Written Answers of 1 June 1998

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Better Regulation Task Force
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many civil servants work in the Better Regulation Department; and how many of them previously worked in the Deregulation Unit. [43732]

  Dr. David Clark
  Currently, 40 civil servants work in the Better Regulation Unit. This number includes 17 civil servants who previously worked in the Deregulation Unit.

  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many members of the Better Regulation Task Force are representatives of(a) business, (b) enforcement agencies and (c) consumer and other non-Government organisations; and if he will publish a comparable breakdown for the composition of the Deregulation Task Force in April 1997. [43625]

  Dr. David Clark
  I appointed 15 members of the Better Regulation Task Force in September 1997 and one further member in February 1998.

  Members of the Task Force are appointed for their experience in different areas of regulation. They should not be categorised as business, enforcement or consumer representatives. A number of those with business backgrounds are active in the voluntary sector or with non-government organisations. Ten members come from

  Consultation paper title

  Publication date

  Closing date for submissions

  Number of respondents

  The Citizen's Charter—A Consultation Exercise

  16 September 1997

  21 November 1997

  274

  Local Charter Guide: A Consultation Exercise

  20 October 1997

  30 January 1998

  116

  Opening Up Quangos—A Consultation Paper

  11 November 1997

  31 December 1997

  405

  Your Right to Know—Freedom of Information (White Paper—Cm 3818)

  11 December 1997

  28 February 1998

  557

  Crown Copyright in the Information Age: A Consultation Paper on Access to Public Sector Information (Cm 3819)

  19 January 1998

  31 March 1998

  70

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Marine Conservation
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what arrangements are being made to ensure that the management groups for candidate marine special areas of conservation incorporate the views of the advisory groups in developing their conservation objectives and management schemes. [42617]

  Angela Eagle
  The nature conservation agencies are responsible for advising relevant authorities as to the conservation objectives of such sites. Relevant authorities have the statutory responsibility for establishing management schemes. The Government consider that it 2
  a business background, and in line with our manifesto commitment, eight of these are drawn from the small business community. Two members come from the enforcement community and four have a consumer or a non-governmental organisation background.

  The Deregulation Task Force had 11 members in April 1997. Of those all came from a business background except one from the voluntary sector.

  Standards in Public Life
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the Government's response to the fourth report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life. [44072]

  Dr. David Clark
  The Government welcomed the Committee on Standards' Fourth Report, which reviewed progress on the implementation of the Committee's First and Second Reports. Government have prepared an Action Plan setting out the work to take forward the observations made by the Committee. My right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister, has sent this to Lord Neill, and copies have been placed in the libraries of the House. The Action Plan is also available on the Cabinet Office website, on www.open.gov.uk/co/cohome.htm.

  Consultation Papers
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the consultation papers published since 1 May 1997 giving the date of publication, closing date for submissions and the number of respondents. [42247]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The table gives the details for all consultation papers published to the private sector or members of the public since 1 May 1997 by the Office of Public Service and its agencies, and the Central Office for Information.

  is essential that owners and occupiers, rightholders, local interests, user groups and conservation groups, in the form of an advisory group, should all be encouraged to participate in the process of implementing the objectives and developing the scheme at the earliest opportunity. Relevant authorities should consult widely and regular cycles of meetings should be established, the frequency of which would be dependent on the particular needs of each site. This advice will be contained in a guidance document to be published very shortly. The formation of advisory groups is at various stages among the marine sites.

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many and which of the United Kingdom's candidate marine special areas of conservation have begun to draft (i) conservation objectives and (ii) management schemes. [42618]
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  Angela Eagle
  The Government's nature conservation bodies, whose duty is to advise relevant authorities of an SAC's nature conservation objectives, have undertaken a considerable amount of work in preparing the way for drafting objectives, and some sites have a draft in preparation. The statutory requirement for a management scheme does not arise until sites are agreed as Sites of Community Interest. However, we are encouraging relevant authorities to establish shadow schemes in anticipation of the formal requirement. I will write to my hon. Friend shortly explaining more fully the position on each of the sites in the UK.

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many and which of the United Kingdom's candidate marine special areas of conservation have established management and advisory groups. [42622]

  Angela Eagle
  Establishing advisory groups is dependent on having a management group in place so, while many of the sites now have a management group established, the advisory groups are at different stages of formation. I will write to my hon. Friend shortly, setting out the position on each of the marine sites.

  Public Appointments
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when his Department's action plan for increasing the number of women holding public appointments will be published; and if he will place a copy in the Library. [42837]

  Angela Eagle
  My Department's action plan will be published as soon as possible. Copies will be placed in the Library of the House at that time.

  Public Bodies
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what is the average attendance fee of(a) male and (b) female members of boards of non-departmental public bodies responsible to his Department; [42836]

  (2) what is the average salary of (a) male and (b) female members of boards of non-departmental public bodies responsible to his Department. [42835]

  Angela Eagle
  Some board members of non-departmental public bodies give their time and services voluntarily and receive no payment other than normal travel and subsistence expenses. Where members do receive remuneration, this can be an annual salary or an attendance fee. Individuals' remuneration therefore is not directly comparable. Full details of all payments to board members of non-departmental bodies, by gender, are given in the Cabinet Office publication "Public Bodies". Copies of "Public Bodies 1997" are available in the Library of the House.

  Deaf and Blind Pedestrians
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will support proposals to inform each person who passes the driving test that pedestrians carrying red and white striped canes are both deaf and blind; [42802]
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  (2) if he will take steps to promote awareness amongst drivers of motor vehicles that a pedestrian carrying a red and white striped cane is both deaf and blind. [42801]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  General guidance on consideration for vulnerable road users is published in the Highway Code and driving test manuals. Rule 64 of the Highway Code advises drivers to be aware of blind and partially sighted people. Particular attention is drawn to deafblind people who may be using red and white striped canes.

  Structural Funds
  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the scope and nature of his responsibilities in relation to the review of European structural funds in respect of Wales, indicating the timetable for action by his Department. [42472]

  Angela Eagle
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him by my hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on 21 May 1998,Official Report, columns 543–44.

  Accident Inquiries
  Maria Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what percentage of public money disbursed to assist families and relatives of victims was provided(a) to individual victims and families, (b) to family support groups and (c) collectively in respect of the (i) Piper Alpha disaster, (ii) King's Cross fire, (iii) Marchioness disaster, (iv) Clapham rail crash and (v) MV Derbyshire, (first public inquiry); and by what method the allocations were determined; [42982]

  (2) what provisions were made out of public funds in respect of costs to (a) commission expert evidence and (b) challenge expert evidence put by another party at the public inquiries into the (i) Piper Alpha disaster, (ii) King's Cross fire, (iii) 'Marchioness' disaster, (iv) Clapham rail crash and (v) loss of the MV 'Derbyshire' (first inquiry); what was the outturn cost to public funds of such assistance for each inquiry; and how were costs agreed, verified and disbursed. [42980]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I regret that the information requested is not obtainable except at disproportionate cost.

  Millennium Compliance
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions to what extent the additional costs to local authorities of millennium compliance were built into the 1998–99 local government finance system. [43084]

  Angela Eagle
  The 1998–99 local government finance settlement took into account the Local Government Association's estimate of a spending pressure on English local authorities in the current financial year of £100 million for the costs of preparing for millennium computer compliance. The preliminary indication of the amount councils have budgeted in 1998–99 on
  5
  millennium compliance, based on budget returns submitted to the Department by local authorities, is between £60 million and £70 million.

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the additional costs to local authorities of ensuring that IT and embedded systems are millennium compliant. [43085]

  Angela Eagle
  The Local Government Association estimated the total additional costs to local authorities in preparing for millennium compliance in its paper for the Department on cost pressures facing local authorities in England in 1998–99. Their estimate of £100 million for the current financial year was taken into account in the 1998–99 local government finance settlement. The Association has again highlighted the cost pressures faced by councils during preliminary discussions between officials on pressures in 1999–2000, and we will again be taking its estimate into account in the settlement for the coming financial year.

  Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will review the(a) membership, (b) remit, (c) scope and (d) operation of the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment. [42988]

  Angela Eagle
  A five-yearly Finance, Management and Policy Review of ACRE is currently under way and will be reporting shortly. The term of office of current ACRE members expires in June 1999. The process for reviewing membership, remit, scope and operation of the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment is set out in the DETR Non-Departmental Public Bodies Sponsorship Handbook, a copy of which is in the House of Commons Library.

  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the procedure for appointing members to the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment. [42987]

  Angela Eagle
  The procedures for appointing ACRE or any other Non-Departmental Public Body are set out in the DETR Non-Departmental Public Bodies Sponsorship Handbook, a copy of which is in the House of Commons Library. Members of ACRE are appointed by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions following agreement by the Secretary of State for Scotland, the Secretary of State for Wales and the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

  Genetically Modified Organisms
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to the answer of 30 April 1998,Official Report, column 179, how many of the consents for the release of the GMOs were under (a) standard, (b) stream-lined, (c) fast-track and (d) any other procedures. [42990]

  Angela Eagle
  The 147 consents issued to date comprised of 56 Standard, 36 Stream-lined and 55 Fast-track applications. The terms 'Standard',6
  'Stream-lined' and 'Fast track' refer to different administrative procedures used to process consent applications under the Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) Regulations 1992 (amended 1995 and 1997). The amount of information required to consider an application is the same in each case. The stream-lined procedure has not been used since 1995, but when operational it allowed the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment to provide expert advice by post rather than at a meeting.

  Of the Standard and Fast-track applications, since 8 March 1995, 41 were dealt with under the First-Simplified Procedure. The First Simplified Procedure takes account of European Commission Decision 94/730/EC which enables a single release consent to cover a programme of work over a number of years. The provisions of the First Simplified Procedure, the criteria for qualification and the duty of the consent holder are published in DOE/ACRE Guidance Note 7 Guidance to the Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) Regulations 1995. A copy of this has been placed in the House of Commons Library.

  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions under which procedure GMO release consent 95/R13/6 was granted. [42991]

  Angela Eagle
  The application was processed as a standard application and granted a consent under the procedure laid down in Commission Decision 94/730/EC (the First Simplified Procedure).

  The provisions of the First Simplified Procedure, the criteria for qualification and the duty of the consent holder are published in DOE/ACRE Guidance Note 7 "Guidance to the Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) Regulations 1995". This has been placed in the House of Commons Library.

  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for what reasons his Department does not require the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and its contractors to apply for release consents under Part VI of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 in respect of national list trials of genetically-modified seeds. [42992]

  Angela Eagle
  The holder of a consent to conduct experimental trials under our deliberate release regulations may delegate third parties to conduct releases on their behalf. In all cases, the consent holder is legally responsible for ensuring that the trial is carried out in accordance with the conditions and limitations of their consent.

  MAFF-PVRO (Plant Variety Rights Office) undertake statutory tests and trials on plant varieties in respect of applications for plant breeder's rights or addition to the National List. MAFF-PVRO will not allow genetically modified plant material to enter trials unless the material is covered by a consent issued to the plant breeder by the Secretary of State under the Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) Regulations 1992 (as amended in 1995 and 1997) and the trials can comply with any conditions attached to the consent.

  When an application for release is made, the applicant is required to supply information on the name, qualifications and experience of the scientist and every

  7
  other person who will be responsible for planning and carrying out the release of the genetically modified organism and for supervision and safety of the release. This includes applications for consent to release material into National List trials.

  Energy Efficiency (Domestic Appliances)
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to encourage the purchase of energy-efficient domestic appliances; and what contribution he estimates this encouragement will make to reducing carbon dioxide emissions. [43038]

  Angela Eagle
  My Department supports and is developing a range of measures at European and national levels, including mandatory energy labelling, promotional initiatives, negotiated agreements with manufacturers to encourage the increased availability and purchase of energy efficient domestic appliances and lighting. Estimating the impact of such measures is complicated but some experts put the potential UK savings from an integrated programme of measures to be as high as 2 million tonnes of carbon emissions. In April my Department launched a series of published discussion papers and formal consultation rounds, starting with the lighting sector, as part of a market transformation strategy to build a consensus on what practical and acceptable measures could deliver those savings.

  My Department also promotes the installation of energy saving measures by means of grants provided under the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme and "cashbacks" under the range of schemes developed and managed by the Energy Saving Trust.

  My Department has also contributed to and supported promotional campaigns aimed at encouraging consumers to purchase energy efficient appliances, including, most recently, the Energy Saving Trust's "Energy Efficiency" programme.

  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will introduce legislation to require minimum standards of energy efficiency for domestic appliances. [43037]

  Angela Eagle
  Legislation has already been introduced to set minimum standards of energy efficiency for central heating boilers, which came fully into effect on 1 January 1998, and for domestic refrigeration appliances, which will come into force on 3 September 1999, to enforce European Directives applying to these products. There are no immediate plans for further legislation. However, my Department is pressing the Commission to develop an action plan of common and co-ordinated measures, as part of its response to the legally binding Kyoto climate change targets, which could include measures to require manufacturers of domestic appliances to improve the energy efficiency of their products.

  Heathrow Airport
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received on plans for a sixth terminal at Heathrow Airport. [43144]
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  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Government are not aware of any plans for a sixth terminal at Heathrow Airport. Nor have we received any representations on plans for a sixth terminal.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how the costs of the Terminal 5 inquiry incurred by BAA are being treated(a) for tax purposes and (b) under the Civil Aviation Authority's regulatory regime. [43145]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The treatment for tax purposes of the costs of the Heathrow Terminal 5 Inquiry is a matter for BAA plc. Under the CAA's regulatory regime, the costs estimated as being incurred during the current quinquennium (1997–98 to 2001–02) are included in the total allowable investment costs which are taken into account in calculating the cap imposed by the CAA on the charges to airlines levied by BAA. The cap will however be reviewed by the CAA before the end of the quinquennium if Terminal 5 does not go ahead, or if, for reasons connected to the planning permission granted, it proceeds on a significantly different scale.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will review the Monopolies and Mergers Commission decision to accept BAA's figures on expenditure on Terminal 5 at Heathrow, allowing BAA to keep profits to pay for Terminal 5; and if he will make a statement. [43442]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Civil Aviation Authority determined, on the basis of recommendations from the Monopolies and Mergers Commission, that the calculation of the price cap to be applied to BAA plc's London Airports for the period 1997–98 to 2001–02 should take into account the costs estimated as being incurred in the planning of Terminal 5 at Heathrow. The Government have no power to instruct the CAA to reopen its decision, nor has the CAA the power to do so unilaterally. However, with BAA's agreement, the price cap is to be reviewed by the CAA before the end of the five-year period if Terminal 5 does not go ahead, or if, for reasons connected to the planning permission granted, it proceeds on a significantly different scale.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will ensure that the consortium of local authorities opposing Terminal 5 at Heathrow are able to make closing submissions to the inquiry. [43455]

  Mr. Caborn
  It has been a long established feature of planning inquiries that the main parties make closing submissions and meet their own costs. It is for the Local Authorities Against Heathrow Terminal 5 (LAHT5) Group to decide how much they wish to allocate for this purpose.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which employees of his Department appeared as expert witnesses for BAA at the public inquiry into Terminal 5 at Heathrow. [43452]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  None. However, I understand that a number of independent consultants and National Air Traffic Service (NATS) Ltd. employees have appeared as expert witnesses for both the Department and BAA on various matters.
  9

  Housebuilding (West Sussex)
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Worthing, East and Shoreham (Mr. Loughton) of 5 May 1998,Official Report, column 311, if he will list the petitions he has received objecting to new house building in West Sussex, indicating the number of signatures on each petition. [43147]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Two petitions have been received. One from residents of Mid Sussex district with about 9,700 signatures and the other from residents of the Horsham district area with some 14,000 signatures.

  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 5 May 1998,Official Report, column 311, if the number of 3,000 objections includes (a) petitions and (b) multiple signature letters; and if he will publish the number of individuals who have raised objections with him. [43616]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The number of 3,000 objections includes:(a) 718 postcards in response to a campaign sponsored by the CPRE Sussex Branch and about 1,100 responses to a campaign organised by a local newspaper; and (b) about 1,100 letters some of which are signed by more than one member of a household.

  Microbiological Contamination
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to issue guidelines to those authorities seeking to remove microbiological contamination from brownfield sites on which micro-organisms have been identified as contaminated. [43139]

  Angela Eagle
  The Department has no plans to issue guidelines on microbiological contamination.

  Chemical Pollution
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research he has commissioned to determine the effects of low levels of(a) PCBs, (b) organic chemicals, (c) dioxins and (d) radon on the health of communities. [43136]

  Angela Eagle:
  (a) PCBs and (c) Dioxins
  The toxicity of both dioxins and PCBs has been reviewed by the Department of Health's advisory Committee on the Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT). COT has recommended that a tolerable daily intake (TDI) of 10 picograms per kilogram of body weight should be employed to assess the health risks of combinations of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs. A recent MAFF survey showed that for UK adults dietary intakes of dioxins and PCBs are declining and are below the TDI recommended by COT. My Department, together with MAFF, Department of Health and HSE are supporting further research on infant exposure to dioxins, PCBs and other organic chemicals via human milk.
  Research on potential health effects of exposure to a wider range of environmental chemicals is funded through several joint programmes by Government Departments, Agencies and industry. Plans are already underway to look at the health effects of chemicals in the environment and to investigate the effects of potential endocrine disrupting chemicals on male reproductive health. The Government also support the work of the Small Area Health Statistics Unit, based at Imperial College of Science and Technology in London, which examines the possible relationship between human health and environmental contamination from point and small area sources.
  (d) Radon
  A study of lung cancer and radon gas in the home has been carried out by the Imperial Cancer Research Fund (ICRF). The study was partly funded by my Department, the Department of Health, the National Radiological Protection Board and ICRF. The results of the study were announced on 19 May 1998, and will be published in the July edition of the British Journal of Cancer.
  (b) Organic Chemicals
  The Expert Panel on Air Quality Standards (EPAQs) has recommended air quality standards for benzene and 1,3 butadiene. These standards, of 5 parts per billion for benzene and 1 part per billion for 1,3 butadiene, both as a running annual averages, have been adopted in the Government's National Air Quality Strategy. Last year the Government prescribed a national objective for these standards to be achieved by the end of 2005.
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will introduce universal standards for the assessment of organic chemical and gas pollution levels before building permission is granted on brownfield sites. [43135]

  Angela Eagle
  The potential risks arising from contamination of land can be fully assessed only on a site-specific basis. The risks which might be caused by any given level of contamination will vary greatly from site to site, depending on the proposed land use, the details of design and construction of any proposed buildings, and variability in the underlying soil and geology of the site. This means that it is not practical to create universal standards, expressed in terms of mandatory limit values for different contaminants.

  However, my Department is developing a new framework for indicative soil guideline values to assist in the site-specific assessment of potential risks to human health. I expect to be able to publish the first output from this programme in the Autumn.

  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to inform potential home buyers of local levels of(a) radon, (b) PCBs, (c) organic chemicals and (d) dioxin levels. [43134]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is as follows.

  (a) Radon

  The maps published by the National Radiological Protection Board in 1996, based on 5 km ordnance survey grid squares, showing the percentage probability of homes

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  being above the radon "Action Level" (the level above which we recommend that remedial action should be taken) allow householders and their advisers to identify the areas where radon is most likely to be found.

  (b) PCBs and (d) Dioxins

  There are no plans to specifically inform home buyers of local levels of dioxins and PCBs since all monitoring data is in the public domain. Most of the processes with the potential to produce dioxins are controlled under the Environmental Protection Act (1990) and are regulated by the Environment Agency and Local Authorities. Information on authorisations and the associated monitoring data are maintained on public registers and are available for public scrutiny. Information on airborne concentrations of PCBs measured in the national network is published in periodic reports and is on the Department's Internet site.

  (c) Organic Chemicals

  Real time information on airborne concentrations of benzene and 1,3 butadiene are available on television text services, the Internet and a freephone. Information on other organic chemicals monitored in the national network are published annually and are available on the Department's Internet site: http://www.environment.detr.gov.uk/airq/aqinfo.htm

  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has made to identify the location of areas with high levels of(a) dioxins, (b) PCBs, (c) radon and (d) organic chemicals. [43133]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is as follows.

  (a) Dioxins and (b) PCBs

  Dioxins and PCBs are ubiquitous pollutants which are found at low levels in the environment across the country. Small areas of elevated dioxin levels may be detected in the vicinity of processes which produce these chemicals as unwanted by-products. The Environment Agency (and formerly Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Pollution) have identified those processes with the potential to produce dioxins in order to regulate their emissions. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) has, since 1993, analysed for dioxins in samples of cows' milk collected from individual farms in the vicinity of potential industrial sources of these chemicals. Samples collected since 1994 have also been analysed for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs); all results have been published.

  Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have not been manufactured in the UK since the late 1970s and their sole remaining use is sealed inside some electrical equipment. Their presence in the environment is likely to be due to historical uses. However, my Department and the Environment Agency are supporting research to identify the main sources of PCBs for human exposure.

  (c) Radon

  Since 1987 my Department has funded a programme to identify the areas of England affected by radon, and to offer free radon measurements to householders in the most affected areas. Similar programmes are undertaken in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and are the
  12
  responsibilities of the respective Secretaries of State. In 1996, as a result of this programme, the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) published maps of England, based on 5 km ordnance survey grid squares, showing the percentage probability of homes being above the radon "Action Level" (the level above which we recommend that remedial action should be taken). In January of this year, invitations for free measurement were issued in order to complete a two-year programme to offer such measurements to every home in England with a greater than 5 per cent. probability of being above the Action Level.

  (d) Organic Chemicals

  My Department has funded the continuous real time measurement of 25 organic chemicals in the air since 1993. The compounds measured have been selected because of their photochemical oxidant formation potential and possible health impacts. There are 13 sites in the network, including roadside, urban background and rural locations. Results of the monitoring are published annually in the Department's Digest of Environmental Statistics, and are available on the Department's Internet site. In addition my Department has recently begun work to investigate the levels of benzene in the vicinity of petrol stations.

  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to detect background levels of(a) PCBs, (b) radon, (c) organic chemicals and (d) dioxins; and if he will publish them. [43138]

  Angela Eagle
  The information is as follows.

  (a) PCBs and (d) Dioxins

  Work is already underway to establish background levels of dioxins and PCBs in air, soil and foods. The Environment Agency is continually reviewing levels of these chemicals in the environment and reports findings to the public. The last comprehensive survey of dioxins in UK soils was published by HM Inspectorate of Pollution in 1989. PCBs were not included in this survey. The Environment Agency is planning to carry out further background work on soils. Monitoring for dioxins and PCBs in UK air is carried out through the Toxic Organic MicroPollutants (TOMPs) network. The network has been in operation since 1991 and currently collects samples from 3 urban and 3 rural sites. Results of these monitoring programmes are published annually in the Department's Digest of Environmental Statistics, and are available on the Department's Internet site. MAFF also monitors the levels of dioxins, PCBs and other organic chemicals in foodstuffs; all results are published.

  (b) Radon

  Since 1987 my Department has funded a programme to identify the areas of England affected by radon, and to offer free radon measurements to householders in the most affected areas. Similar programmes are undertaken in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and are the responsibilities of the respective Secretaries of State. In 1996, as a result of this programme, the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) published maps of England, based on 5 km ordnance survey grid squares, showing the percentage probability of homes being above

  13
  the radon "Action Level" (the level above which we recommend that remedial action should be taken). In January of this year, invitations for free measurement were issued in order to complete a two-year programme to offer such measurements to every home in England with a greater than 5 per cent. probability of being above the Action Level.

  (c) Organic Chemicals

  My Department has funded the continuous real time measurement of 25 organic chemicals in the air since 1993. The compounds measured have been selected because of their photochemical oxidant formation potential and possible health impacts. There are 13 sites in the network, including roadside, urban background and rural locations. Results of the monitoring are published annually in the Department's Digest of Environmental Statistics, and are available on the Department's Internet site. In addition my Department has recently begun work to investigate the levels of benzene in the vicinity of petrol stations.

  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to inform local authorities of various procedures and techniques available for brownfield site clean-up. [43137]

  Angela Eagle
  The Department has carried out research on remedial treatment for contaminated land in collaboration with various bodies and organisations and the results have been published for the use not only of local authorities but also developers and others interested in the subject. Partners in producing work have included the Construction Industry Research and Information Association, AEA Technology plc and BRE.

  Channel Tunnel Rail Link
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals his Department is evaluating for a high-speed direct rail link from the North West of England to Europe. [43146]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  On 21 May my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister said that he had received revised proposals from London and Continental Railways on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link which are being discussed with the company. He will make a statement in due course.

  Mediation UK
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for what reasons his Department has decided to terminate its financial support for Mediation UK. [43195]

  Angela Eagle
  My Department made grants to Mediation UK amounting to £99,900 from the Environmental Action Fund (EAF) between April 1994 and March 1998. These grants helped Mediation UK establish, accredit and develop local mediation centres. In 1997 Mediation UK made an application for three more years of core support from the EAF. My Ministerial colleagues and I carefully considered this, along with all other applications. However there were vastly more high quality applications than we could possibly support, given the resources available for the Fund. Regretfully 14
  Mediation UK was one organisation to which we were not able to offer further assistance through the EAF in 1998–99.

  Social Housing
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the investment needs of social housing providers over the next three years for(a) repair and refurbishment and (b) new build. [43197]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Department makes annual assessments of local authorities' relative needs for investment through the Housing Investment Programme and the Housing Revenue Account Subsidy system. The need for investment in repair and refurbishment by Registered Social Landlords is a matter for the individual landlords who are largely responsible for meeting these costs from internal resources.

  Future investment levels for social housing and the need for new build for social housing providers are being considered as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR). The Government's spending plans arising from the CSR will be announced later in the summer.

  South Downs
  Mr. Lepper
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to receive the Countryside Commission's recommendations on the future management of the South Downs; and when he expects to make a decision on those recommendations. [42900]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 21 May 1998]: The Countryside Commission intends to present its formal advice to Ministers on its work on the designated landscape areas, including the South Downs, by mid June. We will need to look at the Commission's recommendations very carefully, together with all the information available, before taking any final decisions. We hope to be able to announce our conclusions in the autumn.

  Bicycles
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make it a legal requirement for the manufacturers and retailers of bicycles to provide machines with(a) fitted rear and front lights and (b) a bell or other audible warning device. [43312]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Issues concerning the fitment of bells and lights to pedal cycles were the subject of a recent public consultation exercise carried out by the Department. Various proposals were presented, including the mandatory fitment of bells and lights to new bicycles at the point of sale.

  The views received are currently being analysed. When this process is complete, the Government will be in a better position to consider whether any change to the legislation in this area is necessary.

  Refrigerants
  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what
  15
  research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the environmental benefits of adopting HCs as the standard refrigerants; [43173]

  (2) what alternative refrigerants to HFCs which produce lower greenhouse gas emissions and do not deplete the ozone layer his Department is currently evaluating. [43168]

  Angela Eagle
  Hydrocarbons (Hcs) are one of a number of refrigerants which can be used in some refrigeration systems as an alternative to ozone depleting substances and HFCs. The Government do not promote one refrigerant over another but encourage users to choose the safest, most environmentally acceptable and energy efficient system for each particular refrigerant application.

  The DETR through its Energy Efficiency Best Practice Programme has carried out a small project investigating the energy efficiency benefits of HC refrigerants compared to HFCs and is also producing a guide on absorption refrigeration (refrigeration that is powered by waste heat). The programme also keeps abreast of developments in international collaborative research.

  In addition there are a number of projects being looked at under DETR's Partners in Technology scheme and at the Buildings Research Establishment aimed at encouraging the use of natural ventilation, as opposed to use of refrigerant based air-conditioning systems. The main thrust of this work is improved energy efficiency, but the spin-off benefit is less use of refrigerants.

  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimates he has made of the amount of CFCs released into the atmosphere annually as a result of the dumping of refrigerators in the United Kingdom. [43172]

  Angela Eagle
  Based on a study being carried out for my Department, the Government estimate that domestic refrigerators containing about 450 tonnes of CFC refrigerant are taken out of use each year. Around 300 tonnes of this may be emitted to the atmosphere, either from refrigerators that are not returned for recycling or from the residue of CFCs that remain in the refrigerator after the refrigerant has been recovered.

  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to review the environmental impact of the use of HFC as substitutes for ozone-depleting gases in refrigeration equipment. [43171]

  Angela Eagle
  The Government are currently planning to fund some research this year to update our estimates of current and likely future emissions of HFCs from the UK. This work will include consideration of the use of HFCs in all sectors including the refrigeration sector.

  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what percentage of the United Kingdom' s greenhouse gas emissions he estimates HFCs will contribute in the year 2010. [43167]

  Angela Eagle
  The Government estimate that HFCs will contribute approximately 1% of total UK greenhouse gas emissions calculated in terms of the global warming contribution in 2010.
  16

  Unleaded Petrol
  Ms Rosie Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his estimate of the number of motor vehicles running on(a) leaded and (b) unleaded petrol in (i) 1997–98 and (ii) 1998–99. [43190]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The estimated number of vehicles (millions) is as follows:

  1997

  1998

  Year ending 1999

  Total using leaded petrol

  7.7

  6.5

  5.3

  Requiring leaded petrol1

  3.8

  3.0

  2.6

  Total using unleaded petrol

  14.2

  15.4

  16.5

  1 Number of vehicles included in the total using leaded petrol which require it for valve seat protection

  Cleaner Vehicles Task Force
  Ms Rosie Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish the terms of reference for the Cleaner Vehicles Task Force. [43191]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The aims of the Cleaner Vehicles Task Force were announced on 14 November 1997 in DETR Press Notice 274/Transport. Its overall aim is to create a new partnership between Government and the private sector to promote environmentally friendly vehicles people actually want to drive and buy. It specifically aims to:promote research and development that will keep Britain at the leading edge of cleaner vehicle technology;
  encourage people and business to buy greener vehicles and use them efficiently;
  consider the contribution that cleaner vehicle technology can make to meeting local air quality objectives, reducing noise and cutting carbon dioxide emissions to avoid global warming;
  increase the proportion of components that are reused or recycled; and
  focus on European action during Britain's Presidency of the Council of the EU.

  Motor Vehicle Fraud
  Ms Rosie Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to give the DVLA responsibilities in respect of combating motor vehicle fraud. [43192]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  DVLA works closely with the police and the insurance and salvage industries to help combat motor vehicle theft and fraud. The Agency is currently investigating a range of further measures to improve its contribution to consumer protection.

  Land Spreading
  Ms Atherton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects the results of the Environment Agency' s review of land spreading to be published. [43467]

  Angela Eagle
  The research project on "Investigation Of The Criteria For, And Guidance On, The Landspreading Of Industrial Waste" was completed on 30 April and copies of the report have been placed in the
  17
  Library of the House. The report's findings are now under consideration by my Department and the Environment Agency and our conclusions will be announced in due course.

  Sewage Treatment
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on Government policy on sewage treatment of water released into inland waters. [43547]

  Angela Eagle
  The Government require sewage discharges to inland waters to meet the requirements of the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive. This means that all relevant discharges to inland waters serving a population equivalent of 15,000 or more must receive at least secondary treatment by 2000. Those serving between 2000 and 15,000 population equivalent must reach this standard by 2005. Discharges below 2000 population equivalent must receive "appropriate treatment" by 2005. In fact the vast majority of discharges of all sizes to inland waters already receive at least secondary treatment.

  Discharges to sensitive areas designated under the Directive must receive more stringent treatment, typically tertiary treatment to remove nutrients, by the end of 1998. The Government intend to set out more fully its policy on this and related matters, first in its response to the second report of the Environment sub-committee of the House of Commons Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee, due shortly and, later in the summer, in guidance to the Director General of OFWAT on priorities for investment in environmental improvement within the current Periodic Review of water company price limits.

  Domestic Water
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the role of recycled domestic waste water from baths and sinks in reducing water consumption. [43549]

  Angela Eagle
  A number of commercial systems are available which allow the re-use of rainwater and waste water from baths and sinks for WC flushing and external use. The Government continue to monitor the development of such systems and customer acceptability, but are supportive of the more widespread use of recycled water where it poses no threat to public health.

  Older People
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what response he has made to the recommendations of Age Concern's report, "Disability Facilities, Grants and Older People". [43162]

  Mr. Raynsford
  We have assured Age Concern that the points raised in their report will be fully taken into account as we develop our policies on disabled facilities grants.

  International Programme of Chemical Safety
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for what reasons the report of July 1996 produced by international experts within the framework of the International Programme of 18
  Chemical Safety has remained confidential; if he will (a) publish it and (b) place it in the Library; and if he will make a statement on its conclusions in respect of the impact on public health of chrysolite. [43606]

  Angela Eagle
  The Government do not control, or have responsibility for, the publications of the International Programme for Chemical Safety (IPCS). IPCS is a joint venture of the United Nations Environment Programme, the International Labour Organisation and the World Health Organisation. It produced a draft Environmental Health Criteria document on chrysotile following a meeting of its Task Group held in July 1996. The final report is due to be published in Autumn 1998, following revisions and translations. It is not confidential, and details of the Health Evaluation, the Conclusions and the Recommendations are available either from the IPCS in Geneva or on the Internet. I shall arrange for the Library to obtain details of the draft report and to obtain a copy of the final report once it is published.

  The draft report contains a number of conclusions which are consistent with current Government policy on asbestos.

  Merchant Shipping
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he plans to take to support the British merchant shipping industry, with particular reference to(a) encouraging investment and (b) increasing training. [43975]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister established a Shipping Working Group late last year to examine ways to promote the interests of British shipping and British seafarers. The Deputy Prime Minister is currently considering the recommendations of the Shipping Working Group. We have also introduced a new seafarer training support scheme—SMarT—which consolidates and expands on the previous training support schemes.

  Trunk Roads (Greater London)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what trunk road construction is scheduled to commence in the Greater London area during 1998; and what is the total cost of the work. [43654]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Three construction schemes are planned to commence in 1998 in the Greater London area. These are as follows: the first two phases of the London Primary Route Signing scheme to replace some 4,800 primary route direction signs; the Greenwich Peninsula A102 (M) Access Improvements to the Millennium site; the M41 White City new access road for the shopping centre. The total cost of these works is £42 million, of which £19 million will be funded by developers.

  Red Routes
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many miles of red route there are in the Greater London area. [43655]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I refer to the answer I gave my hon. Friend on 4 December 1997,Official Report, column 286.
  19

  Disused Railway Land
  Mrs. Ann Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to improve the consultative process conducted by British Railways Board prior to the selling off of disused railway land, including track bed and goods yards. [43614]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  This is primarily a matter for the British Railways Board (BRB), which has held discussions with Railtrack, EWS and others about general sales and individual sites. BRB also routinely sends out auction brochures in advance to Railtrack, EWS, Freightliner, local authorities and a wide range of other interested parties.

  BRB has held discussions with Railtrack about the disposal of former railway lines, as a result of which negotiations to transfer another six lengths have begun. Other closed lines are the subject of discussions about transfer to local authorities or railway preservation societies, or have been leased to Sustrans, the cycling charity, for the National Cycle Network (with the potential for future rail use preserved). That leaves BRB with about 70 miles of trackbed in more than 100 separate sites.

  BRB welcomes approaches from railway businesses or other interested parties who wish to discuss general sales or individual sites.

  National Cycle Network
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress is being made with regard to the proposed national cycle network; and what proposals he has for 1998–99 for the extension of cycle routes in the West Midlands Region. [43016]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  My Department welcomes the initiative to develop the National Cycle Network being promoted by Sustrans. The Network is making good progress and now embraces about 600 miles. The first 3,000 miles are 0due for completion by the year 2000, well ahead of the original target of 2,500 miles.

  In the West Midlands, the Millennium route runs from Stratford-on-Avon through Redditch, Bromsgrove, Birmingham, Sandwell, Walsall and on to Lichfield. This is due to be completed by Easter 2000.

  Coventry City Council has been actively involved with the provision of routes for cyclists, in particular a north-south route which links the University of Warwick to the city centre. A number of transport packages in the region, including those for the metropolitan area, North Staffordshire, Worcester, Stafford and Warwick/Leamington/Kenilworth also incorporate a range of measures to encourage cycle use, including cycle routes.

  Rough Sleepers Initiative
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much has been allocated to tackling homelessness in the West Midlands under the Rough Sleepers Initiative since 1990. [43014]
  20
  Mr. Raynsford
  Since 1996 the Rough Sleepers Initiative has been extended to 27 areas outside London. Following guidance issued by my Department three local authorities in the West Midlands carried out single night street counts of rough sleepers and found a significant problem. As a result, strategies to tackle rough sleeping were drawn up by the authorities in consultation with the voluntary sector and bids for funding were made to my Department. We have offered almost £200,000 in pump-priming funding in 1998–99 for outreach and resettlement services to four voluntary sector organisations working in Birmingham, Stoke on Trent, and Newcastle-under-Lyme.

  Drink-driving
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many drink-driving accidents occurred in (i) 1994, (ii) 1995, (iii) 1996 and (iv) 1997. [43483]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The estimated number of accidents resulting in injury which involved illegal alcohol levels was:

  1994: 9,900

  1995: 10,180

  1996: 10,8501

  1 Provisional data. 1997 figures are not yet available. All estimates are shown rounded to the nearest 10.

  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many drink-driving related deaths occurred in (i) 1994, (ii) 1995, (iii) 1996 and (iv) 1997. [43484]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The estimated number of fatalities in accidents which involved illegal alcohol levels was:

  1994: 540

  1995: 540

  1996: 5401

  1 Provisional data. 1997 figures are not yet available. All estimates are shown rounded to the nearest 10.

  Drug-related Road Accidents
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many non-alcohol-related road accidents involving drugs occurred in(a) 1994, (b) 1995, (c) 1996 and (d) 1997. [43479]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Data on non-alcohol-related accidents involving drugs are not routinely collected and the information requested is not available.

  Town Centre Management
  Mr. Michael J. Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will initiate a consultation exercise on town centre management. [43731]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Town Centre Management is essentially about creating local partnerships which involve all the key stakeholders. The Government support and encourage town centre management through advice in planning policy guidance, a guide on vital and viable town
  21
  centres and by publishing and distributing good practice guidance. We also support initiatives by the Association of Town Centre Management and the Civic Trust.

  We have no proposal to initiate a consultation exercise.

  Car Rear Lamps
  Mr. Michael J. Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will amend the road vehicle lighting regulations to allow the use of red, rear LED lamps emitting a flashing light. [43679]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989 as amended, prohibit vehicle lamps (apart from certain specified lamps) from automatically emitting a flashing light. LED lamps may be fitted to vehicles provided they show a steady light.

  Research is being carried out to try to identify potential safety benefits associated with the use of flashing rear lamps, solely with regard to pedal cycles. This work is due to be completed in the first half of next year. In the light of the findings of this research programme the Department will consider whether any change to the Regulations is appropriate.

  School Crossing Patrols
  Mr. Michael J. Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received on amending the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, with particular reference to school crossing patrols. [43678]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The then Department of Transport issued a consultation document on review of road traffic regulation law in 1996. This contained a wide range of proposals for amending the 1984 Act. Over 400 responses were received. The Government are considering how to take matters forward in the various areas covered.

  One of the subjects discussed in the consultation was school crossing patrols. In the light of the responses received, my right hon. Friend the Minister for Transport announced on 21 May that the Government propose, when a suitable legislative opportunity arises, to remove the current restrictions on the hours during which these can operate, and to ensure that school crossing patrols can escort any person across the road. They also propose to consult on a further amendment, that would enable crossing patrols to be provided at any location where the local traffic authority considered it desirable to do so in order to help any pedestrians to cross the road.

  Duty Free
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what assessment he has made of the effect on air fares of the abolition of duty free in the first year after abolition; [43363]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the effect on the viability of regional airports of the abolition of duty free in the first year after abolition. [43364]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 13 May 1998,Official Report, columns 117–18.
  22

  Bear Hide Imports
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what regulations govern the import of the(a) hides and (b) trophies of (i) polar, (ii) brown, (iii) black and (iv) grizzly bears into the United Kingdom. [43211]

  Angela Eagle
  Import of these species into the United Kingdom is controlled under European Council Regulation No. 338/97, which implements the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora within the Community. The Regulation prohibits commercial imports of all products of the Brown bear, the Grizzly bear and the Asiatic Black bear. Import of personal effects and the commercial import of other bear species is regulated by a system of import and export permits which are subject to strict conservation criteria and may only be issued where certain conditions are met.

  Circus Animals
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what regulations govern the use of endangered species in travelling circuses. [43212]

  Angela Eagle
  Under the terms of Council Regulation EC No. 338/97, which implements the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) within the Community, it is an offence to use for commercial gain, or display for commercial purposes, any of the species listed as endangered in Annex A of the Regulation unless this Department has issued a certificate for that purpose. This list includes many animals commonly found in travelling circuses, including tigers and elephants.

  Road Accidents
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many motorists in England and Wales were involved in incidents involving fatal, serious and slight injury; and of these how many were found to have been disqualified from driving at the time of the incident, in the last year for which data are available. [43988]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The information requested regarding driver involvement is shown in the table. Data relating to the involvement of disqualified drivers in reported road accidents are not recorded on the national road accident database.

  Number of motorists involved in road accidents, by severity in England and Wales: 1996

  Drivers

  Road user type

  Fatal

  Serious

  Slight

  Car drivers

  3,411

  41,309

  265,128

  Other motorists1

  1,466

  12,600

  52,441

  1 Includes motorcyclists, goods vehicle and other motor vehicle drivers

  Dr. Ladyman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many traffic accidents were recorded and in how many cases the driver
  23
  at fault was found to have blood alcohol levels (a) over 80 mg per 100 ml, (b) between 50 and 80 mg per 100 ml and (c) between 0 and 50 mg per 100 ml, in the last year for which figures are available. [43839]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The present accident reporting system does not identify whether a driver was at fault. However, some information on blood levels of drivers and motor cycle riders killed in road accidents is available from data supplied to the Department by Coroners in England and Wales and the Procurators Fiscal in Scotland. The table shows the percentage of drivers and motor cycle fatalities above given blood alcohol levels for a sample of 963 of the 1,612 riders and drivers who died in road accidents in 1995.

  Blood alcohol levels

  Percentage of motor vehicle driver or rider fatalities

  Over 80 mg per 100 ml

  19

  Between 50 and 80 mg per 100 ml

  2

  Below 50 mg1 per 100 ml

  79

  1 Includes none.

  Rights of Way
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will introduce measures to simplify the existing procedure for the diverting of rights of way. [43420]

  Angela Eagle
  We have no immediate plans to do so. The Countryside Commission is considering the operation and effectiveness of rights of way legislation and management, and intends to put recommendations to us in the near future.

  Railways
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assistance his Department gives to(a) railway companies. (b) passenger transport executives and (c) local authorities for opening new railway lines and stations. [43419]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Department offers no assistance to train operating companies towards the cost of new railway lines or stations but train operators are free to contribute towards the cost if they wish to do so on a commercial basis. Last November, my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Transport announced new Objectives, Instructions and Guidance for the Franchising Director. These require him to offer local authorities (including Passenger Transport Authorities) and other potential promoters of railway investment, clear and well publicised guidance on securing finance for new projects and on how the benefits of these can be maximised. He also announced the interim criteria that the Franchising Director will use to appraise proposals to support new services which would not be commercially viable. Copies are available in the Library of the House. Capital resources are available to local authorities, including Passenger Transport Authorities, for local rail infrastructure proposals from the Department's local transport budget.
  24

  Housing Development
  Mr. Tom King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will list the local planning authorities which have more than 10 years supply of land for new housing development; [43856]

  (2) if he will list the local planning authorities which do not have a five-year supply of land for new housing development. [43855]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The information requested is not held centrally by the Department.

  Mr. Tom King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the impact of planned new housing development on the demand for construction aggregate during the period for which total numbers of new houses have been specified. [43826]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Aggregates demand forecasts undertaken to inform aggregates planning guidance issued by this Department cover all areas of demand, including housing. A forecast of demand will be undertaken during the review of this planning guidance which we intend to start later this year.

  Mr. Tom King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many dwellings could be accommodated on land already identified for new housing development in each English region. [43854]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The information requested is not held centrally by the Department, and could be compiled only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Tom King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidance he has issued to local authorities on how to move away from a predict and provide approach to the planning of new housing development at a regional level. [43853]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Two pieces of guidance have been published by the Government so far. The first is the policy document, "Planning for the Communities of the Future", which was published in February. The second is an explanatory note, "Transitional Arrangements for Regional Planning Guidance and Development Plans", which was published in March.

  Mr. Tom King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the guidance in Planning Policy Guidance note 3 Housing permits local planning authorities to make an allowance for windfall sites over one hectare when preparing(a) housing land availability studies and (b) development plans. [43825]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Since "windfall" sites are unexpected, it is, by definition, difficult to predict future supply levels. The current guidance in PPG3 advises local authorities to assess the future supply of windfall sites of less than 1 hectare on the basis of past trends. The guidance advises that authorities should not make assumptions about sites over 1 hectare. Authorities should strive to identify these sites individually in consultation with developers, who will have a reasonable idea of sites likely to come forward over the plan period. To attempt to make a generalised
  25
  allowance for larger windfall sites in the forward assessment of land supply is likely to introduce too great an element of uncertainty in the planning process.

  As was made clear in the recently published policy document, "Planning for the Communities of the Future", the Government are aware that local planning authorities differ in their approach to the assessment of the potential contribution of windfall sites. They are also aware that in some areas windfall sites can make up a large proportion of the overall land used for housing. The Government will therefore look again at the guidance in PPG3 with a view to reassessing the potential contribution of this source of housing land.

  Mr. Tom King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many houses have been completed on windfall sites of over one hectare in each region since 1991. [43824]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The information requested is not currently collected centrally by the Department and would involve disproportionate cost to compile. However, the Department's recently announced National Land-Use Database should provide the basis for compiling this sort of information in the future.

  Mr. Tom King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proportion of new housing completed between 1991 and 1996 in each region has three or more bedrooms. [43823]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The available figures are shown in the table.

  Proportion of new houses and flats completed with three or more bedrooms

  Percentage of total completions

  Government Office Region

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  North East

  63

  60

  59

  64

  67

  66

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  60

  59

  57

  61

  63

  69

  East Midlands

  57

  61

  61

  63

  64

  70

  Eastern

  48

  47

  51

  54

  58

  61

  London

  26

  24

  23

  29

  28

  36

  South East

  44

  47

  47

  54

  59

  62

  South West

  45

  51

  53

  58

  59

  64

  West Midlands

  53

  51

  49

  54

  57

  60

  North West

  62

  63

  58

  65

  63

  64

  Merseyside

  60

  64

  66

  68

  72

  67

  England

  49

  51

  51

  56

  57

  61

  Source:

  "Housing and Construction Statistics 1986–1996"

  Mr. Tom King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the local planning authorities where the number of new houses constructed has exceeded that in adopted development plans in the last 10 years. [43857]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Such information is not held centrally and would involve disproportionate cost to compile.

  Mr. Tom King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the organisations which have been sent a copy of the statement, "Planning for the Communities of the Future: Transitional Arrangements for Regional Planning Guidance and Development Plans", issued on 1 April. [43827]
  26
  Mr. Raynsford
  A new system to assess and cascade housing provision figures was set out in "Planning for the Communities of the Future" (Command 3885). The transitional arrangements which will apply where RPG is already being revised or where development plans are being replaced or altered before Regional Planning Guidance is revised are set out in paragraphs 33 and 34 of that document. The more detailed note, issued on 1 April, was sent to the following organisations:

  The Local Government Association

  The Planning Officers Society

  Secretaries of the English Regional Associations

  The Panel of Chairmen of Examinations in Public

  Government Offices for the Regions

  Copies were placed in the Library of the House of Commons. It has also been sent to individuals, local authorities and other organisations on request.

  Structure Plans
  Mr. Tom King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will list the criteria used to select the chairmen of structure plan examinations-in-public; [43851]

  (2) what plans he has for changes in the way in which chairmen for structure plan examinations-in-public are selected. [43852]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Chairs of individual Structure Plan Examinations in Public (EIPs) are appointed, subject to availability, from a central list held by the Department. Chairs will not be appointed for an EIP where they either live or work in the area for which an EIP is being held, nor if they have worked in the past for the County Council holding the EIP.

  This Department is currently recruiting a new panel of chairs through a process of open competition. The criteria for selection include an excellent knowledge of the planning system and current planning issues, and recent experience of strategic planning at a senior level, either in local or central Government or in a consultancy context. Successful applicants will also be required to demonstrate good analytical, communication and inter-personal skills.

  Mr. Tom King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will provide the names, ages, career background and qualifications of the chairmen of structure plan examinations-in-public and of other panel members whom he and his predecessors have appointed in the last five years. [43850]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Secretary of State has a general duty of confidentiality in relation to his appointees and is not able to disclose personal information in respect of EIP Chairmen. However, the following information is that normally made public by the chairmen themselves at the commencement of individual EIPs:

  Name

  Position prior to EIP chair appointment

  EIPs chaired in last five years

  W. E. Barnett

  Former County Planning Officer, Somerset County Council

  North Yorkshire Structure Plan

  27

  Name

  Position prior to EIP chair appointment

  EIPs chaired in last five years

  Deputy County Planning Officer Suffolk County Council

  Cleveland Structure Plan

  Deputy County Planning Officer, East Sussex County Council

  West Sussex Structure Plan

  W. J. S. Batho

  Former Grade 3, Regional Director for DOE Eastern Region Office

  Kent Structure Plan

  A. G. Booth

  Consultant in private practice

  Northumberland Structure Plan

  Former Chief Planning Officer Essex County Council and President of RTPI

  Wiltshire Structure Plan

  G. Bowden

  Barrister and former MP for Dulwich

  Suffolk Structure Plan

  Philip Critchley CB

  Former Grade 3, Department of the Environment/Transport

  Lancashire Structure Plan

  Hertfordshire Structure Plan

  D. R. G. Hands QC

  Queens Counsel

  Somerset Structure Plan 1998

  T. Hardy

  Former Chief Executive Cambridge District Council

  Bedfordshire Structure Plan

  Cheshire Structure Plan

  T. L. Jones

  Former Grade 3, Department of the Environment/Transport

  Dorset Structure Plan

  H. W. Marshall

  Former Grade 3, Department of the Environment/Transport

  Peak National Park Replacement Structure Plan

  Nottingham Replacement Structure Plan

  Cornwall Structure Plan

  Oxfordshire Structure Plan

  East Sussex Structure Plan

  R. W. Phelps

  Former General Manager Central Lancashire New Town Development Corporation

  Cambridgeshire Structure Plan

  Hampshire Structure Plan

  Berkshire Structure Plan

  Professor G. Shaylor

  Visiting Professor of Town Planning UCE

  Durham County Structure Plan

  Former Director of Development and Deputy Chief Executive Birmingham City Council, former City Planning Officer Birmingham City Council Former Director of Planning Hillingdon London Borough

  Devon County Structure Plan

  Other Panel members are all members of the Planning Inspectorate.
  28

  Local Government Act 1988
  Mr. Lepper
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on a timetable for repeal of section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988. [43742]

  Mr. Raynsford
  It is the Government's intention to repeal Section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988 as soon as a suitable legislative opportunity arises.

  Paper Pulp Disposal
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will make a statement on the disposal of paper pulp on agricultural land; [43638]

  (2) how many breaches of regulations in respect of the disposal of paper pulp on agricultural land there have been in the last three years; and what action was taken against those responsible; [43640]

  (3) what assessment he has made of the environmental risks associated with the disposal of paper pulp on agricultural land. [43639]

  Angela Eagle
  A statement of our views on the landspreading of waste paper pulp was made during an Adjournment Debate on 13 March 1998.Official Report, columns 926–930.

  Most landspreading of waste is carried out under the terms of the exemption from waste management licensing in paragraph 7 of schedule 3 to the Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994. We have given a commitment to review this exemption in the light of the findings of the research project to which I referred on 13 March. That research project was completed on 30 April and copies of the report on the "Investigation Of The Criteria For, And Guidance On, The Landspreading Of Industrial Waste" have been placed in the Library of the House. The report's findings are now under consideration by my Department and the Environment Agency. On conclusion of this consideration, our proposals to revise the current exemption will be the subject of a public consultation exercise.

  Motor Cycles
  Mr. McWalter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what measures he plans to use to ensure that within the Integrated Transport Strategy a proportion of journeys undertaken currently by motor cars will be undertaken by powered two-wheelers in future; [42332]

  (2) if he will take steps to encourage young people to learn to use small-powered two-wheel vehicles, including power-assisted cycles, rather than motor cars; and if he will incorporate in the Integrated Policy for Transport mechanisms to enable young people to gain access to personal transport in this way. [42333]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 20 May 1998,Official Report, column 365.
  29

  Local Government Finance
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will change the formulae for local government financial settlements for 1999–2000 to incorporate a sparsity factor for rural county councils. [43384]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The existing standard spending assessment (SSA) formulae include a sparsity factor in the Education, Police and 'All Other Services' blocks for all relevant local authorities.

  As part of our regular discussions of the SSA formulae with local government, we understand that the County Councils Network will present a paper proposing changes to the Personal Social Services block of the SSAs to include an indicator of sparsity of population. We shall consider with local government the arguments put forward.

  Motorway Service Area (M4)
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to publish the result of the recent public inquiry into the planning application to develop a motorway service area at junction 8/9 on the M4. [43214]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Inspector's Report has not yet been received in my Department. At this stage, therefore, I am not in a position to anticipate when the decision will be issued.

  Rail Vehicle Accessibility
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will announce the timetable for publication of the consultation document containing draft Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations; and when he will publish the regulations. [43554]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The consultation document was published on 15 May. Copies have been placed in the Library. We hope to lay the final regulations this summer.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the regulations that have been removed or amended to help small businesses since 1 May 1997. [42776]

  Angela Eagle
  Regulations to modernise the regulatory regime for business are not necessarily targeted on businesses of a particular size. The regulations set out in the table will apply to business irrespective of size.

  Regulations

  Date

  The Oil Pollution (Compulsory Insurance) Regulations 1997

  July 1997

  The Motor Cycle (EC Type Approval) (Amendment) Regulations 1997

  September 1997

  30

  Central Railway
  Mr. Pound
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of plans by Central Railway to increase the amount of freight carried through Ealing, North and adjoining constituencies. [43595]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  An application by Central Railway plc for an Order under the Transport and Works Act 1972 was rejected by this House in 1996. We have not received any subsequent proposals from the company.

  Endangered Birds
  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to extend the current bird registration scheme operated under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to include critically endangered species listed under CITES. [43354]

  Angela Eagle
  There are no plans to extend the bird registration scheme at present, although we are considering whether to undertake a wider review of the registration process to see if it can be made more cost effective.

  Tewkesbury Borough Council
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will upgrade Tewkesbury Borough Council to total cost indicator band C from band D. [43796]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Total Cost Indicators are the responsibility of the Housing Corporation. The Corporation groups local authority areas into broad cost bands based on independent evidence of the relative costs of land, construction and house prices in the area. The Corporation reviews Total Cost Indicators annually.

  Parish and Town Councils
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if parish and town councils have an automatic right of representation as part of the elected member element of the regional chambers. [43797]

  Mr. Caborn
  We value the work of parish and town councils in representing and serving local communities, particularly in rural areas. However, regional chambers are not statutory bodies and how their members are selected is a matter for the chambers themselves to decide.

  Greenwich Peninsula (Toxic Waste)
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the disposal of toxic waste from the Greenwich peninsula. [42022]

  Angela Eagle
  The statutory remediation of the Greenwich Peninsula has been undertaken by British Gas as the original polluter. Following the completion of the statutory work English Partnerships, which acquired the site in February 1997, has undertaken the development remediation to restore the site to a condition fit for its intended end use.
  31
  The remediation includes the removal or treatment on-site of contaminated soils, to depths of up to 14m in selected areas. Contaminated soil which cannot be reused on site is disposed of at licensed landfill sites. The contractors employed by English Partnerships are responsible for selecting the location of the landfill sites and a number of different sites have been used. All the sites used have been licensed by the relevant authority and are suitable for the material being disposed there.

  The procedure for the disposal of soils which cannot be used on-site is part of the overall remediation strategy discussed and approved by both the Environment Agency and the London Borough of Greenwich and is consistent with Government policy.

  Prison Site, Middleton Sands
  Miss Geraldine Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the effect of the proposal to site a prison at Middleton Sands, Morecambe on the(a) Morecambe and Heysham Local Plan and (b) draft Lancaster District Local Plan. [43662]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Secretary of State announced his decision to agree to the proposed change of use of the disused Pontins Holiday Camp on 14 May. A copy of the decision letter, which summarises the Secretary of State's assessment of the proposal, is in the House Library.

  Air Traffic Control
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement about problems encountered with the new air traffic control information technology system. [43457]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee recently published the report of its inquiry into air traffic control. The Government hope to make their response to the report within the next few weeks—part of the response will be on the subject of the problems encountered by National Air Traffic Services Ltd. (NATS) with the computer system at its new air traffic control centre at Swanwick in Hampshire.

  I can inform the hon. Member that since the Committee's report was published, the system at the Swanwick centre has passed its site acceptance tests, and has been handed over to NATS by the contractor, Lockheed Martin.

  Water Quality
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what groundwater resources in England are known to be contaminated with enteric bacteria and viruses; and what steps have been taken to identify the sources of that contamination. [43965]

  Angela Eagle
  Groundwater resources used for potable supply are monitored for microbiological parameters by the water service companies. These data are not held centrally. In general, groundwater is free of microbiological contaminants. Enteric bacteria and viruses are generally filtered out by the passage of water 32
  through strata before it reaches an aquifer, and therefore before such groundwater is abstracted. All drinking water is disinfected before being put into supply.

  Sewerage
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to provide advice to local authorities on the problems associated with inadequate drains and private sewers. [43967]

  Angela Eagle
  The Department is currently consulting interested parties on a draft planning circular relating to cesspits and septic tanks. There are no plans at present to issue guidance to local authorities on private drains and sewers. The latter are subject to Building Regulation control to ensure that, when constructed, they meet certain minimum requirements in the interests of health.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when his Department responded to the Water Research Centre draft water industry specification for thermoplastic structured wall pipe systems for sewers; and if the Department's response will be made public. [43962]

  Angela Eagle
  Such specifications are matters for the water industry, and my Department has not commented on it.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to respond to the second report of the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee on Sewage Treatment and Disposal (HC266); and if he will make a statement. [43964]

  Angela Eagle
  The Government are considering the recommendations of this report very carefully and intend to respond shortly.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 30 March 1998,Official Report, column 359. what research studies he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated to establish whether or not leakage from (i) public and (ii) private sewers, is likely to cause health or pollution problems. [43963]

  Angela Eagle
  The Department has not commissioned any such studies relating to sewerage leakage. In 1996, a report produced by Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA) on behalf of various interests, including the National Rivers Authority, found no conclusive evidence that leaking sewers are a common cause of groundwater contamination.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to review the law relating to sewers and drains and the controls relating to their construction, materials and maintenance. [43966]

  Angela Eagle
  There are no plans at present to review the law relating to sewers and drains. A sewerage undertaker has a duty, to maintain sewers so as to ensure that the area for which it is responsible is and continues to be effectively drained. The specification of materials and the maintenance regime is the responsibility of the sewerage undertaker.
  33

  Polegate Bypass
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what figure has been(a) agreed and (b) paid in respect of compensation payments to tenderers for the DBFO project to build the Polegate Bypass. [43202]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The claims from the tenders for the cancelled Weald and Downland DBFO project, which included the Polegate Bypass, raise a number of detailed issues which will inevitably take some time to resolve. In the meantime, we have made interim payments on account totalling £1.3 million (excluding VAT); the final settlement will be published in due course.

  Millennium Experience
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the estimated cost of developing beaches round the Millennium Experience site; how many beaches are to be developed; and what will be their composition. [42984]

  Angela Eagle
  No new beaches are being developed around the Millennium Experience site.

  River flood defences are being replaced by English Partnerships on the Greenwich Peninsula where the existing flood defences have only a limited remaining life.

  The new flood defences are, in places, being rebuilt using stepped ecological tidal terraces rather than vertical steel sheet piles. The step terraces are being planted with reeds and other inter-tidal plants.

  The cost of these tidal terrace works including the flood defences within the Millennium Experience site is £2.9 million. Part of this cost will be met by the Environment Agency.

  There are a number of areas around the Greenwich Peninsula below high water which have naturally occurring sand and gravel banks forming what could be referred to as "beaches". These areas are being retained in their existing natural state but no new sands and gravels are being imported. These "beaches" will be accessible from the new river walkway.

  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact of the Millennium Experience at Greenwich on the local transport system. [42016]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Planning permission for the Millennium Experience site in north Greenwich was granted on the clear understanding that general visitors would not be permitted to park cars at the site so as not to exacerbate existing road congestion in the area. This will be reinforced by a large Controlled Parking Zone. By the Millennium there will be additional and improved local transport interchanges and services serving the Exhibition and local area, including a station on the Jubilee Line Extension close to the gates of the Exhibition, a dedicated bus link from Charlton railway station and new river services.
  34
  I chair a new co-ordination group on Millennium Access matters which will have its first meeting next week. I will also be giving oral evidence on this subject to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee of this House on 16 June.

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

  Charity Taxation
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what representations he has received concerning the Government review of charity taxation. [42030]

  Mr. Stuart Bell
  The Church Commissioners, working with other central bodies of the Church, have made submissions to the Government's ongoing review.

  They have in turn received many representations from dioceses, parishes, individual clergy and lay members of the Church, all expressing concern about the effect of advance corporation tax changes and the importance of ensuring that the review is supportive of the charitable status and activities of the Church.

  The General Synod of the Church of England has overwhelmingly endorsed a diocesan proposal for a reduction to 5 per cent. VAT on church building repairs.

  Parishes (Assets)
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what effect the recently announced rise in the value of their assets will have on the parishes. [42031]

  Mr. Stuart Bell
  The value of our assets has indeed grown strongly in recent years, and follows a change in investment policy away from a high-yielding low growth mix of assets to a fund based more on Stock Exchange investments which offers higher growth prospects over the long-term. The increased value of our assets will enable us to continue to work in partnership with the parishes to ensure stable and sustainable financial support for the Church into the next Millennium.

  Millennium Dome (Christian Dimension)
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what steps are being taken to ensure a Christian dimension to the Millennium dome. [42032]

  Mr. Stuart Bell
  The New Millennium Experience Company, which is responsible for the Dome's contents and funding, is in close touch with the Churches, and indeed members of other faiths, through the Lambeth Group. The detailed design for the "Spirit Zone" is being undertaken in close consultation with the Group and the Archbishops' Officer for the Millennium, and the Minister without Portfolio has made specific assurances that the Christian story will be a central part of the Millennium Experience.
  35

  Disestablishment
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, if he will make an assessment of the financial implications of disestablishment of the Church of England. [42025]

  Mr. Stuart Bell
  Disestablishment would not lie with the Commissioners to initiate and, without formal instructions and definitions, any estimates of costs are impractical.

  However, for the record, the Prime Minister has indicated to me that neither he nor the Government generally have any policy for the disestablishment of the Church.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Debt
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what initiatives her Department is taking to reduce the need for hard currency to service the international debt of countries which are major producers of illicit drugs. [43169]

  Clare Short
  Such countries are not producing illicit drugs in order to generate the hard currency needed to service international debt. In general we are ready to consider using our bilateral aid programme into finance innovative mechanisms for converting debt into local currency, for example through debt swaps, if we are so requested. But we would need to be convinced that this was the best way of contributing to the reduction of poverty.

  We remain strong supporters of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative, which by writing off unpayable debt will reduce the total debt of qualifying countries to an affordable level, thus reducing the amount of hard currency needed for debt service. Bolivia should receive $450 million of HIPC debt relief this September.

  Mr. Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will calculate the total amount(a) of aid given to developing countries by the United Kingdom and (b) received from these countries by the United Kingdon in debt service in 1997. [43091]

  Clare Short
  The latest figures available for development assistance provided from Department for International Development programmes are for 1996–97, when development assistance (excluding administration costs, but including contributions to multilateral organisations) to developing countries amounted to £1,837.8 million. Figures for 1997–98 will not be available until the end of the year, when they will be published in the 1998 edition of "British Aid Statistics".

  Debt service received by the Department for International Development in respect of outstanding bilateral aid loans amounted to £43 million in 1996–97: principal repaid is retained for use within the development assistance budget.

  Other debt service repayments in respect of other bilateral debt agreements are a matter for the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
  36

  Police Services
  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development in which countries her Department is currently funding projects to help develop a responsible and accountable police service; and at what planned cost. [43124]

  Clare Short
  I refer the right hon. Gentleman to the answer provided to the hon. Member for Richmond Park (Dr. Tonge) on 5 May 1998,Official Report, columns 276–77, which lists the support currently provided by DFID for police services by country. We do not keep centrally a record of our planned costs for police activities for 1998–99.

  Legal Projects
  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development by what criteria it is decided whether her Department or the FCO should fund projects in overseas countries to develop(a) alternatives to custodial sentences and (b) the rule of law. [43125]

  Clare Short
  The Department for International Development's aim is to improve access to justice, especially for poor and disadvantaged peoples. We also work to create an enabling environment for economic growth in states committed to poverty elimination. The ability to resolve disputes through the legal system with reasonable speed and without corruption has been shown to be an important factor in stimulating domestic and foreign investment. We support these activities where there is need and commitment and where we have a comparative advantage. We are also increasingly working to strengthen traditional systems and ways of settling disputes which can help provide a cheaper and more accessible justice and strengthen alternatives to custodial sentences.

  Rule of law co-operation and prison reform are also among the priorities for the FCC,' s new Human Rights Project Fund.

  Sudan
  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has made to her EU counterparts about the need for additional assistance for Sudan; and if she will make a statement. [43121]

  Clare Short
  The crisis in Sudan was discussed during the EU Development Council meeting which I chaired on 18 May. We reaffirmed our intention to provide further assistance and to call upon the Government of Sudan and the Southern factions to agree a ceasefire and a peace settlement. It is clear that the cause of the crises is the war and without peace there will be continuing crises.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the present level of British aid to Sudan; to what sectors and categories it is apportioned; and to what jurisdictions and areas it is delivered. [42348]

  Clare Short
  Since February, we have given over £5 million to United Nations agencies and international NGOs in Sudan for the provision of food, nutrition and health support and survival kits for displaced families; the current crisis in Bahr El Ghazal region has been a key
  37
  focus for this assistance. I approved a further £5 million on 15 May which will be used over the coming months to meet urgent humanitarian needs in this region and other vulnerable areas in Sudan.

  Human Rights
  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development in which countries her Department is currently funding human rights education teams; and at what planned cost. [43123]

  Clare Short
  We support education on human rights as part of our support for human rights generally. For example, we support measures to raise awareness through education on the rights of the child. In Russia, we are piloting civic and human rights education in secondary schools. In Guyana, we are promoting a rights-based approach to children's education among Amerindian populations. We also help to raise knowledge and awareness of democratic rights and responsibilities. In Zimbabwe, we are contributing to a four-year project of civic education, leading to the general election in 2000. As part of this, churches and leading human rights organisations are conducting a programme of education on democratic and electoral rights. We also support measures to educate and raise awareness about international humanitarian law (IHL). In the Commonwealth of Independent States, we provided funds to the ICRC to develop IHL materials, train IHL trainers and establish a lecture series in IHL at key law institutions.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many special advisers, political advisers and other political appointees are working in her Department; at what annual cost to the

  Country

  Partner agency

  Support

  Amount (£)

  Brazil

  Jubilee Action

  Street girls education, training centre and residence home

  61,200

  Ecuador

  International Childcare Trust

  Street children of Guayaquil

  81,200—1998–99

  Kenya

  International Childcare Trust

  Street children's project

  47,100—1998–99

  India

  Homeless International

  Support for street children

  21,700—1998–99

  South Africa

  Childhope

  Twilight children capacity building

  21,700—1998–99

  South Africa

  Childhope

  Capacity building at Claremont Children's Centre

  23,100—1998–99

  Brazil

  Childhope

  Projecto Ibeji for street children

  49,100—1998–99

  Brazil

  Childhope

  Judicial and institutional protection of children and adolescents

  33,500—1998–99

  Russia

  European Network on street children

  Conference in St. Petersburg on street children

  5,000—1998–99

  Bangladesh

  Shioshab

  Support for child domestic workers, including children from the streets

  100,000—1998–99 rising to £800,000 if initial indicators met

  Bangladesh

  UCEP

  Providing education for underprivileged children working in urban areas

  900,000—Phase III

  India

  Don Bosco

  Valsalya Project: Sexual health project for street children/youth of Cochin aims to integrate sexual health intervention with ongoing activities of Don Bosco

  15,850—(period—1997 April to June 1998—likely to be extended through the substantive phase of the Partnerships for Sexual Health project)

  India

  Cini-Asha

  Cini-Asha: Sexual Health Project for Street Children and working children in Central Calcutta

  39,000—(Since August 1995 to date under the West Bengal sexual Health Project—likely to continue at an average of £12,000–£15,000 per annum)

  38
  public purse including recruitment costs, salaries, pensions and National Insurance contributions; and what was the position in the last full year of the last Government. [43321]

  Clare Short
  There are two special advisers working in my Department, but no other political advisers or political appointees. The combined total cost of the two posts for the twelve month period up to 5 May 1998 was approximately £67,000. There were no special advisers, political advisers or political appointees working in the Overseas Development Administration in the last full year of the last government.

  UN Agencies
  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development for which UN agencies her Department's financial contribution will be less in 1998–99 than in 1997–98; and in each case by how much. [43127]

  Clare Short
  Total contributions, covering both core and extra-budgetary funding, to UN agencies for 1998/99 will not be known until the end of the financial year. Overall, DFID' s core contributions to voluntary funded UN agencies have increased in 1998/99 over 1997/98.

  Street Children
  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development in which countries her Department is currently funding non-governmental organisation projects addressing the needs of street children; and at what planned cost. [43122]

  Clare Short
  The countries in which DFID is currently funding non governmental organisation projects addressing the needs of street children, and the costs of these projects, are as follows:
  39
  We also support a number of projects for street children with the block grant agencies (SCF, Christian Aid, OXFAM, CAFOD) but do not yet have the exact allocations for this financial year.

  Afghanistan
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of(a) the effectiveness of existing aid programmes, (b) future aid opportunities and (c) the conditions under which aid workers are operating following the visit in April of a European Union delegation to Afghanistan; what response Taliban made to the delegation's outlining of the European Union's Common Position on Afghanistan; and if she will make a statement. [43175]

  Clare Short
  As a result of the EU mission to Afghanistan and the subsequent Afghan Support Group meeting in London, chaired by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley (Mr. Foulkes), donors have concluded that the existing assistance programmes to Afghanistan are in need of revision. While valuable support has been provided to vulnerable groups, past assistance may have made it easier for other resources to be channelled towards the war effort, and certain types of relief programming may be deepening dependency and reducing local incentives for self-reliance.

  The present situation poses difficult policy, strategic and operational dilemmas and makes it vital for agencies to adopt a common programming approach with a strong focus on human rights. Participants in the Afghan Support Group meeting agreed that future assistance should be better targeted and co-ordinated, and based on clear principles, with the aim of providing balanced and impartial support for the different ethnic groups and vulnerable populations, especially women and children. The problem of opium poppy production should also be addressed through the common programming approach. The aid and political processes should be in close synergy, and contribute to the common goal of sustainable peace.

  Aid workers in Afghanistan continue to face difficult conditions. In the North they have to cope with an unstable security situation, and in some Taliban-controlled areas they have been subjected to harassment—restrictions placed on female staff are a particular problem. These difficulties forced the UN to withdraw international staff from Kandahar earlier this year, and to suspend its programmes in southern Afghanistan. Recent negotiations between the UN and the Taliban have produced an agreement which may improve matters, but some issues (notably the ban on foreign Muslim women from entering Afghanistan unless accompanied by a close male relative) have not been resolved, and it remains to see how effectively the agreement will work in practice.

  The EU delegation made clear to the Taliban and other factions that they remained willing to assist Afghanistan but only on the basis of globally accepted principles. The delegation also expressed its full support for the UN. These messages were endorsed by the Afghan Support Group. This demonstration of solidarity helped to bring about the successful conclusion of the negotiations between the UN and the Taliban referred to.
  40

  India
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has made to the Indian Government concerning their nuclear capability. [42880]

  Clare Short
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer my hon. Friend the Member for Leeds, Central (Mr. Fatchett), the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, gave her on 20 May 1998,Official Report, column 529.

  Birmingham Summit
  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if the multilateral untying of aid was on the agenda of the G8 Summit in Birmingham; and if she will make a statement. [43634]

  Clare Short
  The G8 Summit endorsed the important work on multilateral untying of aid being undertaken in the Development Assistance Committee of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, in particular a proposal on untying aid to the least developed countries with a view to proposing a text in 1999.

  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress was made at the G8 Summit in Birmingham on(a) the multilateral untying of aid and (b) the phasing out of export subsidies. [43636]

  Clare Short
  The G8 Summit endorsed the important work on multilateral untying of aid being undertaken in the Development Assistance Committee of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, in particular a proposal on untying aid to the least developed countries with a view to proposing a text in 1999. There was no substantive discussion on export subsidies.

  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the meetings which she has had since 1 May at which the multilateral untying of aid was on the agenda. [43637]

  Clare Short
  On 18 May I chaired the EU Development Council which agreed that Development and Finance Ministers should meet to prepare a note on EC untying to complement the work of the Development Assistance Committee. This will be submitted before the summer break.

  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with representatives from other G8 countries concerning the multilateral untying of aid. [43633]

  Clare Short
  I have had a number of useful discussions on untying of aid with colleagues from G8 countries. At the Birmingham Summit G8 countries pledged to work within the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) on a recommendation on untying aid to the least developed countries with a view to proposing a text in 1999.
  41

  Export Subsidies
  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her Department's policy towards the use of export subsidies. [43635]

  Clare Short
  My Department does not favour export subsidies. The Aid and Trade provision has been ended. The White Paper on International Development makes it clear that we will consider within country programmes whether mixed credits would contribute to our central goal of reducing poverty by encouraging appropriate economic growth and investment in human development.

  Eastern Myanmar and Western Thailand
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the aid programmes in Eastern Myanmar and Western Thailand supported by her Department. [43864]

  Clare Short
  In the 1996–97 and 1997–98 financial years DFID has supported a number of NGO projects in Western Thailand and Eastern Myanmar:

  £

  Small Grants Scheme— 1996/97

  12,000

  Ecoles Sans Frontieres Shoklo Malaria Research Unit Neo-Humanistic Foundation for Community Development Christ Church Karen Outreach Programme

  Small Grants Scheme— 1997/98

  9,000

  Karen Refugee Committee Burmese Border Consortium Open Society Institute Mae Tao Clinic

  Humanitarian Assistance— Emergency Response 1996/97

  22,000

  CAFOD

  Humanitarian Assistance— Emergency Response 1997/98

  80,000

  World Vision

  Humanitarian Assistance— Refugees 1996/97

  150,000

  Burma Border Consortium

  Humanitarian Assistance— Refugees 1997/98

  267,000

  Burma Border Consortium

  Assistance includes food and essential items to Burmese refugees in border camps in both Thailand and Burma (Burmese Border Consortium) and reproductive health, education and medical equipment provided through the SGS.

  Kosovo
  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance her Department is currently giving to Kosovo. [43148]

  Clare Short
  My Department has provided assistance to Kosovo through grants to non-governmental organisations such as the International Federation of the Red Cross, Oxfam and the Save the Children Fund. It is currently funding two Oxfam projects worth over £100,000 to promote health education amongst rural women and to provide facilities and change attitudes 42
  towards disabled children, and an SCF Childrens Rights project. Officials are working up options for further assistance, including support for civil society and reconciliation.

  Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent representations she has made to the G8 countries, in respect of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative. [43018]

  Clare Short
  Over the last few months, I have used bilateral contacts with most of the G8 countries, including France, Germany and the United States, as well as fellow European Union countries and the IMF and World Bank, to press the case for faster and more flexible implementation of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) debt Initiative. At last month's G8 Summit in Birmingham, leaders agreed to support the speedy and determined extension of debt relief to more countries, under the terms of the Initiative. They also recognised the particular difficulties of post conflict countries, and the need to consider debt relief mechanisms to release more and earlier resources for essential rehabilitation.

  Ecologically Sensitive Areas
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will publish her Department's guidelines for UK multinationals investing in ecologically-sensitive areas overseas. [42561]

  Mrs. Roche
  I have been asked to reply.

  A copy of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, which call for high standards of corporate behaviour, including in the area of environmental protection, is available in the Library of the House.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Sport (Young People)
  Mr. McNulty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how the Government are helping to develop participation in sport by young people. [41999]

  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how the Government are helping to develop participation in sport by young people. [42007]

  Mr. Banks
  The English Sports Council's National Junior Sports Programme provides a framework through which schools can work with a number of organisations to provide real opportunities in sport. Also, participation rates of young people have risen by up to three times in some areas because of facilities provided by the Lottery Sports Fund.

  Mr. Gareth R. Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to increase opportunities for young people in London to participate in sport. [42012]

  Mr. Banks
  The English Sports Council works closely with all London Boroughs to increase opportunities for young people to participate in sport through a number of
  43
  initiatives. The ESC is also part funding the London Youth Games, the finals of which take place on 11/12 July at Crystal Palace national Sports Centre.

  Film Industry
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many films have been made on location in the United Kingdom in the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [42000]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  In 1997, 112 feature films were wholly or partly filmed in the United Kingdom, with a total production cost of £560 million. The aim of our Film Policy Review "A Bigger Picture" is to sustain the current successes of our production sector and develop better links between production and distribution.

  Mr. Brooke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on his policy concerning taxation and the film industry. [42008]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  In its first Budget the Government showed their recognition of the special needs and potential growth of the film industry by introducing 100 per cent. write-off for films on production and acquisition expenditure for films costing up to £15 million. In March this was extended from three to five years. Further developments are of course a matter for my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

  National Lottery Grants
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to ensure a more equitable distribution of heritage lottery fund grants between the different parts of the United Kingdom. [42002]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The Government are determined to ensure that Lottery money is allocated fairly and equitably across the whole of the United Kingdom and between different groups in society. The National Lottery Bill gives the Heritage Lottery Fund and the other Lottery distributors important new powers in this respect; and later today I will be announcing the confirmation of new directions for the Lottery distributors, designed to achieve precisely this objective.

  Press Regulation (Children)
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has held with the Press Complaints Commission on press regulation in respect of children. [42004]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  On 25 September 1997 I welcomed proposals from Lord Wakeham, Chairman of the Press Complaints Commission, for strengthening the newspaper industry's code of practice. His proposals for better protection of children were accepted by the industry and published on 19 December. I have urged the PCC to consider further measures to strengthen the process of self-regulation.

  Film Task Force
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what action he is taking to implement proposals made to him by the film task force. [42006]
  44
  Mr. Tom Clarke
  I have set up an Action Committee, made up of representatives of key sectors of the British film industry, which will oversee the implementations of the recommendations of the Film Policy Review, which met on 12 May.

  Public Buildings (Cologne)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will evaluate the preservation and display of sites of archaeological significance in the vicinity of new public buildings in Cologne. [42009]

  Mr. Fisher
  No. I am aware that German law requires city authorities to aim to preserve archaeological monuments as much as possible, that there is a lot of public debate in Cologne about the preservation of sites, and that various solutions have been found for incorporating parts of remains into new buildings. In the UK, planning guidance stresses the importance of identifying potential archaeological remains at an early stage and that there should be a presumption in favour of in situ preservation of important remains which as in Cologne, can involve their incorporation in new developments.

  Royal Parks
  Mr. White
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what proposals he has to allow the royal parks to generate more income through staging events. [42010]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  I am keen that the parks should attract people who might not normally visit them, and that the Agency should benefit from any extra income. I have asked the Royal Parks Agency to draw up a comprehensive programme of events in the Royal Parks each year.

  Creative Industries Task Force
  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what measures he will take to ensure that his Department's creative industries task force works with the proposed regional development agencies to develop arts-based businesses. [42011]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  I am, of course, aware of the importance of the contribution made to the creative economy by artists and innovators in the regions and my hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield, South participates in his capacity as Minister for the Regions on the Creative Industries Task Force, to help ensure that the Government's policies for the creative industries take account of the regional dimension of cultural and creative activities.

  Voluntary Sector (National Lottery Grants)
  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he last met the National Lottery Charities Board to discuss grants to the voluntary sector; and if he will make a statement. [42013]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  I have not met the National Lottery Charities Board collectively to discuss grants to the voluntary sector, but regularly meet Chairs and Chief
  45
  Executives of all Lottery distributors to discuss Lottery distribution matters. The most recent of these meetings took place on 21 April.

  Tourism
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what measures he has taken to support the British seaside tourist industry. [43869]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  Seaside towns are an important part of the domestic tourism market. The Government's strategy for tourism will be effective, comprehensive and will benefit all areas, including seaside towns. One of the Forum Working Groups, which is helping with the development of the strategy for tourism, is looking particularly at issues relevant to resorts.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when his Department's plan for tourism will be published. [43650]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  We plan to publish our strategy for tourism later this year.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the regulations that have been removed or amended to help small businesses since 1 May 1997. [42778]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  No such Regulations have been removed or amended by this Department since 1 May 1997.

  Broadcasting
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when his Department plans to publish a broadcasting consultation document. [43651]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The Government are carefully considering future policy towards broadcasting and telecommunications in the light of the changes in technology which have the potential to transform these sectors and to erode current distinctions between them. My Department and the Department of Trade and Industry shall consult widely on these issues later this year, and shall be publishing a document for that purpose as soon as our current initial consideration has been completed.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he estimates analogue terrestrial broadcasts will cease in the United Kingdom. [43659]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The Government's consultation paper "Television: the Digital Future"—published on 12 February 1998,Official Report, column 364—seeks comments on a wide range of issues relating to the transition from analogue to digital broadcasting including the timing of closure of the analogue terrestrial network. Comments are invited by 4 September.

  The Government will consider the timing and nature of an announcement on the closure of the analogue network in the light of the responses to that consultation document.
  46

  Arts Council
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to review the activities of the Arts Council. [43653]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The Departmental Spending Review which is currently under way at DCMS is looking at the full range of the Department's responsibilities, including the arts funding system and the role of the Arts Council within it. I expect to announce the conclusions of this review in the summer.

  UK Sports Institute
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when the UK Sports Institute will open. [43661]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The new buildings of the UK Sports Institute are expected to be open at the end of the year 2000. However, we expect to have services on-stream before then and very much hope that there will be benefits for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

  The UK Sports Council is already talking to individual sports about how their existing programmes can be enhanced.

  Royal Opera House
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when the review of the Royal Opera House will be published. [43666]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The Eyre report will be published shortly after I receive it from Sir Richard.

  Museums
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when the results of the review of museum access will be made public. [43652]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  The access review is continuing in the context of the Departmental Spending Review, which includes a fundamental review of the museums and galleries sector.

  This will conclude shortly and an announcement will be made in the Summer.

  Sportsmatch
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much money has been granted to Sportsmatch projects in Chorley; and if he will list these projects. [43619]

  Mr. Banks
  Sportsmatch awarded £1,250 to Chorley Rugby Union Football Club in 1996 for a junior and mini coaching and development scheme. Bolton Wanderers Football in the Community Scheme was awarded £3,500 in March to extend its geographical coverage to benefit schools in the Chorley, Adlington, Anderton and Exuton areas.

  Listed Sporting Events
  Mr. Michael J. Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has received regarding the Gordon report on de-listing of sporting events. [43675]
  47
  Mr. Chris Smith
  Lord Gordon's advisory group proposed various revisions to the arrangements, under Part IV of the Broadcasting Act 1996, for protecting universal broadcast of certain events. I am presently considering the group's recommendations. I have received 776 representations of this subject, including 132 from hon. Members, since the announcement of the group's report on 20 March.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he will publish his decision on the recommendations of the advisory body on listed sporting events. [43649]

  Mr. Chris Smith
  I am considering the recommendations of Lord Gordon's advisory group very carefully, taking account of the many representations made to me on the subject of the list of protected events. I shall announce my decisions in the next few weeks.

  Employee Travel
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will estimate the cost of employee travel on office business, broken down into(a) fuel allowances, (b) unproductive time during travel, (c) other costs related to car transport and (d) costs related to public transport, for (i) 1994–95, (ii) 1995–96, (iii) 1996–97 and (iv) 1997–98. [32446]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  [holding answer 3 March 1998]: Information on employee travel is not available in the level of detail requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Neither do records before 1996–97 differentiate between Ministerial and official travel and related subsistence. The available information is given in the table.

  £

  Total travel and subsistence

  Total official travel and subsistence

  1994–95 (actual)

  266,092

  n/a

  1995–96 (actual)

  280,104

  n/a

  1996–97 (actual)

  242,031

  182,142

  1997–98 (provisional outturn)

  292,328

  245,360

  Official Hospitality
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is his current estimate of the expenditure of his Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies on hospitality since 1 May 1997. [27755]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  [holding answer 5 February 1998]: The available information is given in the following table.

  £000

  1 May 1997 to 1 February 1998

  Department for Culture, Media and Sport

  13

  Historic Royal Palaces Agency

  23

  Royal Parks Agency

  18

  48
  It is not possible to distinguish, without incurring disproportionate cost, between NDPB's expenditure financed from grant-in-aid and that financed from other sources of income including sponsorships. However the total expenditure by the Department's NDPBs on hospitality from 1 May 1997 to 1 February is £997,000.

  Sports Council
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress the Government have made in implementing their commitment to ensure that the UK Sports Council becomes the lead strategic body for sport in the UK. [42574]

  Mr. Banks
  As part of the Departmental Spending Review we have been reviewing the role and structure of the UK Sports Council and Government support for sport at UK level. We hope soon to be able to share our thoughts more widely.

  Sport Governing Bodies
  Mr. Jim Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to his answer of 26 February,Official Report, column 322, what proportion of the officers serving on the sports governing bodies listed are (a) under 25 years and (b) over 65 years of age; and what proportion are women. [33542]

  Mr. Banks
  In response to my hon. Friend's question, and following a meeting with me, the Central Council of Physical Recreation has agreed to conduct a survey of their membership to establish a profile of the officers serving on the sports governing bodies. This survey will address the questions raised by my hon. Friend and I have asked the CCPR to speak to him, and with my officials, about how this survey might best be conducted. The Chairman of the CCPR shares with me a desire to see the management of sports organisations fully representing the wide range of people who are keen on sport, and taking the increasingly professional approach which is needed for the management of these organisations as we enter the new century.

  Cricket (Racism)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the extent of racism in cricket; what negotiations he has had with the England and Wales Cricket Board in respect of racism in cricket; and what steps he proposes to reduce the incidence of racism in cricket. [42614]

  Mr. Banks
  The Government are committed to stamping out racism in all areas of sport, and the English Sports Council has established a Racial Equality Advisory Group to work with national governing bodies to encourage racial equality in sport. We support fully the initiatives undertaken by the England and Wales Cricket Board to reduce racism and to promote the widest possible participation in cricket. These include:an extensive network of cricket development officers nationwide, whose brief is to promote cricket to all ages, sexes, colours and creeds;
  a proposed Racial Equality Campaign for cricket in conjunction with the English Sports Council and the Commission for Racial Equality; and

  49
  a co-ordinated national audit of recreational cricket, via the 38 county boards, in order to gain a clearer picture of the level of Asian and black involvement in cricket.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Portcullis House
  Mrs. Roe
  To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, if any legal actions are in progress against the Corporate Officer of the House arising out of the construction of Portcullis House; and if he will make a statement. [43883]

  Mr. Kirkwood
  A legal action is currently in progress, involving a claim for damages by Harmon CFEM Facades (UK) Ltd. (In Liquidation) against the Corporate Officer of the House of Commons. The plaintiff seeks damages arising from the procurement procedures adopted by the Corporate Officer in relation to the fenestration package in respect of the new parliamentary building (Portcullis House). The plaintiff tendered for the package but it was awarded elsewhere. The Corporate Officer is defending the proceedings.

  The case is being heard in the High Court of Justice before an Official Referee His Honour Judge Lloyd QC.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Immigration and Nationality Policy
  Angela Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement of Government policy on immigration and nationality. [44078]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We made it clear in our manifesto that Britain, like every country, must have firm control over immigration. However, we are also determined that applications should be dealt with speedily and fairly. All staff applying the Government's immigration and nationality policy will observe these central principles of being fair, fast and firm; and will carry out their duties without regard to the race, colour or religion of any person seeking to enter or remain in the United Kingdom, or applying for citizenship.

  The main elements of our policy are to: welcome genuine visitors and students who wish to come to the United Kingdom; support family life by admitting the spouses and minor dependent children of those already settled in the United Kingdom; ensure that asylum decisions are both swift and fair and fully meet the United Kingdom's obligations towards refugees under international law; grant entry to those who qualify for periods of work in the United Kingdom; maintain a fair, fast and effective entry clearance operation at United Kingdom posts overseas; give effect to the "free movement" provisions of European Community law while retaining controls at frontiers, operated by a civilian Immigration Service; detect and remove those entering or remaining in the United Kingdom without authority and take firm action against those profiting from abuse of the
  50
  immigration laws, including effective preventive measures; and to grant applications for citizenship to those meeting the specified criteria.

  This statement is included in the Home Office Immigration and Nationality Directorate Annual Report 1997, which is published today. The Report covers a number of important developments which affect the work of the Directorate, such as the Casework Programme, the Treaty of Amsterdam and other major policy issues; and includes a factual account of events in each element of the immigration control. A copy is being placed in the Library.

  Prisoners (Incentives and Earned Privileges Scheme)
  Mrs. Fiona Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what new initiatives are planned to increase the effectiveness of the incentives and earned privileges scheme which encourages responsible behaviour by prisoners. [44090]

  Ms Quin
  The national framework for Incentives and Earned Privileges was introduced in 1995 and has been operating in all prisons since mid 1996. These schemes seek to reward good prisoner behaviour and performance and penalise bad prisoner behaviour and performance. In a few prisons, one of the "Key Earnable Privileges" has been television in-cell and the Government now intend to extend the availability of this as an earned and forfeitable privilege more generally across the Prison Service. This will build on the previous Government's introduction of the privilege in 1991, adding slowly to the approximately 2,500 sets already in place. Prisoners will pay for the privilege themselves. The weekly charge is likely to be about £1 against average weekly prisoner earnings of £7.50.

  Prisoners' normal access to television is out of the cell in association with others. Television in cells was introduced in 1991, following a White Paper in response to Lord Justice Woolf s Report on the disturbances at Strangeways prison (Manchester). About 1,000 prisoners in four establishments initially had this privilege; under the previous Government the numbers had risen by 1997 to the current levels of about 2,500 (four per cent. of the prison population), mostly in five establishments of varying types. At present, it is largely a matter of chance whether a prisoner will find him or herself in a prison with the prospect of in-cell television.

  Experience of in-cell television in recent years suggests considerable benefits. As an earned privilege it can be a powerful incentive to good behaviour and regime participation, and can help with order and control, reducing tension on the landings. Its loss is feared. It helps prisoners keep in touch with the outside world to which all but a few must eventually return. It has potential as a means of providing information and enhancing prison regimes.

  The Government have taken into account the views on this subject expressed in a variety of contexts, including the Learmont Report on Prison Service security following the escape from Parkhurst in 1995, the Home Affairs Committee in March 1997, and in reports by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons and Boards of Visitors. The Learmont Report recommended the wider

  51
  introduction of in-cell television and pointed to its potential benefits as an information, as well as a recreational, medium. The Home Affairs Committee recommended it in March 1997
  "given the potential of TV in-cell as a means of contributing to good order in a prison; so long as the availability of television in this way is clearly an earned privilege rather than a right".

  Successive Chief Inspectors have urged the previous and this Government to make wider use of in-cell television and have reported on its existing successful use, most recently at Garth prison. Boards of Visitors of establishments with in-cell television frequently report favourably on its value. There is already extensive use of in-cell television in other European prison systems and in the United States and Canada.

  In-cell television will be liable to be forfeited in a number of ways: when a prisoner is moved to the basic privilege level of the incentives and earned privileges schemes; when an adjudicating governor awards a disciplinary penalty of forfeiture of privileges; if local rules governing the use of in-cell television are broken; and if a judgment is made in a particular case that its availability appears to be damaging a prisoner's treatment or increasing the risk to the public on his or her release.

  The Prison Service will be considering further the scope to use internal channels as an additional means of communicating information to prisoners and helping with education and regimes generally. In-cell television can help deliver educational courses, for example through Open University and other relevant programmes. Garth prison—one of the first prisons to have in-cell television—uses an internal information channel to help communication with prisoners and to show videos.

  A procurement process for televisions—which will receive terrestrial channels only—is starting with a view to the extension of this privilege from later in 1998. The option of in-cell television will initially be targeted on prisoners on the enhanced privilege level or in other priority groups, such as those who are "drug free". Those on the standard privilege level will not be precluded but the extension of in-cell television will be gradual and monitored closely. This is partly to maximise its benefits as an earned privilege and partly because in-cell electricity is not available in about forty per cent. of accommodation and this is unlikely to change significantly for some time.

  Extension of in-cell television will be broadly self-financing, with the costs of Prison Service-owned televisions and their replacement, warranties and wall brackets recovered from prisoners allowed the privilege. At present, licence fees are not payable in respect of prisoners because of Crown exemption. The Government propose to consider the practicability of a licensing arrangement for prisoners later on in the context of licensing arrangements more generally.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what provision has been made for meeting staff costs over the life of each of the Private Finance Initiative contracts undertaken by(a) his Department and (b) the Prison Service; and if he will make a statement. [43428]
  52
  Mr. Straw
  In respect of both(a) and (b), staffing costs which are part of the operations of a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contract are the responsibility of the service operator and are included in the contractual charge for each PFI service.

  Feltham Young Offenders Institution
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the(a) current and (b) target ratio of staff to 15 to 16 year old inmates in the juvenile wing, of Feltham Young Offenders' Institution. [43362]

  Ms Quin
  The target ratio of staff to inmates on the five juvenile wings at Feltham is approximately 5: 1. Current staffing levels on Swallow, Heron, Jay and Dunlin, and Eagle wings slightly exceeded this ratio as detailed in the table.

  Staffing ratios for juveniles at Feltham YOI and RC

  Unit/number of juveniles

  Current staffing

  Target staffing

  Swallow

  2 senior officers

  2 senior officers

  60–65 juveniles

  12 officers

  12 officers

  Heron and Jay (combined)

  2 senior officers

  2 senior officers

  60–68 juveniles

  17 officers

  12 officers

  Dunlin and Eagle (combined)

  2 senior officers

  2 senior officers

  60–68 juveniles

  17 officers

  16 officers

  Security Services
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the Data Protection Registrar's proposal that the Security Services should register under the Data Protection Act 1984. [43458]

  Mr. George Howarth
  We have decided not to depart from the existing policy that the Security Service should not register any of the personal data they hold under the Data Protection Act 1984. I understand similar considerations also apply to the Secret Intelligence Service and GCHQ.

  National Police Computer
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department over what period, and at what cost the West Midlands Probation Service and its partners are piloting the PHOENIX system to provide access to the national police computer. [43461]

  Mr. Michael
  The pilot project commenced live operation in August 1997 and will end in July 1998. The total cost of the pilot project will be approximately £33,350. The costs were shared by the Home Office unit responsible for Co-ordination of Computerisation in the Criminal Justice System (78 per cent.), the West Midlands Probation Service (19 per cent.) and the Police Information Technology Organisation (3 per cent.). The main cost items of the project were equipment, software and communications charges and staff costs associated with the management of the project and the day-to-day operation of the PHOENIX computer terminal.
  53
  A formal evaluation report will be produced following the end of the live running period in July. Emerging findings from the pilot are encouraging. Previously, requests to the police for this information often took one to two weeks, whereas probation officers now have access to information on previous convictions within one to two days.

  Road Traffic Offences
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many police man hours were involved in enforcing the current speed limits in Lancashire in the years(a) 1994, (b) 1995, (c) 1996 and (d) 1997; and how many convictions resulted from this; [43477]

  (2) how many police man hours were involved in enforcing the current drink driving laws in Lancashire in the years (a) 1994, (b) 1995, (c) 1996 and (d) 1997; and how many convictions for drink-related offences resulted from this. [43478]

  Mr. Michael
  Figures for officer hours dedicated to drink drive and speed enforcement in the years requested are not available. Officers are deployed on many different duties and commonly deal with a wide range of offences on a tour of duty.

  Convictions for drink driving in the force area were:

  1994: 2,645

  1995: 2,828

  1996: 3,211.

  Convictions for speeding offences were:

  1994: 2,223

  1995: 2,945

  1996: 4,629.

  Figures for 1997 convictions are not yet available.

  Re-offenders
  Mr. Browne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many criminals convicted abroad and deported back to the United Kingdom in the years 1990 to 1997 have re-offended; [41735]

  (2) how many criminals convicted of murder or homicide abroad and deported back to the United Kingdom in the years 1990 to 1997 have re-offended. [41736]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 19 May 1998]: The information requested is not available centrally.

  Correspondence
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Richmond Park concerning entry clearance officers in Columbo of 8 December 1997. [42889]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I wrote to the hon. Member on 22 May.
  54

  Small Businesses
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the regulations that have been amended or removed to help small businesses since 1 May 1997. [42785]

  Mr. Straw
  Regulations to reduce the burdens on business are not necessarily targeted on businesses of a particular size. My Department has made seven amending or repealing regulations (listed below) in the period 1 May 1997 to 15 May 1998 which are expected to reduce burdens on business, irrespective of size:

  Date

  1997 Regulations

  1. The Gaming Act (Variation of Monetary Limits) Order 1997 (SI No. 1828)

  August

  2. The Gaming Act (Variation of Monetary Limits) (No. 2) Order 1997 (SI No. 2079)

  September

  3. The Amusement with Prizes (Variation of Monetary Limits) Order 1997 (SI No. 2080)

  September

  1998 Regulations

  4. The Deregulation (Licence Transfers) Order 1998 (SI No. 114)

  January

  5. The Video Recordings (Labelling) (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (SI No. 852)

  March

  6. The Gaming Clubs (Hours and Charges) (Amendment) Regulations 1998 (SI No. 961)

  May

  7. The Gaming Act (Variation of Monetary Limits) Order 1998 (SI No. 962)

  May

  Prison Site, Middleton Sands
  Miss Geraldine Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the evacuation plans are in the event of a nuclear emergency at either of the nuclear power stations at Heysham for the prisoners who would be housed in the proposed prison at Middleton Sands, Morecambe; and if he will make a statement. [43861]

  Ms Quin
  Contingency plans for evacuation have been agreed between the Prison Service and the Lancashire Ambulance Service, Lancashire Constabulary and Lancashire Fire Brigade. In his recommendations following the public inquiry, the planning inspector made it a condition that the Emergency, Safety and Evacuation Plan, agreed with the County Emergency Planning Unit, should be operational before the prison opens.

  Miss Geraldine Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research has been carried out by his Department regarding the likely effect on the local tourism industry at Morecambe if the proposal to site a temporary prison there is implemented. [43660]

  Ms Quin
  No specific research has been undertaken into the effects of the proposed siting of a temporary prison in the Morecambe area.

  The planning inspector concluded in his report of the recent public inquiry that the prison would have little if any harmful visual impact on the area. In considering the Prison Service's proposals, together with the views of other interested parties, the inspector thought it unlikely that the prison would materially harm the special attractions of the area or that it would likewise harm the tourist and holiday business in the Morecambe area as a whole.
  55

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many appeals are currently outstanding against a refusal of an asylum claim by persons who have been granted exceptional leave to remain in the United Kingdom. [42979]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  As at the end of April 1998, there were estimated to be some 23,815 asylum appeals outstanding with the Immigration Appeals Authority. Of these 21,425 were appeals to the Special Adjudicators and 2,390 to the Tribunal. I regret that it is not possible, from the available information, to differentiate those appellants who were granted exceptional leave.

  Channel Islands
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what discussions he has held with the Governments of(a) Jersey and (b) Guernsey about incorporating the European Convention on Human Rights into the law; [42986]

  (2) what was the purpose of the visit to Jersey made by the Under-Secretary of State, Lord Williams of Mostyn. [42978]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Lord Williams of Mostyn met the Lieutenant Governor, the Bailiff and other representatives from Jersey on Monday 18 May to discuss with the insular authorities the progress of the Human Rights Bill [Lords] and the action being taken in the Island in response to the Government's decision to incorporate the European Convention on Human Rights into United Kingdom law. He visited Guernsey for a similar discussion on 22 May.

  Immigration
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the representations he has received on the case of Mr. Sukhvinder Singh Gill, Ref S474991; if he will meet hon. Members with an interest in the case to discuss those representations; and what action he proposes on the case. [43080]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The most recent representations about Mr. Gill's case were received from my hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, South (Mr. Marshall) in September 1997. I am currently considering Mr. Gill's case and will inform his representatives of my decision in due course.

  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what maintenance or income level is required in the assessment of entry clearance applications for settlement. [43199]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Each case is considered on its own facts. The maintenance and accommodation criteria set out within the Rules meet the need to ensure that, where people are admitted for settlement, they will have the basic means to support and accommodate themselves and there will be no need for them to seek state assistance.

  Prison Officers
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans the Prison Service has to enable the recognition of the Prison Officers Association in private prisons. [42919]
  56
  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 21 May 1998]: The conditions of service, including membership of trades unions, of prisoner custody officers employed at a privately managed prison are a matter for negotiation between them and their employer, the contractor managing the prison, who is of course required to comply with all appropriate legislation.

  Prisoners (Health Care)
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 20 January 1998,Official Report, column 518, when he expects the joint working group on the future of prison health care to report. [43045]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 21 May 1998]: The joint Prison Service/Department of Health Working Group on the future organisation of prisoners' health care is expecting to report its findings to Ministers in July, and to publish its conclusions and recommendations in due course.

  Deaths in Custody
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to complete his review of the disclosure regulations regarding deaths in custody. [43183]

  Ms Quin
  My right hon. Friend indicated in his statement to the House on 23 March 1998,Official Report, columns 21–37, in response to the Home Affairs Committee report into police disciplinary and complaints procedures, that he would consider the scope for greater openness in respect of investigation reports into deaths in police custody. This is expected to be completed later this year. A similar situation applies in the Prison Service.

  Prisoners (Suicide and Self-harm)
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action was taken as a result of the review of suicide and self-harm in prison, conducted by Judge Tumim in 1990; and if he will make a statement. [43184]

  Ms Quin
  Judge Tumim's report on suicides and self-harm in prisons in England and Wales made wide-ranging recommendations with implications across prison regimes. The Prison Service's response was shaped through a newly created central unit which was set up to develop suicide awareness strategies. Following detailed examination of the recommendations in the report, a revised strategy on caring for the suicidal was introduced in 1994. A further review by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons is now underway and will help to refine strategies further.

  Coroners
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in what circumstances a High Court judge can sit as a coroner; and on how many occasions this has happened in the last 10 years. [43182]

  Mr. George Howarth
  It is open to doubt whether a High Court judge has the jurisdiction to act as a coroner, and none has done so in recent years.
  57

  Prisoners
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if the advice contained in Section Two: Board report of Form HDC (4) in the draft guidance to governors on the eligibility of prisoners for early release on home detention curfew applies in the case of prisoners required to register under Part I of the Sex Offenders Act 1997; [42356]

  (2) if prisoners required to register under Part I of the Sex Offenders Act 1997 will not be eligible to apply for early release on home detention curfew; [42353]

  (3) pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Brigg and Goole (Mr. Cawsey) of 12 May 1998, Official Report, column 70, if he will define the exceptional circumstances in which prisoners who are required to register under Part I of the Sex Offenders Act 1997 would be released on home detention curfew; [42372]

  (4) if prisoners who are required to register under Part I of the Sex Offenders Act 1997 and who apply for early release under home detention curfew are to be evaluated by any criteria under the enhanced assessment procedure which are not used in the case of other categories of prisoner required to go through the enhanced assessment procedure before early release under the home detention curfew. [42354]

  Ms Quin
  Any prisoner serving a sentence of four years or more will not be eligible for home detention curfew. Clause 91 of the Crime and Disorder Bill [Lords] sets out the other categories of prisoner who will be ineligible for home detention curfew, including prisoners who are serving extended sentences for sex offences under clause 55 of the Bill. My right hon. Friend has also decided that prisoners serving between three months and four years who are required to register under Part I of the Sex Offenders Act 1997 should not be tagged on home detention curfew, save in exceptional circumstances.

  Specific guidance on the assessment of prisoners required to register under Part I of the Sex Offenders Act 1997 is given in paragraph 3.2 of the draft guidance on the risk assessment for home detention curfew (placed in the Library on 12 May). This states that prisoners who are convicted of an offence to which Part I of the Sex Offenders Act 1997 applies should not be placed on home detention curfew, save where there are exceptional circumstances.

  This reflects our overall objective of protecting the public. Each case will be considered on its merits and only where there are exceptional circumstances will release be approved. Factors which will be considered include the circumstances of the offence, the prisoner's risk to the public and the potential supervision arrangements.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners(a) are currently eligible for release on home detention curfew and (b) will be released following (i) a standard assessment and (ii) an enhanced assessment. [42355]
  58
  Ms Quin
  The latest estimate indicates that, were the scheme in force, around 7,200 prisoners would currently be eligible for home detention curfew, subject to their passing a risk assessment and having a suitable address.

  All eligible prisoners will have to be considered under the standard assessment before they can be granted home detention curfew. The number of prisoners referred for further consideration under the enhanced assessment will depend on the judgment of those conducting the risk assessments in the individual cases. It is estimated that around 4,000 prisoners might be on home detention curfew at any one time.

  Police (Training)
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the training consultants commissioned by the Metropolitan Police during 1997 and 1998 to date. [42806]

  Mr. Michael
  The Commissioner tells me that training in the Metropolitan Police is delivered on three levels: centrally; area; and divisional. He tells me that, because of the devolved nature of the Metropolitan Police, the majority of training activities and consultants are arranged at a local level in one of its Divisions or Branches. This is to allow local training or consultation to be bought according to need. As a result, the information requested is not readily available centrally and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  However, the Commissioner tells me that contracts for the value of £10,000 and above, and those contracts which may generate particular difficulties, are let in consultation with the Metropolitan Police's Department of Procurement and Commercial Services. He tells me that the formal contracts for training have been placed by the unit over the last year in regard to the following topics:

  Public Order Strategic Command Course

  Driving Techniques

  Finance and Resource Manager Training

  Policing Diversity

  Specialist Operations Workshops

  Resettlement—Outplacement Services.

  The Commissioner also tells me that a number of companies have asked that confidentiality clauses be included in their contracts so that they cannot be identified. The reasons given were generally security or commercial grounds, I am told. As the Metropolitan Police have agreed to include such clauses in their contracts, the Commissioner is unable to provide me with the information requested. Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary is currently undertaking a thematic inspection of training, which will include the Metropolitan Police, and I have asked that contractual arrangements for training be included in that inspection.

  Probation Services
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what extent probation services provided through local authorities have(a) been expanded and (b) diminished between 1996–97 and 1997–98. [42400]
  59
  Ms Quin
  Home Office cash limited current grant for the years in question, service by service, is shown in the table.

  Total £ cash limit

  1996/97

  1997/98

  Avon

  5,657,097

  5,568,333

  Bedfordshire

  3,011,253

  2,997,989

  Berkshire

  4,771,088

  4,686,246

  Cambridgeshire

  3,443,008

  3,393,925

  Cheshire

  5,147,843

  5,110,514

  Cleveland

  4,204,430

  4,364,095

  Cornwall

  2,233,736

  2,208,707

  Cumbria

  3,448,005

  3,385,424

  Derbyshire

  4,388,080

  4,556,718

  Devon

  6,179,943

  6,026,040

  Dorset

  3,697,043

  3,593,716

  Durham

  3,640,662

  3,601,976

  Essex

  7,480,624

  7,413,790

  Gloucestershire

  3,248,583

  3,202,508

  Hampshire

  7,793,274

  7,803,939

  Hereford and Worcester

  3,660,065

  3,594,965

  Hertfordshire

  4,761,433

  4,734,267

  Humberside

  5,251,750

  5,258,571

  Kent

  8,351,281

  8,307,578

  Lancashire

  7,661,145

  7,933,492

  Leicestershire

  4,614,336

  4,577,699

  Lincolnshire

  3,249,156

  3,238,827

  Greater Manchester

  20,456,930

  20,422,394

  Merseyside

  12,860,645

  12,585,564

  Norfolk

  3,508,673

  3,516,190

  Northamptonshire

  2,894,369

  2,860,597

  Northumbria

  10,205,589

  10,105,172

  Nottinghamshire

  7,228,881

  7,126,463

  Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire

  6,393,411

  6,297,623

  Shropshire

  2,140,708

  2,111,436

  Somerset

  3,308,250

  3,201,367

  Staffordshire

  6,115,628

  6,046,105

  Suffolk

  3,067,983

  3,043,987

  Surrey

  4,791,070

  4,679,942

  East Sussex

  3,561,157

  3,547,240

  West Sussex

  2,766,603

  2,751,465

  Warwickshire

  2,889,135

  2,818,192

  West Midlands

  21,202,578

  20,923,624

  Wiltshire

  2,825,447

  2,812,210

  North Yorkshire

  2,860,695

  2,963,504

  South Yorkshire

  10,182,621

  9,971,749

  West Yorkshire

  16,136,171

  15,984,817

  Inner London

  32,495,559

  32,033,478

  North East London

  7,708,497

  7,616,985

  South East London

  5,122,339

  5,061,132

  South West London

  3,915,125

  3,837,747

  Middlesex

  13,936,761

  13,706,116

  England

  314,468,662

  311,584,416

  Dyfed

  1,766,225

  1,759,966

  Gwent

  2,843,130

  3,017,029

  North Wales

  3,008,587

  3,137,235

  Powys

  650,080

  648,208

  South Glamorgan

  3,306,567

  3,259,640

  Mid Glamorgan

  2,854,057

  2,794,663

  West Glamorgan

  2,741,691

  2,698,843

  Wales

  17,170,338

  17,315,584

  England and Wales

  331,639,000

  328,900,000

  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason the current and capital probation grant and credit approvals to local authorities were reduced between 1996–97 and 1997–98. [42401]
  60
  Ms Quin
  Probation service budgets for 1997–98 were decided by the previous Government and announced to services before that financial year began. We adhered to those budgets after the General Election in line with our commitment to maintain public spending in 1997–98 and 1998–99 in accordance with the previous Government's spending plans.

MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO

  Expenditure
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio how much public money will be spent on the Millennium Experience between the present time and the staging of the event. [42017]

  Mr. Mandelson
  There is no taxpayers' money allocated to the Millennium Experience project. The budget comprises a grant of £399m (net) from the Millennium Commission and forecast receipts of £359m from private sector sponsorship, visitor income and other commercial revenue. So far £93.6m of the grant from the Millennium Commission has been used.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will make a statement on the budget for the Millennium Experience at Greenwich. [42019]

  Mr. Mandelson
  As I previously informed the hon. Member, the budget for the Millennium Experience comprises a grant of £399m from the Millennium Commission and forecast receipts totalling £359m from the private sector sponsorship, visitor income and other commercial revenue. The project is on time and on budget.

  Regional Exhibitions
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio what plans he has to enable exhibits in the Millennium Experience to be displayed elsewhere in the United Kingdom. [42018]

  Mr. Mandelson
  It is too early for final decisions to be made about the future of individual exhibits beyond the year 2000, but the Government, in confirming their determination to ensure a legacy from the Millennium Experience, hope that it might be possible for elements of the exhibits to be displayed elsewhere after 2000.

  Serious Play Zone
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will make a statement on the content of games to be included in the serious play zone. [42020]

  Mr. Mandelson
  The detailed content of the serious play zone is currently being developed by the New Millennium Experience Company and its designers, Land Design Studios Ltd., working closely with the zone sponsor, BSkyB. The zone will explore the world of sport and leisure in the 21st century.

  International Debt
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio what representations he has received on linking
  61
  the Millennium Experience in the UK with the experience of debt reduction or cancellation in other countries of the world. [42021]

  Mr. Mandelson
  I have received a number of representations on this important issue, as have my colleagues in the Treasury, the Department for International Development and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Representations have particularly related to the Jubilee 2000 campaign and the Bondfire project.

  The Government are committed to the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative, which aims to reduce the debt burden of the world's most indebted countries to sustainable levels.

  Visitors
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio what estimate he has made of the number of people from Altrincham and Sale, West who will visit the Millennium Experience. [42023]

  Mr. Mandelson
  The New Millennium Experience Company estimates that 12 million visits will be made to the Millennium Experience. Between 8 and 10 million of those are likely to be from the UK, and I hope that many of those will come from Altrincham and Sale, West. I also hope that as many people as possible from the greater Manchester area and across the country participate in the associated Challenge and Millennium Festival programmes.

WALES

  Small Businesses
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the regulations that have been removed or amended to help small businesses since 1 May 1997. [42780]

  Mr. Hain
  There is only a limited volume of Wales-only legislation, however, the following regulations have been removed since 1 May 1997 to the advantage of small and other businesses:The Food Protection (Emergency Prohibitions) (Radioactivity in Sheep) (Wales) (Partial Revocation) Order 1998 withdrew, in relation to specified areas of land in North Wales, restrictions upon the movement and slaughter of sheep.
  The restrictions on fishing activities as a result of the Sea Empress disaster were withdrawn in June 1997, by the Food Protection (Emergency Prohibitions) (Oil and Chemical Pollution of Fish and Plants) (Revocation) Order 1997.

  National Health Service
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the cost of(a) preparing a corporate plan for the NHS in Wales and (b) managing the trust reconfiguration exercise. [42597]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  (a) Preliminary estimates of first year costs in preparing a corporate plan for the NHS in Wales are of the order of £250,000 including accommodation, staff and running costs. Budgets for subsequent years will be agreed in the light of progress in year one. (b) The Department's staff and other costs
  62
  including consultation exercises and external assessment of proposals are estimated to be £870,000 for managing the trust reconfiguration exercise.

  Details of costs which will be borne by health authorities, trusts and other bodies are not held centrally.

  Sites of Special Scientific Interest
  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many sites of special scientific interest there were in Wales on 31 March; and what was their total area in hectares. [42442]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  At 31 March 1998 there were 942 SSSIs in Wales, with a total area of 217,807 hectares.

  Community Hospitals
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much new funding is available in the current year to(a) build new community hospitals and (b) upgrade existing community hospitals; and if he will make a statement. [42432]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  There is no new funding available specifically for community hospitals in 1998–99. However, almost £50 million has been made available for major capital investment in the NHS in Wales for projects ranging from the removal of asbestos at the University of Wales Dental Hospital, to the new Cancer Treatment Centre at Glan Clwyd NHS Trust. Another £47 million discretionary capital has also been made available to NHS Trusts and Health Authorities, to maintain existing facilities, including community based services.

  In February this year, we were very pleased to announce a new community hospital for Chepstow, which will be built and serviced by a private company under the Private Finance Initiative (PFI). In addition, several other NHS Trusts are currently negotiating with private partners for the provision of capital services.

  Occupational Health
  Dr. Stoate
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps are being taken to make occupational health services available to staff working in primary care within the National Health Service. [43599]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  It is primarily for general practitioners (GPs) as independent contractors to look after their own health and that of their staff. However, the Welsh Office has been involved in discussions with the Welsh Council of the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) and the Welsh General Medical Services Committee (WGMSC) about this issue. We are also aware that some health authorities in Wales are exploring ways of setting up a service on a local basis.

  Asthma
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the net ingredient cost for preparations used in the treatment of asthma(a) in total, (b) per health authority and (c) per head of population per health authority, in each of the last five years. [43695]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  Information on the net ingredient cost of prescription items dispensed specifically for asthma could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
  63
  However most prescription items dispensed for the treatment of asthma fall into one of three therapeutic classes (bronchodilators, corticosteroids and cromoglycate & related therapy) and figures for these are given in the following table. It should be noted, however, that some

  Net ingredient cost (£000)

  Net ingredient cost per person(£)2

  Family health services authority

  1992–931

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  Clwyd

  2,854.4

  3,395.1

  3,823.8

  4,247.0

  6.71

  7.98

  8.98

  9.92

  Dyfed

  2,957.2

  3,374.8

  3,783.6

  4,097.5

  8.14

  9.19

  10.41

  11.24

  Gwent

  3,150.5

  3,692.8

  4,096.4

  4,447.6

  6.84

  8.01

  8.87

  9.64

  Gwynedd

  1,763.7

  2,114.1

  2,372.3

  2,635.9

  7.07

  8.46

  9.49

  10.55

  Mid Glamorgan

  4,832.7

  5,582.1

  6,415.9

  7,108.8

  8.54

  9.86

  11.32

  12.59

  Powys

  863.1

  981.9

  1,067.8

  1,177.6

  6.68

  7.55

  8.20

  8.99

  South Glamorgan

  3,215.2

  3,659.7

  4,006.5

  4,336.6

  7.45

  8.42

  9.16

  9.87

  West Glamorgan

  3,132.6

  3,671.1

  3,984.5

  4,291.8

  8.17

  9.50

  10.29

  11.1

  Wales

  22,770.1

  26,471.6

  29,550.7

  32,342.8

  7.57

  8.76

  9.78

  10.69

  Health Authority

  Net ingredient cost (£000) 1996–97

  Net ingredient cost per person (£) 2 1996–97

  Bro Taf

  8,724.7

  11.66

  Dyfed Powys

  5,685.8

  11.47

  Gwent

  6,369.1

  10.83

  Morgannwg

  6,526.7

  12.29

  North Wales

  7,388.4

  10.8

  Wales

  34,694.8

  11.38

  1 The figure for Wales includes net ingredient costs where the Family Health Service Authority was unidentified

  2 Persons on NHS prescribing and dispensing lists at 31 March

  Further Education
  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what has been the budget for further education in each year since incorporation and what the budget will be for 1998–99; and what percentage change has occurred since incorporation. [42646]

  Mr. Hain
  [pursuant to his reply, 21 May 1998, c. 472]: I regret the information that my hon. Friend was provided was incorrect. The correct answer is as follows:

  The annual budgets made available to the Further Education Funding Council for Wales (FEFCW) on a cash basis for the period 1993–99 are set out in the table.

  Financial year

  FEFCW Budget (£ million)

  Percentage change

  1993–94

  143.3

  —

  1994–95

  160.0

  11.7

  1995–96

  170.6

  6.6

  1996–97

  175.9

  3.1

  1997–98

  178.0

  1.2

  1998–99

  178.5

  0.3

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list in respect of each Northern Ireland Minister the(a) nights which they have spent in Northern Ireland since 1 May 1996, (b) arts events in Northern Ireland attended,
  64
  items dispensed in these classes were not for the treatment of asthma. Prior to the setting up of the five new Health Authorities in Wales on 1 April 1996 these data were collected on the basis of Family Health Service Authorities.

  (c) education and sports events in Northern Ireland attended, (d) voluntary sector events in Northern Ireland attended and (e) events relating to the tackling of unemployment in Northern Ireland attended. [29850]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  [holding answer 19 February 1998]: Information for the Northern Ireland Ministers is as follows:

  (a)

  (b)

  (c)

  (d)

  (e)

  1 May 1996–30 April 1997

  Sir Patrick Mayhew

  172

  4

  13

  7

  3

  Sir John Wheeler

  47

  10

  4

  0

  0

  Michael Ancram

  88

  6

  25

  4

  0

  Malcolm Moss

  69

  0

  0

  5

  0

  Baroness Denton

  109

  8

  16

  4

  32

  1 May 1997–18 February 1998

  Dr. Marjorie Mowlam

  69

  1

  4

  6

  1

  Paul Murphy

  119

  1

  1

  0

  0

  Adam Ingram

  67

  0

  3

  0

  19

  Tony Worthington

  97

  11

  42

  21

  15

  Lord Dubs

  85

  9

  6

  4

  10

  Consultation Papers
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the consultation papers published since 1 May 1997 giving the date of publication, closing date for submissions and the number of respondents. [42254]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The information requested has been placed in the Library.

  Employee Travel
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will estimate the cost of employee travel on office business, broken down into(a) fuel allowances, (b) unproductive time during travel, (c) other costs related to car transport and (d) costs related to public transport, for (i) 1994–95, (ii) 1995–96, (iii) 1996–97 and (iv) 1997–98. [32438]
  65
  Mr. Paul Murphy
  [holding answer 3 March 1998]: The information for the Northern Ireland Office and the Northern Ireland Departments is as follows:1

  £000

  Year

  Fuel allowances

  Other costs2

  Public transport2

  1994–953,4

  9,215

  152

  2,830

  1995–964

  8,786

  217

  4,206

  1996–974

  10,299

  266

  4,366

  1997–98

  9,644

  264

  2,372

  1 The information on the cost of unproductive time during travel is not available

  2 The Northern Ireland Office and the Department of Agriculture could not split cost between Other Costs and Public Transport and a total figure is included in figure work at Public Transport

  3 The Department of Finance and Personnel could provide information for 1994–95 in all categories only at disproportionate cost

  4 Prior to 1997–98 the Prisons accounting system could not split travel and subsistence payments

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will estimate the number and percentage of civil servants in her Department, at each grade including and above higher executive officer who(a) attended university and (b) attended either Oxford or Cambridge University. [33068]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  [holding answer 9 March 1998]: The information for the Northern Ireland Office and the Northern Ireland Departments is as follows:

  Grade

  Attended university

  Percentage of grade

  Senior Civil Service

  122

  83

  Grade 6

  56

  90

  Grade 7

  221

  60

  Deputy Principal (SEO)

  254

  44

  Staff Officer (HEO)

  249

  28

  Professional and Technical Grades

  1,113

  72

  Notes:

  1. The figures for attendance at university have been completed on the basis that staff with a degree level qualification have attended university.

  2. Information on attendance at Oxford or Cambridge University is not readily available.

  3. Figures are not included for the Department of the Environment and the Northern Ireland Office (London) who could provide the information only at disproportionate cost.

  Reproductive Health Care
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimates he has made of the costs of extending reproductive health care and abortion services in Northern Ireland; and which aspects will receive priority. [42685]

  Mr. Worthington
  No estimate of costs for extending reproductive health care and abortion services in Northern Ireland has been made. The provision of infertility services is a matter for the Health and Social Services Boards which are at present engaged in reviews of the infertility services provided to their local populations. Abortions are illegal in Northern Ireland except where 66
  necessary to save the life of the mother or where continuation of the pregnancy would involve risk of serious injury to her physical or mental health.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will ensure that the people of Northern Ireland have the same access to reproductive health care and abortion services as is available in England and Wales. [42567]

  Mr. Worthington
  As in England and Wales, where the provision of infertility services is a matter for the health authorities, the provision of infertility services in Northern Ireland is a matter for the Health and Social Services Boards, which are at present engaged in reviews of the services provided to their local populations. Abortion is illegal in Northern Ireland except where necessary to save the life of the mother or where continuation of the pregnancy would involve risk of serious injury to her physical or mental health. It would therefore not be lawful to grant access to abortion services on the same grounds as in England and Wales, where the law is different.

  Petroleum Products
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment she has made of the effect of the illegal importation of petroleum products into Northern Ireland on(a) ancillary industries, (b) rural employment and (c) the rural economy; and if she will make a statement. [42890]

  Mr. Ingram
  Illegal importation of petroleum products into Northern Ireland is a matter for HM Customs and Excise and the Treasury. Treasury Ministers are aware of the Petrol Retailers Association's concerns about the economic effects and Customs are actively deploying resources to counter the threats posed to the revenue and to the Northern Ireland business community.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for what reasons she declined to meet the officers of the Petrol Retailers Association to discuss the illegal importation of petroleum products into Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement. [42881]

  Mr. Ingram
  The petrol Retailers Association wrote to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State expressing their concerns about illegal importation of petroleum products into Northern Ireland and requesting a meeting. Illegal importation of products across UK national boundaries is a matter for HM Customs and Excise and the Treasury. A response from the Financial Secretary to the Treasury has issued been to the Association.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what additional measures are being taken by the Royal Ulster Constabulary to intercept commercial vehicles transporting motor fuel products into Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement. [43448]

  Mr. Ingram
  The RUC has been liaising with a multi-national oil company and HM Customs and Excise. As a result a strategic, co-ordinated and intelligence led plan is being developed to address this problem effectively.

  A series of additional tactics and operational measures are now being actively considered.
  67

  Small Businesses
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the regulations that have been removed or amended to help small businesses since 1 May 1997. [42779]

  Mr. Ingram
  During the period 1 May 1997 to 30 April 1998 small businesses in Northern Ireland benefited from the repeal or amendment of the following regulations.

  Health and Safety (Miscellaneous Fees Amendment) Regulations (NI) 1997

  Motor Vehicle Testing (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 1998

  Goods Vehicles Testing (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 1998

  Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 1998

  Planning (Control of Advertisements) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 1998.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Fines (Lincolnshire)
  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what was the total amount in fines levied(a) by courts in Lincolnshire, (b) on residents of Lincolnshire and (c) on residents of South Holland and the Deepings in the most recent available year. [43933]

  Mr. Hoon
  (a) The total fines imposed by Lincolnshire magistrates' courts in 1997 was £4.4m. (b) This Department does not hold any information on the amount of fines imposed by magistrates' courts on residents of Lincolnshire and this information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. (c) This Department does not hold any information on the amount of fines imposed by magistrates' courts on residents of South Holland and The Deepings and this information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Public Trust Office
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the staff/client ratio at the Public Trust Office in each year since 1990. [43957]

  Mr. Hoon
  It is only from the 1993–94 financial year that caseload figures in the Public Trust Office have been monitored on the same basis. Although figures prior to 1993–94 exist, they have not been formulated in the same manner as those available from that date. On this basis I am able to provide the staff/client ratio from 1993–94.

  1993–94: 457 clients per member of staff;

  1994–95: 497;

  1995–96: 517;

  1996–97: 532; and

  1997–98: 547.

  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what guidelines are followed by the Public Trust Office to keep next of kin informed about its involvement in each case. [43953]
  68
  Mr. Hoon
  Both the Court of Protection and the Public Trust Office treat each case on its merits, and endeavour, using the information available, to try and do what the client (the mentally incapable person) would wish. If this involves close liaison and involvement with the next of kin, this is done.

  However, the Mental Health area is not required to keep next of kin involved in each case on the grounds of confidentiality. If the individual was not suffering from a mental illness which meant that they were unable to manage their own financial affairs, they would not necessarily wish their next of kin to be informed of the current position regarding their finances. In some cases people would not, under any circumstances, wish next of kin involved in any way whatever. Each case must be judged on its individual merits.

  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many visitors are employed at the Public Trust Office; and how many visits each made per client in each year since 1990. [43956]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Public Trust Office assumed responsibility for the Lord Chancellor's General Visitors with effect from April 1996—prior to that the Visitors were employees of the Lord Chancellor's Department. There are currently six General Visitors who are appointed on a self-employed basis. Statistics showing the number of visits completed are available only from 1992–93 and are as follows:

  Visits completed

  1992–93

  1,500

  1993–94

  1,300

  1994–95

  850

  1995–96

  790

  1996–97

  1,680

  1997–98

  1,500

  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many staff were employed by the Public Trust Office in each year since 1990. [43958]

  Mr. Hoon
  The figures provided are based on permanent staff in post plus casuals. The figures supplied show full time equivalents and exclude those staff "off strength" e.g. those staff on maternity or career breaks, or on unpaid leave.

  Number

  1989–90

  591.5

  1990–91

  590

  1991–92

  580

  1992–93

  592

  1993–94

  572

  1994–95

  528

  1995–96

  550

  1996–97

  558.5

  1997–98

  553

  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to review the operation of the Public Trust Office. [43887]
  69
  Mr. Hoon
  As the Public Trust Office became an executive agency in 1994, it will be subject to the usual Quinquennial agency review which must be completed in 1999. As is normal with such reviews, this will include a review of all the Public Trust Office's functions.

  Court of Protection
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what checks are made by the Court of Protection before approving a loan. [43955]

  Mr. Hoon
  The exercise by the Court of Protection of its discretion in approving a loan is a judicial matter and its exercise varies according to the circumstances of each particular case.

  In approving a loan, the Court has regard to the requirements of the relevant Sections of the Mental Health Act 1983, the Enduring Powers of Attorney Act 1985, the Court of Protection Rules 1994, the Court of Protection (Enduring Powers of Attorney) Rules 1994 and relevant case precedent as necessary in the particular circumstances of the case.

  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what changes have occurred in the relationship between the Court of Protection and the Public Trust Office since the latter became an executive agency in 1994. [43954]

  Mr. Hoon
  There has been little change in the relationship between the Court of Protection and the Public Trust Office since 1990, except that the Court of Protection Rules 1994 and the review of the Public Trust Office's Framework Document in 1997 defined the functions and roles of each more clearly.

  Personal Injury Cases
  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what research he has commissioned or undertaken into the effect of his proposals for the(a) wider introduction of conditional fee arrangements and (b) allocation of legal aid in personal injury cases from the consumer's perspective. [42586]

  Mr. Hoon
  Organisations representing consumers have been consulted during the development of these proposals and have responded to the consultation paper. All the responses are being analysed and we intend to publish our response to the consultation in due course.

  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what evaluation he has made of the pre-action protocols piloted by nine firms of solicitors and six insurers since October 1997; and if he will publish his conclusions, indicating the evidence underlying them. [42585]

  Mr. Hoon
  The pilot of the pre-action protocol for personal injury cases will continue until the end of August. The working group responsible for drafting the protocol, whose membership includes insurers and solicitors, and which is running the pilot, has agreed that officials of the Lord Chancellor's Department should evaluate the data produced by the pilot at its conclusion. Any decision on the publication of the results would be a matter for the working group.
  70

  Legal Aid
  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what evaluation he has made of the Law Society's research undertaken by Sheffield University, and the Law Society's response to his Department's research undertaken by KPMG into conditional fees; and if he will publish his conclusions and the evidence underlying them. [42584]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Law Society's research into conditional fees and their response to the consultation paper Access to Justice with Conditional Fees are being analysed at the moment, together with all the other responses to the consultation paper. We intend to publish our response to the public consultation as soon as the analysis is complete and we have considered the results.

  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many firms of solicitors in England and Wales undertook legal aid work in each of the last five years for which figures are available; what was the average income from legal aid, excluding VAT and disbursements, of those firms in each of those years; and how many of these firms were not included in his answer to the hon. Member for West Lancashire (Mr. Pickthall) on 28 April 1998,Official Report, column 65. [42598]

  Mr. Hoon
  The information requested is not available in the form requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. All solicitors' firms undertaking legal aid work are required to hold a Legal Aid Board account number to which payments are made. However, the payment records do not provide an accurate figure for the number of firms doing legal aid work, since a single firm may have more than one office, and therefore account number.

  Information on the range of payments for various categories of legal aid made by the Legal Aid Board to solicitors offices are published in its annual report each year. In the 1996–97 annual report, Table General 5 relates to payments made, within each range, to the number of solicitors' offices by each legal aid area. The payments are inclusive of VAT and disbursements as these are not recorded separately.

  However, it should be noted that the tables published prior to 1996–97 will not be comparable with those published in preceding annual reports as the tables were revised to make them more relevant to current developments in legal aid (paragraph 4.5 to Section 4 of the 1996–97 report refers). As of 1996–97, the area is the legal aid area in which the solicitor's office is situated.

  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many barristers in England and Wales undertook legal aid work in each of the last five years for which figures are available; what was the average income from legal aid, excluding VAT, of those banisters in each of those years; and how many of those banisters were not included in his parliamentary answer to the hon. Member for West Lancashire (Mr. Pickthall) on 28 April 1998,Official Report, column 65. [42599]

  Mr. Hoon
  The information is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Payments made to counsel for legal aid work are recorded by the
  71
  Legal Aid Board by range of payments and category of work only. This means that the statistics contained in the Board's Annual Report do not accurately reflect the number of banisters undertaking legal aid work, as each barrister may appear in a number of categories and ranges of payment.

  Information on the range of payments for various types of legal aid made by the Legal Aid Board to counsel are published in its annual report each year. In the 1996–97 annual report, Table General 9 relates to payments made to counsel (Table General 7 in preceding annual reports). The payments are inclusive of VAT and disbursements as these are not recorded separately. However, it should be noted that the tables published prior to 1996–97 will not be comparable with those published in preceding annual reports as the tables were revised to make them more relevant to current developments in legal aid (paragraph 4.5 to Section 4 of the 1996–97 report refers).

  Defamation Act
  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the dates when those parts of the Defamation Act 1996 not yet in force are to come into force; and when the attendant rules of court will become effective. [42456]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Government intend to bring the remaining provisions of the Defamation Act 1996 (including those which apply to Scotland) into force as soon as reasonably practicable. All those provisions will require secondary legislation to make them fully effective. We will make the necessary amendments to the Rules of Court and other Orders at the same time.

  Public Bodies
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (1) what is the average attendance fee of(a) male and (b) female members of boards of non-departmental public bodies responsible to his Department; [42845]

  (2) what is the average salary of (a) male and (b) female members of boards of non-departmental public bodies responsible to his Department. [42844]

  Mr. Hoon
  The majority of board members of non-departmental pubic bodies give their time and services voluntarily and receive no payment other than normal travel and subsistence expenses. Where members do receive remuneration, this can vary between an annual salary, an honorarium or an attendance fee (which itself can be a daily rate or a half-daily rate, or calculated on a per meeting or per case basis). Individuals' remuneration therefore is not directly comparable. Full details of all payments to board members of non-departmental bodies, by gender, are given in the Cabinet Office publication 'Public Bodies'. Copies of 'Public Bodies 1997' are available in the Libraries of the House.

  Public Appointments
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when his Department's action plan for increasing the number of women holding public appointments will be published; and if he will place a copy in the Library. [42846]
  72
  Mr. Hoon
  My Department's action plan will be published shortly. Copies will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Public Inquiries
  Maria Eagle
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what provisions and at what cost were made out of public funds in respect of costs of legal representation for the families and relatives of victims at the public inquiries into the following tragedies(a) Piper Alpha, (b) Hillsborough, (c) King's Cross, (d) the Marchioness, (e) the Clapham rail crash, (f) the MV Derbyshire, (first inquiry) and (g) Stephen Lawrence's murder; and in each case how the costs were (i) agreed, (ii) verified and (iii) disbursed. [42974]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I have been asked to reply.

  I regret that the information requested is not obtainable except at disproportionate cost.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Fur Farming
  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to implement the Council of Europe's recommendations regarding fur farming. [43706]

  Mr. Morley
  The revision of the recommendations regarding fur farming currently being undertaken in the Council of Europe will provide the sound scientific justification for any new welfare rules. We will consider legislating on the basis of the Council of Europe's work if it makes sense to do so once we have established the timetable for phasing out fur farming in Great Britain.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what advice ADAS is currently giving fur factory farms with regard to investments in and improvements to their premises. [43707]

  Mr. Morley
  ADAS was privatised on 1 April 1997. Any services provided to fur farmers by ADAS are a matter for the parties concerned, and costs are met by the fur farms.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his timetable for banning fur factory farming; and what factors govern this timetable. [43708]

  Mr. Morley
  The Government's firm intention is to ban fur farming as soon as practicable. Such a ban must be implemented in accordance with national and international law and I am currently considering how our intention can best be implemented. An announcement will be made once I have decided how to proceed and there will be public consultation on any proposals for legislation to ban fur farming.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many mink and fox fur factory farms there are by county. [43705]
  73
  Mr. Morley
  As at 28 May 1998, there were the following mink farms in England:

  County

  Number of licensed mink farms

  Cornwall

  1

  Dorset

  1

  Hampshire

  1

  Isle of Wight

  1

  Lancashire

  6

  Northumberland

  1

  South Yorkshire

  1

  Staffordshire

  1

  West Yorkshire

  2

  Total

  15

  There is no requirement to register fox fur farms. However, I am not aware of any in England.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from fur breeders opposing the Government's policy on fur breeding. [43710]

  Mr. Morley
  A public consultation letter seeking comments on how I proposed to prohibit the keeping of mink and other species for fur was issued on 5 August 1997. Since then, the Ministry has received 7 representations from fur breeding interests, including the British Fur Trade Association, the Fur Breeders Association of the UK and the International Fur Trade Federation, all opposing the Government's policy on fur farming.

  Mr. Livingstone
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what guidance has been given to owners of fur factory farms with regard to the Government's policy on fur breeding. [43704]

  Mr. Morley
  All the current mink farm licensees have been informed in writing that it is the Government's intention to ban the keeping of mink for fur in this country and that I am considering how this intention may best be implemented.

  Animal Welfare
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his policy on the proposed EU update to Directive 88/166/EEC regarding the welfare of hens. [43886]

  Mr. Morley
  We are pleased that the Commission has now submitted to the Council of Ministers its proposals to set improved welfare standards for laying hens in cages and to introduce standards for alternative systems. The proposals will require thorough technical discussion, which we have already set going under our Presidency. Our aim is to secure a measure which significantly raises minimum welfare standards for laying hens throughout the European Union and leads to a phase-out of the battery cage.

  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the current welfare requirements for free range hens. [43728]

  Mr. Morley
  The welfare of laying hens in free range systems is covered by a Welfare Code made under the Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1968. We 74
  would like in addition to see firm statutory requirements adopted at the EU level on the welfare of hens in alternative systems: we will be working to secure such requirements in the EU negotiation which is now under way on the Commission's recent proposals in this area.

  Marine Research Laboratory
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the future of the Marine Research Laboratory in Burnham-on-Crouch. [43209]

  Mr. Morley
  The laboratory at Burnham-on-Crouch is part of the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), an Executive Agency of the Department. As part of its obligation to provide an efficient and effective scientific service, CEFAS is reviewing its long-term requirements for sites and specialist research facilities. The objective of the review is to ensure that CEFAS has appropriate facilities to support first class science, whilst recognising the need for the Agency to recover its full costs and offer affordable services. It is essential to develop flexible facilities, so that CEFAS can respond quickly to changing work opportunities.

  The current work programme at Burnham fully occupies the site, and staff numbers have been increasing. There is no expectation that this situation will change significantly in the near future. The estate review will aim to establish the long-term costs and benefits of maintaining all CEFAS sites, including that at Burnham. It will assess the need for future investment in facilities, taking account of the views of the MAFF customers who commission work at CEFAS on their likely requirements, and on the prospects of acquiring new non-MAFF business.

  Common Fisheries Policy
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement concerning his meeting with National Federation of Fisheries Organisations and the Scottish Fishermen's Federation on 30 April; and what issues raised at that meeting will be taken forward to the next meeting of fisheries ministers. [43872]

  Mr. Morley
  At my meeting with the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations and Scottish Fishermen's Federation on 30 April we discussed their joint paper on the future of the Common Fisheries Policy after 2002.

  I warmly welcomed the joint strategy as a good basis for discussion. Over the coming months the UK industry will discuss the paper with their counterparts in other Member States and there will be further discussions among ourselves in this country.

  Reform of the CFP is a continuous process, and the June Fisheries Council will be looking at reform of the marketing regime as well as proposals for changes to the rules on enforcement. The Commission will also be making a report on preparation for the 2002 review.
  75
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what amendment to the Treaty of Rome established the without time limit derogation of national allocation of quota from the equal access principle; [43819]

  (2) pursuant to his answer of 6 May 1998, Official Report, column 421, if the common resource principle is part of Council Regulation EEC 3760/92. [43816]

  Mr. Morley
  The principle of equal access to fishing grounds is not set down in the EC Treaty but in Council Regulation (EEC) No. 2141/70. Council Regulation (EEC) No. 3760/92 heavily qualifies the principle so far as the practical operation of the Common Fisheries Policy is concerned.

  Food Safety
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list his Department's bodies that have responsibility for food safety and hygiene; and if he will make a statement. [43629]

  Mr. Rooker
  The bodies reporting to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, or jointly to the Minister and other Secretaries of State, which are concerned wholly or partially with food safety and hygiene, or which provide relevant services, are as follows:

  Executive Agencies

  Meat Hygiene Service

  Pesticides Safety Directorate

  Veterinary Medicines Directorate

  Central Science Laboratory

  Farming and Rural Conservation Agency

  Advisory bodies

  Advisory Committee on Microbiological Safety of Food

  Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes

  Advisory Committee on Pesticides

  Consumer Panel

  Epidemiology of Foodborne Infections Group

  Food Advisory Committee

  Microbiological Food Surveillance Group

  Microbiological Safety of Food Funders Group

  Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee

  Veterinary Products Committee

  Working Party on Chemical Contaminants in Food

  Working Party on Chemical Migration from Materials and Articles in Contact with Food

  Working Party on Dietary Surveys

  Working Party on Food Additives

  Working Party on Pesticide Residues in Food

  Working Party on Radionuclides in Food

  Working Party on Veterinary Residues in Food

  Other

  BSE Regulatory Forum

  Meat Hygiene Appeals Tribunal.

  76

  Antibiotic Growth Promoters
  Dr. Ladyman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimates his Department has made of the increased cost to the consumer if antibiotic growth promoters were banned in the production of poultry, pigs and beef. [43793]

  Mr. Rooker
  No such estimates have been made. However, figures produced by the European Federation of Feed Additive Manufacturers indicate that withdrawal of antibiotic growth promoters could result in increased production costs of up to 10 per cent., with a cost to EU farmers and consumers of almost ecu 2,500 million per year.

  Dr. Ladyman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what studies his Department has made of the experience of countries which have banned the use of antibiotic growth promoters in animal husbandry. [43792]

  Mr. Rooker
  The use of antibiotic growth promoters is controlled under EC Directive 70/524/EEC. Information in support of bans in certain Member states has been submitted to the European Commission's Scientific Committee on Animal Nutrition (SCAN). This information has either already been considered by the UK's independent scientific Veterinary Products Committee, which advises Agriculture and Health Ministers, or is to be reviewed by the Committee shortly.

  Dr. Ladyman
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimates he has made of the increased levels of(a) nitrates and (b) phosphates which will be excreted if antibiotic growth promoters are banned in the production of pigs, poultry and cattle. [43791]

  Mr. Rooker
  Figures from the European Federation of Animal Feed Additive Manufacturers and the National Office of Animal Health indicate that withdrawal of antibiotic growth promoters in France, Germany and the UK would result in the excretion of an additional 78,000 tonnes of nitrogen and 15,000 tones of phosphorus each year.

  Green-top Milk
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many people have suffered food poisoning in each of the last 10 years where the source of infection has been green top milk. [43187]

  Mr. Rooker
  The majority of food poisoning cases are sporadic and the vehicle of infection is not known. Cases may also occur as part of outbreaks and for some of these the vehicle of infection may be established. The latest information on the number of people infected in general outbreaks of infectious intestinal disease in England and Wales associated with all unpasteurised milk will be made available in a detailed table to be placed in the House of Commons Library shortly. However, information is not available specifically on sporadic cases associated with green top or unpasteurised cows' drinking milk.
  77

SCOTLAND

  Buildings Refurbishment
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the cost of buildings refurbishment carried out by his Department in(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98 to date and (d) 1997–98 full year; and if he will make a statement. [26644]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 5 February 1998]: The information set out below relates to buildings owned by The Scottish Office and its associated Departments and Agencies, with the exception of the Scottish Prison Service, for which figures could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  The total cost of buildings refurbishment for the years requested are:

  £

  1995–96

  8,629,204

  1996–97

  13,708,322

  1997–98 full year

  7,276,063

  Female

  Male

  Ethnic Minority

  Disabled

  The Scottish Office and its Executive Agencies (excl SPS) Staff appointed in:

  1995–96

  88

  148

  1

  3

  1996–97

  126

  175

  3

  1

  1 January 1997 to 30 April 1997

  54

  83

  0

  0

  1 May 1997 to 30 April 1998

  137

  203

  0

  1

  The Scottish Prison Service Staff appointed in:

  1995–96

  212

  486

  2

  0

  1996–97

  153

  370

  2

  0

  1 January 1997 to 30 April 1997

  55

  133

  0

  0

  1 May 1997 to 30 April 1998

  137

  322

  4

  1

  Quangos Staff appointed in:

  1995–96

  280

  418

  2

  1

  1996–97

  460

  533

  4

  1

  1 January 1997 to 30 April 1997

  51

  129

  3

  0

  1 May 1997 to 30 April 1998

  497

  442

  5

  3

  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when his Department's action plan for increasing the number of women holding public appointments will be published; and if he will place a copy in the Library. [42874]

  Mr. McLeish
  The Scottish Office action plan will be published shortly. Copies will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Police Complaints
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many formal complaints have been made in each of the last five years against(a) Scottish chief constables and (b) deputy and assistant chief constables; how they were dealt with; and what the outcome was of each complaint. [42431]
  78
  The refurbishment work has been carried out on a range of buildings, offices and specialist facilities and has been necessary either to preserve the fabric of the buildings or to bring systems up to a modern standard. The greater part of the expenditure relates to the refurbishment of court buildings.

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people appointed to(a) the Scottish Office and (b) quangos were (i) females, (ii) males, (iii) from ethnic minorities and (iv) registered disabled in (1) 1995–96, (2) 1996–97, (3) January to April 1997 and (4) since 1 May 1997. [41811]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 13 May 1998]: The number of permanent staff appointed to the Scottish Office and Quangos, together with details of sex, ethnicity and disability are shown in the table.

  Mr. McLeish
  This information is not held centrally. Complaints made against chief constables, deputy and assistant chief constables are dealt with by the relevant police authorities.

  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how his Department ensures that police boards have an appropriate mechanism for dealing with formal complaints against the chief constable or deputy or assistant chief constables; [42428]

  (2) what system each police board has in place to deal with formal complaints against the chief constable or deputy or assistant chief constables. [42427]

  Mr. McLeish
  It is for each police board to decide what system to put in place to discharge its statutory duty to keep itself informed as to the manner in which the
  79
  Chief Constable handles complaints by members of the public. If it is reasonably believed that a disciplinary offence may have been committed by a senior officer, the police authority must institute procedures set out in the Police (Conduct) (Senior Officers) (Scotland) Regulations 1996. The Secretary of State has no locus to ensure that the police board's mechanism is appropriate.

  Green Belt
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on his policy regarding the conservation of the Green Belt and of the countryside around cities and towns. [42546]

  Mr. Macdonald
  The Government are committed to ensuring the long term protection of Scotland's green belts and countryside, whilst looking to planning

  Authority

  Applicant

  Development

  Location

  Ground area

  Approved

  North Lanarkshire

  —

  Letting bedroom block

  Dalziel Park, Motherwell

  —

  15.12.97

  North Lanarkshire

  Peter D. Stirling Ltd

  Infilling and recycling/reuse of construction waste

  Drumcavel Quarry, Mount Ellen

  —

  06.08.97

  South Lanarkshire

  Mrs. M. Ingram

  1 house

  Muir Farm, Carmunnock, Glasgow

  1.36ha

  27.11.97

  Renfrewshire

  Linzi and William Gorman

  Storage

  Yardfoot Farm, Lochwinnoch

  180m2

  19.11.97

  South Ayrshire

  Telecoms Tower and Compound

  Mercury Personal Communications

  Raith Hill, Prestwick

  96m2

  21.07.97

  East Dunbartonshire

  Cora Foundation/St. Mary's Kenmure

  Residential, teaching and leisure

  St. Mary's Road, Bishopbriggs

  366m2

  10.07.98

  East Dunbartonshire

  McCann, Lindsay Ltd.

  Extension to hard standing, industry

  Craigton Works, Craigton, Milngavie

  —

  06.05.97

  East Dunbartonshire

  Mr. J. Stark

  1 House

  Alton Farm, Antermony Road, Milton of Campsie

  —

  09.10.96

  Falkirk

  Goalday

  Landfill

  Avondale Farm, Polmont, Falkirk

  80ha

  15.11.96

  Falkirk

  Falkirk Football and Athletic Club

  Football stadium

  Westfield Road, Falkirk

  30ha

  03.06.96

  Kyle and Carrick

  —

  House and garage

  12 Monktonhill Road, Southwoods, Troon

  —

  10.02.97

  Kyle and Carrick

  Bett/Summerbridge

  Retail

  Heathfield/Whitletts, Ayr

  —

  24.04.96

  Midlothian

  —

  Private housing (45) development

  Dalkeith

  —

  22.03.95

  Hamilton

  George Wilson (Stonehouse) Ltd.

  175 Houses

  Strathaven Road/Carscallan Road, Hamilton

  7.082ha

  06.08.96

  Strathkelvin

  Mr. Kohli

  House extension and garage

  Lochview, Bardavie

  —

  16.04.96

  Strathkelvin

  Greater Glasgow Community and Mental Health Services

  Offices to housing (change of use)

  The White House, Lennox Castle, Lennoxtown

  —

  15.01.96

  Strathkelvin

  Mr. Kohli

  Entrance vestibule and double garage

  Lochview, Bardavie

  —

  31.01.95

  Strathkelvin

  Beazer Homes

  Housing

  Garnhart Estate

  9ha

  11.96

  Aberdeen

  Stewart Milne Homes Ltd.

  Housing

  Contlaw Road, Milltimber

  15ha

  06.03.96

  Aberdeen

  Mr. F. J. McLean

  1 House (change of use from store)

  West Lasts, Peterculter

  —

  10.05.95

  Edinburgh

  Gogar Curling Club

  Extension to Curling Club

  Gogar Station Road, Edinburgh

  1ha

  30.01.96

  80
  authorities to ensure through their development plans that their policies remain relevant to local circumstances and to reflect those policies in their planning decisions.

  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list planning approvals allowing development in the Green Belt in Scotland since 1 January 1995, indicating the council concerned, the nature, date, location and extent of each development, the developer and whether approval was given by the council or by his Department. [42429]

  Mr. Macdonald
  Information on decisions taken by councils allowing development in the Green Belt is not held centrally. From 1 January 1995 to 31 December 1997 my right hon. Friend has granted approval for the applications listed in the table. The majority of these decisions were appeal decisions delegated to The Scottish Office Inquiry Reporters Unit.
  81

  Authority

  Applicant

  Development

  Location

  Ground area

  Approved

  Grampian

  J. Hutchison

  2 Holiday chalets

  Elrick Farm, Ridge of Muchalls, by Stonehaven

  —

  13.07.95

  Grampian

  C&R Fraser

  Housing

  Jellieshillock, Maryculter, Kincardine

  —

  25.01.95

  Kincardine and Deeside

  Trustees of late G. A. M. Saunders

  Housing

  Monduff, Newtonhill

  —

  15.05.95

  East Kilbride

  Lightbody Ltd.

  Housing

  Hamilton Road, Strathaven

  3.4ha

  01.96

  East Kilbride

  Whiteshawgate Ltd.

  Housing

  Hamilton Road, Strathaven

  6.9ha

  01.96

  Renfrew

  —

  Housing

  Kirktonfield Road, Neilston

  —

  16.03.95

  Strathclyde

  Wimpey Homes Holdings Ltd.

  Housing

  South of Wester Cleddons Road and West of Westerhill Farm

  30ha

  06.02.95

  Source:

  The Planning Exchange (details of applicant's name and ground area are not recorded in every instance)

  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the councils which have sought approval since 1 January 1995 to remove protection from land previously designated as green belt and the date and the area of land involved in each case. [42446]

  Authority

  Green belt

  Housing allocation

  Date of submission

  Strathclyde Regional Council

  Ayr, Prestwick, Troon

  650

  November 1995

  Strathclyde Regional Council

  Greater Glasgow

  170

  November 1995

  Lothian Regional Council

  Edinburgh

  Up to 4,000

  January 1995

  Notes:

  1. The Grampian Structure Plan, submitted for approval in February 1995, includes a green belt exceptions policy which allows for limited release of land for housing and business use. The extent of these releases remains to be defined and quantified through the relevant Local Plans.

  2. The Edinburgh Green Belt is the subject of a review following modification of the Lothian Structure Plan by the Secretary of State.

  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the parts of Scotland designated as Green Belt, indicating the areas covered. [42433]

  Mr. Macdonald
  There are six designated green belts in Scotland. The boundaries of individual green belts are defined in the relevant local authorities' local plans which can be viewed at the offices of the authority concerned. As at January 1998 the area covered by such designation is as follows:

  Green belt

  Area (hectares)

  Aberdeen

  23,039

  Ayr, Prestwick and Troon

  3,024

  Clackmannan

  981

  Falkirk and Grangemouth

  3,803

  Glasgow and Clyde Valley

  109,917

  Edinburgh

  15,869

  Total

  156,633

  Source:

  The Scottish Office Geographic Information Service—based on information in Local Plans.

  Scottish National Sleep Laboratory
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will make a statement on his Department's funding for the Scottish National Sleep Laboratory for(a) 1998 and (b) each year since 1992; [42717]
  82
  Mr. Macdonald
  This information is not available in the form requested. However, the table indicates the housing provision in the green belt for which approval has been sought for release by the former regional councils since 1 January 1995.

  (2) how many people are currently on waiting lists to be treated at the Scottish National Sleep Laboratory; [42718]

  (3) what was the average length of time for which a patient had to wait for treatment at the Scottish National Sleep Centre in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [42719]

  Mr. Galbraith
  Until 31 March 1996 funding for the Scottish National Sleep Laboratory was provided centrally by the National Services Division of the Common Services Agency. Funding from 1992 until 1996 was as follows:

  Financial year

  £

  1992–93

  54,525

  1993–94

  295,916

  1994–95

  286,987

  1995–96

  519,338

  Planning of sleep disorder services was devolved to Health Boards with effect from 1996–97 and funds were allocated to them on a weighted basis. Exceptionally in 1997–98, the Management Executive granted an additional allocation of £150,000 to the Laboratory. There are currently 416 people waiting for a new out-patient appointment, 188 waiting for a diagnostic study, and 220 waiting to start treatment.

  The waiting time for a new out-patient appointment is on average 28 weeks, for diagnostic study 2.5 months and for the start of treatment 10 months.
  83

  Association of Chief Police Officers
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the funds and assistance provided in each year since 1994–95 to the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland by(a) the Scottish Office, (b) other Government departments and (c) each police authority or board. [42409]

  Mr. McLeish
  The assistance provided by The Scottish Office in respect of the staff salaries and administrative costs incurred by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPOS) was £104,000 in 1994–95, £119,000 in 1995–96, £135,000 in 1996–97 and £141,000 in 1997–98. No other Government department provided funding.

  Scottish Office funding for the ACPOS secretariat is included among the common police services for which the Secretary of State recovers 50 per cent. of his expenditure from police authorities. Details of the expenditure recovered from police authorities for the years in question are shown in the table.

  £

  Police authority

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  Central

  2,380

  2,741

  3,123

  3,262

  Dumfries and Galloway

  1,406

  1,573

  1,787

  1,985

  Fife

  2,856

  3,289

  3,737

  4,009

  Grampian

  4,313

  4,854

  5,533

  5,889

  Lothian and Borders

  9,238

  10,546

  11,981

  12,816

  Northern

  2,395

  2,758

  3,133

  3,518

  Strathclyde

  25,462

  29,202

  33,154

  33,588

  Tayside

  3,951

  4,537

  5,183

  5,433

  52,001

  59,500

  67,631

  70,500

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the grades within the uniformed police or civilian police service which make up the membership of the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland. [42405]

  Mr. McLeish
  The membership of the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland comprises chief constables and assistant chief constables (including designated deputies).

  Grampian Constabulary
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will place in the Library a copy of(a) the report by the Deputy Chief Constable of Lothian and Borders Police, on the Grampian Constabulary and (b) other reports concerning the management and administration of the Constabulary. [42404]

  Mr. McLeish
  Yes. Copies of the report by Graham Power on the handling of the Scott Simpson murder inquiry by Grampian Police have already been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. Arrangements are being made to place copies of the Accounts Commission for Scotland's Report on the Scottish Police Service Performance Manual, published on 22 April, in the Libraries. Copies of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary's inspection report on Grampian Police will be placed in the House Libraries when it is published.
  84

  Information
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if his Department operates a monitoring exercise of persistent inquirers for information. [42630]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 19 May 1998]: It does not. The low incidence of such inquirers has not warranted the setting up of a monitoring system across my Department.

  Voluntary Sports Clubs
  Mr. Pendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the cost in 1997–98 of discretionary rate relief for voluntary sports clubs in Scotland. [42912]

  Mr. Macdonald
  The cost of discretionary rate relief for voluntary sports clubs for 1997–98 is estimated at £5,398,120.

  Scottish Parliament
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the responsibilities in respect of the(a) regulation of and (b) payment of subsidy to the railways to be transferred to the Scottish Parliament. [43132]

  Mr. McLeish
  Under the Government's devolution proposals all matters relating to the regulation of the railway are to be reserved to the UK Parliament. We propose, however, to give appropriate oversight of Scottish passenger rail services to the Scottish Executive including the responsibility for funding passenger rail services which start and end in Scotland.

  High Rise Flats, Shettleston
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many blocks of high rise flats, containing what total number of housing units, there are in the Glasgow, Shettleston constituency. [43335]

  Mr. Macdonald
  [pursuant to his reply, 19 May 1998, c. 337–38]: The information requested is not available centrally by constituency.

  Housing
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make it his policy to collect statistics on the number of houses below tolerable standards in each constituency in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [43333]

  Mr. Macdonald
  Information on the number of houses below the tolerable standard is available nationally (from the Scottish House Condition Survey) and at local authority level (from data collected by individual local authorities). Below tolerable standard housing is one of four national housing priority categories for investment for local authorities. There are no current plans to collect this information by constituency.

  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make it his policy to collect statistics relating to high rise flats in each constituency in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [43334]
  85
  Mr. Macdonald
  Information on the number of council owned high rise flats is available at national and local authority level. There are no plans to collect this information by constituency.

  Asthma
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the net ingredient cost for preparations used in the treatment of asthma(a) in total, (b) per health authority and (c) per head of population per health authority, in each of the last five years. [43694]

  Ingredient cost (£ million)

  Ingredient cost per patient on GP lists (£)

  Health Board

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  Argyll and Clyde

  3.206

  3.575

  3.867

  4.120

  4.455

  7.18

  8.06

  8.81

  9.39

  10.15

  Ayrshire and Arran

  3.470

  3.972

  4.373

  4.665

  5.096

  8.86

  10.12

  11.17

  11.91

  13.06

  Borders

  0.880

  0.949

  0.999

  1.036

  1.142

  8.21

  8.80

  9.25

  9.56

  10.56

  Dumfries and Galloway

  1.078

  1.195

  1.293

  1.412

  1.573

  7.03

  7.80

  8.43

  9.21

  10.31

  Fife

  2.377

  2.627

  2.892

  3.122

  3.496

  6.76

  7.44

  8.16

  8.80

  9.84

  Forth Valley

  2.004

  2.275

  2.490

  2.697

  2.968

  6.90

  7.83

  8.54

  9.27

  10.21

  Grampian

  3.546

  3.960

  4.337

  4.643

  4.980

  6.69

  7.22

  8.05

  8.59

  9.22

  Greater Glasgow

  7.198

  8.099

  8.841

  9.251

  9.796

  7.12

  8.13

  8.92

  9.33

  9.96

  Highland

  1.248

  1.401

  1.557

  1.752

  1.890

  5.88

  6.58

  7.28

  8.15

  8.76

  Lanarkshire

  4.448

  5.074

  5.706

  6.050

  6.590

  7.62

  8.68

  9.78

  10.32

  11.29

  Lothian

  5.237

  5.652

  6.091

  6.461

  7.279

  6.52

  7.03

  7.57

  7.93

  8.89

  Orkney

  0.109

  0.130

  0.144

  0.149

  0.156

  5.45

  6.47

  7.17

  7.38

  7.81

  Shetland

  0.100

  0.111

  0.128

  0.141

  0.158

  4.46

  4.82

  5.57

  6.12

  6.95

  Tayside

  3.435

  3.936

  4.388

  4.741

  4.979

  8.36

  9.58

  10.73

  11.57

  12.17

  Western Isles

  0.142

  0.172

  0.201

  0.215

  0.229

  4.76

  5.77

  6.76

  7.27

  7.88

  Scotland

  38.478

  43.128

  47.307

  50.455

  54.787

  17.17

  18.03

  18.84

  19.40

  110.22

  1 Based on cost of ingredients divided by the total numbers of patients on GP lists

  Small Businesses
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the regulations that have been removed or amended to help small businesses since 1 May 1997. [42781]

  Mr. Wilson
  Since 1 May 1997, The Scottish Office has made the following amendments to regulations which are expected to help small businesses:Invergarry-Kyle of Lochalsh Trunk Road (A87) Extension (Skye Bridge Crossing) Toll Order (Variation) Order 1997—(SI1997/2941 S.186)
  The Town and Country Planning (Use Classes)(Scotland) Order 1997—(SI1997/3061)
  The Corn Returns Regulations 1997—(SI1997/1873)
  The Non-Domestic Rates (Levying)(Scotland) Regulations 1997—(SI1997/452—S.34).

TREASURY

  Information
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his Department operates a monitoring exercise of persistent inquirers for information. [42643]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 19 May 1998]: HM Treasury Public Enquiry Unit (PEU) records the total number of calls answered by PEU staff. We do receive calls from persistent inquirers but we do not monitor these independently of the overall total.
  86
  Mr. Galbraith
  The information by health board and Scotland for financial years 1993–94 to 1997–98 is set out in the table. The costs shown are based on the value of ingredients dispensed by community pharmacists and dispensing doctors before the addition of dispensing fees or deduction of any discount or patient charges. The cost of drugs used in hospital treatment of asthma is not available centrally.

  The costs shown relate to drugs used in the treatment of asthma contained in British National Formulary sections 3.1 (Bronchodilators), 3.2 (Corticosteriods) and 3.3 (Cromoglycate and related therapy). Some of the drugs may be used in the treatment of other conditions.

  Working Hours
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the minimum number of hours someone has to be working to count as employed under the ILO definition. [43972]

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

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. David Willetts, dated 1 June 1998:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your parliamentary question on the ILO definition of being employed.
  Under the definitions of economic status agreed by the Thirteenth International Conference of Labour Statisticians (Geneva, 1982) anyone working at least one hour in the reference period (normally the week preceding the interview) is counted as being employed. This minimum does not apply to those who happened to be away from work in the reference period due to sickness, holiday etc.
  The full ILO definition of employment is published on page 63 of the 1996 ILO Yearbook, a copy of which is available from the House of Commons Library.
  The United Kingdom's and all other European Union countries' Labour Force Surveys use the ILO definitions although there may be some small differences in interpretation between countries.

  Mortality Statistics
  Mr. Cunliffe
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the mortality rates for(a) heart disease,

  87
  (b) lung cancer and (c) renal failure in (i) the National Health Service North-West Region and (ii) Wigan and Bolton health area. [43308]

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

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Lawrence Cunliffe, dated 1 June 1998:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your parliamentary question on the mortality rates for (a) lung cancer, (b) other forms of cancer and (c) kidney disease in (i) the National Health Service North-West Region and (ii) Wigan and Bolton health area.
  The data requested are shown in the table.

  Death rates1 by cause in the North Western Regional Office and Wigan and Bolton Health Authority, 1996

  North Western RO

  Wigan and Bolton HA

  Lung cancer

  71

  64

  Other forms of cancer

  211

  193

  Kidney disease

  9

  11

  1 Deaths per hundred thousand population

  The deaths data were identified as those certified with an underlying cause assigned to the following International Classification of Diseases Ninth Revision (ICD9) codes:

  Cause

  Lung cancer

  162

  Other cancers

  140–208 (malignant neoplasms) minus 162

  Kidney disease

  580–593 (renal failure and infections of the kidney)

  250.3 (diabetes with renal manifestations) 403–404 (hypertensive renal disease)

  Dividend Tax Credits
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 18 July 1997,Official Report, column 375, if he will provide a breakdown of the number of (a) non-taxpayers aged over 65 years and (b) all non-taxpaying individuals reclaiming tax credits on dividends in (i) 1995–96 and () 1996–97, in the categories (1) under £20, (2) £21 to £50, (3) £51 to £100, (4) £101 to £200 and (5) over £200 reclaimed. [41637]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  The latest available estimates derived from the Survey of Personal Incomes cover dividends paid in 1995–96 and are given in the table.

  Amount of dividends tax credit claimed (£)

  Number of non taxpayers aged 65 and over with claims (thousands)

  Number of non taxpayers with claims (thousands)

  under 20

  100

  240

  21–50

  60

  130

  51–100

  60

  110

  101–200

  50

  90

  201 and over

  30

  60

  Total

  300

  630

  88
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 18 July 1997,Official Report, column 375, concerning tax credits on dividends, if he will provide figures for 1996–97. [41635]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  I regret that the information requested for 1996–97 is not yet available.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 18 July 1997,Official Report, column 375, what is the estimated saving to the Exchequer of abolishing the repayment of dividend tax credits in respect of (a) all non-taxpaying individuals and (b) non-taxpaying individuals aged over 65 years. [41638]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  It is estimated that abolishing payment of dividend tax credits in respect of all non taxpaying individuals will save the Exchequer about £50 million in a full year. About half of this relates to payments to non taxpaying individuals aged 65 and over. These estimates do not take into account any behavioural effects which might result from abolishing the payment of tax credits.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many individuals with no tax liability reclaimed a tax credit on dividends paid in(a) 1995–96 and (b) 1996–97; and what was the average amount re-claimed. [41636]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  The latest available information is derived from the 1995–96 Survey of Personal Incomes. It is estimated that some 630,000 non taxpayers made claims, averaging £75, for payment of the tax credit on dividends paid in 1995–96.

  Euro-X Committee
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the terms of reference of the Euro-X Committee; and what matters have been reserved to ECOFIN. [43142]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The terms of reference of the Euro-X committee are set out in the Luxembourg European Council conclusions. The Luxembourg European Council conclusions state that decisions will in all cases be taken by the ECOFIN Council in accordance with the procedures set out in the Treaty.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what will be the agenda for the June meeting of the Euro-X Committee. [43141]

  Mrs. Liddell
  As agreed by all member states, the agenda for the June meeting of Euro-X will include practical arrangements for future meetings of Euro-X and a preliminary assessment of the macroeconomic situation in the euro area with a view to the introduction of the single currency in those countries.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what mechanisms will be created to co-ordinate the work of the Euro-X Committee and ECOFIN. [43143]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Euro-X is an informal body to be established in line with the conclusions of the Luxembourg European Council. The ECOFIN Council is a formal body of the EU, established under the Treaty. The Luxembourg European Council conclusions state that the Ministers of member states participating in the euro area may meet informally among themselves to discuss issues connected with their shared specific responsibilities for the single currency. The Luxembourg conclusions also
  89
  state that whenever matters of common interest are concerned they will be discussed by Ministers of all member states. Decisions will in all cases be taken by the ECOFIN Council in accordance with the procedures laid down in the Treaty.

  Capital Receipts
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will announce the capital receipts initiative for the next three years. [43196]

  Mr. Darling
  The Chancellor announced in his 1997 Budget the amount of resources for the Capital Receipts Initiatives in 1997–98 and 1998–99.

  The provision for the next three years will form part of the new spending plans which will be announced in the summer following the completion of the Comprehensive Spending Review.

  Official Engagements
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list his official engagements during his recent visits to(a) Indonesia, (b) Korea and (c) Malaysia. [42398]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  My visit to Asia began in Korea, where I met President Kim Dae-Jung, the Ministers of Finance and Foreign Affairs and the Governor of the Bank of Korea. I also met members of the business and financial community, and representatives from the trade unions.

  I then travelled to Malaysia, where I met Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Anwar Ibrahim. As in Seoul, I also had discussions with members of the business and financial community in Kuala Lumpur.

  The final leg of the visit was to Indonesia. I met President Soeharto and delivered a strong message on the need for political reform. I then met a number of the key figures involved in the economic reform effort: the Ministers for the Economy, Finance, and Trade and Industry, and the Governor of the Bank of Indonesia. I also delivered a speech at the Jakarta Stock Exchange on strengthening the architecture of the international financial system, and visited a World Bank rehabilitation project.

  Korea
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his discussions with the Korean trade union movement. [42351]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  On my recent trip to Korea I met President Kim Dae-Jung, the Ministers of Finance and Foreign Affairs and the Governor of the Bank of Korea. I met some members of the business and financial community. I also met the leaders of the two main Korean trade union bodies: Park In-Sang, President of the Federation of Korean Trade Unions and Lee Kap-Yong, President of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions.

  HIPC Initiative
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussion of the five points of the Mauritius 90
  Mandate occurred at (a) the Finance Ministers' meeting and (b) the G8 summit; and if he will make a statement. [43837]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Agreement was reached at both the Foreign and Finance Ministers meeting on 9 May and at the Birmingham Summit itself on issues raised in the Mauritius Mandate. Both meetings agreed to the speedy and determined implementation of debt relief to more countries under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative, and encouraged all poor countries to have begun the process of securing debt relief by the year 2000. The meetings also urged all countries that have not already done so to forgive aid-related bilateral debt or to take comparable action for reforming poor countries, and to use export credits to countries eligible for debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative only for productive expenditure. These agreements follow directly from proposals originally made by the Chancellor in the Mauritius Mandate.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions were held regarding the six-year qualification period for the HIPC initiative at (i) the Finance Ministers' meeting and (ii) the G8 summit. [43836]

  Mrs. Liddell
  To date, five of the six countries that have had decision points under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative, have been granted shortened second stages before their completion points, demonstrating the willingness of the international community to implement the initiative flexibly.

  The G8 further demonstrated its support for the speedy and determined implementation of debt relief to the world's poorest countries under the HIPC initiative in the communiques issued after both the G8 Foreign and Finance Ministers meeting on 9 May and the Summit itself.

  Following an initiative by the Chancellor at the Foreign and Finance Ministers meeting, the Summit also discussed the needs of post conflict countries. One possibility to be looked at is counting IMF post conflict assistance programmes towards a country's track record. This could bring the decision point forward by up to twelve months for certain countries.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received from the Governments of(a) Japan and (b) Germany with regard to debt relief. [43735]

  Mrs. Liddell
  (a) The Chancellor has not received any recent representations from the Japanese Government with regard to debt relief.

  (b) The Chancellor has received recent representations from the German government, which make clear its support of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative and which illustrate its generosity in granting debt relief to date.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with the G8 Finance Ministers regarding the sale of IMF gold stocks to fund Third World debt relief. [43734]
  91
  Mrs. Liddell
  At the present time the sale of IMF gold reserves is not necessary to finance debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative. The British Government recognise that gold sales will eventually be necessary, and will discuss the issue with other creditors when appropriate.

  Asian Crisis
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what initiatives the G8 Summit discussed regarding the impact of the Asian financial crisis on the poor; and what proposals were made. [43733]

  Mrs. Liddell
  G8 leaders were very conscious of the serious impact of the Asian crisis on the poor and most vulnerable. They agreed that economic and financial reform needs to be matched with actions and policies by the countries concerned to help protect these groups from the worst effects of the crisis. G8 leaders welcomed the support for this by the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and bilateral donors and the increased emphasis on social expenditure in programmes agreed by the IMF. At the Summit there was also a full discussion of the challenges of poorer developing countries throughout the wider world and a number of steps were agreed to help them. The conclusions on this are contained in the G8 Communique in the Library of the House.

PRIME MINISTER

  BSkyB
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Prime Minister when Cabinet Office officials were consulted about the appointment of Mr. Timothy Allan to a position at BSkyB. [39892]

  The Prime Minister
  Before his contract was signed on 19 April.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Prime Minister when he was informed that his deputy press spokesman, Mr. Timothy Allan, was negotiating to become an employee of BSkyB. [39874]

  The Prime Minister
  I was aware that he was discussing employment with several companies for some weeks before his appointment with BSkyB was announced.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Prime Minister when he was informed that his deputy press spokesman, Mr. Timothy Allan, was to become an employee of BSkyB. [39875]

  The Prime Minister
  On 19 April.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Prime Minister if he provided a reference for Mr. Timothy Allan, his former deputy press spokesman, in connection with his securing a senior position at BSkyB. [39876]

  The Prime Minister
  No.

  Sierra Leone
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the occasions on which he has met President Kabbah of Sierra Leone since 1 May 1997; and if he will publish the minutes of such meetings. [42093]
  92
  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 14 May 1998]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 19 May 1998, Official Report, column 313.

  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Prime Minister what United Kingdom public funds were made available to President Kabbah of Sierra Leone during his exile; and what reports he has received on what the money was used for. [42803]

  The Prime Minister
  The total financial value of United Kingdom assistance to President Kabbah and his government representatives while they were in Conakry, Guinea was £342,711. This comprised direct support from the Department for International Development and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for: the basic services of President Kabbah's government in Conakry; President Kabbah and a Sierra Leone delegation to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Edinburgh in October 1997; a workshop and seminar in the United Kingdom to help President Kabbah restore the legitimate Government of Sierra Leone; and communications equipment.

  The expenditure has been monitored by the British High Commissioner to Freetown, who worked alongside President Kabbah's government in Conakry, and by periodic reports to the Department for International Development from the government of Sierra Leone.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Prime Minister by whom the decision was taken to release the recent letter from President Kabbah to the press; who was consulted; and when. [42708]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 20 May 1998]: I took the decision in consultation with the Foreign Secretary on the day the letter was received. President Kabbah himself wrote in the letter that he had no objection to its contents being released to the media. When the letter was made public my Press Secretary made clear to journalists that there were interpretations in the letter which the British Government did not agree with—both in relation to interpretation of Security Council Resolutions and in relation to named individuals—but that we saw it as helpful in providing the perspective of the democratically elected and legitimate government of Sierra Leone on events which led to their restoration after the military coup.

  Mr. Butterfill
  To ask the Prime Minister how many intelligence reports on the activities of Sandline were submitted to No. 10 Downing Street; on what dates; and if he will extend the scope of Sir Thomas Legg's inquiry to include such reports. [43466]

  The Prime Minister
  All papers that were available to me will be made available to Sir Thomas Legg's investigation.

  Consultation Papers
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 11 May 1998,Official Report, column 19, what estimate he has made of the cost of holding centrally details of all the consultation papers issued by Departments since 1 May 1987. [42217]

  The Prime Minister
  I have made no estimate. Individual Ministers are responsible for the consultation papers they publish.
  93

  North Korea
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Prime Minister what plans Her Majesty's Government have to provide contributions in terms of(a) food aid, (b) agricultural development and (c) the provision of light water reactors to North Korea. [42424]

  The Prime Minister
  The United Kingdom, in our Presidency role, led a European Union Technical Mission to North Korea from 8–17 May to assess the present humanitarian situation and consider future needs. The UK participated in the United Nations Development Programme Round Table on 28–29 May to discuss plans for agricultural rehabilitation. The Secretary of State for International Development will review UK policy in the light of these events.

  We and our EU partners are committed to resolving the issue of nuclear proliferation on the Korean Peninsula. The EU is a full member of the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organisation (KEDO), which is providing North Korea with new Light Water Reactors and interim energy supplies in return for North Korea suspending (and eventually dismantling) its own nuclear reactor programme. The UK contributed $1 million to KEDO in 1995. The EU contributed 5 million ecu in 1996 and in 1997 agreed to contribute 15 million ecu a year for 5 years.

  China
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to visit(a) the Suzhou Industrial Park and (b) Sichuan Province during his forthcoming visit to China. [42352]

  The Prime Minister
  Arrangements for my visit to China in October are at the planning stage. However, given the large number of competing demands on the programme, I unfortunately do not expect to visit either the Suzhou Industrial park or Sichuan Province on this occasion. However, my programme will ensure that I see as many aspects of Chinese society as possible.

  Asia-Europe Meeting
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on ASEM II in London, listing his bilateral meetings with foreign leaders during the summit; and what responses have been received to the proposed trust fund from(a) foreign Governments and (b) international financial institutions. [42357]

  The Prime Minister
  The second Asia Europe meeting made a significant contribution towards reinforcing the bonds between Asia and both Britain and Europe as a whole.

  There was a strong message on the financial crisis in Asia: how we can work together to restore confidence and stability. At a critical time, we were able to emphasise Europe's commitment to the region and secure agreement on the need to maintain open markets and free trade.

  Action plans were agreed to encourage trade and promote investment. The third Asia-Europe Business Forum was also held during the Summit. This gave business leaders from all ASEM members the opportunity to report on the concerns of business directly to political leaders at the summit.
  94
  The ASEM process is breaking new ground in political dialogue between the two regions. At the London meeting, there was discussion of fundamental rights and issues ranging from international crime to developments in Cambodia, the Korean Peninsula, Kosovo and enlargement of the European Union.

  The London Summit also launched major initiatives in areas of particular concern to all our peoples: the environment and the welfare and education of our children.

  The UK's initiative to establish an ASEM Trust Fund was widely welcomed. The Fund, which will provide assistance in assessing the poverty impact of the Asian financial crisis and help with financial restructuring, will be managed by the World Bank. Discussions are at an advanced stage on the operating arrangements. Indications of financial support from EU ASEM participants exceed $30 (US) million (including £5 million from the UK) and further support is expected from both European and Asian participants.

  During the Summit and immediately before, I had bilateral meetings with the Prime Ministers of China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia and Thailand.

  Information
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Prime Minister if his Office operates a monitoring exercise of persistent inquirers for information. [42627]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 19 May 1998]: Although requests for information under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information are routinely monitored, it has not been found necessary to introduce specific procedures for persistent inquiries.

  Whaling (Japan)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will raise Japan's continued whaling with Emperor Akihito during the latter's forthcoming visit. [42170]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 20 May 1998]: Under the Japanese constitution, the Emperor has a strictly non-political role. However, we have made the Japanese Government aware on many occasions that the United Kingdom supports a permanent international ban on whaling, with the exception of some limited aboriginal subsistence whaling. The most recent occasion was at the International Whaling Commission meeting that took place between 27 and 29 May in Oman.

  Former Service Personnel
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Prime Minister how many Government departments currently have responsibilities for the affairs of former service personnel. [43055]

  The Prime Minister
  Ex-Service personnel are accorded the same access to services provided by Government Departments as every other citizen. It will depend on the nature of the services required as to which Government Department will be involved. However, the majority of cases are matters relating to the Ministry of Defence, the Department of Social Security, of which the War Pensions Agency is a part, and the Department of Health.
  95
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will assess the advantages of having the affairs of former service personnel dealt with by a single Government department; what representations he has received on this matter; and if he will make a statement. [43056]

  The Prime Minister
  The Government have received a number of representations on this subject. My hon. Friend the Minister for the Armed Forces met the Secretary General of the Royal British Legion on 11 March, when they discussed how best to improve the handling of ex-Service affairs. The Ministry of Defence are looking closely at options for approaching the wider question of matters relating to the ex-Service community in the light of these discussions.

  Party Funding
  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will arrange for the minutes of the Political Honours Scrutiny Committee since 1979 to be made available to the Committee on Standards in Public Life for its inquiry into party funding. [43294]

  The Prime Minister
  No. The Committee's advice has been given in confidence to the Prime Minister of the day to assist him or her in making recommendations for political honours.

DEFENCE

  British Beef
  Mr. Linton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made with the European Commission in seeking to release stocks of British intervention beef for use by the armed forces. [44107]

  Mr. Spellar
  I am pleased to announce that, following discussions with my right hon. Friends the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Secretary of State for Defence—taken forward by my noble Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and as a result of his Ministry's approach to the European Commission—the Commission has approved a Regulation allowing access to intervention stocks of British beef for use by the Armed Forces at competitive prices. Access to these stocks on terms agreed should allow our food supply contractor to substantially increase the amount of British beef consumed by our UK based Armed Forces.

  Service Fatalities
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel lost their lives in the past 12 months while in action, or as a consequence of wounds received during active service, outside Northern Ireland; and what was the country or coastal region of their deaths or wounds which consequently resulted in their deaths. [42897]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 21 May 1998]: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Analytical Services Agency (DASA). I have asked the Chief Executive to write to my hon. Friend.
  96
  Letter from Paul Altobell to Mr. Andrew Mackinlay, dated 1 June 1998:
  I am replying to your questions to the Secretary of State for Defence about the number of service personnel who have lost their lives in action outside of Northern Ireland over the past 12 months, as this matter falls within my area of responsibility.
  I am happy to report that our records show that, in the period 1 April 1997 to 19 May 1998, no service personnel died as a result of battle wounds or injuries as a direct result of action by or against an organised enemy.
  I hope you find this information helpful.

  WE177 Bombs
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what volumes of radioactive waste were generated in the research, manufacture, storage, maintenance and deployment of the WE177 nuclear bombs; what quantities of radioactive waste will be created in their decommissioning; what environmental measures are to be applied to their decommissioning; and where the residual radioactive waste and plutonium will be stored. [40778]

  Dr. Reid
  The WE177 free fall bomb programme started over 30 years go. Details of radioactive waste arising from the different phase of the programme were not recorded separately, and could be collated only at disproportionate cost.

  Decommissioning of WE177 is being undertaken in accordance with all relevant environmental legislation and in line with the requirements of the appropriate regulatory bodies, principally the Environment Agency and the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate.

  Any radioactive waste arising from this work will be disposed of via normal approved routes where these are available, and in accordance with certificates of authorisation issued by the Environment Agency; for example, suitable low level waste will be sent to BNFL Drigg. Other waste for which no disposal route is currently available will be stored safely and securely at AWE Aldermaston. Any plutonium will also be safely and securely held, though I must withhold details under Exemption 1 of the code of Practice on Access to Government Information relating to Defence, Security and International Relations.

  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence to which establishments WE177 bombs were taken for servicing; what the nature of such servicing entails; and how regularly this servicing was conducted. [40814]

  Dr. Reid
  Servicing was carried out by the Atomic Weapons Establishment as necessary to ensure the continued safety and reliability of WE177 whilst in service. I am withholding details as to the regularity and nature of servicing under Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information relating to Defence, Security, and Internal Relations.

  RAF Menwith Hill
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 2 March 1998,Official Report, column 489, what proportion of the total cost of the infra-red system at RAF Menwith Hill has been met by his Department. [42073]
  97
  Dr. Reid
  As I told the hon. Gentleman in my reply of 2 March 1998,Official Report, column 489, the Space Based Infra-Red System (SBIRS) is a programme funded by the United States Government. As such, we do not have details of the total programme costs and therefore I am unable to specify what proportion of these costs associated with the SBIRS programme at RAF Menwith Hill is being borne by my department.

  Sierra Leone
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all visitors to HMS Cornwall in the period during which President Kabbah was aboard and in the preceding and following weeks; and if he will give their job titles, their reasons for being there and the dates when they were aboard. [41957]

  Mr. George Robertson
  [holding answer 14 May 1998]: President Kabbah visited HMS Cornwall in Freetown on 19 March for a lunch jointly hosted by the British High Commissioner and the Commanding Officer of HMS Cornwall to mark the successful completion of the ship's humanitarian mission prior to her sailing the following day. The following visited the ship while President Kabbah was on board:

  Vice President Demby

  Dr. James Jonah—(then Ambassador to the UN, now Minister of Finance)

  Colonel Max Khobe—(ECOMOG Task Force Commander, Sierra Leone)

  Mr. C. Margai—(senior political figure, now Minister of Internal Affairs)

  Mr. A. Bangura—(Sierra Leone Radio)

  Mr. Peter Penfold—(British High Commissioner)

  Mr. Colin Glass—(Deputy High Commissioner).

  In the evening, the Commanding officer and the British High Commissioner jointly hosted a reception, also to mark the completion of Cornwall's mission. The following attended:

  Momodu Koroma—then Kabbah Task Force (now Minister for Presidential Affairs)

  Dr. Soyei—Cottage Hospital

  Tejan Kella—AFRICARE (organisation involved in humanitarian work)

  Dr. Philip Almeida—Cottage Hospital

  Mr. V. Collier—Head of Civil Service

  Mr. Gael—Action Against Hunger (organisation involved in humanitarian work)

  Mr. A. R. Wurie—Head of Protocol

  Mr. P. Lamsona—CARE (Organisation involved in humanitarian work)

  Dr. Julius Spencer—then Kabbah supporter (now Minister of Information)

  Mr. H. Charels—CAUSE Canada (organisation involved in humanitarian work)

  Martin Katta

  Mr. Koroma—Council of Churches, Sierra Leone (organisation involved in humanitarian work)

  Dr. Joe Lappia

  Mr. A. Cox—Concern Universal (organisation involved in humanitarian work)

  Kanga Sessay—Kabbah Task Force

  Ms K. Richardson—Catholic Relief Society

  98

  Desmond Luke—then Presidential Adviser (now Attorney General)

  Mr. J. Metzker—International Committee of Red Cross

  Mrs. S. Gbujama—then Foreign Minister (now Minister for Social Welfare)

  Mr. A. Eddo—International Committee of Red Cross

  Mr. S. Berewa—then Attorney General

  Jean Clement—Medecins sans Frontiéres

  Martha Carey—Medecins sans Frontiéres

  Rick Fitzpatrick—World Vision

  Col. Musa—ECOMOG

  Siko Pyker—OXFAM

  Lt. Col. Shoboiki—ECOMOG Freetown Commander

  Jost Vandenakker—OXFAM

  Mr. E. Perez Porras—European Union Resident Representative to Sierra Leone

  Clive Dawson—UK businessman

  Tony Todd—Crown Agents Emergency Logistics Management Team Consultant

  Mr. Hailey—Sierra Leone Police

  Mr. Lathbry—Cable and Wireless

  Mr. S. Lebby—British High Commission Mr. Clarke—Cable and Wireless

  Lt. Col. Ted Glover—Defence Attaché, Accra Mr. H. Kamara

  Mrs. Gloria Thomas—British Council

  Dr. Frank Nyama—New England Clinic

  Elizabeth Decker—Nurse

  Mrs. D. Fraser

  John BB Ganda—Head of Children's Clinic.

  The following visited the ship on 19 March as Wardroom guests:

  Mr. Juba Jubert—Sandline or associate

  Mr. John Farr—Sandline or associate

  Mr. Mike Ashworth—Sandline or associate

  Mr. Rupert Bowen—Sandline or associate

  8 others for whom full names were not given—Sandline or associate.

  The following visited the ship in the week preceding 19 March as representatives of their organisations:

  18 March

  Francis Okello—United Nations

  Martin Booth—United Nations

  Representative of Cable and Wireless

  17 March

  Lt. Col. Ted Glover—UK MOD

  Representative of Australian World Vision

  Representative of Filipino World Vision

  Representative of Cable and Wireless

  13 March

  Kristen Richardson—Catholic Relief Society

  Mr. Lathby—Cable and Wireless

  Mr. Clarke—Cable and Wireless

  Mr. Hailey—Sierra Leone Police

  12 March

  Francis Okello—United Nations

  Colonel Andrew Gale—United Nations

  Mike Booth—United Nations

  Dr. Jonah—Kabbah Task Force

  99

  Mike Downham—Medical Doctor

  Clive Dawson—UK businessman

  Peter Penfold—British High Commissioner

  Mr. Albrecht—ICRC Driver

  Mr. Mustaffa—CARE Driver.

  A comprehensive list of job titles is not available. The ship sailed from Freetown on 20 March.

  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will place a copy of the captain's log of HMS 'Cornwall' for the last 12 months in the Library; [42407]

  (2) if he will place a copy of the ship's log of HMS 'Cornwall' for the last 12 months in the Library. [42418]

  Mr. George Robertson
  There is no such document as a Captain's log. HMS Cornwall's ships logs for the last year are either onboard the vessel, which is currently off Southern Africa, in the post to the UK, or in storage. The logs are not therefore readily available. However, as I told the hon. Member for Salisbury (Mr. Key) in my reply of 18 May 1998,Official Report, column 257, the logs for the period 1 January 1998 to 1 April 1998 are being collected and I will then consider their possible release. They cover the period that HMS Cornwall was off West Africa.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the Royal Navy vessels which have(a) carried out and (b) attempted to carry out shore operations in Sierra Leone since May 1997; if he will make a statement on the operations concerned; and what involvement there was of private companies. [42709]

  Mr. George Robertson
  [holding answer 20 May 1998]: Since May 1997, with the exception of HMS Cornwall which, between 1 and 20 March 1998, provided humanitarian assistance to the people of Sierra Leone, supported our diplomatic efforts there and assisted in the return of the British High Commissioner, no Royal Navy vessels have carried out shore operations in Sierra Leone.

  As far as involvement with private companies is concerned, the ECOMOG air operations centre, run by Sandline personnel, regularly briefed HMS Cornwall during her deployment to Sierra Leone on the security situation and the possible threat posed by rebels. This information was essential to ensure that HMS Cornwall's helicopter could safely carry out its humanitarian relief flights within the country. In addition, on 6 March, HMS Cornwall personnel spent two hours ashore repairing a Sandline helicopter, operating in support of ECOMOG, that had landed at a heli-port alongside the ship following a bird strike. While the helicopter was being repaired, the Sandline pilot and two others accompanying him were invited on-board. On 13 March, HMS Cornwall assisted Sandline personnel with some minor maintenance of the helicopter when it was at the same heli-port. On 19 March, the pilot and 11 others employed by, or connected with Sandline, were invited into the Wardroom for drinks.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence under what authorisation assistance was rendered to a Sandline helicopter by HMS Cornwall; what ship stores 100
  and spares were used during this operation; and under what head of charge these items were accounted for by the supply officer, HMS Cornwall. [42309]

  Mr. George Robertson
  The decision to assist with the repair of the helicopter operating in support of ECOMOG was, quite properly, taken locally by HMS Cornwall. No ship's stores or spares were used, apart from five litres of degreasant and 40 rivets. Both these items were routine consumables which were accounted for when they were issued to the ship's Flight by RNAS Culdrose prior to the Flight's embarkation in February 1998.

  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 18 May 1998,Official Report, column 258, to the hon. Member for Salisbury (Mr. Key), what payment was made for the assistance provided for Sandline International's helicopter by the crew of HMS Cornwall; if prior approval was sought and obtained from his Department by the Captain of HMS Cornwall; if Ministers were informed; and what other assistance was given by British military personnel to Sandline, and when. [43293]

  Mr. George Robertson
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Northavon (Mr. Webb). No other assistance was provided to Sandline in addition to that detailed in my answer to the hon. Member for Salisbury (Mr. Key) on 18 May 1998,Official Report, column 258. This was properly a matter for the local commander; ministers were not informed of, nor were charges raised for, the assistance provided.

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those visitors to HMS Cornwall since 1 January 1996 who were employees of or connected with Sandline International indicating(a) the names of the visitors, (b) the dates of the visits, (c) the names of the persons met, (d) the purpose of the visits and (e) the location of the ship at the time of the visits. [41817]

  Mr. George Robertson
  [holding answer 14 May 1998]: Information on visitors going back to January 1996 is not available. While HMS Cornwall was providing humanitarian assistance in Sierra Leone there were two occasions on which the ship was visited by identified Sandline personnel. On 6 March the pilot of the helicopter operated on behalf of ECOMOG, Mr. Juba Jubert, and two others accompanying him, identified as Mr. Farr and Mr. Ashworth, were invited on board while the helicopter was being repaired at the heliport alongside HMS Cornwall after a bird strike. On 19 March, twelve persons employed by, or connected with Sandline, were invited into the Wardroom for drinks. The group comprised Mr. Jubert, Mr. Farr, Mr. Ashworth, Mr. Bowen, and eight others for whom full names were not given.

  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if HMS 'Monmouth' provided support to ECOMOG in discharging UNSCR 1132; and if he will make a statement. [42559]

  Mr. George Robertson
  [holding answer 18 May 1998]: HMS Monmouth did not provide any support to ECOMOG in discharging UNSCR 1132.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date notice was given to the crew of HMS Nottingham to report for duty to prepare to depart
  101
  for Sierra Leone; and on what date preparations were begun to load that vessel with humanitarian aid for that country. [42711]

  Mr. George Robertson
  [holding answer 20 May 1998]No such notice was given to the crew of HMS Nottingham; nor was Nottingham loaded with humanitarian aid for that country.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the role of HMS Monmouth in Sierra Leone since May 1997; what requests were received from that vessel with respect to acquiring additional (i) personnel and (ii) equipment for land operations; and if representatives from Sandline International were in contact with that ship. [42710]

  Mr. George Robertson
  [holding answer 20 May 1998]The instructions to HMS Monmouth (and later HMS Cornwall) were to deploy to the vicinity of Sierra Leone to be prepared to provide immediate humanitarian assistance to the people of Sierra Leone, to support our diplomatic efforts there, and to assist in the return of the British High Commissioner, should the democratically elected Government be restored.

  No requests were made by HMS Monmouth to acquire additional personnel or equipment for land operations. As far as we can ascertain at no time, nor in any way, did representatives from Sandline International have any contact with the ship.

  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date Sandline started running the ECOMOG Air Operations Centre. [43460]

  Mr. George Robertson
  This is not a matter for my Department.

  Merlin and Astor Programmes
  Mr. Rapson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his plans for the future procurement of(a) Merlin and (b) Astor from Lockheed Martin. [42914]

  Mr. Spellar
  I can confirm that, like many other equipment programmes, the procurement of the second batch of Merlin HM Mark 1 helicopters is under consideration as part of the Strategic Defence Review. A judgment must be taken on the optimum balance of Anti-Submarine Warfare assets, including helicopters, fixed wing aircraft, ships and submarines, in light of the perceived threat and against the backdrop of finite resources.

  A package of SDR measures has been put before Cabinet, but no final decisions have yet been taken. Once they have, they will be published as quickly as possible.

  Final proposals for ASTOR development and production were received at the end of February 1998 and are currently being evaluated. It is planned that a final decision will be taken around the end of this year.

  Foreign Armed Forces Training and Assistance)
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the cost to Her Majesty's Government of 102
  providing training and assistance to the armed forces of (a) India, (b) Pakistan and (c) China in each of the last five years. [43095]

  Dr. Reid
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Cynon Valley (Ann Clwyd) on 7 May 1998,Official Report, column 436. I wrote to my hon. Friend the same day and a copy of my letter is in the Library.

  Air Bases (Joint Use)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the air bases in the United Kingdom jointly used by the United Kingdom and the United States of America. [43630]

  Mr. Spellar
  There are various facilities where use is shared to some extent between UK and US personnel, but there are currently no air bases shared by flying units of our two nations on a permanent basis. I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) on 7 April 1998,Official Report, column 219, which details those sites made available to the United States Visiting Forces in the UK.

  Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the current capacity of the Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency to deliver the correct types of uniforms in the correct quantities for recruits to the armed forces. [43729]

  Dr. Reid
  This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency (DCTA). I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Michael Roycroft to Mr. Andrew Robathan, dated 1 June 1998:
  I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the current capacity of the Defence Clothing & Textiles Agency to provide uniforms for recruits to the armed forces, as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Defence Clothing & Textiles Agency.
  Recruits are issued with items from our uniform and operational clothing ranges for which the current availability is 77.53% and 87.52% respectively against a funded target of 80%. The figures represent the proportion of demands which are met on first presentation and do not include other methods of supply such as local purchase. The actual availability is therefore higher. When items are in short supply or a future problem is forecast, efforts are made to ensure that our stocks are husbanded and that the requirements of the recruit establishments are met as a priority second only to support for operations.

  I hope this answer is helpful and am willing to provide more precise information if you have specific concerns in regard to individual items.

  Indonesia
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence at which United Kingdom educational institutions, including military colleges, Indonesian army officers are currently being taught, how many officers are at each institution and to what units each is attached. [41552]

  Dr. Reid
  There are eleven Indonesian army officers currently attending training courses at Ministry of Defence establishments in the UK. One is at the Joint
  103
  Services Command and Staff College at Bracknell, and a further ten are at the Royal Military College of Science at Shrivenham.

  Details of Indonesian army officers attending non-military UK educational institutions are not a matter for my Department. However, based on the information available to us, we understand that there are a further 18 army officers being taught at non-military educational institutions in the UK. Information on the location of those establishments has been withheld under Exemption 4 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. These students are part of a programme of university training in international relations, defence management, international law and human rights, and the programme is being provided on a private and commercial basis.

  we do not have records of which units Indonesian army officers have come from before attending course in the UK.

  Land Command
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library copies of(a) the documents sent by GOC 2 Division to GOC Land Command in support of retaining a Land Command Divisional Head Quarters in York rather than Edinburgh and (b) the papers submitted to the Executive Committee of the Army Board on the future divisional structure of Land Command. [42903]

  Dr. Reid
  I am withholding the documents requested under Exemption 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Service Personnel (Brave or Gallant Service Awards)
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel have been(a) awarded and (b) formally recommended but not yet gazetted for the Military Cross over the past 12 months, for service outside Northern Ireland; and what was the country or coastal location in which their acts related to the award or recommendation. [42896]

  Dr. Reid
  In the past twelve months two Servicemen have been recommended and awarded the Military Cross. One was for service in Sierra Leone, published in the London Gazette on 5 December 1997, and the other for service in the Former Republic of Yugoslavia published in the London Gazette on 8 May 1998. At present there are no other recommendations outstanding for the award of the Military Cross.

  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) awards and (b) recommendations not yet gazetted for gallantry or bravery have been made in relation to service personnel serving in Northern Ireland over the past 12 months. [42894]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 21 May 1998]Nominations for brave or gallant service by soldiers, sailors and airmen of the three Services are considered centrally to ensure continuity of standards and to protect the integrity of the awards. All recommendations received from HQ Northern Ireland reflecting service from 1 April 1997 to 30 September 1997 were approved 104
  and subsequently announced in the London Gazette on 8 May 1998. No recommendations for service from 1 October 1997 onwards have yet been submitted.

  Territorial Army
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) officers and (b) soldiers are attached to the 5LI Shropshire and Herefordshire Light Infantry and the Royal Mercian and Lancastrian Yeomanry. [43119]

  Dr. Reid
  As at 1 May 1998, the current and established strengths of 5 Shropshire and Hereford Light Infantry and the Royal Mercian and Lancastrian Yeomanry, by officers and soldiers, are as follows:

  5 Shropshire & Hereford Light Infantry

  Royal Mercian & Lancastrian Yeomanry

  Current strength

  Established strength

  Current strength

  Established strength

  Officers

  38

  36

  39

  39

  Soldiers

  491

  494

  297

  280

  Note:

  Figures include TA, Regular and Non Regular Permanent Staff (NRPS).

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received from those living in Shropshire on the future of 5LI Shropshire and Herefordshire Light Infantry and the Royal Mercian and Lancastrian Yeomanry. [43120]

  Dr. Reid
  My Department has received a number of representations from hon. Members with constituency interests in the Territorial Army in Shropshire on the future of 5 Shropshire and Herefordshire Light Infantry and the Royal Mercian and Lancastrian Yeomanry.

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what criteria are being used in the Strategic Defence Review to decide which Territorial Army battalions will continue. [43628]

  Dr. Reid
  Our prime aim is to structure the Territorial Army in a way that will be relevant and useable in the operational circumstances we foresee. But we wish to take account of the valuable economic contribution made by Territorial Army units in their local community.

  We will also want to build on existing strong social links of Territorial Army units with their communities, and the cadets; we will want to build on the enthusiasm that there is in many areas for volunteer service. We will also wish to take into account the availability of training facilities; and the need for close working between Territorial units and the Regular Armed Forces.

  Within these constraints we aim to preserve as wide a presence as possible for the Territorial Army across the country. It may take some months after our first announcements to reach final decisions on what may be complex set of changes.

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to visit the 5 Shropshire and Herefordshire Battalion and the Royal Mercian and Lancastrian Yeomanry at the Copthorne barracks in Shrewsbury. [43646]
  105
  Dr. Reid
  Neither my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence nor I have any current plans to visit the 5th Shropshire and Herefordshire Battalion and the Royal Mercian and Lancastrian Yeomanry.

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will assess the economic impact on Shrewsbury of the presence of the 5 Shropshire & Herefordshire Light Infantry and the Royal Mercian & Lancastrian Yeomanry. [43611]

  Dr. Reid
  No assessment has been made of the impact of any Territorial Army unit on its local economy, nor are there plans to make such an assessment.

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the effect on the numbers of officers, soldiers and associated civilian staff of the amalgamation of the Queen's Own Mercian Yeomanry and the Duke of Lancaster's Own Yeomanry to form the Royal Mercian and Lancastrian Yeomanry. [43645]

  Dr. Reid
  The Queen's Own Mercian Yeomanry and the Duke of Lancaster's Own Yeomanry amalgamated on 1 April 1993 as part of the restructuring of the Territorial Army in that year. The establishment of the two units at the time of amalgamation, and the current establishment of the Royal Mercian and Lancastrian Yeomanry are shown in the table.

  Establishment

  Queen's Own Mercian yeomanry

  Duke of Lancaster's own yeomanry

  Royal Mercian and Lancastrian Yeomanry

  Officers

  36

  36

  39

  Soldiers

  398

  398

  280

  Civilians

  14

  14

  19

  Total

  448

  448

  328

  Note:

  Figures include TA, Regular and Non Regular Permanent Staff (NRPS)

  Copthorne Barracks, Shrewsbury
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many civilian staff are employed at the Copthorne barracks in Shrewsbury. [43648]

  Dr. Reid
  255 civilian staff are employed by the Ministry of Defence at Copthorne Barracks, Shrewsbury, including 18 part time staff. In addition, 34 civilian staff are employed by a contractor at Copthorne Barracks, including six part time staff.

  Service Personnel Injuries
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel were injured(a) in the United Kingdom and (b) abroad during (i) 1997, (ii) 1996 and (ii) 1995. [43481]
  106
  Dr. Reid
  The numbers of Service personnel injured in the UK and abroad in the years 1995, 1996 and 1997 were as follows:

  Year

  UK

  Abroad

  1995

  4,316

  1,717

  1996

  4,322

  1,389

  1997

  3,387

  790

  Notes:

  1. The figures provided include injuries resulting in death.

  2. The figures for the United Kingdom include injuries which occurred in UK waters and the North Atlantic.

  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel who were injured(a) in the United Kingdom and (b) abroad during (i) 1997, (ii) 1996 and (iii) 1995 were forced through their injuries to leave the service. [43480]

  Dr. Reid
  The numbers of Service personnel medically discharged in the years 1995, 1996 and 1997 owing to injuries sustained in the UK and abroad were as follows:

  Year

  UK

  Abroad

  1995

  450

  88

  1996

  573

  81

  1997

  484

  77

  Notes:

  1. The figures provided represent the numbers of medical discharges resulting from injury irrespective of the year in which the injury was sustained. The total number of injuries occurring in 1995, 1996 and 1997 which resulted in medical discharge within the same year or a later year could be compiled only at disproportionate cost.

  2. The figures for the United Kingdom include injuries which occurred in UK waters and the North Atlantic.

  Fishery Protection Vessels
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Spanish naval personnel or Spanish fishery officers have been aboard British fishery protection vessels in each year between 1993 and 1997; which vessels were involved; and what were the dates and the duration of those visits. [43873]

  Dr. Reid
  There has been no formal exchange of naval personnel between the Spanish Navy and vessels of the RN Fishery Protection Squadron. No records are kept of Spanish naval personnel who may have visited ships during port visits. It is however known that at least three members of the Spanish Navy were on board HMS Guernsey at various times during her visit to Vigo in 1997.

  My department does not hold records which would show the nationality of EU fisheries inspectors embarked on vessels of the RN Fisheries Protection Squadron.

  The Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency operates its own fishery protection vessels for which the Secretary of State for Scotland is responsible. Since April 1997 these have had exclusive responsibility for fishery protection duties in Scottish waters.
  107

  Japanese Prisoners of War
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the number of widows of servicemen imprisoned by Japanese forces during World War 2(a) in total and (b) by constituency. [43306]

  Mr. George Robertson
  No estimate has been made and no centrally collated figures exist.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the number of(a) servicemen and (b) civilians who were imprisoned or interned by Japanese forces during World War 2 (i) in total and (ii) by constituency. [43305]

  Mr. George Robertson
  50,016 Service personnel from the Armed Forces of the United Kingdom were captured by Japanese forces during the Second World War. While matters concerning civilian citizens of the United Kingdom in such circumstances are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary, I can advise that contemporary records show that some 20–21,000 civilians of British origin, British Indian or British subjects of European descent were interned by the Japanese during the Second World War.

  The information on these Servicemen and civilians broken down by constituency is not held centrally and it could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Departmental Energy Use
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 19 May 1998,Official Report, column 322, concerning departmental energy use, if he will list for each site the (a) name and (b) rank of the Energy Manager; and what method is used to assess the individual's effectiveness in the collection of relevant data. [43680]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Top Level Budget Holders in the Ministry of Defence are responsible, in conjunction with Energy Efficiency Focal points, for the setting and achievement of performance targets within their area. Assessments of an Energy Manager's effectiveness are based upon the practical savings achieved against recognised performance indicators, such as usage.

  The names and ranks of the Energy Managers are being withheld under exemption 14 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Depleted Uranium
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those authorised to use depleted uranium in the United Kingdom. [43053]

  Mr. Spellar
  Depleted uranium has wide ranging use in both the civil and defence sectors, including shielding of radioactive sources, counterbalances for aeroplanes and oil rigs, and also in tank and naval ammunition.

  The use and handling of depleted uranium are governed by a number of different regulations, none of which requires specific "authorisation" as such. However, disposal, as opposed to use, of depleted uranium is authorised only for licensed nuclear sites. The basic control of depleted uranium is provided by the Radioactive Substances Act 1993 (amended 1995), which
  108
  is administered by the Environment Agency. Other regulations which may be applicable are the Ionising Radiation Regulations and associated Code of Practice 1985 and 1993, and the Radioactive Material (Road Transport) (Great Britain) Regulations 1996. The MOD itself also issues a number of internal manuals, regulations and instructions relating to the control of radioactive material within the Armed Forces and the MOD.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the regulations that have been removed or amended to help small businesses since 1 May 1997. [42783]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Ministry of Defence is not a Government Department which passes through Parliament regulatory legislation with which industry has to comply. The Department of Trade and Industry is the Government Department responsible for regulations concerning small businesses.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Occupational Pensions
  Mr. Quentin Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many occupational pension funds(a) have opted out of the Pensions Act 1995 provisions for member-nominated trustees, (b) have no contributing employee and no pensioner-nominated trustees and (c) have pensioner-nominated trustees. [43961]

  Mr. Denham
  The Government want to promote healthy and well run occupational pension schemes and attach great importance to the role that member-nominated trustees have to play in achieving this.

  We are taking stock of how the member-nominated trustee requirements are working in practice and, as part of our evaluation of the Pensions Act 1995, we will be looking very carefully at how we can further promote member-nominated trustees, including greater involvement for pensioner members.

  The time limit for completion of member-nominated trustee exercises ended in May 1998 and research is currently underway to obtain information along the lines requested. It will be published as part of the 1998 Employers' Pension Provision Survey. The National Association of Pension Funds (NAPF) Annual Survey 1997 provides some early indications from data collected from 613 of their member organisations in the last quarter of 1997. This shows that 83 per cent. of schemes adopted employers' alternative arrangements. This is commonly referred to as opting-out although it does not necessarily mean that a scheme does not have member trustees. The NAPF data shows that the vast majority of schemes, including those who used employer proposed arrangements, do, in fact, have one-third or more member trustees, although these trustees have not been nominated and selected under sections 16 or 18 of the Pensions Act 1995.
  109

  Incapacity Benefits
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if she will make a statement on the timetable for execution and evaluation of pilot schemes to test less restrictive definitions of incapacity for benefit purposes; [43560]

  (2) what budget the Government have set for 1998–99 for pilot schemes to test less restrictive definitions of incapacity for benefit purposes; [43562]

  (3) what plans the Government have to consult with disability groups prior to undertaking pilot schemes to test less restrictive definitions of incapacity for benefit purposes. [43561]

  Mr. Denham
  Pilots testing more flexible definitions of incapacity to help disabled people into work are due to start in April 1999. No budget has been set for 1998–99.

  The Government will continue to consult disabled people and their organisations on our plans to help disabled people who want to work.

  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to extend the linking period between work entry and benefit claiming for severe disablement allowance and incapacity benefit. [43564]

  Mr. Denham
  We are taking action to remove obstacles to work from the benefits system as part of our strategy for helping people with disabilities or long-term sickness who want to work. As one of the first steps in this process we will introduce a new 52 week linking rule for people receiving Severe Disablement Allowance and longer-term incapacity benefits who move into work. We are planning to introduce the new rules, which will take some of the risks out of a return to work, with effect from October 1998.

  Therapeutic Earnings
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will introduce greater flexibility in terms of(a) hours, (b) wages and (c) types of work considered therapeutic for the assessment of therapeutic earnings. [43566]

  Mr. Denham
  The Government announced in the Green Paper, "New Ambitions for Our Country: A New Contract for Welfare", changes to the benefits system to encourage disabled people who have the capacity to work to do so. Once we have seen the results of these initiatives we will then consider whether further changes are needed to the work claimants are permitted to undertake whilst retaining benefit.

  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will disregard therapeutic earnings up to the present therapeutic earnings limit for the purposes of income support and housing benefit calculations. [43565]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  For people in receipt of the disability premium there is a disregard of £15 in Income Support and Housing Benefit. There are no plans to introduce a special therapeutic earnings disregard in these benefits.
  110

  Benefit Integrity Project
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps her Department has taken to ensure that DLA recipients subject to Benefit Integrity Project review who have appealed against adjudication do not have to return their Motability vehicle. [43298]

  Mr. Denham
  Motability is an independent charity, but we have worked with them to consider what might be done in cases where entitlement to the higher rate mobility component (HRMC) of Disability Living Allowance is ended under the Benefit Integrity Project.

  The Governors of Motability have introduced, from 5 May 1998, a scheme whereby lease payments may be protected for Motability customers who have requested a review of the decision to end their HRMC entitlement. This protection will continue to the date that this further review is completed and the claimant is notified of the outcome. If that decision is favourable to the customer the lease reverts to its previous status; if the decision is still adverse, payment protection ends and the Motability car will have to be surrendered. The new procedures are explained in Motability literature sent to each customer whose HRMC entitlement is ended.

  The costs of payment protection will be met from within Motability scheme funds.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when her Department will undertake a review of Benefit Integrity Project cases where benefit was stopped or reduced prior to the introduction of pre-adjudication check. [43297]

  Mr. Denham
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for North Tayside (Mr. Swinney) on 5 May 1998,Official Report, columns 376–77.

  Lone Parents
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to her answer of 18 May 1998,Official Report, column 285, if she will list the variables which are considered in the management data routinely collected on the New Deal for Lone Parents; if she will make a statement on the reasons why housing status is not included; and what plans she has to include such information in the future. [43593]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  Management data show the numbers of lone parents who have reached the various key stages in the New Deal for Lone Parents process.

  The information collected records:

  the number of initial invitation letters issued;

  the number of initial interviews with Personal Advisers booked;

  the number of initial interviews which have taken place;

  the number of lone parents who agree to participate in the programme following an initial interview;

  the total number of interviews conducted (including initial interviews);

  the number of referrals to Employment Service programmes or other training;

  the number of jobs obtained following participation;

  the number of lone parents who have increased their hours of work following participation.

  111
  These points mark the key milestones in the New Deal for Lone Parents process, and the information is collected and collated on a monthly basis.

  The following additional information is also collected for each positive work outcome (each case where either a job has been obtained or hours of work have been increased):
  for the first work outcome for each participant, a record is kept of whether the hours of work are (a) under 16 hours per week; (b) 16 to 29 hours per week; or (c) 30 hours or more per week;
  whether the outcome has led to a move off Income Support;
  whether the lone parent has a child under 5 years and 3 months;
  for those whose youngest child is over 5 years and 3 months, whether the lone parent put themselves forward before receiving an invitation letter;
  in cases where the lone parent has obtained a job not identified by their Personal Adviser, whether they have received other assistance under the New Deal for Lone Parents (such as referral to training, in-work benefit calculations, help with interview skills, preparation of a CV etc); and
  whether those moving into work were given help with making an application for Family Credit.

  Other information may be collected on an ad hoc basis, for example, by interrogation, on a case-by-case basis, of DSS/local authority computer systems and clerical records.

  The management data collected are designed to show the extent of participation in and process through the New Deal for Lone Parents programme. In this context it is not appropriate to collect information on other characteristics, such as housing status, of the lone parents who participate.

  Full independent evaluation of the New Deal for Lone Parents is being carried out by a research consortium led by Social and Community Planning Research on behalf of the Department. The evaluation will consider housing status and mortgage payments in its assessment. The final evaluation report will be published in autumn 1999.

  Pensions
  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will estimate the cost of establishing a common minimum pension for men and women at 60 years including a breakdown of both costs and savings. [41981]

  Mr. Denham
  [holding answer 18 May 1998]The information is set out in the table.

  The cost of paying a basic State pension of £64.70 to every GB resident aged 60

  £billion

  Gross Retirement Pension cost

  40

  National Insurance (contributory) benefit offsets

  -31.5

  Means-tested benefit offsets

  -1.5

  Net cost

  7

  Notes:

  1. Costs and savings are in 1998/99 prices and are rounded to the nearest £0.5 billion. (-) denotes a saving.

  2. National Insurance benefit costs and savings have been provided by the Government Actuary's Department.

  3. Behavioural changes have not been allowed for, other than moves between National Insurance benefits.

  Mr.Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has, when reviewing the level of 112
  the basic state pension, to take account of the rises in the levels of fuel tax and council tax in 1998–99; and if she will make a statement. [42662]

  Mr. Denham
  We are committed to retain the basic State pension as the foundation of pension provision in retirement, and to increase it at least in line with prices.

  The Retail Prices Index used to uprate the basic pension takes into account increases in the price of a wide range of goods and services, including fuel and council tax.

  Pensioners with low incomes are entitled to help with their Council Tax through Council Tax Benefit.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when she will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Walsall, North of 23 March 1998 concerning a constituent, (Reference 5/3644/28). [43307]

  Mr. Field
  A reply was sent to my hon. Friend on 22 May 1998.

  Sick and Disabled People
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to pilot worker retention schemes(a) as part of and (b) in addition to the New Deal for Sick and Disabled People. [43563]

  Mr. Denham
  Using some of the £195 million set aside from the Windfall tax we will provide funding to run a number of innovative schemes to test ways of helping disabled people who want to work. These schemes may include worker retention schemes. We expect to announce the first contracts to be awarded towards the end of June.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Public Bodies
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what is the average attendance fee of(a) male and (b) female members of boards of non-departmental public bodies responsible to her Department; [42818]

  (2) what is the average salary of (a) male and (b) female members of boards of non-departmental public bodies responsible to her Department. [42817]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The majority of board members of non-departmental public bodies responsible to my Department give their time and service voluntarily, and do not receive payment other than normal travel and subsistence expenses. Where members do receive remuneration, this can vary between an annual salary, an honorarium, or an attendance fee—which can be a daily or half-daily rate, or calculated on a per meeting or per case basis. Individuals' remuneration therefore is not directly comparable. Full details of all payments to board members of non-departmental public bodies—by gender, are given in the Cabinet Office publication 'Public Bodies'. Copies of 'Public Bodies' 1997 are available in the Libraries of the House.
  113

  Public Appointments
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when her Department's action plan for increasing the number of women holding public appointments will be published; and if she will place a copy in the Library. [42819]

  Mrs. Beckett
  My Department's action plan for increasing the number of women holding public appointments will be published shortly. Copies will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Coal Industry
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she will announce her conclusions on the recent review of the coal industry contracts and the consumption of coal in power stations. [43063]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 21 May 1998]I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the right hon. Member for Wokingham (Mr. Redwood) on 2 February 1998,Official Report, columns 479–80.

  Power Stations
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many applications for construction and operation of gas-fired power stations are currently awaiting decision; at what stage; from which applicants; for how much capacity; and if she will make a statement. [43061]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 21 May 1998]The following is the information requested:

  Station

  Applicant

  Size(MW)

  Cottam (dual firing)

  PowerGen plc

  1,000

  Spalding

  InterGen (UK) Ltd

  800

  Baglan Bay

  Baglan CoGeneration Ltd

  1,200

  Partington

  AES Partington Ltd

  380

  Shotton

  Eastern Generation Ltd

  215

  Barking

  Barking Power Ltd

  154

  Rugeley B (dual firing)

  Eastern Generation Ltd

  1,000

  Drakelow C (dual firing)

  Eastern Generation Ltd

  1,000

  Teeside

  Teeside Power Ltd

  45

  York

  British Sugar plc

  80

  Castleford

  Yorkshire CoGen Ltd

  56

  Our general approach to those awaiting decision is set out in the reply given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade to my hon. Friend the Member for Rugby and Kenilworth (Mr. King) of 22 December 1997, Official Report, columns 519–20.

  It should be noted that the previous Government gave the go-ahead for some 23,000 MW of new gas-fired capacity, mostly combined cycle gas turbine stations but some combined heat and power (CHP). We inherited 21 applications for new gas-fired projects, totalling some 10,500 MW. Since coming into office we have given approval to 9 projects, 7 of which were industrial CHP totalling some 600 MW with another having an element of CHP.
  114
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list in normal order of consideration the various consents to be given before construction and operation of a gas-fired power station may be initiated. [43062]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 21 May 1998]The construction, extension, or operation of a gas-fired power station with a capacity of more than 50 megawatts requires the President of the Board of Trade's consent under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989. The President's approval is also required under section 14 of the Energy Act 1976 to use gas as the fuel for power stations over 10 megawatts. In addition, the President's consent under section 37 of the Electricity Act 1989 may also be required if the proposed station is to be connected to the transmission system via an overhead electric line. Other consents and approvals also need to be obtained from other statutory bodies, for example an Integrated Pollution Control licence under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 has to be sought from the Environment Agency. It is for the applicant to determine when and in which order to seek the necessary approvals.

  Petroleum Industry
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the actual and percentage reduction in the number of retail petroleum outlets in the last 12 months for which figures are available; and what assessment he has made of the adequacy of competition in the sector. [43100]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  [holding answer 21 May 1998]The Director General of Fair Trading has considered the evidence on this as part of his report on 'Competition in the Supply of Petrol in the UK'. I have asked the Director General to respond to the hon. Gentleman.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what studies she has commissioned into the pricing behaviour of petrol retailers on motorways relative to general purpose roads; and if she will make a statement. [43088]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  [holding answer 21 May 1998]None—since the Director General of Fair Trading is responsible for keeping the operation of markets under review. The Office of Fair Trading report 'Competition in the supply of petrol in the UK', published on 18 May, does not address the particular issue of the pricing behaviour of petrol retailers on motorways.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade by what means she will monitor the retail petroleum industry for potential abuse of dominant market position. [43071]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  [holding answer 21 May 1998]The Director General of Fair Trading is responsible for keeping the operation of markets under review. He has set out proposals for further monitoring of the petrol retailing market in Annex 3.1 of his report on 'Competition in the Supply of Petrol in the UK' published on 18 May. Copies have been placed in the libraries of the House.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will ensure that those types of vertical agreements in the retail petroleum industry which the
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  OFT has determined are not covered by the undertakings given by the oil companies in 1966 are subject to equivalent measures to ensure competition. [43097]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  [holding answer 21 May 1998]I understand that the Director General of Fair Trading will shortly commence a review of the undertakings given by the oil companies in 1966; he will advise me whether modifications are necessary. The undertakings were last modified in January 1994. In addition, any complaints about vertical agreements not covered by the undertakings should be put to the Director General for his consideration.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action she proposes to take in response to the recent OFT report on the retail petrol industry. [43070]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  [holding answer 21 May 1998]The Director General of Fair Trading has responsibility for keeping under review the operation of the retail petrol market, and powers to act where necessary to promote competition. I am studying his conclusions. The hon. Member should address any comments on the report to the Director General of Fair Trading.

  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to her answer of 11 February 1998,Official Report, column 218, when she expects to receive the report of the Director General of Fair Trading regarding the wholesale and retail petrol market. [42114]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  I received a copy of the Director General's report on the wholesale and retail petrol market in the UK on 18 May.

  EU Postal Directive
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she expects the United Kingdom to adopt the EU Postal Directive; and if it will be fully applied in the United Kingdom. [43799]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  By early February 1999 and the Directive will be fully applied.

  Post Office
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will set out the calculation underlying the most recent Post Office external financing limit. [43804]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The Post Office external financing limits for 1997–98 and for the current financial year remain as set by the previous Government in line with our commitment to maintain public expenditure at the levels they had set.

  Parcelforce
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the current(a) financial situation of and (b) plans for the future of Parcelforce. [43806]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  Parcelforce recorded a loss of £21m in 1996–97; the Post Office accounts for 1997–98, which will include details of the Parcelforce financial performance last year, are expected to be published next month. The second stage of our review of how best to grant the Post Office greater commercial freedom within 116
  the public sector is looking at a range of issues, including the future status of Parcelforce. We hope to announce our conclusions on this second stage of the review in the Autumn.

  Meanwhile, the development of new twin hubs at Coventry Airport for use by Parcelforce for express and international traffic, for which planning permission has recently been received, will represent a major step forward in the modernisation of the business, and should help to secure its longer-term future.

  Royal Mail
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations she has received concerning the investigation of local complaints about the security of Royal Mail. [43059]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  [holding answer 21 May 1998]One representation has been received.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations she has received concerning the premature collection of mail from post boxes before the advertised time of last posting. [43060]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  [holding answer 21 May 1998]A small number of representations from around the country have been received in the last year about collection of mail from post boxes before the advertised collection time.

  Utility Regulation
  Mr. Caplin
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will establish a unified regulator for the electricity and gas industry with particular responsibility for monitoring cross-subsidy between the two markets. [43108]

  Mrs. Beckett
  In the Green Paper on utility regulation `A Fair Deal for Consumers', which I published on 25 March, there is a proposal that the electricity and gas regulators should be replaced as soon as possible with a single energy regulator, and OFFER and OFGAS should be merged to create a single regulatory office. The duties of the new energy regulator will need to acknowledge the convergence of the gas and electricity markets. It will also be necessary to ensure that the creation of a joint energy regulator is underpinned by the proper integration of the supporting regulatory regimes.

  The Green Paper also proposes that, as an interim measure, steps should be taken to ensure collaboration on the regulatory issues raised by integrated energy markets, and strategic planning set in hand for the creation of the single regulatory office.

  Procedures are now in hand to appoint a Director General of Gas Supply as from November 1998. It is expected that the successful candidate will also be appointed as Director General of Electricity Supply, at or soon after appointment as DGGS. Subject to Parliamentary approval of legislation, it is also expected that he or she would later be appointed as Energy Regulator for Great Britain.
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  Energy Industry Reviews
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) when each of the current reviews relating to the energy industry will be completed; [42596]

  (2) how many reviews of the energy industry the Government are conducting. [42600]

  Mrs. Beckett
  A Green Paper on Utility Regulation, including regulation of gas and electricity, was published in March, and the consultation period extended until the end of May. My hon. Friend, the Minister for Science, Energy and Industry, is currently considering future policy and programme options for renewables, and expects to make a further announcement later this year. My Department will be publishing an Energy Paper setting out our policy on clean coal technology in the Summer. The review of energy sources for power generation is expected to reach conclusions by the end of June. The review of electricity trading arrangements, which is being co-ordinated by OFFER, will report in July.

  Home Workers
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is her policy towards the regulation of home worker schemes which require non-returnable registration fees; and if she will make a statement. [42686]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  [holding answer 19 May 1998]People should never send money in advance for work at home. I have this week launched a publicity campaign to warn against the risks of falling victim to homeworking scams. Responsibility for investigating complaints about the promotion of such schemes lies with the Advertising Standards Authority. The British Codes of Advertising and Sales Promotion contain specific requirements for homeworking schemes and breaches of the codes in this respect are taken very seriously.

  Channel Tunnel Rail Link
  Mr. Paul Clark
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment her Department has made of the impact on small businesses of a fast rail link from the Channel Tunnel to the north via Ebbsfleet, Stratford and St. Pancras. [43093]

  Mrs. Roche
  My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister is aware of the economic regeneration aspects of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL). Negotiations on the future of the CTRL continue.

  Cambodia
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many export licences to British firms for arms have been(a) granted, (b) refused, and (c) revoked for export to Cambodia since May 1997 broken down by category of licence; and what human rights considerations were taken into account when considering the licences. [40811]

  Mrs. Roche
  The Export Control Organisation's computer databases have been interrogated, and the following results were obtained:

  Between 2 May 1997 and 3 April 1998, three Standard Individual Export Licences were issued covering the export to consignees or endusers in Cambodia of goods
  118
  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. The entry in the relevant legislation under which the export of goods is controlled is known as their rating. Two of these licences covered goods with a rating of ML4; the other covered goods with a rating of ML13. In addition to those shown above, one Standard Individual Export Licence was issued for an export to Cambodia under the End-Use Control.

  In the same period, no Open Individual Export Licences covering such exports were issued; no Standard or Open Individual Export Licences covering such exports were revoked and no applications for Standard or Open Individual Export Licences covering such exports were refused.

  This does not include 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.

  During the period, goods on the Military List may have been exported to Cambodia under certain Open General Licences, though it cannot be assumed that any such exports actually took place. Copies of all Open General Licences that were valid at any time during the period are in the Library of the House.

  All applications for licences to export goods on the Military List are considered on a case-by-case basis against the criteria announced by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary on 28 July 1997, Official Report, columns 26–29. The Government take into account respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in the recipient country, and will not issue an export licence if there is a clearly identifiable risk that the proposed export might be used for internal repression.

  Astra
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the total public cost of(a) Treasury solicitors and (b) others in connection with the disqualification proceedings against Mr. Gerald James and the directors of Astra Holdings. [41875]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The final figures have yet to be determined, but Treasury Solicitors' costs are likely to be about £280,000. The costs (£122,000) of two directors have already been paid after proceedings against them were discontinued in May 1996. Following the request by the judge that I personally consider the handling of the case, and my subsequent decision to abandon the proceedings against the remaining four directors (three of whom are legally aided) my Department will meet their costs, to be taxed on the standard basis, unless previously agreed. It is too early accurately to predict what those costs might amount to.
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  Nuclear Material
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what guidelines her Department has in place to restrict the supply of weapons-usable nuclear material to foreign countries; [43065]

  (2) what steps her Department takes to prevent the use for military purposes abroad of weapons-usable nuclear material of United Kingdom origin. [43066]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 21 May 1998]Transfers of nuclear materials from the UK to other countries are subject to strict controls. The requirements in the case of separated plutonium and uranium enriched in the isotopes 235 or 233 to more than 20% (highly-enriched uranium or HEU) are particularly stringent.

  The UK's export controls on nuclear and nuclear-related goods are derived from international nuclear non-proliferation commitments and membership of international nuclear export control regimes, in particular the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) whose members have agreed common guidelines for the transfer of nuclear and nuclear-related goods and technology. The NSG guidelines are reproduced as International Atomic Energy Agency document INFCIRC 254 Parts I and II as amended. In addition, the UK was among a group of nine countries which recently adopted a set of Guidelines for the Management of Plutonium published as INFCIRC 549 which adds a further requirement in the case of transfers of plutonium.

  These commitments are given effect in the relevant legislation, which in this case is Council Regulation (EC) No. 3381/94 on the export of dual use goods and the related Council Decision 94/942/CSFP as amended. Separated plutonium and HEU require an export licence—even in the case of transfers to other EU Member States.

  Before such a licence could be issued certain conditions would have to be fulfilled which include assurances from the recipient Government as set out in the NSG guidelines in relation to peaceful use, physical protection and retransfer of the materials. Transfers to non-nuclear weapon States (NNWS) are only authorised once the receiving State has brought into force an agreement with the IAEA requiring the application of safeguards on all source and special fissionable materials in its current and future peaceful activities. In the case of separated plutonium and HEU, the UK's consent would be required for any retransfer.

  Moreover, pursuant to our adoption of the Guidelines for the Management of Plutonium and in addition to the foregoing, before any shipment of separated plutonium exceeding 50 grams to one recipient country in any period of 12 months is undertaken, we require the recipient to provide a certificate containing details including the end-use and timetable for utilisation. The correctness of the information in the certificate has to be confirmed by the Government of the recipient country. This builds on the existing requirement within the EU for a similar certificate to be completed in the case of transfers of plutonium and HEU.

  In addition to these governmental assurances an end-use undertaking would also be required from the consignee explicitly excluding uses that might result in
  120
  any weapon of mass destruction and an assurance that the goods would not be used in any unsafeguarded nuclear fuel cycle activity.

  As noted, the controls that we have in place on transfers include requirements for the application of IAEA safeguards. The purpose of these safeguards is to ensure that nuclear materials are not diverted to nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices.

  Dounreay
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will place in the Library a copy of the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate's report on Dounreay' s fuel cycle area, referred to in the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate's Site Inspector's Quarterly report for UKAEA-Dounreay for 1 January to 31 March. [43067]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 21 May 1998]The NII report covers areas that will form the subject of the major audit into the Management of Safety at the Dounreay plant which was announced by HSE on Friday 15 May. The report of that audit will be published later this summer.

  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when a statement will be made regarding the UKAEA application for funding for the repair of Dounreay plant D1206; and what criteria will govern her decision. [43069]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 21 May 1998]My officials are in discussion with UKAEA about their proposals for the repair of the Dounreay plant D1206 and, when they have been concluded, they will make a recommendation to me regarding plans for the future of the D1206 plant. Depending on the outcome of these discussions, I may wish to consult more widely before making a decision.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what directions and instructions have been issued in the last month to the UKAEA by the Safety Inspectorate. [42376]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 18 May 1998]I have been advised by the UKAEA that the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (NII), during the past month, have issued one direction which requires the UKAEA to shut down all processing activities in the Dounreay Fuel Cycle Area facility other than those operations and activities which are necessary to maintain the safe condition of the facility. In addition, and following on from the formal direction, the NII have issued the two following oral instructions. Firstly, no excavation permits may be issued until further notice and all excavation permits currently in force must be suspended until further notice. The only exception is the work to repair the damaged cable. Secondly, evidence must be preserved for the NII investigation into the power failure.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade which facilities at Dounreay are not currently functioning; and what recent reports she has received on the safety and condition of the plant. [42120]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 18 May 1998]No reprocessing facilities are currently functioning in the Fuel Cycle Area at Dounreay apart from those required for safety purposes. Otherwise, normal Decommissioning and
  121
  Waste Management Operations are continuing at the site. Work at Dounreay continues to be subject to strict independent regulation by the Health and Safety Executive's Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (NII) and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. My officials hold quarterly meetings with the NII at which policy matters are discussed. Specific safety issues are a matter between the NII and UKAEA, but my Department does have sight of the NII Site Inspector's quarterly report on Dounreay. I expect my Department to receive full reports from both UKAEA and NII after they have concluded their investigations into the recent incident at the site.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what investment the UKAEA is planning at its Dounreay facilities in the next three years; and what revisions to these plans have been made in the last six months. [42122]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 18 May 1998]The UKAEA's expenditure plans at Dounreay are described in the 1996–97 UKAEA Annual Review, which is available in the Library of the House. Such plans are reviewed at least annually by my officials. It is normal practice to withhold precise details of expected project costs to protect UKAEA's ability to subject the work to competition. The only significant revision in the last six months was the decision to retrieve waste from the Shaft which was reported to Parliament on 31 March 1998. We are currently waiting for UKAEA to complete their proposal for investment in a replacement dissolver in the Prototype Fast Reactor fuel reprocessing plant. This expenditure by UKAEA is aimed at discharging their main function which is removal of their existing nuclear liabilities safely, with due regard for the environment and at minimum cost to the taxpayer.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if the recycling capacity at Dounreay is currently operational. [42121]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 18 May 1998]The reprocessing capacity at Dounreay is not currently operational. UKAEA suspended all reprocessing operations on Friday 8 May, pending a full safety review following an incident on the previous day.

  Indonesia
  Mrs. Ann Cryer
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the outstanding level of ECGD exposure for the supply of Hawk Fighter jets to Indonesia. [43621]

  Mrs. Roche
  ECGD' s exposure, which covers interest as well as the principal value of the guaranteed loans, currently amounts to £531 million.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the impact of recent disturbances in Indonesia on British exports to that country. [42918]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 21 May 1998]The economic and political crisis being experienced by Indonesia has inevitably affected UK exports to Indonesia. Exports fell by 50.3 per cent. in the first quarter of this year.
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  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many full-time equivalent positions within her Department are currently occupied by people working on(a) millennium and (b) single currency compliance requirements. [41928]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The numbers of people within my Department working on the following are:(a) Millennium—About 7.6 full-time equivalent staff are dealing with Millennium issues relating to information systems and to estates and facilities management in the Department. A further 2.5 staff are involved in assisting UK businesses to deal with the problem of the Millennium date change in co-ordination with Action 2000 which DTI set up earlier this year. The numbers may vary according to the needs of the programmes.
  (b) Single currency—Some 1.5 full-time equivalent staff are directly involved in helping UK firms prepare for Economic and Monetary Union. These officials are working closely with Treasury's Euro Preparations Unit, which has the primary role in raising awareness of UK firms to the implications of EMU and helping them to prepare. A number of DTI staff have been seconded to the Treasury to work in that unit.

  Duty Free
  Mr. Gale
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what surveys have been carried out by(a) the Government of the United Kingdom and (b) the European Union to establish the effect upon jobs of the proposed abolition of the duty-free trade; and if she will make a statement. [42342]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 19 May 1998]The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions has undertaken a study into the effects on the transport sector of the abolition of intra-EU duty and tax free sales in 1999. The European Union has not undertaken a survey to establish the effect upon jobs of the proposed abolition of duty and tax free sales within the EU. The Government's position remains that they would not oppose a study should there be a consensus amongst Member States in favour of such a study. However, when these matters were discussed at 19 May EFOFIN Council, there was no consensus amongst Member States to call for a Community-wide study of the impact of abolition.

  Solar Energy
  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much her Department spent on research into solar energy in(a) 1996–97 and (b) 1997–98; and what plans she has for future expenditure on this. [43126]

  Mr. Battle
  My Department, under its New and Renewable Energy Programme, spent £2.0 million (net of any associated receipts) in 1996–97, and £1.6 million (net of any associated receipts) in 1997–98 on RD&D into solar energy. Within the overall solar budget the proportion allocated to photovoltaics is increasing as part of DTI's funding of the Energy Design Advice Scheme (EDAS). EDAS is being funded by the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) while they consider the shape of a future energy advice scheme. Future expenditure plans are the subject of the renewable policy review, the outcome of which will be announced later this year.
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  In addition, the Engineering and Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC) has been spending £1 million a year over the past three years on basic and applied research, and the Office of Science and Technology (OST) has committed £1 million to the £2.5 million Foresight Challenge Solar programme which aims to put photovoltaic arrays into 100 schools and colleges across the country by 2000.

  More Group Plc
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what contacts the Minister for Competition and Consumer Affairs has had with executives or personnel of More Group plc, or its subsidiaries, in connection with the bid by J. C. Decaux. [43213]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  None.

  Mergers
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many mergers she has referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission against the advice of the Director-General of Fair Trading since May 1997; what representations she has received on this issue from United Kingdom financial institutions or businesses; and if she will make it her policy to state in full her reasons for all decisions taken against Office of Fair Trading advice. [43201]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  Between 1 May 1997 and 21 May 1998 my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade disagreed with the Director-General of Fair Trading's ("DGFT' s") advice on whether or not to refer a merger to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission ("MMC") on just three cases out of 189. These were National Express Group ("NEG")/Central Trains, NEG/ScotRail and PacifiCorp/The Energy Group.

  In each case, the President or the DGFT received representations from competitors, customers or other third parties both for and against reference to the MMC.

  On each occasion, the Department's announcement referred explicitly to the President's disagreement with the DGFT' s advice. It is our intention to continue this practice. The President has made it clear that it is her policy to make references primarily on competition grounds. Where other public interest considerations lead to an MMC reference against the advice of the DGFT, this will be made clear in the announcement, as was done when PacifiCorp/The Energy Group was referred.

  Funerals
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement about her Department's plans to ensure adequate protection of consumers purchasing their funerals in advance. [42053]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  I refer the hon Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Hove (Mr. Caplin) on 22 January 1998,Official Report, column 655. The Department is actively discussing this with interested parties.
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  Post Office Users National Council
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will accept nominations for membership of the Post Office Users National Council from rural community councils. [43329]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  An advertisement for appointments to a number of consumer councils, including the Post office Users National Council, will appear in the press in the next couple of weeks. At the same time we seek nominations for appointment from a range of bodies, and will be happy to consider any names put forward by rural community councils for appointment to the Post Office Users National Council as part of this process.

  Anyone wishing to apply to be considered for appointment to the Post Office Users National Council should write to:

  Consumer Affairs & Competition Policy Directorate 2b

  Department of Trade & Industry

  Room 4.T.11

  1 Victoria Street

  London SW1H OET.

  Corporation Tax
  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she will announce the outcome of the review into corporation tax exemption under Section 508 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988. [42869]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 21 May 1998]I hope to issue revised guidance notes for applicants by July.

  Ice Cream
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action she will take during the Presidency of the EU to support the European Commission in resisting attempts to delay implementation of decisions designed to ensure fair competition in ice cream markets; and if she will make a statement. [43101]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  [holding answer 21 May 1998]The European Commission is the competent investigative authority on EC competition law cases. It is therefore the appropriate body to respond to attempts to challenge its decisions or delay their implementation. However, I can assure my hon. Friend that we support the full and fair application of EC competition rules.

  London Art Market
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations she has made to Britain's EU partners concerning the preservation of the London art market. [42005]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The Government continue to press the case for the preservation of the London art market. So far as artists' resale rights are concerned, the Government have argued repeatedly that the European Commission's proposal is ill-considered and would damage the international competitiveness of Community art markets, in particular the London art market, and would lead to a net loss of earnings and jobs in the Community. We are actively seeking the support of other Member States to defeat the proposal.
  125

  Vehicle Licensing
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what the cost is per licence of providing a vehicle licensing service by the Post Office; and if she will provide a breakdown of the costs; [41045]

  (2) what the cost is, per licence, of providing a vehicle licensing service using the postal service. [41047]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  This information is commercially confidential.

  Export Licences
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many export licence applications are currently pending. [42579]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 18 May 1998]Licences to export arms and other goods subject to control for strategic reasons are issued by the President of the Board of Trade and the Export Control Organisation of the Department of Trade and Industry is the licensing authority. All relevant individual licence applications are circulated by the DTI to other Government departments with an interest as determined by them in line with their policy responsibilities. These include the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Ministry of Defence and the Department for International Development.

  ECO management data on the processing of licence applications are compiled on the basis of four-week periods. At the end of the last four week period for which statistics have been compiled—ie 4 April 1998 to 1 May 1998—a total of 1,752 applications were awaiting a decision: these applications comprised applications for new standard or open individual export licences to export strategic goods and applications for the renewal or amendment of existing individual licences. This compares with 2,184 outstanding applications on 17 October 1997. ECO is also the licensing authority for goods whose export is only controlled because of UN trade sanctions but data on the number of applications awaiting a decision are not compiled as most decisions are subject to UN authorisation, which can take some time.

  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how old is the longest outstanding application for an export licence. [42580]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 18 May 1998]Licences to export arms and other goods subject to control for strategic reasons are issued by the President of the Board of Trade, and the Export Control Organisation of the Department of Trade and Industry is the licensing authority. All relevant individual licence applications are circulated by the DTI to other Government Departments with an interest, as determined by them in line with their policy responsibilities. These include the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Ministry of Defence, and the Department for International Development.

  Of applications for individual licences pending a decision at 21 May 1998, the oldest application for a Standard Individual Export Licence was received in August 1996; processing of this application cannot be completed until the applicant fulfils a request from the Export Control Organisation to supply an end-user undertaking. The oldest application for an Open Individual Export Licence pending a decision on this date
  126
  was received in February 1996. My Department has now received the necessary advice from advisers in other Government departments, and after final checks the licence will be issued.

  Consultation Papers
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list the consultation papers published since 1 May 1997 giving the date of publication, closing date for submissions and the number of respondents. [42251]

  Mrs. Beckett
  A list of significant consultation papers has been placed in the Library.

  Arms Sales
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how frequently she receives reports on arms sales to African markets. [42378]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 18 May 1998]Reports on arms sales to any market are not routinely received by any Minister in the Department of Trade & Industry. The Defence Export Sales Organisation of the Ministry of Defence is primarily responsible for assisting the British defence industry to promote its goods and services overseas.

  Information
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if her Department operates a monitoring exercise of persistent inquirers for information. [42632]

  Mrs. Beckett
  [holding answer 19 May 1998]My Department provides a great deal of information to business, the scientific community, and the general public in pursuit of its objectives. No central exercise to monitor persistent inquirers for information is undertaken.

  Competitiveness White Paper
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if an environmental appraisal will be produced as part of the Competitiveness White Paper, using "Policy Guidance on Policy Appraisal and the Environment". [42667]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The forthcoming Competitiveness White Paper will set out the Government's vision for sustainable wealth creation, based on a high-skill, high-investment, innovative, modern economy. It will contain a range of policies and initiatives for companies themselves to improve their performance, and for Government and others to create the right framework and conditions to foster such an improvement. It will be for each public and private sector body involved to address the environmental implications of their activities, including where necessary, through specific environmental appraisal.

  Caravans
  Mr. Woolas
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has for further protection of consumers regarding the buying and selling of static caravans. [42913]
  127
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  The Director General of Fair Trading has recently agreed a revised code of practice for holiday caravans with the two main site owners' organisations which give clear rights to those buying and selling holiday caravans. Buyers of holiday caravans also benefit in the same way as other consumers from general consumer protection legislation, such as the Sale of Goods Act 1979 and the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1994. The responsibility for legislation covering residential caravans lies with the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

HEALTH

  Cosmetic Surgery
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will legislate to restrict the use of the term cosmetic surgeon to doctors with specialist qualifications and membership of the British Association of Plastic Surgeons or the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons. [34164]

  Mr. Boateng
  Legislation would not be practicable because cosmetic surgery is not a defined specialty and not all cosmetic surgery practitioners are plastic surgeons.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the number of(a) men and (b) women who have undergone cosmetic surgery in each year since 1990. [34163]

  Mr. Boateng
  It is not possible to estimate the number of people who have undergone cosmetic surgery because it is not a defined medical specialty. Available information relates to the number of consultant episodes of treatment in which an operation or procedure was recorded "for purposes other than for remedying health states".

  In 1994/95 there were 3,676 such episodes in the National Health Service in England.

  Organophosphates
  Mrs. Gorman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what(a) guidance and (b) information his Department provides to general practitioners in farming areas on the symptoms and health risks associated with organophosphates; and if he will place a copy of this information in the Library. [41379]

  Ms Jowell
  The advice given by the Department has been widely distributed on a national basis and has not been confined to farming areas.

  The Chief Medical Officer wrote to all doctors in England in 1991 and again with the Chief Executive of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate in June 1993 to alert doctors to the possibility of adverse effects from exposure to pesticides and certain veterinary medicines and to remind them of the reporting schemes for human adverse reactions to veterinary products operated by the Employment Medical Advisory Service and the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food's Veterinary Medicines Directive. The Chief Medical Officers in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland also wrote to doctors in those countries.
  128
  An article in the October 1995 edition of Chief Medical Officer's Update, sent to all doctors in England, dealt with both the acute and chronic effects of organophosphates and the methods of reporting adverse reactions to them.

  A further article, in the April 1996 edition of Update (England only) informed all doctors of the publication, in the same month, of the new edition of the book "Pesticide Poisoning: Notes for the Guidance of Medical Practitioners". This book was sent by all United Kingdom Health Departments to general practices, accident and emergency departments and consultants in communicable disease control (and equivalents) with a covering letter.

  Copies of this book were also sent to the Presidents of the Royal Colleges under cover of an explanatory letter which encouraged them to draw the book to the attention of their Fellows/Members through their continuing medical education programmes.

  Copies of the book "Pesticide Poisoning: Notes for the Guidance of Medical Practitioners" are available in the Library.

  We will look closely at the Report of the "Working Party on Management of Patients Chronically Exposed to Organophosphate Sheep Dips" set up by the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of Psychiatrists to be published later this year to identify issues for action including whether further guidance to medical practitioners is necessary.

  Asthma
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for each local authority area, the number of emergency admissions of patients suffering from asthma and breathing-related illnesses for each year since 1992. [41948]

  Mr. Boateng
  The available information has been placed in the Library. It gives estimated episodes of treatment, by health authority, in National Health Service hospitals in England for the years 1992–93 to 1995–96 (the most recent for which data are available), for emergency admissions with a primary diagnosis of asthma and other chronic lower respiratory diseases. These figures represent the number of episodes of care under individual consultants.

  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the potential savings to the NHS for treating asthma and other breathing-related illnesses from a reduction in air pollution levels of(a) five per cent., (b) 10 per cent., (c) 15 per cent., (d) 20 per cent. and (e) over 20 per cent. [41947]

  Ms Jowell
  None. The January 1998 report by the Department's Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants, "Quantification of the Effects of Air Pollution on Health in the UK", copies of which are in the Library, illustrated that air pollution has a substantial effect on people's health. It included estimates of the numbers of people affected by different air pollutants. The Committee concluded that deaths and hospital admissions and readmissions were likely to be brought forward as a result of exposure to air pollution. That is why we are committed to reduce air pollution both in this country and in Europe.
  129
  However, there is no guarantee that reducing air pollution by particular amounts would lead to a corresponding reduction in the health effects nor in treatment costs associated with such illnesses. For instance, not all air pollutants affect people with asthma. Also, because some pollutants have no threshold of effects—that is, effects can be detected even when concentrations of particular pollutants are low—there will clearly be an effect at any level for some people.

  Dentists
  Mr. Prior
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS dentists practise in Norfolk; and what is the average number of people registered with each dental practitioner(a) in Norfolk and (b) nationally. [42770]

  Mr. Milburn
  Information on the number of dentists and patients registered with them is available by health authority. The table gives details for England, and for East Norfolk Health Authority and North West Anglia Health Authority which cover Norfolk.

  General dental service: number of dentists1 and average number of registered patients per dentist at 31 March 1998

  Number of dentists

  Average number of registered patients per dentist

  England

  16,830

  1,477

  East Norfolk HA

  215

  1,572

  North West Anglia HA

  111

  1,635

  1 Principals, assistants and vocational trainees (not salaried, hospital and community dentists)

  Mental Health
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to ensure that nurses staffing the NHS direct telephone advice line are trained in advising people on mental health issues and dealing with people who may have mental health problems. [42876]

  Mr. Boateng
  We recognise the importance of ensuring that the NHS Direct service can appropriately meet the needs of people with mental health problems. We will ensure that this is addressed by NHS Direct sites in their plans for staff training.

  Family Planning
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance has been issued to health authorities about providing a choice of sources for family planning services; and when it was last issued. [42887]

  Ms Jowell
  Departmental guidance on National Health Service family planning services was issued in January 1992. The circular HSG(92)6 "Guidelines for reviewing family planning services Guidance for Regions", copies of which are in the Library, states that specialist family planning clinic services should complement those provided by general practitioners. The guidance asks health authorities to consider the best way to integrate the two to ensure the most comprehensive range of effective family planning services is provided to their local populations.
  130
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list, by health authority, the number of objections which he has received since 1 January about reductions in family planning services. [42888]

  Ms Jowell
  Since 1 January 1998, proposals from Northamptonshire Health Authority, which include changes to local family planning service provision, have been referred to Ministers for a final decision.

  Fit for Business Campaign
  Mr. Caplin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans his Department has to support the national Fit For Business campaign. [43058]

  Ms Jowell
  We welcome initiatives in the private sector in promoting health in the workplace. Our new health strategy, "Our Healthier Nation", identifies healthy workplaces as one of the key settings to help deliver our aims to improve the health of the population as a whole. We also support the "Health at Work" and "Workplace Health" initiatives, through the Health Education Authority, which provides information, advice and research on health promotion in the workplace.

  Drugs Budget
  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the gross cost of drugs to the NHS in actual and percentage terms for the last year for which information is available; and what is the estimated expenditure in the current year. [43031]

  Mr. Milburn
  In 1996/97 total expenditure on drugs was £4.7 billion accounting for 14 per cent. of total National Health Service expenditure.

  Final outtum figures for 1997/98 and forecasts for the current year are not yet available.

  Child Developmental Checks
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many health authorities currently carry out 18 months old developmental checks on children; and how many do not; [42975]

  (2) what guidance has been issued by his Department to health authorities regarding developmental checks on young children. [42976]

  Mr. Boateng
  Developmental checks on children, including at the age of 18–24 months, form part of the core child health surveillance programme recommended in guidance issued by the Department in 1992—which updated the content and focus of this activity in line with developments in medical knowledge. The programme is led by general practitioners, who are trained and accredited in the practice of child health surveillance, with the assistance of health visitors and other members of the primary health care team. The majority (some 94 per cent.) of general practitioners participate in this service. We do not know of any health authority area where the service is not available.

  GP Lists
  Mr. Andy King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the circumstances under which a patient may be removed from a general
  131
  practitioner's list and on the healthcare arrangements which are available to patients who are not registered with a general practitioner. [43160]

  Mr. Milburn
  General practitioners' terms of service provide that a doctor has the right, subject to certain necessary safeguards to ensure ongoing necessary treatment is not disrupted, to remove patients from their list without giving a reason unless they are seeking immediate removal due to an act or threat of violence in which case a complaint has to be made to the police.

  General practitioners' terms of service also require that, unless they have been specifically relieved from such responsibilities, they provide healthcare to any person to whom they may be requested to give treatment which is immediately required owing to an accident or other emergency at any place in their practice area.

  Cardiomyopathy
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the number of teenagers who might be at risk from cardiomyopathy leading to sudden death. [43130]

  Mr. Boateng
  While cardiomyopathy is one of the leading causes of sudden death in teenagers, it is not known how many people are affected by cardiomyopathy nor, of those who are, how many might be at risk. The Department is working with clinicians and voluntary organisations on the diagnosis, management and treatment of this condition.

  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the cost of establishing a national screening programme for cardiomyopathy for all children starting secondary school to identify those suffering from Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome. [43129]

  Mr. Boateng
  The National Screening Committee (NSC), which offers health Ministers advice about the case for individual screening programmes, has not yet considered the case for screening children for cardiomyopathy. The NSC has commissioned a study of the emerging evidence which will inform its consideration later in the year. Any decision on the introduction of a national programme will be made in the light of that consideration.

  Epilepsy
  Mr. Jim Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received and what response he has made on the issue of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. [43330]

  Mr. Boateng
  Since November 1997, 37 private office cases have been received on the subject of sudden unexpected death from epilepsy (SUDEP) and one Parliamentary Question has been asked in the same period. Virtually all the private office correspondence has been from families who have lost a relative through SUDEP.

  The Department has awarded £45,000 in total for the years 1997–2000 to the organisation Epilepsy Bereaved? through a Section 64 grant, to help them raise awareness of SUDEP.
  132
  I shall be meeting representatives from the charity Epilepsy Bereaved? and the Joint Epilepsy Council on 2 June.

  Bacteria Spraying
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment his Department has made of the effects of spraying bacillus golbigii, E.coli and serratia marcescens on(a) humans, (b) men, (c) women and (d) pregnant women; [43290]

  (2) if he will conduct a study of the health records of people resident in South Devon and South Dorset between 1966 and 1971 who were sprayed with bacillus golbigii, E.coli and serratia marcescens in Ministry of Defence germ warfare tests. [43289]

  Ms Jowell
  Information received from the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency states that the bacteriological material released during tests in the 1960s and 70s was composed of organisms which either occur naturally in the environment, or which were killed before release. The bacteria used do not present health problems.

  Following concerns raised by local residents, Dorset Health Authority has commenced a survey into birth defects in the East Lulworth area. Preliminary investigations have not revealed any unexplained cluster of birth defects or ill health.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will issue further guidance on the weight which purchasers are required to give to the views of disabled people and their families when evaluating options for providing social care for people with learning disability who have been in long-stay residential hospital provision; and if he will make a statement. [43299]

  Mr. Boateng
  We have no plans to do so. Current guidance already makes clear that we would expect the views and wishes of disabled people and their families to be taken into account when planning and arranging services. We are currently looking at the closure plans for the old long stay learning disability hospitals so that we can be sure that the proposals are based on sound individualised planning, proper consultation has taken place and all options have been fully considered.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department has taken to promote independent mobility for disabled people. [43355]

  Mr. Boateng
  Between 1996 and 2000 the Department is making an additional £50 million available to National Health Service wheelchair services to enable them to provide electrically powered indoor/outdoor wheelchairs for those severely disabled people who can benefit from them, and to introduce a voucher scheme to give wheelchair users more choice.

  Chiropody Services
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what response he has made to the recommendations of Age Concern's report, On Your Feet: Older People and NHS Chiropody Services. [43161]
  133
  Mr. Boateng
  I wrote on 8 May 1998 to Evelyn McEwan, Director of Age Concern England. The report provides valuable information about National Health Service chiropody services and the perceptions of its users and providers.

  Officials in the NHS Executive are looking at ways in which chiropody services might be further developed and will be consulting Age Concern during this process.

  Hospital Waiting Lists
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 19 May 1998,Official Report, column 353, on hospital waiting lists, what information is held centrally; and for what reasons the information requested was available for 1996–97 and 1997–98. [43357]

  Mr. Milburn
  Waiting list/time information held centrally is based on the well established series of quarterly returns from health authorities and trusts. The information provided last year in respect of 1996–97 and 1997–98 had already been collected centrally as special exercises by the previous administration.

  Children Act
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to review the guidance issued by his Department in respect of the Children Act 1989. [43296]

  Mr. Boateng
  There are no plans for a fundamental review of the guidance issued by the Department in respect of the Children Act 1989. Where legal changes or new policy requirements have arisen, appropriate guidance by way of a local authority circular has been issued.

  Cancer and Kidney Disease
  Mr. Cunliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the incidence is per 1,000 population of(a) lung cancer, (b) other forms of cancer and (c) kidney disease in (i) the National Health Service North-West Region and (ii) Wigan and Bolton health area. [43309]

  Mr. Boateng
  Figures which show the incidence of these diseases is not collated centrally. My hon. Friend may wish to contact the cancer registries at Liverpool and Manchester Universities which collect some information about the incidence of certain cancers.

  Whooping Cough Vaccine
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what are the circumstances in which his Department advises that the pertussis vaccine should not be administered to a baby; [43205]

  (2) what guidelines are issued to health practitioners on the use of the pertussis vaccine on babies; and what are the recognised side-effects of the vaccine. [43203]

  Ms Jowell
  Details of the recommendations for pertussis vaccine, the contraindications to vaccination and the adverse reactions associated with the pertussis vaccine are set out in the United Kingdom Health Departments' memorandum 'Immunisation against Infectious Disease'. This publication is issued to doctors, practice nurses, health visitors and pharmacists involved in immunisation. Copies are available in the Library.
  134
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases have been recorded since 1987 of brain damage or blood poisoning which(a) have been attributed to the pertussis vaccine and (b) are claimed to be attributable to the pertussis vaccine but are yet to be determined. [43204]

  Ms Jowell
  There has been one suspected adverse drug reaction (ADR) report of mental handicap made via the United Kingdom spontaneous reporting scheme since 1987 associated with the multiconstituent diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP) vaccine. There have been no such reports of blood poisoning since 1987. Doctors are asked to report suspected adverse drug reactions via this scheme and therefore it is not possible to attribute causality definitely. When ADRs are reported with multiconstituent vaccines such as DTP it is not generally possible to know which, if any, component of the vaccine was responsible.

  Industrial Tribunals
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) which trusts in the South Thames Region have, as respondents, made applications in the past year to have industrial tribunal hearings held in camera; and what legal costs have to date been incurred in respect of each application; [42494]

  (2) how many applications in respect of unfair dismissal or constructive dismissal are outstanding in relation to (a) health authorities and (b) health trusts in the North Thames Region and South Thames Region; and to which authorities and trusts they relate; [42492]

  (3) which trusts in the North Thames Region have, as respondents, made applications in the past year to have industrial tribunal hearings held in camera; and what legal costs have been incurred in respect of each application. [42493]

  Mr. Milburn
  The information requested is not held centrally. My hon. Friend may wish to contact individual trusts for details.

  Tobacco Sponsorship
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the proposed ban on tobacco sponsorship will be introduced. [43745]

  Ms Jowell
  On 13 May the European Parliament voted through unamended the common position on the tobacco advertising Directive agreed by European Union Health Ministers last December. We hope that it can now be adopted during the United Kingdom Presidency. Following this, member states would have three years to implement the basic provisions of the Directive; a further 2 years are available beyond that for sponsored events; sponsored events organised on a global basis could be exempted for up to three further years, subject to diminishing advertising visibility and sponsorship expenditure. All forms of tobacco advertising and sponsorship covered by the Directive must cease by 1 October 2006. The timescale for implementation of the Directive in UK law will be set out in the tobacco control White Paper to be published later this year.
  135

  Small Businesses
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the regulations that have been amended or removed to help small businesses since 1 May 1997. [42786]

  Ms Jowell
  While none of the regulations laid by the Department have specifically targeted small businesses, all which impact on business generally take account of the needs of small businesses. For example, Statutory Instrument 1998/574, The Medicines for Human Use and Medical Devices (Fees and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 1998, reduced fees for all businesses involved in the manufacture and sale of medicines for human use. It also extended a small business concession to a greater number of companies.

  Haemophiliacs
  Mr. St. Aubyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to respond to the proposal for a special payment scheme for haemophiliacs infected with hepatitis through NHS tests treatment. [43465]

  Mr. Boateng
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend, the Member for Amber Valley (Judy Mallaber) on 11 May 1998,Official Report, column 39.

  Abortion
  Dr. Stoate
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will require general practitioners to make information publicly available as to whether they are prepared to refer women for abortion. [43602]

  Ms Jowell
  Referrals under the Abortion Act are part of the general medical services provided by general practitioners. Guidance issued by the British Medical Association states that practitioners with a conscientious objection to abortion who fail to refer on to another practitioner quickly could be alleged to be in breach of their terms of service. In these circumstances public statements about the GP's personal views on abortion are neither necessary nor appropriate.

  Dr. Stoate
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will replace the current assurances for private hospitals providing abortion with guidelines that will apply to both NHS and private services. [43603]

  Ms Jowell
  My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State has a power under Section 1(3) of the Abortion Act to approve non-National Health Service premises for termination of pregnancy. The assurances were introduced to combat abuses of the Act and to ensure that approved places provide an appropriate standard of care. The approval and monitoring processes have ensured that these abuses have been eradicated. Key extracts from the current assurances were issued to the NHS in 1995 for information.

  Dr. Stoate
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the inquiry into health inequalities will include an investigation of inequalities in abortion services. [43597]

  Ms Jowell
  It is for the Independent Inquiry into Inequalities in Health to determine its own work programme in discharging its terms of reference. Copies of the terms of reference have been placed in the Library.
  136

  Emergency Contraception
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make emergency contraception available through(a) pharmacy prescription and (b) pharmacies without prescription. [43454]

  Ms Jowell
  The emergency contraceptive pill is classified as a prescription only medicine under United Kingdom and European Community legislation which takes into account the safety of the product, the risk to health if utilised without medical supervision and the likelihood of incorrect use.

  There are currently no proposals to make emergency contraception available through pharmacies without a doctor's prescription. Any such proposal would be carefully assessed by the Medicines Control Agency, taking into account the advice of the Committee on Safety of Medicines, and there would be statutory public consultation before a decision was reached.

  There is presently no legal provision for pharmacists to prescribe medicines.

  Smoking
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of teenage(a) boys and (b) girls in England was smoking tobacco (i) in 1988 and (ii) at the most recent date for which figures are available. [44019]

  Ms Jowell
  The table shows the percentages of boys and girls aged 11–15 who smoked regularly in 1988 and 1996.

  Year

  Boys

  Girls

  1988

  7

  9

  1996

  11

  15

  Notes:

  1. Regular smoking is defined as smoking at least one cigarette a week

  2. Percentages are rounded to the nearest whole figure

  Source:

  Smoking Among Secondary School Children Surveys, 1996, conducted by the Office for National Statistics on behalf of the Department of Health

  West Kent Health Authority
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the mechanism used to determine funding for the West Kent Health Authority for(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98 and (d) 1998–99; and what factors underlay (i) the requirement for additional funding in (1) 1995–96, (2) 1996–97 and (3) 1997–98 and (ii) the overspend in the current year. [41922]

  Mr. Milburn
  [holding answer 18 May 1998]: From 1996–97 a national weighted capitation formula has been used to determine each health authority's target fair share of available resources. Annual decisions are taken on how quickly health authorities are moved closer to their weighted capitation target. Prior to 1996–97 the regional health authority managed the allocation process using a similar formula.
  137
  Other than moneys held centrally, such as funding for the new deal to help reduce junior doctors hours, additional funds have been provided in 1997–98 to ease the pressures on the health and social care system during the winter and in 1998–99 to reduce National Health Service waiting lists to below the record levels we inherited, by next April.

  Figures will be available on the health authority's financial position in 1998–99 at the end of July.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  New Deal (Young People)
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proportion of young people aged 18 to 24 years who have attended their first New Deal interviews have not then met a subsequent appointment as part of the New Deal. [43881]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  This information is not held centrally in the form requested. This will be assessed as part of the evaluation strategy.

  National Insurance
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer of 7 April 1998,Official Report, column 228, on National Insurance, when the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education and Employment will write to the hon. Member for Havant. [43989]

  Dr. Howells
  We are still awaiting assessments by the Further and Higher Education Funding Councils of the impact on the further and higher education sectors respectively of changes to employers' National Insurance contributions from April 1999. Meanwhile, the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals have estimated that the annual cost to the higher education sector across the UK is likely to be some £10 million. In the case of further education, we estimate that the effect of the changes is likely to be a small saving of around £5 million per annum. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as we have received and considered the Funding Councils' advice.

  European Voluntary Service
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if the European Voluntary Service will be eligible for the voluntary option of the New Deal. [43968]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The European Voluntary Service programme has not yet been formally agreed by the European Council and European Parliament. If and when the programme is fully operational, the opportunities offered will be eligible for the Voluntary Sector option of the New Deal for young unemployed people if they satisfy the design and quality criteria of that option. Organisations offering opportunities abroad on that option must also ensure that participants comply with benefit and immigration regulations.
  138

  Access Courses
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if sub-degree level higher education access courses will be covered by the New Deal as part of the education and training option. [43971]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  The Full-Time Education and Training option of the New Deal for 18–24 year olds is primarily aimed at enabling young people who do not hold qualifications at NVQ Level 2 (or equivalent) to gain those qualifications. Support for higher level studies can also be given, where this will clearly enhance the young person's employability. In the case of an Access to Higher Education course, support can be given under the New Deal where the course forms part of a coherent action plan leading towards sustained employment.

  Tuition Fees
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the cost and the number of staff to be involved in administering means tests for tuition fees for students from the EU. [43974]

  Dr. Howells
  The cost of administering the means test will be approximately £400,000 for the academic year 1998/99 and there will be some 25 staff providing this central service.

  Disability Discrimination Act
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when his Department expects to make an announcement on the timetable for the implementation of part 3 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. [43594]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Solihull (Mr. Taylor) on 18 May 1998,Official Report, column 282.

  New Deal (Disabled People)
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will provide disability awareness/equality training to employers as part of the New Deal for Sick and Disabled People. [43559]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The Employment Service, through its Placing Assessment and Counselling Teams and Disability Employment Advisers, already provides significant support to employers. The Personal Adviser Service, the key part of the New Deal for Disabled People, will also provide employers with advice on employing disabled people. This will complement the role of the many voluntary organisations who also work with employers to increase their disability awareness.

  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will provide specialist advisers to the(a) post acute brain injured and (b) recovering mentally ill as part of the New Deal for Sick and Disabled People. [43570]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  We will expect those providing the Personal Adviser Service as part of the New Deal for Disabled People to ensure advisers are equipped with the necessary knowledge and expertise to support people with a wide range of specialist needs, including the post-acute brain injured and people recovering from mental illness.
  139
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how much money the Employment Service plans to invest in supported employment programmes for sick and disabled people in 1998–99; [43556]

  (2) what funding has been given to supported employment programmes for sick and disabled people since 1995–96 by the Employment Service. [43555]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The information requested is given in the following table.

  Supported employment programme

  Year

  £ million

  1995–96 outturn

  154.2

  1996–97 outturn

  154.3

  1997–98 outturn

  155.6

  1998–99 plans

  155.1

  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will provide disability awareness/equality training to personnel in the Careers Service as part of the New Deal for Sick and Disabled People. [43558]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  Careers advisers are required as part of their initial training to undergo disability awareness and equal opportunities training. Training as appropriate will be provided for New Deal for Disabled People Personal Adviser Service staff.

  Special Educational Needs
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on integrating pupils with(a) severe learning difficulties, (b) moderate learning difficulties and (c) emotional behavioural difficulties into mainstream schools. [43798]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  We are preparing an action programme to take forward our policies on special educational needs (SEN), taking careful account of the responses to the Green Paper—Excellence for all children; meeting special educational needs. Progress on inclusion will be at the heart of those policies. We want to see an increased proportion of children with SEN included in mainstream schools where parents are happy with this, and where schools are properly prepared. But we will also promote a strong special school sector, to provide support for mainstream schools, and to offer high quality specialist provision for those children who need it.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what arrangements he is making to transfer grant-maintained schools back to the control of LEAs; when he expects this process will be completed; and if he will make a statement. [43808]

  Mr. Byers
  We are not proposing to transfer grant-maintained schools back to the control of LEAs. The School Standards and Framework Bill currently before Parliament provides for a new framework for the organisation of schools, which will accommodate all existing schools, including grant-maintained schools. It 140
  will strike a better balance between the discretion of schools to manage their own affairs and the role of Leash in supporting and challenging schools in raising standards. The Government propose to introduce the new framework in September 1999.

  Dental Students
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the impact of his Department's proposals for higher education on the numbers of dental students; and what research his Department has evaluated on this matter. [43019]

  Dr. Howells
  The progress of applications to enter higher education in October 1998 is being closely monitored. Although applications for Clinical Dentistry are currently down on last year (from 11,939 to 10,381 as at 16 May according to figures from the Universities and Colleges Admission Service) we do not expect universities to have difficulty meeting the UK dental target of 805 places per year.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the regulations that have been amended or removed to help small businesses since 1 May 1997. [42784]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  None of the Statutory Instruments made by the Department for Education and Employment revoking or amending regulations between 1 May 1997 and 22 May 1998 had a direct impact on small businesses. The Department is continually mindful of reflecting in policy the importance of job generation in small businesses, for example in the design of the New Deal and its self-employment option.

  Supported Employment Placements
  Ms Keeble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) if he will estimate the cost of increasing the capitation grant for supported employment placements by the rate of inflation between 1 April 1998 and 1 April 1999; [42993]

  (2) what was the cost of the capitation grant for supported employment placements in 1998–99. [42989]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The capitation grant for 1998–99 is £4,680. The cost of supported placements in 1998–99 can be calculated on a retrospective basis only once the financial year has ended and supported employment providers have sent the Department their audited accounts. Providers have been given a deadline of December 1999 for this.

  Uprating the capitation grant in line with the GDP deflator of 2.9 per cent. would result in a level of £4,815.

  Training and Enterprise Councils
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what was the budget of the Staffordshire TEC in(a) 1997–98 and (b) 1998–99; [43114]
  141
  (2) what has been the level of public funding for each TEC in the West Midlands since they were
  established. [43115]

  West Midlands TEC funding (DfEE and DTI) 1995–96 to 1998–99

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  Birmingham

  27,187,475

  31,481,373

  29,419,491

  29,141,010

  Central England

  8,891,325

  8,350,991

  9,630,290

  620,756

  Coventry and Warwickshire

  21,444,349

  21,400,763

  22,001,108

  20,076,484

  Dudley

  7,566,289

  8,311,713

  9,355,398

  8,462,913

  Herefordshire and Worcestershire

  11,566,289

  11,647,220

  13,012,475

  15,394,526

  Sandwell

  10,739,570

  10,938,147

  10,455,393

  9,439,113

  Shropshire

  11,517,320

  12,058,394

  12,069,144

  11,515,966

  Staffordshire

  26,071,937

  27,430,212

  24,861,306

  24,369,613

  Walsall

  6,370,719

  6,840,242

  7,702,685

  7,028,588

  Wolverhampton

  8,084,884

  8,955,628

  8,119,765

  7,735,364

  Notes:

  Information prior to 1995–96 is not readily available and has, therefore, not been provided.

  The contract with Central England TEC ceased at the end of 1997–98. The funding shown for this TEC for 1998–99 represents carry-over liabilities from the 1997–98 contract.

  The area covered by Central England has been taken over by Birmingham (Solihull) and Herefordshire and Worcestershire (Redditch and Bromsgrove and Wyre Forest).

  The 1998–99 funding for Birmingham and Solihull includes funding in respect of these areas.

  Local Management of Schools
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) when he expects to publish the document on local management of schools: framework for guidance of local education authorities; [43033]

  (2) when he expects to implement further delegation of responsibilities from local education authorities to schools. [43034]

  Mr. Byers
  The Government's consultation paper on the future development of local management of schools was published on 29 May. The intention is that the new arrangements should take effect from the beginning of the financial year 1999–2000. Copies of the paper have been placed in the Library.

  Chefs (Work Permits)
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the number of applications he has received for work permits for chefs for each year since 1990 indicating the number of permits granted; what plans he has to review his Department's policy on the admission of chefs; and how many work permits for chefs are currently under consideration by his Department. [43083]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The information about work permit applications for chefs requested is as follows:

  Year

  Number of applications received

  Number approved

  1990

  2,160

  767

  1991

  2,091

  538

  1992

  1,408

  455

  1993

  1,058

  349

  1994

  844

  238

  1995

  530

  198

  1996

  589

  259

  1997

  513

  220

  142
  Dr. Howells
  The information requested is shown in the following table.

  These figures include a small number of chefs training or gaining work experience. The totals for 1990–94 reflect the large number of applications made for a limited number of available permits under the former Dependent Territories Quota Scheme which was phased out over the period.

  There are currently 114 work permit applications for chefs under consideration.

  The Department consults, informally and formally, employers and interested bodies about the criteria for work permits but there are no firm plans at present to review the criteria for chefs.

  Asperger Syndrome
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many children are diagnosed as suffering from Asperger Syndrome in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) West Sussex. [43284]

  Mr. Boateng
  I have been asked to reply.

  Data are not collected centrally on the number of cases of Asperger Syndrome. Research in Scandinavia has suggested a prevalence rate of 36 per 10,000 population. The National Autistic Society estimate there are 47,400 children with Asperger Syndrome in the United Kingdom.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Sierra Leone
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the procedures which officials must follow when asking for an inquiry by Customs and Excise officials. [41727]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 12 May 1998]In the normal way FCO officials refer allegations which they believe might require investigation to Customs and Excise officers.
  143
  Further action is for Customs and Excise to determine given that in such matters they are acting as an independent prosecuting authority of the Crown.

  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which of his departmental officials are specifically responsible for policy relating to arms sales to Sierra Leone. [41596]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 12 May 1998]Within the FCO, arms sales are dealt with by the geographical department concerned in consultation with the Non-Proliferation Department.

  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings were held between Government representatives and President Kabbah of Sierra Leone while the President was in exile; who was present at such meetings; where and when they were held; what was their purpose; and what was discussed at them. [41800]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 13 May 1998]Officials from the High Commission had numerous meetings with President Kabbah in Conakry. Officials also met him when he visited the UK in October 1997.

  The Minister of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Central (Mr. Lloyd), met President Kabbah on 20 October when he addressed the seminar 'Restoring Sierra Leone to Democracy'; on 25 October, with the Minister of State at the Department for International Development; and on 31 March 1998 when he visited Sierra Leone as a member of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group mission.

  My right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister, met him informally during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Edinburgh in October 1997. I met the Foreign Minister of Sierra Leone in the margins of the UN General Assembly meeting in September 1997.

  It is not normal practice to release the records of discussions with foreign Governments, but all relevant documents will be available to Sir Thomas Legg for his investigation.

  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many reporting telegrams his Department received from Freetown and Conakry since 1 May 1997; and how many of these were copied to the private office of a Minister. [42096]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 14 May 1998]From 1 May 1997 to 18 May 1998 the FCO received 141 telegrams from Freetown, 102 of which were copied to my office and that of my hon. Friend the Minister of State.

  During the period when Freetown was evacuated, the High Commission operated out of a hotel room in Conakry and communicated with the FCO by fax. No record has been kept of the total number of faxes received during this period. However 48 of these faxes were retransmitted as FCO telegrams, 43 of which were copied to Ministerial offices as above.

  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish the reports submitted by the Committee of the UN Security Council established by paragraph 10 of UNSCR 1132. [41967]
  144
  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 14 May 1998]The Sierra Leone Sanctions Committee has yet to make a periodic report.

  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs by whose authority repairs were effected by Royal Naval personnel to a helicopter exclusively used by a Sandline International crew; and if this constituted a breach of the UN arms embargo. [41969]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 14 May 1998]I refer the right hon. and learned Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence to the hon. Member for Salisbury (Mr. Key), on 18 May 1998,Official Report, column 258. We do not believe that the repair of this helicopter constituted a breach of UNSCR 1132.

  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what date Ministers and officials in his Department first consulted ministers and officials in the Ministry of Defence concerning the use of UK military assets to help restore the Government of Sierra Leone. [41830]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 14 May 1998]UK military assets were not used to overthrow the junta in Sierra Leone, which fled from Freetown on 13 February. The instructions to HMS Monmouth, and later to HMS Cornwall, were to deploy to the vicinity of Sierra Leone to be prepared to provide immediate humanitarian assistance to the people of Sierra Leone, to support our diplomatic efforts there, and to assist in the return of the British High Commissioner, should the democratically elected Government be restored. The FCO and the MOD liaised closely throughout this period about the activities of HMS Monmouth and HMS Cornwall.

  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if any official of his Department was in contact with officials of the Customs and Excise on 28 or 29 April in connection with the investigation into Sandline International. [42313]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 18 May 1998]The FCO fully cooperated with the Customs and Excise investigation throughout April and early May.

  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Minister of State, the hon. Member for Manchester, Central, discussed the activities of Sandline International with Mr. John Flynn at their meeting on 19 March. [42284]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 18 May 1998]No.

  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the occasions on which his Department's Overseas Visitors Unit arranged calls by President Kabbah of Sierra Leone on Sandline International during his visits to the United Kingdom since 1 May 1997. [43206]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  The Overseas Visitors section has not arranged any calls by President Kabbah on Sandline International.

  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he took after he was informed on 6 February that military intervention was planned in Sierra Leone. [42625]
  145
  Mr. Robin Cook
  I took note of the reports of the military action by forces of the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) against the junta in Sierra Leone. In the following weeks, the following actions were taken by the FCO:the Permanent Representative to the UN was instructed to seek an explanation from members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Committee of five Foreign Ministers during a briefing for Security Council members held on 6 February and at the subsequent meeting on 6 March;
  we drafted the EU Presidential Statement on Sierra Leone issued on 20 February.
  on 20 February, we instructed our Missions in ECOWAS capitals to carry out a joint demarche with EU Troika partners urging inter alia that ECOMOG open up humanitarian supply lines, and assist in the rescue and evacuation of EU nations held hostage in Sierra Leone;
  the FCO liaised closely with MOD about instructions to HMS Monmouth on 10 February to proceed to the waters off Freetown to stand by to provide humanitarian assistance, HMS Monmouth was replaced by HMS Cornwall which entered Freetown on 1 March;
  we contributed to the drawing up of the statement issued by the president of the Security Council on 26 February;
  we contributed to the drawing up and adoption of UNSCR 1156 on 16 March 1998 which welcomed President Kabbah's return to Freetown and lifted the prohibition on the supply of petrol and petroleum products to Sierra Leone;
  we contributed to the drawing up and adoption of UNSCR 1162 on 17 April, which authorised the deployment of up to 10 United Nations military liaison and security advisory personnel to work under the Secretary General's Special Envoy. HMG is contributing one officer to the deployment;
  we donated £2 million to the UN Trust Fund established in February to support the demobilisation and disarmament process, and instructed our diplomatic missions in the EU and elsewhere to urge their host governments to contribute towards the Trust Fund and to provide humanitarian relief for Sierra Leone.

  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if his Department received telegrams from the British High Commissioner for Sierra Leone warning that Sandline might breach the arms embargo; [42602]

  (2) if his Department communicated the terms of the Sierra Leone (United Nations Sanctions) Order 1997 to the British High Commissioner for Sierra Leone. [42603]

  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the occasions on which Mr. Peter Penfold visited the offices of Sandline International since 1 May 1997. [43207]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 20 May 1998]I refer the right hon. and hon. Member to my statement in the House during the debate on 18 May 1998,Official Report, columns 604–11, in which I announced the investigation by Sir Thomas Legg KCB QC into allegations about Government involvement with the supply of arms to Sierra Leone by UK citizens and firms, and said that the Terms of Reference would be placed in the Library of the House. I intend to publish the report of the investigation.

  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish the written brief received by the Minister of State, the hon. Member for Manchester Central, before(a) the visit to CHOGM of President Kabbah, (b) his speech to the seminar
  146
  in London on restoring Sierra Leone to democracy in October 1997, (c) the decision to invite HM Customs and Excise to conduct an investigation into Lord Avebury's allegations on 10 March, (d) the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group meeting in London on 2 and 3 March, (e) the decision to send HMS Cornwall to Sierra Leone, (f) the debate on Sierra Leone in the House on 12 March, (g) his visit to Sierra Leone in March, and (h) his evidence to the Foreign Affairs Committee on 5 May; and if he will list the oral briefings received in connection with those occasions, stating who was present when oral briefings or office meetings took place about Sierra Leone. [42099]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 14 May 1998]I refer the hon. Member to my statement in the House during the debate on 18 May 1998,Official Report, columns 604–11, in which I announced the investigation by Sir Thomas Legg KCB QC into allegations about Government involvement with the supply of arms to Sierra Leone by UK citizens and firms, and said that the Terms of Reference would be placed in the Library of the House. I intend to publish the report of the investigation.

  European Structural Funds
  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the nature and scope of his responsibilities in relation to the review of European structural funds in respect of Wales, indicating the timetable for action by his Department. [42471]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Small Firms, Trade and Industry on 21 May 1998,Official Report, column 543.

  Turkey
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Turkey on the shooting of the Human Rights Association Leader Akin Birdal. [42439]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 18 May 1998]As EU Presidency, the UK issued a declaration on behalf of the European Union on 13 May expressing shock and dismay at the shooting of Mr. Akin Birdal, condemning this cowardly attack on the Chairman of the Human Rights Association, and strongly supporting statements of the Turkish authorities that every effort would be made to bring to justice those responsible.

  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary made clear the importance we attach to the proper protection of human rights during his visit to Ankara on 19 May. He took the opportunity to visit Mr. Birdal in hospital to emphasise our support for the work of the Human Rights Association.

  Indonesia
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his most recent discussions with Jose Ramos Horta; and what representations he has made recently to the Government of Indonesia regarding human rights, with particular reference to ethnic Chinese residents of Indonesia. [42345]
  147
  Mr. Fatchett
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary had a wide-ranging discussion with Mr. Ramos-Horta on 31 March. We have made various representations about human rights, in both a Presidency and national capacity, to the Indonesian authorities in Jakarta. My right hon. Friend raised human rights in East Timor in his meeting with Vice President Habibie and Foreign Minister Alatas in the margins of ASEM 2.

  Human Rights
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received regarding the first annual human rights report from(a) foreign Governments and (b) British non-Governmental organisations. [42396]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The report has been widely welcomed. Mary Robinson, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, has written that she believes,"it is a marvellous initiative by the Government",
  Amnesty International stated publicly that they were
  "delighted at the publication of the first such report".
  It quoted David Bull, a Director as saying,
  "This is a good day for human rights".
  The response of NGOs has been generally positive.

  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has received no formal representations about the report.

  Arms Sales
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the new European Code of Conduct on arms sales will ensure that signatories will open their arms sales to parliamentary scrutiny. [43170]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  No. Different Member States have different practices in this respect. It would not have been realistic to propose a Code which sought to dictate Member States' internal licensing procedures.

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultation will take place under the European Code of Conduct on arms sales before one member state accepts an arms contract that has been turned down on ethical grounds by another. [43174]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The Code of Conduct specified that before any Member State grants an export licence which has been denied in accordance with the Code by another Member State or States for an essentially identical transaction within the past three years, it will first consult the Member State or States issuing the denial(s).

  UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made about proposed changes to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. [43128]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child was adopted by UNGA in 1989 and has achieved near universal ratification. The UK ratified in 148
  1991. States Parties recognise and undertake to uphold the full range of human rights—and, political, economic, social and cultural—in respect of children.

  We have no plans to propose changes to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, nor have we received representations to do so. We are, however, participating actively in UN Working Group discussions on draft Optional Protocols to the convention on the involvement of children in armed conflict, and on the sale of children, child prostitution, and child pornography. We support efforts to bring these discussions to a successful conclusion.

  Gibraltar
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he has taken in the last four weeks to secure EU recognition for Gibraltar I.D. cards. [43106]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  My answer to the hon. Member for Macclesfield (Mr. Winterton) of 13 March 1998,Official Report, column 402, recorded that we were pursuing our complaint against Spain's non-recognition of Gibraltar's ID cards through the relevant Commission procedures. That remain the position.

  Clive Allison
  Mr. Collins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the French Government over the disappearance of British citizen Clive Allison in Lyon on 25 April and subsequent events. [43359]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Following Mr. Allison's disappearance our Consulate in Lyon contacted the French Police who confirmed that they had already circulated his details as a missing person. On 29 April they issued a "search notice" to all police forces and hospital emergency units. A body was found in the Saone on 4 May and identified the next day as Mr. Allison.

  The police investigation into Mr. Allison's death is continuing.

  Mr. Collins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek reports upon the steps taken by(a) the British Consulate in Lyon and (b) the French authorities following the reported disappearance of British citizen Clive Allison in Lyons on 25 April; and if he will make a statement. [43358]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Our Consul in Lyon has provided a full report of action taken by consular staff and French police when informed of the disappearance of Mr. Allison.

  We are satisfied that the French authorities and our consular staff did all they properly could to help Mr. Allison's friends and relatives. Our consular staff cannot investigate the disappearance of a British citizen; that is a job for the police. In this case there was no reason to suspect foul play was involved and the police acted according to normal practice when dealing with missing persons.

  Following the discovery of Mr. Allison's body the police opened an investigation, which is continuing.
  149

  Tibet
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the resolution by the European Parliament calling for a United Nations commission of inquiry into Tibet. [43164]

  Mr. Fatchett
  During our Presidency of the European Union the issue of Tibet has featured prominently in the EU' s human rights dialogue with China. A delegation of EU Ambassadors to Beijing visited Tibet in May in order to make an assessment of the situation there. Our EU partners are considering their report.

  Small Businesses
  Mr. Page
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the regulations that have been removed or amended to help small businesses since 1 May 1997. [42775]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Since 1 May 1997 the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has not amended or removed any regulations to help small businesses.

  Israel
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress is being made on the implementation of the interim agreement on trade and trade-related matters between the EU and Israel in respect of verifying the accuracy of the labelling of goods as Made in Israel; and if the agreement will prohibit the labelling of goods produced in part or wholly in(a) illegal Israeli settlements, (b) East Jerusalem, (c) the Golan Heights, (d) the West Bank and (e) the Gaza Strip as Made in Israel. [43351]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  On 13 May, the European Commission adopted a Communication to the Council on the implementation of the Interim Agreement on trade and trade-related matters between the European Community and Israel. This Communication is now being studied at a technical level by Member States and the Commission.

  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress is being made on the implementation of the interim agreement on trade and trade-related matters between the EU and Israel in respect of monitoring human rights abuses in the occupied territories and the Israeli Government response to those abuses. [43352]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The EU continues to monitor closely the human rights situation in Israel. The EU attaches great importance to this subject, which is reflected in the terms of the EC/Israel Interim Agreement. EU Heads of Mission regularly report to the Council on the human rights situation in Israel and the Occupied Territories. A summary of the last report was released on 15 May. Member States, including the UK, also raise human rights in their bilateral contacts with Israel. The EU/Israel Association Agreement awaits ratification by all Member States. The EU/Israel Association Council set up under that agreement should also provide a welcome new forum for discussion of human rights.

  Iraq
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement 150
  on the latest inspection of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq since the last agreement was reached; and what estimate has been made of the amount of such weapons left. [43337]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We are satisfied that Iraq has adhered to the commitments it gave to the UN Secretary-General on 23 February, and at present is allowing weapons inspections to proceed in line with its obligations under relevant Security Council Resolutions.

  The latest report by the Executive Chairman of the UN Special Commission, issued in April, reported little progress in verification of all 3 areas of WMD (Biological weapons, Chemical weapons and Ballistic missiles), as a result of 4 months of crisis. As a result of the latest report from the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Authority (IAEA), the United Nations Security Council has agreed that the IAEA dedicate its resources to the implementation of Ongoing Monitoring and Verification of the nuclear capabilities of Iraq, subject to satisfactory Iraqi responses to outstanding IAEA questions and concerns prior to the issue of the next IAEA report (October 1998).

  Copies of these reports will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Dependent Territories
  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information is available from British Consular offices in North America to potential investors in British Dependent Territories in the Caribbean. [43423]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Our Consulates-General in North America assist with any inquiries about investment in the Caribbean Overseas Territories either by obtaining relevant information from the Governments of the Overseas Territories themselves, or by putting potentional investors in direct contact with them.

  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans(a) he and (b) other Ministers have to visit the Turks and Caicos Islands. [43427]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Neither my right hon. Friend, the Foreign Secretary, nor other FCO Ministers have any immediate plans to visit the Turks and Caicos Islands.

  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress made in his review of the future status of Britain's Dependent Territories. [43446]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary published a response on 13 May 1998 to the FAC's Interim Report on the Dependent Territories. A copy of this is available in the Libraries of the House.

  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations he has had with the Governments of(a) the British Virgin Islands (b) the Cayman Islands and (c) the Turks and Caicos Islands on his proposals for their future status and citizenship. [43447]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  My right hon. Friend, the Foreign Secretary, discussed the proposals on the future status and citizenship with the Chief Ministers and equivalents of
  151
  all the Caribbean Overseas Territories' and Bermuda in February. We have consulted the Overseas Territories's governments on this matter at regular intervals since the announcement of the FCO Review last August. My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Baroness Symons, wrote to the Chief Ministers updating them on progress with the Review last month.

  Defence Exports
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Slough (Fiona Mactaggart) on defence exports of 18 May 1998,Official Report, column 265, if he will make a statement on the means by which the monitoring and assessment policy was applied to each item authorised for sale to Indonesia since 1 May 1997. [43450]

  Mr. Fatchett
  My hon. Friend the Minister of State's answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Slough referred to the process of assessing at the licensing stage the risk that proposed exports might be used for internal repression. We have made such an assessment in the case of all licence applications for the export of controlled goods to Indonesia circulated to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office by the Department of Trade and Industry in line with our policy responsibilities. No formal 152
  procedures exist for routinely monitoring the use that is made of British defence equipment, once exported. But we are ready when necessary to investigate any specific allegations of misuse.

  Nuclear Tests (South Asia)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when Her Majesty's Government first learned that India was about to test nuclear weapons this year. [43451]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We first learned of the Indian nuclear tests from the Indian Government's statements to the press on 11 May and on 13 May, announcing that the tests had been conducted.

  Departmental Inquiries
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those inquiries which were launched by his officials without his prior knowledge since 1 May 1997. [41724]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 12 May 1998]No formal investigations have been launched since 2 May 1997 by officials of the FCO without my knowledge. In the case of the alleged breach of the arms embargo on Sierra Leone, officials acted perfectly properly in referring allegations to Customs and Excise.

  Office of Science and Technology
  Office of Science and Technology
  EU and South Africa: Free Trade Negotiations
  EU and South Africa: Free Trade Negotiations
  Turkish Nurses: Qualifications
  Turkish Nurses: Qualifications
  Breast-feeding
  Breast-feeding
  NHS: Millennium Compliance
  NHS: Millennium Compliance
  Commonwealth Education Ministers' Conference
  Commonwealth Education Ministers' Conference
  Rights of Audience in the Higher Courts
  Rights of Audience in the Higher Courts
  Lord Chancellor's Advisory Committee on Legal Education and Conduct: Chairman
  Lord Chancellor's Advisory Committee on Legal Education and Conduct: Chairman
  Family Law Act: Implementation
  Family Law Act: Implementation
  RAF Trainer Aircraft
  RAF Trainer Aircraft
  Gulf Deployments: Costs
  Gulf Deployments: Costs
  Campsfield House: Management Contract
  Campsfield House: Management Contract
  Access to Museums and Galleries: Consultation
  Access to Museums and Galleries: Consultation
  Lloyd's Underwriters: Tax Payments
  Lloyd's Underwriters: Tax Payments
  Heavy Industry and Agriculture: Employment Data
  Heavy Industry and Agriculture: Employment Data
  Notes and Coins: Decrease
  Notes and Coins: Decrease
  Gross Domestic Product: Scottish Share
  Gross Domestic Product: Scottish Share
  Car Owning Households
  Car Owning Households
  Imported Works of Art: VAT Rate
  Imported Works of Art: VAT Rate
  Civil Servants: Non-Executive Directorships
  Civil Servants: Non-Executive Directorships
  Old Sarum Park and Ride Site
  Old Sarum Park and Ride Site
  Motorways: Ragwort Control
  Motorways: Ragwort Control
  Government Car and Despatch Agency: Instructions to Drivers
  Government Car and Despatch Agency: Instructions to Drivers
  EC Legislatures: Salary Levels
  EC Legislatures: Salary Levels
  HK33 Assault Rifle: Contract with Turkey
  HK33 Assault Rifle: Contract with Turkey
  Romania, Moldova and Ukraine: Relations
  Romania, Moldova and Ukraine: Relations
  Kuwaiti Diplomat: Withdrawal from United Kingdom
  Kuwaiti Diplomat: Withdrawal from United Kingdom
  Diplomatic Status: Dual Nationals
  Diplomatic Status: Dual Nationals
  Sudan Peace Process
  Sudan Peace Process
  Mr. Akin Birdal
  Mr. Akin Birdal
  Sri Lanka Conflict
  Sri Lanka Conflict
  Former Yugoslavia: War Crimes
  Former Yugoslavia: War Crimes
  Gibraltar Waters: Spanish Fishing Vessel Incursions
  Gibraltar Waters: Spanish Fishing Vessel Incursions
  Weapons of Mass Destruction
  Weapons of Mass Destruction
  Intelligence Agencies
  Intelligence Agencies
  Sinn Fein Conference: Release of Prisoners
  Sinn Fein Conference: Release of Prisoners
  County Armagh: Investment and Employment
  County Armagh: Investment and Employment
  Bloomfield Report: Consultation
  Bloomfield Report: Consultation
  Independent Commission on Policing
  Independent Commission on Policing
  Bloomfield Report: Reaction
  Bloomfield Report: Reaction
  Immigration and Nationality Policy
  Immigration and Nationality Policy