120

  14.0

  30,270

  15.1

  44,760

  22.3

  52,270

  26.8

  65–79

  9,590

  12.0

  8,960

  11.1

  10,070

  13.1

  14,930

  19.8

  15,730

  21.4

  80 and over

  16,730

  19.8

  17,640

  19.7

  17,700

  20.2

  26,650

  30.0

  32,950

  38.2

  England

  All ages

  24,190

  14.6

  25,030

  14.7

  25,760

  15.6

  37,810

  22.9

  45,080

  28.2

  65–79

  8,040

  12.4

  7,550

  11.4

  8,550

  13.7

  12,360

  20.1

  13,340

  22.3

  80 and over

  14,150

  20.0

  15,370

  20.5

  15,120

  20.5

  22,740

  30.5

  28,620

  39.5

  Scotland

  All ages

  2,740

  13.9

  2,590

  13.0

  2,310

  12.0

  3,650

  19.1

  3,640

  19.4

  65–79

  940

  11.7

  900

  11.2

  800

  10.4

  1,420

  18.9

  1,250

  17.0

  80 and over

  1,520

  20.6

  1,340

  17.3

  1,270

  17.1

  1,990

  26.4

  2,080

  28.0

  Wales

  All ages

  1,610

  14.8

  1,010

  8.8

  1,650

  15.1

  2,440

  22.2

  2,900

  27.1

  65–79

  510

  11.4

  350

  7.5

  510

  11.7

  870

  20.2

  970

  22.7

  80 and over

  900

  20.4

  610

  12.7

  930

  20.3

  1,380

  28.9

  1,790

  39.5

  Greater London

  All ages

  3,360

  16.1

  3,140

  14.6

  3,500

  16.8

  4,830

  23.4

  5,960

  30.3

  65–79

  1,070

  13.8

  930

  11.7

  1,040

  13.9

  1,540

  21.1

  1,880

  27.2

  80 and over

  1,980

  22.4

  1,920

  20.4

  2,080

  22.8

  2,850

  31.2

  3,630

  41.7

  London Borough of Sutton

  All ages

  150

  26.5

  110

  18.7

  90

  16.8

  90

  14.6

  220

  40.7

  65–79

  70

  35.8

  30

  15.4

  10

  2.5

  30

  13.0

  70

  43.0

  80 and over

  60

  22.1

  70

  23.8

  80

  29.6

  50

  17.9

  120

  42.6

  Cheam2

  All ages

  20

  29.8

  0

  6.8

  20

  32.7

  -10

  -10.3

  10

  17.9

  65–79

  10

  58.6

  0

  -25.0

  10

  35.5

  0

  -6.7

  10

  46.2

  80 and over

  10

  24.3

  0

  9.3

  10

  27.6

  0

  0.0

  0

  6.3

  1The data for 1996–97 are provisional as a small proportion of deaths which occurred during this period will not have been registered yet and are therefore excluded from the calculations used to derive the excess winter mortality figures presented here

  2Addition of Cheam South and Cheam West wards

  Note:

  All excess winter deaths figures are rounded to the nearest 10

  Grave Memorial Stones (VAT)
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was recovered by way of VAT in the last tax year in respect of grave memorial stones; and if he will make a statement. [49752]

  Mrs. Liddell
  We have no estimates of the amount of VAT recovered in respect of grave memorial stones.
  128 of the last five years in terms of (i) numbers and (ii) percentages for (1) those aged 65 to 80 years, (2) those aged over 80 years and (3) all ages.The information is given in the attached table.Data are not available by parliamentary constituency. The table therefore gives figures for the London Borough of Sutton and separately for the wards of Cheam South and Cheam West combined. However, these two wards are actually combined within the London Borough of Sutton.Excess Winter Deaths are defined as the number of deaths in the four months from December to March minus the average of the numbers in the preceding autumn (August-November) and the following summer (April-July).The Excess Winter Deaths Index is the number of excess winter deaths expressed as a percentage of the average of the number of deaths in the autumn and the summer periods.

  Unleaded Petrol
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what level of excise duty he plans to levy on the special grade of unleaded petrol containing lead substitutes which will replace leaded petrol from 2000. [50024]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Chancellor is aware of the likely introduction of lead replacement petrol and will be considering the appropriate level of excise duty in the run
  129
  up to the next Budget. The industry has indicated that lead replacement petrol could be introduced in mid-1999, in advance of the ban on leaded petrol from 2000.

  BNFL
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 6 July 1998,official report, column 342, if he will assess the advantages of placing in the Library copies of the documents on the BNFL purchase of Westinghouse Nuclear with the commercially sensitive information removed. [49871]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  The documents on the purchase of Westinghouse referred to largely comprise information which is commercially sensitive, and which would be of use to other companies operating in the highly competitive nuclear supplies and services markets. Removing such information would render the reports virtually meaningless. BNFL's own press release contains a helpful statement on the acquisition. A copy has been placed in the Library.

  Channel Tunnel Rail Link
  Mr. Stringer
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer at what threshold and by what criteria the £3.8 billion Government-guaranteed bonds for the Channel Tunnel Rail Link will count as public expenditure. [49861]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  Any amounts paid by Government under their guarantee over the bonds to be issued by London and Continental Railways for the Channel Tunnel Rail Link will count as public expenditure. The Government guarantee itself is a contingent liability; the probability of its being called is remote.

  VAT (Motor Fuels)
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his current forecast of the revenue from VAT on motor fuels (i) in the current year and (ii) in each of the two subsequent years. [49958]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 10 July 1998]: HM Customs and Excise do not produce forecasts of VAT receipts at this level of disaggregation.

  Training Providers
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many training providers were consulted on the forms used for tax relief on training and how many responded to the consultation exercise; and if he will publish a regional breakdown of the consultees and respondents. [50008]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 13 July 1998]: An Inland Revenue Budget press release inviting comments on proposals to introduce a single new form to replace the two eligibility forms for vocational training relief (VTR) was issued on 26 November 1996. The press release invited those interested to obtain copies of the draft form and a commentary on it, and copies were placed on the Inland Revenue's Internet web site. Comments were sought by 1 March 1997. In addition, the Inland Revenue wrote to a cross-section of 25 training providers around the country seeking their views on the proposed new form.
  130
  The Inland Revenue received nearly 50 requests for a copy of the proposed form. About a dozen responses were received, only two of which were from the 25 training providers selected.

  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to reduce the administrative burden on training providers of the tax relief claims system. [50009]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 13 July 1998]: As our recent consultation paper on the Learning Age (Cm 3790) indicated, we are considering targeted public support to encourage people to open individual learning accounts, which might include tax incentives. There is potentially a read across here to Vocational Training Relief (VTR) and we will consider any changes to the administration of the current VTR system in the light of our decisions on individual learning accounts.

  Earnings (Scotland)
  Mr. Moore
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will list the average weekly earnings gross pay, (i) including and (ii) excluding overtime for full-time workers in(a) Scotland, (b) each of the unitary local authority areas in Scotland and (c) Great Britain for (1) manual, (2) non-manual and (3) all workers; [50177]

  (2) if he will list the percentage of full-time workers in (a) Scotland, (b) each of the unitary local authority areas in Scotland and (c) Great Britain earning gross pay, both including and excluding overtime, less than (i) £249.97, (ii) £233.13 and (iii) £174.85 per week for the categories (1) male manual, (2) male non-manual, (3) all male workers, (4) female manual, (5) female non-manual, (6) all female workers, (7) all manual, (8) all non-manual and (9) all workers; [50176]

  (3) if he will list the proportion of full-time workers in (a) Scotland, (b) each of the unitary local authority areas in Scotland and (c) Great Britain with hourly earnings, gross pay, both including and excluding overtime, below (i) £6.61, (ii) £6.15, (iii) £4.61 and (iv) £3.60 for the categories (1) male manual, (2) male non-manual, (3) all male workers, (4) female manual, (5) female non-manual, (6) all female workers, (7) all manual, (8) all non-manual and (9) all workers. [50175]

  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. Michael Moore, dated 14 July 1998:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your parliamentary questions (50175, 50176 and 50177) on earnings.
  The latest information, from the New Earnings Survey April 1997, is contained in the attached tables. These tables are voluminous and copies of them are being placed in the Library of the House rather than reproduced in Hansard.

  Comprehensive Spending Review
  Mr. Caplin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the oral announcement of 11 June 1997,
  131
  Official Report, columns 1143–57, if he will publish the departmental objectives arising from the Comprehensive Spending Review. [50746]

  Mr. Darling
  A booklet setting out the revised aims and objectives of Government departments has been published today. Copies are available in the Vote Office and the Library of the House. They provide a clear statement of what the Government are seeking to achieve through our public expenditure policies.

  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the amounts for 1998–99 resulting from the carry-forward of underspends allowed under the end-year flexibility schemes for capital, running costs, MoD operating costs, health, EU structural funds, nationalised industries and welfare to work expenditure. [50745]

  Amounts for 1998–99 voted cash limits resulting from the carryover of capital underspends

  Class Vote

  Vote title

  £000

  I, 3

  Defence: systems procurement and research

  180,127

  II, 3

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office BBC World Service

  2,000

  III, 2

  Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  7,717

  V, 1

  Department of Trade and Industry: programmes and administration

  7,833

  V, 2

  Department of Trade and Industry: science

  7,000

  VI, 1

  Housing construction, regeneration, countryside and wildlife, England

  20,227

  VI, 2

  Planning, roads, local transport and vehicle safety

  1,424

  VI, 3

  Environmental protection and water

  582

  VI, 5

  Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions: administration

  6,000

  VI, 8

  Highways Agency

  11,769

  VI, 9

  Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

  200

  VI, 11

  Office of the Rail Regulator

  120

  VII, 3

  Charity Commission

  188

  VIII, 1

  Lord Chancellor's Department

  2,107

  VIII, 3

  Public Record Office

  200

  VIII, 4

  The Crown Prosecution Service

  174

  VIII, 5

  Serious Fraud Office

  165

  VIII, 6

  HM Procurator General and Treasury Solicitor

  313

  VIII, 7

  The Crown Office, Scotland and Lord Advocate's Department

  1,169

  X, 1

  Department for Culture, Media and Sport programme expenditure and administration

  3,651

  XII, 3

  Department of Social Security: administration

  4,078

  XIII, 1

  Agriculture, fisheries and environmental services, Scotland

  7,237

  XIII, 2

  Local government, housing, transport, other environmental services and European funds, Scotland

  3,160

  XIII, 5

  Law, order and protective services, police grant and social work services, Scotland

  2,000

  XIII. 6

  Scottish Office: administration

  1,459

  XIII, 7

  General Register Office for Scotland

  150

  XIII, 8

  Scottish Record Office

  321

  XIV, 1

  Agriculture and fisheries, Wales

  2,000

  XIV, 2

  Industrial support, training and enterprise and education, Wales

  1,366

  XIV, 3

  Roads and transport, housing, other environmental services, Cadw, arts and libraries, health and personal social services, ERDF and Welsh Office administration, Wales

  7,276

  XV, 1

  Northern Ireland Office administration, law, order, protective and miscellaneous services

  2,740

  XVI, 1

  HM Treasury

  2,000

  XVI, 4

  Inland Revenue: administration

  1,968

  XVI, 5

  Inland Revenue: Valuation Office (Executive Agency): administration

  2,000

  XVI, 8

  National Savings

  915

  XVI, 9

  Registry of Friendly Societies

  168

  XVII, 1

  Cabinet Office: Office of Public Service

  11,057

  Total voted capital carryforward

  302,861

  Amounts for 1998–99 non-voted cash limits resulting from the carryover of capital underspends

  Cash block

  Description of expenditure

  £000

  DETR/CC

  Supplementary credit approvals to the successful local authorities for Capital Challenge

  3,175

  DETR/OES

  Supplementary credit approvals for other environmental services in England: contaminated land, smoke

  920

  control, air quality, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, Isle of Scilly water and sewerage and

  recycling (up to 1997–98 only)

  DETR/LACAP(E)

  Basic credit approvals to local authorities in England for housing, transport (except passenger transport

  3,234

  authorities), education, health, other services and (for counties only) fire services. Supplementary

  credit approvals, specified capital grants and certain other grants to local authorities in England for

  housing regeneration

  132
  Mr. Darling
  A list of amounts totalling £362 million for capital expenditure; £574 million for control total running costs; £102 million for MOD operating costs; £225 million for health and personal social services expenditure; £486 million for EU structural funds, £54 million for Nationalised Industries and £62 million for Welfare to Work expenditure is shown in the table.

  Subject to Parliamentary approval of any necessary Supplementary Estimates, individual cash, running costs or external finance limits will be increased when carryforward is taken up.

  The total increase resulting from the take-up of end-year flexibility within the control total will be charged to the Reserve and will not therefore add to the planned total of public expenditure.
  133

  Amounts for 1998–99 non-voted cash limits resulting from the carryover of capital underspends

  Cash block

  Description of expenditure

  £000

  DETR/HC

  Grants and capital expenditure financed by the Housing Corporation in England

  518

  DfEE/LACAP

  Supplementary credit approvals for health in England

  958

  DOH/LACAP

  Supplementary credit approvals for health in England

  602

  NIDI

  Services in Northern Ireland broadly analogous to services in Great Britain covered by cash limits but including family practitioner services

  14,645

  SO/LAI

  Net capital allocations and grants to local authorities in Scotland for roads and transport, non-HRA housing, police, education, social work services, general services and urban programme

  14,854

  SO/LA2

  Net capital allocations and grants to local authorities in Scotland for housing including HRA

  9,111

  SO/CRI

  Net capital allocations to local authorities to support spending on New Housing Partnerships, under the Capital Receipts Initiative

  624

  WO/TC

  Capital grants and net lending both to the Tai Cymru and by Tai Cymru to registered social landlords, and supported Housing Revenue Grant

  677

  WO/LACAP

  Basic credit approvals for local authorities in Wales. Supplementary credit approvals for all services (except ERDF projects). Strategic Development Scheme grants (both capital and current) and some housing grants

  10,202

  Total non voted capital carryforward

  59,520

  Total capital carryforward

  362,381

  Amounts for 1998–99 cash limits and external finance limits resulting from the carryover of underspends on health and personal services expenditure

  Class Vote

  Description of expenditure

  £000

  XI, 1

  Hospital, community health, family health and related services, England

  56,000

  XI, 2

  Department of Health administration, miscellaneous health and personal social services, England

  13,648

  XIII, 4

  Hospital, community health, family health, other health services and welfare food, Scotland

  47,391

  XIII, 5

  Law, order and protective services, police grant and social work services, Scotland

  1,072

  XIII, 6

  Scottish Office: administration

  98

  NHS Trusts (Scotland)

  Scottish Office

  38,932

  XIV, 3

  Roads and transport, housing, other environmental services, Cadw, arts and libraries, health and personal social services, ERDF and Welsh Office administration, Wales

  1,575

  XIV, 4

  Hospital, community health, family health services and other health services (part), Wales

  12,960

  NHS Trusts (Wales)

  Welsh Office

  24,371

  NHS Trusts (Northern Ireland)

  Northern Ireland Office

  15,391

  NID 1

  Services in Northern Ireland broadly analogous to services in Great Britain covered by cash limits but including family practitioner services

  14,015

  Total health carryforward

  225,453

  Amounts for 1998–99 cash limits resulting from the carryover of underspends on structural funds expenditure

  Cash limit

  Vote title or description of expenditure

  £000

  Class V, Vote 1

  Department of Trade and Industry: programmes and administration

  74,155

  Class VI, Vote 6

  Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions: Transport industries

  3,145

  Class IX, Vote 1

  Department for Education and Employment: programmes and central services

  301,076

  Class XIII, Vote 2

  Local government, housing, transport, other environmental services and European funds, Scotland

  3,977

  SO/ERDF

  Payments of grants to local authorities and other bodies in Scotland on approved projects which match forecast European Regional Development Fund receipts

  57,885

  Class XIV, Vote 1

  Agriculture, fisheries and environmental services, Wales

  901

  WO/ERDF

  Payments of European Regional Development Fund grants in Wales including supplementary credit approvals in respect of capital expenditure by local authorities

  35,702

  NID 1

  Services in Northern Ireland broadly analogous to services in Great Britain covered by cash limits but including family practitioner services

  8,734

  Total structural funds carryforward

  485,575

  Carryforward for Ministry of Defence operating costs underspends

  101,594

  Amounts for 1998–99 external finance limits resulting from the carry over of underspends on nationalised expenditure

  £000

  Jubilee Line

  29,000

  Post Office

  25,000

  Total nationalised industries carryforward

  54,000

  134

  Amounts for 1998–99 running costs limits within the control total resulting from the carryforward of running costs underspends

  Department

  £000

  International Development

  7,138

  Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food

  3,943

  Intervention Board—Executive Agency

  761

  Trade and Industry

  10,997

  135

  Amounts for 1998–99 running costs limits within the control total resulting from the carryforward of running costs underspends

  Department

  £000

  Office of Telecommunications

  139

  Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions

  35,921

  OPRAF

  532

  ORR

  853

  Health and Safety Executive

  6,591

  Home Office

  18,434

  Lord Chancellor's Department

  3,291

  Northern Ireland Court Service

  667

  Crown Prosecution Service

  3,228

  Public Record Office

  1,154

  Serious Fraud Office

  351

  Treasury Solicitor's Department

  1,576

  Crown Office

  581

  Department for Education and Employment

  69,945

  OFSTED

  861

  Department of Culture, Media and Sport

  1,424

  OFLOT

  819

  Department of Health

  6,219

  Department of Social Security

  228,099

  Amounts for 1998–99 cash limits resulting from the carryforward of underspends on Welfare to Work expenditure

  Class, Vote

  £000

  IX, 1

  Department for Education and Employment: programmes and central services

  Other expenditure

  5,365

  Running costs

  643

  IX, 3

  Employment Service

  Other expenditure

  24,038

  Running costs

  20,771

  XII, 3

  Department of Social Security: administration

  Running costs

  8,924

  XIII, 3

  Education, industry, arts and libraries, Scotland

  Other expenditure

  22

  XIV, 2

  Industrial support, training and enterprise and education, Wales

  Other expenditure

  991

  NID 1

  Services in Northern Ireland broadly analogous to services in Great Britain covered

  Other expenditure

  442

  by cash limits but including family practitioner services

  Running costs

  1,201

  Total Welfare to Work carryforward

  62,397

  Indirect Taxation
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the average annual amount of indirect taxation paid per citizen in each of the last 10 years.[50196]

  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. Harry Barnes, dated 14 July 1998:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking for an estimate of the average annual amount of indirect taxation paid per citizen in each of the last 10 years.
  This information is shown in the table below. The figures are derived from the annual analysis of the effects of taxes and benefits on household income, which is based on the Family Expenditure Survey. The latest information available is for the fiscal year 1996–97. The actual amount of indirect tax paid by each individual will vary greatly depending on that individual's actual consumption.
  136

  Amounts for 1998–99 running costs limits within the control total resulting from the carryforward of running costs underspends

  Department

  £000

  Scottish Office

  20,601

  Scottish Courts Administration

  5,656

  Scottish Record Office

  630

  General Register Office

  366

  Welsh Office

  6,135

  Office of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools in Wales

  813

  Northern Ireland Office and Departments

  51,307

  HM Treasury

  12,389

  Customs and Excise

  16,388

  Inland Revenue

  28,084

  National Savings

  2,651

  Registry of Friendly Societies

  217

  Office of National Statistics

  3,642

  Office of Public Service

  13,909

  Cabinet Office

  1,157

  Security and Intelligence Services

  6,220

  Privy Council Office

  254

  Total running costs

  573,943

  Average indirect taxes paid per person in the United Kingdom

  Year

  £per year

  1987

  808

  1988

  920

  1989

  964

  1990

  1,052

  1991

  1,194

  1992

  1,220

  1993–94

  1,244

  1994–95

  1,292

  1995–96

  1,372

  1996–97

  1,466

SCOTLAND

  Teachers
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many teachers gaining first appointments as teachers in Scotland in each year from 1993–94 to 1997–98 in each council area were given(a) permanent full-time contracts, (b) permanent part-time contracts, (c) non-permanent contracts for over 12 months, (d) contracts for three to 12 months and (e) contracts for less than three months. [48753]
  137
  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 9 July 1998]: The information which is available is set out in the table.

  Education authority schools, September 1994 Number of teachers in schools in their first year of probation by mode of employment1

  Full-time permanent

  All non permanent

  Scotland

  726

  1,118

  Aberdeen City

  24

  61

  Aberdeenshire

  42

  53

  Angus

  22

  24

  Argyll and Bute

  16

  22

  Clackmannanshire

  6

  9

  Dumfries and Galloway

  34

  48

  Dundee City

  38

  34

  East Ayrshire

  5

  14

  East Dunbartonshire

  8

  28

  East Lothian

  15

  10

  East Renfrewshire

  *

  17

  Edinburgh, City of

  59

  60

  Eilean Siar

  12

  7

  Falkirk

  19

  24

  Fife

  111

  93

  Glasgow City

  49

  130

  Highland

  48

  40

  Inverclyde

  7

  25

  Midlothian

  6

  14

  Moray

  14

  24

  North Ayrshire

  *

  38

  North Lanarkshire

  32

  92

  Orkney Islands

  8

  5

  Perth and Kinross

  34

  11

  Renfrewshire

  10

  40

  Scottish Borders

  19

  14

  Shetland Islands

  15

  6

  South Ayrshire

  *

  18

  South Lanarkshire

  27

  78

  Stirling

  11

  15

  West Dunbartonshire

  7

  27

  West Lothian

  17

  37

  1In addition, there were 32 teachers in education authority schools employed on permanent part-time

  * The asterisk has been included to avoid disclosure

  Source:

  School Census

  Agricultural Subsidies
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much has been paid out in IACS payments in each of the last three years; what percentage of 1997 payments are currently outstanding and for what reasons; and if he will make a statement. [49327]

  Mr. Macdonald
  Under the IACS Schemes, £401.35m was paid out in the 1995 scheme year. £374.90m was paid out in the 1996 scheme year and £361.72m was paid out in the 1997 scheme year. A maximum of 2.71 per cent. of the 1997 scheme year payments remains to be paid subject to checking whether the claims are valid.

  Public Expenditure
  Mr. Browne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will announce his plans for allocating total expenditure within his responsibility for 1999–2000, 2000–01 and 2001–02. [50861]
  138
  Mr. Dewar
  The tables outline my plans for allocating the total expenditure for Scotland within my responsibility. The tables have been drawn up in accordance with the new public expenditure arrangements announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 11 June 1998,official report, columns 1195–1201. Thus they identify separately capital and current expenditure within the Departmental Expenditure Limit, Annually Managed Expenditure and resources which fall outwith my Department's Assigned Budget but form part of the Total Budget.

  The plans, which are based firmly upon the operation of the Barnett formula provide for an additional £4bn of spending within the Departmental Spending Limit over the 3 years to 2002. In allocating these resources, I have placed particular emphasis on education, health and housing.

  For education my proposals will ensure that all 3 year-olds will have the right to a free nursery place by 2002 and that by 2002 there will be 5,000 new classroom assistants in Scottish primary schools, giving a ratio of one adult for every 15 children. I will be establishing a new Excellence Fund to help deliver higher standards in schools and a promise of 42,000 more students entering Scottish colleges will guarantee that Scotland realises its economic potential as a "knowledge economy" of the future.

  My second priority is to finance the creation of the most modern health service in Europe. My proposals will ensure that waiting lists will come down and stay down as the service invests for modernisation. By 2000, every hospital, clinic and GP surgery will be linked electronically to facilitate new developments such as one-stop clinics and instant personal booking for hospital appointments.

  An additional £300m will be made available for housing. This will support the first steps towards a new future for Scotland's council houses built around the principles of greater community ownership and more private investment in our housing stock.

  Beyond these core priorities I am making provision for the establishment of Parliament, including the construction of a world class Parliament building which will be the symbol of the new democracy in Scotland.

  The plans also include investment and redeployment of resources across the range of my other programmes. With industry and training I am planning a radical shift from investment in physical infrastructure to a greater emphasis on human capital, and new investment in the commercialisation of research and the promotion of entrepreneurship. I am also planning major new investment in transport, where I will be establishing a new Scottish Public Transport Fund to encourage new public transport initiatives.

  This is an excellent settlement for Scotland, demonstrating the concrete steps we are taking to encourage growth and employment, and to provide efficient and modern public services.
  139

  Table 1—Scottish Office Budget Summary

  1997–98 £ million

  1998–99 £ million

  1999–2000 £ million

  2000–01£ million

  2001–02 £ million

  Growth over CSR period per cent.

  Departmental expenditure limit1, 2

  12,809

  13,071

  13,768

  14,431

  15,045

  15.1

  of which: capital expenditure

  1,429

  1,571

  1,624

  1,707

  1,831

  16.6

  Annually managed expenditure

  CAP

  324

  345

  300

  282

  309

  -10.4

  Housing support grant

  16

  13

  13

  13

  13

  0.0

  Total assigned budget3

  13,148

  13,429

  14,080

  14,726

  15,367

  14.4

  New deal for schools4,5

  10

  29

  27

  27

  27

  -9.1

  Non-domestic rates6

  1,326

  1,395

  1,441

  1,473

  1,510

  8.2

  Total budget7

  14,484

  14,853

  15,548

  16,225

  16,904

  13.8

  1Under the new public expenditure control arrangements and devolution, the Barnett formula used to determine Scottish expenditure applies to the Departmental Expenditure Limit (DEL) in place of the former Scottish Block. Full details of the definitional changes between the DEL and the Control Total were given in the "Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report 1998", published in June.

  2Includes provision for the Crown Office, which will be within the responsibility of the Scottish Parliament.

  3Total budget assigned to the Scottish Parliament. There are some differences between the coverage of the Assigned Budget and the former Scottish Block, the main one being the exclusion of non-domestic rates. Figures here include expenditure on Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowance of around £37 million per year which is included in the DEL but excluded from the Assigned Budget for control purposes until 1999–2000.

  4Includes around £1 million for the New Deal for Young People in 1997–98 and £3 million for Childcare in 1998–99.

  5Total expenditure financed by the Windfall Tax and administered by the Scottish Office. The majority of expenditure on the New Deal is administered for all of Great Britain by DfEE and DSS. Total expenditure in Scotland on the New Deal is projected to be over £450 million in the period 1997–2002.

  6Figures for future years uprated in line with the RPI.

  7Total Scottish public spending within the responsibility of the Scottish Parliament or administered by the Scottish Executive.

  Table 2—Budget by programme

  1997–98 £ million

  1998–99 £ million

  1999–2000 £ million

  2000–01 £ million

  2001–02 £ million

  Growth over CSR period per cent.

  Central government support for:

  Local Authority current expenditure1

  5,431

  5,448

  5,688

  5,864

  6,014

  10.4

  Local Authority non-housing capital expenditure2

  336

  359

  345

  356

  392

  9.2

  Other programme expenditure

  Agriculture, fisheries and food3

  514

  517

  478

  464

  496

  -4.0

  Arts, libraries and sport

  86

  77

  80

  82

  84

  8.7

  Further, higher and other central government education (excluding student support)

  941

  914

  1,013

  1,070

  1,136

  24.3

  Student support4

  346

  357

  320

  308

  299

  -16.2

  Health

  4,354

  4,624

  4,924

  5,214

  5,534

  19.7

  Housing5

  422

  498

  524

  634

  655

  31.6

  Industry, enterprise and training6

  589

  599

  555

  558

  608

  1.6

  Law, order and protective services7

  452

  460

  487

  488

  508

  10.3

  Crown office

  47

  49

  51

  51

  51

  3.1

  Other environmental services

  336

  328

  323

  325

  327

  -0.4

  Scottish Parliament and staff

  0

  0

  55

  80

  47

  —

  Other public services

  155

  160

  183

  194

  191

  19.5

  Roads and transport8

  242

  245

  267

  270

  282

  15.1

  Social work

  63

  66

  74

  77

  81

  23.8

  European social funds and European regional development fund

  161

  123

  153

  163

  173

  40.7

  New deal for schools9

  10

  29

  27

  27

  27

  -9.1

  Total budget

  14,484

  14,583

  15,548

  16,226

  16,904

  13.8

  1Includes non-domestic rate payments, which are outside the DEL

  2The requirement that local authorities must use 50 per cent. of non-housing capital receipts to redeem debt will be abolished from 1 August 1998. This will allow local authorities to raise an estimated £75 million per annum extra from asset sales

  3Includes market support under the CAP, which is outside the DEL

  4Reflects the new Resource Accounting treatment of student loans announced in the "Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report 1998", hence it includes total expenditure on student grants, but only the subsidy element of student loans

  5Expenditure funded through the Capital Receipts Initiative is now included in the DEL. Housing figures also include Housing Support Grant, which is outside the DEL

  6This line covers industry, enterprise and training expenditure administered by the Scottish Office only. Further expenditure administered by other departments on the New Deal is projected to be around £75 million in 1998–99, and almost £90 million per year in each 1999–2000 to 2001–02

  7A large proportion of spending on law, order and protective services is included under central government support to local authorities

  8Includes support to nationalised industries

  9Includes around £1 million for the New Deal for Young People in 1997–98 and £3 million for Childcare in 1998–99. Additional support for schools' capital expenditure is included in support for non-housing local authority capital expenditure above

  140 141

  Table 3—Scottish Office Budget Summary in real terms (1997–98 prices)

  1997–98 £ million

  1998–99 £ million

  1999–2000 £ million

  2000–01 £ million

  2001–02 £ million

  Real growth over CSR period per cent.

  Departmental expenditure limit1, 2

  12,809

  12,703

  13,041

  13,336

  13,564

  6.8

  of which: capital expenditure

  1,429

  1,526

  1,538

  1,578

  1,651

  8.1

  Annually managed expenditure

  CAP

  324

  335

  284

  260

  278

  -16.9

  Housing support grant

  16

  12

  12

  12

  11

  -7.2

  Total assigned budget3

  13,148

  13,050

  13,337

  13,608

  13,854

  6.2

  New deal for schools4, 5

  10

  29

  25

  25

  24

  -15.7

  Non-domestic rates6

  1,326

  1,356

  1,365

  1,361

  1,362

  0.4

  Total Budget7

  14,484

  14,435

  14,727

  14,994

  15,240

  5.6

  1Under the new public expenditure control arrangements and devolution, the Barnet formula used to determine Scottish expenditure applies to the Departmental Expenditure Limit (DEL) in place of the former Scottish Block. Full details of the definitional changes between the DEL and the Control Total were given in the "Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report 1998", published in June

  2Includes provision for the Crown Office, which will be within the responsibility of the Scottish Parliament

  3Total budget assigned to the Scottish Parliament. There are some differences between the coverage of the Assigned Budget and the former Scottish Block, the main one being the exclusion of non-domestic rates. Figures here include expenditure on Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowance of around £37 million per year which is included in the DEL but excluded from the Assigned Budget for control purposes until 1999–2000

  4Includes around £1 million for the New Deal for Young People in 1997–98 and £3 million for Childcare in 1998–99

  5Total expenditure financed by the Windfall Tax and administered by the Scottish Office. The majority of expenditure on the New Deal is administered for all of Great Britain by DfEE and DSS. Total expenditure in Scotland on the New Deal is projected to be over £450 million in the period 1997–2002

  6Figures for future years uprated in line with the RPI

  7Total Scottish public spending within the responsibility of the Scottish Parliament or administered by the Scottish Executive.

  Table 4—Budget by programme in real terms (1997–98 prices)

  1997–98 £ million

  1998–99 £ million

  1999–2000 £ million

  2000–01 £ million

  2001–02 £ million

  Real growth over CSR period per cent.

  Central government support for:

  Local Authority current expenditure1

  5,431

  5,294

  5,388

  5,419

  5,422

  2.4

  Local Authority non-housing capital expenditure2

  336

  349

  327

  329

  354

  1.3

  Other programme expenditure

  Agriculture, fisheries and food3

  514

  503

  453

  429

  448

  -11.0

  Arts, libraries and sport

  86

  75

  76

  76

  76

  0.8

  Further, higher and other central government education (excluding student support)

  941

  888

  959

  989

  1,024

  15.3

  Student support4

  346

  347

  304

  285

  270

  -22.3

  Health

  4,354

  4,494

  4,664

  4,818

  4,989

  11.0

  Housing5

  422

  484

  496

  585

  591

  22.1

  Industry, enterprise and training6

  589

  582

  526

  515

  548

  -5.8

  Law, order and protective services7

  452

  447

  461

  451

  458

  2.3

  Crown Office

  47

  48

  48

  47

  46

  -4.4

  Other environmental services

  336

  318

  306

  300

  294

  -7.6

  Scottish Parliament and staff

  0

  0

  52

  74

  42

  —

  Other public services

  155

  155

  174

  180

  172

  10.8

  Roads and transports8

  242

  238

  253

  250

  254

  6.7

  Social work

  63

  64

  70

  72

  73

  14.8

  European Social Funds and European Regional Development Fund

  161

  119

  145

  151

  156

  30.5

  New Deal for schools9

  10

  29

  25

  25

  24

  -15.7

  Total Budget

  14,484

  14,435

  14,727

  14,994

  15,240

  5.6

  1Includes non-domestic rate payments, which are outside the DEL

  2The requirement that local authorities must use 50 per cent. of non-housing capital receipts to redeem debt will be abolished from 1 August 1998. This will allow local authorities to raise an estimated £75 million per annum extra from asset sales

  3Includes market support under the CAP, which is outside the DEL

  4Reflects the new Resource Accounting treatment of student loans announced in the "Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report 1998", hence it includes total expenditure on student grants, but only the subsidy element of student loans.

  5Expenditure funded through the Capital Receipts Inititative is now included in the DEL. Housing figures also include Housing Support Grant, which is outside the DEL

  6This line covers Industry, enterprise and training expenditure administered by the Scottish Office only. Further expenditure administered by other departments on the New Deal is projected to be around £75 million in 1998–99, and almost £90 million per year in each of 1999–2000 to 2001–02

  7A large proportion of spending on law, order and protective services is included under central government support to local authorities

  8Includes support to nationalised industries

  9Includes around £1 million for the New Deal for Young People in 1997–98 and £3 million for Childcare in 1998–99. Additional support for schools' capital expenditure is included in support for non-housing local authority capital expenditure above

  142

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Browne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the local government finance settlement for(a) 1999–2000, (b) 2000–01 and (c) 2001–02. [50725]

  Mr. Dewar
  My plans for the local government settlement for the next three years will allow councils to increase their spending by almost £840 million a year by 2001–02 including additional funding for pre-school education for three-year-olds.

  I propose the Government supported Expenditure (GSE) should be set at £6,544 million in 1999–2000, £6,785 million in 2000–01, and £7,026 million in 2001–02.

  After settling aside an amount to support loan and leasing charges, including level playing field support for Public/Private partnership projects, the totals available for allocation as Grant Aided Expenditure (GAE) are £5,778 million in 1999–2000, £5,991 million in 2000–01, and £6,194 million in 2001–02. The allocation of these totals between the main local authority service areas is shown in the table. This reflects the priority I have given to certain services, particularly education.

  I further propose that Government support for local authority current expenditure—that is, Aggregate External Finance (AEF) which consists of Revenue Support Grant, Specific Grants and Non-Domestic Rate Income—should be set at £5,512 million in 1999–2000, £5,672 million in 2000–01, and £5,823 in 2001–02.

  Given these increases it should not be necessary for council tax to increase on average by more than 5 per cent. per annum.

  Proposals for the distribution of GAE and AEF to individual local authorities will be issued to councils later in the year.

  I intend to replace crude and universal capping with a system of expenditure guidelines. I will retain the existing capping powers in reserve and will use them if council spending is excessive.

  I have also decided to remove the requirement on local authorities to use 50 per cent. of certain non-housing capital receipts to redeem debt. It is estimated that this will generate an additional £75 million of spending power which can be channelled into new investment.

  GAE (£ million)

  Local authority service

  1999–00

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Education

  2,591

  2,703

  2,810

  Social work

  1,101

  1,144

  1,180

  Police

  715

  742

  763

  Fire

  178

  187

  194

  Other services

  1,193

  1,215

  1,247

  Total GAE

  5,778

  5,991

  6,194

  Pedestrian Crossings (Accidents)
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many(a) children and (b) adults were (i) killed, (ii) seriously injured and (iii) slightly injured on or near pedestrian crossings in Scotland in (1) 1994, (2) 1995, (3) 1996 and (4) 1997. [50224]

  Mr. McLeish
  Tables 1 and 2 provide details of the number of children and adult pedestrian casualties on or near pedestrian crossings by severity in Scotland from 1994 to 1997.

  Table 1: Child pedestrian casualties on or near pedestrian crossings by severity, in Scotland from 1994–97

  Crossing/year

  Fatal

  Serious

  Slight

  Total

  On pedestrian crossing

  1994

  1

  23

  80

  104

  1995

  —

  24

  67

  91

  1996

  —

  26

  66

  92

  19971

  —

  11

  62

  73

  Within zig zag of pedestrian crossing

  1994

  —

  8

  14

  22

  1995

  —

  7

  6

  13

  1996

  —

  7

  10

  17

  19971

  —

  7

  19

  26

  Within 50 metres of pedestrian crossing

  1994

  2

  28

  87

  117

  1995

  —

  24

  91

  115

  1996

  —

  31

  62

  93

  19971

  3

  26

  66

  95

  Total

  1994

  3

  59

  181

  243

  1995

  —

  55

  164

  219

  1996

  —

  64

  138

  205

  19971

  3

  44

  147

  194

  11997 figures are provisional

  Table 2: Adult pedestrian casualties on or near pedestrian crossings by severity, in Scotland front 1994–97

  Crossing/Year

  Fatal

  Serious

  Slight

  Total

  On pedestrian crossing

  1994

  2

  61

  161

  224

  1995

  —

  65

  163

  228

  1996

  7

  40

  147

  194

  19971

  4

  50

  133

  187

  Within zig zag of pedestrian crossing

  1994

  1

  13

  18

  32

  1995

  3

  24

  28

  55

  1996

  —

  13

  17

  30

  19971

  1

  17

  12

  20

  Within 50 metres of pedestrian crossing

  1994

  4

  95

  195

  294

  1995

  8

  95

  172

  275

  1996

  8

  64

  155

  227

  19971

  2

  61

  159

  222

  Total

  1994

  7

  169

  374

  550

  1995

  11

  184

  363

  558

  1996

  15

  117

  319

  451

  19971

  7

  118

  304

  429

  11997 figures are provisional

  Road Traffic Offences
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many motorists were(a) charged with and (b) convicted of (i) failure to accord precedence at pedestrian crossings, (ii) failure to comply with traffic signs, (iii) speeding offences, (iv) driving after

  Persons proceeded against and those with a charge proved where the main offence was for selected motor vehicle offences in Scotland 1994–1996

  Persons proceeded against

  Persons with a charge proved

  Main offence

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1994

  1995

  1996

  Dangerous driving offences

  870

  860

  932

  813

  796

  857

  Driving motor vehicle while unfit through drink or drugs

  90

  166

  388

  85

  164

  369

  Driving motor vehicle with blood alcohol content above prescribed limit

  6,240

  6,316

  6,668

  6,160

  6,219

  6,561

  Speeding in restricted areas

  10,684

  8,589

  6,439

  10,597

  8,500

  6,389

  Other speeding offences

  6,102

  6,570

  6,206

  6,031

  6,476

  6,152

  Driver's neglect of traffic directions (not pedestrian crossing)

  1,721

  2,616

  1,761

  1,619

  2,509

  1,651

  Driver's contravention of pedestrian crossing regulations

  699

  579

  596

  668

  558

  575

  Dementia
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the number of people suffering from dementia in Scotland. [50220]

  Mr. Galbraith
  Comprehensive information is not held centrally but the Dementia Services Development Centre based at Stirling University estimates that around 61,000 people in Scotland have moderate to severe dementia.

  Hospitals
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average size of a hospital in Scotland in terms of(a) number of beds and (b) employees; if he will estimate the average capital cost of building and equipping such a hospital; and if he will give the average costs of running such a hospital at 1998–99 prices. [50173]

  Average number of taught classes, number of pupils, number of full-time equivalent teachers, capital costs of building and equipping a new school and revenue costs per education authority school

  Primary

  Secondary

  Number of taught classes

  September 1997

  7.7

  Not available

  Number of pupils

  September 1997

  192

  788

  Number of full-time equivalent teachers1

  September 1997

  9.6

  59.7

  Capital cost of building and equipping a new school2

  —

  Not available

  Not available

  Budgeted school running cost3 at 1997–98 prices

  April 1997–March 1998

  £345,000

  £2,211,000

  Budgeted school running cost3 at 1998–99 prices4

  April 1997–March 1998

  £355,000

  £2,273,000

  1Information on non-teaching staff was not collected in September 1997

  2Information is not held centrally on the costs of building and equipping new schools

  3The budgeted school running cost is provided to each School Board annually. It may not necessarily include all the costs of running the school. Other costs may be incurred, for example, capital spending or a proportion of total education authority expenditure on services such as those provided by advisers and psychologists

  4Adjusted according to GDP deflator

  Boundary Review
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the progress of the boundary review for the 1999 unitary authority elections for each of the 32 unitary authorities in Scotland. [50563]

  Mr. Macdonald
  To date the Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland have submitted reports on 7 council areas, namely Angus, East Dumbartonshire, East Lothian, Iverclyde, Moray, Perth 146
  consuming alcohol or taking drugs and (v) reckless driving in Scotland in (1) 1994, (2) 1995, (3) 1996 and (4) 1997. [50188]

  Mr. McLeish
  The available information is listed in the table.

  Mr. Galbraith
  The average sized hospital in Scotland has 139 beds and 400 employees. The average capital cost of building and equipping a hospital of this size would be about £25 million, and the annual running costs would be about £10 million.

  Schools
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average size of(a) a primary and (b) secondary school in Scotland in terms of number of classes, pupils and employees including teachers, administrative staff and others; what is the average capital cost at 1998–99 prices of building and equipping such a school; and what are the average revenue costs at 1998–99 prices of running such a school, including salaries. [50174]

  Mr. Wilson
  The available information is set out in the table.

  and Kinross and West Dunbartonshire and we expect to receive the remainder of the reports between now and the end of September.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Judicial Lodgings
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the average cost of one night's stay for a judge in a judicial lodging. [45691]
  147
  Mr. Hoon
  In the financial year 1997–98, the average daily cost for a judge (and clerk) to stay in judicial lodging was £615.18. New systems to improve control and reduce costs progressively over three years were implemented last year, and it is intended that these will be reviewed after that three year period.

  Decree Absolute Index
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will assess the advantages of removing the search fee relating to the Decree Absolute Index. [49472]

  Mr. Hoon
  As part of the review of fees associated with the Civil Justice Reforms, the Lord Chancellor is considering all civil court fees, including those paid in family proceedings. It is the policy of the Lord Chancellor that those who receive a service should pay for the cost of providing it. In the absence of a taxpayer subsidy, if a free service is provided for some litigants, other fee paying litigants would, in effect, be paying for that service.

  Small Claims Court
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many claims were brought before small claims courts; how many of these were successful; and what was the total cost to the taxpayer of the small claims court service in the last year for which figures are available. [50200]

  Mr. Hoon
  Claims brought before the small claims court are: defended money claims where the amount claimed does not exceed £3,000 and personal injury cases where the amount claimed does not exceed £1,000. These cases are heard by arbitration. In the last financial year there were 97,813 arbitration hearings. Of those, in 87,320 cases the plaintiff was successful.

  The majority of those issuing proceedings in county courts pay fees to cover the cost of providing the service. A cost to the taxpayer arises only where the party who would otherwise be required to pay a fee is legally aided or is granted fee exemption or remission. The cost of remission and exemption in non-family county court proceedings in 1997–98 was £1,088,407. Separate information is not available for the small claims court.

  Lobbyists
  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department on what occasions(a) he, (b) the Lord Chancellor, (c) their parliamentary private secretaries and (d) their special advisers have met representatives of (i) GPC Market Access, (ii) Lawson Lucas Mendelsohn or (iii) GJW Government Relations since 1 May 1997; who these representatives were; and what was discussed at the meetings. [50620]

  Mr. Hoon
  Ministers, their Special Advisers and other civil servants meet many people in the course of their work. This properly includes meetings with interest groups outside Government; indeed one of the specific functions of Special Advisers is to liaise with such interest groups. This liaison is intended to help Ministers draw upon outside contributions—from academics, think-tanks, trade and industry associations, trade unions, lobby groups and others, as well as relevant experience from other 148
  countries—during the process of policy analysis and development. By convention it is not the practice of governments to make information on such meetings or their content publicly available—a principle reflected in the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information published in January 1997. Special advisers and other civil servants must observe the requirements of propriety: for instance, they must not provide confidential information without authorisation or allow improper influence on policy. Any breach of these requirements could be a disciplinary offence.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Sudan
  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what diplomatic initiatives his Department is pursuing to bring about an end to conflict in Sudan. [48716]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We are all deeply concerned at the unfolding human tragedy in the Sudan and have been active through the EU and at the UN.

  In conjunction with the Inter Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Partners Forum, and supported by the General Affairs Council, the Minister of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Leeds, Central (Mr. Fatchett) is in Nairobi for discussions with the Government of Kenya and the SPLA today and will be in Khartoum for talks with the Government of Sudan on 15/16 July, hoping to secure a break in the fighting. We will continue to be active in the search for a long-term solution.

  European Union
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to seek repatriation of powers from the European Union to the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [48717]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  We have no plans to seek changes to the EU Treaties in a way which would remove EC competence. However, in areas where competence is presently shared between the Member States and the EC, the Government believe that the Community should act only where it offers real added value, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity.

  Banana Imports
  Mr. Lock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will hold discussions with Caribbean countries on the new banana regime for imports into the European Union. [48720]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  We consulted Caribbean countries closely on how best to amend the EU banana regime in response to the WTO judgment, before decisions were taken in the EU last month. We will remain in close contact with them on this issue, which is of vital importance to the prosperity of many countries in the Caribbean.

  Arms Sales
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to improve the transparency of data relevant to his ethical foreign policy on arms sales. [48721]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We are preparing a report on UK strategic exports. It will include an account of the background to the UK's strategic export controls and of the moves we have made since 2 May 1997 towards a responsible UK and European arms export policy. It will list by country of destination the numbers of export licences issued in each equipment category and give details of the military equipment for which licences have been granted. It will also set out the value of defence exports to each country.

  Iran (Terrorism)
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress he is making on contacts with the Iranian Government over ending its alleged sponsorship of terrorism. [48722]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We and our EU partners welcome recent Iranian Government statements condemning terrorist attacks in Algeria, Egypt and on Israeli civilians. However, we remain concerned about Iran's record of support for terrorism. We will continue to raise our concerns bilaterally and through the new EU/Iran dialogue.

  China
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the UK's relations with China following the visit by the Deputy Prime Minister. [48723]

  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Britain's relations with China. [48737]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  UK/China relations are in good shape. We are building a strategic relationship for the long term across the full range of our shared interests. The visit of my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister was an important step in this process. He made progress on a number of environmental and commercial issues.

  Windward Islands
  Mr. Borrow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on relations with the Windward Islands. [48724]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We have very good relations with the Windward Islands. We maintain permanent representation in three of them. Our support for their banana industries is well known. Political agreement of a revised EU banana regime, which is compatible with WTO rules but also recognises Caribbean concerns, was an important UK achievement during our Presidency.

  South Korea
  Ms Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on UK relations with South Korea. [48725]
  150
  Mr. Doug Henderson
  We have an important political and economic partnership with the Republic of Korea. We commend Korea's response to the financial crisis so far and its commitment to economic reform. We shall continue to support Korea through this difficult period. We also welcome the positive steps President Kim has taken towards encouraging dialogue with North Korea and fully support efforts to bring about a lasting peace on the Korean peninsula.

  Angola
  Ms Kingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on recent developments concerning the peace process in Angola. [48726]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The peace process in Angola has reached a critical stage. UNITA failed to comply with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1176 which called for the extension of state administration throughout Angola, including Andulo and Bailundo where it has its headquarters, by 30 June. New sanctions against UNITA came into effect on 1 July. The mandate of the United Nations Observer Mission in Angola (MONUA) has been extended until 15 August.

  I was shocked to learn of the death of Maitre Beye, the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Representative to Angola, who died in an air crash near Abidjan on 26 June. I hope this tragedy may help generate renewed commitments from the Angolan Government and UNITA to genuine reconciliation through completion of the Lusaka Protocol. I urge UNITA to fulfil its remaining obligations under the Protocol without delay and call on the Angolan Government to continue to exercise patience and restraint.

  East Timor
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Indonesia concerning the situation in East Timor. [48727]

  Gillian Merron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Government's policy towards East Timor. [48728]

  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Indonesian Government regarding East Timor; and if he will make a statement. [48734]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  I refer the hon. Gentleman and my hon. Friends to my earlier reply in the House today to my hon. Friend the Member for Cynon Valley (Mrs. Clwyd),Official Report, column 169.

  Kosovo
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what new political initiatives he plans to end violence in Kosovo. [48729]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave earlier in the House today to the hon. Member for Congleton (Mrs. Winterton),Official Report, column 184.

  Cyprus
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had concerning Cyprus. [48730]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  I and my colleagues have regular discussions in different forums concerning Cyprus. In particular we continue to give our full support to UN efforts to achieve the resumption of negotiations on a comprehensive political settlement in Cyprus.

  Germany
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on UK relations with Germany. [48731]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Relations with Germany are good, and we look forward to President Herzog's State Visit in December.

  Democratic Republic of Congo
  Mr. Savidge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the United Nations representative's report on human rights in the Democratic Republic of Congo. [48733]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The United Nations Secretary-General's Investigative Team's report was published on 30 June. We regret that the investigation was not able to be completed. The team was therefore unable to establish the accuracy of many allegations of violations of

  Post

  Project costing £0.5 million+

  Actual expenditure FY 1997/98 (£ million)

  Planned expenditure FY 1998/99 (£ million)

  Bogota

  Offices—replacement

  1.2

  .4

  Bratislava

  Housing—new

  .9

  .2

  Cairo

  Offices—refurbishment

  1.8

  1.4

  Guatemala

  Offices—replacement

  —

  .6

  Helsinki

  Housing—refurbishment

  —

  .7

  Hong Kong

  Offices—new

  2.2

  .4

  Karachi

  Offices/housing—replacement

  .5

  2.4

  Lagos

  Offices—replacement

  1.2

  2.4

  Moscow

  Offices/housing/amenities—replacement

  17.9

  30.8

  New Delhi

  Housing—refurbishment

  .9

  .5

  Paris

  Housing/offices—refurbishment

  .9

  .6

  Quito

  Offices—replacement

  .8

  —

  Santiago

  Offices—additional

  .7

  —

  Seoul

  Housing—replacement

  —

  .7

  Tehran

  Offices—refurbishment

  .1

  .7

  Tbilisi

  Housing—new

  .3

  .4

  Tokyo

  Housing—refurbishment

  —

  1.

  Vienna

  Housing—replacement

  1.3

  —

  Note:

  Final figures under planned expenditure will depend to varying extents upon local market conditions, exchange rate fluctuations and the outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR)

  Gibraltar
  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he will next visit Gibraltar to discuss relations between Spain, Gibraltar and the United Kingdom. [48739]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  I have no present plans to visit Gibraltar.
  152
  international humanitarian law or international human rights law. It is nonetheless clear from such work as the team were able to conduct that serious violations did take place, and were carried out by a variety of groups. We are carefully considering the report's recommendations and the possibilities for further investigation.

  We continue to call upon all countries in the region to acknowledge their international legal obligation to respect human rights. We have urged regional Governments to take appropriate legal action if members of their forces are shown to have been involved in any violations.

  EU Enlargement
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultation he will be having with other EU countries on EU enlargement as part of Agenda 2000. [48735]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave earlier in the House today to my hon. Friend the Member for Dudley, South (Mr. Pearson),Official Report, column 178.

  Overseas Posts (Properties)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the overseas posts where expenditure on refurbishment or replacement properties will individually exceed £500,000 between 1 May 1997 and 30 April 1999. [48736]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The details requested are shown in the table:

  Thailand (Adoption)
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his policy in respect of adoptions of children by European Union citizens in Thailand. [48740]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Thailand is not a country recognised under the Adoption (Designation of Overseas Adoptions) Order 1973. In common with all other such countries,
  153
  adoption orders made there are not recognised under UK law. Thai children must therefore be adopted again through the UK Courts. Applications made on this basis are considered as a matter of discretion outside the Immigration Rules.

  Strategic Defence Review
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues regarding the outcome of the Strategic Defence Review; and if he will make a statement. [48738]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary remained in close touch with ministerial colleagues throughout the Government's Strategic Defence Review, as it was foreign policy led. I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of state for Defence to the House on 8 July 1998,Official Report, columns 1073–96.

  Sierra Leone
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 1 June 1998,Official Report, column 144, on Sierra Leone, on how many occasions in April and May officials in his Department initiated discussions with Her Majesty's Customs and Excise in connection with the progress of the investigation into Sandline International; and if he will list the date of each such occasion. [44957]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 9 June 1998]: In the course of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's close co-operation with HM Customs and Excise throughout this period, the FCO made contact with HMC&E on a number of occasions, most of them by telephone. It would not be normal for us to keep a record of all such contacts between Departments.

  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish Sir Thomas Legg's report immediately he receives it. [46029]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 15 June 1998]: I will publish Sir Thomas Legg's report as soon as it is completed.

  Israel (Trade)
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps will be taken by the Commission to implement the recommendations of its report on Implementation of the Interim Trade Agreement between the European Community and Israel. [50238]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The 29 June General Affairs Council encouraged the European Commission to pursue talks with Israel on the basis of its Communication of 13 May 1998. It noted the Commission's intention to report back on these talks and stressed the need for them to lead to concrete results.

  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps are being taken to warn importers of the penalties they are likely to incur if they import goods marked "Made in Israel" that originate in the West Bank including East Jerusalem, Gaza or the Golan Heights. [50237]
  154
  Mr. Doug Henderson
  HMC&E issued a notice to importers in January 1998 (VAT Notice No. 4 Item 12) warning that the European Commission had expressed doubts about the validity of all preference certificates issued in Israel (OJ C338, 8 November 1997). The Commission has subsequently published a Communication to the Council on the implementation of the EC/Israel Interim Agreement, which covered inter alia the issues mentioned by the hon. Member. The Commission hopes that its contacts with the Israelis will lead to progress which will allow the Commission to withdraw their earlier notice to importers.

  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action the General Affairs Council of the European Community took at its meeting on 29 June in respect of the Commission report, Implementation of the Interim Agreement on Trade and Trade-related matters between the European Community and Israel. [50239]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The General Affairs Council on 29 June adopted conclusions on the issues raised in the two Commission Communications to the Council on EC/Israel trade and regional cumulation of origin. The text of these conclusions appear in the written answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Edgbaston (Ms Stuart) on 2 July 1998,Official Report, columns 274–76.

  Correspondence
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when his Department will respond to the letter of 9 June 1998 from the right hon. Member for Maidstone and The Weald in respect of Mr. D. A. Ladva; and if he will make a statement about ministerial response times to representations from hon. Members. [50142]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We have asked our Deputy High Commission in Bombay for a detailed account of the case. My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State will write to my hon. Friend after this has been received.

  We aim to reply to Members' representations on entry clearance matters within 15 working days. In the month of June, we replied to 67 per cent. of representations from hon. Members about entry clearance cases within this target time.

  Indonesia
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to encourage the new regime in Indonesia to release political prisoners. [50218]

  Mr. Fatchett
  I called on the new Indonesian government to release political prisoners, including those from East Timor, during my visit to Jakarta in May. This message has been repeated in other bilateral contacts and EU statements.

  Algeria
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the United Nations office on human rights concerning Algeria; and if he will make a statement. [50358]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We have maintained regular contact with the United Nations on the situation of human rights in Algeria, particularly during the annual Commission on Human Rights. The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights is aware of our concerns about the human rights situation there and our hope that the Algerian Government will engage and co-operate fully with UN mechanisms.

  We welcomed the UN Secretary-General's announcement that Algeria has invited a top-level mission, under UN auspices, to visit Algeria in the near future.

  Land Mines
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will assess the benefits of a pre-legislative hearing by the Defence Committee on the legislation required to meet commitments under the Anti-Personnel Land Mines Ottawa Convention. [48308]

  Mr. George Robertson
  I have been asked to reply.

  As the hon. Member will be aware, the Bill to ratify the Ottawa Convention was passed by the House on 10 July. There was therefore no time for a pre-legislative hearing. However, we sent a memorandum to the Committee which answered a number of questions that they submitted to the MOD. Publication is a matter for the Committee.

HEALTH

  Ashworth Hospital
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when Ashworth Hospital informed him that Ian Brady had handed over a large number of pills to Una Forsyth. [49413]

  Mr. Boateng
  I was informed on 20 April 1998 that an allegation had been made by a woman that Ian Brady had asked her to smuggle tablets out of the hospital, and that these had been handed to a Mr. Peter Green, a former executive director of the Ashworth Hospital Authority. I was told that a search of Ian Brady's room had uncovered one tablet of the type handed over by the woman to Mr. Green, and that the police had been informed.

  I was informed on 14 May 1998 that the woman, who was at that point identified to me as Mrs. Forsyth, had indicated that she no longer wanted to complain to the police about the alleged actions of Mr. Brady. I also learned that the police had decided not to proceed with criminal proceedings, and furthermore that Mr. Brady had been put under close observation.
  156
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make public the findings of the review by Dame Fiona Caldicott into the management of Ashworth Hospital. [49347]

  Mr. Boateng
  Dame Fiona Caldicott was commissioned by the Chairman of Ashworth Hospital Authority to advise the authority on an internal management issue. No commitment was made to publish her findings; it is for the hospital authority to decide to what extent the advice which she has given to them should be made public.

  Nuts
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the risk to health arising from pregnant women eating nuts; and what the estimated incidence is of health problems from this cause. [49630]

  Ms Jowell
  The Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT) report on peanut allergy was published by the Department on 17 July 1998. The report notes that the prevalence of peanut allergy, which is potentially life-threatening, appears to be increasing and that sensitisation of an infant to peanuts might result from the consumption of peanuts by pregnant or breast-feeding mothers. This risk is greatest in those with a family history of allergic disease. For those people COT recommends that avoidance of peanuts is a sensible, precautionary measure. COT also recommended further research to address the scientific uncertainties. Copies of the report are available in the Library.

  Reliable data are not available to estimate the incidence of health problems resulting from pregnant women eating nuts.

  Ambulance Trusts
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the ambulance trusts in England in descending order of their performance against nationally set response times in 1997–98. [49732]

  Mr. Milburn
  The tables contained in the statistical bulletin "Ambulance Services, England: 1997–98" published on 26 June 1998 show how all ambulance trusts in England have performed against nationally set response times. Copies are available in the Library.

  Dementia
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on trends in the number of those suffering from dementia sectioned under Mental Health legislation in the last 10 years. [50231]

  Ms Jowell
  Information available centrally on patients admitted to hospital under the Mental Health Act 1983 identifies the category of disorder, as specified in the Act. These categories are mental illness, psychopathic disorder, mental impairment and severe mental impairment. No further breakdown is available.

  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the current estimate of the number of people suffering from dementia in England. [50204]
  157
  Ms Jowell
  It is currently estimated that there are 620,000 people suffering from dementia in England.

  Deaths (Smokers)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people died from smoking-related illnesses in each of the last three years for which figures are available. [50110]

  Ms Jowell
  The latest figures available in "The UK Smoking Epidemic: Deaths in 1995", by the Health Education Authority estimate that at least 121,000 people died prematurely as a result of their smoking in the United Kingdom in 1995.

  Waiting Times
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the longest waiting time for any patient currently waiting for an orthopaedic operation at Arrowe Park Hospital on the Wirral. [50241]

  Mr. Milburn
  We are advised that, at present, the longest time that any patient has to wait for an orthopaedic operation at Wirral Hospital (comprising Arrowe Park and Clatterbridge hospitals) is twelve months from the date of being placed on the waiting list. This assumes that the patient is medically fit to undergo an operation.

  Asthma
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the national average, expressed as a percentage, of children with asthma-related illnesses; what is the equivalent figure in Derbyshire; and if he will make a statement. [50205]

  Ms Jowell
  There are no comprehensive data on the number of children with asthma or related conditions. On the basis of all the information available, it has been estimated that"the prevalence of asthma sufficiently severe to require regular medical supervision is from 4–6 per cent. in children".

  This estimate is quoted in "Asthma: An Epidemiological Overview" (Central Health Monitoring Unit, 1995), which brought together a broad range of the best statistics on asthma. Copies are available in the Library.

  According to the report of the Health Survey for England 1996, which was published in January 1998, 21 per cent. of children at some time in the past had been diagnosed as suffering from asthma. Copies of this report are also available in the Library. Similarly, in a study of asthma in Great Britain among children aged 12 to 14 years, carried out as part of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood, and also published in January in the "British Medical Journal", 20 per cent. of the children surveyed had had a diagnosis of asthma at some time.

  The equivalent figures for Derbyshire are not available centrally.

  Voluntary Organisations
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received concerning section 64 funding; and if he will make a statement. [50221]

  Ms Jowell
  The Department receives contact from hundreds of voluntary organisations each year about the section 64 general scheme of grants in a variety of respects. For the 1998–99 grants round, over 700 grant applications were made. In addition to this, we regularly receive feedback from over 400 voluntary organisations throughout the year about progress of their work for which grants have been awarded. We also receive a wide range of general inquiries about the scheme.

  Radiotherapy
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received concerning the needs of those who have received radiotherapy mis-dosage; and if he will make a statement. [50360]

  Ms Jowell
  Representations have been made by Radiotherapy Action Group Exposure (RAGE), and the Coalition for Unity in Radiotherapy Advice and Guidance (COU-RAGE). These are mutual support groups which have met Ministers and the Chief Medical Officer on several occasions to discuss concerns of their members who have suffered adverse effects following radiotherapy treatment for breast cancer and gynaecological cancers respectively.

  The following action has been taken to help women with damage as a result of radiotherapy for breast cancer:
  in May 1994 the Department issued guidance entitled "Quality Assurance in Radiotherapy—A Quality Management System for Radiotherapy";
  the Royal College of Radiologists, at the Department's request, convened a small group of professionals and lay people in autumn 1994 to consider guidelines for care of women who have suffered tissue damage following radiotherapy for breast cancer. This report was issued to the National Health Service by the Department in October 1995;
  the Royal College of Radiologists carried out a confidential clinical review of 126 women who had suffered injury following radiotherapy treatment for breast cancer at 15 centres in the period 1980–1993. The report published in 1995 makes recommendations on the management of breast cancer, particularly on radiotherapy, and for further research.

  With regard to those suffering adverse effects following pelvic radiotherapy for gynaecological cancers, a working group, which included representatives from a number of Royal Colleges, voluntary organisations and the Department, was set up in 1996 to consider the preparation of patient information material concerning possible adverse effects following pelvic radiotherapy and to raise awareness generally. The first booklet was published this year. A sub-group is devising guidelines for health professionals on the care of women suffering adverse effects as a result of pelvic radiotherapy and it is anticipated that further patient information material will follow on from that.

  New Hospitals (Costs)
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimates he has made of the long-term cost of private finance of new hospitals relative to the equivalent costs through the public sector. [50378]
  159
  Mr. Milburn
  The full business case (FBC) for each scheme compares the long-term costs of providing the facility using the private finance with the equivalent cost of using public funding. In order to be approved, the FBC must demonstrate that private finance initiative offers better or comparable value for money to the publicly funded alternative. Standard investment techniques are used in the FBC to determine the long-term costs of both options.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Century House
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what has been the cost of the maintenance of Century House since June 1996; and what plans there are for the building. [50187]

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

  Letter from John C. Locke to Mr. Harry Barnes, dated July 1998:
  The Parliamentary Secretary of the Office of Public Service has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question concerning Century House.
  The building became the responsibility of Property Advisers to the Civil Estate from 1 April 1996 and the freehold was sold on 9 December 1997.
  The cost of maintenance from 1 June 1996 until the date of sale was £224,186 including fees and VAT.
  As the sale was on an unconditional basis, we are unaware of the purchasers' present plans for the building but believe that residential use is proposed.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is his Department's average response time to correspondence from members of the public; and how such response times are monitored. [48664]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  Information is not readily available in the form requested, but one of the six service standards for central government (often known as the Whitehall standards) requires all departments and agencies to set a target for answering letters from the public and to publish information on their performance against it. A report on the performance of the main department and agencies against the six standards is being prepared and will be placed in the Library of the House shortly. This will be the first time such information has been made available. It shows our commitment to open government and to reporting transparently on our performance.

  Lobbyists
  Sir George Young
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on what occasions(a) he, (b) the Parliamentary Secretary and (c) his special advisers have met representatives of (i) GPC Market Access, (ii) Lawson Lucas Mendelsohn and (iii) GJW Government Relations since 1 May 1997; who these representatives were; and what was discussed at the meetings. [50556]
  160
  Dr. David Clark
  Ministers, their special advisers and other civil servants meet many people in the course of their work. This properly includes meetings with interest groups outside Government; indeed one of the specific functions of special advisers is to liaise with such interest groups. This liaison is intended to help Ministers draw upon outside contributions—from academics, think-tanks, trade and industry associations, trade unions, lobby groups and others, as well as relevant experience from other countries—during the process of policy analysis and development. By convention, it is not the practice of governments to make information on such meetings or their content publicly available—a principle reflected in the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information published in January 1997. Special advisers and other civil servants must observe the requirements of propriety: for instance, they must not provide confidential information without authorisation or allow improper influence on policy. Any breach of these requirements could be a disciplinary offence.

CABINET OFFICE

  Correspondence
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio what target he sets for the maximum time to respond to letters from hon. Members; what proportion of letters meets that target; and what is the average time taken to respond to a letter from an hon. Member. [49829]

  Mr. Mandelson
  [holding answer 13 July 1998]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Office of Public Service on 13 July 1998, official report, column 1.

  Lobbyists
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio (1) if he will list those invitations he has received to meetings organised since May 1997 by(a) GPC Market Access and (b) other lobbying firms which he has declined to attend; and in each case what was the purpose of the meeting; [50564]

  (2) if he will list the occasions when he has addressed meetings set up by (a) GPC Market Access and (b) other lobbying organisations; what was the purpose of these meetings; and if the meetings were conducted under Chatham House rules. [50464]

  Mr. Mandelson
  I regularly receive invitations from individuals and organisations to address meetings in my Ministerial capacity. I have not addressed any meetings organised by GPC Market Access or any similar political lobbying organisations since May 1997.

  Press (Vetting)
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio (1) how much time he has spent vetting articles by others prior to their publication in the press since 2 May; [50395]

  (2) how many articles by journalists or other contributors to the Press he has vetted since 2 May prior to their publication. [50394]

  Mr. Mandelson
  None.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Dredged Material (Licence Fees)
  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what reasons underlay the further rise in the cost of licence fees for sea disposal of dredged material in England and Wales. [49867]

  Mr. Morley
  Licence fees for the sea disposal of dredged material are set to recover the costs of operating the licensing system. These costs include the monitoring of selected disposal sites. As the dumping of sewage sludge will cease at the end of 1998, the full cost of such monitoring must now be met from licence charges for the disposal of dredged material.

  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment the Government have made of the potential effect on the UK ports industry of the rise in the cost of licence fees for sea disposal of dredged material. [49868]

  Mr. Morley
  The Government have made no detailed assessment of the impact on the ports industry of the rise in the cost of disposal licence fees. Generally, licence fees represent a very small proportion of the cost of the associated dredging operation.

  Fishing Industry
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the contribution that closed areas could make in the future development of fisheries management. [50541]

  Mr. Morley
  Closures in certain areas can benefit fish stocks if they are sufficiently large and well targeted, if they can be effectively enforced and if they are not undermined by an increase in fishing effort in other areas. The possibility of introducing new closed areas is under current consideration by fishing interests and fisheries scientists in this country and internationally.

  Common Fisheries Policy
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the latest National Federation of Fisheries Organisations and Scottish Fisheries Federation policy proposals for the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy. [50571]

  Mr. Morley
  I have warmly welcomed the joint strategy of the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations and Scottish Fishermen's Federation as a good basis for discussion.

  Drift Nets
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assistance his Department gave to fishermen for investment in the tuna drift net fishery in the early 1990s. [50408]

  Mr. Morley
  There were no specific aids for investment in the tuna drift net fishery in the early 1990s. Some vessels may have benefited from safety grants or other structural aids which were available at that time. But it is not now possible to identify the fishing activities they were then engaged in from readily available records.
  162
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to compensate fishermen who have invested in the tuna drift net fishery in the event of the European Union wide ban. [50407]

  Mr. Morley
  The June 1998 Fisheries Council agreed to decide before the end of 1998 on supporting measures that may be introduced for Community fishermen affected by the phasing out of high seas drift nets. Once this is done, the Government will decide on any special measures that should be introduced in the UK.

  Artificial Insemination of Cattle
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received concerning the production of the draft artificial insemination of cattle regulations. [50469]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Ministry received 20 replies to the formal consultation letter on the Regulations which was issued on 6 November 1997. A copy of the consultation letter and replies are available for reference in the main MAFF Library at Whitehall Place. Other letters and telephone calls on the subject have also been received.

  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how many staff have been redeployed from drafting the artificial insemination of cattle regulations to work related to the BSE-related beef export ban; and when he expects them to resume their former role; [50471]

  (2) when he expects to publish the draft artificial insemination of cattle regulations. [50472]

  Mr. Rooker
  One officer who had a leading role in the drafting of the proposed new Artificial Insemination of Cattle Regulations has been redeployed to BSE-related work. The aim is to have a full complement of staff working on the AI Regulations in the Autumn although this is dependent on the Government priorities at that time. When work does resume, further consideration will be given to the areas which we know remain of concern to the industry. The date on which the Regulations will be made depends on when the work resumes and how quickly remaining problems can be resolved.

  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when officials from his Department last met representatives of the Artificial Insemination of Cattle Operators; and what decisions were reached. [50468]

  Mr. Rooker
  Formal discussions with a cross-section of representatives of the artificial insemination (AI) in cattle industry took place on 20 March 1998 to discuss responses to the consultation on the new draft AI Regulations and to clarify certain aspects of the new regulations. It was agreed at the meeting that officials would give further consideration to the use and disinfection of dry shippers, the use and control of field flasks, the rules applicable to the supervision and control of inseminators and donor bull identification numbers; and that industry would be informed when the proposals were being submitted to Ministers.

  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he is taking to enforce the existing regulations concerning the artificial insemination of cattle. [50470]
  163
  Mr. Rooker
  The Artificial Insemination of Cattle (Animal Health) (England and Wales) Regulations 1985 continue to be enforced by Ministry staff as they have been since they came into force.

  Vitamin B6
  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 6 July 1998,official report, column 416, if he will place in the Library copies of the responses he received to his consultation on vitamin B6, other than those requesting confidentiality. [50456]

  Mr. Rooker
  The responses to the consultation exercise on vitamin B6 are currently being analysed and summarised. Copies of those from respondees who have not requested confidentiality will be placed in the Library in due course.

  British Cattle Movement Service
  Mr. Touhig
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will place in the Library copies of the publicity material issued by the British Cattle Movement Service. [50747]

  Mr. Rooker
  I have placed in the Library a leaflet introducing the computerised Cattle Tracing System together with a further leaflet advertising the British Cattle Movement Service helpline, and a letter sent to farmers following problems with the distribution of the helpline leaflet. I will add further material which is issued by the British Cattle Movement Service before the Cattle Tracing System is launched on 28 September, as this material becomes available.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Departmental Environmental Policies
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what is the current energy consumption of her Department; what targets have been set to reduce this level; and what plans there are for including energy efficiency performance figures in her Department's annual report. [50089]

  Clare Short
  The latest year for which figures are available is 1996–97. The total cost of delivered energy was £212,925. In kwh equivalent terms, this amounted to 5.648 million kwh of North Sea oil, 2.963 million kwh purchased from the relevant electricity utility, and 8,020 litres of gas oil. The Department is following the targets set centrally of aiming to reduce energy consumption in 2000 by 20 per cent. from the 1990–91 outturn. Our energy performance is included in the central returns on energy efficiency on the Government estate maintained by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what percentage of her Department's waste is recycled; and what targets there are for increasing this figure. [50090]

  Clare Short
  The only form of waste on which we keep figures is paper sent for recycling. In 1997–98, we recycled 31 tonnes. This figure has been broadly the 164
  same for the past three years. We have no explicit targets. However, the Department monitors paper usage and encourages its recycling.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Training
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the effects that the introduction of three-year public spending limits will have on the establishment of a funding regime for work-based youth training which enables TECs to enter into longer term contracts with training providers. [49951]

  Dr. Howells
  We have not yet had the opportunity to assess the effects of the three-year public spending limits on the way Government contracts with TECs. However, we will be considering this issue fully as part of the review of the role of TECs and their funding arrangements which is currently under way.

  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of national TEC expenditure has been allocated to(a) youth training and (b) training for the long-term unemployed. [47040]

  Dr. Howells
  In 1998–99, the DfEE's planned expenditure on programmes contracted with TECs in England is £1.287 billion of which 56 per cent. (£723m) is for work based training for young people and 25 per cent. (£324m) is for work based training for adults.

  Youth Services
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to establish a clearer statutory base for local authority youth services in order to safeguard levels of these services. [50575]

  Dr. Howells
  The Green Paper The Learning Age reaffirmed the Government's commitment to placing the youth service on a stronger statutory footing. A consultation paper will be issued later this year which will consider the role of the youth service, in relation to wider services for young people.

  New Deal
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of those called to initial interviews under the New Deal have not attended; and what the percentage was in each travel-to-work area. [47091]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  [holding answer 24 June 1998]: During May 1998 the number of 18–24 year olds who have ceased to claim JSA before attending their initial interview is 6 per cent. nationally. This will include young people who have found work or decided to claim another benefit.

  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what analysis he has undertaken of the 18–24 year olds on the New Deal programme who are not accounted for when they finish the Gateway. [49429]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  [holding answer 7 July 1998]: The Jobseekers Act 1995 lays no obligation on people to report what they are doing once they have signed off state

  165
  benefits. I asked the Employment Service to undertake follow up of the young people who have left the New Deal Gateway for unknown destinations. The outcomes of this follow-up have been published in the Department's press notices of 27 May and 25 June. I have also asked for the very thorough evaluation survey of participants that will take place later to obtain detailed evidence about what happens to this group. So far, of New Deal entrants, only 4 per cent. have left and cannot be accounted for. In the first nine months of Project Work pilots, a quarter of entrants had left for unknown destinations.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much money has been spent promoting, launching and monitoring and marketing the New Deal initiative in the Christchurch constituency. [48817]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  It is not possible to break down this expenditure information by constituency. The provisional amount spent nationally on New Deal for 18–24 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 New Deal in future years.

  The estimated cost for 1998–99 is £594 million, and for 1999–2000, £675 million. 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 New Deal.

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

  Science Students
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he is taking to improve the availability of science, engineering and technology higher and further education to women in rural areas. [47513]

  Dr. Howells
  Our proposals for encouraging lifelong learning for people throughout the UK, including rural communities, are set out in the consultation paper "The Learning Age". Higher education is available in England from over 100 higher education institutions, including the Open University, and from many further education colleges. The Further Education Funding Council has a duty to secure the provision of adequate and sufficient facilities for further education.

  The University for Industry will break down barriers to learning by making provision more flexible and accessible. It will offer rural learners the opportunity to access information and advice, register on courses, access support from tutors and work at their own pace, using the most suitable methods at home, in the workplace or at local learning places.

  In addition, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in his Budget statement, on 17 March 1998, official report, columns 1097–1112, an extra £50 million funding for rural transport
  166
  services—mainly additional bus services—which will enable more young people in rural communities to access post-16 provision.

  Playgroups
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the Government's policy regarding(a) the provision of and (b) the funding of playgroups. [47858]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 1 July 1998]: The Government value the contribution pre-schools and playgroups can make to early education, day care and the continuing training and development of adults. Many playgroups receive Government funding in respect of eligible four year olds attending their groups. The Government already give an annual grant of £1.2 million to the Pre-school Learning Alliance. In addition, we announced on 6 May that £500,000 would be made available to help good-quality voluntary groups in danger of closing. Pre-school groups will also be able to benefit from the £6 million allocated for extra childcare places integrated with early education.

  Grammar Schools
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the maximum number of eligible parents per child who can be permitted to vote in a ballot on the status of grammar schools. [50484]

  Mr. Byers
  The proposals follow the procedures adopted by the previous government for ballots on the question of grant-maintained status. This means that there is not a maximum number of eligible parents.

  Job Clubs
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many job clubs were operating in(a) June 1997 and (b) June 1998. [50483]

  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. Damian Green, dated 14 July 1998:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question to him about the number of Jobclubs operation in (a) June 1997 and (b) June 1998. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency.
  There were 911 Jobclubs operating nationally in June 1997, but I am unable as yet to supply the comparable figure for June 1998. However, June figures should be available later this month for the total number of Jobclubs and other programmes we are providing in all locations and I will write to you again as soon as this information becomes available.
  I am sorry that I cannot be more helpful at this stage.

DEFENCE

  Trident
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his latest estimate of(a) the cost of Trident warheads, (b) their life and (c) the costs of disposal. [50392]
  167
  Mr. George Robertson
  The production costs for Trident warheads in the last financial year were £20 million. Taking into account decisions made in the Strategic Defence Review, our current estimate for the total production costs is some £300 million.

  We expect the Trident warhead to be kept in service for the full planned 25 to 30 year life of the Trident force. Limited life warhead components will be replaced and the warheads refurbished as required during this period.

  Warhead disposal costs will depend upon future plans for the use or disposal of fissile material from the warheads.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total number of Trident warheads currently held; how many have been destroyed; and how many have been ordered. [50379]

  Mr. George Robertson
  As stated in the Strategic Defence Review White Paper published on 8 July, (Cmd 3999), the United Kingdom will maintain an operationally available stockpile of fewer than 200 Trident warheads. Changes are being implemented to our warhead production plans to maintain the operationally available stockpile at this reduced level. Some warheads will also be required to provide a necessary processing margin and for technical surveillance purposes. I am withholding details of the exact number of Trident warheads currently held and information on Trident warhead production and decommissioning plans under exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information relating to Defence, Security and International Relations.

  Strategic Arms Exports
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the annual report on strategic exports to be published. [50610]

  Mr. Spellar
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Central (Mr. Lloyd) on 12 May 1998,Official Report, column 110.

  Infantry soldiers

  Unit liability (establishment)

  Strength

  As at 1 May 1998

  Household Division

  1 st Battalion Grenadier Guards

  522

  426

  N Company Grenadier Guards

  102

  105

  1st Battalion Coldstream Guards

  522

  513

  7 Company Coldstream Guards

  102

  113

  1st Battalion Scots Guards

  559

  418

  F Company Scots Guards

  102

  88

  1st Battalion Irish Guards

  629

  545

  1st Battalion Welsh Guards

  522

  503

  Scottish Division

  1st Battalion Royal Scots

  582

  408

  1st Battalion Royal Highland Fusiliers

  626

  500

  1st Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers

  520

  440

  1st Battalion Black Watch

  523

  446

  1st Battalion Highlanders

  583

  476

  1st Battalion Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders

  558

  513

  Infantry Units
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the(a) establishment and (b) actual strengths of each (i) regular and (ii) TA infantry unit. [47209]

  Dr. Reid
  The establishment and actual strength of each regular and TA infantry unit is detailed below. For completeness, the total establishment and strength of the Infantry Arm is also given.

  Regular Infantry

  The established liability of the Army, the Manpower Planning Target, is revised in April and October each year. The total requirement includes those posts filled by infantry personnel away from their units in specific infantry appointments or general appointments which may be filled by personnel from any cap badge. The total liability and strength of regular infantry personnel as at 1 May 1998 was:

  Infantry

  Liability (establishment)

  Strength

  Soldiers

  25,049

  22,458

  Officers

  2,739

  2,726

  Gurkhas

  2,101

  2,555

  The infantry deficit at soldier level is being addressed actively through the 'Manning the Army' strategy which aims to bring the Army to full strength by 2002.

  The table shows the liability (establishment) and strength of soldiers by infantry unit. Owing to the nature of the cap badge system, only at soldier level can both the establishment and liability be shown in full. A similar breakdown for Infantry officers is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost and effort. Infantry officers, like all Army officers, fill a proportion of posts that are able to be filled from any cap badge, the only qualifying criteria being suitability and relevant experience.

  The figures exclude those infantry personnel currently serving in posts away from their parent units.
  169

  Infantry soldiers

  Unit liability (establishment)

  Strength

  Queen's Division

  1st Battalion Prince of Wales's Royal Regiment

  539

  415

  2nd Battalion Prince of Wales's Royal Regiment

  579

  481

  1st Battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers

  555

  532

  2nd Battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers

  625

  577

  1st Battalion Royal Anglian Regiment

  519

  483

  2nd Battalion Royal Anglian Regiment

  539

  541

  King's Division

  1st Battalion King's Own Royal Border Regiment

  625

  575

  1st Battalion King's Regiment

  519

  505

  1st Battalion Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire

  519

  493

  1st Battalion Green Howards

  625

  560

  1st Battalion Queen's Lancashire Regiment

  555

  507

  1st Battalion Duke of Wellington's Regiment

  522

  520

  Prince of Wales's Division

  1st Battalion Devon and Dorset Regiment

  565

  538

  1st Battalion Cheshire Regiment

  555

  511

  1st Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers

  519

  511

  1st Battalion Royal Regiment of Wales

  625

  520

  1st Battalion Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment

  581

  511

  1st Battalion Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment

  625

  631

  1st Battalion Staffordshire Regiment

  519

  488

  Light Division

  1st Battalion Light Infantry

  539

  497

  2nd Battalion Light Infantry

  555

  521

  1st Battalion Royal Green Jackets

  579

  451

  2nd Battalion Royal Green Jackets

  625

  625

  The Parachute Regiment

  1st Battalion Parachute Regiment

  544

  466

  2nd Battalion Parachute Regiment

  544

  450

  3rd Battalion Parachute Regiment

  519

  427

  Royal Irish Regiment

  1st Battalion Royal Irish Regiment

  581

  439

  Gurkhas

  1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles

  742

  765

  2nd Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles

  855

  913

  The Gurkha Reinforcement Company and The Battalion The Parachute Regiment

  0

  115

  The Gurkha Reinforcement Company The 1st Battalion The Princess of Wales Royal Regiment

  0

  115

  The Gurkha Reinforcement Company The 1st Battalion The Royal Scots

  0

  115

  The Gurkha Demonstration Company Royal Military Academy Sandhurst

  133

  133

  The Gurkha Demonstration Company Brecon

  100

  100

  Territorial Army Infantry Units

  6th Northumberland Battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers

  532

  600

  4th Battalion (Volunteer) The Parachute Regiment

  531

  696

  6th (Volunteer) Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment

  531

  493

  7th (Volunteer) Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment

  532

  582

  4th/5th Battalion the Green Howards (Alexandria Princess of Wales' Own Yorkshire Regiment)

  531

  423

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

  531

  542

  3rd (Volunteer) Battalion The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment

  530

  514

  7th Battalion The (Durham) Light Infantry

  531

  526

  3rd Battalion The Prince of Wales Own Regiment of Yorkshire

  327

  423

  4th (Volunteer) Battalion The Devonshire and Dorset Regiment

  531

  457

  6th Battalion The Light Infantry (Volunteer)

  531

  495

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

  566

  533

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

  530

  504

  5th (Volunteer) Royal Green Jackets

  382

  304

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

  531

  453

  4th (Volunteer) Battalion The Queens Lancashire Regiment

  529

  508

  5th/8th (Volunteer) Battalion The Kings Regiment

  529

  520

  4th (Volunteer) Battalion The Kings Own Border Regiment

  529

  419

  3rd (Volunteer) The Cheshire Regiment

  373

  376

  5th (Volunteer) Battalion The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers

  564

  484

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

  563

  521

  5th Battalion The Light Infantry (Volunteer)

  527

  528

  2nd (Volunteer) Battalion The Royal Regiment of Wales

  532

  498

  170 171

  Infantry soldiers

  Unit liability (establishment)

  Strength

  3rd (Volunteer) Battalion The Royal Welsh Fusiliers

  530

  531

  4th (Volunteer) Battalion The Royal Green Jackets

  530

  305

  10th (Volunteer) Battalion The Parachute Regiment

  530

  311

  The London Regiment

  531

  302

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

  374

  325

  3rd (Volunteer) Battalion The Highlanders (Seaforths, Gordons and Cameroons)

  537

  438

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

  531

  472

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

  530

  440

  The Lowland Volunteers

  532

  396

  4th/5th Battalion The Royal Irish Rangers

  543

  497

  Notes:

  1. Includes Queen's Own Gurkha Officers Gurkha numbers decrease throughout the year (through retirement) until the annual intake at the end of the year

  2. A similar breakdown for Infantry officers is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost and effort. Infantry officers, like all Army officers, fill a proportion of posts that are able to be filled from any cap badge, the only qualifying criteria being suitability and relevant experience

  3. The figures for Territorial Army infantry units include both officers and soldiers

  Services Nationality Rules
  Mr. Casale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to review the services nationality rules requiring parents, step-parents or guardians of applicants for employment to have been Commonwealth citizens or Irish citizens resident in the United Kingdom. [49350]

  Dr. Reid
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend for Stockton, South (Ms Taylor) on 18 February 1998,official report, columns 665–66.

  Chemical Weapons
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Chemical Defence Establishment field trial reports series of documents(a) started and (b) finished; how many documents were produced in this series; and how many of these documents are currently unclassified. [49490]

  Mr. Spellar
  This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Ken Livingstone, dated 14 July 1998:
  I have been asked to reply to your question about the Chemical Defence Establishment field trial reports series of documents.
  The Chemical Defence Establishment which is now part of DERA's Chemical and Biological Defence sector at Porton Down published a series of field trial reports between 1969 and 1995. The series contained 114 documents of which 6 are currently unclassified.
  The titles of the unclassified documents are as follows:
  23 Trials of the non destructive test of air filtration units in HMS Berwick at Portsmouth, October 1971
  27 CR decontamination trial
  87 Noise propagation from commercial explosives
  89 A report of multiple smoke plume trials designed to establish some atmospheric statistics
  97 Field testing of the Canadian profire kit on CDE range
  127 Trial Madona—a field experiment to measure high resolution wind fields and concentration fluctuations over complex terrain
  I hope this is helpful.

  172
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made by his Department in investigating the alleged chemical agent detections during the Gulf war on 19 to 21 January 1991 in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia; who is carrying out this investigation; when this investigation began; and when he expects this investigation to be completed. [49491]

  Dr. Reid
  As part of the New Beginning statement on 14 July 1997,Official Report, columns 1–5, I announced that my Department would be carrying out three reviews of specific events during the Gulf conflict. Work on the second of these reviews, which concerns the alleged chemical agent detections in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia between 19–21 January 1991, began in March this year, after the results of the first review into the tank of liquid found at a school in Kuwait had been published. The work is being conducted by the Gulf Veterans' Illnesses Unit in my Department, which is seeking to identify and analyse all available documentation relevant to this matter and to interview those personnel directly involved. The results will be made public as soon as the review is complete, which is expected towards the end of this year.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a list of the titles of the unclassified papers produced in the Chemical Defence Establishment technical paper series since January 1996. [49493]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Chemical and Biological Defence Sector of DERA at Porton Down has produced 18 unclassified papers in the Technical Paper series since January 1996. A list of these papers has been placed in the Library.

  Departmental Contacts
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will list the meetings held by(a) himself, (b) his ministers and (c) special advisers in his Department with people outside the Government on (i) 30 June and (ii) 2 July; [49548]

  (2) on what occasions (a) he, (b) his Ministers and (c) his special advisers have met representatives of (i) GPC Market Access, (ii) Lawson Lucas Mendelsohn

  173
  and (iii) GJW Government Relations since 1 May 1997; who these representatives were; and what was discussed at the meetings. [50473]

  Mr. George Robertson
  [holding answer 9 July 1998]: Ministers, their Special Advisers and other civil servants meet many people in the course of their work. This properly includes meetings with interest groups outside Government; indeed, one of the specific functions of the Special Advisers is to liaise with such interest groups. This liaison is intended to help Ministers draw upon outside contributions—from academics, think-tanks, trade and industry associations, trade unions, lobby groups and others, as well as relevant experience from other countries—during the process of policy analysis and development. By convention it is not the practice of governments to make information on such meetings or their content publicly available—a principle reflected in the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information published in January 1997. Special Advisers and other civil servants must observe the requirements of propriety: for instance, they must not provide confidential information without authorisation or allow improper influence on policy. Any breach of these requirements could be a disciplinary offence.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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. [48846]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Ministry of Defence recognises the risk posed to operational capability by the Year 2000 problem. While every effort is being made to ensure that all systems are Year 2000 compliant, some work will not be completed in time. The MOD is, therefore, developing contingency plans to ensure that we continue to meet our operational commitments and that essential Defence capabilities are maintained. The target date for completion of these plans is 31 December 1998, with testing continuing throughout 1999, and regularly thereafter to ensure that the plans remain valid for any similar problems which might arise in the future.

  Turkey
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Turkish military personnel have been involved in military training in the United Kingdom during the last 12 months; and if he will list the type of military training that was given. [49285]

  Dr. Reid
  Training has been provided in the UK to members of the Turkish armed forces, as is normal practice between NATO nations. Between 1 July 1997 and 1 July 1998, 41 Turkish military personnel have been involved in military training in the United Kingdom. Training has included attendance at the Royal College of Defence Studies, the Advanced Command and Staff Course, the International Sub-Lieutenants' Course, the International Principal Warfare Officers' Course, the Maritime Warfare Course, the International Imagery Interpretation Course, and courses on the Principles of Computer Based Training, Instructional Techniques, Training Design, Quality Control, and English Language Training.

  Service Personnel (Parental Leave)
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will grant unmarried partners in the armed forces the same rights to parental leave as married couples. [50400]

  Dr. Reid
  The Armed Forces offers maternity leave to which any pregnant servicewoman is entitled, whether married or unmarried, in accordance with the law. As a good employer the Services seek, whenever possible, to grant a serviceman annual leave (or compassionate leave if appropriate) to attend his partner, either during or, immediately after childbirth. Operational commitments may, on occasions, make it impossible for every serviceman to be released from his duties.

  Foreign Policy Base Line
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his oral statement of 8 July 1998,official report, column 1080, in which paragraphs of the Strategic Defence Review the Foreign Policy Baseline is set out. [50443]

  Mr. George Robertson
  The foreign and security policy analysis on which the Strategic Defence Review is based is set out in Chapter Two of the White Paper, "Security Priorities in a Changing World" (paragraphs 17–43), and in the second of the Supporting Essays, "The Policy Framework".

  NATO
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the impact on the United Kingdom defence budget of the proposed expansion of NATO. [50393]

  Mr. George Robertson
  NATO has estimated that the cost to its military common budgets of the accession of the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland will be some $1.5 billion over ten years. The United Kingdom's share of this cost will, at current exchange rates, be some £110 million over the 10 years. On present expectations, the costs to the United Kingdom's defence budget will be met from within existing and planned provision.

  Large Aircraft Carriers
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's estimate of the cost of the two proposed large aircraft carriers separately identifying their(a) running costs and (b) disposal costs. [50391]

  Mr. George Robertson
  At this early stage in the project, we envisage an acquisition cost for two aircraft carriers of around £2 billion, including combat system and initial support costs but excluding the cost of aircraft. The running costs of future carriers will depend on: the ship design and the number and type of aircraft they will carry, both of which remain to be determined, but which will focus on the need to minimise through-life costs. No consideration has yet been given to the disposal of future carriers given that these vessels are likely to be in-service till around the mid-century.

  Strategic Defence Review
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many copies of the Strategic Defence
  175
  Review were sent outside the main building of his Department in sealed envelopes before Wednesday 8 July; and when they were sent; [50459]

  (2) which (a) Government departments, (b) individual Ministers, (c) special advisers and (d) non-Governmental organisations received copies of the Strategic Defence Review before 12.30 pm on Wednesday 8 July. [50460]

  Mr. George Robertson
  It is not our practice to comment in detail on matters of this kind while a formal investigation is in progress.

  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what terms(a) his Department's head of public relations and (b) any of her staff discussed the contents of the Strategic Defence Review before 12.30 pm on Wednesday 8 July, with (a) members of the press and (b) other persons outside his Department. [50457]

  Mr. George Robertson
  In her dealings with the Press my Director of Information Strategy and News, and her staff, have responded to all inquiries about the Strategic Defence Review (which have all been from the Press) under the normal terms. Until the Press Conference held on Wednesday 8 July on an embargo, lock-in basis, they provided factual information about the background, processes, and the development of the thinking of the defence review. Such information was also set out by me in two major speeches, the BBC documentary on the processes underlying the Strategic Defence Review, and in answers to the House prior to publication of the White Paper on 8 July.

  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the name and position of the individual or individuals carrying out the inquiry into the leaking of the Strategic Defence Review; when he expects the inquiry to be concluded; and how he intends to report the conclusions of the inquiry to the House. [50461]
  176
  Mr. George Robertson
  The individual who will conduct the inquiry, by custom, is a member of a panel of investigators which the Cabinet Office draw upon to conduct investigations. Its members are in the main distinguished and senior retired public servants. A member of the panel, who will not be named, has been selected by the Cabinet Office to investigate the leaking of the Strategic Defence Review (SDR). The inquiry will be conducted with all possible speed. Once the conclusions of the inquiry have been presented to me, I will decide how to report them to the House.

  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which of his special advisers, and on what terms, discussed the contents of the Strategic Defence Review before 12.30 pm on Wednesday 8 July, with(a) members of the press, (b) political lobbyists and (c) special advisers to the Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer or the Foreign Secretary. [50458]

  Mr. George Robertson
  In the normal course of government business, both special advisers would have discussed the contents of the Strategic Defence Review with special advisers to the Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Foreign Secretary. Over the course of the Review, both special advisers would have briefed members of the Press and on occasions, political lobbyists on the background processes and emerging themes of the Review but not on its detailed conclusions in line with the requirements of propriety.

  Territorial Army
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he plans to have finalised his work on the future organisation of the TA and the TA and cadet centres in time for them to be presented to the House before the defence debate. [50554]

  Dr. Reid
  It is our intention that the detailed planning for the future organisation of the Territorial Army should be complete by the autumn. The results of this work will be announced to the House as soon as possible.

  Firearms Exports: Control Categories
  Firearms Exports: Control Categories
  Low Pay Commission Report
  Low Pay Commission Report
  Baltic States: Chevening Budget
  Baltic States: Chevening Budget
  G8 Birmingham Summit: Cost Breakdown
  G8 Birmingham Summit: Cost Breakdown
  SSSIs: Loss, Damage or Destruction
  SSSIs: Loss, Damage or Destruction
  Local Authority Rents
  Local Authority Rents
  Urban Development Corporations: Evaluations
  Urban Development Corporations: Evaluations
  Drinking Water Inspectorate Annual Report
  Drinking Water Inspectorate Annual Report
  Side Effects of Organophosphates: Clinical Research
  Side Effects of Organophosphates: Clinical Research
  Pigs: Reproductive Research
  Pigs: Reproductive Research
  Organophosphates: Control Measures
  Organophosphates: Control Measures
  Piscivorous Birds and Salmon and Sea Trout
  Piscivorous Birds and Salmon and Sea Trout
  Government Departments' Aims and Objectives
  Government Departments' Aims and Objectives
  Cabinet Committees Chaired by the Lord Chancellor
  Cabinet Committees Chaired by the Lord Chancellor
  Royal Parks: Illegal Trading
  Royal Parks: Illegal Trading
  SERPS and Tax Relief
  SERPS and Tax Relief
  Breastfeeding
  Breastfeeding
  Ambulance Service Staff: Early Retirement
  Ambulance Service Staff: Early Retirement
  E.coli 0157
  E.coli 0157
  Duckett's Cheese
  Duckett's Cheese
  Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs
  Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs
  Gulf War Veterans: Inquiry Request
  Gulf War Veterans: Inquiry Request
  Gulf Veterans' Illness Unit: Replies to Questions
  Gulf Veterans' Illness Unit: Replies to Questions
  Independent Commission on the Voting System
  Independent Commission on the Voting System
  Police Numbers
  Police Numbers