Written Answers of 18 June 1998

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Ogden Tables
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what steps he proposes to take to require the courts to receive in evidence and apply the new edition of the Ogden Tables in personal injury and fatal accident cases. [45436]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Lord Chancellor will take note of the result of the appeals to the House of Lords in Wells v Wells, Thomas v Brighton Area Health Authority and Page v Sheerness Steel, and consult interested parties, before exercising any powers which may affect the calculation of awards in personal injury claims. I understand that the appeals have now been heard. It is expected that the outcome will be known in the near future.

  Legal Aid
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what representations he has received from Cumbria on his proposed reforms to legal aid. [45654]

  Mr. Hoon
  Since the announcement of these reforms in October last year we have received many hundreds of letters about the reforms and, more recently, some 238 responses to the consultation papers "Access to Justice with Conditional Fees". These letters and responses have not been recorded by the geographical location of the sender and this information could be obtained only disproportionate cost. However, it has been possible to establish that, since October last year, the hon. Gentleman has forwarded five letters about these reforms from organisations and individuals in his constituency to my noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is his estimate of the cost to legal services of asylum seekers whose application has not been resolved in the last year for which figures are available. [45540]

  Mr. Hoon
  The information requested, in so far as it relates to costs to the legal aid fund, is not available, because this information is not recorded separately on the Legal Aid Board's computer database.

DEFENCE

  RAF Northolt
  Mr. Pound
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received requesting an increase in commercial operations at RAF Northolt. [45708]

  Dr. Reid
  The Ministry of Defence has frequent contracts with established casual and regular civil users of RAF Northolt. In addition, since 2 May 1997, MOD has received specific unsolicited representations from the following business aviation users about utilising spare capacity at RAF Northolt:

  Heathrow Executive Jet Operators' Association

  Operational Support Services

  Magna

  Granada Group

  Servant Transport Consultants

  Glasgow Prestwick International

  Luftair Aviation

  Virgin Executive Jets.

  Most of these approaches were of a tentative nature. Only one explicitly mentions an increase in commercial operations at RAF Northolt over the limits currently in place.

  "Shaping the Future Together"
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost to his Department of the production and distribution of the annual report on defence activity 1997–98 entitled "Shaping the Future Together". [46139]

  Mr. George Robertson
  Seventy-five thousand copies of the annual report on defence activity were produced at a cost of 21.53 pence per copy. Copies of the Report were distributed to all Members of Parliament and to Members of the House of Lords with a particular interest in defence issues. The report is available to members of the public on request from the MOD Directorate of Information Strategy and News and on the MOD Touring Exhibition which visits outdoor shows over the Summer. A number of copies have already been distributed to journalists and other members of the public at a cost of approximately £50 in postage.

  Prisoners of War
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what assessment he has made of the extent of the deductions made from the pay of protected personnel in enemy prisons during the Second World War; and what is his policy on compensation for those affected; [46195]

  (2) what representations he has received from Second World War protected personnel who had their pay deducted. [46193]
  265
  Mr. Spellar
  I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Carmarthen, West and South Pembrokeshire (Mr. Ainger) on 24 July 1997,Official Report, column 720 and to the hon. Member for New Forest, West (Mr. Swayne) on 9 March 1998, Official Report, column 41.

  Land Mines
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many and what percentage of the anti-personnel landmines in the possession of United Kingdom armed forces have been destroyed since 1 May 1997. [46135]

  Mr. George Robertson
  438,727 anti-personnel landmines have been destroyed since 1 May 1997. This represents 45.6 per cent. of the total number of such landmines held by the UK.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures he is taking to ensure that the landmines in the possession of the United Kingdom armed forces are destroyed before 2004 in accordance with the Ottawa Convention. [46136]

  Mr. George Robertson
  I refer the hon. and learned Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, East (Mr. Vaz) on 8 June 1998,Official Report, columns 423–24.

  National Air Traffic Services
  Ms Osborne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the financial relationship between the Ministry of Defence and National Air Traffic Services. [46444]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Ministry of Defence and National Air Traffic Services Ltd. collaborate closely in the provision of air navigation services in United Kingdom airspace. Costs are shared, by agreement, broadly in proportion to the services supplied.

  Bulldog Training Aircraft
  Laura Moffatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Private Finance Initiative Project to replace the Bulldog training aircraft. [46914]

  Current armed forces awards

  Pre-October 1993

  Current non-combatant awards

  Level 1

  Victoria Cross

  George Cross

  Level 2

  Distinguished Service Order Gallantry Cross

  Conspicuous Conduct Distinguished Conduct Medal(for Army) Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (Flying) (for RAF)

  George Medal

  Level 3

  Distinguished Service Cross (for RN), Military Cross (for Army), Distinguished Flying Cross (for RAF)

  Distinguished Service Medal (for RN) Military Medal (for Army) Distinguished Flying Medal (for RAF)

  Queen's Gallantry Medal. Air Force Cross (for aircrew of RN, Army and RAF)

  [Air Force Medal—Pre October 1993] (for aircrew of RN, Army and RAF)

  Note:

  The pre-October 1993 awards were subsequently discontinued following a Joint Service Review of Honours and Awards
  266
  Dr. Reid
  I am pleased to announce that Bombardier Services has been selected as the preferred bidder for the Royal Air Force's planned Light Aircraft flying task contract. The contractor will supply Grob 115D aircraft. The aircraft will be owned and maintained by the contractor who will provide flying hours and support services to the University Air Squadrons and the Air Cadet Air Experience Flights at 13 locations across the UK.

  The planned contract will provide the RAF with a modern aircraft that is ideally suited to the training role it is required to perform. The aircraft is quieter and significantly cheaper to run than the aging Bulldog aircraft it will replace.

  The choice of aircraft was narrowed down to the Grob 115D and the Firefly M260. The Grob 115D better meets our particular requirements for the University Air Squadron and Air Cadet tasks and in particular its cockpit size and ergonomics offer a better teaching environment. Moreover, the Grob is quieter and operating costs are significantly less than the Firefly. Taking all factors into account it offers better value for money on this occasion.

  Subject to final negotiations, the contract is expected to result in savings in excess on £30 million over its ten-year life, compared with the cost of running-on the Bulldog. It is also cheaper than our assessment of the cost of a conventional procurement of a new aircraft fleet.

  The service is to be procured in line with the Private Finance Initiative, demonstrating the Government's strong resolve to achieve value for money in Defence support. Appropriate risks will rest with the contractor and the contract will contain suitable incentives to ensure the RAF receives a high quality service.

  Gallantry Medals
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many gallantry medals were awarded to members of Her Majesty's Forces serving in(a) the Falklands war, (b) the Gulf war and (c) peacekeeping operations in former Yugoslavia; and if he will list the class of gallantry medals awarded. [45394]

  Mr. George Robertson
  Awards for gallantry are published in the London Gazette, copies of which are placed automatically in the Library of the House. The first three levels of gallantry awards are recognised by the granting of a medal, and are as follows:
  267
  Gallantry Medals were awarded to Service personnel for service in the Falkland War, the Gulf War and the former Yugoslavia, as follows:

  The Falklands War

  Level 1

  Level 2

  Level 3

  Total

  RN/RM

  Armed Forces Awards

  —

  15

  55

  70

  Non-Combatant Awards

  —

  3

  10

  13

  Army

  Armed Forces Awards

  2

  12

  38

  52

  Non-Combatant Awards

  —

  —

  —

  —

  RAF

  Armed Forces Awards

  —

  —

  6

  6

  Non-Combatant Awards

  —

  —

  5

  5

  The Gulf War

  Level 1

  Level 2

  Level 3

  Total

  RN/RM

  Armed Forces Awards

  —

  1

  10

  13

  Non-Combatant Awards

  —

  —

  1

  1

  Army

  Armed Forces Awards

  —

  8

  26

  34

  Non-Combatant Awards

  —

  —

  6

  6

  RAF

  Armed Forces Awards

  —

  5

  13

  18

  Non-Combatant Awards

  —

  —

  4

  4

  Former Yugoslavia (March 1992–December 1997)

  Level 1

  Level 2

  Level 3

  Total

  RN/RM

  Armed Forces Awards

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Non-Combatant Awards

  —

  —

  2

  2

  Army

  Armed Forces Awards

  —

  9

  14

  23

  Non-Combatant Awards

  —

  —

  13

  13

  RAF

  Armed Forces Awards

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Non-Combatant Awards

  —

  —

  1

  1

  Royal Armoured Corps
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the average manning levels as a percentage of peace-time establishment in(a) the regular Royal Armoured Corps as a whole and (b) the Second Royal Tank Regiment; and ho many (i) Territorials, including S type and (ii) regular reservists are included in those percentages. [45851]
  268
  Dr. Reid
  Average manning levels as a percentage of peace time establishment are 96 per cent. for the Royal Armoured Corps as a whole and 94 per cent. for the Second Royal Tank Regiment. 43 Territorial Army soldiers are currently serving in the Royal Armoured Corps. No Territorial Army or Regular Reservists are currently serving with the Second Royal Tank Regiment.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  European Parliament
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for what reason she attended a question and answer session at the European Parliament on the Northern Ireland peace agreement. [45292]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  I had the honour of addressing a special plenary session of the European Parliament which had been called to debate a resolution welcoming the Belfast Agreement. I took the opportunity to thank the Members for the positive contribution which the EU has made towards creating the climate necessary for the Agreement.

  Military Complaints Procedures
  Ms Stuart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when she intends to lay before Parliament the annual report of the Independent Assessor of Military Complaints Procedures in Northern Ireland. [46724]

  Barbara Follett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when she intends to lay before Parliament Mr. Jim McDonald's annual report as Independent Assessor of Military Complaints Procedures in Northern Ireland. [46807]

  Marjorie Mowlam
  I have today arranged for the Fifth Annual Report of the Independent Assessor of Military Complaints Procedures in Northern Ireland to be placed in the Library of the House. I note that, following Mr. McDonald's first year in office, he is of the firm view that the complaints procedures and their operation continue to be given proper attention by the Army and, although there has been an increase in non-criminal complaints compared with the previous year, I am heartened that the Assessor concludes that this is at least in part a reflection of increased public confidence in the effectiveness of the complaints system.

  The report provides welcome reassurance to the Government and to the public that the Army's complaints procedures stand scrutiny.

  Tuition Fees
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how she intends to monitor the effects of the decision not to waive fourth-year fees for eligible Northern Irish students at Scottish institutions. [46298]

  Mr. Worthington
  We shall continue, as now, to monitor the number of applicants domiciled in Northern Ireland who apply for degree courses at Scottish institutions.

SCOTLAND

  Higher Education
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on his policy on the future of the four-year honours degree at Scottish universities. [46296]

  Mr. Wilson
  It will continue to be for higher education providers to determine the length of course required for students to attain the standard of academic achievement appropriate to the award of an Honours degree. The Government support educationally worthwhile change and, in the context of lifeline learning and the proposed Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework, would expect institutions to make decisions on course length, and suitable entry/exit points, which reflect both the learning needs and prior attainment level of students, the changing requirements of employers and the need to maintain rigorous academic standards.

  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how he intends to monitor the effects of(a) the abolition of grants, (b) the introduction of tuition fees and (c) the decision not to waive fourth-year tuition fees for English, Welsh and Northern Irish students, on the (i) age, (ii) gender, (iii) domicile, (iv) ethnicity, (v) socio-economic background and (iv) total number of students at Scottish institutions. [46295]

  Mr. Wilson
  The Scottish Office regularly receives and publishes information on Scottish student award holders and on all students studying in Scottish higher education, including information on age, gender, domicile and total number of students. The Government are currently considering what further information can be collected and made available on ethnicity and socio-economic background.

  In addition, in response to the Garrick Report, the Government have asked the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council to provide advice on issues arising for higher education in Scotland including the implementation of the reforms, in consultation with all those who have an interest in education. The Scottish Office has also asked SHEFC to undertake a survey of access by different socio-economic groups in Scotland and to work with partners in developing a national strategy to widen access.

  Teacher Training
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what period of notice teacher training institutions in Scotland will be given before an inspection; and what reasons underlie the decision on the giving of notice. [46294]

  Mr. Wilson
  HM Inspectorate will be developing the framework for inspection of teacher education in consultation with interested parties. Details such as period of notice have not yet been addressed, but HM Inspectors' normal procedures for inspection provide for giving reasonable notice—usually at least nine weeks. I would expect the position to be similar for inspection of teacher education.

WALES

  Public Appointments
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many(a) female and (b) male appointments he has made; and if he will make a statement. [44600]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  Since 1 May 1997, I have made 96 new appointments. Of these, 36 were women and 60 men. I have also approved the re-appointments of existing members (23 women and 79 men) where they met the criteria.

  The proportion of women in public appointments in Wales has risen from 26 per cent. in December 1997 to 29 per cent. in June 1998. We are making progress but I am not complacent. I have pledged to redouble our efforts to encourage more women to come forward so that I can balance, wherever possible, the numbers of men and women appointed.

  Chernobyl
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what areas of Wales remain contaminated by radioactivity as a result of the Chernobyl disaster; and how many sheep are affected. [45757]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The area of land under restriction in North Wales as a result of the Chernobyl accident is now approximately 530 square kilometres (131,000 acres) and about 180,000 sheep are affected. These restrictions cover areas within the Unitary Authorities of Gwynedd, Conwy and Powys.

TREASURY

  Foreign Earnings Deductions
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact of the abolition of foreign earnings deduction announced in the Budget on(a) companies employing British subjects overseas and (b) the competitiveness of British consultants working overseas. [40484]

  Dawn Primarolo
  In reaching the decision to end the general foreign earnings deduction, full consideration was given to all likely practical consequences. It would, however, be wholly misleading to look at one aspect of tax in isolation. The Government believe the best way to support business is by generating a stable economic environment and through broadly based relief.

  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost to UK aid agencies of the proposed changes to the foreign earnings deduction regulations announced in the Budget. [40918]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Based on information provided by the agencies, any such cost will be very low. There are a number of measures built into the tax system which are designed to provide support for charities. Foreign earnings deduction (FED) was not one of these. The majority of aid agency employees abroad will not be UK resident for tax purposes and so will be unaffected by the FED changes.
  271
  Sir Alastair Goodlad
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the foreign earnings deduction regulations announced in the Budget on the UK staff of overseas aid agencies who are employed on contracts overseas. [40917]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Most aid agency employees working abroad will not be UK resident for tax purposes and so will be unaffected by the FED changes. The small number of aid agency employees affected by the FED changes will be left in a position similar to that of other UK resident charity employees, and new relief will be available to them for travel and accommodation.

  Savings and Investments
  Mr. Loughton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he intends to adopt proposals by the European Commission for a minimum tax on income from savings and investments; and what other measures of tax harmonisation are being considered. [43746]

  Dawn Primarolo
  We support international co-operation in taking effective action against tax evasion in a way which does not damage EU financial markets. We shall be studying the draft directive carefully and consulting on its implications.

  A draft directive on cross-border payments of interest and royalties between associated companies is also under consideration.

  Budget Measures
  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will extend Table 1.3 in the 1998 Financial Statement and Budget report entitled, "The Budget Measures", to each of the tax years 2001–02 indexed and 2002–03 indexed. [43987]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 1 June 1998]The effects of Budget tax and spending measures are reflected in the fiscal projections set out in the "Financial Statement and Budget Report" (HC620). However, the cost of individual Budget measures on an indexed base shown in Tables 1.3 and C.1 are not routinely estimated beyond 2000–01 and any estimates would become increasingly speculative in later years. For measures where revenue effects are expected to be substantially different from those in Tables 1.3 and C.1, information is already published in FSBR appendix C.1; other estimates would be disproportionately costly.

  EU Code of Conduct Group
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the(a) dates and (b) venues of future meetings of the European Union Code of Conduct Group. [43573]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 1 June 1998]Given that paragraph 12 of the Council Conclusions of 9 March 1998 states that the Council"agrees that the work of the Code of Conduct group shall be confidential",

  the Government cannot give the dates and venues of meetings. However, paragraph 10 of the same conclusions provide that
  "the Group shall meet not less than twice a year".
  272
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will list and place in the Library copies of papers and reports prepared for forthcoming meetings of the European Union Code of Conduct Group; [43574]

  (2) if he will list the subjects for discussion at the next meeting of the European Union Code of Conduct Group. [43571]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 1 June 1998]Paragraph 12 of the Council Conclusions of 9 March 1998 states that the Council"agrees that the work of the Code of Conduct Group shall be confidential".
  The Government are not, therefore, at liberty to place papers before the Group in the Library of the House, or to comment on the issues for discussion. However, the Government will place in the Library reports from the Group to the Council which are published, and inter-institutional Communications on harmful tax competition will be subject to parliamentary scrutiny in the normal way.

  Post Office
  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the total payments received by the Treasury from the Post Office (a) in corporation tax and (b) under the external finance limit, in each of the last 10 years; and what estimate he has made of the amounts the Treasury will receive in this and the following two financial years. [44677]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  Payments received for corporation tax and contributions via the external financing limit (EFL) are shown in the table for each of the last 10 years. No Government estimates of future corporation tax revenue for individual bodies are made. The Post Office's EFL for 1998–99 is £-335 million, before any adjustment resulting from end-year flexibility. The Post Office's financial regime for the two following years is under discussion in the Comprehensive Spending Review and the Post Office review.

  £ million

  Contribution via EFL

  Contribution via corporation tax

  1988–89

  102

  52

  1989–90

  102

  42

  1990–91

  0

  71

  1991–92

  74

  69

  1992–93

  80

  84

  1993–94

  182

  81

  1994–95

  235

  103

  1995–96

  245

  150

  1996–97

  285

  145

  1997–98

  1338

  215

  1Provisional outturn

  Sir Sydney Chapman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Post Office operates under the same public sector borrowing requirement rules as its EU equivalents. [44678]

  Mr. Geoffrey Robinson
  As long as the Post Office remains in the public sector the Government will need to ensure that there are adequate controls on its borrowing in order to protect the taxpayer's interests. Control is
  273
  currently exercised via the external financing limit rather than public sector net borrowing. A variety of different arrangements apply in other EU countries.

  Tax Demands
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on how many occasions the Inland Revenue has sent out under the self-assessment initiative(a) more than one demand to the same person, (b) demands where no tax was due, (c) demands containing computational error and (d) penalty notices to taxpayers who filed in time. [44949]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Under self-assessment, the Inland Revenue issues taxpayers with Statements of Account (not demands) which are a statement of the individual's tax position and include a payslip to enable the taxpayer to make payment if one is due. It is therefore possible that a taxpayer would receive a statement of account showing no tax to pay.

  The Management Information System for Self Assessment, whilst recording the number of Statements of Account issued, does not record whether more than one had been issued to the same person or whether any have been issued containing computational errors. Nor does it record the number of penalty notices issued to taxpayers who filed on time but the Inland Revenue do know that some penalties were incorrectly issued where returns were not recorded as received. Incorrect penalty notices will of course be cancelled.

  The Inland Revenue will, in the second year of live service for self-assessment, be looking at improved guidance to staff and the development of quality monitoring processes to ensure continued improvement to a system that has performed well in its first year.

  Propane (Vehicle Fuel)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what tax incentives exist to encourage the use of propane as a vehicle fuel; if he will extend tax incentives to encourage propane use; and if he will make a statement. [45128]

  Dawn Primarolo
  This year the duty on road fuel gases (liquefied petroleum gas (propane) and liquefied natural gas (methane)) has been frozen for the second Budget in succession. This has increased the differential in favour of road fuel gases in recognition of their environmental benefit and more than fulfilled the pledge to maintain the duty differential with more conventional fuels for the lifetime of this Parliament.

  Duty rates on the main road fuels are now as follows:

  Road fuel gas: 21.13 pence per kg (approximately 2 litres)

  Ultra low sulphur diesel: 42.99 pence per litre

  Unleaded petrol: 43.99 pence per litre

  Conventional diesel: 44.99 pence per litre

  Super unleaded petrol: 48.76 pence per litre.

  The widened duty differential with conventional fuels offers a clear incentive for high mileage fleets, vans and buses to convert to cleaner gas power and will help offset the cost to motorists of vehicle conversion. As a further incentive to use road fuel gas, the cost of converting a vehicle to run on gas will not be taken into account when calculating any income tax car benefit change.

  Diesel Duties
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the revenues which will be obtained by the Treasury under the new definition of ultra-low sulphur diesel in the Finance (No. 2) Bill; and how this compares with the revenues that would be received if no changes were made. [45300]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The decision to change the definition of ultra-low sulphur diesel was made solely for environmental reasons. No separate estimate was made of the revenue effect. It was assumed that the effect on ULSD clearances of the new definition would be broadly offset by the increased demand for ULSD created by simultaneously widening the duty differential with conventional diesel from 1 to 2 per litre.

  Duty Free
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in what circumstances United Kingdom ferries will be able to sell duty free after 1999. [45661]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The European Commission has set out in a working document its view, based on interpretation of Community law, of the arrangements which should apply to sales on board ships following the abolition of intra-EU duty-free sales after 30 June 1999. They express the view that (i) duty-free sales of goods to be carried away will be allowed only on journeys which touch the territory of third countries; (ii) duty-free sales of goods to be carried away will not be allowed on voyages directly between Community ports—even if part of a ship's voyage is in international waters; and (iii) duty-free sales of goods for consumption on board will continue to be governed by the national provisions of member states until the Council adopts Community provisions on stores for boats and aircraft. Commission chaired discussions at official level are now underway in Brussels to work out the detail of these proposals.

  Smugglers' Vehicles
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the value and number of the vehicles confiscated from smugglers and bootleggers of tobacco and alcohol in each financial year since 1994; and how the vehicles have been disposed of. [45789]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I regret that figures on the value of these seized vehicles are not available.

  In the past four financial years, Customs seized the following numbers of vehicles used in the carriage of smuggled alcohol and tobacco:

  1994–95: 600

  1995–96: 1,446

  1996–97: 2,002

  1997–98: 2,929.

  Most vehicles seized are restored upon payment of a fee. In cases where restoration is not appropriate, vehicles are sold at auction or for scrap at their trade-in value; a small number may also be appropriated by Customs for operational use.

  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what differences there have been in the types and characteristics of vehicles confiscated from smugglers
  275
  and bootleggers of tobacco and alcohol during the last year compared with those confiscated in previous years; and if he will make a statement. [45788]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I regret that no central record on the types and characteristics of vehicles seized from excise smugglers is kept by Customs.

  Alcohol Duty
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the effect on Treasury revenues of a reduction in beer duty of 10 per cent. [46047]

  Dawn Primarolo
  HM Customs and Excise estimate of the revenue lost to the Exchequer in a full year through a 10 per cent. reduction in the level of excise duty for beer is £335 million.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the effect on revenues of each 10 per cent. reduction of tax on wine, beers and spirits. [45958]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 15 June 1998]HM Customs and Excise estimate of the revenue lost to the Exchequer in a full year through a 10 per cent. reduction in the level of excise duty for each of the product types set out is as follows:

  Wine: £110 million

  Beers: £335 million

  Spirits: £80 million.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans has he made to equalise the tax on wines and spirits following the abolition of duty free. [45956]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 15 June 1998]The Chancellor keeps duty rates under regular review. The abolition of intra-EU duty free sales from 30 June 1999 is unlikely to raise any new policy considerations.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the duty lost through smuggling of wines and spirits from the Continent to United Kingdom in the last year for which figures are available. [45957]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 15 June 1998]:HM Customs and Excise estimate of the revenue lost to the Exchequer through cross-channel smuggling of wines and spirits in 1997 is set out in the table.

  £ million

  Product type

  Excise duty

  VAT

  Total

  Wines

  35

  15

  50

  Spirits

  20

  5

  25

  Notes:

  1. Figures have been independently rounded to £5 million

  2. Figures for estimates revenue losses use Customs assumptions that 70-80 per cent. of smuggled alcoholic drinks substitute for similar purchases in the UK.

  The above estimates exclude any amounts for revenue lost on wines and spirits involved in commercial fraud or smuggling in freight consignments. There are no official estimates for the extent of these activities.

  Tax Collection
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the annual cost of collecting income tax in each of the five tax years prior to the introduction of self-assessment; and what was the estimated cost in the first year of self-assessment. [45341]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 16 June 1998]The annual cost of collecting income tax in each of the years referred to in the question was as follows (all figures are rounded to the nearest £10 million):

  Year

  £ million

  1997–98 (first year of SA)

  1,030

  1996–97

  960

  1995–96

  1,000

  1994–95

  1,020

  1993–94

  1,030

  1992–93

  1,070

  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff were employed in collecting income tax in each of the five tax years prior to the introduction of self-assessment; and what was the number in the first year of self-assessment. [45342]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 16 June 1998]The number of staff employed in collecting income tax in each of the years referred to in the question was as follows (all figures are rounded to the nearest 100):

  Man years

  1997–98 (first year of SA)

  37,200

  1996–97

  38,800

  1995–96

  41,000

  1994–95

  43,900

  1993–94

  44,700

  1992–93

  47,000

  Frozen Assets (Iraq)
  Mr. Derek Twigg
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the Government's policy concerning applications for the release of Iraqi frozen assets to cover legal fees. [46915]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Since 29 October 1997, any application for Iraqi frozen assets to be released to cover legal fees has had to be considered by Ministers. In the taking of decisions, there is a presumption against the release of the assets.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  West Coast Main Line
  Ms Keeble
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received about the upgrade of the West Coast Mainline from rail users in Northampton. [45317]
  277
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The West Coast Main Line remains a high profile rail infrastructure project which attracts a high level of public interest. On 7 April, I met a delegation from Northampton to discuss service issues for Northampton. As part of the consultation process I understand that the Rail Regulator consulted both local authorities (County and District) and the RUCCs on the WCML upgrade.

  Ms Keeble
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what consultation there has been with rail users in Northampton over the proposed upgrade of the West Coast Mainline agreed by the Rail Regulator. [45318]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I understand that the Rail Regulator consulted both local authorities (county and district) and the Rail Users Consultative Committees on the West Coast Main Line upgrade.

  Ms Keeble
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact on Northampton's train services of the West Coast Mainline upgrade agreed by the Rail Regulator. [45320]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Franchising Director has considered the impact of the PUG2 scheme when completed for services between London and Northampton. He has satisfied himself that Railtrack will be able to maintain the existing journey times for peak services, and also maintain the current number of such services. The Regulator has taken this advice into account in approving the PUG2 agreement.

  Ms Keeble
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what access trains serving Northampton will have to the fast lines on the West Coast Mainline following the upgrade agreed by the Rail Regulator. [45319]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Railtrack has indicated that it will be able to maintain the existing journey times for the fast peak Northampton services which currently use fast lines.

  In addition, the upgrade will provide for some spare capacity on the fast lines for operators other than Virgin, which could potentially include faster services via Northampton.

  Rural Development and Countryside Commissions
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the projected public expenditure settlement for(a) the Rural Development Commission and (b) the Countryside Commission for each of the next two years. [45667]

  Mr. Meacher
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 27 March 1998,Official Report, columns 289-91, that the Countryside Commission will merge on 1 April 1999 with that part of the Rural Development Commission which is not to be incorporated into the Regional Development Agencies.
  278
  Spending plans for the rest of the Parliament will be announced as part of the outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review which will be reported to Parliament before the summer recess. Detailed plans for individual programmes will follow.

  New Zealand Flatworm
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to limit the damage caused by the New Zealand flatworm. [45665]

  Angela Eagle
  The New Zealand flatworm was added to Part 1 of Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 on 17 March 1992, making it an offence to release or allow it to escape into the wild. In 1996, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food issued a `Code of Practice to Prevent the Spread of Non-Indigenous Flatworms' and an identification guide. The status of this species continues to be monitored.

  Local Agenda 21
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many local authorities have(a) promoted local air quality schemes and (b) published information on the implementation of local Agenda 21 schemes; and if he will make a statement. [45521]

  Angela Eagle
  Information about the number of local authorities which have promoted local air quality schemes is not held centrally.

  The new Local Air Quality Management (LAQM) system, however, came into effect at the end of December 1997. Under this system, district and unitary local authorities are currently reviewing the quality of the air within their area and assessing it against statutory objectives in the UK National Air Quality Strategy for seven key pollutants.

  Localities must be designated Air Quality Management Areas where the review and assessment shows that national measures will not ensure that an objective (or objectives) are likely to be achieved by the end of 2005. The relevant local authority must then prepare an action plan in pursuit of the objective(s).

  The LAQM guidance which the Government have published to assist local authorities is listed in Environment Circular 15/97 (Welsh Office Circular 63/97) and is available in the Library.

  The Local Government Management Board (LGMB) monitors progress by local authorities in adopting and implementing Local Agenda 21 strategies. "Local Agenda 21 in the UK-the first five years" published by the LGMB in July 1997 showed that 55 per cent. of UK authorities were in the process of putting a Local Agenda 21 strategy in place. In July this year, the LGMB will be publishing the results of a new survey of local authorities undertaken in April. This will indicate the number of authorities which have now published Local Agenda 21 strategies and how close we are towards meeting the Prime Minister's target that all local authorities should have a strategy in place by the year 2000.

  Rented Accommodation
  Mr. Kemp
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to introduce a system of guarantees on deposits for rented accommodation. [45799]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Government are concerned about the problem of tenants' rental deposits being withheld unreasonably by landlords at the end of tenancies. We are currently looking at legislation operating overseas to see whether there is an appropriate model for dealing with these problems. But we will need to be satisfied that any new requirements would not deter reputable small landlords, or potential landlords, and that they would achieve a fair balance between the interests of tenants and landlords.

  My Department's Housing Investment Programme guidance encourages local housing authorities to consent setting up rent and deposit guarantee schemes where tenants on low incomes have difficulty gaining access to private rented accommodation. These schemes provide a guarantee to the landlord to cover unpaid rent or the cost of damage to the property where the tenant cannot afford to pay a deposit. Over 100 local authorities now operate schemes and schemes are also run by voluntary bodies. The Department provides funding under section 180 of the Housing Act 1996 to voluntary organisations setting up such schemes and is also part funding a project by CRISIS called SmartMove, which aims to develop a network of voluntary schemes in partnership with local authorities in areas with significant levels of homelessness.

  Housing
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if regional development agencies will be required to consider housing demand and need as part of their regeneration strategies. [46013]

  Angela Eagle
  The main vehicle for considering regional housing demand, and for planning for its provision, will continue to be Regional Planning Guidance (RPG). Regional Development Agencies will need to have regard to RPG, and to development plans, in formulating their regional economic strategies and in carrying out their regeneration functions.

  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the regional housing statement currently being drawn up by Government offices of the regions and regional offices of the Housing Corporation will be coordinated with the formulated strategy and activities of relevant RDAs. [45955]

  Angela Eagle
  The regional housing statements produced by some Government Offices for the first time in 1998, in association with the Housing Corporation and other regional partners, are intended to supplement national guidance to local authorities on Housing Investment Programmes, by highlighting issues specific to individual regions. We are assessing their value and considering whether to extend them to all regions. If they are produced for future years, they will need to take account of the work of RDAs, and where appropriate, of RDA's regional strategies.

  Packaging Waste
  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to publish the reports on the review of the Producers Responsibility Obligation (Packaging Waste) Regulations 1997. [46106]

  Angela Eagle
  The recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Packaging following its review of the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 1997 are expected very shortly. As soon as they are submitted, a copy will be placed in the Library.

  Once Ministers have considered all the issues, a consultation paper setting out any proposals for amendments to the Regulations will be published as soon as possible.

  Genetically Modified Organisms
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 1 June 1998,Official Report, column 6, under what statutory authority the holder of a consent to conduct experimental trials concerning genetically modified seeds under the deliberate release regulations may delegate third parties to conduct releases on their behalf. [46207]

  Angela Eagle
  Under the Genetically Modified (Deliberate Release) Regulations 1992 (as amended in 1995 and 1997), the consent holder is authorised by the Secretary of State to conduct trials in accordance with the conditions of the consent. Therefore, if the consent imposes conditions which permit or require that the trial be carried out by a third party, the consent holder is authorised by the Secretary of State to carry out the trial in this way. In all cases, the consent holder is legally responsible for ensuring that the trial is carried out in accordance with the conditions and limitations of their consent.

  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 8 June 1998,Official Report, column 418, if he will make a statement on the locations, references, holders and dates of, and the crops and the modified traits covered by, the release consents for (a) the site of 494 acres and (b) the commercial seed production site covering 17.5 acres. [46206]

  Angela Eagle
  (a) the consent holder for the release covering 494 acres is John K. Kings and Sons Ltd., reference number 98/R28/3. Consent for this release was granted on 17 March 1998, and is for oilseed rape modified for increased lauric acid production. The applicant has consent to release this material from 1 March 1998 to 1 November 2000. The total area covered by this release is not more than 200ha (494 acres), and is proposed to take place at 15 sites. This release is currently taking place at the following sites—

  Whitehouse, Newcastle, Monmouthshire, (18.14ha)

  Painslack Farm, Wetwang, East Yorkshire, (10.93ha)

  Littledean Farm, Ayton, Eyemouth, Berwickshire, (13.92ha)

  Awbridge Farm, Union Lane, Tryscull, Wolverhampton, (17.00ha)

  Tythope Park, Kingsey, Thame, Buckinghamshire, (13.94ha)

  Manor Farm, Crux Easton, Newbury, Hampshire, (12.12ha)

  281

  Bussey Stool Farm, Tarrant, Gunville, Blandford, Dorset, (12.14ha)

  Hall Farm, Toftrees, Fakenham, Norfolk, (10.94ha)

  Fenton Barns, North Berwick, East Lothian, (17.40ha)

  Norcote Hall Farm, Northchurch, Berkampsted, Hertfordshire, (37.51 ha)

  Hunsley Hall, High Hunsley, Cottingham, East Yorkshire. (6.07ha)

  Dunkirk Park, Bridge of Earn, Perth, (10.88ha)

  Total area 181ha

  (b) the consent holder for the release covering 17.5 acres for commercial seed production is Plant Genetic Systems, reference number 94/M1/1. Marketing consent was granted for this crop on 28 February 1996 under EU Directive 90/220/EEC. As such the applicant is not required to inform the DETR where the GM material is planted. However, the conditions of the marketing consent were for commercial seed production only, and the GM material cannot therefore enter the food or feed chain. Consent for this has not yet been issued by the French Competent Authority. The crop is a hybrid oilseed rape consisting of three different modified lines: a male sterile line, a fertility restoration line, and a combination of both lines expressing restored fertility.

  Open Government
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to paragraph 2.19 of his Department's annual report, what was the nature of the four requests made to his Department under the Code of Practice on Open Government in the past year which were refused. [45872]

  Angela Eagle
  The four requests made under the Code of Practice on Open Government which were refused by my Department in 1997 were:

  a. A request for details of submission made by the Commission for the New Towns to the Department to dispose of a site in Milton Keynes to a private developer.

  b. A request for details of a Ministerial Direction relating to a scheme of redress for those who had experienced exceptional hardship from generalised blight as a result of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link before the final route was fixed.

  c. A request for information on the A5036(T) road scheme identification study.

  d. A request for a list of Ministerial Directions to accounting officers made since 1990.

  Motorcycles
  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to review the regulations and law affecting learner motorcycle riders. [46189]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We will shortly be issuing a consultation paper to obtain views on the duration of provisional motorcycle licences. In addition, we will be considering, as part of the work on the new road safety strategy and targets, what further measures might be necessary to increase the safety of learner motorcyclists.

  Biodiversity
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures he has evaluated to maintain the current level of biodiversity. [46227]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 16 June 1998]The UK Biodiversity Action Plan and UK Biodiversity Steering Group Report contain the measures aimed at maintaining and enhancing biodiversity within the UK. Principal among these measures is the development of costed action plans for priority species and habitats. Some 116 species and 14 habitat action plans were published as part of the Steering Group report and are now being implemented. A further 56 species action plans were published on 2 June and copies are available in the Library. It is expected that by the end of the year over 400 species and 38 habitat action plans will have been published.

  Sewerage
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what is the Government's policy on the draft water industry specifications for plastic sewage pipes; and what representations they have made on this matter; [45194]

  (2) what discussions have taken place between his Department and the water companies on the draft water industry specifications for plastic sewage pipes; [45195]

  (3) what representations his Department has received on the draft water industry specifications for plastic sewage pipes; [45196]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 16 June 1998]My Department has received 33 letters on the draft water industry specifications for plastic sewage pipes. Such specifications are matters for the sewerage undertakers, and my Department has not commented on them nor had any discussions with the undertakers.

  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the British Standards Institute will be consulting on Part 1 for a European standard for plastic piping systems for structured wall non-pressure underground drainage and sewerage systems. [45197]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 16 June 1998]The European Standard is currently being considered by the European Committee for Standardisation. I understand that it will be distributed for comment later in the year at which point the British Standards Institution will consult relevant parties.

  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many water companies have been prosecuted for polluting groundwater with sewage for each year since 1990. [45198]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 16 June 1998]Environment Agency records show that there have been no such prosecutions.

  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what powers the Environment Agency has to prosecute water companies for polluting groundwater with sewage. [45199]
  283
  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 16 June 1998]It is an offence under section 85 of the Water Resources Act 1991 to cause or knowingly permit any poisonous, noxious or polluting matter or any solid waste matter to enter any controlled waters (including groundwater). The Environment Agency may bring a prosecution for this offence under section 85.

  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how the Environment Agency monitors sewage leaking into groundwater. [45200]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 16 June 1998]Most data on general groundwater quality are obtained from water companies' and private industrial and agricultural abstractions. The Environment Agency also monitors specific sites where it believes there is potential for pollution but does not monitor specifically for the effects of sewage leakage.

  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action the Environment Agency is able to take against jetting contractors who damage sewage pipes with high-pressure water jetting. [45201]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 16 June 1998]If pollution were to occur as a result of a contractor damaging sewage pipes, the sewerage undertaker would be liable. Any prosecution by the Environment Agency would be in line with section 85 of the Water Resources Act 1991. Enforcement action could be taken against the contractor or the sewerage undertaker depending upon the evidence available.

  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how his Department measures leakage from small holes in underground sewer pipes. [45202]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 16 June 1998]The Department does not measure leakage from sewers. Under section 94 of the Water Industry Act 1991, sewerage undertakers are responsible for the effectual drainage of their area and for maintaining their pipework.

  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what are the current targets for reduction in leakage from sewer pipes; and how these are measured. [45203]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 16 June 1998]No targets have been set in relation to leakage from sewer pipes.

  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how his Department monitors the effectiveness of the code of practice for removing blockages in sewer pipes which limits the pressure of the cleaning jet. [45204]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 16 June 1998]The code of practice for removing blockages in sewer pipes which limits the pressure of the cleaning jet was produced on a voluntary basis by the manufacturers. As such, the Department does not monitor its effectiveness. It would be for the sewerage undertaker to specify compliance with a code of practice in any contract with contractors.
  284
  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research his Department has conducted into the damage done to thin-walled plastic sewer pipes from the use of high pressure water jets to remove blockages; and what account his Department has taken of the extent to which recent design changes in jets prevent damage to the pipes. [45205]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 16 June 1998]My Department has not undertaken any research into this area, which is the responsibility of the sewerage undertakers.

  Mr. Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research his Department has evaluated into the infiltration of groundwater into sewer pipes and its impact upon the working of the sewer network. [45206]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 16 June 1998]My Department has not undertaken any research on this issue. I understand that UK Water Industry Research Limited (UKWIR) are carrying out research on behalf of Water UK into infiltration into and exfiltration from sewers, the results of which are expected by April 1999.

  Recycled Plastics
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to develop and promote research into and incentives for the recycling of plastics. [45987]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 17 June 1998]We are committed to an increased level of recycling, and are currently reviewing our national waste strategy. This is aimed at reducing the amount of waste produced and ensuring its environmentally sound management. The recycling of plastics will be covered by the new strategy.

  We have held discussions with a number of organisations involved in plastics recycling to ascertain what further measures can be taken by both industry and Government to increase recycling.

  Plastics constitutes a significant proportion of packaging waste. The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 1997 aim to double the amount of packaging waste (including plastics) recovered to around 50 per cent. by 2001. The Regulations also impose a material-specific recycling target of 16 per cent. for each packaging material — including plastic packaging—to be achieved by 2001.

  Diabetic Drivers
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement about the discussions he has had with the British Diabetics Association concerning driving licences for diabetics. [46281]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 17 June 1998]My noble Friend the Minister for Roads met representatives of the British Diabetic Association in February to learn at first hand their concerns about the legislation preventing insulin-treated diabetes sufferers from driving medium-sized lorries and minibuses. She undertook to consider the review of medical evidence which they presented. The Department's Advisory Panel on Diabetes and Driving examined this and other
  285
  evidence, in the light of which they recommended a limited modification to the present restrictions. The Government are currently consulting on a proposal which would allow, subject to meeting the qualifying criteria and stringent annual medical checks, those who have driven medium-sized lorries to renew that entitlement.

  Sellafield
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what plans he has to reduce liquid discharges from the Sellafield plant; [45866]

  (2) what account the Environment Agency is taking of the levels of technetium 99 in (a) seaweed and (b) lobsters in the Solway Firth in setting discharge authorisation levels for the Sellafield plant; [45867]

  (3) if he will make a statement on the relationship between current levels of radiation from technetium 99 in the Solway Firth and EU intervention levels; [45868]

  (4) what steps he intends to take to reduce radiation levels arising from technetium 99 in the Solway Firth. [45869]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 17 June 1998]The Environment Agency is currently considering the responses received from a recent public consultation into the application by British Nuclear Fuels plc (BNFL) for variations to the discharge authorisations for the Sellafield site. In determining these applications, all relevant factors will be taken into account. We have reiterated to the Environment Agency that we wish to see progressive reductions in discharges and discharge limits at Sellafield, and this includes technetium-99. The Agency has proposed substantial reductions in the discharge limits for technetium-99 and a legal requirement on BNFL to develop abatement technology for this radionuclide. A number of requests have been made for the Secretary of State to call the applications in for his own determination. These requests are under consideration.

  Community Food Intervention Levels are intended for use only in the event of a nuclear accident or emergency when the health impacts may be very uncertain.

  Dolby Stereo (Cinemas)
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will examine the aural safety of the Dolby stereo system, used in cinemas. [44988]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 17 June 1998]I am advised that the Health and Safety Executive is not aware of any aural safety implications of the Dolby stereo system.

  Moorside Drift Mine
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement about the fatal accident at the Moorside Drift Mine, Eckington, Derbyshire, on 4 June. [45056]

  Angela Eagle
  I am saddened to hear of the accident at Eckington and would like to take this opportunity to extend my sympathy to the families of the two men who were killed.
  286
  An investigation into the accident is currently being carried out by the Health and Safety Executive's Mines Inspectorate. I will write to my hon. Friend when the investigation has been completed.

  Throckmorton Airfield
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will reply to the letter of 5 March from the hon. Member for Mid-Worcestershire about the planning status of Throckmorton Airfield. [46465]

  Mr. Caborn
  I signed a reply to the hon. Member's letter some time ago, but it has clearly gone astray. I can only apologise and I sent a further copy yesterday.

  Coalfield Taskforce Report
  Mr. Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he intends to publish the Coalfield Taskforce's report. [46104]

  Mr. Prescott
  I warmly welcome the publication today of the Coalfields Taskforce's excellent report "Making the Difference: A New Start for England's Coalfield Communities". Copies of the report will be placed in the House Library.

  Last year, I gave a commitment to help regenerate communities devastated by pit closures. I wanted to ensure that every option open to us was explored so that those communities could get the help and support that they need and deserve. That is why I set up the Coalfields Taskforce last October, under the chairmanship of Paula Hay-Plumb. I want to thank Paula and her team for their hard work and dedication in producing their excellent report.

  The taskforce's report is comprehensive in its approach. It includes many promising practical proposals. I want to ensure that our response is equally comprehensive, and that careful consideration is given to the detail of all the recommendations. I will give our initial response at the conference to be held at Ollerton Miners Welfare, North Nottinghamshire on Monday 13 July. I will announce a detailed programme of action for the former coalfield communities in the Autumn.

  We all agree that we must redress the decline of our former coalfields communities. Government cannot do this alone. All partners—central and local government, the voluntary and private sectors, and the communities themselves—must make a firm long term commitment if we are to make the difference.

  Sites of Special Scientific Interest
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what actions his Department is taking to ensure protection of(a) existing sites of special scientific interest and (b) potential sites. [46696]

  Angela Eagle
  The Government are currently considering how best to improve the protection and management of Sites of Special Scientific Interest. This will involve examining the powers available to English
  287
  Nature, who are responsible for notifying potential sites. Officials are preparing a consultation paper seeking views.

  Water Abstraction
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what changes he proposes to make to the water abstraction licensing system in England and Wales. [46985]

  Mr. Meacher
  Together with the Welsh Office, my Department has prepared a consultation paper, setting out a wide range of proposals which will ensure that abstraction licensing and related arrangements in England and Wales provide full protection to the water environment while enabling fair and flexible measures for meeting properly managed demand for water resources. I shall place copies in the Library of the House tomorrow morning, coincident with the paper's publication.

  Private Coach Hire Companies
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will review the operation of the tour operators margin scheme in respect of private coach hire companies. [45456]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I have been asked to reply.

  HM Customs and Excise last reviewed the Tour Operators Margin Scheme in 1996 and undertook a comprehensive consultation exercise. Coach operators contributed to the review and full account was taken of their representations. Progress on implementing certain of the recommendations of the review has been constrained by EC law, but a case currently before the European Court of Justice may clarify further the legal interpretation. In the light of the outcome Customs will look again at the possibility of simplified treatment for businesses such as private coach hire companies.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Development Assistance
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what official development assistance was provided by the United Kingdom in 1997 as a percentage of gross national product; and how this compares with the performance of other members of OECD's Development Assistance Committee. [46808]

  Clare Short
  Precise figures are still to be calculated but the UK's expenditure on official development assistance in 1997 is estimated to have been £2,058 million, representing 0.26 per cent. of GNP. This is slightly lower than the 1996 figure of 0.27 per cent. The UK was the fifth largest bilateral aid donor in 1997 in volume terms. The average for all OECD DAC Member Countries in 1997 was 0.22 per cent. of GNP, its lowest ever level. The average for the European Union was 0.33 per cent. of GNP. These figures exclude financial flows to countries in transition in central and eastern Europe and more advanced developing countries as defined in the Development Assistance Committee list of aid recipients.
  288
  There is a clear need for more investment in developing countries to tackle poverty and social exclusion. This government are committed to playing their part, including by reversing the decline in UK development assistance as we promised in the manifesto.

  World Bank
  Mr. Fabian Hamilton
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development to what extent the objectives laid down by the donors for IDA 11 have been realised by the World bank. [44929]

  Mr. Foulkes
  The IDA 11 deputies' report—laid in the Libraries of both Houses in February 1998—sets out over 20 areas of action on a range of policy issues, e.g. covering efforts to strengthen the performance-based allocation of the International Development Association (IDA); improving the World bank's country assistance strategy process; encouraging the participation of affected people and non-governmental organisations, and the completion of poverty assessments. Important progress has been made in a number of these policy areas including improvements to the quality and coverage of poverty and environmental assessments, and overall improvements to the quality and impact of the IDA portfolio of projects. A copy of a matrix report dated April 1998 detailing the action taken on the implementation of this framework of policy issues will be laid in the Library of the House.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Parc Prison
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the findings of the recent inquiries into serious disorders at Her Majesty's prison Parc; what assessment he has made of safety, security and order at that establishment; and if he will make statement. [44713]

  Ms Quin
  There have been three inquiries into recent events at Parc prison. Two were into acts of concerted indiscipline which took place on 6 May and 14 May, and the third was an investigation into a self-inflicted death which took place on 5 May. All these inquiries were conducted by senior managers in the Prison Service. In addition, I asked the director general of the Prison Service for a report on the current situation at Parc.

  It is not current Prison Service policy to publish the findings of internal inquiries of this nature because of security considerations and issues of personal confidentiality. The management of the establishment is kept under regular review and it is working towards an action plan agreed with the Prison Service to deliver improvements in the operation and security of the establishment. I am in receipt of monthly reports on the establishment's progress towards achievement of the action plan. The action plan will be reviewed to take account of the recommendations contained in the recent inquiries and will be monitored closely by the Prison Service.

  Zero Tolerance Policing
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what plans he has to implement zero tolerance policing as a formal policy; [45641]
  289
  (2) what assessment he has made of the cost implications of introducing a policy of zero tolerance policing; and if he will make a statement. [45617]

  Mr. Michael
  "Zero tolerance" is a term which has been interpreted in different ways by different people. Ministers have used it to indicate an approach which involves early intervention to discourage crime and disorder at an early stage rather than waiting until anti-social activities have reached a serious level. We are clear that "zero tolerance" does not mean intolerance or indiscriminate crackdowns by the police against the wishes of the community. It means action for, and with the consent of, the community to address the sort of anti-social behaviour which adversely affects people's quality of life.

  Many forces have adopted effective strategies to tackle those local crime and disorder problems which impact on the quality of life of their local communities. We have given our full support to such strategies, whether they operate under the term "zero tolerance" or not. The findings of Her Majesty's inspectorate of constabulary's thematic inspection report on police community and race relations, published in October 1997, showed that there is strong support for policing which involves effective targeted action on quality of life issues.

  The Home Secretary's key objectives for the police in 1998–99 include tackling local problems of crime and disorder in partnership with local authorities, other local agencies and the public. The Home Office Police Research Group is conducting an evaluation of the range of approaches to counter anti-social behaviour, with a view to developing key indicators on reducing anti-social behaviour. Meanwhile, Her Majesty's inspectorate of constabulary is carrying out a thematic inspection of the policing of disorder.

  Performance against key performance indicators by prison, 1997–98

  Prison name

  Category A escapes (KPl 1)

  Escapes (KPl 1)

  Assault rate (KPl 2) Per cent.

  Positive random drug testing rate (KPl 3)Per cent

  Purposeful hours per prisoner (KPl 5)

  Are standard/enhanced regime prisoners unlocked less than 10 hours on weekdays (KPl 6)

  Offending behaviour programme completions (KPl 7)

  Sex offender programme completions (KPl 7)

  Cost per Place2(KPl 8)£

  Average training days per staff member(KPl 9)

  Acklington

  0

  1

  0.9

  29.0

  25.5

  Yes

  50

  29

  13,376

  6.5

  Albany

  0

  0

  1.4

  7.5

  24.0

  Yes

  143

  51

  19,625

  7.5

  Aldington

  0

  0

  0.7

  23.1

  30.4

  Yes

  0

  0

  15,845

  7.5

  Altcourse

  0

  0

  21.3

  5—

  24.5

  Yes

  0

  0

  1—

  6—

  Ashwell

  0

  1

  1.1

  39.9

  32.6

  Yes

  0

  0

  14,646

  10.2

  Askham Grange

  0

  0

  0.0

  13.9

  41.8

  Yes

  0

  0

  17,512

  6.6

  Aylesbury

  0

  0

  45.4

  12.7

  22.6

  No

  44

  0

  23,592

  6.9

  Bedford

  0

  0

  11.0

  36.1

  25.6

  Yes

  0

  0

  20,141

  6.3

  Belmarsh

  0

  1

  14.3

  8.1

  11.8

  No

  0

  0

  29,864

  7.2

  Birmingham

  0

  0

  6.3

  32.8

  10.9

  No

  0

  0

  20,792

  5.1

  Blakenhurst

  0

  0

  14.2

  46.0

  20.1

  Yes

  0

  0

  17,247

  6—

  Blantyre House

  0

  0

  0.0

  5.6

  34.2

  Yes

  36

  0

  17,709

  8.3

  Blundeston

  0

  0

  6.5

  25.9

  23.2

  Yes

  0

  0

  19,948

  5.8

  Brinsford

  0

  0

  28.2

  17.9

  15.3

  No

  0

  0

  18,256

  7.2

  Bristol

  0

  0

  7.2

  26.7

  20.1

  No

  35

  0

  30,593

  11.4

  Brixton

  0

  1

  8.9

  14.9

  17.1

  Yes

  81

  23

  21,603

  4.7

  Brockhill

  0

  0

  16.3

  30.5

  30.7

  Yes

  0

  0

  27,394

  4.6

  Buckley Hall

  0

  1

  4.5

  38.4

  32.8

  Yes

  0

  0

  16,957

  6—

  Bullingdon

  0

  1

  6.8

  34.6

  20.9

  Yes

  7

  0

  16,358

  10.8

  Bullwood Hall

  0

  0

  21.3

  20.0

  21.6

  Yes

  0

  0

  30,183

  10.7

  Camp Hill

  0

  0

  5.6

  31.9

  20.9

  Yes

  0

  0

  17,843

  3.8

  Canterbury

  0

  0

  6.0

  18.5

  17.5

  Yes

  0

  0

  34,433

  6.0

  Cardiff

  0

  0

  7.6

  27.0

  22.0

  Yes

  0

  0

  20,940

  6.1

  Castington

  0

  0

  21.2

  10.9

  23.4

  No

  11

  11

  18,577

  6.6

  Channings Wood

  0

  0

  1.5

  20.0

  29.6

  Yes

  53

  39

  15,403

  6.7

  Chelmsford

  0

  0

  12.0

  24.0

  16.0

  No

  0

  0

  19,256

  5.4

  Colchester

  0

  0

  14.4

  19.4

  433.93

  No

  0

  0

  31,300

  11.8

  290
  We are also taking steps to tighten the law in a number of areas. The Crime and Disorder Bill will ensure that the criminal justice system is better equipped to deal with anti-social and disorderly behaviour, including petty criminality amongst young offenders. First anti-social behaviour orders will provide protection from harassment and neighbourhood disorder. They will prohibit specified conduct, and may be made on anyone over the age of 10. If their terms are breached, criminal sanctions will be available.

  Secondly, joint responsibilities will be placed on the police and local authorities in every area to work in partnership with other agencies and in consultation with the local community to develop and implement strategies to reduce crime and disorder. Thirdly, the Bill includes a range of measures to prevent and tackle youth crime, including powers for local authorities to establish night-time curfews on children under 10 and a statutory police reprimand and warning scheme to replace cautioning for youngsters and ensure a swift, effective response to their offending.

  Prison Service
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the results achieved by the Prison Service on each of its key performance indicators in each prison for the last available year; and if he will make a statement. [45555]

  Ms Quin
  The performance of each prison on the Prison Service's key performance indicators is listed in the table.

  The overcrowding KPI is formulated in terms of overall Prison Service capacity and population levels; therefore, the performance of individual prisons cannot be meaningfully related to the KPI.
  291

  Performance against key performance indicators by prison, 1997–98

  Prison name

  Category A escapes (KPl 1)

  Escapes (KPl 1)

  Assault rate (KPl 2) Per cent.

  Positive random drug testing rate (KPl 3)Per cent

  Purposeful hours per prisoner (KPl 5)

  Are standard/enhanced regime prisoners unlocked less than 10 hours on weekdays (KPl 6)

  Offending behaviour programme completions (KPl 7)

  Sex offender programme completions (KPl 7)

  Cost per Place2(KPl 8)£

  Average training days per staff member (KPl 9)

  Coldingley

  0

  1

  2.4

  29.3

  38.1

  Yes

  64

  0

  22,013

  6.7

  Cookham Wood

  0

  0

  9.6

  6.7

  23.6

  Yes

  14

  0

  25,391

  10.4

  Dartmoor

  0

  0

  6.9

  16.8

  18.8

  No

  104

  26

  20,259

  8.2

  Deerbolt

  0

  0

  21.0

  15.1

  21.7

  Yes

  0

  0

  16,740

  506

  Doncaster

  0

  0

  19.2

  22.8

  16.7

  Yes

  0

  0

  19,475

  6—

  Dorchester

  0

  0

  13.9

  44.6

  16.2

  Yes

  0

  0

  28,696

  7.7

  Dover

  0

  0

  21.0

  16.6

  21.7

  No

  0

  0

  17,463

  6.5

  Downview

  0

  1

  0.3

  5.0

  31.5

  Yes

  0

  0

  18,714

  10.6

  Drake Hall

  0

  0

  1.1

  17.9

  35.1

  Yes

  0

  0

  14,092

  6.0

  Durham

  0

  0

  5.2

  31.5

  16.7

  Yes

  0

  0

  27,588

  6.2

  East Sutton Park

  0

  0

  0.0

  7.5

  38.4

  Yes

  0

  0

  17,749

  6.4

  Eastwood Park

  0

  0

  24.3

  9.4

  19.7

  Yes

  0

  0

  25,453

  13.0

  Elmley

  0

  0

  5.9

  13.5

  19.0

  Yes

  41

  0

  16,838

  12.7

  Erlestoke

  0

  1

  0.3

  28.4

  29.0

  Yes

  0

  0

  17,593

  5.2

  Everthorpe

  0

  0

  3.3

  27.0

  25.8

  Yes

  0

  0

  17,158

  5.2

  Exeter

  0

  1

  8.1

  34.8

  17.9

  No

  0

  0

  31,266

  4.1

  Featherstone

  0

  0

  2.9

  40.4

  23.7

  Yes

  10

  0

  17,541

  2.6

  Feltham

  0

  0

  33.2

  20.9

  19.6

  No

  25

  18

  17.995

  8.2

  Ford

  0

  0

  0.4

  9.9

  33.7

  Yes

  0

  0

  10,974

  6.5

  Foston Hall

  0

  1

  12.2

  13.5

  21.3

  Yes

  0

  0

  31,685

  13.8

  Frankland

  0

  0

  14.1

  36.0

  17.0

  No

  13

  13

  38,078

  9.8

  Full Sutton

  0

  0

  4.8

  6.4

  18.0

  No

  77

  25

  33,594

  9.8

  Garth

  0

  0

  3.4

  17.4

  21.0

  Yes

  0

  0

  18,483

  12.7

  Gartree

  0

  0

  1.7

  30.7

  26.5

  Yes

  18

  0

  22,496

  7.8

  Glen Parva

  0

  0

  35.3

  20.8

  16.5

  No

  0

  0

  15,429

  8.7

  Gloucester

  0

  0

  22.7

  35.3

  21.6

  No

  0

  0

  27,651

  6.5

  Grendon

  0

  0

  1.2

  17.4

  33.3

  No

  0

  0

  19,592

  6.7

  Guys Marsh

  0

  0

  5.1

  33.9

  30.9

  Yes

  0

  0

  16,741

  9.7

  Haslar

  0

  0

  2.1

  4.3

  21.4

  Yes

  0

  0

  14,617

  6.9

  Hatfield

  0

  0

  9.9

  13.5

  37.2

  Yes

  0

  0

  21,601

  5.4

  Havering

  0

  1

  1.8

  16.2

  33.8

  Yes

  0

  0

  17,351

  10.1

  Hewell Grange

  0

  0

  0.5

  15.3

  41.2

  Yes

  0

  0

  12,667

  3.6

  Highdown

  0

  0

  13.6

  25.2

  15.7

  Yes

  50

  11

  22,250

  11.3

  Highpoint

  0

  0

  4.2

  24.8

  17.7

  No

  0

  0

  17,046

  13.9

  Hindley

  0

  0

  24.1

  35.6

  20.1

  No

  0

  0

  19,389

  5.1

  Hollesley Bay

  0

  0

  13.4

  22.9

  28.1

  No

  0

  0

  23,231

  3.6

  Holloway

  0

  0

  30.9

  24.1

  18.7

  Yes

  21

  0

  36,903

  10.5

  Holme House

  0

  0

  3.9

  19.2

  16.0

  No

  34

  0

  15,236

  6.2

  Hull

  0

  0

  9.3

  20.7

  18.6

  No

  0

  0

  21,583

  7.5

  Huntercombe

  0

  0

  15.4

  17.8

  25.1

  Yes

  0

  0

  20,008

  12.2

  Kingston

  0

  0

  0.9

  10.9

  28.6

  Yes

  0

  0

  20,943

  6.0

  Kirkham

  0

  0

  0.2

  25.3

  54.8

  Yes

  0

  0

  13,380

  6.0

  Kirklevington

  0

  1

  0.6

  5.7

  48.8

  Yes

  0

  0

  13,463

  6.2

  Lancaster

  0

  0

  0.9

  36.8

  22.8

  Yes

  0

  0

  20,792

  6.6

  Lancaster Farms

  0

  0

  20.1

  5.1

  22.4

  Yes

  54

  0

  19,115

  7.0

  Latchmere House

  0

  0

  0.0

  14.5

  72.7

  Yes

  0

  0

  12,031

  8.3

  Leeds

  0

  0

  9.0

  24.1

  15.5

  No

  0

  0

  17,400

  10.5

  Leicester

  0

  0

  11.0

  32.2

  21.4

  Yes

  0

  0

  36,690

  7.2

  Lewes

  0

  0

  13.1

  27.1

  18.5

  No

  0

  0

  18,603

  5.6

  Leyhill

  0

  0

  0.3

  13.3

  38.6

  Yes

  33

  33

  16,619

  5.3

  Lincoln

  0

  0

  5.0

  34.6

  19.6

  Yes

  18

  0

  24,438

  4.2

  Lindholme

  0

  0

  2.1

  23.3

  25.3

  Yes

  31

  5

  17,801

  5.1

  Littlehey

  0

  0

  3.0

  16.9

  29.8

  Yes

  21

  21

  14,020

  8.2

  Liverpool

  0

  1

  4.9

  18.9

  16.5

  No

  0

  0

  19,071

  7.7

  Long Lartin

  0

  0

  9.5

  22.7

  15.6

  No

  26

  0

  34,242

  7.3

  Low Newton

  0

  0

  35.5

  41.3

  21.7

  No

  0

  0

  27,644

  4.7

  Lowdham Grange

  0

  0

  6.9

  15.8

  3—

  Yes

  0

  0

  1—

  6—

  Maidstone

  0

  0

  2.3

  14.6

  22.5

  Yes

  66

  28

  17,872

  8.8

  Manchester

  0

  0

  6.0

  18.2

  29.4

  Yes

  0

  0

  24,460

  6.5

  Moorland

  0

  0

  19.1

  10.8

  25.3

  Yes

  106

  0

  18,507

  8.5

  Morton Hall

  0

  0

  1.5

  9.3

  39.1

  Yes

  0

  0

  12,224

  4.6

  Mount

  0

  0

  2.6

  28.0

  18.4

  No

  0

  0

  13,839

  10.5

  New Hall

  0

  0

  16.9

  8.0

  22.9

  Yes

  0

  0

  21,682

  6.1

  North Sea Camp

  0

  0

  0.0

  23.5

  42.4

  Yes

  0

  0

  14,978

  4.8

  Northallerton

  0

  0

  8.9

  16.3

  14.7

  Yes

  0

  0

  30,431

  5.3

  Norwich

  0

  0

  9.3

  24.1

  18.1

  Yes

  0

  0

  20,548

  5.8

  Nottingham

  0

  0

  6.9

  31.1

  18.1

  No

  0

  0

  20,517

  7.5

  Onley

  0

  0

  32.7

  4.7

  20.0

  Yes

  22

  0

  15,595

  9.0

  Parc

  0

  0

  12.3

  57.1

  3—

  Yes

  0

  0

  1—

  6—

  Parkhurst

  0

  0

  4.3

  6.7

  20.1

  Yes

  58

  0

  22,530

  7.6

  Pentonville

  0

  0

  10.6

  31.9

  19.6

  No

  40

  0

  19,177

  10.7

  Portland

  0

  0

  11.7

  10.2

  29.4

  Yes

  7

  0

  16,664

  7.1

  Preston

  0

  1

  11.2

  18.8

  17.4

  No

  0

  0

  27,967

  6.3

  Ranby

  0

  4

  3.0

  15.9

  30.2

  Yes

  26

  0

  17,631

  6.8

  Reading

  0

  0

  18.8

  24.2

  24.2

  No

  0

  0

  24,395

  7.0

  292 293

  Performance against key performance indicators by prison, 1997–98

  Prison name

  Category A escapes (KPl 1)

  Escapes (KPl 1)

  Assault rate (KPl 2) Per cent.

  Positive random drug testing rate (KPl 3)Per cent

  Purposeful hours per prisoner (KPl 5)

  Are standard/enhanced regime prisoners unlocked less than 10 hours on weekdays (KPl 6)

  Offending behaviour programme completions (KPl 7)

  Sex offender programme completions (KPl 7)

  Cost per Place2(KPl 8)£

  Average training days per staff member (KPl 9)

  Risley

  0

  0

  8.8

  24.5

  22.7

  No

  28

  28

  18,554

  5.2

  Rochester

  0

  0

  12.5

  4.4

  18.7

  Yes

  29

  29

  18,303

  6.4

  Send

  0

  3

  0.0

  30.2

  35.1

  Yes

  0

  0

  13,807

  12.8

  Shepton Mallet

  0

  0

  0.9

  47.3

  23.7

  Yes

  0

  0

  24,285

  4.2

  Shrewsbury

  0

  0

  3.1

  15.7

  21.4

  Yes

  0

  0

  30,202

  6.8

  Stafford

  0

  0

  5.3

  20.1

  25.0

  No

  0

  0

  16,527

  3.5

  Standford Hill

  0

  0

  0.9

  11.8

  33.8

  Yes

  0

  0

  15,891

  7.0

  Stocken

  0

  0

  3.9

  33.6

  27.1

  Yes

  25

  0

  15,950

  6.1

  Stoke Heath

  0

  0

  29.9

  8.2

  21.6

  Yes

  0

  0

  15,591

  13.5

  Styal

  0

  0

  11.0

  24.4

  28.6

  Yes

  0

  0

  22,617

  6.2

  Sudbury

  0

  1

  0.4

  11.1

  47.2

  Yes

  0

  0

  13,283

  7.4

  Swaleside

  0

  1

  5.2

  19.4

  22.0

  No

  17

  0

  18,275

  11.5

  Swansea

  0

  0

  9.0

  52.6

  15.0

  No

  0

  0

  24,555

  4.4

  Swinfen Hall

  0

  0

  13.5

  14.3

  25.5

  No

  80

  15

  24,421

  8.8

  Thorn Cross

  0

  0

  10.4

  25.7

  50.3

  Yes

  100

  0

  19,112

  8.6

  Usk

  0

  0

  1.4

  7.8

  35.5

  No

  38

  38

  20,794

  8.1

  Verne

  0

  0

  0.7

  36.2

  30.9

  Yes

  0

  0

  15,044

  6.2

  Wakefield

  0

  0

  3.5

  2.9

  17.8

  Yes

  110

  33

  24,189

  8.2

  Wandsworth

  0

  0

  6.1

  3.6

  22.0

  No

  47

  26

  16,193

  11.2

  Wayland

  0

  1

  2.5

  33.3

  24.6

  Yes

  72

  33

  14,004

  10.3

  Wealstun

  0

  0

  0.7

  26.6

  33.7

  No

  0

  0

  15,561

  7.3

  Weare

  0

  0

  3.0

  28.0

  419.8

  Yes

  0

  0

  17,402

  21.6

  Wellingborough

  0

  4

  5.0

  33.2

  25.1

  Yes

  0

  0

  16,665

  7.4

  Werrington

  0

  3

  59.3

  5.7

  36.5

  Yes

  0

  0

  23,165

  7.2

  Wetherby

  0

  1

  23.9

  4.0

  29.5

  Yes

  0

  0

  18,535

  10.4

  Whatton

  0

  0

  1.3

  5.4

  30.6

  Yes

  86

  70

  16,980

  4.3

  Whitemoor

  0

  0

  8.4

  12.8

  18.5

  Yes

  0

  0

  34,319

  7.8

  Winchester

  0

  0

  8.1

  29.1

  17.2

  Yes

  8

  0

  24,587

  4.1

  Wolds

  0

  0

  5.8

  18.1

  31.0

  Yes

  18

  0

  20,606

  6—

  Woodhill

  0

  0

  13.7

  25.3

  20.9

  Yes

  20

  20

  25,294

  13.6

  Wormwood Scrubs

  0

  0

  8.1

  16.4

  13.6

  No

  54

  0

  17,267

  6.4

  Wymott

  0

  0

  3.3

  19.9

  34.4

  Yes

  72

  46

  16,171

  6.5

  1Cost per place performance figures for HMP Parc, HMP Altcourse and HMP Lowdham Grange cannot be provided on a comparable basis because available data include an element for capital repayment

  2Cost per place figures are provisional because final expenditure figures are not yet available. Final figures are not likely to be significantly different

  3 Purposeful activity performance figures for HMP Parc and HMP Lowdham Grange are not available for the financial year 1997–98, but will be available for 1998–99

  4Purposeful activity data for HMP Weare and HMP Colchester are provisional

  5Random drug testing started at Altcourse in April 1998

  6 Private prison contractors do not supply training figures because they are treated as commercial in confidence

  Prisoners
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) men and (b) women were on rule 43 in prisons in England and Wales on 1 June. [45444]

  Ms Quin
  The most recent available provisional information is for 30 April 1998. On that date, the number on inmates held on prison rule 43 or young offender institution rule 46 were:

  Good order and discipline

  Own protection

  Males

  421

  1,211

  Females

  7

  21

  Total

  428

  1,232

  Members of formula working group 1998

  Members

  Ms Lynda Lockyer—(Chair)

  Home Office, Police Resources Unit

  Mr. Jim Bradley

  Home Office, Police Resources Unit

  Mr. Andrew Honeyman—(Secretary)

  Home Office, Police Resources Unit

  Mrs. Liz Curry

  Home Office, Police Resources Unit

  Mr. Simon Field

  Home Office, Resource Analysis Unit

  294
  Prisoners who are held for their own protection are generally held in separate units offering a normal regime. Prisoners held for the purposes of good order and discipline are normally held in segregation units.

  Police Funding Formula
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the names of those serving on the police funding formula working party; and if he will indicate those aspects of the formula currently under review. [45668]

  Mr. Michael
  The members of the allocation formula working Group are as follows:
  295

  Members of formula working group 1998

  Members

  Dr. Ian Williamson

  Home Office, Resource Analysis Unit

  Dr. Phil Emmott

  Home Office, Resource Analysis Unit

  Mr. Robin Dickens

  Home Office, Finance Unit

  Mr. Barry Coker

  Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary

  Mr. Andrew Presland

  Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions

  Mr. Justin Vetta

  Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions

  Mr. Steven Marshall

  Welsh Office

  Chief Constable Barry Shaw

  Association of Chief Police Officers

  Deputy Chief Constable Malcolm Cairns

  Association of Chief Police Officers

  Assistant Chief Constable Tony Lake

  Association of Chief Police Officers

  Deputy Assistant Commander Roy Clark

  Metropolitan Police

  Mr. John Parker

  Metropolitan Police

  Mr. Alan Meyrick

  Metropolitan Police Committee Secretariat

  Mr. Mike Heiser

  Association for London Government

  Mr. Malcolm Watson

  Association of Police Authorities

  Mr. John Street

  Association of Police Authorities

  Mr. Howard Springthorpe

  Association of Police Authorities

  Mr. Bill Wilkinson

  Association of Police Authorities

  Mr. Derek Smith

  Association of Police Authorities

  Mrs. Catherine Crawford

  Association of Police Authorities

  Mr. Richard Tettenborn

  Association of Police Authorities

  Mr. Mike Grealy

  Association of Police Authorities

  The main areas being considered currently by the working group are: the question whether there are additional costs associated with policing in sparsely populated rural areas and/or difficult urban areas; the pensions component; the area cost adjustment; and some technical issues.

  I have decided to commission two pieces of external research into whether there are additional costs associated with policing in sparsely populated rural areas and/or difficult urban areas. I hope that the results of this work will inform the 2000–2001 police funding settlement.

  Police (Health)
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will introduce annual fitness tests for police officers; [45656]

  (2) what research he has evaluated into the cost to police authorities of police officers being unavailable for duty due to illness related to a lack of physical fitness. [45657]

  Mr. Michael
  Annual fitness tests and the monitoring of sickness absence are matters for individual chief police officers to consider. Many forces do require officers in specialists units, such as firearms units, to undertake regular fitness tests. The Home Office has not undertaken any work as to the causes of sickness absence due to a lack of physical fitness, but has issued police forces with advice on the management of sickness absence, together with training booklets for managers in the police service to try to improve sickness levels amongst police officers. Her Majesty's inspectorate of constabulary has carried out a thematic inspection of sickness in the police service, and has made a number of recommendations for improving the way in which sickness absence and ill health retirement are dealt with. A copy of the report is in the Library. One of the report's recommendations is that all forces should calculate the cost of their sickness absence to a common formula, a format for which is provided in the report.
  296
  We will be collecting information from all forces on the way they have responded to that report, and will ask them to provide information on local practice in respect of regular fitness tests.

  Chief Police Officers
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the selection procedure for chief officers of police. [45679]

  Mr. Michael
  The responsibility for making appointments and for managing the procedures for the selection and appointment of chief officers of police in England and Wales rests with police authorities.

  On 2 December 1996, the Home Office issued guidance to police authorities following consultation with representatives of the then police authority associations, Her Majesty's inspectorate of constabulary, the police staff associations and the Equal Opportunities Commission.

  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what was the income for each year since its formation of the Chief Police Officers Staff Association; what is the membership fee for each member; what amount is contributed from public funds; and if he will make a statement; [46085]

  (2) if the Association of Chief Police Officers will be subject to the Government's proposed freedom of information legislation; [46115]

  (3) if he will place in the Library copies of the accounts for the Association of Chief Police Officers for each of the last five years for which they are available. [46108]

  Mr. Michael
  Under the current proposals, the Association of Chief Police Officers of England, Wales and Northern Ireland would not be subject to the proposed legislation. ACPO is not a public body within the terms of the proposals. However, much of the information which is supplied by ACPO and which would be held by public bodies such as police forces, or the Home Office, would fall within the scope of the proposals.
  297
  The Chief Police Officers' Staff Association is a private, voluntary organisation whose activities are entirely financed by membership subscriptions. The levels of those subscriptions are entirely a matter for the internal management of the association, which is not accountable to the Secretary of State. No public funds are provided to CPOSA to support its activities, although its members may claim expenses in relation to their representative functions on the Police Negotiating Board and the Police Advisory Board. The Home Office has allocated £2,000 in 1998–99 to the staff side in respect of expenses in connection with CPOSA's duties as part of the staff side of the Police Negotiating Board.

  I have arranged for copies of the accounts for the Association of Chief Police Officers for the years 1992–93 to 1996–97 to be placed in the Library.

  Drivers (Sentences)
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons were(a) convicted and (b) jailed for (i) driving with excess alcohol and (ii) driving while disqualified, in each of the last three years for which figures are available. [46236]

  Mr. Michael
  The information requested is in the table.

  Persons convicted of offences of driving while disqualified and driving after consuming alcohol or taking drugs England and Wales

  1994

  1995

  1996

  Driving while disqualified

  Persons convicted

  24,167

  24,394

  23,246

  Persons sentenced to immediate custody

  8,395

  9,581

  9,483

  Driving etc. after consuming alcohol or taking drugs

  Persons convicted

  78,005

  81,464

  85,012

  Persons sentenced to immediate custody

  3,243

  3,443

  3,529

  Notes:

  Figures for 1997 are not yet available

  Protection from Harassment Act
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many persons have been prosecuted under sections 1 or 2 of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997; and how many prosecutions have resulted in a conviction; [46229]

  (2) how many complaints have been received by the police in respect of section 1 of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997; and if he will make a statement. [46231]

  Mr. Michael
  Sections 1 and 2 of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 came into force on 16 June 1997. Section 1 refers to the prohibition of harassment with section 2 advising that a person who pursues a course of conduct in breach of section 1 is guilty of a summary offence.

  Provisional court proceedings data for 1997 show 504 prosecutions under section 2 of the Act, which resulted in 247 convictions. In addition, 171 cautions have been recorded provisionally for the offence.
  298
  Figures for complaints received by the police in respect of this Act are not collected centrally. However, the British crime survey is collecting information on levels of harassment reported by respondents.

  Air Guns
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases of deaths and personal injuries resulting from air guns have been recorded in England and Wales over the last five years. [45787]

  Mr. Michael
  The information requested is contained in the table. The information is confined to notifiable offences recorded by the police in which air weapons were reported to have been used. Corresponding figures for accidental deaths or injuries are not available.

  Notifiable offences recorded by the police in which air weapons were reported to have been used in England and Wales, by injury

  Year

  Fatal injury

  Other injury

  1992

  —

  1,718

  1993

  —

  1,572

  1994

  —

  1,580

  1995

  1

  1,400

  1996

  —

  1,203

  Figures for 1997 are not yet available.

  Cricket
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what discussions he has had with the England and Wales Cricket Board regarding crowd disturbances at test matches following the game against South Africa at Edgbaston on 4 June; [46042]

  (2) what discussions he has held with the England and Wales Cricket Board regarding its plans to control crowd behaviour during the cricket world cup in the United Kingdom in 1999. [46049]

  Mr. Michael
  My right hon. Friend has not had any discussion with the England and Wales Cricket Board on these matters. The Association of Chief Police Officers is responsible for co-ordinating policing arrangements for the cricket world cup. In October 1997, the association held an initial meeting with the tournament organiser appointed by the England and Wales Cricket Board. A co-ordinating group consisting of the organiser and representatives of the 17 forces involved in policing arrangements for the cricket world cup met in January and April, and further meetings are planned. One of the purposes of these discussions is to ensure that there is a consistent approach by stewards and police officers to the behaviour of spectators. West Midlands police held discussions with Warwickshire country cricket club before, during and after the Edgbaston test.

  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the total number of cricket-related arrests in each of the past 10 cricket seasons, broken down by(a) test matches, (b) one-day internationals, (c) Sunday league, (d) Benson and Hedges, (e) Nat West and (f)county championship games. [46048]

  Mr. Michael
  The Home Office collects information on the total number of arrests but it is not possible to determine those which are cricket-related.

  Police (Minimum Height)
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set a minimum height requirement for police officers. [45839]

  Mr. Michael
  An earlier minimum height requirement was removed by the previous Government in 1990 on the advice of the Police Advisory Board. We have no plans to reintroduce it.

  Vehicle Fleets (Fuel)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police and fire authorities have converted their fleets, in whole or in part, to run on compressed natural gas, LPG or electricity. [46125]

  Mr. Michael
  The information requested is not held centrally. However, a number of police forces are currently engaged in trials of alternative fuels, the results of which will be disseminated by the National Association of Police Fleet Managers. We are not aware of any initiatives within the fire service to trial such fuels.

  Closed Circuit Television (London)
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many closed circuit television schemes have been installed by each London borough council. [46370]

  Mr. Michael
  We do not have a record of closed circuit television schemes which have been funded by local councils. The number of schemes within London boroughs which have received awards under the Home Office CCTV challenge competition are shown in the table. These schemes are sponsored by local crime reduction partnerships, most of which involve the local authority.

  CCTV challenge competition round 1: 1994–95

  Borough

  Number of successful bids

  Total amount awarded

  Bexley

  1

  50,000

  Harrow

  1

  50,000

  Hillingdon

  1

  14,000

  Hounslow

  1

  50,000

  Islington

  1

  12,400

  Richmond upon Thames

  1

  50,000

  Total

  6

  226,400

  CCTV challenge competition round 2: 1996–97

  Borough

  Number of successful bids

  Total amount awarded

  Brent

  1

  250,000

  Camden

  1

  71,000

  Croydon

  4

  296,500

  Ealing

  2

  253,600

  Hackney

  2

  236,005

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  1

  106,200

  Haringey

  1

  130,300

  Harrow

  2

  156,880

  Hillingdon

  1

  12,703

  Hounslow

  l0

  485,299

  Islington

  1

  71,000

  Kensington and Cheslea

  1

  84,306

  Kingston upon Thames

  1

  154,500

  300

  CCTV challenge competition round 2: 1996–97

  Borough

  Number of successful bids

  Total amount awarded

  Lewisham

  1

  250,000

  Merton

  2

  177,500

  Newham

  6

  553,800

  Redbridge

  1

  200,000

  Richmond upon Thames

  1

  13,305

  Southwark

  1

  145,000

  Sutton

  1

  63,000

  Wandsworth

  1

  66,500

  Westminster

  2

  133,600

  Total

  44

  3,910,998

  CCTV challenge competition round 3: 1997–98

  Borough

  Number of successful bids

  Total amount awarded

  Barking and Dagenham

  5

  519,968

  Bexley

  1

  61,088

  Brent

  1

  135,000

  Camden

  1

  74,250

  Ealing

  1

  109,868

  Greenwich

  2

  202,500

  Hackney

  3

  324,000

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  2

  170,469

  Harrow

  1

  35,000

  Hounslow

  1

  135,000

  Kingston upon Thames

  1

  135,000

  Lambeth

  1

  103,500

  Merton

  2

  146,633

  Newham

  2

  185,000

  Southwark

  3

  238,725

  Tower Hamlets

  2

  186,008

  Uxbridge

  1

  74,529

  Waltham Forest

  1

  130,793

  Wandsworth

  2

  117,620

  Westminster

  3

  342,063

  Total

  36

  3,427,014

  CCTV challenge competition round 4: 1998–99

  Borough

  Number of successful bids

  Total amount awarded

  Barking and Dagenham

  1

  75,000

  Bexley

  1

  40,000

  Brent

  1

  74,710

  Lewisham

  1

  18,500

  Merton

  1

  50,000

  Newham

  1

  75,000

  Total

  6

  333,210

  Restriction Orders
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of those British citizens arrested in France in the past month(a) are now or (b) have previously been the subject of a restriction order. [46447]

  Mr. Michael
  None.

  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of those convicted of eligible offences in the last five years are currently the subject of restriction orders. [46448]
  301
  Mr. Michael
  There are currently 71 people subject to restriction orders under the Football Spectators Act 1989. This is an increase of 62 sin0ce the start of the year. The number of convictions for football-related offences in the five years 1992–93 to 1996–97 was 19,969.

  Football Hooligans (France)
  Mr. Peter Ainsworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps the Government have taken to ensure that those arrested for committing football offences in France are tried there. [46449]

  Mr. Michael
  The policing of the world cup and decisions on dealing with people who are arrested are matters for the French authorities. British and French police officers have worked together extensively in the run-up to the world cup, and are continuing to do so during the tournament. We have made it clear that the French authorities have our full support in ensuring that spectators are policed firmly and effectively and in taking proceedings against those who are arrested.

  Racial Abuse
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals the Government have to combat the chanting of racial abuse at sporting events. [46100]

  Mr. Michael
  Under section 3 of the Football (Offences) Act 1991, it is an offence for two or more people to take part in racist chanting at football matches. In May, the Government accepted a recommendation by the football task force that the 1991 Act should be amended to make racist abuse by individual supporters an offence. The Government will amend the 1991 Act as soon as legislative priorities allow. In the meantime, the Home Office has written to all chief police officers in England and Wales reminding them of existing powers under the Public Order Act 1986.

MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO

  Millennium Experience
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Minister without Portfolio if he will list the committees involved in the millennium experience indicating their membership and the number of meetings each has held in 1998. [44447]

  Mr. Mandelson
  The New Millennium Experience Company has a board of 10 non-executive directors: Bob Ayling (chairman); Sam Chisholm (deputy chairman); Ian Ash; the hon. Mrs. Sara Morrison; Sir Brian Jenkins; Councillor Len Duvall; David Quarmby; Sir Alan Cockshaw; Michael Grade; Ruth Mackenzie; and three executive directors: Jennie Page, chief executive; Liam Kane, managing director; and Steve Brown, finance and corporate services director. The board meets once every month and has met six times in 1998. In line with normal company practice, the board has established a number of committees, with specific delegated responsibilities, to act on its behalf:The executive committee (chaired by Sam Chisholm; members are Michael Grade, Jennie Page and, co-opted members, David Chance and Matthew Freud). The terms of reference provide for the chairman to decide the frequency of meetings. The committee has met 13 times in the 1998 calendar year to date.
  302
  The audit committee (chaired by Sir Brian Jenkins; members are Ian Ash and Len Duvall). The terms of reference provide for the committee to meet not less than twice each year and otherwise as any member may require. The chief executive, in her role as accounting officer attends the meetings of this committee, as does the finance and corporate services director. The committee has met four times in the 1998 calendar year to date.
  The remuneration and recruitment committee (chaired by Bob Ayling; members are Sir Brian Jenkins, the hon. Mrs Sara Morrison and David Quarmby). The terms of reference provide for the committee to meet not less than twice a year and otherwise as often as the members may require. The Committee has met twice in the 1998 calendar year to date.
  The health, safety and environment committee (chaired by David Quarmby; members are Sir Alan Cockshaw and the hon. Mrs Sara Morrison). The terms of reference provide for the committee to meet at least four times a year and otherwise as often as any member may require. The committee has met once in the 1998 calendar year to date.

  In addition the NMEC has established two advisory groups:
  The advisory group on accessibility (chaired by David Phillips—holiday care services; members are Paul Bush—TFA consortium; Stephen Bradshaw—Spinal Injuries Association; Peter Holland—Disability Partnership; Peter Parker—VRNIB GDBA; David Bonnett—Access for England; Claire Goodridge—RADAR; Brian McGinnis— MENCAP; Sue Peace—Buro Happold; Andrew Berry—SCOPE; Sara Langton— Lockton—CAE; Carol Thomas—Disability Wales; Robert Pickles—Disability Scotland; Fiona Hill—South East MIND; Andrew Bradock—London Transport; Monica Wilson—Disability Action Northern Ireland; Ken Whittingham RNID; Wendy Dibdin—Greenwich Association for Disabled People; Orla McCann—Disability Action Northern Ireland; Bob Benson—Disability Scotland). The group held its first meeting in June 1997. During 1998, three meetings have been held to date.
  The creative strategic review group—the "litmus group" (chaired by Michael Grade— board member and chairman, First Leisure Corporation plc; members are Ruth Mackenzie—board member and general director, Scottish Opera; Floella Benjamin—Floella Benjamin Productions; Sir Neil Cossons—director, the national museum of science and industry; Mike Davies—Richard Rogers Partnership; Professor Christopher Frayling—rector, Royal College of Art; Simon Jenkins—millennium commissioner and journalist; Michael Jolly, chairman and chief executive, the Tussauds Group and chairman CBI tourism action group; Lord Puttnam—chairman, Enigma productions; Lord Rogers—chairman, Richard Rogers Partnership; John Sorrell—chairman, the Design Council; and Alan Yentob—Director of Television BBC). The group was established in December 1997 and has met eight times in 1998 to date.

  The NMEC liaises closely with other groups and committees established by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, notably the Lambeth group. The company also attends the new millennium experience co-ordinating group set up by the Minister without Portfolio, who is shareholder of the company on behalf of Government, and which is also attended by representatives of the Millennium Commission.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  National Lottery
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what guidance he has issued to the Arts Council on the priority to be accorded to the likely popular appeal of films in determining whether to grant them national lottery funding. [45834]
  303
  Mr. Fisher
  In accordance with section 26(1) of the National Lottery etc. Act 1993, on 1 June 1998, the Secretary of State issued a direction to the Arts Council of England that, in distributing its share of the net lottery proceeds, it must take account of the needs of projects relating to film and moving image. It is for the Arts Council to draw up the detailed criteria for lottery funding.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what powers he has to recover national lottery money from film companies when a grant has been obtained on a false prospectus. [45831]

  Mr. Fisher
  Responsibility for the recovery of lottery moneys obtained by fraud is a matter for the issuing national lottery distributing bodies.

  Millennium Commission
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what proportion of Millennium Commission money has been apportioned to Wales. [46289]

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

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Journalists in Europe Project
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations his Department has made to ensure political impartiality in the Journalists in Europe project concerning European integration; and if he will make a statement. [45273]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The Journalists in Europe organisation runs an annual training programme for young journalists from around the world, focusing on the EU and on political, economic and social developments in Europe. This Department has no role in determining the activities of this organisation and we have made no representations about them.

  European Commission of Human Rights
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which cases are currently pending before the European Commission of Human Rights; and if he will make a statement on the nature of each case. [45671]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  As of 15 June 1998,375 applications against the United Kingdom pending before the European Commission of Human Rights had been registered but not yet put before the Commission, 2 had been adjourned, 26 had been communicated to the United Kingdom Government with no request for observations for the moment, 109 had been communicated to the Government with a request for observations, and 53 applications had been declared admissible and were awaiting examination of the facts and arguments of the parties by the Commission. It would not be practicable for the Government to make a statement in respect of all these cases.

  Sierra Leone
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to receive Sir Thomas Legg' s report. [46028]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 15 June 1998]Sir T. Legg said that he will complete his investigation and report as soon as possible. He is currently interviewing witnesses and examining evidence.

  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs at what point in the drafting of United Nations Security Resolution 1132 the unambiguous reference to the arms ban applying to both the Government-in-exile of President Kabbah and their replacement was replaced by more general terminology; which Governments moved the amendment; what was the position of Her Majesty's Government; if the documents relating to such will be made available to Sir Thomas Legg QC; and if he will make a statement. [46277]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 16 June 1998]At no stage during the drafting of Security Council Resolution 1132 did the draft under consideration in New York refer to the arms ban applying to both the Government in exile of President Kabbah and their replacement. The earliest and all subsequent drafts referred only to a ban on the sale or supply of arms and related material to Sierra Leone. Sir Thomas Legg has access to all documents germane to his investigation, including those relating to the drafting of Security Council Resolution 1132.

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when Baroness Symons was informed by officials of alleged United Nations sanctions breaking by Sandline International. [46021]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 16 June 1998]I refer to the answer given by my noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Baroness Symons, to a Private Notice Question from Lord Avebury in another place on 15 June 1995,Official Report, House of Lords, column 1287–89.

  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish the advice he has received on the legal interpretation of UN Resolution 1132 provided by the United Nation's lawyers. [46062]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 16 June 1998]Our interpretation of SCR 1132 was set out in my reply to a question from the hon. Member for Reigate (Mr. Blunt) 4 June 1998,Official Report, columns 345-46. The legal advice on which this interpretation is based has been made available to the Select Committee on Foreign Affairs. The Government's interpretation has not been affected by the advice sent to the Chairman of the Sierra Leone Sanctions Committee of the United Nations by the UN's Legal Counsel. Subsequent discussion in the Sanctions Committee revealed that different member states held differing views on the Legal Counsel's advice.

  Mochovce Power Plant, Western Slovakia
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to provide assistance to the management of the Mochovce power plant in Western Slovakia. [45967]
  305
  Mr. Doug Henderson
  [holding answer 15 June 1998]: None.

  Intergovernmental Authority on Development
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals there currently are to increase transparency in respect of the IGAD peace talks and subsequent activities. [45964]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The level of transparency in the Inter Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) peace talks is determined by the IGAD members themselves. At the conclusion of each round of talks, the Ministerial Subcommittee of IGAD produces a communiqué which describes the ground covered, the agreements reached and the recommendations on how to proceed. We believe this is an adequate arrangement.

  EU Youth Forum
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list(a) the organisations belonging to and (b) the events hosted by the European Union Youth Forum funded by the European Communities; and what representations (i) he and (ii) his colleagues, have received from that organisation. [46070]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  Questions about the membership and activities of the European Youth Forum should be addressed to that organisation. I received a delegation from the EUF on 14 June to hear a report of a conference they had held on youth unemployment.

  Intelligence
  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if his oral answer to the right hon. and learned Member for Sleaford and North Hykeham (Mr. Hogg), on intelligence, on 12 May 1998,Official Report, column 159, was based on oral or written briefing that he had received. [46279]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  I received oral briefing to the effect that no intelligence reports were seen by Ministers that referred to Sandline, or companies associated with Sandline, and to the supply of arms or military equipment.

  Export Promotion
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of,State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will set in hand an examination of the structure of the Government's arrangements for export promotion. [46963]

  Mr. Fatchett
  My right hon. Friends the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary and the President of the Board of Trade, with the approval of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, have asked the Secretary to the Cabinet to lead a review with the following terms of reference:To examine the arrangements for providing official support and promotion for exports (other than defence goods and services) and investment abroad, having regard to the importance of continuing close interaction between business and the DTI on all aspects of business performance, and maintaining the close integration of all aspects of support by diplomatic posts for the full range of British interests overseas, and to make recommendations to the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and the President of the Board of Trade.
  306
  Sir Richard Wilson will be assisted by a panel whose members are:

  Sir Ronald Hampel (Chairman, ICI plc)

  Mr. David John (Chairman, BOC plc)

  Mr. Eric Peacock (Chief Executive, Hertfordshire Business Link)

  Mr. Martin Henry (Chairman, Lastolite Ltd.)

  Mr. John Shepherd (Deputy Under Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office)

  Mr. Tom Harris (Director-General of Export Promotion, Department of Trade and Industry)

  Mr. Harry Bush (Enterprise and Growth Unite, HM Treasury).

  Sir Richard expects to report by the autumn.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Ms Yvonne Davies
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when she proposes to answer the letters from the hon. Member for Alyn and Deeside of the 30 September 1997, 20 March 1998 and 24 April 1998 on behalf of Ms Yvonne Davies; and if she will make a statement. [46300]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  A reply was sent to my hon. Friend on 17 June.

  The delay, which was caused by an administrative error, is regretted.

HEALTH

  Drugs Treatment
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the current average waiting list for NHS drug treatment services. [43849]

  Ms Jowell
  We currently have no comprehensive systematic national data on waiting lists for drug treatment services. However, early returns from work being carried out on behalf of the Department by the Standing Conference on Drug Abuse suggests that the average waiting time for access to drug services in the statutory and non-statutory sectors is 14 weeks. Returns were received from around half the agencies in England. These agencies were broadly representative of the pattern of services nationally in that they were equally divided between the National Health Service and the voluntary sector and community-based and residential services.

  One of the key performance targets in "Tackling Drugs Together to Build a Better Britain", which sets out our 10 year anti-drugs strategy, is to reduce the number of drug misusers being denied immediate access to appropriate treatment. Over the next few months, we will be considering what changes are necessary to meet this key aim and what systems will be required to monitor progress towards the target.

  NHS Pension Scheme
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the exclusion of general practitioners' staff who are part of a co-operative from participating in the NHS Pension Scheme. [45755]
  307
  Mr. Milburn
  The current extension of the National Health Service Pension Scheme, which has recently been agreed with the profession, is intended to include staff employed under a contract of employment by a general practitioner or practitioners. We have no plans to open the NHS Pension Scheme to staff who are not directly employed by GPs, including staff employed by GP co-operatives.

  General Practitioners
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients have been de-listed by GPs(a) in the West Midlands Region and (b) nationally in the last three years. [45554]

  Mr. Milburn
  The latest available information is contained in the "General Medical Practitioners Census Additional Data Collection 1995/1996", copies of which are available in the Library.

  Primary Care Groups
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what controls there will be on the relative expenditure on staffing and other budget heads imposed on primary care groups in the new NHS in the next financial year. [45480]

  Mr. Milburn
  Each Primary Care Group will have available its population's share of the available resources for hospital and community health services, prescribing and general practice infrastructure. Within this single cash limited envelope, the group will have the opportunity to deploy resources and savings to strengthen local services and ensure that patterns of care best reflect their patients' needs.

  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what consultations he has had with groups representing GPs in respect of the establishment of primary care groups in the new NHS. [45484]

  Mr. Milburn
  We have had a number of consultations about Primary Care Groups with groups representing general practitioners, including the General Medical Services Council, the National Association of Fundholding Practices, the Association of Independent Multifunds, the National Association of Commissioning GPs (which has been renamed the National Health Service Alliance), the Royal College of General Practitioners, the National Association of Non-Principals and the National Association of GP Co-operatives.

  NHS (Patient Satisfaction)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to introduce a national framework for measuring patient satisfaction in the NHS. [45448]

  Mr. Milburn
  As stated in our White Paper "The New NHS", we propose to carry out an annual survey of patient experience of the National Health Service. Work to plan and design the first of these surveys is currently in progress.

  Female Consultants
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many consultants currently in post are female; [45803]

  (2) how many female consultants are currently in post in (a) pathology, (b) obstetrics, (c) paediatrics and (d) psychiatry. [45805]

  Mr. Milburn
  The latest information on the numbers of female consultants currently in post in National Health Service hospitals, including numbers by specialty group, can be found in the Department's statistical bulletin: "Hospital, Public Health Medicine and Community Health Service Medical and Dental Staff in England: 1986–1996", copies of which are available in the Library.

  Food Poisoning
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the cases of food poisoning caused by the consumption of meat in each of the past 10 years, indicating the number of people who(a) were affected and (b) died in each case. [46124]

  Ms Jowell
  Information on individual, sporadic cases of food poisoning is not available. The Public Health Laboratory Service's (PHLS) current surveillance system for food poisoning outbreaks was introduced in 1992. Information on the number of outbreaks associated with meat where the suspect vehicle is known is in the table. Also included in the table is information on(a) numbers affected and (b)the number of deaths. The PHLS collects data on outbreaks involving multiple cases and publishes quarterly information in its Communicable Disease Review, copies of which are available in the Library.

  General outbreaks of infectious intestinal disease associated with the consumption of poultry or meat and meat products England and Wales 1992–96

  Number of outbreaks

  Number affected in outbreaks

  Number died in outbreaks

  1992

  82

  2,410

  2

  1993

  62

  1,515

  2

  1994

  51

  1,224

  1

  1995

  61

  1,859

  6

  1996

  60

  1,134

  12

  Notes:

  Data are provisional

  Other vehicles may have been implicated in each outbreak

  Number affected is those with diarrhoea and/or vomiting with or without any other symptoms. Not necessarily laboratory confirmed

  Source:

  PHLS Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre

  Gastrointestinal Diseases Section

  Tuberculosis
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 30 March 1998,Official Report, column 434, what steps the Government are taking to combat tuberculosis. [46213]

  Ms Jowell
  Steps have been taken to strengthen the surveillance, prevention and control of tuberculosis, including drug resistant tuberculosis, within the United Kingdom. The main measures for dealing with tuberculosis include: promptly identifying cases, treating
  309
  them and examining their contacts; the routine immunisation of children in schools; screening people entering the UK from countries where the incidence is high and arranging Bacille-Calmette-Guerin immunisation or treatment where necessary; immunising the new-born infants and children of immigrants from areas with a high incidence of TB and monitoring the population to keep up to date with trends in incidence. A report was sent to health authorities last year highlighting the importance of monitoring TB and summarising key messages and pointers for practice.

  Direct Payments
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 11 June 1998,Official Report, columns 687-88, concerning direct payments, if the Greater London Forum for Elderly People will be consulted. [46309]

  Mr. Boateng
  A general invitation has been issued to all interested parties to comment on the implementation of the direct payments legislation. Any comments that the Greater London Forum for Elderly People wish to make will be welcomed and considered in the review.

  Table 2: Prevalence of cigarette smoking among secondary school children 11-15 by sex, and smoking behaviour

  Percentage

  All pupils

  Boys

  Girls

  Year

  Regular smokers

  Occasional smokers

  Regular smokers

  Occasional smokers

  Regular smokers

  Occasional smokers

  1982

  11

  8

  11

  7

  11

  9

  1984

  13

  9

  13

  9

  13

  9

  1986

  10

  5

  7

  5

  12

  5

  1988

  8

  5

  7

  5

  9

  5

  1990

  10

  6

  9

  6

  11

  6

  1992

  10

  7

  9

  6

  10

  7

  1993

  10

  8

  8

  7

  11

  9

  1994

  12

  9

  10

  9

  13

  10

  1996

  13

  9

  11

  8

  15

  10

  Notes:

  1. Regular smokers are defined as those who smoke at least one cigarette a week, occasional smokers are classified as those who smoke less than one cigarette a week

  Source:

  Office for National Statistics Smoking Among Secondary School Children, 1982 to 1996.

  Health Services (Worcestershire)
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will decide on the plans developed by Worcestershire Health Authority for the restructuring of health services in Worcestershire; and if he will make a statement. [46464]

  Mr. Milburn
  We are aware of the decision taken by Worcestershire Health Authority, at the meeting which took place on 11 June 1998, to approve its preferred option for service reconfiguration. We are also aware that support for this option has been received from two of the three local community health councils within Worcestershire.

  On the basis that the Kidderminster and District Community Health Council has formally objected to the

  Smoking Trends
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the smoking trends for all categories of young people below the age of 30 years in each of the last 15 years for which figures are available. [46483]

  Ms Jowell
  The information is not available in the form requested. The prevalence of cigarette smoking among adults aged 16-34 and school children aged 11-15, in England, in 1982–1996, is given in the tables.

  Table 1: Prevalence of cigarette smoking among adults aged 16-34 by sex and age group—England 1982 to 1996

  Percentage

  Men

  Women

  Year

  16–19

  20–24

  25–34

  16–19

  20–24

  25–34

  1982

  31

  39

  40

  31

  39

  36

  1984

  28

  39

  39

  31

  35

  35

  1986

  30

  41

  37

  31

  38

  35

  1988

  28

  37

  37

  27

  37

  33

  1990

  28

  39

  37

  33

  39

  34

  1992

  29

  39

  35

  24

  37

  32

  1994

  28

  42

  34

  28

  38

  30

  1996

  25

  43

  38

  32

  37

  33

  Source:

  Office for National Statistics General Household Survey, 1982–1996

  proposals, a submission will be made to Ministers. We will give it careful consideration and make a decision in due course.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Heads of Information
  Mr. John M. Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what has been the cost to public funds of compensating those departmental heads of information who have been replaced since 1 May 1997. [46097]

  Dr. David Clark
  Of the 10 changes at departmental Head of Information level since 1 May, five have been on early retirement terms. In line with the practice of successive Administrations, information on the cost of compensating the five individuals is not provided in order to protect the privacy of the individuals concerned.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Teachers' Pay
  Mr. Michael J. Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the school teacher starting salary (mainscale/spinal point O) for each of the years 1979 to 1998, in(a) cash terms and (b) 1998 real values. [45552]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The information is as follows:

  School teacher starting salary (main scale/spine point 0)

  (a) Cash terms

  (b) 1998 real values1

  April 1979

  3,231

  9,014

  April 1980

  3,972

  9,366

  April 1981

  4,653

  10,004

  April 1982

  4,932

  9,899

  April 1983

  5,178

  9,932

  April 1984

  5,442

  9,939

  April 1985

  5,817

  10,072

  April 1986

  6,423

  10,795

  October 1987

  7,600

  12,128

  April 1988

  7,920

  11,846

  April 1989

  8,394

  11,735

  April 1990

  9,000

  11,650

  April 1991

  10,212

  12,426

  December 1991

  10,404

  12,659

  April 1992

  11,184

  13,060

  April 1993

  11,244

  12,759

  April 1994

  11,571

  12,935

  April 1995

  11,883

  12,926

  April 1996

  12,342

  13,043

  December 1996

  12,462

  13,170

  April 1997

  12,711

  13,080

  December 1997

  12,873

  13,246

  April 1998

  13,131

  13,131

  December 1998

  13,362

  13,362

  1Using GDP deflator

  Physical Education
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what provision his Department currently makes for teacher training in physical education; [46101]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the requirements for physical education in teacher training programmes. [46102]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  In November 1997, the Government gave the Teacher Training Agency a target of 1,450 trainees to be recruited to specialist physical education initial teacher training courses in 1998–99.

  The Secretary of State's requirements for courses of initial teacher training set out the standard of knowledge, understanding and skills all trainees must demonstrate in order successfully to complete a course of initial teacher training and be eligible for Qualified Teacher Status. It is for individual providers of initial teacher training to decide how physical education is covered in their courses in order to ensure that these standards are met.

  Skills Mismatches
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the extent of skills mismatch on a regional basis. [45854]
  312
  Dr. Howells
  In early Spring this year, each English Region held a Skills Summit specifically to consider regional skills needs. Information from these events has been passed to the national Skills Task Force, whose remit includes consideration of geographical skills needs. Training and Enterprise Councils (TECs) also undertake a periodical survey of local skills needs and a report will be published by the TEC National Council after their Skill Strategy Steering group meeting on 24 June 1998.

  Staffordshire TEC
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the performance of Staffordshire TEC. [46299]

  Dr. Howells
  Staffordshire Training and Enterprise Council achieved or surpassed most of the targets contracted in its 1997–98 Business Plan against DfEE/DTI funding lines. Its overall performance was the best in the West Midlands.

  Tuition Fees
  Mr. Welsh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how he intends to monitor the effects of the decision not to waive fourth year fees for eligible English and Welsh students at Scottish institutions. [46297]

  Dr. Howells
  We shall continue, as now, to monitor the number of applicants domiciled in England and Wales who apply for degree courses at Scottish Institutions.

PRIME MINISTER

  Sierra Leone
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Prime Minister on what date the Cabinet Secretary was first informed of the planned involvement of UK Government personnel and military assets in support of Sandline International's involvement in restoring the Government of Sierra Leone. [41833]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 14 May 1998]The Cabinet Secretary first received an indication of the allegations against Sandline on 20 April 1998. It was not until 30 April 1998 that such information was confirmed.

  Intelligence Services
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister if the information available to the Permanent Secretaries' Committee on the Intelligence Services is available in full to the Intelligence and Security Committee. [44413]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 9 June 1998]The Permanent Secretaries' Committee on the Intelligence Services (PSIS) advises Ministers on the intelligence and security agencies. Advice to Ministers is not disclosed to the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) but some of the information available to the PSIS may be made available to the ISC.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister if the reports to, and minutes of, meetings of the Ministerial Committee on the Intelligence Services are available in full to the Intelligence and Security Committee. [44414]
  313
  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 9 June 1998]The remit of the Ministerial Committee on the Intelligence Services is to keep under review policy on the Security and Intelligence Services. Proceedings of Ministerial Committees are not disclosed to the Intelligence and Security Committee, but much of the information available to the Ministerial Committee may also be made available to the Intelligence and Security Committee.

  House of Lords
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the proposed reform of the House of Lords; and if he will introduce measures to permit hereditary peers to stand for election to this House. [45619]

  The Prime Minister
  The Government will publish detailed proposals for fulfilling their Manifesto commitments on reforming the House of Lords in due course.

  Lockerbie
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) if he will show the evidence which the Crown Office has in relation to the destruction of Pan Am 103 to a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary for his scrutiny; [46017]

  (2) pursuant to his answer of 11 May 1998, Official Report, columns 19-20, if he will re-examine the basis on which on 6 October 1995 the then Lord Advocate wrote to the hon. Member for Linlithgow confirming that proof of the case against two Libyans accused of the destruction of Pan Am 103 does not depend on the evidence of Mr. James T. Thurman. [44909]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answers 15 and 17 June 1998]I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave on 19 May 1998,Official Report, column 314.

  British Nuclear Fuels
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister which representatives from British Nuclear Fuels were invited to participate in the last British trade and co-operation visit to Japan. [45953]

  The Prime Minister
  There have been a number of trade visits to Japan this year. British Nuclear Fuels did not participate in any of these but they do maintain a permanent representative in Tokyo.

  Ambassadors' Telegrams
  Mr. Butterfill
  To ask the Prime Minister if ambassadors' telegrams to the Foreign Office are routinely copied to No. 10 Downing Street. [45861]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 16 June 1998]FCO telegrams are distributed internally and to other Government Departments using pre-set distribution lists linked to the subject of the telegram. No. 10 appears on a number of these distribution lists.

  Dounreay
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) what discussions he had with President 314
  Clinton on the transfer of nuclear waste from Georgia to Dounreay; and what data the US Government gave him on this material; [46248]

  (2) on what dates negotiations took place with the US Government with regard to the importation of nuclear material from Georgia; on what date it was first discussed that low-grade nuclear material would form part of the consignment; and which UK representatives were involved in these discussions; [46249]

  (3) on what date he was notified that 9 kilogrammes of low-grade nuclear waste was included in the consignment of nuclear material brought to Dounreay from Georgia; and what quantity of low-grade nuclear waste was proposed when he agreed to receive the material into the United Kingdom; [46246]

  (4) who made the decision to accept the 9 kilogrammes of low-grade nuclear waste from Georgia for reprocessing at Dounreay; when it was made; and which ministers were informed. [46247]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 16 June 1998]Following their initial approach in July 1997, there were contacts at official level with the US Government on several occasions. The decision to accept the Georgian nuclear material was made in the normal way, in consultation between Cabinet colleagues, at the beginning of February this year, and communicated to the US Government during my visit to the United States a few days later. Policy officials from the DTI and their security advisers took part in a meeting in Washington on 24 February to discuss security and transport issues related to the movement. Technical information relating to the probable nature of the consignment was among the detailed documents received from US officials and subsequently passed on to the technical specialists at Dounreay so that they could make the necessary preparations for receipt and safe-keeping of the Georgian material.

  The Government's prime objective was to remove material of proliferation concern from Georgia. Before the Government made the decision to take the material, we were informed of all relevant issues. Low grade nuclear waste did not form part of the consignment, which consisted of irradiated highly enriched uranium. As I told the House on 22 April 1998, Official Report, column 818, in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Ealing, Acton and Shepherds Bush (Mr. Soley), the intermediate level radioactive waste resulting from reprocessing the irradiated uranium would fill two drums. The exact details of the consignment were a matter for the technical specialists whose job it was to handle the material safely and securely once it arrived in this country.

  ASEM
  Mr. Vaz
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will support the expansion of ASEM to include India and Pakistan; [42358]

  The Prime Minister
  The United Kingdom has supported the inclusion of India and Pakistan, as well as Australia and New Zealand, since the start of the ASEM process in 1996.
  315
  However, it is clear that Asian members of ASEM are not ready to see expansion of membership before ASEM 3 in the year 2000. Any decision to expand membership will require the support of all current members.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Small and Medium Businesses
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the range of schemes available to assist in the start-up of small and medium businesses. [45052]

  Mrs. Roche
  There is a range of support available to assist those wishing to start-up in business. This includes schemes funded through the Single Regeneration Budget Challenge, European Structural Funds and New Deal together with other locally funded initiatives.

  The Business Link network, Business Connect in Wales and Scottish Business Shops provide key information, business support and advice through partner organisations such as Local Enterprise Agencies and Training and Enterprise Councils.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the support offered by Government to small businesses. [45077]

  Mrs. Roche
  Small businesses are crucial to a successful enterprise economy and the Government are firmly committed to stimulating and sustaining the competitiveness of the sector.

  The key principles underlying the Government's approach include fostering an enterprise culture that rewards innovators and risk takers; providing and maintaining a supportive economic environment; and providing high quality business support for SMEs at all stages of their development.

  Industry Productivity
  Mr. McNulty
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action her Department is taking to improve productivity in British industry. [45066]

  Mrs. Beckett
  Improving productivity is at the heart of the Government's drive to improve the competitiveness of UK companies.

  While the responsibility for this lies largely with business itself, the Government have a key role to play. It is for this reason that I set up six business-led working parties last year to make recommendations about how Government and business could work together in partnership to promote competitiveness. I am also co-hosting, with my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, a series of seminars on the UK's productivity gap.

  This work will contribute to a White Paper on competitiveness to be published in the Autumn. This White Paper will, for the first time, be written in partnership with the business community.

  "Fairness at Work"
  Mr. Skinner
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many representations she has received on the "Fairness at Work" White Paper; and if she will make a statement. [45067]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  When the Government published the White Paper on 21 May, we asked for views on a number of the specific issues which it raised. By 10 June, the Department had received twelve responses. The consultation period lasts until 31 July.

  Manufacturing Industry
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the prospects for manufacturing industry. [45068]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  Despite tough competition in domestic and overseas markets, UK manufacturing output is expected to grow both this year and next.

  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the level of United Kingdom manufacturing exports for(a) the last three-month period for which records are available and (b) the same period in the previous year. [45072]

  Mrs. Roche
  In the three months to March 1998, United Kingdom exported manufactured goods, worth £32.8 billion, little changed from a year earlier. The volume of manufactured exports, grew by 5 per cent. over the same period.

  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations she has received on the prospects for manufacturing industry to the year 2000. [45073]

  Mrs. Beckett
  Every day, I hear success stories about British manufacturing industry. I also hear about its strengths and weaknesses and about the issues which affect its short and long-term prospects. The Government's task is to work in partnership with industry to build on the strengths, address the weaknesses and promote the sustainable healthy businesses on which we depend as a nation for our future prosperity.

  Post Office
  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to increase private sector involvement in the Post Office. [45071]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The review of options for giving the Post Office greater commercial freedom is considering the potential for the involvement of the private sector, for example through increased use of joint ventures. We plan to present our proposals to Parliament in the Autumn.

  Framework Research Programme
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the EU fifth Framework research programme. [45074]

  Mr. Battle
  I am pleased to say that we have made very good progress with negotiations on the fifth framework programme (FP5) during the UK Presidency of the European Union.
  317
  The Council common position on FPS was secured at the EU Research Council meeting, which I chaired, on 12 February. The new programme, as agreed in the Council, is well focused on a limited number of user-led objectives of clear European importance and is designed to complement the work undertaken at national level. Potential users of the research will also be given a formal advisory role in the implementation of the programme to define the research they need as the programme progresses. Ministers agreed a budget of 14 billion ecu for FP5 (around £10 billion), which closely reflects the UK priorities and objectives. In addition, the UK Presidency also hosted a Ministerial Colloquium meeting in April to consider how FP5 can be managed and implemented to make the most effective use of these resources. A number of points for action were agreed with the Commission which will make an important contribution to the future effectiveness of the programme.

  The Commission have recently proposed texts for the specific programmes of FP5 which set out the detail of the research and technological priorities for the new programme. Three of these specific programmes will be considered by Ministers at the forthcoming Research Council meeting on 22 June, and the remainder in the autumn. Much remains to be done, but I am optimistic that we will be able to bring FP5 in on time at the beginning of 1999.

  EH101 Helicopter
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what launch aid her Department has provided for the Westland EH101 helicopter and its powerplant the RTM322. [45075]

  Mr. Battle
  DTI provided £60 million of launch aid toward the development of the civil variant of EH101 between 1986 and 1994. No launch aid was paid by DTI toward development of the RTM322 engine. Launch aid is a repayable but risk-sharing Government investment in specific projects for the design and development of civil aircraft, helicopters and aeroengines in the UK.

  Clothing and Textile Industry
  Mr. Woolas
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations she has received on the export prospects in the United Kingdom clothing and textile industry. [45076]

  Mrs. Roche
  DTI ministers and officials have a regular dialogue with representatives of the textiles and clothing industry to discuss export prospects and opportunities for UK manufacturers of textiles, clothing and footwear. This dialogue is conducted through the British Apparel and Textiles Export Advisory Group (BATEAG).

  BATEAG is used primarily as a forum for discussing specific export opportunities for the textiles and clothing industry, but it also provides members with the opportunity to discuss the wider economic background to exporting.

  Mr. Woolas
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations she has received regarding the value of the pound and its impact on the clothing and textile industry. [44990]
  318
  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  I have met representatives of the textiles, clothing, and footwear industries over the past six months and have had the opportunity to discuss with them the impact of macro-economic factors upon the industry in the UK. I have discussed these issues recently with the T&GWU at their conference in Skegness, with a range of knitwear manufacturers at a conference in April, and with footwear manufacturers in February.

  Mr. Woolas
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what measures she is taking to promote the British clothing and textile industry. [44989]

  Mr. Battle
  DTI is supporting a range of activities aimed at improving the competitiveness of the UK's textiles and clothing industries. These include projects to help improve marketing skills, develop supply chain partnerships, encourage better links between industry and academia, improve environmental performance, promote the profile of the industry, and assist young fashion designers.

  DTI Ministers and officials are also engaged in a dialogue with representatives of the textiles and clothing industries and the trade unions, with a view to establishing a more coherent strategic framework in which these various activities can be placed.

  Economic and Monetary Union
  Mr. McWilliam
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what further progress her Department has made in assisting businesses to prepare for the launch of EMU. [45078]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The Euro Preparations Unit was set up in the Treasury at the beginning of this year to raise business awareness of this issue and to help firms prepare.

  My officials will continue to work closely with the EPU to ensure that the many contacts that my Department has with business are used to support these objectives.

  Ice-cream Industry
  Fiona Mactaggart
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations she has received about restrictive practices in the United Kingdom ice-cream industry. [45079]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  Several representations have been received.

  My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade and I are currently considering the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report on the supply of wrapped ice-cream to wholesalers by Birds Eye Wall's Ltd.

  EU Structural Funds
  Mrs. Heal
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the European Commission's proposals for the reform of EU structural funds. [45081]

  Mrs. Roche
  The draft regulations for the Structural and Cohesion funds covering the operation of the Funds from the years 2000 to 2006 were published on 18 March as part of a wider Agenda 2000 package.
  319
  It is important that the Structural and Cohesion Funds be reformed to make them more effective and to provide better value for money. The Funds' procedures are in need of substantial simplification and the prospect of enlargement of the EU to include central and Eastern European countries makes this reform vital in any event.

  During the long negotiations ahead, we will be striving to achieve three main aims for the UK and its regions—these are fairness, affordability and durability.

  Publication of the Regulations marks the start of a long negotiation initially under the UK Presidency and continuing possibly into 1999. The regulations will have to be agreed in the council of Ministers and approved where appropriate by the European Parliament.

  Minimum Wage
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she expects to announce her response to the Low Pay Commission report on the level of the minimum wage. [45082]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade will be making a statement to the House later this afternoon.

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. Ian Bruce
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assistance she is giving to industry to help counteract the year 2000 computer problem; and what role her Department is playing in providing the technicians announced by the Prime Minister. [45083]

  Mrs. Roche
  I have established Action 2000 to specialise in helping industry to address the year 2000 problem. The Department is also making use of existing delivery mechanisms to ensure that the message gets across. Business Links, the main delivery channel for Government support to the SME sector, are working closely with Action 2000 in developing services to provide information and advice on this issue. In addition, Business Links are working closely with the Training and Enterprise Councils (TECs) to help employers access the Department of Education and Employment (DfEE) funding announced by the Prime Minister to train 20,000 people in IT skills. DTI also contributes to the funding of the IT National Training Organisation (ITNTO) which is directly involved in developing the programme.

  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is her current assessment of the state of awareness within the United Kingdom of the need for computer systems to be millennium compliant and of the action that is necessary to be taken in the private sector. [45085]

  Mrs. Roche
  Recent research by Action 2000 shows that the vast majority of large companies and most small and medium enterprises are aware of the need to ensure that their computer systems can handle Millennium date changes. Large businesses are taking action to avoid disruption to their own systems and increasingly addressing the potential for problems in the supply chains across their sectors.

  Many smaller companies have yet to act, and these are the priority target for Action 2000 which has put in place a number of activities to pursue progress with these.

  Regional Development Funds
  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps she will take to ensure that Merseyside receives a fair allocation of objective 1 funding relative to other European objective 1 areas. [45084]

  Mrs. Roche
  We are at an early stage in the negotiation on the Commission's proposed reform for the Structural and Cohesion Funds from 2000 to 2006. The Commission have not made any detailed proposals for the financial allocations to individual areas. When they do, the Government will press for the future allocation of the European Structural Funds to be fair and affordable to the UK and its regions.

  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the requirement to ensure that each United Kingdom bid for EU objective 1 status is from a territory recognised by the United Kingdom as a European region. [45086]

  Mrs. Roche
  The present criterion for Objective 1 is as follows"regions at NUTS level 11 whose per capita GDP, on the basis of the figures for the last three years, is less than 75 per cent. of the Community average".

  This applies across the European Union.

  The Commission produced draft proposals on 18 March for the reform of the Structural and Cohesion Funds. We are at an early stage in the negotiations. I cannot therefore make an assessment of the likely eligibility of any region for Structural Funds.

  Steel Industry
  Mr. MacShane
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will support measures to ensure fair trade in steel products(a) in Europe and (b) globally. [45069]

  Mr. Battle
  We support strict controls on subsidies for European Union steel production; action against dumped or subsidised steel where that is clearly consistent with our World Trade Organisation obligations and in the interests of the European Union as a whole including steel users; and action against unjustified restrictions on European Union steel exports.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the impact of dumping of steel products by competitors in Europe on the British steel industry; and if she will make a statement. [45070]

  Mr. Battle
  The European Commission is responsible for any investigations following complaints that products originating outside the EU are being dumped. These investigations include an assessment of the impact of any dumping on the EU industry concerned. A number of steel products are currently under such investigation, or consideration for investigation.

  Gas-fired Power Stations
  Mr. Peter Atkinson
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how long she plans to continue the moratorium on the building of gas-fired power stations. [45080]
  321
  Mr. Battle
  I propose to continue to defer decisions on consents for power stations until we have the conclusions of the review of energy sources for power generation. The present position is not a moratorium: exceptions are possible, and some have been approved.

  Nuclear Material
  Ms Roseanna Cunningham
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list the countries which have received weapons-usable nuclear material from Dounreay since 1968, indicating(a) the quantity of material, (b) the type of material, (c) the date of the contract, (d) the date the material was shipped to the client country and (e) the proportion of weapons-usable remains and by-products from this material which have been returned to the United Kingdom. [43064]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 21 May 1998]I have asked the Chairman of the UKAEA for this information and his reply will be placed in the House of Commons Library.

  Sellafield
  Mr. Alasdair Morgan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action the Nuclear Industries Directorate has taken to investigate the effects of radiation from liquid discharges into the Irish Sea from the Sellafield plant. [45865]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 17 June 1998]The Nuclear Industries Directorate of my Department has no role in this matter. Monitoring in the Irish Sea, and elsewhere, and investigations into the effects of discharges is carried out by BNFL, the operators of the Sellafield plant. Independent monitoring and investigations are also carried out by the Environment Agency (who are responsible to DETR) who regulate the level of discharges, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

  Power Generation (South-East England)
  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she plans to announce the result of Barking Power Station's application of 4 July 1997 to build an emergency black start facility to cover London and the South East. [46456]

  Mr. Battle
  My right hon. Friend, the President of the Board of Trade, will make her decision on the application as soon as practicable.

  Mr. Ottaway
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what advice she has received from the National Grid Company about emergency black start capacity covering London and the South East. [46455]

  Mr. Battle
  The National Grid Company has written to my right hon. Friend, detailing the benefits of black start capacity in relation to the security of supply for London and the South East.

  Legislation
  Mr. Prior
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the impact on the level of employment of her employment and industrial relations legislation. [45087]
  322
  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The Government's strategy is to secure high and sustained rates of growth and employment. This requires a flexible labour market based upon the principles of fair treatment and partnership at work.

  The Government's proposals in this area create a legislative framework of decent minimum standards. This should encourage people to move into employment, raise employee commitment, reduce turnover, and increase incentives for employers and employees to invest in training. Employment prospects should not be damaged and the net economic effect should be beneficial.

  Military Exports
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the countries in conflict for which the United Kingdom has provided ECGD cover for military exports since May 1997. [45050]

  Mrs. Roche
  I can assure my hon Friend that, when considering the risks associated with the provision of its support, ECGD takes into account all political circumstances of the market into which UK goods are to be exported.

  Anglia TV (Shares)
  Mr. Miller
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will place in the Library the findings of the previous inquiry into Anglia TV share dealings. [46485]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  Reports of insider dealing inspections are not published. There are strict legal restraints on disclosure of information obtained in such inspections.

  Mr. Miller
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will re-open the inquiry into Anglia TV share dealings. [46484]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  Possible insider dealing in Anglia shares in 1994 has already been carefully investigated. The matter would be re-opened only if substantial fresh information became known which it was considered in the public interest should be investigated.

  Diesel
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps she is taking to increase the availability in the United Kingdom of low-sulphur diesel. [46575]

  Mr. Battle
  The major step the Government have taken to increase the availability of ultra-low sulphur diesel has been the change in the relative levels of excise duty between this fuel and conventional diesel, announced in the March Budget. I expect new suppliers of this fuel to enter the UK market as a result.

  Key Cutting
  Ms Stuart
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to prevent registered keys being cut without proper identification, by limiting the availability of key blanks to authorised key cutters and locksmiths. [46266]

  Mr. Michael
  I have been asked to reply.
  323
  Concern over the ease with which car thieves were able to obtain duplicate keys led to discussion last year between the Home Office Vehicle Crime Prevention Group and the Master Locksmiths Association. The result of negotiations between the various trade associations, the main players in the automotive key cutting industry, the police service and the Home Office resulted in a voluntary Code of Practice being drawn up at the beginning of this year which we launched on 2 March.

  All key cutting outlets have been asked to comply with the Code of Practice.

  There are no plans at the moment to extend the Code of Practice to cover the supply of keys generally, but we will keep progress in this area under review.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Live Animal Exports
  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in respect of how many of the sheep exported in 1997 for(a) slaughter and (b) further fattening the final destination was stated in the route plan, submitted to the Minister, as (i) Artenay, (ii) Lunery, St. Florent sur Cher, (iii) Baroche, (iv) Zuilichem, (v) Morkhoven, (vi) Elst, (vii) Harmelen, (viii) Pervije and (ix) Loker. [44648]

  Mr. Morley
  It is not open to me, on grounds of commercial confidentiality, to disclose information about specific businesses which has been given in fulfilment of statutory obligations.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research his Department has commissioned on the number of animal deaths per year resulting from the live animal export trade. [46026]

  Mr. Morley
  None. The Ministry's research programme is intended to provide a better understanding of the way animals respond to transport and to determine factors relating to vehicle design, handling and stocking of animals on vehicles and feeding, watering and rest requirements for animals on long journeys.

  Egg Producers
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the cost to United Kingdom egg producers of the European Commission's proposals on new cage sizes. [45467]

  Mr. Rooker
  As part of our recently completed consultation exercise on these proposals, we invited UK industry organisations to supply information on costs. The outcome of our evaluation of the estimates supplied will be included in the regulatory appraisal which is currently in preparation.

  Flood Damage
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to the visit of the Parliamentary Secretary, the hon. Member for Scunthorpe (Mr. Morley), to Banbury to consider flood damage, what 324
  estimate he made of the level of compensation payable to (a) Cherwell District Council and (b) local residents as a consequence of the recent flooding. [45827]

  Mr. Morley
  I have made no such estimates. Local authorities have statutory powers to deal with emergencies and are expected to budget accordingly. They may apply for additional financial assistance where there is a case for doing to under existing rules. Cherwell District Council has indicated its intention to submit such an application in respect of the Easter floods. The Government do not provide compensation direct to individuals.

  Grade 1 Land
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the permanent loss of Grade 1 agricultural land since 1980. [45896]

  Mr. Morley
  The Department does not hold information about actual agricultural land losses by ALC Grade. The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions' Land Use Change Statistics give, for England, approximate estimates of the amounts of land changing from agriculture to developed urban uses, but the data do not record ALC Grade.

  Rabbits
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the research documents on rabbits published by his Department over the last 20 years. [45835]

  Mr. Morley
  I have placed in the Library of the House a list of research papers written by researchers undertaking research on rabbits funded by this Department and published in scientific journals.

  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been his Department's expenditure on research on rabbits for each of the last 10 years. [45836]

  Mr. Morley
  Details of expenditure covering research on rabbits funded by the Department from 1991–92 to 1998–99 are listed. The figures relate to the whole cost of research projects rather than the proportion directly addressing rabbits. Details covering 19988–89 to 1990–91 could be obtained only at disproportionate cost and so are not listed.

  Year

  £

  1991–92

  672,000

  1992–93

  741,000

  1993–94

  648,000

  1994–95

  647,000

  1995–96

  782,000

  1996–97

  744,000

  1997–98

  435,000

  1998–99

  1597,000

  1Estimate

  Meat Labelling
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 15 June 1998,Official Report, column 28, if he will make it his policy to encourage beef from animals born, raised and slaughtered in the United Kingdom and sold in the United Kingdom to be prominently and clearly labelled as British. [46463]

  Mr. Rooker
  Yes, but the Government cannot insist that all such beef is so labelled because the EU Scheme is a voluntary one.

  EU Wine Subsidies
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action the Government intend to take to contain expenditure on European Union wine subsidies; and if he will make a statement. [46392]

  Mr. Rooker
  When negotiations commence on the European Commission's awaited new proposal to reform the EC wine regime, we will be seeking fully to expose the budget implications. Our main objective will be to achieve a balanced market using cost-effective, enforceable and transparent mechanisms.

  Harassment
  Harassment
  Khat
  Khat
  Political Parties: Registration
  Political Parties: Registration
  Prison Enterprise Service: Internal Services
  Prison Enterprise Service: Internal Services
  Export Promotion
  Export Promotion
  RAF Feltwell
  RAF Feltwell
  Gulf Veterans: CIA Documents
  Gulf Veterans: CIA Documents
  RAF New Training Aircraft
  RAF New Training Aircraft
  Varroa Mite
  Varroa Mite
  Beekeeping: EU Support
  Beekeeping: EU Support
  Avebury and Stonehenge World Heritage Site
  Avebury and Stonehenge World Heritage Site
  House of Lords: Parked Cars
  House of Lords: Parked Cars
  Cancer Charities
  Cancer Charities
  "Customer"
  "Customer"
  Interest Rate Rise
  Interest Rate Rise
  Pay-TV: ITC Proposals
  Pay-TV: ITC Proposals
  Strategic Communications Unit
  Strategic Communications Unit
  Water Abstraction Licensing
  Water Abstraction Licensing
  Coalfields Task Force: Report
  Coalfields Task Force: Report
  World Heritage Sites: Agricultural Buildings
  World Heritage Sites: Agricultural Buildings
  Access to the Open Countryside in England and Wales: Consultation Paper
  Access to the Open Countryside in England and Wales: Consultation Paper