Written Answers of 23 July 1998

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Director of Public Prosecutions
  Maria Eagle
  To ask the Attorney-General when the Director of Public Prosecutions will publish her annual report. [52517]

  The Attorney-General
  The Director of Public Prosecutions has today published her annual report and copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Government Lawyers
  Mr. Cranston
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will make a statement on the role of Government lawyers in England and Wales. [52368]

  The Attorney-General
  Lawyers employed by the Government have a central role in assisting Ministers in the discharge of their functions. They are civil servants, and are accountable to Ministers, but nevertheless they are professionally independent and have responsibilities to the Courts and their professional bodies. In recognition of the special nature of the work of Government lawyers, and in consultation with the Treasury Solicitor, I have decided to publish a Guidance Note concerning their role.

  The Note provides guidance to Government lawyers as to:

  1. The inter-relationship between their obligation as civil servants and as members of the legal profession;

  2. Their role regarding other civil servants and the Ministers or office-holders to whom they are accountable.

  3. The special position of prosecutors in the decision-making process; and

  4. The inter-relationship between the role of Legal Advisers to Departments and that of the Law Officers in the provision of legal advice to the Government.

  I am placing a copy of the Guidance Note in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament.

  Departmental Vehicles
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will list for(a) his Department and (b) bodies listed in the National Asset Register, how many vehicles are currently (i) owned and (ii) leased; if he will indicate their (A) fuel types and (B) engine cubic capacities; and how many vehicles are expected to fall due for replacement in each of the years (1) 1998–99, (2) 1999–2000 and (3) 2000–01. [49225]

  The Attorney-General
  [holding answer 6 July 1998]: This answer covers the Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers, the Treasury Solicitor's Department (and the Government Property Lawyers Agency), the Crown Prosecution Service and the Serious Fraud Office.
  604
  (i) The Government Car and Despatch Agency owns vehicles used by this Department and I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 21 July 1998, Official Report, column 446.

  (ii) In addition, the Crown Prosecution Service leases a total of 33 vehicles; 26 of which have diesel engines and 7 have unleaded petrol engines. The engine cubic capacities for these vehicles are as set out.

  c.c.

  Number of vehicles

  1300

  1

  1400

  3

  1500

  1

  1600

  3

  1700

  7

  1800

  12

  1900

  3

  2400

  1

  2400

  3

  13 vehicles fall due for replacement in 1998–99, 12 in 1999–2000 and 8 in 2000–2001.

DEFENCE

  Correspondence
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's average response time to correspondence from members of the public; and how such response times are monitored. [48665]

  Mr. Spellar
  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.

  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what target his Department sets for the maximum time to respond to letters from hon. Members; what proportion of letters meets that target; and what is the average time taken to respond to a letter from an hon. Member. [49847]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 13 July 1998]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 13 July 1998, Official Report, column 1.

  Executive Agency Newsletters
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the current security classifications of the newsletter produced for the staff of(a) the Army Base Storage and Distribution Agency, (b) the Army Training and Recruiting Agency and (c) the Defence Codification Agency; how often each newsletter is produced; and when each newsletter was first produced. [51133]

  Mr. Spellar
  This is a matter for the Chief Executives of the Agencies concerned. I have asked them to write to the hon. Member.
  605
  Letter from K. A. Bradshaw to Mr. Matthew Taylor, dated 23 July 1998:
  Defence Codification Newsletter—DCA News

  1. I am replying to your question to the Secretary for Defence about the newsletter produced by the Defence Codification Agency (DCA), as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive DCA.

  2. The Agency publishes a newsletter called 'DCA NEWS'. This is a document which is published quarterly, it has no classified information content and therefore carries no protective marking. The first issue was dated June 1994.

  Letter from P. D. Foxton to Mr. Matthew Taylor, dated 23 July 1998:
  I am replying to the recent questions you tabled to the Secretary of State for Defence for those matters that fall within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Army Base Supply and Distribution Agency (ABSDA). You asked about the current security classification of the Agency newsletter produced for the staff, how often it is produced and when the first edition was produced.
  The ABSDA staff newsletter, "Baseline", does not have or require any security caveat and it is produced on a bi-monthly basis. The first edition was produced in January 1995, three months prior to the formation of ABSDA, to inform staff of the changes that were to take place.
  I trust I have answered your questions satisfactorily.

  Letter from P. A. Wilson to Mr. Matthew Taylor, dated 23 July 1998:
  I am replying on behalf of the Chief Executive to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the classification and frequency of publication of the newsletter produced by this Agency, as this matter falls within the responsibility of the Army Training and Recruiting Agency.
  The Agency produces a bi-monthly publication, ATRA News, which is unclassified. The first edition was published in April 1997.

  Asset Sales
  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if the proceeds of asset sales by his Department have been offset against the estimates of total defence spending published in paragraph 197 of the Strategic Defence Review; [50845]

  (2) what are the assumed receipts from asset sales by his Department in each of the years 1998–99 to 2001–02; [50844]

  (3) if the figures in paragraph 197 of the Strategic Defence Review for total defence spending reflect the deduction of the proceeds of asset sales. [50846]

  Mr. George Robertson
  [holding answer 20 July 1998]: The future provision for defence, set out in paragraph 197 of the Strategic Defence Review White Paper, reflects forecast receipts from a continuing programme of asset sales. This includes defence estate disposals, receipts from which should exceed £700 million over the next four years. Additional one-off receipts are expected to be available in 2001–02. Details of assumed receipts form part of my Department's internal plans: these represent projections and assumptions which inform advice to Ministers on the affordability of the defence programme. Accordingly, I am withholding the information requested under exemption 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Joint Defence Centre
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if the Joint Defence Centre will be co-located with the Joint Services Command and Staff College; [51300]

  (2) if (a) the Commandant of the Joint Defence Centre and (b) the Commandant of the Joint Service Command and Staff College will be required to have attended the Higher Command and Staff Course; [51294]

  (3) what savings will be achieved in single service doctrine centres by the establishment of the Joint Defence Centre; [51295]

  (4) who the Commandant of the Joint Defence Centre will report to in the chain of command; [51296]

  (5) what are the projected costs of the Joint Defence Centre. [51299]

  Mr. George Robertson
  [holding answer 20 July 1998]: Following the Strategic Defence Review (Cm 3999) I have established a study team to consider the detailed responsibilities, organisation, location, resources and costs associated with the formation of a Joint Defence Centre. The team is due to report at the end of the year. It would be premature to comment in advance of their findings.

  The work of the Joint Defence Centre will be overseen at the highest level; detailed arrangements for the command and management of the centre are also being examined by the study team.

  I intend that the Joint Defence Centre will be central to development of our joint Service vision and integral to our strategic planning process. As such I place greatest emphasis on the experience and calibre of those appointed to command and staff the centre, as I would for any officer holding a key joint appointment.

  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the projected cost of the construction of the Joint Services Command and Staff College at Shrivenham. [51298]

  Mr. George Robertson
  [holding answer 20 July 1998]: Defence Management (Watchfield) Ltd. is contracted to provide a complete service in support of the teaching and accommodation facilities at the JSCSC at Watchfield, for which it will be paid a monthly service charge on the basis of usage. The Net Present Value of the payments is assessed to be about £200M over the 30 year contract period. My Department does not make a specific payment to cover construction costs.

  RAF Northolt
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received concerning the future of RAF Northolt; and if he will list them. [51755]

  Dr. Reid
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Ealing, North (Mr. Pound) on 18 July 1998,Official Report, column 264.
  607
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what studies his Department has(a) made and (b) evaluated relating to the use of RAF Northolt as a possible feeder or reliever airport for Heathrow Airport. [51201]

  Dr. Reid
  The Ministry of Defence has neither undertaken nor evaluated any studies relating to the use of RAF Northolt as a possible feeder or reliever airport for Heathrow Airport.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many flights other than RAF flights have used RAF Northolt in the last five years; and if he will list them by category. [51203]

  Dr. Reid
  The information that my hon. Friend requested for the period 1993 to 1997 is set out in the tables. The figures shown are the number of movements, where one movement is defined as an aircraft either landing or taking off. Until 1995 information was collated only in terms of military and civil movements as shown in the first table. Since 1996, military movements at RAF Northolt have been further sub-categorised as RAF, other military, or civil aircraft on Government business. This more detailed classification is reflected in the second table.

  Year

  Military movements

  Civil movements

  1993

  8,310

  4,650

  1994

  7,319

  5,425

  1995

  7,981

  6,492

  Year

  RAF

  Other military

  Civil aircraft on Government business

  Civil

  1996

  5,474

  1,878

  548

  6,469

  1997

  5,129

  1,623

  498

  6,976

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what projections his Department have made of the use by general aviation traffic of RAF Northolt airport in the next three years. [51202]

  Dr. Reid
  None. It is current Ministry of Defence policy to limit use at RAF Northolt to 7,000 civil movements per annum. In addition, the Ministry of Defence has limited opening hours to between 8am and 8pm on weekdays with weekend use permitted only when the station is open for operational reasons. Furthermore, only quieter aircraft which have a maximum capacity of 30 passengers are allowed to use Northolt.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects a decision to be made on the future of RAF Northolt. [51754]

  Dr. Reid
  Early proposals on the future of RAF Northolt are highly unlikely. There are several strands of work currently under way which must be taken into account. Firstly, the Ministry of Defence is drawing up a strategic development plan for the defence estate in the Greater London area, which will include RAF Northolt. In addition, there is work which has been set in hand by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions on business aviation in the south-east. Finally,608
  the Integrated Transport White Paper published on 20 July 1998 provides a framework for further work on airports policy.

  War Graves
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what financial assistance is available from his Department to help in the cost of a person visiting a war grave in a European war grave cemetery. [51241]

  Mr. Spellar
  Since 1985, the Royal British Legion have operated the War Widows Pilgrimage Scheme on behalf of the Ministry of Defence to provide financial assistance to any Service widow, whose husband died and was buried overseas between 1914 and 1967, to visit the grave.

  The Scheme, which entitles any Service widow to make one visit to the grave, is funded by a Grant-in-Aid from the Defence Budget which contributes ⅞ of the cost of a pilgrimage; the remaining ⅛ of the cost is borne by the widow. There are no plans to expand the Scheme to include other family members.

  As I announced in the House of Commons on 5 May 1998, Official Report, column 282, following an approach by the Royal British Legion, I agreed to an extension of the War Widows Pilgrimage Scheme until 31 March 2001. I intend to conduct an automatic review every two years; as long as there are Service widows eligible to visit their husband's grave, this Government will continue to renew the Scheme.

  Nuclear Accidents
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the nature of the contracts between the Nuclear Accident Response Organisation and the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency; how much each contract is worth; how long each contract lasts; and when each was signed. [46821]

  Dr. Reid
  The single contract between the HQ Nuclear Accident Response Organisation and the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency is for the provision of radiological protection services. The contract is renewed annually, runs between 1 April and 31 March and is worth around £75,000.

  Nuclear Waste
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of currently available space for storage of radioactive waste is currently used; and what percentage he estimates will be used by(a) 1 April 2000, (b) 1 April 2005 and (c) 1 April 2010. [51154]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 20 July 1998]: I am satisfied that there is sufficient storage space to accommodate safely all my Department's radioactive wastes beyond 2010. Details of my Department's radioactive waste arisings at 1994 are publicly available in the most recent NIREX inventory.

  Details about the anticipated percentage usage of the available storage capacity for the dates 1 April 2000, 1 April 2005 and 1 April 2010 are dependent on future decisions about the timing of decommissioning of facilities and the remediation of sites.

  Sri Lankan Military Officers
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Sri Lankan military officers are currently being taught at United Kingdom educational establishments, including military colleges; which institutions they are attending; and how many are at each institution. [51798]

  Dr. Reid
  None.

  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assistance has been given to the Government of Sri Lanka to establish their Army Staff College; and if any British personnel are attached to the college. [51800]

  Dr. Reid
  A Short Term Training Team comprising 2 Lieutenant Colonels visited Sri Lanka between 8 September and 21 December 1997 to assist in the establishment of the country's Army Staff College. Since the beginning of this year, one Colonel has served as an instructor at the Sri Lankan Army Staff College.

  Bilderberg Meeting, Turnberry
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 10 July 1998,Official Report, column 659, on the Bilderberg meeting at Turnberry, if he will list the main topics discussed at the meeting and place copies of (a) the agenda and (b) the minutes of the meeting in the Library. [51550]

  Mr. George Robertson
  I have no Ministerial responsibility for the agenda or production of a record of the Bilderberg meeting which I attended in May this year.

  Kneller Hall
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what are the Government's plans for the future of Kneller Hall; and what recent discussions have taken place on this subject; [51598]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the Royal Military School of Music's future occupancy of Kneller Hall. [51600]

  Mr. Spellar
  There have been no recent discussions on the Royal Military School of Music's future occupancy of Kneller Hall. The Government currently have no plans to move the school from its present site. More widely, Kneller Hall is one of the sites to be considered by the Greater London Strategic Development Plan. This study flows from the Strategic Defence Review and has the objective of identifying opportunities to meet defence estate requirements in the most cost effective manner. A report will be produced at the end of the year and full consultation will take place before we reach any final decisions on those sites that may be affected.

  Armistice Anniversary
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will announce to Parliament the results of his review of death sentences carried out in the Great War prior to the 80th anniversary of the Armistice on 11 November 1999. [51860]

  Dr. Reid
  I hope to make an announcement shortly.

  Indonesia
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 8 June 1998,Official Report, column 440; what were the export control categories of the items which went with the Hawk aircraft; how many items of each equipment category went; and if the licences for any of those items were granted after May 1997. [49412]

  Mrs. Roche
  I have been asked to reply.

  As my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence said on 8 June 1998, Official Report, column 440, the timing of the delivery of any equipment is a matter for the exporter, subject to the conditions of any export licence. I understand that on 10 July British Aerospace informed officials at the Ministry of Defence that it had delivered no Hawk aircraft to Indonesia between 2 May 1997 and that date.

  An applicant for an individual export licence must, of course, provide adequate information to enable the Government to decide whether or not to issue a licence, but there is no requirement that a trade name (such as 'Hawk') be specified on an application, or that the details be recorded on the Export Control Organisation's computer databases. Therefore, it is not possible to compile a list of all standard or open individual export licences granted since 2 May 1997 covering the export to Indonesia of goods intended for, or capable of, use with a particular type of aircraft, except by recourse to the paper records of all licences covering exports to Indonesia, which would entail disproportionate cost.

  However, as I stated in an answer to my hon. Friend on 21 July 1997, Official Report, columns 448–49, licences covering the export to Indonesia of Hawk aircraft and equipment, including weapons systems and spares, had been issued on 2 January 1996 and 22 November 1996. The export of this ancillary equipment was controlled under entries ML4, ML5, ML10, ML15, ML16, ML18, ML22, and PL 5017 of Part III of Schedule 1 to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994, as amended.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Domestic Workers
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what changes he proposes to make to the arrangements for overseas domestic workers who accompany their employers to the United Kingdom. [52283]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We have been concerned for some time at reports of abuse of domestic workers accompanying their employers to the United Kingdom. We have been working with Kalayaan, the organisation which represents overseas domestic workers, to see what changes we could make to the conditions under which they are admitted, with a view to improving them and preventing abuse.

  With effect from today, only those domestic workers whose duties exceed those set down in the International Labour Organisation' s International Standard Classification of Occupations will be allowed to accompany their employer to the United Kingdom. This means that those whose duties are only cleaning,

  611
  washing and cooking will not qualify. Once in the United Kingdom, they will be allowed to change domestic employment to another employer, provided the nature of their duties meets the above criteria.

  These changes, which we shall include in the Immigration Rules at a suitable opportunity, will reduce the number of overseas domestic workers admitted to the United Kingdom. However, once here, they will be able to change to another employer if they suffer abuse from their original employer. We also propose to regularise the stay of those overseas domestic workers who, because of the shortcomings of the provisions in the past, find themselves in an irregular position through no fault of their own.

  Firearms Consultative Committee
  Mr. Efford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will lay before Parliament the ninth Annual report of the Firearms Consultative Committee. [52417]

  Mr. Straw
  I have placed in the Library today a copy of the annual report of the Firearms Consultative Committee.

  Forensic Science Service
  Ms Southworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will lay before Parliament the Annual Report for the Forensic Science Service. [52418]

  Mr. Straw
  I have today laid before Parliament copies of the Forensic Science Service (FSS) Annual Report and Accounts for 1997–98.

  The Report and Accounts details the Agency's performance against its targets. The FSS continues to grow at a significant pace, and efficiency savings are at the highest level since it became an agency in 1991. The FSS passes on these improvements to customers through

  Certified normal accommodation by prison

  Prison

  Actual 1997–98

  Forecast 1998–99

  Forecast 1999–00

  Forecast 2000–01

  Forecast 2001–02

  Acklington

  662

  682

  782

  782

  782

  Agecroft

  —

  —

  233

  800

  800

  Albany

  436

  436

  436

  436

  436

  Aldington

  145

  145

  145

  145

  145

  Altcourse

  150

  600

  600

  600

  600

  Ashwell

  444

  484

  484

  484

  484

  Askham Grange

  130

  132

  133

  133

  133

  Aylesbury

  318

  398

  438

  438

  438

  Bedford

  343

  352

  352

  352

  352

  Belmarsh

  840

  840

  840

  840

  840

  Birmingham

  719

  734

  737

  737

  737

  Blakenhurst

  647

  647

  647

  647

  647

  Blantyre House

  120

  120

  120

  120

  120

  Blundeston

  416

  424

  424

  424

  424

  Brinsford

  477

  477

  477

  477

  477

  Bristol

  489

  489

  489

  489

  489

  Brixton

  720

  720

  720

  720

  720

  Brockhill

  159

  159

  159

  159

  159

  Buckley Hall

  350

  350

  350

  350

  350

  Bullingdon

  718

  773

  773

  773

  773

  Bullwood Hall

  131

  140

  140

  140

  140

  Camphill

  468

  463

  470

  470

  470

  612
  real price reductions and higher investment in both research and development and infrastructure to improve the quality of products and services.

  The achievement on four main indications was as follows:
  Full cost recovery
  The target was exceeded. The Operating surplus before exceptional items after interest was £3 million, representing a recovery of costs of 105.3 per cent. This is sufficient to recover brought forward accumulated deficit of £2 million;
  Unit cost £80.91
  The target was exceeded. The unit cost achieved was £79.88, representing an underlying efficiency improvement of 5.8 per cent. (against a target of 3.9 per cent.);
  Achieve 90 per cent. of agreed delivery dates;
  72 per cent. of agreed delivery dates was achieved. The increased volume of business made it impossible to achieve this target. The number of delivered jobs was well ahead of expectations, but increase in capacity is in hand to meet future customer demands within the target times; and
  Maintain quality accreditation (NAMAS M10 and BS EN ISO 9001)
  Accreditation was maintained and extended to other scientific areas.

  The total number of delivered jobs—which represent individual parts of a case—showed a greater than predicted increase of 28 per cent. Measures were put in place to minimise the impact on turnaround times.

  The speed of delivery of DNA jobs will be further improved by the recruitment of more scientific staff and the new DNA unit at Huntingdon.

  Prison Accommodation
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the certified normal accommodation for each prison in England and Wales(a) in 1998 and (b) for each of the next seven years. [51404]

  Ms Quin
  The table lists the 1997–98 actual financial year averages and the 1998–99, 1999–2000 and 2000–01 forecast averages of certified normal accommodation (CNA) for each prison in England and Wales. There are no changes forecast to CNA beyond March 2002, although plans are currently under review.
  613

  Certified normal accommodation by prison

  Prison

  Actual 1997–98

  Forecast 1998–99

  Forecast 1999–00

  Forecast 2000–01

  Forecast 2001–02

  Canterbury

  186

  198

  198

  198

  198

  Cardiff

  530

  518

  518

  518

  518

  Castington

  320

  350

  450

  450

  450

  Channings Wood

  594

  594

  594

  594

  594

  Chelmsford

  448

  449

  449

  449

  449

  Colchester

  32

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Coldingley

  298

  301

  334

  334

  334

  Cookham Wood

  120

  120

  120

  120

  120

  Dartmoor

  620

  694

  701

  701

  701

  Deerbolt

  450

  471

  486

  486

  486

  Doncaster

  771

  771

  771

  771

  771

  Dorchester

  147

  166

  170

  170

  170

  Dover

  316

  316

  316

  316

  316

  Downview

  327

  327

  327

  327

  327

  Drake Hall

  281

  281

  281

  281

  281

  Durham

  663

  674

  674

  674

  674

  East Sutton Park

  94

  94

  94

  94

  94

  Eastwood Park

  175

  255

  255

  255

  255

  Elmley

  740

  760

  760

  760

  760

  Erlestoke

  310

  310

  310

  310

  310

  Everthorpe

  438

  438

  438

  438

  438

  Exeter

  266

  317

  321

  321

  321

  Featherstone

  599

  599

  599

  599

  599

  Feltham

  886

  886

  886

  886

  886

  Ford

  529

  526

  526

  526

  526

  Foston

  126

  134

  134

  134

  134

  Frankland

  447

  590

  637

  637

  637

  Full Sutton

  602

  602

  602

  602

  602

  Garth

  603

  633

  633

  633

  633

  Gartree

  364

  365

  366

  366

  366

  Glen Parva

  852

  852

  852

  852

  852

  Gloucester

  220

  235

  235

  235

  235

  Grendon

  245

  250

  254

  254

  254

  Guys Marsh

  360

  474

  487

  487

  487

  Haslar

  158

  158

  158

  158

  158

  Hatfield

  180

  180

  180

  180

  180

  Haverigg

  530

  530

  530

  530

  530

  Hewell Grange

  203

  203

  203

  203

  203

  Highdown

  649

  649

  649

  649

  649

  Highpoint

  679

  770

  800

  800

  800

  Hindley

  531

  531

  531

  531

  531

  Hollesley Bay

  458

  458

  458

  458

  458

  Holloway

  517

  517

  517

  517

  517

  Holme House

  933

  971

  971

  971

  971

  Hull

  536

  572

  616

  620

  620

  Huntercombe

  256

  366

  376

  376

  376

  Kingston

  185

  192

  193

  193

  193

  Kirkham

  702

  702

  702

  702

  702

  Kirklevington

  177

  183

  184

  184

  184

  Lancaster

  218

  218

  218

  218

  218

  Lancaster Farms

  496

  496

  496

  496

  496

  Latchmere House

  192

  193

  193

  193

  193

  Leeds

  1,049

  1,056

  1,056

  1,056

  1,056

  Leicester

  215

  219

  219

  219

  219

  Lewes

  485

  485

  485

  485

  485

  Leyhill

  410

  410

  410

  410

  410

  Lincoln

  434

  442

  454

  454

  454

  Lindholme

  682

  686

  686

  686

  686

  Littlehey

  624

  624

  624

  624

  624

  Liverpool

  1,216

  1,216

  1,216

  1,216

  1,216

  Long Lartin

  456

  480

  602

  602

  602

  Low Newton

  203

  211

  211

  211

  211

  Lowdham Grange

  504

  504

  504

  504

  504

  Maidstone

  542

  551

  551

  551

  551

  Manchester

  964

  948

  953

  953

  953

  Marchington

  —

  —

  —

  275

  800

  Moorland

  650

  740

  740

  740

  740

  Morton Hall

  203

  208

  208

  208

  208

  Mount

  588

  588

  708

  708

  708

  New Hall

  313

  327

  327

  327

  327

  North Sea Camp

  213

  213

  213

  213

  213

  Northallerton

  152

  152

  152

  152

  152

  Norwich

  570

  572

  572

  572

  572

  Norwich

  570

  572

  572

  572

  572

  Nottingham

  391

  421

  425

  425

  425

  Onley

  583

  640

  640

  640

  640

  614 615

  Certified normal accommodation by prison

  Prison

  Actual 1997–98

  Forecast 1998–99

  Forecast 1999–00

  Forecast 2000–01

  Forecast 2001–02

  Onley2

  —

  —

  —

  250

  600

  Parc

  227

  800

  800

  800

  800

  Parkhurst

  476

  482

  482

  482

  482

  Pentonville

  891

  897

  897

  897

  897

  Portland

  526

  526

  526

  526

  526

  Prescoed

  120

  120

  120

  120

  120

  Preston

  440

  445

  445

  445

  445

  Pucklechurch

  —

  —

  217

  400

  400

  Ranby

  519

  662

  710

  710

  710

  Reading

  203

  203

  203

  203

  203

  Risley

  851

  851

  851

  851

  851

  Rochester

  432

  433

  433

  433

  433

  Send

  224

  231

  231

  231

  231

  Shepton Mallet

  159

  171

  174

  174

  174

  Shrewsbury

  180

  182

  182

  182

  182

  Spring Hill

  214

  256

  256

  256

  256

  Stafford

  568

  568

  568

  568

  568

  Standford Hill

  384

  384

  384

  384

  384

  Stocken

  436

  536

  556

  556

  556

  Stoke Health

  516

  646

  646

  646

  646

  Styal

  282

  374

  404

  404

  404

  Sudbury

  511

  512

  517

  517

  517

  Swaleside

  572

  632

  742

  752

  752

  Swansea

  260

  251

  251

  251

  251

  Swinfen Hall

  203

  309

  319

  319

  319

  Thorn Cross

  316

  316

  316

  316

  316

  Usk

  126

  128

  131

  131

  131

  Varne

  552

  552

  552

  552

  552

  Wakefield

  724

  742

  744

  744

  744

  Wandsworth

  1,224

  1,201

  1,187

  1,187

  1,187

  Wayland

  620

  620

  620

  620

  620

  Wealstun

  599

  631

  632

  632

  632

  Weare

  304

  400

  400

  400

  400

  Wellingborough

  354

  374

  524

  554

  5542

  Werrington

  153

  140

  140

  140

  140

  Wetherby

  320

  360

  360

  360

  360

  Whatton

  231

  269

  275

  275

  275

  Whitemoor

  521

  522

  522

  522

  522

  Winchester

  463

  463

  463

  463

  463

  Wolds

  360

  360

  360

  360

  360

  Woodhill

  669

  721

  725

  725

  725

  Wormwood Scrubs

  1,189

  1,189

  1,189

  1,189

  1,189

  Wymott

  809

  809

  809

  809

  809

  Grants and Awards (Wakefield)
  Yvette Cooper
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the grants and awards that require bids from applicants which his Department is responsible for administering and awarding(a) nationally and (b) that people and groups within Wakefield Metropolitan District are eligible to bid for; if he will publish the deadlines for these applications; and if he will produce this list on a regular basis. [51273]

  Title of grants and awards programmes that require bids

  Geographical eligibility

  Deadline for applications

  Safer Cities (Wales only)

  Wales only

  Programme is due to end March 1999

  Programme Development

  National eligibility irrespective of geographical area

  3 year grant cycle—next programme for bids expected sometime 1999

  Drugs Prevention Initiative

  12 regional teams invite bids one of which includes Wakefield

  No formal deadline

  Probation Supervision and Accommodation

  National eligibility irrespective of geographical area

  No formal deadline

  Voluntary Services

  National eligibility irrespective of geographical area

  30 September each year

  Reduction of Racial Disadvantage/Ethnic Minorities

  National eligibility irrespective of geographical area

  No formal deadline

  616
  Mr. Straw
  The information requested in respect of grants and awards directly administered by the Home Office is given in the table.

  The Home Office wants its grant and awards programmes to reach as many potential applicants as possible and uses a variety of national and local media outlets, plus its network of contacts, to ensure that this is achieved. I have no plans to produce an aggregated list of these programmes regularly.
  617

  Title of grants and awards programmes that require bids

  Geographical eligibility

  Deadline for applications

  Reception and Resettlement of Refugees

  National eligibility irrespective of geographical area

  End of December

  Compensation for Miscarriages of Justice

  National eligibility irrespective of geographical area

  No formal deadline

  Mental Health Assessment Schemes

  National eligibility irrespective of geographical area

  Last bids exercise 1995. No plans to invite new bids

  Drugs Prevention Measures in Great Britain

  National eligibility irrespective of geographical area

  Rolling programme

  Crime Prevention Partnerships (CCTV)

  National eligibility irrespective of geographical area

  Programme completed

  Section 11 Grants/Ethnic Minorities

  National eligibility irrespective of geographical area

  Following a review, new arrangements will apply after 31 March 1999. Further announcements are to be made

  Philip Lawrence awards

  National eligibility irrespective of geographical area

  Mid September each year

  Small grants scheme for local cadets forces

  National eligibility irrespective of geographical area

  Scheme is due to end October 1998

  CS Spray
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the number of recorded incidents involving the use of CS gas as a criminal weapon for the most recent five years for which records are available. [51392]

  Mr. Michael
  The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Statistics of the use of firearms in crime are reported by police forces to the Home Office Research and Statistics Directorate broken down into five categories: air weapons; handguns; rifles; shotguns; and other weapons. The 'others' category usually involves the use of some form of prohibited weapons. To provide the detailed information requested would require a manual search of all the returns provided by forces for each of the last five years.

  Party Conferences
  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what level of special grant to Lancashire Constabulary has been authorised to assist with the cost of policing at the Labour Party Conference in 1998; and how the level was calculated; [51396]

  (2) what representations he has received from Lancashire Constabulary on the cost of policing the Labour Party Conference in Blackpool in 1998; [51395]

  (3) what charges have been levied by Lancashire Constabulary on political parties to meet the costs of policing party conferences in each year since 1995. [51403]

  Mr. Michael
  There is no question of any police force levying a charge on political parties to meet the costs of policing a national conference. The power to assist with these costs is quite recent, having been provided for in the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.

  The power to pay special grant to police authorities for the policing of party conferences was set out in the Police and Magistrates' Courts Act 1994. No clear criteria for payment was set down, but we are now trying to develop an appropriate and coherent approach.
  618
  The costs of policing party conferences at Blackpool since 1995, as estimated by Lancashire Constabulary, are set out in the table.

  £

  Year

  Labour Party

  Conservative Party

  1995

  —

  1662,000

  1996

  2,620,000

  —

  1997

  —

  2,245,000

  1Lancashire were only able to provide information on additional costs for 1995

  The Lancashire Police Authority was given a special grant of £750,000 towards the additional costs of policing the Conservative Party Conference in 1997. For 1998–99, we have authorised a payment of grant of up to £750,000 as a contribution to the costs of safeguarding national security at this year's Labour Party Conference in Blackpool. A similar sum is being made available to Dorset Police Authority in respect of this year's Conservative Party Conference. Only £1.5 million was available for allocation between Dorset and Lancashire forces this year. As both forces were expecting to incur similar additional costs, we decided that the grant should be divided equally between them.

  I met members of the Lancashire Police Authority in January about the funding settlement for 1998–99 when they expressed concern at the level of the special grant available for policing party conferences and I have recently met representatives of the Dorset Police Authority to discuss similar issues. I have asked for the views of the Association of Chief Police Officers and the Association of Police Authorities about the future allocation of this grant, with a view to determining a fair way of assisting police with the activities which are related to the main party conferences. The views of Lancashire and Dorset will be borne in mind at that stage.

  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what public funds have been made available to political parties to assist with the cost
  619
  of (a) the policing and (b) other security measures at party conferences in Blackpool in (i) 1996, (ii) 1997 and (iii) 1998. [51402]

  Mr. Straw
  (a) No public funds have been paid to political parties in respect of policing costs at party conferences.

  (b)

  1996: £529,000.00

  1997: £575,268.92

  1998: None as yet.

  Citizenship Applications
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for British nationality are currently outstanding. [51538]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  As at 30 June 1998, there were approximately 95,500 applications awaiting determination.

  Metropolitan Police
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many incidents have involved armed officers of the Metropolitan Police in the Greater London area in each of the last three years. [51540]

  Mr. Michael
  The Commissioner tells me that the number of incidents involving armed officers in the Metropolitan Police District is as follows:

  Year

  Number of incidents

  1995

  1,438

  1996

  1,637

  1997

  1,660

  1998

  1923

  11 January to 24 June

  Prisons (Drugs)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the number of drug related deaths in prisons in England and Wales in each of the last five years. [51541]

  Ms Quin
  The information requested is given in the table.

  Drug related deaths in prisons in England and Wales

  Year

  Number of drug related deaths

  1993

  7

  1994

  9

  1995

  5

  1996

  1

  1997

  2

  Total

  24

  Shootings
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many incidents of shootings with 620
  handguns have been reported since their possession was made illegal; and how many were reported over the last similar period before the ban was introduced. [51654]

  Mr. Michael
  The Criminal Statistics are collected and published on a yearly basis to 31 December. The figures for the year ending 31 December 1997 are not yet available. Because of this, it is not yet possible to provide the information requested. In the year ending 31 December 1996, there were 2,956 notifiable offences recorded by the police in which handguns were reported to have been used.

  The Firearms (Amendment) Acts 1997 were passed in order to ensure as far as possible that the terrible events which took place at Dunblane Primary School on 13 March 1996 would never be repeated.

  The legislation was not intended specifically to reduce the use of handguns in crime. Nevertheless, the legislation will mean that the several hundred handguns misappropriated from private homes and cars each year will no longer be available to swell the number of illegally held weapons.

  Immigration and Nationality Department
  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the planned date for the introduction of the integrated caseworking system in the Immigration and Nationality Department; what problems have been encountered in relation to the supporting technology and software for the system; what was the original estimated cost of introducing the system; what is the revised estimated cost of introduction; and if he will make a statement. [51601]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 22 January 1998,Official Report, column 633, and to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Hertsmere (Mr. Clappison) on 21 July 1998, Official Report, column 436. I have undertaken to write to both hon. Members when the timetable for the introduction of the system is known. The resolution of the technical difficulties which have caused the delay is a matter for the service provider, Siemens Business Services (SBS). Under the Private Finance Initiative contract, the costs of introducing the system fall to SBS. After the system is introduced, the Immigration and Nationality Directorate will pay a scale of service charges calculated in relation to the level of improvement in efficiency actually achieved.

  Criminal Attempts and Forgery and Counterfeiting Acts
  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons are currently held at HMP Wormwood Scrubs following their conviction for offences contrary to(a) Section 1 of the Criminal Attempts Act 1981 and (b) Section 3 of the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981. [51604]
  621
  Ms Quin
  The information requested could be obtained only by examining individual prisoners records at the prison, which would involve disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons were arrested at(a) Heathrow airport and (b) other United Kingdom airports for offences contrary to (i) Section 1 of the Criminal Attempts Act 1981 or (ii) Section 3 of the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981, in (1) 1995–96, (2) 1996–97 and (3) 1997–98. [51603]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  This information is not normally collected centrally. However the Metropolitan police have been able to provide information on persons accused—that is, a count of persons arrested and subsequently proceeded against. The information relates to persons accused in the Heathrow division of attempting to commit a notifiable offence and those accused under sections 3 and 4 of the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981. The information is given in the table.

  To obtain similar information from all police forces which have an airport located in their area would incur disproportionate cost, since manual searches through individual records would be required.

  Persons accused at Heathrow airport

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  Accused of attempting to commit a notifiable offence

  201

  232

  206

  Accused of offences under sections 3 and 4 of the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981

  50

  43

  66

  Immigration and Asylum
  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what projections have been made of the number of asylum applications to be(a) determined and

  Appeals to the adjudicators of the Immigration Appellate Authority, January to June 19981

  Number of principal appellants

  January

  February

  March

  April

  May

  June

  Total

  Appeals received by the Home Office

  2,325

  2,410

  2,930

  2,400

  1,985

  2,400

  14,455

  of which:

  Asylum2

  1,425

  1,325

  1,645

  1,635

  1,255

  1,490

  8,770

  Non-asylum3, 4

  905

  1,085

  1,285

  765

  730

  910

  5,680

  Appeals sent to the Immigration Appellate Authority

  2,425

  2,215

  2,680

  2,410

  1,765

  2,650

  14,145

  of which:

  Asylum2

  1,565

  1,485

  1,530

  1,390

  1,190

  1,655

  8,815

  Non-asylum3, 4

  865

  730

  1,150

  1,020

  575

  995

  5,335

  Appeals determined by the Immigration Appellate Authority5

  2,700

  2,795

  2,745

  2,880

  2,800

  3,165

  17,080

  of which:

  Asylum2

  1,745

  1,615

  1,995

  1,605

  1,600

  2,075

  10,640

  Non-asylum3, 4

  955

  1,180

  750

  1,275

  1,200

  1,090

  6,440

  1All figures have been rounded to the nearest 5

  2Information supplied by the Asylum Directorate (casework), IND

  3Information supplied by the After Entry and Appeals Directorate and the Financial Services Directorate, IND

  4These figures will include a small number of statements prepared for appeals to the Tribunal

  5Information supplied by the Immigration Appellate Authority

  622
  (b) refused by his Department in (i) 1998, (ii) 1999, (iii) 2000, (iv) the financial year 1998–99 and (v) the financial year 1999–2000. [51606]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I would ask the hon. Member to await the major announcement my right hon. Friend shall be making on immigration and asylum next week.

  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the immigration-related applications for leave to move for judicial review in 1996–97 were(a) asylum-related and (b) non-asylum related. [51611]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Of the 1,830 immigration related applications for leave to move for judicial review lodged in the financial year 1996–97, it is estimated that 70 per cent. related to applications for asylum and the remaining 30 per cent. to other non-asylum cases.

  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many non-asylum immigration appeals have been(a) received by his Department, (b) sent to the Immigration Appeals Authority and (c) determined by the Immigration Appeals Authority in each month of 1998; and how many such appeals are currently awaiting hearing by adjudicators of the Immigration Appeals Authority; [51613]

  (2) how many appeals against a refusal of asylum have been (a) received by his Department, (b) sent to the Immigration Appeals Authority and (c) determined by the Immigration Appeals Authority in each month of 1998; and how many such appeals are currently awaiting hearing by special adjudicators of the Immigration Appeals Authority. [51612]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The information requested in points(a), (b) and (c), relating to asylum and non-asylum appeals is given in the table.

  As regards appeals awaiting hearing, the Immigration Appellate Authority reports that, at the end of June 1998, there was a total of 26,670 adjudicator cases outstanding. Of these, 20,870 related to applications for asylum and 5,800 to other immigration matters.
  623
  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for asylum were determined by his Department in each month of 1998; and with what result. [51605]

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

  Initial decisions1,2 on asylum applications, excluding dependants, January to June 1998

  Month

  Total decisions

  Grants of asylum

  Grants exceptional leave

  Refused asylum and exceptional leave

  January

  3,065

  705

  230

  2,130

  February

  3,035

  405

  390

  2,240

  March

  3,070

  375

  425

  2,270

  April

  2,520

  350

  320

  1,850

  May

  2,360

  420

  250

  1,690

  June

  2,675

  580

  305

  1,790

  1Figures rounded to nearest 5

  2Decision figures do not necessarily relate to applications made in 1998

  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment his Department has made of the reasons for the adjournment of asylum and immigration appeals. [51609]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  None. It is a matter for the Immigration Appellate Authority to decide whether an appeal should be adjourned. Adjournments may be requested by the appellant or the respondent, or initiated by the Authority itself.

  Bargoed Fire Station
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what access the South Wales fire authority has had to the reports and assessments made available to his Department by Her Majesty's Inspector of Fire Services on the proposed closures of the Bargoed Fire Station; [52017]

  (2) if he will list those to whom his Department has sent Her Majesty's Inspector of Fire Services' report on the proposed closure of the Bargoed Fire Station. [52016]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Such reports have not been made available outside the Home Office.

PRIME MINISTER

  Libya
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his letter to the hon. Member for Linlithgow of 23 June, if he will list the long-standing differences to which he refers between the European Union and the United States over US sanctions under the Iran Libya Sanctions Act; and what is his estimate of the time scale for Libya complying with UN resolutions. [51525]
  624
  The Prime Minister
  The long-standing differences between the European Union and the United States to which I referred related to secondary boycotts and legislation with extraterritorial or retroactive effect. The agreement at the EU/US Summit of 18 May has laid the basis for resolving these differences, specifically those over the Iran Libya Sanctions Act and the Helms Burton legislation on Cuba.

  The time scale for Libyan compliance with UN Security Council resolutions is in Libya's hands. We continue to press them to fulfil their obligations. UN sanctions will remain until they do.

  Lord-Lieutenants
  Mr. Jim Murphy
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 17 July 1998,Official Report, column 315, if he will list the dates of appointment of the 10 longest serving Lord-Lieutenants. [52010]

  The Prime Minister
  The answer is as follows:Sir Thomas Dunne KCVO—appointed 14 June 1977 as Lord-Lieutenant of Hereford and Worcester, and as Lord-Lieutenant for the separate counties of Herefordshire and Worcestershire on the formation of those counties on 1 April 1998.
  His Grace the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensbury KT VRD—appointed 18 June 1974.
  The Earl of Leven and Melville—appointed 21 July 1969.
  The Viscount of Arbuthnott KT CBE DSC FRSE—appointed 31 January 1977.
  Sir Richard Hanbury Tenison KCVO—appointed 9 June 1979.
  Colonel Sir Michael McCorkell KCVO OBE TD—appointed 15 May 1975.
  The Right Honourable Lord Kingdown KG—appointed 31 July 1982.
  Sir David Mansel Lewis KCVO JP BA—appointed 14 February 1979.
  Sir Timothy Colman KG—appointed 19 March 1978.
  Lieutenant Colonel James Stirling of Garden CBE TD—appointed 14 December 1983.

  Lord-Lieutenants may serve until their 75th birthday.

  Policy Unit
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 20 July 1998,Official Report, column 389, (1) how many telephone calls were made by Roger Liddle from No. 10 Downing Street to (a) Derek Draper and (b) GPC Market Access in the four weeks prior to 24 June; [51908]

  (2) if he will list the telephone calls made by Roger Liddle to newspaper reporters on 25 June. [51909]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to him on 14 July 1998,Official Report, column 94.

  In this context, outside organisations obviously includes newspaper reporters.

  Security Services
  Mr. Radice
  To ask the Prime Minister when the annual report of the Commissioner appointed under the Intelligence Services Act 1994 will be laid before the House; and if he will make a statement. [52369]
  625
  The Prime Minister
  A copy of Lord Justice Stuart-Smith's annual report, for 1997, has been laid before the House today in accordance with section 8(6) of the Intelligence Services Act 1994. The confidential annexe to the report has been excluded from that copy in accordance with section of 8(7) of the 1994 Act. I am grateful to the Commissioner for his work in reviewing the issue of warrants and authorisations, and in providing assistance to the Tribunal as provided for in the Act.

  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Prime Minister when the annual report of the Commissioner appointed under the Security Service Act 1989 will be laid before the House; and if he will make a statement. [52370]

  The Prime Minister
  A copy of Lord Justice Stuart-Smith's eighth annual report, for 1997, has been laid before the House today in accordance with section 4(6) of the Security Service Act 1989. The confidential annexe to the report has been excluded from that copy in accordance with section 4(7) of the 1989 Act and in line with the Commissioner's recommendation. I am grateful to the Commissioner for his work in providing assistance to the Tribunal which operates under the Act and for reviewing the issue of warrants under the Intelligence Services Act 1994.

  Interception of Communications
  Mr. Derek Foster
  To ask the Prime Minister when the annual report of the Commissioner appointed under section 8(1) of the Interception of Communications Act 1985 will be laid before the House; and if he will make a statement. [52371]

  The Prime Minister
  A copy of Lord Nolan's annual report for 1997 has been laid before the House today in accordance with section 8(7) of the Interception of Communications Act 1985. The confidential annexe to the report has been excluded from that copy in accordance with section 8(8) of the 1985 Act in accordance with the Commissioner's recommendations. I am grateful to the Commissioner for his work in reviewing the issue of warrants during the year. I note in particular the

  Loyalist

  Republican

  Unknown

  Security Forces

  Total

  1997

  1998

  1997

  1998

  1997

  1998

  1997

  1998

  1997

  1998

  April

  Deaths

  0

  2

  0

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  4

  Shooting Incidents

  7

  9

  5

  8

  5

  1

  2

  1

  19

  19

  Bombing Incidents

  3

  2

  0

  2

  0

  1

  0

  0

  3

  5

  Casualties as a result of paramilitary attacks

  Shootings

  4

  3

  1

  4

  0

  0

  0

  0

  5

  7

  Assaults

  5

  6

  6

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  11

  7

  May

  Deaths

  3

  0

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  4

  1

  Shooting Incidents

  6

  5

  2

  2

  3

  5

  0

  0

  11

  12

  Bombing Incidents

  2

  2

  1

  7

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  9

  Casualties as a result of paramilitary attacks

  Shootings

  2

  4

  1

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  5

  Assaults

  7

  8

  4

  3

  0

  0

  0

  0

  11

  11

  June

  Deaths

  2

  0

  2

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1

  4

  2

  Shooting Incidents

  8

  4

  5

  10

  4

  3

  2

  2

  19

  19

  Bombing Incidents

  3

  0

  2

  5

  0

  0

  0

  0

  5

  5

  626
  Commissioner's view that interception of both postal communications and telecommunications remains an effective and an essential operation in the interests of national security and the economic well-being of the United Kingdom, and the prevention and detection of serious crime.

  Council of Europe and WEU
  Mr. Terry Davis
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library the latest information bulletin on the activities of the United Kingdom delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the Assembly of Western European Union covering the period October 1997 to April 1998. [52037]

  The Prime Minister
  I have done so today.

  Life Peers
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Prime Minister who by convention, in addition to the Leader of the Opposition, makes regular nominations to the Prime Minister of candidates for possible ennoblement as life peers. [51951]

  The Prime Minister
  The Leader of the Liberal Democrats makes regular nominations for life peers. In addition, I receive nominations from a wide range of people including leaders of other political parties.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Paramilitary Violence
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many acts of paramilitary violence took place in (i) April, (ii) May and (iii) June; to which paramilitary organisation the RUC has attributed responsibility; and what were the equivalent figures for the same period in 1997. [48299]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The table indicates the number of acts of paramilitary violence which took place during April, May and June of this year and the equivalent figures for the same period last year.
  627

  Loyalist

  Republican

  Unknown

  Security Forces

  Total

  1997

  1998

  1997

  1998

  1997

  1998

  1997

  1998

  1997

  1998

  Casualties as a result of paramilitary attacks

  Shootings

  6

  4

  2

  9

  0

  0

  0

  0

  8

  13

  Assaults

  2

  8

  1

  11

  0

  0

  0

  0

  3

  19

  Notes:

  1. It is not possible to be more specific on attribution which is based on information available and may be subject to change or adjustment

  2. Care should be taken not to add all the incidents together as some are included in more than one heading e.g. deaths in April 1998 were as a result of shooting incidents

  3. These figures are based on verified statistics and in a previously published form

  Disappearances
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what records her Department maintains on those people who disappeared during the Troubles; and if she will urge paramilitary groups to release any information which they have on their whereabouts. [48296]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The Northern Ireland Office does not maintain records on people who disappeared during the Troubles. The RUC, however, hold open files on those known as "The Disappeared". The Government have urged paramilitary groups and representatives of such groups to convey information about this matter to the RUC, and will continue to do so in the future. It is vital that the issue is resolved within the context of the Agreement.

  Parades Commission
  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much has been spent on setting up the Parades Commission; and if she will estimate its annual running costs for a full year broken down into(a) payments to the members of the Commission and (b) administrative expenditure. [50147]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The Parades Commission has, since its creation, occupied the rented premises previously used by the Parades Review Team and inherited most of its office equipment and material from that team. Staff were deployed from duties elsewhere in the Northern Ireland Office. Actual start-up costs were therefore minimal,.

  The estimated outturn figure for 1998–99 is £1 million, made up of £260,000 Departmental Running Costs, comprising staff pay and general administrative expenditure such as travel and stationery and £740,000 Non-Departmental running costs, including payments to members, accommodation costs for rental, rates and electricity, grants to the Mediation Network, including the salary and support costs of the Authorised Officers and research and consultancy costs.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Immigration and Asylum Appeals
  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many asylum and immigration appeals were adjourned in (i) 1996 and (ii) 1997; and what proportion of these adjournments were a consequence of(a) an application by the appellant, (b) an application by his Department and (c) other reasons. [51608]
  628
  Mr. Hoon
  The Immigration Appellate Authority does not retain accurate historical information on the volume, proportion or breakdown of asylum and immigration appeals that are adjourned.

  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (1) what international comparisons his Department has made of the availability of legal aid for representation at(a) asylum appeal hearings and (b) non-asylum immigration appeal hearings; [51614]

  (2) what international comparisons he has made on the availability of legal aid for representation at asylum appeal hearings. [51610]

  Mr. Hoon
  My Department has not undertaken any research on this subject.

  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many further appeals to the Immigration Appeal Tribunal against a refusal of asylum were awaiting a hearing on(a) 31 December 1996, (b) 31 December 1997 and (c) 30 June 1998. [51602]

  Mr. Hoon
  The number of outstanding applications/appeals before the Immigration Appeal Tribunal were:

  Applications

  Appeals

  (a) 31 December 1996

  1350

  1250

  (b) 31 December 1997

  1,125

  1,018

  (c) 30 June 1998

  1,576

  1,316

  1Estimated figures as historical data for this period are not accurate

  The number of outstanding appeals before the Immigration Appeal Adjudicators were:

  (a) 31 December 1996: 20,104

  (b) 31 December 1997: 22,484

  (c) 30 June 1998: 20,869.

  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what proportion of(a) asylum and (b) immigration appeals were determined on the basis of the papers only in (a) 1997 and (b) 1998 to date. [51607]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Immigration Appellate Authority does not differentiate between, or keep accurate records of, appeals that are dealt with and disposed of in court, against those that are dealt with on the basis of the papers.

  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to increase the number of(a) adjudicators and (b) special adjudicators employed by the Immigration Appeals Authority during the financial year (i) 1998–99 and (ii) 1999–2000. [51615]
  629
  Mr. Hoon
  There is a rolling programme of recruitment to increase the number of adjudicators and special adjudicators. This will continue at least into the year 2000.

  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what projections have been made of the number of(a) asylum and (b) immigration appeals to be heard and determined by the Immigration Appeals Authority in (i) 1998, (ii) 1999, (iii) 2000, (iv) the financial year 1998–99 and (v) the financial year 1999–2000. [51616]

  Mr. Hoon
  It is projected that there will be 38,455 cases disposed of by the Immigration Adjudicators in 1998 of which 25,865 will relate to asylum. During the same year a further 16,628 cases will be disposed of by the Immigration Appeal Tribunal of which 12,191 will relate to asylum. The comparable figures for 1998–99 are 38,910 Adjudicator disposals of which 27,142 will be asylum and 17,357 Tribunal disposals of which 13,084 will be asylum.

  There are no reliable projection figures of the number of appeals which will be dealt with after April 1999, but as a result of the comprehensive spending review significant extra resources will be made available to the Immigration Appellate Authority (IAA) over the period 1999–2003, enabling it to increase the number of appeals disposed of substantially.

  Legal Aid
  Mr. Malins
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when the block contracts for immigration/asylum legal aid to cover England and Wales will be awarded by the Legal Aid Board. [50906]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Lord Chancellor has asked the Legal Aid Board to complete the provision of civil advice and assistance, including immigration and asylum cases, exclusively through contracts by the end of 1999.

WALES

  Correspondence
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many letters per day his office receives; how many staff are employed to answer these; what targets are set in respect of such letters; and what is the current performance against targets. [50692]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him on 20 July 1998,Official Report, column 363, by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Office of Public Service.

  North Wales Coast
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if the Environment Agency has an independent working computer model of the hydrographic regime of the inshore waters of the North Wales coastal region for planning and management purposes. [51381]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  This is a matter for the Environment Agency. I understand the Agency has identified no need for such a model to discharge its planning and management responsibilities. If it required one, it would commission other organisations to produce it.
  630
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will establish the factors underlying the recent high turbidity in the inshore waters along the North Wales coast. [51386]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The June rainfall for 1998 has been one of the highest for any June on record. High river flows as a result of the rain will have generated a larger than normal sediment load into inshore waters at this time of the year. In co-operation with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, which has responsibility for the regulation of dredging, the Environment Agency is also investigating whether possible illegal dumping of dredged material in the area has been a contributory factor.

  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if his Department will take steps to treat non-toxic algal blooms accumulated on the North Wales coast. [51388]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The dispersion of accumulated non-toxic algal blooms by natural forces usually occurs as quickly as the accumulations themselves. Non-toxic algal blooms are a naturally occurring phenomenon and do not pose a threat to public health; consequently, there are no plans to treat them.

  Agri-environmental Programmes
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish his budget allocation for agri-environmental programmes for 1998–99. [51531]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  I refer my hon. Friend to the Government's Expenditure Plans 1998–1999 as published in the Departmental Report by the Welsh Office (Cm 3915) and placed in the Library of the House.

  Higher Education
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the number of applicants to each higher education institution in Wales in(a) 1997 and (b) 1998. [51749]

  Mr. Hain
  The information for 1997 is in the table. Data for 1998 are not available until the conclusion of the application cycle.

  Applicants accepted to Welsh higher education institutions—1997 entry

  University or college

  Applicants

  University of Wales, Aberystwyth

  2,185

  University of Wales, Bangor

  1,762

  University of Wales, Cardiff

  3,946

  University of Wales Institute, Cardiff

  1,785

  Carmarthenshire College of Technology and Art

  135

  University of Glamorgan

  2,200

  University of Wales, Lampeter

  540

  The Mid Glamorgan Centre for Art and Design Technology

  31

  University of Wales College, Newport

  866

  The North East Wales Institute of Higher Education

  525

  University of Wales, Swansea

  2,337

  Swansea Institute of Higher Education

  996

  Trinity College Carmarthen

  453

  University of Wales College of Medicine

  400

  Welsh College of Music and Drama

  141

  Total

  18,302

  Source:

  UCAS Annual Report 1997 Entry

  Lord-Lieutenants
  Mr. Jim Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his answer of 17 July 1998,Official Report, column 333, if he will list the names of all Lord-Lieutenants in Wales and the dates each was appointed. [52009]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  The names of the Lord-Lieutenants in Wales are:

  Clwyd: Sir William Gladstone Bt., appointed on 6 August 1985.

  Dyfed: Sir David Mansel Lewis KCVO, appointed on 14 February 1979.

  Mid Glamorgan: Murray McLaggan, appointed on 1 December 1989.

  South Glamorgan: Captain Norman Lloyd-Edwards, appointed on 17 August 1990.

  West Glamorgan: Commodore Robert Hastie CBE RD* RNR, appointed on 10 April 1995.

  Gwynedd: Meuric Rees CBE, appointed on 31 December 1989.

  Gwent: Sir Richard Hanbury Tenison KCVO, appointed on 9 June 1979.

  Powys: Mervyn Bourdillon, appointed on 15 July 1986 (retires August 1998).

  Lord-Lieutenants may serve until their 75th birthday.

HEALTH

  North Essex Health Authority
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what factors underlie the provision of NHS resources to the North Essex Health Authority at a rate per head of population of 10 per cent. below the English average; [43313]

  (2) if he will increase the level of NHS funding per head of population in the North Essex Health Authority to the average for all English health authorities. [43310]

  Mr. Milburn
  In 1998–99, the allocation per weighted head of population for North Essex Health Authority is 2.3 per cent. below the England average.

  The underlying principle of resource allocation in the National Health Service is equity.

  A capitation formula is used to inform the distribution of hospital and community health services funding between health authorities which weights their populations for relative need.

  The speed at which health authorities are moved closer to their weighted capitation targets is decided annually. For 1998–99, North Essex Health Authority received a real terms increase of £7.8 million or 2.2 per cent. compared to the England real terms average increase of 1.9 per cent.

  Scheme

  Deadline for applications

  Section 64

  18 September 1998

  Opportunities for Volunteering

  Varies according to the 17 agents administering the scheme

  Ethnic Minority Health

  Yet to be finalised, but likely to be around December 1998/January 1999

  Shared Training grants—learning disabilities

  Yet to be finalised

  632
  In addition, North Essex Health Authority has received £4.7 million to target waiting lists in 1998–99.

  Civil Servants
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many civil servants in his Department(a) have a degree in science and (b) have held a position using that expertise. [50894]

  Mr. Milburn
  At the present time, there are 61 civil servants within the Department who form the Scientific Group and fall within the responsibility of the Head of Profession for scientists. Of these, 60 have held positions using their scientific expertise. Other civil servants within the Department and its agencies will also have science degrees and will have held positions using that expertise, but information on educational qualifications for those staff is not held centrally.

  Hospital Discharge Procedures
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 9 July 1998,Official Report, column 611, concerning hospital discharge procedures, what timetable departmental officials are working to; and when he expects to publish his decision. [50939]

  Mr. Milburn
  [holding answer 17 July 1998]: We expect the conclusions of the review of guidance on hospital discharge to be available towards the end of the year.

  Continence Services
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 7 July 1998,Official Report, column 451, concerning continence supplies, what monitoring his Department will conduct on how the extra resources are deployed by the health service. [50938]

  Mr. Milburn
  [holding answer 17 July 1998]: Deployment of these resources will be monitored by regional offices of the National Health Service Executive as part of their performance management role.

  Grants and Awards (Wakefield)
  Yvette Cooper
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the grants and awards that require bids from applicants which his Department is responsible for administering and awarding(a) nationally and (b) that people and groups within Wakefield Metropolitan District are eligible to bid for; if he will publish the deadlines for these applications; and if he will produce this list on a regular basis. [51271]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Department funds a number of nationwide schemes through which voluntary organisations can bid for grants. None prohibits applications from Wakefield.
  633
  The Department will consider the most effective way of producing this list on a regular basis in the light of the Better Regulation Task Force's report on Access to Government Funding for the Voluntary Sector.

  Hearing Aid Services
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list the data collated centrally by his Department concerning adult audiology and hearing aid services; [51420]

  (2) what performance indicators his Department (a) has used and (b) proposes to use for the providers of adult hearing aid services. [51408]

  Mr. Milburn
  The Department does not collect specific information about adult audiology and hearing aid services, although some data are available about Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) services which will include adult and paediatric audiology data.

  Information on the number of ENT outpatient attendances, broken down by clinical speciality, is contained in "Outpatients and Ward Attenders, England", copies of which are available in the Library.

  Information on the number of ENT day case and ordinary admissions by clinical specialty is contained in "Ordinary and Day Case Admissions for England", copies of which are also available in the Library.

  There are no national performance indicators for adult hearing aid services.

  Dentists
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many health authorities have advertised(a) in Scandinavia and (b) elsewhere in the European Union for dentists since 1 May 1997; and if he will make a statement. [51456]

  Mr. Milburn
  Information about which health authorities have advertised to recruit dentists from Scandinavia or elsewhere in the European Union is not available centrally. The General Dental Council keeps a record of dentists coming from elsewhere in the EU, whom it registers to practise in this country.

  NHS Medicines
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to reduce the costs of procuring medicines for the NHS. [51052]

  Mr. Milburn
  [holding answer 17 July 1998]: We intend to approach the procurement of medicines with a view to obtaining effective health care for patients at a cost which is fair.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he last reviewed the pharmaceutical pricing scheme for the NHS. [51046]

  Mr. Milburn
  [holding answer 17 July 1998]: The prices of branded medicines sold to the National Health Service are governed by the Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme, a voluntary agreement between the health departments and the pharmaceutical industry, represented
  634
  by the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry. The last full review of the scheme was at the negotiation of the current agreement, which runs from 1 October 1993.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the current rate of return used in calculating drug prices for the NHS. [51049]

  Mr. Milburn
  [holding answer 17 July 1998]: The Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme (PPRS) sets target rates of return for companies supplying branded medicines to the National Health Service around which there is a margin of tolerance. The prices of medicines reflect this indirectly. The overall return on capital (outturn) for companies' PPRS business was 18.1 per cent. for 1994 (the latest year for which full figures are available); further details are contained in the Second Report to Parliament on the PPRS (December 1997) copies of which are available in the Library.

  Heart Transplants
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many heart transplant operations have been performed in the United Kingdom in each of the last three years. [51542]

  Mr. Boateng
  In 1995 there were 319 heart transplants and 58 heart/lung transplants; 278 heart and 53 heart/lung transplants in 1996; and 266 heart and 44 heart/lung transplants in 1997.

  Dental Services
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the quality of root canal fillings carried out within the General Dental Service and of the level of remuneration for dentists for that work. [51534]

  Mr. Milburn
  The quality of all types of dental treatment from simple to complex, including root canal fillings, are regularly assessed on an individual patient sample basis by the Dental Reference Service. The level of remuneration for dental treatment is set down in a fee scale in the Statement of Dental Remuneration which is reviewed each year in the light of recommendations made by the Doctors' and Dentists' Review Body after considering evidence from both the dental profession and the Department.

  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to withdraw the use of aldehydes as an ingredient for root canal sealers within the National Health Service. [51535]

  Mr. Milburn
  This is a matter of clinical judgment. Dentists have a duty under the arrangements they make to provide general dental services to employ a proper degree of skill and attention and use only suitable materials.

  Stroke Units
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many stroke units there are in the NHS; and where they are located. [51077]

  Mr. Boateng
  [holding answer 21 July 1998]: We do not collect data centrally on the numbers and distribution of specialist stroke units.
  635
  The organisation of health services, including services for people who have had a stroke, and the manner in which they are delivered are matters for health authorities, taking account of the needs of the local population and the priorities set for the use of the available resources.

  The Clinical Standards Advisory Group published a report on clinical effectiveness on 3 June 1998, using stroke as a marker condition. The report contains recommendations to help ensure consistency of treatment across the country. This includes access to appropriate rehabilitation services, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy, where they can effectively assist recovery.

  Breast Implants
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the total costs to the public purse of the work undertaken by the Independent Review Group into silicone gel breast implants. [51674]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 22 July 1998]: The total cost to date of the work undertaken by the Independent Review Group into silicone gel breast implants is approximately £250,000.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the countries in which silicone gel breast implants have been banned. [51677]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 22 July 1998]: To our knowledge, the only country that currently has a ban on the use of silicone gel breast implants is France.

  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what budget will be allocated for the monitoring and registration of women by the National Breast Implant Registry over the next five years. [51675]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 22 July 1998]: It is not currently possible to estimate the budget required by the National Breast Implant Registry over the next five years. This will be decided once the Department and the Registry have assessed the resources necessary to implement the recommendation of the Independent Review Group on silicone gel breast implants.

  Medicines Control Agency
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the Annual Report and Accounts of the Medicines Control Agency. [52423]

  Ms Jowell
  We have received the report and copies have today been laid before both Houses of Parliament in accordance with the requirements of section 5(2) and 5(3) of the Exchequer and Audit Departments Act 1921. Copies have also been placed in the Library.

  NHS Estates Executive Agency
  Charlotte Atkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the Annual Report and Accounts for 1997–98 of the NHS Estates Executive Agency. [52574]

  Mr. Milburn
  We have received the report and copies have today been laid before both Houses of Parliament in accordance with section 5 of the Exchequer and Audit Departments Act 1921. Copies have also been placed in the Library.

  Head Lice
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representation he has received during the last 12 months on head lice; and what assessment he has made of current trends in the incidence of head lice in children of primary school age. [50766]

  Ms Jowell
  We have received occasional representations on the effect that head louse infestation can have upon children and their families. Information on trends in the number of cases of head lice amongst children of primary school age is not collected centrally. Cases are not notifiable and are generally detected and treated within the family home, making accurate counting difficult. The Department will continue to work with the Department for Education and Employment to promote best practice in detection and treatment of this problem.

  Smoking
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will assess the recommendations of the Fowler report, A Call for a More Effective Policy on Smoking Cessation and the Use of Nicotine Replacement Therapy; and if he will make a statement. [52044]

  Ms Jowell
  Our policies on these and other matters relating to smoking will be set out in a White Paper later in the year. Officials are studying the report and its recommendations.

  NHS Pension Scheme
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the cost of including staff employed by general practitioner co-operatives in the NHS pension scheme; and if he will make a statement. [51790]

  Mr. Milburn
  The information to estimate the cost of including general practitioner co-operative staff in the National Health Service pension scheme is not available centrally.

  Retired Consultants
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many consultants from ethnic minorities retired from the NHS in each of the last three years; and how many of these were receiving discretionary merit awards at the time of retirement. [51777]

  Mr. Milburn
  Data concerning medical staff retiring from the National Health Service each year are not collected centrally.

  Euthanasia
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of allegations of involuntary euthanasia by(a) hospital staff and (b) general practitioners; and if he will make a statement. [51904]

  Ms Jowell
  Euthanasia is illegal. Anyone alleged to have undertaken such action would be open to a charge of murder or manslaughter.

  It is the responsibility of the police to decide whether to bring charges in individual cases and for the Crown Prosecution Service to decide whether a prosecution should proceed.
  637
  We have no centrally available information on investigations into such allegations.

  1995 EU Budget
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what factors led to his decision to continue the United Kingdom challenge to the EU Commission's use of the 1995 Budget to fund demonstration projects in the field of poverty and social exclusion. [50945]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 17 July 1998]: I have been asked to reply.

  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave my hon. Friend for East Ham (Mr. Timms) on 4 November 1997, Official Report, column 103.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Papua New Guinea
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps her Department has taken to provide humanitarian aid to the people of Papua New Guinea. [51903]

  Mr. Foulkes
  We are in close contact with the Papua New Guinea authorities through the British High Commission in Port Moresby. In response to the initial appeal for assistance, we have offered up to £250,000 to meet the immediate recovery needs of those affected by the tidal wave. Of this contribution, £75,000 has been allocated to the International Federation of the Red Cross to provide family rehabilitation kits containing basic household items, and materials to rebuild houses. We have asked other humanitarian organisations active in the region urgently to submit proposals for the remaining funds.

  We shall continue to monitor the situation closely through our High Commission and through the regular reports we receive from the United Nations and the Red Cross and are ready to consider any further appeals for assistance.

  Indonesia
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to her answer of 8 July 1998,Official Report, column 533, concerning the 150/500 KV sub-stations project in Indonesia, what has the project achieved to date; what is her assessment of the project's value for money; and if she will place in the Library copies of the project appraisal, monitoring and evaluation reports completed to date. [51733]

  Mr. Foulkes
  Of the 13 substation sites covered by the project, two have so far been completed and handed over to the Indonesian authorities. Constraints on local expenditure on civil works, as a result of the financial crisis, are delaying the completion of five sites and work on the remaining six has been suspended for twelve months. Discussions are continuing between DFID, the Indonesian authorities and the contractor to assess the situation and action required in response of it. It is not possible at this stage to make an assessment of value for 638
  money. I will place in the Library copies of the project memorandum, which contains information relevant to the appraisal of the project, and of monitoring reports to date.

  Departmental Vehicles
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list for(a) her Department and (b) bodies listed in the National Asset Register, how many vehicles are currently (i) owned and (ii) leased; if he will indicate their (A) fuel types and (B) engine cubic capacities; and how many vehicles are expected to fall due for replacement in each of the years (1) 1998–99, (2) 1999–2000 and (3) 2000–01. [49236]

  Mr. Foulkes
  [holding answer 6 July 1998]: (a) The Department for International Development (DFID) owns no vehicles in the UK. The following details are in respect of vehicles owned by DFID's overseas offices. The figures do not include vehicles provided under the aid programme for the benefit of partner Governments.

  Number

  Total owned

  26

  Petrol

  17

  Diesel

  9

  2000cc or less

  14

  Over 2000cc

  12

  Likely replacements in year

  1998–99

  4

  1999–2000

  3

  2000–2001

  6

  DFID does not lease any vehicles either in the UK or overseas.

  (b) The only public body listed in the National Asset Register for which DFID is responsible which owns vehicles is the Commonwealth Development Corporation (CDC). The CDC owns a vehicle fleet worth in excess of £1 million dispersed across a large number of locations overseas. The details requested in respect of these vehicles could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Nuba Mountains, Sudan
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps her Department is taking to secure access to the Nuba Mountains of Sudan for the purpose of humanitarian aid. [51536]

  Mr. Foulkes
  Britain and the rest of the donor community together with the United Nations are pressing the Government of Sudan to agree to a UN assessment of humanitarian needs in the Nuba Mountains; and to allow the necessary assistance to be delivered.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Payment of Bills
  Mr. Purchase
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proportion of bills were paid on time by Government Departments and their agencies during the financial year 1997–98. [52148]
  639
  Mrs. Roche
  I am pleased to announce that there has been an improvement in the payment performance of Central Government as a whole. The majority of Departments are now meeting the target of paying 95 per cent. of their suppliers bills on time.

  There is no room for complacency, however. New tougher targets for Departments and their agencies will be set by my hon. Friend the Paymaster General, which will ensure that this improvement in performance continues.

  The target for paying undisputed bills on time in the 1998–99 financial year will be 97.5 per cent. and for the 1999–2000 financial year 100 per cent.

  We are committed to improving Britain's payment culture. It is important that the public sector sets an example to business and is seen to pay its bills on time.

  Late payment is a serious problem for business and particularly for small businesses. Not knowing when customers' bills will be paid means uncertain cashflow, increased borrowings, higher costs and reduced profits.

  Government Departments and their agencies are required to monitor their payment performance and to publish the results in their departmental or annual reports. The following table lists, by Department, the proportion of bills paid within 30 days, or other agreed credit period, of receipt of a valid invoice for financial year 1997–98. Similar information for earlier years is held in the House of Commons Library.

  Departmental payment performance 1997–98

  Department

  % of invoices paid on time

  Government Actuary's Department

  100.0

  National Investment and Loan Office

  100.0

  Privy Council Office

  100.0

  Office of Electricity Regulation

  99.7

  Office of National Lottery

  99.7

  Defence, Ministry of

  98.9

  Ordnance Survey

  98.3

  Trade and Industry, Department of

  98.2

  Insolvency Service1

  98.9

  Radiocommunications Agency1

  96.1

  Office of Gas Supply

  98.2

  Office of the Rail Regulator

  98.0

  Office for Standards in Education

  97.3

  Office of Water Services

  98.0

  Registry of Friendly Societies Commission

  97.6

  The Welsh Office

  97.3

  Treasury Solicitor's Department inc. Law Officers Department

  97.3

  Office of Telecommunications

  97.0

  Foreign and Commonwealth Office

  96.9

  Office of Passenger Rail Franchising

  96.9

  Intervention Board for Agricultural Produce

  96.8

  Serious Fraud Office

  96.6

  Education and Employment, Department for

  96.5

  Land Registry

  96.3

  Lord Chancellor's Department inc. Public Trustee Office

  96.0

  Charity Commission

  96.0

  Export Credits Guarantee Department

  95.9

  Home Office

  95.6

  Inland Revenue

  95.6

  National Savings Department

  95.6

  HM Customs and Excise

  95.5

  Health, Department of

  95.3

  Forestry Commission

  95.3

  Public Record Office

  95.2

  HM Treasury

  95.1

  640

  Departmental payment performance 1997–98

  Department

  % of invoices paid on time

  International Development, Department for

  95.0

  Crown Prosecution Service

  95.0

  Cabinet Office (inc. Office of Public Service)

  94.7

  Culture, Media and Sport, Department for

  94.6

  DETR

  93.7

  Health and Safety Executive2

  91.0

  The Scottish Office

  93.6

  Royal Mint

  93.0

  Office of Fair Trading

  93.0

  Northern Ireland Office

  92.9

  Crown Office, Scotland (inc. Lord Advocate's Department)

  91.0

  Social Security, Department of

  90.7

  National Statistics, Office for

  89.4

  Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  83.8

  1Insolvency Service and Radiocommunications Agency are Executive Agencies of the Department of Trade and Industry

  2Health and Safety Executive is an Executive Agency for the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions

  Aerospace Industry
  Mr. Borrow
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of(a) the contribution of the UK aerospace industry to the UK economy and (b) the role played in the past 10 years of the biennial Farnborough Airshow in securing business for the industry. [51194]

  Mr. Battle
  Aerospace is one of the most important high technology manufacturing sectors of the UK economy. It had a turnover of £15 billion last year (of which 75% is exported). This constitutes around 8% of the total turnover of the UK's engineering sector. The industry makes a positive contribution to the UK balance of trade of over £3 billion and, in 1997, it employed around 120,000 people.

  Over the last ten years the UK industry's turnover has grown from £9.5 billion to the current £15 billion. Some 450 UK companies have exhibited at Farnborough over this period and, at the last show, some £1.8 billion of UK business was announced by the industry, which sees the show as an important competitive advantage for this sector of UK industry. The biennial Farnborough Airshow, which is organised by the Society of British Aerospace Companies, is the world's premier airshow and provides the industry with a vital shop window to display its products to customers around the world. The UK base which the Farnborough Airshow provides is an important competitive advantage for this sector of UK industry.

  Working Time Directive
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she intends to publish the results of consultations on the Working Time Directive. [51635]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  [holding answer 22 July 1998]: The views expressed in the responses to the consultation exercise on the draft regulations have been taken into account in finalising the regulations. These will be laid before Parliament before the recess.

  Many respondents also asked for some issues to be clarified in the accompanying guidance. This will be published in the Summer.

  Dounreay
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade on what date the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate memorandum, A Summary of the Dounreay FCA Inspection Findings, was brought to her attention; what assurances she(a) sought and (b) received from the HSE that Dounreay was a suitable destination for the waste from Georgia; what action she took in response to the document; and if she will make a statement. [46786]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 23 June 1998]: The existence of this memorandum was first brought to my attention on 29 May 1998 and it was published by the Health and Safety Executive on 15 June 1998. HSE had sent a copy of the memorandum to DTI officials in June 1997 and they discussed its contents with UKAEA at the time, in particular to satisfy themselves that UKAEA had sufficient resources to address any necessary improvements at the Dounreay site.

  The Health and Safety Executive was consulted before it was decided to accept the Georgian consignment, and it was satisfied that the material could be safely stored at Dounreay.

  Many of the issues raised in the memorandum are now being scrutinised carefully by the safety audit being conducted by the Health and Safety Executive and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. Any

  Agency name

  Date of transaction

  Type of Transaction

  Name of buyer/buyers

  Price agreed

  DVOIT

  17 December 1993

  Trade sale

  EDS

  £5.5 million

  National Engineering Laboratory

  1 November 1995

  Trade sale

  Assessment Services Limited

  £1.95 million subject to adjustments as set out in the Agency's Annual Report and Accounts which are under negotiation

  Laboratory of the Government Chemist

  31 March 1996

  Share sale

  LGC (Holdings) Limited

  Baseline price of £0.36 million, subject to adjustments, payment of £1.96 million to LGC (Teddington) Ltd. and further possible payment of £0.3 million as set out in the Agency's Annual Report and Accounts

  Transport Research Laboratory

  31 March 1996

  Management buyout

  Transport Research Foundation

  £3.1 million

  Natural Resources Institute

  1 May 1996

  Transfer of ownership

  Consortium of the University of Greenwich, Edinburgh University, Imperial College and Wye College

  There was no transfer of funds, but a nominal consideration was paid by Greenwich which is subject to an adjustment

  Chessington Computer Centre

  31 July 1996

  Trade sale

  A consortium comprising and employee buyout team, Integris UK and Close Brothers

  £12.5 million £1.25 million which has been deferred until 31 December 1999

  Occupational Health and Safety Agency

  18 September 1996

  Trade sale

  BMI Health Services

  £350,000

  HMSO

  30 September 1996

  Trade sale

  National Publishing Group plc—as consortium led by Electra Flemming

  £54 million

  Recruitment and Assessment Services Agency

  30 September 1996

  Trade sale

  Capita Group plc

  £7.25 million

  Building Research Establishment

  19 March 1997

  Management buyout

  Management buyout team

  £1.7 million, subject to adjustments which are under negotiation

  642
  recommendations arising from this audit will be made public, and I will expect UKAEA to take all appropriate action.

  Sir Robert Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if the TRIGA fuel from Billingham to be reprocessed under Dounreay's contract with ICI has been delivered to Dounreay. [48035]

  Mr. Battle
  It has not been delivered. At present UKAEA are not accepting any new nuclear material onto the Dounreay site, and they will not do so until after they have satisfied their regulators.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Executive Agencies
  Mr. Duncan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the executive agencies sold to private buyers since the inception of the Next Steps programme indicating(a) the date of the transaction, (b) the type of transaction, (c) the name of the buyer or buyers and (d) the price agreed. [51618]

  Mr. Kilfoyles
  Eleven agencies have been wholly sold and two agencies have been part sold to private buyers since the inception of the Next Steps programme. They are as listed.
  643

  Agency name

  Date of transaction

  Type of Transaction

  Name of buyer/buyers

  Price agreed

  Paymaster

  1 April 1997

  Share sale

  EDS and Hogg Robinson PLC

  £22.81 million

  ADAS (all of ADAS's consultancy and laboratory services and all of its research and development work has been privatised)

  2 April 1997

  Management buyout

  Management and employee buyout team

  £23.5 million

  DERA (Support Services Division was privatized)

  25 April 1997

  Trade sale

  Cinven

  £74 million

SCOTLAND

  Health Service
  Mr. Moore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if health care purchasers are required to set health and safety performance standards in their contracts with NHS trusts. [51108]

  Mr. Galbraith
  Health and Safety statutory standards, which are not optional, are the responsibility of NHS Trusts and are not a matter for Health Boards.

  Mr. Moore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if NHS trusts are required to include reports on their health and safety records in their annual reports. [51104]

  Mr. Galbraith
  No, but the information contained in the Annual Report is being reviewed.

  Mr. Moore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many medical and nursing staff have worked in occupational health in the NHS in the last five years for which figures are available in(a) each health board and (b) Scotland; and what were the grades of those employees. [51115]

  Mr. Galbraith
  As the tables containing this information are rather lengthy, I am arranging for copies to be placed in the House Library.

  Prison Accommodation
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the certified normal accommodation for each prison in Scotland(a) in 1998 and (b) for each of the next seven years. [51405]

  Mr. McLeish
  The concept of "certified normal accommodation" is not applied in the Scottish Prison Service. However, the official design capacities for prisons in Scotland together with projections to 1 April 2001 are as set out. Projections beyond that date are not available and will be dependent on a review of capacity in the light of prisoner number forecasts and the outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review.

  Projected prisoner accommodation

  July 1998 Design capacity

  1999 Design capacity

  2000 Design capacity

  2001 Design capacity

  Establishment

  Aberdeen

  148

  163

  163

  163

  Barlinnie1

  998

  1,019

  1,019

  996

  Castle Huntly

  150

  150

  150

  150

  Cornton Vale

  217

  217

  217

  217

  Dumfries

  150

  150

  150

  150

  644

  Projected prisoner accommodation

  July 1998 Design capacity

  1999 Design capacity

  2000 Design capacity

  2001 Design capacity

  Dungavel

  135

  135

  135

  135

  Edinburgh2

  558

  643

  643

  643

  Friarton

  90

  90

  90

  90

  Glenochil (Adult)

  496

  496

  496

  496

  Glenochil (YOI)

  174

  174

  174

  174

  Greenock

  233

  239

  239

  239

  Inverness

  107

  107

  109

  109

  Kilmarnock3

  0

  500

  500

  500

  Longriggend

  176

  176

  176

  176

  Low Moss

  396

  396

  396

  396

  Noranside

  135

  135

  135

  135

  Penninghame

  98

  98

  98

  98

  Perth

  434

  434

  434

  509

  Peterhead

  295

  295

  295

  295

  Peterhead Unit

  10

  10

  10

  10

  Polmont4

  490

  490

  490

  490

  Shotts

  462

  462

  462

  462

  Shotts NIC

  54

  54

  54

  54

  Shotts Unit

  12

  12

  12

  12

  Scotland Total

  6,018

  6,645

  6,647

  6,699

  1Includes 76 spaces in temporary accommodation

  2Includes 46 spaces in temporary accommodation

  3New prison opens in Spring 1999 and intake phased throughout the Summer

  4Includes 30 spaces in temporary cellular accommodation and 38 in temporary dormitory accommodation

  Ayr Road Route Compensation
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the sums of compensation paid to landowners in respect of the construction of the Ayr road route (M77). [51462]

  Mr. McLeish
  Individual sums of compensation paid to landowners are confidential and cannot be disclosed without their prior consent. In the case of M77 Ayr Road Route compensation payments for the section of the route within Glasgow City Boundary prior to 1 April 1996 were made by Strathclyde Regional Council and subsequently by Glasgow City Council. My right hon. Friend has no knowledge or records of these payments, although he is responsible for meeting the compensation payments on the section of the M77 south of the city boundary to Malletsheugh.

  Trees
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will assess the advantage of amending legislation to allow complaints relating to the height or
  645
  position of trees to be actionable in terms of the Statutory Nuisance provisions of the current Environmental Protection Act 1990 or the Public Health (Scotland) Act 1897. [51461]

  Mr. Macdonald
  At present, there are no plans to introduce amendments to statutory nuisance legislation. Existing provisions within the statutory nuisance elements of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 allow local authorities to investigate complaints about possible statutory nuisance occurring on premises, which includes land within its area. If satisfied that such nuisance exists, or is likely to occur or recur, they must serve an abatement notice on the person responsible. Any person can make a complaint to their local authority Environmental Health Department, or alternatively they may make a summary application to the sheriff court about the existence of a statutory nuisance. Although not tested at law so far as I am aware, depending on the particular circumstances of the case, it is possible that a local authority could consider a nuisance was being caused by the height of trees. However, ultimately the decision as to what constitutes a nuisance is for the courts. The statutory nuisance provisions in the Public Health (Scotland) Act 1897 were repealed by the Environment Act 1995.

  Environmentally Sensitive Areas
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the impact of payment ceilings on the take up of environmental grants in ESAs. [51532]

  Mr. Macdonald
  We have monitored the impact of payment ceilings carefully since the inception of the Environmentally Sensitive Areas Scheme. There is no evidence that the maximum amounts which apply to payments under the Scheme have had a restrictive effect on uptake.

  Agri-environmental Programmes
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what plans he has to increase the resources available to the Countryside Premium Scheme; [51530]

  (2) if he will publish his budget allocation for agri-environmental programmes for 1998–99. [51533]

  Mr. Macdonald
  The provision for the Scottish agri-environment programme for 1998–99 is £13 million (as compared with £9.7 million in 1997–98). Of this, £5 million is allocated to the Countryside Premium Scheme (£2.5 million in 1997–98). Decisions on allocations for individual schemes within the agri-environment programme, including the Countryside Premium Scheme, post 1999 cannot be finalised until Agenda 2000 negotiations are completed. Meantime, following the Comprehensive Spending Review, spending on the agri-environment programme is planned to increase to £22 million by 2001–02.

  Prison Staff
  Sir Robert Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the staff to prisoner ratio(a) in each prison and (b) in total in each of the last three years for which figures are available. [51746]
  646
  Mr. McLeish
  The information requested is in the table.

  Staff to prisoner ratio

  Establishments

  1997–98

  1996–97

  1995–96

  Aberdeen

  1:1.2

  1:1.2

  1:1.1

  Barlinnie

  1:2

  1:2.2

  1:2.2

  Castle Huntly

  1:1.5

  1:1.5

  1:1

  Cornton Vale

  1:0.7

  1:0.8

  1:0.8

  Dumfries

  1:0.9

  1:0.9

  1:0.8

  Dungavel

  1:1.2

  1:1.2

  1:1.4

  Edinburgh

  1:1.6

  1:1.7

  1:1.5

  Friarton

  1:1.1

  1:1.3

  1:1.2

  Glenochil

  1:1.3

  1:1.3

  1:1.2

  Greenock

  1:1.4

  1:1.5

  1:1.5

  Inverness

  1:1.3

  1:1.2

  1:1.1

  Longriggend

  1:0.9

  1:0.9

  1:1

  Low Moss

  1:2.2

  1:2.2

  1:2.1

  Noranside

  1:1.7

  1:1.8

  1:1.7

  National Induction Centre1

  1:1.1

  1:1.2

  1:0.4

  Penninghame

  1:1.3

  1:1.3

  1:1.5

  Perth

  1:1.1

  1:1.1

  1:1.1

  Peterhead (including unit)

  1:0.8

  1:0.8

  1:0.8

  Polmont

  1:1.4

  1:1.5

  1:1.1

  Shotts (including unit)

  1:1.1

  1:1.1

  1:1.1

  Total

  1:1.3

  1:1.4

  1:1.3

  1The National Induction Centre opened in May 1995 and became fully operational later that year

  Rehabilitation
  Sir Robert Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many prisoners completed(a) sex offender treatment programmes and (b) programmes accredited as helping rehabilitation in each of the last three years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [51744]

  Mr. McLeish
  The Scottish Prison Service has key performance indicators for the numbers of prisoners completing sex offender programmes and cognitive skills programmes. However, targets in this area were established only from 1996–97 onwards, and reliable figures for earlier years are not available centrally.

  The figures for 1996–97 and 1997–98 are shown in the table.

  Programme

  1996–97

  1997–98

  Sex offenders

  67

  91

  Cognitive skills

  381

  635

  Although other programmes aimed at reducing reoffending are also available, detailed information on the numbers of prisoners completing such programmes is not held centrally at present.

  Recidivism
  Sir Robert Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what research he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the recidivism rates of custodial and non-custodial sentences in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [51660]

  Mr. McLeish
  A study of recidivism rates among a sample of offenders released from custodial sentences "Predicting Recidivism in a Scottish Prison Sample" was
  647
  published in 1997. A study of life sentence prisoners has been commissioned and will include an analysis of reconvictions.

  A number of studies which aim to evaluate the impact of non-custodial disposals have been commissioned. Evaluations of two community based intervention programmes for persistent young offenders were commissioned in 1995 and will consider reconviction rates as part of the evaluation. An evaluation of pilot programmes for diversion from prosecution to social work and other services was commissioned earlier this year and will assess the effectiveness of the programmes in changing offender behaviour and reducing re-offending.

  Evaluation of effectiveness will continue to be an important part of the criminal justice research programme.

  Road Traffic Offences
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 14 July 1998,Official Report, columns 145–46, what assessment he has made of the reasons for the increase between 1994 and 1996 of those prosecuted and charged with driving a motor vehicle while unfit through drink or drugs. [51848]

  Mr. McLeish
  No specific assessment has been made of the reasons for the increase between 1994 and 1996 in the number of prosecutions for the offence of driving a motor vehicle while unfit through drink or drugs. The increase is believed to reflect a better awareness by the police of the types of driving and behaviour displayed by drivers who are unfit through drink or drugs, leading to an increase in the number of drivers who are charged and then prosecuted.

  Chapelcross Nuclear Power Station
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what quantities of tritium were discharged from Chapelcross Nuclear Power Station in each month since January 1990. [51597]

  Mr. Macdonald
  SEPA has maintained monthly records of discharges of tritium since January 1996. That information is given in the following table, in units of radioactivity discharged per month.

  Gaseous TBq

  Aqueous TBq

  January 1996

  131.1

  0.0000

  February 1996

  118.0

  0.0064

  March 1996

  63.9

  0.0000

  April 1996

  75.1

  0.0034

  May 1996

  65.5

  0.0057

  June 1996

  76.2

  0.0090

  July 1996

  131.4

  0.0000

  August 1996

  68.3

  0.0223

  September

  117.9

  0.0052

  October 1996

  48.2

  0.0083

  November 1996

  127.6

  0.1276

  December 1996

  100.2

  0.1798

  January 1997

  46.6

  0.0176

  February 1997

  47.9

  0.0000

  March 1997

  118.1

  0.0076

  April 1997

  82.9

  0.0041

  May 1997

  62.6

  0.0000

  June 1997

  49.0

  0.0092

  July 1997

  108.7

  0.0155

  August 1997

  119.9

  0.0035

  648

  Gaseous TBq

  Aqueous TBq

  September 1997

  134.8

  0.0000

  October 1997

  111.7

  0.0115

  November 1997

  52.9

  0.0037

  December 1997

  95.7

  0.1255

  January 1998

  98.7

  0.1836

  February 1998

  67.6

  0.0000

  March 1998

  50.4

  0.0024

  April 1998

  78.7

  0.0073

  May 1998

  103.9

  0.0059

  Prior to 1996, information on discharges from Chapelcross was published by The Scottish Office in the series of Statistical Bulletins entitled "Radioactive Waste Disposals from Nuclear Sites in Scotland". The discharge information was supplied by year, although the report was not an annual publication. Copies of the reports are available in the House Library.

TREASURY

  Public Investment
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his plans for public investment for 1999–2000. [50499]

  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the proposals relating to capital expenditure in the comprehensive spending review. [50512]

  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his plans for public investment. [50518]

  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his plans for public investment for the next three years. [50520]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  The Investing In Britain Fund will—within the Government's tough fiscal rules—double net public investment over the lifetime of this Parliament, providing for the renewal, reform and modernisation of the public infrastructure.

  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received on the Comprehensive Spending Review and its impact on levels of public infrastructure investment. [50521]

  Mr. Darling
  The Government consulted widely during the course of the Review. The outcome of the review has underlined the Government's commitment to renew, reform and modernise the country's infrastructure through the Investing in Britain Fund which will—within the fiscal rules—double net public investment by the end of the Parliament.

  Exchange Rate
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he last met employers to discuss the implications of the current exchange rate. [50500]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Treasury Ministers receive many representations from business organisations. The Government listen carefully to all viewpoints and
  649
  experiences, and fully recognise the worries of exporters and manufacturers about the current level of the exchange rate.

  Bingham Report
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what date he proposes to publish the confidential parts of the Bingham report. [50501]

  Mr. Darling
  The appendices to the Bingham report contain information that was supplied in confidence. At the outset of the inquiry, Lord Bingham's invitation to submit evidence made it clear he would respect confidentiality. I do not believe we can now break that undertaking. To do so would compromise future inquiries. However, Lord Bingham did draw on all the information supplied to him when preparing his report and reaching his conclusions.

  Public Spending
  Charlotte Atkins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received on the priorities for public spending over the planning period contained in the comprehensive spending review. [50503]

  Mr. Darling
  The Government received a very wide range of views during the course of the Review and Members of the House have made their views known on many different issues. The terms of reference were made available early in the process and individual departments approached interested bodies. Extensive consultation was conducted with experts and outsiders as part of the CSR process.

  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the reordering of priorities for public spending as a result of the comprehensive spending review. [50508]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Vale of Glamorgan (Mr. Smith) today,Official Report, column 1244.

  Savings
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures he is taking to encourage the growth of the level of savings. [50504]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Government's economic policy is set to achieve stability and the right conditions in which individuals can save with confidence. Our plans for the Individual Savings Account (ISA) are specifically designed to develop and extend the savings habit.

  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his policy on tax relief for savings. [50509]

  Mrs. Liddell
  This Government's policy is to encourage individuals to save. We believe tax-free saving can play a part in this and we are introducing the new individual savings account for this purpose.

  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received in support of his proposals for CAT marking of ISA financial products; and when he expects to produce his final regulations. [50514]
  650
  Mrs. Liddell
  The Treasury has received 143 responses to the consultation document "Making Saving Easy". The CAT standards will be finalised once those responses have been analysed.

  Dividend Tax Credits
  Mr. St. Aubyn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from charities regarding the abolition of dividend tax credits. [50506]

  Mrs. Liddell
  We know that many charities regret the effects of this reform for them. We made generous transitional arrangements for charities last year. About 250 charities have written about tax credits.

  Personal Taxation
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has for the simplification of personal taxation. [50507]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Income tax rates and allowances, along with other aspects of the tax system, are kept under review. Ways to simplify the system are considered as part of the review process.

  Scotch Whisky (Taxation)
  Mr. McAllion
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has held with the Scotch whisky industry relating to the level of tax on Scotch whisky. [50510]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  The Financial Secretary to the Treasury met representatives of the Scotch Whisky Association on 24 February to discuss the level of duty in the run up to the Budget. Officials at Customs and Excise meet the association regularly to discuss all aspects of spirits duty.

  Public Debt
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what basis he has determined that a prudent level for public debt is less than 40 per cent. of gross domestic product. [50511]

  Mr. Darling
  As my right hon. Friend the Chancellor has explained to the House, the Government's policy on public debt combines prudence and stability in the public finances with investment and reform in public services.

  Capital Projects (Private Finance)
  Mr. Fabian Hamilton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to replace public funding of capital projects in health and education with private finance. [50513]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  As we said in "Modern Public Services for Britain: Investing in Reform", the deciding factor is whether public or private investment offers the best means of securing improved public services. This is the test that my hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Health and the Secretary of State for Education will apply when planning future capital investment for which their Departments are responsible.

  Capital Expenditure
  Mrs. McKenna
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he intends to take to promote capital expenditure projects. [50515]

  Mr. Darling
  The Investing in Britain Fund will—within the Government's tough fiscal rules—double net public investment over the Parliament to renew, reform and modernise the national infrastructure. This will be enhanced by the role of PFI/PPPs in providing public investment and services.

  Charities Taxation
  Mr. Day
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to complete his review of charities taxation. [50516]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Review of Charities' Taxation will be completed following a public consultation exercise, phase II of which will start later this year.

  Cross-border Savings (EU Tax)
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his policy on the European Commission's proposal for a Europe-wide withholding tax on cross-border savings. [50517]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Government are in favour of international co-operation in effective action against tax evasion. However, we are determined to protect European Community financial markets against damage by provisions which might be ineffective if confined to the Community. We are holding urgent discussions with the financial sector on the likely impact of the current proposals.

  Strong Pound
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received concerning the impact of the strength of the pound on manufacturing industry. [50519]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Treasury Ministers receive many representations from business organisations. The Government listen carefully to all viewpoints and experience, and fully recognise the worries of exporters and manufacturers about the current level of the exchange rate.

  Resources (Regional Distribution)
  Gillian Merron
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations his Department has received on the impact of the Comprehensive Spending Review on the regional distribution of resources, with particular reference to Lincolnshire. [50522]

  Mr. Darling
  The Government consulted extensively in the course of the review. The regional distribution of resources is a matter for spending departments. But the plans announced in the outcome of the Comprehensive Review will provide investment, modernisation and reform for the whole country.

  Pensions
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received about the mis-selling of free-standing additional voluntary contributions to pension schemes. [50523]

  Mrs. Liddell
  I have received one representation.

  Design, Technology and Innovation Investment
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what incentives he is assessing to stimulate investment in design, technology and innovation. [50524]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  The Government issued a consultative document "Innovating for the Future" on Budget Day, which sought views from business and others on ways of improving the UK record on R&D and innovation.

  The Government are currently considering responses to the consultation document as part of their wider review of R&D.

  Inland Revenue Offices
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the provision of Inland Revenue offices in remote rural locations. [50525]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Inland Revenue is looking at the way it organises its work following the outcome of its Strategic Review, which Ministers recently approved as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review. The Department generally expects to maintain a presence in those locations where it is currently represented.

  Taxation (Investment Income)
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to allow non-tax payers, of all ages, to continue to be able to reclaim a 10 per cent. tax credit on investment income from April 1999. [51575]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  [holding answer 21 July 1998]: As I said at the Report stage of the Finance Bill I was sympathetic to the case of non-taxpayers who will be affected by the withdrawal of payable tax credits from 6 April 1999, and I have the matter under review. That remains the position.

  ICL Pathway Project
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 9 July 1998,Official Report, column 570, if the Government are assessing alternative options to the ICL Pathway Project. [51497]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 21 July 1998]: The ICL Pathway project is designed to introduce a modern method of benefit payment over post office counters, reducing fraud and improving efficiency. The Government are fully committed to achieving these objectives.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the future of the ICL Pathway Project. [51491]
  653
  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 21 July 1998]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 9 July 1998, Official Report, column 570.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 9 July 1998,Official Report, column 570, what representations he has received on the progress of the ICL Pathway Project. [51490]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 21 July 1998]: The Treasury has received no representations on the progress of this project other than through discussions with the parties involved.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 9 July 1998,Official Report, column 570, which outside consultants the Government have employed to assist in the monitoring of the ICL Pathway Project. [51498]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 21 July 1998]: The Government have employed consultants with expertise in IT project management to assist in the monitoring of the ICL Pathway project.

  Departmental Vehicles
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list for(a) his Department and (b) bodies listed in the National Asset Register, how many vehicles are currently (i) owned and (ii) leased; if he will indicate their (A) fuel types and (B) engine cubic capacities; and how many vehicles are expected to fall due for replacement in each of the years (1) 1998–99, (2) 1999–2000 and (3) 2000–01. [49235]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 6 July 1998]: The information is as follows:

  (a) Vehicles owned or leased by the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Departments

  Cubic capacity

  Fuel type

  Number

  (i) Owned

  less than 1000cc

  Petrol

  3

  1000cc to 2000cc

  Petrol

  2,331

  2001cc to 3000cc

  Petrol

  64

  3001cc to 4000cc

  Petrol

  10

  Over 4001cc

  Petrol

  2

  less than 1000cc

  Diesel

  3

  1000cc to 2000cc

  Diesel

  997

  2001cc to 3000cc

  Diesel

  179

  3001cc to 4000cc

  Diesel

  2

  Over 4001cc

  Diesel

  1

  Total

  3,592

  (ii) Leased

  Currently the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Departments do not lease any vehicles

  (b) Bodies listed in the National Asset Register The Bank of England; National Savings

  Cubic capacity

  Fuel type

  Number

  (i) Owned

  1000cc to 2000cc

  Petrol

  2

  2001cc to 3000cc

  Petrol

  5

  3001cc to 4000cc

  Petrol

  2

  654

  (b) Bodies listed in the National Asset Register The Bank of England; National Savings

  Cubic capacity

  Fuel type

  Number

  1000cc to 2000cc

  Diesel

  1

  2001cc to 3000cc

  Diesel

  5

  250bhp

  Diesel

  5

  Total

  20

  (ii) Leased

  1000cc to 2000cc

  Petrol

  3

  2001cc to 3000cc

  Petrol

  1

  Total

  4

  The total number of vehicles currently utilised by the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Departments is 3,616

  Vehicles falling due for replacement

  Year

  Number

  1998–99

  941

  1999–2000

  944

  2000–01

  955

  Bank of England, Cardiff Bay
  Mr. Rhodri Morgan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 13 July 1998,Official Report, column 61, on the Bank of England, what is the length of the lease and the amount of passing rent expressed in £ per square foot per annum for the Bank of England Office for Wales. [51231]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 17 July 1998]: The Bank of England has a 15 year lease on the offices at Scott Harbour, Cardiff Bay. The passing rent is £16.50 per sq ft per annum.

  Disabled Persons Tax Credit
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will make a statement on the planned entitlement criteria for the disabled persons tax credit; [51983]

  (2) how his Department plans to structure review and appeals procedures under the disabled persons tax credit; [51978]

  (3) how changes of circumstance affecting the claimants eligibility will be accounted for in the administration of the disabled persons tax credit; [51985]

  (4) how much money his Department plans to invest in information campaigns for the disabled persons tax credit; and how information campaigns will be targeted; [51991]

  (5) if the capital owned by (a) the disabled claimant and (b) their partner will be taken into account for the purposes of calculating the disabled persons tax credit; [51986]

  (6) what measures his Department is taking to ensure the disabled persons tax credit functions as an incentive to move from out of work benefits into work; [51984]

  (7) what anti-fraud strategies are being assessed in the design of the disabled persons tax credit; [51987]

  (8) if the disabled persons tax credit will be directly accessible for people moving from (a) the New Deal for Sick and Disabled people and (b) incapacity benefit; [51982]
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  (9) how the Department plans to ensure the confidentiality of applicants for the disabled persons tax credit with respect to their employers; [51980]

  (10) what consultation has taken place between his Department and disability organisations regarding the disabled persons tax credit; [51981]

  (11) if the passporting features of disability working allowance on to other benefits, are planned to be retained under the disabled persons tax credit; [51979]

  (12) if the income of claimants' partners will be considered for the purposes of calculating the disabled persons tax credit. [51988]

  Mrs. Liddell
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply he received from the Financial Secretary on 11 June 1998,Official Report, column 650.

  Indirect Taxation
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 14 July 1998,Official Report, columns 135–36, on indirect taxation, if he will provide forecasts for (i) 1997–98 and (ii) 1998–99. [51728]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Forecasts of tax receipts, including indirect taxes, in 1997–98 and 1998–99 were published in Table B9 of the March 1998 "Financial Statement and Budget Report". However, forecasts of indirect taxes paid per person derived from these figures will not be fully consistent with those given to my hon. Friend the Member for North-East Derbyshire, (Mr. Barnes) by the Director of the Office for National Statistics on 14 July 1998,Official Report, columns 135–36, which were based on data from the Family Expenditure Survey.

  National Minimum Wage
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated number of(a) men and (b) women working in the Greater London area who will benefit from the proposed national minimum wage. [51649]

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

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Tom Cox, dated 23 July 1998:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your parliamentary question on the proposed national minimum wage.
  The proposed national minimum wage (NMW) which is due to come into effect in April 1999 has been set at £3.60 per hour for workers aged over 21. A development rate of £3.00 per hour has been proposed for those aged 18 to 21. Workers aged 16 to 17 and all those on apprenticeships will be exempt.
  Estimates of the number of employees below the NMW thresholds have been based upon the results of the Spring 1997 Labour Force Survey (LFS) and the April 1997 New Earnings Survey which are currently the latest available sources, and have used the methodology described in David Wilkinson's article in the May 1998 issue of Labour Market Trends. Copies of Labour Market Trends are available in the House of Commons Library.
  The estimated numbers of men and women in the Greater London area who earn less than the proposed NMW are set out in the following table. To reflect the uncertainty, the estimates are expressed in the form of a range, based on the sampling errors associated with the surveys from which the estimates have ben derived. In order to ensure comparability with the proposed NMW
  656
  rates which would come into force in April 1999 the analysis in the table is based upon hourly rates of £2.80 and £3.40 which use the Low Pay Commission's methodology to take into account inflation between April 1997 and April 1999.

  Estimates of number of employees aged 18 to 21 earning below £2.80 and employees aged over 21 earning below £3.40 in Greater London in April 1997

  Lower estimate

  Upper estimate

  Males

  51,000

  85,000

  Females

  57,000

  74,000

  The above estimates do not take into account workers aged over 21 who whilst receiving accredited training during the first six months of a new job with a new employer would under NMW proposals be entitled to a rate of £3.20 per hour in April 1999.

  Death Certificates
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will issue guidance on the consistent completion of death certificates, when the death occurred in hospital, in respect of the contributory and principal causes of death. [49899]

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

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Andrew Mackinlay, dated 23 July 1998:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your parliamentary question on guidance on the consistent completion of death certificates, when the death occurred in hospital, in respect of the contributory and principal causes of death.
  The ONS places great importance on the quality of the information collected through the deaths registration system and constantly seeks to ensure that this remains fit for purpose, reliable and authoritative.
  Guidance notes on completion are contained in every book of death certificates. This meets the legal obligations for the inclusion of such instruction and the recommendations of the World Health Organisation. These notes were last updated in 1997.
  In July 1997, the Deputy Chief Medical Statistician wrote to all consultants and principals in general practice reminding them of the need to certify deaths promptly and accurately, to refer deaths to the coroner for further investigation where appropriate, and also to remind them of the existence of the guidance notes in each booklet of death certificates.
  The ONS recently produced a video and reading material entitled "Deaths counts", aimed at medical students and doctors, to teach them how to complete the death certificates, including the legal obligations on doctors and registrars. These have been sent to all medical schools and post-graduate deans in England and Wales.

  National Savings
  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment has been made of the interaction between possible private sector involvement in National Savings' operational services and changes to its financial products. [51809]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Chief Executive of National Savings. I have asked him to reply.
  657
  Letter from Peter Bareau to Mr. Gordon Marsden, dated 23 July 1998:
  I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question 51809 about the assessment that has been made of the interaction between possible private sector involvement in National Savings' Operational Services and changes to its financial products.
  The Invitation to Negotiate issued to the bidders specified the requirement that they should provide the flexibility to introduce new products quickly and economically. Their response to this request will be a key element of the evaluation of proposals.
  While EDS and Siemens have been invited to bid for their administration, any change to the design of savings products would remain the responsibility of National Savings, which will continue to be a Government Agency.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  TECs
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what progress has been made on the review of training and enterprise councils in England. [52421]

  Dr. Howells
  The Government issued a consultation document on 9 July 1998 on the future role of TECs/CCTEs in meeting our strategic objectives. Copies of the document have been circulated widely to the many organisations and individuals with whom TECs work at local, regional, national and sectoral level. We have asked for comments by 30 September so that we can take them into account before issuing new Strategic Guidance for TECs in the Autumn. Copies of the consultation document have also been placed in the Library and sent to all Members.

  Employment Service
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when the Employment Service Annual Report and Accounts for 1997–98 will be laid before Parliament. [52420]

  Mr. Blunkett
  I have today laid before the House the Employment Service's Annual Report and Accounts for 1997–98 which give full details of the Agency's performance and expenditure for that year.

  The Annual Report notes the very significant achievements of the Employment Service in 1997–98. In particular, the Employment Service prepared for and launched the Government's New Deal for young unemployed people in twelve pathfinder areas within some 160 working days of the Government taking office. Subsequently it has successfully launched nationally the New Deal programmes for both young and long-term unemployed people. This has involved the Employment Service working in partnership with a wide range of public, voluntary and private sector organisations to make the best possible help available to our young people.

  The Agency has also played a key role in implementing the Government's wider Welfare to Work agenda involving Employment Zones, the New Deal for lone parents, and the New Deal for disabled people, all of which have started, or are due to start, this year.
  658
  At the same time, the Report notes that the Employment Service maintained its existing services and helped many people to find work. In 1997–98 the Employment Service handled 2.7 million job vacancies and placed nearly 1.4 million unemployed people into work, including some 300,000 people who had been unemployed for more than six months, and 83,000 people with disabilities.

  Although the Employment Service did not succeed in meeting all of its targets for the number of unemployed people placed into jobs, its performance should be seen in the context of rapidly falling unemployment over the year and the action the Employment Service has taken to ensure that job placings are recorded strictly in accordance with its procedures. I have underlined to the Employment Service the importance, in the current year, of improved performance against targets, successful implementation of the New Deal programmes and continued rigour on the accurate recording of job placings, building on the action taken which has reduced the scale of this problem very substantially over the past year.

  Overall, 1997–98 was a highly successful year for the Employment Service. I am also particularly pleased that, by the end of 1997–98, overall customer service results were at record levels. As the Chief Executive points out in his Report, none of this would have been possible without the quite remarkable effort and commitment from people throughout the Employment Service. I too am very grateful to them.

  Scottish Fee Support Review Committee
  Mr. Jim Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he expects to announce the Chairman of the Scottish Fee Support Review Committee to be established under the Teaching and Higher Education Act 1998. [52543]

  Mr. Blunkett
  I and my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland, for Northern Ireland and for Wales are pleased to confirm that Sir George Quigley has agreed to chair the independent committee to be set up under Section 25(4) of the Teaching and Higher Education Act 1998 to review financial support for fees for students in the final honours year of first degree courses at Scottish institutions. Other members will be announced at a later date.

  New Deal
  Ms Atherton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how many New Deal clients have taken up voluntary sector placements or work on the environmental task force in Cornwall; [51816]

  (2) how many New Deal clients have gone into full-time training or education in Cornwall; [51817]

  (3) how many (a) subsidised and (b) unsubsidised jobs have been offered by employers to the Employment Service for the New Deal in Cornwall. [51818]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The Government Statistical Service figures for clients leaving Gateway to go into jobs show that, to the end of May 1998, 233 young people have gone into unsubsidised employment and 192 into subsidised jobs.
  659
  To the end of May 1998, 65 New Deal clients have started the Full-Time Education and Training (FTET) Option, 28 have started the Environment Task Force (ETF) Option, and 41 have started the Voluntary Sector (VS) Option.

  Smoking (School Education)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what has been his Department's expenditure on school education on the dangers of smoking during the last 12 months. [51867]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The dangers of smoking form a vital part of education about drugs. We have made increased support of £7 million available to LEAs this financial year, through the Standards Fund programme, to assist primary and secondary schools and the youth service to deliver effective education about drugs. This builds on the £6 million of support which has been made available each year since 1995–96 through the Grants for Education Support and Training (GEST) programme to fund LEA's drug education initiatives, including teacher training and innovative projects.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the selection of candidates for training as millennium bug busters; who is responsible for their training; what is the standard and qualification they will obtain; and how they will be matched to job opportunities. [51858]

  Dr. Howells
  Employers participating in the Millennium Bug Training initiative will select which of their employees to put forward for training. The training is delivered through providers, and to specific standards, that have been approved by the Information Technology National Training Organisation (IT NTO). Certificates that contribute to national and industry recognised qualifications will be issued upon successful completion of the course.

  Internet (Gloucestershire)
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he expects all children in Gloucestershire schools to have ready access to the Internet; and if he will make a statement. [50068]

  Dr. Howells
  The Government's consultation paper 'Connecting the Learning Society' set out a target date of 2002 for the connection of all schools, colleges, universities and libraries and as many community centres as possible to be connected to the National Grid for Learning via the Internet.

  The Department is supporting £750,000 of ICT-related expenditure in Gloucestershire in 1998–99 through Standards Fund Grant for the National Grid for Learning. The grant is to support networking and infrastructure, and is funded equally by the Department and the relevant local education authority.

  Key Stage 1
  Mr. Dorrell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many schools did not submit results of Key Stage 1 tests for moderation in 1997. [40942]
  660
  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 7 July 1998]: 92 maintained mainstream schools did not submit 1997 Key Stage 1 National Curriculum Assessment results. The number of schools not submitting results is falling year on year, and the 1997 figure is less than half that for 1996. The corresponding figures for 1995 and 1996, are 401 and 189 respectively. It is not possible to determine the number of special schools who did not submit results, as it is impossible to differentiate between those schools whose pupils were all disapplied from the National Curriculum Assessments, and therefore had no results to return, and those schools who chose not to return results. Participation by independent schools in the National Curriculum Assessment tests is voluntary and, therefore, they have not been included in this analysis.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  School Sports
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many schools in England play(a) cricket and (b) rugby league. [51293]

  Mr. Banks
  [holding answer 20 July 1998]Neither this Department nor the Department for Education and Employment collects this kind of information.

  Tourism
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what amount of EU funding has been used for tourism information technology initiatives in the United Kingdom in the last year for which figures are available. [51544]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  The figure is not available in the form requested. However, £31 million of European Regional Development Funding (ERDF) is available in the current year for DCMS policy areas, of which tourism is the main beneficiary.

  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what advice his Department gives to(a) tourist boards and (b) tourist information centres who wish to set up compatible computerised booking systems. [51555]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  DCMS sponsors the English Tourist Board (ETB) which has established a Tourism Technology Forum. The Forum comprises representatives of public and private destination marketing organisations as well as commercial systems developers and is looking at issues concerning compatibility and information exchange.

  The ETB has appointed a Tourism Technology Co-ordinator to provide impartial advice to Tourist Information Centre Managers about the availability of systems and has produced a report, analysing the functions and costs of existing systems.

  The Tourism Technology Forum has established a working group and is investigating the commercial viability of reservation systems. A planned Tourist Boards
  661
  Intranet is currently under development and should be completed shortly, through which information and experience of booking systems will be shared.

  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the number of local tourist information centres which provide web pages for their area on the Internet. [51554]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  None. However, the English Tourist Board, in collaboration with the Local Government Association and the Tourism Management Institute, has recently surveyed all Tourist Information Centres (TICs) and Local Authority Tourism Departments to establish the extent to which new technology is being used in the promotion and management of tourism destinations. 55 per cent. of TIC respondents and 50 per cent. of local authority respondents indicated they had a website.

  BBC Archives
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to encourage the BBC to allow increased access by academics and other scholars to the BBC's archive material. [51648]

  Mr. Fisher
  The obligations placed on the BBC in respect of its archives are set out in the Royal Charter and Agreement. These include broad requirements to establish and maintain archives containing material relevant to the objects of the Corporation, and to make reasonable arrangements for public access to the archives, with or without charge. How the BBC chooses to meet these obligations is a matter for the Corporation itself.

  Grants and Awards (Wakefield)
  Yvette Cooper
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the grants and awards that require bids from applicants which his Department is responsible for administering and awarding(a) nationally and (b) that people and groups within Wakefield Metropolitan District are eligible to bid for; if he will publish the deadlines for these applications; and if he will produce this list on a regular basis. [51269]

  Mr. Fisher
  The only grants of this type which we administer are the Museums Challenge Fund, set up to assist the national museums and galleries in England which currently offer free access to continue to do so; the DCMS/Wolfson Foundation Public Libraries Challenge Fund, available to all local authorities in England and with a deadline for 1998–99 of 12 June 1998; and the Heritage Grant Fund in England.

  Grants from the Heritage Grant Fund are normally restricted to national voluntary organisations or to voluntary bodies undertaking projects of national significance.

  Exceptionally, local organisations may be awarded a grant for projects which are particularly innovative and may be used as an exemplar. This year's scheme is likely to have a deadline of the end of September. Individual grant schemes receive wide publicity, and we have no plans to produce a list of this sort on a regular basis.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Correspondence
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many letters per day her office receives; how many staff are employed to answer these; what targets are set in respect of such letters; and what is the current performance against targets. [50689]

  Mr. Field
  I refer my hon. Friend to the written answer from my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Office of Public Service on 20 July 1998,Official report, column 363.

  The correspondence section attached to Minsters' offices, which has 14 staff, receives all correspondence and seeks advice from officials, including those in the Policy Correspondence Unit which had 38 staff at 1 June 1998. Other units and officials elsewhere in the Department also deal with correspondence as part of their normal duties.

  Incapacity Benefit
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to review the assessment procedure determining eligibility for incapacity benefit. [51411]

  Mr. Denham
  We have made clear our intention to reform Incapacity Benefit for future claimants, to develop a more effective test which assesses what sick and disabled people are able to do, and not just what they cannot do. The information which a new test would provide on people's capacity could then be used to give them the help they need to improve their employability and return to work.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to introduce a disabled persons tax credit disregard in the assessment of means-tested social security benefits. [51989]

  Mr. Denham
  The Disabled Persons Tax Credit will replace Disability Working Allowance from October 1999.

  There is no disregard of payments of Disability Working Allowance when assessing eligibility for other income-related benefits. To do so would duplicate payments from public funds for the same purpose. There are no plans to change this policy.

  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if confirmation has been given to all successful organisations that bid to execute pilot projects under the New Deal for sick and disabled people. [51990]

  Mr. Denham
  My right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Social Security, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Education and Employment announced the ten successful bidders for the first tranche of Innovative Schemes funded under the New Deal for Disabled People on 16 July. The schemes are as follows: Leonard Cheshire Workability; Centrica North West Project; Status Employment Ltd; Back to Work proposed by Libra Health Ltd; Manchester Mental Health in Employment Project proposed by Manchester TEC;
  663
  West of England Centre for Integrated Living; Disability Business Partnerships proposed by RNIB; Urban World proposed by Grimsby College; Integration for Opportunity—Jobs4All proposed by Thurso College; and Gateway Partnerships proposed by Disability Matters Ltd.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the hon. Member for Aylesbury will receive a substantive reply from the Chief Executive of the Child Support Agency to the letter of 7 May to the Dudley CSA office about case reference 1008385662; and if she will make a statement. [50873]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mrs. Faith Boardman. She will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Faith Boardman to Mr. David Lidington, dated 22 July 1998:
  I am replying to your Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security about your letter of 7th May (case reference 1008385662) to the Child Support Agency Business Unit Manager in Dudley.
  The Agency aim to respond to letters from Members of Parliament within 20 working days. I am afraid this did not happen in this case and I apologise for this.
  In this particular case, information needed to be sought from the non-resident parent's employer, and a written agreement regarding the arrears of child support maintenance needed to be obtained from the parent with care before a full response could be made. While investigations were being made the Midland Business Unit Manager sent two interim replies explaining that investigations were still being made. A full response to your letter was made on 14 July.

  Benefits Agency
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what guidance she plans to issue to the Benefits Agency on its forthcoming obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 to produce generic benefits information and information on individual benefits in a range of formats which blind and partially sighted people can access; [50923]

  (2) what assessment she has made of the difficulties which blind and partially sighted people have in obtaining access to information on benefits. [51023]

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

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Rev. Martin Smyth, dated 22 July 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions asking what guidance she plans to issue to the Benefits Agency (BA) on its forthcoming obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 to produce generic benefits information and information on individual benefits in a range of formats which blind and partially sighted people can access; and what assessment she has made of the difficulties which blind and partially-sighted people have in obtaining access to information on benefits.
  The BA is currently overhauling its leaflet programme to improve the standard of information that we provide for all our customers by simplifying the range of materials and focusing it entirely to the customers' needs. To continue equal access to the social security system, the Agency plans to produce the new material for various customer groups in large print, audio cassette and Braille.
  664
  The BA regularly conducts formal customer research and consults with customer representative organisations about their information needs. We have also looked at the benefit information needs of blind and partially sighted people as part of the customer research for Project Access, which aims to simplify the range of materials we provide for customers.
  The research explored how information should be provided, to whom it should be targeted and how it should be distributed.
  Consultation with customer representative organisations for various groups, including blind and partially sighted people, has also been part of the research process. Products are being developed in response to their feedback.
  The policy of Project Access will ensure that existing products will not be withdrawn until we are confident that the new information in alternative formats replaces them in an acceptable way for the various groups.
  I hope you find this reply helpful.

  Winter Fuel Payments
  Mr. Bendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the additional annual cost of administering a one-off winter fuel payment. [51822]

  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 was committed for two years (1997–98 and 1998–99), to help pensioners with fuel bills to pay.

  As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced in the House on 17 July 1998, Official Report, column 704, a further £0.5 billion has been allocated to extend the scheme beyond next winter. This will provide each eligible pensioner household with a £20 winter fuel 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. David Rendel, dated 22 July 1998:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what is the additional annual cost of administering a one-off Winter Fuel Payment.
  Last winter, Winter Fuel Payments were made to almost ten million eligible pensioners. The total administration cost of the exercise was in the region of £20 million. The annual average cost of making each payment was approximately £2.
  I hope that this is helpful.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Environmental Performance (Small Businesses)
  Mr. Alan Keen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps the Government are taking to improve the environmental performance of small business. [52005]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Government are to revamp their support to small businesses to help them improve their energy efficiency and environmental performance. The Energy Efficiency Best Practice Programme has an established reputation for helping businesses to improve their energy efficiency. The Programme is currently stimulating savings of around £500m each year across the
  665
  economy. We now want to make the benefits of this programme more readily available to small and medium sized businesses by building up a network of locally based consultants who will be accessed through a freephone hotline.

  These new arrangements, which replace the smaller SCEEMAS programme which has had a very disappointing take-up, will be developed jointly with the Government Offices in the Regions and with local businesses and business support agencies at a cost of some £2m p.a.

  Businesses value authoritative advice that takes account of local needs and the EEBPP will also look at ways of working with Government Offices and local providers of advice to establish a more coherent programme of local support, providing small businesses with access to a greater range of local specialist advice services. The existing EEBPP energy helpline is to be improved to help small businesses access the information on energy efficiency they need. This will include the introduction of a new freephone helpline.

  The new arrangements will help bring energy efficiency advice on to the same footing as that delivered through the successful helpline and consultancy advice service run via the joint DTI/DETR Environmental Technology Best Practice Programme. When a small business wants to go green, it is important that the Government are there to help. This is part of our continuing efforts to rationalise the Government's support to businesses on energy and environmental performance via the Government Offices of the Regions and other organisations such as the Energy Saving Trust, Business Links, Training Enterprise Councils and local authorities, in providing a more effective support.

  For this reason we are going to phase out SCEEMAS grants as from 31 August 1998, which will be the deadline for all first time applications, and to terminate the scheme at the end of January 1999, the deadline for all claims. The resources from SCEEMAS will be diverted to contribute to the development of a coordinated network of energy efficiency advice underpinned by the EEBPP and designed to be complementary with other local providers.

  Table to show annual targets for 1998–99 and performance figures for 1997–98 for the disposal of Government empty homes

  Home Office

  Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions

  Ministry of Defence

  Total stock at 1 April 1998

  3,189

  2,473

  64,238

  Total empty stock at 1 April 1997

  268

  690

  13,142

  Total empty stock at 1 April 1998

  217

  692

  13,225

  Target for % empty at 1 April 1998

  Less than 5

  Less than 18%

  To dispose of 1,000 empty homes

  Achievement against target

  6.8%

  28%

  1,562

  Target for % empty at 1 April 1999

  Less than 5

  Less than 18%

  To dispose of 1,200 empty homes

  Target for % habitable homes empty more than 6 months at 1 April 1998

  Less than 1

  Less than 9

  —

  Achievement against target

  1.2% (37)

  10.5% (262)

  —

  666
  Further details of the developments to the Energy Efficiency Best Practice Programme, including the pilot phase of the new service to SMEs, are to be announced separately.

  Empty Government Homes
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how his Department, the Home Office and the Ministry of Defence performed against last year's targets for reducing empty Government homes; and what new targets have been set for 1998–99. [52611]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Details of achievement against targets for 1997–98, and new targets for 1998–99 are listed.

  I am disappointed to have to report that, despite considerable effort on the part of my Department, the Ministry of Defence and the Home Office, the overall number of empty homes held by the Government has shown a small rise between 1 April 1997 and 1 April 1998. This does, however, mask a 19 per cent. fall in the number of empty homes held by the Home Office and the success of the Ministry of Defence in exceeding its target over the period. Both my Department and the Ministry of Defence have faced difficulties in responding to need with uncertainties over the Strategic Defence Review and the ongoing review of road schemes. In the case of the Highways Agency up to 50 per cent. of its vacant properties were in the process of being sold when the figures were collected.

  We are concerned by the number of properties that remain vacant—we simply cannot afford to have substantial numbers of Government-owned homes lying empty and we will be working closely with colleagues to ensure that the targets set for the next year are met. These targets for 1 April 1999 all represent a significant improvement over last year's achievements and reflect realistic opportunities for reducing the numbers of vacant properties.

  Departments continue to liaise with the Empty Homes Agency and other interested parties to investigate ways of bringing properties back into productive housing use and I hope next year's figures will reflect our continued efforts to improve the Government's own record.
  667

  Table to show annual targets for 1998–99 and performance figures for 1997–98 for the disposal of Government empty homes

  Home Office

  Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions

  Ministry of Defence

  Target for % habitable homes empty for more than 6, months at a April 1999

  Less than 1

  Less than 7%

  —

  Action being taken to dispose of homes empty more than 6 months

  26 Prison Quarters properties retained on security grounds and for chaplains; 5 on the market; 2 have serious repair problems; 1 now available following police operation; 1 adjoins an operational police office; 1 is to be offered to a housing association for short-term let; and 1 is in need of renovation.

  203 properties either in process of being marketed for sales or sales agreed and proceeding towards completion; 3 due for auction, 7 sales deferred to assess development potential; and 49 being let through managing agents.

  —

  Note:

  Properties that are "habitable" include all properties except:

  a) derelict properties that await demolition (eg to make way for road schemes)

  b) those that are expected to be demolished in the near future where the expenditure required to make them habitable would be disproportionate to their expected life (eg where substantial investment would be required to connect essential services such as water, sewage or electricity)

  c) those that cannot be made accessible (eg due to adjacent construction works)

  Fishing Vessel Accidents
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will publish the consultation paper on fishing vessel accidents and the recovery of those lost at sea; and if he will make a statement. [52419]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I am publishing the Consultation Paper today. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House and it will be distributed widely to representatives in the fishing industry, and to others who have written to Ministers on this subject. The consultation period will extend to 31 October and the Government will announce the results by the end of the year.

  Ordnance Survey
  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review was for the Ordnance Survey. [52367]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The resources that have been made available to Ordnance Survey for the three year Comprehensive Spending Review period are as follows:

  Year

  £ million

  1999–2000

  23

  2000–2001

  19

  2001–2002

  18

  These resources reflect this Government's recognition that a significant part of Ordnance Survey's work is vital to the national interest, rather than simply commercial in nature. To this end, a National Interest in Mapping Service Level Agreement (NIMSA) is being negotiated between the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, as customer, and Ordnance Survey, as supplier. It is intended that the agreement will commence on 1 April 1999. NIMSA will comprise a set of explicit targets and Ordnance Survey's performance against these will be monitored annually.
  668
  In addition to resources for NIMSA, resources are also available for other investment required by Ordnance Survey.

  Special Waste Regulations
  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Reading, West (Mr. Salter) of 2 April 1998,Official Report, columns 601–02, how many responses have been received to the consultation exercise for amending the Special Waste Regulations 1996 and Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994. [52282]

  Angela Eagle
  My Department received 53 direct responses. The Scottish Office received a further 30 responses and the Welsh Office two. I am depositing a list of those who responded in the Libraries of both Houses. Copies of the letters will be placed in the relevant Departmental Library. I will issue a response once a full analysis has been undertaken.

  Regional Development Agencies
  Mr. Mike Hall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what are the Government's proposals for the payment of board members of the new regional development agencies. [52281]

  Mr. Caborn
  As we stated in our White Paper "Building Partnerships for Prosperity" we propose that all Regional Development Agency board members be paid. The Regional Development Agencies Bill currently before Parliament provides for remuneration of board members to be determined by the Secretary of State. Subject to Parliamentary approval of this provision, we propose to pay the chair of each Agency a notional full time rate of £100,000 per year—this would amount to £44,000 for two days per week. We propose to pay the deputy chair a notional full time rate of £70,000—this would amount to £14,000 for one day per week. Other board members will be paid at the rate of £7,000 per year for two days per month. These payments are in line with those made to members of similar Non Departmental Public Bodies.

  Speed Trap Detectors
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what powers he has to prevent the advertising for sale of equipment designed (i) to warn of speed traps and (ii) to adjust odometers. [51183]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  None. The Advertising Standards Authority and the Independent Television Commission are responsible for preserving advertising standards. My noble Friend the Minister for Roads has referred objectionable advertisements to the ASA and has been successful in having them withdrawn.

  Grants and Awards (Wakefield)
  Yvette Cooper
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the grants and awards that require bids from applicants which his Department is responsible for administering and awarding(a) nationally and (b) that people and groups within Wakefield Metropolitan District are eligible to bid for; if he will publish the deadlines for these applications; and if he will produce this list on a regular basis. [51274]

  Angela Eagle
  The principal programme currently administered by my Department which requires bids from applicants in the Single Regeneration Budget (SRB). The announcement on the outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) explained that there would be new rounds of the SRB. Partnerships in England will be eligible to bid, including those in the Wakefield Metropolitan District. An announcement on future bidding arrangements, and hence the deadline for applications, will be made shortly.

  In addition, the announcement on the outcome of the CSR, 14 July 1998, Official Report, columns 187–94, referred to the New Deal for Communities which will

  Moving annual average performance

  TOC

  Charter service group

  P13 1992–93%

  P13 1997–98%

  Variance positive/(negative)%

  Anglia Railway (UK) Ltd.

  East Suffolk

  —

  95.2

  n/a

  Anglia Railway (UK) Ltd.

  Felixstowe

  —

  87.7

  n/a

  Anglia Railway (UK) Ltd.

  Great Yarmouth

  —

  97.8

  n/a

  Anglia Railway (UK) Ltd.

  Intercity Anglia

  85.0

  95.6

  10.8

  Anglia Railway (UK) Ltd.

  Lowestoft

  —

  97.8

  n/a

  Anglia Railway (UK) Ltd.

  Peterborough/Cambridge

  —

  95.4

  n/a

  Anglia Railway (UK) Ltd.

  Sheringham

  —

  97.3

  n/a

  Great Eastern Railways Ltd.

  Great Eastern

  92.6

  95.0

  2.4

  LTS Rail Ltd.

  London Tilbury & Southend

  90.4

  93.1

  2.7

  West Anglia and Great Northern Railways Ltd.

  Great Northern

  92.1

  92.1

  (0.0)

  West Anglia and Great Northern Railways Ltd.

  West Anglia

  —

  96.4

  n/a

  Cardiff Railway Co. Ltd.

  Cardiff Valleys

  90.9

  90.3

  (0.8)

  Great Western Trains Ltd.

  Great Western

  86.7

  78.8

  (7.9)

  Wales & West

  Cornwall

  96.9

  85.2

  (1.7)

  Wales & West

  Devon

  87.8

  94.7

  6.9

  Wales & West

  South Cotswolds

  90.6

  93.0

  2.4

  Wales & West

  West & Central Wales

  94.4

  94.4

  (0.0)

  Wales & West

  Western Express

  89.9

  92.0

  2.1

  Wales & West

  Avon

  86.8

  84.1

  (2.7)

  Thames Trains Ltd.

  Thames

  —

  86.1

  n/a

  GNE Railways Ltd.

  East Coast

  88.0

  92.0

  4.0

  Northern Spirit

  Northern Long

  93.9

  97.2

  3.3

  Northern Spirit

  South Yorks & Humberside Long

  89.4

  95.8

  6.4

  Northern Spirit

  South Yorks & Humberside Short

  87.8

  94.6

  6.8

  Northern Spirit

  Transpennine

  91.1

  93.0

  1.9

  Northern Spirit

  West Yorkshire Long

  93.7

  92.1

  (1.6)

  670
  offer intensive help to the most deprived neighbourhoods, focusing on enhancing economic and employment opportunities, improving the quality of life and offering better neighbourhood management. The detailed arrangements for the New Deal for Communities have yet to be announced.

  Details of any bidding rounds for grants would be published at the appropriate time.

  Railway Targets
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the rail routes on which the achievement of target journey times deteriorated substantially between 1993 and 1998. [51372]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The table shows the percentage of scheduled trains arriving on time comparing the annual average performance for 1992–93 with the annual average performance in 1997–98, where information is available. For 12 route groups average performance in 1997–98 was worse than in 1992–93; for 35 route groups it was better. 18 route groups have changed or been created since the end of 1992–93 and therefore no comparison can be made.

  A train is deemed on time if it arrives within a specified period of the scheduled arrival time. In respect of the former InterCity and long distance Regional services this is 9 minutes 59 seconds; in respect of the former Network SouthEast and short distance Regional services this is 4 minute 59 seconds; and in respect of Scottish sleeper services this is 30 minutes. Prior to April 1995 on time was defined as within 10 minutes 59 seconds of the scheduled arrival time for the former InterCity and long distance Regional Services, and within 5 minutes and 59 seconds of scheduled arrival time for the former Network SouthEast and short distance Regional services. Certain services may be excluded from the calculations.
  671

  Moving annual average performance

  TOC

  Charter service group

  P13 1992–93%

  P13 1997–98%

  Variance positive/(negative)%

  Northern Spirit

  West Yorkshire Short

  92.8

  95.6

  2.8

  Central Trains Ltd.

  East Midlands & Lincs

  90.0

  97.0

  7.0

  Central Trains Ltd.

  Inter Urban

  79.8

  93.0

  13.2

  Central Trains Ltd.

  Mid Wales & Marches

  88.8

  94.9

  6.1

  Cross Country Trains Ltd.

  Cross Country

  81.3

  86.8

  5.5

  InterCity West Coast Ltd.

  West Coast

  82.5

  83.4

  0.9

  Midland Main Line Ltd.

  Midland Mainline

  88.6

  92.1

  3.5

  Silverlink Train Services Ltd.

  North London Orbital

  90.0

  94.3

  4.3

  Silverlink Train Services Ltd.

  Northampton Lines

  90.7

  93.7

  3.0

  Silverlink Train Services Ltd.

  Watford Locals

  95.6

  93.9

  (1.7)

  The Chiltern Railway Co. Ltd.

  Chiltern

  93.5

  86.8

  6.9

  Merseyrail Electrics Ltd.

  Northern Lines

  —

  93.7

  n/a

  Merseyrail Electrics Ltd.

  Wirral Lines

  —

  96.5

  n/a

  North Western Trains Ltd.

  Long Distance

  —

  95.8

  n/a

  North Western Trains Ltd.

  Manchester North

  —

  91.6

  n/a

  North Western Trains Ltd.

  Lancs & Cumbria

  —

  95.1

  n/a

  North Western Trains Ltd.

  Manchester South

  —

  94.1

  n/a

  North Western Trains Ltd.

  Inter-Urban North West Express

  —

  91.1

  n/a

  North Western Trains Ltd.

  Merseyrail City Lines

  —

  97.2

  n/a

  North Western Trains Ltd.

  Inter-Urban North Wales

  91.7

  95.1

  3.4

  North Western Trains Ltd.

  North Wales Rural

  92.8

  91.7

  (1.1)

  Scotrail Railways Ltd.

  ScotRail Central

  93.5

  97.2

  3.7

  Scotrail Railways Ltd.

  ScotRail East

  92.3

  96.6

  4.3

  Scotrail Railways Ltd.

  Scotrail Express

  92.9

  98.3

  5.4

  Scotrail Railways Ltd.

  Scotrail Highland

  89.8

  97.6

  7.8

  Scotrail Railways Ltd.

  Scotrail South-West

  95.9

  96.6

  0.7

  Scotrail Railways Ltd.

  Sleepers

  —

  91.5

  n/a

  Scotrail Railways Ltd.

  Strathclyde PTE

  94.1

  97.0

  2.9

  Connex South Central Ltd.

  South London Lines

  88.6

  93.9

  5.4

  Connex South Central Ltd.

  Sussex Coast

  86.3

  90.2

  3.9

  Connex South East Ltd.

  Kent Coast

  78.0

  90.9

  12.9

  Connex South East Ltd.

  Kent Link

  86.2

  87.0

  1.8

  Gatwick Express Ltd.

  Gatwick Express

  90.7

  95.1

  4.4

  South West Trains Ltd.

  SWT Main Line

  87.4

  89.0

  1.6

  South West Trains Ltd.

  SWT Suburban

  91.3

  92.2

  0.9

  Thameslink Rail Ltd.

  Thameslink

  87.1

  91.2

  4.1

  Isle of Wight

  —

  97.2

  n/a

  Total n/a

  18

  Total Better

  35

  Total Worse

  12

  Total

  65

  Note:

  The table shows moving annual average performance. The moving annual average is the average of performance for the specified 28-day period and the 21 preceding periods. The moving annual average at period 13 in any year effectively represents average performance for the year (ending 31 March)

  Birmingham Northern Relief Road
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the reports on MEL's traffic modelling for the Birmingham Northern Relief Road prepared by(a) his Department and (b) advisers to his Department following the report by Transport Planning Associates on the three Birmingham Northern Relief Road bids and preceding the signing of the concession agreement for the Birmingham Northern Relief Road; and if he will indicate who undertook them. [51512]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  No. I do not have access to papers prepared for the previous Administration. Substantial evidence on traffic was, however, put before the Public Inquiry and the Inspector's Report on the evidence put before him was fully considered before the decision was reached to approve the proposed scheme.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what additional 672
  market research was carried out by MEL into the potential use of the Birmingham Northern Relief Road following the report by Transport Planning Associates on the three Birmingham Northern Relief Road bids and preceding the signing of the concession agreement for the Birmingham Northern Relief Road. [51513]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Any such market research is a matter for MEL, which bears the full revenue risk on this project.

  Airports
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps his Department is taking to(a) review the environmental impact of airports and (b) assess the need for further legislation to control the impact of aircraft noise on residential areas; and if he will make a statement. [51390]
  673
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The environmental impact of airports is kept under review. We have considered the need for further legislation on the control of aircraft noise and we announced in the White Paper on integrated transport policy our intention to consult on this issue.

  A40
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many road traffic related(a) accidents, (b) fatalities and (c) injuries have been reported on the A40 trunk road between Gloucester and Shipton Solers in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available. [51387]

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

  Accidents and casualties on the A40 trunk road between Gloucester and Shipton Solers: 1988–97

  Year

  Accidents

  Fatalities

  Injuries

  1988

  110

  3

  132

  1989

  114

  1

  140

  1990

  75

  0

  98

  1991

  66

  2

  81

  1992

  76

  1

  94

  1993

  79

  2

  91

  1994

  77

  4

  106

  1995

  75

  0

  108

  1996

  57

  1

  79

  1997

  84

  3

  102

  Bridleways
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to reinstate bridleways severed by motorway construction and road improvement works; and if he will make a statement. [51382]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions has powers, conferred on him by the Highways Act 1980, to stop up or divert bridleways affected by highway works. The power to stop up bridleways is not used unless the Secretary of State is satisfied that another reasonably convenient route is available or is to be provided. Reinstatement of any particular bridleway will depend on the circumstances.

  Planning Applications
  Mr. McLoughlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many planning applications have been called in during each of the last 10 years and how many to date in 1998. [51409]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The number of planning applications in England called in during each of the last 10 years is as follows:

  Year

  Number

  1988–89

  117

  1989–90

  103

  1990–91

  132

  1991–92

  140

  1992–93

  101

  1993–94

  99

  674

  year

  Number

  1994–95

  167

  1995–96

  144

  1996–97

  139

  1997–98

  47

  Each of the years listed is a financial year 1 April to 31 March. A further 41 applications have been called in between 1 April and 30 June 1998.

  Kate Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list by total site area the amount of development within the Thames planning area which has been granted permission since February 1997, indicating those developments which(a) did not and (b) did follow the Strategic Planning Guidance. [51730]

  Mr. Caborn
  Comprehensive information on planning permissions granted by local planning authorities is not held centrally. Whether an individual development accords with the principles and policies set out in Strategic Planning Guidance for the River Thames is in some respects likely in any case to be a matter of interpretation and degree.

  Kate Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list his powers and the circumstances in which they are involved with regard to local planning authorities which fail to follow the Strategic Planning Guidance for the River Thames when reaching decisions on planning applications within the Thames planning area. [51729]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Secretary of State has the power to "call in" planning applications for his own decision. The circumstances in which he would do so are as set out in the answer which I gave my hon. Friend on 7 July 1998,Official Report, columns 469–68. The Secretary of State also has the power to direct the alteration or replacement of all or part of a local planning authority's Unitary Development Plan or the modification of proposals, including where these are inconsistent with Government policy or guidance. The planning authority must determine any application in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise.

  Voluntary Organisations
  Dr. Stoate
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list by council in England the percentage of each budget allocated to voluntary organisations in each financial year since 1992–93. [51287]

  Ms Armstrong
  This information is not collected centrally.

  Driving Tests
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the average cost of a driving test per applicant at(a) Crosby, (b) Norris Green, (c) Southport, (d) Garston and (e) St. Helens test centres. [51545]
  675
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Based on the throughput of tests in the first three months of 1998, the estimated local staff and property cost per test centre is as follows:

  £

  Test centre

  Average cost

  Crosby

  29.84

  Norris Green

  19.00

  Southport

  14.26

  Garston

  28.65

  St. Helens

  20.75

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the maximum number of tests which could be carried out per month with existing staff at(a) Crosby, (b) Norris Green, (c) Southport, (d) Garston and (e) St. Helens driving test centres. [51549]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The information is as follows:

  Test centre

  Maximum number of tests

  Crosby

  1,680

  Norris Green

  1,680

  Southport

  1,120

  Garston

  1,680

  St. Helens

  1,120

  The figure for Crosby is assessed on the number of staff at the test centre before it was closed in April 1998.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many driving tests were conducted at the(a) Crosby, (b) Norris Green, (c) Southport, (d) Garston and (e) St. Helens driving centres during (i) January, (ii) February, (iii) March, (iv) April, (v) May and (vi) June. [51547]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The information is as follows:

  January to March

  April to May

  Crosby

  915

  0

  Norris Green

  1,594

  822

  Southport

  805

  694

  Garston

  970

  1,040

  St. Helens

  836

  606

  The statistics requested have not been collated by monthly total. Figures including July 1998 are not yet available.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what were the individual revenue costs including salaries, building costs, leasing costs and any other expenditures in excess of £1,000 per annum of running(a) Crosby, (b) Norris Green, (c) Southport, (d) Garston and (e) St. Helens driving standards test centres in the last year for which figures are available. [51548]
  676
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The local staff and property costs of providing driving tests in 1997–98 at each of the centres listed were as follows:

  £

  Test Centre

  Revenue Cost

  Crosby

  109,249

  Norris Green

  121,069

  Southport

  45,872

  Garston

  111,053

  St. Helens

  69,491

  Housing
  Kate Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has for monitoring the provision of affordable housing to be provided under the terms set out in Circular 6/98. [51731]

  Mr. Caborn
  In revising Planning Policy Guidance note 3: Housing we are considering the need for monitoring the provision of affordable housing provided through Circular 6/98. We will shortly be consulting on the draft guidance later this year.

  Channel Tunnel Rail Link
  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions who will be responsible for finding a replacement to complete the second phase of the CTRL in the event that Railtrack decides not to exercise its option to complete it. [51526]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Under the terms of the revised agreement, London and Continental Railways (LCR) will retain the obligation to complete the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL) if Railtrack does not exercise its option to commit to the second phase of construction. However, Railtrack has publicly stated that it fully intends exercising its option and there is a strong financial incentive for it to do so.

  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what aspects of the CTRL restructuring remain to be negotiated; and if he will make a statement. [51738]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Since the statement of my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister on 3 June 1998,Official Report, columns 367–70, much work has been done by the principal parties involved in the restructuring of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL) deal to document the details of the new arrangements. Although there is much to do, the work is on course to enable London and Continental Railways (LCR) to begin construction of the link later this year.

  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if construction of the Thames Link 2000 St. Pancras Box is dependent on finalisation of plans for the Channel Tunnel Rail Link. [51739]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The two projects are physically integrated, which is why the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL) promoter is contractually committed to construct the Thameslink Box. The Department is discussing the full implications of the CTRL agreement outlined by my right hon. Friend on 3 June 1998,Official Report,

  677
  columns 367–70, with London and Continental Railways, the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising (OPRAF) and Railtrack.

  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what will be the scope of the powers of the regulator for the Channel Tunnel Rail Link. [51527]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  S16 of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link Act 1996 excludes the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL) as a "licensed activity" under the Railways Act 1993 and it is therefore not subject to the jurisdiction of the Rail Regulator. The rights and obligations of the parties are regulated principally through the Development Agreement between HM Government and London and Continental Railways (LCR), together with a suite of further agreements between HMG, LCR and Railtrack.

  East-west Rail Link
  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to publish the conclusions of the current assessment of the East-West Rail Link. [51736]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I understand that this refers to Railtrack's study of the Crossrail project. I refer the hon. Member to my answer to the hon. Member for Maidenhead (Mrs. May) on 7 May 1998,Official Report, columns 439–40.

  Parking Fines (London)
  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what data his Department collates in respect of levels of unpaid parking fines in London boroughs. [51529]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  None. The Transport Committee for London, which co-ordinates the local authority parking regime, collects statistics on enforcement, including tickets issued, those cancelled and those paid, at a London wide level.

  Two-wheeled Vehicles
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will ensure that the Journey Times Survey 1998, inner and outer London, includes sample journeys by powered two wheelers. [51813]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  In 1993 the Department initiated the Journey Times Survey as a means of assessing long-term changes in accessibility in London, and how complete door-to-door journey times vary between modes. Motorcycling is not included in the survey as it is considered that the journey times recorded would not be a sufficiently reliable indicator of changing traffic conditions.

  NHS Trusts (Wales)
  Ms Julie Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will list the NHS trusts in Wales which(a) have been prosecuted under health and safety legislation and (b) have received prohibition or improvement notes since 1991; [51594]
  678
  (2) if he will list the NHS trusts in Wales which have been found since 1991 to be in breach of the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974; and if he will give details of the breaches. [51595]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 22 July 1998]: Between 1 April 1991 and 31 March 1998, Mid Glamorgan Area Health Authority was prosecuted by HSE on 28 November 1991 for a breach of the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 5 and 8. South Glamorgan Area Health Authority was prosecuted on 28 February 1996 for a breach of section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974. No other prosecutions have been taken in Wales.

  Improvement Notices have been issued against the following NHS trusts by HSE's Field Operations Division in Wales between 1 April 1996 and 31 March 1998:

  Bridgend and District NHS Trust

  Carmarthen and District NHS Trust

  Glan Hafren NHS Trust

  Morriston Hospital NHS Trust

  South East Wales NHS Ambulance Trust

  Wrexham Maelor Hospital NHS Trust

  Cardiff Community Health Care NHS Trust

  Ceredigion and Mid Wales NHS Trust

  East Glamorgan NHS Trust

  Clwydian Community Health NHS Trust

  Gwent Community Health NHS Trust

  Powys Health Care NHS Trust.

  A Prohibition notice has been issued against Glan Hafren NHS Trust. Prior to 1996–97, notices against the NHS cannot be identified from HSE's computer databases. HSE holds no information on the number of "breaches" which do not result in a prosecution of the issuing of an Improvement or Prohibition Notice.

  Transport White Paper
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what percentage of funds raised by local authorities from proposals in the White Paper on transport will be available for reinvestment in local transport plans. [51976]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Details will be published in due course.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to paragraph 3.210 of the White Paper, A New Deal for Transport, if the duty given to the Strategic Rail Authority to consider rail access to major ports will encompass Newhaven. [51947]

  Angela Eagle
  In principle, yes.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the rail investment proposals within the White Paper, A New Deal for Transport, will provide for the reopening of disused rail lines. [51967]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Franchising Director will control additional funds vis two new schemes. The Infrastructure Investment Fund will relieve infrastructure "pinch points" on the network which could not be tackled without additional public sector financial support. The Passenger Rail Partnership is designed to encourage and
  679
  support innovative proposals at the regional and local level that develop rail use and promote modal shift. Such proposals could include new or enhanced local rail services, better facilities for passengers and re-opening of disused lines.

  Details of the operation of the proposed schemes will be announced in the Autumn. Meanwhile, local authorities are encouraged to submit to the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising proposals consistent with out integrated transport policies.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what will be the dates of the consultation process relating to the implementation of proposals set out in the White Paper on transport. [51977]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  A number of further documents have been promised and we will be publishing the first of these shortly. Others will follow over the summer and through to the end of the year.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to paragraph 2.36 of the Comprehensive Spending Review and to the Transport White Paper, if he will estimate what revenues will be raised from (i) charges on parking spaces and (ii) charges for road access or congestion charges, in each of the years 1998–99 to 2005–06. [51950]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Table under paragraph 2.36 of the Comprehensive Spending Review estimated, for indicative purposes, that some £1 billion in transport investment might be funded by new revenue streams by 2005–06. This assumes that local authorities and others respond positively to the new powers, subject to the necessary legislation being in place. The actual revenue raised, the yearly income profile, and the proportions that will come from road user charging and from workplace parking charges, will depend upon the level and speed of take-up. We shall be consulting in due course on the detail of how schemes will be implemented.

  Hare Hunting
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will seek to amend the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to introduce a statutory closed season on hare hunting. [51972]

  Angela Eagle
  An objective under the brown hare biodiversity species action plan is to review the use of legislation pertaining to shooting and selling of hares in the light of research findings on the seasonality of reproduction. Any decision on restrictions on hare hunting will not be made until the outcome of that review is known.

  Transport Policies and Programmes
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much his Department has provided or will provide for local authority Transport Policies and Programme bids in each of the years from 1997–98 to 2005–06; and if he will make a statement. [51952]
  680
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The information for past allocation is as follows:

  Year

  £ million

  1997–98

  746

  1998–99

  583

  My Department has provisional plans to allocate the following amounts under the TPP system, or its successor, in the next three financial years:

  Year

  £ million

  1999–2000

  598

  2000–01

  695

  2001–02

  987

  The figure for 1997–98 includes £50 million for Croydon Tramlink. Provision for that project in subsequent years is accounted for outside the TPP system.

  The figures for 1999–2000 to 2001–02 are guidelines. Final allocations for each of these years will be decided following the assessment of local authorities' bids. Unlike the figures for earlier years those for 1999–2000 to 2001–02 do not include supplementary credit approvals (SCA) set aside to match ERDF grant, or the receipts that we allow local authorities to use as part of their TPP allocations.

  Figures for those elements in past years were:

  Year

  ERDF SCA

  Receipts

  1997–98

  35

  39

  1998–99

  26

  33

  The amount to be allowed for each of these elements in future years has yet to be decided.

  Expenditure plans have not yet been formulated beyond 2001–02.

  Motorcycling
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many(a) motorcycle drivers and (b) pillion passengers have been killed in road accidents in England and Wales in each of the last three years. [51245]

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

  TWMV1 Fatalities: England and Wales: 1995–1997

  Riders

  Passengers

  England

  1995

  363

  23

  1996

  371

  21

  1997

  410

  27

  Wales

  1995

  24

  2

  1996

  17

  2

  1997

  33

  2

  1Two Wheeled Motor Vehicle

  681
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement about the issues raised at the special consultative meeting of motorcyclists at his Department on 25 November 1997. [52018]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The consultative meeting with representatives of motorcycle, environment and safety groups discussed all the transport aspects of motorcycling.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the role of commuter motorcycling as an aid to reducing pollution and congestion in urban areas. [52020]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The environmental and congestion implications of motorcycles are not clear cut. Much depends on the size of the motorcycle; whether the journeys are in addition to or a substitute for journeys previously made; and whether they substitute for journeys previously made by car, on foot, by bicycle or on public transport.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to establish a Motorcycle Strategy Group to consider the role of motorcycling within an integrated transport policy. [52038]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The White Paper 'A New Deal for Transport: Better for Everyone' (Cm 3950) announced that we would be setting up an advisory group to bring together motorcycle interests and other interested parties, to allow discussion of issues of concern to those who ride motorcycles and of the ways we can work together on policies, including encouraging further improvements in the safety and environmental impact of motorcycling.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the recent trends in accident deaths among motorcyclists aged over 25 years in rural areas. [52019]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  318 riders and passengers of two wheeled motor vehicles died on non built-up roads in 1998–20 per cent. more than in 1996. Deaths increased in all age groups 25 years and over except those aged 45–49 and 55–59. This increase is most disturbing and Departmental officials will be considering, with representatives of the motorcycle rider groups and industry, how these deaths and injuries can best be avoided.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proportion of motorcycle accidents in urban areas are caused by other road users; and if he will assess ways of modifying the car driving test to take into account motorcycle awareness. [52025]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Information on the causation of injury road accidents is not yet collected on a national basis. We have introduced more questions in the driving theory test to increase awareness of vulnerable road users, including motorcyclists. We are also considering what improvements, if any, need to be made to the practical car driving test.
  682
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make representations to the Corporation of London to introduce loading bays specifically for the use of motorcycle couriers in the City of London. [52022]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  No. This is a matter for the City Corporation. We have issued Traffic Management and Parking Guidance for London which makes it clear that we expect the London authorities to consider the need for motorcyclists in developing their traffic management strategies.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish the consultation document on amending the requirement for learner motorcyclists to face a one year ban if they fail to pass their motorcycle riding test within two years of receiving their provisional licence. [52021]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We shall be publishing a Consultation Paper shortly.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment his Department has made of the North Yorkshire Police Bikesafe 2000 scheme. [51973]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  My Department has not made a formal assessment of the North Yorkshire Bikesafe 2000 scheme.

  Rivers Drone and Rother
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment his Department has made of the water quality in the rivers Drone and Rother; and if he will make a statement. [51847]

  Angela Eagle
  The Environment Agency is responsible for monitoring water quality. The General Quality Assessment (GQA) scheme classifies stretches of rivers into six classes of chemical water quality, from A (very good) to F (bad), based on biochemical oxygen demand and concentrations of dissolved oxygen and ammonia.

  The Agency advises that the River Rother is classified as class C (fairly good) from its source, near Clay Cross, until Danesmoor, where it falls to class E (poor). The river improves to class D (fair) downstream of Wingerworth and further improves to class C just downstream of the River Hipper. It then fluctuates between classes C and D until Woodhouse Mill sewage works in Sheffield, where it becomes class E until it meets the River Don on Rotherham.

  The River Drone is too small to be classified under the GQA scheme until it flows through Dronfield. It is then classified as class E for 4.2 km until its confluence with the Rother.

  Education Expenditure
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proportion of the increases in education spending will be financed by(a) revenue support grant, (b) business rates, (c) council taxes and (d) reductions in other services for each of the next three years; and what estimate he has made of

  683
  the average cumulative increase in council tax over each of the next three years to pay for education spending increases. [51599]

  Ms Armstrong
  Local authority spending is financed partly through Aggregate External Finance (AEF), which includes both redistributed non-domestic rates and revenue support grant, and partly through locally raised revenue, including council taxes. It is not possible to separate the financing of education from that of other services. We have provided for an average increase of 4.9 per cent. per year in Standard Spending Assessments (SSAs) overall. If local authorities increase their overall expenditure in line with the increases in SSA totals, council taxes would go up by 4.5 per cent. each year.

  Departmental Environmental Policies
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he has taken to discourage car use by his Department's employees. [51824]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Measures to reduce the environmental impact of transport activities will be included in the Green Transport Plans being prepared for each of the Department's key buildings. The Plans will be completed by end March 1999 and will be tailored to each location and its operational needs.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what activities his Green Minister has undertaken relating to his environmental responsibilities since being appointed. [51828]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  As Green Minister for the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions I have attended all three meetings of Green Ministers; held a discussion with my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment (in his role as Chair of Green Ministers) to review activity on greening Government with DETR; spoken at one of the regional seminars to launch Opportunities for Change, the Government's consultation on a new sustainable development strategy; issued guidance on Green Transport Plans to Green Ministers in all Departments; issued the Government's Policy Guidance on Environmental Appraisal to DETR staff; and held discussions with key DETR staff to consider systems for environmental appraisal and consider the Department's strategy for greening its operations.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what percentage of his Department's waste is recycled at present; and what targets he has set for the future. [51826]

  Angela Eagle
  My Department is conducting a survey of its property managers to find out the percentage of waste recycled in 1997–98 and to agree a target to increase that percentage in future years.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the current energy consumption is of his Department; what targets have been set to reduce this level; and what plans there are for including energy efficiency performance figures in his Department's annual report. [51825]
  684
  Angela Eagle
  The latest available energy consumption figures available are for 1996–97. The energy consumption of the then constituent parts of DETR totalled 144,758,340 kWh. My department is working towards achieving government targets described in the Model Policy Statement for Greening Government Operations, and publishing its achievements in its annual report.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what efforts he has made to raise awareness of environmental and sustainable issues within his Department; and if specific training will be made available to staff where appropriate. [51827]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Government consultation paper,Opportunities for Change, was put on the Department's internal "intranet"; copies of the accompanying leaflet were circulated to all staff and publicised in the Department's in-house magazine Grassroutes. The Government Offices for the Regions (GORs) organised a programme of regional events, and are now working on the revised strategy. Policy Guidance on environmental appraisal was distributed widely within the Department, its Agencies, NDPBs and GORs in April and placed on the DETR intranet. We are planning further initiatives to foster staff awareness, building on the on-the-job training for staff who work on environmental policy issues, Work of the Department induction courses for staff and internal seminars for staff on the outcome of Kyoto and sustainable development strategy consultation.

  Road Maintenance
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much his Department will provide or has provided to local authorities for road maintenance in each of the years from 1997–98 to 2005–06; and if he will make a statement. [51949]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The majority of the funding for the routine maintenance of local authority roads is provided through one element of the Revenue Support Grant (RSG): the Highways Maintenance Standard Spending Assessment (HMSSA). Additional funding for the structural maintenance of principal roads (local authority "A" Roads) is provided by the TPP system. Figures given in the table are for all English local authorities.

  Funding of local road maintenance

  £ Million

  Year

  HMSSA

  TPP

  Total

  1997–98

  1,759

  92

  1,851

  1998–99

  1,767

  80

  1,847

  1999–2000

  1,813

  100

  1,913

  2000–01

  1,859

  130

  1,989

  2001–02

  1,905

  180

  2,085

  The TPP figures—and therefore the totals—for 1999–2000 to 2001–02 are guidelines. Final allocations for each of these years will be decided following the assessment of local authorities' bids. Expenditure plans have not yet been formulated beyond 2001–02.
  685
  Figures for spending by local authorities on local road maintenance in 1994–95 to 1996–97 were given in an answer on 16 July 1998, Official Report, column 243, to Named Day Question 50885 asked by the hon. Member for Macclesfield (Mr. Winterton).

  Red Routes
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will widen the exemption on red route loading bays to allow the delivery and collection of goods by motorcycle couriers and other light delivery vehicles. [52023]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Loading bays on the red route network are available to any vehicle carrying out legitimate loading or unloading. This is subject only to the signed limits on time and duration.

  Virgin Rail Services
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent representations he has received about the performance of Virgin rail services on(a) the West Coast Mainline and (b) cross country routes; and if he will make a statement. [51907]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  My Department and the Franchising Director's Office have received 72 representations on all aspects of Virgin West Coast performance and 43 representations on Virgin Cross Country performance since the beginning of this year. Virgin Train's performance has been affected recently due to problems with rolling stock and infrastructure on West Coast, and problems with rolling stock on Cross Country. Virgin Trains have taken action to bring about improvements. We look to the Franchising Director to work with Virgin to ensure that improvements are sustained. In his statement on transport policy on 20 July 1998,Official Report, columns 784–88, my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister announced our plans to set up a Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) with stronger powers to enforce the delivery of contractual obligations by train operators. We also expect the SRA to specify more demanding performance standards for new or renegotiated franchises.

  Road Safety
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on road safety in(a) Staffordshire and (b) the West Midlands Region. [51905]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Road safety is a high priority in the West Midlands Region as it is at national level. The Transport White Paper published on 20 July makes it clear that as part of the New Deal for transport we will set a new road safety target for Great Britain for 2010, together with a strategy and programme of measures for achieving it. It is, however, for Staffordshire County Council and the other local authorities in the region to promote and implement, with partners, schemes to improve road safety on roads in their area.

  As part of the local safety schemes allocation in the 1998–99 Local Transport Settlement we allocated £0.378 million to Staffordshire County Council and £5.123 million to the West Midlands Region.

  Workplace Parking Charges
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to paragraph 4.107 of the White Paper, A New Deal for Transport, if Westminster City Council will be empowered to levy charges for workplace parking within the Parliamentary Estate. [51953]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Government stated in the White Paper that they proposed to legislate to enable the parking charge to apply to all types of workplace parking, wherever situated. We shall issue a consultation document in due course that will discuss, among other things, the institutional arrangements for London.

  Strategic Rail Authority
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he intends to publish draft legislation relating to the creation of a strategic rail authority. [51945]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We shall bring the necessary legislation before Parliament at an early opportunity.

PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Drug Abuse
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the President of the Council how much is to be spent in 1998–99 on prevention and treatment services for drug abuse; and how much is planned to be spent on these services in each of the next three years. [51117]

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  Figures for 1998–99 could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The figures available, as collected for the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review, relate to 1997–98. In that year, expenditure on drugs prevention and education is estimated to have totalled £50 million. This included central Departments' funding and a proportion of teacher time spent on drugs education in the classroom. Funding for treatment interventions, relating primarily to health and social services projects, and anti-drugs initiatives in the Prison Service, is estimated to have amounted to £103 million. In the same year, expenditure on international supply reduction, including HM Customs and Excise, is estimated to have amounted to £153 million; and on proactive drugs enforcement, £77 million.

  On 14 July, we announced that extra resources, amounting to £188 million in total up to 2001–02, will be made available to fund proactive work to tackle drug misuse under the anti-drugs strategy. Details of the breakdown of this expenditure will be announced in due course.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Departmental Vehicles
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list for(a) his Department and (b) bodies listed in the National Asset Register, how many vehicles are currently (i) owned and (ii) leased; if he will indicate their (A)fuel types and

  687
  (B) engine cubic capacities; and how many vehicles are expected to fall due for replacement in each of the years (1) 1998–99, (2) 1999–2000 and (3) 2000–01. [49237]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has 1,256 official vehicles, including dedicated flag cars used by Heads of Post, as well as pool cars, mini buses, trucks and motor cycles. These are divided between 45 based in the United Kingdom, and 1,211 in use at British Diplomatic Posts overseas. The total figure includes 26 leased vehicles, all of which are operating overseas, but it is intended to increase the number of leased vehicles where this represents better value for public funds.

  Details of the fuel types and engine cubic capacities for the 45 vehicles based in the United Kingdom are as follows:

  34 Diesel Engine size

  Quantity

  Engine size

  11 Petrol Quantity

  1.5

  1

  1.8

  5

  1.7

  7

  2.0

  3

  1.8

  2

  2.3

  1

  2.0

  1

  2.5

  2

  2.3

  1

  —

  —

  2.5

  16

  —

  —

  2.9

  1

  —

  —

  3.0

  1

  —

  —

  4.5

  1

  —

  —

  10.0

  1

  —

  —

  12.0

  2

  —

  —

  Detailed information about the fuel types and engine cubic capacities of all the official vehicles held overseas is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Date

  Venue

  Event

  August 1998

  There are no Councils scheduled for this month

  September 1998

  3

  Brussels

  Political Committee

  5–6

  Salzburg

  Foreign Ministers (informal)

  7–8

  Brussels

  Special Committee on Agriculture

  10–12

  Linz

  Culture (informal)

  14–18

  Strasbourg

  European Parliament Plenary

  15–16

  Bregenz

  Transport (informal)

  21

  New York

  Political Committee

  19–22

  St. Wolfgang, Austria

  Agriculture (informal)

  24

  Brussels

  Justice and Home Affairs

  24

  Brussels

  Internal Market

  25–27

  Brussels

  ECOFIN (informal)

  28–29

  Brussels

  Agriculture Council

  October 1998

  1–2

  Luxembourg

  Transport Council

  2–3

  Luxembourg

  Industry/Research and Technology (informal)

  5

  Luxembourg

  Labour and Social Affairs Council

  5

  Luxembourg

  Political Committee

  5–6

  Luxembourg

  General Affairs Council

  5–9

  Strasbourg

  European Parliamentary Plenary

  6

  Luxembourg

  Environment Council

  12

  Luxembourg

  ECOFIN Council

  13

  Luxembourg

  Research Council

  13

  Brussels

  Political Committee

  19–20

  Luxembourg

  Agriculture Council

  19–23

  Strasbourg

  European Parliament Plenary

  22

  Luxembourg

  Fisheries Council

  688
  The following are the number of vehicles expected to fall due for replacement:

  1998–1999: 194

  1999–2000: 263

  2000–2001: 168.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Donohoe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many letters per day his office receives; how many staff are employed to answer these; what targets are set in respect of such letters; and what is the current performance against targets. [50682]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Office of Public Service, on 20 July 1998,Official Report, column 363.

  Few staff are solely employed to handle correspondence and for most staff this is part of their normal duties.

  EU Council
  Mr. Rapson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the forthcoming business in the Council of the European Union for August and the major European Union events for the next six months. [52364]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The information is as follows:European Calendar: August 1998–January 1999
  This calendar is primarily concerned with European Union matters, but certain other relevant events are also included. Events and dates quoted are based on the information available on the date ofissue.
  689

  Date

  Venue

  Event

  23–24

  Baden-bei-Wien

  Education(informal)

  24–25

  Innsbruck (t.b.c.)

  Meeting of Heads of State/Government(informal)

  26

  Luxembourg

  Political Committee

  26–27

  Luxembourg

  General Affairs Council

  28–29

  Luxembourg

  Transport Council

  29–30

  Vienna

  Justice and Home Affairs (informal)

  November

  4–5

  Brussels

  European Parliamentary Plenary

  9

  Brussels

  Political Committee

  9

  Brussels

  Internal Market Council

  9–10

  Brussels

  General Affairs Council

  12

  Brussels

  Health Council

  16

  Brussels

  Industry Council

  16–20

  Strasbourg

  European Parliament Plenary

  17

  Brussels

  Culture Council

  20

  Brussels

  Budget Council

  20

  Brussels

  Labour and Social Affairs Council

  23

  Brussels

  ECOFIN Council

  23–24

  Brussels

  Agriculture Council

  25

  Brussels

  Telecommunications Council

  26

  Brussels

  Youth Council

  26

  Brussels

  Political Committee

  30

  Brussels

  Development Council

  30–1 December

  Brussels

  Transport Council

  December

  1

  Brussels

  ECOFIN Council

  1–2

  Brussels

  Labour and Social Affairs Council

  2–3

  Brussels

  European Parliament Plenary

  3–4

  Brussels

  Justice and Home Affairs

  4

  Brussels

  Education Council

  7

  Brussels

  Political Committee

  7–8

  Brussels

  Environment Council

  7–8

  Brussels

  General Affairs Council

  10

  Brussels

  Research Council

  11

  Vienna

  Political Committee

  11–12

  Vienna

  European Council

  14–16

  Brussels

  Agriculture Council

  14–18

  Strasbourg

  European Parliament Plenary

  15

  Brussels

  Energy Council

  17–18

  Brussels

  Fisheries Council

  January 1999

  1

  Brussels

  ECOFIN

  14

  Brussels

  Fisheries Council (Possible)

  18

  Brussels

  Agriculture Council

  18

  Brussels

  ECOFIN

  19

  Brussels

  Agriculture Council

  25–26

  Brussels

  General Affairs Council

  Special Operations Executive
  Mr. Rapson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he plans to release more records of the wartime Special Operations Executive. [52365]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  The records of the Special Operations Executive (SOE) have been released progressively since 1993. The next batch of records, covering Western Europe, have been transferred to the Public Record Office, and will be opened today. Further SOE records will be released in due course.

  Angola
  Mr. Rapson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures Her Majesty's690
  Government have taken to implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 1173 (1998) which imposed further sanctions on UNITA as from 1 July. [52366]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Resolution 1173 imposed a freeze on the funds and financial resources of UNITA, its officials and their immediate families; a ban on most official contacts in Angola with UNITA; a prohibition on the import of diamonds outside the governmental certificate of origin regime; and prohibitions on the sale or supply of equipment which may be used in mining or transportation, and on transportation services.

  We have instructed all our diplomatic missions overseas to avoid any contact with UNITA, whether locally or in Angola.

  The prohibition on the importation of diamonds will be given effect in the United Kingdom by amendment to the Open General Import Licence.
  691
  The remainder of the prohibitions are to be implemented in the UK by the Angola (United Nations Sanctions) Order 1998 and in the Overseas Territories by the Angola (United Nations Sanctions) (Dependent Territories) Order 1998 made on 21 July and laid yesterday.

  Similar Orders have been made to give effect to the Resolution in the Crown Dependencies. These orders restrict the sale or supply of certain goods which may be used in mining or transportation and the supply of transportation services; impose a freeze on the funds and financial resources in relation to UNITA and persons connected with UNITA, and, for the Overseas Territories and Channel Islands, restrict the importation of diamonds exported from Angola on or after 1 July 1998. There is provision for medical and humanitarian exceptions.

  East Timor
  Dr. Moonie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place a copy of the report by the European Union Troika mission on East Timor in the Library. [52541]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The Conclusions of the EU Heads of Mission Troika visit to East Timor (27–30 June) have now been published. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Human Rights Fund
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what criteria he is using in making allocations of funding from the Human Rights Fund. [49740]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  [holding answer 13 July 1998]: Priority is given to projects which contribute to the following themes:

  children's rights, including commercial sexual exploitation;

  media, including training;

  rule of law co-operation, including training and prison reform;

  support for the development of civil society;

  country specific projects outside the scope of the above but which contribute to the human rights strategy of missions and FCO Geographical Commands.

  Additional priority is given to projects in any of these areas which promote the advancement of women and equality of opportunity for men and women.

  Algeria
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the examination of the Algerian Government's report on civil and political rights which will be considered by the United Nations Human Rights Committee on 20 and 21 July in Geneva. [51845]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The Algerian Government's second periodic report under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) has now been examined by the Human Rights Committee in Geneva. We welcome this example of Algeria's co-operation with UN human rights mechanisms. We note the concerns expressed by the Committee and hope that Algeria will act upon the 692
  Committee's recommendations concerning the full protection and promotion of all human rights in Algeria, including the right to life.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the mandate of the United Nations Secretary General's six person special mission to Algeria. [51843]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The mandate of the special mission is the responsibility of the United Nations. We welcomed the UN Secretary-General's 7 July announcement of the forthcoming visit to Algeria, under UN auspices, by a panel of eminent persons. We look forward to hearing the mission's findings.

  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the findings of the United Nations Secretary General's special mission to Algeria will be published by the United Nations. [51844]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The forthcoming visit of a special mission to Algeria is taking place under UN auspices. We are not aware of the United Nations' intentions about publication of the mission's report.

  Iran
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he intends to upgrade diplomatic relations between Britain and Iran; and what plans there are for ministerial visits to Iran. [51992]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We have no immediate plans to upgrade the level of our diplomatic relations with Iran or for a ministerial visit to Tehran.

  Gibraltar
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards(a) integration and (b) free association of Gibraltar with the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [51966]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  In the context of the recent review of the Overseas Territories, we have re-examined these options. We have concluded that neither integration nor free association with the UK offer appropriate options for modern Overseas Territories. That includes Gibraltar.

  Vienna Summit
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals he is planning to put forward for the Vienna Summit; and if these will include the idea of a second Chamber for the European Parliament. [51993]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  No decision has yet been taken about what proposals the Government may make to either the Vienna European Council or the meeting of Heads of State or Government on 24/25 October.

  Counter-drug Agreement
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library a copy of the counter-drug agreement between the US and the UK signed in Washington on 13 July. [51881]
  693
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  A copy of the Agreement by the UK and US concerning maritime and aerial operations to suppress illicit trafficking by sea in waters of the Caribbean and Bermuda, signed in Washington on 13 July, will be placed in the House of Commons Library.

  It will be published as a Command Paper in the Miscellaneous Series, accompanied by an Explanatory Memorandum, and will be subject to the Ponsonby Rule.

  Alois Brunner
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 20 July 1998,Official Report, column 397, if he will now make representations to the Syrian Government in support of the French Government's application to extradite Alois Brunner on war crime charges. [51946]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We have no evidence of the whereabouts of Alois Brunner, or if he is still alive. We have no plans to make representations to the Syrian Government about this matter.

  Sierra Leone
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who authorised, and for what purpose, Britain's High Commissioner to Sierra Leone to accompany the Kabbah Government into exile following the military coup. [51877]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  Following the military coup, like the rest of the international community, the United Kingdom continued to regard President Kabbah as the head of the legitimate Government of Sierra Leone. We were in the lead in efforts to achieve the peaceful restoration of that Government.

  Although the junta was in power in Freetown, large parts of Sierra Leone were under the control of forces loyal to President Kabbah, and it was widely expected that the junta would not remain in power. It was important to remain in close contact with the President and to maintain the High Commissioner's strong relationship with him. Ministers therefore agreed that the High Commissioner should, on a temporary basis, stay in Conakry, where he had been evacuated after the coup in Freetown.

  Legg Inquiry
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to publish the report of the Legg Inquiry. [52007]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  I have not yet received the report of the investigation by Sir Thomas Legg and Sir Robin Ibbs. I will publish it as soon as possible after receiving it.

  UN Covenant on the Rights of the Child
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of Somalia regarding that Government's non-ratification of the UN Covenant on the Rights of the Child; and on what dates; [52032]
  694
  (2) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of the United States of America regarding that Government's non-ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child; and on what dates. [52026]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The United Kingdom has regularly played a leading part in securing the adoption of United Nations resolutions calling upon States to accede to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child as a matter of priority. At the 1998 session of the Commission on Human Rights the UK, on behalf of the European Union, reiterated this call. We have made no direct representations to the United States, which signed the Convention in 1995. Nor have we made representations to Somalia where, as a result of Civil war, there has been no government or recognised national authority since 1991.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Salmonella (Eggs)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his letter 114760 of 26 June 1998, when he expects the ACMSF to report on factors which determine the presence of salmonella contamination in or on eggs. [50645]

  Mr. Rooker
  It is hoped that the ACMSF Working Group will be able to begin its work shortly. No timetable is being imposed on the Group for completing its work. The ACMSF will report as quickly as possible, commensurate with the need to tackle the question thoroughly and subject to the constraints imposed by the Committee's wider work programme.

  Coastal Fishing Limits
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 22 June 1998,Official Report, column 424, on coastal fishing, which of the definitions referred to is applied to UK coastal fisheries limits. [51551]

  Mr. Morley
  There is no single definition of UK coastal fisheries limits. All of the definitions contained in my answer of 22 June 1998 are relevant.

  Fisheries Limits
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the definition of the word "region" in the context of fisheries limits. [51552]

  Mr. Morley
  The word "region" is open to varying definitions. The appropriate one in any given case will depend on the precise circumstances in which the word is used.

  Woodlands
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what acreage of new woodlands has been planted in England and Wales in each of the last five years. [51557]
  695
  Mr. Morley
  The information requested by my hon. Friend is given in the table. All areas are in hectares.

  Year ended 31 March

  Area planted in England

  Area planted in Wales

  1994

  6,357

  636

  1995

  5,375

  566

  1996

  4,708

  442

  1997

  4,654

  411

  1998

  4,369

  498

  Meat Imports
  Mr. David Davis
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce a requirement for(a) pork and (b) bacon sold in the United Kingdom to be provided on a basis that meets British welfare regulations to ensure that United Kingdom animal welfare measures are not circumvented by import of meat from stall and tether units in Europe. [50699]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 16 July 1998]: Single market rules do not allow the banning of imports of pork, bacon or other animal products on the ground that they have been produced to lower welfare standards than apply in the United Kingdom.

  We have made clear our intention to work to raise EU minimum welfare requirements for pigs. That is why we have urged the Commission to follow up the report published last year by its own Scientific Veterinary Committee and bring forward early proposals to improve the standards laid down in EU law.

  I also consider it important for retailers, wherever practical, to reassure their customers by applying high welfare standards to their purchases regardless of origin, as I understand some already do.

  Research
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will make a statement on the effect that the outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review will have on the future funding of public-good research into the horticulturally related areas of(a) GMOs, (b) reduction in pesticides usage and (c) food quality; [51457]

  (2) pursuant to the Comprehensive Spending Review of the amount of money spent on agriculture and horticulture research by his Ministry with outside bodies, if it will remain unchanged in real terms. [51486]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  Precise budget allocations to individual MAFF programmes have not yet been finalised. The Ministry's expenditure plans for the years 1999–2000, 2000–01 and 2001–02 will be announced as soon as possible.

  Live Animal Exports
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received in support of an EU-wide ban on the export of live horses for slaughter. [51379]
  696
  Mr. Morley
  The Government have received representations from welfare organisations, and from a number of individuals, advocating a ban on the export of live horses from the EU for slaughter in third countries.

  Fishing Industry (EU Assistance)
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the current EU assistance projects to the fishing industry, indicating the amount spent on each by country in the last year for which figures are available. [51465]

  Mr. Morley
  Aid is available to Member States from the EU Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG) under Objectives 1 and 5a for investment in the following areas (not all applied in the UK):

  the permanent cessation of fishing activities, including decommissioning;

  the re-orientation of fishing activities (joint ventures/enterprises with third countries);

  vessel construction and modernisation;

  aquaculture;

  enclosed marine areas (e.g. artificial reefs);

  fishing port facilities;

  processing and marketing;

  promotion;

  early retirement; and

  compensation for cessation of fishing.

  Aid is also available under PESCA to assist the restructuring and diversification of the fisheries sector in fisheries dependent areas and to help it deal with problems such as overcapacity and market weakness.

  Member States' plans for total expenditure in their FIFG Sectoral Plans and PESCA Programmes in the five-year period 1994–1999 are:

  Country

  FIFG objectives 1 and 5a (Mecu)

  PESCA (Mecu at 1996 prices)

  Austria

  2.00

  —

  Belgium

  24.87

  2.94

  Denmark

  139.90

  23.03

  Finland

  27.00

  3.91

  France

  228.10

  39.05

  Germany

  158.00

  23.47

  Greece

  130.00

  34.33

  Ireland

  47.00

  8.86

  Italy

  367.40

  40.13

  Luxembourg

  1.10

  —

  Netherlands

  55.10

  14.96

  Portugal

  213.20

  32.44

  Spain

  1,114.60

  49.53

  Sweden

  44.10

  4.55

  United Kingdom

  123.62

  49.49

  No figures are currently available on actual annual expenditure in other Member States, but EU expenditure in the UK in the latest available years was:

  FIFG Objectives 1 and 5a (1997–98): £17.4m

  PESCA (1997): £0.92m.

  In addition, fisheries expenditure on grants to UK ports under the European Regional Development Fund in 1997–98 was £0.09m.

  Cumberland Rum Butter
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he is making regarding the impact of EU Commission Regulations 623/98 on the manufacture of Cumberland rum butter. [51455]

  Mr. Rooker
  Rum butters with a minimum milk fat content of 34 per cent. are unaffected by the Commission Regulations. The Ministry's officials are currently working 698
  with manufacturers of "ambient" brandy and rum butters in order to minimise any disruption to their business arising from this unnecessary Regulation. In particular, assistance and advice are being given in the preparation of an application, on behalf of a number of companies, for a derogation permitting traditional ambient alcoholic butters, including "Cumberland rum butter", to continue to be so described. The Government will be submitting this application to the European Commission under the provisions of article 4(1) of Commission Regulation 577/97.

  Treasury: Reviews
  Treasury: Reviews
  European Court of Justice: Case C-106/96
  European Court of Justice: Case C-106/96
  Office of Public Service: Reviews
  Office of Public Service: Reviews
  East Timor: EU Troika Mission
  East Timor: EU Troika Mission
  European Union Heads of Mission Troika visit to East Timor: 27–30 June 1998
  European Union Heads of Mission Troika visit to East Timor: 27–30 June 1998
  Fayli Kurds
  Fayli Kurds
  Nuclear Disarmament Initiative
  Nuclear Disarmament Initiative
  United Nations Convention on The Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families
  United Nations Convention on The Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families
  Greece and Turkey: Transfer of US Military Equipment
  Greece and Turkey: Transfer of US Military Equipment
  Cyprus: Transfer of S300 Missiles
  Cyprus: Transfer of S300 Missiles
  Korean Peninsular Energy Development Organisation: Supply of Oil to North Korea
  Korean Peninsular Energy Development Organisation: Supply of Oil to North Korea
  UN Security Council Resolution 1173
  UN Security Council Resolution 1173
  Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Reviews
  Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Reviews
  Council of the European Union: Calendar of Events
  Council of the European Union: Calendar of Events
  Special Operations Executive: Release of Records
  Special Operations Executive: Release of Records
  Welsh Office: Reviews
  Welsh Office: Reviews
  British Board of Film Classification: Annual Report
  British Board of Film Classification: Annual Report
  Independent Commission on the Voting System: Telephone Number
  Independent Commission on the Voting System: Telephone Number
  Firearms Consultative Committee: Annual Report
  Firearms Consultative Committee: Annual Report
  Forensic Science Service: Annual Report
  Forensic Science Service: Annual Report
  Overseas Domestic Workers
  Overseas Domestic Workers
  Training and Enterprise Councils: Review
  Training and Enterprise Councils: Review
  Scottish Fee Support Review Committee: Chairman
  Scottish Fee Support Review Committee: Chairman
  Indonesia: Arms Contracts
  Indonesia: Arms Contracts
  Reserve Forces: Service by Officers of Regular Forces
  Reserve Forces: Service by Officers of Regular Forces
  Medicines Control Agency: Annual Report
  Medicines Control Agency: Annual Report
  NHS Estates Executive Agency: Annual Report
  NHS Estates Executive Agency: Annual Report
  Cancer Research: Government Funding
  Cancer Research: Government Funding
  Department of Social Security: Reviews
  Department of Social Security: Reviews
  Empty Homes
  Empty Homes
  Small Businesses: Environmental Performance
  Small Businesses: Environmental Performance
  Ordnance Survey: Comprehensive Spending Review
  Ordnance Survey: Comprehensive Spending Review
  Special Waste Regulations 1996 and Waste Management Licensing Regulations: Consultation
  Special Waste Regulations 1996 and Waste Management Licensing Regulations: Consultation
  Regional Development Agencies: Payment of Board Members
  Regional Development Agencies: Payment of Board Members
  Fishing Vessel Accidents and the Recovery of those Lost at Sea: Consultation Paper
  Fishing Vessel Accidents and the Recovery of those Lost at Sea: Consultation Paper
  Environmental Protection Programmes: Public Expenditure Plans
  Environmental Protection Programmes: Public Expenditure Plans
  M.40: Deer-Proof Fencing
  M.40: Deer-Proof Fencing
  Transport Policies and Programme: Bids
  Transport Policies and Programme: Bids