Written Answers of 16 July 1998

DEFENCE

  Departmental Environmental Policies
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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. [50087]

  Mr. Spellar
  Annual consumption of energy figures including those for MOD are reported by Departments to the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions as part of the overall Government Energy Efficiency Campaign. A summary of the information provided by Departments is in the Library of the House.

  The MOD target for energy savings is the same as that for the rest of the Government Estate and reflects current Government Policy, which is that 20 per cent. savings should be achieved by 31 March 2000 when measured against 1991 consumption as the base line. MOD has to date achieved an 18.6 per cent. reduction in Energy Expenditure 1996–97 relative to 1990–91.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures he has introduced to discourage car use by his Department's employees. [50085]

  Mr. Spellar
  The use of public transport for commuting purposes is already encouraged by the availability of interest free loans to purchase season tickets and bicycles and the provision of cycle parking facilities. Departmental Travel Regulations require the most cost effective methods of transport to be used for official business. Measures to encourage greater use of public transport for duty travel as well as commuting to and from the work place are being considered during the preparation of the department's Green Transport Plans. The plans will draw on guidance issued by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions last Autumn.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of his Department's waste is recycled; and what targets he has set for increasing this percentage. [50095]

  Mr. Spellar
  My Department is committed to the development of waste minimisation programmes which include recycling schemes. However, owing to the local nature of these schemes, statistics on recycling are not held centrally. Target setting will be considered as work is taken forward in the context of the Government's model framework for Greening Government Operations.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what activities relating to his environmental responsibilities his green Minister has undertaken since being appointed. [50086]
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  Mr. Spellar
  Since assuming responsibility for the development and promotion of Government environmental policy in my Department, I have attended the Green Ministers' fora and had bilateral discussions with my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment, covering a wide range of environmental issues. I have also given both oral and written evidence to the Environmental Audit Committee on my Department's management of its environmental responsibilities.

  I have had several meetings with other Government Department Ministers to discuss a range of historical pollution and contamination problems at home and abroad. I have met a number of environmental groups to discuss their concerns in the context of the Strategic Defence Review.

  I have chaired my Department's Ministerial Steering Group on the Environment and Energy Efficiency to consider how emerging Government policy initiatives on the environment are to be taken forward in the Ministry of Defence.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to raise awareness of environmental issues within his Department; and what training will be made available to staff. [50094]

  Mr. Spellar
  Environmental policy matters are cascaded throughout the Department by means of a well developed environmental committee and focal point structure. Awareness of environmental issues and policy guidance is also promoted through regular updating of my Department's Environmental Manual and through internal publications such as "Sanctuary" which is devoted to conservation issues on the defence estate. In the case of energy use, an energy warden scheme has been put in place to provide information and practical advice on energy savings measures to departmental consumers. In addition, a programme of environmental protection training courses open to both Service and civilian personnel has been established. The purpose of the programme is both to raise awareness of environmental issues and to provide staff with the necessary competence to ensure compliance with environmental regulation.

  RAF Newton
  Mr. Kenneth Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are his Department's future plans for the use of the site of RAF Newton in Nottinghamshire following the completion of the Defence Review. [50614]

  Mr. Spellar
  There are no current plans to change the use of RAF Newton and it is envisaged that the units currently based at the station will remain there for the foreseeable future. Disposal plans for the surplus areas of RAF Newton will be finalised as part of the detailed follow-up work to the Strategic Defence Review.

  Trident
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his oral statement of 8 July 1998,Official Report, column 1076, if the figure of 48 nuclear warheads to be deployed on each Trident submarine is a minimum figure. [50617]
  237
  Mr. George Robertson
  The figure of 48 is the exact number of warheads that we plan to deploy on our Trident submarines.

  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been(a) the maximum and (b) the average number of nuclear warheads deployed on each Trident submarine since HMS 'Vanguard' entered service. [50618]

  Mr. George Robertson
  Trident submarines have typically deployed on deterrent patrol with 60 warheads.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what plans he has to remove Trident nuclear warheads from Coulport for dismantling in order to implement the Strategic Defence Review; and what proportion of warheads are to be removed; [50565]

  (2) what plans he has to reduce the number of Trident nuclear warheads currently deployed on Vanguard class submarines in order to implement the Strategic Defence Review; and what proportion of warheads are to be removed. [50566]

  Mr. George Robertson
  12 warheads are to be removed from each of the three Trident submarines currently in service during their next programmed docking in the warhead fitting facility at Coulport. This process will be completed before the end of the year. Production of warheads to meet previous plans had not been completed and we do not need to decommission any warheads to implement Strategic Defence Review changes. Adjustments are being made to future warhead production, refurbishment and decommissioning plans to maintain an operationally available stockpile of fewer than 200 warheads.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the fourth Trident submarine, Vengeance, is scheduled to carry out contractors' sea trials in Scotland. [50567]

  Mr. George Robertson
  Contractors' sea trials are scheduled to take place early next year.

  Territorial Army
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list(a) each TA and cadet centre in the UK, (b) the TA and cadet units based in each centre and (c) the other military and non-military organisations which use each centre. [50555]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 14 July 1998]: I will write to the hon. Member with a list of TA and Cadet centres, and the units that are based in each. A copy of my letter will be placed in the Library. However, we do not hold centrally records of other military and non-military users of such centres and so the information in part (c) of the hon. Gentleman's question could therefore be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Staff College, Camberley
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which organisation he proposes to re-site in the Staff College buildings at Camberley; and if he will make a statement. [50838]
  238
  Dr. Reid
  A range of options for the future of the former Staff College Buildings at Camberley are being studied. No proposals have yet been put to Ministers, and no decisions have been taken.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Rear Seat Belts
  Liz Blackman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what monitoring procedures he has put in place to evaluate the effectiveness of the current Rear Seat Belt Awareness Campaign. [50320]

  Dr. Strang
  The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions has commissioned market research both before and after the campaign to ascertain awareness and understanding of its advertising message to belt up in the back.

  In addition, the biannual surveys carried out by the Transport Research Laboratory, on behalf of my Department, will continue to monitor seat belt wearing rates both in the front and rear of cars.

  Sites of Special Scientific Interest
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many incidents of damage to sites of special scientific interest have occurred in each year since 1992. [50140]

  Angela Eagle
  Details of the number of incidents of damage to Sites of Special Scientific Interest are published in the annual reports produced by the respective country agencies, English Nature, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Countryside Council for Wales, all of which are held in the Library of the House.

  Such figures are not presently available for areas of special scientific interest in Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidance his Department(a) has issued and (b) intends to issue to the wildlife agencies responsible for monitoring and supervising sites of special scientific interest for the discharge of their duties. [50141]

  Angela Eagle
  The wildlife agencies have a statutory duty to notify Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs).

  The Department issued a Code of Guidance for SSSIs in 1983. this explained the provisions contained in the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 for the protection of special sites, including the notification of sites. We will review the need for further guidance in England and Wales following consultation on improvements to the protection and management of SSSIs.

  The financial relationship between the DETR and English Nature is governed by a financial memorandum. This has recently been reviewed and a revised text came into operation at the start of the current financial year. We will adopt a management statement describing the strategic relationship between the Department and English Nature as soon as we receive Treasury and Cabinet Office approval of the text.
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  English Nature adheres to the procedures set out in "Government Accounting", and is notified by the Department of changes to this guidance from time to time. English Nature is also notified of Ministerial priorities when the allocation of grant-in-aid for each financial year is announced.

  These are matters for the territorial departments in relation to the wildlife agencies in Wales and Scotland.

  Wildlife
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his proposed timetable for bringing forward new legislation to strengthen the protection of wildlife. [50139]

  Angela Eagle
  We are presently considering a number of means for improving the protection and management of Sites of Special Scientific Interest. There is likely to be consultation later this year. We are also examining what further measures are needed to strengthen wildlife protection. If legislation proves necessary we will look for a suitable opportunity.

  Donana Pollution Incident
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what technical assistance the UK has provided to the Spanish authorities to tackle the Donana pollution incident. [50075]

  Angela Eagle
  A number of UK bodies have offered assistance to the Spanish authorities in the aftermath of the Donana pollution incident. The Natural Environment Research Council Institutes and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds made a joint visit to Donana soon after the incident to assess the situation and have been able to make a number of suggestions for future monitoring. English Partnerships and the Environment Agency are also arranging to visit Donana in the near future to assess what advice and assistance they may be able to offer the Spanish authorities.

  Birds of Prey (Culling Licences)
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what licences have been issued over the past year for the killing of(a) peregrines and (b) sparrowhawks; and for what reasons they were issued. [50455]

  Angela Eagle
  Details of licences issued under Section 16 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to kill and take birds are contained in Reports by the United Kingdom to the European Community on Derogations under Article 9 of the Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds (79/409/EEC). The latest report for which figures are available covers 1996, and a copy of this report is in the Library of the House.

  Allotments
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many individual allotments existed in(a) 1970, (b) 1980, (c) 1990 and (d) the last year for which figures are available. [50656]
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  Angela Eagle
  The information on the number of individual allotments in each of the years referred to is not available.

  The English Allotments Survey published in 1997 by the National Society of Allotments and Leisure Gardeners Limited and Anglia Polytechnic University and financed by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions provides the following data on allotment numbers:

  1970—532,964 in England and Wales

  1977—497,793 in England and Wales

  1978—479,301 in England and Wales

  1996—296,923 in England plus an estimated 30,000 allotments in Wales.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many acres of land were devoted to public allotments in(a) 1970, (b) 1980, (c) 1990 and (d) the last year for which figures are available. [50657]

  Angela Eagle
  The information on the acreage of land devoted to public allotments in each of the years referred to is not available.

  The English Allotments Survey published in 1997 by the National Society of Allotments and Leisure Gardeners Limited and Anglia Polytechnic University and financed by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions provides the following data on allotment acreage:

  1970—58,242 in England and Wales

  1977—49,873 in England and Wales

  1978—49,105 in England and Wales

  1996—25,393 in England.

  Road Signs
  Dr. Vis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will make a statement on his policy on commercial advertising in London upon land having public highway or trunk road status; and how that policy and the factors underlying it have changed since 1990; [50562]

  (2) if he will make it his policy that no private street signs will be licensed upon land having trunk road status unless provided in the interests of public safety; [50561]

  (3) if he will make a statement on his policy on the granting of licences for street signs or advertising promoting commercial or sectional interests upon land having public highway or trunk road status. [50560]

  Dr. Strang
  [holding answer 14 July 1998]: All applications for the erection of advertisements on or near public roads are considered with reference to their likely effects on public safety and amenity at their proposed location. Local planning authorities are responsible for advertisement control within the rules laid down in the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 1992, and the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) (Amendment) Regulation 1994. The Department's advice to local planning authorities remains as in DOE Circular 5/92. Appendix B sets out the public safety factors to be considered for advertisements on land alongside motorways, trunk roads and other roads. Highway authorities, including the Secretary of State as highway authority for trunk roads,

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  will take similar considerations into account in deciding whether advertisements should be permitted on land and street furniture that they own.

  Train Operating Companies
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what amount is currently paid to the train operating companies in subsidy by the Government; and what controls are exerted by the Government on how this money is spent by the train operating companies. [50668]

  Dr. Strang
  Support for Passengers Rail Services (SPRS) paid to and premium payments received from train operating companies by the Franchising Director are set out in the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising's Annual Report 1997–98, a copy of which is in the House Library. Where applicable, payments to train operating companies by Passenger Transport Executives are also shown, with further information on PTE support shown in the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions' Annual Report 1998, a copy of which is also in the House Library. The franchise agreements specify the services and standards the train operating companies are contractually required to provide in return for support payments.

  Railtrack
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals the Rail Regulator has to increase controls on Railtrack. [50669]

  Dr. Strang
  Last Autumn the Rail Regulator negotiated changes to Railtrack's network licence which strengthened the company's accountability to the Regulator and increased his enforcement powers. The Regulator has now completed his consultation exercise on Railtrack's recent Network Management Statement. He announced earlier today that, in the light of that consultation, Railtrack has given further commitments to improve network performance and track quality; to address network capacity problems; and to strengthen its processes for meeting the needs of train operators and funders.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures the Rail Regulator proposes to ensure that Railtrack provides value for money over the Channel Tunnel Rail Link. [50670]

  Dr. Strang
  The Rail Regulator has made it clear that he will ring-fence Railtrack's core regulated activity of managing the domestic network and that any diversification by Railtrack Group plc should not impact on the access charges which may be levied by Railtrack plc.

  Rural Affairs
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 3 July 1998,Official Report, column 286, on what occasions since 1 January he has (a) issued press releases and (b) made public statements on a proposed Rural White Paper. [50765]
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  Mr. Meacher
  We have issued no press releases and made no public statements about a proposed Rural White Paper. We are continuing to consider the best way of presenting our rural policies.

  Transport Projects
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what representations he has received from local authorities covering the Maidenhead constituency on transport projects qualifying under the category of specific transport projects for which the Treasury recently allocated £500 million; [50849]

  (2) when he expects to announce details of the allocation of the £500 million for specific transport projects recently announced by the Treasury. [50852]

  Dr. Strang
  The Budget included provision for an additional £500 million for public transport over the next three years.

  The Deputy Prime Minister announced in the House on 20 March 1998, Official Report, columns 1539–42, that the Government would be providing London Transport with an additional £365 million over the next two years. At least £300 million of this is for investment in the core network, and it will boost investment over the next two years to £1 billion. London Transport announced the details of their Tube 2000 investment programme on 11 June.

  New funding of £50 million per year for three years is being made available across the UK for public transport in rural areas. England's share of this is £41.7 million. A provisional allocation to local authorities of the additional support for rural bus services (£32.5m this financial year) was announced on 28 April. Detailed proposals in this connection were laid before the House on 17 June 1998, Official Report, column 206, including the allocation of £50,584 to Windsor and Maidenhead and £77,436 to Wokingham. As announced in my answer on 3 July 1998, Official Report, columns 285–86, we are now consulting on the arrangements for the £5 million Rural Bus Challenge competition which also forms part of this new money. Within the £50 million, £5 million has been set aside for community-based transport initiatives. In England, resources will be channelled through the Rural Development Commission. We are discussing with the Rural Development Commission how best to make use of these resources and have consulted the Local Government Association. An announcement will follow shortly.

  No representations have been received from the local authorities covering the Maidenhead constituency on transport projects encompassed by the £500m provision.

  Road Use Revenue
  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will express the total revenue raised by the Treasury from road-user taxation, including vehicle excise duty, fuel tax and new vehicle tax as a proportion of the total amount spent on maintaining the road network in the most recent year for which figures are available. [50885]
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  Dr. Strang
  In 1996–97 £2.28 billion was spent on maintaining both the trunk and local authority road networks. In the same financial year £21.1 billion (some 925%) was raised in road-user taxation.

  Radioactive Waste Management
  Mr. Tony Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will announce the conclusions of the Financial Management and Policy Review of the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee; and if he will make a statement. [51257]

  Mr. Meacher
  I have today published the report of the Steering Committee guiding the Financial Management and Policy Review of the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee (RWMAC). Copies of the report which was completed in March 1997, including a list of those who responded to the consultation exercise, have been placed in the Library of the House.

  The conclusion of the prior options stage of the Review were announced by my predecessor on 28 November 1996. This was that RWMAC should continue to operate for at least the next five years. It was also announced at that time that the Steering Committee would go on to

  RWMAC Membership template

  Specialism

  Indicative Organisation(s) from which members drawn

  Proposed number

  Nuclear and radioactive waste management

  Industry, consultancies, overseas operator

  4

  Geology, hydrogeology, geochemistry, chemical modelling

  University, research institute or private sector

  4

  Industrial waste management, pollution control

  Non-nuclear industry

  1

  Radiological protection

  NRPB

  1

  Environmental health/medical health

  Medical Research Council, university, medical research, charity or hospital health physicist

  2

  Local government/planning

  Local authorities, NGOs

  1

  Environmental and societal perspectives

  Environmental NGOs and associated individuals relevant university disciplines

  3

  Health and safety

  Trades unions, regulators

  1

  Environmental law

  Academia or private practice

  1

  Lay interests

  Various

  1

  Total

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FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Building Europe Together
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the publications printed under the Building Europe Together project and released in the United Kingdom. [46068]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The following publications were produced under the Building Europe Together programme: fact sheets on some of the areas covered by the Amsterdam Treaty; booklets entitled, "The Citizen's guide to the Treaty of Amsterdam" and "The Treaty of Amsterdam: Questions and Answers". The factsheets were made available on the internet. The booklets were available from the Commission Representation in the UK.244
  consider the structure and operation of RWMAC. The report being published today sets out the considerations leading to the decision that RWMAC should continue, and the Steering Committee's proposals for modifying the structure and operation of the Committee to suit current requirements.

  The Government welcome the majority of the Steering Committee's recommendations but have given further consideration to two of the recommendations; the membership template and the deletion of 'civil' from RWMAC's terms of reference to reflect its practice, now well established under invitation, of also considering the management of radioactive waste from defence establishments.

  The membership template has been amended to place a greater emphasis on environmental and social perspectives and lay perspectives. The new membership template printed below will become an attachment to all copies of the Steering Committee's report.

  Consideration of the proposed amendment to RWMAC's terms of reference will be deferred until the House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology has reported on nuclear waste management.

  My right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Wales and I have accepted all the other recommendations made by the Steering Committee.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his Department's average response time to correspondence from members of the public; and how such response times are monitored. [48669]

  Mr. Fatchett
  In 1997, FCO replied to 84.7 per cent. (17,997) of the 21,248 letters received from members of the public within 20 working days of receipt.

  FCO Departments record the dates of receipt of letters from members of the public and issue of replies, and the proportion of their replies issued within the 20 day target.

  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans his Department has to correspond electronically with(a) hon. Members and (b) members of the public. [49803]
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  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  [holding answer 13 July 1998]: This Department is able to receive electronic correspondence from hon. Members and members of the public via an interactive form on its website (www.fco.gov.uk). Where possible, we are happy to reply electronically.

  European Structural Funds
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his Department's role in discussions relating to the future of the European structural funds for the period 2000 to 2006. [48775]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Small Firms, Trade and Industry on 2 July 1998 Official Report column 240.

  Centre for Citizens and the Media
  Mr. Trend
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the(a) mandate and (b) budget of the Centre for Citizens and the Media in DGX. [49646]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The centre for citizens and the media and DGX aims to increase dialogue between the Commission and the general public and journalists. It is responsible for: organising programmes for groups visiting the Commission (over 34,000 people in 1997); selecting sponsored visitors from third countries (with the EP); managing the public inquiries service "Europe Direct"; setting up a Commission call centre to respond to telephone inquiries; managing the Commission's internal databases; training speakers available to give talks on the EU and the euro; supporting training on European affairs for journalists; developing links between twinned towns. The centre's budget for 1998 is 4.9 mecu (£3.26 million at current prices). It manages an additional 10 mecu (£6.66 million) for town-twinning projects.

  EU Funds
  Mr. Trend
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library a list of the(a) organisations and (b) projects which received funding under budget line A-3024 and A-3104 for 1997. [49643]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  I refer the hon. Member to my answer to the hon. Member for New Forest, East (Dr. Lewis) on 29 June 1998,Official Report, column 67.

  General Affairs Council
  Mr. Quinn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the General Affairs Council in Brussels on 13 and 14 July. [51259]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The information is as follows.

  A General Affairs Council was held in Brussels on 13 July. The Council agreed the 37 A Points listed in document 10255/98 and noted the European Parliament's Resolutions, Decisions and Opinions taken at its part sessions in Strasbourg on 15–19 June and 1– 2 July, and
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  listed in documents 9471/98 and 9533/98. Copies of both these documents will be placed in the House Library as soon as they become available.

  The Council endorsed the Austrian Presidency's handling plan and timetable for the Agenda 2000 package. Over lunch Ministers discussed the working methods of the General Affairs Council.

  The mandates for negotiations with Norway and Iceland over their continued involvement with Schengen after entry into force of Amsterdam were briefly discussed. A few points remain to be settled; but the Presidency made clear that it would aim for the adoption of the mandates before the summer.

  Ministers condemned the violation by Belarus of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations in its actions against Ambassadors' residences in Drozdy. As a signal of the seriousness with which it took the situation, the EU had already adopted a Common Position imposing an entry visa ban on all members of the Government and senior officials of the Republic of Belarus. The Council expressed its determination to adopt further measures should further violations of the Vienna Convention occur. It will continue to monitor the situation in Minsk and demanded concrete proposals from the Belarus authorities. The EU hoped that early action by the Belarusian Government to respect fully the Vienna Convention would enable a return to the status quo ante and facilitate the development of the more constructive EU/Belarus relationship which the EU wished.

  The Council expressed its grave concern at the continuing violence and loss of life in Kosovo, particularly among the civilian population. The danger of a rapid widening of the crisis remains. The Council reiterated its call for an immediate cessation of all hostilities and the restart of a political process, with direct international involvement, between the parties. The Kosovo Albanian team for these talks must be able to speak authoritatively and therefore be fully representative of their community. The Council accordingly called on the leaders with the Kosovo Albanian community to unite and to make common cause to this end.

  The Council recalled that a solution for Kosovo can be found neither through the maintenance of the status quo nor through independence, but through a special status, including a large degree of autonomy within the FRY. The Council welcomed the intention of the Contact Group to set in hand work, to which the EU is actively contributing, to define possible further elements for the future status of Kosovo with a view to making them available to the parties. It emphasised that international involvement in the dialogue remains an essential element of credible negotiations.

  The Council discussed the situation in Albania. It strongly encouraged the Government of Prime Minister Nano to follow a policy of restraint and moderation in the Kosovo crisis, which is now more necessary than ever. It expressed its concern about the flow of arms from northern Albania to Kosovo Albanian armed groups. It called on all political organisations in Albania to support the policy of the Albanian government and to associate themselves with the line taken by the European Union on

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  the Kosovo issue. At the same time it called upon the Albanian Government to increase its efforts to stop the flow of weapons from Albania to Kosovo.

  The Council was encouraged by General Abubakar's commitment to national reconciliation leading to the restoration of democratic civilian rule and his decision to release a significant number of detainees. The Council urged General Abubakar to release all the remaining detainees and to announce his plans for the electoral process. They reiterated EU's readiness to support an inclusive political process.

  The Council heard a report on the EU troika Ambassadors' visit to East Timor from 27–30 June. It paid tribute to the way the members of the troika handled the difficult situation which arose and agreed that their report and conclusions should continue to be followed up by the competent Council bodies.

  The Council discussed the situation in Guinea Bissau and agreed that there was a need for humanitarian assistance and the opening of corridors for it to be delivered. It stressed the need for political and diplomatic solution to the problems and agreed that the EU should commit itself to a reconstruction programme on the basis of democratic conditions and the maintenance of the elections planned for this year and the next.

  The Council adopted conclusions inviting COREPER and the Commission to solve rapidly the problems emerging from the ECJ's recent judgment on spending without a legal base.

  The Council expressed the hope that the Conference nearing its conclusion in Rome would result in agreement to establish a credible International Criminal Court.

  The UK and seven EU partners drew the Council's attention to a joint statement deploring the Commission's decision to impose provisional anti-dumping duties on imports of unbleached cotton fabric from six non-EU countries.

  The first EU-Tunisia Association Council was held on 14 July, following the entry into force of the EU/Tunisia Association Agreement earlier this year. A dinner with the Tunisian Foreign Minister was held on 13 July. Ministers welcomed the new agreement, as part of wider moves towards a Euro-Mediterranean Free Trade Area by 2010, and discussed issues of common interest including developments in the middle east peace process, human rights, and inward investment.

  The inaugural Co-operation Council under the terms of the Partnership and Co-operation Agreement (PCA), between the EU and Moldova took place on 14 July. Over a working breakfast, Ministers had an exchange of views on foreign policy issues of mutual interest (including the situation in Transdniestra) and EU/Moldova relations. The Council itself exchanged views on the implementation of the PCA and adopted the Rules of Procedure establishing the foundations for the future work of the Co-operation Council and Committee, as well as the Joint Work Programme for 1998–99.

  The first EU/Mexico Joint Council was held on 14 July. It renewed the EU and Mexico's shared commitment to closer ties, including through the substantial and reciprocal liberalisation of trade in goods and services.

  Nazi Persecution Victims
  Mr. Quinn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who will benefit from the United Kingdom's contribution to the International Fund for Needy Victims of Nazi Persecution. [51260]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  I have announced that the UK's £1 million contribution to the Fund will be divided in the following way: two thirds will go through the World Jewish Restitution Organisation to the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee for projects providing medical care to needy survivors of Nazi persecution in the Ukraine, Russia, Belarus and Moldova. The remaining third will go to the Board of Deputies of British Jews for needy survivors in the UK. Non-Jewish survivors will also be able to apply to these organisations for assistance.

  Nigeria
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received concerning changes to the timetable for a handover to civilian rule in Nigeria. [50719]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I have heard nothing further since my answer to the right hon. and learned Member's previous question of 9 July 1998,Official Report, column 580.

  North Korea
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the Government have made to North Korea following the latest incidents involving infiltration into South Korean territory. [50717]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The UK does not have diplomatic relations with North Korea and no talks between officials have been held since these incidents.

  In his capacity as a member of the United Nations Command, our Defence Attaché in Seoul has taken part in the investigations into these events. He is also participating in the General Officer talks between the US-led United Nations Command and the North Korean People's Army, to discuss the 1953 armistice agreement and related issues arising from the latest incidents.

  North Korea has recently expressed an interest in political dialogue with the EU. Any such dialogue would need to include the subject of the recent incursions by the North.

  Iraq
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress in inspecting Iraqi missile warheads alleged to contain traces of VX. [50721]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  On 24 June, UNSCOM Chairman Richard Butler informed the UN Security Council that results of tests on missile warhead fragments removed from Iraq earlier this year had uncovered evidence that Iraq put VX and VX stabiliser into the warheads. These tests were carried out at a Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) accredited laboratory in the US.
  249
  UNSCOM is now arranging for further tests to be made on fresh samples at other accredited laboratories in France and Switzerland.

  Biological Weapons
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress is being made in negotiations on the development of an international agreement on biological weapons. [50718]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Since 1994 an ad hoc group of states parties has been meeting in Geneva to consider measures to strengthen the 1972 Biological Weapons Convention. UK officials chair the key sessions on compliance measures at these negotiations. The ad hoc group has made good progress and is now working on the rolling text of a draft Protocol to the Convention. 1998 has seen a significant intensification of the negotiations. Much detailed work remains to be done but the United Kingdom, together with its EU partners, believes that an effective package of measures could be agreed during 1999.

  West Bank
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what developments there have been in discussions on the future status of land in the West Bank; and if he will make a statement. [50720]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Discussions on the second Israeli redeployment continue between the parties and the US. We await an Israeli response to the latest US proposals. The talks have been made more difficult by the recent announcement of the Israeli Government, proposing an extension to the municipal boundaries of Jerusalem to include certain territory on the West Bank. We regard this development as serious and damaging to the prospects for peace in the middle east. We supported a UN Security Council Presidential Statement to this effect on 13 July 1998.

  Cyprus
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations he has had with Britain's EU partners concerning the proposed deployment of missiles in Cyprus; and if he will make a statement. [50722]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The intention of the Cyprus Government to deploy S300 missiles to Cyprus has been discussed with EU partners on a number of occasions. The overwhelming majority share UK concern that deployment would exacerbate tension in the region. We have expressed this concern to the Government of Cyprus and shall continue to do so.

  Our views are widely shared internationally. In May this year, the G8 expressed concern that new developments in the military sphere, including any increase in force levels and the upgrading of sophisticated weaponry, would risk further raising tension in the region. The UN Security Council last month called on all parties to avoid any actions which might increase tension, including through the further expansion of military forces and armaments on Cyprus.
  250
  We continue to believe that there are better ways to assure the prosperity and security of Cyprus than an increase in armaments. Measures to reduce military tension have a role to play, but the best way is by means of a comprehensive political settlement. We continue to work actively in support of the UN-led peace process and we look to others, in particular the leaders of both Cypriot communities, to do the same.

  Sierra Leone
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Streatham (Mr. Hill) of 9 July 1998,Official Report, column 580, to whom indemnities relative to the Sierra Leone arms investigation have been given. [50858]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  As is normal practice in investigations of this kind, indemnities have been granted in relation to any legal action taken against Sir Thomas Legg, Sir Robin Ibbs and the secretariat of the investigation.

  British Overseas Territories
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to grant British citizenship to citizens of British Overseas Territories. [50886]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The possibility of granting citizenship to citizens of the Overseas Territories is under active discussion between all Departments involved. We are looking at the issue sympathetically, but more work needs to be done before any announcement can be made. The result of this review will be made public in the forthcoming White Paper on the Overseas Territories.

  UNITA
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action Her Majesty's Government have taken in respect of the chief UNITA representative in the United Kingdom, Mr. Anibal Kandeya, to comply with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1127 (1997); and what knowledge his Department has of his whereabouts. [50447]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I have been asked to reply.

  An application from Mr. Kandeya for further leave to remain in the United Kingdom is currently under consideration. No action may be taken to deport or otherwise remove him until this application has been resolved. I understand that Mr. Kandeya remains in the United Kingdom and is in contact with my Department.

PRIME MINISTER

  EU Cardiff Summit
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister what environmental issues were considered when planning and implementing the EU Cardiff Summit, in respect of(a) energy use, (b) transport arrangements and (c) use of recyclable materials for catering; and what actions were taken. [47882]
  251
  The Prime Minister
  We tried wherever possible to take environmental issues into account when planning and implementing the European Council Meeting in Cardiff. Large multilateral meetings inevitably involve high energy consumption, because of the number of people involved (around 4,000 in this case), the equipment they use and the technical facilities involved. These included a media centre for the use of up to 2,500 people, interpretation facilities, extra lighting in the meeting rooms and in press briefing rooms for the use of the television crews. By using a self contained island site for the meeting and associated activities, we were able to keep use of cars to the minimum consistent with the normal courtesy to visiting Head of Governments and their security. The catering contractor used routinely has all paper, glass, steel and other metals collected for recycling.

  Sellafield
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister what matters relating to radioactive releases from Sellafield were discussed with his Norwegian counterpart on 6 July; and what conclusions were reached. [49748]

  The Prime Minister
  During our meeting on 6 July, I reassured Prime Minister Bondevik that all discharges of radioactive material from Sellafield into European coastal waters were subject to licensing by the Environment Agency, that present levels were being reviewed and that levels were always set well within the threshold of what might pose a threat to public health. We agreed that our Environment Ministers should discuss the issue when they meet later this year.

  Strategic Defence Review
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral answer to the right hon. Member for Richmond, Yorks, (Mr. Hague) of 8 July 1998,Official Report, column 1066, what potential sources of the leak of the Strategic Defence Review will be considered by the leak inquiry. [50536]

  The Prime Minister
  The independent investigator appointed by the Cabinet Office to conduct the inquiry into the leak of the Strategic Defence Review will determine what sources should be considered by the leak inquiry.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Prime Minister when copies of the Strategic Defence Review were first provided to(a) Opposition parties and (b) the media. [50537]

  The Prime Minister
  Copies of the Strategic Defence Review were first given by the Government under the usual embargo terms to the Defence spokesmen for the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties, the hon. Member for Stratford-on-Avon (Mr. Maples) and the hon. and learned member for Fife, North-East (Mr. Campbell) at a meeting with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence at 11.00am on 8 July.

  The media received their first copies from the Government at a Press Conference held at the Ministry of Defence Main Building at 1.15pm on 8 July. Attendance
  252
  was restricted to those who had agreed to be locked in until sometime after my right hon. Friend had started his statement to the House of Commons.

  These procedures are fully in line with the usual arrangements.

  Ministerial Code
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will amend the Ministerial Code to place a requirement on Ministers to correct significant factual inaccuracies. [50532]

  The Prime Minister
  Paragraph 1 of the Ministerial Code requires Ministers to give accurate and truthful information to Parliament, correcting any inadvertent error at the earliest possible opportunity.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Prime Minister what target his Office 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. [49820]

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

  Government Buildings (Passes)
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the(a) occasions on which and (b) reasons for which passes to Government buildings have been issued to persons not employed by or under contract to a Government Department. [50613]

  The Prime Minister
  Most Government Departments operate a system of entry control to their buildings based on an assessment of the risk to their assets, the sole or shared ownership and occupancy of the site, and whether the public have right of entry to it. Practice can vary considerably, therefore, between Government sites, but entry control requiring registration and the use of visitors' passes is commonplace. Such passes are normally issued on a daily basis and must be surrendered on departure from the premises. Holders of these passes may require escorting. Of course details of the thousands of such passes issued daily at all Government buildings throughout the country is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Car Parking Charges
  Mrs. Shephard
  To ask the Prime Minister what consultations members of the No. 10 Policy Unit have had with supermarket owners, their representatives or advisers concerning the possibility of taxes or charges on car parking spaces at out-of-town shopping centres and at supermarkets. [50158]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 13 July 1998]: I refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave to the right hon. Member for North-West Hampshire (Sir G. Young) on 14 July 1998, Official Report, column 94.
  253
  We have carried out an extensive consultation as part of the fundamental review of transport policy. My Ministers and I, and our special advisers, have met a large number of individuals and organisations and have attended a number of seminars to discuss a wide range of transport issues. The discussions and the written representations we received have played an important role in informing the development of our integrated transport policy, following our consultation document "Developing an Integrated Transport Policy: an Invitation to Contribute".

  Roger Liddle
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Prime Minister what factors led him to appoint Mr. Liddle as his special adviser; and what are his responsibilities. [50347]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 13 July 1998]: I considered a variety of factors when appointing the members of my Policy Unit, the most important of which was their ability to carry out the duties required of them effectively and well. His responsibilities include European policy and defence policy.

  Derek Draper
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Prime Minister what is the Government's current policy in respect of ministerial contact with Mr. Draper. [50348]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 13 July 1998]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the right hon. Member for North-West Hampshire (Sir G. Young) on 14 July 1998, Official Report, column 94.

  Legal Drugs Tsar
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will appoint a tsar to reduce the deaths and addictions caused by the mis-use of medicinal and other legal drugs. [50485]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 14 July 1998]: Misuse should occur only when prescribers or patients use medicines outside the authorised conditions. Doctors and other healthcare professionals are individually responsible for the products they prescribe and must be able to justify, if necessary, their prescribing decisions. In particular, prescribing over large quantities or for excessive periods could be taken up as a terms of service issue or by the General Medical Council as professional disciplinary matter.

  Medicines are authorised for the United Kingdom market only after thorough and expert evaluation by the Medicines Control Agency, advised by the Committee on Safety of Medicines. The MCA continues to monitor the safety of medicines after they have been placed on the market and exposed to a greater population than in pre-authorisation tests. Medicines are authorised for use in very specific circumstances and any contraindications and warnings are shown clearly both to prescribers in the summary of product characteristics and to patients in information leaflets. We are satisfied that regulatory control, together with information and guidance to healthcare and patients, provides the necessary safeguards.

  Civil Servants (Information)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Prime Minister what guidance is given to members of his Policy Unit concerning participation in events held under Chatham House rules. [50465]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 14 July 1998]: Members of my Policy Unit are covered by the same rules as other civil servants, which are set out in the answer given to my hon. Friend by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 15 July 1998, Official Report, column 205.

CABINET OFFICE

  Derek Draper
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio, pursuant to his answer of 10 July 1998,Official Report, column 679, on how many occasions his office received draft articles written by Mr. Derek Draper for scrutiny prior to their publication in the press since 1 May 1997. [50837]

  Mr. Mandelson
  None.

  Lobbyists
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will list the lobbying firms to which he routinely faxes(a) press releases and (b) other information about his ministerial activities. [50733]

  Mr. Mandelson
  None.

  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio on what occasions he has met(a) Mr. Derek Draper, (b) GPC Market Access representatives, (c) Mr. Roger Liddle and (d) Lawson, Lucas Mendelsohn representatives in respect of his ministerial responsibilities. [50734]

  Mr. Mandelson
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for West Dorset (Mr. Letwin) on 10 July 1998,Official Report, columns 678–79. I meet Mr. Liddle and other members of the No. 10 Policy Unit on a regular basis during the course of my official duties.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Small Businesses
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what plans he has to reduce the level of bureaucracy affecting small business; and if he will make a statement. [49375]

  Dr. David Clark
  I am committed to publishing new guidance, produced by the Better Regulation Unit, which will require Government Departments to make an assessment of risk, cost and benefits of any new regulations affecting business, charities, consumers and, in particular, small business. I hope to publish this guidance by the end of the summer.

  In addition, the Access Business Group, chaired by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Office of Public Service, (which includes representatives of central

  255
  Government, business and local government) is continuing its work to make the regulatory system more transparent, accessible and helpful.

  At the European level, I am working with the European Commission to establish a new mechanism for consulting business direct on new regulatory proposals. A pilot test panel of European businesses, agreed under the UK Presidency, will enable the voice of British business, including small firms, to be heard in Brussels and help reduce unnecessary bureaucracy.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Olympic Bid 2012
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment the Government have made of London's capability to host the Olympic Games in 2012. [50234]

  Mr. Banks
  The British Olympic Association has decided that the next bid for the Olympic Games should be London-based. Like the BOA, the Government is determined that any bid should be of the highest possible quality. My Department is already working closely with the BOA who are conducting comprehensive studies on what is already in place and what needs to be in place to mount a winnable bid, which might well be for the 2012 Games. The BOA makes the nomination in respect of this country and ultimately the decision is entirely a matter for the International Olympic Committee.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what target he sets for the maximum time to respond to letters from hon. Members; what proportion of letters meets that target; and what is the average time taken to respond to a letter from an hon. Member. [49832]

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

  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is the e-mail address of his Department's Ministerial Correspondence Unit. [49834]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  [holding answer 13 July 1998]: The Department's Support Unit can be contacted at the following e-mail address: msu@culture.gov.uk.

  However, all DCMS Ministers can be contacted at their own e-mail addresses which are published on my Department's website (www.culture.gov.uk) as follows:

  chris.smith@culture.gov.uk

  mark.fisher@culture.gov.uk

  tony.banks@culture.gov.uk

  tom.clarke@culture.gov.uk.

  Commonwealth Games
  Mr. Stringer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will attend the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Malaysia; and if he will make a statement. [49964]
  256
  Mr. Banks
  [holding answer 13 July 1998]: The Government will be represented by a Minister from DCMS. I know the games will be a great success, and I extend my very best wishes to all the British competitors.

  NESTA
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what was the process whereby Lord Puttnam was appointed chairman of NESTA; who made the decision; what consultations were carried out; what are his terms of employment and salary; and what is his budget for staff and expenses. [50737]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The process for the appointment of the Chairman of NESTA was based on the principles set down by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Potential candidates were generated from several sources, including a widespread consultation exercise in which over 250 bodies were asked to suggest names, advertisements in national newspapers and suggestions from within Government. All candidates were considered objectively against the same criteria. Lord Puttnam was one of a number who were interviewed by a panel with independent membership. On the basis of its consideration of written applications and of its interviews, the panel recommended to me that Lord Puttnam was eminently suitable for appointment and, in the light of this he was appointed by me after further consultation with colleagues in Government.

  Lord Puttnam has been appointed for a period of three years from 13 July 1998, at a salary of £22,000 per annum for two days' work per week. The budget for NESTA's staff and expenses will be a matter for NESTA's Board, within the resources available to them. The National Lottery Act 1998 allows me to place a limit or limits on NESTA's running costs expenditure, including staffing costs. I have not currently set any such limit. I and my Ministerial colleagues have however repeatedly made clear that we see NESTA and a slimline, unbureaucratic body employing no more than thirty staff.

  British Holidaymakers
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will publish the latest statistics on the numbers of British people taking holidays(a) in the United Kingdom and (b) abroad; and what is his estimate of the current spending difference. [50744]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  The British Tourist Authority (BTA) collects statistics on the number of British people taking holidays in the United Kingdom and abroad in its annual British National Travel Survey.

  The BTA has published the figures for 1997, the latest year for which information is available, in the April 1998 edition of "Tourism Intelligence Quarterly": these figures show that the British spent £17,220m on holidays abroad of four or more nights, £12,410m more than the £4,810m they spent on holidays of four or more nights in Britain.

  Information on short break holidays of less than four nights will be available later in the Summer when the national tourist boards publish their annual United Kingdom Tourism Survey.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Learning Disabilities
  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures she proposes to take to improve the standards of health services for people with learning disabilities in Northern Ireland. [49978]

  Mr. Worthington
  People with a learning disability have access to the full range of health services in Northern Ireland, in keeping with the Government's social inclusion policy. We are committed to continuous improvement of the standards of these services. Our agenda for improvement is set out in "Well Into 2000", published by the Department of Health and Social Services in 1997.

  Railways
  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if her Department will conduct an investigation into the number and thoroughness of safety checks made by Northern Ireland Railways; and if she will make a statement. [49980]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  On 7 July 1998 my noble Friend Lord Dubs, Minister for the Environment in Northern Ireland, announced the appointment of Mr. Christopher Hall, one of Her Majesty's Principal Inspector of Railways to review the conduct and outcome of the current NIR inquiries into 3 recent railways accidents in Northern Ireland and to make recommendation on the further steps, if any, which may need to be taken to address identified safety deficiencies.

  The Minister also announced that Northern Ireland Railways would be commissioning a wider safety scrutiny of NIR operations under terms of reference to be agreed with HM Railway Inspectorate. A senior Railways Inspector will help oversee the wider scrutiny which will include NIR's safety procedures and checks. The main findings and recommendations of the inquiry and the NIR audit will be made public.

  I have arranged for a copy of the terms of reference of the inquiry to be placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what actions the Department of Environment is taking to acquire additional funding for Northern Ireland Railways under the Private Finance Initiative. [49979]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The Department of the Environment is examining with Northern Ireland Railways, the Department of Finance and Personnel and HM Treasury the desirability and practicability of a Private Finance Initiative solution for the replacement of suburban rolling stock and for the provision of integrated bus and rail ticketing and related services.

  This consideration is ongoing.

  Selective Education
  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to her answer of 15 June 1998,Official Report, columns 4–5, what is the exact remit of the major research project on the effects of the selective system on secondary education in Northern Ireland. [49997]
  258
  Mr. Worthington
  The terms of reference for the major research project on the effects of the selective system of secondary education in Northern Ireland are as follows:

  1. To investigate the effects on pupils and their families, teachers, schools and the community of the existing selective structure of secondary education in Northern Ireland, in order to provide a better basis for informed debate on the future structure of secondary education. Particular attention needs to be given to the identification of any differences in opportunity and performance in respect of different socio-economic groups, and especially between the constituent parts of the Northern Ireland community, which may result from the present system and structures. The study should also examine the inter-related effects of selection and open enrolment.

  2. To prepare a Final Report setting out the key findings, supported by quantitative and qualitative evidence, and highlighting the main issues emerging for consideration in light of the research. This report should draw together all the relevant aspects, but may be supported by more detailed papers as necessary. Interim Reports on specific aspects of the project should be prepared and presented to the Department on a schedule to be agreed at the outset of the assignment. The main focus should be on the effects of the selective structure of the secondary sector, though attention should also be given to the effects of the Transfer Procedure. The study should consider how well the present structure serves to promote learning through fostering values and attitudes; raising standards of learning, and providing opportunities for personal development and fulfilment.

  The research team should consult with the DENI Inspectorate where appropriate. The following points should be covered in the investigation and the report:
  1 Pupils

  a. effects of selection on achievement at GCSE level for all groups, including comparison of patterns of achievement by those of similar ability who attend selective and non-selective secondary schools;

  b. effect on patterns of school leavers' destinations, including routes into employment, FE, HE and training and

  c. effects on motivation, self-esteem and social attitudes.

  II Teachers:

  a. effects on teachers' perceptions and expectations of pupils; and

  b. effects on teacher motivation and performance.

  III Secondary Schools:
  a. for both selective and non-selective secondary schools:
  opportunities and constraints in the curriculum, and in particular an assessment of the extent of which selective and non-selective schools provide alternative pathways which meet the different needs of pupils, and the extent to which academic, vocational and pastoral provision are appropriate to the capabilities and needs of all pupils;
  an analysis of the extent and impact of transfer of pupils between selective and non-selective schools; and
  the extent to which NI has more small secondary schools than would be necessary in a non-selective system, and the implications, if any;
  b. For non-selective schools:
  trends in enrolment, and especially the implications of a reduced proportion of higher achieving pupils attending these schools as a result of the increased intakes to selective schools consequent on open enrolment;
  the extent to which the performance of non-selective schools reflects the quality of their intake;
  analysis of the changes in the pattern of ability levels on intake over the last ten years, and the resulting effects on performance; and

  259
  the restoration of pupil self-confidence and motivation in Key Stage 3.
  c. for selective schools:
  the extent to which the performance of selective schools reflects the quality of their intake;
  the extent to which selective schools have adapted their curricular provision to address the wider range of abilities attending these schools as a result of open enrolment; and
  sustaining performance of lower, achieving pupils.
  IV Primary Schools

  a. the researchers should consult with the DENI Inspectorate and CCEA on their findings on the effects of the Transfer Procedure on the implementation of the curriculum, and the nature and content of learning in Key Stage 2.

  b. the extent of coaching, the reasons why it is sought, and the costs and other implications for pupils, parents and schools; and

  c. the consequences of perceptions of transfer procedure performance for enrolment patterns of primary schools.

  V Society

  a. the effects on attitudes to education in both young people and adults;

  b. an analysis of the reasons why some parents choose not to enter their children for the transfer tests; and

  c. the effects of selection on how individuals are perceived by parents, employers, and tertiary education and training providers.

  Assembly
  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans she has to transfer responsibility for decisions regarding the future of hospitals in Northern Ireland to the Northern Ireland Assembly. [49983]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  As envisaged by the Belfast Agreement [Cd 3883], the Government intend to bring forward legislation shortly which will provide for the transfer to the Northern Ireland Assembly of full legislative and executive authority in respect of those matters currently within the responsibility of the six Northern Ireland Government Departments. This will include the transfer of responsibility for decisions regarding the future of hospitals in Northern Ireland.

  Student Tuition Fees
  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if students from Northern Ireland holding British-Irish dual nationality will have their fourth-year fees waived if they attend a Scottish institution of higher education. [49984]

  Mr. Worthington
  No. Eligibility for support towards tuition fees is based on a residence requirement, not nationality.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures the Department of Health and Social Services is taking to ensure that equipment in general practitioner surgeries will be millennium compliant by 31 December. [49981]

  Mr. Worthington
  The Department has written to all GP practices to raise awareness of the Year 2000 issues. It has also facilitated the establishment by the 4 Health and Social Services boards of a special inter-Board Year 260
  2000 Primary Care Group to co-ordinate action and advice necessary to ensure a proper response to the Year 2000 problem across the whole of primary care.

  Guidance on Year 2000 has already been issued to all GP practices and further guidance specified to embedded systems in GP practices is currently being prepared for issue.

  The inter-Board group is arranging for a detailed Year 2000 audit of selected exemplar practices. Results from this audit will be used to inform other practices and will provide a basis for awareness-training for practice staff during Autumn 1998.

  A detailed questionnaire has been issued by HSS Boards to each GP practice seeking information by end-July 1998 on Year 2000 compliance progress.

  The Department will continue to monitor Boards' progress in respect of GP practice Year 2000 compliance.

  Police (Clear-up Rates)
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the clear-up rate for recorded offences in each police district in Northern Ireland in the last five years for which figures are available. [50192]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 14 July 1998]: The percentage clear-up rates for each sub-division of the Royal Ulster Constabulary is shown in the table:

  Division/Sub-Division

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  A Musgrave Street

  45.1

  43.5

  45.7

  47.0

  40.2

  Mountpottinger

  27.5

  29.4

  32.4

  28.5

  26.1

  Donegall Pass

  27.7

  22.6

  19.9

  22.4

  24.6

  Dunmurry

  28.4

  25.3

  25.7

  24.7

  22.9

  B Grosvenor Road

  31.0

  29.6

  30.4

  26.3

  21.8

  Lisburn

  40.7

  35.0

  30.9

  27.0

  29.7

  Woodburn

  33.0

  34.4

  27.0

  23.8

  21.0

  D North Queen Street

  32.8

  31.5

  31.7

  30.3

  27.7

  Antrim Road

  34.9

  32.8

  32.4

  30.4

  26.1

  Antrim

  35.3

  28.4

  32.1

  28.8

  23.8

  Newtownabbey

  32.8

  32.6

  35.8

  32.8

  27.8

  Carrickfergus

  38.7

  37.8

  37.9

  35.1

  36.5

  Tennant Street

  36.8

  32.5

  34.6

  33.3

  33.9

  E Bangor

  29.6

  29.6

  32.9

  30.8

  23.5

  Strandtown

  29.7

  30.8

  35.1

  30.3

  29.2

  Castlereagh

  30.7

  30.7

  33.9

  31.7

  31.4

  G Newtownards

  35.8

  39.1

  39.1

  38.1

  38.6

  Downpatrick

  41.3

  38.1

  35.9

  34.6

  34.1

  Newcastle

  28.8

  26.5

  26.7

  27.4

  27.9

  H Armagh

  35.1

  48.1

  43.4

  42.2

  37.0

  Newry

  42.0

  41.3

  38.3

  31.3

  29.7

  J Portadown

  40.4

  39.4

  40.0

  32.1

  31.6

  Lurgan

  44.1

  41.0

  38.4

  27.2

  33.7

  Banbridge

  44.6

  37.4

  39.3

  32.6

  32.5

  K Dungannon

  38.6

  57.6

  38.8

  42.7

  42.5

  Cookstown

  42.8

  44.7

  43.4

  41.9

  38.1

  L Enniskillen

  40.4

  42.1

  45.6

  39.2

  40.6

  Lisnaskea

  50.8

  52.4

  46.2

  43.8

  47.4

  Omagh

  46.8

  51.7

  40.1

  39.4

  38.6

  N Strand Road

  42.6

  46.6

  46.3

  39.2

  33.8

  Strabane

  45.7

  54.6

  57.7

  47.0

  39.7

  Waterside

  41.5

  44.1

  42.2

  38.1

  37.2

  O Coleraine

  38.3

  33.7

  37.2

  38.5

  33.0

  Limavady

  42.8

  47.0

  46.2

  41.0

  39.4

  Magherafelt

  42.8

  48.8

  51.4

  43.5

  42.0

  P Ballymena

  32.4

  31.2

  36.1

  42.4

  33.4

  Ballymoney

  46.7

  45.1

  38.5

  42.1

  43.2

  Larne

  42.2

  39.5

  40.2

  36.2

  38.7

  Motorists (Crimes)
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many motorists were(a) charged with and (b) convicted of (i) failure to accord precedence at pedestrian crossings, (ii) failure to comply with traffic signs, (iii) speeding offences, (iv) driving after consuming alcohol or taking drugs and (v) reckless driving in Northern Ireland in (1) 1994, (2) 1995, (3) 1996 and (4) 1997. [50191]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 14 July 1998]: The information requested at (a) is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  The table shows the number of persons against whom proceedings have been taken and the number found guilty.

  Offence

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  Failing to stop at a pelican crossing

  Proceeded against

  0

  2

  0

  0

  Found guilty

  0

  1

  0

  0

  Failure to comply with traffic signs

  Proceeded against

  260

  278

  205

  226

  Found guilty

  236

  260

  186

  203

  Speeding offences

  Proceeded against

  2,400

  2,279

  2,423

  3,039

  Found guilty

  2,360

  2,204

  2,349

  2,948

  Drink/drugs related motoring offences

  Proceeded against

  3,224

  3,019

  2,596

  2,443

  Found guilty

  3,127

  2,939

  2,501

  2,350

  Reckless driving offences

  Proceeded against

  364

  445

  368

  353

  Found guilty

  339

  408

  329

  324

  Pedestrian Accidents
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) children and (b) adults were (i) killed, (ii) seriously injured and (iii) slightly injured on or near pedestrian crossings in Northern Ireland in (1) 1994, (2) 1995, (3) 1996 and (4) 1997. [50222]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 14 July 1998]: The number of casualties on or near pedestrian crossings for the years in question are shown in the table.

  Year

  Killed

  Serious injury

  Slight injury

  1994

  Children

  1

  18

  48

  Adults

  5

  34

  123

  1995

  Children

  1

  24

  57

  Adults

  8

  39

  102

  1996

  Children

  1

  15

  61

  Adults

  3

  35

  125

  1997

  Children

  1

  17

  67

  Adults

  4

  40

  111

  Irish Language
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate she has made of the number of people in Northern Ireland who speak Irish. [50225]

  Mr. Worthington
  [holding answer 14 July 1998]: The most reliable information is from the last Census in 1991 when a total of 142,003 people in Northern Ireland claimed some degree of ability in the Irish language with 131,974 indicating an ability to speak Irish. Revised figures will be available after the next Census in 2001.

  Narey Report
  Mr. McNulty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress the Northern Ireland Prison Service has made in implementing the recommendation of the Narey report which was laid before this House on 2 April. [51261]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Narey Report contained 59 recommendations mainly concerned with improving security at HMP Maze. Management of Maze has made considerable progress in taking forward those recommendations.

  Forty recommendations relate specifically to procedural and operational matters. Of these, 23 either have been, or are about to be, implemented. These include revised procedures for children's parties which will be applied to the annual summer children's parties over the coming weeks. Twelve require further work and five have been referred to Her Majesty's Inspector of Prisons for advice.

  Fifteen recommendations, some of which will involve the provision of additional physical security measures, relate to staff-search procedures, the staffing and security arrangements for visits and the protection of the Block-roofs. A considerable amount of work has already been done by the three working groups and further work is in hand. In particular enhanced searching and training has been introduced and a new system of roof protection has been devised and is being piloted.

  Four recommendations dealt mainly with matters which the Northern Ireland Prison Service was required to consider. Two have been implemented and a third awaits greater clarity on the future of the prison in the medium term. The post of Governor has been advertised but as yet a suitable candidate has not been found, and other options are being pursued.

  The Narey Report pointed the way forward for improving security at HMP Maze. A good deal of progress has been made. The prison is now a safer and more secure environment but we are determined to ensure that momentum for improvement will be maintained. To this end, and going beyond the Narey recommendations, we have introduced a Security Audit Unit to continuously monitor and report on security standards in all establishments.

  Industrial Research and Technology Unit
  Dr. Godman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what key performance targets have been set for the Industrial Research and Technology Unit for the financial year 1998–99. [51263]
  263
  Marjorie Mowlam
  IRTU's key strategic targets are to raise the level of industrial R&D in Northern Ireland and to operate efficiently and effectively. In that context, the following key targets have been set for the agency for 1998–99.

  1. To achieve new user participation in the Compete Programme of 10 per cent.

  2. To increase the average industry contribution to projects funded under the Compete Programme by 1 per cent.

  3. To achieve an increase in R&D projects under the pre-competitive Start Programme of 20 per cent.

  4. To achieve full cost recovery for scientific services.

  5. To maintain UKAS Accreditation for Scientific Services.

  Business Development Service
  Mr. McWalter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what key performance targets have been set for the Business Development Service to be achieved by April 1999. [51264]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The Business Development Service is an executive agency of the Department of Finance and Personnel. I have set a number of key performance targets for the Agency to achieve by April 1999, as follows:

  at least 90 per cent. of customers to be satisfied with the services that they have received;

  at least 90 per cent. of customers to be satisfied with the way in which services were provided to them;

  to achieve levels of efficiency savings in total running costs of 3 per cent. over the allocation for 1997–1998;

  to demonstrate, on a national basis and within the context of service level agreements (where these apply), that the Agency would recover the full cost of its operations from its customers; and

  to achieve the Investors in People (IIP) standard by 31 March 1998.

  Copies of the Agency's Corporate and Business Plans for 1998 to 2001 have been placed in the Library.

WALES

  Correspondence
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans his Department has to correspond electronically with(a) hon. Members and (b) members of the public. [49827]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  [holding answer 13 July 1998]: My Department has no plans at present to communicate routinely with Members of Parliament and the public by electronic means, although external e-mail facilities will be available later this year. The Department will use whatever form of communication is appropriate to suit particular circumstances.

  Carmarthenshire NHS Trust
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 7 July 1998,Official Report, column 504, on the proposed location of the headquarters for the Carmarthenshire NHS trust, if he will publish the policy guidelines referred to. [50538]
  264
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The policy guidelines are those detailed in the Capital Investment Manual. The manual provides detailed guidance for each of the main stages of capital schemes. A copy is in the Library.

  Dyfed Powys Health Authority
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 7 July 1998,Official Report, column 503, if he will provide a breakdown of the recurring additional cost of £285,000; and if this figure is an annual recurring figure. [50531]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The additional costs subject to management arrangements confirmed by the new Trust Board, if approved, will be:

  £

  Locality management

  200,000

  Standardisation

  75,000

  Protected staff costs (eg travel costs)

  10,000

  The first two items will be annual recurring costs, while the third will be phased out in line with changing staff conditions.

  Outdoor Education Centres
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on outdoor education centres in Wales; and what financial provision he has made for them in the current financial year. [50482]

  Mr. Hain
  Outdoor education centres are the responsibility of the operator, usually a local authority or an independent provider. No direct Welsh Office funding is provided for such centres.

  Llanllyfni Bypass
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to announce(a) the results of the public inquiry and (b) his decision on Llanllyfni bypass. [50830]

  Mr. Hain
  The A487 Llanwnda-Llanllyfni scheme is subject to the current review of the Welsh trunk road programme. A report on the review will be published later this month.

  Inward Investment
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the prospects for further inward investment in Wales. [51212]

  Mr. Hain
  Our track record on inward investment is excellent. Over 300 overseas-owned manufacturing companies employing over 75,000 people in a range of industries including aerospace, consumer and office electronics, automotive components, chemicals and pharmaceuticals. These companies have been attracted by
  265
  a number of factors, not least the quality of the workforce, high levels of productivity, a sound infrastructure and the assistance offered by the organisations involved.

  The establishment of the National Assembly will strengthen Wales' ability to provide the right environment in which companies can succeed and prosper. Despite increasing competition for inward investment, the prospects for Wales remain good.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Gender Impact Assessments
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, 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. [49094]

  Ms Quin
  Guidance on policy appraisal for equal treatment has been available within the Home Office since 1989, with revised guidance issued in August 1997.

  Within this Department, where appropriate and possible, we are making use of consultation, research projects and disaggregated statistics to identify the impact of policy on women. For example, we have conducted research aimed at understanding the sentencing of women. Examples of bodies with which I have had correspondence include the Maternity Alliance, Women in Prison and the Mother's Union. Furthermore, the Cabinet Sub Committee on Women's Issues, on which I am the Home Office representative, reviews and develops the Government's policy and strategy on issues of special concern to women and oversees their implementation. The importance of seeing the implications for women of all policies is discussed.

  Lobbyists
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the meetings(a) Ministers and (b) special advisers in his Department have had with lobbying companies since 1 May 1997. [49668]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 9 July 1998]: Ministers, their Special Advisers and other civil servants meet many people in the course of their work. This properly includes meetings with interest groups outside Government; indeed one of the specific functions of Special Advisers is to liaise with such interest groups. This liaison is intended to help Ministers draw upon outside contributions—from academics, think-tanks, trade and industry associations, trade unions, lobby groups and others, as well as relevant experience from other countries—during the process of policy analysis and development. By convention, it is not the practice of Governments to make information on such meetings or their content publicly available—a principle reflected in the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information published in January 1997.
  266
  Special Advisers and other civil servants must observe the requirements of propriety: for instance, they must not provide confidential information without authorisation or allow improper influence on policy. Any breach of these requirements could be a disciplinary offence.

  CS Gas
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, (1) pursuant to his answer of 16 June 1998,Official Report, columns 173–74, on CS spray, if he will place in the Library a copy of the report arising out of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency's literature review on possible alternative solvents at the end of 1997; [49998]

  (2) pursuant to his answer of 16 June 1998, Official Report, columns 173–74, on CS spray, if he will place in the Library a copy of the specification issued by the Association of Chief Police Officers on the purchase of CS sprays; and on what date this specification was issued. [49999]

  Mr. Michael
  The specification issued jointly by the Association of Chief Police Officers and the Police Scientific Development Branch was issued to chief police officers in March 1997. Copies of the specification and of the report arising out of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency's literature review of possible alternative solvents are available in the Library.

  Non-criminal Prisoners
  Ms Drown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total cost to the public purse of keeping non-criminal offenders (excluding fine defaulters) in prison for each year from 1992 to 1997. [50328]

  Ms Quin
  The information is not available in the form requested, as the Prison Service does not record costs by type of prisoner or offence. However, the average cost per uncrowded prison place, defined as current expenditure per baseline Certified Normal Accommodation, is one of the Prison Service's Key Performance Indicators. The figures for the years 1992 to 1997, in cash terms, are:

  1992–93: £22,723

  1993–94: £23,080

  1994–95: £23,391

  1995–96: £24,178

  1996–97: £24,271.

  Ms Drown
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of(a) men and (b) women convicted of (i) defaulting on a fine and (ii) non-criminal offences, excluding fine defaulting, were given custodial sentences in each year from 1992 to 1997. [50397]

  Ms Quin
  The available information is for the number of fine defaulters and non-criminal prisoners received into prisons. The table shows information for the years 1992 to 1997. Information on the total number of persons who default on the payment of a fine, and hence the proportion of those who are imprisoned, is not recorded centrally. It
  267
  is also not recorded centrally what other orders are made in the circumstances in which persons are committed to prison as civil prisoners.

  Receptions into prison: fine defaulters and non-criminals, by gender, 1992–97

  Fine defaulters

  Non-criminals

  Males

  Females

  Males

  Females

  1992

  18,782

  1,044

  2,968

  141

  1993

  21,097

  1,306

  4,756

  317

  1994

  21,015

  1,454

  4,217

  290

  1995

  18,787

  1,370

  3,611

  178

  1996

  8,094

  461

  2,994

  134

  19971

  5,964

  372

  3,063

  141

  1Provisional

  Youth Justice Board
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, (1) pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Northampton, North (Ms Keeble) of 30 June 1998,Official Report, column 142, regarding the Chairman of the Youth Justice Board, if he will list the (a) legal qualifications and (b) experience of working with victims of crime of the successful candidate for Chairman of the Youth Justice Board; [50416]

  (2) what assessment he made of the advantages and disadvantages of requiring political independence on the part of the Chairman of the Youth Justice Board. [50380]

  Mr. Straw
  The competition for Chair of the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales was conducted in line with guidance from the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments ('Nolan' procedures).

  The Information for Applicants for the Chair and Board Members of the Youth Justice Board describes the role of the Chair and sets out the following essential experience:

  Knowledge of the youth justice system;

  Senior management experience, including strategic and/or resource management at senior level; and

  Experience of working with Government.

  It also states:
  'Members of the board must include individuals who appear to the Home Secretary to have knowledge of the youth justice system. It will be desirable for Members of the Board between them to have experience of the following services: business; child and adolescent mental health services; courts dealing with young offenders; education services; legal services; police; probation; secure facilities for young people; social services; services for victims and young people.'
  'Members will need to be objective and open-minded, able to act in an independent capacity and to deal with gender and race issues in a criminal justice context. They will need to be able to work effectively with providers of services for young people in the youth justice system. They will not be expected to represent particular professional associations or viewpoints.'

  I am glad to say that the selection panels for the Youth Justice Board are at pains to ensure that all qualified candidates for appointment as Member (including the Chair) have the necessary impartiality for their task and fully meet the requirements for their posts specified above.
  268
  The Chair-designate is not a qualified lawyer, and has not worked directly with victims of crime (although he has played a significant role advising on the Government's policies for supporting victims).

  Harassment
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons have been prosecuted under section 4 of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997; how many prosecutions have resulted in a conviction; and if he will make a statement. [50429]

  Mr. Michael
  Section 4 of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997—Putting people in fear of violence—came into force on 16 June 1997.

  Provisional court proceedings data for 1997 show 243 prosecutions under section 4 of the Act, which resulted in 76 convictions. In addition, 51 cautions have been recorded provisionally for the offence.

  Non-custodial Sentences
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons' statement to the Home Affairs Committee concerning the proportion of women prisoners and of young and adult prisoners who could be better dealt with through non-custodial sentences; and if he will make a statement. [50619]

  Mr. Michael
  We are aware of no evidence to support the contention that 30 per cent. of prisoners should"self-evidently not be in prison".

  Evidence could only be obtained by detailed case by case analysis by experienced sentencers. Statistically, it would require over half of the offenders convicted of non-sexual or violent offences currently in prison to be given non-custodial sentences instead (including burglars, drug offenders and persistent offenders).

  The Government are anxious to ensure that prison is used only when necessary and appropriate, so we are taking a range of measures to ensure that this is the case. In the Crime and Disorder Bill [Lords], we are introducing tough new community penalties for drug misusers and juvenile offenders, including the drug treatment and testing order, the action plan order and the reparation order. We are also keen to make greater use of modern technology and we have recently extended the areas where curfew orders can be enforced by electronic monitoring. Provisions in the Crime and Disorder Bill will also enable short-term prisoners to be released early on home detention curfew.

  Similarly, the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997 contains provisions allowing courts to impose community service orders or curfew orders on fine defaulters and persistent petty offenders and to impose driving disqualifications for non-motoring offences and fine default. These provisions are being introduced initially through pilot schemes in Norfolk and Manchester which began in January. The Act also widens the power to impose attendance centre orders on fine defaulters to include 21–24 year olds.

  Reconviction Rates
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what statistics his Department collates on re-offending rates among offenders sentenced to fines; and if he will make a statement. [50598]

  Mr. Michael
  Reconviction rates within two years of sentence are calculated from time to time for all court disposals relating to standard list offences (all indictable and some more serious summary offences). This is done by extracting sample criminal career information from data held on the Home Office Offenders Index. Two figures are usually produced: the actual reconviction rates; and those predicted by taking into account a range of offender characteristics (such as age, gender, criminal history and current offence). These rates are not routinely published, but estimated figures for those fined are given in the table:

  Reconviction rates within two years of sentence for offenders fined for standard list offences

  1987

  1991

  1993

  1994

  Reconviction rate1

  30

  37

  47

  45

  Predicted rate

  40

  42

  49

  46

  Number sampled

  2,698

  7,605

  7,218

  6,275

  1A change in coverage slightly increased the reconviction rate for those sentenced in 1994

  There are difficulties in comparing reconviction rates for 1993 and 1994 with those for earlier years, in that the sentencing structure was altered by the Criminal Justice Act 1991 (implemented on 1 October 1992). A unit fine scheme operated up until 20 September 1993. A large part of the increase in the reconviction rate between 1991 and 1993 can be accounted for by changes in predicted rates (the reconviction rate increases by 10 percentage points and the predicted rate increases by 7 percentage points).

  It should be borne in mind that the figures quoted relate only to those fined for standard list offences. They do not necessarily reflect the reoffending behaviour of the many offenders who are fined for offences not on the standard list.

  Police Staffing
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what proportion of the extra funding from his Department for the police in each of the last three years was allocated to police recruitment and staff expenditure in each police force; and if he will make a statement; [50600]

  (2) if validated figures for the number of police officers per police force in England and Wales on 31 March are available. [50603]

  Mr. Michael
  Information on the number of police officers per police force on 31 March 1998 is contained in the table. It is not known what proportion of the additional £100 million provided by the Government to police forces over the years 1996/97 to 1998/99 has been used for police recruitment and staff expenditure. It is for individual chief constables to determine the number of police officers in their force area, within the total resources available to them. The table shows the changes in police numbers since 31 March 1996.
  270
  One of the mistakes of the last Government was to promise increases in police numbers. In the Police and Magistrates' Courts Act 1994, they handed to chief constables the freedom to decide whether to use available resources on employing police officers or on other expenditure, such as information technology. We attached no condition to the extra £40 million we provided to the police in England and Wales in 1998/99.

  Police Manpower

  31 March 1996

  31 March 1997

  31 March 1998

  Avon and Somerset

  2,981.0

  2,988.8

  2,975.9

  Bedfordshire

  1,127.7

  1,093.6

  1,078.5

  Cambridgeshire

  1,238.1

  1,302.0

  1,291.4

  Cheshire

  1,997.9

  2,045.5

  2,035.9

  City of London

  869.5

  858.9

  824.9

  Cleveland

  1,420.3

  1,459.3

  1,483.4

  Cumbria

  1,115.0

  1,143.5

  1,163.5

  Derbyshire

  1,763.1

  1,790.6

  1,772.2

  Devon and Cornwall

  2,898.9

  2,864.5

  2,961.5

  Dorset

  1,263.0

  1,284.0

  1,310.0

  Durham

  1,401.0

  1,460.5

  1,514.8

  Dyfed-Powys

  991.0

  1,004.5

  1,002.3

  Essex

  2,884.3

  2,960.7

  2,928.5

  Gloucestershire

  1,132.7

  1,132.6

  1,103.9

  Greater Manchester

  6,938.0

  6,921.6

  6,948.7

  Gwent

  1,043.5

  1,243.0

  1,232.8

  Hampshire

  3,347.1

  3,451.7

  3,489.5

  Hertfordshire

  1,712.0

  1,759.1

  1,739.9

  Humberside

  2,041.0

  2,045.0

  2,021.2

  Kent

  3,120.1

  3,260.1

  3,251.8

  Lancashire

  3,171.0

  3,247.5

  3,257.1

  Leicestershire

  1,908.3

  1,948.8

  1,983.1

  Lincolnshire

  1,144.6

  1,196.4

  1,191.1

  Merseyside

  4,411.0

  4,230.4

  4,217.4

  Metropolitan Police

  27,343.0

  26,677.3

  26,192.7

  Norfolk

  1,401.0

  1,431.6

  1,429.6

  Northamptonshire

  1,152.5

  1,176.7

  1,168.7

  Northumbria

  3,668.3

  3,676.8

  3,766.7

  North Wales

  1,377.5

  1,369.0

  1,396.0

  North Yorkshire

  1,324.4

  1,337.6

  1,367.2

  Nottinghamshire

  2,317.7

  2,323.4

  2,322.6

  South Wales

  3,027.0

  2,975.9

  2,986.2

  South Yorkshire

  3,073.1

  3,158.7

  3,182.0

  Staffordshire

  2,208.8

  2,211.1

  2,292.1

  Suffolk

  1,137.8

  1,179.7

  1,185.8

  Surrey

  1,643.8

  1,619.5

  1,608.4

  Sussex

  3,073.5

  3,084.9

  3,037.7

  Thames Valley

  3,674.0

  3,695.0

  3,775.5

  Warwickshire

  979.0

  925.9

  924.1

  West Mercia

  2,016.8

  2,040.2

  2,011.8

  West Midlands

  7,145.1

  7,112.7

  7,156.5

  West Yorkshire

  5,142.0

  5,208.8

  5,154.7

  Wiltshire

  1,218.5

  1,154.3

  1,148.3

  Total

  124,843.9

  125,051.7

  124,885.9

  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of police officers per head of population, (i) per police force and (ii) in total for the last date for which figures are available and in each of the three preceding years. [50597]
  271
  Mr. Michael
  The information requested is set out in the table.

  The population figures are those provided by the Office for National Statistics. For 1997–98, the population figures used are the same as for 1996–97 (mid 1996); mid 1997 population figures will not be available until later this year.

  Head of population per police officer by police force area

  Police force

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–981

  Avon and Somerset

  486

  491

  491

  493

  Bedfordshire

  482

  484

  502

  509

  Cambridgeshire

  545

  560

  540

  545

  Cheshire

  505

  490

  479

  481

  City of London

  6

  6

  6

  6

  Cleveland

  390

  394

  382

  376

  Cumbria

  420

  440

  429

  422

  Derbyshire

  531

  543

  537

  543

  Devon and Cornwall

  533

  532

  539

  521

  Dorset

  523

  537

  531

  521

  Durham

  449

  434

  416

  401

  Dyfed-Powys

  485

  478

  475

  476

  Essex

  513

  522

  511

  517

  Gloucestershire

  472

  488

  491

  504

  Greater Manchester

  366

  372

  372

  371

  Gwent

  454

  434

  447

  451

  Hampshire

  531

  520

  508

  502

  Hertfordshire

  501

  501

  491

  496

  Humberside

  438

  436

  434

  439

  Kent

  496

  497

  478

  479

  Lancashire

  443

  450

  439

  437

  Leicestershire

  499

  484

  476

  468

  Lincolnshire

  505

  535

  515

  517

  Merseyside

  308

  324

  336

  337

  Metropolitan Police

  271

  274

  284

  289

  Norfolk

  551

  551

  543

  543

  Northamptonshire

  515

  520

  514

  517

  Northumbria

  400

  392

  390

  381

  North Wales

  481

  478

  479

  470

  North Yorkshire

  559

  552

  549

  537

  Nottinghamshire

  445

  445

  444

  444

  South Wales

  441

  440

  414

  413

  South Yorkshire

  429

  424

  413

  410

  Staffordshire

  473

  478

  477

  461

  Suffolk

  545

  577

  561

  558

  Surrey

  460

  472

  480

  483

  Sussex

  494

  476

  477

  485

  Thames Valley

  524

  557

  559

  547

  Warwickshire

  490

  509

  541

  542

  West Mercia

  546

  552

  548

  556

  West Midlands

  374

  369

  372

  369

  West Yorkshire

  417

  410

  405

  409

  Wiltshire

  465

  485

  514

  517

  Total

  412

  415

  416

  416

  1Based on provisional police strength figures as at 31 March 1998

  Street Robberies
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to ensure better co-operation between the Metropolitan Police and the British Transport Police to reduce the number of robberies occurring in the vicinity of underground and railway stations and to reduce the means of escape they offer to criminals. [50578]

  Mr. Michael
  The deployment of staff and use of resources are operational decisions for the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police and the Chief Constable of the British Transport Police. The Commissioner has confirmed to me that the Metropolitan Police and British Transport Police have a close working relationship. They 272
  co-operate and share information, and in relation to street robbery they work together in partnership under the banner of Operation "Eagle Eye".

  Operation "Eagle Eye" is an initiative set up specifically to tackle street robbery through the collection and analysis of information about crimes and known offenders, together with sophisticated policing techniques to arrest street robbers. The Commissioner tells me that this initiative has led to a 5 per cent. fall in the number of robbery offences recorded in the year to March 1998.

  Firearms
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list the international bodies or groups as members of which the Government have taken part in discussions on firearms matters since May 1997; and if he will indicate the topics discussed; [50540]

  (2) if he will list the non-Governmental organisations invited by him to take part in international discussions on firearms matters. [50539]

  Mr. Michael
  On 26 June 1997, the Council of Ministers of the European Union adopted the European Union programme for Preventing and Combating Illicit Trafficking in Conventional Arms. The Government have also taken part in discussions within the United Nations Crime Commission, which adopted a Resolution in April entitled: "Measures to regulate firearms for the purpose of combating illicit trafficking in firearms". Additionally, a statement of principles and action plan to combat illegal manufacturing and trafficking of firearms was drawn up by a Sub-Group of the G8 Lyon Group on Transnational Organised Crime and endorsed at the Birmingham Summit in May. The United Nations Small Arms Panel has considered ways to prevent and combat the accumulation of small arms to help avoid the destabilisation of countries engaged in conflict.

  No non-governmental organisations have been invited to take part in these discussions.

  Charities
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to reply to the letter of 11 May 1998 from the hon. Member for Aylesbury concerning the status of charities. [50616]

  Mr. Michael
  I replied to the hon. Member on 26 June. I will send the hon. Member a copy of my reply.

  Magistrates
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to extend the training of lay magistrates prior to their sitting on the bench. [49875]

  Mr. Hoon
  I have been asked to reply.

  By statute the responsibility for organising and delivering training to meet these requirements rests with individual Magistrates' Courts Committees.

  Under the present training arrangements magistrates are required to attend prescribed induction training for a total of 12 hours and undertake visits of observation to their own and another magistrates' court before they commence sitting.
  273
  New training arrangements are to be introduced over a twelve month period commencing in September 1998. Under these new arrangements magistrates will have to acquire and demonstrate through a process of appraisal, a range of identified competencies appropriate to the areas of work of the magistrates' court they are engaged in. Appraisal will be conducted by an experienced magistrate colleague, specially selected and suitably trained.

  Newly appointed magistrates will receive some training in basic competencies and undertake visits of observation to their own and another magistrates' court before they commence sitting.

  Training and development to achieve the competencies required for the adult court will continue through a process of attending courses and experience gained through sitting in court.

  On appointment, new magistrates will be assigned an experienced magistrate colleague, specially selected and suitably trained, who will act as a mentor to them, to provide information, advice, support and guidance and help them identify and apply the learning related to the required competencies derived from the experience of sitting and to apply the learning obtained from attending courses to sitting in court.

  A magistrate who fails to demonstrate the acquisition of the required competencies and, despite further training and development opportunities, shows no further progress towards attaining the competencies will be referred to the Local Advisory Committee who may then recommend to the Lord Chancellor that the magistrate be removed from sitting on the bench.

TREASURY

  Personal Pensions
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the progress being made by firms in resolving their reviews of personal pensions. [51262]

  Progress by pensions firms in resolving cases of personal pensions mis-selling in the period to the end of June 1998

  A

  B

  C

  D

  E

  F

  G

  H

  Under 50% of cases resolved

  DBS

  1,965

  400

  392

  101

  291

  165

  8

  34

  Financial options

  399

  146

  48

  22

  26

  24

  6

  48

  Burns Anderson

  1,210

  335

  327

  150

  132

  99

  8

  48

  50–75% of cases resolved

  Gan

  11,915

  1,610

  6,242

  661

  5,581

  4,305

  36

  55

  Countrywide

  4,879

  2,501

  281

  172

  109

  85

  2

  57

  Abbey Life

  17,544

  4,768

  6,904

  1,096

  5,808

  5,158

  29

  63

  Lincoln National

  13,342

  1,934

  7,789

  1,174

  6,615

  5,302

  40

  63

  Windsor Life

  9,582

  3,505

  3,060

  299

  2,761

  2,258

  24

  63

  London and Manchester

  8,466

  1,356

  4,862

  558

  4,304

  3,859

  46

  68

  Hill Samuel

  6,150

  867

  3,845

  661

  3,184

  2,855

  46

  71

  Colonial

  8,495

  2,724

  4,094

  474

  3,620

  2,918

  34

  72

  Friends Provident

  6,994

  1,104

  4,419

  660

  3,759

  3,307

  47

  73

  Canada Life

  5,593

  376

  4,270

  605

  3,665

  3,119

  56

  73

  Nat West

  15,208

  4,647

  7,631

  1,108

  6,523

  5,479

  36

  74

  Berkeley Independent

  181

  111

  23

  19

  4

  4

  2

  74

  Standard Life

  7,130

  825

  4,892

  1,106

  3,786

  3,349

  47

  74

  274
  Mrs. Liddell
  On 17 June 1998,Official Report, columns 208–10, I published figures showing the progress being made in the period ending 31 May by the 41 firms I have been monitoring for the last year. The table shows the progress made in the period up to the end of June by 29 of the 41 firms. Most of these firms have continued to make good progress, and only 3 firms have resolved under 50 per cent. of their cases. These are networks of independent financial advisers, and were among the firms I met on 7 July.

  When I met senior representatives of the 41 firms last summer, I challenged them to meet or to better the targets set for them by the regulators, and made clear to them that I would publish progress statistics collected from them monthly. In my oral statement to the House on 18 November 1997, Official Report, columns 155–63, I said that I would remove from this list the name of any firm once it had achieved its target for resolving priority cases.

  The Personal Investment Authority (PIA) have informed me that information provided to them indicates that, consistent with the deadlines they were set, 12 firms appear to have made every proper effort to obtain investors' acceptance of offers of redress. The names of these 12 firms have therefore been removed from the list. The firms are AXA Equity & Law, Barclays Life, Britannic Assurance, Commercial Union, Godwins, Guardian, Lloyds TSB, Midland Bank, Norwich Union, Prudential, Royal and Sun Alliance and United Assurance.

  I should emphasise, however, that this does not mean that their work is over. The regulators will continue to monitor firms to see that they follow through on offers of redress in a timely manner and establish the arrangements necessary to honour guarantees of pensions rights. Looking to the future, firms must also tackle the next phase of the review of personal pensions, which in general terms concerns the cases of people whose need for redress is less urgent. This second phase of the review was the subject of a consultation by the regulators ending in May this year, and they will shortly be announcing the way forward. I hope all firms will respond constructively.
  275

  Progress by pensions firms in resolving cases of personal pensions mis-selling in the period to the end of june 1998

  A

  B

  C

  D

  E

  F

  G

  H

  Over 75% of cases resolved

  CIS

  43,679

  5,346

  31,446

  13,395

  18,051

  14,249

  33

  76

  IFA Network

  365

  122

  161

  107

  54

  48

  13

  76

  Sedgwick

  16,597

  8,673

  4,348

  1,665

  2,683

  2,417

  15

  77

  Sun Life of Canada

  28,038

  11,730

  12,386

  2,380

  10,006

  8,508

  30

  81

  Albany Life

  2,970

  666

  2,107

  195

  1,912

  1,537

  52

  81

  Equitable Life

  7,584

  1,895

  4,657

  1,691

  2,966

  2,687

  35

  83

  Allied Dunbar

  19,385

  4,133

  13,413

  3,687

  9,726

  8,246

  43

  83

  M&E Network

  319

  175

  108

  28

  77

  65

  20

  84

  Hogg Robinson

  2,226

  810

  1,191

  401

  790

  675

  30

  85

  Legal & General

  36,738

  15,093

  19,363

  1,812

  17,551

  14,668

  40

  86

  Pearl

  47,125

  3,956

  39,500

  5,633

  33,867

  31,548

  67

  87

  Wesleyan

  4,185

  293

  3,535

  1,001

  2,534

  2,368

  57

  88

  Royal London

  12,971

  1,140

  11,694

  1,521

  10,173

  9,569

  74

  94

  A: cases identified as requiring review

  B: of A, cases where investor was informed that information gained during assessment excluded cases from review

  C: number of assessments completed

  D: cases where the investor has been informed that no redress is due

  E: cases where redress has been offered

  F: cases where redress has been accepted

  G: cases where redress has been accepted as a percentage of cases identified for review ((F/A)x100)

  H: cases resolved, including exclusions, as a percentage of cases identified for review (((B+D+F)/A)x100)

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Court Transcripts
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will take steps to allow members of the public to view court transcripts without charge. [49754]

  Mr. Hoon
  Members of the public can, with the permission of the court, obtain from private contractors transcripts of hearings held in open court provided they do not involve sensitive issues, such as child abuse. However, transcribers are entitled to charge for this, or for copying the transcript if one has already been made. There are no plans to provide transcripts free of charge.

  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will take steps to ensure that copies of court transcripts are made available free of charge. [49753]

  Mr. Hoon
  There are no plans to provide copies of transcripts free of charge. The Court Service pays for transcripts required for appeal purposes. Only between 5–10 per cent. of cases are transcribed for the Court of Appeal at a cost of approximately £700,000 pa. The increased demand, if transcripts were made freely available, would not, in my judgment make the best use of taxpayers' money.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is his Department's average response time to correspondence from members of the public; and how such response times are monitored. [48670]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Lord Chancellor's Department has a 20 working day target for responding to correspondence from members of the public and monitors performance against this target. The average response time in 1997–98 was 15.7 working days for the Chancellor's Department Headquarters and 13 working days for the 276
  Court Service Headquarters. Information on average response time for the courts and the Public Trust Office is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans his Department has to correspond electronically with(a) hon. Members and (b) members of the public. [49836]

  Mr. Hoon
  The information is as follows:

  (a) Hon. Members can e-mail the Lord Chancellor's Department's Ministerial Correspondence Unit at: mcu.lcd@gtnet.gov.uk

  (b) Members of the public can e-mail the Department at: enquiries.lcdhq@gtnet.gov.uk.

  The Lord Chancellor's Department website (http//www.open.gov.uk/lcd) also provides a number of other e-mail addresses for more specific contacts, such as for responses to consultation papers. In addition, it is expected that the Lord Chancellor's Department will be linked to the Government Secure Intranet by the end of this year.

  Magistrates
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the (i) ethnic and (ii) religious background of(a) lay magistrates, (b) stipendiary magistrates and (c) Recorders in (1) numerical and (2) percentage terms. [49953]

  Mr. Hoon
  The table sets out the figures for the number and percentage of lay magistrates, stipendiary magistrates, acting stipendiary magistrates and recorders of ethnic minority origin. The figures for lay magistrates are based on a survey (excluding the Duchy of Lancaster) conducted in 1997 to which 94% of lay magistrates responded. The figures for the other judicial office holders are believed to be correct but because candidates for judicial appointments were not asked for information
  277
  about their ethnic origin before October 1991, the data may be incomplete. Candidates are not asked to provide details of their religious background.

  Post

  Total

  Of ethnic minority origin

  Percentage

  Lay magistrates

  25,124

  1,026

  4.1

  Stipendiary magistrates

  88

  2

  2.3

  Acting Stipendiary magistrates

  114

  4

  3.5

  Recorders

  836

  13

  1.5

  Court Waiting Times
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what was the average length of time between charge and verdict for(a) all offenders and (b) young offenders, in each of the most recent five years for which records are available. [50065]

  Mr. Hoon
  The exact information requested is not available and could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost. The nearest information available is given in the table.

  The majority of criminal cases are completed in magistrates' courts. From a survey of approximately 4,000 defendants (450 youth defendants) each year the average time from charge/summons to completion in the magistrates' courts is as follows:

  Sample size

  Average time from charge/summons to completion (weeks)

  All defendants

  1993

  4,435

  15.2

  1994

  4,092

  16

  1995

  4,161

  16.8

  1996

  3,551

  17

  1997

  3,704

  17.2

  Youth defendants

  1993

  335

  15.2

  1994

  415

  16.2

  1995

  567

  17.2

  1996

  447

  17

  1997

  524

  17

  Cases in the Crown Court are committed there by the magistrates' courts. From a survey of approximately 4,000 defendants (200 youth defendants) each year, the average time from charge/summons to committal to the Crown Court is as follows:

  Sample size

  Average time from charge/summons to committal (weeks)

  All defendants

  1993

  4,431

  14.5

  1994

  4,034

  15

  1995

  3,836

  15.2

  1996

  3,993

  15.1

  1997

  4,450

  15.8

  278

  Sample size

  Average time from charge/summons to committal (weeks)

  Youth defendants

  1993

  61

  12.7

  1994

  122

  15

  1995

  102

  14.4

  1996

  140

  14

  1997

  214

  15.2

  The average time from committal to the Crown Court to the start of the main hearing is as follows:

  All defendants

  Average time from date of committal to start of main hearing (weeks)

  1993

  12

  1994

  13.1

  1995

  16.1

  1996

  16.7

  1997

  16.2

  Note:

  This information includes all cases in the Crown Court, but is not available for youth defendants

  Conditional Fees
  Mr. Michael J. Foster
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the responses to the consultation paper, "Access to Justice with Conditional Fees", and on the measures the Government proposes to take. [51371]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Lord Chancellor has today placed in the Libraries of both Houses a summary of the responses to the Consultation Paper. The Government remain committed to achieving the aims set out in the consultation paper of extending access to justice and beginning the process of refocusing legal aid to where it can do most good. The Lord Chancellor is grateful to all those who responded, all of whose comments have been carefully considered.

  The Government have received wide support to extend conditional fees to all civil proceedings other than family cases and we are keen to proceed as quickly as possible. I have today laid a draft Order for the approval of the House to extend conditional fees to all proceedings not excluded by statute. The draft Order will be debated as soon as time can be found. For the longer term, the Government continue to believe the operation and fairness of conditional fees would be enhanced by making the success fee and insurance premium recoverable. We wish to consider this further before reaching any final decision but the Lord Chancellor is minded to seek the legislation to allow the success fees and insurance premiums to be recoverable as soon as possible.

  Legal aid is in urgent need of reform and we shall begin the process of reform in a number of ways. First, we will ensure that assisted persons have access to suitably competent lawyers in medical negligence cases by using existing powers to direct clients towards specialist lawyers who hold franchise contracts with the Legal Aid Board. It will be a condition of holding a contract that the lawyers have shown themselves to be competent in this area of

  279
  law. The Lord Chancellor has asked the Legal Aid Board to press ahead with putting in place the necessary contracts. The Lord Chancellor wishes to see these contracts in place by January 1999. The Lord Chancellor has also directed them to establish a panel of lawyers of proven experience and expertise to whom preference would be given in awarding contracts for group actions and other related changes, as canvassed in the Board's consultation paper When the Price is High published in June 1997.

  In addition, the Lord Chancellor has asked the Board to complete, by the end of 1999, not only the provision of civil advice and assistance exclusively through contracts, but also all family legal aid, including representation.

  Finally, to achieve the maximum benefit from the money available, the Government are determined to ensure that legal aid is not spent in purchasing legal services where a suitable alternative exists. They believe that conditional fees provide a suitable alternative, particularly in a range of money claims. They recognise, however, that this alternative would be more attractive if the success fee and insurance premium were recoverable. For that reason the Government are considering how quickly to move to a position where the kinds of money claims described in the Consultation Paper, in particular personal injury claims, and financed principally by conditional fee agreements. The Government would like to be able to move this position by October 1999.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Arms Sales
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has for greater transparency regarding arms sales; and if she will make a statement. [49384]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Central (Mr. Lloyd), said in a written reply on 14 July 1998,Official Report, column 149, that the Government are preparing a report on UK strategic export controls which will include an account of the moves we have made since 2 May 1997 towards a responsible UK and European arms export policy; which will list by country of destination the numbers of export licences issued in each equipment category and give details of the military equipment for which licences have been granted; and which will set out the value of defence exports to each country.

  This reflects HMG's commitment to increase the transparency and accountability of the decisions on export licences for arms.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. White
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what further measures her Department is taking to help businesses tackle the millennium bug. [49385]

  Mrs. Beckett
  An extra £18 million has been provided by the Government for the work of Action 2000 to help businesses deal with the Millennium Bug. Action 2000 280
  has recently finalised its business plan for the new funding which will be published shortly. A major communication and public relations campaign was announced by Action 2000 yesterday and at the same time the current Action 2000 Campaign material which has been updated was relaunched. Action 2000 will undertake further and more detailed monitoring of the state of readiness of small and medium sized companies.

  Insolvency Service
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the Insolvency Service. [49386]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  The Insolvency Service was created as an Executive Agency of the Department of Trade and Industry on 21 March 1990. Its Framework Document defines its status, role, responsibilities and accountability; and the structure within which its work is to be determined, its resources established and its performance assessed. It was last revised and laid before Parliament on 16 March 1998. Its annual report and audited accounts for 1997–98 are due to be laid before Parliament shortly. In February 1996, after an evaluation of The Service's performance against the private sector, it was decided not to contract out the case administration work of Official Receivers.

  Post Office
  Miss Kirkbride
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations she has received on her review of the Post Office. [49388]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  I have met a wide range of interested parties, including the management and unions of the Post Office, leading private sector carriers and representative organisations. The review process is an inclusive one and since the announcement of the second stage of the Review on 6 April 1998,Official Report, column 63, my officials have received written views and met interested parties.

  Mr. St. Aubyn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the future of the Post Office. [49395]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The Government plan to give the Post Office greater commercial freedom so that it can meet the challenges of domestic and international markets. The Government have commissioned a review of the public sector options for achieving this and we plan to present our proposals to Parliament in the Autumn.

  Energy Review
  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement about progress in respect of the proposals in the Government's review of energy. [49389]

  Mr. Battle
  On 25 June the Government published a consultation document setting out their proposals. The consultation period ends on 20 July 1998.

  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she expects to receive a report on the consultations regarding energy markets. [49392]
  281
  Mr. Battle
  The consultation period on the Government's consultation document on their Review of Energy Sources for Power Generation finishes on 20 July. We expect to reach conclusions shortly thereafter.

  Young Entrepreneurs
  Mr. Touhig
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement about her Department's role in assisting young entrepreneurs. [49391]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Department is keen to encourage young entrepreneurs. One of the Department's key aims is to foster an enterprising nation. The Department, and other Government departments, assists entrepreneurs through a wide range of activities and schemes, including locally delivered business advisory services.

  Employment Rights and Trade Union Recognition
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she expects to bring forward the proposed legislation on employment rights and trade union recognition. [49393]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  I cannot, of course, anticipate the content of the Queen's Speech, but it is the Government's intention to introduce legislation on employment rights and trade union recognition as soon as possible.

  Higher Technology Industries
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps she is taking to address the shortfall of investment in innovation in higher technology industries. [49394]

  Mr. Battle
  The Government recognise that investment in innovation is key to our overall competitiveness. We have already taken steps to improve the regulatory climate for investors, to help high technology companies to improve their management and marketing skills, to improve the quality and quantity of financing opportunities and to encourage industry to draw on our excellent science and engineering base. For example, we have recently launched the University Challenge Fund to assist in the transformation of good research into good business. A copy of the scheme guidelines has been placed in the Library.

  Foresight Programme
  Dr. Desmond Turner
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action she is taking to raise the profile of the foresight programme. [49396]

  Mr. Battle
  The progress report I published last month outlined the steps which are being taken to raise the profile of the Foresight Programme within Government under the overall direction of the Ministerial Foresight Group. Copies are available in the Libraries of both Houses. A range of initiatives are in hand to raise its profile with business and academia. These include the current consultation on the next round which has produced a very positive response and expressions of interest in participation from organisations which have not been involved in Foresight to date.

  EU Structural Funds
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what her objectives are for the reform of EU structural funds. [49397]

  Mrs. Roche
  We welcome the publication of the draft regulations for Structural and Cohesion Funds—which are part of the wider Agenda 2000 reform package.

  Our overriding concern in the long negotiation ahead is to ensure that these draft regulations are affordable, durable and fair overall, particularly to the UK.

  Energy Policy
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the role of state intervention in industry following her statement on energy policy. [49398]

  Mr. Battle
  The Government are committed to consumer protection promoting fair competition in open markets and putting consumers first. We will take action to the extent necessary to secure properly functioning markets and to protect consumers, as set out in our energy statement and in our Green Paper, A Fair Deal for Consumers: Modernising the Framework for Utility Regulation.

  Plutonium
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the relative costs of eliminating Britain's plutonium stockpile through(a) the production of mixed oxide fuel and (b) vitrification. [49399]

  Mr. Battle
  It is for the owners of spent fuel and plutonium to assess the relative costs of MOX fuel production and vitrification. Subject to meeting the stringent safety, security and international safeguard requirements, it is for them to choose their preferred management options, including whether or not their spent fuel should be reprocessed and whether their plutonium is stored, manufactured into MOX fuel or vitrified.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what her policy is in respect of the creation of plutonium from energy sources in the UK. [49402]

  Mr. Battle
  Nuclear generating stations in this country currently meet nearly 30 per cent. of our electricity needs. It is an inescapable fact that plutonium is produced when uranium is burnt in conventional nuclear reactors.

  All civil plutonium in the UK is stored safely and securely under relevant national and international regulations.

  University Research
  Mr. Alan W. Williams
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to improve the infrastructure and equipment for research at Britain's universities. [49400]

  Mr. Battle
  Earlier this week, on 13 July 1998,Official Report, columns 47–48, my right hon. Friend announced the establishment of a £600 million capital fund for building new and refurbishing existing university laboratories, equipment and other essential infrastructure,

  283
  funded equally by the Government and the Wellcome Trust. £400 million has also been provided over the next three years for the Research Councils to meet the current and capital costs of new project funds in priority areas. Additional funding for research of £300 million over the next three years has been announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, and a further £100 million by the Wellcome Trust towards the cost of a high intensity x-ray source for use mainly by university researchers.

  The size of this package for research, which amounts in total to £1.4 billion over the life of this Parliament, will ensure that our universities have the facilities they require to remain at the forefront of research into the next millennium.

  Science
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action she has taken to promote the interests of UK science in Europe. [49401]

  Mr. Battle
  UK researchers are active in a wide range of scientific activities in Europe, through the European Union's framework programmes, through major European collaborations such as CERN and the European Space Agency, and through bilateral and multilateral collaborations between institutes, universities and individual researchers. At the level of the European Union, the Government have played a leading role in encouraging UK scientists to participate in the current, fourth, framework programme and in negotiating the fifth framework programme, currently under discussion.

  UK scientists perform very strongly in these programmes, and are expected to continue to do so in the future. The Government also play a proactive role in respect of our membership of the major European collaborations, with a view to ensuring high quality, cost effective opportunities for UK scientists to work with others in these areas. And we are active, through maintaining close and constructive bilateral relations with other European countries, in ensuring that the UK is seen to be keen to create opportunities for mutually beneficial collaborative research partnerships at all levels.

  We also consider that useful work can be done at the European level to promote the role of women in science. The UK actively supports the Commission's development of measures to encourage action on the under-representation of women in science. This parallels the activity of the Office of Science and Technology's Development Unit on women in science, engineering and technology. As part of the UK Presidency, I chaired the round table discussions during the European Commission Conference on Women and Science in April.

  We have also been keen to encourage discussion at European level of key issues surrounding the development of new technologies, such as biotechnology. Among measures to encourage this the UK Presidency and European Commission jointly organised a Biotechnology Round Table in June which brought together representatives from the EU institutions, industry, research, consumer, environmental and other interest groups.

  Science, Engineering and Technology
  Mr. Dobbin
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the impact of the fifth framework research programme on the UK science, engineering and technology sectors. [49403]

  Mr. Battle
  The fifth framework programme is currently the subject of negotiation with other member States and with the European Parliament. The Council's common position, agreed unanimously during the UK Presidency in February 1998, envisages a programme which will be clearly focused on areas where research at a European level can be expected to make a contribution to increased competitiveness and improvements in quality of life. The aim is to agree the programme, which will run until the end of 2002, by the end of this year. I expect the UK science, engineering and technology sectors to participate strongly in this programme, as they have done in previous programmes.

  EU Industry Council
  Mr. Timms
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the work of the EU Industry Council during the UK presidency. [49404]

  Mrs. Beckett
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool, North and Fleetwood (Mrs. Humble) on 21 May 1998,Official Report, columns 357–58.

  Human Genome Sequencing
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what share of the world's effort in human genome sequencing is being undertaken in the UK. [49405]

  Mr. Battle
  The UK is undertaking around one third of the world's effort in sequencing the human genome. The UK contribution is made primarily through the work of the Wellcome Trust and the Medical Research Council.

  The mapping programme is currently scheduled to be completed by 2005.

  Loan Companies
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what new proposals she has to restrict the activities of loan companies charging excessive rates of interest. [49406]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  The Director General of Fair Trading is currently consulting on the extortionate credit provisions of the Consumer Credit Act 1974. Before taking further action I will study the evidence this exercise produces and his proposals.

  Minimum Wage
  Mrs. Heal
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what recent representations she has received about the implementation of the Government's proposals for a national minimum wage. [49407]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The Government have received a number of recent representations about the implementation of our proposals for a national minimum wage, which we expect to be implemented by April 1999.

  Business Practices
  Mr. Quinn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps her Department is taking to promote innovation in business practices. [49408]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Department continues to work with a wide range of partners to help companies innovate by adopting better business practices.

  As part of the Competitiveness UK programme, my hon. Friend the Minister for Competition and Consumer Affairs has been chairing the Best Practice Working Party to discuss what further activities the Department should be supporting in this area.

  Euro
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action her Department is taking to raise business awareness of the introduction of the euro. [49409]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The Euro Preparations Unit was set up in Treasury at the beginning of this year to raise awareness of the implications of EMU for UK businesses and to help them prepare for the strategic and practical changes that the introduction of the single currency on 1 January will bring.

  My officials will continue to work closely with the EPU to ensure that the many business contacts that my Department has are used to best effect.

  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps her Department is taking to help small to medium-sized enterprises prepare for the introduction of a single currency. [49387]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Euro Preparations Unit was set up in H.M. Treasury, with secondees from DTI, at the beginning of this year to raise awareness of the implications of EMU for UK businesses and to help them prepare for the strategic and practical changes that the introduction of the single currency on 1 January will bring.

  DTI officials will continue to work closely with the EPU to ensure that the many business contacts that the Department has are used to best effect. For instance, I recently discussed the implications of the euro with the Business Link Chief Executives and considered with them how they could help SMEs prepare.

  Inward Investment
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many new jobs she estimates were created by inward investment into England in 1997–98. [49792]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  [holding answer 10 July 1998]: My Department's Invest in Britain Bureau announced yesterday that in 1997/98 the UK has had another successful year, attracting 618 inward investment decisions with 124,622 associated jobs, of which 45,937 were new jobs. Of these decisions 464 were to invest in England with 98,699 associated jobs, of which 29,778 were new jobs.

  Ladbroke-Coral Merger
  Mr. Meale
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many representations the Monopolies and Mergers 286
  Commission has received about the proposed merger between Ladbroke and Coral; and if she will make a statement. [50149]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  The Monopolies and Mergers Commission has received a large number of representations about the acquisition by Ladbroke of the Coral betting business, and I have asked the Chairman of the MMC to reply to my hon. Friend direct.

  Mr. Meale
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will direct the Monopolies and Mergers Commission to consider the adverse effects of the proposed merger between Ladbroke and Coral on national competition in the bookmaking industry. [50153]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  In announcing her decision to refer the acquisition by Ladbroke of the Coral betting business to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission (MMC), my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade stated that she considered that the acquisition raised competition concerns in relation to the off-course betting market.

  It is for the MMC to consider whether a merger operates, or may be expected to operate, against the public interest. The Fair Trading Act 1973 requires the MMC, in considering whether any particular matter operates, or may be expected to operate, against the public interest, to take into account all matters which appear to them in the particular circumstances to be relevant, although they are required to have regard to certain specified public interest issues.

  Mr. Meale
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she expects to receive the report of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission inquiry into the proposed merger between Ladbroke and Coral; and if she will make a statement. [50154]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  On 1 July, I announced that I had agreed to a request by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission (MMC) for an extension to the time allowed for their inquiry into the acquisition by Ladbrokes of the Coral betting business. The MMC's report, which was originally due to be made by 7 July, is now due to be made within the period ending on 31 July.

  Redundancy Payments (Scotland)
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the total cost in each of the last 10 years of(a) redundancy payments and (b) lump sum redundancy payments to people who were employed in the public sector in Scotland. [50652]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Retailers' Loyalty Cards
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what research she has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the impact of retailers' loyalty cards on consumer spending patterns and on prices. [50209]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 14 July 1998]: No research has been commissioned and no evaluations made by the Department on the impact of retailers' loyalty cards.

  Telephone Services (Charges)
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade What research she has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the costs incurred by consumers through the use of call-queueing and automated telephone-answering systems. [50208]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 14 July 1998]: Call-queuing and telephone-answering equipment has been introduced by companies and other organisations since the 1980s, with the aim of making their telephone-answering operations more efficient for themselves and their callers. Companies have a wide choice of switchboard equipment to choose from, and have responsibility for choosing equipment and setting it up so that their consumers' needs are met. Calls are legitimately charged to the calling party, but companies can set up their inquiry lines to run on Lo-call or even Freephone numbers, which will reduce or remove the cost to the consumer. No research has been commissioned or evaluated into the costs incurred by consumers through the use of call-queueing and automated telephone-answering machines, but the Office of Telecommunications (Oftel) is working with the telecommunications industry to ensure that switchboard recorded messages inform members of the public who ring that they are being held in a queue, where this is the case. Once informed of this, callers have the choice of continuing to wait in the queue, which may incur a cost, or of hanging up and trying again later.

  Employment Tribunals Service
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she expects the Employment Tribunals Service to publish its annual report for 1997–98. [51370]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The Employment Tribunals Service became an executive agency on 1 April 1997. Its annual report, covering its first year of operation, has been published today. I have arranged for copies to be placed in the Libraries of the House.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Pensions
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the range of maturity values at two years and 10 years after commencement of the pension plans of each approved personal pension plan provider; and what assessment she has made of variations of maturity values, and the reasons for them, under the pensions review. [47728]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 29 June 1998]: The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is set out in the table.

  £

  Pension fund

  Maturity value with 2 years contribution

  Maturity value with 10 years contribution

  Scheme 1

  5,800

  28,400

  Scheme 2

  5,200

  26,200

  Scheme 3

  5,000

  25,400

  Scheme 4

  4,400

  22,300

  Scheme 5

  4,300

  22,400

  288

  £

  Pension fund

  Maturity value with 2 years contribution

  Maturity value with 10 years contribution

  Scheme 6

  4,100

  21,000

  Scheme 7

  3,800

  22,700

  Scheme 8

  3,600

  23,4000

  Scheme 9

  3,300

  27,6000

  Scheme 10

  2,800

  20,3000

  Notes:

  1. Amounts have been rounded to the nearest £100

  2. The table shows maturity values upon retirement at age 65 of ten modelled Appropriate Personal Pension (APP) funds and are based on the characteristics of actual providers

  3. They are based on an individual who contracts-out of SERPS at the age of 30 at the beginning of the 1997/98 financial year for 2 and 10 years with all National Insurance rebates accrued during this time being paid into the APP

  4. Fund values are expressed in constant 1997 prices

  5. The following assumptions have been made:

  (a) that the National Insurance rebates, and associated tax relief, paid over the 2 and 10 year periods are the only contributions ever made;

  (b) that the individual was earning the national average level of full-time earnings in Great Britain at the time the APP commenced in April 1997;

  (c) that earnings increase at a rate of 1.5 per cent. a year above inflation;

  (d) that the rate of return on the pension fund assets (before charges are deducted) is 4.5 per cent. a year above inflation;

  (e) that National Insurance rebates are paid into the pension fund halfway through the following tax year in which the earnings to which they relate were accrued;

  (f) that the retirement age of 65 is also the retirement age specified in the personal pension policy (penalties may be incurred if an individual retires before a specified scheme retirement age); and

  (g) that the sample funds accrue the same rate of return on fund assets before charges are deducted

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will estimate the present weekly value of the basic pension for a single person and a married couple had it been increased in line with earnings since 1980. [50863]

  Mr. Denham
  If the basic State Retirement Pension had been increased by the higher of earnings or prices since 1980, the weekly rate would now be £89.60 for a single pensioner and £143.40 for a married couple.Notes:

  1. The Retail Price Index (RPI) (All items) and the Average Earnings Index (Whole Economy) as supplied by The Office for National Statistics were used in this calculation.

  2. The figures have been rounded to the nearest 5 pence at each uprating.

  3. The rate of basic Retirement Pension was increased in the April 1994 uprating by 50 pence for a single pensioner and 70 pence for a couple on account of VAT on fuel. This increase has not been added in to these illustrative figures.

  4. For the calculation where State Retirement Pension was linked to the higher of RPI and earnings, the earnings index was the higher figure except in 1982, 1984, 1991 and 1996, when the RPI was used.

  Housing Benefit Overpayments
  Mr. Roy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will publish for each Scottish local authority, a breakdown for 1996–97, of housing benefit overpayments, in terms of(a) numbers, (b) amounts for DSS, local authority and claimant errors and (c) (b) expressed as a percentage of total expenditure. [48500]
  289
  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The information available is set out in the table.

  Overpayments of Housing Benefit Expenditure, Scotland—1996–97

  Housing benefit expenditure £

  DSS/DfEE error

  Local authority error

  All other overpayments (including fraud)

  (a)

  Numbers

  (b) Amount £

  (b)as a percentage of (a)

  Numbers

  (c) Amount £

  (c) as a percentage of (a)

  Numbers

  (d) Amount £

  (d)as a percentage of (a)

  Aberdeen

  23,923,000

  12

  1,071

  2—

  111

  6,885

  2—

  5,271

  1,008,285

  4.2

  Aberdeenshire1

  16,229,000

  4

  2,180

  2—

  112

  183,990

  1.1

  1,031

  382,753

  2.4

  Angus

  10,410,000

  5

  1,247

  2—

  11

  1,345

  2—

  164

  99,439

  0.9

  Argyllbute

  13,120,000

  23

  3,265

  2—

  1

  151

  2—

  1,576

  389,837

  2.9

  Clackmannanshire

  6,975,000

  0

  0

  n/a

  100

  1.180

  2—

  1,540

  211,121

  3.0

  Dumfries Galloway

  21,479,000

  17

  2,326

  2—

  59

  4,073

  2—

  2,620

  483,680

  2.2

  Dundee

  42,262,000

  0

  0

  n/a

  3

  1,419

  2—

  4,968

  1,174,883

  2.8

  East Ayrshire1

  18,531,000

  5

  1,289

  2—

  70

  9,721

  2—

  2,252

  364,728

  2.0

  East Dunbartonshire

  7,670,000

  3

  302

  2—

  16

  2,329

  2—

  549

  125,239

  1.6

  East Lothian

  12,222,000

  0

  0

  n/a

  56

  8,476

  2—

  1,100

  258,682

  2.1

  East Renfrewshire1

  6,204,000

  13

  584

  2—

  35

  6,920

  0.1

  182

  70,394

  1.1

  Edinburgh1

  98,891,000

  0

  0

  2—

  10

  1,114

  2—

  25,282

  3,030,866

  3.0

  Falkirk1

  19,361,000

  0

  0

  2—

  5,414

  189,433

  1.0

  7,990

  719,999

  3.7

  Fife

  51,687,000

  0

  0

  2—

  88

  24,967

  2—

  11,768

  1,314,306

  2.5

  Glasgow

  238,035,000

  0

  0

  2—

  369

  112,659

  2—

  29,664

  9,455,184

  3.0

  Highland1

  29,074,000

  2

  561

  2—

  22

  4,624

  2—

  4,902

  749,955

  2.6

  Inverclyde

  17,528,000

  0

  0

  n/a

  33

  7,507

  2—

  1,025

  220,332

  1.3

  Midlothian

  8,957,000

  5

  3,104

  2—

  519

  52,670

  0.6

  1,481

  353,626

  3.9

  Moray

  8,799,000

  1

  117

  2—

  498

  28,019

  0.3

  2,961

  383,055

  4.3

  North Ayrshire1

  22,770,000

  6

  307

  2—

  3

  1,503

  2—

  1,938

  318,969

  1.4

  North Lanarkshire1

  56,676,000

  11

  2,647

  2—

  965

  76,804

  0.1

  12,892

  1,146,921

  2.0

  Orkney

  1,948,000

  0

  0

  n/a

  73

  1,850

  2—

  255

  69,957

  3.6

  Perth and Kinross

  13,743,000

  1

  408

  2—

  16

  3,562

  2—

  580

  429,565

  3.1

  Renfrewshire

  30,324,000

  11

  1,897

  2—

  178

  7,530

  2—

  2,743

  480,507

  1.6

  Scottish Borders

  11,704,000

  3

  378

  2—

  0

  0

  n/a

  1,310

  351,937

  3.0

  Shetland

  1,815,000

  1

  106

  2—

  4

  682

  2—

  1,552

  80,869

  4.5

  South Ayrshire

  18,264,000

  10

  337

  2—

  176

  22,415

  0.1

  493

  226,727

  1.2

  South Lanarkshire1

  48,608.000

  0

  0

  n/a

  312

  8,870

  2—

  7,824

  582,942

  1.2

  Stirling

  12,104,000

  0

  0

  n/a

  17

  1,345

  2—

  2,733

  394,626

  3.3

  West Dunbartonshire

  19,891,000

  2

  316

  2—

  345

  8,023

  2—

  2,539

  415,667

  2.1

  West Lothian

  19,675,000

  0

  0

  n/a

  23

  51,130

  0.3

  2,826

  447,431

  2.3

  Western Isles

  3,160,000

  0

  0

  n/a

  117

  3,458

  0.1

  595

  75,558

  2.4

  1Non audited returms

  2Percentage less than 0.1

  Note:

  n/a = Not applicable

  Source:

  DSS Planning and Finance Division

  Benefits Agency (Complaints)
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to her answer of 25 June 1998,Official Report, column 625, what was the ratio of complaints in the period 1 October 1997 to 31 March 1998 received by the Benefits Agency districts with London offices to (a) the total claimant count at each office and (b) the total population within each district. [49728]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The administration of the Benefits Agency is a matter for its Chief Executive, Peter Mathison. He will write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Andrew Love, dated 15 July 1998:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question pursuant to her Answer of 25th June, Official Report, column 625, what is the ratio of complaints in the period 1st October 1997 to 31st March 1998 received by the Benefits Agency (BA) districts with London offices to (a) the total claimant count at each office and (b) the total population within each district.
  The information requested is not available.
  It is not possible to provide a total customer count. The customer load figures collated by each BA office represent the number of people receiving a particular benefit. These figures do not reflect that one customer may be receiving more than one benefit and
  290
  therefore may be counted more than once. There are also customers in receipt of benefits who will not be captured in the load figures, for example those in receipt of Retirement Pension are only counted on a national basis.
  The total population count for each BA district is not available.
  I am sorry that I have been unable to provide more specific information.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to equalise the rate of housing benefit for all tenures. [50053]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  We have no plans to introduce a single rate of Housing Benefit across all tenures. The current system is based on tenants' actual rents. Housing Benefit can cover up to the full reasonable rent for tenants on low incomes in every tenure.

  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will assess the advantages of extending the period in which the NHB-1-EP form has to be completed and returned for the applicant to qualify for the extended payment to be awarded. [50381]
  291
  Mr. Keith Bradley
  As the Welfare Reform Green Paper makes clear, we are currently looking at a range of proposals for improving the work incentives offered by Housing Benefit. We are examining a number of ways of improving the way in which people receive support with their housing both during the transition into work and once in work. Working families tax credit and Housing Benefit together will improve the financial position of many people in work. It is vital that all welfare support, including Housing Benefit for people in work, is accessible, understandable and delivered in an efficient manner.

  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many applications for a housing benefit extended payment were made in the last year; and how many were successful. [50373]

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

  Housing benefit extended payments—Great Britain 1997

  Provisional

  Number

  Total extended payment applications

  163,000

  Total successful applications

  140,000

  Percentage of successful applications

  85

  Notes:

  1. Figures have been rounded to the nearest thousand

  2. Figures refer to a benefit unit which may be a single person or a couple

  Source:

  Local Authority Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit quarterly Administration data returns January 1997 to December 1997

  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what monitoring her Department conducts to establish the degree of slippage between the number of NHB-1-EP application forms(a) issued and (b) returned. [50382]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  There are no records kept of the numbers of extended payment application forms (NHB 1 EP) issued to potential applicants. The forms are readily available at local Benefits Agency offices, Employment Services' Jobcentres and some local authority offices.

  Council Tax Benefit
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many households in Cheltenham have been affected by the restriction of council tax benefit on properties in Band F and above. [50052]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The information requested is not available.

  Rented Housing Debt
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the level of debt owed to landlords whose rent is(a) paid direct by district council housing benefit departments and (b) paid by housing benefit claimants. [50410]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  Information is not available in the format requested.
  292
  Housing Benefit is paid to the landlord only in specified circumstances that are prescribed by regulations. For example, benefit must normally be paid direct to the landlord where the claimant is in arrears of an amount equivalent to eight weeks or more of the amount he is liable to pay his landlord as rent. Local authorities can also choose to make direct payments where they consider it would be in the best interests of the claimant to do so.

  The present regulations, give consideration to the personal responsibility of the tenant and the legitimate interests of landlords and the taxpayers in keeping rent arrears in check. However, it is the landlord's own responsibility to ensure that he obtains whatever payments are properly due to him, irrespective of the tenant's source of income.

  Departmental Environmental Policies
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if she will list the activities undertaken by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Southampton, Itchen (Mr. Denham), in his capacity as the Green Minister for Social Security since his appointment; [50032]

  (2) what measures are being taken to raise awareness of sustainable environmental issues within her Department; and what specific training is available to staff; [50030]

  (3) what percentage of her Department's waste is recycled at present; and what targets she has set for increasing recycling in the future. [50031]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 10 July 1998]: In my capacity as Green Minister I have attended meetings of Green Ministers and encouraged the initiative when many staff cycled to work on 10 June 1998. My priority this year has been the development of Green Commuting Plans within the Department. I launched this initiative on 17 February 1998 at a Departmental conference on Sustainable Development and "Greening the DSS". 21 senior representatives of the various Departmental Business Units attended that meeting.

  Their commitment to the Green Agenda has led to further Departmental conferences for policy and operational senior and middle managers in all Departmental business units. Following these conferences the Department is committed to producing a minimum of 20 "Green Commuting Plans" to be introduced by March 1999 with the appointment of a similar number of local co-ordinators to ensure success.

  In addition there is the commitment to education, training and motivating staff and contractors to work in an environmentally responsible manner and to play a full part in developing new ideas and initiatives. This includes communicating openly about environmental policies and best practice (including best available scientific advice) and co-operating with others in the public and private sectors at home and abroad to develop and promote environmentally sound policies.

  A portfolio of relevant training courses is currently being compiled and as the Government's new sustainable development strategy is developed Green Ministers will be considering staff awareness alongside options for more formal training.
  293
  The setting of targets for recycled waste in the Department was not previously an option because of the fragmented nature of its estate management. The appointment of PPM, the private sector consortium who provide building services including waste management, to the entire Departmental estate has now made this possible.

  The Department's current guide "Green Guide", used locally throughout the estate, includes guidance on the recycling of paper, drinks cans, glass, plastic, print toner cartridges and batteries. There are contacts in each Business Unit/Agency for the promotion of green issues.

  A benchmarking exercise to baseline current volumes and costs was completed earlier this year and the results are being used in the revision of the Departments "Green Guide" which is currently underway. PPM will work with the Department to implement its "Green" policies.

  Winter Fuel Payments
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what estimate she has made of the number of winter fuel payments sent to local post offices for distribution and returned as unclaimed to the department; [50011]

  (2) what estimate she has made of the number of winter fuel payments remaining outstanding and unpaid at 30 June. [50010]

  Mr. Denham
  Winter Fuel payments are one of a number of initiatives the Government have taken to help vulnerable people, especially the elderly, keep warm in the winter. A total of £400 million has been committed for two years (1997–98 and 1998–99), to help pensioners with fuel bills to pay. This is the first time any Government have provided additional help with heating costs to all pensioners living in the United Kingdom who receive a retirement pension or one of a number of other qualifying benefits.

  The making of this year's payments has been an enormous and unprecedented exercise. In order to establish all eligible pensioners, correctly identify pensioner households, and determine the amount each should receive, it was necessary to correlate data. This involved 15 million computer records, covering 15 qualifying benefits, across nine computer systems. Overall, almost ten million pensioners, in over seven million households, have received a payment.

  The administration of Winter Fuel payments is a matter for Peter Mathison, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Roger Gale, dated 14 July 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions asking what estimate she has made of the number of winter fuel payments sent to local Post Offices for distribution and returned as unclaimed to the Department and how many remain outstanding and unpaid at 30th June 1998.
  Around 5 million pensioners paid by order book had to collect their winter fuel payment girocheque at the Post Office when they called to collect their normal weekly pension payment. We have estimated that around 107,000 (2 per cent. of the volume issued) were not collected and were returned to the nearest Benefits Agency (BA) office.
  294
  The vast majority of all eligible pensioners should now have received their winter fuel payments, with the exception of a small number where BA is having difficulties ascertaining the reason for non-collection at the Post Office. Where someone has not received a payment, but is expecting one, they should contact the office which normally deals with their pension or benefit.
  Thank you for the opportunity to explain the position.

  Public Appointments (Women)
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will publish the representations made by the Minister for Women to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on women in public appointments prior to publication of his recent report, "Quangos: Opening the Doors". [50856]

  Ms Ruddock
  It is not practice to disclose internal discussions between Ministerial colleagues.

  One of the main priorities of the Ministers for Women is to increase the representation of women at all levels and in all areas. The Government have agreed in principle a ratio of 50:50 women and men for public appointments and a pro-rata representation of the ethnic minorities. This commitment was made public in 'Quangos: Opening Up Public Appointments', published 29 June.

  This is a great step forward and we look forward to working with colleagues to ensure that the goal of 50:50 representation is reached.

  Part-time Working Directive
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment the Women's Unit has made of the impact of the implementation of the Part-Time Working Directive on the number of part-time jobs in the UK. [50859]

  Ms Ruddock
  The Government are keen to promote family-friendly employment policies and the implementation of the Part-time Work Directive will be an important step forward. Many women choose to work part-time in order to balance their work and family responsibilities and this Directive will be particularly important to them as it will remove discrimination and increase the status of part-time work.

  We do not consider that implementation of the Directive will result in a loss of jobs; on the contrary, the view of the Government, employers and workers themselves is that it will eliminate obstacles to part-time work and increase opportunities for those wishing to work part-time.

  We will be carrying out detailed research into the impact of the proposals and expect to receive the findings later in the year.

  Women's Unit
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many officials work in the women's unit of her Department. [50875]

  Ms Ruddock
  As at 13 July 1998, 35 officials work in the Women's Unit of the Department of Social Security. Seven of these staff are part-time workers. The total hours worked are equivalent to 33.4 full time staff.

  Maintenance Disregard
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the cost of increasing the amount of maintenance disregarded for family credit, disability working allowance, housing benefit and council tax benefit purposes to(a) £20 and (b) £25 per week. [50887]

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

  Benefit cost of increasing the maintenance disregard

  £m per annum

  Benefit

  £20 disregard

  £25 disregard

  Family Credit

  15

  35

  Housing Benefit

  5

  5

  Council Tax Benefit

  *

  5

  Disability Working Allowance

  *

  *

  Total

  25

  45

  Notes:

  1. Modelled on the benefit rules and benefit rates as in November 1998

  2. Modelled using data taken from the 1996–97 Family Resources Survey and November 1997 Family Credit 5 per cent. sample, uprated to 1998–99 prices, benefits and earnings levels

  3. Figures have been rounded to the nearest £5 million and may not sum to the total because of rounding.* denotes a cost of less than £2.5 million

  4. Assumes that the recorded maintenance payments on the Family Credit datasets are paid at the same level each week

  5. Excludes the financial impact of behavioural changes caused by the new disregard levels

SCOTLAND

  Mathematics
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to implement the recommendations concerning better contact between schools, examining bodies, the inspectorate and professional mathematicians contained in the 1995 report, "Tackling the Mathematics Problem". [48836]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 9 July 1998]: The report to which the hon. Member refers concerns England and Wales only. It was not submitted to the Scottish Office Education and Industry Department for a formal response.

  In Scotland there are already good relations encompassing higher education involvement in educational decision making at school level.

  My department is already taking action to respond to general concerns raised by this report where relevant in Scotland—for example the numerical and algebraic competence of university entrants. HM Inspectors of Schools published in 1997 the report "Improving Mathematics Education 5–14" which proposed earlier introduction of algebra in schools and advised that more attention should be paid to mental calculation and that non-calculator papers be introduced into national examinations—a proposal now out for consultation by the SQA. Scottish Certificate of Education examinations have, as a result, been putting more emphasis on algebraic manipulation so as to encourage schools to improve
  296
  pupils' skills. The development of new Higher Still courses has taken these points into account and numeracy is a core skill in all proposed Scottish Group Awards.

  Chemistry and Biochemistry Curriculum
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the effectiveness of the higher chemistry curriculum and exam in preparing students for degree courses in chemistry and biochemistry. [48743]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 9 July 1998]: No such research has been commissioned or evaluated by The Scottish Office Education and Industry Department. The content of the Higher Chemistry course was, however, reviewed during the development of the new Higher Still courses in Chemistry, which will be introduced into schools and colleges in Scotland in 1999.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his Department's average response time to correspondence from members of the public; and how such response times are monitored. [48642]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 9 July 1998]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Office of Public Service on 14 July 1998, Official Report, column 159.

  Assisted Places Scheme
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the savings from abolishing the assisted places scheme in the years(a) 1998–99 and (b) 1999–2000. [48466]

  Mr. Wilson
  [holding answer 6 July 1998]: The estimated savings from phasing out the assisted places scheme are not less than £3.84 million in 1998–99 financial year and £4.23 million in 1999–2000 financial year.

  Language Examinations
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which languages other than English may be offered for examination in Standard Grade, Highers and Advanced Highers as proposed. [49870]

  Mr. Wilson
  Examinations in French, German, Italian, Russian, Spanish, Latin and Classical Greek are currently available at Standard Grade, Higher Grade and Certificate of Sixth Year Studies (CSYS). Separate examinations in Gaelic for native speakers (Gàidhlig) and learners are currently available at Standard Grade and Higher Grade. Gàidhlig is also offered at CSYS. A Standard Grade examination in Urdu was set for the first time this year.

  Following the introduction of Higher Still in 1999, examinations in French, German, Italian, Russian, Spanish, Latin, Classical Greek, Gaelic and Gàidhlig will be available at Standard Grade and at Intermediate 1, Intermediate 2, Higher and Advanced Higher. A coherent group of units at Access 3 will also be available in all of these languages with the exceptions of Latin and Classical Greek.

  Tourism
  Mr. Moore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will ensure that the Scottish Tourist Board helps to promote sustainable development and biodiversity in Scotland; [49742]

  (2) what plans he has to include environmental duties and a commitment to sustainable development in the remit of the Scottish Tourist Board. [49743]

  Mr. Wilson
  The Government are committed to the principle of environmentally sustainable tourism. Our policy is to promote Scotland as an environmentally sound destination. The Scottish Tourist Board (STB), on the Government's behalf, is a major player in the Tourism and the Environment Task Force. The Board supports all of the Task Force's activities which are designed to increase environmental awareness throughout the tourism industry and to promote environmentally sensitive tourism development. STB has recently developed and launched a "Green Tourism Business Scheme" which aims to enable businesses working in the hospitality sector to address their environmental responsibilities.

  Birds of Prey
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what licences have been issued over the past year for the killing of(a) peregrines and (b) sparrowhawks; and for what reasons they were issued. [50454]

  Mr. Macdonald
  No licences have been issued.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  World Citizenship
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much funding his Department has given to the Council for Education in World Citizenship in each of the last five years. [48765]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The Department has provided funding of £360,000 over the period 1993–94 to 1997–98 as follows:

  £

  1993–94

  92,000

  1994–95

  84,000

  1995–96

  85,000

  1996–97

  60,000

  1997–98

  39,000

  We are currently developing proposals for new funding arrangements to support organisations working in the field of education for citizenship which move away from core funding individual organisations to a more flexible approach which supports overall policy development in this area.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is his Department's average response time to correspondence from members of the public; and how such response times are monitored. [48668]
  298
  Dr. Howells
  Information in the form requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The Department's monitoring systems record the proportion of replies that meet the DfEE correspondence standard, which is that replies will be made within 15 working days of receipt. I also refer the hon. Member to the reply by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 14 July 1998,Official Report, column 159.

  Gender Impact Assessments
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, 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. [49084]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Guidance on policy appraisal for equal treatment has been available since 1992. Application of the guidance has been the responsibility of individual Departments.

  We consult a wide range of organisations on the gender impact of our policies. We have also published, and make use of, disaggregated statistics which show gender differences across the whole spectrum of education, training and employment.

  As an example of this, the Equal Opportunities Commission and Women's National Commission were included in the wide ranging consultation on the White Paper, "Excellence in Schools" which has formed the basis for much of the Teaching and Higher Education Bill and the Schools Standards and Framework Bill. Further consultation is planned on the regulations which will flow from the Bills and, where appropriate, women's groups will be included.

  Childminders
  Mr. Ennis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many childminders are registered with(a) Barnsley and (b) Doncaster local authorities; how many children aged (i) under five and (ii) five to 11 years are cared for by registered childminders in these authorities; and what was the average charge for each place. [49617]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Regent's Park and Kensington, North (Ms Buck) on 9 July 1998,Official Report, column 617.

  Ayaz Sheikh
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his Department's letter of 19 March 1997, if he will make a statement on the case of Ayaz Sheikh of 4 Thorpewell, Leicester, date of birth 11 April 1986. [49949]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Ayaz Sheikh's case was considered by the Social Educational Needs Tribunal on 18 June 1998. The Tribunal upheld Mr. and Mrs. Sheikh's appeal against the provision specified in Ayaz's statement, including the school names in Part IV. They ordered that the statement should be amended to name Sutherland
  299
  House School, Nottingham. This is an independent special school for pupils with autism. Leicester City Local Education Authority will make arrangements to Ayaz to be admitted to Sutherland House School starting in the spring term of 1999.

  Autistic Children
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on his Department's policy towards autistic children; and what guidelines his Department issues on the placing of autistic children in schools. [49950]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Schools and local education authorities have statutory duties to identify, assess and provide for children's special educational needs, including the individual needs of children with autistic spectrum disorders. In doing so they must have regard to the guidance contained in the Department's "Code of Practice on the Identification and Assessment of Special Educational Needs". Decisions by LEAs on the placement of autistic children with statements of SEN will reflect the profile of the particular child's autism and may be in autism specific schools, other special schools, units in mainstream schools or in mainstream classes with support. The Department will publish shortly the report of a study by the University of Birmingham, assessing the current research evidence about the educational interventions for children with autism.

  Teachers (Early Retirement)
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many(a) head teachers, (b) deputy head teachers and (c) teachers, have taken early retirement in Gloucestershire Local Education Authority in the financial year 1997–98; and if he will make a statement. [50066]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Early retirements1 from the maintained nursery, primary, secondary and special sectors in Gloucestershire in the financial year 1997–98 are as shown.

  Retirements

  Head teacher

  Deputy head teacher

  classroom teachers2

  Premature retirement

  19

  14

  89

  Ill-health retirement

  3

  3

  21

  Total

  22

  17

  110

  1Provisional data

  2Includes one unqualified teacher

  Note:

  Changes in the statutory regulations governing early retirement came into force during 1997–98. The changes made teachers' employers responsible for the extra cost of premature retirement and clarified the definition of ill-health in the case of applications for ill-health retirement benefits

  Education Funding
  Mr. Lepper
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on progress towards achieving the harmonisation of funding of the education of 16 to 19 year olds in full-time education. [50150]
  300
  Dr. Howells
  A group of local authorities has been looking at alternative approaches to the principles on which school sixth forms are funded, including the scope for introducing those used in further education (funding for recruitment, programme delivery and achievement). We expect to receive a progress report later this month which will help to inform them on how they wish to proceed.

  The levels of funding available to school sixth forms and FE colleges for their 16–19 students will be affected by the outcome of the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review and by local authority decisions on the level of spending they devote to schools from their overall spending settlement.

  Internet
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps his Department takes to publicise the educational benefits of the Internet. [50649]

  Dr. Howells
  The Government have announced a major initiative to connect schools to the Internet through the National Grid for Learning. Plans were set out in "Connecting the Learning Society", which was published last Autumn and circulated widely within the education service, industry and other interested parties. The Government are supporting in 1998–99 through the Standards Fund and other means over £100 million for the development of the National Grid for Learning.

  The educational benefits of networking and the Internet were established and disseminated widely through the outcomes of the Education Departments' Superhighways Initiative, "Preparing for the Information Age", published last year.

  Further advice on the educational benefits of the Internet is contained in "Connecting Schools, Networking People", published by the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency. This contains procurement, planning and good practice guidance in the use of information and communications technologies in schools.

  Copies of all the above documents are available in the Library.

  Nursery Schools
  Mr. Michael J. Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many nursery places within the Hereford and Worcester Local Education Authority were available for four year olds in maintained nursery schools and nursery classes in maintained primary schools in January 1998; and how many are forecast to be available for January 1999. [50452]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Provisional figures show that in the Hereford and Worcester Local Education Authority area there were 1,014 four-year-olds in maintained nursery schools and nursery classes in maintained primary schools, as at January 1998.
  301
  From September 1998, Herefordshire and Worcestershire LEAs have guaranteed that they will be able to secure a free, good quality place for every four-year-old whose parents want one in the maintained, private or voluntary sectors.

  Further Education, Hampshire
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of further education colleges in Hampshire had their funding reduced for 1997–98. [46003]

  Dr. Howells
  Some 60 per cent. of colleges in Hampshire received lower funding allocations for the academic year 1997/98 than for the previous academic year. Colleges in Hampshire will benefit from the additional £100 million that has been made available for the sector in 1998/99.

  Child Care
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the cost to local authorities of carrying out the audit of the supply of and demand for child care set out in the Green Paper, Meeting the Childcare Challenge. [50854]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  It is not possible to assess with precision the cost to partnerships of conducting local audits. In preparing their audits Early Years Development and Childcare Partnerships will be able to draw upon information about child care that local authorities are already obliged by law to collect or make available, for example day care reviews and Children's Services Plans required by the Children and Young Persons Acts. Research carried out for my Department has shown that the extent and quality of information held by local authorities varies widely. We are making available £12 million pounds to help local partnerships conduct audits and draw up local child care plans.

  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the regional conferences and workshops for partnership members and others which have been held as a follow-up to the Green Paper, "Meeting the Childcare Challenge". [50853]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Regional conferences have been held in Sheffield, Gateshead, Bristol and London to follow up the Green Paper. They were attended by a range

  Assisted places scheme Parental contribution scales for school year 1998–99

  percentage

  Part of relevant income to which percentage applies

  One assisted pupil

  Each of two assisted pupils

  Each of three assisted pupils

  That part which exceeds £10,248 but does not exceed £11,144

  9

  6.75

  5.25

  That part (if any) which exceeds £11,144 but does not exceed £12,053

  12

  9

  7

  That part (if any) which exceeds £12,053 but does not exceed £13,858

  15

  11.25

  8.75

  That part (if any) which exceeds £13,858 but does not exceed £16,639

  21

  15.75

  12.25

  That part (if any) which exceeds £16,639 but does not exceed £20,264

  24

  18

  14

  That part (if any) which exceeds £20,264

  33

  24.75

  19.25

  302
  of organisations including local authorities, Training and Enterprise Councils, private and voluntary providers, child care organisations and employers.

  A workshop on child care information services has also been held, and workshops on training and qualifications, child care audits, guidance for child care partnerships and involving employers in child care and family friendly employment will be held from July through to the autumn.

  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many copies of the Green Paper, "Meeting the Childcare Challenge", were(a) published and (b) distributed. [50850]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The Stationery Office produced 10,000 copies of the Green Paper, of which the Department for Education and Employment bought 4,500. Of these some 2,500 were distributed to interested organisations and individuals, 1,200 copies were distributed within Government and the remaining copies were kept for use during the consultation period. We have also produced a leaflet summarising the Green Paper, of which 1.1 million copies were printed. Most of these have now been distributed to parents, child care providers and others.

  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he expects to publish responses to the Green Paper, "Meeting the Childcare Challenge". [50855]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  All responses to the Green Paper received by the Government are available for public inspection, unless the respondent has requested that they remain confidential. The Government will take account of these responses when it produces guidance for the new child care partnerships in October. We will consider what other Government response to the consultation is needed in the light of the comments we receive.

  Assisted Places Scheme
  Judy Mallaber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the uprating of the parental contribution scales for the Assisted Places Scheme for the 1998–99 school year. [51258]

  Mr. Byers
  Revised scales have been incorporated in the 1998 Amendment Regulations which have been laid before Parliament today. The scales and allowances have been uprated by 2.7 per cent. Where relevant income does not exceed £10,414, the tuition fee will be wholly remitted so that the child receives a free place. The new provisions are set out in the following table.

  Education (Grammar School Ballots) Regulations
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he expects to publish final statutory instruments on the Education (Grammar School Ballots) Regulations. [50860]

  Mr. Byers
  Subject to the School Standards and Framework Bill receiving Royal Assent and to affirmative resolution debates in both Houses, I expect the Regulations to be published before the end of the Parliamentary Session.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Hunt Kennels
  Mr. Michael J. Foster
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 15 June 1998,Official Report, columns 20–26, if he will list the reasons for the unsatisfactory audit finding for each hunt kennel listed. [46571]

  Mr. Rooker
  It is not possible to list the individual failures found during State Veterinary Service specified risk material (SRM) audit visits during 1998 to the hunt kennels listed in my reply of 15 June as this could prejudice any legal action being considered by the local authority concerned. It is the local authority, rather than Government Departments, which has enforcement responsibility under the relevant legislation.

  For those visits carried out during 1997, release of the information requested has raised a number of legal issues which are being urgently considered. Once this has been completed, I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Michael J. Foster
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 15 June 1998,Official Report, columns 20–26, if he will list the potential (a) animal and (b) human health risks in circumstances where hunt kennels fail to achieve a satisfactory SRM audit. [46573]

  Mr. Rooker
  Government measures to combat BSE have greatly reduced the number of cases of preclinical BSE in bovines, and there are relatively few now found in the field. Any animals suspected of suffering from BSE are destroyed in designated incinerators and not taken to hunt kennels. The main throughput of hunt kennels is therefore casualty animals and dead stock from which specified risk material has to be removed and disposed of in accordance with the Specified Risk Material Regulations 1997. Meat from such carcases is not eligible for the human food chain.

  The potential human health risks arise from the possible illegal diversion of material into the human food chain. For animal health, the potential risks arise from the possible diversion of SRM into animal by products, and the direct feeding of SRM to hounds, even though no case of a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) developing in dogs has ever been recorded. In all cases, the controls applied on the handling and disposal of SRM in hunt kennels are intended to prevent such risks arising, reinforced by the compliance audit carried out by the State Veterinary Service, the results of which are reported monthly in the BSE Enforcement Bulletin.
  304
  In all cases where unsatisfactory audit visits have been reported and investigated, unannounced follow up visits have also been carried out to ensure that any necessary remedial action has been taken.

  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the failures that were discovered in the surveillance visits in 1997 and 1998 to the(a) Llangibby Foxhounds, (b) Pentyrow Hunt Kennels, (c) Tegryn Farmers Hunt, (d) Carmarthen Hunt, (e) Llandeilo Hunt, (f) Game Foxhounds Hunt Kennels, (g) Amman Valley Hunt and (h) Carmarthenshire Hunt Kennels. [46586]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 22 June 1998]: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to our hon. Friend the Member for Worcester (Mr. Foster) today 16 July 1998, Official Report, column 303.

  Samaritans
  Mr. Quinn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had with the Samaritans on farming-related issues. [49111]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 6 July 1998]: We recognise the issue of stress within rural communities and the role the Samaritans play in helping to relieve it. The Ministry participates in the work of the Rural Stress Information Network, provides assistance towards establishing local support networks and makes certain specialist advice available free of charge on referral from agencies such as the Samaritans. My hon. Friend the Minister of State visited the Samaritans' stand at the Three Counties Show to discuss the issues raised with the Samaritans within the rural communities. The Samaritans in Hereford have kindly provided a copy of the video which they have produced and widely distributed. We will be giving further consideration to the issues related to rural stress which have been raised with MAFF Ministers during their regional visits.

  Royal Agricultural Benevolent Fund
  Mr. Quinn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what meetings he has had with representatives of the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Fund. [49112]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 6 July 1998]: The Ministerial team at MAFF is aware of the good work of the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI), who provide financial help and advice through a confidential helpline for members of the farming community suffering hardship.

  My hon. Friend the Minister of State has met representatives of the RABI during his visits to the regions, and paid a visit to the RABI stand at the Royal Show. As a result of these contacts, arrangements are in hand for posters and literature explaining the work of the RABI to be displayed in the Department's nine Regional Service Centres. The RABI has already announced it is to extend its work to include farm workers, and Ministers in this Department are keen to see that as wide a section of the farming industry as possible is aware of the RABI.

  Environmental Issues
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the organisations(a) from which he has received representations and (b) which he has consulted which have as part or all of their remit the promotion of (i) biodiversity at the level of the farm, (ii) integrated crop management schemes and (iii) organic farming. [50041]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  This Department carries out many consultations concerning the areas mentioned. Among the organisations which MAFF regularly consults on one or more of the issues mentioned by the right hon. Member are:

  BioDynamic Agriculture Association

  Butterfly Conservation

  Country Landowners Association

  Countryside Commission

  Elm Farm Research Centre

  English Heritage

  English Nature

  Environment Agency

  Farm and Food Society

  Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group

  Henry Doubleday Research Association

  Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association

  Linking Farming and the Environment

  National Farmers Union

  Organic Farmers and Growers

  Organic Food Federation

  Organic Trust

  Plant Life

  Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

  SAFE Alliance

  Scottish Organic Producers Association

  Soil Association

  Sustainable Agriculture Development Group

  The Wildlife Trusts

  The Integrated Arable Crop Protection Alliance

  Ulster Organic Association

  World Wide Fund for Nature UK.

  Animal Health Act 1981
  Dr. Palmer
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will place in the Library a copy of the instructions to his staff responsible for applying sections 40 to 49 of the Animal Health Act 1981 and any subordinate legislation made under the same sections of the Act. [50047]

  Mr. Morley
  I am placing in the Library today a copy of the relevant Guidance Notes for Exporters, which give an explanation of the procedures followed.

  Departmental Environmental Policies
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the current energy consumption of his Department; what targets have been set to reduce this level; and what plans he has for including energy efficiency performance figures in his Department's annual report. [50411]
  306
  Mr. Morley
  The latest energy consumption figures available for the Ministry's main estate and its Laboratory Agencies is for 1996–97. It is:

  kWh

  Electricity

  Gas

  Oil

  Total

  37,786,876

  59,623,879

  9,093,363

  106,504,112

  The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) has set a Government-wide target to reduce energy consumption levels by 20 per cent. up to 31 March 2000 when compared with the base year of 1990–91. By 1996–97, the Ministry's main estate had achieved reductions in energy consumption of 14 per cent. and its Laboratory Agencies had achieved a 6 per cent. reduction. The Ministry will be submitting the annual returns for 1997–98 to DETR when asked to do so, which is expected to be around September.

  The energy efficiency performance figures for 1996–97 were included in Chapter 7 of the Ministry's 1998 annual report which was published in April. MAFF's energy efficiency performance will be included in future annual reports.

  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of his Department's waste is recycled at present; and what targets have been set for increasing this. [50412]

  Mr. Morley
  Under the Department's action plan for green operations, there is a requirement on all our sites to minimise the generation of waste by encouraging recycling schemes and reusing materials. For example, many of our sites operate paper and other recycling schemes. So far we have not measured waste streams and set targets for waste reduction and recycling because of the practicalities of physically measuring the quantities of waste produced and the extent to which waste is recycled. However, this remains under consideration.

  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to discourage unnecessary car use by his Department's employees. [50414]

  Mr. Morley
  The Department has strict rules to ensure that travel on official business is authorised only when it is absolutely necessary and that cars are used only when they are the most cost effective method of travel.

  Fishing Regulations
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many vessels have been advised of contraventions of European Union fishing regulations in United Kingdom fishing protection operations in the last three years; and on how many occasions these contraventions have led to prosecutions. [50401]

  Mr. Morley
  During the period 1995–97, the UK enforcement authorities detected 5,401 infringements of European Union fishing regulations in respect of 2,514 vessels. This has resulted in the masters and/or owners of some 324 vessels being prosecuted in respect of 612 of the infringements detected. There are some cases which are still being processed and the number of prosecutions may therefore rise.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the written parliamentary questions tabled by the right hon. Member for Fylde which remain to be answered. [50248]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  [holding answer 13 July 1998]: As of today, 16 July, the only written parliamentary questions tabled by the right hon. Member which remain to be answered are two parliamentary questions for which the right hon. Member has named Tuesday 21 and Thursday 23 July for answer and three parliamentary questions for ordinary written answer which appeared in the Order Paper today for the first time.

  Fishing Industry
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from the fishing industry on his Department's latest proposals for alterations to(a) fishing licences generally and (b) external water licences. [50546]

  Mr. Morley
  We have invited the fishing industry to comment on the following proposals for changes in licensing arrangements: the introduction of new licensing arrangements to limit access to the UK's scallop fisheries (consultation letter issued on 11 June and comments invited by 14 August 1998); the aggregation of whitefish licences with pelagic licences for the purposes of introducing pelagic freezer trawlers into the UK fishing fleet (consultation letter issued on 2 July and comments invited by 31 August 1998); more flexible and transparent arrangements for external waters licensing (consultation letter issued on 15 June and comments invited by 17 August 1998).

  Representations on each of these proposals are being submitted to the Ministry and copies will be available to the public through the MAFF Library at 3 Whitehall Place (West Block) London SW1A 2AH after the consultation process has been completed.

  Additionally, and as announced on 17 December 1997, Official Report, columns 336–49, Fisheries Departments are holding a series of meetings with representatives of the principal fishermen's organisations to review the operation of the current licensing arrangements for fishing vessels.

  Meat Imports
  Mr. David Davis
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce measures to control MBM-fed(a) pork and (b) bacon imports which do not meet British traceability requirements to take account of BSE outbreaks in continental Europe. [50700]

  Mr. Rooker
  No. The ban on meat and bone meal in pig feed in the United Kingdom is to prevent cross contamination of ruminant feed with meat and bone meal incorporated into feed for other farm animals. There is, therefore, no basis on which it would be reasonable to restrict imports of pig meat.

  Tuberculosis
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what testing of badgers in TB affected areas is currently taking place. [50667]

  Mr. Rooker
  Although new badger removal operations have now ceased, we are still testing some of the badger carcases which have been removed. Additionally, in areas of TB incidents, where it is felt that this would provide valuable epidemiological evidence, some carcases of badgers which are found dead are tested.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list by area the number of herd breakdowns caused by bovine TB since January 1997. [50666]

  Mr. Rooker
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for South-East Cambridgeshire (Mr. Paice) on 3 July 1998,Official Report, columns 318–20. I will write to my hon. Friend with the information relating to the first six months of 1998 when I have it.

  Sturgeon and Caviar Imports
  Mr. Fallon
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for what reasons imports of sturgeon from Iran and caviar from the United Arab Emirates have been banned; what steps have been taken by his Department to have the bans lifted; and what compensation is available to United Kingdom fish merchants who have lost business as a result of the bans. [50723]

  Mr. Rooker
  The United Arab Emirates is unable to export fishery products to the EU because it is not included in the list of countries authorised to do so under current EU hygiene measures. Transitional arrangements which allowed imports from unlisted countries ended on 1 July 1998. The United Arab Emirates did not provide sufficient guarantees to the Commission by this date and has therefore not been added to the list. It is a matter for the competent authority in the United Arab Emirates to provide such guarantees. Iran is included in a list of countries allowed to continue existing export trade of fishery products to individual Member States until 31 January 1999. There is no compensation available to fish merchants who have lost business as a result of EU hygiene measures.

HEALTH

  Salford and Trafford Health Authority
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) on what date his Department first requested the Salford and Trafford Health Authority to withdraw its public consultation document on the future of children's health services; and on what grounds; [49359]

  (2) on what grounds the Salford and Trafford Health Authority refused to withdraw its consultation paper on children's services when first requested to do so by his Department; [49360]
  309
  (3) on what date his Department indicated to the Salford and Trafford Health Authority that a legal direction would be issued requiring the authority to withdraw its consultation on the future of children's services; [49361]

  (4) what representations he has received from health authorities which adjoin the Salford and Trafford Health Authority relating to the public consultation on the future of children's health services in Salford and Trafford; and on what dates the representations were received; [49357]

  (5) what representations he has received from members of the Salford and Trafford Health Authority in relation to the consultation on the future of children's health services; and on what dates; [49358]

  (6) what discussions took place between his Department and the Salford and Trafford Health Authority between the date when the authority refused the Department's request to withdraw its consultation on the future of children's services and the date when a legal direction was issued by the Secretary of State requiring the withdrawal of that document. [49356]

  Mr. Dobson
  [holding answer 7 July 1998]: We have received no such representations on this matter. The legal direction was issued to, and received by, Salford and Trafford Health Authority on 30 June 1998.

  I did not ask the health authority to withdraw its consultation; discussions took place between officials of the Department and representatives of Salford and Trafford Health Authority, to explore the issues and consider the options for withdrawing the proposals.

  I am not aware of any representations from health authority members in relation to the consultation on the future of children's health services.

  The legal direction was effective immediately and its receipt was acknowledged on 1 July 1998. The purpose of this action was to allow wider consideration of a more systematic improvement of children's services which build on our efforts over the last year to ensure that changes in health services in Manchester, Salford and Trafford are arrived at quickly and as part of an integrated approach across the Health Action Zone.

  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list all requests which his Department has made since 2 May 1997 for health authorities to withdraw public consultation documents which have been issued in accordance with normal procedures; and in which of those cases(a) he has issued a legal direction and (b) he is considering issuing a legal direction. [49365]

  Mr. Dobson
  [holding answer 7 July 1998]: The only such request made by the Department since 2 May 1997 related to the consultation document "Future Hospital Care For the Children and Young People of Salford and Trafford". This was in the form of a legal direction issued by North West Regional Office on my behalf to Salford and Trafford Health Authority. No other such direction is under consideration at the present time.

  Public Consultations
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the occasions on which his Department has asked health authorities to withdraw properly conducted public consultations during the 20 years prior to 1 July 1997; and on how many of those occasions the Department subsequently required compliance through the use of a legal direction. [49355]

  Mr. Dobson
  [holding answer 7 July 1998]: The information requested can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Tonsillectomy
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list(a) by health authority or trust and (b) nationally the average waiting time for a tonsillectomy after referral to a consultant. [50079]

  Mr. Milburn
  Information is available only at specialty level for waiting times for an outpatient appointment to see a consultant following referral by a general practitioner. The latest information for surgical waiting times, following a decision by a consultant to admit for excision of tonsil, is available in Hospital Episode Statistics Volume 2 Finished consultant episodes: waiting time for elective admissions by diagnosis and operation; England: Financial year 1995–96, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Dementia
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the causes of and treatment for (i) Alzheimer's disease and (ii) other forms of dementia; and what proposals he has to support future research. [50229]

  Ms Jowell
  The Department directly funds research covering a whole range of issues relating to mental health. There are two programmes—the policy research programme (PRP), which is designed to underpin the development of health and personal social services policy, and the National Health Service research and development programme, which commissions research in and for the NHS.

  The PRP is contributing £1 million to the Medical Research Council Study of Cognitive Function and Ageing. This is a multicentre study to examine dementia, its natural history and risks, including Alzheimer's Disease.

  The NHS Executive is supporting, through its regionally led research and development programme, a project on mobility and dementia—"Is physiotherapy during respite care admission effective?"—at a cost of approximately £140,000. Also, West Midlands regional research and development directorate are directly funding a project which is considering the cost and clinical effectiveness of Aricept for treating mild to moderate dementia at a cost of approximately £600,000.

  Hepatitis C
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what treatment is available to people with haemophilia infected with hepatitis C through the NHS; what is the success rate; and what are the side effects; [50384]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the (a) treatment available, (b) success rate of treatment and (c) side effects of treatment for people with haemophilia with hepatitis C infection. [50437]

  Ms Jowell
  People infected with the hepatitis C virus may remain symptom free for many years but a proportion will eventually develop chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis or even liver cancer. At present the only drug licensed in the United Kingdom for the treatment of any patient with hepatitis C is alpha interferon. Some haemophiliacs infected with hepatitis C may benefit from treatment and should be offered it when appropriate. However, current experience shows that alpha interferon will only produce a sustained response, that is clear the virus on testing, in 20–25 per cent. of patients. Current research is examining how best to use alpha interferon and testing other antiviral drugs that either alone or in combination with alpha interferon, could give better results.

  Alpha interferon is not well tolerated by some people. Most will have a mild reaction including influenza-like symptoms; in others the side effects will be more severe ranging from nausea, influenza-like symptoms and lethargy to depression, cardiovascular problems and hypersensitive reactions. Some will be unable to continue with the treatment. A history of certain types of health problems, for example depression, may be a contra-indication for treatment with the drug.

  Home help/care contact hours, households receiving service average contact hours per household and "intensive" packages of service during the survey week in September/October each year 1992 to 1997, England

  Year

  Total home help/care contact hours

  Number of households hours receiving service

  Average contact hours per household receiving service

  Per cent. of total contact hours spent on "intensive"1 packages

  1992

  1,687,000

  528,500

  3.2

  11

  1993

  1,780,800

  514,600

  3.5

  12

  1994

  2,215,100

  538,900

  4.1

  15

  1995

  2,395,700

  513,600

  4.7

  21

  1996

  2,486,700

  491,100

  5.1

  25

  1997

  2,637,800

  471,000

  5.6

  28

  1"Intensive" = more than 5 visits during the week totalling more than 5 hours

  Source:

  Department of Health return HH1

  Argentine Health Authorities
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on general practice co-operation systems with Argentine health authorities. [48678]

  Mr. Milburn
  [holding answer 13 July 1998]: There are no formal agreements between the United Kingdom and Argentina at Government level covering this area.

  The Argentine authorities wish to develop their arrangements for primary health care. The Royal College
  312
  The Department has commissioned £1 million research into hepatitis C, and a further £0.5 million will be commissioned shortly. It is also supporting the Royal College of Physicians and other professional bodies in the preparation of clinical guidelines on the treatment of hepatitis C with alpha interferon. The guidelines should be ready later this year.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many representations he has received calling for financial assistance on behalf of people with haemophilia infected with the hepatitis C virus; and if he will make a statement. [50435]

  Ms Jowell
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Hazel Grove (Mr. Stunell) on 15 July 1998,Official Report, column 222.

  Home Care Services
  Ms Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the answer of 16 June 1998,Official Report, column 162, on home care services, what factors underlie the changes in each year in the numbers and percentage of adult households in England receiving home help/home care services in each category. [50438]

  Ms Jowell
  Trends in the provision of domiciliary care reflect the provisions of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990. One of the objectives of the Act was to focus services on those most in need.

  Figures published in Statistical Bulletin "Community Care Statistics 1997 Day and domiciliary personal social services for Adults, England" (ref 1998/13), and summarised in the table, reflect the increased targeting. The table shows that the total number of contact hours has risen, as has the average number of hours spent with each household receiving the service, and the proportion of contact hours spent on more intensive packages of care has increased from 11 per cent. of total hours in 1992 to 28 per cent. in 1997.

  of General Practitioners met Argentine healthcare experts in the UK in February and took part in a UK healthcare mission to Argentina, supported by the Department of Trade and Industry earlier this month.

  Edgware Community Hospital
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when the data on the use of Edgware Community Hospital Urgent Treatment Centre will be made available to the Independent Evaluation Team; [50740]
  313
  (2) to what medical and nursing protocols the Urgent Treatment Centre, Edgware Community Hospital, is currently operating. [50739]

  Mr. Milburn
  This is a local matter for the Wellhouse National Health Service Trust. My hon. Friend may, therefore, wish to contact Mr. David Phillips, Chairman of the Trust, for this information.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Government Legal Service
  Mr. Cranston
  To ask the Attorney-General (1) how many barristers over six years call were employed as lawyers by the Government Legal Service, during each year since 1993; [50098]

  (2) how many registered pupil masters were employed by the Government Legal Service; and how many pupils were trained by those pupil masters in each year since 1993. [50099]

  The Attorney-General
  The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Crown Prosecution Service
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Attorney-General what arrangements are in place to provide media training to Crown Prosecution staff; and if he will make a statement. [50144]

  The Attorney-General
  Media training is available for Chief Crown Prosecutors, Branch Crown Prosecutors and other senior staff. The courses are run by the Crown Prosecution Service's Communications Division and up to six people are trained at a time.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Attorney-General what plans his Department has to correspond electronically with(a) hon. Members and (b) members of the public. [49839]

  The Attorney-General
  An examination of the methods available within my Department is being undertaken as part of the government-wide exercise.

  Furthermore, the annual report of the Serious Fraud Office for 1997/98, which was published today, will also be available to hon. Members and members of the public on the SFO World Wide Web site at http://www.sfo.gov.uk. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of the Houses.

  Medicines and Pesticides: Authorisation
  Medicines and Pesticides: Authorisation
  OP Sheep Dips: Suspected Adverse Reaction Cases
  OP Sheep Dips: Suspected Adverse Reaction Cases
  Pirimiphos-methyl
  Pirimiphos-methyl
  Copper and Selenium Deficiencies in Cattle
  Copper and Selenium Deficiencies in Cattle
  Pesticides in Animal Feeds
  Pesticides in Animal Feeds
  Guide Dogs
  Guide Dogs
  Pig Tail-docking
  Pig Tail-docking
  Live Animals: Pre-export Procedures
  Live Animals: Pre-export Procedures
  Expert Group on Vitamins and Minerals
  Expert Group on Vitamins and Minerals
  Conditional Fees
  Conditional Fees
  National Curriculum
  National Curriculum
  Teaching and Higher Education Bill and European Human Rights Convention
  Teaching and Higher Education Bill and European Human Rights Convention
  General Affairs Council
  General Affairs Council
  International Fund for Needy Victims of Nazi Persecution
  International Fund for Needy Victims of Nazi Persecution
  Poland: Outstanding Debt
  Poland: Outstanding Debt
  Attorney General's Office: Reviews
  Attorney General's Office: Reviews
  SFO: Disclosure and Statutory Superintendence
  SFO: Disclosure and Statutory Superintendence
  Corporal Punishment
  Corporal Punishment
  AIDS: Deaths of Homosexual Men
  AIDS: Deaths of Homosexual Men
  AIDS Death and Age of Consent
  AIDS Death and Age of Consent
  Powered Indoor/Outdoor Wheelchairs
  Powered Indoor/Outdoor Wheelchairs
  Duckett's Cheese
  Duckett's Cheese
  E.coli 0157 and Duckett's Cheese
  E.coli 0157 and Duckett's Cheese
  "Emergency": Definition
  "Emergency": Definition
  Donepezil Hydrochloride (Aricept) and Alzheimer's Disease
  Donepezil Hydrochloride (Aricept) and Alzheimer's Disease
  Prescribing of Medicines: Age Discrimination
  Prescribing of Medicines: Age Discrimination
  NHS Prescribing Costs
  NHS Prescribing Costs
  Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland
  Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland
  Child Support
  Child Support
  Manchester: Commonwealth Games Stadium
  Manchester: Commonwealth Games Stadium
  Asylum System: Inter-departmental Study
  Asylum System: Inter-departmental Study
  Privy Council Office: Reviews
  Privy Council Office: Reviews