Written Answers of 15 July 1998

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Lorry Drivers (Accident Insurance)
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will introduce legislation to make it a legal requirement for employers of lorry drivers working overseas to be fully insured for accident and loss of life including the costs of returning bodies to the United Kingdom. [49952]

  Dr. Strang
  The Employer's Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969 already requires employers to insure their liability to employees for bodily injury or disease sustained during their employment. If an employee is normally based in Great Britain, their employer is required to have employer's liability insurance for them. Where the employer's liability is proved, a relevant policy will pay compensation for loss of life, and refund the expense of returning a body to the United Kingdom.

  Sewage (Falmouth)
  Ms Atherton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the results obtained by the Environment Agency in respect of the interim Falmouth sewage scheme. [50084]

  Angela Eagle
  The Environment Agency is carrying out a detailed assessment of the data collected during two recent surveys, which were carried out over the periods 2–5 June (Neap tides) and 23–26 June (Spring tides).

  Preliminary findings show that the Falmouth Interim Sewage Treatment Scheme—which is a short-term measure pending implementation of the full scheme by 2000—has brought clear improvements to local bathing waters at Maen Porth, Swanpool and Gyllyngvase, which have been identified under the EC Bathing Water Directive. Also, there has been no deterioration in general water quality or in shellfish waters in the area. I understand that the Agency will publish the full results of their recent surveys as soon as possible.

  Waste Disposal
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will issue further guidance to local authorities on the methodology they should use to predict waste disposal needs. [50399]

  Angela Eagle
  We have no immediate plans to do so, although my Department plans to issue a new Planning Policy Guidance Note on "Waste disposal and management" in the Autumn. Local authorities should discuss future disposal needs with waste collection authorities, with interested parties in their area, with 178
  neighbouring authorities, and with the Environment Agency (particularly in the context of their work on life cycle analysis).

  I would also add that local authorities should not be restricting their thinking to waste disposal, but should widen their consideration to the need for recycling, composting and energy recovery facilities—thoughts on this are set out in our recently published consultation paper on the national waste strategy "Less Waste: More Value".

  Brown-field Sites
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received on the impact of the Government's proposals for regeneration by the use of brown-field sites on(a) housing demand and (b) employment opportunities in urban areas. [50329]

  Angela Eagle
  The Government have not received any specific representations on this issue recently. Nevertheless, in developing our policy for urban areas, we are fully aware that a balance needs to be struck between the need to promote the re-use of previously developed sites for housing, the need to ensure a continuing supply of employment sites, and the need to promote a high quality environment in our towns and cities. We will be issuing a draft revised Planning Policy Guidance note on housing (PPG3) for consultation later this summer, which will address these issues.

  Railway Standards
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will take measures to ensure that(a) standards of reliability, cleanliness and safety on the railways are improved and (b) period ticket holders are given an uncomplicated system allowing them to claim fair, immediate and adequate compensation when poor service is provided. [50330]

  Dr. Strang
  The Government are reviewing the regulation of the railway as part of our overall review of transport policy, and our proposals for its long term reform will be published in our forthcoming White Paper.

  Under the existing arrangements for the railway, train operators must comply with the terms of their franchise agreement with the Franchising Director. The franchise agreement set standards for train reliability and include provision for the monitoring and enforcement of these standards; and require operators to clean stations regularly. There are no industry-wide standards for train cleanliness; however, some operators monitor train cleanliness as an element of the regular surveys of customer satisfaction that they are obliged to undertake. The Government look to the Health and Safety Commission and Executive, as safety regulators for the railways, to use their advisory and enforcement powers as appropriate to see that rail safety standards are maintained and improved where necessary.

  Period ticket holders are compensated for poor performance under the terms of the relevant operator's Passenger's Charter, which is required by the Franchising Director to include a compensation scheme at least as favourable to passengers as that which was operated by

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  British Rail. The Franchising Director continues to seek improvements to Charters whenever suitable opportunities arise.

  Concessionary Travel
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what assessment the Government have made of the(a) advantages and (b) costs of a national system of concessionary travel fares for (i) older and (ii) disabled people; [50076]

  (2) if he will take steps to eliminate the differences between areas in the savings available to older and disabled people from concessionary travel passes. [50077]

  Dr. Strang
  These matters are being considered as part of our review of integrated transport policy. The advantages and costs of any standard scheme would depend on the level at which its benefits are set.

  Local Government
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the former county boroughs in England prior to 1973–74 which are not unitary authorities; and what plans he has to extend the system of unitary authorities. [50442]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The following local authorities were county boroughs prior to 1973 and are not unitary authorities:

  Barrow-in-Furness

  Burnley

  Canterbury

  Carlisle

  Chester

  East Staffordshire (Burton-on-Trent)

  Eastbourne

  Exeter

  Gloucester

  Great Yarmouth

  Hastings

  Ipswich

  Lincoln

  Northampton

  Norwich

  Oxford

  Preston

  Worcester.

  There are no current plans to extend the system of unitary authorities.

  Dog Fouling
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the cost to local authorities of fully implementing the dog fouling regulations. [50570]

  Angela Eagle
  It is for local authorities to decide whether to implement the regulations in the light of local priorities and resources. No estimate has been made of the cost to those local authorities who have done so. But administrative savings are expected compared to the 180
  byelaw system which required local authorities to seek the Secretary of State's confirmation to introduce "poop scoop" areas.

  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received from local authorities relating to the implementation of the dog fouling regulations. [50569]

  Angela Eagle
  Representations on a number of issues have been received from local authorities relating to the implementation of the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996. Apart from procedural questions about implementation, the representations also address issues such as the ability of local authorities to retain the £25 fixed penalty fine, the provision of bins and the disposal of dog waste, and the designation of populated rural areas where speed limits are 40mph and above.

  Greater London Authority
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to publish the draft of the Greater London Authority Bill. [50674]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Following the overwhelming endorsement of our proposals in the referendum on 7 May, we have made it clear that we intend to introduce legislation to establish the Greater London Authority as soon as the legislative timetable permits. We do not intend to publish a draft Bill before the legislation is introduced.

  Garden Land
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish the appeal decisions for 1996–97 and 1997–98 where one of the grounds for refusal was the protection of garden land. [50363]

  Mr. Raynsford
  I have asked the Chief Planning Inspector, Mr. Chris Shepley, to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from David Hanchet to Mr. Paul Burstow, dated 15 July 1998:
  The Secretary of state has asked me to reply to your Question about appeal decisions where one of the grounds for refusal was the protection of garden land.
  I enclose details of 4 appeals which were dismissed in 1996–97 and 15 which were dismissed in 1997–98. I believe this is an exhaustive list but I cannot be certain, especially as we do not have a separate refusal issue relating to protection of garden land. The details include the issues considered to be relevant to the Inspectors decision.
  I am arranging for copies of the Inspector's decision letters to be sent to you. From these you will be able to see whether the Inspector agreed or disagreed with any reasons for refusal by the local authority.

  Details of the appeals have been made available in the Library.

  Air and Water Quality
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to improve the quantity and quality of public information on(a) air quality and (b) water quality. [49009]
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  Angela Eagle
  My Department and the Environment Agency strive continuously to improve the quantity and quality of information on air and water quality made available to the public.

  My Department's standard of dissemination of air pollution information is amongst the best in the world. Hourly information on a range of air pollutants, together with a forecast, is made available to the public via CEEFAX, TELETEXT, the Internet, by Freephone and the media. The National Air Quality Archive, containing all data collected in the Department's national networks, is freely available on the Internet, together with statistical summaries and a wide range of supplementary information. My Department also regularly publishes research reports on ambient concentrations and emissions of air pollutants in the UK. In addition, my Department publishes a number of leaflets for the public on air quality issues. It is my intention to continue to make as much information on air pollution available to the public as possible.

  The Drinking Water Inspectorate publishes an Annual Report on drinking water quality in England and Wales; a non-technical leaflet about its role which contains key statistics on drinking water quality; and simple leaflets reporting drinking water quality for each water company. It has also produced leaflets on lead in drinking water; chlorine, smell and taste; and problems with drinking water. All leaflets are available free of charge from the Inspectorate or through the Internet. Their content and style have been reviewed and improved following market research. More detailed information on the results of all compliance tests for drinking water quality is available for inspection on public records held by water companies.

  The Environment Agency recently published a report, The State of the Environment of England and Wales: Fresh Waters, and will be producing a similar report on the coastal environment. Data on water quality are made publicly available through the Agency's public registers. Information on water quality and water resources is available in the State of the Environment section on the Agency's Internet site, which is being extended. The network of 7,000 monitoring sites to monitor water quality is the most comprehensive in Europe. The Agency is currently reviewing its monitoring activities to ensure that they respond to changing needs.

  Air quality and water quality data are also published in the annual Digest of Environmental Statistics and summary booklet The Environment in your Pocket, which is distributed widely to schools and others. Measures of air and water quality are likely to be included in the set of indicators that will accompany the revised sustainable development strategy.

  Gas-fired Power Stations
  Sir Robert Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the effect on carbon dioxide emissions of the Government's moratorium on the building of gas-fired power stations. [50212]
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  Angela Eagle
  The preliminary conclusions of the Government's Review of Energy Sources for Power Generation reaffirm the Government's determination to meet their climate change targets and state that the proposals are consistent with a decline in carbon emissions from the electricity generating industry.

  National Stadium
  Mr. Stringer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what changes have been made to the design specification of the National Stadium at Wembley in response to the proposals for athletics facilities to be built within the Millennium Dome. [49654]

  Mr. Banks
  I have been asked to reply.

  There are a number of proposals for the long term use for the Dome which have been put forward, including the creation of a sports arena for participation and spectator sports. However, the requirements for an athletics capability at the National Stadium have not changed.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Departmental Environmental Policies
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what percentage of his Department's waste is recycled; and what targets he has set for increasing this figure. [50103]

  Mr. Fatchett
  At present we estimate we are recycling about 15 per cent. of our waste paper. A further 25 per cent. is incinerated by Westminster City Council and used for power generation. At our Hanslope Park site we recycle 60 per cent. of our cardboard for packaging material.

  We plan, by the year 2000, to increase the percentage of waste that is recycled to 33 per cent. in the London estate and 19 per cent. at Hanslope Park.

  By 2005 we are looking to reduce our solid waste to landfill by 40 per cent. This is in line with the White Paper: A Strategy for Sustainable Waste Management.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures he has introduced to discourage car use by his Department's employees. [50088]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We operate the following measures to discourage car use:

  (i) An assisted travel scheme coach service for employees at our out of town site at Hanslope Park, near Milton Keynes.

  (ii) We have increased the number of cycle spaces at our Whitehall Main Building by 31 per cent.

  (iii) As part of our Green Transport Plan, we expect to decrease the number of car parking spaces at our Whitehall Main Building. This is in line with the DETR initiative to reduce staff parking at Government Buildings in London.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current energy consumption of his Department; what targets have been set to reduce this level; and what plans he has to include energy efficiency performance figures in his Department's annual report. [50093]
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  Mr. Fatchett
  Our current energy consumption is:

  1997–98 figures

  kWh

  Whitehall district heating system

  6,084,631

  Electricity

  17,881,626

  Gas

  6,717,265

  Fuel oil

  4,524,791

  We are striving to reduce our energy consumption in line with the DETR recommendations of a 20 per cent. improvement over 1990 levels by 31 March 2000.

  We plan to include our energy efficiency performance figures in our Department's Annual Report once our accommodation strategy has been realised in 2001. Part of the aim of the strategy is to reduce our energy consumption significantly by rationalising our estate.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to raise awareness of environmental issues within his Department; and what training will be made available. [50102]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We operate a Monitoring and Targeting (M & T) system which reports on energy and water use throughout the estate and highlights areas of waste.

  Information from the M&T system was used as the basis for a "Powerdown" poster campaign.

  We encourage our Energy and Environment Officers to undertake relevant training.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what environmental activities his Green Minister has undertaken since being appointed. [50101]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The UK has much to contribute to international action on the environment. This is a top priority for the entire Ministerial team in the FCO, working closely with their DETR counterparts. Protection of the environment was, for example, a key theme of the UK's Presidency of the European Union.

  I am the FCO's Green Minister. I have responsibility among FCO Ministers to ensure that we make the most of all opportunities to promote the UK's international environmental objectives, including in multilateral and bilateral meetings, and in the activities of UK diplomatic missions overseas. For example, the environment was a key theme of the ASEM 2 Summit in April. As Green Minister, I am also responsible for ensuring that the administration of the FCO itself takes full account of environmental considerations. I have recently committed the FCO to greater use of environmentally friendly means of transport. The FCO is now exploring the use of Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) vehicles.

  Former Yugoslavia
  Mr. Austin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take steps to ensure that the United Nations and the EU instruct commercial banks to reveal the existence of accounts holding assets from the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. [50350]
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  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  [holding answer 13 July 1998]: Bank accounts of the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia remain frozen pending the resolution of succession negotiations which are continuing under the auspices of the High Representative's special negotiator. UK banks and other financial institutions holding assets which are subject to the resolution of third party claims are not required under current legislation to reveal their existence. We have no plans to ask the United Nations or the EU to intervene in this matter.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Legal Aid
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what was the total number of legal aid applications over the past three years for(a) criminal and (b) civil cases; and how many were refused. [50362]

  Mr. Hoon
  Information on criminal legal aid is broken down into proceedings in the Crown Court and the magistrate's court. The number of applications made, granted and refused in the magistrate's court for representation in that court is not available. The number of applications made for representation in the Crown Court were as follows:

  Year

  Applications made

  Applications granted

  Applications refused

  1995

  126,897

  126,658

  239

  1996

  116,721

  116,443

  278

  1997

  124,711

  124,491

  220

  The figures include both applications made in the magistrate's court for representation in the Crown Court and applications made direct to the Crown Court.

  Civil legal aid is administered by the Legal Aid Board. The table sets out the number of legal aid applications received, granted and refused in the last three calender years.

  Year

  Applications made

  Applications granted

  Applications refused

  1995

  516,654

  462,657

  53,997

  1996

  484,074

  426,023

  58,051

  1997

  444,538

  382,501

  62,037

DEFENCE

  Defence Vetting Agency
  Mr. Borrow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Chief Executive of the Defence Vetting Agency for 1998–99. [51187]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Defence Vetting Agency was launched on 1 April 1997 with a staff of about 350 MOD Civil Servants, located in Central London, Portsmouth, Woolwich and Corsham, Wiltshire. Its formation brought together four existing Ministry of Defence Vetting
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  Authorities. The Agency undertakes some 130,000 vetting checks and investigations each year. In addition, it is engaged on an ambitious programme of work to become an integrated, modern, efficient organisation, based on a single site. The Agency's first year has been characterised by planning and setting in train a series of key studies
  These include:

  a. A collocation investment appraisal;

  b. A business process reengineering and reorganisation study;

  c. An information systems strategy study; and

  d. A Private Finance Initiative feasibility study.

  This second year will see the beginning of the implementation of these various initiatives.

  The Chief Executive has been set the following Key Targets:
  Quality
  Key Target 1—To maintain quality standards through at least 95 per cent. compliance with agreed procedures, and to develop quality improvement targets in the light of a Defence wide customer survey.
  Timeliness

  Key Target 2—To complete 85 per cent. of Security Checks within 6 weeks.

  Key Target 3—To complete 71 per cent. of Counter Terrorist Checks within 6 weeks.

  Key Target 4—To complete 85 per cent. of all Developed Vetting clearances within 6 months.

  Key Target 5—To reduce the 1997–98 average times for Security Checks, Counter Terrorist Checks and Developed Vetting clearances by 5 per cent.

  Efficiency
  Key Target 6—To reduce the FY97–98 Unit Cost of Output.

  I have arranged for advance copies of the Corporate Plan to be placed in the Library of both Houses.

  British Army of the Rhine
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British soldiers are part of the British Army of the Rhine; and what was the total cost of their military presence in the last financial year for which figures are available. [50254]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 14 July 1998]: The British Army of the Rhine is no longer in existence. The British Army in Germany consists of the 1st (UK) Armoured Division, a Combat Service Support Group and a Support Command, with some other minor units.

  As at 31 May 1998, there were some 23,800 posts directly administered or associated with the Army garrisoned in Germany. This excludes the various NATO headquarters and other posts distinct from the garrisons, but includes those troops who are based in Germany and deployed elsewhere, for example the Former Yugoslavia. The cost of these forces during 1997–98 was some £1,139 million.

  The Strategic Defence Review has examined ways to achieve a better balance between forces based in Britain and Germany. We have concluded that we should remove some 2,500 troops as part of the wider restructuring of the Army. This will take some years to complete.

  Russia (Joint Exercises)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what dates the Army conducted joint exercises with the Russian army during the last five years. [48575]

  Mr. George Robertson
  The British Army has not conducted any joint exercises with the Russian Army during the last five years.

  Millennium Compliance
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures have been taken by his Department to ensure that defence systems will not be compromised by the millennium bug. [49487]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Ministry of Defence began work to address the millennium date change problem in 1995, with a study to assess the scope of the problem within the Department. The work to fix or replace systems which are not compliant commenced early in 1996. This programme of work encompasses the full range of MOD equipment, including office equipment, and information and weapon systems. Issues that affect interoperability with our allies are being carefully considered. The MOD has actively promoted awareness of this issue internationally through briefings in NATO, and bilateral discussions with the US Department of Defense and with other international partners.

  The MOD reports progress on its Year 2000 programme to the Cabinet Office. The MOD reports form part of the quarterly statement made to Parliament by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, whose last report was made on the 8 June 1998. Copies of the MOD reports are placed in the Library of the House and I would refer the hon. Member to them. These reports are also available on the Cabinet Office Year 2000 Web site.

  Atomic Weapons Establishment
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many research contracts and agreements in universities are currently being funded by the Atomic Weapons Establishment; what is the total value of these research projects; how many of these research projects are classified; and if he will list the universities at which these research projects are being funded. [49990]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Atomic Weapons Establishment currently has twenty six research contracts and agreements with universities. The total value of these contracts, none of which is classified, is £2.2 million. I will write to my hon. Friend as to the actual universities involved and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Meetings
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what meetings he had with Labour hon. Members in the course of his official duties on 1 July. [50451]

  Mr. George Robertson
  During the course of my official duties on Wednesday 1 July, I attended meetings of the Labour Party 'Britain in the World' Policy
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  Commission, and the Parliamentary Labour Party Defence Committee. During both of these meetings, hon. Members were present.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Casino Deregulation
  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on casino deregulation. [51016]

  Mr. George Howarth
  I am pleased to announce our conclusions on casino deregulation.

  Casino membership and advertising

  We intend to bring forward proposals to allow

  postal applications for membership of casinos;

  group membership; and

  limited factual advertising.

  These will be the first gambling deregulation proposals to be brought forward under this Government. The previous administration consulted on similar proposals in November 19961. They announced on 13 March 1997 that the proposals had broad support and were suitable for a deregulation order, but the General Election intervened before that work could be taken forward.

  We will need to consult afresh because some changes are appropriate in the light of the earlier consultation. In particular, it was previously proposed to allow advertising only in non-national publications. We think this would be unduly restrictive and difficult to enforce. We propose to allow factual advertising in national publications.

  The procedures for deregulation orders require consultation on specific proposals before an order can be laid. The consultation paper will give full details of the proposals. They have been agreed in principle by the Gaming Board and the British Casino Association.

  We have also discussed the advertising proposals with the Advertising Association and the Advertising Standards Authority.

  The consultation paper will be published in the next few weeks. Subject to the outcome, we expect to lay deregulation proposals in the autumn for scrutiny by the Deregulation Committees.

  We acknowledge the comments made by the previous Deregulation Committees to the effect that the gambling law is complex and that some previous deregulation orders have increased that complexity. They called for a general overhaul and consolidation of the gambling legislation. I have discussed these concerns with the Chairmen of the current Committees. It was recognised that general gambling reform would be a large undertaking, involving three main Acts of Parliament—the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Act 1963, the Gaming Act 1968 and the Lotteries and Amusements Act 1976. There is a case for such an exercise, but we are not able to take it forward in the short term, and we propose meanwhile to continue to use the deregulation process to make appropriate, selective changes.
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  We have also considered the other casino proposals consulted on in November 1996—for slot machines and permitted areas. We have no fundamental objections to some change in these areas, but we will need to consider further the resource issues.

  Slot machines

  The November 1996 paper recommended the introduction of casino slot machines with unlimited prizes. We have concluded that;
  In principle, there should be no objection to casinos, which are premises expressly licensed for hard gambling, having the same type of slot machines as are common in casinos in other countries:
  But there should be a staged approach with a smaller number of machines initially, to allow the impact to be assessed. A maximum of 20 machines per casino would be the most suitable figure;
  However, at a time of pressure on public expenditure, it is not clear how the necessary additional funding could be found for the Gaming Board to supervise a new slot machines regime;
  Discussions on machines are continuing within Government and with the Gaming Board and the casino industry.

  Jackpot machines

  In the meantime, following a recommendation by the Gaming Board, we have agreed in principle to make regulations with effect from 1 October 1998 to increase the maximum prize for jackpot machines in casinos from £250 to £1,000 and the maximum stake from 30p to 50p. These proposals arise from the triennial review of machine stake and prize limits, full details of which I am announcing separately today.

  At present, casinos are allowed up to six jackpot machines. The number was increased from two to six machines in June 1996 by deregulation order. I consider that a further modest increase would be appropriate, and will include in the consultation paper a proposal that casinos may have up to ten such machines.

  Permitted areas

  The previous Government also proposed allowing casinos in additional areas, to be implemented by secondary legislation. It was made clear at the time that no timetable for implementation could be set because of the resource implications for the Gaming Board and the courts.

  We have carefully considered the case for additional areas. We have concluded that Great Britain is already well served with casinos and that there is not a compelling case for a large extension to that provision. The pressure for additional casinos has come mainly from the industry or individual local authorities rather than the general public. There are already 53 permitted areas. The previous proposals would have added 21. We do not consider it appropriate to designate so many additional areas, particularly those which do not have a significant resident population. Further work would need to be done on the criteria; and additional funding would need to be found for the Gaming Board and the courts. In the light of other, more pressing priorities, we have decided not to take forward any changes for the time being.
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  We may wish to make proposals for a small number of additional areas in the future. There would need to be a good case on population grounds, and any proposal would also need local authority and public support.
  1Home Office paper entitled Second Consultation on Casino Deregulation.

  Gaming Machines
  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will announce the outcome of the triennial review of gaming machine stake and prize limits. [51017]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Gaming Board have reviewed machine stake and prize limits and made recommendations to the Home Office.

  We have accepted their recommendations. I intend to make the necessary statutory instruments to come into force on 1 October.

  The following maximum stake and prize limits will apply:
  the all-cash amusement-with-prizes (AWP) machine prize will be increased from £10 to £15;
  the prizes for the cash/token AWP machines will be left unchanged at £5 for the cash and £8 for the non monetary prizes;
  the prizes for jackpot machines will be increased from £250 to £500 in bingo clubs and £1,000 in casinos; and left unchanged at £250 in members clubs; and
  the 30p stake for AWP machines will be left unchanged and that for jackpot machines will be increased to 50p.

  The Gaming Board's main underlying thinking, which we endorse, is to: keep machines to which children are allowed access at low prize levels; work with the industry to prevent children gaining access to all-cash machines, with the prospect of a more liberal future regime if that can be achieved; and recognise that higher prizes are appropriate in gambling clubs.

  I have placed in the Library the Gaming Board's report of their review, which explains in detail the consultation with interested organisations and their conclusions.

  Pheasants (Plastic Blinkers)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy in respect of the use of plastic blinkers on pheasants; and if he will make a statement. [50213]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Pheasants are protected by the Protection of Animals Act 1911, which makes it an offence to cause any unnecessary suffering to any captive or domestic animal. Any person may initiate proceedings under this Act where there is reason to believe that unnecessary suffering has been caused, or may report the matter to the police who will decide whether or not to institute a prosecution.
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  Pheasants kept on agricultural land for the production of food are further protected by the Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1968, which makes it an offence to cause unnecessary pain or unnecessary distress to any livestock. The Welfare of Livestock (Prohibited Operations) Regulations 1982 made under this Act prohibit the fitting of any appliance which has the object or effect of limiting vision to a bird by a method involving the penetration or other mutilation of the nasal septum, except in an emergency or by a veterinary surgeon when disease or injury is present and proper treatment requires the operation.

  Asylum Detainees
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) men and (b) women were being held in detention in England and Wales, pending the hearing of their asylum appeal on 6 July. [49527]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The available information is that, as at 30 June 1998, there were 166 men and 15 women detained solely under Immigration Act powers in the United Kingdom who had sought asylum at some stage and who were awaiting the hearing or determination of an appeal.

  These figures are approximate because of the delay in recording receptions into, and releases from, detention and the large numbers of persons detained for only a short period.

  Asylum Officials
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of his Department's officials and at what grades are currently processing asylum applications; and what were the equivalent figures in May 1997. [49876]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The information requested is given in the table:

  Number

  1 June 1998

  Senior Executive Officer

  13

  Higher Executive Officer

  50

  Executive Officer

  179

  Administrative Officer

  114

  Administrative Assistant

  130

  Total

  1486

  1 May 1997

  Senior Executive Officer

  22

  Higher Executive Officer

  79

  Executive Officer

  273

  Administrative Officer

  149

  Administrative Assistant

  161

  Total

  684

  1This figure excludes 45 members of staff who now form part of the Asylum and Appeals Policy Directorate

  These figures reflect the re-deployment of staff in preparation for the computerisation and integration of the caseworking functions.

  Asylum Applications
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum applications have been(a) determined and (b) left outstanding in each of the last 18 months. [49956]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The information requested is given in the table.

  Initial decisions on asylum applications and applications outstanding, December 1996 to May 1998—number of principal applicants

  Month/year

  Number of decisions in each month

  Applications outstanding at end of each month

  1996

  December

  2,530

  57,405

  1997

  January

  3,260

  56,640

  February

  3,090

  55,820

  March

  2,845

  54,950

  April

  3,390

  54,020

  May

  2,880

  53,545

  June

  2,930

  53,025

  July

  3,480

  52,420

  August

  2,980

  52,240

  September

  2,800

  52,130

  October

  3,035

  51,910

  November

  2,990

  51,150

  December

  2,355

  51,795

  1998

  January

  3,065

  51,445

  February

  3,035

  50,960

  March

  3,070

  50,950

  April

  2,520

  51,465

  May

  2,360

  52,110

  Note:

  Figures rounded to the nearest 5

  Bogus Charity Collectors
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many prosecutions there have been in the London and south east regions, by constabulary, for offences in connection with bogus street collections in each of the last three years for which figures are available; [50322]

  (2) if he will advise television and radio broadcasters to take adequate precautions against bogus charity collectors taking part in telethons and radio appeal days; [50324]

  Number of persons prosecuted for child pornography offences, England and Wales, 1994–96

  1994

  1995

  1996

  Offence

  Males

  Females

  Males

  Females

  Males

  Females

  Take, make, distribute, show, possess with intent to distribute or show, or publish any advertisement conveying the distribution of indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of children1

  37

  3

  49

  4

  80

  —

  Possession of an indecent photograph or pseudo-photograph of a child2

  53

  —

  59

  1

  122

  3

  1 Protection of Children Act 1978 S1, 6 as amended by the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 S84

  2Criminal Justice Act 1988 S160 as amended by the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 S84(4) and 86(1)

  192
  (3) if he will take steps to warn retailers about bogus charity collectors who apply for permission to collect on retail premises and in shopping malls. [50323]

  Mr. Michael
  Information collected centrally on the Home Office Court Proceedings Database does not distinguish offences committed under the Police, Factories Etc. (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1916 and the House to House Collections Act 1939 from other summary offences.

  The Charity Commission meets regularly with licensing authorities and seeks to co-operate with any requests for information about charities or fund-raising organisations. The Commission encourages owners of retail premises to check with them if they have any doubts about an organisation seeking permission to carry out a charitable collection. Basic details of all registered charities can also be checked on the Commission's website at htpp://www.charity-commission.gov.uk.

  There are many charities connected with NHS Trusts. Checks with a number of Trusts have revealed that, generally, hospitals allow only these charities to collect on their property.

  Probation Service (Derbyshire)
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements will be made to accommodate the local Probation Service and to provide its services in South Derbyshire, and at what cost, following the proposed closure of Swadlincote Magistrates Court. [49747]

  Ms Quin
  The Derbyshire probation service have decided to await the outcome of the appeal against the closure of the magistrates' court before making a decision about replacement accommodation in Swadlincote. Following the outcome of this and the Prisons-Probation Review, Derbyshire probation service will be reviewing their provision and accommodation needs before deciding whether to acquire or lease new accommodation in Swadlincote. The cost of such accommodation would depend on local property market conditions at the time.

  Child Pornography
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions there have been in England and Wales in each of the last three years for offences involving the use of children in the production of pornography. [50104]

  Mr. Michael
  Available information from the Home Office Court Proceedings database is given in the table.

  Bookmaking
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what share of the turnover of the off-course bookmaking industry was constituted by bets not made at starting prices in the last year for which figures are available. [50148]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Home Office does not have figures on ante-post or early price fixed odds betting. However, betting on horserace pools accounted for less than 2 per cent. of off-course turnover in 1997.

  Mr. Meale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria are used by local magistrates when determining applications for the opening of a licensed bookmaking office. [50155]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Under Schedule 1 to the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Act 1963, an applicant to run a licensed betting office must first apply for a betting permit, obtainable if the magistrates are satisfied they are a fit and proper person, and the premises must comply with statutory access requirements.

  The magistrates may refuse a licence if they are not satisfied that the premises are suitable or if they consider there are already sufficient betting offices in the locality to satisfy demand for betting facilities.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his Department's average response time to correspondence from members of the public; and how such response times are monitored. [48660]

  Mr. Straw
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Office of Public Service 14 July 1998,Official Report, column 159.

  Drugs
  Sir Michael Spicer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he plans to take to tackle drug issues in rural environments. [50335]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Government's drug strategy set out in the White Paper "Tackling Drugs to Build a Better Britain" gives Drug Action Teams the responsibility for drawing up action plans in the light of local circumstances and for identifying and allocating resources to match priority aims and actions for their areas. Guidance for Drug Action Teams on drawing up their action plans will be issued later this year.

  Fire Service
  Mr. Wood
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what representations he has received and from which bodies over the apparent reduction in mains water pressures by some water companies; what assessment he has made of the extent of the problems;194
  and what assessment he has made of the potential effect upon the Fire Service's fire fighting capability; [50082]

  (2) what arrangements are in place for ensuring that fire authorities are satisfactorily discharged from obligations under Section 13 of the Fire Services Act 1947. [50081]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Representations have been made by the Chief and Assistant Chief Fire Officers Association and the Local Government Association. The problems appear to be limited. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions has established a National Liaison Group with representatives of the water industry, the Fire Service and the Home Office to improve communications at national and local levels. The Group is producing a code of practice which will provide guidance to water companies and the Fire Service on issues relating to water for firefighting. The code should help fire authorities discharge their statutory duty under section 13 and ensure the supply of water for firefighting.

  Police (Boundaries)
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, as part of the review of the boundaries of the Metropolitan Police area, he will review the overlapping jurisdictions of the Metropolitan Police, City of London Police and the British Transport Police; and if he will make a statement. [50574]

  Mr. Michael
  My right hon. Friend has concluded his consideration of the case for changing the boundaries of the Metropolitan Police District. He announced in a written answer to the right hon. Member for Penrith and The Border (Mr. Maclean), 16 June 1998,Official Report, column 191, that a provision would be made in the Greater London Authority Bill to make those boundaries coterminous with those of the 32 London boroughs.

  There are no plans to change the boundaries between the Metropolitan Police District and the City of London Police.

  The British Transport Police has responsibility for railway policing throughout Great Britain, and its jurisdiction cuts across all force boundaries. It did not fall to be considered in the context of the boundaries of the Metropolitan Police District.

  Pedestrian Accidents
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) children and (b) adults were (i) killed, (ii) seriously injured and (iii) slightly injured on or near pedestrian crossings in (1) the Metropolitan Police area of London and (2) England and Wales in (A) 1994, (B) 1995, (C) 1996 and (D) 1997. [50223]

  Dr. Strang
  [holding answer 14 July 1998]: I have been asked to reply.
  195
  The information requested is shown in the following table:

  Pedestrian Casualties On Or near a pedestrian crossing1

  Location of accident

  Age of casualty

  Severity

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  Metropolitan Police Area

  Child(0–15)

  Fatal

  2

  1

  1

  3

  Serious

  109

  127

  132

  153

  Slight

  495

  410

  464

  503

  Total

  606

  538

  597

  659

  Adult(16+)

  Fatal

  44

  25

  38

  52

  Serious

  469

  428

  443

  486

  Slight

  1,400

  1,244

  1,375

  1,585

  Total

  1,913

  1,697

  1,856

  2,123

  All ages2

  Fatal

  47

  27

  41

  55

  Serious

  625

  604

  617

  677

  Slight

  2,105

  1,831

  1,965

  2,222

  Total

  2,777

  2,462

  2,623

  2,954

  England and Wales

  Child(0–15)

  Fatal

  17

  14

  9

  14

  Serious

  436

  434

  452

  445

  Slight

  1,728

  1,654

  1,727

  1,778

  Total

  2,181

  2,102

  2,188

  2,237

  Adult(16+)

  Fatal

  153

  114

  132

  132

  Serious

  1,352

  1,278

  1,312

  1,296

  Slight

  3,645

  3,478

  3,646

  3,729

  Total

  5,150

  4,870

  5,090

  5,157

  All ages2

  Fatal

  171

  129

  143

  146

  Serious

  1,844

  1,766

  1,812

  1,781

  Slight

  5,621

  5,354

  5,546

  5,686

  Total

  7,636

  7,249

  7,501

  7,613

  1Includes pedestrians on a crossing, on the zig zags of a crossing or within 50 metres of a crossing

  2Includes pedestrian casualties whose age is unknown

WALES

  Complementary Medicine
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the potential benefits of complementary medicine in Wales. [49560]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The Government recognise that some people with conditions that do not respond to orthodox treatment can be helped by forms of complementary and alternative medicine, and has sponsored research into the use of complementary medicine in general practice. GPs and hospital doctors may arrange for their patients to receive any of the complementary medicine treatments if they feel it is clinically necessary, and is the most appropriate method of treating the particular health need. The doctor should also take into account the patient's wishes, evidence of the safety and effectiveness of the treatment, and its cost and availability locally.

  Community Pharmacists
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent consultations he has had with community pharmacists in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [49564]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  Although I have held no recent consultations with community pharmacists, departmental officials have regular meetings with them. I am prepared to meet pharmacists myself if there are particular matters of concern which they wish to raise with me.

  Out-of-town Shopping Centres
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the number of out-of-town shopping centres in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [49566]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  This information is not held centrally. Government planning policy on retailing in Wales is set out in 'Planning Guidance (Wales) Planning Policy' published in May 1996. This includes a commitment to sustain and enhance town centres, and to subject proposals for new retail development to a rigorous test designed to favour town centre sites.

  "Pathway to Prosperity"
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the nineteenth century institutions alluded to by him in paragraph 8.18 of the document "Pathway to Prosperity", a new economic agenda for Wales, published recently by his Department. [50216]

  Mr. Hain
  I will write to my right hon. Friend as soon as possible and place a copy of my reply in the Library of the House.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Gender Impact Assessments
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the answer of 24 June 1998,Official Report, columns 557–58, prior to 18 May, what mechanisms were used to determine how legislation passed in the current session would affect women; what consultation he had with women's organisations; and if he will make a statement. [49088]
  197
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  The National Lottery White Paper, `The People's Lottery' was subject to a wide ranging consultation process, which included women's organisations.

  Arts Spending
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the total amount of public spending on the arts for each of the last five years in(a) London, (b) the North West and (c) Warrington. [50036]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  [holding answer 13 July 1998): Arts funding from my Department is channelled through the Arts Council of England. The Arts Council of England has provided the following figures:

  £

  Year

  London

  North West

  Warrington

  1993–94

  10,563,560

  5,093,490

  21,525

  1994–95

  13,677,600

  7,750,453

  19,940

  1995–96

  14,270,209

  8,099,977

  19,500

  1996–97

  14,275,176

  8,028,610

  18,374

  1997–98

  14,480,886

  8,441,000

  25,841

  From March 1995 to May 1998, 1,157 projects in London totalling £186.141m received National Lottery arts funding. In the North West Region, 647 projects totalling £51.862m received arts Lottery funding in the same period. 14 awards totalling £2,602,135 were made in the Warrington area.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Sudan
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much humanitarian aid the Government have given to(a) the Sudan Government, (b) charities working in the Sudan and (c) directly to the people of Sudan over the last six months. [50552]

  Clare Short
  Since February, we have committed over £25 million to Sudan, all of which is for the direct benefit of vulnerable people in Sudan. Of this, we have contributed £1.83 million to Non-Governmental Organisations and £1 million towards the International Committee of the Red Cross. We have contributed £16 million to World Food Programme, £0.8 million to UNICEF, £0.4 million to Operation Lifeline Sudan logistics and £0.2 million to the UN Humanitarian Co-ordination Unit in Khartoum. There is £5 million still to be allocated as new needs emerge, whether in the north or the south of the country. No British aid is channelled through Government of Sudan structures.

  Departmental Environmental Policies
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps she is taking to raise awareness of environmental issues within her Department; and what training will be made available. [50091]

  Clare Short
  In addition to the White Paper, which mainstreamed environmental aspects of the sustainable development agenda, Department for International Development (DFID) has produced a range of policy and information documents covering environmental and natural resource issues which inter alia serve to raise staff
  198
  awareness of environmental issues. A DFID Environmental Policy Statement is currently being drafted which will expand on policies outlined in the White Paper. We have also developed a number of documents related to specific areas of the environment in developing countries, including forests, sustainable agriculture, biodiversity, desertification and (jointly with DETR) energy efficiency and climate change. These papers are regularly revised and updated.

  DFID produces its own Manual of Environmental Appraisal which provides guidance to staff so that they can appraise and manage the environmental impacts of DFID' s programmes and projects. The Manual also has a role in raising general awareness of environmental issues within DFID, and it is currently undergoing revision to expand coverage of policy issues and improve user-friendliness. DFID is currently reviewing training needs in environmental issues and appraisal, in line with the revision of the Manual of Environmental Appraisal.

  DFID written guidance and policy documentation is supported by the work of a team of 44 Environmental and Natural Resources Advisers, based both in the UK and overseas, who offer advice to project officers and policy administrators.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what measures she has put forward to discourage car use by her Department's employees. [50100]

  Clare Short
  We are considering possible measures in the context of the Green Transport Plan for DFID.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what environmental activities her green minister has undertaken since being appointed. [50092]

  Clare Short
  Since his appointment as the Department for International Development's Green Minister, my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary has undertaken a wide range of activities related to this part of his portfolio. At the "Green Ministers' Awayday" in December 1997 he gave a presentation on the Department'sManual of Environmental Appraisal, and he held a bilateral meeting with my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment in February this year.

  The Under-Secretary has engaged in many other activities related to environmental and broader sustainable development issues. For example, he gave a speech at the first Conference of the Parties to the Convention to Combat Desertification in Rome in December 1997. In October last year, he addressed the pre-CHOGM forum on implementing the UN Habitat Agenda in urban environments, and addressed the World Wide Fund for Nature on the role of government, aid and private investment in sustainable development. This year, he has given a keynote speech to the Indian Energy Conference at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, and addressed both the All-Party Parliamentary Water Group and the Amazonia 2000 conference. In addition to these named activities, the Under-Secretary has met a range of environmental Non-Governmental Organisations.

  Further details of Green Ministerial activity and official support are available from DFID' s Environmental Policy Department.

PRIME MINISTER

  Far East (Recession)
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the implications for the British economy of recession in the Far East. [49059]

  The Prime Minister
  Developments in Asia pose considerable risks to the world economy. The March 1998 FSBR took account of these developments in Asia in its forecasts for the UK economy, incorporating a reduction in UK GDP growth of up to half a percentage point. The FSBR also emphasised the increased risks to sustained global expansion. The Treasury and the Bank of England continue to monitor the situation closely.

  Government Information
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister how many applications for information from(a) his Office and (b) the Office of Public Service have been made since 1 May 1997 under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information; what areas of work the applications covered; and how many applications have been turned down. [47880]

  Dr. David Clark
  I have been asked to reply.

  Details of all requests made under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information during the 1997 calendar year are set out in the 1997 Report on its operations which I published on 11 June. A copy is in the House Library.

  The Code applies to, and informs the handling of, all requests for information to Government departments but for the purpose of monitoring, a Code request is defined as:

  a request which specifically mentions the Code; or

  a request for which a charge or standard fee is paid; or

  a request for which information is refused under one or more Code exemptions.

  On this basis, the Office of Public Service received eight applications for information under the Code during the 1997 calendar year, of which two were turned down. No central record is kept of the areas of work concerned. The scope of the Code is based on the jurisdiction of the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 and although the Prime Minister's Office is not legally bound by this Act the Government have made it clear that they will treat requests for information to No. 10 as if they were covered by the Code.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  UN Families Day
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what initiatives the Government took to promote the UN International Day of Families on 15 May. [47223]

  Mr. Field
  The Ministerial Group on the Family has been considering various measures to support families. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary will make an announcement later in July.

  Child Support
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement on the timescale for the introduction of child maintenance premium. [49992]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The child maintenance premium will be introduced as part of a wider package of reforms set out in the Green Paper "Children First—a new approach to child support" (Cm 3992). Where assessments are made under the new scheme, families on Income Support will be allowed to keep up to £10 a week of any maintenance which is paid for their children. Because of the scale of the legislative and operational change, these arrangements are unlikely to be introduced before 2001. The Green Paper invites views on the options for transferring existing cases to the new scheme.

  Mr. Plaskitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proposals she has for reassessing arrears on payments when the proposed new formula for maintenance payments takes effect. [49744]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  Non-resident parents have a responsibility to support their children, including paying for their upkeep.

  We are not proposing any reassessment of arrears due under the current formula on the introduction of a new child support scheme, as proposed in the Green Paper "Children First: a new approach to child support" (Cm 3992). Non-resident parents will be expected to pay the amounts calculated under the present arrangements and appropriate collection and enforcement action will be taken if there are outstanding arrears.

  Child Support Agency
  Miss Kirkbride
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will estimate the increase in the number of absent fathers who will pay their maintenance assessment as a result of the proposed simplification of the operation of the Child Support Agency. [49648]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  A simpler child support system will mean less time spent assessing maintenance and more time collecting and enforcing payment.

  We estimate that the proposals in the Green Paper "Children First: a new Approach to child support" (Cm 3992) will result in an increase in cash compliance from the current level of around 66 per cent. to 80 per cent. or more.

  Under the current arrangements only around 200,000 non-resident parents are paying maintenance where the parent with care is on Income Support. We expect this figure to more than double under a simpler scheme.

  Miss Kirkbride
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will estimate the number of absent parents whose maintenance assessment will increase as a result of the proposals to reform the Child Support Agency. [49649]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  We estimate that around 27 per cent. of non-resident parents in work and with a maintenance assessment under the current formula (about 100,000 based on the current caseload of the Child Support Agency) would have a higher maintenance assessment under the proposals for a simpler formula set
  201
  out in the Green Paper "Children First: a new approach to child support" (Cm 3992). Changes in liability for current cases will be phased in.

  The Green Paper also proposes that most of the current provisions for exemption from the minimum payment should be abolished. We estimate, in current terms, that this would result in a further 60,000 non-resident parents receiving benefit becoming liable for the minimum payment.

  Children will be better-off, financially and emotionally, if non-resident parents meet their responsibilities. Our proposals for a child maintenance premium for parents with care receiving Income Support will mean that children in these families will see a direct financial gain from the payment of maintenance.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in how many cases during the past three years over 12 months has elapsed between making an appeal against a decision concerning disability living allowance, and the outcome of the appeal being decided. [49105]

  Mr. Denham
  The vast majority of appeals on Disability Living Allowance are heard by Disability Appeal Tribunals. The information requested is not held for these appeals.

  However, the Social Security Act 1998, which received Royal Assent on 21 May, paves the way for modernising the delivery of Social Security, including the handling of appeals. A wide range of measures will streamline the administration of appeals and ensure appeals are dealt with more speedily. In particular, the Act enables my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to assume responsibility for the administration of the appeals system. She will set and publish demanding targets for the administration of appeals and report on the results.

  Gender Data
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement on progress in auditing official statistics to identify gaps in data on gender. [45794]

  Ms Ruddock
  We need relevant, reliable and timely statistics broken down by gender, comparing all aspects of women's lives and men's lives, to appraise policies for gender differential impacts and to support the process of mainstreaming.

  The Government Statistical Service (GSS) aims always to collect and make available statistics disaggregated by gender, except where considerations of practicality or cost outweigh the identified need. All GSS publications contain the name and contact details of a person who can explain which, if any, of the statistics are available by gender and how they can be obtained.

  The Brief Guide to Gender Statistics, published jointly by the Equal Opportunities Commission and the Office for National Statistics in March 1998, reviews the existing data, which are disaggregated by gender and identify the gaps. A copy has been placed in the Library.
  202
  The newly formed Gender and Statistics User Group will be considering this issue further and identifying what can be done to increase and improve the disaggregation of statistics by gender. This Group was launched on 31 March 1998. Until then, there had been no widely based group looking at the production and reporting of official and other statistics covering gender inequalities. The group includes, among others, representatives from women's national organisations, universities, research centres, the unions and Government Departments.

  Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority
  Mr. Russell Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when she expects to receive the Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority's second annual report; and if she will make a statement. [51096]

  Ms Harman
  I have laid the second report of Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority (OPRA) before both Houses today. It covers the first 12 months of OPRA' s operations following the take up of its statutory responsibilities on 6 April 1997.

  I am pleased to see how quickly OPRA has established itself as an effective regulator of occupational pensions schemes and set up constructive working relationships with the pensions industry. The report raises a number of issues on which there is ongoing action between OPRA and this Department.

  National Insurance
  Mr. Derek Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when she expects to announce the results of the review into the position of performers for national insurance purposes; and if she will make a statement. [50749]

  Mr. Denham
  Performers have generally been treated as self-employed by the Inland Revenue, but as employees for National Insurance purposes. We have received legal advice that the current National Insurance treatment is not sustainable, and that entertainers should generally be regarded as self-employed.

  Having considered the position we have decided to table regulations that will again require the majority of performers to be treated as employees for National Insurance purposes, whose earnings will be liable to Class 1 contributions. These regulations will be tabled in the near future.

  The Government are considering the longer-term position of the entertainment industry, in the light of the plans announced in my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Budget Statement concerning the alignment of tax and National Insurance and will in due course make a further announcement.

  It is open to performers and engagers who consider they have incorrectly paid National Insurance Contributions in the belief that workers previously treated as employees

  203
  should have been treated as self-employed to apply for a refund. This is limited to contributions made in the last 6 years.

  Those who wish to do so should contact:

  Ian Halliday

  Contributions Agency

  Refunds Group

  Room 107B

  Longbenton

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  NE98 1YX.

TREASURY

  Capital Gains Tax
  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate his Department has made of the impact on the capital gains tax yield of the changes to the capital gains tax system set out in the Finance (No. 2) Bill in each of the next 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [49484]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 9 July 1998]: The available information on the effect on Exchequer revenues of the capital gains tax package of reforms is as follows:

  Year

  £ million (+)yield/(-)cost

  1998–99

  Negligible

  1999–2000

  -25

  2000–01

  +25

  For later years, the exchequer effects will depend to a considerable extent upon movements in future asset prices, any behavioural changes and other factors. In the long term, the aim is for the changes to be broadly revenue neutral.

  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what estimate his Department has made of the number of people who will benefit from the application of the new taper relief for capital gains tax on the sale of second homes in each of the next 10 years; [49518]

  (2) what estimates his Department has made of the cost to public funds of applying capital gains tax taper relief to the sale of second homes in each of the next 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [49517]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 9 July 1998]: The information required to make such estimates is not readily available.

  Income Tax
  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total cost to the Exchequer of administering income tax in the last year for which figures are available; what was the cost 10 years ago; what trend is forecast for this cost; and if he will make a statement. [49476]

  Mrs. Liddell
  In 1997–98, the total cost of administering income tax was £1,190 million. In 1987–88, the cost was £740 million. (All figures rounded to the nearest £10m).
  204
  Future costs of administering income tax depend on a number of factors, not least government priorities and developments in tax policy. However, it is expected that, once the new system of self-assessment is fully bedded in, the administration of the income tax system will be more efficient than in the past.

  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost to taxpayers of employing tax accountants in the last financial year in respect of income tax collection; what was the figure 10 years ago; what trend is forecast for this cost; and if he will make a statement. [49480]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The reasons why taxpayers employ agents to deal with their tax affairs vary, and are subject to personal choice. For this reason, the Inland Revenue does not collect information of this nature, nor has it any plans to do so.

  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the cost of countering income tax evasion for the last year for which figures are available; what was the cost 10 years previously; what trend is forecast for such costs; and if he will make a statement. [49481]

  Mrs. Liddell
  In 1997–98, the cost of countering income tax evasion was about £160 million. In 1987–88, the cost was £80 million. (All figures are rounded to the nearest £10m).

  It is expected that spending on compliance will be higher in 1998–99 than in 1997–98, as the introduction of self-assessment will mean a switch of resources from work on returns prior to making an assessment to checks made later and recorded as compliance work. However, longer-term trends are dependent on a number of factors, not least government priorities and developments in tax policy.

  Inflation
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the impact of recent far eastern devaluations on the rate of inflation in the United Kingdom. [49614]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Developments in Asia are expected to reduce inflation and growth in the G7 economies. Allowance was made for these developments in the Budget forecast for UK inflation set out in the March 1998 Financial Statement and Budget Report (FSBR). But the FSBR also emphasised the risks.

  Liquid Propane Gas
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will assess the advantages of reducing the duty on liquid propane gas. [50480]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The environmental benefits of gas as a road fuel are well known and this has been reflected in the fact that the duty on road fuel gases (liquefied petroleum gas (propane) and liquefied natural gas (methane)) has been frozen for the second Budget in succession. This has increased the differential in favour of road fuel gases in recognition of their environmental benefit and more than fulfilled the pledge to maintain the duty differential with more conventional fuels for the lifetime of this Parliament.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Civil Servants (Information)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what guidance is given to civil servants concerning information which can properly be divulged under Chatham House rules. 50467]

  Dr. David Clark
  [holding answer 14 July 1998]: There is no specific guidance. All civil servants are under a duty not to disclose, without authority, official information which has been communicated in confidence within Government, or received in confidence from others. They must clear in advance material for publication, broadcasts or other public discussion which draws on official information or experience. Any civil

  Appointment of women from the Public Appointments Unit's Central List

  11992–93

  11993–94

  11994–95

  11995–96

  11996–97

  11997–98

  Number of successful PAU nominees during the year

  128

  134

  180

  105

  96

  87

  Of these, number of women

  67

  71

  87

  47

  41

  32

  Annual percentage change

  +17.5

  +6

  +22.5

  -46

  -12.8

  -22

  1Financial years

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Residential Accommodation
  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee how many officers of the House are provided with residential accommodation; and where is the accommodation that is provided. [50072]

  Sir Sydney Chapman
  Apart from the Speaker, four Officers of the House are required by their terms and conditions of employment to live within the parliamentary estate, and are provided with residential accommodation accordingly.

  Veal
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Chairman of the Catering Committee what steps he takes to ensure that veal on sale within Refreshment Department outlets does not come from animals reared in veal crates. [49857]

  Mr. Dennis Turner
  The Refreshment Department has maintained a policy of purchasing only U.K. veal since 1990, when the use of crated methods of raising calves was banned in this country. This purchasing policy ensures that only veal from calves raised in group housing systems, with free access to milk and fibres, is served in the House of Commons dining rooms and cafeterias.

  Genetically Modified Organisms
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Chairman of the Catering Committee if he will make it his policy to ensure that no food is for sale within Refreshment Department outlets which contains or has been produced with the aid of genetically modified material. [49858]
  206
  servant participating in outside events—whether under the Chatham House rules or not—should confine their contribution to question of fact and explanation of Government policy and actions.

  Public Appointments
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many women have been appointed from the Public Appointments List since 1 May 1997; how this compares with the number of appointments annually in the previous five years; and what is the annual percentage change in the number of appointments of women. [50152]

  Dr. David Clark
  Since 1 May 1997, the Public Appointments Unit has been notified of 39 appointments held by women nominated from the Central List. Comparative figures for appointments notified to the Unit in previous years are as follows:

  Mr. Dennis Turner
  The Refreshment Department is aware of the controversy surrounding genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food, and contacted all its suppliers earlier this year to investigate the current situation surrounding this matter. The Department's suppliers have generally not been able to guarantee that all foods supplied to the House of Commons are free from genetically modified material. I am advised that the main cause of concern is the use of soya bean derivatives, which are used extensively throughout the food processing industry and in the production of animal feedstuffs. The uncertain response of the Department's food suppliers, which is being echoed throughout the food industry, is largely due to the fact that there is no segregation between genetically modified crops and non-genetically modified crops in the United States.

  I would remind the hon. Member that all genetically modified materials currently used in the UK have been approved for use by the Government's own food safety experts. That notwithstanding, the Refreshment Department maintains a policy of not purchasing any food which is identified as containing genetically modified organisms, and will keep this issue under close review with their food suppliers.

  Organic Produce
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Chairman of the Catering Committee what is his policy in respect of the availability for sale of organic produce within Refreshment Department outlets; what organic produce is currently obtained; and if he will make a statement. [49859]

  Mr. Dennis Turner
  This is a matter which has been kept under review by the Refreshment Department for several years. At present, the Department does not maintain a specific policy concerning the use of organic foods in its catering operations, but is always pleased to purchase such food when supplies are available in
  207
  sufficient quantity, at the right quality and at a price which provides good value for money. One such example is the recent addition to the Refreshment Department's nominated supplier list of the Village Bakery at Melmerby in Cumbria, whose products are certified to be 95 per cent. organic.

  There are two particular obstacles to the Refreshment Department instigating a policy of discrimination in favour of the use of organic foods. The first is the difficulty of supply: most organic producers are small organisations which primarily supply into the retail food market and not into the large scale catering market. The second is the question of economics: the cost of organic produce is generally significantly higher than the price of similar non-organic foods and, on occasions where organic produce has been tested, customers of the Refreshment Department have generally demonstrated a reluctance to pay the higher prices necessitated by the use of organic foods. However, I am advised that the Refreshment Department will continue to keep this matter under review.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Correspondence
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what target her Department 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. [49883]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 13 July 1998]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given him on 13 July 1998, Official Report, column 1, by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Office of Public Service.

  EU Price Indications Directive
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what consultations she has had with small business and retail organisations about the possible exemptions they may enjoy from the terms of the EU price indications directive. [50111]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 13 July 1998]: In June 1997 my Department conducted wide public consultations, including with small business and retail organisations, about the new Price Indications Directive. This specifically invited views on the exemption from unit pricing which Member States may apply to small retail busineusses.

  Since then my officials have met representatives of retail organisations, including those representing small retailers, to discuss the implementation of the Directive, including possible exemptions which we may introduce.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will exempt small retail businesses from the provisions of the EU directive on the indication of prices of products offered to consumers. [50117]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 13 July 1998]: Subject to the result of consultations with interested parties, including retailers' organisations and small business organisations, to be carried out later this year, it is my intention to exempt
  208
  small retail businesses from the requirement to display unit prices for products other than those sold loose from bulk, in accordance with Article 6 of the new Price Indications Directive (98/6/EC). The consultations will also cover other aspects of the Directive relevant to small retail businesses.

  Oil and Gas Exploration
  Sir Robert Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many exploration and appraisal wells were started each year on the UK continental shelf in(a) 1996, (b) 1997 and (c) 1998; and how many of these wells were committed through licensing agreements; and what assessment she has made of the current number of uncommitted wells. [50126]

  Mr. Battle
  The number of exploration and appraisal wells started on the UK Continental Shelf in 1996, 1997, and 1998 is as follows:

  Year

  Exploration wells

  Appraisal Wells

  1996

  73

  44

  1997

  61

  37

  1998 (to 30 June)

  23

  16

  In 1997, 35 of the exploration wells drilled were the result of licence agreements, while 12 of those drilled in 1998 fall into this category. The figures for the 1996 drilling programme are not readily available.

  There has been no assessment of the current number of uncommitted wells.

  Nuclear Reprocessing
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the implications for the nuclear reprocessing industry in the United Kingdom of the current proposal by BNFL to acquire the nuclear assets and liabilities of Westinghouse plc. [49008]

  Mr. Battle
  The Westinghouse nuclear businesses which are being acquired by British Nuclear Fuels plc do not engage in reprocessing activities. Westinghouse focus mainly on production of nuclear fuel and on the decommissioning and clean-up of civil and military sites owned by the US Government.

  Oil Exploration (Sudan)
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade which British companies are currently involved in oil exploration in Sudan. [48935]

  Mr. Battle
  We are not aware of any British Companies exploring for oil in Sudan at this time.

  Export Licences
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many export licences have been issued since September 1997 for exports to Turkey by Heckler and Hock; and if she will indicate the ML or PL list number of the equipment covered. [50143]

  Mrs. Roche
  I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible and place a copy of that letter in the Library of the House.

  Departmental Environmental Policies
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the current energy consumption of her Department; what targets have been set to reduce this level to a minimum; and what plans there are for including energy efficiency performance figures in her Department's annual report. [50062]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The Department's energy consumption (including Executive Agencies) in 1996–97 was 61,361,681 Kwh. The Department is committed to reducing consumption by 20 per cent. from the 199–91 figure by 2000.

  The Department's next annual report will record environmental performance, including energy efficiency performance figures.

  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of her Department's waste is recycled at present; and what targets there are for increasing this in the future. [50061]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The Department has in place schemes for recycling paper, toner cartridges, and cans. Major suppliers of IT equipment are required to take back packaging for recycling. The scope for increasing recycling is kept under review.

  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps she is taking to discourage car use on departmental business by her Department's employees. [50063]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The Department will be producing a green transport policy early next year which will address this issue among others.

  EU Structural Funds
  Mr. Love
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the amount of(a) Objective 2 funding and (b) Objective 4 funding spent in Greater London broken down by project in each year since that status was granted. [49689]

  Mrs. Roche
  I have arranged for this information to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Insider Dealing
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade on how many occasions Mr. Roger Kaye QC and Mr. Hugh Aldous FCA have been contracted to act as inspectors investigating alleged insider dealing. [49432]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 7 July 1998]: They have only been appointed insider dealing inspectors into the two investigations into the alleged insider dealing in the shares of Anglia Television Group plc.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many reports of investigations into insider dealing carried out under the Financial Services Act 1986 have been published. [48603]

  Mrs. Beckett
  None.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many persons have been the subject of more than(a) one and (b) two investigations by her Department into alleged insider dealing. [49568]
  210
  Mrs. Beckett
  Inspectors are appointed under Section 177 of the Financial Services Act 1986 to investigate dealings in the shares of a particular company not the dealings of specific persons.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make it her policy to publish her Department's inspectors' reports; and if she will make a statement. [48252]

  Mrs. Beckett
  In relation to public companies it is already the Department's policy to publish reports prepared by Companies Act inspectors if it is in the public interest to do so. However, the reports of insider dealing inspectors are not published. There are strict legal restraints on disclosure of information obtained in such inspections.

  Lord Archer
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will seek the agreement of Lady Archer and Broosk Saib to make public details of the evidence they gave to her Department's inspectors investigating the conduct of Lord Archer of Weston-super-Mare in respect of share dealing. [48920]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I have no plans to do so.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will seek the agreement of Ms Morgan Thomas to make public details of the evidence she gave to the Department's inspectors investigating the conduct of Lord Archer of Weston-super-Mare in respect of share dealing. [49433]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 7 July 1998]: No.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if her Department' s inspector's report into the conduct of Lord Archer of Weston-super-Mare in respect of share dealing carried a recommendation. [49431]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 7 July 1998]: The report of the inspectors is confidential.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) how many investigations were conducted into alleged insider dealing in Anglia TV shares; when each investigation started and finished; and how many persons were interviewed in each case;. [49362]

  (2) if the report by her Department's inspectors on the investigations into share dealing in Anglia TV by Lord Archer of Weston-super-Mare has been made available to Ministers;. [49202]

  (3) if she will request Mr. Edmund Lawson QC to review the information now in the public domain concerning the conduct of Lord Archer of Weston-super-Mare in respect of share dealing with a view to ascertaining whether there are grounds for a fresh investigation;. [48605]

  (4) if she will seek the consent of Lord Archer of Weston-super-Mare to publish the report of the investigation into his conduct in respect of share dealing;. [48606]
  211
  (5) if she will seek the permission of the former President of the Board of Trade, the Right hon. Member for Henley (Mr. Heseltine), to consult the inspector's report into the conduct of Lord Archer of Weston-super-Mare in respect of share dealing;. [49547]

  (6) if she will pass the report of her Department's 1994 investigation into the conduct of Lord Archer of Weston-super-Mare in respect of share dealings on to the Director of Public Prosecutions with a request for an opinion whether (a) the report and (b) facts disclosed subsequently constitute sufficient reason for the inquiry to be re-opened;. [48249]

  (7) pursuant to her answer of 17 June 1998, Official Report, column 242, if she will assess (a) the statement by Lord Archer of Weston-super-Mare in the Evening Standard of 9 June concerning Sir Nicholas Lloyd and (b) subsequent statements by Sir Nicholas Lloyd as possible new evidence which could justify the appointment of inspectors to investigate the alleged insider dealing in Anglia shares in 1994. [48253]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The investigations into dealings in the shares of Anglia Television Group plc were matters which were begun and completed under the previous Administration.

  Reports on allegations of insider dealings are never published, as there are strict legal restraints on disclosure of information obtained in such investigations.

  I would consider opening a further investigation only if substantial fresh information became available, and if it was considered to be in the public interest to do so.

  In accordance with normal practice of neither confirming nor denying the existence of insider dealing investigations (unless there was some overriding public interest in doing so) no announcement was initially made of the appointment of inspectors on 8 February 1994 to inquire into dealings in the shares of Anglia Television Group Plc between 10 and 21 January 1994.

  On 7 July 1994, however, it became apparent that the media had detailed knowledge of the inspection, and the then Secretary of State accordingly decided that acknowledgement was in the public interest and confirmed that an investigation was being undertaken into the dealings in Anglia shares and that Lord Archer was one of the persons concerned. The inspectors reported on 19 July 1994, having conducted formal interviews with 22 witnesses. The then Secretary of State's decision to take no further action was announced on 28 July 1994.

  The original investigation had attracted widespread media coverage and speculation continued in the press and a number of further allegations were received in the Department about other dealings in Anglia shares. On reviewing this information in the spring of 1995 the then Secretary of State concluded that the inspectors should be re-appointed to investigate this new information. The then Secretary of State also decided, in line with normal practice, that this re-appointment should not be announced and that no further public statement should be made. The inspectors were re-appointed on 4 May 1995 to inquire into dealings in the shares of Anglia between 20 December 1993 and 21 January 1994. On 26 July 1996 the inspectors submitted their report on the second
  212
  investigation, having conducted formal interviews with 32 witnesses. They concluded that there was no evidence on which a prosecution could be founded.

  Although the second investigation was a matter of some discussion and speculation in the media at the time, the re-appointment of inspectors has not previously been publicly acknowledged; and answers to recent parliamentary questions refer only to the first investigation. However, in order that there should be no misconception on this matter, I now consider it right to confirm the re-appointment of the inspectors in 1995.

  No papers relating to these two reports from the previous administration, and neither of the reports themselves have been seen by present Ministers. However, my officials have considered whether recent information constitutes new evidence which I ought to consider with a view to deciding whether to re-open the investigation. They have advised me that it does not, and I have accepted that advice; I have similarly accepted their advice that no useful purpose would be served by referring this case to Counsel or to the DPP.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) if it is standard practice for her Department's inspectors investigating alleged insider trading to ask the subject of the investigation what factors persuaded him or her to enter the market and buy shares; and if there is a verbatim record;. [48251]

  (2) if she will make it her policy for interviews carried out by her Department's inspectors into allegations of insider trading to be (a) tape-recorded and (b) video-recorded;. [48250]

  (3)on which dates, and for what period of time, her Department's inspectors investigating the conduct of Lord Archer of Weston-super-Mare in respect of share dealing interviewed him. [48131]

  Mrs. Beckett
  Inspectors appointed under S.177 of the Financial Services Act 1986 are independent of the Department and masters of their own procedure. It is for the inspectors to determine the manner in which they conduct the inquiries.

  Nuclear Material
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many aircraft were involved in the transport of nuclear material from Georgia to Scotland; at what time aircraft departed Georgia and arrived in Scotland; what was the cost of(a) transporting and (b) storing the material; and if she will indicate the section of her departmental budget from which expenditures incurred on this arrangement will be drawn. [48834]

  Mr. Battle
  As the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle-upon-Tyne, North (Mr. Henderson), explained in an answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Dartford (Dr. Stoate) on 24 April 1998,Official Report, column 721, one American military transport aircraft, a Galaxy C5, was used to fly all the nuclear material in the Georgian consignment to Kinloss.

  The American authorities who were responsible for the details of the transportation of the nuclear material from Georgia, informed the relevant United Kingdom authorities that the time of departure of this aircraft from

  213
  Tbilisi airport was 1404 GMT on 23 April. It arrived at Kinloss at 0206 GMT on 24 April, after following a route along the Mediterranean Sea and over part of the Atlantic Ocean. It was refuelled twice in mid-air. A second American Galaxy C5, containing specialised handling equipment to assist with unloading the containers at the Dounreay site, left Tbilisi at 0800 GMT on 25 April and arrived at Kinloss at 1547 GMT the same day. This flight was shorter because it was across mainland Europe.

  Transportation costs to Kinloss were borne by the American Government. The cost of transporting the nuclear material and the associated handling equipment from Kinloss to Dounreay was £40,000. The UKAEA have estimated the storage costs as approximately £5,000 per annum. These costs will be charged under the DTI budget heading Class V Vote 1 Section A6 'Energy: Nuclear and Non-Nuclear' (b) UKAEA Grant-in-Aid.

  Firearms
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to her answer of 15 June 1998,Official Report, column 103, what discussions her Department has had with the Department for International Development concerning the illegal manufacture of, and trafficking in, firearms. [48926]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 3 July 1998]: None. The Department of Trade and Industry contributes to the work of the G8 Lyons firearms sub-group, but is not in the lead. The Home Office is responsible for co-ordinating the interests of the many departments involved. I understand that the Department for International Development has not been involved in the discussions relating to the G8 Lyons firearms sub-group, which focuses on control and enforcement measures such as working on the establishment in law of relevant offences relating to the illegal manufacture of firearms, the licensing regimes for imports and exports, and practical co-operation between enforcement agencies.

  I understand that the Department for International Development is supporting a number of initiatives that help countries and regions deal with the problem of illicit trafficking. Earlier this year funds were provided to host a seminar in South Africa which brought together experts from Europe and Southern Africa, and drew up an action plan for tackling arms proliferation in the region. Funds have also been pledged in support of the moratorium on the import, export, and manufacture of small arms for West Africa proposed by Mali.

  Billiton Plc
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations she has made to Billiton plc regarding the social and environmental implications of their proposed Eastern Cape Zinc Refinery Project in South Africa. [49425]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 7 July 1998]: None. Environmental issues as they affect this project are primarily a matter for the South African authorities. However, my officials have been in touch with Billiton plc and understand that the firm has completed a full environmental impact assessment of the project in consultation with local groups and public authorities,
  214
  in accordance with South Africa's strict environmental controls. As regards the social implications, the project is to be financed largely by private capital and will create jobs and introduce new technology into one of South Africa's poorest provinces.

  Export Credits
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the total amount received in debt service by the Export Credits Guarantee Department in 1997 from heavily indebted poor countries. [48991]

  Mrs. Beckett
  Payments to ECGD during the financial year 1997/98 by Heavily Indebted Poor Countries amounted to £32,860,000.

  The breakdown by country, to the nearest £1000, was:

  Benin: £188,000

  Bolivia: £1,175,000

  Burkina Faso: £58,000

  Cameroon: £1,695,000

  Congo: £221,000

  Cote d'Ivoire: £112,000

  Ethopia: £441,000

  Ghana: £1,504,000

  Guinea: £169,000

  Guyana: £5,079,000

  Kenya: £7,959,000

  Madagascar: £374,000

  Mali: £275,000

  Mozambique: £963,000

  Mauritania: £609,000

  Nicaragua: £113,000

  Niger: £49,000

  Senegal: £60,000

  Togo: £517,000

  Tanzania: £3,997,000

  Uganda: £773,000

  Vietnam: £406,000

  Yemen: £4,282,000

  Zambia: £1,841,000

  Coalfield Communities
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list each(a) Government and (b) European Union initiative pertaining to the regeneration of coalfield communities, giving in each case and where appropriate the amount of money received in each of the last 10 years. [50207]

  Mr. Battle
  There are a number of programmes which my Department is responsible for which contribute to the regeneration of coalfield areas. In terms of Government initiatives, DTI offers grants in coalfield closure areas in the form of Regional Selective Assistance and Regional Investment Grants. The DTI also arranged for the transfer of coalfield sites to English Partnerships as part of a coalfield regeneration programme. In relation to European Union initiatives, DTI holds responsibility for European funding under the RECHAR programme.
  215
  Where coalfields are located in assisted areas, Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) is available for investment projects which create or safeguard jobs. The table provides details of RSA expenditure by DTI in local authority districts in England which contain coal closure areas.

  Regional selective assistance expenditure in local authority districts in England which contain coal closure areas1

  Financial year

  (£000)

  1988–89

  1,660

  1989–90

  3,368

  1990–91

  3,464

  1991–92

  2,602

  1992–93

  3,032

  1993–94

  2,731

  1994–95

  4,838

  1995–96

  6,868

  1996–97

  9,567

  1997–98

  9,482

  Total

  47,612

  1The following local authority districts contain coal closure areas (as defined by the Government in 1993): Ashfield, Bassetlaw, Bolsover, Broxtowe, Cannock Chase, Chesterfield, Derby, Gedlings, Lichfield, Mansfield, North Norfolk, North East Derbyshire, Newark, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Nottingham, Rotherham, Rushcliffe, South Staffordshire, Sheffield, Stafford, Staffordshire Moorlands, Stoke on Trent and Wakefield

  Regional Investment Grants (RIG) are available for investment projects undertaken by small businesses. Since April 1997 these have been available only in coal closure areas lying outside the assisted areas. The table provides details of DTI expenditure on RIG in all coal closure areas.

  Regiona investment grant expenditure in local authority districts in England which contain coal closure areas

  Financial year

  (£100)

  1988–89

  87

  1989–90

  779

  1990–91

  1,264

  1991–92

  826

  1992–93

  752

  1993–94

  718

  1994–95

  982

  1995–96

  1,381

  1996–97

  1,112

  1997–98

  921

  Total

  8,822

  The English Partnerships Coalfield Portfolio is as follows. In 1996, DTI arranged the transfer to English Partnerships of 56 former coalfield sites (five in the North West, twenty-four in Yorkshire, eighteen in the Midlands and nine in the North East). English Partnerships are taking forward a 10 year programme to reclaim these sites, working together with Coalfield Community groups, private developers and local authorities to improve the environment and create opportunities in these areas for the creation of jobs.

  Rechar is a European Community Initiative funded from the European Structural Funds. Its aim is to support the economic conversion and regeneration of the coal mining areas of the European Community hardest hit by
  216
  the decline of the coal industry. There have been two Rechar initiatives during the last ten years, covering the periods 1992–93 and 1994–99.

  There were eleven individual Rechar I programmes for the 1992–93 period for the following areas: TAWSEN (North East), Durham and Cleveland, South Yorkshire, Mid Yorkshire, Lancashire, South Staffordshire, North Warwickshire, Nottinghamshire and North Derby, Western Scotland, Eastern Scotland, and South Wales.

  There are eight individual Rechar II programmes for the current 1994–99 period: Eastern Scotland, Western Scotland, North East, North West, East Midlands, West Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber, and South Wales.

  Under these programmes, the following Structural Funds have been paid (cumulative totals):

  Rechar I1992–93

  Date (as at end month)

  Paid out (£000—cumulative totals)

  December 1992

  603

  December 1993

  25,945

  December 19941

  69,706

  December 19951

  90,296

  1For European Regional Development Fund projects, commitments for payments can be made up to the end of the programme i.e. 31 December 1993.However, claims for payment for those commitments can continue to be made for a further 2 years i.e. until 31 December 1995

  Rechar II 1994–99

  Date (as at end of month)

  Paid out (£000)

  December 1996

  1,621

  March 1997

  11,047

  March 1998

  25,140

  Tissue Manufacturers
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the total amount of aid from Government and Government agencies given to each of the tissue enterprises(a) Proctor and Gamble, Trafford Park, (b) A and M Paper, Skelmersdale, and (c) Kimberley Clark, Barrow-in-Furness, in the past year. [50357]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 14 July 1998]: Neither A and M Paper, Skelmersdale, nor Kimberley Clark, Barrow-in-Furness, has received any aid from Government and Government Agencies in the past year. Proctor and Gamble, Trafford Park, has been offered a DTI grant but the amount is still Commercial in Confidence. English Partnerships could also provide up to £3 million, and Manchester TEC up to £1 million in assistance if specific criteria are met.

HEALTH

  Community Hospitals
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many community hospitals have closed in each of the last five years. [32543]
  217
  Mr. Milburn
  The information requested is not collected centrally. However, the Community Hospitals Association estimates that 35 community hospitals in England were closed between 1985 and 1997.

  Community hospitals in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are a matter for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Wales, for Scotland and for Northern Ireland.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many persons who applied to serve as non-executive directors or as chairpersons to NHS trusts in North East England, excluding Yorkshire, were(a) unsuccessful and (b) not appointed to any position; how many of the unsuccessful candidates were (i) female, (ii) from ethnic minorities or (iii) worked in health professions or occupations. [43820]

  Mr. Milburn
  A total of 350 applicants were considered for 51 non-executive director vacancies on National Health Service trust boards in the northern part of the Northern and Yorkshire Region during the autumn 1997 round of appointments, including appointments to merged trusts in April 1998. The applicants had all been interviewed by independent panels: of the 299 who were unsuccessful in obtaining an appointment, 81 are female, 7 belong to an ethnic minority and 34 worked in health professions or occupations at the time of their application.

  The information requested for applicants who did not proceed beyond the initial interview stage could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Hospital Doctors (Working Hours)
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures he proposes to reduce the working hours of hospital doctors; and if he will make a statement. [43689]

  Mr. Milburn
  Action to reduce junior doctors' hours continues to make progress. The figures for March 1998 show that reported compliance with the target of a maximum average of 56 hours a week now stands at 83.3 per cent. of all junior doctors. Regional task forces will continue to work closely with trusts to tackle the remaining problem posts, which now number 4,999, or one in six of all doctors in training.

  Rothbury Community Hospital
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects tenders to be invited for the new Rothbury Community Hospital. [47819]

  Mr. Milburn
  The new community hospital at Rothbury is part of Phase II of the redevelopment of Wansbeck General Hospital for which tenders were invited on 29 May 1996, with receipt of applications by 28 June 1996.

  Pharmaceutical Industry
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the contribution of the United Kingdom-based pharmaceutical industry to the United Kingdom economy. [47803]
  218
  Mr. Milburn
  The pharmaceuticals industry is a significant contributor to the United Kingdom balance of trade. In 1997, the industry accounted for a £2,292 million trade surplus from £5,484 million in exports. This was a 1.9 per cent. increase over the 1996 surplus.The industry also accounts for some 75,000 UK jobs.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assistance is given to the pharmaceutical industry for research and development on new drugs. [47818]

  Mr. Milburn
  The principal form of assistance is through the prices of medicines bought by the National Health Service. The pharmaceutical price regulation scheme, which controls the profits and indirectly the prices of pharmaceutical companies from the sale of medicines to the NHS, makes allowances available for research and development to encourage the development of new medicines. This support amounted to £556 million for 1994, up from £539 million for 1993.

  Spinal Injuries Units
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many additional beds will be provided in specialist spinal injuries units in(a) 1998–99 and (b) 1999–2000. [48063]

  Mr. Milburn
  The information is not available in the form requested.

  Urban Ambulance Service
  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when will he publish the emergency ambulance performance statistics for the urban ambulance service 1997–98. [48132]

  Mr. Milburn
  Details of the performance of ambulance services was published on 26 June 1998 in the Statistical Bulletin "Ambulance Services, England: 1997–98", copies of which are available in the Library.

  Hospital Appointments
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he has issued to NHS trusts with regard to the removal of patients from waiting lists for failure to attend; what change this represents over the policy prior to 1 May 1997; and what estimate he has made of the number of patients removed from waiting lists since 1 May 1997 as a result of such changes in guidance. [49108]

  Mr. Milburn
  The waiting list action team has reiterated existing guidance on validating waiting lists. There has been no new guidance or change in policy on the removal of patients from National Health Service waiting lists since 1 May 1997.

  Mr. Alan Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospital appointments were missed(a) at North Tyneside General Hospital and (b) nationally during 1997; and at what estimated cost. [49336]

  Mr. Milburn
  Figures for non-attendance in hospital outpatients clinics at the North Tyneside Healthcare National Health Service Trust and for England for
  219
  1996/97 are in the table. Information on the cost of non-attendance is not available, but the average cost of a hospital outpatient attendance is £61.

  Non-attendances at consultant outpatient clinics in North Tyneside Healthcare NHS Trust and England, 1996–97, number and percentage

  Attendances

  North Tyneside Healthcare NHS Trust

  England

  First

  Number seen (000s)

  29.3

  11,298.3

  Number that did not attend (000s)

  3.2

  1,347.6

  Per cent. that did not attend

  9.9

  10.7

  Subsequent

  Number seen (000s)

  63.7

  29,565.6

  Number that did not attend (000s)

  9.4

  4,160.2

  Per cent. that did not attend

  12.8

  12.3

  Total

  Number seen (000s)

  93.1

  40,864.0

  Number that did not attend (000s)

  12.6

  5,507.8

  Per cent. that did not attend

  11.9

  11.9

  Source:

  DH publication, Outpatients and ward attenders for England, 1996–97

  Hospital Waiting Lists
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his oral answer of 30 June 1998,Official Report, columns 143–45, on hospital waiting lists, if he will publish the interim figures received by his Department which indicated that NHS waiting lists in England were falling. [49109]

  Mr. Milburn
  Early indications suggest that waiting lists began to come down in June. Validated figures will be published in due course.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of trends in hospital waiting lists between the first and second quarters of 1998; and if he will make a statement. [50476]

  Mr. Milburn
  As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State said on 30 June 1998,Official Report, columns 143–44, early indications from the National Health Service Executive show that waiting lists stopped rising in May and have been coming down in June. We expect this downward trend to continue so that, by next April, the NHS will have delivered a record reduction in waiting lists to below the 1.16 million inherited from the previous administration.

  GP Appointments
  Mr. Alan Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many GP appointments were missed(a) in the Newcastle and North Tyneside Health Authority Area and (b) nationally during 1997; and at what estimated cost. [49335]

  Mr. Milburn
  Data on general practitioner appointments are not collected.

  In December 1997, the Department provided funding of £1 million to the Doctor Patient Partnership (DPP) which is a campaign run by the British Medical Association to encourage patients to make more
  220
  appropriate use of primary care services. The DPP sponsors various national campaigns to encourage patients to think about their responsibilities as well as their rights. One of the campaigns it has run this year was entitled "Keep it or cancel it!". It focused on appointment-keeping and was targeted at those patients who fail to keep appointments.

  Dementia
  Mr.Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will allow GPs to issue private prescriptions for Aricept (donepezil) and Exelon (rivastigmine) anti-dementia drugs for their NHS patients;. [49242]

  (2) what central funding is available to regional health authorities to provide for Aricept (donepezil) and Exelon (rivastigmine) anti-dementia treatment. [49243]

  Mr. Milburn
  Aricept and Exelon are both available on the National Health Service, and any general practitioner prescribing them to patients on their NHS list should do so in accordance with GPs' terms of service. Guidance from the Standing Medical Advisory Committee on the use of Aricept for Alzheimer's disease was issued to the NHS on 30 April.

  The potential cost arising from the introduction of significant new treatments, including drugs, is taken into account when health authority funding allocations are determined. Thereafter, costs of prescribing all drugs are expected to be met from within these allocations, taking account of local priorities.

  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what support his Department gives to those caring for people suffering from Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. [50230]

  Ms Jowell
  We value the role of carers, who are fundamental to community and health care, and recognise their valuable contribution to society, which is sometimes made at considerable personal cost. That is why, on 10 June 1998, my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister announced the national strategy for carers. This is a Government-wide review which will examine how carers can best be helped and supported.

  The Department issued a Health of the Nation Handbook last year on the mental health of older people which emphasised the importance of carers in the provision of care for older people with mental health problems. The Alzheimer's Disease Society is the main voluntary organisation which supports carers of those suffering from Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. The Department enjoys a close working relationship with the society and supports two projects, through funding from its section 64 scheme, aimed at promoting quality dementia care and developing a network of dementia services development centres.

  NHS Trusts (Demography)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list those health trusts with populations in excess of 550,000, indicating the size of population, the numbers of staff employed and their current budget. [49333]

  Mr. Milburn
  The information is not available in the form requested.

  Dental Services (North Staffordshire)
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the proposed dedicated vocational training scheme for dentistry in North Staffordshire. [49339]

  Mr. Milburn
  The Department currently funds four vocational training schemes in the West Midlands region, one in Stafford. There are no plans to fund another scheme in Staffordshire in the current financial year.

  Private Treatment (Invoicing)
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average time which elapses between private treatment and tests being carried out in the NHS and the issuing of invoices in respect of such treatment. [49479]

  Mr. Milburn
  The information requested is not collected centrally.

  Health Screening
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will assess the advantages of extending the range of areas covered by health screening for those aged over 60 years. [50108]

  Mr. Milburn
  The National Screening Committee considers the effectiveness and feasibility of individual screening programmes in advising Ministers about their introduction or modification. The age-range of the target population is an integral part of the assessment.

  Breast Cancer
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the timescale by which health districts in the North West of England will have(a) recruited sufficient specialist staff and (b) procured the necessary equipment to meet the four week guidelines for radiotherapy treatment for urgent breast cancer referrals; what measures he is taking to recruit staff and procure equipment; and at what estimated cost. [50243]

  Ms Jowell
  In order fully to assess the current level of radiotherapy service provision in the North West and to ensure that deficiencies in access to radiotherapy services for all patients in the North West can be identified and addressed, the National Health Service Executive North West Region is undertaking, as a matter of urgency, a detailed analysis of the level of service currently being provided and a projection of the level of service required, which will include staffing levels, equipment requirement and costs. This work is expected to be completed in the autumn.

  Mr.Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the health districts in the North West of England where breast cancer urgent referrals cannot routinely be provided with radiotherapy treatment within the four week guideline. [50242]
  222
  Ms Jowell
  The information requested is not collected centrally. However, reports produced by the Royal College of Radiologists on 8 July 1998 and taken from an audit of hospital waiting times conducted during a week in February 1998 indicated that, in the North West Region, of those women requiring post operative radiotherapy, 48 per cent. started treatment in 4 weeks and 85 per cent. in 6 weeks. To ensure that deficiencies in access to radiotherapy services for all patients in the North West can be identified and addressed, the National Health Service Executive North West Region is undertaking, as a matter of urgency, a detailed analysis of the level of service currently being provided and a projection of the level of service required. This work is expected to be completed by the autumn.

  Organophosphates
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if in making its recommendations about the daily consumption of fruit and vegetables his Department has taken into account the risk to pregnant women, infants and children of ingesting more than the acceptable levels of organophosphate residues. [50418]

  Ms Jowell
  Our advice to increase fruit and vegetable consumption is based on the nutritional benefits of a diet rich in fruit and vegetables. In general, residues of organophosphates found in fruit and vegetables are low. High residues have been detected in some individual fruit and vegetables but such residues would erode safety margins rather than cause adverse health effects. We also advise that if fruit or vegetables are to be eaten raw, they should be washed and peeled if necessary, the outside leaves removed and carrots should be topped and tailed.

  Haemophiliacs
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many representations he has received calling for financial assistance for people with haemophilia infected with hepatitis C; and if he will make a statement. [50383]

  Ms Jowell
  Since 2 May 1997, hon. Members have asked fourteen Parliamentary Questions (in addition to this one) and we have received 275 letters about the issue of special payments for people with haemophilia infected with hepatitis C through National Health Service treatment.

  Mearwood Park Hospital
  Mr. Fabian Hamilton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what the income from the sale of the former Mearwood Park Hospital site in Leeds was spent. [50547]

  Mr. Milburn
  The income received to date from the sale of Meanwood Park has been used by the Leeds Community and Mental Health National Health Service Trust to strengthen its financial situation and facilitate the closure and reprovision of High Royds Hospital in 2001.

  None of the sale proceeds have been used outside the Leeds Community and Mental Health National Health Service Trust.

  Health Care Services (Tamworth)
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures the NHS has introduced to improve the provision of healthcare services in Tamworth since 1 May 1997. [50644]

  Mr. Milburn
  Healthcare services in South Staffordshire have benefited from significant extra resources since May 1997, including £1.7 million towards the cost of winter pressures and £3 million to fund waiting list initiatives. Premier Health National Health Service Trust has received a £178,000 share of the waiting list moneys, and aims to treat an extra 900 patients from Tamworth and the surrounding areas. Good Hope Hospital NHS Trust in Birmingham will receive £357,000 to treat an extra 500 South Staffordshire patients.

  In addition to this, local people have benefited from the development of the Sir Robert Peel Hospital in Tamworth, improving the availability of community health services and out-patient facilities to the local population.

  Bogus Charity Collectors
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will warn hospital managements about bogus charity collectors who apply for permission to collect on hospital premises and in NHS grounds. [50321]

  Mr. Michael
  I have been asked to reply.

  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I have given him today, Official Report, column 192.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Departmental Environmental Policies
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the current energy consumption of his Department; what targets have been set to reduce this level; and what proposals he has to include energy efficiency performance figures in his Department's annual report. [50641]

  Dr. Howells
  The current energy consumption of the Department is approximately 2.6 million kWh per month.

  We are currently developing new performance indicators to enable comparison with external independent standards of good practice.

  Some energy efficiency performance figures are already included in the Department's annual report. We plan to extend information on our environmental performance to reflect more detailed monitoring, and will require agencies and NDPBs to report on their performance.

  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of his Department's waste is recycled; and what future targets he has set. [50642]

  Dr. Howells
  Approximately 28 per cent. of the Department's waste is recycled at present. Targets to reduce or recycle waste beyond this year are currently being reviewed as part of our overall improvement programme.
  224
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he is taking to discourage car use by his Department's employees. [50643]

  Dr. Howells
  The Department intends to reduce reliance on the car by encouraging people to use more environmentally friendly means of travelling to work. It is intended that the Department's Green Transport Plan will include proposals for drawing up Commuting Action Plans for each major Departmental site.

  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he is taking to raise awareness of environmental issues within his Department; and what specific training will be made available to staff. [50639]

  Dr. Howells
  We have taken a number of measures to raise awareness of environmental issues in DfEE with respect to both policy development and Greening the Department. All Divisional Managers, Non Departmental Public Body (NDPB) sponsor teams and the Employment Service have received copies of the guidance on policy appraisal and the environment. Recipients have been asked to carry out screening of all policies and programmes at an early stage of development and to undertake full environmental appraisals where appropriate. The sustainable development strategy consultation document "Opportunities for Change" has been distributed to DfEE teams which have a particular interest in environmental issues and the team have been asked to bring the document to the attention of their contacts outside the Department.

  Two training videos produced by the Employment Service, will be promoted throughout the Department later in the year as part of a wider awareness campaign to raise the profile of energy efficiency and environmental issues in the workplace. Each major Departmental site will establish action groups to promote environmental awareness among staff.

  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what activities relating to his environmental responsibilities his Green Minister has undertaken since being appointed. [50640]

  Dr. Howells
  I regularly meet and hold discussions with organisations which have environmental interests and with other Green Ministers.

  FE Colleges (Worcestershire)
  Mr. Michael J. Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list Worcestershire's further education colleges, indicating their operating surpluses or deficits, for(a) 1992–93, (b) 1993–94, (c) 1994–95, (d) 1995–96, {e) 1996–97 and (f) 1997–98. [49473]

  Dr. Howells
  The table lists the further education colleges in Worcestershire and their operating surpluses or deficits for the four academic years from 1993–94 to 1996–97. Figures for 1992–93 and 1997–98 are not available.
  225

  Worcestershire further education colleges with operating surpluses or deficits

  Operating surplus/deficit £0001

  College

  21993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  Evesham College

  4

  (87)

  (239)

  73

  Kidderminster College

  (127)

  (174)

  (288)

  (274)

  North East Worcestershire College

  (928)

  (273)

  (649)

  218

  Pershore College of Horticulture

  14

  85

  (204)

  (10)

  Worcestershire College of Agriculture3

  (68)

  (120)

  (242)

  (261)

  Worcester College of Technology

  (539)

  (375)

  (1,015)

  (277)

  Worcester Sixth Form College

  178

  113

  238

  89

  1Figures in brackets are deficits; the others are surpluses

  21993–94 covers a period of 16 months from April 1993 to July 1994

  3Worcestershire College of Agriculture merged with Pershore College of Horticulture on 10 May 1997 to form Pershore and Flindlip College. The 1996–97 accounts for Worcester College of Agriculture are prepared to 10 May 1997

  Further Education Funding
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received about the impact on colleges of the derecognition of certain Schedule 2 qualifications for FEFC funding purposes; and if he will make a statement. [49317]

  Dr. Howells
  Representations have been received from a number of colleges and from the Association of Colleges. Approvals granted since the Schedule 2(a) list was first published have largely met the concerns expressed. A number of awarding bodies have applications under consideration and, where relevant criteria are satisfied, approvals will be granted in due course.

  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to the report `Further Education for the New Millennium', if it is his policy that there should be additional funding for students from deprived areas. [49459]

  Dr. Howells
  It is the Government's policy that FE funding arrangements should fairly reflect the costs of providing for disadvantaged students.

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received above the FEFC's decision to limit the eligibility of Schedule 2 qualifications for the New Deal for over-25-year-olds; and if he will make a statement. [49316]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  We have received representations from various individuals and organisations about the design of the New Deal full-time education and training opportunities.

  Ministers in this Department and the Department of Social Security decided that under the New Deal people 25 or over, unemployed two years or more, may take employment-related courses covered by Schedule 2 of the Further and Higher Education Act 1992 (or Section 6 of the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 1992) and retain their Jobseeker's Allowance. They may also in particular cases take higher level courses, where these are likely to lead to an early prospect of employment and alternative sources of funding are not available.

  Pupil Languages
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will rank local education authorities in England according to(a) the number of languages spoken by children attending maintained schools and (b) the average number of languages per school spoken by children attending maintained schools, indicating the number of languages in each case. [49442]

  Mr. Byers
  The information requested is not collected centrally.

  Free School Meals (Gloucestershire)
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of primary school children in Gloucestershire, by district, are eligible for free school meals. [49253]

  Mr. Byers
  Provisional figures show that 12.1 per cent. of pupils in maintained primary schools in the Gloucestershire Local Education Authority area in January 1998 were known to be eligible for free school meals.

  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what percentage of primary school children in Cheltenham, by school, are eligible for free school meals;. [49254]

  (2) what percentage of primary school children in Cheltenham, by school, were eligible for free school meals in 1987. [49255]

  Mr. Byers
  Information on school meals for individual schools is not published centrally.

  Government Policies
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the projects undertaken by his Department since 1 May 1997 to research public reaction to(a) Government policies and (b) potential new policies; and if he will place the results of the research in the Library. [46676]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 30 June 1998]: In line with the practice of successive Administrations, my department routinely consults the public, interested parties and client groups by way of consultation papers, White Papers and more recently using the Cabinet Office

  227
  People's Panel, on a wide range of policies and proposed legislation. I have therefore confined my reply to major exercises:

  Excellence in Schools White Paper consultation (July-October 1997)

  Excellence for All Children Green Paper consultation on Special Educational Needs (October 1997-January 1998)

  The Learning Age Green Paper consultation (March-July 1998: results to be published in Autumn 1998).

  It is our normal practice to make the results of such research available to the public, including placing copies in the Library.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Set-aside Land
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what were the total payments for land set aside in England in 1997. [50138]

  Mr. Rooker
  Total payments of £79 million have been made under the Arable Area Payments Scheme for land set aside in England in 1997.

  Departmental Environmental Policies
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what activities his Green Minister has undertaken and what he has achieved as regards sustainability within the Department since being appointed. [50415]

  Mr. Rooker
  As Green Minister, I meet regularly with colleagues within the Department to discuss its policies.

  I appeared before the Environmental Audit Committee on 31 March to report on the Department's actions on greening Government and sustainability in general.

  I have also attended two meetings of Green Ministers which have considered the future role of Green Ministers, the consultation papers on the review of the UK Sustainable Development Strategy, green operations and revised guidance on the environmental appraisal of policies.

  I met my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment to discuss the Department's programme for ensuring the further integration of sustainable development into policies and the greening of operations. The Department has circulated guidance on carrying out environmental appraisal of policies, and published a consultation paper on the development of a set of indicators for sustainable agriculture in the United Kingdom.

  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to raise awareness of environmental and sustainability issues within his Department; and if specific training will be made available to staff. [50413]

  Mr. Rooker
  Awareness of environmental and sustainability issues is aIready recognised as important to the work of the Department and is integral to its training and development programme.

  Drift Nets
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the likely impact of the planned tuna drift net ban on the livelihoods of United Kingdom fishermen. [50409]

  Mr. Morley
  In 1997 the value of tuna caught by the five UK vessels participating in the tuna drift net fishery was some £49,000. This represented part of a continuing downward trend.

  The decision to end the fishery in December 2001 permits a gradual phasing out so minimising costs to industry, particularly gear maintenance and replacement costs. The fishermen concerned are able to continue fishing for tuna using fishing gear other than drift nets.

  Animal Health Act
  Dr. Palmer
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to amend the arrangements his Department has for applying sections 40 to 49 of the Animal Health Act 1981 and any subordinate legislation made under the same sections of the Act; and if he will make a statement. [50048]

  Mr. Morley
  I have no current plans to amend the arrangements for applying sections 40 to 49 of the Animal Health Act 1981.

  Common Fisheries Policy
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of recent proposals on the further reform of the Common Fisheries Policy by Spain's fishing minister. [50543]

  Mr. Morley
  I have not seen any recent proposals on the further reform of the Common Fisheries Policy by Spain's fishing Minister. However, the British Embassy in Madrid has requested a copy of recent proposals put forward by parts of the Spanish fishing industry.

  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on(a) the last meeting of the EU Fishing Ministers and (b) the prospects for their agreement over the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy. [50544]

  Mr. Morley
  My right hon. Friend made a statement concerning the outcome of the last meeting of the EU Fisheries Council in his reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Aberdeen, South (Miss Begg) on 11 June 1998,Official Report, columns 658–59.

  I expect the Council to reach agreement on the future of the Common Fisheries Policy before the deadline of 31 December 2002.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Illegal Weapons and Explosives
  Mr. Home Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the detection and interception of illegal weapons and explosives by the police and security forces in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. [49024]
  229
  Mr. Ingram
  The detection and interception of illegal weapons and explosives by the security forces are of prime importance in the fight against terrorist and criminal organisations. The RUC, supported by the Army, work tirelessly to recover terrorist weaponry and to avert those in possession of them, evidenced by the number of firearms and explosives finds reported by the Chief Constable in appendix 5 table 3 of his Annual Report, a copy of which has been placed in the Library. In doing so the RUC maintain a close liaison with their counterparts, the Garda Siochana who have an excellent record in combating terrorism; indeed, so far this year they have found in the region of 5,500 lbs of Home Made Explosives. Co-operation between the RUC and the Garda Siochana is excellent.

  New Deal
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on progress in implementing the new deal in Northern Ireland. [49025]

  Mr. Worthington
  Progress has been very encouraging and compares favourably to the position in Great Britain. Almost 800 employers have signed New Deal agreements. Around 2,500 young people have entered Gateway and will progress to the available options.

  The Chancellor's recent initiative will enable us to provide extensive New Deal opportunities to the over 25s from November.

  Mr. Goggins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made in implementing the new deal in Northern Ireland. [49047]

  Mr. Worthington
  The New Deal for 18–24 year olds was launched on 6 April and the Government are encouraged by progress with over 700 employer agreements signed. We think this is the highest number of firms pro rata in the UK. We received applications from 84 consortiums to run the education, environment and voluntary organisation options. 26 consortiums have been chosen. Some 2,200 young people have entered the Gateway and will progress to the four available options.

  The Chancellor's recent initiative means that additional New Deal provision for the 25+ age group will be available from November of this year.

  Human Rights Commission
  Mr. McCabe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress is being made towards the establishment of a human rights commission in Northern Ireland. [49026]

  Mrs. Fiona Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress is being made towards the establishment of a human rights commission in Northern Ireland. [49045]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The Northern Ireland Bill, which will contain provisions to establish a Human Rights Commission, will be introduced in the House later today.

  Social Security Agency
  Mr. Forsythe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many staff left the Social Security Agency during the 1997–98 financial year. [49027]

  Mr. Worthington
  A total of 144 permanent staff left the Social Security Agency during the 1997–98 year.

  Security Situation
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment she has made of the security situation. [49028]

  Mr. Ingram
  The stand-off at Drumcree church led to violence in many Loyalist areas in Northern Ireland. In the most serious incident on Sunday morning, 12 July, three young boys, Jason, Richard and Mark Quinn, died when their home in Ballymoney was attacked by petrol bombers. The RUC, supported by the Army, despite coming under sustained attack from gunfire, blast and petrol bombs have ensured that life continues normally for the majority of people, as well as continuing to guard against further attacks by dissident republican groups.

  Peace Process
  Mr. Wareing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on recent developments in respect of the peace process in Northern Ireland. [49029]

  Mr. White
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the peace process following the election of the assembly. [49039]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  I refer my hon Friend to the oral answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Falkirk, West (Mr. Canavan) today,Official Report, column 395.

  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on international involvement in the peace process in Northern Ireland. [49035]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  Apart from the valuable contribution of the team of international chairmen which is well recognised, there was no direct international involvement in the negotiations leading to the Good Friday Agreement. However, the Government are grateful for the international support we have received from the United States, the European Union and many others for our efforts and those of the Irish Government, and all the parties engaged in the Talks to help bring about a lasting peace in Northern Ireland.

  We are also grateful for the financial contribution by the European Union and by those countries which contribute to the International Fund for Ireland.

  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what further steps she intends to take to promote the peace process. [49042]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  The Government will promote work speedily with the Irish Government and the New Northern Ireland Assembly to make arrangements for the full implementation of the Belfast Agreement which provides the best chance for lasting peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland.

  Water Industry
  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the future regulation of the water industry in Northern Ireland. [49030]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The Government plan shortly to publish a consultation paper on the future structural, funding and regulatory arrangements for delivery of water and sewerage services in Northern Ireland. The paper is intended to stimulate a very significant debate about the provision of these services in Northern Ireland on which final decisions will be taken by the new local administration.

  School Accommodation
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the estimated cost and time scale in which substandard school accommodation will be upgraded. [49031]

  Mr. Worthington
  There are 130 major building projects in the top three priority categories of the schools planning list with an estimated capital value of some £550m, and the current backlog of maintenance in schools is estimated at £80m. No timescale can be put on the work programme required to meet these needs—this will be governed by the availability of resources.

  Nursery Education
  Mr. Stott
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the availability of nursery education in Northern Ireland. [49032]

  Laura Moffatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the availability of nursery education in Northern Ireland. [49037]

  Mr. Chisholm
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the availability of nursery education in Northern Ireland. [49040]

  Mr. Worthington
  Pre-School Education Development Plans for each Education and Library Board area have been approved, through which 2,200 additional pre-school education places will be funded in Northern Ireland from the 1998–99 school year. This represents an increase of 20 per cent. in funded pre-school provision and will make places available for almost 60 per cent. of children in their immediate pre-school year.

  Electricity Charges
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how the price of electricity in Northern Ireland compares to that in the rest of the United Kingdom; and what policies Her Majesty's Government are pursuing to reduce electricity prices in Northern Ireland. [49033]

  Mr. Ingram
  Electricity bills for domestic and small commercial and industrial customers are, on average, around 20 per cent. higher in Northern Ireland than in the rest of the United Kingdom. The primary aim of both Government and wider European policy is to achieve lower electricity prices through the introduction of greater 232
  competition into the local energy market. Following the restructuring of the industry, responsibility for ensuring that prices paid by consumers reflect the costs of production and distribution rests with the independent Director General of Electricity Supply for Northern Ireland.

  Bloomfield Report
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps are being taken in response to the Bloomfield report on the victims of violence in Northern Ireland. [49034]

  Mr. Ingram
  I announced on 30 June a number of initiatives, representing an expenditure of almost £1 million, as a first response to Sir Kenneth Bloomfield's report. I have also launched a consultation exercise which will help to identify and prioritise a package of measures for victims, and inform the future allocation of funding.

  Guardsmen Fisher and Wright
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations she has received on the case of Guardsmen Fisher and Wright in relation to the timing of the Criminal Cases Review Commission. [49038]

  Mr. Ingram
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received a number of representations about these cases. The Secretary of State formerly had a statutory power to refer a case to the Court of Appeal again if it seemed that the conviction had been the result of a miscarriage of justice. However, this power lapsed when the Criminal Cases Review Commission began work after March 1997. The Commission alone now has the statutory power to refer a case back to the court. My right hon. Friend did not retain any residual powers and the Commission is not responsible to her for its investigation of individual cases. In these circumstances, therefore, it is for the Commission to determine the priority which is assigned to specific cases.

  Parades Commission
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment she has made of the work of the Parades Commission. [49041]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Government are satisfied that the Parades Commission have approached their task in an even-handed and impartial manner. We support the work of the Commission, in particular acknowledging the difficult decisions they have to make, and we would urge everyone in Northern Ireland to give them similar backing.

  National Health Service
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when she expects NHS waiting lists in Northern Ireland to fall to the level of 1 May 1997. [49043]

  Mr. Worthington
  I am pleased to say that the waiting lists for hospital inpatient treatment in Northern Ireland have already fallen below the level of 1 May 1997. At that date there were about 46,000 waiting for treatment
  233
  compared with just over 45,500 at the end of March 1998. The Government remain committed to reducing the lists in Northern Ireland to 39,000 by 31 March 1999.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the spending priorities for the NHS in Northern Ireland. [49018]

  Mr. Worthington
  We will be spending over £1.7 billion on health and social services in Northern Ireland this year. Our priorities include £13 million to reduce waiting lists; £2 million to develop cancer services, with a commitment to a new pioneering cancer centre at Belfast City hospital; £5 million for the further development of community care services; and £4 million for services for children.

  Disability Living Allowance
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the working of the Disability Living Allowance. [49044]
  234
  Mr. Worthington
  There are some difficulties associated with Disability Living Allowance which were highlighted in the Northern Ireland Audit Office Report "The Administration of Disability Living Allowance by the Social Security Agency" dated 22 January 1998. In response, the Agency has prepared a challenging Action Plan to improve quality and delivery of service on Disability Living Allowance and this is being implemented.

  Beef Export Ban
  Mr. Walter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the likely impact on farm incomes of the ending of the beef export ban on shipments from Northern Ireland. [49046]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The raising of the ban on the export of Northern Ireland beef should result in an improvement in beef producers' incomes in the longer term. It is difficult to be precise on the size of the impact because it is unknown how quickly and to what extent old markets will be regained and new ones developed.

  Overseas Development Assistance/GNP Ratios
  Overseas Development Assistance/GNP Ratios
  Women in India and East Africa: Microfinance Projects
  Women in India and East Africa: Microfinance Projects
  Sierra Rutile
  Sierra Rutile
  NATO and the Baltic States
  NATO and the Baltic States
  NATO: New Members and Command Structure
  NATO: New Members and Command Structure
  Unidentified Flying Objects
  Unidentified Flying Objects
  European Parliament, House of Commons and House of Lords: Comparative Costs
  European Parliament, House of Commons and House of Lords: Comparative Costs
  Cross-border Shopping: Loss of Tax Revenue
  Cross-border Shopping: Loss of Tax Revenue
  Tanzania
  Tanzania
  Economic Activity and GDP
  Economic Activity and GDP
  M.40 Roadworks
  M.40 Roadworks
  A.3/M.25 Junction Roadworks
  A.3/M.25 Junction Roadworks
  Mobile Phones: Use by Drivers
  Mobile Phones: Use by Drivers
  Crown Land: Planning Procedures
  Crown Land: Planning Procedures
  Israel and Eritrea and Ethiopia
  Israel and Eritrea and Ethiopia
  Motorised Police Escorts in London
  Motorised Police Escorts in London
  Casino Deregulation
  Casino Deregulation
  Gaming Machine Stake and Prize Limits
  Gaming Machine Stake and Prize Limits
  Immigration and Asylum Adjudicators: Home Office Information
  Immigration and Asylum Adjudicators: Home Office Information
  Wandsworth Prison
  Wandsworth Prison
  Campsfield House: Group 4 Staff
  Campsfield House: Group 4 Staff
  Pirimiphos-methyl Intake in Cattle
  Pirimiphos-methyl Intake in Cattle
  MAFF: Service Delivery Targets
  MAFF: Service Delivery Targets