Written Answers of 10 June 1998

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Secondary Legislation
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the President of the Council if she will make a statement on trends in the use of secondary legislation. [43512]

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  In the ten years to 1996–97 an average of 185 instruments have been laid each session under the affirmative procedure and 1,127 under the negative procedure. While there has been a slight growth in the number of instruments laid under the negative procedure, the number of affirmatives has not altered significantly and the total (including instruments not requiring parliamentary procedure) has declined slightly. No information is yet complete for the sessions since May 1997 but I have no reason to suppose there have been any significant changes. Although the Delegated Powers and Deregulation Committee in the House of Lords examines the order-making powers in legislation laid before Parliament, no statistics are compiled on the incidence of such order-making powers in primary legislation.

  Spending Review
  Ms Squire
  To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, what plans the Commission has to commission a fundamental spending review of the departments of the House. [44583]

  Mr. Kirkwood
  The Commission will be reviewing the House's administrative spending plans for the coming three years shortly. In doing so, the Commission will seek to keep expenditure to a minimum, consistent with providing the quality of services required by Members. But the Commission has no plans for a separate review exercise.

  Portcullis House
  Ms Squire
  To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee if he will estimate the(a) capital and (b) revenue expenditure on Portcullis House (i) for 1997–98 and (ii) in total to date. [44590]

  Sir Sydney Chapman
  Up to the end of 1997–98, a total of £98.3 million has been spent on Portcullis House, including £39.9 million in 1997–98, all of which is capital expenditure. In addition some £29,000 was spent in 1997–98 on electrical power supplies for the construction work classified as revenue expenditure.

  Recycling Sacks
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee, pursuant to her answer of 18 May 1998,Official Report, column 246, on recycling sacks, how many sacks were sent to be recycled in 1997–98. [45416]
  558
  Mrs. Roe
  Records of the number of sacks sent for recycling are not maintained. However, in the year ending 31 December 1997, 737 tonnes of mixed paper and cardboard were sent for recycling.

  Government Announcements
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the President of the Council what steps she is taking to ensure that Government initiatives are announced in the House before being released to the Press. [25364]

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  Due to the administrative error following the transfer of this Parliamentary Question, this answer is unacceptably late and apologies have been conveyed for this.

  I can assure the hon. Member that I regularly remind Ministers that, as set out in the Ministerial Code (July 1997), they should bear in mind the desire of Parliament that the most important announcements of Government policy should be made in the first instance in Parliament.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Departmental Energy Use
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much(a) oil, (b) gas and (c) electricity was purchased for the heating, lighting and powering of accommodation occupied by his Department within the United Kingdom in each year since 1989–90; and what was the total cost in real terms of each in each year. [44085]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  My Department was created in April 1992 by transferring certain areas of responsibility from six Departments. However, the following details of energy consumption and costs are only available from 1993 when the Department commenced occupation of its own buildings:

  Oil

  Gas

  Electricity

  KWH

  Cost

  KWH

  Cost (£)

  KWH

  Cost (£)

  1993–941

  Nil

  Nil

  221,808

  3,810

  586,372

  49,400

  1994–95

  Nil

  Nil

  1,059,183

  14,599

  1,074,541

  64,066

  1995–962

  Nil

  Nil

  1,593,599

  15,247

  1,194,927

  67,023

  1996–97

  Nil

  Nil

  1,450,385

  11,967

  1,342,571

  78,655

  1997–983

  Nil

  Nil

  1,593,731

  12,939

  1,206,320

  78,634

  1 Occupation during part financial year

  2 Additional premises acquired part way through the financial year

  3 Replaces provisional 1997–98 figures included in my reply of 6 May 1998, Official Report, column 408.

  Staff Car Mileage Allowance
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what was the total real terms value of(a) staff car mileage claims paid and (b) staff rail fares paid; and what was the amount of staff car mileage for which reminbursement was made and the percentage change year on year, for each year since 1989–90. [44080]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 6 May 1998,Official Report, column 408.

  Reviews
  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list, for each of the last four years, the departmental inquiries and reviews instigated by Ministers which have been chaired by individuals outside his Department; and in each case if he will give the date of establishment and the name of the chairman. [44360]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  The information requested is as follows:

  1995
  Working Group on University Sports Scholarships. Sir Roger Bannister. October.

  1996
  National Reading Initiative. Joanna Trollope. October.

  1997
  Review of Area Museum Councils of England. Tony Pender. CBE. January.
  Report into IT in Public Libraries. Matthew Evans. February.
  Film Policy Review. Stewart Till (joint chairman with Right Hon. Tom Clarke, CBE MP) May.
  Football Task Force. Right Hon. David Mellor. July.
  England's World Heritage Sites, Tentative List Review. Oliver Pearcey. October.
  Review of Lyric Theatre in London. Sir Richard Eyre. November.

  1998
  Working Group on Legal Deposit. Sir Anthony Kenny. January.
  Report on the Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle Richard Foster. DL. April.

  Members

  Communications strategy working group members

  Charles Allen—Chairman

  Granada

  Judith Anthony

  Thames Valley Economic Partnership

  Colin Browne

  BBC

  Gary Crosley

  Reid Catering Titles

  Sandie Dawe

  British Tourist Authority

  Dereck Dear

  British Airways

  Harvey Elliot

  Consultant

  Jim Graham

  Border TV

  David Harbourne

  Consultant

  Simon Johnson

  Banque Credit Suisse

  Ray Kelly

  Carat UK

  Lyn Lavers

  Distinctive Publishing

  Jeremy Logie

  British Hospitality Association

  Ken McCulloch

  MHM

  Prof. Peter Jones

  Bournemouth University

  Eve Pollard

  Journalist, English Tourist Board

  Ann Scott

  Ann Scott Associates

  Diane Summers

  Financial Times

  Clare Walker

  Jannus Group

  Roy Tutty

  Department for Culture Media and Sport

  Whitehall issues working group members

  Ken Robinson—Chairman

  Tourism Society

  Peter Agar

  Confederation of British Industry

  Ailsa Blaire

  Local Government Association

  Colin Clark

  Horwath and Horwath

  Sue Garland

  British Tourist Authority/English Tourist Board

  Barry Goddard

  Council for Travel and Tourism

  Peter Hampson

  British Resorts Association

  Brian Handley

  Yorkshire Tourist Board

  Michael Hirst

  Joint Hospitality Industry Congress

  John Lee

  Association of Leading Visitor Attractions

  Jeremy Logie

  British Hospitality Association

  James Spencer

  British Holiday and Home Parks Association

  Barbara Phillips

  Department for Culture Media and Sport (observer)

  Libraries (Large Print Books)
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will issue guidance to local library authorities producing annual library plans not to reduce funding for large print books; and what guidance he has issued on this matter to date. [44368]

  Mr. Fisher
  The Government recognise the importance of specialist library services, and require library authorities to report on them in their Annual Library Plan. The actual level of expenditure on different types of book is for library authorities to determine, based on local priorities and resources.

  Artefacts (Repatriation)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with UNESCO concerning the repatriation of cultural artefacts. [44378]

  Mr. Fisher
  Neither my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State nor I have had discussions with UNESCO on this issue. Officials have taken part in meetings which have touched on the issue of restitution in the normal course of business.

  Tourism Forum
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the Chairman and members of the Forum Working Group into Tourism. [44933]

  Mr. Tom Clarke
  There are 12 working groups attached to the Tourism Forum. The Chairmen and members are listed.
  561

  Members

  Business tourism working group members

  Michael Hirst—Chairman

  Joint Hospitality Industry Congress

  Peter Agar

  Confederation of British Industry

  Robert Ayling

  British Airways

  Barry Cleverdon

  NEC

  Sarah Dale

  Sarah Dale Travel

  Michael Edwards

  AmEx

  Sir John Egan

  London Tourist Board

  Carole Forman

  British University Accommodation Consortium

  David Hackett

  The Marketing Organisation

  Albert Hampson

  Automobile Association

  John Jarvis

  Jarvis Hotels

  Jack Monro

  Glasgow Tourist Board

  Mike Platt

  Hogg Robinson

  Peter Rand

  Rand Group

  Tony Rogers

  British Association Conference Destinations

  Georges Sampeur

  Avis

  Anthony Sell

  British Tourist Authority

  Michael Skapinker

  Financial Times

  Mike Toynbee

  Executive Travel

  Robert Watson

  British Telecom

  Ivor Warburton

  Intercity West Coast

  Roy Tutty

  Department for Culture Media and Sport

  Visitor attractions working group members

  John Lee—Chairman

  English Tourist Board, Association of Leading Visitor Attractions

  Ken Robinson

  Tourism Society

  Michael Jolly

  Tussauds

  Brian Handley

  Yorkshire Tourist Board

  Michael Ann

  English Tourist Board, Drusillas Park

  Patricia Yates

  Holiday Which, Consumers' Association

  David Beeton

  Historic Royal Palaces Agency

  Martin Sandbach

  English Tourist Board

  John Murphy

  Department for Culture Media and Sport, Tussauds

  DCMS:

  Nigel Pittman

  Buildings, Monuments and Sites Division

  Hugh Corner

  Museums and Galleries Division

  Richard Thomas

  Lottery Policy Branch

  Stephen Creigh-Tyte

  Economics Branch

  Human resources or "people" working group members

  Peter Moore—Chairman

  Center Pares/English Tourist Board

  David Wood

  Hotel Catering and International Management Association

  Pauline Wells

  Tussauds Group

  David Harbourne

  Hospitality Training Foundation

  Conrad Lashley

  The Council for Hospitality Management Education

  Elaine Noble

  English Tourist Board/British Tourist Authority

  Stephen Moss

  Restauranteurs Association Great Britain

  Nicola Hayward

  Seaview Hotel

  Mary Curnock-Cook

  British Institute of Innkeeping

  Matthew Farrow

  Confederation of British Industry

  Kim Parrish

  Scottish and Newcastle

  Presentation of heritage and culture group members

  David Quarmby—Chairman

  British Tourist Authority

  Mary Allen

  Arts Council

  Anthony Sell

  British Tourist Authority

  David Beeton

  Historic Royal Palaces Agency

  John Tod

  British Council

  Sir Jocelyn Stevens

  English Heritage

  Graham Greene

  British Museum

  Robert Anderson

  British Museum

  James Joll

  Museums and Galleries Commission

  Timothy Mason

  Museums and Galleries Commission

  Damien Whitmore

  Tate Gallery

  Martin Drury

  National Trust

  Michael Taylor

  National Trust

  Strategic planning working group members

  David Quarmby

  British Tourist Authority

  Michael Jolly

  Tussauds Group

  Charles Allen

  Granada

  Michael Hirst

  Joint Hospitality Industry Congress

  Ken Robinson

  Tourism Society

  562 563

  Members

  Michael Elliot

  Heart of England Tourist Board

  John Lee

  Association of Leading Visitor Attractions

  Peter Moore

  CenterParcs

  Jeremy Logie

  British Hospitality Association

  Councillor John Price

  Local Government Association

  Widening access to tourism working group members

  Jeremy Logie—Chairman

  British Hospitality Association

  John Bamsey

  Hilton UK

  Roger de Haan

  Saga Holidays

  Peter Holland

  The Disability Partnership

  Sir William Lawrence

  Heart of England Tourist Board

  Stephen Mills

  English Tourist Board

  David Phillips

  Holiday Care Service

  Peter Taylor

  Millennium and Copthorne Hotels

  Maundy Todd

  Tourism for All

  Alan Bishop

  National Caravan Council Ltd

  Jenny How

  Cheshire County Council

  Tim Mason

  Museums and Galleries Commission

  Phil White

  National Express Group

  Roddy Watt

  Berkeley Scott Group

  Rosemary Griggs

  Department for Culture Media and Sport

  Domestic tourism working group members

  Councillor John Price—Chairman

  Chester City Council

  Dorothy Naylor—Vice Chair

  North West Tourist Board

  Geoffrey Lipman

  World Travel and Tourism Council

  Jerry Fowden

  Rank Group plc

  Brendan Burns

  Federation of Small Businesses

  Peter Hampson

  British Resorts Association

  Bob Ackland

  North Somerset Council

  Tim Bartlett

  English Tourist Board

  Professor Victor Middleton

  International Management Consultant in Tourism

  Domestic tourism working group: quality sub-group members

  Jerry Fowden—Chairman

  Rank Group plc

  Tim Bartlett

  English Tourist Board

  Peter Hampson

  British Resorts Association

  James Spencer

  British Holiday and Home Parks Association

  Nicola Hayward

  Seaview Hotel, Isle of Wight

  Patricia Yates

  Holiday Which

  Dorothy Naylor

  North West Tourist Board

  Domestic tourism working group: distribution sub-group

  Brendan Burns—Chairman

  Federation of Small Businesses

  Bob Ackland

  North Somerset Council

  Brian Barrett

  Virgin Rail Group

  Peter Chappelow

  Holiday Cottages

  Nick Cust

  Superbreak

  Colin Doyle

  Countrywide Holidays

  Stephen Freudmann

  Association of British Travel Agents

  Ken Male

  Bournemouth Tourism

  Dorothy Naylor

  North West Tourist Board

  Martin Sandbach

  English Tourist Board

  Richard Tobias

  British Incoming Tour Operators Association

  Domestic tourism working group: sustainability sub-group members

  Geoffrey Lipman—Chairman

  World Travel and Tourism Council

  Dorothy Naylor

  North West Tourist Board

  Tim Whitehead

  English Riviera Tourist Board

  Stephen Mills

  English Tourist Board

  Richard Wakeford

  Countryside Commission

  Alex Youel

  National Trust

  Margaret Clarke

  Rural Development Commission

  Jonathon Porritt

  Forum for the Future

  Bill Breakell

  North Yorks Moors National Park

  Victor Middleton

  Oxford Brookes University

  John Dawson

  Automobile Association

  David Lunn

  Windsor District Council

  Chris Collier

  Cumbria Tourist Board

  Stephen Hodgson

  Department for Culture Media and Sport

  Note:

  Organisations listed were correct at the time the Working Groups were established.
  564

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Curfews (Electronic Monitoring)
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current average cost of a curfew order backed by electronic tagging in(a) Norfolk, (b) Greater Manchester and (c) Reading. [43879]

  Ms Quin
  It is not possible on the grounds of commercial confidentiality to provide a breakdown of current average costs of a curfew order for different trial areas. Based on the experiences of the first two years of the trials of curfew orders with electronic monitoring, the cost per order for a national roll-out was estimated to be about £1,900. However, this cost does not account for any savings achieved through providing electronic monitoring for Home Detention Curfew simultaneously with curfew orders.

  Cab Drivers (Offences)
  Mr. Forth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many cab drivers convicted of assault and rape, were(a) taxicab drivers, (b) minicab drivers who had accepted fare-paying passengers illegally and (c) minicab drivers who had accepted fare-paying passengers legally in the Greater London area in the last year for which figures are available; [44688]

  (2) how many minicab drivers convicted of assault and rape (a) had and (b) did not have previous convictions for a similar offence in the Greater London area in the last year for which figures are available; [44686]

  (3) how many prosecutions of minicab drivers for illegally seeking or accepting fare-paying passengers there were in the Greater London area in the last year for which figures are available. [44687]

  Mr. Michael
  Information held centrally on the Home Office Court Proceedings database does not identify the profession of offenders convicted or re-convicted of violent and sexual offences.

  In 1996 (latest available), there were 132 prosecutions in the Metropolitan Police (including City of London) area for offences under section 167 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994—Touting for hire car service without a Public Service Vehicle operator's licence.

  There were also 19 prosecutions recorded under the Metropolitan Public Carriage Act 1869, but we cannot determine from the data held centrally whether any occurred under section 7 of the Act—illegally plying for hire (where a vehicle, which is not a licensed London taxi, is made available for immediate hire).

  In theory, provincial taxi and Private Hire Vehicle drivers could commit either of the above offences. London taxi drivers may illegally ply for hire waiting at places which are not designated ranks, but this offence is under section 33 of the London Hackney Carriage Act 1843 and, again, we can only identify prosecutions under the whole of the Act, of which there were 71 within the Metropolitan Police (including City of London) area in 1996.

  Animal Tests
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the amount spent by his Department in the two years prior to 1998–99 on research into alternatives to testing cosmetic products on animals. [44665]

  Mr. George Howarth
  Each year, the Home Office makes a budget available to the Animal Procedures Committee to fund research into replacement, reduction and refinement alternatives to the use of animals in all types of scientific procedures, not just cosmetic testing. In 1996–97, this budget amounted to £242,000 and in 1997–98 to £182,000.

  Applications are invited from those who are seeking sponsorship for projects relating to the development or implementation of alternatives. The Animal Procedures Committee, through its Research Sub-Committee, provides independent advice about which of these projects should be funded. During the last two years, no applications have been received for research relating to alternatives to the use of animals in cosmetic product testing.

  Cosmetic testing accounts for about 0.1 per cent. of all scientific procedures using animals in the United Kingdom. Available funds are best targeted at research projects which will benefit more animals.

  The cosmetic industry itself allocates considerable resources to the development of alternative tests, partly to meet the requirements of the 6th amendment to the European Communities Cosmetics Directive 93/35/EEC. The companies licensed to use animals in testing finished cosmetic products agreed in November 1997 to end, with immediate effect, this work in the United Kingdom.

  Hand Guns
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases of compensation for hand guns in each police force area made under (i) option A, (ii) option B and (iii) option C are currently outstanding; and what amount has been paid out to date in each force area. [44867]

  Mr. Michael
  The information is given in the table.

  Outstanding Claims

  Name of force

  Option A/B

  Option C

  Amount paid £

  Avon and Somerset

  14

  627

  1,404,135.90

  Bedfordshire

  0

  251

  402,982.43

  Cambridgeshire

  1

  290

  509,094.10

  Central Scotland

  1

  81

  100,256.10

  Cheshire

  9

  334

  1,495,079.80

  City of London

  0

  6

  24,892.20

  Cleveland

  0

  194

  326,891.36

  Cumbria

  1

  197

  350,173.51

  Derbyshire

  3

  426

  688,420.16

  Devon & Cornwall

  3

  799

  1,602,005.03

  Dorset

  0

  434

  898,257.57

  Dumfries and Galloway

  3

  44

  79,131.35

  Durham

  4

  219

  404,494.49

  Dyfed

  3

  265

  396,507.96

  Essex

  13

  1,109

  2,402,148.43

  Fife

  0

  82

  99,228.10

  Gloucestershire

  0

  236

  399,091.11

  Grampian

  0

  207

  324,828.05

  Greater Manchester

  6

  844

  1,740,952.71

  567

  Outstanding Claims

  Name of force

  Option A/B

  Option C

  Amount paid £

  Gwent

  0

  281

  441,227.32

  Hampshire

  4

  865

  1,496,682.03

  Hertfordshire

  1

  483

  931,438.04

  Humberside

  3

  317

  563,867.62

  Kent

  4

  998

  1,587,223.61

  Lancashire

  1

  601

  1,674,785.43

  Leicestershire

  9

  236

  1,283,815.89

  Lincolnshire

  0

  350

  543,710.63

  Lothian & Borders

  2

  211

  414,950.32

  Merseyside

  3

  541

  1,090,965.34

  Metropolitan MPI

  0

  141

  310,062.30

  Metropolitan MP2

  4

  658

  1,806,678.30

  Metropolitan MP3

  17

  766

  1,371,445.05

  Metropolitan MP4

  8

  848

  1,553,036.46

  Metropolitan MP5

  9

  744

  1,203,243.53

  Norfolk

  5

  420

  841,820.92

  North Wales

  3

  300

  1,120,196.81

  North Yorkshire

  10

  352

  2,133,358.23

  Northamptonshire

  2

  181

  595,426.78

  Northern

  2

  190

  366,290.08

  Northumbria

  1

  457

  542,259.71

  Nottinghamshire

  4

  459

  1,183,314.05

  South Wales

  3

  606

  1,061,723.07

  South Yorkshire

  22

  440

  849,971.62

  Staffordshire

  2

  444

  824,134.20

  Strathclyde

  6

  511

  698,078.86

  Suffolk

  0

  540

  560,093.40

  Surrey

  3

  571

  1,256,143.54

  Sussex

  12

  673

  1,158,589.52

  Tayside

  0

  131

  215,043.15

  Thames Valley

  11

  1,127

  3,785,513.43

  Warwickshire

  1

  260

  297,773.69

  West Mercia

  8

  598

  1,188,137.34

  West Midlands

  8

  680

  1,640,524.38

  West Yorkshire

  17

  640

  1,734,827.23

  Wiltshire

  1

  279

  488,043.13

  Mediation UK
  Mr. Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what level of financial and other support his Department plans to provide to Mediation UK in the current financial year. [44948]

  Mr. Michael
  No application has been made by Mediation UK for financial support for this financial year. Mediation UK have met Home Office officials to discuss a possible application for financial support for 1999–2000 and I have also listened to local representatives of Mediation UK to consider their work.

  Foreign Nationals (Drug Offences)
  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many foreign nationals were serving a prison sentence in England and Wales in each of the last five years; and what percentage were serving prison sentences for drug offences. [45158]

  Ms Quin
  The available information is for the prison population as at 30 June each year and is given in the table. A more detailed breakdown of sentenced prisoners, by nationality, ethnicity and type of offence, is published 568
  annually in "Prison Statistics England and Wales" (Table 9.5 of the 1996 edition, CM 3732), copies of which are available in the Library.

  Number of sentenced foreign nationals in prisons in England and Wales, and proportion serving sentences for drugs offences, as at 30 June 1993–97

  As at 30 June

  Number of sentenced foreign nationals

  Proportion serving sentences for drugs offences (%)

  1993

  2,298

  30

  1994

  2,309

  34

  1995

  2,616

  34

  1996

  2,867

  35

  19971

  3,250

  36

  1 Provisional

PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL

  Drug Testing Kits
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the President of the Council what action has been taken during the UK Presidency of the European Union in respect of the manufacture and distribution of(a) ecstasy and (b) other drug testing kits. [44162]

  Mr. George Howarth
  I have been asked to reply.

  No specific work on the general availability of drug testing kits for Ecstasy or other drugs has been undertaken at European Union level during the United Kingdom Presidency. The manufacture and distribution of such kits is essentially a matter for individual member states in accordance with their domestic legislation.

  As far as the application of drug testing equipment to law enforcement purposes is concerned, the European Commission is taking forward a research project to identify the requirements for roadside drug testing equipment, which will make a comparative assessment of existing equipment or prototypes. The project is expected to start before the end of 1998.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Millennium Line
  Mr. Linton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to announce the preferred route for the Millennium Line. [44088]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I understand that the Chelsea—Hackney Line has been described as the Millennium Line.

  The scheme will be examined in the light of our current work on transport integration, the development of a Greater. London Authority incorporating a London Transport Authority and our consideration of transport priorities for London.

  Leasehold Commercial Premises
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what
  569
  information he collates on the proportion of leasehold commercial premises which receive individual fuel bills based upon occupancy levels. [44382]

  Mr. Raynsford
  My right hon. Friend does not collate information on the proportion of leasehold commercial premises which receive individual fuel bills based on occupancy levels.

  Housing Corporation
  Ms Jenny Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the current annual salary of(a) the Chief Executive of the Housing Corporation and (b) the regional directors of the Housing Corporation. [44421]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The salary of the Chief Executive of the Housing Corporation is derived from Pay Bands 7 and 9 for senior civil servants. The current annual salary is £96,456 (effective from 8 April 1998). In addition, the Chief Executive is eligible for consideration of an annual performance bonus of up to 15 per cent. of current salary, and provision of a car valued for tax purposes at £6,953.

  The salaries for Regional Directors of the Housing Corporation are derived from Pay Bands 1 and 3 for senior civil servants and all fall within the range of £47,633 to £67,515. In addition they are each provided with the use of a car.

  Ms Jenny Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the annual running costs of(a) the head office of the Housing Corporation and (b) the West Midlands regional office of the Housing Corporation in (i) 1994, (ii) 1995, (iii) 1996 and (iv) 1997. [44420]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The information requested is as shown:

  Annual running costs outturn

  £ million

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  1997–98

  Headquarters

  16.6

  17.0

  16.2

  15.8

  West Midlands

  1.3

  1.2

  1.2

  1.3

  Pennine Bridleway
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on funding of the Pennine Bridleway route as far as Kirkby Stephen. [44854]

  Angela Eagle
  Funding for the Pennine Bridleway, including the proposed northern extension, comes from the Countryside Commission's budget.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will place in the Library a complete list of all those in Cumbria who may be owners or have an interest in the land which may be subject to one of the possible routes of the Pennine Bridleway. [44857]

  Angela Eagle
  The Countryside Commission, for reasons of confidentiality, does not publicise the names of those participating in its informal consultations on National Trail proposals.
  570
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish each of the possible routes for the Pennine Bridleway which has been identified by the Countryside Commission. [44858]

  Angela Eagle
  The Countryside Commission is still conducting informal consultations over possible routes for the Pennine Bridleway northern extension. Once the Commission begins its formal consultation, it will publish the proposed route. The route of the Pennine Bridleway between Carsington Reservoir, Derbyshire, and Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria, was approved by the Secretary of State in 1995.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what information he has received from the Countryside Commission on their plans for the Pennine Bridleway in Cumbria; and if he will make a statement. [44855]

  Angela Eagle
  I understand that the Countryside Commission is currently undertaking informal consultations on the route of the proposed northern extension of the Pennine Bridleway in Cumbria with a view to identifying a single route for formal consultation later this year. We expect that a proposal will be put to the Secretary of State next year.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the parish councils through which the proposed Pennine Bridleway might pass in Cumbria. [44856]

  Angela Eagle
  The route of the proposed Pennine Bridleway in Cumbria might pass through the following parish councils:

  Midgeholme

  Farlam

  Castle Carrock

  Cumrew

  Ainstable

  Kirkoswald and Renwick

  Glassonby

  Ousby

  Culgaith

  Milburn

  Long Marton

  Dufton

  Murton

  Warcop

  Musgrave

  Appleby

  Bandleyside

  Soulby

  Waitby

  Ravenstonedale.

  Transport Council
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Crewe and Nantwich (Mrs. Dunwoody) of 24 March 1998,Official Report, columns 85–86, on the Transport Council, which delegates requested a study into the employment effect of

  571
  the abolition of duty free; and which Ministers expressed regret at the reasoned opinions sent to the member states by the Commission on the EC/US air transport negotiations. [44891]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Discussion on the abolition of duty free was prompted by a proposal from the Irish delegation. The right hon. Member's question on EC/US air transport negotiations was not one on which formal votes were taken in the Council, and there is therefore no official record of the stance taken by delegations on it.

  Housing Policy Guidance (Cumbria)
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish housing policy guidance for Cumbria including the Government's estimate of the additional housing required. [44860]

  Mr. Raynsford
  We have recently issued to all housing authorities guidance for the 1998 Housing Investment Programme round, which includes advice on housing policy, designed to assist authorities in developing their own strategies appropriate to the needs of their area.

  Housing figures for Cumbria, based on 1992 household projections, were issued in Regional Planning Guidance for the North West (RPG13) in May 1996. These figures were an average annual net addition of 1,500 per year between 1991 and 2011, making a total of 30,000 new dwellings. These were allocated between the individual districts in Cumbria by the County Council in its Structure Plan which covers the years 1991–2006 and was adopted in July 1995.

  Housing Stock Renovation
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to assist with the renovation of housing stock in(a) Eden, (b) Carlisle and (c) Allerdale districts. [44845]

  Mr. Raynsford
  In common with housing authorities across the country, Eden, Carlisle and Allerdale receive resource allocations under the Housing Investment Programme for that purpose. In addition, Carlisle and Allerdale also benefit from the Capital Receipts Initiative. Allocations for the year 1998–99 are as follows:

  £

  Housing investment programme

  Capital receipts initiative

  Allerdale

  1,884,000

  713,000

  Carlisle

  1,543,000

  1,240,000

  Eden

  799,000

  Nil

  Eden does not receive resources from the Capital Receipts Initiative since it is a "debt free" authority, and is therefore, unlike most authorities, able to use any capital receipts it generates to invest directly according to its local priorities.

  In addition, the Government have acknowledged the particular need to address investment on Allerdale's Salterbeck estate by this year approving Estates Renewal Challenge Fund bid, with provisional approval being given grant to just under £4m over the next three years.

  Rivers (SSSI Status)
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list each river in England and Wales which is proposed for SSSI status. [44844]

  Angela Eagle
  I will ask the Chief Executives of English Nature and the Countryside Council for Wales to write to the right hon. Member.

  Road Signs
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to(a) evaluate and (b) introduce the Scottish Strungbow type road signs. [44861]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  These signs indicate that road users can leave and rejoin a main road via a bypassed town or village. They were included in the Traffic Signs Regulations 1994, and can therefore be used by English traffic authorities as appropriate.

  Mr. Prior
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on proposals for reducing the number of road signs in rural areas. [44482]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  It is for the relevant highway authority to decide how many signs are necessary or appropriate in the light of local circumstances. The hon. Member will know, from the debate he initiated on 18 March 1998,Official Report, column 1258–61, that studies are underway which are intended to produce researched recommendations on good design practice for rural traffic management. The CTMG demonstration projects, announced by the Minister for Transport on 31 March 1998, Official Report, column 494–95, include an assessment of the effects of removing or repositioning signs from roads on Dartmoor, but the results are not expected to be published before the end of next year.

  Mr. Prior
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the restrictions on the use of fibre optic traffic signs. [44483]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  All traffic signs used in this country must conform with the requirements of the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 1994 (SI 1519) or be specially authorised by the Secretary of State. The TSRGD do not specify any particular technology for variable signs, but fibre optic and other light emitting signs are required to meet the Secretary of State's requirements for optical performance and safety. New designs of light emitting variable signs, actuated by vehicles travelling at excessive speed, have been specially authorised at sites in North Norfolk and elsewhere as part of a monitored experiment, which is still in progress, to assess their effect on reducing speeds and improving safety.

  Carlisle Airport (Nuclear Material)
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received on flights of nuclear material out of Carlisle airport. [44878]
  573
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  My Department has received 6 such representations since May 1997.

  Channel Tunnel Rail Link
  Mr. Pickles
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the £140 million of new Government money for the Channel Tunnel Link becomes due, how much of it will depend on the completion of Phase II of the line. [44885]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  LCR expect to complete the CTRL by 2007. The sum of £140 million, the payment of which depends on Eurostar revenues, would not be payable before 2010—so it is not linked to any particular phase of CTRL construction.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the benefits for Coventry and the West Midlands region, from the proposed Channel Tunnel Rail Link via Stratford. [44723]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  My right hon. Friend took account of the evident enthusiasm for Regional Eurostar services including that from the West Midlands in reaching his recent agreement with LCR which he announced on 3 June 1998,Official Report, columns 367–70. He has asked the transport operator who will take responsibility for Eurostar (UK) Ltd to assess the feasibility of running regional services and report by the end of the year.

  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what are the terms of Railtrack's option to build the second phase of the CTRL through London. [45410]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  It is intended that Railtrack shall be granted by LCR an exclusive option to commit to purchase the assets relating to the second phase of construction of the CTRL; that this option must be exercised no later than 1 July 2003; and that in the event that Railtrack does not exercise that option, LCR will be obliged to find another third party, or complete the second phase itself.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the new agreement on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link makes provision for sleeper services running on the link; and if he will make a statement. [44672]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The deal announced by my right hon. Friend on 3 June 1998,Official Report, columns 367–70, does not involve provisions for sleeper services. In July 1997 European Night Services Ltd. announced that they had dropped their plans for services from the regions to Paris. I understand that the Joint Venture have no plans for sleeper services.

  Heathrow-Paris Eurostar Service
  Mr. Pickles
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how long it is estimated the journey time will take from Heathrow to Paris by the proposed new service announced by the Eurostar consortium; [44886]
  574
  (2) if the proposed rail service between Heathrow and Paris by the Eurostar consortium is intended to connect with any French airport; [44888]

  (3) which rail lines the service between Heathrow and Paris by the Eurostar consortium will use; and what rail services currently use those rail lines; [44884]

  (4) how frequent the rail service between Heathrow and Paris by the Eurostar consortium will be. [44887]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  My right hon. Friend announced on 3 June 1998,Official Report, columns 367–70, that the Eurostar operator intends to run services from Heathrow through the Channel Tunnel from 2001. Precise routes, service patterns and journey times have yet to be defined.

  Travellers
  Ms Ward
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to amend legislation relating to travellers; and if he will make a statement. [44604]

  Mr. Raynsford
  My Department has no plans to amend sections 77 to 80 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 which give local authorities powers to deal with unauthorised camping, and which repealed local authorities' duty to provide sites and the Secretary of State's power to pay grant for such sites.

  My Department is committed to issuing good practice advice to local authorities on unauthorised camping, and it is proposed to launch this on 29 October at a conference organised by the National Association of Gipsy and Traveller Officers in Coventry.

  Energy Efficiency
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he plans to take to impose obligations on fuel suppliers to give advice on energy efficiency; and if he will make a statement. [44881]

  Angela Eagle
  The relevant regulators already require electricity and gas suppliers to provide customers, on request, with advice on energy efficiency. For the future, the Government's Green Paper "A Fair Deal for Consumers" proposes that Ministers will issue statutory guidance to the regulators on social, environmental and energy efficiency matters, including matters (such as advice to customers on energy efficiency) which are already dealt with in the present regulatory framework.

  Mobile Telecommunications
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many local authority refusals of planning permission for telecommunications masts were overturned on appeal by planning inspectors in the year 1997–98. [44951]

  Mr. Raynsford
  54 out of a total of 122 appeals made against local planning authority refusals for telecommunications masts/towers were allowed in the year 1997–98.
  575
  Mr. Prior
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement regarding the future development of the mobile telecommunications industry in rural areas. [44484]

  Mr. Raynsford
  This Government's general policy on telecommunications development is to facilitate the growth of telecommunications systems while protecting the environment. Mobile services are important to an efficient modern national telecommunications network. This will help bring considerable economic and social benefits to all parts of the country, including rural areas. The establishment of such a network should not, however, happen at disproportionate cost to the environment. For that reason, we announced our expectation that operators would provide evidence to local planning authorities that they have carefully considered the use of existing masts, buildings and other structures before seeking to erect any new mast.

  Local planning authorities continue to have the opportunity to exercise control over individual mast developments, whether that be through the consideration of a full planning application or the determination of a prior approval application under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995.

  Housing Benefit
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans she has to repeal those sections of the Local Government and Housing Act 1990 which require that housing benefit is paid from the housing revenue account of local authorities. [44946]

  Mr. Raynsford
  We are considering all aspects of housing finance as part of our Comprehensive Spending Review. We expect to announce conclusions from the Review in the summer.

  Building Regulations
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if, in the case of housing development, only the building regulations in force at the time of submission of a planning application apply to the construction, irrespective of the date of construction; [44902]

  (2) if the Government plan to make Part M of the Building Regulations apply to all buildings constructed after the making of the regulations, irrespective of the date of the planning consent. [44903]

  Mr. Raynsford
  [holding answer 8 June 1998]: I am aware of the cases in the hon. Member's constituency which have given rise to concern that housing developers may seek to use building control procedures to circumvent the changes I have announced that will apply Part M of the building regulations to new dwellings. I understand that two initial building control notices for a total of 12,000 houses will not now take effect. These related to land for which I understand there is no current prospect of planning permission for housing.

  I share the hon. Member's concern that building control procedures should not be used to circumvent the new requirements for access and facilities for disabled people.
  576
  The general position is that building work is subject to the requirements in force at the time the relevant building control notice is given.

  I have previously announced in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Basildon (Angela Smith) on 9 March 1998, Official Report, column 12, that I envisage an interval of one year between the publication of the new Part M requirements and the coming into effect of the Amendment Regulations. This would be to allow time for guidance to be developed in support of the new requirements and also to allow time for building workers to be trained in the new techniques that will be necessary.

  Against that background, I am considering what steps to take to ensure an effective transfer to the new Part M requirements following the coming into force of the new regulations.

  Second Homes
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made into the impact of second homes on the supply of local housing. [44932]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Survey of English Housing conducted annually for my Department indicates that about 200,000 households with their main residence in England also own or rent a second home in England. That figure excludes households whose second home is the main residence of another household, and households with a second home which they intend to sell.

  Local authorities should take account of second homes in their assessments of housing need. These assessments inform authorities' housing strategies (including empty homes strategies where they exist) and development plans.

  Mr. Prior
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much council tax is currently raised from second-home owners. [44488]

  Mr. Raynsford
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer my hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government and Housing gave to the hon. Member for St. Ives (Mr. George) on 9 June 1998,Official Report, column 509.

  Mr. Prior
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the impact of the 50 per cent. reduction in council tax for second-home owners. [44487]

  Mr. Raynsford
  If a local authority has a high proportion of second homes that receive a 50 per cent. discount, and therefore a reduced tax base, it will receive more grant to compensate. Contrary to some of the concerns that have been expressed, the level of council tax bills paid by local residents will therefore not be affected unless the local authority is spending above the "standard spending" level fixed by Government as a basis for distributing grant. We have received a number of representations about the council tax and second/holiday homes. We are considering these and will set out our proposals in a White Paper this summer.

  Kent County Council
  Mr. Wyatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many staff have been made redundant by Kent County Council as a result of the creation of the new Medway Unitary Authority in the year 1997–98; and how many will be made redundant in 1998–99. [44213]

  Mr. Raynsford
  [holding answer 8 June 1998]: I understand from Kent County Council that, as a result of local government reorganisation, 330 of their staff were made redundant in 1997–98 and fewer than 50 are expected to be made redundant in 1998–99.

  Radioactive Material (Transport)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many crashes occurred involving(a) road vehicles, (b) aircraft and (c) trains carrying radioactive material in the United Kingdom in 1997 and 1998 to date. [44986]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The numbers of such crashes notified to the Department are:

  Year

  Number

  (a)

  1997

  3

  1998

  none to date

  (b)

  1997

  none

  1998

  none to date

  (c)

  1997

  none

  1998

  3 to date

  In none of these crashes was there any loss of radioactive material from any package.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if it is the Government's policy not to limit the number of movements of radioactive material by air provided International Atomic Energy Agency standards are met. [44959]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 14 July 1997,Official Report, column 15.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what procedures are currently in place to ensure the safe transportation of mixed oxide plutonium within the United Kingdom. [44724]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Mixed Oxide Fuel and plutonium, in common with all radioactive materials, are subject to the following regulations:

  Road
  The Radioactive Material (Road Transport) (Great Britain) Regulations 1996 (SI 1996 No. 1350).
  The Radioactive Substances (Carriage by Road) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1983 (SR 1983 No. 344).
  The Radioactive Substances (Carriage by Road) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1986 (SR 1986 No. 61).
  578
  Sea
  The Merchant Shipping (Dangerous Goods and Marine Pollutants) Regulations 1990 (SI 1990 No. 2605); Merchant Shipping Notice No. M 1620, "The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Marine Pollutants in Packaged Form on Ships".

  Air
  The Air Navigation (No. 2) Order 1995 SI No. 1970. The Air Navigation (Dangerous Goods) Regulations 1994 SI No. 3187 and Amendment 1996 SI No. 3100.

  Ports
  The Dangerous Substances in Harbour Areas Regulations 1987 (SI 1987 No. 37).

  Rail
  The Packaging, Labelling and Carriage of Radioactive Material by Rail Regulations (RAMRail) 1996 (SI 1996 No. 2090): Approved Requirements for the packaging, labelling and carriage of radioactive material by rail 1996 Edition. The Carriage of Dangerous Goods (Classification, Packaging and Labelling) and Use of Transportable Pressure Receptacles Regulations (CDGCPL) 1996 (SI 1996 No. 2092).

  Inland Waterways
  British Waterways Board Terms and Conditions: Dangerous Goods BWB 1981, and Schedule of Dangerous Goods ("The Green Book") BWB 1981 (Class 7).

  Merchant Seamen (Sickness)
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what legal requirements merchant shipping employees on sick leave were required to fulfil in June 1991 when returning to work offshore after instructions from their employer; [45033]

  (2) what legal requirements employers of merchant seamen were required to fulfil in June 1991 when instructing employees on sick leave to return to work offshore; [45034]

  (3) if he will make a statement on amendments made since 1986 to Merchant Shipping Notice No. 1536 and Merchant Shipping Notice No. 1331 in respect of diseases of the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum; [45035]

  (4) what Health and Safety Executive regulations, relating to record keeping, were in force in May 1991 in respect of the transfer of sick merchant seamen to oil platforms in the United Kingdom sector of the North Sea. [45037]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  In terms of Merchant Shipping (Medical Examination) Regulations 1983, applicable in 1991, a seafarer cannot be employed on a ship covered by the Regulations unless he holds a valid medical fitness certificate. Under Merchant Shipping legislation, there are no specific or additional requirements relating to return to work after sick leave.

  Merchant Shipping Notice M1536, which listed doctors approved by the Secretary of State to carry out seafarer medicals, and M1331, setting out the medical standards for seafarers, have both been updated. While the medical fitness standards have been kept under review by the Department's medical advisers, no change has been made in respect of diseases of the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum.

  There were no regulations relating to record keeping for the transfer of sick merchant seamen to oil platforms in the United Kingdom sector of the North Sea, although

  579
  the offshore Installations (Logbooks and Registration of Deaths) Regulations 1972 required a record to be kept of all persons arriving at or departing from an installation.

  LCR and Eurostar
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many representatives of Government there will be on the Board of LCR and the Eurostar management company; and if their rights, duties and responsibilities will be the same in company law as the private sector directors. [45403]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  It is not intended that there will be any Government appointments to the Board of either LCR or the Eurostar management company.

  Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty
  Mr. Prior
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps his Department is taking to protect areas of outstanding natural beauty from overdevelopment; and if he will make a statement. [44478]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Planning Policy Guidance note 7 affords special protection from development to Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, along with other statutorily designated areas. Policies in structure and local plans and development control decisions should in general favour conservation of the natural beauty of the landscape. It would normally be inconsistent with the aims of designation to permit the siting of major industrial or commercial development in these areas. Only proven national interest and lack of alternative sites can justify an exception.

  Sites of Special Scientific Interest
  Mr. Prior
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the sites of special scientific interest in the United Kingdom distinguishing those which are in(a) England and (b) Norfolk. [44489]

  Angela Eagle
  As at 5 June 1998 there were 6,517 Sites of Special Scientific Interest in the United Kingdom. 3,991 in England and 155 in Norfolk. I shall arrange for a copy of the full list of sites to be placed in the Library of the House shortly.

  Local Government Reorganisation
  Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what resources he will make available under the local government reorganisation costs scheme to Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council for reorganisation costs incurred by them in 1998–99; and if he will make a statement. [45432]

  Ms Armstrong
  Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council did not submit a bid at the initial stage of the Local Government Reorganisation Costs Scheme for 1998–99. They have since identified £400,000 of costs that are eligible under the scheme. After careful consideration, I have decided that it would be appropriate to allocate a maximum amount of £400,000 to Redcar and Cleveland Council to cover these costs in full.

  Regional Airports
  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what changes he has decided to make to his policy on international access to regional airports in the United Kingdom following the consultation exercise on this issue earlier in the year. [45433]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Government wish to encourage international access to regional airports by pursuing a policy of liberalisation. We have decided that open access to all UK airports, except Heathrow and Gatwick, should be offered to all of our bilateral air services partners, provided that UK airlines are also allowed to operate on the same routes. My officials will be writing to all of our bilateral partners where such access is not already available with details of this change of policy.

  This change in policy will allow both UK airlines and the airlines of the country concerned to operate to and from that country on such routes without restrictions on capacity or frequency, and without the need for international aviation negotiations to establish such services. This will enable UK and foreign airlines to plan the development of services with confidence that future growth will not be limited by bilateral restrictions.

  Air Quality Standards
  Mr. Leslie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress has been made on the finance, management and policy review of the Expert Panel on Air Quality Standards. [45745]

  Mr. Meacher
  My Department has completed the first stage of the review, and we have decided to continue to sponsor the Expert Panel on Air Quality Standards. In the light of new evidence emerging on the effects of air pollution, and of growing interest in pollutants not yet covered by the Panel, we believe that the need for expert advice on these issues remains. The Expert Panel is best placed to provide that advice. The Expert Panel has served the Department extremely well over the last five years, and we are grateful for its very significant contribution to the development of air quality policy over the last five years.

  The Department will now review how the Panel should operate in future, looking at all aspects of its management, including its membership and working procedures and at its work programme for the next five years.

SCOTLAND

  Direct Labour and Services Organisations
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will list by authority and service area the recorded deficits made by local authority direct labour or services organisations in Scotland that have failed to meet the rate-of-return requirements under the terms of the Local Government (Planning and Land) Act 1980 and the Local Government Act 1988 in(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97 and (c) 1997–98 in (i) cash and (ii) constant prices; [43907]
  581
  (2) if he will list by authority and service area the surplus achieved by local authority direct labour or services organisations in Scotland for those services covered under the terms of the Local Government (Planning and Land) Act 1980 and the Local Government Act 1988 in (a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97 and (c) 1997–98 in (i) cash and (ii) constant prices. [43908]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 3 June 1998]: I have arranged for a detailed list, taken from annual reports submitted by authorities, of the surpluses and deficits achieved by direct labour and direct service organisations of Scottish local authorities in 1995–96 to be placed in the Library. A partial list is provided for 1996–97. This covers the authorities for which annual reports have been received. Information for 1997–98 is not yet available.

  I am committed to ensuring local authority direct labour and direct service organisations achieve efficiency and value for money. Direct labour and direct service organisations exist to provide quality services competitively and I shall not hesitate to use my powers to deal with those who fail to perform as they should.

  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the total cost of the investigation which he has ordered into the financial affairs of the direct labour organisations in all Scottish local authorities. [44707]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 8 June 1998]: The cost of the inquiries which are being undertaken by my Department and by the Accounts Commission for Scotland will be met within existing public expenditure provision.

  Arts Sponsorship
  Mr. Sarwar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to promote business sponsorship of the arts. [44203]

  Mr. Galbraith
  The Government fully recognise the importance of business sponsorship of the arts, which brings a range of benefits both to the sponsor and to the sponsored organisation.

  Active encouragement is given to businesses to sponsor the arts, mainly through Government funding of the Association for Business Sponsorship of the Arts Pairing Scheme, which provides financial awards to arts organisations which have secured sponsorship for individual projects. The Government also provide financial support for specific initiatives which aim to bring relevant business skills and improved management capabilities to arts organisations.

  Unemployment
  Mrs. Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many and what percentage of registered unemployed among 18 to 25 year olds in(a) Dundee, (b) Perth and Kinross and (c) Angus found work and signed off as unemployed in (i) January, (ii) February, (iii) March and (iv) April in each year since 1986. [43411]

  Mr. Dewar
  [holding answer 4 June 1998]: Data on the destination of leavers from the claimant count are available from the Office for National Statistics for 1998 onwards for the areas requested. Information is not readily
  582
  available on the numbers aged 18 to 25 claiming unemployment related benefits and so the numbers who found work, in the table, are given for those aged 18 to 24.

  Number of 18 to 24 year olds, leaving the register and finding work1

  Unitary Authorities

  Dundee

  Perth and Kinross

  Angus

  January 1998

  55

  42

  46

  February 1998

  146

  108

  145

  March 1998

  137

  98

  117

  April 1998

  139

  93

  95

  1 Excluding clerical claims and claims with missing or invalid postcodes

  Source:

  Office for National Statistics

  The number of people aged 18 to 24 on the claimant count is available through the Nomis database in the House of Commons Library. Library staff are ready to assist in accessing the information.

  Fisheries Research
  Mrs. Ray Michie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what research he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into stocks of monkfish and megrim; and if he will make a statement about the future of fisheries research funding. [44806]

  Mr. Macdonald
  The Government are committed to ensuring that the monkfish and megrim fisheries are exploited on a sustainable basis, and are therefore expanding their programme of scientific research in this particular area. The Fisheries Research Services (FRS) Marine Laboratory in Aberdeen routinely samples landings of monkfish and megrim into Scotland, and participates in the annual stock assessments undertaken by the Advisory Committee on Fishery Management (ACFM). In addition, the FRS is this year initiating a new biennial survey of deep-water species such as these in the West of Scotland; and is next year undertaking a dedicated monkfish and megrim survey. The FRS and Scottish Fishermens Federation (SFF) are also liaising on further data collection, and on a possible EU-funded research project on the distribution and exploitation of monkfish and megrim.

  Overall the Government retain their commitment to the funding of fisheries research, as demonstrated by the introduction into service of the new research vessel Scotia.

  Road Accident Deaths
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on road accident deaths in Scotland. [44684]

  Mr. McLeish
  As part of a continuing programme of road safety research, The Scottish Office has commissioned, in the past 10 years, 6 research studies which have included consideration of road accident deaths. These studies, which are listed below, looked at all categories of road accident casualties from fatal to slight: none has looked only at deaths. All have been evaluated by The Scottish Office Central Research Unit
  583
  except for the study on the circumstances of child pedestrian accidents, which is due for completion later this year.
  "Must Do Better"—A Study of Child Pedestrian Accidents and Road Crossing Behaviour in Scotland, published 1989;
  "The Pedestrian Casualty Problem in Scotland—Why So Many", published 1996;
  "Accidents at Signal Controlled Junctions and Pelican Crossings in Glasgow", published 1996;
  "Linking Road Traffic Accident Statistics to Census Data in Lothian", published 1996:
  "Impact of the Road Network on Scotland's Accident Rates", published 1997;
  "The Circumstances of Child Pedestrian Accidents", (not yet published).

  A Review of The Scottish Office Road Safety Research Programme 1989–97 was published in 1997 by The Scottish Office Central Research Unit.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Conditional Fee Agreements
  Mr. Cranston
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what net savings in legal aid will be achieved by the implementation of the Government's proposals to remove legal aid from personal injury work and other areas to which conditional fee agreements will apply. [44131]

  Mr. Hoon
  Our intention is neither to increase nor to reduce in real terms expenditure on legal aid. We have, of course, estimated what the effect on the fund's cashflow would be of removing legal aid from the categories suggested in the consultation paper, Access to Justice with Conditional Fees. These estimates are:

  1998–1999: £0 million

  1999–2000: -£69 million

  2000–2001: -£100 million.

  The saving would diminish in later years, when case costs would be recovered to benefit the fund.

  What we intend is, within a controlled legal aid budget overall, to re-focus limited resources on those most in need, particularly in the areas of social welfare law.

  Mr. Cranston
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what investigations his Department has carried out into the capacity of the Bar to do conditional fee agreement work. [44132]

  Mr. Hoon
  Barristers are already taking cases on a conditional fee basis. I, and my officials, have had several meetings with the Bar Council during the development of the proposals to extend the availability of conditional fee agreements. They have responded in detail to the consultation paper "Access to Justice with Conditional Fees", as have a number of other organisations representing banisters. These, together with all the other responses, are being carefully considered before decisions are taken.

  Fast-track System
  Mr. Cranston
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when the Government will make detailed proposals for the fast-track system. [44134]

  Mr. Hoon
  Detailed proposals for fast-track procedures were the subject of public consultation last summer. In the light of that consultation, rules of court have been drafted and considered by the Civil Procedure Rule Committee. Officials are currently placing the latest drafts of the rules on the website [http:www.open.gov.uk/lcd] of the Lord Chancellor's Department and these drafts should be available for viewing before the end of this month. I expect to make an announcement about a costs regime in the fast-track shortly.

  Civil Justice Reforms
  Mr. Cranston
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what resources the Government intends to provide to ensure adequate judicial training, management administration and technology for the effective implementation of Lord Woolf s proposals. [44133]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Judicial Studies Board estimated that it would require £400,000 this financial year to fund the training of the full-time judiciary in the civil justice reforms. The Board also bid for £256,000 in the next financial year to train the part-time judiciary. These sums have been allocated.

  The introduction of IT to other areas of administrative work in the civil courts will release staff to support the introduction of the Civil Justice Reforms in April 1999.

  The cost of technological support has been provided for in the Court Service's expenditure plans although the exact amounts have yet to be finalised. It is currently involved in negotiations with its IT supplier. I am not prepared to jeopardise those negotiations by disclosing indicative costs.

TREASURY

  No. 11 Downing Street (Receptions)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many receptions have been held at No. 11 Downing Street for members of regional Labour parties; what was the total cost of such receptions; and who paid for them. [44218]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  I refer to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Gordon (Mr. Bruce), on 26 February 1998,Official Report, column 358.

  Economic and Monetary Union
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what steps his Department took to establish whether the adjusted Italian gross domestic product figures used in calculating Italy's convergence performance under the Maastricht criteria were accurate; [44371]
  585
  (2) what factors were taken into account by the European Commission in estimating the size of the underground economy in Italy when determining its gross domestic product to national debt ratio. [44370]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Under Council Directive 89/130/EEC, all Member States submit to the Commission (Statistical Office of the European Communities) data on gross domestic product according to the European System of Accounts (ESA 1979). As set out in Council Regulation (EC) No. 3605/93, these ESA 1979 data are used as the denominator for calculating the Maastricht definition of deficit and debt ratios.

  Bank of England
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what profit the Bank of England has derived from seigniorage on notes and coin issued in each of the last 10 years. [44452]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Any profits 'derived' from the note issues are not retained by the Bank of England but are paid to the Treasury. The profits of note issue for each of the last ten years are:

  Year

  £ million

  1988–89

  1,368

  1989–90

  1,905

  1990–91

  2,546

  1991–92

  1,875

  1992–93

  1,556

  1993–94

  1,117

  1994–95

  967

  1995–96

  1,294

  1996–97

  1,218

  1997–98

  1,528

  Note:

  Year to end February

  The Bank of England does not issue coins thus has no seigniorage on these.

  Euro
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals his Department has to adopt the European Parliament's Captain Euro publicity in respect of the preparations for the introduction of the euro. [45154]

  Mrs. Liddell
  HM Treasury has no plans at present to adopt the Captain Euro publicity in respect of the preparations for the introduction of the euro.

  Public Sector Borrowing Requirement
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when, and under what authority, the Office for National Statistics was given the duty of determining the allocation of expenditure to the PSBR. [44720]

  Mrs. Liddell
  In the mid-1960s, when estimates of borrowing started to be produced for the public sector as a whole, a joint technical group of officials from Treasury, the Central Statistical Office, the Bank of England and some other Government Departments was set up to consider issues of definition, classification and measurement. Such matters remain the responsibility of the technical committee. The Office for National Statistics determines what constitutes the public sector by reference 586
  to international standards for national accounts. The PSBR figures are produced jointly by the Office for National Statistics and the Treasury.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the guidance on the basis of which the Office for National Statistics determines whether expenditure incurred by or on behalf of the Government and any of its agents or partners is to be part of the public sector borrowing requirement. [44721]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The principles used are set out in Treasury Working Paper 61 of December 1993. To summarise them, cash expenditure by any part of the public sector determines the PSBR, except when such expenditure is the repayment of debt incurred by Government. As explained in my reply to an earlier question (ref: 3658N), the definition of the PSBR is the joint responsibility of the Office for National Statistics and the Treasury. The Office for National Statistics determines what constitutes the public sector by reference to international standards for national accounts.

  Inheritance Tax
  Mr. Derek Twigg
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to raise the limit below which delivery of an inheritance tax account is not required for administering a deceased person's estate. [45539]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Inland Revenue has today laid Regulations increasing the limit from £180,000 to £200,000. The increased limit will come into operation on 1 July 1998, for estates of persons dying on or after 6 April 1998. It will simplify the administration of some 5,000 estates.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Sierra Leone
  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) when she was first informed of the involvement of Sandline International in Sierra Leone; [42300]

  (2) when her Private Office was first informed of the involvement of Sandline International in operations in Sierra Leone; [42304]

  (3) when she was first informed of the existence of the Customs and Excise investigation into the involvement of Sandline International in operations in Sierra Leone; [42302]

  (4) when her Private Office was first informed of the existence of the Customs and Excise investigation into the involvement of Sandline International in operations in Sierra Leone; [42298]

  (5) what meetings she or her officials have had with representatives of Sandline International since May 1997; [41940]

  (6) when she was informed of possible breaches of the UN Security Council Resolution 1132 concerning Sierra Leone; [41942]

  (7) what contacts officials in her Department have had with representatives of Sandline International. [41939]
  587
  Clare Short
  I refer the right hon. Gentleman to the speech by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in the House on 18 May 1998,Official Report, columns 604–11, in which he announced the investigation by Sir Thomas Legg KCB QC into allegations about Government involvement with the supply of arms to Sierra Leone by UK citizens and firms, and said that the Terms of Reference would be placed in the Library. The Foreign Secretary intends to publish the report of the investigation.

  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) when her Private Office was first informed of the plan for military intervention to restore the Government of President Kabbah of Sierra Leone; [42303]

  (2) when she was first informed of the plan for military intervention to restore the Government of President Kabbah of Sierra Leone. [42299]

  Clare Short
  The Government did not have prior knowledge of the military intervention by the Military Observer Group of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOMOG) of 5 February 1998.

  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what(a) British aid to Sierra Leone was delivered by and (b) deliveries of British aid to Sierra Leone were assisted by Sandline International or organisations hired on behalf of Sandline International. [41941]

  Clare Short
  None. Neither Sandline International nor any organisation acting on their behalf have assisted the delivery of British aid to Sierra Leone.

  Indigenous People
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the role of her Department in assisting the World Bank group in the promoting of dialogue between indigenous people and(a) project organisers and (b) private sector organisations. [41042]

  Clare Short
  The World Bank's indigenous peoples policy—first introduced in 1982 and revised in 1991—is currently being revised again as part of the programme of revisions to the Bank's Operational Policies (OPs). We have strongly encouraged the Bank to undertake wide consultation on its OPs, as we have for other areas of policy development and project implementation. We have

  Name of inquiry/review

  Name of chair

  Date of establishment

  Changing Roles Group (examining the prospective role of new health authorities)

  Joint chairs Jeremy Hallett and David Pritchard

  February 1995

  Child Care Procedures and Practice in North Wales

  Adrianne Jones

  December 1995

  The Environmental Impact of the Sea Empress Oil Spill (by the Sea Empress Environmental Evaluation Committee)

  Professor Ron Edwards CBE

  March 1996

  North Wales Child Abuse Allegations: investigation of papers

  Nicola Davies QC

  June 1996

  North Wales Child Abuse Tribunal

  Sir Ronald Waterhouse

  June 1996

  Welsh at Key Stage 4 in 10 secondary schools

  Rudi Plaut

  July 1997

  588
  also played a leading role in helping the Bank to increase its capacity to address social development issues, including those relating to indigenous peoples.

  The Bank has prepared an Approach Paper outlining the revision process, and is currently designing a consultation strategy for stakeholder input—including that from indigenous peoples and their organisations. Consultation will take place over several months. We expect the revised policy to include guidance for private sector investments, drawing on the experience of the recently established Social Unit in the International Financial Corporation (IFC) and the Bank's Social Development Department, which undertakes training for Bank, IFC and Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) staff on indigenous peoples and economic development.

  Debt Relief
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the progress made at the recent G8 summit in Birmingham in relation to the redemption of debt of developing countries; and if she will make a statement. [44993]

  Clare Short
  At the G8 Summit in Birmingham on 15–17 May, we made useful progress in speeding up the implementation of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) debt Initiative. The Communiqué set out the objective of getting all those countries which need debt relief under the Initiative, likely to be around 20 in number, into the process by the year 2000. This constitutes a significant step towards meeting the aims of the Government's Mauritius Mandate. And following a British initiative, the Summit also agreed on the need to look at ways of providing more and earlier debt relief to help heavily indebted post-conflict countries. We shall be pressing in all appropriate forums for the implementation of these targets.

WALES

  Reviews
  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list, for each of the last four years, the departmental inquiries and reviews instigated by Ministers which have been chaired by individuals outside his Department; and in each case if he will give the date of establishment and the name of the chairman. [44367]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  The information is listed as follows:
  589

  Name of inquiry/review

  Name of chair

  Date of establishment

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy Inquiry (joint with other departments)

  Lord Justice Phillips

  December 1997

  Review of the National Curriculum

  Rudi Plaut

  January 1998

  Changing Roles Group (examining the prospective role of new health authorities)

  Joint chairs Jeremy Hallett and David Pritchard

  February 1995

  Child Care Procedures and Practice in North Wales

  Adrianne Jones

  December 1995

  The Environmental Impact of the Sea Empress Oil Spill (by the Sea Empress Environmental Evaluation Committee)

  Professor Ron Edwards CBE

  March 1996

  North Wales Child Abuse Allegations: investigation of papers

  Nicola Davies QC

  June 1996

  North Wales Child Abuse Tribunal

  Sir Ronald Waterhouse

  June 1996

  Welsh at Key Stage 4 in 10 secondary schools

  Rudi Plaut

  July 1997

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy Inquiry (joint with other departments)

  Lord Justice Phillips

  December 1997

  Review of the National Curriculum

  Rudi Plaut

  January 1998

  Economic and Monetary Union
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the effect of economic and monetary union on(a) the Welsh farming industry, (b) small businesses in Wales and (c) the Welsh economy as a whole. [44035]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  I am concerned that Welsh businesses and farmers should be well placed to meet the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities presented by the EMU. The Government are committed to helping businesses to adapt and are providing advice to businesses about the euro.

  Arts Funding
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was his subvention to(a) the National Orchestra of Wales, (b) the National Museum of Wales and (c) the principal theatres in Wales in 1997–98; and if he will make a statement. [44595]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  The information requested by my hon. Friend is as follows:

  (a) the Welsh Office does not provide direct support for the arts but does so through grant in aid to the Arts Council of Wales. In 1997–98 the Arts Council's grant to the BBC National Orchestra was £609,875;

  (b) Welsh Office direct grant in aid to the National Museum and Galleries of Wales was £12.3 million;

  (c) the Arts Council's grants to the mainstream producing theatres Wales in 1997–98 amounted to £1.4 million.

  Orchestras
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his policy on support for regional orchestras; and if he will make a statement. [44593]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  Welsh Office support for music is channelled through the Arts Council of Wales. The Arts Council's music budget for 1998–99 has been set at
  590
  £3.5 million. Out of this, the Arts Council funds the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and the orchestra of the Welsh National Opera.

  Millennium Projects
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the millennium projects in North East Wales, indicating their locations and his Department's support for each; and if he will make a statement. [44597]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  My Department does not provide direct financial support for millennium projects. However, the following projects in North East Wales have been awarded grants by the Millennium Commission, which is sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport:

  St. Cynfarch and St. Cyngar Church

  Floodlighting, Wrexham: £16,882

  Erbistock Village Hall, Wrexham: £27,300

  Ceiriog Centenary Hall, Llanarmon, Wrexham: £143,000

  Section of the Sustrans National Cycle

  Network: £468,000.

  Projects in North East Wales are also being considered for Millennium Commission grants for umbrella projects stretching across the United Kingdom.

  Theatres
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he has taken to assist regional theatre; and if he will make a statement. [44592]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  Welsh Office support for drama is channelled through the Arts Council of Wales. The Arts Council's drama budget for 1998–99 has been set at just over £3 million.

  Tourism
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list his initiatives for the development of tourism in(a) Wales, (b) North Wales and (c) North East Wales; and if he will make a statement. [44596]

  Mr. Hain
  We continue to fund the Wales Tourist Board's section 4 capital grant programme. The Board has targeted grant at resorts and historic towns in North Wales generating investment of £11.75 million over the past three years and is also involved in developing a new North Wales Regional Tourism Strategy. In North East Wales the Board has allocated £600,000 to support development in Denbigh and Ruthin with new initiatives likely to come from the new regional strategy.

  Government support also enables the Board to support tourism through marketing, product development, training, quality grading and research initiatives. The Board is soon to consult the industry on a new tourism strategy for the next century.

  Museums
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he has taken to assist the principal museums of Wales; and if he will make a statement. [44594]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  My Department provided funding of £12.3 million to the National Museums and Galleries of Wales in 1997–98. In addition, the Council of Museums in Wales, the body which represents non-national local museums throughout Wales, received £522,000 and a grant of £100,000 was made to the Big Pit mining museum at Blaenavon.

  Cricket Clubs
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales in what ways he has assisted cricket clubs in North Wales; what grants he has made; and if he will make a statement. [44598]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  Further to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend on 19 May 1998,Official Report, column 31, I understand that the Chief Executive of the Sports Council for Wales has written to my hon. Friend with details of all grants made to cricket clubs in Wales over the last five years. A copy of his letter has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Local Government Boundary Reviews
  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many local government boundary reviews being carried out under the current review process(a) have been completed and (b) are awaiting completion; when each of the outstanding reviews is due to be completed; and if the 1999 unitary council elections within all unitary authorities will take place within the new local government boundaries. [43491]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  Following local government reorganisation 2 boundary reviews were completed in February 1996 by the Local Government Boundary Commission. A further boundary review is being undertaken by the Commission, and is expected to be completed by Spring 1999. The 1999 local government 592
  elections will take account of the 2 boundary reviews completed in February 1996. It will not be possible to take account of the most recent boundary review in time for these elections.

  In addition to these boundary reviews the Commission is undertaking a review of the electoral arrangements in all Welsh local authorities following local government reorganisation. It has submitted 14 reports to the Secretary of State to date, and a further report is expected shortly. The final 7 reports have yet to be completed. The outstanding reports have to be submitted to the Secretary of State by 1 December 1999. The Secretary of State is still considering whether these reports should be implemented in time for the May 1999 elections, in the context of his consultation on the modernisation agenda for local government.

  Housing
  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many local authority houses in Wales were assessed to be unfit for human habitation(a) in total and (b) by local authority in 1997. [43494]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  Information is not available for 1997. The latest Welsh House Condition Survey was conducted in 1993. From this, it is estimated that 37,900 occupied local authority dwellings, 15.8 per cent. of the total, in Wales were unfit. Information on individual local authority areas is not available from the survey.

  The 1997 Welsh House Condition Survey is in progress. Information from this survey which will provide results for local authority areas is expected to be available later this year.

  House Renovation Grants
  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what sums were allocated by his Department to private sector renovation grants for the financial years(a) 1996–97 and (b) 1997–98. [43492]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The Department issued Supplementary Credit Approvals of £179.5 million in 1996–97 and £149.6 million in 1997–98 specifically for private sector renovation and disabled facilities grants. Further Supplementary Credit Approvals of £17 million in 1996–97 and £14 million in 1997–98 were issued for area renewal schemes. Authorities may additionally use part of their Basic Credit Approval or Supplementary Credit Approval issued under the Capital Receipts Initiative for individual grants and area renewal.

  Mr. Livsey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the level of spending by each local authority in Wales on (i) renovation grants, (ii) disabled facility grants, (iii) home repair grants, (iv) common parts grants, (v) conversional grants and (vi) empty home grants or their equivalent for the financial years(a) 1996–97 and (b) 1997–98. [43493]
  593
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The available information is given in the following table. Detailed information on the split of local authority expenditure for housing grants is not held centrally.

  Local authority expenditure on renovation and other housing grants

  £ million

  (a) 1996–97

  (b) Renovation grants

  (c) Other housing grants

  (b) (d) 1997–98 Renovation grants

  Blanenau Gwent

  5.3

  0.0

  4.9

  Bridgend

  6.0

  0.0

  5.8

  Caerphilly

  9.3

  1.2

  6.9

  Cardiff

  21.2

  0.0

  14.6

  Carmarthenshire

  13.2

  0.0

  13.2

  Ceredigion

  6.8

  0.0

  5.9

  Conwy

  4.0

  0.0

  4.4

  Denbighshire

  2.6

  0.0

  1.1

  Flintshire

  7.4

  0.0

  6.4

  Gwynedd

  7.8

  1.9

  9.0

  Isle of Anglesey

  3.8

  0.0

  4.4

  Merthyr Tydfil

  4.0

  0.0

  3.2

  Monmouthshire

  2.3

  0.0

  2.0

  Neath Port Talbot

  8.3

  0.0

  7.2

  Newport

  5.9

  0.0

  3.6

  Pembrokeshire

  7.2

  0.0

  7.7

  Powys

  7.3

  0.0

  7.6

  Rhondda Cynon Taff

  17.4

  0.0

  16.3

  Swansea

  11.0

  0.0

  10.2

  Torfaen

  2.5

  0.8

  2.9

  The Vale of Glamorgan

  5.0

  0.0

  4.2

  Wrexham

  5.5

  0.0

  5.8

  Wales

  163.8

  3.8

  147.2

  (a) Provisional outturn

  (b) Includes renovation, disabled facility, home repair, common parts grants and grants to homes in multiple occupancy

  (c) Includes all other housing grants

  (d) Local authority forecast. Information is not yet available for 'other' housing grants

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Export Credit Guarantees
  Ms Walley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to her answer of 7 April 1998,Official Report, column 159, and her letter of 7 May, if she will list the ECGD exposure which was not included in the original figure but included in the revised figure of £848 million. [43699]

  Mrs. Roche
  In my answer to my hon. Friend of 7 April I quoted a figure of £654 million as the level of ECGD's current exposure on Indonesia which is in respect of defence equipment. It subsequently emerged that this figure understated the actual total by £194 million as a result of an error in the computer programme which ECGD used when converting foreign currency liabilities into the total current exposure in sterling.

  As soon as the error was identified, I wrote to my hon. Friend advising her that the correct total was, in fact, £848 million.

  Export Licences
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many licences have been(a) granted and (b) refused since 1 May 1997 for the export of military goods to (1) Algeria, (2) Angola, (3) Bahrain, (4) Botswana, (5) Cambodia, (6) China, (7) Colombia, (8) Egypt, (9) Eritrea, (10) Ethiopia, (11) Georgia, (12) India, (13) Indonesia, (14) Jordan, (15) Kuwait, (16) Kenya, (17) Malaysia, (18) Mexico, (19) Morocco, (20) Mozambique, (21) Namibia, (22) Oman, (23) Pakistan, (24) Peru, (25) Qatar, (26) Saudi Arabia, (27) Singapore, (28) Sri Lanka, (29) Syria, (30) Turkey, (31) UAE, (32) Uganda, (33) Yemen, (34) Zambia and (35) Zimbabwe; and if she will specify the number of licences granted in each of the categories set out under Part III of Schedule 1 to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1989. [44040]

  Mrs. Roche
  [holding answer 3 June 1998]: The Export Control Organisation's computer databases have been interrogated, and the results are contained in tables which have been placed in the Library of the House.

  Post Office
  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to give the Post Office the commercial freedoms enjoyed by the(a) German Post Office and (b) Dutch Post Office. [44676]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  As announced by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade on 6 April 1998,Official Report, column 63, the current review of options that will best deliver greater commercial freedom for the Post Office is taking account of the ways in which overseas competitors and analogous organisations are facing, or being set up to face, the challenges of the changing market. We plan to present our proposals following the review in the Autumn; these will cover the extent and form of future commercial freedoms for the Post Office.

  Dounreay
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will establish an inquiry into the workings of Dounreay with specific reference to the reported loss of highly enriched uranium; and if she will make a statement. [44873]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 9 June 1998]: As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister reported to this House on 3 June 1998, Official Report, column 365, there is no evidence to suggest that enriched uranium from Dounreay has been stolen or has fallen into the hands of terrorists. The Safeguards Office of my department are studying the UKAEA report "Dounreay Shaft Inventory" and if they see any reason for further investigation I will of course ensure that the necessary work is put in hand. Since 1973, nuclear material accountancy at Dounreay and other nuclear sites in the UK has been subject to independent oversight by the Euratom Safeguards Directorate. In

  595
  addition, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) are already conducting a review of safety at Dounreay and I expect their findings to be made public.

  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the current estimated cost of refurbishment of the reprocessing facility at Dounreay to be used to process the uranium fuel recently received from Georgia; when the plant is expected to be ready; and what further foreign customers she expects to use the plant. [40670]

  Mr. Battle
  [pursuant to his reply, 11 May 1998, c. 32]: I need to amend the information that I gave to my hon. Friend then that unirradiated fuel amounts to 80 per cent. of the uranium fuel in the consignment received from Georgia.

  The correct percentage is 70. I have now been informed that the full details of the material from Georgia are as follows:
  The precise quantity of Highly Enriched Uranium (HEU) is: 4.125 kg of unirradiated material (which contains 3.7052 kg of Uranium-235); and 0.6191 kg of irradiated material (which contains 0.5537 kg of Uranium-235).
  The balance of the material is approximately 9.5 kg of low enriched uranium (LEU), which is not immediately weapons useable and therefore of less proliferation concern. The LEU

  Percentage

  Research council and year

  Project grants

  Programme grants

  Special grants

  Studentships1

  Fellowships

  Biotechnology and Biological Sciences

  1995

  27.9

  23.1

  26.3

  55

  n/a

  1996

  29.8

  25.8

  16.7

  54

  8.25

  1997

  31.3

  30.1

  24.5

  50

  8.55

  Engineering and Physical Sciences

  1995

  66.3

  —

  n/a

  78.6

  10.4

  1996

  46.0

  —

  n/a

  78.4

  9.5

  1997

  38.9

  —

  58.2

  76.7

  10.7

  Economic and Social

  1995

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  26

  n/a

  1996

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  25

  n/a

  1997

  17

  n/a

  n/a

  28

  n/a

  Medical

  1995

  37

  61

  n/a

  46

  20

  1996

  32

  59

  n/a

  46

  15

  1997

  26

  57

  n/a

  43

  16

  Natural Environment

  1995

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  10

  1996

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  16

  1997

  26

  21

  n/a

  n/a

  17

  Particle Physics and Astronomy

  1995

  59

  —

  n/a

  79

  9

  1996

  54

  —

  n/a

  84

  13

  1997

  67

  —

  n/a

  85

  9

  1 There are no data for the studentship applications because, with the exception of the ESRC research studentships, the Research Councils allocate studentships by quota to institutions which are responsible for the subsequent award. The figures given are therefore the percentage of studentships awarded to men, with the exception of the ESRC which shows the percentage of applications for research studentships by men which were successful

  Notes:

  1. The EPSRC and PPARC do not distinguish project from programme grants. In addition, the EPSRC figure for these grants and for the special grants is the percentage of applications by men in applications where the gender is known

  2. NERC figures for project grants represent NERC non-thematic (responsive) grants, and for programme grants NERC thematic (directed) grants

  3. The success rate for MRC programme grants relates to final applications rather than applications submitted

  4. Some Councils do not run special grants intended for new investigators, or are in only the first year of doing so
  596
  consists of 5.840kg of unirradiated material (which contains 0.584 kg of Uranium-235) and 3.7449 kg of irradiated material (which contains 0.3609 kg of Uranium-235).

  In summary therefore, the total quantity of Uranium received from Georgia was 14.329 kg—made up of LEU of 9.5 kg and as previously stated HEU of 5.0 kg.

  The irradiated material when it is eventually reprocessed will result in no more than two barrels of Intermediate Level Waste, again as previously stated.

  Research Councils
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to her answer of 14 May 1998,Official Report, columns 189–90, what percentage of applications from men, in relation to each of the research councils, was successful for (a) project grants, (b) programme grants, (c) special grants intended for new investigators, (d) studentships and (e) fellowships, in 1997 and in each of the two previous years. [44586]

  Mr. Battle
  The available data are shown in the table.

  In answer to my hon. Friend's previous question on 14 May 1998, Official Report, columns 189–90, the figure for the percentage of applications from women who were successful for Medical Research Council fellowships for 1996 was wrongly stated. The figure should be 13 per cent., not 34 per cent.

  Eureka Programme
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the impact of the Eureka programme on British industry. [44926]

  Mr. Battle
  Since 1985, 513 UK industrial organisations, 225 of them SMEs, have participated, or continue to participate, in 345 Eureka projects. DTI accepts the findings of the 1997 independent evaluation of Eureka, that 70 per cent. of industrial participants achieved new products or processes by the end of their projects.

  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the financial contribution of the United Kingdom towards the Eureka programme. [44927]

  Mr. Battle
  DTI has so far made offers totalling £155.08 million towards projects involving UK participants since Eureka began in 1985. Spend to the end of Financial Year 1997–98 was £130.71 million.

  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to revise the Eureka programme before the year 2000. [44925]

  Mr. Battle
  The UK will work with the other members of Eureka to adapt the initiative so that it continues to be relevant to all sectors of European industry. Any changes will take into account the increasing global nature of R&D, and the changed political and business environment since Eureka's inception. They will appear in the next Eureka Medium Term Plan in June 2000.

  Human Genome Sequencing
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what estimate she has made of the share of the world's effort in human genome sequencing which is being undertaken in the UK. [44980]

  Mr. Battle
  We estimate that the UK undertake one third of the world's effort in sequencing the human genome. The UK contribution is made primarily through the work of the Wellcome Trust and the Medical Research Council.

  Nuclear Weapons (Developing Countries)
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps she has taken to ensure that no plutonium from the United Kingdom has been used in the production of nuclear weapons in developing countries. [44725]

  Mr. Battle
  I refer my hon. Friend to the detailed answer given to the hon. Member for Perth (Ms Cunningham) on 1 June 1998,Official Report, columns 119–20.

  The stringent controls described in that answer would apply to any applications to export plutonium to a developing country.

  Nuclear Power Stations (Health Risks)
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what new proposals she has to improve transparency in respect of the health risks arising from nuclear power stations. [43511]
  598
  Mr. Battle
  None. Existing arrangements already provide for a high degree of public openness about health, safety and environmental issues associated with the UK civil nuclear industry.

  Nuclear operators publish annual reports which provide detailed information about both the environmental and the health and safety considerations associated with their activities. Those bodies responsible for the regulation of the civil nuclear industry, including the Health and Safety Executive, the Environment Agency, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, the National Radiological Protection Board, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, also publish detailed annual reports. Where they believe there to be a matter of particular public interest to be addressed, regulators also published reports covering specific regulatory issues.

  Independent expert consideration of the potential implications of the civil nuclear industry for public health is further provided for through the existence of the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment (COMARE). COMARE was established by the Government in 1985 with a remit to investigate and advise on the health effects of both natural and man-made radiation and on the need for further research in this area. COMARE has undertaken investigations into the incidence of cancers in the vicinity of a number of UK nuclear installations and in each case has published a detailed report setting out its findings.

  For safety and environmental issues associated with the UK civil nuclear industry, independent expert scrutiny is provided for through the existence of two advisory committees, the Nuclear Safety Advisory Committee (RWMAC). NuSAC publishes a biennial report setting out details of the work of the committee and its sub groups and of its future programme of work. RWMAC publishes a similar report on an annual basis.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  BSE
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the effect of BSE on the knackers' trade. [44357]

  Mr. Rooker
  Cattle displaying clinical signs suggestive of BSE are not sent to knackers yards. They are slaughtered on farm and the carcases taken to incineration facilities contracted to the Department to deal with BSE suspects.

  Following the announcement on BSE in March 1996, some £97 million was made available for the rendering industry in the financial year 1996–97. In return, renderers were required to maintain pre-crisis prices and charges to all their suppliers of animal waste. A further £59 million of aid, also designed to help the entire red meat/animal waste chain, was made available during the financial year 1997–98. The support was always intended to be temporary and was phased out gradually during 1997–98 to enable the chain to adjust to the changing economics.

  The knacker industry is playing an important role in the collection and transport of Over Thirty Months Scheme casualty animals to incineration facilities. Over 140,000 have been handled to date. However, the Government are

  599
  aware of the concern being expressed by the knacker industry about the increased costs of collecting other fallen stock following the removal of support. Officials are liaising with farming representatives to consider how farmers should, in future, dispose of fallen stock and to encourage the industry to put suitable arrangements in place.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the incidence of BSE by cattle breed in 1997 and 1998 to date. [44897]

  Mr. Rooker
  The number of cattle confirmed as having BSE in Great Britain in 1997 and 1998 to date are listed by cattle breed in the table.

  Number of confirmed cases by breed and year of slaughter as at 5 June 1998

  Breed

  1997

  1998

  Aberdeen Angus

  8

  1

  Aberdeen Angus x

  16

  0

  Aberdeen Angus x Charolais

  1

  0

  Aberdeen Angus x Friesian

  15

  2

  Ayrshire

  23

  4

  Ayrshire x Shorthorn

  1

  0

  Belgian Blue

  1

  1

  Belgian Blue x

  3

  2

  Black Hereford

  1

  0

  Blonde d'Aquitaine

  3

  0

  Blonde d'Aquitaine x

  3

  1

  Blonde d'Aquitaine x Friesian

  6

  0

  Blue Grey

  1

  0

  British White

  1

  0

  Brown Swiss

  10

  1

  Brown Swiss x

  5

  0

  Brown Swiss x Friesian

  13

  2

  Brown Swiss x Guernsey

  1

  0

  Canadian Holstein

  1

  0

  Charolais

  7

  1

  Charolais x

  17

  1

  Charolais x Belgian Blue

  1

  0

  Charolais x Friesian

  7

  2

  Charolais x Guernsey

  1

  0

  Charolais x Hereford

  1

  0

  Charolais x Holstein

  1

  0

  Charolais x Limousin

  1

  0

  Charolais x Simmental

  1

  0

  Charolais x South Devon

  1

  0

  Devon x Friesian

  1

  0

  Friesian

  3,055

  474

  Friesian x

  11

  2

  Friesian x Ayrshire

  4

  0

  Friesian x Belgian Blue

  2

  0

  Friesian x Galloway

  0

  1

  Friesian x Holstein

  322

  59

  Friesian x South Devon

  1

  0

  Guernsey

  37

  6

  Guernsey x Jersey

  1

  0

  Guernsey x Merse Rhine Issel

  1

  0

  Hereford

  15

  1

  Hereford x

  118

  13

  Hereford x Friesian

  122

  11

  Hereford x Simmental

  2

  0

  Highland

  3

  0

  Holstein

  90

  21

  Holstein x

  2

  0

  Jersey

  40

  2

  Jersey x

  1

  0

  Jersey x Friesian

  3

  0

  Limousin

  17

  2

  Limousin x

  64

  9

  Limousin x Friesian

  37

  3

  Limousin x Hereford

  0

  1

  600

  Number of confirmed cases by breed and year of slaughter as at 5 June 1998

  Breed

  1997

  1998

  Limousin x Jersey

  1

  0

  Limousin x Luing

  1

  0

  Limousin x Simmental

  1

  0

  Longhorn

  1

  0

  Meuse Rhine Issel

  2

  0

  Meuse Rhine Issel x Guernsey

  1

  0

  Meuse Rhine Issel x Jersey

  1

  0

  Montbelliarde

  1

  0

  Murray Grey

  1

  0

  Murray Grey x Friesian

  1

  0

  Murray Grey x Jersey

  1

  0

  Not recorded

  61

  90

  Red Friesian

  8

  0

  Red Friesian x

  2

  0

  Red Poll

  2

  0

  Saler x

  1

  0

  Saler x Friesian

  1

  0

  Shetland

  1

  0

  Shorthorn

  1

  0

  Shorthorn x

  3

  0

  Shorthorn x Friesian

  2

  1

  Simmental

  19

  4

  Simmental x

  56

  9

  Simmental x Friesian

  33

  4

  Simmental x Holstein

  2

  0

  Sioux

  0

  1

  South Devon

  2

  1

  South Devon x

  0

  1

  Sussex x

  1

  0

  Sussex x Friesian

  3

  1

  Welsh Black

  2

  1

  Welsh Black x

  1

  0

  Total

  4,313

  736

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if Dr. Narang has supplied his Ministry with the information his scientists had requested in order to validate his BSE testing method; and if he will make a statement. [44866]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Department is not awaiting any information from Dr. Narang. Research funded by the Medical Research Council is underway at Leeds University to investigate the feasibility of diagnosing pre clinical BSE using cattle urine. Dr. Narang is collaborating in this work.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the effectiveness and accuracy of the methods advocated by Dr. Narang for detecting BSE. [44894]

  Mr. Rooker
  Dr. Narang has advocated a method to detect pre clinical BSE in cattle using urine. Research is currently underway in Leeds University to investigate the feasibility of such a method. It is too early to comment on effectiveness or accuracy.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the urine test method of detecting BSE in cattle. [44890]

  Mr. Rooker
  It is too early for an assessment to be made. The research currently underway at Leeds University to investigate the feasibility of using cattle urine to diagnose pre clinical BSE is in its early stages.
  601
  An independent advisory panel set up by the Medical Research Council is overseeing the work and will be meeting in early July to consider preliminary findings.

  E. Coli
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research, by whom and at what cost, his Department has commissioned into E. coli in(a) cow's milk, (b) sheep's milk and (c) goat's milk. [45016]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 9 June 1998]: The Department has recently undertaken a survey of the microbiological quality of unpasteurised sheep and goats' drinking milk on sale in England and Wales, at a cost of £11,926. It is also in the process of carrying out a more general survey of the microbiological quality of unpasteurised sheep and goat's milk, at an expected cost of £35,700. The analyses carried out in the surveys include testing for the presence of E. coli in the milk. ADAS was commissioned by the Department to undertake both surveys.

  My Department has also commissioned a significant amount of other research on E. coli much of which will be of relevance to the presence of the organism in milk.

  Coastal Erosion
  Mr. Prior
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on protecting areas of environmental importance from coastal erosion. [44464]

  Mr. Morley
  The Department expects coastal authorities to make the potential impact on habitats, and the environment generally, a key consideration when planning works to prevent or reduce coastal erosion. They should start from the presumption that natural river and coastal processes should not be disrupted except where life or important man-made or natural assets are at risk. Schemes which are not environmentally acceptable are not eligible for grant aid.

  Last year the Department introduced a priority scoring system (taking account of Ministerial priorities, urgency and benefit:cost ratio) with a view to optimising the allocation of available funds. Sites of environmental significance are specifically identified within Ministerial priorities, with particular priority being given to sites of international importance.

  Toxocariasis
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the incidence of toxocariasis in rural areas compared to urban areas. [44443]

  Ms Jowell
  I have been asked to reply.

  The data available on numbers of cases of human toxocariasis are based on laboratory reports received by the Public Health Laboratory Service's Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre (CDSC). However, reporting of cases is not a statutory requirement and therefore not all laboratory diagnosed cases are necessarily reported to the CDSC.
  602
  From the data received by CDSC in recent years no significant change has been noted in the number of reports (1993–25; 1994–25; 1995–38; 1996–19; 1997–18).

  The location of the laboratory reporting an infection does not necessarily indicate the area of residence of the patient, or whether this is urban or rural, or the country (United Kingdom or overseas) in which infection was acquired.

HEALTH

  Chiropody
  Angela Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library the final version of the recent report on chiropody service levels. [44124]

  Mr. Boateng
  I understand that the report referred to is entitled "On Your Feet: Older People and NHS Chiropody Services" and was published by Age Concern in March 1998. Copies are available in the Library.

  Recruitment Agencies
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the names of agencies which have supplied contract labour from outside the United Kingdom to the NHS in the last 10 years and the total amount paid in commission fees by the NHS to such firms in each of the last 10 years. [44500]

  Mr. Milburn
  This information is not available centrally and could be collected only at disproportionate cost. Each National Health Service trust is responsible for recruiting its own staff and may choose to use a recruitment agency to help it do so.

  Travel Vaccinations
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what representations he has received about the possibility of privatising the provision of travel vaccinations; [44701]

  (2) what consultation he is undertaking on proposals for the future provision of travel vaccinations. [44703]

  Ms Jowell
  Inconsistencies and ambiguities have arisen over the years in the arrangements for travel vaccines and the prescribing of medicines for overseas travel and there are differences in the way that the various vaccines are dealt with. The Department, as part of an ongoing internal review, is seeking to resolve the anomalies which exist at present in the arrangements for travel vaccines. Once we have recommendations to present we will consult the relevant professional bodies.

  As a routine, Ministers and officials of the Department receive a number of letters from interested hon. Members and members of the public about the arrangements for travel vaccines and the prescribing of medicines for overseas travel. These letters express a range of views. In particular, letters have been received from the Patients' Association, the Overseas Doctors' Association, various student unions, the Primary Care Virology Group, Pasteur Merieux MSD and the Royal College of Nursing.
  603
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the cost to the NHS of travel vaccinations in each of the last three years. [44702]

  Ms Jowell
  It is not possible to say how much is spent in total on travel immunisation each year. The net ingredient costs for vaccines which may be given for the purposes of travel were:

  Year

  £ million

  1994

  40.5

  1995

  47.0

  1996

  149.1

  1 The vaccines are those preparations in the British National Formulary (issue 30, September 1995) section 14.6—International travel: Bacille-Calmette-Guérin, cholera, diphtheria, hepatitis A, meningococcal A&C, normal immunoglobulin, poliomyelitis, typhoid, typhoid-paratyphoid A&B and yellow fever. Some of these vaccines will have been prescribed for reasons other than travel.

  Note:

  The net ingredient cost refers to the costs of the drug before discounts and does not include any dispensing costs or fees.

  However, these costs include some vaccines which will have been prescribed for reasons other than travel. It is not possible to identify separately the cost of vaccinating patients in general practice.

  Fatal Diseases (Overseas Travel)
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will estimate how many NHS patients are currently suffering from potentially fatal diseases caught while travelling overseas; [44689]

  (2) what estimate he has made of the cost to the NHS of treating United Kingdom citizens for potentially fatal diseases caught while travelling overseas in the last year for which figures are available. [44699]

  Ms Jowell
  Estimates are not available of the cost to the National Health Service of treating United Kingdom citizens for potentially fatal diseases caught while travelling overseas. It is not possible to estimate reliably how many NHS patients are currently suffering from potentially fatal diseases actually caught while travelling overseas, since many diseases which could be caught overseas can also be caught in the UK and it is often impossible to identify where a patient contracted an illness.

  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his Department's estimate of the number of United Kingdom citizens making overseas trips in 1997 to areas at risk to potentially fatal diseases. [44700]

  Ms Jowell
  The Office for National Statistics advise that, during 1997, 46.8 million United Kingdom residents made visits abroad, of which 5.4 million were to areas outside North America and Western Europe (preliminary figures).

  There is the risk of contracting a potentially fatal disease anywhere in the world.

  Ongar War Memorial Hospital
  Mr. Pickles
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to announce his decision on the proposed closure of the Ongar War Memorial Hospital. [44883]
  604
  Mr. Milburn
  My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State will announce his decision when he has given full and proper consideration to the proposals once they have been put forward by North Essex Health Authority.

  Pathogen Sales
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what pathogens were sold and at what price to the American Type Culture Collection in Rockville, Maryland, by his Department's installations between(a) 1 January 1980 and 31 December 1984 and (b) 1 January 1990 and 31 December 1997. [44184]

  Ms Jowell
  The Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research (CAMR) has not sold or supplied any pathogens to the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) between 1 January 1980 and 31 December 1984, and 1 January 1990 and 31 December 1997.

  The National Collection of Type Cultures (NCTC), Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS) does not have complete records for the whole period 1 January 1980 to 31 December 1984. From the records it does have relating to this period and to the period between 1 January 1990 and 31 December 1997, the NCTC has not sold or supplied to the ATCC pathogens categorised as Hazard Group 3 (pathogens such as Bacillus anthracis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis belong to this group). A wide range of biological agents which are less hazardous are categorised as Hazard Group 2 and, although information on which strains have been supplied to the ATCC can be provided, this will take considerable time to compile. I will write to the hon and learned Member with details as soon as possible.

  The National Collection of Pathogenic Fungi, PHLS, has supplied as follows:

  Date

  Strain number

  Species

  1984

  NCPF 2109

  Aspergillus fumigatus

  1984

  NCPF 2140

  Aspergillus fumigatus

  1993

  NCPF 2808

  Ramichloridium mackenziei

  These cultures of fungi were supplied in response to requests by the ATCC for strains to be added to their catalogue and as such were not charged for.

  Community Hospitals
  Mr. Prior
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many doctors and nurses are currently working in community hospitals. [44479]

  Mr. Milburn
  The information is not collected centrally in the format requested.

  Mr. Prior
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he has given to health authorities on the closure of community hospitals. [44480]

  Mr. Milburn
  In our White Paper "The New NHS—Modern, Dependable" we set out the important role community hospitals can play in providing locally based services. Within this broad framework, health authorities are responsible for determining the appropriate balance of care for their populations.

  Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to promote awareness and understanding of myalgic encephalomyelitis among doctors and the general public; what help is offered to people who suffer from the illness; and if he will make a statement. [44923]

  Ms Jowell
  The National Health Service provides a wide range of services to which sufferers of myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME)/chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) have access and such patients are seen within a wide range of community services and hospital specialties. Patients can discuss the options available to them with their general practitioner and they may also request an assessment of their needs by local authority social services departments. It is the responsibility of health authorities to decide how the needs of ME/CFS sufferers should be met and whether or not they should purchase dedicated services. All such decisions are made in the light of competing priorities.

  Raising awareness and understanding about ME/CFS is a major part of the work of the ME/CFS voluntary organisations. Since 1988, the Department has provided substantial funding to ME/CFS organisations, amounting to almost a quarter of a million pounds. Some of the ME/CFS organisations provide information packs to GPs about the condition, as well as to sufferers and their families.

  Abortion
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the cost of abortions in the first trimester to the National Health Service in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [43490]

  Ms Jowell
  Information on the costs of specific operations is not held centrally.

  Complementary and Alternative Medicine
  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health following the recent review of expenditure, if he will list the reductions in funding for complementary and alternative medicine services by category and amount broken down by(a) homeopathy, (b) acupuncture and (c) therapeutic touch in the East London and The City Health Authority; and if he will make a statement. [45136]

  Ms Jowell
  This information is not held centrally in the form requested. East London and The City Health Authority ceased funding complementary medicine with effect from 1 April 1997. This represented some £120,000 in contracts with a number of National Health Service trusts and other providers.

  Medicines Control Agency
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the key business targets for the Medicines Control Agency for 1998–99. [45278]

  Ms Jowell
  We have today placed copies of the 1998–99 high level business targets of the Medicines Control Agency in the Library.

DEFENCE

  Ex-service Men
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the effects of counselling for ex-servicemen. [44387]

  Dr. Reid
  The Ministry of Defence has not commissioned or evaluated any research into the effects of counselling for ex-Service personnel. However, my Department maintains links with numerous ex-Service organisations and charities, including the Ex-Services Mental Welfare Society (Combat Stress), which provides limited counselling facilities. We very much value the contributions which these organisations make towards the resettlement and aftercare of ex-Service personnel.

  Army Personnel
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the personnel numbers for(a) the full strength and (b) the current strength of each Army regiment. [44189]

  Dr. Reid
  I will write to the hon. and learned Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Royal Navy Vessels (Crew)
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Royal Navy vessels are below full crew complement; and by how many. [44190]

  Dr. Reid
  The major ships of the Surface Flotilla all experience a degree of gapping which, on average, amounts to 5 per cent. of the full crew complement. In the case of minor ships, this average is 4 per cent. No submarines are operating below their full crew complement.

  Nuclear Threat Assessment
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the(a) extent and (b) sources of the external nuclear threat to the United Kingdom. [45038]

  Mr. George Robertson
  We do not see any immediate nuclear threats to the United Kingdom. However, while large nuclear arsenals and risks of proliferation remain we cannot be certain that this situation could not change. Our minimum deterrent therefore remains a necessary element of our security.

  Western European Union (Training)
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many joint WEU training missions the(a) Royal Navy, (b) British Army, and (c) RAF have participated in over the past five years; and if he will make a statement. [44183]

  Dr. Reid
  The exercise programme of the Western European Union (WEU) is focused on testing crisis management procedures at the headquarters level; exercises of this type organised by the WEU have involved UK personnel, including Service personnel. UK
  607
  forces train with those of other WEU nations for the types of missions which the WEU might undertake; this training is organised by nations, not by the WEU.

  Royal Navy (Fuel Quota)
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if it is the practice to allocate each ship in the Royal Navy an annual quota of fuel. [44185]

  Mr. Spellar
  Fuel is allocated to the RN surface Flotilla on an annual basis. Individual HM Ships receive a monthly allocation based on their forward programme requirements.

  Soldiers (Exercises and Operations)
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the average annual number of days spent on(a) exercises and (b) operations by an infantry soldier in each of the last 10 years. [44186]

  Dr. Reid
  This information is not held centrally by my Department and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Iraq
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the cost of the RAF's involvement in policing the air exclusion zones over Northern and Southern Iraq in each year since 1992; and from what budget heading the cost of the operations has been met. [44180]

  Mr. George Robertson
  The additional costs of the RAF's involvement in policing the air exclusion zones over Northern and Southern Iraq, i.e. in Op Jural and Op Warden, and the budget headings from which the costs were met are shown in the table:

  Year

  North (£ million)

  South (£ million)

  Budget

  1992–93

  3.865

  3.303

  Class 1. Vote 1.(Personnel cost, support and other services)

  0.038

  0.678

  Class 1. Vote 2. (Procurement)

  1993–94

  4.892

  2.157

  Class 1. Vote 1. (Operational and support costs)

  0.199

  0.229

  Class 1. Vote 2. (Logistics services)

  1994–95

  5.963

  3.932

  Class 1. Vote 1. (Operational and support costs)

  0.333

  0.622

  Class 1. Vote 2. (Logistics services)

  1995–96

  0.512

  0.457

  Class 1. Vote 1. (Operational and support costs)

  0.260

  0.728

  Class 1. Vote 2. (Logistics services)

  1996–97

  0.639

  0.938

  Class 1. Vote 1. (Operational and support costs)

  0.105

  0.134

  Class. 1. Vote 2. (Logistics services)

  1997–98

  0.165

  0.31

  Class 1. Vote 1. (Operational and support costs)

  0.296

  0.294

  Class 1. Vote 2. (Logistics services)

  Note:

  Changes in the MOD Budget Structure in 1993 resulted in the renaming of Budget Headings.

  Persian Gulf
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost of the Royal Navy's involvement in operations in the Persian Gulf in each year since 1992; and from what budget heading the cost of the operations has been met. [44181]

  Mr. George Robertson
  The additional costs of the Royal Navy's involvement in operations in the Persian Gulf, (ie Op Granby and Op Bolton), and the budget headings from which the costs were met are shown in the table:

  Year

  Cost (£ million)

  Budget

  1992–93

  0.906

  Class 1. Vote 1. (Personnel cost, support and other services)

  10.512

  Class 1. Vote 2. (Procurement)

  1993–94

  0.770

  Class 1. Vote 1. (Operational and support costs)

  17.031

  Class 1. Vote 2. (Logistics services)

  1994–95

  0.320

  Class 1. Vote 1. (Operational and support costs)

  14.854

  Class 1. Vote 2. (Logistics services)

  1995–96

  0.011

  Class 1. Vote 2. (Logistics services)

  1996–97

  0.00

  N/A

  1997–98

  4.506

  Class 1. Vote 1. (Operational and support costs)

  0.630

  Class 1. Vote 2. (Logistics services)

  Note:

  Changes in the MOD Budget Structure in 1993 resulted in the renaming Budget Headings.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the cost of the RAF's involvement in operations in the Persian Gulf in each year since 1992; and from what budget heading the cost has been met. [44191]

  Mr. George Robertson
  The additional costs of the RAF's involvement in operations in the Persian Gulf, i.e. Op Granby, Op Driver and Op Bolton, and the budget headings from which the costs were met are shown in the table:

  Year

  Cost (£ million)

  Budget

  1992–93

  1.117

  Class 1. Vote 1. (Personnel cost, support and other services)

  54.700

  Class 1. Vote 2. (Procurement)

  1993–94

  2.347

  Class 1. Vote 1. (Operational and support costs)

  25.940

  Class 1. Vote 2. (Logistics services)

  1994–95

  0.511

  Class 1. Vote 1. (Operational and support costs)

  -2.276

  Class 1. Vote 2. (Logistics services)

  609

  Year

  Cost (£ million)

  Budget

  1995–96

  0.892

  Class 1. Vote 2. (Logistics services)

  1996–97

  0.086

  Class 1. Vote 2. (Logistics services)

  1997–98

  1.688

  Class 1. Vote 1. (Operational and support costs)

  0.219

  Class 1. Vote 2. (Logistics services)

  Note:

  Changes in the MOD Budget Structure in 1993 resulted in the Brazil renaming of Budget Headings. These figures exclude the costs of the No Fly Zones over Southern and Northern Iraq.

  Royal Navy (Peacekeeping)
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost of the Royal Navy's involvement in peacekeeping operations IFOR and SFOR; and from what budget heading the cost of the operations was met for(a) 1994–95, (b) 1995–96 and (c) 1996–97. [44182]

  Mr. George Robertson
  The additional costs of the Royal Navy's involvement in IFOR and SFOR operations and the budgets from which the costs were met are as follows:

  Year

  IFOR (£ million)

  SFOR (£ million)

  Budget

  1994/95

  0.00

  0.00

  n/a

  1995/96

  0.360

  0.00

  Class 1, Vote 1. (Operational and Support Costs)

  7.321

  0.00

  Class 1, Vote 2. (Logistics Services)

  1996/97

  4.806

  1.693

  Class 1, Vote 1. (Operational and Support Costs)

  16.734

  6.497

  Class 1, Vote 2. (Logistics Services)

  1997/98

  0.00

  1.600

  Class 1, Vote 1. (Operational and Support Costs)

  0.124

  13.454

  Class 1, Vote 2. (Logistics Services).

  Overseas Personnel
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the numbers and locations of UK armed forces' personnel stationed overseas. [44187]

  Mr. George Robertson
  This information is not held centrally. However, the countries in which UK military personnel were serving on 1 April, together with the number in each country, based on those records which we do have available, are given in the table.

  Country

  Number of UK armed forces personnel

  Algeria

  12

  Angola

  1

  Antarctica

  3

  Antigua and Barbuda

  1

  Argentina

  4

  Ascension Island

  25

  Australia

  65

  610

  Country

  Number of UK armed forces personnel

  Austria

  2

  Bahrain

  86

  Baltic States

  6

  Bangladesh

  2

  Barbados

  11

  Belgium

  434

  Belize

  192

  Bermuda

  3

  Bosnia

  5,200

  Brazil

  6

  British Virgin Islands

  4

  Brunei

  1,049

  Bulgaria

  2

  Canada

  684

  Chile

  1

  China

  4

  Colombia

  3

  Croatia

  2

  Cyprus

  3,938

  Czech Republic

  3

  Denmark

  29

  Diego Garcia

  40

  Egypt

  3

  Ethiopia

  2

  Finland

  1

  France

  50

  Georgia

  1

  Germany

  21,480

  Ghana

  6

  Gibraltar

  794

  Greece

  3

  Guatemala

  2

  Guinea

  1

  Gulf Region (at sea)

  1,851

  Hungary

  2

  India

  5

  Indonesia

  4

  Iraq

  4

  Ireland

  2

  Israel

  3

  Italy

  203

  Jamaica

  2

  Japan

  3

  Jordan

  3

  Kenya

  36

  Korea (South)

  3

  Kuwait

  572

  Lebanon

  6

  Malaysia

  6

  Mauritius

  1

  Mediterranean area (at sea)

  170

  Mexico

  2

  Morocco

  1

  Nepal

  66

  Netherlands

  294

  New Zealand

  9

  Norway

  70

  Oman

  239

  Pakistan

  5

  Philippines

  1

  Poland

  880

  Portugal

  44

  Qatar

  1

  Romania

  2

  Russia

  10

  Rwanda

  7

  Saudi Arabia

  413

  Sierra Leone

  4

  Singapore

  4

  Slovakia

  1

  South Africa

  15

  South Atlantic (including Falkland Islands)

  1,907

  611

  Country

  Number of UK armed forces personnel

  Spain

  10

  Sri Lanka

  3

  Sweden

  4

  Switzerland

  2

  Syria

  2

  Thailand

  2

  Turkey

  189

  Turks and Caicos Islands

  4

  Uganda

  1

  Ukraine

  2

  United Arab Emirates

  14

  United States of America

  1,299

  Venezuela

  1

  West Africa Region (at sea)

  255

  West Indies Region (at sea)

  260

  Yugoslavia (Fed Rep)

  2

  Zimbabwe

  18

  Total

  43,074

  These figures include personnel attached to Embassies, those on exercise, those on loan or exchange postings, those training overseas personnel or undergoing long term training themselves, and those serving in NATO headquarters and our overseas garrisons. They do not include ships or aircraft on passage or undertaking temporary visits, but do cover personnel on ships engaged on operations or longer deployments overseas. Germany based personnel deployed to countries of the former Yugoslavia are shown against the latter.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Algeria
  Dr. Vis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government will urge the United Nations to appoint a special rapporteur on Algeria with a mandate to co-ordinate an investigation into the massacres and other human rights abuses there. [44065]

  Mr. Fatchett
  In our regular contacts with the Algerian Government, we continue to emphasise the contribution to transparency and international confidence that would follow from co-operation with Special Rapporteurs. To date the Algerians have declined to allow rapporteurs to visit. We continue to watch developments in Algeria closely and will consider our position carefully at this year's United Nations General Assembly.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what communications he has had with the Algerian Government concerning the human rights situation in Algeria since 19 February. [44384]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Officials have had a number of discussions with Algerian counterparts on human rights in Algeria since February. This subject was covered when my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary met the Algerian Foreign Minister on 3 June.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the human rights situation in Algeria; and what is his assessment of changes since the visit of the Minister of State on 20 January. [44383]
  612
  Mr. Fatchett
  We note that the level of violence has decreased substantially since Ramadhan, although terrorist activities do continue, particularly bombings in the capital. We understand that the Algerian Government have successfully carried out counter-insurgency operations. The authorities have arrested a number of officials on charges of human rights abuses; and over a hundred members of the Algerian police force languish in prison on similar charges. Nevertheless, we remain deeply concerned about the situation in Algeria and the allegations of continued human rights abuses there. We continuously monitor the situation, through official, NGO and media reports. Throughout our Presidency of the European Union we have maintained a broad-based political dialogue with Algeria, most recently a meeting between my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and the Algerian Foreign Minister.

  Sudan
  Mr. McWalter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what actions he is taking to make the Sudanese government more mindful of the rights of the people of Southern Sudan. [44125]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We continue to put pressure on the Government of Sudan to respond to the concerns of the international community about human rights violations in Sudan. The UK co-sponsored the UNHCR resolution which was passed by the 54th session of the Commission on Human Rights on 21 April 1998 and was highly critical of the Sudanese Government.

  The UK has long supported the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) peace process as the best chance to bring an end to the civil war in Sudan through a comprehensive negotiated settlement that respects the rights of all Sudanese.

  As Presidency we issued an EU Declaration on 1 May which voiced European concerns and called for an immediate cease-fire. At UK instigation, Sudan was discussed at the UN Security Council on 5 May, and a press statement was made by the President expressing the UN's concerns. As a next step, we have pressed for an early meeting of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development Partnership Forum. I shall represent the UK at a meeting in The Hague on 18 June.

  Chevening Scholarships
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list(a) the countries of the recipients of Chevening scholarships, (b) the names and occupations of the recipients and (c) the amounts spent on Chevening scholarships since May 1997. [44344]

  Mr. Fatchett
  [holding answer 4 June 1998]: Chevening Scholarships are offered each year to scholars from more than 150 countries and territories. A list of those countries and territories is set out in the following list. In the last Financial Year more than 1,800 new Chevening Scholars arrived in the UK to begin their studies. The amount spent on the Chevening Scholarships Programme in the 1997–98 Financial Year was £32 million. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office contributed about £15.5 million of this and the Department for International Development, £12.5 million. The remaining £7 million was raised by

  613
  co-sponsors. The names and occupants of Chevening Scholars cannot be disclosed for reasons of personal privacy.

  List of countries and territories eligible for Chevening Scholarships

  Albania

  Algeria

  Angola

  Anguilla

  Antigua

  Argentina

  Armenia

  Australia

  Austria

  Azerbaijan

  Bahamas

  Bahrain

  Bangladesh

  Barbados

  Belarus

  Belgium

  Belize

  Benin

  Bermuda

  Bolivia

  Bosnia

  Botswana

  Brazil

  British Virgin Islands

  Brunei

  Bulgaria

  Burkina Faso

  Burma

  Burundi

  Cambodia

  Cameroon

  Canada

  Cape Verde

  Cayman Islands

  Central African Republic

  Chad

  Chile

  China (including Hong Kong Special Administrative Region)

  Colombia

  Comoros Islands

  D.R. Congo

  Congo

  Costa Rica

  Cote d'Ivoire

  Croatia

  Cuba

  Cyprus

  Czech Republic

  Denmark

  Djibouti

  Dominica

  Dominican Republic

  East Jerusalem

  Ecuador

  614

  Egypt

  El Salvador

  Equatorial Guinea

  Eritrea

  Estonia

  Ethiopia

  Falkland Islands

  Fiji

  Finland

  France

  Gabon

  Gambia

  Georgia

  Germany

  Ghana

  Gibraltar

  Greece

  Grenada

  Guatemala

  Guinea

  Guinea Bissau

  Guyana

  Haiti

  Honduras

  Hungary

  Iceland

  India

  Indonesia

  Iran

  Irish Republic

  Israel

  Italy

  Jamaica

  Japan

  Jordan

  Kazakhstan

  Kenya

  Kyrgyzstan

  Kiribati

  Korea

  Kuwait

  Laos

  Latvia

  Lebanon

  Lesotho

  Liberia

  Lithuania

  Luxembourg

  FYR Macedonia

  Madagascar

  Malawi

  Malaysia

  Maldive Islands

  Mali

  Malta

  Mauritania

  Mauritius

  Mexico

  615

  Micronesia and Marshall Islands

  Moldova

  Mongolia

  Montserrat

  Morocco

  Mozambique

  Namibia

  Nauru

  Nepal

  Netherlands

  New Zealand

  Nicaragua

  Niger

  Nigeria

  Norway

  Oman

  Pakistan

  Panama

  Papua New Guinea

  Paraguay

  Peru

  Philippines

  Poland

  Portugal

  Qatar

  Romania

  Russia

  Rwanda

  Sao Tome and Principe

  Saudi Arabia

  St. Helena

  St. Kitts/Nevis

  St. Lucia

  St. Vincent

  Senegal

  Seychelles

  Sierra Leone

  Singapore

  Slovakia

  Slovenia

  Solomon Islands

  South Africa

  Spain

  Sri Lanka

  Sudan

  Surinam

  Swaziland

  Sweden

  Switzerland

  Syria

  Tadjikistan

  Taiwan

  Tanzania

  Thailand

  Togo

  Tonga

  Trinidad and Tobago

  Tunisia

  616

  Turkey

  Turks and Caicos

  Turkmenistan

  Tuvalu

  Uganda

  Ukraine

  United Arab Emirates

  Uruguay

  USA

  Uzbekistan

  Vanuatu

  Venezuela

  Vietnam

  Western Samoa

  Yemen

  Yugoslavia

  Zambia

  Zimbabwe.

  People's Europe Event
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which bodies were asked to nominate individuals to serve on the Executive Committee of the People's Europe event in London of 5 to 7 June; what criteria he used in selecting these; and if he will place in the Library a copy of the letter and accompanying material requesting their co-operation. [44449]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Decisions about the composition of the Executive Committee for the People's Europe 98 conference were the responsibility of the organisers. At the Government's suggestion, the organisers sought to ensure that a wide range of opinion was represented on the Executive Committee. The Committee included representatives of the CBI SME Unit, the TUC, the Local Government International Bureau, the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, the European Movement, Chatham House, Green Alliance and the office staff.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what will be the cost to public funds of the People's Europe event in London on 5 to 7 June; and what sums will be received from(a) Her Majesty's Government, (b) the European Commission, (c) the European Parliament, (d) other public bodies and (e) voluntary bodies. [44450]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  I refer my hon. Friend to answers I gave on 1 April 1998,Official Report, columns 534–35.

  The European Parliament is providing 30,000 ECU, or £20,313, towards the costs of the People's Europe event.

  Sierra Leone
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those inquiries requested by his Department or other agencies launched without Ministers being informed since 1 May 1997. [42097]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 14 May 1998]: No formal investigations have been launched since 2 May 1997 by officials of the FCO without my knowledge. In the case of the alleged breach of the arms embargo on

  617
  Sierra Leone, officials acted perfectly properly in referring allegations to Customs and Excise. It is general practice for allegations and information about potential breaches of arms embargoes or UK export controls to be reviewed in the Restricted Enforcement Unit, as that case was, without Ministers being consulted. The decision on whether it merited investigation was for HM Customs and Excise, not the FCO.

  Cameroon
  Mr. Fabian Hamilton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance the British Government have given to English-speaking opposition parties in Cameroon. [44931]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Our High Commission in Cameroon supports a wide range of projects to promote good governance and human rights. These are to help all people in Cameroon, regardless of political affiliations or ethnic origin. In addition, the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) has provided support for the Social Democratic Front (SDF) and Union des Populations Camerounaises (UPC), both opposition parties in Cameroon.

  Our priority is to promote a genuine multiparty democracy in Cameroon.

  Mr. Fabian Hamilton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's policy towards proposals for minority rights recognition for the English speaking minority in Cameroon at the Human Rights Convention in Geneva. [44934]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We expect Cameroon to adhere to the Harare Declaration of Principles which include a commitment to equal rights and opportunities for all citizens regardless of race, colour, creed or political belief. Cameroon is also a party to the UN International Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination. We welcome any discussion which raises awareness of minority rights issues, including at the UN Minority Rights Working Group in Geneva.

  Yemen
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what representations he has made to the Government of Yemen in respect of the kidnapping of three BBC journalists; and what action he proposes to take to secure their release; [44995]

  (2) what representations he has received on the kidnapping of three BBC journalists in Yemen; and if he will make a statement. [44994]

  Mr. Fatchett
  There has been no kidnapping of BBC journalists in Yemen.

  Three BBC journalists were detained by the Yemeni authorities on 26 May and released on bail on 28 May. They were subsequently charged with filming in an area without permission. The case was heard in Court on 6 and 7 June and the journalists were found not guilty. When delivering his verdict the Judge observed that Yemen
  618
  believed in the freedom of the press, and that the press was a necessity in this age. Her Majesty's Government greatly welcome this satisfactory outcome.

  We understand that the journalists have now returned to the UK.

  James Miles and Paul Loseby
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the cases of James Miles and Paul Loseby, imprisoned in Venezuela. [44996]

  Mr. Fatchett
  I refer my hon. Friend to my remarks in the Adjournment debate of 9 July 1997,Official Report, columns 1044–52 and to my answer to his question of 18 February 1998, Official Report, column 679. On 18 July, Mr. Miles and Mr. Loseby were informed that they had been sentenced to 4 years imprisonment. On appeal, this was increased to 5 years. The result of the appeal was made known to them on 5 February 1998.

  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what requests have been made by James Miles and Paul Loseby to the British Embassy in Caracas for dental treatment; what assessment the Embassy has made of the requests; and what steps are in place to ensure that their medical and dental requirements are met. [44997]

  Mr. Fatchett
  Mr. Miles and Mr. Loseby have made several requests to see a doctor and a dentist. Such requests are always taken seriously and given high priority by the British Embassy in submitting them to the Venezuelan authorities. The British Ambassador has written on 5 occasions to the judges involved in the case requesting appropriate medical attention: on 27 November 1996, 10 April 1997, 10 July 1997, on 27 January 1998 and on 17 March 1998. On 14 April the judges informed the Ambassador that instructions had been issued for Mr. Miles and Mr. Loseby to be seen by a doctor and a dentist.

  Mr. Loseby was seen by a doctor on 3 April 1998. Both men were seen by a doctor on 23 April 1998. The Embassy continues to press the Venezuelan authorities to arrange for both men to be seen by a dentist.

  Tehran Embassy
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the total forecast cost is of the present refurbishment of the British Embassy in Tehran; and if he will list the works being undertaken and their specifications. [44960]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The total forecast cost of the refurbishment of the British Embassy in Tehran is £995,000. This figure includes the estimated cost of works, fees, furnishings and travel costs.

  The Embassy offices in Tehran are in a 4 storey building built in the 1960s. Essential services, finishes and fittings are in a poor condition and need to be upgraded to a modern and secure standard.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Government Information and Communication Service
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what action has been taken following the publication of the report of the Working Group on the Government Information Service. [43507]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  The Progress Report of the Head of the Government Information and Communication Service shows that the majority of recommendations have been implemented. The Report will be issued to the Select Committee on Public Administration and placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what recent representations he has received regarding the Government Information Service. [43518]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  As the hon. Member will be aware, there is an inquiry into the GICS by the Public Administration Committee. In addition, I have been asked a number of questions by Members of this House.

  Better Government White Paper
  Mr. McNulty
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the publication of the Better Government White Paper. [43513]

  Dr. David Clark
  Work is progressing to publish the Better Government White Paper later this year. This White Paper will outline the measures the Government have in mind to modernise the business of the public services and ensure the delivery of better services to our citizens.

  Ms Moran
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the impact on local democracy of the Better Government project. [43516]

  Dr. David Clark
  The Better Government programme is about revitalising the public sector. Local government is a key partner. Improving public services will be an important contribution to renewing the democratic relationship between the public and all levels of government. Alongside the important developments in local government democracy being taken forward by my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister, the Better Government programme will contribute to making local government more open and responsive to the needs of users.

  Freedom of Information
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on progress towards freedom of information legislation. [43515]

  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what progress he has made towards publishing draft freedom of information legislation. [43519]

  Dr. David Clark
  We are making good progress in turning the policy proposals set out in the White Paper Your Right to Know into draft legislation. I greatly welcome the support of the Select Committee on Public Administration in their recent substantial report on our
  620
  proposals. My colleagues and I are now considering carefully the detailed recommendations that the Committee has made. When we have done so I intend to publish the draft bill, again for consultation, as soon as possible.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on his public consultations on measures to make his Department more open. [43521]

  Dr. David Clark
  My Department like all government departments will be subject to our proposals for a Freedom of Information Act. As regards the result of consultations on those proposals, I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East (Dr. Kumar) on 1 April 1998,Official Report, columns 587–89.

  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on his recent consultations on his proposed freedom of information legislation. [43522]

  Dr. David Clark
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East (Dr. Kumar) on 1 April 1998,Official Report, columns 587–89.

  Ms Abbott
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many responses he has received to his Freedom of Information White Paper. [43510]

  Dr. David Clark
  I received 557 responses to the consultation exercise on the Freedom of Information White Paper,Your Right to Know.

  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what recent representations he has received on his proposals for open government. [43517]

  Dr. David Clark
  I recently received the Report of the Select Committee on Public Administration on the Government's White Paper,Your Right to Know, which described the proposals as "a radical advance in open and accountable government".

  Clergymen
  Mr. Peter Bradley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on his powers to appoint clergymen to livings; and on how many occasions he has exercised such powers since 1 May. [43524]

  Dr. David Clark
  The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster is responsible for appointing incumbents to 42 church livings on behalf of her Majesty the Queen in Right of Her Duchy of Lancaster. Since 1 May 1997 I have approved the appointment of one clergyman and one woman priest to two of these livings which had become vacant.

  Civil Service (UK Nationals)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many posts are classified as restricted to United Kingdom nationals only in the Civil Service, by department. [45114]
  621
  Dr. David Clark
  A full survey of the number of 'Public Service' posts (i.e. posts which, under the terms of the EC Treaty, member states may reserve for their

  Department

  Number of public service posts

  Public service posts as % of total

  Number of non public service posts

  Non public service posts as % of total

  Total number of posts

  Agriculture

  1,536

  14

  9,063

  86

  10,599

  Customs and Excise

  18,704

  72

  7,305

  28

  26,009

  Cabinet Office

  774

  35

  1,446

  65

  2,220

  Charity Commission

  0

  0

  714

  100

  714

  Central Office of Information

  0

  0

  515

  100

  515

  CPS

  36

  1

  6,399

  99

  6,435

  Crown Office

  52

  5

  1,001

  95

  1,053

  Defence1

  46,075

  40

  69,381

  60

  115,457

  Education

  74

  3

  2,249

  97

  2,323

  Employment Department

  637

  1

  58,472

  99

  59,109

  Environment

  243

  9

  2,513

  91

  2,756

  FCO

  6,581

  100

  0

  0

  6,581

  Government Actuary's Department

  10

  13

  67

  87

  77

  Health

  42

  1

  4,633

  99

  4,675

  HMSO

  8

  1

  2,041

  99

  2,049

  Home Office

  728

  2

  47,772

  98

  48,500

  Inland Revenue2

  51,015

  70

  21,721

  30

  72,736

  Intervention Board

  20

  2

  1,020

  98

  1,040

  Land Registry

  2

  1

  8,535

  99

  8,537

  Legal Secretariat Law Officer

  21

  75

  7

  25

  28

  Lord Advocates Department

  20

  91

  2

  9

  22

  Lord Chancellor's Department

  1,091

  9

  11,346

  91

  12,437

  National Heritage

  309

  28

  793

  72

  1,102

  National Investment and Loans Office

  0

  0

  39

  100

  39

  National Savings

  31

  1

  5,569

  99

  5,600

  Northern Ireland Office

  185

  83

  39

  17

  224

  ODA

  227

  20

  882

  80

  1,109

  Office of Fair Trading

  47

  11

  371

  89

  418

  Ofsted

  10

  2

  577

  98

  587

  Office of Water Services

  0

  0

  156

  100

  156

  OPCS

  0

  0

  1,879

  100

  1,879

  Ordnance Survey

  11

  1

  2,053

  99

  2,064

  Paymaster Generals Office

  0

  0

  730

  100

  730

  Privy Council Office

  22

  67

  11

  33

  33

  Public Records Office

  11

  2

  455

  98

  466

  PSA

  0

  0

  458

  100

  458

  Royal Mint

  6

  1

  988

  99

  994

  Scottish Courts Administration

  14

  1

  1,001

  99

  1,015

  Scottish Office

  510

  8

  5,714

  92

  6,224

  Scottish Prison Service

  8

  1

  4,642

  99

  4,650

  Social Security

  189

  1

  84,070

  99

  84,259

  Trade and Industry

  1,793

  18

  8,319

  82

  10,112

  Transport

  336

  2

  15,269

  98

  15,605

  Treasury2

  121

  12

  931

  88

  1,052

  Treasury Solicitor

  45

  9

  458

  91

  503

  Welsh Office

  522

  23

  1,768

  77

  2,290

  Total

  132,066

  25

  392,574

  75

  524,640

  1 1996 figures

  2 1997 figures

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) how many posts he estimates will become restricted to United Kingdom nationals only in the Civil Service, due to retirement over the next five years, by department; [45112]

  (2) how many posts have become restricted to United Kingdom nationals only since the 1996 Civil Service rule change, due to retirement, by department. [45113]

  Dr. David Clark
  'Public Service' posts (i.e. posts which, under the terms of the EC Treaty, member states may reserve for their own nationals) are defined by the
  622
  own nationals) was last undertaken in 1994. The findings of that survey, adjusted to include more up to date information from the Ministry of Defence, are as follows:

  nature of the work undertaken in them. For this reason their number is not directly affected by changes of personnel.

  Prior to the last change to the civil service nationality rules in 1996, these posts were also open to citizens of the Republic of Ireland and of Commonwealth countries. Post holders from those countries at the date of change were granted reserved rights to continue to work in such posts for the duration of their careers. No central records are available either of the number of 'public service' posts which at the time of the change in the rules were filled by non-UK nationals or of the number of 'public service' posts which are still filled by non-UK nationals.

  Marsham Street
  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when the former Department of the Environment building in Marsham Street will be demolished. [44945]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated under the terms of the Framework Document to Property Advisers to the Civil Estate. I have asked its Chief Executive, Mr. John Locke, to write to the hon. member.

  Letter from John C. Locke to Mr. Edward Leigh, dated 10 June 1998

  Demolition of 2 Marsham Street

  You tabled a written Parliamentary Question to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster asking when the former Department of Environment building in Marsham Street will be demolished. The care and maintenance of 2 Marsham Street is now the responsibility of the Property Advisers to the Civil Estate (PACE) and as Chief Executive I have been asked to reply to your question.

  The Department of Environment and Transport vacated the building at the end of April 1998 and Government's intention was to let a contract for its demolition this summer with the work expected to take some 18 months to complete.

  Demolition is however conditional on any overriding Government need for temporary decant accommodation. If such a need materialised then reuse would prove to be a better value for money solution to the Exchequer than immediate demolition.

  Two government departments are planning to refurbish their HQ accommodation and are currently considering proposals which might lead to the temporary use of Marsham Street. Temporary reoccupation will have the effect of deferring demolition until Autumn 2002 at the earliest.

  Crown Copyright
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he has evaluated the responses to his consultation on "Crown Copyright in the Information Age"; and if he will make a statement. [43520]

  Dr. David Clark
  The responses have been evaluated. As I mentioned in my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for City of Durham (Mr. Steinberg), on 20 May 1998,Official Report, column 374, plans are being formulated for the future administration of Crown copyright which take the responses into account. I shall inform the House in due course of the way forward.

  GCSE average point score of 15 year old pupils by institution and gender 1997

  Maintained schools1

  All schools

  Average GCSE point score

  Number of pupils

  Average GCSE point score

  Number of pupils

  Male

  32.5

  273,136

  33.5

  299,509

  Female

  37.3

  264,526

  38.3

  287,257

  All 15 year old pupils

  34.9

  537,662

  35.8

  586,766

  1 Including special schools

  E-mail
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many Ministers have published their e-mail addresses; and how many are now equipped with electronic red boxes. [43523]

  Dr. David Clark
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for North Essex (Mr. Jenkin), on 10 November 1997,Official Report, column 441, regarding Ministers' e-mail addresses.

  The electronic red box is still at the prototype stage of development. During this early stage, only the Minister for Science, Energy and Industry and I are experimenting with these prototypes.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  New Deal (Young People)
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list for each of the pilot areas for the New Deal for 18 to 24 year olds, how many of those eligible failed to join any of the four available categories. [43369]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  Statistical information on the progress of those joining the New Deal in the Pathfinder areas to 31 March is available in the Library. The bulk of those commencing the New Deal during the period were still in the New Deal Gateway, the period of up to 4 months help before New Deal participants start on New Deal options.

  Teachers' Pay
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received from individual teachers regarding the staging of their pay award. [44373]

  Mr. Byers
  The Department has received 89 letters from members of the general public about staging the pay award.

  GCSE/GNVQ Scores
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the national average GCSE point score of(a) male, (b) female and (c) all 15 year old pupils (i) in total and (ii) in maintained schools including special schools in 1997; and if he will indicate the numbers of pupils in each category. [44952]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 9 June 1998]: The information requested in respect of national average GCSE point scores is shown in the table.
  625
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what were the average GCSE/GNVQ point scores in 1997 of(a) male, (b) female and (c) all 15 year old pupils in maintained schools including special schools with 15 year old pupils assigning GNVQ grades points on the basis that at intermediate level a distinction equals 7.5 points, a merit equals 6 points and a pass equals 5 points, and at foundation level a distinction equals 4 points, a merit equals 3 points, and a pass equals 1.5 points. [44954]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 9 June 1998]: The information requested in respect of average GCSE/GNVQ point scores in maintained schools is:

  Average GCSE/GNVQ point score

  Male

  32.5

  Female

  37.4

  All 15 year old pupils

  34.9

  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the national average GCSE/GNVQ point score of(a) male, (b) female and (c) all 15 year old pupils in 1997, assigning GNVQ grades points on the basis that at intermediate level a distinction equals 7.5 points, a merit equals 6 points, and a pass equals 5 points, and at foundation level a distinction equals 4 points, a merit equals 3 points, and a pass equals 1.5 points. [44953]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 9 June 1998]: The information requested in respect of national average GCSE/GNVQ point scores in all schools is:

  Average GCSE/GNVQ point score

  Male

  33.5

  Female

  38.4

  All 15 year old pupils

  35.9

  Music Funding
  Mr. Prior
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the local education authorities which have reduced funding for music in schools in 1998–99. [44481]

  Mr. Byers
  This information is not collected centrally.

  Mr. Prior
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on future funding of music in schools. [44486]

  Mr. Byers
  Music teaching which forms part of the National Curriculum will continue, as now, to be funded through schools' delegated budget shares. So far as instrumental music tuition is concerned, the Government's recently published consultation paper 'Fair Funding: Improving Delegation to Schools' set out a proposal to fund LEA provision for such tuition through the Standards Fund. A decision on this will be announced at the same time as decisions on the new Devolved Funding system.

  School Closures
  Mr. Prior
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many schools have been notified to his Department as being subject to proposals for closure since 1 May 1997; and if he will indicate their size. [44490]

  Mr. Byers
  Statutory proposals for the closure of 167 mainstream schools have been published since 1 May 1997. This figure includes 17 nursery schools. Of the closure proposals, 101 involved the amalgamation of schools to form new schools. The numbers of pupils on the rolls of the schools proposed for closure ranged from 1 to 980.

  Village Schools
  Mr. Prior
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what guidance his Department has issued to local education authorities on the future of rural village schools. [44485]

  Mr. Byers
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Selby (Mr. Grogan) on 26 February 1998,Official Report, column 364.

  Our announcement of 28 February 1998, made it clear that all proposals to close rural schools would be called in for decision by the Secretary of State and that there would be a presumption against the approval of proposals to close such schools.

  Primary Schools
  Mr. Prior
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many primary schools with fewer than 40 pupils there are in(a) England and (b) Norfolk. [44644]

  Mr. Byers
  As at January 1997, there were 364 maintained primary schools with less than 40 full-time pupils in England. The equivalent figure for Norfolk Local Education Authority area was 34 schools.

  School Exclusions (West Chelmsford)
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many children at(a) primary and (b) secondary schools in the West Chelmsford constituency were excluded from school in each of the past five years. [44415]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  Information on the number of pupils permanently excluded from schools in the West Chelmsford constituency is shown in the table. Information on permanent exclusions was not collected prior to 1994–95. The Department does not currently collect information on fixed period exclusions:

  Permanent exclusions from maintained schools in the West Chelmsford constituency

  Type of school

  1994–95

  1995–96

  Primary

  2

  3

  Secondary

  4

  8

  Special

  0

  0

  Total

  6

  11

  Exclusions data for 1996–97 are currently being collated and will be published later this year.

  Grant-maintained Schools
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the future position of grant-maintained schools. [44922]

  Mr. Byers
  Subject to the School Standards and Framework Bill gaining Royal Assent, a new framework for the organisation of schools will be established on 1 September 1999. All existing types of school, including grant-maintained (GM) schools, will be replaced by five new categories: community, foundation, voluntary, community special and foundation special. Schools will be allocated to the category which most closely reflects their current characteristics. However, GM schools will be able to choose an alternative category at the outset if they wish. Under the new framework, GM schools will be able to retain many of their present characteristics, for 628
  example in terms of employment of staff and ownership of premises. But all categories of school will operate within a framework based on fair funding, fair admissions and partnership between schools and LEAs.

  Assisted Places Scheme
  Mr. Prior
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on arrangements for the transfer of children on the assisted places scheme to another school(a) on compassionate grounds, (b) where there is a financial saving and (c) where there is an educational need. [44491]

  Mr. Byers
  The Education (Schools) Act 1997 allows the transfer of an assisted place between schools only where a school closes, merges with another school, or notifies the Secretary of State that it no longer wishes to participate in the scheme. Transfer is not legally permitted in any other circumstances.

  Poverty Elimination Targets
  Poverty Elimination Targets
  Commonwealth Development Corporation
  Commonwealth Development Corporation
  Regional Airports: International Access Policy
  Regional Airports: International Access Policy
  Air Quality Standards: Expert Panel
  Air Quality Standards: Expert Panel
  Northern Ireland: Organic Production
  Northern Ireland: Organic Production
  Northern Ireland: Audio-recording of Police Interviews
  Northern Ireland: Audio-recording of Police Interviews
  Firearms Licensing: Medical Information
  Firearms Licensing: Medical Information
  Service Personnel: Hearing Tests
  Service Personnel: Hearing Tests
  Gulf War Service Personnel: Hearing Tests
  Gulf War Service Personnel: Hearing Tests
  Service Personnel: Noise and Hearing Research
  Service Personnel: Noise and Hearing Research
  Agriculture Council, 25–26 May
  Agriculture Council, 25–26 May
  Incontinence Services, Scotland
  Incontinence Services, Scotland
  Continence: Policy
  Continence: Policy
  NHS Trusts: Depreciation Requirements
  NHS Trusts: Depreciation Requirements
  Water Fluoridation
  Water Fluoridation
  Medicines Control Agency: Key Targets
  Medicines Control Agency: Key Targets
  Turkey: Licences for Supply of Arms and Military Equipment
  Turkey: Licences for Supply of Arms and Military Equipment