Written Answers of 24 June 1998

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Offshore Oil and Gas
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will place in the Library copies of the correspondence her Department has received in the last six months concerning the implementation of the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive as it affects the offshore oil and gas industry. [46008]

  Mr. Battle
  Correspondence received by the Department in London and Aberdeen since December 1997 concerning the implementation of the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive as it applies to the offshore oil and gas industry covers a wide range of matters, including requests for and responses to the February draft of the Regulations which came into effect on 30 April and comments on Guidelines designed to help those involved in preparing or responding to environmental statements required under those Regulations. The consultation correspondence includes material from other government Departments, statutory advisers, local authorities, companies and industry representatives and environmental and other interest groups and, since neither of the consultation requests mentioned that responses would be copied for publication, it would be appropriate as a matter of courtesy to seek correspondents' permission before doing so. There is also some correspondence regarding the impact of the Regulations on future projects which may include commercially confidential material and, again, the correspondents' permission would be needed before such letters could be released. For these reasons, the copies requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Export Controls
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what export licensing controls exist in respect of the export of civil nuclear technology and equipment; and if existing procedures are under review. [46481]

  Mrs. Roche
  The UK's export controls on nuclear and nuclear-related goods are derived from international nuclear non-proliferation commitments and membership of international nuclear export control regimes, in particular the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), whose members have agreed common guidelines for the transfer of nuclear and nuclear-related goods and technology. The NSG guidelines are reproduced as International Atomic Energy Agency document INFCIR 254, Parts I and II as amended.

  These commitments are given effect in the relevant legislation, which in this case is Council Regulation (EC) No.381/94 on the export of dual use goods and the related Council Decision 94/942/CSFP as amended.
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  The Council Regulation—which has a much wider scope than civil nuclear equipment and technology—foresees a review three years after the date of its entry into force, which was 1 July 1995. The UK is working with EU partners on such a review. In addition, the UK works with NSG partners on the development of the NSG guidelines. No general review of these strict controls is currently being undertaken, but work is in hand in the NSG to examine ways in which specific issues such as the intangible transfer of technology may be addressed to ensure that the guidelines remain as effective as possible in a changing technological environment.

  Nuclear Power Authorities (Visitors)
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many foreign visitors and delegations from which countries have been received by(a) the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority and (b) British Nuclear Fuels Limited since 1991. [46478]

  Mr. Battle
  I am advised by UKAEA that they received over 22,000 foreign visitors from countries throughout the world since 1991. I understand from BNFL that it would be an extensive exercise to check past visitors records: in 1997, the last complete year, they received 178,000 visitors to the Sellafield Visitors Centre alone.

  Road Vehicles (Fuel)
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many and what percentage of road vehicles are currently powered by(a) compressed natural gas,(b)liquid petroleum gas and (c) electricity in (i) the United Kingdom and (ii) other member states of the European Union; and if she will make a statement. [46728]

  Mr. Battle
  In 1997, 9,100 vehicles were registered as running on gas or gas and petrol. No breakdown between compressed natural gas and liquid petroleum gas is available. There were 17,400 electric vehicles. Taken together, gas and electric vehicles make up less than 1 per cent. of the vehicles in the UK. There are no comprehensive statistics for other EU member states.

  Interest in alternatively fuelled vehicles is growing, especially among fleet operators and local authorities. DTI is supporting the development and use of such vehicles through the Foresight Vehicle LINK programme and the work of the Cleaner Vehicles Task Force.

  Research Councils
  Mr. Sawford
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what mechanisms are in place to monitor and audit funding awarded to universities through the research councils. [46841]

  Mr. Battle
  All Research Councils' expenditure is subject to audit by the National Audit Office (NAO).

  Research Councils themselves have annual programmes of dipstick testing of the usage of their grants within higher education institutions (HEIs). These programmes are carried out jointly by Council staff and the Research Councils' Internal Audit Service. The NAO are currently conducting a value for money audit examining the procurement by HEIs of capital equipment funded by Research Council grants.

  Plutonium
  Mr. Llew Smith
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to her answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Kirkcaldy (Dr. Moonie), of 2 June 1998,Official Report, column 162, if she will indicate the differences in information reported on civil plutonium under the new arrangements as against previous practice. [46811]

  Mr. Battle
  The key differences are:

  (i) Information under the new format is now reported to the International Atomic Energy Agency, and circulated to Member States by the Agency, in keeping with the requirements of the 'Guidelines for the Management of Plutonium'. These figures, which show holdings of plutonium at 31 December instead of at 31 March each year, are more widely distributed than before.

  (ii) The new format provides clearer information on holdings of plutonium in various forms in a way which facilitates international comparisons on a consistent basis.

  (iii) Separate information is now published on the amount of plutonium held in the United Kingdom on behalf of foreign customers.

  (iv) Information relating to reactor discharges and dispatches by site, and to exports and imports of plutonium, is no longer being published.

  Radiation (Information)
  Ms Walley
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade when she expects to publish the proposed consultation document on new radioactive emergency preparedness and public information regulations. [46736]

  Mr. Battle:
  The Health and Safety Executive are at present developing consultative proposals for the Radiation (Emergency Preparedness and Public Information) Regulations (REPPIR) in consultation with the Nuclear Emergency Planning Liaison Group, the Nuclear Safety Advisory Committee and the Ionising Radiations Advisory Committee. They are now expected to be published in a consultative document in Autumn 1998. The HSE are aiming for as much commonality as possible with the Proposals for Regulations implementing the Directive on the control of major accident hazards involving dangerous substances which were published as a consultative document in May 1998.

  Genetically Engineered Animals
  Mr. Baker
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on the legal status of patents for genetically engineered animals granted by the EU within the United Kingdom. [46562]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 22 June 1998]: There is currently no mechanism for patents to be granted by the EU but patents having effect in the United Kingdom can be granted by the European Patent Office based in Munich. The European Patent Office is not an EU institution.

  Provided certain formal requirements are met, patents granted by the European Patent Office have the same legal status in the United Kingdom as patents granted in this country. Thus, a patent for a genetically engineered animal granted by the European Patent Office gives the same rights and can be challenged in our courts in the same way as patents granted here.

  Sellafield
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of the current safety situation at the Sellafield nuclear installations, with respect to(a) operating buildings, (b) abandoned buildings and (c) waste storage facilities; and if she will make a statement. [46956]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 22 June 1998]: The management of safety at Sellafield is a matter for the operator of the site, BNFL, in accordance with the requirements of the UK's independent nuclear safety regulator, the Health and Safety Executive's Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (HSE's NII). Under the terms of its nuclear site licence, BNFL must demonstrate to HSE's satisfaction that all operations at Sellafield, including decommissioning of redundant plant and waste storage, are adequately safe. HSE undertakes rigorous monitoring and assessment of BNFL's safety management arrangements and has extensive powers to enforce any safety related actions it considers necessary.

  Additional expert scrutiny of safety issues associated with the UK civil nuclear industry, including activities at the Sellafield site, is provided by the independent Nuclear Safety Advisory Committee (NuSAC). NuSAC publishes a biennial report setting out details of its work. Its current programme includes consideration of a number of issues relating to the Sellafield site.

  Coal Mining
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what plans she has for support from public funds for the United Kingdom deep coal mining industry; and what representations she has received on this matter; [47087]

  (2) what proposals have been received from the private sector for support for the United Kingdom deep mining industry in relation to the use of coal for electricity generation; and if she will make a statement. [47088]

  Mr. Battle
  [holding answer 23 June 1998]: We are making good progress on our energy review and the Government hope to make an announcement on this very shortly.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Montserrat
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much her Department intends to spend in Montserrat in(a) 1997–98 and (b) 1998–99. [46726]

  Clare Short
  The Department for International Development (DFID) spent £38.3 million on assistance to Montserrat and Montserratian evacuees in 1997–98. I will arrange for a table showing DFID expenditure on Montserrat in the last three years to be placed in the Library of the House.
  501
  Upon the release of the draft Sustainable Development Plan, I announced my intention to make up to a further £75 million available to Montserrat over the three years 1998–99 to 2000–01 in support of the Plan. Within this period, expenditure is expected to be highest during 1998–99.

  The Gambia
  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will provide a breakdown of all aid to the Gambia funded by the British Government, since 1994. [47302]

  Clare Short
  British aid to the Gambia, including Commonwealth Development Corporation investments, between 1993–94 and 1996–97 totalled £9.58 million. Figures for 1997–98 are not yet available but the total was approximately £800,000. The table analyses the figures by financial year and economic sector.

  The Gambia bilateral aid by sector1

  £000

  Total DFID programme2

  CDC investments

  Total

  Renewable natural resources

  Agriculture and livestock

  1993–94

  15

  750

  765

  1994–95

  —

  —

  —

  1995–96

  —

  —

  —

  1996–97

  —

  —

  —

  Energy

  1993–94

  68

  —

  68

  1994–95

  105

  —

  105

  1995–96

  100

  —

  100

  1996–97

  86

  —

  86

  Telecommunications

  1993–94

  122

  —

  122

  1994–95

  179

  —

  179

  1995–96

  158

  —

  158

  1996–97

  137

  —

  137

  Public Administration

  1993–94

  582

  —

  582

  1994–95

  626

  —

  626

  1995–96

  392

  —

  392

  1996–97

  374

  —

  374

  Housing

  1993–94

  5

  —

  5

  1994–95

  0

  —

  0

  1995–96

  1

  —

  1

  1996–97

  0

  —

  0

  Health and Population

  1993–94

  458

  —

  458

  1994–95

  422

  —

  422

  1995–96

  655

  —

  655

  1996–97

  378

  —

  378

  British Assistance to Sudan

  £000

  1992–93

  1994–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–1997

  Financial aid

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Grants and other aid in kind1

  2546

  396

  373

  332

  360

  of which;

  Joint funding scheme grants3

  137

  170

  176

  149

  109

  502

  The Gambia bilateral aid by sector1

  £000

  Total DFID Programme2

  CDC investments

  Total

  Education

  1993–94

  586

  —

  586

  1994–95

  484

  —

  484

  1995–96

  593

  —

  593

  1996–97

  613

  —

  613

  Other public & community services

  1993–94

  22

  —

  22

  1994–95

  16

  —

  16

  1995–96

  2

  —

  2

  1996–97

  —

  —

  —

  Construction

  1993–94

  272

  —

  272

  1994–95

  115

  —

  115

  1995–96

  45

  —

  45

  1996–97

  33

  —

  33

  Financial & Business Services

  1993–94

  41

  —

  41

  1994–95

  6

  —

  6

  1995–96

  —

  —

  —

  1996–97

  3

  —

  3

  Programme Aid

  1993–94

  372

  —

  372

  1994–95

  9

  —

  9

  1995–96

  —

  —

  —

  Unallocable

  1993–94

  215

  —

  215

  1994–95

  267

  —

  267

  1995–96

  171

  —

  171

  1996–97

  103

  103

  Total

  8,835

  750

  9,585

  1This comprises DFID programme (excluding emergency aid and debt relief) plus CDC investments

  2This is all Technical Co-operation

  Sudan
  Ms Oona King
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what percentage of United Kingdom overseas development assistance given to Sudan has been for(a) long-term development, (b) short-term relief and (c) disaster preparedness in each year since 1992. [45988]

  Clare Short
  The table shows our assistance to Sudan between 1992–93 and 1996–97. Our long-term bilateral development aid programme (excluding the Joint Funding Scheme and other small grant schemes) was terminated in 1991. Since then no new financial aid has been provided. Projects supported under our relief and rehabilitation assistance include both immediate relief and work on disaster preparedness; there is no separate figure for the latter.
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  British Assistance to Sudan

  £000

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  1995–96

  1996–97

  Debt relief

  444

  423

  414

  411

  389

  Emergency relief/rehabilitation4

  8,967

  14,700

  11,950

  5,252

  3,784

  Total DFID programme

  9,956

  15,519

  12,737

  5,996

  4,534

  1Includes Heads of Mission Gift Schemes; British Partnership Schemes; Overseas Pension Schemes; and Programme Management

  2Includes residual training from the aid programme

  3Support for UK NGOs working in partnership with indigenous NGOs and community groups to provide lasting benefits to poor and vulnerable people

  4Includes disaster relief, emergency food aid, short-term refugee relief, disaster preparedness and rehabilitation projects

  Computers
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost of making central Government computer systems euro compliant. [43941]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Government Departments have investigated the impact of the launch of the euro on their computer systems. Early indications are that these are limited. But the situation may change depending on the extent to which the euro is used in the United Kingdom while we are outside the euro zone. The situation will be closely monitored.

  IT implications are unavoidable if the United Kingdom joins the single currency. The Chancellor of the Exchequer has not made an estimate of the cost of making these changes as the cost of adapting central Government computers would depend on the detailed arrangements governing the transition to the single currency.

  Education Spending
  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what level of education spending would be required in(a) 1999–2000, (b) 2000–01, (c) 2001–02 and (d) 2002–03 in order to ensure that it was 0.1 per cent. higher as a proportion of GDP than in 1998–99, assuming the economy grows by two and a quarter per cent. in 1998, two per cent. in 1999 and two and a half per cent. in 2000; [46434]

  (2) what level of education spending would be required in (a) 1999–2000, (b) 2000–01, (c) 2001–02 and (d) 2002–03 in order to maintain it at the same proportion of GDP as in 1998–99, assuming the economy grows by two and a quarter per cent. in 1998, two per cent. in 1999 and two and a half per cent. in 2000. [46430]

  Mr. Darling
  The proportion of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) formed by education spending in 1998–99 can be derived from tables 3A.2 and 4.1 of the Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report (Cm 3978). Projected levels of spending in future years at a fixed proportion of GDP can be calculated for any set of assumptions on economic growth and inflation. Table 4.1 offers assumptions for both output and prices.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what level of education spending would be required in(a) 1999–2000, (b) 2000–01, (c) 2001–02 and (d) 2002–03 if the rate of increase were to be maintained at the same real terms rate as over the 10 years to 1997–98. [46431]
  504
  Mr. Darling
  The rate of growth in spending on education over the ten years to 1997–98 can be derived from table 3.3 of the Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses 1998–99 (Cm 3901). The level of spending for future years can then be calculated by applying this rate of growth, and assumptions for increases in prices such as those in table 4.1 of the Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report (Cm 3978), to the figure for 1997–98.

  Official Engagements
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will list his engagements for 15 May to 8 June; [45488]

  (2) if he will list his engagements for 7 June to 15 June. [46395]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  [holding answers 15 and 18 June 1998]: I attended a number of meetings with ministerial colleagues and others, carried out my duties in the House of Commons, gave several speeches and undertook a number of engagements in my constituency.

  Public Investment
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimates he has made of the current marginal benefits of different forms of public investment; and if he will make a statement. [46399]

  Mr. Darling
  [holding answer 18 June 1998]: The Government believe that at present the marginal benefits of public investment are likely to be relatively high, reflecting under-investment in public infrastructure over recent years. This view is based on an assessment of the quality of service generated from existing public assets. Although all public investment projects are subject to detailed appraisal, the assessment of marginal benefits is in many cases made in non-financial terms because of the difficulty of assigning a monetary value to social returns.

  As explained in Cm 3978, the Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report, a number of steps are being taken, including the establishment of the Investment in Britain Fund, to make up for past under-investment and to provide for the modernisation of Britain's public sector infrastructure.

  The conclusions of the Comprehensive Spending Review will include detailed spending plans, taking account of the scope for worthwhile public investment projects. Departments will subsequently prepare their Departmental Investment Strategies. These will be

  505
  scrutinised closely to ensure best value for money and positive social returns. The Treasury will publish the Departmental Investment Strategies in Spring 1999.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the level of net public investment as a share of gross domestic product for each year from 2002–03 to 2004–05;and if he will make a statement. [46378]

  Mr. Darling
  [holding answer 18 June 1998]: Projections of public sector net investment in 2002–03 and 2003–04 as a share of gross domestic product are given in Table 4.5 of the Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report (June 1998). Figures for the year 2004–05 are not available.

  Economic and Fiscal Strategy
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will restate Table 4.5, page 44, of the Economic and Fiscal Strategy report of June 1998, to show total tax receipts and social security contributions before netting-off tax credits; and if he will make a statement.[46390]

  Mr. Darling
  [holding answer 18 June 1998]: Corrected Budget forecasts of tax credits as a per cent. of GDP were published on 27 March 1998, Official Report, columns 348–50. There were no changes to these forecasts in the Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report.

  The Working Families Tax Credit will make work pay for families. It will guarantee a minimum income and will ease both the unemployment and poverty traps.

  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will update Table 1.2, page 11, of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report" of March 1998, to include the new forecasts contained in the Economic and Fiscal Strategy report of June 1998. [46373]

  Mr. Darling
  [holding answer 18 June 1998]: Forecasts of the public sector net cash requirement, general government net borrowing and the public sector current budget were published in Table 4.5 of the Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report. There have been no changes to the costings of the 1998 Budget measures, shown in Table 1.2. of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report", since the March Budget.

  Mr. Heathcoat-Amory
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will recalculate tables 4.4, 4.5, 4.6 and 4.7 in the Economic and Fiscal Strategy report on the assumption that GDP grows(a) by 1.5 per cent. in 1998–99 and by 1.75 per cent. in 1999–2000, (b) by 1.25 per cent. in 1998–99 and by 1.5 per cent. in 1999–2000, (c) by 1.0 per cent. in 1998–99 and by 1.25 per cent. in 1999–2000, (d) by 0.75 per cent. in 1998–99 and by 1.0 per cent. in 1999–2000, (e) by 0.5 per cent. in 1998–99 and by 0.75 per cent. in 1999–2000, (f) by 0.25 per cent. in 1998–99 and by 0.5 per cent. in 1999–2000, (g) by 0.0 per cent. in 1998–99 and by 0.25 per cent. in 1999–2000, (h) by –0.5 per cent. in 1998–99 and by 0.0 per cent. in 1999–2000 and (i) by –1.0 per cent. in 1998–99 and by 0.0 per cent. in 1999–2000. [46856]

  Mr. Darling
  [holding answer 22 June 1998]: Table 4.1 of the Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report set out the economic assumptions underlying the public finance
  506
  projections. The effect of different growth rates on the public finances would depend on the composition of growth in the revised assumptions, and the reasons for the change in growth.

  Public Spending
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proposals he has to increase consultation about public service standards and associated public spending plans; and if he will make a statement. [46383]

  Mr. Darling
  [holding answer 18 June 1998]The Government are fully committed to seeking improved standards in public services and better value for the taxpayer. Proposals will be published in the forthcoming Comprehensive Spending Review and "Better Government" White Paper.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if it is his policy to keep public expenditure in balance over the economic cycle. [47288]

  Mr. Darling
  [holding answer 23 June 1998]: Meeting the golden rule means that, over the economic cycle, public sector current spending will be funded by current receipts, and not by borrowing.

  Golden Rule
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 11 June 1998,Official Report, column 652, which paragraph of Annex B contains the Treasury definition of capital expenditure for the purposes of the golden rule. [46462]

  Mr. Darling
  [holding answer 18 June 1998]: Paragraph 2.18 of the November 1997 Pre-Budget Report made clear that the Government monitor progress against the golden rule using the public sector current balance. Paragraph B.53 of the March 1998 "Financial Statement and Budget Report" sets out the definition of the current balance; and paragraphs B.62 and B.63 deal with the measurement of capital spending.

  Stability and Investment Report
  Mr. Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what date the final draft of "Stability and Investment for the Long Term", June 1998 (Cm 3978), was sent to be printed; and if he will make a statement. [46372]

  Mr. Darling
  [holding answer 18 June 1998]: In accordance with normal procedure, the final draft of Cm 3978, "Stability and Investment for the Long Term", June 1998, was sent to the printers the day before publication, Wednesday 10 June 1998.

  Local Authority Airports
  Dr. Lynne Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the changes in the fiscal rules that will apply to public corporations with particular reference to local authority airport companies. [47035]

  Mr. Darling
  The Minister for Transport will be consulting shortly on the Government's plans for allowing financially sound local authority airports greater commercial flexibility, as announced in the Economic and
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  Fiscal Strategy Report (Cm 3798). The consultations will cover both the detailed criteria for selecting those airports that will benefit and the operation of the new regime.

  The Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report also announced plans to give certain, largely self-funding, public corporations more flexibility to manage their spending between years, within agreed limits on external finance. Additional flexibilities may be available for some of these bodies in the light of the conclusions of reviews currently under way.

  Wage Increases
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the employment effect of a direct increase in wages in the UK of 0.6 per cent.. [47237]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The impact on employment would depend on why wages increased, and how employers and employees responded to the increase in wages. For example, if an increase in wages reflected higher productivity it need have no employment consequences, and for those on low pay it could promote employee commitment, reduce staff turnover and thereby provide a boost to productivity.

  Pay
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the average pay rates for each of the counties in England, Scotland and Wales in descending order. [47105]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Chief Executive of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Chris Ruane, dated 24 June 1998:
  As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your parliamentary question on earnings for each of the counties in England, Scotland and Wales.
  The latest information, from the New Earnings Survey April 1997, is contained in the attached tables.
  I will arrange for a copy of the tables to be placed in the Library.

  Commemorative Coins
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans Her Majesty's Government have to issue any new commemorative coins. [47674]

  Mr. Gordon Brown
  Her Majesty the Queen has been graciously pleased to approve my recommendation that a crown piece should be issued in 1999 in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales.

  The memorial crown will be available from banks and post offices at its face value of five pounds by 1 July, the anniversary of the birthday of the Princess. In addition, collector versions in base and precious metal will be placed on sale from early in the year.

  The proceeds arising from the issue of this coin will go towards the development and implementation of the proposals announced by the Diana, Princess of Wales, Memorial Committee in their preliminary advice to HM Government published today. Copies have been placed in the Library of the House.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Football (Racism)
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps the Government have taken to eradicate racism in football. [46098]

  Mr. Banks
  [holding answer 18 June 1998]: The Government are fully committed to eliminating racism from football. One of the priorities of the Football Task Force was to address this problem, and I welcome and fully support the practical recommendations made in the Task Force's report into racism. I have written to the bodies identified in the report, asking them how they intend to take forward the measures relevant to them and seeking a clear timetable for action.

  There are two specific recommendations that fall to Government: that the Football Offences Act 1991 should be amended to make racist abuse by spectators an offence; and that schoolchildren should have access to playing fields on a regular basis.

  The Government will be amending the Football Offences Act 1991 as soon as legislative priorities allow. In the meantime, the Home Office has written to all chief police officers in England and Wales reminding them of existing powers under the Public Order Act 1986, which makes it an offence to use threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with the intention of causing harassment, alarm or distress to the person to whom such words or behaviour are directed.

  The Government recognise that schoolchildren should have access to playing fields to enable them to participate in a range of sports. We recently announced how we will protect existing playing fields needed by schools and communities through new legislation requiring schools to seek consent for the sale of playing fields and tightening planning controls.

  Listed Buildings (East Sussex)
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many listed buildings, by number and grade, there are in East Sussex. [46705]

  Mr. Banks
  The information requested is as follows:

  Grade I: 142

  Grade II*: 327

  Grade II: 6,554

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Nurses (Working Holiday Visas)
  Dr. Starkey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what plans he has to amend the working holiday visa scheme to allow greater flexibility in respect of the employment of overseas nurses; [46503]

  (2) if he will make it his policy to grant all nurses on working holiday visas an unrestricted two-year visa. [46504]
  509
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We would not wish to relax the working holidaymaker rules further while a mechanism already exists, through the work permit scheme, for non-European Economic Area nationals to be employed in cases of skills shortage.

  Policing Costs (Hunts)
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which police forces charge organisers of hunts for policing costs; and if he will make a statement. [46730]

  Mr. Michael
  This information is not held centrally. It is for chief officers of police to decide when to charge for providing a police service. No charge should normally be levied for officers deployed on the public highway.

  Policing Costs (Football Matches)
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what reports his Department has received from police forces in England regarding police charges

  Grants to police authorities 1998–99

  Police revenue grant Home Office1

  Police capital grant Home Office

  Other grants Home Office, DETR, Welsh Office2

  Total

  Avon and Somerset

  83,927,594

  1,566,000

  27,278,834

  112,772,428

  Bedfordshire

  31,236,004

  771,000

  9,994,769

  42,001,773

  Cambridgeshire

  36,984,853

  489,000

  10,002,899

  47,476,752

  Cheshire

  53,821,066

  772,000

  15,277,729

  69,870,795

  City of London3

  26,477,399

  327,000

  177,990

  26,982,389

  Cleveland

  41,170,866

  575,000

  21,209,685

  62,955,551

  Cumbria

  30,260,401

  902,000

  11,380,660

  42,543,061

  Derbyshire

  50,025,805

  2,626,000

  14,446,156

  67,097,961

  Devon and Cornwall

  86,035,239

  2,757,000

  25,066,602

  113,858,841

  Dorset

  34,746,553

  2,590,000

  7,067,204

  44,403,757

  Durham

  40,023,104

  1,177,000

  17,830,699

  59,030,803

  Dyfed Powys

  26,041,183

  446,000

  4,624,850

  31,112,033

  Essex

  81,230,190

  1,237,000

  20,869,674

  103,336,864

  Gloucestershire

  31,508,615

  520,000

  9,513,646

  41,542,261

  Greater Manchester

  186,857,552

  2,777,000

  92,332,074

  281,966,626

  Gwent

  34,264,750

  505,000

  10,655,542

  45,425,292

  Hampshire

  97,238,361

  1,864,000

  27,452,615

  126,554,976

  Hertfordshire

  48,351,349

  1,266,000

  12,093,894

  61,711,243

  Humberside

  56,629,333

  2,279,000

  23,956,850

  82,865,183

  Kent

  91,742,017

  2,263,000

  29,423,872

  123,428,889

  Lancashire

  89,725,382

  1,248,000

  36,752,787

  127,726,169

  Leicestershire

  50,703,781

  760,000

  16,842,869

  68,306,650

  Lincolnshire

  30,484,260

  591,000

  8,717,227

  39,792,487

  Merseyside

  119,155,917

  2,311,000

  66,838,552

  188,305,469

  Metropolitan Police

  931,430,758

  21,892,000

  500,538,080

  1,453,860,838

  Norfolk

  41,511,521

  2,096,000

  11,595,311

  55,202,832

  North Wales

  37,433,926

  1,144,000

  7,921,811

  46,499,737

  North Yorkshire

  38,763,861

  2,392,000

  9,754,998

  50,910,859

  Northamptonshire

  32,265,805

  882,000

  9,604,730

  42,752,535

  Northumbria

  104,638,004

  5,154,000

  53,549,389

  163,341,393

  Nottinghamshire

  62,798,626

  2,290,000

  25,636,418

  90,725,044

  South Wales

  81,831,031

  2,333,000

  31,177,721

  115,341,752

  South Yorkshire

  84,510,546

  1,958,000

  39,017,083

  125,485,629

  Staffordshire

  56,923,712

  3,008,000

  18,028,138

  77,959,850

  Suffolk

  33,943,496

  474,000

  8,331,409

  42,748,905

  Surrey

  40,650,166

  1,036,000

  11,857,143

  53,543,309

  Sussex

  83,399,383

  1,929,000

  22,638,081

  107,966,464

  Thames Valley Police

  112,357,211

  2,627,000

  29,219,795

  144,204,006

  Warwickshire

  26,196,092

  397,000

  6,800,324

  33,393,416

  West Mercia

  56,204,353

  1,161,000

  12,986,799

  70,352,152

  West Midlands

  190,264,486

  3,857,000

  94,475,766

  288,597,252

  510
  for Premier League and Football League matches for police off the ground in reserve; and if he will make a statement. [46729]

  Mr. Michael
  I have received some correspondence from Lancashire Constabulary about the current discussions between the force and Burnley Football Club over charging for policing football matches. I have asked the Chief Constable of Lancashire to keep me informed of developments.

  It is for chief officers of police to decide when to charge for providing a police service but, under Home Office guidelines, no charge should normally be levied for officers deployed on the public highway outside football grounds.

  Police Grant
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the police grant funding for each county for each of the last three years. [46925]

  Mr. Michael
  The information requested, for each police force area, is set out in the tables.
  511

  Grants to police authorities 1998–99

  Police revenue grant Home Office1

  Police capital grant Home Office

  Other grants Home Office, DETR, Welsh Office2

  Total

  West Yorkshire

  142,946,412

  2,189,000

  67,021,624

  212,157,036

  Wiltshire

  32,481,037

  758,000

  8,857,919

  42,096,956

  Grant not allocated

  —

  918,000

  6,887,250

  7,805,250

  Total

  3,649,192,000

  91,114,000

  1,495,707,468

  5,236,013,468

  1Excludes balances paid in respect of 1994–95 accounts

  2Includes (i) Revenue support grant and SSA reduction grant (DETR and Welsh Office), (ii) loan charges grant paid on pre-1990 debt, (iii) grant paid under section 48 of the Police Act 1996

  3"Other grants" excludes Revenue support grant and SSA reduction grant—no separately identifiable figures for the City of London police

  Grants to police authorities 1997–98

  Police revenue grant Home Office1

  Police capital grant Home Office

  Other Home Office, DETR, Welsh Office2

  Total

  Avon and Somerset

  79,564,084

  1,794,000

  26,462,454

  107,820,538

  Bedfordshire

  29,969,661

  1,355,000

  9,498,497

  40,823,158

  Cambridgeshire

  34,517,288

  774,000

  9,093,929

  44,385,217

  Cheshire

  51,102,862

  1.109,000

  14,762,185

  66,974,047

  City of London3

  27,475,936

  341,000

  238,128

  28,055,064

  Cleveland

  37,523,242

  599,000

  19,710,565

  57,832,807

  Cumbria

  30,037,318

  473,000

  11,571,687

  42,082,005

  Derbyshire

  48,089,785

  2,171,000

  14,165,751

  64.426,536

  Devon and Cornwall

  79,046,941

  1,718,000

  23,648,381

  104,413,322

  Dorset

  33,804,583

  1,043,000

  7,125,967

  41,973,550

  Durham

  36,512,965

  558,000

  16,645,209

  53,716,174

  Dyfed Powys

  25,198,643

  386,000

  6,172,467

  31,757,110

  Essex

  79,693,871

  1,945,000

  20,410,694

  102,049,565

  Gloucestershire

  30,371,173

  541,000

  9,479,225

  40,391,398

  Greater Manchester

  176,078,065

  4,757,000

  89,530,846

  270,365,911

  Gwent

  32,424,045

  494,000

  11,215,416

  44,133,461

  Hampshire

  90,616,243

  1,565,000

  25,533,904

  117,715,147

  Hertfordshire

  47,465,812

  1,044,000

  11,723,789

  60,233,601

  Humberside

  53,034,050

  2,131,000

  22,926,095

  78,091,145

  Kent

  84,673,351

  4,476,000

  26,642,762

  115,792,113

  Lancashire

  83,767,796

  1,305,000

  36,463,228

  121,536,024

  Leicestershire

  49,336,277

  853,000

  16,719,152

  66,908,429

  Lincolnshire

  30,788,473

  1,102,000

  9,504,990

  41,395,463

  Merseyside

  113,660,328

  3,941,000

  66,460,163

  184,061,491

  Metropolitan Police

  900,344,546

  24,774,000

  507,822,039

  1,432,940,585

  Norfolk

  39,052,823

  2,728,000

  11,554,573

  53,335,396

  North Wales

  30,218,410

  917,000

  9,573,069

  40,708,479

  North Yorkshire

  95,656,644

  1,803,000

  9,261,993

  106,721,637

  Northamptonshire

  35,695,797

  1,236,000

  9,165,383

  46,097,180

  Northumbria

  35,797,195

  4,851,000

  50,697,139

  91,345,334

  Nottinghamshire

  59,069,950

  2,633,000

  25,850,470

  87,553,420

  South Wales

  77,732,137

  3,110,000

  30,982,512

  111,824,649

  South Yorkshire

  79,345,830

  2,840,000

  37,649,917

  119,835,747

  Staffordshire

  57,200,041

  2,627,000

  18,547,556

  78,374,597

  Suffolk

  31,859,276

  493,000

  8,499,579

  40,851,855

  Surrey

  44,807,788

  2,054,000

  15,605,884

  62,467,672

  Sussex

  78,415,319

  2,696,000

  21,577,439

  102,688,758

  Thames Valley Police

  104,631,315

  3,175,000

  26,502,111

  134,308,426

  Warwickshire

  25,725,130

  663,000

  7,111,493

  33,499,623

  West Mercia

  53,417,326

  2,529,000

  12,499,332

  68,445,658

  West Midlands

  175,339,329

  4,457,000

  91,567,944

  271,364,273

  West Yorkshire

  132,526,320

  3,080,000

  65,907,102

  201,513,422

  Wiltshire

  31,042,893

  1,031,000

  9,481,651

  41,555,544

  Grant not allocated

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Total

  3,472,630,861

  104,172,000

  1,475,562,670

  5,052,365,531

  1Excludes balances paid in respect of 1994–95 accounts

  2Includes (i) Revenue support grant and SSA reduction grant (DETR and Welsh Office), (ii) loan charges grant paid on pre-1990 debt,
  (iii) grant paid under section 48 of the Police Act 1996, (iv) payments to police authorities in respect of implications of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997

  3"Other grants" excludes Revenue support grant and SSA reduction grant—no separately identifiable figures for the City of London police

  512 513

  Grants to police authorities 1996–97

  Police revenue grant Home Office1

  Police capital grant Home Office

  Other grants Home Office, DETR, Welsh Office2

  Total

  Avon and Somerset

  77,278,260

  2,351,000

  25,030,505

  104,659,765

  Bedfordshire

  28,811,092

  1,167,000

  9,252,820

  39,230,912

  Cambridgeshire

  33,348,537

  629,000

  8,821,067

  42,798,604

  Cheshire

  49,500,131

  961,000

  14,065,961

  64,527,092

  City of London3

  27,831,884

  421,000

  203,269

  28,456,153

  Cleveland

  36,816,273

  740,000

  18,685,068

  56,241,341

  Cumbria

  28,688,560

  585,000

  11,833,101

  41,106,661

  Derbyshire

  46,355,758

  1,122,000

  13,394,184

  60,871,942

  Devon and Cornwall

  77,025,454

  1,907,000

  20,857,334

  99,789,788

  Dorset

  32,474,611

  933,000

  8,637,944

  42,045,555

  Durham

  35,827,979

  870,000

  15,495,893

  52,193,872

  Dyfed Powys

  24,241,009

  477,000

  8,141,371

  32,859,380

  Essex

  76,160,629

  4,187,000

  20,333,298

  100,680,927

  Gloucestershire

  29,317,079

  1,015,000

  9,161,711

  39,493,790

  Greater Manchester

  171,880,949

  4,286,000

  85,120,299

  261,287,248

  Gwent

  31,333,758

  680,000

  13,283,631

  45,297,389

  Hampshire

  88,068,573

  2,911,00

  23,858,689

  114,838,262

  Hertfordshire

  45,304,535

  1,375,000

  11,870,184

  58,549,719

  Humberside

  51,746,268

  2,067,000

  21,409,048

  75,222,316

  Kent

  82,321,694

  4,083,000

  24,838,623

  111,243,317

  Lancashire

  81,970,295

  1,699,000

  33,417,198

  117,086,493

  Leicestershire

  47,395,525

  1,982,000

  16,268,004

  65,645,529

  Lincolnshire

  29,232,699

  1,465,000

  8,738,292

  39,435,991

  Merseyside

  112,588,958

  3,474,000

  61,947,845

  178,010,803

  Metropolitan Police

  846,761,947

  27,749,000

  526,169,133

  1,400,680,080

  Norfolk

  38,205,064

  1,283,000

  10,556,691

  50,044,755

  North Wales

  34,681,073

  1,079,000

  12,075,475

  47,835,548

  North Yorkshire

  34,961,340

  1,800,000

  8,078,083

  44,839,423

  Northamptonshire

  29,320,943

  876,000

  8,653,157

  38,850,100

  Northumbria

  94,046,011

  5,110,000

  47,052,716

  146,208,727

  Nottinghamshire

  57,583,603

  3,501,000

  23,296,748

  84,381,351

  South Wales

  75,246,910

  3,644,000

  35,309,366

  114,200,276

  South Yorkshire

  77,594,905

  3,530,000

  35,241,579

  116,366,484

  Staffordshire

  54,610,654

  2,165,000

  18,499,215

  75,274,869

  Suffolk

  31,033,584

  609,000

  8,203,782

  39,846,366

  Surrey

  42,090,281

  3,021,000

  14,904,094

  60,015,375

  Sussex

  75,763,690

  3,746,000

  20,106,622

  99,616,312

  Thames Valley Police

  101,658,543

  4,046,000

  25,702,435

  131,406,978

  Warwickshire

  24,725,312

  521,000

  6,781,933

  32,028,245

  West Mercia

  51,605,192

  2,036,000

  11,971,915

  65,613,107

  West Midlands

  172,342,961

  4,799,000

  84,765,670

  261,907,631

  West Yorkshire

  130,447,666

  3,918,000

  61,047,452

  195,413,118

  Wiltshire

  30,427,811

  747,000

  8,703,276

  39,878,087

  Grant not allocated

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Total

  3,348,628,000

  115,567,000

  1,451,784,681

  4,915,979,681

  1Excludes balances paid in respect of 1994–95 accounts

  2Includes (i) Revenue support grant and SSA reduction grant (DETR and Welsh Office), (ii) loan charges grant paid on pre-1990 debt,
  (iii) grant paid under section 48 of the Police Act 1996, (iv) grant for special constabulary, (v) funding for PFI projects

  3"Other grants" excludes Revenue support grant and SSA reduction grant—no separately identifiable figures for the City of London police

  MI5
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what records relating to the activities of MI5 after 1918 are planned to be released to the Public Record Office; what years these records will cover; when these records will be released; and if he will make a statement. [46798]

  Mr. Straw
  The Security Service has started work on a review of its files relating to the Second World War. I hope that it will be possible to release some, but not all, of these files by the end of this year. Consideration will then be given to reviewing the records surviving from the inter-war period. As I announced in the House on
  514
  25 February 1998, Official Report, column 346. I hope to make a statement before the summer recess on files held by the Security Service.

  Traffic Police
  Ms Hewitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which police forces have required traffic officers to undertake non-traffic duties. [46936]

  Mr. Michael
  Traffic officers in all police forces in England and Wales undertake non-traffic policing duties. Road traffic offences and general criminal offences do not arise in clearly separate ways which can be independently enforced. It is an important part of the British policing
  515
  system that traffic officers deal with all crimes which occur on the roads and that police officers on general duties can take action against breaches of road traffic law.

  Ms Hewitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what percentage of police officers worked on traffic duties in each of the past 20 years, in each police force. [46926]

  Mr. Michael
  The allocation of resources to particular functions and the deployment of officers are operational matters for individual chief constables. Road traffic offences do not necessarily occur separately. A large part of traffic officers' time is spent dealing with ordinary crime, or carrying out ordinary police duties. Conversely, officers on general beat duties are able to take prompt action against breaches of road traffic law. Any figures must be interpreted with care against that background.

  It is possible to provide figures only since 1990. These are set out in the tables which I have placed in the Library. Information for 1997–98 is not yet available.

  Departmental Reviews
  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list, for each of the last four years, all departmental inquiries and reviews instigated by ministers which have been chaired by individuals outside his Department; and in each case if he will give the date of establishment and the name of the chairman. [46834]

  Mr. Straw
  The information requested is as follows:

  Committee

  Established

  Chairman

  Inquiry into the escape of IRA Prisoners from Whitemoor gaol

  September 1994

  Sir John Woodcock

  Inquiry into Prison Security

  December 1994

  Sir John Learmont

  Inquiry into Legislation against Terrorism

  December 1995

  Lord Lloyd of Berwick

  Assessment and implications of centrifuge contamination in the Trace Explosive Section of the Forensic Explosives Laboratory at Fort Halstead

  May 1996

  Professor Brian Caddy

  Scrutiny of evidence relating to the Hillsborough Disaster

  June 1997

  Lord Justice Stuart-Smith

  Inquiry under the Police Act 1996 into matters arising from the death of Stephen Lawrence

  August 1997

  Sir William Macpherson of Cluny

  Independent Commission on the Voting System

  December 1997

  Lord Jenkins of Hillhead

  Review of Financial Regulation in the Crown Dependencies

  January 1998

  Mr. Andrew Edwards

  Victims of Crime
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he had made of the merits of allowing victims of crime to present a statement to the police on the impact of the crime on their lives; and if he will make a statement on pilot schemes which have involved victims' statements. [46750]
  516
  Mr. Michael
  Pilot schemes testing the use of 'victim statements' have been running in six police force areas since the end of 1996. Evaluation of the pilots is currently in hand, though a final report is not expected before the end of the summer. An assessment of the merits of the scheme will be made in the light of that report.

  Electronic Tagging
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 15 June 1998,Official Report, column 71, in respect of the offender who circumvented the strap of the equipment provided by the Digital Products Corporation, which company was responsible for monitoring the electronic tag; what plans he has for the same or similar equipment to be used in future; and what assessment he has made of whether other straps are susceptible to similar attempts at circumvention. [46986]

  Ms Quin
  Securicor Custodial Services was responsible for monitoring the offender who circumvented the tag. The type of equipment in question made use of first generation technology and I understand that Securicor has no plans to use such equipment again. All electronic monitoring equipment in England and Wales is tested, prior to its authorisation for use, against the technical criteria specified by the Home Office, which includes an assessment of the susceptibility of the equipment to tampering.

  Witness Support
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on arrangements for supporting witnesses in magistrates' courts. [47009]

  Mr. Michael
  We are committed to providing a more co-ordinated service to witnesses through the implementation locally of 'National Standards of Witness Care in the Criminal Justice System'.

  Schemes supporting witnesses and other users of magistrates courts already exist in many parts of the country. Some are run by National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders, some by Victim Support, while others have been established as a result of local initiatives. The possibility of improving support for users of magistrates courts is currently under consideration against the backdrop of the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review. We hope it will be possible to announce the outcome of this consideration later in the year.

  Firearms
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total number of firearms that have been handed in under the Firearms Amendment Act 1997. [46976]

  Mr. Michael
  The prohibition of large-calibre handguns under the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997 came into effect on 1 July 1997 and owners of such handguns were required to dispose of them lawfully by 30 September 1997. By the end of that period, 116,644 large-calibre handguns had been surrendered to the police. In addition, although at that time they had yet to be prohibited, 26,371 small-calibre pistols were surrendered
  517
  voluntarily by their owners to the police under the terms of the Government's ex gratia payment scheme. A further 19,183 small-calibre pistols were surrendered to the police between 1 and 28 February 1998 following the implementation of the Firearms (Amendment) (No. 2) Act

  Handguns surrendered under the Firearms Acts 1997

  1997 Act

  1997 (No. 2) Act

  Constabulary/police

  Large calibre

  Small calibre (ex gratia)

  Total

  Small calibre

  Combined total

  England and Wales

  Avon and Somerset

  3,227

  566

  3,793

  702

  4,495

  Bedfordshire

  992

  232

  1,224

  150

  1,374

  City of London

  73

  30

  103

  30

  133

  Cambridgeshire

  1,176

  365

  1,541

  253

  1,794

  Cheshire

  2,250

  361

  2,611

  367

  2,978

  Cleveland

  700

  242

  942

  123

  1,065

  Cumbria

  863

  150

  1,013

  274

  1,287

  Derbyshire

  1,791

  476

  2,267

  287

  2,554

  Devon and Cornwall

  3,625

  573

  4,198

  892

  5,090

  Dorset

  2,207

  545

  2,752

  348

  3,100

  Durham

  1,020

  313

  1,333

  108

  1,441

  Dyfed Powys

  1,320

  234

  1,554

  239

  1,793

  Essex

  4,840

  1,268

  6,108

  658

  6,766

  Gloucestershire

  1,102

  280

  1,382

  318

  1,700

  Greater Manchester

  3,834

  1,093

  4,927

  595

  5,522

  Gwent

  1,112

  289

  1,401

  163

  1,564

  Hampshire

  3,757

  766

  4,523

  649

  5,172

  Hertfordshire

  1,998

  435

  2,433

  241

  2,674

  Humberside

  1,169

  352

  1,521

  216

  1,737

  Kent

  3,745

  822

  4,567

  603

  5,170

  Lancashire

  2,280

  671

  2,951

  340

  3,291

  Leicestershire

  2,515

  377

  2,892

  202

  3,094

  Lincolnshire

  1,308

  338

  1,646

  162

  1,808

  Merseyside

  2,907

  650

  3,557

  408

  3,965

  Metropolitan Area 1

  699

  177

  876

  89

  965

  Metropolitan Area 2

  2,852

  629

  3,481

  499

  3,980

  Metropolitan Area 3

  3,264

  749

  4,013

  473

  4,486

  Metropolitan Area 4

  4,176

  868

  5,044

  820

  5,864

  Metropolitan Area 5

  3,324

  573

  3,897

  631

  4,528

  Norfolk

  2,224

  554

  2,778

  350

  3,128

  Northamptonshire

  1,048

  333

  1,381

  226

  1,607

  Northumbria

  1,823

  459

  2,282

  279

  2,561

  North Wales

  1,267

  287

  1,554

  263

  1,817

  North Yorkshire

  3,105

  794

  3,899

  126

  4,025

  Nottinghamshire

  3,571

  555

  4,126

  628

  4,754

  South Wales

  2,862

  784

  3,646

  337

  3,983

  South Yorkshire

  2,125

  663

  2,788

  219

  3,007

  Staffordshire

  2,942

  641

  3,583

  364

  3,947

  Suffolk

  1,598

  527

  2,125

  216

  2,341

  Surrey

  3,114

  668

  3,782

  680

  4,462

  Sussex

  3,286

  502

  3,788

  530

  4,318

  Thames Valley

  3,806

  807

  4,613

  1,013

  5,626

  Warwickshire

  832

  215

  1,047

  176

  1,223

  West Mercia

  2,588

  608

  3,196

  491

  3,687

  West Midlands

  5,011

  825

  5,836

  640

  6,476

  West Yorkshire

  3,702

  654

  4,356

  588

  4,944

  Wiltshire

  1,352

  320

  1,672

  204

  1,876

  Sub total for England and Wales

  110,382

  24,620

  135,002

  18,170

  153,172

  Scotland

  Central Scotland

  289

  103

  392

  17

  409

  Dumfries and Galloway

  236

  83

  319

  33

  352

  Fife

  293

  76

  369

  61

  430

  Grampian

  657

  149

  806

  85

  891

  Lothian and Borders

  1,253

  245

  1,498

  194

  1,692

  Northern

  958

  307

  1,265

  173

  1,438

  Strathclyde

  1,922

  633

  2,555

  378

  2,933

  Tayside

  654

  155

  809

  72

  881

  Sub total for Scotland

  6,262

  1,751

  8,013

  1,013

  9,026

  Overall total for England, Wales and Scotland

  116,644

  26,371

  143,015

  19,183

  162,198

  518
  1997, which extended the original prohibition to small-calibre pistols. As a result, the total number of handguns surrendered to the police in England, Wales and Scotland was 162,198. The table shows the number of handguns surrendered by police force area.

  Domestic Violence
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of reported incidents of domestic violence in England and Wales during 1997. [46987]

  Mr. Michael
  Recorded crime statistics relate to offence type, not to the relationship between the victim and the offender. There is therefore no definitive figure for the number of violent crimes which are domestic in nature.

  The most reliable nationwide estimate is provided by the British Crime Survey (England and Wales). The most recent survey suggested that, in 1995, there were one million incidents of domestic violence.

  Prison Population
  Mr. Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the projected prison population for each of the next 10 years. [46581]

  Ms Quin
  [holding answer 19 June 1998]: Projections are currently available through to 2005. A projection which assumes that trends in sentencing which have been observed over the last 20 years continue, is as follows:

  Annual averages

  1998

  65,000

  1999

  69,600

  2000

  72,200

  2001

  73,700

  2002

  75,800

  2003

  78,000

  2004

  80,400

  2005

  82,800

  Alternative scenarios are available which give a prison population by 2005 of 92,600 (custody rates and sentence lengths increase at about the rate observed between 1992 and 1996) or of 64,400 (custody rates and sentence lengths remain at 1997 level). The projection does not take into account the effect of Home Detention Curfew, which is included in the Crime and Disorder Bill [Lords]. The effect of the Home Detention Curfew, when implemented, is estimated to bring a reduction in the prison population, below what it would otherwise be, of between 3,000 to 4,000.

  The most recent projections were published in Home Office Statistical Bulletin 2/98 "Revised Projections of Long Term Trends in the Prison Population to 2005" on 29 January 1998. A copy of the bulletin is available in the Library. The bulletin describes the methodology of the projection in more detail.

  Rehabilitation of Offenders
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the need for places in rehabilitation units for offenders made subject to drug treatment and testing orders. [47064]

  Mr. George Howarth
  The purpose of piloting the drug treatment and testing order in three areas will be to evaluate its cost, effectiveness and the demand for it from the courts. It is not possible at this stage to estimate with 520
  any accuracy what the need will be for places in rehabilitation units for offenders made subject to the order.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many places were available for the rehabilitation from illegal drugs of offenders aged 15 to 21 years whose offending is linked to drugs and who are considered to be in need of treatment by the courts or criminal justice agencies(a) on 1 May 1997 and (b) at the latest available date. [47066]

  Mr. George Howarth
  This information is not held centrally. In general, places in rehabilitation units are not reserved for specific categories of patients, such as those referred by the courts.

  Law Commission Reports
  Mr. McWalter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration his Department is giving to Law Commission reports; and if he will make a statement. [47814]

  Mr. Straw
  I very much value the work done by the Law Commission and welcome the close working relationship between the Commission and the Department. The Home Office has the responsibility for considering the Law Commission's reports on the criminal law, although other Departments often have an interest in their proposals. Law Commission reports are normally considered by an interdepartmental working group of officials representing all the interested departments. The Law Commission plays a valuable role in assisting and advising these working groups.

  The consultation paper "Violence: Reforming the Offences Against the Person Act 1861", which described the Government's proposals for reform based on the Law Commission's recommendations in their report "Offences Against the Person and General Principles" (LC 218), was issued in February. This was based on the work of an interdepartmental working group on which the Law Commission was represented. The Law Commission reports on Involuntary Manslaughter (LC 239) and Corruption (LC 248) are currently under consideration by similar interdepartmental working groups which include the Law Commission. The Criminal Law Commissioner is also advising an Interdepartmental Working Group considering the Misuse of Public Office.

  The Law Commission's work on Hearsay also contributed to the work of the Vulnerable and Intimidated Witnesses Group which recommended that an interdepartmental working group be set up to consider the Law Commission's report on Hearsay (LC 245) in the broader context, taking account of the discussion in the report "Speaking Up For Justice". This working group will commence work shortly and will have the benefit of Law Commission membership.

  Criminal Cases Review Commission
  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for case review have been received by the Criminal Cases Review Commission in each month since its establishment. [46406]
  521
  Mr. Michael
  The Criminal Cases Review Commission was empowered to investigate possible miscarriages of justice in England, Wales and Northern Ireland from 31 March 1997. Thirty two applications had been made to the Commission before that date, and 252 cases were transferred to the Commission from the Home Office and Northern Ireland Office. The numbers of applications received each month since then are as follows:

  Number

  1997

  April

  129

  May

  108

  June

  76

  July

  96

  August

  102

  September

  92

  October

  76

  November

  97

  December

  58

  1998

  January

  80

  February

  85

  March

  97

  April

  105

  May

  96

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many case workers have been employed by the Criminal Cases Review Commission in each month since its establishment. [46407]

  Mr. Michael
  The numbers of case review managers (caseworkers) employed by the Criminal Cases Review Commission who have started work each month since the Commission was established, and the total strength, are as follows:

  Start work

  Total strength

  1997

  January

  0

  0

  February

  3

  3

  March

  6

  9

  April

  1

  10

  May

  0

  10

  June

  4

  14

  July

  2

  16

  August

  1

  17

  September

  3

  20

  October-December

  0

  20

  1998

  January

  2

  22

  February

  1

  23

  March

  1

  24

  April-May

  0

  24

  June

  2

  26

  In addition, one further case review manager is due to join the Commission this month. This will bring the Commission's total case review manager strength to 27.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will review the number of staff available to the Criminal Cases Review Commission for the review of cases; [46408]
  522
  (2) what proposals he has to increase the budget of the Criminal Cases Review Commission to deal with increases in casework. [46409]

  Mr. Michael
  We are considering with the Commission its current resource requirements.

  Mr. Campbell-Savours
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list all staff by grade employed by the Criminal Cases Review Commission. [46410]

  Mr. Michael
  The Criminal Cases Review Commission has 14 members and at present employs nine executive staff (including the Chief Executive, the Director of Finance and Personnel, two Legal Advisers, the Head of Information, the Investigations Adviser and the Operations Manager); 26 case review managers; and 15 administrative and support staff.

  Football Hooligans
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what new measures he will take to prevent known football hooligans travelling overseas; and if he will make a statement.[46565]

  Mr. Michael
  Under the Football Spectators Act 1989, the courts may impose a restriction order on anybody who is convicted of a football-related offence in Great Britain or in certain countries overseas, including France. A restriction order means that the offender is required to report to a police station on the day of a football match abroad involving a team from England or Wales. My right hon. Friend has encouraged the use of restriction orders and their number has increased from 9 at the beginning of the year to 71 now.

  This week the House has agreed to include measures in the Crime and Disorder Bill [Lords], increasing the maximum penalty which can be imposed by the courts for breaches of a restriction order under the Football Spectators Act 1989 from one month's imprisonment to six. The police will also have a power of arrest without warrant where a person subject to a restriction order has committed the offence of failing to report to a police station on the day of an international football match overseas, or is about to commit that offence, or where the police have reasonable grounds for believing that he is about to commit it.

  We will give urgent consideration to what other steps may be required for the future.

PRIME MINISTER

  Radioactive Waste
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to establish a national policy for the safe storage of radioactive waste. [45944]

  The Prime Minister
  My hon. Friend will be aware of the Select Committee on Science and Technology's inquiry in another place into Nuclear Waste Management. The Government have welcomed the Select Committee's inquiry. We await its report, which is expected in the autumn, and will undertake widespread consultation before coming to a final view on the way forward.

HEALTH

  Child Protection Registers
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children were on child protection registers on 1 May. [46530]

  Mr. Boateng
  The latest figures for children and young people on child protection registers in England are for 31 March 1997 and show a total of 32,400 children.

  Community Health Councils
  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to ensure that all community health councils represented in a locality are consulted about initiatives in(a) health action zones and (b) primary care groups; and if he will make a statement. [46525]

  Mr. Milburn
  Community health councils have the statutory right to be consulted on proposals for any substantial development of the health service in the council's district and on any proposals to make substantial variation in the provision of such service.

  Mr. Etherington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will issue directions to(a) health authorities, (b) hospitals and (c) ambulance trust boards to ensure the right of a local representative from each community health council represented in the locality to be given (i) observer status or (ii) full speaking rights at the board meetings; and if he will make a statement. [46522]

  Mr. Milburn
  The Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) (National Health Service Trusts) Order 1997 came into force on 6 February 1998, bringing NHS trusts in line with health authorities and requiring them to hold their board meetings in public.

  Best practice guidance is currently being prepared for NHS boards to help them implement the new Order. It will also address the best ways to involve community health councils in board meetings.

  Voluntary Organisations
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which components of the NHS will have the power under the new arrangements set out in the White Paper, The New NHS (Cm 3807), to make grants to voluntary organisations in connection with the provision by them of services. [46508]

  Mr. Milburn
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and health authorities may at present make grants to voluntary organisations for the provision of health and social services. We will be considering in due course whether primary care trusts might also be allowed to exercise this function.

  Trauma Patients
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what training is given to doctors to assist in diagnosing patients suffering from trauma. [46512]

  Mr. Milburn
  Undergraduate medical students are required to acquire a knowledge and understanding of both mental and physical aspects of trauma. The diagnosis and management of trauma is also likely to form part of 524
  specialist training programmes in several different medical specialties and also for vocational training for general practice. The content and standard of postgraduate medical training is the responsibility of the medical Royal Colleges and their Faculties.

  Gas-fired Power Stations
  Mrs. Brinton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the effect on national mortality and morbidity rates of a further five year moratorium on gas-fired power stations. [46580]

  Ms Jowell
  [holding answer 19 June 1998]: My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade announced in December 1997 that she proposed to defer decisions on outstanding or new applications for power station consents while a review of energy sources for power generation was underway. This review is near completion and I understand that an announcement will be made shortly. Any changes to emissions from power stations will be taken into account as part of the review of the national air quality strategy which will be completed by the end of this year.

  Lupus Disease
  Mr. Efford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what estimate he has made of the number of people currently suffering from Lupus disease in the United Kingdom; [46967]

  (2) what training is given to doctors to assist with the diagnosis of Lupus disease. [46968]

  Mr. Milburn
  The Department has not made any estimate of the number of people suffering from Lupus, but research evidence indicates that there are possibly about 20,000 to 30,000 sufferers in the United Kingdom at any one time.

  It is for health authorities to assess the health care needs of their populations, which will include an assessment of the number of people suffering from conditions such as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

  The training of doctors in the diagnosis and treatment of disease is primarily the responsibility of relevant educational and professional bodies, such as the medical Royal Colleges.

  Asbestos-related Illness
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were treated within the NHS in the last 12 months who were suffering from asbestos-related illnesses. [47108]

  Ms Jowell
  Information on in-patient treatment for asbestos-related illnesses for the latest year available, 1995–96, is shown in the table. It is based on finished consultant episodes (FCEs), which represent the number of episodes of care under individual consultants. The same person may be counted more than once if they have more than one episode of care.
  525

  Ordinary admissions and day cases combined: completed episodes by selected primary diagnoses (given by ICD-10 codes) National Health Service hospitals in England, 1995–96

  Primary diagnosis

  FCEs

  J61

  Pneumoconiosis due to asbestos and other mineral fibers

  154

  C45.0

  Mesothelioma of pleura

  972

  J92.0

  Pleural plaque with presence of asbestos

  61

  Note:
  Data are grossed for both coverage and unknown/invalid clinical data

  Source:
  Hospital episode statistics, Department of Health

  Healthy Schools Initiative
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to extend the healthy schools initiative on a national basis. [46860]

  Ms Jowell
  It is the aim of the healthy schools initiative for all schools to become healthy schools. To achieve this we plan to establish as quickly as possible a national healthy school award with clear criteria on what constitutes a healthy school, and for which all schools will be able to apply. We are currently setting up eight pilots where health authorities and local education authorities will work together in devising models that other areas can follow. These pilots will also inform the development of the criteria for the healthy schools award.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what strategies he is developing under the healthy schools initiative to improve safety for children travelling to and from school. [46859]

  Ms Jowell
  The outline criteria for a healthy school include a requirement for schools to develop strategies to improve the safety of children travelling to and from school. Money will be available from the healthy schools initiative for projects on this subject and we will be working closely with colleagues in the Department for Education and Employment and the Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

  Analgesics
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received concerning the volume of analgesics available for over the counter sale by(a) pharmacies and (b) other retail outlets. [45859]

  Mr. Milburn
  In November 1996 a public consultation exercise was carried out on the availability of over the counter analgesics from pharmacies and general retail outlets, including proposals to restrict availability to reduce toxicity in overdose. Consumer and patient organisations, professional bodies and industry provided full and detailed responses which were carefully considered.

  As a result of these representations, new measures have been introduced to restrict pack sizes for paracetamol and aspirin containing medicines available for over the counter sale by pharmacies to 32 tablets or capsules, and by general retail outlets to 16 tablets or capsules. These measures will take effect on 16 September 1998, following a transition period of 1 year during which the new smaller packs are being introduced.

DEFENCE

  Clothing
  Mr. Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the proportion of garments currently purchased on behalf of his Department by the Defence Clothing and Textile Agency which are manufactured within the United Kingdom. [46194]

  Mr. Spellar
  This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Clothing and Textiles Agency (DCTA). I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Michael Roycroft to Mr. Andrew George, dated 24 June 1998:
  I am replying to your Question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the proportion of garments currently purchased on behalf of his Department by the Defence Clothing & Textiles Agency (DCTA), which are manufactured within the United Kingdom, as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the DCTA.
  As stated in my Agency's letter to you of 24 April, some 80% of the garments purchased on behalf of the Department by the DCTA are through contracts placed in the UK. I am unable to say precisely how many of the garments are actually manufactured within the UK because prime contractors can vary the amount of work with sub-contractors during the contract. In the uniform area, the contractor is required to produce at least 10% of the items in his own premises, which generally means in the UK.
  I am sorry to have to give, what you may see as, an unhelpful reply but the base information is not collected.

  Defence Estate
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the current rules on disposal of the Defence Estate were agreed by his Department and the Treasury; what was the basis for their introduction; and what were the changes from the previous policy. [46748]

  Mr. Spellar
  The current rules on disposal of the Defence Estate were agreed between my Department and the Treasury on 9 July 1996. They were introduced to take into account new issues and policies that had arisen since the publication of the previous rules.

  Changes to the previous policy were as follows: fuller guidance on the position of former owners; guidance on the definition of market value; advice that departments should consult other departments and non-departmental public bodies when major disposals were contemplated; additional guidance on methods of sale; and the removal of the requirement for prior Treasury approval for certain types of disposal.

  Departmental Property (Harrow)
  Mr. McNulty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list each property owned by his Department in the Harrow, East constituency; and in each case what proposals exist for their utilisation. [46917]

  Mr. Spellar
  My Department owns three properties in the Harrow, East constituency: RAF Bentley Priory, RAF Stanmore Park and Kingsbury Territorial Army Centre.
  527
  RAF Bentley Priory is the HQ of 11/18 Group, responsible for UK Air Defence and Air Maritime Patrol; it is the base for the RAF Inspectorate of Flight Safety and it is a major communications hub. There are no plans to change its role. RAF Stanmore Park is occupied by the RAF pending a completion of new accommodation at RAF Bentley Priory; once vacated, the site will be placed for sale on the open market.

  The Kingsbury Territorial Army Centre is used by TAVRA as a Territorial Army Centre, and by the Army Cadet Force and Air Training Corps. Currently there are no plans to change its role.

  RAF Stanmore Park
  Mr. McNulty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of the RAF houses adjoining RAF Stanmore Park are empty; what plans there are for those homes in the future; and if he will make a statement. [46916]

  Mr. Spellar
  My Department currently has 26 empty properties adjoining RAF Stanmore Park. Twelve are awaiting refurbishment, five are allocated to incoming families and the remaining nine are ready for allocation. There is a continuing Service requirement for these houses.

  Spring Quarry, Corsham
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what functions are carried out in the underground site at Spring Quarry in Corsham Wiltshire; how many staff are employed there; what is the size of the site; and what plans his Department has for the disposal of any of the site. [46839]

  Mr. Spellar
  Spring Quarry comprises 35 acres on the surface with a similar area underground. No functions are carried out on the site, it is vacant and has been declared surplus. No staff are employed at this site. Inspections and maintenance are carried out by contractors.

  My Department is currently co-operating with North Wiltshire District Council (NWDC) and Wiltshire County Council in an EU Funded KONVER Study to identify potential uses for the site. NWDC has expressed an interest in acquiring the property and my Department is in discussion with Council Officials about the principle terms of this proposal, prior to entering detailed negotiations.

  If a private treaty sale to the Council does not take place, it is likely that the property will be sold on the open market.

  Atomic Weapons Establishment
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 11 May 1998,Official Report, columns 1–2, if he will place in the Library a list of unclassified audit reports produced by the Directorate of Quality Assurance since January 1998, indicating the title of each report and the date on which each was produced.[46810]

  Mr. Spellar
  I am today placing a list in the Library of the House.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  UN Resolutions
  Mr. Baldry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many resolutions the United Kingdom has initiated in the United Nations Security Council during the last 12 months; and if he will list those adopted by the Security Council. [45465]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The United Nations Security Council adopted 61 resolutions between 9 June 1997 and 9 June 1998. The United Kingdom initiated (in the sense of producing the first draft for consultation) 18 resolutions during this period, all of which were adopted. These were:

  Resolutions adopted between 9 June 1997 and 9 June 1998

  Number

  Subject

  1112

  Bosnia

  1115

  Iraq and Kuwait

  1117

  Cyprus

  1120

  United Nations Transitional Administration Eastern Slavonia (UNTAES)

  1129

  Iraq

  1131

  Western Sahara

  1132

  Sierra Leone

  1133

  Western Sahara

  1134

  Iraq

  1137

  Iraq and Kuwait

  1143

  Iraq

  1146

  Cyprus

  1148

  Western Sahara

  1153

  Iraq

  1154

  Iraq and Kuwait

  1156

  Sierra Leone

  1162

  Sierra Leone

  1171

  Sierra Leone

  Sierra Leone
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his oral answer of 6 May 1998,Official Report, columns 721–30, on arms sales to Sierra Leone, for what reasons he did not mention the briefing on Sandline International made available to Baroness Symons before she answered questions in the House of Lords on 10 March. [46059]

  Mr. Robin Cook
  [holding answer 15 June 1998]: I responded fully and accurately to all questions put to me in the House on 6 May. None were about Baroness Symons.

  In any case, the briefing provided for Baroness Symons for 10 March 1998 in no way detracts from the clear statement I made on 6 May 1998 that at no point was any ministerial approval given for the activities of Sandline, nor was there any ministerial discussion of the activities of Sandline, or any meeting between Ministers and Sandline.

  I announced on 18 May 1998, Official Report, column 607, that Sir Thomas Legg would conduct a full and independent investigation and that the report would be made public. He will have full access to all relevant documents, including briefing provided to Ministers.

  Trinidad and Tobago
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he has urged the Government of Trinidad and Tobago to allow international scrutiny of prisoners subject to the death penalty; [46745]

  (2) what representations he has made to the Government of Trinidad and Tobago concerning their withdrawal from the American Convention on Human Rights; [46747]

  (3) what assessment he has made of the effect of the withdrawal of Trinidad and Tobago from the American Convention on Human Rights on the human rights situation in that country. [46746]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  Together with our EU partners, we have made representations to the Government of Trinidad and Tobago expressing our deep disappointment at the announcement of their denunciation of the American Convention on Human Rights and the first Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and re-accession to the latter with a reservation on death penalty issues. We also urged Trinidad and Tobago to reconsider their decision before the denunciations take effect.

  Until 26 August 1998, Trinidad and Tobago remain party to the first Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which allows for individual petition on all matters covered by the Covenant. After this date, individuals will not be able to petition on death penalty issues. The Government of Trinidad and Tobago have argued that the right of individuals sentenced to death are adequately protected in their domestic appeals system, which includes the right of appeal to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.

  The Gambia
  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent detention of civilians by the Government in The Gambia; and what representations have been made by his Department to the Government in The Gambia about these detentions. [47305]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We are concerned at the recent detention of civilians by the government of The Gambia. The detainees were released on bail by a High Court ruling on 8 June 1998.

  Our High Commission in Banjul has made a number of representations to the government of The Gambia about these detentions. On 9 June our High Commissioner undertook a demarche on behalf of the European Union expressing concern at recent events and seeking assurances that the government remain committed to the constitution.

  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans his Department has to launch an investigation into human rights abuses in The Gambia since 22 July 1994. [47303]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We, together with our European Union partners and the Commonwealth, closely monitor human rights in The Gambia, and regularly bring any concerns to the attention of the Government of The 530
  Gambia. The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group was set up in November 1995 and has had The Gambia and its human rights record on its agenda ever since.

  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action has been taken by the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group to promote democratic practices in The Gambia, with particular reference to reversing the ban on the former main political parties and political personalities promulgated in Decree No. 89 of 1996. [47306]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The Gambia has been considered by the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) at each of the group's meetings since its inception in Auckland in 1995. At the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in October 1997, Heads of Government agreed that CMAG should continue to monitor the situation in The Gambia with a view to promoting full compliance with the Harare principles. At their last meeting on 2–3 March CMAG asked the Commonwealth Secretary General to monitor the situation in The Gambia and to keep CMAG informed.

  CMAG has repeatedly urged the Government of The Gambia to remove Decree 89 and demonstrate its stated commitment to human rights and rule of law.

  Mr. McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he or his officials have had with(a) the OAU and (b) the Commonwealth on human rights abuses in The Gambia. [47304]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  We have had no discussions with the OAU on human rights abuses in The Gambia.

  We have raised concerns about human rights in The Gambia at each of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group's meetings since its inception in Auckland in 1995.

  European Court of Human Rights
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 18 June 1998,Official Report, column 303, if he will make a statement on each of the 53 cases before the European Court of Human Rights which have been declared admissible and are awaiting examination of the facts. [47205]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The cases are as follows:one case concerning the independence and impartiality of a Court in Guernsey which refused the applicant permission for a change of use of a packing shed in which he had made his home;
  two cases concerning the fairness of the trial of two 11-year old boys for murder, and in particular the fact that the trial was held in public in an adult court, and also the role of the Secretary of State in fixing the minimum period of their detention;
  six cases concerning the refusal of planning permission for gipsies to live in their caravans on land which they own;
  one case concerning the threatened expulsion of an Indian national who is the wife of the first applicant and the mother of the other applicants, aged 18 months and 3 months;
  one case concerning the refusal of legal aid for a criminal appeal in Scotland;
  one case concerning the lawfulness of the applicant's detention with a view to deportation, the adequacy of the reasons given and the alleged absence of an effective review of the lawfulness of the detention, given the national security issues invoked;

  531
  one case concerning the separation of the applicant from her baby when she was in detention on remand;
  three cases concerning the independence and impartiality of a court-martial;
  one case concerning the suicide in prison of the applicant's son, who had a history of mental illness;
  one case concerning the alleged negligence of the social services in removing a child from her mother, and the exclusion of liability for such negligence;
  one case concerning the alleged negligence of the social services in failing to take the applicants into care as children, despite being aware of the neglect and abuse to which they were exposed at home, and the exclusion of liability for such negligence;
  one case concerning the absence of legal aid in Guernsey to pursue a civil action for false imprisonment;
  one case concerning the absence of a public hearing in arbitration proceedings;
  one case concerning the issuing of a national security certificate by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, thus excluding the applicant from the protection of the provisions against religious and political discrimination contained in fair employment legislation;
  three cases concerning the non-disclosure of material by the prosecution in criminal proceedings, on the ground of public interest immunity;
  one case concerning the alleged absence of a right to a court review of the applicant's detention in mental hospital, where they are serving life sentences following criminal convictions;
  one case concerning the refusal of legal recognition of a change of sex;
  one case concerning the absence of legal recognition of a change of sex;
  three cases concerning the derecognition of trade unions by certain employers;
  one case concerning hunt saboteurs whose behaviour was sanctioned as "contra bonos mores";
  one case concerning the arrest and imprisonment of the applicant, a Spanish citizen, on his arrival in the United Kingdom, in connection with non-payment of maintenance arrears, and the proceedings relating thereto;
  two cases concerning the automatic exclusion of bail for persons detained on remand on suspicion of certain serious offences, when they have previously been convicted of one of such offences;
  one case concerning the refusal to grant a woman who gave up work to look after her young son and incapacitated husband an additional tax allowance which is available to men with an incapacitated wife;
  17 cases concerning detention for non-payment of the community charge.

  British Embassy, Berlin
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the Private Finance Initiative contract for the British Embassy in Berlin will be signed; and if he will make a statement. [47798]

  Mr. Fatchett
  The Private Finance Initiative contract for the British Embassy in Berlin was signed on 22 June and the commercial arrangements completed yesterday, 23 June.

  The Embassy will be built to a design by the British architects Michael Wilford and Partners, winners of the 1995 Embassy Design Competition, on the site of the pre-war British Embassy in Wilhelmstrasse. Under the contract Arteos, a German consortium, will finance, construct and then manage the building for 30 years. Building work will start in July and the building will be handed over by the end of February 2000.

  Bosnia
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the approval of an export licence for the supply of bomb disposal equipment to the Ministry of the Interior, Sarajevo Canton, Bosnia. [47799]

  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  The Government recently approved the export of a complete disruptor set and a box of 100 cartridges to the Ministry of the Interior, Sarajevo Canton, in Bosnia to enable local police bomb disposal teams to defuse bombs placed in the city by criminal and terrorist elements. Given the threat which these improvised explosive devices pose to civilians who are trying to rebuild normal, unthreatened lives in the city, we were glad to be able to approve this export as an exception to our interpretation of the EU arms embargo on the former Yugoslavia. This decision does not affect the Government's continued support of the EU common position on arms exports to the former Yugoslavia.

ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS

  MFV Gaul
  Mr. Alan Johnson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish the National Maritime Institute report commissioned by the Department of Trade entitled, "Investigation into the Stability of MFV 'Gaul' in a Seaway (project 207001)", Reference MF 92/12/08-MS 92/12/09. [44388]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  A copy of the report has been placed in the library.

  Non-domestic Ratepayers
  Mr. Stunell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions to what extent the Departmental Review of the ratings structure for non-domestic ratepayers will take into account the objectives of sustainability, security and diversity of supply for electricity supply; and if he will make a statement. [46529]

  Mr. Raynsford
  We have recently consulted on options for allowing a measure of local discretion over the business rate. At the same time, we are considering whether, from 1 April 2000, those industries—including the electricity industry—which currently have their rates bills set by a formula, should have their rates determined on the basis of valuation like any other business. We hope to announce our decisions on these issues later in the summer. In doing so, we will fully consider their impact on the electricity industry.

  Pedestrian Areas
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the Government's policy towards extended pedestrian-only areas in city centre and suburban areas. [46707]
  533
  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The decision to pedestrianise areas of a city, town or suburban centre is a matter for individual local highway authorities, rather than central Government. The Government welcome the improved safety, convenience and environmental benefits that a well designed scheme can bring to local communities. Government advice in Planning Policy Guidance Note 6, Town Centres and Retail Developments, encourages local authorities to give greater priority to pedestrians, including pedestrianisation in town centres. Detailed advice has also been given on planning, design and legal implications in restricting vehicle access to pedestrianised areas, in the Department's Local Transport Note 1/87, "Getting the Right Balance".

  Local Government
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what consultations the Government have embarked upon with local government representatives following the publication of "Leading the Way-A New Vision for Local Government".[46710]

  Ms Armstrong
  My right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister and I have had meetings with representatives of the Local Government Association at which we discussed our proposals for modernising local government, on which we have also consulted councils, business and others.

  Departmental Reviews
  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list, for each of the last four years, all departmental inquiries and reviews instigated by ministers which have been chaired by individuals outside his Department; and in each case if he will give the date of establishment and the name of the chairman. [46831]

  Angela Eagle
  Details of five inquiries established by my Department, including their date of establishment and the name of the chairman, were given in the answers by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 23 April 1998,Official Report, columns 687–90, and the then Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 25 May 1995, Official Report, columns 716–20.

  A total of fourteen DETR reviews established since 1 May 1997 were included in the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 27 April 1998, Official Report, columns 14–17. Information on reviews between 1 June 1994 and 1 May 1997 cannot be provided except at disproportionate cost.

  Water Pollution
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what assessment he has made of the danger to public health posed by the contamination of the water supply by(a) viral, (b) retroviral, (c) bacterial and (d) toxic agents; [46939]

  (2) what steps the Government have taken to minimise the incidence of pollution of the water supply by (a) viral, (b) retroviral, (c) bacterial and (d) toxic agents; [46937]
  534
  (3) what steps he has undertaken to assure the prompt reporting of contamination of the water supply by (a) viral, (b) retroviral, (c) bacterial and (d) toxic agents. [46940]

  Angela Eagle
  The Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 1989 set standards for some 55 parameters, including microbiological and toxic parameters, which water suppliers must meet. In addition, water supplies must not contain any other substances at concentrations which would be detrimental to public health. The overall quality of water supplies in England and Wales is very high with 99.7 per cent. of over 3 million routine tests meeting the standards in 1996.

  The standards are enforced by the Drinking Water Inspectorate. Each of the tests which contravene the standards is assessed by the Inspectorate. There is no evidence that contraventions found during routine tests endanger public health because the standards for parameters of health significance are set with a wide margin of safety. The Inspectorate requires the water supplier to take action as quickly as possible in respect of any contravention that is not trivial and is likely to recur.

  Water suppliers are required to notify the Inspectorate immediately of any incident in which the quality of water supplies might be affected. Ninety five incidents were notified in 1997 and most were relatively minor happenings. All incidents are investigated by the Inspectorate. The Inspectorate checks that the water supplier has taken appropriate action to minimise the risk to public health, takes enforcement action against the water supplier when appropriate, and, in exceptional cases when water unfit for human consumption has been supplied, brings a prosecution against the water supplier under Section 70 of the Water Industry Act 1991.

  Aircraft Noise
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to review legislation regarding the control of aircraft noise. [46934]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We are examining airport and aircraft noise policy generally in the context set by the wider Integrated Transport Policy review. The case for new legislation on aircraft noise is being considered and proposals will be made in due course.

  Airports
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to undertake a review of airports policy; and if he will make a statement. [46935]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The consultation paper "Developing an Integrated Transport Policy" stated the Government's intention to review policy to examine how airports can play their full part in meeting both the transport and environmental needs of their region, including through better integration of surface access to airports with our wider transport policies. We shall announce our conclusions in the forthcoming Integrated Transport White Paper, which will provide the framework and the starting point for subsequent work on airports policy.

  Road Humps
  Mr. Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of evidence that road humps cause increases in vehicle exhaust pollution. [46984]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  In 1994, my Department commissioned the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) to carry out a literature review of research that had been carried out world-wide into the effects that traffic management schemes (including traffic calming) might have on vehicle emissions. These results are summarised in Traffic Advisory Leaflet 4/96 "Traffic Management and Emissions", copies of which have been placed in the Library. A further research project is specifically examining the effects of traffic calming measures, including different types of road humps. The results of this work will be available in November 1999.

  Seat Belts
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what is his estimate of the number of coaches currently in service built with anchorage points able to accommodate seat belts as part of the integral design; [46738]

  (2) what is his estimate of the number of coaches currently in service which were not built to accommodate seat belts. [46737]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Precise figures are not available. In coaches registered since 1988, certain exposed seats would have been designed to take belts, and it is likely that other seating positions in these vehicles would have been similarly constructed even though belts were not fitted at the time of manufacture. Older vehicles are less likely to have been designed for seat belts. While this does not necessarily mean that seat belts cannot be fitted to these vehicles, it may be necessary to carry out structural modifications to ensure that seat belts and anchorages can be satisfactorily installed.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent changes there have been in the advice his Department gives on the positioning of seat belts; and what were the reasons for each change. [46795]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  We have not changed our advice relating to the correct positioning of seat belts. However, we have recently made it clear that belts in minibuses, buses and coaches with a lap strap that sits anywhere between the wearer's pelvis and the upper quarter of the thigh should be treated as acceptably positioned for the purposes of the forthcoming MOT check. This is generally in line with the positioning permitted by the latest amendment to the European seat belt directive.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what tests his Department has(a) carried out and (b) evaluated concerning the ability of vinyl-covered pipe lagging around tubular frames on bus seats to protect seat-belt users in an impact. [46740]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  None. The requirements for padding are based on characteristics related to energy absorption, regardless of the material used.
  536
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what evidence his Department has evaluated which supports the use of seat belts over the legs as safe practice; and if he will make a statement. [46739]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Ideally, a lap belt, or the lap section of a three point belt, should lie across the pelvis. However, bearing in mind the differences between seat shapes and between one wearer and another, it is inevitable that there will be some variation in the way the strap lies across the body. In cases where a belt cannot lie across the pelvis, it has long been accepted that it is far better for it to lie across the strong upper thigh rather than the vulnerable abdominal region.

  Health and Safety Inspectors
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many Health and Safety inspectors have been employed in each of the last five years. [46753]

  Angela Eagle
  The table shows the number of inspectors employed by the Health and Safety Executive.

  Year (1 April)

  Inspectors

  1994

  1,572.5

  1995

  1,477.6

  1996

  1,466

  1997

  1,442.2

  1998

  1,437.4

  Note:
  Figures given are full time equivalent counts: part time staff were counted as half units until 1 April 1995; since then they are counted on the basis of the proportion of a full week that they work

  Council Tax (Empty Dwellings)
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to remove council tax exemption from empty dwellings. [47032]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The consultation paper 'Improving local financial accountability' invited views on whether there is a case to change the council tax. The deadline for responses was 1 June. Our proposals will be set out in a White Paper this summer.

  Central European Time
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the implications for energy saving of a change to Central European Time. [47240]

  Angela Eagle
  I understand from my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary that there are no plans for the United Kingdom to adopt Central European Time. The 1989 Green Paper "Summertime: A Consultation Document" concluded that a move to CET could result in marginal energy savings, but that these would be subject to larger uncertainties.

  Homelessness
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to increase the utilisation of empty buildings for housing the homeless. [47131]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Government are committed to making better use of empty buildings as part of our strategy for planning for household growth in the future and at the same time protecting our environment.

  We will continue to encourage local authorities to play a key role in this by developing empty property strategies. About 200 authorities have strategies in place or under development. My Department is currently funding the Empty Homes Agency to work with authorities to bring more empty commercial property back into housing use and to assist rural authorities in drawing up successful strategies.

  We have made extra money available to local authorities for renovating and improving stock through the Capital Receipts Initiative. Capital funding is also available through the Housing Investment Programme, the Single Regeneration Budget and the Housing Corporation's Approved Development Programme.

  Child Safety Week
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what initiatives his Department will take to promote Child Safety Week on 22 to 28 June.[47201]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Child Safety Week makes a valuable contribution to DETR's road safety education efforts. 1998 will be the 5th year that the Department has supported the Child Accident Prevention Trust's (CAPT) Child Safety Week. It is an important event which helps raise awareness of road safety issues among parents, carers and children. The Department encourages all those concerned with child safety to become involved. The week provides an opportunity to remind parents of the need to ensure that their children are safe when out walking, cycling or playing. It reminds adults that they need to take care as drivers— to reduce their speeds and ensure that babies and children are safely secured in their vehicle.

  We recently organised a conference to disseminate our recent research on road safety education to practitioners in this field. We have also recently issued a booklet providing a summary of recent research on child road safety education funded by the Department; one of the projects on which we have worked closely with CAPT aims to provide advice to new parents on all aspects of child safety. A copy of the booklet will be available in the Library.

  My Department has made a grant of £5,000 to CAPT to support the road safety element of their publicity.

  Regional Development Agency (Merseyside and North West)
  Mr. Maclean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what will be the size of the board for the Regional Development 538
  Agency in the new combined Merseyside and North West Region; and how many representatives will be from Cumbria. [47216]

  Angela Eagle
  The RDA board for the North West will have 12 members. Members will not be appointed as representatives, but on merit for the particular expertise and background they offer. Although there will not be a specific allocation of seats for Cumbria, one of the factors taken into account when selecting members for the board will be geographical spread.

  Closed Railway Tracks
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many miles of closed railway tracks, in England are open as(a) footpaths, (b) cycle tracks, (c) bridleways; what estimate he has made of the number of miles of track which could be used for (a) to (c); and if he will make a statement.[47203]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Over the years, a substantial mileage of closed railway lines has been sold to local authorities, but details of use as footpaths, cyclepaths or bridleways are not available. 220 miles have recently been transferred to Sustrans for cyclepaths. Those sections of line still in BR ownership and not held for public transport schemes are short (about 70 miles split between more than 100 sites) and are unlikely to be of significant use for these purposes.

  Local Authorities (Planning Guidance)
  Mr. Rowe
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the(a) powers, (b) responsibilities and (c) budget to be delegated to local councils as part of the proposals for greater decentralisation set out in the document "Planning for Communities: Transitional Arrangements for Regional Planning Guidance and Development Plans". [47068]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Under the proposals set out in "The future of Regional Planning Guidance" consultation paper published in January, responsibility for the production of draft Regional Planning Guidance (RPG) will be transferred to the regional planning conferences of local authorities. Following an independent public examination of the draft RPG, final guidance will be formally issued by the Secretary of State. As these arrangements are non-statutory, no powers can be transferred to local authorities. There is no separate budgetary provision. However, we have already indicated that the main additional costs of holding the public examination will be met directly by my Department. The preparation of development plans remains the statutory responsibility of local authorities.

  North Wales Railway Line
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the electrification of the North Wales railway line. [47114]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  The electrification of the North Wales railway is a commercial matter for Railtrack. I understand that studies have been carried out by Railtrack
  539
  in conjunction with the relevant train operating companies but that electrification is not a commercially viable option at the present time.

  Road Hauliers
  Mr. Swayne
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures he will take to ensure fair competition for UK hauliers when cabotage restrictions end on 1 July. [47192]

  Ms Glenda Jackson
  Although formal cabotage restrictions end on 1 July, cabotage operations have been possible, under cover of permits, since 1990. To date, no adverse effects on UK operators have been observed. We have no reason to believe this will change. At the same time, UK hauliers have begun to increase their activities abroad and are well placed to benefit from this further liberalisation of the market.

  Drugs Misuse (London)
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the powers which a future London Assembly will have to develop a comprehensive drugs misuse strategy for the capital. [47342]

  Mr. Raynsford
  In April 1998, the President of the Council presented the Government's 10-year strategy for tackling drugs misuse "Tackling drugs to Build a better Britain". The strategy will be overseen and coordinated by Keith Hellawell, the UK Anti-Drugs Coordinator, and coordinated locally by Drug Action Teams. DATs must, through consultation with the other DATs in their region, ensure that their plans have a strategic regional coherence. Where appropriate, they are encouraged to liaise with relevant regional tiers of Government. In London, it is expected that the Mayor and Assembly would work closely with DATs to ensure that factors specific to the capital are reflected in the application of the strategy.

  Sites of Special Scientific Interest
  Mr. Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list by region the sites of special scientific interest which have been damaged by falling water table levels in the last 12 months; and which water companies abstract water in each local area. [47345]

  Angela Eagle
  The Environment Agency published in May 1998 a submission to Government entitled A Price Worth Paying, which is in the Library of the House. Annex 1 of that document lists sites of special scientific interest which the Agency, in consultation with English Nature and the Countryside Council for Wales, considers to be affected by water company abstractions. The listing gives the name of the site, together with the county and the Environment Agency region in which it is situated. In most cases, the water company concerned can be identified from that information, but the Agency region can provide further details in cases of doubt.

  Irish Sea
  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will 540
  list the number and type of oil spills or leaks which have been reported in the Irish Sea in each of the past 10 years; [47124]

  (2) how many incidents of ships illegally flushing out their tanks in the Irish Sea were reported in each of the past 10 years; [47125]

  (3) if he will list the number and type of radioactive pollution incidents in the Irish Sea in each of the past 30 years; [47126]

  (4) if he will list the total tonnages of (a) treated and (b) untreated sewage that was pumped into the Irish Sea in each of the past 10 years; [47127]

  (5) if he will list the number and type of pollution incidents on each of the rivers that flow into the Irish Sea for each of the past 10 years; [47128]

  (6) if he will list the (a) type, (b) size and (c) location of known armament dumpings in the Irish Sea; [47129]

  (7) if he will list the estimated total tonnage of fertilisers which were washed from the land into the Irish Sea for each of the past 10 years. [47130]

  Angela Eagle
  The Digest of Environment Statistics No 19, 1997 (London, the Stationery Office, ISBN 0–11–753399–8) and the corresponding publications for earlier years set out in chapters 3 and 4 the available statistics,inter alia, on oil spills (incidents reported size, effects and costs incurred), prosecutions and convictions of ships for oil spills, urban waste water treatment plants (discharges into freshwaters, estuaries and coastal waters), water pollution incidents and prosecutions, and direct and riverine inputs (including plant nutrients) from the UK to coastal waters around the UK. Some of these statistics are for England and Wales only. None of them include statistics for the Isle of Man or the Republic of Ireland.

  The Nuclear Installations Inspectorate of the Health and Safety Executive produces quarterly reports of incidents involving releases of radioactivity, copies of which are in the Library. No significant incidents in the Irish Sea itself can be identified.

  The then Minister for the Armed Forces gave the available details of known dumping of munitions around the United Kingdom by United Kingdom organisations in a written answer on 19 January 1996, Official Report, column 842.

  EU Environment and Transport Councils
  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Joint Environment and Transport Council held in Luxembourg on 17 June. [47675]

  Mr. Prescott
  I chaired the joint Transport and Environment Council in Luxembourg on 17 June. This was an historic occasion, as it was the first time the Councils of EU Transport and Environment Ministers had come together formally to discuss a wide range of issues. I am happy to report a successful outcome, taking forward the mandate on the Environment from the Cardiff European Council the previous day. I am also pleased that
  541
  Cardiff gave an impetus to environmental integration, and that the Transport, Agriculture and Energy Councils were invited to start the process.

  The joint Council unanimously agreed Conclusions which recognise the vital social and economic role of transport but agree that there are adverse environmental effects which mean that current trends in traffic growth are unsustainable. The Conclusions emphasise the importance of an integrated approach, and call for a wide range of policies and measures at Community and Member State level, including national action plans, to promote sustainable mobility. The Conclusions also establish a process for the future, providing for the Commission to report to the Council on developments in the integration of environment and transport, and for the Council to meet again in joint session from time to time, to take stock of progress.

  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Transport Council held in Luxembourg on 17 and 18 June. [47676]

  Dr. Strang
  I chaired the final Transport Council of the UK Presidency in Luxembourg on 17–18 June. My hon. Friend the Minister for Transport in London represented the United Kingdom.

  All our objectives were met. The Council adopted two negotiating mandates, reached a common position on one legislative measure and agreement on four others (pending receipt of the European Parliament's opinion), agreed two sets of Conclusions, and held useful discussions in some important areas.

  Safety was a key theme. As Chairman, I presented a paper by the UK Presidency on Transport Safety in the European Union. Following discussion of this paper by Ministers, the Commission accepted an invitation to produce a first report in 1999 on transport safety across all modes in the EU.

  Two important negotiating mandates were adopted by the Council. The first of these authorised the Commission to start negotiations, on behalf of the European Community and the Member States, towards the establishment of a new pan-European international organisation, to be known as the European Aviation Safety Authority (EASA). The second mandate authorised the Commission to negotiate Community membership of the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation (EUROCONTROL).

  The Council reached a common position on a draft regulation amending Regulation 2299/89 on a code of conduct for computerised reservation systems (CRSs) in air transport.

  The Council reached Conclusions welcoming a draft regulation amending Regulation 295/91 on Denied Boarding compensation in scheduled air transport and calling for a decision on it at an early Council. The proposed amendment would strengthen the rights of passengers who are denied boarding to overbooked aircraft.

  The Council also reached Conclusions supporting action at global level through the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) on the limitation of emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) from jet aircraft
  542
  engines, though noting that the possibility of Community legislation remains open if ICAO fails to agree worldwide rules. Council also reached broad agreement, pending receipt of the European Parliament's opinion, on the main elements of a draft directive to limit the use of re-certificated civil jet aircraft, usually modified by the fitting of "hush-kits". Council agreed that the draft directive be transformed into a regulation, to facilitate early implementation.

  The Council reached broad agreement on draft directives on roadside inspection of commercial vehicles, and on harmonisation of examination requirements for safety advisers for the transport of dangerous goods by road, rail or inland waterway, pending receipt of the European Parliament's opinions.

  The Council continued the discussion begun at the Informal Council in April on the Commission Communication proposing step-by-step opening of the rail freight market.

  The Commission reported on progress with developing legislative proposals to extend working time rules to the road transport sector.

  In maritime transport, the Council reached broad agreement, pending receipt of the European Parliament's opinion, on a directive requiring safety inspection of passenger ferries, the last of a series of measures brought forward in the wake of the 1994 "Estonia" tragedy. The Council also debated the Commission's Green Paper on ports and maritime infrastructure. There was widespread support for the Commission giving priority to further work on principles for port and maritime infrastructure charging and financing, including an inventory of public funding, and on a regulatory framework for port services.

  There was also a first exchange of views on two recent Commission proposals on the crewing of vessels operating regular passenger and ferry services within and between member states.

  During the Council, on behalf of the European Community, Commissioner Kinnock and I signed a tripartite agreement, with the Directors-General of EUROCONTROL and the European Space Agency, on a European contribution to a Global Navigation Satellite System.

  Mr. Singh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Environment Council held in Luxembourg on 16 and 17 June. [47764]

  Mr. Meacher
  The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, my hon. Friend the Member for Wallasey (Angela Eagle), chaired the final Environment Council of the UK's Presidency in Luxembourg on 16–17 June. My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister also attended the Council.

  I am delighted to report an extremely successful Council. All of our objectives were met, with the Council agreeing Member States' share of the EU's Kyoto target, reaching four common positions, agreeing five sets of Conclusions and having useful discussions in a number of other areas.
  543
  The Council gave highest priority to securing agreement on how the EU would share out the 8 per cent. reduction of greenhouse gases agreed at Kyoto. After protracted and difficult negotiations which involved a continual series of bilaterals lasting throughout the Council, ministers reached agreement on this, and on Conclusions on the closely related issue of common and co-ordinated policies and measures for implementing these targets. Reaching agreement on climate change was one of the UK Presidency's main environmental objectives and I am delighted that we have achieved our goal. On negotiations with the industry to reduce CO2 from passenger cars, the Council agreed Conclusions welcoming the European car industry's improved offer, but agreed that more work was needed before agreement could be reached.

  The Council agreed common positions on four proposals. We agreed a directive setting legally binding limits for airborne levels of four major pollutants which will greatly increase protection for people particularly sensitive to air pollution. We also took further steps towards eliminating acid rain by agreeing a directive which will significantly reduce the sulphur content of heavy fuel and gas oil. Council also reached agreement on a directive establishing a system for licensing and inspection of zoos, so securing one of the UK's main objectives for its Presidency. We also agreed a revised European Environment Agency regulation.

  The Council also reached a very considerable degree of common understanding on the proposal for a Water Framework Directive which should allow a common position to be reached once the European Parliament's opinion is available. This is a major environmental proposal which will establish the general orientation of Community water policy over the next 30 years.

  Conclusions were agreed preparing the EU's position for the Fourth Pan-European Conference of Environment Ministers in Denmark later this month, on the Community's Biodiversity Strategy and on the follow-up to the Bergen-Northsea Intermediate Ministerial Meeting on the Integration of Fisheries and Environmental Issues.

  We also held the first ministerial discussions on a number of important proposals. The debates on proposals to reduce emissions from Heavy Goods Vehicles (part of the Commission's Auto-Oil Programme) and the revision of a directive on the deliberate release of genetically modified organisms will enable the Austrian Presidency to make progress with both of these over the next six months. The Commission will revise its proposal in the light of a very useful debate on eco-labelling. The Council also briefly discussed the Commission's proposal to end the Austria and Luxembourg bans on genetically modified maize, although no decision will be taken on this issue until after the European Parliament has delivered its opinion on 14 July.

  The Commission presented its Communication on Environment and Enlargement which will be discussed further by the Council during the Austrian Presidency.

  My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister reported on the Conclusions on the environment agreed by Heads of Government at the European Council in Cardiff on 16 June. These Conclusions establish a new framework for integrating environmental issues into all
  544
  European policy decisions. Responding to the Spanish Minister's report on the toxic waste spill near Doffana National Park in southern Spain, my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister, who visited the area on 5 June, proposed that there should be a review of current provisions for responding to disasters of this nature and, if these proved unsatisfactory, that there should be a conference to discuss possible alternatives. The Commission responded positively to this proposal and will report on their findings in the Autumn.

  At the outset of the Presidency, the UK set itself an ambitious environmental agenda, with six areas identified as priorities (climate change, air quality, biodiversity, enlargement, fisheries and transport). I am delighted to report that, with the Conclusion of this Council, we have achieved our objectives in all those areas.

WALES

  Cataract Operations
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what measures he is taking to tackle waiting lists for cataract operations. [45908]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  An additional £20 million will be spent in 1998–99 on reducing in-patient and day case waiting lists to below the level which the Government inherited. This supports the Government's commitment to reduce waiting lists over the lifetime of this Parliament by 100,000.

  Each Health Authority has been asked to provide details of their plans to reduce overall waiting lists, which would include those for cataract operations, by 19 June.

  Health Service
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received concerning the restructuring of the health service in Wales. [45909]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  My right hon. Friend and I have received in excess of 2,800 representations on this matter from hon. Members, interested groups and organisations and members of the public. We have also received approximately 15,000 petition signatures and I have held a number of meetings with hon. Members and others. Representations have advocated a variety of courses of action involving the retention or merger of various existing NHS trusts.

  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to increase NHS provision in Wales. [45910]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The Government have committed additional resources to NHS Wales in 1998–99. Total provision is £2·480 billion which is £138·5 million more than in 1997£98. My right hon. Friend will announce his plans for 1999£2000 in due course.

  Child Care Strategy
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the child care strategy for Wales. [45911]
  545
  Mr. Win Griffiths
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Monmouth (Mr. Edwards) on 22 June 1998,Official Report, column 388.

  Heart Surgery
  Mr. Rhodri Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has received for the development of heart transplant surgery in Wales. [45912]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff has produced a business case for introducing adult heart transplantation. The Department, in consultation with health authorities, is currently considering the proposals.

  Ms Julie Morgan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the future of open heart surgery in Wales. [45924]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  Reducing the number of deaths from coronary heart disease is one of the 15 national health gain targets and I remain committed to the provision of high quality cardiac services for the people of Wales.

  Agricultural Subsidies
  Mr. Dafis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many farmers in Wales have had their 1997 applications for(a) sheep annual premium, (b) suckler cow premium, (c) hill livestock compensatory allowance and (d) beef special premium rejected; and if he will make a statement. [45914]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  The numbers of 1997 applications currently rejected are Sheep Annual Premium (172); Hill Livestock Compensatory Allowance (414) and Beef Special Premium (27). It is also anticipated that 150 applications will be rejected under the Suckler Cow Premium Scheme.

  Taken together the number of rejections is of the order of 1.3 per cent. of total applications received.

  Training
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received during the past three months from training providers in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [45915]

  Mr. Hain
  My right hon. Friend and I have received 15 letters from training providers over the period. In addition, I have met representatives of the West Wales Training Forum.

  Agri-environment Scheme
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what progress he has made in implementing an all-Wales agri-environment scheme. [45916]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  I have approved the Working Group's recommendations for the technical details for the new scheme and these details have now been forwarded to the European Commission. I am proposing to make an announcement at the 1998 Royal Welsh Show.

  EU Structural Funds
  Ms Lawrence
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the recent visit of the President of the European Union Commission to Wales, in relation to structural funds. [45918]

  Mr. Hain
  President Santer and my right hon. Friend discussed the economic and social conditions across Wales. He reinforced the fact that continued structural fund support is crucial to the ongoing regeneration of these areas, particularly in the peripheral West and Valleys areas. These needs were underlined by the plight of the rural economy in Wales, as particularly demonstrated by low agricultural incomes.

  Mr. Touhig
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on his discussions on the structural funds with the President of the European Commission. [45919]

  Mr. Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he held with the President of the European Commission during his recent visit to Wales on objective 1 status for west Wales and the valleys. [45923]

  Mr. Rowlands
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the Cardiff European Union summit as it affects his responsibilities, with particular reference to issues relating to objective 1 status. [45926]

  Mr. Hain
  Discussions at the Cardiff European Council are not expected to have a direct outcome on future structural fund eligibility.

  On 15 June the European Council discussed issues of economic reform; the future of Europe as well as enlargement and the Agenda 2000 package. Eligibility for Structural Funding and financial issues are likely to be discussed by Member States towards the end of the year.

  Multilateral Agreement on Investment
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the implications for the work of the Welsh Assembly of the current text of the Multilateral Agreement on Investment. [45920]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  The purpose of the MAI is to prevent discrimination against investors on the grounds of nationality. I do not expect this to constrain the work of the National Assembly for Wales.

  Hospital Waiting Lists
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received concerning hospital waiting lists in Wales. [45921]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  Other than in respect of individual cases, none. Reducing the time people have to wait for treatment, within the emphasis on emergency care, remains a priority for the Government. The additional £20 million for waiting lists announced in the budget will be targeted at reducing lists to below the level which the Government inherited.

  Devolution
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the Government's response to the Welsh Affairs Committee's first report on the impact of the Government's devolution proposals on economic development and local government in Wales (HC 329). [45922]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  The Government's response to the Welsh Affairs Committee's report, "The Impact of the Government's Devolution Proposals on Economic Development and Local Government in Wales" was published on 1 June 1998. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House.

  National Assembly
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discretion elected members of the National Assembly will have in relation to the location of temporary and permanent homes of the national assembly. [45925]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  They will have discretion to the extent that financial and other commitments permit.

  Domestic Energy
  Mr. Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are his Department's policies to ensure the minimum waste of domestic energy. [45913]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  Domestic energy efficiency features prominently in the Department's housing, environmental and economic policies particularly with a view to securing affordable warmth, lower running costs and reductions in CO2 emissions.

  Tallow Trade
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales in what locations in Wales the tallow trade is practised; and if he will make a statement. [45003]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  This information is not held centrally. Tallow is produced when animal carcases are rendered. All rendering plants, of which there is only one in Wales, are required to be approved under the Animal By-Products Order 1992 to process ruminant waste. The State Veterinary Service carries out regular announced and unannounced visits to check compliance with this legislation.

  Brown-field Sites
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the potential for building new housing developments on brown-field sites; and if he will make a statement. [45880]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  Planning Guidance (Wales): Planning Policy, May 1996, makes clear that it is for local planning authorities to take account of the scope and potential for rehabilitation, conversion, clearance and redevelopment of land in their areas. In particular, local authorities should take account of the contribution reclaimable or reclaimed urban land can make to the overall provision of land for housing. Local authorities are able to identify suitable sites through the development 548
  plan process. The joint Housing Land Availability Studies co-ordinated and published by the Land Authority for Wales can help identify such sites.

  We are also encouraging registered social landlords to build more of their developments on brownfield sites. Such schemes are being encouraged by Tai Cymru in the form of a 50 per cent. grant towards the cost of technical site investigations.

  National Museum Curator
  Mr. Wigley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions there have been between his Department and the National Museum of Wales concerning the desirability for applicants for the post of curator of the National Museum of Wales having some knowledge of Wales, its history and its people. [46704]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  Decisions on the appointment of a new Director for the National Museums and Galleries of Wales (NMGW) are a matter for the Council of the NMGW. I understand that a first-hand knowledge of Wales has been included in the description of personal attributes for the post-holder, and that this will therefore be taken into account in making the appointment.

  Gas-fired Power Stations
  Mr. Barry Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the impact of the moratorium on gas-fired power stations on Wales; and if he will make a statement. [47419]

  Mr. Hain
  Welsh Office officials have been maintaining close contact with the power station developers in Wales. The President of the Board of Trade will shortly be making an announcement on the Review of Energy Sources for Power Stations.

  Cottage Hospitals
  Mrs. Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received concerning the closure of cottage hospitals in Wales. [45917]

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  Since 1 May 1997,1 have received a number of representations about proposals by health authorities for the closure of hospitals in Wales. Such proposals are the responsibility of health authorities and are referred to me for decision only if they cannot be agreed with the local Community Health Council. To date I have received no such referrals.

  Town Centre Regeneration
  Mr. Gareth Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to assist town centre regeneration in Wales. [45902]

  Mr. Ron Davies
  My Department encourages its agencies, local authorities and others to take a holistic approach to the regeneration of town centres by drawing up strategies in partnership with the private and voluntary sectors and with community groups. These strategies should, amongst other things, identify appropriate sources of funding from a number of different schemes offering support for town centre regeneration.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Antibiotics (Resistance)
  Mr. Martyn Jones
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to implement the recommendations made by the House of Lords Science and Technology Select Committee in its report on Resistance to Antibiotics and other Antimicrobia agents (Seventh report of Session 1997–98 (HL81)). [46927]

  Mr. Rooker
  The Select Committee's Report is being carefully considered jointly with Health Ministers. The Government will respond to the Committee when this consideration has been completed.

  Badgers
  Mr. Peter Bottomley
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will estimate the numbers and costs of badgers killed in official programmes each year since 1970. [46757]

  Mr. Rooker
  Official badger removal operations did not start until 1975. The number of badgers removed and sent for post-mortem each full year since 1975 is as follows:

  Year

  Number of badgers

  1975

  100

  1976

  203

  1977

  183

  1978

  208

  1979

  357

  1980

  346

  1981

  200

  1982

  691

  1983

  995

  1984

  1,265

  1985

  1,120

  1986

  785

  1987

  733

  1988

  778

  1989

  727

  1990

  810

  1991

  990

  1992

  1,054

  1993

  1,094

  1994

  1,683

  1995

  1,509

  1996

  1,911

  1997

  2,447

  The Department does not have annual figures for the cost of removing badgers. However, the overall cost of the Department's Wildlife Unit, whose principal role was to visit farms in England and parts of Wales, and survey, trap, kill and submit for post-mortem inspection badgers taken in official programmes, was £1.67 million in 1997. Ignoring the cost of minor duties, such as collecting other dead badgers for post-mortem examination, this is equivalent to almost £700 per badger taken.

  Departmental Reviews
  Mr. Allan
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list, for each of the last four years, all departmental inquiries and reviews instigated by 550
  ministers which have been chaired by individuals outside his Department; and in each case if he will give the date of establishment and the name of the chairman. [46827]

  Mr. Morley
  Details of relevant inquiries from June 1994 are as follows:

  Committee

  Date established

  Chairman

  Committee on Ethical Implications of Emerging Technologies in the Breeding of Farm Animals

  1April 1993

  The Reverend professor Michael Banner MA DPhil

  Dairy Produce Quota Tribunal for England and Wales

  June 1994

  Sir Michael Kerry QC

  The Nitrate Vulnerable Zone Independent Review Panel

  May 1995

  Mr. Terrence Etherton QC

  The Common Fisheries Policy Review Group

  March 1995

  Mr. John Goodlad (from September 1995)

  Independent Scientific Review on Tuberculosis in Cattle and Badgers

  14 November 1996

  Professor John Krebs FRS

  Assessment of the Radiological Implications of Dumping in Beaufort's Dyke and Other Coastal Waters from the 1950s

  30 July 1997

  National Radiological Protection Board

  The Advisory Group on Quarantine

  2 October 1997

  Professor Ian Kennedy LLD

  Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy Inquiry

  22 December 1997

  Lord Justice Phillips

  Review of Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries

  8 April 1998

  Professor Lynda Warren

  Review of Public Analyst Arrangements

  April 1998

  Mr. Alan Turner OBE

  1Report published February 1995

  Calf Processing Scheme
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the future of the calf processing scheme. [47255]

  Mr. Rooker
  [holding answer 23 June 1998]: The Government issued a consultation paper on 7 May 1998 on the proposition that this scheme should terminate on 30 November 1998 when its application ceases to be compulsory. The consultation period ends on 2 July and the Government will consider their position in the light of responses received.

  Drift Nets
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the ban on drift net fishing announced by the European Union will come into force; how it will be policed; what penalties will be imposed on fishing fleets which breach the ban on drift net fishing; and if he will press for a world wide ban on drift net fishing. [45858]

  Mr. Morley
  After 31 December 2001 it will be illegal for EU fishermen to use high seas drift-nets for tuna, swordfish and similar species. As with other fisheries on the high seas, responsibility for enforcement and dealing
  551
  with infringements will be a matter for the flag state. A United Nations Resolution, which the United Kingdom fully supports, already calls for a moratorium on high-seas drift-nets.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

  Disaffected Children
  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when his Department will respond to the Fifth report of the Education and Employment Committee, Session 1997–98 (HC 498) on Disaffected Children. [47826]

  Mr. Blunkett
  The Department has produced its response to the Select Committee's Report on Disaffected Children. A copy of the response has been sent to the Education and Employment Select Committee. A copy will be placed in the Library.

  Grammar Schools
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the cost of holding ballots on the future of grammar schools in(a) Kent, (b) Lincolnshire, (c) Medway,(d) Slough, (e) Southend, (f) Torbay, (g) Trafford, (h) Buckinghamshire and (i) Bexley. [47090]

  Mr. Byers
  Ballots will be held only when 20 per cent. of local parents seek one. The cost will depend on how many ballots parents seek. Where parents seek ballots, every effort will be made to ensure that costs are kept to a minimum and value for money is secured.

  Universities (Scotland)
  Mr. Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the number of students from England who will attend Scottish universities in 1998–99. [47089]

  Dr. Howells
  The Department does not publish forecasts of entrants by country of domicile or by country of study.

SOCIAL SECURITY

  Focus Groups
  Mr. Mullin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will place in the Library a copy of the focus group work which she has commissioned since 1 May last year, indicating the cost in each case. [45459]

  Mr. Field
  We have today placed in the Library a list containing the information requested.

  Lone Parents
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to her answer of 21 April 1998,Official Report, columns 604–45, if she will update her answer as regards how many lone parents who gained employment
  552
  are now in receipt of income support and have no earnings, and include those who gained employment in the period (a) 1 March to 31 March and (b) 1 April to 30 April. [45191]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  [holding answer 15 June 1998]: The number of lone parents who obtained employment between the following dates, and who are now in receipt of Income Support and have no earnings are as follows:

  Period

  Number of lone parents who obtained employment/increased hours

  Number of lone Parent Who obtained employment/increased hours, but who are now in receipt of Income Support and have no earnings

  21 July-22 October 1997

  518

  87

  23 October-30 November 1997

  391

  86

  1 December-31 December 1997

  141

  28

  1 January-31 January 1998

  228

  32

  1 February-28 February 1998

  240

  36

  1 March-31 March 1998

  280

  26

  1 April-30 April 1998

  219

  14

  Notes:

  1. The figures given for the number of lone parents who have found employment include those lone parents who have increased their hours while participating in the New Deal for Lone Parents

  2. The figures given for the number of lone parents who have found employment but are now on Income Support with no earnings represent information as of 16 June 1998

  It is not possible to draw conclusions about exit rates from employment of lone parents on the New Deal for Lone Parents as the data from the New Deal for Lone Parents are insufficient to calculate exit rates. The interim evaluation results of the New Deal for Lone Parents show that the programme has had an encouraging and marked effect on the rate at which lone parents move off Income Support; the programme has reduced the number of lone parents on Income Support in the New Deal areas by between one and two percentage points.

  The final evaluation report, which will be available in Autumn 1999, will compare the outcomes for lone parents in the eight prototype New Deal for Lone Parents areas with those in the control areas.

  Budget Changes
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many couples with children aged(a) under 11 years and (b) 11 years and above, claiming income support after 5 April, will be better off as a result of changes announced in the Budget and due to take effect in April 1999 by (i) up to £2.50, (ii) £2.51 to £5, (iii) £5.01 to £7.50, (iv) £7.50 to £10 and (v) £10.01 and above per week; and how many will remain unaffected. [46001]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The changes announced in the Budget which are due to take effect from April 1999 consist of a £2.50 increase in Child Benefit for the eldest child, and a £2.50 increase in the Family Premium in
  553
  Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. The information requested on the numbers affected by this change is in the tables.

  Couples in receipt of income support (IS)/jobseeker's allowance (JSA) with children under the age of eleven

  Weekly gain

  Receiving IS/JSA at April 5

  Numbers affected New IS/JSA awards after April 5

  Total

  Unaffected

  0

  0

  0

  Up to £2.50

  175,000

  135,000

  315,000

  £2.51 to £5

  0

  0

  0

  £5.0 to £7.50

  0

  0

  0

  £7.51 to £10.00

  0

  0

  0

  Over £10.00

  0

  0

  0

  Total

  175,000

  135·000

  315,000

  Couples in receipt of income support (IS)/jobseeker's allowance (JSA) with youngest child aged eleven years and above

  Numbers affected

  Weekly gain

  Receiving IS/JSA at April 5

  New IS/JSA awards after April 5

  Total

  Unaffected

  0

  0

  0

  Up to £2.50

  75,000

  30,000

  105,000

  £2.51 to £5

  0

  0

  0

  £5.01 to £7.50

  0

  0

  0

  £7.51 to £10.00

  0

  0

  0

  Over £10.00

  0

  0

  0

  Total

  75,000

  30,000

  105,000

  Notes:

  1. Caseloads are rounded to the nearest 5,000. Caseloads have been projected to the end of 1998–99. Caseloads may not sum to the total because of rounding

  2. The analysis covers changes to Social Security benefits announced in the Budget and which are due to take effect in April 1999. All other Budget measures, such as increases in the child personal allowances for the under elevens and changes to the Married Couples Tax Allowance, have been excluded

  3. Post April 5 case is defined as someone whose IS claim began after April 5, or who was on IS before April 5 but not as part of a couple with children

  Source:
  Based on data taken from the May 1996 Income Support Quarterly Statistical Inquiry uprated to 1998–99 prices, benefits and earnings level and calibrated to the forecasts underlying the 1998 Departmental report

  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many couples with children aged(a) under 11 years and (b) 11 years and above, claiming income support after 5 April will be better off as a result of the changes announced in the Budget and due to take effect in November by (i) up to £2.50, (ii) £2.51 to £5, (iii) £5.01 to £7.50, (iv) £7.50 to £10 and (v) £10.01 and above per week; and how many will remain unaffected. [45996]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The changes announced in the Budget which are due to take effect from November consist of a £2.50 increase in personal allowances for children under eleven in Income Support, Jobseeker's554
  Allowance, Housing Benefit, Family Credit and Council Tax Benefit. The information requested on the numbers affected by this change is in the tables.

  Couples in receipt of income support (IS) jobseeker's allowance (JSA) with children under the age of eleven

  Numbers affected

  Weekly gain

  Receiving IS/JSA at April 5

  New IS/JSA awards after April 5

  Total

  Unaffected

  0

  0

  0

  Up to £2.50

  70,000

  60,000

  135,000

  £2.51 to £5.00

  65,000

  45,000

  110,000

  £5.01 to £7.50

  30,000

  20,000

  50,000

  £7.51 to £10.00

  10,000

  5,000

  15,000

  Over £10.00

  5,000

  *

  5,000

  Total

  175,000

  135,000

  315,000

  Couples in receipt of income support (IS)/jobseeker's allowance (JSA) with youngest child aged eleven years and above

  Numbers affected

  Weekly gain

  Receiving IS/JSA at April 5

  New IS/JSA awards after April 5

  Total

  Unaffected

  75,000

  30,000

  105,000

  Up to £2.50

  0

  0

  0

  £2.51 to £5.00

  0

  0

  0

  £5.01 to £7.50

  0

  0

  0

  £7.51 to £10.00

  0

  0

  0

  Over £10.00

  0

  0

  0

  Total

  75,000

  30,000

  105,000

  Notes:

  1. Caseloads are rounded to the nearest 5,000, * denotes a caseload of less than 5,000. Caseloads have been projected to the end of 1998–99. Caseloads may not sum to the total because of rounding

  2. Post April 5 case is defined as someone whose IS claim began after April 5, or who was on IS before April 5 but not as part of a couple with children

  Source:
  Based on data taken from the May 1996 Income Support Quarterly Statistical Inquiry uprated to 1998–99 prices, benefits and earnings level and calibrated to the forecasts underlying the 1998 Departmental report

  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many couples with children aged(a) under 11 years and (b) 11 years and above, working more than 16 hours per week after 1 June will be better off after the changes announced in the Budget and due to take effect in April 1999 by (i) up to £2.50, (ii) £2.51 to £5, (iii) £5.01 to £7.50, (iv) £7.50 to £10 and (v) £10.01 and above per week; and how many will remain unaffected. [46000]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The changes announced in the Budget which are due to take effect from April 1999 consist of a £2.50 increase in Child Benefit for the eldest child, and a £2.50 increase in the Family Premium in Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance, Housing Benefit
  555
  and Council Tax Benefit. The information requested on the numbers affected by this change is in the tables.

  Couples with children under the age of eleven

  Weekly gain

  Numbers affected

  Unaffected

  0

  Up to £2.50

  3,220,000

  £2.51 to £5

  0

  £5.01 to £7.50

  0

  £7.51 to £10.00

  0

  Over £10.00

  0

  Total

  3,220,000

  Couples with youngest child aged eleven years and above

  Weekly gain

  Numbers affected

  Unaffected

  0

  Up to £2.50

  1,405,000

  £2.51 to £5

  0

  £5.01 to £7.50

  0

  £7.51 to £10.00

  0

  Over £10.00

  0

  Total

  1,405,000

  Notes:

  1. Caseloads are rounded to the nearest 5,000

  2. The analysis covers changes to Social Security benefits announced in the Budget and which are due to take effect in April 1999. All other Budget measures, such as increases in the child personal allowances for the under elevens and changes to the Married Couples Tax Allowance, have been excluded

  3. Caseload information reflects the position for all couples with children, working more than 16 hours per week, at the end of 1998–99

  Source:
  Based on data taken from the 1995–96 Family Resources Survey uprated to 1998–99 prices, benefits and earnings levels and calibrated to the forecasts underlying the 1998 Departmental report.

  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many couples with children aged(a) under 11 and (b) 11 years and above, working more than 16 hours per week after 1 June will be better off after the changes announced in the Budget and due to take effect in November by (i) up to £2.50, (ii) £2.51 to £5, (iii) £5.01 to £7.50, (iv) £7.50 to £10 and (v) £10.01 and above per week; and how many will remain unaffected. [45995]

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  The changes announced in the Budget which are due to take effect from November, consist of a £2.50 increase in the personal allowance for children under eleven in Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and Family Credit. The information requested on the number affected by this change is in the tables.

  Couples with children under the age of eleven

  Weekly gain

  Numbers affected

  Unaffected

  2,855,000

  Up to £2.50

  150,000

  £2.51 to £5

  130,000

  £5.01 to £7.50

  65,000

  £7.51 to £10.00

  20,000

  Over £10.00

  *

  Total

  3,220,00

  556

  Couples with youngest child aged eleven years and above

  Weekly gain

  Numbers affected

  Unaffected

  1,405,000

  Up to £2.50

  0

  £2.51 to £5

  0

  £5.01 to £7.50

  0

  £7.51 to £10.00

  0

  Over £10.00

  0

  Total

  1,405,000

  Notes:

  1. Caseloads are rounded to the nearest 5,000, * denotes a caseload of less than 5,000

  2. Caseload information reflects the position for all couples with children, working more than 16 hours per week, at the end of 1998–99.

  Source:
  Based on data taken from the 1995–96 Family Resources Survey uprated to 1998–99 prices, benefits and earnings levels and calibrated to the forecasts underlying the 1998 Departmental report

  Disability Living Allowance
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many of the disabled persons who have had their disability living allowance award disallowed or reduced over the last 18 months following(a) a review and (b) an appeal were suffering from (i) M.E., (ii) mental health illness, (iii) multiple sclerosis, (iv) Alzheimer's disease and (v) rheumatoid arthritis. [46425]

  Mr. Denham
  The information is not available in the format requested. Some relevant figures are given in the table:

  People with a Disability Living Allowance award reduced in the last 18 months

  Main disabling condition

  Reduced at review

  Reduced at appeal

  M.E.1

  —

  —

  Mental Health illness2

  2,840

  —

  Multiple Sclerosis

  480

  —

  Dementia3

  —

  —

  Arthritis4

  4,200

  —

  1Category includes Chronic Fatigue Syndrome as well as ME and post viral syndrome

  2Figures include: mental subnormality; psychosis (including schizophrenia and manic depression); psychoneurosis (including anxiety, depression, phobia and hysteria); personality disorder; behavioural disorder (including enuresis and hyperactivity) and severely mentally impaired

  3Category includes senile, pre-senile, Alzheimers and traumatic dementia

  4Category includes rheumatoid and osteo arthritis

  Notes:

  1. 5 per cent. data. Numbers too small to be reliable have been omitted

  2. Figures relate to decisions made in the 18 months ending 31 May 1998

  Source:
  Analytical Services Division

  Gender Impact Assessments
  Jackie Ballard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will place in the Library copies of gender impact assessments which have been undertaken in respect of legislation introduced in this Parliament; if he will make it his policy to do so in respect of future legislation; and if he will make a statement. [47021]

  Ms Ruddock
  The gender perspective in policy making is being addressed through the cross-Departmental mainstreaming initiative which the Ministers for Women 558
  launched on 18 May. We have consulted widely in the formulation of new guidelines. These guidelines will require Departments to:
  consider how policy proposals affect women;
  consult with women's organisations where appropriate; and to take action where the differential impact is not justifiable.

  The Ministers for Women intend to publish an Annual Report to Parliament setting out progress on mainstreaming the women's perspective into Government policy-making. The first report will be published after the end of this financial year.

  UK Pensioners Living in Commonwealth Countries
  UK Pensioners Living in Commonwealth Countries
  Association of Chief Police Officers
  Association of Chief Police Officers
  Law Commission Reports
  Law Commission Reports
  Gulf War Veterans: Medical Assessment and Treatment
  Gulf War Veterans: Medical Assessment and Treatment
  School Reorganisation Proposals: LEA
  School Reorganisation Proposals: LEA
  School Funding: Delegation
  School Funding: Delegation
  Foundation Schools: Decisions on Proposals
  Foundation Schools: Decisions on Proposals
  Department of Health: Cash Limits
  Department of Health: Cash Limits
  North Sea Oil and Gas Tax Revenues
  North Sea Oil and Gas Tax Revenues
  Bosnia: Export of Bomb Disposal Equipment
  Bosnia: Export of Bomb Disposal Equipment
  UN Voluntary Fund for the Victims of Torture
  UN Voluntary Fund for the Victims of Torture
  Indonesia: Release of Political Prisoners
  Indonesia: Release of Political Prisoners
  Turkey: Assault Rifles
  Turkey: Assault Rifles
  Non-British Prisoners Abroad: Visits by Diplomats
  Non-British Prisoners Abroad: Visits by Diplomats
  The Gambia: Arrests
  The Gambia: Arrests
  Northern Iraq: Turkish Military Action
  Northern Iraq: Turkish Military Action
  Turkey: Arms Exports by British Aerospace Subsidiary
  Turkey: Arms Exports by British Aerospace Subsidiary
  Israel: Alleged Chemical Defoliant Spraying
  Israel: Alleged Chemical Defoliant Spraying
  Conflict Prevention and Resolution: EU Policy
  Conflict Prevention and Resolution: EU Policy
  Lomé Convention
  Lomé Convention
  UN Reform Programme
  UN Reform Programme
  Falkland Islands and South Georgia
  Falkland Islands and South Georgia
  Baltic States: ASSIST Programme Funding
  Baltic States: ASSIST Programme Funding
  Sierra Leone
  Sierra Leone
  British Embassy, Berlin
  British Embassy, Berlin