Written Answers of 19 June 1998

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Turkey
  Mr. Love
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the discussions held during his recent visit to Turkey. [44520]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  During his visit to Ankara on 19 May my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary held discussions on a range of issues with the Turkish President, the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister. The focus of the discussions was largely on Turkey's relationship with the European Union.

  UN Resolutions
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many United Nations resolutions the United Kingdom Government have vetoed in the past 12 months; and if he will list them. [45466]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  None.

  Peruvian President
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what factors underlay the decision to invite the President of Peru, Alberto Fujimori, as an official guest of the Government; and what human rights issues he will raise during the President's visit. [46532]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The invitation to President Fujimori to visit Britain was originally extended in 1996. The principal objective of this visit is to strengthen our already good relations with a country where we have important and growing commercial interests. We also want to improve co-operation with Peru on areas of importance to UK interests such as drugs, environmental protection and human rights.

  The visit provides a good opportunity to discuss the human rights situation in Peru in general and to express support for the Peruvian Government's commitment to improving their performance in this field.

DEFENCE

  RAF Northolt
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contacts, and when, his Department has had with(a) Stagecoach Aviation Ltd and (b) other commercial interests since 2 May 1997 about (i) turning RAF Northolt into a civil airport and (ii) increasing
  328
  the permitted number of civil aircraft movements or the stipulated operating hours for civil aircraft at RAF Northolt. [45290]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 18 June 1998]: The Ministry of Defence has had no contact with Stagecoach Aviation Ltd. expressing an interest in civil operation at RAF Northolt. However, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence received a letter in February 1998 from Glasgow Prestwick International about combined civil/military use of RAF Northolt. Glasgow Prestwick International has since been bought by Stagecoach.

  For other expressions of interest, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Ealing, North (Mr. Pound) on Thursday 18 June 1998, Official Report, column 264.

  Royal Yeomanry and Queen's Own Yeomanry
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment his Department has made of the readiness state and mobilisation arrangements for squadrons of(a) the Royal Yeomanry and (b) the Queen's Own Yeomanry; what trials were involved in such assessments; what visits to the unit were made by ministers or senior officers; and what consultation took place with the unit. [45847]

  Dr. Reid
  [holding answer 18 June 1998]: These units are assessed annually on a number of factors including their manning levels, sustainability and equipment holdings, as well as their collective performance on exercises. The Royal Yeomanry's first assessment, conducted nine months after becoming operational in April 1997, showed the unit as not yet achieving required readiness levels at that time. The Queen's Own Yeomanry's last assessment, during 1997, reported that it was close to or at the required level for all factors against which it was assessed.

  The Commander in Chief Headquarters Land Command visited the Royal Yeomanry in November 1997, and the Deputy Commander in Chief Headquarters Land Command visited the Queen's Own Yeomanry in May 1997, during which they discussed a number of issues concerning the units.

PRIME MINISTER

  World Citizenship
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Prime Minister what contribution each department currently makes to education in world citizenship. [44577]

  The Prime Minister
  An Advisory Group on Education for Citizenship and the Teaching of Democracy in Schools has been established by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment. It will advise on how schools can develop in their pupils an understanding of democratic institutions and practices at local and national level and an awareness and concern for world affairs and global issues. There are already requirements and opportunities in the National Curriculum for pupils to study global issues, particularly through geography, history and modern foreign languages.
  329
  The Government have also established an Advisory Panel on Sustainable Development Education. This will consider education for sustainable development in schools, further and higher education, at work, during recreation and at home; and make practical recommendations for action in England. The Panel reports directly to the Deputy Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Education and Employment. Panel members are considering the relationship between citizenship education and education for sustainable development.

  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office also jointly funds with the Department for International Development (DFID) the Chevening Scholarship programme. This enables some 3,000 overseas students to study in the UK each year. DFID also promotes greater participation of citizens in developing and transitional countries through their support for civil society, democratic reform and human rights—including the strengthening of legal systems.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Child Care
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee if the Committee has received the results of the child care survey conducted by Research Services Ltd; and if she will make a statement. [47004]

  Mrs. Roe
  The Administration Committee has now received the results of the childcare survey, which were considered at the Committee's meeting on 16 June. For the benefit of the House, the Committee agreed that it should publish a short information Report, to which the results would be appended. I wish to advise the hon. Lady that the Report, the First Report from the Administration Committee, Session 1997–98, entitled "Childcare Facilities Survey" was published by The Stationery Office at twelve noon today. The Report, HC (1997–98) 825, is available to hon. Members from the Vote Office; in view of her interest in this matter, I have arranged for a copy to be sent to the hon. Lady.

  The Committee agreed with the majority of respondents to the survey that the House should continue to provide some assistance with childcare, and hon. Members will wish to note that the Committee agreed also to a Resolution, making several recommendations which it will draw to the attention of the relevant House authorities. The text of the Resolution is available in the Report.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  Housing
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the effect on housing provision for low-income single people of the Government's policy to end the predict and provide approach to housing provision. [45959]
  330
  Mr. Raynsford
  When the new system is in place, we will expect the Regional Planning Conferences (RPCs) to report each year on a number of indicators, which are likely to include local housing needs. We will consult later this year on what the indicators should cover. If the RPC reports were to show serious shortfalls or other impacts, we would expect provision to be increased in the next revision of Regional Planning guidance, although an earlier review of Regional Planning Guidance could be undertaken if that were necessary.

  Illegal Travellers
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the current average time taken by local authorities to respond to complaints relating to illegal travellers. [46212]

  Mr. Raynsford
  My Department does not collect such information centrally.

  It is for local authorities to develop their own policies for responding to incidents of unauthorised camping. In doing so, my Department would expect local authorities to take account of existing legislation, current Circular advice from my Department, and prevailing local circumstances.

  My Department's proposed good practice on unauthorised camping, to which I referred in my previous reply of 15 June 1998, Official Report, column 36, will also look at such issues, based on research carried out on current practice in local authorities.

  Motor Cycles
  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what meetings he has had with representatives of motorcycle users to discuss integrated transport policy. [46201]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  On 25 November 1997 my noble Friend the Minister for Roads held a consultative meeting with representatives of motorcycle, environment and safety groups to discuss all aspects of motorcycling within an integrated transport policy.

  Local Authority Planning
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list those(a) local authorities, (b) county councils and (c) regional planning conferences which have adjusted their UDP, structure plans and housing estimates as a result of the replacement of Predict and Provide with Plan, Monitor and Manage.[46303]

  Mr. Raynsford
  [holding answer 18 June 1998]: "Planning for the Communities of the Future" (Cmnd 3885) makes clear that the new approach to setting future levels of housing provision outlined in that document will be implemented through new arrangements for the revision and adoption of Regional Planning Guidance. It is for local planning authorities to decide whether they wish to alter or replace their structure plans or UDPs once new Regional Planning Guidance is in place. We are discussing with relevant Regional Planning Conferences ways in which the new approach can be introduced into reviews of RPG that are already underway, some of which will be completed early next

  331
  year. Until then local authorities are required by statute to have regard, amongst other matters, to the existing regional guidance.

  Telecommunication Masts
  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many telecommunications masts are located within 500 metres of(a) a school and (b) a hospital. [46673]

  Mr. Raynsford
  This information is not collected centrally.

  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to introduce planning restrictions prohibiting the siting of telecommunications masts less than 500 metres from (i) schools, (ii) hospitals and (iii) any residence. [46711]

  Mr. Raynsford
  We have no plans to introduce such restrictions. Local planning authorities already have the opportunity to exercise control over the siting of individual mast developments, whether that be through the consideration of a full planning application or the determination of a "prior approval" application under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995.

  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what plans he has to update PPG 8 to bring it into line with Article 130r of the Maastricht Treaty; [46655]

  (2) what proposals he has to issue regular guidance to local authorities on the planning implications of electromagnetic fields from telecommunications masts. [46657]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The potential impact on the environment of telecommunications development is a key factor in forming Government policy on telecommunications planning. This is set out in my Department's Planning Policy Guidance note 8, supplemented by Appendix E to Circular 9/95 and by the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Regions, Regeneration and Planning to my hon. Friend the Member for Hull, West and Hessle (Mr. Johnson) on 4 November 1997,Official Report, column 152. The general policy is to facilitate the growth of such systems while protecting the environment.

  We are currently drawing up a joint circular with the Department of Health to address the issue of development in proximity to sources of electromagnetic fields. This includes guidance in respect of telecommunications base stations, and will in that respect be supplementary to PPG8. I anticipate that the proposed joint circular will be issued in draft form for public consultation later this year.

  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions his Department has had with the relevant authorities in (i) Australia, (ii) New Zealand, (iii) Denmark and (iv) Sweden concerning the siting of telecommunications masts. [46656]
  332
  Mr. Raynsford
  This Department has not engaged in any direct discussions with the relevant authorities in (i) Australia (ii) New Zealand (iii) Denmark and (iv) Sweden about the siting of telecommunications masts. My officials continue to liaise with other Government Departments in monitoring practice internationally in order to assist the development of policy in this country.

WALES

  Beef Exports
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the prospects for exporting beef produced in Wales. [45884]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The European Commission has issued a proposal for a UK Date Based Export Scheme for the export of meat from animals born after 1 August 1996. The proposal will now be considered by the Standing Veterinary Committee.

  This is a key step towards lifting the export ban throughout the UK. But there are tough negotiations to come. The Government are working hard for a scheme which fits the scientific advice and permits real trade to resume as rapidly as possible.

  Beaches
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what initiative he has taken to ensure cleaner beaches in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [45882]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The Government are committed to complying with the EC Bathing Water Directive (76/160/EEC). Last year 60 of the 64 EC identified bathing waters on the Welsh coastline met the mandatory bacteriological standards set in the Directive. This compliance rate of 94 per cent. was the highest ever achieved in Wales.

  Earlier this month 13 Welsh beaches were awarded Blue Flags. This is also the highest level ever achieved in Wales. To be eligible for Blue Flag status, water quality must attain the even more stringent guideline standards set in the EC Directive, as well as meeting various land based criteria. 31 of the 64 EC identified bathing waters monitored in Wales in 1997 met the guideline standards. The Welsh Office fully supports the aim of the Green Sea Initiative to achieve 50 Blue Flags in Wales.

  Diesel Emissions
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what research his Department has evaluated into the link between diesel engine emissions and lung disease in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [45875]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The Welsh Office has not evaluated any research specifically into links between diesel engines and lung disease in Wales.

  A Government research initiative into air pollution and respiratory disease was launched in 1995. Research into lung function and diesel emissions is included amongst the projects chosen to receive funding. It is hoped that when this programme is completed towards the end of

  333
  next year, we may have a better understanding of some of the mechanisms that may be at work concerning air pollution and lung disease.

  Dobshill and Meadowsleigh Hospitals
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will make a statement on the future of Dobshill Hospital, Flintshire; [45879]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the future of Meadowsleigh Hospital, Flintshire. [45878]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The future of these hospitals is a matter for the North Wales Health Authority. I am advised by the authority that no proposals have been made to change their function.

  Environmental Health Officers
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many environmental health officers were in post in Wales in(a) 1990 and (b) 1997; and if he will make a statement. [45886]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The information requested is not held centrally.

  Waiting Lists
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how he proposes to reduce waiting lists in North East Wales. [45877]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  An additional £20 million will be spent in 1998–99 on reducing inpatient and daycase waiting lists to below the level which the Government inherited. £4.124 million of this is available to North Wales Health Authority to reduce waiting lists in its area.

  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what new financial resources have been devoted to tackling waiting lists in the district hospital trusts at Wrexham and Bodelwyddan. [45876]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  An additional £20 million will be spent in 1998–99 on reducing inpatient and daycase waiting lists to below the level which the Government inherited. £4.124 million of this is available to North Wales Health Authority to reduce waiting lists in its area. It will be for the Health Authority to consider how to allocate the additional funding to individual programmes.

  Ambulance Service
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many calls there have been to the Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust since 1 April 1998 during standby time after midnight; and how many of these calls have resulted in an ambulance arriving at the scene of the emergency within performance standards. [46114]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The Department monitors the total number of emergency and other calls received by the ambulance service on a quarterly basis to ensure compliance with agreed performance standards. An hourly breakdown of all call responses may be obtained from the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust.

SCOTLAND

  Scottish Parliament
  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which members of the Scottish Parliament would be Crown servants for the purposes of the Official Secrets Act 1989. [34584]

  Mr. McLeish
  [holding answer 16 March 1998]: The Government intend that Members of the Scottish Executive and junior Scottish Ministers will be Crown servants for the purposes of the Official Secrets Act 1989.

  Fisheries
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on what dates Spanish Fishery Officers have been on board Scottish Fisheries Protection vessels; for what duration; and if he will list the vessels. [46037]

  Mr. Macdonald
  No Spanish fishery officers have been on board Scottish Fishery Protection Vessels. The Agency does not hold records which would show the nationality of EU fisheries inspectors who have embarked on Agency vessels.

  Scottish Court Service
  Mr. Browne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what targets have been set for the performance of the Scottish Court Service in the Supreme and Sheriff courts for 1998–99. [47190]

  Mr. Dewar
  The targets I have set for the performance of the Scottish Court Service in the Supreme and Sheriff Courts for 1998–99 are set out.

  Performance against these targets will be published in the Annual Report of the Scottish Court Service.

  Performance of the Scottish Court Service in the Supreme and Sheriff Courts

  Targets–1998–99

  Number of time-limited cases falling as a result of SCS action/inaction

  0

  Percentage of Court of Session diets allocated within waiting periods set by the Lord President

  92

  Percentage of solemn and summary appeals allocated to rolls within waiting periods set by the Lord Justice-General

  70

  Percentage of Sheriff Courts meeting summary criminal waiting periods agreed with Sheriffs Principal

  85

  Percentage of Sheriff courts meeting ordinary civil waiting periods agreed with Sheriffs Principal

  95

  Percentage of Sheriff Courts with 5 per cent. or less lack of time adjournments

  80

  Percentage achievement of administrative standards set by the Lord President/Lord Justice-General

  95

  Percentage of Sheriff Courts achieving administrative standards agreed with Sheriffs Principal

  95

  Percentage of Court Houses meeting "Coming to Court" standards

  85

  Staff, accommodation and administrative costs per court
  sitting day

  £1,000

  Voting Systems
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what educational publicity campaign he plans at what estimated cost to inform electors of the proportional voting system to be used to elect UK members of the European Parliament. [46559]

  Mr. McLeish
  I refer to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Erdington (Mr. Corbett) today,Official Report, column 340.

  £

  Distributing Body

  1995

  1996

  1997

  19981

  Heritage Lottery Fund

  23,237,686

  37,797,416

  49,705,807

  12,070,000

  Millennium Commission2

  40,798,304

  71,190,950

  34,714,955

  —

  National Lottery Charities Board

  16,590,110

  32,735,272

  19,753,872

  13,943,289

  Scottish Arts Council

  13,259,373

  33,999,520

  18,300,549

  21,512,351

  Scottish Sports Council

  18,120,625

  20,927,026

  13,354,785

  9,964,387

  Total

  112,006,098

  196,650,184

  135,829,968

  57,490,027

  1 Figures are correct to end of May

  2 Figures relate to capital projects only

HEALTH

  Smoking
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the(a) total number and (b) percentage of the population aged (i) under 15 years, (ii) under 20 years and (iii) under 25 years who are likely to become tobacco smokers in the next five years as a result of (1) peer pressure, (2) advertising and (3) other reasons. [29129]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 12 February 1998]: No such estimates have been made, as no data are currently collected centrally on when, at what age and for what reason individuals start smoking.

  Available data on smoking behaviour in recent years are, however, provided in the tables.

  Smoking amongst secondary schoolchildren, age 11 to 15—England, 1982 to 1996

  Percentage

  Smoking behaviour

  Boys

  Girls

  Year

  Regular smoker

  Occasional smoker

  Regular smoker

  Occasional smoker

  1982

  11

  7

  11

  9

  1984

  13

  9

  13

  9

  1986

  7

  5

  12

  5

  1988

  7

  5

  9

  5

  1990

  9

  6

  11

  6

  1992

  9

  6

  10

  7

  1993

  8

  7

  11

  9

  1994

  10

  9

  13

  10

  1996

  11

  8

  15

  10

  Notes:

  1. Regular smokers are pupils who reported that they smoked at least one cigarette a day

  2. Percentages rounded to the nearest whole figure

  Source:

  ONS Smoking among secondary school children in 1996: England

  National Lottery
  Mr. Swinney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what sums have been distributed by each of the five National Lottery distributors in Scotland in each year since the commencement of the National Lottery. [46531]

  Mr. Galbraith
  Information on Lottery grants made is given in the table.

  Cigarette smoking amongst adults aged 16 to 19, and 20 to 24, by sex—England, 1986 to 1996

  Percentage

  Age group

  Men

  Women

  Year

  16 to 19

  20 to 24

  16 to 19

  20 to 24

  1986

  30

  41

  31

  38

  1988

  28

  37

  27

  37

  1990

  28

  39

  33

  39

  1992

  29

  39

  24

  37

  1994

  28

  42

  28

  38

  1996

  25

  43

  32

  37

  Note:

  1. Percentages rounded to the nearest whole figure

  Source:

  ONS General Household Survey

  Hospital Staff (Cumbria)
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) nurses and (b) doctors were employed in hospitals in Cumbria in each year since 1979. [44842]

  Mr. Milburn
  Information from 1982 (the earliest year for which information is available) is shown in the table.

  National Health Service hospital and community health services hospital medical staff1 and nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff2 in Cumbria3 1982 to 1997

  whole-time equivalents

  Year

  Hospital medical staff

  Nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff

  1982

  6—

  3,130

  1983

  6—

  3,150

  1984

  6—

  3,240

  1985

  6—

  3,290

  1986

  6—

  3,310

  1987

  6—

  3,290

  1988

  6—

  3,300

  1989

  6—

  3,360

  1990

  6—

  3,260

  337

  National Health Service hospital and community health services hospital medical staff1 and nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff2 in Cumbria3 1982 to 1997

  whole-time equivalents

  Year

  Hospital medical staff

  Nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff

  1991

  6—

  3,230

  1992

  6—

  3,290

  1993

  6—

  4—

  1994

  6—

  3,210

  1995

  390

  53,340

  1996

  400

  3,060

  1997

  6—

  3,050

  1 Prior to 1995 contracts for consultants, senior registrars and registrars were held and reported by regional health authorities. These data cannot be disaggregated to sub-region level

  2 Figures exclude agency nurses, learners and staff directly employed by Colleges of Nursing and Midwifery

  3 "Cumbria" has been defined as hospital and community health service units within the following health authority areas:

  1982 to 1993: East, South and West Cumbria District Health Authorities

  1994 to 1997: North Cumbria Health Authority and Morecambe Bay Health Authority (excluding Lancaster Acute Hospitals NHS Trust and Lancaster Priority Services NHS Trust)

  4 It is not possible to identify all staff employed in specific health authority areas in 1993 as some staff were returned centrally by the regional health authority

  5 Figures from 1995 are not directly comparable with those for earlier years because new occupation codes were used to classify staff from 1995, replacing the old payscale based system

  6 Not available

  Note:

  Figures are rounded to the nearest ten whole-time equivalents

  Source:

  Department of Health's annual medical and dental, and non-medical workforce censuses

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many PFI projects his Department has entered into in the last year; and what is their combined value. [45468]

  Mr. Milburn
  Five major Private Finance Initiative (PFI) schemes with a combined capital value of over £400 million have reached financial close since 1 May 1997. These form part of the biggest new hospital building programme the National Health Service has ever seen, with a total of 30 major hospital developments given the go ahead. Twenty five of these, worth almost £2.2 billion, will be delivered through the PFI scheme and are expected to reach financial close by the end of 2000–2001.

  Details of individual schemes with a capital cost of less than £10 million are not held centrally.

  Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action his Department has taken subsequent to the publication in October 1996 of the report on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome by a joint working group of the Royal Colleges of Physicians, Psychiatrists and General Practitioners; and if he will make a statement. [45472]

  Ms Jowell
  The Chief Medical Officer of the Department of Health wrote to all general practitioners in his quarterly newsletter in February of last year drawing their attention to chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)/myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), and specifically referring to the 338
  report published by the Medical Royal Colleges in 1996 and the report from the national task force on CFS, Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome and ME which was produced in 1994. It was intended that drawing attention to both reports in this way would provide a broad base of information to which GPs could refer for help in regard to the treatment and care of people who suffer from CFS/ME.

  Free Sight Tests
  Ms Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the cost of providing free sight tests to men over 65 and women over 60. [46058]

  Mr. Milburn
  The cost of providing such tests is estimated to be between £25 million and £30 million per annum.

  Warminster Hospital
  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many letters he has received since 1 May from members of the public concerning the proposed closure of Ward 2 at Warminster Hospital; and how many are awaiting reply; [46653]

  (2) what discussions he has had with the Wiltshire Health Authority concerning the provision of beds for the elderly mentally ill in West Wiltshire; [46671]

  (3) when he intends to reply to the letter to him of 22 May from the hon. Member for Westbury concerning Warminster Hospital and beds for the elderly mentally ill in West Wiltshire; [46672]

  (4) for what reasons he has declined to meet a delegation from Warminster Town Council, led by the hon. Member for Westbury, to discuss the proposed closure of Ward 2 at Warminster Hospital; [46670]

  (5) what representations he has received from (i) general practitioners and (ii) representatives of health workers concerning the proposed closure of Ward 2 at Warminster Hospital and the provision of beds for the elderly mentally ill in West Wiltshire. [46654]

  Mr. Milburn
  We have received eight letters from members of the public concerning the proposed closure of ward 2 at Warminster Hospital. Officials in the South and West Regional Office of the National Health Service Executive have responded to them all.

  No letters have been received from general practitioners. We have received one letter from a representative of health workers.

  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will be replying to the hon. Member's letter of 22 May 1998 shortly and is giving consideration to the hon. Member's request for a meeting. He has had no discussions with Wiltshire Health Authority concerning the provision of beds for the elderly mentally ill.

  Electromagnetic Fields
  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence his Department has submitted to the five year study currently being undertaken by the World Health Organisation into the possible adverse health effects of electromagnetic fields; and if he will publish it. [46661]
  339
  Ms Jowell
  The Department has submitted to the World Health Organisation a brief description of several ongoing projects on possible health effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF), which the Department is funding under its radiation protection research programme. Although none of these EMF projects has yet reached publication stage, the individual research institutes are encouraged to publish their results in the open literature.

  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he last obtained advice from(a) the National Radiological Protection Board and (b) the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment concerning public health effects of electromagnetic fields from telecommunications masts. [46662]

  Ms Jowell
  The National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) published advice on electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and cancer in 1992 and in a supplementary report in 1994. The NRPB's advisory group on non-ionising radiation is currently reviewing recent scientific literature and is expected to publish its findings shortly. Guidance on exposure to electromagnetic fields, including the low power microwave signals emitted by mobile telephones and base station antennae, was published in 1993. Further information on EMFs from telecommunications masts has been published in the form of leaflets and web site information. The last advice from the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment on EMFs was on 2 August 1996 concerning the results of an epidemiological study about high powered transmitter masts in the United Kingdom. Copies of all literature mentioned are available in the Library.

  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions concerning proposals to limit the siting of telecommunications masts to a distance greater than 500 metres from hospitals and nursing homes. [46659]

  Ms Jowell
  Decisions about siting telecommunications masts are the responsibility of local authorities. There are no proposals to limit the siting of masts to a distance of greater than 500 metres from hospitals and nursing homes. The Department has not discussed this issue with the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what contribution his Department has made to the work of the European Commission Expert Group on mobile telephony and human health. [46658]

  Ms Jowell
  The Department has made no direct contribution to the European Commission Expert Group. The group consisted of internationally renowned European scientists. The chairman is, however, the head of the non-ionising radiation department at the National Radiological Protection Board which is funded by the Department. One other member is also from the United Kingdom. The recommendations of the group have yet to be formally advanced by the Commission.

  Labour Briefing Document
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health where, and by whom, in his Department the document entitled, Briefing for Labour Members, circulated prior to the debate on NHS waiting lists on 16 June to Labour hon. Members was(a) written and (b) photocopied; and what estimate he has made of the cost to his Department's budget. [46669]

  Mr. Dobson
  The document was written, produced, photocopied and distributed by one of the Department's special advisers. Every aspect of this activity is entirely consistent with the long-established role of special advisers as set out in the Ministerial Code and the model contract of employment for special advisers. It is not possible to identify the total costs to the Department of this individual piece of work.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Arrested British Citizens (France)
  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 have previously been convicted(a) of a football-related offence and (b) of any criminal offence. [46450]

  Mr. Michael
  [holding answer 18 June 1998]: The information is not available in precisely the form requested. Information from the National Criminal Intelligence Service is that, by 17 June, 32 of those people from England and Wales arrested in connection with incidents associated with the World Cup have a criminal record of some kind in Great Britain. Twenty of them have previous convictions for offences of violence or disorder.

  Voting Systems
  Mr. Corbett
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what educational publicity campaign he plans, at what estimated cost, to inform electors of the proportional voting system to be used to elect United Kingdom members of the European Parliament. [46558]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The European Parliamentary Elections Bill has not yet completed its passage through Parliament and no public money has been spent on publicising the electoral system which it will introduce.

  Decisions on future publicity have not yet been taken. But a number of outside organisations will be running campaigns and my right hon. Friend will next week help to launch "Get the Vote out! Europe 1999", organised by the Institute for Citizenship.

  Drug Dealers
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) men and (b) women have been convicted of drug dealing in England and Wales in the last 12 months. [46974]

  Mr. George Howarth
  1996 is the latest year for which figures are available. During that year, 5,769 men in England and Wales were found guilty of possession with intent to supply drugs unlawfully, and a further 3,668 of
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  the unlawful supply of drugs (these two offences are normally taken to equate to drug `dealing'). The relevant numbers of women convicted were 807 and 532 respectively.

  Police Service
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the arrangements for the management of career breaks across the police service; and what representations he has received on this subject. [46674]

  Mr. Michael
  The management of career break schemes is a matter for individual police forces. However, I have recently become aware that, in the absence of a standard scheme in the Police Regulations 1995, there is inconsistency between forces in the terms and conditions under which applications for career breaks are considered and granted. Accordingly, I have requested the official side of the Police Negotiating Board to enter into discussions with the staff side with a view to recommending a satisfactory standard scheme which we would propose to incorporate as an amendment to the Police Regulations 1995.

  Cannabis
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects cannabis grown for therapeutic purposes to be available for large-scale clinical trials. [46574]

  Mr. George Howarth
  I am aware of one holder of a Home Office licence to grow cannabis who intends to carry out large scale clinical trials. Although the timing of those trials is a matter for the licensee, I understand that the cannabis is currently expected to be available to them in about 18 months.

  Drivers (Sentences)
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons are currently serving a term of imprisonment for(a) driving with excess alcohol and (b) driving whilst disqualified. [46235]

  Ms Quin
  The available information is for 30 April and is given in the table. Persons under sentence for driving whilst disqualified are not identifiable as this offence is not a separately coded item on the prisons central computer.

  Population under sentence in prisons in England and Wales for driving under the influence on 30 April 19981

  Offence

  Number

  In charge of driving under the influence of drink or drugs

  370

  1 Provisional figures

  Electronic Monitoring
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost to his Department in the last year for which figures are available of the provision of electronic monitoring services; and if he will list the expiry date of each existing contract. [46240]
  342
  Ms Quin
  Because of considerations of commercial confidentiality, it would not be appropriate to publish details of the payments made to contractors which are the major part of the cost of curfew orders enforced by electronic monitoring.

  Research into the trials has estimated that the average cost of a curfew order enforced by electronic monitoring would be around £1,900, if the scheme were available throughout England and Wales. However, this does not take account of the effect of providing electronic monitoring for curfew orders simultaneously with the proposed Home Detention Curfew scheme.

  Both of the current contracts have been extended until 28 February 1999.

  Prisoners (Sex Offenders Treatment Programme)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prison inmates in England and Wales convicted of sex offences took part in a sex offenders treatment programme course during 1997. [46006]

  Ms Quin
  During the financial year 1997–98, 671 convicted sex offenders completed accredited sex offender treatment programmes in prison.

  Citizenship
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to amend the British Nationality Act 1981 as it affects children born to British citizen contract supplemented officers, with particular reference to those recruited by(a) the Overseas Development Administration and (b) quangos. [46046]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We have no plans to change the current arrangements.

  Immigration
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 1 June 1998,Official Report, column 55, on immigration, if the criteria applied by his Department would accept a level of earned income which would be eligible for income support in a case where there is no intention to claim any form of state assistance. [46010]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Each case is considered on its own facts. In some cases it may be possible, in others it may not. A sponsor in the United Kingdom may continue to receive any public funds to which he is entitled in his own right. Whether a sponsor will be judged to have sufficient resources will turn on whether the sponsor is able to support and accommodate the applicant and any dependents without additional recourse to public funds, not on whether there is an intention to claim additional public funds.

TREASURY

  Monetary Policy Committee
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will require each future appointee to the Monetary Policy Committee to have had experience in running a business. [46364]
  343
  Mrs. Liddell
  Appointments to the Monetary Policy Committee will continue to be made on the basis of people who have the relevant expertise.

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will require each member of the Monetary Policy Committee to give a reasoned explanation for their views on any interest rate changes proposed by the Committee. [46366]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The reasons underlying interest rate decisions are given in detail in the minutes of the monthly Monetary Policy Committee meetings. They are also covered in the press notices following any change in interest rates and in the Bank of England's "Inflation Report".

  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will require a published statement from each member of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee of their loans, mortgages, overdrafts and interest bearing accounts; [46367]

  (2) if he will require each member of the Monetary Policy Committee to publish after each interest rate change a statement of its effects on their personal finances. [46365]

  Mrs. Liddell
  : No.

  Royal Mint
  Mr. Mitchell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, (1) pursuant to his answer of 10 June 1998,Official Report, column 585, what profit the Royal Mint has derived from seigniorage on coins issued in each of the last 10 years; [46263]

  (2) pursuant to his answer of 10 June 1998, Official Report, column 585, on seigniorage what profit the Royal Mint has derived from seigniorage on coins issued in each of the last 10 years; and if this profit is retained by the Royal Mint. [46966]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Any profit "derived" from seigniorage on UK standard coins is not retained by the Royal Mint but instead paid to the Treasury. The figures for each of the last ten years are:

  Year

  £000

  1988–89

  51,129

  1989–90

  107,985

  1990–91

  69,410

  1991–92

  98,598

  1992–93

  -18,844

  1993–94

  47,769

  1994–95

  93,777

  1995–96

  88,859

  1996–97

  214,408

  1997–98

  86,691

  These figures represent the difference between (i) the face value of issued coins and (ii) production costs and reimbursements for redeemed coins less the value of reclaimed metal from redeemed coins.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Arms Exhibitions
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list those officials from her Department who attended the Berlin Air Show from 18 to 24 May, indicating the costs of their attendance and the total amount of public funds extended by her Department to defence companies attending this event. [44510]

  Mr. Battle
  I attended an Airbus Intergovernmental meeting of Ministers to discuss Airbus civil programmes in Berlin on 19 May, and afterwards visited the Berlin Airshow on the morning of 20 May. I was accompanied by a Private Secretary and three officials from the Department's Engineering Industries Directorate. Two officials from the Department's Export Control organisation attended a meeting held in Berlin between 19 and 21 May, and went to the Airshow on the afternoon of 20 May as part of a group visit, at no cost to public funds.

  The total cost of attendance of the officials who accompanied me to Berlin was approximately £1,800.

  Dounreay
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessments by external bodies of the reprocessing of(a) existing spent fuel and (b) unirradiated fast reactor fuel at Dounreay have been (i) commissioned and (ii) evaluated by her Department. [45452]

  Mr. Battle
  Dounreay is a licensed nuclear site. All processes are thoroughly evaluated by the independent regulators, the Health and Safety Executive, to ensure compliance with safety standards, and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to comply with discharge authorisations, and they report to the Scottish Office. My Department has not commissioned additional assessments by external bodies.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  EU Mobile Information Centre
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the(a) primary and (b) secondary schools visited by the European Union Mobile Information Centre in 1997. [45293]

  Dr. Howells
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State plays no part in the activities of the mobile information centre. These are matters for the European Commission.

  Nunthorpe Comprehensive School
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representation she has received from Nunthorpe Secondary Comprehensive School on provision for 11 to 18 year old pupils. [45164]
  345
  Mr. Byers
  Letters from 34 parents of children attending Nunthorpe Comprehensive School were received in the Department between October and November 1997 and 2 further letters have been received this month. The Headteacher of the school also wrote to me in October 1997.

  Comprehensive School Education
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the financial implications of extending secondary comprehensive school education to 16 to 18 year olds. [45165]

  Mr. Byers
  Extending secondary comprehensive school education to 16 to 18-year-olds may have capital as well as recurrent costs implications for schools, and may have an impact on other post-16 provision in the area.

  Further Education Statistics
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list by socio-economic group(a) the numbers and (b) the percentages of (i) 16–17 year olds, (ii) 18–21 year olds and (iii) over 21 year olds in (1) full-time and (2) part-time further education for each of the last three years for which figures are available. [45750]

  Dr. Howells
  This information is not held by the Department or the Further Education Funding Council.

  Science Teachers
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to increase the number of graduates going into science teaching in school. [46060]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The recruitment of an adequate number of well-trained teachers is central to achieving our plans to raise standards in schools. Maintaining teacher supply is one of the key challenges facing this Government and the education system. We are working with our partners—the Teacher Training Authority, Higher Education Institutions, schools and others—to meet that challenge. Our response of 29 January to the Education and Employment Committee set out the measures we have taken to date.

  We have already announced that all trainees studying to achieve a Post Graduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) will not have to make a means-tested contribution to tuition fees. In addition, the Teacher Training Agency will make some £10 million available in the coming year through the Secondary Shortage Subject Scheme further to support those in need who wish to train to teach in such subjects, including science.

  Tuition Fees
  Mr. Öpik
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to allow endowment mortgages to be counted against income in the calculation of tuition fees payable at university; and if he will make a statement. [45786]
  346
  Dr. Howells
  Under the Mandatory Awards Regulations, in assessing the income of a student who is independent of their parents, a local education authority has discretion to take account of payments made in pursuance of any obligation, such as a mortgage, incurred before the start of their course. Where a student's parents or spouse is expected to contribute towards the support of the student, the gross amounts of any interest paid on loans, including mortgages, which attract tax relief are deducted from their income in assessing the size of their contribution.

  For new students in 1998–99, the contribution to the student's support from their own income or that of their parents or spouse is first set against their £1,000 contribution to their tuition fees and any remaining amount goes towards the student's maintenance support.

  We are examining the case for reviewing certain aspects of the assessment of contributions by students, their parents and their spouses towards the student's maintenance support.

  Female Medical Professors
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many professors in medical schools are female. [45804]

  Dr. Howells
  In the 1996–97 academic year, the latest year for which figures are available, there were 44 professors of medicine who were female, in higher education establishments in the UK. This represents 6 per cent. of all professors in medicine.

  This figure covers those employed within the professor grade in institutions. There may be others who carry the title of professor but are employed in other grade structures and so are not included in this figure.

  Further Education
  Mr. Fitzpatrick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to implement the recommendations contained in the report from Helen Kennedy QC relating to further education; according to what timescale; and if he will make a statement. [46191]

  Dr. Howells
  We published "Further Education for the New Millennium" on 25 February 1998. This sets out our detailed response to those recommendations in Baroness Kennedy's report which were addressed to the Government.

  Sex and Race Equality
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what(a) resources and (b) programme money was provided for the Sex and Race Equality Division in (i) 1996–97, (ii) 1997–98 and (iii) 1998–99. [45797]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The information requested is shown in the following table. It reflects two significant changes in responsibilities during the period: establishment of a separate Childcare Unit in the Department for Education and Employment; and transfer
  347
  of staff working on some general women's issues to the Department of Social Security following establishment of the Womens's Unit.

  Sex and race equality division: resources and programmes

  £

  (i)1996–97

  (ii)1997–98

  (iii)1998–99

  (a) Running costs1

  1,922,545

  21,551,000

  31,373,698

  (b) Programmes

  —

  —

  —

  Out of school childcare initiative development

  250,000

  250,000

  4—

  Equal opportunities commission grant in aid

  5,821,000

  5,792,000

  5,792,000

  Fair play

  121,000

  295,000

  150,000

  1 Running costs—excludes a number of costs which are paid from central and specialist budgets (eg premises)

  2 Excludes running costs of £394,213 transferred in Department of Social Security after 1 May 1997 when certain work and the staff doing it transferred

  3 Excludes running costs of £497,727 transferred to newly formed Childcare Unit

  4 Programme part of the Childcare Unit

  City Technology Colleges
  Mr. McWilliam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list(a) the unit cost per pupil from public funds in the last financial year for each city technology college, (b) the projected unit cost per pupil from public funds in the current financial year, (c) the combined public and private sector unit cost per pupil projected for the current financial year for each city technology college and (d) the average unit cost per pupil in secondary schools for each local authority which has a city technology college within its area; and if he will make a statement on the numbers of Ofsted inspections of city technology colleges relative to LEA schools in areas where there are CTCs. [45894]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The unit of funding for all CTCs is calculated on an academic year basis. It is based on a direct comparison with budgeted spending for secondary schools in the LEAs from which the CTCs collectively take their pupils. For the 1996–97 academic year this figure was £2,546 and for 1997–98 it was £2,590. In addition CTCs currently receive an extra £165 per pupil. This will reduce to £120 in 1998–99 and is designed to mirror the top-up grant for specialist schools plus a small amount to cover insurance costs. CTCs also, to varying degrees, receive funding for school meals costs and London weighting. There is no requirement for private sector contributions towards the unit of funding.

  Unit costs of secondary pupils in areas used for CTC funding in financial years 1996–97 and 1997–98 are given in the following table.

  CTCs are subject to exactly the same inspection requirements as maintained schools.
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  Unit costs of secondary pupils in areas used for CTC funding in financial years 1996–97 and 1997–98

  £

  Financial year costs1

  LEAs2 used in CTC funding

  1996–97

  1997–98

  Lambeth

  2,952

  3,047

  Lewisham

  2,485

  2,556

  Southwark

  2,441

  2,453

  Wandsworth

  2,547

  2,493

  Croydon

  2,425

  2,495

  Birmingham

  2,562

  2,613

  Soilhull

  2,361

  2,368

  Wolverhampton

  2,572

  2,561

  Bradford

  2,883

  2,861

  Gateshead

  2,392

  2,393

  Bristol

  2,858

  2,731

  South Gloucestershire

  2,447

  2,487

  Middlesbrough

  2,605

  2,553

  Derbyshire/Derby City3

  2,302

  2,490

  Kent

  2,434

  2,424

  Northamptonshire

  2,480

  2,459

  Nottinghamshire

  2,428

  2,456

  Shropshire

  2,485

  2,548

  1The Unit Costs have been calculated using LEA Section 122 Part 1 Budget Statements and GM school equivalent data. However, certain expenditure lines have been disregarded as not relevant to the CTC unit of funding—the main ones being school meals and capital costs. The figures are therefore not the full average unit cost amounts expended on secondary education in these LEAs. The Unit Costs shown here are deflated, i.e. reduced to exclude London weighting factors. This is as they are used in calculating the "national" CTC unit of funding.

  2 The LEA areas used for CTC funding are those in which CTCs are located plus those from which CTCs draw a significant number of pupils.

  3Derbyshire was subject to 1997 Local Government re-organisation, thus Derbyshire is included in the 1996–97 figures, but Derby City only in the 1997–98 figures.

  Female Medical Students
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many current medical students in the United Kingdom are female. [45802]

  Dr. Howells
  In the 1997–98 academic year, the latest year for which figures are available, there were 18,474 medical students who were female in higher education establishments in the UK. This represents 51 per cent. of all medical students.

  Telecommunications Masts
  Mr. Faber
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what discussions he has had with the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions concerning proposals to limit the siting of telecommunications masts to a distance greater than 500m from schools. [46660]

  Mr. Byers
  Decisions about siting telecommunications masts are the responsibility of local authorities.

  Listed Building Repairs and VAT
  Listed Building Repairs and VAT
  Duty Free Sales Allowance
  Duty Free Sales Allowance
  Imported Works of Art: VAT Rate
  Imported Works of Art: VAT Rate
  Motorway Service Areas: Inspections
  Motorway Service Areas: Inspections