Written Answers of 27 July 1998

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  India
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list recipient projects of the United Kingdom aid budget to India in(a) 1997–98 and (b) 1998–99; and if she will make a statement. [52468]

  Mr. Foulkes
  A list of UK development projects for India in 1997–98 and 1998–99 follows. (Where a project was supported in only one of these years, the appropriate date is indicated). Total expenditure on the India bilateral programme in 1997–98 was £68.9 million. A new Country Strategy Paper for India is under preparation. This will reflect the priorities set out in the White Paper on International Development. It will also consider the implications, including the economic and financial implications, of the recent nuclear tests when assessing prospects for partnerships and poverty reduction.

  Natural Resources

  Eastern India Rainfed Farming

  Western India Rainfed Farming

  Karnataka Watershed Development Project

  Watershed Impact Evaluation Consultancy

  Pathology of Oil Seed Crops (1997–98)

  Plant Germplasm Conservation and Utilisation

  Transfer of Molecular Biological Technologies

  Forage Production Research

  Soil Salinity and Breeding for Salt Resistant Crops

  Bay of Bengal Post Harvest Fisheries

  Oxfam Watershed Project

  Integrated Coastal Zone Management

  Western Ghats Sustainable Forest Management

  Himachal Pradesh Forestry Project

  Environment/Coal/Power

  Calcutta Environmental Management and Strategy Action Plan (1997–98)

  Environmental Training 1997–98 (50 awards)

  Indira Gandhi Conservation Monitoring Centre

  Assistance to Jhanjra Coal Mine

  Hirakud Hydro Rehabilitation

  Andhra Pradesh Energy Efficiency

  Orissa Power Sector Reform

  Dry Ash Disposal

  High Voltage Direct Current Link—Chandrapur and Ramagudam

  Haryana Power Sector Reform (1998–99)

  Environmental Issues in the Power and Coal Sector

  2

  Finance/Fiscal Reform

  Banking Supervision

  Health

  Urban Community Based Rehabilitation

  National Institute of Health and Family Welfare: Health Policy

  Community Ophthalmology

  Spastics Society of Eastern India

  Partnerships for Sexual health

  Malaria Control and Research, Surat

  Sexual Health Project

  West Bengal Reproductive Health

  Inter-City Truck Drivers—Sexually Transmitted Disease Prevention

  Reproductive Health

  Polio Immunisation programme

  Social Marketing of Contraceptives

  Revised National TB Programme

  Orissa Health and Family Welfare

  Education

  Andhra Pradesh District Primary Education Project

  West Bengal District primary Education Project

  Regional Engineering Colleges

  Water and Sanitation/Urban Development

  Maharashtra Rural Water Supply and Sanitation

  Gomti River Pollution Control

  Kalahandi Water and Development Project (SCF)

  UNICEF Control of Diarrhoeal Diseases

  Rural Water Development

  Urban Water Development

  UNDP Rural Water and Sanitation

  Maharashtra Emergency Earthquake Rehabilitation

  Indore Slum Improvement Project

  Calcutta Slum Improvement Project

  Vijayawada Slum Improvement Project

  Chinagadili Habitat Improvement

  Cochin Urban Poverty Reduction Project

  Cuttack Urban Services Improvement Project

  Bharatiya Yuva Shakti Trust—Small Enterprise Promotion

  Gender/Public Administration

  Enterprise Development by Women

  Gender and Law

  Credit and Micro Enterprise

  Indian Professional Officers Scheme (1998–99)

  Development Policy and Planning Management (1997–98)

  Management of Change

  Total Quality Management (1998–99)

  Aid Statistics
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the organisations which received more than £500,000 from the Overseas Development Administration in 1996–97. [52469]

  Mr. Foulkes
  The information is available in British Aid Statistics 1997. The table lists those UK Non Governmental Organisations (NGO) which received more
  3
  than £500,000 from the Overseas Development Administration in 1996–97, and details the amount they received:

  NGO

  £000

  ACORD

  1,953

  Action Aid

  2,414

  Afghan Aid

  878

  Aga Khan Foundation

  2,590

  AHRTAG

  798

  Association of Commonwealth Universities

  2,378

  BBC Marshall Plan of the Mind

  562

  BESO

  1,364

  British Red Cross Society

  15,869

  CAFOD

  2,597

  CARE

  11,549

  Catholic Institute for International Relations

  2,279

  Charities Aid Foundation

  792

  Christian Aid

  6,136

  Concern Universal

  1,487

  Concern Worldwide

  1,010

  Farm Africa

  830

  Halo Trust

  1,443

  Health Unlimited

  1,030

  Help Age International

  555

  Institute of Development Studies

  3,005

  Intermediate Technology Development Group

  3,140

  International Family Health

  762

  IPPF

  8,197

  Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine

  1,579

  London School of Hygiene

  3,647

  Marie Stopes International

  3,202

  Medecins Sans Frontieres

  1,410

  Medical Emergency Relief International

  1,564

  Medical Research Group

  4,027

  Mines Advisory Group

  1,079

  Overseas Development Institute

  1,713

  OXFAM

  10,201

  Plan International

  1,037

  Population Concern

  806

  Save The Children Fund

  13,660

  Scottish Agricultural College

  780

  Silsoe Research Institute

  613

  Skillshare Africa

  1,848

  Tear Fund

  1,072

  UNAIS

  1,076

  Voluntary Services Overseas

  22,029

  Water Aid

  1,420

  World University Service

  696

  World Vision of Britain

  2,383

  Worldwide Fund for Nature

  2,299

  China
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her visit to Lanzhou during her official tour of China. [52349]

  Mr. Foulkes
  Gansu province is one of China's poorest. During her visit in June, the Secretary of State held constructive discussions with representatives of local government (at county and provincial levels) about a proposed basic education project, the emphasis of which will be on access to and the quality of education for 4
  minorities and children, especially girls, in the poorer counties. The Secretary of State also took the opportunity to visit an EU-assisted irrigation project in the province.

  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the environment agreements with China, entered into during her recent official visit. [52350]

  Mr. Foulkes
  During her visit in June, the Secretary of State signed a memorandum of understanding on environmental cooperation with the Chinese State Environment Protection Administration (SEPA). The memorandum provides a framework for cooperation between Britain and China on a number of China's highest environmental priorities including water pollution, urban air pollution and toxic and hazardous wastes. The Secretary of State also left with SEPA an outline proposal for a substantial new project to assist the local authorities in Yunnan Province with planning for environmentally-sustainable development. SEPA have welcomed the continued emphasis on the environment within the Department for International Development's new country strategy for China and the introduction of a strong poverty focus.

PRIME MINISTER

  Lobbyists
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Prime Minister what is his role in determining who will participate at meetings arranged by lobbying organisations where members of his Policy Unit speak under Chatham House rules. [50463]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 14 July 1998]: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave him on 16 July 1998, Official Report, column 254. I have today published guidance for all civil servants setting out the basic principles which should be followed in any contacts with people outside Government including lobbyists. Wherever and whenever such contacts take place they should be conducted in accordance with the Civil Service Code and the principles of public life set out by the Nolan Committee. I have placed a copy of the guidance in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Prime Minister on how many occasions on 25 June telephone calls were made from No 10 Downing Street to the mobile phone number supplied to him in the letter from the hon. Member for Pendle of 22 July. [52479]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave him on 23 July 1998,Official Report, column 624.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Prime Minister when he plans to give a substantive answer to the question from the hon. Member for Pendle concerning the business relationships notified to him by Mr. Roger Liddle (Ref. 49655). [52395]

  The Prime Minister
  Shortly.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Housing (Rateable Value)
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many residential properties, by number and percentage per region, have a rateable value. [50441]

  Angela Eagle
  No rateable values have been set or updated for residential properties since 31 March 1990 when the domestic rating system was abolished. The following table estimates the dwelling stock in each region at the end of December 1997, less the number of those dwellings built since 31 March 1990.

  Government office region

  Dwellings (000)

  Percentage of dwelling stock

  North East

  1,047

  95

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  1,999

  95

  East Midlands

  1,614

  93

  Eastern

  2,066

  92

  Greater London

  3,136

  96

  South East

  2,807

  93

  South West

  1,940

  93

  West Midlands

  2,047

  94

  North West

  2,168

  94

  Merseyside

  580

  95

  England

  19,406

  94

  Airports (South-east England)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what percentage of slots at Heathrow Airport are used for regional air services. [51150]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Government do not collect this information themselves, but according to a report prepared by Airport Coordination Ltd. for the current summer season about 15 per cent. of slots are allocated to domestic services (plus Isle of Man and Channel Islands). This compares with 17 per cent. for the winter 1997–98 season.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what percentage of the slots at Gatwick Airport are used for(a) regional air services and (b) charter services. [51151]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Department does not collect this information itself, but according to a report prepared by Airport Coordination Ltd., for the current Summer season at Gatwick Airport approximately 11 per cent. of slots are used by regional air services (including Isle of Man and Channel Islands) and approximately 26 per cent. of slots are used for charter services. For the previous, Winter 1997–98 season, the comparable figures were 15 per cent. and 18 per cent. respectively.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the percentage of slots (i) used for regional services at Heathrow airport and (ii) used for charter services at Gatwick airport in each of the last five years. [51152]
  6
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Information is readily available only for the last three years. The following figures have been provided by Airport Coordination Limited:

  Percentage of slots at Heathrow airport used for regional (i.e. domestic, plus Isle of Man and Channel Islands) services

  Percentage

  Summer 1995

  17

  Winter 1995–96

  17

  Summer 1996

  17

  Winter 1996–97

  17

  Summer 1997

  16

  Winter 1997–98

  17

  Percentage of slots at Gatwick airport used for charter services

  Percentage

  Summer 1995

  32

  Winter 1995–96

  20

  Summer 1996

  26

  Winter 1996–97

  18

  Summer 1997

  26

  Winter 1997–98

  18

  Road Safety and Congestion
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will discuss with the Home Secretary the inclusion within the objectives for the police service of new targets for(a) reducing road accidents and (b) improving the operation of buses in congested areas. [51812]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We regularly discuss the full range of road safety and road policing issues with Home Office Ministers. We have given a commitment in the White paper,A New Deal for Transport: Better for everyone, to set a new target for the reduction of road casualties by 2010 (para 3.219) and the police are ready to play their role in helping meet that target. We have also said (para 3.101) that a different approach to traffic management would be adopted whereby more space would be given to pedestrians, cyclists and public transport. Local authorities will set out their proposals for delivering integrated transport in the new 'local transport plans' (paras 4.73–4.77). Local authorities will need actively to involve a wide range of organizations—including the police—in drawing up these plans.

  Southern Water
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will instruct Ofwat to review Southern Water's site selection procedures for sewage-treatment plants; and if he will make a statement. [51874]

  Angela Eagle
  No. The location of sewage treatment plants and other development by water companies is regulated through the development control system.
  7

  Mesothelioma
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the number of deaths from mesothelioma in each of the last 10 years by health authority, region and nationality. [51898]

  Angela Eagle
  The Health and Safety Executive maintains registers of deaths in Great Britain for which mesothelioma is mentioned on the death certificate. The number of mesothelioma deaths in each of the last ten

  Table 1: Mesothelioma deaths in Great Britain by region

  Year

  North

  Yorkshire and Humberside

  North West

  West Midlands

  East Midlands

  South West

  East Anglia

  South East not Greater London

  Greater London

  Wales

  Scotland

  Overseas

  Total

  1987

  91

  54

  94

  32

  43

  73

  29

  171

  111

  23

  93

  0

  814

  1988

  109

  69

  97

  34

  43

  80

  20

  190

  105

  14

  107

  4

  872

  1989

  85

  80

  93

  48

  45

  78

  27

  187

  120

  26

  119

  1

  909

  19901

  73

  61

  91

  46

  51

  90

  26

  204

  115

  23

  106

  0

  886

  19911

  100

  94

  122

  49

  44

  106

  44

  201

  108

  34

  109

  0

  1,011

  19921

  92

  85

  122

  55

  68

  100

  33

  236

  113

  43

  133

  2

  1,082

  19931

  114

  91

  111

  74

  70

  103

  39

  228

  140

  51

  122

  0

  1,143

  19941

  112

  120

  128

  82

  58

  93

  38

  297

  134

  51

  128

  0

  1,241

  19951

  119

  120

  127

  83

  79

  96

  50

  298

  138

  53

  151

  4

  1,318

  19961

  118

  130

  121

  84

  76

  116

  57

  291

  137

  49

  122

  0

  1,301

  1Data for 1990–1996 remain provisional until the completeness of the register can be checked against details recorded by cancer registries

  Combined Universities (Cornwall)
  Ms Atherton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the co-operation between his Department and the Department for Education and Employment on the combined universities in Cornwall. [52206]

  Mr. Caborn
  I welcome the close cooperation between my Department and the Department for Education and Employment that has helped to foster the new joint approach to the development of higher education in Cornwall through the Combined Universities in Cornwall initiative.

  Workplace Parking Charges
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if local authorities will be able to levy the proposed new parking charge on workplace parking on employees of(a) Government departments, (b) non-departmental public bodies, (c) executive agencies, (d) NHS health authorities and trusts, (e) local authorities and (f) TECs. [52231]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  In the White Paper "A New Deal for Transport: Better for Everyone" (Cm 3950), the Government said that it proposed to legislate to enable the parking charge to apply to all types of workplace parking. We shall consult in due course on any possible exemptions.

  Road Construction and Maintenance
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much his Department has spent or will spend on road construction and maintenance in each of the years from 1997–98 to 2005–06; and if he will break down the total for each 8
  years by region is shown in Table 1. The latest year for which data are available is 1996. Although information mesothelioma deaths is not available by health authority or nationality, an analysis by country district based on deaths in the period 1976 to 1991 was published in Health and Safety Statistics 1995–1996. More recent figures for the years 1993 to 1995 by country district were given in a reply to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Barnsley, West and Penistone (Mr. Clapham) on 12 February 1998, Official Report, column 318.

  year to account for (i) strategic motorway and trunk road construction, (ii) bypass schemes and (iii) motorway and trunk road maintenance. [51948]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 23 July 1998]: In 1997–98 the Highways Agency spent £1,457 million on national road expenditure of which some £528 million was spent on strategic motorway and trunk road construction, £157 million was spent on bypass schemes and £582 million was spent on maintenance. We plan to spend £1,349 million in 1998–99 of which £363 million is for strategic motorway and trunk road construction, £82 million is for bypass schemes and £651 million is for maintenance.

  Future resources for expenditure on motorway and trunk roads are being determined in the light of the Chancellor's announcements of 14 July. We shall announce figures in due course.

  Quarrying
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals his Department has to improve the environmental performance of the quarrying industry. [52051]

  Mr. Caborn
  The quarrying industry itself has an essential part to play in improving its environmental performance and demonstrating its commitment to sustainable development in its current operations and in framing proposals for new or extended quarries. It is for planning authorities to determine individual application, attaching appropriate conditions, within the framework of national planning policy and guidance issued by my right, hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions. The Department commissions research and issues guidance on a range of issues associated with minerals extraction eg noise, dust, traffic and blasting to ensure that new planning permissions are implemented and operated in accordance with the latest
  9
  standards. In addition, legislative procedures and guidance are in place to ensure the updating of old mineral permissions to modern standards.

  Looking ahead, the Department is proposing further research in the environmental costs and benefits of quarrying in order to inform the decision to be taken by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on whether or not to introduce an aggregates tax. This would benefit the environment by reducing the demand for new materials and encouraging the use of recycled materials and quarrying waste. The position on the tax remains exactly as I made clear at a meeting I had with the Quarry Products Association on 29 April and at their seminar on 12 May. There are two options. Either the Government proceed to introduce a tax—subject always to the discretion my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has in matters of taxation—or they find that the industry collectively can offer a deliverable package of alternative measures which will secure equivalent or better environmental benefits when taken in the round.

  Fair Rent Cases
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the number of pre-1988 protected tenants whose bi-annual rent reviews fall due in(a) 1 January to 31 March 1999 and (b) 1 April to 30 June 1999. [52125]

  Mr. Raynsford
  [holding answer 24 July 1998]: The Rent Officer Statistics published by my Department for the first and second quarters of 1997 suggest that the number of fair rent cases in England which would fall due for bi-annual review in the first 6 months of 1999, if the tenancies still exist, are as follows:
  1 January 1999 to 31 March 1999–17,106 private regulated tenancies and 24,477 secure lettings by Registered Social Landlords
  1 April 1999 to 30 June 1999–19,848 private regulated tenancies and 29,797 secure lettings by Registered Social Landlords

  Garden Hedges
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to reach a decision on legislation to deal with the height of leylandii trees and other high garden hedges in domestic gardens. [52256]

  Table 1: SSA per head of population in the Eastern Region 1992–93—1998–99

  Local Authority

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  Bedfordshire (old)

  673

  654

  672

  624

  645

  n/a

  n/a

  Bedfordshire (new)

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  631

  669

  Cambridgeshire (old)

  605

  568

  589

  558

  586

  588

  n/a

  Cambridgeshire (new)

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  573

  Essex (old)

  636

  605

  635

  592

  617

  625

  n/a

  Essex (new)

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  653

  Hertfordshire

  624

  594

  623

  610

  635

  641

  681

  Norfolk

  594

  557

  581

  547

  572

  592

  612

  Suffolk

  580

  553

  578

  554

  583

  592

  616

  n/a = not applicable

  Notes:

  1. "Old" refers to the area served by the County Council before Local Government Reorganisation; "New" refers to the area after reorganisation.

  2. The SSA per head of population is calculated using the mid-year population used in that year's SSA calculations adjusted for boundary changes.

  3. Some of the differences between years reflect the changing range of activities for which local authorities have been responsible.
  10
  Angela Eagle
  We are considering whether there is a need for Government intervention in relation to leylandii trees and other high garden hedges. We will announce our conclusions in due course.

  Gas-powered Vehicles
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will change the formula for standard spending assessments to encourage local authorities to operate vehicles powered by LPG. [52323]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We are already providing financial assistance to local authorities to purchase vehicles operating on LPG through the Energy Saving Trust's Powershift programme. This refunds up to half of the additional capital cost of vehicles designed to run on alternative fuels such as LPG. Standard Spending Assessments are not a suitable mechanism for dealing with such a specific and detailed matter as this.

  Area Cost Adjustments
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to introduce further changes in area cost adjustments. [52336]

  Ms Armstrong
  We are examining with local government a wide range of possible changes in the way area cost adjustments are calculated. We expect to announce our conclusions early in December.

  Standard Spending Assessments
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what assessments he has made of the SSA per head of population allocated to Norfolk relative to other counties in the eastern region in each year since 1992–93; and if he will publish them; [52331]

  (2) if he will list (a) the SSA per head of population and (b) the annual percentage increase in SSAs for each of the counties in the Eastern Region for each year since 1992–93. [52356]

  Ms Armstrong
  The information requested is set out in the tables.
  11

  Table 2: The annual percentage increase in SSAs for each county in the Eastern Region 1992–93—1998–99

  Percentage

  Local Authority

  1992–93 against Adjusted 1991–92

  1993–94 against Adjusted 1992–93

  1994–95 against Adjusted 1993–94

  1995–96 against Adjusted 1994–95

  1996–97 against Adjusted 1995–96

  1997–98 against Adjusted 1996–97

  1998–99 against Adjusted 1997–98

  Bedfordshire (old)

  9.1

  4.6

  2.1

  -0.5

  2.3

  n/a

  n/a

  Bedfordshire (new)

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  2.1

  4.2

  Cambridgeshire (old)

  7.6

  2.6

  3.5

  1.2

  3.7

  1.8

  n/a

  Cambridgeshire (new)

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  2.6

  Essex (old)

  8.1

  3.8

  3.9

  -0.5

  2.7

  1.6

  n/a

  Essex (new)

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  4.0

  Hertfordshire

  8.4

  1.9

  4.1

  1.6

  2.5

  1.9

  3.8

  Norfolk

  6.7

  2.3

  2.5

  -0.4

  4.2

  2.1

  1.5

  Suffolk

  5.9

  4.0

  0.6

  0.5

  3.6

  2.5

  2.3

  n/a = not applicable

  Notes:

  1. "Old" refers to the area served by the County Council before Local Government Reorganisation; "New" refer to the area after reorganisation.

  2. Adjusted SSAs are SSAs for the previous year, adjusted to allow like-with-like comparisons. They have been adjusted for changes in function and for Local Government Reorganisation.

  The information supplied has been provided for those counties within the area of the Government Office for the Eastern Region.

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list those services provided by county councils which his Department denotes as incurring greater costs in sparsely populated areas. [52357]

  Ms Armstrong
  Standard Spending Assessments include a measure of sparsity of population in relation to all services provided by county councils, other than Personal Social Services, the Fire Service, and Highway Maintenance. In the case of Highway Maintenance, the formula takes account of the length of road which is the responsibility of the council, thereby reflecting the greater needs of rural authorities which have a greater length of road per head of population than urban authorities.

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list in order of sparsity the counties of England and Wales using(a) the definition of settlement size used by the Scottish Office and (b) the definitions of sparsity and super-sparsity used in the SSA formula for England and Wales. [52354]

  Ms Armstrong
  A list based on the definition of sparsity and super-sparsity used in the SSA formula for England will be placed in the Library of the House. A list giving the information based on the definition of settlement size used by the Scottish Office will also be placed in the Library, if it proves practical to produce the figures.

  Figures relating to Wales are a matter for the Secretary of State for Wales.

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to ensure that the 1999–2000 SSA settlement does not penalise counties which historically have spent at relatively low levels. [52337]

  Ms Armstrong
  We shall ensure that the SSAs are as fair as can be achieved for all types of authorities.
  12
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list those indications of need in the standard spending assessment formula which measure(a) population characteristics indicating eligibility for benefits and (b) actual take-up of benefits. [52360]

  Ms Armstrong
  The following indicators in the Standard Spending Assessments formulae are either direct measures of actual take-up of benefits or are closely linked with take-up; children of income support claimants; elderly on income support; payments to those aged 18–64 on income support; all claimants on income support; claimants on attendance allowance; claimants of unemployment benefit; long-term claimants of unemployment benefit; young males claiming unemployment benefit; rent allowance payments; and housing benefit claimants.

  The formulae include other measures of population characteristics which would tend to be associated with entitlement to benefits; but these measures are not defined in terms that indicate the numbers eligible for benefits.

  A complete list of the indicators used in the Standard Spending assessment formulae is set out in the Local Government Finance Report (England) 1998–99, which the House approved on 5 February 1998.

  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when his Department will publish the results of further research into the specific cost approach to the area cost adjustment within the standard spending assessment. [52405]

  Ms Armstrong
  The research which the Department commissioned on a specific cost approach to the area cost adjustment was completed in May. Its reports have been discussed in detail with local government representatives reflecting the range of views on area cost adjustment. We expect to announce decisions on the SSA formulae early in December.

  Rural Transport
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what definition of rural sparsity is currently applied by his Department for rural transport purposes. [52355]
  13
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  "Rural Sparsity" has not been defined by my Department for rural transport purposes. However, the £32.5 million Rural Bus Special Grant recently approved by Parliament, will be distributed in proportion to the rural population in each eligible local authority area. 'Rural population' is defined as those living outside built-up areas of 3,000 people or more as shown by the 1991 census.

  Air Pollution
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what assessment he has made of his Department's audit entitled, "Local Authority Progress on Implementing the Local Air Pollution Control Regimes"; and what action he proposes to take based on the report's findings; [52530]

  (2) what assessment he has made of his Department's audit entitled, "Remedying the failures of local air pollution"; and if he will make a statement. [52531]

  Angela Eagle
  My Department commissioned an independent audit of the Local Air Pollution Control regime earlier this year and a preliminary assessment has been made of the auditors' report: "Local Authority Progress on Implementing the Local Air Pollution Control Regime". The auditors were asked to take into account a report by the Environmental Industries Commission "Remedying the Failures of Local Air Pollution Control".

  Our preliminary assessment was that the report showed that considerable progress had been made in reducing air pollution from the wide range of regulated sources, but that there were areas where improvements were needed. The report's 30 recommendations were addressed variously to the Government, local authorities and local authority organisations, and relevant professional bodies.

  A detailed joint response and action plan covering all the recommendations is now being prepared.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make it his policy that the issues of Antarctic Ocean pollution and sanctions against heavy polluters of the atmosphere are put on the Buenos Aires Summit agenda; and if he will make a statement. [52489]

  Angela Eagle
  The Buenos Aires Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Climate Change will develop the rules and procedures for implementation of the Protocol to reduce greenhouse gases which was adopted at Kyoto. As such it will not cover pollution of the oceans or deal with other forms of atmospheric pollution.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he plans to take to ensure that local authorities publish the reasons for the non-enforcement of pollution control standards at particular industrial sites. [52532]

  Angela Eagle
  This is an issue we will be considering carefully when implementing EU Directive 96/61/EC concerning integrated pollution prevention and control.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how the Government intend to achieve a 20 per cent. reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. [52491]
  14
  Angela Eagle
  We aim to issue a consultation paper this summer on policy options to deliver our legally binding commitment from Kyoto to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 12.5 per cent. over the period 2008 to 2012, and move towards our domestic aim of a 20 per cent. reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2010. We will be building on the outcome of other reviews and looking at the scope for savings from improved energy efficiency by business and in the home; lower transport emissions; and an increase in the electricity generated from renewables and combined heat and power.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the role of Nuclear Energy in the proposed reduction of carbon dioxide emissions. [52488]

  Angela Eagle
  Nuclear power currently contributes significantly to United Kingdom electricity supply needs and also plays an important part in helping the UK to meet its commitments on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Provided the nuclear industry can maintain high standards of safety and environmental protection, the Government believe that existing nuclear power stations should continue to make this important contribution.

  Figures published in the UK's second national communication on climate change, showed that nuclear power generation was projected to lead to savings in carbon emissions of about 3 million tonnes per year by 2000. The Department of Trade and Industry is working on a new set of energy and carbon dioxide emission projections which the Government hope to publish later this year.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what are the implications of Her Majesty's Government's policy on the future of the coal mining industry for future emissions of carbon dioxide; and if he will make a statement. [52486]

  Angela Eagle
  The preliminary conclusions of the Government's Review of Energy Sources for Power Generation reaffirm the Government's determination to meet their climate change targets and state that the proposals are consistent with a decline in carbon emissions from the electricity generating industry.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make it his policy to ensure at the forthcoming Buenos Aires summit the implementation of the measures agreed on carbon dioxide production at the Kyoto Summit in 1997; and if he will make a statement. [52490]

  Angela Eagle
  The Kyoto Protocol established legally-binding targets for developed countries requiring an overall reduction in their emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases to 5.2 per cent. below 1990 levels in the period 2008 to 2012: but it left a number of matters to be further developed. It is indeed my right hon. Friend's policy to ensure that the Beunos Aires Conference in November makes substantive progress on these matters, with a view to maintaining the momentum of Kyoto and achieving early entry into force and implementation of the Protocol.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proportion of local authorities do not have an inspection policy or do
  15
  not routinely inspect polluting factories in connection with air pollution control laws; and what measures he proposes to improve enforcement of air pollution control laws by local authorities. [52535]

  Angela Eagle
  My Department issued guidance to local authorities in 1995 on types and frequency of inspection under the Local Air Pollution Control regime. Information is not obtained centrally on whether local authorities have an inspection policy, but data held by my Department show that 9,400 routine/programmed inspections were carried out by local authorities in 1996–97 in relation to this regime. The recent Local Air Pollution Control audit raised concerns about local authority inspection and action to address this and to improve enforcement of the Local Air Pollution Control system is being drawn up in response to the auditor's report.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to publish local authorities' enforcement policies with regard to the air pollution control laws. [52533]

  Angela Eagle
  Guidance issued in 1994 by the former Association of District Councils recommended that local authorities produce and publish an enforcement policy on air pollution control. My Department is in discussion with the Local Government Association concerning the re-issue of that guidance.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proportion of local authority authorisations in respect of air pollution control laws have not been reviewed to take account of new pollution concerns or technologies. [52534]

  Angela Eagle
  The finding of the recent audit of the Local Air Pollution Control regime was that, from the sample of processes examined, upgrading had been completed in 90 per cent. of the authorisations by the relevant deadline contained in statutory guidance.

  Rural Bus Challenge
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what plans he has to consult rural bus customers about the Rural Bus Challenge; and if he will make a statement; [52484]

  (2) if he will undertake to consult parish councils on the Rural Bus Challenge; and if he will make a statement. [52485]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The criteria and arrangements for the rural bus challenge have been the subject of recent consultation with the Local Government Association and other organisations. We will shortly be issuing guidance to local authorities which will suggest consultation with appropriate individuals and bodies, which could include parish councils, in preparing bids for the challenge competition.

  Motor Cycle Licences
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to amend current arrangements for granting provisional motor cycle licences within a two year validity period. [52829]
  16
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  My Department has today issued a Consultation Paper about a range of possible options for amending the current two year rule. A copy of the paper has been placed in the House Library.

  Sites of Special Scientific Interest
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the annual cost of protecting sites of special scientific interest at risk from water abstraction, water pollution and groundwater contamination. [52403]

  Angela Eagle
  In its May 1998 submission to the Government entitled A Price Worth Paying the Environment Agency, in consultation with English Nature and the Countryside Council of Wales, identified sites of special scientific interest at risk due to water companies' abstractions and discharges. The cost of dealing with these sites, as estimated by the water companies, was given in the Director General of Water Services' open letter to the Secretaries of State of 30 April 1998. We shall take the costs into account together with the Agency's advice in determining the guidance we give the Director General later this summer on the environmental obligations which water companies will be expected to meet through the Periodic Review of water prices. Copies of A Price Worth Paying and the Director General's open letter are in the Library of the House.

  Planning Inquiries
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what target he sets for the length of time he takes to reach a decision after receipt of an inspector's report on a planning inquiry. [52398]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Where the Secretary of State takes the decision on appeals, he aims to decide 80 per cent. of cases within eight weeks of receiving the Inspector's report. This is stated in paragraph 59 of Planning Policy Guidance Note 1, 'General Policy and Principles'. In those cases where the Secretary of State calls in applications for planning permission, he aims to issue 80 per cent. of decisions within 13 weeks of receipt of the Inspector's report.

  Concessionary Fares (Pensioners)
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what consultations he will conduct with district and parish councils about the implementation of his proposals for nation-wide concessionary fares for pensioners; and if he will make a statement. [52648]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The matter will be considered when the necessary primary legislation is being prepared.

  Water Extraction
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with representatives of the agricultural industries about his proposals for water extraction; and if he will make a statement. [52645]
  17
  Angela Eagle
  The Government published a consultation paper on the Review of the Water Abstraction Licensing System in England and Wales on 19 June. The paper takes account of the wide range of submissions we received, including contributions from all the major bodies with an interest in agricultural issues. We are inviting responses to the detailed proposals contained in the consultation paper by 7 September. Representatives of the National Farmers Union discussed the Review when they met my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment on 2 July.

  Building Regulations (Disabled Access)
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he intends to take to ensure an effective transfer to the application to new dwellings of Part M of the Building Regulations (access and facilities for disabled people). [52764]

  Mr. Raynsford
  I am today issuing a consultation paper on the transitional arrangements for the Building Regulations amendments which I announced in March this year. These amendments will extend access requirements to new houses from October 1999.

  I am proposing that the transitional provisions should ensure that new buildings where construction work starts on or after the coming into force date of the regulations will in general be subject to the new Part M requirements. However, new buildings begun after the coming into force date in accordance with full plans deposited with a local authority at least two months before that date, or in accordance with plans covered by an approved inspector's plans certificate accepted by a local authority before the coming into force date, will not have to comply with the new requirements.

  In this way the transitional provisions will distinguish between cases where detailed design work has been completed and submitted to the relevant building control body before the coming into effect of the regulations, and other cases. This will prevent developers from giving premature building control notices simply in order to gain exemption from the new requirements for houses that have not been designed and could not be built until long after the coming into force date.

  The Department's consultation letter sets Wednesday 9 September as the deadline for receipt of responses. After assessing the responses, and subject to the outcome of the separate process of notifying the technical changes to the European Commission, I intend to make and publish the new regulations, and a revised Approved Document, in October.

  Copies of the consultation letter are being placed in the Library.

  Disability Discrimination Act
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to extend the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 to cover(i) domestic and (ii) international air travel. [52461]
  18
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Our priority is to implement the provisions of Part V of the Act dealing with access to trains and trams, buses and coaches and to licensed taxis. These modes are fundamentally important to day to day mobility for many disabled people.

  We will be considering whether it is appropriate to apply any of the requirements of the Act to air travel and other modes of transport not currently included.

  Genetically Modified Organisms
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 21 July 1998,Official Report, column 467, if he intends to seek further advice on the legality of already approved trials of genetically modified crops. [52475]

  Mr. Meacher
  My Department is considering whether there are any implications for consents for trials of genetically modified crops already issued under Part VI of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 as a result of the recent judgment in the case of R v the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions,ex parte Watson.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures and precautions were taken to avoid genetic pollution through cross-pollination to adjacent crops when the ACRE committee was approving licences of all the GMO trial plots that are currently licensed. [52494]

  Angela Eagle
  Each application for consent to release GM plants for experimental trials must provide the information set out in the schedule to the Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) Regulations 1995 and includes a detailed environmental risk assessment. This must address the potential for cross-pollination of adjacent crops and sexually compatible flora in the vicinity of the trial site. On the basis of this risk assessment the applicant must state what risk management procedures will be implemented to minimise cross-pollination. Examples of these procedures include specific isolation distances, borders of non-GM plants to act pollen traps and, in some cases, removing the flowers of the GM plants.

  The Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment reviews applications for release consent on a case by case basis to determine whether the proposed management procedures are sufficient. In each case where the Committee judge that the management procedures are inadequate they give advice on the additional precautions to be taken. These additional measures are then made on condition of the consent.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many women are employed in the Lord Chancellor's Department at each Civil Service grade. [52642]
  19
  Mr. Hoon
  For the Lord Chancellor's Department, including the Court Service and the Public Trust Office, the information is set out in the table.

  Grade

  Number

  Senior Civil Service

  14

  Grade 6

  18

  Grade 7

  101

  SEO

  128

  HEO

  541

  EO

  1,429

  AO

  2,980

  AA

  201

  Support Grade

  1,275

  Total

  6,687

  Judicial Appointments
  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many women magistrates have been appointed since 1 May 1997. [52654]

  Mr. Hoon
  Of the 1,664 magisterial appointments made in the period between 1 May 1997 and 30 June 1998, 851 were women.

  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many judicial appointments there have been since 1 May 1997 to(a) the Judicial Committee of the House of Lords of Lords of Appeal in Ordinary, (b) the Court of Appeal, (c) the High Court, (d) the County or Crown Court Bench, (e) the Queen's Bench Mastership, (f) the Chancery Division Mastership and (g) the District Judiciary. [52643]

  Mr. Hoon
  The table gives the numbers of judicial appointments in the categories mentioned since 1 May 1997:

  Judicial appointments

  Number

  Lords of Appeal in Ordinary

  1

  Lords Justices of Appeal

  5

  High Court Judges

  9

  Circuit Judges

  39

  Masters of the Queen's Bench Division

  0

  Masters of the Chancery Division

  3

  District Judges (excluding District Judges of the Family Division)

  37

  Circuit Judges may sit in the county courts, the Crown Court or both. It is not therefore possible to provide separate figures.

  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many women have been appointed to the County and Crown Court bench since 1 May 1997. [52653]

  Mr. Hoon
  Eight women have been appointed as Circuit Judges since 1 May 1997.

  Circuit Judges may sit in the county courts, the Crown Court or both. It is not therefore possible to provide separate figures.

  Magistrates' Courts (Closures)
  Mr. David Taylor
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many magistrates' courthouses were closed in each year between 31 March 1994 and 31 March 1998. [51622]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Lord Chancellor's Department did not collect information on the number of magistrates' courthouses prior to October 1995. The number of courthouses in use as reported by magistrates' courts was 525 in October 1995, 492 in April 1997 and 472 in April 1998.

TREASURY

  Correspondence
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans his Department has to correspond electronically with(a) hon. Members and (b) members of the public. [49818]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 13 July 1998]: HM Treasury is already able to correspond electronically with members of the public, with Government and non-Government organisations and with hon. Members, through its website on www.hm-treasury.gov.uk. All Treasury officials have their own e-mail addresses for corresponding over the Internet. The Department is looking carefully at ways to develop its use of electronic communication. I also refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 17 July 1998,Official Report,column 315.

  Petroleum Products (Smuggling)
  Mr. Moss
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what resources are being deployed by Customs and Excise to counter the illegal importation of petroleum products into Northern Ireland. [51902]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  Customs and Excise are currently deploying local anti-smuggling, intelligence, antifraud VAT audit staff, as well as national investigation officers, to tackle the problem of cross-border smuggling of duty paid fuel into Northern Ireland for resale. Customs are also working closely with other authorities, including the Royal Ulster Constabulary.

  £2 Coin
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the significance of the symbol on the obverse of the new £2 coin; and for what reasons the phrase 'standing on the shoulders of giants' appears on the rim of the coin. [52434]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The design on the obverse of the new £2 coin traces the progress of technological development, with concentric circles representing the Iron Age, the Industrial Revolution, the Electronic Age and the Internet. The "circular" theme was inspired by the coin's two-colour appearance.

  The inscription "Standing on the Shoulders of Giants" on the coin's milled edge comes from a letter written by Isaac Newton in which he acknowledged how much he

  21
  owed to the work of others. It was chosen from several suggestions as best encapsulating how the progress of the present has only been possible because of the achievements of the past.

  Travel Companies
  Mr. Ivan Henderson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will ensure that(a) ferry companies, (b) scheduled and charter airlines and (c) hovercraft operators will be fully consulted before final decisions are agreed between United Kingdom and Commission officials on the successor regime for duty and tax-paid sales after 30 June 1999; and when the consultation process will begin. [52449]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  Customs and Excise have been in discussion with UK trade interests on the possible nature of the successor regime and will continue to consult with interested parties on the implementation of the regime. Any interested persons who want to make representations should address them direct to Customs and Excise:

  HM Customs and Excise,

  Excise Policy Group Branch 4,

  Third Floor, Ralli Quays West,

  3 Stanley Street,

  Salford M60 9LA

  High Technology Companies
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 22 December 1997,Official Report, column 478, what recommendations have been made by the group established to examine the financing of high technology companies; and if he will make a statement. [52298]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  I am grateful to the Working Group on the Financing of High Technology Businesses for their work in examining the financing issues faced by this important sector of the economy. The Government are now considering how to take this work forward.

  Exchange Rate
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effect of the current sterling exchange rate on(a) employment and (b) manufacturing in the United Kingdom. [52594]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The economic effects of the exchange rate are difficult to isolate without assumptions about factors such as the strength of world trade growth and domestic demand. A full assessment of the economic situation including a forecast was given in the FSBR.

  Alcohol and Tobacco Smuggling
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the estimated cost to the Exchequer of the smuggling of drink and tobacco from the mainland of Europe in the last year for which figures are available. [52290]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  The table sets out Customs' most recent estimate of revenue losses (duty and VAT) to the Exchequer through cross-channel smuggling of alcoholic drinks and tobacco products in calendar year 1997.
  22

  Revenue lost to the Exchequer from smuggling in 1997

  £ million

  Product type

  Excise duty

  VAT

  Total revenue lost

  Beer

  80

  40

  120

  Wine

  35

  15

  50

  Spirits

  20

  5

  25

  Total alcohol

  135

  65

  195

  Hand-rolling tobacco

  430

  110

  540

  Cigarettes and other tobacco products

  120

  25

  145

  Total tobacco

  550

  135

  690

  Total

  685

  200

  885

  Notes:

  Figures have been independently rounded to £5 million. Components may not therefore sum to the totals given Figures are given for the mid-point of the range of possible substitution effects. Customs assumes that 70–80 per cent. of smuggled alcohol (100 per cent. for tobacco products) substitutes for similar purchases in the UK

  There are no official estimates for the revenue lost through smuggling in freight consignments or by air passengers, and the estimates given do not include any amounts for these types of supply.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the impact on UK wholesalers of the smuggling of(a) alcohol and (b) tobacco from the European mainland. [52293]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  I have no information about the consequences of alcohol and tobacco smuggling relating to UK wholesalers in particular. However, the Government are very much aware of the illegal trade in alcohol and tobacco goods and its effect on the legitimate trade. In his July Budget last year my right hon. Friend the Chancellor announced a review to examine the effects of alcohol and tobacco fraud, smuggling and cross-border shopping. The Government will announce the outcome of the review shortly.

  Economic Indicators
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assumptions about Non-Accelerating Inflation Rate of Unemployment are incorporated in(a) the Treasury and (b) the Bank of England model of the economy; and how they have been changed in the last 10 years. [52156]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The assumptions underlying the determination of the non-accelerating rate of unemployment in the Treasury model are set out in the "The New Treasury Model" by Chan, A., Savage, D., and Whittaker, R., (Government Economic Service Working Paper no. 128), a copy of which is available in the Library of the House. The underlying assumptions have changed little in recent years. The Bank of England model is the responsibility of Bank officials.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assumptions about the relative shares of GDP going to(a) wages and (b) profits are incorporated into the Treasury model of the economy; what are the shares presently allocated; and how they have changed over the last 10 years. [52155]
  23
  Mrs. Liddell
  The assumptions in the Treasury model yield approximately constant shares of GDP going to wages and profits in the long run. The long run shares will largely reflect historical averages.

  Housing
  Mr. Shaw
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 21 July 1998,Official Report, column 463, from the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will estimate the loss of revenue incurred by reducing VAT on the refurbishment of 415,000 dwellings to 5 per cent. [52157]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  The average cost of bringing an empty dwelling into good order is £6,500. This figure was given to my hon. Friend in the answer of the 21 July 1998,Official Report, column 463, by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions. The revenue cost of reducing the rate of VAT from 17.5 per cent. to 5 per cent. on refurbishment costing £6,500 on each of 415,000 dwellings would be approximately £300 million.

  European Union
  Dr. Vis
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the cost of the United Kingdom's net contribution to the EU since British accession. [52232]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The total of the United Kingdom's net contributions to the EC Budget for the period 1973–74 to 1996–97 is £28.7 billion. The latest estimate of outturn for the financial year 1997–98 is £2.6 billion.

  Insurance Brokers Registration Council
  Mr. Caplin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 7 April 1998,Official Report, columns 151–52, what are the Government's plans for the Insurance Brokers' Registration Council. [53230]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Following my announcement on 7 April, the Treasury has consulted the insurance industry and its customers on insurance intermediary regulation and on the future of the Insurance Brokers Registration Council (IBRC). Most responses identified weaknesses in the present arrangements for general insurance intermediaries. The existing hybrid framework, using the Insurance Brokers (Registration) Act 1977 supplemented by the Association of British Insurers' General Business Code of Practice, was regarded as incomplete and outdated.

  Set up under the 1977 Act, the Insurance Brokers Registration Council regulates the use of the title 'insurance broker' and maintains professional standards among those intermediaries who use it. While there was recognition that the Council had provided a valuable service, there was a consensus that circumstances have changed in such a way as to bring its existence in its current form into question. I have therefore decided that proposed legislation to reform the financial services regulatory structure should include power to repeal the Insurance Brokers (Registration) Act 1977. Repealing the 1977 Act will end the statutory basis of the Council.
  24
  I now look to the industry itself to put the desired standards on a soundly established footing from which they will command widespread support. The industry proposals for voluntary standards, initially made in response to the recent consultation, are at an early stage. They now require detailed development. The Treasury would support further consolidation of consensus support from insurers, from insurance brokers and other intermediaries, and from commercial and personal customers. They now need to build on the IBRC' s work to generate constructive ideas for a modern flexible body to set standards for the insurance market and to meet the challenges it will face in the future.

  Survey Holidays
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress is being made by departments implementing survey holidays for small businesses. [53231]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The Office for National Statistics (ONS) introduced a guarantee in 1997 to firms employing fewer than ten people that, once included in a statistical survey, a business will not have to complete another ONS statistical form for a further three years. The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions has this year introduced a similar guarantee in respect of transport surveys. An inter-departmental report, which looks at how far the idea of survey holidays could be extended across government departments, has been produced in response to recommend dations of the 1996 Osmotherly report "Statistical Surveys, Easing the Burden on Business". A copy of the report on survey holidays and an action plan agreed by department is available in the Library of the House.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Prisoners
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average prison population per 1,000 population in England and Wales(a) in each of the last five years and (b) on the last date for which figures are available. [51870]

  Ms Quin
  The information requested is given in the table. The rate quoted for 1998 is based on the prison population at 30 June—the most recent date for which information is available.

  Average prison population per 1,000 population in England and Wales, 1993 to 1998

  Year

  Prisoners per 1,000 population1

  1993

  0.87

  1994

  0.95

  1995

  0.99

  1996

  1.06

  1997

  1.17

  19982

  1.25

  1Includes prisoners held in police cells

  2Based on the prison population at 30 June 1998

  25

  Defamation
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he will take to eliminate the criminalisation of defamation throughout Europe. [51933]

  Mr. Michael
  We are doubtful whether such steps are necessary. Freedom of expression is one of the rights guaranteed under the European Convention on Human Rights which all parties to the Convention are bound to respect. We are not aware of any Council of Europe proposals to decriminalise defamation.

  Departmental Vehicles
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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. [49231]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 6 July 1998]: The information requested is given in the tables.

  Vehicles owned or leased by the prison service Cars, vans, minibuses and heavygoods vehicles

  Replacement

  Engine c.c.

  Fuel type

  Owned

  Leased

  1998–99

  1999–00

  2000–01

  1600

  petrol

  22

  8

  19

  6

  4

  2000

  petrol

  15

  15

  10

  7

  5

  2500

  petrol

  19

  —

  11

  2

  —

  3000

  petrol

  8

  —

  7

  1

  —

  1800

  diesel

  37

  9

  10

  8

  24

  2000

  diesel

  120

  24

  28

  57

  37

  2500

  diesel

  335

  3

  95

  59

  50

  6000

  diesel

  129

  4

  49

  11

  12

  8000

  diesel

  4

  —

  2

  1

  1

  10000

  diesel

  4

  —

  2

  1

  0

  Vehicles owned or leased by the Home office (excluding Prison Service) Cars and vans

  Due replacement

  Engine c.c.

  Fuel type

  Owned

  Leased

  1998–99

  1999–00

  2000–01

  1600

  petrol

  128

  16

  108

  3

  22

  2000

  petrol

  176

  1

  105

  21

  42

  2500

  petrol

  53

  —

  33

  7

  4

  1600

  diesel

  37

  —

  4

  2

  —

  2000

  diesel

  111

  —

  50

  9

  25

  2500

  diesel

  23

  4

  11

  5

  5

  Type and replacement table, H.M. Prison Service Cars, vans, minibus and heavy goods vehicles

  Due replacement

  Engine c.c.

  Fuel type

  Owned

  Leased

  1998–99

  1999–00

  2000–01

  1600

  petrol

  22

  8

  19

  6

  4

  2000

  petrol

  15

  15

  10

  7

  5

  2500

  petrol

  19

  —

  11

  2

  —

  3000

  petrol

  8

  —

  7

  1

  —

  1800

  diesel

  37

  9

  10

  8

  24

  2000

  diesel

  120

  24

  28

  57

  37

  2500

  diesel

  335

  3

  95

  59

  50

  6000

  diesel

  129

  4

  49

  11

  12

  8000

  diesel

  4

  —

  2

  1

  1

  10000

  diesel

  4

  —

  2

  1

  0

  26

  Type and replacement table, the Home office Cars and vans

  Due replacement

  Engine c.c.

  Fuel type

  Owned

  Leased

  1998–99

  1999–00

  2000–01

  1600

  petrol

  128

  16

  108

  3

  22

  2000

  petrol

  176

  1

  105

  21

  42

  2500

  petrol

  53

  —

  33

  7

  4

  1600

  diesel

  37

  —

  4

  2

  —

  2000

  diesel

  111

  —

  50

  9

  25

  2500

  diesel

  23

  4

  11

  5

  5

  Prisons (Special Managerial Attention)
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisons are currently under special managerial attention; in each case, how long have such arrangements been in place and if he will give details of the arrangements; and if he will make a statement. [50593]

  Ms Quin
  Formal arrangements to support establishments requiring special managerial attention were established in August 1997 in a circular issued to governors by the Director General of the Prison Service. Eleven establishments are currently assessed as requiring special managerial attention. These are listed in the table.

  The nature of the special managerial arrangements vary according to the circumstances of each establishment. The decision to add or remove an establishment from the list of those requiring closer managerial attention is taken by the Director General, in discussion with the relevant area manager and operational director, and taking into account any view expressed by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons. Progress is routinely reviewed by the Prisons Board. In each case, an action plan is formulated to address identified difficulties.

  Prison establishments under special managerial attention

  Establishment

  Date formally registered if after August 1997

  Brockhill

  (August 1997—after issue of circular)

  Bullwood Hall

  Chelmsford

  Glen Parva

  Holloway

  Hindley

  Low Newton

  Parc

  (April 1998)

  Risley

  Wellingborough

  Wormwood Scrubs

  (April 1998)

  Doncaster Council
  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the estimated costs to date of the police investigation into alleged corruption at Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council. [52339]

  Mr. Michael
  I understand from South Yorkshire Police that the estimated cost of the investigation to date is £161,417, including £42,030 in accommodation and miscellaneous services costs.
  27

  Prison Statistics
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners are currently serving a prison sentence of over five years having been charged with(a) violent and (b) non-violent offences. [52049]

  Ms Quin
  The available breakdown, by type of offence, of those prisoners serving sentences of over five years in prisons in England and Wales, is given in the table.

  Number1 of sentenced prisoners serving sentences of over five years, by type of offence England and Wales—30 June 1998

  Number of persons

  All establishments offence

  Number serving sentences of over five years

  Offences with immediate custodial sentence

  14,672

  Violence against the person

  5,309

  Murder

  3,096

  Other homicide and attempted homicide

  856

  Wounding

  995

  Assaults

  9

  Cruelty to children

  9

  Other offences of violence against the person

  344

  Sexual Offences

  2,537

  Buggery and indecency between males

  261

  Rape

  1,831

  Gross indecency with children

  125

  Other sexual offences

  320

  Burglary

  571

  Robbery

  2,613

  Theft and Handling

  109

  Taking and driving away

  4

  Other thefts

  72

  Handling stolen goods

  33

  Fraud and Forgery

  70

  Fraud

  64

  Forgery

  6

  Drug Offences

  2,650

  Other Offences

  515

  Arson

  221

  Criminal damage

  12

  Motoring offences

  8

  Drunkenness

  —

  Blackmail

  28

  Kidnapping

  86

  Affray

  2

  Violent disorder

  7

  Perjury, libel, pervert course of justice

  9

  Threat/disorderly behaviour

  5

  Breach of court order

  4

  Other

  133

  Offence not recorded

  298

  1 Provisional figures

  Crime (Care Homes)
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 20 July 1998,Official Report, columns 383–84, concerning the British Crime Survey, what timescale has been set for the feasibility study being undertaken by the Office for National Statistics. [52278]
  28
  Mr. Michael
  A feasibility study into a possible survey of communal establishments is being undertaken by the Social Survey Division of the Office for National Statistics (ONS). A cross-departmental steering group has been set up to address the structure and content of the survey. A final report of the findings from the consultation process will be presented by ONS to the steering group in autumn of this year. If the report is endorsed by the steering group, ONS will consult with departments about a possible funding partnership. At this point, the Home Office will consider whether the survey can viably cover victimisation and whether it justifies funding relative to other research priorities. If it is decided to proceed, the timing of the initial survey will then be agreed by the steering group and ONS.

  Police Manpower (West Midlands)
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will assess the factors underlying the differences between the number of police officers per 1,000 population in Birmingham and Coventry. [52109]

  Mr. Michael
  I understand from the Chief Constable that there are 2.67 officers per 1,000 population in Birmingham and 2.51 officers per 1,000 population in Coventry. It is an operational matter for the Chief Constable to decide how to allocate officers to the territorial divisions of the West Midlands Police. Population would be only one of a number of factors which the Chief Constable would consider when decisions are taken about the deployment of resources.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to facilitate the further use of(a) computers and (b) other forms of information technology in the processing of asylum claims. [52061]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to him on 28 April 1998,Official Report,columns 95–96, and to the reply I gave to the hon.Member for Sheffield, Hallam (Mr. Allan), on 23 July 1998, Official Report, column 620.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what proportion of asylum seekers made in-country applications for asylum in each of the last 10 years. [52079]

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

  Applications1 received for asylum in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants, in-country 1988 to 1997

  Principal applicants

  Year

  Number of in-country asylum applications

  Per cent, of total asylum applications

  1988

  3,140

  79

  1989

  5,440

  47

  1990

  17,200

  66

  1991

  35,815

  80

  1992

  16,930

  69

  1993

  15,050

  67

  29

  Applications1 received for asylum in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants, in-country 1988 to 1997

  Principal applicants

  Year

  Number of in-country asylum applications

  Per cent, of total asylum applications

  1994

  22,600

  69

  1995

  29,555

  67

  19962

  17,205

  58

  1997

  15,915

  49

  1 Figures rounded to the nearest 5 with the exception of 1988

  2 Included revisions to the number of in-country applications lodged between September and December 1996

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he has introduced revised targets for the length of time taken to complete different stages in the asylum process following the Comprehensive Spending Review; [52082]

  (2) what financial support he proposes to make available to asylum applicants who (a) make an in country application for asylum and (b) appeal against a negative asylum decision; and at what rate of payment; [52066]

  (3) what plans he has to change the rights of appeal for asylum seekers who have come through (a) EU member states, (b) the USA, (c) Switzerland and (d) Norway; [52065]

  (4) what plans he has to introduce changes in the processing of asylum claims and the rights of appeal of asylum applicants from the White List countries; [52084]

  (5) if additional benefits will be made available to asylum seekers presently in receipt of benefit as a result of the Comprehensive Spending Review; [52086]

  (6) if he will give a breakdown of the support costs for asylum seekers transferred to his Department under the Comprehensive Spending Review; [52087]

  (7) what plans he has to change the eligibility of in-country asylum applicants for housing. [52085]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  These and other matters are addressed in the White Paper "Fairer, Faster and Firmer—a modern approach to Immigration and Asylum"(Cm 4018) which is to be published today.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (i) asylum caseworkers and (ii) special adjudicators are currently employed in the processing of asylum claims and the determination of asylum appeals; and what assessment he has made of the impact of the Comprehensive Spending Review on these numbers. [52083]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  On 1 June 1998, there were 486 officers in the Asylum Directorate processing asylum claims. There are currently 37 full-time and 118 part-time special adjudicators determining asylum appeals. The impact of the Comprehensive Spending Review on staff numbers will be known when more detailed plans have been drawn up.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the average length of time currently taken to determine an appeal against an asylum refusal; [52093]
  30
  (2) how many asylum applicants have appealed against a negative asylum decision in each of the last five years; and what proportion of asylum applicants receiving a negative decision appealed. [52081]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The information requested regarding appeals against refusal of asylum, 1994 to 1997, is given in the table. I regret that equivalent information for years prior to 1994 is not available.

  On average, asylum appeals to the Adjudicator of the Immigration Appellate Authority are taking twelve and a half months to reach a determination.

  Appeals against refusal of asylum received by the Home Office, 1994 to 1997

  Principal appellants

  Year of appeal

  Appeals received by the Hone Office

  The proportion of those refused asylum lodging an appeal1 (per cent.)

  1997

  20,950

  83

  1996

  22,985

  78

  1995

  14,035

  73

  1994

  10,580

  78

  1 Reflects the proportion of asylum decisions appealed following refusal after substantive consideration or on the grounds that the applicant had arrived from a safe third country

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average length of time taken to determine an asylum application from(a) a port of entry asylum applicant and (b) an in-country asylum applicant, according to the most recent figures available. [52153]

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

  Initial decisions on applications received for asylum in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants

  Principal Applicants

  Location of application

  Average time to decision1

  Pre 1993 Act

  In-Country

  57 months

  Port

  57 months

  Post 1993 Act

  In-Country

  15 months

  Port

  12 months

  1Estimated from available data

  Holloway Remand Pilot Scheme
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the Holloway remand pilot scheme for women prisoners. [52639]

  Ms Quin
  The Holloway remand scheme is not run by the Prison Service. It is run by the independent voluntary organisation, Women in Prison, which is undertaking an evaluation of the scheme's effectiveness.

  Prisoners (Mandatory Drug Testing)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average cost per prisoner of mandatory drug testing; and what impact the programme has had on expenditure on the drug rehabilitation service. [52637]

  Mr. George Howarth
  In 1997–98, approximately £1.5 million was spent on the processing of mandatory drug tests (MDTs). The precise staffing costs involved in the taking of samples for analysis could be obtained only at disproportionate cost, but we estimate that around £4.5 million is spent annually on this. Based on an average prisoner population through the year of 62,000, the average cost per prisoner of mandatory drug testing through the 1997–98 year is therefore around £96.

  The cost of funding the mandatory drug testing programme has had no impact on expenditure on the drug rehabilitation service. While both are important parts of the overall Prison Service Drug Strategy, the costs of MDT and of the provision of treatment services have been met through separate budgeting arrangements.

  Women's Prisons
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will ensure that the induction processes for new prisoners in women's prisons distinguishes first offenders from repeat offenders. [52638]

  Ms Quin
  The induction arrangements for women prisoners are tailored to their individual needs, taking account of any available relevant information, including previous criminal history.

  Prisoners (Counselling)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the use of ex-drug addicts and ex-prisoners in Downview, Pentonville and Coldingley for counselling prisoners; and what plans he has to extend the system to women's prisons. [52659]

  Ms Quin
  Work with prisoners addicted to drugs and/or alcohol is currently being undertaken by outside agencies in a number of prisons. In the prisons mentioned, treatment is carried out by the Rehabilitation for Addicted Prisoners trust (RAPt), which has a policy of seeking to employ staff with personal experience of addiction. In many cases, these individuals have also experienced custody. RAPt believes that such individuals are particularly able to understand and motivate imprisoned addicts towards treatment. All of the counselling staff are fully trained counsellors and have to adhere to stringent professional guidelines. It is also a condition of their employment that they do not use illegal drugs or alcohol whilst working for RAPt, and have to submit themselves to security checks by the Prison Service.

  The RAPt programmes at Coldingley and Downview have recently been evaluated by independent consultants employed by the Prison Service, and that evaluation indicated that the programmes were among the most effective currently operating in the British prison system.

  The Prison Service is considering the use of peer support in its development of programmes for female prisoners.
  32

  Prisons (Neuroleptic Drugs)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons his Department does not collect the totals of neuroleptic drugs used in prisons; and if he will make a statement. [52241]

  Ms Quin
  Pharmaceuticals are purchased locally and records about drugs prescribed are also kept within Prison Service establishments using a variety of systems. This makes it difficult to aggregate the information about total usage of neuroleptic or other drugs in a meaningful way.

  The Prison Service, in deciding on the range of management information about health care activity that is collected from prisons, tries to strike a balance between the costs involved, including the administrative burden on prison staff, and the possible benefits. However, increasing use of information technology offers the opportunity to broaden the range of statistics that can be readily available and the matter is kept under review.

  Women Prisoners (Deaths)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) suicides and (b) deaths from other causes of women prisoners in each of the last five years have been associated with (i) illegal drugs and (ii) medicinal drugs. [52640]

  Ms Quin
  There have been no deaths of women prisoners over the last five years where it has been confirmed that the death was related to drugs, either legal or illegal.

  Criminal Cases Review Commission
  Mr. Goggins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how often the Criminal Cases Review Commission reviews the order of priority of cases referred. [51478]

  Mr. Michael
  I understand that the Criminal Cases Review Commission assesses applications for priority at receipt and at ten-weekly intervals thereafter.

  Mr. Goggins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department of cases so far referred to the Criminal Cases Review Commission, how many(a) have been reviewed and concluded, (b) are currently under active review and (c) are still be to investigated. [51480]

  Mr. Michael
  I understand that, at the end of June, the Criminal Cases Review Commission had completed 422 cases, 281 were subject to detailed review at that time, and 997 were awaiting such review.

  Mr. Goggins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the annual budget for the Criminal Cases Review Commission in 1998–99; and how many staff are employed to carry out its work. [51481]

  Mr. Michael
  The currently agreed budget for the Criminal Cases Review Commission for 1998–99 is £4.017m. The Commission has 14 members, and presently employs 51 staff, of whom 27 are case review managers.

  Crime Reduction Measures
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures his Department has taken to reduce the incidence of crime against(a) property and (b) the person since 1 May. [51914]

  Mr. Michael
  Since 1 May this year, the Crime and Disorder Bill[Lords] has been completing its passage through Parliament and should receive Royal Assent shortly.

  Following the Comprehensive Spending Review, my right hon. Friend announced on 21 July 1998, Official Report, column 913 that £250 million will be spent over the next three years on a new Crime Reduction Strategy and that significant extra money would be made available for the police, probation and prison services.

  The Crime and Disorder Bill's provisions add to other measures taken since the Government came to office, including implementation of Part IV of the Family Law Act 1996, the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 and the Sex Offenders Act 1997.

  We have also announced our intention to reform the Offences against the Person legislation and we are currently considering responses to consultation which builds on the work of the Law Commission.

  Immigration
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many over-aged children from Bangladesh who had previously been refused an entry clearance visa on the grounds of not being related as claimed but whose relationship has now been established by DNA testing have since been granted entry clearance under the policy change of June 1989; and in how many cases refusal has been maintained. [52714]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Statistics have not been kept on the total numbers of grants and refusals made under the over-age re-applicant concession of June 1989. However, we know that, by July 1991, some 550 cases had been considered under this concession, of which 115 were conceded.

  Lancaster Castle
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he proposes to renew the lease for the prison at Lancaster Castle when it expires in 2001; and if he will make a statement. [52476]

  Ms Quin
  The latest prisoner population trends indicate that it will be necessary to keep the prison accommodation at Lancaster Castle in use beyond 2001. However, the final decision will not be made until nearer the time.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take measures to allow the public to visit those dungeons at Lancaster Castle which held the Pendle Witches. [52478]

  Ms Quin
  There are no plans to allow members of the public to visit these particular dungeons, which are within the perimeter of Lancaster prison. It would not be possible to open the dungeons to visitors without undermining the 34
  security of the prison. However, members of the public may visit other dungeon cells in the castle which are outside the prison perimeter.

  Bahraini Refugees
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what inquiries were made in respect of criminal convictions in Bahraini courts before the decision was taken to grant refugee status to Sheikh Ali Salman, Hamaz Ali Jasim Kadhem and Sayed Haider Hasan Ali; with what result; and if he will make a statement. [52558]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  When considering the cases of the named individuals, the Home Office was aware of their convictions in absentia by the Bahraini courts for a variety of offences.

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the decision was made to grant refugee status to Sheikh Ali Salman, Hamaz Ali Jasim Kadhem and Sayed Haider Hasan Ali; what were the grounds for their applications; what supporting evidence was produced; and what information was sought from the Bahraini authorities. [52557]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Refugee status was granted to the named individuals on 15 July 1998. As information provided by asylum applicants in support of their applications is confidential, I cannot disclose any details of the basis of the claims they made or the consideration which was given to those claims.

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

  Investment Portfolio
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what changes have recently been made to the Commissioners' investment portfolio. [50809]

  Mr. Stuart Bell
  During 1997 the Church Commissioners conducted a comprehensive review of their investment and asset allocation strategy, which aims to provide stable long-term support for the Church's ministry. As a result they are rebalancing their assets in favour of securities, primarily UK equities whilst reducing their property exposure. Changes to individual holdings frequently occur in the day to day management of a large and diverse investment portfolio.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Gender Impact Assessments
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to the answer of 24 June 1998,Official Report, columns 557–58, prior to 18 May, what mechanisms were used to determine how legislation passed in the current session would affect women; what consultation she had with women's organisations; and if she will make a statement. [49093]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Guidance on Policy Appraisal and Fair Treatment (PAFT) was issued in December 1993 to Northern Ireland Departments and the Northern Ireland Office. Under this guidance policy proposals, including
  35
  new legislation, are subject to PAFT appraisal to explore: the potential for differential impact on any particular group; and the justification for any differential impact identified.

  Eight different groupings are considered as part of PAFT appraisals, including impacts on women.

  The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland announced on 10 July 1998 that a new statutory obligation on the public sector would replace existing PAFT guidelines.

  Consultations with women's organisations were as follows:—

  Organisation

  DED

  Deregulation (NI) Order 1997

  Women's Forum (NI)

  DENI

  Activity Centres (Young Persons' Safety) (NI) Order

  NI Women's Coalition

  Education (NI) Order 1998

  Women's Forum (NI) NI Women's Coalition

  Museums and Galleries (NI) Order

  NI Women's Coalition

  DFP

  Occupation of the Family Homes and Domestic Violence (NI) Order 1998

  Women's Aid

  Rape Crisis Centre Women's Support Groups

  NIO

  The Police (NI) Bill

  NI Women's Coalition

  Lord-Lieutenants
  Mr. Jim Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 17 July 1998,Official Report, column 329, if she will list the names of all the Lord-Lieutenants in Northern Ireland and the date when each was appointed. [52012]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The information requested is as follows:

  Lord-Lieutenants

  Date of appointment

  Lieutenancy area

  Colonel James Eliott Wilson OBE JP

  25 April 1991

  Belfast

  Mr. James Thompson Eaton CBE TD JP

  15 April 1986

  City of Londonderry

  The Right Hon. the Earl of Caledon

  15 May 1989

  County Armagh

  The Right Hon. the Lord O'Neill TD

  19 April 1994

  County Antrim

  Mr. William J. Hall JP

  10 October 1996

  County Down

  The Right hon. the Earl of Erne

  20 August 1986

  County Fermanagh

  His Grace the Duke of Abercorn

  20 March 1987

  County Tyrone

  Sir Michael William McCorkell KCVO OBE TD

  13 June 1975

  County Londonderry

  36

  Integrated Schools
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans she has to allow students with statements of special educational needs to have their statements met with appropriate funding in integrated schools in Northern Ireland. [51833]

  Mr. Worthington
  The needs of those pupils with statements of special educational needs who are placed in grant aided integrated schools are funded in full by either the Education and Library Board or the Department of Education for Northern Ireland.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans she has to allow students with assessed needs to be allowed free school meals whilst attending integrated schools. [51834]

  Mr. Worthington
  Where entitlement exists, free school meals are provided to pupils attending grant aided integrated schools, i.e., controlled and grant maintained integrated schools. There is no entitlement to free school meals in the independent sector and decisions as to whether certain pupils in independent integrated schools may be offered free meals is a matter for the school authorities. There are no plans to change these arrangements.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans she has for the further development of the integrated schools sector in Northern Ireland. [51837]

  Mr. Worthington
  Government will continue to respond to parental demand for integrated education by supporting robust proposals for new Grant Maintained Integrated schools or for the transformation of existing schools to integrated status. I have also established a working group to examine ways of encouraging and promoting the further development of integrated education.

  Springvale Project
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what financial support her Department plans to offer the University of Ulster to support the Springvale Project. [51835]

  Mr. Worthington
  On 16 April my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced Government support of £40 million for the Springvale Project (total costs approx. £70 million).

WALES

  Sterile Services
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the impact which the provisions made between the University Hospital of Wales Healthcare NHS Trust and Sterile Services International Limited will have on the provision of sterile services and jobs in that sector in other NHS trusts in Wales. [50715]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The agreement with Sterile Services International will provide better value for money for the Trust in obtaining sterile services and enable it to provide a better service for its 43 other customers who
  37
  are mainly from the primary care sector in Cardiff. I do not expect there to be an impact on jobs in other NHS Trusts.

  Women's Aid
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what level of funding was provided by his Department to Women's Aid in Wales in(a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98 and (c) 1998–99. [52249]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The Welsh Office provided grant support to Women's Aid in Wales from several sources, including the Children and Families Services Grant Scheme, Housing core grants, and support for local voluntary organisations in Wales. In the years in question the funding provided was as follows:

  Year

  Amount

  1996–97

  £372,876

  1997–98

  £386,496

  1998–99

  £380,611

  M4 Traffic Flows
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what changes have been made over the past 10 years in the predictions of traffic flows in the years 2000 to 2010 on the M4 between Tredegar Park interchange and the Coldra. [52196]

  Mr. Hain
  Traffic predictions made in 1988 were based on the National Road Traffic Forecasts (NRTF) (Great Britain) 1984. From 1989 to 1997 they were based on the 1989 version of NRTF. Predictions from 1997 are based on the 1997 NRTF.

  Copies are available in the Library of the House.

  Milk Marque
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the decision by major dairy companies not to submit bids in the Milk Marque July 1998 selling round. [52554]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food today,Official Report, column 78.

  National Assembly
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy not to make appointments which will be the responsibility of the National Assembly for Wales for periods substantially beyond its establishment. [52397]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  The policy which I shall continue to exercise this year is to make appointments on the normal basis, including advertisement and open competition, to ensure that the public bodies concerned can be led effectively. However I am also reviewing those appointments which fall due next year with a view to ensuring that the Assembly has the opportunity to exercise its powers of appointment as soon as possible. This will mean the extension of some appointments for a short 38
  term, rather than my conducting further appointments exercises after the New Year, in order to allow the Assembly itself to conduct the full appointments procedure for the posts concerned.

  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to postpone whenever possible taking decisions on matters which will be the responsibility of the National Assembly for Wales. [52396]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  No, this would not be appropriate as Wales needs an active government, making progress with delivering its commitments and taking prompt decisions, between now and the time when the Assembly assumes its responsibilities. At the same time there are some decisions where it would not be appropriate to pre-empt the Assembly and I will have that in mind.

DEFENCE

  Professor Glyn Lewis
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 29 June 1998,Official Report, column 7, if he will make a statement on the medical career and research background of Professor Glyn Lewis. [52064]

  Dr. Reid
  Professor Glyn Lewis is the Professor of Epidemiological Psychiatry at University of Wales College of Medicine (UWCM), Cardiff. He is leading a project team which will conduct an independent systematic literature review of worldwide published research relating to Gulf veterans' illnesses. This study has been commissioned by the Medical Research Council (MRC) on behalf of the Ministry of Defence (MOD). The team which Professor Lewis has assembled to conduct the systematic literature review has a wide range of expertise. It comprises experts from both UWCM and other academic establishments, in a wide range of fields including epidemiology, toxicology, cancer research, occupational medicine and clinical statistics.

  Professor Lewis holds five degrees. These are: a BA (Oxon) in Physiology and Psychology, an MSc (Oxon) in Neurophysiology, an MB BS (UCL) in Medicine, an MSc (LSHTM) in Epidemiology and a PhD (Institute of Psychiatry, London) in Medicine.

  He was appointed to his position at UWCM in 1996. Before that he was a Lecturer and then a Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Psychiatry in London (1986–95). During this period he was also a Research Fellow at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (1991–95) and worked on secondment for the Department of Health (1991–94).

  Professor Lewis is particularly interested in research methods and systematic reviews. This interest and his combined expertise in the fields of psychiatry and epidemiology are reflected in his work. For example, his recent publications include: 'Systematic review and Meta-analysis (Editorial)' in Psychological Medicine 27: pp 3–7 (with Hotopf, M. and Hardy, R.); 'Discontinuation rates of SSRIs and tricyclic and antidepressants: a meta-analysis and investigation of heterogeneity', British Journal of Psychiatry 170: pp 120–127 (with Hotopf, M. and Hardy, R.); and 'Putting trials on trial: the costs and

  39
  consequences of small trials in depression', Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health 51, pp 354–358 (with Hotopf, M. and Hardy, R).

  Ranges (Income)
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the income achieved by the ranges at (i) Aberporth, (ii) Eskmeals, (iii) Kirkcudbright, (iv) Larkhill, (v) Pendine, (vi) West Freugh and (vii) Shoeburyness during the most recent annual period for which figures are available. [52338]

  Mr. Spellar
  The income achieved by the ranges in the financial year ended March 1998 was:

  Range

  £000

  (i) Aberporth

  37,286

  —

  (ii) Eskmeals

  8,759

  (Note 1)

  (iii) Kirkcudbright

  798

  —

  (iv) Larkhill

  3,978

  —

  (v) Pendine

  5,251

  —

  (vi) West Freugh

  6,957

  (Note 2)

  (vii) Shoeburyness

  14,223

  (Note 3)

  Note 1: Included in the Eskmeals figure is £600k from the Strategic Pricing Initiative which supported the costs incurred in maintaining the VJ Battery, Depleted Uranium Firing Area.

  Note 2: The West Freugh income is for the range activities only and does not include income from the operation of the West Freugh Airfield.

  Note 3: The income for Shoeburyness is for the range only. The income generated at the site included support under the Strategic Pricing Initiative towards the costs of the site. The income was generated as follows:

  Range

  £000

  Shoeburyness Range

  14,223

  Environmental Test Centre

  2,974

  Demilitarisation Facility

  3,699

  Strategic Pricing Initiative

  (6,244)

  Net Income

  14,652

  Air Refuelling Tanker Fleet
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what plans he has to replace the VC1Os at Brize Norton with other aircraft; and over what timescale; [48959]

  (2) what plans he has to convert the A310 into a multi-role tanker transport; and according to what timescale. [49000]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 8 July 1998]: Plans to replace the RAF's air-refuelling tanker fleet are at an early stage. However current planning assumptions are that we will start to replace the fleet early next century. Among other contenders, we would expect a solution based on the A310 to figure in any competition for this requirement.

  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for how long it is planned that VC1Os will continue to use RAF Brize Norton. [48960]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 8 July 1998]: Under current plans, VC1Os will continue to use RAF Brize Norton until they leave service. Plans to replace the RAF's
  40
  air-refuelling tanker fleet, of which the VCIO is part, are at an early stage. Current planning assumptions are that we will start to replace the fleet early next century.

  Animal Experiments
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he last visited the animal experimentation facilities at Porton Down; and what plans he has for future visits. [50637]

  Mr. Spellar
  My hon. Friend the Minister for the Armed Forces visited Porton Down on 16 July and inspected animal facilities. I visited on 11 March and inspected new facilities in construction including those for animals. No further Ministerial visits are currently planned.

  Mr. Savidge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his policy on the use of animals in defence research. [53229]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Ministry of Defence policy on animal experimentation is neither to conduct nor to sponsor experiments on animals for the development or evaluation of weapons for use by UK forces. The MOD research programme involving animals is concerned wholly with providing the UK's Armed Forces with safe and effective protection against hazards they may encounter while carrying out their duties.

  Defence research accounts for only a small proportion of all animal experiments conducted in the UK. The MOD is committed to looking at the feasibility of alternatives to animal experimentation and sponsors studies aimed specially at finding other techniques. We also ensure that, as far as possible, research in the defence area that involves the use of animals is not being duplicated elsewhere. There is a rigorous scientific peer review system within MOD. Formal licensing arrangements with the Home Office seek to ensure that any experiments are fully justified and as humane as possible. The MOD complies fully with the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.

  In addition, an independent panel of experts, the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee, monitors programmes of experimentation to ensure that standards are as high as possible. The Committee make a valuable contribution to increasing awareness of animal welfare issues within the MOD. Their second report is published today and a copy has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Nuclear Materials
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to paragraph 72 of the Strategic Defence Review, Cm. 3999, if details of nuclear materials withdrawn from safeguards for non-weapons uses will be made public prior to their withdrawal. [51419]

  Mr. George Robertson
  No. Details of withdrawals of nuclear materials from safeguards will be published on an annual basis.

  AWE Aldermaston
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a full copy of the 1986 National Audit Office report into AWE Aldermaston. [51292]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 20 July 1998]: Neither the National Audit Office nor the Ministry of Defence can trace any such report.

  Tri-service Appointments
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to alter the current system for joint two, three and four star appointments by rotation of service to one of the best qualified officer. [51301]

  Mr. George Robertson
  [holding answer 20 July 1998]: My Department does not have a system of rotation by Service for tri-Service appointments at 2-star rank and above. The current system aims to identify the best individual for the job by selection on merit whilst maintaining a broad balance of appointments between the Services.

  Defence Statistics
  Mr. Bruce George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Defence Statistics 1998 will be published. [51577]

  Mr. George Robertson
  [holding answer 21 July 1998]: UK Defence Statistics 1998 is currently being printed and will be published on 28 July 1998.

  Revolution in Military Affairs
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the discussions his Department is having with the United States authorities regarding the Revolution in Military Affairs. [51057]

  Mr. George Robertson
  [holding answer 21 July 1998]: The "Revolution in Military Affairs" is a term to describe the step change in military capabilities which may, in the future, result from a combination of long-range precision weapons and networks of advanced sensors and data processors. There are discussions between the military and scientific staffs of the UK, US and other allies in various related areas, notably the UK Joint Battlespace Digitisation initiative, which aims to improve operational effectiveness by integrating weapons platforms, sensors and command, control, intelligence and information systems.

  Smart Procurement
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to make an appointment for the head of Smart Procurement. [51928]

  Mr. George Robertson
  Smart Procurement is an initiative to improve our structures and processes for equipping the Armed Forces, rather than an organisation. The Chief of Defence Procurement, as present head of the Procurement Executive and as its Chief Executive when it becomes a defence agency, will continue to be responsible for delivering the equipment programme efficiently and effectively.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will reply to the letter of 5 June from the hon. Member for Christchurch on behalf of a Porton Down volunteer. [52608]

  Dr. Reid
  I expect to reply to the hon. Member's letter very shortly.

  Defence Reviews
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how frequently he plans to undertake defence reviews; and if he will make a statement. [52387]

  Mr. George Robertson
  Building on the Strategic Defence Review, we are developing a strategic planning process that will enable us to ensure that our defence planning is kept up to date. There are no plans to hold defence reviews at regular intervals. We will, however, keep open the option of undertaking further reviews if there are major changes in the strategic environment or other circumstances affecting the security and defence of the United Kingdom.

  Swiftsure Class Submarines
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will hold an investigation into HMS Vanguard's recent training exercise in the Celtic Deep; and if he will make a statement. [52215]

  Dr. Reid
  Nuclear safety is of paramount importance and it is essential that the Navy conduct realistic exercises to ensure that all submariners remain highly trained. At all times during the recent exercise the submarine operated within normal safety parameters and there was no risk to the reactor or the crew. It is therefore not necessary to conduct a formal investigation.

  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he had during the period of the Strategic Defence Review, with local hon. Members concerning(a) submarine refit work at Rosyth and (b) the refit for HMS Spartan. [51957]

  Mr. George Robertson
  We had consultations on the Strategic Defence Review with many hundreds of people representing a wide range of interests, and the detailed outcome of the Review was the subject of discussion with Cabinet colleagues. In relation to Rosyth Dockyard and the refit programme, including that of HMS Spartan, I met mye hon. Friend the Member for Dunfermline, West (Ms Squire) with representatives of the Rosyth Royal Dockyard Trade Unions and Fife Council, and, separately, the Chairman of the Babcock International Group and the Managing Director of Babcock Facilities Management Limited. My right hon. Friend the Member for Dunfermline, East (Mr. Brown) sent me representations from the Rosyth Royal Dockyard Trade Unions, and form an individual constituent.

  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated cost of the refit being undergone by HMS Sceptre. [51956]

  Mr. George Robertson
  The planned cost of HMS Sceptre's refit is £154 million. HMS Sceptre's refit is due to be completed in 2000 and it is not possible to say
  43
  whether the need for additional, unforeseen work may emerge during this time which may affect the final cost of the refit.

  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated de-commissioning date for each Swiftsure class submarine. [51964]

  Mr. George Robertson
  HMS Swiftsure was operationally decommissioned in 1992. The scheduled operational decommissioning dates for the remainder of the Swiftsure class submarines are as follows:

  Swiftsure class SSN

  Planned operational decommissioning date

  HMS Sovereign

  2005

  HMS Superb

  2007

  HMS Sceptre

  2008

  HMS Spartan

  2006

  HMS Splendid

  2003

  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which Swiftsure class submarines have undergone refits in the past five years; how much each cost; and where and when each was undertaken. [51955]

  Mr. George Robertson
  Two Swiftsure class submarines have undergone refits in the past five years, both at Rosyth Royal Dockyard. The costs of the refits, excluding materials, and relevant dates are as follows:

  Vessel

  Cost/Estimate (£ million)

  Dates of Refit

  HMS Sovereign

  192

  Aug 92 to May 98

  HMS Superb

  200

  Dec 94, due to complete Autumn 98

  The scope and length of both refits were extended to include additional repair work on nuclear steam generators.

  HMS Sceptre is currently undergoing a refit at Rosyth, the cost of which is currently estimated to be £154 million.

  Mr. Maples
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated cost of the refit planned for HMS Spartan. [51963]

  Mr. George Robertson
  HMS Spartan's refit package is still under consideration. It will be constrained to the minimum necessary to enable her to continue in service until 2006. It is too early in the planning process to say what the revised refit package will cost.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Fiji
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on UK relations with Fiji. [52058]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The UK enjoys a warm relationship with Fiji. We welcomed the constitutional amendments implemented by the Government of Fiji in 1997 and Fiji's44
  re-admission to the Commonwealth on 1 October 1997. 3 Fijian Government Ministers have visited the UK in 1998.

  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the current budget for the British Consulate in Fiji; what is the proposed budget for the next financial year; and if he will make a statement. [52060]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The current local budget for the British High Commission in Suva is £351,351 and the estimated budget for the financial year 1999–2000 is £495,187. These figures exclude UK-based staff salaries.

  Right of Abode
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what factors underlie the length of time taken to process the issue of a certificate of entitlement to the right of abode; what plans he has to reduce it; and if he will make a statement. [52641]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Applications at posts overseas for certificates of entitlement to the right of abode are given priority. They represent less than 1 per cent. of all applications received by entry clearance posts. Processing times vary according to the circumstances of each case, but the general aim is to decide certificate of entitlement cases as quickly as possible. Doubtful cases are referred to the Home Office Nationality Directorate in Liverpool. Some applicants are offered DNA testing in order to establish their rights to certificates of entitlement: the average time for this process is 6 weeks. We are satisfied that processing times are generally reasonable.

  Civil and Political Rights Covenant
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the United Nations member states which have not ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. [52607]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  According to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the following UN Member States were non-States Parties to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) at the end of June 1998:Andorra; Antigua and Barbuda; Bahamas; Bahrain; Bangladesh; Bhutan; Botswana; Brunei Darussalam; Burkina Faso; China; Comoros; Cuba; Djibouti; Eritrea; Fiji; Ghana; Guinea-Bissau; Indonesia; Kazakhstan; Lao People's Democratic Republic; Liechtenstein; Malaysia; Maldives; Marshall Islands; Mauritania; Micronesia (Federated States of); Monaco; Myanmar (Burma); Oman; Pakistan; Palau; Papua New Guinea; Qatar; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Samoa; Saudi Arabia; Singapore; Solomon Islands; Swaziland; Tajikistan; Turkey; United Arab Emirates; Vanuatu.

  The following UN Member States' signature of the Covenant had not yet been followed by ratification:
  Honduras; Liberia; Sao Tome and Principe; South Africa.

  This information, which is updated regularly, is also available on the OHCHR's Treaty Bodies Database on the Internet (www.unhchr.ch).

  Mr. Peter Bleach
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when Mr. Peter Bleach first requested information of Her Majesty's Government, to clarify issues relating to his capital charge in Calcutta; and when the required information was sent. [51879]

  Mr. Fatchett
  [holding answer 23 July 1998]: We have no record of a request from Mr. Bleach seeking clarification of his capital charge in Calcutta. The first mention of the capital charge was in the hon. Member's letter of 10 April 1996 to the then Foreign Secretary to which the Minister of State replied on 19 April 1996.

  Cyprus
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what consultations he has held with EU Foreign Ministers over the ban imposed by the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community on meetings between members of both Cypriot communities on the island; [52383]

  (2) what steps he is taking to encourage the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community to remove his ban on meetings between members of both Cypriot communities on the island; [52388]

  (3) what consultations he has held with Turkey and Greece, as co-guarantor powers, over the ban imposed by the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community on meetings between members of both Cypriot communities on the island. [52389]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  We have made clear to Mr. Denktash on numerous occasions that we greatly regret the current suspension on Turkish Cypriot participation in bicommunal activities on Cyprus, and have urged him to lift the current suspension. Bicommunal activities make a valuable contribution to building a foundation of understanding between the two Cypriot communities, which will be essential for the success of a political settlement on the island.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Corporate Tax Bills
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to the oral statement by the hon. Member for Makerfield (Mr. McCartney) of 13 July 1998,Official Report, column 72, what was the basis of the calculation that the Government will cut corporate tax bills by £4.5 billion. [51415]

  Mrs. Beckett
  Over the lifetime of this Parliament, the impact of lower corporation tax rates and more generous capital allowances for small companies is to reduce companies' corporation tax bills by about £12 billion. Against this, the short-term impact of replacing advance corporation tax by quarterly instalment payments is to bring forward some of the tax paid by larger companies. The net effect, in cash terms, is to reduce companies' corporation tax bills by around £4.5 billion in total over the five-year period ending in 2001–02. Once the 46
  temporary timing effects have worked through, corporation tax bills will be about £4 billion a year lower as a result of this Government's reforms.

  The windfall tax and changes to the tax treatment of dividend income do not have any direct effect on the yield of corporation tax.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the impact of(a) corporation tax, (b) the windfall tax and (c) advance corporation tax changes made by the Government on British businesses. [51416]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The financial impact of each of these changes is set out in the Financial Statement and Budget Report. The cuts in corporation tax to the lowest rate ever in the UK and the lowest of any major EU economy, the Welfare to Work programme funded by the tax on the excess profits of the privatised utilities, and simplification of the tax system from the abolition of advance corporation tax, are all contributing to an environment in which businesses can thrive.

  Dounreay
  Mr. McWilliam
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of whether transfers of nuclear material from the UKAEA establishment at Dounreay can explain the historic material unaccounted for; and if she will make a statement. [51807]

  Mrs. Beckett
  In this context, the term "material unaccounted for" (MUF) refers to the difference between a theoretical book inventory and an inventory based on actual physical measurement. Experience shows that one of the main causes of any such difference is the error inherent in measurement, which is unavoidable. The existence of such a difference, whether negative or positive, is not evidence of an actual loss or gain of nuclear material. It is therefore wrong to suggest that the figure for MUF quoted in the UKAEA's document "The Dounreay Shaft Inventory" must correspond to an amount of material that is actually physically missing.

  As previously announced, I have asked the DTI's Safeguards Office (which is responsible for ensuring that the UK complies with its international safeguards obligations) to study the nuclear material accountancy issues raised by the UKAEA document. We shall of course make public the conclusions of that study. It is already clear however what some of the physical causes of 170kg of MUF referred to in the UKAEA report were likely to have been. Some of the material was in fact burnt up in the Fast Reactor. Some was discharged from the site within the discharge authorisations that applied during that period. Exact figures have yet to be determined. They will form part of the published conclusions of the Safeguards Office study.

  The existence of MUF at any nuclear site, or the detailed evaluation of the level of MUF, has properly never been regarded by the nuclear industry as the primary indicator of whether or not material is securely held at such a site. The safety and secure custody of nuclear materials are ensured by a range of separate measures, including physical barriers such as fences and robust buildings, systems to detect intruders, and controlled access.
  47
  Security is a top priority at Dounreay, and as was made clear on 3 June 1998, Official Report, columns 364–65, there is absolutely no evidence that any material has been stolen or fallen into the hands of terrorists or foreign governments.

  I can also confirm that the MUF at Dounreay cannot be attributed to diversion of material to other sites for weapons purposes. Any transfers of material between Dounreay and other sites for whatever purpose are fully documented and accounted for. As a result of an audit of the records requested by this Government, however, it is clear that there were in the past documented transfers from Dounreay which related to UK military programmes. Prior to 1973 when AWRE at Aldermaston and Dounreay were both part of the UKAEA, it is probable that some material transferred from Dounreay to Aldermaston will have been used in the UK weapons programme. This is not the case for any transfers which occurred between 1973 and 1987—when all such transfers ceased—since these involved fuel for use in reactors only.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade on what date she received the proposals prepared by the Atomic Energy Authority on the future of Dounreay. [45871]

  Mr. Battle
  On 17 March 1998, the UKAEA Board considered the future of reprocessing at Dounreay and recommended that no new commercial work be accepted as part of a phased rundown to a complete cessation of reprocessing. The Chief Executive of UKAEA advised officials in the Department of Trade and Industry of the Board's proposed course of action by letter on 19 March 1998. DTI officials then had a number of discussions with UKAEA to check points in the analysis, and they submitted advice to DTI Ministers on 1 May. The President of the Board of Trade consulted her colleagues by letter on 29 May. The Government made the announcement on 5 June that UKAEA would accept no new contracts for commercial reprocessing at Dounreay.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if there is an agreed international standard for year 2000 compliance for computer systems; and if she will make a statement. [51810]

  Mrs. Beckett
  An agreed international standard for Year 2000 compliance of computer systems has not yet been published. The International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) has set up an informal working group, on which the British Standards Institution (BSI) is represented, to consider such a document.

  Mobile Phones
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade which Ministers in her Department have a mobile phone paid for by her Department; and how much money has been spent by her Department in respect of each such mobile phone in the most recent quarter. [52559]

  Mrs. Beckett
  All DTI Ministers have had mobile phones in their cars for many years.

  Office Hours
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what records are kept of the times at which Ministers start work in her Department each day. [52561]

  Mrs. Beckett
  None.

  Key Holders
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade which Ministers in her Department have keys to her Department's offices. [52560]

  Mrs. Beckett
  Keys are available if and as required.

  Telephone Prize Winning Promotions
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will regulate telephone prize winning promotions; and if she will make a statement. [50946]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 17 July 1998]: Premium rate telephone competitions and games with prizes are regulated by the Independent Committee for the Supervision of Standards of Telephone Information Services (ICSTIS), which is the self-regulatory body for the Premium Rate Services (PRS) industry. ICSTIS supervises the content and promotion of PRS competitions via its Code of Practice to which PRS service providers have to conform. PRS service providers' contracts with telecommunications companies require them to observe the code. This creates an effective enforcement mechanism and ICSTIS has, and frequently uses, powers to fine offenders or order disconnection from their services.

  ICSTIS has a good reputation for enforcing its Code of Practice firmly and fairly. Consumers can address complaints to ICSTIS through its Freephone helpline.

  Data Protection
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to implement the Telecom Data Protection Directive 97/66/EC; what assessment she has made of the likely effect on subscribers' privacy; what assessment she has made of the likely effect of the opt-out options for(a) political parties and (b) charities; and if she will list the types of organisations which she is considering under the opt-out scheme. [50365]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 22 July 1998]: The Telecoms Data Protection Directive 97/66/EC contains a number of useful measures which will serve to enhance subscribers' privacy. My Department has carried out a first-stage consultation seeking comments from over 900 telecoms operators and service providers, trade associations, small firms organisations, consumer bodies, direct marketing organisations, directory publishers, and individual subscribers on areas where the Directive allows some discretion on the detail of its implementation. The Directive requires Member States to introduce measures which would allow subscribers either to opt in to receive, or opt out from receiving, unsolicited direct marketing calls. Much of the activity undertaken by political parties and charities is likely to fall outside these provisions. As the next step in the consultation process, the Government will shortly seek comments on draft regulations to implement the Directive.

  Animal Experiments
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade on what occasions during the last 12 months she has been consulted by the Secretary of State for the Home Department about the impact on the United Kingdom science base and the competitiveness of the United Kingdom's science-based industries of proposed measures relating to the regulation of research and development projects involving animals. [50702]

  Mr. Battle
  The President of the Board of Trade and DTI officials have contact with the Secretary of State for the Home Department and his officials on these issues as and when required.

  Odometers and Speed Cameras (Blocking Devices)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to investigate advertisements for devices designed to circumvent(a) odometers and (b) speed cameras. [51288]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  The investigation of complaints about advertisements is a function of the Advertising Standards Authority, which administers the British Codes of Advertising and Sales Promotion. I have brought examples of advertisements relating to the alteration of odometers to the attention of the Authority, which has undertaken to investigate them. I have also asked the Advertising Standards Authority to consider whether action could be taken against anyone advertising devices designed to circumvent speed cameras.

  Energy Review
  Mr. Gummer
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) to which environmental organisations she has sent requests for comments on the proposals in her energy review announced on 25 June 1998, Official Report, columns 1169–85; [51281]

  (2) which environmental organisations she has consulted on the proposals in the energy review which she announced to the House on 25 June 1998, Official Report, columns 1169–85. [51283]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The consultation document was sent free to any organisation requesting a copy. A copy was also posted on the Internet. Copies were also sent to those who have outstanding applications or notifications under the Electricity or Energy Acts, and those who submitted representations in response to the original press notice of 22 December 1997, including English Nature, Friends of the Earth, and the Council for the Protection of Rural England.

  Mr. Gummer
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what meetings she held with Friends of the Earth during the preparation of her energy review which she announced on 25 June 1998,Official Report, columns 1169–85. [51279]

  Mrs. Beckett
  Friends of the Earth submitted two representations to the Review but did not request a meeting.
  50
  Mr. Gummer
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate she has made of the effect on CO2 emission of the measures announced in her review of energy sources for power generation. [51286]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The consultation document setting out the preliminary conclusions of the Government's Review of Energy Sources for Power Generation reaffirms (Chapter 5, paragraph 19) the Government's commitment to meet its climate change targets, and states that the proposals in the consultation document are consistent with a decline in carbon emissions from the electricity supply industry.

  Mr. Gummer
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade which schemes for non-coal fired power generation she has refused during the course of the review of energy sources for power generation; and what is her estimate of the number of such applications refused during that period. [51278]

  Mrs. Beckett
  No schemes have been refused, either under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 or under section 14 of the Energy Act 1976. Consideration of a number of cases has been deferred pending the outcome of the review.

  Mr. Gummer
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what advice she requested from(a) the Government's Panel on Sustainable Development and (b) the Round Table on Sustainable Development in the preparation of her energy review which she announced on 25 June 1998, Official Report, columns 1169–72. [51280]

  Mrs. Beckett
  There was a wide and open consultation on the Review, with representations being received from many different parties. In common with other parties, the two bodies mentioned were not specifically approached for advice. They did not make any representations.

  Mr. Gummer
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to her oral statement of 25 June 1998,Official Report, columns 1169–72, on the Government's review of energy sources for power generation, how many of the independent advisers to which she referred had environmental qualifications; if she will list them; and which of them gave advice on the environmental effects of her proposals. [51284]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The advice received by my Department from external consultants in the Review was in relation to various technical and market-related matters (as set out in paragraph 4 on page 1 of the consultation document) rather than environmental matters.

  London Art Market
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement about the future of the London art market. [50789]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The London art market is a highly successful international market. However, the Government are aware of concerns about its future. Ministers have met representatives of the art trade and understand their fears about the impact of existing, and proposed, European Union legislation. We have established a close liaison with the trade and maintain a regular dialogue with them. It is central to our policies that we should develop partnerships and work together.
  51
  We have always made it clear to the trade that the Government are committed to ensuring that London continues to prosper as a leading international art centre and that we will oppose proposals that could damage the international competitiveness of our art market in relation to third country markets. We will continue to ensure that the trade's views are taken account of in Brussels.

  Aerospace Industry
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the President of the. Board of Trade how many people were employed by the United Kingdom aerospace industry each year for the past five years. [51932]

  Mr. Battle
  On the basis used by the Office for National Statistics, the number of people employed in the UK aerospace industry in each of the five years from 1992 are as follows:

  Year

  Number

  1992

  149,000

  1993

  126,000

  1994

  115,000

  1995

  109,000

  1996

  104,000

  Source:

  Office for National Statistics (Annual Census of Production)

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many people within the Portsmouth area were employed by the United Kingdom aerospace industry in each of the last five years. [51930]

  Mr. Battle
  This information is not available. Although the Office for National Statistics collects data on employment in aerospace businesses in Portsmouth as part of the Annual Employment Survey and Annual Census of Production, the figures cannot be released because they would identify particulars of an individual undertaking, which are confidential under Section 9 of the Statistics of Trade Act 1947.

  Directors' Salaries
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what research her Department has evaluated into the proportion of output costs represented by the salaries of company directors in(a) the UK, (b) other EU countries, (c) Japan and (d) the USA. [52393]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The Department has not carried out any such comparative research; nor is it aware of any such research carried out by others.

  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will state the Government's policy towards substantially above the inflation rate salary increases for senior directors, managing directors and chairmen in the private sector. [52466]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  It is essential for Britain's competitiveness that companies pay full regard to the fundamental Greenbury principles of accountability, transparency, and performance in setting directors' remuneration. The Government believe that a best practice approach to boardroom pay is preferable to one enshrined in legislation, provided best practice is seen to be working. The President made it clear in her speech on corporate governance in March that she believed that 52
  many listed companies were failing to comply with the spirit of the best practice framework. She said that the Government would consider a range of options, including legislation, if there was no evidence of a more positive and responsible approach from companies.

  Post Office
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will limit the negative external financing limit of the Post Office to a maximum of a figure equivalent to 50 per cent. of the Post Office's post-tax profits. [52404]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  As indicated in the Government's memorandum to the Trade and Industry Committee (paragraph 20 of fifth special report published by the Committee on 14 April 1998), the arrangements for setting the Government's financial return from the Post Office are being addressed during the review which was announced by my right hon. Friend on 6 April. We hope to announce our proposals in the Autumn.

  Small and Medium Enterprises
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps her Department is taking to encourage management and employee training and development in SMEs. [51829]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 24 July 1998]: The Department encourages management and employee training and development in SMEs through its network of Business Links which provide companies with information and advice on management development and other training issues.

  In addition, DTI programmes, such as Connect for Better Business, Inside UK Enterprise, and the United Kingdom Benchmarking Index, encourage companies to focus on key business management and training issues. DTI publications, such as Partnerships With People, and Small Business Action Update, also help in this area by disseminating best practice and/or by signposting companies to sources of assistance, such as TECs and other organisations.

  Mobile Telephones (Recycling Schemes)
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list the recycling schemes for mobile telephones which have been notified to her Department. [51401]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  A number of companies, including Alcatel, Ericsson, Motorola, Nokia, and Panasonic are involved in the European Trade Organisation for the Telecommunications and Professional Electronics Industry (ECTEL).

  Under the ECTEL take-back scheme, owners of mobile phones can return them to their nearest BT communication centre, where they will be disposed of in an environmentally friendly way.

  There are also several companies in the UK which are recovering and recycling mobile telephones.

  Utility Regulation
  Gillian Merron
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what response the Government have made to representations received during the consultation period on the Green Paper on utility regulation. [52692]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The Government have received over 250 written representations on the Green Paper, and held discussions with a wide range of interested parties. These indicate strong support for the approach set out in the Green Paper.

  In taking the Green Paper proposals forward, I have had three concerns: first, to create a long term, stable regulatory framework which looks ahead to the next decade, in a world where competition and convergence are growing, and multi-utility companies are emerging; second, to secure a fair deal for all consumers, including the disadvantaged; third, to create a climate in which regulated industries can innovate and improve efficiency, and so become increasingly competitive, by ensuring regulation is consistent, transparent and accountable.

  Full details of our proposals for the new framework of regulation are set out in the Government response published today. We intend to introduce legislation to implement these proposals as soon as Parliamentary time permits.

  We need a regulatory framework which will serve the interests of consumers not only now but over the next decade. Multi-utilities are already a reality. This development has the potential to offer new benefits for consumers. But it also presents new challenges for regulators. We will encourage the regulators to build on the multi-utilities study they prepared in response to the Green Paper. We look to the regulators to set out their priorities and timetable for dealing with the regulatory challenges related to multi-utilities. In addition, the Government will consider further whether legislation is needed to give regulators powers to transfer licences within a group structure to the company which exercises effective control of the regulated activity, and to allow or require joint decision-making for multi-utilities.

  It is also vital that the regulation of gas and electricity reflects growing convergence in the market and encourages competition. We intend to merge OFFER and OFGAS under a single energy regulator, and to provide for separate licences for the supply and distribution of electricity. There will be further consultation in the autumn on the options for legislation to achieve this.

  We need to ensure that the framework for each sector delivers clear benefits for consumers. We will introduce a new primary duty on regulators to protect the interests of consumers. We intend to establish independent consumer councils to promote the interests of all consumers, including the disadvantaged; and to give all regulators powers to impose monetary penalties if companies breach the service standards set by the regulators.

  On the key issue of price regulation, we endorse the three principles set out in the Green Paper that regulators should distinguish between earned and unearned income, that companies should keep profits earned through efficiency savings, and that benefits should flow promptly to consumers when companies benefit from factors outside their control, or have deliberately misled the
  54
  regulators. On price setting mechanisms, regulators should be able to retain RPI-X as the fundamental system of price regulation. But we look to the regulators to consider the exceptional circumstances where it may be appropriate to refine RPI-X to reflect these principles.

  We intend to require regulators to co-operate in developing best practice in this area and to explain publicly how they have applied these three key principles.

  On directors' pay, the Government's message is clear. It is not the Government's job to set the pay of utility company executives. However, the Government believe that there should be a clearer link between the prices utilities can charge their customers and the service standards they achieve. And they believe full information should be available on companies' performance in meeting service standards, and on the links between this performance and the remuneration of senior executives.

  It is important that regulation takes account of the Government's social and environmental objectives, including energy efficiency. We intend to issue statutory guidance to the regulators on these, following full consultation, including consultation with Parliament.

  We also welcome measures in hand by the energy regulators and companies to drive down costs and improve efficiency and choice in gas and electricity, which should benefit disadvantaged consumers. In addition, we are considering the case for further action through the regulatory system to assist disadvantaged energy consumers, such as requiring the distribution networks to make differential charges to supply companies in favour of pre-payment customers. We will act if market developments do not deliver a fair deal for all consumers.

  We intend to introduce legislation to build confidence in regulation by making it open, accountable and consistent. For the energy sector and telecommunications, this will replace individual regulators with full time executive boards composed of a chairman and two others. It will give regulators a new duty to address matters of common interest in an open and accountable way. Regulators will be required to give reasons for key decisions, and to consult on and publish a code of practice so that their consultation and decision making processes are clearer. Regulators will have powers to publish information held by them on the utilities in the interest of consumers, subject to tests in line with the general principles set out in the Freedom of Information White Paper.

  Further consultation is now required in some areas. We intend to get the detail right. But I am confident our proposed changes will create a truly modern regulatory framework, capable of serving consumers well and taking these industries successfully into the next millennium.

  Fiji
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what proposals she has to increase trade between Britain and Fiji; and if she will make a statement. [52059]

  Mrs. Beckett
  UK exports to Fiji grew by more than 43% in 1997 to £10.56 million. The Government's Overseas Trade Services promote UK trade with Fiji, and plan to run two Australasia Showcases in October 1998
  55
  and February 1999 in the UK to promote trade with the Australasian and South Pacific markets, including Fiji. Several promotional events in Fiji itself are also planned.

  Margaret Beckett Research and Administration Trust
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she has now closed the Margaret Beckett Research and Administration Trust. [52335]

  Mrs. Beckett
  Yes.

  Pharmaceutical Pricing Scheme
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if the pharmaceutical pricing scheme for the NHS will be exempted from her proposed competition legislation. [51048]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 17 July 1998]: The Government are not acting as an undertaking in respect of the Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme, and therefore the Competition Bill is inapplicable.

  Ministerial Leave
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she plans to take leave during the summer adjournment; and who will be in charge in her absence. [52190]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 24 July 1998]: Normal arrangements for ensuring cover by duty Ministers over the recess will apply.

  Gas Industry
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what further steps she is planning to promote competition for gas customers. [52600]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The domestic market is now fully open to competition. In addition, the Government's response to the consultation on the utilities review Green Paper "A Fair Deal for Consumers" puts the consumer at the heart of our plans for change.

  Cycling
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade following the Government's announcement of 20 July on measures to promote cycling in the White Paper, A New Deal for Transport, what plans she has to order the removal of the signs on the railings around her Department which forbid the leaving of bicycles. [51935]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  Secure racks are provided for all my Department's staff who come to work in the Victoria area by bicycle—some 4 per cent. of them do, I am glad to report.

  The prohibition on leaving bicycles outside 1 Victoria Street is in place for security reasons—among which is the proximity of the building to this House.

  Strategic Exports
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) if she will make a statement on the measures she has proposed to impose controls on the trafficking and brokering of strategic goods from the UK; [50696]
  56
  (2) if she will make a statement on the suggested measures put forward in the White Paper, Strategic Export Controls, concerning the prior publication of export goods control orders; [50697]

  (3) what estimate her Department has made of the costs of the enforcement of controls on trafficking and brokering in the UK. [50695]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Government's proposals to control trafficking and brokering and to introduce parliamentary scrutiny of Export of Goods Control Orders are clearly set out in the White Paper on Strategic Export Control which was published on 1 July. The hon. Lady will see that the consultation period is underway and is due to be completed on 30 September.

  Section 6 of the provisional Regulatory Appraisal, which was published as part of the White Paper, contains an estimate of the cost of enforcing the proposals on transfers of technology by intangible means and trafficking and brokering.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations her Department has received from companies or individuals who engage in trafficking and brokering activities in respect of strategic goods in the United Kingdom; and if she will make a statement. [50714]

  Mrs. Roche
  In drawing up the proposals contained in the White Paper on Strategic Export Controls, the DTI has received no representations from companies or individuals understood to be engaged in such trafficking and brokering activities.

  Export Credit
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when her Department plans to publish the comprehensive review of the procedures by which export credit licence applications are processed. [50698]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The review to which the hon. Lady refers is an internal review of management and business procedures, leading to a Business Plan for the Export Control Organisation's day-to-day licence processing operations. As this is not a review of export control policy, but concerns details of internal management and efficiency, we do not intend to publish it.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Tourism Strategy
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with the Department for Education and Employment about his proposed tourism strategy. [50779]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  My Department hosted a conference on the New Deal with the Department for Education and Employment in November of last year. A breakfast meeting was held with representatives of the tourism industry at No. 11 Downing street only last week involving both Departments. Those present heard of the excellent achievements of the tourism industry in the intervening period in implementing the New Deal and aspirations of the future.
  57
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what account his Department's tourism strategy takes of sustainable development issues. [50793]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  The Government are committed to enabling tourism growth which is economically, socially and environmentally sustainable and our tourism strategy will reflect that commitment. We have recently undertaken a nationwide consultation exercise on sustainable tourism. The responses to the consultation are currently being analysed and will feed into the development of the tourism strategy which we shall publish later this year.

  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the promotion of tourism in England. [50795]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  My right hon. Friend and I have been working very closely, for some months now, with members of the Tourism Forum and its Working Groups on the development of a new tourism strategy. The strategy, which will be published later this year, will set out our plans for promoting tourism development which is economically, environmentally and socially sustainable.

  National Lottery
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is the total amount of prize money which has been unclaimed from the national lottery since it began its operation. [50780]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  To date, some £226 million in prize money has been unclaimed. After 180 days prizes still unclaimed, together with the interest earned, are paid to the good causes. £180 million of the unclaimed prize money has been given to good causes.

  Mr. Cawsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps the Lottery distributors are taking to make the grant application processs easier for small organisations. [50794]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The National Lottery Act 1998 will help to ensure that more Lottery money reaches small scale projects in local communities. Distributors in Scotland are working together on a scheme which provides a one-stop shop service to community organisations. Distributors in England plan to pilot a similar scheme in the East Midlands this autumn.

  Museums (Access)
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how the Government will extend access to national and designated museums. [50781]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  Last Friday I announced the biggest increase in cultural funding ever seen in this country. This included £100 million for museums and galleries. Subject to achieving clear targets for efficiency and reform, this will enable Trustees of the major national collections—including those which currently charge—to introduce free access for children from next year, for pensioners in the following year, and universal free entry in 2001.
  58
  A £15 million challenge fund will be established to fund new investment in the 43 designated museums around the country which are officially recognised as housing collections of pre-eminent importance.

  Arts Funding (London)
  Mrs. Laing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the funding of the arts in London. [50782]

  Mr. Fisher
  Central Government support for the arts in London is channelled through the Arts Council, and London Arts Board. In 1998/99 the arts in London will receive £12.7 million from the London Arts Board. In addition, national London-based organisations will receive £51.1 million and non-national organisations based in London will receive £14.4 million direct from the Arts Council.

  From March 1995 to May 1998 1,352 projects in London totalling over £405 million received National Lottery arts funding.

  Galleries Funding
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has received on the allocation of funding to galleries. [50783]

  Mr. Fisher
  Representations have been received from both national, designated and local museums and galleries and others, including the Museums and Galleries Commission, the Museums Association, the Association of Independent Museums, and many other interested organisations and individuals. All of these representations have been carefully considered as part of our Departmental Spending Review.

  Many of these submissions point out the continually eroding levels of funding under the last few years of the previous administration, a trend which this Government are finally reversing.

  Royal Parks
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to introduce an entrepreneurial approach to running The Royal Parks. [50784]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  The Royal Parks are a great national asset. I am keen that the Royal Parks Agency makes the most of opportunities to increase its income, for example from events, licences and merchandise, in ways sympathetic to the amenity of the Parks and for the benefit of their upkeep.

  Paralympic Sports
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how his Department is supporting Britain's paralympic sportsmen and women. [50785]

  Mr. Banks
  Our Paralympic sportsmen and women who compete at the highest international levels will be able to benefit from the Lottery funded World Class
  59
  Performance Programme. The programme has so far awarded grants worth a total of £3,267,253 to support 200 elite athletes with disabilities.

  The United Kingdom Sports Institute will also provide first class training and support services for our elite athletes covering a range of Olympic and other non-commercial sports.

  Musical Instrument Teaching
  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he will publish his proposals for encouraging musical instrument tuition in schools. [50786]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  In response to widespread and longstanding concerns about the state of instrumental tuition available to young people, on 24 June I announced the creation of a new Youth Music Trust. The Trust will receive £10 million of Lottery funding a year from the Arts Council of England and will also seek to raise additional funds from the private sector. It will have three key objectives; to champion the cause of music for young people; to attract and distribute funds; and to offer strategic advice.

  Performing Arts Audiences
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what action he is taking to broaden the audience range for the performing arts. [50788]

  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what action he is taking to make the arts available to a wider audience. [50790]

  Mr. Fisher
  It is a core objective of my Department to create access to excellence for the many, not just the few. We are currently doing this through the New Audiences Fund; and on Friday I announced a major injection of new funds for the arts over the next three years which will enable a new contract with the arts sector to deliver our key objectives of access, education and excellence and strengthen the position of the arts as a key part of the creative industries.

  Professional Football Clubs
  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will assess the advantages of appointing an industry regulator to monitor and regulate the activities of professional football clubs in the United Kingdom. [50791]

  Mr. Banks
  My personal preference is for the football authorities to get their own house in order. I have been heartened by the positive response The Football Association has made to Sir John Smith's report on the way football regulates its financial affairs and I will be watching how this is taken forward. I will be considering carefully the forthcoming Task Force report on the commercial aspects of the game.

  Arts Councils (Liaison)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had 60
  with the Scottish Office in respect of liaison between arts councils following the establishment of the Scottish Parliament. [50792]

  Mr. Fisher
  Arts funding has been devolved to national country level since 1 April 1994. The four arts councils of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland liaise regularly on any issues of common interest. I expect that process to continue following the establishment of the Scottish Parliament.

  Channel Four
  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent representations he has received concerning Channel Four; and if he will make a statement. [50796]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  I have received no such representations.

  Minimum Wage
  Miss Kirkbride
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the impact of the minimum wage on employment in the tourism industry. [50772]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  The Government are confident that the National Minimum Wage will improve the quality of service in the tourism and hospitality industry. We share the views of the independent Low Pay Commission; and the Chief Executive of the British Hospitality Association who said that the initial rate recommended by the Commission is"broadly within the range acceptable to the industry".

  BBC Board of Governors
  Sir Raymond Powell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) if he will give a breakdown of the total cost of the application process for the BBC Board of Governors; [51521]

  (2) how many structured telephone interviews were conducted for the BBC Board of Governors; and for which posts; [51517]

  (3) who was on the interviewing panel for the BBC Board of Governors; and what criteria were used to establish membership; [51522]

  (4) how many people applied for each of the vacant positions on the BBC Board of Governors; [51520]

  (5) how many personal interviews for the BBC Board of Governors were conducted; and for which posts; [51523]

  (6) how many (a) women and (b) ethnic minority applicants there were for the BBC Board of Governors as a percentage of the total number of applicants; [51516]

  (7) where and on how many occasions the application process for the BBC Board of Governors was advertised; [51515]

  (8) what interviews were held for the BBC Board of Governors; and for which posts; [51518]

  (9) how the final decision in the selection for the BBC Board of Governors was reached; and who was responsible; [51514]
  61
  (10) what qualifications were sought for successful applicants for the BBC Board of Governors. [51519]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The process for appointing the BBC Vice-Chairman and two Governors was based on the principles set down by the independent Commissioner for Public Appointments.

  Advertisements for the position of Vice-Chairman of the BBC and for two Governor positions, one to chair the English National Forum, appeared in The Sunday Times on 1 March, The Times on 5 March, The Guardian on 2 and 7 March, The Glasgow Herald on 6 March, The Western Mail on 4 March and The Belfast Telegraph on 6 March.

  Candidates had to have, or be able to acquire quickly, the ability to represent the interests of BBC viewers and listeners and of the public at large; an appreciation of the requirements of operating as a board and the management of a large and complex public service and commercial undertaking; sensitivity to and the ability to keep in touch with public opinion on broadcasting issues; and the ability to work in an effective and collegiate manner with other Governors and the senior management of the BBC. Candidates for the position of Vice-Chairman were, in addition, expected to have the qualifications and experience to deputise for the Chairman and possess sufficient influence, experience and weight to act as an effective bridge between the BBC and Parliament. Candidates for the position of the Governor who chairs the English National Forum were expected to have knowledge of the English Regions and be willing to travel extensively within England.

  The recruitment process cost £54,246.23. This comprised £40,486.98 for the advertisements and £13,759.25 for the recruitment consultants.

  388 individuals applied following the recruitment campaign, but a significant number of applicants applied for more than one position. 66 applied for the Vice-Chairman position, 80 for the chair of the English National Forum and 371 for the third Governor position. 31 per cent. of applicants were female and 10 per cent. were from ethnic minorities (though only 55 per cent. of applicants completed the ethnic minority section of the questionnaire).

  The Department's recruitment consultants, Capita RAS, carried out an initial sift of the applications and ranked each candidate against criteria based on the role specifications for the positions. The shortlists of candidates were arrived at following consideration by myself. There were no structured telephone interviews.

  The four shortlisted candidates for the Vice-Chairmanship were interviewed by a selection panel chaired by Robin Young (the Department's Permanent Secretary). The panel also included, in accordance with normal practice, two independent member (Sir Christopher Hogg and Sir Dennis Stevenson), as well as Sir Christopher Bland.

  The shortlisted candidates for the two Governor positions were considered by an advisory panel for public appointments which included independent membership. A final shortlist of candidates, agreed by me was seen by Sir Christopher Bland and the head of the Department's Broadcasting and Media Group.
  62
  My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and I decided, in the light of the advice of the interview panel that Baroness Young of Old Scone should be recommended for appointment as the Vice-Chairman. In the light of interviews for the other positions, they decided that Ranjit Sondhi and Anthony Young should be recommended for appointment to the other Governor positions.

  The final decision on all three appointments was taken by Her Majesty The Queen in Council on 21 July.

  Regional Theatres
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the subsidy, per person attending, that Southern Arts provides to each of the producing theatres in their region. [50607]

  Mr. Fisher
  [holding answer 14 July 1998]: Precise figures are not available. The following figures are taken from the data received as part of the Arts Council of England's Annual Survey of Regularly Funded Organisations for 1996–97: Southern Arts provided the following subsidy per person attending each of the producing theatres in their region.

  £

  Theatres

  Subsidy per person

  Southampton Nuffield Theatre

  5.64

  Salisbury Playhouse

  3.13

  Basingstoke Haymarket Theatre

  1.88

  Newbury Watermill Theatre

  0.37

  'Attendance' includes actual and estimated attendance at all performances and educational events.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans his Department has to correspond electronically with(a) hon. Members and (b) members of the public. [49833]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  [holding answer 13 July 1998]: I and all my Ministers have e-mail addresses through which hon. Members and the public can contact us. These addresses are published on DCMS' website (www.culture.gov.uk). Around 60 members of my staff can also be contacted in the same way.

  Millennium Funds
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what proportion of Millennium Commission money has been allocated to(a) Staffordshire and (b) the West Midlands. [51916]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  This is a matter for the Millennium Commission. I shall write to my hon. Friend in my capacity as Chairman of the Commission, and place copies of my reply in the Library of the House.

  Listed Buildings (Staffordshire)
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many listed buildings there are in Staffordshire(a) in total and (b) by grade. [51913]
  63
  Mr. Banks
  The information requested is as follows

  Grade

  Number

  Grade I

  75

  Grade II*

  347

  Grade II

  4,697

  Total

  5,119

SCOTLAND

  Departmental Vehicles
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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. [49233]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 6 July 1998]: The information requested from my Department (excluding the Agencies and Non-Departmental Bodies) is:

  (a)(i)Vehicles owned—168

  (b) (ii) Vehicles leased—Nil

  (A) fuel types: petrol, diesel and LPG

  (B) Engine cubic capacities from 1600cc to 2500cc

  The vehicles expected to fall due for replacement are:

  Year

  Number

  1998–99

  40

  1999–2000

  46

  2000–01

  49

  Sheep Annual Premium Scheme
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many (i) farmers and (ii) crofters have been found in breach of maintaining adequate stock level records following the introduction of the revised guidelines and associated penalties in respect of the application of the Sheep Annual Premium Scheme and the Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowance Scheme; what is the total amount of subsidy clawed back and penalties imposed to date; and if he will make a statement. [51185]

  Mr. Macdonald
  [holding answer 21 July 1998]: The requirement to maintain an accurate, up to date and continuous flock record has been a fundamental condition of these schemes since 1992. The Sheep and Goats (Records, Identification and Movement) Order 1996 imposed further record keeping requirements on all sheep producers. Administration of these schemes is subject to regular EC scrutiny and successive EC audits have been highly critical of the standard of flock record keeping in the UK generally. The inadequate standards of record keeping displayed by our sheep producers was a major factor in the EC decision to disallow £30.8m of Sheep Annual Premium (SAP) expenditure in the UK in 1994 and additional disallowance on subsequent years'
  64
  expenditure is anticipated. A further consequence of the audit criticism was the decision to double the number of sheep and records inspections conducted during the schemes' retention period each year. It is essential, therefore, that the schemes' record keeping requirements are strictly enforced if disallowance on current and future schemes' expenditure is to be avoided.

  To date, in processing claims received under the 1996, 1997 and 1998 SAP and Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances (HLCA) schemes (and as a result of our inspection visits in a sample of cases), 116 SAP claims and 126 HLCA (Sheep) claims have been rejected because of inadequate flock records; of those claims identified, recovery action has been necessary in 62 SAP cases and 102 HLCA cases, the amounts involved totalling approximately £98,400 and £61,600 respectively. Under the rules of the schemes no differentiation can be made between crofters and farmers.

  Local Authority Debt
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the current level of outstanding debt owed by each local authority in Scotland and the annual cost of servicing this debt. [51756]

  Mr. Macdonald
  [holding answer 21 July 1998]: Table 1 shows, for each local authority in Scotland, the total amount of debt outstanding at 31 March 1997 on each of the main groups of accounts.

  Authorities record the cost of servicing debt on relevant general fund services as loan charges within the general fund account. The cost of servicing debt on the trading and Direct Labour Organisation/Direct Service Organisation accounts is met from charges on the services provided.

  Table 2 shows authorities' provisional estimates of the amount of loan charge payments on the general fund and on the housing revenue account for 1997–98.

  Table 1: Outstanding debt of Scottish authorities at 31 March 1997 as reported in authorities' Capital Debt Outstanding returns for March 1997

  £ million

  Authority

  General fund services1

  Housing revenue account

  Other services2

  Total debt outstanding3

  Scotland

  5,224.324

  4,152.375

  99.586

  9,476.285

  Aberdeen City

  230.525

  142.429

  3.546

  376.500

  Aberdeenshire

  196.124

  157.672

  2.036

  355.832

  Angus

  57.429

  37.793

  1.559

  96.781

  Argyll and Bute

  156.277

  54.623

  1.003

  211.903

  Clackmannanshire

  39.970

  27.399

  0.106

  67.475

  Dumfries and Galloway

  166.610

  110.710

  0.992

  278.312

  Dundee City

  150.947

  111.383

  4.246

  266.576

  East Ayrshire

  87.920

  84.169

  2.147

  174.236

  East Dunbartonshire

  77.046

  44.016

  0.324

  121.386

  East Lothian

  97.602

  46.159

  0.464

  144.225

  East Renfrewshire

  53.372

  26.380

  0.951

  80.703

  Edinburgh City of

  576.881

  247.795

  7.213

  831.889

  Eilean Siar

  114.276

  45.922

  3.044

  163.242

  Falkirk

  102.615

  98.189

  0.240

  201.044

  Fife

  266.032

  213.457

  6.714

  486.203

  Glasgow City

  933.308

  1,088.700

  16.666

  2,038.674

  Highland

  289.338

  231.124

  8.963

  529.425

  Inverclyde

  98.440

  106.165

  4.026

  208.631

  Midlothian

  73.128

  26.407

  0.000

  99.535

  Moray

  85.433

  49.331

  2.394

  137.158

  65

  Table 1: Outstanding debt of Scottish authorities at 31 March 1997 as reported in authorities' Capital Debt Outstanding returns for March 1997

  £ million

  Authority

  General fund services1

  Housing revenue account

  Other services2

  Total debt outstanding3

  North Ayrshire

  101.189

  89.927

  4.686

  195.802

  North Lanarkshire

  248.371

  245.349

  8.480

  502.200

  Orkney

  6.610

  5.580

  4.513

  16.703

  Perth and Kinross

  86.478

  50.901

  0.839

  138.218

  Renfrewshire

  138.583

  142.461

  3.091

  284.135

  Scottish Borders

  122.159

  71.049

  1.096

  194.304

  Shetland

  0.000

  61.086

  0.000

  61.086

  South Ayrshire

  85.664

  61.405

  0.139

  147.208

  South Lanarkshire

  262.544

  249.419

  4.393

  516.356

  Stirling

  96.799

  50.146

  0.904

  147.849

  West Dunbartonshire

  92.762

  91.010

  2.977

  186.749

  West Lothian

  129.892

  84.219

  1.834

  215.945

  1General fund services excludes debt on services such as the urban programme, which are not relevant for loan and leasing charges, and includes debt on housing general fund services

  2 Other services includes debt on non-relevant services such as the urban programme, and debt on trading and Direct Labour Organisation/Direct Services Organisation services

  3Covenant debt is not included table 1

  Source:

  Capital Debt Outstanding 1997 statistical return from authorities

  Table 2: Servicing cost of Scottish Authorities' debt 1997–98

  £ million

  Authority

  General fund servicers1

  Housing revenue account2

  Scotland

  704.964

  478.546

  Aberdeen City

  28.535

  16.183

  Aberdeenshire

  25.391

  15.268

  Angus

  9.123

  3.978

  Argyll and Bute

  20.310

  5.790

  Clackmannanshire

  5.583

  3.898

  Dumfries and Galloway

  20.091

  10.984

  Dundee City

  21.891

  13.775

  East Ayrshire

  11.439

  7.198

  East Dunbartonshire

  10.464

  5.318

  East Lothian

  11.572

  5.753

  East Renfrewshire

  7,626

  2.599

  Edinburgh City of

  82.940

  34.318

  Eilean Siar

  19.435

  6.504

  Falkirk

  16.064

  14.368

  Fife

  32.141

  20.000

  Glasgow City

  116.060

  129.907

  Highland

  36.045

  25.204

  Inverclyde

  11.760

  10.403

  Midlothian

  10.082

  3.619

  Moray

  10.537

  4.369

  North Ayrshire

  14.194

  8.979

  North Lanarkshire

  38.452

  32.706

  Orkney

  5.567

  0.876

  Perth and Kinross

  12.987

  5.310

  Renfrewshire

  21.635

  15.405

  Scottish Borders

  16.199

  6.882

  Shetland

  0.000

  6.805

  South Ayrshire

  10.985

  6.833

  South Lanarkshire

  35.733

  27.356

  Stirling

  11.000

  6.524

  West Dunbartonshire

  13.062

  11.741

  West Lothian

  18.061

  9.693

  1Interest payments plus debt redemption recorded on the general fund by local authorities

  2 Interest payments plus debt redemption recorded on the housing revenue account by local authorities

  Source:

  Provisional Outtum 1997–98 statistical return from local authorities
  66

  Scottish Environment Protection Agency
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what submission he received from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency in advance of the Comprehensive Spending Review for Scotland; what level of grant-in-aid was sought for (i) 1999–2000, (ii) 2000–01 and (iii) 2001–02; what grant-in-aid provision there will be for each year under his proposals; and what assessment he has made of the level of grant-in-aid requested by the agency. [51873]

  Mr. Macdonald
  Officials in the Scottish Office regularly receive information from SEPA concerning current and future levels of funding, and my noble Friend Lord Sewel has recently met SEPA's Chairman and Chief Executive to discuss the outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review. The detailed allocation of resources to SEPA and the other parts of the Other Environmental Services programme is currently being finalised and will be announced in due course.

  Council Tax
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many second homes in Scotland are subject to council tax discount in each council area. [52063]

  Mr. Macdonald
  The information requested is not held centrally.

  Comprehensive Spending Review
  Mr. Jim Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the impact of the Comprehensive Spending Review on provision for Scotland's schools and hospitals. [50526]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 23 July 1998]: Additional investment of £1.8 billion is being made in the NHS in Scotland over the next three years. This extra investment will meet the growing demand for emergency treatment, cut hospital waiting lists well below the inherited levels to 75,000 by the end of this Parliament, reduce the time patients have to wait to be treated and allow the key recommendations to modernise the NHS, set out in the Acute Services Review, to be implemented.

  Additional funding for specific initiatives in schools totals £629 million over the next three years on top of other provision also being made through the Local Government Settlement. The new resources will back our initiative to set stretching targets for improvement for all schools by 2001. They will contribute to the tackling of the backlog of school repairs; class sizes will be reduced in the first three years of Primary School and there will be an Excellence Fund which will target support on projects critical to raising attainment throughout Scotland. The Excellence Fund represents the equivalent of £100 for every school pupil in 1999–2000 rising to more than £150 per pupil in 2000–01.

  River Tweed
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will place in the Library a copy of the Tweed Commissioners' report on the operation of the River Tweed Protection Order on the River Tweed; [52284]
  67
  (2) when he expects to make a final announcement about the proposed revocation of the River Tweed Protection Order; and if he will make a statement. [52285]

  Mr. Macdonald
  A copy of the report by the River Tweed Commissioners and Borders Angling Federation on the operation of the Tweed and Eye Protection Order will be placed in the Library. The report confirms the steps that have been taken, since my noble Friend Lord Sewel's announcement on 24 April, to restore the areas of access lost to anglers and contains a commitment by the authors of the report, riparian owners, and Tweed Foundation to satisfy the various objectives of the Protection Order (access, management, conservation).

  My noble Friend welcomes the steps that have been taken and the recognition within the report of the obligations and responsibility which the Protection Order bestows. The Protection Order for the Tweed and Eye, in common with those elsewhere, will continue to be monitored but, in the light of the progress that has been made, no further revocation action is intended at this time.

  Agricultural Schemes
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if local department officials administering the revised guidelines and associated penalties pertaining to the sheep annual premium scheme and the hill livestock compensatory allowances are eligible for bonus/performance-related payments based on savings achieved; and if he will make a statement. [52551]

  Mr. Macdonald
  No they are not.

  Milk Marque
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the decision by major dairy companies not to submit bids in the Milk Marque July 1998 selling round. [52556]

  Mr. Macdonald
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food today,Official Report, column 79.

  Fisheries Task Force
  Mr. Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish the terms of reference of the task force appointed to review aspects of the Freshwater and Salmon Fisheries Act 1976 and list its members. [52901]

  Mr. Macdonald
  The terms of reference are:"Having regard to the Freshwater and Salmon Fisheries (Scotland) Act 1976 and in particular section 1 to:

  a. review arrangements for applications for Protection Orders. This to include contents of applications, consultation arrangements, advertising etc.;

  b. examine practical arrangements for ensuring that the proposed additional angling opportunities are delivered;

  c. consider what arrangements should be put in place for monitoring and reporting on the operation of POs".

  68
  Members of the Task force have been appointed on the basis of the experience and expertise which it is believed they, individually, can bring to the task rather than as representatives. The names are:

  G. Thomson (Chairman—SOAEFD

  Dr. J. Balfour, CBE, DSc, FRSE

  Mr. D. Dunkley—Inspector of Salmon & Freshwater Fisheries

  Mr. A. D. Forgan—(Scottish Anglers National Association)

  Mr. G. Glen—(Scottish Federation of Coarse Anglers)

  Mr. D. Jamieson—(Institute of Fisheries Management)

  Mr. D. Keith—(Scottish Campaign for Public Angling)

  Mr. B. Davidson (Secretary)—SOAEFD

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Departmental Reviews
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the reviews his Department and its predecessors, initiated in the years(a) 1974–75, (b) 1979–80 and (c) 1992–93. [48516]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 6 July 1998]: Information about reviews for 1974–75 and 1979–80 is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  According to published information, the following reviews were initiated by this Department in 1992–93:

  Pension Law Review.

  Review of National Insurance liability on loan and current accounts.

  Deregulation review of earnings and expenses for national insurance and tax purposes.

  Women
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will list the new policy initiatives she has taken since 1 June 1997 to aid women. [47273]

  Ms Ruddock
  The Ministers for Women have three policy priorities—family-friendly employment, childcare and tackling violence against women. We have also identified three further areas for priority action—putting women's concerns at the heart of Government, dialogue and representation.

  We have taken a range of initiatives to aid women, including:

  The first ever National Childcare Strategy, launched on 19 May, to help parents, especially mothers, balance work and family life by providing high quality, affordable and accessible childcare.

  Work on a national strategy to tackle all forms of violence against women, to be published in the Autumn.

  Support for the family through a commitment to promote family-friendly initiatives, including through the Fairness at Work White Paper and our commitment to implement the Working Time Directive, the Part-time Work Directive and the Parental Leave Directive.

  A new initiative to mainstream the women's perspective into policy-making, launched on 18 May.

  Opening up a dialogue with women, launching our own Website, running two pilot women's juries and commissioning a survey of 1,000 women to seek their views on childcare, family-friendly employment and maternity rights.

  69

  An agreement across Whitehall to the principle that 50 per cent. of public appointments should be filled by women, to ensure their voice is included in decision-making.

  We have also established a powerful Cabinet sub-Committee on women, drawing together Ministers from across all major Government departments to put women's priorities at the centre of Government.

  We have introduced the New Deal for Lone Parents to help lone mothers move from welfare to work; forthcoming increases in Child Benefit and income-related benefits will help families with children; and we have published draft legislation to allow pensions to be shared on divorce.

  Pension Rights (Former German Citizens)
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations the Government have made to the German Government concerning the issue of pension rights for United Kingdom pensioners who as children were stripped of German nationality and transported to the United Kingdom prior to World War II. [49751]

  Mr. Denham
  The Government have not made any representations to the German Government about the level of the German retirement pensions paid to this group of UK retirement pensioners. However, the matter has been raised at official level on several occasions.

  Attendance Allowance
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what conditions must apply before people receiving home care are entitled to an attendance allowance; and what is the value of the allowance. [52220]

  Mr. Denham
  A severely disabled person receiving care in their own home may qualify for Attendance Allowance if they are 65 or over and require help from another person with attention in connection with bodily functions, or they require supervision or watching over. The need for help must have existed for six months prior to the claim. There are two rates of benefit the lower rate, £34.30 and the higher rate £51.30. Detailed conditions of entitlement are set out in the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 Section 64.

  SERPS
  Ms Stuart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the cost of administering SERPS in the last year for which figures are available. [52378]

  Mr. Denham
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Islington North (Mr. Corbyn) on 24 July 1998,Official Report, columns 725–26.

  Pensioners
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of(a) single male pensioners, (b) single female pensioners, (c) married pensioners and (d) all pensioners who are aged (i) 60–64, (ii) 65–69, (iii) 70–74, (iv) 75–79 and (v) 80 years or older are in a household with income below half the national average where income is measured (1) before housing costs and (2) after housing costs. [52386]
  70
  Mr. Denham
  The information is set out in the table, and should be read as, for example, of all single female pensioners aged 80 or over, 28 per cent. live in households with income below half the national average before housing costs.

  Percentage

  Single male pensioners

  Single female pensioners

  Married pensioners

  All pensioners

  Before housing costs

  Age 60–64

  n/a

  (15)

  n/a

  (15)

  Age 65–69

  *14

  23

  17

  18

  Age 70–74

  (16)

  22

  20

  20

  Age 75–79

  *17

  27

  28

  27

  Age 80+

  (21)

  28

  30

  27

  After housing costs

  Age 60–64

  n/a

  24

  n/a

  24

  Age 65–69

  (21)

  33

  18

  21

  Age 70–74

  (29)

  35

  24

  28

  Age 75–79

  (27)

  38

  30

  33

  Age 80+

  (22)

  28

  37

  30

  Notes:

  1. Figures in brackets relate to fewer than 100 adults in the sample; cells where the sample size is fewer than 50 adults are marked by *.

  2. Figures are for 1995–96.

  3. The data come from the Department's Household Below Average Income (HBAI) series, based on the Family Resources Survey (FRS) which covers Great Britain. The FRS data were used to achieve a large enough sample size to provide robust information.

  4. The income measure used is weekly net (disposable) equivalised income. The definition of income used follows that in the published HBAI series for FRS based results. The figures may be sensitive to the choice of equivalisation scale used.

  5. A single pensioner is defined as a single adult of state pension age or over. There are therefore no single male pensioners aged 60–64.

  6. Married pensioners are defined as couples where the man of the benefit unit is of State pension age or over. The age of the man in the couple has been used in the table to define the age of the couple and there are therefore no married pensioners classified as aged 60–64.

  Source:

  Households Below Average Income (HBAI).

  NIRS2
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if the NIRS2 system started operations on 13 July; and what compensation her Department has(a) sought and (b) received for delays involved. [52341]

  Mr. Denham
  Controlled operational usage of NIRS2 began on 13 July 1998. The Department has sought and received compensation totalling £3.732 million for delays in implementing the NIRS2 system.

  Automated Benefit Payments
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what progress has been made in automating Social Security benefit payments at post offices by ICL; [52384]

  (2) if she will make a statement on the future of the benefit smart card scheme. [52385]
  71
  Mr. Denham
  At present 204 post offices in the North-East and South-West of England have been automated and are paying Child Benefit by Payment Card as part of a limited trial.

  The benefit Payment Card is a magnetic stripe card and not a smartcard. The Department of Social Security, Post Office Counters Ltd. and ICL Pathway continue to work together to plan the next stages of the project to introduce the benefit Payment Card.

  Council Tax Relief
  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to her answer of 23 June 1998,Official Report, column 493, if she will list the specific amounts she calculated for individual elements in computing the total amount of personal allowance for council tax relief. [52527]

  Mr. Denham
  The amount of Council Tax Benefit depends on the level of council tax liability, less the amount which the individual is expected to contribute. The rates of personal allowance for Council Tax Benefit are based on those for Income Support, which are intended to cover day to day living expenses. However, the Income Support rates are not set on the basis of a "basket of goods", and there are no separate amounts for specific items.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the impact on the housing benefit budget over each of the next five years if registered rent increases were limited to(a) the RPI, (b) the RPI plus one per cent., (c) the RPI plus five per cent. and (d) the RPI plus 10 per cent. relative to existing spending plans. [52496]

  Mr. Denham
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is restricted to the next three years because Departmental spending plans only exist for those years and is set out in the table.

  The spending plans assumed that these rents will not increase as quickly as they did in the recent past. However, it is possible that Housing Benefit expenditure on registered rents may actually reduce if the Government proposals on limiting fair rent increases are implemented.

  £ million

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  RPI

  -15

  -25

  -25

  RPI+1 per cent.

  -10

  -20

  -25

  RPI+5 per cent.

  -5

  -10

  -10

  RPI+10 per cent.

  +5

  +10

  +20

  Disability Living Allowance
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of the figure of fraud in Disability Living Allowance set out in the Annexe to her report, "Beating Fraud is Everyone's Business", she estimates to result from errors by recipients. [52566]
  72
  Mr. Denham
  As we have explained in the Green Paper "Beating Fraud is Everyone's Business: Securing the Future", estimating fraud in Disability Living Allowance (DLA) presents particular difficulties. This is because entitlement depends on care and mobility needs which are not easily estimated other than through the formal adjudication process. As a result the estimates of confirmed and strongly suspected fraud for DLA will include errors by customers. It is not possible to quantify these.

  Lone Parents (Staffordshire)
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many lone parents in Staffordshire, listed by Benefits Agency district, were in receipt of income support on the most recent date for which figures are available; and how many dependants were in lone parent families on that date. [51911]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The Government are taking action to improve the lives of lone parents on Income Support and their families. The New Deal for Lone Parents is designed to offer lone parents the same choice of improving their families' lives through paid work that parents in couples enjoy. All parents will benefit from the increase from April 1999 in Child Benefit and the corresponding increase in family premium in income-related benefits. Parents on income-related benefits with children under the age of 11 will also receive extra help through the increase in the child allowance in those benefits from November 1998.

  The administration of Income Support is a matter for Peter Mathison, Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Brian Jenkins, dated 24 July 1998:
  The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking for information relating to the number of lone parents and their dependants in receipt of Income Support (IS) in Staffordshire by Benefits Agency District.
  The information requested is contained in the attached annex. It is the latest available and is provisional and may be subject to change.
  I hope that this is helpful.

  Number of lone parents and dependants (in thousands) by Benefits Agency (BA) Districts in Staffordshire—November 1997

  BA district

  Number of Income Support customers in receipt of the family premium (lone parent rate)

  Number of dependants whose parents receive the family premium(lone parent rate)

  North Staffordshire (which includes the offices of Hanley, Longton and Newcastle)

  7,000

  13,000

  Central Staffordshire (which includes the offices of Cannock, Lichfield and Stafford)

  5,000

  9,000

  Derwent and Trent (which includes the offices of Burton on Trent, Derby Beckett Street, Derby London Road and Ilkeston)

  9,000

  19,000

  73

  Number of lone parents and dependants (in thousands) by Benefits Agency (BA) Districts in Staffordshire—November 1997

  BA district

  Number of Income Support customers in receipt of the family premium (lone parent rate)

  Number of dependants whose parents receive the family premium(lone parent rate)

  Wolverhampton (which includes the office of Wolverhampton Temple Street)

  6,000

  12,000

  Total

  27,000

  53,000

  Notes:

  1. Numbers are rounded to the nearest thousand and may not sum

  2. Data are based on a 5 per cent. Sample

  3. Lone parents are defined as claimants receiving the family premium (lone parent rate) and will exclude some single parents who receive a higher value premium, such as the disability or pensioner premium

  4. Dependants are aged 0–18 years

  Source:

  Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry, November 1997

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment she has made of the problems faced by small and medium sized companies in the administration of pension schemes in respect of the millennium bug. [52340]

  SEAC member

  Commercial interests Name of organisation

  Nature of interests

  Non-commercial interests Name of organisation

  Nature of interests

  Professor Sir John R. Pattison (Chairman)

  None

  None

  Medical Research Council

  Senior Medical Adviser to the Chief Executive

  Dr. R. G. Will (Deputy Chairman)

  Unilever

  Share holding

  Department of Health

  Grant Holder

  SmithKline Beecham

  Share holding

  Scottish Home and Health Department

  Grant Holder

  Marks and Spencer

  Share holding

  Medical Research Council

  Grant Holder

  European Commission BIOMED

  Programme Grant Holder

  Office International des Epizooties Expert Group on BSE and Related diseases (1990-present)

  Adviser

  World Health Organisation

  Adviser

  European Union

  Member of the Multi-disciplinary Scientific Committee

  Professor Dr. A. Aguzzi

  Boehringer Ingelheim

  Consultancies on an occasional basis

  Swiss National Foundation No: 31–36059.92 3100–040827.94

  Principal investigator

  Abbott Laboratories (Chicago)

  Support of some laboratory costs e.g. care of mice, instrumentation

  Cancer League of the Kanton Zürich

  Principal investigator

  Immuno AG (Vienna)

  Support of some laboratory costs e.g. care of mice, instrumentation

  European Union No. BMH1-CT93–1142

  Co-investigator

  National Institutes of Health U.S.A. No. 1-ROI-NS33377–01

  Co-investigator

  Swiss National Research Program NFP38 and NFP38+

  Principal investigator

  Professor J. W. Almond

  Medeva

  Consultant

  Society for General Microbiology

  Member of Council

  74
  Mr. Denham
  Information about pension scheme administration systems is not collected centrally. Many of the smaller occupational pension schemes are, of course, administered by insurance companies or specialist firms of pensions consultants. My hon. Friend the Minister for Small Firms, Trade and Industry is responsible for the Action 2000 programme which is actively promoting awareness among small and medium sized enterprises about year 2000 compliance in the operation of their businesses.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will provide updated details of the commercial and non-commercial interests of the members of the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee which would potentially conflict with responsibilities incumbent on a member of the Committee. [53226]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  Members of the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee (SEAC) are not required by law to declare their commercial and non-commercial interests as this is a scientific advisory committee with no trading or financial objectives. However, in the interests of open government, the members of SEAC provide such information and the interests declared by members are listed in the following table.
  75

  SEAC member

  Commercial interests Name of organisation

  Nature of interests

  Non-commercial interests Name of organisation

  Nature of interests

  Professor J. W. Almond (cont.)

  Cobra Therapeutics

  Consultant

  Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council

  Chairman of the Working Group of the Biology of the Spongiform Encephalopathies Programme

  Arpex Biosciences Ltd.

  Consultant

  Professor R. M. Anderson

  Scientific Advisory Boards:

  The Wellcome Trust

  Governor

  —Decode

  Member of Board

  —IMS

  Member of Board

  IBHSC Ltd.

  Director

  Dr. C. J. Bostock (Appointment as an expert from the Institute for Animal Health (IAH), a Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council sponsored institute)

  Marks and Spencer Plc.

  Share holding

  The U.K. and some overseas Governments

  Research contracts with the IAH

  J. Sainsbury Plc.

  Share holding

  Non-governmental organisations and companies, spanning a wide range of interests including food, agriculture, chemicals and pharmaceuticals. Further details of the customers of IAH can be found on the Institute's Web Site (www.iah.bbsrc.ac.uk)

  Research contracts with the IAH

  Mr. R. Bradley

  Taylor By-Products

  Adviser

  Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

  Adviser

  European Natural Sausage Casings Association

  Adviser

  Veterinary Laboratories Agency

  Adviser

  Meat and Livestock Commission

  Adviser

  World Health Organisation

  Adviser

  National Dairy Council

  Adviser

  Office International des Epizooties

  Adviser

  Jackson and Walker (Attorneys, Counsellors)

  Adviser

  European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products

  Adviser

  Kraft, Jacobs, Suchard

  Adviser

  Food and Agriculture Organisation (UN)

  Adviser

  National Renderers Association Inc.

  Adviser

  European Commission

  Adviser

  Fats and Proteins Research Foundation Inc.

  Adviser

  National Governments and individuals; especially in Africa, Europe and the Americas

  Adviser

  Dr. R. Öberthur

  Adviser

  F. D. Bisplinghof and Associates Inc.

  Adviser

  Professor F. Brown

  None

  None

  None

  None

  Professor J. Collinge

  None

  None

  Wellcome Trust

  Research Grant Holder

  Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council

  Research Grant Holder

  Department of Health

  Research Grant Holder

  European Commission BIOMED programme

  Research Grant Holder

  Medical Research Council

  Research Grant Holder

  Motor Neurone Disease Association

  Chairman, Research Advisory Panel

  World Health Organisation

  Adviser

  Professor A. Ferguson

  None

  None

  Medical Research Council

  Grant Holder

  Scottish Home and Health Department

  Grant Holder

  Wellcome Trust

  Grant Holder

  Marlow Foods

  Grant Holder re clinical research

  Norgine

  Adviser, collaborations re clinical research

  Astra Pharmaceuticals

  Adviser, collaborations re clinical research

  Nutricia

  Adviser, collaborations re clinical research

  Shering Plough

  Adviser, collaborations re clinical research

  76 77

  SEAC member

  Commercial interests Name of organisation

  Nature of interests

  Non-commercial interests Name of organisation

  Nature of interests

  Dr. I. N. Goodfellow

  SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals

  Senior Vice President, Discovery Worldwide, (Head of research worldwide)

  SmithKline Beecham

  Share holding

  Axys (an American Biotechnology Company)

  Share holding

  Hexagene (A U.K. Biotechnology Company)

  Major share holding

  Professor W. Hueston

  Mullin, Hoard and Brown (Solicitors)

  Consultant

  Food and Drug Administration (USA)

  Adviser

  Cytotherapeutics

  Consultant

  Datascope

  Consultant

  Professor H. Kimbell

  Bass Plc.

  Small share holding

  Tesco's Plc.

  Small share holding

  Dr. R. H. Kimberlin

  Pharmaceutical Industry (world-wide)

  Consultant

  National Governments in Europe the Americas and Australasia

  Adviser

  Meat and Livestock Commission

  Consultant

  Dr. M. J. Painter

  None

  None

  None

  None

  Mr. D. B. Pepper

  The Veterinary Defence Society Ltd.

  Director and Claims Consultant

  None

  None

  Pfizer Animal Health (Pfizer Ltd.)

  Adviser

  Intervet International BV (Netherlands)

  Adviser

  Intervet UK Ltd.

  Professor P. G. Smith

  None

  None

  Department of Health

  Grant Holder

  Dr. W. A. Watson

  Farmer

  None

  None

  ADAS

  Adviser

  Pan Livestock

  Adviser

  Huntings Pic.

  Adviser

  Landell Mills Pic.

  Adviser

  None

  None

  Fisheries Research
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the future of the fisheries research laboratory at Conwy. [53227]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  The laboratory at Conwy is part of the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), an Executive Agency of MAFF. Consistent with the Agency's obligation to provide an efficient and effective scientific service, CEFAS has been reviewing the future requirements for this laboratory. Conwy is the smallest CEFAS laboratory and currently has spare capacity. The Agency has explored whether it is realistic for this to be taken up by new work or whether it would be more efficient to relocate the existing functions to another CEFAS site.

  The review has concluded that, in the interests of adapting CEFAS's structure to the longer term needs of its customers in an increasingly competitive market, the programme of work currently carried out at Conwy should be transferred to other CEFAS sites. As a result, the Agency plans to vacate the Conwy laboratory by March 2000. It is intended to move the shellfish and fish cultivation work programme and the majority of staff presently based at Conwy to the CEFAS Weymouth laboratory, and the work on coastal zone management and
  78
  the environmental effects of fishing to the Agency's laboratory at Lowestoft. CEFAS has initiated a resettlement programme that will allow as many as possible of the science specialists at Conwy to continue their work at the new locations. Redundancies will be kept to a minimum. Recognising local concerns, in disposing of the Conwy site we will be sympathetic to bids that propose to make use of the facilities to support the Welsh fishing industry.

  The consolidation of work at CEFAS's laboratories at Weymouth and Lowestoft will improve the utilisation of existing facilities. It will enable the Agency to provide a more cost effective service to its customers and enhance its position as a world leader in the areas of environment, fisheries and aquaculture science.

  Milk Marque
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the decision by major dairy companies not to submit bids in the Milk Marque July 1998 selling round. [52553]

  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will refer to the Office of Fair Trading the latest round of milk sales by Milk Marque and the decision by major milk processors not to enter bids. [52473]
  79
  Mr. Rooker
  The supply of raw milk in Great Britain is currently the subject of an inquiry by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission (MMC), which will be able to take into account the latest round of milk sales during its investigations. The MMC is due to report to my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade in the Autumn.

  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received concerning the latest round of milk sales by Milk Marque. [52472]

  Mr. Rooker
  We have received representations from various milk industry interests.

  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to intervene in the current dispute between the dairy industry and Milk Marque. [52647]

  Mr. Rooker
  None. This is a matter for the competition authorities.

  Action with Communities in Rural England
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 7 July 1998,Official Report, column 499, on his address to Action with Communities in Rural England, what other titles for the address were discussed (a) by Ministers and (b) with officials. [52401]

  Mr. Rooker
  Earlier this year my right hon. Friend accepted an invitation to address the annual ACRE conference. At that time no final decision had been made by ACRE about the title of the conference. ACRE considered entitling their conference "Towards a Ministry of Rural Affairs" but finally decided to entitle it "Towards a new Government strategy for Rural Affairs". The speech which I delivered was entitled 'An Integrated Strategy for Rural Affairs'; alternative titles for the speech were not discussed with Ministers or officials.

  Seeds Regulations
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what steps he intends to take following appeal court judgment (Regina v Secretary of State for the Environment and MAFF ex parte Watson) in respect of current national seed listing trials deemed to be in breach of current regulation; [52492]

  (2) following the Appeal Court judgment (Regina v Secretary of State for the Environment and MAFF ex parte Watson), what is the earliest date he expects genetically modified plant varieties to be available for commercial planting. [52493]

  Mr. Rooker
  I do not expect genetically modified plant varieties to be commercially available in the UK before the 1999 growing season at the earliest. As regards the action I propose to take in respect of varieties currently in trials, the Court of Appeal took the view that the position ought to be resolved speedily across the board. I am therefore seeking urgent legal advice as to how this can be done most effectively for all plant varieties currently in National List tests and trials, where those varieties are of a species to which Regulation 11(3) of the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 1982 (as amended) applies.

  Rural England White Paper
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 9 July 1998,Official Report, column 628, if he will list where the (a) seminars and (b) other meetings on the Rural England White Paper took place; and which organisations and individuals attended on each occasion. [51477]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  [holding answer 23 July 1998]: Attendance at the seminars on the Rural England White Paper was by invitation only. A list showing the dates and locations of the seminars, along with lists of delegates invited, including details of the organisations they represented, have been placed in the Library of the House.

  Numerous other meetings were held in relation to the White Paper, "Rural England". These were attended by a range of organisations representing a cross section of rural interests. It is not possible to provide the detailed information requested about the attendance and location of these meetings without disproportionate cost.

  Pig Offal
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take measures to prevent the import of pig meat produced using rendered pig offal. [52013]

  Mr. Rooker
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the right hon. Member for Haltemprice and Howden (Mr. Davis) on 16 July 1998,Official Report, column 307.

  Sheep Annual Premium
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to be able to make each of the three payments under the sheep annual premium scheme; and for what reasons no first payments have yet been made of the premium for 1998. [51926]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  Payment of the first advance of the 1998 Sheep Annual Premium is underway (in line with the normal timetable of recent years) and will be completed next month. The second advance should be paid during November and the final balances in April 1999. The European Commission sets the rates for each of the three payments and individual payments to farmers cannot be made until those rates have been published in EU Regulations.

  Set-aside Land
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total acreage of land in set-aside in the United Kingdom on 1 July 1998. [51852]

  Mr. Rooker
  The total acreage of land set aside in the United Kingdom under the Arable Area Payments Scheme for 1998 will not be known until all the applications under the Scheme have been checked and collated. I will write to my hon. Friend when the information is available.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his Department's average
  81
  response time to correspondence from members of the public; and how such response times are monitored. [48635]

  Mr. Morley
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Office of Public Service on 14 July 1998,Official Report, column 159. The Ministry and its agencies monitor all relevant correspondence from the public, but keep records only of the number of letters received and whether they were answered within published targets. Information on average response times is therefore not available.

MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO

  Millennium Dome (Employment)
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio what assessment he has made of the effects of the Millennium Dome on employment in the London area. [50800]

  Mr. Mandelson
  The New Millennium Experience Company has provided £1 million to establish the Greenwich Local Labour and Business scheme to provide training and employment for local people. The latest figures show that through this scheme more than 550 people have found employment, including over 200 people working on the Dome site. More than 650 people have taken up training courses.

  The economic benefits of building the Millennium Dome reach far beyond Greenwich and London. Specialist construction contractors throughout the country are creating and protecting jobs as a direct result of their work on the Dome. In all more than 2,000 jobs have been created in the construction phase of the project.

  Millennium Dome (Architects' Fees)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will make a statement on the cost to date of the architects' fees for the Millennium Dome. [50801]

  Mr. Mandelson
  The architects' fees are calculated on the basis of a percentage of the construction costs which are very tightly controlled. The contractual arrangement regarding the fees is commercial in confidence.

  Millennium Experience (Young People)
  Mr. Rammell
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will make a statement on his estimate of the level of involvement by young people in the planning of the Millennium Experience. [50802]

  Mr. Mandelson
  The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) has established 12 Youth Councils for the English regions, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales to consult young people throughout the UK on the Millennium Experience. Members were nominated by headteachers, local authority education directors and youth organisations from around the UK. The Company has also set up a UK wide Youth Council to advise the Company on how the Dome and its associated Learning Experience will impact upon young people. The first meeting of the UK Millennium Youth Council was held in London on 16 July.
  82

  Millennium Experience (Regions)
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio what recent representations he has received about replicating the experience of the Millennium Dome in the regions. [50803]

  Mr. Mandelson
  I have received no representations about replicating the experience of the Millennium Dome in the regions. The Dome is the centrepiece of a UK wide celebration of the Millennium. There will be projects, events and activities all round the country in the year 2000. For example in my hon. Friend's region there will be the National Discovery Park in Liverpool and the National Wildflower Centre on Merseyside. There will also be a wide range of sporting events which will form part of the Millennium Festival.

  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio what plans he has to link the Millennium Experience with Millennium events in other parts of the country. [50806]

  Mr. Mandelson
  The New Millennium Experience Company is organising a dedicated national programme of events and activities throughout the country related to the Dome. The NMEC is also discussing with the Millennium Commission the possibility of collaboration between the Dome and the flagship projects funded by the Commission.

  Millennium Dome (Sponsors)
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will make a statement on progress in attracting private sector sponsorship for the Millennium Dome. [50805]

  Mr. Mandelson
  I refer to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Buckingham (Mr. Bercow) earlier today.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio what undertakings he has given to sponsors of the Millennium Dome. [50804]

  Mr. Mandelson
  As shareholder of the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) I have offered no undertakings to sponsors. Whilst retaining overall editorial control to ensure the integrity of the Millennium Experience the NMEC are offering sponsors a range of benefits depending on the level of sponsorship involved.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio what ethical criteria he applies in selecting potential sponsors for the Millennium Dome. [49152]

  Mr. Mandelson
  [holding answer 7 July 1998]: In identifying potential sponsors, the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) are determined to maintain the integrity of the project as the focus for the nation's millennium celebrations, and to ensure that any sponsorship arrangement does not diminish the inclusive nature of the Experience. These broad considerations underpin the Company's decisions in respect of its commercial income target.

  Millennium Experience (Budget)
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio what is the current budget for each of the zones in the Millennium Experience. [45132]
  83
  Mr. Mandelson
  The budget for each zone is commercially confidential. To reveal it would damage the New Millennium Experience Company's (NMEC) negotiating position with designers, sponsors and contractors.

  Millennium Experience (Logo)
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio what plans he has to make a large-scale model of the figure in the New Millennium Experience logo. [45563]

  Mr. Mandelson
  [holding answer 15 June 1998]: The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) is currently considering this idea.

  Millennium Dome (Power Supply)
  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio what contingency plans have been made to maintain the supply of power to the Millennium Dome in the event of a collapse of the power supply system. [46457]

  Mr. Mandelson
  The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) has designed a degree of resilience into the supply to the Dome site and the site infrastructure such that minor power failures would not disrupt the running and operation of the Millennium Experience. In the event of a total and sustained power failure, the NMEC will be able to maintain safety systems.

  Millennium Dome (Human Figure)
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio (1) what will be inside the giant human figure in the Millennium Dome; [47278]

  (2) what is the estimated cost of the giant human figure in the Millennium Dome; [47277]

  (3) if he will publish the tender document for the giant human figure in the Millennium Dome; [47281]

  (4) if he will make a statement on the sex of the giant human figure in the Millennium Dome; [47282]

  (5) which firms will be responsible for creating the giant human figure in the Millennium Dome; [47279]

  (6) if he will make a statement on the proposals for a giant human figure in the Millennium Dome; [47283]

  (7) how many giant human figures there will be in the Millennium Dome. [47276]

  Mr. Mandelson:
  [holding answer 23 June 1998]: In order to ensure adequate visitor flow, proposals for the Body Zone now involve two large human figures, one male and one female, brought together as a single structure. Visitors will be able to walk inside the figures and explore and experience the wonders of the human body: how it works, how it has developed; and what the future holds. The overall Body Zone will also address wider issues such as genetics, lifestyles, and medical discoveries.

  The designers of the Zone are HP:ICM. The cost of the figures within the Body Zone is commercially confidential at this stage. To reveal it would damage the New Millennium Experience Company's (NMEC's) negotiating position with potential sponsors and
  84
  contractors. There will be a range of tenders for different works in all the exhibit zones such as heavy structural work, IT equipment, and sound and lighting systems.

  Millennium Dome (@ Now Zone)
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio what changes he has made to plans for the @ Now Zone since May 1997. [48826]

  Mr. Mandelson
  Plans for all the exhibit zones within the Millennium Experience are a matter for the New Millennium Experience Company. The exhibits are the subject of ongoing development as part of an interactive creative process to ensure that come 31 December 1999 and throughout the year 2000, the Experience will excite, entertain and educate in a way which will be the envy of the world.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio if the body deciding the contents of the @ Now Zone includes representatives from the Yorkshire and Humberside Region. [48831]

  Mr. Mandelson
  The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) is responsible for deciding the content of all zones in close liaison with other relevant parties, including sponsors. The Company aims to ensure that views from across the country inform the development of the UK @ Now Zone.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio who will provide the exhibits and plan the theme of the @ Now Zone. [48823]

  Mr. Mandelson
  The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) is responsible for the delivery of each zone and has editorial control over the content, story line and theme of each exhibit, including the UK @ Now Zone.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio if the @ Now Zone will include exhibits relating to regional cultural identities. [48832]

  Mr. Mandelson
  The New Millennium Experience Company is currently considering the nature and scope of the exhibits within the UK @ Now Zone. Regional cultural identity is one of the many issues which the Company, with the sponsors and other relevant groups, will address in taking forward the development of the zone.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio if sponsors in the @ Now Zone will be exclusively British. [48824]

  Mr. Mandelson
  It is likely that the sponsors will be British based companies. As already announced, Marks and Spencer are part sponsoring this zone.

  Millennium Dome (Fourteenth Zone)
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio what will be the theme of the fourteenth zone of the Millennium Dome. [49178]
  85
  Mr. Mandelson
  The theme of the fourteenth zone will be "Mobility". This zone will examine how we will travel in the future, locally, nationally and internationally.

  Millennium Dome (Air Conditioning)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio, pursuant to his answer of 17 March 1998,Official Report, column 602, what special technical measures are being taken, at what extra cost, to ensure the proposed air-conditioning system for the Millennium Dome does not leak HFCs into the environment in excess of 1 per cent. [49240]

  Mr. Mandelson
  [holding answer 7 July 1998]: The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) will employ a number of methods and techniques in order to ensure that the target of less than 1 per cent. emission is met. These include regular inspections by technicians together with automated detection and alarm systems. All costs will be met from within the existing budget for the project.

  Millennium Dome (Athletics Facilities)
  Mr. Stringer
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio what are the funding arrangements for the proposed athletics facilities in the Millennium Dome. [49653]

  Mr. Mandelson
  There are no proposed athletics facilities in the Millennium Dome.

  London City Airport
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio what insurance costs are being borne by the New Millennium Experience Company in respect of London City Airport. [50742]

  Mr. Mandelson
  The presence of the Dome structure has implications for the alternative take-off and landing routes for London City Airport in certain rare weather conditions. The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) reimburses London City Airport for the insurance policy which covers the cost of redirecting aircraft in those rare circumstances. The costs of that policy are £22,000 until the end of 1998 and £17,500 per year thereafter.

  Millennium Dome (Serious Play Zone)
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio what consultations his Department has had regarding the content of the serious play zone of the Millennium Dome. [47394]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  I have been asked to reply.

  Officials in my Department provide support to the Minister without Portfolio in his capacity as sole shareholder of the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) and are in regular contact on all issues relating to the Millennium Dome, including its content. My officials will continue to monitor the Dome's progress and will consult with other interested parties as and when necessary.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Departmental Reviews
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the reviews his Department and any predecessors, initiated in the years(a) 1974–75, (b) 1979–80 and (c) 1992–93. [48517]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  [holding answer 6 July 1998]: The information requested is not readily available. However a search of the Parliamentary Questions' database (which holds information from 1979 onwards) has revealed during 1979–80 (in the then Civil Service Department) a review of the Government statistical services; and during 1992–93 (in the then Office of Public Service and Science) a review of open government.

  Government Staff
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what proportion of those in employment are employed by central Government or agencies of central Government in terms of(a) numbers and (b) percentages for (i) full-time and (ii) part-time employment. [50630]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The numbers and proportions of full and part time UK employees and Civil Servants at the start of 1998 are set out in the following table:

  All employees

  Civil Servants

  employees

  Number

  Per cent.

  Full-time

  17,564,000

  446,000

  2.5

  Part-time

  5,816,000

  59,000

  1.0

  Total

  23,380,000

  505,000

  2.2

  Notes:

  1. Civil Servant figures are on headcount basis and include both permanent and casual employees

  2. Approximately 10,000 Civil Servants are located outside the United Kingdom. They are included in the Civil Service figures above

  3. The Northern Ireland Civil Service is not included

  Channel Tunnel
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if the operations of the company managing the Channel Tunnel will be covered by the proposed Freedom of Information Act. [51213]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The proposed Freedom of Information Act is intended principally to cover the public sector but it will also extend to private sector companies where these companies are carrying out functions conferred on them by statute. The two companies which form Eurotunnel, the Channel Tunnel Group Ltd and France-Manche SA operating under the Channel Tunnel Concession Agreement are commercial organisations whose management of the Channel Tunnel does not fall into this category. Eurotunnel itself will not therefore come within the scope of the proposed Freedom of Information Act, although information relating to Eurotunnel held by the relevant public authorities will be within scope.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what assessment he has made of the consistency of Clause 33.3 of the Treaty of Canterbury with the Government's policy of open Government. [51373]
  87
  Mr. Kilfoyle
  Clause 33.3 of the Channel Tunnel Concession Agreement signed in 1986 states that each of the parties to that Agreement and the Intergovernmental Commission and the Safety Authority,"shall hold in confidence all Documents and other information whether technical or commercial supplied to them by or on behalf of any other party hereto relating to the Fixed Link and shall not save as required by law or procedural practices publish or otherwise disclose the same otherwise than for the purposes contemplated by [the Agreement]".

  The reference to "law or procedural practices" ensures that the provision is consistent with the requirements of the current Code of Practice on Access to Government Information and, when it comes into force, our proposed Freedom of Information Act.

  Departmental Insurance
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster which Government departments and agencies are self-insured and which have insurance cover through the insurance market in respect of compulsory employers' liability insurance. [50632]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  Government departments and agencies are not bound by the Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969. Therefore departments and agencies are not statutorily required to insure the risks which may arise under the Act. Departments and agencies may decide to insure or not to insure on value for money grounds. That is a decision for each department and agency and no central record is kept.

  Departmental Claims (Injury and Illness)
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the total amount for each of the last three years paid by each Government department to Government staff in respect of claims brought by them for personal injury or occupational illness by way of(a) damages and (b) legal costs. [50629]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  This information is not held centrally.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Training
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he is taking to minimise the bureaucratic burden on private sector employers participating in New Deal programmes, with particular reference to training contracts. [52346]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  New Deal was designed following consultation with a wide range of organisations including private sector employers. The administrative arrangements for employers participating in the New Deal are straightforward. Their obligations and the level of service they can expect from New Deal are set out in the Employer Agreement. Employers are free to make their own arrangements for securing the training the young people they recruit under New Deal are entitled to. Alternatively that training can be arranged on behalf of the employer by the Employment Service (ES). No contract with the employer, beyond the Employer Agreement, is involved in either case.
  88
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what further support he will offer to New Deal trainees in support of their Gateway activities after their initial period has elapsed. [52347]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Throughout their time on New Deal young people will receive the support of a Personal Adviser. During Gateway, each young person will in addition have access to independent careers advice and specialist help to overcome the particular barriers to employment that they are facing. When a young person's difficulties are particularly serious or far-reaching or when a particular difficulty does not come to light until they have started on an option, then the young person can continue to have access to specialist Gateway services while they are on their chosen Option. The over-riding aim is to help young people into sustained employment through specialist services, counselling, advice, time on a New Deal Option, and, if necessary, further help as part of the Follow Through arrangements.

  Schools (Extra-curricular Opportunities)
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he is taking to instruct schools to incorporate in their prospectuses a statement of the extra-curricular opportunities offered by that school; and if he will make a statement. [52650]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  My Department has recently issued revised guidance to schools on the content of school prospectuses. All schools must include in their prospectus a statement on the ethos and values of the school. The guidance recommends that schools cover their main extra-curricular activities in the statement on ethos and values. The guidance also recommends that schools include in their prospectus a statement on the school's arts policy and provision.

  Sex Education
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will issue advice to secondary schools about informing pupils of the dangers to health of unprotected sex. [52345]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  All maintained secondary schools are already statutorily required to provide sex education, including education about HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections. We intend to disseminate existing good practice more widely. We are, with the Department of Health, considering sex and relationships education in the context of the Government's health strategy.

  Student Funding
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what level of per capita funding the Government plan for further education students in each year from 1998–99 to 2001–02. [51836]

  Dr. Howells
  The planned public funding per full-time equivalent student in Government-funded further education in 1998–99 is £2,840. The figure for 1999–2000 will reflect the planned one per cent. efficiency saving for that year announced in the White Paper "Comprehensive Spending Review: new public spending plans 1999–2000" (Cmnd 4011). Further details about our plans for 1999–2000, and the provision that we intend to make for 2000–2002, will be announced in the autumn.
  89
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what level of per capita funding the Government plan for higher education students in each year from 1998–99 to 2001–02. [51831]

  Dr. Howells
  Publicly planned provision for higher education for 1998–99, including contributions to tuition fees from public funds and from students, implies funding of £4,704 per student. In 1999–2000, there will be an extra £280 million for universities, colleges and students, a 5.7 per cent. cash increase for higher education. Further details of funding for 1999–2000, along with later years, will be announced in due course.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the level of per capita funding provided by the Government for students in higher education in each year from 1992–93 to 1997–98. [51830]

  Dr. Howells
  The level of public funding per student in higher education in each of the financial years 1992–93 to 1997–98 is shown in the following table:

  £

  1992–93

  5,760

  1993–94

  5,422

  1994–95

  5,278

  1995–96

  5,027

  1996–97

  4,705

  1997–98

  4,572

  Note:

  Figures are in real terms at 1997–98 prices. Research funds were transferred from DfEE to the Research Councils in 1992–93 and 1993–94 (leading to high unit costs in these two years), and they reflect changes in the way students were counted to include continuing education students from 1995–96

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the level of per capita funding provided by the Government for students in further education in each year from 1992–93 to 1997–98. [51832]

  Dr. Howells
  The public funding per full-time equivalent student in Government-funded further education from 1993–94 to 1997–98 is shown in the following table:

  £

  1993–94

  3,080

  1994–95

  3,040

  1995–96

  2,930

  1996–97

  2,920

  1997–981

  2,900

  1Estimated

  Notes:

  1. The figures are given in cash terms and rounded to the nearest £10

  2. No figure is available for 1992–93 on a comparable basis with the above series

  Key Stage 1
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make it his policy to publish Key Stage 1 results together with average class sizes for all primary schools. [52563]
  90
  Ms Estelle Morris
  We have in hand an extensive programme of improvements to both the secondary and primary performance tables. We will continue to keep this matter under review.

  Dance and Drama
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many places at dance and drama schools are being supported by the interim funding scheme; and if he will make a statement. [52649]

  Dr. Howells
  540 students in interim funding scheme places have so far received support during 1997–98.

  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he expects to announce long-term arrangements for the funding of students of dance and drama; and if he will make a statement. [52651]

  Dr. Howells
  An announcement on the long-term arrangements for funding students of dance and drama is planned for the Autumn, subject to continued successful development work.

  Information Technology
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what funding is provided for in-post IT training and updating for education professionals in(a) primary schools, (b) secondary schools and (c) further and higher education; and if he will make a statement. [52102]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  IT training in primary and secondary schools

  Content of in-service training for education professionals in primary and secondary schools is for schools and LEAs to decide. Separate figures are not available on amounts spent on IT training.

  Funding for specific initiatives to ensure that all teachers are confident and competent in ICT use is as follows:

  £230 million to be available through National Lottery funding in the period up to 2002, to train 450,000 teachers in the effective use of ICT;

  £100m Standards Fund available 1998–99 to support the establishment of the National Grid for Learning (to cover networking; Internet connection; hard-and software, basic training not covered by the lottery initiative);

  £23 million this financial year for the Multimedia Laptop Portables Scheme, to enable teachers to gain hands-on experience of computers.

  IT training in further and higher education

  The Further Education Funding Council is promoting a new staff development initiative, the Quality in Information and Learning Technology (QUILT) programme, with an injection of £1.9m over a five-year period from 1997.

  Colleges themselves invest considerable funds in developing their staff, but figures are not held for the amounts spent on IT training.

  Higher education institutions are autonomous bodies responsible for the management of their own academic and financial affairs. They train their staff through internal development programmes. Figures are not held centrally for amounts spent on IT training.
  91

  Trainee Doctors
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many(a) men and (b) women are currently training at medical schools to become doctors. [51853]

  Dr. Howells
  In 1997–98, the latest year for which figures are available, the numbers of students studying medicine at undergraduate level in those universities in the UK with medical schools were 11,528 men and 12,457 women.

  Alcohol and Tobacco Smuggling
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the impact on UK employment of the smuggling of(a) drink and (b) tobacco from the European mainland. [52294]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  I have been asked to reply.

  I have no information about the consequences of alcohol and tobacco smuggling relating to UK employment in particular. However, the Government are very much aware of the illegal trade in alcohol and tobacco and its effect on the legitimate trade. In his July Budget last year the Chancellor announced a review to examine the effects of alcohol and tobacco fraud, smuggling and cross-border shopping. The Government will announce the outcome of the review shortly.

HEALTH

  Pharmaceuticals
  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what criteria will be taken into account in the re-negotiation of the Pharmaceutical Pricing Scheme. [49283]

  Mr. Milburn
  The approach taken in the negotiations on the Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme is governed by the principles which drive all of our programme for the National Health Service—promoting the nation's health and providing comprehensive, high quality health care for patients. Within that framework we have a responsibility to see that public money is spent effectively, and to encourage the pharmaceutical industry to produce new and improved medicines at reasonable prices.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action she is proposing to take to ensure a fully competitive market in supplying drugs to the NHS. [51047]

  Mr. Milburn
  A number of factors impede the operation of a fully competitive market in some parts of the pharmaceutical sector. Intellectual property protection, necessary so that research and development can be carried out, means that there is often only one medicine appropriate to a particular condition. A competitive market flourishes where patents have expired and generic medicines are available; where this does not occur, alternative arrangements like the Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme are needed.
  92

  Hospital Services (Vale of York)
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what additional money was made available for(a) additional beds, (b) orthopaedic operations, (c) oral surgery operations and (d) cataract operations in the Vale of York area in 1996–97. [50756]

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

  Melanomas
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much Government funding has been provided for the Medical Research Council trial on the use of alpha-interferon in the treatment of melanomas. [50917]

  Ms Jowell
  None. This is not a Medical Research Council trial and no MRC funding goes towards it. As a commercial trial, no National Health Service funding would be used in support of the trial.

  Artificial Resuscitation
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to encourage the education of the public in artificial resuscitation techniques. [50947]

  Mr. Milburn
  [holding answer 17 July 1998]: We are working across Government to promote awareness of the ABC of resuscitation—Airway, Breathing, Circulation. This includes for example the recent announcement that the Government are to extend Value Added Tax relief to resuscitation models used by charities for first aid training.

  Medical Records
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to ensure that patients are not charged more than £10 to see their medical records. [51044]

  Mr. Milburn
  [holding answer 17 July 1998]: The Access to Health Records Act 1990 already provides that an application fee of no more than £10 can be charged for sight of a patient's records. However, the Act also allows record-holders to recover the costs of producing copies of the records if these are required, but record-holders should not seek to make a profit when calculating these charges.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the potential for breaching of the confidentiality of patients' personal medical information if the Department of Trade and Industry's proposals on regulating the use of encryption on public networks lead to the escrow of encryption keys for clinical data. [51651]

  Mr. Milburn
  We are awaiting proposals from the Department of Trade and Industry on the conditions and procedures which would govern the escrow of encryption keys where personal medical information is involved. Our concern to safeguard patient confidentiality has been relayed to the Department of Trade and Industry, and an assessment of the impact of the detailed proposals will be made when they are received.

  Cateracts
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cataract operations were performed in NHS hospitals in the Greater London area in each of the last three years. [51539]

  Mr. Milburn
  The information for in-patient treatment in National Health Service trust hospitals is based on Finished Consultant Episodes (FCEs), which represent the number of episodes of care under individual consultants. The total number of FCEs recorded for cataract operations for Greater London trusts is as follows:

  1996–97: not available

  1995–96: 24,856

  1994–95: 24,781

  The data are grossed for both coverage and unknown/invalid clinical data.

  Residential Care
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 21 July 1998,Official Report, columns 530–31, concerning backdating financial assistance for residential and nursing home placements, with which organisation his Department has consulted in drawing up the guidance to accompany the Community Care (Residential Accommodation) Act 1998. [52276]

  Mr. Boateng
  We consulted the Local Government Association, the Association of London Government, the National Association of Finance Officers, and these voluntary organisations: Age Concern, Help the Aged, Anchor Housing Trust, Abbeyfield, the Community Care Trust, Hanover Housing, the Alzheimers Disease Society, Mencap, the National Association of Citizen Advice Bureaux, Carer's National Association, the Relative's Association, the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, and MIND.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 21 July 1998,Official Report, columns 530–31, concerning his Department's guidance, LAC (98)B, if he will make it his policy to amend the National Assistance Act 1948 to allow a resident placed by a local authority to fund the difference between what the authority is able to pay and more expensive placement. [52277]

  Mr. Boateng
  The terms of reference of the Royal Commission on long-term care of elderly people ask them to look at how the cost of long term care should be apportioned between public funds and individuals. The commission is due to report by the end of the year.

  Continence Services
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 21 July 1998,Official Report, column 529, concerning continence services, what advice or instructions he expects to issue to inform the next commissioning round. [52274]

  Mr. Milburn
  The guidance "Continence—an agenda for action for continence services" which was issued to the National Health Service in 1991 already provides advice on continence services.
  94
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 21 July 1998,Official Report, column 529, concerning continence services, when his Department commenced its review of continence policy; and when he will publish his conclusions. [52275]

  Mr. Milburn
  The work to develop the review of continence policy started in April 1998 and a research and development seminar was held on 12 June. It is envisaged that the results of the review will be reflected in guidance that will be issued in due course.

  Asylum Seekers (Children)
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children of asylum applicants were taken into care or otherwise became the responsibility of local authorities in the last year for which figures are available. [52062]

  Mr. Boateng
  The information requested is not collected centrally.

  Transplant Surgery Waiting List
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what date the waiting list for transplant surgery exceeded 6,000. [52363]

  Mr. Boateng
  The total number of patients (active and suspended) awaiting solid organ transplants first exceeded 6,000 in December 1995 with the number standing at 6,003 on 31 December 1995. At 12 July 1998 the total (active and suspended) was 6,494.

  An active patient refers to someone who is well and awaiting their transplant. A suspended patient is someone who is not well enough to have a transplant and has been temporarily removed from the waiting list.

  Xenotransplantation
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the work of the Committee on Dangerous Pathogens in relation to Xenotransplantation. [52352]

  Ms Jowell
  The Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens (ACDP) considered the risks of infectious disease associated with xenotransplantation in 1996 and jointly hosted a workshop on 'Infectious Disease and Xenotransplantation' with the Advisory Group on Ethics of Xenotransplantation. The report of this workshop was published in January 1997 as part of the advisory group's report 'Animal Tissue into Humans'. Additionally the ACDP have advised the Medicines Control Agency and Gene Therapy Advisory Committee on the infection risks posed by a gene therapy trial.

  The ACDP is currently convening a meeting of experts to assess the risks of various types of xenotransplant and will provide advice on these issues to the United Kingdom Xenotransplantation Interim Regulatory Authority.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 21 July 1998,Official Report, column 526, regarding the cost of ensuring

  95
  millennium computer compliance in the NHS, what factors underlay the length of time taken to answer the question tabled for answer on 22 June. [52562]

  Mr. Milburn
  Estimating the cost of Millennium compliance in the National Health Service is a complex issue and I wanted to be fully confident that the figures given in the reply were accurate and up to date before answering.

  Osteoporosis
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department is supporting into the treatment of osteoporosis. [51959]

  Ms Jowell
  The Medical Research Council (MRC) is the main agency through which the Government support medical and clinical research. The MRC is an independent body which receives its grant-in-aid from the Department of Trade and Industry. The total value of current MRC grants for research related to osteoporosis is £5.6 million. Work being carried out at the MRC's own establishments includes:a study currently being undertaken by the MRC Dunn Nutrition Unit entitled Micronutrient research: role of calcium and other factors in the development of peak bone mass and osteoporosis. The MRC Environmental Epidemiology Unit is undertaking a study into Risk Factors for cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and cognitive decline in people born in the Jessop Hospital;
  the Department of Health/MRC Nutrition Programme (Phase II) is undertaking three studies linked to osteoporosis and diet. These are Dietary and other determinants of bone health and fracture in men and women, Assessment of nutritional, physical activity and genetic factors influencing perimenopausal bone health, and Interventions to maximise bone mineralisation in adolescents: benefits of calcium and exercise for 16–18 year olds.

  Announced by the MRC in October 1996, the Women's International Study of long Duration Oestrogen after Menopause (WISDOM) will be co-ordinated in the United Kingdom by researchers at the MRC Epidemiology and Medical Care Unit, London. One of the main objectives of WISDOM is to establish how hormone replacement therapy (HRT) affects the incidence of bone fractures caused by osteoporosis.

  The Department's Policy Research Programme (PRP) recently completed funding of a study entitled HRT in the menopause: a cost-effective analysis. The research was undertaken at the University of Oxford.

  The National Health Service research and development programme's Standing Group on Health Technologies has identified research proposals for osteoporosis as a priority area and two projects have been commissioned: one on the treatment of established osteoporosis and the other on evaluation of methods for identifying and monitoring the treatment of osteoporosis.

  There are also other projects being undertaken on a regional basis.

  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list the health authorities in(a) Staffordshire and (b) the West Midlands which have an osteoporosis strategy in place; [51958]

  (2) if he will estimate for the last year for which figures are available, how many NHS patients suffered from osteoporosis, the number of fractures attributable to
  96
  osteoporosis and the number of beds being used for osteoporitic fractures in (a) Staffordshire and (b) the West Midlands. [51960]

  Ms Jowell
  Information on individual health authority strategies is not collected centrally. Data on neither the number of beds being used for osteoporosis nor all fractures specifically attributable to the condition are available. Specific numbers of sufferers are not available, but the table lists finished consultant episodes with a diagnosis of osteoporosis for National Health Service trusts in Staffordshire and the West Midlands region.

  Staffordshire

  West Midlands

  Number of first FCEs with diagnosis of osteoporosis (ICD10 M80-M82)

  161

  1,204

  Number of first FCEs with diagnosis of osteoporosis with pathological fracture (ICD10 M80)

  53

  309

  Source:

  WMRO Regional Information System 1996–97

  Health Services (Worcestershire)
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has received all papers relevant to the restructuring of health services in Worcestershire; and when he expects to reach a decision on the issue. [52646]

  Mr. Milburn
  The formal submission to Ministers on Worcestershire Health Authority's strategic review has been made by officials at the West Midlands Regional Office of the National Health Service Executive. Ministers will be making a final decision, based on that submission, in due course.

  Social Services (Worcestershire)
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received from carers and their representatives in Worcestershire about funding for social services; and if he will make a statement. [52644]

  Mr. Boateng
  A number of representations have been received from carers and users of personal social services in Worcestershire about funding for social services. In recognition of the vital role carers fulfil in helping relatives or friends, I am leading a government-wide review of measures to help carers as part of a carers national strategy. The objective is to bring together a range of initiatives designed to address carers' concerns and give them support.

  Primary Care Group
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health from which budget the cost of employing the chief executives of the new Primary Care Group will be met. [51915]

  Mr. Milburn
  The costs of employing Primary Care Group staff will be met from health authority unified budget allocations.

  NHS Funding Allocation
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what account will be taken of rurality in the allocation of funds to the NHS. [51917]

  Mr. Milburn
  A weighted capitation formula is used to determine each health authority's fair share of available resources and to enable them to commission similar levels of health services for populations in similar need.

  In 1998/99 we introduced a new adjustment to the formula for emergency ambulance services, which includes a rurality factor. This was on the advice of the Advisory Committee on Resource Allocation following a review of the cost of providing services in rural areas. The formula takes account of the health needs of populations, both rural and urban.

  Comprehensive Spending Review
  Mr. McWalter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about the implications of the Comprehensive Spending Review for health authorities which have in 1998–99 a significant deficit on their current account, with particular reference to West Hertfordshire. [51454]

  Mr. Milburn
  The extra resources of £21 billion (United Kingdom) announced as the outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) for the years 1999–2000 to 2001–2002 will be used to modernise and reform services.

  We have already made an additional £1.7 billion (UK) available for the National Health Service in 1998–99. The NHS Executive has issued firm guidance that the need for financial balance is critical; and the majority of health authorities in England with financial problems are expected to achieve a balanced financial position by the end of 1998–99. In certain specific cases, where there are deep seated structural problems, this may not be achievable by the end of the current year and a health authority may be allowed to regain financial balance over a number of years. The regional offices of the NHS Executive have developed recovery plans for those NHS bodies with significant deficits. The plan for West Hertfordshire aims to achieve financial balance as soon as possible.

  Hepatitis B (Devon)
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will issue guidance to the Director of Education in Devon concerning the advice that should be given to those families affected by the current hepatitis B health alert at Paignton Community College, Devon. [52348]
  98
  Mr. Boateng
  We understand that South and West Devon Health Authority and Torbay Council have already agreed a joint approach to the management of this incident.

  A joint letter and hepatitis B factsheet was distributed to children from a local community college and their parents on Friday 17 July. The letter provided information about the means of transmission of the disease and its potential risk to health. Individuals who may have concerns that they had contact with an infected adult in the community were invited to contact a health authority advice line.

  The health authority is offering testing and immunisation against hepatitis B to any individual who feels that they may have had high-risk contact with this person. This includes any child attending the local community college.

  Ambulance Ages
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 22 July 1998,Official Report, column 570, regarding ambulance ages, (a) on what date he initiated his informal assessment of ambulance ages, (b) how many ambulance trusts were involved in his informal assessment and (c) what was the cost of conducting his informal assessment. [52529]

  Mr. Boateng
  The informal assessment of ambulance ages was initiated on 26 June 1998 and all 37 ambulance National Health Service trusts in England were contacted. The estimated cost was £2,267.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 13 May 1998,Official Report, column 149, regarding ambulance ages, what estimate he made of the cost of providing the information which was requested. [52571]

  Mr. Boateng
  It is estimated that the cost of providing the information requested would exceed the disproportionate threshold of £500.

  Hospital Deaths
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients died in hospitals, and from what causes, in the latest year for which figures are available. [52248]

  Mrs. Liddell
  I have been asked to reply.

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

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Christopher Gill, dated 27 July 1998:
  I have been asked to reply, as Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), to your parliamentary question on deaths of patients in hospital.
  The information requested is published in Table 36 in Mortality Statistics: general 1993, 1994 and 1995 Series DH1 no. 28 (Office for National Statistics, 1997), a copy of which is available in the House of Commons Library.

  Parliamentary Candidates: Propriety of Undertakings
  Parliamentary Candidates: Propriety of Undertakings
  Medway Secure Training Centre: Disturbance
  Medway Secure Training Centre: Disturbance
  Immigration and Asylum Cases: Explanatory Statements
  Immigration and Asylum Cases: Explanatory Statements
  Home Office: Reviews
  Home Office: Reviews
  Rough Sleeping in Central London
  Rough Sleeping in Central London
  Human Rights Convention: Channel Islands and Isle of Man Incorporation
  Human Rights Convention: Channel Islands and Isle of Man Incorporation
  Independent Commission on the Voting System
  Independent Commission on the Voting System
  Displaced Persons: European Commission Proposals
  Displaced Persons: European Commission Proposals
  Stephen Lawrence Inquiry: Home Office Evidence
  Stephen Lawrence Inquiry: Home Office Evidence
  Department of Health: Reviews
  Department of Health: Reviews
  Acute and Rehabilitative Care for the Old
  Acute and Rehabilitative Care for the Old
  Breastfeeding
  Breastfeeding
  Duckett's Cheese: Sampling
  Duckett's Cheese: Sampling
  Medicines Commission: 1997 Annual Report
  Medicines Commission: 1997 Annual Report
  Sexually Transmitted Diseases among Teenagers
  Sexually Transmitted Diseases among Teenagers
  Animals in Quarantine: Welfare
  Animals in Quarantine: Welfare
  Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food: Reviews
  Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food: Reviews
  Veterinary Residues: 1997 Annual Report
  Veterinary Residues: 1997 Annual Report
  Intervention Board: Performance Targets
  Intervention Board: Performance Targets
  Agriculture Council
  Agriculture Council
  Bovine Tuberculosis and Antibiotic Resistance
  Bovine Tuberculosis and Antibiotic Resistance
  The Shikimate Pathway
  The Shikimate Pathway
  OP Sheep Dips: Classification
  OP Sheep Dips: Classification
  OP Sheep Dip Manufacturers: Inspections
  OP Sheep Dip Manufacturers: Inspections
  OP Sheep Dips: Suspected Adverse Reaction Cases
  OP Sheep Dips: Suspected Adverse Reaction Cases
  Northern Ireland: Civic Forum
  Northern Ireland: Civic Forum
  Disabled People: Personal Adviser Pilot Projects
  Disabled People: Personal Adviser Pilot Projects
  Pensions: Contribution Records
  Pensions: Contribution Records
  Association of Chief Police Officers, Scotland
  Association of Chief Police Officers, Scotland
  Ivermectin
  Ivermectin
  Chemicals in the Environment
  Chemicals in the Environment
  Building Regulations Amendments
  Building Regulations Amendments
  Provisional Motor Cycle Licences
  Provisional Motor Cycle Licences
  Homosexual Rough Sleepers
  Homosexual Rough Sleepers
  Merseyside Development Corporation
  Merseyside Development Corporation
  Motorway Fencing
  Motorway Fencing
  Eurostar Trains
  Eurostar Trains
  Eurostar Services North of London
  Eurostar Services North of London
  Customs & Excise and Immigration Service: Charges
  Customs & Excise and Immigration Service: Charges
  Health Spending Per Capita
  Health Spending Per Capita
  Spending Plans: Breakdown
  Spending Plans: Breakdown
  Office for National Statistics: Review
  Office for National Statistics: Review
  The Public Service: Response to Select Committee Report
  The Public Service: Response to Select Committee Report
  The Arts Council: New Chairman
  The Arts Council: New Chairman
  National Museums and Galleries: Key Achievements
  National Museums and Galleries: Key Achievements
  Department for Culture, Media and Sport: Reviews
  Department for Culture, Media and Sport: Reviews
  Church Conservation and Amenity Societies
  Church Conservation and Amenity Societies
  Works of Art: Export Regulations
  Works of Art: Export Regulations
  Cloning
  Cloning
  Coal Burning: Policy
  Coal Burning: Policy
  Energy Policy
  Energy Policy
  Department of Trade and Industry: Reviews
  Department of Trade and Industry: Reviews
  Lord Chancellor's Department: Reviews
  Lord Chancellor's Department: Reviews
  Unbleached Cotton: Anti-dumping Duties
  Unbleached Cotton: Anti-dumping Duties
  Anthrax Immunisation
  Anthrax Immunisation
  NATO Strategic Concept
  NATO Strategic Concept
  Iraq: No Fly Surveillance
  Iraq: No Fly Surveillance
  Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles
  Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles
  Ministry of Defence: Reviews
  Ministry of Defence: Reviews
  Defence Diplomacy
  Defence Diplomacy
  Territorial Army
  Territorial Army
  RAF Northolt: Valuation
  RAF Northolt: Valuation
  Education SSAs 1994–96
  Education SSAs 1994–96