Written Answers of 30 July 1998

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Resettlement Grants
  Mr. Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people have been awarded resettlement grants each year since 1972 to relocate to avoid the troubles in Northern Ireland; what was the average resettlement grant; what criteria govern eligibility for such a grant; and if she will make a statement. [52770]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive whose Chief Executive has advised me that the information requested is as follows (for the purposes of the question Resettlement Grant has been interpreted as reference to Emergency Grant):

  Emergency grant

  Year

  Number of people

  Fixed amount of grant £

  1995–961

  59

  175

  1996–97

  200

  180

  1997–98

  180

  184

  April-June 1998

  35

  189

  1 The information from 1972 would be available only at disproportionate cost

  Criteria

  Emergency Grant is payable to public and private sector tenants who are awarded A1 status (Intimidation) under the Housing Executive's Housing Selection Scheme as a result of civil disturbance, bomb damage, sectarian intimidation and subsequently permanently rehoused in the public or private sector.

  Guardsmen Fisher and Wright
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans she has to meet members of the families of Guardsmen Fisher and Wright or their representatives; what requests she has received on this matter; and what was her response. [53598]

  Mr. Ingram
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has no plans to meet with members of the families of Guardsmen Fisher and Wright. She met my hon. Friend the Member for Carrick, Cummock and Doon Valley (Mr. Foulkes), Constituency MP for the Fisher family, on Tuesday 10 March 1998. She also met my hon. Friend the Member for Cinlithgow (Mr. Dalyell) on Thursday 22 January 1998. The purpose of these meetings was not to discuss the detail of the cases but rather to explain the Northern Ireland life sentence review process and how it applied to the Guardsmen's cases.

  Mr. Peter McBride
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on what occasions(a) she and (b) her officials
  386
  have met members of the family of the late Mr. Peter McBride or their representatives; and on what occasions (i) the case of Guardsmen Fisher and Wright and (ii) the death of Mr. Peter McBride were discussed. [53597]

  Mr. Ingram
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State met representatives of the McBride family on Wednesday 8 July 1998. The details of the life sentence review of these cases were not discussed.

  Benefit Information
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what guidance she plans to issue to the Benefits Agency on its forthcoming obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 to produce generic benefits information and information on individual benefits in a range of formats which blind and partially sighted people can access. [54069]

  Mr. McFall
  The Northern Ireland Disability Council and the Department of Health and Social Services will shortly be consulting on proposals for a revised Code of Practice and supporting regulations to take account of the next phase of implementation of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. The Code of Practice will give practical guidance to service providers on how to prevent discrimination against disabled people in accessing the goods, facilities or services they provide.

  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment she has made of the difficulties which blind and partially sighted people experience in obtaining access to information on benefits. [54068]

  Mr. McFall
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Social Security Agency under its Chief Executive, Mr. Chris Thompson. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

  Letter from Chris Thompson to Rev. Martin Smyth, dated 29 July 1998:
  I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about what assessment has been made of the difficulties which blind and partially sighted people experience in obtaining access to information on benefits.
  The Social Security Agency has not yet carried out any formal assessment of the needs of blind and partially sighted people. However, as you are aware the Benefits Agency are looking into the needs of these customers as part of the research for "Project Access". The findings of this project will be considered by the Social Security Agency.
  However, I am giving further consideration to the issue in Northern Ireland and I will write to you again shortly.

  Ulster Hospital
  Mr. John D. Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what effect the recent events at Drumcree had on the availability of theatres at the Ulster Hospital for emergency casualties; and if she will make a statement. [54071]

  Mr. McFall
  The Ulster Hospital has six theatres, all of which could be utilised in an emergency situation. On Saturday, 11 July and Monday, 13 July two emergency theatres were utilised, while on Sunday, 12 July and Tuesday, 14 July one theatre was used.
  387

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Driving Offences
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for North-East Derbyshire (Mr. Barnes) of

  Number of proceedings and findings of guilt for certain motoring offences in England and Wales and the Gloucestershire Police District 1992–96

  Gloucestershire Police

  England and Wales

  Proceedings

  Findings of guilt

  Proceedings

  Findings of guilt

  1993

  Dangerous driving

  134

  84

  11,373

  6,185

  Driving etc. after consuming alcohol or taking drugs

  680

  577

  105,158

  91,198

  Speed limit offences

  2,011

  1,912

  110,571

  100,157

  Failing to comply with traffic signals

  145

  113

  35,306

  30,061

  Other offences of neglect of traffic directions1

  452

  379

  12,788

  9,062

  Neglect of pedestrian rights2

  63

  53

  18,500

  8,466

  1994

  Dangerous driving

  151

  94

  11,097

  6,194

  Driving etc. after consuming alcohol or taking drugs

  975

  834

  104,690

  89,700

  Speed limit offences

  2,082

  2,005

  114,338

  105,063

  Failing to comply with traffic signals

  610

  563

  29,152

  24,266

  Other offences of neglect of traffic directions1

  236

  179

  12,306

  8,770

  Neglect of pedestrian rights2

  91

  84

  9,209

  7,439

  1995

  Dangerous driving

  128

  88

  10,906

  6,408

  Driving etc. after consuming alcohol or taking drugs

  1,197

  1,069

  105,407

  92,505

  Speed limit offences

  2,730

  2,627

  128,409

  118,974

  Failing to comply with traffic signals

  1,433

  1,346

  29,695

  24,480

  Other offences of neglect of traffic directions1

  82

  53

  10,706

  7,596

  Neglect of pedestrian rights2

  93

  83

  8,643

  6,898

  1996

  Dangerous driving

  119

  63

  10,017

  5,750

  Driving etc. after consuming alcohol or taking drugs

  1,068

  979

  107,931

  95,705

  Speed limit offences

  3,734

  3,586

  139,565

  130,039

  Failing to comply with traffic signals

  2,265

  2,141

  30,220

  25,307

  Other offences of neglect of traffic directions1

  67

  42

  9,320

  6,672

  Neglect of pedestrian rights2

  44

  37

  8,132

  6,487

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

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

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer to the right hon. Member for Caernarfon (Mr. Wigley) of 20 July 1998,Official Report, column 380, on asylum seekers, if he will list the more efficient working practices referred to in the answer; and if the plans for computerisation of casework are those plans in respect of which the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for North Warwickshire (Mr. O'Brien), undertook to write to the hon. Member for Hertsmere in his answer of 7 May, Official Report, column 452. [52222]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  [holding answer 27 July 1998]: We have in hand organisational changes in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate, which will result in a new Integrated Casework Directorate. This will handle the casework currently dealt with in five separate Directorates. We will get rid of the present hierarchical system of decision-making, in which wasteful duplication often causes delay.
  388
  14 July 1998, Official Report, columns 103–04, on driving offences, if he will provide similar figures in respect of motorists in Gloucestershire for the most recent five years for which figures are available. [52286]

  Mr. Michael
  Figures for the years 1993–96 are as follows. The data for 1992 have been archived and are not readily available. Figures for 1997 are not yet available.

  We will devolve decision-making to the appropriate level, in teams which will deal with a case from start to finish. The teams will be fully supported by up-to-date information and we will have in place quality assurance mechanisms to audit decisions. We are well on the way to establishing this new Directorate. A pilot of the working methods will start in August.

  The computerisation plans referred to in my answer to the right hon. Member for Caernarfon of 20 July are the same plans about which I undertook to write to the hon. Member for Hertsmere in my answer of 7 May. We still await proposals from Siemens Business Services for completing the next stage of the computerisation; the company has indicated that these will be available by 28 August.

  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to provide central Government funding to local authorities for the(a) social services, (b) health and (c) education costs incurred by asylum seekers. [53725]
  389
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Under the proposals set out in the White Paper published by my right hon. Friend on 27 July, from April 1999 the Home Office will have a budget for the cost of providing food, shelter and daily living expenses for asylum seekers. Detailed arrangements for the management of this budget have not yet been made. No changes are proposed in the funding of health care, education or other facilities used by asylum seekers.

  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what statutory authority determines the United Kingdom's ability to return asylum seekers who have travelled to the United Kingdom through safe third countries directly to their country of origin. [53724]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Secretary of State may decide to consider the asylum application of any person who claims asylum in the United Kingdom, notwithstanding the fact that they may have previously travelled through one or more safe third countries, and, if he refuses the claim, he may seek to return the person to their country of origin under the provisions of the Immigration Act 1971 (and in particular paragraphs 8–10 of schedule 2 to that Act). Once the person has been notified of the Secretary of State's decision, they may not, under Schedule 3 to the 1993 Asylum and Immigration Appeals Act and Part II of Schedule 2 to the 1971 Act, be returned whilst any appeal they may have made against the decision to grant or vary leave to enter or remain is pending.

  In practice, the Dublin Convention affects our ability to return people to third countries.

  Applications received for asylum, excluding dependants, on arrival at Heathrow airport by Nationality from 1 May 1997 to 31 May 1998

  May 1997

  June 1997

  July 1997

  August 1997

  September 1997

  October 1997

  November 1997

  Europe

  Bulgaria

  5

  5

  10

  15

  *

  5

  10

  Cyprus

  10

  15

  15

  10

  10

  25

  35

  Poland

  20

  20

  20

  20

  20

  25

  30

  Romania

  —

  5

  *

  *

  *

  *

  *

  Turkey

  15

  10

  15

  10

  10

  10

  10

  Former USSR

  40

  45

  45

  45

  30

  50

  35

  Former Yugoslavia

  15

  15

  20

  30

  30

  40

  60

  Americas

  Colombia

  160

  40

  10

  5

  5

  5

  5

  Ecuador

  45

  120

  225

  20

  *

  5

  *

  Africa

  Algeria

  5

  10

  10

  5

  10

  10

  10

  Angola

  5

  10

  —

  5

  5

  *

  5

  Ethiopia

  5

  5

  5

  *

  *

  *

  *

  Gambia

  *

  —

  —

  —

  —

  *

  —

  Ghana

  5

  5

  5

  5

  5

  5

  —

  Ivory Coast

  —

  5

  *

  *

  *

  *

  5

  Kenya

  5

  5

  25

  10

  25

  35

  30

  Liberia

  5

  —

  *

  *

  —

  *

  —

  Nigeria

  10

  10

  10

  10

  20

  15

  20

  Sierra Leone

  5

  5

  5

  10

  10

  10

  5

  Somalia

  30

  25

  20

  25

  45

  40

  30

  Sudan

  5

  5

  15

  5

  15

  5

  5

  Tanzania

  —

  *

  5

  5

  5

  *

  *

  Togo

  —

  —

  —

  *

  —

  *

  —

  Uganda

  5

  5

  *

  5

  5

  10

  10

  Zaire

  10

  10

  10

  15

  10

  15

  10

  390
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his oral statement of 27 July 1998,Official Report, columns 35–53, what external legal advice he has sought on the applicability of the provisions of the Dublin Convention as they relate to those of the Geneva Convention concerning asylum seekers. [53723]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has received external legal advice on various matters which have arisen during the course of legal challenges to decisions to transfer asylum seekers to other member states under the Dublin Convention. The Dublin Convention is primarily concerned with the issue of which European Union (EU) member state is to consider an asylum application made within the EU; it does not deal with the merits of that claim, which are the concern of the 1951 Geneva Convention.

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many passengers arriving at Heathrow Airport in each month since 1 May 1997 have sought asylum upon arrival; what was their country of origin; and how many of them remain in the United Kingdom. [53826]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Information relating to persons who applied for asylum on arrival at Heathrow airport between 1 May 1997 and 31 May 1998, by nationality and month, is given in the table.

  The available information is that, as at 30 June 1998, some 740 of those asylum seekers had been granted leave to enter as recognised refugees or on other grounds and a further 800 had been removed or departed voluntarily.

  In addition, a number of the applicants will be awaiting a decision on their claim or the outcome of an appeal.
  391

  Applications received for asylum, excluding dependants, on arrival at Heathrow airport by Nationality from 1 May 1997 to 31 May 1998

  May 1997

  June 1997

  July 1997

  August 1997

  September 1997

  October 1997

  November 1997

  Middle East

  Iran

  25

  15

  15

  25

  30

  25

  30

  Iraq

  40

  35

  70

  65

  60

  45

  50

  Lebanon

  5

  5

  5

  5

  20

  10

  5

  Asia

  Afghanistan

  35

  45

  55

  70

  80

  75

  80

  China

  30

  25

  25

  20

  15

  30

  40

  India

  20

  15

  10

  15

  10

  5

  15

  Pakistan

  15

  20

  50

  45

  50

  55

  25

  Sri Lanka

  50

  35

  40

  40

  40

  45

  40

  Others1

  40

  55

  50

  70

  85

  100

  55

  Total

  670

  620

  775

  620

  650

  710

  670

  December 1997

  January 1998

  February 1998

  March 1998

  April 1998

  May 1998

  Total

  Europe

  Bulgaria

  15

  10

  5

  5

  10

  10

  100

  Cyprus

  35

  10

  5

  *

  —

  *

  175

  Poland

  75

  70

  75

  80

  115

  70

  640

  Romania

  —

  —

  5

  5

  *

  *

  25

  Turkey

  20

  20

  20

  15

  5

  15

  170

  Former USSR

  70

  35

  30

  55

  75

  60

  615

  Former Yugoslavia

  135

  55

  30

  30

  65

  25

  540

  Americas

  Colombia

  15

  25

  25

  10

  *

  10

  315

  Ecuador

  10

  5

  *

  *

  5

  5

  440

  Africa

  Algeria

  20

  *

  *

  5

  10

  5

  100

  Angola

  5

  5

  5

  5

  *

  *

  50

  Ethiopia

  5

  5

  *

  10

  *

  *

  40

  Gambia

  —

  *

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5

  Ghana

  5

  5

  5

  5

  *

  5

  55

  Ivory Coast

  —

  *

  —

  *

  —

  —

  15

  Kenya

  15

  35

  20

  25

  15

  20

  270

  Liberia

  *

  —

  *

  *

  —

  —

  15

  Nigeria

  15

  30

  15

  25

  20

  30

  230

  Sierra Leone

  5

  5

  5

  5

  5

  5

  75

  Somalia

  35

  45

  35

  35

  25

  15

  405

  Sudan

  5

  10

  5

  5

  5

  10

  90

  Tanzania

  *

  5

  *

  5

  *

  *

  30

  Togo

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  *

  Uganda

  *

  *

  5

  5

  5

  5

  50

  Zaire

  10

  15

  10

  20

  15

  10

  160

  Middle East

  Iran

  40

  35

  35

  25

  25

  25

  345

  Iraq

  75

  60

  45

  65

  40

  35

  680

  Lebanon

  10

  5

  5

  5

  5

  5

  95

  Asia

  Afghanistan

  110

  50

  55

  95

  75

  70

  890

  China

  50

  45

  30

  40

  25

  45

  415

  India

  20

  15

  10

  15

  10

  10

  170

  Pakistan

  30

  35

  35

  40

  45

  35

  475

  Sri Lanka

  70

  40

  45

  50

  65

  90

  655

  Others1

  100

  65

  85

  95

  105

  75

  980

  Total

  995

  740

  640

  775

  775

  680

  9,320

  1Includes all other nationalities not identified in the table.

  392 393

  Firearms Compensation
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how much compensation has been paid as a result of the ban on the ownership of handguns to date; [52830]

  (2) what the staff and overhead costs have been to date of operating the compensation scheme for owners of handguns; and what estimate he has made of the total costs.

  Mr. Michael
  The estimated total cost of operating the compensation scheme over two years is £3.0 million. The staff costs to date are £1.2 million out of total Firearms Compensation Section capital and running costs expenditure of £2.08 million. £53.8 million has been paid in compensation so far.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he proposes to expedite the payment of Category C claims under the Firearms Compensation Scheme. [52361]

  Mr. Michael
  [holding answer 29 July 1998]: The Firearms Compensation Section (FCS) is taking all possible steps to clear the remaining Option C payments under the large calibre handgun surrender scheme and the ex gratia surrender scheme for small-calibre pistols as quickly as possible, having regard to the need to scrutinise claims closely to ensure that payments are made in accordance with the requirements of the compensation scheme and to guard against fraud. A number of measures are being taken to increase the processing rate, while maintaining these safeguards.

  Two examining teams have been allocated specifically to dealing with the numerically few but very complex claims from firearms dealers, which present particular problems relating to the evidence of value of the surrendered goods, and consideration is being given to alternative forms of evidence where a dealer is unable to provide the precise evidence of value required by the terms of the scheme. The FCS is working closely with dealers and their representatives to resolve the outstanding issues as quickly as possible.

  Arrangements have been made with the Forensic Science Service to identify unfamiliar items included in compensation claims, so that a quick decision can be made on their eligibility for compensation, and we are looking at the scope for flexibility within the scheme to make offers of payment other than through the time-consuming process of independent valuation in suitable cases. We are also streamlining administration where possible to reduce unnecessary work, for example by returning the evidence of value to claimants on request, rather than automatically, and by simplifying the database of values used by FCS as a payment guide by reducing the range and values of guns and equipment recorded.

  The staff resources devoted to the operation of the compensation scheme have increased to 56, including 11 Agency staff. Given the expertise required to operate this complex part of the scheme, staff numbers have reached the maximum practical level, and recruitment efforts are aimed at sustaining that level. Staff are working regular weekend overtime in order to complete the task as quickly as possible.
  394
  Because of the complexity of dealers' claims and the wide variety of guns and equipment surrendered under Option C, much of it ineligible, progress with the payment of claims has been initially slow since work started full time on these claims at the end of May. The processing rate is expected to increase as the measures outlined above take effect and, although it no longer appears possible to clear all the claims by the end of the year, payment offers should be made on the great majority of claims by that time. We will work continuously to reduce this timescale if at all possible.

  The Agency staff who have been registering the claims received under the statutory compensation scheme for small-calibre pistols surrendered in February 1998 have completed their work and will begin the processing of Option A and B claims under this scheme at the beginning of August. This work will continue in parallel with the work on the remaining Option C claims under the large calibre and ex gratia schemes.

  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for Option C compensation for firearms remain outstanding in the Avon and Somerset Police Authority area. [53430]

  Mr. Michael
  There are currently 578 claims from the Avon and Somerset Police Force area where payment has not yet been made under Option C of the compensation scheme. The great majority of these have already received a payment under Options A or B. In 22 of these cases, an offer of payment has been made and is awaiting acceptance by the claimant.

  British Nationality (Applications)
  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the average time taken to process applications to his Department on(a) Form ELR, (b) Form FLR (m), (c) Form FLR (s), (d) Form FLR (o), (e) Form SET (m), (f) Form SET (f), (g) Form SET (o), (h) Form AN and (i) travel document applications. [52779]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The average time taken to process postal applications received by staff in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate's caseworking groups for further, indefinite and exceptional leave to remain (excluding refugees) is:

  ELR: 147 days

  FLR(M): 240 days

  FLR(S): 111 days

  FLR(O): 116 days

  SET(M): 119 days

  SET(F): 177 days

  SET(0): 150 days.

  In the second quarter of 1998, these types of case amounted to 46 per cent. of all decisions.

  In the same period, a further 30 per cent. of decisions were dealt with by the Public Inquiry Office, which resolves over 90 per cent. of inquiries and applications on the same day, and a further 24 per cent. of decisions on postal applications were dealt with under the fast track procedures introduced last year for applications identified as straightforward. In the first six months of 1998, these procedures enabled cases to be processed within three days of receipt.
  395
  Settlement applications are also made by refugees, using the form SET(0). The average time taken to deal with these applications is two weeks.

  The average time taken to process an application for a travel document is between 12 and 14 weeks.

  The average time taken to process an application for naturalisation using the form AN is 19.8 months.

  Ms Ryan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applicants refused British nationality have been detained prior to removal since 1 January. [53329]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  No one would be detained on the sole ground that they had been refused British nationality. It is possible that someone detained as an illegal entrant or deportee might also have been refused British nationality, but we have no records to determine this.

  Freemasons
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he has taken to implement the measures outlined in the Government's response to the Third Report of the Home Affairs Committee Session 1996–97, on Freemasonry in the Police and Judiciary; if he will set his proposed timetable for any remaining steps; and if he will make a statement. [52917]

  Mr. Michael
  I wrote to the United Grand Lodge of the Freemasons on 27 March, requesting the Freemasons Society to disclose names of its members working within those professions and occupations listed in the Government's response to the Third Report. The United Grand Lodge replied on 24 April without providing this information. On 11 May, I wrote to the United Grand Lodge informing the Freemasons that the Government would press on with the process of implementing their policy of declaration and registration. The categories in relation to which the Government are currently considering implementation of its policy are: police; all members of the Judiciary, including the lay magistracy; Crown Prosecution Service legally qualified staff; Probation; Prison Service; Coroners; and members of police authorities.

  Since May, officials have been discussing the mechanics of how to implement this policy, including a timetable for establishing a voluntary register and its format. The first step in the implementation process is the collation of names of serving office-holders and employees. This has already begun. As far as new office-holders and employees are concerned, including those transferring to new posts, relevant Departments are considering how to revise their recruitment procedures in order to meet the terms of the Government's policy. This process will continue in parallel with the implementation of arrangements for serving office-holders and employees.

  Voluntary Workers
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what plans he has to provide greater assistance to voluntary organisations and charities when they wish to screen the police records of their personnel; and if he will make a statement; [52774]
  396
  (2) what targets his Department has set for the percentage of voluntary workers working in contact with vulnerable groups, who will have had their records screened by the police; and if he will make a statement. [52775]

  Mr. Michael
  We have decided to implement Part V of the Police Act 1997 which provides for the establishment of a Criminal Records Agency. Once established, the Agency will be responsible for the issue of the three forms of certificates described in the Act. Priority will be given to the issue of Enhanced Criminal Record Certificates which will be available for those applying for positions which involve regular caring for, training, supervising or being in sole charge of persons under eighteen. The Agency will also issue Criminal Record Certificates, for posts or purposes which are exceptions to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, including duties involving regular contact with persons under eighteen; and Criminal Conviction Certificates, for general employment purposes. Consideration is being given to the arrangements for charging and the phasing in of certificates.

  At present, only a limited number of voluntary organisations have access to criminal record checks. The establishment of the Criminal Records Agency will enable all voluntary organisations to consider which of their posts and personnel require police record checks and the type of certificate to be sought. It will be for organisations to decide this on the individual circumstances involved, assisted by a Code of Practice to be developed in consultation with interested parties. Any application to the Agency for disclosure of information will then require the consent of the person on whom the check is sought.

  Alcopops
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the impact of the new code of practice relating to the marketing of alcopops; and what measures are in place to continue to monitor the behaviour of industry in its marketing of alcopops. [53694]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Ministerial Group's statement last July welcomed the Portman Group's revised code on packaging and marketing alcohol products. The statement also set out recommended action by all interests. The Group plans to review progress this autumn, and will consider then both the impact of the new code and the question of further monitoring.

  Prostitution
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent surveys have been undertaken by his Department to obtain information on the number of young people involved in prostitution. [53698]

  Mr. Michael
  Information on the numbers of persons cautioned and convicted of offences involving prostitution is collected on a continuous basis for our Cautions and Court Proceedings databases. No separate survey has been carried out by my Department.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what services his Department provides to(a) police and (b) local authorities to encourage young people to abandon prostitution; and if he will make a statement; [53701]
  397
  (2) how many young (a) females and (b) males are recorded as having been involved in prostitution in England and Wales in each of the last three years; and what measures his Department has taken to counter child prostitution. [53696]

  Mr. Michael
  The Information requested is given in the table.

  Persons aged 10 to 17 cautioned and convicted for prostitution related offences1 by sex—England and Wales, 1994–1996

  Cautions

  Convictions

  Year

  Male

  Female

  Male

  Female

  1994

  8

  303

  0

  142

  1995

  3

  263

  4

  101

  1996

  6

  291

  3

  177

  1 Includes offences of soliciting by a man or a woman and kerb crawling

  The Government recognise that children involved in prostitution are primarily victims of abuse and that those who exploit and use them should be treated as child abusers. We are determined to ensure that there are effective inter-agency arrangements to help children who have become involved in prostitution to leave it and to ensure that abusers are punished.

  Against this background, we are taking a number of specific measures. First, the Department of Health and the Home Office are preparing new comprehensive guidance for the police and local authorities on the treatment of children in prostitution in collaboration with the police and social services. This guidance will build on the ground-breaking guidelines produced and piloted by the Association of Chief Police Officers, in consultation

  Number of persons cautioned or convicted in all courts of living on immoral earnings of prostitution by sex, 1994–96 England and Wales

  1994

  1995

  1996

  Offence

  Males

  Females

  Males

  Females

  Males

  Females

  Convictions

  Living on earnings of prostitution or exercising control over prostitution1

  60

  10

  43

  8

  38

  4

  Living wholly or in part on the earnings of male prostitution2

  —

  —

  1

  —

  3

  —

  Cautions

  Living on earnings of prostitution or exercising control over prostitution1

  3

  9

  1

  4

  1

  4

  Living wholly or in part on the earnings of male prostitution2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1 Sexual Offences Act 1956 Secs. 30 and 31

  2 Sexual Offences Act 1967 Sec. 5(1)

  Source:

  Home Office Court Proceedings Database

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what financial support his Department currently provides to organisations encouraging young people to leave prostitution. [53699]

  Mr. Michael
  The Home Office does not directly fund organisations which encourage young people to leave prostitution. This is essentially a local function. Central Government do provide grants to local probation committees through the probation service, some of which may be used on work which encourages young people to leave prostitution. Details of how the money is spent are not held centrally.
  398
  with others, on the treatment of children involved in prostitution. It will also take full account of the new juvenile justice arrangements in the Crime and Disorder Bill [Lords] and the responses to the Department of Health consultation paper Working Together To Safeguard Children: New Government Proposals for Inter-Agency Co-operation!

  We will be consulting interested organisations on draft guidance later in the year.

  Second, I announced on 15 June 1998, Official Report, column 10, that there will be a review of all sexual offences with the aim of ensuring that the framework of the sexual offences and penalties is coherent and effective. The review will cover the offences and penalties for those who use and abuse children who become involved in prostitution.

  Third, we have introduced measures in the Crime and Disorder Bill which may help in dealing with the problem of children who have become involved in prostitution. For instance, the Bill places a duty on local authorities and the police, in partnership with other agencies, to carry out an audit of crime and disorder in their area. This should help to determine the extent of the involvement of children in prostitution in a local area, on the basis of which the partners will be able to devise a strategy for dealing with the problem.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) men and (b) women have been convicted of living on the immoral earnings of prostitution in each of the last three years. [53697]

  Mr. Michael
  Information taken from the Home Office Court Proceedings database, including number of cautions, is given in the table.

  The Department of Health awards both core and project grants to a number of organisations each year through the General Section 64 Scheme (S64). Barnardos is receiving funding over three years to contribute to the cost of a National Development Officer who will evaluate present and proposed services for children who are involved in or at risk of sexual exploitation, including commercial sexual exploitation, and to support various projects.

  Police (School Contact)
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what initiatives he proposes to promote contact between the local police forces and schools. [53577]
  399
  Mr. Michael
  Liaison between local police forces and schools provides an important first contact with the police for young people and the opportunity to create positive relationships. Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary's thematic inspection of police community relations, whose report was published last October, found clear evidence that the use of schools liaison officers had a positive effect on police/community relations and recommended that the value of such officers to foster links and enhance the image of the police should be recognised by forces. Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary will be conducting a follow up inspection of 15 forces in the autumn to assess progress.

  Joint guidance issued by the Department for Education and Employment and the Home Office last December on schools security covers police assistance to schools in helping them to develop security strategies and in responding to incidents on school premises. It should also help promote partnerships between local police forces and schools.

  A range of measures in the Crime and Disorder Bill [Lords] will encourage joint working between the police and education services, including schools. For example, use of the new power for the police to remove truants will involve the drawing up of strategies by the local education authority and schools in conjunction with the police to address identified local truancy problems while schools will have an important role in the local crime and disorder reduction partnerships and in the development of Youth Action Groups.

  Police (Norfolk)
  Mr. Prior
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what percentage of police officers in Norfolk took voluntary early retirement in the last year for which figures are available; and what was the national average. [53576]

  Mr. Michael
  Statistics are not held in the specific form requested, but the number of voluntary resignations from Norfolk Constabulary in 1997–98 was 12, which was 14 per cent. of the total who ceased to serve in the force of that year. This compares with a total of 924 voluntary resignations from forces in England and Wales, also 14 per cent. of the total who ceased to serve in that year, and 712 or 14 per cent. from provincial forces in England and Wales (excluding the Metropolitan Police). Voluntary resignations do not include early retirement with an ill-health pension, which is for management to determine.

  Mr. Prior
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many working hours were lost by the Norfolk Police due to sick leave in the last year for which figures are available; and what was the national average. [53575]

  Mr. Michael
  Information on police sick leave is collected on the basis of days lost rather than hours. In 1997–98, 15,053 police days were lost through sickness in Norfolk Constabulary (4.6 per cent. of the total working days), compared with a national average in England and Wales of 37,084 police days (5.6 per cent.) and a provincial average (excluding the Metropolitan Police) of 28,573 police days (5.3 per cent.).
  400

  Constitutional Change
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the total cost to date of his Department's role in educating and informing the public on constitutional changes introduced by the Government. [53557]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The White Paper "Rights Brought Home—The Human Rights Bill", which preceded the Human Rights Bill, cost £1,800.

  We have made a grant of £15,000 to the Institute for Citizenship to support their "Get the Vote Out! Europe 1999" campaign.

  On-line Lotteries
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will report the outcome of consultation on the draft Bill to restrict the operation of on-line lotteries; and if he will make a statement. [54148]

  Mr. Michael
  We published the draft Lotteries (Frequent Draws) Bill on 7 January for comments. We received responses on behalf of 127 organisations and individuals.

  Among those we consulted, 46 respondents supported legislation. These included other gambling sectors, churches, regulators and organisations concerned with problem gambling. 74 respondents opposed legislation, predominantly charitable organisations which had hoped for an additional source of finance for their sector. The remaining seven respondents were neutral or expressed no overall view.

  Most of those in favour of legislation supported or accepted the draft Bill's proposal for a limit of one draw a day in all premises. Most of those against it suggested that we should await research on the effect of rapid on-line lottery draws or a general review of gambling legislation.

  We have concluded that on-line lotteries do need to be brought under proper statutory controls. We intend to legislate when the legislative programme allows.

  As previously proposed, the legislation will be used to limit on-line lottery draws to one a day in any particular premises, with the detailed provisions being amended in the light of points made in consultation.

  We also consulted on possible increases to stake and proceeds limits. As previously indicated, it will not be appropriate to proceed with that matter until legislation restricting the frequency of on-line lotteries is in place. In the light of the consultation, we will further consider whether such increases are desirable in due course.

  I am making available an analysis of the responses to the consultation and paper setting out the Government's views on the main points raised. I have placed copies of these documents in the Library, together with the responses.

  Sexual Offences
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he anticipates that the review group
  401
  looking into abuse of trust in the context of sexual relationships with people aged under 18 years will report. [53916]

  Mr. Michael
  The Working Group will look both at preventing unsuitable people from working with children and at abuse of trust. It is due to report by the end of the year at the latest, and I have asked the Group to give priority to looking at issues concerning abuse of trust.

  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects his review of discriminatory provisions of existing sexual offences laws to be complete; with whom the review group is consulting; and when it commenced its deliberations. [53917]

  Mr. Michael
  We are considering how best this review can be undertaken. Its membership and terms of reference will be published in due course.

  Age of Consent
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with which sponsors of the Age of Consent amendment to the Crime and Disorder Bill [Lords], he held discussions prior to 28 July. [53932]

  Mr. Michael
  Over a period of time, I have had discussions with Stonewall and with a wide variety of individuals and organisations with an interest in the age of consent. My right hon. Friend and I also had a number of conversations with several of the sponsors of the age of consent amendment.

  Passport Office
  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he next proposes to review future options on the Passport Office in Newport, Gwent. [53280]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  There are no plans to review options on the Passport Office at Newport. The Passport Agency undertook a review of the role and location of its offices in 1995 and concluded that its six regional passport offices (sited in Belfast, Glasgow, Liverpool, London, Newport and Peterborough) were able to meet anticipated levels of demand in the most effective way and there was no case for altering the number or location of offices. This remains the Agency's position and we are not considering any changes.

  Sussex Police
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what progress was made by the Sussex Constabulary in the recruitment of more police officers from ethnic minorities in the last year for which figures are available; [53439]

  (2) what progress was made by the Sussex Constabulary in the recruitment of more women constables in the last year for which figures are available. [53438]

  Mr. Michael
  In 1997, Sussex Police recruited 39 female officers and 2 officers from ethnic minorities (the information is given in the table). The Chief Constable tells me that the Sussex Police Force is aware of the under-representation in the force of female and 402
  ethnic minority officers, and is exploring means of removing any barriers to recruitment. Vacancies will be published in local and national ethnic newspapers.

  Number of female and ethnic minority recruits to Sussex Police in 1997 and 1998 (to date)

  Start of 1997

  End of 1997

  1998 (to date)

  Force establishment

  3,109

  3,056

  3,060

  Female officers

  464

  484

  504

  Female recruits

  —

  39

  144

  Ethnic minority officers

  21

  23

  23

  Ethnic minority recruits

  —

  2

  2

  1 28 female candidates still being processed

  Welsh Language Scheme
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date his Department received notification from the Welsh Language Board in relation to the need to prepare a Welsh language scheme; on what date his Department and the Board held consultations on such a scheme; when a scheme was formally submitted to the Board; and if it has been approved. [53350]

  Mr. Straw
  The Welsh Language Board asked the Home Office to prepare a draft scheme in September 1996. A number of consultations have taken place with the Welsh Language Board on working drafts of the scheme since then.

  The Welsh Language Board has seen and commented on the most recent working drafts and a final version of the scheme is currently in development for submission to the Welsh Language Board for approval.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Spelthorne, dated 28 May, concerning Mr. S. Wolf of Shepperton, reference 10766/98. [53786]

  Mr. Michael
  I replied to the hon. Member on 26 July.

  Surrey Fire and Rescue Service
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will meet Spelthorne Borough Council to discuss Surrey County Council's proposed changes to their provision of fire services in the borough. [53790]

  Mr. George Howarth
  I have written to the hon. Member to explain that I would be prepared to consider further written representations from Spelthorne Borough Council. Because of the technical nature of the issues involved, it is normally more appropriate for representations against changes to the provision of fire cover to be made in writing. However, I have asked to be informed if there are particular reasons why points which the Borough Council might wish to make could be made to me direct only at a meeting.

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the proposed strike action by the staff of Surrey Fire and Rescue Service; and if he will hold talks with Surrey County Council and the Fire Brigades Union. [53791]
  403
  Mr. George Howarth
  Responsibility for resolving this local dispute rests primarily with the County Council, as the fire authority, and its employees, and I have no plans to hold talks with either the County Council or the Fire Brigades Union. To ensure the continuing safety of the public, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has, however, agreed with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence that, at the request of the County Council, military personnel should be deployed, when needed, to provide emergency fire cover.

  Youth Justice
  Mr. Hope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what advice he has received from the Youth Justice Task Force. [54869]

  Mr. Straw
  The Youth Justice Task Force delivered its final report, which incorporates all the advice it has given, this month. That advice has helped frame the youth justice measures now reflected in the Crime and Disorder Bill [Lords] and provides a steer for the early work of the new Youth Justice Board for England and Wales. Copies of the Task Force's final report have been placed in the Library and will be made available on the internet. The Task Force has now been wound up.

  Terrorism Legislation
  Mr. Michael J. Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the consultation paper on future legislation against terrorism will be published. [54876]

  Mr. Straw
  Work on the preparation of the consultation paper is well advanced and we now envisage that it will be published in the autumn.

  Prison Service
  Mr. Salter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the performance of Her Majesty's Prison Service in 1997–98. [54878]

  Mr. Straw
  I am pleased to report that I have today laid before Parliament the Prison Service's Annual Report and Accounts. Copies have also been placed in the Library.

  Ms Kingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to conduct a quinquennial review of the Prison Service Agency. [54883]

  Mr. Straw
  The Prison Service was established as a Next Steps Executive Agency on 1 April 1993. Since then there have been a number of changes to the relationship between the Service and the main Home Office. Most importantly, as promised in the Labour Party manifesto, since the general election the Government have acted to take proper Ministerial responsibility for the Service. Against this background and taking the opportunity of the quinquennial review of Next Steps Agencies which is now due, I am today announcing an evaluation of the performance of the Agency, reconsideration of Prior Options relating to Agency Status and, if appropriate, a review of the existing framework document.
  404
  The terms of reference for the review are as follows:
  to conduct an evaluation of the performance of the Agency since its inception;
  in the light of this evaluation to consider whether, among the available options, Agency Status remains the most cost effective way of achieving Home Office aims within the context of proper Ministerial responsibility; and
  if the review concludes that the Prison Service should continue to function as an Executive Agency, to consider what changes, if any, are required to the framework document and financial memorandum in light of the findings of the review and the changes we have made to the arrangements for Ministerial responsibility for the Service; if, however, the review concludes otherwise, to recommend the transitional arrangements necessary to facilitate transformation of the Service from Executive Agency to another organisational entity.

  The review will be conducted by officials from the main Home Office working with officials in the Prison Service. It will draw on and take account of other relevant work, for example the Prison Service Review which was published earlier in the year and the Prison-Probation Review.

  I welcome the views of all interested parties and, in particular, the review team will seek the views of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons, Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Probation, the Parole Board and the Prison Ombudsman. My noble Friend the Lord Williams of Mostyn is today writing to the Chairman of the Boards of Visitors National Advisory Council, the Home Office Trade Union Side, the Prison Service Trade Union Side, the Prison Officers Association, the Prison Governors' Association, the Secretary of the Prison Service Joint Industrial Council, the Association of Chief Probation Officers, the National Association of Probation Officers, the Central Probation Council and the Directors of the Prison Reform Trust, the Howard League for Penal Reform and the National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders, inviting their views. We shall also be seeking the views of the Criminal Justice Consultative Council and organisations associated with it.

  It is hoped to publish the outcome of the review around the end of the year.

  Horserace Betting Levy
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to publish the third report on the impact of the National Lottery on the horserace betting levy. [54882]

  Mr. George Howarth
  An update on the impact of the National Lottery on the horserace betting levy has been published today and will be placed in the Library. This fulfils an undertaking made during the passage of the National Lottery Bill.

  The paper, which has been prepared by the Economics Unit of the Home Office, examines continuing trends in off-course betting expenditure, on which the Levy closely depends.

  The statistical analysis indicates that, in 1997, off-course betting expenditure was about 12.8 per cent. below the level it would have reached in the absence of the National Lottery. Horserace betting accounts for about 69 per cent. of off-course betting expenditure, and therefore the levy yield is likely to have been similarly affected. This can be only an approximate figure, and the effect of the Lottery may vary over time.
  405

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Youth Justice
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will make a statement on the effectiveness of the Government's fast track prosecution of juveniles. [51720]

  The Attorney-General
  Since the Government announced their commitment to tackle delays in the youth justice system, there has been a significant increase in the number of court areas operating or planning to introduce fast-tracking schemes. From a figure shortly after the election of 12 youth court areas operating fast track schemes, there are now over 150 youth court areas either operating or planning to introduce schemes. The effect of these schemes cannot be fully evaluated yet but it is clear that real efforts are being made at a local level to respond. An example of a successful scheme is North Hampshire where the average time between charge and sentence has been reduced from 133 days to 89. The Government are confident that, taken together with the measures contained in the Crime and Disorder Bill, they will lead to a significant reduction in delays in the youth justice system.

  Court Waiting Times
  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Attorney-General what representations he has received concerning the length of time between the arrest and conviction of offenders; and if he will make a statement. [51721]

  The Attorney-General
  I have not received any representations on this subject. The Lord Chancellor's Department and the Court Service collect statistics on the time taken by cases dealt with in the magistrates' courts and the Crown Court respectively. The latest figures show a decrease in the time taken from charge or summons to completion for defendants in indictable—including triable either way—cases in magistrates' courts, and a slight increase in disposal times in the Crown Court for cases committed for trial.

  The Crime and Disorder Bill includes measures to reduce delay throughout the whole process.

  Prosecution Policy
  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Attorney-General under what circumstances community interest is taken into account by officers of the Crown Prosecution Service in determining whether to proceed with a prosecution. [51722]

  The Attorney-General
  The twin criteria set out in the Code for Crown Prosecutors require, first, that there should be sufficient evidence to afford a realistic prospect of conviction; and, secondly, that prosecution should be in the public interest. The prevalence of an offence in a particular area is a factor which should be taken into account and may require a prosecution where otherwise that might not be the case. The Crown Prosecution Service expects to work in conjunction with the statutory partnerships provided for by the Crime and Disorder Bill to implement local strategies for reducing crime and disorder.
  406

  Crown Prosecution Service
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Attorney-General when he proposes to allow barristers employed by the Crown Prosecution Service to represent it in all courts. [51724]

  The Attorney-General
  All CPS lawyers, whether barristers or solicitors, are able to appear as advocates in the magistrates' courts. Bar Council and Law Society rules govern the exercise of rights of audience in the higher courts by employed barristers and solicitors respectively. Employed solicitors were granted limited rights of audience in the higher courts in February 1997. Employed barristers have not yet been granted the same limited rights. My noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor has recently published a consultation paper on the future of rights of audience which contains proposals for modernising the system and removing the current restrictions which discriminate between barristers and solicitors, and between employed lawyers and those in private practice. I support these proposals and welcome the publication of the consultation paper.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Attorney-General what representations he has received on his proposals for the reorganisation of the Crown Prosecution Service. [51719]

  The Attorney-General
  My Statement to the House on publication of the Glidewell Report invited comments from interested parties. The numerous responses so far received reflect the same warm welcome which the Report initially received. I have been particularly pleased to note wide acceptance for the "whole system approach" to criminal justice issues which this Government have adopted as well as for the proposed restructuring of the CPS into 42 Areas.

  Task Forces
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Attorney-General if he will list the task forces and advisory groups composed of independent members which have been set up by his Department since 1 May 1997, indicating in each case(a) their remit, (b) their membership, (c) how many members are (i) scientists, (ii) engineers, (iii) small business people or representatives of small businesses, (d) any remuneration members receive for their services and (e) their budget. [53285]

  The Attorney-General
  On 12 June 1997 I established the Review of the Crown Prosecution Service under the chairmanship of the right hon. Sir Iain Glidewell, a retired Lord Justice of Appeal. He was assisted by Sir Geoffrey Dear (a retired HM Inspector of Constabulary) and Mr. Robert McFarland, a retired Chief Executive of a multi-national company. Their Report was published on 1 June 1998.

  The terms of reference for the Review were set out in my written answer to the House on 12 June 1997, Official Report, column 533. Sir Iain Glidewell was remunerated according to the daily sitting rate established for retired members of the Court of Appeal who discharge judicial duties and that was £556.00 per day. Sir Geoffrey Dear and Mr. Robert McFarland were each remunerated at the rate of £440.00 per day each. Subject to some outstanding items, the overall cost of the review was £652,466.00.
  407

  Crown Counsel
  Mr. Stott
  To ask the Attorney-General if the working party which he established to review the system of appointing counsel to act for the Government in civil cases has reported to him. [54617]

  The Attorney-General
  In February I established a working party to review the system of appointment counsel to act for the Crown in civil cases and to monitor the use of barristers appointed to act. The working party was chaired by the then Solicitor General (Lord Falconer QC) and included representatives from the Bar Council (Laura Cox QC and Lincoln Crawford), the two First Treasury Counsel (Philip Sales and Jonathan Crow) and officials from the Government Legal Service.

  The working party has now reported to me and I have accepted their recommendations. I am grateful to the members of the working party for their thorough consideration of the appointment process. A copy of the working party's report has been placed in the Library of each House of Parliament.

  Rape Prosecutions
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Attorney-General what further steps he plans to take to assist the Crown Prosecution Service to bring successful prosecutions in rape cases, with particular reference to the gathering of evidence. [53588]

  The Attorney-General
  The gathering of evidence in all criminal investigations is a matter for the police. The Crown Prosecution Service reviews and conducts cases in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors, once the police investigation is complete. The Home Office is conducting research on the attrition rate in rape cases, the results of which will be published. The Crown Prosecution Service will carefully consider the results of that research to identify whether changes need to be made to Crown Prosecution Service guidance or practice.

  Welsh Language Scheme
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Attorney-General on what date his Department received notification from the Welsh Language Board in relation to the need to prepare a Welsh language scheme; on what date his Department and the Board held consultations on such a scheme; when a scheme was formally submitted to the Board; and if it has been approved. [53352]

  The Attorney-General
  The Crown Prosecution Service launched its Welsh Language policy on 11 April 1994 and was commended for this by the Welsh Language Board. On 14 October 1997, an informal discussion took place between members of the Crown Prosecution Service and the Welsh Language Board on the preparation of a formal Crown Prosecution Service Welsh Language Policy in accordance with the provisions of the Welsh Language Act 1993. On 30 October 1997, the Welsh Language Board wrote to the Director of Public Prosecutions to invite the Crown Prosecution Service to prepare a Welsh Language Scheme and submit it to the Board for approval by 31 July 1998. The Director confirmed that the Crown Prosecution Service was happy to comply and the draft Welsh Language Scheme was submitted to the Welsh Language Board for approval on 17 July 1998. When the Board's comments have been 408
  received, the Crown Prosecution Service will advertise the details of the draft Scheme for comment from interested parties.

  Information Technology
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Attorney-General how much his Department spent on IT, itemising(a) personal computers, (b) main-frame, (c) mini-computers and (d) file servers in the last year for which figure are available. [52894]

  The Attorney-General
  For the financial year 1997–1998 the figures for IT hardware spending for my Departments were:

  Expenditure (£)

  1a

  b

  c

  2d

  Crown Prosecution Service

  523,476

  —

  —

  23,265

  Serious Fraud Office

  44,000

  —

  —

  53,000

  Treasury Solicitor

  181,577

  —

  —

  31,930

  Government Property Lawyers Agency

  19,498

  —

  —

  715

  Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers

  52,172

  —

  —

  16,089

  Total expenditure

  945,722.00

  1 Includes printers

  2 Includes other hardware

TREASURY

  Home Births
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many children in(a) 1990 and (b) 1998 were born at home; and if he will make a statement. [52923]

  Ms Hewitt
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Director of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Martyn Jones, dated 30 July 1998:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your parliamentary question on the number of children born at home in 1990 and 1998.
  The numbers of children born at home in England and Wales in 1990 and 1997, the latest year for which figures are available, are shown in the table below.

  Numbers of children born at home, England and Wales

  Year

  Number

  1990

  7,317

  1997

  14,351

  Debt (Foreign Governments)
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to ensure greater transparency and public access to information on debts owed by other Governments to the United Kingdom Government. [53233]

  Ms Hewitt
  ECGD publishes details on its recoverable claims on other countries in its Annual Report and Trading Accounts.
  409
  The Government are pressing the IMF and World Bank to consider the case for publishing in a timely and systematic way all key surveillance and programme documents, including publication of Press Information Notices for all Article IV consultations, publications of all letters of intent and policy framework papers, and publication of Country Assistance Strategies (CASs).

  Weekly Wages
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list for(a) the United Kingdom, (b) Greater London and (c) each constituency in Greater London the average weekly wage for (1) manual, (2) non manual and (3) all workers. [53558]

  Ms Hewitt
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Director of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Andrew Love, dated 30 July 1998:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent parliamentary question on average weekly wages.
  The latest available information, from the New Earnings Survey 1997, is contained in the attached tables. These tables are voluminous and copies of them are being placed in the Library of the House rather than reproduced in Hansard.

  Euro
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how much his Department will spend in 1998 on informing the public about the introduction of the euro; [53832]

  (2) what resources his Department will allocate towards public education in respect of the introduction of the euro; [53702]

  (3) what resources his Department will allocate in 1999 to educating and informing the public about the introduction of the euro. [53833]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Government's communication campaign on the euro is not a general public education campaign but is specifically targeted at ensuring UK businesses, especially small and medium sized firms, are aware of the implications of the introduction of the single currency from 1 January 1999 and have the information they need to address the issues arising from this.

  To meet this objective, the Treasury Euro Preparations Unit has received Summer Supplementary Estimate provision of £7.5 million to help raise business awareness during 1998–99. No expenditure has been authorised beyond this.

  Banking (Micronesia)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he has taken to seek to improve the standard of banking regulation in Micronesia. [53968]

  Ms Hewitt
  Banking regulation in the Federated States of Micronesia is the responsibility of the Micronesian authorities. The UK, however, supports moves to strengthen national financial systems, and is working in various international groupings to encourage improved standards of banking regulation and supervision.
  410

  Financial Services
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the progress of his plans for reform of financial services regulation. [54816]

  Mr. Byers
  The Government have today published a draft of the Financial Services and Markets Bill for consultation, together with a consultation paper and explanatory material.

  The draft Bill will give effect to the proposals to reform the financial services regulatory structure, announced in broad terms by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his statement to Parliament of 20 May 1997, Official Report, columns 537–46. It is intended that the draft Bill will make the Financial Services Authority the single, statutory regulator for the United Kingdom's financial services industry. It equips it with all the statutory functions and powers needed to operate a single regime for authorisation and regulation of financial services business. It allows it to operate with great flexibility whilst ensuring that any burdens or restrictions imposed by regulation are proportionate to the benefits.

  The Bill will provide the framework for single ombudsman and compensation schemes and a single appeals tribunal. It will introduce important new powers to deal with market abuse. It will also provide for a major element of external accountability for the regulation of Lloyd's.

  The first stage of the legislative process was completed when the Bank of England Act 1998 came into force on 1 June, transferring the prudential supervision of banks to the FSA. Publication of the draft Bill is the next, important stage in the process. Full public consultation will be beneficial to ensure that the new system is efficient and effective. Comments are sought on any aspects of the Government's plans to implement the modernisation of financial services regulation by 30 October 1998. The Government also welcome the likelihood that the Treasury Select Committee will wish to be involved in the consultation.

  Copies of the draft Bill and the other documents have been placed in the Vote Office and the Library of the House and can be found on the HM Treasury website (http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk).

  Since 1 June, the Financial Services Authority has made considerable progress in bringing together operations under the Banking Act 1987 and the Financial Services Act 1986. The Government have now decided, with the agreement of the Authority, that it should take further steps towards the full integration of financial services regulation that will be completed when the legislation is enacted. Accordingly, it will take responsibility for supporting the Building Societies Commission, the Friendly Societies Commission and, in relation to credit unions, the Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies in the exercise of their functions, and for acting on behalf of the Treasury in the conduct of insurance supervision under the Insurance Companies Act 1982, as soon as the necessary arrangements can be made.

  To this end the Government propose to make an order under the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994 to contract out the relevant insurance supervision functions to the Authority. The Authority will enter into contracts with the Treasury and with the Building Societies

  411
  Commission, the Friendly Societies Commission and the Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies setting out its responsibilities in these areas. These arrangements will be in place to enable the Authority to take on these additional responsibilities in January 1999.

  Tax Law Rewrite Project
  Mr. Caplin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what further developments there have been on the Tax Law Rewrite project. [54877]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Tax Law Rewrite project aims to bring clarity to our direct tax legislation, making the law more accessible to taxpayers and their advisers. The Inland Revenue have today published the project's second Exposure Draft, containing draft clauses relating to savings and investment income of individuals and a detailed commentary. Numerous innovative techniques have been adopted; in particular, the rewritten legislation incorporates easier to understand language, a more logical structure and shorter sentences. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

  This Exposure Draft is the first of six planned for 1998–99. We are committed to proceeding with them all on the basis of the full and open consultation that has been the hallmark of this project from the beginning. I urge everybody with an interest in tax law to take this further opportunity to comment.

  Teenage Mothers
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many children have been born to mothers under the age of 20 years in each year since 1990. [52919]

  Ms Hewitt
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Director of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Martyn Jones, dated 30 July 1998:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your parliamentary question on the number of children who have been born to mothers under the age of 20 years in each year since 1990.
  The numbers of live births to mothers aged under 20 in England and Wales for the years 1990 to 1996 are published in Table 3.1 of the annual reference volume 1996 Birth Statistics FM1 No. 25. This publication is available in the House of Commons Library.
  In England and Wales during 1997, the latest year for which figures are available, there were 46,316 live births to mothers aged under 20.

  International Debt Relief
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of the international debt relief total is owed to the United Kingdom(a) Government and (b) financial institutions. [52246]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 28 July 1998]: (a) World Bank figures state that the total debt owed by the twenty countries identified by the IMF as eligible for debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative is about $100 billion, of which the UK government is owed about $1.3 billion.

  (b) The Government do not keep records of the debts held by private sector financial institutions.
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  Compliance Cost Assessments
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list those compliance cost assessments since 1 May 1997 in which there is a net reduction in compliance costs resulting from a legislative proposal. [52962]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 28 July 1998]: There is presently no requirement on Departments to carry out compliance cost assessments where legislative proposals are expected to be cost neutral or result in a saving to business.

  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the compliance cost assessments published by her Department since 1 May 1997. [52961]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 28 July 1998]: Details of compliance cost assessments published by the Chancellor's departments are contained in the 6 monthly command paper of compliance costs assessments.

  Between 1 May 1997 and 30 June 1998 twelve compliance costs assessments covering the period have been published:

  The Building Societies Act 1997 (Commencement No. 1) Order 1997;

  The Financial Services Act 1986 (Extension of Scope of Act) Order 1997;

  The Gaming Duty Regulations 1997.

  The Industrial and Provident Societies (Credit Unions) (Amendment of Fees) Regulations 1998

  The Friendly Societies (General Charge and Fees) Regulations 1998.

  The Building Societies (General Charge and Fees) Regulations 1998.

  The Industrial and Provident Societies (Amendment of Fees) Regulations 1998.

  The Bank of England Act 1998.

  Arising out of the Finance (No. 2) Bill 1998:

  The Modernisation of the Transfer Pricing Legislation

  The Controlled Foreign Companies Legislation and Self Assessments

  A Modern System for Corporation Tax Payments

  The Capital Gains Tax Reform.

  Statistical Areas
  Mr. Denis Murphy
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) which Government departments were charged with drawing up the criteria in respect of the review of NUTS 2 statistical areas; and what criteria were used in each area; [51838]

  (2) what consultations were undertaken with Her Majesty's Government, by Eurostat in respect of the review of NUTS 2 statistical areas, with specific reference to Northumberland and Durham. [51839]

  Ms Hewitt
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Director of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Denis Murphy, dated 30 July 1998:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent parliamentary questions on the new NUTS-2 statistical areas for the UK.

  413
  Following a public consultation exercise in Summer 1996, the Government Statistical Service Committee on Regional Statistics drafted proposals for a new NUTS structure for the UK which were submitted to Eurostat in July 1997. The document "Proposals for the UK Nomenclature of Territorial Units (NUTS) (May 1997)" describes the departments involved and the criteria taken into account, including those principles applied by Eurostat. Copies of this document are available in the House of Commons library.
  Throughout the subsequent negotiations, Eurostat stressed that in their view the UK proposals contained too many NUTS-2 areas and that changes from the old structure were unjustified. Within the North East, the old structure contained two NUTS-2 areas— (i) Cleveland and Durham, and (ii) Northumberland and Tyne & Wear. The proposals suggested the creation of three NUTS-2 areas within the North East—(i) Cleveland and Darlington, (ii) Durham and Northumberland, and (iii) Tyne & Wear. The sizes of the existing two areas, in population terms, were already smaller than the EU average, and creating three areas would reduce the UK average further. Also, in Eurostat's view this proposal was not consistent with their criteria.
  We continued to press the case for the UK proposals in respect of the North East throughout the negotiations. However, after a lengthy impasse, Eurostat made it clear that this proposal was not going to be accepted. In order to reach agreement for the UK as a whole, we had to accept their position. In the absence of an agreement, Eurostat, with whom the final decision on the classification rests, would have continued to use the existing NUTS-2 structure for the UK with virtually no change in any region.
  The NUTS structure finally agreed with Eurostat was published in a News Release on 29 June, and copies are also available in the House of Commons Library.

  Inflation
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what date he plans to reduce inflation to its target level. [53433]

  Ms Hewitt
  Under the monetary policy framework introduced in May 1997, the Government's role is to set the inflation target. The Bank of England is responsible for taking operational decisions to meet the inflation target.

  The inflation target is 2½ per cent. at all times. However, monetary policy affects inflation with a lag and the actions taken by the MPC will not yet have had their full effect on inflation.

  Written Answers
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of written parliamentary questions tabled for answer by his Department on a named day under S.O. No. 22(4) have been answered substantively on the named day since 1 May 1997; and if he will make a statement. [53453]

  Ms Hewitt
  30.1 per cent. (473 out of 1,569).

  Employees Over 60
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many(a) men and (b) women aged over 60 years were employed by (i) his Department and (ii) his Department's agencies on 1 January. [53070]
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  Ms Hewitt
  The numbers of(a) men and (b) women aged over 60 years employed by (i) HM Treasury and (ii) the Chancellor's other departments and agencies on 1 January 1998, or as near as possible where figures at that date are not readily available, are as follows:

  Department or Agency

  Men

  Women

  HM Treasury

  3

  9

  Debts Management Office

  0

  0

  Office for National Statistics

  16

  24

  National Savings

  23

  40

  Royal Mint

  48

  0

  HM Customs and Excise

  250

  146

  Inland Revenue

  39

  36

  Valuation Office Agency

  8

  6

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many(a) men and (b) women employed by (1) his Department and (2) his Department's agencies have contracts of employment which permit them to retire after their 60th birthday. [53047]

  Ms Hewitt
  The numbers of(a) men and (b) women aged over 60 years employed by (1) HM Treasury and (2) the Chancellor's other departments and agencies who have contracts of employment permitting them to retire after their 60th birthday are as follows:

  Department or Agency

  Men

  Women

  HM Treasury1

  5

  27

  Debts Management Office

  0

  0

  Office for National Statistics1

  39

  95

  National Savings

  13

  33

  Royal Mint1

  783

  172

  HM Customs and Excise

  8,934

  9,257

  Inland Revenue

  0

  0

  Valuation Office Agency

  0

  0

  1 These figures include staff who are already over 60

  Euro Preparations Unit
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a breakdown of the £1 million initial information programmes budget for the Euro Preparations Unit. [53736]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Euro Preparations Unit was established last December, with an initial programmes budget of £1.1 million which was allocated to:printing and publishing of information, including business preparations factsheets, to help UK business prepare for the introduction of the single currency on 1 January 1999;
  development of a communications campaign strategy;
  running Ministerial EMU awareness seminars and regional conferences;
  conducting surveys to assess the level of preparedness amongst UK small and medium sized firms.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what steps he has taken to ensure the impartiality of publications which are(a) published and (b) distributed in the United Kingdom with the aid of public funds, as part of the information campaign on the single currency; [53731]

  (2) if he will list the publications produced by the Euro Preparations Unit since December 1997. [53742]
  415
  Ms Hewitt
  The information is as follows:

  "EMU: Report from the Business Advisory Group"—January 1998

  "EMU: The euro and your business"—March 1998

  "EMU: Steps for 1999"—May 1998

  "business preparations for the euro"—June 1998

  "getting ready for the euro"—first report July 1998

  "Local Government Preparations for the euro"—July 1998.

  All these publications, except "EMU: Steps for 1999" and "Local Government Preparations for the euro", focus on helping UK businesses understand the strategic and practical implications of the launch of the single currency on 1 January 1999.

  All the publications are factual and impartial in that they neither promote nor denigrate the euro. The Government have been assisted by the Business Advisory Group and the Information Steering Committee in preparing these booklets.

  "EMU: Steps for 1999" is aimed at organisations in both the private and public sectors. The booklet sets out the steps that the Government are taking to prepare for the introduction of the single currency. Our most recent publication, "Local Government Preparations for the euro", aims to help local government prepare for the launch of the euro.

  Individual Savings Accounts
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he proposes to announce the final regulations regarding the launch of ISAs. [53711]

  Ms Hewitt
  Regulations will be laid before the House as soon as possible after the Finance Bill receives the Royal Assent.

  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will estimate how many ISA providers will be in place by April 1999; [53768]

  (2) how many approaches he has had from financial companies wishing to register as ISA providers; [53767]

  (3) what minimum target his Department has set for approved ISA providers to be reached before the new system goes live on 6 April 1999. [53769]

  Ms Hewitt
  ISAs will not be available until 6 April 1999 but those who wish to become ISA managers will be able to seek approval from an earlier date to be specified in the regulations. Based on the existing number of PEP and TESSA providers, it is expected that around 500–600 bodies will become ISA managers. No minimum target number of approved managers has been set and the Revenue aims to complete the approval process, for all those who apply promptly and meet the qualifying conditions, in good time for April 1999.

  "Talking about the Euro"
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received about the nature of the European Commission document "Talking about the Euro". [53739]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Chancellor has received no such representations.
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  Comprehensive Spending Review
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 24 July 1998,Official Report, column 750, how many of the 45 surveys referred to were published prior to the publication of the Comprehensive Spending Review; and how many of the surveys published after the publication of the Comprehensive Spending Review were more pessimistic than the assumptions used by the Treasury in the EFSR. [53914]

  Ms Hewitt
  The most recent edition of the Treasury's regular comparison of independent forecasts was published in July. It is available in the House of Commons Library and more widely via the Treasury's Internet site.

  Twenty-seven out of the forty-five surveys were new in July and so followed the Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report which set out the key information on the new spending plans, subsequently confirmed in the Comprehensive Spending Review. The average forecast for growth in 1999 in these new forecasts is almost exactly in line with the Treasury assumption adopted in the Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report. Around half of them show higher growth, and around half are lower.

  Unemployment
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent changes he has made to his estimate of future unemployment levels in UK manufacturing. [53766]

  Mr. Byers
  In line with the convention adopted by previous Governments, the Government do not publish any forecast of unemployment.

  Interest Rates
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer under what circumstances he would consider taking control over interest rates from the Bank of England. [53435]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Bank of England Act 1998 has given the Bank of England operational responsibility to set interest rates to meet the Government's inflation target. The Treasury's reserve powers are set out in Chapter 11, part II, section 19 of that Act.

  Personal Social Services
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out for each year from 1998–99 to 2001–02 the increase in Personal Social Services in(a) cash terms, (b) real terms and (c) as a percentage adjusted for the amount provided in Special Transitional Grant in 1998–99 and subsequently increased in line with the Government's inflation assumptions. [52609]

  Mr. Boateng
  [holding answer 27 July 1998]: I have been asked to reply.

  After allowance has been made for the transfer of responsibility for asylum seekers from the Department of Health to the Home Office, the increases in total

  417
  resources from 1998–99 to 2001–02 for personal social services in England are as set out in the table.

  Planned provision (million)

  Cash increase (percentage)

  1998–99

  8,387

  —

  6.2

  1999–2000

  8,915

  3.6

  5.5

  2000–01

  9,408

  3.0

  5.3

  2001–02

  9,906

  2.7

  The figures are for total provision. Thus, figures for 1998–99 include the special transitional grant, and all other revenue grants in that year, except support for asylum seekers.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Social Landlords
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to change the low cost home ownership incentive schemes offered by registered social landlords and to enable more registered social landlords to offer flexible tenure schemes. [54622]

  Ms Armstrong
  We plan to simplify the range of low cost home ownership schemes available through Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) in England by offering a new scheme based on the Homebuy scheme that has run successfully in Wales since 1994.

  Qualifying tenants will receive interest-free equity loans to meet 25% of the cost of buying a home of their own. Funding for the scheme will be provided by the Housing Corporation, and RSLs will be able to bid for funds from their Approved Development Programme (ADP).

  Homebuy will replace two existing schemes, the Tenants Incentive Scheme and Do-It-Yourself Shared Ownership. It will open to RSL tenants, those nominated from the local authority waiting list who would otherwise receive permanent social housing and local authority tenants, subject to appropriate eligibility rules.

  In common with the two schemes it replaced Homebuy will be available only in areas where the scheme can help relieve a shortage of social housing by assisting tenants or those on the waiting list into home ownership.

  Homebuy will not normally be offered in areas where there is no shortage of social housing. Support through the ADP for the development and sale of dwellings by RSLs on shared ownership terms will continue.

  I believe that Homebuy will prove to be an attractive scheme for tenants, and I have asked the Housing Corporation to consult interested parties on detailed proposals for the new scheme. I will be laying a Statutory Instrument before the House in due course to add Homebuy to the permitted purposes of RSLs.
  418
  We also plan to give RSLs greater scope to offer flexible tenure schemes to help households who have bought on shared ownership terms and who face repossession because of a change in their financial circumstances. Working within rules set by the Housing Corporation RSLs will be allowed to use recycled Social Housing Grant to buy back from shared owners some or all of the equity of their property.

  Flexible tenure schemes are already offered by a small number of RSLs and enabling more to do so will be an important step in avoiding homelessness and maintaining stable communities. I have also asked the Housing Corporation to consult on detailed proposals for this new measure.

  English Partnerships
  Mr. Ian Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a report on the progress of English Partnerships. [54623]

  Mr. Caborn
  I have today laid before Parliament English Partnerships' Annual Report and Accounts for 1997–98, which sets out their achievements last year. The Report provides details of the Agency's £315 million development programme and illustrates the varied range of their projects across the English regions. It explains that 545 projects were approved in 1997–98 and a total of over 2000 have been completed in the Agency's first four years. The Agency's key outputs for 1997–98 were as follows:

  Outputs for 1997–98

  Jobs created/safeguarded

  29,000

  Land regenerated (Ha)

  1,350

  Private finance attracted (£m)

  767

  Housing units facilitated

  7,540

  Commercial/industrial floorspace developed (sq.m)

  860,000

  City Challenge
  Mr. Ian Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when his Department's research on the final evaluation of City Challenge will be published. [54624]

  Mr. Caborn
  The first output from the final evaluation of City Challenge, "What Works; Learning the Lessons", is published today. Copies of the report have been placed in the House Library. This report is based on a preliminary review of the monitoring data and interviews with representatives of City Challenge Partnerships. The full evaluation report is due in October 1998.

  Business Aviation
  Ms Moran
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research his Department has undertaken into business aviation in the South East; and if he will make a statement. [54627]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Department of Transport and the Department of Trade and Industry published a report on Business Aviation in 1995. My Department has also recently let a consultancy contract for a study of business aviation in the South East, to update that earlier report. The consultants are undertaking a two-part study which
  419
  should provide consistent background information, amongst other things, on the size of the current market, likely future demand, and availability of facilities and capacity, against which local and Central Government, airport operators, business aviation operators and other interested parties can base future decisions about the provision of Business Aviation.

  The first part of the study, which involved an audit of demand and capacity, has not been completed and copies of the interim report have been placed in the House of Commons Library.

  Opencast Coal
  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement about progress with the review of planning policy on opencast coal and the appeal cases which are currently before him for decision. [54686]

  Mr. Caborn
  Planning policy for coal extraction, including opencast coal mining, is set out in Minerals Planning Guidance Note 3 (MPG3). Following the completion of the Energy Fuels Review, my Department will be preparing a revised draft of MPG3 for England which will be issued this autumn for a period of full consultation with all interested parties. This revised draft will take into account our pre-election commitments on opencast coal, the responses to our consultation in 1997 on Labour's 10-point plan for opencast coal, and, when available, the final conclusions of the Energy Fuels Review on the future of coal as a fuel for UK power generation.

  Meanwhile, my Department has issued the Secretary of State's decisions on 4 opencast appeal cases which have been delayed whilst the Energy Fuels Review has been in progress. It would not have been reasonable to delay these any longer. In deciding future cases after the publication of the revised draft of MPG3 for England, its emerging policies, as well as those in the current MPG3, will in appropriate cases be relevant considerations both for mineral planning authorities and for the Secretary of State, and as such will need to be taken into account.

  Greater London Authority
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions where the Greater London Authority will be located; and if he will make a statement. [54811]

  Mr. Raynsford
  We have now drawn up a list of eight possible locations for London's new Mayor and Assembly. This has been selected from information on over 50 buildings, new developments and sites sent to Knight Frank, our agents.

  They are:

  Camelford House, SE11 (refurbishment of a Thamesside building)

  Canary Wharf, E14 (site WF-9—overlooking the Thames and the City)

  Dean Ryle Street Building, SW1 (refurbishment—formerly part of Westminster Hospital)

  London Bridge City, SE1 (a site between Tower Bridge and London Bridge on the Thames)

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  Regent's Place, Euston Road, NW1 (new development close to Regents Park)

  St. George's Court, New Oxford Street, WC1 (refurbishment of a former Ministry of Defence building)

  Vauxhall Cross, SE11 (the Effra site by Vauxhall Bridge)

  Victoria House, Bloomsbury Square, WC1 (refurbishment).

  The next step will be to provide the owners, managers and developers of these buildings and sites with details of the GLA's likely requirements and to invite them to submit details on how they can fulfil these, how quickly and at what cost. Some of the eight options are also being considered for other uses and may fall out. Some will need planning and other approvals and these will need to be considered by the appropriate authorities. If other possible locations come forward in the next few weeks, these too will be considered.

  I anticipate that there will be strong competition to provide the high quality building which the Mayor and Assembly deserve. I hope to announce the final decision around the end of the year.

  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on what date he plans the elections for the Greater London Authority to take place. [53586]

  Mr. Raynsford
  As stated in paragraph 1.28 of the White Paper "A Mayor and Assembly for London" (Cm 3897), elections for the Mayor and the Assembly could be held in the autumn of 1999 or in Spring 2000. We hope to announce our preferred date in the autumn.

  Flooding (Midlands)
  Mr. Andy King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will provide financial assistance to(a) Warwick District Council, (b) Wychavon District Council and (c) Northamptonshire Police Authority under the Bellwin scheme in respect of costs incurred following the severe flooding on the weekend of 9 to 12 April. [54815]

  Ms Armstrong
  1 am satisfied that financial assistance under the Bellwin scheme is justified in these cases. Schemes will, therefore, be established under section 155 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. Grant will be paid to each authority to cover 85 per cent. of eligible costs which are above a threshold and which have been incurred by the authority in dealing with the flooding.

  Sefton
  Ms Christine Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will announce his decision on the Local Government Commission's recommendations on the future of local government in the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton; and if he will make a statement. [54873]

  Ms Armstrong
  I am today announcing that we have decided to accept the Local Government Commission's recommendation for no change in the structure of local government in Sefton. I believe this will be the most satisfactory way forward for the whole of Sefton in terms of effective and convenient local government. We have also decided to accept the Commission's recommendations for minor changes to electoral arrangements in the borough.
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  World War II Bombs, Chippenham
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will provide financial assistance to North Wiltshire District Council under the Bellwin scheme in respect of costs incurred following the discovery of two World War II bombs in Chippenham on 12 and 13 February. [54874]

  Ms Armstrong
  I am satisfied that financial assistance under the Bellwin scheme is justified given the exceptional circumstances in this case. A scheme will, therefore, be established under section 155 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. Grant will be paid to cover 85 per cent. of eligible costs which are above a threshold and which have been incurred by North Wiltshire District Council in dealing with this incident.

  Environmental Information
  Mr. Burgon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he has reached conclusions on his review of policy on environmental information for consumers, and on the Financial Management and Policy Review of the United Kingdom Ecolabelling Board; and if he will make a statement. [54155].

  Mr. Meacher
  These reviews have been taking place against a background of helpful developments at EU level. EU institutions have recently been considering the future direction of the EU ecolabelling scheme, while interest has been growing in a more integrated approach to policy on consumer products and the environment. The UK Presidency tabled these issues for discussion at the Council of Ministers in June. There was a very constructive debate, which gave some clear guidance about future revision of the ecolabelling regulation and confirmed a close interest among member states in work being developed by the Commission on an integrated policy for products and the environment.

  Against this background, the Government propose to look afresh at ways of stimulating a more sustainable market in consumer products, including more effective ways of informing consumers about the benefits. This will involve consideration of a range of approaches depending on the specific characteristics of products and the way they are consumed. I shall be issuing a strategy paper later this summer which will set out our analysis of the issues, our view on the part that can best be played by different instruments, and some specific propositions for future action on which we will be seeking views.

  To help take matters forward, I intend setting up a new advisory panel to assist my Department across the range of product-related issues. The panel will be asked to advise on the development of strategic product policies, priorities and mechanisms for national approaches to labelling, and practical action to raise the standard of information available in the market. Membership of the panel will be drawn from a range of stakeholder interests, and make use of experience already available within the UK Ecolabelling Board (UKEB).

  On the "prior options review" of UKEB itself, copies of the report are being placed in the Library of the House. The text is also available on request from my Department and will be placed on its Internet site.
  422
  UKEB was set up under the European Communities Act 1972 with the sole purpose of administering the EU ecolabelling scheme. Unfortunately, that scheme has had only limited impact in the market; the level of take-up is still low and is not expected to increase dramatically in the foreseeable future. The review found that UKEB has done a good job in these difficult circumstances. I endorse this view and pay tribute to the dedicated work done by the Board members and staff of UKEB to advance the EU ecolabelling scheme. However, in the circumstances of low market take-up of the label, and bearing in mind that UKEB' s duties could not be widened without new legislation, the Government would not feel justified in retaining an executive Non-Departmental Public Body solely to administer this function.

  The Government will therefore be formally winding up UKEB later this year, at which point the role of "UK Competent Body" under the EU ecolabelling regulation will be taken on by my Department while wider policies are being developed. The new advisory panel will be asked to assist the Department in this work by offering advice on strategic ecolabelling issues. The EU scheme is a valuable voluntary instrument, with potential for influencing consumer choice across the single market, but experience has shown that it will need to operate within a wider framework of measures if it is to make a significant contribution. In aiming to develop a more comprehensive approach to consumer products and the environment, the Government hope to unlock more of the potential which schemes such as this offer.

  Water and Sewerage Services
  Mr. Burgon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what analysis his Department has undertaken of the incidence effects of changing the basis of charging for domestic water and sewerage services. [54136]

  Mr. Meacher
  My Department will today publish research carried out by the consultancy firm Maxwell Stamp to examine the incidence effects of changing the basis for charging for domestic water and sewerage services in England and Wales. The alternatives to the current rateable value based bills examined as part of this research are council tax based charges, flat rate charges and a number of measured tariffs.

  This research was taken into account when writing the "Water Charging in England and Wales—A New Approach" Consultation Paper, and will also inform our decisions in light of responses to that Consultation Paper.

  Packaging Waste Regulations
  Mr. Burgon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will be consulting on options for amending the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 1997; and if he will make a statement. [54156]

  Mr. Meacher
  I am today placing in the Library a copy of the Government's consultation document on amendments to the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 1997.

  The consultation document puts forward a number of options and proposals for modifying the Regulations and many of those reflect the recommendations made at the end

  423
  of June by the Advisory Committee on Packaging (ACP), chaired by Sir Peter Parker. The ACP undertook a review of the Regulations in the first part of this year and have, in particular, advised that, at this early stage, adjustments to the Regulations should be kept to the minimum in order to minimise uncertainty, and encourage investment in the collection and reprocessing infrastructure for packaging recycling and recovery. The Government also need to be assured that the requirements of the Regulations will be sufficient to enable the UK to meet the targets in the EC Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste in 2001. The options and proposals in the paper are therefore designed to ensure the smooth working of the Regulations in order to meet our objectives.

  The document invites views on the options presented for changes to the Regulations. Decisions on any changes to the system will be made on the basis of the views received in response, and will of course be subject to Parliamentary approval later in the year.

  Hon. Members may wish to note that this document is relevant to a number of the issues that were raised by the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee in its Sixth Report, Substantial Waste Management. The Government are preparing a full response to the Committee's recommendations, including those relating to the management of packaging waste, and hope to publish it shortly.

  Housing (Unsafe Structures)
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement concerning the case of R v. Bristol City Council ex parte Everett (The Times 21 May 1998) with reference to the implications for the health and safety of tenants whose properties may be structurally unsafe. [50738]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 16 July 1998]: The circumstances of this case do appear to be somewhat special. I understand that it is likely that there will be an appeal and no further comment would be appropriate at this stage.

  House-Builders Federation
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the meetings held between Ministers in his Department and the House-Builders Federation in the last six months and the dates of those meetings. [52266]

  Mr. Raynsford
  I met representatives of the House-Builders Federation on 23 February and addressed a luncheon at their annual general meeting on 7 April.

  Wind Farms
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received regarding the proximity of wind turbines to bridleways and other public rights of way and their impact on equine welfare. [52097]

  Mr. Raynsford
  One, from the British Horse Society.

  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will assess the advantages and disadvantages of amending 424
  PPG 22 to introduce a minimum required distance between wind farms and bridleways and other public rights of way. [52098]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Planning Policy Guidance notes are not intended to be prescriptive. We have no evidence that the existing guidance is not robust enough in this area. Planning Policy Guidance note 7, 'The Countryside—Environmental Quality and Economic and Social Development', already alerts local planning authorities to take into account the impact of proposed developments on public rights of way when deciding planning applications. Experience indicates that properly designed and maintained wind turbines are a safe technology.

  London Underground
  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what contingency plans he has to finance London Underground in the event that his public/private partnership plans are not in place by 2000–01. [52175]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  London Transport is developing plans to award one, two or three infrastructure contracts to finance, maintain and modernise the Underground's infrastructure by April 2000. If it appears that this timetable will not be achieved, the Government will consider with LT what interim funding arrangements may be necessary.

  Coach Services (London)
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the number of services interchanging at London coach terminals for passengers in transit to locations outside London. [52750]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Coach services interchange at several locations in London including Victoria Coach Station, Bulleid Way, Heathrow Airport, King's Cross, and Russell Square. The Government do not compile information about these services. However, I understand that, according to recent sample surveys, around 30 per cent. of passengers departing from Victoria Coach Station were estimated to have transferred from other coach services in and around the station.

  Hospital Transport Services
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he held with the Secretary of State for Health over hospital transport services prior to the publication of the Integrated Transport White Paper. [52317]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Ministers and officials in both Departments have been working closely on issues relating to hospital transport services prior to the publication of the Integrated Transport White Paper, and will continue to do so.

  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he made of the advantages of including hospital transport services within the scope of the Integrated Transport White Paper. [52318]
  425
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Hospital transport services are included in the Integrated White Paper as part of a wider initiative to encourage employers to adopt green transport plans in an effort to change travel habits of employees. Hospitals have a vital role to play in sending the right messages to their communities by acting responsibly on health issues. We are, therefore, strongly encouraging health facilities to produce green transport plans.

  A3, Hindhead
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received about pollution, traffic congestion and consequent environmental damage arising from traffic on the A3 at Hindhead. [52319]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We have receive a considerable number of representations in response to the Roads Review consultation about pollution, traffic congestion and environmental damage arising from traffic on the A3 at Hindhead. In addition, over the last twelve months the Highways Agency has received a number of representations relating to traffic congestion in this location.

  Drinking Water
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what was the cost of removing(a) pesticides, (b) nitrates and (c) phosphates from water supplies to make them potable, in (i) 1994–95, (ii) 1995–96, (iii) 1996–97 and (iv) 1997–98; [52546]

  (2) what was the cost of removing from water supplies phosphate derived from (a) point sources and (b) diffuse sources to make them potable, in (i) 1994–95, (ii) 1995–96, (iii) 1996–97 and (iv) 1997–98. [52547]

  Mr. Meacher
  The costs in England and Wales of removing pesticides and nitrates from drinking water for 1994–95, 1995–96 and 1996–97 are listed. This information is derived from companies' July returns and published annually by Ofwat on CD-ROM, copies of which are in the Library of the House. Information for 1997–98 is not yet available. There is not normally a requirement to remove phosphates from drinking water supplies from(a) point sources and (b) diffuse sources; indeed in some cases phosphates are added to reduce plumbo-solvency.

  Expenditure on nitrate and pesticide removal at water treatment works (in millions of pounds, at 1997–98 prices)

  Year

  Nitrates

  Pesticides

  1994–95

  20

  134

  1995–96

  9

  155

  1996–97

  5

  117

  Source:

  Table 37 July Returns

  Ospar Commission
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Ospar meeting in Sintra, Portugal. [52713]
  426
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the outcome of the ministerial conference of the Ospar Commission in Portugal. [52752]

  Mr. Meacher
  The first Ministerial meeting of the Ospar Commission for the protection of the marine environment of the North East Atlantic successfully reached agreement on a wide range of issues, thereby laying the foundation for an agreed international programme of work to implement the Ospar Convention.

  We agreed a decision to end the potential opt-out for France and the United Kingdom on the dumping of radioactive waste. We adopted a new annexe to the Convention to authorise the Commission to adopt programmes and measures to control human activities that can have an adverse impact on the marine environment, with safeguards to ensure that there is no duplication or contradiction of work in other international forums, especially in respect of the management of fisheries. We adopted a binding decision to ban the dumping of all steel installations. This decision also bans the dumping of concrete installations and leaving both steel and concrete installations in place, but provides for possible derogations for sea-disposal of concrete installations and leaving in place the footings of steel installations over 10,000 tonnes. Consideration of the possibility of such derogations is subject to agreed assessment and international consultation procedures.

  Looking ahead, we adopted long-term strategies to guide the work of the Commission on:
  hazardous substances (where the ultimate aim will be concentrations in the marine environment near background values for naturally occurring substances and close to zero for man-made synthetic substances, and the goal for 2020 will be to make every endeavour to move towards the target of cessation of discharges, emissions and losses by the date);
  radioactive substances (where the ultimate aim will be concentrations in the marine environment near background values for naturally occurring substances and close to zero for artificial radioactive substances; in achieving this objective, we shall take into account legitimate uses of the sea, technical feasibility and radiological impacts to man and biota; the goal for 2020 will be the reduction of discharges, emissions and losses to levels where the additional concentrations in the marine environment above historic levels, resulting from such discharges, emissions and losses, are close to zero);
  eutrophication (where the aim is to eliminate eutrophication where it occurs in the North East Atlantic and to prevent further occurrences); and
  the protection of ecosystems and biological diversity (where the first aim will be the entry into force of the new Annexe, and the identification of human activities that need to be addressed under it, and the preparation of programmes and measures to do so, along with promoting the establishment of a network of marine protected areas).

  We also agreed, now that the decision on the disposal of disused offshore installations has been adopted, to develop a similar strategy, for adoption at next year's meeting of the Commission, on setting environmental goals for the offshore oil and gas industry and establishing improved management mechanisms to achieve them.
  427
  Finally, we approved the work on the production of a Quality Status Report on the North East Atlantic by 2000 to provide a sound, scientific basis for identifying and prioritising future tasks and for revising the strategies at the next Ministerial meeting of the Commission in 2003.

  A copy of the Sintra Statement, summing up the conclusions of the Ministers, is being put in the Library.

  The agreements which we reached at Sintra are good for the environment, good for jobs and good for the UK's reputation abroad, as underlining, in the World Year of the Oceans, our commitment to protecting our common heritage in the oceans.

  Mobile Homes
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for St. Ives (Mr. George) of 16 June 1997,Official Report, column 39, on council tax for mobile homes, if he will make a statement on progress with his discussions on possible changes to the existing structure of valuation bands. [53085]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The consultation paper 'Improving local financial accountability' invited views on whether there is a case to change the council tax. The deadline for responses was 1 June. Our proposals will be set out in a White Paper shortly.

  Noise Insulation
  Mr. Fitzpatrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the decibel noise levels at which noise protection funding has been made available since 1968. [52896]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Noise Insulation Regulations 1975 were made retrospective to roads opened to traffic on or after the 17 October 1969. The qualifying noise level as described in my previous answer has remained unchanged since it was originally introduced.

  Mr. Fitzpatrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions at what decibel level Government funding is available for noise insulation. [52895]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Government funding is available only in cases where the noise level is expected to exceed a specified noise level and to have risen by at least 1 decibel above the prevailing noise level as the result of the creation or alteration of a trunk road. The level of road traffic noise specified in the Noise Insulation Regulations 1975 (as amended in 1988) is 68 decibels measured as an average level exceeded for 10 per cent. of the time between the hours of 6 am and midnight.

  A13 Underpass
  Mr. Fitzpatrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the plans for the A13 underpass development at Prince Regent Lane. [52834]
  428
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Following the decision in 1996 to adopt a slightly more southerly alignment for the A13 Prince Regent Lane Improvement, a full environmental assessment is being carried out and we hope to hold a full public consultation on the new alignment in the Autumn.

  Trains (Capacity)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the number of trains operated by Virgin Rail classed as short trains. [52768]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Virgin Trains is required by the franchise agreements for West Coast Trains and CrossCountry Trains to use all reasonable endeavours to provide sufficient capacity on each train that it operates. For certain services, notably peak service to and from London Euston and Birmingham New Street, there is a more detailed capacity requirement in the Passenger Service Requirement (PSR). The Office of Passenger Rail Franchising checks twice a year that Virgin plans to deliver sufficient capacity. It also monitors what actually happens on a four weekly basis. Failure to achieve 97.5 per cent. of the planned capacity in a four week period is a breach of the Franchise for the West Coast; the equivalent figure for the CrossCountry is 94 per cent. There was no breach of these limits in 1997–98. In addition, Virgin West Coast must pay a penalty for every train that is short of the planned number of seats. It paid a total of £167,907 to the Franchising Director in 1997–98.

  Rail Operators (Targets)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will take steps to ensure that the Director of Passenger Rail Franchising uses his powers to the full extent to ensure that rail operators meet the targets set. [52769]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Objectives, Instructions and Guidance which we issued to the Franchising Director in November last year require him to manage franchises in a way which ensures the prompt and effective delivery of the terms of the franchise agreements and he uses his powers to that end. As our White Paper on the Future of Transport makes clear, we intend to set up a Strategic Rail Authority with stronger powers of enforcement and to seek more demanding performance standards for franchise operators.

  Planning Inquiries
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many decisions after receipt of planning inspector's reports have been delayed for longer than(a) three, (b) six and (c) nine months in the last three years. [52399]

  Mr. Raynsford
  [holding answer 27 July 1998]: The Department holds information on the number of appeal and call-in cases outstanding at the end of each quarter which have been with the Department, following receipt of an inspector's report, for 8 weeks or more in the case

  429
  of appeals, and 13 weeks or more in the case of call-ins. The latest available figures relate to the quarter ending

  Outstanding for 13 weeks or more

  Outstanding for 26 weeks or more

  Outstanding for 39 weeks or more

  1 October 1994–30 September 1995

  26

  10

  32

  1 October 1995–30 September 1996

  11

  12

  16

  1 October 1996–30 September 1997

  40

  25

  21

  Total

  77

  47

  69

  Each case is recorded in this table only once (ie cases outstanding for 39 weeks or more are not also recorded as being outstanding for 13 and 26 weeks). Some cases outstanding for less than 26 weeks and decided between quarterly returns will not be included in these figures.

  Incinerators
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many incinerators in the United Kingdom have emitted levels of dioxins above the statutory level set by his Department in each of the past 10 years. [52827]

  Mr. Meacher
  There has been a statutory emission limit for dioxins only since January 1998 when a direction was issued by my Department to the Environment Agency in relation to hazardous waste incinerators so as to implement the EU Hazardous Waste Incineration Directive. However, the Environment Agency and its predecessor body (HM Inspectorate of Pollution) have set their own dioxin limits in authorisations for certain incinerators in England and Wales for several years. Information from the Environment Agency is that the statutory emission limit has not been exceeded at any incinerator to which it applies, and that their own/HMIP' s limits have been exceeded at two incinerators.

  Ecolabelling
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Arundel and South Downs (Mr. Flight) of 15 June 1998,Official Report, columns 39–40, if he will make a statement on the

  Date

  Title

  May 1997

  The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 1997

  May 1997

  The Merchant Shipping (Mandatory Ships' Routeing) Regulations 1997

  June 1997

  The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 5) Regulations 1997 (implementing a Council Directive on the approximation of the laws of member states relating to roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles and their trailers (exhaust emissions))

  June 1997

  The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 5) Regulations 1997 (implementing a Council Directive on measures to be taken against air pollution by motor vehicles)

  June 1997

  The Control of Trade in Endangered Species (Fees) Regulations 1997

  July 1997

  The Motor Vehicles (Tests) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 1997

  July 1997

  The International Carriage of Perishable Foodstuffs (Amendment) Regulations 1997

  September 1997

  The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 1997

  September 1997

  Proposal for a Council Directive on statistical returns in respect of carriage of goods and passengers by sea

  September 1997

  The Merchant Shipping (Carriage of Cargoes) (Amendment) Regulations 1997

  October 1997

  The Airports (Groundhandling) Regulations 1997

  December 1997

  The Scheme for Construction Contracts (England and Wales) Regulations 1997

  December 1997

  Proposal for a Council Recommendation on a parking card for people with disabilities

  February 1998

  The Surface Waters (Dangerous Substances) (Classification) Regulations 1998

  February 1998

  The Civil Aviation (Canadian Navigation Service) (Second Amendment) Regulations 1998

  430
  30 September 1997. In the three years up until this date, the returns provide the following information:

  conclusions of the discussion on the European Community's ecolabelling system at the Council of Ministers meeting of 16 and 17 June. [53828]

  Mr. Meacher
  The United Kingdom Presidency initiated an orientation debate at the Council of Ministers on 17 June, which was successful in enabling member states to exchange views on the Commission' s Proposal for a Council Regulation to revise the Community's existing eco-label award scheme. The debate focused on two aspects of the Proposal which had been of particular concern to member states. These were the proposal for future administration of the scheme of a new "European Ecolabelling Organisation", financed by member states; and the proposal to withdraw national eco-labels within five years in the case of product areas covered by the European eco-label. The Council had a useful discussion of these points, and related policy issues, in the light of which the Commission indicated that it would be revising its Proposal.

  I also refer the hon. Gentleman to a reply by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Bradford, West (Mr. Singh) on 24 June 1998, Official Report, column 542, on the overall outcome of this Council of Ministers.

  Compliance Cost Assessments
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the compliance cost assessments published by his Department since 1 May 1997. [52936]

  Mr. Meale
  [holding answer 28 July 1998]: Between 1 May 1997 and 31 May 1998, twenty nine compliance cost assessments have been published by my Department. These are:
  431

  Date

  Title

  February 1998

  The Department of Transport (Fees) (Amendment) Order 1998

  March 1998

  The Control of Lead at Work Regulations

  March 1998

  The Environmental Protection (Prescribed Processes and Substances) (Amendment) (Hazardous Waste Incineration) Regulations 1998

  March 1998

  The Mines (Notice of Abandonment) Regulations 1998

  March 1998

  Merchant Shipping (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 1998

  March 1998

  The Fishing Vessels (Life Saving Appliances) (Amendment) Regulations 1998

  March 1998

  The Fishing Vessels (Safety Provisions) (Amendment) Rules 1998

  March 1998

  The Merchant Shipping (Crew Accommodation) (Fishing Vessels) (Amendment) Regulations 1998

  April 1998

  The Merchant Shipping (Fire Protection: Small Ships) Regulations 1998

  April 1998

  The Merchant Shipping (Fire Protection: Large Ships) Regulations 1998

  April 1998

  The Merchant Shipping (Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-ordination Convention) Regulations 1998

  May 1998

  The Merchant Shipping (Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime) (Amendment) Order 1998

  May 1998

  The Hovercraft (Application of Enactments) (Amendment) Order 1998 (shared CCA with the above)

  May 1998

  The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 1998

  Single Regeneration Budget
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the conclusions of the regeneration spending review indicating revised priorities for the single regeneration budget. [53684]

  Mr. Caborn
  The CSR announcement on 14 July 1998,Official Report, columns 187–94, included a re-shaped Single Regeneration Budget. This is one of two strands of the New Deal for Regeneration, the other being the New Deal for Communities.

  The re-shaped SRB!will receive over £2.3 billion over 3 years, of which £800 million is new money. In order to make a real and sustainable difference in the most deprived areas, 80 per cent. of new resources will be targeted on the areas of greatest need. This will provide for over 50 major new schemes of about £20 million to be running by the end of this parliament.

  The balance of resources (20 per cent.) will be used to tackle pockets of need elsewhere, including in rural areas, where SRB resources will combine with the former Rural Challenge resources of the Rural Development Commission to form an integrated rural regeneration element of the SRB.

  The re-shaped SRB will include an emphasis on strengthening local partnerships and on value for money:
  a new emphasis on partnership capacity building so that the local community is equipped to fully participate in the regeneration of its area
  partnerships will have to demonstrate that local communities are directly involved and supportive of schemes
  the release of funding will depend on adequate management systems including project appraisal.

  East Midlands Airport
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans the Department has to regulate noise nuisance from East Midlands Airport if the airport obtains permission to extend its activities. [53343]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  None. It is our policy that noise nuisance from airports should, wherever possible, be discussed and resolved locally. The planning system allows measures for alleviation of noise associated with new development to be agreed where appropriate. We
  432
  announced in the White Paper "A New Deal for Transport" our intention to consult on detailed proposals for legislation on aircraft noise.

  Passenger Train Services
  Mr. Prior
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures the Government will propose to the Director of Opraf to increase the number of passenger train services that run according to schedule. [53564]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Last November, we issued new Objectives, Instructions and Guidance to the Franchising Director which require him to secure a progressive improvement in the quality of passenger railway services and to maintain a comprehensive and rigorous programme of performance monitoring. As announced in our White Paper "A New Deal for Transport", we will amend the Railways Act 1993 so that financial penalties for poor performance can be imposed much faster and past infringements penalised. Train operators will also be judged on their current performance before any new contracts are agreed.

  Cycling (London)
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact of security restrictions on cycle parking in Central London on the level of cycle use. [53687]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The City of Westminster have made representations to the Metropolitan Police about the need for properly constituted cycle parking facilities to be improved in the Whitehall area, while paying proper regard to considerations of public safety. A number of new locations have been suggested, and the Police currently have the matter under review. I welcome the prospect of such improvements, as being consistent with Government policy to encourage the use of cycles as a healthy, sustainable and environmentally friendly mode of transport.

  A12 Relief Road
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the projected completion date, and what was the original
  433
  estimated date, for completion of the A12 relief road between Leytonstone and Redbridge roundabout and what factors underlie the differences. [53704]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. Lawrie Haynes, to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Lawrie Haynes to Mr. David Amess, dated 30 July 1998:
  The Minister for Transport in London has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the A12 Hackney to M11 Link Road scheme.
  The section of the scheme between the Green Man Roundabout at Leytonstone and the Redbridge Roundabout began in September 1993. The original four year contract had been extended due to complications in the diversion of public utilities equipment and, more recently, difficulties with the provision of specialist mechanical and electrical equipment.
  We now expect completion of this section of the scheme around the turn of the year but this is not expected to affect the overall scheme completion date.

  Eastern Regional Development Agency
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what level of resources the Eastern Region RDA will receive; when it will be paid; and what conditions will be applied to its use. [53583]

  Mr. Caborn
  Resources for individual RDAs will be announced later this year and expenditure programmes will be transferred to them in April 1999. The conditions applied to the use of the resources will be set out in the Financial Memoranda and other guidance issued to RDAs when they are established following enactment of the Regional Development Agencies Bill, which is currently before Parliament.

  Speed Limits
  Mr. Casale
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the Government's policy towards the introduction of 20 mile per hour speed limits outside schools. [52137]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We have recently consulted on proposals to provide freedom for local traffic authorities to make 20 mph limits without the need to obtain central government consent. The responses to the consultation are currently being considered. Under the proposed new system it will be for the authorities to decide where to place 20 mph speed limits; but we would recommend that schools should be set in the context of their surrounding areas and local experience of traffic problems rather than being treated in isolation.

  Task Forces
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the task forces and advisory groups composed of independent members which have been set up by his Department since 1 May 1997 and in each case(a) their remit, (b) their membership, (c) how many members are (i) scientists, (ii) engineers and (iii) small business people or representatives of small businesses, (d) any remuneration members receive for their services and (e) their budget. [53145]
  434
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  There are six Task Forces and three Advisory Groups with independent members which have been set up by my Department since 1 May 1997. I have today placed in the Library of the House the information requested for each of these bodies.

  Employees Over 60
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many(a) men and (b) women employed by (1) his Department and (2) his Department's agencies have contracts of employment which permit them to retire after their 60th birthday. [53053]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Staff in DETR (Central) with contracts of employment which permit them to retire after their 60th birthday.

  Men: 404

  Women: 763.

  Staff in the Department's agencies with contracts of employment which permit them to retire after their 60th birthday.

  Men: 2,840

  Women: 3,298.

  Driving Test Centres
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the cost of the building lease for the(a) Crosby, (b) Norris Green, (c) Southport, (d) Garston and (e) St. Helens driving centres in the last year for which figures are available. [53814]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The licence payment under the memorandum of Terms of Occupation held with the Employment Services Agency for Crosby was £13,416 p.a. Under similar arrangements with the Department for Social Services, the licence payment for the driving test centre at Southport was £3,420 in 1997–98. Lease costs for the test centres at Norris Green and St. Helens were £3,600 and £3,480 respectively. Garston is a freehold property.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the long-term future of(a) Southport,(b) Norris Green, (c) Garston and (d) St. Helens driving test centres; how many years are left before the leases expire for each driving test centre; and what penalty clauses are associated with the leases. [53815]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Under the terms of the Driving Standard Agency's agreement with the Department of Social Security the lease on the driving test centre at Southport will expire on 31 March 2001. The Agency's test centres at Norris Green and St. Helens are purpose built premises with ground leases that will expire on 15 March 2081 and 15 November 2080 respectively. The test centre at Garston is freehold.

  If any of these centres were to close, then the Agency would seek to assign or sell its interest in the property. If an alternative occupant or purchaser could not be found, the penalty would be having to pay the continuing cost of the property.
  435
  The Agency keeps its test centre estate under regular review to ensure that centres can provide tests of a satisfactory standard whilst maintaining acceptable local levels of service in a cost effective manner.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what factors led to the closure of Crosby Driving Test Centre. [53812]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Crosby driving test centre had to close because the major occupier of the building—the Employment Service Agency—required the Driving Standards Agency to vacate the premises.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the advantage of establishing regional driving test centres to replace existing test centres. [53811]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Driving Standards Agency has made no assessment of replacing the current network of local driving test centres with centres serving each region.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the income generated by the(a) Crosby, (b) Norris Green, (c) Southport, (d) Garston and (e) St. Helens driving test centres relative to the expenditure associated with the each test centre. [53810]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The table compares the income from car driving test fees with the property and staff costs at each of the test centres in the financial year 1997–98:

  £

  Test centre

  Income from car test fees

  Property and staff costs

  Crosby

  123,910

  109,249

  Norris Green

  174,707

  121,069

  Southport

  104,486

  45,872

  Garston

  139,883

  111,053

  St. Helens

  110,375

  69.491

  Private Hire Vehicles
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions following the introduction of a licensing scheme for private hire vehicles in London, if he will review the legislative provisions which prohibit any signage on private hire vehicles. [54526]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998 will repeal the London Cab Act 1973. The question of signage on private hire vehicles in London will be dealt with in regulations under section 30 of the 1998 Act. We shall consult before making regulations.

  Millennium Compliance (Train Operators)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what responsibility OPRAF have to ensure that systems used by train operating companies are millennium compliant. [54529]
  436
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  OPRAF has no specific responsibility for this. Millennium compliance is the responsibility of the train operating companies. OPRAF has a clear interest in the delivery of train operators' obligations and would be concerned with any failure to deliver, whatever the cause.

  Mark 1 Rolling Stock
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions his Department has had with OPRAF regarding the phasing out of Mark 1 rolling stock. [54520]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Department has had regular discussions with the Office for Passenger Rail Franchising (OPRAF), which have touched on many different railway matters including the use of Mark 1 rolling stock.

  Airlines (Gatwick-Channel Islands)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the airlines operating between Gatwick and the Channel Islands in each of the last five years. [54528]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The following list of airlines operating between Gatwick and the Channel Islands has been compiled using information supplied by the Civil Aviation Authority:

  Calendar Year

  Airlines

  1997

  Air Atlantique Atlantic Cargo—Jersey

  Air UK—Jersey

  Airworld Aviation Ltd.—Jersey

  Aurigny Air Services—Jersey

  BAC Express Airlines Ltd.—Jersey

  Caledonian Airways—Jersey

  Channel Express (Air Svs)—

  Jersey/Guernsey

  City Flyer Express—Jersey/Guernsey

  Jersey European Airways (UK)—

  Jersey/Guernsey

  SATA—Jersey

  Titan Airways—Jersey

  1996

  Airworld Aviation Ltd.—Jersey

  Aurigny Air Services—Jersey/Guernsey

  Channel Express (Air Svs)—

  Jersey/Guernsey

  City Flyer Express—Jersey/Guernsey

  Jersey European Airways—Jersey/Guernsey

  Jersey European Airways (UK)—

  Jersey/Guernsey

  Leisure International—Jersey

  Monarch Airlines—Jersey

  Sabre Airways Ltd.—Jersey/Guernsey

  Titan Airways—Jersey/Guernsey

  1995

  Air Atlantique Atlantic Cargo—Jersey

  Air UK—Jersey

  Aurigny Air Services—Jersey

  BAC Express Airlines Ltd.—Jersey

  Channel Express (Air Svs)—

  Jersey/Guernsey

  City Flyer Express—Jersey/Guernsey

  European Air Charter—Jersey

  Excalibur Airways—Jersey

  GB Airways Ltd.—Jersey

  Jersey European Airways—Jersey/Guernsey

  Palmair Flightline—Guernsey

  437

  Calendar Year

  Airlines

  1994

  Air 2000—Jersey

  Air UK—Jersey/Guernsey

  Ambassador Airways Ltd.—Jersey

  Aurigny Air Services—Jersey/Guernsey

  BAC Express Airlines Ltd.—

  Jersey/Guernsey

  Britannia Airways—Jersey

  British Midland—Jersey

  British World Airlines Ltd.—Jersey

  Channel Express (Air Svs)—

  Jersey/Guernsey

  City Flyer Express—Jersey/Guernsey

  European Air Charter—Jersey

  Excalibur Airways—Jersey/Guernsey

  Jersey European Airways—Jersey/Guernsey

  Leisure International—Jersey

  Monarch Airlines—Jersey

  1993

  Air Columbus—Jersey

  Air UK—Jersey/Guernsey

  Aurigny Air Services—Jersey

  Britannia Airways—Jersey

  British World Airlines Ltd.—Jersey

  Channel Express (Air Svs)—Guernsey

  City Flyer Express—Jersey/Guernsey

  Excalibur Airways—Jersey

  Jersey European Airways—Jersey/Guernsey

  Monarch Airlines—Jersey

  Nouvelair Tunisie—Jersey

  Sterling European Airlines—Jersey

  Notes:

  1. The list includes all services both Scheduled and Charter and Passenger and Cargo

  2. Air Taxi operations have been excluded

  3. The list is based on the Last/Next airport, this means that the Channel Islands airport may not be the ultimate destination of the aircraft

  Airlines (Slots)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the number of slots held by airlines at(a) Gatwick, (b) Heathrow and (c) Stansted in each of the last 10 years. [54527]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Information on the slots allocated is collected and held by Airport Co-ordination Ltd., but it is not readily available for the last 10 years.

  Airports (South-East England)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the ownership of the south-east of England airports will be considered as part of his Department's work on the aviation White Paper. [54523]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The question of the three main London airports being under the same ownership was raised by the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee in its report this week on Regional Air Services. The Government will be addressing this point as part of their response to Parliament in the normal way.

  The Knowledge Examination
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what factors underlie the increase in the time taken by applicants for 438
  the knowledge examination to progress from (a) initial talk to first appearance and (b) first appearance to becoming licensed. [54524]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The increase in time over the years between initial talk and first appearance has been due to different factors at different times. These include the introduction of a requirement to learn all the designated runs before a first appearance, rather than only a proportion, in order to reduce the overall time taken to complete the Knowledge; the limited number of knowledge examiners at various times; the introduction of a written test which must be passed before the first appearance, in order to reduce the demand on Knowledge examiners' time; and the increasing complexity of the information candidates need to learn, arising from changes in London traffic management systems.

  The increase in time between first appearance and becoming licensed is partly due to the increasing complexity of what needs to be learned, but also to the significant increase in the number of candidates studying for the Knowledge. The Public Carriage Office have recently recruited extra examiners.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how long the average waiting time was for the first appearance for the knowledge examination in(a) 1980, (b) 1985, (c) 1990, (d) 1995 and (e) 1997. [54525]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The answer of 3 March 1998,Official Report, column 549, gave comparisons of the period of time between initial talk and first appearance for the years 1987, 1992 and 1997. The Public Carriage Office do not keep separate records of the period between the first appearance being requested and being granted.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to reply to the letter from Mr. Moore of 15 April on the Vehicle Inspectorate. [53915]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Vehicle Inspectorate has no record of a letter from Mr. Moore dated 15 April. If the letter concerns operational matters for which the Inspectorate is responsible and the hon. Member would like to send a copy to the Chief Executive, Mr. Newey would be happy to reply.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will reply to the letters of 11 May and 1 July from the hon. Member for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton regarding a constituent. [53896]

  Ms Armstrong
  The former Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Wallasey (Angela Eagle), replied on 28 May. I responded to another letter dated 11 May from the hon. Member on 8 June.

  Channel Tunnel Rail Link
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what are the Government's proposals for the route of the cross-channel rail link line from the coast to London. [53591]
  439
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The route of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link between Cheriton in Kent and St. Pancras in the London Borough of Camden is set out in the Channel Tunnel Rail Link Act 1996.

  MFV Gaul
  Mr. Alan Johnson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 24 June 1998,Official Report, column 532, who was given access to the National Maritime Institute report (Project 207001) on the 'Gaul' following its completion; and to whom it was distributed. [52362]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Departmental records show that thirty copies of the Report were printed. We do not have a complete distribution list but we believe copies were provided to the interested parties, who were the builders, Brooke Marine Ltd., and the owners, British United Trawlers, and Hellyer Brothers, a subsidiary company of British United Trawlers, and to Messrs. Graham & Rosen, solicitors acting on behalf of the next of kin. Copies were also sent to the solicitors representing Brooke Marine Ltd. and British United Trawlers. The Department of Trade and Industry retained an unspecified number of copies.

  Teesside Development Corporation
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the cost of(a) providing and (b) erecting obelisks in memory of Teesside Development Corporation at sites in Teesside. [53394]

  Mr. Caborn
  £151,000.

  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will make a statement on the structural problem identified in the Tees Barrage and ancillary works by external consultations appointed by the Teesside Development Corporation; [53444]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the current contractual obligations of the main contractors for the Tees Barrage. [53393]

  Mr. Caborn
  These matters are now the responsibility of the Commission for the New Towns. I will write to my hon. Friend when I have made further inquiries.

  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will ensure that the audit of the accounts of Teesside Development Corporation for the year ended 31 March includes a full financial and technical audit of the TDC's activities over its lifespan and is made public. [53360]

  Mr. Caborn
  The audited financial statements for the year ended 31 March 1998 were published earlier this month.

  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will list the members of(a) the newly formed Teesside Environmental Trust and (b) its board and their former links with the Teesside Development Corporation; [53446]
  440
  (2) if he will investigate the contractual agreements made between the Teesside Environmental Trust, the Teesside Development Corporation and Messrs H. J. Banks Ltd in the last three months of the Teesside Development Corporation's life. [53445]

  Mr. Caborn
  I will write to my hon. Friend.

  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the cost of the press and television advertising campaign that the Teesside Development Corporation undertook in the last six months of its life. [53395]

  Mr. Caborn
  These costs were contained within the approved marketing budget of the Corporation.

  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will investigate the links between former employees of Teesside Development Corporation, the Hartlepool Marina and the projected tall ships centre; [53397]

  (2) if he will investigate the links between Mandale Properties Ltd. and former employees of Teesside Development Corporation. [53396]

  Mr. Caborn
  My right hon. Friend has no reason to do so.

  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will investigate the arrangements whereby the Teesside Development Corporation arranged loans from a merchant bank via intermediaries for the purposes of funding development at Middlesbrough Docks and at the Teesside Park Retail Centre; and if he will list the size of the loans. [53359]

  Mr. Caborn
  Such financial arrangements were a matter for the Board of the Corporation.

  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will investigate the arrangements for(a) the market testing and (b) the disposal of remaining land within the Teesside Development Corporation's ownership at the Teesdale site and at Hartlepool Marina. [53440]

  Mr. Caborn
  These arrangements were a matter for the Board of the Development Corporation and are now the responsibility of its successor, the Commission for the New Towns.

  Aircraft (Disease Transmission)
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 21 July 1998,Official Report, column 466, what research underlay his conclusions that no evidence exists to suggest a link between cabin air quality, flow rates and the spread of disease. [53898]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The research which indicates that there is no evidence of a link between cabin air quality, flow rates and the spread of disease is as follows:

  1. Report No. DOT-P-15–89–5. December 1989. Airliner cabin environment: Contaminant measurements, health risks, and mitigation options (Section 8).

  441

  2. "Methods and Results of the Measurements of Aerogenic Micro-biological Contamination in Airplane Cabin Air"—Opinion of the Institute for Hygiene and Environmental Medicine, Medical University of Lubeck, Germany. December 1995. (unpublished).

  3. "Report on VOC Measurements during the Flights Frankfurt-Dallas-Frankfurt on 19/21 June 1995 and Frankfurt-New York-Frankfurt on 17/19 July 1995— Fraunhofer-Institut fur Umweltchemie und Okotoxikologie, Schmallenberg, Germany. December 1995. (unpublished).

  4. "Toxicological Evaluation of Cabin Air Concentrations". Prof. Dr. Med. Th. Eikmann, Institut fur Hygiene und Umweltchemie Universilat Giessen, Germany. December 1995. (unpublished).

  5. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health January 1993. HETA 90–226–2281. Health hazard evaluation report. Alaska Airlines.

  The transmission of disease in an aircraft cabin cannot be eliminated. However, there is no evidence to show that technical changes in aircraft cabin environment have increased that risk, or that the risk is as great as infection from any public environment.

  Quarrying (Dartmoor)
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if it is his policy to prevent further quarrying on Dartmoor. [53813]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Government's policy on minerals extraction in National Parks is set out in Minerals Planning Guidance Note 6. The Government consider that major developments should take place in National Parks only in exceptional circumstances. Because of the serious impact that working them may have on the natural beauty of these areas, the Government consider that all minerals applications must be subject to the most rigorous examination and that all mineral developments should be demonstrated to be in the public interest before being allowed to proceed.

  The Government have therefore welcomed the recent announcement by the Quarry Products Association of a review of the industry's activities within National Parks.

  Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency
  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what he next proposes to review the options for the future of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency. [53315]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency and the services it provides are currently being reviewed as part of a project intended to improve and to modernise the delivery of the services the Department provides for drivers, vehicle keepers and vehicle operators.

  Workplace Parking Taxation
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what account he took in his proposals for applying the workplace parking taxation of the position of nursing staff who are charged for parking in hospital staff car parks. [53437]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We are aware that some employers already charge their staff for car parking.
  442
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will introduce arrangements to exempt(a) nursing staff and (b) teaching staff from workplace parking taxation. [53465]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We shall issue a consultation document shortly that will discuss, among other things, possible exemptions to a levy on workplace parking.

  Persistent Inquirers
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which of his Department's agencies have procedures to identify persistent inquirers for information. [53945]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  All my Department's Executive Agencies have signed up to the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information and treat all requests for information as a request made under the Code. Each Agency has its own arrangements for monitoring such requests but none has specific arrangements to identify persistent inquiries for information.

  Carbon Dioxide Emissions
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will introduce measures to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from new cars; and if he will make a statement. [54159]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Government are pursuing a number of measures which will help to reduce the level of carbon dioxide emissions from new cars and the entire car fleet. In the last Budget on 17 March 1998,Official Report, columns 1097–112, the Chancellor announced our commitment to the continuation of the fuel duty escalator raising fuel prices by six per cent. per annum in real terms. This encourages drivers to purchase more fuel efficient vehicles as well as use fuel more efficiently.

  We also strongly support the European Commission's Strategy on CO2 from cars which aims to reduce the emissions of CO2 from new cars sold in the EU to an average of 120 grammes per kilometre, by 2005 or 2010 at the latest. This represents a cut of about a third on the current average. The Commission are continuing their negotiations with the car industry to secure a voluntary agreement which will help to achieve the Strategy. It is hoped that these negotiations will be resolved successfully fairly soon.

  We have also set up the Cleaner Vehicles Task Force which aims to create a partnership between the Government and the private sector to promote environmentally friendly vehicles which people actually want to drive and buy. The Task Force will encourage the production, marketing and sales of vehicles which are cleaner and more fuel efficient.

  Trunk Roads
  Dr. George Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what assessment he has made of the advantages and disadvantages of upgrading the whole of the Core National Trunk Road Network (Cm 3950) to dual carriageway standards or better; [53705]
  443
  (2) if he will publish a map of the Core National Trunk Road Network (Cm 3950) showing sections (a) constructed to dual carriageway standards or better and (b) in current programmes designated for upgrading to such standards; [53706]

  (3) if he will list for each Shire County (a) in total and b) by constituency (i) the number of miles of road identified as part of the Core National Trunk Road Network (Cm 3950) and (ii) the percentage of such road mileage constructed or in programmes to be constructed to dual carriageway standard or better. [53703]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Further details on the core network and on plans for taking forward improvements will be announced when we publish the Roads Review Report. Inclusion in the core network does not automatically mean that the road should be of dual-carriageway standard. Our approach to upgrading will be to consider problems on the core network and to assess options against our new criteria.

  Birmingham Northern Relief Road
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what(a) environmental and (b) other appraisal methods were used by his Department when assessing the forecasts produced by MEL on the Birmingham Northern Relief Road in 1991. [53958]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I do not have access to papers relating to the previous administration's decision to appoint MEL as concessionaire for the BNRR. Our own decision to approve the proposed scheme was made in the light of evidence put before the Public Inquiry and the Inspector's Report on that evidence.

  Welsh Language Scheme
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on what date his Department received notification from the Welsh Language Board in relation to the need to prepare a Welsh language scheme; on what date his Department and the Board held consultations on such a scheme; when a scheme was formally submitted to the Board; and if it has been approved. [53353]

  Mr. Meale
  The Welsh Language Board (WLB) invited DETR to prepare a Welsh language scheme in a letter dated 13 August 1997.

  The first discussions on a scheme were held with WLB on 2 December 1997, and there have been a number of subsequent contacts.

  A draft scheme has been prepared and is currently being cleared within the department. DETR hopes to hold final discussions on the text with WLB shortly, prior to putting the scheme out to public consultation.

  Heathrow Airport
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what consultation he held with(a) local hon. Members and (b) local authorities before he announced his proposals to change the preferred direction for night flight approaches at Heathrow Airport. [53346]
  444
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We have neither decided upon nor announced any such proposals. I informed the House on 24 July 1998,Official Report, column 1413, of that. It is expected that this subject will be included in the second consultation later this year on night restrictions at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports.

DEFENCE

  Training Exercises (Denmark)
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the last training exercise involving the shooting of pigs in Denmark was carried out; why Denmark was chosen as the location; and if he has any plans to carry out similar exercises in the future. [45511]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The last training exercise involving the shooting of pigs in which UK Service personnel took part was in May 1998. The pigs had been anaesthetised and the exercise was designed to train medical personnel in resuscitation and surgical techniques for treating wounds inflicted by different calibre weapons. The exercise was organised by the Danish Armed Forces' Medical Services and the UK, together with NATO allies and other nations, was invited to participate. However, Ministers in this Government had not previously had this training drawn to their attention, and so UK participation was immediately suspended pending a review of my Department's training methods.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the(a) costs, (b) aims and (c) outcome of the Operation Danish Bacon NATO exercise. [45485]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The costs of Exercise Danish Bacon are borne in the main by the organisers, the Danish Armed Forces' Medical Services. The costs incurred by my Department have been the travel and subsistence of UK Service participants and the costs of the animals they used—£550 each. The Exercise is designed to train military medical personnel in resuscitation and surgical techniques for treating those wounded by different calibre weapons. However, Ministers of this Government had not previously been made aware of this activity, and ordered its immediate suspension pending a review of this practice.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence at what level authorisation was given for the participation of British troops in animal experiments in Jaegerspris, Denmark. [45492]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 15 June 1998]: British troops do not participate in animal experiments in Denmark. UK military surgical teams have, however, participated in training exercises organised by the Danish Armed Forces' Medical Services which involved the use of pigs that had been anaesthetised. The exercises provided training in resuscitation and surgical techniques for treating wounds inflicted by different calibre weapons. Authorisation for British participation in these exercises came from senior military medical officers.

  Ministers of this Government had not previously been made aware of this activity, and ordered its immediate suspension pending a review of this practice.
  445
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the occasions since 1 May 1997 when British troops have participated in animal experiments abroad; and on which of these occasions such experiments would not have been permitted in the United Kingdom. [45494]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 15 June 1998]: I am not aware of any participation by British troops in animal experiments either overseas or in the UK since 1 May 1997.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy in respect of the participation of British troops in experiments which involve firing high-velocity weapons at suspended pigs. [45493]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 15 June 1998]: British troops do not participate in animal experiments which involve firing weapons at pigs. However, UK military surgical teams have participated in training exercises organised by the Danish Armed Forces' Medical Services which involved firing different calibre weapons at pigs. The purpose of the exercises was to provide training in resuscitation and surgical techniques for treating wounds inflicted by such weapons. Ministers in this Government had not previously had this training drawn to their attention and therefore directed that UK participation be immediately suspended pending a review of this practice.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on British Army training exercises involving the killing of animals; at which locations such training has taken place over the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [45768]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 15 June 1998]: Some courses or training exercises run by the British Army include instruction in survival techniques which involves the slaughter of live animals. This type of training has taken place in the UK, Europe and in countries such as Kenya, Brunei and Belize over the last 10 years. Training of Army Catering Corps personnel in butchery techniques has also involved the slaughter of live animals in the UK.

  In addition, members of the UK Defence Medical Services have participated each year in exercises in Denmark organised by the Danish Armed Forces' Medical Services. These exercises have involved the use of pigs to provide training in resuscitation and surgical techniques for treating wounds inflicted by different calibre weapons. Ministers of this Government had not previously been made aware of this activity, and ordered its immediate suspension pending a review of this practice.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the shooting of live pigs by British soldiers in Denmark. [46080]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  UK military surgical teams have participated in training exercises organised by the Danish Armed Forces' Medical Services which involve Danish marksmen shooting different calibre weapons at pigs. The purpose of the exercises is to provide training in resuscitation and surgical techniques for treating wounds inflected by such weapons.

  Ministers of this Government had not previously been made aware of this activity, and ordered its immediate suspension pending a review of this practice.
  446

  Defence Evaluation and Research Agency
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on allegations of(a) harassment, (b) breach of contract and (c) sexual discrimination concerning staff in the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. [52046]

  Mr. Spellar
  MOD does not tolerate or condone any form of harassment, discrimination or persecution of individuals or groups in the workplace and has formal processes in place to facilitate the handling of complaints. Civil servants also have the right to appeal to the Civil Service Appeal Board on more serious matters. This applies as much to staff in the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency as to any other MOD employees.

  All allegations are subject to these processes and are dealt with on a confidential basis. It would therefore be inappropriate to identify complainants or their complaints, or to comment on them.

  Atomic Weapons Establishments
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on decommissioning operations at(a) AWE, Foulness and (b) AWE, Cardiff. [52158]

  Mr. Spellar
  Although AWE vacated the Foulness site in December 1997, trials work has continued in support of the nuclear warhead programme via a contractual arrangement between AWE and the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency, DERA. In addition, a number of existing facilities are being retained until the 31 March 2002 on a care and maintenance basis for use in those trials, and against possible future requirements by AWE. A programme of Post-Operative Clear Out, limited decommissioning and demolition was carried out by AWE prior to December 1997. A Land Quality Statement has been lodged with DERA against which future decommissioning of the rest of the site will be done.

  A price has recently been agreed with AWE plc for the decommissioning of the Cardiff site.

  Colonel Andrew Gale
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what duties were performed by the Defence Attaché in Accra and accredited also to Sierra Leone in 1997–98; [52027]

  (2) what duties were performed by Colonel Andrew Gale whilst on service in West Africa. [52030]

  Mr. George Robertson
  [holding answer 23 July 1998]: Lieutenant Colonel Gale was, from November 1994 until January 1998, Defence Adviser to the British High Commissioner in Accra, Ghana, with non-resident accreditation to Togo, Cote d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone. As Defence Adviser, his duties were to advise the Ambassador/High Commissioner on military matters, including on the security situation, and report information back to the MOD. Lt. Col. Gale spent most of his time working in Accra, but would have visited the other countries within his area of responsibility about twice each year.
  447
  Lt. Col. (local Colonel) Gale is currently serving in Sierra Leone, on secondment to the United Nations, as the Military Adviser to the United Nations Secretary General's Special Representative.

  Lieutenant Colonel Peter Hicks
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what duties were performed by Lieutenant Colonel Peter Hicks whilst on service in West Africa; [52031]

  (2) what duties were performed by the military intelligence liaison officer deployed to Conakry and Sierra Leone in 1998; [52028]

  (3) what duties were performed by the military liaison officer deployed to Sierra Leone and Conakry in 1997. [52029]

  Mr. George Robertson
  [holding answer 23 July 1998]: Major (local Lieutenant Colonel) Peter Hicks visited Sierra Leone for a short familiarisation visit, along with others from the MOD, from 3 to 8 March 1997. On 15 February 1998, Major Hicks deployed to Conakry, Guinea, as a military liaison officer in preparation for possible service in Sierra Leone should the democratically elected government be restored. He was transported, along with the British High Commissioner, to Freetown by HMS Cornwall on 5 March, and returned to the UK on 17 March. Major Hicks's duties in Conakry and Sierra Leone were to provide military advice to the High Commissioner, to liaise with other UK military personnel in the country and to report military information to the MOD. He subsequently visited Sierra Leone from 27 April to 8 May as a follow-up to his earlier period of service.

  Asbestos
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what guidance his Department issues to those constructing buildings for which it is responsible on the use of materials containing asbestos. [52312]

  Mr. Spellar
  The use of asbestos materials is strictly controlled. Guidance is given in the extant Defence Estate Organisation (DEO) Technical Specification 036 "Heating, Hot and Cold Water, Steam and Gas Installations for Buildings" (October 1997), which clearly states that asbestos materials shall not be installed.

  The DEO has issued a further Technical Bulletin, Design and Maintenance Guide 16, "Asbestos Based Materials" (April 1997), which details the mandatory requirements and procedures for handling asbestos.

  New Deal
  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people his Department is committed to employing during 1998 under(a) the subsidised job option and (b) the unsubsidised job option of the New Deal programme. [52575]

  Mr. Spellar
  My Department is committed to making an appropriate contribution to the New Deal programme both on the Service and Civilian networks.
  448
  Although the Services are not committed to employing specific numbers of young people through the unsubsidised job option, they are working closely with New Deal personal advisers and Further Education Colleges to identify what self-development is required to make young people more confident and self reliant, and thus influencing their choice of career towards the Armed Forces. The Services are not employing young people through the subsidised job option.

  On the Civilian side, New Deal opportunities are considered whenever recruitment campaigns are undertaken. Responsibility for recruitment is delegated to line management areas. We will be monitoring use of the scheme and expect details of the first 6 months to be available from October.

  Biological Warfare
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what investigations his Department has conducted into whether information from the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment, Porton Down, was passed to the biological warfare programme organised by South Africa's former apartheid regime in the last 15 years; when this investigation was started and finished; what were the results of this investigation; what action has been taken in the light of this investigation; and if he will make a statement. [53158]

  Mr. Spellar
  We are aware of allegations that classified information from the Chemical and Biological Defence Sector of the Defence and Evaluation Research Agency at Porton Down was obtained by the former South African Government. These claims are being investigated. It is not our policy to comment on investigations in progress.

  Trident
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what proportion of the overall procurement of Trident D5 missiles will act as a processing margin; [52133]

  (2) how many Trident D5 missiles have been test fired to date; and what proportion of the overall numbers procured are expected to be test fired over the programme's life. [52134]

  Mr. George Robertson
  [holding answer 28 July 1998]: To date, six Trident D5 missiles have been test fired as part of the work-up of the three Vanguard class submarines currently in operational service. On current plans, a further eight missiles will be test fired over the life of the Trident programme. A further four missiles will constitute a processing margin.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his Department will arrange inspections to demonstrate that 48 warheads per Trident submarine have now been deployed. [52135]

  Mr. George Robertson
  [holding answer 28 July 1998]: The Government's decision in the Strategic Defence Review to reduce the number of Trident warheads deployed on RN nuclear submarines to 48 was based on our assessment of the minimum necessary UK deterrent force. In the absence of a wider arms control

  449
  context involving reciprocal obligations from other nuclear states we do not propose to initiate outside inspection to verify this self-imposed limit.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what will be the impact on the number of Trident D5 missiles normally carried on each of the Trident submarines in the operational cycle of the decision not to purchase more than 58 D5 missiles overall. [52132]

  Mr. George Robertson
  [holding answer 28 July 1998]: The Strategic Defence Review concluded that the 58 Trident missiles already purchased are sufficient for credible deterrence over the lifetime of Trident. I am withholding details of the number of missiles carried on our Trident submarines on deterrent patrol under exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the minimum number of nuclear warheads deployed on each Trident submarine since HMS Vanguard entered service. [52815]

  Mr. George Robertson
  HMS Vanguard first deployed on patrol with slightly fewer than 60 warheads, prior to the Trident force also assuming a sub-strategic role. The other two Trident submarines currently in service have typically deployed on deterrent patrol with 60 warheads. I am withholding details of the numbers of warheads carried for the sub-strategic role under Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information relating to Defence, Security and International relations.

  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions since HMS Vanguard entered service more than 65 warheads were deployed on a Trident submarine at sea. [52814]

  Mr. George Robertson
  None.

  Mr. Savidge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in discussions with the United States of America on the decision not to proceed with the United Kingdom's planned final Trident missile purchase. [54813]

  Mr. George Robertson
  Our decision not to proceed with the planned final Trident missile body buy will have implications for the UK/US procurement programme and the long term Trident support arrangements of both countries. We have, therefore, agreed with the United States that, to safeguard production capabilities, we will continue with the planned procurement of missile components. Some of these will be required by the UK as in-service spares; the remainder we will sell back to the United States in future years for use in their continuing production programme. This arrangement has been enshrined in a Memorandum of Understanding that the Deputy Secretary for Defence and I have signed.

  Overall our decision to maintain our Trident missile inventory at 58, rather than increasing it to 65 as previously planned, will require the write off of surplus expenditure to the value of some £40 million, over half of which results from advance commitments to the final buy by the previous Government. Our decision is expected to save in the region of £50 million.
  450

  Permanent Under-Secretary
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if an open competition was held for the appointment of his Department's Permanent Under-Secretary. [52801]

  Mr. George Robertson
  [holding answer 28 July 1998]: No. There was, however, internal competition across Government Departments to select a new Permanent Under-Secretary in my Department.

  Accommodation
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many residential dwellings are owned by his Department; how many are currently vacant; and what has been the average length of time they have been vacant. [53910]

  Mr. Spellar
  As at 30 June 1998, the Ministry of Defence either owned or leased, mainly from Annington Homes, 67,463 family dwellings in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, of which 13,922 are currently vacant. Information on the average length of time a property has been vacant is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Additionally, between 260 and 300 houses are managed by Commands for civilian occupancy but vacancy rates are not held centrally.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service families are accommodated in privately owned homes; and what is the average annual rent of these properties. [53911]

  Mr. Spellar
  The number of Service families accommodated in privately owned rental properties in England, Scotland and Wales is 914. The approximate average annual rent for this type of property is £9,500. The figures exclude houses leased by MOD from Annington Homes.

  Surplus Property
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps are being take by his Department to implement the National Audit Office's recommendation in paragraph 3.16 of its report identifying and selling surplus property (HC 776, session 1997–98) regarding the timetable for completing the land quality assessments of major sites; and if he will make a statement. [53378]

  Mr. Spellar
  As the Report says, the Ministry of Defence has set in train a programme of Land Quality Assessments and intends to complete assessments of all major sites within 10 years. We are reviewing the scope for reducing the timetable and shall consider any recommendation the Public Accounts Committee might make on the matter following its investigation.

  Defence Council
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 7 May 1998,Official Report, column 437, if he will place in the Library a list of the items discussed at each of the meetings of the Defence Council since 1 August 1997. [53374]
  451
  Mr. George Robertson
  The items discussed at the Defence Council meetings held since 1 August 1997 are as follows:

  Date

  Meeting

  24 September 1997

  Strategic Defence Review

  27 November 1997

  Mid-year Performance Report

  NATO Command Structure Review

  18 December 1997

  Strategic Defence Review

  26 January 1998

  Long Term Costings 1998

  23 February 1998

  Strategic Defence Review

  2 April 1998

  Strategic Defence Review

  1998 Departmental Plan

  20 July 1998

  End of Year Performance Report

  Future Programme of Business for Defence Council Meetings

  Performance Report
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to publish the next edition of his Department's Performance Report. [53376]

  Mr. George Robertson
  I expect the Ministry of Defence's Departmental Performance Report for 1997–98 to be published in the Autumn.

  Chiefs of Staff
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what dates the Chiefs of Staff have met since 1 January. [53373]

  Mr. George Robertson
  Since 1 January 1998, the Chiefs of Staff have met on the following dates:

  15 January 1998

  27 January 1998

  10 February 1998

  17 February 1998

  24 February 1998

  10 March 1998

  31 March 1998

  28 April 1998

  13 May 1998

  10 June 1998

  23 June 1998

  7 July 1998

  21 July 1998.

  Nuclear Stocks
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the stocks of tritium currently held by his Department. [51683]

  Mr. Spellar
  No. To reveal such information would be contrary to national defence and security interests. I am therefore withholding details under Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the stock of plutonium and highly enriched uranium listed in the Strategic Defence Review included the armoury currently located in operational nuclear weapons. [51684]
  452
  Mr. Spellar
  The details of defence stocks of plutonium and highly enriched uranium published in the Strategic Defence Review included material in our nuclear weapons and nuclear submarine reactors.

  Task Forces
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the taskforces and advisory groups composed of independent members which have been set up by his Department since 1 May 1997 and in each case(a) their remit, (b) their membership, (c) how many members are (i) scientists, (ii) engineers and (iii) small business people or representatives of small businesses, (d) any remuneration members receive for their services and (e) their budget. [53147]

  Mr. Spellar
  I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Employees Over 60
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) men and (b) women aged over 60 years were employed by (i) his Department and (ii) his Department's agencies on 1 January. [53064]

  Mr. Spellar
  The numbers of staff aged over 60 years employed by the Ministry of Defence at 1 January 1998, excluding those employed by MOD agencies, were 2,212 men and 617 women. The numbers aged over 60 employed by MOD agencies at 1 January 1998 were 2,442 men and 467 women.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) men and (b) women employed by (1) his Department and (2) his Department's agencies have contracts of employment which permit them to retire after their 60th birthday. [53058]

  Mr. Spellar
  Civil servants have no formal contract of employment. However, under the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme civil servants have an entitlement to retire at age 60, which is the earliest age at which they may receive their full accrued pension benefits. Notwithstanding the entitlement to retire at 60, MOD policy prescribes normal retirement ages for each grade, based on the employment needs of the Department. This gives staff in particular grades an expectation to retire at an age beyond their 60th birthday, if they choose to do so.

  The numbers of staff employed by the MOD who have an expectation to retire after their 60th birthday, excluding those employed by MOD agencies, on 1 January 1998 were 17,592 men and 12,937 women. The numbers of staff employed by the MOD agencies on 1 January 1998 who have an expectation to retire after their 60th birthday, were 21,480 men and 11,320 women.

  Royal Navy Careers CD-ROM
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will assess the advantages of introducing a similar package to the Royal Navy Careers CD-ROM for all the armed forces. [53801]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.
  453

  Recruiting Shortages
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what new initiatives he is taking to address the shortage of recruits in the Army [53802]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  RAF (Recruitment)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what new initiatives he is taking to increase the number of recruits to the RAF. [53803]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Enhanced Surveillance Radar
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Enhanced Surveillance Radar recently developed at the Defence Evaluation Research Agency; and what plans he has to use this technology in the armed forces. [53806]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Enhanced Surveillance Radar, ESR, has been designed by the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency and built by GEC Marconi Avionics. It is an airborne surveillance radar and has been developed to meet the needs of a number of military research and development programmes for high-quality, high-resolution, radar data and also for in-flight, real time demonstration of new radar techniques. Currently undergoing commissioning trials, it is envisaged that the ESR will support MoD work on the Airborne Stand Off Radar, ASTOR, programme.

  Welsh Language Scheme
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date his Department received notification from the Welsh Language Board in relation to the need to prepare a Welsh language scheme; on what date his Department and the Board held consultations on such a scheme; when a scheme was formally submitted to the Board; and if it has been approved. [53349]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Welsh Language Board wrote on 1 May 1998 inviting my Department to prepare a Welsh language scheme. My officials have held discussions with the Board on a number of occasions, and once a draft of the scheme is finalised, we will hold a period of public consultation. The scheme will be submitted to the Welsh Language Board by 31 March 1999 for approval.

  Overseas Visits
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those who have accompanied (i) him and (ii) his departmental Ministers on overseas visits since 1 January indicating(a) the venue of the visit, (b) the purpose of the visit, (c) the names of those involved, (d) the job of those involved, (e) the reasons why they were included in the visit and (f) the cost to public funds. [53843]
  454
  Mr. Doug Henderson
  I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Gulf Veterans
  Mr. Frank Cook
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when a new Head of the Gulf Veteran's Medical Assessment Programme will be appointed. [54620]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Following an open competition we have now appointed Professor Harry Lee to be the Head of the Gulf Veterans' Medical Assessment Programme (MAP). Professor Lee has had a distinguished medical and academic career specialising in general medicine, renal medicine and infectious diseases. He is scheduled to take up his post at the MAP on 1 September.

  Defence Housing Executive
  Mr. Ernie Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about Defence Agency status for the Defence Housing Executive. [54872]

  Mr. Spellar
  Currently, the responsibility for managing, allocating and maintaining suitable housing for the families of Service personnel posted within Great Britain lies with the Defence Housing Executive. The Department owns or leases some 64,000 houses across the country which are controlled by the DHE staff of some 1,200 through a network of 24 Area offices, 7 Regional offices and one Headquarters office.

  A "prior options" study is being undertaken to establish whether Agency status or other options would be appropriate. I should welcome comments from interested parties. These should be sent to:

  Air Marshal Sir Peter Squire KCB DFC AFC RAF

  Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff (Programmes and Personnel)

  Ministry of Defence

  Room 5327

  Main Building

  Whitehall

  London

  SW1A 2HB.

  Soldiers (Scotland)
  Mr. Jim Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many soldiers are currently based in Scotland; and what was the(a) lowest and (b) highest level in the past five years. [53279]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  On 1 June 1998, the total number of regular Army officers and soldiers, including trainees, assigned to units based in Scotland was 3,433.

  Comparable strength figures for the last five years are available only in respect of 1 July, and are given in the table:

  Year

  Strength

  1 July 1997

  2,953

  1 July 1996

  3,453

  1 July 1995

  2,587

  1 July 1994

  3,444

  1 July 1993

  3,163

  455
  The continual movement of Army units and personnel means that the total Army presence in Scotland fluctuates throughout each year. I regret, therefore, that a more detailed breakdown of figures could be provided only at disproportionate cost and effort.

  Asset Sales
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the one-off departmental asset sales, with cash values, which will offset the reduction of defence expenditure from £915 million to £685 million by 2002. [50961]

  Mr. Spellar
  [holding answer 17 July 1998]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence to the hon. Member for Stratford-on-Avon (Mr. Maples) on 23 July 1998, Official Report, column 605.

  Defence Projects
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what defence projects are currently being undertaken with the Government of(a) Belgium, (b) France, (c) Germany, (d) Italy, (e) Spain and (f) the United States of America; what are their durations; what are their total costs; and what percentage of work on the current defence projects being carried out with each Government takes place within the United Kingdom. [51929]

  Mr. Spellar
  I will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Warheads
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress to date in dismantling WE177 and Chevaline warheads. [52179]

  Mr. George Robertson
  97 per cent. of WE 177 warheads have now been dismantled and the programme will be completed by the end of August 1998. Chevaline warhead dismantlement has not started yet and will do so once the WE 177 dismantlement programme has been completed.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date the(a) WE177 and (b) Chevaline warhead dismantling programme is expected to be completed. [52250]

  Mr. George Robertson
  97 per cent. of WE177 warheads have now been dismantled and the programme will be completed by the end of August 1998.

  With regard to Chevaline warheads, I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Truro and St. Austell (Mr. Taylor) on 7 May 1998, Official Report, columns 436–37.

  Agency Newsletters
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the current security classifications of the newsletters produced for the staff of(a) the Medical Supplies Agency, (b) the Naval Training and Recruiting Agency, (c) the Defence Secondary Care Agency, (d) the
  456
  Meteorological Office and (e) the Defence Intelligence Staff; how often each newsletter is produced; and when each newsletter was first produced. [53380]

  Mr. Spellar
  Where these matters fall to the Chief Executives of the Agencies concerned. I have asked them to write direct to the hon. Member.

  The Defence Intelligence Staff publishes three staff newsletters. "The Mole" is published monthly for its Headquarters staff in London, at a Restricted security classification, and was first produced in July 1997. "Compass" is published monthly for the staff of the Military Survey Agency, is unclassified, and was first produced in June 1996. "Lynx" is published quarterly for the staff of the Joint Air Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre, is unclassified, and was first published in Autumn 1996.

  Letter from John Chadwick to Mr. Matthew Taylor, dated 30 July 1998:
  I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the newsletters produced for the staff of the Naval Recruiting and Training Agency (NRTA) in my capacity as Chief Executive of the NRTA.
  I have to advise you that no regular newsletter is currently produced for the staff of my Agency.

  Letter from Major General C. G. Callow to Mr. Matthew Taylor, dated 30 July 1998:

  AGENCY NEWSLETTERS
  1. I am replying to your letter to the Secretary of State for Defence about Agency Newsletters as this matter, in respect of my Agency, falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Defence Secondary Care Agency (DSCA).
  2. The DSCA staff magazine is an unclassified publication that is published quarterly. It was first produced in a limited format in December 1995 for those staff already working in the Defence Medical Services who were to become part of the DSCA when it launched in April 1996.

  Letter from Peter Ewins to Mr. Matthew Taylor dated 30 July 1998:
  I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence regarding what are the current security classifications of the newsletters produced for the staff of the Meteorological Office; how often each newsletter is produced; and when each newsletter was first produced. The information you require is as follows:

  Name

  Classification

  How often

  First Produced

  Mercury

  Unclassified

  11 per year

  November 1985

  Comet

  Unclassified

  Weekly

  January

  Mercury contains articles, information and letters covering a wide range of topics of interest to our staff. Comet brings together our administrative instructions plus staff items such as Job Opportunities within The Met. Office and other government departments.

  Letter from B. E. Nimick to Mr. Matthew Taylor, dated 30 July 1998:
  I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the Medical Supplies Agency newsletters, as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Medical Supplies Agency.
  Within the Agency there are two types of newsletter. The first is intended for distribution to all regular customers of the Medical Supplies Agency. This Newsletter is used to inform customers about our procedures, supply problems and general information relating to medical supply.

  457
  The second type of newsletter is a Core Brief. This is distributed to managers at the Agency Headquarters and Agency Distribution Centres, for dissemination to all staff. The Core Brief informs all Agency staff of future plans, target and progress.
  The current security classification of the Newsletter and Core Brief is unclassified.
  Our Newsletter is produced approximately every four months with the first issue being made in May 1997.
  The Core Brief is produced once every two to three months with the first issue being produced in November 1996.

  Fibre Optic Tank Camouflage
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the timescale for the introduction of fibre optic camouflage on tanks. [53807]

  Mr. Spellar
  We have no current plans to apply fibre optic camouflage to tanks.

  NETMA
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the proposed partnership with Norway in the inter-Governmental buying agency NETMA. [53800]

  Mr. Spellar
  NETMA, the NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency, represents the interests of the Governments participating in these collaborative programmes. Norway has a requirement to replace her F5 aircraft and is currently evaluating Eurofighter and F16 as possible replacements. Norway may wish to participate in the Eurofighter programme by becoming a member of the NATO Agency. It is for Norway to decide what best meets her requirements.

  Shoeburyness Ranges
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 27 July 1998,Official Report, column 39, what factors led him to exclude the income from the ETC and the demilitarisation facility in his calculation of the income accruing to the ranges at Shoeburyness; and if he will make a statement. [53822]

  Mr. Spellar
  The income from the ETC and the demilitarisation facility were shown separately so that a direct comparison of the income achieved by the range at Shoeburyness could be made with the income achieved by the other ranges. Similarly, the income from the operation of airfield was not included in the West Freugh income.

  The income achieved by the ETC and the demilitarisation facility is not income achieved by the Shoeburyness range, but is income achieved at the Shoeburyness site.

  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he intends to make a decision on the proposed transfer of work from Shoeburyness to Eskmeals. [53824]

  Mr. Spellar
  We expect to make a decision shortly.

  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the total income accruing to the Shoeburyness and Eskmeals ranges in respect of all 458
  income raising activities in each of the past five years and separately identifying that part of the site income which stems from the strategic pricing initiative. [53823]

  Mr. Spellar
  The total income accruing to the Shoeburyness and Eskmeals ranges in respect of all income raising activities in each of the previous three years is as follows:

  £000

  Shoeburyness

  Eskmeals

  1995–96

  25,603

  5,365

  1996–97

  17,834

  5,180

  1997–98

  20,896

  8,759

  Information on a comparable basis prior to the inclusion of the ranges in the Trading Agency in 1995 is not available.

  The income accruing to the Shoeburyness and Eskmeals ranges in respect of the Strategic Pricing Initiative which operated for 1997–98, and is included in the above figures, was as follows:

  £000

  1997–98

  Shoeburyness

  6,244

  Eskmeals

  600

  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 27 July 1998,Official Report, column 39, for what reasons in his summary of the income accruing to the various ranges, he included in note 1 the SPI total of £600,000 within the income of the Eskmeals range and in note 3 deducted the SPI total of £6,244,000 from the total income of the Shoeburyness establishment; and if he will make a statement. [53821]

  Mr. Spellar
  The reported income for the Eskmeals range of £8.759K included the Strategic Pricing Initiative, SPI, support of £600K as this was for a specific facility within the range.

  The reported income for the Shoeburyness range of £14,223K was reported net of the contribution from the SPI, as the support payment contributed to the costs of the Shoeburyness site which includes the Environmental Test Centre and the demilitarisation facility as well as the range.

  Agency Savings
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what savings he estimates will accrue from the creation of(a) the Defence Transport and Movements Agency and (b) the Defence Storage and Distribution Agency. [53805]

  Mr. Spellar
  We estimate that the creation of the Defence Transport and Movements Agency will save £5.014 million over a ten-year period. The creation of the Defence Storage and Distribution Agency (Non-Explosive) will result in estimated savings of £62.1 million over the same period, with further estimated savings of £4.1 million as a result of the incorporation of storage and distribution activity for all explosive items into a division of the Naval Bases and Supply Agency.
  459

  Non-Departmental Public Bodies
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the non-departmental public bodies in existence on 1 May 1997 that(a) have been disbanded,(b) will be disbanded in the next 12 months, (c) have had their functions transferred to (i) another non-departmental public body and (ii) a democratically elected body,(d) have been renamed but continue to perform a similar role and (e) have been unchanged; if he will indicate in (c) (ii) the relevant successor body; what new non-departmental public bodies have been established since 1 May 1997; and how many non-departmental public bodies his Department currently is responsible for. [53855]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Ministry of Defence had seventeen Non Departmental Public Bodies on 1 May 1997, and the same seventeen currently remain unchanged as NDPBs. None has been disbanded, and there are no current plans for any to be disbanded in the next 12 months; none has had its functions transferred and none has been renamed while continuing to perform the same role. The Royal College of Defence Studies Advisory Board and the Royal Military College of Science Advisory Council are, however, currently having their status as NDPBs re-examined. MOD's NDPBs are as follows:

  Fleet Air Arm Museum

  Royal Naval Museum

  Royal Marines Museum

  Royal Naval Submarine Museum

  National Army Museum

  Royal Air Force Museum

  Oil and Pipelines Agency

  Advisory Committee on Conscientious Objectors

  Dartmoor Steering Group and Working Party

  Defence Scientific Advisory Council and Committees

  Independent Board of Visitors for the Military Corrective Training Centre

  National Employer Liaison Committee

  Nuclear Powered Warships Safety Committee

  Nuclear Weapons Safety Committee

  Review Board for Government Contracts

  Royal College of Defence Studies Advisory Board

  Royal Military College of Science Advisory Council.

  Defence Intelligence Service
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the impact of partial privatisation of the Defence Intelligence Service on security. [53804]

  Mr. George Robertson
  The statement of requirements issued to companies bidding to provide support services to the Defence Intelligence Service under Public/Private partnership arrangements stipulated in detail the security criteria to be met. These are no less stringent than those applying to staff and contractors already working in the organisation. Compliance with these requirements will be a contractual condition and will be carefully monitored.
  460

  Plutonium Discharges (Aldermaston)
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what unplanned discharges of plutonium took place from Aldermaston in December 1997; with what consequences; and if he will make a statement. [53432]

  Mr. Spellar
  There were no unplanned discharges of plutonium from AWE Aldermaston in December 1997.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Departmental Reviews
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the reviews her Department, and its predecessor, initiated in the years(a) 1974–75, (b) 1979–80 and (c) 1992–93. [48525]

  Mr. Foulkes
  [holding answer 6 July 1998]: In 1992–93 the Overseas Development Administration published the following reports: "Review of the factors influencing the uptake and impact of ODA-supported renewable natural resource research projects", "Review of agricultural research supported by ODA (Natural Resources and Environment Department) during the period 1988–1991: report of the review panel meeting held at Sevenoaks, Kent January 1992".

  I regret that information requested for 1974–75 and 1979–80 is not held centrally and could be collected only at disproportionate cost.

  Fiji
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) what assistance her Department has provided to Fiji in terms of(a) healthcare provision, (b) education facilities and (c) information technology in the last five years; and if she will make a statement; [52053]

  (2) what projects her Department has sponsored in Fiji over the last five years; and if she will make a statement. [52054]

  Mr. Foulkes
  I will write to the hon. Gentleman with details of activities in Fiji funded over the past five years. British development assistance to the Pacific island countries is now provided from a single budget under a regional allocation rather than individual country programmes. The emphasis is upon two key sectors—education and rights and good governance—with particular emphasis upon three least-developed partner countries (Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu), with assistance also to regional organisations and institutions.

  Refugees
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of access for aid agencies to refugees along the Guinea-Sierra Leone border. [52470]

  Mr. Foulkes
  [holding answer 27 July 1998]: The Department for International Development makes regular assessments of access for aid agencies to refugees in this area in conjunction with the Office for Coordination

  461
  of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and nongovernmental organizations.

  There were problems of access for a period of four weeks during June and July, but from a recent OXFAM assessment and from NGOs working in the camps it is reported that there were sufficient food supplies available during this period. We understand that a humanitarian aid corridor has now been opened, with effect from 11 July.

  Information Technology
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much her Department spent on IT, itemising(a) personal computers, (b) mainframe, (c) mini-computers and (d) file servers in the last year for which figures are available. [52891]

  Mr. Foulkes
  The amounts spent by DFID on IT during 1997–98 were as follows:

  IT: £2,056,598

  including, inter alia:

  (a) Personal computers: £126,421

  (b) Main-frame: £0

  (c) Mini-computers: £802,879

  (d) File servers: £93,136.

  Indonesia
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to the answer of the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of 6 June 1995,Official Report, column 37, and the answer of the President of the Board of Trade on 15 June 1998, Official Report, column 98, in relation to the Cikampek to Padalarang toll road project in Indonesia, what expenditure has been (a) allocated and (b) incurred by her Department to date; what impact assessment has been made of the delay to the project on the effectiveness of her Department's support for the project; and if she will place in the Library copies of the project appraisal, monitoring and evaluation reports to date. [52900]

  Clare Short
  I will write to my hon. Friend.

  Departmental Research
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the cost of all research undertaken by her Department since May 1997, excluding the cost of green papers and other public consultation documents drafted by her officials; and if she will list in each case the organisations which undertook that research. [52709]

  Mr. Foulkes
  The term research covers a wide range of activities from scientific and engineering research through to consultancies and public opinion surveys. The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Non-departmental Public Bodies
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the non-departmental public bodies in existence on 1 May 1997 that(a) have been disbanded, (b) will be disbanded in the next 12 months, (c) have had their functions transferred
  462
  to (i) another non-departmental public body and (ii) a democratically elected body, (d) have been renamed but continue to perform a similar role and (e) have been unchanged; if she will indicate in (c) (ii) the relevant successor body; what new non-departmental public bodies have been established since 1 May 1997; and how many non-departmental public bodies her Department currently is responsible for. [53861]

  Mr. Foulkes
  The information requested is as follows:

  (a) None

  (b) (i) The Crown Agents Holding and Realisation Board will be wound up within the next year.
  (ii) Subject to passage of the necessary legislation, it is intended that the Commonwealth Development Corporation will be transformed from a public corporation into a company governed by the Companies Act.

  (c) None

  (d) None

  (e) Commonwealth Scholarships Commission

  Advisory Committee on Overseas Economic and Social Research

  Know-How Fund Advisory Board

  Overseas Service Pensions Scheme Advisory Board

  India Family Pension Funds Body of Commissioners.

  Since 1 May 1997, we have established one new advisory body, namely the Development Awareness Working Group. The Department is currently responsible for eight non-departmental public bodies in total.

  Task Forces
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the task forces and advisory groups composed of independent members which have been set up by her Department since 1 May 1997, indicating in each case(a) their remit, (b) their membership, (c) how many members are (i) scientists, (ii) engineers, (iii) small business people or representatives of small businesses, (d) any remuneration members receive for their services and (e) their budget. [53287]

  Mr. Foulkes
  We established earlier this year a Development Awareness Working Group, whose terms of reference are as follows:The Development Awareness Working Group will advise DFID on the development and implementation of its strategy on development awareness.

  Specifically it will consider:
  The relative priority of different target groups and organisations including schools, colleges, providers of adult education, development education groups or centres, employers and trade unions.
  Key themes and messages.
  The most effective materials and channels for communication.
  How to measure progress in improving public awareness of development issues.
  How to ensure proper coverage of different parts of the UK, as well as ethnic and religious groups.
  How to set DFID activities in the context of wider UK activity on development awareness and to ensure coherence with other Government sponsored or funded activity.

  The current membership of the Group is:

  George Foulkes, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State

  Professor Tim Brighouse

  Ms Libby Grundy

  463

  Mr. Stephen McCloskey

  Mr. John Sutton

  Mr. Doug Bourn

  Mr. Ashok Ohri

  Mr. Tony Robinson

  Mr. David Mackenzie

  Mr. Scott Sinclair

  Mr. Tom Wylie

  Ms Bisi Adeleye Fayemi

  Mr. Dan Rees

  Ms Judith Hemery

  Ms Jaya Graves

  Mr. John Fisher

  Ms Jane Nelson

  Mr. Derek Walker

  Dr. Kim Howells MP

  Ms Tany Alexander

  Ms Liz Cumberbatch

  Ms Elenid Jones

  Mr. Jon Snow

  Mr. Phil Hope MP

  Mr. Paddy Coulter.

  Members are drawn from a range of backgrounds including formal and informal education, the media, churches, business, non-governmental organisations, youth groups and different ethnic groups. We do not have detailed information on the background of all members. However, none has been appointed specifically because of having a background in science, engineering or small business. Members of the group receive no remuneration other than travel and subsistence costs and do not control any budgets.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  EU Agricultural Subsidies
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he next plans to meet his counterparts in Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic to discuss European Union agricultural subsidies; and if he will make a statement. [51687]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  The Department maintains regular contacts with representatives of all the countries which are candidates for EU accession. I hope to meet my counterparts in Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic in due course.

  Flax
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what new proposals he has to increase the cultivation of flax. [51696]

  Mr. Morley
  Farmers who grow flax already benefit from generous support under the CAP. The key to encouraging its use is for the industry to develop new markets.

  Farm Incomes
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his latest forecast of the trends 464
  in farm incomes; and what assessment he has made of the impact of the comprehensive spending review on them. [51697]

  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received on the level of farm incomes in 1998–99. [51709]

  Mr. Rooker
  Farm income has been a matter of concern for everyone in the industry. It has therefore been raised in numerous meetings and in correspondence.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received on farm incomes over the last 12 months. [51690]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  The issue of farm incomes is frequently raised. The economic circumstances of farm businesses are monitored regularly and published by the Department. Future trends are difficult to predict, but it is likely that incomes will be depressed in 1998. They are unlikely to be affected by the Comprehensive Spending Review.

  Food Standards Agency
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on progress towards the establishment of the Food Standards Agency. [51698]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  We are making good progress towards the establishment of a Food Standards Agency and intend to publish a draft Bill for consultation soon. Meanwhile, my Department and the Department of Health are working closely together to deliver an open and effective food safety policy.

  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research funding will be provided to support the Food Standards Agency. [51704]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Agency will take over responsibility for the existing programme of research on food safety and standards currently funded by MAFF and the Department of Health. The precise sum to be transferred to the Agency is yet to be determined.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations his Department has received from farmers on the proposed Foods Standards Agency. [51714]

  Mr. Rooker
  A number of organisations representing farmers' interests commented on the Food Standards Agency White Paper. Copies of all the responses are available in the Library of the House.

  Exchange Rates
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from farmers' organisations regarding current exchange rates. [51699]

  Mr. Rooker
  I have regular contacts with farming organisations who keep me informed of their views on a wide range of issues, including the effect of current exchange rates on the agricultural industry.
  465

  Bovine Tuberculosis
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to improve compensation payments to those farmers affected by bovine TB. [51700]

  Mr. Rooker
  The question of compensation for farmers with TB outbreaks will be considered in the light of decisions being taken by the Government on taking forward the recommendations in the Krebs report.

  Fish Stocks
  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received on the future of fish stocks; and if he will make a statement. [51701]

  Mr. Morley
  There is widespread concern about the future of fish stocks, underlining the need for cautious management.

  Agricultural Competitiveness
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will assess the advantages of including in his departmental objectives the requirement for a competitive agricultural industry; and if he will make a statement. [51702]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  The development of a competitive, sustainable UK agriculture industry is in the interests of farmers and consumers alike. It is therefore entirely consistent with the increased emphasis we place on the needs of the consumer.

  Genetically Modified Foods
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will disseminate widely the list his Department is collating in respect of the known suppliers of genetically modified foods. [51703]

  Mr. Rooker
  I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the list of suppliers of non-genetically modified soya and maize that is freely available on the MAFF internet web pages. Details of genetically modified foods assessed as safe to market under the terms of the EC Novel Foods Regulations are published in press releases and in the annual reports of the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes.

  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what tests are being undertaken on the interactions between genetically modified crops and the range of currently available fertilisers and herbicides, and on their consequential effects upon(a) human health and (b) biodiversity. [51707]

  Mr. Rooker
  A wide range of data to assess the impact on human health and the environment is being generated from field trials in which genetically modified and conventional crops are grown under standard agronomic conditions. For herbicide tolerant crops this includes treatment with the herbicide to which they are tolerant and other herbicides.

  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has received on genetically modified food. [51708]
  466
  Mr. Rooker
  I have in the past few months received representations about genetically modified foods from a wide range of organisations and the general public, including consumer and environmental groups.

  Common Agricultural Policy
  Mr. Forth
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the progress made on reform of the CAP in respect of the beef sector during the UK presidency of the EU. [51705]

  Mr. Rooker
  I am pleased to be able to tell the right hon. Member that good progress was achieved. We presided over the first substantial political discussion of the reform proposals and, by the end of the our presidency, officials had virtually completed the first technical read-through of the Commission's detailed proposals.

  Agricultural Deficit
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to reduce the trade deficit in agriculture over the next three years. [51706]

  Mr. Morley
  The Government support a range of measures to help the UK agriculture and food industries become more competitive at home and abroad.

  Organic Farming
  Mr. David Taylor
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what resources he is allocating over the next three years to provide advice to farmers wishing to convert to organic production; and if he will make a statement. [51710]

  Mr. Morley
  Free advice, including a telephone help line and on-farm advisory visits, is available from the Organic Conversion Information Service (01179 227707), funded by the Ministry. I am considering the amounts to be made available to fund this service in the light of the comprehensive spending review.

  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what decisions he has taken on the recommendations of the review of the organic aid scheme; and if he will make a statement. [54385]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  Since we came to office, we have been determined to encourage more farmers to convert to organic production. We have made more resources available for advice to help them and I am pleased to say that many more are realising the opportunities that organic farming can offer and seeking to convert. However, conversion has costs and the additional returns cannot be realised immediately.

  More support is justified for farmers during the conversion period. Subject to the agreement of the European Commission, it is my intention to increase payment rates under the English scheme to those recommended in the review which we commissioned last year.

  If organic farming is to become a mainstream option, it is important to encourage larger farms to convert. For this reason, I intend to go beyond the recommendations of that review and lift the 300 hectare limit on the area

  467
  which can qualify for aid. I will also be going beyond the recommendations of the review by making the annual payment at the end of the first quarter, thus helping farmers' cash flow at a difficult time.

  Sustainable Fisheries
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the Government's policy on sustainable fisheries; and if he will make a statement. [51711]

  Mr. Morley
  The Government's policy is to conserve fish stocks for future generations and secure a sustainable future for the sea fishing industry.

  Animal Welfare
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he has taken to achieve a welfare directive for farm animals across the EU. [51712]

  Mr. Morley
  I am delighted to confirm that, at the conclusion of our Presidency in June, we succeeded in obtaining agreement to a Directive which sets welfare standards for all species of farm animal across the EU.

  Farm Diversification
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to encourage farmers to diversify. [51713]

  Mr. Morley
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to our hon. Friend the Member for Chorley (Mr. Hoyle) on 28 July 1998,Official Report, column 225.

  Fishing Vessels
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made on the introduction of measures to ensure that all British-registered fishing vessels maintain a real economic link with United Kingdom populations dependent on fisheries and related industries. [54383]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  I am pleased to announce that, following on from the Prime Minister's exchange of letters with the President of the European Commission in June 1997, the Commission has now confirmed that our proposals for ensuring an economic link between UK flagged vessels and populations dependent on fisheries and related industries are compatible with Community law.

  A new licence condition will be introduced with effect from 1 January 1999 requiring all vessels to demonstrate an economic link with the UK by one of the following means:
  A. landing at least 50 per cent. by weight of the vessel's catch of quota stocks into the UK,
  or
  B. employing a crew of whom at least 50 per cent. are normally resident in a UK coastal area,
  Or
  incurring a given level of operating expenditure in the UK for goods and services provided in UK coastal areas,
  468
  Or
  D. demonstrating an economic link by other means (including combinations of the above) providing sufficient benefit to populations dependent on fisheries and related industries.

  A paper setting out the new economic link requirements has been deposited in the Library of the House. Fisheries Departments will be writing to industry shortly with further details concerning the introduction of the new arrangements.

  Brewing Industry
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what initiatives he has taken to support the United Kingdom brewing industry. [52635]

  Mr. Morley
  By its nature, the UK brewing industry has a number of important interfaces with Government. MAFF works closely with the brewers, and with other Government Departments, to promote a successful and competitive industry, responsive to its particular role in society. The Ministry makes limited contributions to relevant research and development, and has recently supported an industry initiative to enhance perceptions of the opportunities afforded by a career in the licensed retail trade. More widely, the Government have begun a comprehensive review of licensing law; and completed a review of alcohol and tobacco fraud, proposing a number of ways to protect the industry from fraud and smuggling.

  Farmers (Marketing Schemes)
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list each current United Kingdom and EU scheme which will provide assistance to farmers in setting up marketing schemes together with the total sum available for each scheme and the minimum and maximum figures for individual application where applicable. [52474]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 27 July 1998]: I will write to the hon. Member with the information he has requested as soon as possible. It is necessary to draw together details of schemes administered by each Agricultural Department and it will take a little time to ensure that the reply is comprehensive.

  Live Animal Exports
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has made to the European Commission in support of a Community-wide ban on the export of live horses for slaughter. [51380]

  Mr. Morley
  The Government do not consider it a realistic objective to persuade the European Commission to propose an EU-wide ban on the export of live horses for slaughter. We support the active enforcement, in all member states, of EU rules on the welfare of livestock in transit and at slaughter, and have argued for the same rules to be strictly applied when animals are exported from the EU to third countries. We will draw to the attention of the EU Commission specific complaints relating to the EU export of horses for slaughter.
  469

  Hedgerows
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has to provide selective assistance for the maintenance and improvement of hedgerows. [52810]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 29 July 1998]: Payments are available for the restoration of hedges and their subsequent maintenance under the Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA) and Countryside Stewardship Schemes in England. In certain ESAs, there are payments for positive maintenance of hedges.

  Quarantine
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he plans to bring forward reforms to the quarantine regime; and if he will make a statement. [53681]

  Mr. Rooker
  Ministers await the report of the Advisory Group on Quarantine which we expect to be published very shortly, most probably during the Parliamentary summer recess. A full public consultation will then be held.

  Welsh Language Scheme
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on what date his Department received notification from the Welsh Language Board in relation to the need to prepare a Welsh language scheme; on what date his Department and the Board held consultations on such a scheme; when a scheme was formally submitted to the Board; and if it has been approved. [53356]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Welsh Language Board invited the Ministry on 15 December 1997 to prepare a Welsh language scheme. Consultations between MAFF officials and the Welsh Language Board predate this letter and officials met the Welsh Language Board on 5 June 1998. A draft scheme has been produced. The deadline for approval of the scheme is 31 December 1998.

  Growth Promoters
  Mr. Walter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has to impose a unilateral ban on the use of growth promoters licensed by the European Union under Directive 70/524. [53713]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Government have noted that the Agriculture Select Committee favours a ban on antibiotic growth promoters. The Committee's report has been drawn to the attention of the Veterinary Products Committee, who will advise the Government. Further advice is also expected from the Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food. The Government will act in the light of the advice of their scientific committees.

  Meat Imports
  Mr. Walter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of United Kingdom bacon consumption is of imported meat; and from which countries such imports originate. [53714]
  470
  Mr. Rooker
  In 1997, the United Kingdom was 51 per cent. self-sufficient in bacon; the main countries of origin of imported products were Denmark and the Netherlands.

  Mr. Walter
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of United Kingdom un-cured pork consumption is of imported meat; and from which countries those imports originate. [53716]

  Mr. Rooker
  In 1997, the United Kingdom was 106 per cent. self-sufficient in pork and was therefore a net exporter. Quantities of pork were imported from Denmark, the Netherlands, Ireland and France.

  Timber
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to eliminate dumping of foreign timber upon the United Kingdom market. [50817]

  Mrs. Roche
  I have been asked to reply.

  It is the responsibility of the European Commission to investigate complaints by the EU industries concerned about allegedly dumped imports into the EU. I am not aware of a complaint to the European Commission about the dumping of foreign timber.

  Vitamin B6
  Mr. Ian Stewart
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the Government have yet reached a decision on their proposed controls on vitamin B6.[54810]

  Mr. Nick Brown
  The Government have now completed their consideration of the responses to the consultation exercise on the proposed controls on dietary supplements containing vitamin B6. Copies of the responses received have been deposited in the Library. We have also deposited copies of the responses received to the consultation by the Medicines Control Agency on its parallel proposals on controls on licensed medicines containing vitamin B6.

  The Government have taken full account of the Agriculture Select Committee's report on vitamin B6 and have made their response today. (The decision on when and how this is published is a matter for the Committee).

  The Government's assessment of the science remains that of the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT) and our advice to the public will continue to reflect this. However, we accept that there is a case for delaying any action on vitamin B6 until the new Expert Group on Vitamins and Minerals has completed its consideration of the wider issue of the principles on which controls for ensuring the safety of vitamin and mineral supplements sold under food law can be based. This should take between eighteen months and two years. In view of this we have concluded that a decision on legislation on the level of vitamin B6 in dietary supplements should be deferred until after the Expert Group has produced its report.
  471

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Correspondence
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when she intends to reply to the letters to her dated 2 April, 15 May and 16 June from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton, with regard to Mrs. H. Nasrin, 58 Clitheroe Road. [51463]

  Mr. Denham
  The delay in responding to my right hon. Friend's letters was very much regretted. Unfortunately, the Department did not receive a copy of my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary's reply to the letter regarding Mrs. Nasrin until 16 July 1998.

  Mrs. Nasrin's case is a complex one. However, I hope to let my right hon. Friend have a full reply as soon as our investigations are complete.

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Spelthorne, dated 16 May, concerning Mr. R. A. Weedon of Ashford, Middlesex, reference 3/3642/14. [53796]

  Mr. Denham
  A reply was sent to the hon. Member on 28 July.

  Pensioners (Fuel Bills)
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to her oral statement of 17 July 1998,Official Report, columns 703–05, if she will estimate the respective contributions of (a) price reductions, (b) VAT reductions, (c) winter fuel payments and (d) other changes to the average lowering of pension fuel bills for single and for married pensioners (i) on income support and (ii) not on income support. [52034]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is set out in the table. Accurate consumption data are not available by type of pensioner.

  Average fuel bill and estimated possible savings

  £

  Fuel bill (combined electricity and gas)

  614.50

  Price and competition reductions

  62.50

  VAT reductions

  17.00

  Winter Fuel Payments (Income Support (IS))

  50.00

  Winter Fuel Payments (non-IS)

  20.00

  Total savings—Income Support

  129.50

  Total savings—non-Income Support

  99.50

  Notes:

  1. Bills are based on average standard credit and VAT rates in force on 1 April of the financial year

  2. Bills are calculated on standard consumption of 3,300 kWh for electricity and 18,000 kWh for gas

  3. Price reductions include the new tariffs introduced by electricity companies in April 1998 as part of the new two year price restraints and new British Gas tariffs announced in January 1998

  4. Price reductions include an estimate of a typical saving that would accrue to customers switching supplier for the 1998–99 financial year. Estimates of savings from switching supplier will vary case by case depending on when and to which supplier someone switches to

  5. All figures are rounded to the nearest 50p
  472

  National Insurance
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of those of working age have never paid national insurance contributions. [52523]

  Mr. Denham
  The working age population is some 35,036,000. Departmental estimates show that 34,433,000 people, aged between 16 and state pension age in 1995/96, paid National Insurance contributions at some time between 1975/76 and 1995/96. However, an unknown number of these people are no longer included in the working population, because they have left the country.

  For years before 1975/76 it is not possible to distinguish between contributions which were paid and those which were credited.

  Sources:

  Lifetime Labour Market Database

  Population Estimates Unit.

  Domestic Violence
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will evaluate the cost to her Department arising from violence within families; and if she will make a statement. [52442]

  Mr. Denham
  I refer the hon. Member to the written answer from my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary on Wednesday 29 July 1998,Official Report, column 258.

  Common Minimum Pension Age
  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate she has made of the net public expenditure cost for introducing a common minimum pension age of 60 years. [52912]

  Mr. Denham
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to him on 1 June 1998,Official Report, column 111.

  Welfare Provision
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what role he intends for approved welfare providers in his plans for welfare reform; and if he will make a statement on their relationship to pension providers. [53251]

  Mr. Denham
  The Welfare Reform Green Paper, "New ambitions for our country: A New Contract for Welfare", proposed that the public and private sectors should work in partnership to make welfare provision. Such private-public partnerships are one of a range of possibilities currently being considered.

  Employees Over 60
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many(a) men and (b) women aged over 60 years were employed by (i) his Department and (ii) his Department's agencies on 1 January. [53062]
  473
  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is in the table.

  Number of men and women employed by the department aged over 60 years on 1 January 1998

  Business Unit

  Male

  Female

  Benefits Agency

  515

  605

  Contributions Agency

  74

  63

  Child Support Agency

  40

  28

  War Pensions Agency

  17

  18

  ITSA

  10

  3

  ISBs

  14

  8

  DSS HQ

  8

  10

  Total

  678

  735

  Departmental Total

  1,413

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many(a) men and (b) women employed by (1) his Department and (2) his Department's agencies have contracts of employment which permit them to retire after their 60th birthday. [53043]

  Mr. Denham
  There are no staff currently employed within the Department who have contracts of employment which permit them to retire after their 60th birthday. However, the Permanent Secretary has discretion to retain staff beyond their 60th birthday, if they remain fully efficient and there is a need for their services.

  Task Forces
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the task forces and advisory groups composed of independent members which have been set up by his Department since 1 May 1997, indicating in each case(a) their remit, (b) their membership, (c) how many members are (i) scientists, (ii) engineers, (iii) small business people or representatives of small businesses, (d) any remuneration members receive for their services and (e) their budget. [53284]

  Mr. Denham
  The information requested is as follows:

  Pension Provision Group

  (a) To provide an independent analysis of the current state of pension provision in the United Kingdom and of likely future trends.

  (b) Membership is drawn from pensions experts from outside the Government who come from a wide range of backgrounds and interests.

  (c) None

  (d) None

  (e) None

  Pensions Education Working Group

  (a) To advise on the development of a longer term pensions awareness strategy; to establish and evaluate the telephone helpline experiment; work to develop free-standing initiatives and partnerships to implement their recommendations; to consider how to give consumers basic and comparable information in plain English on pension schemes and products.

  (b) Representatives from the pensions industry, employer and employee organisations, consumer organisations, regulatory authorities and officials from various Government departments.

  (c) None

  (d) None

  (e) None

  474
  Pension Sharing Consultation Panel

  (a) To enable representatives from the key interest groups to work together with the Government to review proposals for the detailed operation of the policy.

  (b) Representatives of the pensions industry, family lawyers, groups representing divorcing couples and officials from various Government Departments.

  (c) None

  (d) None

  (e) None

  Disability Benefits Forum

  (a) To consider possible options for changes in the gateways to benefits for long-term sick and disabled people and carers, and how to ensure that help is directed to those who need it.

  (b) Representatives from "umbrella" groups representing all areas of the disability lobby and groups representing significant numbers of disabled people. In addition, there are experts from the fields of local government and social policy as well as medical professionals with a range of expertise in the areas of long term illness and disability.

  (c) None

  (d) None

  (e) None.

  Benefits
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what factors underlay his decision to withdraw the offer of extra subsidy to local authorities to detect housing benefit fraud; [53277]

  (2) if he will require retrospective introduction of weekly benefit savings for the 1997-98 financial year; [53274]

  (3) what reasons subsidy to local authorities will be lost if housing benefit (a) ceases and (b) is reduced before a designated fraud officer becomes involved; [53272]

  (4) what incentive he will provide for local authorities to detect housing benefit fraud; [53273]

  (5) when he will reply to the Local Government Association representations on the Draft Weekly Benefit Savings Subsidy Guide. [53267]

  Mr. Denham
  This Government are committed to taking tough action against all benefit fraud including Housing Benefit. Significant incentives for local authorities to detect Housing Benefit fraud are already in place. A financial incentive scheme has been in operation since 1993 which rewards local authorities for good performance in detecting benefit fraud. Payments of additional subsidy to local authorities to reward them for their anti-fraud work has risen year on year (£5.9m in 1993–94 to £65.6m in 1997–98).

  Recent National Audit Office and Audit Commission reports questioned the interpretation of the Subsidy Order by some local authorities when claiming additional subsidy for anti-fraud work. We have therefore made the criteria explicit in the 1998 Subsidy Order. To qualify for this additional subsidy authorities must show that benefit was reduced or stopped following investigation by a designated fraud officer. In each case they must show that benefit has been overpaid as a result of fraud or, in a case where benefit has not been put into payment, an attempt was made to claim fraudulently and this was prevented by their action.
  475
  The Department is still awaiting comments from the Local Government Association on the draft instructions on claiming weekly benefit savings. When received they will be considered and a reply issued as soon as possible. We have, however, already had the opportunity to consider some of the initial comments made by the Local Government Association and, as a result of this, the strengthened criteria for claiming fraud weekly benefit savings will not now be retrospective.

  Benefit Fraud
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security for what reasons housing benefit claims are to be classed as fraudulent based on the balance of probabilities. [53275]

  Mr. Denham
  This test has been the agreed basis for awarding additional subsidy payments since the anti-fraud incentive scheme was introduced in 1993. The criminal test would be unduly onerous for local authorities.

  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will permit local authority housing benefit officers to assess the possibility of malicious allegations before referring housing benefit fraud allegations to fraud teams. [53268]

  Mr. Denham
  Local authority housing officers are already free to do so.

  Weekly Benefit Savings
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if weekly benefit savings will be made available to local authorities whose tenants abandon properties. [53269]

  Mr. Denham
  It would not be appropriate to give local authorities additional subsidy for normal housing benefit administration activities.

  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will allow local authorities to secure abandoned properties to prevent vandalism before a fraud team investigates and for the weekly benefit saving to be protected until the investigation is concluded. [53270]

  Mr. Denham
  In these circumstances additional subsidy related to weekly benefit savings could be paid if, as a result of a fraud investigation, fraud was discovered and a suspended Housing Benefit claim was stopped.

  Non Departmental Public Bodies
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the non-departmental public bodies in existence on 1 May 1997 that(a) have been disbanded, (b) will be disbanded in the next 12 months, (c) have had their functions transferred to (i) another non-departmental public body and (ii) a democratically elected body, (d) have been renamed but continue to perform a similar role and (e) have been unchanged; if he will indicate in (c) (ii) the relevant successor body; what new non-departmental public bodies have been established since 1 May 1997; and how many non-departmental public bodies his Department currently is responsible for. [53858]
  476
  Mr. Denham
  Of the 15 non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) sponsored by the Department of Social Security on 1 May 1997(a) none have been disbanded; (b) six will be disbanded during the second half of 1999; (c) none have had their functions transferred; (d) none have been renamed but continue to perform a similar role; and (e) 15 have been unchanged. Details of all other NDPBs in existence on 1 May 1997 sponsored by this Department are listed in "Public Bodies 1997".

  No new NDPBs have been established since 1 May 1997 and this Department is currently responsible for 15 NDPBs.

  The Government are committed to keeping the number of NDPBs to a minimum and to ensuring that those which remain are open, accountable and effective. Many of the new NDPBs established since 1 May will be essential in helping the Government deliver their Manifesto commitments.

  New Deal (Disabled People)
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will provide a breakdown of the estimated expenditure of the £178 million budget for the New Deal for Disabled People which is not accounted for by funding of(a) innovative schemes and (b) personal advisers. [53891]

  Mr. Denham
  The New Deal for Disabled People is being funded with £195 million from the Windfall Tax, which will be used over the lifetime of the current Parliament. £5 million will fund a number of Innovative Schemes which will test new ways of helping disabled people into work, and the result of the first tranche of bids was announced on 16 July. A further £17 million (£5 million in 1998–99, and a further £12 million in 1999–2000) will be used to pilot a new Personal Adviser service for disabled people, initially in 12 areas, offering advice and support on an individual basis to disabled people who want to move towards work. Some funds will be made available for research and evaluation of the New Deal, and for publicity and information. Decisions about how the rest of the money will be spent will be made in the light of information provided by the Innovative Schemes and the Personal Adviser pilots.

  Income Support
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners in Scotland do not claim the income support to which they are entitled; and how many of those do not receive benefit payments to which they are entitled of between(a) £1 and £10, (b) £10 to £20, (c) £20 to £30, (d) £30 to £40, (e) £40 to £50 and (f) £50 and over. [53707]

  Mr. Denham
  There are estimated to be around 100,000 pensioners in Scotland who do not claim the Income Support to which they are entitled. Information
  477
  on the range of the amounts unclaimed by numbers of pensioners not claiming is not available in the form requested. Such information as is available is in the table.

  Number of pensioners entitled to but not claiming income support in Scotland in 1995–96 by amount unclaimed

  Amount unclaimed

  Number of pensioners

  £0–£9.99

  50,000

  £10–£19.99

  30,000

  £20 or more

  20,000

  Total

  100,000

  Notes:

  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest ten thousand. The estimates are based on the 1995–96 Family Resources Survey and are almost certainly subject to some degree of error. The highlighted estimates are based on particularly small sample sizes and should be treated with some caution

  2. It has not been possible to provide the figures with the breakdowns requested because the sample sizes are too small

  3. A pensioner, for Income Support purposes, is a single person aged 60 or over, or a couple (married or unmarried) where at least one of them is aged 60 or over

  Lone Parents
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many lone parents in Scotland had their benefit reduced as a result of the removal of the lone parent premium and lone parent rate of child benefit. [53738]

  Mr. Denham
  Recipients of the lone parent rates of family premium and child benefit at the date of removal will continue to receive the higher rates and will therefore suffer no reduction in benefit. There will be no cash losers. The estimate of the number of lone parents in Scotland at the end of 1998–99 who will have a lower level of benefit as a result of the changes is in the table.

  Benefit

  Caseloads end 1998–99

  Income support

  26,000

  Housing benefit

  5,000

  Council tax benefit

  4,000

  Child benefit

  9,000

  Note:

  1. Caseloads have been rounded to the nearest 1,000. Caseloads for the individual benefits cannot be added together because some cases will be affected by the changes to more than one benefit

  2. Caseloads show the situation at the end of 1998–99. They do not include cases who have moved onto benefit after the changes but who have flowed off benefit before the end of 1998–99

  Winter Fuel Payments
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if the extension of the winter fuel payment scheme beyond next winter will include separate(a) £10, (b) £20 and (c) £50 payments per pensioner household depending on the rules of entitlement; and what will be the administration cost per payment. [53710]

  Mr. Denham
  Forming part of the £2.5 billion pensions package announced on 17 July 1998 Official Report, Column 704, a further £0.5 billion has been allocated to extend the Winter Fuel payments scheme beyond next winter. From the winter of 1999–2000 all eligible pensioner households will receive £20.
  478
  The precise details of the extended scheme have yet to be determined, but it is expected to be similar to the existing provision which provides £20 to every eligible pensioner household not receiving Income Support. Under the existing provision, those who live alone, those who are the only eligible pensioner in a household, or are without accommodation receive a payment of £20. Otherwise, each eligible person receives a payment of £10, including each person in a couple where they are both entitled to a payment.

  From April 1999, pensioners receiving Income Support will receive increased amounts of weekly benefit—three times the increase they would have got under the usual Income Support uprating rules. In addition, some pensioners with incomes at, or just slightly above, the current levels of Income Support will become entitled to Income Support.

  We will also be introducing for the first time, a new delivery system to begin to help the estimated one million pensioners currently missing out on extra benefit they are entitled to.

  Until the precise details of the Winter Fuel payment provision beyond next winter are determined and decisions are taken on the most appropriate and cost-effective delivery mechanisms it is not possible to establish the administration costs of each payment made.

  Mr. McNulty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects to be able to announce the qualifying week for next winter's fuel payments; and when these payments will be made. [54886]

  Mr. Denham
  Amending regulations are presently being printed and should be laid before Parliament shortly.

  We consider it important that pensioners should receive their Winter Fuel Payment in time to help towards the heaviest fuel bill when it arrives. Priority will also be given to the poorest.

  Any pensioner receiving one of the qualifying benefits during the week beginning 9 November 1998 will be entitled to a payment. Using this qualifying week should enable payments of £50 to be made to the estimated 1.5 million eligible pensioners receiving Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance by the end of November and payments of £20 or £10 to the remaining 8.3 million eligible pensioners during January 1999.

  The list of qualifying benefits has been extended to include all of the Industrial Injuries Benefits. This change aims to ensure everyone over state pension age receiving a Social Security benefit is entitled to a payment.

  As announced by the then Secretary of State, my right hon. Friend the Member for Camberwell and Peckham (Ms Horman), Winter Fuel Payments will continue beyond next winter, with each eligible pensioner household getting £20.

  Pensioners on Income Support will also benefit from an above inflation increase, from April 1999, which will ensure they have a minimum income of a least £75.50 per week for a single person. Couples and older pensioners will receive more.

  Welsh Language Scheme
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security on what date his Department received
  479
  notification from the Welsh Language Board in relation to the need to prepare a Welsh language scheme; on what date his Department and the Board held consultations on such a scheme; when a scheme was formally submitted to the Board; and if it has been approved. [53351]

  Welsh Language Schemes

  Date notice received

  Public consultation period

  Date submitted to board

  Scheme approved

  Benefits Agency

  20 December 1995

  10 June 1996 to 9 August 1996

  30 August 1996

  20 September 1996

  Child Support Agency

  14 November 1995

  11 December 1995 to 9 February 1996

  22 February 1996

  7 March 1996

  Contributions Agency

  18 April 1996

  January to March 1997

  30 October 1997

  12 November 1997

  DSS HQ

  17 September 1997

  August to September 1998

  Due for submission October 1998

  —

  War Pensions

  No notice issued

  —

  —

  —

  ITSA

  No notice issued

  —

  —

  —

  Pensioners (Incomes)
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many (a) single pensioners, (b) pensioner couples, (c) adults and (d) lone parents in (i) Scotland and (ii) the UK as a whole have an income less than half of average income. [54387]

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

  Including the self-employed, the numbers of people living in households with incomes below half the Great Britain average are:

  Thousand

  Before housing costs

  After housing costs

  Great Britain

  Scotland

  Great Britain

  Scotland

  Single pensioners

  960

  80

  1,280

  110

  Pensioner couples

  1,160

  (100)

  1,320

  (110)

  Adults

  6,770

  610

  9,240

  750

  Lone parents

  1,280

  (190)

  2,490

  250

  Source:

  Households Below Average Income (HBAI)

  Excluding the self-employed, the numbers of people living in households with incomes below half the Great Britain average, are:

  Thousand

  Before housing costs

  After housing costs

  Single pensioners

  880

  (80)

  1,050

  (80)

  Pensioner couples

  1,020

  (100)

  1,170

  (100)

  Adults

  5,390

  510

  7,600

  630

  Lone parents

  1,050

  (160)

  2,310

  240

  Notes:

  1. The data come from the Department's Households Below Average Income (HBAI) series, based on the Family Resources Survey (FRS) and covering Great Britain.

  2. Figures are for 1995–96, the latest year for which data are available.

  3. Figures in brackets relate to fewer than 100 families in the sample. Numbers are given to the nearest 10,000 but because they come from a sample survey they are not accurate to this degree. All results are subject to sampling error.
  480
  Mr. Denham
  The Department of Social Security and its executive Agencies are individually responsible for preparation of a Welsh Language Scheme when requested by the Welsh Language Board.

  The present position is summarised in the table.

  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 are given both before and after housing costs in line with usual HBAI practice. The figures may be sensitive to the choice of equivalence scale used.

  5. The income measures for the self-employed are inherently uncertain. For this reason, results are presented both including and excluding the self-employed.

  6. For all figures, half the Great Britain national average income has been used as a benchmark. Separate averages were used for the including and excluding self-employed measures.

  7. A single pensioner is defined as a single adult of state pension age or over and a pensioner couple is defined as a couple, where the man is of state pension age or over.

  8. The tables show the numbers of people in each cell. This means that, for example, 1,160,000 people living in pensioner couples, or 580,000 pensioner couples, in Great Britain have incomes less than half the national average before housing costs.

  Source:

  Households Below Average Income (HBAI).

  Persistent Inquirers
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security which of his Department's agencies have procedures to identify persistent inquirers for information. [539561]

  Mr. Denham
  I refer the hon. Member to the written answer given by my right hon. Friend the then Minister for Welfare Reform, on 19 May 1998,Official Report, column 358.

  Overseas Pensions
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the effect of the current exchange rate on overseas pensions. [54401]

  Mr. Denham
  Pensions and Overseas Benefits Directorate (POD) currently pays in excess of 800,000 customers in around 200 countries worldwide.

  Various methods of payment are used to pay pensions abroad. Customers in 30 countries are paid by Credit Transfer in sterling. This is converted to local currency and paid directly to customers' bank accounts. Pensioners are offered a favourable rate of exchange due to the bulk buying of currency. They are not charged for this service.

  481
  Pensioners who do not receive their benefit by this method are paid in sterling and they are responsible for converting their payments to local currency.

  The exchange rate is variable and subject to fluctuation. There are no provisions in legislation to allow adjustments to be made when variations occur between sterling and foreign currencies. POD monitors the exchange rates to ensure that customers continually receive a preferential rate when paid by Credit Transfer.

  Incapacity Benefit
  Mr. White
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what arrangements he is making for introducing the new linking rule for incapacity benefits and abolishing the 16 hour restriction on unpaid voluntary work. [54884]

  Mr. Denham
  The Government have a fourfold strategy for helping disabled people who want to work. We are providing the active help and encouragement people with disabilities need to move into work under the New Deal for Disabled People; removing obstacles to work from the benefits system; making sure that work pays; and promoting radical change in the workplace to ensure equality and opportunity.

  We intend that the regulations introducing the new 52 week linking rule, and removing the 16 hour restriction on unpaid voluntary work, will be made in late August or early September, and will come into force from 5 October 1998 as announced in the Budget and our Green Paper "New ambitions for our country: A New Contract For Welfare" (Cm 3805). These regulations will help to remove some of the risks disabled people face from a return to work and reclaiming benefit.

  The new linking rule will provide a period of 52 weeks following a return to work in which periods of entitlement to benefit on the grounds of incapacity can be linked. The rule will apply to people who leave benefit voluntarily having been incapable of work for at least 28 weeks.

  The linking rule will protect a person's access to a number of the longer-term benefit rates that are payable to people who are incapable of work—for example: the short-term (higher) and long-term rates of incapacity benefit; Severe Disablement Allowance; access to the Disability Premium payable in Income Support/Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit; and Income Support mortgage interest payments. The rules will also give protection to Income Support and Jobseeker' s Allowance claimants who have a partner who leaves an incapacity benefit (or NI credits awarded on grounds of incapacity) to return to work and whose benefit ceases as a consequence. In addition transitional protection in Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit will also be protected for those who reclaim in the 52 week period.

  Minister

  Date

  Place visited

  Purpose

  Accompanied by

  Frank Field

  February 1998

  Athens

  Pensions seminar

  Private Secretary

  Keith Bradley

  February 1998

  Vienna

  Minister for Labour, Health and Social Affairs

  Private Secretary and one official

  Joan Ruddock

  March 1998

  New York

  Commission of the Status of Women

  Private Secretary

  Keith Bradley

  March 1998

  USA

  Welfare to work projects

  Private Secretary and one official

  482
  This offers reassurance that if disabled people make the move from benefits into work and reclaim benefit they will not have to requalify for higher rates of benefits payable on grounds of incapacity, as they do now.

  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the estimated cost to his Department of raising the earnings disregard for people on long-term incapacity benefit to(a) £20 and (b) £25. [53817]

  Mr. Denham
  There is no current earnings disregard for people receiving Incapacity Benefit. Recipients cannot normally do any work unless it qualifies under special rules permitting a certain amount of therapeutic or voluntary work. The Government announced in the Green Paper "New Ambitions For Our Country: A New Contract For Welfare" proposals to pilot changes to benefits to remove barriers faced by disabled people who want to work. The proposals included allowing people receiving Incapacity Benefit to do a small amount of paid work, subject to a weekly limit of £15, although the precise level has still to be finalised. The expenditure consequences of such a change will depend on the effect it has on the numbers of people leaving or staying on benefit. Information on which to base an estimate is not currently available, but will be provided by the pilots.

  Departmental Research
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the cost of all research undertaken by his Department since May 1997, excluding the cost of green papers and other public consultation documents drafted by his officials; and if he will list in each case the organisations which undertook that research. [52706]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 29 July 1998]: The term research covers a wide range of activities from scientific and engineering research through to consultancies and public opinion surveys. The information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Overseas Visits
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list those who have accompanied (i) him or his predecessor and (ii) his departmental Ministers on overseas visits since 1 January indicating(a) the venue of the visit, (b) the purpose of the visit, (c) the names of those involved, (d) the job of those involved, (e) the reasons why they were included in the visit and (f) the cost to public funds. [53844]

  Mr. Denham
  All overseas visits by Ministers are conducted in accordance with the principles set out in the Ministerial Code. Information in the form requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, I can confirm that since 1 January 1998 Ministers in this Department have been accompanied on the following overseas visits:
  483

  Minister

  Date

  Place visited

  Purpose

  Accompanied by

  Frank Field

  April 1998

  Paris

  Post Office

  Private Secretary

  Keith Bradley

  April 1998

  Paris

  Social Partners

  Private Secretary and two officials

  Frank Field

  June 1998

  Stockholm

  Centre for Business and Policy Studies

  Private Secretary

  Frank Field

  June 1998

  Paris

  OECD

  Private Secretary

  The total costs incurred by the Department for this period are £26,000.

SCOTLAND

  Sheep Annual Premium Scheme
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the likely impact of new regulations and attendant financial penalties in respect of the sheep annual premium scheme and hill livestock compensatory allowances on(a) future percentage lambing yields and (b) future stock improvement progress; and if he will make a statement. [51442]

  Mr. Macdonald
  [holding answer 21 July 1998]: The legislation governing Sheep Annual Premium and Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowances is longstanding. Enforcement of that legislation should not impact on general flock health or lambing percentages.

  Following recent representations by the Government, the European Commission has accepted our proposals aimed at reducing the frequency with which sheep on common grazings need to be gathered for the purpose of subsidy inspection.

  New Deal
  Mr. Healey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people his Department is committed to employing during 1998 under(a) the subsidised job option and (b) the unsubsidised job option of the New Deal programme. [52590]

  Mr. Dewar
  The Scottish Office has developed New Deal proposals to employ 50 people under the subsidised job option. We are aiming to fill these positions as soon as possible, but whether all 50 posts will be filled during 1998 depends on the number of eligible and suitable candidates identified by the Employment Service. No specific targets have been set for the numbers to be recruited under the unsubsidised option. We will of course consider eligible applicants, if they are suitable for our vacancies.

  Planning Inquiries
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps his Department has taken to reduce the length of time taken over planning inquiries for(a) wind farms and (b) hydro-power projects; and if he will make a statement. [52445]

  Mr. Macdonald
  A new regulatory and best practice framework for planning inquiries for all types of development was introduced last year. This should reduce the overall time taken to determine proposals for wind farms and hydro-power projects which go to inquiry.484
  Scottish Office officials are currently working jointly on guidance for developers for consultation with Scottish Natural Heritage and other interested parties.

  Fish Farm Discharges
  Mr. Charles Kennedy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on possible funding for the Aberdeen Marine Laboratory proposed investigation over the effects of fish farm discharges on sea lochs. [52550]

  Mr. Macdonald
  [holding answer 27 July 1998]: The Marine Laboratory has a programme of research associated with the impact of fish farming. It is also a potential participant in a possible new project to monitor the environmental impact of sea lice treatments. This inter-departmental project, if approved, will be subject to public tender.

  Women's Aid
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will issue guidance to local authorities on support for services provided by Women's Aid. [52794]

  Mr. McLeish
  [holding answer 28 July 1998]: It is for local authorities to decide whether to support such services in their area. The proposed Scottish Partnership on Domestic Violence—which will include local government representation—will be expected to recommend minimum standards of service, to be implemented as resources allow, for women experiencing domestic violence. This should help encourage consistent service delivery throughout Scotland.

  NHS Efficiency Savings
  Mr. Moore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimates his Department has made of(a) the savings accruing from the cancellation of the eighth wave of GP fundholding and (b) other NHS efficiency savings since 1 May 1997. [53222]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 29 July 1998]: There were no applications for entry to the Standard Fundholding Scheme outstanding at 1 May 1997 and, therefore, no savings were planned or made in respect of the Scheme. The Government intend to bring forward legislation which, subject to Parliamentary approval, will abolish GP Fundholding from 1 April 1999.

  The estimated savings from reducing bureaucracy are set out in the table.

  Year

  £ million

  1997–98

  10

  1998–99

  10

  1999–2000

  20

  485

  New Electoral Systems
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much his Department will be spending on its campaign to educate and inform electors in Scotland on the new electoral system to be used in the elections for their assembly. [53685]

  Mr. McLeish
  The Government are considering what publicity arrangements are needed to inform electors of the new voting system for the Scottish Parliament. It is not possible at this stage to provide details of these arrangements or estimated costs.

  Civil Marriages
  Mr. Browne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish the results of the consultation undertaken by the Registrar General on civil marriages outwith registration offices; and if he will make a statement. [54621]

  Mr. McLeish
  I am placing a copy of the results of the consultation in the Library. Widespread support was expressed for the idea of extending the choice of couples to have civil marriages other than in local registration offices. The responses emphasised the need to retain the seemliness and dignity of the marriage ceremony. A number of useful comments were made about civil marriage venues which will aid the drafting of appropriate statutory provisions and of practical guidance to the registration service. The Government would wish to see the proposals carried forward, and hope that the Scottish Parliament will consider enactment of appropriate legislation.

  Task Forces
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the task forces and advisory groups composed of independent members which have been set up by his Department since 1 May 1997, indicating in each case(a) their remit, (b) their membership, (c) how many members are (i) scientists, (ii) engineers, (iii) small business people or representatives of small businesses, (d) any remuneration members receive for their services and (e) their budget. [53281]

  Mr. Dewar
  I shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and arrange for a copy of the letter to be placed in the House Library.

  Telephone Interceptions
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what factors underlie the number of telephone interceptions sanctioned by him and his predecessors since 1985. [53431]

  Mr. McLeish
  I refer my hon. Friend to the latest report of the Interception Commissioner (Cm 4001) in which he states:"The great majority of warrants issued by both Secretaries of State [the Home Secretary and the Secretary of State for Scotland] are for the prevention or detection of serious crime.
  Serious crime is defined in Section 10(3) of the Act as an offence involving the use of violence or resulting in substantial financial gain or involving a large number of persons in pursuit of a common purpose, or alternatively as an offence for which a person who has attained the age of 21 and has no previous convictions could
  486
  reasonably be expected to be sentenced to imprisonment for a term of 3 years or more. All of the serious crime warrants which I have examined have bene concerned with offences which would rank as serious crime by any reckoning … All have comfortably passed the 3 years imprisonment test …
  I am satisfied that the substantial increase in interception is due to the continuing incidence of large scale crime coupled with the greater facilities now available to the various agencies. The strict criteria laid down by the Act continue to be applied".

  Pig Industry
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received regarding the pig industry; what steps he is taking to address the concerns of the industry; and if he will make a statement. [53451]

  Mr. Macdonald
  My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State recently met representatives of the Scottish Pig Industry to discuss the problems which the industry is facing at present. These problems essentially stem from over supply on the European market due to substantial expansion—including vigorous expansion in Scotland—when prices were strong. Contraction in the industry as a whole is inevitable and restructuring will be necessary. My noble Friend has commissioned a study into the Scottish industry which should assist the restructuring process. He has also called on the public, on retailers and caterers to back farm assured pigmeat and pigmeat products.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  School Buildings (Asbestos)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what sums from the money allocated to his Department following the Comprehensive Spending Review will be used to remove asbestos from school buildings. [51864]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The removal of asbestos from school buildings is already regarded as a high priority in the allocation of capital funding for schools.

  It will remain the responsibility of LEAs to determine their priorities for capital works following the Comprehensive Spending Review. The Government will continue to treat as high priority applications for funding where asbestos removal is necessary for health and safety reasons.

  Playing Fields
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the total number of playing fields or parts of playing fields, the total acreage sold and the total revenues raised in each year since 1988. [51942]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  My Department does not collect this information.

  School Swimming Pools
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what was the total number of maintained schools with swimming pool facilities in use in each year since 1988; [51944]
  487
  (2) what was the total number of maintained schools with swimming pool facilities in each year since 1988. [51943]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  My Department does not collect this information.

  Cycling
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to the Government's announcement of 20 July 1998,Official Report, columns 784–88, on reasons to encourage cycling, when he will order the removal of the signs around his Department which forbid the leaving of bicycles attached to railings. [51934]

  Mr. Mudie
  There are signs on the railings at the perimeter of Sanctuary Buildings which state that "Bicycles left chained to these railings will in future be removed". These signs will not be removed as we need to continue to meet Cabinet Office Security guidance.

  Apart from the security risk, bicycles chained outside Sanctuary Buildings would create a Health and Safety issue as the pavement is narrow and they would constitute a hazard.

  However, the Department does provide 65 secure cycle parking spaces for its staff in London; these are adequate for current needs.

  Private Schools
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many children in England he estimates are currently taught in private schools. [52088]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Provisional figures show that 572,000 pupils were being taught in Independent schools in England in January 1998.

  GEST Funding
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what savings have resulted from the change to 60:40 GEST funding to the Standards Fund for Cumbria. [52209]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  In 1997–98 Grants for Education Support and Training (GEST) supported education expenditure of £3,327,500 in Cumbria at a grant rate of mainly 60 per cent. The expenditure to be supported in Cumbria by The Standards Fund in 1998–99 is £5,659,512, at a grant rate of mainly 50 per cent. The 50 per cent. funding reflects the Government's commitment to raise standards in partnership with Local Education Authorities.

  Infant Class Sizes
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what criteria he has set to judge the impact on educational standards of reducing infant class sizes to 30; and if he will publish these. [52564]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 27 July 1998]: We believe that there is already substantial evidence that smaller infant class sizes will improve standards of education in schools and that is why we have promised that by September 2001 at the latest, no 5, 6 or 7 year old will be in an infant class of more than 30 pupils.
  488
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will place in the Library the responses received by his Department as a result of the consultation on draft regulations on limiting infant class sizes. [52567]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 27 July 1998]: We are currently considering the responses to our consultation on the draft class size regulations and guidance. We will place a summary of the comments we received in the Library of the House once we have completed our analysis.

  Church Schools
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will commission an independent evaluation into the(a) effectiveness and (b) equity of admissions procedures to Church schools with voluntary-aided status. [52406]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 27 July 1998]: A new framework for admissions will be established under provisions in the School Standards and Framework Act 1998, underpinned by a new statutory Code of Practice. For the first time all admission authorities—including the governing bodies of voluntary-aided schools—will be required annually to consult locally before determining their admission arrangements. Objections to those arrangements may be referred to an adjudicator, and, where they relate to religious or denominational criteria, to the Secretary of State. The decision of the Secretary of State or the adjudicator will be binding. We shall be evaluating the impact of the new admission framework once it is operating.

  Class Sizes (Stoke-on-Trent)
  Mr. Stevenson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what was the pupil-teacher ratio in(a) primary schools, (b) secondary schools and (c) at Key Stage One in Stoke-on-Trent in each of the last five years; [53236]

  (2) what was the average class size (a) in primary schools and (b) at Key Stage One in Stoke-on-Trent in each of the last five years. [53237]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The available information is shown in the tables.

  Pupil: teacher ratio and average class size of classes taught by one teacher in maintained schools January 1994–98 Staffordshire local education authority area

  Primary schools

  Secondary schools

  Year

  PTR

  ACS

  ACS of key stage one classes

  PTR

  ACS

  1994

  25.1

  27.7

  2—

  17.5

  22.1

  1995

  24.6

  27.6

  2—

  17.4

  22.0

  1996

  24.9

  27.7

  27.2

  17.6

  22.3

  1997

  24.9

  27.5

  26.8

  17.7

  22.3

  19981

  25.2

  27.3

  26.4

  18.0

  22.4

  1 provisional

  2 not available.

  Figures for Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire (excluding Stoke-on-Trent) Local Education Authority areas in January 1998 are shown in the table.
  489

  Pupil:teacher ratio and average class size of classes taught by one teacher in maintained schools January 19981 Staffordshire local education authority area

  Primary schools

  Secondary schools

  PTR

  ACS

  ACS of key stage one classes

  PTR

  ACS

  Stoke-on-Trent

  25.4

  27.2

  26.7

  17.8

  22.9

  Staffordshire (excluding Stoke-on-Trent)

  25.1

  27.4

  26.3

  18.1

  22.3

  1provisional

  Education Expenditure
  Mr. Stevenson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the review of SSA and area cost adjustment for education under review; and when he proposes to implement changes arising from the review. [53239]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  We are in the middle of a review of the SSA formula, including the area cost adjustment. We will not take final decisions on the SSA methodology for 1999–2000 until the autumn, after we have considered the views of local government as a whole.

  Mr. Stevenson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the education standard spending assessment for those local authorities which achieved unitary status in(a) 1996 and (b) 1997. [53253]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The table sets out the education SSA for 1998–99 for those local authorities which achieved unitary status in(a) 1996 and (b)

  £million

  LEA

  Education SSA

  1996

  Bath and North East Somerset

  54.4

  Bristol

  119.9

  North Somerset

  58.6

  South Gloucestershire

  78.7

  Hartlepool

  37.0

  Middlesbrough

  61.5

  Redcar and Cleveland

  59.6

  Stockton on Tees

  71.7

  Kingston upon Hull

  102.7

  East Riding of Yorkshire

  102.9

  North East Lincolnshire

  64.8

  North Lincolnshire

  56.4

  York

  52.8

  1997

  Bournemouth

  49.5

  Brighton and Hove

  71.8

  Darlington

  34.1

  Derby

  84.2

  Leicester

  121.0

  Luton

  78.0

  Milton Keynes

  83.5

  Poole

  44.2

  Portsmouth

  62.5

  Rutland

  10.6

  490

  £ million

  LEA

  Education SSA

  Southampton

  64.8

  Stoke on Trent

  87.0

  Swindon

  82.8

  School Closures
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will set out the procedures to be followed by a local education authority in promoting the temporary closure of a maintained school. [52996]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 28 July 1998]: Where a local education authority seeks to close a school maintained by it, it is required to published statutory proposals, having consulted those it considers to be appropriate in the light of guidance published by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. Statutory proposals must also be published to establish a new school, whether or not this is in the premises of a closed school. If the school proposed to be established is a voluntary school, the proposals would need to be published by the promoters of that school. Under current legislation, proposals affecting voluntary schools fall to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for decision.

  Teaching Vacancies
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list, for each local education authority, the number of applications received, on average, for each(a) headship and (b) teacher vacancy, during 1996–97 and 1997–98. [53567]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  This information is not collected centrally.

  Special Schools
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the effect on children's educational achievement of being placed in a special school against(a) their and (b) their family's wishes. [53381]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  None: the Education Act 1996 provides that, subject to certain conditions, children with statements of special educational needs (SEN) should be educated in a mainstream school provided that is what their parents wish. Parents have a right of appeal to the independent SEN Tribunal if they are dissatisfied with a local education authority's (LEA's) decision in this respect. The Code of Practice on the Identification and Assessment of SEN encourages LEAs and others to take account of views of children themselves wherever practicable.

  Mr. Ennis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many local education authorities in England have a special school catering for the age range five to 16 years for pupils with profound and multiple learning difficulties and severe learning difficulties and provision for pupils 16 to 19 years with PMLD which(a) has more than 150 pupils on roll and (b) has more than 175 pupils on roll. [53554]
  491
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The information available to the Department indicates that 14 local education authorities have special schools with more than 150 pupils which cater for at least ages five to 18 and for pupils with severe learning difficulties. Nine LEAs have such schools with more than 175 pupils.

  Non-Departmental Public Bodies
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the non-departmental public bodies in existence on 1 May 1997 that(a) have been disbanded, (b) will be disbanded in the next 12 months, (c) have had their functions transferred to (i) another non-departmental public body and (ii) a democratically elected body, (d) have been renamed but continue to perform a similar role and (e) have been unchanged; if he will indicate in (c) (ii) the relevant successor body; what new non-departmental public bodies have been established since 1 May 1997; and how many non-departmental public bodies his Department currently is responsible for. [53863]

  Mr. Mudie
  Of the non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) in existence on 1 May 1997:

  (a) the NDPB that has been simply disbanded is the Supported Employment Consultative Group;

  (b) the Funding Agency for Schools will cease funding activities in the next 12 months, and will be disbanded late 1999;

  (c)(i) the functions of the now-disbanded National Advisory Council for the Employment of People with Disabilities have been transferred to the National Disability Council. The National Council for Vocational Qualifications and the School Curriculum and Assessment Authority have been merged to form the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority. The Race Relations Employment Advisory Group has been disbanded, and is intended to be shortly replaced by the Race Relations Education and Employment Forum;

  (c)(ii) No functions have been transferred to a democratically elected body;

  (d) the Education Assets Board is being renamed as the Education Transfer Council and the National Council for Educational Technology has been renamed as the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency;

  (e) unchanged NDPBs not mentioned above are the Centre for Information on Language Teaching and Research, the Construction Industry Training Board, the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board, the Equal Opportunities Commission, the Further Education Funding Council, the Higher Education Funding Council for England, Investors in People UK, Remploy Ltd., Student Loans Company, Teacher Training Agency, Registered Inspectors Appeals Tribunal and Special Educational Needs Tribunal.

  New non-departmental public bodies established since 1 May 1997 are the Disability Rights Task Force, New Deal Task Force and Skills Task Force.

  My Department is responsible for 20 non-departmental public bodies.
  492
  The Government are committed to keeping the number of NDPBs to a minimum and to ensuring that those which remain are open, accountable and effective. Many of the new NDPBs established since 1 May will be essential in helping the Government deliver their Manifesto commitments.

  Employees Over 60
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many(a) men and (b) women aged over 60 years were employed by (i) his Department and (ii) his Department's agencies on 1 January. [53051]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  As at 1 January 1998, 31 men and 17 women aged 60 and over were employed by the Department. In the case of the Employment Service, figures are not readily available from Personnel Systems for 1 January, but can be provided from data collected at 10 March 1998. At this point, some 72 men and 186 women aged 60 years and over were employed by the Agency.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many(a) men and (b) women employed by (1) his Department and (2) his Department's agencies have contracts of employment which permit them to retire after their 60th birthday. [53052]

  Mr. Mudie
  Where a clear business need for any member of the Department or its Agencies to continue beyond age 60 exists, and providing that individual meets the necessary criteria for fitness and effectiveness, that member of staff may be enabled to continue beyond their 60th birthday. Only members of the Senior Civil Service (SCS) have contracts of employment which provide specifically for them to retire at 60 years of age, but 60 is also the normal minimum retirement age for all members of the Department and its Agencies. The terms and conditions of all members of the Department and its Agencies thus provide for staff to retire after their 60th birthday—in the case of the Senior Civil Service, only with the agreement of their Permanent Head of Department.

  Total numbers of Senior Civil Service members in the Department are (a) 79 men and (b) 22 women. In the Employment Service, there are (a) 25 men and (b) 7 women members of the SCS. [There are also (a) 10 men and (b) 1 woman SCS members in Government Offices.]

  Total numbers of staff in the Department (including the Senior Civil Service and Government Offices) are (a) 1,945 men and (b) 2,125 women; and in the Employment Service, (a) 9,541 men and (b) 23,987 women.

  Access Funds
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what resources will be available for access funds for students in further and higher education institutions in England in 1998–99; and when he proposes to issue new guidance on the use of the funds. [54812]

  Mr. Mudie
  The Government are committed to widening participation and improving access to higher education. We are determined that students should have the support they need to take up or stay on courses of
  493
  higher education. We are making available £56 million through the Access Funds for students in further and higher education in England for the academic year 1998–99. This includes £3 million (£2m in 1998–99 financial year) which we are providing to help remit the fees of part-time under-graduate students who lose their jobs after their course has started.

  The total sum is being allocated between the two Funding Councils for England as shown. The allocations take account of adjustments between the higher education access fund and the further education access fund to help part-time higher education students who are studying at further education institutions.

  £ million

  Higher Education Funding Council for England:

  45.76

  of which: Undergraduate fund

  39.44

  Postgraduate fund

  5.50

  Further education fund

  0.82

  Further education Funding Council:

  10.24

  Total

  56.00

  Disability Discrimination Act
  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he proposes to consult further on provisions in the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. [54814]

  Ms Hodge
  The National Disability Council and the Government have today launched a joint consultation exercise on the duties under Part III of the Act to be implemented in October 1999. The duties will require service providers to make reasonable adjustments to enable disabled people to make use of their goods, facilities and services. The Council is consulting on its draft proposals for a Code of Practice and the Government on proposals for supporting regulations and draft regulatory impact assessment (an estimate of the costs and benefits of the new provisions).

  The Government are also consulting on a draft regulatory impact assessment and a draft Code of Practice concerned with the duties on trade organisations under Part II of the Act to make reasonable adjustments for their disabled members and applicants for membership. These duties will also be implemented in October 1999.

  Both consultations will end on 13 November 1998.

  Some of the documents in the consultation packages bear the name of my predecessor. We have decided not to reprint these documents as this would cut into the time available for consultation and entail an additional call on public funds.

  Copies of both consultation packages will be placed in the Libraries.

  Educational Maintenance Allowances
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) if he will introduce legislation to allow the pilot schemes for educational maintenance allowances to proceed; [53611]
  494
  (2) if families of children involved in the pilot schemes for educational maintenance allowances will lose their entitlement to child benefit; [53612]

  (3) what will be the cost to public funds of the pilot schemes for the educational maintenance allowance; [53613]

  (4) which areas he proposes to use as pilot areas for the educational maintenance allowance; [53614]

  (5) when he proposes to start the pilot schemes for the educational maintenance allowance; [53615]

  (6) what will be the rate of the educational maintenance allowance. [53616]

  Mr. Mudie
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 28 July 1998,Official Report, column 141. The pilots are planned to start in September 1999.

  Teachers' Pay
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the cost of the number of advanced skills teachers to be appointed in the current year who will be paid at the top rate of £40,000. [53895]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  It is for governing bodies to determine the five point range on the Advanced Skills Teacher pay spine on which to place any ASTs employed in their schools. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not made any estimate of the cost of the number to be appointed in the current year who will be paid at the highest point on the pay spine.

  Teacher Recruitment
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what action he is taking to ensure the recruitment of more teachers with particular reference to Greater London. [53594]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The recruitment of sufficient numbers of well-trained teachers is a key challenge facing this Government and the education service. It is the contribution of high-quality, committed and motivated teachers that will help us drive up standards of achievement in schools.

  The proposals we set out last week for a major Green Paper on the future of the teaching profession and the additional funding announced under the Comprehensive Spending Review, 14 July 1998, Official Report, columns 187–94, will boost the status of the profession and encourage recruitment. Our reply to the report of the Select Committee for Education inquiry, published in January, set out the measures we are taking to encourage more good candidates to enter teaching. We are continuing to consider options further to increase teacher recruitment and to address the particular need for an adequate supply of teachers in London. The Teacher Training Agency continues also to raise the profile of teaching and is working with key partners in the region to address the particular needs of London.

  Welsh Language Scheme
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment on what date his Department
  495
  received notification from the Welsh Language Board in relation to the need to prepare a Welsh language scheme; on what date his Department and the Board held consultations on such a scheme; when a scheme was formally submitted to the Board; and if it has been approved. [53355]

  Mr. Mudie
  The Welsh Language Board formally invited this Department to produce a Welsh Language Scheme on 4 December 1996. The Department offered a draft Scheme to the Board for comment in August 1997. Since then, officials and the Board have held a number of consultations on the contents of the Scheme. 1 hope the Board will shortly confirm that it has no further suggestions to amend the draft. This Department can then consult the public; that is necessary before formal submission to the Board.

  Primary Schools (Norfolk)
  Dr. George Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will estimate the additional costs incurred by Norfolk County Council in supporting an above average number of small primary schools(a) in total and (b) per pupil in the primary sector. [53718]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  No. It is not possible to carry out such a calculation on a satisfactory basis since it would involve making unsupported assumptions about the classification of schools as "small" and the funding distribution which might be adopted by the LEA in different circumstances. There is also no reliable way of estimating the offsetting additional costs which might be incurred on transport if the pattern of schools was different.

  School Inspectors
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how many current school inspectors were former head teachers; [53384]

  (2) what are the criteria for the appointment of school inspectors in respect of previous educational experience. [53434]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  This is a matter for HM Chief Inspector of Schools. I have asked him to write to the hon. Member and to place a copy of his letter in the Library.

  Task Forces
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the taskforces and advisory groups composed of independent members which have been set up by his Department since 1 May 1997 and in each case(a) their remit, (b) their membership, (c) how many members are (i) scientists, (ii) engineers and (iii) small business people or representatives of small businesses, (d) any remuneration members receive for their services and (e) their budget. [53148]

  Mr. Mudie
  I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.
  496

  Life Science Graduates
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of life science graduates gain employment related to their field of study [53223]

  Mr. Mudie
  Life science courses are included in the `biological sciences' category in the statistics collected by the Higher Education Statistics Agency but cannot be identified separately. The latest available information is for students who qualified in 1997 and relates to first destinations as reported by 31 December 1997. The table gives a complete list of occupants entered and other destinations of first degree graduates in biological sciences.

  First degree graduates in biological sciences from HE institutions in the UK in 1997 for whom destination is known, number of graduates and percentage total

  Destination/Occupation

  Number

  Percentage

  Entered employment:

  Managers and administrators

  919

  7

  Professional occupations

  1,485

  12

  Associate professional and technical occupations

  1,300

  10

  Clerical and secretarial occupations

  1,363

  11

  Craft and related occupations

  50

  0

  Personal and protective service occupations

  698

  6

  Sales occupations

  661

  5

  Plant and machine operatives

  71

  1

  Other occupations

  202

  2

  Unknown

  94

  1

  Entered study or training

  3,665

  29

  Seeking employment or training

  1,128

  9

  Not available for employment

  676

  5

  Overseas student returning overseas

  340

  3

  Total for whom destination known

  12,652

  100

  School Leaving Age
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received regarding the lowering of the school leaving age to 14; and if he will make a statement. [53436]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State receives a wide range of representations on educational issues. While some of these touch upon the difficulties of engaging all pupils in the 14–16 age band in learning, very few commentators advocate an end to compulsory education at 14.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Unpaid Fines
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many attachments of earning orders were issued by each magistrates' court in the Greater London area to collect unpaid fines in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [52050]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Lord Chancellor's Department does not collect information on the number of attachment of
  497
  earnings orders issued by magistrates courts and these figures could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Courts (Modernisation)
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what steps he is taking to modernise the court environment. [51723]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Court Service has an on-going programme of maintenance and repair, and minor improvements for their court buildings. Magistrates' Courts Committees have similar programmes for the courts they occupy. Guidance has been issued by both the Court Service and Lord Chancellor's Department Headquarters for magistrates courts on the type of facilities it is expected should be provided in new or refurbished court buildings including facilities for disabled people and separate waiting rooms for witnesses. The Court Service is also taking forward a project to provide a testbed for new technology in the courts. The aim is to pilot different types of technology, in a live

  (a) The number of female judges and judges of ethnic minority origin as at 1 July 1998

  Total

  Women

  Black

  Asian

  Ethnic minority other

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Lords of Appeal in Ordinary

  12

  0

  —

  0

  —

  0

  —

  0

  —

  Lord Justices of Appeal

  35

  1

  2.9

  0

  —

  0

  —

  0

  —

  Heads of Divisions (excluding the Lord Chancellor)

  4

  0

  —

  0

  —

  0

  —

  0

  —

  High Court Judges

  97

  7

  7.2

  0

  —

  0

  —

  0

  —

  Circuit Judges

  556

  34

  6.1

  0

  —

  3

  0.5

  2

  0.4

  Recorders

  836

  65

  7.8

  6

  0.7

  3

  0.4

  4

  0.5

  Assistant Recorders

  396

  71

  17.9

  4

  1

  5

  1.3

  4

  1

  District Judges

  358

  46

  12.8

  0

  —

  1

  0.3

  3

  0.8

  Deputy District Judges

  754

  90

  11.9

  2

  0.3

  7

  0.9

  3

  0.4

  Stipendiary Magistrates

  88

  13

  14.8

  0

  —

  2

  2.3

  0

  —

  Acting Stipendiary Magistrates

  114

  22

  19.3

  2

  1.8

  0

  —

  2

  1.8

  (b) and (c) The number of Queen's Counsel, and other members of the Bar who are women and/or of ethnic minority origin1

  Total

  Women

  Black

  Asian

  Ethnic minority other

  Unknown ethnicity

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  Queen's Counsel (as at 9 April 1998)

  1,034

  73

  7

  7

  0.7

  7

  0.7

  3

  0.3

  —

  Other barristers (as at 18 July 1997

  9,257

  2,539

  27

  209

  2

  272

  3

  182

  2

  2,029

  1 Figures supplied by the Bar Council

  Non-departmental Public Bodies
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the non-departmental public bodies in existence on 1 May 1997 that(a) have been disbanded, (b) will be disbanded in the next 12 months, (c) have had their functions transferred to (i) another non-departmental public body and (ii) a democratically elected body, (d) have been renamed but continue to perform a similar role and (e) have been unchanged; if he will indicate in (c)(ii) the relevant successor body; what new non-departmental public bodies have been established since 1 May 1997; and how many non-departmental public bodies his Department currently is responsible for. [53866]

  Mr. Hoon
  None of the Lord Chancellor's Department's non-departmental public bodies has been disbanded since 1 May 1997. The Supreme Court Rule Committee and the County Court Rule Committee will
  498
  courtroom environment. Evaluation of these pilots will inform decisions about the courtroom infrastructure needed to enable technology to be used.

  Judiciary
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what are the proportions of(a) judges, (b) Queen's counsel, (c) other members of the Bar and (d) pupil barristers who are (1) women, (2) black, (3) Asian and (4) of other ethnic minority origin. [53587]

  Mr. Hoon
  The tables show the figures for women and those believed to be of the different ethnic origins requested for judges, Queen's Counsel and other members of the Bar. The figures for the ethnic origin of judges are believed to be correct, but as the ethnic origin of candidates for judicial office was not sought before October 1991, the data may be incomplete. There are no detailed figures available about pupil barristers. The Bar Council has estimated that 46 per cent. of pupils and "squatters" are women and 13 per cent. of pupils and "squatters" are of ethnic minority origin.

  probably be disbanded in the next 12 months. Their functions will have been transferred to the Civil Procedure Rule Committee.

  The Civil Procedure Rule Committee and the Civil Justice Council, which were both provided for by the previous Administration's Civil Procedure Act 1997, were set up after 1 May 1997.

  Non-departmental public bodies are listed in the Cabinet Office publication 'Public Bodies'. Other than the General Commissioners of Income Tax, the tribunals listed under this Department in the edition published for 1997 are no longer classified as non-departmental public bodies. They are still in existence, but as part of the Court Service Agency.

  Employees Over 60
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many(a) men and

  499
  (b) women employed by (1) his Department and (2) his Department's agencies have contracts of employment which permit them to retire after their 60th birthday. [53049]

  Mr. Hoon
  For the Lord's Chancellor's Department, including the Court Service, Public Trust Office, Public Record Office, Land Registry and the Northern Ireland Court Service, the information is set out in the table.

  Men

  Women

  Lord Chancellor's Department Headquarters

  164

  260

  Court Service Agency

  2,713

  5,577

  Public Trust Office

  194

  235

  Public Record Office

  7

  0

  Land Registry

  See below

  Northern Ireland Court Service

  197

  358

  Note:

  1. As at 27 July 1998, the Land Registry employs 8,895 people: (a) 3,148 men and (b) 5,747 women. The terms of employment for staff in the Land Registry (with the exception of those in the Senior Civil Service (SCS) are governed by the "Land Registry Conditions of Service Code"

  2. The conditions of service for all staff in the Land Registry include a normal retirement age of 60, with provision for an annual review of projected operational and staffing needs to determine whether individuals may remain in service to a maximum age of 65. However, staff in administrative grades at EO equivalent and above, on reaching the age of 62 with 30 years service, are required to downgrade one grade. If any member of staff in this category wishes to remain in service beyond the 63rd birthday, they are required to downgrade to an AO equivalent grade. There are currently 3,534 staff in administrative grades at EO equivalent and above, (excluding the SCS) of whom 38 are aged 60 and over (25 men and 13 women)

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many(a) men and (b) women aged over 60 years were employed by (i) his Department and (ii) his Department's agencies on 1 January. [53072]

  Mr. Hoon
  For the Lord Chancellor's Department, including the Court Service, Public Trust Office, Public Record Office, Land Registry and the Northern Ireland Court Service, the information is set out in the table.

  Men

  Women

  Lord Chancellor's Department Headquarters

  11

  7

  Court Service Agency

  186

  400

  Public Trust Office

  14

  5

  Public Record Office

  7

  nil

  Land Registry

  156

  110

  Northern Ireland Court Service

  25

  6

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Heritage Grants
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the endowments which have been granted by the Government when giving land to charitable trusts for heritage purposes in the last 15 years. [49279]
  500
  Mr. Banks
  This information is not held centrally and a comprehensive answer could be given only at disproportionate cost. We are aware of the following:Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust: £11.3 million provided in 1984.
  Waltham Abbey Royal Gunpowder Mills Trust: £5.5 million provided in 1996.
  Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust: £6 million provided in 1998. The property was not gifted, but leased for 99 years.
  National Trust: £14.3 million provided in 1989 for Ham House and Osterley Park.
  National Trust: £2.3 million provided in 1993 for Orford Ness.

  Support has also been given in the form of specific grants for use in the formative years of the Trust, often to meet accumulated repair and maintenance commitments. Recent examples include:
  Tadworth Court: £2.85 million provided to the Children's Trust Tadworth for freehold purchase and dilapidations.
  Eltham Palace: £2.5 million provided to English Heritage (an exempt charity) in 1996 and a further £1 million in 1997, which had some endowment element.
  Royal Naval College, Greenwich: £17 million to be provided to the Greenwich Foundation over the next three years to cover dilapidations plus £1.5 million a year for seven years towards ongoing maintenance.
  Somerset House: A contribution of £3.1 million in 1996 towards the costs of landlord's works related to the installation of the Gilbert Collection in the South Wing and £4 million over the next four years towards start-up costs of the new Trust, Somerset House Ltd.

  Central Council of Physical Recreation
  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what was the size of the CCPR's legal costs arising out of the recent fraud trial; and how these costs will be funded. [52913]

  Mr. Banks
  Details of the expenditure and income of the Central Council of Physical Recreation (CCPR) are published in the CCPR's Annual Report and Accounts.

  In the year ended 31 March 1996, the CCPR incurred exceptional legal and professional costs of £240,522 in connection with investigations prior to and following the termination of certain employment contracts in 1995. The CCPR claimed the majority of these costs as an additional contribution from the English Sports Council (ESC) under the Heads of Agreement of 17 May 1972.

  £228,923 in respect of these claims was paid by the ESC to the CCPR as additional income. The ESC has subsequently stated it currently regards £164,474 of this contribution as an advance of future funding. A working party of representatives of the CCPR, ESC and Department for Culture, Media and Sport, chaired by the latter, is currently reviewing the investigation. Following this review, the ESC will determine the extent, if any, to which it may require repayment of the £164,474.

  In the year ended 31 March 1997, the CCPR incurred further exceptional legal and professional costs of £113,895 in connection with these investigations. Most of this, at this stage, has not been funded by the ESC.

  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what new controls have been introduced by the Central Council for Physical Recreation to prevent a repeat of major fraud incidents. [52914]
  501
  Mr. Banks
  The Central Council of Physical Recreation (CCPR) set up an Organisational and Services Review Group and have agreed seventeen recommendations for changing the corporate structure and working practices of the CCPR. A second stage of the Review has now started to oversee the detailed implementation of the recommendations and manage the transitional arrangements.

  Alongside this, the CCPR, English Sports Council and Department for Culture, Media and Sport, have been working together and with advisers to review and provide recommendations for detailed improvements to the CCPR's internal control systems and enhance corporate governance and accountability.

  As my hon. Friend may be aware, even sound systems of internal control may not be proof against collusive fraud.

  Rugby League Challenge Cup
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport in what circumstances the existing sponsorship of the Rugby League Challenge Cup will continue. [52719]

  Mr. Banks
  The future individual sponsorship arrangements are matters for the sports concerned although they will have to comply with the legal requirements of the European Union Tobacco Advertising Directive. The current arrangements with Gallaher Limited for the Challenge Cup extends until May 2001.

  Tobacco Sponsorship
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what financial assistance his Department will offer to sports currently funded by tobacco sponsorship that are now looking for alternative moneys. [52510]

  Mr. Banks
  [holding answer 29 July 1998]: Through negotiation, we have ensured that the European Union Tobacco Advertising Directive reflects a fair balance, providing reasonable time for sports to adapt while ending the totally inappropriate link between smoking and sport. This timescale, coupled with the support of the Task Force, demonstrates our commitment to delivering alternative moneys for these sports events.

  Television Channels
  Mr. Casale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many UK licensed television channels there are. [52138]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The independent Television Commission's Annual Report for the year ending 31 December 1997 states that, in addition to the 16 Channel 3 regional licences, the Channel 4 licence, the Channel 5 licence and the public service teletext licence, there were also 173 Satellite Television Service licences and 90 Licensable Programme Services.
  502

PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Information Technology
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the President of the Council how much her Department spent on IT, itemising(a) personal computers, (b) main-frame, (c) minicomputers and (d) file servers in the last year for which figures are available. [52886]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The Privy Council Office spent £61,714.80 on IT equipment during 1997–98. Of this sum, £57,296.04 was spent on personal computers. None of the other items specified was purchased.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Information Technology
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much his Department spent on IT, itemising(a) personal computers, (b) main-frame, (c) mini-computers and (d) file servers in the last year for which figure are available. [52892]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  Capital expenditure on IT within my Department, its Agencies and the Central Office of Information in 1997–98 was £5.6 million. IT expenditure is not broken down within my Department into the precise categories asked for in the question but has been analysed to provide the following estimates of itemised expenditure:

  £

  Cabinet Office

  Agencies

  (a) Personal computers

  525,000

  1,030,000

  (b) Mainframe

  0

  0

  (c) Mini-computers

  15,000

  0

  (d) File servers

  250,000

  435,000

  Departmental Research
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the cost of all research undertaken by his Department since May 1997, excluding the cost of green papers and other public consultation documents drafted by his officials; and if he will list in each case the organisations which undertook that research. [52707]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  [holding answer 29 July 1998]: The term research covers a wide range of activities from scientific and engineering research through to consultancies and public opinion surveys. The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Freedom of Information
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster for what reasons the responses and comments received from other Government departments to the White Paper on the Freedom of Information Bill "Your Right to Know" have not been made public; if he will place these responses and comments in the Library; and if he will make a statement. [53368]
  503
  Dr. John Cunningham
  The White Paper "Your Right to Know" invited public consultation and comment on collectively agreed government proposals. The responses to the consultation, as well as substantial background material relating to the proposals, have been published with copies placed in the Library of the House. Discussion within government since publication has concerned the detailed translation of the proposals into draft legislation. Internal policy discussion of this sort is protected from disclosure under Exemption 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  European Legislation
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the role of business test panels in the European Community's legislative process; who will select delegates; how many will serve; how many panels will be formed; which organisations will be eligible to supply candidates; and what is the length of duration of their panel service. [53774]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  The test panel of European businesses is a pilot initiative of the European Commission to improve consultation on new EU legislative proposals with business, and particularly with small and medium-sized enterprises. It is an addition to the Commission's usual consultation procedures.

  I am delighted that this new initiative was launched and given the backing of EU Ministers during the UK's Presidency of the EU. We are strong supporters of improved consultation in the EU legislative process and see this pilot as an important step towards achieving better European regulation. The UK intends to participate fully in the pilot phase, giving UK businesses a direct voice in the Brussels policy-making process. We are particularly keen to ensure that the needs of small firms are taken into account.

  The UK's participation in the pilot will be co-ordinated by the Better Regulation Unit in the Cabinet Office. Business panels will be selected according to the proposals under review. New panels will be constituted for each proposal. Officials are currently in discussion with business organisations and other Government Departments to identify a representative panel to comment on the first area, an amendment to the Directives dealing with annual accounts—(78/660/EC) and (83/349/EC). We expect to issue short questionnaires to about 300 UK firms in the Autumn.

  Non-Departmental Public Bodies
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the non-departmental public bodies in existence on 1 May 1997 that(a) have been disbanded, (b) will be disbanded in the next 12 months, (c) have had their functions transferred to (i) another non-departmental public body and (ii) a democratically elected body, (d) have been renamed but continue to perform a similar role and (e) have been unchanged; if he will indicate in (c) (ii) the relevant successor body; what new non-departmental public bodies have been established since 1 May 1997; and how many non-departmental public bodies his Department currently is responsible for. [53862]
  504
  Dr. John Cunningham
  The Non-departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs) for both the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and the Prime Minister are listed under my Department in the booklet "Public Bodies" published by the Stationery Office. For the purposes of this question I am answering on behalf of my Department and the Prime Minister.

  (a) Since 1 May 1997 we have abolished two NDPBs: The Citizen's Charter Panel of Advisers; and the De-regulation Task Force.

  (b) There are no proposals to disband any bodies within the next 12 months.

  (c) No bodies have had their function transferred to another NDPB or a democratically elected body.

  (d) No bodies have been removed.

  (e) Details of all other NDPBs in existence on 1 May 1997 sponsored by this department are listed in "Public Bodies".

  We have established two NDPBs: The Better Regulation Task Force and, on behalf of the Prime Minister, the Security Vetting Appeals Panel. My Department is currently responsible for ten NDPBs.

  The Government are committed to keeping the number of NDPBs to a minimum and to ensuring that those which remain are open, accountable and effective. Many of the new NDPBs established since 1 May will be essential in helping the Government deliver their Manifesto commitments.

  People's Panel
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, pursuant to his answer of 24 July 1998,Official Report, column 745, if he will publish (a) the budgeted figures for spending on the second wave of research and (b) the budgeted spending figures for 1998–99 for spending on the people's panel. [53897]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The figures are as follows.

  (a) The budgeted figure for spending by the Cabinet Office on the second wave of research using the People's Panel is £60,000. Budgeted figures of other departments and public bodies are not yet known.

  (b) The budgeted figure for spending by the Cabinet Office on the People's Panel in 1998–99 is about £500,000.

  Overseas Visits
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list those who have accompanied (i) him and (ii) his departmental Ministers on overseas visits since 1 January indicating(a) the venue of the visit, (b) the purpose of the visit, (c) the names of those involved, (d) the job of those involved, (e) the reasons why they were included in the visit and (f) the cost to public funds. [53835]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  I regret that it has not been possible to provide an answer before the Summer Recess. I shall therefore be writing to the hon. Member and will place a copy of the letter in the libraries of the House.
  505

  Rebuttal Officers
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many rebuttal officers or civil servants with similar roles are currently employed in the Civil Service. [53593]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Worthing, West (Mr. Bottomley) on 8 June 1998,Official Report, column 424.

  Employees Over 60
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many(a) men and (b) women aged over 60 years were employed by (i) his Department and (ii) his Department's agencies on 1 January. [53071]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  The figures for my Department at 1 January 1998, including our Agencies, and The Central Office of Information (COI) which is a separate Department reporting to me, are as follows:

  Men

  Women

  Cabinet Office

  17

  12

  Agencies

  97

  7

  COI

  0

  0

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many(a) men and (b) women employed by (1) his Department and (2) his Department's agencies have contracts of employment which permit them to retire after their 60th birthday. [53048]

  Dr. John Cunningham
  At 30 June 1998, the figures for my Department, including our Agencies, and The Central Office of Information (COI) which is a separate Department reporting to me, are as follows:

  Men

  Women

  Cabinet Office

  187

  252

  Agencies

  568

  122

  COI

  23

  34

HEALTH

  Expenditure Services
  Ms Atherton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for each county the expenditure on ambulance services in(a) 1997–98 and (b) 1998–99 (i) as a percentage of total health spending and (ii) in cash terms. [52207]

  Mr. Boateng
  Details of health authorities' expenditure in 1997–98 on ambulance services will be placed in the Library when ready later in the year, along with details of planned expenditure in 1998–99.

  Group B Streptococcus
  Mrs. Organ
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research has been carried out to determine the percentage of women who could be possible carriers of Group B streptococcus. [52041]
  506
  Ms Jowell
  This is a subject that has received attention in a number of countries. A list of relevant research of which we are aware will be placed in the Library. The Department is not currently supporting any research into Group B streptococcus.

  Asbestos
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department issues to those constructing buildings for which it is responsible on the use of materials containing asbestos. [52304]

  Mr. Milburn
  The Department, in respect of buildings in its ownership, does not issue any specific guidance to contractors on the use of materials containing asbestos. However, the Department's conditions of contract require that contractors comply with all relevant statutory legislation. This will include the Asbestos Prohibition Regulations 1992 and the Asbestos Licences Regulations 1993.

  Myodil
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will establish a public inquiry into the use of Myodil in myelography and into the associated risks of adhesive arachnoiditis; and if he will make a statement. [52299]

  Mr. Milburn
  We have no plans to hold an inquiry. My noble Friend the then Minister of State for Health, Baroness Jay, recently held a meeting with the Myodil Action Group. Officials are currently considering the points raised at that meeting.

  Consultants
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Norwich, North (Dr. Gibson) of 21 July 1998,Official Report, column 528, regarding numbers of consultants, if he will list (a) the number of consultants for each specialty working within the Shropshire Health Authority, (b) the ratio of consultants in each specialty to patients within the Shropshire Health Authority and (c) the average national ratio of consultants in each specialty to patients. [52427]

  Mr. Milburn
  The number of consultants (whole time equivalents (WTEs)) in the Shropshire Health Authority area is listed in the table. Information on numbers of patients is not collected centrally.

  Specialty

  Consultant WTE

  Accident and Emergency

  2

  Anaesthetics

  22.7

  Cardiovascular Disease

  3.5

  Chemical pathology

  1

  Child and adolescent psychiatry

  2

  Dermatology

  1

  Diagnostic Radiology

  12.5

  Endocrinology

  3

  Gastroenterology

  3

  General Surgery

  7.8

  Geriatrics

  4.5

  Haematology

  3

  Learning Disabilities

  1

  Medical microbiology

  0.5

  Morbid anatomy

  7

  Neurology

  3.7

  507

  Specialty

  Consultant WTE

  Obstetrics and Gynaecology

  4.4

  Occupational Medicine

  1

  Ophthalmology

  4

  Orthopaedic Surgery

  14.6

  Otolaryngology

  2.5

  Paediatrics

  8.9

  Psychiatry

  8

  Psychiatry of old age

  3

  Radiotherapy

  1

  Renal disease

  1.8

  Respiratory Medicine

  2

  Rheumatology

  2

  Urology

  1.7

  Venereology

  0.6

  Total

  134

  Source:

  DH Statistical Bulletin—figures current as at September 1996

  Medicines (Children)
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to implement the recommendations of the Licensing Medicines for Children report of May 1996, produced by the joint working party of the British Paediatric Association and the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, on the development of medicines for children; and if he will make a statement. [43822]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 1 June 1998]: The report of the British Paediatric Association and the Association of British Pharmaceutical Industries joint working party on the development of medicines for children made five recommendations. Of these five, three were felt by the working party to require action by the Department, and more particularly the Medicines Control Agency (MCA).

  The three recommendations and action taken on them are:

  Medicines are licensed for specific age ranges.

  It is the MCA practice to license products for use in the recommended specific age ranges when appropriate data are presented. Use of the age ranges has been confirmed in the revised European guideline on the investigation of medicinal products in children.

  The Committee on Proprietary Medicinal Products reviews its guidelines in the light of these concerns.

  This has been done. The revised guideline came into operation in September 1997.

  That surveillance at various levels is introduced on the use of unlicensed medicines and the prescribing of medicines "off label".

  The MCA has well-established systems for monitoring the safety of marketed medicines in normal clinical practice. This covers all patient groups using medicines, including children, and "off label" usage. Nevertheless, a more targeted approach to surveillance of medicines used by children may be warranted, and the MCA reviewed the matter in conjunction with the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. As a first step the MCA has agreed to fund, jointly with the Trent Health Region, the first year of a study which will assess the advantages of a regional monitoring centre for drug safety in children. It is hoped that this will be up and running in September 1998.
  508

  Pharmaceutical Graduates
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to increase the number of pharmaceutical graduates in the period to 2001. [52871]

  Mr. Milburn
  The pharmacy workforce is forecast to grow at a steady rate, with the exception of 2000 when there will be few newly qualified pharmacists because of the recent extension of the course from 3 to 4 years. National Health Service employers are adopting a range of strategies to recruit and retain pharmacists and make better use of pharmacy support staff.

  Breast Cancer Radiologists
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to secure the provision of additional breast cancer radiologists. [52870]

  Mr. Milburn
  The Specialty Workforce Advisory Group (SWAG) advises the National Health Service Executive and the Welsh Office on the number of higher specialist trainees needed to ensure an adequate supply of properly trained doctors in each specialty. It carries out annual reviews of each specialty's estimated need for consultants.

  For 1998–99, SWAG recommended further increases in the number of higher specialist trainees, in diagnostic radiology. It has recommended that these increases be treated as a priority.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what extra provision of funds will be made available to the National Health Service following the comprehensive spending review to deal with the date change problem. [53157]

  Mr. Milburn
  My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced additional resources for the National Health Service in England, totalling £17.7 billion over the years 1990–2000 to 2001–02, on 14 July 1998,Official Report, column 194. This additional funding will allow the NHS not only to meet all pressures including the date change problem, but also to deliver a better, more modern NHS.

  Restrictive Patents
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to ensure that restrictive patents on beneficial medicinal techniques do not prevent the use of those techniques on patients in the United Kingdom. [52897]

  Mr. Milburn
  Not all inventions concerning medicinal techniques are patentable in the United Kingdom. Both the United Kingdom Patents Act (1977) and the European Patent Convention (1978), which govern the grant of patent rights having effect in the United Kingdom, expressly exclude from patentability methods of treatment by therapy, surgery and diagnosis which are practised on the human body.

  Existing UK Patent Law already includes safeguards specifically to prevent the abuse of patent rights for any invention, including those associated with medicine, such as providing for compulsory licensing of rights in the event that the supply of a patented product is not being met on reasonable terms.
  509

  Tuberculosis
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many reported cases there have been of the new antibiotic resistant tuberculosis; and if he will make a statement. [52922]

  Ms Jowell
  Data on tuberculosis (TB) that is resistant to antibiotics are split into two categories: TB resistant to one or more of the antibiotics normally used to treat TB (drug resistant TB); and TB resistant to isoniazid and rifampicin, the two most effective drugs for treating TB (multi-drug resistant TB). United Kingdom information for the years 1994 to 1997 is given in the table.

  UK laboratory isolates

  Year

  TB resistant to one or more anti-TB drugs1

  Multi-drug resistant TB

  1994

  206

  43

  1995

  212

  49

  1996

  241

  60

  19972

  2220

  249

  1 Includes multi-drug resistant cases

  2 Provisional

  Source:

  Public Health Laboratory Service on behalf of the UK Mycobacterial Resistance Network—MYCOBNET

  Drug resistance is not new. TB infections consist of a mixture of organisms, some of which are naturally resistant to some antibiotics. These can multiply if the treatment for the TB is inadequate. This has been known since antibiotic treatment for TB first became available in the 1950s.

  Multidrug resistant (MDR) TB in the UK remains at low levels and we intend to keep it this way. One of the aims of national TB policy is to prevent the emergence of drug resistance. Guidance from the Interdepartmental Working Group on Tuberculosis (IDWG) called "Recommendations for the Prevention and Control of Tuberculosis at Local Level" was issued by the Department of Health and Welsh Office in 1996. This guidance contained recommendations for ensuring that patients with TB complete their treatment and about infection control to prevent the spread of TB as well as advice on drug-resistant TB. Copies are available in the Library. An Expert Working Group has been set up under the IDWG to make more detailed recommendations for the prevention of transmission of TB in immuno-compromised (eg HIV) patients and of drug resistant (including MDR) TB to supplement the published guidance. Its report is expected to be issued shortly. Advice on the management of patients with HIV and MDR-TB has been issued by the British Thoracic Society.

  Dental Services
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists currently treat NHS patients; and if he will make a statement. [53105]

  Mr. Milburn
  16,148 principals, 608 assistants and 544 vocational trainees were practising as general dental services dentists in England and Wales on 31 March 1998. These figures exclude salaried, hospital and community dentists.
  510

  Smoking
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research the Government have commissioned recently into health risks of smoking in public places. [52921]

  Ms Jowell
  In March this year the Department published a report by the scientific committee on tobacco and health. The committee scientifically reviewed and appraised a range of important issues relating to tobacco and health, including the health effects of exposure of non-smokers to environmental tobacco smoke. The Department has not recently commissioned any separate research into the associated health risks of smoking in public places.

  Copies of the report are available in the Library and are also available from Her Majesty's Stationery Office.

  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the evidence originating(a) domestically and (b) overseas which has been considered and rejected in the course of preparing his forthcoming White Paper on Tobacco. [53387]

  Ms Jowell
  The Government have received a wide range of material, from numerous sources, in connection with the forthcoming White Paper on tobacco control. There are no plans to publish that material.

  Information Technology
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department spent on IT, itemising(a) personal computers, (b) main-frame, (c) minicomputers and (d) file servers in the last year for which figures are available. [52885]

  Mr. Milburn
  The total Departmental spend, including agencies, on new items for the financial year 1997–1998, including replacement equipment for an upgrade of our internal office information system, was:

  personal computers: £3,286,845

  main-frame: Nil

  mini-computers: Nil

  file servers: £1,037,210.

  Maintenance costs for these items and the outsourced mainframe services totalled £897,553 in 1997–98.

  NHS Doctors
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many doctors joined the NHS and how many doctors left the NHS by year, for the last four years. [53771]

  Mr. Milburn
  Information about doctors joining and leaving the National Health Service is not collected centrally.

  Head Injuries
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures he will take to ensure a consistently high standard for the diagnosis of head injuries at hospital accident and emergency departments; and if he will make a statement. [53569]
  511
  Mr. Boateng
  All accident and emergency departments should have written guidelines on the management of patients who attend with head injuries.

  In Executive Letter (93)115, the Department drew the attention of the National Health Service to published guidance on the management of head injuries. Copies of this Executive Letter are available in the Library.

  Radiotherapy
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to reduce waiting lists for radiotherapy in NHS hospitals in the London Region. [52808]

  Mr. Milburn
  [holding answer 29 July 1998]: An extra £104.6 million has already been allocated to health authorities in the two Thames regions in 1998–99 to tackle National Health Service waiting lists. It is for health authorities, in partnership with NHS trusts and local primary care teams, to make decisions on how these extra resources should be invested to reduce waiting lists.

  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals his Department has to increase the availability of trained radiotherapists in the NHS. [53389]

  Mr. Milburn
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the right hon. Member for Maidstone and the Weald (Miss Widdecombe) on 29 July 1998.

  Negligence Claims
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to reduce negligence claims on the NHS. [52865]

  Mr. Milburn
  [holding answer 29 July 1998]: On 29 April my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State wrote to a number of organisations representing professional, legal, NHS and patient interests seeking their views on what can be done to reduce the threat of litigation. Officials are in the process of studying replies in order to identify suggestions which might be taken forward in the future.

  Waiting Lists
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the number of patients joining National Health Service waiting lists in(a) 1998 and (b) 1999. [53018]

  Mr. Milburn
  [holding answer 29 July 1998]: No.

  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients joined National Heath Service waiting lists in(a) 1996 and (b) 1997. [53017]

  Mr. Boateng
  [holding answer 29 July 1998]: The latest figures on admissions to waiting lists suggest that in 1996–97 around 4.1 million patients joined National Health Service waiting lists.

  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of patients in England and Wales suspended from NHS surgical waiting lists at 30 June. [53734]

  Mr. Milburn
  Information on the number of suspensions from surgical waiting lists in England at 30 June 1998 will be available in due course.
  512

  GP Recruitment
  Miss Widdecombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the proportion of the proposed increased GP recruitment which will be recruited from outside the United Kingdom. [53019]

  Mr. Milburn
  [holding answer 29 July 1998]: I refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for North Southwark and Bermondsey (Mr. Hughes) on 28 July 1998, Official Report, column 177.

  Psychiatric Wards
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will introduce a national computerised record of vacant beds in psychiatric wards. [53830]

  Mr. Boateng
  No. What is important is that available resources are used to fund direct patient care. There would be no guarantee that a national computerised record would be sufficient and sufficiently up-to-date to allow for access to vacant beds particularly in an emergency. Admissions are best handled at local level using appropriate contacts and knowledge coupled with effective liaison by professional and managerial staff.

  Ashford Hospital
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the monthly waiting list statistics for Ashford (Middlesex) hospital from May 1997 to June 1998. [53217]

  Mr. Boateng
  Information is not available centrally in the form requested. For 1997–98 waiting list figures for trusts and health authorities were collected quarterly. The inpatient waiting list figures for Ashford Hospital National Health Service Trust were as follows:

  Date

  Number

  30 June 1997

  3,670

  30 September 1997

  3,776

  31 December 1997

  3,947

  31 March 1998

  4,125

  Monthly waiting list figures for April to July 1998 will be available at the end of August.

  Written Answers
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the average length of time taken by his Department in the current session to give substantive answers to written questions tabled for answer on a named day. [53728]

  Mr. Milburn
  During the period 15 May 1997 to 31 March 1998, 91 per cent. of questions tabled for answer on a named day were given substantive answers on that day. Of the small minority not answered on the named day, 90 per cent. were answered within one week and 98 per cent. within four weeks.

  Non-departmental Public Bodies
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the non-departmental public bodies in existence on 1 May 1997 that(a) have been disbanded, (b) will be

  513
  disbanded in the next 12 months, (c) have had their functions transferred to (i) another non-departmental public body and (ii) a democratically elected body, (d) have been renamed but continue to perform a similar role and (e) have been unchanged; if he will indicate in (c)(ii) the relevant successor body; what new non-departmental public bodies have been established since I May 1997; and how many non-departmental public bodies his Department currently is responsible for. [53856]

  Mr. Milburn
  Of the non-Departmental public bodies (NDPBs) in existence on 1 May 1997 one, the Advisory Committee on Design Quality in the National Health Service, has been abolished. None are currently planned for abolition within the next 12 months but the Central Council for Education and Training for Social Work (an executive NDPB) will be abolished by 31 March 2001, subject to Parliamentary approval. No NDPBs have had their functions transferred to another non-departmental public body or to a democratically elected body and none have been renamed; the rest remain unchanged.

  The Royal Commission on the Long-Term Care of the Elderly has been established since 1 May, but it must be wound up by 17 December 1998. The Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens, which was a Departmental committee, has been reclassified as an advisory NDPB. We are responsible for 7 executive and 38 advisory NDPBs.

  We are committed to keeping the number of NDPBs to a minimum and to ensuring that those which remain are open, accountable and effective. Many of the new NDPBs established since 1 May will be essential in helping the Government to deliver their manifesto commitments.

  The NDPBs for which the Department of Health is responsible are listed in Public Bodies, copies of which have been laid in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Employees Over 60
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) men and (b) women aged over 60 years were employed by (i) his Department and (ii) his Department's agencies on 1 January. [53065]

  Mr. Milburn
  The information requested is in contained in the table.

  Staff over age 60 on 1 January 1998

  Male

  Female

  Department of Health (excluding agencies)

  15

  8

  Agencies

  Medicines Control Agency

  2

  11

  Medical Devices Agency

  0

  0

  NHS Estates Agency

  1

  1

  NHS Pensions Agency

  6

  10

  Total

  24

  30

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) men and (b) women employed by (1) his Department and (2) his Department's agencies have contracts of employment which permit them to retire after their 60th birthday. [53041]
  514
  Mr. Milburn
  The information requested is contained in the table.

  Staff with contracts of employment which permit them to retire after their 60th birthday

  Male

  Female

  Department of Health (excluding agencies)

  259

  445

  Agencies

  Medicines Control Agency

  0

  0

  Medical Devices Agency

  1

  0

  NHS Estates Agency

  90

  59

  NHS Pensions Agency

  0

  0

  Total

  350

  504

  Strokes
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to make a response to the specific recommendations regarding strokes in the CSAG report published in June. [53733]

  Ms Jowell
  The Government have already welcomed the Clinical Services Advisory Group report which has been circulated widely to health professionals. It is envisaged that clinicians will take on board recommendations from the report and that they will be reflected in standards of patient care.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will not be making any additional response to the specific recommendations regarding strokes.

  Hospital Deaths
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many deaths occurred in hospitals during the period between June and October, in each of the last 10 years. [53749]

  Mr. Milburn
  Information for the years 1991 to 1996 (the latest year available) is in the table. Comparable data are also available for 1989 and 1990 but are not immediately accessible. We will write to the hon. Member shortly with data for those years.

  Year

  Number of deaths

  1 June-31 October 1991

  84,246

  1 June-31 October 1992

  84,825

  1 June-31 October 1993

  86,007

  1 June-31 October 1994

  81,608

  1 June-31 October 1995

  81,703

  1 June-31 October 19961

  75,005

  11996–97 is derived from ungrossed HES data, and may not be directly comparable with earlier years

  Note:

  1992–93 to 1995–96 data are grossed for coverage

  Source:

  Department of Health, Hospital Episode Statistics (HES)

  Asthma
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on(a) preventing and (b) alleviating asthma in

  515
  children; what national initiatives are targeted at children with asthma; and how much each of these initiatives costs. [53358]

  Ms Jowell
  The Government are working closely with the health professions, the National Asthma Campaign and all those with an interest in asthma to improve knowledge of the causes of asthma and to make life as normal as possible for children and adults who suffer from it.

  Management of asthma, in children as in adults, mainly takes place in primary care. 93 per cent. of general practitioners run organised programmes of care for asthma under the Chronic Disease Management Programme. The Department of Health is currently considering funding for a project, co-ordinated by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, to develop new evidence-based clinical guidelines for asthma in children and adults.

  The Medical Research Council spends about £2 million a year on research into prevention and treatment of asthma and related areas. The Department of Health, the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions and the MRC are jointly funding a major research initiative on the relationship between air pollution and respiratory disease, which may inform prevention strategies. The National Asthma Campaign is managing, on behalf of the National Health Service Executive, the NHS National research and development Programme on Asthma Management. Many of the research projects commissioned will be pertinent to asthma in children.

  Asthma is featured in the joint Department for Education and Employment and Department of Health guidance on "Supporting pupils with medical needs in school", issued in October 1996. Asthma prevention will be encompassed in the healthy schools initiative launched by the two Departments in May, for which £2 million is committed for 1998–99. In the Green Paper "Our Healthier Nation", healthy schools are identified as a key setting, and asthma also heads the list of possible local target areas.

  The National Asthma Campaign also works closely with schools. The Department of Health gave the Campaign a Section 64 project grant, totalling nearly £60,000 over the three years 1994–97, to create a childhood asthma education officer post.

  Doctors' Training
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment he has made of the potential of information technology to provide the means for the ongoing training of qualified doctors; [53224]

  (2) what proposals he has for the ongoing training of medical practitioners under the lifelong learning programme. [53225]

  Mr. Milburn
  We recognise that the availability of appropriately trained staff is one of the key determinants of the quality of patient care. The importance of lifelong learning as one of the key activities underpinning Clinical Governance is recognised in the recently published consultation document "A First Class Service—Quality in the NHS".
  516
  In this document we have set out a new approach to lifelong learning including the identification of professional and local service needs and priorities in personal development plans to be developed by individual health professionals in discussion with colleagues locally. Organisations will also be encouraged to complement these individual development plans with organisational plans.

  Our aim is for all National Health Service employers to have training and development plans in place for the majority of health professional staff by April 2000. We have given a commitment to work with professional and educational bodies to explore a range of practical issues including the role of monitoring, peer review and appraisal, the role of new technology and distance learning, how the expertise of professional and statutory bodies can best support local CPD, and the educational infrastructure required to identify and meet CPD.

  Later this summer we will issue an NHS human resource strategy which will include ways of developing the ability of staff to contribute to the improvement of services, and further guidance will be issued this Winter on the development of a locally based approach to lifelong learning.

  The NHS Executive, as part of its information management and technology strategy, has had an active programme to develop clinical awareness of the benefits of the effective use of information through IT. The supporting infrastructure has developed considerably over the last three years. There are a number of projects within medical schools and in post-graduate education programmes to support professional development. Examples of good practice case studies are made available through intranets and over the internet.

  Nerve Gas Attacks (Japan)
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the clinical data on the long-term health effects on the victims of the nerve gas attacks on the Tokyo subway and Matsumato in 1994 and 1995; and if he will make a statement. [54538]

  Ms Jowell
  Officials at the Department of Health have studied published material on the two nerve agent attacks by terrorist groups, to which my hon. Friend refers. Some of these papers relate to delayed effects of nerve agents.

  Prescription Charges
  Mr. McWalter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will assess the(a) benefits and (b) disadvantages of requiring a single prescription charge for patients whose illness or condition requires them to be prescribed two or more medicines or treatments; and if he will make a statement; [52414]

  (2) if he will estimate the costs of requiring patients to pay a single prescription charge when their medical condition requires two or more medicines or treatments; and if he will estimate the costs in terms of (a) revenue forgone and (b) administrative costs incurred. [52415]

  Mr. Milburn
  A single prescription charge for each occasion where a number of medicines are supplied to a patient would mean a loss of revenue to the National Health Service, or an increase in the level of the charge
  517
  to avoid this. Prepayment certificates are available to help patients who pay charges and need a number of medicines.

  The revenue forgone from patients paying the current prescription charge to cover all items on the prescription form, rather than paying for each item, is estimated as being in the order of £55 million. This estimate takes no account of any revenue lost because of any switch from purchase of prepayment certificates that might result, or the cost of any additional drugs which may be prescribed if such a scheme was introduced. The administrative costs of such a change are likely to be minimal.

  Vaccination Programmes
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Green Paper "Our Healthier Nation", if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on(a) the introduction of a universal adolescent hepatitis B vaccination programme and (b) the introduction of a universal meningitis vaccination programme. [53885]

  Ms Jowell
  Policy on the use of vaccines to protect against hepatitis B and meningitis is based on the recommendations of independent experts, including the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

  The United Kingdom has one of the lowest prevalence rates of hepatitis B carriage in the world. Our policy is to target hepatitis B immunisation at groups at increased risk of infection because of their lifestyle, occupation or other factors such as close contact with a case or carrier of hepatitis B. The JCVI has recently considered our immunisation strategy. It has not recommended the introduction of universal immunisation for the present, but it wished to see the selective programme reinforced. We are considering ways of achieving this.

  The introduction of haemophilus influenzae b vaccine in 1992 has led to the virtual elimination of this disease, which used to be the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in the under 5s. Most cases of bacterial meningitis are now caused by meningococcal disease. There is no vaccine available against the most common strain of meningococcal disease, Group B, whilst Group C vaccine does not protect those at most risk from the disease (that is, very young children), offers only about 80 per cent. protection and does not offer long term protection and, as such, is not suitable for routine use. Current policy is, therefore, to use Group C vaccine only whenever local circumstances indicate, such as in outbreaks of an unusually high incidence of Group C infection.

  We are funding work to evaluate new meningococcal and pneumococcal vaccines in United Kingdom children. These studies are being conducted by the Public Health Laboratory Service in collaboration with the National Institute for Biological Standards and Controls, the Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research and the Institute for Child Health. The studies have shown very encouraging results already for meningococcal Group C vaccines and early indicators for Group B are encouraging. There are reasonable prospects that these vaccines will eventually be able to induce long term immunity although more research is needed before their suitability for widespread use can be considered.
  518

  Carers
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the number of people in the United Kingdom who are currently caring for parents and children or parents and grandchildren; and if he will provide this information by gender, age and employment status of carer. [54160]

  Mr. Boateng
  Such information as is readily available is included in the Office for National Statistics' Supplement A to the 1995 General Household Survey, entitled 'Informal Carers'. Copies of this information are available in the Library.

  Xenotransplantation
  Ms Christine Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the Government will publish the responses to the consultation exercise held last year on Animal Tissue into Humans: report of the Advisory Group on the Ethics of Xenotransplantation. [53726]

  Mr. Dobson
  We are making the responses available and announcing our action on the regulation of xenotransplantation today. 51 responses were received. Two respondents asked that their responses be kept confidential. All other responses are being made publicly available through the Department of Health, Scottish Office, Welsh Office, Northern Ireland Office and the Library.

  Welsh Language Scheme
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what date his Department received notification from the Welsh Language Board in relation to the need to prepare a Welsh language scheme; on what date his Department and the Board held consultations on such a scheme; when a scheme was formally submitted to the Board; and if it has been approved. [53357]

  Ms Jowell
  The Department received notification from the Welsh Language Board on 5 December 1996. Consultations took place within the Department and with the Welsh Language Board until early May 1997. On 7 May 1997 the Permanent Secretary's office wrote to the Welsh Language Board confirming the Department's position which was that it had suitably flexible arrangements in place to fulfil its responsibilities to Welsh speaking people and saw no need for a formal Welsh Language Scheme.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Spelthorne dated 2 June, concerning Mrs. W. Pockett of Sunbury-on-Thames, reference POH(4)5430/17. [53798]

  Mr. Boateng
  I replied on 24 April. A copy of the letter was sent to the hon. Member on 29 July.

  Residential Care
  Mr. Grogan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to amend legislation to allow the elderly in long-term care to use any capital they have which is
  519
  wholly disregarded by the means tests to make up the difference in cost between the care which their authority is prepared to arrange and the care they choose. [53957]

  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.

  NHS Pensions Agency
  Laura Moffatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will approve and publish the annual report and accounts of the NHS Pensions Agency. [54630]

  Mr. Milburn
  We have approved the Report and Accounts which has been laid before both Houses of Parliament in accordance with the requirements of Section 5(2) and 5(3) of the Exchequer and Audit Departments Act 1921.
  520
  Copies have been placed in the Library.

  Nannies (Registration)
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will bring forward proposals to require the registration of nannies. [53150]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Government are consulting on the regulation of early education and day care, including the scope of services which should be regulated. The aim is to produce a system of regulation which supports the development of a national childcare strategy but also meets the needs of children and families for safe and high quality day care. We will announce our proposals once the responses to the consultation, which ends on 31 July, have been considered.
  521

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Departmental Reviews
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the reviews his Department initiated in the years(a) 1974–75, (b) 1979–80 and (c) 1992–93. [48513]

  Mr. Fatchett
  [holding answer 6 July 1998]: According to the Official Report, the FCO initiated one review in financial year 1992–93. The subject of this review was how best to conduct relations between Whitehall and the Caribbean Dependent Territories, Official Report, column 311. For financial years 1974-75 and 1979–80 the Official Report is not held in a form that can be searched electronically. The cost of obtaining the information requested for those periods would therefore be disproportionate.

  Asbestos
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what guidance his Department issues to those constructing buildings for which it is responsible on the use of materials containing asbestos. [52315]

  Mr. Fatchett
  For any construction projects in the UK we employ professional project managers who in turn would appoint planning supervisors under the CDM regulations. Their duty is to ensure that all guidance and legislation related to asbestos is brought to the attention of those working on the project and ensure compliance with all Health and Safety requirements.

  For overseas building projects the FCO use contracts which specify performance standards which at a minimum must comply with British or EC building regulations (or local regulations where in those cases higher standards may apply).

  Turkey
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the meeting of the Council of Ministers in May, what further developments were reported in respect of the release from prison of four Turkish parliamentarians. [52781]

  Ms Quin
  I will write to my hon. Friend shortly. We have repeatedly made it clear to the Turkish authorities that the conviction of elected politicians for the non-violent expression of their opinions can only damage Turkey's international standing.

  Information Technology
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department spent on IT, itemising(a) personal computers, (b) main-frame, (c) mini-computers and (d) file servers in the last year for which figure are available. [52877]

  Mr. Fatchett
  In 1997–98 this Department spent £21.1 million capital on IT equipment, including the first phase of a programme to supply industry-standard common software and hardware to all Posts overseas. Of this, £5.3 million was for purchase of personal computers; the balance was spent on set-up costs—including minor 522
  building works at Posts—software, cabling, peripheral equipment, and communications equipment. None was for purchase of main-frame, mini-computers or file servers.

  Immigration
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many applications have been made at the British High Commission Visa Section in Dhaka for entry clearance by over-aged children who had previously been refused on the grounds of not being related as claimed but whose relationship has now been established by DNA testing since June 1989. [52715]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Figures for applications made by over-aged children under the 1989 concession at Dhaka are not readily available, and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. No fresh applications have been made in recent years under the concession at any overseas Post.

  India and Pakistan
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's relations with India and Pakistan since the nuclear tests conducted by both countries. [52730]

  Mr. Fatchett
  [holding answer 28 July 1998]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary gave to the hon. Member for Rochford and Southend, East (Sir T. Taylor) on 14 July 1998, Official Report, column 175. I subsequently met with Jaswant Singh on 28 July in the margins of the ASEAN post-ministerial conference in Manila.

  National Non-domestic Rates
  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the names of the diplomatic missions and international organisations that have outstanding balances of over £10,000 as at 31 March in respect of national non-domestic rates. [54153]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Most missions meet their obligations. However, at 31 March 1998 the following owed over £10,000.00 for National Non-domestic Rates:

  £

  Country

  Amount outstanding1

  Afghanistan

  32,920.71

  Algeria

  38,344.90

  Angola

  27,019.13

  Cameroon

  28,760.56

  China

  250,049.83

  Cote d'Ivoire

  30,403.94

  Cuba

  72,330.14

  Czech Republic

  77,069.41

  Egypt

  54,735.90

  Imo

  28,208.89

  Iran

  101,439.09

  Jordan

  39,135.25

  Libya

  23,547.10

  Morocco

  20,932.01

  Mozambique

  30,559.79

  Nigeria

  332,218.53

  Pakistan

  25,098.33

  Philippines

  15,904.97

  523

  £

  Country

  Amount outstanding1

  Saudi Arabia

  510,377.34

  Senegal

  10,610.23

  Sierra Leone

  73,585.31

  Slovak Republic

  43,389.27

  Spain

  74,666.12

  Thailand

  77,226.28

  Uganda

  15,335.25

  Yemen Republic

  34,759.24

  Yugoslavia

  50,021.78

  Zambia

  21,683.65

  Zimbabwe

  193,842.88

  1 up to 31 March 1998

  Weapons of Mass Destruction
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the extent to which the end-use control, relating to goods which may be used in connection with the development of weapons of mass destruction, applies to the supply of goods to destinations subject to binding UN arms embargoes. [54871]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Council Regulation (EC) No. 3381/94 and the Dual-Use and Related Goods (Export Control) Regulations 1996 prohibit the export from the UK to any destination of dual-use or other goods which the exporter has been informed by a competent authority are or may be intended, wholly or in part, or which the exporter knows are intended, wholly or in part, to be used in connection with the development, production, handling, operation, maintenance, storage, detection, identification or dissemination of chemical, biological or nuclear weapons or the development, production, maintenance or storage of missiles capable of delivering such weapons, and also where the exporter has grounds for suspecting that the goods might so be used. These provisions are known as the end-use control.

  Under UK law, all binding UN embargoes are implemented by prohibiting the export of goods and technology on the Military List which forms part III of Schedule Ito the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994, as amended.

  In addition, the Orders in Council implementing in UK law the binding UN embargoes against Liberia, Somalia, Libya, Angola and Rwanda also prohibit the supply of persons in the UK or by UK nationals or companies overseas of goods which are or may be intended to be used in connection with the development, production, handling, operation, maintenance, storage, detection, identification or dissemination of chemical, biological or nuclear weapons or the development, production, maintenance or storage of missiles capable of delivering such weapons.

  This statement supplements the information given in another place on the scope of arms embargoes observed by the UK by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Baroness Chalker of Wallasey, on 20 March 1997, Official Report, House of Lords, columns 75–77; and by the Parliamentary
  524
  Under-Secretary of State, Baroness Symons, on 28 January 1998, Official Report, House of Lords, columns 36–39. An updated version of the list of the Government's commitments regarding the application of strategic export controls, covering this point and other recent changes, has been laid in the Library.

  Nuclear Disarmament
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his Department's policy towards the Irish Government's recent initiative on global nuclear disarmament known as The New Agenda Coalition; and if he will make a statement. [51680]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The "New Agenda" statement calls for a clear commitment from the Nuclear Weapon States to the speedy, final and total elimination of nuclear weapons. We have made clear our commitment to the global elimination of nuclear weapons. We have taken some important steps towards this goal in the Strategic Defence Review and elsewhere.

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his policy on the South African Conference on Disarmament's proposal to establish an ad-hoc committee on nuclear disarmament; and if he will make a statement. [51681]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We are actively considering how best to follow up internationally the initiatives on nuclear disarmament set out in the Strategic Defence Review.

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to report to the participatory nation states of the Conference on Disarmament on the conclusions of the Strategic Defence Review; and if he will make a statement. [51682]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The United Kingdom's Permanent Representative has today made a statement to the Conference on Disarmament's Plenary Session, the first such session since the announcement of the Strategic Defence Review.

  Employees Over 60
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many(a) men and (b) women employed by (1) his Department and (2) his Department's agencies have contracts of employment which permit them to retire after their 60th birthday. [53054]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Letters of appointment for staff in the FCO state that 60 is the official retirement age.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many(a) men and (b) women aged over 60 years were employed by (i) his Department and (ii) his Department's agencies on 1 January. [53059]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  On 1 January 1998 the Foreign and Commonwealth Office employed 34 men and 16 women aged over 60.

  The Wilton Park agency employed no staff over 60 years.
  525

  European Commission Documents
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received on the European Commission document "What exactly is Europe? A Classroom Guide to the European Union", published in November 1997. [53732]

  Ms Quin
  We have no record of any official representations on the European Commission document referred to by the hon. Member.

  Legg Report
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what funds have been allocated to implement the recommendations in the Legg report. [53870]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  The outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review will allow us to devote resources to implementing management and other changes within the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. This will include changes resulting from the recommendations of the Legg report, which are in line with our intentions to modernise the FCO.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Legg report, if he will list the new instructions that will be given to those compiling and approving press lines. [53874]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  The News Department of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, which is responsible, in co-ordination with the specialist department concerned, for drawing up press lines, has taken full note of the lessons highlighted by the Legg report.

  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to paragraph 3.20 of the Legg report, what action he proposes to take in respect of the oral statement made by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the hon. Member for Manchester, Central (Mr. Lloyd), on 12 March 1998,Official Report, column 841. [53884]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  None.

  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to paragraph 9.55 of the Legg report, what action he proposes to take in respect of his oral statement of 12 May 1998,Official Report, column 160, that the papers seen by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the hon. Member for Manchester, Central (Mr. Lloyd), in mid-April gave rise to no grounds for apprehension or concern on the part of the Minister of State. [53880]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  Paragraph 9.55 of the Legg report states that the documents that went to the Minister of State were "misleading" and "substantially incomplete".
  526
  Paragraph 10.48 of the report states that the information that the Minister of State was given in mid-April
  "indicated that this was being dealt with by officials. It told him that the FCO was not aware of a shipment of arms. He saw no need to take action."

  I support his judgment at that time, based on the information that was available to him, and stand by my remarks to the House on 12 May.

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) how many times his Ministers met Sir Thomas Legg whilst he was conducting his inquiry; and what was discussed on each occasion; [53789]

  (2) how many times he met Sir Thomas Legg whilst he was conducting his inquiry; and what was discussed on each occasion. [53788]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  I met Sir Thomas Legg and Sir Robin Ibbs shortly after their appointment, on 26 May, to discuss the terms of reference of their investigation. They subsequently held one interview each with me and my hon. Friends the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Member for Manchester, Central (Mr. Lloyd), and the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, to ask us questions about our involvement in the events they were investigating. These interviews took place on 1 July, 18 June and 29 June respectively.

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list all those(a) who saw and (b) who were given a copy of the Legg report prior to its publication. [53793]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  No officials or Ministers were given a copy of the Legg report before it was presented to me on Friday 24 July, although those mentioned to any significant extent in the report were sent draft extracts referring to them, to allow them to comment.

  After the report had been presented to me, and prior to my statement in the House on 27 July 1998, Official Report, columns 19–34, it was given a very limited distribution, on a confidential basis, to Ministers and senior officials, and I also allowed the two Opposition Foreign Affairs spokesmen and the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee to read it in the Foreign Office.

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if copies of the Legg report were issued to journalists under an embargo prior to its official publication. [53794]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  No.

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he first received the Legg report. [53787]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  The secretary to the Legg investigation presented the report to my office at 16.20 on Friday 24 July, and I saw it later that day.

  International Criminal Court
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the United Kingdom's
  527
  financial contribution will be to the running costs of the International Criminal Court. [53888]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  No budget for the Court has yet been set so it is not possible to say what financial contribution will fall to the United Kingdom.

  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who will appoint(a) the prosecutor and (b) the judges of the International Criminal Court. [53889]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Both the Prosecutor and the Judges of the International Criminal Court will be elected by the members of the Assembly of States Parties to the Statute.

  War Crime Tribunals
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the costs to date for the(a) Rwanda and (b) Yugoslavia tribunals. [53887]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The costs to date of the International Criminal Tribunals for Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia which are funded by assessments upon member states of the United Nations are as follows:

  International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda

  Year

  $ million

  1995

  2.2

  1996

  24.5

  1997 (budgeted expenditure)

  36.0

  International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia

  Year

  $ million

  1 May 1994–31 December 1995

  35.8

  1996

  30.4

  1997

  36.4

  The costs to date of the International Criminal Tribunals which are funded by donations from member states and other contributors to the Tribunals' Trust Funds are as follows:

  International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda

  Year

  $ million

  1995

  0.2

  1996

  0.8

  1997 (estimate)

  1.0

  International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia

  Year

  $ million

  1 May 1994–31 December 1995

  0.09

  1996

  1.7

  1997

  4.0

  All figures are actual unless otherwise stated. The Tribunals also receive donations in-kind and the services of gratis (seconded) personnel.

  Arms Sales
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what mechanisms Her 528
  Majesty's Government uses to police the sale of arms by UK-based companies under circumstances where those arms do not touch United Kingdom soil. [53808]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The Import, Export and Customs Powers (Defence) Act 1939 gives the Government power to control only exports from and imports to the UK. As such, it does not allow the Government to impose controls on the involvement of persons in the UK or UK persons abroad in trafficking in goods between overseas countries or in brokering such deals. However, the Government do have the power to control trafficking and brokering under the United Nations Act 1946 where this is necessary to implement a binding UN decision, such as a binding UN arms embargo. The DTI White Paper on Strategic Export Controls (Cm 3989) contains a proposal to introduce a power so that the Government can also control the involvement of persons in the UK or UK persons abroad in trafficking and brokering in controlled goods to countries which are the subject of other types of embargo, such as those resulting from decisions of the EU, OSCE or the Government; in certain types of equipment, the export of which has been banned from the UK because of evidence that goods of the same type have been used in torture; and in missiles capable of a range of at least 300 km. The White Paper's proposals relating to weapons of mass destruction also cover trafficking and brokering.

  The investigation and prosecution of any alleged breaches of UK legislation implementing UN embargoes or sanctions is a matter for the Commissioners of Customs and Excise.

  Foreign Enlistment Act 1870
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if it is his policy to enforce the Foreign Enlistment Act 1870. [53799]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The Foreign Enlistment Act 1870 remains on the Statute books. However, no successful prosecutions have ever been brought under this legislation.

  Diplomatic Posts
  Mr. Jim Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the combined capital value of the United Kingdom's diplomatic posts. [53290]

  Mr. Fatchett
  A financial summary of the Department's assets, in the UK and overseas, can be found on page 90 (Appendix C) of this year's Departmental Report, which can be found in the House of Commons Library.

  UN Conventions
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of Guinea-Bissau regarding that Government's non-ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; and on what dates; [53654]

  (2) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis regarding that Government's non-ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; and on what dates; [53628]
  529
  (3) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of Kenya regarding that Government's non-ratificiaton of the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; and on what dates; [53641]

  (4) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of Tuvalu regarding that Government's non-ratification of the UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women; and on what dates; [53400]

  (5) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of San Marino regarding that Government's non-ratification of the UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women; and on what dates; [53409]

  (6) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of Djibouti regarding that Government's non-ratification of the UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women; and on what dates; [53424]

  (7) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of Andorra regarding that Government's non-ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; and on what dates; [53662]

  (8) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of Georgia regarding that Government's non-ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; and on what dates; [53652]

  (9) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of the Cook Islands regarding that Government's non-ratification of the UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women; and on what dates; [53426]

  (10) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of Monaco regarding that Government's non-ratification of the UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women; and on what dates; [53416]

  (11) what official representations the British Government have made to the Governments of (a) Lebanon, (b) Lesotho, (c) Liberia, (d) Madagascar, (e) Malaysia, (f) the Maldives, (g) Mali, (h) the Marshall Islands, (i) Mauritania and (j) the Federated States of Micronesia regarding those Governments' non-ratification of the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and on what dates in respect of each Government; [53878]

  (12) what official representations the o British Government have made to the Government of Somalia regarding that Government's non-ratification of the UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women; and on what dates; [53405]

  (13) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea regarding that
  530
  Government's non-ratification of the UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women; and on what dates; [53425]

  (14) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of Malaysia regarding that Government's non-ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; and on what dates; [53637]

  (15) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of the United Arab Emirates regarding that Government's non-ratification of the UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women; and on what dates; [53399]

  (16) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of Samoa regarding that Government's non-ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; and on what dates; [53627]

  (17) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of the Federated States of Micronesia regarding that Government's non-ratification of the UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women; and on what dates; [53417]

  (18) what official representations the British Government have made to the Governments of (a) India, (b) Indonesia, (c) Iran, (d) the Islamic Republic of Iraq, (e) Ireland, (f) Jamaica, (g) Japan, (h) Kazakhstan, (i) Kiribati and (j) the Lao People's Democratic Republic regarding those Governments' non-ratification of the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and on what dates in respect of each Government; [53877]

  (19) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of Eritrea regarding that Government's non-ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; and on what dates; [53651]

  (20) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of Bhutan regarding that Government's non-ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; and on what dates; [53658]

  (21) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of Comoros regarding that Government's non-ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; and on what dates; [53645]

  (22) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of Nive regarding that Government's non-ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; and on what dates; [53632]

  (23) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of the Marshall Islands regarding that Government's non-ratification of the UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women; and on what dates; [53419]
  531
  (24) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of Dar-es-Salaam regarding that Government's non-ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; and on what dates; [53660]

  (25) what official representations the British Government have made to the Governments of (a) Mongolia, (b) Mozambique, (c) Myanmar, (d) Nauru, (e) Nicaragua, (f) Niger, (g) Nigeria, (h) Nive, (i) Oman and (j) Pakistan regarding those Governments' non-ratification of the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and on what dates in respect of each Government; [53879]

  (26) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea regarding that Government's non-ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; and on what dates; [53647]

  (27) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of Equatorial Guinea regarding that Government's non-ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; and on what dates; [53650]

  (28) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of Qatar regarding that Government's non-ratification of the UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women; and on what dates; [53410]

  (29) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of San Marino regarding that Government's non-ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; and on what dates; [53626]

  (30) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of Oman regarding that Government's non-ratification of the UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women; and on what dates; [53412]

  (31) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of Liechtenstein regarding that Government's non-ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; and on what dates; [53639]

  (32) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of the United States of America regarding that Government's non-ratification of the UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women; and on what dates; [53398]

  (33) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of Palau regarding that Government's non-ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; and on what dates; [53630]
  532
  (34) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of Palau regarding that Government's non-ratification of the UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women; and on what dates; [53411]

  (35) what official representations the British Government have made to the Governments of (a) Dar-es-Salaam, (b) Burkina Faso, (c) Central African Republic, (d) Camores, (e) Congo, (f) Cook Islands, (g) the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, (h) Djbouti, (i) Dominica and (j) the Dominican Republic regarding those Governments' non-ratification of the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and on what dates in respect of each Government; [53875]

  (36) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of Nauru regarding that Government's non-ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; and on what dates; [53633]

  (37) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of Brunei regarding that Government's non-ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; and on what dates; [53659]

  (38) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of Kiribati regarding that Government's non-ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; and on what dates; [53640]

  (39) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of Niger regarding that Government's non-ratification of the UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women; and on what dates; [53414]

  (40) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of Bahrain regarding that Government's non-ratification of the UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women; and on what dates; [53428]

  (41) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of Thailand regarding that Government's non-ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; and on what dates; [53622]

  (42) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of the Holy See regarding that Government's non-ratification of the UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women; and on what dates; [53423]

  (43) what official representations the British Government have made to the Governments of (a) Andorra, (b) Angola, (c) Bahamas, (d) Bangladesh, (e) Barbados, (f) Belgium, (g) Bhutan, (h) Bolivia, (i) Botswana, and (j) Brunei regarding those Governments' non-ratification of the UN Convention

  533
  against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment of Punishment and on what dates in respect of each Government; [53869]

  (44) what official representations the British Government have made to the Governments of (a) Equatorial Guinea, (b) Eritrea, (c) Fiji, (d) Gabon, (e) Gambia, (f) Ghana, (g) Grenada, (h) Guinea-Bissau, (i) Haiti and (j) the Holy See regarding those Governments' non-ratification of the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and on what dates in respect of each Government; [53876]

  (45) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of Indonesia regarding that Government's non-ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; and on what dates; [53644]

  (46) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of Benin regarding that Government's non-ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; and on what dates; [53657]

  (47) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of Oman regarding that Government's non-ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; and on what dates; [53631]

  (48) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of Myanmar regarding that Government's non-ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; and on what dates; [53634]

  (49) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic regarding that Government's non-ratification of the UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women; and on what dates; [53402]

  (50) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of Nauru regarding that Government's non-ratification of the UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women; and on what dates; [53415]

  (51) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of Sudan regarding that Government's non-ratification of the UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women; and on what dates; [53404]

  (52) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of South Africa regarding that Government's non-ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; and on what dates; [53623]

  (53) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of Kazakhstan regarding that Government's non-ratification of the UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women; and on what dates; [53421]
  534
  (54) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of Niue regarding that Government's non-ratification of the UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women; and on what dates; [53413]

  (55) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of Swaziland regarding that Government's non-ratification of the UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women; and on what dates; [53403]

  (56) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of Grenada regarding that Government's non-ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; and on what dates; [53653]

  (57) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of Sao Tome and Principe regarding that Government's non-ratification of the UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women; and on what dates; [53408]

  (58) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of Ireland regarding that Government's non-ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; and on what dates; [53643]

  (59) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of Singapore regarding that Government's non-ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; and on what dates; [53624]

  (60) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of Kiribati regarding that Government's non-ratification of the UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women; and on what dates; [53420]

  (61) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of Afghanistan regarding that Government's non-ratification of the UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women; and on what dates; [53442]

  (62) what official representations the British Government have made to the Governments of (a) Palau, (b) Papua New Guinea, (c) Qatar, (d) Rwanda, (e) St Kitts and Nevis, (f) St Lucia, (g) St Vincent and the Grenadines, (h) Samoa, (i) San Marino and (j) Sao Tome and Principe regarding those Governments' non-ratification of the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and on what dates in respect of each Government; [53881]

  (63) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of Angola regarding that Government's non-ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; and on what dates; [53661]
  535
  (64) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of Djibouti regarding that Government's non-ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; and on what dates; [53648]

  (65) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of Brunei regarding that Government's non-ratification of the UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women; and on what dates; [53427]

  (66) what official representations the British Government have made to the Governments of (a) Trinidad and Tobago, (b) Turkmenistan, (c) Tuvalu, (d) the United Arab Emirates, (e) the United Republic of Tanzania, (f) Vanuatu, (g) Vietnam, (h) Zambia, (i) and Zimbabwe regarding those Governments' non-ratification of the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and on what dates in respect of each Government; [53883]

  (67) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of Turkey regarding that Government's non-ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; and on what dates; [53621]

  (68) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran regarding that Government's non-ratification of the UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women; and on what dates; [53422]

  (69) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of Vanuatu regarding that Government's non-ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; and on what dates; [53619]

  (70) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of Dar-es-Salaam regarding that Government's non-ratification of the UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women; and on what dates; [53441]

  (71) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of the Federated States of Micronesia regarding that Government's non-ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; and on what dates; [53635]

  (72) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of Kazakhstan regarding that Government's non-ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; and on what dates; [53642]

  (73) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of Paraguay regarding that Government's non-ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; and on what dates; [53629]
  536
  (74) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of Honduras regarding that Government's non-ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; and on what dates; [53655]

  (75) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of Saudi Arabia regarding that Government's non-ratification of the UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women; and on what dates; [53407]

  (76) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of the Cook Islands regarding that Government's non-ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; and on what dates; [53646]

  (77) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of the Marshall Islands regarding that Government's non-ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; and on what dates; [53636]

  (77) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of Mauritania regarding that Government's non-ratification of the UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women; and on what dates; [53418]

  (78) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of Dominica regarding that Government's non-ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; and on what dates; [53649]

  (79) what official representations the British Government have made to the Governments of (a) Sierra Leone, (b) Singapore, (c) the Solomon Islands, (d) South Africa, (e) Sudan, (f) Surinam, (g) Swaziland, (h) the Syrian Arab Republic, (i) Thailand and (j) Tonga regarding those Governments' non-ratification of the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and on what dates in respect of each Government; [53882]

  (80) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of Belize regarding that Government's non-ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; and on what dates; [53656]

  (81) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of Sao Tome and Principe regarding that Government's non-ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; and on what dates; [53625]

  (83) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of the Solomon Islands regarding that Government's non-ratification of the UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women; and on what dates; [53406]
  537
  (84) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of Lithuania regarding that Government's non-ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; and on what dates; [53638]

  (85) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of Tonga regarding that Government's non-ratification of the UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women; and on what dates; [53401]

  (86) what official representations the British Government have made to the Government of Tuvalu regarding that Government's non-ratification of the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; and on what dates. [53620]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We take every appropriate opportunity to encourage States to sign and ratify the six core human rights texts of the United Nations including through bilateral contacts and in multilateral forums.

  I regret that we would not be able to provide a more detailed response to the right hon. Member's questions without incurring disproportionate costs. I will however write to the right hon. Member inviting him to put any specific questions of concern.

  Israel
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Israeli policy of house demolition in Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. [53455]

  Mr. Fatchett
  House demolitions are a serious abuse of human rights wherever they occur. We and the EU carefully monitor Israeli demolitions of Palestinian homes and report these in a quarterly EU "Jerusalem Watch".

  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Palestinian houses in the occupied Palestinian territories have been demolished since the Oslo Accords of 1993. [53456]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Estimates vary between 671 (discounting demolitions of temporary dwellings; figures from a local NGO) and 2,004 (including temporary dwellings; figures from the Palestinian Ministry of Local Government). These figures include demolitions in East Jerusalem.

  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations Her Majesty's Government have made to the Government of Israel on the demolition of Palestinian homes in the West Bank and Jerusalem. [53457]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We have made it clear to the Israeli Government on many occasions that we condemn any attempt to change the demographic balance of Jerusalem in advance of final status talks.

  Security Surveillance Warrants
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what legal advice he receives before signing warrants authorising security surveillance; and from whom. [53825]
  538
  Mr. Robin Cook
  The procedures involved in submitting warrants for approval were set out in paragraph 5 of the Interception of Communications Act Commissioner's report for 1996. This makes it clear that the Secretary of State considers applications, after scrutiny by senior officials, together with supporting documentation and the comments of advisers. This process incorporates in every case, advice from legal advisers of the appropriate agency.

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many warrants authorising security surveillance he has signed since 1 May 1997. [53827]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  It has been the practice of successive Interception of Communications Act Commissioners not to publish the numbers of interception warrants issued by the Foreign Secretary, as they have taken the view that it would be against the public interest to do so. Similarly the Intelligence Services Act Commissioner has stated that he does not consider it in the public interest to disclose the numbers of warrants issued under Section 5 of the Interception of Communications Act 1994. The Government endorse the Commissioners' views.

  Embassy Buildings
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will make it his policy not to dispose of(a) the whole and (b) part of the Paris (i) Embassy and (ii) Residence buildings; [53344]

  (2) if he will make it his policy not to dispose of (a) the whole and (b) part of the Tokyo (i) Embassy and (ii) Residence buildings; [53347]

  (3) if he will make it his policy not to dispose of (a) the whole and (b) part of the Bangkok (i) Embassy and (ii) Residence buildings; [53345]

  (4) if he will make it his policy not to dispose of (a) the whole and (b) part of the Vienna (i) Embassy and (ii) Residence buildings. [53348]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Our policy is to ensure that all elements of the FCO estate provide value for money. For those which do not, disposal is one option; we shall also be considering how to make better, and more intensive, use of those properties we retain.

  Diplomatic Exchanges (Publication)
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish the summaries of the telegrams provided to members of the Foreign Affairs Committee. [53795]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  I have no plans to publish the summaries. I believe that publication of diplomatic exchanges will do cumulative damage to the frankness of the reports our High Commissioners and Ambassadors send, and the willingness of other governments to talk to them on a confidential basis.

  Desk Officers
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the desk officers in his Department, indicating the countries for which they are responsible. [53792]
  539
  Mr. Fatchett
  For security reasons, it is not possible to provide the information requested. General information on members of the Diplomatic Service at Posts overseas and in London is contained in Her Majesty's Diplomatic Service List, a copy of which is in the Library.

  Sierra Leone
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the(a) costs and (b) nature of assistance currently being given by the Government to Sierra Leone. [53872]

  Mr. Foulkes
  I have been asked to reply.

  Assistance currently being provided to Sierra Leone by the United Kingdom Government comprises:
  Contribution to the UN Trust Fund for Peace Enforcement in Sierra Leone: £2,000,000 from the FCO
  Emergency Demobilisation Project providing humanitarian assistance to ex-combatants: £2,000,000 from Department for International Development
  Contribution to the work of the Commonwealth Police Development Team: £800,000 from DFID
  Humanitarian and Rehabilitation projects implemented through NGOs: c.£3,000,000 from DFID
  Three senior advisers to Government of Sierra Leone: £250,000 from DFID
  Support to the establishment of an independent radio station: £120,000 from DFID
  Civil Service Support Project: Campaign for Good Governance: £101,000 from DFID
  Contribution to Government of Sierra Leone's two year National Programme for Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration: £6,500,000 from DFID.

  Land Mines
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the Government's policy on classifying the use of land mines as a war crime. [49673]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 9 July 1998]: I have been asked to reply.

  Until such time as the use of Anti-Personnel mines become subject to a comprehensive prohibition under international law, it cannot be classified as a war crime. This is not a matter of policy but what is currently possible under international law.

  The abhorrence with which the Government view the use of Anti-Personnel land mines should be in no doubt to anyone. This is reflected by the Government's introduction of domestic legislation to fulfill our obligations under the Ottawa Convention. We shall continue to encourage as many countries as possible to sign and ratify the Ottawa Convention.

  Regulation Reform
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the section "Reforming Regulation" in his Department's document "UK Presidency of the EU Half Way Mark", if he will place in the Library the progress report; and if he will make a statement on the proposals agreed at Cardiff. [53781]
  540
  Dr. John Cunningham
  I have been asked to reply as Cabinet Minister with responsibility for better EU regulation.

  The European Commission's report "Legislate less to act better: the facts" (COM(98)345) was presented to the European Council at Cardiff on 15 June 1998.

  The report and an accompanying Explanatory Memorandum (9319/98) were submitted to Parliament by the Cabinet Office on Friday, 26 June 1998.

  I am delighted that better regulation featured prominently in the Cardiff European Council's conclusions. This shows the degree to which the UK has successfully taken the debate forward during its Presidency. Specifically, the European Council:
  highlighted the importance of better regulation and subsidiarity, calling on the EU institutions and the Member States to work together to observe these principles;
  asked the Commission to co-ordinate the sharing of best regulatory practice between Member States;
  invited the Commission to press ahead with its Simpler Legislation for the Internal Market (SLIM) initiative to simplify and improve Single Market rules;
  welcomed the Commission's establishment of a pilot test panel of businesses to improve consultation on new regulatory proposals;
  encouraged the Commission to develop its business impact assessment system (fiche d'impact); and
  invited the Commission to draw up a timetable for action, in the light of the recommendations in the report of the Business Environment Simplification Task Force (BEST)—also presented to the Cardiff European Council—to assess the extent to which current EU and Member States' policies encourage entrepreneurship.

WALES

  Education Advisers
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many advisers are currently employed by each local education authority in Wales. [53196]

  Mr. Hain
  Information on the numbers of advisers currently employed by local education authorities in Wales is not held centrally.

  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total cost for each local education authority of employing advisers in the last year for which figures are available. [53193]

  Mr. Hain
  The cost of employing advisers for each local education authority is not collected separately. The information collected from local education authorities on costs attributed to inspection and advice is given in the following table.

  Local authority net current expenditure on inspection and advisory services—1996–97

  £000

  Blaenau Gwent

  38

  Bridgend

  80

  Caerphilly

  37

  Cardiff

  939

  Carmarthenshire

  159

  Ceredigion

  76

  541

  Local authority net current expenditure on inspection and advisory services—1996–97

  £000

  Conwy

  98

  Denbighshire

  240

  Flintshire

  134

  Gwynedd

  267

  Isle of Anglesey

  174

  Merthyr Tydfill

  94

  Monmouthshire

  52

  Neath Port Talbot

  261

  Newport

  194

  Pembrokeshire

  173

  Powys

  n/a

  Rhondda Cynon Taff

  272

  Swansea

  180

  Torfaen

  207

  The Vale of Glamorgan

  166

  Wrexham

  356

  Source:

  Local authority revenue outturn returns

  Departmental Research
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the cost of all research undertaken by his Department since May 1997, excluding the cost of green papers and other public consultation documents drafted by his officials; and if he will list in each case the organisations which undertook that research. [52710]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  [holding answer 29 July 1998]: The term research covers a wide range of activities from scientific and engineering research through to consultancies and public opinion surveys. The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Welsh Development Agency
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to make changes to the membership of the Welsh Development Agency prior to the establishment of the National Assembly. [53370]

  Mr. Hain
  Advertisements for the Board of the new Welsh Development Agency (WDA) have been placed and the process of selection is ongoing in line with the guidance from the Commissioner of Public Appointments. The appointments will take effect from the date of the merger of the WDA with the Development Board for Rural Wales (DBRW) and the Land Authority for Wales (LAW) this autumn.

  Persistent Inquirers
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which of his Department's agencies have procedures to identify persistent inquirers for information. [53946]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  Cadw: Welsh Historic Monuments is the only solely owned executive agency of the Welsh Office. It has no procedures to identify persistent inquiries for information.

  Welsh Assembly
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what arrangements he is making to appoint the Standing Orders Commission for the National Assembly; and if he will make a statement. [54930]
  542
  Mr. Ron Davies
  The Commissioners will be appointed under the provisions of the Government of Wales Bill. I hope to be able to announce the names of the Commissioners shortly.

  The Commissioners' role is to prepare the draft of the first standing orders of the Assembly, which will then be made, with or without modification, by the Secretary of State.

  The recruitment of the Commissioners has been by open competition, in accordance with the current principles of public appointments. The Bill provides that there will be between 5 and 9 Commissioners. We expect that members will work 4 days a month and be paid £167.32 a day. The chairman will be paid £227.54 a day.

  The Bill empowers the Secretary of State to issue guidance to the Commissioners on the content and form of the standing orders. The core of the guidance I intend to give will be based on the report of the National Assembly Advisory Group, which I expect to be published during August. The Advisory Group includes members nominated by all the main political parties, as well as members representative of a wide range of interests. It has already made considerable progress, through its discussions and public consultations, in building political consensus about the way the Assembly should operate—a task which the White Paper "A Voice for Wales" envisaged would fall to the Commissioners. This will enable the Commissioners to be rather more expert and technical than was originally envisaged. I shall want a balance of talents among the Commissioners, but it will not contain members nominated by the political parties.

  There will be a continuing need to seek political consensus about issues other than the standing orders which will affect the way the Assembly will operate. These could include matters such as the opening ceremony and information support for Members. For this task I intend to establish an Assembly Preparations Group. This Group will include some members nominated by the political parties, as well as some former members of the National Assembly Advisory Group. I am consulting the leaders of the main political parties in Wales about the membership of this group, and about other matters relevant to the Assembly, in order to ensure that we continue to develop the arrangements for the Assembly in an inclusive spirit, seeking consensus where we can.

  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what advice he proposes to submit to Her Majesty in Council on the use to be made of the order-making power in clause 12(1)(b) of the Government of Wales Bill. [54931]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  Clause 12(1)(b) enables Her Majesty in Council to designated public offices the holding of which would disqualify individuals from membership of the National Assembly for Wales. A draft of an Order in Council made under clause 12(1)(b) requires approval by each House of Parliament before it can be made. I shall shortly be publishing a consultation document inviting views about the advice I should submit to Her Majesty on the content of an Order in Council under clause 12; the paper will make detailed proposals about disqualification of members and staff of a range of executive non-departmental and health bodies, the holders of certain offices, and those who hold politically restricted posts in
  543
  local government. I will place a copy of the consultation paper in the Library. Responses to the consultation paper will be requested by 2 October 1998.

  Mr. Rhodri Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the appointments procedure for senior posts in the National Assembly; if he will list the membership of the appointing panels, indicating external assessors and grades of civil servants; and if he will make a statement. [53607]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  The Government of Wales Bill provides that staff of the National Assembly for Wales will be members of the Home Civil Service. The appointments procedures for senior posts in the National Assembly will, therefore, generally mirror those for the rest of the unified Civil Service. The precise way in which they will apply is being considered.

  Non-departmental Public Bodies
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the non-departmental public bodies in existence on 1 May 1997 that(a) have been disbanded, (b) will be disbanded in the next 12 months, (c) have had their functions transferred to (i) another non-departmental public body and (ii) a democratically elected body, (d) have been renamed but continue to perform a similar role and (e) have been unchanged; if he will indicate in (c) (ii) the relevant successor body; what new non-departmental public bodies have been established since 1 May 1997; and how many non-departmental public bodies his Department currently is responsible for. [53860]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  The information requested is as follows:

  (a) Agricultural Advisory Panel for Wales; Staff Commission for Wales; and the Welsh Council for Post Graduate Medical and Dental Education;

  (b) The Residuary Body for Wales; Tai Cymru—whose functions will be transferred to the Welsh Office; the Land Authority for Wales and the Development Board for Rural Wales will be merged with the Welsh Development Agency;

  (c) i. None; ii. None;

  (d) The Welsh Optical Committee was renamed the Welsh Optometric Committee on 14 May 1997; the Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales was renamed the Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales on 1 October 1997; the Welsh Committee for Post Graduate Pharmaceutical Education was renamed the Welsh Committee for Professional Development of Pharmacy on 1 April 1998;

  (e) A list of the remaining follows.

  There have been no new non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) established since 1 May 1997. I am currently responsible for 24 Executive NDPBs, 22 advisory NDPBs and 8 Tribunals.

  List of those NDPBs remaining Executive NDPBs

  Agricultural Wages Committee (there are six committees)

  Arts Council of Wales

  Cardiff Bay Development Corporation

  Countryside Council for Wales

  Further Education Funding Council for Wales

  Higher Education Funding Council for Wales

  National Library of Wales

  544

  National Museums and Galleries of Wales

  Royal Commission for Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales

  Sports Council for Wales

  Welsh Development Agency

  Welsh Language Board

  Welsh National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting

  Tourist Board

  Advisory NDPBs

  Agricultural Dwelling House Advisory Committee for Wales (there are six committees)

  Ancient Monuments Board for Wales

  Environment Agency Advisory Committee for Wales

  Hill Farming Advisory Sub-Committee for Wales

  Historic Building Council for Wales

  Library and Information Services Council (Wales)

  Local Government Boundary Commission for Wales

  Place Names Advisory Committee

  Welsh Advisory Committee on Drug and Alcohol Misuse

  Welsh Dental Committee

  Welsh Industrial Development Advisory Board

  Welsh Medical Committee

  Welsh Nursing and Midwifery Committee

  Welsh Pharmaceutical Committee

  Welsh Scientific Advisory Committee

  Tribunals

  Agricultural Land Tribunal (Wales)

  Mental Health Review Tribunal for Wales

  Registered Inspectors Appeals Tribunal (Wales)

  Rent Assessment Panel for Wales

  Valuation Tribunals (Wales) (there are four tribunals).

  Employees Over 60
  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many(a) men and (b) women employed by (1) his Department and (2) his Department's agencies have contracts of employment which permit them to retire after their 60th birthday. [53045]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  My Department employs a total of 46 men and 23 women who can choose to stay on after age 60.

  Cadw, an executive agency of the Welsh Office, employs a total of 66 men and 22 women who can choose to stay on after age 60.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many(a) men and (b) women aged over 60 years were employed by (i) his Department and (ii) his Department's agencies on 1 January. [53068]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  The numbers of men and women aged over 60 years employed by my Department and Agency CADW at 1 January 1998 are given as follows:

  Welsh Office

  CADW

  Men

  20

  6

  Women

  8

  6

  Total

  28

  12

  545

  Paediatric Cardiac Surgery Units
  Mr. Rhodri Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to the letter of 30 June 1998, from the Under-Secretary, the hon. Member for Bridgend (Mr. Griffiths), if he will list the other paediatric cardiac surgery units with which the University Hospital of Wales unit will be linked pending the replacement of the current paediatric cardiac surgeon and cardiologist. [53610]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  The development of links with a well established and successful paediatric cardiac unit in England is a matter for the University Hospital of Wales. I understand they will make known the proposed future arrangements once discussions have reached an appropriate stage.

  Cardiff Bay Development Corporation
  Mr. Rhodri Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the Chairman of the Cardiff Bay Development Corporation in relation to the switching of corporation funds from developing Hamadayad Park, Cardiff to the Gwent Wetland Reserve, Newport. [53584]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  None.

  Schools (Loan Schemes)
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if paragraph 69 of Fair Funding: Improving Delegation to Schools gives local education authorities the power to compel schools with surpluses to participate in loan schemes. [53893]

  Mr. Hain
  No. The terms of any loans scheme operated for schools will depend on the financial controls in the schemes that LEAs are required to prepare under section 48 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. These schemes are subject to the Secretary of State's approval.

  Local Government Boundary Commission
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on how many occasions since 1968 the Secretary of State for Wales has used his powers to delay the implementation of the proposals of the Local Government Boundaries Commission. [53892]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  I do not have any powers to delay the implementation of the proposals of the Local Government Boundary Commission.

  Section 58(2) of the Local Government Act 1972 enables the Secretary of State, if he thinks fit, to give effect to the Commission's proposals following the review of an area, either as submitted or in a modified form.

  Section 64(3) the 1972 Act (as substituted by section 68 of the Local Government (Wales) Act 1994) requires the secretary of State to give effect to the Commission's proposals for electoral arrangements following reviews carried out after the 1995 local elections for principal authorities, either as submitted or in a modified form.
  546

  Brewing Industry
  Mr. Alan Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on how many occasions brewers have won planning appeals in Wales since April 1996; and if he will indicate which planning authority lost each appeal and when. [53894]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  Brewers have won six planning appeals in Wales since April 1996.

  The Vale of Glamorgan Council lost an appeal by Bass Taverns Ltd. (trading as Harvesters Restaurants) on 15 January 1997 for the display of an internally lit double-sided freestanding pole sign and the Schooner Inn, Penarth.

  The former Rhymney Valley District Council (now Caerphilly County Borough Council) lost an appeal by Bass Taverns Ltd. for a petrol filling station and A3 use (food and drink) at Hengoed, Mid Glamorgan on 12 February 1997. The same Council lost an appeal by Messrs. Whitbread Pub Partnerships against its refusal to grant listed building consent for the demolition of a public house at Pontlottyn on 4 March 1997.

  The City and County of Swansea Council lost appeals on 16 April 1997 against an enforcement notice and refusal of planning permission by Bass Taverns Ltd. who were allowed to continue using premises at Bryn-y-Mor Road, Swansea as a wine bar/restaurant with ancillary kitchen, staff and office facilities. The same Council lost an appeal on 19 March 1998 by Hobgoblinns Ltd. for a change of use of premises to public house at Oxford Street, Swansea.

  Task Forces
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the task forces and advisory groups composed of independent members which have been set up by his Department since 1 May 1997, indicating in each case(a) their remit, (b) their membership, (c) how many members are (i) scientists, (ii) engineers, (iii) small business people or representatives of small businesses, (d) any remuneration members receive for their services and (e) their budget. [53283]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  The information requested is as follows:

  Departmental Task Forces and Advisory Groups

  National Assembly Advisory Group

  (a) Remit
  To assist the Secretary of State in the preparation of guidance to the Standing Orders Commission.
  To respond to requests for advice from the Secretary of State on other matters relating to the establishment of the National Assembly (i.e. matters which do not directly affect its standing orders).
  (b) Membership

  John Elfed Jones: Chairman

  Nick Bourne: Conservative

  Ioan Bowen Rees: Former Chief Executive, Gwynedd County Council

  Majorie Dykins: Voluntary Sector

  Ken Hopkins: NIACE

  Mari James: Academic

  Helen Mary Jones: Equal Opportunities Commission

  547

  Howard Marshall: UNISON

  Eluned Morgan: Member, European Parliament

  Joyce Redfearn: Chief Executive, Monmouthshire County Councill

  Viscount St. Davids: House of Lords

  Ray Singh: Commissioner for Racial Equality

  Ian Spatling: Confederation of British Industry

  Kirsty Williams: Liberal Democrat

  (c) Representation

  Scientists: 1 (retired)

  Engineers: 1 (retired)

  Small business people/representatives: 1

  (d) Remuneration

  Posts on the Advisory Group are unpaid. Members receive travel and subsistence expenses at the normal Welsh Office rates.

  (e) Budget

  The budget for the financial year 1998–99 is £200,000 which covers the Advisory Group and the statutory Standing Orders Commissioners.

  Wales New Deal Advisory Task Force

  (a) Remit
  To give advice to the Secretary of State for Wales on how the New Deal can be developed and implemented to meet the needs and circumstances of Wales.
  To promote the New Deal, particularly to the business, voluntary and environment sectors and to stimulate action and commitment to the New Deal in all relevant sectors.
  To receive regular reports on progress in implementing the New Deal and to advise the Secretary of State on emerging issues and means of resolution.
  To support the work of the UK Task Force by advising on issues of programme policy and design which are relevant to Wales.
  (b) Membership

  Graham Hawker (Chairman): Group Chief Executive, Hyder PLC

  Graham Benfield: Director, Wales Council for Voluntary Action

  Leighton Carnell: Corporate Director, Barclays Bank PLC

  Spencer Davies: Managing Director, Spencer Davies Engineering Ltd.

  Haydn Edwards: Principal, Coleg Menai

  Margaret Evans: Director, Prince's Trust Volunteers

  Jane Hutt: Director, Chwarae Teg

  David Jenkins: General Secretary, Wales TUC

  Roger Jones OBE: Managing Director, Penn Pharmaceuticals

  Paul Loveluck: Chief Executive, Countryside Council for Wales

  John Newton-Jones: Chief Executive, Farmworld

  Anne Poole: Director, NIACE Cymru

  Adam Price: Executive Manager, Menter a Busnes

  Sue Price: Executive Director, Groundwork Merthyr and Rhondda Cynon Taf

  Gill Richards: Partner, Atebion

  Cherry Short: Commission for Racial Equality

  Huw Vaughan Thomas: Chief Executive, Denbighshire County Council

  Kevin Watson: Church Minister representing CYTUN (Churches Together in Wales)

  Alison Lea Wilson: Partner, Anglesey Sea Zoo

  Wendy Yates: Director of Personnel, City and County of Swansea

  548
  (c) Representation

  Scientists: 2

  Engineers: 1

  Small business people/representatives: 5 (including the engineer)

  (d) Remuneration

  Members are not remunerated.

  (e) The Advisory Task Force does not have a budget.

  All Wales Agri-environment Scheme Working Group

  (a) Remit
  To advise the Secretary of State on the technical details of a new Agri-environment scheme available to farmers throughout Wales.
  (b) Membership

  Mr. M. Thomas: National Farmers' Union

  Mr. R. Nowell-Phillips: Farmers Union of Wales

  Mr. J. Salmon: Countryside Landowners Association

  Mr. N. Thomas: Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

  11 other members represented the Welsh Office, local authorities and non-departmental public bodies. They have not been classed as independent members.

  (c) Representation

  Scientists: 1

  Engineers: 0

  Small business people/representatives: 3

  (d) Remuneration

  Members receive no remuneration.

  (e) Budget

  The group has no budget.

  Overseas Visits
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list those who have accompanied (i) him and (ii) his departmental Ministers on overseas visits since 1 January indicating(a) the venue of the visit, (b) the purpose of the visit, (c) the names of those involved, (d) the job of those involved, (e) the reasons why they were included in the visit and (f) the cost to public funds. [53847]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and place a copy of my reply in the Library of the house.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Carpet Manufacturing Industry
  Mr. Alexander
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations she has received on the export prospects in the United Kingdom carpet manufacturing industry. [48491]

  Mr. Battle
  No representations have been received about export prospects for the United Kingdom carpet manufacturing industry. DTI officials are in close contact with the British Carpet Manufacturers Association and individual companies about the development of initiatives to improve the competitiveness of the UK carpet industry.
  549

  Dounreay
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action she will take to ensure that all missing highly enriched uranium on the Dounreay site is identified and retrieved or made safe; and if she will make a statement. [48930]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 6 July 1998]: The UKAEA's document 'The Dounreay Shaft Inventory' identified an amount of 170kg of uranium as "material unaccounted for" (MUF). As explained on 27 July 1998, Official Report, columns 46–47, it is wrong to suggest that this figure must correspond to an amount of material that is physically missing. We have asked the DTI's Safeguards Office to study the nuclear material accountancy issues raised by the UKAEA document. We shall make public the conclusions of that study.

  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade on what date she was first notified of the application to dispose of radioactive material from the Brent Spar at Dounreay. [50877]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 20 July 1998]: I do not receive applications for disposal of radioactive material. This is a matter for the independent regulator, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).

  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list all applications or agreements made since May 1997 for(a) disposal and (b) storage of radioactive material at Dounreay; and if she will indicate (i) the source and (ii) the amount of waste in each case. [50876]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 20 July 1998]: I do not receive applications for disposal and storage of radioactive material. These are matters, initially, for the independent regulators, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, and the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate of the Health & Safety Executive.

  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the facilities which are available at Dounreay for the storage of treated radioactive material from the Brent Spar; and if additional storage pits will be required for the treated material. [50879]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 20 July 1998]: This is an operational matter for UKAEA. I have therefore written to the Chairman of the UKAEA requesting him to prepare this information, and his reply will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps she has taken to satisfy herself that Dounreay is a suitable site for the disposal and storage of radioactive materials from the Brent Spar. [50878]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 20 July 1998]: Storage and disposal of radioactive material at Dounreay is subject to independent regulation by the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (NII) and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).
  550

  Eritrea (Exports)
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many applications for licences for the export of(a) paramilitary, (b) security and (c) police equipment to Eritrea have been (i) granted, (ii) refused and (iii) revoked, (1) between February 1995 and May 1997 inclusive and (2) since May 1997; and what was the export licence category in each case. [50583]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Export Control Organisation's computer databases have been interrogated and the following results were obtained. Between 1 February 1995 and 1 May 1997, three Standard Individual Export Licences (SIELs) were issued covering the export to consignees or endusers in Eritrea of goods subject to export control by being listed in Part III of Schedule 1 to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994, the so-called Military List. Between 2 May 1997 and 19 June 1998, six Standard Individual Export Licences were issued covering such exports. No Open Individual Export Licences were issued in either period covering such exports; and no SIELs or OIELs covering such exports were revoked and no applications for SIELs or OIELs covering such exports were refused.

  The entry in the relevant legislation under which the export of goods is controlled is known as their rating. Individual licences may cover a range of goods with various ratings. Where this is so, the licence is included in the Table in the total for all of the relevant ratings.

  Standard Individual Export Licences issued between 1 February 1995 and 1 May 1997 covering the export to Eritrea of goods on the Military List

  Rating

  ML3

  ML10

  ML22

  Number issued between 1 February 1995 and 1 May 1997 covering goods with this rating

  1

  2

  0

  Number issued between 2 May 1997 and 19 June 1998 covering goods with this rating

  0

  4

  2

  This information does not cover any Media OIELs that may have been issued during this period. Media OIELs authorise the export to all destinations of protective clothing, mainly for the protection of aid agency workers and journalists, when working in areas of conflict.

  This information should be considered in light of my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Don Valley (Caroline Flint) on 30 October 1997, Official Report, columns 870–71.

  In addition, goods on the Military List may have been exported to Eritrea under certain Open General Export Licences; copies of all Open General Export Licences valid at any time during the period are in the Library of the House.

  It is not possible to break down these data in the manner requested as the equipment covered by many entries in the Military List could be used by military, paramilitary or police end-users.
  551

  Motor Dealers
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what action she has undertaken since 1 May 1997 to improve consumer protection in respect of the sale of used cars; [51204]

  (2) what plans she has to extend the powers of trading standards officers to enable them to carry out forecourt inspections of motor dealers. [51205]

  Dr. Howells
  In response to the Director General of Fair Trading's report on selling second-hand cars, I shall shortly issue guidance to clarify the powers which we believe Trading Standards officers already have under the General Product Safety Regulations 1994 to enable them to carry out garage forecourt inspections of motor vehicles offered for sale.

  In addition, the Department is commissioning research on the current law on the use of mileage information disclaimers and how it is being interpreted, prior to consideration of further action. It has also indicated its support for consideration to be given by the Director General of Fair Trading of the extent to which indiscriminate use of mileage information disclaimers could be cited as an unfair business practice in the context of licensing action under the Consumer Credit Act 1974.

  The Advertising Standards Authority has been contacted to establish whether it could act under its own powers against advertisements offering mileage correction/ alteration services. The Department is also in consultation with the Department of the Environment, Transport, and the Regions regarding those recommendations in the Director General's report which come within its responsibilities.

  The Office of Fair Trading recently published a booklet on how to get the best deal when buying a used car. This includes information for consumers about what to do if things go wrong. The Department has also recently published a more general consumer information leaflet on unsatisfactory goods and consumer rights which covers issues such as sale-of-goods rights, manufacturers' guarantees and extended warranties.

  Designer Goods
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will initiate an investigation of selective distribution in the designer goods sector. [51216]

  Dr. Howells
  As announced to Parliament during the passage of the Competition Bill, the Department will consult on the approach to dealing with vertical agreements, which include selective distribution, in preparation for the commencement of the new legislation.

  Any specific complaints about a supplier refusing to supply a retailer because of that retailer's pricing practices, should be directed to the Director General of Fair Trading, who will investigate.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action she is taking to prevent foreign manufacturers from setting the prices that British consumers have to pay for designer goods. [51664]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  [holding answer 21 July 1998]: The prices paid by consumers for designer goods are set by the manufacturer, distributor, or retailer. The judgment in
  552
  Silhouette concerns the extent to which, under the terms of a European Community Directive approximating the laws of Member States relating to trade marks, the holder of a registered trade mark may prevent the import into the Community of goods bearing that trade mark where the goods have already been marketed with the consent of the holder of the mark in the Community. The judgment in Silhouette confirms that the holder of a mark has no powers to prevent the import into, for example, the United Kingdom, of goods bearing the trade mark where those goods come from another Member State in the Community. The European Commission has commissioned a study into whether this principle should be extended to cover goods that have been put on the market anywhere in the world and, once the results of the study are available, the Government will consider with other Community Member States what action should be taken, including the possibility of a change in the law. In the meantime, manufacturers remain subject to European and domestic laws governing competition and the supply of goods.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations she made to the European Court and to the European Commission on behalf of British consumers prior to the ECJ ruling in the Silhouette case. [51666]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  [holding answer 21 July 1998]: The previous government submitted written observations to the European Court of Justice in February 1997. These observations confirmed that, as a matter of law, the 1989 European Community Directive on trade marks gave brand owners no power to prevent the import of trade-marked goods once they had been put on the market with their consent anywhere in the Community, but did give them power to prevent the import of goods put on the market with their consent elsewhere in the world.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action she is going to take in response to the ruling of the European Court of Justice in the Silhouette case on the pricing and distribution of designer goods; and if she will make a statement. [51663]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  [holding answer 21 July 1998]: The Government will consider with other Member States of the European Community, in the light of this ruling and of a study being mounted by the European Commission, what changes in the law are desirable in the interests of British consumers and manufacturers.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the options available to British retailers and consumers in response to the rules of the ECJ in the Silhouette case. [51665]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  [holding answer 21 July 1998]: The ruling of the European Court of Justice on the Silhouette case confirms the view of the Government's own legal advisers on the interpretation of the European Community Directive on trade marks which was implemented by the Trade Marks Act 1994, both of which were adopted and enacted by the previous government. The Government will consider with other Member States of the European Community in the light of this ruling, and of a study being mounted by the European Commission, what changes in the law are desirable having regard to the interests of British consumers and manufacturers.
  553
  In the meantime, British retailers should abide by the law as it stands at present.

  Mr. Chope
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she was informed that the European Court of Justice was to make the ruling which it has made in the Silhouette case. [51662]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  [holding answer 21 July 1998]: The ruling of the European Court of Justice on the Silhouette case was delivered on 16 July 1998. The Government were aware from 24 June 1998 that the judgment would be delivered on that date.

  Export Credit Guarantees
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list the top 10 companies in receipt of export credit guarantees for the financial years 1995–96 and 1996–97 indicating the amount of cover given to each company for each year. [51414]

  Mrs. Roche
  ECGD have identified the following firms as the top ten main contractors under export credit guarantees which it issued in these years:

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1 British Aerospace

  1 British Aerospace

  2 G. E. C.

  2 M. W. Kellogg

  3 Water Projects International

  3 Rolls-Royce

  4 Babcock

  4 Aero International

  5 BICC

  5 Foster Wheeler

  6 APV (UK) Ltd.

  6 Joy Mining Machinery

  7 Amec

  7 Alvis

  8 Rolls-Royce

  8 Nokia Telecoms

  9 Rediffusion Simulation

  9 Babcock

  10 Weir Group

  10 Amec

  For reasons of commercial confidentiality ECGD is unable to provide details of the amount of cover given to each company.

  Non-fossil Fuel Obligations
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list for each NFFO round the types of generation which were awarded contracts and the number of plants(a) awarded contracts and (b) currently generating in each band. [51769]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 21 July 1998]: The following schedule lists the numbers of contracted projects, and of these the number of operating projects, by technology band for NFFOs 1–4, as at 31 March 1998.

  THERMIE Project Title

  NFFO order

  Level of support

  Multi-fuel biomass fired power station with poultry litter as the main fuel

  NFFO-1

  3.7 MECU

  Ovenden Moor 9.2 MW windfarm

  NFFO-1

  1.98 MECU

  2.7 MW windfarm at Blyth Harbour

  NFFO-2

  1.26 MECU

  5.8 MW Royd Moor windfarm using 450 kw turbines

  NFFO-2

  1.15 MECU

  Northampton Biomass Power Station (phase 1)

  NFFO-2

  1.18 MECU

  Demonstration of the production, drying and combustion of arable coppice for electricity generation in areas of agricultural decline

  NFFO-3

  1.78 MECU

  ARBRE—Arable Biomass Renewable Energy

  NFFO-3

  14.45 MECU

  Upland windfarm at Mynydde Gorddy, Wales

  NFFO-3

  1.8 MECU

  Trysglwyn 4 MW windfarm on the island of Anglesey

  NFFO-3

  1.25 MECU

  Blyth offshore windfarm

  NFFO-4

  0.96 MECU

  554

  NFFO technology band

  Number of contracted projects

  Number of operating projects

  NFFO 1

  Sewage Gas

  7

  6

  Landfill Gas

  25

  19

  Municipal and General Industrial Waste

  4

  4

  Other

  4

  4

  Hydro

  26

  21

  Wind

  9

  7

  Total

  75

  61

  NFFO 2

  Landfill Gas

  28

  26

  Municipal and General Industrial Waste

  10

  2

  Other

  4

  1

  Hydro

  12

  10

  Wind less than 1.6 mw

  19

  19

  Wind more than 1.6 mw

  49

  25

  Total

  122

  83

  NFFO 3

  Landfill Gas

  42

  34

  Municipal and Industrial Waste

  20

  4

  Hydro

  15

  5

  Wind more than 1.6 MW

  31

  6

  Wind less than 1.6 MW

  24

  5

  Energy Crops—Gasification

  3

  —

  Energy Crops—Residual (Other)

  6

  —

  Total

  141

  54

  NFFO 4

  Landfill Gas

  70

  4

  Municipal and Industrial Waste (Fluidised Bed Combustion)

  6

  —

  Municipal and Industrial Waste (Combined Heat and Power)

  10

  —

  Hydro

  31

  1

  Wind more than 0.768 mw

  48

  —

  Wind less than 0.768 mw

  17

  —

  Anaerobic Digestion of Agricultural Wastes

  6

  —

  Energy Crops

  7

  —

  Total

  195

  5

  All NFFO

  533

  203

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade which projects which have secured NFFO contracts are currently receiving EU THERMIE support; and in each case for what amounts. [51770]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 21 July 1998]: The following THERMIE projects are also contracted to generate electricity under the NFFO:
  555

  Milk Marketing
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she expects to receive the Monopolies and Mergers Commssion's report on milk marketing. [52453]

  Dr. Howells
  The Monopolies and Mergers Commission is due to deliver its report, on the supply of raw milk in Great Britain, to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry by 26 October 1998.

  Optical Fibre Communications
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps she is taking to introduce and improve accessibility within the United Kingdom to modern broad band optical fibre communications; and if she will make a statement. [52326]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Government set out their strategy in this area in the policy statements 'Our Information Age' and 'Broadband Britain' which were published in April. The latter dealt specifically with the issue of lifting the broadcast restrictions from BT and other Public Telecommunications Operators. On this issue and in our Information Age strategy, more generally, we are committed to encouraging investment in both advanced communications infrastructure and new services, and ensuring widespread access to services at affordable prices. To ensure that we keep pace with these issues, we have also launched a Green Paper reviewing the regulatory framework for telecommunications and broadcasting in response to digital convergence. I also expect, later this year, to launch a consultation on the use of significant additional radio spectrum for the delivery of broadband services, which will help address those areas of the country currently with limited competitive provision. Uptake and use are just as important as provision of broadband. We promote this through our Information Society Initiative programme for Business, which now has sixty regional and local Support Centres. I have also relaunched the IT for All programme with £2.75 million of additional money, and there are now 2,700 access sites across the country.

  Exporters
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps she has taken to assist United Kingdom exporters in respect of problems faced as a result of current levels of sterling. [52634]

  Mrs. Roche
  Our overseas trade services are geared towards helping firms export, independent of the strength of sterling.

  Following the Export Forum's report last November, these services are being improved and extended. A National Exporters Database was launched on 1 July and a new Export Sales Leads Service will be introduced on 1 September. A new, simpler, system of Support for Exhibitions and Seminars abroad will apply to events opening after 1 April 1999. New programmes of activity in some of the target markets identified by the Export Forum have already been announced, including the Export Explorer for Western Europe. New programmes in the remaining target markets will be announced throughout the year.
  556

  Household Furniture
  Mr. Fearn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to review the regulations covering the fire-resistance of materials used in the manufacture of household furniture. [52377]

  Dr. Howells
  My Department is currently considering representations in favour of some minor modifications to the Furniture & Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988, but there are at present no plans for a major revision of these Regulations.

  Information Technology
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much her Department spent on IT, itemising(a) personal computers, (b) main-frame, (c) minicomputers and (d) file servers in the last year for which figures are available. [52881]

  Dr. Howells
  The last year for which figures are available is the 1997/98 financial year. The figures are inclusive of purchases that have been made on behalf of the Government Offices, the Insolvency Service, and the Employment Tribunal Service. However, no account is taken of purchases by other Executive Agencies, which manage their own budgets and for which no central record of purchasing is maintained.

  In 1997/98 the Department spent £8,318,000 on IT Technology. Of this, £5,037,000 was spent on PCs and £414,000 was spent on file servers. There were no purchases of mainframes or mini-computers. All figures are exclusive of VAT.

  Package Holidays
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will assess the implications for a competitive market of recent mergers among package holiday providers. [52873]

  Dr. Howells
  The Director General of Fair Trading advises on mergers which qualify for investigation under the Fair Trading Act 1973. Where a merger raises concerns in respect of a particular market, it can be referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission (MMC) for investigation.

  Stagecoach
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to the answer of 25 June 1998,Official Report, column 563, from the Under-Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, the hon. Member for Hampstead and Highgate (Ms Jackson), if she will make a statement on the acquisition by Stagecoach of a shareholding in Virgin Rail. [52874]

  Dr. Howells
  The proposed acquisition by Stagecoach of 49 per cent. of Virgin Rail Group qualifies for consideration under the Fair Trading Act 1973. In the first instance, therefore, it is for the Director General of Fair Trading (DGFT) to consider the proposed acquisition.

  My right hon. Friend,the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry will decide in the light of the DGFT' s advice whether or not to refer the proposed acquisition to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission for investigation and report.
  557

  Grey Cloth
  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action she is taking to oppose measures taken by the European Commission to impose duties on grey cloth imported from countries outside the European Union. [52477]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 27 July 1998]: The provisional anti-dumping duties imposed by the European Commission on greycloth imported from six third countries will remain in force for six months from 10 April. We continue to be firmly opposed to these duties, which are damaging to the UK and EU textile industries and to UK and EU consumers.

  We will do all we can to ensure that the Council of Ministers does not adopt any proposal by the Commission for a Council Regulation to impose definitive measures, which would last for five years.

  Indonesia
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many export licences have been issued in each year since 1996 for exports to Indonesia by Alvis plc, indicating in each case the ML or PL list number of the equipment covered. [52754]

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

  Foresight Programme
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the current participation level of small medium-sized enterprises in the Foresight Programme. [52910]

  Mrs. Roche
  People with a small business background sit on a number of Foresight panels. SMEs are also active participants in projects giving effect to Foresight priorities, eg SMEs account for over half the companies participating in the nineteen new LINK programmes launched since 1995 in response to Foresight.

  There is a need, however, to make outputs from Foresight more accessible to SMEs. A number of initiatives have been taken for this purpose, most recently the development and publication earlier this month of Future Markets—Future Business, a guide for business intermediaries designed to enable SMEs to benefit from Foresight, which has been widely piloted among SMEs. A number of Foresight panels are also working closely with trade associations in tailoring the results of Foresight to SMEs.

  Exchange Rates
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations her Department has received from small and medium sized businesses on the current level of the pound. [52902]

  Mrs. Roche
  I appreciate the very real concern that small and medium sized manufacturers and exporters have expressed about the level of the pound. The most important thing that Government can do to help small and medium sized firms to thrive is to deliver a stable economic environment—with sustained growth, low 558
  inflation and sound public finances. This is the best path to achieving the Government's aim of a stable and competitive pound over the medium term.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what extra provision of funds will be allocated to her Department following the Comprehensive Spending Review to address the millennium computer compliance problem. [52905]

  Mr. Battle
  An extra £17 million of funding for Action 2000 was announced on 30 March 1998,Official Report, column 384. The Comprehensive Spending Review, which set the Department's overall budgets for the years 1999–2002, did not provide any additional funding earmarked specifically to address particular programmes: this is one of the many issues which the Department will need to bear in mind in allocating its overall budget for work, including any on millennium compliance, for these future years.

  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to her answer of 24 June 1997,Official Report, columns 448–49, how many information packs on the Year 2000 problem have been circulated to small businesses to date. [53086]

  Mrs. Roche
  More than 70,000 copies of Action 2000's information pack were distributed up to the time of the launch on 15 July of its current media campaign. Since that date, demand for the updated information pack has been at the rate of 300 per day which is expected to increase following the national press advertising campaign by Action 2000 which started on 26 July. To date some 4,000 copies of the new information pack have been issued.

  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what research her Department has evaluated on the number of computer programmers available to combat the millennium compliance problem. [52906]

  Mrs. Roche
  Regular monitoring of the labour market for IT specialists is carried out by the Department for Education and Employment. However, it is not possible to say how many are available to work on millennium compliance at any one time because of competing demands for their services.

  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what role Business Links will play in respect of combating the millennium compliance problem. [52908]

  Mrs. Roche
  Business Links are working with Action 2000 to ensure that, nationally, messages are co-ordinated and that they have the appropriate tools and materials to help their local small and medium sized businesses.

  Business Links are already working with these businesses to raise awareness and improve understanding of the Year 2000 problem. They offer advice and signposting to a range of locally or regionally co-ordinated programmes. These programmes help businesses to identify where they may have problems, what actions they need to take to address them, and how to prioritise these actions.
  559

  Single Currency
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps her Department are taking to help small and medium-sized enterprises prepare for the introduction of the single currency. [53092]

  Mrs. Roche
  DTI Ministers have taken part in a range of events to help business prepare for the single currency.

  The Euro Preparations Unit (EPU) has been set up in Her Majesty's Treasury to raise awareness of the implication of EMU for UK businesses, and to help them prepare for the strategic and practical changes that will come with the introduction of the single currency on 1 January 1999. The Unit contains secondees from the DTI and from the private sector, in addition to Treasury staff. The Unit published its first full report on preparation in the UK 'Getting Ready for the Euro' earlier this month.

  DTI officials will continue to work closely with the EPU to ensure that the many business contacts that the Department has are used to best effect. For instance, twelve new regional forums, led by local business representatives with the involvement (in England) of the Government Offices for the Regions, have been set up specifically to help small and medium-sized businesses prepare for the Euro.

  Business Links
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps her Department is taking to help Business Links provide the comprehensive business information relating to trading conditions and economic circumstances required for exporting to EU countries. [52909]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Department's Business in Europe desk provides information for Business Links and companies about EU and EFTA markets, and the new Export Explorer scheme helps Business Links to introduce local firms to business opportunities in European markets.

  Rigs (Decommissioning)
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate she has made of the number of rigs and other major installations currently operating in the United Kingdom Continental Shelf which are likely to be retired within the next five years; what is the cost of the decommissioning; what extra cost will be entailed by a requirement that their top sides be dismantled onshore; and if she will make a statement on the United Kingdom's policy on these matters following the OSPAR meeting. [52344]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 27 July 1998]: The likely date for decommissioning each offshore installations on the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS) will depend on a number of considerations. However, current estimates indicate that up to fourteen fixed steel installations located on the UKCS could reach the end of their useful lives within the next five years. The cost of decommissioning these installations is likely to be up to £1 billion.

  The future regime to be applied to the disposal of offshore installations at sea was agreed at the Oslo and Paris Commission (OSPAR) ministerial meeting on 23 July. Ministers agreed a ban on dumping installations at sea. The Government's part in this agreement demonstrates that we hold the environment at the core
  560
  of our decision making. All the small steel structures, all topsides, and the great majority of each and every large steel installation will be brought ashore.

  Derogations from the ban are possible for the leaving in place of footings of installations which weigh more than 10,000 tonnes. Decisions about the footings of such installations will be made on a case-by-case basis following the internationally agreed rules for assessment and consultation. The presumption will be for removal wherever this is safe and practicable. Heavy concrete structures may also be left in place, if after assessment and consultation, it is agreed that land disposal is neither safe nor practicable.

  For some time there has been a presumption that the topsides of all UKCS offshore installations would be removed. They will be re-used, dismantled for recycling or disposed of onshore.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will publish the Permanent Secretary's letter of apology to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, South (Mr. Griffiths). [52716]

  Mr. Mandelson
  As the events referred to took place before my appointment, I do not intend to comment on them.

  Mr. Forth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will publish the letter from the hon. Member for Edinburgh, South (Mr. Griffiths) to the Permanent Secretary of his Department in which the hon. Member warned him about sabotaging some of his work; [52499]

  (2) if he will publish the letter of apology written by his Department's Permanent Secretary to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, South (Mr. Griffiths). [52501]

  Mr. Mandelson
  [holding answer 28 July 1998]: I refer the right hon. Gentleman to the reply I have given today to the hon. Member for Worthing, West (Mr. Bottomley).

  Motor Industry
  Mr. Prior
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the impact of the Transport White Paper on employment in the motor industry. [53186]

  Mr. Battle
  The Transport White Paper sets out a framework for transport policy for the future. The aim of the White Paper is not to restrict ownership of vehicles, but to create policies which give people more choice to create better alternatives bearing in mind the social and environmental impact.

  If, as a result of the White Paper, specific policies are introduced either at national or local level, we will as a matter of course consult with industry to determine the likely impact of such policies.

  Mr. Prior
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many jobs in Britain are accounted for by the distribution of cars. [53183]

  Mr. Battle
  The Office for National Statistics estimates that in March 1998 there were 312,300 employee jobs in Great Britain accounted for by units whose principal
  561
  activity was the sale of motor vehicles, motorcycles, and parts. More detail is available from the 1996 annual Employment Survey; of the corresponding September 1996 figure of 323,000, sales of motor vehicles alone accounted for 215,600 employee jobs. Figures for distribution of cars alone are not available.

  Metrication
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to review the progress of metrication in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [52842]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 28 July 1998]: I have nothing to add to the reply which the then Minister for Competition and Consumer Affairs gave to the hon. Member for Teignbridge (Mr. Nicholls) on 17 June 1998, Official Report, column 241.

  Furniture Manufacturers
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will review the arrangements for supporting furniture manufacturers exhibiting at overseas trade fairs; and if he will make a statement. [52841]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 28 July 1998]: I refer the hon. Member to the oral reply given to the hon. Member for Meriden (Mrs. Spelman) by my right hon. Friend the then President of the Board of Trade on 14 May 1998, Official Report, column 496. I have no plans to review further the arrangements for supporting trade fairs and seminars abroad.

  Ice-cream
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what assessment he has made of the adequacy of competition in the UK ice-cream market; and if he will make a statement; [52797]

  (2) if the Monopolies and Mergers Commission has concluded its investigation into the sale of wrapped ice-cream by Birds Eye Walls Ltd.; and if she will make a statement. [52846]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 28 July 1998]: The Monopolies and Mergers Commission report of their investigation of the supply of wrapped ice cream to wholesalers by Birds Eye Walls Ltd. was published yesterday.

  Regional Selective Assistance
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what cost-per-job limits are set on offers of regional selective assistance in development areas. [52924]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 28 July 1998]: Information on cost per job limits is confidential and cannot be disclosed.

  Multinationals (OECD Guidelines)
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the closing date of submissions for the current review of the OECD guidelines for multinational enterprises. [53025]
  562
  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 29 July 1998]: The Government will be consulting representatives of business and trades' unions, as well as a number of non-governmental organisations that have expressed an interest in the review. We anticipate that a first discussion of the substantive issues will take place in November, and we will be inviting comments to meet this timetable.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what powers his Department has to act against British multinational enterprises in violation of the OECD guidelines for multinational enterprises. [53024]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 29 July 1998]: The Guidelines are a voluntary set of principles for multinational enterprise behaviour. The National Contact Point on the Guidelines, which resides in this Department, has the role of handling enquiries and carrying out discussions on all matters related to the Guidelines. Where there is concern about the application of the Guidelines by an enterprise, the National Contact Point, following an approach from an interested party, will contact the enterprise to try to resolve the issue. This provides the opportunity for the National Contact Point to draw the attention of the enterprise to the Guidelines and make clear the importance that the Government attach to them.

  Departmental Computers
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what make of computer has been provided by his Department to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, South (Mr. Griffiths); and how much it cost. [52861]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 29 July 1998]: My hon. Friend was provided with a Compaq computer at a cost of £1,555 exclusive of VAT.

  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what make of computer is normally provided by his Department to its senior civil servants; and what is the average cost of each such computer. [52860]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 29 July 1998]: The senior civil servants in my Department have been issued with Dell computers at an average cost of £750 (ex VAT).

  Euro
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what resources his Department will be devoting to informing and educating businesses about the introduction of the euro in(a) 1998, (b) 1999 and (c) 2000. [53912]

  Mrs. Roche
  The work of the Government in informing and educating businesses about the introduction of the euro is being led by the Euro Preparations Unit (EPU) in HM Treasury. To meet this objective, the EPU has received Summer Supplementary Estimate provision of £7.5 million to help raise awareness during 1998–99. No expenditure has been authorised beyond this.

  The Department of Trade and Industry supports the work of the EPU by promoting greater awareness of the introduction of the euro, particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises, through its many contacts with business. A small unit has been established to co-ordinate this work.
  563

  Diesel
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the effect on imports of diesel fuel of the introduction of regulations on ultra-low sulphur diesel. [53562]

  Mr. Battle
  Some increases in the imports of ultra-low sulphur diesel fuel are expected in the short-term while UK producers are modifying plant to increase indigenous production of this fuel.

  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when regulations governing the introduction of ultra-low sulphur diesel fuel will come into operation. [53560]

  Mr. Battle
  All diesel fuel has to meet the specifications set out in the Motor Fuels (Composition and Content) Regulations 1994. Ultra-low sulphur diesel fuel has, in addition, to meet the requirements specified in the March 1998 Budget which are included in the current Finance Bill. There are no plans to introduce further regulations.

  Konver Programme
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the Konver Programme Monitoring Committee will confirm to the Government Office for the North West what funds it can spend outside the Objective 2 areas. [53004]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 29 July 1998]: The Government Office for the North West, like all other Government Offices, is already aware of the amount of funds it may spend outside Objective areas under the current allocation of the KONVER II EU programme.

  Assisted Areas
  Mr. Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the Government will carry out a review of the assisted areas of Great Britain. [54880]

  Mrs. Roche
  Following the publication of new European Commission rules on regional aid earlier this year all Member States of the EU are required to revise their Assisted Areas maps by 1 January 2000. The guidelines will mean a reduction in the areas eligible for regional industrial assistance.

  The Government intend, therefore, to carry out a review of the Assisted Areas map.

  We are committed to listening to local views and careful consideration will be given to all areas in the review. We will be assessing the relative needs of different areas across the whole of Great Britain in consultation with all those who have an interest.

  I am launching today a three month period of public consultation on the criteria and geographical units which should be used in drawing up the new map. I have placed copies of the consultation document for the review in the Library of the House and the Vote Office and copies are also available from my Department, the Government Offices in England, and the Scottish and Welsh Offices.
  564
  Local organisations and other bodies wishing to make representations should send these to the appropriate Government Office in England or to the Scottish and Welsh Offices before the end of October 1998.

  Company Auditors
  Mr. Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has received the sixth annual reports of the recognised supervisory bodies for company auditors under Part II of the Companies Act 1989; and if he will make a statement. [54881]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  I have received the sixth annual reports of all the recognised supervisory bodies for company auditors, and have placed copies in the Library. My Department will be discussing the contents of the reports with the bodies as necessary.

  New Millennium Experience Company
  Mr. Browne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will make available to the House the Annual Report and Accounts of the New Millennium Experience Company. [54879]

  Mr. Mandelson
  I have today placed copies of the New Millennium Experience Company Annual Report and Accounts in the Libraries of the House. Copies of the Report have also been made available to the Vote Office.

  Nuclear Energy
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will place in the Library a copy of the 93 + 2 Additional Protocol Safeguards Agreement reached between the United Kingdom, Euratom and IAEA; and if he will make a statement. [51679]

  Mrs. Roche
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Blaenau Gwent (Mr. Smith), on 20 July 1997,Official Report, column 402.

  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the nuclear facilities within his Department's responsibility which are currently(a) under international safeguards and (b) not subject to international safeguards. [51678]

  Mrs. Roche
  All civil nuclear material held in the United Kingdom is subject to Euratom safeguards and to the terms of the United Kingdom—Euratom—IAEA safeguards agreement of 6 September 1976—IAEA INFCIRC 263.

  The nuclear facilities in the United Kingdom, as defined in Article 92.1 of INFCIRC 263, are:

  British Nuclear Fuels plc (BNFL)

  BNFL Capenhurst

  BNFL Chapelcross

  BNFL Sellafield

  BNFL Springfields

  BNFL/Magnox Generation

  Berkeley Power Station

  Berkeley Centre

  Bradwell Power Station

  Dungeness A Power Station

  Hinkley Point A Power Station

  565

  Hunterston A Power Station

  Oldbury-on-Severn Power Station

  Sizewell A Power Station

  Trawsfynydd Power Station

  Wylfa Power Station

  British Energy

  Nuclear Electric

  Dungeness B Power Station

  Hartlepool Power Station

  Heysham 1 Power Station

  Heysham 2 Power Station

  Hinkley Point B Power Station

  Sizewell B Power Station

  Scottish Nuclear

  Hunterston B Power Station

  Torness Power Station

  United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA)

  UKAEA Dounreay

  UKAEA Harwell

  UKAEA Windscale

  UKAEA Winfrith

  Urenco Ltd

  Urenco (Capenhurst) Ltd.

  Urenco (Capenhurst) Ltd. A3—Gas Centrifuge Enrichment Plant

  Universities

  Imperial College Reactor

  Queen Mary College Reactor

  Scottish Universities Research and Reactor Centre

  566

  Universities Research Reactor Risley

  Other

  ICI Tracerco

  Dycat International.

  There are no nuclear facilities within the responsibility of the Department of Trade and Industry which are not subject to international safeguards.

  Task Forces
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the taskforces and advisory groups composed of independent members which have been set up by his Department since 1 May 1997 and in each case(a) their remit, (b) their membership, (c) how many members are (i) scientists, (ii) engineers and (iii) small businesspeople or representatives of small businesses, (d) any remuneration members receive for their services and (e) their budget. [53146]

  Mr. Mandelson
  Since 1 May 1997 the Department has set up the following task forces and advisory groups which include independent members:The President of the Board of Trade's Advisory Group on Competitiveness, six competitiveness working parties addressing innovation, best practice, the information age, enhancing business performance through developing individuals, business investment, and maximising competitiveness in Europe; the Tech Stars Steering Group and the Low Pay Commission.

  I have arranged for the information requested for each of these groups to be placed in the Library of the House as soon as is practicable.

  Agricultural Chemical Residues
  Agricultural Chemical Residues
  North Sea Drift Netting
  North Sea Drift Netting
  OECD Convention on Bribery and International Business Transactions
  OECD Convention on Bribery and International Business Transactions
  Computer Software: Intellectual Property Rights
  Computer Software: Intellectual Property Rights
  Coal Subsidies in Germany and Spain
  Coal Subsidies in Germany and Spain
  Strategic Defence Review, Development and Strategic Exports
  Strategic Defence Review, Development and Strategic Exports
  Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham Health Authority: Surgical Policy
  Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham Health Authority: Surgical Policy
  Cerebral Palsy: Conductive Education
  Cerebral Palsy: Conductive Education
  Conductive Education: Financial Support
  Conductive Education: Financial Support
  GPs: Conscientious Objection to Abortion
  GPs: Conscientious Objection to Abortion
  Abortion Services: Inequality of Access
  Abortion Services: Inequality of Access
  Food-Borne Outbreaks of Illness: Food Vehicles
  Food-Borne Outbreaks of Illness: Food Vehicles
  Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease: Risks
  Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease: Risks
  Smoking Education Campaigns
  Smoking Education Campaigns
  Mental Health Act Review
  Mental Health Act Review
  Medical Devices Agency: Report and Accounts
  Medical Devices Agency: Report and Accounts
  NHS Pensions Agency: Report and Accounts
  NHS Pensions Agency: Report and Accounts
  Human Rights Bill: Appellate Committee
  Human Rights Bill: Appellate Committee
  Scotland and Wales Bills: Privy Council Judicial Committee Appeals
  Scotland and Wales Bills: Privy Council Judicial Committee Appeals
  Northern Ireland: Reviews
  Northern Ireland: Reviews
  Decommissioning Agreement: Statistics
  Decommissioning Agreement: Statistics
  Northern Ireland Referendum: Release of Prisoners
  Northern Ireland Referendum: Release of Prisoners
  Higher Education: Access Funds
  Higher Education: Access Funds
  Turkey: Conviction of Mr. Ragip Duran
  Turkey: Conviction of Mr. Ragip Duran
  Turkey: Conviction of Mr. Esber Yagmurdereli
  Turkey: Conviction of Mr. Esber Yagmurdereli
  Treaties: Explanatory Memoranda
  Treaties: Explanatory Memoranda
  Turkey: Allegations of Torture
  Turkey: Allegations of Torture
  Nuclear Disarmament: Multilateral Talks
  Nuclear Disarmament: Multilateral Talks
  Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Sponsorship Money
  Foreign and Commonwealth Office: Sponsorship Money
  Iraq: Economic Sanctions
  Iraq: Economic Sanctions
  Export of Goods: End-use Control
  Export of Goods: End-use Control
  Diplomatic Missions: Outstanding Balances
  Diplomatic Missions: Outstanding Balances
  Information Vulnerability
  Information Vulnerability
  Vulnerable Infrastructures
  Vulnerable Infrastructures
  Conventional Weapons: Export Policy
  Conventional Weapons: Export Policy
  Emergencies: MoD/DFID Collaboration
  Emergencies: MoD/DFID Collaboration
  Apache Regiments
  Apache Regiments
  Trident
  Trident
  Gulf Veterans' Medical Assessment Programme
  Gulf Veterans' Medical Assessment Programme
  Telecommunications Masts: Planning Controls
  Telecommunications Masts: Planning Controls
  Planning Guidance Note 17 on Sport and Recreation
  Planning Guidance Note 17 on Sport and Recreation
  Queen Elizabeth Conference Centre Executive Agency
  Queen Elizabeth Conference Centre Executive Agency
  Regional Development Agencies: Chairmen
  Regional Development Agencies: Chairmen
  DETR Rural Programmes
  DETR Rural Programmes
  Environment Agency and Scottish Environment Protection Agency
  Environment Agency and Scottish Environment Protection Agency
  Sewage Treatment and Disposal
  Sewage Treatment and Disposal
  Transport White Paper: Contribution of Minister for Women
  Transport White Paper: Contribution of Minister for Women
  Civil Aircraft: Qualified Maintenance Engineers
  Civil Aircraft: Qualified Maintenance Engineers
  Rural Poverty and Social Exclusion
  Rural Poverty and Social Exclusion
  Genetically Modified Crops: Monitoring
  Genetically Modified Crops: Monitoring
  Road Traffic Humps
  Road Traffic Humps
  Prisoners Ill-treatment: Boards of Visitors' Duty
  Prisoners Ill-treatment: Boards of Visitors' Duty
  Legislation: Human Rights Compatibility
  Legislation: Human Rights Compatibility
  Passports: Grounds for Withdrawal
  Passports: Grounds for Withdrawal
  Youth Justice Task Force
  Youth Justice Task Force
  Terrorism Legislation: Consultation
  Terrorism Legislation: Consultation
  Prison Service: Annual Report and Accounts
  Prison Service: Annual Report and Accounts
  Prison Service Agency: Quinquennial Review
  Prison Service Agency: Quinquennial Review
  On-line Lotteries: Legislative Control
  On-line Lotteries: Legislative Control
  BBFC Annual Report
  BBFC Annual Report
  EU: Payments by and to Member States
  EU: Payments by and to Member States
  The Euro
  The Euro
  EU: UK Budget Rebate
  EU: UK Budget Rebate
  Department for Culture, Media and Sports' Key Targets for Institutions
  Department for Culture, Media and Sports' Key Targets for Institutions
  Cancer Research: Lottery Awards
  Cancer Research: Lottery Awards
  Somerset House
  Somerset House
  Forestry Commission
  Forestry Commission
  Infectious Salmon Anaemia: Control Measures
  Infectious Salmon Anaemia: Control Measures
  Gyrodactylus Salaris
  Gyrodactylus Salaris
  Salmon Farms: Relocation
  Salmon Farms: Relocation
  Salmon and Sea Trout Catch Value
  Salmon and Sea Trout Catch Value
  Infectious Salmon Anaemia and Oysters
  Infectious Salmon Anaemia and Oysters
  Parliamentary Data and Video Network: Service Interruptions
  Parliamentary Data and Video Network: Service Interruptions