Written Answers of 22 June 1998

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Community Legal Services
  Mr. Stinchcombe
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he plans to publish details of the proposed expansion of community legal services. [45973]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Lord Chancellor has announced that proposals for a Community Legal Service will be finalised by the beginning of next year, when a consultation paper will be issued.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he expects to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Walsall, North of 11 May regarding evidence from professional witnesses in housing eviction cases; and for what reason no acknowledgment was sent at the time. [46090]

  Mr. Hoon
  My hon. Friend's letter was received by the Lord Chancellor's Department on 12 May and he should now be in receipt of my reply of 9 June. The Department's published target is to respond to all letters from hon. Members within 20 working days of receipt. The reply in this instance was provided within this target.

  Fast-track Cases
  Mr. Bruce George
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he will publish his consultation paper on a costs regime for fast-track cases. [47315]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Lord Chancellor has today published a consultation paper on a cost regime for the fast track entitled "Justice at the Right Price" and copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

PRIME MINISTER

  Japanese Prisoners of War
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his meeting with Japanese prisoners of war on 10 June. [45812]

  The Prime Minister
  On 10 June I met the Chairman of the Japanese Labour Camps Survivors Association and the Chairman of the Association of British Civilian Internees Far East Region.
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  I explained the efforts that the Government have made on behalf of the former prisoners. In response to our representations, the Japanese Prime Minister had made an official apology on behalf of his Government and announced a new package of measures to promote reconciliation.

  I also agreed to consider a legal opinion the former prisoners had received on whether it is possible to re-open the 1951 Peace Treaty. I explained that I did not want to raise false hopes about this as the Government had already received legal advice in the opposite sense.

  Interception of Communications
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister when he expects to publish the 1997 report of the Commissioner into the operation of the Interception of Communications Act 1985. [46255]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 16 June 1998]: Shortly.

  Election Pledges
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Prime Minister on what date he plans to publish the Government's report on progress on election pledges and other matters; and if he will make a statement. [46385]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 18 June 1998]: The Annual Report will be published shortly.

  European Social Fund (Wales)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will ensure that the powers of the Secretary of State for Wales in respect of the administration of the European Social Fund are comparable to, or greater than, those of the heads of Government regional offices in England; and if he will make a statement. [46703]

  The Prime Minister
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales already has responsibility for training policy in Wales, including the management of the European Social Fund.

  Intelligence and Security Committee
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy that there be an annual debate on the annual report presented to him by the Intelligence and Security Committee. [46712]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 19 June 1998]:As my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House made clear on 4 June 1998, Official Report, column 507, in her reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Sunderland, South (Mr. Mullin) the Government intend to hold a regular debate on the intelligence and security services. The arrangements for any debate will be a matter for discussion and agreement through the usual channels and with the Intelligence and Security Committee.

  Social Exclusion Unit
  Ms Perham
  To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to include disability within the future work programme of the Social Exclusion Unit. [46812]
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  The Prime Minister
  Decisions on the future work programme of the Social Exclusion Unit will be announced in due course.

  Honours System
  Mr. Winnick
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will ensure that no recommendation for an honour is made for anyone who minimises their tax liability by forming a company only for this purpose; and if he will make a statement. [46665]

  The Prime Minister
  [holding answer 19 June 1998]: I recommend people for honours on the basis of their achievement and service to others, in changing things and making a difference. Each case is considered on its merits, and all circumstances are taken into account. No recommendation would proceed if it brought the honours system into disrepute.

  Animal Welfare
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 2 February 1998,Official Report, column 476, when he expects to make an announcement in respect of the coordination within Government of animal welfare policies. [46971]

  The Prime Minister
  An announcement will be made as soon as possible.

  Lockerbie
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Prime Minister what was the result of Her Majesty's Government's discussions with the Secretary-General of the Arab League on 18 June as to the feasibility of conducting a trial of the Libyan suspects for the Lockerbie bombing in a third country. [46959]

  The Prime Minister
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs met the Secretary-General of the Arab League on 18 June. They agreed on the need for urgent progress in resolving the Lockerbie issue. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State stressed the need for early Libyan compliance with the requirements of the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  National Lottery
  Mr. Ennis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what was the total interest which accrued on prize moneys not claimed for the National Lottery in the last year. [45824]

  Mr. Banks
  I have asked the Director General of the National Lottery, who is responsible for regulating the operation of the Lottery, to write to my hon. Friend, and copies of his response will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Wembley Stadium
  Mr. Sutcliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what plans are being assessed by his Department relating to the 2006 World Cup bid in respect of the redevelopment of Wembley Stadium; [46252]
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  (2) what discussions have taken place between his Department and the partners involved in the Wembley Stadium refurbishment plans. [46251]

  Mr. Banks
  [holding answer 17 June 1998]: I am keeping a close watch on how the project is progressing. It is of importance not only to the long term domestic needs of sport in this country, but as an integral part of the bid to host the World Cup in 2006 and a future Olympic Games. Day to day dealings with the development partners are being carried out by the English Sports Council, which is providing £120 million of Lottery funding towards the project.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Prisons (Family Rooms)
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisons have(a) creche facilities and (b) family rooms for use by visitors to prisons. [44706]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 8 June 1998]: There are currently 66 prisons that provide a creche facility on either a full or part-time basis.

  Fifteen prisons provide family rooms for use by visitors, but most prisons will provide a room if a requirement is recognised. The Prison Service is about to embark on a review of visiting arrangements with a view to promulgating best practice.

  Prisoner Escort Services
  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 prisoner escort services; and if he will list the expiry date of each existing contract. [46239]

  Ms Quin
  The contracted out court escort service cost the Prison Service £89 million in 1997/98. This represents a full year's operation in seven of the eight contract areas and partial operation in the last (the North of England). The contract for that area commenced in April 1997 but was implemented in two phases, with the second not starting until July.

  The contracts cover the transportation of prisoners, other than those in the highest security category (Category A), from prisons and police stations to court, their custody while there, and their return to prison. In addition, the contract for the North of England includes the option for the provision of hospital bedwatches, day attendance for medical treatment, compassionate home visits, etc. If an establishment exercises this option it meets the charges locally. These are not collated centrally and are not included in the above-mentioned costs.

  The expiry date for each contract is shown in the table. Contracts were let initially for either five or seven year periods but are renewable up to a maximum of fourteen years.
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  Area

  Location

  Contractor

  Full

  Commenced 1st Phase

  Expiry Date

  1

  South Wales & South West

  Reliance

  1 October 1996

  1 April 1996

  30 September 2003

  2

  South & South East

  Premier

  1 November 1996

  6 May 1996

  31 October 2003

  3

  London Metro Area

  Securicor

  26 June 1995

  27 June 1994

  30 June 1999

  4

  East Anglia

  Group 4

  1 January 1996

  1 July 1995

  31 December 2000

  5

  West Midlands & Central Wales

  Premier

  1 December 1996

  3 June 1996

  30 November 2003

  6

  Merseyside, Manchester & North Wales

  Group 4

  6 February 1996

  7 August 1995

  31 January 2001

  7

  East Midlands & Humberside

  Group 4

  1 April 1993

  1n/a

  4 April 2001

  8

  North England

  Group 4

  7 July 1997

  7 April 1997

  6 July 2004

  1n/a —not applicable

  Police Establishments
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will reintroduce the system of fixed Home Office establishments for police officer numbers. [45840]

  Mr. Michael
  We have no plans to re-introduce the system of Home Office approved police establishments, which was abolished by the previous Government as one of the changes introduced under the Police and Magistrates' Courts Act 1994 when the right hon. Member was Minister of State, Home Office. We are working with the police to ensure that the resources which the Government make available to them are used as effectively as possible, with a new emphasis on outputs and outcomes rather than on inputs.

  Probation Services
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the extra costs incurred by probation services for every 1,000 extra added to the daily prison population; and if he will make a statement. [46259]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 16 June 1998]: Increases in the prison population produce additional pressures on probation staff, whether they are seconded to prisons and funded by the Prison Service or working in area services and funded by probation grant, but there are too many variables to permit a simple translation of prisoner numbers into costs. However, we are taking workload attributable to pre- and post-release supervision requirements into account in determining what resources should be provided for the probation service.

  Closed Circuit Television
  Mr. Colvin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what responsibility the Metropolitan police has for the installation of closed circuit television schemes. [46369]

  Mr. Michael
  The Metropolitan Police has no statutory duty for the installation of closed circuit television (CCTV) schemes in public places. However, the Commissioner tells me that, in supporting such CCTV systems, the Metropolitan Police provides secondary monitoring to local CCTV initiatives. The police division in the borough covered by CCTV will have a "slave monitoring system", comprising monitors with a control function, capable of accepting pictures from a public place surveillance system. These systems are normally monitored from a local authority or other external CCTV primary monitoring control room. Where a police 354
  response may be required, information is passed to the police division for a decision on police action. This is the case for all the systems, bar those in Oxford Street where the primary monitoring is by police officers. The Metropolitan Police is currently involved in 30 systems, with a further 15 in the planning/installation phase.

  To reflect a positive lead for "Partnership in CCTV", the Metropolitan Police's Community Safety and Partnership Policy Unit has developed comprehensive guidance on Public Place CCTV schemes. The policy reflects the issue of privacy for the individual by promoting accountability and supervision while ensuring flexibility to fulfil the objectives of preventing and detecting crime.

  In addition, the Metropolitan Police uses video technology in a wide range of applications ranging from:
  assisting the police in fighting crime e.g. Operations Bumblebee and Eagle Eye;
  supporting ceremonial and operational events, thus providing protection to the general public and dignitaries;
  support for anti-terrorist activities;
  protection of victims/potential victims of violent crime;
  traffic cameras, roadside/motorway video systems;
  protection of the Metropolitan Police's property and personnel.

  Recidivism
  Sir Peter Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what evidence he has evaluated on the relative re-offending rates of those convicted of sexual offences and those convicted of other categories of offence. [46492]

  Mr. Michael
  Information on known re-offending, as measured by reconvictions, is derived from regular samples drawn from the Offenders Index, a database of criminal careers maintained by the Home Office. The most recently published analysis of reconviction rates of those convicted of sexual and other offences appeared in Home Office Statistical Bulletins 5/97, "Reconvictions of prisoners discharged from prison in 1993", and Home Office Bulletin 6/97, "Reconvictions of those commencing community penalties in 1993".

  A fuller analysis of convictions and reconvictions for sexual offending was published in 1997 as Home Office Research Findings Number 55, "The prevalence of convictions for sexual offending".

  Copies of these publications are in the Library.

  Criminal Appeals
  Mr. Woolas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to allow the disclosure of lost or spoiled evidence in criminal proceedings to be permitted as grounds for an appeal. [46293]

  Mr. Michael
  A defendant may appeal against conviction on indictment in England and Wales on grounds of law, fact or mixed fact and law. When considering such appeals, under section 23 of the Criminal Appeal Act 1968, as amended, the Court of Appeal has unfettered discretion to receive evidence connected with the proceedings, including evidence heard at the trial, evidence available at the time of the trial but not adduced and fresh evidence which has come to light since the trial.

  Postal and Proxy Voting
  Mr. Gapes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to change the postal and proxy vote application forms to reduce the possibilities of fraud. [46793]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The Working Party on Electoral Procedures, which I chair, is examining both postal and proxy voting procedures, including the application forms which are used. We will pay particular attention to the need to achieve a balance between accessibility and the prevention of abuse.

  Animal Experiments
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list the species and numbers of animals ordered to be given euthanasia by the Home Office Inspectorate in(a) 1996, (b) 1997 and (c) 1998, owing to the level of suffering to which they were subjected; [46585]

  (2) on how many occasions in (a) 1996, (b) 1997 and (c) 1998 the Home Office Inspectorate has ordered animals used in scientific procedures to be given euthanasia owing to the level of suffering the animals were subjected to. [46584]

  Mr. George Howarth
  This information is not collected centrally.

  Under section 18(3) of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, should a member of the Inspectorate consider that a protected animal is undergoing excessive suffering he may order it to be immediately killed by an appropriate method. This power rarely needs to be exercised.

  Section 10(1) of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 requires that all personal licences shall contain an inviolable termination condition: any animal which is being or has been subjected to a regulated procedure and which is in severe pain or severe distress which cannot be alleviated must be humanely killed. However, the overwhelming majority of procedures cause only mild or moderate suffering. It is extremely rare that animals experience, or are allowed by licensees to experience, anything approaching severe pain or distress.
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  Project licences also contain severity limits. If these are exceeded, an inspector must be notified. The inspector may ask for the animals to be humanely killed. Any such request is invariably complied with; it is extremely rare that an inspector will need to order animals to be killed.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many current project licences are in operation relating to xenotransplantation experiments within the United Kingdom. [46583]

  Mr. George Howarth
  In view of the wide nature of the hon. Member's question, it will take some time to formulate a reply and I will write to him in due course.

  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the designated establishments authorised to conduct xenotransplantation experiments on animals within the United Kingdom. [46582]

  Mr. George Howarth
  I cannot provide this information: section 24 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 prohibits the disclosure of information given, or believed to have been given, in confidence. This requirement arises from, inter alia, the need to protect the safety of the scientists and institutions.

  Lewes Prison
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects the works to the windows at Lewes Prison, designed to contain noise, to be completed. [46561]

  Ms Quin
  Work to windows in F Wing of Lewes prison is due to be completed by the end of July.

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what information his Department has obtained concerning the safety of Kurdish civilians in Northern Cyprus; and if he will make a statement on his policy towards asylum applications from them; [46780]

  (2) from what sources his Department gains information on the human rights situation in Northern Cyprus in order to evaluate asylum claims. [46781]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Every application for asylum is decided in accordance with the provisions of the 1951 United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol. Anyone who demonstrates a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion would be recognised as a refugee. Any rejected applicant has the opportunity to appeal to the Immigration Appellate Authority.

  The Home Office obtains information on the human rights situation in Northern Cyprus from a variety of sources, including the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the United States Department of State, and international organisations such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and Amnesty International. A country assessment on Cyprus, prepared by the Council Information and Policy Unit of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate, has been produced and made publicly available. The assessment is one of 35 prepared to provide general background

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  information for decision makers. Each assessment is attributed to source material and contains a bibliography. Assessments will be revised and updated approximately every six months.

  The Home office country assessment reports concerns about human rights abuses in Cyprus, including northern Cyprus. At this time, we have received no evidence to show that being of Kurdish ethnic origin alone would single a person out for persecution from either the "TRNC" ("Turkish Republic of Cyprus") authorities or the Turkish troops present in northern Cyprus.

  Sex Offences
  Dr. Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many men have been convicted under the provisions of the Sex Offenders Act 1997, solely in respect of homosexual acts(a) with men over the age of 16 and under the age of 18 years and (b) where more than two persons were present; [46591]

  (2) how many men have been convicted of an offence under section 1 of the Sexual Offences Act 1967 under the provision stipulating that privacy does not pertain where more than two people are present. [46592]

  Mr. Michael
  The Sex Offenders Act 1997 requires sex offenders, in the categories covered by the Act, to register details of their name and address with the police. The only offences created by the Act relate to failure to register or the supply of false registration information. These offences began to be identified separately on the Home Office Court Proceedings database from 1 January 1998, although the information recorded does not identify

  Number of persons prosecuted at magistrates' courts and convicted1 at all courts for offences under Section 1 of the Indecency with Children Act 1960 and Sections 25 and 26 of the Sexual Offences Act 1956, England and Wales, 1986–96

  Offence

  1986

  1987

  1988

  1989

  1990

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  Gross indecency with children—s1 of the Indecency with Children Act 1960

  Prosecutions

  263

  284

  226

  277

  317

  239

  261

  257

  216

  171

  158

  Convictions

  243

  248

  246

  219

  276

  219

  228

  203

  189

  155

  162

  Householder permitting girl under 13 years or under 16 years but 13 or over to use premises for intercourse—s25 and s26 of the Sexual Offences Act 19562

  Prosecutions

  4

  7

  10

  6

  7

  3

  9

  8

  —

  4

  4

  Convictions

  2

  6

  7

  3

  5

  1

  3

  6

  2

  3

  —

  1 Includes persons proceeded against in earlier years or for other offences

  2 Information collected centrally on the Home Office Court Proceedings database cannot identify the circumstances under s25 (relating to girls aged under 13) separately from those under s26 (relating to girls aged under 16 but 13 or over)

  Mark Darren Day
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 6 April 1998,Official Report, columns 26–27, if he will report on progress in the consideration by the Criminal Cases Review Commission of the case of Mark Darren Day, convicted of murder on 26 March 1993. [46079]

  Mr. Michael
  I understand that Mr. Day's application has reached the stage of a detailed review, but the Commission is unable to say when it will conclude its consideration.

  Prostitution
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to amend the Street
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  whether the offender had previously committed either a heterosexual or homosexual offence. Data are not available centrally prior to this date and provisional data for the first quarter of 1998 will not be available until the autumn.

  Section 1 of the Sexual Offences Act 1967 provides that a homosexual act which takes place in private between consenting parties of the age of consent shall not be an offence if it takes place in private. By virtue of section 1(2)(a), however, such an act is not regarded as taking place in private if more than two persons are present. The offence information held centrally on convictions under the Act does not identify the circumstances or location in which the offence was committed.

  In 1996, 112 offenders aged 18 or over were convicted of a homosexual act of buggery or indecency between males where the second party was aged 18 or over. A further 14 offenders aged 16 or over were also convicted for the same offences, where the second party was aged 16 or over.

  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list, for each of the past 10 years(a) the number of prosecutions under section 25 of the Sexual Offences Act 1956 and (b) the number of convictions obtained; [46541]

  (2) if he will list, for each of the past 10 years (a) the number of prosecutions under section 1 of the Indecency with Children Act 1960 and (b) the number of convictions obtained. [46540]

  Mr. Michael
  Available information for 1986 to 1996 (latest available) is given in the table.

  Offences Act 1959 to distinguish between offences committed by adults and offences committed by children. [46539]

  Mr. Michael
  The Government believe that the criminal justice system should treat children who are involved in prostitution differently from women. The Government's primary concern is to protect and deter children, both boys and girls, from becoming caught up in prostitution and to recognise that they are frequently the victims of coercion and abuse.

  The Government have recently announced their intention to conduct a review of sexual offences and penalties. In the light of this, we will want to consider very carefully the laws relating to soliciting, for women

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  and men and young boys and girls, but we do not believe that legalising child prostitution would help to protect children.

  Although the Street Offences Act 1959 does not distinguish women prostitutes from girl prostitutes, the numbers of girls who have been prosecuted or cautioned for soliciting offences is small. The police, together with children's charities and others, have developed guidelines to ensure that children involved in prostitution are treated as victims in need of welfare rather than as offenders.

  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he has issued to police forces in England and Wales on liaising with other agencies to make provision for young people to leave prostitution. [46543]

  Mr. Michael
  The general principles for inter-agency co-operation for the protection of children were set out in inter-departmental guidance issued under the Children Act 1989 to the police and other agencies in 1991. The Government are currently consulting on revised proposals for inter-agency co-operation to safeguard children.

  The Association of Chief Police Officers has also adopted best practice guidelines for the police that emphasise that children caught up in prostitution should normally be treated as victims and in need of help, rather than criminals. These guidelines were drawn up in discussion with the Children's Society and other agencies, the Department of Health and the Home Office, and emphasise the need for multi-agency partnerships, particularly with local social services, in dealing with child prostitution.

  These guidelines were piloted in Wolverhampton and Nottingham, where they are regarded as having been a success. The pilots are now being evaluated independently by the Home Office.

  My noble Friend Lord Williams of Mostyn announced on 30 March 1998, Official Report, House of Lords, column 9, that new guidance on how best to deal with the problem of children involved in prostitution will be issued in the autumn. It will take account of the Association of Chief Police Officers' guidelines on dealing with children involved in prostitution, the Crime and Disorder Bill [Lords], and the response to the Government's current consultation exercise on proposals for inter-agency co-operation, together with prevention, care and rehabilitation of children involved in prostitution or those at risk of prostitution.

  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to change the law to increase sentences for those convicted of living off the immoral earnings of a child under 16. [46542]

  Mr. Michael
  The Government want to ensure that severe penalties are available for those involved in child prostitution. I have announced a review of all sexual offences and will be considering possible changes to such penalties in the context of that review.

  Protection from Harassment Act
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when sections 3, 4 and 5 of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 will be implemented. [46230]
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  Mr. Hoon
  I have been asked to reply.

  Sections 4 and 5 of the Act are already in force. Subsections 1 and 2 of section 3 are also in force. Subsections 3–9 of section 3 will be brought into force when the work needed to finalise the relevant rules of court is complete. The final period of consultation closed on 12 June and the draft rules will very shortly be submitted to the appropriate rules committees. We expect both the rules and the commencement order for the outstanding provisions of the Act to come into force in September.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  MV Derbyshire
  Maria Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will place in the Library all Government documentation relating to the first formal inquiry into the loss of the MV 'Derbyshire' regardless of whether it is legally privileged, and in particular the document entitled "Derbyshire Statement of Facts Giving Rise to the Formal Investigation". [45264]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The government documentation relating to the Formal Investigation into the loss of the MV 'Derbyshire' is not for publication as it contains internal advice to Ministers and correspondence with legal counsel. The document entitled "Derbyshire Statement of Facts Giving Rise to the Formal Investigation" was circulated to the interested parties in the Master Bundle of documentation for the Formal Investigation which began in October 1987. A copy of the document has been placed in the Library.

  Cleaner Fuel
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what resources he has made available to promote research into green fuel technology. [45442]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  A £60,000 "Life cycle" study of alternative road transport fuels, co-funded by the former Department of Transport and the Department of Trade and Industry, was published in March 1996. A further £1.2 million three year field trial of alternative fuels, funded by DETR, MAFF and DTI, aimed at quantifying their environmental benefits and viability in comparison with conventional fuels under UK conditions, has now been completed. Publication of the report is imminent.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what statistics he has collected on the numbers of(a) local authorities and (b) transport undertakings which have converted their fleets, in whole or part, to run on compressed natural gas, LPG and electricity. [46126]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We do not collect these statistics. However, we do collect statistics on the numbers of vehicle licensed by propulsion type. In 1997, 9,100 vehicles were registered as running on gas or petrol and gas, and 17,400 on electricity. Of the registered electric
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  vehicles, the majority fell into the special concessionary group, which consists largely of plant and agricultural vehicles, and exempt vehicles (emergency vehicles, vehicles registered to disabled drivers and vehicles over 25 years old). Of the gas vehicles, 6,700 are private and light goods vehicles. The Natural Gas Vehicles Association estimate that 50–55 local authorities have one or more compressed natural gas vehicles in their fleet. The LPG association believe that several local authorities are using LPG, along with a number of fleet operators such as bus operators and the police. The Electric Vehicles Association state that a number of local authorities have ordered electric vehicles.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with companies operating depot-based vehicle fleets on the merits of converting vehicles to compressed natural gas. [46127]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Ministers have spoken about the merits of converting fleets to run on gas fuels on a number of occasions to audiences including large fleet operators and local authorities. In addition, the Government have provided £6 million of funding to the Energy Saving Trust for its three year Powershift programme which promotes the use of alternative fuels like compressed natural gas by providing grants of up to half the capital cost of converting a vehicle to run on alternative fuel, and put in place a number of fiscal incentives to encourage the use of gas fuels.

  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures his Department has undertaken since May 1997 to encourage local authorities to provide environmentally-friendly forms of public transport. [46044]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Under the National Air Quality Strategy, through the process of local air quality management, local authorities are responsible for ensuring that National Air Quality Strategy objectives are met in their areas. The Government have introduced a number of measures to encourage the use of more environmentally friendly public transport to help with this process. At the last Budget, 17 March 1998,Official Report, columns 1097–1112, the Chancellor announced that a graduated VED scheme for buses with an incentive of up to £500 for those vehicles meeting stringent emissions standards would begin on 1 January 1999. He also announced the creation of a greater duty differential between ordinary diesel and ultra low sulphur diesel, providing a greater incentive for operators to use this cleaner fuel, and that the Government will consult on how bus fuel rebate can better be targeted to help operators who run cleaner vehicles. The duty on road fuel gases was also frozen for the second successive budget.

  Millennium Dome
  Mr. Pickles
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if coaches will be directed to Greenwich from Central London via the Dartford Tunnel in the event of the Jubilee Line extension not being fully operational by the time the Millennium Dome opens. [45746]
  362
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  London Underground Ltd. currently estimate that the Jubilee Line Extension (JLE) will be fully operational by Spring 1999. In the extremely unlikely event that the JLE is not fully operational by the end of 1999, there would be several potential alternative routes and transport modes for journeys to and from the Millennium Experience in North Greenwich. London Transport is considering such options in the context of contingency planning for any operating difficulties that may occur after it is open. The use of a direct coach service from Central London to the Dome may be an option, but it would be unlikely to be necessary to send all coaches via the M25, A2 and A102(M), although that will be the recommended route for coaches going to the Millennium Experience from outside the M25.

  London Underground
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 9 June 1998,Official Report, columns 515–16, concerning London Underground, if the contracts drawn up with Price Waterhouse and Freshfields to provide, respectively, financial and legal advice are fixed price contracts; and what the value or estimated value is of these contracts. [46131]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The contracts which have been drawn up with Freshfields and Price Waterhouse to provide advice jointly to the Government and London Transport on implementing a Public/Private Partnership for London Underground are not fixed price contracts. For reasons of commercial confidentiality, it is not possible to give a figure for the estimated value of the contracts. We will, of course, report aggregate figures for the total cost of advice on implementing the Public/Private Partnership in due course.

  Economic Development and Regeneration
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the Government's local economic development and regeneration policies. [45852]

  Angela Eagle
  [holding answer 18 June 1998]: The Government are determined to join with local government, the voluntary and private sectors and local communities in a concerted attack against the multiple causes of social and economic decline—unemployment, bad housing, crime, poor health and a degraded environment.

  Regeneration policies will play a key part in this. The Government are therefore undertaking a comprehensive review of regeneration policies. A discussion paper on the future of regeneration—"The Way Forward"—has been produced as a result of this review.

  Regional Development Agencies (RDAs): The White Paper on Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), "Building Partnerships for Prosperity" (Cm 3814), published on 3 December 1997, set out the Government's proposals for the creation of a new Regional Development Agency in each of the English Regions. The Regional Development Agencies Bill, which had its Third Reading on 1 April 1998, Official Report, columns 1366–85, will put in place the legislative framework for RDAs' work.
  363
  RDAs will provide the means for ensuring effective, properly co-ordinated regional economic development. One of their first and most important tasks will be to draw up a regional economic strategy for their region. This will provide proper strategic direction to regional economic development work: regeneration, inward investment, business support, skills training and sustainable development.

  RDAs will contribute towards the better coordination of regeneration programmes by bringing together English Partnerships, the Single Regeneration Budget Challenge Fund and the rural regeneration work of the Rural Development Commission. They will continue to work with local partnerships formed between local authorities, business and the voluntary sector.

  Single Regeneration Budget (SRB): The Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) currently provides over £3.4 billion, in total, for the three years 1997–98 to 1999–2000.

  Within the £3.4 billion SRB total, nearly £1.7 billion is currently allocated to some 550 partnership schemes under rounds 1 to 3 of the SRB Challenge Fund.

  The balance of available SRB resources—over £1.7 billion over the 3-year period—is currently allocated to fund commitments under earlier programmes such as English Partnerships, UDCs, Housing Action Trusts, Estate Action, City Challenge etc. which all form part of the SRB.

  The Government announced, on 30 March 1998, the names of the 121 successful Partnerships under Round 4 of the SRB Challenge Fund which stand to get over £300 million. Around £12 million will be available nationally for 1998–99.

  Nearly all the 121 successful Round 4 schemes have multiple objectives, which include social exclusion, employment and training, education, community safety, prevention of drug misuse, health care and child care. Over half of the schemes include support for ethnic minorities as an explicit objective. This reflects local needs and priorities and the need to look across traditional boundaries in finding solutions.

  The Round 4 schemes aim to attract private sector support of over £400 million and other public sector contributions, including European funding, of over £500 million over their lifetime of up to seven years. This investment will benefit over 600,000 school children, provide training for 86,000 people, provide jobs for over 50,000 target area residents and benefit over 3 million people from community safety initiatives.

  During 1996–97 the SRB Challenge Fund supported schemes which attracted over £577 million of private sector leverage, created/preserved over 78,000 jobs and helped to start up over 16,000 businesses.

  English Partnerships: NDPB delivering regeneration, economic development, job creation, environmental improvement and promoting inward investment through the reclamation and development of derelict, vacant and under-used land and buildings throughout England.

  EP's Investment Fund provides a flexible means to tailor financial support for projects and enables EP to operate as a strategic partner and investor in regeneration. Their Community Investment Fund provides capital
  364
  grants of up to £100,000 to community based projects and enables local communities to participate more effectively in the regeneration of their neighbourhoods.

  Fifty-six British Coal non-operational sites, covering some 6,000 acres, have been transferred to EP who are taking forward their regeneration, reclamation and development. EP have prepared a detailed investment plan including a development strategy for each site. Paula Hay-Plumb, Managing Director (Operations) at EP has been appointed by the Deputy Prime Minister to chair a Coalfields Task Force whose purpose is to identify and develop a specific programme of action to assist coal closure areas by pooling the expertise of government departments and other partners in regeneration.

  EP own the Greenwich Peninsula and are responsible for providing a serviced site for the Millennium Experience. EP have developed a master plan for the long term regeneration of the site which would provide 5,000 homes and 335,300 jobs as well as commercial, leisure, retail, community and education facilities. A competition for the first stage of the development—the Millennium Village—was launched by the Deputy Prime Minister on 10 July 1997. Four shortlisted consortiums submitted their bids on early January 1998 and the winner will be announced shortly.

  Housing Action Trusts (HATs): There are 6 Housing Action Trusts regenerating severely run down housing estates, including refurbishment/redevelopment, creation of jobs and training opportunities, and other improvements. HATs are planning their programmes on the basis of a total public spend of £1,095 million on all HATs to the end of their 10 year lifetimes.

  Estate Action: aims to help local authorities improve unpopular housing estates. Funding is currently for commitments only on continuing schemes approved in 1994–95 or before.

  There are also several other programmes which can help in the regeneration of deprived areas. These include:

  The Special Grants Programme: a small but long standing programme (1997–98 budget £1.3 million) under which grants are given to voluntary organisations undertaking national projects relevant to the Department's policy objectives in housing and regeneration. Grant is generally limited to 3 years and to about half of each project's costs, the remainder coming from private and voluntary sector sources.

  Local Investment Fund (LIF): established in 1994 with £1 million grant and £2 million private sector contribution. LIF provides loans on conventional terms to voluntary organisations for economically viable projects for which conventional finance cannot be raised (e.g. owing to lack of asset base, track record, etc.).

  Groundwork: established in 1985 to tackle a range of environmental problems through partnership with the community and the private sector. DETR provides funding to the Groundwork Foundation and its 41 Trusts in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (£6.675 million for 1997–98).

  Environment Task Force: one of four options available under the New Deal for the young unemployed. It aims to enhance the long term employment prospects of

  365
  18–24 year olds, unemployed and claiming JSA for 6 months or more, through a combination of high quality work experience and training leading to an approved qualification. The ETF will consist of projects which deliver sustainable environmental benefits in line with DETR's policies and objectives.

  Thames Gateway: a major growth opportunity with strong European connections, reinforced by stations on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link. Thames Gateway Planning Framework (RPG9a) aims to maximise the area's potential and improve its image through environmental enhancement and quality development.

  Inner City Religious Council: chaired by Ministers, the ICRC provides the main faith communities with a means of working together to tackle the problems facing inner cities and deprived areas. Its members are drawn from Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh faiths. A review of the work of the ICRC has recently been carried out and its findings are being considered.

  Local Authorities

  Local authorities have a key role to play as catalysts for the economic development and regeneration of their areas. Under section 33 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 authorities have powers to promote the economic development of their area. We intend to strengthen their role further by placing a duty on local authorities to promote the economic, social and environmental well being of their area in partnership with other public, private and voluntary organisations, and with local people.

  Air Traffic Control
  Ms Osborne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the role of the Private Finance Initiative in funding the new Scottish centre at Prestwick in relation to the proposed public/private partnership for funding air traffic control. [46440]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 18 June 1998]: The operational requirement of the New Scottish Centre at Prestwick remains unchanged, and the centre is an integral part of the Civil Aviation Authority's two centre strategy—which the Government have endorsed. National Air Traffic Services Ltd. are moving towards contracting with their preferred bidder for the provision of the new centre, and the Government hope that the announcement of the public/private partnership will not delay its development.

  Ms Osborne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when National Air Traffic Services will sign the contract for the new Scottish centre at Prestwick. [46443]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 18 June 1998]: National Air Traffic Services and Sky Solutions, the preferred bidder, are now well advanced in negotiations. NATS will consult with the airlines before seeking CAA Board and Government approval to a contractual commitment.

  Ms Osborne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the number of occasions in the last(a) month and (b) six
  366
  months when allegations have been made of overloads of the air traffic control system; and what has been the outcome of investigations. [46439]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 18 June 1998]From 17 May to 17 June 1998, there have been three overloads reported at the London Area Terminal Control Centre at West Drayton. For the calendar year to 17 June, there have been 22 overloads reported at that centre. There have been none at the Manchester and Scottish and Oceanic Control Centres. The Safety Regulation Group of the Civil Aviation Authority investigates the incidents. To date, reports have been made to National Air Traffic Services Limited (NATS) on 13 of the incidents. NATS implements all relevant recommendations following such incidents.

  Ms Osborne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions in relation to the proposed public/private partnership for National Air Traffic Services, what proportion of the 51 per cent. of the shares held in the private sector will be reserved for employees. [46446]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 18 June 1998]The Government are contemplating reserving up to 10 per cent. of the shares held in the private sector for National Air Traffic Services' employees.

  Ms Osborne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of alternative options for the future funding of air traffic control services; and if he will publish the arrangements for consultation on the Government's preferred option. [46442]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 18 June 1998]The Government considered the following options:Establishing National Air Traffic Services Ltd as a separate public sector body: this option was not feasible without significant relaxation of Government borrowing controls, and provided no real incentive to improve efficiency or drive the business forward;
  Maintaining air traffic control provision as a subsidiary of the Civil Aviation Authority: this option provided no incentives for efficiency, would not separate regulation from service provision, and could not provide assurances as to the availability of funding for future investment to cater for demand;
  Setting up a private sector trust along the lines of the Canadian model: this option would not generate real commercial incentives or disciplines, it would be difficult to ensure adequate accountability, and difficult to ensure against the emergence of dominant interests;
  Establishing National Air Traffic Services Ltd as a private sector body providing air traffic control services under contract to the Civil Aviation Authority (the "privatised contractor"): this option did not effect any real separation between service provision and regulation, and there were additional concerns over a possible conflict of interest in the Civil Aviation Authority's being contract manager and regulator.

  The Government intend to consult interested parties on the implementation of their decision in principle, and will publish a consultation paper shortly.

  RAF Northolt
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions 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

  367
  airport and (ii) increasing the number of civil aircraft movements or the stipulated operating hours for civil aircraft at RAF Northolt. [45291]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  [holding answer 18 June 1998]The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions has had only once contact with commercial interests regarding RAF Northolt, notably by letter dated 20 May 1998, from Virgin Executive Jets.

  Sites of Special Scientific Interest
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many sites of special scientific interest there are; and what their approximate acreage is in the United Kingdom. [46694]

  Angela Eagle
  As at 17 June, there were 6,526 Sites of Special Scientific Interest in the United Kingdom covering approximately 2.17 million hectares (5.37 million acres).

  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list, with their approximate acreage, the sites of special scientific interest in Gloucestershire. [46695]

  Angela Eagle
  As at 17 June there were 119 Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire covering nearly 23,500 hectares (57,900 acres). I will send the hon. Member a complete site list with respective acreages.

  Nuclear Materials (Transportation)
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many consignments of low enriched uranium have been air freighted on(a) passenger and (b) cargo airlines from the United Kingdom airports in each of the last 10 years; what quantities of nuclear materials were involved in (a) and (b); what safety arrangements have applied; what advance notice has been given to Ministers; and what plans there are to airfreight uranium from the United Kingdom over the next year. [46817]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  My Department does not collect such data as requested. All air shipments of radioactive material to, from and within the United Kingdom must be made in accordance with the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organisation's Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air (Class 7) which are given legal force in the United Kingdom by the Air Navigation (Dangerous Goods) Regulations 1994 (SI No 3187) and Amendments 1996 (SI No 3100) and 1997 (SI No 2666). Prior notification of such shipments would be made only where so required by the Technical Instructions.

  Eurostar
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of commercial proposals to run direct regional Eurostar rail services from Scottish and English regional cities to Europe. [46741]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Regional Eurostar rail services are a matter for London and Continental Railways Ltd. (LCR). The Government have, however, asked the 368
  consortium chosen by LCR to operate Eurostar to report by the end of the year on the feasibility of such services.

  Trunk Roads
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he plans to announce the list of trunk road schemes to be approved for construction simultaneously with the publication of the Integrated Transport Strategy White Paper. [46563]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  No. The Roads Review will follow after the Integrated Transport White Paper.

  Road Hauliers
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to introduce a United Kingdom vignette for road hauliers. [46551]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  I have no plans at present to do so.

  Transport Expenditure
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his current estimate of his Department's expenditure on(a) national roads, (b) local roads and parking, (c) transport grants and (d) public transport in (i) the current financial year and (ii) the following two financial years. [46773]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The table gives my Department's expenditure plans for the current financial year in as close to the requested format as I am able to provide. The Government will publish their expenditure plans for the rest of the Parliament in the Summer, after the completion of the Comprehensive Spending Review.

  A more detailed breakdown of my Department's planned transport expenditure for 1998–99 can be found in the 1998 Annual Report (Cm 3906).

  Planned transport expenditure for 1998–99

  £ million

  National roads

  1,349

  Local transport (local roads and public transport)

  1623

  Other public transport

  2,220

  o/w

  Support for national railways2

  1,659

  London Transport

  523

  Support for rural buses

  38

  Other transport grants3

  42

  1 Of this total, £449m has been allocated solely for local roads and £63m for public transport. The remaining £111m can be used on either roads or public transport according to local discretion. (DETR figures)

  2Includes Metropolitan Railway Passenger Services Grant, support for residual British Rail activities, Deeds of Assumption Ltd. and support paid by the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising

  3To prevent double counting, only includes those transport grants not included in other sections of the table. Total comprises £40m rail freight grants and £2m grants to local authorities for pre-DVLC pensions

  Note:

  Unless otherwise indicated, the source of data is the DETR 1998 Annual Report

  River Wye
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much public money has been spent by the Environment Agency on(a) the River Wye Navigation Order application under the Transport and Works Act 1992 since the lodging of the application in April 1986 and (b) the River Wye Navigation Bye-Laws under the Water Resources Act 1991 application, since the lodging of the application in October 1994; and if he will make a statement. [46960]

  Angela Eagle
  The costs incurred by the Environment Agency and its predecessor body, the National Rivers Authority (NRA), in promoting an Order to become the navigation authority on the Rivers Wye and Lugg amount to approximately £450,000 since 1995 when the proposals were first put forward. The majority of these costs were incurred in preparing for and conducting the public inquiry following objections to the application submitted to the Secretaries of State for the Environment and for Wales in March 1996.

  The costs incurred by the Agency and the NRA since the submission of the application for the confirmation of the River Wye Navigation Byelaws in September 1994 is approximately £114,000. The majority of these costs were incurred in preparing for and conducting a public inquiry into this application which ran immediately after the inquiry into the navigation authority application.

  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the Government's policy regarding the use of the River Wye for leisure activities. [46958]

  Angela Eagle
  Subject to its environment and recreational duties, it is for the Environment Agency to draw up policies for individual rivers for which it is the responsible authority. The Government do not prepare such policies.

  Low Flying
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many successful prosecutions there have been for civilian low-flying offences in the United Kingdom in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [46549]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Civil Aviation Authority's Aviation Regulation Enforcement Division has carried out the following enforcement action against low flying offences in the years 1993 to 1997. Full figures are not yet available for 1998.

  Year

  Successful prosecutions

  1993

  11

  1994

  5

  1995

  5

  1996

  6

  1997

  4

  1998 (so far)

  4

  In addition, in the same period, the Enforcement Division issued 12 formal cautions and 37 warning letters in respect of low flying offences. One prosecution for low flying is currently pending, and four other cases of alleged low flying are currently under investigation.

  London Regional Transport
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 15 June 1998,Official Report, column 59, on the chairmanship of London Regional Transport, if he will publish his proposals for the method of recruitment to the post as soon as they have been determined. [46546]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Yes.

  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish the job specification of the Chief Executive of London Regional Transport; and when the Chief Executive's personal annual objectives will be published. [46535]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The job specification for the Chief Executive of London Transport, including the objectives he is to deliver, are as follows:

  He has executive responsibility for all London Transport's activities, with the heads of each main executive arm reporting to him. His objectives for the next two years are:

  1. To ensure that London Transport (Underground Operations, Underground Infrastructure, the Buses and other arms) delivers the Government's objectives;

  2. Strategic planning, including the cascade of targets and funding limits to the constituent parts of LT, consistent with the Government's overall targets; and the monitoring of delivery;

  3. To lead the design and implementation of the Underground PPP in accordance with the Government's policy and timetable;

  4. To work with Government to pave the way for the establishment of Transport for London under the GLA;

  5. To ensure high standards of safety throughout LT; and

  6. To ensure that LT delivers its part in providing links to the Millennium Exhibition.

  The Chief Executive is also to be directly responsible for managing London Underground until a new Managing Director is appointed, and will continue to manage the infrastructure element thereafter.

  Bus Companies (Customer Service)
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 15 June 1998,Official Report, column 59, on bus companies' customer service standards, what advice he has given to London Transport on customer service standards. [46547]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The Government set London Transport quality of service targets, based on service performance and measures of customer satisfaction, for the London bus network.

  Sapphire
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 9 February 1998,Official Report, column 10, if he will make a statement on the discussions he has

  371
  had with other Government departments concerning the consultation process he announced following the loss of the 'Sapphire% when he expects the consultation process to be completed; and if he will make a statement. [46486]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Other Government departments have made valuable contributions to the Consultation Paper on Fishing Vessel Accidents and the Recovery of Those Lost at Sea. The Consultation Paper will be issued shortly and the results of the consultation process will be announced before the end of the year.

  Houses in Multiple Occupation
  Angela Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he proposes to take to improve standards in houses in multiple occupation. [47137]

  Ms Armstrong
  We are determined to ensure that houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) are safe, providing acceptable living conditions and fulfilling our commitment to introduce a national licensing scheme. Work on drawing up proposals for licensing will be given priority in our plans for reforming the existing controls over HMOs. We will consult interested parties later this summer on how a licensing system should work and the standards that it should achieve.

  Our objective is to ensure that all HMOs meet the highest possible standards on fire and other health and safety risks. However, we need to set standards which are achievable and do not involve unnecessary or disproportionate burdens on HMO landlords, who might otherwise withdraw their properties from the market. We need also to ensure a consistent approach with other relevant legislation, including proposals by the Home Office for a universal fire safety duty.

  We have decided against introducing an interim Approved Code of Practice. We consider that our existing powers under the Housing Act 1996 do not enable us to produce an effective and workable code that would deliver the standards we want HMOs to achieve in the longer term. We are also reluctant to introduce two major changes within a relatively short period of time.

  Following consultation, we intend to publish the proposed standards for a licensing system and will issue guidance to local housing authorities on their application prior to the coming into force of the licensing requirements.

  Authorities which have adopted HMO registration schemes containing control provisions are likely to have similar powers under the proposed licensing scheme. We are therefore encouraging all authorities to adopt registration schemes now to facilitate the transition to licensing.

  We will be seeking views, as part of our consultation on licensing, on whether there should be a duty on landlords to maintain acceptable standards in addition to the licensing requirements. We will not be commencing section 73 of the Housing Act 1996 to place a duty on HMO landlords to keep their properties fit for the number of occupants, as we do not consider this duty to be workable in its present form.

DEFENCE

  Defence Attaches
  Mr. Soames
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many new defence attaché posts he plans to establish by 2000. [45235]

  Mr. George Robertson
  As with many other important issues affected by the Strategic Defence Review, we are undertaking a global review of our Defence Attaché coverage. We want to ensure that the number and location of our attaches meet our new security and defence requirements. It is too early to say at this stage what the conclusions might be.

  Education and Training
  Mrs. Gilroy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans his Department has to improve the quality of education and training in the armed forces. [45236]

  Dr. Reid
  The Armed Forces already spend substantial sums to ensure high-quality training for Service Personnel. As part of the Strategic Defence Review, we are considering the scope to improve further the education and training provided, and to ensure that the qualifications Service personnel receive are fully recognised and transferable when they return to civilian life.

  Royal Naval College
  Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he next plans to visit the Royal Naval College to discuss its participation in the Greenwich millennium celebration. [45237]

  Mr. George Robertson
  I hope to visit the Royal Naval College soon to sign the head lease which will transfer responsibility for the site to the Greenwich Foundation. The extent of involvement in the Millennium celebrations is rightly a matter for the Foundation.

  Joint Organisations
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps his Department is taking to increase the use of joint organisations in the armed forces. [45238]

  Dr. Reid
  As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 8 June 1998,Official Report, column 423, the MOD has signed a contract to build a new Joint Services' Command and Staff College at Watchfield. This reflects our commitment to joint training and to joint organisations more generally, one of the main themes of the Strategic Defence Review.

  Strategic Defence Review
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the strategic defence review before the end of July. [45239]

  Mr. George Robertson
  A package of proposals has been submitted to the Cabinet. Once decisions have been taken, the Review's conclusions will be published in a White Paper as quickly as possible thereafter.
  373
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the implications of the Defence Review for defence procurement. [45222]

  Mr. George Robertson
  I refer the hon. Member to the oral answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Portsmouth, North (Mr. Rapson),Official Report, columns 683–84.

  RAF Finningley
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on arrangements for the disposal of RAF Finningley. [45240]

  Mr. Spellar
  The RAF Finningley site has been marketed and two bids, both of which include proposals for civil aviation use, are currently under consideration. My Department continues to work closely with the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions and the Government Office for Yorkshire and Humberside so that a decision can be made as soon as possible which takes into account all the factors affecting this important regional site.

  Inoculations
  Maria Eagle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the circumstances under which inoculation of forces personnel should be compulsory. [45241]

  Dr. Reid
  Immunisation is vitally important for the protection of UK Service personnel against disease, in the context of public health threats as well as defence against biological warfare agents. At present, MoD policy is that immunisation for both purposes is voluntary, on the basis of informed consent. However, the means of protecting our personnel against such threats are continually reviewed and updated in the light of current circumstances.

  Guardsmen Fisher and Wright
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the prospects of future service in the Scots Guards of Guardsmen Fisher and Wright. [45242]

  Dr. Reid
  No decision has been taken on the future in the Army of Guardsmen Fisher and Wright.

  Benefits
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel are currently claiming benefits. [45243]

  Dr. Reid
  Except in a limited number of circumstances—for example, when personnel are serving overseas—entitlement to DSS benefits is normally a matter between individual Service personnel and the DSS, to which claims are made direct. Therefore, my Department has no overview of the extent of benefits being claimed by Service personnel.

  Export Licences
  Mr. David Heath
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with other departments concerning the process of considering arms export licence applications. [45245]
  374
  Mr. Spellar
  Ministry of Defence officials are in daily contact with officials in other Departments, principally the Department of Trade and Industry, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for International Development, as part of the process of considering export licence applications. Ministers occasionally discuss various export issues, including the process of considering such applications.

  Territorial Army
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to(a) reorganise and (b) alter the role of the Territorial Army. [45246]

  Dr. Reid
  I refer the hon. Member to the oral answer I gave to the hon. Member for Buckingham (Mr. Bercow) earlier today,Official Report, column 686.

  Royal Yeomanry
  Mr. Brazier
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the annual cost of the Royal Yeomanry in its chemical defence role; and what would be the cost of giving the role to a similar-sized regular unit. [45247]

  Dr. Reid
  The annual cost of the Royal Yeomanry in the chemical defence role is £3.471m. Comparable costs for a similar sized regular chemical defence unit are not available. However, the costs of paying regular and TA soldiers to perform a particular role for a given period of time are broadly comparable.

  Defence Diversification
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he intends to publish a White Paper on defence diversification; and if he will make a statement. [45248]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Government's plans for defence diversification. [45251]

  Mr. Spellar
  I refer my hon. Friends to the oral answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Delyn (Mr. Hanson),Official Report, column 683.

  Chamber of Shipping
  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he last met the Chamber of Shipping to discuss co-operation between his Department and the chamber on defence issues; and if he will make a statement. [45249]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Secretary of State for Defence has not yet met the Chamber of Shipping. However, the Ministry of Defence enjoys a close and productive relationship with the Chamber on defence issues, primarily through the auspices of the Shipping Defence Advisory Committee and its various working groups and sponsored discussions. The MOD looks forward to a continuing dialogue with the Chamber which will, I am sure, provide further opportunity to develop a better appreciation of our respective interests and concerns.

  Army Operational Commitments
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the capacity of the Army to sustain further indefinite operational commitments. [45252]
  375
  Dr. Reid
  The Army is currently heavily committed in Northern Ireland and Bosnia. Our capacity to sustain further indefinite operational commitments would be subject to the specific circumstances pertaining at the time and the scale of the force envisaged.

  Commercial Exploitation Levy Receipts
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what sums have been generated by commercial exploitation levies since 1992. [46489]

  Mr. Spellar
  Commercial Exploitation Levy receipts for the years 1991–92 to 1997–98 are as follows:

  £ million ex VAT

  1991–92

  34.5

  1992–9293

  15.0

  1993–9294

  39.8

  1994–9295

  33.0

  1995–9296

  21.9

  1996–9297

  90.5

  1997–9298

  54.0

  Defence Exports
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which countries have benefited from(a) the Defence Military Assistance Fund, (b) the Defence Policy Fund and (c) the Defence Sales Fund since 1988; and what criteria have been used for disbursements from (i) the Defence Policy Fund and (ii) the Defence Sales Fund. [46490]

  Mr. Spellar
  I refer my hon. Friend to the letter from my hon. Friend the Minister for the Armed Forces, sent to my hon. Friend the Member for Cynon Valley (Ann Clwyd) on 7 May 1998, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House. The letter sets out those countries which have received support from the Defence Policy Fund, the Defence Sales Fund, the Defence Military Assistance Fund and other centrally administered funds in the period since 1988.

  The Defence Policy Fund was an MOD-administered scheme to provide military assistance at no or a reduced cost to selected countries, generally outside the NATO area, in support of defence policy objectives. The criteria

  Review

  Chaired by

  Date established

  Review of the Contribution of Scientists and Engineers to the Public Understanding of Science, Engineering and Technology

  Sir Arnold Wolfendale FRS

  January 1995

  Prior Options Review of the Royal Observatories

  Professor Ian Halliday, University of Wales, Swansea

  July 1995

  The Scientific Group on the Environmental Impact of Deep-Sea Disposal of Offshore Structures

  Professor John Shepherd, Southampton Oceanography Centre

  October 1995

  Prior Options Review of the Central Laboratories of the Research Councils

  Dr. David Fisk, Chief Scientist, Department of the Environment

  November 1995

  Prior Options Review of Public Sector Research Establishments: Agriculture and Plant Science Steering Group1

  Professor Tom Blundell, then Chief Executive, Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research
  Council

  November 1995

  Prior Options Review of Public Sector Research Establishments: Marine and non-Marine Environment Steering Group2

  Dr. Ian Graham-Bryce, Principal, University of Dundee

  January 1996

  376
  used in considering requests against the Fund included the extent to which the UK's strategic interests and defence involvement might have caused us to respond positively to a request for assistance, whether the UK either enjoyed or expected to require valuable defence facilities, whether the UK retained formal defence commitments or links, and the general state of our relations with the country.

  The Defence Sales Fund was designed to assist in the promotion of defence exports by reducing or waiving charges for training related to specific sales which had been secured or were in clear prospect.

  Major Eric Joyce
  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what factors underlay the decision not to court-martial Major Eric Joyce, Adjutant-General's Corps. [46302]

  Mr. George Robertson
  [holding answer 18 June 1998]The decision on whether or not to prosecute a case referred to the Army Prosecuting Authority is made on the prospect of a realistic conviction based on the available evidence, and whether a prosecution is in the public and Service interest. These tests are essentially the same as those applied by the Crown Prosecution Service.

  Mr. Keith Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on which date the resignation from the British Army of Major Eric Joyce, Adjutant-General's Corps, became effective. [46301]

  Mr. George Robertson
  [holding answer 18 June 1998]No application has been received from Major Eric Joyce to retire from the British Army.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Reviews
  Mr. Allan
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list, for each of the last four years, the departmental inquiries and reviews instigated by Ministers which have been chaired by individuals outside her Department; and in each case if he will give the date of establishment and the name of the chairman. [44365]

  Mrs. Beckett
  The DTI has initiated the following Inquiries and Reviews since May 1994 which have been chaired by individuals outside the Department.
  377

  Review

  Chaired by

  Date established

  Quinquennial Review of the Teaching Company Scheme

  Sir Robin Nicholson FRS

  March 1996

  Prior Options Review of Public Sector Research Establishments: Food and Nutrition Steering Group3

  Mr. Nick Winterton, Medical Research Council

  July 1996

  Prior Options Review of Public Sector Research Establishments: Health Steering Group4

  Dr. Metters, Department of Health

  July 1996

  Review of the Electricity Trading Arrangements

  Stephen Littlechild, Director-General of Electricity Supply

  January 1998

  1Included the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council's (BBSRC) Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research, Institute of Arable Crops Research, John Innes Centre and Silsoe Research Institute

  2Included the Natural Environment Research Council's (NERC) British Geological Survey, Centre for Coastal and Marine Sciences and Centre for Ecology Hydrology

  3Included the BBSRC's Institute of Food Research and the Medical Research Council's Dunn Nutrition Unit

  4Included the Medical Research Council's Radiobiology Unit, Reproductive Biology Unit, Toxicology Unit and Virology Unit

  British Employees (Overseas Working Conditions)
  Ms Kelly
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many British employees she estimates are currently working for British companies abroad under contracts signed in the United Kingdom; and how many complaints were received by her Department from such employees about working conditions in the last year for which figures are available. [45474]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  My Department collects no information on this subject and receives few complaints from British workers overseas.

  UK structural funds allocations (including community initiatives)

  million ecu, 1996 prices

  1989–1993

  1994–99

  ERDF

  ESF

  EAGGF

  Total

  ERDF

  ESF

  EAGGF

  FIFG

  Total

  Objective 1

  Northern Ireland

  522

  405

  174

  1,101

  896

  468

  247

  20

  1,631

  Highlands and Islands

  0

  0

  0

  0

  193

  59

  60

  21

  334

  Merseyside

  0

  0

  0

  0

  503

  358

  3

  0

  864

  Total objective 1

  522

  405

  174

  1,101

  1,621

  909

  299

  0

  2,829

  Objective 5b

  South West England

  94

  21

  0

  115

  168

  38

  47

  0

  253

  The Marches

  0

  0

  0

  0

  26

  10

  8

  0

  43

  Midlands Uplands

  0

  0

  0

  0

  9

  2

  2

  0

  13

  Northern Uplands

  0

  0

  0

  0

  71

  22

  25

  0

  118

  Lincolnshire

  0

  0

  0

  0

  39

  9

  10

  0

  57

  East Anglia

  0

  0

  0

  0

  50

  11

  13

  0

  74

  Rural Wales

  137

  21

  1

  159

  131

  38

  41

  0

  210

  Highlands and Islands

  128

  22

  34

  184

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Dumfries and Galloway

  15

  2

  0

  17

  41

  8

  7

  0

  57

  Borders of Scotland

  0

  0

  0

  0

  21

  6

  4

  0

  31

  Central Scotland/Tayside

  0

  0

  0

  0

  18

  5

  3

  0

  26

  Grampian

  0

  0

  0

  0

  29

  6

  5

  0

  40

  Total objective 5b

  375

  65

  35

  475

  602

  155

  165

  0

  922

  Note:

  The current £/ecu exchange rate is £1 = 1.48 ecu. Over the period 1989 to June 1998 the £/ecu exchange rate has averaged £1 = 1.36 ecu.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many special advisers, political advisers and other political appointees are working in her Department; at what annual cost to the public purse including recruitment costs, salaries, pensions and National Insurance contributions; and what was the position in the last full year of the last Government. [43316]

  EU Structural Funds
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the amount of(a) Objective 5b funding and (b) Objective 1 funding spent in the United Kingdom over the last five years, broken down by (i) counties and (ii) projects. [45670]

  Mrs. Roche
  Figures showing funding by counties and projects are not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  The table gives allocations for each of the United Kingdom's Objective 1 and 5b regions.

  Mrs. Beckett
  For details of the numbers of Special Advisers and the annual cost of employing them, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Woodspring (Dr. Fox) on 11 June 1998,Official Report, column 664.

  National Insurance contributions are excluded from this figure but are paid under the same rules and at the same

  379
  time as for other civil servants. Information on the paybill costs for Special advisers within individual departments is not provided in order to protect the privacy of the individuals concerned.

  Information on the cost of employing Special Advisers in previous years was given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to the hon. Member for Gordon (Mr. Bruce) on 25 November 1997, Official Report, columns 472–73.

  Mid Kent Holdings
  Mr. Green
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she expects to receive undertakings from General Utilities plc about its material influence over Mid Kent Holdings plc. [46552]

  Mr. Nigel Griffiths
  On 15 May I announced my decision to accept undertakings offered by General Utilities PLC and SAUR Water Services plc following the adverse report by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission (MMC) on their proposed bid for Mid Kent Holdings plc, published in 1997.

  Under the terms of the undertakings both companies have agreed not to be party, or give effect, to any joint arrangements in respect of Mid Kent which would give rise to a compulsory reference to the MMC unless the consent of the Secretary of State has been obtained.

  Postal Services
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the future of the Post Office, with particular reference to the ownership of the Royal Mail [46471]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  As announced by my right hon. Friend, the President of the Board of Trade on 6 April 1998,Official Report, column 63, the Government are committed to the Post Office (including Royal Mail) remaining in the public sector and continuing to provide a universal postal service under a uniform tariff structure, with a nationwide network of post offices. Against that background, the Government are reviewing the Post Office's organisation, structure and financing with a view to ensuring that the Post Office can be given greater commercial freedom to enable it to compete effectively in the UK and overseas. We plan to present our proposals in the Autumn.

  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the progress made in the consideration of liberalisation of postal services within the European Union; when a new directive is expected; and if it will be subject to unanimity or majority vote. [46466]

  Mr. Ian McCartney
  The Postal Services Directive (97/67/EC) was adopted on 15 December 1997, for Member States to implement by February 1999. The Directive sets a maximum monopoly area for the provider of the universal service and a programme for further liberalisation. The Commission must table a proposal before the end of 1998 and the European Parliament and the Council must decide by 1 January 2000 on the further liberalisation to take effect from 1 January 2003. We would expect the basis of any Directive to be Article 100a which is subject to qualified majority voting.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Private Members' Time
  Mr. Mackinlay
  To ask the President of the Council what representations she has received on increasing the time available for private Members'(a) debates and (b) legislation. [45257]

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  I have received a number of representation asking for more time on both private Members' debates and legislation.

  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the President of the Council if she will increase the number of days provided for the consideration of private Members' Bills. [45258]

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  I have no plans to do so in the current session. The procedure for private Members' bills will be considered by the Modernisation Committee.

  Members' Allowances (Office Technology)
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the President of the Council if she will make a statement on the adequacy of Members' allowances in respect of office technology. [45259]

  Mrs. Ann Taylor
  In its 1996 Report, the Senior Salaries Review Body concluded that the element of the Office Costs Allowance intended for the provision of office equipment was set at an appropriate level. The Report also welcomed the trend towards greater central provision of office equipment. The SSRB is working with the House authorities to consider what further equipment might be provided centrally for MPs' Westminster offices.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Defence Exhibitions
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those officials from his Department who attended(a) the Berlin Air Show in May, (b) the Eurosatory arms fair in Paris in June and (c) the COPEX exhibition in Jordan in April, indicating the costs of their attendance and breaking down the other costs incurred by his Department in connection with these events. [44508]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The following FCO officials attended:

  (a) The Berlin Air Show

  Minister at the British Embassy, Bonn

  First Secretary (Commercial), British Embassy Office, Berlin

  Counsellor (Defence Supply), Bonn—MOD Secondee

  Commercial Officer, British Embassy Office, Berlin

  (b) The Eurosatory Arms Fair in Paris

  HM Ambassador, Paris

  First Secretary (Procurement)—MOD Secondee

  Counsellor (Defence Supply), Bonn—MOD Secondee

  Commercial Officer

  (c) The COPEX Exhibition in Jordan

  HM Ambassador, Amman

  Commercial Secretary, DTI Secondee.

  381
  Officials visited the events for different lengths of time and to calculate the cost of their attendance and other costs incurred would involve disproportionate cost. The costs involved were minimal. The Minister at the British Embassy, Bonn, was a guest of the German Foreign Ministry.

  EU Funds
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for South-West Devon (Mr. Streeter) of 7 April 1998,Official Report, column 203, on the European Communities Budget, if he will estimate the United Kingdom share of the funding for the European Women's lobby for 1997; and if he will make a statement on his Department's policy towards the funding by the Commission of lobby groups. [45314]

  Mr. Doug Henderson
  The UK contributes to the EU budget as a whole, rather than to individual budget lines. Our share of total contributions to the budget in 1997 was 11.61% (after the abatement). The Government recognise that the Commission uses a proportion of its administrative budget to fund certain NGOs involved in the implementation of Community policies. Our policy on all EU spending is that it should be subject to the same principles of rigour and cost-effectiveness as we apply to the UK budget.

  Foreign Policy Centre
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the role of the Foreign Policy Centre in developing the(a) ethical foreign policy and (b) European Union policy, of Her Majesty's Government. [46067]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The Foreign Policy Centre is an independent policy institute. It is established practice for Foreign Office Officials and Ministers to have contact with policy institutes and NGOs and to consider their views when developing policy. The Foreign Office welcomes ideas from outside organisations on all areas of its work, including the role of human rights in foreign policy and European Union policy.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Wilshire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish the names of the special advisers attached to his Department; and if he will indicate whether each of them has been positively vetted. [46063]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 16 June 1998]My Special Advisers are Mr. David Clark and Mr. Andrew Hood. Both have been security cleared to the level of "developed vetting". This term replaced the term "positive vetting" in 1994.

  British Prisoners (Overseas Gaols)
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the number of(a) male and (b) female United Kingdom nationals imprisoned in each country overseas for which his Department collates records; and how many are at present under the death sentence. [46517]
  382
  Mr. Fatchett
  Our records show that there are currently 2,366 British nationals in prison overseas. Of these, 4 detainees are under sentence of death.

  The breakdown of those detained is as follows:

  Overseas prisons

  Men

  Women

  Algeria

  1

  —

  Amman

  1

  —

  Andorra

  3

  —

  Antigua

  2

  —

  Argentina

  3

  3

  Australia

  91

  8

  Austria

  16

  1

  Bahamas

  2

  1

  Bahrain

  4

  1

  Bangladesh

  2

  —

  Barbados

  2

  2

  Belgium

  48

  7

  Bolivia

  —

  1

  Bosnia

  1

  —

  Brazil

  14

  9

  Bulgaria

  6

  —

  Burma

  1

  —

  Cambodia

  1

  —

  Cameroon

  1

  —

  Canada

  15

  3

  China

  17

  1

  CIS

  4

  —

  Colombia

  5

  —

  Croatia

  2

  —

  Cuba

  1

  —

  Cyprus

  22

  2

  Czech Republic

  6

  —

  Democratic Republic of Congo

  2

  —

  Denmark

  30

  —

  Djibouti

  2

  —

  Dominican Republic

  3

  1

  Ecuador

  4

  —

  Egypt

  5

  1

  Eritrea

  1

  —

  Estonia

  2

  —

  Ethiopia

  3

  —

  Finland

  1

  —

  France

  287

  13

  Gambia

  3

  —

  Germany

  113

  4

  Ghana

  2

  —

  Gibraltar

  1

  —

  Greece

  19

  1

  Grenada

  2

  1

  Guatemala

  1

  —

  Guinea

  1

  1

  Guyana

  2

  —

  Hong Kong

  83

  3

  Hungary

  5

  1

  Iceland

  1

  —

  India

  21

  3

  Indonesia

  6

  —

  Iran

  4

  —

  Ireland

  24

  —

  Israel

  8

  —

  Italy

  18

  3

  Jamaica

  20

  15

  Japan

  24

  2

  Kazakhstan

  2

  —

  Kenya

  3

  1

  Korea

  8

  —

  Kuwait

  2

  —

  Luxembourg

  2

  —

  Macao

  1

  —

  Malaysia

  1

  —

  Mexico

  4

  —

  Morocco

  39

  5

  383

  Overseas prisons

  Men

  Women

  Mozambique

  1

  —

  Namibia

  1

  —

  Nepal

  3

  —

  Netherlands

  67

  4

  Netherlands Antilles

  1

  —

  New Zealand

  9

  —

  Nigeria

  11

  —

  Norway

  25

  —

  Oman

  3

  —

  Pakistan

  27

  5

  Peru

  5

  —

  Philippines

  19

  —

  Poland

  9

  —

  Portugal

  23

  2

  Qatar

  8

  —

  Romania

  9

  —

  Rwanda

  1

  —

  Sao Tome

  1

  —

  Saudi Arabia

  —

  1

  Sierra Leone

  4

  —

  Singapore

  9

  —

  Slovenia

  5

  —

  South Africa

  49

  4

  Spain

  315

  28

  Sri Lanka

  7

  —

  St. Lucia

  4

  1

  Sweden

  19

  2

  Switzerland

  31

  5

  Syria

  3

  —

  Taiwan

  9

  1

  Tanzania

  2

  —

  Thailand

  105

  13

  Trinidad

  2

  —

  Tunisia

  3

  1

  Turkey

  28

  7

  UAE

  20

  2

  Uganda

  1

  —

  USA

  264

  28

  Venezuela

  8

  2

  Vietnam

  6

  —

  Zambia

  3

  2

  Zimbabwe

  10

  1

  Total

  2,162

  204

  Dependent Territories
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the dependent territories which(a) carry out the death penalty and (b) allow corporal punishment. [46518]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The information is as follows:(a) Bermuda is the only Overseas Territory which has retained the death penalty for murder, though it has not been carried out there since 1977.
  (b) Three Overseas Territories still have provision for judicial corporal punishment on their statute books: Anguilla, the Cayman Islands, and the British Virgin Islands. Judicial Corporal Punishment has actually been used in recent years only in the British Virgin Islands (the last occasion was in 1996).

  Cambodia
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answers to the hon. and learned Member for North-East Fife (Mr. Campbell) of 20 March 1998,Official Report,
  384
  columns 769–70, what reports from what sources he will take into account when determining the United Kingdom response to future UN resolutions on Cambodia. [46716]

  Mr. Fatchett
  We participate in drafting UN resolutions to press the Cambodian government to improve their human rights record. We gather our information from our Ambassador in Phnom Penh, from our other diplomatic missions, and from respected international organisations and NGOs.

  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he proposes to take to ensure an agreed timetable is established for the start of work by United Nations experts into human rights abuses in Cambodia; and if he will make a statement. [46652]

  Mr. Fatchett
  I pressed Hun Sen last month on the need for a thorough investigation into human rights abuses, following the recent visit to Cambodia by UN experts. The Cambodian Government have since appointed a committee to lead the inquiries. We will continue to press for those responsible for abuses to be brought to justice.

  St. Helena
  Dr. Marek
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 15 June 1998,Official Report, column 17, on the Governor of St. Helena and the Government's budget proposals, if he will list the members of the Executive Council who were present at the meeting advising him on the issue, indicating in each case the basis for their membership of the Council. [46548]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Executive Councillors present at the meeting with the Governor on 30 March, and the basis for their membership of the Council (as provided by the Schedule to the St. Helena Constitution Order 1988) were:

  Hon. Michael Clancy, Chief Secretary

  Hon. Matthew Young, Financial Secretary

  Hon. Kurt De Freitas, Attorney General

  Hon. Eric George, Chairman—Public Health Committee

  Hon. Stedson George, Chairman—Public Works and Services Committee

  Hon. Terrence Richards, Chairman—Agricultural and Natural Resources Committee

  Hon. Robert Robertson, Chairman—Education Committee.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Mediation Network
  Mr. Maginnis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to her answer of 23 March 1998,Official Report, column 27, if she will define the involvement of Mediation Network in matters pertaining to policing in Northern Ireland; and if she will publish the names, qualifications and affiliations, including the current and former political allegiances, of those who constitute the board of that organisation. [37821]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Mediation Network has worked with the Royal Ulster Constabulary Training Branch on the RUC's Community awareness programme, and is
  385
  currently working with the RUC and others to develop ideas for the evolution of policing and community relations in Northern Ireland.

  The Mediation Network is an independent voluntary association with charitable status formed to develop alternative, non-violent approaches to conflicts and disputes in Northern Ireland. A list of those on the Executive Committee and much of the other information sought by the hon. Member is to be found in the Annual Reports published by the Mediation Network, a copy of the most recent of which—that for 1996–97—has been placed in the Library.

  I have no knowledge of the current or former political allegiances of any members of Mediation Network.

  Parades Commission
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will instruct the Parades Commission, in reaching its decisions, to publish its decisions relating to each individual criterion contained in the legislation and to indicate what weighting is given to each criterion in each decision. [46997]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Parades Commission is an independent body and as such it would not be appropriate for the Secretary of State to instruct it in the way suggested. It is entirely a matter for the Parades Commission to decide the format in which it should publish its decisions under the Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Act 1998. In any case, the determinations published by the Parades Commission to date have, in the Government's view, set out very comprehensively the way in which the Commission has approached the particular parade in question and, in particular, have in each case clearly stated how the Commission has addressed each of the statutory factors which it is required to take into account.

  Police Firearms (US Purchases)
  Mr. William Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list the numbers of firearms, indicating type, make and model, purchased by the Police Authority for Northern Ireland from United States of America sources in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available. [46088]

  Mr. Ingram
  During the last 10 years no firearms have been purchased by the Police Authority for Northern Ireland from United States of America sources.

  Scheduled Offences
  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people have been charged with scheduled offences in Northern Ireland since 31 August 1994 in respect of(a) offences committed prior to 31 August 1994 and (b) offences committed since 31 August 1994. [46111]

  Mr. Ingram
  The table shows the number of persons charged with terrorist/serious Public Order type offences during the years 1991–1997. The statistical information system in place does not collate the linking of charges with the date of the offence. To obtain this information in the form requested would incur disproportionate cost.
  386

  Persons charged with terrorist/serious public order offences 1991–1997

  Year

  Number

  1991

  404

  1992

  418

  1993

  372

  1994 to 31 August

  291

  1994 from 1 September

  58

  1995

  440

  1996

  595

  1997

  405

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Agricultural Land
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what estimate she has made of the loss of agricultural land since 1980. [45895]

  Mr. Foulkes
  The Department has made no such estimate.

  We are advised that the Food and Agriculture Organisation—FAO—does not gather such data.

  The United Nations Environment Programme—UNEP—has estimated that 70 per cent. of the world's drylands are suffering some degree of desertification with an estimated 900 million people worldwide at risk from problems of degradation. The 1997 United Nations Development Programme—UNDP—Human Development Report estimated that half of the world's poorest live in marginal lands.

  My Department supports projects bilaterally and multilaterally to combat land degradation, desertification and drought and the implementation of the Convention to Combat Desertification.

WALES

  Food Poisoning
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many cases of food poisoning were registered in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [45885]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The information is given in the table.

  Reported cases of food poisoning in Wales1

  Year

  Number

  1993

  5,078

  1994

  6,163

  1995

  6,540

  1996

  5,662

  1997

  6,161

  1All isolations of Campylobacter are counted as food poisoning incidents

  Source:

  Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre

  Cycling
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what measures he proposes to encourage(a) cycling and (b) greater use of public transport in North East Wales. [45890]

  Mr. Hain
  The government's proposals on cycling and the use of public transport will be dealt with in the Integrated Transport Policy White Paper which will be published shortly. At around the same time, a Welsh Transport Policy Statement will be published drawing out those issues of particular importance to Wales.

  Wrexham and Deeside have recently benefited from Transport Grant funding for packages which include measures to promote cycling and to encourage greater use of public transport.

  Alltami Bypass
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received on the proposed Alltami (Mold-Ewloe) Bypass; and if he will make a statement. [46290]

  Mr. Hain
  A number of organisations and individuals submitted representations about the A494 Trunk Road in general and the proposed Alltami Bypass (which forms part of the A494 Mold to Ewloe Improvement) in particular during the recent consultation exercise on the review of the Welsh trunk road programme. The results of the review will be published later this year.

  Road Safety (Flintshire)
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on road safety in Flintshire. [46291]

  Mr. Hain
  The latest figures for road accident casualties in Flintshire are as follows:

  1996

  11997

  Percentage change

  Killed and serious

  110

  94

  -15

  Slight

  867

  862

  -1

  Total

  977

  956

  -2

  1Provisional

  The Government are in the process of consulting on a new national road safety strategy. When this has been settled, specific targets for Wales (post 2000) can be considered.

  A55
  Mr. Hanson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will ensure that his officials undertake a full evaluation of residents' alternative proposals with regard to the proposed closure of the A55 gaps at Coed y Cra, Halkyn, Flintshire prior to any final decision. [46651]

  Mr. Hain
  Yes, I can assure the hon. Gentleman that Welsh Office officials will undertake a full evaluation of residents' alternative proposals with regard to the proposed closure of the A55 gaps at Coed y Cra, Halkyn, Flintshire, prior to any final decision.

  Child Care Strategy
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he will launch the consultation on the national child care strategy in Wales. [47191]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  I am today launching our Green Paper,The National Childcare Strategy in Wales. The principles of the National Childcare Strategy covers the whole of the UK. Our Green Paper sets out the Government's aim to ensure good quality, affordable childcare for children aged 0 to 14 in every neighbourhood, including both formal childcare and support for informal arrangements. It describes how we propose to make that aim a reality for Wales.

  The Green Paper has today been laid before Parliament and copies are available in the Library and the Vote Office.

HEALTH

  Theresa Braybrooke-Tucker
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what date and where the inquest into the death of Theresa Braybrooke-Tucker will be held. [45358]

  Mr. Boateng
  I understand that the inquest into the death of Theresa Braybrooke-Tucker was opened and adjourned on 3 March 1998 and was held at the Town Hall, Waterloo, Bootle. We do not know when it will be reopened.

  Smoking
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the expenditure on anti-tobacco advertising in each of the past 18 years; and what is his estimate of the total(a) numbers and (b) percentages of smokers in each of those years among (i) adults and (ii) children. [36255]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 26 March 1998]Available information on expenditure by the Health Education Authority directly on anti-smoking advertising, on behalf of the Department, in each of the past 18 years is:

  £

  1980

  270,000

  1981

  1,202,000

  1982

  2,052,000

  1983

  1,239,000

  1984

  1,931,000

  1985

  995,000

  1986

  747,000

  1987

  1,868,000

  1988

  480,000

  1989

  661,000

  1990

  1,459,000

  1991

  757,000

  1992

  1,122,000

  1993

  1,741,000

  1994

  3,401,000

  1995

  3,430,000

  1996

  2,783,000

  1997

  2,756,000

  389
  The information available on the number and percentage of smokers is given in the table:

  England

  Prevalence of smoking among adults aged 16 and over

  Prevalence of regular smoking among children aged 11-15

  Year

  Percentage

  Number (000)

  Percentage

  Number (000)

  1980

  39

  14,000

  —

  —

  1982

  35

  12,700

  11

  400

  1984

  33

  12,400

  13

  450

  1986

  32

  12,200

  10

  320

  1988

  31

  11,800

  8

  230

  1990

  29

  11,300

  10

  280

  1992

  28

  10,700

  10

  290

  1993

  —

  —

  10

  290

  1994

  26

  10,200

  12

  360

  1996

  28

  10,800

  13

  390

  Notes:

  1. In this analysis, adult prevalence is based on those aged 16 years and over; child prevalence is based on young people aged 11–15 years

  2. The percentage and number of children who are regular smokers are given (regular smokers are classified as those who smoke at least one cigarette a week)

  3. Numbers of adult smokers are rounded to the nearest 100,000. Numbers of children aged 11–15 smoking regularly are rounded to the nearest 10,000

  Sources:
  Adult prevalence is taken from the General Household Surveys, 1976–1996, conducted by the Office for National Statistics (ONS); questions on smoking have been included biennially. Child prevalence is taken from the Smoking Among Secondary School Children Surveys, 1982–1996, conducted by the ONS on behalf of the Department of Health, these surveys have been biennial, except for the additional survey in 1993. Numbers of smokers have been obtained by combining prevalence with population estimates, supplied by ONS

  Ambulance Service
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many 999 calls were made to the Ambulance Service in the last year for which figures are available. [45698]

  Mr. Boateng
  3.33 million emergency calls were made in England in 1996–97. Full details are contained in "Statistical Bulletin Ambulance Services, England: 1996–97", copies of which are available in the Library.

  Child Mental Health Services
  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 8 May 1998,Official Report, columns 536–37, concerning child mental health services, what reviews of child and adolescent mental health services have been undertaken; and if his Department has obtained copies of these and related local action plans. [46130]

  Mr. Boateng
  Reviews have been completed in the South and West, Anglia and Oxford and North West regions of the National Health Service Executive and their reports have been discussed in meetings of the Department's implementation group on child and adolescent mental health services (representing all NHS and social care regions). Reviews in the remaining five regions are being undertaken and are at various stages of 390
  progress. The Department does not expect to receive copies of local action plans stemming from the reviews which are for consideration at regional level.

  Mrs. Golding
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 8 May 1998,Official Report, columns 536–37, concerning child mental health services, to what extent the non-statutory sector is involved in the commissioning and provision of comprehensive mental health services for children and adolescents. [46129]

  Mr. Boateng
  We are aware that the independent sector makes a significant and valuable contribution to the provision of child and adolescent mental health services. A 1994 National Review of Services for the Mental Health of Children and Young People in England (Kurtz, Thornes and Wolkind), reported in relation to the non-statutory sector that 15 per cent. of the child and adolescent psychiatry services included in the survey had made use of inpatient services at twelve private hospitals, mainly for treatment of eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa.

  The same review reported that in planning, including health needs assessment, 42 per cent. of National Health Service purchasing authorities said that they had included voluntary organisations in their discussions. Several had involved particular organisations in a substantial way.

  The Department currently provides grant aid worth some £472,000 per annum to 11 national voluntary bodies in the field of child and adolescent mental health, mainly to support projects having significance for the development of national services.

  Skin Cancer
  Mr. Kemp
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to increase public awareness of the dangers of skin cancer. [45800]

  Mr. Boateng
  Skin cancer is largely preventable and we are working closely with a wide range of public bodies, including the Health Education Authority, the Health and Safety Executive, the National Radiological Protection Board and the Meteorological Office to raise awareness of the sun's harmful effects. Other agencies such as the fashion and leisure industries are also involved in addressing issues of sun awareness, including making clothing that protects from the sun more easily available through high street retailers. Events which took place during Sun Awareness Week, from 1–7 June 1998, helped to raise the profile of these issues more widely in the media.

  Mr. Kemp
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people(a) were treated for and (b) died of skin cancer in 1997–98. [45801]

  Mr. Boateng
  The information for in-patient treatment (including "day cases") for the latest financial year available, 1995–96, in England, is shown in Table 1 and is based on finished consultant episodes of treatment (FCEs), which represent the number of episodes of care under individual consultants. The same person may be
  391
  counted more than once if they have more than one episode of care. Some skin cancers are excised by a general practitioner or in hospital outpatients and will not be counted.

  The information for the number of people who died of skin cancer, for the latest calendar year available, 1996, in England is shown in Table 2.

  Table 1: 1995–96 financial year—latest available figures for England

  ICD-10 codes

  Primary diagnosis

  FCEs

  C43

  Malignant melanoma of the skin

  7,684

  C44

  Other malignant neoplasms of the skin

  38,960

  Total

  46,644

  Note:

  Data in this table are grossed for both coverage and unknown/invalid clinical data

  Source:

  Department of Health, Hospital Episode Statistics (HES)

  Losses of cash and equipment in the National Health service (England)–1992–93 to 1996–97

  £

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  Losses of cash due to theft, fraud, arson, sabotage, neglect of duty or gross carelessness

  181,710

  109,585

  28,558

  813,145

  487,741

  Loss of equipment and property in store and in use, due to culpable causes eg. theft, fraud, arson or sabotage, neglect of duty or gross carelessness

  2,110,781

  1,447,846

  985,387

  1n/a

  1n/a

  1n/a—not available

  Notes:

  1. Losses of cash due to theft etc. are not separately identified by NHS trusts for the period 1992–93 to 1994–95

  2. Loss of equipment and property in store was not separately identified for the period 1995–96 and 1996–97

  Source:

  1. Annual accounts of health authorities (1992–93 to 1996–97)

  2. Annual accounts of Family Health Services Authorities (1992–93 to 1995–96)

  3. Annual summarisation schedules of NHS trusts (1995–96 to 1996–97)

  Social Services White Paper
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he expects to publish the Social Services White Paper before the summer adjournment. [46424]

  Mr. Boateng
  We expect to publish the Social Services White paper in the summer. We do not yet know whether it will be possible to publish it before the summer adjournment.

  Community Health Councils
  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when his departmental officials last met representatives of the Association of Community Health Councils; and what matters were discussed. [46523]

  Mr. Milburn
  Departmental officials last met with representatives of the Association of Community Health Councils for England and Wales (ACHCEW) on 18 February 1998 and discussed consultation processes. On a more regular basis, there is an ongoing arrangement for the National Health Service Executive Community Health Council Policy and Liaison Group to meet the ACHCEW and the Society of Community Health Council staff twice yearly. All items discussed at these meetings
  392

  Table 2: 1996 calendar year—latest available figures for England

  ICD-9 codes

  Primary diagnosis

  Number of deaths

  172

  Malignant melanoma of skin

  1,291

  173

  Other malignant neoplasms of skin

  351

  Total

  1,642

  Source:

  Office for National Statistics

  NHS (Thefts)
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his estimate of losses in the NHS due to internal theft for each of the last 10 years. [45833]

  Mr. Boateng
  The most recent information about losses due to theft, arson, sabotage, neglect of duty or gross carelessness is in the table. Losses due to internal theft are not separately identifiable. Comparable information is not available for earlier years.

  are raised by the ACHCEW and the Society on a confidential basis and are not for public disclosure. The next meeting is scheduled for 23 June 1998.

  Chiropody and Podiatric Services
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the statistics that are held centrally concerning chiropody and podiatric services. [46310]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Department collects three categories of statistics.

  Information is collected from National Health Service trusts about patient contacts with their chiropody services on Department of Health annual return KT23. Information is published each year and the most recent summary is "Chiropody services, summary information for 1996–97, England".

  The Department collects annual statistics about the number of chiropody staff employed by the hospital and community health services (HCHS) and in the general medical services. Information about the age, sex and ethnic origin of chiropody staff employed by the HCHS is also collected. Information is published annually, the latest is included in the Department's Statistical Bulletins: "NHS Hospital and Community Health Services non-medical

  393
  staff in England 1987–1997" and "Statistics for General Medical Practitioners in England: 1987–1997" and reference volume "NHS Hospital and Community Health Services non-medical workforce census: England 1996, detailed results".

  National Health Service trusts provide figures for total expenditure on community chiropody services in the annual financial returns. Analysis of these data by individual trusts in England for the years 1994–95 to 1996–97 is available, as is the other information detailed, in the Library.

  Lee Bosley
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his oral statement of 16 June 1998,Official Report, columns 149–50, if the rescheduling of the operation on Lee Bosley to 17 June resulted in an operation planned for another person on that day being cancelled or postponed. [46782]

  Mr. Milburn
  No operation was cancelled or postponed as a direct result of Lee Bosley's operation at St. Thomas' Hospital on 17 June 1998.

  Complaints Procedures
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to review the guidance given to NHS trusts on communicating the results of an independent professional review to a complainant. [46536]

  Mr. Milburn
  Independent professional review was the third stage of the hospital clinical complaints procedure which was in place prior to April 1996. From 1 April 1996 new National Health Service complaints procedures were introduced which do not feature the same process of independent professional review.

  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will instruct NHS trusts, following an independent professional review, to communicate all of the assessors' findings to the complainant. [46537]

  Mr. Milburn
  Independent professional review was the final stage of the hospital clinical complaints procedures which were replaced in April 1996. Assessors' reports were prepared in confidence for the regional director of public health, who subsequently advised the National Health Service hospital trust or health authority on any comment which would be appropriate on the clinical aspects of its reply to the complainant. This system has now been replaced.

  Under the new procedures, clinical assessors are appointed to independent review panels to advise the panel on those aspects of the complaint involving clinical judgment. Assessors' reports are attached to the final panel report and distribution is the responsibility of the panel chairman within guidelines. The chairman has the right to withhold any part of the panel's report, and any or all of the assessors' reports to ensure confidentiality of clinical information. The procedures will be subject to a formal evaluation beginning this autumn.

  Suicide Prevention
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he has given to NHS trusts on the surveillance policies they should operate for patients deemed to be a suicide risk.[46538]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Department has not given specific guidance to trusts on this issue but has published advice in the following documents: 'The Prevention of Suicide' and the Health Advisory Service manual 'Suicide Prevention—The Challenge Confronted', commissioned by the Department.

  Birth Weights
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what statistics his Department holds on the causes of low birth weight. [46990]

  Mr. Boateng
  There are a number of factors that may be associated with low birth weight. These include prematurity, foetal abnormality, multiple pregnancy, maternal health and nutritional status, maternal smoking or alcohol/drug misuse, geographical and social class associations. Additionally some ethnic groups have smaller babies irrespective of any other factors.

  The Department's statistical bulletin "NHS Maternity Statistics, England: 1989–90 to 1994–95", has statistics on birth weight in relation to gestational age.

  The Office for National Statistics publication "Mortality statistics—Childhood, infant and perinatal (1995 Series DH3/28)", has statistics on birth weight in relation to mother's country of birth, parity, marital status and father's social class.

  The Office for National Statistics publication "Infant and Perinatal Mortality 1997 (Monitor 98/1)", has statistics on birth weight by health authority.

  Copies of these publications are in the Library.

  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research he has commissioned into the causes of low birth weight. [46989]

  Mr. Boateng
  The National Health Service Executive South Thames Regional Office is funding a project examining the relationship between maternal chronic periodontal disease and birth weight.

  The main agency through which the Government support bio-medical and clinical research is the Medical Research Council (MRC) which is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade. The MRC has a portfolio of research into the causes of low birth weight.

  We are considering what further research into low birth weight may be required.

TREASURY

  Millennium Compliance
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what research has been undertaken to determine the consequences of the need for those
  395
  computer systems that are required to be euro compliant also to be millennium compliant; and if he will make a statement on the outcome. [43940]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Any systems that are date sensitive are required to be millennium compliant regardless of whether or not adaptations might be required for that system to deal with the introduction of the euro. The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster carries out quarterly reviews across Government on the state of preparedness for the century date change. Copies of the returns from departments have been placed in the Library.

  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what research the Government have carried out on the adequacy of the resources available within Government to tackle the millennium bug at the same time as reprogramming computers to deal with the introduction of the euro. [45454]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The United Kingdom will not be joining the single currency on 1 January 1999. The Millennium and the euro therefore have very different implications with regard to resources and timing. The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster carries out quarterly reviews across Government on the state of preparedness for the century date change. Copies of the returns from departments have been placed in the Library.

  Charity Taxation Review
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to make an announcement about the Charity Taxation Review; and if he will make a statement. [44969]

  Dawn Primarolo
  We expect to publish a consultation document shortly.

  Small Businesses (VAT Arrears)
  Mrs. Lait
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his policy towards small businesses which are in arrears with VAT; and on what grounds he is prepared to accept a schedule of repayments. [45406]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Whenever businesses experience genuine short-term difficulties with their VAT, it is normal practice for Customs to encourage them to contact their local office with a view to agreeing settlements. Customs review each time-to-pay proposal on its merits but give careful consideration to any reasonable proposal for settlement. However, agreement to payment of a debt by instalments cannot be regarded in any way as a normal business expectation: Customs expect a business to explore alternative sources of finance first and to put forward realistic proposals for meeting their legal requirements.

  Diesel Duties
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from oil companies concerning duties on ultra-low sulphur diesel since his Budget on 17 March.[45299]
  396
  Dawn Primarolo
  Representations were received from three oil companies and one oil industry association concerning the changes to the ultra-low sulphur diesel (ULSD) definition in the Finance Bill. These representations concerned both the new definition of ULSD and the new restrictions on mixing of ULSD with conventional diesel after the duty point.

  The Government changed the definition of ULSD because the previous sole criteria of 50 ppm sulphur content did not produce sufficient emissions benefits to justify the duty incentive. The new definition produces more significant emissions benefits, mainly of particulates and nitrogen oxide, and the duty incentive of 2 pence per litre recognises that the new specification is more difficult to produce. The duty incentive is to increase to 3 pence per litre in the next Budget.

  The new mixing restrictions were introduced to prevent ULSD, which has had the benefit of the duty incentive, being mixed with conventional diesel after the duty point and then being sold as conventional diesel. These mixtures do not generate much by way of emissions gains in return for the duty incentive and +they do not encourage motorists to switch to the cleaner fuel. Similar provisions already existed to prevent mixing of different qualities of petrol.

  Working Families Tax Credit
  Ms Stuart
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what plans are in place to enable the self-employed to claim working families tax credit; [46265]

  (2) what arrangements have been made to enable the Inland Revenue to deal with the anticipated increased caseload in the wake of the introduction of working families tax credit. [46264]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Inland Revenue is leading a joint project team with Benefits Agency which is developing the detailed administrative arrangements for the WFTC. It is envisaged that the self employed will claim the WFTC in broadly the same way that they claim Family Credit currently.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of take-up rates for(a) the working families tax credit and (b) the childcare tax credit. [46460]

  Dawn Primarolo
  By 2001, about 1½ million working families will be receiving the Working Families Tax Credit, around 400,000 more than would have received Family Credit. The Government believe that, as a tax credit rather than a benefit, the WFTC will have a higher take-up rate than Family Credit.

  Income Tax
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of income is paid in income tax and national insurance, net of child benefit and family credit, in the current tax year by(a) a single person with no children, (b) a sole earner in a married two parent, two child family,

  397
  in each case on earnings of (i) half of average earnings, (ii) three quarters of average earnings, (iii) average earnings and (iv) twice average earnings. [46007]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The data requested are given in the table.

  Percentage of income paid in income tax and employee national insurance less child benefit and family credit at multiples of median full-time earnings of £337 per week (1998–99)

  Single person

  Married, sole earner 2 children

  50%

  17.4

  -21.1

  75%

  22.7

  20.5

  100%

  25.2

  23.6

  200%

  28.1

  27.3

  Notes:

  1. Income tax payments are calculated on the basis that the households receive no tax reliefs other than the standard allowances and only have income from employment. National insurance contributions are assumed to be Class 1 at the contracted-in rate

  2. A family with 2 children is assumed to have both children aged under 11

  Heavily Indebted Poor Countries
  Mr. Corbyn
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate for each heavily indebted poor country of debt write off(a) in 1997–98 and (b) expected in the current year from (i) public and (ii) private sources; and if he will publish all the conditions attached to agreements to which the Government are party. [45382]

  Mrs. Liddell
  [holding answer 15 June 1998]: (a) The table shows the value (in millions of pounds) of the principal of export credit loans to Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPCs) which has been written off by the UK government in 1997–98. The Government do not have figures for the debt write off granted by other governments.

  £million

  HIPC

  Debt relief granted by UK in 1997–8

  Ethiopia

  2.32

  Guyana

  72.25

  Mozambique

  0.79

  Niger

  0.13

  Tanzania

  0.76

  Togo

  0.49

  Zambia

  0.28

  Total

  77.02

  (b) (i) The value of debt relief to be granted to HIPCs in the current year depends on which countries successfully agree IMF programmes and the level of debt relief that is required to finance those programmes. It is likely that debt relief will be granted to at least Rwanda, Guinea-Bissau, Mali and Bolivia in the current year.

  (ii) The Government cannot estimate the debt relief likely to be granted to HIPCs by private sources. However, official creditors grant debt relief at the Paris Club on the assumption that private creditors will provide at least equivalent terms of debt relief.

  Public Records
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to amend the Public Records Act 1958 to allow free public access to the records of births, deaths and marriages.[46693]

  Mrs. Liddell
  None.

  Economic and Monetary Union
  Mr. Denzil Davies
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate over the latest available period of the broad money growth(a) on average in the eleven countries which will join EMU and (b) in the United Kingdom. [46647]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Most recent data show that UK M4 grew by 9.1 per cent. in the year to May. The European Central Bank will be producing statistics for euro area monetary aggregates in due course.

  Budgets (Environmental Assessments)
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to publish, in future Budgets, accounts including environmental factors; and if he will make a statement.[46398]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 18 June 1998]: I refer to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) on 22 April 1998, Official Report, column 624.

  Financial Supervision
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the regulatory framework for the supervision of financial institutions in each of the Crown dependencies. [46493]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I have been asked to reply.

  A review of the financial legislation and regulatory systems in the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man is currently taking place. The review is being conducted by Mr. Andrew Edwards, formerly of Her Majesty's Treasury. His report is expected later this year.

  Indonesia
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer to the right hon. Member for Hitchin and Harpenden (Mr. Lilley) on 9 June 1998,Official Report, columns 494–95, on the value of aid loans written off since 1979, if he will list the loans written off for Indonesia, in each case stating (a) the nature of the project, (b) the date on which the loan was written off and (c) the reason for the write-off. [46128]

  Clare Short
  I have been asked to reply. The balances of all existing Indonesian loans were written off on 11 July 1979, and were waived in accordance with the statement on Retrospective Terms Adjustment (RTA)
  399
  made in the House of Commons on 31 July 1978, Official Report, column 25. Details of the individual loans are not available without incurring disproportionate costs.

SCOTLAND

  Further and Higher Education
  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what factors underlay the requirements that(a) further education institutions should make efficiency savings of five per cent. and (b) higher education institutions should make efficiency savings of one per cent. [46138]

  Mr. Wilson
  Targets for efficiency savings have not been set centrally for the further education institutions separately or for the sector as a whole.

  Mrs. Fyfe
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will conduct an investigation of the successes and failures of the Private Finance Initiative in further education; and what plans he has for the capital funding of further education over the next three years. [46137]

  Mr. Wilson
  A national review of the Private Finance Initiative was conducted a year ago and was followed by the introduction of a range of improvements in its operation. The progress of the Private Finance Initiative continues to be kept under general review, but my right hon. Friend has no plans at this stage to initiate another investigation, either of the Private Finance Initiative per se or focused specifically on Further Education, where experience of the Private Finance Initiative so far is limited.

  Capital funding of Further Education in future years is being considered as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review.

  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what net change the introduction of fees will make in the funding of Scottish higher and further education institutions in total and individually in(a) 1998–99, (b) 1999–2000, (c) 2000–1, and (d) 2001–2. [46244]

  Mr. Wilson
  Overall funding for higher education institutions, including tuition fees and grant allocations from the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council, is the same in 1998–99 as it was in 1997–98. Tuition fees received by higher and further education institutions in 1998–99 are not directly comparable with previous years because of the abolition of banded fees for full-time education undergraduate courses. The level of funding allocated to higher education institutions in 1998–99, individually and in total, is contained in the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council's grant letters, copies of which I have placed in the House of Commons Library. The estimated net change in respect of further education colleges for 1998–99 is a £5 million increase in available funds, falling to individual colleges according to their share of full-time higher education courses.

  Funding for higher and further education institutions for years 1999–2000 and beyond has not yet been determined and is a matter for the Comprehensive Spending Review.

  Primary Schools
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many and what percentage of primary school children were in classes of 31 or more in 1997(a) in each authority and (b) in Scotland as a whole. [45971]

  Mr. Wilson
  The information requested is as follows:

  Education authority primary schools in Scotland, September 1997—number and percentage of pupils in mainstream classes of 31 or over1

  Number of pupils in classes of 31 pupils or over

  Number of pupils in classes of 31 pupils or over as a percentage of all primary pupils

  Scotland

  85,793

  19.5

  Aberdeen City

  3,767

  23.8

  Aberdeenshire

  2,222

  10.4

  Angus

  1,429

  15.3

  Argyll and Bute

  1,215

  15.6

  Clackmannanshire

  780

  17.2

  Dumfries and Galloway

  2,381

  18.5

  Dundee City

  3,583

  29.2

  East Ayrshire

  1,926

  16.9

  East Dunbartonshire

  2,873

  27.0

  East Lothian

  1,026

  12.9

  East Renfrewshire

  3,444

  40.1

  Edinburgh, City of

  8,713

  28.5

  Eilean Siar

  0

  0.0

  Falkirk

  3,432

  27.9

  Fife

  4,050

  13.2

  Glasgow City

  9,551

  19.5

  Highland

  1.818

  9.5

  Inverclyde

  1,331

  17.0

  Midlothian

  1,462

  19.7

  Moray

  1,363

  16.9

  North Ayrshire

  2,563

  20.3

  North Lanarkshire

  5,330

  17.9

  Orkney Islands

  32

  1.7

  Perth and Kinross

  1,856

  17.2

  Renfrewshire

  4,786

  30.3

  Scottish Borders

  889

  10.0

  Shetland Islands

  0

  0.0

  South Ayrshire

  2,771

  29.2

  South Lanarkshire

  4,329

  16.1

  Stirling

  630

  9.2

  West Dunbartonshire

  1,589

  17.9

  West Lothian

  4,652

  31.4

  1Provisional

  Source:

  School Census

  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what(a) number and (b) percentage of children in primary one and two were in classes of 31 or more in 1997 (i) in each authority and (ii) in Scotland as a whole. [45968]
  401
  Mr. Wilson
  The information requested is as follows:

  Education authority primary schools in Scotland, September 1997—number and percentage of P1 and P2 pupils in mainstream single stage classes of 31 or more pupils by Education Authority1

  Number of P1 and P2 pupils in single stage classes of 31 or more pupils

  P1 and P2 pupils in single stage classes of 31pupils or more as percentage of the total number of pupils in P1 and P2 single stage classes

  Scotland

  21,276

  20.7

  Aberdeen City

  673

  15.8

  Aberdeenshire

  286

  7.1

  Angus

  317

  15.6

  Argyll and Bute

  189

  14.8

  Clackmannanshire

  97

  7.9

  Dumfries and Galloway

  549

  27.9

  Dundee City

  1,129

  34.2

  East Ayrshire

  351

  12.6

  East Dunbartonshire

  766

  28.0

  East Lothian

  319

  15.5

  East Renfrewshire

  1,016

  43.5

  Edinburgh, City of

  2,889

  34.3

  Eilean Siar

  0

  0.0

  Falkirk

  1,123

  36.4

  Fife

  473

  7.1

  Glasgow City

  2,544

  20.4

  Highland

  391

  11.7

  Inverclyde

  352

  17.0

  Midlothian

  258

  14.0

  Moray

  255

  13.5

  North Ayrshire

  603

  19.0

  North Lanarkshire

  1,295

  18.5

  Orkney Islands

  0

  0.0

  Perth and Kinross

  574

  25.7

  Renfrewshire

  1,339

  33.4

  Scottish Borders

  287

  17.0

  Shetland Islands

  0

  0.0

  South Ayrshire

  515

  22.4

  South Lanarkshire

  766

  12.2

  Stirling

  188

  12.0

  West Dunbartonshire

  507

  23.8

  West Lothian

  1,225

  32.2

  1Provisional

  Source:

  School Census

  Autistic Children
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what arrangements are in place to assist autistic children in Scotland; and what further proposals he has for autistic children.[46242]

  Mr. Wilson
  Local authorities have a statutory duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in need by providing a range and level of services appropriate to the children's needs. They are also under a statutory duty to assess the needs of individual children with a disability when requested to do so by a child's parent and any services provided should be designed to give such children the opportunity to lead lives which are as normal as possible.
  402
  Local authorities also have a statutory duty to secure the adequate and efficient provision of education for the children in their respective areas. The means by which any particular authority choose to provide for their area and the nature of educational provision deemed suitable for any particular child, including a child with autism. is a matter for them to decide in the first instance.

  Teacher Training
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people applied for B.Ed. teacher training courses in Scotland in each year from 1993 to 1997, broken down by country of origin of application. [45970]

  Mr. Wilson
  Information on domicile of applicants to BEd teacher training courses is not held centrally. The information which is available is given in the table:

  Applications to BEd teacher education courses in Scotland,1993–1997 by sector of teaching

  Year

  Primary

  Secondary

  Total

  1993–94

  3,234

  1,035

  4,269

  1994–95

  3,417

  1,108

  4,525

  1995–961

  7,581

  1,682

  9,263

  1996–971

  6,007

  1,423

  7,430

  1997–981

  5,801

  1,284

  7,085

  1 From 1995–96, BEd applications come through UCAS. Under these new arrangements, all applications are counted in the figures, rather than just an applicants first choice

  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many people applied for post-graduate teacher training in Scotland in each year from 1993 to 1997 broken down(a) by sector of application, primary and secondary, and (b) by country of origin of application. [45969]

  Mr. Wilson
  Information on domicile of applicants to postgraduate teacher training is not held centrally. Information on applicants by sector of application is given in the table:

  Applications to postgraduate teacher education courses in Scotland, 1993–1997 by sector of teaching

  Year

  Primary

  Secondary

  Total

  1993–94

  1,627

  3,325

  4,952

  1994–95

  1,730

  3,472

  5,202

  1995–96

  1,800

  3,201

  5,001

  1996–97

  1,748

  2,716

  4,464

  1997–98

  1,586

  2,659

  4,245

  Cardonald College
  Mr. Gorrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage increase or decrease the allocation of grants to Cardonald College for the current financial year represents(a) in cash terms and (b) in real terms allowing for inflation and pay awards. [46243]

  Mr. Wilson
  Total Government grant-in-aid to Cardonald College in 1998–99 amounts to £6,787,000, compared with £6,505,300 in 1997–98. This represents an increase of 4.33 per cent. in cash terms or 1.39 per cent. in real terms, allowing for inflation.

  Decisions on pay awards to college staff are a matter for the college's Board of Management.

  Voluntary Organisations
  Mr. Moore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list by district council the percentage of each district council budget in Scotland allocated to voluntary organisations for each financial year since 1992–93. [46228]

  Mr. Macdonald
  [holding answer 18 June 1998]: The table shows net grants and payments to voluntary bodies, as reported by each district council expressed as a percentage of total net expenditure.

  Net grants and payments to voluntary organisations as a percentage of total net expenditure 3,4

  Percentage of net grants and payments to voluntary organisations of total net expenditure within financial Year

  District council

  11992–93

  1993–94

  21994–95

  1995–96

  Berwickshire

  2.4

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Ettrick and Lauderdale

  0.2

  1.6

  2.1

  1.9

  Roxburgh

  1.5

  1.5

  1.5

  1.7

  Tweeddale

  1.4

  1.4

  2.3

  2.0

  Clackmannan

  1.3

  1.3

  1.4

  1.2

  Falkirk

  0.6

  2.0

  2.8

  0.8

  Stirling

  0.3

  5.6

  3.7

  3.6

  Annandale and Eskdale

  1.1

  1.6

  1.5

  0.6

  Nithsdale

  1.9

  3.0

  1.6

  1.6

  Stewartry

  0.8

  5.0

  9.6

  13.5

  Wigtown

  2.2

  1.4

  3.2

  2.9

  Dunfermline

  1.2

  0.0

  2.7

  2.3

  Kirkcaldy

  0.0

  1.9

  2.2

  2.1

  North East Fife

  0.4

  2.3

  2.9

  4.8

  Aberdeen

  3.9

  4.9

  0.1

  0.1

  Banff and Buchan

  0.5

  1.7

  0.0

  5.0

  Gordon

  1.1

  1.2

  8.5

  0.4

  Kincardine and Deeside

  1.6

  1.4

  1.2

  3.4

  Moray

  1.7

  0.0

  1.3

  1.0

  Badenoch and Strathspey

  0.9

  2.3

  16.2

  13.0

  Caithness

  0.4

  0.4

  0.6

  0.4

  Inverness

  0.8

  1.3

  1.0

  0.8

  Lochaber

  0.6

  4.2

  2.8

  5.1

  Nairn

  0.0

  1.5

  0.0

  1.9

  Ross and Cromarty

  7.6

  4.7

  4.7

  3.2

  Skye and Lochalsh

  1.9

  3.6

  4.2

  3.4

  Sutherland

  2.7

  3.8

  3.2

  3.0

  East Lothian

  3.4

  2.0

  7.0

  5.5

  Edinburgh

  4.2

  4.4

  6.1

  8.9

  Midlothian

  1.8

  1.5

  1.8

  1.5

  West Lothian

  0.0

  1.5

  1.9

  2.4

  Argyll and Bute

  0.7

  1.3

  1.8

  2.8

  Bearsden and Milngavie

  0.9

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  Clydebank

  1.5

  0.0

  1.1

  0.5

  Clydesdale

  0.5

  0.5

  0.6

  0.6

  Cumbernauld and Kilsyth

  2.2

  2.1

  0.0

  1.8

  Cumnock and Doon Valley

  0.6

  1.8

  3.2

  3.2

  Cunninghame

  0.6

  1.0

  1.7

  1.7

  Dumbarton

  1.0

  1.6

  2.0

  2.1

  East Kilbride

  1.2

  1.0

  1.2

  0.8

  Eastwood

  0.0

  0.1

  0.1

  0.0

  Glasgow

  0.7

  1.1

  0.0

  5.8

  Hamilton

  0.1

  0.1

  0.2

  0.2

  Inverclyde

  0.7

  0.0

  0.8

  0.9

  Kilmarnock and Loudoun

  0.0

  0.0

  0.7

  0.6

  Kyle and Carrick

  0.4

  0.7

  0.6

  0.3

  Monklands

  0.0

  1.4

  1.4

  1.9

  Motherwell

  0.4

  0.4

  0.7

  0.7

  Renfrew

  0.6

  0.7

  0.0

  0.9

  Strathkelvin

  1.0

  1.2

  0.0

  1.0

  404

  Net grants and payments to voluntary organisations as a percentage of total net expenditure3,4

  Percentage of net grants and payments to voluntary organisations of total net expenditure within financial Year

  District council

  11992–93

  1993–94

  21994–95

  1995–96

  Angus

  0.7

  0.7

  0.8

  0.7

  Dundee

  0.7

  0.0

  1.9

  1.5

  Perth and Kinross

  16.1

  0.0

  10.4

  13.8

  1Excludes Kirkcaldy

  2Excludes Cumbernauld and Kilsyth and Glasgow

  3 In providing information on grants and payments to voluntary bodies, authorities were asked to include only financial assistance and to exclude estimates of the worth of payments in kind

  4Net expenditure excludes any expenditure offset by grants or payments received by authorities from any other source

  Source:

  Local Financial Returns (LFR 10) and Final Outturn Return (FO) 1992–93 to 1995–96

SOCIAL SECURITY

  State Pension
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the cost of the administration of contribution records in order to determine basic state pension entitlement in the last year for which figures are available. [46962]

  Mr. Denham
  There are 47 million active National Insurance Accounts that are maintained to enable determination of future benefit entitlement, including the State Retirement Pension. It is not possible to breakdown the overall cost of records maintenance in relation to a specific benefit.

  The overall cost of record maintenance for 1997/98 was £48,659,344 (a unit cost of £1·04).

  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what discussions she has had since 1 May 1997 regarding means-testing of the basic state pension. [46004]

  Mr. Denham
  All discussions on the basic State pension have taken as their starting point our manifesto commitment to maintain the basic State pension as the foundation of pension provision and to uprate it at least in line with prices. We will honour that commitment.

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is(a) the total cost to the Exchequer and (b) the cost per recipient of administering housing benefit. [46953]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The amount of Central Government subsidy paid to local authorities for administering Housing benefit in 1996/97 was £185 million. Administration costs quoted by local authorities in the same year were £312 million, giving an average weekly cost per beneficiary of £1.25. Related Department of Social Security administration costs are not available separately since they form part of the cost of administering Income Support.

  Source:

  Government Expenditure Plans 1998/99.
  405
  Mr. Roy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will publish for each Scottish local authority for each of the last two years, the number of housing benefit overpayments and the number and percentage of those which were fraudulent errors. [45267]

  Mr. Field
  Information for 1996/97, the first year of Scottish local government reorganisation, is set out in the table. Information for 1997/98 is not yet available.

  Housing Benefit overpayments and number and percentage which were fraudulent—Scottish Local Authorities 1996/97

  Fraudulent overpayments

  Local authority

  Total overpayments

  Numbers

  Percentage

  Aberdeen

  12,916

  122

  0.9

  Aberdeenshire

  2,736

  49

  1.8

  Angus

  848

  67

  7.9

  Argyll-Bute

  2,292

  1,271

  55.4

  Clackmannanshire

  1,991

  24

  1.2

  Dumfries and Galloway

  4,552

  276

  6.1

  Dundee

  10,061

  821

  8.2

  East Ayrshire

  3,213

  116

  3.6

  East Dunbartonshire

  721

  4

  0.5

  East Lothian

  2,063

  82

  4.0

  East Renfrewshire

  326

  39

  12.0

  Edinburgh

  42,129

  790

  1.9

  Falkirk

  15,604

  198

  1.3

  Fife

  15,550

  317

  2.0

  Glasgow

  49,489

  335

  0.7

  Highland

  7,440

  234

  3.1

  Inverclyde

  1,612

  34

  2.1

  Midlothian

  3,464

  77

  2.2

  Moray

  4,901

  297

  6.1

  North Ayrshire

  2,893

  0

  0.0

  North Lanarkshire

  15,525

  28

  0.2

  Orkney

  1,036

  45

  4.3

  Perth and Kinross

  2,372

  344

  14.5

  Renfrewshire

  3,092

  241

  7.8

  Scottish Borders

  3,899

  22

  0.6

  Shetland

  1,732

  90

  5.2

  South Ayrshire

  2,120

  300

  14.1

  South Lanarkshire1

  8,675

  33

  0.4

  Stirling

  4,179

  101

  2.4

  West Dunbartonshire

  3,508

  137

  4.0

  West Lothian

  4,242

  77

  1.8

  Western Isles

  980

  0

  0.0

  1Pre audit data only available for South Lanarkshire

  Note:

  Percentages rounded to nearest 0.1 per cent

  Source:

  1996/97 audited Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Subsidy claim

  Vaccine Damage (Compensation)
  Dr. Tony Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many vaccine-damaged children have received a payment of £10,000 in compensation. [45131]

  Mr. Denham
  795 payments of £10,000 have been made since the scheme began. The amount increased to £20,000 for new claims on or after 16 August 1985, and 51 payments have been made at this rate. The current rate of £30,000 was introduced for new claims made on or after 15 April 1991, and so far 44 payments have been made at this rate. On 19 May 1998 it was announced that as soon as the necessary Parliamentary approval has been obtained the intention is to increase new awards to £40,000.
  406
  The payment is not compensation but is designed to ease the present and future burdens of those suffering from vaccine damage, and their families.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many special advisers, political advisers and other political appointees are working in her Department; at what annual cost to the public purse including recruitment costs, salaries, pensions and National Insurance contributions; and what was the position in the last full year of the last Government. [43317]

  Mr. Field
  For details of the numbers of Special Advisers and the annual cost of employing them, I refer the hon. Member to the Written Answer my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave to the hon. Member for Woodspring (Dr. Fox) on 11 June 1998,Official Report, column 664.

  National Insurance contributions are excluded from the figure but are paid under the same rules and at the same rates as for other civil servants. Information on the paybill costs for Special Advisers within individual Departments is not provided in order to protect the privacy of the individuals concerned.

  Information on the costs of employing Special Advisers in previous years was given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to the hon. Member for Gordon (Mr. Bruce) on 25 November 1997, Official Report, columns 472–73.

  Attendance Allowance
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has to amend the Social Security Attendance Allowance Regulations 1991, to allow attendance allowance to be paid to people paying the full cost of their care in local authority homes; and if she will make a statement. [45276]

  Mr. Denham
  There are currently no plans to change the rules relating to the payment of Attendance Allowance to people being cared for in local authority homes.

  Benefit Expenditure
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the amount in billions of pounds at 1997–98 prices, of social security benefit spending from 1979–80 to 1997–98, broken down into the client groups(a) elderly people, including pensions, (b) the sick and disabled, not including pensioners, (c) family support, (d) unemployment and (e) widows. [45424]

  Mr. Denham
  The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is set out in the table.
  407

  Social Security spending 1997–98 prices

  £billion

  Elderly people

  Sick and disabled

  Family

  Unemployed people

  Widows and others

  Total

  1979–80

  27.5

  7.5

  9.9

  3.9

  2.1

  50.9

  1980–81

  27.8

  7.3

  9.3

  5.6

  2.0

  51.9

  1981–82

  30.0

  7.8

  10.2

  7.9

  2.0

  57.9

  1982–83

  31.4

  8.1

  10.9

  9.3

  2.0

  61.7

  1983–84

  32.5

  9.2

  11.7

  10.4

  2.0

  65.9

  1984–85

  32.9

  9.8

  12.1

  11.0

  2.0

  67.8

  1985–86

  34.0

  10.3

  12.4

  11.4

  2.0

  70.2

  1986–87

  35.4

  11.5

  12.7

  11.7

  2.0

  73.4

  1987–88

  35.5

  12.1

  12.6

  10.2

  2.0

  72.4

  1988–89

  34.4

  12.5

  12.3

  7.8

  1.8

  68.8

  1989–90

  34.9

  13.3

  12.1

  6.1

  1.8

  68.2

  1990–91

  35.8

  14.1

  12.5

  6.7

  2.0

  71.1

  1991–92

  37.6

  16.0

  13.7

  9.0

  2.2

  78.5

  1992–93

  38.7

  18.3

  15.8

  10.6

  2.1

  85.5

  1993–94

  40.3

  21.1

  16.7

  10.8

  2.0

  90.9

  1994–95

  40.6

  22.1

  17.5

  9.9

  2.0

  92.2

  1995–96

  41.0

  23.3

  18.2

  9.1

  2.2

  93.8

  1996–97

  42.1

  24.2

  18.7

  7.8

  2.1

  94.8

  1997–98

  42.8

  24.4

  18.7

  6.1

  2.1

  94.1

  Note:
  The client group names are general descriptions of broad areas of benefit expenditure. Expenditure is broadly classified according to the main reason a benefit is paid. For example, Attendance Allowance paid to an elderly person is allocated to the sick and disabled group rather than to the elderly group.

  Source:

  The 1998 Departmental Report and earlier equivalents.

  Disallowed Benefits
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of claims for(a) extended council tax benefit and (b) child maintenance bonus have been disallowed for being submitted out of time in the current year. [45477]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The information on extended payments is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the table. The information for 1997–98 will not be available until July 1998.

  Regular payments of maintenance can transform the lives of lone mothers and their children, providing a stable income that can help them off Income Support and into work. In the current financial year to date, 9.8 per cent. of Child Maintenance Bonus claims have been disallowed for being submitted out of time.

  Council tax benefit extended payments—Great Britain 1996–97

  Extended payments

  Total extended payments applications

  102,000

  Total successful applications

  85,000

  Percentage of successful applications

  83 per cent.

  Notes:

  1. Figures have been rounded to the nearest thousand

  2. Figures refer to a benefit unit which may be a single person or a couple

  3. Extended Payment figures are given as a total of 1996–97

  Source:
  Local Authority Benefit and Council Tax Benefit quarterly Administration data returns April 1996 to March 1997

  Child Maintenance Bonus

  Source:
  Monthly Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance Management Information Statistics Reports. Figures quoted are for April and May 1998.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL

  Legal Aid
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Attorney-General, pursuant to the answer of 28 April 1998,Official Report, column 65–67, if he will list the cost to public funds of each of the top 20 banisters' earnings from prosecution work. [46588]

  The Attorney-General
  The information requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Roger Levitt Case (Costs)
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Attorney-General, pursuant to the answer given by Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department on 19 May 1998,Official Report, column 342, on the Roger Levitt case costs, how many prosecution preparation hours were claimed; and how they were assessed. [46590]

  The Attorney-General
  Fees paid to the three prosecuting counsel briefed by the Serious Fraud Office in the case of Roger Levitt were assessed by a combination of hourly and daily rates. The records necessary to ascertain the exact number of hours claimed in preparation cannot be accessed save at disproportionate cost, but I refer my hon. Friend to the answer of 28 June 1995,Official Report, columns 702–03, given by the then Attorney-General to my hon. Friend the Member for Warwickshire, North (Mr. O'Brien) which shows the fees paid to counsel and sets out the hourly and daily rates.

  Prosecution Counsel
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Attorney-General what records his Department collates on the amounts prosecution counsel are paid from public funds. [46589]
  409
  The Attorney-General
  The two relevant Departments for which hold ministerial responsibility are the Crown Prosecution Service and the Serious Fraud Office.

  The CPS holds management information centrally which analyses the payments made to external advocates, whether banisters or solicitors, by class of case, type of proceedings, classification of counsel, and other similar categorisations. In addition, the CPS accounting system records payments made to individuals. No collation of CPS payments with those made by other prosecuting agencies from public funds is performed.

  The SFO records payments to counsel on individual case files. This information is not collated.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Scottish Universities (Students from Cumbria)
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many students from Cumbria currently attend Scottish universities. [45678]

  Accepted home applicants through UCAS to undergraduate degree courses; by age and socio-economic group, Autumn 1995 and 1997

  1995

  1997

  Under 21 years

  Over 21 years

  Under 21 years

  Over 21 years

  Socio-economic group by age group

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  Number

  Per cent.

  A Professional

  31,287

  17

  5,326

  10

  35,026

  16

  2,732

  5

  B Intermediate

  78,131

  42

  17,298

  31

  92,944

  43

  16,076

  27

  C1 Skilled non-manual

  20,287

  11

  6,605

  12

  23,839

  11

  10,249

  17

  C2 Skilled manual

  28,071

  15

  9,521

  17

  32,714

  15

  6,982

  12

  D Partly skilled

  12,622

  7

  4,775

  9

  14,862

  7

  5,989

  10

  E Unskilled

  2,950

  2

  1,396

  3

  3,767

  2

  1,128

  2

  Not known

  11,377

  6

  10,524

  19

  14,565

  7

  15,630

  27

  Total

  185,265

  100

  55,445

  100

  217.717

  100

  58,786

  100

  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer of 27 March 1998,Official Report, column 342, when he expects the Higher Education Statistics Agency to analyse the information it collects on the home postcode of higher education students; and what form the analysis will take. [45782]

  Dr. Howells
  The Higher Education Statistics Agency is an independent body. It has in the past used postcode information to analyse student numbers at region and county/unitary authority level but it has no current plans to carry out any analysis based on parliamentary constituency. The Higher Education Funding Council for England is, however, carrying out an analysis of entrants to higher education using postcode information and will report in due course.

  School Inspections
  Mr. Efford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) if he will make a statement on the procedure for dealing with complaints from schools regarding(a) Ofsted inspections, and (b) individual Ofsted inspectors; [45704]
  410
  Dr. Howells
  Data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency for the academic year 1997–98 showed that there were 607 students from Cumbria studying in higher education institutions in Scotland, of whom 496 were on full-time undergraduate courses.

  Further and Higher 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) under 21 and (ii) over 21 year olds who were accepted into full-time or sandwich undergraduate study in (1) 1995 and (2) the most recent year for which figures are available. [45749]

  Dr. Howells
  The available data on students accepted into full-time and sandwich undergraduate courses by socio-economic group are provided in the table. It shows the number of accepted applicants to full-time and sandwich courses in 1995 and 1997 who applied through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). However, not all full-time and sandwich undergraduate students enter higher education through UCAS. Information on the socio-economic groups of students who did not apply through UCAS is currently unavailable.

  (2) how many Ofsted inspections were carried out during the last period for which figures are available; and how many complaints were received from schools or governing bodies regarding Ofsted inspections or inspectors in that period; [45705]

  (3) what procedures exist for monitoring the performance of (a) Ofsted inspection terms and (b) individual inspectors. [45706]

  Mr. Byers
  HM Chief Inspector of Schools is responsible for monitoring the performance of school inspectors and handling complaints arising from school inspections. We announced on 10 March that Ofsted's complaints procedures are being strengthened, including the introduction of an independent element through the appointment of an external complaints adjudicator. I have asked the Chief Inspector to write to my hon. Friend and to place a copy of his letter in the Library.

  Special Educational Needs
  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the average length of time taken to statement a child, and how many statements are currently outstanding in each local education authority. [46438]
  411
  Ms Estelle Morris
  Information is not available in the form requested. Figures published by the Audit Commission this year showed that in 1996–97 48 per cent. of draft statements were served on parents by LEAs within the statutory 18 week time-limit. This level of performance is unacceptable, and the Department has asked LEAs with poor records what action they propose to take to improve.

  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when the National Advisory Group on Special Educational Needs first met to consider the results of the consultation on the Green Paper, "Excellence for All Children". [46668]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  [holding answer 19 June 1998]: Consultation on the Green Paper closed formally on 9 January 1998, although responses continued to be received until March. The National Advisory Group considered a preliminary analysis of the responses on 11 February, and met again to consider a full assessment on 29 April.

  Mrs. May
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what guidance his Department has issued to local education authorities on the needs of children with ADD/ADHD.[46428]

  Ms Estelle Morris
  The Department has not issued guidance on attention deficit disorder/attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD). Identifying and meeting children's special educational needs, including needs which arise from ADD/ADHD, is a matter for local education authorities and schools, having regard to the Department'sCode of Practice on the Identification and Assessment of Special Educational Needs. Together with the Department of Health, we are considering how best to disseminate factual information on ADD/ADHD and to make available information on good practice in meeting the educational needs of children with this disorder.

  Disabled Access Symbols
  Mr. Levitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will take steps to promote the(a) standardisation and (b) greater use of readily understandable iconic symbols denoting accessible facilities for people with different disabilities. [46506]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The British Standards Institution's sub-committee on disabled people (B/209/8) is, at present, developing proposals for a new British Standard covering access for disabled people. I understand that, as part of its remit, the sub-committee will be considering guidance on the provision of the international symbol for access and signs for help for hearing impaired people and partially sighted people. This Department, along with several others, is represented on the sub-committee.

  Remploy
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he proposes to appoint a disabled person to the Board of the Remploy Group; and if he will make a statement. [46751]
  412
  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to appoint to the board of Remploy people with disabilities. [46995]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  An advertisement was recently placed in Disability Times seeking a non-executive director for Remploy who has personal experience of disability and can contribute to the commercial development and overall good governance of the company. It made clear that applications from people with disabilities would be particularly welcome.

  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what has been the Government subsidy to Remploy for each of the past 10 years expressed(a) in cash terms and (b) at April 1998 prices. [46993]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The table shows Remploy's grant over the last 10 years in(a) cash prices and (b) April 1998 prices.

  £ million

  Year

  (a) cash prices

  (b) April 1998 prices

  1997–98

  94.2

  96.5

  1996–97

  94.2

  99.7

  1995–96

  94.2

  102.0

  1994–95

  92.1

  102.3

  1993–94

  89.2

  100.9

  1992–93

  84.0

  97.7

  1991–92

  75.3

  91.2

  1990–91

  72.0

  92.8

  1989–90

  67.0

  93.1

  1988–89

  62.7

  93.3

  Mr. Rooney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what has been the ratio of able bodied to disabled workers at Remploy for each of the last five years. [46992]

  Mr. Alan Howarth
  The table shows both the number of disabled employees at Remploy and that the proportion of the total workforce who are disabled has increased over the past five years:

  Year

  Total workers(disabled and non-disabled)

  Number of disabled workers

  Number of non-disabled workers

  Ratio of non-disabled to disabled

  1993–94

  10,229

  8,654

  1,575

  1 to 5.5

  1994–95

  10,538

  8,906

  1,632

  1 to 5.5

  1995–96

  10,893

  9,334

  1,559

  1 to 6

  1996–97

  11,224

  9,662

  1,562

  I to 6.2

  1997–98

  11,351

  10,021

  1,330

  1 to 7.5

  Education Action Zones
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he will announce the 25 successful applications for education action zones. [47335]
  413
  Mr. Byers
  Tomorrow. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will place the relevant details in the Library.

  Further Education (East Sussex)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on his Department's plans for the further education sector in East Sussex. [43781]

  Dr. Howells
  [Pursuant to his reply, 11 June 1998, Official Report, c. 694]: The reply should have been as follows:

  I have no specific plans for the further education sector in East Sussex.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Bees
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 9 June 1998,Official Report, column 530, what has been the cost to his Department of research into bee disease in each year since 1990. [46093]

  Mr. Rooker
  The information requested is set out in the table. The figure for 1990–91 is not readily available.

  AFP No.

  Spices

  Earliest sowing dates of DUS tests and VCD trials

  Current status of tests and trials

  Responsible organisation for tests and trials

  45/798

  Sugar beet

  17 March 1998

  Ongoing

  NIAB—DUS

  NIAB and BSBSPA—VCU

  45/822

  Sugar beet

  17 March 1998

  Ongoing

  NIAB—DUS

  NIAB and BSBSPA—VCU

  45/813

  Sugar beet

  17 March 1998

  Ongoing

  NIAB—DUS

  NIAB and BSBSPA—VCU

  45/774

  Sugar beet

  17 March 1997

  Ongoing

  NIAB—DUS

  NIAB and BSBSPA—VCU

  45/749

  Sugar beet

  17 March 1997

  Ongoing

  NIAB—DUS

  NIAB and BSBSPA—VCU

  51/833

  Maize

  3 May 1998

  Ongoing

  DUS tested by French authorities

  NIAB and BSPB—VCU

  35/959

  Spring oilseed rape

  27 March 1996

  Completed January 19822

  NIAB—DUS

  NIAB and SAC—VCU

  35/960

  Spring oilseed rape

  27 March 1996

  Completed January 19982

  NIAB—DUS

  NIAB and SAC—VCU

  35/1016

  Winter oilseed rape

  26 August 1996

  Ongoing

  NIAB—DUS

  NIAB and BSPB—VCU

  35/1062

  Winter oilseed rape

  26 August 1996

  Ongoing

  NIAB—DUS

  NIAB and BSPB—VCU

  35/1174

  Winter oilseed rape

  29 August 1997

  Ongoing

  NIAB—DUS

  NIAB and BSPB—VCU

  35/1175

  Winter oilseed rape

  29 August 1997

  Ongoing

  NIAB—DUS

  NIAB and BSPB—VCU

  35/1176

  Winter oilseed rape

  29 August 1997

  Ongoing

  NIAB—DUS

  NIAB and BSPB—VCU

  35/1184

  Winter oilseed rape

  29 August 1997

  Ongoing

  NIAB—DUS

  NIAB and BSPB—VCU

  35/1185

  Winter oilseed rape

  29 August 1997

  Ongoing

  NIAB—DUS

  35/1205

  Spring oilseed rape

  24 March 1998

  Ongoing

  NIAB—DUS

  NIAB and SAC—VCU

  35/1206

  Spring oilseed rape

  24 March 1998

  Ongoing

  NIAB—DUS

  NIAB and SAC—VCU

  35/1210

  Spring oilseed rape

  24 March 1998

  Ongoing

  NIAB—DUS

  NIAB and SAC—VCU

  414

  Year

  £000

  1991–92

  20

  1992–93

  61

  1993–94

  140

  1994–95

  314

  1995–96

  259

  1996–97

  203

  1997–98

  215

  1998–99

  215

  Seed Listings
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 21 May 1998,Official Report, column 483, if he will indicate whether any tests and trials are being or have been conducted in respect of each of the national seed list applications under Regulation 11(1) of the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 1982, indicating the names of the persons conducting the tests and the dates thereof. [46209]

  Mr. Rooker
  National List tests to establish distinctness, uniformity and stability (DUS) and trials for value, cultivation and use (VCU) have been or are being carried out as shown. For reasons of personal confidentiality, only the corporate identities of trialling agents is released into the public domain.
  415

  AFP No.

  Spices

  Earliest sowing dates of DUS tests and VCU trials

  Current status of tests and trials

  Responsible organisation for tests and trials

  35/1211

  Spring oilseed rape

  24 March 1998

  Ongoing

  NIAB—DUS

  NIAB and SAC—VCU

  35/1222

  Spring oilseed rape

  8 April 1998

  Ongoing

  NIAB—DUS; not sown1

  NIAB and SAC—VCU

  1DUS test plots were not sown for this variety as a Deliberate Release Consent was not granted until 1 April 1998. The variety has been sown in 1998 VCU trials only

  2 A proposed decision on whether these varieties should be added to the UK National List will not be taken until the necessary marketing consent has been promulgated by the French Competent Authority to whom the marketing application under Council Directive 90/220/EEC was submitted

  Notes:

  DUS: Tests to establish Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability

  VCU: Trials to establish Value for Cultivation and Use in the UK

  NIAB: National Institute of Agricultural Botany, Cambridge

  SAC: Scottish Agricultural College, Aberdeen

  BSBSPA: British Sugar Beet Seed Producers Association

  BSPB: British Society of Plant Breeders

  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 14 May 1998,Official Report, column 200, for what reasons he will not make available to the public the results which are held by him of seed tests and trials to establish value for cultivation and use until a proposed decision on whether the seeds should be added to the national list has been published in the "Plant Varieties and Seeds Gazette".[46205]

  Mr. Rooker
  Proposed decisions about addition to the national list are published after careful consideration of the data resulting from tests and trials, and subject to the necessary marketing consent being in place under directive 90/220/EEC. Addition to the national list is a statutory pre-requisite to marketing, and it is only when proposed decisions are published that the formal representations procedures at sections 21 and 22 of the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 1982 (as amended) apply. Any person with a sufficient interest can obtain the results of tests and trials when considering whether to make representations against proposed decisions.

  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 14 May 1998,Official Report, column 198, if he will list the agricultural species which are not trialled or tested for national list purposes to establish whether they have value for cultivation and use. [46204]

  Mr. Rooker
  Schedule I, Part 1 of the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 1982 (as amended) lists the agricultural species that are subject to national list tests and trials, and the common names of these species are given in the following schedule for information. Schedule 2, Section 5, of the same regulations exempts varieties of grasses not intended for fodder production, and any variety intended for ultimate sale in a Member State which has already accepted it for value for cultivation and use (VCU) purposes, from the VCU requirements that are specified at Schedule 2. Tests and trials and addition to the UK National List are not a requirement for varieties of species that are not subject to the National List regulations. But any genetically
  416
  modified varieties falling into these latter categories would still require a marketing consent under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 which implements Directive 90/220/EEC.

  The Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 1982 (as amended) Schedule 1—Common names of agricultural plant species

  Species

  Common name

  Cereals

  Oat; barley; rye; triticale; wheat; durum wheat; spelt wheat; maize (except for sweetcorn)

  Potatoes

  Potato

  Beet

  Sugar beet; fodder beet; mangels

  Fodder plants

  (a)grasses

  Velvet bent; red top; creeping bent; brown top; tall oatgrass; rescue grass; alaska brome grass; cocksfoot; tall fescue; sheeps/hard/fine leaved sheeps fescue; meadow fescue; red fescue/chewings fescue; festulolium; westerwold ryegrass; Italian ryegrass; timothy; annual meadowgrass; wood meadowgrass; smooth stalked meadowgrass; roughstalked meadowgrass

  (b)legumes

  Birdsfoot trefoil; white lupin; blue lupin; yellow lupin; black medick; trefoil; lucerne; sainfoin; field pea; alsike clover; red clover; white clover; field bean; Hungarian vetch; common vetch; hairy vetch

  (c) other fodder plants

  Swede; fodder kale; fodder radish

  Oil and fibre plants

  Turnip rape; brown mustard; swede rape (including oilseed rape); black mustard; sunflower; linseed/flax; white mustard; soya bean

  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 21 May 1998,Official Report, column 483, if he will list the dates of each of the applications for national seed testing and the approximate dates by which he expects to make a proposed decision. [46210]
  417
  Mr. Rooker
  The information requested is as follows:

  AFP number

  Spices

  National List (NL) applicant

  Date of NL application1

  Approximate date of proposed NL decision2

  45/798

  Sugar Beet

  Kleinwanzlebener Saatzucht AG., Germany

  31 December 1997

  April 2000

  45/822

  Sugar Beet

  Novartis Seeds AB., Sweden

  14 January 1998

  April 2000

  45/813

  Sugar Beet

  Danisco Seeds, UK

  14 January 1998

  April 2000

  45/774

  Sugar Beet

  Hilleshog AB.,

  15 January 1997

  April 1999

  45/749

  Sugar Beet

  Kleinwanzlebener Saatzucht AG., Germany

  7 January 1997

  April 1999

  51/833

  Maize

  Van der Have, Netherlands

  16 January 1998

  February 2000

  35/959

  Oilseed Rape

  Plant Genetic Systems Belgium

  14 December 1995

  November1998

  35/960

  Oilseed Rape

  Plant Genetic Systems Belgium

  14 December 1995

  November1998

  35/1016

  Oilseed Rape

  Deutsche Saatveredelung GmbH, Germany

  13 August 1996

  November1998

  35/1062

  Oilseed Rape

  Monsanto Crop Protection UK

  8 August 1996

  November1998

  35/1174

  Oilseed Rape

  Plant Genetic Systems Belgium

  28 August 1997

  November1999

  35/1175

  Oilseed Rape

  Plant Genetic Systems Belgium

  28 August 1997

  November1999

  35/1176

  Oilseed Rape

  Plant Genetic Systems Belgium

  28 August 1997

  November1999

  35/1184

  Oilseed Rape

  Monsanto Crop Protection, UK

  11 August 1996

  November1999

  35/1185

  Oilseed Rape

  Monsanto Crop Protection, UK

  11 August 1996

  November1999

  35/1205

  Oilseed Rape

  Calgene Inc., USA

  12 December 1997

  November 1999

  35/1206

  Oilseed Rape

  Calgene Inc., USA

  12 December 1997

  November 1999

  35/1210

  Oil seed Rape

  Plant Genetic Systems Belgium

  12 January 1998

  November1999

  35/1211

  Oilseed Rape

  Plant Genetic Systems Belgium

  12 January 1998

  November 1999

  35/1222

  Oilseed Rape

  Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc., USA

  16 December 1997

  November 1999

  1Date of receipt of a valid application

  2Subject to promulgation of marketing consents under Directive 90/220/EEC and satisfactory completion of tests and trials

  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 21 May 1998, Official Report, column 483, if he will provide the corresponding genetically modified release consents in respect of each of the national seed list applications, indicating the application and consent numbers and dates and, if different from the national list applicants, the applicants' names. [46208]

  Application number

  Species

  National list applicant

  Release consent number; Date consent granted; Applicant for Consent

  45/798

  Sugar Beet

  Kleinwanzlebener Saatzucht AG., Germany

  97/RI9/13–17 March 1997 Agrevo UK Crop Protection Ltd.

  45/822

  Sugar Beet

  Novartis Seeds AB., Sweden

  96/R21/4–25 February 1997 Novartis Seeds Ltd.

  45/813

  Sugar Beet

  Danisco Seeds, UK

  96/R21/4–25 February 1997 Novartis Seeds Ltd.

  45/774

  Sugar Beet

  Hilleshog AB., Sweden

  96/R21/4–25 February 1997 Novartis Seeds Ltd.

  45/749

  Sugar Beet

  Kleinwanzlebener Saatzucht AG., Germany

  97/R19/13–17 March 1997 Agrevo UK Crop Protection Ltd.

  51/833

  Maize

  Van der Have, Netherlands

  96/R13/6–2 April 1996 Sharpes International Seeds Ltd.

  35/959

  Oilseed Rape

  Plant Genetic Systems N.V., Belgium

  95/R15/15–3 January 1996 Plant Genetic Systems N.V., Belgium

  35/960

  Oilseed Rape

  Plant Genetic Systems N.V., Belgium

  95/R15/15–3 January 1996 Plant Genetic Systems N.V., Belgium

  35/1016

  Oilseed Rape

  Deutsche Saatveredelung GmbH, Germany

  96/R27/1–6 August 1996 Perryfields Holdings Ltd.

  35/1062

  Oilseed Rape

  Monsanto Crop Protection UK

  96/R22/6–6 August 1996 Monsanto Europe, Belgium

  35/1174

  Oilseed Rape

  Plant Genetic Systems N.V., Belgium

  97/R15/20–1 August 1997 Plant Genetic Systems N.V., Belgium

  35/1175

  Oilseed Rape

  Plant Genetic Systems N.V., Belgium

  97/R15/20–1 August 1997 Plant Genetic Systems N.V., Belgium

  35/1176

  Oilseed Rape

  Plant Genetic Systems N.V., Belgium

  97/R15/20–1 August 1997 Plant Genetic Systems N.V., Belgium

  418
  Mr. Rooker
  In respect of the consents covering National List trials, the information requested is set out in the table. Further details relating to the release consents are available on a statutory public register which is maintained by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.
  419

  Application number

  Species

  National list applicant

  Release consent number Date consent granted; Applicant for Consent

  35/1184

  Oilseed Rape

  Monsanto Crop Protection, UK

  96/R22/6–6 August 1996 Monsanto Europe, Belgium

  35/1185

  Oilseed Rape

  Monsanto Crop Protection, UK

  96/R22/6–6 August 1996 Monsanto Europe, Belgium

  35/1205

  Oilseed Rape

  Calgene Inc., USA

  97/R28/3–17 March 1998 John K. King & Sons Ltd.

  35/1206

  Oilseed Rape

  Calgene Inc., USA

  97/R28/3–17 March 1998 John K. King & Sons Ltd.

  35/1210

  Oil seed Rape

  Plant Genetic Systems N.V., Belgium

  97/R15/23–19 March 1998 Plant Genetic Systems N.V., Belgium

  35/1211

  Oilseed Rape

  Plant Genetic Systems N.V., Belgium

  97/R15/23–19 March 1998 Plant Genetic Systems N.V., Belgium

  35/1222

  Oilseed Rape

  Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc., USA

  97/R24/2–1 April 1998 Pioneer Genetique S.A.R.L., France

  Note:

  DETR application and consent numbers are the same

  Biotechnology
  Mr. Alan Simpson
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the meetings his Department has held with(a) Monsanto, (b) AgrEvo, (c) Novartis, (d) Zeneca and (e) other representatives of the biotechnology industry relating to biotechnology. [46211]

  Mr. Rooker
  Neither my colleagues nor I have held any meeting with companies from the biotechnology industry since 1 May 1997. In addition to the meetings detailed in my reply to the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) on 31 March 1998,Official Report, columns 505–08, officials have met representatives of biotechnology companies on the occasions listed.

  Date

  Company

  1997

  21 May

  Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc. USA

  28 May

  Novartis

  4 June

  CPB Twyford

  30 June

  Sharpes/KWS

  11 July

  Plant Breeding Institute

  18 July

  AgrEvo

  8 October

  Nickerson BIOCEM

  21 October

  Plant Breeding Institute, Zeneca, Nickerson BIOCEM and Advanced Technologies (Cambridge) Ltd.

  31 October

  Monsanto

  1998

  5 January

  Plant Genitic Systems

  14 January

  AgrEvo, Cynamid, Monsanto and Novartis

  15 January

  CPB Twyford

  11 February

  Advanta

  16 February

  Zeneca

  11 March

  AgrEvo, Cynamid, Monsanto and Novartis

  24 March

  Monsanto

  6 May

  Zeneca

  15 May

  Monsanto, AgrEvo and other biotechnology companies

  20 May

  Plant Genetic Systems

  22 May

  Monsanto, AgrEvo and other biotechnology companies

  9 June

  AgrEvo, Cynamid and Monsanto

  17 June

  Monsanto, AgrEvo and other biotechnology companies

  420
  In addition, the Veterinary Medicines Directorate meets regularly with representatives of pharmaceutical companies as part of its responsibilities for the authorisation of veterinary medicines in the UK.

  Meat Retailing
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list all legislation applicable to retailers of fresh meat. [46120]

  Mr. Rooker
  The list of food safety legislation applies, or may apply in certain circumstances, to retailers of fresh meat.The Arsenic in Food Regulations 1959 (SI 1959/831) (as amended)
  The Diseases of Animals (Waste Food) Order 1973 (SI 1973/1936) (as amended)
  The Lead in Food Regulations 1979 (SI 1979/1254) (as amended)
  The Food Safety Act 1990
  The Tin in Food Regulations 1992 (SI 1992/496)
  The Animal By-Products Order 1992 (SI 1992/3303) (as amended)
  The Pesticides (Maximum Residue Levels in Crops, Food and Feeding Stuffs) Regulations 1994 (SI 1994/1985) (as amended)
  The Food Safety (General Food Hygiene) Regulations 1995 (SI 1995/1763)
  The Food Safety (Temperature Control) Regulations 1995 (SI 1995/2200)
  The Fresh Meat (Beef Controls) (No 2) Regulations 1996 (SI 1996/2097) (as amended)
  The Animals and Animal Products (Examinations for Residues and Maximum Residue Limits) Regulations 1997 (SI 1997/1729)
  The Beef Bones Regulations 1997 (SI 1997/2959)
  The Specified Risk Material Order 1997 (SI 1997/2964)
  The Specified Risk Material Regulations 1997 (SI 1997/2965) (as amended).

  Abattoirs
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list all legislation applicable to abattoirs. [46122]

  Mr. Rooker
  The list of food safety legislation applies, or may apply in certain circumstances, to abattoirs. The list does not include legislation which applies only to establishments wishing to export.The Arsenic in Food Regulations 1959 (SI 1959/831) (as amended)
  The Diseases of Animals (Waste Food) Order 1973 (SI 1973/1936) (as amended)
  The Lead in Food Regulations 1979 (SI 1979/1254) (as amended)
  The Food Safety Act 1990
  The Animal By-Products Order 1992 (SI 1992/3303) (as amended)
  The Pesticides (Maximum Residue Levels in Crops, Food and Feeding Stuffs) Regulations 1994 (SI 1994/1985) (as amended)
  The Meat (Hygiene, Inspection and Examination for Residues)(Charges) Regulations 1995 (SI 1995/361)
  The Fresh Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995 (SI 1995/539) (as amended)
  The Poultry Meat, Farmed Game Bird Meat and Rabbit Meat
  (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995 (SI 1995/540)
  The Animal By-Products (Identification) Regulations 1995 (SI 1995/614) (as amended)
  The Food Safety (General Food Hygiene) Regulations 1995 (SI 1995/1763)
  The Wild Game Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995 (SI 1995/2148)
  The Colours in Food Regulations 1995 (SI 1995/3124)
  The Fresh Meat (Beef Controls) (No 2) Regulations 1996 (SI 1996/2097) (as amended)
  The Animals and Animal Products (Examinations for Residues and Maximum Residue Limits) Regulations 1997 (SI 1997/1729)
  The Charges for Inspections and Controls Regulations 1997 (SI 1997/2893)
  The Beef Bones Regulations 1997 (SI 1997/2959)
  The Specified Risk Material Order 1997 (SI 1997/2964)
  The Specified Risk Material Regulations 1997 (SI 1997/2965) (as amended)
  The Cattle Identification Regulations 1998 (SI 1998/871).

  Meat-cutting Plants
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list all legislation affecting meat-cutting plants. [46121]

  Mr. Rooker
  The list of food safety legislation applies, or may apply in certain circumstances, to meat-cutting plants. The list does not include legislation which applies only to establishments wishing to export.The Arsenic in Food Regulations 1959 (SI 1959/831) (as amended)
  The Diseases of Animals (Waste Food) Order 1973 (SI 1973/1936) (as amended)
  The Lead in Food Regulations 1979 (SI 1979/1254) (as amended)
  The Food Safety Act 1990
  The Animal By-Products Order 1992 (SI 1992/3303) (as amended)
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  The Pesticides (Maximum Residue Levels in Crops, Food and Feeding Stuffs) Regulations 1994 (SI 1994/1985) (as amended)
  The Meat Products (Hygiene) Regulations 1994 (SI 1994/3082)
  The Meat (Hygiene, Inspection and Examination for Residues) (Charges) Regulations 1995 (SI 1995/361)
  The Fresh Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995 (SI 1995/539) (as amended)
  The Poultry Meat, Farmed Game Bird Meat and Rabbit Meat
  (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995 (SI 1995/540)
  The Food Safety (General Food Hygiene) Regulations 1995 (SI 1995/1763)
  The Wild Game Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995 (SI 1995/2148)
  The Colours in Food Regulations 1995 (SI 1995/3124)
  The Minced Meat and Meat Preparations (Hygiene) Regulations 1995 (SI 1995/3205)
  The Fresh Meat (Beef Controls) (No 2) Regulations 1996 (SI 1996/2097) (as amended)
  The Animals and Animal Products (Examinations for Residues and Maximum Residue Limits) Regulations 1997 (SI 1997/1729)
  The Beef Bones Regulations 1997 (SI 1997/2959)
  The specified Risk Material Order 1997 (SI 1997/2964)
  The Specified Risk Material Regulations 1997 (SI 1997/2965) (as amended).

  Poultry
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many head of poultry have been compulsorily slaughtered under the Zoonoses orders; and at what cost to public funds.[46033]

  Mr. Rooker
  Between 1 March 1989 when the Zoonoses Order 1989 came into force and 31 March this year, 3,751,707 birds have been sent for compulsory slaughter in Great Britain following confirmed infection with Salmonella enteritidis or Salmonella typhimurium. The total amount paid in compensation is £8,660,931.

  BSE
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many cattle have been compulsorily slaughtered under BSE regulations; and at what cost to public funds. [46061]

  Mr. Rooker
  Between 1988, when BSE became a notifiable disease, and 12 June 1998, 203,283 cattle had been compulsorily slaughtered in Great Britain as BSE suspects. Total BSE payments in respect of these slaughterings for the period from 1988 to the end of 1997/98 amount to over £191 million. This figure comprises BSE compensation payments, ex gratia payments and miscellaneous expenditure.

  In addition, certain cattle have been slaughtered under the selective cull. This covers cattle born 1 July 1989–30 June 1993 which are believed to have shared the same infected feed as BSE cases. Cattle born before 15 October 1990 are slaughtered only if the owner offers them voluntarily, as there was no legal requirement to keep birth records before that date. Such animals represent around 50 per cent. of the total slaughtered under the cull.

  The selective cull commenced on 21 March 1997. Total expenditure on the cull for the 1997/98 financial year was £114 million, including compensation for 65,540 animals,

  423
  and disposal and valuation costs. By 12 June 1998, 70,428 animals had been slaughtered under the selective cull.

  Bats (Rabies)
  Mr. Lepper
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps are taken to ensure that all dead and grounded bats are examined for rabies. [46199]

  Mr. Rooker
  Members of the public and volunteer bat enthusiast groups in the UK are encouraged to submit dead bats to Veterinary Investigation Centres to be tested for the presence of rabies and rabies-related viruses.

  Mr. Lepper
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the status of rabies in bats as a notifiable disease. [46197]

  Mr. Rooker
  Rabies, whether in a bat or in any other mammal, is a notifiable disease in accordance with the Rabies (Control) Order 1974.

  Mr. Lepper
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many bats have been examined for rabies since June 1996. [46198]

  Mr. Rooker
  Between June 1996 and May 1998, 507 bats were examined for rabies.

  Live Animal Exports
  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he plans to amend the law to require all live sheep and goats exported from the United Kingdom to be ear-tagged or tattooed to show the holding of birth; and if he will make a statement. [46118]

  Mr. Rooker
  Work on a draft Order which would require sheep and goats in Great Britain to be identified with the holding of birth is currently in hand. The Government hope it will be possible to consult on this draft in late summer. In Northern Ireland, legislation is in place which requires all sheep and goats moving off the holding of birth to be identified with an eartag or tattoo, making it possible to identify the holding of birth.

  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) when he plans to introduce the new arrangements for live animal exports whereby certifying veterinarians will be nominated by the Government; and if he will make a statement; [46116]

  (2) when he plans to announce the results of the review which he initiated in May 1997 of the arrangements for enforcing the rules on the welfare of farm animals exported live to the Continent; and if he will make a statement. [46117]

  Mr. Morley
  The results of the review, including the principles of the proposed changes, were announced last Autumn. We are currently working up the final details for public consultation. When the consultation document is issued, which I hope will be next month, I will arrange to have a copy placed in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the result of the inquiry by the French Government into the failure of a number of 424
  live British calves exported to France in 1995 to reach the destinations declared in the route plans submitted to his Department; and if he will make a statement. [46119]

  Mr. Morley
  A judicial investigation by the French Government is still under way and the Department continues to assist the French authorities in this matter.

  Whales
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the current pressures on the stock of each species of whale. [46192]

  Mr. Morley
  The Government contribute to assessments of whale stocks through their membership of the International Whaling Commission. The IWC's Scientific Committee is continuing its programme of intensive assessments of great whale stocks, and is also developing long term research programmes to assess the effects of pollution and climate change on cetaceans.

  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the likely impact of a lifting of the moratorium on commercial whaling. [46196]

  Mr. Morley
  The Government remain strongly opposed to lifting the existing moratorium on commercial whaling, since we believe that such an action would harm whale conservation.

  Coastal Fishing Limits
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his Department's definition of coastal fisheries limits. [46032]

  Mr. Morley
  British fishery limits generally extend, by virtue of the Fishery Limits Act 1976, to 200 nautical miles from baselines. As laid down in the Territorial Sea Act 1987, the UK's territorial sea generally extends to 12 nautical miles from baselines. Sea Fisheries Committee districts for the management of inshore fisheries extend to 6 nautical miles from baselines.

  Coastal Zone Management
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions on the question of coastal zone management were held at the Council of Ministers on 8 June; and what were the opinions expressed by the other ministers. [46040]

  Mr. Morley
  This subject was not discussed at the Fisheries Council on 8 June.

  Spanish Distant Water Fleet
  Mr. Gill
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the tonnage of the Spanish distant water fleet has been in each year since 1985. [46035]

  Mr. Morley
  Information about the fishing fleets of other Member States is contained in the EU Commission's annual reports on progress under the Multi-Annual Guidance Programme (MAGP), which sets
  425
  national objectives for the capacity of different fleet segments. The Report in July 1997 provided the following information for Spain covering the period 1991 to 1996.

  The Spanish fishing fleet: Segments comprising vessels fishing in third country and in international waters: gross registered tonnage

  Year

  Trawlers and polyvalent

  Pelagic seiners, netters

  Tuna fleet

  1991

  264,695

  31,859

  58,648

  1992

  239,699

  36,018

  59,612

  1993

  214,682

  36,349

  56,136

  1994

  198,780

  34,775

  56,136

  1995

  173,745

  27,824

  55,286

  1996

  148,759

  28,283

  54,907

  Fishing Vessels
  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much grant aid from the Fishing Vessels (Safety Improvements) (Grants) Scheme 1995 and the Fisheries and Aquaculture Structures (Grants) Regulations 1995 has been paid to fishing vessels over 12 metres in length in each year since 1995. [46476]

  Mr. Morley
  Total grant paid to fishing vessels in the UK under these schemes is:

  1995–96: £2.861 million

  1996–97: £1.958 million

  1997–98: £1.796 million.

  These figures include grant awarded under similar vessel grant schemes in operation prior to the introduction of the Fishing Vessels (Safety Improvements) (Grants) Scheme 1995 and the Fisheries and Aquaculture Structures (Grants) Regulations 1995, but paid during the relevant financial years. Under the safety grant, scheme aid is available only to fishing vessels of 12 metres or more in length. In Objective 1 areas some payments are made under the Fisheries and Aquaculture Structures (Grants) Regulations to smaller vessels. These amounts are also included in the above figures as separate information is not readily available.

  Mr. Ainger
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total amount of levies collected in each of the last five years by the Sea Fish Industry Authority from landings from fishing vessels(a) over 12 metres and (b) under 12 metres in length. [46475]

  Mr. Morley
  This information is not available in the form requested. Levies collected by the Sea Fish Industry Authority are based on the value of fish landed and records do not distinguish between vessels over or under 12 metres in length. The total amount collected in each of the last five years from landings from all fishing vessels is as follows:

  Year

  £ million

  1993–94

  3.015

  1994–95

  3.118

  1995–96

  3.156

  1996–97

  3.407

  1997–98

  3.114

  Bakery Training (Russia)
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much has been spent by his Department through ADAS or similar organisations in establishing bakery training facilities in Russia; how many Russians have so far been trained as a result of this initiative; and what plans he has for further spending on such projects. [46713]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 19 June 1998]: The Department has had no involvement in projects of this nature and has spent no money on them either through ADAS or any other commercial organisation.

  Organic Farming
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Montgomeryshire (Mr. Öpik) of 2 April 1998,Official Report, columns 655–56, in respect of the research into the implications for organic forms of cross contamination with pollen from genetically modified crops (a) who is undertaking the research, (b) when he expects the research to be completed and (c) if the results will be published in full. [46560]

  Mr. Rooker
  The contract for the research has not yet been awarded. Once work has started, it is expected that the research will take between 3 to 6 months to complete. The results of this research will be disseminated widely.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

  Departmental Vehicles (Fuel Consumption)
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Scarborough and Whitby (Mr. Quinn) on 16 June 1998,Official Report, column 152, what percentage of (a) all vehicles currently held and (b) vehicles used by Ministers have on average fuel consumption of less than 26 miles per gallon; what steps he is taking to replace them; and if he will make a statement. [46970]

  Mr. Kilfoyle
  Responsibility for this matter has been delegated under the terms of its Framework Document to the Government Car and Despatch Agency. I have asked its Chief Executive, Mr. Nick Matheson, to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Nick Matheson to Mr. Norman Baker, dated 22 June 1998:
  The Parliamentary Secretary, Office of Public Service, has asked me in my capacity as Chief Executive of the Government Car and Despatch Agency to reply to your Parliamentary Question about the fuel consumption of vehicles used by the Agency.
  We are not in a position to extract fuel consumption figures for individual vehicles within the GCDA fleet at the present time. However, based on official published combined urban cycle fuel consumption figures for the cars involved:-

  a) 14.1% of the total GCDA fleet has an estimated fuel consumption below 26.0 mpg.

  b) 11.5% of cars allocated to Ministers have a fuel consumption below 26.0 mpg. All of these are scheduled for replacement or conversion to use alternative gas fuels within the next 18 months.

  427
  I am not satisfied with the current method of measuring fuel consumption and as part of my management reforms for the Agency I have recently changed the method of recording fuel consumption so that I can begin to make performance comparisons between individual vehicles under normal operating conditions. This work will be completed in the next week or so and if the results indicate a material change in the figures I have given above, I will write again to provide that information.

  Freedom of Information
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if it remains his policy to publish a freedom of information bill; and if he will make a statement. [46846]

  Dr. David Clark
  It does remain my policy to publish a freedom of information Bill.

  Fine Enforcement
  Fine Enforcement
  International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
  International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
  Association of Chief Police Officers
  Association of Chief Police Officers
  Anglo-American Drug Alert Collaboration: EpiPen
  Anglo-American Drug Alert Collaboration: EpiPen
  NHS Night Time Care
  NHS Night Time Care
  Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988: Retirement Benefits Schemes
  Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988: Retirement Benefits Schemes
  Working Families Tax Credit
  Working Families Tax Credit
  Tourism Promotion Costs: National Comparisons
  Tourism Promotion Costs: National Comparisons
  Radio Authority and Independent National Radio Companies
  Radio Authority and Independent National Radio Companies
  Fast Track Civil Litigation: Consultation
  Fast Track Civil Litigation: Consultation
  Northern Ireland Civil Service: Early Retirement Schemes
  Northern Ireland Civil Service: Early Retirement Schemes
  Houses in Multiple Occupation
  Houses in Multiple Occupation
  Belfast's Airports: Standards
  Belfast's Airports: Standards
  Catamaran Ferries
  Catamaran Ferries
  Heathrow: Landing Delays
  Heathrow: Landing Delays
  News International and UK Independent National Radio Companies
  News International and UK Independent National Radio Companies