Written Answers of 5 June 1998

PRIME MINISTER

  Older People
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to co-ordinate Government policy for older people. [44582]

  The Prime Minister
  I have established a Ministerial Group which will be chaired by the Under-Secretary of State for Social Security my hon. Friend the Member for Southampton, Itchen (Mr. Denham). The terms of reference for the group are as set out:

  1. To ensure that Government strategy and policy affecting older people is effectively co-ordinated, avoids duplication, and takes account of the needs of older people;

  2. To develop a better understanding of the lives and aspirations of older people and how they are affected by Government policy by:

  undertaking an audit of cross-Government initiatives to
  identify all those that may affect older people;

  working with non-governmental groups representing older
  people's interests, to gain a better understanding of their
  lives and the implications of an ageing population; and

  developing a statement of values and principles which
  reflect the findings of the audit and wider discussions.

  3. To co-ordinate the presentation and promotion of Government policy affecting older people.

  Membership of the group will comprise Ministers who have particular responsibilities for policy areas which affect older people. It will include the Minister without Portfolio, the Under-Secretary of State for Women and Ministers from the Department of Health, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Cabinet Office (Office of Public Service), the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, the Department for Education and Employment, the Home Office, HM Treasury, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Scottish Office, the Welsh Office and the Northern Ireland Office.

  The group will make its first report to me before the Summer Recess.

  Northern Ireland Assembly Elections
  Mr. Martlew
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will issue guidance on the conduct of Government business during the election campaign for the Northern Ireland Assembly. [44924]

  The Prime Minister
  The business of Government must, of course, continue during the election campaign period, including the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement now endorsed in the referendums. Nevertheless, it is important that the Government conduct business in a way which does not interfere with the electoral contest between the participating candidates and parties.
  370
  With that in mind, I have endorsed the issue of guidance to Government Ministers and Departments in Northern Ireland and I am arranging for copies to be placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Indebted Countries
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has for future relations with poor indebted countries following the G8 summit. [43468]

  The Prime Minister
  Debt was one of the main themes at Birmingham. The conclusions of the discussions mark a significant step forward, both in recognising the need for progress in debt relief by the year 2000, and in endorsing proposals put forward by the UK for faster debt relief to post conflict countries.

  The British Government will be pressing for this work to be advanced urgently amongst other creditors and in the international financial institutions. The Department for International Development will also continue to build partnerships with developing countries as set out in its recent white paper.

  Sierra Leone
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 1 June 1998,Official Report, column 92, when the workshop and seminar were held in the United Kingdom to help President Kabbah restore the legitimate Government of Sierra Leone; and what assessment he has made of the contributions of the workshop and seminar. [44346]

  The Prime Minister
  The workshop took place from 5 to 12 October 1997 and the seminar on 20 October 1997. The workshop produced a 90-day programme for implementation by President Kabbah' s government on their return to Sierra Leone.

  The plan was presented by President Kabbah at the seminar, attended by representatives from the United Nations, the Organisation for African Unity, the Commonwealth Secretariat, the European Commission, the US Embassy in Sierra Leone, and my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Central (Mr. Lloyd) the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

  The plan has provided the basis for immediate actions now being taken by the Government as they re-establish their functions and services in Sierra Leone.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Sites of Special Scientific Interest
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the number of sites of special scientific interest in the area covered by the Lancashire (Wigan) local team office of English Nature; how many new sites were(a) added and (b) removed in each of the last five years; how many of the sites were damaged in the last 12 months; how many of the sites were subject to meetings with the Environment Agency concerning (a) pollution, (b) coastal defences and (c) water table levels in the last year; and what steps are

  371
  being taken in the area to identify new sites of special scientific interest in industrial and urban areas by the local team. [44114]

  Angela Eagle
  English Nature's Lancashire Team, based in Wigan, is responsible for 107 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSIs).

  Twelve new sites were added in the last five years, none were removed.

  In the last 12 months, nine sites suffered some damage by activities such as costal defence works, agricultural operations and emergency works. The Team maintains frequent contact with the Environment Agency over a range of site-specific issues where a number of topics may be discussed. It is not possible to specify each meeting where pollution, coastal defences and water table levels were specifically discussed.

  No specific steps are taken by the Team to identify new sites in industrial and urban areas. However, if they become aware of the special interest of a site during the normal course of business these would be considered for notification.

  Number

  Location by name

  Discharge area

  Grid reference

  1

  Delph New Road/Station

  River Tame

  SD 9873 0743

  2

  Dob Cross New Road

  River Tame

  SD 9903 0632

  3

  Clifton Holmes, Delph

  River Tame

  SD 9818 0804

  4

  Chew Valley Road

  River Tame

  SD 9935 0435

  5

  Royal George Pumping Station

  River Tame

  SD 9802 0385

  6

  Armit Road, (Grasscroft sewage scheme)

  River Tame

  SD 9802 0393

  7

  Dacres, Greenfield

  River Tame

  SD 9890 0416

  8

  St. Anne's Square, Delph

  River Tame

  SD 9861 0788

  9

  East Greenfield

  River Tame

  SD 9929 0429

  10

  Horest Lane

  River Tame

  SD 9705 0952

  11

  Brinnington Rise, Brinnington

  River Tame

  SJ 9064 9185

  12

  Manor Road, Pumping Station, Woodley

  River Tame

  SJ 9333 9288

  13

  Grimesbottom, Portwood (near pylon adjacent to Penny Lane)

  River Tame

  SJ 8975 9134

  14

  Grimesbottom, Portwood (recreation ground near Penny Lane)

  —

  —

  15

  Meadow Lane, Haughton Green

  River Tame

  SJ 9341 9298

  16

  Sheridan Way/Dark Lane Farm Estate No. 3

  River Tame

  SJ 9272 9452

  17

  Raglan Street near Peak Forest

  River Tame

  SJ 9426 9474

  18

  Roaches Lock, Mossley

  River Tame

  SD 9796 0313

  19

  Disused Railway Station in Rassbottom Street/Bayley Street

  River Tame

  SJ 9590 9855

  20

  Wharf Street

  River Tame

  SJ 9347 9822

  21

  Turner Lane/Alexandra Road

  River Tame

  SJ 9394 9877

  22

  Lower Wharf Street (manhole 482)

  River Tame

  SJ 9406 9875

  23

  Lower Wharf Street/Scotland Street (manhole 447)

  River Tame

  SJ 9391 9876

  24

  Hyde Road

  River Tame

  SJ 9371 9536

  25

  Wakeling Road/Stockport Road

  Tributary River Tame

  SJ 9223 9388

  26

  Two Trees Lane/Marina Avenue

  Culvert to River Tame

  SJ 9316 9438

  27

  Dukinfield Road/Throstle Bank Street

  Tributary River Tame

  SJ 9417 9561

  28

  Manchester Road

  Culvert to River Tame

  SD 9740 0166

  29

  Dark Lane

  River Tame

  SD 9765 0261

  30

  Waggon Road

  River Tame

  SD 9753 0197

  31

  Buckton Vale Road

  Culvert to River Tame

  SD 9768 0005

  32

  Grove Road/Spring Bank Lane

  River Tame

  SJ 9748 9995

  33

  Knowle Street

  River Tame

  SJ 9666 9860

  34

  Huddersfield Road

  Culvert to River Tame

  SJ 9723 9881

  35

  Corporation Street

  River Tame

  SJ 9655 9855

  36

  Market Street/Trinity Street

  River Tame

  SJ 9635 9860

  37

  Cumberland Street

  Culvert to River Tame

  SJ 9590 9880

  38

  Trinity Street/Dean Street

  River Tame

  SJ 9636 9853

  39

  Trinity Street

  River Tame

  SJ 9639 9853

  40

  Melbourne Street

  River Tame

  SJ 9628 9853

  41

  Caroline Street/Castle Street

  River Tame

  SJ 9606 9848

  42

  Tame Street/Park Road

  River Tame

  SJ 9539 9816

  43

  Park Road/Sandy Lane

  River Tame

  SJ 9510 9822

  372

  River Tame
  Mr. Bennett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many storm overflows allow untreated sewage to pass into the River Tame; if he will list the grid references of each overflow point; and how many are planned to be fixed by North West Water during each of the next five years. [44112]

  Angela Eagle
  There are 67 storm water overflows which have outfalls affecting the River Tame. The following table shows the location of the outfalls by name and national grid reference.

  There are no plans for improvement of storm overflows into the River Tame during the remaining two years of North West Water's Asset Management Plan 2 (AMP2), agreed in 1994 with the then National Rivers Authority. However, in 1996, three unsatisfactory storm overflows in Audenshaw were abandoned and replaced by one of modern design.

  The Asset Management Plan for the five years from March 2000 (AMP3) is currently under consideration as part of the Periodic Review of water company price limits from 2000–2005, and the unsatisfactory storm water overflows discharging into the River Tame will be considered as part of this process.
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  Number

  Location by name

  Discharge area

  Grid reference

  44

  Hanover Street

  Culvert to River Tame

  SJ 9590 9882

  45

  Stamford Street/Astley Street

  River Tame

  SJ 9564 9843

  46

  Clarence Street South

  River Tame

  SJ 9534 9843

  47

  St. George Street/Hanover Street

  River Tame

  SJ 9591 9854

  48

  St. George Street/West Avenue

  River Tame

  SJ 9591 9854

  49

  St. George Street/Hanover Street

  River Tame

  SJ 9591 9854

  50

  Ridge Hill Lane/St. George Street

  River Tame

  SJ 9591 9854

  51

  Binns Street

  River Tame

  SJ 9534 9813

  52

  Copley Street

  River Tame

  SJ 9712 9924

  53

  Hough Hill Road

  River Tame

  SJ 9645 9830

  54

  Hough Hill Road/High Street

  River Tame

  SJ 9645 9825

  55

  Hough Hill Road/Grasscroft Street

  River Tame

  SJ 9645 9818

  56

  Walmsley Street 1

  River Tame

  SJ 9646 9811

  57

  Walmsley Street 2

  River Tame

  SJ 9646 9805

  58

  Walmsley Street 3

  River Tame

  SJ 9646 9798

  59

  Dukinfield Outfall Sewer

  River Tame

  SJ 9327 9670

  60

  Off St. Lawrences Road

  River Tame

  SJ 9335 9509

  61

  ASDA (manhole 773) Park Parade

  River Tame

  SJ 9383 9865

  62

  Caroline Street (North of Bridge)

  River Tame

  SJ 9610 9855

  63

  Illingworth Avenue

  River Tame

  SJ 9727 9843

  64

  Off Mill Lane

  River Tame

  SJ 9406 9478

  65

  Off Gibralter Lane

  River Tame

  SJ 9395 9378

  66

  Off Manor Road

  River Tame

  SJ 9415 9415

  67

  Broomstairs Road combined sewer overflow

  River Tame

  SJ 9304 9652

  Housing (Wandsworth)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with the London Borough of Wandsworth on its policy of providing affordable housing within the borough. [44116]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Ministers have had no discussions with the London Borough of Wandsworth about its policy of providing affordable housing within the borough. However, as part of the Housing Investment Programme, the Government Office for London, in conjunction with the Housing Corporation, regularly discuss with the authority its housing strategy and policy for assisting the supply of affordable housing.

  The Government's policy on planning and affordable housing is set out in the revised PPG3: Housing and circular 6/98, which replaces circular 13/96. This policy advocates a needs-based, plan-led approach to securing affordable housing in new private housing proposals. This requires that planning authorities carry out rigorous and up-to-date assessments of need for affordable housing in their boroughs, as a basis for preparing their planned policies. Therefore, where there is evidence of need for affordable housing, as is the case in all London authorities, including Wandsworth, we would expect the authority to seek the inclusion of affordable housing in all new housing proposals on suitable sites.

  American Bull Frog
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to ban the import and sale of the giant American bull frog; and if he will make a statement. [44300]

  Angela Eagle
  The EC Wildlife Trade Regulation (Council Regulation 338/97), which implements the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species 374
  of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) within the European Union, contains provisions for the suspension of imports of species on the grounds that they pose an ecological threat to European wildlife. On 15 December 1997, imports into the EU of Rana catesbeiana (American bull frog) were suspended on these grounds. The sale of specimens already legally within the EU are not affected by this ban.

  Common Land
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he intends to publish the Good Practice Guide on Managing the Use of Common Land. [44652]

  Mr. Meacher
  We have today published the Good Practice Guide on Managing the Use of Common Land, which has been produced for us by the Countryside and Community Research Unit of the Cheltenham and Gloucester College of Higher Education. Copies of the Guide have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  The Guide provides practical advice and solutions to problems experienced in the management of common land and highlights examples of good practice. It is designed for all involved in governing and managing common land. We are therefore distributing copies of the Guide widely to interested organisations and individuals.

  Council Tax Debt Collection
  Mr. Stringer
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will change the way in which non-domestic rate debt is enforced following the recent changes to council tax debt collection procedures; and if he will make a statement. [44911]

  Ms Armstrong
  Many of those who respond to our consultation exercise on council tax debt collection expressed the view that similar changes should be made to the non-domestic rating regime. We have decided that,
  375
  where appropriate, the non-domestic collection and enforcement regulations should be brought into line with those for council tax. I am publishing today a consultation paper "Changes to the enforcement and levying of distress for non-domestic rate debts" setting out our proposals.

  It is important that local authorities pursue unpaid business rates rigorously. At the same time, the system needs to operate as fairly as possible for ratepayers. Debtors need to be aware what the procedures are and why they are being pursued for payment. The changes we are proposing will make the system clearer and more effective.

  A copy of the consultation document has been placed in the Library of the House.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Smoking
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the estimated gross cost of anti-smoking campaigns in Northern Ireland aimed at children and young people has been since 1988; and what assessment she has made of the impact of the campaigns on teenage(a) boys and (b) girls. [44013]

  Mr. Worthington
  The estimated expenditure on such campaigns by the Health Promotion Agency for Northern Ireland since its inception in October 1990 is £315,300.

  Campaigns to reduce smoking among young people appear to have had a greater impact upon boys. Post-campaign quantitative and qualitative research among the target group has identified a number of issues which the Department of Health and Social Services will address in the context of the Government's forthcoming White Paper on tobacco control.

  Member

  Residence/Occupation

  Start Date

  End Date

  Dr. Morfydd Rozella Keen, OBE

  Cardiff Consultant Psychiatrist

  1 November 1996

  31 October 1999

  Mrs. Sandra Mary Skinner

  Brecon Powys Officer, Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme

  1 November 1996

  31 October 1999

  Dr. Howard John Williamson

  Pontypridd Rhondda Cynon Taff Senior Research Associate

  1 November 1996

  31 October 1999

  Mr. Roger Bruce De Wisset Duncan

  Penarth Vale of Glamorgan Director of Drugs Project

  1 November 1996

  31 October 1999

  Mr. Arthur Graham Williams

  Pontardawe Neath Port Talbot Director of Personal Services

  1 November 1996

  31 October 1999

  Dr. Edward Coyle

  Cardiff Officer, Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme

  1 March 1997

  28 February 2000

  Mr. Dewi Tegla Williams

  Carmarthen Carmarthenshire Director of Nursing Services

  1 November 1996

  31 October 1999

  Mr. Richard Martin Pates

  Monmouth Monmouthshire Consultant Clinical Psychologist

  1 November 1996

  31 October 1999

  Mr. David Jonathan Temple

  Penarth Vale of Glamorgan Director, Postgrad Pharmaceutical Studies

  1 November 1996

  31 October 1999

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CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Transperience, Low Moor
  Mrs. Ann Cryer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will take steps to ensure that the collection of public transport vehicles at present housed at Transperience, Low Moor, Bradford, remains on public display in the Bradford District. [38555]

  Mr. Fisher
  [holding answer 21 April 1998]: Coopers and Lybrand, the administrators dealing with the assets of the West Yorkshire Transport Trust Limited, have a legal duty to administer the assets, of which this collection forms a significant part, in order to recover moneys owed to the Trust's creditors.

  I have met my hon. Friend to discuss the situation, and I understand that the Keighley Bus Museum Trust will be approaching the Yorkshire and Humberside Museums Council to discuss the heritage value of the collection.

WALES

  Advisory Committee on Drug and Alcohol Misuse
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the members of the Welsh Advisory Committee on Drug and Alcohol Misuse; what their qualifications are; and when their terms of office expire. [44007]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The Welsh Advisory Committee on Drug and Alcohol Misuse (WACDAM) comprises a Chair and up to 26 members appointed by the Secretary of State for Wales. Members accept a time commitment of two days per month and receive no remuneration. The Committee is currently chaired by Dr. William Clee, a General Practitioner from Cardiff; his period of appointment extends to March 2000. A list of members of WACDAM, their residence/occupation and periods of appointment is as follows:
  377

  Member

  Residence/Occupation

  Start Date

  End Date

  Miss Marilyn Haydn Jones

  Conwy Lecturer in Education

  1 November 1996

  31 October 1999

  Dr. Michael Stanhope Shooter

  Abergavenny Monmouthshire Consultant, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

  1 November 1996

  31 October 1999

  Mr. Ray Singh

  Neath Neath Port Talbot Barrister

  1 November 1996

  31 October 1999

  Mr. Tony Burden

  South Wales Police

  24 April 1998

  31 October 1999

  Mrs. SiâRees

  Clunderwen Carmarthenshire Manager of Health Promotion Centre

  1 November 1996

  31 October 1999

  Mr. Rory Annesley

  Presteigne Powys Retired

  1 November 1996

  31 October 1999

  Mr. Owen Aneurin Owen

  Denbigh Denbighshire Voluntary Agency Director

  1 November 1996

  31 October 1999

  Mrs. Susan Marie Allerston

  Bridgend Advisory Teacher for Health Education

  1 November 1996

  31 October 1999

  Ms Rhoda Briony Emlyn-Jones

  Cardiff Principal Social Services Officer

  1 November 1996

  31 October 1999

  Mr. Jeffrey Anthony Collins

  Swansea Chief Probation Officer

  1 November 1996

  31 October 1999

  Dr. John Michael Browne

  Reigate Surrey Deputy Director, Portman Group

  1 November 1996

  31 October 1999

  Dr. Peter John Priddle Higson

  Llanrwst Conwy Deputy Chief Executive

  1 November 1996

  31 October 1999

  Dr. John Robert Kemm

  Birmingham Director of Public Health Services

  1 November 1996

  31 October 1999

  Dr. Duncan Meredydd Williams

  Ammanford Carmarthenshire General Medical Practitioner

  1 November 1996

  31 October 1999

  There are currently three vacancies on WACDAM.

  Continence Services
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people in Dyfed/Powys Health Authority area by unitary authority area are provided with continence services; and what budget has been allocated to continence care in real terms for each year since 1990–91. [43472]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The funding for continence services is unhypothepothecated and is within each health authority's discretionary allocation. It is not possible, therefore, to give precise figures for budgets for these services for the years in question. Figures that are available for 1997/98 in the Pembrokeshire and Derwen NHS Trust show that it spent £198,000 on community-based continence care.

  The GP Morbidity Database Project estimated a rate of 3.8 per 1,000 people in Wales suffering from incontinence during 1996. This would imply a total for Wales of around 11,000. This is likely to be an underestimate of the number of people provided with services because the data record those patients consulting their GP about incontinence in 1996; patients coded as suffering from incontinence in previous years would not appear in the data.
  378
  Estimates at more detailed geographical levels are not robust. Data collected from NHS Trusts situated in the Dyfed Powys area indicate that Continence Nurses made a total of 995 contacts during the financial year 1996–97. This does not equate with people seen, since more than one contact during the year may well have been made.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  EU Justice and Home Affairs Council
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Justice and Home Affairs Council held in Brussels on 28 and 29 May. [44991]

  Mr. Straw
  I chaired the Council on behalf of the Presidency. The Minister of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Gateshead, East and Washington, West (Ms Quin) represented the United Kingdom.

  This was a very successful Council, where agreement was reached on a number of outstanding issues. There was also full discussion of a range of issues relating to the justice and home affairs aspects of the enlargement process. The main matters dealt with were as follows.
  379
  Ministers signed the Convention on Jurisdiction and the Recognition and Enforcement of Judgments in Matrimonial Matters (known as the 'Brussels II Convention') and its Protocol relating to the European Court of Justice. This convention establishes grounds for court jurisdiction in cases of divorce, nullity and separation, as well as related parental responsibility orders securing care for any children involved.

  The Council agreed as 'A' points, among other things, a report on terrorist funding aimed at combating terrorism by cutting off sources of funding and countering terrorist fund raising; a report on football hooliganism; a report on the exchange of DNA analysis results; conclusions on encryption and law enforcement; a recommendation seeking to establish uniform levels of expertise and equipment for detecting forged documents at points of entry into the European Union; and a Council Communication concerning a uniform format for residence permits.

  The Council held a wide-ranging open debate on organised crime, in which Ministers stressed concerns about the growing threat posed by criminal organisations and the need for member states to act both individually and collectively to combat the threat. The Council agreed that environmental and economic crime in particular were activities on which more work should be taken forward.

  The Council noted a report on progress in implementing the Action Plan on Organised Crime which, subject to appropriate updating, will now be submitted to the Cardiff European Council.

  Political agreement was reached on the Convention on Driving Disqualification, which will now be finalised and made ready for early signature. This convention is an important road safety measure which will enable a driving disqualification imposed in one member state to be enforced in another.

  A Joint Action was agreed on good practice in mutual legal assistance. A further Joint Action establishing a European Judicial Network was also agreed, which will help to speed up gathering of evidence across jurisdictions and facilitate contacts between magistrates and prosecutors. This was one of the recommendations in the Action Plan on Organised Crime.

  The Council noted progress in the preparations for Europol to begin working. The ratification by all member states of the Convention is expected to be completed soon. The Council agreed that the activities of Europol should be extended to terrorism in principle from 1 January 1999 and that the necessary preparatory work should be put in hand. We also agreed the Europol budget for 1999.

  The Council had a wide-ranging discussion on the Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance, and reached agreement on some of the outstanding issues. However, further work remains to be done on several important issues including data protection, interception of communications and the role of the European Court of Justice.

  The Council agreed a Joint Action establishing a mechanism for collective evaluation of applicant states' implementation of the acquis in the Justice and Home Affairs field. A new expert group will be able to draw on the wide range of information already available and feed
  380
  the results of its evaluations into the wider enlargement process. Conclusions on the 'rule of law' were also agreed, which will provide guidelines to the applicant states on what they need to do to build democratic and accountable institutions as a necessary pre-condition for European Union membership. There was also a discussion of ways in which the applicant states might be associated with the practical application of the Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) acquis before their formal accession, and this issue will be considered further.

  The Council held a joint meeting with Interior and Justice Ministers from the applicant countries to approve the Pre-Accession Pact on Organised Crime, which was another of the recommendations of the Action Plan on Organised Crime; its approval six months ahead of the timetable set by the Amsterdam Council represents a significant achievement. Ministers also had a useful discussion covering organised crime, implementation of the pre-accession pact and the rule of law. There was full agreement on the importance placed on these issues, and members of the JHA Council emphasised that they stood ready to assist the candidate countries in these areas.

  The Council agreed arrangements for the exchange of information and best practice in crime prevention, in advance of the coming into force of the Treaty of Amsterdam. A report on European Union drugs activities was approved and will be forwarded to the European Council in Cardiff. This included elements of a post-1999 European Union drugs strategy.

  The Council discussed, on the basis of proposals from Italy, the varying data protection provisions which exist in different Justice and Home Affairs instruments. Further work was commissioned to examine the scope and need for greater harmonisation of approach.

  A progress report was presented on the Action Plan on the influx of migrants from Iraq and the neighbouring region. The incoming Austrian Presidency agreed to pursue the implementation of the Action Plan and to report to the next meeting of the Council in September.

  There was a full discussion of outstanding issues on the Eurodac convention, which is concerned with fingerprinting of asylum applicants. It was agreed that a Protocol should be drawn up to extend the convention to fingerprints of illegal immigrants. This is extended to be adopted by the end of 1998, when the other outstanding issues on the Convention itself should also be resolved.

  After the Council, the first meeting was held of the Committee of Ministers set up under article 18 of the Dublin Convention, which lays down criteria for determining the State responsible for deciding asylum applications. The Committee agreed on a Decision and a Programme of Action aimed at improving the operation of the Dublin Convention.

  Prison Service
  Mr. Heppell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the Prison Service's Business Plan for 1998–99. [44992]

  Ms Quin
  I am publishing today the Prison Service Business Plan for 1998–99, including the key performance targets I have set. The majority will require some improvement on the Prison Service's very creditable performance in 1997–98.
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  They are:

  Escapes:
  to ensure no Category A Prisoners escape
  to ensure that the number of escapes from prisons and from escorts, expressed as a proportion of the prison population, is lower than in 1997–98

  Assaults:
  to ensure that the number of assaults on staff, prisoners and others, expressed as a proportion of the average population, is lower than 9 per cent.

  Drugs:
  to ensure that the rate of positive testing for drugs (the number of random drug tests that prove positive expressed as a percentage of the total number of random tests carried out) is lower than 20 per cent.

  Overcrowding:
  to ensure that the percentage of the prison population above the uncrowded capacity of the estate is no more than 12 per cent.

  Purposeful Activity:
  to ensure that prisoners spend on average at least 24 hours per week engaged in purposeful activity

  Time Unlocked:
  to ensure that at least 60 per cent. of prisoners are held in establishments which normally unlock all prisoners on the standard or enhanced regime for at least 10 hours per weekday

  Offending behaviour programmes:
  to ensure that there are at least 3,000 completions by prisoners of programmes accredited as being effective in reducing re-offending, of which 680 should be completions of the Sex Offender Treatment Programmes

  Cost per place:
  to ensure that the average cost of a prison place does not exceed £24,615

  Staff training:
  to ensure that, on average, staff spend at least 6.5 days in training.

  I will publish a long-term strategy for the Prison Service, including new objectives and targets, once the Comprehensive Spending Review is completed.

  Chief Police Officers
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will place in the Library a copy of the full accounts of the Association of Chief Police Officers of England, Wales and Northern Ireland for the last year for which the accounts are available; [44096]

  (2) which grades so entitled within the police service have refused to join (a) the Association of Chief Police Officers of England, Wales and Northern Ireland and (b) ACPO Ltd; [44098]

  (3) if the members of ACPO who became directors of ACPO Ltd. informed their respective police authorities that ACPO was a limited company. [44102]

  Mr. Michael
  None of those entitled or invited to join have refused to join the Association of Chief Police Officers of England, Wales and Northern Ireland or ACPO Limited.

  I have arranged for a full copy of the accounts for 1996/97 for the Association of Chief Police Officers of England, Wales and Northern Ireland (ACPO) to be placed in the Library.
  382
  The Association of Chief Police Officers of England, Wales and Northern Ireland is not part of the Home Office, nor is it accountable to the Secretary of State for the Home Department. The appointment of chief officers of police as directors of ACPO is a matter for those chief officers and their police authorities.

  Prisoners (Self-harm)
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research is being evaluated by his Department into the reporting of incidents of self-harm by young prisoners. [43875]

  Ms Quin
  A Prison Service Headquarters research and development group on suicide and self-injury acts as a forum for formulating and co-ordinating research into suicide and self-injury in forensic settings. A range of research has been conducted, including developing risk screening procedures amongst young offenders. Current commissioned research includes a project being undertaken at the University of Kent at Canterbury, examining current practices of recording and monitoring self-injury and suicidal behaviours, with the objective of identifying more effective methods of management.

  The 1997 publication "Suicide and Self-Injury in Prisons" (by the British Psychological Society) includes an overview of recent and current research in the area.

  In addition, Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons, Sir David Ramsbotham, is currently preparing an independent thematic review on suicides and self-injury in prisons, which is expected to be completed later this summer.

  Prisoners
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) males and (b) females aged
  (i) 14, (ii) 15, (iii) 16, (iv) 17 and (v) 18 years were held in prisons on 1 May. [43656]

  Ms Quin
  The latest available information is for 30 April 1998 and is given in the table. Information on the population of young persons, by age and type of custody is published in successive volumes of "Prison statistics, England and Wales" (Table 3.2 of the 1996 edition—Cm 3732), copies of which are in the Library.

  Population of young persons in prisons in England and Wales by sex and age on 30 April 19981

  Age

  Male

  Female

  14

  —

  —

  15

  224

  5

  16

  685

  21

  17

  1,501

  61

  18

  2,309

  102

  1 Provisional figures

  Private Prisons
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements are made when assistance is provided by state prisons to private prisons for(a) controlling riot situations and (b) other purposes. [44008]
  383
  Ms Quin
  The arrangements made for providing assistance from public sector prisons to a contracted-out prison for dealing with a serious incident are no different from those between public sector prisons. These arrangements are reciprocal between public and private sectors and staff from a contracted-out prison could be used in support of a public sector prison.

  A serious incident is one which:

  poses a threat to the control of the whole or part of an establishment; and/or

  involves concerted hostile activities by a group or groups of prisoners; and/or

  may result in the evacuation of the whole or part of the establishment; and/or

  causes the governor/director to require assistance from other establishments and/or the emergency services.

  Should a serious incident occur in a contracted-out prison, trained support and specialist staff from the public sector would be provided at the same level as for a similar incident in a public sector prison.

  The provision of assistance to a contracted-out prison in the above circumstances does not incur a financial charge to the contractor. Where assistance is provided for other purposes, the cost would be charged to the contractor as appropriate.

SCOTLAND

  Students (Tuition Fees)
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the estimated total of tuition fees which will be payable in the final year of four-year honours courses at Scottish universities and colleges by United Kingdom students from outside Scotland. [44427]

  Mr. Wilson
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, West (Mr. Gorrie) on 24 November 1997,Official Report, column 422.

  Students
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many United Kingdom students from outside Scotland are in the final year of four-year honours degree courses at Scottish universities or colleges. [44428]

  Mr. Wilson
  Statistics on the numbers of students in the final year of an honours course are not held centrally.

  The number of United Kingdom honours graduates from outside Scotland who qualified on first degree courses in Scotland in 1997 is given in the table.

  1997 Non-Scottish United Kingdom honours graduates from Scottish higher education institutions, by mode of study and years on course

  Years on course

  Full time

  Part time

  All students

  Three or fewer

  508

  2

  510

  Four

  2,891

  5

  2,896

  Five or more

  635

  12

  647

  Unknown

  2

  0

  2

  All graduates

  4,036

  19

  4,055

  384

  Appointments
  Mr. Moore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the names of those people whom he has appointed since 1 May 1997, indicating(a) the positions to which they have been appointed, (b) the dates of their tenure, (c) their professions, (d) their salaries, (e) the name of the person they replaced and (f) the profession of the person they replaced. [44071]

  Mr. Dewar
  The information at(a) to (d) is available in the public appointments section of the Scottish Office website on the Internet (http://www.scotland.gov.uk). It is not possible to provide a meaningful response to (e) and (f) since individual members of public bodies—other than Chairmen—are not normally appointed in direct replacement for others.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Statistics (Boundary Maps)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to her answer of 5 May 1998,Official Report, column 265, if she will make a statement on the basis on which the map for European NUTS II submitted to Eurostat was compiled, and if the map is being used to determine structural fund allocations. [43615]

  Mrs. Roche
  The criteria used by the UK Government Statistical Service in formulating proposals for changes to the NUTS classification are set out in the consultation document issued by the Office for National Statistics in June 1996. A copy of this was placed in the House of Commons Library.

  The extent to which NUTS boundaries could be used for structural fund allocations will be set out in the relevant regulations. The European Commission made its proposals on 18 March 1998; these now need to be negotiated in the Council of Ministers and where appropriate approved by the European Parliament. The NUTS boundaries for the UK which might then be used may depend on the timing of the conclusion of discussions between the Government Statistical Service and Eurostat.

  Insolvencies
  Mr. Sarwar
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the cost to public funds of the processing of insolvencies in each of the past eight years. [44206]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths

  £000

  Year

  Total cost

  1990–91

  49,611

  1991–92

  56,897

  1992–93

  63,466

  1993–94

  69,350

  1994–95

  71,814

  1995–961

  99,199

  1996–971

  76,009

  1 The costs for 1995–96 and 1996–97 are from the agency's audited accounts. The 1995–96 accounts include an exceptional item of £12.502 million.

  Annual accounts for the year ended 31 March 1998 are currently being audited.
  385
  The Department of Trade and Industry receives the income generated by the fees charged to insolvent estates administered by Official Receivers and insolvency practitioners. Additionally, HM Treasury receives

  £000

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  Fees paid to Department of Trade and Industry

  22,385

  35,403

  45,849

  38,661

  25,957

  41,308

  30,076

  Investment income paid to HM Treasury

  26,545

  27,367

  26,509

  31,775

  41,415

  47,079

  37,994

  Total income

  48,930

  62,770

  72,358

  70,436

  67,372

  88,387

  68,070

  Net (cost)/surplus to public funds

  (681)

  5,873

  8,892

  1,086

  (4,442)

  (10,812)

  (7,939)

  Arms Exhibitions
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list those officials from her Department who attended the Contingency and Operational Procurement Exhibition (COPEX) in Jordan in April, indicating the costs of their attendance and the total amount of public funds extended by her Department to companies attending this event. [44506]

  Mrs. Roche
  No DTI officials attended the 1998 edition of COPEX in Jordan, and we did not subsidise UK firms to exhibit at or visit the event.

  Dounreay
  Dr. Moonie
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what recommendations she has received about the future of Dounreay. [44559]

  Mr. Battle
  The UKAEA have advised me that there is no economic case for supporting commercial reprocessing at Dounreay over the longer term. The Government have therefore decided that Dounreay should take on no further commercial reprocessing work. Reprocessing at Dounreay will therefore come to an end when the plant has completed reprocessing its own fuel, the Georgian Highly Enriched Uranium (HEU) and its existing commercial contracts.

  In carrying forward this remaining work, the UKAEA has assured my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and me that safety will be paramount and,

  Gross income

  150

  200

  250

  300

  400

  For the 1998–99 tax year

  Single Person—no children

  National Insurance

  9.88

  14.88

  19.88

  24.88

  34.88

  Income Tax

  13.87

  24.96

  36.46

  47.96

  70.96

  Tax and NICs, as a percentage of gross earnings

  15.8

  19.9

  22.5

  24.3

  26.5

  Net income

  126.25

  160.16

  193.66

  227.16

  294.16

  Equivalised Net Income

  206.97

  262.55

  317.47

  372.39

  482.22

  Lone Parent (1 child aged 4 years)—new lone parent since April 1998, not receiving lone parents benefit

  National Insurance

  9.88

  14.88

  19.88

  24.88

  34.88

  Income Tax

  8.38

  19.48

  30.98

  42.48

  65.48

  Child Benefit

  11.45

  11.45

  11.45

  11.45

  11.45

  Family Credit

  37.54

  13.80

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Tax and NICs, less child benefit and family credit, as a percentage of gross earnings

  -20.5

  4.6

  15.8

  18.6

  22.2

  Net Income

  180.72

  190.89

  210.59

  244.09

  311.09

  Equivalised Net Income

  228.76

  241.63

  266.56

  308.97

  393.78

  386
  investment income from the Insolvency Services Account and Insolvency Services Investment Account. Since March 1990, these have been:

  for as long as their fuel reprocessing plans remain, they will continue to be maintained to the standards needed to satisfy all regulatory requirements. The Government believe that nothing is more important than safety in the management of nuclear facilities. That is why we welcome the audit of safety procedures and management currently being taken forward by the Health and Safety Executive and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency at Dounreay, which will ensure that the highest standards of safety are maintained.

TREASURY

  Income Tax
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 20 April 1998,Official Report, columns 400–02, concerning income tax, national insurance and child benefits, if he will provide comparable figures for (a) the tax year 1998–99 and (b) the second half of 1999–2000 on the basis of the figures used in the Financial Statement and Budget Report. [42670]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The information requested, including Family Credit or Working Families Tax Credit for the different family types, is contained in the table. The childcare tax credit within the WFTC will also provide substantial help for working families. For example, a family with one child could receive up to £70 per week towards childcare costs, and up to £105 a week for families with more than one child.
  387

  Gross income

  150

  200

  250

  300

  400

  Lone Parent (1 child aged 4 years)—lone parent from before April 1998, so still receiving lone parent benefit

  National Insurance

  9.88

  14.88

  19.88

  24.88

  34.88

  Income Tax

  8.38

  19.48

  30.98

  42.48

  65.48

  Child Benefit

  17.10

  17.10

  17.10

  17.10

  17.10

  Family Credit

  37.54

  13.80

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Tax and NICs, less child benefit and family credit, as a percentage of gross earnings

  -24.2

  1.7

  13.5

  16.8

  20.8

  Net Income

  186.37

  196.54

  216.24

  249.74

  316.74

  Equivalised Net Income

  235.91

  248.79

  273.72

  316.12

  400.93

  Lone Parent (2 children aged 4 years and 6 years)—new lone parent since April 1998, not receiving lone parent benefit

  National Insurance

  9.88

  14.88

  19.88

  24.88

  34.88

  Income Tax

  8.38

  19.48

  30.98

  42.48

  65.48

  Child Benefit

  20.75

  20.75

  20.75

  20.75

  20.75

  Family Credit

  52.39

  28.65

  5.20

  0.00

  0.00

  Tax and NICs, less child benefit and family credit, as a percentage of gross earnings

  -36.6

  -7.5

  10.0

  15.5

  19.9

  Net Income

  204.87

  215.04

  225.09

  253.39

  320.39

  Equivalised Net Income

  204.87

  215.04

  225.09

  253.39

  320.39

  Lone Parent (2 children aged 4 years and 6 years)—lone parent from before April 1998, so still receiving lone parent benefit

  National Insurance

  9.88

  14.88

  19.88

  24.88

  34.88

  Income Tax

  8.38

  19.48

  30.98

  42.48

  65.48

  Child Benefit

  26.10

  26.10

  26.10

  26.10

  26.10

  Family Credit

  52.39

  28.65

  5.20

  0.00

  0.00

  Tax and NICs, less child benefit and family credit, as a percentage of gross earnings

  -40.1

  -10.2

  7.8

  13.8

  18.6

  Net Income

  210.22

  220.39

  230.44

  258.74

  325.74

  Equivalised Net Income

  210.22

  220.39

  230.44

  258.74

  325.74

  Single Earner Married Couple (1 child aged 4 years)

  National Insurance

  9.88

  14.88

  19.88

  24.88

  34.88

  Income Tax

  8.38

  19.48

  30.98

  42.48

  65.48

  Child Benefit

  11.45

  11.45

  11.45

  11.45

  11.45

  Family Credit

  37.54

  13.80

  0.00

  0.00

  0.00

  Tax and NICs, less child benefit and family credit, as a percentage of gross earnings

  -20.5

  4.6

  15.8

  18.6

  22.2

  Net Income

  189.66

  192.53

  210.59

  244.09

  311.09

  Equivalised Net Income

  160.73

  163.16

  178.46

  206.85

  263.63

  Single Earner Married Couple (2 children aged 4 and 6)

  National Insurance

  9.88

  14.88

  19.88

  24.88

  34.88

  Income Tax

  8.38

  19.48

  30.98

  42.48

  65.48

  Child Benefit

  20.75

  20.75

  20.75

  20.75

  20.75

  Family Credit

  52.39

  28.65

  5.2

  0.00

  0.00

  Tax and NICs, less child benefit and family credit, as a percentage of gross earnings

  -36.6

  -7.5

  10.0

  15.5

  19.9

  Net Income

  214.10

  216.95

  225.09

  253.39

  320.39

  Equivalised Net Income

  154.03

  156.08

  161.94

  182.29

  230.49

  With Budget measures coming into effect in 1999

  These figures include the effect of Budget measures coming into effect in 1999—using otherwise non-uprated 1998–99 tax and benefit rates

  Single Person—no children

  National Insurance

  8.6

  13.60

  18.60

  23.60

  33.60

  Income Tax

  13.87

  24.96

  36.46

  47.96

  70.96

  Tax and NICs, less child benefit and WFTC, as a percentage of gross earnings

  15.0

  19.3

  22.0

  23.9

  26.1

  Net Income

  127.53

  161.44

  194.94

  228.44

  295.44

  Equivalised Net Income

  209.07

  264.65

  319.57

  374.48

  484.32

  Lone Parent (1 child aged 4 years)—new lone parents since April 1998, not receiving lone parents benefit

  Equivalisation Factor

  0.79

  0.79

  0.79

  0.79

  0.79

  National Insurance

  8.60

  13.60

  18.60

  23.60

  33.60

  Income Tax

  10.21

  21.31

  32.81

  44.31

  67.31

  Child Benefit

  13.95

  13.95

  13.95

  13.95

  13.95

  WFTC

  51.80

  33.15

  14.73

  0.00

  0.00

  Tax and NICs, less child benefit and WFTC, as a percentage of gross earnings

  -31.3

  -6.1

  9.1

  18.0

  21.7

  Net Income

  196.93

  212.19

  227.27

  246.04

  313.04

  Equivalised Net Income

  249.28

  268.60

  287.68

  311.44

  396.25

  Lone Parent (1 child aged 4 years)—lone parent from before April 1998, so still receiving lone parent benefit

  National Insurance

  8.60

  13.60

  18.60

  23.60

  33.60

  Income Tax

  10.21

  21.31

  32.81

  44.31

  67.31

  Child Benefit

  17.10

  17.10

  17.10

  17.10

  17.10

  WFTC

  51.80

  33.15

  14.73

  0.00

  0.00

  Tax and NICs, less child benefit and WFTC, as a percentage of gross earnings

  -33.4

  -7.7

  7.8

  16.9

  21.0

  Net Income

  200.08

  215.34

  230.42

  249.19

  316.19

  Equivalised Net Income

  253.27

  272.58

  291.66

  315.43

  400.24

  388 389

  Gross income

  150

  200

  250

  300

  400

  Lone Parent (2 children aged 4 years and 6 years)—new lone parents since April 1998, not receiving lone parents benefit

  National Insurance

  8.60

  13.60

  18.60

  23.60

  33.60

  Income Tax

  10.21

  21.31

  32.81

  44.31

  67.31

  Child Benefit

  23.25

  23.25

  23.25

  23.25

  23.25

  WFTC

  66.65

  48.00

  29.58

  11.15

  0.00

  Tax and NICs, less child benefit and WFTC, as a percnetage of gross earnings

  -47.4

  -18.2

  -0.6

  11.2

  19.4

  Net Income

  221.08

  236.34

  251.42

  266.49

  322.34

  Equivalised Net Income

  221.08

  236.34

  251.42

  266.49

  322.34

  Lone Parent (2 children aged 4 years and 6 years)—lone parent from before April 1998, so still receiving lone parent benefit

  National Insurance

  8.60

  13.60

  18.60

  23.60

  33.60

  Income Tax

  10.21

  21.31

  32.81

  44.31

  67.31

  Child Benefit

  26.10

  26.10

  26.10

  26.10

  26.10

  WFTC

  66.65

  48.00

  29.58

  11.15

  0.00

  Tax and NICs, less child benefit and WFTC, as a percentage of gross earnings

  -49.3

  -19.6

  -1.7

  10.2

  18.7

  Net Income

  223.93

  239.19

  254.27

  269.34

  325.19

  Equivalised Net Income

  223.93

  239.19

  254.27

  269.34

  325.19

  Single Earner Married Couple (1 child aged 4 years)

  National Insurance

  8.60

  13.60

  18.60

  23.60

  33.60

  Income Tax

  10.21

  21.31

  32.81

  44.31

  67.31

  Child Benefit

  13.95

  13.95

  13.95

  13.95

  13.95

  WFTC

  51.80

  33.15

  14.73

  0.00

  0.00

  Tax and NICs, less child benefit and WFTC, as a percentage of gross earnings

  -31.3

  -6.1

  9.1

  18.0

  21.7

  Net Income

  196.93

  212.19

  227.27

  246.04

  313.04

  Equivalised Net Income

  166.89

  179.82

  192.60

  208.51

  265.29

  Single Earner Married Couple (2 children aged 4 and 6)

  National Insurance

  8.60

  13.60

  18.60

  23.60

  33.60

  Income Tax

  10.21

  21.31

  32.81

  44.31

  67.31

  Child Benefit

  23.25

  23.25

  23.25

  23.25

  23.25

  WFTC

  66.65

  48.00

  29.58

  11.15

  0.00

  Tax and NICs, less child benefit and WFTC, as a percentage of gross earnings

  -47.4

  -18.2

  -0.6

  11.2

  19.4

  Net Income

  221.08

  236.34

  251.42

  266.49

  322.34

  Equivalised Net Income

  159.05

  170.03

  180.87

  191.72

  231.90

  The figures in the table are weekly amounts for the 1998–99 tax year. The figures for 1998–99 include the effect of increasing child credits in income related benefits for under 11 s which will be introduced in November 1998.

  The data assume that the earner in the household is working over 30 hours a week for Family Credit and Working Families Tax Credit purposes; that earnings are from employment; and that there are no other sources of income. Two versions of each lone parent example are shown: one with new lone parents since April 1998; and one set with those who have been lone parents since 1998, and so will still be receiving lone parent benefit.

  The standard McClements scales have been used to determine equivalised income. This is the same process that is used in the DSS's Households Below Average Income publication.

  Income tax and NICs, less child benefit and family credit, are shown as a percentage of gross earnings, with negative figures where the family is a net gainer overall from direct taxes and benefits.

  Some of these families may also be entitled to housing benefit and council tax benefit. However, as this will depend upon the composition of the housing costs (between mortgage payments, council tax, and rent) housing benefit and council tax benefit have been left out of these figures.
  390

  Tax Reclaims
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what amount of tax was reclaimed on bank and building society interest by(a) all people and (b) people aged 65 years or over in 1996–97, indicating (i) the average, (ii) the medium, (iii) the smallest and (iv) the largest amount reclaimed. [43338]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 1 June 1998]: The latest information is derived from the 1995–96 Survey of Personal Incomes. It is estimated that claims were received for the repayment of £110 million tax deducted from bank and building society interest that was paid or credited in 1995–96. The average amount claimed per claimant was £130 and the median was £60.

  People aged 65 or over accounted for £65 million of these claims; for these people the average amount of tax claimed back was £140 and the median was £75.

  Information is not available about the smallest and largest amounts claimed.

  Tax was deducted from bank and building society interest at 25 per cent. in 1995–96.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of(a) people of all ages and (b) people aged 65 years or over who did not reclaim tax paid on bank and building society interest in 1996–97 and who were entitled to do so; and if he will indicate the average amount not reclaimed. [43340]
  391
  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 1 June 1998]: The Inland Revenue have no way of identifying most non-taxpayers, so estimates of the numbers of eligible people who have not claimed back tax on their bank or building society interest are not available from Inland Revenue sources. The external sources that have been used in the past to help provide rough estimates are now out of date.

  People who know that they are likely to be non-taxpayers are able to register their bank and building society accounts to receive their interest without tax deducted.

  Double Tax Relief
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the parameters of the review into double tax relief for companies are that the relief should be revenue neutral. [43572]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 1 June 1998]: The Government attach great importance to the relief of double taxation, as indicated in the Inland Revenue press release of 17 March 1998. The current review will examine the functioning and fairness of the present system, its effectiveness in meeting the objectives for which it is provided and the compliance costs that it involves for business. Its purpose is to consider the case for structural reform in the context of international developments and the organisation of multinational businesses. The cost of the relief is influenced by a number of factors, including the amount of foreign income that is taxed in the UK and relative tax rates in the UK and other countries. A consultation document will be issued in due course.

  Tax Credit
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of(a) non-taxpayers and (b) non-taxpayers aged over 65 years who did not reclaim

  Resolution number

  Date

  Resolution

  38(1948)

  17 January 1948

  Calls on India and Pakistan not to aggravate Kashmir dispute

  39(1948)

  20 January 1948

  Establishes Commission (UNCIP) to investigate and mediate in Jammu and Kashmir

  47(1948)

  21 April 1948

  Recommends plebiscite to decide sovereignty of Jammu and Kashmir

  51(1948)

  3 June 1948

  Urges Commission to speed up work on SCR 47

  80(1950)

  14 March 1950

  Calls for demilitarisation of Jammu and Kashmir and appoints UN Representative to the region

  91(1951)

  30 March 1951

  Reaffirms need for demilitarisation and plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir

  96(1951)

  10 November 1951

  Approves India and Pakistan's willingness to observe ceasefire and work for plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir

  98(1952)

  23 December 1952

  Urges India and Pakistan to negotiate two outstanding proposals of UN Representative

  122(1957)

  24 January 1957

  Denies recognition for decisions of "All Jammu and Kashmir National Conference"

  123(1957)

  21 February 1957

  SC President asked to discuss Jammu and Kashmir dispute with India and Pakistan

  126(1957)

  2 December 1957

  Notes report of SC President; urges India and Pakistan to refrain from aggravating situation

  We believe that it is primarily for India and Pakistan to find a solution to the problem. In doing so, we believe that the two sides should build on both the UN Resolutions and the 1972 Simla agreement.
  392
  a tax credit to which they were entitled on dividends paid in 1996–97; and if he will indicate the average amount not reclaimed and the saving to the Treasury. [43339]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 1 June 1998]: The Inland Revenue have no way of identifying most non-taxpayers, so estimates of the numbers of eligible people who have not claimed payments of tax credits on dividends are not available from Inland Revenue sources. Neither are there external sources that could provide reliable estimates.

  Public Sector Pay
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if it is his policy to pay in full the recommendations of the public sector review bodies for pay settlements in the year 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [44295]

  Mr. Darling
  [holding answer 4 June 1998]: The recommendations are being paid in full this year, although staged. We will consider next year's recommendations at the time.

  Child Benefit
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has for taxing child benefit. [44574]

  Dawn Primarolo
  My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer indicated in his Budget statement that, if Child Benefit were raised, there must be a case in principle for higher rate taxpayers paying tax on it.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Kashmir
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the current United Nations Resolutions which apply to Kashmir and the date on which each was agreed; and if he will take steps to ensure that each is updated. [44221]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The United Nations Security Council has adopted the following resolutions on Kashmir:
  393

  Correspondence
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the Minister of State, the hon. Member for Manchester, Central (Mr. Lloyd) expects to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Spelthorne dated 8 May. [44105]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  I replied to the hon. Member on 1 June.

DEFENCE

  NATO Exercise (Macedonia)
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the code name of the NATO exercise in Macedonia in September; when he decided to commit British troops; and when(a) he or (b) his officials consulted (i) ministers and (ii) officials in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. [41182]

  Mr. George Robertson
  [holding answer 8 May 1998]: The NATO Partnership for Peace exercise due to take place in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia this September is called Cooperative Best Effort 98. My Department has decided, in consultation with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, that British troops will participate in the exercise. We will announce our contribution shortly.

  Married Quarters
  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many married quarters or commercial hirings he estimates would be required if a single Divisional HQ was established to cover Scotland and the north of England; what would be the capital value of these quarters if such an HQ were located in Scotland; and if the capital cost of the married quarters will be included in the estimates of the relative costs of establishing such an HQ in Scotland and in England. [43991]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 1 June 1998]: These are matters to be studied during the course of the review that is being undertaken; and I should expect them to be reflected in the cost estimates of the options, when presented to Ministers, to the extent that they materially affect the options.

  Mr. Bayley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many married quarters and commercial hirings there are currently for soldiers working at UK Land Command's(a) 2 Div HQ and (b) Scottish District HQ; and what is the estimated capital value of the married quarters used by soldiers at the Scottish District HQ. [43990]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 1 June 1998]: Service Families Accommodation (SFA) in mainland UK is provided and allocated on a tri-service basis by the Defence Housing Executive. Houses are not generally provided for the exclusive use of particular formations or units. Currently, about 50 personnel at 2 Div HQ in York occupy SFA, mainly leased from Annington Homes which currently attract no capital charge. About 30 Service personnel at Scottish District HQ in Edinburgh occupy SFA, all owned by MOD, the capital value of which is approximately £2.5 million.
  394

  Helicopters
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) Sea Harrier, (b) Lynx and (c) Sea King were (i) allocated to frontline Fleet Air arm units, (ii) fully serviceable, (iii) undergoing major maintenance and (iv) held as in use reserve on 1 June. [44126]

  Dr. Reid
  On 1 June 1998, 24 Sea Harriers, 51 Lynx and 83 Sea King aircraft were allocated to front line Fleet Air Arm Units. The number fully serviceable were 20, 43 and 66 respectively. Those undergoing major maintenance were 4, 7 and 13 respectively, and these, together with 2 additional Lynx, form the In Use Reserves.

  Defence Explosive Ordnance Disposal School
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the letter sent to the hon. Member for Rochford and Southend, East by the Minister for the Armed Forces on 18 May, if a decision has now been made on the relocation of the Defence Explosive Ordnance Disposal School; and if he will make a statement. [44222]

  Dr. Reid
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 6 April 1998,Official Report, column 51. I expect to be able to announce, before the summer recess, the findings of the study into the possible relocation of the Defence Explosive Ordnance Disposal School from its present site in Kent.

  Skills Shortages
  Mr. Wills
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the levels of skills shortages as regards his Department's technical civilian staff in(a) 1995, (b) 1996 and (c) 1997. [44390]

  Mr. Spellar
  The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, recruitment campaigns have been necessary in recent years across a range of technical specialisms. Difficulties have been experienced primarily with computer sciences, satellite communications, electrical/electronic engineering, mathematicians and physicists. Shortages have also occurred in specialisms, such as naval architects and in the aeronautical, stress and mechanical engineering areas.

  Defence Medical Training Organisation
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Defence Medical Training Organisation for 1998–99. [45106]

  Dr. Reid
  Key targets have been set for the Chief Executive of the Defence Medical Training Organisation for financial year 1998–99. The targets build on the progress already made by the Agency since it formed in April 1997 and are as follows:

  Key Target 1

  To achieve the following academic success rate for the categories of training shown:

  Common Core Course (CCC)—92 per cent.

  Specialist Register (SpR)—95 per cent.

  Pre Registration Nurses (Pre Reg Nurses)—96 per cent.

  395

  Key Target 2

  The following per cent. of trainees achieving academic success to be delivered on time agreed with the customer:

  CCC—95 per cent. (remainder to be delivered within 6 weeks of expected completion date)

  SpR—96 per cent.

  Pre Reg Nurses—98 per cent.

  Key Target 3

  Establish and agree with customers the baseline requirement for individual medical services training by 31 March 1999.

  Key Target 4

  Ensure that availability meets the requirement as defined in the Agreed Annual Training Requirement (AATR)—100 per cent.

  Key Target 5

  Develop and implement a corporate index of efficiency be 31 March 1999 that will then form a baseline for measuring year on year efficiency improvements.

  Key Target 6

  Ensure comprehensive application of the Systems Approach to Training to a minimum of 33 per cent. of all appropriate courses.

  Key Target 7

  Achieve satisfactory rating of customer satisfaction.

  Medical Supplies Agency
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Medical Supplies Agency for 1998–99. [45107]

  Dr. Reid
  Key Targets have been set for the Chief Executive of the Medical Supplies Agency for financial year 1998–99. The targets build on the progress already made by the Agency since it formed in March 1996 and are as follows:

  Key Target 1

  To build, completely and to time and within budget, for all 3 services, 95 per cent. of the programme for kits, outfits and packs, as defined in endorsed Equipment Tables and as directed by D Med Prog &Plans.

  Key Target 2

  To meet 100 per cent. of the Service's requirements for stocked medical material and blood products for operations.

  Key Target 3

  To meet 98 per cent. of the Services' requirements for stocked medical material and blood products for exercises and training.

  Key Target 4

  To meet 85 per cent. of demands for Category B items, within MSA's new charter standard (next day delivery of priority demands; 72 hours for routine) and 95 per cent. within one week.

  Key Target 5

  To improve the ratio of stock issued to stock held from 1.30 to 1.72.

  Key Target 6

  By the 31 December 1998, the MSA will have set in place a mechanism which communicates the full cost of the drugs and medical material supplied. The communicated costs will be in a format which is acceptable to the Agency's major customers, whether or not they have an SLA.

  Defence Secondary Care Agency
  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Defence Secondary Care Agency for 1998–99. [45108]

  Dr. Reid
  Key Targets have been set for the Chief Executive of the Defence Secondary Care Agency for financial year 1998–99. The targets build on the progress 396
  already made by the Agency since it formed in April 1996 and are as follows:

  Key Target 1—The Operational Requirement

  From within the personnel resources provided to the DSCA by the single Services, to meet 100 per cent. of the Commanders in Chief's requirements for secondary care trained personnel for operational deployments.

  Key Target 2—Outpatient Waiting Times

  To ensure that 55 per cent. of Service patients referred to the Agency are offered a first outpatient appointment within four weeks of receipt of a referral and 95 per cent. within 13 weeks.

  Key Target 3—Inpatient Waiting Times

  To ensure that 80 per cent. of Service patients are offered a treatment date which is within three months of the decision to give inpatient treatment.

  Key Target 4—Financial Efficiency

  To develop, by 31 December 1998, a target for DSCA which represents a measure of the Agency's efficiency in achieving its corporate targets and to have set measurable Performance Indicators for subsequent years.

  Key Target 5—Quality and Patient Care

  By 31 December 1998, the DSCA will link the management systems introduced for Clinical and Non-Clinical risks and Health and Safety, with Clinical Audit and quality improvement programmes in order to determine a Quality Strategy for 1999–2000 and will have set measurable Performance indicators for subsequent years.

  Key Target 6—Military Training

  To ensure that 80 per cent. of all DSCA personnel, whose medical category permits, receive their respective Service's annual mandatory military training.

  Key Target 7—Exercises

  To ensure that 80 per cent. of the posts detailed for each Field Unit's exercise requirement are to be filled by the DSCA, are filled.

  Key Target 8—Clinical Training

  To have compiled, by 31 December 1998, a table by specialty of the total of approved years of Specialist Registrar training at each of the DSCA Units and to set measurable targets for subsequent years.

  Defence Dental Agency
  Ms Kingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Defence Dental Agency for 1998–99. [45109]

  Dr. Reid
  Key targets have been set for the Chief Executive of the Defence Dental Agency for the financial year 1998–99. The targets build on the progress already made by the Agency since it formed in March 1996 and are as follows:

  Key Target 1

  From within available personnel resources, achieve 100 per cent. of required professionally and militarily trained personnel, at the specified readiness required for deployment in support of the National Contingency Force.

  Key Target 2

  To achieve an overall increase in dental fitness to 75 per cent.

  Key Target 3

  Measures are to be implemented to target dental treatment towards clinical priority groups leading to a zero increase in the Treatment Needs performance indicator.

  Key Target 4

  To reduce the percentage of failed appointments with dental officers and the time wasted by such failures by 10 per cent. To reduce the percentage of failed appointments with dental hygienists and the time wasted by such failures by 25 per cent.

  Key Target 5

  To limit the number of personnel in dental fitness Category D4 to 15 per cent. of the total Service population.

  397

  Key Target 6

  To achieve a success rate for Dental Support Specialist (DSS) Part II training of 95 per cent.

  Naval Bases and Supply Agency
  Mrs. Gilroy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Naval Bases and Supply Agency for 1998–99. [45110]

  Dr. Reid
  The Chief Executive of the Naval Bases and Supply Agency has been set the following key targets:

  Key Target 1

  Complete 95 per cent. of the Fleet Time Maintenance Loading programme to time, budget and standard.

  Key Target 2

  Complete 95 per cent. of the agreed Maintenance Requirements at Assisted Maintenance Periods start date to time, budget and standard.

  Key Target 3

  Utilise the Fleet Time Maintenance Loading programme to establish the baseline for the NBSA shipwork element of the overall cost per Materially Available Vessel Day, and then set targets for reduction.

  Key Target 4

  Supply 95 per cent. of available material to rectify high priority (A1-B1) Operational Defects within Required Delivery Dates.

  Key Target 5

  Establish the Agency account via the CAPITAL Project, including the provision of an Executive Information System to meet business requirements, by March 2000.

  Key Target 6

  To ensure Year 2000 Information Systems compliance by completing 100 per cent. plans by 30 June 1998.

  Key Target 7

  Achieve year on year Efficiency improvement of 2.2 per cent.

  Key Target 8

  Achieve full accreditation of Investors in People by December 1999.

  Ships Support Agency
  Mrs. Gilroy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Ships Support Agency for 1998–99. [45111]

  Dr. Reid
  The Chief Executive of the Ships Support Agency has been set the following key targets:

  Performance indicator

  Targets

  Materially Available Vessel Days (MAVDs)

  To provide the Royal Navy with the agreed percentage of materially available vessel days

  66 per cent.

  Pounds per Standard MAVD

  To provide the agreed Fleet available cost-effectively

  £38k per Standard MAVD

  Upkeep Period Timeliness

  To deliver programmed Upkeep Periods within the specified percentage tolerance of the agreed programme upkeep time

  +10 per cent.

  Upkeep Period Costs

  To contain the cost of Upkeep Periods completed during the year within the specified percentage tolerance of predicted costs

  +/-3 per cent.

  Fleet Time Material Performance (Quality)

  To limit the average number of outstanding Operational Defects per vessel in Fleet Time

  6

  398

  Performance indicator

  Targets

  Fleet Time Material Performance (Duration)

  To limit the percentage of Fleet Time during which vessels are unable, for material reasons, to perform their programmed task

  8 per cent.

  Efficient Stockholding

  To improve the stockholding to issue ratio

  2.9:1

  Resource Accounting

  To produce accruals based accounts to meet Accounts Direction

  March 99

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Higher Education Staff
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if his Department will publish statistical data for each of the last five academic years on(a) academic and (b) non-academic staff in higher education institutions to include a breakdown of employment by (i) age band, (ii) gender, (iii) ethnicity, (iv) mode of employment to include (A) part-time and (B) casual and hourly-paid employees and (v) grading; and if he will arrange for these statistics to be published annually within six months of the end of each academic year. [42388]

  Dr. Howells
  Up to and including the 1993–94 academic year, data on staff in higher education institutions were published by the Universities Statistical Record (USR), covering the former UFC-funded universities, in "University Statistics: Volume 1", and the Polytechnics and Colleges Funding Council (PCFC), covering the former PCFC funded establishments, in "The Academic Staff of Polytechnics and Colleges". Copies of these publications are available in the Library.

  Since 1994–95, information covering all higher education establishments has been published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) in "Resources of Higher Education Institutions". Editions are currently available for the years 1994–95 and 1995–96 and copies of these are also in the Library. The data requested for academic staff are contained in tables 17 and 21, but these tables do not separately identify casual and hourly paid employees. The following tables show casual and hourly paid employees by gender, ethnicity, age and grade corresponding to the figures in the published tables. In summary, between 1994–95 and 1995–96 total academic staff numbers increased by over 10 per cent. In the same period, hourly paid/casual staff went up by around 23 per cent. but in both years accounted for less than 2 per cent. of the total staff in numbers. It should also be noted that ethnicity breakdowns are available only for staff of known UK nationality.

  Information for the 1996–97 academic year will be published by HESA next month. We will pursue with HESA whether casual and hourly paid staff can be separately identified in future years.

  Data on non-academic staff are not collected centrally. This will be reviewed for the academic year 1999–2000.
  399
  The HESA volume giving staff data is currently published in June following the end of the academic year. This period is necessary to allow institutions to return the

  Hourly paid/casual academic staff of known UK nationality in all UK HE institutions by ethnicity and gender

  1994–95

  1995–96

  Female

  Male

  Total

  Female

  Male

  Total

  White

  274

  384

  658

  452

  668

  1,120

  Black Caribbean

  0

  1

  1

  0

  2

  2

  Black African

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1

  Black other

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1

  1

  Indian

  0

  3

  3

  1

  5

  6

  Pakistani

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Bangladeshi

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Chinese

  0

  0

  0

  2

  0

  2

  Asian other

  2

  1

  3

  4

  3

  7

  Other

  4

  0

  4

  19

  10

  29

  Total known ethnicity

  280

  389

  669

  479

  689

  1,168

  Information refused

  71

  85

  156

  50

  50

  100

  Total

  351

  474

  825

  529

  739

  1,268

  Hourly paid/casual academic staff in all UK HE institutions by age and grade

  Professors

  Senior lecturers and researchers

  Lecturers

  Researchers

  Other grades

  Total

  1994–95

  Under 26

  0

  0

  1

  0

  84

  85

  26–30

  0

  0

  8

  1

  173

  182

  31–35

  0

  0

  5

  3

  206

  214

  36–40

  0

  1

  10

  1

  216

  228

  41–45

  0

  0

  18

  1

  218

  237

  46–50

  0

  0

  11

  0

  193

  204

  51–55

  0

  0

  11

  0

  148

  159

  56–60

  0

  1

  12

  0

  138

  151

  61–65

  1

  0

  9

  0

  95

  105

  66+

  0

  0

  6

  0

  26

  32

  Unknown

  0

  0

  0

  0

  232

  232

  Total

  1

  2

  91

  6

  1,729

  1,829

  1995–96

  Under 26

  0

  0

  0

  1

  77

  78

  26–30

  0

  0

  7

  4

  196

  207

  31–35

  0

  0

  22

  4

  247

  273

  36–40

  0

  0

  22

  2

  244

  268

  41–45

  0

  0

  34

  0

  240

  274

  46–50

  2

  0

  17

  0

  240

  259

  51–55

  1

  0

  23

  0

  185

  209

  56–60

  3

  2

  17

  0

  184

  206

  61–65

  0

  0

  9

  0

  99

  108

  66+

  1

  0

  11

  0

  42

  54

  Unknown

  0

  0

  0

  0

  317

  317

  Total

  7

  2

  162

  11

  2,071

  2,253

  Schools (Co-operation)
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many applications were submitted under the Government's proposals for co-operation between maintained and private schools; and what was the success rate for proposals submitted by(a) local education authorities and (b) the independent sector. [44139]

  Mr. Byers
  We received 294 applications; we are supporting 48 projects. Each application had to involve at least one maintained and one independent school and specify a lead organisation. Five successful projects currently involve LEAs, and in one of those the LEA is
  400
  raw data to HESA (by 30 September), HESA to finalise the data (by 1 December) and then compile and publish the volume.

  acting as the lead organisation. The information requested is set out in the table:

  Lead organisation

  Number of applications

  Number of successful applications

  Percentage of successful applications

  Maintained school

  179

  38

  21

  Independent school

  89

  8

  9

  Local education authority

  12

  1

  8

  Other1

  14

  1

  7

  Total

  294

  48

  16.3

  1 Other' lead organisations are organisations that are not a school or a local education authority, e.g. universities, charitable trusts, and associations of schools.

  401

  Class Sizes (Essex)
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many children in(a) Essex and (b) Mid-Essex at (i) primary schools and (ii) secondary schools were in classes with 31 or more children at the latest available time; and what the corresponding figures were for 12 months earlier. [44174]

  Mr. Byers
  [holding answer 4 June 1998]: The information for Essex Local Education Authority area is shown in the table.

  Numbers of pupils in classes of 31 or more pupils taught by one teacher in maintained primary and secondary schools

  Essex Local Education Authority area

  Position in January each year

  Year

  Primary schools

  Secondary schools

  1996

  34,741

  8,064

  1997

  38,831

  8,263

  We do not hold information for Mid-Essex.

  St. Austell College
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he will publish Professor Newby's report on St. Austell College. [45098]

  Mr. Blunkett
  I am quite clear that there are important lessons to be learnt from this episode. These lessons extend beyond the FE sector and indeed beyond the world of education. I therefore consider that there is a clear public interest to be served by publishing the report, which I am doing today. Copies have been placed in the Library.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Family Resources Survey
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to her answer of 21 January 1998,Official Report, columns 565–66, how many higher-rate taxpayers have children aged (a) under five years, (b) from five to 10 years, (c) 11 to 16 years and (d) 17 years and over. [44323]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  An estimate for 1998–99 from the 1995–96 Family Resources Survey-based Policy Simulation Model suggests there are 350,000 higher rate taxpayers with children aged under 5 years, 435,000 higher rate taxpayers with children aged five to 10 years, 420,000 higher rate taxpayers with children aged 11 to 16 years, and 110,000 higher rate taxpayers with children aged 17 years and over.

  Notes:

  1. The estimates show how many benefit units with at least one higher rate taxpayer have at least one child in each of the age categories. However, these figures cannot be added up to give the total number of higher rate taxpayers with children since a number of these families have two or more children of differing ages and so will be represented in more than one category.

  402

  2. The estimates should be treated with some caution as they are based on survey data which use current weekly income to model tax liability which may not accurately represent current annual tax liabilities. Estimates may also be influenced by sampling error and response rates.

  Child Benefit
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the total(a) gross and (b) net savings will be in 1998–99 from not having uprated child benefit in line with prices since 1979; and what the current rate per child would be had it been uprated in line with prices without any additional payment for the eldest child. [44322]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  If Child Benefit had been subject to annual uprating as described, the level of the benefit in April 1998 would have been £12.70 per week per child. The gross additional cost in 1998–99 is estimated to be £1.5 billion. The cost net of income-related benefit offsets would be around £1.1 billion.

  Notes:

  1. Cost estimates are rounded to the nearest £10 million.

  2. Figures are calibrated to the caseload and expenditure forecasts underlying the 1998 Departmental Report.

  3. The uprating calculation assumes rounding to the nearest 5p at each annual uprating.

  4. Estimates apply only to Child Benefit, and exclude any changes made to One Parent Benefit.

  Source:

  Based on data taken from the 1995–96 Family Resources Survey and the May 1996 Income Support Quarterly Statistical Inquiry uprated to 1998–99 prices, benefits and earnings level.

  Winter Fuel Payments
  Miss Kirkbride
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much of the £400 million budgeted for winter fuel payments has been spent on this year's payments. [44575]

  Mr. Denham
  Winter Fuel payments are one of a number of initiatives the Government have taken to help vulnerable people, especially the elderly, keep warm in the winter. A total of £400 million has been committed for two years (1997/98 and 1998/99), to help pensioners with fuel bills to pay.

  Overall, almost ten million eligible pensioners in over seven million households received a payment between January and March 1998 at a total cost of nearly £200 million.

  Lone Parents
  Mr. Quentin Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make it her policy to make attendance at an interview compulsory for those invited to take part in the New Deal for Lone Parents. [44572]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Mr. Duncan Smith) on 25 November 1997,Official Report, column 540.

  Widows Pension
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to extend the widows
  403
  pension to women aged under 45 years; what estimate she has made of the cost of that extension; and if she will make a statement. [41629]

  Mr. Denham
  Modernising the Social Security system is a key priority of the Government. In our examination of the current Social Security structure, we will take account of the needs and responsibilities of widows in pursuit of our aim of reducing poverty and welfare dependency, promoting work incentives and providing better, simpler and more efficient services to clients.

  The estimated gross cost in 1998/99 of extending widows pension to women aged under 45 years would be £58 million.

  Note:

  It is assumed that widows under 45 would be paid at the current minimum rate for a widow aged 45.

HEALTH

  Paediatric Physiotherapists (London)
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many paediatric physiotherapists are employed by each NHS trust in London; and how many posts are currently vacant. [43882]

  Mr. Milburn
  Information about the number of paediatric physiotherapists employed by National Health Service trusts in London is not available centrally as the Department's non-medical workforce census does not separately identify them from other physiotherapists; the table gives the information that is available. Figures on physiotherapist vacancies are collected by the Office of Manpower and Economics and published in the annual reports of the Review Body for Nursing staff, Midwives, Health Visitors and Professions Allied to Medicine, copies of which are in the Library.

  NHS Hospital and Community Health Services: physiotherapists employed by London NHS trusts as at 30 September 1997

  Equivalents

  Whole-time

  Barnet Healthcare NHS Trust

  30

  BHB Community Healthcare NHS Trust

  50

  The Bethlem and Maudsley NHS Trust

  10

  Bromley Hospitals NHS Trust

  40

  Camden and Islington Community Health Services NHS Trust

  30

  Central Middlesex Hospital NHS Trust

  20

  Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust

  20

  Chelsea and Westminster Healthcare NHS Trust

  50

  City and Hackney Community Services NHS Trust

  40

  Croydon Community Health NHS Trust

  20

  Ealing Hospital NHS Trust

  10

  Enfield Community Care NHS Trust

  30

  Forest Health Care NHS Trust

  50

  The Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust

  20

  Greenwich Healthcare NHS Trust

  40

  Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospital NHS Trust

  70

  The Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trust

  60

  Harefield Hospital NHS Trust

  10

  Harrow and Hillingdon Healthcare NHS Trust

  20

  The Hillingdon Hospital NHS Trust

  20

  Hounslow and Spelthorne Community & Mental Health NHS Trust

  30

  Kings Healthcare NHS Trust

  60

  Kingston and District Community NHS Trust

  20

  Kingston Hospital NHS Trust

  20

  404

  NHS Hospital and Community Health Services: physiotherapists employed by London NHS trusts as at 30 September 1997

  Equivalents

  Whole-time

  Lambeth Healthcare NHS Trust

  10

  Lewisham and Guys Mental Health NHS Trust

  1—

  The Lewisham Hospital NHS Trust

  20

  Lifecare NHS Trust

  1—

  Mayday Healthcare NHS Trust

  50

  Merton and Sutton Community NHS Trust

  1—

  Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Trust

  1—

  Mount Vernon and Watford Hospitals NHS Trust

  40

  Newham Community NHS Trust

  40

  North Middlesex Hospital NHS Trust

  50

  North West London Mental Health NHS Trust

  1—

  Northwick Park St. Marks NHS Trust

  50

  Optimum Health Services NHS Trust

  30

  Parkside NHS Trust

  40

  Pathfinder Mental Health Services NHS Trust

  10

  Queen Mary's Sidcup NHS Trust

  30

  Ravensbourne NHS Trust

  20

  Redbridge Health Care NHS Trust

  40

  Richmond Twickenham and Roehampton Healthcare NHS Trust

  20

  Riverside Mental Health NHS Trust

  1—

  Royal Brompton Hospital NHS Trust

  20

  The Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust

  50

  The Royal Hospitals NHS Trust

  10

  Royal London Homeopathic Hospital NHS Trust

  1—

  The Royal Marsden Hospital NHS Trust

  10

  Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust

  40

  St. George's Healthcare NHS Trust

  90

  The St. Helier NHS Trust

  50

  St. Mary's NHS Trust

  40

  Teddington Memorial Trust

  10

  Tower Hamlets Healthcare NHS Trust

  80

  University London College Hospitals NHS Trust

  40

  Wandsworth Community Health NHS Trust

  1—

  Wellhouse NHS Trust

  40

  West London Healthcare NHS Trust

  20

  West Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust

  10

  Whittington Hospital NHS Trust

  30

  Total

  2,950

  1 less than 5 and greater than zero

  Note:

  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest ten.

  2. Due to rounding the total will not be equal to the sum of component parts.

  Source:

  Department of Health Non-Medical Workforce Census

  Breast Feeding
  Mr. Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps are currently being taken to promote a higher rate of breastfeeding. [43609]

  Ms Jowell
  We are fully committed to the promotion of breastfeeding, which is universally accepted as the best form of nutrition for infants. Nevertheless, it is important that women are able to make a fully informed choice based on accurate and consistent information on the benefits of breastfeeding.

  The Department funds the National Network of Breastfeeding Co-ordinators (NNBC). The NNBC has been established to promote breastfeeding at a local level and to share ideas nationally with a view to increasing both the number of mothers breastfeeding and the length of time they continue to breastfeed.
  405
  Each year, the four United Kingdom Health Departments support national breastfeeding awareness week to increase public awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding, which this year took place between 17–23 May. This year, as in other years, the Department funded and provided the publicity materials used during the week. These included posters and postcards aimed at promoting breastfeeding with the slogan "free fast food for babies".

  The Department also provides financial support to the three main voluntary organisations in this area, the National Childbirth Trust, La Leche League and the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers. Close links are also kept with United Nations Children's Fund Baby-friendly Initiative which includes a Departmental observer sitting on the Steering Committee of the UK Baby Friendly Initiative.

  The Department offers support for research into breastfeeding through the Quinquennial Surveys of Infant Feeding Practice, the report of the 1995 survey was published last year. The Department also receives and publishes expert advice on breastfeeding through its advisory committees, such as Committee on Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition Policy Panel on Child and Material Nutrition.

  We are concerned about the apparently low breastfeeding rates in this country, especially when compared with some other European countries such as Norway, Sweden and Denmark. The low incidence of breastfeeding is especially marked in low-income groups. That is why, as part of the Department's research initiative on health inequalities, we are planning to support a study aimed at identifying the barriers to breastfeeding in low-income groups. This should help us to understand what influences a woman's decision whether to breastfeed or not. In turn, this will help us to develop and test new interventions aimed at increasing breastfeeding levels and improving the health of babies from low-income families.

  Occupational Health
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many whole-time equivalent consultants in occupational health are employed in each National Health Service region. [43741]

  Mr. Milburn
  The latest information is shown in the table.

  Whole-time equivalents of consultants in occupational health by region on 30 September 1996

  Region

  Number

  Anglia and Oxford

  5

  North Thames

  9

  North West

  6

  Northern and Yorkshire

  4

  South and West

  8

  South Thames

  9

  Trent

  4

  West Midlands

  5

  Notes:

  1. The census is a snapshot at 30 September each year

  2. All figures are rounded to the nearest whole number

  Source:

  The Medical and Dental Workforce Census 30 September 1996.
  406
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many unfilled(a) consultant and (b) approved training posts there are in occupational health in each National Health Service region. [43740]

  Mr. Milburn
  The information requested is not available centrally.

  NHS Trusts (Health and Safety)
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list all National Health Service trusts that have been found to be in breach of the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 since 1991; and if he will make a statement. [43738]

  Mr. Milburn
  Between 1991 and 1994, not all hospitals were National Health Service trusts, and the relevant health authority was liable for prosecution where a hospital was in breach of the Health and Safety at Work Act. Information from the Health and Safety Executive shows that the following trusts and health authorities have been prosecuted under the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act since 1991:

  1991

  South West Durham Health Authority

  Riverside Health Authority

  Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Health Authority

  Trafford Health Authority

  Oxford Health Authority

  1992

  South Birmingham Health Authority

  Norwich Health Authority

  1993

  South Derbyshire Health Authority

  Airedale NHS Trust

  North Staffordshire Health Authority

  1994

  Salford Community Healthcare

  Loddon NHS Trust

  Parkside Health NHS Trust

  North Staffordshire Hospitals NHS Trust

  West Suffolk Hospitals NHS Trust

  1995

  Frenchay Healthcare Trust

  Dorset Community NHS Trust

  Forest Healthcare NHS Trust

  Stockport Healthcare NHS Trust

  1996

  City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Trust

  Bedford Hospital NHS Trust

  1997

  Surrey Heartlands NHS Trust

  Premier Health NHS Trust

  Community Health Sheffield NHS Trust

  Leeds Community and Mental Health Services (Teaching) NHS Trust

  Gloucestershire Ambulance Service NHS Trust

  Eastbourne Hospital NHS Trust

  Swindon and Marlborough NHS Trust

  1998

  Horton General Hospital Trust.

  407

  NHS Staff (Ill-health)
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many retirements on the grounds of ill-health there have been from the NHS Pension Scheme in each of the last five years. [43885]

  Mr. Milburn
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the National Health Service Pensions Agency under its Chief Executive, Mr. A. F. Cowan. I have asked him to reply to the hon. Member.

  Letter from A. F. Cowan to Dr. Evan Harris, dated June 1998:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question, as it falls within my area of responsibility.
  The number of ill-health retirement awards made by the NHS Pension Scheme in each of the last five years was:

  Year

  Number of ill-health retirement awards

  1993–94

  9,520

  1994–95

  9,030

  1995–96

  8,082

  1996–97

  6,928

  1997–98

  6,510

  Histopathology Services (Kent and Canterbury Hospital)
  Dr. Ladyman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the terms of reference for the recently announced review of histopathology at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital; and if he intends to widen the scope of the review. [43794]

  Mr. Boateng
  The terms of reference for the review of histopathology services provided by Kent and Canterbury Hospital have been agreed with the Royal College of Pathologists and have been published. There are no plans to widen the scope of this review.

  Homicide Inquiries
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what factors underlie the differences between his answers of 16 February 1998,Official Report, column 494, and 13 March 1998, Official Report, column 377, in respect of the number of inquiries under way into homicides committed by mentally-ill people. [43977]

  Mr. Boateng
  The reply given on 16 February 1998,Official Report, column 494, showed that the total number of independent inquiries currently underway was 24.

  In the reply given on 13 March 1998, Official Report, column 377, the list showed only those inquiries which were nearing completion. The total number remains 24 although the dates of publication have not all been settled yet.

  Epilepsy
  Mr. Canavan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will provide resources for research into sudden unexpected death in epilepsy; [44092]

  (2) if he will set up an inquiry into sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. [44093]
  408
  Mr. Boateng
  I met a delegation led by the organisation Epilepsy Bereaved?, on 2 June to discuss their concerns about sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). The delegation, which included epilepsy specialists who have conducted research into SUDEP, has been invited to design and submit a bid for a national sentinel audit of epilepsy services. This will involve working closely with several relevant national organisations.

  The Department supports Epilepsy Bereaved? through a Section 64 core grant of £45,000 in total for the years 1997–2000.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Hurst
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of adults with severe learning disabilities residing in(a) long-stay hospitals and (b) the community. [44077]

  Mr. Boateng
  It is estimated that there are about 160,000 adults with severe learning disabilities in England. We estimate that approximately 5,000 of these are placed in continuing National Health Service care. There are also about 3,000 other people in old long-stay learning disability hospitals. This means that there are approximately 152,000 people with severe learning disabilities living in the community outside long-stay NHS care. A significant number of the approximately 3,000 people currently in old long-stay learning disability hospitals are also likely to move into the community over the next few years.

  NHS Trusts (London)
  Mr. Duncan Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what financial transitional support has been made available in the years(a) 1994–95, (b) 1995–96,
  (c) 1996–97 and (d) 1997–98 to London trusts, excluding the London teaching hospitals. [43891]

  Mr. Milburn
  [holding answer 2 June 1998]: The information requested is provided in the table.

  Transitional support to London trusts, excluding the London teaching hospitals 1994/95–1997/98

  Year

  Total £000

  1994/95

  11,622

  1995/96

  13,309

  1996/97

  8,291

  1997/98

  8,631

  Notes:

  1. Trusts included in total are: Lewisham, Greenwich, Lambeth and Southwark, Kingston Hospitals, Royal Free, Royal National Throat Nose and Ear Hospital, Central Middlesex, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Northwick Park, Eastman Dental, Royal London Homoeopathic Hospital, Tavistock and Portman, Whittington

  2. In addition to these, financial transitional support has been made available over the period to other London trusts and to London health authorities. The total central funding for London was included in the Turnberg Report; copies of which are available in the Library

  Residential Child Care Workers
  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to review the pay, conditions, training and qualifications of residential social workers working with children in care. [44550]
  409
  Mr. Boateng
  The pay and conditions of all staff are matters for their individual employers.

  We are jointly with the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work developing a new post qualifying award in child care and the relevant training for that award. In addition, we have put aside £2 million in 1998–99 to secure the training of significant numbers of child care staff leading to national vocational qualification in care at level III.

  Foster Carers
  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to review the fees, reimbursement of costs, training and support of foster carers. [44551]

  Mr. Boateng
  The level of allowances paid to foster carers is not set by central Government, but is determined by individual local authorities. It is for each authority to decide what amount it pays according to prevailing local requirements. Many authorities base the allowances they pay on those recommended and published each year by the National Foster Care Association, copies of which are available in the Library.

  Training and support for foster carers is one of the issues being considered by the United Kingdom Joint Working Party on Foster Care. The group's broad aim is
  410
  to develop national standards for foster care. It began work in October 1997 and expects to publish a good practice guide in the spring of 1999. The Department is helping to fund this work. The training and support for foster carers was also addressed in the report 'People Like Us' by Sir William Utting, published in November 1997. We established a Ministerial task force to prepare its response to the recommendations contained in the report. Our response will be published later in the summer.

  The Department is also funding work being undertaken by the National Foster Care Association to develop training materials for use by foster carers who are relatives and friends of the children being cared for, and for social work staff. The launch of the training pack is scheduled for March 1999.

  Trust Mergers
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many management posts have been abolished, and how much money has been saved, as a result of his approving the merger of Ashford (Middlesex) and St. Peter's Hospital NHS Trusts. [44106]

  Mr. Milburn
  To date, five management posts have been removed as a consequence of the merger resulting in a saving of £400,000.

  EU Development Council Meeting, 18 May
  EU Development Council Meeting, 18 May
  Sixteenth Century Acts
  Sixteenth Century Acts
  Scotland: Percentage of UK Tax Revenue
  Scotland: Percentage of UK Tax Revenue
  Community Hospital Closures
  Community Hospital Closures
  Northern Ireland Referendum
  Northern Ireland Referendum
  Northern Ireland: Integrated Education
  Northern Ireland: Integrated Education
  Northern Ireland Elections: Conduct of Government Business
  Northern Ireland Elections: Conduct of Government Business
  Common Land: Management Guide
  Common Land: Management Guide